laughingwolf_qh33q8 – Page 17

Mount Pfeiferhorn

There are days this is rough gig, with irate comments (and commenters) being the start, and lots of fun trying to dig down to get to the truth of things. Heck, some days it’s not just a pain, but pain multiplied by costs. This day is not one of them. Days like this help keep me going.

When I first began to hear a bit about Amburana wood, I didn’t pay much attention. It seemed like it might be just a pricey fad. Not to mention that it seemed like people had a hard time hitting the “sweet spot” with it taste-wise. A pretty wood (would love to do some woodworking with it) but not one I thought would do much long term.

I’m glad to say that I appear to be wrong about that. Not sure about ales and beers, but when it comes to whiskey I think it will be around a while. Not only that, but that we will be the better off for it. What brought me around, you ask?

Mountain Summit Mount Pfeiferhorn, Amburana Finished Whiskey from Spirits of the Wasatch is what did it. According to this post, it is a blend (mashbill included) of bourbons and American malt whiskey blended and finished in Amburana. What I think is that it is one of the best American whiskeys I’ve tried in the last decade or two. For the record, if you think you have something better, talk to me and I will give it a fair tasting.

First sniff, one of the things that struck me was sweetness. Not cloying, but a light almost honeyed element that combined with tobacco. In point of fact, it brought to mind some tobacco from an island off the coast of Columbia that went into a formerly favorite cigar. It was as if a thin sheet of that had been brushed with honey, then wrapped around a ball of holiday baking spices. A rich, solid scent robust with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and more. To finish it off, a nice hint of pepper around the edges.

The color is a dark golden oak, which reminds me a bit of a dark version of the Amburana wood itself. Interestingly enough, the wood itself is not of the oak family (it is referred to as Brazillian oak by some) but a variety of legume. It is currently a very limited resource, but the interest from the beverage industry has resulted in new plantings and cultivation. Good.

The mouthfeel is full and rich, and the taste is of baking spices wrapped in carmel, with vanilla following and filling the mouth. There are bits of sourwood honey from my youth (sadly hard to find these days) on the edges. It has a nice, lingering finish of carmel and honey high, spices center, and just a hint of coconut and tropical fruit at the end. Delightfully complex, full, and enjoyable.

On a whim, I decided to treat the last of it in the glencairn as a Scotch, and added a drop of distilled water. It did indeed open it up, and brought out more of the “hidden” flavors within. And while it would indeed make a very good mixed drink (Manhattan, Old Fashioned, etc.) my own preference would be to drink it as is, no water, no mixing. It is something to truly sip and savor.

Yet another solid entry from Spirits of the Wasatch (see here for previous review). I’m really going to be interested in trying their other whiskey products and I’ve heard a rumor they have a rye in works. If so, want to taste it and see how it stacks up against my current favorite rye.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Hostage Puppies

L’Ombre de l’Olivier has some excellent thoughts on a current Hostage Puppy situation, and hostage puppies in general. Check it out.

Dear New Readers

It seems that I may have some new eyes visiting the site, so I wanted to take a minute to get into some background that may (or may not) be of interest to new readers. Some of this may be of interest to established readers as well, as there may be some changes coming.

This blog got started more than 20 years ago thanks to a push by Joe Katzman of the missed Winds of Change blog and science fiction author John Ringo (with some assist by David Weber who pushed me a bit as well). It started as an anonymous blog to write about space, space exploration, and space politics. However, I was accidentally outed almost immediately which did cause some issues but I pressed on.

Space politics, along with defense and national security writing, led into more general politics. On some levels, I loathe politics and am not always good at institutional politics as I tend to be bluntly honest more than I should and I’ve not always had the patience I should. My being a sarcastic smartass on occasion is likely to get me killed if I’m not careful. Responding to a typical Captain Obvious with ‘No bleep! Really?!?’ is not always the best approach even if it is therapeutic.

