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Anything but dealing with the truth. Apparently dealing with the truth is too difficult for even the most ardent parent.
[/quote]
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<p>I swear that was like watching that movie.... what was it called? Oh yeah.....
YouTube</a> - A Few Good Man "You Can't Handle the Truth"</p>
<p>Boss--I got my alumni newspaper--pretty cool about the Rhodes Scholar from SHU. You also forgot one VERY FAMOUS SHU GRADUATE--RICK CERONE--NY YANKEES CATCHER FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS! </p>
<p>What can I say...SHU rocks and so does KP...Good Luck with the tuition!</p>
<p>69's gonna order the code red on you !!!</p>
<p>Oh no he won't. I'll dance his legs off first. He knows I love him.
YouTube</a> - Do You Love Me? (Now That I Can Dance)</p>
<p>Apparently, we can't handle the truth!</p>
<p>Hey, I just went back and read some of the old threads. Apparently, as it is becoming most obvious, I am the only member of these forums not allowed to state my opinion.</p>
<p>Of course you can sweetie. You always single yourself out as the lone cowboy. Just let others voice theirs as well. All will be good.</p>
<p>Usually I am the lone cowboy. Goes with the territory I guess. What is rather obvious reading all the old threads is that if I disagree with someone, I attempt to explain my position. However, when someone disagrees with me, personal attacks towards me seems to be their standard way of dealing with it.</p>
<p>USNA69..reading through some of the past post it seems evident that many do not value your opinion and do not have any respect for what you have to say. Why don't you just cowboy up and take a break for a while. Everyone on this site is fully capable of researching and making their own decision of what is best for them, it is really irrelevant whether you or anyone else agrees. </p>
<p>I think most on cc would agree that all of the five service academies are GREAT institutions in which many would love to attend but only a few are accepted to.</p>
<p>Let all get on with life!</p>
<p>No 69, you're doin' it wrong. :D (This is not a sign of disrespect, its a saying & I'm kidding you when I say it) Sigh. What a majority are trying to say is that they are tired of being called "idiots" or having their own opinions ridiculed. Sometimes opinions aren't always facts to always be corrected. People's thoughts are important to them. Surely you can understand this as you value your own opinions pretty highly. Everyone in all the forums have such pride in having an Academy kid or being one in the first place. We witnessed what it took to get there and I know you know how very hard our kid's lives are & what they give of themselves to do this thing. Yup, we cheer-lead alot for KP, and to your eyes, maybe in an over exuberant way. But not to ours. We see first hand what KP is. You can give the USNA perspective very very well & we love to hear it. Its the other stuff I fear that goes over like a lead balloon. How can I say this...help you guys..... Its how you present your corrections of any facts posted that you feel are wrong. No need to land mine the area. For an example: Just say hey you guys, I found some statics I'd like to share showing there are this many flight spots at USNA & this many at KP, it would prove the point -OR- Here's what I think about it. I think NA has better academics for those wishing to be in government because ....... and it would go over so much better than, You guys are morons. That is a lie! You flaming moonpies from hell kinda thing. Yes, this is an internet forum where in we don't know each other face to face. Its not a free for all to kick someone in the shins for their beliefs or matters that they are sure they know to be fact & thats what most feel you have done. We've had this conversation before, you & I, & I'm not sure you got where I was coming from. It would be a nice change if you could come down on a human level where we all are so you're not talking down to us all of the time. We eat cake down here & you're probably welcomed to join us.</p>
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"You guys are morons. That is a lie! You flaming moonpies from hell" kinda thing.
[/quote]
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<p>jeez. Get real.</p>
<p>Is that ALL you took away from that? Wow.</p>
<p>I was hoping you would take something away. Obviously, wishful thinking. </p>
<p>Okay, I will rephrase. Please provide sources for anything close to resembling the quotes you just accused me of. The smear continues.</p>
<p>Blabbing too much again I guess. Sorry. I did not mean for those things to be a quote only a characterization. Like I said... not ALL things are facts & sources. I'm sure were not on a game show or anything.... </p>
<p>I'll take the "" off the whole flaming moonpie thing so no one will misunderstand. K?</p>
<p>Boy I hope so Jazmom. I would hate for you to hurt someone's feelings!!!</p>
<p>Well this is too exciting for me. I am going to bed.</p>
<p>
<p>I did not mean for those things to be a quote only a characterization. Like I said... not ALL things are facts & sources.
