# here's a really funny joke **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 6, 2004, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854 "2004-02-06T16:23:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/1 "2004-02-06T16:23:46Z")
Sent to me by an aquaitance, the husband of a lady my wife used to work with. We get lots of items in a similar vein, but this is the “best” one so far. > [@](#): > > Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman, Montana, awaiting their flights. One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East. > > Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull. The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind out side is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping; but still no plane comes. > > Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, “At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few.” > > The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, “Once my people were few,” he sneers, “and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?” > > The Montana cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a drawl, “That’s ‘cause we ain’t played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe it’s a-comin’.” It’s a humdinger innit? By the way, he is a _very_ devout, fundamentalist Xian type fellow, and he attends a local church which I believe is one of the 10 largest in the country. And the best thing is that it’s funny on so very many levels. Killing Arabs, check. Killing Indians, check. The only thing better would have been to set it in Texas, but that might have been too obivous for the subtle humor intended. I’m trying to think of a reply, but I’m speechless right now. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/2 "2004-02-06T16:46:35Z")
I think your best reply to the sender of this email would be to ask them not to send you hate propaganda any longer. The best outcome - they get offended and never talk to you again. The worst outcome - they don’t get offended and keep sending you offensive shit like this. At which time you block them from your email account. “Christians” who forget what Christ was really about chap my ass. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/3 "2004-02-06T16:52:57Z")
The joke doesn’t offend me…I just don’t find it particularly funny. For one thing, it probably would have been better if the cowboy had said “ain’t played Cowboys and Arabs yet”…it would have fit the “Cowboys and Indians” parallel better. Then maybe stretch out the conversation between the Indian and the Arab…I don’t know how you can fix the joke. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/4 "2004-02-06T17:06:05Z")
I always heard it as an Indian, a cowboy, and a black guy sitting around a campfire. Punchline: “That’s cause we ain’t played cowboys and niggers yet.” People who send me Christian e-mails are eyed askance whether they are consistent in their crap-sending or not. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/5 "2004-02-06T17:06:56Z")
It would have been a lot “funnier” if it had used a racial epithet. Pity. ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/6 "2004-02-06T17:30:18Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > The joke doesn’t offend me…I just don’t find it particularly funny. For one thing, it probably would have been better if the cowboy had said “ain’t played Cowboys and Arabs yet”…it would have fit the “Cowboys and Indians” parallel better. Then maybe stretch out the conversation between the Indian and the Arab…I don’t know how you can fix the joke. \ Father, I think I know a man who converted to Judaism just for the jokes. And this offends you as a jew? No! It offends me as a comedian! \ ---
**Author:** ![Genghis\_Bob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/45deac/32.png) [@Genghis\_Bob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Genghis_Bob)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/7 "2004-02-06T17:35:25Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > I. . . People who send me Christian e-mails are eyed askance whether they are consistent in their crap-sending or not. Whoa, hold on now, pardner. . . what makes this a “Christian e-mail”? ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/8 "2004-02-06T17:41:14Z")
> [@rimshotgdansk](#): > > Whoa, hold on now, pardner. . . what makes this a “Christian e-mail”? yes, I’d like some clarification on that myself. ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/9 "2004-02-06T18:57:37Z")
I hinted in the OP that this person is a very “devout” fundamentalist Xian. There is nothing about this email that is any way Christian, but it conforms to the sender’s belief that all Muslims are fanatical terrorists. I base this not on this one email, but on the weight of the other crap this guy’s been sending since 9/11. Along with the odd “joke”, there are quotes from articles, news stories and the like describing the barbaric practices and generally violent cultures of all Islamic countries and people. Some are merely stupid and ill-informed, others are more like this one, however, which has a very different tone, in my view, as it basically takes the opinion that the US is going to be killing a whole shit load of Muslims really soon. And that it’s a good thing (and apparently, good riddance to the American Indians too). He sent me a joke a while ago that pissed me off (some kind of Catholic joke, even though I’m not much of a practicing Catholic, it was just stupid) and I sent a quick reply that was rather too sharp. And my wife convinced me that I should send an apology. Which I perhaps shouldn’t hav sent, or sent a more lengthy account of why the joke was stupid and wrong. So, I’m in a similar spotnow, but I’m feeling much more righteous anger. So I’m going to wait a little and maybe work up something tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/10 "2004-02-06T19:03:51Z")
