"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter." —Mark Twain
I was trying to write a long, intelligent post about how poorly served we are by the media, that giant echo chamber of misinformation and lies, but became too disheartened to go on. It’s all been said, and not enough of us seem to give a shit. For example: the minimum wage has been raised several times in the […]
During most of the years I flew fighters and trainers for the USAF, I never paid much thought to the disposition of aircraft on the ramp. We parked them when we were through with them; if maintenance needed to move them around on the ground afterward that was their problem. I was of course aware of […]
A visitor from outer space would describe Congress as a place where bribery is both legal and encouraged. I guess it’s always been that way; maybe I am naive. Still, you have to try. We can’t say we’re a representative democracy if we quit believing our voices and votes mean something.
There, wasn’t that easy? Next problem? I’m here to help. How about mass shootings? Sure, let’s go there.
In lieu of solving the nation’s problems and revealing brilliant new insights on life, I’ll share a few photos I took today while wandering around the outdoor exhibits at the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona, where I work as a volunteer docent. I’d heard the restoration team would be moving several aircraft […]
My 16th birthday was a red letter day. I remember how excited I was to be old enough to drive. Getting my first draft card when I turned 18 was a big deal too. The traditional milestone, 21, came and went without any special celebration … Donna and I had been married almost two years by that point, and […]
I worked for the VA from December 2005 to October 2008. During those years there was supposedly a push on to transition from paper to electronic records, but I never saw any evidence of it. Shortly before I left, I asked the guys in patient records how the transition was going. Their reaction? It was the old “You Want It When?” cartoon come to life. After they quit laughing, they told me it would never happen and not to worry my pretty little head about it.
When you’re leading a formation, there’s a wingman to your side, just behind your shoulder. You don’t normally turn your head to look at him (it’s his job to look at you), but you can see the nose of his jet in your peripheral vision. When I walk from one end of the house to […]