Comments on: I'm not kidding...

I'm not kidding...

furtive — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 20:53:14 -0800

The tradition of the Regimental Goat extends as far back as 1775 and the Battle of Bunker Hill, if not earlier. Canada's own Batisse IX is said to be a direct descendant of Tibetan goats presented by the Shah of Persia to Queen Victoria in 1884. Ask any regimental goat and they will tell you they are well respected, but military discipline can be severe when the regimental goat steps out of line.

By: furtive

furtive — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 20:56:45 -0800

In the early 90s Canada's (or more precisely the Royal 22e Regiment's) goat was subject to budget cuts (embeded video), but you'll be happy to know he got his job back not too long after that.

By: pax digita

pax digita — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:42:15 -0800

For Smedleyman (any other screwtop MeFi'ers out there?): Of interest also is the origin of the American Naval mascot, a goat, which was originally given by the Royal Welch to the United States Marine Corps...

By: tommasz

tommasz — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 21:43:28 -0800

Bad goat! No, um, goat biscuit!

By: homunculus

homunculus — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 22:08:26 -0800

But does it faint in the face of danger?

By: blacklite

blacklite — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 23:00:11 -0800

Demoted! That's gotta be a bitch.

By: RussHy

RussHy — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 04:38:45 -0800

I enjoyed this post. Nice job, furtive.

By: bouncebounce

bouncebounce — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 05:25:47 -0800

given by the Royal Welch to the United States Marine Corps That's Welsh. You don't want to open a whole can of worms.

By: Mayor Curley

Mayor Curley — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 05:27:38 -0800

I'm hearing the conversation between welshmen in the regiment: "The goad made a right mess of eh-tall, he did!" "'Tis no wonder they're demoting the goad. Blooday mess indeed!"

By: caddis

caddis — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 05:35:17 -0800

OK, that was cool. furtive gets a gold star.

By: furtive

furtive — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 06:40:05 -0800

Wait until you see my post on Dixie Cups. As an aside: holy crap!

By: geekyguy

geekyguy — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 07:31:46 -0800

My high school mascot was a goat. The Billies in Pleasant Hill, Oregon. Yeah, funny joke. Pleasant Hill Billies. We had a goat as a mascot but had the good sense to not try to get it to march. Instead it was usually tethered to a tire at football games or was a student in a goat costume, (untethered). No indication that the goat handler would receive a demotion or if the goat would have to give up his two cigarettes a day, (he eats them both). Well crafted post, furtive.

By: pierrepressure

pierrepressure — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 12:12:48 -0800

Since the goat's demotion, soldiers of a lower rank are no longer expected to salute Billy as a sign of respect. Fantastic!

By: QIbHom

QIbHom — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 14:26:08 -0800

Very nicely done, furtive. I'd seen the story, and chuckled, but you found excellent material to flesh it out. Interview with Auntie Beeb, indeed!