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Handwriting, safari fonts, permalink to these settings, tribeca by typographer mediengestaltung, vintage vacation by fontalicious, de latto by graphic sauce, stangend by fontabenka, jmh safari by joorgemoron, safari by twinletter, genoa by zaenalstudio, mighty souly by graphic sauce, wichy lover by graphic sauce.

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6 Large Safari Letters

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6 pack of Large scale Safari Letters. £1 for each for additional letters

A 6 letter name will be approximately 700 mm long, great for personalising a large wall space.

Special Offer any 2 packs of 6 letters for just £15

Personalise your little ones room with these gorgeous Safari letters.

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Large scale Safari Letters.

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A 6 letter name will be approximately 700 mm long so they are great for personalising a large wall space.

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Large Leopard Print Letters

A cool set of large leopard spots print letters for making jungle safari theme birthday party signs, t-shirts, and more!

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A Guide to Covert Action

Decoding pegasus spyware: peering into the underbelly of digital surveillance, a guide to cyber threat intelligence, israeli covert action: special activities outside the border, espionage in the air: a comprehensive guide to spy planes, anti spy detector: a cold war case study, big safari: the us air force’s marriage with private acquisition.

1.0 Introduction:

In the world of military aviation, innovation and adaptability are essential to maintaining an edge over potential adversaries. The United States Air Force (USAF) has consistently pushed the boundaries of technology, and one program that has played a pivotal role in achieving this is the Big Safari program.

Founded in 1952, Big Safari has been at the forefront of the rapid acquisition and modification of aircraft, enabling the US Air Force to respond quickly to emerging threats and operational requirements. The purpose of Big Safari was to marry talent and technology from private industry with the US Air Force’s evolving portfolio of requirements during the Cold War.

Big Safari was very much a product of the contest between East and West. It gave birth to aircraft which are fascinating in their own right and have become household names. In this article, we will explore the success, development and controversies surrounding Big Safari.

2.0 Mottos, Symbols and Patches:

The following is a cursory overview of the mottos, symbols and patches associated with Big Safari. There are two variations of patches associated with Big Safari, one blue and one tan. The tan one is illustrated below.

There is no official motto printed on the Big Safari patch. Overall, there is no official motto associated with Big Safari. After the program was reactivated in 2006 as the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group, the US Air Force still did not award the program a motto. The emblem was officially approved by the Pentagon in 2021 [ source ]. On top of this, there is no official explanation of the symbolism of the patch.

3.0 History:

In 1952, the United States found itself in an increasingly crowded threat environment. Although the fight against fascism led the United States into a brief partnership with the Soviet Union, the spirit of amicability dissipated rapidly. Soon, the USSR imposed an Iron Curtain across the breadth of Europe and the Korean Peninsula turned into a shooting gallery. The nucleus of what eventually became Big Safari began with USAF Brig. General Walter Wise [source]. General Lauris Norstad, then the commander of US Air Forces in Europe, found himself in need of an aircraft which didn’t exist. In order to peer across the Iron Curtain, General Norstad needed a totally new reconnaissance aircraft capable of performing intelligence-gathering capabilities. In order to quickly develop this new aircraft, Air Force Chief of Staff Hoyt Vandenberg convened a series of meetings with high-level Air Force officers to develop a system which would allow the Air Force to procure the needed systems to rapidly give birth to special projects. To quote one of the Air Force generals involved in the inception of the Big Safari program, George Rhodes:

“There wasn’t anything common with what we were doing. We sat down and said OK: if we are going to do this, the first thing we have to do is to have procurement procedures that permit us to designate the contractor”.

The need to quickly procure contractors for special projects was at the heart of Big Safari’s purpose from the very beginning. The effort was initially envisioned as a 5-year program [source]. Rhodes established 8 separate guidelines which would govern the procurement of contracts and acquisition of new technology. Two of these guidelines stand out above the others. The first was that was not to be any set limit to budgets. The second was that every special project would be closed off to general personnel of the USAF [ source ]. In early 1952, responsibility for carrying out these tasks fell to the Air Material Command, under which Big Safari was initially organized.

3.1 Later History and Reorganization:

The program was reorganized in 2004 and officially activated as a part of the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group in 2006 [ source ]. During its history, Big Safari went on to create the Rivet Joint program of reconnaissance aircraft and support ELINT, MASINT, IMINT and GEOINT intelligence collection efforts throughout the Cold War [source]. A major early contracting partner with the Big Safari program was Convair. Per Rhodes’ guidelines, all development took place at the Convair plant in Fort Worth from 1952 to 1961 [source]. Throughout the duration of these efforts, US Air Force personnel were absent from production efforts. Big Safari is probably the best example of private industry and military necessity for this reason. The Pentagon appears to have fully delegated the task of developing mission-critical aircraft. In this sense, it could very well be described as the origin of what President Eisenhower contemporaneously called the military-industrial complex.

