Upturned Everything and Azerbaijan It’s been a gusty few days here in the Capitol, I was walking up 22nd st. Friday evening when a howling wind stopped me in my tracks. Thankfully, the temperature has been not so bad making the wind, its longevity and speed, more of a curiosity than anything. But, to be […]

DC Sites: History and Background Many folks know I have been a licensed DC guide for nine years. As a way of thanking my brother and sister IAFF members for their hard work, I will lead three free tours during the conference. Tour One will be of Arlington National Cemetery. Tour Two will be of […]

Ignorant in the Classic Sense The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FRD) and its union, IAFF Local 2068, continue to be roiled by controversy, most recently from the twin shocks of the resignation of Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley from her role as a Women’s Program Officer and from notice of the retirement of fire […]

“Non-Productive Garbage” So says Dave Barlow about Turnout;  he is a board member of International Association of Firefighters Local 2068, the Fairfax County Professional Fire Fighters and Paramedics. I should say here that I am also a member of 42 years and a former president of the local, as well. Dave’s feelings are “personal”, he even says […]

A Tearful Goodbye An emotional Richard Bowers announced via telephone conference yesterday that he would be leaving the department in the near future. WTOP reports that, “On Feb. 1, Bowers said he had no plans to resign.” He chose the teleconference, though he was speaking to no more than 1/3 of the members, because he “wanted […]

All About Town, 2015-2017 Harold Schaitberger, the nearly 20-year president of the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF), may have precious little of substance to show for his tenure, but one thing is for sure, he knows his way around a steakhouse, or rather, houses. He leaves his office around 5:30, arrives at the restaurant near […]

Timing is Everything In an act of exquisite timing last week, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department Battalion Chief Kathleen Stanley, the Women’s Program Officer there, tendered her resignation, replete with a scathing letter sent to Fire Chief Richard Bowers. By Friday afternoon Sharon Bulova, Chairman of the Fairfax County, Virginia, Board of Supervisors, and […]

Valor, Patriotism, Honor “The latest attacks on the FBI and Department of Justice serve no American interests—no party’s, no President’s, only Putin’s” Sen. John McCain John McCain served his country including 5 years in a horrifying POW camp where he was repeatedly tortured. Robert Mueller served his country under fire as a combat Infantry Officer […]

A few days ago in Kabul, Afghanistan, an ambulance made its way through two checkpoints and when stopped at a third, a massive bomb in the back was detonated by the driver, killing 103 and injuring 235. The Taliban, a religious extremist group, claimed responsibility as they have for other recent and horrific attacks. Afghan […]