American
Snopes.com is a resource for checking and rubbishing internet rumors. But some rumors, though they be fanciful fabrications, are too good to rubbish. I’d rather keep them because they’re such great if outrageous stories. Here’s one my cousin sent yesterday:
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In addition to communicating with the local Air Traffic Control facility, all aircraft in the Persian Gulf AOR are required to give the Iranian Air Defense Radar (military) a ten minute 'heads up' if they will be transiting Iranian airspace.
The following conversation was heard on the VHF Guard (emergency) frequency 121.5 MHz.
Iranian Air Defense Radar: 'Unknown aircraft you are in Iranian airspace. Identify yourself.'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States aircraft. I am in Iraqi airspace.'
Iranian Air Defense Radar: 'You are in Iranian airspace. If you do not depart our airspace we will launch interceptor aircraft!'
Aircraft: 'This is a United States Marine Corps FA-18 fighter. Send 'em up, I'll wait.'
Iranian Air Defense Radar: (total silence)
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See, I try to stomp it out, but there’s a streak of jingoism hiding out somewhere in my being; so I really like that story, especially having served with Marines, both air and ground, during the Vietnam War. A tough bunch, the best, cream of the crop.
Here’s another one:
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An elderly American veteran was traveling through Germany and being asked for his passport. The vet wasn't quick enough for the German customs agent and suffered the agent's impatience. The vet said, "The last time I was in Germany I didn't need a passport." The agent retorted, “That is not possible, passports are always required.” The vet responded, "Well, last time it was 1944 and I was in my own airplane."
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When I was ten, eleven, twelve and an acolyte, we carried down the aisle in Sunday morning procession the American flag as well as the Cross. The coveted assignment was to carry the flag. Don’t tell anyone that your doddering, white-haired, kindly old pastor is still colored with a extra streak of patriotism. In churches that I led I would not allow the American flag to stand in the sanctuary, as is the custom in many Episcopal churches; because if the flag was there I could not see the cross, could not see the cross for the flag. Topsy turvy priorities, but then I’ve been an Episcopal priest less than thirty years. I’ve been an American naval officer more than fifty years!
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In the Daily Office Lectionary, the Old Testament reading for this week is the Book of Ruth. The cultural attitudes of the the day, about the eleventh century B.C., were jingoistic, total tribal exclusivity -- you love your neighbor (other members of your tribe) and you hate your enemy. However, because of famine in Jerusalem, Naomi and her husband go to Moab with their two sons. The two sons marry (shudder) foreign wives. Naomi’s husband dies and her two sons die. One of the wives, Ruth, a Moabitess, goes with Naomi when she returns home to Jerusalem. The first shocker in the story is that Boaz, a prosperous landowner and prominent citizen of Jerusalem, marries Ruth, a Moabite, the enemy and an accursed race. They have a son, Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of David the king. The ultimate shocker is that David the High King is not a pure Jew, he has Gentile blood. His great-grandmother was Ruth the Moabitess.
In Hogwarts terms, David is a mudblood. He will never get into Slitherin House.
Tom+
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