4.0 Organization:

The Big Safari program was initially placed under the direction of the Air Material Command. The AMC was a major command of the newly formed USAF which handles the procurement, logistics and technical requirements of USAF aircraft. During the Kennedy Administration, the Department of Defense underwent a reorganization through a process similar to the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) system [ source ]. The AMC was split into the Air Force Logistics Command and the Air Force Systems Command. Big Safari worked closely onwards with Systems Command [ source ].

In 1992, these 2 commands were once again recombined into the AMC. Big Safari was eventually reactivated in 2005 after a hiatus of unknown length, though it is likely that the program was inactive from the late 1970s till the late 1980s [source]. It was in 2005 that Big Safari explicitly became the 645th Aeronautical Systems Group. The 645th is subordinated under the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Wing. Reportedly, the National Air and Space Intelligence Center provides a certain degree of input into the decision-making process at Big Safari [ source ].

5.0 Notable Aircraft:

There are literally hundreds of aircraft which were developed by Big Safari or received some degree of input from the program. They are too numerous to list in exhaustive form here. Rather, we will focus on a select number illustrating the program’s driving mantra. The program almost exclusively focused on reconnaissance and surveillance aircraft.

5.1 PIE FACE:

PIE FACE was the very first aircraft which fell under the Big Safari umbrella. The Air Force initially partnered with General Dynamics – Convair in order to streamline the procurement of aircraft for special ISR missions, and PIE FACE was the first dry run of this effort. What General Norstad realized in early 1951 was that the USAF’s ISR platforms were not well equipped to image East German and Soviet military formations and equipment moving into Berlin. While we do not know the specific limitations of the Air Force’s previous imaging equipment, given the nature of what was developed in PIE FACE, we can surmise that image resolution was far too poor for the purpose. The Air Force tasked an engineering team at Harvard University to develop a monster of a camera.

The team at Harvard developed a 20-foot-long camera lens, equipped with a pair of reflective mirrors and a huge F-8 lens. At the time, this was the largest camera installed in an aircraft [ source ]. A camera of that size would need a comparable airframe. The 2 units, known as Bertha and Betsy Mae, would come to use the largest roll of film ever ordered from Kodiak in the entire history of that company [ source ]. The only aircraft which was suitable at the time to host this immense array of optical equipment was the KC-97A. The aircraft was upgraded with structural modifications that could support the enormity of the camera. The PIE FACE aircraft was also equipped with 3 K-17 optical instruments [ source ]. PIE FACE went on to fly multiple ISR missions along the Berlin Air Corridor.

5.1 SARA JANE :

In 1954, Soviet premier Khrushchev visited the United States in an effort to thaw growing tensions and East-West rivalry [ source ]. American intelligence officials were reportedly convinced that Khrushchev’s Tu-114 was being used to photograph American military installations as it flew in [ source ]. Even if it was or was not true, it gave birth to the concept of SARA JANE. The idea was to convert C-54E VIP transport aircraft into ISR platforms that could fly over enemy installations in plain sight and under the guise of a diplomatic mission.

The entire project was obscured in an extra level of secrecy at Convair’s facility in Texas [ source ]. In total, 14 P2 cameras were fastened into the wings of the aircraft in fuel-tight pockets. These P2 cameras were complimented by a suite of additional lenses manufactured by Fairchild. Rather ingeniously, engineers added a mechanism that would dump fuel if the panels covering the cameras were removed. The design was designed to be totally covert, so much so that if if anyone ran an X-Ray over the wing, the mechanism would be hidden. The pilot was able to trigger pneumatic doors which covered the lenses from the cockpit, allowing the flight crew to activate the ISR suite at their discretion [ source ].

The two SARA JANE aircraft were stationed across West Germany and were probably utilized as Embassy support aircraft. One aircraft was used to fly supplies to the US Embassy in Moscow. According to retired USAF Colonel Dan Gareri, a Soviet officer accompanied the crew on this flight. By use of a covert inter-phone panel installed in the crew cabin, US personnel were able to secretly trigger the ISR suite without the knowledge of the Soviet minder [ source ].

