Over 40 years ago, Jeff Cooper coined the word “hoplophobe,” meaning a “mental disturbance characterized by irrational aversion to weapons.” I’d like to coin a new word, pertaining to the irrational dependence on protection orders, restraining orders, and the 911 emergency system. There needs to be such a word for people who think that a Read More
Sagavanirktok
That’s a river in the North Slope region of Alaska. It’s an Eskimo word meaning “strong current.” I love strange place names. One of my favorite books is Passing Gas, a book about strangely names places in the US. This AP article touches on some of the strangely named places in Alaska, like Eek, Chicken, Read More
It Is Time
Here’s an email I sent out today to many folks I’ve worked with over the last seven years. Almost seven years ago, I answered an ad in the Dispatch looking for people to escort funeral processions. I knew the history of the situation, but applied anyway. What a ride it’s been. I’ve run almost 3,500 Read More
Escort Dies
Steven Keith, the 51-year-old funeral escort hit by a drunk driver on 3 April, has died. Here’s his employer. You can send your condolences there.
A Good Idea Then, But Now?
In 1923, Plimmon H. Dudley, an engineer who worked for the New York Central Rail, left over $150,000 to Yale to establish the the Dudley Professorship of Railroad Engineering. His desire was that the professorship continue his research into railway safety, particularly as it applied to the development and improvement of designs of rails, roadbeds Read More