Grizzly Base » Archive

For chronological order, read from the bottom up.

Thursday, September 27
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Martindale.org is brand-new, just like Ora V, whose pictures you'll find there.

Wednesday, September 26
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Kevin posted some thoughts on airport security and post-9/11 travel. Here's one of his comments:

I make my way towards my backpack to get my laptop. As I stand up, I find that there’s this sudden tenseness in all the other passengers throughout the plane. Like they are expecting me to pull an Uzi from the overhead bin. It’s still, quiet, and unnerving.

I think that captures the essence of how I felt in Washington, DC. One solitary tourist, framing photographs of the White House, being watched by two heavily-armed Secret Service agents, ready to mow me down if I attempt to jump the fence. I hope to go back to DC someday under less extraordinary circumstances.

Sunday, September 23
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Holly and I ran by the Liberty Memorial for a few minutes before heading to a movie with Coop and James. When I was in DC, I watched the unfurling of a giant US flag at the memorial (on the Weather Channel), and I felt a little homesick. So I wanted to take a picture tonight. Unfortunately, the giant flag was mistreated by today's wind and isn't very presentable.

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Kevin has started posting his musings at KetnerLake.com. His topics so far range from career progression and business travel to technology choices and life decisions. Thoughtful and discussion-inspiring, as usual. Take a look.

Saturday, September 22
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I ended up on a different flight, but I'm home. Next stop: real life.

I can't believe Estella married Drummle. There had better be some redeeming fortune for Pip before I get to the end, or I'll need to have a talk with Mr. Dickens.

Friday, September 21
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For my last day in Washington, I explored the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

And with that, my DC adventure is over except for the trip home. Don't forget you can track my flights tomorrow on Trip.com:

IAD-MKE (11:45 edt-12:55 cdt): Midwest Express 2213
MKE-MCI (2:25-3:50 cdt): Midwest Express 472

Thursday, September 20
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When rain falls in DC, the city smells like a wet dog. Fortunately, I spent most of the day indoors at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. I only left once: to take the Metro to Union Station for lunch.

Wednesday, September 19
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The Pentagon

Tuesday, September 18
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Today I visited the capitol, the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress before meeting Kevin for dinner and some good conversation. I also discovered the magical "sub-way" and got kicked out of an embassy.

Monday, September 17
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Today wasn't very productive. I blame it on my map. My goal was to take a picture of the damage to the Pentagon. Simple — I just needed to cross the bridge near the Jefferson Memorial. I was turned back by police after hiking on the Interstate and dodging cars on the exits. I tried approaching from another direction, but the Defense Protective Agency wasn't eager to let me cross the last bridge. Maybe I'll try again Wednesday.

Sunday, September 16
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This morning I decided to start the day by walking to Arlington National Cemetary. There was so much to do and see -- and the walk was so long -- that I spent the whole day there. My feet are very happy to be back at my hotel.

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Greetings from Washington, DC. I made it here on schedule yesterday. The air travel was convenient and airport traffic was light. To get my bearings, I walked from end to end of the Mall.

Friday, September 14
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Just a year ago, I reminisced briefly before starting a week-long trip to Montana. Tonight, on the eve of a trip to the District of Columbia that's been on my calendar for months, we can reminisce together, to a few days ago, when Washington was only in the back of our minds, a stately capital city of hallowed monuments and quiet places. Watch here; I'll share what I see.

You can track tomorrow morning's flights on Trip.com:

MCI-MKE (6:00-7:20 cdt): Midwest Express 1
MKE-IAD (8:25 cdt-11:15 edt): Midwest Express 2212

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Now I'm booked into Dulles via Milwaukee.

Thursday, September 13
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The latest news from the Washington Post is that Reagan National is closed indefinitely. Tomorrow I'll see if I can get a flight into Dulles.

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There's one hitch in my plan so far: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport hasn't been allowed to re-open. Even if it does, will Midwest Express be informed in time to preserve their Saturday morning flight? I'm crossing my fingers.

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I called the Capitol Police today, and they told me the U.S. capitol is closed to the public. I asked them if it might be open next week, and they said they're "just going day-to-day." A little while later, I called my congressman's office, and Caroline there promised me a personal tour of the capitol if necessary. She sounded shell-shocked. It will be interesting to watch people and see what emotions are still visible after a week has passed.