5.2 NANCY RAE :

Beginning in the early 1960’s the need for large, heavy strategic bombers to deliver nuclear payloads over Soviet or American cities was beginning to wane. This was due in part to the addition of two new arms of the nuclear triad, submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). Commensurate with that shift, however, was the growing need to monitor Soviet ICBM tests with highly advanced sensors aboard intelligence aircraft. NANCY RAE was an early attempt to fill this intelligence gap. The aircraft initially was an unmodified KC-135 which underwent extensive upgrades at the Big Safari facility in Texas [ source ].

The sensors aboard NANCY RAE can be broadly classified into 2 different varieties, optical sensors and ELINT sensors. These sensors would measure not only the trajectory and irradiance of the ICBM’s reentry but also ground communication from Soviet naval assets or ground forces. According to one crew member on NANCY RAE, the crew practically lived on the aircraft while it was deployed in Dakar, Senegal [ source ]. Col. Bill Grimes, a major figure in the Big Safari saga, was deployed on NANCY RAE during it’s later flights.

NANCY RAE had a prolific career. It’s 40-strong crew gained the title “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves”. This name reflected the uncanny ability of NANCY RAE to grab sensitive Soviet communications. The aircraft’s mission profile was so successful that President Kennedy was given weekly briefings on the data gathered by the aircraft [ source ].

5.3 SPEED LIGHT BRAVO:

SPEED LIGHT BRAVO provides an excellent glimpse into exactly why the Big Safari program existed in the first place. On 9 August 1964, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev issued an alarming proclamation. He asserted that the USSR was fully capable of building and detonating a 100-megaton nuclear bomb. This was a shocking amount of destructive firepower. In order to prove his claim, he announced that the USSR would conduct a test of a warhead at a 50-megaton yield. Reportedly, this announcement caught the immediate attention of researchers at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico [ source ].

The team at Los Alamos had a sensor array capable of monitoring the gigantic explosion, but no suitable aircraft to carry it close to the detonation site. A request was put in with Fort Worth and Big Safari to load this sensor array onto a JKC-135A. This particular aircraft had been outfitted with lead lining in limited areas, making it suitable to monitor the single largest explosion in human history [ source ].

Between 22 and 27 October, 1964, SPEED LIGHT BRAVO was received and outfitted with the relevant sensors, a mere 5 days [ source ]. This is probably the best example which highlights the purpose of the Big Safari program. A team of researchers identified a need. The military stepped into the connect their technology with a private contractor, in this case Convair, and the contractor delivered a finished product in less than a week. Reportedly, the Air Force was told to push the project through and deal with the paper work later [ source ].

On 30 October, a Soviet Tu-95 bomber dropped a nuclear payload over Sukhoy Nos on Severny Island. This payload was dubbed BIG IVAN, but it is better known as the Tsar Bomba. The device was intentionally blunted so that it would only detonate at 50 megatons. The detonation was so massive that the nuclear blast created a shockwave the repelled against the earth, such that the fireball never actually reached the ground [ source ]. SPEED LIGHT BRAVO was damaged by the sheer heat of the event and totally irradiated, although the crew appeared to be unaffected by the extreme radiation [ source ]. Nevertheless, the aircraft was eventually scrapped after it was deemed un-airworthy. SPEED LIGHT BRAVO unintentionally flew far to close to the blast zone [ source ].

5.4 PEE WEE 1-3:

The PEE WEE program stands out amongst other Big Safari endeavors due to the close cooperation of the Pakistani Air Force in it’s implementation. Originally a set of B-57 Canberra bombers, these aircraft played a vital role in surveillance of Soviet missile launches out of Kaputsin Yar. The US Navy had a poor track record of honoring commitments made to Pakistan and India, repeatedly crossing over into restricted airspaces of either country. Accordingly, Islamabad told the US Navy it was no longer welcome in Peshawar [ source ].

After a series of discussions with the Pakistani’s, the United States ultimately came into a comprised arrangement. Pakistan would allow for the resumption of intelligence gathering air operations with aircraft piloted by Pakistani officers. Moreover, the Pakistani’s would be responsible for the upkeep of the aircraft [ source ]. The bomb bay of the aircraft was fitted out with a sensor capable of receiving missile telemetry and the nose cone was elongated to accommodate a dual set of phased array S-band antennae [ source ]. Sensors were installed for radiation detection [ source ]. PEE WEE I and PEE WEE II were operational for little more than a year until the introduction of PEE WEE III.

