son of witless

The guy who drafts me when they are short on marchers, always has an emergency flask on his person, for persuading reluctant recruits.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

If only gays have parades it could give the impression that they are gaining a vast amount of supporters.

If straights have a parade and it swamps the attendance of the gay parades it would prove that it isn't true.

Plus, what is legal for one, should be legal for both. Unless you think certain people deserve "special rights".

Which over time would destroy "equal rights". That's un-American.

How are the million people Hong Kong protest going? China is trying to break a signed agreement they had with Hong Kong when it was returned by the UK in 1997. Walking away from a signed agreement with Trump didn't work out too well. If you haven't heard about it the mainland wants to extradite a person from Hong Kong's legal system to the mainland's legal system. Where the accused has fewer rights and protections. I looked up Shanghai's and Hong Kong's GDP. An interesting fact was revealed. When Hong Kong was returned to China it was 20% of China's GDP. Today it's 2%. Quite a drop. An accident or on purpose? Shanghai is now 70.5% of China's GDP. Free trade zones seem to work. Too bad it isn't nationwide.

proud republican Loc: RED CALIFORNIA

jwrevagent

My husband is a Marine vet, and he absolutely abhors parades, and mostly for the reason cited. He refuses to attend the F**g Day parade or the Memorial Day parade here in Appleton.

He served this country with honor during the Viet Nam craziness, and so I respect his decision about parades. That is one of the freedoms he went to Nam to ensure.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

To each their own. The thing I h**e is the "Thank you for your service." It has become so common that it almost sounds trite. Very few said, "Thank you for your service" to Vietnam Vets upon returning when they should have. Most were not professionals but were drafted to serve.

Now it is an everyday occurrence. I live in San Diego and attend baseball games. Every Sunday is Military Appreciation Day, which is fine. Marine recruits from MCRD are at the game. But at every game, they also ask all who have served to please stand and be recognized. I considered it an honor to serve my country and I don't need special recognition. Some think it is a nice gesture, and it is. But it does get old and begins to take on an insincere tone from overuse.

bahmer

I believe that I read that it is between 1% to 1-1/2% of the population.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Has China's overall GDP increased more than ten-fold since 1997? I suspect it has. So Hong Kong hasn't really dropped, it represents less of the whole.

PaulPisces Loc: San Francisco

While I could care less about the % of any group at all in society, I do wonder if there is any statistical evidence supporting your hypothesis that the % L***Q is below 1%.

Peewee Loc: San Antonio, TX

Good point! It's been decades since I took an economics class, probably since 1974.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Don't the L***Qer's claim 4-6% of the population is gay? Maybe with the increased world population reaching unheard of levels, the number of gays is increasing as nature's way of reducing the fertility rate. Nah!

jwrevagent

As a civilian, I really do appreciate the military and the sacrifices they and their families make in remaining in the military. I never know quite what to say, since I too think the "Thank you for your service" seems trite. Many in my family served-my first husband was in the AF, my son served 20 years on aircraft carriers all over the world in the Navy, and cousins, uncles and aunts served in all the services. As a former military wife with children-active duty then-there were times when I was proudest to be a member of the family, especially when some ignoramus would state that they did not like military, but they liked the money we spent-that was in Merced, CA, in an orientation speech by the mayor of the city circa 1966-my husband was stationed at the time at the AFB near there, and the onbase housing was limited to senior NCO's and officers. So we lived off the economy. I have a bad taste in my mouth for Merced ever since. But I decided that we would shop, if not on base, then somewhere other than Merced, and for the most part we did. I also remember signs in El Paso, saying "dogs and servicemen keep off the grass". That was in the 60's and I knew going in that we would be looked upon as less than human by many, but most either ignored us, or were happy to have the base for the money and jobs it brought.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

Thankfully, more people today do appreciate what the military does for America. Today's servicemembers are not like those of old. They have to be highly educated and trained because of the advances made in weapons and the technical nature of the game. Fortunately, the living conditions for most are now much better but they still give up a lot to serve, and there is plenty of room for improvement. They could earn much more in the private sector for example.

There are times when I think every able-bodied person should have to serve, at least receive basic training or do some public service in the case of conscientious objectors. Too many people take our freedoms for granted. Also, fewer and fewer feel comfortable around forearms. Perhaps they would remove the stigma and misunderstanding that so many have about guns. So many young people seem to be aimless in society and are just waiting for Big Government to provide for them. A few years of military discipline might do them good too.

archie bunker Loc: Texas

There are only 49 women in the Miss Black USA pageant because nobody wants to be Miss Idaho.

dtucker300 Loc: Vista, CA

son of witless

That may be, but once it stops I think the alternative will be worse. My Stepfather was a Korean War Combat Vet and he told me the story of riding trains when returning home from that war. He said as a Korean War Vet crossing the country, he and his fellow Vets were not treated very respectfully, even by some WW2 Vets. This was only a few years after WW2 when Veterans had been revered. My point is that people in this country are fickle. They need to be reminded and retaught continuously about the important things. The recognition gestures for Vets at baseball games are also necessary for those giving the recognition.