another "ally" pulling out of Iraq

[RangerHAAF]

Italy has decided to pull it's troops out of Iraq later this year.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/4352259.stm

Looks like they're made out of the same stuff as Spain.

 

[rock jock]

Is this in response to their commie reporter getting shot after failing to stop for our troops?

 

[rick_reno]

They have the backbone of an al dente noodle.

 

[The Rabbi]

I'd cut Berlusconi some slack. They have been staunch supporters for a while. The situation seems to be settling down some. I'd rather see Berlusconi still in office than troops still in Iraq.

 

[RangerHAAF]

The shooting seems to have given them cover to pull out, though they'll never publicly admit it. Their newspapers have stirred up a lot of resentment among their citizens.

 

[Standing Wolf]

They have the backbone of an al dente noodle.

Not to quibble, but al dente means "for the teeth," which is to say: chewy. I'd say Italy has the backbone of a grossly overcooked noodle that sticks to the wall.

 

[Talon]

And this news is somehow shocking? After Italy decided to join the Axis in WWII, Churchill is noted to remark, "Well, it's only fair. We had to have them the last time."

 

[rick_reno]

Not to quibble, but al dente means "for the teeth," which is to say: chewy. I'd say Italy has the backbone of a grossly overcooked noodle that sticks to the wall.

Not to quibble, but the translation is "to the teeth" - which is testing the noodle with the teeth. Get some spaghetti - cook it "al dente" and try and stand it up and you'll see the meaning I was attempting to convey.

 

[The Rabbi]

Next debate: is Chicago deep-dish or NY round pizza more authentic. Stay tuned to THR.

 

[homeka45]

Weak sisters, start leaving now and don't come back.BTW rabbi, which is more authentic?

 

[MaterDei]

Next debate: is Chicago deep-dish or NY round pizza more authentic. Stay tuned to THR.

Careful guys. These discussions are no longer allowed. Too many hurt feelings.
I'm curious, what is the difference between the NY and Chicago style pizza? They both seem similar to me.

 

[Viking6]

I think they hung through the roughest times; and I'm still reminded of the Italian security guy who supposedly defied his insurgent killers with "I'll show you how an Italian dies!" We've come close to doing all we can do in Iraq until they form a government and the people start helping to thwart the insurgency.

 

[The Rabbi]

Chicago pizza is made in a round pan with tall sides and served that way. NY pizza is flat and round. They do make a square one with thicker crust called Sicillian. In my day the slice was .65 cents and the Sicillian was .75 cents.
It is obvious that NY pizza is not only the more authentic but also better. Anyone disagreeing with that has no taste-buds.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Quote:
Not to quibble, but al dente means "for the teeth," which is to say: chewy. I'd say Italy has the backbone of a grossly overcooked noodle that sticks to the wall.

Not to quibble, but the translation is "to the teeth" - which is testing the noodle with the teeth. Get some spaghetti - cook it "al dente" and try and stand it up and you'll see the meaning I was attempting to convey.

The literal translation is, in fact, "to the teeth," but what it means has nothing to do with testing. Spaghetti cooked al dente is spaghetti cooked only until it is fully cooked, but still firm and (as noted above) slightly "chewy" -- as opposed to overcooked and mushy/pasty.

 

[Spreadfire Arms]

i have the opinion that the U.S. is the only last superpower left in the world (except possibly China). and because of that, unfortunately, the allied support of the Coalition Forces is primarily symbolic more than anything.

that is not to undermine or discount the lives lost by coalition forces, however, without them, the United States military could still do its job. without the assistance of the Coalition Forces, the United States military could still be an effective combat unit and be able to achieve its mission.

of course, it is, and always has been, better to go into world conflicts with alllies. however, the amount of troops our allies have sent to the conflict is far less than they have sent in the past.

so, if the Italians remove their troops starting in September, so be it. The U.S. can still do the job there, with or without them.

i think we even have more U.S. security contractors over there than most of our allies' military troops.

just my two cents.