When the USSR shot down Gary Powers and his U-2 spy plane in 1960, President Eisenhower instituted a moratorium on high-altitude reconnaissance flights over the Soviet Union. PEE WEE III attempted to reinstate that mission profile. PEE WEE III was a complete redesign of the B-57’s airframe. The wingspan was doubled to an impressive 121 feet. Two additional engines were added, a set of Pratt and Whitney TF-33-P-11 Turbofan engines. These were far more powerful than the previous Wright J-65 Turbojets. To complement this increased power, two Pratt and Whitney air-started J60-P-9 turbojets were mounted under each wing and could be detached from the cockpit [source]. In addition to this, the cockpit was modified to fit two crew members wearing purpose-built pressurized suits to sustain the crew at high altitudes. A newer ejection seat system was also installed. Because of the high importance that this program entailed, Big Safari was given free rein to avoid cumbersome regulations and bureaucratic fancies to finish the aircraft on time [ source ].

Alongside Soviet missile tests, it is probable that PEE WEE aircraft were used to collect intelligence on Chinese nuclear activities as well. At least one PEE WEE III aircraft was significantly damaged during the 1965 Indo-Pakistani War [ source ].

5.5 RIVET DIGGER:

With the introduction of the Limited Test Ban Treaty in August of 1963, the global environment was given a respite from the deleterious effects of atmospheric nuclear testing. However, Cold War paranoias meant that the United States never fully trusted the Soviet Union to adhere to the terms of the treaty. The ‘Readiness Program’ was started in order to rapidly re-activate nuclear test monitoring aircraft if the Soviet Union decided to violate the terms of the treaty. The EARLY DAY/RIVET DIGGER aircraft were the answer to that need.

Three NC-135A aircraft were set aside for the project. Each was ‘sponsored’ by a different scientific organization. Overall, the KC-135 family of aircraft has undergone numerous modifications and adaptations to fulfil a wide range of specialized roles [source]. These variants have showcased the platform’s flexibility and longevity, allowing it to remain a vital asset in military operations, aerial refuelling, intelligence gathering, and experimental research. RIVET DIGGER probably stands out amongst all of the other variants due to its bizarre features. The aircraft was crewed by personnel from the Air Force Special Weapons Center but complemented by a scientific contingent from each of the sponsoring scientific bodies. Evidently, military personnel found it difficult to manage the larger-than-life egos of the science teams from Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories [ source ].

These aircraft were designed to conduct intelligence gathering on atmospheric nuclear tests, but when they were not used in that capacity, they were deployed for scientific data collection flights. These induced studying solar eclipses and cosmic rays [ source ].

6.0 Phoenix Ghost UAV

This April, the White House officially announced the existence of a new UAV during an announcement of a new aid package to the Ukrainian military. Among the various items, the US was sending 120 Phoenix Ghost suicide drones. Likely very similar to the Switchblade UAV, the Phoenix Ghost is reported to have a certain degree of ISR capabilities. The entire project was managed and sourced through Big Safari [ source ].

The Ukrainians have already begun intensive training with the platform and it’s possible that the system has already been deployed in the Donbas [ source ]. It is still too early to truly assess the impact of this new UAS, but the public will almost certainly be able to catch even a cursory glimpse of its performance in Ukraine given the shower of information and media which is posted online regularly.

7.0 Big Safari and L3 Harris:

Big Safari initially started out with a special relationship with General Dynamics – Convair. Over time, relationships have shifted. Currently, one of Big Safari’s major partners is L3 Harris. This relationship has not been without a degree of turbulence. The Inspector General of the Department of Defense has investigated L3 over the transfer of ISR platforms to the Kenyan government [ source ].

In 2017, L3 and Big Safari came under intense scrutiny from two GOP members of the House of Representatives. According to two USAF Majors, L3 was awarded a contract for the sale of aircraft to Yemen at an excess of $15 million more than the next competitor, IOMAX in 2014 [ source ]. In the case of the Pentagon’s Inspector General’s investigation, it was alleged that L3 was awarded a contract to manufacture border security aircraft for the Kenyan government despite having little to no experience in actually designing or manufacturing aircraft to the required specifications [ source ].

8.0 Other Controversies:

While the US Air Force’s Big Safari program has been lauded for its contributions to the rapid acquisition and modification of aircraft, there have been some controversies associated with the program. These controversies mainly revolve around issues such as cost overruns, lack of transparency, and concerns about accountability. Here are some of the controversies surrounding Big Safari:

Budgetary Concerns: One of the primary controversies surrounding Big Safari is the issue of cost overruns. Critics argue that the program has experienced significant budgetary challenges, with projects exceeding initial estimates and timelines. This has led to increased scrutiny of the program’s financial management and calls for improved cost-control measures. For example, a contract went to L3 over IOMAX, $15 million above IOMAX’s stated price [ source ].

