Please step out of your boat...

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Ctskip

guess there's not a lot of CG info in Oklahoma.By the way, the CG did a substantial part of all river patrols in Vietnam - not an insignificant risk... You are corrected.

 

[dlong]

wow, sorry you fell that way ctskip

CTSKIP, wow,,...sorry you feel that way.. I am in the NG.. just came back.. flew 559 combat hours.. saved my money and now have a C310.. and if required I will get what ever the CG requires.. sorry you feel that way.. there are alot of ways to serve.. everyone is diffrent.. dlong

 

[dlong]

CG helo

It doesnt matter how bad things are on the ground.. crashing a helo there will not make things better

 

[John5961]

Feel better now CTSkip?

I wasn't in the coast guard but I was in the Marines (Vietnam 1965-66) and I'll say this. My cousin retired from the coast guard with 20+ years service. He went out many times in really bad / DANGEROUS weather to rescue some ignorant, imcompetant boobs that were out in weather they couldn't handle. He also went in the water many times to rescue people that were too exhausted or too cold to put the lifeline around themselves. Ever hear of the Coast Guard role in drug interdiction? Nothing dangerous about that......I was in harm's way as a Marine for a total of 13 months (but I didn't get shot at every day, so I guess that doesn't count) but he was ready to do so for over 20 years. Although as you say, he may not place his life at risk every day, just like a cop, he has to be prepared to do so anytime with no advance warning. It's really easy to sit back on your ass and critisize others. Frankly, I think you are a big mouth jerk.

 

[Ross]

CTSkip, Like a baseball ump you have to call them

as you see them. Try this one on for size; I enlisted USAF 1957, six year hitch, skill radio repair. Stationed 18 months Philipine Islands Clark AFB. 1960-1962 we were sending "advisors" over to Nam for 60 day tours. I never went. Those that did never had any official contact with members of the S. Vietnam military. When my hitch was up I got out. Had I stayed, my next tour of duty would probably have been back in SE Asia. I come from a family that serves, three brothers and one sister were on active duty at one time in their life. One of them saw combat in Korea and was KIA, another was stationed in the theater but did not see combat. The rest of us were in support roles.

 

[Ctskip]

I knew I would get bombarded

I can take it. I do understand that some serve in difficult situations. Catch the word, some. As for being called names, John from Atlanta. Do you feel better? I feel the same as I did before. Why do you find it necessary to call someone you don't know, a big mouth jerk? Because I don't see their service to the country the same as you? That makes me a big mouth jerk? Your opinion of someone you know nothing about, doesn't carry much weight and says more about you than me. thanks for the education. Approaching a drug boat loaded with drugs, while my CG boat is loaded with plated armor and several belt fed weapons. Nice odds. Happen every day? nope. Dangerous? yep I'm not saying that the CG/NG are a bunch of do nothing lazy bums. I saw it mentioned here that they risk their lives everyday. Thats what got me to respond. Everyday? Sorry I still don't see where they risk their lives everyday. Still don't. With the NG/CG being used as soldiers, thats another story altogether. I feel thats wrong. I thought they were to protect the homeland, while our armed forces did the fighting. National guard, I thought was for national emergencies(border patrol) and the Coast Guard was to guard our shoreline. The CG/NG is a noble profession and should be commended on their performance, when called to duty. I have used them on several occasions. I was brought up along the shoreline. So the Oklahoma insult is humorous. As for Bush joining the CG ,I never said that. I thought it was the NG he joined to stay away from any life threatening assignment. Which was successful as far as he was concerned. I have no problem starting a open, valid, intelligent conversation as to our feelings about contributions differing services offer to America. I still feel these organisations should stay home and do the missions they were designed for. Not off in some far away land doing deeds they weren't designed to do. As for rescuing mountain climbers and fools who want to sail around the world in a bathtub. These folks should be charged for actual costs of their retrieval and be made to pay up. I also believe that everyone should use sound judgement as to going after some fool in inclement weather. They have pulled me off a sinking 24footer in rough seas off New England. So I have seen them doing what they train for. They have my utmost appreciation and those that rescued me they have my utmost respect. To say I respect all guardsmen??? I can't go that far. Thats a pretty broad brush. It's like saying all policemen are good and honest. I know better. I'm sure you do also. Not all judges are fair either.  So if I stepped on anyone's toes, or I was misunderstood I apologize. I just don't feel that they risk their lives every day. Thats my point. Fire away Keep it up, Ctskip When The CG pulls over a boat, there are belt fed weapons aimed directly at your head. How can you equate that with a traffic stop? Cant do it. One cop,one car verses several CG men with belt fed weapons unlocked and loaded and aimed. No way can they be compared Dlong you are correct in that crashing in choppers sucks. Been there done that, several times.

