While waiting for Squirmy, I've found another way to flush money down the toilet. My neighbor and a buddy had been flying these RC airplanes for a few weeks. Every calm evening and Saturday or Sunday mornings, they'd be out there buzzing the horses, the cats, or the neighbors' kids. And after watching this for a couple of months, I finally ordered myself one. The Hobbyzone Supercub: I added the EasyJet labels to distinguish it from my neighbor's plane. Plus it adds a certain element of realism. Or something. These things aren't that complicated. I got an electric one (not gas powered) because I didn't want to take the risk of flying something that could end up a flaming pile of ruin (remember the rocket incident). After a few flights, you could see a little wear and tear, but she was still holding together pretty well: The hardest thing about these planes is the landing. My neighbor told me that pretty much anything that doesn't end up with your plane in pieces is counted a success. But I should add to the success criteria 'being able to reach the plane without a crane.' I was the first to manage a roof landing: And then I wedged it into this 3 and half story tall tree: After one particularly spectacular landing, I had to pick it up in pieces: Still, a few strips of box tape later, and the thing is ready to go on another flight. Just like the real EasyJet. Now that I've mastered the basics, I've ordered a model WWII P-51D Mustang. Because it's faster, and more likely to end up in pieces. When my Bride asks, I'll explain that it's not for me. It's for Squirmy. Kudos go to our plane supplier: Squadron Leader (who are making a mint off our little flying club...)

There's a lot about what Scott Ritter says that I don't agree with. I'm not anti-Iraq war (which makes me a super popular guy on my visits to San Francisco, let me tell you). But this article is worth a read. His points are salient and well constructed. Such as

The Impeach Now crowd is overreaching

You don't have to suppor the war to support the troops

You can go too far (e.g.: Cindy Sheehan)

The American people are woefully uneducated about the Constitution

National Service is a good thing and should be compulsory I don't agree with this last one (and I served five years in the Army to help make sure that you don't have to do likewise, if you feel your overwhelming ennui would get in the way of helping out your neighbor, because it's everyone's God-given right to be a lazy slob as far as I'm concerned.) But I like how this guy puts an argument together, even if I can't agree 100% with the position.

I support the armed forces of the United States, and their mission of protecting America from its enemies. This does not make me pro-war, in the same way that supporting America’s firefighters in their effort to combat fire doesn’t make me pro-fire. However, many Americans fail to understand the difference between supporting a soldier’s mission and supporting war. I support firefighters, but hate fire. I understand that sometimes fires occur, and when they do I want a professional, highly trained, well-led and well-equipped firefighting team to respond to the situation. But I, as a citizen and a firefighter, also recognize that the best way to handle fire is to prevent fires from occurring

Have a read of the whole thing.

This week's official product endorsement