From the Deck of Hawker Hurricane

[HawkerHurricane]

From the Deck of Hawker Hurricane

Of Sailors and Politics
(And hopefully not repeating myself)

Last time I wrote a 'From the Deck', I mentioned my three friends, who I nicknamed Sparks, Guns and Fire after thier Navy jobs. I've been talking to them (and others) some more, and it's looking better and better...

Sparks, the only true Republican of the three, openly called Bush "an idiot". I told him once in the past that he always supported Republicans and only claimed to like Democrats who were safely out of office. This annoyed him, but he couldn't name a single Democrat currently running who he would vote for President. So I asked him: Are thier any Democrats you would vote for?
His answer shocked me: Feinstein and Clark.
It shocked me because back in 1998, he cursed Feinstein's name for winning a senate seat here in California. 'But since then, she's shown that she's not some maniac left winger' he tells me.
And his favorite Republican who's not running? Christine Whitman.
So, the good news there is that Bush is not getting his vote in 2004. The bad news is that unless Clark runs, the Democrats aren't getting it either. And no, he won't be voting green, he'll probably go with Constitutional Union or Libertarian.

Guns, who voted for Perot in '92, Clinton in '96, and Bush in '00 says he deeply regrets his vote for Bush. He feels that Gore might have taken a month longer to 'Get' the Taliban in Afghanistan, but he wouldn't waste out time with Saddam and Iraq... And on every other measurement, Gore would be better than Bush. He's voting for 'Any Democrat' in '04, unless they nominate LaRouche. I'm with him, I wouldn't vote for LaRouche for anything.

Fire, good Catholic that he is, will not vote for Bush again either: There is more to politics than the Abortion issue, and Bush is on the wrong side of all of them. Besides, he says, 'bad economy and poverty is causing more abortions, therefore anything that helps those things help my cause too.' He seems to have softened on the issue, to the point of wanting it minimized without having to ban it (if that makes sense). So he's voting Democrat also, but unlike the rest of us he's still registered in his 'home' state of Missourri. (Military men can vote in thier 'home of record' vice where they are living, hence all the absentee ballots, even from people in the US).

Now, a co worker, who I'll call 'Wheel'...
Wheel is a good Christian (non-fundie), slightly younger than me and we work together daily. He's of the opinion that Bush is a disaster for this country; that the War in Iraq was a waste of time, money and lives, and that if Clinton could be impeached for lying about his sex life than Bush should be impeached for lying about the war. Another Bush vote gone.

Last and least, our resident Freeper has decided to leave the service. Rather than re-enlist, he's done his four and out, going home and getting back in 'the real world'. The only man onboard who vocally supported the war in Iraq has decided that he never wants anything to do with the military again, rather than risk being sent back. I'll miss him, for his easy to refute emails made him the laughing stock of the command, and the main weapon in my arsenal to convert the ignorant from Bush Worship. He left, questioning my patriotism once more...which I responded "I've done 20 years of service to my country, you are bailing out after 4...which one of us is the patriot again?"

So, out of 5 stories, I've got 4 with good news. I'm on a roll.

Now if I can just get my cousin "Coastie" to admit his error, I'll be all set.

And I remain

Hawker Hurricane
PO1, USN
Leading Chemical Weapon Detector
Taking deep breaths, in San Diego Harbor

[SpiralHawk]

1. Roll on, Hawker

Great post.

Let the truth be revealed. May justice prevail.

[Clete]

2. Good to hear from you again.

I was afraid you were "lost at sea". I am finding similar sentiments in my civilian Repuke neighborhood, too.

[madrchsod]

3. my wife works

on a printing press with three guys who all voted for bush..but they`re notvoting for him this time. lost 401k`s ,no jobs, and the war seems to be what`s really pissing them off. the one is a nam vet, and his son is in the guard needless to say he`s worried....one repubilcan at a time...

[gratuitous]

4. The literacy folks would be proud

"Each one teach one" is the motto from years ago of a national group that promotes literacy. If every person who could read committed to teaching a person who can't read, the illiteracy would be largely wiped out.

Hawker Hurricane shows that with some patience, persistence, and most of all, facts, even the most recalcitrant Republican mind can be reached. Take it slow, use good facts, and folks can draw their own conclusions. We have many months before the 2004 elections, so keep your facts burnished, and prepare to knock down those "but W's such a good Christian man, a straight shooter" arguments.