</p>
<p>I think you are flirting on the edge of discovery here. Perhaps, instead of referring to ideas which people do not wish to defend as opinions, why don’t we classify them by their correct name, prejudices.</p>
<p>Human knowledge advances by several methods. One is discovery. Perhaps you have just made one. The other is conclusions derived from the presentation of new ideas (opinions and thesis), supported by facts presented in a clear line of logic. There should really be no misunderstanding as to what is opinion and what is fact. The standard procedure on forums such as this is to present an opinion and perhaps, the facts and other evidence to support this position. If these facts and evidence are not presented with the initial opinion, certainly they should be if challenged. Another method to continue the dialogue would be to dispute the opinion by presenting opposing facts and opinions. To simply propose an opposing opinion and not be able to back up up, opening the idea to discussion, reeks of prejudice, not the gleaning of new knowledge. And I think we have beat the "shooting of the messanger" rebuttal to death.</p>
<p>You presented a quote about me. A quote is a fact. When I challenged you, you changed it to a characterization. A characterization is an opinion. I am simply asking you to provide facts to support this opinion. </p>
<p>I am not able to parrotspeak, piratespeak, or flyingmonkeyspeak as I do not wish my meanings to be obscured. Neither do I wish to speak in riddles in order than I may deny perceived implications when challenged. I attempt to be direct and to the point. For this, I offer no apologies or promise of intent to change. I simply ask members of this forum, if they are unwilling to support their opinions, recognize them for the prejudices that they are, and keep them to themselves. Most sects of prejudiced individuals terminate in ugly conclusions.</p>
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[quote]
I simply ask members of this forum, if they are unwilling to support their opinions, recognize them for the prejudices that they are, and keep them to themselves.
[/quote]
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<p>Ok.</p>
<p>Now, who wants a cookie?!!!!</p>
<p>Don't you all have lives? People try to tell us that we are on our computers too much, but not nearly as much as all of you apparently. </p>
<p>Website forum wars have been going on for years and are fantastic. The simple fact that you speak through your computer is like providing a shy guy with some liquid courage. Therefore, people say what they want and are not afraid of what the response is (to a point). </p>
<p>The absurdity (in my opinion) of this thread however, stems from the fact that adults and former military officers are the ones going at it like this. Especially when proper manners, courtesy, etiquette, etc. are preached to us at school.</p>
<p>All of that being said...</p>
<p>Too much of the end result of the academies lies in the individual graduate itself. Some people have that natural leadership ability that draws kids to them, others bust out a 4.0 gpa without ever opening a book, and others fail at both miserably but still will walk across the stage. </p>
<p>I remember, from my college ROTC visits and discussions with Naval Officers (on active duty and not) that when the ensigns get to the fleet after graduation, there is not much difference between a ROTC/OCS/etc. ensign and a Naval Academy ensign after a few months. I received the impression that a USNA grad may know more traditions and procedures, but given the Navy's nature of OTJ training that most JO's are on par after a short while.a</p>
<p>That being said, I can't find one full Admiral who is NOT a USNA graduate, and that may be something to think about. However, some may argue that is more of a, "you gotta be a USNA grad to get there" while I don't know the details I'm sure it's considered even if no one will admit it (sort of like the awesome alumni connections out of USMMA for the maritime industry).</p>
<p>I must say USNA69, you do rub me the wrong way because in the past you made me feel that service in the merchant marine was not as "high up" so to speak as active duty service. I can see both sides of the argument, but it doesn't convince me, and that is my opinion. I've seen (for only a short while on the Carrier...25 days) the responsibilities of a junior officer and that of a 3rd mate/engineer and I'd be hard pressed to say that a JO has it "harder" (you can PM me if you'd like more info on that matter).</p>
<p>Davy, I would be repeating myself ad nausea if I expressed my opinions about the cop out position that the source of commissioning does not matter and that I feel that there are, indeed, degrees of service to one's country. However, due to your concerns that I have nothing better to do, I will only do so if you insist.</p>
<p>Interesting article regarding the Naval Academy and development of officers</p>