Democrats versus Republicans

[retclt]

How about when Hillary refused to let the Marines wear uniforms while inside the Whitehouse? She made them serve drinks and cheese at parties. That was wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's the same thing. The people of California who requested the FD for the G parade did not care one bit about how the members of the FD felt. Their job is to protect property and save lives. Yes, I think they should participate in other duties such as going to elementary schools and other similar promotions. A G parade promotes an agenda that has nothing to do with Public safety. The Tax Payer should not have to fund it.

[sck5]

She refused to let the Marines wear their uniforms because it is prohibited by law for the armed forces to appear at any political event in uniform. Bush routinely ignores this prohibition but it is not right to criticize the Clintons for obeying it.

I know many people seem to think Its OK if you are a Republican but really, Bush is far more guilty of using the military as political props than any Dem (or previous repub) ever was. This country's tradition is that the military has no, none, zero, nada to do with politics. We are much better off when we respect that tradition.

If a soldier wants to get into politics they can resign and run for office. Lots have done so. While in uniform they have to respect the chain of command which is why you dont hear generals criticizing the commander in chief. But it is a two way street (or should be) - the military shouldnt criticize the president if they are still in uniform and the president shouldnt use them for political purposes.

[retclt]

So its okay to force the Marines to serve cheese at parties?

. . . and force Firefighters to participate in G parades?

[chucklesR]

While on active duty if the commander in chief wanted me to serve cheese I'd have served cheese (his duly authorized representative's word would have been good enough).
Oddly enough - the military has MANY positions where folks essentially serve cheese as their normal duty.
Not all of us squeeze triggers all day.

I'd said my piece of the public employee/parade piece. FF's are public employee's nothing more, nothing less. Sorry to bust any bubbles.

[wind_magic]

I bet you would have eaten the cheese scary rat.

[retclt]

Originally Posted by chucklesR

FF's are public employee's nothing more, nothing less. Sorry to bust any bubbles.

Yes they are. I just think there shouldn't be such a lack of respect . . . and what I think is abuse and misuse of people who serve.

[chucklesR]

Slightly off topic but I have to ask,

Retclt - and yet when I tell you that folks who have enlisted in our military to serve our country are regularly assigned duties serving cheese (and other personal service, menial tasks etc..) for our social betters (i.e., officers and politicians) thats OK or at least not as objectionable???

Okay, okay, FF's and Police lost their lives for us in 911 and before/after. So did and do the other forgotten hero's. Daily, before, after and during.

Sore subject with me.
I'll stop ranting now, really I will.

somebody bring me some cheese - no wind, I didn't eat it, I spit on it.

[retclt]

Sorry about the omission. I think ALL who serve deserve respect. Your superiors delegating you to cheese duty may not be right but it’s not the same. The examples I brought up were blatant abuses of power by disrespectful Government officials. I work in the engineering field but if my superior tells me I need to shovel $#!)) today I’ll pick up a shovel and ask where. If he asks me to participate in a cause I have a deep disdain for such as marching in a G parade I’ll refuse and look for employment elsewhere if warranted. My point is respect. That’s all.

To re-attach to topic. I see more respect in general from Republicans than I do from Democrats. I guess it’s in part from the up-bringing.

On the other hand, if the cheese is a good Dubliner aged white cheddar I’m volunteering! I’ll have to take a toll taste for every piece passed out.

[sailaway21]

Obama took a bit of a pasting today in the foreign affairs department. His previous statement on being willing to talk with Iran in person was ably dispatched as juvenile by Senator McCain.

Talk goes on all the time between friendly nations with differences of opinion. That's usually the only time it's truly effective.

Talk with enemies is only correctly done from a position of over-whelming strength. Thus there was a difference between Reagan talking with the Soviet and Jimmy Carter doing the same. If all you're going to do is go hat in hand, and acquiese in the end, what good is talk. On the other hand, if you're in the process of arming Europe with Pershing missiles and devoting millions of dollars to space based missile defense, neither of which your opponent can match, you have the ability to talk. Specifically you can talk about the terms of surrender which is basically what Reagan extracted from Gorbachev. Obama's version resembles not Reagan nor Grant but Chamberlin.

[camaraderie]

Hey RetClt...too bad about the Stars...but at least the Cup will continue to reside where it belongs...in the USA!! On that...I'm sure Reps and Dems can agree!!

OOOPS maybe not...Obama said today that the rest of the world does not think we are entitled to drive SUV's, heat our homes to 72 degrees and eat more food than we need. That is the change he is bringing!! (I'm starting a new club...fatties for McCain!)...Anyway, since we will all be commuting on roller skates, wearing sweaters in layers and eating only veggies purchased from Whole Foods if he is elected...perhaps we'll have to share the Stanley Cup too.