It’s the Rage—for Pets: We suppose it was inevitable that the craze to implant an identifying microchip on dogs and cats would shift over to humans. VeriChip Corp., which gained FDA approval for its radio frequency identification chips for humans, is lobbying the Pentagon to implant chips, carrying ID and medical info, in military personnel. This is no fly-by-night operation, since the former secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Tommy Thompson, is a director. The Washington Examiner reports that there is some concern from veterans groups and Congress. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) questions whether there might be “less invasive alternatives” and would urge some kind of Congressional oversight into the program. A Pentagon spokesman told the Examiner that the chips are “the size of a grain of rice.” The Examiner notes, though, that Thompson does not yet have an implanted chip.
Planning an Air Show Is Hard. At Andrews, It’s Even Harder
Sept. 17, 2025
Joint Base Andrews opened its flightline this month to thousands of civilians, exposing a normally restricted airbase that regularly hosts the president and foreign dignitaries to a curious public eager to see current and historic military aircraft up close and in action.
