RE: Re: February thoughts

From: Elena Dent <debadger_at_pacbell.net_at_hypermail.org>
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 2006 22:01:31 -0800

Years ago Banana Republic... remember them? Back when they had Way Cool
clothing, well made, designed to look classy and pack well... anyway. Their
very neat catalog which contained all sorts of commentary and illustrations
as well as products, remarked that there's nothing like a change of
leadership to make a military change its duds. And man, the military is
vain. Even down to the grunt level, the uniforms were meant to make their
personell look good. Franco, for instance, carefully designed uniforms with
lots of pockets, NONE of which could be used for slouching around, hands in
pockets.

Elena

-----Original Message-----
> Excuse me, please.
>
> Let me clarify my reason for going in case it was not obvious: It's a
> shopping trip! Shopping in North Korea? YES! I want a new uniform.
> Have you ever SEEN those sharp outfits those guards at the DMZ wear? I
> mean, big epaulets and wall-to-wall medals.
>
> As some of your know, when I left the USSR in 1985 I came back with a
> uniform. It was cool, and I used it in our survival games. It gave me
> the confidence I needed to put up a good fight! Then in 1989 Joel and
> I happened to be in East Germany when the wall came down. The GDR was
> having a grand "going out of business sale", and guess what I bought?
> You got it, a uniform. I used that for a few Halloweens. The boots
> squeeked a little, but otherwise it worked.
>
> Then there was a trip to Cuba a some years after that. I returned with
> a box of Cohibas, and of course a uniform. The Cuban uniform is
> somewhat disappointing, to be honest. No medals. Still, better than
> nothing.
>
> There's something about dictatorships which brings out the very best
> in personal military appearances. It's almost an admission that they
> know their government is no good, but at least they get cool uniforms!
>
> John
Received on 2006-11-29 22:04:45