Quote of the day--from Jesus, to the Republican Leadership

"He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and he who gives gifts to the rich--both come to poverty." -Proverbs 22:16

It's still the "Iraq War"

Some people in government have suggested or even stated that it's no longer the "Iraq War" and that it's over. Yeah, well tell it to the soldiers over there. News out today: June deadliest month for U.S. in Iraq since '08. Link: http://news.yahoo.com/june-deadliest-month-u-iraq-since-08-140256370.html

A much greater "4th of July" this year

I don't know about anyone else but just knowing our Senators and Representatives in Washington have to give up their Independence Day holiday this year because the Republican leadership won't take back tax subsidies that are going to the rich, "Big Oil" and corporations that take manufacturing offshore tickles me silly. It makes for, as I said, a far better 4th of July. I also love that President Obama somewhat shamed them into it. I hope they're truly miserable up there in hot, steamy, humid Washington, D.C. this weekend, while most of the rest of the city and nation, for that matter, celebrates our national holiday. Thanks, Republican leaders! Link: http://news.yahoo.com/senate-next-week-debt-limit-impasse-140257248.html

I believe "deflation" may have begun

There is an article out right now on Yahoo! News telling how there are such great prices on items for us at local stores: "Quick, Go Shopping! Sales Are Everywhere." (see link below). And that's great, it's always good to find some thing we need at some terrific price. But think about it--home prices have been falling for at least the last 2 years--and still are. It seems virtually everything we need to buy--except gas for our cars and maybe food--is "on sale" and at least a good buy. So sure, it's terrific for us who need this stuff. Except the one really big fear on most economist's minds is that of deflation. Deflation, defined : "In economics, deflation is a decrease in the general price level of goods and services.[1] Deflation occurs when the inflation rate falls below 0% (a negative inflation rate)." and deflation is one scary word to those economists and people at the tops of corporations, in particular, because if they're not increasing their profitability, year after year in corporations, then yet more jobs will be cut from those same corporations and there will be yet more unemployment and people out on the streets, at least jobless, if not homeless. It ain't pretty, by a long shot. Let's hope these are just "great deals" to be had at the local stores and not true deflation. Links: http://financiallyfit.yahoo.com/finance/article-113039-10141-3-stores-offer-big-sales-for-consumers?ywaad=ad0035&nc; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deflation; http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/113047/disappearing-middle-class-jobs-forbes

Great news, Kansas City

We're not on "America's Rudest Cities" list, out right now, by Travel & Leisure magazine. The bad news? It's because flocks of people don't come here for vacations. Link: http://travel.yahoo.com/p-interests-40390415

From the Catholic Church today: far too little, way too late

The Star reports today: Diocese appoints ombudsman for sex abuse claims. Somehow, I'm sure, the local Catholic Diocese and Bishop Finn will think this is enough. Adding further, gross insult to these injuries, this new omsbudsman's work is to be "independent and confidential." Sure it is. Confidential, just the way the Catholic hierarchy likes it. Except "confidential" is double-speak for "behind closed doors." Pitiful. But you want more outrageousness out of all this sexual misconduct mess? Look no further: "Last week, Finn named the Rev. Joseph Powers the vicar for clergy, a new position. Powers replaced Msgr. Robert Murphy on the diocesan review board." That's rich. No, wait, that's obscene. Bishop Finn, who completely, totally and utterly failed the people in the church in both St. Joseph AND Kansas City by not looking into the letter the principal sent to the Bishop about Father Ratigan's possible sexual misconduct is kicking Msgr. Murphy out of his post and replacing him instead of Bishop Finn resigning, as he ought to do out of fairness, decency and responsiblity. And you know what? Local Catholics will, for the most part, sadly, stand for this and accept it. Link: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/30/2985001/diocese-appoints-ombudsman-for.html

Congratulations, KCMSD effectively has no teacher's union

I haven't seen anything about it in the Star but for all practical purposes, the Kansas City, Missouri School District has no working, effective teacher's union. It is kaput. A couple years ago the District went without a contract for a few months and that seemed to be the beginning. Now, the teachers are so desperate for a job and work and a paycheck, the District has them by their cajone's, to use a rather crude phrase. Since the teacher's need the work, the District can add--and is--as many additional half-hour segments to the workday that they want. After all, what are the teachers going to do, quit? Band together and fight it and risk being let go? Nope. It's gone, all that. So if you're one of those anti-union and especially anti-teachers union people, go ahead, you can do a little dance. They're all just like us now. They're "wage slaves" just like you and me. Lovely working in America, isn't it? I miss the middle class.

