Love the dolphins

[pynchonoid]

<http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-627180,00.html>

March 29, 2003 
Takoma the dolphin is Awol
>From Daniel McGrory in Umm Qasr

THE US Marines have suffered an embarrassment with
reports last night that one of their most prized
investigators may have defected. 

Takoma, the Atlantic bottle-nosed dolphin, had been in
Iraq for 48 hours when he went missing on his first
operation to snoop out mines. 

His handler, Petty Officer Taylor Whitaker, had
proudly showed off Takoma’s skills and told how the
22-year-old dolphin was among the most pampered
creatures in the American military. 

Takoma and his fellow mine hunters have a special
diet, regular medical checks and their own sleeping
quarters, which is more than can be said for the vast
majority of the military whose domestic arrangements
are basic, to say the least. 

The wayward Takoma set out on the first mission with
his comrade, Makai, watched by the cameras as the pair
of dolphins somersaulted over the inflatable dinghy
carrying their handlers. 

Takoma’s role was to sweep the way clear for the
arrival of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Sir Galahad. US
officials had said that dolphins, first used in
Vietnam, were a far better bet than all the technology
on board the flotilla of ships. 

Petty Officer Whitaker had tempted fate by saying:
“Why would they go missing when they have the best
food and daily spruce-ups and health checks?” Two
hours later Takoma had gone Awol. “Twenty-four hours
is not unusual,” a nervous Petty Officer Whitaker
said. “After all, he may meet some local company.” 

Takoma has now been missing for 48 hours and the
solitary figure of Petty Officer Whitaker could be
seen yesterday patting the water, calling his name and
offering his favourite fish, but there was no
response.
 

"Love the dolphins," she advised him. "Write by
WASTE."
-The Crying of Lot 49



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