HeloDude

He is lucky he wasn't executed for his crimes, but that is a different discussion. So we honor someone just because they serve 27 years in prison for crimes? Are we going to honor Terry Nichols if and when he gets released after 27 years? I mean, hey, he may apologize, you never know. He and McVeigh were fighting to restore our Rights under The Constitution (so McVeigh said). See what happens when it comes down to opinion? By the way, I did a fairly extensive google search for Mandela in regards to 'regretting' and 'apologizing'...one or two things come up for 'regretting' and nothing for apologizing. Semantics? Perhaps. But you'd think I'd be able to find more on the subject if it was more widespread. By all mean, share what you have as I'm truly about more education. And for the record, I'm not saying we drag the guy through the dirt when he dies just because he's dead...but you hear very little about the atrocities he committed/was involved in, and I think that is the same to equating to sweeping those things under the rug because it doesn't further the desired narrative. So to be fair, I believe an honest debate needs to occur. You also didn't answer my question about Fidel Castro. A lot of people think he's done some positive/remarkable things over the years--suggest we lower the flags him as well? By the way, isn't it funny that people like to call Obama a communist and the Tea Party/GOP terrorists...but when we actually have a guy that was both then we're afraid to call him out on it? **Edited for spelling/grammar...and I'm sure I'm missed even more errors.

I am not aware of GW intentionally targeting civilians...also did a quick search and couldn't really find anything. Please let me know if you know otherwise, and that is a legitimate request. We have to draw the line somewhere, and I believe that targeting innocent civilians is at a minimum, where the line should be drawn. Timothy McVeigh believed he was doing a good thing by blowing up the OKC federal building, regardless of the fact that he knew innocent civilians were inside. There's a difference between acknowledging 'good things' that a person has done and honoring their entire life while conveniently leaving out all the bad things. By the way, Mandela was not a champion for 'Liberty', he was a champion for ending Apartheid (valid and noble cause) and he was also a champion for socialism. Are you going to suggest the US lower our flags at half-mast when Fidel Castro dies?? Where do you draw your line?

This. Hitler built churches hospitals and schools and Stalin greatly helped the western allies to defeat Hitler and the Nazis...so then I ask you: Where do we draw the line in who we praise and for what cause? Honoring Mandela is a conscious act, it's not occurring by accident. ETA: I originally meant to say/type hospitals but for some reason typed churches..sorry, my brain was off in a different direction.

I'll answer you question with another question: Is it ok for the Taliban and/or Al Qaeda to purposefully target civilians in order to push their agenda and achieve their goals? Yasser Arafat really cared about his people and pushing his agenda to benefit the Palestinians--did he deserve our American flag lowered at half-mast when he died? I agree about the terrorist vs freedom fighter remark, and it is largely about point of view. But I never support direct targeting of civilians to push an agenda. Timothy McVeigh believed is his cause, but I'm not about to sign his praises either. Any revolutionaries who intentionally targeted civilians were also wrong.

I think Buddy Spike called it...if we start honoring guys with a terrorist past/ties to communism then I think that's a very very slippery slope. He also didn't have the most kind things to say about the United States over recent years.

This has been an interesting conversation at work so I was wondering what folks' opinions are on it?

I'm sorry.

I'd say her chances are going to look better just because the race was close in 2012 and Dems are currently poised to lose some seats in a standard midterm election as well as having to defend Obamacare which I believe will only continue to be an overall disaster. Hopefully someone better from the GOP can beat her in a primary, though she does have the correct plumbing and resume the eatablishment is looking for.

Move to NJ?? No thanks man.

Interesting how the side-boob doesn't look as good with the angle in the mirror. Mmm...side-boob

So let's do it the most cost effective way...I'm all about value. If the Academy is more cost effective vs ROTC vs OTS, then I'm all for it.

In response to CH, I don't think much of anything will be done with regards to this issue/scandal. At best they (senior officers) will say that they have stopped the practice, and I'm not even sure that will truly happen. As for the Academy itself, what a waste. Do we really need to pump that much money into government schools that produce the exact same product that an ROTC/OTS program can produce? I know there is history and tradition involved (especially with Annapolis and West Point), but why are they are truly needed today? I've met great and shitty officers from all commissioning sources, as well as plenty in between. Just like the commissaries (especially stateside), they are no longer needed and require additional funds to maintain status quo. Senior officers are telling us that we need to 'change/adapt' and get away from things just because it's tradition...getting rid of the Academies would be a great start.

The real question is: Will this be addressed? Or will it be like all the other government scandals in which the senior officials will say, "we're concerned and are looking into it", only to to never hear much of the issue ever again? Don't worry...the Air Force has got your back.

The OSI have informants in the ops squadrons to rat people out who are talking about flying for the airlines while still at work.

Sounds like the first day you buy a boat...

So if a bad (ie not popular) policy was implemented 5-10 years ago and is now rescinded, does that necessarily mean that things have gotten better? If your boss cuts your pay by 10% and a year later gives you that 10% back...is that a pay raise, per se? If that's the case, then the civilians should be very happy for their 'pay raise' in terms of just not being furloughed any longer. I think we're grading on a pretty big curve these days. Don't get me wrong, I'll gladly take getting rid of the stupid policies...but then that begs the question--why were they then implemented in the first place?

I don't know the specifics of this certain situation, put per the AFI, if an aviator isn't willing to fly the assigned aircraft given, then you move to an FEB and usually recommend losing rated status. Though I agree that if a pilot/nav isn't competent enough to fly a manned aircraft then they shouldn't be flying an RPA. You have very little recourse as an aviator when it comes to aircraft assigned, rating status, etc unless the Air Force violates their own policies or goes against the law (ie gave you something you didn't want because of your race, for example). The flying world is pretty much a one way agreement.

Good to see you posting again Bendy!

Hopefully your GF was spared the stupid gene. My solution to liberals--let them have their 'utopia' and see how well it works for them and fight them when they try to interfere with other people's lives outside of their area (that goes for conservatives too). Have you seen the douche-bag NYC elected as their new mayor? If you chose to live near these ass-clowns then you get what you deserve. Just my 'humble' opinion, of course.

I think we're being a little too kind with our definition of 'average' in this case.

Norway's Army Tries To Save The World... By Going Vegetarian Glad to know we're not the only military dealing with nonsense. No meat on Mondays, or sexual assault CBT's...chose your poison.

Oh, I see...guess you feel strongly that they would look differently than portrayed?

https://www.politico.com/story/2013/11/army-pr-push-average-looking-women-100065.html?hp=f3 Army PR push: 'Average-looking women' I'm sure this will solve all the Army's problems.

Vertigo--do you support any part of the ACA or any of the regulations that have risen from the law?

Since when does a Big Mac cost $5!?? I need to lay off the peyote.