Top states for business

Okay, so Missouri isn't in the "top ten." At least Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas are 9, 10 and 11, respectively AND, more importantly, we still have pretty clean air. (Missouri is no. 16). Links to original story: http://www.cnbc.com/id/41666602?__source=yahoo|topstatesva|&par=yahoo; http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/113031/americas-top-states-business-cnbc-2011

Let's have some fun here

 

Something new: a challenge to anyone who might happen on this site and see this. (Both of you). Caption this photo. It's from a baseball game in San Diego at Petco Park between our own Royals and their Padres. It seems the Cirque du Soleil troupe was called in for some pre-game show. As a side note, too, you might want to go to the link below as it has a very cool, short video of a Cirque performer who threw the first pitch. I doubt you've seen anything like it. Link: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/Cirque-du-Soleil-performer-gets-nutty-with-Padre;_ylt=ArmqeMCLhIY3vQPrQlFP5qqw73QA;_ylu=X3oDMTE3ZGkwYjUyBHBrZwNpZC0xNTU5MjkEcG9zAzIEc2VjA01lZGlhSENNBHZlcgMxNA--;_ylg=X3oDMTJya25sYjhjBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDNTcxMWU3M2EtODliYy0zYjc3LTg0MjUtMjk4MDg0ODNhYTk1BHBzdGNhdANidXNpbmVzcwRwdANzdG9yeXBhZ2U-;_ylv=3?urn=mlb-wp10971

Corporations are killing us

 

Last night I did watch this documentary on HBO, "Hot Coffee", telling how corporations spent and are spending millions upon millions of dollars to advertise and market to us to get us to believe, in this case, we needed tort reform, all so they could reap many more millions of dollars in profits and benefits for themselves, all at our expense. They're buying--literally--our judges and justice system and cleaning us out. We're being played for suckers, folks, big time. Now, word out today shows a house in Wyoming that is "a single address in this sleepy city of 60,000 people..." where "more than 2,000 companies are registered." In this way, the corporations can, well just read: "A Reuters investigation has found the house at 2710 Thomes Avenue serves as a little Cayman Island on the Great Plains. It is the headquarters for Wyoming Corporate Services, a business-incorporation specialist that establishes firms which can be used as 'shell' companies, paper entities able to hide assets." I tell you, the corporations are playing us, they're using us, they're taking gross advantage of us and yes, they are exploiting and, in the end, killing us and tearing apart the country. We have to put a stop to them and these practices. Go, see this movie, "Hot Coffee". You'll be astounded at what you learn. It's yet more evidence that, if there were a hell, George W. Bush and Karl Rove would surely have to have one of the hottest places in it, reserved especially for them. Links: http://news.yahoo.com/special-report-little-house-secrets-great-plains-113759191.html; http://hotcoffeethemovie.com/