My own political journey is interesting. My Dad raised me to be an independent, and taught me to vote for the person, not the party. My Uncle James (AL National Commander 63) was a Republican who tried to get me to go Republican early but didn’t meet with the success he might have hoped for. Sad to say, I worked very briefly on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, which is ironic since I’ve spent time since then trying to clean up some of the messes he made.

My thoughts on communism/socialism (two sides of the same coin), are best left unsaid as they can get the blog suppressed. Part was shaped in elementary school when I met (and had a crush on) a Cubanita who’s father was a political prisoner in Cuba. Started meeting survivors of communism from around the world, and cordially loathed such for most of my life.

For all that I found Thomas Jefferson fascinating, I’m probably more Jacksonian in many respects these days. I used to be what would be described as a ‘classical liberal’ though I’ve always been something of a defense/fiscal conservative. I am a small-l libertarian, though I admit that if I had to pick a fictional universe to live in I would quite probably go with the late (and much missed) L. Neil Smith’s libertarian universe (The Probability Broach universe). Had a great time talking with him at WeaponsCon I, where to be there you had to be carrying one or more weapons openly. That was a fun, enjoyable, and well-behaved science fiction convention and I was honored to be a guest there. Need to raise a glass to him and to Irv tonight.

These days, I choose to describe myself as a cranky individualist and independent. The current progressive democrat party is what it is (socialist/communist), and the Republican side isn’t much better. I’ve been amused watching Trump/Maga take over the republican party and wear it like a skin, and the reactions both within the party and without as people realize what is going on. The times are a changing…

I think the worst president in our history was Woodrow Wilson, who started us on the path of rule by the credentialed elite (technocracy for all intents and purposes), followed by FDR, then the Peanut, with Johnson/Obama/Clinton sorta tied. Waiting to see exactly where I put the Biden Regency, but for now will put the Peanut ahead. All of them make Andrew Johnson, Pierce, etc. seem good. I’m willing to entertain discussion on such, as there are a few darkhorse candidates out there as well and a good case can be made for Franklin Pierce just being mediocre.

My political desires are to see the massive growth of the federal government undone, and a return to the Constitutional Republic as intended. The government that governs least, governs best IMO. Within that, I want maximum individual liberty, which happens to coincide with a central point of my religious beliefs. A man (male or female) can’t make a truly free choice if constrained. It’s why Free Will is such a thing in Christianity, and I think that it also applies to our governance. Which begs a good discussion one day soon to get into how the common definition of “freedom” has changed over the years. One is free to do what is right versus one is free to do whatever one wants.

All that said, there may be some changes here as I grow into a new life. Getting hit by lightning ended my old life, and I have a chance to make a new and better life. I honestly do feel I’m alive for a reason, and trying to figure out what it is I’m supposed to be doing is a matter to which I have been paying some attention. After all, if lightning didn’t get my attention, what might come next?

If my health was better and I was younger, monastic life has some appeal. That said, I don’t see it as a viable thing given age and health. As it is, a semi-monastic routine does work for me, in that right now I do best with structure and routine. I suspect some form of lay ministry could be in my future, which also means I may need to not be as blunt, and sarcastic, as I can be. Patience most definitely is a virtue and I need to practice that as well. I also need to work on my use of invective, though I have been working to reduce it for a while now.

This doesn’t mean some of the word play is going to go away, or that I plan to pull punches in discussing situations. It does mean, however, that I want to be/need to be perhaps a touch more diplomatic. Or at least a little less pugnacious. Then again, not sure where the whole thing about priests and saints being milquetoast came from, as I seem to recall more than one time two (future) saints got into fistfights at some of the early councils, and wasn’t it reported that St. Nicholas punched Arias?

We will see what happens. I do feel that some of my work on disaster and emergency preparedness is something I’m supposed to be doing. It may be I concentrate more on that and some other topics than politics. But, the future is unwritten, and it is up to us to write it. For me, I hope and plan to do a lot more writing, with God’s help and guidance. Meantime, I wanted new readers to have a bit more background on myself and the blog. Discourse is welcome and good, and I value the great comments and discussions so many of you regular readers bring to the site. Let’s keep that going.

