bd popeye
The soul that is within me no man can degrade

Thank you shipmate! And thank you for your service to our nation.

I found that avatar on line. But yep..it's in Jax! Haven't been there since '71.

Popeye, is your avatar pic taken in Jacksonville, Fl?? I thought I recognized it but it's been a long time since I was home. This Grunt thanks you for your service and your pics :)

Thanks you! And thank you for your service to our nation.

And I fully understand you point on taxes.

Thanks again!

Thanks for your comment. I too am retired military (USAF), and subscribe to Tricare prime. $415 per year, and can more than afford any increase in taxes, of most anything I named.

Its the idea of singling out a group of people who can least afford it to pay for a system that does not benifit them.

If one wants to feel good about health care then smokers are only a small part of the overall problem and so we should spread the cost.

I will enjoy my cigarette, because I have no other choice. (I "AM" addicted). If the government really wanted to do something they would have raised the legal age to 19, then 20, then 21 etc. But has become a cash cow and politically correct to punish 20% of all adults who do smoke, with minimal results.

Its too bad the Chinese didn't have our congress during the opium wars, or opium would still be legal, only heavly taxed.

Thank you! I intend to keep that thread alive for at least a couple of months. We shall see what shakes out. Thanks again.

Thank you! You can't disrespect the United States Navy

Right on BD, u told him.

That is really a 73. That pic is from the JFKs Med cruise in 1973. Kinda faded. I served from 25 August 1971 until 31 August 1991.

popeye, can't read the month on your photo from 71 in the navy, but looks like you and I were in about the same time. cheers!