iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 2h

The Air Force's answer to its chronic pilot shortage looks a lot like playing video games. How the old way of training aviators has passed and why it's likely a good thing. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Air Force pilot training these days looks a like lot playing video games

The Air Force let us into Laughlin AFB for a firsthand look at its new, streamlined system for training pilots. Here's what we found.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 23h

This one-man show on the life of war correspondent Ernie Pyle is something I wish I could see. As journalists go, he’s one of the most important of the 20th century, and critical to me. I like to say that I walked in Ernie's shadow in Iraq and Afghanistan. www.militaryreporters.org/2026/10/come...

militaryreporters.org

Come to an evening with WWII wartime columnist Ernie Pyle, a one-man show starring Steve LaRocque - Military Reporters and Editors

News from Military Reporters and Editors - MRE for reporters, editors, digital, photo and visual journalists covering the military, national security and defense.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A continuing drumbeat from the administration about voter fraud and noncitizens casting ballots, even when their own investigations show it's rare, is one reason Democrats, civil rights groups and election officials are bracing for Trump intervening in November’a vote. www.yahoo.com/news/politic...

yahoo.com

Trump's campaign against noncitizen voting demonstrates it's rare and not enough to swing elections

The Trump administration's campaign to root out noncitizen voting is demonstrating what critics of President Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories have long argued — that it's incredibly rare, d...

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Great lede: It was meant to be a dramatic confrontation, a public accusation of perjury against Jack Smith, the special counsel who investigated Donald J. Trump. Instead, Sen. Eric Schmitt’s amateur sleuthing into basketball led him to the wrong game, league and state. tinyurl.com/ypfmde2y

tinyurl.com

Jack Smith Defends Trump Charges as Senator’s Perjury Claim Falters

A Republican eager to prove the former special counsel was dishonest appeared to instead demonstrate his own confusion over basic facts.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

At 9/11 Tribute, Trump Says Firefighters Carried Him to Safety: He's long sought to put himself close to the recovery and made questionable and provocative statements, in one case a widely debunked claim that Muslims in New Jersey celebrated after the planes hit WTC. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/u...

nytimes.com

At 9/11 Tribute, Trump Claims Firefighters Carried Him to Safety

President Trump has long sought to position himself close to the Sept. 11 recovery effort and has made a series of questionable and provocative statements to burnish his political brand.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

A Doctor Sued 700 Patients for Debts; 81 Were Arrested. Patients’ paychecks were garnished and they were routinely 18% annual interest. The unpaid bills ranged from several thousand dollars to as little as $101. Now, the doctor turned collection agent is a US senator. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/08/u...

nytimes.com

Roger Marshall Sued 700 Patients for Debts; 81 Were Arrested. Now He’s a Senator.

Patients sued by Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas were routinely charged 18 percent interest, The Times found. Some had bank accounts garnished.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

The dorm complex falling apart at the seams cost $800M when it opened in 2010. The Air Force won't commit to investigate why medical dorms at Fort Sam Houston fell into ruin www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Air Force won't commit to study why Fort Sam dorms became uninhabitable

Dorms at the Medical Education and Training Campus in San Antonio are being emptied because of mold and other problems. Replacing them will cost $1.4 billion.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

The original dorms cost $800 million to build and then fell apart over 16 years. We had questions, but the Air Force won't commit to investigate why those dorms for medics at Fort Sam Houston fell into ruin. More to come. Subscribe. expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Air Force won't commit to study why Fort Sam dorms became uninhabitable

Dorms at the Medical Education and Training Campus in San Antonio are being emptied because of mold and other problems. Replacing them will cost $1.4 billion.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

There's a trial date for the Army doctor accused of sexually abusing 93 women. The judge signed the order yesterday, somewhere around the time our story first published. You read it here first, which is why you subscribe. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

March trial set for Army doctor accused of sexually abusing 93 women

A parade of witnesses is expected to be called during the Fort Hood trial of Maj. Blaine McGraw, which could last for six weeks or more.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

March trial set for Army doctor accused of sexually abusing 93 women. "It’s the longest I've heard of that I can recall," says one expert, Geoffrey Corn. "It’s a function of evidence, that’s it. And most cases don’t involve 200 witnesses.” www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

March trial set for Army doctor accused of sexually abusing 93 women

A parade of witnesses is expected to be called during the Fort Hood trial of Maj. Blaine McGraw, which could last for six weeks or more.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Farmers Struggle to Get Basic Services From Depleted Ag Dept. Sharp attrition, largely through voluntary resignations and dismissals by the Department of Government Efficiency, have left many of the department’s local offices with skeletal staffing. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/u...

nytimes.com

Farmers Struggle to Get Basic Services From Depleted Agriculture Dept.

