Current Events – Page 2 – The Laughing Wolf

Post NATO

I’m unsurprised to already see a comment on the Suicide of NATO post pointing out logistics problems with a new NATO with the Baltic States. My inner smartass is tempted to say “No Bleep!” while my inner book promoter notes that someone apparently hasn’t read Cauldron as those issues are discussed there at length. Both responses, however, need to be set aside so as to focus on the fact that “a new NATO” is the last thing we should be doing. To repeat failure is arrant stupidity.

First up, why should we set ourselves up as a tripwire again? What benefit for the U.S. is there in so doing? Against whom are we playing tripwire, Russia or the EU?

The fact is, the former Eastern Bloc are the countries most enthusiastically embracing and encouraging freedom and the concepts of Western Civilization. Are they doing so exactly on our model? No, thank goodness. Each is taking a different approach, and in that regard they are acting much like the founding Fathers envisioned the states in the United States. Each was free to try different things, and the things that worked could then be adopted by other states while avoiding the things that failed.

Remember, we are The Great Experiment and if you don’t know what that is, sue your schools and do some research. The whole concept of regular individuals being bright enough to make choices on their own was only a thing of intellectual thought until the Founding Fathers needed to put a government of, by, and for the people into place. Many, including progressives here and overseas (which includes pretty much all EU leadership) still feel that such is wrong and that you are not capable of such. Understand not only your civics, but the history of your civics…

Now, back to topic. Do we have a legitimate and/or vested interest in free and independent states that promote freedom and the values of Western Civilization? I posit that we do, one that is worth investing in those states. Why that is, is a post for another day. For now, simply accept that my thesis is based on this being true.

The question is, who now threatens those states and what are the threats?

NATO was predicated on a military threat from the USSR. While the USSR has fallen, Russia does have even larger territorial ambitions as outlined in Russkiy Mir (Russia World). If you like, look up previous discussions here on that topic (search function, along with the tip jar are on the upper right) but you do want to read up on it as it is the guiding document for Vladimir and current Russian leadership. And, yes, Ukraine was the first step in it.

The Russian military, conventional or nuclear, is clearly not the threat it was many years ago (discussions on that being wrong are for another day). Vaunted stockpiles are useless and have to be scrapped, and it is only through Western industry violating sanctions and such that it is even starting to hang on. Yes, I do think those sales are an even larger part of things that what is being done by Iran and North Korea.

Individually, some of the larger countries such as Poland or Hungary can defend themselves if they continue to go as they are. Working together, the countries in question should easily be able to do so. Without the U.S. having to rush troops in via a modern Reforger. Resupply of logistics may be a different issue, but it is not an urgent one at this time.

The larger threat right now comes on other fronts, including diplomatic and logistical. Yes, I know I just said that the resupply of logistics wasn’t urgent, and it’s not. What is important is energy, and Russia has been using this as a weapon, effectively, for a while now. One need only look at Germany for a prime example. Germany has committed energy suicide, and while it is reversible, it’s current leadership is refusing to admit there is a problem, much less take positive steps to fix it. Much of what they seem to want to do involves energy from Russia. From whom we are supposed to be defending them…

The energy issue is one for a post of it’s own one day, but almost every major EU country except for France is committing energy suicide. While not back in the EU, the UK is doing the same just without buying (yet) from Russia. France has bucked the trend (and the EU to some extent) by going heavy into new nuclear, which actually is quite smart. Not something I normally associate with the government(s) of France, but it truly is the smart thing to do, and we need to go with some of the advanced SMRs and newer systems here.

It’s time, however, for the elephant in the room. For all that I don’t see the EU as lasting, it is here and it plans to stay here by hook, crook, or force against its members. Most of the former Eastern Bloc have joined the EU and the EU has waged political war against some of them who have not toed the Brussels line. To the point of removing at least one government. I see no reason they would not engage in a military war to ensure their continued rule. Again, read Cauldron because the current EU seems to be following the playbook of the bad guys in it.

Which, skipping a few steps I think you can posit on your own, leads me to the idea that any “new NATO” should be nothing such; rather, it should focus on trade, energy, diplomacy, and ensuring that the countries involved have forces on their own capable of meeting threats from any direction. Trade boosts their economies as well as our own, and can help us reboot certain manufacturing sectors. Energy ensures their independence, and with research and other sharing agreements could provide an opportunity to test and advance nuclear and other advanced generation means. Heck, it could even provide a chance to upgrade and modernize some older generation systems (hydro for one example). Good diplomacy builds better relationships even as it discourages the stupid from doing stupid things.

Now, I do think that it is to our advantage to work with them to help them build the military systems they want and need. I can think of a few scenarios where having the ability to work with and integrate forces might be a good idea. The way to do that is through trade. We sell them systems, we sell them training, and we sell them supplies. We might give them a discount even. More than that, for those interested, we offer training opportunities here for their troops, and it might not hurt if some of ours trained there. We build them up as close as possible to our old standards (which hopefully Pete and company will get us back to), and we make sure we can work together at need. What they need is their own military, not ours, being known as capable of defending them against all comers.

Whatever we call this new thing, it must not be just a rehash of NATO. It needs to focus on economic well being, promotion of the values of Western Civilization, with an internal professional and potent military. It must not become yet another suck of manpower, material, and money. In that way you avoid the issues raised in Cauldron about logistics and resupply. Unless Russia or the EU want to start a war by sinking ships, free trade is the best way to work around things.

