gearhog

This needs guns.

Anybody with a retirement plan needs to watch this. 49 minutes well spent. I'll never argue for more retirement contributions that I can't touch until 65 during contract negotiations. I want the bird in the hand... money today directly into my checking account.

I don't think there is a right or wrong. But we have people arguing for both "equality" and "diversity" when, in some cases, they are logically incompatible. If diversity is recognizing the differences in groups of people and putting a positive value on those differences, how do you achieve "equality" when you give "diversity" special status and privileges above everyone else? Choose one. Diversity is feelings, Equality is logic.

Speaking of low flyovers, eyeballs, and middle fingers. LOL.

I don't necessarily agree with the false dilemma you're presenting, which is asking what least bad scenario we're willing to accept: a Muslim in uniform or a Muslim at home. No one has made any allusions to that, by the way. Denying an outward display of religion isn't the same as denying a religious person's ability to serve. If it were, do we want someone so inflexible in their personal belief system to be trusted to do what's asked by their Nation in a time of crisis? If we're an all-volunteer force in need of warm bodies, it should be abundantly clear that granting special status and exemptions to extremely small groups creates resentment by those who don't enjoy the same. If you're deployed and complaining about not being able to grow a killer mustache while no one else can either, it's not a big deal. But when you start seeing an ever increasing number of exemptions be granted, it begins to irritate. Same goes for the running waiver at the mass PT test when you see a large group standing around during the run. You get people who say things like "It must be nice to be on that 'I don't have to do the run this year because my knee hurts' gravy train." If ywe want to loosen the standards to reflect the increased diversity and equality we all enjoy, that's great! But I believe we should loosen them equally for everyone instead of labeling those who point out inconsistencies as "intolerant" and "defensive" while giving the ol' virtue-signalling finger wag to score easy debate points.

I don't think that's the implication at all. I don't believe anyone here is making the argument that a particular gender/race/religion/body type/sexual preference/political view are a detriment to the military mission. The detriment is due to the creation of different standards for different subsets of people who are doing the same job. The military uniform standard evolved due to a need to eliminate identity politics and tribalism within the ranks, not encourage it.

"Ask not what accommodation you can make for your country. Ask what accommodation your country can make for you." This is only one minor issue that few people care about. We can shrug it off. But it is yet another incremental step and an overall trend indicator that the population is willing to make fewer sacrifices. Therefore, fewer sacrifices must be required. How much uniformity is required for an effective military force? It's been so long since that concept has been tested that no one remembers.

"And at least two airmen who follow the Norse Heathen, or pagan, faiths have been granted permission to wear a beard." How do I become a Norse Heathen? Drink mead from a horn and plunder a village? That sounds like a pretty awesome made-up excuse to have a beard.

A family member works at Lowe's. That company is a mess. If there's a big-ticket item on sale that you really want, ask to talk to the Manager or ASM. You would not believe how many items have an "out-the-backdoor" price that's much lower than your military discount. They can override prices down to pennies on the dollar with a few keystrokes. We have more than a few local stores whose inventories are entirely comprised of products Lowe's practically gives away.

Hope you're doing well, brother.

Now you've done it. Let's revisit this post in a year.

YGBFSM.

You definitely posted it in the correct thread. That was absolutely horrible. LOL

I took a screenshot because it was so bizarre. She seems like a psycho in her other vid. And definitely a stripper.

The youtube comments are pretty f'd up

Kinda makes you long for the day when a good old-fashioned ass-kicking immediately resolved these types of situations.

I'd recommend putting the earliest date you can be reasonably assured you can be standing in the training center ready to start ground school. You want the earliest seniority number you can possibly get. It's highly unlikely that you'll be in a situation where both your gaining unit and your airline will all refuse to work with you on dates if a conflict arises after you're hired.

Just walked out of it out here in LA. Best war movie since Saving Private Ryan. I shit you not.

I was texting with some friends who were happy that our TSP was doing well this past year. Here's a few articles I've found the past few days: Over 1700 announced of possible 12,000 expected major retail stores closing in 2020 https://www.businessinsider.com/stores-closing-in-2020-list-2020-1 2019 Auto Sales lowest in 5 years https://www.pymnts.com/news/retail/2020/us-2019-auto-sales-were-lowest-in-five-years/ Auto Sales supported by sub-prime lending while delinquencies rise https://seekingalpha.com/article/4315102-auto-sector-will-continue-to-decline-2020s Auto Dealers falsifying buyer’s income on car-loan applications https://www.wsj.com/articles/an-809-car-payment-a-660-income-how-dealers-make-the-math-work-11576924201?mod=searchresults&page=1&pos=3 Baltic Dry Index largest drop since 2008 https://capital.com/baltic-dry-suffers-largest-drop-since-2008 ISM Manufacturing Index 10 year low https://finance.yahoo.com/news/etfs-suffer-ism-index-drops-210709628.html US Rail Traffic down %5.1% since last year https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-rail-traffic-starts-off-new-year-in-a-slump Nine States are experiencing a contracting economy https://www.philadelphiafed.org/research-and-data/regional-economy/indexes/leading So why is the Market going up? Lots of reasons, but here is one biggie: The Federal Reserve bank has been pumping (printing) hundreds of billions into the repo market since September as posted about earlier. More announced just a few days ago. The four biggest primary lenders (JP Morgan, Citi, B of A, and Wells Fargo) need that cash to keep hedge funds afloat. These massive hedge funds are borrowing money to buy equities, which drives the market up. Hedge fund purchases and corporate buybacks are masking the real business values. If hedge funds have trouble making these loan payments, they stop buying. If they don’t keep buying, stock prices stagnate. If they liquidate to make payments, prices decline. In short, the US government is printing money for the purpose of allowing banks and hedge funds to gamble borrowed money in a rigged game, and you are assuming the risk. The Market is following the increasing Fed Balance Sheet and little else. We can’t print money indefinitely while the government runs a $1 Trillion dollar per year deficit. So, when we stop printing, no repo market funds, hedge funds liquidate to pay bills, stocks decline, a panic and rush for the exit ensues. Wall street will be the first to the exit and they’ll be taking the bulk of the cash with them. Passive investors like you and I will be at the back of the line. Don’t fall in love with your TSP gains and I feel bad for anyone signed up with BRS. Keep an eye on this link: https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/domestic-market-operations/monetary-policy-implementation/repo-reverse-repo-agreements/repurchase-agreement-operational-details#monthly-summary

You’re denial email should be waiting in your inbox in the AM. JK. Congrats! I punched in Oct and it’s awesome.

Do you think this guy would have been crucified if aircraft were damaged by failing to evacuate?

This is what I believe is happening. Our adversaries know a full-scale conventional war against the US cannot be won without first weakening our economic foundation and national will. They are risking actions that they believe will keep us engaged in the ME at a tremendous cost to the US but without crossing the line into open unlimited conflict. Iran is already suffering under economic sanctions, so they're accepting higher levels of risk while being quietly supported by China and Russia. They are simply trying to bleed us out.

Very sorry to hear this. My condolences to all who knew him. I only knew him here, but he contributed a lot over the years. Rest in Peace, Pyro. 🍺

Damn. I don't want to misinterpret this. Can you give some more details?

Scam.