Posted by jeff zahratka on October 15, 2009 at 12:00pm
I had my car radio tuned into ultra right Michael Savage last night and this was his driving topic. His question was simply " If Secretary of State Clinton wishes full nuclear disclosure then what do we get in return?" A large number of unsavvy callers failed to properly answer that question.Savage made a good point. Only FOX News was even covering the subject. Clinton made a statement to the effect that Russia and the US were not adversaries and that we really have the same goals. "REALLY!!'Perhaps I am old fashioned and totally out of date; because I gotta tell ya Shipmates "The only people I trust less than the Russians are the Red Chinese. Anyone who tells you that the Russians or the Chinese have our best interests in mind needs a quick triop to the urinalysis kit.I think the government as it now sits fully believes in the 60's jargon that the US is and has been a force for evil.. Now this kindler gentler government is going to woo and charm the world's bad guys into thinking we are now a warm hearted and kind people who have behaved wretchedly so relax come and count our nukes because we're your friends and we we can now just all get along.After all Russia and the US have the sames goals and desires. Uhh Huh. And the Cleveland Browns are going to win the SuperBowl this year if you believe that.There was a valid reason that a million people lined up to view Ronald Reagan's hurst go by in DC when he passed on. People loved him because he got it. He understood concepts like "Peace through Strength" He knew it didn't take a villiage, it took a BATTLESHIP!Am I the only one who wonders why the Somali Pirates can operate at will off theeast coast of Africa? How's this for a mission statement. Board my ship, you'll die"Lets get back the swagger and find some motivating leaders who aren't so enamored with their Rasmussen Poll numbers.Where's the next RONNIE?
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Posted by Bonnie Upton on October 11, 2009 at 12:23pm
My father (in Brazil), step-father (commander in Subic Bay), and uncle (seven ships in 25 years) were all in the Navy in WW II. Nephew on USS Seattle AOE-3 for Operation Enduring Freedom.Since July '08, my husband and I are very fortunate to own www.NavalShopping.com (and www.HistoryShopping.com). We have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. We're a small company with a big heart. Please read our testimonial section found on the lower left of our home page.Excellent service, great quality and pricing on apparel includes custom embroidery. Unique items include throw pillows (made in USA), jigsaw puzzles (made in USA), and 50" x 60" cotton knit blankets (made in USA) with picture of your choice knit into it - we did one for the USS Rankin; the picture of it is on our site!We're the ship store for the USS Belknap and the USS Aylwin and we're charter members in the Alliance of Military Reunions (MilitaryReunions@aol.com). We'll be in Branson November 5 - 11 for the All Military Homecoming. We're also a drop off location for Cell Phones for Soldiers.Hope you visit us online (Use Discount Code "veteran" and we'll donate another 10% to the Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society) or in Branson!You folks are the best!Bonnie
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New leader of the free world Posted - 8 days ago--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Wanted: New Leader Of The Free WorldSeptember, 26, 2009http://nicedeb.wordpress.com/2009/09/26/wanted-new-leader-of-the-free-world/The former leadership spot has been replaced by a “global community organizer”.Says The Washington Times:http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/28/leader-of-the-free-world-no-more/?feat=home_themes_tab4_listIsrael is looking like the new leader of the Free World. The previous leader, the United States, resigned this role last week at the United Nations to take the position of global community organizer. This was made plain by President Obama in his speech, titled “Responsibility for Our Common Future,” in which he heralded “a new chapter of international cooperation.” By contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a blunt and forceful call to action in the central challenge facing free people today. This is the struggle of “civilization against barbarism” being fought by “those who sanctify life against those who glorify death.”Read the