The book “The Ugly American” was published in 1958 and lauded as an incisive analysis of America’s myopic approach to foreign policy in Southeast Asia. But over the years it has come to mean something else: the inclination of many… READ MORE
It couldn’t happen here. For decades Americans have watched mayhem overseas, smugly confident their shores were safe from chaos. Sept. 11, 2001 changed that. We’re talking about journalism, of course. While American media rushed to pat… READ MORE
While the nose art indicates the name of this Collings Foundation B-24 is "Golden Girl," the plane was known as the "All American." Journalist Bruce Brewer stands atop the fuselage prior to the flight from Panama City to Crestview in March 1998. Image courtesy of Del Stone Jr.
The afternoon was cold, and Jeff Newell was trembling. “We get to go flying!” he enthused, rubbing his hands together, his voice rising and falling in a little boy’s sing-song. The freezing wind mattered little. More important was the aging… READ MORE
I get some interesting mail. For instance, sitting on my desk is a letter from God. Well. I didn’t see THAT coming. Why would God communicate with via the Postal Service? Why not a good old-fashioned bolt of lightning? Relax…. READ MORE
We, the registered voters of Florida, are very happy the rest of you Americans have taken such a deep and abiding interest in our ballot-gathering process. Indeed, we feel honored to hold such a position of, well, how shall I… READ MORE
Image courtesy of Del Stone Jr.
I give up. I’m tired of the evil looks. I’m tired of the snarky remarks. I’m tired of the short end of the stick. So I’m defecting to the other side. I’m joining the opposition. I am now pro-development. Gosh,… READ MORE
Image courtesy of Flickr user Got Credit by way of a Creative Commons license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gotcredit/
A word of advice: Ever get the feeling you’re being overwhelmed with advice? I have here a press release from the National Headache Foundation, which I’ve been keeping since last month. The NHF wanted me to have a “headache-free Valentine’s… READ MORE
Image courtesy of Mike Skoropad by way of a Creative Commons license. https://www.flickr.com/photos/192905932@N07/51156116220
They got mail: Last week I asked you guys to e-mail birthday greetings to Karen Jarnigan (formerly Wolf) and Tavel Bell (formerly Cowen), who both used to work at the Daily News and then moved along to bigger and better… READ MORE
Image courtesy of Del Stone Jr.
Good morning, Okaloosa County, and welcome to $4.3 million worth of new development on Okaloosa Island, courtesy of park leaseholders Surfside Ventures and your overly friendly County Commission. Say what? You didn’t know about any development proposal for Okaloosa Island?… READ MORE
Image courtesy of Caleb George by way of a Creative Commons search. https://unsplash.com/@seemoris
They had to pry my hands off the armrest. I didn’t know which was worse: flying 2,500 turbulent miles or landing at Los Angeles International Airport. I was a nervous wreck. Where was my luggage? “Over there,” a security guard… READ MORE