<p>
[quote]
Along with all those cute little smiley faces!
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</p>
<p>Dunno, but some folks around here don't seem to like them. ;)</p>
<p>I actually don't dislike them other than it seems to be a crutch for some people and a smokescreen for others. And Zaphod, unless you degrade into hyperbole and ponfication, your writing is actually quite lucid. My other objection is that I don't know how to use the d a m n things.</p>
<p>I don't "degrade" into anything. I argue with passion. The fact it ticks certain people off is simply a sign that it's effective.</p>
<p>Smilies are great because they can convey sarcasm, or tomfoolery, or a friendly wisecrack, or an angry shout. Sadly, however, the selection on this board utterly sucks. It's a shame, too, because they can really make a post come alive when used right.</p>
<p>Still, if you'd like to use them, read this: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/misc.php?do=showsmilies%5B/url%5D">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/misc.php?do=showsmilies</a></p>
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Kind of gives me the creeps.
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Good. I'd hate to think you'd agree with anything I do. I think you're just ticked that someone actually stands up to your inane rantings now instead of standing quietly by.</p>
<p>
[quote]
But the real mystery is: why would anyone spend an inordinate amount of time on College Confidential unless they were a parent of a college-bound student, a student, or the parent of a college student?
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Well, normally it's because I enjoy the company of applicants and the parents of applicants and Mids. But sometimes, it's just fun to poke certain people in the eye.</p>
<p>Picture's worth a thousand words. Some here definitely need to use smiley faces. ;)</p>
<p>p.s. I ain't winkin. Zman jabbed me in meye!</p>
<p>And 753 posts jabbin @ 2300+ is a knitpicking pot callin the LT Kettle black, 'specially when the former is an alleged parent and the latter is a threadmaster, USNA alum, and BGO.</p>
<p>Not a BGO, but I appreciate the backup. ;)</p>
<p>You know, I'm very comfortable in my skin. I have no one to impress but myself anymore, and I've already done that. Sure, I have tons to learn and experience, but I also know what I've learned and experienced up until now, and I'm satisfied with the conclusions I've drawn.</p>
<p>The folks here who find me pleasant company (both online and in person; heck I just got a phone call from one) far outnumber those who think ill of me. I can live with that without batting an eyelash.</p>
<p>When those who know me the best on this site determine that I've outlived my usefullness, then I'll begin worrying, and if it proves true, then I'll move along, my pride unhurt.</p>
<p>But until then, I'm jus gonna be zis guy, you know? ;)</p>
<p>Y'all have a great evening. Yes, all of you. :)</p>
<p>I for one am never going to use a smiley face or any other kind of face. Yeah; it know it's obstinate of me but if people can't see the humor, sarcasm, etc. in what I write that 's because either I'm not writing well or they’re not reading well. And anyway it's good to keep people guessing; it keeps them wondering just what did he really mean by that crack. Besides, everyone uses them and it's wholly against my nature to follow any trends, good, bad, or indifferent. I won’t use abbreviations (omg, lmao, etc.) for the same reasons. My god, I must be getting old(er)!</p>
<p>Hey; great evening to you too; and all of the rest of you also.</p>
<p>usna09mom -</p>
<p>Actually, the serial poster is a favorite on this site and has much to offer! He has motivated, encouraged, advised, challenged and has a great sense of humour and wit!
