Iraqi civilians feed hungry US marines

AFP/Yahoo ^ | 3-29-03

[Illbay]

"They told me they wanted to go to America after the war. I said where. They said California. I said why? They said the song Hotel California and they left singing Hotel California."

How funny! And this, friends, is the sum total of why the Europeans hate us so much: American culture is ubiquitous, and such as the Frogs--who consider their own culture the non pareil--can't stand it.

[P8riot]

I can't, and don't, blame you for being cautious and being more than a little concerned that our troops may not be, but I don't think they are stupid (and I'm not accusing you of saying that they are). I'm sure that somebody tested the stuff before they were allowed to eat it.

[TheSpottedOwl]

In the middle east, to offer someone your food shows comraderie more than anything else. Sharing a meal creates an almost sacred bond between the two. To refuse offered food in a mideast culture is to refuse the offer of friendship, and an insult.

There is something else to that also. In some Arabic cultures you are prohibited from harming a person with whom you've either hosted in your home or shared a meal with. Not sure which instance applies. Middle Easterners are known to be very hospitable if they like you.

I know the troops have to be extremely cautious, otoh, the civilians have to be careful what they do too. Especially within sight of POW's.

[AAABEST]

My son is not a Marine, he's in the Army......but he's 19, and he's always hungry.

Helloo00OO00oo. This is not "growing boy" hungry, this is "my chain of command had a brainfart" hungry. MRE's are not even fun to live on when their plentiful. You burn a ton of calories digging holes on 3 hours of sleep, trust me on that one sister.

[don-o]

Logic dictates that you don't take unecessary chances in life or death situations.

Agree.

It is slightly amusing that keyboard warriors seem to think they have a better grasp of the right course of action, vis a vis the hospitality of the folks we are liberating, than do the liberators.

Do you think our troops to be stupid?

[don-o]

There is something else to that also. In some Arabic cultures you are prohibited from harming a person with whom you've either hosted in your home or shared a meal with.

Excellent and factual observation. Thanks for making it.

[EllaMinnow]

ping.

[TPartyType]

"They told me they wanted to go to America after the war. I said where. They said California. I said why? They said the song Hotel California and they left singing Hotel California."

Precious!

I wonder what a Big Mac would taste like after being mailed to the front lines in a care package . . .

[MHGinTN]

Ahh, but Bill exposed the bilgebreath for what he is, an appeasenik who wants to push PC down the throat of patriotic Americans! Sadly, that littleman is a college professor shaping the minds of impressionable students. Liberalism is a deadly infestation in our college system ... and it's filtering down to infect even elementary schools! Did you read about the elementary 'teacher' who took her class to a peace rally? Now that scumbag ought to be fired!

[lawdude]

Isn't it against the Dasshole rules of war for out troups to accept food from them?

[Bob J]

They better be careful with this...Greeks bearing gifts and all...

[cookcounty]

My wife is from Morocco. In the middle-east, the offering of food is a cultural practice which is meant to communicate "we consider ourselves honor-bound to protect you." A good sign.

[BunnySlippers]

Take that New York Times and France!

The article is sourced to AFP. AFP IS French.

[Husker24]

Yea, as nice as a gesture as it might be, it would make me a bit nervous.

[AAABEST]

It is slightly amusing that keyboard warriors seem to think they have a better grasp of the right course of action, vis a vis the hospitality of the folks we are liberating, than do the liberators. Do you think our troops to be stupid?

Amused or not, you're definition of "keyboard warrior" differs from mine. My definition of "keyboard warrior" is one who was never a real warrior at all, but thinks they have a "grasp" on things from behind their keyboard.

Fact is they shouldn't be needing food from the locals, but I can't blame them for taking it if they're that hungry. Forget poison, there are many reasons for the LOGIC behind not eating the local's food, even if they are partisans. I was out of commision for a week because of a nasty case of dysentery. That's because they fertilize their food with human feces over there.

I think I'll end the conversation there don-o. You're going south on me and putting thoughts in my head, because you're not hearing what you want to hear. Come back and talk to me when you lose that fresh tone of yours. I tried to be nice.

[cgk]

V bump!

[bwteim]

It is much better to have it sent stateside for analysis, I know I would....
/sarcasm off

[ez]

"They told me they wanted to go to America after the war. I said where. They said California. I said why? They said the song Hotel California and they left singing Hotel California."

I wonder if they know this song is about THC (marijuana)?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Not sure what good that is going to do him out in the desert...

[wardaddy]

And from on Yahoo at that...not known for their conservative news posting posture.

Amen!