A moment in a day in a life in Iraq
I can’t post this YouTube video on our site, because the language it contains would violate every rule we’ve got and also some we don’t have.
So be advised: It contains graphic language.
However, in five minutes it also offers more insight into the frustrations and difficulties faced by our soldiers in Iraq than you could get from a week of reading newspapers, magazines and books and watching sterilized TV coverage. The scene is Iraq; the players are a U.S. sergeant cussing out Iraqi policemen he has been assigned to train to protect their country.
Again, language alert. But also worthwhile. If you want to go further and read a discussion by professional soldiers and other experts of the scene you just witnessed, go here.
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73 comments Add your comment
BDAtlanta
March 4th, 2009
1:54 pm
People who have kids of military age who also happened to have voted for Bush twice, should be making their children serve in the military.
Otherwise, shame on them.
@@
March 4th, 2009
2:02 pm
I watched the better part of the video, jay and all I could think was that there are some who vote democrat that could benefit from that kinda motivational speech.
Heck! America could benefit were the PC liberals not in charge.
I YIKED IT!!!!!
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
March 4th, 2009
2:11 pm
Jay, why do you always celebrate and publicize any rogue US soldier you can identifuy?
As with Abu Gharib, this soldier is out of line and deserves to be disciplined. It would be interesting to learn how the Army responds to this video, my bet is that he’s in a heap of trouble.
G-d bless all our soldiers, even those in their weak moments. Shame on those who use a soldier’s weak moment to advance a political position.
CommunistAJC
March 4th, 2009
2:20 pm
That soldier ROCKS!
cubalibre
March 4th, 2009
2:23 pm
IS it possible to feel sorry for both the (obviously) frustrated US soldier, and the hapless Iraqis whom he’s addressing? As someone with many family members who are or were career military and/or police, my heart ached for the Sgt., because who knows what limits he felt pushed to in order to reach that boiling point? At the same time, if his goal was to inspire respect in the Iraqis under his command, I don’t think he succeeded. And it really bothers me that one of his insults was that they were “too much of a woman” to get the job done (especially since I personally know military gals who could, without little ado, kick the living crap out of any one of those guys). I mean, that culture already views women as second-class– do we really need one of our own to hammer it home that he thinks so, too?
BDAtlanta
March 4th, 2009
2:31 pm
If someone invaded the US, I’d already be dead from fighting them.
Can you imagine how humiliating it already is to have to do what the gringos tell you to do?
fed up
March 4th, 2009
2:32 pm
I watched it and half way through I thought that this soldier should go speak to Congress and the folks in the White House.
@@
March 4th, 2009
2:33 pm
WOW, jay! Look at that…..Wyld Byll and I have differing points of view.
Whodathunkit?
Certainly not you or any other liberal.
My husband was in the Army. He said they suffered some serious humiliation at the hands of their drill sargeants (I think that’s what he called them). There was a method behind their madness — strip them of their individuality in order that they could operate as a cohesive unit out to achieve the same goal.
When someone criticizes me, I set a goal to prove them wrong.
Observer
March 4th, 2009
2:35 pm
I find no fault at all with the soldier’s message. I disagree with the manner he chose to convey it, but the content of the message is spot on.
Iraqis act like welfare recipient broodmares in America. They sit back and expect us to do all of the heavy lifting and bear the brunt of the casualties while they sit back and enjoy the benefits. Until there is a REAL incentive for them to change, they won’t.
I Report/ You Whine
March 4th, 2009
2:40 pm
I sure would like to know when war became an exercise in political correctness.
Why even bother talking about something you know nothing about, Bookman?
Doggone/GA
March 4th, 2009
2:40 pm
“Iraqis act like welfare recipient broodmares in America. They sit back and expect us to do all of the heavy lifting and bear the brunt of the casualties while they sit back and enjoy the benefits. Until there is a REAL incentive for them to change, they won’t”
Yes…it’s just too bad WE invaded THEIR country on NO VALID PRETEXT WHATSOEVER. And then we expect THEM to fix it for us? We should have left well enough alone. It’s their country, we have NO BUSINESS being there…but you know what: “you (we) broke it, you (we) have to fix it”
Doggone/GA
March 4th, 2009
2:41 pm
“And it really bothers me that one of his insults was that they were “too much of a woman” to get the job done (especially since I personally know military gals who could, without little ado, kick the living crap out of any one of those guys).”
