Bullet Points:
** The latest Hitler video parody…sort of a parody.
** The Associated Press’s latest foreign donor wants to transform journalists into “community activists on climate change.” The AP doesn’t seem interested in publicizing that.
** The White House – setting the record straight, you conspiracy theorists! Stop looking for hokey reasons to conclude this is Obama’s third term. It’s a waste of time.
** Amazon is converting its Sprinter van fleet from electric back to diesel. Color me shocked.
** Hamas loses two leaders on the same day.
WORLD — Hamas is reeling after losing two of their most cherished leaders on the same day: military commander Saleh al-Arouri, and Harvard President Claudine Gay.
“This is a devastating loss for our organization and the world,” said Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh while throwing a dart at a dartboard with a picture of a Jew on it. “Al-Arouri helped mastermind our glorious murder/rape party of October 7th, 2023. Claudine Gay presided over the preaching of our message Jew-hatred in America’s Ivy League. This is an incalculable loss.”
Ismail Haniyeh then returned to his game of darts while sitting in a jacuzzi and having his shoulders massaged by a high-priced escort from Dubai. (The Bee)
** I’m starting my sixth year at the White Wolf Mine. I can’t believe that I’ve been living here that long. I was able to avoid most of the bullshit associated with Covid and have been able to watch things circle the drain from the mountain fastness.

The Raptor is backed up to the RV side of the drive-through garage. It was -8 degrees F.
Moving was a pain, the way that it always is. A guy I met who built a place near me (about two miles away) finished last year, and we commiserate on how we’d never build again here. It was an ordeal, but it’s been over for a while.
** A friend of mine sent me a photo of the restroom doors from Heroes (Fullerton, CA), where I used to eat lunch from time to time. The owner is trying to clarify things.

I reminded my friend that he has a Nancy Pelosi urinal in the men’s room where you can splash down Nancy’s mouth. They usually fill it with ice so you can melt it recreationally, etc. The owner’s MAGA tendencies are evident, and the food is good.
** Apparently, when they want you to donate blood these days, it has to be YOUR own blood. They should clarify that before you bring in a donor at knifepoint trying to be a responsible citizen, and replenish the bank for them.
** There goes the neighborhood:

Thinking back to Christmas

Their assumptions are absolutely correct.
Who do you think you are?
Identify the Aircraft
1
Three in a row. Not too tough. Italian livery, though…What’s up with that, Claudio?

2

3

Identify the Drones
4
The aircraft is a P2V-5 (VC-3 North Island, California). I’ll give you that. ID the drones.

Identify the Armored Recon Vehicle
5

We might have featured this rig before, but I’m not sure.
Parting Shot

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2023/12/17/amazon-has-10000-electric-vans-not-switching-to-diesel-fact-check/71923255007/
My commiserations to the poor guy hand linking the 25 mm. Hand linking or de-linking ammo just sucks after the first thousand rounds.
White Wolf mine, damn, six years have flown past haven’t they. I remember when you were describing the struggles you went through during the build. At the end of the day I hope you find all the effort worth it.
Christmas tree. Great idea. Too late for me now but I will certainly put a picture of my own like tree on Christmas cards for a select few people next Christmas.
ID Drones:
On a medium level monitor and computer system, the drones appear to be the early version of the Ryan Firebee KDA-1.
They may be the next improved version, but the inlet looks like the old Firebees.
#5 Polish CBWP heavy? The driver looks 😴
It’s in Peru.
Where’s the Ultra Raptor II? If your driving the Raptor I’ll just take a guess and say it’s on your person so as to complete the Kimber/Ford Raptor package.
I must admit that I treated myself to the Kimber Raptor 2 after I bought the Ford Raptor at the risk of being too matchy-matchy. I’ve enjoyed shooting the Kimber and it’s one of my favorites – come to think of it, that might just be my only handgun…
Lost all the others during the canoe trip did you? What a tragedy.
No crying over spilled milk.
Kimber makes the best nail driver in the world. Tactical Custom II saved my life many times where the issued Sig p320 or M9 would have failed.
Kimber seems to get a lot of hate from some circles and I really don’t see why. The only time I had reliability issues with one was with a used Pro Carry II. A new recoil spring fixed the issue.
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Indian Air Force:
Top: ERJ-145SM
Middle: Su-30 MKI
Bottom MiG-29
2. Spanish Pilatus PC-21
3. Portuguese Eurocopter EC725 carrying AM39 Exocet ASM
Identify the Drones:
Ryan KDA-1 Firebee
Identify the Armored Recon Vehicle:
CV-90
100%
My first thought for Aircraft pic #1 was the Indian Air Force, but the roundels are not quite right. The Indian AF leadership would not allow a Tejas anywhere near their prize AWACS. Thus, no Tejas in the pic.
Definitely not the Italian AF. No Erieyes for us: we own superior G-550 with conformal arrays.
Saab Erieye,
SU-27
Mig-29
Boom, boom! Out go the lights!
On another note: anyone think Deobra Redden will now get the probation he had been hoping for?
https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/01/03/clark-county-district-court-judge-attacked-during-sentencing-hearing/
Judge Holthus responds “I think it’s time he got a taste of something else.”
The clerk looked like the Pillsbury Doughboy, and the punches he was throwing…but give him props for jumping in while the other guys were a bit slow. Wonder if he will start taking some martial arts training?
I bet this time in full restraints and two burly bailiffs or deputy sheriffs standing right behind him with tazers out and ready to fire.
LL on the stack of three aircraft, the top one, what is that grey box contraption above the fuselage?
Erieye active electronically scanned array radar from Saab Microwave Systems
Neighborhood- if that was a Top Gear (BBC of course) episode Clarkson and the boys would have put their Hilux on the top of the building to see if it would still run after the implosion. Missed opportunity.
Congrats on your 6th year of freedom in free America!
I agree with Ed. Hard to believe it’s been 6 years, but I know you’ve been really happy there, too.
All interesting.
You all be safe and God bless.
Amazing shot of the bomb falling. I’ve seen pix like that, but only from range tests.
Never bother an Old Man who just wants to eat his lunch. A classic example of FAFO…
Six years at WWM! Congrats. I was quite surprised when we were all settled in here, and you were still waiting for construction to finish. Congrats! We’ve been here seven years now, and still love it.
The Raptor’s in good shape! Nice. I might trade my current rig in for a used one; older lowish mileage models aren’t too pricey and I like those trucks.
Poor Hamas was surely dealt a double blow.