Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/5/2016 4:11:42 PM

Is this how how socialists and communists want to take their last ride??

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/5/2016 6:27:47 PM

How fitting!  It amazes me how the liberal idiots and communist media, and o-BAMA are openly praising this communist.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/5/2016 7:12:26 PM

Apparently there are not a large number people today who have a first hand knowledge of the Cuban Missile crisis. I, for one, was a brand new Air Force 2ndLt. who was on a Missile Launch Crew at Walker AFB, in Roswell, New Mexico on October 1962. The Air Force had just activated the 579th Stratgic Missile Squadron with twelve Atlas F Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles in underground silos. It would be hard to describe the state of mind among military personnel at that time, particularly if you and one other officer on the crew were in possession of codes to be used upon declaration of war. It was through the strategic negotiations of President John F. Kennedy that a nuclear exchange was prevented. I think that many people today don't realize that we were on the verge of a nuclear war upon finding out that Russia had placed nuclear missiles in Cuba, only 50 miles from our border. 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/5/2016 8:48:37 PM

Wow. I bet that was intense but my question is did you get to see the alien saucers or the aliens themselves?  Just kidding.  You are right that history has been virtually eliminated from the education of the snowflakes. If that was brought up in a school today it would be to show what imperialistic bullies the U.S. are.

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/5/2016 9:02:00 PM

In 1962 I was a Junior in High School but remember quite well the tension around those events.  When I finally did get my AF commission in 1967 my first assignment after tech school was at Cigli AB, Turkey, within a stone's throw of the missile site that was scrapped as a result of those negotiations.

I am old.  You must really be old, lol!

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 12:14:25 AM

Lifer, I never saw the alien saucers or the aliens. However, another interesting fact is that our squadron was activated in 1962 and was actually phased out of the inventory in 1965. It was short lived and a tremendous loss of money. I guess part of the reason for closing was the result of three of the missiles blowing up in the silo. There were no warheads on the missiles at the time, and luckily, there were no injuries to personnel. And Hodja you are right, I am getting "old" at 76 , and still going strong an  enjoying my children, my grandchildren, and Lake Martin. While it is a little early, Merry Christmas to all.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 5:45:17 AM

I bet the aliens did it as a diversion when attempting to escape! Lol

Its hard to imagine our government wasting money like that. I'm sure heads rolled as a result. /SARCASM off

Its amazing we have never had a nuclear "accident" or I should say an accident that has gone nuclear. I've seen and read about several accidents through the decades involving our nuclear arsenal. Supposedly one is still lost at sea just off the east coast. I'm sure there are many other incidents that aren't public knowledge too.

Thank both you guys for your service. In 1962 I was barely out of diapers so I'm a little newer model but I'm real high mileage.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 9:15:26 AM

In 1962, I was in first grade and I remember coming home and telling my parents that the Russians were coming.  Back in those days, they marched us into the hallway to sitdown and cover our heads (duck and cover).  I remember the tension, but was too young to know the particulars.  I don't think they really teach U.S. History anymore - I think they went to social studies, which is current.  I graduated from HS not knowing much about WWI and WWII, beyond what my parents told me.  I was in HS during Viet Nam.  The lack of history is probably the reason we've managed to raise a generation that thinks the world revolves around them, and that if we are kind to everyone, the world will be better.  LOL.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 11:54:35 AM

You offer a reasonable summation about why today's generation seems to be one of "what can you do for me today"? I have been toying with the idea of compiling a brief history of significant events that I have witnessed up to this point in my life. If I succeed, I may talk to my local school superintendent to determine if the contents might be of value in helping younger students understand and appreciate the path of one individual from birth to the present. I hope no one jumps to the conclusion that I'm trying to "blow my own horn", but might allow a young person to identify with things that might encourage them to be the best that they can.be. This may be a "wild" thought, but I won't know unless I give it a try.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 4:38:23 PM

I think that is a great idea.  They'd probably be fascinated how things were done before there was a computer and then a smartphone.  I think there is nothing like personal history to bring it alive to the younger generation.  Their parents might have been born even after Viet Nam.  They'd probably be in wonderment to know that during WWII, people in their teens left home and joined the military to fight the enemy.  I'll be the vast majority could not tell you what happened in Germany and the rise of the 3rd Reich, and how WWI fed into WWII.  They may have heard about Pearl Harbor, but likely have no idea what that was about.  And that Japan attacked China.  When I think of all I wasn't taught in school myself, I can't believe it.  (so much time wasted pushing back our desks and sitting on the floor to make collages, and just "rapping", instead of learning stuff that was useful.  And had to say the pledge of allegiance every day whether or not we were "offeneded" by it.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 5:19:12 PM

