What will it take, America?

Another mass shooting in America. This time the target was Las Vegas, at the very end of a country music festival. 50 dead, more than 400 wounded. So far. [Update 3 hours after posting: 58 dead, at least 515 wounded]

This is madness. What will it take?

The shooter planned this well, somehow bringing an arsenal of weapons of mass murder along with plenty of ammunition – all legally obtained, I’m sure – unnoticed to the 32d floor of a luxury hotel so he could fire down into the crowd at his leisure.

(a home arsenal confiscated by police - not related to the Las Vegas massacre)

This is madness. What will it take?

Witnesses (aka targets) heard the shots and thought it was fireworks for the concert. When the band ran off the stage people started figuring it out, and hunkered down where the stood – still easy targets for the shooter, since nobody knew where the shots were coming from.

This is madness. What will it take?

The GOP – ok, wait, let’s call it what it has become, the Guns Only Party – is so enamored of and dependent on money from the NRA (No Remorse Armaments) to stay in office that they have passed into law measures allowing gun ownership by felons, removing limitations on gun ownership from domestic violence offenders and others, and punishing victims of gun crimes if they sue the manufacturers.

This is madness. What will it take?

This week the GOP has intended to vote on legislation to allow the legal sale of silencers for guns. You know, you’ve seen them in the movies. It’s a device so the hero can kill the other guy without anyone hearing the shot. There’s really no other valid purpose for a silencer, and it has been an illegal device since it was invented. But the GOP wants to change that. Why? Because the NRA wrote the bill to allow such sales, and the GOP just cannot turn down that free money. I wonder if they’ll go ahead with their plans later in the week – I’m sure the NRA will encourage them to. They will spin it somehow to make it sound like a good thing.

(another home arsenal discovered by police - not related to the Las Vegas massacre)

This is madness. What will it take?

The right wing religious zealots who are in lockstep support of Donald Trump, the anti-Christ (no, I don’t mean the mythical figure from the Bible’s Book of Revelations – I mean a man who has lived his life as the antithesis of the teachings of Jesus the Christ) just love to blame hurricanes and earthquakes on the gays, but they never seem to notice the leering face of evil looking back at them from the mirror when another crazed gun nut mows down a few dozen of his fellow citizens.  Who’s to blame for this, they’ll lament?

This is madness. What will it take?

The GOP loves to stir up fear and hatred against Muslims, which is an idiotic thing to do but lots of American idiots who have never met a Muslim continue to fall for it. Trump especially loves to instantly throw out the “terrorist” label whenever anyone abroad is hurt, and criticize the government where it happens, but somehow when domestic terrorists like the Las Vegas shooter kill Americans, Trump and the right wing are awfully quiet on the matter.

This is madness. What will it take?

We’ve had Columbine, Sandy Hook, Orlando, Killeen, Virginia Tech, San Bernardino – to name only a few. We had a Congressman shot earlier this year. Every time, the GOP has sobbed in public, shed a few crocodile tears, said they would pray, and then went right back to doing the NRA’s bidding to make it easier to sell more guns.

This is madness. What will it take?

We are trading our lives for one industry’s profits, folks. Is your life worth it? Is your son or daughter’s life worth it? Is your spouse’s life worth it? Because that is who is paid the price last night in Las Vegas to continue pumping money to the gun industry – wives, husbands, parents, children, friends. Innocent people who came together to enjoy a concert.

This is madness. What will it take?

I will tell you what I think it will take. The GOP will never grow a conscience, and they will never act contrary to their own best interests, which means they will continue to take money and advance the NRA agenda.  The solution is action by you and me and all of us. We each have a very small voice in American politics – the rest of the world reveres this voice, and fights tooth and nail for the right to embrace it, even as most Americans just don’t seem to have time to be bothered with it.

But if you are finally fed up, and you cannot take this lunacy any more, there’s something you can do: VOTE.  Register to vote – take the time, make the effort. And then get off your ass and go vote in November. Every November, and in every election.  Let it be known that you will not vote for any politician – Republican or Democrat – who accepts legal bribes from or supports the NRA’s murderous profiteering off American lives.

Be fed up. We’ve put up with this for far too long. Take a stand, go out, and protest. Support political candidates from either party who will act to do something about this murderous rampage going on in our country, and who will attempt to bring back the civility so quickly stripped away by Trump and his cronies.

I will never again vote for a politician who takes money from the NRA. It’s time to get the NRA out of their enshrined position in our government, where they've been too long and don’t belong.

This is madness. What will it take?

#MurderousNRA  #Resist  #LivesForProfits 

Russia Views

I've been doing this blog for several years now, and have notices something new and interesting in my stats. I can see how many views I have total, and by the day. I can also see where viewers are connecting from.

I've always had a diverse readership, and it's always changed month to month. But this is what I saw when I took a look today:

The statistics report says I had 46 views today. OK, that's great. I haven't posted in a few weeks so that is a little odd, but ok. The next block says I had 44 page views from Russia!

