Four Fundamentals

 

Four Fundamentals

The four fundamentals of flight are: straight and level, turns, climbs and descents. It is vital that a pilot grasp these basics since all subsequent maneuvers are merely combinations and variations on a theme.

This is one of the first flight lessons and should be FUN. At the beginning of the training process people are generally overwhelmed and will only retain a portion of the information presented to them. A good briefing helps and if you can get the student to read ahead it can greatly increase performance. On the other side of the equation the student is chomping at the bit to get down to business and may not be receptive to a long drawn out explanation.

I tell the pilot “the recurring theme is pitch + power = performance.” There are other procedures we are introducing/reinforcing that will, if all goes as planned, become habitual.

Collision avoidance techniques and verbalizing “Clear left” “Clear right” prior to turning will increase the chance of seeing and avoiding other traffic and birds. I teach pilots to lower the nose and check for traffic at 500 AGL and then the top and bottom of the altimeter. After I observe that they are aware of their altitude and are indeed looking for traffic I will advise them to “try to do it in a straight line” as we discuss the need for rudder to compensate for p-factor and other left turning tendencies.

We will continue to practice the three-way positive exchange of flight controls. I make it a point to state that someone should be flying the aircraft the entire flight and the person who thinks they are flying should be the one flying. There are modifications of this concept such as “follow me through on the controls” when introducing or elaborating on a maneuver. Or “I am on the controls with you” when minor last minute corrections are needed such as a gusty crosswind approach. It is important that as much as possible you let the pilot make inputs without interference. This does not mean that you should not guard the controls. Keeping your hand staged behind the control yoke making it impossible to rapidly increase the angle of attack when doing so would be disastrous.

Firearms and self-defense

Firearms and self-defense

Current events have prompted people to arm themselves. Several of my friends and relatives have asked me for advice. I am not a firearm or self-defense expert. I am an enthusiastic lifelong student. Protecting your life and liberty is your responsibility. Society and governments are methods to ensure safety. It is rare to find someone who values your interests as deeply as you. As parents and spouses we are often the last line of protection. Let us explore the gun as a tool, discuss effective proficiency and touch on the moral/legal implications.

A gun is a tool that can put holes in things at a distance. Paper, prey and people are the most common things that may need holes. As one would not use a screw driver to cut down a tree selecting the correct tool for the mission is the first step. A hunting rifle designed to harvest large game is not appropriate for daily concealed carry. A snub nose revolver would be a poor choice for long range target shooting. Most of the inquiries I am fielding are people interested in self protection. Again refining the focus towards home security or personal protection while out and about may dictate the type of precautions and possibly the weapons systems we choose.

Most of the people asking for advice are primarily focusing on concealed carry options. Open carry may be an option to consider but that comes with an entirely different set of risk/benefit parameters. If one should choose the concealed carry option things to consider are comfort and reliability. A weapon on the nightstand or in the safe does you no good if you are assaulted at the gas station. The point is that if you intend on carrying make it a habit.

Speaking of habits weapons safety is paramount. Having a powerful destructive tool comes with a considerable responsibility. You must consider if you are willing to commit to practicing until you are effective. Effectiveness can be measured in various ways but eliminating the threat is a good starting point. Realistic focused and consistent practice will help your mechanical skills become smooth. These are indeed martial arts and mental clarity is essential. Imagine yourself “on-duty” when taking up arms thus impairment, either chemical or emotional is counter-productive.

Finally, one must consider the moral and legal implications of violence. Even if you did everything correct and attempted to take the peaceful route you may have to kill. There is a difference between murder and killing. Often it is semantics and is determined in a court of law. When preparing for battle determine in advance your “rules of engagement.” Think about how the worst-case scenario will play out post engagement. This may influence your weapon choice thinking of how a scary “assault rifle” may be presented in the courtroom vice an equally effective lever gun.

Arming yourself with a firearm should be part of a comprehensive strategy. Consider the threats and your exposure. Criminals and tyrants are both dissuaded by an armed populace. There are many layers of deterrence and levels of response. Locking your doors, avoiding the “bad” part of town, proper lighting can make you a harder target. Screaming and running away are possible responses to threats. Refusing to be a passive victim is a choice.

One of the side effects of 2020 has been the fact that more people are understanding our “gun culture.” Shooting sports bring great joy to my life but the purpose behind the practicing is to better prepare me to defend myself, my family, and my nation as I grow physically weaker with age.

Raising Honorable Children

 

Raising Honorable Children

There are no overnight fixes or simple solutions to raising honorable children. As a parent one can do everything correctly and still fail since humans make their own choices. Now that I let you off the hook let us be brutally honest. Leadership is by example and your example is likely the route your children will follow. Hypocrisy breeds contempt and “do as I say, not as I do” fosters more rebellion than normal. Knowing that teen rebellion is a hallowed tradition in our society may help prepare you to better deal with the trauma/drama. Defining what traits are honorable is essential prior to discussing how to foster those attributes. The fear of God, treating other beings with respect, and becoming a productive member of society are three worthy hallmarks of honorable people. Let us explore these concepts.

