The Lengthy Lingo Games

 Wishing to employ the correct modern term for disabled, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers set up a "Committee for Members with Special Needs." It didn't work. A homeless person came by, announcing a special need for housing. Then it became the "Committee for Members Who Are Physically Challenged," but a frightened fifth-grade teacher showed up, thinking it was a support group for instructors intimidated by their unruly students. So now it is known as the "Committee for Disabled Members." "Everybody understands the words and nobody protested," said James Gallagher of the committee, satisfied at last.

- From Two Steps Ahead of the Thought Police by John Leo (1998)

Old Dogs Talking (From an Interview with TJ Bennett)

 

Before Anyone Gets Weird About the Dangers of Civilian Control of the Military

 

First Paragraph

Frank Sinatra, Jr., was saying, "I don't have to take this," getting up out of his guest chair, walking out. Howard Hart was grinning at him with his capped teeth.

- From Touch by Elmore Leonard

An Assortment of What Ifs

This is the recent Substack of mine that has received far and away the greatest amount of interest.

Consider the what ifs of history.

On My List

 

As I Prepare a Substack Essay on Cars

I addressed this subject a few years ago, but am back on it due to preparing a Substack essay on changing styles of cars. 

My older brother has owned over 50 cars.

I am far from that league. After reviewing the cars I've owned, one model in particular stands out as the one I wish I'd kept.

Here's my list:

Volkswagen Beetle

Datsun 610

Buick Regal

Ford Escort

Volvo Sedan

Volvo Station wagon

Datsun 300

Ford Explorer

Honda Element

Mercury Grand Marquis

Lexus NX

And the one I wish I'd kept: 1969 Volkswagen Beetle. Should have never gotten rid of it.

Do you have regrets about letting a car slip away?

On My List

 

When Trump Built an Ice Rink

There were important lessons in bureaucracy. An excerpt:

By October 28, 1986, the rink was completed ahead of time and at approximately 750,000 dollars under budget. Within weeks, skaters were on the ice.

[Photo by freestocks at Unsplash]

On the Beaches and in the Immigration Offices

 

Peter Hitchens is wrong: the British should not leave their nation; they should fight for it.

[Photo by Samuel Pollard at Unsplash]