The bloody battle for Okinawa wouldn't be over until June 21, but the USS Pickens had done its job, including rescuing survivors from three ships, and on June 4 we set sail for Noumea, New Caledonia. a French possession in the South Pacific. Once we arrived liberty was granted to one-third of the crew at a time. We were excited to see what the island had to offer because it had been months since we had left Hawaii. Visits to the Solomon Islands, Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Iwo Jima and Okinawa couldn't qualify as liberty under any standards.
Three buddies and I left the ship in the middle of the morning to see what this French city had to offer, After wandering around we visited the ship service store, checked out its offerings, ate some ice cream ( a rare delight), and I acted as agent to buy an Eisenhower jacket for a British sailor. We had no transportation or any way to explore the island so with little else to do we decided to visit a bar.
The place we entered could have been the scene from an old west movie, consisting of some rough planks over some barrels or other support. Since I had never had an alcoholic drink, I took the suggestion of one of our group that we order Tom Collins, "which is very like lemonade." That's what we drank and it tasted okay.We left the bar and wandered around some more, finally deciding to go back to the ship and watch the movie which would be shown at dark.
Someone of the group suggested we find the bar we had gone to earlier, have one more drink and then go back to the ship. We went to a bar that was identical to the first one but the drinks tasted terrible. We tried another bar and the drink here was horrible, so we left to return to the ship. We left the dark bar out into a bright sun and suddenly I felt strange and fell against a building, then staggered across the narrow street to fall against a building there. My buddies were in the same condition but some way we managed to get the dock where a Pickens boat was awaiting us. Crew members who were posted there just for that purpose helped us and others, some of whomwere in worse shape than we, into the boat. They took us back to the ship where other crew members somewhat undressed us and put us in our bunks.That was my only liberty in Noumea, and I saw the brilliance of having one third of the crew man the ship and one third take care of those on liberty.
From there we went back to Saipan and then on to San Francisco, arriving there August 3 to load on troops to invade Japan. Thank goodness the atom bombs dropped on August 6 and 9 persuaded Japan to surrender August 15.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Thursday, July 29, 2010
THE GREEN DREAM NEEDS TO FACE REALITY
This is the heading of a column by Kerry Lynch, a senior fellow at American Institute for Economic Research in Barrington, Mass. She states facts to make the case that despite all the green energy hype and billions spent to subsidize and promote sources like wind and solar, our energy for the forseeable future will come from fossil fuels and nuclear.
Only eight per cent of our energy comes from renewable sources, most of that from hydro-electric power. Wind accounts for less than one per cent and solar for just one tenth of one per cent. Billions have been spent on sources that would meet this country's needs for three days.
Nearly 28 per cent of total U.S. energy use goes to transportation and 95 per cent of that comes from petroleum, while 2 per cent comes from natural gas and 3 per cent from renewable. Electric utilities consume more than 40 per cent of energy we use. One per cent of that comes from petroleum, 9 per cent from hydro and other renewable sources, 17 per cent from natural gas, 21 per cent from nuclear power and 51 per cent from coal. President Obama has talked about taxing and penalizing coal fired generating plants out of existence, which he admits would raise utility rates. Not only would costs sky rocket but rationing would be required.
The point is, Kerry Lynch, points out -- fully 84 per cent of the energy we consume comes from petroleum, natural gas and coal. To become energy self-sufficient, the United States must increase oil production and avoid importing oil. Even with government subsidizing and promoting green energy with some 80 billion dollars in tax credits and subsidies in the 2009 stimulus bill alone, the Energy Information Service projects the United States will still get 75 per cent of its energy from fossil fuels 25 years from now.
Only eight per cent of our energy comes from renewable sources, most of that from hydro-electric power. Wind accounts for less than one per cent and solar for just one tenth of one per cent. Billions have been spent on sources that would meet this country's needs for three days.
