tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post2501822173550842228..comments2024-01-03T05:18:54.650-05:00Comments on CDR Salamander: CINC - explain the term to Malia and SashaCDR Salamanderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05981221786954902349noreply@blogger.comBlogger168125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-73986820072425455482010-05-13T14:24:32.000-04:002010-05-13T14:24:32.000-04:00Maybe Bloomberg oughtta be Secretary of Homeland S...Maybe Bloomberg oughtta be Secretary of Homeland Security. He certainly has the proven analytical skills for it. <br /><br /><span>How's that "</span><span><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37128015/ns/us_news-security/" rel="nofollow">domestic terrorist angry at the government who acted alone</a>"?</span>UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-86114353334633868392010-05-07T18:07:13.000-04:002010-05-07T18:07:13.000-04:00West Germany alone had 12 divisions compared to 7 ...West Germany alone had 12 divisions compared to 7 US in Europe... A fast convoy needed to get first reinforcements from CONUS would take week or so to get into Europe, and Soviets counted they could finish their offensive by that time.What really counted for the US was its strategic nuclear arsenal, but as I already said to Western Europe it is a history now. Entire generation of people has grown up without having to face Soviet tanks across the Iron Curtain. What was once seen as US leadership of the free world is seen today as a protection racket against undefined and nebulous enemies. Worse still, US is seen as preying on the weak enemies like Iraq that has never recovered militarily after Gulf War I, but hesitant to engage true threats like nuke-armed N.Korea or nearly nuclear Iran. That is general perception out in Europe, and even if it is not mine (I say it makes perfect sense to attack enemy coalitions weakest points first - like Italy in WW II, and Iraq with relatively - by Arab standards - secular society was a good place to start introducing democracy into region) it is my duty to report it so you can better understand political reality on the other side of the pond. ewok40knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-32394409431286973732010-05-07T16:29:45.000-04:002010-05-07T16:29:45.000-04:00My point regarding NATO is that the US carried the...My point regarding NATO is that the US carried the vast majority of the fiscal, hardware, and manpower burden during the Cold War. The US Army, centered around V Corps, VII Corps, and USAF units forward deployed had more combat power than the rest of the NATO nations in Europe combined. And that was just the FORWARD DEPLOYED elements, not counting anything coming from CONUS.<br /><br />But would Adam Smith say it is the role of government to dictate what those customer interests are? Or would Smith advocate letting the market forces shape and cull those businesses who are non-competitive or unsustainable due to not meeting customer demand?UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-8444641903966707562010-05-07T16:20:49.000-04:002010-05-07T16:20:49.000-04:00DB,
Absolutely. Pay controls have driven much of...DB,<br /><br />Absolutely. Pay controls have driven much of the top talent out of countries that have those burdensome regulations. Rampant unionism, a lifelong and fiscally unsustainable system of entitlements, intrusive and stifling government, is causing fissures in the EU that may bring it down. The currency crisis and debt crisis are SYMPTOMS of the disease. The disease is socialism.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-13992048009982144682010-05-07T16:16:55.000-04:002010-05-07T16:16:55.000-04:00Late Polish president was in Tbilisi, along with l...Late Polish president was in Tbilisi, along with leaders of Baltic states while Bush was in Peking ogling the beach volleybal team. NATO is history to much of the Western Europe, as is the Cold War. Here in Poland things look better from the US point of view as we have Mr.Bear closer to us, but Russian power is on decline, after all what military power you can have with economy size of Holland? 5 Flankers a year is about the size of their air industry right now. And you wonder why Gates slashes F-22? Scandinavian economies have much healthier debt balance than US, which is dangeously close to Greek one (US debt:90%GNP, Greece 100%, approximately... by comparison, Poland made a constitutional barrier of 60% after which government cant borrow any further - and it was socialist government that proposed the amendment lol). And if you want classics cited, on the greedy CEOs: When 2 or 3 businessmen meet, it is probably to discuss agreement to the detriment of their customers. Adam Smith.ewok40knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-72773853034333362752010-05-07T16:12:59.000-04:002010-05-07T16:12:59.000-04:00Actually, URR, that regulating pay stuff is part o...Actually, URR, that regulating pay stuff is part of Greece's problem. One of my children goes to a rather large university and because of her major and course selections, she is friends with a lot of students from Greece. They all have the same complaint... they want out of there BECAUSE of salary caps and the fact that no matter how hard they work, they'll never earn more than a certain amount. So they come here. But there are lots of angry ones left behind. Limited salaries means limited tax base, means bankrupt country. Add to that the expectation that one can retire at 53 and sit in the sun and drink ouzo or something... well, wouldn't we all like to do that. Take away people's incentive to work and see where that gets your economy!DeltaBravonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-28838145582071156462010-05-07T15:37:50.000-04:002010-05-07T15:37:50.000-04:00DB,
