RIP General Norman Schwarzkopf, 78, who succumbed to complications from pneumonia. He led the highly successful Desert Storm effort to oust Saddam Hussein’s forces from Kuwait in 1991. He was dubbed Stormin’ Norman by the press, a moniker he did not like. His subordinates referred to him affectionately as The Bear. In Vietnam he was awarded three Silver Stars, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, and three Distinguished Service Medals. He was a paragon of the human race, doing the dirtiest of work while most citizens begged off. Thank you, sir.
The issue of gun control is hot right now. The NRA’s Wayne LaPierre caught a lot of heat for suggesting there should be armed guards in schools, a position with which I agree. It was not until days after the most recent incident that I recalled that a police officer was assigned to Lafayette High School during my years there, 1963-67, and I’m sure he carried a service revolver - and no one questioned it. I doubt gun control will work any better than the War on Drugs has or Prohibition did before it was repealed, although I understand the outrage and call to action. Deaths related to drug (except in Mexico) and alcohol abuse occur gradually, often quietly, not explosively and in bunches like gun violence occasionally does. I’d guess the yearly numbers are at least comparable in total. As far as kids being spooked by the presence of a gun, aren't they used to it already? Police officers wear them openly on the street, and TV, films and video games feature them constantly.
Happy Birthday to my niece Luci.
There was plenty of sunshine today, but it was a bit windy, and I didn't get the ideal parking spot, so I put in only two hours at the floating book shop. I was wearing seven layers. Choose a metaphor: more layers than a polar bear has fat; as many as one of those colorful cookies, whose name no one I know knows, sold in Italian bakeries. My thanks to the the gentleman who purchased James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans, and the woman who bought Jean Giono's The Horseman on the Roof, which we both agreed was a terrific movie (1995, France). I also got a New Year's hug and kiss from the female half of the elderly Russian hand-holding couple who have donated so many books, and best wishes from several passersby. Snow forecast for tomorrow. Looks like this winter is not going to be as benign as the previous.
Visit Vic's sites:
Vic's Third Novel (Print or Kindle): http://tinyurl.com/7e9jty3
Vic's Website: http://members.tripod.com/vic_fortezza/Literature/
Vic's Short Story Collection (Print or Kindle): http://www.tiny.cc/Oycgb
Vic's 2nd Novel: http://tinyurl.com/6b86st6
Vic's 1st Novel: http://tiny.cc/94t5h
Vic's Screenplay on Kindle: http://tinyurl.com/cyckn3
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