Good for you, HH!!

[Darth_Kitten]

5. Tell everyone that Darth Kitten says "hello"

:hi: (like it matters, right? haha!!!)

Take care and keep on posting!!!! :) :bounce: :donut: :evilgrin:

[rasputin1952]

30. That is one GREAT pic...

ROFLMAO! Congrat's!

[Ripley]

6. Great post HH!

When do you get to acquire your land legs back?

I'm shocked someone with only 4 years in would actually question your patriotism to your face! I mean we're all used to the Chicken Hawks on TV dismissing "liberal" vets and active duty soldiers from their cushy seats in D.C., but to your face?

There have been lots of posts here recently about troops on the ground being extremely hot and bothered about Smirk's "Bring em on!" statement. Honestly, I don't know who this unelected fraud is talking to in these types of statements.

Thanks for posting, always great to read you. :7

[Nashyra]

12. Just had breakfast with my Realtor

Her husband was a Canadian * voter who is now "tired" of * and will not vote for him again, her mother in Florida will not vote for * again and her very wealthy neighbors are so pissed off at * they have registered as Democrats and are putting signs in front of their $3million home. Her sister also a Repug is "dismayed" at the * and has vowed never to vote Repug again. I gave her a print out of Clark and she was excited. These were die hard Repugs, she could hardly believe what they were telling her and she also said that alot of their friends were fed up, especially the neighbors and they were benefits of the tax cuts, however they can't keep their rental properties rented here in Tahoe or the Bay area.

[Ripley]

15. That's amazing.

What are they pissed about? I find that the two groups of people I know who voted for Smirk don't regret it (yet). The first group is the die-hard repubs who hate anything liberal, and the second group (my family falls into) are pretty much fiscal conservatives and social progressives who voted for him only for the tax cuts. And since they're getting their tax cuts and haven't lost work, they're still for him.

[rasputin1952]

31. I am neither shocked, nor surprised...

that a RW'er would bail when the heat is on. It is their MO.

I work with a couple of people that are RW'ers, and they jumped on the bandwagon for war; I offered to take them to the recruiter of their choice, but I had no takers. I use the same line any time I hear the insanity of standing by bush on Iraq. If the offender is older, I ask if they will volunteer their children or grandchildren.
Needless to say, no takers.

It is always easier to get others to do your fighting, why get dirty if you can get the other guy to lay in the mud for you? Bunch of cretins if you ask me. I've spent many a night in the mud and rain, in the heat and dust, and the ice and snow. I did it willingly, although I griped, like every good soldier should. But I, like those before me, those with me, and those that came after, believed in what we were doing, and we were willing to sacrifice comfort, or our lives, if the cause was just. Freepers cannot understand this, they have no dignity.

:hi:

[Walt Starr]

7. Doesn't the resident Freeper have to stay in?

I thought the military was under stop-gap, which means your resident freeper can't get out right now.

[HawkerHurricane]

18. He's not in a 'critical field'

So, he walks out.

[BOSSHOG]

8. Rock On HH

The last thing a christian conservative wants to do is question my patriotism. I did my 24+. I didn't vote for bush. I'm an american. I'm a patriot. I got my card punched in a combat zone. I have no problem scrubbing the deck with a chickenhawk.

[ewagner]

16. Respect

Sir, you just earned much respect from the hinterlands of Wisconsin.

[Libby2]

33. I wanna see you do that soooooo bad !

lol

[WoodrowFan]

45. which end?

"I have no problem scrubbing the deck with a chickenhawk. "

which end do you use?? 8-)

[HawkerHurricane]

52. The one with the hair...

Since the purpose of a swab is to pick up dirty water.

[Armstead]

9. Good news

Even if your friend votes for the Constitution Party it's one less for GW

[salin]

10. Thanks for the update HH

needed a little ray of light today. :D :hi:

[wellstone_democrat]

11. Gee, you would think he'd want to "help the President!"

Where I live there is all sorts of talk about "helping the President" with this, that, and the other thing. It makes him sound like the lost incompetent soul he is.

I'm so shocked that your freeper doesn't feel an OBLIGATION to helping make sure that the "Mission" is indeed "Accomplished"!

What a great report, Nice to hear from you again---you got back while I was away for my own work and off line. I looked for your posts through "prolesunited" and you were in my thoughts and prayers constantly. Oh, in San Diego now? Ooops, you are on your own! Good luck and behave yourself.

