Tommy – A Companion Piece to “Captain, My Captain”

Rudyard Kipling Tommy Rudyard Kipling I went into a public-‘ouse to get a pint o’ beer, The publican ‘e up an’ sez, “We serve no red-coats here.” The girls be’ind the bar they laughed an’ giggled fit to die, I outs into the street again an’ to myself sez I: O it’s Tommy this, an’ […]

Captain, my Captain…

I read a lot of military related blogs and one of the hottest stories for submarines and secret service people is about bad behavior and its consequences. Like many folks, I am not happy that this type of behavior has become so visible. Unlike many folks, I am not surprise at all. Not one tiny […]

In the beginning…

“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” – Chinese Proverb When I started this small blog over ten months ago, I really only had two goals. The first was to have an outlet where I could share stories about two of my favorite subjects (lean manufacturing and submarines). Today marks […]

The War is Over

“As commander in chief, I have to tell you that there is nothing sadder than writing letters to the families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice. Now that hasn’t actually been done by a President since Lincoln, but I assure you that since I am a lot like Lincoln, I know how he […]

The measure of a man

I am proud to have been a Submariner. Sometimes I did my job with great skill and sometimes I found that others had greater offerings. As a Submariner, I learned a few basic things about measurement early on. Just because you were assigned to sub school did not make you a submariner. Even being assigned […]

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, This is the SS United States of America, SS United States of America, SS United States of America MAYDAY, MY POSITION IS Due north of Mexico and Due South of Canada (except for Hawaii and Alaska of course) I AM dividing uncontrollably sinking in a sea of debt and there is no […]

Presidents, Politics and Policies: How Thomas Jefferson almost killed the Republic

Without a doubt, Thomas Jefferson was one of the most influential Presidents of our countries history. He was a thoughtful man who placed much value education and knowledge. As any person is capable of having a blind spot or two, Jefferson and his contemporaries made decisions that almost cost us a country 200 years ago. […]

Two Views of Courage: April 1862

"At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia, and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth…could not by […]

A submariner at heart

April 19, 1927. In the town of Boston Pennsylvania, a baby boy joined the world to begin his own life adventures. The Youghiogheny River ran pretty wild back in those days and you could expect some flooding along its banks. The town itself was just a whistle stop sitting at the base of […]

Okay, I know I scare some people but this guy does a way better job:

Department of Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said that “no one knows” if gasoline prices in the United States will reach $9 per gallon, and acknowledged that the possibility is outside his control. Okay seriously, I filled up my tank today and really had to consider if I could afford to keep driving. Or eating. Or […]