whole thing.Netanyahu spoke hard truths…Obama apologized, and ingratiated himselfMy thoughts:Differences between the speeches of Obama and Netanyahu of Israel:Netanyahu chastised the United Nations for its "systematic assault on the truth."Pres. Obama would never whisper that regarding the regime in Iran, which is "fueled by an extreme fundamentalism" and an "unforgiving creed."Netanyahu repeatedly paid tribute to the blessings of liberty and "the allure of freedom .... He asked if the international community would support the Iranian people "as they bravely stand up for freedom."Obama, meanwhile, touted the imperative of responding to global climate change and mentioned as an after thought that democracy should not be an after thought.Netanyahu - "Israel ...understands the central challenge faced by the civilized world and by its willingness to take action. Israel is readying to stem the tide of barbarism .... In return, it asks only for moral support. "If Israel is again asked to take more risk for peace, we must know today that you will stand with us tomorrow." He challenged the countries of the world with a clear-cut test: "Will you stand with Israel? Or will you stand with the terrorists?"Obama said in closing that "we call on all nations to join us in building the future that our people deserve." But people only deserve what they have earned.Questions I have.Obama gave a lot of things the U.S. was doing (really what we're going to do or have tabled) for global climate change. Not to many are reporting this point. Does anyone think he was honest and the leader we elected?Where is Obama any different than the UN we know that has ignored the terrorists from the 1970's until today, ignored the global threat of Iran and will not allocate enough money to any peace keeping force it sends out?How does Obama think that building a future where "people deserve what they have earned" meld with giving away our money to those companies and peoples who don't deserve it?Is the UN really a global uniting force, are those there just another group that thinks its good posting: (can't get arrested for traffic accidents, spying, even murder), will the UN come to it senses concerning the terrorist threat or is it so divided that nothing will ever be done?
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Posted by Todd Wilson on September 29, 2009 at 3:00am
A friend of mine that lives in middle America just put together a page using pictures that were recently developed from an old Kodak Brownie camera that had been in a sailor's footlocker all these years. The quality of the photos speak for themselves. Using modern developing processes not use in the 1940's has made these probably the best pictures from the attack on Pearl Harbor that has ever been produced.There is some stats added along with these pictures to make this the best webpage that I've ever seen about the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7,1941 in Honolulu,Hawaii.On a personal note,if you look at the photos carefully,there is one photo of a clock on the dash of a jeep and another two photos shows Japanese planes still attacking. The quality is just amazing.Let me know how you liked this page. Link is located below. You may need to copy and paste it into your address bar to view. Semper Fi-Todd Wilsonhttp://hobacks.com/miscfiles/browniecampearlharbor/browniepearlharbor.htmRead more…
Posted by Todd Wilson on September 12, 2009 at 4:59am
I noticed sometime ago that a link was added for all of us to use. It's simply marked as "CHAT" on the uppper righthand side of this forum. It's a wonderful tool of communication for all of us vets. It's a place where you can instantly chat with another vet and talk about whatever comes to your mind within reason. You can come and talk about the good o'le days,different places you've been and the MOS's that you've held. It can be about your upcoming vacation or about family life or lack of. Well ,you get the point.Let's start this chat with two time periods at first to get this motor runnin'.First, 6am -9am and 5pm-8pm in whatever time zone you fall under. After we get this going,I hope that we can jump onto this anytime, day or night. That way,we can get veterans and current servicemembers in here and maybe learn a lot about how things were done before and how it is today. Chat is also a great way to make new friends quickly and even talk about the weather,lol.Let's all give this a shot and complete our mission.
