I suppose that it's bad form to start a new job and then go on vacation two days later. Doable if you're your own boss, but still bad form. Nonetheless, I'm off to about 18 days on the hot and humid east coast, and suspect that my posting frequency will be pretty light. I'm heading to CT for a meeting of the Lawyer Pilot's Bar Association to get together with some great friends from the days when I was practicing law, then up to Maine to visit with a former partner (a Marine fighter pilot from the '50s...my kind of guy) and his wife. The my bride and I will motor south to spend about a week at my families' summer cottage on the Rhode River in Edgewater, MD...about 10 miles south of Annapolis. Lots of cousins and other kin, but best will be visiting with our daughter, son-in-law and two grandkids. When back there, we always worship at the Naval Academy Chapel...a truly inspiring and joyful place. This time of year it will feature the incoming Class of 2010...still wide-eyed and awestruck, and exhausted. All part of the creation of future Navy and Marine Corps leaders to keep us safe and free.

We also plan to go in to DC so our grandson can show us around the Air & Space Museum...I'll show  him the A-4 and F-8 I used to fly. Better yet is a guided tour of the White House. It's nice to know your Congressman.

Before I pack up my laptop, a couple of really brief thoughts. First, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is navigating down a path that could well lead to schism...as a member of that denomination,I pray not, but the the possibility is real. If it happens...well...we were talking with some friends who are members of a Presbyterian Church of America (PCA) church, and a possible solution came to light. The major difference between PCA and PC(USA) is that the PCA does not ordain women or allow them to teach men, while PC(USA) does. Our friends are not fond of that distinction, but are happy with the other aspects of their fellowship. So how about  this...if the PC(USA) refuses to follow it's Constitution (Book of Order), and a significant number of congregations want to split, maybe the PCA should drop it's restrictions on women and welcome the PC(USA)ers who leave. A marriage made in...? Well, it's a thought.

Next...out pal, the Exaulted Leader of Korea, North...Kim Il Jung. I've heard several talking heads say that he is just seeking attention. Heck, when my kids were small and wailed away seeking attention, we ignored them. Worked, most of the time. Let the locals deal with the spoiled brat. I know, I know...he's a spoiled brat with a big gun. But he's not able to fire it yet, and won't be for a long time. Let him wail...

Finally, a word about my favorite (not) country. I have a dear friend who is French...one of those wonderful French accents...stylish, European dress...charming...a devout Catholic....his one savng grace is that he is also a naturalized American citizen. But he is mortified by the bahavior of Zidane, the captain of the French World Cup team in the final game. It is not Zidane's head-bang that will once again drive me to Freedom Fries, however. It is the total lack of condemnation by the French, from Chirac on down. Their hero becomes a slug, and yet they defend and embace him. Surprised? I'm not...

Pax et veritas,

Stinger

OK, Hewitt...here I am. You have planted, watered and nurtured dozens...nay, hundreds...of bloggers, and truth be told, you were after me years ago. But honestly, I'm no techno guy, and I was afraid I'd mess it up. But this new deal with Townhall makes it easy enough for even me. So to you I dedicate my first post. Since I'm just starting, it's hard to know what I'll be posting on most. Today...I've just finished the "creat your own blog" tutorial Townhall has created...I'm just trying it on to see how it feels.

I chose my blog title from my old Navy flying days. "Rolling in" was the call made when a pilot is commited to an attack on a target,, and "hot" refers to positioning all switches in the cockpit so that when  the trigger is pulled or the button pushed, the bomb will drop or the guns or rockets will fire. "Rollin In Hot" means this  is no drill, and I mean business.

The first time I got up on water skis, it was an uncomparable thrill, but after a few minutes, my knees started to shake, and I had to quit before I fell. I think it's that time today. But I'll be back after I refuel and rearm. Pax et veritas...