*****

Some quick related thoughts not germane to the post. We are going to have to look at how to work around some things no matter what happens here soon.

The UK became a staging ground in WWII because it was off the coast of Europe as much as it was an ally (sorta, some discussion there too). We needed bases for aircraft, ships, and troops, and England provided them. With the end of WWII and the start of the Cold War, those bases remained needed to counter the USSR. Scapa Flow and other bases up north provided sanctuary for ships and subs, along with the ability to sortie in several directions. Air bases provided the ability to reach Europe, Africa, and Scandinavia with ease.

Over the last couple of decades, however, the UK has gutted its military on a scale that made Obama green with envy. If you want to have some fun, look at tanks in say 1985 versus now. You can do that with planes and more if you like. Fact is, the UK has indeed limited our use of air fields and even or own assets when we were needing to respond to various incidents over the years. The state of the ports unfortunately mirrors our own.

One way or another we are going to need to look at how much we need/want forward basing, and what options there might be. We sure don’t need another turkey like Turkey and I fear that is where we are headed with England.

Which ties into some of the discussions in Cauldron about the problems of supporting the former Eastern Bloc/Baltic states in time of war. Especially as unlike the novel, I don’t see Denmark going neutral and could see England going actively hostile. Given that I’m not sure our current naval leadership could successfully get a rowboat across the lake in Central Park, I sure don’t trust it to run supplies into the Baltic in a time of war. Resupply by air just isn’t feasible in terms of amounts, much less the routings that would have to be used to avoid EU airspace. For all that I think there might be a few surprises in terms of EU members not taking part in such, it just reinforces my contention that we should avoid doing a “new NATO” at all costs. I think what I’ve outlined above is far better.

DC Crash Update

The NTSB has released it’s first real update on the horrific crash in DC, which was discussed here. I’m keeping an eye out for the Philadelphia crash update and will post it as well.

No real answers, which is how this goes. In fact, more questions were raised and the information in regards altimeters and other systems does suggest a number of things. Again and again: give them time. If you have never followed an NTSB investigation, take some time and learn about the process. Anyone telling you that what was released is a smoking gun or provides answers is either an idiot and/or a grifter/liar.

Meantime, listen to the entire briefing for yourself.

The Suicide Of NATO

UPDATES BELOW

One thing that jumped out at me this last week was the realization that I was watching the suicide of both NATO and whatever chance was left at restoring the special relationship with England. Both are entirely self-inflicted and frankly Vance’s speech (and I’ve heard was also in some other messages not public) was a warning (or appeal) to not jump.

Unsurprisingly, led by Germany, they are jumping. The only surprising thing is that under two-tier Keir (have a slightly different pronunciation/name I try not to use in public) England may well beat France and Macaroon in joining them.

The roots of current events go back into the 80s, when NATO became more a status assignment than a true check on the Soviet Union and communism. In fact, look at the politics in Europe in the 80s and you can see the socialists/WEF globalists forming up and moving out. Green was deadly and a lot of things went on that still don’t have public answers (SDI deaths among others). Fact is, however, that it was the time that the progressives/globalists began to move inside and start gutting NATO so they could wear it as a skinwalker.

Since the fall of the Soviet Union, that has only progressed. Frankly, NATO ceased to be relevant per it’s founding, and there was fairly open discussion on repurposing it so as to maintain the form and build upon it for other purposes. One of the largest being to have the U.S. fund the welfare states for as much of Europe as possible. Discussion of ending NATO was washed away in a tide of open and black-budget funding. I personally think that the NGO model was first tried outside of USAID with NATO. If Elon and DOGE want a challenge, look into that history.

In his first term, Trump tried to get Germany and others to live up to their oaths and treaties in regards defense funding and funding to NATO. The absolute contempt with which he (and Richard Grenell) were showered — in public even — was intended by those involved to be a humiliation. Don’t think that went the way they intended. Even so, Germany just doubled down on that with recent statements by their minister of defense and vice chancellor.

That doesn’t even touch the EU and how that has impacted NATO (and even the US as our internal enemies tried to make use of the EU to censor Americans). Frankly, I’m more and more reminded on many levels of Larry Bond’s book Cauldron. It is worth noting that most of the Eastern European countries, having been forced minions of the Soviet Union, are not happy with things and have been stepping up to their commitments to NATO, and even going several steps beyond. More on that in a minute.

With the formation of the EU, NATO should have ended (as such) and the EU taken responsibility for it’s own defense. However, as noted above, keeping both allowed all sorts of interesting money (and weapons, etc.) transfers as well as ways for the different countries to use each other to control unruly citizens and dissidents. This was especially true for the progressives in the U.S. who used not only EU countries but the UK to spy, censor, interfere with elections, fabricate evidence for political purposes, and much much more. And if you don’t think EU leadership such as Ursula, Thierry, and others were not in on this up to their eyebrows…

Now think about this: for all that the so-called leaders in the EU can’t read the room (and they truly can’t), they could see that all the high-handed actions and efforts that were having a negative impact on average citizens might not go over well. Hence, Angela’s great immigration folly. Bring in a new population, used to less, to balance and frankly to keep the original population in line. Problem is, I don’t think they truly realized that the massive influx of Islamics could not be controlled like normal. That they, in fact, might have ideas and plans of their own, such as finishing what they started a thousand plus years ago and avenging the Gates of Vienna.

