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TheMarshMan1

Black Hawk Down (movie)...

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Sorry to resurrect this thread after such a long time but I've just finished reading the book. I've also just reread the thread to check and I'm surprised nobody has mention Specialist Steve Anderson, I guess he doesn't feature in the film (especially after checking the credits on imdb.com) but this is what the book has to say about him (p402 in my Corgi paperback):
"Specialist Steve Anderson was in a Humvee near Sizemore's in the column. He was in the back on the driver's side with his eyes pressed to the night-vision viewfinder on his SAW. Whenever the column stopped, which was often, everyone was expected to pile out and pull security. The first time they stopped Anderson hesitated. He didn't want to stick his legs out of the car. he had just started skydiving lessons at home before this deployment, and now, suddenly, he felt immobilized by the particular fear of being shot in the legs - he'd received a minor injury to his legs on an earlier mission. Back home he had just made his first freefall jump. It had been such a thrill. What if he got his foot shot off and could never jump again. Anderson reluctantly forced himself into the street."
and (p430)
"Specialist Anderson, despite his deep misgivings about coming out with the main convoy, had come through it unhurt. He was thrilled to find his skydiving buddy Sergeant Keni Thomas still alive and unhurt, but other than that he just felt emotionally spent."
Anyone know if they are still jumping?
On another note, I haven't seen the film yet, hope to tomorrow, how are the Pakistani soldier's who formed part of the rescue column, referred to in the film? In the book they are referred to as "Paki" this and "Paki" that. In the UK this is a derogatory racial slur, but I guess not in the States?

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Correct, Paki is a neutral term here in the US. George XXXXIII referred to the Pakistanis as Pakis a month or so ago; he was completely unaware of the derogatory connotation. The UK media flipped out, but the American media (and the White House) said "huh?" and pretty much ignored it.
PTiger
I'm stepping through the door
And I'm floating in a most peculiar way

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The trouble with the word 'Paki' is that it's often applied to Indians, Tamils, other Asians and even Africans by stoopid, ignorant National Front-esque yobs in various parts of the UK.
It shouldn't be any more inherently offensive than the word 'Brit' or 'Aussi'...but somehow...it is....

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I've been in America all my life & even I knew that Paki was a racial slur in the UK & elsewhere, I'm surprised that Dubya didn't know it. Wait a minute, maybe I'm not so surprised. :D I also knew he'd f&*ked up by using the word "crusade" when he was talking about fighting terrorism...I thought it was pretty well-known what Muslims think about the crusades...
I guess we'd like to believe that the leader of our country should be a really smart guy who understands the world outside of the USA, but I guess that's just a pipedream, LOL! Oh well, the important thing is that Dubya has some smart, competent people in his cabinet.
Speed Racer
"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!"

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Anybody who follows english cricket know,s that we and the aussies refer to the pakistani team as the paki,s ....they don't mind, as no intent or slur is/was/will ever be intended.
Growing up in Birmingham (uk) i was sent to the "paki" shop to buy me dad his fags (ok usa calm down) i never new it as an insult just a fact. I am not outwardly racist and never have been, but in these "politicly correct" time,s you have to sometime,s hold your tongue.

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Quote

They didn't skimp on anything.


Actually, they did skimp.

I finally got around to renting this video (on the cheap shelf now), and I was disappointed that the movie didn't have much to say about the lack of ac-130 support.

As I understand it, the UN wanted them removed at the request of a local warlord who wouldn't sit for talks until the gunships were relocated. Clinton caved-in, order Les Aspen to remove them, and history was made. Shortly there after, Les Aspen took the blame for Clinton; Slick Willy wiggled out of another one.

Maybe someone else knows better?

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"And another thread bubbles back up out of no where..."

Some threads have a habit of doing that don't they....

Maybe we should change the title of it?;)

--------------------

He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson

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