Lack of Transparency: Some critics have raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the Big Safari program. As it operates in a classified environment, there is limited public visibility into the program’s activities, decision-making processes, and project outcomes. This lack of transparency has led to questions about accountability and the potential for misuse of resources [ source ].

Contracting Practices: The contracting practices associated with Big Safari have also faced scrutiny. Critics argue that the program relies heavily on sole-source contracts, limiting competition and potentially resulting in higher costs. There have been calls for greater competition and increased oversight to ensure fairness and efficiency in the acquisition process [ source ].

Impact on Traditional Acquisition Programs: Another controversy arises from the perception that Big Safari’s rapid acquisition and modification capabilities may divert resources and attention from traditional acquisition programs. Some argue that the focus on quick solutions through Big Safari may hinder the development of long-term, sustainable systems and technologies [ source ].

Ethical Considerations: The nature of Big Safari’s operations, often involving sensitive technologies and classified information, raises ethical considerations. Critics question the program’s adherence to legal and ethical standards in areas such as privacy, data collection, and potential implications for international norms, agreements and the laws of war [ source ], [ source ].

Congressional Oversight: Controversies surrounding Big Safari have prompted increased congressional oversight. Lawmakers have called for more rigorous monitoring, accountability, and reporting on the program’s activities to ensure proper use of taxpayer funds and alignment with national defence priorities [ source ].

It is important to note that the controversies surrounding Big Safari should be viewed in the context of the program’s mission and the challenging nature of rapidly acquiring and modifying aircraft in a dynamic operational environment.

9.0 Conclusion:

The history of the US Air Force’s Big Safari program is one of continuous innovation, adaptation, and collaboration. From its early focus on electronic reconnaissance to its involvement in developing stealth aircraft and supporting special operations, Big Safari has consistently pushed the boundaries of airborne capabilities. By bridging the gap between traditional acquisition processes and operational needs, the program has played a pivotal role in ensuring the US Air Force remains at the forefront of airborne innovation and rapid acquisition capabilities. Very recently, the US Space Force announced the establishment of the ‘Space Safari’ program through the Space and Missile Systems Center Special Programs Directorate. Space Safari will play the exact same role as Big Safari for USSPACECOM [ source ].

These partnerships demonstrate the importance of collaboration between the US Air Force and industry leaders in driving innovation, leveraging expertise, and delivering cutting-edge capabilities for the Big Safari program. By combining the resources and knowledge of these partners, the USAF can rapidly respond to emerging operational requirements and maintain a technological edge in the ever-evolving landscape of military aviation.

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Big 12 Power Rankings Post-Spring 2024

A s the calendar turns to May, the 2023-2024 academic year is just about wrapped up. Big 12 fans have gotten to write their break-up letter with Texas and Oklahoma . So it’s time to look forward to the bright new 16-team Big 12 conference. The portal is officially closed, and all teams have wrapped up spring practice. So where does every team find themselves in the first Big 12 power rankings heading into the 2024 season?

Big 12 Power Rankings Post-Spring

16. cincinnati.

Scott Satterfield enters his second season as head coach of the Bearcats. He needs to do something positive after a disastrous first season in the Big 12. But is there any real reason to believe in Satterfield? He is only 28-33 overall in his last five seasons as a power conference head coach since winning his three-straight Sun Belt titles at Appalachian State.

15. Houston

The question on everyone’s mind is how quickly new head coach Willie Fritz can get things turned around in H-Town. The Cougars, just like any program with a new head coach, flipped the roster through the two transfer portal windows with just under 20 new additions as they saw 30 depart. Veteran quarterback Donovan Smith is among the few returning starters back from the 2023 season. Expectations should be low for 2024.

14. Arizona State

This is really year one for Kenny Dillingham. Unfortunately for Dillingham, he quarterback prospect Jaden Rashada to Georgia through the portal. It will likely be up to transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt to guide the Sun Devils offense in 2024. There is a good chance that the Sun Devils will show progress on the on-the-field, but the results in the win column might remain the same as in 2023.

No coach in these Big 12 power rankings faces a more pivotal season than head coach Dave Aranda . The Bears, only two years removed from winning the Big 12, have experience in their favor. Baylor has a whopping 18 starters returning from last season. However, the team is breaking in a new quarterback, and the defense also needs a significant rebound. Last year, the Bears defensive unit surrendered 6.58 yards per play, which was ranked 123rd in FBS football.

