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

via The Daily Caller.

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

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

Story here. 

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

This is beyond beautiful.

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

How are they gonna back down from this drama?

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

I was wrong about something else.

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

Happy Thanksgiving & Open Comment Post. Nov 23, 2017

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...

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

via Times of Israel.

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

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

Story here. 

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

I get the outrage and I'm not happy.

But check this out.

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

This brings something else up too.

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

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

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

What did those Border Patrol Agents stumble into?

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

This thing smells.

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

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

But these people assaulted the agents.

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

Omani military launched the Turkish "Pars x8 vehicle"

via Daily Sabah.

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

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

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

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

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

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

via New Indian Express.

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

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

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

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

Congrats to India on the success of this weapon system.

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

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

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

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

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

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

via FT.com

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

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

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

Story here.

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

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

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

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

via Roll Call.

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

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

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

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

Story here. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

CCTV - Army overview. Mandarin speaker needed!

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

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

via RealClear Defense.

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

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

Story here. 

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

But worse?

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

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

They will NOT take a global look at the force.

They can't.

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

British Committee Members told price of F-35 impossible to predict and numbers may be cut...

via Telegraph.co.uk

Rising costs may force the Ministry of Defence to cut its planned order of 138 stealth jets, officials have suggested for the first time.

MPs on the Commons defence committee heard it was impossible to accurately forecast the costs of the F-35 programme. As costs become clearer as they enter service, the MoD would “make adjustments in our programme accordingly”.

Story here. 

Interesting isn't it.  It took a tier 1 partner to finally admit the truth that we've been screaming about on these pages for months.

All that talk of declining cost of the F-35 was just accounting gimmicks.

The truth is much more stark for our allies that have to sell the plane to their respective govts.

The total cost of the F-35 can't be masked...and the plane remains far from cheap.

I can't wait to hear from the fanboys on this one.  They always appeal to authority by saying that we should trust all the govts, pilots and ministry's of defense that say the plane is golden.

What will they say now that a Ministry of Defense says that the cost of the airplane is impossible to predict and that they may cut the numbers bought?

Wow. The hug that Assad gave Putin shows nothing but gratitude...

The story about Assad going to visit Putin is here.

But that isn't what I want to talk about.  Do you see that hug?  That is nothing but gratitude.  Assad seems to know that if not for the Russians he would be hung on a cross with his head at his feet.

But let's put that aside for a minute.

Think about all the work the US has been doing worldwide.  From Iraq to Afghanistan to Africa and onto Japan, S. Korea and other Pacific nations.

Do we get that same amount of thanks?

We have troops in Europe with the mission of "reassuring" them and deterring aggression.  Only in the Eastern European nations do we see the welcome mat out.  Okinawa is a unique situation but look at the troops in S. Korea.  Are they welcomed? 

The only place that I can think of where US troops are welcomed without complaint is Australia.

You want to study international relations/military/diplomacy?  Study what the Russians did in Syria to get this kind of reaction.  When we have allies that are as grateful as Assad then we know we're on the right track.

Open Comment Post. Nov 21, 2017

Mugabe being asked to resign instead of being dragged out to the bush and shot? This is a weird coup....

via Newsday.

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe has agreed to stand down after 37 years in power, CNN reported on Monday, after he avoided any mention of resignation in a rambling national address on Sunday night.

A resignation letter has now been drafted, CNN said, citing sources familiar with his negotiations with the generals who seized power in Harare last week.

Under the terms of the deal, Mugabe and his wife Grace would be granted full immunity, CNN said.

Pressure was now mounting from all sides on the 93-year-old, the only leader Zimbabwe has known since its independence in 1980, to swiftly end the confusion that has gripped the country since the de facto coup last Wednesday.

Mugabe stunned Zimbabweans in a rambling late night Sunday television address by avoiding any mention of resignation, pledging instead to preside over a congress next month of ZANU-PF, which had sacked him as its leader only hours earlier.

Story here. 

This is the weirdest coup I've ever seen in my life.  Are you noticing the "legalize" they're attempting to apply to this thing?  Do you notice how gentle they are being with this guy?

Full immunity?

That's just not how real coups work.  In my look back on history the way these things work is that the military storms the president's residence, the equivalent of our congress, the media and other important sites...and the former president/ruler/dictator is taken out to the bush, shot in the head and fed to the hyenas.

