slackline

You guys are asking the wrong question. Has any president ever not been willing to admit if he loses, it's just because he lost? Hardly recycled from Bush. Say squirrel all you want. Is this truly important? Very well could be, but it could also be more bloviating from an expert in the area. It is more evidence to his true lack of any leadership ability though. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

President Trump has refused to openly acknowledge if he loses, he'll allow for a peaceful transfer of power... Instead, he chooses to continue pushing the narrative that the only way he loses is via fraud. Sounds like he's a pilot on baseops. About par for the course. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/09/17/senate-republicans-renounce-trumps-election-claim-417036 His own people may be starting to recognize the absurdities he spouts... Probably not, but every once in a while, even they have to disavow some of it... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Hey, has anyone swept or raked their local forest lately? #Sciencedoesntknow... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Maybe I’m too much of a cynic, but I can’t help but feel that at some point, the other shoe is gonna drop. We’re going to find out that what he sold/gave away/back-channeled to make some of these deals happen aren’t necessarily in our best interest. Fully admit, that’s pit of the stomach speculation, but this CinC doesn’t exactly inspire confidence that anything he does is on the up and up. I’m sure I’m in the minority here, but while I fully admit Israel has gotten beat up, is surrounded by enemies and have had more than their fair share of raw deals, they aren’t exactly innocent. They wield the US as a weapon over there, and frankly, I think are bullies... You carve out a chunk of your backyard for the family that used to live there 10 years before you moved out and tell me how much you enjoy having them there... I know, not an apples to apples comparison, but you get the idea. So, I’ll say, who cares about the Israel policy? Not the most popular idea, I know, but what are ya gonna do? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/09/politics/trump-bob-woodward-interviews/index.html Curious what will be said to explain this away. Maybe he's lying (Woodward, not Trump), but there's audio. That's our CinC, bragging like a child about a photo with Kim... He has access to the nuclear codes. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No, I haven’t. While I do know people who have talked like this, they aren’t what I’d consider stand up guys. You simply sound like someone who disguises misogyny with “Locker room” talk. I apologize if I mislabeled you, but your statement would lead one to believe it isn’t a stretch. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You’re kidding yourself if you are believing the garbage coming out of Fox? What brawnie said about all MSM, liars and crooks out to make a buck. They push whatever narrative will drive viewership. Don’t do the whole, one side is lying more than the other shtick though because that’s disingenuous at best, dishonest at worst. Right and Left will lie straight to your face all day long. They do! Look at the president for goodness sake! This is probably what I hate most about politics, or I should say politicians; pot calling the kettle black! Blind to their own shenanigans while screaming about those of the other side of the aisle. Peddle your one side is worse than the other nonsense somewhere else. They both suck! Equally, sometimes for the same crap, sometimes for differing reasons. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Nailed it! Great personal attack when you have absolutely zero evidence to back up what you’ve just said. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I see you don’t do sarcasm. Clearly it isn’t hard, and I did, in fact, say it wouldn’t surprise me to have a bunch of idiots. There are also clearly people with masks in this photo. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Unsure which septuagenarian you’re referring too? The one who can’t walk down a super steep ramp? Or the one who recognizes he’s in a high risk category, therefore keeping an appropriate distance away from them. Please be more specific. ETA: I think both men are absolutely horrible options for leading this country. Why can’t good people make it to the highest levels? Maybe I’m an idealist, but I don’t buy the argument (unsure if it’s FLEA who’s made it or not) that people don’t care about the morals and ethics of the person in the office. I also don’t buy that you can’t remain a good person and make it to those levels. Unfortunately though, there are more stupid people out there who’ll buy every argument the liars make, and those stupid people get a vote too. I still don’t know what I’m going to do when vote time comes. I do know that one makes my skin crawl a lot less than the other, and he currently represents our country. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Yeah, you see masks everywhere. Maybe not on everyone, but there is a lot of evidence that a pandemic is going on. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You’re right, Trump never is incoherent... Why do people continue to make this stupid point. For every video of Biden (I’m no fan of Biden BTW) you can probably find 2 or more of Trump allowing hot air out without making a single point. Except maybe how awesome he is and how unfair the media is. Also, super great slam on someone trying to show actual leadership and set an example of what leadership is requesting people do... What a tool for trying to do the right thing. He should make fun of someone with a disability instead, or refuse to condemn extremists that support him. That would make the Trump crowd happy. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Dang, you beat me to it... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Have a date, location or source for the BLM protest shot? I fully believe you that there were probably a bunch of idiots not following mask and physical distance rules, but looking at that picture, you can’t see any masks anywhere. Not even hanging around necks or off ears. I find it hard to believe that zero people were following guidelines in a crowd full of “bleeding heart liberals”, but sure, go ahead, post something that makes you look lazy. I’m sure it would have been real tough to find an actual picture supporting your point... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Dude, normally I agree with everything you say, but this is a stretch. I think I know you’re not being 100% serious, but still. Comparing a 17 yr old KID who, allegedly, crossed state lines with a weapon, where he clearly wasn’t needed or recruited, to an active duty member of the military, who is clearly needed and was recruited is nowhere close to on point. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Just sitting here scratching my head on this statement... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If that isn’t the most flawed argument to say the morality of the person we choose to lead the free world doesn’t matter, I don’t know what is... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