Fact is, most globalists/progressives are not that bright. They see things through an amazing array of filters and blinders. When you add to it that they are also seeing more than a hundred years of their own power going down the tubes, they are not handling it well. Since the time of the despicable Woodrow Wilson, they have been effectively in charge and unreasonably sure of their own brilliance and eternal power. They have long used catspaws/loyal troops to provide violence when needed (BLM riots were hardly the first, go back to the Wobblies and others in the early 1900s). They do indeed see violence as a tool with a rheostatic control. Problem is, not even their own tools see it that way, and a lot of other groups only see a toggle.

Which, sadly, brings us to England. We did have a special relationship with England. It took a while after the War of Jenkin’s Ear, but it did develop and we did some good and interesting things together. Quite frankly, we saved their bacon twice in the last century and had their back as their empire melted away like vapor in the sun.

Despite some issues, we managed to hold onto it even into the 1960s and 70s. Some turbulence started cropping up then, but it truly hit the rocks with the election of Obama, who hates England, Brits, and everything to do with them. That was made clear during his first two terms, and even more so during his unofficial third term under the Biden Regency.

Fact is, I think the last vestige of the England with which we had the special relationship died with Queen Elizabeth. With her died the England of Churchill and WWII, and all that came before it. That there were and are still hopes for such can be seen in the return of the Churchill bust to the White House. But, there are two things against it.

One is Charles and The Firm. My thoughts on Charles I will leave aside for now, but even if William is much more than his father it’s not likely to matter for two reasons. The first is two-tier Keir, who would be a perfect fit in 1984 as a leader, and the demographics of England’s own invasion of Muslim immigrants.

Keir wants absolute power and an effective police state for all the original population of England, with some control over the immigrants. He and his cohorts are working hard to undo Brexit and return England to the EU, though I suspect he wants to return as an equal (a thing to which the EU will never fully agree).

So, he courts power within the progressive/WEF crowd by his actions and shows his loyalty to same by threatening America with this and that, including ending intelligence and military cooperation.

The truly sad thing is that I don’t think it matters in regards them, Germany, or France. Demographics is destiny. As noted before, that huge influx of Muslim immigrants allowed in legally and illegally has already set up multiple Sharia courts across England, which the politicians have stupidly allowed. The immigrants already wield outsized power in England, Germany, France (and elsewhere). My personal opinion is that unless something very unexpected and kinetic occurs, all three countries are not three, but one generation from becoming Islamic states. It’s purely a numbers game, and the immigrants have the numbers along with the effective approval/support of those currently in power.

Yes, I do think that was part of the plan here. Topic for another day, but it was and is much the same. Thankfully, we had a very different outcome last November and Trump came in prepared and loaded for bear. We have a chance, an opportunity, to save ourselves and our Republic. Under current leadership, Europe is fracked. And it is likely to stay fracked, or fall into violence.

As Vice President Vance correctly noted, the EU and it’s member states have started ignoring or overturning elections they don’t like. It’s not just Romania, but France as well. Macaroon refused to acknowledge a rather clear vote by the people and has refused to dissolve the government or to put in place the government (and parties) for which the people rather significantly voted. Germany is currently trying to ban the ADF in Germany and even banned them from the Munich conference. Want to make a bet that if the ADF wins in the upcoming elections as expected, Germany and the EU will refuse to acknowledge the win?

Final thought in this part, particularly on the part of the so-called leaders not being able to read the room. I don’t think they truly understand where their own people are right now. I don’t think they get that they are legitimately and rightfully angry. I know for a fact they don’t have a clue about the American public and the flat-out anger that is close to breaking out. They think it is business as usual, that their buddies and co-conspirators will get back on top again and all go on as before. I don’t see that happening, and I do see efforts to force such resulting in violence and turmoil the world has never seen. I think they might even get a taste of that out of their own people if they don’t wake up and wise up. And I fear they are too stupid and too desperate to cling to the only power structure they know to do so.

Now, let’s face that NATO is not working and most members are not honoring their commitments. It is also not needed for it’s original purpose and the United States has no real vested interest in most of the issues that now face Europe. Fact is, in conventional terms Russia is no threat to a prepared Europe or to the U.S. In nuclear terms, Russia is no threat to a prepared Europe or the U.S. I stand by my previous remarks in regards the twenty percent option. I will skip China for now, but will note that I think it would not survive war with the U.S. or other power block, for all that I suspect most of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and far too many other forces will be either on the bottom of the Pacific or dead in the process.

Frankly, this old Cold Warrior finds himself in a position he never expected to be. I have to agree with Mike Lee and I think we need to be out of NATO. If they can’t and wont honor their commitments, why should we continue to fund them. To protect them and to pledge the blood of our young for their authoritarian and anti-democratic governments? For governments that hate and despise us even as they demand more from us?

I do think it would be wise and prudent to look at some framework with the Baltic states and other members (Poland, Hungary, etc.) who are stepping up. There are a lot of issues there, a number of which Larry Bond covered in his novel Cauldron. There are also some issues that tie into work by Cdr. Salamander, John Konrad, and others in regards the dismal state of our fleet, the beyond abysmal state of our logistics, support/repair, and merchant fleets, and related issues (we need seaplanes in the Pacific if for no other reason than that we can lose ships and planes, but can’t afford to lose pilots and crews because we have no means to currently rescue them). That’s a post for another day.

