Disclosure: I really have no idea who the hell Lady Gaga is. Don't listen to her music and couldn't pick her out of a line-up. Yep, that's how little I care about her and her art.
Apparently, though, this remake of her "Telephone" video has been going a bit, what's that term? Oh yes: Viral. It was done by a couple of soldiers in Afghanistan and, according to this article, the Army's pretty OK with it.
The funniest part, of both the video and the article? The N&O's description of Sgt. Aaron Melcher, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division:
"Lady Gaga's version of the video features scenes in a women's prison and behavior that would clearly violate the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The biggest offense in the tamer paratrooper remake, though, is a skimpy, vaguely bikini-like outfit crafted of straps that Melcher flaunts while imitating a Lady Gaga outfit made of nothing but crime-scene tape.
"Gaga is slender. Sgt. Melcher is many things, including enthusiastic and energetic. He is not, however, slender."
I'm guessing he won't be wearing that come the next uniform inspection. At least I hope not.
While I'm not ready to compare soldiers to Marines, this video does recall a comment Eleanor Roosevelt made after touring the Marines' South Pacific bases during World War II. Mrs. Roosevelt, never a fan of the Marines, is said to have responded when asked her opinion of the Marines: "The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps."
I can live with that.
Soldier, sailor, airman, Coastie or Marine, these guys and others like them are halfway around the world doing a job most of us can't imagine and don't even want to. When they got a break they took a few minutes to relax and made something funny and creative that will, amazingly enough, last pretty much forever. Think about what it takes to keep your sense of humor in a place like that. Now try complaining about traffic, the weather, your boss ...
Well, phone's ringing, gotta go.
9 comments:
You're right. It's kind of awesome - and puts things in perspective - that when they had a break they chose to do something fun and creative like that.
Plus, there are some killer dance moves.
Well, up until now I never thought I'd see it--a truly awesome quote from Eleanor Roosevelt.
Liebchen - When I was over in that direction we spent our spare time figuring out ways to steal things from the Army. No dancing required.
Brando - When you have material like the Marines, it's easy to say something memorable. Take this Reagan gem, "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem." See? Classic.
That is fantastic. I'm so glad I saw it!
love this video!
it kinda, in a weird sorta way, reminds me of a scene from "the hurt locker" when the three main guys are blowing off steam back on base. (don't know if you've seen it, so i'll avoid saying too much about the specifics, because it was so good that i don't want to blow it.)
creativity. love it, love it, love it.
Oh, those crazy boys.
LG - Glad to have made your day a little brighter (and that must be hard considering how bright Big J makes it already).
magnolia - You are so right. I did see Hurt Locker (it deserved all the Oscars it got) and if bomb techs did lip-sync videos, I'm sure it would have been just as good. Oh, and good pun: "I don't want to blow it" when talking about a movie about bombs, priceless.
a - Long time you. They were practicing for the annual talent show with the Princess Pats.
As a Coast Guardsman, I appreciate the nod! Always loved that quote by Mrs. Roosevelt.
Big A - Welcome. Coasties and Marines gotta stick together, otherwise the Navy would start to think it's in charge. Also, is it true you have to be 6 feet tall to join the Coast Guard?
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