<p>Quote: "At least we know he (President Obama) won't trample on the Constitution like Reagan (Iran/Contra) and Bush, Jr."</p>
<p>...you mean like firing the head of GM?</p>
<p>Many have referred to the previous administration as the Imperial Presidency. A more relevant example might be 'early retirement' for Army generals who spoke the truth to the emperor-with-no-clothes.</p>
<p>Seriously??? The thread has gone from talking about commissioning and the purchase of swords to bashing a past president.</p>
<p>In the words of Ron Burgandy:
Stay classy collegeconfidential.</p>
<p>Well said kp2001</p>
<p>For what its worth, I think dropping the charges against Sentor Ted Stevens was Obama's best move yet. Good for Obama!</p>
<p>^^^Looks like it’s going to take AG Eric Holder a while to clean up another mess created by the previous administration, namely the Justice Department. Charges against former Republican Senator Ted Stevens were dropped due to his advanced age, he lost his Senate seat in the last election, and prosecutorial misconduct; not because he was innocent or that government contracts=home improvement.</p>
<p>LFWBdad,
Seriously though, could you comment of why the US military, and the navy in particular, has been so underfunded over the past several years. Three active duty USNA grads (two Navy, one marine) spoke to our parents group recently and they described how shorthanded and underfunded their divisions have been since they’ve been in the military over the past seven years. Since you’ve got your fingers on the pulse of the military budget I’d like to hear what you have to say about this situation.</p>
<p>No worries – every branch will be “underfunded” in the next go-around. Check the new budget.</p>
<p>War is expensive in terms of human life and material resources, and something is terribly wrong when China is America’s financial lifeline. Clearly, that is a national security issue and let’s just hold our breath that they don’t want their investments back in the near future. However, we know this was another house of cards: staggering debt for future generations to repay. Spend, spend, spend like there is no tomorrow. Shogun was right about paying as you incur debt with a war tax-- and plant that victory garden too. No wonder JOs bail out at the rate they do.</p>
<p>It staggers the imagination that someone who has made countless posts talking about the virtues of President Obama would actually make a post about incurring debt for future generations. Have you actually absorbed any of the recent news? How many TRILLION $$ are we now forking out and how many generations will be paying off this debt? The only piece of the federal budget not going up exponentially is the DoD and you are picking deficits and the inadequacy of the DoD budget to bash the last administration? One finds most Obama supporters dismissive or silent about the subjects of deficit or the Defense budget- interesting that you seem to be bucking that trend. Good to see that the presidents supporters are worried about these subjects- I will look forward to seeing your voice loudly added to those who are seriously concerned about the inadequacy of the next Defense budget and even more concerned about the huge dangers of deficit spending and relying on Chinese capital to fund it.</p>
<p>Deficit spending has been a way of life for the government and the American people. Its gonna be a hard nut to crack. The dirty little secret is that if we were to suddenly all (incl the govt) live within our means, the economy would go into an alcoholic’s withdrawl’s----you think its ugly now-----our economy is built on borrowing and spending–not living on a budget. The only real argument between the two parties when it comes down to it is over “what” they are spending it on. Both Parties have shown a propensity to be “holier than thou” when out of power, and “the same old thing” when they get into power. IMHO the “conservatives” blew their chance and the situation has become so muddled and confused now, its pretty hard to tell where one Party’s failure ends and the other’s begins.<br>
One thing is for certain, doing nothing is not an option any more unless we want to see this thing get completely out of control. Ideology won’t cut the mustard any more.</p>
<p>Oh, and to get back to the original topic, the scuttlebutt at WP right now is that Biden will be the graduation speaker next month.</p>
<p>I’m only authorized to give my name rank and serial number :)</p>
<p>Seriously, there are many reasons, some very valid some, questionable, but the Pentagon, like Congress is run by humans and we all make mistakes. There are systems and processes that try to prevent them and minimize them, but they happen. Also, Congress directs a lot of things and those don’t always totally align with best military judgment. Also, technology is moving faster than construction and development of platforms and new technology cost money. So, people have to make choices. </p>
<p>The one thing I will say is that even though there are disagreements, everyone, and I mean everyone – regardless of party, has their heart in the right place and loves this country and wants to do what’s best. </p>
<p>It’s not a perfect system, but its better than anyone elses.</p>
<p>Now let’s talk about something important like what is the best beer for the night before Commissioning and which goes better afterwards?</p>
<p>Any Beer
All Beer</p>
<p>Hurray for 2009!</p>
<p>Granted, frugality is the tone these days, but these upcoming events are definitely worthy of Champagne (oops! just in case any Champagne-police are monitoring this thread, in reality we’re talking a quality California sparkling wine), not beer! 
Army, Kings Point, Coast Guard, and Air Force parents, just be grateful you can purchase your spirits at a grocery store, Costco or Trader Joe’s in New York, New London or Colorado Springs; not a ‘state liquor store’ in Maryland. It’s so irritating! ;)</p>
<p>usna09mom, </p>
<p>Send me a PM and I will shop for you in DC and bring it out to you!!!</p>
<p>It’s only 30 miles!</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>FYI - that is not a Maryland law, it’s determined in each county. Some counties sell beer & wine at the local 7-Eleven/Costco but hard liquor must be purchased at a Government store, other counties have public liquor stores that sell all kinds of alcohol. </p>
<p>PS - Up until the mid-80’s in PG County MD they had “drive-in” liquor stores - pull right up to the window, place your order, <a href=“%22A%20Three%20Musketeers,%20and%20a%20ball%20point%20pen,%20one%20of%20those%20combs%20there,%20a%20pint%20of%20Old%20Harper,%20a%20couple%20of%20flashlight%20batteries%20and%20some%20beef%20jerky%22”>i</a>* and then drive away.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Ya’ll have no idea how loudly I laughed at Luigi’s description of the good old days of drive in liquor stores. He forgot the chapstick though. </p>
<p>I’m with 09Mom. No beer for me either by golly. I’m having a champagne fountain installed in my hotel room due to what I have been through. Apparently, you guys have normal kids & such so haven’t had hives every day for four solid years like I have. LFWBDad has volunteered to carry me around to the many functions. </p>
<p>KP = 79 more days till I can breathe again. Go Air Force. Btw. This is a strange thread. :D</p>
<p>We still have drive-thru beer store; I don’t think liquor stores though.</p>
<p>Up untl about 8 years ago it was legal to drink and drive. Then those darn madd mothers got involved and they changed the law to where, if an officer saw you consuming and driving, he could pull you over. </p>
<p>NOW, about four years ago, the drink Nazis have passed a true open-container law.</p>
<p>Next on their agenda is authorizing check points.</p>
<p>I’m thinking about joining Drunks Against Mad Moms.</p>
<p>Not as many as you would like to believe. Most are saying - how cool, I am getting my commission from The President.</p>
<p>^^^Thanks for sharing that CurrentMid, because I also know many graduating firsties who are extremely thrilled that the President will be the guest speaker! Our family is beside themselves with excitement! I kind of feel bad for 2010s who will miss getting their commissions from the Commander-in-Chief.</p>