 

[Ctskip]

Ross you are correct

I also have a family that has served, not only in WWII Dad was a POW, Italy. My brother Marine in Cuba ,Bay of Pigs. Another brother lifer in the Navy retired in 87.Brother in the Army ,I was in the Army in 67 70 Class of 68 67n20, Door gunner, slick. I never knew the CG was doing river patrol. Thats news to me.  Consider yourself lucky. Sorry for your loss. I take Memorial Day and Veterans Day very seriously. And I fly the flag EVERY day, not just on flag day. Flag etiquette should be taught in school too! I can't believe the CG/NG are fighting overseas. Who's watching the store? Keep it up, Ctskip

 

[Ross]

CTSkip The Cutter Chainey(sp) is on permanent

display in Baltimore Harbor. The Last ship surviving that saw service at Pearl Harbor on December 7 1941

 

[Clyde]

The USCG's mission has changed since 9/11.

Before 9/11 the coasties would board your vessel carrying just a clipboard to perform a safety inspection. After 9/11 they board your vessel carrying a side arm with automatic weapons on their vessel manned and ready. Before 9/11 the coasties use to be under the Department of Commerce, their primary mission was fisheries regulation, pollution control, SAR (Search and Rescue) operation, and enforcing the laws of the United States within the territorial water of the USA. After 9/11 they are under the Department of Homeland Security, their primary mission now is to protect the United States against terrorists. To protect our Homeland against terrorists, the coasties have been deployed far from our shores. The US Coast Guard Patrol Force Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA) is the USCG's expeditionary force in the Middle East in Bahrain. They use their cutters to conduct inspections, perform armed boarding, and security protection around harbors and other vital offshore installation. The USCG routinely deploys their cutters in a joint Expeditionary Strike Group with the US Navy. The world has changed since 9/11. The US Navy was designed to fight a "Blue Water" enemy. The US Navy doesn't have enough littoral ships (shallow draft) or are trained for boarding like the USCG. US Coast Guard's law enforcement detachment are now routinely assigned to US Navy warships to perform vessel boarding at sea.The coasties wasn't deployed in large numbers in Vietnam; they deployed about 8,000. There are only seven USCG Killed In Action (KIA) names engraved in the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall. In 2003 the first USCG KIA in Vietnam (1968) and also the last USCG KIA to be brought home was laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. He was Lieutenant Jack Columbus Rittichier USCG.Fair Winds,ClydePATFORSWAhttp://www.defenselink.mil/news/Apr2006/20060427_4953.htmlLieutenant Jack Columbus Rittichier USCGhttp://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jcrittichier.htm

 

[Gregg9020]

Safety

I would bet that if you asked every person that has taken a boating safety class, they would tell you that everyone that has NOT taken a boating safety class, SHOULD take one.This issue is not soley about homeland security, it is about safety. The thought of licensing boaters is not only to protect our homeland, but to keep everyone on the water safe.If you ask every single person that has lost a family member or a friend on the water, they wiould agree that everyone should have to take a boating safety class. The sole purpose of registering boaters, in the state of California, is to show individuals have had boating safety instructions.Licensing is not only about security, but also about safety.Gregg

 

[Stu Jackson]

Gregg, what the heck does boating safety have

anything whatsoever to do with homeland security???It should be be called "domestic" security anyway, but, really, security FROM others has always been related to being aware of what is around you. Figure the other guy always doesn't know what he's doing.

 

[Gregg9020]

That ia my point

I think that this thread has taken a turn to the port, and I feel that the subject matter has to be looked at from all angles. I am in the USPS, and we have been talking about this bill that is going in, and the underlying factor is really about safety, and as I am not totally convinced, I feel that this licensing issue can do more good than it can bad. I have taken the boating safety class, and I am glad that I did. I have been racing and pleassure sailing since I was a child, and I now have two kids that are always on my boat, I am going to do what I need to, to get as many people as possible to take these classes. I don't feel that it is all about security. If you have a SSN or a DL, the Gov't knows what we are doing, just think we all have been racially profiled already, so what the heck, take the class, and make them feel better that we want the safety too. Go to any airport, the security rifles throught your bags, if you think they don't put what they find into a database, you are crazy, there is nowhere to hide, so take the class.We can all learn something. My dad always said if you wake up and don't learn something everyday, you're probably dead. There is some truth in that.Thanks.

 

[abe]

During Katrina 30,000 people were saved by the..

USCG...more. That was not done risk free. For those critical of the USCG all I can say is..you bunch of ungrateful sobs. How many lives did you save today and placed your own life at risk?Shame on jchris and ctskip.abe

 

[Gregg9020]

Again..........My point

I have to agree with you. The USCG and the USPS help out in so many ways, it is NOT about the security, it can be about saving lives, and that is what I think this bill should be about. I am a supporter of the CG, and I have even floated with them in the past. They have a lot more to do than check for licensing, but it is also a part of their duty to help us out on the water, adn keep the peoplle safe out there.Thanks Abe.Gregg

 

[Stu Jackson]

The USCG is great. They do NOT need to know

anymore about us than is already available."the Gov't knows what we are doing, just think we all have been racially profiled already, so what the heck, take the class, and make them feel better that we want the safety too."HUH????What the heck, throw in the whole personal rights towel now????Make who feel better?The people who work for the USCG are citizens of this country, equal to all of us, civilians and military and other services.The Gov't shouldn't know what we're doing. Repeat the .The CG was about the ONLY Gov't agency that did ANYTHING right during Katrina. Still doesn't give them a pass on doing more invasive intelligence on civilians in this country.In fact, no Gov't agency has that right, regardless of what the power hungry representatives of the executive branch have recently claimed. Their assumptions are without merit and beyond the law.

