I just sent one of the essays that our columnist and classically-trained commentator produces each week. This one conveys the sense that a lot of us have these days- “Can we just do something else for a while here in the Swamp?”

Be careful what you wish for. The Next Big Thing turned out to be the Gallagher Mutiny in the Navy over his SEAL warfare qualification pin (“the Trident”), and the actions of the Navy against one of its own.

That affair had it all- whatever Chief Gallagher did in the field, he did it against an armed foe, unlike his accusers. He was pardoned by the President. Let him retire in peace. What troubles me the most is that the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps seems to have taken a path of its own against its own.

Very strange. I imagine they will sort it out after another couple of high-profile firings, but as a proud Navy Vet, I am dumfounded by a great institution that now appears sunk at the pier. (Long ago, a page came over the loudspeaker at the NAS Cubi Point O Club, the most poignant such announcement I have heard: “Would the Command Duty Officer of the USS Oriskany please contact his ship?”)

The Sea Service leadership has a lot of challenges ahead in turning the big ship of the service around. I wish them luck.

Administrivia: My younger Son has come back to the region, and ferried supplies down to Refuge Farm. It includes some of my gear from Big Pink- a television so vast that it dwarfs the Great Room. Some artwork and sensitive supplies. But best of all, he grabbed the external hard drive from the computer and I may- just may- have access once again to all my files.

That means I can get back to work and stop obsessing about The Swamp’s obsessions.

Good week on production- Arrias today, Point Loma tomorrow, a post card from the swamp and Turkey Overdose on Thursday. Life does not get better.

– Vic

Copyright 2019 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com