Nearly 28 per cent of total U.S. energy use goes to transportation and 95 per cent of that comes from petroleum, while 2 per cent comes from natural gas and 3 per cent from renewable. Electric utilities consume more than 40 per cent of energy we use. One per cent of that comes from petroleum, 9 per cent from hydro and other renewable sources, 17 per cent from natural gas, 21 per cent from nuclear power and 51 per cent from coal. President Obama has talked about taxing and penalizing coal fired generating plants out of existence, which he admits would raise utility rates. Not only would costs sky rocket but rationing would be required.
The point is, Kerry Lynch, points out -- fully 84 per cent of the energy we consume comes from petroleum, natural gas and coal. To become energy self-sufficient, the United States must increase oil production and avoid importing oil. Even with government subsidizing and promoting green energy with some 80 billion dollars in tax credits and subsidies in the 2009 stimulus bill alone, the Energy Information Service projects the United States will still get 75 per cent of its energy from fossil fuels 25 years from now.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Random Thoughts on a Sunday Afternoon
Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.
Singing at church today featured old and familiar hymns, a foretaste, the choir director said, of the ice cream supper and gospel singing to come Sunday night, August 15. Children often take things literally; as a child I used to argue that the song above was wrong. I went along with it being in the wild wood but our church was white, not brown.
By the way, I enjoy casual dress during the summer, but please, we are in short sleeves without a coat --can't the air conditioning be up a couple of degrees? I needed a blanket.
Funeral Services
Jen and I attended funeral services Saturday for Dan Moorman, a good friend and Jen's former boss at M&M Insurance. St John Berchman Cathedral was packed, with attendees including girls he had coached in softball wearing their uniforms. Several funerals I have attended recently have drawn large crowds. A person can be forgiven for wondering if he has affected positively enough individuals that they will take the time to attend his final services. On another note, the songs included "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" and I wonder if these two great hymns are becoming almost obligatory at funerals. Just some thoughts on a Sunday afternoon.
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.
Singing at church today featured old and familiar hymns, a foretaste, the choir director said, of the ice cream supper and gospel singing to come Sunday night, August 15. Children often take things literally; as a child I used to argue that the song above was wrong. I went along with it being in the wild wood but our church was white, not brown.
By the way, I enjoy casual dress during the summer, but please, we are in short sleeves without a coat --can't the air conditioning be up a couple of degrees? I needed a blanket.
Funeral Services
Jen and I attended funeral services Saturday for Dan Moorman, a good friend and Jen's former boss at M&M Insurance. St John Berchman Cathedral was packed, with attendees including girls he had coached in softball wearing their uniforms. Several funerals I have attended recently have drawn large crowds. A person can be forgiven for wondering if he has affected positively enough individuals that they will take the time to attend his final services. On another note, the songs included "Amazing Grace" and "How Great Thou Art" and I wonder if these two great hymns are becoming almost obligatory at funerals. Just some thoughts on a Sunday afternoon.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Screw the Moratorium -- Let's Go Back to Work
Judge Martin was right on when he called the Obama administration moratorium "arbitrary and capricious" and without authority. Every day the moratorium is allowed to be effective, human and monetary costs mount. An estimated 150,000 jobs related to offshore drilling in the Gulf are idled, and the moratorium may have already cost more money than has the oil spill. The CEO of Coneco warns that short term costs, though high, may well be exceeded by long term costs as rigs relocate. At least two have already left the Gulf. Banning drilling in the Gulf will move production elsewhere and force the importation of more oil. Our representatives should be raising hell every day. Forget polite pleas; they haven't worked.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Doctors Are Still the Key to Medical Care
Remember when everyone's love, Nancy Pelosi, urged immediate passage of Obamacare, that when it was in force would be time enough to learn what it contained and how it would affect individuals and companies? Well, Obamacare was passed without one vote to spare and we have learned that among other things it means less choice, fewer doctors, higher costs, poorer care, and higher taxes.
We know that medical care is expensive and will remain so. Medical advancements come with a cost, but none of us would want to go back to the days before vaccinations for polio and small pox and before the use of technology to discover and treat medical problems. One thing remains unchangeable, the importance of not only the doctor's knowledge but his attitude towards his patients. Two events that stand out in in my memory illustrate this. I don't know the exact dates of either, although they had to be near the same time, and I am almost certain the second was in 1932.
