It's the Little Things That Count...

[skunk]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4049883.stm
On Saturday, Black Watch soldiers went into villages on the western bank of the river to check the area and search houses and villagers in preparation for Sunday morning's operation.

They were met with suspicion and fear but no overt hostility.

One Iraqi said he and his neighbours were frightened by the soldiers' weapons but added: "We appreciate the fact that you are talking to us. The American soldiers don't do that."
Fancy that.

[Xtremehkr]

The attitudes of those at the lower levels of the military tend to be a direct reflection of those at the top.

Tony Blair may have participated, but I don't think he is quite as cold and ruthless as those on this side of the Atlantic.

I don't fault those at the bottom as much as those at the top. The military is not a good place for independent thinkers, in fact, it is pretty much discouraged.

[zimv20]

i've been bemoaning the demise of the customer service industry in the US for some time now. xtreme's point about the lower level taking its cues from the higher level is well taken.