After the departure of thousands of federal workers, rural communities report problems obtaining loans, grants, technical assistance and support for infrastructure and other services.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Air Force picks contractors for $1.4B job to tear down, rebuild dorms at Fort Sam. A month ago, Medical Education & Training Campus dorms were evacuated because of mold and shoddy construction. More than 5K-+ students are moving to safer housing. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Air Force picks contractors for $1.4B job to rebuild dorms at Fort Sam

Dorms at the Medical Education and Training Campus were evacuated in July because of mold and shoddy construction. Pentagon says the new ones will be "quality."

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Moderna and Merck Say mRNA Vaccine Prevents Melanoma From Returning: For decades, cancer vaccines have been one of the most tantalizing ideas in cancer treatment — offering the hope of harnessing a person’s own immune system to attack tumors. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/19/s...

nytimes.com

Moderna, Merck Say mRNA Vaccine Prevents Melanoma From Returning

The companies say the vaccine prevented the return and spread of the cancer in high-risk melanoma patients.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

Army doctor set to go to trial at Fort Hood in sex abuse case. Maj. Blaine McGraw, who is accused of sexual misconduct in treating scores of patients, was arraigned Wednesday. His trial is expected to start in the spring. We have more in this story. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Army doctor set to go to trial at Fort Hood in sex abuse case

Maj. Blaine McGraw, who is accused of sexual misconduct in treating scores of patients, was arraigned Wednesday. His trial is expected to start in the spring.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Trump Secretly Used Military Jet to Leave Turkey Amid Mortal Threats. Journalists left on the plane he fled out of fear it would be attacked by the Iranians were unwitting decoys. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...

nytimes.com

Trump Said to Have Secretly Used Military Jet to Leave Turkey Amid Threats From Iran

President Trump hid in an airport catering container and was taken to a military jet for a secret flight out of country after the NATO summit last month.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Own a Tesla? Yours could be affected as NHTSA probes Model 3 and Model Y suspension failures. The Austin automaker is among manufacturers w/the most investigations opened in the last 12 months, one its Full Self-Driving system in low-visibility. www.expressnews.com/business/art... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

1.2 million Tesla vehicles face probe over suspension failure

Federal safety regulators are investigating suspension complaints involving up to 1.2 million Tesla Model 3 and Model Y vehicles.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

The MAGA Media Machine Is Fracturing: “A lot of the propaganda that they’re pushing out just isn’t really connecting the way it would have even three or four years ago.” — Ryan Broderick, the founder of Garbage Day, a newsletter about online culture and influence. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/31/u...

nytimes.com

How the Pro-Trump Media Ecosystem Is Splintering Ahead of the Midterms

Once united in support of President Trump, right-wing influencers are embroiled in feuds and losing viewers, creating a problem for Republicans in the midterm elections.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

After Trump order, West Point curbed faculty speech. One professor said no. Col. E. John Gregory told Tim Bakken, the longest-serving professor there, "Stop talking and sit down." He didn't and said he'd sworn an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. www.yahoo.com/news/politic... via @@YahooNews

yahoo.com

After Trump’s order, West Point curbed faculty speech. One professor said no.

NYACK, N.Y. - The longest-serving law professor at West Point rose to declare the school’s new rules unconstitutional. Within moments, a uniformed colonel stood to challenge him. Tim Bakken, speaking ...

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

What happens when a right-wing icon eclipses war heroes? Something any regular person might expect. ‘Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway’ Signs Face Backlash From Vietnam Veterans www.nytimes.com/2026/07/22/u...

nytimes.com

‘Charlie Kirk Memorial Highway’ Signs Face Backlash From Vietnam Veterans

The signs appeared last month on a stretch of Tennessee State Route 386 north of Nashville that was designated Vietnam Veterans Boulevard nearly four decades ago.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Heat, mold and God knows what else prompts mass relocation of medical trainees at Fort Sam Houston. And mass is the word. They're closing five dorms and relocating 5,200 Medical Education & Training campus students at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Heat, mold prompt mass relocation of medical trainees at Fort Sam Houston

More than 5,000 enlisted personnel are being moved out of dorms at the Medical Education and Training Campus at Fort Sam Houston.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

RFK Jr. making America Great for Measles? Some might think that. The sad part is, obviously, kids are getting sick because their parents are idiots: Measles Cases Hit New Record in U.S., as Vaccination Rates Wane www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/w...

nytimes.com

Measles Cases Hit New Record in U.S., as Vaccination Rates Wane

More measles cases have been reported in the United States in the last two years than in all the years from 2000 through 2024 combined.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 17/07/2026

