Politics – Page 2 – The Laughing Wolf

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.

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.

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.

Droning

Holding fire on speculation, but will simply note a few quick things:

If memory serves, the Chinese have practiced launching drone swarms from container ships (“civilian”) before. If memory serves, there was a Chinese man arrested in California not all that long ago for flying a drone into/over restricted airspace. If memory serves, the Chinese were buying farmland and other real estate near major (inland) military bases for years (with some of us jumping up and down and trying to get it stopped). Was some of that near Wright-Pat?

Now, as to the White House playbook. Isn’t the response to the drones eerily similar to the spy balloon fiasco?

Oh, and don’t forget all those healthy and in-shape military-aged Chinese males that have come across the southern border in the last couple of years.

The more I watch, the more convinced I am that multiple parties are going to do something stupid ahead of Jan 20. I really hope not, but am not going to bet on it.

Just some quick musings…

IRBM Redux

So Vladimir decided to raise the stakes in his ongoing series of threats to go nuclear. What he did was smart on several levels, and incredibly stupid on several more. Let’s take a minute to look at this with a calm if jaundiced eye.

Almost immediately upon starting his “three-day-war” against Ukraine, Vladimir has been threatening to go nuclear. It was a way to try to keep the West (primarily but not exclusively NATO) out of the fray and to discourage any and all help for Ukraine. Frankly, I can’t blame him.

Let’s face it: that is the only threat he has. Even in the massive information bubble in which he and other top leaders (and not just in Russia — look to the last election for great examples here) reside. He is in a silo in a bubble in which bad news, much less reality, rarely enters. For all that, I suspect that he had to know just how much of a paper bear the Russian military had become.

Oh yes, they have all these massive stockpiles of tanks, guns, artillery, etc. Pretty much all of which have rusted to the point it is cheaper and much easier to make new ones than to try to repair/refurbish the rusted hulks. Never mind that many of those items allegedly stockpiled either never existed (corruption) or had been stolen/sold (desperation/survival, plus corruption). If you haven’t been reading my stuff before, I and others have pointed out that many items, including very sensitive systems, had been sold on the black so that troops and workers could eat and survive within an extremely corrupt system.

I’ve also written before about how Vladimir is much like a necromancer in fiction: once the snake has been tossed on the table, you can’t just let things slide. To give in to nuclear blackmail is to ensure worse for the future and our children. It has to be dealt with, firmly, or others will take up the staff as well. Our problem has been the feckless and incompetent Biden Regency, which is Obama III. Keep in mind it was Obama who abrogated our responsibilities to Ukraine under the Budapest Memorandum when Vladimir decided to take Crimea.

Yet, Vladimir continues to raise nuclear as an option because he has nothing else. He can’t mobilize the manpower numbers needed, and of those who have been brought in (forced in even) are untrained, ill-led, and ill-equiped. There is no realistic way for him to mobilize even a fraction of the numbers needed for full combat, and if he tries the economy crashes hard given how many critical positions are already unfilled. Train drivers (-2,500) are just the tip of that iceberg. Never mind that well over a million of the ‘best and brightest’ of the younger generations decided to go expat over the invasion. Brain drain is a real and dangerous thing. The only way he is getting the arms he needs to any degree is by purchasing (one way or another) from other countries and manning by using foreign troops (hello Kim!).

Now, here’s the problem for him: are the strategic forces in any better shape than any other part of the Russian military (or space program for that matter)? Lots of little things have popped up over the last couple of years. Also, a few larger ones. When Biden visited Ukraine a while back, it appears that Vladimir tried to stage a test launch of a Sarmat/Satan II ICBM as a show of force and threat. That didn’t happen, and it appears it may have been rather spectacular at the launch site. Also, keep in mind the corruption that still plagues the regular military was also part-and-parcel of the strategic forces as well. Of all the parts, systems, weapons delivered, how many were real? Also keep in mind that Sarmat was supposed to have replaced all other ICBMS as much as ten years ago. Hasn’t happened. There are reasons for that.