Right now, if a new framework with the new Europe can be worked out, I would say pull everything we can out of Germany and elsewhere, and move them there. England has been a good staging ground, but future use under current leadership is doubtful (and I have not forgotten past times they refused to let us use forces/assets in England to defend our interests, something that has happened more than once since the 70s). Keir wants to play chicken with those assets and long-standing cooperation? Let’s take that card out of his hands right now. Again, they have not lived up to their commitments, so what do we owe them?

The American public is sick and tired of supporting authoritarian deadbeats who do not honor their word. The American public is sick and tired of spending the blood of our sons and daughters for unappreciative snots, and that is a fair assessment of the current leaders of the EU, Germany, France, and England. The American public is sick and tired of paying for your welfare state instead of taking care of our own. The American public is sick and tired of your whining bullshit.

Time to leave. Let the chips fall where they may.

*****

UPDATE: The post on what I think should replace NATO is up here for those interested.

UPDATE II: I highly recommend this post NATO RIP at L’Ombre de l’Olivier

Skin Suits And Skin Walkers

Yesterday’s post ended up causing me to think a bit about David Burge’s take on progressives and institutions. Once they identify a respected institution, they take it over, kill it, and wear it as a skin suit while demanding respect. That led to some additional thought on my part in regards Skinwalkers (Naagloshii if you are into the Dresden Files).

Navajo folklore has the skin walkers as wizards who can change shape into animals, always with the goal of doing harm. This is in opposition to healers, who have the goal of doing good. Simplifying a bit, but it is a rich bit of legend and I think it applies to the current situation.

Looking at what has come out of USAID so far, quite a few institutions appear to be skin walkers. That is, they have been taken over, gutted, and used to attack freedom, liberty, and the rule of law. They dance around grandly, hiding that they are being paid to push not just misinformation, but lies, and to attack those who oppose the progressive intent (power, power, control). It’s not just corporate media, but a variety of institutions that profess to be for the good even as they seek to do harm.

Which brings us to Trump and his team. I noted that it really wasn’t the old Republican party, but instead a new coalition of libertarian, conservative, and progressive. In thinking on that some more, I realized that in many ways, this new coalition was using the skin of the old Republican party as a convenience. Let’s face it, the previous sunken-chested owners had long ago abandoned it as they became the bought-and-paid-for opposition-in-name-only. They were not even truly trying to fill that skin anymore, pretending the big robust figure it had been was still there, as it lay in a wrinkled heap in the corner.

Trump and his team looked at that pile of skin and saw it as a means to an end. That robust character could be revived, and filled with something better than the old. Much easier, in fact, than in creating an all new figure/party/etc. Cuts your development time and cost down considerably.

Which is why the never-Trumpers hate him. He not only disturbed and and imperiled their grift and graft, he did something far worse. In taking up that skin suit, refilling it, and giving it new life, he showed them for the pathetic things they are and they could see clearly what they could have been if they had tried. He showed their view of themselves to be flawed, horribly so, and they can never forgive that.

It is much the same as with Elon and DOGE and the skin suit they are wearing. It was a beautiful bit of legal maneuvering to take an obscure and not terribly important bit of Obama bureaucracy and turn it into one of the most important facets of the new Trump administration. In fact, they didn’t even have to change the acronym as they did so. However, instead of the elderly asthmatic Chihuahua it had been, the new suit holds as much wolf as it does Shiba Inu.

Those skin suits are not worn to harm, but to heal. That is the difference between the two sides. One side lives up to Navajo folklore, while the other works to heal and do good.

Which I find highly amusing on several levels. This unlikely group of heroes came very close to never existing. Both Trump and Elon were democrat, and pushed the standard causes. Both, however, had their eyes opened. I wonder how often Obama regrets doing this:

Elon probably would have been happy just to keep doing all he is already doing (and we need him to do it so we can get humanity off this mudball and out to the stars) but the progressive need to have absolute power and control struck yet again.

It wasn’t the defining moment, I suspect, but it is a good representation of what happened to change Elon’s course. I wonder if she ever regrets what she did, but I’m not sure (as with Obama) that introspection can overcome the sheer narcissism that is a hallmark of the modern progressive.

Both questioned, which is not allowed. Both then put up some mild challenges, and were attacked because they dared go off the reservation. I find it interesting that both have picked up unused/under used skin suits and are using them to do good. That may be the hallmark of the new Republican party.

Just some musing for a Friday. Enjoy your day and weekend.

Thoughts And A Warning

May you live in interesting times. The opening of an alleged Chinese curse (I’m too tired to research it but seem to recall it was such) and a reminder that even rapid positive changes can be unsettling.

Unlike some, the last three weeks (roughly) have not been something where I’ve been scared that I would wake up and find it a dream. I’ve been far more scared that I will wake up and the enemy will have gotten it in one sock and is effectively fighting back. So far they haven’t, and I bow towards Donald Trump and his team.

I had a sneaking suspicion that things would be interesting as soon as I heard that the transition team would be privately funded and not working with the previous Regency as used to be the norm. When I didn’t hear the usual leaks, or even some of the usual behind-the-scenes chatter, suspicions intensified.