That nearby, Nebraska Nuclear Power Station

Check out what the media is reporting about the nearby Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station and it's possible flooding: "As Ketv reported in March: Fort Calhoun’s nuclear power plant is one of three reactors across the country that federal regulators said they are most concerned about. Last year, federal regulators questioned the station’s flood protection protocol. NRC officials said they felt the Omaha Public Power District should do more than sandbagging in the event of major flooding along the Missouri river." Then there's this from Sunday's New York Times: "Last year, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission cited the Fort Calhoun plant for not being adequately prepared for floods and rated the safety violation in the “yellow” category, the second most serious...Earlier this month, the plant briefly lost power needed to cool the spent fuel pool after a fire that remains under investigation." Then, lest you think that's all there is to be concerned about, you need to know that the Ft. Calhoun plant isn't alone. There is also the Cooper Nuclear Reactor and it's also in Nebraska and it, too, is subject to flooding and flood waters right now: "The Lincoln Journal Star notes: Nebraska Public Power District officials are concerned rising flood waters could force them to shut down the nuclear power plant if the river reaches a level of 902 feet above sea level…The highest reading at Cooper on Sunday was 900.6 feet above sea level, [Nebraska Public Power District] spokesman Mark Becker] said." And more water has been released up North, by the Corps of Engineers, as we know. Finally, check out this little comparison: "[T]he federal government’s own Sandia National Laboratories has concluded that similarities between the Dai-Ichi plant and reactors like Cooper pose a significant problem: specifically that a lengthy loss of electrical power could cause a nuclear meltdown...the Cooper plant near Brownville is still producing power, though Sunday it put out a 'notification of unusual event' on Sunday." Yikes. As I've said before, the sky isn't falling but these situations are at least a bit of a concern, for sure. Links: http://projectpangaia.wordpress.com/2011/06/23/nebraska-nuclear-threat-as-unpredictable-as-fukushima/; http://missouri-news.org/midwest-news/nebraska/nppd-nuke-plant-could-be-shut-down-in-three-seconds-critics-still-worry/6173; http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/us/21flood.html?_r=1

Those wildfires?

Think about it. First Texas caught on fire and it spread across much of the state. All told, to date "At least $15 million in timber was lost in two large Texas fires this month, resulting in a possible $500 million blow to the region's economy, according to an analysis released on Saturday." One fire alone, the Dyer Mill fire covered 5,280 acres and "destroyed at least 4.7 million cubic feet and more than $2.5 million in timer." Additionally, "Statewide, 12,779 wildfires have burned nearly 3.3 million acres since November. Few areas of Texas have escaped the devastation being blamed in four deaths — including three firefighters battling separate blazes. And despite recent rains, more than 70 percent of Texas remains in severe drought conditions. The Bearing and Dryer Mill fires are among the 16 major fires still burning in the state." And that was for starters. Then began the Arizona blazes. At this time, there are 3 wildfires burning in the state and one of those three is contained. The Wallow fire alone burned 538,043 acres. Finally, those Arizona fires didn't do enough damage, they spread over into New Mexico, of course, as we know. One blaze, "northeast of Santa Fe had burned nearly 15 square miles of forest by Sunday morning." It "began June 18 about 2 miles north of the Santa Fe Ski Basin..." and is "burning in steep, rugged terrain and there's no timetable yet for full containment." It seems much of the country, from Texas to Arizona, is on fire. That is one whole lotta' country and fire and destruction, for sure. Links: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/7627065.html; http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/06/26/crews-fully-contain-1-3-major-arizona-wildfires/;

Nuclear plants: fires and floods

First we had the nearby Fort Calhoun Nuclear Power Station at risk of flooding and then flooding and the concerns that created, at least regionally, if not nationally. Now, news out today tells that the Los Alamos National Laboratory--the nation's nuclear weapons laboratory--is under threat from the New Mexico wildfires and that they had to evacuate the plant. Makes you feel safe and secure all over, doesn't it? Links: http://beta.news.yahoo.com/wildfire-triggers-evacuations-near-los-alamos-002006674.html; http://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/12/us/evacuation-issue-threatening-nuclear-plants.html?scp=1&sq=Ft.+Calhoun+nuclear+power+station&st=nyt

Financial futures (bet on gold right now?, etc.)

