lindainks55 said:
I had a greaaat Mother's Day! How about everyone else? May I tell you a story? I'll try to keep it short.
My sons are 34 and 35 years old and for much of the time they were tiny little boys (from 1974 - 1980) I was a single Mom of four. My daughters are older (40 and soon to be 42). So back there in the mid-to-late 70s we struggled more than I like to think about and more than (I hope) the kids ever knew.
When Chad and Scott were around 2 and 3 years old it was Mother's Day and their gift to me was a ladybug. It was a wonderful gift and that ladybug crawled all over me for more than an hour while we admired her. They were well pleased because they made me happy.
For more than 30 years those two have given me a ladybug in one form or another every Mother's Day. There were years way back when they would somehow find a lady bug even in the rain! As they got older they were less likely to catch a live lady bug. I have lady bug earrings and a matching necklace, flowers were delivered over the years with lady bug picks or ... This year they topped every year before and I received 1,500 lady bugs! Didn't even know nurseries sold live lady bugs, but they do! I released my lady bugs last evening at dusk. I looked at the garden this morning and there are lady bugs ALL OVER!
How special is that!?
My sons are 34 and 35 years old and for much of the time they were tiny little boys (from 1974 - 1980) I was a single Mom of four. My daughters are older (40 and soon to be 42). So back there in the mid-to-late 70s we struggled more than I like to think about and more than (I hope) the kids ever knew.
When Chad and Scott were around 2 and 3 years old it was Mother's Day and their gift to me was a ladybug. It was a wonderful gift and that ladybug crawled all over me for more than an hour while we admired her. They were well pleased because they made me happy.
For more than 30 years those two have given me a ladybug in one form or another every Mother's Day. There were years way back when they would somehow find a lady bug even in the rain! As they got older they were less likely to catch a live lady bug. I have lady bug earrings and a matching necklace, flowers were delivered over the years with lady bug picks or ... This year they topped every year before and I received 1,500 lady bugs! Didn't even know nurseries sold live lady bugs, but they do! I released my lady bugs last evening at dusk. I looked at the garden this morning and there are lady bugs ALL OVER!
How special is that!?
Vaughn Tolle said:
Very, very special, Linda. And, when the ladybugs do their job, you will have a better garden as the result of your sons' gift.
Vaughn Tolle said:
My attempt to distinguish a "lifer" from a "career military professional".
A lifer is one who joined the military due to being unable to be employed by anyone in the civilian world. He strives to be promoted to a rank where he can remain in the military "for life", or at least 30 years. However, he ususally struggles to attain the rank needed to be retained until he has his 20 in. Often found at the NCO club after duty hours, he rails about the "lousy new recruits", how they wouldn't last in the "good old days", how all they need is to be taken out behind the barracks and taught a lesson. Very bitter about the need to pass a test for promotion (as he cannot do no matter how often he tries), decries the need for such, is unwilling to take additional training needed to advance in his career field. Upon retirement, ususally cannot become a productive employee, as the only "respect" he ever earned was as a result of his rank, not as a person, and cannot function without the threat. Does not believe anyone (but him, hey, he earned it!) should receive anything from the government, no matter what. Thinks that civilian control of the military was the biggest mistake ever made by the Founding Fathers, followed closely by the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Always dodges any extra duties, not his problem/job/whatever. Using Linda's words, has a "I have a gun" attitude. If he votes, it will be for the candidate "who has a gun", whether such person would be the best for the position; usually doesn't vote, satisfied to sit and gripe.
A "career military professional" is one who enlisted/joined the military out of a choice, often based upon loyalty to the country, a feeling of obligation, patriotism; any number of reasons. He strives to learn as much as possible to ensure his advancement in the military, obtaining off-duty education in varied areas, as "one never knows". Feels that his continuing service to the country is one of choice, doesn't necessarily want to leave the military but will consider it if the "right offer" is received. Never complacent, seldom found at the NCO club griping about the state of the modern military. Many times, he is a "fast burner", receiving promotions due to excellent service and the gaining of knowledge. While he may have reservations about the "new recruits", he takes the time to listen to them, recognizing that there are changes in the world outside the military, and knowing how to cope just might be a good thing. He also takes time to counsel with them on how to adapt to military life, trying to remove some of the bumps in the road he faced when a "young troop". Volunteers for extra duties, usually explaining his actions as "that's so X doesn't have to do it", X being a fellow member with different family obligations, etc., always pleasant personally, doesn't depend upon his rank for respect, as it is earned by his actions, both from his superiors as well as those who are inferior in rank. Upon retirement, is as employable as anyone might be, and many times enjoys a second career which is of financial success to him and his family. Concerned about the degradation of benefits in the military over time, but understands the economics behind these decisions, and that if he wants it changed, he needs to vote for candidates who will work for restoration thereof. Always votes.
The above generalized comments are based upon my four years service in the USAF as an enlisted person. The "lifers" I knew were po'ed by the fact that at the end of my four year term, I already had a line number for promotion to E-5, which would guarantee me 20, while many of them had just "squeaked in" at 12 years, the "up or out" time for them, and, as opposed to the career military professionals with whom I worked, just couldn't understand why I'd give that up to return to Law School.
I recognize this is painted with a very broad brush, but believe it accurate as of the date of my separation from service, and really don't see that things have changed all that much since.
A lifer is one who joined the military due to being unable to be employed by anyone in the civilian world. He strives to be promoted to a rank where he can remain in the military "for life", or at least 30 years. However, he ususally struggles to attain the rank needed to be retained until he has his 20 in. Often found at the NCO club after duty hours, he rails about the "lousy new recruits", how they wouldn't last in the "good old days", how all they need is to be taken out behind the barracks and taught a lesson. Very bitter about the need to pass a test for promotion (as he cannot do no matter how often he tries), decries the need for such, is unwilling to take additional training needed to advance in his career field. Upon retirement, ususally cannot become a productive employee, as the only "respect" he ever earned was as a result of his rank, not as a person, and cannot function without the threat. Does not believe anyone (but him, hey, he earned it!) should receive anything from the government, no matter what. Thinks that civilian control of the military was the biggest mistake ever made by the Founding Fathers, followed closely by the adoption of the Bill of Rights. Always dodges any extra duties, not his problem/job/whatever. Using Linda's words, has a "I have a gun" attitude. If he votes, it will be for the candidate "who has a gun", whether such person would be the best for the position; usually doesn't vote, satisfied to sit and gripe.
A "career military professional" is one who enlisted/joined the military out of a choice, often based upon loyalty to the country, a feeling of obligation, patriotism; any number of reasons. He strives to learn as much as possible to ensure his advancement in the military, obtaining off-duty education in varied areas, as "one never knows". Feels that his continuing service to the country is one of choice, doesn't necessarily want to leave the military but will consider it if the "right offer" is received. Never complacent, seldom found at the NCO club griping about the state of the modern military. Many times, he is a "fast burner", receiving promotions due to excellent service and the gaining of knowledge. While he may have reservations about the "new recruits", he takes the time to listen to them, recognizing that there are changes in the world outside the military, and knowing how to cope just might be a good thing. He also takes time to counsel with them on how to adapt to military life, trying to remove some of the bumps in the road he faced when a "young troop". Volunteers for extra duties, usually explaining his actions as "that's so X doesn't have to do it", X being a fellow member with different family obligations, etc., always pleasant personally, doesn't depend upon his rank for respect, as it is earned by his actions, both from his superiors as well as those who are inferior in rank. Upon retirement, is as employable as anyone might be, and many times enjoys a second career which is of financial success to him and his family. Concerned about the degradation of benefits in the military over time, but understands the economics behind these decisions, and that if he wants it changed, he needs to vote for candidates who will work for restoration thereof. Always votes.
The above generalized comments are based upon my four years service in the USAF as an enlisted person. The "lifers" I knew were po'ed by the fact that at the end of my four year term, I already had a line number for promotion to E-5, which would guarantee me 20, while many of them had just "squeaked in" at 12 years, the "up or out" time for them, and, as opposed to the career military professionals with whom I worked, just couldn't understand why I'd give that up to return to Law School.
I recognize this is painted with a very broad brush, but believe it accurate as of the date of my separation from service, and really don't see that things have changed all that much since.
lindainks55 said:
My aunt is married to a lifer. It's difficult to be around him very long. Well, it's difficult for ME to keep my mouth shut very long and so I must not risk being around him long.
I haven't had lots of interaction with local police but in the news, etc. I see the two "types" described above in them also.
Bit harder to feel safe and conduct oneself in a way that offers respect with the lifers.
I haven't had lots of interaction with local police but in the news, etc. I see the two "types" described above in them also.
Bit harder to feel safe and conduct oneself in a way that offers respect with the lifers.
Vaughn Tolle said:
BTW, there are officers who are also "lifers", but I didn't know many of them. Generally, the USAF did a good job of eliminating them before they rose to the grade of Major (O-4), which was necessary to stay for 20.
Vaughn Tolle said:
The resurrection of the four-corners offense, this time on greenhouse gases. SCOTUS said that carbon dioxide could be regulated by EPA, but didn't say how long it should take.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/14/bush.greenh...
http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/05/14/bush.greenh...
Vaughn Tolle said:
(Last one before getting back to work)
Military blocks YouTube, MySpace, and other sites from active duty military using DOD computers. While I can see both sides to this, all in all it smells. I note the article says this is occurring with private employers, too, for the "loss of productivity" rationale.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/internet/05/14/milita...
Military blocks YouTube, MySpace, and other sites from active duty military using DOD computers. While I can see both sides to this, all in all it smells. I note the article says this is occurring with private employers, too, for the "loss of productivity" rationale.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/internet/05/14/milita...
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