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Korean Job Discussion Forums "The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
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Big_Bird

Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:45 pm Post subject: |
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I have nothing serious to contribute to this discussion, for the moment. But for some light comic relief:
'Friendly Fire' - Use in British culture
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendly_fire
Due to the number of UK personnel killed by U.S. forces, in Britain the term 'friendly fire' is used in a semi-ironic way to imply U.S. Military incompetence.
It is a frequent source of satirical humour. Examples of the latter include:
* The third (2005) series of Monkey Dust, in which a British military vehicle in Afghanistan is targeted by an American pilot, despite a large Union Flag on its roof (the sole surviving soldier then runs through a series of British stereotypes, such as pouring a cup of tea and donning a bowler hat, but is bombed again, anyway)
* 19 October 2006 edition of Mock the Week, host Dara � Briain noted that British soldiers in Iraq were being, "shot at on a daily basis, although obviously it'll get much safer when the Americans leave and it's only the Iraqis firing at them."
* In a 2007 edition of the motoring programme Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson said he was quite safe during a simulated "duel" between a Lotus Exige and a Westland WAH-64 Apache attack helicopter because the pilots, "being British, not American, don't shoot their allies."
* A "joke" in the dialogue of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - developed by Rockstar North, based in Scotland - the main character, CJ, is assigned by a government agent Mike Toreno to steal a military jet off an aircraft carrier. The player is soon pursued by other jet planes, aimed at shooting him down. Mike Toreno hearing this mocks the remark that the enemy pilots make and tries to reassure that they will not shoot CJ down, remarking you're not a British tank. |
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Big_Bird

Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:48 pm Post subject: |
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| contrarian wrote: |
The kid has wanted to be a soldier most of his life. He has a 14" titanium rod screwed to his spine, how he ever made it through basic is a wonder.
Far be it from me (I spent 5 years in the Canadian army way back when) to second guess him. |
Yes, it's his life, and he is free to do as he likes. Hard for you and his mum, though. |
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cbclark4

Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Location: Masan
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 4:23 am Post subject: |
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Some people don't understand the call to soldiering.
There are people who have the desire from very early in life.
The call comes early I think also for nurses, the truly dedicated ones.
Teachers too, the dedicated ones recieve their call rather young.
The calling is hard to resist.
Certainly few engineers are actually called to it, they are all so unhappy. |
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Big_Bird

Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: Sometimes here sometimes there...
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:24 am Post subject: |
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| cbclark4 wrote: |
Certainly few engineers are actually called to it, they are all so unhappy. |
Yes, my sister is an engineer. And none of her colleagues seem that excited about their jobs, either. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Gopher wrote: |
Just a bumbling disorganized mob of killer-ruffians that cannot even communicate, is it?
Your position vis-a-vis the American forces is simply too harsh. Canada's armed forces, according to you, on the other hand, come off as models of efficiency. But you are Canadian. And this is expected, Hollywoodaction.
Sorry to have to be the one to tell you this: Canada and the Canadian military is far, far smaller, even miniscule, when juxtaposed against America and America's armed forces. Different management issues entirely. And apples and oranges as well. |
You'd think, but in war games, it's one-to-one and the problem of miscommunication arises. Heck, one year we captured an American colonel as he was walking right by our camp. He apparently hadn't been told that a military exercise was taking place. |
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Gopher

Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Hollywoodaction wrote: |
| You'd think, but in war games, it's one-to-one and the problem of miscommunication arises. Heck, one year we captured an American colonel as he was walking right by our camp. He apparently hadn't been told that a military exercise was taking place. |
Well, then. Good thing we have such a well-disciplined and superior force as allies. |
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Hollywoodaction
Joined: 02 Jul 2004
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Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2007 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| contrarian wrote: |
My number two son is on his way to Afghanistan with the Canadian army. I hope he survives. whether he is killed by an accident or by enemy action he is still dead.
*beep* happens.
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What unit is he in? PPCLI?
I hope he returns home safe and sound. |
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