waveshaper

Proceed with caution. I seem to remember (way back when) the USAF pushing to remove gun systems from fighter aircraft in the late 1950's/1960's. Who needs guns for air to air combat when we have all these new advanced air to air missiles. A famous quote from one of the USAF finest and most respected aviators; Quote "A fighter without a gun is like an airplane without a wing".

First and foremost I am an amateur at investing and always will be, I came to that conclusion long ago. I believe that current asset prices are higher than they should be based on flawed fundamentals. The fundamentals (EPS, P/E, PEG, SH&A, Growth, Margins, Revenues, etc) at this stage of the game are not very credible and getting worse (smoke and mirrors). This is mostly a result of QE3 pumping 85 billion a month into the market since December of 2012. Once the Fed start tapering QE3 you will eventually see a recalibration of asset fundamentals once again, just like what happened after the last bubble burst and that can't be good for the market. Also, 40 billion a month of free QE3 money is going right back into mortgage backed securities, imagine that. The market has had a great year so far and most of the gains can directly be attributed to QE3; as of 22 Nov - DOW +22.5%, S&P +26.5%, NASDAQ +32.2%, RUSSEL 2000 32.5+, etc. The DOW and the S&P both are at +40 record closings for the year. I would expect the Wall Street wizards (talking heads,) to be out in force in the coming weeks talking a good game and trying to convince Fund Managers and average investors to pump new money into the market. Last week 548 million in new money was put in play. At moments like this I like to sit back and watch those around me that are even more clueless than I am about the stock market. If they start pumping vast amounts of money into the market at times like this, then that may be another good indicator its time to take some profits. You must also keep in mind that these Wall Street wizards are also the fast movers and when things tank they always cash in, don't blink or you will miss their move, and leave the average investors holding the empty bag. This is just my amateurish opinion on how I currently see things and I very well could be completely wrong. Always seek professional financial advice before making a move.

I am a long term investor but I always keep 25% of my portfolio available for buy/sell opportunities. I rarely use it, maybe once or twice a year and I spread it out in about 5% buy/sell increments. This type strategy is not for the faint of heart. In my opinion this may be a good time to start thinking about some profit taking based on the market run-up we've had, looking at the futures markets, and pure speculation on my part. You can never pick bottoms or tops of the market and my goal with this in flux 25% is to sell high, not highest and buy low, not lowest and its worked for me so far (20 plus years). I may up my 25% target flux fund amount when it becomes clear that the Fed is going to stop pumping free play into the Wall Street casino.

If China's intentions are to eventually completely dominate East/Southeast Asia and the West Pac both economically and militarily they will require a very large modern Navy, Air Force, and expeditionary ground forces (by sea/air). These type forces would have to be 10 fold larger and/or more capable then they are today to completely control that entire region. I personally do not believe that China is trying to completely dominate the region, at this time, but of course things change and strategic plan evolve. I would not be surprised that if China ever decides to go this route (they are already well on their way) that they would use Japan as a model and try to somewhat emulate Imperial Japan's rapid industrialization, modern militarization, and empire expansionism (late 1860's to WW2). Just a FEW of Imperial Japan's lessons taught/early warnings leading up to WW2. 1894 - 1941 - First Sino- Japanese War. - Russo-Japanese War. - Annexation of Korea. - WW1 (they were on our side in this one). - Siberian Intervention. - Manchuria Expansionism. - Second Sino-Japanese War. - WW2.

112 retired AF Generals oppose Gillibrand Bill to change UCMJ. First I agree with the good Generals on this particular subject. I did a quick review of the listed names and recognized about 30 Generals, all white males. The list only contains the name of one female General and I guess there could be some Generals that are possible LGBT members. In an odd but somewhat humorous way could this list of Generals be an example of a exclusive USAF White Male Club if they all end up being White Males (minus one white female General)? And yes I have been drinking. https://www.airforcetimes.com/article/20131122/NEWS05/311220036/112-retired-AF-generals-oppose-Gillibrand-bill-change-UCMJ

That picture "hot or not" for some reason makes me want a cold San Miguel.

Crotch Grab. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fzrE8lGJds

Sorry, I am not the best at sexual connotations and word games. On the enlisted side of the house we normally get right to the point. What/how much is the fine for this transgression?

I hope this good CO of the USS Nimitz was sharing his hornswaggled, ill-gotten booty with his crew and if he was I am sure the morale of his shipmates was extremely high during Asian Port of Call stops "so to speak".

Two more rouge seafarers may end up having to walk the plank. .https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/09/two-admirals-caught-in-widening-bribery-scandal.html?comp=7000023317828&rank=1

USAF conducts first SAPR orchestrated mock Court-Martial trial. Again I would expect to see more of this type training/exercises/experiments. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/05/sex-assault-trial-gives-airmen-perspective.html?comp=1199436026997&rank=1

Sexual Assault Summit. I can see the USAF trying some of these techniques and I also would expect more exercises/experiments to be conducted. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2013/11/06/the-militarys-struggles-against-sex-assault.html?comp=7000023317828&rank=1

That just wrong. The only thing that would of made it worse is a bikini.

