RNA 4 soldiers dead/ Maoists 540 dead (est, down from 650)

Rusty

Rusty

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Looks like the Royal Nepali Army aren't slacking off.

I'd take both official and estimated figures of the Rolpa and other fights with a 25 lb. block of salt - go to the feed store and ask for a cattle lick. Regardless, the RNA appears to be conducting itself professionally compared to the Maoists.

Just my take of it and others here are better informed.
 
Originally posted by Rusty
Rusty

MEEKNESS - n, uncommon patience in planning a revenge that is worthwhile. The Devil's Dictionary
Click to expand...

Ambrose Bierce (sp?), no? It's a very funny book from a forgotten American writer.

--B.
 
As a matter of fact, yes, and sp correct as I recall.

I wanted to add, though, that reports stated the Maoist population at the Rolpa training camp at about 600 to 800.

Maybe someone with military experience can correct me but decimate, means casualties of 10%. From what I've read, a unit that has suffered 10% casualties is by no means useless, but if possible should be briefly pulled off the line for new troops to replace losses, re-equipment, and given a chance to become a unit again. Of course there is rarely time for this so they get reinforced and sent out again.

But call their number 700.
070 = 10% dead, +casualties?(wounded/ineffective)
140 = 20% dead, +?
210 = 30% dead, +?
280 = 40% dead, +?
350 = 50% dead, +?
420 = 60% dead, +?
490 = 70% dead, +?

660 = 80% dead, +?
 
"Decimate" was an old Roman disciplenary practice. When a unit broke and ran in battle, they were mustered afterward, and the Centurion counted off every tenth (deci) man in the ranks for execution (mate). Current media usage seems to indicate that the talking heads never had Latin, but still like the stuff they can use as buzzwords.
 
Originally posted by Rusty
I'd take both official and estimated figures of the Rolpa and other fights with a 25 lb. block of salt.
Click to expand...

I think we all know the validity of the body-count metric.

BTW, the most recent copy of the Economist has a sidebar about Nepal's Maoists. Apparently, China is disavowing them completely, claiming that their actions sully the memory of China's great leader.

Rusty, how much is a salt-lick going for these days?
 
AH HAA:

You mean like "Pour Encourager D'Autres"?

Please pardon my my French.

Other than what the French Army did in WW1 I'd never heard of the Free world armies doing that. Of course we don't expect to hear the Communists or Tyrants admit to doing such a thing.

Hmm: Oxford American dictionary says

" to destroy one tenth of, to destroy a large proportion of, "

If forced to believe one or the other, I think I'd go with the Puhee ( Paiute for frog that leaves the droppings of a bull).;) :p :D ;)
 
Aw, come on now Unc. You really didn't believe the Bullfrog got his name because of his VOICE now did you?
 
Besides, can't you hear the NDN that just stepped in the middle of it saying saying "PUHEE!" as he tries to wipe it off his moccasins?
 
Hmm: Oxford American dictionary says
" to destroy one tenth of, to destroy a large proportion of, "
Click to expand...

I'd always heard Wal's version as the origin of this term, and from what little I know of latin, 1/10 destruction is correct.

I think that it is pretty funny (in a sad, dark sort of way) that what was at least once thought to be a respectable authority on "American English" would publish such a meaningless definition. No wonder that nobody understands what anybody says--or that someone can say "It depends on what the meaning of is is". With this definition, may as well just evict the word from the language, as it's totally useless. I always thought that those who used the second meaning were displaying ignorance. I guess I was wrong--but as far as I can see the word is of value only to those who craft government statements.
 
I'm glad to see Nepal taking a hard line against terror. As it should be, there is no talk of human rights investigations and no criticism of Nepal by the EU as they fight for survival.
 
We might do well to remember that under the declared emergency the Nepal Government must "approve" all news reports.
 
Originally posted by firkin


I'd always heard Wal's version as the origin of this term, and from what little I know of latin, 1/10 destruction is correct.

I think that it is pretty funny (in a sad, dark sort of way) that what was at least once thought to be a respectable authority on "American English" would publish such a meaningless definition. No wonder that nobody understands what anybody says--or that someone can say "It depends on what the meaning of is is". With this definition, may as well just evict the word from the language, as it's totally useless. I always thought that those who used the second meaning were displaying ignorance. I guess I was wrong--but as far as I can see the word is of value only to those who craft government statements.
Click to expand...

That's how secondary meanings get added to words though - people ignorant of their 'real' meaning use them enough and the word takes on that meaning. Typically the old meaning is eventually lost. Happens a lot - 'silly' originated meant 'blessed'.

--B.
 
Seems the kids today are using "to go" in lieu of "to say." Drives me nuts. I go, "let's go to the bar." She goes, "no, not tonight," and I want to tell them "Let's say to the bar," and see what they go.
 
Beo,

I've heard that mechanism of language evolution, and it makes sense as part of the story. The "silly" example also has to do with a change in conception of the manifestations of the deity/deities involved, I suspect. The adjective describes a similar state as before, the sgnificance of that state has changed though.

But how often are two contradictory meanings accepted at the same time in the absence of sarcasm?


" Who would have thought inflammable meant flammable? What a language!"
-- Dr. Nick Riviera from the Simpsons
 
Language is a dynamic thing. It sort of gets reworked every so often - pretty regularly these days, given the volume of media and other communications. Every so often, people have to stake out a piece of language and make it their own - evidence the reclaiming of certain epithets by blacks, gays, feminists, etc.

Static language is pretty boring, and on the road to death. It's pretty sad. Out here on the reservation, Navajo has enough speakers to tread water, but lots and lots is being lost, and the culture with it. Lots of other NDNs aren't so lucky - native Alaskans where half a dozen people speak a language, and they all might go in the next blizzard.
 
When I was young things could be groovy or a drag. Later cool and a bad scene. This I can handle but when you start changing basic verbs from say to go I don't know whether I'm going or saying.
 
Little kids talk like that...and inner city people without proper english.


munk
 
I just try to talk American, and if that isn't good enough for the rest of the masses; they can kiss me where the sun don't shine.:D :D
 
No one's gonna want to kiss you or that dead possum I saw posted here....lol

I've lived my whole life with "warshing machines"

munk
 
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