Wow. What was being planned was beyond my wildest imagination. There has been a blitz from the word go, and like all good blitzes it was meticulously planned, contingencies developed, great legal counsel was clearly involved, and the logistics were in place. It hit so many places at once the enemy couldn’t figure out where to fight back, and it was also clear that the Trump team was setting things up so that the enemy had to defend their worst assaults on freedom, liberty, and the Constitution in public.

Read this as an example, looking at just one of the EOs and actions. Then read this excellent take from David Strom. Then think of how much work went into the hundred plus (?) EOs piled up and ready to go that first night. That was quite the sight with them all on the desk to be signed, and more keep coming. It is worth noting that every time the enemy even starts to think about getting back on balance, out comes another major EO, often on a hot-button topic for the progressives, to throw them even further off balance. Right now, I’m not sure they can truly decide where to start and can’t handle the sheer volume of things to challenge.

Then, add in the extremely prudent acts in putting people on leave, locking them out of buildings and systems, etc. to prevent the open sabotage that was a hallmark during Trumps first term. I noted with approval that apparently one of the first acts done by DOGE was to mirror drives so that such sabotage would be easy to detect and deal with. That it also preserves a lot of data many would have liked to seen deleted before the audit is another good thing.

Yes, I do keep using the term “enemy” deliberately and advisedly. They are not the loyal opposition. What they have shown themselves to be are opponents of individual freedom, individual liberty, the Constitution, and even of civilization itself. They pretty much dropped all pretenses otherwise during the Biden Regency and declared war on the American people. Or, did you think all those SWAT raids that saw people judicially executed/murdered, and became one of the features of the J6 persecutions were an accident? Messages were being sent, and not just through the corrupted corporate and political media (and boy have the last couple of days been fun with the data coming out of USAID on that). Did you think the 80,000 IRS were going to go after anyone on the left? The Lois Lerner brigades had a target, and it was everyone not a progressive. I could go on, but the point is made. These were not and are not the actions of a loyal opposition, but a disloyal (to the Constitution) enemy.

I’m going to skip over a few things I’ve noticed as I am hoping Trump and DOGE can get several more weeks of accomplishment in before the enemy starts fighting back/fighting back effectively. I really hope the enemy does not figure some of it out and the grand rope-a-dope going on continues.

That said, it is not a time to drop your guard or your preparedness. The usual suspects have doxxed the DOGE team, and while the new leadership at DOJ is investigating that and a myriad of threats, it’s still a problem. It is a bigger one for the people doing this as within their bubbles they have no clue how PO’d the public is and how much (and how fast) that is growing as more corruption comes out. The public mood is far angrier than most realize, and far too many of our credentialed so-called elite really don’t get that this time they need to care. They have not caught up with the times, and still think violence (by their usual crew) is something to be controlled like a rheostat so as to make the controlled opposition behave. Reality is that for the majority of Americans, it’s a switch and nobody on any side should want to see that flipped. Violence against Trump, Vance, his cabinet, and the DOGE team is almost guaranteed to flip it though.

Again, they live such insular lives within their bubbles that they really don’t get that it is truly no longer the Republican party (and controlled opposition) they knew all their lives. What it is now is a mix of libertarian, conservative, and populist that used the existing structure because it was convenient. It’s no longer the group of squishes that would let them keep running things even when the party “won” an election. The concept that the winning team would govern and not let them keep on like always is, I suspect, a horrifying lèse-majesté that truly shocks them. The horror!

There may be a few of the enemy who get it, and understand where they are at right now. Most don’t. They can’t (or won’t) deal with reality and the changes underway. Which is where danger comes in. As noted above, violence against Trump and Company will have repercussions no sane person wants to see happen. Yet, the BlueSky crowd was busy doxxing and making threats early on. I’m hoping that legal consequences for same may cause some to hit the brakes a bit, but I think far too many are not going to calm down given how many rice bowls just got kicked over.

Cornered rats are very dangerous, and the credentialed so-called elites are several steps above that. They see the system that they grew up in and that has given them power, money, and more failing. The NGOs were sinecures for children, nieces, and nephews that guaranteed the money and power would stay in those families for generations. Quite a few of those types have no other marketable skill nor do they have alternate career plans even if they did have skills. Given that, I truly am worried we could see some nuclear-grade stupid.

I actually think there are plans already in place for such (note Trump’s “I’ve left instructions”), and even if not I would be saying restraint, restraint, restraint. Stupidity on their part does not demand stupidity in return.

Make no mistake: we are in a revolution. This type of revolution has very high odds for success and a return to a truly Constitutional Republic. As someone noted on X the other day, it’s not something you can shut off at this point. Fact is, it is burn the boats time and we need to go all in on DOGE and the efforts underway. We have even more to lose in some ways than the enemy, in that we can lose our gains and freedoms, as well as our souls. However, we also have far more to gain through a successful revolution/restoration than they will. Their way of life is gone no matter what.

Expect the unexpected; think, then act; and, sit back and enjoy the show. I think Sarah used an analogy recently of a roller coaster and it sure is a good descriptor of the last couple of weeks. It’s fun, more than slightly scary (occasionally even terrifying), and not something you can leave mid-ride. My inner geek keeps hearing Kosh from Babylon 5 saying “The avalanche has already started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote.” Apt, and there are some interesting parallels between what is going on and what went on in Babylon 5.

I am going to pray for success, sanity on all sides, and the best possible outcome. I am going to make sure I’m prepared for turbulence. Most of all, I’m going to try not to get whiplash from the rapid events and not laugh too hard at all that is happening. Feel free to join me in sitting back and enjoying the show.

