You've got to know how to translate US political speech.

Post #177,648 by Another Scott 10/4/04 12:48:06 PM Reply	You've got to know how to translate US political speech. "Unilateral" and "Go it alone" = The US took military action without the support of the UN Security Council. It doesn't matter how many other countries were involved, if the UNSC didn't specifically approve the action, it's "unilateral" according to the common usage these days. It's sound-bite politics at its worst. It doesn't help people understand the issue and where the candidates stand on it. People who care about the meanings of words should be upset by this, but it happens on both sides so it's hard for them to get upset about the words when they implicitly support their position. At least that's the way I see it. Cheers, Scott.
Post #177,650 by danreck 10/4/04 12:57:04 PM Reply	Re: You've got to know how to translate US political speech. So maybe this is the "language murder" that Ashton keeps railing about... Yeah, it really bothers me that I spent all that time on the border 20 years ago fighting and winning the "cold war" to have American politicians (he's a damned senator) belittling the former Eastern Bloc countries who have allied themselves with GB and the US and are sending their sons and daughters (in whatever numbers) to a hostile place like Iraq. Many of those people dreamed of having freedom from the former Soviet Union... I know it's politics, but it makes me sick. Did I mention I hate election years? Just a few thoughts, Danno
Post #177,669 by jbrabeck 10/4/04 1:47:17 PM Reply	Which border What action during the cold war were you "fighting and winning"? And when? A good friend will come and bail you out of jail ... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
Post #177,679 by danreck 10/4/04 2:29:46 PM Reply	I was a linguist... and stationed on the east/west German border, W. German/Czech border and temp duty in Berlin and Turkey... from '81 to '84. How was I fighting and winning the war? Providing intelligence to my commanders? etc. Based on the tone of your question, is there something wrong (ignoble, cowardly, not good enough for you) with being a Russian linguist at the height of the cold war? Since the Soviet Union fell, I took the liberty of saying "winning". Just a few thoughts, Danno
Post #177,688 by pwhysall 10/4/04 2:42:43 PM Reply	Were you cunning? :-0 Peter [link\|http://www.debian.org\|Shill For Hire] [link\|http://www.kuro5hin.org\|There is no K5 Cabal] [link\|http://guildenstern.dyndns.org\|Blog]
Post #177,700 by danreck 10/4/04 3:02:44 PM Reply	As often as possible... 'cause when you're hung like a hamster (like I am :-0) you have to be good with your tongue... C'est la vie, Just a few thoughts, Danno
Post #177,715 by jbrabeck 10/4/04 3:40:03 PM Reply	And I was stationed in Germany from '72-'83. Various permanent posts and many TDY, including Turkey (Sinop), Reforger exercises, and Berlin. Was on the airstrip waiting move-out during 7 day war in '73. At no time do I remember "fighting and winning" while stationed in Europe. Your claim to be doing so, riled me. A good friend will come and bail you out of jail ... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"
Post #177,718 by danreck 10/4/04 3:56:08 PM Reply	Re: And I was stationed in Germany Fair enough, but opinions are like assholes, everyone has one - me included. But I view that whole timeframe after Vietnam (which my brother served in) and before the collapse of the Soviet Union "fighting and winning" the cold war. It was predominately done by outspending them, but as you are probably aware, the life of a linguist was no cakewalk. What were you doing in the service all that time? Collecting a paycheck? I'm proud that I served... Now you can be really be riled... Just a few thoughts, Danno
Post #177,785 by jbrabeck 10/4/04 10:13:04 PM Reply	What was I doing? Part of the time making sure front line troops had proper supplies to keep vehicles running. For the 10+ years I spent in Germany... Part of the time ensuring that you were paid correctly and on time. Part of the time ensuring that plans and ops were properly prepared and executed. Part of the time pulling guard duty. Part of the time preparing and verifying your travel pay. Part of the time responding to death. Part of the time training new troops. Part of the time inspecting finance offices. Part of the time ensuring that all the DACs were paid. Part of the time shoveling more coin than you'll ever see to ensure military banks didn't run out of money. Part of the time working on classified operations. and part of the time square dancing to erase boredom. The other 11 years can be discussed later. I've spent my time in the field and in garrison. I'm proud of my accomplishments while in the Army. But as I said before, the closest to "Fighting and winning", while in Germany, was the race riot on post or waiting to be shipped out during the 7 day war. You had a job. You wore green clothes. You weren't "fighting". A good friend will come and bail you out of jail ... but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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