Sure…but that kind of insult has to be understood in the context of those who HEAR it. It’s much more likely to be a deadly insult in a region that comes close to, if it doesn’t actually, subjugate their women.
Dusty
March 4th, 2009
2:42 pm
I don’t know whose behavior is more disgusting, Bookman’s or the soldier doing the talking in this video.
Perhaps the US soldier had been in Iraq too long and under a lot of pressure. Maybe he’s just a misfit. But what is Bookman’s excuse for showing this video? The fact that he is anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-Iraq, anti-military, white flagger and cut’n'runner? Why else would he show a deliberate insult to the military by showing one obscure demoralizing man to give a bad impression for all?
Sometimes I think of Bookman as a mediocre journalist with a mild sense of humor. Today I see him as a misfit liberal willing to disgrace the military to work against the country, the military just to score a few Democratic political points on a blog. What an absolute jerk! Even liberals should be disgusted with Bookman before they start blaming Bush. If Bookman supports our military and our country he certainly has an ugly way of doing it. AJC sinks (and stinks) with this dirt dauber.
I Report/ You Whine
March 4th, 2009
2:42 pm
By the way, that was hard core training at it’s very finest.
Those Iraqis will be some of the finest troops in the world.
@@
March 4th, 2009
2:44 pm
Marine Corp DI…..”Save the drama for your Mama”, jay.
Truth
March 4th, 2009
2:45 pm
What is wrong what the way he was talking? Where does it say in the Army manual, that you librals love so much, no cursing? Jay, you are pathetic for even attempting to disgrace this soldier. It is people like him who let people like you spew your hatred for America. You should be praising him!
Bosch
March 4th, 2009
2:47 pm
That’s a real boost for Iraqi police moral.
fed up
March 4th, 2009
2:48 pm
Hey Jay why don’t you find a u tube video that illustrates the good that has come from our soldiers in Iraq. Oh yeah that wouldn’t fit in your agenda. Almost forgot who I was asking.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
March 4th, 2009
2:48 pm
@@ 2:33 pm
Are you and the husband still married? I have always respected your intellect and enjoyed your ideas; perhaps it is time to get together for a little drinky-poo.
B. Steal
March 4th, 2009
2:50 pm
The police and the soldiers have life-on-line difficult if not horrible jobs. The soldier has the absolute correct serious delivery to his message. Vulgarity is entirely appropriate. I hope they come home soon and leave a safe stable country.
This guy seems to be channeling my junior high football coach – or vice principal. I seem to remember comparisons to a girl with a helmet and serious attitude problem.
I Report/ You Whine
March 4th, 2009
2:53 pm
Liberals don’t even understand warfare in the least bit, that soldier is obviously responsible for training those troops and he is challenging them, which is part of his duties. And he’s doing a damn good job of it, no one likes to be called out for being a coward, er, um, well, except for any liberal.
Stick to what you know democrats, surrendering.
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
March 4th, 2009
2:57 pm
Look, I played football during the dark ages – no water, only salt tablets – so I’m no stranger to rough treatment. but the soldier was out of line to belittle the commanders in front of the men they will lead. Also, he should have known that the video would provide a propaganda victory for the far left.
Goldie
March 4th, 2009
2:57 pm
I guess it’s just more of the Repugs’ idea of “winning hearts & minds” in Iraq… boy, we’ve really shown them Iraqis a thing or two about respect and dignity, American-style, yep???
T
March 4th, 2009
2:58 pm
HE HE HE HE HE.
Goldie
March 4th, 2009
2:59 pm
And once again, Luckovich’s ‘toon today is fabulous — how much bigger of a fat idiot can that pill-popping Rush be these days? BWAAAAAAA!
Midori
March 4th, 2009
3:03 pm
Hey there, Goldie.
good to see you again.
WhoCares
March 4th, 2009
3:07 pm
Maybe if Jay’s Daddy had cussed him out a time or two he wouldn’t have turned out to be such a pansy a$$ bedwetter.
Jay
March 4th, 2009
3:08 pm
I find it interesting how quickly some of you jump to the conclusion that i was somehow criticizing this soldier or using him to make a political point. Nothing in my words justifies that claim. I posted the video because it tells those of us safely here at home a lot more about what our folks in uniform are going through than anything else you’re likely to read or watch.
Anybody disagree with that?