Most of the news in this story has been told, although a couple of things are new. My reason for reporting once more on the demise of U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South is they're historic commands moved far away for vague & specious reasons. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

San Antonio loses another Army command in Pentagon streamlining

Army North had been a fixture in San Antonio for decades. It was formally mothballed in a solemn ceremony at Fort Sam Houston this week.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Brad Simpson is still in jail in lieu of $5M bond. His wife, Suzanne, remains missing and is presumed dead. The judge in his case, Joel Perez, is setting deadlines and this week had a warning for all involved: "This is going to be a long trial." expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Judge in Brad Simpson case sets deadlines, preps for 'a long trial'

Brad Simpson has been charged with murder and other offenses in the 2024 disappearance of his wife, Suzanne. Her body has not been found.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

So the president is going after journalists again bc he didn’t like what they wrote? Well, Military Reporters & Editors has a few thoughts about that:,MRE urges Trump to withdraw subpoenas over Air Force One reporting - Military Reporters & Editors www.militaryreporters.org/2026/07/mili...

militaryreporters.org

Military Reporters & Editors Urges Trump Administration to Withdraw Subpoenas Over Air Force One Reporting - Military Reporters and Editors

News from Military Reporters and Editors - MRE for reporters, editors, digital, photo and visual journalists covering the military, national security and defense.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

It was the flu: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan got my attention when she said, "Nearly 300 service members have become ill...One young American has reportedly died from flu-related causes." That's the first I'd heard that. Rep. Joaquin Castro confirmed it. expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Air Force confirms first death in Lackland flu outbreak, Rep. Castro says

A flu bug has swept the ranks of recruits at San Antonio's Lackland Air Force Base, the service's basic training hub. Nearly 300 are said to have been infected.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Air Force confirms first death in Lackland flu outbreak, Rep. Castro says. But the Air Force, as usual, isn't saying anything to the media. Meantime, Airman 1st Class Keon McDaniel is being buried today in Grand Rapids, Mich. He wanted to serve. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Air Force confirms first death in Lackland flu outbreak, Rep. Castro says

A flu bug has swept the ranks of recruits at San Antonio's Lackland Air Force Base, the service's basic training hub. Nearly 300 are said to have been infected.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Lackland flu outbreak gets worse, with 275 recruits now reported ill. The defense sec’y, who made flu shots optional by saving he was giving troops their freedom, isn’t saying he made a mistake. In fact, he’s not saying anything. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Lackland flu outbreak gets worse, with 275 recruits reported ill

Air Force officials say they are isolating and treating trainees with flu symptoms to try and prevent further spread of the outbreak.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Lackland flu outbreak worsens, w/275 recruits now reported ill. The Air Force, DoD and 37th Training Wing haven't said much about the outbreak, as if sick recruits aren't the public's business. But Rep. Joaquin Castro is giving us the numbers. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Lackland flu outbreak gets worse, with 275 recruits reported ill

Air Force officials say they are isolating and treating trainees with flu symptoms to try and prevent further spread of the outbreak.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Lackland flu outbreak gets worse w/275 recruits now reported ill after Hegseth makes shots optional, saying he was "restoring freedom to our Joint Force.” Neither the Pentagon nor AETC are sharing the latest numbers, but Rep. Joaquin Castro did. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Lackland flu outbreak gets worse, with 275 recruits reported ill

Air Force officials say they are isolating and treating trainees with flu symptoms to try and prevent further spread of the outbreak.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

Did the Air Force order recruits to take their flu shots? That's what we're told, but the Air Education and Training Command isn't saying. They also haven't answered 11 questions I sent Saturday. Meanwhile, 222 recruits were ill as of Thursday. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Lackland flu outbreak sees 222 recruits fall ill, up from around 160

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro says more recruits at Lackland are sick with the flu. In April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu vaccines optional for troops in the armed services.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Lackland reports 222 sick w/the flu as outbreak spreads. This story mentions George Washington's war on smallpox and also recounts the deaths of two Lackland recruits to adenovirus complications years ago. Air Force turned to old vaccines to prevent more cases. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Lackland flu outbreak sees 222 recruits fall ill, up from around 160

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro says more recruits at Lackland are sick with the flu. In April, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu vaccines optional for troops in the armed services.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Pete Hegseth 4/21: "The War Department is once again restoring freedom to our Joint Force. We are discarding the mandatory flu vaccine requirement, effective immediately." San Antonio Express-News reports 6 weeks later, w/40% of recruits refusing shots, flu hits Lackland. www.war.gov/News/News-St...

x.com

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) on X

The War Department is once again restoring freedom to our Joint Force. We are discarding the mandatory flu vaccine requirement, effective immediately. https://t.co/9K5W8g0NsD

