Warthog Territory Forums :: View topic - A rant...and a question

Two weeks ago my kid blew yet another tranny in his MKIII Jetta (known problem with the vehicle but I think this is his 4th) and while jacking the front end in preparation for the engine removal my 35 year old Craftsman floor jack finally packed it in. Given the vintage there is of course no parts available for repair so it's off to buy a new one. First stop, the local Sears Hardware store. After looking at every model I could not find even one made anywhere but...China. Since I've been on a buy "American made" crusade for a while now I decided to try elsewhere. Harbor Freight (the Walmart of the tool sellers) was out of the question so I came home and called up the Snap-on web site. You guessed it, country of origin for every jack was China and the same thing for MATCO..UGH! Finally, after an exhaustive Google and Bing search, I found one company left that actually builds floor jacks made in this country. Not inexpensive but the quality is unbelievable. To top it off, yesterday I got a call from the company (Hein-Werner out of St. Louis) asking if everything was to my satisfaction and thanking me for buying their product. I know not everyone can afford to be that selective about the products they buy but perhaps if we all gave it a second thought before we spent $$ on Chinese products we, collectively, might be better off. End of rant.

OC

Author:	Old Chief [ 13 Oct 2010, 15:33 ]
Post subject:	A rant...and a question
Two weeks ago my kid blew yet another tranny in his MKIII Jetta (known problem with the vehicle but I think this is his 4th) and while jacking the front end in preparation for the engine removal my 35 year old Craftsman floor jack finally packed it in. Given the vintage there is of course no parts available for repair so it's off to buy a new one. First stop, the local Sears Hardware store. After looking at every model I could not find even one made anywhere but...China. Since I've been on a buy \"American made\" crusade for a while now I decided to try elsewhere. Harbor Freight (the Walmart of the tool sellers) was out of the question so I came home and called up the Snap-on web site. You guessed it, country of origin for every jack was China and the same thing for MATCO..UGH! Finally, after an exhaustive Google and Bing search, I found one company left that actually builds floor jacks made in this country. Not inexpensive but the quality is unbelievable. To top it off, yesterday I got a call from the company (Hein-Werner out of St. Louis) asking if everything was to my satisfaction and thanking me for buying their product. I know not everyone can afford to be that selective about the products they buy but perhaps if we all gave it a second thought before we spent $$ on Chinese products we, collectively, might be better off. End of rant. Now for the question: With yesterday's Supreme Court ruling effectively shutting down \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\", what's the feeling among the Active Duty forces? Personally, I could give a crap about who is sleeping with who but I'm 5 days older than dirt so it's not something that would affect me anyway. It's been my experience in my second life as a contractor that today's generation is a whole bunch less concerned about it than my generation ever was but it's not quite the same is it. Jack B? Anyone? OC

Author:	jackb [ 13 Oct 2010, 17:36 ]
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I just asked 4 Crew Chiefs next to me, and every single one of them said either \"I don't give a fuck\" or I don't give a shit\". Just from casual conversations I've had over the year on the subject, the majority of my co-workers have expressed similar opinions. I completely agree. If anything, I say about time. It's a pretty intolerant policy prohibiting perfectly qualified motivated people from doing a job. So many people opposed to this act as though this would \"allow\" gays in the military and wreak havoc. 2 problems with that- 1) They shouldn't need special permission, and the way gays are treated unequally in the US, I think in the future, will be looked at as a gross civil rights violation. 2) They already are in the military, in all branches, and at all levels. DADT forced people to choose between being themselves and doing their jobs. The DoD claims that being openly gay is detrimental to good order and discipline. I say that the people too intolerant and closed minded to realize it doesn't make a difference are the ones who are detrimental to good order and discipline.

Author:	Old Chief [ 13 Oct 2010, 20:29 ]
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Well said Jack. What bought it to mind was watching the news with my kid who's 21 and when this story unfolded he said to me \"what's the big deal?\" OC

Author:	Stinger [ 13 Oct 2010, 21:12 ]
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I'm in the give a shit catagory, basicly: \"Touch me and I cut your nuts off.... otherwise have a nice day.\" nice to know that the military leadership and politicians don't have anything really IMPORTANT to worry about though....

Author:	Ice Pirate [ 14 Oct 2010, 17:16 ]
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Well said Stinger. I have to agree with all. Granted, I too am an ORF, but even when I was on Active, back in the Before Time, it didn't matter one eye-otta to me. So long as the people around me did their job and didn't cause any problems, I didn't give a damn what they did on their off time. Man, you'd think with 2 geographicly separated wars going on at the same time, the Power's that be would have more important things to think about. Or am I over simplifying again?