12. Colorado

One thing is for sure: Colorado’s possible outcomes this season make it hard to slot in these Big 12 power rankings. Head coach Deion Sanders has two of the best players in all of college football: Travis Hunter  and Shedeur Sanders . However, the trenches are where the Buffaloes are at the greatest disadvantage. Sanders is attempting to flip his entire offensive line for the second consecutive season via the transfer portal. However, without any depth in the trenches and little time to develop continuity, it could be another long season with college football’s brightest spotlight shining down on Folsom Field from the Rocky Mountains.

Is BYU going to suffer back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the mid-2000s? Head coach Kalani Sitake has to hope that the experienced group of receivers he has returning can be the catalyst to elevate the play of transfer quarterback Gerry Bohanon. The Cougars also need to make significant improvements on defense after giving up nearly six yards per play last season.

Will the real Horned Frogs please stand up? TCU did not make a bowl game last season after advancing to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game in 2022. No one expected TCU to compete again for a playoff spot in 2023. But missing a bowl game was still considered a massive failure. The Horned Frogs’ defense lacked game-changing plays, ranking last in the Big 12 for turnovers forced. They also lost stand-out defensive lineman Damonic Williams in the transfer portal to Oklahoma. Sonny Dykes does not have clarity at the quarterback position either heading into the fall camp.

Is Gus Malzahn ready to bring some magic to Orlando in 2024 (and not the Magic Kingdom kind, either)? The Knights have enough talent that could find them in the top third of the Big 12 standings. But it also creates a possibility that they will find themselves missing bowl season. UCF landed one of the most coveted transfer quarterbacks in former Arkansas standout KJ Jefferson . They also return an explosive running back in RJ Harvey . It could be a boom-or-bust season for UCF in 2024.

8. Texas Tech

Historic pre-season expectations were put on Texas Tech in 2023. They fell well short of the pre-season hype, but was it just a year too soon? Joey McGuire enters year three with most of his starters from the 2023 campaign gone. However, McGuire’s recruiting success and depth through transfer portal additions have reloaded the Red Raider roster. Running back Tahj Brooks is one of the best in the Big 12, and five-star wide receiver Micah Hudson looks to make an immediate impact as a true freshman. But the most pressing question is whether the offensive line will improve in protecting quarterback Behren Morton.

7. Iowa State

Is the Big 12 in store for a Matt Campbell renaissance season? The third-longest tenured head coach in the Big 12 enters his ninth season at Iowa State with many feeling he has lost his fastball since 2020. But remember, after a 1-2 start, the Cyclones closed the season with a 6-3 record. For 2024, Iowa State returns nearly every starter on offense and defense. When Campbell has that level of experience on his roster, Iowa State has become a dangerous team in the Big 12 race.

6. West Virginia

Neal Brown did possibly the most impressive coaching job during the 2023 Big 12 season. He brings back a veteran roster for 2024, and its powerful rushing attack will lead to that. Both CJ Donaldson  and  Jahiem White are back after leading the Mountaineers to the nation’s fourth-best rushing yards per game average. Quarterback Garrett Greene also returns after starting in 12 games last season. Can Brown continue a Morgantown build that mirrors the one he had in Troy?

In these Big 12 power rankings, Arizona finds itself in a very unfamiliar position. That position is a team with conference title expectations. When former head coach Jedd Fisch left in January to take the job at Washington, everyone assumed he would bring all his best players with him. However, two key offensive leaders remained in Tucson. The first was Quarterback Noah Fifita , the Pac-12 Freshman Offensive Player of the Year. Fifita also gets his top receiving target, Tetairoa McMillan, back as well. Both will help new head coach Brent Brennan guide the Wildcats into the Big 12 and possibly challenge for the top conference in 2024.

Only two things will likely stand in the way of Jayhawks’ Big 12 title run. Home games in Kansas City could be better while their stadium gets a massive (and much-needed) upgrade. However, the most likely factor will be the health of quarterback Jalon Daniels . Daniels has missed a combined 14 games in the last two seasons and will be running a new offense with the departure of Andy Kotelnicki to Penn State. However, with a healthy Daniels and head coach Lance Leipold limiting distractions, Kansas could be a serious threat in the Big 12 race.

