THE TTP SUMMER SCHEDULE

Fall, winter, spring, we at To The Point endeavor to have the TTP Weekly Report issued like clockwork – every Friday by noon.  (So it's always pretty crazy Thursdays and Friday mornings!) 

Summers are different, this summer especially.  By the time you get this, I'll be off to run a safari in the Serengeti, then to various remote islands in the Indian Ocean.

The good news about this is that you'll learn all kinds of fascinating things about some of the world's weirder places.  The not-so-good news is that many of these places don't have an internet connection.  Which means there's no way to have a regular Weekly Report schedule.

So here's what we'll do:  post articles and columns whenever and as soon as we can throughout each week.  I normally edit every single item posted on TTP – but in my absence, our back-up editors will step up to the plate.

I'll also launch a new feature for To The Point called The Potpourri.

Here's a confession:  each week I go though an agonizing process of informational triage.  There is so much of import and interest going on in the world, and it's frustratingly hard for me to pluck out from all of it just a few things to write about.

What would ease the agony – and provide an additional TTP asset that I think you'll really like – is a column of bite-sized heads-ups and observations at random.  Nothing in depth or at length.  A couple of quick sentences or short paragraphs, in-and-out, onto the next subject, with the subjects being in no order and all over the map.

I think it will be fun.  We'll start next week.  Here's an example of what The Potpourri will contain:

*…One candidate for the single most dangerous individual to US national security is Dennis Wilder, the National Security Council's Senior Director for East Asian Affairs at the White House.  The former head of China Analysis at the CIA is a rabid apologist for the Communist Chinese, is blocking Japan's and Taiwan's request to purchase next-generation F-22 fighter jets because of Beijing's objections, and severely weakened the Pentagon's 2007 Report on Chinese Military Power. 

Wilder is doing everything possible to prevent the Pentagon from adequately preparing for the coming gigantic military threat from China.  By 2010, for example, China will be able to destroy all our low-Earth-orbit satellites, blinding our military.  Wilder insists the US remain blind to this threat…*

Now, before I blast off for Africa, two notes.

First, an apology.  In getting ready for Africa, there was no time to complete the third and final installment of Asia Minor – modern Turkey from its inception under Mustafa Kemal (where we ended last week) to the fork in the road between theocracy and democracy it faces today.

Feel quite free to bug me to get to completion here.  I'll make every effort to do so while on the road.

Second, a thank you.  This is for all the fascinating and thoughtful commentary on The Blue Dog Hope.  Once again, our User Forums proves to be one of TTP's great benefits.  While I encourage you to participate, it certainly isn't necessary.  Just reading or browsing through the comments of your fellow members is really worth your while.

Finally, I need to give you an update on the TTP Summer Rendezvous. 

Our first Rendezvous in Vegas was so successful that participants could hardly wait for another.  We agreed for one in late summer, and that it be in the middle of the country.

That means the last weekend in August – August 24-26 (the weekend before Labor Day weekend) – in Colorado Springs.

We're working out the details (on which we're getting help from Congressman Doug Lamborn's office who represents that part of Colorado), and we'll keep you posted.

But mark the date and place on your calendar.  We are going to have a wonderful time – for as we learned in Vegas, TTPers are truly wonderful folks. 

And by the way, Colorado Springs and the nearby Rockies are a terrific place to bring your family.  So ya'all come, ya hear, and bring the young ‘uns too!  I sure am looking forward to it.  We sure will have a lot to talk about!