Definition of Opinion:  A belief or conclusion held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof.

Please be respectful to others with differing opinions. 

Jim Coats

This morning, Trey Gowdy on Fox, in response to the Sec. of War and Chairman of the Joint Chief's status report said something I actually had not put together.

Gowdy said that Iran, for 47+ years has called the USA and Israel the Great Satan and called for our deaths.  He asked.... "How would you  like to have a neighbor who called you that?"  Well, in effect, we have that right now as the leadership of the democrat party has consistently called Trump HITLER.  The Democrat party is NOT the party of my father.  Unfortunately, they have morphed into something unhinged and despicable.  I hope our country can survive their venomous "representation of We The People."

GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ISRAEL IN THEIR NOBLE UNDERTAKING

GOD PROTECT OUR TROOPS

Jim Coats

Thank you Frank, but not necessary.  Any Marine who set one foot outside the wire....and I will define the wire as the Continental US....was a Marine Rifleman.  My Drill Instructor pounded that into my fuzzy brain at Parris Island in 1967.  Semper Fi.

P.S.  I'll be at the Beer Summit.

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Jim, Frank, Buzz was also 0311.  I think that means a grunt.

Michael Kelly

Frank, Jim, Les, Patty  Marines were called "Jarheads" and Army were called "G'unts" many others were called "Dodgers" and Aspiring Chaplains.

Everything was done within a Framework of Limited Capability artificially imposed upon us by those Large and in Charge. 

It is refreshing to see thet DJT is not using this same Philosophy on the Middle Eastern Wars. He should bring that Strategy into use between the War between Russia and Ukraine. So far the kvetching about an Exit Strategy has not had a lot of Media Play probably due to Biden's version of an Exit Strategy in Afghanistan. 

Jim Coats

Michael Kelly, Esq.  Combat Marines were commonly called grunts.  Nobody ever called another Marine a Jarhead when I was there, but that IS a name for Marines.  Also, this Oo-rah or Hoo-rah stuff must have come along after I was out.

And thus another Marine History Lesson from an old Teufel Hunden (Devil Dog).  And nope....nobody ever called me that either.

Frank Wiley

Good synopsis Jim.  The best explanation of "Grunt" that I've heard is what we did moving by foot into position on Operations.  The reason is because we were carrying weapons, ammunition, canteens of water, plus a back pack which weighed as much as 40-50 pounds.  In addition to that it was normal for us to carry a belt of machine gun ammunition which weighed about 30 pounds.  So it was totally normal to grunt while taking steps (especially going uphill).  P.S.  The reason the backpacks were so heavy was because many times we were carrying two days of canned food (C-rations).

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

While we are traveling and we see a Marine Buzz does not know, he will say "Hello, Devil Dog".  It seems that term is a Marine to Marine greeting, but what do I know?  Buzz would never call another Marine Jarhead.

Jim Coats

If I see ANYONE representing themselves as a veteran (hat, shirt, etc.), I'll give them the "Thank you for your Service" greeting and reach out for a fist bump.  If I'm wearing my USMC ball cap, they'll thank me as well.  It gets real if it's another Marine.

If it's a Navy or (choose your branch here) vet, I'll go up and start with "Hey, Navy!"  And we'll go from there.  They're sometimes startled, but that fades immediately to a smile.  I think everyone appreciates the recognition and the kinship I reflect as I treat them like brothers.  AND, if I find they were either a helicopter pilot or, ESPECIALLY, a Navy Corpsman, I'll say with absolute sincerity, that "I really love you guys" and after they learn I was a grunt in Nam, they know why.  They always know.

Patty Meyers (Anderson)

Buzz has a lot of respect for Navy Corpsmen, he had a number of them as clients, some of which is is still in contact with.  One of his good friends was the head corpsman in charge at the Beirut Marine barracks when it was bombed in 1983.  Before that he was in Vietnam with the 9th Marines.  We see him and his wife when we are in Christchurch, New Zealand.  He is still carrying a lot of psychological scars from that bombing.

Frank Wiley

Good on Buzz and you too Jim!  My best friend in Vietnam was a Consciencious Objector Navy Corpsman.  Although he was anti-war he still wanted to Serve his Country.  He refused to carry a weapon.  I was with him when he was killed.

DeWitt Bacon

"SPECIAL ENVOY FOR THE SHIELD OF THE AMERICAS." Now, is that an impressive title or what?. I never heard of it. That is a hard way for Kristy Noam to learn the lesson that 1. you don't get on the wrong side of Tom Homan, and 2. As a cabinet member, you don't do anything that makes the President look bad. If I were her, I would leave Washington, get off the national stage, and go back to South Dakota. She could run for governor again or for some other state office. Don't get me wrong. I like Kristy and always have. She made some mistakes and now has to pay for them.

Frank Wiley

National Women's Day--Without Women---none of us would be here!!  Thanks!!

Frank Wiley

The Iranians used chemical weapons in their war against Iraq.  I am against troops on the ground in Iran!!

Bill RIHS

Frank, I agree, no troops on the ground. I am concerned about what to do now to weed out the rest of the radicals. It appears they are somewhat organized.

Jim Coats

I am WITH President Trump in the Iran campaign.  It was a long time coming....47 years.  Finally....a President stepped up.  It's too bad he is not supported by democrats in Congress.  That is just wrong!

But, here's what I fear.  The IRGC (and similar military organizations) in Iran is a bloodthirsty, radical Islamic corps.  The reporting is that Iran has a 1million man Army and I doubt if those numbers have been severely dissipated in Operation Epic Fury.  I fear that they will start slaughtering unarmed Iranian citizens OR, as someone said on FOX today, start setting up their missles in civilian population areas....or BOTH.... ala Hamas in Gaza!  They would do this, in their minds, to cause the US and Israel to cease attacks.  I don't think this tactic will work, but I pray it doesn't happen.  The "GOOD" people of Iran have no way to defend themselves against this rabid force and that would give democrats something to screech about.

PRAY for the good people of Iran and the Troops of the USA, Israel and our other allies..

I ALSO HOPE we never have to put boots on the ground in Iran, but I think it may be inevitable.

Michael Kelly

I am very pleased with the performance of our President with how he has taken decisive action against the Mullahs of Iran, We need to keep our eyes and ears open for Terrorist Activity in our Country by Iranian loyalists.

Yesterday Mike Pence had the gumption to applaud the  President on FOX News for his Firm Resolve in dealing with the Iranian Threat. I was somewhat surprised by this, but I give Pence credit for admitting he was off base about President Trump. 

Frank Wiley

We have a Hummingbird feeder on our deck.  It's kind of an art piece so we leave it out year around but don't fill it in the winter for obvious reasons.  Today a hummingbird came to it twice.  We have never seen a hummingbird here this early.

Lester Cox

Frank, just watching a hummingbird at our place hitting on the flowers at the top of an ocotillo. Early here too, but we are forecast to hit 100 degrees next week and have about 5 or 6 straight days at 100 or more. Whew, early summer, might be a long one here in Phoenix. But 100 degrees here is fine, it still cools down to 60's or 70's at night and that makes it ok. 103 degrees forecast for Beer Summit day. 

DeWitt Bacon

Still just a tad cool here for hummingbirds, but they will be making an appearance soon. I used to set out a couple of feeders, but not for some time. They are interesting to watch. I thought it was strange how two would fight over the same feeding place. Eight places to feed, and they would fight over one. Now that Frank has brought up the subject, I may consider getting some feeders again.

Bill RIHS

Humming birds, I have two feeders for summer. The trouble is the desert woodpeckers drink most of it. They have learned how to hang on it to drink. I hate them because they make big hole in Saguaro cactus. I had a 20 ft one and watch them put 4 holes in it before it fell over after huge rain and strong winds. We had that cactus for 30+ years. It was 10 foot tall with no arms when we moved and watch it grow to 20ft with 5 arms. I tried shoot those birds but couldn't when not on the cactus, very wary birds.😩😡.

Jim Coats

Same problem here with woodpeckers on hummingbird feeders.  My little hummers don't come around much anymore, but baby owls are back in a Saguaro that had the top break off making a perfect place for mom to establish a nest/condo.

Bill Randall

  Frank, need to add 2 more for the Summit on the 18th, Marianne & Bill.  Been too busy moving my Race-Car Shop to my back pasture, but I'm getting my hands on the prize. Said good-bye to many half done projects, gave away projects, and cars that required new homes. Yes it is a struggle, and time is not on my side

  Got to see the new owner's vision for land where my shop once stood as well as my old neighbor's land. His plans and ideas are what sold me to sell. That end of June deadline to be out is pounding away in the back of my head but things are falling into place. Like the upgrade to a newer forklift, with plans for a barn that can support my machine-tools, and my finishing of the project-cars I have kept. End of June, turning that big eight zero, might just have a special birthday summit myself.

Frank Wiley

Great to hear you and Marianne are coming to the Beer Summit Bill.  We have three women committed to attend.  

DeWitt Bacon

BREAKING NEWS

Reliable sources tell us that Heaven is running out of virgins. The current flood of Muslims is creating a serious shortage. It is reported that Mahamud is starting to hand out IOU's to newcomers. Sources close to Mahamud say that it is getting harder and harder to find virgins down here.

Jim Coats

Regular gas (87 octane) at Safeway 3 days ago $4.15.  No telling what it is today.  I can hardly wait for the Scam Summer Blend to kick in and push it up even more.  WTF?