Dean, Maybe I'm not being clear. Agghh! Email is such a poor way to communicate sometimes! >From what Ross related to us, I think it's obvious he was wronged, and that several in that immediate group were cheats. But the whole military did not do that to him. It was only one little part of it. So why label all the military as crooked? I do understand his frustration. I just think it's wrong to express it on the entire military. Proper criticism? If there hadn't been all-inclusive language, I wouldn't have responded. If Ross had said only that the local branch of the Army with which he had dealings was crooked, I would not have responded. I agree that he was cheated, but I don't agree that the entire military system is corrupt. There is enough anti-military bias in our country these days, and perhaps I'm being over-zealous and trigger-happy, but we need to support the men who give their lives so we have the freedom to do what we do. Yes, I agree Ross was cheated, and that the Army still owes him the money. I'd love to see whoever was truly responsible for that punished to whatever extent they should be, and I'd love to see Ross get his $1300 plus interest and all legal fees. But I don't think anyone should characterize all the military as a group of crooked cheats any more than all the PTG should be characterized as a group of cheats just because there was one in the bunch. I know of a minister who has a used book business. He was cheated by another minister out of $750,000 worth of books. He never received any payment, and it has been years now. Now, he could complain, still be bitter, and make this man's name mud everywhere he goes. However, he realizes there is a God in heaven who owns all things and knows all of the wrong, could fix it if He chose to, and that He will still supply all his needs. He has done all he could in pursuing payment without success, and has chosen to lay hold of the scripture that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and is not bitter about the loss. Sometimes we have to accept that truth and get on with life. Regards, John Formsma _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dean May Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 1:49 PM To: 'Pianotech List' Subject: RE: credit cards >>It goes beyond complaining to label all "the military" a "crooked operation." Ross was cheated out of $1300, spent years of time and who knows how much more money exhausting legal remedies, and he calls the offending self admitted cheater a crooked operation. You responded by calling him unpatriotic and ungrateful. It seems to me your response was way more over the top than Ross's. What he went through should earn anyone the right to call the offending organization a crooked operation, unless the military gets a free pass. Maybe you could educate Ross on the etiquette required to more properly criticize the military. Ross was not cheated by one member of the military, not even by one particular area, the chaplaincy. No, by the time he was done pursuing legal remedies the military was involved at several different levels and they even admitted his claim was legitimate. He was cheated by lots of people in the military (everyone in the process) and they admitted they were cheating him. But it isn't proper to call it crooked, right? Unpatriotic and ungrateful? I think you owe Ross an apology. I personally am very grateful that Ross has brought his experience to the attention of the rest of the members of his craft. Dean _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of John M. Formsma Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 1:49 PM To: 'Pianotech List' Subject: RE: credit cards It goes beyond complaining to label all "the military" a "crooked operation." And, no, I by no means whatsoever think it wrong to properly criticize the military when it is due. There are many things with which I'd find fault, but I won't do it in this forum. But it is wrong to lump all the military together and call it crooked. It would be like calling the entire PTG membership crooked because of one PTG member who was a cheat. JF _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dean May Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2006 12:03 PM To: 'Pianotech List' Subject: RE: credit cards Now wait a minute. You mean Ross has no right to complain of being cheated out of $1300 without being called unpatriotic and ungrateful? Too bad the military is such a sacred cow- it is beyond any form of criticism. It can do no wrong. Just suck it up, Ross. It is your patriotic duty. And certainly nobody HAS to fight. I personally would be thankful if there were fewer men willing to so. Dean _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of John M. Formsma Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 5:14 PM To: 'Pianotech List' Subject: RE: credit cards You're right - it is unpatriotic and ungrateful. It is not the entire military system at fault - just the particular bureaucracy you're dealing with. I'm thankful there are men who want to fight so I don't have to. Let's not dis 'em! Why not contact your congressman? JF _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Ross White Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2006 3:38 PM To: tune4u at earthlink.net; 'Pianotech List' Subject: RE: credit cards It may seem unpatriotic and ungrateful to say it, but the military cheats. It's a crooked operation. I know many businessmen in my community who absolutely refuse to sell anything to the Army. There's a reason toilet seats cost the Army eight hundred bucks each! 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