U.S. Troops show Asia their "softer side"--performing circumcisions

[Bluebear]

What a heartwarming story! :hug: And keep in mind, they didn't get paid for performing the circumcisions. They only took tips.

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UISIANA, Philippines (Reuters) - Pulling bad teeth, performing circumcisions and building schools -- this is the gentler side of the military that the United States is increasingly eager to show the world.


In the Philippines, annual exercises are normally about training against Muslim and communist rebels, but this year the emphasis was on healing the scars of natural disasters and poverty.

The operations mirrored those in Afghanistan (news - web sites) and tsunami-hit Indonesia, where the U.S. adversary in the battle for hearts and minds is Islamic militancy....

They transformed a school into a field hospital as dozens of nervous boys lay down on desks to be circumcised. "We took advantage of the situation because the hospital is far from here and we have to pay for minor surgery," Rosa Marquez said as she lined up for antibiotics for her circumcised 10-year-old son.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=572&ncid=572&e=3&u=/nm/20050308/lf_nm/philippines_usa_exercises_dc

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

1. rather symbolic

eh?

What is the next step?

Aghh!

[Bluebear]

2. Complimentary hot stone massages? nt