DISPATCHES: Old West & Beyond 06.17.25
“Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time.”
—Herman Hesse
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Good morning. Espionage takes center stage in today's Dispatches from the Old West & Beyond.
(1) The Union Army fielded a command of scouts and spies during the US Civil War to conduct Deception in Blue and Gray.
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(2) The Confederacy, on the other hand, turned to Col John Mosby to conduct clandestine operations against the Union through guerrilla warfare. He was known as the Gray Ghost.
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(3) Spycraft has a history dating back centuries. But spying today involves more than gadgets, cocktails, and fast cars. Intelligence-gathering is all about Trust, Treason, and Treachery.
— FROM HERE & THERE —
(4) Researchers say certain activities provide clues as to whether your body is aging well. Here’s how to determine if you’re in better shape than most.
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(5) Competitive sports of all kinds involve stories that range from heartbreak to triumph. Here are the 100 best sports moments of the century.
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(6) If you’re feeling grumpy, it’s probably because of the heat. Researchers have confirmed that heat has an impact on emotions and behavior.
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(7) One of the most challenging and frustrating aspects of landscape art is creating clouds. Sometimes, it helps to know how clouds get their shapes. https://www.popsci.com/science/how-do-clouds-get-their-shapes/
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(8) Years ago, I flew to New Mexico for the International Balloon Fiesta and was amazed seeing the sky filled with balloons of all sizes, colors, and shapes. If you’re looking for something different to do this summer, consider visiting an unusual regional festival around the country.
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(9) I’ve never been comfortable with the idea of being a passenger in a driverless car. Probably an old-fashioned way of thinking. But the future is now. The US and China are in a race to produce the most robotaxis.
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“I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.”
—Robert Louis Stevenson
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