So he went, you didn’t. Perhaps you’re too young. It seems so from your post. You’re obviously not THAT Mike Gallagher from talk radio. Anyway, if you HAD gone – the Gulf or A**crackistan, you would probaby have a different opinion. As Aaron said – Taliban = Al Qaeda. I’d rather kill them over there instead of cleaning up blood over here. I agree Bush certainly did not have a coherent exit strategy for Iraq – but a mess? You ever ask an Afghan woman, teacher, or professor that question? Not one attack on our soil since 9/11. And I don’t believe there’s much oil under the poppy fields….

Ditto what Benn said – don’t come on Sunday if you don’t like the food.

As someone who’s been there, done that (with ya Aaron!) I am ectstatic we now have a another contributor who can be both hilarious (did you watch last week’s post?) and controversial. Oh, and he seems to share a lot of my political leanings

Navy Chief, Navy Pride

If you’re not into Sunday commentary, and wish to bury your head in the sand, then I completely support your right to do so.

I’m no leftie (was prez of College Republicans, use to proudly call myself a GOPer until Bush became a big gov’t bozo), brother just returned from Afghanistan, etc. but we need to get our head out of our ass on the Middle East. Bush gave Obama a stinkpot and Obama will probably make it worse.

Now let’s get back to Real Estate puuuhhhllllease

I entered the Navy during the second year of Reagan’s tenure, and one of his first acts was the largest pay and allowance hike in military history. The 600-ship Navy he commissioned helped end the Cold War and bring down the Iron Curtain (and Berlin Wall). During my first years, it was not uncommon to face disdain in public when travelling in uniform – coming on the heels of Carter’s term and the decade-old end to the Vietnam War. By the end of Reagan’s first term – flags again flew from front porches, the veteran paid the respect due, and all-in-all there was a pride in the country I’d never seen before.

My father – himself a World War II vet – once told me the biggest mistake he ever made was voting for Carter (the first time).

As for the Nobel Peace Prize? I believe it symptomatic of the utter disdain our so-called allies (particularly in Europe) hold us in. They’re happy when we come to their rescue, but envious of our standard of living and brash bravado. They see Obama as the next Kennedy – a uniter and song-singer with the eloquence to mend fences and build a Neville Chamberlain-style pacifist nation of non-engagement. Makes me and my salty Sailor bones want to puke.

Navy Chief, Navy Pride.

Jimmy Carter remains a nice guy who has no place in politics. He was a weak military leader who led us into and quagmired in the Iran hostage crisis. He had no concept of a balanced budget which led to outrageous interest rates. He simply could not shut his mouth on anything (the famous Playboy interview) when it needed to be shut. The things he says today are exactly the same level of goofiness that they were in the ’70′s. To think we booted Ford for him?!@#$?