Onwards.

Doctors Of Death

UPDATES BELOW

For years, I was an organ donor. Growing up, I had been taught that it was a good thing and I saw some of the good that came out of organ donation. Not that long ago, someone I knew got some extra time from a heart transplant. I’ve always checked the box on the driver’s license form and been glad to do so.

However, this editorial from three doctors in the Shady Lady, was the last straw for me. Things have been building for a while, and this post from Amy Poindexter put it into perspective for me. Long before COVID, I had begun hearing of bureaucrats run wild in regards transplants. Both in terms of harvesting and in terms of denying transplants for petty reasons.

The COVID-related denials were really just icing on the cake as far as I was concerned. There was no medical reason for requiring the jab, it was all about power, control, and greed. And, yes, there are economic “incentives” involved, just as there are to let chronic patients go. The health establishment squandered the trust of the public for greed, and they are so insulated and self-absorbed they have no idea how little people trust them.

Now we have these Doctors Of Death come out and argue for expanded harvesting and new definitions of death to facilitate it. It is evil, it is unethical, it is illegal currently (but that’s the point of this, to get the laws changed to allow it), and it is morally repulsive. They don’t get that, which says all that need be said.

Nor are they in isolation. David Strom does an excellent takedown of their equally reprehensible brothers-in-medicine who seek to use biological warfare against the population of the U.S./World. These so-called ethicists (a complete inversion of the term) feel that eating meat is bad; therefore, it is right, just, and proper to make everyone allergic to red meat so that they quit eating it. The world is saved; save, for those who die as a result of this biological warfare. And make no mistake, that is exactly what it is. Warfare. Warfare to produce a better world and a better human according to their sick and twisted standards.

Why is it sick and twisted? Well, let’s start with no freedom of choice, no mercy, no exceptions for those who have other conditions that require them to eat red meat (but, hey, the genetic cleansing is a bonus!), and no consideration that others don’t share their view on meat or supermen. They believe it, they believe it is right and good; therefore it is right and good and they will play god and make it so.

I can get really into the weeds on how both sets are sick, twisted, and evil; but, I think you get the start. On many levels what they are proposing is no different than that done by those behind the Tuskegee Experiment and others in the U.S., or Mengele and others in Nazi Germany. It is the same lack of humanity, the same overweening arrogance, and that their beliefs give them the knowledge and position make them better than those they would rule and experiment upon.

They are the master class, and you, peasant, should know your place and since you won’t do what they think you should do, they will force you to do what they want. After all, they know better than you, or me, or anyone outside their class.

It does bring to mind the timeless C.S. Lewis quote: “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”

All of these people need to be shunned from polite society (at the least), and they should never be given access to power. May God illumine them. As for me, I took myself off the state and national organ donor systems last night. Next week, I will find the time to go to the BMV and request a driver’s license that says I am NOT a donor. That’s important if you do this, because hospitals can claim they went by that even if you pull yourself off the donor networks.

I’ve heard for years the crazed-sounding ‘they will kill you for your organs, man’ from various people. I didn’t believe them. Now, when the system stands up and says they want to kill you for your organs, and make major modifications to your body regardless of your wishes, believe them. You can’t trust the current system to do right. Prepare accordingly.

UPDATE I: I’m going to be interested on Monday in hearing how many people have done what I did. I know I am not alone, and am getting a lot of anecdotal info. Thing is, this may already be at a crisis point for the donation industry and it will be interesting to hear what they say and see how they handle this.

UPDATE II: You really want to read this as well…

Friday Musings

The Ring of Fire continues to be sparky. There are likely to be hundreds, if not thousands of aftershocks from the 8.8, though many are likely to only be noticed by the seismologists. There is a lot of volcanic activity around the rim, which is not unexpected but spectacular. The eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki in Indonesia featured some spectacular volcanic lightning. Given all, if you are on or near the Ring of Fire (including the San Andreas), double check your preparations as what you plan for never happens…

Here, the weather has moderated a bit and I’m glad. Makes it easier to use the bike to get around, and to get out and walk. One thing I’m keeping an eye on in regards the ring of fire are underwater volcanic eruptions, as the last big one (Hunga Tonga) did a number on the weather. I really would hate to see more water vapor added given how it did last time.

