We thought Afghanistan had enough dangerous substances
Mike Field in Minnesota is a big supplier of the infamous Norwegian speciality lutefisk, normally shipping between 200 and 300,000 pounds every year to customers across the US.
This year, however, he has received a new challenge, as a US serviceman of Norwegian heritage can't take the thought of xmas in Afghanistan without lutefisk.
One lutefisk-loving soldier has ordered 25 pounds of the pungent lye-soaked fish to be shipped to Afghanistan as a "treat" for military personnel there.
"This is a first for this little outfit," said Field, owner of Mike's Fish and Seafood Inc.
The order came from Mike Lindemoe, a serviceman with the U.S. Army stationed in Afghanistan -- and yes, Lindemoe is the one who called it a "treat,"
Field said. Field said that Lindemoe told him he wouldn't mind if it costs $50 a plate -- he wants the lutefisk.
Field said he's never met Lindemoe, but he knows that he's a regular customer from International Falls who prepares lutefisk for dinners sponsored by churches and organizations such as the Sons of Norway.
Field also is exploring the security issues that might come up. Laughing, he wondered how drug-sniffing dogs might respond to a package of the strong-smelling lutefisk.
Field said that because Lindemoe will probably serve the lutefisk to fellow soldiers, he's sending it free of charge.
And Field admits he's been teased by some who suggested that the lutefisk might be mistaken as something meant for the enemy.
Maybe Rumsfeld has just approved some particularly nasty interrogation techniques. I blame Norwegian-American John Ashcroft, even if he has resigned.
2:28:03 AM 
|