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I think Ann Coulter is angry:

We know who the homicidal maniacs are. They are the ones cheering and dancing right now. We should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity. We weren't punctilious about locating and punishing only Hitler and his top officers. We carpet-bombed German cities; we killed civilians. That's war. And this is war.

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According to the Star, "One restriction requires all unauthorized vehicles within 300 feet of any terminal building to be removed... This regulation may require the permanent closing of parking structures at numerous airports that are now considered too close to terminals." Tell me, how does this keep a hijacker from commandeering a plane with a plastic knife? Or for that matter, a plastic fork? Or half of a CD? It's a fallacy to think that tighter airport security will make us noticeably safer. There are better solutions.

Wednesday, September 12
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Rich Lowry says we should skip the cruise missiles:

The American response should be closer to something along these lines: identifying the one or two nations most closely associated with our enemies, giving them 24-hours notice to evacuate their capitals (in keeping with our desire to wage war as morally as possible), then systematically destroying every significant piece of military, financial, and political infrastructure in those cities.

<%= LCase("9:23 PM") & " ct" %><% If True = False Then %>9:23 PM CT<% End If %>

The White House is still giving tours. And the Smithsonian is open. That means -- as long as the airports are functioning again by the weekend -- I'm going to DC on Saturday.

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Benjamin Franklin:

He who would give up a little freedom for a little security deserves neither.

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William F. Buckley:

But there is no reason to deliberate over Osama bin Laden's involvement. He is probably the aggressor. If it happens that he is not — that some newborn entrepreneurial terrorist amassed the information and developed the resources to carry through the September 11 massacre — we can proceed on the assumption that any nation equipped to fight a two-front war can fight a two-front terrorist concentration. If Osama is not hand-to-hand guilty of the events of Tuesday, he should suffer as though he was. It would not be as though we were punishing someone blameless. He has gone through the expected formality of denying sponsorship of the World Trade Center massacre — while congratulating those who executed it.

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John Derbyshire of National Review brings up my old question: do we want to be a republic or an empire? I've always come down on the side of the former, but he makes compelling arguments for the latter.

I was dismayed to hear the President speak about his instructions to find "those responsible" and "bring them to justice." Mr. President, these are not traffic violations; these are acts of war. Justice must go by the board for a while, as it did when we firebombed German and Japanese cities, incinerating helpless babies and old folk who wished us no harm. Where was the justice in that? Oh, and by the way: "those responsible" are already dead. They killed themselves attacking your country, and were proud and happy to do so. Some Americans — I speak as the father of two Americans — will have to get killed attacking their countries. (Oh, yes, they have countries.) Some of those Americans, likewise, will be proud and happy to do so, on behalf of the nation they love. Dirty business, running an Empire.

Tuesday, September 11
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This morning I was walking into our office shortly after 8:00. Julie and I caught the same elevator, and she asked me if I knew about the World Trade Center. Upstairs, we tried to read more on the Internet but had to settle for radio. Later in the morning -- just before the second tower collapsed -- Janet bought an antenna for our TV and we sat in the large conference room, in stunned horror. That's where I was when.

Monday, September 10
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Have you seen Boiler Room with Vin Diesel, Ben Affleck and Giovanni Ribisi? You should. It's one of my new favorites.

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Today I started in earnest to pack for my Washington, DC trip. I started with a new Samsonite camera case to hold my DC280, extra batteries, and a couple of CompactFlash cards. Tomorrow I'll start pre-trip laundry and cleaning, and Wednesday and Thursday will be the actual suitcase packing days. Get ready for airport-to-airport coverage of the big adventure!

Tuesday, September 4
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James accomplished his life goal today, and after nearly 25 years of anticipation, earned his A+ certification. I'm proud of you, man. From now on, you're "James Van Booven, A+" in my book.

Monday, September 3
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May I ask you for a favor? Stop by Capitols.org in development and send me some ideas on how to make the home page more interesting and colorful. Thanks in advance.

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Instant movie reviews: Chasing Amy is bad. Snatch is good. That is all.

Sunday, September 2
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Newsboys put on a great show at Rock the Light yesterday. One of the most energetic concerts I've seen. There are a couple of pictures over at VanBooven.com. The high point, though, was the best cheese pizza ever.

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