Situation Reports from Bobby Ross's Greyhound Cyber-Tour
Bobby Ross LRRP Network
 Bobby Ross, me, and my daughter Tara at the Berkeley Memorial Building unveiling of the Electronic Memorial and hand-lettered poster list of Berkeley Vietnam casualties.
 H O M E |
SEPTEMBER 12, 2000
Hey LRRPs! This is gonna be my first official Cyber-Tour Sit-Rep. My last night in Nashville was catching me about as excited as I used to get when I was in the 'Nam and waitin' ta get goin' at dawn's early light to go on a Search & Destroy Mission. Mixed emotions and forlorn memories. Coordinating all aspects of this Cyber-Tour has been in some instances a nightmare. I've had to arrange barter circumstances to have my TOC on Music Row covered in my absence. My plants, tropical fish and, or course, (and not forgetting) my Kitty Tahoe Toy all require daily maintenance. Especially the cat. Kitty knew something was afoot, and he kept rather close to the door Thursday evening as if he knew I was readying myself to go through it. He tolerates me, but doesn't like to see me go. Packing one suitcase, with my CDs taking up most of the space, I had that chore wrapped up when my new Pop Music artist, Jeff Skorik showed up at approximately 15 minutes to 7:00 AM. My guitar was packed, and I was ready to leave my place at a few minutes after 7. Kitty ran and hid. He couldn't stand to see me go. Like a small child..... Got to the Greyhound Bus station, Jeff dropped me off, and I pulled and pushed my bag and guitar and tote bag with iBook laptop inside through the door and bought my 2 month Ameri-pass. The bus was about 40 minutes late getting out of the terminal, so I read a paper, and waited. Hurry up and wait! Remember that well. For those "sponsors" out there, just remember, don't trust the Greyhound schedule! Got out of Nashville on a smooth note, stopped at many towns between there and Knoxville, and had a smooth drive. I worked my iBook and was in good spirits until I heard a sharp noise on the bus, below me, and just outside of Knoxville. Suddenly, white smoke billowed all around us. The bus blew up! That's right! Blew a seal and lost all the oil. I was so glad that sound I heard was on a bus and not on an airplane! Ends up the bus driver was a 'Nam Vet, too. He limped the bus into a Mack Truck dealership which was a karmic blessing, until the Greyhound folks could replace it. All the passengers were extended a hardy welcome there, and they were holed up there. I had a gig in Bristol, so I phoned my adopted son up there who was the official "First Stop" of this Cyber-Tour, and he drove his brand new Jaguar down and got me. I saw the new bus come and pick up the passengers just as my English ride showed up, so as fate would have it, my boy and I had a good time on the drive to Bristol. David and I went to his recording studio, and we did a bit of work there. I made a few mistakes on this trip, so far, but I'll cure them shortly. So I decided to relax and have some fun. So, that's the story, and I'm stickin' to it! I was met in Johnson City by another LRRP, Gary, at my son's music studio. He had a bottle of Wild Turkey waiting for me, and though I'm off the sour mash for a spell, it was a warm gesture. And, the shop foreman at the Mack Truck stop treated me so kindly, giving me his office to work from writing this letter and such as I waited for my son to arrive. I was so thankful that the bus blew up and I was not hearing all that oil filtering out in an airplane. Gary said he was wanting me to stay with him, but he has two German Shepards that would eat me alive. Reckon they don't like LT's either! Har! The following day we decided to do a bit of visiting, and then we three LRRPs packed up and headed to David's houseboat on the Holston. We caught a big bunch of fish, and had a fun ride on his motor boat with a Johnson 115 motor. I had such a good visit with my son and his people, and we got some good quality time together. Played a lot of music up there at the "birthplace of Country Music. At this moment, I'm in Smyrna, GA, with another LRRP and his family. I caught the "red eye" at 8:30PM night before last in Bristol, and headed south. LRRP Major Greg picked me up at the bus station at 6:30AM yesterday morning, and he said I looked burned out! I felt worse! A Greyhound "red eye" is a tough mission, but someone has to do it! Har! This evening I'm headed out to Baton Rouge, LA. I'll arrive there after yet another "red eye" tonight and be met by another LRRP family at 6:30AM. I'm looking forward to meeting these Louisiana LRRPs 'cause they plan on taking me fishing. I'll try to keep you posted. Schedules are colliding, so I might just extend this Cyber-Tour, but I think I'll be back in Nashville this weekend. Handing out LRRP Sunflower seeds at every stop. We have been completely changing and reshaping my LRRP Web Site. There are completely new url's here. Check 'em out below. And remember, there's always room to ADVANCE from Associated LRRP Status to a LRRP TEAM if you send in the code word: ADVANCE.
