seperate bathrooms for americans and Iraqis - for real

[donsu]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=655&e=1&u=/oneworld/20050714/wl_oneworld/65731153491121378785


IRAQ: No, This Certainly Is Not Switzerland

-snip-

When we got to Camp Lima Base of the U.S. military, we were greeted by the civil affairs battalion team. Major Ken Booth voiced U.S. concern for Iraqi human rights and democracy. He also explained U.S. reconstruction plans and the unit's motto: SWEAT (sewage, water, electricity, academic, and trash priorities).

He said that a major obstacle was getting money for rebuilding Karbala. Despite this, the military had begun five water and electricity projects, as well as a nursing home, he said. Maj. Booth felt that Iraqis who expected more were being unreasonable. "They think every problem is a U.S. problem. They can't expect us to turn Iraq into Switzerland in six months."

-snip-

Certainly radioactive depleted uranium (DU) is not hard to find, but U.S. authorities have refused to clean it up. At one point, piles of live munitions were tossed in piles along the streets, unmarked due to a shortage of yellow plastic 'caution' tape.

-snip-

It may not have brought basic equality either. On the way out of Camp Lima Base were two latrines, one marked "Iraqis Only" and the other "No Iraqis -- Americans Only". Asked for an explanation, Major Booth replied that this was due to 'cultural differences'.
---------------------------------


"major obstacle was getting money" what!!?? Maj. Booth must not know the right people

bushgang refuses to clean up DU - this is a crime to be tried in the World Court. they should be in prison for using DU in the first place, in Iraq and here at home

all the yellow tape is being used as crime scene tape, strung all along america's borders

separate bathrooms = racism

in solidarity I would pee with an Iraqi woman or any other woman on earth

I want to go up the chain of command for the name of the person who ordered seperate bathrooms

[FreedomAngel82]

1. We're going to

Iraqi vs American. :eyes: Like black vs white. Looks like racisim is a live and well.

[opihimoimoi]

4. One more reason for them to HATE us.... it ain't for our FREEDOMS

Its for our ARROGANCE

[agingdem]

5. And I suppose the "whites only" ...

bathrooms and water fountains in the South were there because of "cultural differences"?

[acmejack]

7. There are indeed cultural differences!

We had to set up a separate restroom for the Saudi students we had at an ESL course. It is not their sensibilities which are offended.

[Bluerthanblue]

20. straight from my fathers...

...guide "To The Field Artillery Replacement Training Center" Fort Bragg, N.C. 1944

...." II. How Do I Get There
Now for a few facts about where things are.
...
The Spring Area is where most of the colored troops are assigned. They are noted for their precision drill."....

5.Prophylactic Stations---- Remember this: Every dispensary is a prophylactic station. You are cautioned strongly to excercise care and common sense in selecting your feminine companions; but if you insist on foing to town looking for trouble, find out first where you can be treated later. There are four prophylactic depots in Fayetteville--two for white soldiers, and two for colored soldiers.

3. SERVICE CLUB--... read, get up a bridge game, write a letter, play records, browse in the well-stocked library, use piano.... etc.
..Want a snack, there a soda fountain that's open until 2200...cafeteria which stays open till 1830....
The club Hostess and Junior Hostesses are there to make you feel at home... Use the Club. It's yours.
For the colored soldiers, there's a similar club in the Spring Area.

i was ashamed and appalled by the bigotry that existed and the few things my father shared about his time there before going overseas-
But i'm not surprised by the bigotry that is occuring now- in this military- nothing surprises me anymore-

Beyond latrines, i wonder if they eat, socialize or sleep in 'common areas'

[nickinSTL]

2. only one thing I can say...

:puke:

[LSK]

3. DOES ANYONE EVER DO FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS????????

Asked for an explanation, Major Booth replied that this was due to 'cultural differences'.


OK Major, can you explain exactly what these differences are????

[BornLeft]

6. Separate bathrooms

May not necessarily mean racism. For anyone who has lived in the middle east there are certainly different cultural differences on using the facilities. I never was a big fan of the facilities in Saudi or Kuwait just couldn't brig myself to using the hose.

[LosinIt]

10. Different types of facilities are fine, but Americans Only is just wrong

How can they have such short memories???

[BornLeft]

13. Yeah it is insensitive

but most who follow the Muslim faith would find our facilities horrifying. I am sure they wouldn't use them if they had a choice.

[Karenina]

26. And exactly HOW do you know that?

:eyes: Ignorant.Idiotic.Post.

[brystheguy]

8. They hate us for our . . . bathrooms?!?! n/t

[DinahMoeHum]

9. Excuse me, but there ARE cultural differences, and they have NOTHING to do

with racial discrimination, either.

I suggest you folks Google the words "muslim+toilet". You're in for some fascinating and (I hope) enlightening reading. Here is one link. Mind you, this comes from a trade publication:

http://www.restrooms.org/page03ar.html

Happy reading.


:think:

[JLW]

12. Interesting

Thanks DinahMoeHum..

I wish more people would do a little research before jumping on the bandwagon. Now if we could only get more republicans to do a little research..

[CWebster]

17. I thought it was interesting too, especially in the context

of Western-style torture practices.

[noonwitch]

14. So, bidets are in order for muslims?

They probably are easier on sensitive tissue than wiping.

[BornLeft]

21. yeah but the

hard part is that they are communal and all the waste goes in one trough. Kinda smelly.

[ArkDem]

15. The writer also displays an alarming lack of knowledge of

the ordinance on which he is 'reporting'. To win people over to our side we don't need to make things up. People find out the truth sooner or later. The true situation in Iraq is bad enough without exaggeration.

[TahitiNut]

19. "Iraqi" is NOT the same as "Muslim" - there ARE American Muslims.

Thus, it's beyond insane to segregate according to nationality. Just what the fuck do Muslim Americans do?

(sheesh!) :grr:

[seabeyond]

24. puts the qu'ran toilet thing in a whole different perspective n/t

[barb162]

25. going to the john... a religious experience

[ComerPerro]

11. Water and Electricity IS a US problem

We are the reason that those basic utilities are out in the first place!

[SmokingJacket]

16. There's a difference between FORBIDDING people to use

the same bathrooms, and offering separate facilities for different needs.

If this is truly about cultural differences, they could simply put up signs saying "western-style toilet" and "Muslim-style toilet," instead of saying "No Iraqis."

[DinahMoeHum]

18. True. The major obviously meant well, but should have posted

different signs, using the words you suggested.

:smoke:

[Karenina]

22. Hey Donsu

Please indulge me as I pass along a spelling tip given me by a beloved teacher:

There's "a rat" in separate.

[MisterP]

23. we're so NICE to you! why aren't you SATisfied and demanding PERFECTION?

*bawls*