I seem to remember that during President Clintons term in office there was a big crackdown by DoD leadership on things like contemptuous language toward the President. Basically we were told by USAF leadership to keep our pie holes shut. Things like UCMJ violations of Article 88, 92, 133, 134, etc. were on the table, I think. https://www.loc.gov/rr/frd/Military_Law/pdf/07-1999.pdf

Back in the 1970's/80's when the Air Force/EOT were trying to squash racism I don't remember any similar type experiments/exercises. This latest experiment/exercise would have been close to the equivalent, back then, of having an officer (or anybody) drop a racial slur like the "N word" to gage the enlisted folks response/reaction. I think these type exercises are WAY out of line.

If the Air Force is going to conduct these type exercises then they needs to be done right and everyone should play. Think along the lines of how we do UEI's, ORE's, ORI's, NSI's, etc. Also, we already have FPCON's, ALARM levels, and MOPP levels and we may need to develop some new social type warning/protection/prevention protocols for these new exercise/evaluation/inspection programs. Examples; Sexual Assault Prevention Conditions (SAPCON's): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Protection Conditions (LBGT-PCON's or FAB-PCON's could also be used): etc.

Yes, Men Really do Ogle Women's Bodies. I can see some motivated commanders and SARP leadership conducting exercises using this technology to highlight/spot potential sexual offenders/rapist. The geniuses running the SAPR program could even take this technology to the next level by setting up a USAF wide, random sexual offender/rapist identification program, similar to how the USAF accomplishes random urinalysis testing. This type of program would certainly reduce the likelihood of a hostile work environment. In my case, if I was ever randomly picked to take this type test, I would request that my commander not waste every ones time and I would accept my LOR/ART 15 and UIF up-front. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/29/body-shape-objectification-technology/3287287/

One of my most embarrassing true stories on this subject. Myself a SNCO and another SNCO who worked for me a the time were doing some Demo ops on the range. We had an observer with us by the name Colonel Mary Hertog and she was wearing blues (blue blouse with dark blue skirt). Me, my cohort, and Colonel Hertog were in the safe area, with Colonel Hertog standing in between us. The detonation shock wave hit us and my cohort turns to Colonel Hertog an states "I bet that blew your skirt up Ma'am" in a nonchalant tone of voice. I immediately cringed awaiting our imminent #&@ chewing. The good Colonel never chewed us out on the spot or even later on, she politely thanked us for the demonstration and departed.

8 Shaw Air Force Officers Reprimanded in Sexual Misconduct Investigation. TSgt Jennifer Smith; Quote "The Air Force's environment is so exceedingly hostile to women that many suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result" https://www.theitem.com/news/shaw-air-force-officers-reprimanded-in-sexual-misconduct-investigation/article_abe8752e-94df-5294-8924-3b70ba163924.html

A black/asian mixed race female that happens to be gay sure get a lot of events/months to celebrate their heritage, pride, sexual orientation, race etc.

Sorry, I have added a warning. "Warning I am 100% sure the NSA will monitor you if you open any of these links". These links are from Somalia news outlets/sources and provide a different angle/spin on Somali garden spots like Baraawe. Short "NSA SAFE" version; Phase 1- Al-Shabab/Al-Qaeda send reinforcements to Baraawe. Phase 11 - Al-Shabab/Al-Qaeda conduct a live fire exercise on the beautiful Baraawe beach front as the local civilian population watches the action unfold. The local folks seem satisfied that their little slice of heaven is safe once again from assault by sea. RR location=good fishing.

Al-Shabab/Al-Qaeda ORI Phase 11, Baraawe Somalia, Aug 2013; https://www.idhanka.com/index/2013/08/daawo-dhoolatus-militari-oo-xarakada-al-shabaab-maalintii-labaad-ku-soo-bandhigtay-xeeb-ku-taala-magaalada-oo-dadkii-taageerayaashooda-ahaa-ee-daawanayay-u-riyaaqeen/ Al-Shabab//Al-Qaeda ORI Phase 1, Baraawe Somalia, Apr 2013; https://www.raxanreeb.com/2013/04/somalia-al-shabab-says-they-have-got-newly-trained-fighters-in-somalia/ Baraawe Somalia, prime RR location for Islamic Extremist, bring your fishing gear; https://metabase.coincident.tv/?v=UYO_hrslziw

I believe the RAF was partially responsible for perimeter security at this location. It is also being reported that Major General Gurganus reduced the number of Marines patrolling the perimeter from 325 to 100 one month before the attack. This reduction of security personnel sounds somewhat like the situation leading up to the Benghazi attack.

Question; Does the USMC have a dedicated full time force that's primary mission is to provide airfield security and resource protection, similar to the USAF Security Forces?

You can add two more Generals to the fired list; That's like 7 stars in four days. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/two-marine-generals-fired-for-security-lapses-in-afghanistan/2013/09/30/b2ccb8a6-29fe-11e3-b139-029811dbb57f_story.html?hpid=z4