NMUSAF pilot wall

[mustangdriver]

I was already in a bad mood, but we all figured why not go the the NMUSAF anyway to drown our sorrows, and I agreed. After all at this point me and my buddy where sharing a pack of boxers as all of our clothes had been stollen. While there I saw that they moved the SR-71 into a more photo friendly area of the Cold War Gallery. It looks great. Back along one of the walls, there is a wall from an air base used in Operation Enduring Freedom. The wall is signed by serviceman that visited this base. The wall is protected by glass, but on the glass, people have sensored out what was said with white pieces of tape. WHY? There are nasty words I figured, still ruffled my feathers abit. But if you look at it from a certain angle you can see what the tape is covering. The words are not the F word, but stuff like "sex", or a guy smoking pot, or some swear words. If you felt this wall was historical enough to move to a museum, the put it in there, and don't cover anything up. Rant done. This goes out to the guys that think I always agree with the NMUSAF.

[Steve Nelson]

So let me get this straight..they "sanitize" the comments of servicemen, but they proudly display a plane called the "Strawberry Bitch?" (my personal favorite, btw) Seems like a bit of a double standard to me.

About ten years ago I took the "behind the scenes" tour, and they had some wall sections with artwork from WWII AAF bomber bases in England. The guide showed us a couple she said would never end up on display, because of racist images or nudity. I can understand the decision, but I'm glad they still thought enough to preserve them.

SN

[6trn4brn]

Sorry to hear about your losses to the crackheads in Columbus

Having said that, I for one think it is great to have you give us the other side of the argument, insofar as the unpopular decisions (lighting, et al) made by the Crue in charge of the NMUSAF.

In another thread here, I made a comment about how pathetic it is becomming that everyone has to be so PC when talking about anything these days. Somewhere in the past 20 years or so, our entire country has gone too far in pandering to the minority. Fear of lawsuits has put a gag in the mouth of the majority.

I can still remember how horrible my parents were when I was little: I never wore a helmet when I rode my bicycle and they allowed the school principal to spank my behind when I broke the rules at school! Perish the thought today!

[Glen]

I agree with 6trn-4brn As a Child I was allowed to go Trick or Treat by my self far as I could go on my own two feet! We play were every we wanted as long as we didnt cross the street. but when the street light came on you better be in your own yard or coming in to eat dinner at the table, with the whole family! When it came to riding in a car we usally stood up in the back seat so we could see . and if you got in trouble at school ( like getting the paddle ) that was a no gimme that you would get the Belt or yard stick when you got home . and guess what ? I turned out half way ok ! I still dont let my child cross the street !

[JDK]

So let me get this straight..they "sanitize" the comments of servicemen, but they proudly display a plane called the "Strawberry Bitch?" (my personal favorite, btw) Seems like a bit of a double standard to me.

Interesting point Steve. IIRC Mustangdriver mentioned a complaint by some priss about the name on Strawberry Bitch 'needing to be sanitized' to avoid offending her or her class some time ago. Both the name of the aircraft and the comments on the wall are aircrew choices and remarks.

Of course senior officers have often had sense of humour failures as much as junior staff pander to their own more earthy choices. Neither's 'right'.

BTW, I've yet to see anyone actually promote anything called PC - it's usually a whipping boy for another view. Thomas Bowdler pre-dates anything called PC by some period.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Bowdler

It's always gone on. SFW (and I don't mean 'safe for work)

However this site censors the word 'H e l l" which I've never regarded as a problem, not culturally here or in the UK. Therefore I can't post the correct name for A-20 'H e l l & Pelican' here without a childish work-round.

I do tours at an aircraft museum and the F word is written in large letters on the runway marker board. When touring with kids, I usually point it out, say we can all act like adults and not get all hung up about it, and we discuss more interesting inscriptions. However difficult or immature the group might otherwise be, it's never been a problem (we don't do that bit with the tinys, of course). It's only interesting because it's forbidden. Today's taboo words are tomorrows so what's.

However I don't use four letter words as part of the tour - it's good manners, and professional for the organisation I represent. I also work hard not to insult any person or group with casual or historical insults - it's again, poor to do so, and that's where the concept of trying a bit harder not to be offensive should come in IMHO. The days of treating people or groups really badly are sadly still with us - but we don't have to act like that - if we can manage to be civilized and tolerant.

It's a big bad world out there, and most people just need to be allowed to make their own choices. Whenever anyone sets themselves up to choose what others can see or should see watch out. The Romans spotted the issue with that one.

If you are wondering around a museum that promotes some of humanity's most effectively destructive machinery and your issue is with the F word, not war, maiming or killing, perhaps a pause for thought as to priority is in order.

Just some random thoughts.