Today got consumed by paperwork and related. The state has decided to re-verify information even though I have been on disability for less than a year. So, have been jumping through hoops so I can get all the forms and printouts mailed out to them next week.

I realized I’ve talked about going to physical therapy a bit, but not about some of the core (pun intended) issues. When I was hit, most of the charge seems to have gone down the right side of my body. When I finally got to PT this year (as noted previously, original neurologist was pretty useless), gee, we discovered weakness and other issues in various parts of the right side. Who could have figured. (/sarc). There are also balance and coordination issues, vertigo, and a few other delights. PT is helping, and I’m also gearing up for what comes next.

One of the errands I ran today was to a gym I’ve been interested in. Seems my insurance includes something called Silver Sneakers. This gym is part of that network, and net result is that through Silver Sneakers my membership is covered. Which is good as I need to get serious about working out and continuing the PT after the current sessions stop. Nice thing is, I can take the bus close; ride my bike to this gym; and, get rides there as needed. Got a lot of work to do to build back from the lightning and this should be a huge help.

And to the anonymous donor who helped with the Bosu Ball: Thank You! I’m having to get a few other things for use at home, but I’m hoping soon to be able to match everything at the PT shop, even if some of it may be a bit rougher. Yes, I am improvising. I don’t care about the looks nearly as much as function. Anyone wanting to help, hit that tip jar please.

Lot of things going on in the world. Keep your eyes open, your friends and family close, and your things where you can find them in the dark. Preparedness always pays.

Blackhawk Investigation

F0r those that have been waiting, the NTSB is now doing a three day hearing on the crash of the Blackhawk and a commuter plane at Reagan. I’m not expecting a lot of surprises, but stay tuned. There are good reasons for letting things play out, and not making snap judgements even when some things may appear obvious. Sometimes the obvious isn’t real, and sometimes the obvious is even worse than it appears. Let the process play out. Then render judgement.

Kamchatka

I noted somewhere the other day that the Ring of Fire was getting sparky, but wasn’t expecting an 8.8 off Kamchatka. Fact is, there are many small earthquakes every day, some in areas that people don’t think get earthquakes. Most are either deep enough or small enough that only seismologists notice them. Some faults, like the New Madrid, only seem to have a major event every few hundred years. Others, well, go off quite frequently, at least in geological terms.

When talking preparedness, I don’t focus on the almost infinite number of things that can happen, but in the types of damage they can do. Other than following earthquake building codes and suggestions when building structures, there’s not a lot you can do. I will note that some of the same things that help houses and other structures deal with high winds and tornadoes can help with mitigating structural damage from an earthquake, as they help a bit with flexibility and holding things together against unusual stresses.

My understanding is that you need a combination of flexibility and stability to avoid major structural damage. Of course, in some cases, there is not a lot you can do. Soil geology at the surface plays a large roll on how the seismic waves “act” on things. In the New Madrid quake some areas had the soil essentially “liquify” resulting in things in the ground shooting up (such as caskets) and things on the surface (like houses and other structures, going down almost without a trace.

Unlike weather phenomena, earthquake prediction is far more art than science. It’s being worked on, but we’re not there yet. So, it’s going to hit with little or no warning — which means your preparations have to be on reaction rather than being pro-active. It’s a different bit of planning, and if near the coast you should have a bug-out plan not only made but ready to go on zero notice for tsunami events, and elsewhere the same given that widespread fires can break out, dams fail, etc. Figure routes are likely to be clogged, and plan accordingly.

One of the more novel, and potentially very effective for the actual quake itself, was the tethered hot air balloon Daryl Dragon (the Captain of Captain and Tennille) allegedly had behind their house. If things were bad, launch and wait for things to settle down before coming down. Not sure if it was true or not, but seem to recall he talked about it in an interview or two. Fact is, if you could go up (or were up) when it hits, and stay up a while, it would allow you to miss the worst of things. At least initially.

On a more serious note, I am going to be interested to see what comes out in regards Petropavlovsk in the next few days. Between the earthquake and tsunami waves, it will be interesting to see what can be seen in regards the Russian Pacific Fleet, other bases, and the nuclear storage facilities. In particular, you do have to wonder how the subs tied up alongside — especially the boomers — fared. So far, not hearing of much damage but it’s well worth keeping an eye on.

Finally, in terms of preparedness, earthquakes are one of the reason to keep digging and demolition tools handy. There are a number of things that could leave one’s safe space covered in debris. Always be prepared to dig out, pry things up and over, or if possible jack or brace things so they don’t come down any further. Shovels, axes, pry bars, saws, jacks, rope, etc. are good to have around anytime, but may be even more appreciated after a quake.

Keep in mind that the Midwest really isn’t that well prepared for the New Madrid to pop off again. Building codes most places really don’t include earthquakes, and other mitigation actions aren’t there. The last time the New Madrid really kicked off, it was felt as far east as New York, a massive lake was formed in Tennessee, and portions of the Mississippi ran backwards for a time as plates were forced up. I may have to look for something I wrote about this years ago, as the area has built up so much now that a major event will devastate a good part of the center of the country.

Nor are the San Andreas and the New Madrid all we have to worry about. So, don’t think that because you are not in California you have nothing to worry about from a quake or quakes. As always, preparedness pays.

As always, keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark — even if the earth is moving (and not from a happy thing).

Three Spirits And A Cowgirl

Thanks to some kindness, I’ve had the chance to review two gins, one vodka, and a cowgirl from Spirits of the Wasatch in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah. Well, at least it was beautiful the last time I was there, hope it still is. I’ve wanted to try their products for a while, and when an opportunity came up, I went for it.

First up, some procedural notes since it’s been a while since I’ve done a formal review like this (stupid lightning). All initial tastings were done using a glencairn glass; martinis were done using my deplorable saucer; and, any other mixed drinks were done using a rocks glass. Now, I don’t think my glass is deplorable, but there are some purists (snobs) who get the vapors when they see things like this used. All initial tastings were done at room (cellar) temp since I tend to keep silver liquids in the freezer so I don’t have to dilute them with ice/water. I then did a second tasting and made mixed drinks using the bottles from the freezer. The products were not provided free by the distillery and I don’t make anything from the links.

I’m going to start with the High Mountain Desert Gin. This is a very good gin, particularly given the price point. In terms of commercial gins most have heard of, I would put this easily on par with Aviation or other similar gins. My own comparison for London Dry style is to Lind & Lime (look up the story of Dr. Lind). While it is not to that level, it gave it the best run of any American gin I’ve had so far. The nose is juniper forward followed by herbed citrus and a hint of white pepper. The gin has a clean mouthfeel with an edge of sweetness on the edges of the pallet. There is sweet citrus and vanilla strong in the center with herbs (sage for one) on sides. The finish is nice and bright with citrus, and it is a rich and flavorful gin. Outside of the mountain sage, I’d love to know what local botanicals went into it as it is excellent and delightfully complex without muddled flavors. On the second tasting, as it warmed I got some more orange and sweet lemon out of it. Crisp, clean, delicious and recommended.

While I am of the ‘wave the cork from the vermouth bottle in the same room as the bottle of gin’ school of dry martini making, I did make a more proper martini with the gin. I used La Quintinye Royal Blanc Vermouth and both held up well in the partnership. While the nose didn’t really change all that much, I did notice less vanilla and more citrus in the taste. A solid classic martini and it should work very well with the classic gin mixed drinks. FYI, it is well worth getting decent vermouth, and I will just note that since I have been known to use an eye-dropper, a bottle of vermouth blanc tends to last a while.