There are a few financial things that seem unavoidable in the near future. The first is that a lot of international finance quarters see Greece as unequivocally unable to avoid default on their credit sometime later this year. Mike Sedlock at Mish's Global Economic Trend Analysis is one of them. (See link below). Of course, you do have to keep in mind he's pretty negative on national and international economies and has been for at least a few years. That said, he was dead right on AIG and their meltdown, months before it hit the papers you and I read. What he says frequently has some good hard data and reasoning behind it. So if this should happen--Greece defaults--as is predicted and expected, there is a very real and strong likelihood that they will also have to bail on the Euro. If that happens and they do leave the Euro, it will weaken that currency mightily. From there it's anyone's guess as to what happens with Spain's, Italy's and Portugal's debts and status with the EU and Euro. What will this mean? With a far-weaker Euro, the dollar will be stronger, for one. Secondly, It seems certain people will also buy a lot more gold, in a short term run-up, in an effort to "buy safety and security". As for oil? Who knows? It seems this might spell lower costs and prices in the short term, what with the dollar getting stronger but really, with oil, there are so many factors and variables, it's anyone's guess except to say, in the long run, look for ever-higher oil prices, likely, eventually. That is, unless the entire world economy collapses. And that, I hope, is just a cynical joke and not a real possibility. As with all things financial, we all have to just stay tuned. Links: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Oil-near-90-as-dollar-gains-apf-3448414465.html;_ylt=As_3xl2mzK8o8UrAPVdcQqy7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1bDlycWlnBHBvcwM2BHNlYwN0b3BTdG9yaWVzBHNsawNvaWxuZWFyOTBhc2Q-?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=3&asset=&ccode=; http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/113012/germany-euro-marketwatch;_ylt=AqFunOsM3xqetmv6BRc0XvW7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTE2cHRnNjJkBHBvcwMxMgRzZWMDdG9wU3RvcmllcwRzbGsDZ2VybWFuc2JlY29t?mod=bb-budgeting%20%20&sec=topStories&pos=9&asset=&ccode=; http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/; http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2011/06/expect-chaos.html

Truisms

Truism number 1: There is no "final frontier". Truism number 2: There is no such thing as "extra money." Truism number 3: You really can be "too thin" and you really can be "too rich." Have a great weekend, y'all.

Quote of the day

"It seems inevitable that we'll have same-sex marriage in most of the states within a decade." --Michael Dorf, a professor at Cornell Law School who studies the constitutional and social consequences of same-sex marriage in the United States. Link: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_gaymarriage_new_york_impact

Pres. O: trying to have it both ways?

If you've ever read anything here, chances are you know I've thought this president a vast improvement over the previous one. A BIG improvement. And I supported him and I still do, absolutely. But as I've said before, he's far from perfect, by a long shot. He needs to be far tougher and have more backbone in negotiations, especially with the Republican leaders, as one good example. But right now, it seems he's talking out of both sides of his mouth on two different issues. The first one he's having "both ways" seems to be the Afghan war. On the one hand, he's taking 33,000 troops out by next year and that's pretty strong and it's more than the military apparently want so that's one thing. Of course, there are plenty of people who would point out he wants and needs to do this because of next year's election. That has to be a factor. On the flip side, there is plenty of evidence that he's also keeping us in there for the long term, too, which pleases the military and the military-industrial corporations that want that business. So that's one. The second issue the president seems to be talking out of both sides of his mouth is on equal rights, specifically equal rights for same-sex couples. On the one hand he's quoted yesterday in New York as saying "gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country," but at the same time, he won't officially come out and declare that he's for these equal rights for all, as part of his official policy. Of course, equal rights for all is in our Constitution, it's just not in his official platform. I understand he can't go too far out on the Left but you have to take a stand on some issues. The fact is, the Republican opposition is badly fragmented for a candidate right now in the upcoming 2012 election and that helps him. But between the economy and looking like he's double-speaking people, he's not doing himself any favors here, by a long shot. Links: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=137359508; http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/on_gay_rights_obama_is_a_cocktease_20110623/; http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/why_does_the_war_go_on_20110624/; http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/bad_news_for_a_country_tired_of_war_20110623/; http://www.truthdig.com/cartoon/item/trapped_in_afghanistan_20110623/

You ought to see this movie

 

We've been had. Big time. Again. By the corporations. A documentary is coming out this Monday on HBO you really ought to see--and for so many reasons. It is "Hot Coffee" and it's about how the corporations in this country have used and are using us, mostly through advertising, and they're turning our courts and so much of the country against us. Shocker, huh? Links: http://hotcoffeethemovie.com/; http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2011/06/24/hot-coffee-sue