LT Bobby Ross
http://www.nashville.net/~bobbyros/sitemap.html SEPTEMBER 18, 2000 Hey Associated LRRP! I arrived here in Memphis on Saturday morning, and tomorrow I'll be headed back to Nashville for a few day stand-down. My first leg of my Cyber-Tour could not be going better. Of course, it is going to take me a little while to get my "bus legs" on the Greyhound. I've learned a few more lessons, one of which is to bring along a blanket! Also, I miss my Kitty Tahoe Toy very much, especially after being with other cats along this journey. I've been taking the "red eye" on this leg, and it's tough. Usually at least a 12 hour journey, and we stop in every little town along the way. This could prove to be a blessing if we can get this Cyber-Tour established because I could meet LRRPs all along the way, and pass out LRRP Sunflower Seeds in the process without having to stay at any particular place that long. This will be further established as we go along. I had such a grand visit both in Bristol, TN, and in Smyrna, GA. LRRP Greg and his wife in Smyrna put me up in grand style. These folks are "cat people" and we played with their three cats quite a bit. Greg gave me a cat magazine with an article about my Tahoe Toy's breed, Snow Leopard Bengals, and it proved most interesting. Greg and his wife treated me like part of the family. They set me up in their office with my computer and that's where I last sent out my first Cyber-Tour General Sit-Rep. It's really interesting how much at home they made me feel. We visited, had some great meals, and watched the birds and animals in their back yard. In their garden, I took a look at their LRRP Sunflowers. They didn't come up very well. Lots of drought in that region, and not good for the Sunflowers. I took a look at some very small pies and before I knew it, I was crawling with ants. Evidently, the LRRP Sunflowers in Greg's garden did attract the red ants, so not all was lost. We got the biggest kick out of watching this one little humming bird protect it's feeder. They are very territorial birds, and when another humming bird would come to feed on the little perch of the feeder, a battle would take place, with the humming bird I speak of bashing himself against the intruder and then escorting him out of the area. Great fun! Greg put me on the Greyhound on Tuesday evening, and I was headed to Baton Rouge. Didn't arrive until the following morning on the "red eye". Ole Griz was there to pick me up, and I was once again in rough shape. This trip turned out to be about a 15 hour adventure, and though I had the opportunity to catch up on a lot of "tiny work" on my laptop, I did have to endure the long hours in the prone position. I'm meeting lots of America on these bus trips, and I look forward to meeting many more. I take a look around in the various bus stations, and I realize I fought for this nation, and America is bottomed out in the bus station. These are common folks. Not the type you would see in first class on the airlines, but Americans nonetheless. All kinds of folks. I am beginning to feel more American than I have in years. Old Griz and I have been around together for a spell. He had a true Cyber-Tour adventure planned for me. He no sooner picked me up at the Baton Rouge, Louisiana Greyhound Station than he whisked me off to meet my first new LRRP in that city. We drove to LRRP Phil's house. Phil was a Navy River Rat in the 'Nam, and a pure Cajun Soul from the swamps of Louisiana, and he welcomed me with open arms. Phil is a "mover & shaker" in Baton Rouge and he had set me up to play a "gig" that evening at a small club called "Ma's". I was totally burned out from my "red eye", so Phil cooked me up a breakfast of oatmeal and yogurt, great coffee and wonderful Cajun music. After that visit, I was headed to Ole Griz's home where I met up with his wife and they put me down for my nap. I had to sleep a bit to get ready for the gig. Both of their children came home from school and let me sleep in the front room on their big couch without making a sound. When I awoke, I was met with family cheer and laughter. The kids played with me, and I was introduced to the family dog as she checked me out to see if I was worthy of being there. We had a wonderful visit, and then later in the night, I was taken to the gig in downtown Baton Rouge. This club