Next up is the barrel rested High Mountain Desert Gin (scroll down the page at the link). The regular gin is aged in rye whiskey barrels for eight months, which imparts color and flavors to the gin. This is one of the best gins I’ve had in quite some time. This is an excellent sipping gin. That is also makes one heck of a martini and should hold its own against all comers in a Boston, Abby, or other cocktail.

And, yes, I said sipping gin. Every now and then you hit a gin that is so well made, so well balanced that you can sip and savor it as you would a whiskey or brandy. My current favorite sipping gin is Isle of Harris Gin, which shares with High Mountain Gin the use of local botanicals. While they are very different styles of gin, both use the local to make something wonderful and different.

In this case, the barrel resting elevates a very good gin into something more. The nose is carmel and vanilla forward, underlaid with a strong herbal component. The mouthfeel is balanced and smooth, and the first flavors to hit are vanilla and carmel — with the vanilla of the original gin augmented by the vanilla from the rye, and it truly does pick up a good bit of carmel from the wood. This is followed quickly by a rush of sage and herb, and sweet citrus. The white pepper of the original gin is pulled forward and combines nicely with the pepper of the rye from the wood. The finish, as before, is crisp and clean. It not only be sipped, but makes a very good classic martini. In fact, the flavors should kick any gin cocktail up a level or two, and if you know a high-end bar they need to try it and add it to their premium line.

Next up is Hidden Vodka. According to the website, some of the proceeds go to help fight human trafficking and I like that. I also like the product. Vodka is really intended to be a neutral spirit that can be blended into a wide variety of styles of drink. Yes, you can do shots and the one time that was fun for me was with some cosmonauts in Berlin. Hidden Vodka is one I would serve (ice cold) shots of to cosmonauts, and cheerfully use in good vodka drinks.

The nose was very clean, no burn (if you ever sniff a vodka and your nose burns, run). Nice mouthfeel, and the product was crisp and clean without much real flavor. It also had no burn, just a nice bit of a tingle on the edges of the tongue. It made an excellent vodka martini, which I converted into an expresso/coffee martini by adding a bit of the Cowgirl to it.

Personally, this goes into my premium vodka category. It’s a good bar staple, it works well with others, and it’s a good price point for the product. In fact, it’s clean enough that I just may use it to make my vanilla extract instead of the potato vodka I usually use.

To close, I’m going to talk about the Cowgirl. Perky Cowgirl Coffee Liqueur is a solid entry into the coffee liqueur category. I like the fact that it is not so thick with sugar (or worse) that it’s cloying and doesn’t like to pour. It may be a little thinner than some would like, but the flavor is solid. In fact, I want to have a cup of coffee from the beans that go into it, and will note that drinking it is like drinking a cup of sweet coffee. It reminds me a little bit of Vietnamese coffee minus the milk. And that is a compliment, trust me. While Kahlua might not need to be looking over its shoulder yet, this is a solid entry into the field and people do like it a lot. Good price point as well.

In closing, I will simply note that one day I want to try their whiskey(ies). I’m glad for their sake they are sold out right now, but given how good these products are, I really do want to try the rest. If I ever get out that way again, I will go visit.

Quick Thoughts 24 July 25

Man, came home from PT to hear that Chuck Mangione and Hulk Hogan have passed. I played trumpet in high school, and loved what Chuck could do with a flugle horn. Hulk Hogan kept me entertained over the years. Godspeed to them both.

Unlike most on social media, I’m not a (sudden) expert on what is going on with Cambodia and Thailand. I didn’t realize things were that tense between them, and the outbreaks of fighting have caught me off guard. Not rushing into things, as I do have some biases from things that happened decades ago. Right now, just praying for peace.

The death of Irina Podnosova, head of the Russian Supreme Court has raised an eyebrow. Not the death itself, as it appears she died of cancer; rather, it has hit at an interesting time for Vladimir. She was his classmate in law school, and he hand picked her for the position. Given all that is going on, from international sanctions to internal threats, it creates a void where he counted on a solid bulwark.

