RA1

Did we know that at the time? Like most hoarders, I hate to give up anything that I MIGHT think of value later. Best regards, RA1

Of course. The winners get to write the history. I have wondered more than once why Viet Nam bothered to try to or actually win the war against the US when we would have immediately given them more aid than they could reasonably use had they lost. They had to wait until fairly recently to receive same. Best regards, RA1

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. However, you make it sound like the stiffest opposition JFK was facing was his own military, staff, etc. as opposed to the Soviets and Cubans. I believe that it is accurately reported that JFK suffered quite a bit wrestling with this situation. He reputedly consulted RFK for support. I agree the naval blockade was the best interim approach. I also agree that some folks today still do not "get it" about nukes but I also think that most powers that had them in the 1960's realized the reality of MAD (Mutually Assured Destruction). It seems that the later nuke powers think that having the bomb will keep the US or possibly others from removing them from power. Here I mean North Korea, Iran, possibly Pakistan and India. I know of no reason these countries should have much less use the bomb. Best regards, RA1

It is somewhat difficult for a conservative to in retrospect judge JFK in a VERY friendly manner. However, I agree that his affairs were consensual to include the media in SILENT agreement. Not likely today. However, it seems difficult to decide if the Cuban missile crises was a high point. Of course the US and the Soviet Union avoided nuclear conflict ( a good thing) but JFK gave up (secretly) other things to Nikita to insure the stand down. Naturally with international conflicts it is difficult for one side to completely dominate the other, probably a good thing also. Yes, I was alive during the JFK presidency and Camelot. I was thrilled and entranced with it all. Now, not so much. Best regards, RA1

I am more like an oil serf. I buy it to move around not use it to get rich. Best regards, RA1

Regardless of Trump the US electorate seems happiest with the legislative and executive branches being held by different parties. That was as predictable as the sun coming up in the east. I don't think it much matters as Washington does little of use anyway. Best regards, RA1

We all lie but I am not running for office. Most of my lies are to promote social intercourse. Nice tie. Have you lost weight? I completely agree that INTENT matters. Best regards, RA1

RH and Tartegogo- I agree with much of what you guys write. I am quite willing to rail against all pols, not just dems or repubs. If their lips are moving, they are lying. The mounting deficits and national debt is beyond disturbing. Both or all sides are to blame. Best regards, RA1

Does no one else here believe in fiscal conservatism and liberal socialism? Best regards, RA1

If they did not, what would be the point? Hospitals are taking over the practice of medicine in the US and therefore the admin costs will only go further up. Best regards, RA1

One problem is the pols think it is "to the manor born". Best regards, RA1

In the US old west not everyone carried a gun. That is a movie version of the time. Ranchers and farmers no doubt had a long gun to protect them from natural or un-natural predators and also to hunt for food. Ordinary folks did not go to town with a six shooter strapped to their waist. Usually only the law and perhaps the lawless did so. Kool-Aid coming up. I believe that the cities with strict laws against guns have the highest crime and murder rates. Sorry to say. Best regards, RA1

How do they determine that the cabinet members's are lying? Here we know if the office holder's lips are moving, they are lying. Best regards, RA1

I have always thought that words matter. I also think Trump definitely thinks words matter and, in fact. depends upon same. However, I learned a long time ago that the same words do not matter the same to different people. I once delivered an aircraft to a college professor in NC. He accepted the aircraft as is, where is (after inspection). Later he decided that a radio was not working properly. I took the position that the aircraft was delivered and accepted. He continued to claim the radio should work. After going back and forth about this a few times it dawned on me that we were arguing about two different things. He was offered a couple hundred dollars which he accepted and was thereafter happy. Best regards, RA1

No, they will not. The Constitution and electoral college were put in place just so that a populous state or states could not dominate the country. Of course there is a process allowing the change you mention. It is generally long and arduous for a good reason. Best regards, RA1

Voting is critical. Good for you. I, too, wish to reject authoritarianism and ignorance. I am only hopeful we are all up to doing so. Best regards, RA1

Yes, I am a survivor. Best regards, RA1

I have said it before and I suppose I am about to say it again. My long standing advice to myself is to keep moving. I have been in a lot of dangerous places all over the world and keep moving has worked for me. Moving is easier if the goal is the journey not the destination. But, it still can be applied with reasonable care of one's surroundings and the purpose of the trip. I once delivered a plane to the Philadelphia area. The buyer was a VW dealer. He paid me in cash and handed me to a guy who took me to PHL in an old pick up truck. Throughout I was worried that I was being setup for a robbery or worse but he delivered me safely to the terminal and I departed for home. Maybe I was just lucky. Maybe my keep moving worked in this case. In either event, I am still alive. Best regards, RA1

More than likely it was low time pilots and heavy loads which left little to no room for error in flying the aircraft. Best regards, RA1

Thanks for the vid. Did you notice that before starting they motored each engine through about 8 blades? That is because round engines had top, side and bottom cylinders. The bottom cylinders can collect oil in them if various seals are not perfect. That will cause a hydraulic lock in that cylinder and cause it to become separated from the main engine. Not good. On large round engines there is a clutch to disengage the starter if there is a hydraulic lock and that is why they motor the engine. Smaller engines like on the DC-3 do not have this clutch and a smart crew will do this "motoring" by hand before entering the aircraft. Next and before the actual start they motor the engine while fuel is available but not ignition. This charges each cylinder with fuel so that when ignition (the magnetos) are engaged, the engine will start. Again they count the blades (meaning counting each prop blade as it advances) before ignition. Old airplanes are lots of fun but lots of work. Best regards, RA1

I have been asked, why can't you go faster full stop. Best regards, RA1

They were celebrating the technical accomplishments of a amazing aircraft during its most famous flight. There are always at least two sides to every issue. You stated one and I stated another. Best regards, RA1

As is recorded there was a lot of controversy about this aircraft and its possible display. I consider this an earlier example of political correctness gone awry. Currently the entire aircraft is on display at Dulles Field in the Udvar-Hazy museum. Around 1977 I had occasion to go to the aviation celebration held every year at Oshkosh, WI. During one show I saw a B-29 drop a replica of the A-bomb complete with mini-mushroom cloud. The Japanese complained bitterly and this show was cancelled. I suppose in addition to denying the Holocaust we shall soon decide the Japanese were not the aggressors in WWII. Best regards, RA1

Fifi has made numerous tours over the years offering rides for a few hundred dollars per passenger. It really is as complicated as it seems in the video. Bob Wilson, owner of Wilson Air Center in Memphis, is the guy in the nose in the blue shirt taking cell phone pix. Amazing aircraft. Thanks for the video. Best regards, RA1

AS- Good luck with a generator. They have some well established problems. One being if not run on a regular basis they might not start or run when actually needed. Another being keeping and having enough clean fuel. Let me know how it works out for you. Best regards, RA1