I'm just glad I wasn't a government employee when Ms. Earhart was around. Her "polite requests" go wayyyyyyyyy beyond what any normal, sane, rational taxpayer would even dream of expecting.
Train you to do mid-air refueling at our expense and then position the ships and airplanes to do it? No problem!
Oh, that won't work for you? How about an airstrip, then, would that be better? Do you need us to get the gas there for you as well? Easy cheesy!
I mean, seriously, give me a break. America was still clawing its way out of the Great Depression, which my father has informed me was NOT fun.
LTM,
Monty Fowler, TIGHAR No. 2189 CER