AETC course. Agreed on the summary. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It was the DO, hit on the finger. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Curious as to what these courses are. I agreed with most of what you said here, but I would like to know what you’re referring to here. Outside of some flying training, the best course I ever did was the Leadership for Squadron Command Development Course. IMHO, this course should replace all others and happen much earlier in an AF O’s career. Throw away SOS and do this 2 week course a few times in your career. This course didn’t really deal with AF speak, it was literally just about how to lead people, something sorely lacking in the AF. I did it when it was brand new a few years back as an O-5, so maybe it’s different. This needs to be done for brand new O-3s. So many pilots think they are born leaders simply because they are effective in the jet. Leadership is just like any skill set out there, if you don’t actively practice that skill set, you will never develop it. If the AF is waiting until dude/dudettes are senior O-4s or young O-5s, we’re waiting too long to teach them about how to lead, and SOS didn’t really cover that... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I hesitated to use that article because it was from WaPo, but I decided to go with it based on the merits of the article itself, and its apparent presentation of all sides. 1st-My point on emotion is that I am not using it to make/deliver my position. That being said, I absolutely believe an emotional investment to this topic is needed. Emotional attachment does not negate a fact based argument. 2nd-Evidence provided. I apologize for not providing it upfront. I believe anyone who is a critical thinker should be able to, with .01 seconds be able to find countless articles backing up everything, so I admit to being guilty of not providing the evidence up front. 3rd-The tone of your posts, and even the use of the word “liberal” makes it an easy inference that you are applying that logic to anyone who disagrees with your position. No stretch by any means. 4th-I used the words “high moral ground” (sarcasm intended) because of statements you make like this. Your condescension is clear when you act holier than thou because of a simple error in attribution. I did not realize we were in a LD debate where scores mattered. Again, I’m not using emotion in anything I’ve posted. Your highly sarcastic statements, tendency to claim superiority (i.e. many comments like “that’s just weird”, “i have trouble wanting... if you can’t get the basics... correct”, “kinda weird way...”). Your statements do not enhance or improve your side, but imply superiority. Based on how you have replied to everything else, this paragraph will be dismissed out of hand, again, with a snide remark or sarcastic question. Please show me any personal attacks I have made outside of where I said you “appear to be incredibly agitated.” If that was taken as a personal attack, I apologize. Making a statement about my perception of how you appear to be agitated does not meet the standards of a personal attack unless that standard has changed... I’m glad you say you’ll give it a fair shake. That’s all anyone can hope for. Maybe you agree, maybe you don’t. As for what do I suggest, I think this is exactly what needs to happen. Civil discussion that highlights the issues, both sides. If we can discuss things without resorting to real personal attacks, neither argument/position should be dismissed out of hand. If we can discuss it, we can be aware of the potential pitfalls out there that we may not know about now. I did not claim there are no racist people at the top. I mentioned how the author of the article says that a system can be biased/racist without having intentionally racist people in control. I stand by that. An individual can be ignorant (not the negative connotation of ignorant) of what is happening, and think everything is okay. Take FLEA’s point about socio-economic situations. For argument’s sake, let’s say he is correct. If I’m not mistaken, your current position is that people should be able to extract them from their origins and make something of themselves regardless. Absolutely a valid point. Many have done exactly that. That does not negate the fact that it is substantially more difficult for someone in that situation to do it than, say, a middle-class white kid who played rec soccer, was in a class where they didn’t ever worry about gangs, etc. Remember, we’re pretending FLEA’s premise is accurate. Someone who was ignorant of the difficulties faced by minorities might not see that they are presented with drastically different life choices at every step of their life. Much harder to make good choices with maybe an addict mother, absent father, living in the projects. Go to school or join a gang to 1-provide protection from other gangs 2-get a sense of family they don’t get at home 3- earn money to support themselves or younger siblings because their parents didn’t make good life choices 4-many other things. That kid is much more likely to end up in the system than that white kid. Cops are much more likely to think that kid is guilty of doing something than the white kid. He’s much more likely to get stopped, then annoyed because it’s the 8th time he’s been stopped that month. Then he’s more than a little frustrated and gives more attitude than he should. Then he gets arrested. White kid, if he does get stopped at all, isn’t annoyed, listens to the officer, and then moves on his way. None of that excuses the black kid’s actions, but it should shed some light on why he feels that way. I’m not perfect, so I know I’d lose my temper eventually. Ignoring that life is more difficult for people of color doesn’t make it any less true. If you need evidence for that, ref my earlier post with a ton of studies demonstrating what I’m talking about plus a bunch of other scenarios. Having been in leadership positions, I know I have been ignorant of things going on beneath my level. Maybe I’m just the only one to ever have been guilty of that. I doubt it. Lastly, I typically hate these internet arguments. They are largely pointless, but I feel like we are now at that point where it is so important to have the discussion. Even if one person is swayed, and everyone else thinks I’m just a crazy person, I’ll be happy with that. I appreciate you engaging. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