To think that I am typing this on a machine that has more computing power than was used in all of WWII is kind boggling. Even more computer power than was in the ships that went to the moon. I sat in one of the Apollo capsules in Huntsville and was amazed at the toggle switches, the equivalent of today's 1's and 0's in computers. I was fortunate to have a high school American history teacher who instilled a love of history in me. In my late teens and early 20's I would sit and talk with my grandfather, born in 1900, about the changes he witnessed in his lifetime. My father lied about his age to join the Navy at 16.he went around the world and witnessed none as a teenager than I can only imagine. Fortunately his job was photographer and he brought home amazing photos. As a kid I use to look at aerial photos of all the major battles of the Pacific. Most were never supposed to be seen due to classification but I'm glad he saved all that film. Some of the pics out of china were incredible and historic.

Name:	Old Diver -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/6/2016 9:38:28 PM

Sitting on a Bomarc (SAM) missile site on L I N Y during the Cuban Missile incident was quite an experience. Today few know how close to nuclear war we came.

   All history in America today started at Selma in 65.  I asked 27 recient H S grads what country did we win our independence from. Only 5 could tell me and 3 of those were home schooled! Try it. Ask some.

   Woundering what they were teaching our kids and being retired I could sign up to audit for a small fee. I signed up for a 202 American History class at Jeff State.  This SOB walked into the class room and wrote on the board, "This class is taught on a marxist perspective!"

  I asked what Marxism has produced except poverty, opression and mass murder? I didn't make the dean's list there.

  Then I got an idea, we have a number of good retired people who could go and audit these classes. You would not believe is being taught.  The kids need the grade and can't stand up to a prof like that but we can. Give us something worth while to do. Do it!

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Diver ........ Selma
Date:	12/6/2016 10:02:10 PM

You stated exactly what I have thought for many years.  Kids today are absolutely taught that history started at the Selma to Montgomery march in 1965. I think the problem is compounded as time moves along because the "taught are now the teachers".  Today's teachers have no clue about history and can't teach it if they wanted to.  I took some graduate courses in political science and history years ago and learned absolutely nothing.  The students were there because they had to show an effort to earn a MS to keep their teaching jobs, and they were pathetic.  

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	WIX........ Selma
Date:	12/6/2016 11:04:43 PM (updated 12/6/2016 11:05:33 PM)

"I took some graduate courses in political science and history years ago and learned absolutely nothing." We can tell from reading the majority of your posts.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	WIX........ Selma
Date:	12/7/2016 12:16:28 AM

Why must you always come on to Wix in such a negative way? I thought his comments were noteworthy and helped to substantiate what several of us are saying is missing from elementary and high school classrooms today.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/7/2016 12:31:40 AM (updated 12/7/2016 12:34:52 AM)

Lifer, you and Tallulahound have given me the momentum to proceed with my idea. Probably won't get started until after the holidays with all of the excitement that goes on with the kids and grandkids. Lifer, I also can't imagine your Father at age sixteen joining the Navy and having the maturity to endure the challenges he experienced. Just to think that we have sixteen year olds today who are gang members or even acting on their on to commit murder. With all the technological marvels we see today, we have definitely gone backward when it comes to instilling character and self worth in our youth of today.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	WIX........ Selma
Date:	12/7/2016 1:00:10 AM

Did you ever ask WIX that question?

Name:	Old Diver -	Reply
Subject:	Dumbing Down
Date:	12/7/2016 11:18:05 AM

I have long thought that the dumding down of students was intentional. I has become more indoctrination than education. They are only taught the bad things of our country and we have made mistakes  but none of the good. The only thing they know about Jefferson is that he had slaves! They know who Sojourner Truth was but never heard of Patrick Henery. The crap my Comrad Professor spouted is proof of this.

   Ignorant people are much easier to control than educated ones. If they are only taught that everything America has done is bad and evil then they know they should vote to change it. Todays education has too much in common with the tactics of the Hitler Youth or Russia's Young Pioneers. As the twig is bent.......

   They must once again be taught the patriotic history of our country to appreciate what the sacrifices of our forefathers bought us. As Patrick Henery said, "I have no light towards the future except from the past."

   And it doesn't stop there, ask one to figure change in his head. 

Name:	MrHodja -	Reply
Subject:	Dumbing Down
Date:	12/7/2016 12:01:41 PM

You should see the confusion on the cashier's face when I give them a ten and two ones to pay a $6.25 bill and have to explain I don't want a bunch of ones in my wallet, or the waiter's look when I add a $4.37 tip to a $20.63 bill on my debit card.  Have to explain I am lazy and only want to enter whole numbers in my check register...

i have long maintained that allowing students to use a calculator for basic math functions is a mistake.

