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[Manray9]

Colin wrote: "On another note, Obama would not even qualify for a security clearance to serve in the military, nor have his academic credentials been presented publicly to impress me, as a former professor and S..."

Is this exchange appropriate for our GR group? I would hate to see it devolve into something nasty and political.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Since politics can be quite divisive and this is a book group on WW2 history I will ask that unless it has some bearing on the Second World War that we not get involved in a slinging match over domestic politics.

[Dj]

I have to say that in General, no one since maybe...Truman? has been qualified to be President. They are all out of their depth, some are better at hiding it at others and for the most part all of them do the best they can.
I generally think that it is unfair to blame all our woes on the President, since he has to deal with Congress and we put all of those clowns in office.



Colin wrote: "Obama is so far out of his depth he is drowning. I knew Reagan and Bush Senior, and Obama is and was no way qualified for the position. The wave of liberal social hope and change brought him into o..."

[Manray9]

Dj wrote: "I have to say that in General, no one since maybe...Truman? has been qualified to be President. They are all out of their depth, some are better at hiding it at others and for the most part all of ..."

I think we should all follow Aussie Rick's direction and keep politics out of the GR group.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks Manray9, I have enough arguments at home with my brother and father about politics to start it online as well :)

[J.W.]

Colin wrote: "Obama is so far out of his depth he is drowning. I knew Reagan and Bush Senior, and Obama is and was no way qualified for the position. The wave of liberal social hope and change brought him into o..."
You can't really expect us to take seriously the idea that the vengeful and vindictive motives that brought Hitler to power have anything to do with what made people vote for Obama. One would hardly need to see Obama as a saint or a hero to find such notions nonsensical. You are talking through your hat and should take this kind of tripe somewhere else.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

I completely support AR's request to keep politics out of the discussion unless it has a bearing on our WWII discussions. I would add that disparaging comments about other members have no place here. This is a wonderful collegiate, cordial and friendly group...even when we have strong opinions.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Well said Mike, this is a great group full of great people so please folks lets keep the talk to good books and history :)

[Tionne]

It's like Mrs. Dashwood says in Sense and Sensibility, if you cannot think of anything appropriate to say, you will please restrict your remarks to the weather. :-) A couple more chilly days, one more chance of snow, and I think Old Man Winter is done for. And I'm glad! :-) How is the weather elsewhere?

[happy]

variable Tionne - one day we have snow the next day it is 65F(17C)

[A.L.]

Nice change of subject, Tionne!

I live in the same state as Happy, so yeah, spring is close enough that I'm wondering if any of my children's warm-weather clothes from last year will still fit, but I'm not ready to put away the sweaters.

[Tionne]

I feel ya, Happy, Tuesday I was wearing flip flops, and yesterday when I walked the dog, I couldn't feel my hands for 10 mins after coming back inside. I'm just glad I can see most of my yard, haven't seen it since around New Years.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Tionne wrote: "It's like Mrs. Dashwood says in Sense and Sensibility, if you cannot think of anything appropriate to say, you will please restrict your remarks to the weather. :-) A couple more chilly days, one m..."

A subject us Brits excel at to this day :)

[carl]

Geevee wrote: " A subject us Brits excel at to this day :) "


don't get him started !

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Okay guys the politics stops now. If you want to chat through subjects like this then form a separate group. You are welcome members and valued contributors to the forum but not on this subject as it risks losing the friendliness and enjoyment of the group.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Well said Geevee, I have deleted the last remark and will do so again if comments like that are posted.

The next step will be the member responsible will be booted from the group, something I don't wont to do and which has not happened before.

Folks please leave politics and personal attacks out of this group, its about good books and the history of WW2.

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Well said Geevee, I have deleted the last remark and will do so again if comments like that are posted.

The next step will be the member responsible will be booted from the group, something I don..."

You have my fullest support.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks Manray9 :)

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Folks I wondered if this might be of interest to the US members (and indeed other history buffs here)?

Dunmore's New World: The Extraordinary Life of a Royal Governor in Revolutionary America--With Jacobites, Counterfeiters, Land Schemes, Shipwrecks, Scalping, Indian Politics, Runaway Slaves, and Two Illegal Royal Weddings by James Corbett David

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

How can I resist? Added TBR.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

LOL Mike!

[Jill H.]

One of the most iconic pictures of WWII, is the "kissing sailor". He has passed away.....to read more go to the link below.




http://www.aol.com/article/2014/03/15...

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Love how the old guy used his fame at 80 to still get the girls!

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Thanks for the link Jill and great photo!

[Manray9]

While only indirectly connected to WW II, I saw this book advertised in the NY Review of Books. It looks interesting:

Poseidon: China's Secret Salvage of Britain's Lost Submarine by Steven Schwankert

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Sounds like a very interesting book, thanks for mentioning it Manray9.

[carl]

Thanks for the photo Jill. Soon after seeing that
I got this note from the San Marcos chapter
of the CAF which has a big band dinner
dance in a WW2 hanger every Veteran's
Day. When Glenn would attend you
could get your photo taken with him,
I didn't go for the kissing pose.

----

To our Dinner Dance Family,

With a heavy heart I share the news that “our” Kissing Sailor Glenn McDuffie died this week. On his last day he decided he wanted to go gambling. So, some friends took him to gamble and they enjoyed the day. On the way back Glenn admitted he didn’t feel well and thought perhaps he was having a heart attack. He was rushed to the hospital where doctors were unable to save him but he remained lucid and alert until his family could all come to bid him farewell. He even talked with his grandson on the phone to say goodbye.
We all enjoyed his attending our Dinner Dances in November; he was quite a hit the several times he was able to be with us.

