RA1

Not to "pick" on you EXPAT but when you describe pols as being "good" at changing their minds you make me shudder at why we allow pols to be whoever they are. In other words, I would much prefer pols to take a position and then live or die by it, not blow with the wind. I know it isn't that simple but we have to start somewhere. Best regards, RA1

I really don't know what to make of this note. I am appalled by the circumstances delineated. I hate to lose an intelligent young man, gay or straight. I find it very difficult to assess whether this was a mental defect or an environmental one. I don't mean to be cruel. I just don't know. Best regards, RA1

The bats seem to be only second in seriousness to bees dying. There are strange diseases abroad in the land and we must do something to "cure" the situation. Best regards, RA1

Not to take anything away from MS. Francis but one of my favorite scenes in this movie was Robby manufacturing endless "pints" of booze for the cook. Today, I suppose they would be 500 ML bottles. Didn't Robby "imbibe" or was the cook alone in his falling off the wagon? Best regards, RA1

Shades of Blazing Saddles. Best regards, RA1

AS and I have had the MEM BBQ vs. NC BBQ discussion before. I think we agreed to tolerate but not necessarily agree about the other's viewpoint. Beef is fine but "real" BBQ is pork. MEM BBQ is kind of like sex, the best is very, very good and the worst is still pretty good. Personally I prefer the pork shoulder but ribs can be good, too. I won't bore you with a list of places to go because most any outlet will do. Otherwise, I eat breakfast at the WH about once a month when a friend of mine is in town. Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger is interesting. But, when I crave one, I usually just cook one. I spent so many days and nights out of town early in my career, that I really don't care to eat out any more except when a friend wants to do so. Best regards, RA1

I think it would take MORE than an act of Congress to salvage this guy's career. I think it impossible but that does not mean I think he personally cannot be salvaged. I do think that. Best regards, RA1

AS- You are determined to get to 25 posts and "gold" status, aren't you? Best regards, RA1

This post baffles me. My opinion is that teens of both continents think about sex all the time. I also think that almost none of them think about pregnancy, which they should, very often. With the statistics you quote I have to think that the Eurpoeans either have better "sex education" which in this case means contraceptive education and, most importantly, follow the included advice. That also would include STD's which are not to be triffled with as opposed to one's "conquests". Sorry, it isn't really funny but then we have to do the best we can when faced with negative situations, don't we? Best regards, RA1

A reprimand, yes, public, no. This guy has exhibited leadership in the past and that is what command officers do. His off duty hours were a little beyond the pale but one should look at his whole history/record and make appropriate judgements and actions. Best regards, RA1

I have to say this is similar to the ducks going into clouds, getting iced up and falling by the "flocks" into fields, DOA. It might be an urban legend or it might be a freak of nature but until something definitive comes along to explain it, I think it is an urban legend. Best regards, RA1

He is just a Jonathan Swift reader, isn't he? Best regards, RA1

How do you or Wikipedia, for that matter, know so much about this kid? Also, who cares? Not to be callous but the only thing that got my attention was the North Korea bit. That country is totally irresponsible and therefore who and what is said about them is under scrutiny. Best regards, RA1

Not a lurker but not a prolific poster, either. So, start me at about 285 and see if I can get to 310 in the next several days. Best regards, RA1

lookin'- A very excellent suggestion. Best regards, RA1

They still do it but it isn't DDT now. They also warn the populace of when and where they are spraying. Before, they didn't bother. Best regards, RA1

TY- Thanks for your reply. As you suggest, the TSA agents/empoyees are not qualified to do Israeli type profiling. Yes, we do need simple metal detection just to remind folks they should not bring their sub machine guns from home. Profiling would be excellent but I have my doubts about any government employee ever doing it either correctly or constitutionally. Dogs are good. However, the real solution is for each and every passenger to take responsibility to do his or her part to thwart any evil doers as they appear. I realize that not every passenger is physically able to do this but should try to whatever extent possible. This would be similar to having able bodied persons sitting next to emergency exits, something routinely discussed and dealt with on every flight. Would you prefer a blue or red anti-terrorist blanket? Best regards, RA1

Maybe I have missed something all along. If you are against all that stuff that the TSA does, whether Congress directed or otherwise, what do they do that you are for? The CIA and FBI, with all of their faults, have been long standing agencies with instructions to deal with our enemies either foreign or domestic. The TSA is just fluff and show BUT very expensive fluff and show. Surely there is better employment for Burger King rejects. Best regards, RA1

Not sure that "rule making" would have solved this problem but it could not have hurt. I would like to think that those flights could have known about the problem and diverted to another airport where the passengers could have gotten off, gone through US customs and found their way to NY, later, rather than sooner. The airlines and some US officials seem stuck on the idea of having the passengers clear customs at their original destination. I have no idea why that would or should be so, customs should be customs. Once cleared, the folks could continue to their ultimate destination without further hindrance, other than the TSA and various vagaries of domestic flights. The above description seems so out of place and other worldly to me. I cannot think of the US being this far degraded in our thinking and delivery of "services". Best regards, RA1

LOL. Best regards, RA1

Of course it is, as if you didn't know. I even had a full post some time back explaining that I have no idea why I thought I needed a different name here than there but that I am the same person. Best regards, RA1 aka KMEM

At some point in order for the US to get back into the "world game" we may have to do some of what is being done to us. What is the most important export we might have? Food. We may be "forced" to levy a huge tariff on food exports to try to level the balance of trade problem. I much prefer "free trade" but the "others" must play fair. Best regards, RA1

Most gentle spelling correction I have seen lately. Best regards, KMEM

LOL. Best regards, RA1

You are correct and I am willing to suppose that those who thought that the 21st started on 1/1/00 would be equally confused if they were told that, if so, the first decade ended on 1/1/10. Best regards, RA1