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A rant...and a question http://warthogterritory.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=13646	Page 1 of 1

Author:	Weasel Keeper [ 14 Oct 2010, 21:45 ]
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Doesn't bother me too much as long as they act the way they are now. The military will just have to do yet another change (ugh!) to be even more PC. Gone are the kids today who say everything's \"gay\"...as a term for \"that's really dumb\". Write them up on charges of poor sexual awareness or hurting someone's feelings. I'd like to add rights for the straight guys and gals out there too. If I have to shower with an openly gay guy...why can't I shower with a knockout gal? Heck, everyone should have the same opportunity to get in trouble. Better yet, 4 seperate shower facilities...2 for straights (M/F) and 2 for gays (G/L). That should cost a lot of money on every base in the world.

Author:	fenderstrat72 [ 15 Oct 2010, 02:34 ]
Post subject:	Re: A rant...and a question
Old Chief wrote: Two weeks ago my kid blew yet another tranny in his MKIII Jetta (known problem with the vehicle but I think this is his 4th) and while jacking the front end in preparation for the engine removal my 35 year old Craftsman floor jack finally packed it in. Given the vintage there is of course no parts available for repair so it's off to buy a new one. First stop, the local Sears Hardware store. After looking at every model I could not find even one made anywhere but...China. Since I've been on a buy "American made" crusade for a while now I decided to try elsewhere. Harbor Freight (the Walmart of the tool sellers) was out of the question so I came home and called up the Snap-on web site. You guessed it, country of origin for every jack was China and the same thing for MATCO..UGH! Finally, after an exhaustive Google and Bing search, I found one company left that actually builds floor jacks made in this country. Not inexpensive but the quality is unbelievable. To top it off, yesterday I got a call from the company (Hein-Werner out of St. Louis) asking if everything was to my satisfaction and thanking me for buying their product. I know not everyone can afford to be that selective about the products they buy but perhaps if we all gave it a second thought before we spent $$ on Chinese products we, collectively, might be better off. End of rant. OC Try and find some clothing that isn't made outside of the USA.

Author:	Stinger [ 18 Oct 2010, 13:22 ]
Post subject:	Re: A rant...and a question
fenderstrat72 wrote: Try and find some clothing that isn't made outside of the USA. Mine is all made in the USA.... they imported the workers...

Author:	Old Chief [ 18 Oct 2010, 19:19 ]
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Quote: Mine is all made in the USA.... they imported the workers...

Author:	I RIDE A PALE HORSE [ 18 Oct 2010, 21:28 ]
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If i was forced to serve in an infantry unit with gays i would desert.

Author:	jackb [ 19 Oct 2010, 09:57 ]
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I RIDE A PALE HORSE wrote: If i was forced to serve in an infantry unit with gays i would desert. Well you're in luck. The draft is over, so no one's going to force anyone. How about Blacks? Women? Aside from what turns them on, gay people are really no different from everyone else. Gays aren't so hungry for dick that they're gonna go on a rape frenzy the instant they see a naked dude lol. They are completely integrated and accepted by the rest of society, the military seems to be the last stronghold of intolerance. And they would still be accepted by the majority with no issues. Repeated for emphasis: The people too intolerant and closed minded to realize it doesn't make a difference are the ones who are detrimental to good order and discipline. Do you have any particular reason why you would desert? Besides "It's gross"?

Author:	Coach [ 19 Oct 2010, 21:55 ]
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How do you think women in the military feel? Coach

Author:	fenderstrat72 [ 20 Oct 2010, 22:12 ]
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Coach wrote: How do you think women in the military feel? Coach Most of the ones I met in the military felt a little soft but that's the way I like'em! LOL

Author:	jackb [ 21 Oct 2010, 09:43 ]
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Coach wrote: How do you think women in the military feel? Coach Coach, Who is that question directed at?

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Author:	Coach [ 21 Oct 2010, 14:25 ]
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I think it's humorous when guys who oppose gays serving use the excuse they don't want someone looking at/touching them in the shower or dorm or wherever. Women in the military live with that 24/7...especially in deployed locations. If a gay/lesbian airman made an unwanted pass at someone, it would/should be treated exactly as if a hetero airman did it. The rules of behavior will not change. You still have to treat your fellow airmen with respect and dignity. I also find it disturbing that many who oppose DADT try to characterize gays as pedophiles or predators who cannot control their urges. Evidence doesn't seem to bear that portrayal as true. Personally, I'm more concerned with the presence of aggressive fundamentalist Christian proselyzation in the chaplain and officer corps than I am about gays serving openly in the military.