Which brings us to the recent IRBM launch. Here’s a decent article on the system itself. For those looking at pedigree, Oreshnik derives from Rubezh, which derives from Yars, which in turn dervies from the Topol if I remember correctly (Topol minus a stage I think). Keep in mind, that the USSR was always good at ‘one-offs’ in terms of development. They could, would, and did come up with ‘showcase’ projects that were (esp. given tech limitations) quite impressive in their own way. Where they flat out suck has always been in production. I suspect that is a large part of what is happening with the Sarmat. It’s happened on other military systems before, and it’s worth remembering that on the civilian side so-called ‘identical’ Soyuz and other space vehicles could not exchange parts because each was essentially a custom build.

The only thing they ever seem to have been able to mass produce reliably that had any complexity (cough) was the AK. They even had to sub out mines and more to the satellite countries. Heck, some of the best AKs came from the satellite countries to be honest.

For me, I am very interested in the Re-entry Vehicles and the reported sub-munitions. Especially given the reported Mach 11 speeds on terminal.

Regular RVs tend not to be very accurate by modern standards, having at best about a fify-foot CEP. To be honest, Soviet CEP sucked and at one point was up to ten miles. They improved that, but to make up for ongoing issues used much larger warheads. Here, the use of sub-munitions seems to imply either an intended conventional use or that multiple weapons may be needed to make up for other shortcomings. Could be off on that, but it was the first thing that popped into my mind. The other thing that did pop up after that was deploying multiple weapons to take out an extended column (or fortifications) in a gap or line.

It is also rather unprecedented to give the world (and your enemies) this good a look at the operations of a system allegedly in development. Not to mention the chance to recover pieces/fragments/chunks for analysis. Yep, some have already been found and I guarantee the tech intel types are salivating at the chance to examine them.

And speaking of stupid-on-steroids, threatening a U.S. base on another country’s soil isn’t bright. That’s not something that can be ignored (at least by competent people, which seem to be in short supply under the Biden Regency). It sets the stage for guaranteed escalation of force if anything does fly towards, or worse yet hit, that base. Given the apparent parlous state of Russia’s strategic and conventional forces (and our own, sadly), that’s really not a place you want to go. Especially given that a new administration is inbound.

Which brings up some very non-technical considerations. Trump was NOT Vladimir’s choice by any means. Vladimir was quite open and serious about supporting the H/W ticket because he saw them both as easily manipulated idiots in the service of Obama around whom he has run rings for years. Same for the Hildebeast and several others. Also, wonder what his good buddy (with the knife at his back) Xi may have said about the governor…

If Vladimir wants to cement what gains he has, and set the stage for another attack later, he needs to do it under the current Regency. And he needs to do it quick. What could make things move faster than a nuclear threat? Also, don’t forget that in all the ways that matter, Vladimir is already at war with much of the West. So far it’s been mostly low-level stuff, like this reported at Legal Insurrection (if you aren’t reading LI and esp. Leslie’s science reporting, you are missing out). The sabotage is more than troubling as it has a greater chance of escalation than nuclear sabre rattling.

Under most circumstances, I would say that the chances of things going nuclear under Vladimir were under ten percent. For all that he may be many things, I generally don’t think he’s THAT stupid. It’s why I tend to see the IRBM launch as an act of desperation even more than an act of careful escalation.

The only problem is, as I’ve been pointing out for two-plus years now, desperate people do stupid things. Russia finds itself battered upon the rocks such that any chance of the dream of Russkiy Mir are fading faster than the career of the Snow White actress. They are beset by matters economic, demographic, disease (AIDs and more), brain drain, and unrest in restive provinces. On our end of things, you have an administration and an administrative state that sees the end of the world as they know it. Which is why I’m not quite sure what to think about this article (HT Rich Lowe) suggesting a push for nuclear war to prevent the loss of power. Have to admit, what I would have considered unthinkable not all that long ago is now very thinkable.

Likely is the key, however. I don’t think we are there yet, and while it never hurts to prepare for the worst, I am not moving to gather the last-minute prep if I think the bombs are about to fly. I’m still very much trying to take care of basics (and thank you to everyone who donated recently! Your gifts are helping me get caught up on several things including needed OTCs and winter clothing).

I think where we are is an effort to cripple operations by Ukraine and to give an administration, that has ample reasons to forestall various efforts and investigations by an incoming administration, a valid excuse to move rapidly on a “settlement” beneficial to all (except the peoples of the countries involved).