There is no doubt about this.

China is making their first power play in Africa and they're being careful in how they do it so they won't alarm any other African nations.

I'm actually impressed.

This is a classic Sun Tzu type takeover.  None of their troops were involved, their monetary interests are preserved, the other countries in the region are able to read between the lines and know not to jack with them...and they get to handpick the next leader of the country.

I'm beyond impressed.  I'm jealous.  I hope we're taking notes.  This is how you work in Africa...not with USMC Marine Expeditionary Unit, a brigade from the 82nd or an Army Ranger Battalion...you go low key, low risk and low effort.

Harriers take off aboard USS Iwo Jima...pics by Cpl. Jon Sosner

Germany is teetering on the brink and the Merkel govt might not survive.

Thanks to Moebius 2249 for the link!

via Reuters.

The failure of exploratory coalition talks involving her conservative bloc, the liberal pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) and environmentalist Greens raises the prospect of new elections and casts doubt over her future after 12 years in power.
Negotiations broke down after the FDP withdrew saying they had found insufficient common ground with her Christian Democratic/Christian Social Union bloc and the Greens.
President Walter Steinmeier said Germany was now facing the worst governing crisis in the 68-year history of its post-World War Two democracy. After meeting Merkel, he warned parties not to shirk their democratic duties - remarks seemingly targeted at the FDP and Social Democrats (SPD), who on Monday ruled out renewing their “grand coalition” with the conservatives.
“Inside our country, but also outside, in particular in our European neighborhood, there would be concern and a lack of understanding if politicians in the biggest and economically strongest country (in Europe) did not live up to their responsibilities,” he said in a statement.
Business leaders also called for a swift return to talks.
With German leadership seen as crucial for a European Union grappling with governance reform and Britain’s impending exit, FDP leader Christian Lindner’s announcement that he was pulling out spooked investors and sent the euro falling in the morning.

Story here. 

It's funny.  I was always taught that a parliamentary type govt was more responsive to the people but apparently that's not true.

The Germans are suffering from the same problems that the American electorate are dealing with.

In both countries a "primal" scream was sent to the politicians but in both they're being ignored.

From my chair it looks like Merkel isn't taking the concerns of her people seriously and the same can be said for Trump and the Republicans in the US.

Who here believes that Trump ran on a promise of tax cuts?

I hadn't considered it but could we be looking at a period of govt instability in the West?

China chest thumps about it's VN-18 Amphibious Assault Vehicle...

Thanks to Jonathan for the link!

via Daily Mail.

China has unveiled the world's most powerful amphibious assault vehicle that can travel at high speeds both on land and water, according to the Chinese state media.

The formidable armoured vehicle, called VN18, boasts a maximum speed of 65 kmh (40 mph) on the ground and 30 kmh (19mph) on water and is the fastest of its kind in the world, reported China Central Television Station.

The 26.5-tonne beast is said to be equipped with a cannon, a machine gun and an anti-tank missile. It can carry three drivers and 11 soldiers.

China Central Television Station, the country's state broadcaster, revealed footage of the military vehicle in a programme on November 18.

The 1,600-horsepower assault vehicle was billed as China's 'magical weapon' by the programme.

It's said to be a modified variant of ZTD05 Light Tank, which was developed between 2000 and 2005.

Built with aluminium alloys, VN18 is armoured with a 30mm cannon, a 7.62mm machine gun, an anti-tank missile and smoke grenades, said the report.

The military vehicle is produced by Norinco Group, a state-owned weapon manufacturer in China.

VN18 boasts a maximum speed of 65 kmh on the ground and 30 kmh on water

It's said to be armoured with a cannon, machine gun, anti-tank missile and smoke grenades

During an interview with China Central Television Station, Zhang Wenhui, who is the deputy General Manager of Norinco Group, said VN18 is the fastest amphibious assault vehicle in the world.

Mr Zhang said: 'Only China and the United State have amphibious assault vehicles.

'Although the United State has them, their armies are not equipped with them.'

Mr Zhang claimed that amphibious assault vehicles in the United State are not as fast as VN18.

He said: 'They tried to developed faster ones than ours, but they failed.'
 
In explaining how fast VN18 is on water, Tan Yongyao, Head of the R&D at Norinco said: 'On the waters, it's like a car running at 120 km/h on a highway.'

