# Eskimos to Iraq, or. . .
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion
**Created:** [April 2, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973 "2006-04-02T19:19:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/1 "2006-04-02T19:19:50Z")
. . .the military PR machine doesn’t seem to be [working](http://www.adn.com/news/military/story/7588811p-7499989c.html). In case you can’t view the article, Washington is calling up NG members from places like Kwigillingok, Kongiganak, and Manokotak, places even I haven’t heard of.
From the article:
> [@](#):
>
> Where the previous call-ups have largely centered on Alaska’s cities and road-system towns, this one will draw heavily on Western and Northwestern Alaska, a region of Native traditions and sometimes harsh subsistence living where communities aren’t used to losing their men for months at a time, let alone to a war zone overseas.
Yes, I know they signed on the line (and Alaska Natives stepped up when called in WWII), but the reasons given by some is that they thought the uniforms looked snazzy or that they just wanted to get the chance to fire a machine gun. These are poor people whose families rely on them 100% for food for the winter. Another man bringing food to a woman’s house can lead to ostracism or worse. Has it really gotten that bad? Is the all-volunteer force unable to attract new recruits? What’s next, raiding veterans’ homes and boy scout troops?
I suppose this will end up in the Pit, but I’m really just looking for opinions, not a fight.
---
### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/2 "2006-04-02T19:40:42Z")
I especially liked the photo of the guardsmen in white outfits against the snow. This kind of training will come in mighty handy in those snowy Iraqui winters.
---
### Author:  [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/3 "2006-04-02T19:57:03Z")
> [@samclem](#):
>
> I especially liked the photo of the guardsmen in white outfits against the snow. This kind of training will come in mighty handy in those snowy Iraqui winters.
The white uniforms will keep them cool in the hot desert sun. Also, Iraqi civilians usually wear white, which will help them capture hearts and minds.
---
### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/4 "2006-04-02T20:13:51Z")
My opinion is, what’s the problem? They joined the National Guard of their own free will and they’re being called to duty. Why is it even worthy of comment?
---
### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/5 "2006-04-02T20:29:21Z")
> [@Frank](#):
>
> My opinion is, what’s the problem? They joined the National Guard of their own free will and they’re being called to duty. Why is it even worthy of comment?
Since when did “worthiness” become the standard for comment on the SDMB? 🙂
---
### Author:  [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/6 "2006-04-02T20:33:47Z")
> [@Frank](#):
>
> My opinion is, what’s the problem? They joined the National Guard of their own free will and they’re being called to duty. Why is it even worthy of comment?
That’s pretty much what I was going to say. They weren’t complaining when they get the benefits, so why all of a sudden they are actually called upon?
---
### Author:  [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/7 "2006-04-02T20:53:44Z")
Why didn’t anyone complain about [Arkansas](http://www.ngb.army.mil/news/story.asp?id=1254) units going? Rescuing folks from tornadoes doesn’t exactly train you for desert warfare. 🙂
---
### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/8 "2006-04-02T21:21:35Z")
> [@Frank](#):
>
> My opinion is, what’s the problem? They joined the National Guard of their own free will and they’re being called to duty. Why is it even worthy of comment?
People have been lying to the indigenous population for several hundred years, so ‘free will’ is probably debatable in this case. The _problem_ is that the USG appears to have hit rock bottom for recruits. The national guard hasn’t been called up in 50 years. It would seem that we are somewhat overextended, and now we’re eyeballing Iran. Where are the troops going to come from if _that_ balloon goes up?
---
### Author:  [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/9 "2006-04-02T21:53:20Z")
> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> It would seem that we are somewhat overextended, and now we’re eyeballing Iran. Where are the troops going to come from if _that_ balloon goes up?
Do you really need to ask?
---
### Author:  [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/10 "2006-04-02T22:13:20Z")
> [@Qadgop the Mercotan](#):
>
> Do you really need to ask?
I do feel a cool breeze on my ankles…
---
### Author:  [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/11 "2006-04-02T22:16:11Z")
Someone shut that window…and if you can’t close it, you all need to find me a wife…fast.
