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Thursday, February 19. 2009

Motivational speech

This could be from a movie. Fantastic Americana: an American soldier offers subtle motivation to Iraqi policemen:


 

Posted by Bird Dog at 20:22 | Comments (43) | Trackbacks (0)

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This gentleman needs to deliver a modified version
of this encouraging talk to our elected officials
in Washington...
...then invite anyone that doesn't
completely understand, out back to have it
explained another way.
#1 DucSup on 2009-02-19 20:59 (Reply)
Ha... excellent idea. But not modified too much.
#1.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-02-19 21:11 (Reply)
Yeah. And when Harry Reid gets that little smarmy smirk on his face, yank him up by his tie and shake, rattle, and roll him. Make him squeal like a piggy.

ha ha.
`
#1.1.1 Meta on 2009-02-19 21:23 (Reply)
Have him give Pelosi a big lip smack... that will likely cure him of many of his ills. Especially when she runs that forked tongue down his throat.
#1.1.1.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-02-19 21:35 (Reply)
Some Thoughts.

Brave words from an American Soldier who wears a bullet proof vest, rides in a bullet proof truck, whose wife and kids are safe and sound on the other side of the ocean, has air support in less then 5 minutes, whose nation is willing to pay millions of dollars in medical expenses to save his life, carries automatic grenade launchers, machine guns, and shoulder fired rockets inside his truck, and has received the best military training the world has ever seen.........wait one more. He gets to go home in a year!!!

while these "cowards" drive around in pick-up trucks, their families are threatened, their ammunition may or may not work (ever pulled a bullet out of it's casing....czech made 7.62 mm rounds!!!!), they may have gotten an 8 week course on policing, their fellow police officers may be insurgent informants.

Wait here's a good one. Why don't you organize the element and conduct a joint patrol? (You can leave your trucks and walk with them if you insist) "All you need is some food and water." right?

Can anybody make out what the translator is saying?
- What's the direct translation for "fuck" into Arabic when it is used as an adverb, adjective, verb, noun?
- How does he translate "You don't want to do shit"......does that mean you don't want to take a dump.
- "Fuck your stupid checkpoints"
- "Fuck some people up."

Did he really say you don't need trucks??? Just walk down the road. What a stupid fucking idea. How do you evacuate the wounded, get resupplied, why would you surrender the advantage of quickly flanking your enemy.

Do you think the Iraqi police could really understand what the interpreter was saying while the American Soldier continued shouting over him.

Solutions/Learning Points:
1) Live in the Police station, learn what they do, conduct joint patrols.
2) learn Arabic
3) integrate efforts with the Iraqi Army (The police are probably out gunned and out trained and maybe out manned by the insurgents.)
4) Think before you speak
5) Let the interpreter speak (Louder than you). The police don't know what you are saying in English.
6) Humiliating leadership in front of subordinates does not do much to construct a cohesive fighting unit. In fact it is quit counter productive if you expect them to "walk" down the road and get in a fire fight.
7) Don't let your frustration spill over to uncontrolled angered that shows a lack of self-control
8) Provide Solutions where you see a problem

GO ARMY!!!
#1.2 Eric on 2009-02-21 12:59 (Reply)
This is a great comment - it's considered, thought-provoking, and sensible. As such, the rednecks that read this post won't understand a word of it...
#1.2.1 Pinko on 2009-02-23 01:43 (Reply)
Well said Eric! Thanks for sharing. Although as frustrating as times where working directly with the Iraqi Police in 2004-2005 (speaking from experience)...frustrating doesn't begin to explain how tough it is on the soldiers left responsible to train, mentor and equipped these individuals. Regardless how frustrating it can be there is no need for the arrogance and disrespect displayed by that solider.

As for others making the comment about Americans being arrogant and stupid...please note that Americans are doing great things everyday in Iraq.
#1.2.2 jennel on 2009-03-20 01:02 (Reply)
Good example of using the Honor / Shame dichotomy as a motivational tactic. I heard versions of that speech a couple times while I was on active duty. Knowing that I'd f***ed something up badly enough to deserve that kind of a reaming out generally made me physically ill, dizzy and on the edge of vomiting.

