Comments by Bobby Tony | Eastern NC Now

Women in Combat
Seriously, one of the reasons that the US military did not allow women in combat was that they were concerned about the male soldiers, who were raised with a chivalrous (1) mentality, would make bad decisions during combat to protect their female soldiers. We are well on our way now to removing that nasty pedestal and placing women on an equal footing with men. Something lost and something gained. I am not too sure that is what most women want but within every "Silver-Lining" there is a cloud.

"Pedestal, I don't need no stinking Pedestal"!

(1) relating to or reflecting the values of the medieval code of knighthood, especially courtesy, self-sacrifice, and a sense of fair play

Commented: Friday, May 13th, 2016 @ 7:41 am By: Bobby Tony

This article shows the overreach of government. At best, it is a heavy-handed approach to bring someone into compliance with zoning requirements.

I do not have all the facts about the zoning requirements and it is possible that there are additional issues like traffic flow, parking issues or the ever present neighborhood Gestapo that may have prompted the cease and desist order. On the other hand running a small business out of your basement seems to be an issue that could have been handled more diplomatically with a visit or letter to discuss the noncompliance before a demand and threat of a fine.

All of this would be a minor issue except in the light of a local government creating a national debate over which bathroom choice a person uses, points to the over reach of a domineering government controlling its citizens.

And we wonder why there is so much frustration with politicians of all sides of the political spectrum. Is there any aspect of our life that is beyond government control?

Commented: Thursday, May 12th, 2016 @ 7:38 am By: Bobby Tony

Thanks there are some great videos here from your link. Click below and scroll down to watch them. The last thing I need is to revert back to film again. It took me years to get enough courage to get rid of the darkroom equipment.

www.new55.net

Commented: Wednesday, May 11th, 2016 @ 7:15 am By: Bobby Tony

This is a good picture of a young recruit. I suspect it was taken during training or very early deployment. The white T-shirt is a no-no and the fatigue shirt appears to be the cotton type which would be too hot for warm climates.The 45 Holster suggest he was a medic or crew served MOS (military occupational specialty) But the look is universal for all young men wondering what they did to get here.

This is a good picture showing youth and the apprehension of a private in the field. I sure hope he is enjoying old age back in the "world".

Commented: Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 @ 10:03 am By: Bobby Tony

It has some strong language but it is as close as a civilian will ever get to basic training. R. Lee Ermey, a real Marine, ad-libbed most of the speech from full metal jacket. I will not link to it but you can look up "full metal jacket intro monologue". If you have problem with coarse language, move on along.

Commented: Monday, May 9th, 2016 @ 12:35 pm By: Bobby Tony

Could be but I will wait until November 9 to relax. If "THE T" does not make it who will we blame?

Commented: Friday, May 6th, 2016 @ 7:34 am By: Bobby Tony

Funny, you posted this, My wife and I were riding in the car the other day talking about my Grandpa's Diary stories. I told her I doubt that anyone would even bother to read them when Sara came on my wife's favorite Sirius XM with the song you linked to in your post. I told her I preferred Kenny Roger's version better. Naturally, I had to hook the iPhone up to her Audio input to play it (my 2003 Windstar does not have Sirius or the Audio hook up - but It does have a cassette / CD slot). She listened and said she still preferred Sara's version. Just another thing we choose to disagree on.

Here is Kenny's version. Now Tmac you can say you wrote a Dueling His post.

beaufortcountynow.com

Commented: Friday, May 6th, 2016 @ 4:14 am By: Bobby Tony

I may appropriate this for my own use because I have some left over Plagiarism credits

Commented: Thursday, May 5th, 2016 @ 7:01 am By: Bobby Tony

This reminds me of the 1976 election where the Democrats had everybody running against Jimmy Carter that could walk. The establishment then was solidly behind anybody but Jimmy. The crank has turned for sure. It will be an interesting Tuesday and not a minute too soon for me. Like you I have tired of the gamesmanship. I think Ted and Carly are a long shot at best, but Indiana has traditionally been a solid Republican state with the exception of Goldwater and Obama. However it comes out it may be a pointer towards the November election.

