Air Force, 1960-1984. Started as AFSC 20351, Voice Intercept Processing Specialist, then got commissioned and spent remainder in Air Force Security Service/Electronic Security Command with two spins through NSA.
Looks to me as if both sides of this debate like fighting with each other more than anything else. I wonder who is going to convince the other of the correctness of their argument. Neither one? Probably, but it does seem to take up space repeating the same I-said, you-said blather. Maybe if everybody discussed photography more and politics less it would make this site more enjoyable for those who prefer not to wear their political heart on their sleeve. We all have opinions, and both left and right have plenty of adherents. So just cool it, okay? The rest of us are not interested in guessing which of you is the bigger yo-yo!
Whoever we elect, that person will have to deal with other world heads of state, good or bad. It is only my opinion that Trump, while exhibiting some rather unsavory characteristics and mannerisms, is far and away more awake than Biden, and will be firmly in control of his White House, while the Biden White House is being controlled by persons unknown, or at least unidentified to the public. Trump is hard to get along with, and in my view that is a strength , since there are so many in the DC world that are simply self-serving, caring only for their own place on the ladder (with some exceptions such as Mike Pompeo). It is historically true that during Trump's term there were few genuine challenges to us, while during Biden's term they are all over - the border, the economy, the size of the US military, the aggression of the Iranians and even those little nobodies in Yemen. Blue states' large cities are largely out of control so far as criminal activity is concerned, and the FBI is operating its own little empire at the expense of anyone who doesn't play Biden Ball. The American people, regardless of background, ethnicity, wealth, etc., are pretty perceptive, and they don't like what they see in the government today. Having millions of unknowns in the country, and paying them to be here, is a direct insult to the many Americans who are having a hard time due to Bidenomics, despite what little Bobblehead in the press room says to the contrary. In short, this country is in a seriously bad position, and it needs someone who can direct things to get it back on track - even the polls show it. It may not be pleasant and certainly will rub many the wrong way, but we collectively have allowed ourselves to get in this mess and it simply has to be fixed or we won't have our country much longer. China is salivating over our problems, just waiting to control WestPac, Russia is just waiting until Ukraine runs out of weapons and will walk in and do nobody knows what to the population there, and the flood of potential - even likely - illegals (yes, they are illegal) with designs on creating havoc here continues. So for those who hate Trump, take a hard, honest look at where he has led this nation. Do we really want to continue down this road? I think not, and the negative points associated with Donald Trump simply don't outweigh the ineptitude of Joe Biden. Biden is the victim of old age and brain degeneration, which probably none of us would wish on anybody, but we simply cannot afford to let him continue running this country as the figurehead for known leftists. It has been tried and it doesn't work in any nation in history. So let's take a deep breath and put somebody with backbone, even unpleasant backbone, back in charge to see it he can straighten this river of government like Paul Bunyan and his Blue Ox did in the story.
This reader continues to note the harsh, emotional back and forth between left and right on many subjects. It is such a shame in this greatest of all nations that we cannot engage in civil discourse over important issues, or which there are many. Regarding the current hotly contested subject of abortion, the left generally seems to see the right, specifically the GOP portion of Congress as the villain, with those roughly half of us who are mostly directly affected by the practice, generally wanting - what? Termination at a specific point, at any point, even after birth has occurred? Those are very heavy and very personal choices to make, and we debate over who should make them. The left harangues against the right in Congress, apparently of the opinion that the SITE of the problem is there, yet they don't seem to CITE how that is the case. I recommend that all concerned review Amendment X of the Bill of Rights for clarification. For those not knowing where to look, here is the quote:
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, respectively, or to the people."
Many states have taken action of one sort of another to address the issue, and others are in the process of addressing it now. Perhaps it will make at least some people happy.
For those so concerned, the above quote is a CITE. The SITE which is the location of the quote within this reply on UHH. Maybe that will help someone with their English going forward.
Perhaps all would do well to regard others as fellow countrymen and not enemies. We seem to have enough of those already.
Perhaps bwana, whose address appears to make him/her a Canadian, would be well advised to leave the discussion of etiquette regarding the US flag to US citizens, particularly those who have spent time in its defense. If bwana is indeed a relocated US person, then apologies and observation withdrawn.
After wading through numerous comments from the site entitled "Front T," and having read his comment above about someone needing to take their meds, my observation is that perhaps Mr T should take his own advise.
I like the treatment of the wheels, anyway. I have a '99 Jag XJR that should look good with that design on board.
No need to let Frank T's rants bother us. He is as aware of the real world as those children demonstrating on campuses, which is to say not very. Once the crazies are voted out of office things will once again take on a sense of reality and the world will regain some balance.
Each of us is free to express our thoughts and opinions. But, Mr. DennyT, must it be done so often?
Perhaps it would help those reading these commentaries if the authors would identify their qualifications for making whatever statement they felt compelled to make. Certainly each of us is free to comment or not as we see fit, but I think one's argument might carry additional weight if the reader understood the level of expertise of the writer, whether it be great or small.
I was of the opinion that this site is to discuss photographic issues primarily. Perhaps leaving the political realm to other arenas (and there certainly are plenty of them) would relieve some of the increasingly hard feelings that seem to be growing. All politicians have their supporters and their detractors. Each of us has opinions, so maybe just leave it at that?
All great takes, but three and four are fantastic!
Be like the administration higher-ups: totally ignore the southern border. Don't go near it. Let "Border Tzar" Laughing Kamala and Secretary Mayorkas run it - they are experts! For Americans spending more time in the immediate area, as in living in the four border states, the truth is clear: illegals are here and they are real. Millions of them - and trainloads more coming. Some just trying to improve their lives, others (especially those covered in prison tats) are here for other reasons. Like crime, or subversion, or who knows what? And all are illegal in their crossing, including large numbers of single Chinese male nationals of military age. (Do you suspect they are simply allowed to come without the Chinese government approving it? Hmmm?) And the administration admits it has no idea where they are, especially the "getaways" who are so careful not to get caught. And don't mention the drugs - those are under control. But the Secretary insures us that the border is "secure" and "closed." I am searching the dictionary for a current definition of the word "treason." Anyone care to assist? As for the nonbelievers, each must follow his or her own path, but all paths lead somewhere and each of us will reach a final destination. Believers smile at the idea, but how about the rest?
Humor in the press: I read one account of the crash, and the reporter stated that "thick clouds of billowing smoke could be seen from the ground." Really, ya think so, Dinoso? All the way from the ground? Anyway, glad the crew and those on the ground were okay. Airplanes can be replaced, people not so easily.
Did anyone ever share with you how long those houses last? Those appear to be maybe hundreds of years old, but how to tell? My guess is that rain is rare in those parts of the desert so they likely don't turn to mud, but do they wear away from the blowing sand? Different cultures can be so interesting!