A Gold Watch to Save an Ill Child
Our rural area was served by one telephone line to the exchange. It was built and maintained by the subscribers, each of who had an assigned ring although neighbors would often listen in to any call because most calls were about serious matters. A neighbor, I do not remember who, came to our house to phone his doctor. The phone was in the front hall and, as people spoke loudly to get their message across, one side of the conversation could be heard throughout the house. The man informed the doctor that his child was very sick and he begged the doctor to come and save his life. Apparently, the doctor told the father that he already owed him for a previous visit. The neighbor said he would pay when he got some money. The conversation went on and on with the father pleading and the doctor refusing. Finally the man said he had a gold watch he would give if only the doctor would come. I am sorry to say that I don't remember, if I ever knew, whether the doctor relented or how the child progressed.
"If we sink, we'll all sink together"
This involves a sister, a baby at that time, who screamed constantly from excruciating pain from ear infections. Mom and Dad took her to the family doctor for treatment. Dad told the doctor that he could give him a check and if the bank opened it would be good, but at any rate, he would find a way to pay him. Dad said the doctor replied, "Don't worry, if we sink, we'll all sink together." The family doctor referred them to the surgeon in an adjoining office, who happened to be the doctor of the first story related. This doctor demanded payment right then, asking, don't people realize doctors have to eat too? What ever arrangements were made, the doctor lanced the child's ears and eased her pain. It's true today as it was then, it helps to have a good doctor and it never hurts to have money.
We know that medical care is expensive and will remain so. Medical advancements come with a cost, but none of us would want to go back to the days before vaccinations for polio and small pox and before the use of technology to discover and treat medical problems. One thing remains unchangeable, the importance of not only the doctor's knowledge but his attitude towards his patients. Two events that stand out in in my memory illustrate this. I don't know the exact dates of either, although they had to be near the same time, and I am almost certain the second was in 1932.
A Gold Watch to Save an Ill Child
Our rural area was served by one telephone line to the exchange. It was built and maintained by the subscribers, each of who had an assigned ring although neighbors would often listen in to any call because most calls were about serious matters. A neighbor, I do not remember who, came to our house to phone his doctor. The phone was in the front hall and, as people spoke loudly to get their message across, one side of the conversation could be heard throughout the house. The man informed the doctor that his child was very sick and he begged the doctor to come and save his life. Apparently, the doctor told the father that he already owed him for a previous visit. The neighbor said he would pay when he got some money. The conversation went on and on with the father pleading and the doctor refusing. Finally the man said he had a gold watch he would give if only the doctor would come. I am sorry to say that I don't remember, if I ever knew, whether the doctor relented or how the child progressed.
"If we sink, we'll all sink together"
This involves a sister, a baby at that time, who screamed constantly from excruciating pain from ear infections. Mom and Dad took her to the family doctor for treatment. Dad told the doctor that he could give him a check and if the bank opened it would be good, but at any rate, he would find a way to pay him. Dad said the doctor replied, "Don't worry, if we sink, we'll all sink together." The family doctor referred them to the surgeon in an adjoining office, who happened to be the doctor of the first story related. This doctor demanded payment right then, asking, don't people realize doctors have to eat too? What ever arrangements were made, the doctor lanced the child's ears and eased her pain. It's true today as it was then, it helps to have a good doctor and it never hurts to have money.
Friday, July 16, 2010
My Dad Would Have Been 129 Today
I'm terrible at remembering birthdays of my relatives who are living, much less anniversaries of those who have passed on. Today, though, as I saw the July 16 date my dad's birthday came to mind. He used to claim he was born in the best month of the year. Watermelons and cantaloupes were at their best; figs were in their prime, peaches and plums were plentiful, and there was a bounty of fresh vegetables available. To me when a teenager, July meant hard farm work in almost unbearable heat. Air conditioning was far away and sleeping was not restful in a hot room.Somehow we survived.
