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LineInTheSand

USCGA 2006
10-Year Member
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Nov 25, 2007
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All I received the following message today from a recent member of the forum.

"Several weeks ago, I mentioned on the forum that I thought you, as active duty CG, were spending way too much time during working hours on the SA forum. It gives the civilians who read these forums a bad impression of the military. You obviously do not agree. I feel that military members must be above reproach. You, to my way of thinking, are not exhibiting these attributes. Therefore, I have expressed my concerns to both the headquarters, USCG, and the Federal Fraud, Waste, and Abuse hotline.

I would have hoped that you would have been mature enough to understand the folly of your ways. However, this is apparently not the case. Sorry if I have caused you grief. Hopefully, someday you may realize that I did you a favor."

I want to clear up a few things for all of you if they weren't already clear (and I'm sure for the vast majority they were). First, my actions on this forum are entirely unofficial. Next, I am not "monitoring" this website from work, however I do check it, and I sometimes I comment. My activity however is generally left to after the work day (sometimes too late at night). Unfortunately when someone hears something they don't like or don't agree with, they want to throw around threats to "intimidate" other members of the forum. It's uncalled for and limits participation. I have forwarded the message to TN, but I will not forward the senders name in the forum. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know.
 
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LITS: I would venture to say that the idea presented in this email is shared my very few members of this forum. You one of the very few (if not the only one!) active Coast Guard members on this site.

Please know that we appreciate the time that you make to help future military members. Thank you, even if we don't acknowledge it all the time :thumb:
 
First thought came to my mind is:

How do hey know you don't work night shift and you are on the site during your off hours. Do they assume that all military folks work office hours? Oh, yes LITS, I classified you as military:smile::smile::smile:

Second thought that came to my mind, is maybe your command wants you on the board as part of your duties to help answer questions as it relates to the USCGA.

Third thought is why would someone want to "report" you for being on the board. Don't they have better things to do. Do they have proof that you are involved in fraud and waste.

Reminds me of once when I was home on leave someone asked don't I feel guilty for having 3 weeks R/R when there is a war going on. They didn't think to ask how I felt being home from a 9 month deployment for the war right before that.

My dad always said you should seek to understand the situation fully before opening your mouth. There is a famous quote similar, don't recall who said it, but it was something to the effect of better to remain silent and thought to be a fool, than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt.

I would be curious to know how this person came to a conclusion of fraud and waste without knowing your working hours, orders, mission, billet, etc.
 
Good questions. He doesn't. He's someone who hasn't agreed with everything I've said....and he's fairly "new".
 
It's me LITS... I hate you :yllol: :rolleyes:


I think your input is much appreciated. I for one have learned much about the Coast Guard from your posting. I think you've benefited the CG by being on here.
Thanks, and you have my respect. :cool:
 
I enjoy LITS postings. I enjoy reading what arguments you have and your insight into the USCG, a branch much less understood by most in this country.
 
]Reminds me of once when I was home on leave someone asked don't I feel guilty for having 3 weeks R/R when there is a war going on. They didn't think to ask how I felt being home from a 9 month deployment for the war right before that.

I'm dumbfounded by this statement. I really don't know how I would have reacted to this.
 
Third thought is why would someone want to "report" you for being on the board. Don't they have better things to do. Do they have proof that you are involved in fraud and waste.

Reminds me of the older retired folk that live in my grandmothers gated community in Florida. There are just people there that look for things you do "wrong" or complain about things not worth complaining about. e.g. Me running with my shirt off because it was 90 out. Having your garage door up. Like seriously, people just like to complain about useless crap.

I enjoy reading LITS's posts and its awesome that he is here.

Its also nice to have another hockey fan here :thumb:
 
LITS, I hope you will stay engaged. I think you contribute much to this forum, even if only to help educate young soph-jr level high-school students become aware that there is more than traditional military service and that there are more than "three" service academies. Just the recent discussions over the piracy incident and the capabilities of the Navy and Coast Guard in interdiction efforts have been enlightening.

It is unfortunate that some are always willing to not only give their opinions, but seek to force their opinions on others. It is also unfortunate that some get on high-horses to "help you" by "reporting" behavior that they "assume" to be the way they assume it. I need not remind anyone here about the consequences of "assumptions" and what that can make of those who do!

Thanks for not being intimidated when you have done no wrong (see, I can make assumptions too!). Gee, I wonder how much more of my tax money will be diverted from other priorities to investigate this egregious "fraud!" I think right now -- somewhere -- some military person has been told to "hurry up..." and now they are "waiting." I sure hope they are engaging in secondary military activities so they are not "wasting time." Gee, I think I saw some of them at the airport -- "waiting" -- to deploy....

Thank you too, Sir, for your service.
 
I'm dumbfounded by this statement. I really don't know how I would have reacted to this.

Dumbfounded is a good word, that's about how I felt. This was one of my most memorable experiences in the "there really are some stupid questions" area.

Another good one was when an old high school friend told me how lucky I was that I don't have to pay taxes.

James
 
I do not know where this person gets off writing a comment like this to you.
I do an occasional post, and I read your posts. They are ethical, professional
and I believe you bring great insight into the forum about the U.S. Coast Guard.
Thank you for your posts, and keep them coming. This person's comments are unsubstantiated.
 
LITS, with the 24/7 world we live and work in, you especially on active duty, I don't bat an eye about when you post. I'm in my "second half century of excellence," consider myself reasonably tech-forward, usually have my personal devices with wireless with me at work, and while sipping a Diet Coke during a break, do my personal internet stuff the same way I'd read the newspaper. I answer work emails/texts by Blackberry at 2200 and 0600 from my home, the flip side of doing personal stuff during what used to be known as the "regular work day."
 
LITS, with the 24/7 world we live and work in, you especially on active duty, I don't bat an eye about when you post. I'm in my "second half century of excellence," consider myself reasonably tech-forward, usually have my personal devices with wireless with me at work, and while sipping a Diet Coke during a break, do my personal internet stuff the same way I'd read the newspaper. I answer work emails/texts by Blackberry at 2200 and 0600 from my home, the flip side of doing personal stuff during what used to be known as the "regular work day."

The evil Blackberry (or for me, Treo)....my enemy and my friend....never leaves my side (ok, rarely leaves my side).
 
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