Sons of Iraq

Via Spencer Ackerman, it seems the term "Concerned Local Citizens" has been deemed insufficiently euphemism-y and now Paul McLeary reports:

But now, no one is mentioning the CLCs. With the amazing speed of an acronym-happy military, I’ve found out that the new, hot-off-the-presses Iraqi-approved term is "Sons of Iraq." SOI for short. Seems that "Concerned Local Citizen" didn’t translate into Arabic so well, and the Iraqis didn’t like it. So now, when you mention armed groups of civilians manning checkpoints and doing the work that the Iraqi Police and Army either will not or can not do, be sure to call them the "Sons of Iraq."

And there you have it. Personally, I'm glad for the change since Concerned Local Citizens always made me think of the Upright Citizens Brigade.

Comments

CLC wasn't pressing the right buttons for African-Iraqis.

Posted by Rich | February 6, 2008 2:31 PM

The Sons of Hercules series did it first and better.

Posted by Tim | February 6, 2008 2:32 PM

Funny, it reminds me of the White Citizens Council from the 1950s South.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Citizens_Council

Posted by tallynew | February 6, 2008 2:33 PM

People's Front of Judea!

No, no...

Judean People's Front!

Posted by NCProsecutor | February 6, 2008 2:34 PM

Does this mean that Iraq will finally get its own glee club?
.

Posted by Grand Moff Texan | February 6, 2008 2:47 PM

When Iraq finally produces an improvisational comedian of Amy Poehler's caliber, then finally it will be known as a mature democracy.

Posted by jonp72 | February 6, 2008 2:50 PM

"We are the fighting Sons of Iraq ..."

With Nelson Eddy. Like Naughty Marietta, but in the desert. Not sure who Jeanette would be.

Posted by George | February 6, 2008 2:56 PM

What, no Sons of Batman reference? Do they teach nothing in the schools these days?

Posted by Dr. Victor Davis Handjob | February 6, 2008 2:58 PM

What, no Sons of Batman reference? Do they teach nothing in the schools these days?

Posted by Dr. Victor Davis Handjob | February 6, 2008 2:59 PM

The CLC is the opposite of the UCB, whose only mission is to promote chaos.

Posted by Trey | February 6, 2008 3:09 PM

Here's in Philly we have the Sons of Ben (SOBs) who are rallying to bring a MLS team to the area: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20080118_Soccer_fans_out_to_light_spark.html

Cool logo though:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/af/Sob_jollyfranklin_wiki.png

Posted by lutton | February 6, 2008 3:12 PM

Lutton,

Oddly enough, that logo you linked to looks like it should belong to a UCB Pro Thunderball Team.

http://www.uprightcitizens.org/11/teams.html

Sadly, it appears they removed my hometown Decatur Fists from the league.

The Decatur Fists were named after a fight broke out at a high school football game leading to the expulsion of 6 underperforming high school students. Jesse Jackson was quickly on the scene claiming racism... good times.

By the way Sons of Iraq makes me think of CCR.

Posted by AJ | February 6, 2008 3:26 PM

Maybe they should be called FOI? The Fruit of Islam, the bodyguard regiment of Farrakhan's Nation of Islam. The US should supply the finely tailored suits, bow ties, and caps!

Posted by Pat | February 6, 2008 4:19 PM

Sons of the Desert was taken.

Posted by dbomp | February 6, 2008 4:51 PM

"Sons of the Pioneers", also taken.

If the SOI's are SOB's, are they "our SOB's"?

Posted by Robert Powell | February 6, 2008 5:22 PM

"Sons of the Pioneers", also taken.

If the SOI's are SOB's, are they "our SOB's"?

Posted by Robert Powell | February 6, 2008 5:26 PM

I don't think Matt has thought this through. Wouldn't the 'sons of Iraq' be fighting for the Fatherland?

Apparently military advertising is to advertising as military music is to music.

Posted by serial catowner | February 6, 2008 7:31 PM

serial catowner introduces a serious note. "Fatherland" is still an unproven new idea in these still essentially tribal circles. It's going to take a while for this to shake out.

Military music can be good advertising. And "military intelligence" is an oxymoron.

Posted by Robert Powell | February 7, 2008 3:03 AM

I vote for Security of the First World.

Posted by Spenc/r Ackerm/m | February 7, 2008 10:16 AM