If we were moving faster and closer to a nuclear exchange, I would expect to see some other signs. Could it happen? Yes. Will it happen? I’m doubtful for now. If it does happen, as I’ve been saying for a while now, I will be surprised if twenty percent of the systems work. I really don’t want to find out if I’m right, as there really is only one way to do so. But, I don’t see a need for fear or panic just yet.

I do think you should be prepared, as preparedness always pays. Hit the preparedness archive at need, and if you have questions, sound out. I hope to do a bit more on preparedness soon.

So, grab a towel and don’t panic. Be prepared, up your preparedness, and keep your friends close and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Of Fractals And Fractures

Many analysts talk about patterns in the data. The pattern stands out when recognized, and as you visualize and explore it, it can become a visual, a fractal that can then merge and grows into a larger shape or pattern. If one stands back far enough, these fractals can take on a different appearance, or meaning. What is a shape, perhaps even a thing of beauty at a small scale, can present a much less benign appearance when seen combining with other shapes at a distance.

Take for instance a crack in a piece of ice, or glass. By itself, it can be a thing of beauty within the crystalline solid of clear ice. However, if enough of them form and join together, you realize that the structure of the ice is compromised and what you are seeing is the shatter-pattern present just before unity disintegrates.

If you have ever seen a sheet of modern safety glass that has shattered, but held structural integrity, you know that it is a thing of beauty. The patterns within the glass are complex and can even add to the beauty by individual pieces reflecting and even refracting light in different ways. It is a beauty that lasts up until even the smallest of external forces knocks a piece out of place. Then, quite often, the whole thing collapses into a pile of pieces.

Right now, I’m trying to figure out if I am seeing fractals around the world, or shatter patterns.

I haven’t written much about Russia or Vladimir lately, as there isn’t much earth shattering going on. It’s mostly the same old, same old as various people and factions jockey for position not only for power now, but to gain more power when Vladimir is gone. Are there those who want him gone? You bet your bippy. Are some of them allies or close to him? Again, safe bet. Are any of them likely to act soon? Not likely absent either an unexpected event or unexpectedly getting all the pieces in place.

As I noted previously, Kadyrov seems to be increasingly marginalized, and may no longer be the kingmaker he once was. Would dearly love to know if the 1,000 troops he had stationed near the Kremlin to support Vladimir are still in place. Behind the scenes there may be some movement to ensure the leadership is proper Russian, and those who are not are not allowed near the true levers of power.

I think I previously described some of what is going on as those in power trying to put up a sheet of frosted glass to hide what is going on as they jockey and prepare for a transition from Vladimir. It is coming one way or another within the next ten years, and the way things are going I would be willing to put a small wager on it being within five years.

Because that sheet of frosted glass may not be frosted, but showing the fractals becoming a shatter pattern.

The death of noted Putin critic Vladimir Shklyarov is a very small part of the frost. For all that it is being officially blamed on pain killers, defenestration has been the choice of the ruling clique. Looming much larger are other issues, such as the economy, lack of skilled workers, and a dwindling ethnic Rus/Slav population. The lack of skilled trades (which is true here too) is hammering Russian efforts to grow on all fronts, along with causing product shortages and transportation problems. The only way they can get needed parts (chips, electronics, etc.) is via European and U.S. companies (among others) supplying them despite sanctions. For all that he seems to have gone off the rails in the last year, the work Kamil Galeev was doing on this subject (as well as his work on the philosophical background to the current war) was excellent. There are links in previous posts, use the search function.

The Russian military has been shown to be a mostly paper bear if you will. Yes, they can put many more people in uniform and throw them into the meat grinder — if they are willing to tank the economy and finish the Rus/Slav ethnic groups as a viable population. The massive stockpiles of materials are in such bad shape it is easier and cheaper to make or buy new from elsewhere. There is reason to believe that the strategic/nuclear forces are in similar shape. Not sure ours are any better to be honest… There appears to be a (semi) organized resistance that is engaging in sabotage against the war and regime. Efforts to control news and information are not working as planned. There is more, but this gives you a good idea of some of the major problems faced. Add in that Vladimir and the top people live in information bubbles similar to our own so-called “elite” and you have leadership that is out of touch with reality at almost every level.

