Tag Archives: History

40 Years Ago — Stanislav Petrov Saves the World from Nuclear War (September 26 1983) [UPDATE]

“The siren howled. But I just sat there for a few seconds, staring at the big, back-lit, red screen with the word ‘LAUNCH’ on it.” Colonel Stanislav Petrov September 26 2023 — On September 26 1983 — just three weeks … Continue reading

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Reflection on the Role of the U.S. Vice Presidency

“The vice presidency is not worth a bucket of warm piss.” John Nance Garner September 25, 2024 — Winter is coming soon, and I have decided to embark on a fun project: writing a short book on the early days … Continue reading

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CIA Annual Ceremony — 50th Anniversary of the Memorial Wall (May 17, 2024) [UPDATE — Earliest known photo of the CIA Memorial Wall]

“We never take for granted the safety of our people, and we go to great lengths to prepare for every eventuality. But danger is part of the job, and it has never deterred us from our vital mission…From our very … Continue reading

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CIA Annual Ceremony — 50th Anniversary of the Memorial Wall (May 17, 2024) [UPDATE — PBS NewsHour : ‘Every star’s a life’: The personal stories behind the stars on the CIA Memorial Wall]

“We never take for granted the safety of our people, and we go to great lengths to prepare for every eventuality. But danger is part of the job, and it has never deterred us from our vital mission…From our very … Continue reading

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CIA Annual Ceremony — The Mystery of the Higos Four [And a surprising link to Havana Syndrome]

“We never take for granted the safety of our people, and we go to great lengths to prepare for every eventuality. But danger is part of the job, and it has never deterred us from our vital mission…From our very … Continue reading

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On This Day — Italian Physicist Ettore Majorana vanishes (March 25, 1938) [What Elon Musk does not know…]

“There are several categories of scientists in the world. Those of second or third rank do their best but never get very far. Next, there is the first rank, those who make important discoveries, fundamental to scientific progress. And then, … Continue reading

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CIA Annual Ceremony — 50th Anniversary of the Memorial Wall (May 17, 2024)

“We never take for granted the safety of our people, and we go to great lengths to prepare for every eventuality. But danger is part of the job, and it has never deterred us from our vital mission…From our very … Continue reading

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The CIA Book of Honor — Star 91 : Douglas Alexander Zembiec (April 14, 1973 — KIA May 11, 2007) [UPDATE II : The 2009 Memorial Ceremony]

“Consistent with long-standing practice, we do not comment on who may or may not have been honored anonymously with a star on the agency’s Memorial Wall.” Todd Ebitz CIA spokesman May 11, 2024 — Zembiec was serving in the Ground … Continue reading

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The CIA Book of Honor — Star 91 : Douglas Alexander Zembiec (April 14, 1973 — KIA May 11, 2007) [UPDATE I : The 2008 Memorial Ceremony]

“Consistent with long-standing practice, we do not comment on who may or may not have been honored anonymously with a star on the agency’s Memorial Wall.” Todd Ebitz CIA spokesman May 11, 2024 — Zembiec was serving in the Ground … Continue reading

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The CIA Book of Honor — Star 91 : Douglas Alexander Zembiec (April 14, 1973 — KIA May 11, 2007)

“Consistent with long-standing practice, we do not comment on who may or may not have been honored anonymously with a star on the agency’s Memorial Wall.” Todd Ebitz CIA spokesman May 11, 2024 — Zembiec was serving in the Ground … Continue reading

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