I can't believe that you'd say that y...DB,<br /><br />I can't believe that you'd say that you want cocaine in your tea. You do know there are other meanings for "sugar" right? Some communities even refer to Diabetes as "sugar." "Sugar" could also mean some lovin' from a woman, did you mean that? I mean, I guess I could interpret what you said to just mean sugar, but I could also interpret it as cocaine, sex, or diabetes. Hmm, odd that the same logic can't be applied to "tea bagger." Nah, you're too busy being outraged.Combat NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-31965032928762717042010-05-07T14:49:49.000-04:002010-05-07T14:49:49.000-04:00I have read Art 88 many times. Am intimately fami...I have read Art 88 many times. Am intimately familiar with the provisions and elements of the offense. I remember the ACMC warning, and the incident you refer to. But that does not give me proof that there is a broader intent. And ACMC's warning was not a legal order, if servicemembers expressed their opinions out of uniform. That was made very clear with several challenges made on behalf of service members at the time. UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-7278611963512071252010-05-07T14:23:33.000-04:002010-05-07T14:23:33.000-04:00There is much appeal for a CPF-style retirement pl...There is much appeal for a CPF-style retirement plan. But that is not what was proposed when there were recent rumblings about government "taking control" of 401k and IRA accounts. Statrting with Johnson's Great Society and the War on Poverty, each increase in entitlements has been aimed at the non-contributors. That is the reason both Medicare and SS need restructuring. <br /><br />Medicare is being broken by high medical costs, paid in increasing numbers to people who did not contribute a dime. We talk on the one had about health care (read: health insurance) being a "basic human right", and on the other of how drug addicts and inebriates have "diseases" that are not their fault, and will be fully covered by statute, with proportionately much higher per capita expenses than the rest of us. <br /><br />The mortgage crisis can be directly tied back to the "right" to own a home that was codified under the 1978 FHA. And the threats by the CBC to haul lenders in front of Congress to have them explain why they were racists for not making the wildly unrealistic "diversity" goals set for them by a special interest group. Much of the "subprime" policies were de facto illegal until forced on the lenders by the government. In addition, some highly questionable regulations in wake of Enron made matters infinitely worse. It was not a lack of government control, but too much of the wrong kind, for the wrong reason.<br /><br />So we have an $800 billion government solution using taxpayer money to a problem created by government solutions.<br /><br />You say you didn't hear any screaming about the GW Bush bailouts. Like hell you didn't. But here is the difference. In my opinion, Bush should not have done what he did. He didn't want to, but did. Obama, on the other hand, cannot wait for the next opportunity. He would like nothing better. Centralized government controlling as many aspects of our lives, our spending, our choices, our prosperity, and now, with the college loan situation, our educational opportunities. <br /><br />Have you been to a tea party? You know what millions who have think of all these issues? You can summarize in a sentence? Wow. Sounds like you are talking about teachers. I don't know any who would like Republican big government, or any other big government. And they have reasonable concerns that with the entitlements and "immigration reform" plans, this current administration will succeed in creating a massive voting block made up of people entirely dependent on the government, who will vote for whomever promises them the most money. Power perpetuation at its worst.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-5231744579058018192010-05-07T14:23:04.000-04:002010-05-07T14:23:04.000-04:00That is not what the law says. Retired personnel,...That is not what the law says. Retired personnel, and reservists when not on active duty and not in uniform, are not covered by any such nonsense. Making up crap that you almost certainly didn't believe, or demand be enforced, during the previous administration is rubbish. What next? Follow your fellow lefties lead and charge anyone who doesn't bow to "The One" with sedition? I don't remember surrendering my citizenship when I joined the Navy, as I recall I took an oath to the Constitution not the president. A constitution the left is doing it's best to dismantle. If I want to say anything I want about the jug eared oaf currently in the oval office it is my right to do so. It's amazing how quickly the left can change it's spots. Two years ago dissent was the highest form of patriotism, now it's practically a crime. When Bush called for the Patriot Act to keep an eye on terrorists he was decried as a budding Hitler, Obama extends and expands it and not a peep out of the "Civil Libertarian" crowd. The Tea Party is accused of violence and racism based on absolutely zero evidence but if rampaging undocumented Democrats throw rocks and beat people in Arizona your lips are zipped. The only constant on the left is your blatant opportunism and hypocrisy. Old NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-15878320604592343372010-05-07T13:53:47.000-04:002010-05-07T13:53:47.000-04:00Ewok,