Those Aircraft Accidents

As everyone knows, we’ve had the horrible crash involving a Blackhawk helicopter with a CRJ jet at Reagan; the crash of an air ambulance in Philadelphia; and, people are freaking out over the engine fire that required an evacuation. There has also been a huge amount of disgusting, despicable, and vile attacks on the helicopter crew even before their bodies were cold. To say that I am repulsed by what is being said, and especially by WHO is saying some of it, is an understatement.

Let’s start with some basics that are getting missed by far too many online or in the media. First up, there’s this whole thing called an investigation to be done. We really don’t know anything at this point, as there are few established facts beyond the fact that the crashes/incidents occurred. There is a process for such things, and for aviation a very specialized process.

If you can, look for a copy of an older booklet “Air Accidents and the News Media” from the sadly defunct (the late Martin Caidin and I did what we could to try and save it) Aviation/Space Writer’s Association. While old, the basic process remains much the same even though technology has changed some of the elements of that process. If I ever get moved and can find my copy, will look into scanning it in as a PDF as it is not a large booklet.

The “we want scapegoats and answers now or we will make shit up” crowd are not going to like the process. It is time consuming, because it is thorough. Some things are already underway: data from ATC and other sources has been secured and will be available for examination and review; mechanics and others involved with the flights were or are sequestered and initial statements taken (note, logs and such were taken in the first part I mentioned); and, photos, video, and other efforts to record the scene have been made. All of this has been going on even as recovery of the bodies is underway, and I will note that the only reason anything should have been moved was to recover a body. See the booklet as this is an issue.

Now, comes the hard part. The wreckage, once documented, will be moved into a hangar somewhere to be re-assembled as best possible. Sometimes all you can do is lay it out in the rough shape of the aircraft. It will be examined in detail as some of the smallest things can tell a huge part of the story of what happened. There are metallurgical tests and more that will be done. While this is going on, the Flight Data Recorders will be examined, and based on that yet more controls and parts will be examined grossly and even on a microscopic level.

Even as the mechanical exams are going on, other investigators will be going over all available records of the crews involved. Training, evaluations, and more will be examined, even as autopsy results are gone over thoroughly. Investigators will also talk with friends, family, those they spoke to in the days prior to the event, and try to get an assessment of the psychological condition as well as the physical. There is no detail of their lives that will be off limits.

All of those investigations alone would be time consuming, but as they are investigating they often decide they need additional specialized testing, retesting, and follow-ups. They may need to bring in outside experts to examine things. It all takes time. Also, believe it or not, I’m not listing all the steps. There are others.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) usually does a pretty good job on these. In fact, they’ve solved some crashes that were head scratchers to be polite. It just takes time.

Now then, for all I was on the board of AWA, I am a very low-hour pilot and claim nothing like the expertise of Buzz Patterson and others who have not hundreds but thousands of hours. That said, I’ve also worked a job where if a plane I had worked on had gone down, I would be one of those immediately sequestered. As such, I’ve paid attention to things and will share a few with you.

I want to link to a thread of posts I did on X while recovering from the food poisoning (ongoing). Start here. Within that thread there are links to others including a Blackhawk pilot who provides some excellent perspective. A short version is that the airspace around DC is the worst in the nation, and that’s more than just my opinion. It is congested, it is complex, and it is dynamic. For all that I have a soft spot for Reagan National, it should not still be there. All the runways are at best marginal (too short, 33 worst), and when you add in other corridors, noise abatement, etc. it should not be used as it is used.

ATC is shorthanded (thank you Obama and esp. Sec. Pete of the Biden Regency) because of diversity efforts that have left some 3,000 (4000?) plus qualified individuals denied employment because they were white. Also, the tech used by ATC truly is from the 80s (and late 70s) and has needed upgrading for quite some time. I would love to see Elon’s team take it on as I suspect that much better could be done with commercial off-the-shelf gear for a fraction of what the usual contractors want to charge.

Now then, if you didn’t read the thread and all the links, at least read this from someone who knows Blackhawks, training, and more. My experience with NVG is limited (glad to get some to test, cough) and did not involve flying. That said, read what he said. It’s true.

As a quick aside, reading a good bit on social media from people complaining about the VIP “air taxis” and such. They may/do have a point about people over-using/abusing it as a status thing. Yet, the training flight wasn’t for that, it was for continuity of government. Yes, the practice was for getting leadership out of DC in the event of emergency. It’s pretty constant as it is the true mission for most of the choppers. It really does need to happen.

I’m going to skip ahead a bit here, as to continue on right now leads to a topic where I really want to lose my cool. Which I really shouldn’t do, so…

Let’s skip to the air ambulance. From some of the video that has come out, it appears it suffered an event in flight before it came down. That event appears to be an explosive (or expansive) event. That does NOT mean it was a bomb or missile; but, something occurred in flight that emitted a flash just before the jet started down, and it appeared to be on fire on the way down. Based on the color of the flash, it was not a low-order event. However, the video does not give a lot of details.

