On Monday, February 21, 2011, President’s Day, I had my seventy sixth birthday. I have always disliked birthdays, especially those with a zero, and even though there was no zero with this birthday, I still disliked it as much as the previous ones. All it did was remind me I was one year older then the year previous. But, I don’t need birthday’s to remind me of that fact. Instead, I have two total knee replacements plus a hip replacement which make me…
A short article in the March Phoenix Magazine prompts this report. It featured a picture of Arizona cowboys, in 1913, moving a large number of ostriches from one location to another. It pointed out the importance of ostrich farming in the 1900's due to the demand for the plumes used in women’s hats. The article went on to say that as the cowboys and the ostriches moved down the road, a husband and wife in their surrey were approaching in…
The February 4th issue of the National Catholic Reporter http://ncronline.org/ reveals that in a recently released correspondence, sent in 1984, the Vatican told the then Bishop of Tucson, Arizona that "under no conditions" are the personnel files of a priest accused of misconduct to be turned over to civil attorneys. The missive from the Vatican is being cited as further evidence of a Vatican policy against cooperation with police or prosecutors. This is in addition to the disclosure of a…
This is a true story about not only bravery, but the importance of preparation and practice. It involves the destruction of a dam in Germany in World War II. The Mohne Reservoir was an artificial lake in the North Rine area. The dam had been built in the early 1900's to control flooding and generate hydropower. Also on this waterway were two other dams, the Sorpe and Eder dams. During World War II the British Air Ministry identified the heavily industrialised…
Harwood "Bill Bannister died Tuesday February 9th 2010. He was 95 years old and my former law partner as well as my mentor. He had an interesting life. His father traveled the Vaudeville Circuit as a magician "The Great Bannister" which also featured Bill in the act as the ventriloquist "Little Alexander and Tommy." In later years Bill was known to entertain the family with magic and ventriloquist performances in the family home. He had graduated from Stadium in Tacoma…
I think many of us have stereotyped someone and formed conclusions that proved to be very mistaken. We are often fooled by appearances. The proverb that you can't judge a book by a cover is very true in life. Scripture scholar William Barclay illustrates this fact by telling a story involving the famous T.E. Lawrence. Lawrence, of course, gained international fame for his role in the 1916-1918 Arab revolt against the Ottoman rule. His writings and reports as well as books about…
Rob McKenna, the republican Attorney General of Washington state has been preparing to run for governor ever since his election to office. His latest media pitch for attention has been to advocate revision of the laws that allow citizens to sue government for their negligence when it causes death or injury. He claims that limiting litigation for government wrong doing would save money and cites examples which he says illustrate frivolous or excessive claims. What's amusing to me is the examples I've seen…
The Battle of Thermopylae (pronounced "ther-MOP-i-lee") in 480 BC is perhaps the most famous military last stand of all times. It was an "against all odds" battle which has inspired people over the centuries because of the bravery and determination of the Spartans. Military leaders cite it as an example of training, equipment and use of terrain. It has become a symbol of courage against overwhelming odds. The battle took place in Greece between the Greek army and the army of…
Many of us can point to someone or perhaps several people who played significant roles in our life. People who made the difference or who were a tipping point at a critical time. Perhaps it was someone whose words or actions changed the direction of our life for the better. For me, after my parents, it is a short list of individuals who had a very significant influence on my life. It includes a third grade teacher, Mrs Marshall, always saw the good in me even in…
The New York Times has an article http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/24/national/24frozen.html about what melting glaciers are revealing around the world. One of these involves a World War II previously unsolved mystery. One Wednesday morning on November 18, 1942 a trained military pilot and three aviation cadets took off from Mather Field, near Sacramento in an AT-7 Navigator on a four hour training flight. 2nd Lt. William Gamber (Ohio) was flying the plane with passengers John M. Mortenson (Moscow, Idaho) Ernest Munn (Ohio) and Leo M. Mustonen (Minnesota) The…