I have to agree with CDR Salamander (again), that those who are trying to extrapolate future warfare from the limited and somewhat isolated specifics of Russia-Ukraine have gotten the future of air power wrong, as shown by what happened in Iran. Allow me to tap my sign again: drones are important but the driver is data and the C&C it allows. You want to win the next real war, figure out the next step beyond drones that is allowed by data. I’m starting to get some ideas, and will just note that he who controls the data controls the field.

If you missed it, Ukraine did a major attack on Russian logistics and production on the night of the 23rd. Logistics have been the weak link for Russia from the very beginning, and hitting the various parts hard is going to further complicate offensive efforts. Hitting refineries and manufacturing centers is also going to make life difficult for Russia. Russia has been frantic to obtain (and is obtaining) US and European manufacturing systems and components despite sanctions and such (we’ve talked about this before here, and the companies quite willing to flout the laws to make the sales). Add in severe manpower shortages in both logistics and manufacturing, and this will have some serious long-term effects. It may not do much short-term, but it will have an impact. More so than Russia’s countervalue attacks on civilian population centers.

Glad to see some in England standing up to the state on matters of immigration and crime. I don’t think it’s going to do much good, but it shows there is some English blood left in the system. The problem is the same for them as for Germany, Spain, and other European countries. In a fairly short time, they will be outbred and/or overrun via continuing immigration legal and illegal (pushed by the EU). I think Eastern Europe has a shot at avoiding it; France may avoid it if the people deal with it as Macaroon et cie are not going to do anything; and Italy has a shot as long as Meloni and company remain in power. With the people largely disarmed, and the ballot box a joke in most of the EU, I’m not optimistic. Maybe more on this next week. Esp. since I think we may see unpleasantness here soon.

What is coming out about “Russian Collusion” is probably going to end up the largest political scandal in American history. It really is already, and if corporate media is forced into covering it, I think it will blow the doors off Watergate and any other scandal you care to name. Add in that Obama II/The Biden Regency just outdid the Teapot Dome scandal by selling off the strategic helium reserve on top of emptying the strategic petroleum reserve, and I’m not willing to bet there was a way to cripple the U.S. they missed. While we have a chance to recover, and to restore the Constitutional Republic, I don’t think it’s going to be easy or fun. In fact, I see a lot of ways things could go sideways and/or south. Again, more on that soon.

Don’t take your eyes off the work being done by DataRepublican and Mike Benz. The NGO nest of incestuous snakes may yet strangle us; but, they continue to unravel and shine lights. Lot of distractions being pulled to take eyes of this and other important points. Like all the winning being done by the Trump administration. They keep looking for wedges, as that and delaying actions are all they have been able to bring into play to stop reforms. To borrow a bit from Sarah Hoyt, be ye not afraid and don’t miss that Trump has gotten more accomplished in his first six months than he did in his first full term. Long ways to go, but we are off to a start.

Oh, before I forget, yes, rogue judges are a problem and Roberts isn’t about to smack them down as he should. Yet, they are laying the seeds of their own destruction as the challenges are establishing law and precedent. By the time this is over, they will have killed the current two (or more) tier system and more of Article III than I care for. Our system of government as well as our civilization is built on the rule of law and the trust and respect that it requires. These judges have killed trust, eroded respect, and pretty much tossed the rule of law. I hope things get dealt with before it goes too much further, for after a point there is no turning back and no one with a functioning brain or morals wants to see the spitting on of hands and the hoisting of the black flag on a large scale.

I will note that corporate media is continuing to commit slow-motion suicide. The more they lie, from not covering what is coming out on the fake Russian collusion scandal to biased coverage of Israel/Gaza, the more trust erodes and the more viewers turn out. Never was a fan of Colbert, but the more they push an agenda instead of simply entertaining, the more revenues and viewership continue to drop. Find good sources, follow them, and support them. Remember, the more you do that, the more the wicked witch of corporate media turns into a puddle while screaming “I’m melting, I’m melting!”

