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04/17/2004 Archived Entry: "You kids turn that shit down!!"
You kids turn that shit down!!
How To Offend Iraqis, Part 386:
In Fallujah's darkened, empty streets, U.S. troops blast AC/DC's “Hell's Bells” and other rock music full volume from a huge speaker, hoping to grate on the nerves of this Sunni Muslim city's gunmen and give a laugh to marines along the front line.Unable to advance farther into the city, an Army psychological operations team hopes a mix of heavy metal and insults shouted in Arabic — including, “You shoot like a goat herder” — will draw gunmen to step forward and attack.
The loud music recalls the Army's use of rap and rock to help flush out Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega after the December 1989 invasion on his country, and the FBI's blaring progressively more irritating tunes in an attempt to end a standoff with armed members of the Branch Davidian cult in Waco, Texas in 1993.
Replies: 11 people speak up
Y'know, when I first saw this story I was absolutely sure it had to be a joke, along the lines of the immortal 213 Things Sgt. Skippy is Not Allowed to Do. From that list the following items would seem to be applicable here:
I should not teach other soldiers to say offensive and crude things in Albanian, under the guise of teaching them how to say potentially useful phrases.
Must not make T-shirts up depicting a pig with the writing "Eat Pork or Die" in Arabic to bring as civilian attire when preparing to deploy to a primarily Muslim country.
Not allowed to sing 'High Speed Dirt' by Megadeth during airborne operations. ('See the earth below/Soon to make a crater/Blue sky, black death, I'm off to meet my maker')
If a bored, albeit witty, kid stationed in Kosovo can figure these things out, I think he needs to be a little higher in the chain of command.
Posted by Xan @ 04/17/2004 02:27 PM NY
Our neighbour was playing her "adult contemporary" music early, at a REALLY HIGH volume. You, know, the stuff you normally hear at the dentist, or perhaps in an elevator. The next logical step after Lawrence Welk. Anyhow, I am thinking that has a similar effect on me. Damn drove me crazier.
-K
Posted by K @ 04/17/2004 04:17 PM NY
"Boosh" should have done this in the first place instead of shock and awe, I mean if the CIA can kill JFK come on man -- get yer war on, who is dying and who is gettin' rich??
Posted by Ellie @ 04/17/2004 04:33 PM NY
There has to be more offensive music.
Green Jello's "Little Pig Little Pig".
Alot of work done by the late Frank Zappa.
Anything done by Abba.
Grease the Olivia Newton John version repeatedly.
Barney the Purple Dinosaur's "I Love You", song.
Even in psychological warfare they fail. Supplying music that pumps up adrenaline and fighting spirit, along with using Arabic insults which is what these guys live for.
The sound of music. 48 hours of it. With video.
Posted by IXLNXS @ 04/17/2004 04:59 PM NY
Barry Manilow
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/17/2004 05:38 PM NY
The Macarena
William Shatner's spoken-word "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"
Spongebob Squarepants theme
Lamb Chop's "This is the song that never ends"
TLC's "No Scrubs"
Oh, and the US Army should hire the remaining pythons to come up with some new stuff - there might be some Arabs they haven't offended yet.
Posted by TheSquire @ 04/17/2004 06:48 PM NY
How about the funniest joke ever told? So funny it kills. (kudos to Monty Python)
Seriously, careful what you ask for, you just might get it.
Saw a great bumper sticker: Support our troops! Vote Bush Out!
Posted by Demeur @ 04/18/2004 03:10 AM NY
editor saying the troops arent able to advance is incorrect. They are however having a vietnam style cease fire. If they ( whomever is in charge) keep it up we will have a new Nam for sure.
Anything Tiny Tim
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/18/2004 10:04 AM NY
I am absolutely certain that the Geneva Convention would disallow the playing of Barry Manilow. If innocent civilians are subjected to such torture, it could never be forgiven.
Save the children, I beseech you in the name of human decency, play no Manilow.
Posted by Murphy @ 04/18/2004 10:13 AM NY
My experience with music based psy-ops was that nobody closed down a party faster than old Lou Reed albums...
Posted by Patrick @ 04/18/2004 04:55 PM NY
"You don't love me anymore..."
Posted by Allison @ 04/19/2004 04:30 AM NY
