Subdeacon Joe Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 Marine Corps Times is a family newspaper and we only rarely have offensive language in our stories. But this week the word “fart” appears in a story I wrote about the importance of trust between Marines and the Afghan national army soldiers they work with. I didn’t want to write this little blog entry about farts. It’s not even on my beat. But my colleague Dan Lamothe, whose byline you have seen here quite often, shamed me into it. “You owe it to all Marines,” he told me. So here’s the news: audible farting has been banned for some Marines downrange because it offends the Afghans. I know there are many things in the Afghan culture that don’t seem normal to Americans and it’s hard to spend seven months working in someone else’s back yard. Still, the Marines I saw downrange are doing a pretty good job at trying to do the right thing around the Afghans. They’re not supposed to cuss because it could be misunderstood (that one goes out the window a lot). And they stay away from talking about politics, religion or girls because those topics could escalate into major disagreements (they can’t communicate anyway because of the language barrier). But farting? That’s practically a sport. Ok, it’s not soccer, but a good contest could open the door for cross-cultural exchanges, jokes and other gallows humor. So, for all Marines getting ready to go downwind, I mean downrange, be forewarned — you may have to hold it in… at least until you get back to your hooch where you can loudly crop dust your friends. Taken from Marine Times Battle Rattle I think that is carrying things a bit far. Assuming it is correct.
Badlands Bob #61228 Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 I'm sure this comes from the highest levels of the State Department. They probably have a whole building of bureaucrats dedicated to researching this subject.
Sgt. C.J. Sabre, SASS #46770 Posted August 26, 2011 Posted August 26, 2011 "So, for all Marines getting ready to go downwind, I mean downrange, be forewarned — you may have to hold it in… at least until you get back to your hooch where you can loudly crop dust your friends." FIRE IN THE HOLE!!!
Sergeant Smokepole #29248L Posted August 26, 2011 Posted August 26, 2011 farting offends the Afghans????????? These are people that still wipe their butts with their bare hands???????
Boss Hoss Fly #63711 Posted August 26, 2011 Posted August 26, 2011 I'm sure this comes from the highest levels of the State Department. They probably have a whole building of bureaucrats dedicated to researching this subject. In wich no exspense waz spared--
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