Word: thorns
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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After 18 years in the corps, Fisher takes Somalia's discomforts in stride: humidity that soaks uniforms in sweat, swarms of flies, malaria-carrying mosquitoes undeterred by repellent, sun that blisters the skin. There are scorpions and cobras in the undergrowth, and the prevalent vegetation -- thorn trees covered with needle-sharp spines -- must be chopped down to make encampments...
...eastern end of Mogadishu, which the Marines refer to as "Mog," giving way to a surprisingly green plain where donkeys, cattle and camels graze. The Marines are entering territory they have not yet explored. Sitting on top of their vehicles, they point M-16s toward the thorn trees and foot-high shoots of corn on either side of the road. Hot exhaust fumes coat their faces in soot. Each time the convoy approaches a village, Somalis come out to cheer. "It's unbelievable," says Fisher. "You're expecting them to shoot at you, and they're all standing there clapping...
...purely musical sense, however, the collection is agreeably varied. Sometimes, the melodies are in violent contrast to the lyrics. The light, jangly movement of "The Boy with the Thorn in his Side" makes lines like "behind the hatred there lies a murderous desire for love" stand out in stark relief. On the other hand, "Ask," with its simple little message that "shyness" and "coyness" inhibit love, is reinforced by the bouncy (dare I say it?) hopefulness of Johnny Marr's versatile guitar...
...like glue at an angle that would cause spin in flight and help maintain a true course. "It is significant that ballistic principles were known and applied," says Notdurfter. The quiver also held an untreated sinew that could be made into a bowstring; a ball of fibrous cord; the thorn of a deer's antler, which could be used to skin an animal; and four antler tips, tied together with grass...
Barrett's interest in reform also extends to Beacon Hill itself, where the Cambridge politician earned the reputation as "the thorn in Bulger's side...