 

[Gregg9020]

Weather you want it or not........

We are all in the same boat. We have all been profiled. My point it is, not to make them happy, but to go with the flow. The Gov't is going to do what they want to behind our backs, we just have to live with it in harmony. We don't have to like it, but we have to live with it. That is the world we live in. I am NOT saying it is right, but with what we have that is all we have to work with. I feel that the Gov't is going to mandate what they want on us, and we have to abbide by it. It is only a matter of time that this law takes affect, and there is not much we, as citizens we can do about it. I am all for the safety part of the Bill, the security part is already a done deal. We have no vote in it and they are going to vote it in as they feel fit. I am of the thought that I would rather profile 50,000 people and offend 10% rather than do nothing at all and have OUR country taken over by people with terrorist thoughts. But I digress. I think that this bill should be more about keeping all of us safe on the water rather than keeping terroists out. We all sail/boat, because we enjoy the freedom of the water and the thrill of the challenge. I say let's all see what the outcome is and not buck the system. If you are not willing to get the certificate, and spend a few weeks in class, then you may have something to hide. And what is it that you have to hide??? I have nothing to hide, I just want to be out there and enjoy life and allow my kids to do the same. Think about it, how many other people in other countries can afford the luxueries (sp) that we do in the US by sailing amoung great landmarks such as THe Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz, on the West Coast and the Keys of Florida in the south and NY Harbor in the Northeast without having to lok over their shoulders all the time on the water.The USCG has done a great job of securing our bourders, now it is our job to secure our waters by being safe, and I think that is what this bill is mainly about, whether we think so or not.Gregg

 

[Stu Jackson]

We don't have to like it, but we have to live with

itNO WE DON'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Gregg9020]

Yes we do...................

If we want to live here, we have to live with the profiling. It is happening everyday, and all around us. I am not saying that it is happening to us boaters, but it happens every time you go to the airport, and if you don't think they know you own a boat........... you have another thing coming. Our Gov't knows all. If your boat is registered.... they know you. This issue is mostly about boating safety, not about security. I am convinced that the author of this thread mis-represnted the Bill, and was trying to stir up crap, and it really boils down to keeping us all on the water safe. No matter what the reason. Like I said before, I am not 100% for the bill, but if it has to do with safety, I am for it, if it has to do to with Homeland security, I am against it.Hell My boat is registered with the USCG, not the state. I am Documented, so if they want my boat, they can have it.........Not that they would want it, but it is theirs non the less. I don't pay state registration.

 

[Moody Buccaneer]

Who the heck is in charge down there?

Some of you talk like the government makes decisions and writes laws that you can't do anything about. Funny thing, the last time I read the US Constitution, it was damn clear that the people are supposed to be in charge. When did you give up control?"Why of course the people don't want war. Why should some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece? Naturally the common people don't want war ... That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the peacemakers for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country." --- Hermann Goering"Have to live with it" ..? Only in a nation of sheep. I was under the impression that if those you choose to run the government don't do what you want them to, you replace them with people that will. Since when are they allowed to do otherwise? The buffoons allowed the events of 9/11 to happen to put fear into you so they could gain control under the guise of protecting you. Now you want to give up more freedom and give them more control? You deserve to be treated poorly, your government no longer fears you. You deserve no freedom or safety.What the heck is this doing in the main forum? Kick it to the politics rant section where it belongs.Flame away

 

[Ctskip]

Moody ,you hit the nail on the head

We are a bunch of sheep doing what we are told and believing what we are told. Sheep exactly. It's no wonder Bush is still in power laughing his butt off at us. They aren't taking away our liberties, we are giving them away. I can't believe most of the people on this subject. Just keep following. Don't take a stand for your liberties.  As for Greg and his boat being documented. IMHO most of those documented boats are done, so the owners can save money. Very few have anything to do with patriotism. But thats another thread in itself. Where does the safety facter enter in this registeration? They want to know who is the operator. Take a picture from 1000 yards. I stand up when I see my rights being erroded.  Something hit a nerve? Thanks for this forum but its not something I need to live my life. If something is said that is not "approved" it gets the boot. fine. Should I be conservative or liberal? I try to follow the rules, but there is also the need in me to defend myself. I didn't start this political football game to begin with. Condem me, because I am not a follower. Delete me because I speak my mind in a clear and cincise manner, insulting no one. I am the one that should be feared, for I stand up.  Keep it up, Ctskip