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In the years after separating from the Navy, I got heavily into playing music and performing in live bands for about 12 years. After that 12 years, I missed the music and began writing some of my own songs. They were all written in 2006 and one is about the current situation overseas. I would enjoy it if people would check out the song titled "On Sacred Ground" on my page and let me know what they think about it. I wasn't working with any other musicians at the time, so I wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered it myself as well as sang all of the parts and played all of the instruments myself. The drums are played by "Wyle E. Computer", but everything else is me. I'd love to pass this song onto our troops overseas. Maybe it could bring them some smiles and let them know how much we appreciate them and think of them over here.So come to my page and listen to "On Sacred Ground" and let me know what you think.Fair Winds to Everyone!Dan
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I've been searching for some months now for information about whether the benefits are still available if we've been out of the service for 20 plus years. There is tons of info on the bill and everything that I have found on the Government pages about it has begun talking about the old GI Bill, and without hesitation of giving any info on it, turns it into information about the Montgomery Bill. Even if it's supposed to be about the old GI Bill. VERY Confusing to say the least.Under the current economy situation, the VA Centers with this information are inundated with requests for info, and they are even looking for MANY volunteers to help them with the workload. Naturally to volunteer, you need to be specially trained to provide all those types of information accurately, so needless to say, after almost 6 months, I've not received any information regarding whether I am still eligible under the OLD GI Bill for tuition assistance to obtain a college degree.Maybe, and quite possibly, there may be some individuals in our groups here that have managed to acquire some of this info and could pass it on. I know that there are lots of people asking these questions.Dan T.
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Greetings Navy Vets. Hope all is well where you are. Well, it looks like AG Holder is, after all the speculation, going to go ahead and convene a "panel" to question CIA operatives. How do they not see this as a disaster, and a CLEAR win for terrorists. The names, and photos of CIA agents will , of course, make there way to the press, exposing not only the agents, but their families, to danger. How many great big warm fuzzies are we going to give al qieda, and the taliban ? Who remembers when ABC ( another barack channel) released the names, hometowns, and employment of the men who were involved in waterboarding? This is far more serious. Sad to say, but instead of our intell communitys gathering info, they are now flippin thru the yellow pages looking for lawyers. CIA director Panetta, ( a dem, by the way) threatened to quit, and I believe he should, just at the mere suggestion by this administration that they will investigate agents, and do so publicly. Is this a liberal ploy to take the focus off the fact that they are losing the health care debate ? Or is this a case of wanting to give the extreme left a victory against the intell teams that served under the Bush administration ? Either way, it's scary.. To take a quote from a famous actor, and movie, my comment to Holder is simple, " All you did today son , was weaken a nation". Stay well Vets. The lunacy is nowhere near over. Stay tuned for the Obama internet takeover......
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Posted by Dave Boomsma on August 20, 2009 at 4:28pm
hi,I'm looking for my chief when I was on the USS Orion AS-18. his name is Chief Chandler we were in w-4 division. The years that I served with him was during 1972 thru 1974. if you know anything please let me. thanks alot
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Posted by jeff zahratka on August 18, 2009 at 6:13am
I think the Ol ine in general will be a lot better this year. I hope Capizzi continues to develop. That is another great story trying to happen. I think Timmons is gonna be a beast this year.
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Good Morning fellow Navy Vets, Hope all is well where you are. I was watching the town hall mtg in Montana, ( apparently, I have WAY too much time on my hands) and I wanted to share a thought with you all. A citizen asked President Obama a direct and simple question. How are we going to pay for National Health care, and still not raise taxes. The President thought for a moment, then said " You are absoulutly right. I can't just cover another 47 million people for free". First, I believe this is one of the only honest answers we've gotten on this ( or for that matter, any ) issue since this administration has come to office. That being said, I'm troubled on a couple of levels by the Presidents answer. First, It would seem to me that before an issue, or bill of this magnitutde was brought to the forfront, they would have at least had a clue of how it was going to be funded. You can't tell me they didn't know they were going to have to raise tax's. To hear the President admit it in a public forum is unbelievable. At any rate, by the news this morning, ( 8/17 ) it would appear that the " public option " portion of the bill may very well be off the table. Is it possible that the town halls are working ? Something to think about Veterans. I would love to hear your opinions. Have a FINE Navy Day...
