We were not micromanaging Grenada intelligencewise until about that time frame

From Admiral Overboard, Anchors to the Wind by Bruce L. Felknor. From a clipping I have, I think from the International Herald Tribune, probably in the late eighties.

Greatly stirred by the newest heroic naval rhetoric from an American admiral, I fell to musing on the great antecedents in this gallant line.

At once, I was startled to realize that none of these historic gems had been translated into the contemporary English language, and so an entire generation of American teachers, and God knows how many generations of children, have been denied access to this part of their heritage.

The utterance that so moved me, of course, was that of Admiral Wesley L. McDonald, in the Pentagon on Oct. 28, 1983. Who could forget these words? "We were not micromanaging Grenada intelligencewise until about that time frame."

Thus inspired, I have translated a small selection of earlier admirals heroic prose for the edification, indeed enjoyment, our young, for whom the original language lies undeciphered on the page.

John Paul Jones, off the English coast (Sept. 23, 1779). Rejecting surrender, he said, "I have not yet begun to fight."
What he meant was: Combatwise the timeframe is upcoming.

Oliver Hazard Perry, at the battle of Lake Erie (Sept. 10, 1813). "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." What he meant was: Area accessed in combat mode; mission finished.

David Farragut, on Mobile Bay (Aug. 5, 1864). "Damn the torpedoes. Go full speed ahead!" What he meant was: Disregard anticipated structural damage. Continue as programmed.

George Dooley, on manila Bay (May 1, 1898). "You may when you are ready, Gridley." What he meant was: Implementation of aggressive action approved; the timeframe to be selected by fire control officer.

For senior citizens, who may recall the old language, what Adm. McDonald meant was, "Up to then, we didn't pay much attention to spying on Grenada."