VETERANS: WASPS were trailblazers

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/06/06/overdue-recognition-for-woman-af-pilot

Overdue Recognition for Woman AF Pilot

*** begin quote ***

WII Women Air Force Service Pilot (WASP) 1st Lt. Elaine Harmon didn’t join the military for recognition but she certainly earned it. Harmon was one of the 1,074 women pilots who flew non-combat missions in the U.S. in order to free their male counterparts for overseas combat missions.

She knew the WASPS were trailblazers. “It was a man’s world, but we were doing what was needed for the war effort,” Harmon said. “My mother was dead set against it.”

*** end quote ***

I had the interesting experience of meeting a WASPS when I was a child. OK, a tween. But as most people, I was oblivious. I didn’t listen. Nor ask questions. And, no, I didn’t even take notes. I was OBLIVIOUS. Argh!

And, the way she minimized it, I didn’t think it was important. If a man was telling the story, you’d have thought he won the war single handedly.

That’s why I, a fat old white guy injineer, am a “feminist”. Woman need to be free to do what ever THEY think is important. And, while nothing is as fragile as a male ego, “we”, “We, The People”, need to allow them to do it.

Just like in WW2, we can’t afford the luxury of binding the hands of half our population. Just like we can’t afford racial discrimination!

Aside from the fact that such discrimination is immoral, it’s also ineffective and inefficient.

We need EVERYONE working towards the Common Good.

It’s just pure selfishness. I want everyone making life better for everyone.

Argh!

Why do women allow such foolishness to go on?

Sure, they made their mistakes — giving women the right to vote brought us Prohibition and Organized Crime — but they fixed that one. They still haven’t fixed “war” yet, but men haven’t been doing so well on that one yet either.

We need their “contributions”!

(I’d expect women to hold Congressman Anthony Weiner accountable for the cover up, lying, and some disgusting pics. We’ll see!)

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VETERANS: Memorial Day?

Monday, May 30, 2011

http://www.keywestlou.com/2011/05/weather-comment-again-absolutely.html

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A United States submarine lost during World War II was discovered this week. Ten miles off Key West in 600 feet of water. It was the USS R-12. The submarine was of World War I vintage still in use during World War II. It went down on July 12, 1943. Sank in 15 minutes. Forty two lives lost.

*** end quote ***

Memorial Day is, or at least was, supposed to be about vets who didn’t come home.

Instead it’s become a time for sales, barbecues, and vacations. Rowdy weekends at the shore for kids.

An excuse for chicken hawk politicians to parade their “patriotism”. Easy to make speeches when it’s not your ass being shot at. Let’s send the politicians to the front for the duration of every war they start. No more sending other people’s kids. You want a war, you lead it.

Like that’s ever going to happen.

When did generals stop leading form the front?

Here’s a story of 42 men in WW2. 66 years later.

That’s what Memorial Day is supposed to be about.

On Tuesday, contact your congress critter, ask them what they did on Memorial Day and when are we bringing all the youngsters home from all the wars we are fighting. Tell him that you’ll remember that answer in November.

I blame the women for all this war. Yup, ever since they were given the vote, they haven’t been using it wisely. That’s why we got Prohibition and Organized Crime. And, why don’t we have a representative number of women in Congress?

And, my best argument.

“Yes, when we get out of here. We’re going to have to fix that. You know we control something that can get it done. Not the ballot box, but the other box. (A giant sucking sound as pure Miss Marie used that very rude idiom.) We can end war.” — character “Marie” being anti-war in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 1 Page 262

And, a little later down the page, more bluntly:

“Yes, Miss Marie. Thank you, Miss Marie. You’re my hero.” “Isn’t it heroine?” “No, Miss Marie, in our new world run by women, there will be no sex discrimination. We control the box.” With no hint of self- consciousness or shame. “Dear, that’s not a nice way to say it. And, box is very crude. I’m sorry I used it but I was … incensed that war should happen. Maybe you could say ‘we control the future generations’?” “OK, but those balls will be blue before I let my man start another war.” Knowing she’d done all she could, Marie said, “When this is all over, we should talk my dear. We should really talk. Now away with you. Carefully mind you.” — character “Abigail” declares peace to character “Marie” being anti-war in CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 1 Page 262

Let’s stop this nonsense before next Memorial Day!