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Recently, I was watching a health care reform debate on tv. The debate, between a liberal and conservative,centered on if national health care was constitutional. The liberal pointed to Art.1, sec 8, the "general welfare" clause, as to why this bill was constitutional. The general welfare clause is, and has been manipulated, thru out american history, to pass whatever laws congress wanted. Then it was claimed it was for the general welfare of the American people. The conservative stated that the framers never intended for the general welfare clause to be used for national health care. The liberal countered with there is no way we could know what the framers intended for the general welfare provision. So, I did some research and found this quote from Thomas Jefferson...." If people let the government decide what foods they eat, and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be in as sorry a state as the souls of those who live under tyranny. " .... I don't know, but it sounds to me like Thomas Jefferson wasn't a fan of national health care... Have a FINE NAVY DAY....
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My father, William Havens, was in the Navy from 1942 to 1972. He passed away in September of 2000, and I recently acquired pictures of his navy years. One is for No. 4 Company, U S Navy Training school graduating class for Machinist Mate at the University of Minnesota January 11th, 1943. Another is the USS Roanoke and her company, where he was stationed from 1949 to 1952. There are several candid shots with crew members and sailors he was with at the time, covering World War ll and later years. I will post these pictures so that you can see if you or a loved one is in them. I would love to share these memories with other Navy families. Please feel free to contact me if you would like copies of the pictures or know someone in them. I would love to put names with the photos.Kate Faulkner
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Last night i was watching the CBS News and there was a segmant about a marine who lot both of his legs and had other medical issues because of the war in Iraq, the reporter stated that this Vet had to use his own money in order to get decent care, now I know the VA is there for us Vets, but yet it always seems when you go to the clinics or hospitals for treatment they just get you in and get you out.I know this because I too am seeing a civilian Dr. for my service connected disabilities and i get better treatment from him than i due from the VA.The reason I believe is that as with the military the VA, rushes to get you in and get you out like they have a quota to make.Rush, rush rush.Then if you have a claim waiting, well then it takes forever to get some kind of word back, it seems to me that the promise they made when you sign up is not the service you get when you get out, whether it be medical or education, I served with pride and honor and I would do again gladly, but it seems to me that this Administration, both VA, and the President of the U.S.A. has gone and let alot of Vets down, whether they are disabled or not, I feel like its time for Washington to start helping us Vets like they did with the banks and car companies.
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Red ShirtIf the red shirt thing is new to you, read below how it went for a man...Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and inquired if he was heading home.No, he responded.Heading out I asked?No. I'm escorting a soldier home..Going to pick him up?No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq , I'm taking him home to his family.The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family and I can do what we do.Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom."Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.Red Fridays.Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority." We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -- and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that .... Every red-blooded American who supports our men and women a far, will wear something red.By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on.The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is. "We need your support and your prayers." Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something red every Friday.
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As a new member of Navyvets.com , let me begin by saying THANKS to all of you for your service, it's an honor to be here. I'm very impressed with this site, and the passion of it's members to help and assist other vets. With that in mind, I will continue my blog. We all know of the continuing controversy in congress and the senate with the proposed health care reform package. Some are for it, others against it, ( for the record, I'm totally against it) , but it seems that no one is posing the question I keep coming back to. How come we aren't trying to fix Veterans health care first ? Our nations hero's deserve so much better. If the Democrats get their way, it's concievable that an illegal alien, ( sorry, the PC term is undocumented worker) will have better insurance then our Veterans. While a Veteran has to go to certain facilities, wait for hours, and recieve a few minutes of a Drs. attention, an undocumented worker will be able to go to any hospital, and recieve care. I propose this, our Veterans should be able to go to ANY medical facility , clinic, lab in the country and immediatly recieve care, with the VA recieving the bill. If it were up to me, they'd get head of the line privliges, but hey, I'm realistic. Our representitives will be on thier August recess soon. It is the perfect time to attend a town hall mtg. , write a letter, send an email. Just let your voice be heard. Lets send a message to Washington that the power grab needs to stop, and our Veterans need to be cared for first.Thanks for reading. Have a fine Navy day.
