Saturday, October 31, 2020

Open Comment Post. 31 Oct 2020

 



If the Republicans fail this Nov it's because they didn't embrace the future by getting behind candidates like John James...

 


I read alot of the comments on this blog.  I drink in all the various view points and try my best to keep it balanced/fair.

One thing has me mystified.

Many are worried that Trump will fail this fall.  I think its possible.  Things definitely don't look good.

So let me get in an early post mortem.

The Republican Party and its base failed because it did not embrace the future by getting behind candidates like John James.  The dude is stellar.  Has a beautiful family, gorgeous kids.  He's well spoken.  Went to Ranger School, was an Apache Pilot and is a combat vet.

He's also African American.

The issue?

He has Republican values.  He has a conservative viewpoint.  He thinks like I do and he has an awesome resume.

His biggest problem in the Republican Party of 2020?

He looks like me.  He's black.  Some members of this party can't get past the idea that you can have someone that is on your side but isn't of your same race.

If the Republican lose this will be why.  They're making their club exclusive while the Dems are making it inclusive.

Friday, October 30, 2020

Philadelphia Police are under siege...what the F#^K are you folks thinking that live in big cities???

 




Geez.

This isn't making the news (at least in a big way...at least from my chair) but Philadelphia Police are under siege!

Maybe I'm just jaded but I really have to ask what you folks that live in big cities are thinking.

I get it.  Night life.  City lights.  All that jazz.  I really do get it.

But the downsides seem to be many and increasing.

I really don't know the answer to any of this stuff except to move away but forget that.

For those that do live in big cities how are you managing during these "interesting" times.

Open Comment Post. 30 Oct 2020

 


M2A4 with its full ERA kit during troop trials

 Pic via TankPorn on Reddit



Are robotic small boat swarms the real answer to dealing with a numerically superior enemy?

 Note.  Was watching this vid of a Turkish proposal (I guess that's what this is) for small robotic attack craft.  Change up the weapons a little, maybe enlarge it to carry weapons that have more reach and could you have the answer to a numerically superior enemy?  They're not constrained by tiny land mass and have the maneuver space of the sea to operate from.  All this goes to my main complaint with Berger's concept.  The solution to a naval problem has to come from the sea.  NOT LAND.  For better or worse the Navy will be required to be the main player in any sea battle.  All the USAF, USMC and US Army can do is play a supporting AND BIT ROLE.  The solution will have to come from the US Navy!


Wednesday, October 28, 2020

The Army should go back to their old skool covers...

 


Army dawgs should go back to these old skool covers with their jump wings and tabs attached (amazing how every swinging dick and ovary can get jump school in the Army but unless you're an officer or recon or another unique unit you can't get it).

That looks proper!

The run for resources in Africa has begun...Russian opens mlitary offcie in the Central African Republic...

 via The Moscow Times.

Russia has opened a Defense Ministry representative office and donated 10 armored vehicles to the Central African Republic in Moscow’s latest effort to expand its influence on the continent, Reuters reported Saturday.

The moves come amid President Vladimir Putin’s push to revive Soviet-era influence and challenge other powers’ foothold in resource-rich Africa. In the conflict-torn former French colony of CAR, Russia has donated small arms and sent trainers in recent years to bolster the government’s fight against militia groups.

Russia’s Ambassador in CAR Vladimir Titorenko said that Moscow airlifted a second batch of 10 BRDM-2 armored personnel vehicles to Bangui as a gift, according to Reuters. The first batch arrived on Oct. 15.

Russia also sent five members of the military, including senior officer Oleg Polguev, who will lead the Russian Defense Ministry’s representative office in CAR and will also advise the country’s defense ministry.

Titorenko said that Moscow was considering expanding its pool of military instructors in CAR, the Russian state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported.

“Russia’s strategic goal in the CAR is to establish full central government control over the entire territory of the country and strengthen the armed forces,” he told RIA Novosti after the first BRDM-2 delivery.

According to Reuters, Titorenko said that Bangui has asked Moscow for help in lifting a UN arms embargo “so that it would be possible to supply heavy weaponry, including artillery and helicopters.”

The UN Security Council cleared Russia to deliver arms to CAR in 2017. The country has faced near-constant armed conflict since 2013, when a mostly Muslim rebel coalition overthrew the country’s then-president and sparked reprisals from Christian militias.

Russia has stepped up its activities in Africa in recent years with military support, nuclear energy and other services in exchange for mining rights.

China is in Africa in a big way.  Russia is starting to make inroads beyond Northern Africa.  Europeans/Chinese/Russians...damn near everyone but Americans go on holiday there.

Africa is the next spot for a major confrontation between powers.  The rush for resources, not gold/silver/oil but rare earth minerals that all our tech depends on is there and everyone with brains will want some (make no mistake...if the US finds itself locked out it will fight to get at least a piece of the pie).

Forget the Pacific.

Forget Europe.

Everyone's sick of the Middle East.

Resource rich Africa is where the next fight will take place and the Marine Corps that Berger is building will be absolutely useless in that fight (well Marine Air might get a work out but everyone else will be sitting at home).

Marine Air-Ground Task Forces were the envy of the military world and now Berger is throwing it away like a used tampon.

Shaking My Fucking Head.... 

Dana Bailey shuts down the WarHouse Gym...

 Note.  Luv this couple and I like them both.  What a shame.  This is the other side of how we've handled the covid crisis.  This is what makes me so upset by the "listen to the scientist" crowd.  Well what about the business scientist, the mental health experts, those bubbas that look at group behavior and how a society responds to troubles?  If you just listen to the medical experts then they focus purely on the "big thing".  But MARK MY WORDS!  When we look back we will see many people dying from treatable illness because they couldn't get to the hospital or see their doctor.  Many others will develop illness because they couldn't be seen by their doctor.  Many others will have died because of this lockdown.

Lastly I leave you with this.

When you impose a lockdown on the sick, infirm, unhealthy its called a quarantine. When you impose a lockdown on HEALTHY, law abiding citizens its called house arrest.  Don't matter how gilded the cage its still house arrest.


Did that Minister of Defense actually get hit?

Interesting.  No hits on that vehicle.  Can't see the other side so maybe the blast did a number on him?

I don't know the issues, barely know the players but this is one curious little war. Really seems like whether Europe wants it or not, the Middle East troubles are slowly inching their way. 

Another hurricane? Are you shitting me?

 


A few weeks ago we were joking that the way 2020 is going we'd get another hurricane.

Sure as shit 2020 don't disappoint.  We got another gawd damn hurricane coming.

Simply amazing.

I don't believe in climate change.  Not anti-science but I'm aware that science is trendy now.  Contrary opinions aren't subject to the scientific method...especially if its popular.  It's simply accepted and people move on.

With regard to climate science?  I personally think its more about another attempt to control.  Whether that control is thru a "value added tax", subsidizing unproven tech while ignoring stuff that actually works (nuclear power should be the bees knees if we're serious about reducing carbon...much cleaner than batteries that all other forms of clean energy rely on).

But I digress.

Luckily we won't take a direct impact.

For that I'm thankful.

You think you have covid exhaustion?  You probably do have it.  Let me hit you with hurricane exhaustion!  I can't wait for 2021 but I'm worried its gonna be as bad or worse....

Open Comment Post. 28 Oct 2020