reminded me of the Bluebird in Nashville, and I was introduced to the owner and she made me feel at home. We listened to some wonderful "Blues" that night, and the band had me up on stage to do a few songs and it was a pure joy to preform in front of my first real audience on this Cyber-Tour. I must have met a hundred great folks, and I made many new friends that night. And, they liked my music, so I fit in, which is what I must do if I am to survive in this music world. The next day was scheduled for fishing. Griz had been talking about taking me fishing for a year, so this was our day. We left in the early afternoon and drove to Grand Island which is on the Gulf of Mexico, and is the very southern tip of Louisiana. I went through swamps that alligators lived in for millions of years, and met many Cajun folks. They talked Cajun, too. I listened to them talk like I was listening to a radio. Really enjoyed their accents. When the sun went down, we started fishing at this pier that was on the bottom of America, and I must have caught 200 white and speckled trout. I fished until I couldn't fish no more! We kept about 3 dozen of the biggest fish, and headed back to Baton Rouge late the following morning. The next day we slept in late, and then the fish and gumbo feed was started. Saddie, Griz's wife and a "big wig" in the Marine Aux, and me started cleaning fish, and we had bought a big bunch of fresh shrimp the day before, so those needed cleaning as well. Griz had business to do, so we just went about our business. Oh, I forgot to mention LRRP Dale!!!! The morning before our fishing trip, Dale picked me up and took me to his home. He introduced me to his new daughter-in-law, and she's a Navy Gal, and she and her little six week old baby boy were headed to Maine on the Greyhound the very next day. We had a wonderful visit, and Connie fixed me a pot of great coffee. Dale has a beautiful home and showed me where his family of raccoons live. I didn't get to see them because they don't come out until the evening, but I saw where he keeps food and water for them. Dale insisted I stay with them the next time I'm in Baton Rouge. Anyhowsen, back to Saddie and me cleaning fish! We did! Took us hours, but we got the fish and shrimp cleaned, and then I took notes watching her fry them in a cornmeal batter. Then Old Griz came in and cooked up a batch of some of the best gumbo I've every eaten. We started eating about 4:00 PM and other clan members began arriving, and we had one heck of a send-off for me. I must have eaten enough fresh trout and gumbo to sink a boat! It was so good! After that, it was time for another "red eye", so I said my farewells to family and friends, and we set off to the bus station. I had a long ride to Memphis where I was met by a dear friend, and now I'm on my way back to Nashville to see my Kitty Tahoe Toy and get ready for the next leg of this Cyber-Tour. Any of you "sponsors" who are close enough for me to do a "one day" trip should contact me ASAP. Otherwisen, I will keep all of you posted. Remember to check out all the new LRRP Web Sites below. Our LRRP Web Designers have been working very hard to create these new sites, and they are a lot of fun with lots of information about my LRRP Network. We will be posting pictures of this first phase of my Cyber-Tour this week, so you can check in and check it out. I am proud to say the famous "Country Joe McDonald" is lending me a hand, and if you can remember him singing the "Vietnam Veteran Rag" at the original Woodstock Music Festival, you'll know he is a big supporter of American Veterans. Also remember, Veterans Day is just around the corner and we want to remind all of America to say something "nice" about America's Veterans on this very special day. Keep checking out our web sites for the kids who are supporting our Veterans. We have lots more coming up, so stay tuned. And there is always the opportunity to get on your own LRRP TEAM, or climb higher in the ranks of the LRRP Network simply by sending in the code word: ADVANCE. PEACE, LT Bobby Ross bobbyros@telalink.net
