“It is necessary for the national defense and for the proper growth of its foreign and domestic commerce that the United States shall have a merchant marine of the best equipped and most suitable types of vessels sufficient to carry the greater portion of its commerce and serve as a naval or military auxiliary in […]

It was a glittering affair from the secret world at Willow last night. The second-to-last Director of Naval Intelligence thought it would be a good idea to honor our iconic Mac with a dinner. The attendees were a select bunch (except for me) and the list was restricted to active and retired flag officers and […]

(Beef-on-weck alongside a Buffalo-tini made with Gray Goose Vodka and loganberry ice provided by Jon-no-h. Photo courtesy The Lovely Bea.) My son drove me out to Suitland for the “pinning” ceremony yesterday morning, since I am still gimping along and needed to take the Hubrismobile into the dealer, located near his apartment. He picked me […]

(The Veiled Virgin sculpted by Giovanni Strazza is on display at the Roman Catholic Basilica in St. John’s, Newfoundland. His technique is amazing.) I am headed for the Dealership early to have the precious bodily fluids of the Hubrismobile drained and re-filled against the coming rigors of the summer. I intend to drive for pleasure, […]

(A World War II veteran walks at the Red Square in Moscow, on May 9, 2012, after the Victory Day parade. Thousands of Russian soldiers marched today across Red Square to mark the 67 years since the victory over Nazi Germany in World War II. Photo Kirill Kudryavtsev/Agence/AFP/Getty Images) I am messed up this morning. […]

I am not going to launch on a tirade this morning, even though there are at least three interesting stories in the blabbosphere. They all have something to say about The Narrative of Life in These United States that are quite electrifying, if you pay attention to those sorts of things. Sometimes I do, and […]

  (Jack Reid’s Patrol Squadron 44 “Golden Pelican” crew. Jack is in the middle, flanked by his co-pilot and navigator. Photo USN).   I am going to be headed out to Pearl in a few weeks. It strikes me as a little surreal at this distance, and the point of going is to honor the […]

(Order of Victory of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.)   The Victors poured into the streets of Paris and Athens last night. It is a sort of Victory in Europe Day for the forces of progressive anti-austerity. You saw the headlines this morning: Francois Hollande edged Nicolas Sarkozy to become the first Socialist President […]

If you haven’t been following things, and chose to get ready for the Kentucky Derby with a dollop of tequila, I would not blame you. I was fully ready for the greatest two minutes in sports, though it came with the peril of nearly missing it altogether. There was so much going on. Japan, home […]

(French Zouaves encounter Mexican cavalry at the first Battle of Puebla, 1862. Photo Wikipedia via Mike Manning.) I don’t think I have a lot more of those sorts of trips left in me. Of course, my learned co-worker pointed out that there were not a lot of requirements left for this sort of thing, and […]