The fear of God is core to proper behavior. That is not to say that atheists can not display proper behavior. The concept of eternal consequences for our deeds, thoughts and actions will tend to guide us. Greater than just “will I get caught?” is the concept that my intentions have ramifications. To believe that God created the universe and cares how we treat it holds more weight than practical considerations like “if I pollute my watershed it will kill me.” Understanding the universe is a complicated concept and acknowledging that pain, suffering and death are part of the process causes much personal confusion. I must eat to survive, my life is tied to the death of other living things, even plants. Critters like mosquitoes, wolves and ants have a purpose and thus a right to exist. The survival instinct is within created beings. Indiscriminate killing is not an approved method of living as I understand my place in the universe. However eating the flesh of animals is within my moral compass. I should however, honor the creatures I raise with a comfortable and, if able, a happy life prior to their consumption. If I harvest creatures from the wild I should only take that which is necessary, consume it gratefully, not be wasteful and consider the management of the ecosystem. This is only one facet of how the fear of God can affect us.

Treating others with respect is best modeled rather than preached. The way we treat people is how our children will treat people. This can be tough since speaking ill of others is so tempting. Society tends to divide us by color, class, wealth and any other method available. Divide and conquer is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Respecting people does not mean tolerating negative behavior. Treating a threatening individual with respect means acknowledging their right and desire to exist even if one has to act on the behavior. Words are not violence. Them's fighting words has it's place in the universe but not often. Fear, weakness and capitulation are not the hallmarks of respect. One must not tolerate the brute nor fold in the face of adversity. It is a challenge to a civilized human to treat savage behavior in an appropriate manner. How you treat people of lower status, especially when there is no advantage or witnesses is a true indication.

This is one of the keys to being a productive member of society. Protecting the weak. Feeding the hungry. Lifting the downtrodden without enabling negative destructive behavior. Productivity can be measured by your impact on your community. Little things like picking up litter matter. Self sufficiency is a start. Once your personal needs are met building your community is the next step. Honoring your ancestors is part of the process. Since they were humans they have honorable traits and probably some brutal legacies. Pick up the honorable ones and try not to contribute to the brutality. Since the title infers children building a strong family is the core of society. That begins with your immediate family. Not all people have all elements of family. If you have a partner that is the most important human relationship you have. Many people prioritize the children over their partner which I believe is a mistake. The love and respect demonstrated by the parents forms the basis for a solid framework that children will model. We are human and conflict is natural. Learning how to deal with disagreements is tough. Demonstrate forgiveness and humility. Much easier said than done.

In short, modeling honorable behavior is how to raise honorable children.

Psychological Industry

 

Psychological Industry

The first day of medical school the teacher says “A patient cured is a customer lost.” The healing arts can be a great benefit to society but, since humans are involved results are mixed. The study of mental and behavioral processes is indeed an interesting field of study. When pursuing my PhD several realities became apparent. The social sciences are known as the 'soft sciences' because the difference between a chemical process that has repeatable, precise, empirical results the soft science are not as clear cut. If you speak about your experiences and it changes your behavior is that a result of therapy or an internal decision? In other words it is difficult to determine that 17 minutes of therapy will reduce your depression by 9% with any accuracy. Here are some thoughts and insights from a student of the human condition.

The DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) is the “bible” of psychology, outlining what is a mental disorder. Over the years cultural influences have changed what is defined as a mental illness. Not that long ago homosexuality and gender dysphoria were defined as mental disorders. It is valid to try and define “abnormal behavior” and apply the scientific method to studying and perhaps changing that behavior. Not everything abnormal is bad. An individual that is musically gifted or a theoretical physicist are not “normal” but bring gifts that improve society. A person with out empathy that manipulates or murders for sport is also not “normal” but and that behavior is detrimental.

Some of the benefits of studying behavior and mental processes include discovering that some behaviors maybe indeed chemical imbalances. The major issue with “Western” medicine in general is that treating symptoms is easier than resolving the cause. Prescribing medication to control gout rather than changing lifestyle. The trap many people discover is that the medication that makes the spots disappear has side effects that require more drugs to mask. Many people end up taking multiple drugs for the rest of their lives.

Psychotherapy is another method to help people deal with behavioral issues. “You will feel better if you just talk about it.” This can be true. My observation of the industry is that the therapist is often only marginally more adapted to society than their clients. Psychologists have the fourth highest suicide rate among health care professionals. There are many possible causes of this phenomenon. Regardless some people benefit from the practice and others are caught in an endless cycle that never “cures” them and provides a steady income to an entire industry.