So glad you posted that. I remember it happening, but hadn’t seen it. That was awesome! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2018/09/18/theres-overwhelming-evidence-that-the-criminal-justice-system-is-racist-heres-the-proof/ First off, there was zero emotion in anything I’ve posted, so I’m not sure where that argument is coming from. I will say, however, that isn’t it about time we do get emotional about this while supporting it with facts? This isn’t a joke. We’re kidding ourselves if we think emotion doesn’t play a part in this. You appear to be incredibly agitated from atop your perceived moral high ground even though your posts are equally guilty of making statements without backing them up. Pot, kettle... Second, you say “show me the data” as if that exonerates you from doing the same thing, or ends the argument. Third, I’ve always voted conservative, so if you’re holding onto the idea that I’m some liberal democrat trying to destroy the right, that is incorrect. Fourth, that article I just posted has links to study after study supporting both sides. The author opens it up saying “systemic racism is not equal to racist people running the system.” You provided one tiny sliver of studies showing white people are killed more than black people by police. Claim the author is Uber liberal all you want, but he does a fairly thorough job of presenting evidentiary facts to support the following topics: Policing and profiling | Misdemeanors, petty crimes and driver’s license suspensions | The drug war | Juries and jury selection | The death penalty | Prosecutors, discretion and plea bargaining | Judges and sentencing | School suspensions and the school-to-prison pipeline | Prison, incarceration and solitary confinement | Bail, pretrial detention, commutations and pardons, gangs and other issues | The dissent — contrarian studies on race and the criminal-justice system The article gives you hyperlinks to be able to jump to each individual section, and in each individual section the smallest quantity of studies presented number 3 with most having many more than 10. Once again, no emotion in anything I’ve presented. Simple statement that we need to stand up and push for change now. Tons of evidence here. I’m sure you’ll immediately discount it though based on your blatant refusal to even acknowledge the possibility that there may be problems in the system. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

There are definitely people that are trying to take advantage, reacting in unproductive ways, and twisting factual events out there. That doesn’t change the fact that black people suffer dramatically higher rates of harassment, abuse, and die at the hands of those that have the responsibility to serve and protect. No one, set firmly in their own camp, will be convinced by someone set in the other camp. So, I guess I’m not speaking to those people. I’m speaking to those willing to admit change needs to happen on a much grander scale than, “yeah, things could be better, but at least it’s better than 250 years ago...” I saw a quote from Benjamin Franklin that is appropriate: “Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” As a white guy I’ve never had to discuss how to interact with the police if they have the misfortune of being pulled over, or talked to in the street. Most of our white kids will never be pulled over. Every single person of color I know has had to have the talk with their children because through their own experiences they know their children will have those same experiences. Probably multiple times in their lives. I’m sure you’ve heard about the white lady in Central Park with her off leash dog. Yeah, she may be just the one person who is racist, and most people aren’t. Problem is, she knows if she calls the cops and says an AA man is threatening her life chances are good that dude is going to have a bad day... That’s systemic. That’s a problem that needs changing immediately. Say whatever you want about this whole situation, but the facts don’t lie. Black men die at the hands of police way more than white men. Are the majority of cops racist? No way! Do the non racist cops share any of the blame for this? In my opinion (worthless I know) they do if they never stand up to say it needs to stop. They know who the racist dudes in their departments are, just like you know who the racist dudes in your squadrons are. It is time we speak up each and every time to finally let people know it will never be tolerated. It’s not Us vs Them. We should be united in this! Edited to add: We share in the blame too if we’re silent. Not just the cops. We need to hold each other accountable. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk