American Flags Flying at Half-Staff Today in Honor of Iowa Soldiers Killed in Enemy Attack in Syria

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds ordered all public buildings in Iowa to fly all flags at half-staff until sundown today in honor of two Iowa Army National Guard soldiers and an American civilian interpreter killed in an enemy attack in Palmyra, Syria on December 13, 2025.

Author: James Amos

I'm a retired consult-liaison psychiatrist. I navigated the path in a phased retirement program through the hospital where I was employed. I was fully retired as of June 30, 2020. This blog chronicles my journey. View all posts by James Amos

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Thoughts on the Book: “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig3 Feb 2026
I just finished Jonathan Eig’s biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and I have just a few thoughts to share on my immediate impression of the book. Before I read the book, I got the impression that there might be a detailed description of Dr. King’s mental health. Although I didn’t see any specific … Continue reading "Thoughts on the Book: “King: A Life” by Jonathan Eig"
Groundhog Day Finally Explained2 Feb 2026
Well, by now everybody has heard the official news about what Punxsutawney Phil saw this morning since it’s Groundhog Day. On the other hand, the unofficial news is this: for some reason he saw extraterrestrials instead of his shadow. I know about it only because a drunken official calling me from the Pentagon spilled the … Continue reading "Groundhog Day Finally Explained"
Svengoolie Movie: “War of the Colossal Beast”1 Feb 2026
Svengoolie Intro: “Calling all stations! Clear the air lanes! Clear all air lanes for the big broadcast!” I watched the movie “War of the Colossal Beast” last night. Sena saw only the first few scenes of it in the beginning because she took a bite out of a magical cake she got at Hy-Vee, grew … Continue reading "Svengoolie Movie: “War of the Colossal Beast”"
Still Reading Dr. MLK Jr Biographies31 Jan 2026
I’m just checking in to let you know I’m still reading Jonathan Eig’s biography of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I’m in the last section. I plan to read The Autobiography of MLK Jr., edited by Clayborne Carson next. I’m not ready to share much right now in the way of my impressions other than … Continue reading "Still Reading Dr. MLK Jr Biographies"
The Extraterrestrial and Mutilated Soybean Hybridization Program in Iowa30 Jan 2026
After watching a number of TV shows about extraterrestrials (ETs), I had this vivid dream about ETs invading Iowa. Apparently, I had somehow driven out on some highway that was not clearly marked, maybe Highway 20 which the National Weather Service always mentions as a sort of boundary line between a howling, disastrous tornadimohurricannibalistic storm … Continue reading "The Extraterrestrial and Mutilated Soybean Hybridization Program in Iowa"
Verdict on Kale Salad29 Jan 2026
Well, Sena served the cranberry kale salad today, along with a hearty vegetable soup. If I had not known that the kale was in the salad, I would not have noticed anything unusual about it. In fact, the salad was pretty good, although truth be known, the kale was mixed together with so many other … Continue reading "Verdict on Kale Salad"

Plan for retirement, even if you don’t plan to retire. This means sound financial planning, developing other interests, and nurturing your relationships with significant others. Retire, even if you are not retired. Take enough time off periodically, and completely, with no connections to work, so that you can feel emotionally free from concerns about patients and practice. Of course, there is no reason to retire if you really love your work and relationships just as they are.-H. Steven Moffic, MD See original article in Psychiatric Times