Mr Tan added that the vehicle could work in adverse weather conditions and resist winds up to six metres per second (11 knots).

China Central Television Station commented that VN18 is another example of the country's innovative power.

Wow.  This article is dripping with arrogance, self congratulations, self assuredness and a huge dose of self importance.

It reeks of hubris on steroids.

That's a good thing.  That means that when we cross swords they will underestimate us.

That means we'll beat them.

A hardworking, quiet, humble China is one thing.  A loud, bragging, arrogant China is something else entirely.  The latter is easy, the former hard.

From what I can tell we're gonna be getting the latter which is GREAT news.

Open Comment Post. Nov 20, 2017

Turkey may remove US radar if F-35s not delivered on schedule

via YenisAfak.com

As the U.S. and NATO pressure mounts on Turkey to stop the purchase of the powerful S-400 missile system from Russia, the American administration has threatened that it may not go forward with a plan to deliver F-35 fighter jets ordered by Turkey.

In retaliation to the American blackmail, Ankara may take measures of its own in response, atop of which is the possible dismantling of the powerful Malatya- Kürecik AN-TPY-2 radar that was set up by the U.S. in 2012.

In a bid to dissuade Turkey from going forward with the purchase of the powerful S-400 missile defense system, the U.S. had warned that such a move “would jeopardize the sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.”

Story here. 

My news alerts gathers in info from around the world.  Having said that, this is the first that I've heard of this news site.  Additionally the phrasing that they use..."blackmail"...leaves me a bit cold.

I wonder.

What is the worry about the Russian radar?  Why is the US and NATO (which has said the same) so concerned?  Seems to me that we would get a good look at the capabilities of the system if it were used in training events.  If it is as formidable as everyone thinks (including me) then training against it in European exercises should be a win win.

If done right I can see these guys being on an almost constant roadshow to various sites in Europe, the US, Australia and even Japan so that we can all test our tactics and pilots against the system.

But all that is irrelevant.

The markers have been placed.  It also puts into light certain news we've heard about the F-35 and sales to Middle Eastern countries.  We MUST look at those possible sales in a new light. 

If this threat is credible then could the F-35 enterprise be looking for ways to replace the sizeable Turkish order for these airplanes?  Imagine that suddenly 150 planes are taken off the books?  That means that we'd see an instant price increase for the rest of the allies.  Additionally isn't Turkey suppose to be a major repair hub?  This could get nasty.  I think as usual, greed will outweigh national security but what if they actually hold strong and Turkish orders are negated?

Sex Assault cases are starting to turn Feminists against Feminists...

via Jezebel.

Lena Dunham, who’s been vocal in the movement to believe sexual assault accusers, now defends Girls writer Murray Miller after actress Aurora Perrineau accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17. Perrineau alleges that after a night of drinking at the Standard Hotel, she was driven to Miller’s home and woke up in his bed, when, she said in a statement, “he was on top of me having sexual intercourse with me,” The Wrap reports.

On Friday night, Dunham and co-showrunner Jenni Konner issued a joint statement to the Hollywood Reporter saying not that they doubt, but that they flat-out reject, the claim. They write that she and Jenni Konner are “confident” that “sadly this accusation is one of the 3 percent of assault cases that are misreported every year.” 

Story here. 

Many guys on this blog have put their finger in the wind and climbed on board the "accusers should be believed" train.  It's understandable.  It's the path of least resistance and people will pat them on the back for being so "open minded".

I look at this issue from a military perspective and there are so many shatterpoints in the way that you interact with other guys that incorporating women into even a fireteam is fraught with peril for the men working with her.

But putting that aside this is funny.  When the Marine Corps was getting pounded no one cared.  When the rest of the military got slapped up side the head the politicians cheered.  When this hit Hollywood the cheering intensified.

But now its reached the news media, feminists and the democrat party and now people want to pump the brakes.

My prediction?

Watch the Roy Moore controversy in Alabama go by the wayside.  They're gonna try and pivot to winning on the issues.  They can't push hard on it because Franken is in jeopardy and he's one of them.  Additionally there are many other politicians on both sides of the isle that can get taken down if this is allowed to continue.

The latest battle of the sexes is about to fade from the headlines.  It can't be pushed because its coming a little close to home for the powers that be.