If Conyers goes down it looks like he'll drag the rest of the House of Rep with him!

via The Daily Caller.

“Reed acknowledged that while these allegations are serious, they are simply allegations,” the statement said. “If people were required to resign over allegations, a lot of people would be out of work in this country including many members of the House, Senate and even the president.”

The statement said that Conyers has “no plans to resign” despite calls for him to do so. 

Story here. 

It's a weird story about weird people but it's still worth a read in my opinion.  The bigger point?  There are many Senators and Representatives that are shaking in their boots about this.

This is beyond beautiful.

They sought to take advantage of the Weinstein drama by unleashing a political hit job on Moore (who is a nut case I'll freely admit) and while working overtime to stick a dagger in his campaign tried to pivot toward clearing old brush from the party in the form of forcing Conyers to resign but now face political mutually assured destruction.

How are they gonna back down from this drama?

I don't think they can if they want to appear credible.  This thing is about to consume DC, the elite media and the political elite.

I was wrong about something else.

They're trying their best to swing this thing toward being an issue across all walks of life.  I'm sure it is, but the main focus will be on the groups I described.  Relations will be COMPLETELY different in DC/New York/Los Angeles.  They won't soon recover from this drama.

Happy Thanksgiving & Open Comment Post. Nov 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

Wait. Trump revealed a secret op to the Russians and now its being revealed to the world?

via Times of Israel.

US President Donald Trump revealed details of a daring top-secret mission into northern Syria by Israel’s Mossad spy agency and elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit in a May meeting with Russian officials, sticking a dagger into the robust Israeli-American intelligence-sharing apparatus, according to a report Thursday.

The account, published in Vanity Fair based on information from unnamed sources the magazine described as “experts on Israeli intelligence operations,” sheds new light on both the highly sensitive covert operation deep in the heart of Syria and the damage done to the security relationship between the allies after the president revealed the secret information while apparently bragging about the quality of his intelligence reports.

Story here. 

You want to know why I say there is a concerted effort on the part of the deep state to de-throne Trump?  This is exhibit number 1.  We were told months ago that Trump revealed classified information to the Russians.

I get the outrage and I'm not happy.

But check this out.

We didn't know what the information was.  The Russians didn't reveal the info either.  But someone in the intelligence mafia decided to leak this news...specific information...to Vanity Fair to I guess inflame the public once again about a mistake that was made months ago.

This brings something else up too.

Trump IS a buffoon.  He IS an egomaniac.  He DOES seek the approval of the elite despite them openly mocking him.  He DOES appear to have the attention span of a two year old.

But he's right about the leaks and he's right about Sessions needing to have the FBI hunt down those leakers and if necessary also prosecute news media sources that have published classified material.

Facts are facts and the President MIGHT have screwed up in our eyes and maybe even in the eyes of the Israelis but as President HE DOES have the right to declassify any material he sees fit.

What did those Border Patrol Agents stumble into?

The FBI is investigating the incident on the Texas-Mexico border where one agent was killed and another seriously injured.

This thing smells.

Coyotes and smuggled persons know the deal.  They'd be sent back home.  I've even read that catch and release is back on because there isn't enough space to keep all the people they're apprehending.

So illegals would simply play by the rules and turn themselves over to the Border Patrol.

But these people assaulted the agents.

So what did they stumble into?  There is more to this story than we're being told.

Omani military launched the Turkish "Pars x8 vehicle"

via Daily Sabah.

The Omani military launched the Turkish "Pars x8 vehicle" during an event on Tuesday at the Safrat Al Dooh' field, according to the Times of Oman.

Omani Army Commander Maj. Gen. Mattar bin Salim Al Balushi had launched the event that included an overview of the armored personnel carrier and a field demonstration of the vehicle's capabilities.

A Turkish defense company delivered the vehicles to the Omani military as part of an agreement signed in 2015, according to the report.

The selection of the Turkish-made military vehicle followed successful tests, including field tests during different weather conditions in Oman, it added.

Have any of these vehicles seen combat?  I can't think of a time I've ever seen them used operationally.  They aren't in Yemen are they?

Brahmos anti-ship cruise missile successfully air launched from fighter....+ do we need a medium bomber?

via New Indian Express.

World’s fastest supersonic cruise missile BrahMos created another history on Wednesday. With advanced seeker software, the high speed missile was successfully flight-tested first time from the Indian Air Force’s frontline fighter aircraft Sukhoi-30 MKI.

Defence sources said the missile was fired against a sea-based target in the Bay of Bengal off Paradip and Puri coasts during noon hours. The missile was gravity dropped from the fuselage of Su-30 aircraft.

“The two-stage missile’s engine fired up and straightway propelled towards the intended target at the sea. It was a spectacular success. We are extremely happy with the performance of the formidable weapon system,” said a defence official from New Delhi.

The Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) BrahMos weighing around 2.5 tonne is the heaviest weapon to be deployed on Indian fighter aircraft modified by HAL to carry the weapon.

Congrats to India on the success of this weapon system.

It does raise an interesting point though.  Ya know how Light Tanks are making a comeback?  Ya know how we're suddenly thinking about naval guns instead of trying to plug missiles into every mission set for fire support?

I just wonder, considering the size of this missile (and others that will be coming online in the near future) if there isn't a place for medium bombers again?

