Looking A Gift Horse In The Mouth

My posting title might at first seem rather strange, even to someone who has heard the expression before. For all of you city slickers, “looking a gift horse in the mouth” refers to one of the methods used by persons knowledgable in all matters equine to determine the approximate age and health of a horse. Basically, you look at the horse’s teeth. This exercise, combined with a general vewing of the rest of the animal (legs, hoofs, etc.,) gives you a pretty good idea of the condition the horsey is in and care that it has previously received.

Further, looking a “gift horse” in the mouth is intended to refer to someone appearing ungrateful in receiving a gift. Which brings me to this instance of the Indonesian officials telling foreign military troops to get out of their country real soon.

They actually have the audacity to say that they need engineers and doctors, not military personnel. Well, I can tell you about one mechanical engineer (me) who won’t be burning any frequent flyer miles to jump on an airplane and rush to their assistance any time soon.

Of course they are painting their demands in pastel shades of compassion—saying that they are really just worried about the safety of the relief workers.

“Senior officials said foreign journalists would also be confined to major towns in the province, closing a post-disaster window of press freedom in the region which was locked down almost two years ago during a military offensive."

"Indonesian troops have already begun accompanying United Nations missions to help victims of the tsunami and liaison officers are to be posted on the scores of foreign navy ships and military and civilian aircraft bringing in thousands of tonnes of emergency supplies."

"Despite statements from Free Aceh Movement rebels, known as GAM, pledging the safety of volunteers, Welfare Minister Alwi Shihab said the government was concerned attacks on aid staff could scare off foreign assistance.”

You're damn right attacks will affect our attitude, Einstein.

And asking the troops to leave, to my way of thinking, is a bit insane because if anyone starts kidnapping or shooting I want a whole truck load of GI's standing by with night vision goggles and an intimate knowledge, ability, and capability to bring to bear the appropriate ordinance and firepower (what we call in Alabama opening an industrial strength can of whoop ass.)

Why don’t they all just come out and say what they mean…SEND YOUR MONEY AND GET THE HELL OUT. I say we take them up on their offer, and keep the cash for someone that really deserves and appreciates it.

Is it just me?