Battle of the Bilge

Author’s Note: The Weekly Post is a new feature to Battle of the Bilge that will list many stories of interest that have been popular in the previous week. These are not items that we have investigated, but most of the stories listed have set off our Bilge meters. Although I have a strict policy to remain as impartial as possible in all regular Bilge articles, I may be a little less strict in The Weekly Post. Please understand that the commentary next to the link do not necessarily represent MOAA policies (especially since few if any of them would be considered in our ‘scope’).

Above all else, this feature will be an effort to spark discussion among MOAA members and guests. Please feel comfortable posting comments!

On to the news (click on the title of each item to get info)…

Continue Reading »

Summary

An email forward that actually makes you laugh!  Well, the first time you receive it.  The next fifty times the only interesting parts about it is to see which details have been changed.  Its a classic battle between brute force and reality, a David vs. Goliath story set at sea.  Of course, its a made up story that certainly never happened as told, but is easily believable if you are not familiar with how the Navy operates or simple things such as GPS.  This is one of those military themed stories that make the rounds mostly by non-military readers and it has successfully become an urban legend.

Continue Reading »

Summary
When news got out about a policy change that would change responsibility for payment of treatment for veterans with service connected disabilities and injuries away from the VA and on to the shoulders of veteran’s private insurance, the military community responded with overwhelming anger.  The feelings were very well placed as the proposed savings to the enormous VA budget would have created a serious burden to the very people the VA was created to support.
Although the actions of several military organizations caused the President to reverse the proposal and it is now a non-issue, the original email from American Legion is still making the rounds heavily.

Continue Reading »

True, but that’s not the whole story…

BotB Verdict

Average Number of Times Received Daily at MOAA: 10

Summary
A classic case of a true story (and an unfortunate decision by the Obama Administration) that is spread far and wide, with the facts twisting and changing in the process.

Continue Reading »

Beautiful, but not real. Like most models.

BotB Verdict

Average Number of Times Received Daily at MOAA: 2

Summary
An emotional email delivered story about a father and his musician son who find themselves on opposite sides of a Civil War battlefield. After the Confederate son falls, the Union father finds the notes of what would become the bugle call TAPS in his coat pocket.

Continue Reading »