If you can, please consider hitting the tip jar. PT has revealed some interesting things, including weakness and related problems on my right side. First up is a Bosu Ball to work on balance, then I’m going to have to do some serious strengthening work to get things back and balanced. Bosu Balls I have discovered are expensive; and, I may have to join a gym to work on some of the weakness issues. I may have to do a post on what the therapist and I got into today, as we plotted where I got hit, path, and problems. As Spock would say, “Fascinating” as we were even going over centers of the brain and why certain things have been going on.

More soon, including a review of some alcoholic products kindly shipped to me (thank you!). Meantime, count your blessings and be not afraid. Just remember: be prepared, keep your friends and family close, and keep your things where you can find them in the dark.

Re-Thinking Thinking About The Unthinkable

The good CDR Salamander has just put up a must-read post about nuclear war, nuclear theory, and preventing ‘the unthinkable.’ It is very well written; very well considered; and, refreshingly honest about where we are in terms of deterrence.

There are several points he makes with which I fully agree and endorse fully. We’ve been stuck in a mindset that is indeed “stuck in aspic” (LOVE that whole paragraph!) with the mouldering corpse of Kahn-ic thought for far too long. The so-called elite thinkers have little touch with reality that I can find, can’t agree on definitions to save their lives, and given that he is right (very) and they have not gotten a single non-nuclear war right in more than fifty years is less than re-assuring. I would also note that the times nuclear launch was averted it was not by the elites; rather, good and unpretentious men who saw the data didn’t add up and didn’t act to launch. In fact, of the times of which I am aware, it was the elites (and the politicians they advised) who had pushed things hot.

He’s also absolutely right about war games and war gaming things out. Remember, I wasn’t allowed to be OPFOR because I didn’t play the war game game. I played to win. I played to try to use them to figure out problems and solutions; which is a sin in the eyes of some for whom the games were a way to game pet theories into acceptance and use.

Two other points to make. First, I’ve never been comfortable with a triad. Remove one and it’s no longer stable. You need multiple legs. Second, I have always thought MAD was an abomination to God and to Man. It was and is morally, ethically, socially, and philosophically reprehensible. MAD is countervalue and gives you Philip Wylie and Triumph, or On The Beach. Disgusting concept and we can and should do better.

Sal gives a LOT of good food for thought. I would like to add the following to the mix, however.

First, while not nuclear, we should be looking at adding KEVs to the mix. If we can drop a deep penetrator down air shafts, we can drop a KEV. Which also means we need to consider weapons in space, which is a can of worms but one I think has already been opened. KEVs are flexible and yield can be adjusted via speed. When I say flexible, look at what Jerry Pournelle wrote about Project Thor, which was basically a crowbar with a semi-smart guidance package. Then look at some more recent work. Thing is, a range of options with a lot more flexibility than a nuke is likely to.

Second, we need to be looking at defense. Yes, Trump has announced Golden Dome and I have some hope for it. However, keep in mind that politicians on the left have done everything in their power to stop any and all work on defense against nuclear attack. We need layers and options, and the thing is some of what was done for SDI is still out there and works. The more layers, the better. Also, keep in mind those politicians who pushed for no defense were happy for you to die, though they would likely be secure and safe in their shelters.

Third, we need to look at civil defense options. I don’t think the program of the 50s is needed; but, we do need some civil defense. As I’ve noted before, there are aspects of it that are useful in other situations such as storm, fire, etc. It’s a concept that needs to be explored if we are going to have a serious talk on nuclear reform (including ways to keep the genie in the bottle).

Finally, I do think we also need to consider the need to transfer nukes to safety when portions of Europe fall to the invaders. Along with building a bulkwark in the East as discussed here with related discussion here.

I know some of you have experience and made some good points before in previous posts on nuclear war. Sound off here and there, keeping in mind this is a public forum.