Paul Harvey, the news commentator and talk-radio pioneer whose staccato style made him one of the United States’ most familiar voices, reached more than 24 million listeners at the peak of his career.
Although he was very accurate on everything he had to say, no one could imagine that his famous words from 54 years ago would become the reality of today.
I read this today and thought how relevant it is.
The speech was broadcast by legendary ABC Radio commentator Paul Harvey on April 3, 1965.
He starts his ‘prophesy’ by saying: If I were the Devil… and then continues discussing issues that are these days ours to face.
EVERYBODY should listen to this. Sad to say but Paul Harvey was spot on 54 years ago.
”If I Were the Devil If I were the Prince of Darkness I would want to engulf the whole earth in darkness.
I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree.
So I should set about however necessary, to take over the United States.
I would begin with a campaign of whispers.
With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whispers to you as I whispered to Eve, “Do as you please.”
To the young I would whisper “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that “man created God,” instead of the other way around. I would confide that “what is bad is good and what is good is square.”
In the ears of the young married I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be “extreme” in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct.
And the old I would teach to pray — to say after me — “Our father which are in Washington.”
Then I’d get organized.
I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull, uninteresting.
I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies, and vice-versa.
I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing, less work. Idle hands usually work for me.
I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could, I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction, I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.
If I were the Devil, I would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions; let those run wild.
I’d designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and I’d get preachers to say, “She’s right.”
With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to vote against God and in favor of pornography.
Thus I would evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, then from the Houses of Congress.
Then in his own churches I’d substitute psychology for religion and deify science.
If I were Satan I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg
And the symbol of Christmas a bottle.
If I were the Devil I’d take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. Then my police state would force everybody back to work.
Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.
If I were Satan I’d just keep doing what I’m doing and the whole world go to hell as sure as the Devil”
I use to listen to Paul Harvey with my mom in the 70s. He is very accurate on everything he says. All the things he mentioned 54 years ago are exactly what’s going on NOW!
Incredible man, Incredible insight. Share this if you agree.
Why don’t airplanes fly in a straight line to save fuel?
Have you ever looked at a flight path on a map and wondered why airplanes take curved routes instead of flying in a straight line? Wouldn’t flying in a direct line be more fuel-efficient and faster? At first glance, it seems logical that a shorter distance would result in less fuel consumption, but in reality, aviation is far more complex.
Several factors determine flight paths, including the Earth’s shape, jet streams, weather conditions, and air traffic regulations. Let’s break down why airplanes rarely fly in a straight line and how their curved paths actually make flights more efficient.
The Earth’s Shape and the Great Circle Route
One of the biggest reasons airplanes don’t fly in a straight line is the Earth’s curvature. While we often view flight maps as flat, the Earth is a sphere, and the shortest path between two points is actually an arc called the Great Circle Route.
If you take a globe and use a string to connect two distant locations, you’ll notice that the shortest route often curves rather than follows a straight path. This is why flights from New York to Tokyo pass over the Arctic region rather than flying directly west across the Pacific Ocean.
Using the Great Circle Route helps planes save both time and fuel, even though it appears curved on a flat map.
Jet Streams and Weather Conditions Impact Flight Paths
Another key factor affecting airplane routes is jet streams—high-altitude wind currents that move at speeds of up to 200 mph (320 km/h). Pilots strategically plan routes to take advantage of these strong winds when possible.
Video : Why Airplanes Don’t Fly Straight
Flying with jet streams allows an airplane to get an extra push, helping it move faster while burning less fuel. Flying against a jet stream can slow down the plane significantly, increasing fuel consumption. Pilots often adjust routes to avoid strong headwinds, even if it means flying a longer distance.
Additionally, storms, turbulence, and severe weather conditions also play a role in determining flight paths. Airplanes may adjust mid-flight to bypass dangerous weather zones, thunderstorms, or areas with extreme turbulence.
Air Traffic Control and Flight Regulations
Air traffic isn’t a free-for-all where planes can just fly wherever they want. There are strict regulations set by aviation authorities and air traffic control (ATC) that dictate flight routes.
Some of these rules include restricted airspace, where certain areas, such as military zones, national security locations, and political zones, prohibit commercial flights from entering. Predefined flight corridors exist to avoid mid-air collisions, ensuring flights follow established air traffic lanes. Major airports handle hundreds of flights daily, so ATC ensures safe and efficient arrivals and departures.
Due to these regulations, airplanes cannot always take the most direct path and must follow designated routes instead.
Avoiding Air Turbulence for Passenger Comfort
Turbulence can make a flight uncomfortable, and pilots actively adjust routes to minimize rough air conditions. There are different types of turbulence, including thermal turbulence caused by warm air rising from the ground. Flying at higher altitudes helps avoid this.
Mechanical turbulence happens near mountains and rough terrains where wind patterns shift unpredictably. Clear-Air Turbulence (CAT) is sudden, strong air currents in high altitudes that are difficult to predict.
To ensure a smoother ride for passengers, pilots may deviate from the shortest path to avoid these turbulent areas.
Why Do Airplanes Sometimes Ascend Before Landing?
If you’ve ever been on a flight where the plane suddenly climbs just before landing, you might have felt a bit concerned. This maneuver is known as a go-around and is actually a common and safe aviation practice.
Some reasons why pilots perform a go-around include runway clearance issues. If another plane hasn’t cleared the runway in time, pilots must abort the landing and circle back. Poor weather conditions, such as poor visibility, strong crosswinds, or sudden gusts, can make a landing unsafe. If a plane is too fast, too high, or not properly aligned with the runway, the pilot will ascend and try again for a safer landing.
Go-arounds are standard procedures in aviation and ensure passenger safety above all else.
The World’s Longest Non-Stop Flight
While most flights follow curved paths, some routes push the limits of non-stop travel. The longest direct commercial flight in the world is from Singapore to Newark, New Jersey, USA.
This flight covers a distance of 10,400 miles (16,700 km) and takes approximately 18 hours and 45 minutes. It follows a carefully optimized path to balance fuel efficiency, wind conditions, and passenger comfort.
Video : Does Earth’s Rotation affect the Airplanes Speed & Flight Time
What Happens If a Plane Suddenly Loses Cabin Pressure?
A sudden drop in cabin pressure is often portrayed as a dramatic event in movies, but in reality, pilots are well-trained to handle it calmly.
When this happens, oxygen masks automatically deploy, and passengers should put them on immediately and breathe normally. The plane will descend to a safe altitude where oxygen levels are sufficient for breathing. The flight crew will assess the situation and communicate with passengers.
Losing cabin pressure doesn’t mean the plane will crash—pilots follow strict safety protocols to handle such incidents efficiently.
Final Thoughts: Why Curved Flight Paths Are More Efficient
While it may seem counterintuitive, airplanes take curved routes instead of straight lines to optimize flight efficiency, fuel usage, and passenger safety. Factors such as the Earth’s shape, jet streams, air traffic control, and weather conditions all play a crucial role in determining flight paths.
So next time you’re on a plane and see the route map displaying a curved flight path, remember there’s a lot of science and planning behind it to ensure you reach your destination as safely and efficiently as possible.
Leave a Reply