"My boy, Mike, (Coast Guard Petty Officer) says his unit averaged 25 "saves" or more per day, 12 hours a day, for 6 days during the Katrina rescue. And he was only one of many rescue units."
As was FReeper OneLoyalAmerican, a Master Chief in the USCG
Tell Mike I said
Thank You for your sevice to our country.
Tolerance Sucks Rocks : You are way out of line.
You owe the entire US Coast Guard an apology, now.
I think the ones who owe the entire US Coast Guard an apology are certain of their membership who give that fine organization a black eye by harassing people at 10:30 at night. Inspecting boats for explosives to prevent bridges from being blown up is one thing, but harassing people late at night WITHOUT TELLING THEM THE NATURE OF THEIR BUSINESS is entirely another.
But, I'm willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. Maybe some people think I'm smearing the entire organization. To you people, I do apologize and thank you for serving our country. However, there's no way in hell I'm apologizing to those people who find no problem whatsoever with harassing people for no stated reason. And the Coast Guard would do well to dismiss the likes of them.
Oh, and I'm not some anti-military leftist moonbat, if that's what you're thinking. I went to my high school reunion a few weeks ago and I damn well thanked those people there that I knew served our country. And I'm damn sure that not a one of them was ever like the JBTs that form the subject of this news article.
Even most folks I boarded didnt realize the big difference between standing on terra firms and standing on a floating platform, registered (or not) in a navigable water of the United States. (even when tied to the pier).
The Coast Guards enforcement powers were designed, and rightly so, long ago and are exactly as they should be. The boarding officer has the right to look in every space on the vessel that could hold a person, and to have all the firearms on board accounted for....and yes the semi auto's are going to get a function check to insure they are semi-auto, all the weapons will be called in and checked if they are stolen, as well as the id's of everyone on board.
These are the rules you have to follow folks. Just as you make yourself aware of your rights and obligations to drive a car and what to expect when you are puilled over for speeding, If you have a boat in U.S. waters, you better know your rights and responsibilities that go along with it.
Hey Tonk, that ping pong jab was meant for you!