The US certainly did provide the prepondera...Ewok,<br /><br />The US certainly did provide the preponderance of military force of NATO for nearly 60 years, and still does. <br /><br />As for your assertions about US actions in the Georgia crisis, just what did the European members of NATO do? Merkel was on the first plane to St Petersburg. <br /><br />I would not want the tax rates or economic futures of Sweden, Norway, Denmark, or Finland. They can beg to differ all they want to. <br /><br />"Evil government out to take your money" invariably takes far, far more of it than greedy CEOs do. I would refer you to Thomas Paine's assertion that government in its most benign remains a necessary EVIL.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-27220927651462299682010-05-07T13:50:43.000-04:002010-05-07T13:50:43.000-04:00URR - I did give you proof. The explanation of Ar...URR - I did give you proof. The explanation of Art. 88 in the Manual for Courts-Martial says the truth is not a defense. Thus, the intended scope of the article is broader than your earlier post suggests (i.e., limited to libel or threats). A good example would probably be some of the statements made about President Clinton while he was CINC. The man was without question an adulterer and a liar...but an officer could not say so publicly without violating Article 88. I know of at least one officer (a Marine O-4) who was disciplined for doing exactly that, and I recall the Deputy Commandant warning all Marine officers to knock off the calls for Clinton's impeachment.<br /><br />Old NFO - my comments aren't the standard. The law is the standard. I don't care whether you like the law or not, you took an oath to follow it. If you don't like the law, argue that it should be changed. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-91920097690458993832010-05-07T13:44:42.000-04:002010-05-07T13:44:42.000-04:00No I did not say the government has the right to r...No I did not say the government has the right to regulate excessive pay of CEO's. However-you, and I, have a vested interest in shaming corporations into behaving responsibly. And the government does have the right to demand quid pro quos when it gives companies loans like it did to (fill in the blank of financial firms paying huge bonuses and not lending to average americans.).<br /><br />But lets go back to my answer to Mr. Mirvish. You said its socialist and strait out of Trotsky. How so? A CPF type fund is your money controlled by you-not the government. You decide how to invest it and you decide when to retire. The only thing regulated is the requirement to save into it-and to make it clear to corporations that they have to match it. Its worked in Singapore for years, and thanks to the ability to use the money as collateral it makes them have a rate of home ownership of over 90%. The government is requiring it because if it doesn't its impacting other citizens. A CPF was advocated by Bush and defeated at the time-but I am have become more and more convinced that doing it the way they do in Singapore or Japan is the way out of the Social Security crisis. What's "socialist" about people funding their retirements with their own money?<br /><br />Furthermore-if I don't save for my retirement, or you don't save for yours we are both eventually impacting each other's freedom in the long term as well as overall quality of life. It is a civic responisbility to save because we are more interconnected now than in previous generations. What you do affects your fellow Americans.<br /><br />Teabaggers say they are for reducing debt and expenditures. Fine, the only way to meaningfully attack the debt is to re-structure entitlements. And in the end since defense accounts for a huge portion of our spending, some of sort of realistic assesment of what we need to be doing and what we don't need to be doing is in order. Medicare needs to be resrtructured also-but I would attack Social Security first because I believe of the two-that's the easier case to make in our current political climate.<br /><br />Which is where in general, their argument falls apart because their solutions don't do any of that. In fact, in several cases all they do is set the pre-conditions for another recession and economic instability. Its wht fundamentally I remain opposed to them because 90% of what they think they know is fundamentally wrong. And can be proven so-with just a little homework. They are not in favor of small government-they are in favor of Republican big government. And that is it.Skippy-sannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-25338525246602103652010-05-07T13:23:56.000-04:002010-05-07T13:23:56.000-04:00To quote from "Animal House"- They are g...To quote from "Animal House"- They are going to criticize us no matter what we do, so we might as well have good time.