RA1

Interesting, but was "she" a queen in more ways than one? And, also a virgin? It is amazing how well some secrets were kept in those days but also amazing how little one could get away with without "someone" knowing, just like today. Best regards, RA1

I am pretty sure I understand your wry comment but while those coaches are technically public employees I would venture that a huge percentage of their income is derived by the fan base or sources other than their ostensible employer. I am not endorsing the pay of coaches, professional athletes or movie stars, all of whom are in the entertainment business and do not necessarily provide anything useful other than whatever value a "diversion" might provide. I agree that likely is worth a good deal to some folks. Obviously. Best regards, RA1

I would be more than pleasantly surprised should one of the above should happen inhabit a washer or dryer in a Laundromat that I happened to be using. No doubt it would support small or large loads. Best regards, RA1

So, what is the question? There is no doubt that many, too many, airline pilots rely upon technology every day. The 777 cannot and will not stall if the auto throttles are engaged. Obviously, they were not. Autoland is also not available if the ILS is not fully active and it was not. Therefore here we have an airliner on a pretty day with no weather or wind on a visual approach to a very large airport with a very long runway. What could be better? If it ever sounded like I was defending the crew, I was not. I merely intend to state facts rather than conjecture unless clearly identified as conjecture. The pilot flying and the check captain surely will have their careers cease and they should. Blaming them does not necessarily promote aviation. I received an email from a friend who is currently a 777 captain for FEDEX and an airman I sincerely respect. He knew of no "gotcha" with the 777 and concurred with my assessment that it is a very safe aircraft with an excellent record. There is no doubt that "technological" systems were disconnected and the pilot flying got too slow too close to the ground. Why this should have happened is still yet to be completely discovered and explained. So sorry for all those involved. Best regards, RA1

Are you suggesting he should consider Paula Deen for his VP candidate when he next runs for prez? Best regards, RA1

As you suggest, the Brits won't be satisfied for long. For one thing Andy is not English, "only" British. Do you think it might be fair to compare British tennis fans to American Cub fans? Of course, the Brits have now drawn slightly ahead having won recently while the Cub fans still have to hark back to 1929 for their last big win. Best regards, RA1

NP. Those kids are getting a "standardized" education so those tests are just the ticket. Best regards, RA1

Zip- Your post is exactly the problem with "experts" being quoted by the MSM. The experts sometimes are not experts and the MSM has little to no background to understand what is being related. 1. Whenever an airline pilot changes equipment (usually an upgrade) he or she undergoes extensive training in a simulator of that aircraft. Then, they undergo what is called Initial Operating Experience during which the weather has to be "better". Also there is a check captain on board throughout the IOE. This lasts for several hours of flying and has other logical requirements. No one is born having hours in any aircraft. 2. This captain has landed at SFO before, just not in the 777. 3. The real question is why the check captain did not call for more power until about 7 seconds before the crash. Likely his career will suffer as much or more than the captain undergoing IOE. 4. It has been suggested for quite some time now that airline pilots need more basic aka stick training and need to rely less upon technology. The ILS (Instrument Landing System) was out for maintenance and not scheduled for return to service until 23 August. The weather was clear and the winds calm, so this should not have been a problem for an airline pilot but obviously there was some kind of problem. The crash of AF 441 has increased the calls for more "basic" training and no doubt this crash will exacerbate those calls. 5. Difficult to know if someone was still alive after suffering a crash and then possibly being run over. Interesting to hear what the verdict is. Best regards, RA1

I don't wish to make fun of a serious disease but isn't being in Bakersfield, CA enough ill treatment? I know more than one who was ecstatic about being liberated from same. This sounds like a variation of Legionnaire's Disease but what do I know? Best regards, RA1

At first I thought this was going to be a variation of the old joke about the guy who goes to a shrink. The shrink gives the guy a word association test. Shrink: Elephant. Guy: Sex. S: Cake. G: Sex. S: Tree. G: Sex. S: Why does everything remind you of sex? G: It doesn't. You are the one with the dirty mind. Best regards, RA1

Somehow you left out or gave short shrift to the abductee enjoying himself. Aren't all encounters after midnight on Saturday somewhat alien in character? Best regards, RA1

Obviously you have never been to the Air Force Museum at Dayton where I personally almost got ejected by the Air Police while diligently looking for LGM. Best regards, RA1 Little Green Men for those not yet exposed.

