. . .
K “We don’t learn.”
J “We just don’t. Something insignificant will be the trigger.”
. . .
Bumper sticker of the week:
“Restraint? Why are you so concerned with saving their lives? The whole idea is to kill the bastards. At the end of the war if there are two Americans and one Russian left alive, we win.” General Thomas Power, U.S. Air Force, 1960
. . .
K “Everything is still a fight today.”
J “Everything.”
. . .
J “Not available.”
K “Not in stock.”
. . .
J “Please hold. For a long time.”
K “Forever.”
. . .
K “For your convenience.”
J “For your inconvenience.”
. . .
K “The country is broke.”
J “The populace is broken.”
. . .
K “The anger is percolating. The rage is raging. The undigested anger is festering.”
J “Something insignificant will be the trigger.”
. . .
“As I see it, the only pleasure of living is that every joke should be made, every thought expressed, every line of investigation, irrespective of its direction, pursued to the uttermost limits that human ingenuity, courage and understanding can take it. The moment that limits are set … then the flavor is gone.” Malcolm Muggeridge
Camping is cheaper than therapy, and you don’t have to talk to anyone.
. . .
K “So many things are percolating.”
J “A strange brew is brewing.”
. . .
J “Reading the tea leaves is trying.”
K “Everything is floating between a mirage and a miasma.”
. . .
. . .
K “The meat cleaver experiment failed.”
J “The gross medical and political malpractice committed on the body politic is ending up costing the country in money and lost opportunity far more than may have been saved.”
. . .
J “Wielding a chain saw was always a puerile and petty stunt by a few punks.”
K “I still maintain that we need a stout paring knife.”
. . .
[See the e-commentary at Trump: MBA Not MPP: Meat Cleaver Versus Surgeon’s Scalpel (March 3, 2025).]
. . .
That’s a terrible idea. What time?
Bad decisions make the best stories.
Getting shot at is exhilarating. As long as it is without consequence.
Scars are tattoos with better stories.
As a general rule, it is better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground.
“If you’re faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible.” Bob Hoover
Many of our problems began when we quit drinking from the skulls of our enemies.
Chop Wood, Carry Water.
Hedge. Diversify. Party.
Always keep one eye on the smart money. Try to be the smart money. And remember – money allows you to be even more generous. Mom
Be generous.
Be kind.
. . .
Bumper stickers of the week:
There is one rule to flying – never give up.
“If you’re faced with a forced landing, fly the thing as far into the crash as possible.” Bob Hoover
“Cloud-flying requires practice, even if you have every modern instrument, and unless you keep calm and collected you will get into trouble after you have been inside a really thick one for a few minutes. In the very early days of aviation, 1912 to be correct, I emerged from a cloud upside down, much to my discomfort, as I didn’t know how to get right way up again. I found out somehow, or I wouldn’t be writing this.” Charles Rumney Samson, A Flight from Cairo to Cape Town and Back, 1931.
“There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm in peacetime.”
Sign over squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, 1970.
“There is no reason to fly through a thunderstorm.” Sign over squadron ops desk at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 1970.
Advice:
As a pilot, you’re probably familiar with the dozens of common aviation sayings that have become a bit clichéd over the years. However, there’s a good reason that some of these sayings have remained popular for so long. Many of these catchy phrases were created to make it easier to recall important aviation safety tips and procedures, helping pilots react quickly and make better decisions under pressure. Here are a few aviation sayings that are worth remembering:
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate
In any situation, but especially in emergencies, pilots must remember to follow the aviation order of operations: aviate, navigate, communicate. Becoming distracted and failing to “fly the airplane first” can have dangerous consequences. When faced with an emergency, first focus on maintaining control of the aircraft. Then, navigate to a point of landing. Finally, communicate the emergency with ATC once everything is in order.
It’s better to be on the ground wishing you were in the air than in the air wishing you were on the ground
This quote reminds pilots to avoid the temptation of “get-home-itis,” a phenomenon that can cause even the most experienced pilots to disregard warnings, instinct and common sense in an effort to reach their destinations on time. When making the go/no-go decision, don’t forget to consider the external and internal factors at play. Avoid letting your own emotions or pressure from your passengers override sound decision-making. When in doubt, fly another day.
Always have an out
The best pilots form a plan B (and often a plan C and D) before going out to fly. When planning a flight, take into account possible weather conditions, mechanical failures, and other emergency scenarios that could occur. Do you know the nearest airports along your route? By planning ahead, you will ensure you have an “out” if things don’t go as expected.
Before takeoff, remember: Lights, Camera, Action!
Reciting “Lights, Camera, Action” is a good way to remember checklist items immediately after receiving takeoff clearance and taking the active runway. Lights refers to external lighting, such as the landing light, strobe, and navigation lights (for night operations). Camera means turning on the transponder so the airplane can be seen and identified by air traffic control on radar. Action is used to remember last-minute items such as checking flaps and trim, switching on the fuel pump (if necessary) and applying takeoff power.
A good pilot is always learning
What’s the best way to stay proficient? Always be looking for opportunities to learn. Refine your aviation knowledge and skills with continued training, instruction, and education. Consider adding to your skill set with a new rating or endorsement. When you’re not flying, take advantage of aviation books, online resources, and flight simulation tools. By continuing to learn and develop your skills, you’ll become a better pilot and avoid the dangers of complacency.
. . .
K “I don’t believe Trumpi and his DOJ.”
J “Who does. Goes back to the presumption that the government lies at every possible opportunity. How are the MAGAts going to react when they realize that Trump lied to them about providing disclosures of all the hidden documents? When does it unravel?”
. . .
. . .
K “Abysmal.”
J “Bleak.”
. . .
K “Disgusting.”
J “Criminal.”
. . .
. . .
K “We are in it.”
J “Full tilt boogie.”
. . .
Bumper stickers of the week:
“I Have A Bad Feeling About This” Obi-wan Kenobi
MAGA is dead. RI . . . P?
. . .
K “He spoke truth.”
J “And got killed.”
. . .
Bumper sticker of the week:
Give peace a small chance
. . .
K “Think it is staged.”
J “Somewhat. But neither of them are capable of staying on script.”
. . .
K “Trump dons a red Make America Great Again hat while Musk sports a black Occupy Mars t-shirt.”
J “King Trump’s crown is an ordinary baseball hat and Minstrel Muskrat’s regal attire is a t-shirt. They call it ‘cosplay’ because they are play acting their roles in their costumes.”
. . .
J “All the world is a stage that is now dominated by two stooges. One is the world’s most powerful man. The other is the world’s richest man. America is all about power and money.”
K “Keep in mind the fundamental truth. The Problem for decades was overlooked or disregarded. There is no democracy. Trump is not an assault on something that does not exist. Trump is the Symptom of the staggering Problem who has metastasized into another competing Problem. The last election was between Systemic Problem versus Trump Problem. Both candidates were stooges in his and her own way.”
. . .
K “The show must go on.”
J “It must not necessarily go on, but it is going to go on.”
. . .
Bumper stickers of the week:
“You have attributed conditions to villainy that simply result from stupidity.” Robert A. Heinlein
“For what else is the life of man but a kind of play in which men in various costumes perform until the director motions them off the stage.” Erasmus, The Praise of Folly (1511).
No Kings
e-commentary 