Commented: Sunday, May 1st, 2016 @ 7:00 pm By: Bobby Tony

Tmac, be sure to leave them a link to BCN, where they can learn more about their grandfather when and if they finally wonder who that old man was who kept trying to tell them stories.I suggest you write it down on a 3 x 5 card in case they have a computer crash. Or you could put it on a Twenty Dollar bill. They might think that Old Hickory was you before you were banned from the money.

beaufortcountynow.com

Commented: Saturday, April 30th, 2016 @ 6:46 am By: Bobby Tony

Tmac, What was the link to that YouTube training again? I must have missed the part about eliminating the red eye.

Commented: Monday, April 25th, 2016 @ 6:41 pm By: Bobby Tony

Thank you, Martin. Great technique.

Commented: Sunday, April 24th, 2016 @ 11:46 am By: Bobby Tony

Here is the condensed version of the non published article on the use of symbols and artifacts to teach history real lessons. Perhaps too much for a Sunday Morning for some.

This week the Jewish people celebrate Passover, which is the celebration of their end of slavery. It is full of symbols and tradition. The Seder feast is based on Exodus 13:8: "And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, This is done because of that which the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt"
Using history to teach lessons is a fundamental part of the telling of stories. The Seder is a joyous occasion and a reminder of the lessons of the past. Some would say that rituals are in themselves a form of worship, however I believe that anything that reminds and teaches is useful in understanding life.

www.chabad.org

Commented: Sunday, April 24th, 2016 @ 8:09 am By: Bobby Tony

Saving Tara was a reminder to myself and others that you can't recreate the past. It is Gone With the Wind. It was an introduction to a longer and more detailed examination of the current trend to either erase, deny or rewrite our history.

I wrote the article as a tease about our tendency to attach significance to artifacts and symbols. The fact that Tara – Twelve Oaks never really existed underscores the danger of extracting too much significance to objects. I realize some objects and symbols that really did exist provoke strong feeling on both sides of any issue, but my not too subtle point was that we imbue our feelings into objects which may not have a basis in reality.

Just to reinforce the illusion versus reality theme, here is a short video on the movie lot where GWTW was filmed.

youtu.be

Commented: Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 @ 4:24 pm By: Bobby Tony

Thanks KMP, for the information. Our Clubhouse exercise room has a balance pad. I tried it and sanding on one foot without holding the rail is almost impossible without practice.

I used to think it was a 100% inner ear problem but our clubhouse fitness trainer says it is quite often the a combination as you point out of poor muscle tone (perhaps proprioceptive) in the legs, inner ear and visual. I no longer stand to put my pants on after a fall a few years ago, there by belying the one leg at a time myth.

Commented: Friday, April 22nd, 2016 @ 8:00 am By: Bobby Tony

Stan,
My uncle had a Japanese Samurai sword that he acquired in the late 1940's and early 1950's when he was stationed in Japan. He was career Air Force retiring as a Brigadier general. He fell in love with the Japanese culture (his WWII was spent in North Africa and Italy) and had many artifacts from Japan. Shortly before his death, he donated it to the Atlanta Japanese embassy with instructions that it be returned to Japan for display in a place of honor. In most cases, you would expect the sword to be in someone's private collection, but he assured me that was not the way the Japanese thought and it would indeed be returned to Japan per his request. I was the executor of his will after his death, and per his written direction, I contacted the Japanese Embassy to have them review his collection for any religious or cultural artifacts that they felt should be returned to Japan. They selected three items, which by coincidence (???) matched his personal notes to me as having cultural significance. They were donated to the Embassy. He also left a stipend in his estate for his former houseboy who was a Japanese War orphan. Koichi Sato was fifty-five years old at the time of my Uncle's death but was ten years old when Aldo was in Japan.

It was yet another of life's lessons learned by me i.e. "forgiveness" and "honor", and I have always believed his assurances were true.

Commented: Friday, April 22nd, 2016 @ 3:35 am By: Bobby Tony

Diane,
As usual, you have offered a thoughtful and logical response to an issue.I received this link to an article regarding HB2 law that is in the news. It contains several interesting points of view, one of which is listed below.

An Open Letter To Bruce Springsteen And His Band

"When you booked the concert in Greenboro, the laws in North Carolina were just as they are today: In public facilities, people had to use the bathrooms and locker rooms that corresponded to their biological sex.
Why, then, did you agree to come in the first place? Why cancel the concert when things today are just what they were six months ago"?


townhall.com

Commented: Tuesday, April 19th, 2016 @ 6:07 am By: Bobby Tony