...

RM>>> I don't know if the RAF has enlisted pilots - I believe they used to -
>> but the USAF commissions all pilots; indeed, everyone on the flight deck
>> is an officer.  The only enlisted aircrew slots are on aircraft which
>> probably won't see combat (though they may be near it; an E-3A Sentry,
>> for example, is relatively near the combat zone but carries no weapons).

 Been 30 years, but when I was in the enlisted aircrew included
 flight engineers, for those planes that still had them, and
 radio operators. The only radio operators I knew of were on
 rescue HC-130s.

...

>> RM> But North Korea has been in desperate straits for a long
time now, and
>> dictators have many times used war either to steal from others what they
>> need to keep their countries viable, or to distract the populace from
>> privation, or both.  It could yet happen.  If it does, I frankly hope
>> it's during W's presidency; I think he'd try to win it, while I can't
>> think of anyone else who's currently running who I would trust to try to
>> win a game of Go Fish.

 Please don't try to claim any special qualifications for Bush,
 he didn't even plan to try to take down Al Quaeda until he had
 no choice. He didn't plan to take down Saddam until his
 popularity soared after Afghanistan. He had no real plans to
 build up the military until he was forced.

 There are people out there who were real military vets, and who
 would fight to win. McCain for those who won't believe a
 democrat like Kerry would.

 Bush has tied up so much of our armed forces, and so badly, that
 he's increased the risk of further challenges.
...

 Rc>  Correct!  Even a mere few words from the SecDef about the
 Rc>  US "rethinking" it's policy of keeping 35,000 troops in
 Rc>  the ROK was enough to sober up and chasten even the most
 Rc>  anti US demonstrators. 

 There was an article in the Weekend's paper about a local Korean
 immigrant and Pastor who's father is involved in organizing
 pro-American demonstrations in Korea. The reports say attendance
 has been up to 150,000.

 During the Seoul Olympics, while anti-American demonstrations
 were being reported, friends of mine who were there say they
 were treated like royalty. They were adopting Korean children.

 Anyone who has adopted a Korean child can tell you the Korean
 community, including immigrants, are very supportive.

 At a meeting, shortly after the formation of a local Adoptive
 Family support group, one of the mothers who had adopted a
 Korean child was asked if it had changed their lives.

 She replied, "If you go to an Oriental restaurant, you get great
 service."

BOB KLAHN bob.klahn{at}sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... Node: Was aware of.  The past tense of "know".
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