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

Flu outbreak worsens: 222 recruits at Lackland reported ill as the flu spreads. The outbreak began around 6 weeks after the defense secretary made flu shots optional for recruits. About 40% declined them. expressnews.com/news/article/l… via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Client Challenge

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

Thanks to Rep. Joaquin Castro, we know the number of Air Force recruits falling ill to a flu outbreak at Lackland AFB has risen. It's 222 and likely climbing. The outbreak began about 3 weeks ago after the defense sec'y made flu shots optional April 20. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Client Challenge

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Roughly 6 weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made flu shots optional, an outbreak has struck basic training recruits at JBSA-Lackland. The Air Force did not report the outbreak for three weeks, and didn't tell the media a recruit died. www.expressnews.com/news/texas/a... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Flu outbreak strikes recruits in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base

The outbreak comes weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said flu vaccination was no longer mandatory for service members. More than 150 are reported ill.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

About 6 weeks after Pete Hegseth let troops turn down flu vaccinations, JBSA Lackland reveals it's had an outbreak in basic training. One airman died Tuesday after falling ill last week, but the Air Force isn't saying if he had the flu. www.expressnews.com/news/texas/a... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Flu outbreak strikes recruits in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base

The outbreak comes weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said flu vaccination was no longer mandatory for service members. More than 150 are reported ill.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 18/06/2026

Flu outbreak strikes recruits in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base. The Air Force has been contending with the outbreak for three weeks, but didn't mention it until today -- after news orgs broke the story. www.expressnews.com/news/texas/a... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Flu outbreak strikes recruits in basic training at Lackland Air Force Base

The outbreak comes weeks after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said flu vaccination was no longer mandatory for service members. More than 150 are reported ill.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

They say loose lips sink ships, but apparently the administration hasn't gotten the message: Trump and Hegseth Broadcast U.S. Military Strikes Before They Happen www.nytimes.com/2026/06/11/u...

nytimes.com

Trump and Hegseth Broadcast U.S. Military Strikes Before They Happen

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Air Force asks for help in finding a mysterious bow hunter spotted at the Camp Bullis training range in northwest S.A. There's one problem, though: The bow hunter was on the range 8 months ago. Air Force was oddly silent when questioned about it. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

Air Force tracks mysterious bow hunter spotted at Camp Bullis

A bow hunter captured on a trail camera at Camp Bullis wasn't supposed to be there. The Air Force wants your help finding him. He was carrying high-end gear.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Diabetes experts booted for criticizing Trump. Rogers said ADA owed the diabetes medical and scientific community an explanation for incident in which police and security guards confiscated copies of the editorial and forced researchers out of convention center. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Diabetes experts were booted from a conference for criticizing Trump

The American Diabetes Association removed the experts for handing out an editorial critical of research cuts. A San Antonio diabetes expert has cried foul.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Army Col. Erin Keyser, a physician, testified Maj. Blaine McGraw told one patient, “Show me the boobs." To another he said, "Can I see the boobs?" and told a third woman, “You have beautiful breasts." Prosecutors say there's a lot more. Sometimes, he touched them. www.expressnews.com/news/article...

expressnews.com

Client Challenge

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

How to Be Old? Here's one rule: Life is a chicken leg, waiting to be snatched. Believe it. Life is a chicken leg even when you’re no longer a spring chicken. Grab it before someone else does. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | How to Be Old

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 25/05/2026

Democrat’s Comment About ‘Zionists’ Drew Rebuke. Will Texas Voters Care? One thing to know: This is a low-turnout race making it more likely that she’ll win. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/25/u...

nytimes.com

Democrat’s Comment About ‘Zionists’ Drew Rebuke. Will Texas Voters Care?

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

In San Antonio, they're remembered: Veterans here plant flags to honor Jewish troops killed in combat. It's part of the way things are done in "Military City, U.S.A." www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

San Antonio veterans plant flags to honor Jewish troops killed in combat

At Jewish cemeteries across San Antonio, veterans are planting American flags at the headstones of Jewish veterans of World War II and other conflicts.

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Sig Christenson @saddamscribe.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

This plane destroyed Iranian speedboats and saved U.S. lives, but it's heading to the Boneyard. “Ask a ground controller, ‘What plane would you want on call for CAS?’ They will almost universally tell you they want A-10s.” Here's our story. www.expressnews.com/news/article... via @expressnews

expressnews.com

The A-10 Warthog isn't pretty and doesn't fly fast. Pilots swear by it.

The ungainly A-10 Warthog looks like it was designed by committee. But no other plane is as good at protecting troops on the ground.

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