A draft to be initiated in Tennessee? Maybe, but not for the military. Two state legislators want to draft parents:

A proposal making its way through the General Assembly would require parents with children in kindergarten through grade 4 to ‘’volunteer'’ at least 12 hours a year. And they couldn’t just show up — they’d be expected to get involved in the teaching process by tutoring, chaperoning lesson-related field trips or helping students play educational games.

This is such an incredibly stupid idea I hardly know where to begin. And yes, I characterize it as a “draft” because that’s exactly what it is, compulsory government service.

The bill is sponsored by Sen. John Ford, D-Memphis, and Rep. Lois DeBerry, D-Memphis. What a surprise. Ford has, shall we say, issues of a fairly severe nature.

Unlike military draftees, though, the bill makes no provision for payment of the drafted parents. I think the word for that is “slavery.”

Transcontinental speed record holder, former SR-71 pilot Ed Yeilding, showing a remarkable unconcern about whom he is photographed with

Today at church I had the pleasure to meet retired Air Force pilot Ed Yeilding, who honored us by attending before he headed home to Alabama. He said he had seen me on The O’Reilly Factor on April 4. In Nashville for a couple of days, he looked me up, which was very kind.

Ed was an SR-71 “Blackbird” reconnaissance aircraft pilot for several years. When the plane was retired from service in 1990,

an SR-71 (972) accomplished history on a record breaking flight from Los Angeles to Washington, DC Pilot Ed Yielding [sic] and RSO Joseph T. “JT” Vida made the flight in 64 minutes, 54 seconds, averaging 2,144.8 mph, setting the coast- to- coast world speed record. On that historic event, aircraft 972 was turned over to the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum at Dulles International Airport. [link]

Ed Yeilding, right, with co-crewman J.T. Vida

As you may imagine, it is fascinating to talk with Ed in person. There are only about 100 SR-71 pilots, according to Ed, and about that many navigators. It’s a very exclusive club! Many thanks to Ed and all his comrades for their invaluable service for well over two decades of the Cold War.