[HawkerHurricane]

19. But if the "Mission is Accomplished",

He doesn't need to help Bush anymore, does he?

And I always behave myself when in home port. Mrs. Hurricane sees to it.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

13. Salute to you, Hawker!

My brother was in for 20 years, did two tours in Viet Nam, and knew from the start that Bush was an idiot. Let's get some people in there who care about our country-and our veterans!

[JNelson6563]

14. Great report Hawk!

Well it seems your work there is done. Time to get new shipmates. ;-)

Good to hear from you and know you are safe.

Take good care~

Julie

[Nobody]

17. Hey Hawker!

I love your updates and I'm so glad you're stateside. I just saw some pics of a couple family members of a friend who are still in Iraq. They were able to meet up with each other and both want to come home.

The news about the potential votes was great. I don't want to know what would happen if the doofus in thief hung on to the Oval Office for another 4 years.

Good for you for showing the chickenhawks a true patriot.

[LWolf]

20. Great work, Hawker.

The dems are convinced. The progressives have been convinced since before his inauguration. The moderates are beginning to come around.

Every repub that doesn't vote bush counts. I'm still waiting for one to turn here in my little corner of republican heaven. A billboard a few miles away fervently thanks the president for the action in Iraq and tells him what a great job he is doing. I'll see my biggest resident freeper Sunday night. He's a big fan of savage/rush/hannity; I'll have my work cut out for me.

:hi:

waving from northern L.A. county

[LiberalLibra]

21. YOU GO BUDDY - YOU ARE DOING GREAT!!! By all means keep....

...us posted on the military and your life goings on. I like your articles.

[KG]

22. way to go, buddy-ro.

[northofdenali]

23. You're doing good work, Hawker -

congratulations on "turning" a few of our (previous) opponents. You've recruited 4, who will recruit 4 more, and onward and upward.

Stay safe.

[leesa]

24. What's good about liking Feinstein??

She's a Republican if there ever was one. She's on Israel's payroll and her husband cashed in bigtime on the Iraq war with her full approval. She's slime.

[SweetZombieJesus]

28. Jello Biafra once called her...

Diane "Banker Buttlicker" Feinstein, the Dragon Lady with no fuckin heart.

And whenever I get the chance, I call her the same. HST has no love for her either, and as a fellow freak, I share their enmity.

[HawkerHurricane]

34. He hated Feinstein 5 years ago

Called her a 'San Fransisco Liberal' like it was something disgusting. Now he's saying she'd make a good President. Go figure.

[Ivory_Tower]

25. Once again, a great post

I always make a point to look for your posts. I know I'll be guaranteed an interesting read.

(20 years in the service, eh? That means you joined up during the Reagan administration? You were a brave man to do that! :) )

Glad to hear that people are waking up to this administration's incompetence. It's just sad that it took so much to get people to see it.

[HawkerHurricane]

35. Some people confuse bravery with ignorance.

I will plead ignorance, I signed up young and foolish, and didn't believe I could be hurt, and Reagan was a good President.

I grew out of all of that since then, though.

[U4ikLefty]

39. I can relate to that youthful ignorance HH

I too was a young Repub way back in then. The only reason I avoided the military is because of my uncle who suffered from Agent Orange related cancer. That left a BIG impression on me, not about the military, but about our leaders under whom the military must take orders. Funny thing looking back is that I didn't apply that rule to Reagan...go figure!!!

Let me say that I admire your growth in your world view. It takes strength to reach a point of cognitive dissonace & come out with positive change in our life. You're a good man HH, thanks for being out there. :-)

Hey, maybe we can start a support group for recovering Republicans.

[HawkerHurricane]

41. Support group for Repubs?

"Hello, my name is Hawker Hurricane, and I haven't voted for a Republican since 1990..."

[Johnyawl]

43. Exactly, HH!!

I was young and dumb, and thought I was immortal when I joined the Marines in 1968. I thought Richard Nixon and I were gonna kick ass all over Asia.

sheeesh. I can't believe how stupid I was at 18. What great wit once remarked, "Youth is wasted on the young."

I've always enjoyed your updates, Hawker, and I'm glad to hear that you're home, and safe with your family. I only wish all our boys were.

John

[Vitruvius]

26. HH is excellent, as always.

And :kick:

[Eloriel]

27. Good to hear from you again!

Do they let you guys off that boat now and then, or are you chained to the ship?

