![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/080126-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
We are about to get sucked back into an assessment of what we may be doing to Iran this afternoon.<\/p>\n
Word from the Flatscreen at the end of the Conference Room is that strikes could be renewed today\u2014and that they may do something significant. That follows Friday\u2019s strikes, which fragmentary reporting suggested lasted approximately two hours.<\/p>\n
Miles was a Patrol aviator, but he knows the cyclic rhythm carrier people must follow to launch and recover high-performance aircraft loaded with ordnance.<\/p>\n
If you have never lived around a bunch of carrier pilots preparing to do something serious, an \u201cAlpha Strike\u201d is a major, coordinated attack involving a substantial portion of a carrier air wing: aircraft, weapons, tankers, electronic support and timing all assembled into a single violent package.<\/p>\n
From what we understand, each of the two carriers on station delivered such strikes against installations on the Iranian islands Friday.<\/p>\n
Diplomacy\u2014unless suddenly reenergized by the Alpha nature of what may be coming this afternoon\u2014appears to have fled the field for the moment. Our Conference Room assessment is that the Bazaaris with whom we have been negotiating are playing for time, hoping to influence the American midterm elections now only 93 days and a few minutes away.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/080126-2.jpg\")
\nThat is the large matter abroad. Here is the big deal in our neighborhood.<\/p>\n
President Trump has announced plans for a monumental arch at Memorial Circle, where Arlington Memorial Bridge arrives on the Virginia side of the Potomac.<\/p>\n
Some of the Boomers around the table\u2014Vic, Rocket and Splash among them\u2014expect to be buried within view of it. Not that they think their opinion will matter much by then.<\/p>\n
There are already plenty of people in a state of agitation over anything the President might use to place an enduring mark on what was once simply called the Nation\u2019s Capital.<\/p>\n
And yes, some suspect the arch could have a Trump logo on it before he is done.
\nThe controversy surrounding nearly everything here has been intense. The arch is a lightning rod, as is the restoration and re-gilding of the monumental equestrian groups flanking the eastern end of Memorial Bridge.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/080126-3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
We are comfortable with cleaning them up. We are somewhat less emotional about the enormous hoo-rah surrounding the Reflecting Pool.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/080126-4.jpg\")
\nIt also turns out that the first attempt to repair the Reflecting Pool failed. The damage was attributed to flawed installation rather than vandalism, and prosecutors have moved to dismiss the charges against former Olympic canoeist David Hearn.<\/p>\n
That appears to settle at least one controversy.<\/p>\n
We are ready to move forward with clean fountains, fewer murders and a generally safer and more attractive capital neighborhood.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.vicsocotra.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/080126-5.jpg\")
\nHere is how it looks this afternoon.<\/p>\n
We are willing to see where things go from here.<\/p>\n
But given the choice, we prefer a pleasant view.<\/p>\n
Copyright 2026 Vic Socotra
\nwww.vicsocotra.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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