I course I knew what an Uncle Tom Oreo is. However, your graphic description hits a little too close to home, especially on a Saturday night. Best regards, RA1

General aviation rear facing seats have seat backs that are extra tall. Forward facing seats generally have a movable headrest similar to those on the front seats of cars. GA aircraft that were produced under the latest rules do have shoulder harnesses. They can be retrofitted to earlier production aircraft but are not necessarily mandated to do so. There is also a current "trend" to have seat belts equipped with air bags which are optional on many GA aircraft but not mandated on any. Personally I always wear my seat belt when a passenger and in my seat and, of course, always wear it when acting as the pilot. Best regards, RA1

Absolutely. I don't know about today but for many, many years, the US Navy only had rear facing seats in their transport aircraft. I can personally attest to the efficacy of such. I was catching a ride in a biz jet many years ago and was asked to sit in a rear facing seat. Virtually all corporate type aircraft have at least some rear facing seats - the four seats facing each other are called a club arrangement. We were going from LGA-ALB-BGR and had 3 board of directors on board + 3 "hitch hikers" like me. Actually I was going to get a trade in aircraft at BGR. The weather was very rainy. The runway at ALB is not extra long and was covered with water. We landed going pretty fast, hydroplaned and went off the end doing about 80 MPH. Everyone else was thrown violently into their seat belts but no one was injured. I could have been in my den watching TV because all that sudden deceleration was absorbed by my seat back. Rear facing seats won't cure every possible injury but would reduce a lot of them substantially. Rarely I have a passenger to object to facing the rear but as soon as I explain do that or stay home they usually are OK. A few think they will have motion sickness or somehow feel uneasy but those are all imagined objections. If it is dark or one does not look outside one never knows. If offered a rear facing seat, take it. Best regards, RA1

Most of those injuries would not have occurred or certainly been a lot less severe with all rear facing seats. Best regards, RA1

Too obvious but a young thief? Best regards, RA1

I think I know that Asian who carps. Best regards, RA1

Answers are only thoughts looking for more questions. I agree with you. The main thrust is how willing we Americans are to "give up" freedoms and other things in search for security which is impossible, according to me. The most secure method is to be completely anonymous and keep moving whilst avoiding crowds. Wealth, fame, body guards and all such obviously do not provide security, only the illusion. Regardless, there is always risk. Best regards, RA1

Apparently Pope Francis has more power than a US President but likely that was always so. Carter, among others, tried to "reform" the bureaucracy and failed. I hope Francis has better luck. Best regards, RA1

www.nbcnews.com/technology/privacy-vs-security-false-choice-poisons-debate-nsa-leaks-6C10536226 Best regards, RA1

I read that Iceland declined but I have seen no details. Certainly that is where I would go. Best regards, RA1

I have not taken the time to learn how to install a poll on this site but it can be done. One problem with polls is as I described in a previous post; they can be misleading, never mind inaccurate. The subject matter can also be complicated. I cannot recall all the polls I would have answered had they had a choice that matched my sentiments. The US has a problem with whistle blowers. It is stated that they are to be encouraged and applauded but that, unfortunately, is not the case, by far. Instead they are usually vilified and otherwise denounced. Snowden is no exception. He may or may not be a "traditional" whistle blower but he has little "legal" recourse in the US at present. So, he does what he thinks is right and becomes a man without a country, so to speak. Sad. "We have many miles to go and many promises to keep." Frost. Best regards, RA1

That is what I had heard and read (but not experienced). In other words, mostly US trained MD's as well as clean and very good care. A combination impossible to beat, especially when priced fairly. Best regards, RA1

Another misleading headline. Not yours, hito, but the article's. While it is true by 1% that more Americans think Snowden did the wrong thing than those who think he did the right thing, the vast majority either think he did the right thing or are unsure. Why is it that the vast majority of the media cannot let a story develop and just present the facts as they are known but, no, they have to rush to instant analysis which far, far too often is wrong. How is that for an over generalization and instant snapshot of what is wrong with the media? Shoot, here it is 50 years later and some folks aren't yet sure what happened to JFK. Best regards, RA1