3. Oklahoma State

Let’s all say it together, “Stop doubting Mike Gundy.” It’s almost cliche at this point, but last season really put that train of thought to the test. With a Big 12 title appearance in 2023, can they finally break through and win its first conference title since 2011? It certainly helps to have Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon back in Stillwater. Ageless wonder quarterback Alan Bowman shouldn’t have to worry about splitting starting snaps this season. But will the lucky bounces go the other way this year? Oklahoma State played in six games, which were decided by only one touchdown or less, with the Pokes winning five.

2. Kansas State

All eyes will be on Heisman dark horse quarterback Avery Johnson in Manhattan. He flashed explosive running ability in his limited appearances last year as a true freshman. He has been given the keys to the offense, with Will Howard transferring to Ohio State. Stop me if you have heard this before; Kansas State has a talented 1-2 punch in the backfield, and Johnson has rushing abilities. Head coach Chris Klieman has done a remarkable job since taking over in 2019. Kansas State will be in the mix for another Big 12 title.

I’m so sorry, Big 12 members. The team atop the Big 12 power rankings is one of the country’s most consistent college football programs. Star quarterback Cam Rising will be fully healthy at the start of the 2024 season. Kyle Whittingham always has his Utah squad operating like a well-oiled machine. They still won eight games in a very competitive Pac-12 with their third-string quarterback last year. Their biggest concern is the defensive secondary, but many defensive starters return from a top-20 unit.

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Expecting Bengals to pay for stadium is like looking for money from tooth fairy | Letters

No-tax crowd needs to live in the real world and recognize cincinnati is a big-league city because it has big-league teams.

I’m a fan of Cincinnati and whatever she has. Those who complain  about spending tax money on stadiums lose sight of one fact that should be obvious: Cincinnati is a big-league city because it has big-league teams. Our teams keep us in the national consciousness. How would we look, and how would we feel, if we lost them?

Baltimore lost the Colts to Indianapolis because Indianapolis had a stadium ready for them. Then, the Browns were lured away from Cleveland to Baltimore. St. Louis lost the football Cardinals to Arizona, and would probably be first in line to move the Bengals if we didn’t do what was necessary to keep them here. (Recall that, for some years, St. Louis had the Rams until they were moved back to their original home, Los Angeles.) Now, Los Angeles has two NFL teams, having lured the Chargers away from San Diego. The Chargers were ready to leave San Diego after years of stadium issues.

Hamilton County voters passed a sales tax that enabled construction of both the football and the baseball stadiums we now have. Riverfront Stadium worked well enough for both baseball and football for decades after it opened in 1970. But well enough is not good enough today. Big-league sports are highly competitive among cities, and the currency of that competition is stadiums. The list of cities without big-league sports who would line up to take the Bengals or the Reds with offers of new stadiums is long: Columbus, Memphis, Birmingham, Oklahoma City ,Austin, Portland, Sacramento, and who knows how many others as time goes on and growth occurs.

Expecting teams to pay for their own stadiums or improvements is like expecting money from the tooth fairy. TQL Stadium was built by the Lindners with their own money, but that is a happy aberration from the normal and usual, spurred in part by the requirement of Major League Soccer for a soccer-specific stadium.

Stadiums are public works that maintain the status of the city just as water and sewer utilities do. They attract new businesses and residents, visitors and conventions, as long as they have big-league sports to occupy them on a regular basis. Cincinnati is fortunate that baseball and football teams found the right circumstances to locate here at propitious times over the city’s long history.

The no-tax crowd are living in a world their limited intellects imagine, not the real world they refuse to see. Let them express their thoughts and vote when necessary, but give them the minimum attention they deserve.

William B. Singer, West End

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Jewish columbia students pen powerful open letter to anti-israel protesters: ‘we can repair our campus’.

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Jewish students at Columbia University penned a powerful open letter to the anti-Israel protesters who “demonize” them — saying it is “never too late” to repair “political and religious divides.”

The letter — signed by more than 250 students — said they never wanted to be political activists, but were forced into the role by those “who demonize us under the cloak of anti-Zionism.”

“We do not bang on drums and chant catchy slogans,” the letter read. “We are average students, just trying to make it through finals much like the rest of you.

“If the last six months on campus have taught us anything, it is that a large and vocal population of the Columbia community does not understand the meaning of Zionism, and subsequently does not understand the essence of the Jewish People,” the letter continued.

“Yet despite the fact that we have been calling out the antisemitism we’ve been experiencing for months, our concerns have been brushed off and invalidated.”

Despite the strife — which at Columbia has included weeks of anti-Israel protests that came to a dangerous head when rioters barricaded themselves inside Hamilton Hall — the students said it’s “never too late to start repairing the fractures and begin developing meaningful relationships across political and religious divides.”

