Posts

A Personal Rant on Vulgar Language

    A reader of my local paper recently pointed out, with proper disgust, a banner flying in public using the phrase “f--- Biden.”   The word was spelled out and the vowels were in place.   I have seen similar stickers on cars.   I have seen them on T-shirts.   Evidently the nugatory complaints against the current administration do not lend themselves to serious or substantive discourse, so vulgarities are all the pro-Trump rabble have left.   It diminishes both their standing and their argument—or lack thereof.                           All of this puts me in mind of the shortest job tenure of which I know.   That position belongs to the fledgling local news anchor, A. J. Clemente.   He was fired after his first-ever words on Bismarck, North Dakota’s NBC affiliate, KFYR, were, “f---ing sh-t.”   Clemente was immediately suspended and later fired.   Clemente’s meager defense seems to be that he didn’t know his microphone was on.   Do they not teach these journalistic wannabes
Post a Comment
Read more

Tornado Season

  In the afternoon of March 18, 1925 a monster was born.                  The Tri-State Tornado of 1925 began as what is universally described as a “smoky fog” touching down three miles northwest of Ellington, Missouri.   This EF5 tornado traveled 217 miles across Missouri, Southern Illinois and Indiana, killing 619 people.   In each state at least one community (Biehle, MO; Gorham, IL; Griffin, IN) experienced 100% destruction.                  Some of the staggering death toll is easily attributable to the lack of communication among rural Midwest communities in the midst of the 1920’s.   Other reasons are unique to this tornado.   The tornado maintained some 65 to 70 miles per hour for the entire 217 miles and 3 ½ hour of its wretched life.   Geography worked against the victims as well.   The Tri-State followed the same topographical ridge as did the small, poor mining communities that became its victims.                  The first town fell at 1:30 p.m.   There had been so
Post a Comment
Read more

Come From Away is a Story of Magnificent Humanity

  On Sunday we are going to see the play "Come From Away" at the McAllen Performing Arts Center.  I have wanted to see this play since visiting Newfoundland a few years ago.  The following is a column I wrote after spending a day at the Gander, Newfoundland Aviation Museum.  I am proud to say that this was one of three columns that were eventually nominated for the AP Op-ed award for small circulation newspapers.    Gander Newfoundland Keeps the Faith I picked up the headset and held one side to my ear.   There was the voice—calm, methodical, every tone measured and precise.   In the Gander Aviation Museum I was listening to recordings of air traffic control.                 “Delta one five heavy, this is YQX approach, squawk zero seven seven niner.”               “United two two three heavy, this is YQX, descend to 5500 and hold for approach.”               “American four six heavy, this is YQX, you are clear to land zero three.”               The term “hea
Post a Comment
Read more