Name:	phil -	Reply
Subject:	Dumbing Down
Date:	12/7/2016 12:01:44 PM

George Orwell's 1984 explains education, history and "fake news"  he just missed by a few years.

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/1984/quotes.html

war is peace
freedom is slavery
ignorance is strength                     

By weakening the independence and strength of individuals’ minds and forcing them to live in a constant state of propaganda-induced fear, the Party is able to force its subjects to accept anything it decrees, even if it is entirely illogical—for instance,

Who controls the past controls the future. Who controls the present controls the past.

And when memory failed and written records were falsified—when that happened, the claim of the Party to have improved the conditions of human life had got to be accepted, because there did not exist, and never again could exist, any standard against which it could be tested.

http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/doomed-to-repeat-it

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Dumbing Down
Date:	12/7/2016 1:32:54 PM

I have been doing tips in that same manner for quite some time.  I also try to always stop my gas fill-ups on the dollar or half dollar. Like you, I just like those 'whole' numbers.  I dislike the $19.99 pricing schemes and certainly the 9/10 cents on gasoline. 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Absolutely intentional
Date:	12/7/2016 2:21:23 PM

It has been a plan in place for the better part of the 20th century. Liberals are a patient bunch it seems but once they reach one milestone they immediately pivot to the next.  Classic example is gray marriage. They finally got that foisted upon us and suddenly the issue became transgenders and bathrooms/locker rooms. They have to work in increments or else they know they would be repudiated. Had they pushed transgenders issues along with gas marriage then gas marriage would have been tougher to get acceptance for if not impossible. But once guy marriage is accepted as norm it becomes easier to gain acceptance for the next deviation, transgenders "rights". Political correctness will be the death of America, death by a thousand cuts is still dead in the end.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	Dumbing Down
Date:	12/7/2016 8:49:00 PM

I must admit that I enjoy the bewilderment on cashier's faces when I pull change out of my pocket to get rid of pennies or one dollar bills. They really can't count in their heads.  You'll see 'em look at their cash register total, the change I just handed them and the mental "oh Sh-t" expression on their little SNOWFLAKE faces is priceless.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Dumbing Down
Date:	12/7/2016 10:28:15 PM

I was in a store one day and when I got to the register  their computers were down.  The woman at the register did not know how to add sales tax, nor did she know how to take 20% off.  I actually had to explain it to her and ultimately do it for her.  Lucky for her I was writing a check, because I doubt she would know how to make change. 

I've read articles that HS students no longer can find a state on the U.S. map, nor can they point out major countries in the world, much less their capitals.  Funny, growing up in the North, we weren't taught anything about civil rights (although we learned about the civil war).  Of course, a lot of that was going on while I was in grammar school.  I was in Junior HS when Bobby Kennedy and MLK was killed.  I've probably learned more history since I have been out of school than I had ever been taught in school.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/7/2016 10:49:58 PM

We're dealing with young people that have never recited the Pledge of Allegance.  They have never had to stand every morning and sing a patriotic song.  I daresay that most of them don't even understand the context of the the National Anthem and how it was written or the times when it was written.  It's like how a certain group does not want slavery mentioned, and they literally have no context about slaves and the economic necessity.   They never remember a time when they had prayer in school.

When I went to HS in 1969, education was changing.  They experimented with open classrooms and pass/fail grades and taking the tests as many times as you needed because "learning the material was more important than the test.  We didn't study classic poetry we studied avant guard. I remember one class when we just had to turn song lyics into poetry.  They decided do put the emphasis on the humanities and not on basic education.  There were discussion about whether education should be compulsery. There was a lot of attention to independent study, rather than a standard curicculum. I think that was the start of what we see in schools today.  Then of course, there came a long period of just passing student through, whether they could read or do basic arithmetic because no one coud be left back.  I guess similar shake ups took place in the South, when schools were desegragated, and there was a lot of turmoil. 

Name:	phil -	Reply
Subject:	Last ride in to the sunset
Date:	12/8/2016 11:59:56 AM

Most of what they teach now is what is on those standard acheivement tests, if they can teach them just what they need for the schools to get a passing grade is all that they care about.

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	AEA Teachers Union.....
Date:	12/8/2016 12:33:18 PM

Politically, nothing has excited me more than seeing the demise of the Alabama Teacher's Union, and it's sister organization, the dimokrap party.  The AEA Union is solely responsible for the terrible condition of schools in this state.  The AEA has priorities, but it's not teaching students.

Name:	phil -	Reply
Subject:	AEA Teachers Union.....
Date:	12/8/2016 2:00:24 PM

No kidding there about the AEA it has been fun watching it implode!