<br /><br />BTW-there is pretty good evidence the President never used the term in either of the cases the SP's are complaining about. Check it out your self.Skippy-sannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-20415110552261150742010-05-07T12:42:35.000-04:002010-05-07T12:42:35.000-04:00Hmm, using "Guest's" comments as a s...Hmm, using "Guest's" comments as a standard I guess we need to roundly condemn George Washington. He was an officer in the militia, under British command, and later led the successful revolt against the King of England. Apparently if conscience or patriotism conflicts with loyalty to a despot or fool you're supposed to stay with the despot or fool.Old NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-62973902149013011572010-05-07T12:33:51.000-04:002010-05-07T12:33:51.000-04:00URR, US was not bankrolling any of European defenc...URR, US was not bankrolling any of European defences lately, unless you think Iraq or Afghanistan were on the verge of invading EU. Russia might be sometime soon a threat again, provided it doesnt implode demographically, but for now it was barely capable of semi-conquering Georgia (while US was doing nothing). As for the socialist model, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland beg to differ about its efficiency. Might have something to do with being top ranked in transparency ratings, though. "Greedy CEOs" are as populist nonsense as is "evil government out to take your money" - both notions are trying to create hate objects for voters.ewok40knoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-63836129632446795392010-05-07T10:48:02.000-04:002010-05-07T10:48:02.000-04:00The problem with Greece, followed by Spain, and It...The problem with Greece, followed by Spain, and Italy, and possibly Hungary and Rumania is that the massive social spending and entitlements have broken the bank in each of these countries. The only reason they had the flexibility to spend so freely is that the US was bankrolling their defenses. <br /><br />The fate of the Euro hangs in the balance, because the entire system is built on a socialist model that has NEVER worked and will never work, as it saps the incentive for achievement and rewards indolence. Europe continuing down this path will become the 21st century economic equivalent of a Soviet collective farm. <br /><br />Skippy, your assertions about greedy CEOs is populist nonsense. Where in Article I of the Constitution does it mention the Federal government's powers to regulate the pay of private citizens working for private enterprises? And once you have given that precedent to the government, what is to prevent that authority from being abused for political gain?UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-48654770468738250142010-05-07T10:08:10.000-04:002010-05-07T10:08:10.000-04:00Actually it does work in several countries not Gre...Actually it does work in several countries not Greece per se. The issue is that its not fair to watch guys like Tilton of United walk out on their employees and screw them-so they can walk away with 40 millon dollars. If companies are making so much money they should be plowing it back into their companies-not paying CEO's huge salaries.<br /><br />Whether you realize it or not-the world is going to have to tackle the gap between the have's and have nots or you will have Greece like violence ten fold in the coming years at locations all over the world. When you have the type of income disparities and misallocation of resources as exists throughout the west and in Asia it sews the seeds of bad things to come in the future. Some companies have taken on the problem and their societies as a whole are better places to live. Better than some of the places here in the USA as a matter of fact.Skippy-sannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-70350671313419740242010-05-07T10:01:39.000-04:002010-05-07T10:01:39.000-04:00But why are they ignored? They have elections peri...But why are they ignored? They have elections periodically and they get to vote for who they think will do their bidding. However just because they do not get their way all the time does not mean they are disenfranchised-unless you are willing to consider it works both ways-e.g. when the country goes down a rat hole in terms of foreign policy. No body listened to me then-but then I was told "it was the courage of doing what needed to be done".Skippy-sannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-10576251131555337842010-05-07T07:59:45.000-04:002010-05-07T07:59:45.000-04:00If you are telling me that the President and Congr...If you are telling me that the President and Congress wanted the elements of the offense in Art 88 to have a wide applicability, you will have to show me proof of that assertion. A similar stipulation was in all service conduct regulations in one form or another prior to implementation of the Uniform Code, so Article 88 was nothing new.UltimaRatioRegisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-67618503057085299342010-05-07T02:00:30.000-04:002010-05-07T02:00:30.000-04:00Hey Skippy, it works for Greece.Hey Skippy, it works for Greece.Old NFOnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-66719348032302548712010-05-07T01:23:40.000-04:002010-05-07T01:23:40.000-04:00The politics here sucks-but the money is good. I, ...The politics here sucks-but the money is good. I, however am actively seeking to go back to the right side of the international date line.Skippy-sannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-39902299753891003452010-05-06T23:23:07.000-04:002010-05-06T23:23:07.000-04:00Given that the truth is not a defense to Article 8...Given that the truth is not a defense to Article 88, I think both Congress and the president very clearly intended its scope to be broader than you suggest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-82908599581487185672010-05-06T21:52:27.000-04:002010-05-06T21:52:27.000-04:00This one ought to really get them going...
http:/...This one ought to really get them going...<br /><br />http://biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2010/04/14/im-proud-to-be-a-tea-bagger/Grumpy Old Hamnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7704146.post-83886222053737557372010-05-06T20:09:27.000-04:002010-05-06T20:09:27.000-04:00he said I was classy!he said I was classy!MR T's Haircutnoreply@blogger.com