Quote of the day

"The country my generation is passing on to my son and his peers is a mean-spirited place of global warming, class warfare and diminishing expectations, where the top 1 percent of households own nearly 35 percent of all privately held wealth and the 'bottom' 80 percent lays claim to less than half that." --Bill Blum, from his article "Commencement Day for a Lost Generation", posted at Truthdig. Link: http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/commencement_day_for_a_lost_generation_20110622/

People will be flipping out about this

In the news today: Census shows whites lose US majority among babies: From the article: "WASHINGTON – For the first time, more than half of the children under age 2 in the U.S. are minorities, part of a sweeping race change and a growing age divide between mostly white, older Americans and fast-growing younger ethnic populations that could reshape government policies. I can almost hear the racists and rednecks now, can't you? Link to original article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110623/ap_on_go_ot/us_census_white_minority

Republican leaders are WAY off base on budget negotiations

Once again, Republican leaders right now are far off-base, this time on budget negotiations in Washington. The Democrats say they'll agree to spending cuts but the Repubs say no "tax increases". Holy cow. Here are two examples of "tax increases" they won't allow--the first is that the Dems want to TAKE AWAY TAX SUBSIDIES FOR THE "BIG OIL" COMPANIES. Let me ask again here, why on Earth would we give TAX SUBSIDIES to some of the BIGGEST AND MOST PROFITABLE COMPANIES IN THE COUNTRY?? (Do you sense my frustration here?). That's insane. It's just irresponsible, considering the budget imbalance we have. A second example of what the Repubs won't allow--what they're calling a "tax increase" the Dems are pushing for--is that THEY WANT TO TAKE AWAY TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR TAKING MANUFACTURING OFFSHORE. Are you kidding me? Like that's a bad idea?? Finally, at least here, the Democrats have proposed DOING AWAY WITH THE TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS. The thing is, on this one, even the Republican rank-and-file support this. I think virtually everyone agrees we need to get manufacturing back here in the country. The Democrats need to take this and put it before the American people and show these ideas as the good ones they are and that anyone who opposes them are going against what's good for the country. If necessary, the Republicans need to be hung by their respective petards. Here's hoping. Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/us/politics/24fiscal.html?_r=1&nl=todaysheadlines&emc=tha2

Omaha flooding

 

A friend of my Sister-in-Law sent this picture to her earlier this week, showing the Omaha airport as they were flying out. As you can see, there is already a great deal of water and flooding in the area. As my brother said, hopefully, for their sake, the levees keep the river out of the airport. I wouldn't bet on it, at this point, since the river is far from cresting, apparently, and they announced yesterday they were releasing far more water up North, in the Dakotas. Hope and/or pray for the best, folks. It isn't pretty and it's getting worse.

Good business news today

Some headlines that sound promising this afternoon: --Euro continues to recover after Greece austerity deal; --Wall Street reverses sharp sell-off after Greek deal: --No China hard landing -- for now: Sure, there's plenty of bad news out there but here's some good, bigger news. Enjoy the beautiful evening, y'all. Links: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/us-markets-forex-idUSTRE74U02L20110623; http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/us-markets-stocks-idUSTRE75512M20110623; http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/23/us-china-economy-growth-idUSTRE75M1AO20110623

By size, KC rated worst for seniors' transportation

Yes, sir, we surely are. Kansas City is ranked number one worst for our size--1 to 3 million people for senior citizens aged 65 to 79 years. And why should we care you might ask? Read from the site: "By 2015, more than 15.5 million Americans 65 and older will live in communities where public transportation service is poor or non-existent. That number is expected to continue to grow rapidly as the baby boom generation 'ages in place' in suburbs and exurbs with few mobility options for those who do not drive. It won't be pretty, folks, and it surely isn't good city planning. Links: http://t4america.org/resources/seniorsmobilitycrisis2011/ http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/the-daily-need/report-is-grandma-hitchhiking-again/9837/

Someone needs to spank these Republican leaders in Washington

News out today is that, once again, Representative Eric Cantor, number 2 man in the House of Representatives, walked out on the negotiations on our federal debt. Apparently he and fellow Republican Senator John Kyle both did. Their respective mothers should get in there, spank them and tell them to go do the hard work their constituents voted them in to office for. Just because you don't get your way doesn't mean you walk out. Well, not unless you're a Republican leader in the US Congress, apparently. Link to original story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_usa_debt_cantor

Tough day for President O.