It’s really a very simple explanation…I didn’t read the OP very carefully and I got the impression that this was an unusual e-mail because the guy is Christian and usually sends Christian e-mails… :smack: > [@](#): > > It would have been a lot “funnier” if it had used a racial epithet. Pity. I was not adjusting the joke for humor; just noting that it’s your basic all-purpose racial joke and it’s been around for a while. Which has not much to do with the subject of the thread and I apologize. _slinks away, rolling ball of dung_ ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/11 "2004-02-06T19:34:04Z")
> [@Dung Beetle](#): > > I was not adjusting the joke for humor; just noting that it’s your basic all-purpose racial joke and it’s been around for a while. Which has not much to do with the subject of the thread and I apologize. > > _slinks away, rolling ball of dung_ No, no, it’s okay. We simulposted - my comment wasn’t responding to your post. Hell of a coincidence, no? ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/12 "2004-02-06T19:50:54Z")
> [@](#): > > Three strangers strike up a conversation in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman, Montana, awaiting their flights. One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East. > > Their discussion drifts to their diverse cultures. Soon, the two Westerners learn that the Arab is a devout, radical Muslim and the conversation falls into an uneasy lull. The cowboy leans back in his chair, crosses his boots on a magazine table and tips his big sweat-stained hat forward over his face. The wind out side is blowing tumbleweeds around, and the old windsock is flapping; but still no plane comes. > > Finally, the American Indian clears his throat and softly he speaks, “At one time here, my people were many, but sadly, now we are few.” > > The Muslim student raises an eyebrow and leans forward, “Once my people were few,” he sneers, “and now we are many. Why do you suppose that is?” > > The Montana cowboy shifts his toothpick to one side of his mouth and from the darkness beneath his Stetson says in a drawl, “That’s ‘cause we ain’t played Cowboys and Muslims yet, but I do believe it’s a-comin’.” > > The Indian then says, “Wow. What an asshole.” … ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/13 "2004-02-06T19:57:56Z")
**tdn** , still not funny…can we incorporate a grasshopper in a top hat? ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/14 "2004-02-06T20:03:01Z")
You could try something like this: “Why did you send me that email?” “I thought it was funny, and thought you would find it funny too.” “Sorry, but I don’t find jokes about killing people based on their religious beliefs funny.” ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/15 "2004-02-06T20:06:36Z")
> [@jarbabyj](#): > > **tdn** , still not funny…can we incorporate a grasshopper in a top hat? The Indian then says, “Wow. What a grasshopper in a top hat.” Better? ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/16 "2004-02-06T20:18:25Z")
In defense of the cowboy, you really can’t expect him to fully comprehend the Muslim mindset since so many of the terms are unfamiliar to him, ie jihad, Torah, virgin… ---
**Author:** ![tiny\_ham](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a183cd/32.png) [@tiny\_ham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tiny_ham)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/17 "2004-02-06T20:23:08Z")
Torah??? How did the zany jews get involved? ;j ---
**Author:** ![DaddyTimesTwo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@DaddyTimesTwo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaddyTimesTwo)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/18 "2004-02-06T20:38:25Z")
For what it’s worth, **tdn** , I think your version has a nice zing to it. but I’m pretty sure it’s too subtle for this fellow to understand what I mean. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/19 "2004-02-06T21:27:10Z")
Well, **tdm** ’s version is better, but still not funny. I think part of the problem is that, in the story, the Muslim isn’t a jerk. It’s funny to see a jerk get his comeuppance. Also, I’d get rid of “but it’s a’comin”. It doesn’t add much and makes the joke preachy. Also, the cowboy shouldn’t get involved in the conversation till the end, when he makes his one line. It should just be between the Indian and the Muslim. So, maybe something like this: > [@](#): > > Three strangers are sitting in the airport passenger lounge in Bozeman, Montana, awaiting their flight. One is an American Indian passing through from Lame Deer. Another is a Cowboy on his way to Billings for a livestock show and the third passenger is a fundamentalist Arab student, newly arrived at Montana State University from the Middle East. The Arab, never having met an Indian before, strikes up a conversation with him. > > The Indian tells the Arab that his people used to live all across Montana, but now Native American culture is almost extinct and that it only exists on a few small reservations. > > The Arab student is openly scornful at this news. How could the Indians have let themselves get to such a state?, he asks. Don’t they have any self respect? The Arabs, he says, have a thriving culture. They’re a naturally superior people, and would never accept that sort of disgrace. The Indian, of course, takes offense at this, but the Arab asks, “If our culture isn’t superior to yours, how can we be so successful and you so pitiful?”, and the Indian just hangs his head in shame. All the while, the Cowboy is just sitting there, watching. > > At that point, there’s a boarding call for the Cowboy’s plane. He gets up to board, and as he’s walking past the Indian and Arab, leans in close to the Arab and says, “That’s 'cause we ain’t played Cowboy and Arab yet!” It’s still a weak joke, but I think this way is a little stronger. ---
**Author:** ![Necro\_Romancer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Necro\_Romancer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necro_Romancer)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2004, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854/20 "2004-02-06T23:37:24Z")
> [@jarbabyj](#): > > Torah??? How did the zany jews get involved? By proxy of course. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/heres-a-really-funny-joke/227854.md?page=2)