From: rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu (Robert J. Granvin)
Subject: Re: The A-10
Organization: School of Statistics, University of Minnesota
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 22:13:27 GMT

[warning, this probably isn't worth reading...]

In article <1992Dec17.165306.14470@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu>, conan@northeastern.edu writes:
|> thughes@lonestar.utsa.edu (Toby . Hughes) writes:
|> 
|> >I don't drink coffee.
|> >I don't have a cat.
|> >I HATE cornflakes.
|> >I NEVER check my ego, anywhere, anytime.
|> >To quote CBS News, I stand by the original story.
|>  
|> OOOOOOOOOOOOH! John Wayne lives. Please dont slap us around.
|> We will clean your shoes. Yeah right!!!
|> 
|> >As an ex-air force type who flew 200 combat missions in VN
|> That means s**t, if you were any good you would be a career
|> air force type. Napalming unarmed civilians is probably all
|> you did.
|> >those who have an intimate familiarity with close air support
|> If you were any good at anything you (and same goes for other
|> self appointed net god/godess) you would not have the time to harras
|> and put people down on the net. 
|> C
|> C
|> self appointed net gods)you would not have
|> the time to waste on us morons.

I'm rapidly approaching the realm of "appalled."

While I sometimes get taken aback a little (and I stress "little") on
occasion by Toby's presentation, I'm offended by this type of response to 
him.  

Granted, I know a little something about Toby (more than he knows about
me, but that's the nature of ths business :-).  I know very little in
the real scheme of things, but I DO know that I have deep respect and
admiration for his combat record.  His missions of close air support and
interdiction hardly has anything to do with "napalming unarmed civilians."

If you feel you have a reason to make those statements, please back them
up with some sort of evidence.  If you're just being an ass because you
can't think of any way to debate the situation, then hire a ghost-writer.

200 missions is an incredible record in any book and, in my opinion,
constitutes one hell of a "military career."  What he has chosen to do
with his life afterwards is entirely his business and does not reflect
in the least upon his skills or capabilities.  He has accomplished much
more than most can ever hope - or perhaps even want - to accomplish.  
Whether you are impressed with his abilities and record or even approve
of it at all is immaterial.  His accomplishments at least deserve RESPECT,
even if for some reason you don't respect the man.

Take the assinine flame-baiting out of rec.aviation.*.  These groups have
been nicely devoid of them for a long time (unlike some other unmentioned
groups) and have been filled with lots of useful information, including
disagreements normally handled in a civil and reasonably calm manner.

Disagree or argue in a useful manner.  If you can't, take it to email and
let it being handled or ignored by the intended recipient rather than the
rest of us who find it offensive.

-- Robert "enough years on the net to be _some_ sort of 'diety'" Granvin

-- 
Robert J. Granvin                                    Southern Minnesota Wing
rjg@umnstat.stat.umn.edu                               Confederate Air Force
Newsgroups: rec.aviation.military