" Mr.Ricocafe99: I am neither a Brawleyite (you assumed again) nor have I stated my opinion on the existence of the Blue Angels. (That is your third strike against me. According to your rules, when are you out?) I was greatly surprised when you stated you didn't support the existence of the Blue Angels. That is why I asked you to state your reasons for not supporting their existence. I am still pondering and researching your comments. "

" Royalcan, OK you're a Brawleyite, I'm sorry to ask if you were a Canadian and even sorrier that you are a Brawleyite but at least you are from the valley and an American.(although none of these things other than staying in Brawley was of your own chosing)therefore your opinion (misguided as it may be) on this subject is valid. "

" Mr.Ricocafe99: You state, "... I to assume you are a Royal Canadian." You know what is said about a person who 'assumes' something.
(FYI: I was born in Pioneers Hospital. That would make me a "north of Keystone" native----A fate worse than being a Canadian in your book, EH? ) "

" ricocafe - Do you pay to go to these events? Almost sounds like you pay to be bored. "

" Holababy..no I have never flown into the base on any occasion much less during the airshow. Is it the civilian aeroclowns who come in to perform one of their yawner shows who get free fuel? "

" ricocafe99-its obvious you never flew a private plane to the base on the blue angle show weekend.

if you had--you would know the rules. you would know about the fueling. "

" Ricocafe - Agreed the services are underfunded on both ends active/reserve and veterans benefits.
I don't agree that we could not defend ourselves in the case of an attack. We have armed citizens and although initially the US might be stunned retaliation would be swift and no one would be able to militarily occupy US soil.
Clinton saw to the demise of our so-called unreadiness when he decided to close bases across the nation after taking office.
As far as my base privileges go. They are not free I earned them, I am a disabled veteran and I do use the few benefits given. "

" holababy...come on now even I don't buy that one! But I did read that Angels have a 10% fatality rate which apparently is very high although I don't know how they came up with this number or what exactly it means...but at $22 million per plane it doesn't sound good. "

" how can so many people live in the valley and not know how things work.

didya know that people that fly thier own private plans to a blue angle show---get their tanks topped-off--"free" when they fly out ?

"

" we waste money on these flying entertainers while the national Guard goes underfunded, read the report on CNN today:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. military isn't ready for a catastrophic attack on the country, and National Guard forces don't have the equipment or training they need for the job, according to a report.


Kentucky National Guardsmen arrive in Arizona in 2006 to support the U.S. Border Patrol.

Even fewer Army National Guard units are combat-ready today than were nearly a year ago when the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves determined that 88 percent of the units were not prepared for the fight, the panel says in a new report released Thursday.

The independent commission is charged by Congress to recommend changes in law and policy concerning the Guard and Reserves.

The commission's 400-page report concludes that the nation "does not have sufficient trained, ready forces available" to respond to a chemical, biological or nuclear weapons incident, "an appalling gap that places the nation and its citizens at greater risk."

"Right now we don't have the forces we need, we don't have them trained, we don't have the equipment," commission Chairman Arnold Punaro said in an interview with The Associated Press. "

" Gymjunkie, although the Blue Angels do bring in needed mionies to our fair valley it still seems like an enormous waste of money and that recruitment scam is a crock! Now why is that you get all these freebies at the base?
Royalcan..by your blog name am I to assume you that are a Canadian? If so your taxes arent paying for this "recruitment" campaign, now leave your wallet and go home...snowbirds get too much special attention around here as it is. "

" Must be a few joining.
"The study shows NAF El Centro, through stationed and transient military personnel, put back $81.7 million in total business sales to the county in 2006 and also accounted for $10.9 million in federal, state and local tax revenues."
Or didn't you read the article?
If they are spending that much just in the valley then the expenditures seem to be justified. "

" gymjunkie, For the amount of people that join up, don't you think those are pretty expensive "recruitment" expenditures? "

" Millions of $$$ poured into the county? I've never seen a dime of it. Hey, who has my cut? "

" Captain Hubbard is doing an outstanding job ever since he took over at NAF. He really gets involved in the community and he and his wife actively seek out ways they can help. NAF is definitely a wonderful asset to the valley. "

" Not to mention the fact that a one day event in the I.V. put on by the Angels brought in 1 million bucks. Chump change? I think not and it more than pays for the gas. What other event in the I.V. brings in that much money in one day? Plus I'm sure all the people attending the air show were not from the valley, so hotels, restaurants, and other retails made out that day too. "

" This (Blue Angels) was already discussed a few weeks ago.
The Navy can have all the fun they want for what they do to keep this country free.
But that aside, Young men and women who look up and say Da Plane, when the Angels fly over and attend events put on by them, and then say yeah I want to fly da plane, is what it's all about. "

" I can understand, and appreciate, the usefulness of deploying the taxpers planes and pilots on missions beneficial to our country's security. But, honestly, what useful purpose do the Blue Angels provide besides having people on the ground looking up and yelling, "Da plane! Da plane!"??? The taxpayers money could be better-spent elsewhere. "

" My reason against the Blue nAngels is purely economic, it has nothing to do with any opposition or disrespect for our military. I think the return on the investment is not there and their budget is better spent on other items. Having said that I do respect their incredible skill and abilities and appreciate that they bring revenue into my home county which is good for our local economy. But when I see a 25 million dollar plane and a 14 million dollar pilot practising loop de loops above my $25,000 dollar crop on which I can barely pay the taxes on I feel a little resentment. "

" Mr. Ricocafe99: Please help me to understand why you are opposed to the existence of Blue Angels. Please list your reasons. Thank you. "

" Support NAF. When I visit friends and family in the valley I always stay at NAF with Navy Lodging, inexpensive and tax free. They have 4 excellent mobile homes and RV hook-ups. Not to mention security. I never worry about whether or not my car will still be there when I wake up. The gym is pretty nice and the pool is excellent. Also free entertainment by way of the Blue Angels. "

" Well that is a big number..although I am fundamentally opposed to the Blue Angels existence I will take their money. Business is business. "

" go navy "