To be fair, China is in much the same boat. I’m not going to get into all the details, but their economy is in very bad shape, they have their own demographic issues, and an increasingly restive set of populations. For all that Winnie-the-Xi is trying hard to eliminate any competition, there remain those that could move against him. Yes, the Chinese are spending like mad on military and seem determined to go after Taiwan. Yes, if we go to war with them right now, I expect most of our Pacific fleet to be on the bottom rather rapidly. For more on this, see the works of Cdr. Salamander who is all over this with very good takes. They are being very aggressive on many fronts, but are not as strong as they try to appear in all of them. One or two major stumbles or bits of pushback, and things may well change rapidly and dynamically.

I’ve noted before that Iran is a powder keg that grows more unstable every day. There are other countries with similar issues and problems, and it is true with them as well.

Even here, the so-called credentialed elite that have been in charge since Wilson are facing change. The existing power structure is fractured, rotten, and I think they are just milking it for as long as they can, even as they try to create a new socialist/communist system to make that go a bit further. Problem is, they didn’t and don’t have complete control of media and information (thank you Elon) and really did not expect the pushback they got in the last election. Again, there are economic and demographic issues, of which the millions in illegal immigrants play a part.

So, am I seeing fractals or shatter patterns? Increasingly, I think the answer is the latter, which makes it a fun and interesting time. Change is scary. Massive change is terrifying. What comes next, here or there? In times of massive change, terrors are oft the norm. The times are indeed perilous for while we avoided the socialist pattern this election, there are more elections to come and the old system will not go down without a fight.

My thought is: keep pushing. Fight for what is right, fight for individual freedom and liberty, fight for the Republic, and most of all, fight for the ideals that defined Western civilization that took man to the moon. Let’s build on that as we have an option right now for a path that will take us to the stars.

Won’t be easy, won’t be fun in many ways, but it can be done. There may be hardship, sorrow, and more. But, in the end, we have the chance to leave a better world to our children. Maybe even we can enjoy it for a bit ourselves.

Fight. Fight. Fight.

I also suggest you pray. I made a change to one of the morning prayers so that it now says “…save the suffering people of Earth from the yoke of the godless authority.” A prayer or three for this world and our own country would not amiss as well (yes, do that too).

Meantime, be active, push your congresscritters and local governments to do what is right. Be prepared. Keep your friends close and your things where you can find them in the dark.

Ahoo Dariyaei’s Revolution

I meant to write about this when it happened, but it is well worth exploring a bit as she may yet see justice. This post on X explores a bit and is well worth reading. In fact, in defiance of short opening paragraphs (rules exist to be broken), here is an earlier post, along with two other good posts here and here.

There are various icons/cartoons/artworks of her in her underwear out there, but I will not link them. I think the intent was well meant, but in my opinion they sanitize the situation and reduce her to a simplistic caricature that demeans her and diminishes her act of defiance.

First, understand the term “morality police” implies that there is a unified office under which all operate. That is not the case, as there are a variety of morality police forces and they are in effect the enforcement arm of the government. There are district morality police, school morality police, neighborhood morality police, etc. Even the most minor of infractions, such as a bit of hair showing under a covering will get you attacked and beaten. You can’t escape from them, if you fight back you and your family will be targeted.

If they arrest you, what awaits is quite often rape, torture, and death. Most are beaten to death, but if there has been resistance or other to raise the stakes, they can be hung. Keep in mind that rape is a tool, and one mandated years ago by the Ayatollah who decreed that female prisoners of any age were to be raped before execution so they would go to hell and not to heaven. No joke. If you want to learn the horrors that await those who defy these animals, there is plenty out there for you to look up. No, not linking as this is something you need to look up and see for yourself, so that it can’t be dismissed as mere propaganda.

Which brings us back to this young lady, Ahoo Dariyaei. Watch the video. She was attacked, fought back, and then they were surprised. Look at her face, at the anger there, as she raised the stakes on them. Then watch her as she realizes where she is at in terms of choices. You see the anger, the fear, and then the determination. She very clearly knows what awaits (rape, torture, death most likely), and steps forward anyway. She makes a choice, and though she is scared, she steps up and out anyway. That is the choice of a martyr, a willing sacrifice.

Her act spread like wildfire, and was such a threat that the mad mullahs did something unusual. She didn’t get the usual, but was instead sent to a mental hospital as they are frantically trying to paint her as mentally unstable (frequent tactic of tyrants of all stripes). If you think she hasn’t been drugged, tortured, and more, you are delusional. Again, you can find accounts of what happens in Iran (and elsewhere) on line, but it is knowledge you need to find for yourself.

