Captain Dave

I’m a Really Lucky Man II.
By an accident of birth, I’m a US citizen, born into a middle class suburban family, big fenced back yard with a puppy and a turtle, p*e wee football and boy scouts. I had nothing to do with these factors. It was just plain good luck.
I have stayed healthy throughout my life. I’ve made plenty of bad health choices but luck has been good so far.
So many people are not so lucky. By accident of birth a child is born into the Gaza Strip, or born a girl in Afghanistan. Even in affluent parts of the US, people are hurt in accidents or diagnosed with life threating disease. Suffering occurs all over the earth. No matter where you live, suffering can’t be eliminated. Most suffering is the result of just plain bad luck. For those who are suffering I have empathy.
Okay Dave, you talk the talk, how are you going to walk the walk? Quite honestly, I have made little self-sacrifice for suffering people. The little I do is in the from of paying taxes to a government which distributes aid to the poor, sick and oppressed. I support USAID, Medicaid and food stamps. I support government spending on education and medical research. I do not consider this type of spending to be waste, fraud or abuse.

I’m a really lucky man.
I have enjoyed a lifetime of good health in a loving family.
The investment that the US has made in education and the sciences has created a health care system that makes a “lifetime of good health” much more likely. Twice I have been snatched from life threatening situations in remote corners of Alaska by the US Coast Guard, definitely helping my “lifetime of good health” to become a reality. In the US, I received a public education and the freedom to use that education inside a framework of economic stability and opportunity. I have felt safe living behind a shield of laws and professional law enforcement. I have felt safe from attack by foren invaders while living behind a strong and professional military.
All of these advantages are afforded to me by agencies working inside a body we call government. Like any body, government requires regular checkups and occasional surgery to remain healthy. Unlike a machine, a body can’t be turned off, overhauled, then restarted. A body has to continue running while its being worked on.
I prefer this body get its regular checkups from inspector generals. If surgery is necessary, I prefer the use of a scalpel to that of a chainsaw.

Tyranny requires your fear, your silence and your compliance.
In my case, the Trump administration has got me on the first one. I definitely fear the purging of guardrails in our government agencies. No matter who you are, your spidey sense has got to be setting off some alarm bells.
I’m done being silent. I have avoided speaking up on politics and religion because I didn’t want to offend my family, friends and customers. I have been what you might call “politically correct”. Last November, I received a mandate from the American people. Being offensive is A Okay, it’s the new normal. Sad but true.
I’m just an average joe so my non-compliance won’t mean much in the big picture. I’m still going fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and I look forward to my next sighting of Denali as I fly over Alaska.
Dave Jones

Thoughts about Ukraine.
In my lifetime the US has fought totalitarian, communist regimes all over the globe. In Korea, Cuba, Viet Nam, and Central America we sent not only arms and supplies. We sent the blood of our own troops. With the blood of our own troops we fought totalitarian, Islamic regimes in Iraq and Afghanistan and Somalia. In most of these cases we trained and supplied local troops who did not fight after we pulled out. The totalitarian regimes won out in the end.
Ukraine is a different story. Ukraine’s people have taken on this fight with their own blood!
I’m so proud of what the US has done for Ukraine up to this time. Along with our allies, we have rallied them on and sent them supplies and weapons. We have led them to believe that “we have your back”. I’m so proud of their will to fight and defend their own country.
I’m ashamed of Donald Trump’s about face. I think his bone spurs are acting up again.
James “Dave” Jones, Kodiak Island

Got to meet a real science rockstar along with 5000 of his closest friends.
Rational Thinking!

This rod was a gift from Mickey in 1999. The reel was a gift from Fritz Jorg. I was blessed with the chance to fish it with good friends on the Ayakulik this past week.

Termination dust on the mountain in Ugak Bay. It’s fall for AlpenView. Next spring this beautiful place will open as Kodiak Wilderness Lodge. Check out www.Kodiakwildernesslodge.com

Big fun fly fishing in freshwater streams. September at AlpenView/Kodiak Wilderness Lodge.
We can set up your 2024 trip when you are ready.

Mickey and I received a wonderful, laser cut, relief map of Ugak Bay. A retirement gift from the Scott Family.
Thanks Philip!

Family week at AlpenView and we get a fly by from our friend and future owner, John and the rest of the crew in a Coast Guard rescue helicopter. Then we take a traditional Alaskan banya with willow switches and a cold dip in Ugak Bay.

Mickey and I are enjoying the summer weather at AlpenView