Appeals to honor, and shaming dishonorable behavior, works well with men who understand and adhere to honor, and who are capable of feeling shame. Soldiers, Marines, Arabs.

I believe this tactic would be uniquely ineffective as a means of motivating our elected national leadership.
#2 Al Maviva on 2009-02-19 23:11 (Reply)
Sir :
Upon your demise, please donate your ' Grey Matter '
to science.
#2.1 jester~ on 2009-02-19 23:49 (Reply)
This is a prime example of why the rest of the world hates arrogant, foul-mouthed, crass and stupid Americans. If you can't figure out why, well...
#3 Pinko commie on 2009-02-20 01:00 (Reply)
Would that be until some other country has overriden their country or has a maniacal dictator running the place, then they don't seem to mind.
#3.1 grant1863 on 2009-02-20 01:30 (Reply)
Who'd want to overrun Iraq after you've done such an appalling job?
#3.1.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 03:32 (Reply)
Pinko-boy
humor is funny business
please leave it to the adults
#3.1.1.1 jester~ on 2009-02-20 09:16 (Reply)
I get it. You mean because he's right and they know they should take on their own battles but they're too scared so they hate him for it.

Pinko, you're stunningly stupid. Really, did this idea pop out while you were scratching yourself? "Duh, I'll say the same kind of thing the soldier said..."

This is a prime example of why we hate arrogant, foul-mouthed, crass and stupid pinkos. If you can't figure out why, well...
#3.2 Jephnol (Link) on 2009-02-20 01:57 (Reply)
Yeah Jephnol, they'll all a bunch of gutless cowards, those Iraqis. After all, they only wearing berets and cotton shirts while Robocop is fully armoured...

Oh, and here's an idea - next time you make a comment, come up with your own words rather than using mine - or does that stretch your scanty brain cells too far?
#3.2.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 03:38 (Reply)
Pinko - Like the man says "Shut the fuck up unless you are going to man up." I didn't see you over there. Your comments prove your ignorance.

The Iraqis were amazed that our soldiers were wearing all that hot armor in 130 degree heat. They were convinced our clothes were air-conditioned. You have no idea what discipline it requires to operate in that armor.

That armor is designed to stop shrapnel - not bullets. It might stop 1 or 2 AK47 rounds before the stop-plate shatters and it's worthless. It will not stop a single Russian 7.62 X 54 round that the bad guy snipers use. It also does very little against IED's except hold together enough body parts to send home.
#3.2.1.1 NJSoldier on 2009-02-20 07:46 (Reply)
Re. "Shut the fuck up unless you are going to man up."

Sorry, but I'm not in the habit of taking orders from a foul mouthed, pig ignorant bully who looks like a cross between Robocop and a Hitler Youth.
#3.2.1.1.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 13:44 (Reply)
Okay, you must have skipped the part where I said I thought you were stunningly stupid.
#3.2.1.2 Jephnol (Link) on 2009-02-20 09:50 (Reply)
Hey, still trying to get your brain into gear, Jep? Don't bother - just sit back in front of the TV with another beer and watch the cartoons. Much easier than trying to figure out what life's like in the real world...
#3.2.1.2.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 13:48 (Reply)
You are my cartoon. You're such a sweet, sweet little imbecile, untouched by the vicissitudes of life. It's touching really. Do that cartoon thing again where you act like you're thinking. That's a good monkey.
#3.2.1.2.1.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2009-02-20 14:05 (Reply)
Love you too, Jep.
#3.2.1.2.1.1.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 15:21 (Reply)
Here is what you missed. He never actually gave them an order. He challenged their patriotism and their manhood. He is trying to get them to act like FREE MEN and take responsibility. When resoponsibility has been beaten out of a people for so long, it sometimes has to be beaten back in.

