Vic Socotra – Page 238

September 11, 2019 Vic Socotra

A Day Like No Other

Dad used to talk about one of the days that seared itself into his memory. The Empire of Japan struck the naval base at Pearl Harbor on the 7th of December 1941, killing about 2,000 sailors and Marines, and throwing an enormous curve at the men and women who would have to live through 1942 […]

September 10, 2019 Vic Socotra

Point loma: The Handshake

There’s a semi-historical, famous scene from Ocean’s 13, in which Danny Ocean (George Clooney) excoriates Willy Bank (Al Pacino) when he accuses him on reneging on a gentleman’s deal by destroying a landmark hotel-casino owned by Reuben (Elliott Gould), stating “You shook Sinatra’s hand, you should have known better.” I normally don’t like George but […]

September 9, 2019 Vic Socotra

Gentle Spirit

Over the last half century or so as a fully enfranchised citizen, I have made a couple observations of life on this planet, at least one of which I will not trouble you. There is plenty of time for that. It has been amazing to have traveled the political terrain over which we walk today. […]

September 8, 2019 Vic Socotra

Arrias: Who Protects Your Family?

There’s lots of talk about new gun laws, and further narrowing who may carry weapons and what weapons they may carry. But before we go there, let’s ask a more basic question: Who is responsible for protecting you and your family, personally and specifically? If your town was invaded, the police, or the National Guard, […]

September 7, 2019 Vic Socotra

Life & Island Times: Come together, right now, vote for me

Author’s Note: The winnowing process of 2020 Presidential candidates has halved the field after the initial summer debates. The horse race still looks about the same with the pack leaders still in their same approximate Win-Show-Place positions. Still leading the polls despite frequent stumbles, the leader as the field enters turn one is Biden his […]

September 5, 2019 Vic Socotra

Life & Island Times: Coming Ashore

Coastal Empire, Dorian Edition Editor’s Note: I am getting this out a little late, but wanted to get the latest on Hurricane Dorian’s landfall- or partial landfall- in the Carolinas. The below accounts from Marlow outline the last preparations at his house in Charleston. The Navy has sortied the Fleet to more welcoming waters, and […]

September 4, 2019 Vic Socotra

Swamp Postcard: Storm Warnings

As the Hurricane passes the Caribbean enroute a close-aboard pass of the US East Coast, my heart goes out to the people of the Bahamas. They suffered repeated blows from Hurricane Dorian, the scourge of cable news for the last week or so. Dorian stalled, making only a mile-an-hour progress to the northwest and seemed […]

September 2, 2019 Vic Socotra

Arrias: Patrick Henry and Saving the Elephants

If saving the world involved killing all the elephants, would we do it? Or, what if a cure for leukemia was developed but it somehow required killing every dog and cat on the planet? While you ponder that, consider this: How much methane does a head of cattle produce? That is important because it’s going […]

September 1, 2019 Vic Socotra

Life & Island Times: Shootings

Author’s note: I had planned to send this out later this month, but then Odessa and Midland Texas happened yesterday. – Marlow Alternate Thoughts on America’s Mass Shootings Guns for sale at Walmart Editor’s note: Now that the media has moved onto the next bright shiny new toy, it’s time to share these random thoughts […]

August 31, 2019 Vic Socotra

Life & Island Times: Storm Season 2019

We’re now officially halfway through Storm Season 2019 in the Coastal Empire lowlands. It’s been a quiet one thus far, so the Weather Channel gnomes have been staying at home and biding their time. Dorian and his grey, wet and windy skies appeared on our 7 day predict horizon very early this week; and, man […]

Author: Vic Socotra