Category: This too shall pass.

While you were sleeping, I came up with a plan that just might save America.

Now don’t get me wrong this is going to be a close run thing for sure; but since we’ve decided to turn our military into Girl Scout Brownies thereby leaving us defenseless against the ChiComs, Ruskis, and Salafists, just to name a few, I’ve come up with a plan that just might work. Due to … Continue reading While you were sleeping, I came up with a plan that just might save America. →

Saving Our Lives (in ‘Nam) – Reduxed yet again by ST

I don’t know any men who served in VietNam. Because I had an intimate working-class friend, I did make the acquaintance of one or two of them briefly. But of the doctors and lawyers I know, my circle: no. My title is a reference to a tag line from the immediate post VietNam era: “He … Continue reading Saving Our Lives (in ‘Nam) – Reduxed yet again by ST →

Saint Valentine’s Day Poem

Time to tweak this bad-boy. Just wanted to bring it to mind and tell you I wrote it on Valentine's Day after finishing a plate of baby-back ribs at Applebees, cold and alone on FEB 14. I asked the waitress for a piece of paper and pen because the poem sort of fell into my … Continue reading Saint Valentine’s Day Poem →

Why Costa Rica?

A gentle reader asks why Costa Rica (CR) and why black pepper? With a follow on question concerning whether this was just an adventure or was there money to be made? There are no short answers to these and they are doggone good questions because almost 30 years later, I’m still asking myself what the … Continue reading Why Costa Rica? →

But Simon, why the border run to Burma? I thought you’d never ask.

Last Thursday I went to the immigration office in my adopted home town of Chiang Rai to make a 90-report as per Thai law. I presented my passport to the officer and looked away from him to organize some other documents (lease on my house, etc.) when the officer told me there was a problem. … Continue reading But Simon, why the border run to Burma? I thought you’d never ask. →

Winning the Peace Ch. 1 (AKA: Not Nation-Building Ch. 96)

I’ve had opportunity to work overseas with many of Uncle Sam’s alphabet soup agencies (DEA, CIA, DOS, USAID, etc.) and have generally been underwhelmed by their lack of foreign language skills and understanding of the local culture. On the other hand they are filled with lot of really intelligent people with advanced degrees who speak … Continue reading Winning the Peace Ch. 1 (AKA: Not Nation-Building Ch. 96) →