---
### Author:  [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/12 "2006-04-02T22:18:40Z")
No, no, people. If you can’t beat the chilly air, join it–come to Canada!
---
### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/13 "2006-04-02T22:25:56Z")
Why is this a problem? Should they just get to “pretend” to be soldiers. Just train all the time and without ever having the threat of deployment because their women need them at home? They’ve been collecting a paycheck and benefits, now it’s time to put out. This is no worse than any other Guard unit being deployed. What state they’re from is irrelevant. If you dont think they should be deployed, then they should not be allowed to join to begin with.
Any person who has the will to enlist carries the burden of deployment. No person has more of a right to stay home with family than any other.
---
### Author:  [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/14 "2006-04-02T22:27:36Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#):
>
> Why is this a problem? Should they just get to “pretend” to be soldiers. Just train all the time and without ever having the threat of deployment because their women need them at home? They’ve been collecting a paycheck and benefits, now it’s time to put out. This is no worse than any other Guard unit being deployed. What state they’re from is irrelevant. If you dont think they should be deployed, then they should not be allowed to join to begin with.
>
> Any person who has the will to enlist carries the burden of deployment. No person has more of a right to stay home with family than any other.
And on this note, I completely agree.
---
### Author:  [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/15 "2006-04-02T22:28:38Z")
> [@samclem](#):
>
> I especially liked the photo of the guardsmen in white outfits against the snow. This kind of training will come in mighty handy in those snowy Iraqui winters.
> [@Metacom](#):
>
> The white uniforms will keep them cool in the hot desert sun. Also, Iraqi civilians usually wear white, which will help them capture hearts and minds.
This is a joke, right? You guys dont _really_ think that’s their only uniform, right?
---
### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/16 "2006-04-02T22:50:37Z")
> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> People have been lying to the indigenous population for several hundred years, so ‘free will’ is probably debatable in this case.
Ah. We must protect them from themselves. I see. Do you have any idea how condescending that statement sounds?
> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> The _problem_ is that the USG appears to have hit rock bottom for recruits. The national guard hasn’t been called up in 50 years. It would seem that we are somewhat overextended, and now we’re eyeballing Iran. Where are the troops going to come from if _that_ balloon goes up?
Well, no shit. I agree with that part. Some may have noticed from my posts on this board that I am neither in favor of the invasion of Iraq nor in favor of the way it has been conducted.
However, I reserve the right to maintain a little common sense. Anyone who is in the National Guard or the Reserves or is on active duty accepted when they signed up that they would do what they were told when they were told.
---
### Author:  [@Metacom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Metacom)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/17 "2006-04-02T22:51:34Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#):
>
> This is a joke, right? You guys dont _really_ think that’s their only uniform, right?
Of course not, but it would be silly to make them wear their dress uniforms in the desert heat!
---
### Author:  [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)
#### Post date: [April 2, 2006, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/18 "2006-04-02T23:36:13Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#):
>
> This is a joke, right? You guys dont _really_ think that’s their only uniform, right?
I merely thought the choice of pictures was ironic. Nothing more.
---
### Author:  [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2006, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/19 "2006-04-03T00:03:03Z")
> [@samclem](#):
>
> I merely thought the choice of pictures was ironic. Nothing more.
Ah! Irony! No, no, we haven’t gotten that in this country for - oh - 200 years or so.
**Frank** :
> [@](#):
>
> Ah. We must protect them from themselves. I see. Do you have any idea how condescending that statement sounds?
Are you being intentionally obtuse, or does it come naturally? Please don’t put words in my mouth.
---
### Author:  [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)
#### Post date: [April 3, 2006, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973/20 "2006-04-03T01:11:37Z")
> [@Chefguy](#):
>
> Are you being intentionally obtuse, or does it come naturally? Please don’t put words in my mouth.
You have doubts that free will is involved because “People have been lying to the indigenous population for several hundred years…” To me, that certainly implies that a)they are not fully reponsible adult people with minds of their own who are certainly capable of discerning lies; b) are not capable of making their own reasoned decisions; and, c) require protection from those telling the alleged lies.
If I drew incorrect conclusions, please, tell me what you _did_ mean.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/eskimos-to-iraq-or/350973.md?page=2)