And may I ask, why you are still haunting this site if you are done with the application process and find it "more like one of those bad reality TV shows ". I turn off the TV when I don't like what is on! Perhaps it's time for you to move on. The new Fall line-up on the tube is approaching...</p>
<p>To get back on topic, here's another recommended article by Phyllis Schlaffy:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Has our nation sunk so low that we are willing to send our daughters and young mothers into battle? Is chivalry completely dead? Breathes there a man with soul so dead that he will not rise up and defend his wife, his sweetheart, his mother and his daughter, against those who want to wound or capture them, whoever they may be?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>James Webb (former Secretary of the Navy and current Senate candidate for Virginia) sounded the alarms on this subject in an article he published in the December 1979 edition of the Washingtonian titled "Should Women Fight." Mr. Webb was a Professor of Literature at USNA when the article was published.</p>
<p>Eleven years later, our great nation sent its mothers and daughters to fight in Operation Deset Shield and Operation Desert Storm while their husbands and brothers stayed home with the children. IMHO, that was a sad day in America.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Every country that has experimented with women in combat has abandoned the idea. The notion that Israel uses women in combat is a feminist myth. Women are treated very differently from men in the Israeli armed forces. They serve only about half as long; they are housed in separate barracks; they have an automatic exemption if they marry or have a baby. Commenting on the sex-integration practices of the U.S. Armed Services, one Israeli general said, We do not do what you do in the United States because, unfortunately, we have to take war seriously.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The Abu Graib scandal has been attributed to poor leadership and a lack of discipline. The CO of the prison (a West Point alum no less) supposedly had no clue as to what was going on in his unit. Much of the disciplinary problems have been attributed to having a coed Armu unit in a war zone. Of course, I cannot fail to mention that we were also dealing with Apalachian white trash in this case. :rolleyes:</p>
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[quote]
Women, on the average, have only 60 percent of the physical strength of men. This truism, so self-evident to those with eyes to see, has been confirmed by many studies...
[/quote]
</p>
<p>After the Pentagon eliminated the "Risk Rule" in 1994, the Navy started assigning women to billets that they had previously been barred from because of the "inherent risk" associated with those billets (i.e., all Combat billets were now open to women with the exception of sumbarines). IMO, ADM Frank Kelso did this because he couldn't take the intense heat from Sen. Pat Schroeder and all the other feminists.</p>
<p>NOTE: I find it hard to believe that ADM Kelso "didn't see anthing" when he was in attendance at the 1991 Tailhook convention.</p>
<p>In 1994 I was the XO of a newly commissioned Seabee Battalion. Our unit was fully integrated with both men and women. In a Seabee Battalion each seabee is assiged to a Company based on their occupational specialty; they are also assigned to a military position when the unit is in a tactical mode (i.e., rifle plattons, machine gun platoons, mortar platoons, etc.). Rifle platoons for women -- no problem. However, when you start getting into 50-caliber machine guns, MK19 grenade launchers, and mortars the equipment starts to get extremely heavy, even for the men.</p>
<p>Another issue is unit cohesiveness. According to Marine Corps doctrine, unit members are to live, eat and sleep with their squad. That is exactly what we did in the field. When we were in the field, the women slept in the same tents as their squad mates. Does this cause problems? DEFINITELY</p>
<p>Food for thought.</p>
<p>Read the article.</p>
<p>Well Z, you already know that I am one of your biggest fans, and I will haunt you 'till the grave if you don't start that book rolling.</p>
<p>Just to let you know, in public, I have appreciated all your comments, sarcasism, humor and wit. You have certainly spiced up CC, and with it, have offered at least this parent some lucid "ah-ha" moments when all seemed murky and cloudy.</p>
<p>Please keep it up. We may not always agree, but heck, you have forced me to re-think on may occassions, and that is a good thing.</p>
<p>But I do have a bone to pick with you....how come we didn't rate a phone number??? oh my!!!! I KNEW we should have offered you an appertief!!! LOL!!!</p>
<p>usna09mom: couldn't agree with you more. In fact we too found this site as my son was in the final stages of deciding to attend USNA - there was great information to help him but not from the person in question. After a few insulting (or in the serial poster's opinion, challenging humorous etc.) responses my son stopped visiting this site as he found the "dribble" to be more harmful in his process of evaluating his choices. </p>
