It seems to me there is nothing more offensive than the continuous barrage of outright lies coming from those one the left side of the political fence and the blatant twisting of factual stories found in the – mostly national but too often local – “news” sources.  Evidences of that is mind boggling but everywhere to be found. But the far worst part is the massive spread of total acceptance of this drivel by uneducated, ill-informed, or just-too-lazy-to-care large numbers of the population.  If they don’t wake up and try to learn the true facts, I fear that the USA as originally established will be relegated to only exist in history, if even history can somehow be kept truthful.  As one of those who trust and revere the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, it truly pains me to see how those who openly hate our form of government have managed to become active in its operation.

Another story appeared in the daily news(?) paper on July 24 headlined: “Service academy nominations lopsided.”  It carried a sub-headline reading: “Men are nominated nearly three times as often as women, an analysis shows.” Credit was given to Michael Melia of the Associated Press.  The ‘analysis’ may very well be reasonably accurate, but the tone of the headline is most “politically correct” to the point of misleading (if not outright false) since the service academies do not normally recruit students.  From firsthand knowledge I can state that there are exceptions, particularly in the competitive sports department.  Coaches have been given a certain number of nomination slots for their sport, but those nominated are required to meet academic and physical standards for the particular academy.

The actual, but unstated, truth appears to be that there are probably fewer than that number nominated by members of Congress, since there have not been those percentages of applications made to them.  In my own experience in very recent years, there have been at least two young ladies, still in high school, who have stated a desire to attend the Air Force Academy.  From my observation of their abilities, one in Junior Reserve Officers Training and the other in Civil Air Patrol, it seems each will have a very high likelihood of admission.

In reality, the service academies should, and do, have rather strict requirements in academic records, physical condition, and personality traits for admission.  Also, the cadets accepted are in for four years of undergraduate college, in some cases graduate studies, and if memory serves correct at least four years of active duty in the field, or at sea in the Navy.  Cadets do receive pay, room, board and clothing while in school but only pay, and sometimes allowances, after graduation with an officer commission.

On the other hand, recently published and radio or TV reports indicated that there are more women in civilian universities than there are men, like about 55% women.  They have stated the supposition that men are deciding to go to trade schools and more quickly come out with a well-paying job rather than spend four or more years in an academic environment and come out deeply in debt with, in some course of studies, a much less lucrative pay likelihood.  That situation could, when news is more widely distributed, serve as an attraction for men to go to those colleges.  It reminds me of my own situation in 1943 when at age 16, going into Aeronautical Engineering at University of Tulsa, there were 900 students, with only 200 being men, World War II having taken numerous out of college, for a small “vacation” from studies.  There were also about 100 or 150 Army trainees there.  It was certainly a joy for those of us who could, as a result, pretty well pick and choose companions.

In regard to the vile, and all too often vulgar, verbiage emanating from those of the Communist/Fascist/Socialist persuasion, it will take a dedicated effort on the part of those of us so offended to remove from office by voting out those next year, at least those who will be up for retention or retirement.  Sadly, it has become so bad in Congress that at least 15 sitting Republican House members have already announced their retirement.  That follows an even larger number in the 2018 election.  Unfortunately, the thus open seats often go to someone much less desirable to totally unqualified being elected by those uninformed or, too often by vote fraud, too many ballots showing up.

We must keep our eyes and ears open for any such evidence and report it next year or lose it all.