tarl@lectroid.sw.stratus.com (Tarl Neustaedter) (05/20/91)
In article <34624@mimsy.umd.edu>, CHAN93%SNYBUFVA.BITNET@CORNELLC.cit.cornell.edu (Alvin M. Chan) writes:
# In the May 20, 1991 issue of NEWSWEEK magazine, on page 24 there is a picture
# of U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle.
#[...]
# Quayle is holding
# something very strange looking with a neat optical scope and wooden stock.
# Hmmmm now that I look at the picture really closely, I think its a small
# bazooka, and I think he's holding it backwards!
A long time ago, (more than a year ago), during an official visit to
El Salvador, Dan held a launcher for rocket-propelled grenades. Yes,
he held it incorrectly with the muzzle pointing into his elbow, but that
could have been due to the awkward balance of the tube. The trigger assembly
for this weapon is close to the front of the tube, and the correct way to
use it is over a shoulder with the trigger in front of you. There doesn't
appear to be a graceful way to cradle one of these in your arms.
I haven't seen the newsweek article (personally, I read TIME for my quota
of general press exposure), but when this picture originally appeared, it
went on the list of pictures "proving" Mr. Quayle's lack of knowledge.
I would guess the re-incarnation of that picture is to revive the argument.
--
Tarl Neustaedter tarl@vos.stratus.com
Marlboro, Mass. Stratus Computer
Disclaimer: My employer is not responsible for my opinions.wab@uunet.UU.NET (Bill Baker) (05/21/91)
In article <34624@mimsy.umd.edu> CHAN93%SNYBUFVA.BITNET@CORNELLC.cit.cornell.edu (Alvin M. Chan) writes:
#In the May 20, 1991 issue of NEWSWEEK magazine, on page 24 there is a picture
#of U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle. The caption says this was taken
#"during a vice presidential duty tour to El Salvador". In the picture
#are Quayle and two guys in uniform (with 3 stars on the shoulders). They
#appear to be standing in some sort of shooting range. Quayle is holding
#something very strange looking with a neat optical scope and wooden stock.
#Hmmmm now that I look at the picture really closely, I think its a small
#bazooka, and I think he's holding it backwards! Can anyone give any more
#info on this? There is also a red stain on one of the walls...I wonder
#what that is! In the background are a number of AKs and something that
#looks pretty heavy duty with a perforated forend and heavy bipod, but
#its hard to tell....maybe its just a support or sawhorse.
[Moderator: If this is the N'th reply to this post, axe it.]
This is a semi-famous picture that commonly is reprinted in
the "Stupid Things Dan Quayle Has Done" articles in various
magazines. Quayle is holding an RPG launcher backwards. It
was taken at an exhibition in El Salvador of weapons seized
from the rebels. Said RPG and various kinds of AK's have been
used very successfully in many rebel movements over the past
30 years by illiterate peasants. They have no problem
pointing these weapons in the right direction (admittedly it's
easier to tell which end of the RPG is the muzzle when a
projectile is fitted). Quayle holds a J.D. and is a former
U.S. Senator. Can you guess which side is winning?
I could make some guesses about the red stain, but that would
be inappropriate political content.