In my humble opinion many therapists provide people what they want, only a few give them what they need. Some people want to change their behavior and many others are looking for an excuse to continue their behavior. If you are diagnosed with bablygook and thus not to blame for your actions you are free to continue doom scrolling in isolation and take drugs to mask your depression. This is a highly profitable course of action for the industry since you will require continual treatment. On the other hand, if changing the way you interpret your bosses' advice allows you to forgive them and improves your outlook on life that is a win.

Seeking help is a sign of strength. With many advisors better decisions are possible. The wisdom to choose the correct course of action is the challenge. My assessment of the helping industry is that it may have benefit but requires discretion. Unfortunately, when you are in the midst of the storm any port seems safe. Many people are trapped in unhealthy cycles of behavior that can be profitable to others. There are however mental disorders that benefit from the industry and the study of human behavior may continue to prove useful.

Cultural Appropriation

 

Cinco de Mayo and Saint Patrick's Day are excuses to get drunk and over eat. That is the American way. My mother was born in Mexico. I was not taught Spanish because my grandparents wanted us to fit in. My family heritage includes Germans, Scott's-Irish, English. French, Spanish, and Indian (feather, not dot). I did the genetic test and my blood reflects the oral traditions and includes a smattering of African and Jewish heritage. I am 100% 'merican. I imagine Spanish conquistadors picking up local wives and producing hungry warriors meanwhile up north the colonists were interbreeding with all the cold, tired, and hungry immigrants. A grand time was had by all. Farming, fornicating and fighting their children met in Texas and murdered each other. The result of raping and pillaging is that your grandchildren look like your former enemy and most people can not hate their grand-kids.

So even though my Scottish Uncle McDonald in Mexico (does not have a farm) does not understand the big deal, eat some tacos, drink some tequila and party with your neighbors.

If you can, learn the language of your ancestors and teach your offspring. Latin is a great start.

“What do you call someone who can speak three languages?” 'Trilingual.'

“What do you call someone who can speak two languages?” 'Bilingual.'

“What do you call someone who speaks one language poorly?” 'Merican

“What do you call someone who can speak a language but not read and write it.” 'Illiterate.'

“What is the difference between a red-neck and a Mexican?” 'bout three miles.”

E pluribus unum.

With malice toward none (I did not write this)

 

Fellow-Countrymen:

At this second appearing to take the oath of the Presidential office there is less occasion for an extended address than there was at the first. Then a statement somewhat in detail of a course to be pursued seemed fitting and proper. Now, at the expiration of four years, during which public declarations have been constantly called forth on every point and phase of this great conflict which is of primary concern to the nation as a whole, little that is new could be presented. The progress of our arms, upon which all else chiefly depends, is as well known to the public as to myself, and it is, I trust, reasonably satisfactory and encouraging to all. With high hope for the future, no prediction in regard to it is ventured.

On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. All dreaded it, all sought to avert it. While the inaugural address was being delivered from this place, devoted altogether to saving the Union without war, insurgent agents were in the city seeking to destroy it without war—seeking to dissolve the Union and divide effects by negotiation. Both parties deprecated war, but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish. And the war came.

One-eighth of the whole population were colored slaves, not distributed generally over the Union, but localized in the southern part of it. These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest. All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war. To strengthen, perpetuate, and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war, while the Government claimed no right to do more than to restrict the territorial enlargement of it. Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with or even before the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triumph, and a result less fundamental and astounding. Both read the same Bible and pray to the same God, and each invokes His aid against the other. It may seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces, but let us judge not, that we be not judged. The prayers of both could not be answered. That of neither has been answered fully. The Almighty has His own purposes. "Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." If we shall suppose that American slavery is one of those offenses which, in the providence of God, must needs come, but which, having continued through His appointed time, He now wills to remove, and that He gives to both North and South this terrible war as the woe due to those by whom the offense came, shall we discern therein any departure from those divine attributes which the believers in a living God always ascribe to Him? Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."

With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.[7]

—Abraham Lincoln

Psychology, therapy and resilience

 Asking for help is a sign of strength. Despite the trappings of science very little social sciences is based on solid irrefutable data. Humans are tremendously resilient and vary in their coping mechanisms. For examples “stages of grief” and “levels of learning” are merely cognitive concepts that help us understand processes. This is unlike the direct measurement of pH levels and how it affects nutrient absorption.

The standards of “mental health” are a human construct. Not that long ago homosexuality was classified as a mental illness by the psychological community. That is not to say that real behavioral issues can be understood by the application of the scientific method. Chemical imbalances, brain tissue damage are areas we can positively diagnose and treat.

Happiness and other more nebulous conditions are harder to define and thus, easier to diagnose at the will of the provider. The medical industry including the mental health divisions tend to treat symptoms rather than cure root causes. If one becomes a repeat paying customer the incentive to “fix” the problem is not the highest priority.

Be aware that the person providing the treatment and/or advice is as human as you. Often their education and training is not as extensive as you imagine. There is real value in seeking treatment and advise. Objective, wise and compassionate council is truly valuable. Use caution since not that long ago electroshock therapy and lobotomies were considered leading edge treatment.