"Never pet a burning dog"--what does this expression mean?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

They said it in last week's episode of Generation Kill, but they never really explained it. Now I'm curious to know exactly what it is supposed to mean.

[DS1]

1. It means don't help something that's already a disaster

or something along those lines.


Outstanding show, yes?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

2. Incredible show. But I wouldn't expect anything less with David Simon.

I get the feeling that it portrays war as it really is--99% boredom interjected with 1% sheer terror. Some of the Marines come off as real SOBs, but others you slowly grow attached to as the show moves along. Anyone who tuned in to watch either a) constant and unrealistic battle scenes or b) two dimensional characters who wax poetic about "fighting for our freedom" would be sorely disappointed.

[DS1]

3. I can put a real name to every guy in that show

Except the reporter. And I wasn't in a recon unit. Or war, for that matter. The people in it are portrayed just like the people I served with. The singer who can't shut up, the unshakable cold guy, the trigger happy new guy, the racist, the racist in the opposite direction, the idiot Sgt. Maj, the greedy gunny, the clueless captain, and on and on and on

[Tommy_Carcetti]

4. I think the reporter just serves as our eyes.

I remember actually reading Evan Wright's original Rolling Stone article back in 2005 when I had a 2 hour layover at the Dallas Fort Worth airport. My gate was right next to the USO lounge, so I kept on seeing men and women in their desert camo walking in and out of the lounge. Whether they were being shipped off or were returning, I wasn't sure. But I just found it surreal that this was the situation they were going to.

[montanto]

5. Don't mess with trouble.

My wife and I have an insane friend. We tried to pet her for years. She was a burning dog and all we did was get burned.

[JoDog]

6. Don't get involved

with something that is already messed up beyond repair.

[Deja Q]

7. A euphemism for herpes cold sores on the mouth?

:yoiks: