Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Winston-Salem Journal LTE WE 01/23/13


Children at risk
I wanted to share my opinion on the recent article “Motorists put school children at risk” (Jan. 13). I thought that this article was very informative and had some surprising statistics.
Counties should definitely invest in the technology that is used to catch people that pass by a school bus with its stop sign extended. This will save lives and penalize the people that commit this offense. It is a shame that Forsyth County missed the deadline to apply for the free program for the cameras. I know it is expensive, but I think that every county in North Carolina should be given the technology for this problem.
Children should not have to be at risk when they are exiting or entering the school bus.
TAYLOR CHAMBERLIN
Lewisville
Gun accountability
Predictably arrogant and too clever by half, the NRA proclaims "the only thing that will stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." In other words, people without guns, like children and teachers, do not deserve to be safe. They should have to go get guns so that current gun owners can keep theirs.
Confronted about such fatuous victim blaming, they'll regurgitate the Second Amendment. But the terrible mass-killing power of modern arms couldn't have been foreseen in 1789. Claiming that the Second Amendment's authors intended to convey a right to own revolvers, shotguns, semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and assault rifles, etc., is patently absurd. Insistence only underscores militant ignorance and profound disregard for the Constitution.
Illegal guns for illegal purposes begin as legal guns for legal purposes. Strict, comprehensive accountability for legal guns necessarily redounds to more accountability for illegal guns and far less gun violence.
Strict, comprehensive accountability means: for every single gun, including 300 million already in private hands, purchase waiting periods; background checks; annual registration, including a ballistics profile and owner's DNA and fingerprints in a federal law-enforcement database; annual training and testing in safe and accurate use and storage of each gun; liability insurance; mandatory reporting of those deemed a threat by health-care, law-enforcement, legal, social work, etc., professionals; fees commensurate with costs; government buy-back of guns from those who don't wish to comply; aggressive enforcement of stiff criminal and civil penalties for those who don't comply.
ANDY G. MILLER
Kernersville
Quick points
Three quick points about guns:
♦ Anyone who thinks he’s going to stop the federal government with a personal arsenal is dreaming. Even if there were a legitimate reason to do so, which, in spite of delusional “Emperor Obama” propaganda, there isn’t, that horse left the barn decades ago. The feds are going to do what the feds want to do and shooting it out with them would be a big, big mistake.
♦ I’m no hero, but I would much rather face a crazed killer who has a knife, an ax, a rock or a stick than a crazed killer who has a gun.
♦ What kind of crazy people, in the wake of a gun massacre of children, say, “We need to go buy some more guns”?
Gun control is really not a bad idea.
HANK BOLES
Winston-Salem
The same concern
As I watched the replay of the demigod in chief (aka President Obama) opining on his plan to keep children safe with his new gun control plan, I wondered why he did not show the same concern over saving children’s lives during his tenure as an Illinois state senator. On multiple occasions, he voted against the Born Alive Infant Protection Act. This act would have required medical personal to assist infants born of failed abortions with sustainable care rather than placing them aside unattended to expire.
As always, this man and his minions never miss an opportunity to increase the power of the federal government and steal the liberty of a complacent people.
JOEL CORNELIUS
Yadkinville
NRA
I have a comment regarding the article “Congress won’t OK gun ban, NRA says” (Jan. 14). I truly believe that the NRA, with its giant assault weapon, along with some 24 million rounds of ammo - oops, did I say ammo? - I meant dollars - aimed at Congress will definitely impede the possibility of legislation banning assault weapons being passed.
JOHN PICKLES
Lewisville
Religious freedom
The letter “Preventing deaths” (Jan. 16) was about gun control, and I hate to get off track, but the sentence in it that caught my attention was this one: “The freedom to practice our religion is already under assault by this administration.”
That’s a mind-blower. Is the writer a Druid or something?
How in the world could anyone interpret anything this administration has done as an assault on anyone’s freedom to practice their religion? I follow the news closely, but I literally can’t imagine what the writer could be referring to.
Surely it’s not the president’s support of same-sex marriage. That only provides more freedom for churches that want to marry same-sex partners; it doesn’t in any way affect churches that don’t want to perform such marriages.
Surely it’s not his insistence that insurance companies provide birth-control for those who want it. Again, that doesn’t affect anyone who chooses not to use birth control. That’s providing freedom, not assaulting it.
Surely he’s not referring to attempts to keep some zealots in the military from forcing their religion on others. Obviously, not an assault on freedom. Though in any of those cases, siding the other way would have been an assault on freedom.
Please, someone tell me one concrete thing this administration has done to assault anyone’s freedom to practice their religion - one thing, that is, that doesn’t violate this principle: Keeping people of your religion from denying someone else’s freedom is not assaulting your freedom.
PHIL RONALD TURNER
Winston-Salem
In favor of limits
It is clear that military style “assault rifles” and large capacity magazines increase gun fatalities. In Aurora, Colo., over 20 were shot and 12 died. The shooter got off 30 shots in 27 seconds, according to police. At Sandy Hook Elementary School, 26 fatalities in a few minutes, multiple bullet wounds in the small bodies of the children. In Tucson, Ariz., six died before the shooter was tackled to the ground when he stopped to reload.
The Readers’ Forum regularly creates lively debate, letters both pro and con, on issues like the Affordable Care Act and the N.C. marriage amendment. In the weeks since Dec. 14, only a few have even hinted that the Second Amendment should protect a private right to own assault style weapons or high capacity magazines. The sentiment seems to be clearly in favor of limits on those homicidal tools.
I, for one, do not fear “government tyranny” in such a limitation. Freedom of speech under the First Amendment is not absolute. I guess I have more confidence in American democracy than the NRA.
This should be easier for Congress than solving the budget mess. Public sentiment is now behind it. But how many of our representatives can stand up to the threat of getting an “F” on their NRA “report cards” going into the next election? I hope and pray that there are enough who have the courage.
ROBERT MANLEY
Clemmons
Reasonable solutions
I was raised on our family farm with guns being normal; I went hunting with adults as soon as I could walk. I got my own .22 rifle in my early teens, a gift from my father. Now, the old hunting guns have been moved to a less visible location; I have many school groups visit my farm each year. Not everybody should be encouraged to own guns in his or her home.
I did a four-year stint with the Marines in the mid ’60s with one tour in Vietnam. I was well trained and qualified to use most of the weapons available to the Marines at that time.
Some gun-support people would consider me ignorant on the gun-control issue of today; I support having an open dialog and finding reasonable solutions. I favor compromise over fear.
I taught kindergarten for over 30 years, and practiced intruder alerts with my students as required by the school system. My main concern and that of most teachers was the safety of the students. I don’t want a gun-packing person walking among my grandchildren; no matter how much training they receive, accidents will happen.
Look at the schools in Europe for better solutions. A well-gated fence and locked buildings would be cheaper and safer.
WAYNE WOOSLEY
Pfafftown

81 comments:

  1. The midget fortune-teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.

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  2. More gun LTE's. I think armed and sworn LEO's in schools is fine, both for response to intruders and to maintain discipline. And let's not call 'em SRO's, why the evasive title. Let's call 'em police officers or deputies.

    School bus scofflaws. By all means, purchase the technology, and raise the penalties past the current ones, as in mandatory 30-day license suspension, heavier fines, and 40h community service. And increase punishment severity for other offenses. And start enforcing for non-usage of turn signals, tailgating, poor lane discipline. Local governments need money? Local pavement provides a source.

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    Replies
    1. The SRO at my husband's school had his foot broken while braking up a fight last Thursday. We are surprised this has been reported by the paper.

      Delete
    2. School system reporting is very selective. There was a fire at Susan's school that ruined a classroom, required a whole building (well, a prefab pod) to be evacuated. Didn't read or hear about that in the news, did we?

      Delete
    3. The schools system already has 'armed' guards via SROs at many schools. But you know how liberals are, if they don't come up with the idea, it's not a good one.

      Plus, throw in the word 'gun', and it's like a fart in a closet while enclosed for a liberal.

      Delete
    4. The SRO program in the W-S/Forsyth County school system was created in the 1970s when the city board of aldermen, the board of education and the county commissioners were all firmly controlled by "liberal democrats". In fact, it was the idea of my cousin, Fred Hauser, a "liberal Democrat", who was the chairman of the board of commissioners.

      Ignorant people should probably just shut up.

      Delete
    5. Actually, you're wrong again Rush. It was started by a law enforcement officer. Want to take a guess who it was?

      Rush never misses a chance to make a fool of himself. It's, apparently, just too much fun for him.

      Delete
    6. I also knew Fred (was he a cousin mine also, cuz?), and Democrat he was indeed, but liberal, no. However, he pulled in votes from both sides and the middle, including my vote. He was the finest example of an office holder. He was a gentleman of the first order.

      Delete
    7. The folks at Voglers told me that Fred's funeral was the biggest turnout in W-S since WW II.

      Delete
  3. Word Watch: "Optionality," from a segment on NPR yesterday, proffered by the head of Spirit Airlines, a low priced carrier. It means, ta-dah, "choices" or, um, "options." He must have lain awake at night to come up with that enhancement to the language.

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    Replies
    1. "Optionally" = more ways to charge you for something you used to get free.

      Delete
    2. Oops, "Optionality"

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    3. Good AM, GG. Exactly, including charging for using overhead bins.

      Actually, when travelling from CA back here to visit, I didn't like fooling with luggage or much in the way of carryon. So, I would send my changes of clothes via UPS to my parents, and then send 'em back to CA before I left. I cost a few bucks, but it was nice to go in and out of airports with just a laptop, if I bothered to carry one.

      Delete
    4. Smart idea... the thought of TSA agents rifling through my undergoods always gives me the heebie jeebies.

      I hope Mrs S is improving today. <3

      Delete
    5. When I moved back from CA, I shipped almost everything via UPS, then drove across country with my cats, which was a 2400-mile serenade, not to be repeated in my lifetime.

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    6. When moving back to NC from AZ, I also executed the "optionality" of shipping my clothes back instead of packing suitcases for the plane (used PODS for my bulk). Moving cross country sux.

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    7. There are brave men, and then there are BRAVE men...
      I note that "cats" is the plural form and I note the number "2400" followed by "miles"...John Wayne should hang his head in shame...he only had to endure those pesky Japanese soldiers for about 90 minutes per movie.

      Delete
    8. (Laughing . . . now) tranks finally calmed them a little by OK City, but they would still tune up whenever I hit a rough patch of I-40, which was too often, to mention infrastructure.

      One of the cats was the late Amy, mentioned here probably more than folks would have liked to see. Good ol' cat.

      Delete
    9. Hi Staballoy, I've brought miss Angelina to NC a few times now... I COULD NOT IMAGINE driving cross country with several in tow. That would challenge even the most sympathetic of cat owners.

      I'm sorry to read about your Amy. I've thought about her. I think kitty heaven is an awesome place.

      Delete
    10. Thank you, GG. Amy had a good life and went gracefully.

      Delete
  4. Greetings,

    I'm not sure what percentage of motorists actually violate school bus safety laws, but perhaps these cameras could more than pay for themselves if a fee accompanies the violation? Payable to school system?

    In my area, speed cameras are standard. I live on a side street off a major artery in/out of the city. The speed limit is 35, but 55 was standard for motorists if volume didn't naturally reduce the speed... my neighborhood installed a traffic camera about 3 years ago. The fine is $35 dollars if you are snapped going 45 or above (10mph over). The first year it netted my neighborhood TWELVE MILLION DOLLARS.

    It was hotly contested, but you know how freaking dangerous it was to pull off a narrow 1920's side street onto a major thoroughfare? Not to mention that many of us use the bus and have to cross that main street.

    Now that people are used to it, people drive more slowly and revenue is down for the town to roughly $2 million per year. It really helped the speed problem.

    Maybe the bus cameras could pay for themselves and the school police officer?

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    Replies
    1. Bus cameras, stoplight cams, speed cams . . . all fine with me. The city and state could do very well with speed cams on Silas Creek Parkway. I wish they could figure out moron cams.

      Oh wait, all those are taping "reality" television.

      Delete
    2. Most of the traffic fines where suppose to be going to the school system already. However, with a 100 years of Democratic rule in N.C., they siphoned off the fund for their pet projects for years and years.

      Goodbye Bev.(D), and good riddance is what I say.

      Delete
    3. Red stop lights in AZ were merely suggestions until cameras started being added. AZ also added speed cameras on Loop 101 (NS) and 202 (EW) when the death toll starting to mount as drivers used the roads to emulate their favorite NASCAR driver.

      Delete
    4. NC drivers attempt to emulate their NASCAR faves, but have the skills and acuity of Mr. Magoo (you younger ones can look him up on Google).

      Delete
  5. Lunch break coming to a close, I can't help but notice that every time I read an LTE from Hank Boles, I think "well said"....

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  6. Revolution, n. In politics, an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment. Ambrose Bierce.


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  7. 'What difference, at this point, does it make?'

    Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State
    __________

    It makes a lot of difference you liberal bimbo.

    Why, because you are going to run for president in four years, and it reflects directly on your competency as a leader.

    No post of duty within State operates without a risk assessment, especially not one on Bengazhi's threat level.

    Add in your credibility level, which is near zero, and you're clearly not ready to become commandress in chief.


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    Replies
    1. The difference it might make is to make Joltin' Joe Biden the front runner for the Dem 2016 nomination, or to provide a campaign tool for her R opponent should she run and attain the nomination. Then there are all those "I don't recall" responses from testimony during her husband's regime. It will not be the cakewalk that all assume if she runs. Lotta baggage there.

      Delete
    2. Americans were begging for help and under attack, and no help was sent under Hillary's leadership. We certainly don't need anymore of that nonsense.

      Thanks, but no thanks Hillary. Plus, who knows what Bill will do if he were to get back into the White House in any form.

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    3. I note in her testimony, as reported by the "NY Times," that she said once again that she took responsibility. Nevermind HRC and this incident, but I have heard and seen officials "take full responsibility." Janet Reno did after the Waco debacle, accepting full responsibility while standing beside her boss.

      OK, fine, now what? Resign in disgrace? Nope. Just back to business as usual, no further questions from the watchdog media.

      Delete
    4. Perfect timing....on her part. Who's going to call her on her problematic testimony when she's gone? The New York Times, CNN....? Please.

      Liberals are going to ride this horse (country) into the ground. Then, people will say what happened?

      Like Bill O'Reilly said, the problem is not with liberals like Obama, it's with us (mostly liberals). Our moral fiber is gone. What else would explain why the behavior of going after a backend is being touted as perfectly normal?

      Delete
    5. Very smooth transition, Bucky: you went from discussing an exclamation by an exasperated official to your favorite topic/anatomical part in one quick swoop.

      Delete
    6. Pretty smooth and logical transition too I might add. Did you notice the linking language Stab? None of this psychotic gibberish that Rush routinely employs.

      What's up with this new poster, GG? She seems a little testy.

      Delete
    7. GG is actually not new. She posted on the Journal, and participated here for a while before she took a sabbatical. We are glad for her return.

      Delete
    8. "That cable did not come to my attention," Clinton replied, saying that the State Department receives 1.43 million cables a year.

      "Had I been president at the time and I found that you did not read the cables ... from Ambassador Stevens, I would have relieved you of your post. I think it's inexcusable," Paul, a Kentucky Republican, told Clinton
      ____________

      Request for addition security go the highest levels. Don't try to pull the wool over our eyes, Hillary.

      You might fool dopes like Rush, but you're not going to fool everybody.

      Delete
    9. Congressman To Clinton: "The Only Person That's In Jail Right Now Is The Filmmaker"

      Rep. Dana Rohrabacher Wednesday alluded to the fact that no one involved in the Benghazi terrorist attack has been arrested while the the man who made the anti-Islam film “Innocence of Muslims,” was arrested by California police for a parole violation. The administration originally said the video was the cause of the attack.
      _______

      Liberals don't care about that. That's the price of doing business in Washington. Some innocent little people might get stepped on, but so long as the big people don't take any major hits, the 'operation' (to fool the public) has been a success.

      Delete
  8. I always get a kick out liberals who say outrageous things, and they think nobody will notice.

    I guess in a way it makes sense, who's going to call 'em on it? CNN.....ABC, NBC...ha!

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  9. Claiming that the Second Amendment's authors intended to convey a right to own revolvers, shotguns, semi-automatic handguns, rifles, and assault rifles, etc., is patently absurd. Insistence only underscores militant ignorance and profound disregard for the Constitution.

    Strict, comprehensive accountability means: for every single gun, including 300 million already in private hands, purchase waiting periods; background checks; annual registration, including a ballistics profile and owner's DNA and fingerprints in a federal law-enforcement database; annual training and testing in safe and accurate use and storage of each gun; liability insurance; mandatory reporting of those deemed a threat by health-care, law-enforcement, legal, social work, etc., professionals; fees commensurate with costs; government buy-back of guns from those who don't wish to comply; aggressive enforcement of stiff criminal and civil penalties for those who don't comply.

    ANDY G. MILLER
    Kernersville
    _____________

    Hey Andy, I'll personally drop by your house and give you a fecal sample if that's what it takes to retain my rights under the second amendment.

    Will that make you happy?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Again, what amazes me is: Liberals don't even seem to notice how utterly ignorant their letters sound sometimes. No matter that their suggestions just trample the ever loving fool out of the infringement portion of the second amendment.

      Note to liberal: If you don't have a clue, keep it shut.

      Delete
  10. Good afternoon folks! Late break today
    LTE 1: I've shared my opinion that school bus cameras would be a wiser choice of scarce resources to protect children from a daily occurence rather than SRO's at elementary schools to protect against a very rare event that may never occur in this area.

    LTE 2, 3, 5, 7, 8: Guns, guns and more guns...so ready to move on. The consensus seems to be in favor of restrictions on civilian versions of military weapons and size of magazines/clips. I am happy to see there are others who don't live in daily terror of govt troops raining down on them. If I was that paranoid of the govt, I would be looking for opportunities in Canada (although the recent cold spell might direct my search towards a warmer climate such as Australia).

    LTE 4: Abortion

    LTE 6: Good response from Mr. Turner. The referenced LTE was paranoid silliness. Nobody is being prevented from worshiping, nobody is being forced to take birth control (well, outside of having a bullying bf or husband), and nobody is being forced to marry someone of the same sex or forcing churches to hold same sex marriage ceremonies. Give reality a chance.

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  11. Hey GG!
    Running for Congress or any political office is really not my thing. I'm a total nerd, a poor public speaker, and much prefer dealing with computers than with people. I can't even win over a woman, so the idea of winning over voters would be completely out of the question.

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    Replies
    1. dotnet...I see you have mentioned difficulties in winning over members of the "gentler sex"? Are you fishing in the proper streams? A guy as smart as you should do well there.

      Delete
    2. A recent Baldo cartoon summed my predicament quite well. Two teenagers were discussing their problems getting dates. In the last panel, one boy states: "Our problem is that we are only interested in the kind of girls who have no interest in us."

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    3. Bingo. One of my stepsons labors with the same problem. Also, he has no money, and the gals to whom he aspires expect their suitors to be well-heeled.

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    4. Further adding to my frustration is that I do have money which would be noticed by any female who should happen to visit my house. Granted, I would have papers for them to sign prior to anything happening between us to ensure what's mine remains mine. Perhaps switching from a Celica to a Porsche? (Actually been inspired to look at 4WD and AWD vehicles by the recent weather)

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    5. Invite a bunch of neighbors over for an afternoon talk, snacks etc mixer. Let people get a good look at your crib and refined taste in furnishings etc. Nevermind the papers. Girls now a days just might hand you some papers! If folks have kids..bring 'em. Later on, if you meet someone, the old rules usually apply: what's yours is yours until you are married and then what's her's is her's and what's yours is hers. I don't think that has changed too much. The new ride can't hurt.

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    6. The neighbor invite is a good idea. It would be way out of my comfort zone to do. Really not kidding about being a total nerd who's more comfortable with computers than people. Going to Stab's wedding was quite a reach for me which was made possible by having previously met Phargo in person and feeling like I've already met everyone here.

      Delete
    7. And we were glad you got out to our wedding, as were others. See? You can get out. This is a little calculating, but you might try going to church if you don't already, and if that isn't against your personal philosophy. You get involved in church activities, and the old biddies there find out you're single and stable, they'll start matchmaking.

      Basically, if you aren't swimming in any pools, you will find the pickings a bit slim.

      Celica: I am sure you have long bonded with your faithful mount, but it might be time to update it, retaining the Celica for sentimental reasons, perhaps. I heartily recommend my own Hippie-mobile as a fine AWD car. The AWD layout is superior to other offerings, btw. Get the 6, not the 4-cyl.

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    8. Understood. Mrs WW and I met at a church singles group and a good "crutch" for an event if you are uncomfortable is a drink in hand that you just sip. If you see an uncomfortable looking female in the area, there are usually a few, make an effort to make her more comfortable and it will make you more so too. Also, I don't think chivalry and manners are over with today, but an awkward female will appreciate an effort of this extended her way. I may be too old school but I suspect women are women no matter all the stuff we read and watch and would appreciate well intentioned and sincere efforts from you on their behalf. Now watch one of the women on the forum ask me what I've been smoking or am I truly THAT old!

      Delete
    9. Susan will tell you that we are together because of old-fashioned manners, courtesy, and chivalry.

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    10. Mrs WW and I sensed that.

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    11. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    12. Yes, those attributes go a long way with the better sort of woman.

      My wife, having spent some years around tongue-tied single academics, has become a sort of natural matchmaker. I mentioned one of her matches recently, but she has developed a basic strategy…she advises both men and women to do volunteer work and/or join clubs, interest groups, etc, great for meeting people and can be finely tailored to your interests by the type of operation.

      One example. My friend Fam, who already has far too many smart, gorgeous women in his life, is on the e-mail list for the Center For Design Innovation, a multi-campus (NCSA/WSSU/Salem/FTCC) UNC research outfit that is building a lab in the PTRP. He goes to all their events, and every time so far has met at least one new fascinating woman.

      Ideal for a nerdy man, there is probably something similar in your area.

      Delete
    13. Oh, and double down on WW's advice...look around at any gathering for the wallflowers...they will appreciate a little company and are often the most interesting people there once you get them going.

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    14. I helped with a Habitat House last year. Interestingly, there were several single attractive ladies on the project, appx your age, dotnet. You might check with Habitat, and show up with a hammer.

      Home improvement stores furnish a similar venue, offering do-it-yourself classes on Saturday AM's. Men and women have met there, and that is a good place. One assumes that someone at an AM DIY class probably wasn't hanging out in a meat market getting riproaring drunk the night before, implies a bit of stability and some net worth, perhaps, or at least a mortgage.

      Delete
    15. I would recommend a yoga class...probably because I'm into yoga types.

      Just don't eat anything gassy beforehand. You're so focused on controlling certain muscles going into poses that you forget about others.

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    16. Absolutely Habitat works!!! After Hurricane Floyd, Fam went down east to help build some houses...it was a joint Habitat / Duke student thing. He did the wiring in all the houses...his chief assistant was a female Duke EE major. They really hit it off, she introduced him to her brillaint female professor, love at 1st, 2nd and 3rd sight...they still have some sort of mysterious quarterly relationship...I dare not ask.

      Delete
    17. Arthur, that was the most thoughtful advice furnished today. I took tae kwon do years ago. I was coached by my instructor, who was my best friend, to avoid certain foods. The preliminary stretches had a way of squeezing things out. We had a petite pretty woman named Rhonda in the class, who arrived uncoached. She earned a black belt in gun blasting that first night.

      Delete
    18. All you have to do dotnet is ask the prettiest woman you know if she'd like to take a helicopter ride near Mt. McKinley.

      Simple.

      Oh yeah, buy yourself a .500 Magnum for the trip up north. She'll think you're a real mountain man then. By the way, you don't need a concealed carry permit in Alaska.

      There will be more than one gun going off on that trip, I g-u-arantee yooooou that Mr. dotnet!

      Delete
    19. Bucky, one could not carry a .500 Magnum concealed. The revolvers are too large. And, few women would want to date men carrying such a cannon, as there are only 2 types:
      1. King Kong
      2. Complete idiots

      The round is senselessly powerful for a handgun, nevermind the muzzle blast. Ammo of that power is why rifles are made.

      Delete
    20. Hi Dotnet and All,

      First of all Dotnet, what ever happened with my S-I-L V? I know she thought you were cute... although I also know that she's been focusing on school/work to the exclusion of everything else... just finished her Master's in Dec. I think distance would also be a challenge... Anyway I know she hasn't dated a soul in the last few years.

      So there is one stunning, sweet, generous girl who I know for a fact thought you were handsome.

      New paragraph new thought....

      Delete
    21. I like what everyone shared... I think they are all fantastic ideas!

      I would like to submit to you for consideration, Dotnet, that you are in all sincerity smart, handsome and not nearly as "nerdy" as you might think. I believe your participation on this forum indicates that you are very much a people person, just not a bar-hopping, raging extrovert people person. If you put yourself in the very clever activities as the guys have recommended above, and you are YOURSELF as you are on this forum, I can't help but think you will quickly find great dating candidates. Note that candidate was intentionally written as plural. You are well-read, considerate, smart, fair, funny, charming and sweet.

      Only broken women wouldn't want that. And you don't want those broken women.

      Delete
    22. One last thought:

      Mr G says that most problems can be resolved through networking. ... Roof leaking? Tell everyone you know and you'll have the best roofer in no time. Business issue? Tell everyone and before you know it there's someone to do the work. Need a job? Tell everyone you know you're looking.

      Tell everyone! Don't be shy. Tell women. Before you know it, your phone will ring with a lead.

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    23. So true...good people really love helping others solve their problems.

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    24. And as I have stated many times, never a day goes by that I don't learn something new on this forum.

      King Kong? I never knew that he owned a .500 Magnum. Guess I must have missed that version of the movie.

      Delete
  12. BREAKING NEWS: Military to open combat jobs to women
    ___________

    Excellent. Now the heterosexuals will get to have some fun too.

    Sex, if you want it in the military, for every sexual orientation, right Obama?

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    Replies
    1. The American Civil Liberties Union recently filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Defense, charging that combat exclusion is unfair and outdated, harms America’s safety and prevents women from getting training and recognition for their work. The plaintiffs, who include women awarded Purple Hearts, say the exclusion places them at a disadvantage for promotion.
      ________

      Disadvantage? If you're female and breathing in the military, you've got a high probability of getting promoted in this day in age. Gotta get those quota queens in there!

      Delete
    2. You know, I had the opportunity to ride in an M1-IP back in the mid-90s, a thrill to be sure. I also operated the traversed the turret and elevated the M256 main gun and the coax MG. A woman could have just as easily crewed the gunner's seat as I did. Or the commander's, or driver's, or even the loader's position.

      I have a suspicion that women in tank crews might actually improve overall tank unit performance. I base that on my years of managing folks in the business world.

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    3. Still, as recent surveys and experiences have shown, it will not be an easy transition. When the Marine Corps sought women to go through its tough infantry course last year, two volunteered and both failed to complete the course. And there may not be a wide clamoring from women for the more intense, dangerous and difficult jobs — including some infantry and commando positions.
      ________

      Don't worry liberals, they'll change the course so women can get through the infantry course. Hee Hee....you gotta laugh.

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    4. They'll never make it up the ropes. Or at least most won't. Not enough upper body strength.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aktJ5qGrYo

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    5. What a pathetic, useless, ignorant piece of shit you are. As repeated over and over, you know nothing about anything.

      Being a good soldier, like being good at almost anything else worth doing, has very little to do with size or strength, it has to do with heart and mind, two items that you do not have, so could never understand.

      Most Navy SEALs are big, strong, bright boys, but the best I ever knew was a short, scrawny chief petty officer who had to fight just to get into the SEALs, then had to fight Navy administrators after he had been shot to pieces once to allow him to return to Viet Nam so he could get shot to pieces twice.

      A quivering coward sissy boy like you would wet himself and faint just being around such people.

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    6. We all know who the coward is in here, coward.

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  13. Never was so much misinformation, ignorance and bigotry spread to so many by so few, in this case, just one little Tiny Chicken Little.
    ___Sir Winston Churchill (paraphrase)

    Woman Warrior

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  14. Another Woman Warrior

    Wouldn't you love to be a fly on the wall the day she walks up to Tiny's house and kicks in the door?

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  15. GG - My lifelong friend Fam (well, except for up to about 4th grade...he was a jock...I was a nerd...so we "hated" each other for a while until I became more jockish and he became more nerdish) is the historian in the North Carolina Room at the Central Forsyth County Public Library...a walking encyclopedia of local and regional history...he knows the names and a lot more about RJ Reynolds' illegitimate sons...not to mention a number of other notable locals, so is treated extremely well by the powers that be.

    He has had a number of interesting careers, as a free lance writer, an advertising firm owner, a computer consultant and a long stretch teaching American Lit and oral communication at Forsyth Tech, which he is currently considering resuming on a part time basis.

    He lives about a half a block from me in the Arts District, so we get to spend a lot of time together, when he's not tending to his harem.

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    1. Hey OT - Your friend Fam sounds like a very, very interesting guy. And he was in Viet Nam with you too? Is Fam short for something?

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    2. "Interesting" would be an understatement. He's a flat out crazy boy, an incredible story teller who can hold a roomful of people in thrall for an hour at a time...once when he was appearing as a witness in the local court, the judge made the mistake of asking him a slightly complicated question...40 minutes later she interrupted him to say "Look, we're all starving, so must recess for lunch." After lunch she had the court recorder read back his last few sentences, then settled down to listen for another twenty minutes or so. By then, the jury was so into his story that they had completely lost track of the original case, so declared themselves a hung jury. When he was called for the retrial, the same judge laughed and was careful to ask him only very precise "yes/no" questions.

      In other words, never ask him anything unless you want to know everything. Can't help himself.

      I'm already in trouble for mentioning his name (he really doesn't like having his name bandied about online), so I'll answer your other question: "Fam" is short for "Fambrough", an old family name from Scotland. He was so careful to conceal that that even I did not know until our high school football coach started calling him that in an attempt to get him to perform academically in 9th grade...of course, it didn't work, because he was in total rebellion at that point and had no real interest in anything beyond the smartest girls with the best legs. He's still pretty much there.

      Our time in Viet Nam only overlapped for a few weeks. He went on to greater things and I was just happy to leave alive.

      If you're ever in town, don't hesitate to drop by the NC Room and chat him up. Just be careful what you ask him.

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    3. He sounds like an awesome candidate for the StoryCorps van...

      There's a saying in persian when people are very deeply connected, "del beh del radereh" - it sounds like the two of you definitely are that.

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