If you wish to send condolences, his Daughter Glenda Bell would be pleased to hear from you.

Glenda Bell
5615 Northstar Lane
Arlington, Texas 76017
It has been 68 years since that famous kiss in Times Square on 14 Aug 1945. He will be greatly missed.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

carl wrote: "Thanks for the photo Jill. Soon after seeing that
I got this note from the San Marcos chapter
of the CAF which has a big band dinner
dance in a WW2 hanger every Veteran's
Day. When Glenn would at..."

Nice post Carl.

[Jill H.]

Thanks, Carl.

[Manray9]

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, here is a story linked from The Daily Beast on one of America's proudest and most distinguished military formations, the 69th Infantry of the New York National Guard -- the Fighting 69th. They've been in the front lines of America's wars from First Manassas, through the Meuse-Argonne, to Iraq and Afghanistan.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles...

The article does not mention that both the Union and the Confederacy had multiple Irish regiments and brigades. America in the mid-nineteenth century, and after the famine and unrest of 1848, was flooded with Irishmen. Confederate Major Roberdeau Wheat's famous battalion, the "Louisiana Tigers," which fought with Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley was manned mainly by Irishmen from New Orleans.

For old movie buffs, check out "The Fighting 69th" made in 1940 starring Jimmy Cagney, Pat O'Brien and Alan Hale. It is about the 69th New York in WW I.

[Tionne]

I saw that one, Manray9, it was very good!

[Manray9]

Sandy Woodward -- the last of the old Sea Dogs! You have to admire some straight talk:

"I accept change, but not serious change for the worse. If you are a naval professional, then a Navy without an aircraft carrier and the right aircraft on board is comparable to the Swiss navy.”

I would agree you have a problem when you're planning an aircraft carrier program around an aircraft with a "design flaw which makes it unable to land on deck."

The best quote, spoken to the ships' crews en route to the Falklands -- "Look, whether you realise it or not, you’ve taken the Queen’s Shilling. You’re now going to be invited to front up for it. Whatever you think of the problem, our job is to stop it. People will die, ships will be lost, that’s the deal. Go to it."

Here's the article from The Telegraph:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world...

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Aye a good man. Thanks for posting Manray9. A couple of lads I knew we're injured and one Kia serving with the army units that deployed. He's right though - whilst the army played its part (as did the RAF with their Harriers) - the RN played the key role doing a bloody good job in bomb alley and elsewhere. They maintained their tradition and lost good ships and men but were never found wanting.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Aye a good man. Thanks for posting Manray9. A couple of lads I knew we're injured and one Kia serving with the army units that deployed. He's right though - whilst the army played its part (as did..."

In particular I liked the quote about taking the Queen's shilling. It is not for the sailor, marine, soldier or airman to decide about such matters, that is for the politicians -- no matter how ignorant, gutless, pandering and corrupt they may be. As we said in the U.S. Navy, the only acceptable response to an order is "Aye, Aye Sir!"

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

Good discussion! I love that term; "taking the Queen's shilling".

[Manray9]

'Aussie Rick' wrote: "Good discussion! I love that term; "taking the Queen's shilling"."

This was a telling blow too:

"The best we can do for an expeditionary force is a day trip to France."

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

I liked his comment on £600 bill too.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "I liked his comment on £600 bill too."

When something goes bad in the Falklands or elsewhere all the penny-pinching politicians will scramble to to blame someone else.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Yep.

[Manray9]

Geevee wrote: "Yep."

I believe Woodward is correct. The best method to keep the Argentinians at bay is an SSN. One well-handled SSN could destroy the entire Argentinian navy in an afternoon.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

And I know know that an SSN isn't a Boomer ;)

I agree with your view far more effective as a military and psychological deterrent.

[Mike, Assisting Moderator US Forces]

Great article Manray9.

[Colin]

I dated a girl from Colombia once, and her cousin and his family had moved to Argentina in the early 1970s. I met this guy, who spoke fluent English without an accent. he had been an Argentine interrogator during the war there. Three of my buddies were also in the Falklands, two paras and Royal Marine. Interesting collection of stories.

[Manray9]

While having nothing to do with WW II, I found this article of interest:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/econom...

Amusing how the New York and Boston grandsons of Fenians and the IRA now savor the product of a prominent Unionist. I savor it too.

[Geevee, Assisting Moderator British & Commonwealth Forces]

Manray9 wrote: "While having nothing to do with WW II, I found this article of interest:

http://www.economist.com/blogs/econom......"

:)

[Manray9]

Any recommendations for a good bio of Isaac Newton?

[Manray9]

A subject not directly related to WW II, although the region saw heavy combat then, is the Crimean War. I found this article, linked from RealClearBooks.com about Tolstoy and the Crimean War:

http://www.newrepublic.com/article/11...

I gave a strong Four Stars to:

The Sebastopol Sketches by Lev Tolstoy

which is his account of the siege of Sebastopol.

['Aussie Rick', Moderator]

I've read in other books about Tolstoy being present at the siege of Sebastopol but I have not read his book. Nice add to the thread Manray9.

[Jill H.]

I have also read about Tolstoy at Sabastopol in several of my Crimean War books. Looks like we will have to find his book!!

[Jill H.]

Manray9 wrote: "Any recommendations for a good bio of Isaac Newton?"

Try this one, Manray9. I haven't read it but it has gotten good reviews.

by James Gleick