Roy Steinfort of the Associated Press. RIP

I learn today that I have just lost this old friend, mentor, and boss. In the world of news he owned a broad reputation as a very nice guy and a crack newsman and businessman.

Among all the rest he was a combat medic on Iwo Jima. One of his prized possessions was a print of Joe Rosenthal's classic Suribachi flag raising shot inscribed, "For Roy, Who was There. Joe."

The Firing Pin Journal

Welcome Jay, of the Firing Pin Journal, to the TMR blog roll.

Aside from firearms and limited, intelligent government, we share an interest in large armed things which hang out in and on deep blue water.

All kinds of p0rn

I'm addicted to ship p0rn as well as gun smut, and Tam has them both at the top of her lineup this evening.

I can't see those carriers without remembering the thousands of Pacific miles I chased them on a little destroyer -- 10 degrees off their stern at 1,100 yards. Plane guard station, the idea being that we could fish out the unlucky pilot who missed his wires.

She also has my thanks for a mention that brought many new readers to this modest little blog. Welcome, y'all, and feel free to stick around. I've been known to do a little pandering myself.

More on Ice

Our correspondent from the edge of the permafrost, near St. Cloud, Minnesota, reports that the Mississippi in that latitude is now open water. Can a shore lunch of walleye be far behind?

That prompted the thought that our local lakes are at that stage of appearing solid while harboring many thin spots. Stupidly driven snowmobiles fall through them in a useful Darwinian adjustment of Northern Plains demographics.