Ok, so I went and read/watched the Powerpoint presentation on Talking Point Memos. They had my attention until we got to this slide:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
That's bullshit.
Well most of the world has conformed to a uniform numbering system, the Iranians speak Farsi, which has it's own numbering system. Yes, the people who brought us Algebra still use their own numbering system.
It looks like this:
Now, on the mortar rounds, those are not Farsi numbers. And on top of that, Lot 3? 2006?
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Lot, as used on the mortar tail, does not even properly translate into Farsi, much less Farsi back into English. It would be lost in translation.
And why would Iran use English, when these mortars are made for either their own forces or forces in Iraq? It makes no sense, not even in a Chewbecca Defense way. Why would Iran label their mortars in a way their own forces could not read? Much less Iraqi forces? I know Americans are arrogant about English being the world standard, but damn.
Iranians have their own numbers. The mortars we found have our numbers. Whoever tried to pass this off as Iranian mortars hopes Americans do not realize this fact.
And in fact, if I was looking for the true source of these mortars, I would start looking around for an English speaking country. Save a country that was formerly part of the Commonwealth, and is known to harbor terrorists.
That's right Pakistan, I am looking at you at the source of these arms, you English speaking fools, not Iran.
If the numbers don't fit, you have to acquit.
Let me repeat that one last tine:
If the numbers don't fit, you have to acquit.
This is utter bullshit. Whoever rigged this should have had sense enough to at least use Farsi numbers instead of our own.
Bullshit.
There is one way that the Bush Administration can call Bullshit on my Bullshit. Easy.
Show me a mortar from the Iran-Iraq War with Western Arabic numbers and I will shut up.
That's it, show me a mortar from Tehran with Western Arabic numerals, all I ask. Sorry, I just don't trust this bullshit.
Till then, Bullshit.
Ok in the comments below: English was used to conform to international standards - source NY TIMES.
So I could be wrong, but why would you mark your arms in a way the most aggressive enemy could understand?
THe numbers I will cede the point on, but Lot and other English words on the arms, I will not. Isreal uses Hebrew on its arms, China uses Chinese, and I damn sure know Russians used Russian on their arms in conjuction with 1234567890.
So why would they use English? So our forces can read it? I might be wrong about the numbers, but the language seems like utter bullshit.
And one last thing, why would Iran denote their plastic explosives in Farsi:http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/...
Then turn around and list the mortars in English? Why label some weapons systems in Farsia and some English? It doesn't make sense. And debunks that they always used English. Look! Plastic explosives, IN FARSI! Doesn't make sense at all.
Chewbecca lived on Endor....
I am out of here. Fuck it. Have a nice war.