Like Punk'd But With Real Bombs
September 3, 2010 7:40 PM   Subscribe

Combat operations in Iraq are over! Except, the AP says "our content should not refer to the end of combat in Iraq, or the end of U.S. military involvement." Meanwhile, in Iraq, a new show has been airing since Ramadan that has been described as "Punk’d, Iraqi-Style, at a Checkpoint." You can watch 14-minutes of the show (in Arabic, no English subtitles), here.
posted by PostIronyIsNotaMyth (25 comments total) 4 users marked this as a favorite
 
From the Punk'd link:
planting fake bombs in celebrities’ cars, having an Iraqi army checkpoint find them and terrifying the celebrities into thinking that they are headed for maximum security prison.
I'm all for black humour but this is reckless, tasteless and humourless all at the same time. Also, don't give the US TV executives any bad ideas.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 7:50 PM on September 3, 2010 [7 favorites]


When the John Edwards baby mama drama broke I called my parents (who were big Edwards supporters) and crowed "See! I told you he was a sketchy panderer and I didn't believe a word he said about anything" with more glee than I probably should have. Now I have to field the similar phone calls from them about Obama and all this crap.

In retrospect, I wish I'd had the balls to vote for Mike Gravel.
posted by nathancaswell at 8:00 PM on September 3, 2010 [6 favorites]


the AP says "our content should not refer to the end of combat in Iraq, or the end of U.S. military involvement.

Two words for you fuckers. (source: AP)
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 8:11 PM on September 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


I voted for Mike Gravel (only in the primary).

That Rock campaign ad still cracks me up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rZdAB4V_j8&fmt=34
posted by Allan Gordon at 8:26 PM on September 3, 2010


So, I'm supposed to be mad at the AP for telling the truth?
posted by drjimmy11 at 8:29 PM on September 3, 2010


I am so angry at things! Please tell me more!
posted by TwelveTwo at 8:38 PM on September 3, 2010 [1 favorite]


baby mama drama

Shama lama ding dong
posted by Trochanter at 8:51 PM on September 3, 2010 [2 favorites]


Allan, I'm totally there with you. But you gotta link that shit.
posted by localhuman at 9:00 PM on September 3, 2010


Man celebrities in Iraq drive really shitty cars.
posted by Big_B at 9:23 PM on September 3, 2010


In retrospect, I wish I'd had the balls to vote for Mike Gravel.

What was wrong with Kucinich?
posted by delmoi at 12:04 AM on September 4, 2010 [4 favorites]


We have 50,000 personel and a huge force of contractors, but according to plan they are all going home by the end of 2011. So this isn't the end, but it is the beginning of the end. Violence will probably continue in Iraq for a few more years, but without the presence of American troops and with a rebuilt Iraqi army things will start to die down.
posted by humanfont at 12:31 AM on September 4, 2010


things will start to die down

At least one hopes so. War can be interminable - look at the Israel-Palestine thing. We'll be a big round cold black hunk of rock before those two stop fighting.
posted by WalterMitty at 12:51 AM on September 4, 2010


I caucused for Ron Paul in the 2008 primary, so not only do I have moral superiority on the Internet, but I'm also living in a survival bunker made entirely out of purestrain gold.
posted by shii at 3:42 AM on September 4, 2010 [1 favorite]


Also, don't give the US TV executives any bad ideas.

Um... Way too late, man.
posted by Splunge at 4:46 AM on September 4, 2010


مُمْتَاز
posted by Biru at 5:45 AM on September 4, 2010 [2 favorites]


So, I'm supposed to be mad at the AP for telling the truth?

When Bush had his little photo-op declaring our "Mission Accomplished" the AP was there. That photo was plastered all over every paper in America. Where was their little memo instructing all the staff to refer to that PR stunt as a pile of fetid bullshit? Where was their unimpeachable dedication to Truth, Justice and the American Way then?

The reason you're supposed to be mad is because this ludicrously-timed Moment Of Clarity from the AP puts their real priorities into stark relief: the truth hasn't been the AP's concern for quite some time now.

The reason I'm mad is because it takes someone else to have to point out to you what should be plainly obvious to even a half-brained lemming. "Derrr… but… they… is… telling… truth! Truth good… right? Duh…"
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:02 AM on September 4, 2010 [1 favorite]


Mission Still Accomplished.
posted by Devils Rancher at 6:03 AM on September 4, 2010


If only the AP (and other media) had been this devoted to covering the reality of the situation before this stupid war started.
posted by Legomancer at 6:57 AM on September 4, 2010 [2 favorites]




You kinda buried the lede here, but thanks for positing this.

I'm all for black humour but this is reckless, tasteless and humourless all at the same time

I don't know. I'm sure it is pretty tasteless and all, but violence has a much more pervasive and commonplace role for Iraqis than it does for the rest of us. Maybe they're not as sensitive to it because they are more accustomed to it?

Also, we could partially look at it as a satire of the whole "check point" process and the ritual that many Iraqis probably have to go through several times a year.

Also Also -- I'm thrilled to learn that douchebags host reality shows the world over.
posted by Think_Long at 10:01 AM on September 4, 2010


I can see where people are annoyed that we still have 50,000 people stationed in Iraq even though "combat operations have ended". I'd like to point out that we still have more than 50,000 people stationed in Germany.

Yes, those troops were stationed there as a garrison only in the beginning. During the Cold War our troops in Germany were meant to guarantee the security of our western European allies against the Russians pouring through the Fulda Gap. That threat ended almost 20 years ago. Furthermore, securing western Europe doesn't explain why we still have more than 35,000 people stationed in Japan and 28,000 in Korea. Indeed, we've got some quarter-million troops stationed in 135 countries around the world plus all the ships at sea.

Therefore, it is not unreasonable to expect that a garrison will remain in Iraq for the foreseeable future. Nor do I believe such a garrison necessarily implies disingenuity on the part of the Defense Department or the Obama administration. Transferring our security force in the region out of the Arabian peninsula and into Iraq actually seems like a worthwhile strategic goal. Additionally, the Iraqi army themselves believe a garrison will have to remain until at least 2020.

None of which changes the fact that the troops that remain will continue to suffer the hardship of being separated from their families, living in an inhospitable country, where death tugs at their elbow every day.
posted by ob1quixote at 10:16 AM on September 4, 2010 [3 favorites]


I think we are in agreement about our troops in Germany. As I said, the Russians attacking through the Fulda Gap hasn't been a realistic threat in 20 years, if indeed it ever was.

I do not mean to imply that being stationed in Iraq will be anything like being stationed in Germany. I thought I made that clear at the end. I imagine Germany is generally considered "safe" duty these days. I mean to suggest that we've left sizable garrisons throughout the world in the territory of our former enemies, regardless of the reasons given at the time or how those reasons have changed in the last 65 years. I believe in that regard Iraq will be no different.
posted by ob1quixote at 12:45 PM on September 4, 2010


Er, forcing people to "dig their own grave" is a well known form of torture.
posted by effugas at 1:07 PM on September 4, 2010


The US has over 15,000 troops permanently stationed in the Middle East, excluding Iraq. I'm hoping some of the responsibilities of US bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia get moved to bases in Iraq, since the despots leading those countries derive much of their power from US support.
posted by miyabo at 6:04 PM on September 4, 2010


Let's not forget there are still American military bases in the UK.

Not that we're much better, with bases in Germany, Cyprus and others
posted by Quantum's Deadly Fist at 8:04 PM on September 4, 2010


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