Grandma Lowe Was Quite A Lady
Probably quite a character would be more accurate. A woman who dips snuff and speaks her mind no matter the place or circumstance would not be called a lady today. Grandma lost her first husband, leaving her with a boy and girl and 500 acres of land she had inherited. She married my grandpa, who was a widower with two boys, and they had five boys and one girl together.The stories I am going to relate are second-hand, but I heard them several times.
I Must Have Been A Pretty Baby
Grandma grew up during a time that children were treated as not completely human and as if they didn't have feelings. She said as long as she could remember when relatives, neighbors, or even strangers visited they would look at her and say something like, "My, what an ugly child." One day she addressed an aunt, saying "I must have been a pretty baby." Her aunt replied, "What makes you say that?" Grandma explained that people look at an ugly baby and say she'll grow up to be beautiful. "Since everyone says I'm ugly now, I must have been a pretty baby." Her aunt replied, "No child, you've been ugly all your life."
Really Reading the News on the Dining Room Table
My dad and the grandparents moved from a home in Waldo, Ark. to a farm near Minden, La. in 1917. During the move a walnut dining table was scratched so grandma took it upon herself to repair it. She covered it with varnish, and I mean really covered it. She thought she could correct her mistake by blotting up some of the varnish by putting newspapers on the table. The paper stuck and became part of the table and for years you could lift the table cloth and read war news of 1917. The table was in daily use for more than 60 more years, including abuse by eight growing children. When mom died I hated to throw the table away but none of my siblings would take it. I kept it although I have no use for it. The newspapers have faded but a double banner headline can be read "Enormous German Losses in Resumption of Picardy Battle."
An Invitation to Grandma's Table
The Lowes were active members of a Methodist Protestant church in Waldo but found no Methodist church nearby in their new community so they began attending a Baptist church which was little more than a mile away. They were active churchgoers and Dad became in charge of youth programs. As was the custom in rural churches, when services were over the pastor and family were invited to a home for dinner. This particular Sunday they were guests of the Lowes. As it happened this was communion Sunday. Methodists practice open communion but Baptists limit communion to only that denomination and some to only that particular church. As they became seated around the table, my grandmother turned to the minister and said, "You are welcome at my table today although I wasn't welcome at yours this morning."
(Did I mention that Grandma had no problem speaking her mind?)
I Must Have Been A Pretty Baby
Grandma grew up during a time that children were treated as not completely human and as if they didn't have feelings. She said as long as she could remember when relatives, neighbors, or even strangers visited they would look at her and say something like, "My, what an ugly child." One day she addressed an aunt, saying "I must have been a pretty baby." Her aunt replied, "What makes you say that?" Grandma explained that people look at an ugly baby and say she'll grow up to be beautiful. "Since everyone says I'm ugly now, I must have been a pretty baby." Her aunt replied, "No child, you've been ugly all your life."
Really Reading the News on the Dining Room Table
My dad and the grandparents moved from a home in Waldo, Ark. to a farm near Minden, La. in 1917. During the move a walnut dining table was scratched so grandma took it upon herself to repair it. She covered it with varnish, and I mean really covered it. She thought she could correct her mistake by blotting up some of the varnish by putting newspapers on the table. The paper stuck and became part of the table and for years you could lift the table cloth and read war news of 1917. The table was in daily use for more than 60 more years, including abuse by eight growing children. When mom died I hated to throw the table away but none of my siblings would take it. I kept it although I have no use for it. The newspapers have faded but a double banner headline can be read "Enormous German Losses in Resumption of Picardy Battle."
An Invitation to Grandma's Table
The Lowes were active members of a Methodist Protestant church in Waldo but found no Methodist church nearby in their new community so they began attending a Baptist church which was little more than a mile away. They were active churchgoers and Dad became in charge of youth programs. As was the custom in rural churches, when services were over the pastor and family were invited to a home for dinner. This particular Sunday they were guests of the Lowes. As it happened this was communion Sunday. Methodists practice open communion but Baptists limit communion to only that denomination and some to only that particular church. As they became seated around the table, my grandmother turned to the minister and said, "You are welcome at my table today although I wasn't welcome at yours this morning."
(Did I mention that Grandma had no problem speaking her mind?)
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