I am sick of politics. After listening to bits and pieces of Clinton and Biden last night I felt ill. The truth they know not. And seeing that the race remains tied per Rasmussen, Americans have figured that out. It remains now for McCain to make his case after Hussein disgusts us all with his speech tonight from The Temple of Lost Elections.
I read that it can rise. I assume after Hussein has climbed the mountain to the temple the motors will silently evaluate him above the adoring minions. Those of the sore feet, blisters and heat stroke... Perhaps we will get to see Hussein raise the dead, or three, or at the least provide water and sun block for the thousands.
You think not? Aw, ye of little faith.
I am surprised that they didn't put up a wire system to the top of the south end zone and have him magically float to the temple's entrance. Of course given Denver's penchant for thunderstorms containing huge lightning discharges perhaps the thought of Hussein connected to two or so hundred feet of metal antenna gave them pause.
When I was young and in such a mood I would look forward to what I saw as better days. Old men don't have that luxury. Although we accuse the young of living for the moment we more senior types are guilty as well, even if the present contains a crick in the neck. It could be so much worse, and may be tomorrow.
I am a child of the Cold War. It defined my life as nothing else. I remember listening to the radio by my bed as the reporter described thousands of Chicom troops pouring across the board and killing Americans. Read that sentence again and note, "and killing Americans." In those days there was no difference in people's minds about "Americans" and "soldiers." They were one and the same.
I later listened to Sputnik beeping and heard Kennedy declare that he would fix the "missile gap." We now know there wasn't one and that Kennedy knew there wasn't one and also knew that Nixon couldn't dispute the claim because that would have revealed secret information.
But Kennedy was an honorable man.
If Bush used the "scare tactic" it was Kennedy who introduced it.
At the height of the Cold War I was dispatched to Moscow to solve some communication issues at the Consulate. Flying into Heathrow on Pan Am we were transferred over to Aeroflot via bus out to a loading area. It was about 5AM and foggy and raining. As we lined up and climbed aboard I noted the outline of the bomb bay doors on the belly of the plane, and as I found my seat I saw the navigation bubble from which the stars and sun could be shot for no electronic emission navigation during an attack.
Waste not, want not. Commercial airliner during peace, bomber during war.
I remember I wasn't impressed with the interior. The plastic didn't come together at the seams properly and it wasn't especially clean. My row partner introduced himself as a teacher who had been on holiday in England. He seemed delighted to meet an American and we had a spirited conversation about baseball, movies and books for about two hours, fueled by plenty of vodka and small servings of cheese and crackers. It was, I decided, after 5PM someplace and vodka eases not only conscience but pain.
Later I was asked about the trip and when I described my companion knowing nods were given and it was explained they "knew him." I didn't believe it then and don't now. But I get ahead of myself.
At takeoff the pilot went to the very end of the runway, locked the brakes and applied full power, removing the brakes just as the power reached maximum. It is sometimes called a short field take off and is also used for ground fire avoidance from insecure areas around the runway. We went up at a high angle of attack and I was hopeful that if he suddenly lost power the pilot was skilled in dropping the nose fast enough to keep us out of a stall.
Practice makes perfect. I wonder if the Brits air control cleared some space for us. But then air traffic wasn't what it is now.
After enough vodka I slipped off to sleep and slept soundly. I awoke to ear pain and immediately understood the pilot was doing a short field/ground fire avoidance landing which means you come down very fast. Think of an elevator.
He turned final just as we broke through the clouds and I saw two USAF C-130's in full battle paint parked near some buildings. I didn't know, but there was a joint agreement on flights bringing in embassy supplies, etc.
I'm glad I didn't turn to my companion and yell! "We won! We won!"
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