http://www.nashville.net/~bobbyros/index.html A-TRACKMUSIC.COM 11 Music Square East Suite #501 Nashville, TN 37203 Office 615 244-8725 SEPTEMBER 22, 2000 OK Associated LRRPs! ALERT!!! This is a LRRP TEAM Sit-Rep! It has been sent out to the LRRP TEAMs of 6 members each. You are being blind copied for your security. If you want to be a member of your own 6 person LRRP TEAM, simply send in the code word: ADVANCE. I'm getting ready for the 2nd leg of my Cyber-Tour. The clock is tickin', and I'm a pickin'! Have spent a couple evenings with my dear friend, Grant Boatwright. Over the years, I'm sure you have heard of him. He's produced Willie Nelson, wrote songs with Roger Miller, played guitar for Neil Young, and is now a constant friend of Harlan Howard's, and Harold Shedd's. If you are not familiar with these two names, well, they are pretty "big" in country music. These names run deep, and Grant always has a story. Last night the Captain and me were in the final stages of placing my pop artist, Jeff Skorik (http://www.mp3.com/jeffskorik), on MP3.Com. Grant was giving both of us directions. Like he was a pilot on an old river boat, and we were pushing the fires of that ole steam engine. The Captain is a fine man, Elliot Pacetti, and works full time in the National Guard workin' their computers. The Captain was sittin' in the driver's seat and Grant was givin' orders, and I was playin' with my Kitty! Such a scene for hard core, Active Duty, and 'Nam combat Vets! But the clock is still tickin'! Here is the complete list of your LRRP Sponsors' cities and towns where the "sponsors" of my Cyber-Tour have CONFIRMed me. These places represent LRRPs who have stated I am welcome to point my Greyhound Bus towards their camp. Check it out. I'm heading WEST. I'm going to my 'Nam Reunion on the 30th of this month, then I'm going to swing up into Arkansas to visit Teacher Mary and her elementary class, then I'm heading WEST. I'm going to put my feet in the Pacific Ocean, and then turn back EAST. I'll be back in Nashville for Veterans Day. Check this list out and see if you want me in your camp.
LT
OCTOBER 3, 2000 Hey Associated LRRP! This sit-rep is coming to you from Dallas, Texas. I'm staying with one of my LRRP Sponsors, Ole Mack, on this leg of my Cyber-Tour. I met up with these fine folks yesterday after a full day on the Greyhound Bus from Memphis, TN. In the past 4 weeks I have been to Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and, now, Texas. I have been to my B Troop, 2/17th CAV, 101st Airborne Division Reunion, I've eaten gumbo in Baton Rouge, LA, picked guitar in Bristol, TN, (the birthplace of Country Music), and I've watched humming birds feed in Smyrna, GA. Everyone on my tour is treating me like a million bucks. Here's my schedule: Memphis, TN Sept. 24 through 28I will be keeping in touch with my LRRP Network as best I can on this iBook as this Cyber-Tour pans out. We have some great pictures being posted on my Cyber-Tour Web Site at: http://www.nashville.net/~bobbyros/tour/index.html (Check out the new additions if you get a chance.) Lots of LRRPs are now spreading the word about my new CD, "LT Bobby Ross - Voice of America". Take a listen for free at one of the web sites listed below to one of my songs. I know you'll enjoy it. We're even on MP3.com, now! Veterans Day is around the corner, so I'll keep you posted on the progress of The SPLASH. We all want to think about what we are going to say "nice" about our American Veterans on this coming Veterans Day. Let me know your thoughts and ideas. We'll share the best of these with the nation. OK, I'm back to my alligators swimming about this swamp of a Cyber-Tour. PEACE, LT Bobby Ross OCTOBER 14, 2000 Hey Associated LRRP! In the past 40 days, I have visited the States of VA, TN, GA, AL, LA, MS, AR, TX, NM, AZ and finally sunny California. I am in Sacramento, right now, and wanted to touch base with any and all of you who are keeping up on my Cyber-Tour activities. Every place I stop on the Greyhound Bus schedule, there is a LRRP there to pick me up and offer me their hospitality. So far my Cyber-Tour schedule has not changed, and I will visit CO, MO, KS and OK before I end up back in Music City on the 7th of November. I can not express the satisfaction I feel from each and every LRRP Sponsor on this Cyber-Tour so far in 2000. Each and every one of the LRRPs offering me shelter has done an excellent job of putting this Ole LT up. And, when I leave Sacramento tomorrow for the City by the Bay, San Francisco, I have more exciting places to visit from Bakersfield, CA, to Oklahoma