I was watching Katie Couric on the evening news when the story of Brig. General Dorko's injuries were reported. Apparently this is the highest ranking U.S. officer wounded to date in the Iraq war. There was Katie with a picture of the general up over her shoulder, and under the photo was one word, "Dorko". Was it wrong that I burst into giggles? I felt less guilty about it when Katie informed us that his injuries weren't life threatening. I wasn't fast enough to catch the image with my camera, but gosh it was funny. Imagine walking around with the name Dorko. What torture high school must have been for this guy. And the military! I mean you always call one another by last names right? He must have gone through the ranks, lieutenant, captain, colonel. I don't know how the soldiers kept a straight face. I think I've actually been called "captain dorko" once or twice.
Oh yeah, and Happy Halloween!
25 comments:
No wonder he became a fighting man, he almost had to.
So is his first name Corko? Oh no here comes Corko Dorko let's beat him up. I'll bet he's a mean General. Glad to hear things are getting better over in Iraq. We didn't get Dorko killed maybe we should invade Iran, I hear they are far better equipped.
That's probably why he became an officer, to shoot those who make fun of his name!
I would have laughed too. We'll have parking spaces side by side in hell! If there is a hell.
Happy Halloween to you too!
Oh that name really is unfortunate. I'm glad his injuries weren't life threatening. But still, what does that mean? You can lose a leg and that's not 'life threatening'. Poor guy.
What I do not like about this story, is that somehow his injuries were more newsworthy because of his ranking compared to a PFC (private first class) that perhaps suffered from the same injuries. A human is a human regardless of his/her rank.
Even when I read the first sentence of your blog, I was certain that you were making a joke. It seemed like you were referring to another general who we should all know (but think is a dorko). That poor man!
That's the kind of name that invites ridicule from kindergarten onwards ... forever ... That poor guy HAD to be something in the military. Could you imagine if he'd chosen to be a teacher?
One wonders why people don't exercise their right to *change* their name when they have one as unfortunate as his. And there are worse, by far (though context is everything, and yes, it must have been rough on him given his status in the military) -- Lipschitz comes to mind. This was the surname of one of my Profs in university. It was difficult to keep a *straight* face. :)
I enjoy your blog, Torn.
At least his first name isn't Dick.
When I heard this on the radio I had the same reaction as Steven. I didn't even notice his name.
But now I'm totally laughing about it. I guess I'll be sitting by you and Rox in hell.
In situations like this, I always remember a kid I went to jr. high and high school with. His last name was Gay. If that weren't bad enough, his parents named him Benjamin. And yes, everyone called him Ben. Ben Gay. He was pretty much as asshole, but even at age 12 I felt like I should cut him some slack.
I wonder if he joined the military? Cooper's right, he could never have become a school teacher.
Do you think they saw that ahead of time....or a mistake? Or that they giggled too. Happy Halloween to you too! Oh, I've been in the Dork Club a time (or six) in my life too.
Captain Dorko is one thing, but he's a B.(i)G. Dorko!! (And I was giggling before you admitted you had giggled so, yeah, we can totally be friends!!)
i am setting here at work just rolling.........thanks i needed this today
Did you know there's now a UK government minister called Balls? Ed Balls.
I have to admit I did a double take when I saw that name also.
Happy Halloween in Montreal! Hope you get a treat ;)
Plus, I'd love to visit Montreal sometime agin. Such a pretty city with hot citizens.
Guilty too--I laughed when I read your post. I was thinking of Donnie Darko. Now that a general has been injured, the war may actually take on new meaning to those who are pushing it. Stupid war.
Its not just you - I giggled over this too.
If he married a woman named Ima, her name would be Ima Dorko.
Good times!
Mark
the mind boggles with the ridicule that man must've endured through the years.
I must admit I chuckled over it too!!
Many years ago I worked with a guy named "Harold Balles." With Balles being pronounced "balls."
I remember him being introduced to me as "Harry balls" and snorting and trying to cover up my laughter with a cough. Good way to make a first impression, chalk it up to youth. Hell now that I'm old I would still laugh and snort.
I did the same thing. I asked Brad, "How many times do you think she had to practice saying that without laughing?"
That was the first time I watched her since she started. She's pretty shitty doing the news, she should go back to what she knows best, The Thanksgiving Day Parade.
You're allowed to laugh :>) Dorko! hee hee
I would have burst out laughing as well. As for political correctness, who cares!
And who knows, maybe the name "Dorko" was shortened from something else back in the distant past, like "Dorkovsky" or "Duorkopoulous" or something like that.
It just seems like something that would happen at Ellis Island.
Remember when Andy Dick was pinched for cocaine possession?
That day, they had a photo of him with the subtitle "Dick" underneath.
Fuckin' hilarity!
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