Now, one reason for the different treatment is that right now, Iran is a powder keg looking for a spark, and the mad mullahs know this. The majority of the population wants them gone, and only the work of the “morality police” and not-so-secret police are keeping a lid on things — barely. If something happened to prevent support forces from rolling and orders being given, who knows what might happen.

My guesstimate is that it would take the, ah, disappearance of a dozen people or less (maybe even as few as five) for the spark to finally hit the powder. Block deployment of IRGC support forces, and there would be a boom today.

One of the largest factors preventing the boom is our current Regency, which has gone to extraordinary lengths to protect the mad mullahs. And to fund them. This has been Obama policy from the start, in defiance of facts, logic, morality, and more. More than just Israel would be happy to help with making those dozen or so people disappear, though at least one has no real means to project power that far. I would argue that a surgical strike that set the conditions would allow the population to revolt.

Now, the odds of a successful revolution are not good. Think we’ve talked about this before since truly successful revolutions in history can pretty much be counted on one hand. However, keep in mind that the people of Iran have a couple of options for new governance, including a return of the Pahlavi dynasty in one form or another. At least one other option has been discussed if not set-up in exile. This gives them better odds than most.

I think they may try to sit on her for a while, as right now releasing what’s left of her, or her corpse, may well put fuse to powder anyway. Her act of defiance has hit a nerve that is resonating with the people in a big way. There have been others before, and they still are having to spend time and effort to keep those incidents quashed. They realize that this will apply here, in her case, but I think they may also sense that this could tip things, at home and abroad. Maybe.

Which is why I think they will delay, and delay could work for her and the people of Iran. The current Regency is on it’s way out the door. With them gone, options will open up. We do not have to take a direct role. In fact, the best thing for the U.S. to do is simply to stop protecting the mad mullahs, and let nature take it’s course. And perhaps let it be known that we would be glad to recognize a new government truly representing the people of Iran. And it would be a very good idea for us to do so before the mad mullahs get the bomb. Just a thought.

Meantime, if you are a praying sort, consider saying a prayer for Ahoo Dariyaei and the oppressed people of Iran. Do not diminish her to a caricature, or sanitize her knowing and willful sacrifice. She, and the oppressed people of Iran deserve much better than that.

Still Here

Finally got some antibiotics for the walking pneumonia going around that I managed to catch (without trying even). It is one pill a day, and you can tell when you take it. Didn’t help that I had a bad night last night, turns out I got all my nightly pills out into the bowl and then forgot to take them.

Right now, enjoying watching the show of heads exploding as Trump picks his cabinet. Several solid ones in there, and hoping that Pete gets a good team to back him as SecDef. With good picks on service secs, it should be amazing to watch. Know who I would like to see in a couple of spots, but figure not much chance. Only about two so far I’m not sure about, and am convinced that one is either 6-D chess or 6-D trolling (maybe both).

Hoping to be back up to speed here soon. Until then, resting, drinking lots of fluids, and the usual cures. More soon.

I’m Not Dead Yet!

Sorry for the silence, but life has been interesting. Yes, I am amazed (and delighted) at the election. Disappointed in some of the down-ballot races, as they can be even more important than the national, but shocked, amazed, and pleased that the level of “fortification” has been (mostly) held down so far. Boy Howdy was a message sent.

Sadly, many are putting fingers in ears and kicking their feet, not only on the left but especially on the establishment right. The selection of a new majority leader in the Senate may well be either the last gasp of the establishment Republicans or the rise of the Sith. Only time will tell and it depends on you keeping the heat on where and when it is needed.

And, yes, there was a great disturbance in the Force and a clear message was sent. For all that, there seems to be a LOT of ‘We’re sorry, the number you have dialed is…’ going on. Keep in mind the establishment does not like us, Trump, or anything to do with change. They are going to fight this tooth and nail, though given the turn-out and message, they are likely to be a bit more discrete than last time. Keep in mind, for them this is Gotterdammerung as it is the end of the credentialed elite. This is all they have known, and they are going to fight like cornered rats to keep on with it despite the vote.

