Free Republic

I live in the area, and at first I was upset over this. But if this is done, there are a lot of very left wing churches in the 'hood. One down the street was using the church bus to shuttle members to the Gay Pride Parade - don't think they'd survive political speech test (never know tho' with today's judges).But I'm afraid in the long run churches will have to choose between what's right and $$$; the silver lining is that if this starts to happen, it would be an opportunity to shut down all 527 and like organizations also. . .

Correct Link is:

http://www.moaa.org/Legislative/SpecialUpdate.asp

Actually glad someone is trying to put a stake into this stupid plan to kill PX's, commissaries and schools.

Stateside PXs aren't low cost (Wal-Mart is usually cheaper)- but about 20% of the take goes back into the community vice profits. So, if you kill the PX system either quality of life for military families declines or tax payers pick up the tab.

Commissaries are a different story - IMHO should be merged into the PX/AAFES system, with only subsidies for overseas locations.

Closing base schools would force tens of thousands of kids to ride buses for journies everyday - another decrement to quality of life.

Off-post retailers have been trying to kill PXs and Commissaries for years to increase their market share; they couldn't care less about those in uniform.

Too bad a Republican couldn't have taken a lead in this and too bad this administration that has put many in harms way even allowed this to come to the table.

"an unimpeachable source said Monday."

I guess this didn't come from Bill Clinton . . .

Remember, a billion Chinese can't be wong about this . .

Here's a counter to the Wired article (the original also caught my interest):

Diamonds... Don't Sell After All?
By Dr. Steve Sjuggerud
President, Investment U


"I'll admit I don't know a thing about diamonds," I said at the end of Monday's article on lab-grown diamonds. I then said "that one article (the Wired Magazine story) may not be the full story - I just found it to be interesting."

It seems the article caused quite a stir. Apparently a number of our readers and a number of specialists in the diamond industry thought it ranged from incorrect to scandalous.

As I mentioned, nearly everything in my article appeared in Wired Magazine. If you haven't read the article, I urge you to read it: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/11.09/diamond.html

As I said: "the Wired story may not be the full story." In the interests of learning the full story, we've asked two respected names in the field of colored diamonds and precious stones for their comments. Enjoy...

---

From Stephen Hershoff, President of Pastor-Genève

In response to Dr. Sjuggerud's article, I would say this: Don't sell your diamonds now. Nor should you panic over The Investment U E-letter #266, sent 18 August, 2003 via e-mail. This e-letter was compiled from an article in Wired Magazine entitled "The New Diamond Age." The interpretation of the original article does not present an accurate view of the market. It does not address the fact that various - and at first undetectable - diamond substitutes have been available for over a decade, with no negative results to the natural diamond market.

Please also remember that the author of letter #266 is not qualified to analyze or advise on the future of the diamond market, as he readily admitted. And you should also know that the following was omitted from the original Wired article, "The New Diamond Age:"

"Man-made diamonds are more like synthetic emeralds, introduced in large quantities in the mid-1970s. But then the gem laboratories discovered that the synthetic stones could easily be distinguished using a standard microscope. The price (of manufactured emeralds) is now less than 3% of natural stones."

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in New York can identify "created" (synthetic) diamonds 100% of the time. If there is any doubt as to natural origin, an "Undetermined" comment is assigned. And, in April of 2001, the Federal Trade Commission said that it was "unfair or deceptive" to call a man-made diamond a "diamond."

There are those who show off counterfeit Rolex Watches, hang art reproductions in their homes, carry imitation Louis Vuitton handbags and wear cubic zirconium or even "cultured diamond" jewelry. These, however, are not investments - they are consumer goods. The existence of such products has no effect on the strength and price direction of genuine - or in the case of diamonds - "natural" goods, particularly rare colored diamonds.

And David Marcum, President of Florida Jewelry Appraisers, Inc., had this to say:

Regarding the article, "Sell Your Diamonds Now," by Steve, and also the much-talked-about article in Wired Magazine, it is vital you understand that the Wired article is old and misleading news.

The most significant inaccuracy was that the author did not check with the world's premier information source on synthetic diamonds; namely, the Gemological Institute of America. If the author had, he would learned the following.

First, large synthetic diamonds have been made for at least 10 years, and identifying them has never been difficult for a competent laboratory. All contain some kind of "seed" crystal that can be identified, or other characteristic (e.g. platinum particles) that are inclusions to the actual growth process. The bottom line is that all synthetic diamonds do not spontaneously grow - even in the right conditions. Seeds are always "added" to an existing crystal, which is a giveaway in the identification process.

Second, natural yellow diamonds are not more expensive than natural fine white diamonds. Fine white synthetic diamonds are harder to make than synthetic yellows. Therefore, the yellows are what is generally grown in the lab. And the fact is, competent gemological laboratories worldwide can easily tell synthetic yellow from natural yellow diamonds.

---

As I said a week ago, "the goal of these Investment U E-Letters is to educate you... to open your eyes a bit... and to help you see the investment world in a different way than you'll find from your financial planner or CNBC."

I think the diamond debate, from Wired Magazine to professionals inside the industry, meets those criteria. I know more about diamonds now than I ever have.

WOW! Even thinking this - breaking the faith with military retirees - makes me shudder.

As a member of several military organizations, if we confirm that this is even being considered, we'll ensure every active duty member in Iraq and Afghanistan will receive updates on this issue via e-mail and snail mail.

Wow.

Works very well - Thanx! Wasn't there some problem with NKPA Absentee Ballots missing?

I think we should find the right Rear Admiral in the Greek Navy to thank for this.

I worked for him for about 18 months - he's Christian. Absolutely great choice to be out front for th U.S. in that part of the world.

Very very smart; was one of the Rangers who led the way in Granada and much more . . . very distinguished record.

Thanx for posting this. DoD really needs to rethink shrinking the size of the Army from 10 to 8 Divisions. Should be expanding the Army while additionally pulling out combat power from Germany and Korea and 'civilianizing' base support functions, logistics, etc . . .

The bottom line problem is that through the 80's Japan had huge asset bubbles form (equities, real estate, etc . . .) and associated bad debt. That debt has never been cleared from the market, as the Gov't, through fiscal and monetary policy has prevented the debt from being liquidated (as in, even today - 14 years later - keeping this bank afloat).

Unfortunately, the U.S. is following down the same path . . .

"I do not understand a belief system contrary to Christ, and still be a "devout Christian?"

As a Freemason and Christian for many years, there is no conflict since there is no 'belief' system in Freemasonry.

Thank you! I'm writng up a paper on an experiment concerning EMH . . .you don't mind if I use this joke to end?

I think MSNBC has moved to the right for coverage of the campaign in Iraq . . .the telltale sign is that I've seen that Kristy Lane CD being advertised on MSNBC. A little too much cheerleading going on on FNC - I just want the info.

Actually, I've been watching MSNBC -IMHO far better coverage than FNC. Having McCafferty and Warden (those two alone provide greater insight than anyone on FNC). Plus Allard is top notch. MSNBC has a set rhythym that provides more information than FNC.

FNC babes are better tho'