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RANT: The first item first column on Drudge says it all

Sunday, March 20, 2011

The first item first column on Drudge says it all.

*** begin quote ***

MARCH 19, 2011

OBAMA: ‘Today we are part of a broad coalition. We are answering the calls of a threatened people. And we are acting in the interests of the United States and the world’…

MARCH 19, 2003

BUSH: ‘American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger’…

*** end quote ***

Donna Nobis Pacem!

Would anyone like to go back to the last Presidential campaign? I said here and vocally that the only truly “Peace” candidate was Ron Paul. Everyone told me that BHO44 was that “Peace” candidate.

“barbara streisand”

I told you so. And, it gives me no pleasure to say that. If I was smarter, I would have been more persuasive. But, when I say there is no difference between the R’s and the D’s, everyone tells me there’s a difference. Look at “today’s conservatives” and “today’s liberals”?

Where do we get the moral authority, let alone the Constitutional authority, to wage war on Libya?

IMHO from a moral, strategic, and tactical basis, this is an outrageous disaster.

So what are you going to do about it?

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POLITICAL: BHO44 does something I agree with

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/03/01/obama-flag-to-half-staff-for-army-corporal-frank-buckles-world-war-i-veteran/

OBAMA: Flag to Half Staff for Army Corporal Frank Buckles, World War I Veteran
March 1, 2011 posted by Veterans Today

*** begin quote ***

As a mark of respect for the memory of Army Corporal Frank W. Buckles, the last surviving American veteran of World War I, and in remembrance of the generation of American veterans of World War I, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that, on the day of his interment, the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on such day.

*** end quote ***

Here’s one where there is no disagreement.

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RANT: PTSD is pushed under the table

Thursday, November 18, 2010

The long road home
Boston Globe
by Bob Kinder

“Men and women, having seen years of combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, are killing themselves in record numbers. Many are divorcing. Some are addicted. Scores are angry and violent, unable to process their wartime experiences. Yet, routinely, these same brave veterans are kicked out of the service and denied benefits or hope of getting well. The problem isn’t new. … In 2007, under intense congressional pressure to improve mental-health care for combat veterans, the Department of Defense acknowledged it was unfairly discharging combat troops by erroneously claiming a service member had a personality disorder rather than post-traumatic stress disorder.” (11/11/10)

http://tinyurl.com/26ty47s

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Interesting. How does that jibe with the nation’s “care”?

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VETERANS: “a grateful nation remembers”; I think not!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

201011070809.jpg

“A grateful nation remembers”

You have to be kidding me. Remembers? No one even knows it’s Veteran’s Day or Armistice Day. Other than store “sales”, “We, The People” don’t remember. If we did, we wouldn’t permit young men and women to put their lives at risk for anything but the most well-thoughtout urgent national interest. And, when they come home broken or in a box, we’d give them the respect they deserve.

I’ll believe that “a grateful nation remembers” when:

• Military funerals are attended by the President or Vice-President, the Senators of that Vet’s State, their Congressman, the Governor, their state reps, their county reps, and their municipal reps. At least then, these “decision makers” would get the fullest sense of the cost of these escapades.

• When our troops are brought home from the 160+ countries. Why are we still in on the DMZ in South Korea and German? Didn’t those wars end long ago? Time for a new foreign policy and new Department of Defense.

• When our broken vets are fixed as best we can in a dignified humane fashion. “We, The People”, through the politicians we elected made this happen. We have to step up to our responsibility. We have failed. The politicians and bureaucrats are to blame. And we have to change the system.

• When we have a “war tax” to ensure that every American regardless of income level or station in life is overtly paying for these foreign excursions. Remember the Spanish American War Tax on every cell phone. Let’s bring it back! (I don’t advocate taxes.) But this will remind everyone every month that we have wars going on and they need an “exit strategy”!

Then, I’ll believe that “a grateful nation remembers”!