<p>gypsycl: "Actually, the serial poster is a favorite on this site and has much to offer!" That is only your opinion. He has done an equal amount of harm with his arrogance. Many of the "stealth" visitors choose to stay that way or never return due to the serial poster. There have been posts, even as recently as of this past August, where a parent joined and then immediately left as they felt this was more a political forum than a forum to help prospective candidates. I believe she even stated that she was looking for questions to be answered not political commentary as which she was told to more or less lighten up.</p>
<p>Many of us with current Midshipmen stay on this site to help candidates with the process. Unlike other institutions, many facets of the USNA application process are confusing and not very straightforward. Even during the official candidate weekend visit, the admissions brief to the parents left many with even more questions as nothing seemed to have a straightforward answer. We hope that from our experiences in the process that we may help with unanswered questions. </p>
<p>I find it troubling that the “serial poster” who is removed from the Academy by 15 years, is not a B&G, has not experienced the current administration first hand and does not have high school age children would sit on a forum designed for college bound students and their parents. The "good ole days" approach gets tiring when it doesn't help current candidates. </p>
<p>As for the "political dribble" take it to another forum or a blog, as it doesn't help any potential candidate be it either conservative or liberal. This forum is collegeconfidential; lets get back to the mission.</p>
<p>Hey Z. I think they're talking about you. :p</p>
<p>Is thinskin a disqualifier?;)</p>
<p>Prof mom2, tell it to USNA09Mom, as she has been asked, pointedly and specifically, not to engage in political baiting. This discussion is actually less concerned, I believe, with politics and more directly related to our student's experience than many of the past. I believe the discussion is one that is often quelled but which is relevant to the student experience at USNA. Young men and women should be aware of the atmosphere and that they will be held to a higher standard than other students their age. It is appropriate to discuss this here as it part of their experience.</p>
<p>As to the "stealth" visitors choosing to stay away, how can you really say that? Aren't they, by definition, undetected? Wouldn't their motives, then, also remain undetected? Methinks you give Z too much blame, just as you believe others give him too much credit. And, remember, yours, too, will someday be an alum 15 years removed from the academy. I'm sure that mine will not be irrelevant, though you seem to be certain yours will. </p>
<p>What I find interesting is that when the discussion seems to have gained critical mass in a direction that USNA09Mom doesn't agree with, Zaphod gets attacked. ?What's up with that?</p>
<p>Anyway, have a great day and let's try to keep it on the issue and away from personal attacks, okay?</p>
<p>Partypoopers... there are always a few in every crowd.</p>
<p>Just because the discussion goes off topic sometimes, that doesn't mean there isn't valuable information, insight & inspiration to be found. I welcome everyone's opinions, even if I disagree. So what if the subject isn't ALWAYS about the application process, admissions, etc. - We're all still linked by our connection to USNA. And what better way to demonstrate patriotism (which the SA's are about, right?) than to encourage freedom of speech? </p>
<p>We have enjoyed ALL of Z's posts - he has provided tons of helpful info as well as kept things interesting around here. In fact, I've tuned in a few times just to see what he has to say. He's kept us coming back even tho' we're done with the application process.</p>
<p>Hey, it's FRIDAY everyone - cheers!</p>
<p>For every one of Z's posts that are helpful, insightful, advisory or challenging, there are fifty that are arrogant, rude, uninformed, and inaccurate. [For which I am sure he is proud.]</p>
<p>I am a veteran. I have lost a son in battle. I have a daughter at the Academy. I have room to speak.</p>
<p>I, too, think it is odd that a late-30s man [?] w/ no current connection to the Academy has such a limited life that he spends a great deal of time---excuse me, but 2100 posts over eight or nine months does not compare to 700 posts over eighteen months, whomever tried to make that comparison is just ridiculous--- lurking around a site dedicated to college life [he STILL has dreams about an exam taken during college! Come on!] and then drives several hundred miles to meet a fawning audience.</p>
<p>There are people out there who DON'T think this is weird?</p>
<p>I have not posted before because I did not think it was worth being flamed. I agree, most of the useful information seems to get buried under self-aggrandizement and put-downs of others.
This post, however, caught my attention.</p>
<p>Thanks, but no thanks. Looking at some of the older posts, this site was easygoing, carefree, and helpful. I too looked at it too help us navigate our way through the application process. What is that lady's name that always talks about underwear? Anyway, I find it amusing that some people need to find their motivation from anonymous postings on the internet.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Hey Z. I think they're talking about you.
[/quote]
Ya think? :D</p>
<p>
[quote]
Is thinskin a disqualifier?
