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February 13, 2016

We'll Be Lucky To Live Through It

That's what actor Fred Thompson said when he portrayed Admiral Painter on "The Hunt for Red October." In this thriller, international events were spiraling out of control and a military confrontation between the USA and Russia seemed imminent.

The conflict in Syria has the potential to do the same thing. Obama's pussy footing diplomacy has worsened the situation and Russia is calling the shots now. Putin has not hesitated to put Russian boots on the ground in Eastern Ukraine, Georgia, the Crimea and in Syria.

It's not the boots so much that is of concern, it's the tanks and combat aircraft that are raising the possibility of a NATO-Rooskie showdown.

First, LL's comments about the fighting around Aleppo near the Syrian-Turkish border.
The Turks and Saudis appear desperate to try to keep Aleppo under opposition control. Aleppo’s capitulation would virtually end the organized opposition in western Syria. ISIL and militant groups affiliated with al-Qaida. At the recent pace of the offensive by the Syrian government and allied forces, the Turks, NATO and the Saudis appear to have missed the opportunity to rescue the Syrian opposition forces in western Syria.

While all this was going on, Syrian and allied forces continued their offensive to encircle Aleppo. Several news services reported that Aleppo is effectively cut off from any high volume line of communication to Turkey. A million people are trapped in Aleppo, according to one credible report.
The Kurds are fighting the ISIL terrorists in Northern Syria. No way the Turks are going to let the Kurds get a foothold in Syria without a fuss. And Putin is still stewing over the loss of a Russian SU-24 fighter that was downed by Turkish F-16s. It could be very possible that Putin is putting together a scenario wherein Turkey's goose is cooked and the US is asked to come to the aid of a NATO member. Now the question is; is Putin banking on a limp wristed American response? Might could be...
After years of weakness and vacillation, the Obama administration may find itself backed into a corner by aggressive Russian action. Particularly if coupled with intemperate Turkish reactions, that could create a nightmare of historic proportions around Aleppo. Although the White House has foresworn any military intervention in Syria’s fratricide, it’s worth noting that Mr. Obama led NATO to war in Libya exactly five years ago to prevent possible slaughter in Benghazi, a far smaller humanitarian threat than the terrifying sword of Russian artillery and airpower that’s hanging over Aleppo right now.

For their part, the Russians are upping the ante with regime media publishing claims by the Defense Ministry that air attacks on Aleppo yesterday that killed civilians, including the bombing of a hospital, were actually perpetrated by U.S. Air Force A-10s, a war crime that they say the Pentagon has tried to pin on Moscow. In fact, American intelligence knows this was the work of the Russian Air Force: “We have intercepts of the Russian pilots talking during the attack,” a Pentagon official explained. “As usual, the Russians are lying.” Yet this sort of dishonest Kremlin propaganda, what spies term disinformation, is exactly what the Obama administration has refused to counter...
Between the Bitch of Benghazi and Obama, America is facing an Islamic nightmare that has been mishandled from the get go. That wasn't just a phone call at 3:00 AM that Clinton was referring to years ago, it turned out to be a D-9 bulldozer taking out the front door. And this administration is still hiding under the bed.
By letting Mr. Putin get away with whatever he likes in Syria, Mr. Obama has created a deeply dangerous situation in the region. By abandoning his infamous Syria “redline” in September 2013, the White House in effect outsourced American policy there to Mr. Putin, as I warned at the time, and which the Obama administration, powerless to influence terrible events in Syria, is slowly realizing.

“Are we heading for our ‘Sarajevo moment’?” a senior NATO official bluntly asked. “It’s clear that there has to be some actual ‘redline’ for Mr. Obama, something that the United States cannot tolerate Russia doing—but where is it? If I don’t know, I’m sure the Kremlin doesn’t either.”

That is NATO’s top concern right now: After years of weakness and vacillation, the Obama administration may find itself backed into a corner by aggressive Russian action. Particularly if coupled with intemperate Turkish reactions, that could create a nightmare of historic proportions around Aleppo.

Oh Crap

Justice Scalia has died.

Justice Antonin Scalia
1936 - 2016

February 12, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day Honey!


Okay, So They Ain't Happy

The Carrier Corporation is located in Indianapolis, Indiana; it makes airplane engines. As part of its stated objective of remaining competitive, the company just announced that it is moving 1,400 jobs to Monterrey, Mexico.

At a company-wide meeting, a corporate representative announced this news to their workers. Everyone was ecstatic. No really, they were almost overcome with happiness. You can hear the joy in their voices as they are informed of the move. No, really, I'm not kidding. Once you listen to the video you too will be amazed at the overwhelming love and support displayed by the rank and file as they find out they will soon be unemployed.

You probably don't want to run the video at work as the rampant happy-happy joy joy is very contagious.


Story here.

I Don't Want To Know

This makes me shudder.
From the UK Guardian:
Italian police arrest dozens of Mafia suspects from female-led 'Prickly Pear Lips' gang 
Over 500 officers took part in the raid on the Laudani clan in the Sicilian port of Catania, nicknamed “Mussi di ficurinia” (“Prickly pear lips”), in a sting that also involved forces in Germany and the Netherlands, Italian police told AFP.

Three women, known as the three queens of Caltagirone, a town near Catania, had ruled the clan with an iron grip as well as governing all financial matters but were brought down by the heir to the clan who began helping police.
H/T Fark.com

February 10, 2016

North Korea Promotes Army Chief Of Staff

Today Army Gen. Ri Yong-gil, chief of the General Staff of the Korean People´s Army was promoted to Dog Food First Class and also received the Korean People's Excellence in Artillery Targets Award. This most prestigious award was pinned to Gen. Yong-gil's charred left boot heel recovered at the gunnery range.
North Korea has executed its army chief of staff on corruption and other charges, according to news reports quoting sources familiar with North Korean affairs.
Another victim of "factional conspiracy."

Story here.

February 9, 2016

Good Fences Make Good Neighbors

We need one hell of a good fence long our southern border.
The former President of Mexico,Felipe Calderon, stated that there was no way that Mexio would pay for a US fence along the border.

From Canada Free Press:
“Mexican people, we are not going to pay any single cent for such a stupid wall! And it’s going to be completely useless,” Calderon said.

Apparently, Calderon’s words have reached the Donald’s ears. He offered his response earlier today on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” It was, in usual Trump fashion, short, blunt, and to the point.,Felipe Calderon

“Now the wall just got taller.”
We gotta elect this guy just so he can piss off the right people.

February 7, 2016

Broncos Take The Super Bowl

I really thought that the Panthers would take it but Denver's defense shut them down. A wonderful performance by the defense carried a lack luster offense.

And Cam Newton is a child; a spoiled, pampered child.