Push them. Hold them accountable. Light them up. Let them complain about being bullied. We’ve tried nice, both within the camp and to other parties. Remember that kicks in the teeth were the response. Screw that. Let them build the bridges and make the steps, we need to be done and save the Republic while we can. Hate to say it, but being nice little milquetoast squishes is not the way. Save the Republic, then look at having them mend fences. Me, I’m done. Let them reach out, as our efforts have only hurt us and kept us from being effective.

No, I don’t like any of the three Senate majority leader candidates the swamp has picked. I’m down with the camp calling for JD to be both President of the Senate and Senate Majority Leader. Plenty of Constitutional and historical precedence and it would make things much easier for the administration. Again, forget being nice — be practical and effective.

Right now, I seem to be trying to come down/fight off the walking pneumonia that is going around. Been down several days now. If not better soon, will head to the doc (reluctantly) and see about antibiotics. I’m tired, I’m dragging, and the normal efforts only seem to be calling a draw. Grrrr. On the other hand, I’ve found a Korean place that may have some good ‘cure or kill’ food I like, and may even have a particular dish I’ve loved for years.

As a very broke undergraduate, I fell in love with a place called “Seoul House” in Chicago may decades ago. A delightful older Korean couple owned it and they introduced me to some wonderful food. Think almost a Korean version of “Miracle Max” and Valerie. She told me, rather gleefully one time, that they cooked “American-Korean” and not “Korean-Korean” as when they opened and did the former, “customer never come back.” The mental image of American customers fleeing into the night screaming and breathing flames has amused me ever since. Thankfully, once they got to know you, they would fix you “Korean-Korean.”

They did one dish in particular, a version of Bibem Nengmyun, that I loved. They called the beef “fire meat” and it was. Which paired wonderfully with the cold buckwheat noodles, the spicy-savory sauce, and pickled vegetables. Forget now what they called the dish, but you had almost every pairing possible (sweet-sour, spicy-refreshing, salty-sweet, etc.) in every bite. And at a price even a very broke student could afford every few months. The egg on top just made it.

Before I break down and go to the doc for antibiotics, think I’m going to go try to burn it out. And if their version of my old favorite is as good as I hear, I may get to take a trip down memory lane in the process. Not to mention having a new place to go when I want comfort food.

Yes, celebrate the victory that was the election. Don’t think that those we are trying to show the door are going to just roll over and go quietly. Expect the unexpected, expect resistance (a la what is happening at the Pentagon, EPA, and elsewhere), and expect the unexpected. Frankly, I’m amazed that Trump is still alive and will not be surprised if they try for him again, possibly more than once. Heck, I will be surprised if they don’t. Watch them to go after Elon and others, try to drive wedges, and join with the grifters right and left to try to hang on.

Press on! Make notes, deal with people and issues as needed, but press on! Just remember, cornered rats are nasty and this bunch ain’t done yet. Be prepared.

More soon, but I feel the need for speed, er, a nap to be honest. Be not afraid, but don’t get cocky kid. The fear is theirs, and a lot more masks just dropped and it is clear there are a lot more of us than of them. Press on.

More soon. “Fight, Fight, FIGHT!”

Vote

Today is the day. If you have not already done so, do your civic responsibility and make an informed vote in all races. I’m not going to tell you who to vote for, in any race, but beg you with tears in my eyes to make an informed vote in all races.

If you are looking for thoughts and such, Sarah has a good take. My own are summed up as follows: earn my vote. My matrix for evaluation starts with freedom and individual liberty, is closely followed by economics, and winds down from there. Far too many down-ballot candidates here put out nothing about their positions on issues or make any effort to get (much less earn) my vote as they are the only candidate running.

Their take is that I have to vote for them. Their mistake. No, I do not. And I don’t. Earn it, or you don’t get it.

As noted in a previous post, I voted early. I don’t like to do so (can help cheaters cheat on several levels), but I have to deal with the medical establishment today and decided not to risk it. After all, I very much do believe that if you don’t vote, you have no right to complain.

I’m also watching a lot of effort going into encouraging people not to vote. The fewer that vote, the greater the odds of certain candidates winning; and, the closer it is, the easier it is to cheat/fortify/etc. Don’t give them the chance. Even if it’s a forlorn hope or a total wipeout, pile it on! Your vote is important in more than one way. Do NOT waste it.

So, get out there, and vote. It is important.