Now that is a unique situation. I've had one or two Russian views every now and then, but 44?!?! I don't know anyone in Russia. I have only met one true-life Russian that I'm aware of, and that was here in the UAE one day in the cafeteria at lunch - pure coincidence.

So how do I have 44 Russian views today? I have one or two thoughts. Anybody else got any suggestions, comments, or explanations? I'd love to hear them!

[HEY! Russian hackers! Nothing to see here! True, I don't like Trump and I've said so, but no need to be alarmed or interfere!! Dos Vedanya!]

Air Turbulence

Today I read the following article about an airliner that ran into severe turbulence, and thought it might provide a teachable moment for many people who are worried about turbulence but don't really know much about it. The first thing you should know is this: you can trust the airplane. Modern engines and airframes are put through stress testing you simply would not believe, and they will survive whatever kind of rough air they fly through.  Everything inside that isn't strapped in or bolted down, though, is still subject to Newton's laws of motion.

Ten Hospitalized after American Airlines Flight Jolted Midair

I spent a career as a professional pilot. I know a great deal about aircraft, meteorology, aerodynamics, propulsion, etc., because when you fly airplanes your life depends on knowing these things. So trust me, please, when I say the following rules are urgently important to protect yourself when flying:

• Rule #1: If you sit yourself into an airline seat while it is airborne, PUT THE SEAT BELT ON!!!!!!!!  It doesn't have to be tight, but it must be on and latched.
• Rule #2: Get up when you need to, visit the lavatory, stretch your legs, walk around for a few minutes, and then return to your seat and immediately apply Rule #1!!!
• Rule #3: If you are in cruise flight and the Seat Belt light comes on, ensure your lap belt is fastened and tighten it! If you are not in your seat, return IMMEDIATELY to your seat, apply Rule #1, AND tighten the belt tight.

Turbulence is unpredictable, because it is invisible. It is a natural phenomenon, just air. But it is air in motion, sometimes violent motion. Up and down, left to right, twisting and rotating. Sometimes currents of air pass next to each other, one going up at hundreds of feet per minute, and the other going down at hundreds of feet per minute. A thunderstorm dozens of miles away, or just a hot summer day, or a cold front hitting a warm front can impact the air, making it boil and swirl and spin. An airplane hitting any of this wildly active air at 600 mph will cause a ruckus.

Forecasters can guess at conditions that may produce turbulence, but they are only estimates. The most reliable reports of turbulence come from other airplane pilots. But even that is not accurate because airplanes don't actually follow each other exactly in line, so every jet is hitting a different spot at a slightly different altitude. Turbulence conditions can change in a matter of minutes - a report of "light chop" from one pilot may become "heavy turbulence" for another airplane 5 minutes behind and a few miles to either side.

There are several official turbulence levels. Light turbulence is an everyday thing, no question, and shouldn't disrupt anything going on in the airplane.  Moderate is not unusual, and may disrupt inflight food service. Heavy is uncommon, but is possible any time there is any lower level of turbulence - again, air is always in motion.  Severe turbulence is RARE. On the order of a lightning strike in your backyard. It's always possible, but you don't have to worry about getting hit by lightning every time there are clouds in the sky. In my flying career I have never experienced severe turbulence.

Having said all that, I will repeat that you needn't worry about the airplane. The jet you are in is  astoundingly strong and robust, and can handle the turbulence with little or no problem.  The real trouble all relates to the jelly-filled creatures inside the airplane. If you are not buckled in and your aircraft encounters heavy or severe turbulence, you will very likely find yourself flying up and being pinned to the ceiling, and enjoying the unique view of looking at the floor for several seconds as the aircraft drops several hundred feet without warning.

This drop will, with absolute certainty, violently reverse itself momentarily, and the airplane will rise up to meet you - hard - as you descend from the ceiling. Along with cups, saucers, bags, food, liquids, babies, books, phones, flight attendants, and the few passengers who were unlucky enough to be out of their seats or who couldn't be bothered to fasten their seat belts. Whatever is right below you is where you will come down, and it won't be neatly back into your seat. If you are not securely strapped in you will have zero influence on these events once they start, and you will almost certainly be injured.

Some level of turbulence is a normal part of flying in any airplane on any given day. I've had 16 hour flights without a bump. But a friend was on a jet to Asia last year; the pilot decided to overfly a typhoon, and they suffered heavy turbulence for several hours - stupid, needless, predictable and avoidable - and 280 passengers could only buckle up and hold on.

By far most flights will encounter nothing but light turbulence, which - again - is nothing to worry about. The odds are that you will never encounter severe turbulence - I haven't!  But I am always prepared for it by faithfully following the three rules above.

Save yourself. Sit down and stay buckled.

Please feel free to comment and share! Fly safe!

