I have been reading about the Pakistani Army build-up at the start of the Vale of Swat.I am filled with sadness.A Pro-Taliban Mullah is evidently calling for a Jihad against Pakistan.When I was in Pakistan during the 60's there were place of exceptional beauty.One,the beautiful gardens of Shalimar,in Lahore.These garden were another gift of Shah Jehan to his beloved bride.The other was the narrow Vale of Swat.I can still see the smiling, friendly villagers and the cherry trees in bloom for miles along the Swat river.Sandlewood intermingled with the cherry blossoms.If I wanted to find a place of beauty and serenity to spend the last of my life,I would look no further.Today I am sad.

Just finished reading a very witty and entertaining book, You F' Coffee,Sir?!!!,by Liz and Julie,no last names given,read the book and you'll understand why.Not too sure the first names are real either.They make the claim very forcefully,that the term Flight attendant is derogatory and insulting,that only American airlines use that term,while the rest of the industry uses Air Hostess.They go on to say that they will cheerfully and politely correct you if you use that term to them,but beware,if you use it the second time.,don't expect much cabin service for the rest of the flight.The title of the book is actually a put down to the passenger,most often the passenger doesn't get it,and not much service either.Anyone run into these two Air Hostesses?They fly with a British airline,which refused to be named.

I recently flew from Los Angeles to Orlando on a United flight that I can only describe as a pig pen.Back seat pocket was filled with kleenix,carpets were filthy and sticky,trash under the seats,MacDonald's wrappers,etc..So it came as no surprise to read a recent article about cleanliness aboard airliners.The article quoted several airline spokespeople as saying they try to keep the planes trash free,but admit the planes are "deep cleaned" once a month.Deep cleaning consists of cleaning the tray tables,steaming the carpet and wiping down the lavatory,seats and arm rests.They admit that when planes arrive late there isn't always time to clean the plane beyond picking up trash.The next time you fly Iwould recommend that you take handiwipes or sani-wipes in a plastic bag and wipe down your tray table and armrest,especially if you touch the in-flight entertainment controls on your armrest.  

Public Service Announcements have been informing the American public that one in six men will develop prostate cancer in his life-time.There is a very effective test to detect this cancer at a very early stage.It is called the PSA test.It is a blood test to see if spectific antigens have been released by cancer cells in the prostate.If caught early prostate cancer is highly curable by means of surgery,radiation therapy,radioactive seeds.Prostate cancer is often found in men who have died of other causes.But,the point is get the PSA test and be sure that cancer is not present.It is recommended that men over 40 start a yearly PSA test.Much information is available on the web at such websites as WEBMD.Thirty thousand men will die of prostate cancer this year.With the PSA test available,that number should decrease over the coming years.Good Luck. 

I hate to start my blog with a political item,but I couldn't help but reply to Sen Obama's statement about sending  American troops into Pakistan to fight Al Queda. In the mid sixties I spent 15 months in the tribal lands where the Taliban and Al Queda are now located.A little back ground information.The Pushtan tribemen of the Northwest Frontier of Pakistan,which is along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border,is the largest tribal society in the world today,approx 19 million people.The tribal lands consist of 100,000 square miles of mountainous terrain with peaks often exceeding 18,000 feet.The valleys are narrow and tend to twist.Agriculture is the main industry,both cereal crops and pasture.These tribesmen for centuries have fought off every invasion,intrusion,expedition,whatever term you wish to use.They are by nature insular and warlike. Friendly and cordial to people they know and trust but fierce ruthless enemies to their foes.An American ground or air invasion will result in massive American casulties.The mountains have hidden these warriors for centuries,and they will continue to do so.The British in the 19th and early 20th centuries had a saying"twelve years of peace on the frontier is a prelude to war."Young 6-8 year old tribal youths would hear stories about great deeds against their enemies from their fathers,uncles and older brothers.About the time they reached 18 or 19 they were ready for a fight,so they could join around the family fire and not feel left out.The British in the Second Afghan War lost over 12,000 troops and civilians on their retreat from Kabul through the Khyber Pass to Peshawar.The tribemen were responsible for those losses.And they have long memories.A unsolved murder of a Pakistani in a European town or city,may have had its roots on the frontier generations ago.So please Mr Obama,know your enemy before sending in troops.