Postcards: Why the Coast Guard Can’t Sleep

On the Roof of the World, tensions are growing. And the U.S. Navy has punted a war over nuclear power and untold billions in wealth to a woefully unprepared defense.

Dear Fellow Expat:

Imagine you’re eight years old, on stage, at an elementary school.

It’s the finals of the local geography bee. The room is full. The crowd is hushed.

If you answer one more question correctly, you’ll win a trophy with a red-white-and-blue ribbon.

The question starts: “Which state…”

Oh… no…

“Which state” questions bring back memories of why I lost that Warren Elementary School title so long ago.

I didn’t consider the first rule: “Maybe it’s a trick question.”

Or rule two: If the question has an absurd statistic, the answer is likely Alaska.

“Which state is the largest in the United States?”

Your brain instantly pictures the map - and Texas.