Here's a statement of the obvious: The opinions expressed here are those of the participants, not those of the Mutual Fund Observer. We cannot vouch for the accuracy or appropriateness of any of it, though we do encourage civility and good humor.
Three Americans -- two of them service members -- helped foil a potentially deadly attack when they subdued a man armed with an assault rifle and other weapons on board a high-speed train bound for Paris, officials said.
Spencer Stone, Alek Skarlatos, and Anthony Sadler were on a train from Amsterdam to Paris on Friday when a man armed with an automatic rifle and a box cutter started attacking passengers. Sadler was visiting Stone, 23, an Air Force airman first class stationed in Portugal, and Skarlatos, 23, an Army National Guard specialist stationed in Afghanistan.
Here is a shameless plug for my son who set up a fundraising page for these guys. Anyone know someone at Fox News to pick this up? If only I had a million FB friends, this would work.
Actually, I was hoping one or more of our politicians would take an hour or so from campaigning and arrange to pay for these brave young men's vacation and/or fly them home in style....looking at you, Donald and Hillary! I still would like to donate, though!
I watched the press conference today...looks like Anthony will be going home soon and Spencer and Alek will meet up with their families in Germany, where it looks like Spencer will be getting some additional medical treatment. I hope they all get book/movie deals...they are all good-looking young men, so they could play themselves in the movie!
For a long time I erroneously believed this famous quote was said by Blackjack Pershing. It was not. It was made by one of his staff, Colonel Charles Stanton, on July 4, 1917.
Our military doubled down on our Revolutionary War debt in World War II. Again, our military tripled down to repay that debt a few days ago. Our military have more than balanced the books, but that will not dissuade them from their persistent dedication to duty and bravery. I proudly salute them.
I strongly support our military. I am not unbiased in that support since I served in both the regular and the reserve Army. I truly believe that our youth, especially young men, would benefit, and our Nation would equally benefit, from a mandatory, limited tour of duty.
The military teaches discipline, self-reliance, and teamwork that is often missing from a high school and college education. Military veterans have a maturity not typically present in non-military. Ceteris Paribus (with other things being equal), I hired folks with some military background over those that did not have that experience. Simply put, ex-military were more reliable and got the job done.
Mandatory military training is not a popular concept in the USA. But some very prominent historians recognize its merits. I’m currently reading Will and Ariel Durant’s book “The Lessons of History”. They acknowledge it.
Their respect for the military comes clear in several chapters. In a Chapter 4 that deals with the linkage between morals and history, they write: “Perhaps discipline will be restored in your civilization through the military training required by the challenges of war.” The Durant team is not alone in their respect.
I thank all our military services for their committed service and gallant actions who are stationed throughout the world’s hot spots.
Best Wishes for all their safety and safe return home.
Anyone know if immigrants can still get US citizenship by serving? That's what my grandfather did in WWI...I always thought that maybe it could be a partial solution for the illegal immigration issue we have today.
@little5bee- Looks like still so... this from the Dept of Homeland Security website:
"Special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorize U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite the application and naturalization process for current members of the U.S. armed forces and recently discharged members. Generally, qualifying military service includes service with one of the following branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, certain components of the National Guard and the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve."
They demonstrated two things - if you are witness to a terrorist operation, you can either attempt to stop it . . . or die.
And two - in spite of our official foreign policy causing so many to see us as 'the ugly Americans' - as individuals they showed the world what real Americans are all about.
As to the path to citizenship via the service, that's the way it was in Vietnam. We had a Canadian in our company but he had a bad romance at home and opted out. Yeah, it was a mindbender for Top and the CO. 'I am a Canadian citizen and I want to go home so I am quitting the Corps'. We got him orders home and out. However, at the time anyway, the nut was that this was a 'final' decision. Taking this way out, closed the door to citizenship permanently.
Comments
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/23/world/europe/3-heroes-who-stopped-train-attack-were-boyhood-friends.html?mabReward=A1&moduleDetail=recommendations-2&action=click&contentCollection=DealBook®ion=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&src=recg&pgtype=article
"Lafayette, we are here!"
For a long time I erroneously believed this famous quote was said by Blackjack Pershing. It was not. It was made by one of his staff, Colonel Charles Stanton, on July 4, 1917.
Our military doubled down on our Revolutionary War debt in World War II. Again, our military tripled down to repay that debt a few days ago. Our military have more than balanced the books, but that will not dissuade them from their persistent dedication to duty and bravery. I proudly salute them.
I strongly support our military. I am not unbiased in that support since I served in both the regular and the reserve Army. I truly believe that our youth, especially young men, would benefit, and our Nation would equally benefit, from a mandatory, limited tour of duty.
The military teaches discipline, self-reliance, and teamwork that is often missing from a high school and college education. Military veterans have a maturity not typically present in non-military. Ceteris Paribus (with other things being equal), I hired folks with some military background over those that did not have that experience. Simply put, ex-military were more reliable and got the job done.
Mandatory military training is not a popular concept in the USA. But some very prominent historians recognize its merits. I’m currently reading Will and Ariel Durant’s book “The Lessons of History”. They acknowledge it.
Their respect for the military comes clear in several chapters. In a Chapter 4 that deals with the linkage between morals and history, they write: “Perhaps discipline will be restored in your civilization through the military training required by the challenges of war.” The Durant team is not alone in their respect.
I thank all our military services for their committed service and gallant actions who are stationed throughout the world’s hot spots.
Best Wishes for all their safety and safe return home.
Anyone know if immigrants can still get US citizenship by serving? That's what my grandfather did in WWI...I always thought that maybe it could be a partial solution for the illegal immigration issue we have today.
"Special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) authorize U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to expedite the application and naturalization process for current members of the U.S. armed forces and recently discharged members. Generally, qualifying military service includes service with one of the following branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, certain components of the National Guard and the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve."
They demonstrated two things - if you are witness to a terrorist operation, you can either attempt to stop it . . . or die.
And two - in spite of our official foreign policy causing so many to see us as 'the ugly Americans' - as individuals they showed the world what real Americans are all about.
As to the path to citizenship via the service, that's the way it was in Vietnam. We had a Canadian in our company but he had a bad romance at home and opted out. Yeah, it was a mindbender for Top and the CO. 'I am a Canadian citizen and I want to go home so I am quitting the Corps'. We got him orders home and out. However, at the time anyway, the nut was that this was a 'final' decision. Taking this way out, closed the door to citizenship permanently.
and so it goes,
peace,
rono
Thanks! I'll donate with my dwindling cash reserve...thanks, markets! And I see your son is in 6th grade...wow! I'm impressed with him, too!