Any vets among the Audiophiles here?

I served 4 years right out of high school like many of my generation. It was either enlist in a branch of my choosing or be drafted. I didn't agree with the war, again like many of my generation. I still don't agree with the war. No disrespect to vets, but the bigger question is why has America been at war for almost my entire life, coming up on some 55 years now? If one includes Korea and WWII that's almost 70 years of continuous war.

I lean towards the conservative side of things, having spent my entire vocational life in public service. However, one would be hard pressed to look back over ones life and not see a pattern at work. Eisenhower warned this day could come. I hate to say it, but the big war machine of the MIC has led this country into one needless war after another and for what? One has only but to follow the money trail to find the answer to that. America could use a course correction rather than sending more youth to die or become injured for life in vain. As anyone could see during the last administration the troops were used but when push came to shove they weren't supported abroad, or by the administration once they arrived home battered and injured. Support the troops by bringing them home. That's my .02

Well its only been my observation but, how does one separate the vet from the politics when the politician uses the vet to serve their own selfish aim every chance they get? Might we as a country begin to question our governments decision to wage continuous war? It seems to me that SOUNDS like a great beginning to eliminate DISTORTION, use of audio terms intended.

And if that questioning would/could establish a better form of democracy than we've experienced the 55 or so years of my lifetime then I for one would be proud if that questioning began on an AG forum. I feel just as passionate as some flag waving, self proclaimed patriot broadcaster whose never served anything but himself, yet stands on the steps of a memorial mocking those who've actually served by urging them to send their children off to serve whilst he rakes in millions. Get a clue America. That's got to be worth as much as making some Stereophile A component list.

Any dissatisfied vets among Audiophiles who hear, and see, what's been done to this country this past generation could be equally as great a discussion other than "I bought my first Sansui receiver at the Yokuska Navy Exchange during my tour of duty in '73." It's great to walk down memory lane reading all these posts. Takes me back to my first WestPac tour...you know way back when America had two major bases in the Phillippines. Why'd we leave? Oh, silly me, that's right, we were told to get the bleep out. It's been downhill ever since we were told to leave Clark AFB and Subic Bay.

There's no true moral compass in this country. Where's my proof? What's the original date of this thread? 15 months after the second Gulf war was initiated. And it's still going with no end in sight. Never mind the recent troop withdrawals. There's your proof. Anyone with half a brain knows USA has no intention of leaving that part of the world. And to think how so many experts mocked the war critics when they mentioned beforehand that entering the gulf would be another Vietnam. Meanwhile, the drum beat of war continues. I can understand the desire to wish it all away and drown out the sound of young fellow vets dying daily by cranking up the tunes, but hey that won't change the fact kids are dyin', and for what?

Spare me the flag wavin' of the mass produced USA flags made in China whilst China now owns much of what used to be known as America.

Leave it to me to shine a flashlight of reality check and ruin a perfectly good fantasy, aka, a gov't run amuck.

It may only be my experience, but Caveat Emptor's share something in common with dictator's...each has a short shelf life with those they attempt to rule, control, or dictate to...especially to former vets who've served both their country and their community vocationally their entire lives.

Finsup, unbeknownst to you, you're addressing a vet in a free speech public forum, who also happens to be a retired law enforcement official that spent his entire career having no idea it was illegal to go off topic in an audio forum.

Thank you for enlightening least of all me, and thank you for your service as well.

And might the record reflect that I've nothing but gratitude for the 4 years I spent serving and never expressed otherwise. I'm of the belief it's far more patriotic and honest to point out a truth than it is to wave flags and romanticize over a past life whilst ignoring what's actually happening now.

Actually I was referring to the gov't the people didn't elect, but what's it matter, it's now history...as am I. Best to all!

January '74 the USS Ponchatoula A0-148, home ported out of Pearl, and its crew enters drydock for a 6 month restoration in Guam.

We're not too jazzed about being on Guam, an island 26 miles long and 8 miles wide located in the deepest waters of the Pacific, aka the Mariana trench, but the ships crew is jazzed and motivated to get this restoration project started and completed because everyone knows that a WestPac cruise is on the horizon upon completion of all dry dock repair.

6 months of barrack lodging, with open air cubicles two to a cubicle. You'd enter that barracks each evening and hear every type of music imaginable being played via the latest Sansui's, Pioneer's, Technique's, just to name a few. RR, Jazz, R&B, even Country before Country was kewl. All blending into this seamless sound of feel good energy. Black, White, Asian, Hispanic, Indian, all shoulder to shoulder and cohabitating side by side in a close environment. I can still sense the smell of empty kegs, and a very vivid memory of hours upon endless hours of playin' SPADES. Trump that!

Those were the good ol' days. And I left out the best part. Bertha Butt, as some of my cohorts named her, a small framed Guamanian gal I dated who'd pick me up outside the barracks in her shiny new '73 Datsun 240 Z. I was 18, and the envy of a barracks full of cats who I left behind listening to their gear because I was one of a few that actually had landed a date with a local. Well, life was good on Guam for some of us. And following drydocks, PI, Bangkok, Singapore, Yokuska, Sydney, Wellington...Ahhhh WestPac...how sweet it was. And made even better every knot of the way by the sounds of Pioneer and Sansui state of the art sound acquired on an E3's salary. $320 a month!

Enjoy

Yes, some of us lived a spoiled existance during their time in, but hey you must admit though having to leave Hawaii and all its worldly charms (at least in '73) behind and being sent to a rock that small was a prison sentence for some. I used to feel bad leavin' all those cats in the barracks...okay for about 30 seconds after rollin' off base.

Hong Kong was a find back in those days, and you're absolutely right, one could buy anything electronic for cheap. If back then I'd have any idea what some of that gear from that generation would be worth nowadays as vintage gear on eBay and other locations I'd have invested some of my mispent $320 a month salary on it just to save for a rainy day. Who knows, I could be livin' it large right now back in Agana, Guam. Nahhhhhhh, but Odessa, Ukraine would be a much better choice. As they say on Guam, Hafadai!

Mrmitch you're preachin' to the choir brother! I'll go a step further and say all those who currently hold a seat in power who've repeatedly used patriotism and the troops as a political weapon every chance they get, whilst at the same time voting against true reforms which truly support the troops should be called out for what they truly are: HIPOCRITE'S.

Call 'em what they are...how normal workin' folk can continue to vote these thugs into office is beyond me...don't get me started. Support the troops by supporting them in deeds not empty so called patriotic words...I can't understand people continuing to fall for their crap....and obviously we don't need to specify who "they" are. Okay, I feel mucho better after venting in a forum.

Macrojack, it's encouraging to hear someone who hasn't drank their kool-aid. I just can't understand the ignorance of the public at large. Their latest invention, the "TP" created by who but one of there own who retired as a Texas house member, went to work as a lobbyist immediately after and came up with the brilliant idea of inventing the TP. Brilliant because it would take a brilliant sell job for anyone to sell Dick Armey's invention to the public at large...but ignorance alone is the biggest threat to what remains of democracy...we can't even have fair elections thanks to Diebold...America is under it's biggest threat and it's obvious to anyone who truly informs themselves with honest facts who the biggest threat to democracy is.