Iraq, yes, and the continuing investigation into the lost shuttle Columbia, and the sordid saga within the Catholic Church, and the yearning national need for an intelligent compulsory universal service NOW. But other news stories abound as well, such as:
North Korea. It and a number of its neighbors evidently have looked around and seen the effective determination of the Coalition enterprise in Iraq. (BEGIN ITAL) The Americans mean business, and possess the means to accomplish what they set out to do. What's more, since October the United States and a dozen other countries have organized the defections of about 20 key North Korean officials, including leading nuclear scientists, such as the reputed father of the country's nuclear programs, Kyon Won Ha. So we likely have a heightened sense of North Korea's nuclear capabilities. Not surprisingly, the North Koreans have agreed at last to talk a few things over.
With just about everyone applauding the military these days, how about a special word or two for those in the reserves and the National Guard? At about 1.2 million, they now account for nearly 50 percent of U.S. military personnel; as of mid-March, about 225,000 had been called to active duty. During the 1990s, most call-ups were for only 90 days. Now, with military billets too often going unfilled and with active-duty personnel spread thin, first-responder reserve and guard call-ups often are for a year, with some now having their tours extended to a second year. Perhaps half of those called up suffer income losses, with consequent strains on their families in health care, childcare, and every day just getting along. The military needs to increase complement and manning levels. Oh, and a standing ovation please for reservists and guardsmen doing so much of today's military heavy lifting.
The Air Force Academy, the college for future Air Force officers, is mired in a controversy that could do more damage to the Air Force than Tailhook did to the Navy. In Tailhook, pilots did - or did not do - egregious things with or in the presence of female Navy cohorts. At the Air Force Academy, allegations of widespread rape of female cadets by their male cohorts, and mishandling of the incidents by higher-ups, have led to the departures of the superintendent and commandant, among others. Investigations are under way and Congress has gotten into the act. If the allegations are true, it's bad, even criminal charges may ensue. So off we go: This one may have repercussions far and wide - and high into the wild blue yonder.