Headlines out this afternoon: Chamber of Commerce slams Obama's oil release; Joint Chiefs chairman calls Obama plan risky. You know the old saying, "Sometime you eat the bears and sometime the bears eat you." It's going to be a rough road to November, 2012, for sure. Links: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Chamber-of-Commerce-slams-cnnm-131070236.html;_ylt=Ap301qVcQyPYTWSyjcaQXIS7YWsA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1NXNndTBtBHBvcwM0BHNlYwN0b3BTdG9yaWVzBHNsawNjaGFtYmVyb2Zjb20-?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=1&asset=&ccode= http://beta.news.yahoo.com/joint-chiefs-chairman-calls-obama-plan-risky-142239966.html

Questions for MU and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Wth? Why is there still radioactivity in the basement of a building on the MU campus, for starters? The Columbia Daily and The Kansas City Star are reporting this today. Questions: How radioactive? What's the extent of the radioactivity? Were or are faculty and students unreasonably exposed? What is necessary for the cleanup? What will it cost? Who will have to pay for it--the University or the State itself? Do either have it in their respective budgets? How long will it take? If they have to, can they get that museum out of there for the cleanup? Links: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/06/23/2969241/radiation-found-in-basement-of.html http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2011/jun/21/radiation-lingers-in-mus-pickard-hall/ Also, from a poster on the Daily Tribune website: swingline747 (anonymous) says... My favorite MU website, pick a building, and you can view the original plans, pictures, etc. Even includes buildings that have been torn down: http://umcspace.missouri.edu/historic/

Saturday at the Raphael

 

Saturday afternoon on the Plaza, the Raphael Hotel set up this performance stand and had 4 members of the Kansas City Symphony perform, mostly for guests of the hotel, of course, just outside their front door. The music and the evening were beautiful.

Questions on the CC Plaza

I just have two: First, what's with the traffic lights making the sound of a machine gun when they change? Who thought that was a good idea? What, exactly, is it supposed to mean? Second, how long do you think the Michael Kors store will last there, once it opens? Saks Fifth Avenue lasted a while but it had a big name---and a far better economy to work with. I give it the equivalent of 20 to 40 minutes, in "retail store years."

On my Father's Day gift this year and Kansas City

My daughter found for me this year the most terrific gift in a book by one formerly local photographer, one David Douglas Duncan. The book is called "Photo Nomad."It seems the gentleman got exposed to photography at a young age here in town with one of the first plastic cameras that happened to be his sister's. From there, he eventually shot for the old Kansas City Star and then for Hallmark under Joyce Hall. From there, he went out across the world. He ended up shooting for National Geographic and many other very famous international media organizations. One of those was Life Magazine for Henry Luce and company. He took pictures covering World War II, Vietnam and a great deal of the world. The heck of it is, he also shot very personal and private pictures of and for Pablo Picasso and his wife. What occurred to me is, I'm thinking it could make a terrific story for someone in Mr. Duncan's family to maybe retell, if possible, on, say, Steve Kraske's radio show on KCUR. Anyway, if you're interested, you might look out for it. One of the most fascinating things about it for me, too, is that in 1953, Mr. Duncan told the media mogul Henry Luce that France's Vietnam War was not going well and basically that it shouldn't continue. He got called on the carpet for it at the time, by Mr. Luce himself. If only we would have followed his advice, as a country, since Mr. Duncan was there, on the ground with the troops, photographing it at the time with the soldiers. Anyway, you might want to look into a copy. It's not a difficult read as so much of it is his photography and some light writing. Link: http://www.amazon.com/Photo-Nomad-David-Douglas-Duncan/dp/0393058611