That said, it is not confirmed and may or may not be verified. I will note that Robert Davi did several posts on X going into the complex fuel management system for that particular jet. Weight and balance are a thing, and if something happened to send fuel forward…

In both cases, smart and/or knowledgeable people are choosing not to speculate absent facts. The fact is, we DO NOT YET HAVE FACTS. That said, allow me to posit the following:

There is no one cause for the DC crash. In fact, I already see multiple issues that may have contributed to the crash. While, yes, I do have a theory, it does not rest on one person. Read the threads on X and you begin to get an idea as there were multiple issues.

Also, for all the baying about lack of experience, what the everliving do you you think training missions are for? In this case, I do not yet buy into lack of experience. I will, however, point out that when you are with an IP, you are a bit nervous and minding your Ps and Qs.

Further, when flying with an IP they are in command and responsible for the aircraft. They have to catch mistakes the person being instructed makes; they have to teach you to handle the unexpected; and, teach you to get the routine right. Among other things I’ve had an IP do to me was to effectively kill the engine a mile or more out from the airport and tell me to make it. I did. Could that IP have gotten the engine back on and gotten us down if I had bleeped up? You bet your bippy. In this case, in DC, the actions of the Blackhawk rest with the IP, no matter who was doing what at the time.

Which make the vile and loathsome attacks on Captain Rebecca Lobach even worse. That is not to say or claim that she didn’t make a mistake or mistakes. What I am saying is two fold: we DO NOT KNOW yet if she did or not; and, even if she did the ultimate legal responsibility rests with the IP. To trash her, her service, and her skill without any shred of proof simply to make money or political points is beyond despicable. It is bereft of honor, humanity, or integrity.

As for those making hay (and engagement bucks) off the fact that her social media accounts were scrubbed, along with those of some family members, allow me to ask you this: have you looked into the mirror or is the torch you carry blinding you? Given the braying mob, the trash already being talked, and the vicious smears I can’t blame them. You can excuse your behavior however you wish, but you can’t justify it.

Just a quick note for those who are trashing her because she is female. I’ve got a suggestion where you can stick your ignorant misogyny. The woman my Dad dated after mom died was the baby sister of his best friend growing up. Happens she was one of the first female pilots in the U.S. She was taken with flight, and the local IP/flight school cheerfully taught her for free with one caveat — she had to fly low and wave at all the guys below as they would then come for paid lessons as they couldn’t let a guurrrlll outdo them like that. It worked, and she ended up in some competitions and such in the 30s, properly chaperoned. She was good enough that when war came, Jacqueline Cochran personally asked for her help. If you don’t know who that is, you are not in aviation and should look it up.

Now, as for Philadelphia, again I have a theory but prefer to wait for some facts. The fact that this service lost a plane a year or more ago may or may not be germane to this crash. That may be a discussion for another day.

As for the engine fire, it’s not good but not that unusual either. Wish it were.

The fact is, the aviation safety system is in trouble. It has been since Obama first stuck an oar in and messed with hiring and more. The technology has needed updating for decades. Frankly, I’m optimistic right now given the new team in place and that they should have the backing to make substantive positive changes. Who knows, maybe some of the 200+ NTSB safety recommendations that have been ignored might get implemented.

For now, let’s sit back and wait for some solid data before flying off the handle. Let’s get some facts before defaming people. Let’s give the investigation time to actually do what it is supposed to do.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, which include moving once we have medical issues cleared up, 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. 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.

No Irish Products Need Apply

Part of my family is from Ireland, and I appreciate Irish contributions to the world. Heck, the enclosed Catholic confessional came from the Irish I’m told (by an Irish priest no less). However, there comes a time when you have to let rubbish go; and, to call the current leadership and government of Ireland rubbish is to insult every midden heap and landfill in the world. They are a disgusting lot, and you should pay attention to the ethnic and religious makeup (and how few generations they’ve been in Ireland) of many of them.

As I noted in the previous post, the despicable fascista midget serving as president had Jews removed from the Holocaust Memorial service yesterday, with his goons dragging a pregnant Jewish woman out by the arms. My understanding was that he has been asked by the Jewish community not to attend, but did anyway just to be the largest anti-Semitic ass he could possibly be. Suspect he’s more than happy that many Jews are fleeing Ireland (and I strongly suggest they do as this guy would be right at home in the Third Reich and I suspect he mourns that they no longer exist).

Made the decision a few weeks ago to stop buying Irish products, but decided to go public with it after yesterday.

Kerrygold butter? Not any more. Plugra is as good, costs a little less, and is made here in the US I think.

Alcohol? On the stout front, America as a large abundance of good stouts, not to mention craft beers, that are flat-out better than Guinness. It may be heresy to some, but Guinness mostly coasts on reputation. Diageo is the owner and is not Irish, but promotes it as an Irish brand. Had just been introduced to an independent Irish distiller, but Irish whiskey is off the list. Frankly, lots of small independents to explore here, and I would offer that Scotch was the better choice usually. Again, easy choice to make and I won’t suffer for doing without.

Irish wool and fabrics? Eh, check out this U.S. company that I’ve heard good things about. Again and again there are a lot of good options here to check out, and you would be helping small U.S. businesses.

Seriously, it may not make a huge difference but it is something I can do. I don’t have to support Nazi-loving politicians. I can instead invest in American products and small American businesses. Hope you join me in so doing, as if enough of us do, it might help make a difference.

It’s Monday

My apologies for the lack of posting, but life has been interesting. Think I noted before that I am having to switch over to Medicare from my current insurance, and that has been a process. I actually have a meeting on Wednesday to go over everything and make my decisions on what I’m going to do for now. Complicating things is that my upcoming birthday actually increases my options so what I do for now may only be in place until the next enrollment period. Fun.

