This pic has gone viral...

Being a leader is hard because you're always under the microscope.  This pic of Dr Fauci has gone viral and I'm assuming its because he isn't social distancing and he isn't wearing his mask (neither is the lady beside him).

I don't quite know what to make of it.  He's been rather strident in the wearing of masks (which I get) but he also seems to be ignoring something I'd like to be discussed here (if we're even capable of it on this blog).

My worry is the effect that the pandemic is having on the mental health of this nation.  What I wonder is why someone hasn't talked to psychologist to put forward what it takes to help keep a population calm during times like this.

The rioting we're seeing I believe is a result of the pandemic more than it is of any grievance.  All the "Karens" that we're seeing is the same.

Fragile people are breaking and that needs to be taken account of...just like the medical side of this...just like the financial cost.

Latest method being used to evade traffic tickets...

Open Comment Post. 25 July 2020

Chinese Type 99A on exercise.

99A pic.twitter.com/8zFbBBFftD

— 马日天 (@z5J6NWig6ByNnsC) July 24, 2020

Eight Inmates On Death Row In California Prison Die From COVID-19

via IHeartRadioNews.

Eight inmates on death row at San Quentin State Prison in California have died from COVID-19 since June. The virus has killed a total of 15 inmates at the prison, which is struggling to deal with the illness. The jail, the oldest one in California, is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks among the inmate population. Since the coronavirus pandemic began, officials said that roughly two-thirds of the prison population has tested positive for COVID-19.

Officials had early success managing the pandemic, but that changed in May, when several detainees from the California Institution for Men in Chino were transferred to San Quentin. Since then, the prison has recorded more than 2,100 cases of COVID-19. While many patients have recovered, there are currently 866 inmates with active cases of the viral infection.

All of the death row inmates who died were convicted murderers.

I'm searching hard to find the tragedy, shock and/or bad news in this story but for the life of me I can't (pun intended!).

China producing a huge number of vehicles...

SK-181 Ready for delivering
Chinese Dongfeng Mengshi plant assemble the huge number of armored vehicles.#China #PLA #Dongfeng pic.twitter.com/kIAQHrrVRm

— The Dead District (@TheDeadDistrict) July 24, 2020

What will the new Missile Marine Corps do when the Chinese get feet dry?  There will not be enough missiles to prevent a landing.  When you get beyond the posturing of "deterrence" you get down to the business of combat.

If the Chinese aren't deterred can the Missile Marine Corps win on land?

I don't think so.

We're in the Japanese Imperial Army's conundrum (self made) of either stopping them at sea or simply trying to make the battle costly.  Once the Old Corps landed the situation wasn't in doubt.  The Japanese Imperial Army knew they would lose.  The best they could hope for is a bloody battle.

That I fear is the fate of the new Missile Marine Corps.  If they Chinese make it to land (and despite this concept they will), all that can be hoped for is to bloody them badly...even though you know you're gonna lose (unless the 25th ID shows up in time!).

25th ID. Lightning Forge 2020...Warriors In Action

Cinch it down tight boys.  The Army in general and the 25th ID is coming to drink Missile Marine Corps milk shake.  The weird thing.  They've gone from a nice to have in Pacific acting possibly as a strategic reserve to a frontline player.  Where once 3rd MEF and the 2nd ID led the way in Okinawa and Korea respectively, it now seems that the 25th is moving to the front.  Simply amazing.

Spanish Army VCR Dragon 8x8 during testing...Video

Thanks to Toni Hawk for the link!

Is this evidence that the FBI at best tried to setup Trump or at worst tried to laid the ground for his removal from office?

I was scrolling thru my feed this afternoon (got a day off) and I ran across this piece from Daily Caller.

John Ratcliffe, the director of national intelligence, on Thursday sent Congress a newly declassified memo related to an FBI briefing given to Donald Trump and Michael Flynn in August 2016 that was used as cover to collect evidence for the Russia probe.

Joseph Pientka, a supervisory special agent, wrote the memo following his Aug. 17, 2016 briefing to Trump, Flynn and Chris Christie, a Trump campaign adviser.

Pientka, who was one of the top agents on Crossfire Hurricane, developed the briefing materials in coordination with Peter Strzok, the lead investigator on the Trump-Russia probe. Kevin Clinesmith, an FBI lawyer found to have altered an email related to Carter Page, also worked on the plan to use Pientka in the briefing, according to the memo.

Here.

Its a bit involved but the upshot is clear.  The FBI seems to have been after Trump since day one.

Dude has done silly stuff since being elected and he has definitely said stuff that has raised eyebrows but Presidents come and go.  The FBI is here to stay and they seem to have had a finger on the scale of national politics.

Should we be concerned?

New Israeli unit, Refaim?

That new Israeli unit, Refaim, had some fun yesterday. I like their brand of fun! pic.twitter.com/xpPqynZuno

— Hans Schmulke (@gunner_schmulke) July 24, 2020

I guess this is the new Israeli SF combined arms unit.  Info appears sparce.

UK and US say Russia fired a satellite weapon in space

BBC News - UK and US say Russia fired a satellite weapon in space https://t.co/oJajDiEzbN

— Jonathan Beale (@bealejonathan) July 23, 2020

Space has been a battlefield since the 80's if not before.  Not at al surprised.  Just wondering what took the Russians so long.  This is the one area where I'm pretty sure we're leading decisively.

RAF Chinooks of 18 Sqn @ Ex Decisive Manoeuvre.