It's become almost routine for members of the American press to throw dumb or leading questions at members of the Bush administration.



Maybe that's one of the reasons why Secretary of State Colin Powell
seemed so well prepared for the shifty question recently hurled at him
by an Iraqi reporter.

According to the New York Post, one of Saddam's newshounds asked Powell,
"Isn't it true that only 13% of young Americans can locate Iraq on a
map?"
"That may be true," Powell countered. "You're probably right. But
unfortunately for you, all 13% are Marines."

 

Gator, I hope that one is a true quote.
For Colin Powell to give that tribute to the Marines is a big time mark of respect from a man who rose to the absolute highest post in the US Military Command Structure as an Army General.

Not to make too big an issue of it but Gen. MacArthur was very down on the Marines at the beginning of WWII. By the end he was if not a fan, at least aware that they were pretty good shock troops and used that talent to good effect later in Korea.

It would seem that Gen. Franks is following the same game plan.

This is not a dis post at all, but perhaps a recognition that we have different types of military organizations for different jobs.
If the term "Devil Dogs" might scare just one Iraqi soldier and make he or she surrender or disappear. KOOL.

 

Bill, I honestly don't know if the quote is "true" or not. It was sent to me from a friend in Florida. I just thought it was a great answer to a stupid question.

And yes I knew Colin was Army, which I thought was ironic, with him saying Marines

But that brings up the question, WTF are we doing letting Iraqi reporters any where near our military?

 

YA BABY...

Powell should of just said "Who's your daddy now?"

 

"I have just returned from visiting the Marines at the front, and there is not a finer fighting organization in the world."

(General Douglas MacArthur, USA, outskirts of Seoul, 21 September 1950.)



....and I'm not sure if anyone realizes this, but the term "Devil Dogs" was a term created by captured Germans. It seems the fear instilled in the enemy caused the term still used today. Captured soldiers reported that the Marines fought like "Teufel Huenden (sp)" which was a lengendary Devil Dog which roamed the forrests.




As for the original point, the press can be idiots no doubt about it. I wish I could dig up a quote a Marine gave an interviewer.

He was being interviewed about some program they did with the boys scouts or something, and mentioned that shooting was part of it. The interviewer, a female, had a fit about teaching young boys how to shoot, and made a comment that he was equiping them to be killers.

At that point, the Marine commented that she was properly equipped to be a prostitute, but he assumed that she wasn't!





As for Powell commending the Marines, it won't be the first time it's happened. Stormin' Norman spoke very highly of the Marines during the first round as well.

 

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than the French army behind me."

George S. Patton

 

The deadliest weapon in the world is a Marine and his rifle.
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing, U.S. Army
Commander of American Forces in World War I

The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!
Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945


A few good words about a few good men!