The US, UN & Iraq III

Facts aplenty - your choice to dismiss them.

From where I sit - you got penty of education and facts about Wahabism and the mid-east from someone who's actually been there and studied much of it for a long time.

And if anything, hobit's educational and military record seem well documented and rounded. What's your record on education and military service? Where did you study, what, and what was your military service? Heard nothing from you but sniveling criticism on some specific details.

I would also appreciate a few details about your statement about the "rabid denial about terrorism exisiting in Iraq." Who here or anywhere has denied that terrorism exists there? (The rabid denial part is specious.) Please lay out who has said anything about denial, and also, what form these statements took. If you can't (or won't do that), then your comment must be taken as empty, void.

Your apology should be directed to the uncivil and unnecessary crack about the B.S. in Molecular Science. Everrything else you choose to mouth is your own opinion. That, however, is a crack.

Why not try to get back to topic?

Dys, we need to talk about a raise . . .

Just to place my opinions into some sort of perspective for anyone viewing this little exchange----my 20 years of military experience gives no creedence to that related by Hobitbob. While there were many hardships for my family the only truly frustrating aspect was the sad lack of leadership during the Vietnam war----civilian and military i.e., Westmoreland, McNammara, and LBJ. End of statement.

perc, Most of us were aware of how Washington DC was running the war from half way around the world. Nobody needs to understand military tactics to understand that can't be done. c.i.

OK, everyone, this is your Mother speaking. All with acerbic tongues are to take a time out and go to a chair in the corner and reflect upon their navels.

Mama

I was one of the last of the aviation cadets before the AF Academy started churning out Astronauts and other assorted geniuses. I did manage to graduate from high school--just. All I ever aspired to was to be a fighter pilot and I was indeed lucky enough to do that flying mostly single engine jet fighters. What little bit of extra education I have was garnered here and there but mostly in the last year on the internet "discussing" this and that with some very learned people and then some not so learned. I had my opportunities to further my education in the military but I was having too much fun flying airplanes. I regret many of my decisions but I sure as hell won't whine about it.

I retired as a Major which is very poor I admit but I had my opportunities and failed to take advantage of them. End of story.

I do want to add that in my opinion----being a fighter pilot is very special-----if you want to know the details of being a fighter pilot dial in this on Google---Boyd, the fighter pilot who changed the art of war by Robert Coram. It's a biography of a very special fighter pilot who analysed everything and put it into words including the theory of energy manueverability which allowed aircraft designers to design the F-15 and F-16.

He also came up with a philosophical piece that was his attempt to understand how his brain could develop
the EM theory when other more brilliant minds had not. It's called destruction and creation---that also is on google as is maneuver warfare and the OODA loop theory which deals with the 3 dimensional chess involved in aerial combat. I know it's very childish to have heroes but he is one of mine.

It's not anything like Colin Powell but I'm certainly not ashamed of it and I don't allow anyone to sneer at it----not even such as you Mama.

perc, My brother in law was also a pilot in Viet Nam. He retired after twenty years as a Lt Colonel. Our son was promoted to Major in the Air Force reserves, but I hope he never returns to the military. He was a Weapon's Officer; even taught at Luke AFB in Arizona. He completed his masters at the University of Texas in Austin, and graduated with honors. He's been my life's pride and joy as a parent. c.i.

perception

A pilot, especially a jet pilot, can't do his job without some education - and knowledge.
And to become a staff officer, needs a bit more of that.

So, no need to hide your light under a bushel!

Walter, your point is well taken

Walter wrote:

So, no need to hide your light under a bushel!

I saw no need to publish it in my profile as some who want to "toot their own horn"

I'm certainly not ashamed of my small achievements but I'm not particularly proud of them either. Sometimes people don't recognize the need to set somewhat higher goals.

It takes a bit more than a education to fly jet planes; good health, and eye-hand coordination are all prerequisites. c.i.

C.I.

I was very lucky to have good eyesight and good health even though now I wear contacts---- one for near vision and one for distant vision----think of the confusion that causes in my little brain. As I said earlier the coordination required to think and perform 3 dimensional chess is the achievement I am most proud of and absolutely essential to survive in aerial combat.

The lack of current bombings in the US and UK only show that they haven't gotten here yet. You have to remember that terrorism is the last bastion of those who have no other choices. They have no political, financial or military power so they strike back any way they can.

So what do the terrorists want? They want the US and UK out of their back yard. They want the right to make their own decisions, to have their own governments free of Western interference. So what do we do? We go in and INTERFERE! And for some odd reason, we think it'll stop terrorism if we just piss these people off some more.

More attacks are coming and there isn't anything we can do to stop them until we leave these people alone and respect their wishes. That's unlikely with the ridiculous gung-ho attitude of the Bush administration, so I lay the ultimate blame for terrorism directly at Bush's feet.

Walter wrote:

A pilot, especially a jet pilot, can't do his job without some education - and knowledge.
And to become a staff officer, needs a bit more of that.

I want to nitpick that statement just bit-----you seem to equate knowledge with education. While I agree that education is nice to have (certainly for a well rounded and satisfying life) experience creates the best and most reliable form of Knowledge. I hope you agree

Even terrorism that predates him?

Obviously only the current round that involves the US, but we can put the blame on past presidents for past problems. Bush didn't start the mess, but he certainly seems to be happy continuing it.

Acrually, I think terrorism goes back to the days of Cain and Able

Cephus -- I think Bush 1 was part of the problem, don't you? Bush 2 inherited it directly and via the Cheney wing of the admin.

No, not at all: otherwise I had formulated differently :wink:

Somehow I think your actual meaning got lost in the translation even though you do quite well with your English. I went to Thai language school ( what a waste ---trying to teach me a tonal language---I'm tone deaf).

Would have much rather tried to learn Arabic----it would be blast to know what actual lies al Jazeera is telling or do you still think the only country telling lies is the US?