As great a City and military friendly as it once was, San Francisco no longer deserves any military display of any kind. I was in a squadron home-ported in Moffett/Alameda for 4 JO years in the late '50s/early '60s'... it was heaven. Today, the 'City' is still beautiful, but the populace have lost their collective minds!
BzB
Seems weird today, but one of the finest hustle spots back then... was to troll the coed beer halls just off the UC Berekeley campus in SDBs! Even the ugly dudes like BzB couldn't miss...I know my old man had a similar experience during the same timeframe. Left for Reserves and Whidbey Island a few years before the anti-war movement got underway. I can imagine that it would have been a fantastic place to be stationed...such a nice area crazies notwithstanding.
At some bars- Yes. The greater Bay Area is extremely liberal as compared to what it was in the 50's and 60's. I grew up there and witnessed the changes. In fact the folks that "loved you" and bought you drinks are by far the minority. Of the "liberal/progressives" that bought you drinks- those are likely the ones that publicly support the MIL but among their political friends privately- they scorn the MIL for only hiring white trash and minorities that can't get jobs in our MIL Industrial Complex/greedy corporate society, etc.. I've been a member of both parties at different times of my life and witnessed this phenomena in SF and Marin many times.
I too enjoy the Bay Area folks that truly understand why we have our freedoms and appreciate those that contribute to that ongoing sacrifice but don't kid your self. They are far more bay area residents that despise the MIL and everything that it represents.
The sequestration stuff is political posturing. I hope it ends sooner than later. The Bay Area always makes for great Blue Angel photographic opportunities. Although with the lack of flight hours, I hope they don't attempt the formations with 50 foot wing tip to canopy separation.
Seems weird today, but one of the finest hustle spots back then... was to troll the coed beer halls just off the UC Berekeley campus in SDBs! Even the ugly dudes like BzB couldn't miss...
Anyone crazy enough to try that ever since the late '60s, would most likely have been returned home in a body bag. What a shame!
BzB
Hey Cat, that tough little Skyhawk at Encinal High, has come a long way back from the infamous crane collapse in June 2011. They originally that it was beyond repair, but the aviation enthusiast volunteers did sterling work in an old warehouse, and she's back guarding the EHS campus!Hey BzB - Not all is lost. At least the A-4 still resides outside of Alameda's Encinal High School, and their sports teams are called the "Jets."
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As an "outsider", this is good to know.My whole family is from the Bay Area and I've spent a significant amount of time in and around San Francisco. I'd have to say your perception is wildly inaccurate and borders on caricature. I'll concede there is a vocal minority in the area who are rabidly anti-military, but the majority are--shockingly!-normal Americans living an working in a socially progressive city.
But that's just, like, my opinion, man.
Ain't that the truth!You know, I can do math. Maybe the Generals/Admirals and Politicians think I can't, but I can. It seems to me we've already likely blown past the "cuts" that had to be made, seeing as has they weren't cuts, but just reductions in projected spending. If everyone in the country did our household budgets this way, no one in the country would be able to maintain a security clearance, because we will have declared bankruptcy multiple times.
Looks like NY Fleet Week is done as well. http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/12/nyregion/fleet-week-is-threatened-by-federal-budget-cuts.html?_r=0
Stupid questions, based solely on curiosity.
What happens to the guys on the team now? Assuming that they fly next year, do they stay on an extra year, and if so does that screw them all up as far career progression? At any rate, it seems that either the current members will get the shaft, or those that would be in their years of eligibility will lose out on the chance to be selected.