I’ve also continued to have some digestive issues, and am about to go do something either brilliant or stupid to try and finish getting over the current round. Looking at going to see a nutritionist as a lot of what we are having to do in regards diet is trial and error. Have some ideas, want to get some good input on them and modify as best.

There is a lot going on in the world and I am trying to keep up with it. Hope to get some more substantive posts up soon, but for now will note that the first 100 hours of Trump were amazing. Instead of the usual, he came in with a blitz from which they still have not recovered. They have yet to figure out where to start because he’s hit with so much, so fast.

Glad to see Pete approved, and it is the most military thing ever to see a junior officer rescued by a member of the E-4 mafia. The defense industry worked hard behind the scenes against him, and one might want to look at donations to the three alleged republicans who voted against him. Noting that the AF is going all-in on malicious compliance to directives, thinking that might not be a good idea nor go as they think it will. Lots of topics for discussion later.

Not surprised to see the trans-dating terrorist (former? You sure about that?) president of Columbia suddenly become the darling of the progressives. Yep, he sure stood up to Trump and showed him — for about 30 minutes. Short take for now: Columbia has many serious problems, and the people are already fed-up with this guy to start with. As someone noted on X, this isn’t Central America where calling the gringos names gets you approval. The path he started on will collapse their economy pretty quickly I suspect, and even if all ends up patched up with the US, the reality of what he did and it’s potential impact may result in a rapid departure for him. Again, lots of good topics for discussion later, though I do wonder if Japan still has some ties/influence that could be leveraged…

More on Ireland here in a bit. After they dragged a pregnant Jewish woman out of the Holocaust Memorial (and threw out a dozen or two other Jews) for that midget (mental and physical) fascist anti-Semite of a president, I’m done. He was asked by the Jewish community not to attend I understand, so of course he did, had thugs throw out Jews, and then bashed Jews and Israel. Disgusting is too kind a descriptor.

I may talk about Greenland, if I can quit laughing. Good reasons to have good relations with an independent Greenland, or even to have it become the 51st state.

Also find it interesting that Russia is cutting back its coverage of Trump. Seems Trump has become too popular with the Russian public for the comfort of Vladimir and others. Fractures and fractals, oh my.

Have appointments that may keep me out most of the day tomorrow, and Wednesday is also filling up. That said, hope to get more up this week than I did last week.

More soon. Be prepared and keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Amusement

I knew the last days in the bunker were going to be interesting. Trump’s forces and various populist armies were closing in, and the rats in the Regency knew it. Yet, I don’t think they realized that there was still some very important business to be done, debts to be settled as it were. The old boy may mostly be gone, but that mean and petty streak that drives the need for revenge (often mistaken/unwarranted/unnecessary) that has been a defining feature of Biden’s career.

For all that I am sickened and disgusted at the unprecedented flood (where are all the ‘our norms’ types on this?) of pardons, I noted a pattern that has made me smile. His family is covered, of course. A somewhat breathtaking (if unsurprising) list of people are covered. As for the overwhelming crowd in which they were semi-hidden is concerned, I must confess I wonder if money transfers were involved.

But, what makes me smile is noticing who isn’t covered. Notice no one named Vindman of any gender is on there (and boy was Mrs. V ticked about that!). I don’t recall seeing the name Ciaramella on there either. Nor was the name Pelosi (or any of her well placed family). There appear to be a number of Obama’s people not on the list. A number of DNC people are not on the list. Certain members of Congresss besides Nancy were not on the list.

Funny thing that all of the names not on the list were involved in removing one Joe Biden from the race (or were supporters of them) and ending his career in a rather ignominious fashion. Joe has long been known for paying back even the smallest of perceived slights rather overwhelmingly. How much of this is Joe (I suspect more than many might think, as this is not thought but reflex honed over a lifetime) and how much is Jill really doesn’t matter. Fredo has settled accounts and arranged to make life interesting for certain individuals and organizations including his Party.

Somehow, I don’t think the pardons, or lack thereof, is all he’s done. I suspect he voted for Trump; as I noted at the time, he slipped a knife into Harris campaign rather expertly more than once; he saddled Obama and the DNC with Harris when that wasn’t the plan; and, well, I could go on. Given all this, anyone want to bet he’s left a few more surprises around? It really would be in keeping with past actions.

Let’s just hope that they are all aimed at his personal enemies, as the Biden Regency may not have destroyed the Republic, but they did a huge amount of damage that will take years, if not generations, to fix. The good news is that we can fix things, restore the Republic, and begin exploring our destiny in the stars. Won’t be easy or inexpensive, and will take not just hard work but “blood, toil, tears, and sweat” as a great man once noted. Then again, nothing truly good is ever easy. Let’s get to it.

More soon. Be prepared and keep your family and friends close, and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Some Quick Reads

Tied up with medical stuff this morning, mostly appointment joys, but came across the following good reads.

Glenn has a good essay up that is well worth the read.

Steve has a good post up at PJ that I enjoyed.

And also Steve but at Instapundit. Follow the links.

May add some more later, will see.

Ed on the rapid turnover at the FBI (deserves a double facepalm)

Steve is on a roll today, good thread on X. Yes, the classification system needs major overhaul, if not gutting and starting over.