Jay
March 4th, 2009
3:10 pm
And “WhoCares?” My daddy was a career sergeant, retired E-9. Let’s just say he ran a tight ship.
caz1158
March 4th, 2009
3:13 pm
Jay-I watched entire clip. Thanks. One thing I agree with my friends on the left is, If Iraq’s not willing to stand up and fight,why be there. I still believe in why we went, but now it’s time to let the them stand on their own two feet. Sad to say once we do it all hell is going to break loose. Back to the video-we the people should hire this soldier for motivational speeches for our elected officials,all of them!!!!
Fred
March 4th, 2009
3:14 pm
Wow, there sure are some wussy men and women on this blog who obviously NEVER served in the Military. That video was a love song compared to some I got (as a private) and gave (as a sergeant, note the spelling @@, not a slam, just a gentle correction). That’s a simple day at the office in the military. Remember your wannabe REMF’S soldiers DAILY put their lives on the line, hurt feelings form a scolding are the least of their worries. Noodle it out: What’s worse, a scolding or having your freaking body ripped to shreds by hot steel? hmmmmmmmm tough decision there. I’ll take ass chewings for 50 dollars please alex………….
I don’t see anything in the video, or in Mr. Bookman’s intro that is “anti-war, anti-Bush, anti-Iraq, anti-military, white flagger and cut’n’runner” as Dusty accused. It was just what he (Jay) said it was, a nice example of the frustrations of soldiers working with their POS traitorous “counter parts” that you don’t see in the daily news.
Goldie
March 4th, 2009
3:14 pm
Hey Midori, and how are you? I’ve just been real busy trying to do my part to work and pay for the disasters brought on by the past 8 years of “spreading democracy in the Middle East” and dumb “trickled on” economic policies. Gads, what a mess!
Paul
March 4th, 2009
3:15 pm
Yeah, the sergeant was militia. Some of those guys will, in the future, try to kill him and his fellow soldiers. And he pretty much views them as cowards. The point about ‘loyalty to tribe, not country’ – welcome to their world.
Wylld’s comments earlier: that’s standard NCO in the field talk. Different culture.
But he brings up a good point. This YouTube video was titled ‘motivational speech.’ If the audience were not Iraqi police recruits, but detainees, the sergeant would be brought up on charges for violating the Army’s Manual for Interrogations.
Sadly, it’s true.
Hey Bosch
It was probably Bullwinkle in Rocky and Bullwinkle. Also in Mary Poppins.
Sorry it’s a tough day. At least you have one bright spot you can be glad about! (That was from Pollyanna).
Paul
March 4th, 2009
3:16 pm
geez, blew the first sentence, which should have been “yeah, the sergeant was TICKED at the militia.”
Jeff
March 4th, 2009
3:18 pm
Jay,
You obviously never served in the Army! I remember being at the receiving end of several motivational speeches of this sort!
DB, Gwinnettian
March 4th, 2009
3:19 pm
Jay says: “I find it interesting how quickly some of you jump to the conclusion that i was somehow criticizing this soldier or using him to make a political point.”
What’s interesting about it? More than a few of these bozos have spend the last eight years making ridiculous assertions that “LIBRAZL HATE DUH TROOPS!!” and rarely getting called out on it. I’d think you’d be bored with it by now.
I am with the blogger who posted this and, presumably, got your attention–“Not sure this speech had the desired effect, though I’m sure the interpreter had a devil of a time here.”
Speaking of calling out, I Report, you really want me to reply to your absurdity in the previous thread, or have you had a chance to sober up and re-think your assertion that Obama “didn’t campaign on the LL Act”?
You want a do-over? Or are you sticking by your story?
RealityKing
March 4th, 2009
3:20 pm
The only reason this article offers any insight at all is because the progressive media, including Jay, has chosen to not report good news from Iraq. Thus the sterilized news coverage Jay speaks of…
Observer
March 4th, 2009
3:20 pm
How about a couple of alternative views of the US military presence in Iraq:
US Soldier interacts playfully with an Iraqi child:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb2wNiuMNik&feature=PlayList&p=A9BB7B7D62DC5316&playnext=1&index=3
An American soldier singing and cutting up with Iraqi children:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SNnfbVM5Tg&feature=PlayList&p=A9BB7B7D62DC5316&index=2&playnext=2&playnext_from=PL
Yes, contrary to some on this board, the American military presence in Iraq can be viewed positively – and is viewed that way by MANY Iraqis.
