Teaching the American Way

Two different stories from the front page of today’s Washington Post caught my eye for their common theme, Americans teaching others how to do things our way, as commandos, or a cheerleaders. Personally, I can imagine a combo which takes these American exports to a new level. That’s right, I’m talking about commando cheerleaders!

Afghan Commandos Emerge

But the commandos still have much to learn — sometimes frustrating their U.S. advisers. “We yell at them for . . . drinking too much [water], constantly eating, using their under-gun lights to walk to the bathroom,” one U.S. adviser said, adding that the Afghans lacked effective methods for distributing and conserving resources. “They’ll have 20 bottles of water, five guys and four days to go — they’ll just drink it and look at you and say, ‘I need more water,’ ” the sergeant major said. The logistics problems, he said, are “across the board.”

Redskins Cheerleaders Shake Up Cricket In Modest India

The Redskins cheer choreographer, Donald Wells, said the Indian cheerleaders he’s working with are already adept at shaking their hips and staying on the beat. He noticed that Indian cheerleaders were very expressive with their hands — Indian classical dance has countless hand motions — and joked that they probably wouldn’t need pompoms.

No need for pompoms, but maybe a few more water bottles.

both from the front page, The Washington Post, 4/19/08

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