On Obama: Half of US combat troops home within 1 year

Posted on February 13 at 5:06 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

>Guard our borders and forget the rest of world.

Sounds like someone wants to let China take over pretty much all of the Pacific rim and middle east. I guarantee that if we lose our influence in Asia and the middle east, everyone will be paying at the very least double per gallon for gas than today's rates. Stability is what keeps commodity prices low, and would you rather have the stability and preferential treatment of an American hegemony, or the stability and second-class status of a Chinese hegemony?

On WE THE PEOPLE blog anniversary #3!

Posted on July 2 at 2:53 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

Good for you, John! Personally, I like your use of all-caps--it's a stylistic touch and it works for you. I don't understand why anyone would feel the need to complain about your blog. Everyone is perfectly free to ignore it, if they like.

On 2440 Rotary District Conference Video (and other stories)

Posted on July 2 at 2:28 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I cringed a little at your description of the biology lesson. I've been sick a number of times in foreign countries because of a lack of cleanliness, and so I share your fear of infection. I was once sick for three days because of a few ice cubes in my Coca-Cola in Honduras. Kudos to you for showing intestinal fortitude in the name of international relations!

On Don't overlook Amazon's Kindle Singles

Posted on January 17 at 1:58 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I was never a fan of Kindles until I went to Iraq for six months. I shipped a box of books to myself at my deployed location, and it clearly was not as convenient as all of the other people who I saw with Kindles. I think the armed forces collectively must be one of the biggest purchasers of ebook readers (and all sorts of portable electronics) there is.

I have a Kindle now, and I use it all the time. You can't beat that long battery life, and the availability of a book at any hour, with no more than a few seconds' download.

On Months of changes precede end to military gay ban

Posted on September 18 at 12:48 p.m. ( Suggest removal )

I, for one, am very happy that this will be over soon. In 9 years in the Air Force, I've known and made friends with plenty of gay people, all of whom where perfectly good Airmen and absolutely terrified of Leadership finding out their secret. We can finally allow our coworkers to be themselves without fear of losing their livelihoods.

On Obama urges nervous Dems to fight for his agenda

Posted on January 30 at 12:38 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

RetiredAirForce: I agree with you 110% on fallout money. It's a waste and a shame that this military is spending tht kind of money on ridiculous frivolities in this economy. That money could be better spent on VA care for PTSD-sufferers, better housing, improved front-line equipment, or even just returned to the treasury to help pay off the national debt. Every time I've mentioned fallout money as a fraud-waste-abuse issue, I get told to shut up.

On Whitewater offers foreign language classes to community

Posted on January 30 at 12:31 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Just so you know: "Pass the Rice,Salsa,Curry." == racial slur.

Offering language courses at reduced price is a FANTASTIC idea. This is the sort of opportunity that colleges should be offering to every town across the nation.

On Where does the training money go if they go back to GM?

Posted on January 30 at 12:18 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

The smartest thing for the gov't to do about this would be to forgive the money, or to accept pennies on the dollar as recompensation. An educated work force in a capitalistic society will pay for itself fivefold in increased tax revenue over time. Besides, the economic factors that brought on the need for this program are not exactly gone for good. Asking these families to bear the full cost as if everything were back to normal would hardly follow the intent of the program in the first place.

On Something good, something rotten

Posted on December 29 at 9:04 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

Medical debt is a big part of the reason that the credit bubble burst. Sure, a large part of the problem is our collective addiction to retail, but at least an equal (or possibly larger) share is tied up in debt from medical procedures.

Besides, most people seem to have caught on to the fact that insurance is a racket. The insurance companies' aim is not to provide a service or to encourage health--it is to make money, even if at the expense of human life.

Helping to subsidize the outrageous cost of health care is not only the humane and ethical thing to do, it will also be more economical in the long run. Let's keep in mind that people had these same arguments before Social Security became a reality, and that program has not bankrupted or ruined the country.

On Bears drop Vikings in overtime

Posted on December 29 at 8:52 a.m. ( Suggest removal )

We'll never forget you, Brent!