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[Clansgian AT wmconnect.com]

> I do have to disagree with you a bit, though.  I know McCain got a lot of 
favors and breaks because of his father and grandfather, but being in the 
Navy 
is hard-Annapolis is no picnic, and it's not easy to land on a carrier. 

I understand your bias in this but my attitude stands unabated.  I don't 
doubt that Obama rose early, burned midnight oil, wore out some shoe leather 
doing 
his organizing.  Likewise I don't doubt that there is precious little 
ass-sitting in the Navy.

But it isn't the same in either case as a real job or a real enterprise.  It 
goes far beyond the effort factor.  A person under a long grant or in a stint 
in the Navy has their way made for them, financed for them by the force of 
taxes, and unless they screw up in some way they have very good prospects for 
staying there for the duration and with the same or better remuneration.

But, let's say, managing a fishing boat you don't know whether you are going 
to catch anything, and even if you do you don't know that you can sell it or 
for how much.  If the boat breaks down, fuel prices go up, insurance is 
cancelled, bad weather abounds, you get injured, etc. you bear the brunt of 
it alone 
and it can be financially devastating.   A long time Navy man has faced none 
of that that wasn't backed up by someone else's money (taxes).  It isn't the 
same thing.   </HTML>