God damn, this place is full of republicans

[MrScorpio]

The Air Force isolated me from them all this time

Now that I'm out, there's no filter. Gone... Finito!


I miss that filter.

[FuzzySlippers]

1. There aren't any Repukes in the Air Force???!!!

[MrScorpio]

3. They're a different breed in uniform

Most folks in uniform choose not to wear their affiliation on their sleeve... That where the stripes go.

Besides, Air Force enlisted guys are really, really cynical.

There's always someone around to counter republican bullshit, no matter what the occasion.

[Kerrytravelers]

5. Like my Dad. 20 years in the AF, never voted rethug once.

He knows who is really fighting for him.

[FuzzySlippers]

6. I was thinking about what I've been reading

about the Air Force Academy. What a hotbed of Fundie, sexist nutjobs that place is. I guess the enlisted guys are different. That's a relief to know.

[MrScorpio]

7. Academy Grads have a bad enough rep as it is

That bullshit will make for a lot of interesting shop talk

[lizzieforkerry]

47. My husband was ROTC AF and most of those we ran into were

Dems. I guess the difference is most ROTC are working class trying to get through school. Can't say the same for the Academy folks. We tried to keep our distance. We hung out with ROTC, and they all hung out together.

[DS1]

11. I can attest to that

Oh, the stories I've heard. I'm surprised any F16s fly at all :rofl:

Then again, you guys weren't constantly shit on by command ;-)

:toast:

[Left_Winger]

15. When were you in the Corps?

FYI: see my posts below.

:toast:

[DS1]

45. Yes

:hi:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

39. As an Airman, I was never cynical.

I was always too stoned.... :evilgrin:

[steely]

2. Como say what?

News to me, although it would be interesting to see some demograhics on the distribution of dems in the military branches.

[Left_Winger]

4. I'm only one voice

but I was a Marine in the '70s and I've always been a Democrat. There were others around me, but just how many, I can't say as that was a long time ago.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

10. Thanks for your service!

:patriot:

[Left_Winger]

12. Thank you for your support

It does mean a lot because back then people were not very supportive of us. Once again, thanks.

Here's a pic of my old uniform:

[I Have A Dream]

13. Yes, thank you for everything that you've done for our country.

Hopefully we now do a better job of separating the troops from the policies. We can support the troops and still be totally against the policies and the administration.

[Left_Winger]

14. True

If Trent Lott can advocate supporting the troops and opposing the President, why can't we?

If you are interested, visit the website of my veterans organization:
www.veteransforpeace.org

Wage Peace! Check out our statement of purpose at the bottom of the page.

Thank you.

[I Have A Dream]

16. Thanks, Left_Winger...

I am aware of this organization and I contributed to them a couple of weeks ago when Anarchy1999 (I think that was the username) posted something here about your group's upcoming convention.

I was really impressed by what I saw on the web site. You all are heroes.

[Left_Winger]

17. Thanks, I am indebted to you and all those like you

:toast:

[I Have A Dream]

18. Nope -- it is we who are indebted to you.

:hug:

[Left_Winger]

19. Maybe this is the first time a Marine ever gave in or surrendered...

Your sentiments and support are overwhelming me; and I am proud it is to someone like you.

:hug:

:pals: ??

[I Have A Dream]

21. Absolutely...

:pals:

[Wetzelbill]

20. yeah, My dad was in the National Guard and he'd face torture before

he'd ever vote for a Republican.

[Left_Winger]

23. The Guard used to get a bad rap as 'weekend warriors'

Their current service is showing that they are made of sterner stuff than was once believed.

:patriot: to your dad!

[Wetzelbill]

25. I'll be sure to let him know

he joined the NG before Vietnam escalated. My grandfather as you know from that article knew JFK and LBJ so he basically felt something was coming on and encouraged my dad to join the NG while he was home watching the family ranch. So he wouldn't get drafted eventually. Interestingly enough, he was snowed in by a storm and called that he was going to be late for drills, at this time, there was a lot of pressure since some rich well-connected people were trying to get spots for their kids in the Guard. The commaner was a prick, he told my dad if he was late they were booting him out of the unit and he'd get drafted. So my dad said hell with it, quit and went up for review, he was nearly done with his service, but he thought he'd go to Vietnam. Well, he ended up getting honorably discharged and was never drafted. So it worked out ok for him, unfortunately too many weren't as lucky.

[Left_Winger]

27. "unfortunately too many weren't as lucky..."

A very good friend of mine was the typical 18 year-old from NYC, the son of a police officer. When he reported to Whitehall Street (the induction center in NYC) in December 1965 all the guys got off his bus and then it departed; they all knew they were going to Vietnam. On the other hand, the busses which brought the boys from Long Island remained parked as many of them were being rejected (i.e. "flunking the physical") because they had relatives or connections which provided them with documented evidence that they had asthma or some other medical problem. They promptly re-boarded the busses and returned home.

[Wetzelbill]

29. I know that on

my reservation and in my home county there is a high percentage of people who served in Vietnam. As you said about the guys who got off your friends bus, nobody had any illusions about getting out of going to Vietnam. I know a lot of men who served over there. Not too many rich or well connected people around my parts, so we have lots of vets there.