So, the good news there is that Bush is not getting his vote in 2004. The bad news is that unless Clark runs, the Democrats aren't getting it either.

Oh, wait. It's early. My guess is he'd like Dean a lot too. ;-) Maybe even Graham or Edwards.

Eloriel

[HawkerHurricane]

36. I work something like a normal schedule, now...

Monday thru Friday, 0730 to 1500, and duty every 6 days.

A little underway here and thier, as we start our post deployment maintanance cycle.

[DoYouEverWonder]

29. I've got two more

Career military, who have been coverted because of Bush and Iraq. One is in Kuwait right now and very unhappy about the situation there. He's in procurement, but can't get anything he needs. He says there's a lot more to tell when he gets back, but for now he's not a happy camper.

Another man, a retired submariner that I know, is totally po'd because the VA just cut the benefits for spouses and dependents. He used to spend $100-200/month to cover his wife. Thanks to Bu$h it recently jumped to over $1000/month. He's a lifelong republican and he said he will never vote for W again.

Anyway, good to hear you're doing well and on shore. Thanks, for all the updates, it's good to know that people in the military, despite the shielding, can see through W and his bs.

[rasputin1952]

32. Great HH...

my daughter is on a bird-farm and will be arriving shortly in Bremerton to ETS. She says that most of those on the ship can't stand bush, and believe he is an idiot.

He's going down, hard!

[Bossy Monkey]

37. Please submit this as an article to DU

Very good, very encouraging

[xray s]

38. Question for HH

What is your reading on Clark? What is his reputation within the military?

Thanks,
X

[HawkerHurricane]

40. A Question!

Before your sun grew hot in space,
Before your race was born,
I have awaited...
A Question!
(Star Trek, 'The Gaurdian of Forever')

Seriously, Clark's reputation is good. My initial reading of him is favorable. I hope he runs, perhaps in the VP slot, and then for President in 2012.

[diamond14]

42. Hi HH ! keep up the good work...one person at a time....

that's how it will happen, if every DU spent a few minutes convincing a reTHUGlican that this administration is NOT good for them, for our country, for anything....

[HawkerHurricane]

44. Remember, the membership of DU

Is greater than Bush's margin of victory in Florida. (He won, 5-4, but that's not what I'm talking about.

[lebkuchen]

46. Greetings from Norway!

HH, did your friends see this in "Stars and Stripes?" Ask any who might consider voting repub in 2004 why they would do so when it was the GOP that voted to cut vet benefits (the day after passing a resolution to "support the troops," no less).

I'd like to hear the rationale of any military GOP voter for voting repub in the next election. To me, it's an exercise in self-abuse.


http://estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=16176#June%2021p

Correction

Due to an editing error, the June 16 letter “FCC changes limit information” contained an incorrect dollar amount for cuts in veterans’ benefits and health care voted for by the U.S. House of Representatives on March 20. The House voted to cut $28 billion in veterans’ benefits and health care.

[HawkerHurricane]

53. We don't get Stars and Stripes

Which I believe is done by US Army Europe.

Navy Times is our paper, and it's farther to the right and more ignored.

[proud patriot]

47. As always thanks for the report HH

:hi:

[Skittles]

48. FARCE?

I'LL KICK YOUR ASS !!! :evilgrin:

[HawkerHurricane]

54. Anytime, Skittles baby....

Squids can take Air Farce.

[Aristus]

49. Thanks, Hawk. Four out of five ain't bad.

Keep up the good work. :hi:

[flpoljunkie]

50. Thanks for your post, Hurricane.

It's truly wonderful to hear that people cannot be fooled all of the time by this sorry excuse for a commander-in-chief.

Stay well.

:kick:

[PROGRESSIVE1]

51. Welcome aboard...

Democrats Take Back America in 04' :dem:

[Sophree]

55. Thank you so much

For your service to our country- military and otherwise.

It seems that Americans, even Republicans, are starting to come out of this period of insanity and your post gives me much hope!

Glad you are safe back in US waters.

:thumbsup:

[roguevalley]

56. You're a good man and a good American, honey.

You are changing minds and saving lives. Hugs to you
and to the kids you are educating. I love stories like
this. They tell the truth.

[HawkerHurricane]

57. I support our troops

I want them to do the missions required for the good of the country, not the good of the individual some call President.

We are wasting time, treasure and lives in Iraq that would be better used hunting down the monsters that attacked us on 9/11/01.