A modern B-47 with speed, range and endurance would be a welcome relief for our overused tactical fighters.

When the USAF reorganized and did away with the Strategic Air Command I believe they made a mistake.  Using fighters for every mission isn't smart or cost effective or efficient.

We need a new medium bomber.  Oh and hopefully without all the bells and whistles.  Ford Truck instead of Rolls Royce.

Lieutenant General Mark Poffley, deputy chief of the UK defence staff, says cuts in the F-35 a reality of the world we live in...

via FT.com

One of the UK’s most senior military chiefs has suggested that Britain may cut the number of F-35 combat jets it buys in the future as pressure grows on its defence budget.

Despite a commitment to buy 138 F-35B Lightning II fighter jets from the US manufacturer Lockheed Martin, Lieutenant General Mark Poffley, deputy chief of the UK defence staff, told MPs on Tuesday that he was “sympathetic” to the idea that the overall number could eventually fall.

“That’s the reality of the world we are living in,” added Lt Gn Poffley.
Earlier Stephen Lovegrove, the most senior civil servant at the Ministry of Defence, revealed that the cost of an initial tranche of 48 F-35s could rise from £9.1bn in 2025 to £13bn in 2048.

Story here.

These aren't just trial balloons.  This is the plan.  Since we had MP's come on the record stating that they would not tolerate any more cuts to the Royal Marines and amphibious forces, the stage has been set for drastic cuts to the F-35.

One news article compared the fate of the F-35 to what was seen with the Type 45 Destroyer.  They wanted 12 but bought half that number.  Reportedly that's what's being talked about behind closed doors with the F-35...a buy of less than half the programmed number.

The stark reality for the F-35 fan base, Lockheed Martin and the Program Office?  That first tranche of 48 might be all the Brits can afford.

Conyers must resign, Moore must not be elected but Franken is good to go?

via Roll Call.

The most widely read print and digital media outlet in Michigan has called for hometown Rep. John Conyers Jr. to resign.

“John Conyers Jr. must go — after 53 years in Congress, after a stellar career of fighting for equality, after contributing so much to southeast Michigan and the nation,” the Detroit Free Press editorialized Tuesday.

The Detroit-based Democrat first took his seat in Congress during Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidency smack in the middle of the civil rights era in 1965. He is the longest-serving among active federal lawmakers.

Conyers, 88, is the latest member of Congress to fall under public scrutiny for sexual misbehavior after documents from a 2015 settlement with a former staffer over sexual harassment complaints surfaced this week.

Story here. 

Let me get this out front.  I do believe Conyers should have exited stage left along time ago.  From reports I've read it's quite obvious that the guy is just a figurehead and his staff picks his positions for him...early onset is real!  But ignoring my personal view of the guy, this is what we're left with.

Based on allegation they're asking for Conyers to resign?

Based on allegations they're saying Moore must not be elected?

Based on allegations and an admission Franken is ok and should stay?

The Moore thing is obviously a political hit job.  Additionally its obvious that the calls for Conyers to resign are based on the planners in the Dem party attempting to reorient the discussion to clear space for their plan to put in place younger politicians to appeal to younger voters.

What remains to be seen is how they handle the rest of the old bulls on the Democrat side that are past their sell date.  I'm talking about Pelosi, Hoyer and Lewis.

One thing I was wrong about.  I thought that this would burn itself out once Franken was tagged.  I underestimated their determination to steal a seat in the South.

Conyers will not only provide space for a younger politician but he'll also allow the Dems to claim the high ground.  They'll be able to say that they forced a Congressman to resign over allegations and Republicans elected an accused pedophile.

Of course that leaves the issue with Pelosi, Hoyer and Lewis.  I think the powers that be (read that to mean rich donors) will have a come to Jesus meeting and for the good of the party they will simply not run for re-election while bragging about the tremendous unity in the Democrat party.

I need to be a bit politically incorrect now so bear with me.

These are all highly educated, accomplished public officials.  If they're having trouble dealing with the opposite sex then was it so crazy for those of us to raise alarm bells on how we would integrate women into combat arms?

It's just a question so don't kill the messenger....just tell me where I'm wrong.

CCTV - Army overview. Mandarin speaker needed!

Ok. They had a few guys on this speaking rather energetically. WTF were they saying?

Pacific Fleet is snake bit. C-2 Greyhound crashes.

via RealClear Defense.

TOKYO (AP) — A plane carrying 11 crew and passengers crashed into the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday while on the way to the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier, the Navy said.

Eight of the people on board have been found, Japan’s defense minister told reporters, but it was unclear whether they were alive. The Defense Ministry said it had no information on their condition.

Story here. 

The force is strained.  The Combatant Commander concept that Bush Jr pushed has failed miserably...how they could let CC's continue to demand forces at a clip that is higher than wartime is beyond me but the kingdoms have been built and it'll take Congressional action to put them back in their cages now. 

But worse?

People are tired.  They're tired of what they see as being bullshit social experimentation, bullshit deployments, bullshit work and I'm not sure but I would guess that many are tired of walking on eggshells in and out of uniform.

The military will do an investigation into the cause of this accident.  They will propose new measures to correct either a deficiency on the part of the pilot or the machine.

They will NOT take a global look at the force.

They can't.

If they did then they'd realize that the real problem is the way that they're doing business.  They would finally realize that their concepts of operations is wearing out machines and killing people.