Iraq Police get cussed out *video*

**Cyclonepride** · 03-26-2009, 06:15 AM

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

You know, my problem isn't with his frustration. God knows, I've felt it. My problem is that what he did was ineffective, and showing his frustration made him look weak in the eyes of his host nation mentorees.

It's kind of like men and women griping about the opposite sex; what purpose does it do? There are ways to be effective. There are ways to be ineffective. I choose to not complain about the things that I cannot change, and ruck up and do the things I CAN change.

I detest golf, but there is a golf phrase I dearly love: "You have to play the course". It's a more erudite version of "suck it up and drive on." There just isn't any fair, so don't worry about things that appear "unfair" to you. Personally, I "get" that my guys have all sorts of different goals/interests/objectives. I get things done by trying to get mine to track with theirs, whether they are a militia guy, or Taliban, or just plain lazy.

I'm surprised by how many guys I work with absolutely hate it here, and hate their coalition partners/host nation mentorees, what have you. I just choose to pick the corn out of the turd and have a great day, instead.

Two fantastic posts in this thread, and I have the same inability to give you rep!

The frustration that he was expressing and the things he implied were probably common and correct, respectively. However, any militia members present weren't going to change their actions due to this (as it probably reflected their expectations) and any Iraqi present who was actually trying to do the right thing would likely be alienated by such comments.

Surely there are elements who will always try to infiltrate such organizations for their own purposes, and that has to be kept in mind, but those who are honestly trying to help restore their country are exhibiting immeasurable courage by choosing not to stand on the sidelines.

**scubapohl1** · 03-26-2009, 06:19 AM

As a career military officer with 25 years in uniform (3 in the Middle East), I concur with Phaedrus. Certinally not conduct you want or expect from an NCO or junior officer. Having said that, I have a hard time condeming him for it because I dont know the circumstances that lead up to this. Its easy to judge based on just a 5 minute rant.

**jdoggivjc** · 03-26-2009, 07:40 AM

Originally Posted by Phaedrus

You know, my problem isn't with his frustration. God knows, I've felt it. My problem is that what he did was ineffective, and showing his frustration made him look weak in the eyes of his host nation mentorees.

It's kind of like men and women griping about the opposite sex; what purpose does it do? There are ways to be effective. There are ways to be ineffective. I choose to not complain about the things that I cannot change, and ruck up and do the things I CAN change.

I detest golf, but there is a golf phrase I dearly love: "You have to play the course". It's a more erudite version of "suck it up and drive on." There just isn't any fair, so don't worry about things that appear "unfair" to you. Personally, I "get" that my guys have all sorts of different goals/interests/objectives. I get things done by trying to get mine to track with theirs, whether they are a militia guy, or Taliban, or just plain lazy.

I'm surprised by how many guys I work with absolutely hate it here, and hate their coalition partners/host nation mentorees, what have you. I just choose to pick the corn out of the turd and have a great day, instead.

I more often than not agree with what you say, especially here, but I REALLY did not need to read that

**sinbad** · 03-26-2009, 01:42 PM

I hate to disagree with Phaedrus, but he has reason to be ****** and I don't think the way he reacted was neither innefective nor counterproductive. From what I can tell, he knew a good portion of those policemen were part of the Mahdi Army and that is complete bull.

**Cyclonepride** · 03-26-2009, 01:45 PM

Originally Posted by sinbad

I hate to disagree with Phaedrus, but he has reason to be ****** and I don't think the way he reacted was neither innefective nor counterproductive. From what I can tell, he knew a good portion of those policemen were part of the Mahdi Army and that is complete bull.

He surely had a reason to be mad, but you've got to keep your eyes on the goal. I fail to see a positive other than venting his own frustration.

As my dad always says, "when you're up to your *** in alligators, just remember that your objective is to drain the swamp".