Yes, our “irritation” was the state sponsorship of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed hundrends over Lockerbie, Scotland. Ideologically blinded folks: this was notable because Qaddafi subsequently abandoned sponsorship of terrorist activities directed at the US, as we nearly killed him. I don’t care whether Reagan slept, ate, danced or made paper mache hats while the F111s were in flight.

Nitpick: George W Bush flew the F-102, not the F-104.

“…he terrified Qaddafi by not caring enough about the operation to let it disturb his sleep.”
He also terrified him by killing his 2-year old daughter in the bombing.

It starts in high school. The bullies who are known to beat their girlfriends (to the point of black eyes and the occassional broken bone) have a continual stream of girlfriends-in-waiting yet the nice guys are usually alone. It seems like there is some sort of attractiveness that the macho guys have that women can’t seem to resist.

I have little sympathy for women who lament that they can’t find a nice guy, for these are usually the women who wouldn’t give a nice guy the time of day.

Philip,
We, who sit housebound and deskbound look up to your exploits and insights. Keep asking those questions, however unusual they may sound, but please never, ever feel it a humbling experience to reflect on Mr. Peterson vis-a-vis relationships. It is obvious that Scott’s consciousness never permeated beyond his own body. He was a loner, despite everyone’s attempts.

More to the point of what makes a relationship work, I want to thank you for Chap. 17 in Travels with Samantha.. Your insight about Lily was incredibly admirable–thank you for sharing your vulnerability. And I’ll venture that this is what makes you attractive, far more than your intellect and wealth . . . that quality you share via your writing. I know that my wife values my sensitivity above all else–it’s what’s kept us ticking together most of 38 years.

Keep on your journey, Philip and thanks for including us in it.

Philip, I believe this is a fundamental insight. Thanks!

“This despite the fact that Scott was an adulterer and murderer, both black marks against a person’s character. So the only reasonable conclusion that a rejected man can draw is that he is less attractive, as a package, than Scott Peterson.”
Very reasonable indeed. The cliche about nice guys finishing last seems to be apropos. No doubt Amber Frye is crying in the arms of some poor fellow about how her boyfriend is a cheating, pregnant-wife murdering bastard and why oh why can’t she find some nice.