Slingshots and Nuclear Options
Summer, circa 1963 - I was just a wee lad visiting my grandparents for a week or so, when I accompanied my grandmother to the market one day. As she selected the ingredients for the evening meal I stood frozen in place, mesmerized by a spinning toy rack. I had a quarter in my pocket, and they had a slingshot for sale at only 25 cents. “Nanny, I want to buy this slingshot. I have the money,” I declared. “Why don’t you wait until we go to the five and dime store tomorrow, and I’ll give you some more money to get a better toy, maybe a model airplane,” was her sage advice. But NO. I wanted something NOW. It wasn’t like I was even in the market for a slingshot. But there it was, catching my eye. And there I was with a windfall of pocket change. Wait one day for a much better toy? No way! I bought the slingshot. Regret showed its ugly face the very next day, as I was tired of shooting pebbles and