Donna Nobis Pacem!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: How do We, The People treat our vets

Thursday, July 8, 2010

http://www.sturgisjournal.com/opinions/columnists/x909196607/Bruce-Coulter-VA-acts-fast-when-it-feels-the-need

VA acts fast when it feels the need
By Bruce Coulter
GateHouse News Service
Posted Jul 07, 2010 @ 11:47 AM

*** begin quote ***

“Currently, the VA considers any reimbursement that compensates a veteran for his or her expenses due to accidents, theft or loss as income. Only reimbursements of expenses related to casualty loss are currently exempted from determination of income,” he wrote.

Under current law, if a veteran is injured in an accident or victimized by a theft and receives compensation to cover medical expenses, replacement cost of the items stolen, or for pain and suffering, he or she is subject to losing their pension.

“This means that the law effectively punishes veterans when they suffer from such an accident or theft,” Hastings said.

Despite the efforts of the veteran and Hastings, the VA has refused to reinstate the veteran’s pension.

To prevent a repeat of the VA’s idiocy (my words, not the congressman’s), Hastings introduced The Pension Protection Act of 2010, H.R. 4541 on Jan. 27. The bill would prohibit the VA from counting casualty windfall payments as income for the purposes of determining eligibility for the non-service connected pension benefit.

*** end quote ***

Gooferment!

Still haven’t heard anyone name a Gooferment that works (i.e., effectively accomplishes its mission, efficiently use the resources given it to accomplish an outstanding result, and cost-effectively at a cost that the folks can afford). We’ll leave aside the morality of stealing people’s wealth to do stuff that they didn’t agree to fund, don’t agree with, or don’t want to have anything to do with. Some “Land of the Free”. Free as long as you do what the plantation owners in the District of Corruption want you to do.

Argh!

Regardless about how you feel about any of the wars, these vets believed our sacred pledge. And, this is how we allow it to be redeemed in our name?

Argh squared!!

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GOVERNACIDE: Only vets should vote

Monday, May 31, 2010

201005282346.jpg

Today, I think and pray for all the dead — vets, non-vets, the “draft dodgers”, and those that have had their lives ruined by wars throughout our history.

I’m reminded of Washington’s “entangling alliances”. I think of Heinlein’s “Only vets should vote” and decide when to send troops in harm’s way. I think of all the venial politicians and some of the larger mass murders, some of whom were Presidents; they have led us astray.

But mostly I pray for all the lost potential.

And, of course, for my fellow vets, for the boys and girls in the field, and for the “dim bulb” politicians and bureaucrats who can’t seem to steer us to peace.

Signed, a USAF vet 70-73, who defended Maryland to the best of his meager abilities!

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RANT: “Pacific” short changed me?

Monday, April 19, 2010

Anyone watching “Pacfic”? It’s the “Band of Brothers” clone but aimed at the Pacific THeater of Ops as opposed to the European.

(You had to be crazy to do some of the stuff ordered. Like Hank’s portrayal of the DDay invasion, or the fire fights in Band of Brothers, only a crazy person would cross and open terrain like that airport under Japanese fire.)

Pacific was scheduled from 9PM to 10PM.

It ended at 9:50PM.

Then there was 10 minutes of filler.

Argh!

I have always thought the opening credit was long, but … …

So are we being “shortchanged”?

I felt so; maybe it’s just me.

Argh!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Hero has a heroine for a wife; shame on the VA

Friday, April 16, 2010

http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2010/04/remembering-hero.html

Thursday, April 15, 2010
Remembering a Hero

*** begin quote ***

Almost everyone knows about Audie Murphy, the most decorated American soldier in World War II. For his combat actions in the European Theater, Murphy received the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and three Purple Hearts.

But fewer know the story of his widow, Pam. After her husband’s death in a 1971 plane crash, Pam Murphy went to work as a clerk at the Sepulveda Ambulatory Care Center, a VA facility in North Hills, California.

*** end quote ***

Sounds like a heroic woman married to bona fide war hero.

Argh!

Never heard this story when she was alive; too bad. She deserved her own medals from the VA.

We’ll get VA level service from Obamacare andwe’ll wish she was still around.

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