Bearded Brits

I'm not sure what to make of this. I suppose it makes sense to exploit local customs...but it looks damned odd.

It seems to have helped our cause, and that's good. The most important thing is to WIN, of course. But I can't help this feeling of "capitulation". Should Coalition female soldiers cover their faces to be "effective" with the locals?

How far do you go? At what point is it allowing them to dictate your behavior? At what point to you say: Clean cut, well-bathed, clean-shaven American and Brit soldiers are going to kick your ass until you surrender.

And no amount of scraggly-ass beard makes you more of a "alpha-male", than our troopers who, if allowed to do their jobs, without all this touchy-feely PC rules of engagement bullshit, would have cleaned out that entire sewer in six months.

Beards are fine. Throughout history they've been the mark of adult manhood. But I don't think you have to wear it long to prove that. The fact that you have to shave your face every day makes it equally clear you are an adult male. The Ancient Romans understood that. And, dude, they looked fine!

You didn't see them growing beards, or painting themselves blue, or fighting naked...when they kicked the snot out of the Celts.

And I'd be just as pleased to see our guys not adopt the primitive, tribal behavior of the followers of the Pernicious Prophet.

But, hey, that's just me. I'm not one for working real hard so I can "get along" with assholes.

The Gunslinger