Goldie
March 4th, 2009
3:21 pm
{”a nice example of the frustrations of soldiers working with their POS traitorous “counter parts” that you don’t see in the daily news”}
So, Fred — why don’t you tell us all what you REALLY think about the Iraqi people and what they’ve had to face on a daily basis…
TnGelding
March 4th, 2009
3:25 pm
I received a few of these in the USAF and it didn’t motivate me. Just made me have an intense dislike for the sergeant. But then, I was 17-year-old, bed-wetting liberal. You can certainly understand his frustration, but he needs to be given some sensitivity training and an English course to expand his vocabulary. Bottom line, he shouldn’t be there in the first place.
Midori
March 4th, 2009
3:26 pm
also Goldie:
they can’t and/or WON’T discuss what Jay brings to the table — they have to frantically google to find something to dilute Jay’s argument, or change the subject.
so, so utterly predictable.
DB, Gwinnettian
March 4th, 2009
3:26 pm
Can’t remember who it was, but an author recalled a conversation one officer had with an Iraqi former militia member, who’d joined the Awakening, and with whom he’d developed a decent rapport.
Officer: “So, do you still want to kill me?”
Militia guy: “Yes. But not today.”
I suspect “Not today” may be as good as it gets for us, for some time. And that’s got to be frustrating as hell for everyone, including the soldier in the video.
RealityKing
March 4th, 2009
3:27 pm
Of course.., not having to worry about government sactioned killers showing up at your door really makes a difference when pursuing happiness.
@@
March 4th, 2009
3:27 pm
Wyld Byll??????
Are you and the husband still married?
Why yes we are. Never fold when the “hand your holding” is a winner.
(ISH)<—–Insert Smile Here.
I don’t do emoticons.
caz1158
March 4th, 2009
3:28 pm
Goldie-unless any of us has been in Iraq,we have to go by what is reported. We can only hope (false hope I believe),that the mainstream media will tell the whole story(good,bad,& indifferent).
Dusty
March 4th, 2009
3:32 pm
Well, I’m no liberal and I haven’t served in the military. But I believe that American men and even women might understand the kind of “training” we saw in today’s video. Being tough and together is understood as the base for the toughest training here. Even the insulting language. But I doubt seriously that Iraqis are aquainted with tough loyalties as Americans understand it. They will think they are being treated as worthless dirt by conquerors.
Since Iraqis have little contact with Amricans except with the military, I would hope that “tough” and loyalty might be taught in some other way. I also believe that it is supposed to be taught in other ways. If these trainees go out and treat civilians in the way they were trained, they will undo all good efforts.
The three military men in my life; father, husband and son, thought the military was not for sissies but, if they heard such language, they never came home with it.
I don’t think degradation is the way to develop esprit de corps.
Curious Observer
March 4th, 2009
3:33 pm
Ah, come on! If you thing that sergeant is humiliating the trainees, spend a few weeks at Parris Island, where the kindest thing you’ll be called if you’re not a mere visitor is s—bird.
RealityKing
March 4th, 2009
3:35 pm
Obviously the progressive media intends to continue demoralizing Iraqis every chance they get, apparently to the point at which all Iraqis finally want the US to leave now, reguardless of how it effects their future. Exactly what liberals want..
Wyld Byll Hyltnyr
March 4th, 2009
3:39 pm
@@ 3:27 pm
G-d bless you, your husband, and your marriage. One certainly cannot blame a movie star handsome, well heeled guy for trying to meet his intellectual equal and potential soulmate, can one?
DB, Gwinnettian
March 4th, 2009
3:42 pm
@@, highly off topic, but I noticed your post downstairs about being admittedly slow-on-the-uptake about Maddow’s wiring.
(and your business about abortion/guns/gays, earlier, but I figured that was standalone… thanks for noticing and taking the trouble to state your case.)
I knew she was an out lesbian–I’d heard her radio show for years, and while it wasn’t exactly topic A, she didn’t shy away from discussing her long-time partner when the occasion merited.
For me, it was shocking to learn how tall she is. It sounds weird, but I always considered her somewhat attractive based on the few headshots I’d seen + a very pleasant, friendly voice. And brains, of course. Always attractive, that.
But Day-um. She’s about six feet tall. Didn’t realize until fairly recently. I can overlook the Gay, but the Tall… well, she’s literally kinda out of reach, I guess.
(My wife tolerates this. I think I’ll keep her.)