Geography Div (Scary Treats subsection)

The minibears want to go "Trick or Treating, but they're very fussy.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

The Seldom Scene was a unique group - often described by its members as their "Friday nite poker club." Every member had a "real" job and all members had to agree to every number performed ( and everyone shared the $$ equally). They also "pushed the envelope" on just what a "Bluegrass" group could perform .........
After Midnight ......... 



John Duffey - mandolin, lead vocal, Ben Eldridge - banjo , Mike Auldridge - dobro, Phil Rosenthal, - guitar
 and Tom Gray - bass

"On My Mark, three two one, turn ..." Div (Addendum/Update subsection)

I'm making a reference to an earlier post or two  - -

I was rummaging about the intertubes this afternoon and stumbled upon this article from Politico by Bruce Blair - one of the signatories of the letter on why Mr Trump should not have his finger on the "nuclear button."
It's lengthy, but provides a pretty good primer on the process and procedure of how nukes are committed. Many of the statements bring back memories, and from my background and hands-on experience are accurate - and frightening.

Mr. Blair is featured in this ad for Hillary Clinton that was filmed at the Park Service site where I volunteer.

Geography Div (Secession subsection)

On this day in 1861, part of the state of Virginia decided it didn't want to be part of the confedracy.
Today, it's called West Virginia and sort of belongs to the New Confederacy.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass div

Something else from the Seldom Scene , A Small Exception of Me.



John Duffey - Mandolin and lead vocal, Ben Eldridge - Banjo, Mike Auldridge - Dobro,
 Phil Rosenthal -  Guitar, & Tom Gray - Bass.

If I Win Div

Of course I will acknowledge the fairness of the Powerball or MegaMillions lotteries ......
If I should win.

YGTBSM !

Goodbye lil friend Div

It doesn't get any easier,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
On Saturday Nite we had to say goodbye to our little "Schnoodle," Schubert ........
after nearly fourteen years and cancer, his body finally said "enough" and, thankfully, we had the sense to listen. He was my Judy's  companion for thirteen years, and in two years had won my heart.

Goodbye my little friend .........

Geography Div (Oh say, can you see by the dawn's early light, etc subsection)

Obviously, if you were going to explore ice-choked waters, you needed ships that were pretty strong.
Like any technology, it often is the result of war or defense. It was no different in the nineteenth century. The explorations of the polar regions were the "moon shots" of the time.
HMS Erebus  and  HMS Terror  were military ships converted to a scientific mission. Both were "bomb" (or mortar) ships with highly reinforced hulls to withstand the recoil of their armament.
So, what's that have to do with this ???

One of the vessels of the British fleet that bombarded Ft. McHenry with "the rocket's red glare," was
HMS Terror.

A Little Saturday Nite Bluegrass Div

Russell Moore and IIIrd Tyme Out doing John and Mary



IIIrd Tyme Out: Russell Moore - Guitar and lead vocal, Wayne Benson - Mandolin, Steve
Dilling - Banjo, Justin Haynes - Fiddle and Edgar Loudermilk - Bass.

Note: Wayne Benson is the husband of Grascals banjoist Kristen Scott Benson.
Nuther Note: Edgar Loudermilk is now part of the Adkins (Dave) and Loudermilk band.

"On my mark, three two, one, turn" Div (Add my name subsection)

I've written about missile crew duty before in these pages.
I don't know how many times I heard and/or said those words in the Missile Procedures Trainer (simulator - both ground and airborne) or aboard an EC-135 aircraft launching a Minuteman missile on a test flight from Vandenberg AFB.
I use them when conducting tours for the Park Service here in South Dakota and always tell the visitors that "there ain't no button." Oh well, it's just an expression.
Today's WaPo has an article reporting that ten former Minuteman launch officers have signed an open letter stating that DDT "should NOT have his finger on the button."

Good on ya guys ! I don't know any of the signatories, but agree wholeheartedly with their words:

JOINT STATEMENT BY FORMER NUCLEAR LAUNCH OFFICERS
Scores of leaders and experts from both political parties have questioned whether Donald Trump has the experience, temperament and judgment to have his finger on the proverbial “Red Button.” We share their concern – and we see the issue from a unique perspective.
We are former nuclear launch control officers, or “missileers.” We sat nuclear alert in underground missile launch centers. It was our job to turn keys to fire nuclear-armed missiles if the president so ordered us. Once we began alert duty, we took orders from the president and no one else.
Only the president can order a nuclear launch. That order cannot be vetoed and once the missiles have been launched, they cannot be called back. The consequences of miscalculation, impulsive decision-making or poor judgment on the part of the president could be catastrophic.
The pressures the system places on that one person are staggering and require enormous composure, judgment, restraint and diplomatic skill. Donald Trump does not have these leadership qualities. On the contrary, he has shown himself time and again to be easily baited and quick to lash out, dismissive of expert consultation and ill-informed of even basic military and international affairs – including, most especially, nuclear weapons.
Donald Trump should not be the nation’s commander-in-chief. He should not be entrusted with the nuclear launch codes. He should not have his finger on the button.

Bruce G. Blair Malmstrom AFB, 1972-74
William A. DeGroodt Minot AFB, 1967-72
Harvey R. Greenberg Minot AFB, 1974-77
Geoffrey Kanner Malmstrom AFB, 1980-84
Louis Mark Lussky, ESQ. Grand Forks AFB, 1971-76

Michael Miller
F.E. Warren AFB, 2009-13
John Noonan
F.E. Warren AFB, 2006-10
James Robertson Malmstrom AFB, 1999-2003
Edward Warren
F.E. Warren AFB, 2008-13
Brian Weeden Malmstrom AFB, 2000-04 

Consider my name added.  Malmstrom AFB 1969-1972, Minuteman Airborne Launch Control System - 4ACCS/2ACCS 1972 -1982.