City in the grand Ole State of Oklahoma. (And all places in between!) The Cyber-Tour is working. And all the LRRP Sponsors are having just as good a time as I am. I'm making this General Sit-Rep kinda short because I'm locked in a room and going over all my schedules for the rest of this Cyber-Tour, plus getting ready for the Veterans Day Parade in Nashville on the 11th of next month. I will be a guest of honor in the grandstands that day, and I will share the honor with my good friends Eddie Bayers and his wife, Lane Brody, and my partners in A-trackmusic.com Inc, Bill Taylor and Jorge Reyes. I will also be playing for American Veterans at the world famous Bluebird Cafe early that evening. It should prove to be a wonderful day. Veterans Day is just around the corner. My LRRP FIRST TEAM, and many in the various LRRP Teams have gone out of their way to bring honor to our Veterans this coming November 11th. I will be contacting everyone in my LRRP Network with a special feature for the day, plus I'll be hitting my American Radio, Music and Media Networks as well. I am still anxious to hear from any of you who might have a special thought for our Veterans on this special day. Please feel free to send my your ideas. I will attempt to share them with all. After placing my feet in the Pacific Ocean a few days ago, it is in my nature to brag about the success of my Cyber-Tour. I told everyone I'd do just that, and I did put my bare feet in the Pacific. Now I'm headed back to Mainland America. Many of you have purchased my new CD from The Record Store listed below in my signature block. The new MP3.com site is also available, and there are a few places you can listen to a few of my songs absolutely FREE. Please consider placing an order for the up and coming Holiday Season. My CD of "LT Bobby Ross - Voice of America" is the very best present to give to that special someone you know who is a Veteran. Your purchase also keeps me on the Greyhound's back! Har! OK, I'm back to my alligators! Remember, I'm still forming LRRP TEAMs, so if you want to be on your very own TEAM, just send in the code word: ADVANCE. PEACE, LT Bobby Ross bobbyros@telalink.net OCTOBER 24, 2000 Hey Associated LRRP! Just sent this to my LRRP Cyber-Tour Sponsors: Hey LRRP Cyber-Tour Sponsor! Three months and several thousand miles later, I find myself in Phoenix, Arizona, staying with some fine folks who are LRRP Cyber-Tour Sponsors, much like yourself. I'm heading to Albuquerque, New Mexico tomorrow, October 25th, at 8:20AM. I will get on the Greyhound Bus here in Phoenix tomorrow morning and blast off on another 12 hour ride and arrive in Albuquerque at 7:50PM. My LRRP Sponsor in Albuquerque has already sent in his CONFIRM and will be waiting for me there at the bus station. I have traveled State after State, and city after city, town after town in America, visiting her greatest treasure: Veterans. We call each other LRRPs, but deep down, we LRRPs are mostly Veterans. This Cyber-Tour is working out better than I ever expected. All of you I have stayed with, and those whose numbers now exceed 150 who I will eventually stay with are the best people in the whole world. I can say that in all humility because deep down, I have stayed in your homes. I have met your children. I have petted your dogs and cats. I have eaten your food. I have slept in your bed. I have become part of your family. And, you have become part of mine. Tomorrow, I will set forth, once again, to visit another LRRP Sponsor who I have never met or seen. Who I have never talked with on the phone. My only contact has been through the internet. Soon after I am off to Denver, then Oklahoma City, then to Memphis, TN, and then back to Nashville, TN. Over the Holidays I will visit other LRRP Sponsors in Kentucky and around Tennessee. You who are LRRP Sponsors are making "history". My web designers are setting up a web page featuring each and every one of you. Soon, as part of this 2000 Veterans Day SPLASH Mission, we will unveil this totally new web site. Everyone in the world of cyberspace will have the opportunity to visit my LRRP Sponsors. This is the first time an entertainer on Music Row in Music City has ever done anything like this. This is historic. Below in my signature block you will find many web sites. Some offer FREE music of mine for your listening pleasure. Take a look-see, and take a FREE listen. Help me help America see the real value of our American treasure: her Veterans. PEACE, LT Bobby Ross bobbyros@telalink.net
