Author Archives: Jim Wheeler

About Jim Wheeler

U. S. Naval Academy, BS, Engineering, 1959; Naval line officer and submariner, 1959 -1981, Commander, USN; The George Washington U., MSA, Management Eng.; Aerospace Engineer, 1981-1999; Resident Gadfly, 1999 - present. Political affiliation: Democratic.

Maritime Adventures, A Book Review

Posted on April 30, 2020

Not all effects of social isolation in the time of COVID are bad. Motivated by ennui and inspired by the news of a new film starring Tom Hanks, courtesy of an article in Military Officer journal, I am halfway through … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Movies, Submarines, U.S. Navy, Uncategorized, USN, War | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Coronavirus Clarity

Posted on April 19, 2020

Originally posted on Curmudgeon at Large:
Many of you may be confused about the procedures to follow during the coronavirus pandemic.  Thankfully, FOAF (friend of a friend) has mercifully given us the clear, official coronavirus guidelines. Follow. Them. Exactly. ?…

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

The Times They Are A’changin’

Posted on April 8, 2020

COVID-19 has already changed lives radically, but it remains to be seen how much change we’ll see long-term, but some change seems inevitable because it’s happened before.  Its easy to see why people say “bless you” when someone sneezes. Will … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Culture, Economics, Healthcare | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

LOOSE LIPS?

Posted on April 4, 2020

I have been following with much interest the story about the COVID-19 outbreak on the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt and the unceremonious canning of its CO, Captain Crozier. Acting SECNAV Modly says he fired him not because he … Continue reading →

Posted in Accountability, military, Politics, USN | 8 Comments

10 Real President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines For America

Posted on March 28, 2020

Originally posted on List of X:
Many of you have probably received (or will receive) a postcard in the mail named “President Trump’s Coronavirus Guidelines For America”. The postcard has many usual suggestions on various measures aimed to slow the…

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

‘The Day Democracy Died’

Posted on February 15, 2020

Originally posted on Pied Type:
This toe-tapping little ditty is brought to you by our Founding Fathers. Full lyrics are on YouTube. Someone put a lot of work into writing these lyrics and making the video, yet there’s no one…

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Past As Prologue

Posted on January 26, 2020

I recently came upon a 1949 review of George Orwell’s then-new dystopian novel, 1984 and was struck anew by its insight into human addiction to power. Power is intrinsic to the motivations of oligarchs, dictators and, I dare say, to … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics / Morality, Federal Government, Politics, War | Tagged , , | 8 Comments