43 years ago next month protests started in Iran against the Shah, under the leadership and inspiration of the Ayatollah Khomeini. The demonstrations would lead to the Shah’s fall 16 months later. Iran remains under the control of Khomeini’s hand-picked successor, the Ayatollah Khamenei. One of the memorable mnemonics of that uprising, one that still […]

It’s a “well-known fact” that much of what we have of the great Greek and Roman philosophers, scientists, mathematicians, historians and playwrights came to us via the Islamic civilization. Except it wasn’t really that easy. While some of these great works and great thoughts were translated into modern languages inside the courts of the Sultans, […]

Editor’s Note: Eight for Brunch! No singing, social distancing, masks optional! Lovely day in the country! Arrias was with the Warriors! – Vic Modern Major Generals I spent this past week with some real professionals – 15 guys who are seasoned members of one of those DOD organizations that doesn’t exist, and 3 guys who […]

The tentative Democratic Platform proposes $1.2 trillion in Defense cuts over the next ten years (nearly a 20% cut). In one article on the subject the author commented that “nearly half of all US discretionary spending goes to national security.” Hmmm… Meanwhile… Things are getting sporty in Belarus; President Lukashenko, who received 80% of last […]

Editor’s Note: This is the best National Emergency since I have been sequestered at Refuge Farm. I am following common sense plague avoidance, avoiding crowds and masking in situations that would discomfit my fellow citizens. There was something else I was doing, but have forgotten what it is. This has been a bountiful week. Below […]

Two thousand years ago Cicero wrote about a noted Roman judge, Lucius Cassius Longinus Ravilla, that the Roman people regarded him as a “most honest and wise judge.” Cassius, in an effort to reach the most accurate and just finding, was famous for asking, again and again: Cui bono? “Good to whom?” Or, more colloquially: […]

There is an adage in aviation that runs: “Aviate, Navigate, Communicate.” What it means is that, above all things, keep the airplane flying. Second, figure out where you are. Third, talk to the ground or other airplanes only after you have taken care of the other two – in sequence. It was this very simple […]

Editor’s Note: This is going to be a big week. I have two wonderful essays from the irascible Marlow on the nature of divinity and plague, and my great-grandfather’s account of his Grand Tour of Europe back in 1903. It is interesting timing, since they form by happenstance some useful bookends in this truly mad […]

If you ever find yourself in Boston you should make it a point to make your way to Pier 1 of the Charleston Navy Yard and pay a call to the glorious ship stationed there: USS Constitution. As you probably know well, she was one of the first six frigates commissioned by the US government, […]

Before Jan Sobieski, King of Poland, saved Vienna and Western Civilization, he first insisted that Emperor Leopold I pay his army and provide fodder for his horses (no small thing – he had more than 25,000 horse). Leopold and the Holy League balked, but then paid up, and, in the wake of the largest cavalry […]