"Your one-stop source for improper ideology and freedom seeds."
Time for another Air-Minded diary? Sure it is. This time let’s take a look at a Century Series fighter from the 1950s, the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo. There were three distinct variations of the Voodoo — a fighter-bomber, a tactical reconnaissance aircraft, and an air defense interceptor — but I’m going to concentrate on the interceptor, […]
You Can’t Read That! is a periodic post featuring banned book reviews and news roundups. Arizona: Here’s a good summary of the prejudices and fears behind Arizona’s ethnic studies ban and the removal of certain books from Tucson high school classes. Elsewhere: “I know up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here […]
I am “kind and broad-minded.” So says the fortune cookie that came with last night’s Thai takeout. The provenance is shaky at best (Thai food & fortune cookies?), and it’s not really a fortune, but I’ll take the compliment and answer, “Thank you, I try to be.” I’m expecting a call from the Ducati dealer […]
Here, for Mother’s Day, a short and self-indulgent list of concerns: Suspending hashing for the summer. Several years ago I founded a small family hare & hounds running group. Starting three years ago, we quit setting trail during the hottest months of summer. It was too hard to find volunteers to lay trail in 100+ […]
What does that title even mean? Is the cat named Wednesday? Sure, why not? Let’s go with that. My son can’t believe I haven’t said anything about the F-22’s oxygen problems, or about the two whistleblower Raptor pilots who appeared on 60 Minutes last weekend. My first excuse comes easy: I know very little about […]
“I dreamt about Jews every night for years and years. Fortunately I have never met one….” — Umberto Eco, The Prague Cemetery Red Plenty by Francis Spufford Not exactly a historical novel, more a novelized approach to writing history. The distinction is a real one. The history in question is that of the Soviet Union […]
Apropos of nothing, two thoughts on nakedness and sex in HBO’s Game of Thrones. One, typecasting. Take British actress Esmé Bianco, who plays the prostitute Ros. When on camera she’s often nude, sometimes fully so, even, in one scene, simulating lesbian sex with another female actress. By taking this role, has she limited her career options? […]
Yeah, that’s what I’ll call it, a mini-gypsy tour, and add 2012 because it’ll probably be the only big ride I’ll take this year. A friend of mine rides coast to coast, 5,000 or more miles at a whack, at least once each year. What can I say? I am not worthy. The last time […]