Saturday, January 19, 2008

Engaging the Populace

I found this posted up around the area and I had to post it because its true of going out and talking to the Iraqi people. Some of it I think is that maybe our conversations get lost in translation between the Iraqi and the Interpreter, but it happens so often like after an RPG was fired at our COP no one in the area had heard the rocket launched. This is a no bullshit conversation between a Platoon Leader (PL) from one of our sister platoons, and a Local National (LN)

PL: Good afternoon.
LN: Hello hello.
PL: Do you mind if I ask you some questions about the mosque?
LN: Yes, yes there are a lot of people who go there to pray.
PL: Thanks, does this mosque broadcast a message to the area on Fridays?
LN: Yes it does, it is Shiia mosque so every Friday around 1215.
PL: It's 1230, did it broadcast a message today?
LN: Umm no, but it should soon.
PL: Ok, thanks, so last week it gave a message?
LN: No, I don't think this mosque gives messages.
PL: But I thought you just told me it should broadcast a message soon?
LN: What? NO. What mosque I don't know of any mosque around here.
PL: (Pointing to the mosque 100ft away) That mosque right there.
LN: I don't see a mosque.
PL: Is this guy serious?
RTO: I don't know?
PL: Sir, do you see that building, it has a dome and two huge blue and purple towers right in front of you... That MOSQUE?
LN: Oh wow, I've never seen that before, it must be new.
PL: So....
LN: I mean I'm new to the area I don't know anybody.
PL: You just told me a lot of people go to that mosque.
LN: What mosque?
PL: Ok, thanks for the help, I'll see you later.

We don't make this shit up. Seriously. Thank you to the PL from the sister platoon for relaying the info.
DEUCE DEUCE OUT!!!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aaaaaahahahahahaha. ; ) I believe you!!! Every word of it! It is reminiscent of the days when I worked in our county jail and we would try and dialog with the inmates. Same thing. This is just too priceless! Thanks for sharing. ; )

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Unknown said...

Denver Post photo editor requesting use of Duncan's photo for story being published in our paper...please email me back...

HollyB said...

Hi, followed a link from Dr. Chris over here. Love the mohawk topper to that military haircut.

I believe that conversation because it sounds like the ones between grunts and locals in VietNam 40 years ago. I'd ask if you could verify that with any "old" guys in your unit, but I imagine all the guys old enough to have served in VN are either retired or serving behind a desk by now.
Thank you for your service to our country, Soldier.

Army Sergeant said...

Ahahahahaah.

Nice. Painful, but nice.

David Stanford said...

I'm writing from Doonesbury.com's milblog The Sandbox (http://gocomics.typepad.com/the_sandbox). Would you please send me your email address so I can ask you about the possibility of posting some of your work on our site?
Thanks!
David Stanford, Duty Officer
Doonesbury Town Hall
themanagement@doonesbury.com