• Reading

    Book Review: Agent ZigZag 📚

    I first read a book by Ben Macintyre many years ago, and I love his storytelling style. He makes history come alive, bringing an element of excitement to stories that had it in spades in real life.

    My first read was of the Double Cross team, a British intelligence organization during World War II that used double agents to deceive the Germans about the invasion of Normandy and, thus, ensure its success. Macintrye has a brilliant way of weaving the same characters into each other’s stories, meaning each book presents the point of view of a different character in the same overarching narrative.

    ZigZag was a career criminal who, for various and conflicted reasons, became a successful British double agent during the war. He was a gentleman crook, with motivation to include monetary gain, personal loyalty, and a duty to Britain.

    Within the German High Command, he was viewed with equal admiration. As the Allies gained a foothold on the Continent, his ever expanding second mission behind enemy lines reflected their belief that he was the German silver bullet to turn back the Allies and win the war. The only problem was, ZigZag was actually working for the British and feeding Germans false information.

    History is seldom boring, and World War II offers many stories of humanity, compassion, and courage in the devastation of war. Macintyre delivers again another important story about the complexity of the human person, and how war can change people.

    Would I recommend: YES

    ISBN: 978-1408811498

    February 24,2022
  • Russian Attack on Ukraine Roils Markets - WSJ

    Brent crude oil, the global benchmark, topped $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014

    Biden policies are the primary culprit, but blaming it on someone else is convenient and the preferred tactic of this Administration.

    February 24,2022
  • It’s 12:30pm on the East Coast, more than 13 hours since the unprovoked and illegal invasion of Ukraine.

    Where is the President, why hasn’t he addressed the nation, and where are those withering sanctions his team has spent weeks crafting?

    February 24,2022
  • Putin’s New World Disorder - WSJ Opinion

    The new sanctions should also target Mr. Putin and his Kremlin mafia personally. This means finally disclosing to the world—and to the Russian people—the wealth of Kremlin officials and oligarchs. The U.K. has a special obligation here given Russian assets in London. These assets can be showcased and seized.

    Lift the veil and take their assets away before their very eyes.

    The post-Cold War order has depended on U.S. economic and military power, not on the illusion that the “international community” can enforce world order. Could there be a better display of United Nations impotence than Russia presiding on Wednesday over a Security Council session on Russia’s invasion?

    February 24,2022
  • Wife Decides To Recognize The Independence Of Husband’s Fries - The Babylon Bee

    She continued, “Let me emphasize once again that French Fries for me are not just a neighboring side dish. They are an integral part of my own history, culture, spiritual space. These crispy, curly, seasoned spuds are connected with me by great taste.”

    I love when the Bee can perfectly capture reality within a bear hug of satire.

    February 23,2022
  • Bleary-Eyed Trump Stays Up All Night Deleting ‘TRUTH’ Posts Making Fun Of Him - The Babylon Bee

    Trump then took a moment to fire the loser server engineers and replace them with true American server engineers who had what it took to Make America Great Again™. He promptly returned to the patriotic task of deleting TRUTH posts making fun of him.

    I could see this happening.

    February 23,2022
  • National Guard, Law Enforcement Prepare for Possible Trucker Protests in D.C. Area - WSJ

    In anticipation of potential protests, the Defense Department has approved the deployment of about 700 National Guard troops, the Pentagon said Tuesday.

    They might drive real slow or park in the roadway. Oh the humanity!!!!!

    February 23,2022
  • The ’80s Got Their Foreign Policy Back - WSJ Opinion

    In April 2012 Joe Biden used a similar attack line in a speech. “When we came to office, President Obama reset our relationship with Russia. . . . But just a month ago, Governor Romney called and here again I quote, ‘without question our number one geopolitical foe’ is Russia. As my brother would say, go figure,” the then Vice President said.

    I remember that moment in the Presidental Debate and how much I agreed with Romney.

    The threat has only loomed larger as all five presidential administrations have failed to even try to understand Putin and his motivations.

    February 22,2022
  • Why This Economic Boom Can’t Lift America’s Spirits - WSJ

    “You listen to these Fed guys—Powell right now. ‘Oh, we think we’ll get inflation under control this year.’ Fine, but do you really think these food companies are going to lower prices once the supply chain gets settled?” Mr. Remick asked. “Do you think eggs are going to go down? These prices are here to stay.”

    Remick gets it.

    February 22,2022
  • It’s Cold Brew o’clock, my favorite time of day!

    February 22,2022