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This is another E-Mail from someone I know only as FW, read it it's very interesting.H. PolnyOriginal Message-----From:Subject: FW: Hostage Decision MakingFYI.... matches with my sources.FYI only, can't vouch for validity/accuracy, but the Marinethat sent it often has good USMC/Navy inside details. Best,-------------------------------Subject: FW: Navy SEALs on Obama Hostage Decision MakingDate: Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:04:31 -0500Many thanks for passing this along...From a very reliablesourceHaving spoken to some SEAL pals here in Virginia Beach yesterday and asking why this thing dragged out for 4 days, I got the following:1. BO wouldn't authorize the DEVGRU/NSWC SEAL teams to the scene for 36 hours going against OSC (on scene commander) recommendation.2. Once they arrived, BO imposed restrictions on their ROE that they couldn't do anything unless the hostage's life was in "imminent" danger3. The first time the hostage jumped, the SEALS had the raggies all sighted in, but could not fire due to ROE restriction4. When the navyRIB came under fire as it approached with supplies, no fire was returneddue to ROE restrictions. As the raggies were shooting at the RIB, they were exposed and the SEALS had them all dialed in.5. BO specifically denied two rescue plans developed by the Bainbridge CPN and SEAL teams 6. Bainbridge CPN and SEAL team CDR finally decide they have the OpArea and OSC authority to solely determine risk to hostage. 4 hours later, 3 dead raggies7. BO immediately claims credit for his "daring and decisive" behaviour. As usual with him, it's bs .So per our last email thread, I'm downgrading BO performance to D-. Only reason it's not an F is that the hostage survived.Read the following accurate account.--------------------------Philips' first leap into the warm, dark water of the Indian Ocean hadn't worked out as well. With the Bainbridge in range and a rescue by his country's Navy possible, Philips threw himself off of his lifeboatprison, enabling Navy shooters onboard the destroyer a clear shot at his captors - and none was taken.The guidance from National Command Authority - the president of the United States, Barack Obama - had been clear: a peaceful solution was the only acceptable outcome to this standoff unless the hostage's life was in clear, extreme danger.The next day, a small Navy boat approaching the floating raft was fired on by the Somali pirates - and again no fire was returned and no pirates killed. This was again due to the cautious stance assumed by Navy personnel thanks to the combination of a lack of clear guidance from Washington and a mandate from the commander in chief's staff not to act until Obama, a man with no background of dealing with such issues and no track record of decisiveness, decided that any outcome other than a "peaceful solution" would be acceptable.After taking fire from the Somali kidnappers again Saturday night, the onscenecommander decided he'd had enough. Keeping his authority to act in the case of a clear and present danger to the hostage's life and having heard nothing from Washington since yet another request to mount a rescue operation had been denied the day before, the Navy officer - unnamed in all media reports to date - decided the AK47 one captor had leveled at Philips' back was a threat to the hostage's life and ordered the NSWC team to take their shots.Three rounds downrange later, all three brigands became enemy KIA and Philips was safe.There is upside, downside, and spinside to the series of events over the last week that culminated in yesterday's dramatic rescue of an American hostage.Almost immediately following word of the rescue, the Obama administration and its supporters claimed victory against pirates in the Indian Ocean and[1] declared that the dramatic end to the standoff put paid to questions of the inexperienced president's toughness and decisiveness.Despite the Obama administration's (and its sycophants') attempt to spin yesterday's success as a result of bold, decisive leadership by the inexperienced president, the reality is nothing of the sort. What should have been a standoff lasting only hours - as long as it took the USS Bainbridge and its team of NSWC operators to steam to the location -became an embarrassing four day and counting standoff between a ragtag handful of criminals with rifles and a U.S. Navy warship.
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After insulting all the men and women in law enforcement Obama trys to "smooth" things over with a six-pack! If I were that sargent I would do two things:one: demand a "straight apology"two: refuse to go unless I was at least offered Chateau LaFitte 1970, caviar over truffels and duck eggs.
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