[Left_Winger]

32. I once did a calculation of casualties of the VN War and the states

which had the highest/lowest casualties rates as based on the 1970 census. Connecticut had the lowest rate while Mississippi had the highest. Fits right in to the rich having more priviledges.... We say that we have a democracy, but I think plutocracy is a better description of what we have in this country, especially with the repubs in charge.

[Wetzelbill]

33. no doubt nt

[ikojo]

43. The same thing is happening now. There is no military

draft but there is an economic draft. The poor fight the wars while the rich and upper middle class drive their SUVs and other gas guzzling vehicles and live in VERY large McMansions; all the while cheerleading this joke of a president.

Easy to support a war when no one you know is in the military.

DRAFT RICH KIDS FIRST! Since most wars are basically for trade or access to some natural resource, let those who stand to benefit more put their progeny on the line first.

[steely]

36. Same time frame - different branch here.

as a young guy in the Army I can't say it really ever came up, but years later, you could tell. Maybe it was the times (post nam). If I had to guess, I'd say the officer corps would be mostly thugs, but I couldn't guess the enlisted folks overall. Certainly, there were those few that stood out.
I just wonder what the spread is these days. I tried looking it up w/o any luck.

[Left_Winger]

38. Surprise...surprise...

After the Corps I went to college. As all I had was the VEAP, the Army came 'a calling' with a handful of money and offered me a scholarship which ended up with me whoring myself which led to me becoming an officer in 1983. By the time it was all over I had made Captain (Armor), but I was the exception; yes, most were thugs (ring-knocking bastards); BTW, I can't stand officers (LOL!). If I wasn't headed off to bed as I have a full work day tomorrow, I'd post a pic of my old officer's uniform for verification. PM me later if you would like to see it.

[steely]

41. pretty much the same here

after being discharged I got tired of shoveling and went to school too. I think it was called veap. I think I had just made it before the program in which you contributed to your own bennies. Penna gave me automatic higher-edu grants since I was considered a vet, and fed grants helped. I still had a reserve oblig'tn, and a buddy talked me into rotc, they waived the 1st 2 yrs - so I converted too. thought a prior svc officer would make some practical impact, but in the reserves it became somewhat political (not bad). I was combat support. then brac shut down unit after unit, and I had a hard time finding, then commuting 100 miles to drill (and pay hotel out of pocket). I could go on. No verification needed sir.

[Left_Winger]

42. Thank you for trusting me...

I spent nine and a half years in an Army uniform, beginning as an E-5, 19E (armor crewman) before accepting a commission. I enjoyed being a PLT LDR, Co XO and Co Commander, but when I was reassigned to the Battalion staff and was made the LTC's "over-paid office boy" I decided it was to to leave. As I said, I did not like the majority of officers with whom I served as they, in my opinion, used their troops as stepping stones to advance their careers.

From one vet to another: thanks for your time served!

:kick:

[steely]

46. Sad but true on the stepping stones reference.

I looked for my niche for 16 yrs, and then walked. I have my stories too. kept typing and erasing them. no thanks necessary from you on the trust thing, but thanks for the nod - it's appreciated. And Thank you too!

[LoZoccolo]

8. Come se come sa ma ma coo sa.

Woooo hoooo!

[Kathy in Cambridge]

9. My Dad was Air Force, and all his old buddies vote Dem

[Wetzelbill]

22. it seems like before Rush and Fox came along this was mainly the case

[Left_Winger]

24. When I was in we normally did not discuss domestic politics

but rather the world situation. I do recall that most of the guys around me were good supporters of Carter. As I was leaving, "Ray-gun" was campaigning for president. I told my buds that if he won they would be sent out on some senseless missions; they were. Several of the guys with whom I served were killed in Lebanon.

[Wetzelbill]

26. sorry to hear that

those Beirut bombings, I'm assuming you're talking specifically about the one in 1982 that killed 242 Marines, were a travesty. All are pretty much unsolved too. The barracks plus the two embassy bombings. You hit that right, senseless missions to put it mildly. It really ushered in an era of stone-dumb foreign policy. Speak loudly, and carry a twig. We've become a country of macho tough talking wusses. At least our leadership anyway.

[Left_Winger]

28. When the attempt to replace FDR on the dime with Ray-gun was being made

I swore I would never use that coin if it were issued in honour and remembrance of my former compatriots.

[Left_Winger]

30. Ahhh.... we forgot Grenada!

They now have something in common with Poland!
:sarcasm:

[Wetzelbill]

31. I almost mentioned that

I already finished and was to lazy to go back and insert it,lol.

[Left_Winger]

34. You're getting old, not lazy Bill (LOL!)

:nopity:

[Wetzelbill]

35. you may be right, haha

:hippie: :toast:

[Left_Winger]

37. Well goodnight Bill, as I have to go now

It's getting late here on the east coast and tomorrow is a full day for me as I will finally be moving into my new classroom. It was "ready" today at 3:30 but it was a complete mess with all the construction crap about. So, I only have tomorrow to set it up before Friday when the students arrive. It's been good talking to you again; and get out there, get in the faces of those repukes and run for office before it's too late!

[Dave Reynolds]

40. If it weren't for the Detroit and Ann Arbor areas,

this place would be red red red.

[progmom]

44. Thank God for Ann Arbor

:)