I am so PISSED at the soldiers (actually the military, I guess) in Iraq...

just heard some idiot soldier recorded on NPR screaming at Iraqis, talking in something close to English (many Iraqis do have the ability to communicate in English) but it sounded more like rap or Ebonics. I've been to exactly 52 countries and know that if you speak slowly and clearly, a LOT of foreign people will be able to understand...but this ridiculous abandonment of civil speaking renders English to nothing but gibberish to people who aren't used to hearing it in the Lingua Franca of South L.A.

Why don't the mid-level jerkoffs see how abusive this failure to speak coherently to an occupied population really is?

One grunt was shouting "GETCHA ASS OVA THERE", which delightful expostulation of English took about 745 milliseconds. How disgusting is that? Are these guys actually that fucking stupid that they don't realize how important it is to speak with a modicum of diction at a hearable rate?
:grr: :grr: :grr:

They're being asked to police a foreign country.

It takes training and experience to deal with the kind of situation they've been thrown into. Rummy couldn't be bothered to think this kind of thing might arise.

I put the blame squarely on the arrogance and short-sightedness of the Bush Co. Our guys are stuck in the middle.

Many are in a bad emotional state right now with all they are going through. Sweltering heat, no fresh food, many suffering from diarhea. No wonder some are now upset at Rumsfeld and Bush. To top it off, they are getting rocks thrown at them and random sniping and other attacks. It sucks over there, and you too might start flipping out too if you were there. ALthough I admit they way you describe him talking soudns pretty dumb.

than two goddamn minutes to -instruct- them to speak slowly and clearly (and even loudly if the situation suggests) It isn't rocket science.
Body language and vocal inflection have a BIG effect on how a message is going to be received. I realize that occupation isn't their forte, but one would think a bit of one-on-one diplomacy would be to their advantage.
:grr:

When someone signs up for the military part of the training is to dehumanize your "enemy". Some of these guys have had years of orientation along those lines. It isn't their fault. When you are at war you cannot have feelings of sympathy for your foes, or you go crazy.

These soldiers have killed Iraqis and now they are expected to turn around and treat them as fellow decent human beings?

That's why this war was so wrong. And the thinking of Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld who don't have a clue what these young people are going through is the culprit.

I'm sorry for all of it, but it isn't the soldiers' fault.

Father in WWII,

Brother in Vietnam.

have explained down through the ranks that these people are NOT the enemy. Jeezus, it ain't rocket science. If we're trying to 'liberate' a populace, treating them like mad dogs is hardly productive....
:eyes:

or maybe someone was giving him a really hard time.

There are good soldiers and bad soldiers over there. The bad ones are yelling at the Iraqis, abusing them, taking their money. The good ones are doing the best the can in a f*cked up situation. I agree KS that our leaders don't seem to be training anyone in how to deal with crowd control or basic cultural awareness.

:spank:

Not famliar with that language here. Has it ever been spoken in the U.S.? (sarcasm off). As one whose second language is English, I find it difficult to understand why Americans have so little respect for what is supposed to be their primary language. And to reposnd to your question, yes, it would be too much trouble for us to try and actually communicate with others; real communication takes some effort. In 1967, I visited my ancestral home country with my father and we had the pleasure of staying a day in Munchen (sorry no umlaut available on the keyboard). Our lunch was interrupted by a tourist screaming obscenities at one of the waitstaff, because he did not speak English. Any guesses at the national origin of the tourist?

It must be pretty easy to sit back and badmouth these troops seeing as your in the comfort of your home. Have you any idea how stressful the situation is for them? Didn't think so. Day in and day out these troops put their ass on the line to liberate these people. Coming hand in hand with this liberation is the daily sniper attacks, land mine explosions and constant fatigue. Of course that 40hr work week your used to is highly stressful:eyes:. Until you have walked in their shoes, you have NO right to speak so harshly of them. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL TROOPS HOME AND ABROAD.

sorry but we invaded and occupy a foreign nation. The job is tough, but it is the one they signed up for. Just like cops they are responsible for their own behavior. I will be damned if there is ever a time in my life that I feel I can not comment on and judge the actions of people representing me overseas.

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It is shameful that some people are attacking the troops when they should be focused on Bush et al instead.