US fight Taliban with heavy metal and rock music

AFP via google ^ | April 6, 2010 | Karim Talbi (AFP)

[a fool in paradise]

...The playlist has been hand-selected to annoy the Taliban, according to one US special forces officer.

"Taliban hate that music," said the sergeant involved in covert psychological operations, or "psy ops", in the area in Helmand province.

"Some locals complain but it's a way to push them to choose. It's motivating Marines as well," he added after one deafening round of several hours including tracks from The Offspring, Metallica and Thin Lizzy.

The officer said they also broadcast messages from the Afghan government, as well as threats to the Taliban -- there are no obscenities, "but we tell them they're gonna die", he smiled...

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Christmas -- the commander of US Marines in northern Marjah -- said he was unaware of the musical psy ops.

"It's inappropriate," he told AFP, mindful that a major part of the counter-insurgency plan is focused on winning over Afghans from the insurgents.

"I'm going to ask this to stop right now."

Music or no music, two months after 15,000 US, Afghan and NATO troops launched in Marjah what was billed as the biggest offensive against the Taliban in nearly nine years of war, fear of the Taliban remains palpable among locals.

"Taliban go into homes everyday, harming residents, accusing us of being spies," said Salam, a young Afghan just freed from the hands of Taliban kidnappers by a contingent of US troops...

...According to copies given to AFP by Marines and tribal elders, the Taliban are also still handing out hand-written leaflets threatening to chop off residents' heads if they cooperate with foreign forces.

The United States' strategy is designed to weaken the Taliban and establish government rule, eventually allowing American troops to start leaving in mid-2011...

[a fool in paradise]

PING

[WOBBLY BOB]

[a fool in paradise]

"...but local children certainly don't like it -- many of them cover their ears from the onslaught of loud bass guitars and drums."

Kids today.

[library user]

I feel old.

[manic4organic]

My vote is for Megadeth.

[JPG]

May I suggest an addition that’s sure to drive the Taliban crazy? Mrs Miller’s “Downtown.”

[dfwgator]

No no, if you really want to win, blast some N’Sync or Backstreet Boys.

[a fool in paradise]

Mrs. Miller went to Vietnam.

[pandoraou812]

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Christmas -- the commander of US Marines in northern Marjah -- said he was unaware of the musical psy ops.

"It's inappropriate," he told AFP, mindful that a major part of the counter-insurgency plan is focused on winning over Afghans from the insurgents.

"I'm going to ask this to stop right now."

I don't like this guy. If the music works then blast it! If the Afghan people want us to fight for them then they can deal with the music.

[Lurker]

Lieutenant Colonel Brian Christmas -- the commander of US Marines in northern Marjah -- said he was unaware of the musical psy ops. "It's inappropriate," he told AFP, mindful that a major part of the counter-insurgency plan is focused on winning over Afghans from the insurgents. "I'm going to ask this to stop right now

With all due respect Colonel, you're a p***y.

Semper Fi.

L

[a fool in paradise]

Those two flash in the pan acts were America’s answer to Menudo. You’d need to find an international hit artist’s records. Like those by Michael Jackson or David Hasslehoff.

[dfwgator]

Hey now, what do you have against “The Hoff?”

[a fool in paradise]

Note that the locals “don’t like” the music but they are FEARFUL of the death threats left by the Taliban.

We may not be seen as “buddies”, but the locals don’t seem to see us as the threat in their lives.

[humblegunner]

Hammerfrog Ping.

[SevenofNine]

Did we do that back when we stake out Manuel Norgia at Vatican embassy in Panama we play Ozzy Osbourne music

[a fool in paradise]

Or when Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made For Walking” was played (along with the sounds of rabbits being skinned alive) at the compound near Waco, Texas...

[dfwgator]

Or when Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made For Walking” was played (along with the sounds of rabbits being skinned alive) at the compound near Waco, Texas...

After that, I think Koresh told them, "Please torch the place, just make it stop!"

[GonzoGOP]

US fight Taliban with heavy metal and rock music

I had kind of hoped for weapons of mass destruction. I mean while playing hard rock can be annoying it just isn't in the same league as a thousand kilos of laser guided bomb through your bedroom window. Although Screaming JDAM might make a good band name.

[brooklyn dave]

They should Friday porn nights with free booze and roast pork sandwiches. Oh don’t forget the dancing. (I would dance with the goat if I were really drunk)