Leaderboard

For instance, this tripe: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/10/covid-response-forgiveness/671879/ I readily admit that I make mistakes and want to learn from them. However, a handful (or more) of people who got it wrong, rather than admitting as much, taking responsibility, and trying to correct it for the future, want their records cleared. These articles are meant to appear as a mea culpa, but they are not. They are merely another sleight-of-hand trick performed to dupe the masses. Further, the article above is just another instance of virtue signaling. The author is trying to signal her side's moral superiority—note her exhortation to not gloat—by declaring a newfound erudition while advertising an outright revisionist narrative that does not just strain credulity but shatters it. While one cannot lay the blame for one person's actions at the feet of a movement, we all distinctly recall the diatribe coming people when anyone dared oppose. A generally unified front used "trusting the science" as a cudgel to beat actual scientists, critical thinkers, and others. To attempt to overlook numerous ethical failings—after all, when one takes actions counter to one's thoughts, it belies moral weakness—by simply sweeping them aside as the fruit of uncertainty is intellectually dishonest. That she does so under the guise of civility is ironic and disgusting. The audacity to write, "But dwelling on the mistakes of history can lead to a repetitive doom loop as well. Let’s acknowledge that we made complicated choices in the face of deep uncertainty, and then try to work together to build back and move forward" is galling. For an apparent vanguard or thought-leader in the "trust the science" movement, it seems that they would welcome an intelligent, fact-based, civil discourse that offered ways to avoid the mistakes of the past. Yet, "trust the science" was always just a bumper-sticker moniker to short-circuit frontal lobe activity among the masses with docile compliance the aim.

There’s been several statements recently from those on the wrong side of history that go something like, “let’s just all move on and let bygones be bygones, we only did/said things based on our understanding at the time. Let’s just forget about it all!” Yeah, fuck you. I will not forget, and I hope everyone else doesn’t either. If you demonized others via words (or worse, actions) who called it correctly, but weren’t in line with your thinking at the time - you don’t get a pass because you are still a huge POS. This does not apply to those who remained respectful and maintained human decency despite differing viewpoints.

Those responsible for destroying our economy, not to mention putting lives at risk (New York/nursing homes) because of overreaching COVID policies, should never be in a position where they can do this again. Unfortunately this largely has to be done in the voting booths. I wish this would apply to the spineless commanders in the military all the way up to the SecDef but that will never happen. If you deployed to the Died or anywhere else during COVID you know what an epic shit show that was. Blatant malpractice from people who clearly should never be in a position of power. This country is the last bastion of valuing freedom over collectivism and that consistently seems to dwindle away.

I think this thread now counts as NSFW… Sent from my iPhone using Baseops Network mobile app

We need a full blown debrief process for the response to this thing. Clear errors by humans, which I understand. I've messed up more than I can count - but fess up to it; I'll respect you more even in a real world situation. That's been the most mind blowing thing - people refuse to take any responsibility.

The same military that can't properly maintain tires on vehicles isn't going to be cutting edge with aircraft coatings and paint applications me thinks.

I kind of hope we choose both. We're just going to have to accept some level of inflation to accommodate our obscene amount of debt, but insolvency is going to be the only thing that implements the austerity required to dig out of this hole. Zero and negative interest rates for a decade didn't save Europe from their debt, and it won't save us.

On my first deployment (>20 years ago, OSW, KC-10, BO), I was getting ready to refuel some Vipers. Pretty standard OSW cake walk sortie. I'm in the back feeling proud to be hacking the mission like a big boy. When the fighters get closer, Flight lead lets me know that we have a long cable trailing out of our tail. My mind immediately thought about a caution I had made fun of in the -33. Basically, recovery procedures if you're a dumbass BO and lower the boom without the hydraulics on. The FE was a SMSgt with tons of hours. He asked if he needed to come back there and I told him no, I figured it out. Humbled, but I at least I know why that caution was written. There was another dumbass BO like me who did the same thing. BO was a great job to have in my early 20s. It was like being a rock star. Traveling the world, forgetting checklists items and chasing fat chicks. Back when Anna Kournikova was hot.

Fairly accurate, but the AAL NC should be portrayed as somehow locking themselves in the van and are busy licking the window (and flying premium) instead of actually being included in these adult negotiations.

If the Dems want a female, they could always go with this guy.

Appreciate the comments. Good to put this old brain to work for something the helps people.

I believe the end result is the same. We can take the medicine now or try to experiment with MMT and kick the can down the road at greater cost.

Aren't those things one and the same?

Yup. Like most government failures, those responsible scatter like roaches, then somehow return for the next crisis.

The US Federal Government debt interest payments just hit $736.5 Billion annualized. For the first time, the interest on our debt exceeds the DoD budget of $715 Billion. Inflation or Insolvency. Choose one. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/A091RC1Q027SBEA

COVID response will go down in history as one of our nations worst moments. People will refuse to acknowledge their hateful actions in the decades to come and everyone will say they always opposed the oppressive government policies and un constitutional actions.

I know I've been having some fun at Chida's expense but I too have a shadow box from retirement. There are medals that have meaning to me as well but not the AF training ribbon. Lol. Sorry Chida.

Yup. Some of my air medals and others have more meaning to me than others but they will mean something to those close to me in the future years.

That's brutal. Oof. A long time ago in a galaxy far away, I worked EMS in the northeast US. I still know a lot of people who have stayed in EMS or have moved up the medical ladder. They were getting their asses kicked in 2020 and I felt bad for them; I talked to a few more in depth. But then some of them went overboard and stated that everyone else should listen to the "experts" with no dissent. When I asked them if the citizenry should then just listen to generals ("the experts") in war with no dissent...some seemed to realize what they were saying. Others didn't. Families should never be denied the ability to say goodbye to a loved one. I witnessed humans entering and leaving the earth, and it's a heavy experience either way - but at least it's happy when they arrive. I was always silently thankful when we kept a person alive long enough for someone to be there to say goodbye. I can't imagine not advocating for that.

Other folks have mentioned this, but it's all part of the CRM game. Sometimes the boom operator is the most experienced aviator on a crew, watching a newly minted IP talk an MCT copilot down the approach in IMC. That new IP may have kicked some penguins off the iceberg and the crusty boom has plenty of SA to notice a missing checklist step. Thank goodness the KC-135 doesn't have ergonomics to truly go solo. Could it be done? Sure--I nearly had to AAR upfront by myself once when the other guy was stuck in the lav (damn Deid food). Get me a stick for the anti-ice switches, and we're in business! Moving the gear from the left seat is quite the event though...

I’d love that, but I have as much faith in that as my wife letting me buy three airplanes. It’s possible, but…

Reuters: Russia is performing so poorly in the war that we are graciously giving them an opportunity to save face and negotiate their retreat from occupied territories. Right? At least that’s the way I interpret it. We’re winning!! 3 minute readNovember 5, 202210:14 PM EDTLast Updated 7 hours ago U.S. privately asks Ukraine to show Russia it's open to talks -Washington Post WASHINGTON, Nov 5 (Reuters) - The Biden administration is privately encouraging Ukraine’s leaders to signal an openness to negotiate with Russia and drop their public refusal to engage in peace talks unless President Vladimir Putin is removed from power, the Washington Post reported on Saturday.