#Turbulence  #Lapbelt  #Airline  #Seatbelt

American Independence Day

Happy 4th of July, the day America honors the nation's Founders for publicly standing up to the King of Great Britain, who had at his disposal one of history's greatest armies and navies.

This was truly one of the most amazing acts of treason, desperation, foolhardiness, courage, foresight, conviction, faith, and hope every committed. In case it's been a while, or you have never seen it, take a few minutes to read this awesome document, courtesy of the National Archives.

The Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776


Today, far too many politicians, who have obviously never read or considered the words written by these Giants, are far too quick to claim to speak the minds of the Founding Fathers. They embarrass themselves in their ignorance.

Such self-interested politicians should either stop doing so, or should actually study the history of our country and how it came to be, and learn what it means to stand up for what is right, to be honorable, to take a massive personal risk, and to work for something more important than themselves. It is a stunning tale of love, cruelty, drama, success, failure, passion, conviction, and determination, and the ending is still far from certain.

From the UAE, best to all on the anniversary of the birth of our nation! Mark

Feel free to share if you wish!

 #4July  #IndependenceDay

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak to my family and friends around the world. For those of you not in the Middle East, I will inform you that Eid al-Fitr is the feast of breaking the fast, where Muslims around the world fast from dawn until sunset for the holy month of Ramadan. The traditional greeting is Eid Mubarak (eed mu Bar eck) with means blessed Eid.

It’s a hard thing to fast all day, every day, for 29 or 30 days, from the sighting of the new moon until the sighting of the next new moon.  That means no food, no water, no tobacco, nothing. There are exceptions for travelers, illness, etc., but this is a time of physical and spiritual purification. It’s like an extreme Lent, except harder and all practicing Muslims actually practice it.

In addition, Ramadan is a time of giving and generosity, and that is a tough test. You know how hard it is to be nice and patient and kind when you’re tired and hungry, right? OK, do that for a month!  But I have never heard cross words or raised voices.  It is a religious obligation that Muslims truly believe in and faithfully practice. I honor their commitment.

At sunset families and friends gather for iftar meal, which may last for hours.  There may be another meal around midnight.  Unless they get up before sunrise, it’s a long time til the next iftar.

The Emirati’s pretty much live at the mall during the summer months. There are good reasons for this, including the fact that it is blazing hot and massively humid outside.  Because of this shopping and food are clustered and enclosed in bigger buildings. There are no isolated, standalone restaurants or grocery stores here.  There is at least a cluster of them in a few places.  If you feel like eating at Red Lobster you go to the al Fatwa Mall in Abu Dhabi.  

If you want Popeye’s Fried Chicken you go to Deerfields Mall, Marina Mall, or a dozen gas stations that also often contain food courts. BTW, Popeye’s is a favorite here! Based on my own impartial, highly scientific research I have observed that in any food court with a Popeye’s branch, it will have the longest lines and serve more people than any other offering. Just sayin’ – it has nothing to do with that being one of my personal favorites because it’s one of the few US brands here that is just like home!

One of the biggest malls in Abu Dhabi is the Yas Mall, which is 10 minutes from my hotel. This year, to celebrate the Eid, they are running a 24-hour sale and celebration, from 10 a.m. today until 10 a.m. tomorrow!  Big party, performances, live music, specials everywhere, etc.  Ferrari World, the top attraction in the Mideast, is attached to Yas Mall, and will also be open 24 hours. I really didn’t think much of it. I’ve seen late night promotions in the USA fail horribly, when a few dozen people showed up and stores lost money paying staff for foot traffic that never showed up.

Today, though, I had to check out and check back into my hotel. One of the managers saw me (they all know me – I’ve been here over a year!) and asked if I would be going to the mall today.  I said I might, thinking of a few things I needed at the grocery, a French hypermarket called Geant.  He smiled and handed me a big red printed card – a coupon for 100 dirhams (about $27 US).  He said it was good at anyplace in the mall during the sale!

So this evening I thought now would be the perfect time to go, and actually had something in mind I could use it for.  Of course, as soon as I started the car I remembered that it needed gas, and soon!  So I thought I could pop into the mall, do my shopping, and then run up the road to the nearest gas station, and be back to the hotel in time for a family Skype date. Pretty good plan.

Except, no. Halfway to the mall I ran into the traffic to the mall. The right 2 lanes of 5 were already backed up.  I bypassed that way and headed toward another artery leading to the mall, and found it was jammed solid with cars!  In fact, every way leading into the mall was jammed solid at 8 p.m.  Apparently, the party was just about to get started! Happily I abandoned the mall idea and went to get gas.

On my way back to the hotel took what I thought would be the longer way to avoid mall traffic flow, but got caught up in it anyway. It was now backed up as far as the hotel plaza, and I’m happy I changed my plans. If I’d gotten into the mall parking areas somehow, I might not have made it out again until tomorrow!  So now I’m wondering about trying to go in the morning before 10. There may not be anything left, but it might be interesting to see.

 #EidMubarak  #YasMall  #UAE