[/quote]
Dunno. I don't have one. ;)</p>
<p>One thing though: "15 years removed" and "good ole days". I've FORGOTTEN more about what it means to apply for, attend, graduate from, and carry a degree from USNA than most of the rest of the people on this site combined. Yes, there are active BGO's and other grads (in at least one case, the two descriptions combined), and I respectfully defer to them on matters of process and other things that have changed over the years, and I make no secret of it. I also am quick to point out when advice or an answer I am giving may have changed.</p>
<p>But I've never come here with the intention of being the Shell Answer Man of the application process. I come here to help, to encourage, and smack with reality (as appropiate). To be a part of an extended family whose heart sits along the banks of a river near a small town called Annapolis. The fact that I have parents and applicants who call me on the phone or IM me for advice about things far removed from the application process gives me a satisfaction that I cannot convey here (especially without smilies! ;) ). </p>
<p>So, in short, what I get out of helping those here who appreciate it far outweighs any ire I may raise among those who don't, and if standing mute when when something I consider to be wrong is being said has now become a requirement to be a Midshipman or a Naval Officer, then things really HAVE changed, and for the WORSE. I was taught to call them as I see them, and to let the chips fall. I'm not going to go all PC simply because some people can't handle the truth, being challenged, or both.</p>
<p>
[quote]
I am a veteran. I have lost a son in battle.
[/quote]
Putting any ire you may have against me aside, you have my sympathies, sir, as well as admiration and thanks. </p>
<p>May I ask where this happend?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Post Warning </p>
<hr>
<p>The Mod/Admin team at CC is contacting you about this post.</p>
<p>Please ensure that you follow the forum rules when posting.</p>
<p>Thanks,
The CC Mod/Admin Team</p>
<hr>
<p>Additional Information (if any):
Please don't post copyrighted material, or anything likely to be offensive to our many female members here at CC.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I've been warned that I may have offended some female members. Sorry. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>If anyone has a problem, feel free to conatc me directly. You don't need to report me to the authorities.</p>
<p>Zaphod, You stated earlier that you didn't need to impress anyone, but you've impressed me with your commitment to help others. I've read you here and at the Service Academy Forums site and gotten a lot out of your writing for my daughter and myself. I'm looking forward to meeting you next year at PPW, God willing my daughter makes the class of 2011. Some people may disagree with you, or your posting techniques and that's fine. I personally pick and choose what I read here, and no one person can ruin a great site for me.</p>
<p>Keep up the good work, I think your backers are ahead of your detractors by about 4 to 1. But then statistics all lie, right? :) :confused: :p :D</p>
<p>Z, I sure hope you are at I day or PPW this coming year. I'd consider it an honor if I could have you smack Spider in the head for me a few times! :)</p>
<p>Sigh. I sure do enjoy ALL of you who come post on this forum, even when I don't agree with you. Strong-minded, confident, don't back down folks....no wonder we have the kids we have. Don't you have this mental image of us all, sitting in a big, comfortable living room, swapping experiences and asking questions? I do! It's to easy to say whatever/however if you are just some anonymous being out there in the ether. Let's please make a new pledge to treat each other as if we were face to face. If you get your ire up, just say RATDA, "respectfully agree to disagree", k? Then go talk about something important, like underwear!</p>
<p>"Prof mom2, tell it to USNA09Mom, as she has been asked, pointedly and specifically, not to engage in political baiting."</p>
<p>Momof1: Concerning political bating, I can't speak to other posts, but I'm pretty sure this is exactly the point where the formally articulate discussion left the tracks and crashed into the train station. Here’s what was written near the bottom of post 14:</p>
<p>“btw, 2010, you should not be surprised that such lockeroom language and behavior is present even in the public, taxpayer-paid employee ranks. The man you would have as your "first lady" is the poster child for such abuse. But go ahead. Vote him back into the White House. </p>
<p>"I STILL did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky." I somehow doubt ol' Hill used "appalled." And certainly not "speechless" when his behavior came to light, again. She probably sounded like a seaman who's been away way too long. </p>
<p>2010 did get that one right though when she said, " ... ARE THE TAXPAYERS EXPECTED TO TOLERATE THAT AS WELL????????"</p>