Well, folks, I have to admit the latest news has left me with mixed emotions you cannot believe. I'm happy that our government is scaling down our involvement in Iraq, happy that a few more mommies and daddies will get to watch their own babies grow up instead of blowing someone else's up, but, see, all of this means the end of a dream for me.

See, I've listened while some of the folks have talked about reinstituting the draft. And, see, a lot of these fine folks thought it would be good not only to draft the 26 and under crowd but to go way on up to 42. Where they picked that number I don't know, but that's the number they picked.

And see, I'm 37 and not really the kind of guy Uncle Sam wants over there blowin' up people in the name of Jesus and George. But if they extended the age to 42, I might, just MIGHT get the chance I missed when I was younger, the chance to wallk in, sing a couple bars of "Alice's Restaurant" and walk out. Anything to do Arlo proud.

My hopes even got up last December when I was arrested for the crime of all crimes, allowing my lawn to grow too high (yes, Virginia, there are STILL towns like that!) Here I am, just hoping for the chance to explain myself to a whole military board, the chance blown away by the fact we're bringing them home where they belong.

For the record, I DID resist the serious urge to call the arresting officer "Officer Obie". I wasn't taking no chances!

You're wise--I wouldn't mess with the Pampa police or judicial (ha!) system, either.

Your dream may not be dead, however. Dubya's talking about reducing the forces by 18,000. Let's see ... the surge added 30,000, so this "great" reduction leaves us only 12,000 over the size of our troops in Iraq this time last year. At this rate, you may be singing a couple of bars of Alice's before you know it!

Ceashel,

So you've been to Pampa, eh? Ever been to the Center here? We've done a lot over the last couple of years, and in our archives (still waiting for a good archival display case) we even have the April 15, 1935 NY Times -- with the article detailing Black Sunday.

Actually, the arrest was in Lefors, not Pampa, and the Marshall was selected specifically to get rid of me 'n a couple others in the town they don't want mucking it up. The Pampa cops ain't too bad these days (although I've heard enough stories about Rufe Jordan to have a good idea what they was like back in the day!)

TX, The last time I was in Pampa was before you were born, I am sad to say. I WAS a little kid, though. Really. I spent a lot of time in Dumas over the years; I had family in both places. One cousin was a Pampa cop in the 1970s; we didn't speak to each other too much.

We really want to make a pilgrimage to Pampa, but the best times (Oct. and Thanksgiving) are hard to do. And most weeks, we only get one day off work, so it's hard to do a two-day trip. But we will get there, one of these days. (The trouble is, I know that just like WoodyFest and the GC Fall Revival and Carnegie, once we go to one of your events, we'll be hooked and want to go every year.)

Edited to say: I think I sent you a private message, but I can't be sure, because my Outbox was full and it didn't save it there. If you didn't get it, let me know and I'll re-send.