http://www.nashville.net/~bobbyros/index.html DECEMBER 10, 2000 Hey Associated LRRP! I'm in El Paso, Texas. Flew in from Nashville yesterday and got picked up by Jim of the National Veterans Organization of America. Outside the office here I'm witness to a wonderful act of kindness from Veterans to Veterans. The homeless Veterans of this area have enjoyed a wonderful breakfast. I even helped on it. Lots of good chow and plenty of hot coffee. The VA donated boxes and crates full of Army clothing, and we have been handing all kinds of jackets, shirts, gloves, boots and so much more. I am singing for these fellows as VA nurses are checking out blood pressure, and other representatives are advising on VA benefits. It is a humbling moment for me. There for the Grace of God go I. I'm reminding you again to send in the code word: PLAY. If you have already done so, please don't send it again. If not, get with the program and get the code word: PLAY; in and you will guarantee you a spot on an ACTIVE LRRP TEAM for the year 2001. All "Ghosts" will be eliminated from the LRRP TEAMs at the end of this year and placed in the Associated LRRPs. We are going to have a lot of FUN this coming year if you are a member of a LRRP TEAM. Don't delay, send in the code word today. The NVOA (National Veterans Organization of America) is a wonderful outfit. I visited them while I was on my Cyber-Tour here in El Paso, and they treated me like a million bucks. If you need help, any kind of help, that requires you to file claims with the VA, this is the outfit you want to hook up with. Their email is: doug@nvo.org Remember, Christmas is just around the corner, and my new CD, "LT Bobby Ross - Voice of America" is a great stocking stuffer, and I assure you, my music produces an incredible healing process with Veterans and their families. OK, I'm back to my alligators.... PEACE, LT Bobby Ross bobbyros@telalink.net FEBRUARY 5, 2001 Hey Associated LRRP! A few weeks back I woke up with a horrible pain in my lower left leg. My left calf was swollen and red. My left ankle was swollen, too. I walk great distances every day, so I figured I had sprained my calf, or perhaps even worse, I had pulled or stretched a muscle or tendon. I decided to get my doctor's opinion over at my VA hospital. As soon as the screening nurse saw it, she sent me to the emergency room. To make a long story short, the doctors put me through the ringer. After several hours of tests the doctors do, it was determined I had a blood clot. So, they explained the facts to me that if this clot was to move to my lungs, heart or brain that I would be dead meat. Once again, I'm so thankful I have my medical benefits for fighting for my country. And, once again, my VA hospital's doctors prove they are the very best. This is why I've been a bit behind on my General Sit-Reps, so I'm going to catch up with you all right now. Usually, I try to contact my LRRP Network once a week, and keep The SPLASH alive and well. All the 2001 LRRP TEAMs are intact, and ACTIVE. What began as an experiment on the internet some 6 years ago has now turned into a worldwide network of Veterans and their families and friends. We have come a long way, Baby! Now these LRRP TEAMs of 6 persons each span the globe, and we have just now begun to fight. And fight we will! So many people just like yourself are now playing The SPLASH, and we are bringing Veterans together in a way never known to mankind. We have so many exciting plans for this year, 2001, and so many people are supporting our efforts. Our big project is the 2001 Veterans Day LRRP Get-Together right here in Nashville, Tennessee. Already we have dozens of LRRPs who have confirmed they will attend. So, if you want to be part of this historic event, send in the code word: JOIN. Once I receive your code word, I will send you details. Every year at this time we form our LRRP FIRST TEAM. If you have plenty of time on your hands and wish to be part of this unique six person TEAM, just send in the code word: ACTIVE. Our first LRRP Mission is to get as many folks as we can to say something nice about America's greatest treasure; her Veterans, on Memorial Day. That's