A commie offier would have shot a couple of them and marched the rest of them towards the battle at gun point. No need for responsibility at all.
#3.3 NJSoldier on 2009-02-20 09:02 (Reply)
Nice explanation, NJS. Though I suspect our new friend may have issues with that responsibility part.
#3.3.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-02-20 10:21 (Reply)
Re. "A commie offier would have shot a couple of them and marched the rest of them towards the battle at gun point. No need for responsibility at all."

At last, now you're starting to make some sense...
#3.3.2 Pinko on 2009-02-20 13:52 (Reply)
What I miss most about the military - working with men who can speak honestly.
#4 NJSoldier on 2009-02-20 07:32 (Reply)
Stupid jarhead needs to learn how to speak English so the Iraqis can understand what he really wants to communicate.

Better yet, learn Arabic.
#5 Leag on 2009-02-20 13:03 (Reply)
At last, a sign of intelligent life on this blog!

Any adviser worth his salt would know how to speak in the language of the soldiers he is working with.
#5.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 14:00 (Reply)
Let me guess... you work in the academic professions?
#5.1.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-02-20 14:55 (Reply)
Yeah Luther, I'm a professor of gay and lesbian studies...
#5.1.1.1 Pinko on 2009-02-20 15:25 (Reply)
Good for you. Then perhaps you should stick to your specialty and consider confining your lectures to your students.
#5.1.1.1.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-02-20 17:08 (Reply)
Sigh. I didn't think you'd understand the meaning of irony, Luther.
#5.1.1.1.1.1 Pinko on 2009-02-23 01:38 (Reply)
My Muslim wife would have bitch slapped the idiot back to his barracks.
#5.1.2 Leag on 2009-02-20 15:05 (Reply)
Your Muslim wife? ha ha. Right, you and Mudboy Hussein are brothers.

Leag, Habu - You are so full of little red ants.... What happened to your patois, by the way? ........ sumthin about a 'fake accent'?
`
#5.1.2.1 Meta on 2009-02-20 20:10 (Reply)
Sweet mita,

Do try to stay on topic.

The lout would have gotten his mouth washed out when the lady got him back to his home.

He deserves a courts martial.
#5.1.2.1.1 Leag on 2009-02-22 14:48 (Reply)
(I know this is a bit late but some people have to work all day and can't always read blogs at 2:00 in the afternoon)...

Pinko-Dude, you got punk'd.
#5.1.3 KRW on 2009-02-20 21:20 (Reply)
Tis a phony nic I think. From someone who craves the edge. Which is a fine spot, really. But not everyone wants to live there, not everyone can live there.
#5.1.3.1 Luther McLeod on 2009-02-20 21:37 (Reply)
See "At last, a sign of intelligent life on this blog!"

'Fraid to say that you don't qualify, KRW. Leave the arguing to the grown-ups.
#5.1.3.2 Pinko on 2009-02-23 01:37 (Reply)
the sign on the gate said

Do Not Feed The Trolls
#6 jester~ on 2009-02-20 14:12 (Reply)
Yeah - I'm done.
#6.1 NJSoldier on 2009-02-20 15:09 (Reply)
Yours was a good effort, NJS.
#6.1.1 Jephnol (Link) on 2009-02-20 16:00 (Reply)
Thanks - I think a couple of visitors were scared by the big army man.
#6.1.1.1 NJSoldier on 2009-02-20 21:58 (Reply)
I'm getting used to the weekend traffic. Was it Meta or Marianne who pointed out that these paid trolls like Pink Boy only work weekends?
#6.1.1.1.1 The Distributist (Link) on 2009-02-21 07:51 (Reply)
Hey rednecks, sorry to be a pain but I'm back - can't resist seeing you righteous dudes get all weepy because of a few home truths. Pity you can't man up and argue back - play the ball, not the man.

Like I said, signs of intelligent life are few and far between on this post, with only Eric and Leag (oh, and me) making sense.
#6.1.1.1.1.1 Pinko on 2009-02-23 01:33 (Reply)

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