“Our tradition tells us, ‘Love peace and pursue peace,’” the letter read. “We hope you will join us in earnestly pursuing peace, truth, and empathy. Together we can repair our campus.”

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Columbia has been a hotbed of pro-Palestine demonstrations in recent weeks — so much so that the NYPD had to go in last week and clear out the massive tent encampment and root out protesters who occupied historic Hamilton Hall.

The student letter highlighted a number of antisemitic incidents that allegedly stemmed from those protests — which eventually led the school to cancel its spring university-wide commencement.

Jewish students felt “helpless” when they saw students and faculty block them from entering shared portions of the campus, the letter said.

“We know all too well that antisemitism is shapeshifting,” the letter read. “The silence is familiar. We will never forget.”

“One thing is for sure. We will not stop standing up for ourselves,” it continued. “We are proud to be Jews, and we are proud to be Zionists.”

But even though the students wrote that they support Israel — and that Zionism is inseparable from the Jewish identity — they all have different visions for what the Middle East’s only democracy should look like.

“Our love for Israel does not necessitate blind political conformity. It’s quite the opposite,” the letter said.

“Israeli political disagreement is an inherently Zionist activity … all it takes are a couple of coffee chats with us to realize that our visions for Israel differ dramatically from one another.”

“Yet we all come from a place of love and an aspiration for a better future for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

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Israel secures spot in Eurovision 2024 grand final

Switzerland and the Netherlands, two of the favourites to win Eurovision 2024, secured spots in Saturday's grand final alongside Israel despite large protests against the country's participation and booing during its performance.

Letters to the Editor | Ban on lab-grown meat a big mistake | Letters…

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Letters to the editor | ban on lab-grown meat a big mistake | letters to the editor.

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to the global warming causing the sea-level rises since 2010 that are inundating Florida’s coastal cities. But instead of supporting efforts to reduce the existential threat that global warming poses to Florida, DeSantis is fueling this impending disaster.

The damage doesn’t stop there. This ban could eliminate Cape Canaveral as a future launch site for SpaceX because they are developing lab-based meat production for space travel.

Then again, if Cape Canaveral slips underwater, the lab-grown meat problem will be moot, anyway.

Floridians can oppose DeSantis’ efforts to destroy Florida by resolving to decrease their consumption of meat obtained from animals. As an added benefit, they will benefit from eating a healthier diet, too.

Robert C. Speth, Ph.D., FAAAS, FAHA, Davie

Don’t buy it, then

On May 1, Gov. DeSantis signed a ban on lab-grown meat.

The justification is “to stop the World Economic Forum goal of forcing the world to eat lab-grown meat and insects.”

Under the guise of protecting us from the elite, DeSantis is selling out our freedom to commercial ranching interests. In this, the free state of Florida, I should have the right to buy lab-grown meat, if I so choose.

If you think it’s yucky, then don’t buy it. That’s what real freedom looks like.

But as technology improves, lab-grown meat may taste just as good and eventually become our cheapest source of meat.

When that time comes, that’s real money that DeSantis is taking away from consumers and handing over to commercial interests. The free state of Florida should be no place for a ban on consumer choice. To the governor and the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Jay Collins, Republican of Tampa, I say: Shame, shame.

Esteban Pimentel, Weston

Deciding what we eat

We can’t learn Black history like we used to in Florida. We can’t “say gay,” we can’t read the books we choose. There’s a list a mile long of the things Floridians can’t do.

But this latest one is the wackiest. Now Gov. Ron DeSantis and his puppets in the Legislature have decided they are going to tell us what we can’t eat. As crazy as it seems, they have passed a law that says we can’t have lab-grown meat.

For anyone who has tried it, lab grown meat is tasty, extremely healthy and better for the environment. In the future, it will dominate the market.

But here in the so-called “Freedom State” of Florida, our government says we can’t talk, we can’t read, we can’t protest, and now we can’t eat — without their permission.

Martin Kleinbart, Aventura

To reduce car drownings

Several hundred people drown in their cars each year from what are known as vehicle submersion accidents. Many of these tragedies occur in Florida.

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal called attention to this problem, and now there may be a solution. Boston Whaler sells unsinkable boats due to their judicious use of foam flotation. Perhaps the auto industry should examine the feasibility of foam flotation, either to prevent vehicles from sinking or to delay sinking, to  give occupants a fighting chance to get out alive.

Since this is such a serious problem in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis should consider seeking research in this area.

James Cohen, M.D., Fort Lauderdale 

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