it! In the process we always have a lot of FUN, and over the years we have awakened much of America to the fact that without the sacrifices of our Veterans in the past 225 years, we would not have the Nation we do, nor the freedoms we cherish. Many people try out for this LRRP FIRST TEAM, but only 6 survive the scrutiny of The SPLASH. We always PLAY hard, but when we form our FIRST TEAM, it is uncommonly strong. So, there you have it. I'm flat on my back, but thanks to this i-Book laptop, I'm still in business! I have every intention of beating this blood clot, and also, keeping this LRRP Network intact. So, I'd best get back to my alligators.... PEACE, LT Bobby Ross bobbyros@telalink.net APRIL 8, 2001 Hey Associated LRRP! I spent last week in Memphis, and I was "forced" to listen day and night to the talk show hosts on radio due to construction going on in the house where I was staying. I rarely, if ever listen to the talk shows. They just ain't my bag. If I listen to anything, it's my own music. That's petty egomania, but such is the truth. The subject on these various talk shows was concerning the 24 Americans being held in Red China as a result of Sunday's aircraft collision over the South China Sea. Both Washington and Beijing are involved in vigorous, rhetorical negotiations concerning this incident. The two Red Chinese jets who approached our airplane with a known "cowboy" pilot nicking his wing against our craft caused him to plunge into the South China Sea. Both sides are waging verbal warfare over who is at fault, and both sides claim the other is responsible. Our airplane was loaded with surveillance equipment and we were listening in on Red Chinese conversations as is the mission of such an aircraft, and we were over international waters. Whoever is at fault, one pilot is assumed dead, and 24 of our people are being "held" on the island of Hainan due to a forced landing on our peoples' part. Now, the Red Chinese want our new President to make a formal apology concerning this situation. Our leaders are not going to do this. One reason is that if we do in fact apologize to the Red Chinese Commies, they could hold our people as "spies" and put them on trial. If we do not apologize, then we might not see our 24 service men and women come out of Red China in a very long time. Kinda like the rock where the hard spot is. I'm a Vietnam Veteran, so I'm not used to hearing people telling me how much they supported me in my time serving my country. It is incredible what I heard on these talk shows. So much hostility towards Red China. A great majority of the people phoning in were extremely antagonistic. Some pole was taken saying that 90% of the American population is not in favor of us apologizing to the Red Chinese. Some were miffed that our pilot didn't crash his airplane into the ocean. Some wanted us to nuke all of China. So, between crashing the plane and nuking all of Red China, the people in our government are attempting to get our airplane and 24 people back. The simple truth to all of this is the hay the Red Chinese Communist want to make over this rare opportunity to test the mettle of our new President. We are not going to get our plane back. The Red Chinese have taken everything out of it, including the toilet paper, so it is nothing but a shell of what it was before the accident. We will get our 24 people back, and they may be on their way as I write this. The reason we are going to get our people back is because the Communist in Red China need American Greenbacks. They aren't going to do anything to jeopardize their enormous populations' opportunity to enter the world market. The power of the American Greenback is going to once again win this battle. And that is just about all I have to say on this subject. Very boring, I'm afraid, to be admitted to any of those talk shows. On to The SPLASH. We have many code words out there in cyberspace, three of which are: SUNFLOWER, TOUR and JOIN. Stay tuned this month for more. We are preparing the biggest membership drive ever in the history of The SPLASH. So, please contact me ASAP if you have ever purchased one of my musical products. OK, I'm back to my alligators. And I must say I am quite delighted I won't have to hear anymore of these talk shows! PEACE, LT Bobby Ross
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