Bullet Points:
** The Ukraine policy that is emerging is that Europe will buy weapons from the US and give them to the Ukrainians. I have no problem with that. I have no problem with the USGOV providing targeting information for the weapons the Ukes buy from us. Eventually, Europeans will send peacekeepers. That’s the trajectory they’re on. They don’t have that many to send, but they can send what they have if that’s what they want. Zskyy, the little tranny nightclub act, has no credibility. But having bullets made in Arizona, killing Russians, is irrelevant to me. The Russians will continue to send meat to die on the Ukrainian front. The only way to stop them is to kill them.
The Kremlin is demanding that Russia have a veto over any Western security guarantees for Ukraine to undermine ongoing US, European, and Ukrainian efforts to establish conditions for lasting peace in Ukraine. That’s absurd.
** The Open Fields Doctrine – reasonable vs unreasonable.
** English language tests for truckers.
** The Democrats are quietly distancing themselves from trannies. Is that true? Will democrats be able to decide which bathroom to use in the future? Tectonic shift.
** Are you being crushed by capitalism? Have you had your seventh COVID booster yet?
** In April 2025, Republican Congressman Joe Wilson and Democrat Congressman Jimmy Panetta introduced the bipartisan “Free Iraq from Iran Act,” which mandates a U.S. interagency strategy to dismantle Iran-backed militias like the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) and end U.S. security assistance to Iraq until these groups are removed. The bill also targets prominent Iraqi political and military figures allied with Iran, and supports Iraqi civil society and media efforts to expose militia abuses. This legislation aims to significantly reduce Tehran’s influence in Iraq and restore Iraqi sovereignty without direct military intervention.
The bill mandates the development of a strategy by the Department of State, the Treasury, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to support Iraqi independence from Iran.
The Iraqi national election is scheduled to take place on November 11.
** The Most English Man in the world.
** Beyond beds and baths in California. No investment for you.
** Paint it BLACK. Black is beautiful. The wall is big and beautiful and needs to be painted black. Black walls matter.
** Have you ever seen this deck before, Old NFO?
** Ukrainian forces struck Russian energy infrastructure in Leningrad and Samara oblasts on the night of August 23 to 24.
Flamingos are Mean
Ukraine launches serial production of the Flamingo cruise missile, with a range of over 3,000 km (1,865 miles).
Under the conditions of a protracted/forever war, Ukraine is relying on its own high-tech weapons systems, which enable it to reduce its dependence on Western supplies and develop its strategic potential. One of the developments was the Flamingo cruise missile with a declared range of over 3,000 km, which is already in serial production.
The Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile is equipped with a warhead weighing 1,150 kilograms (2,535 pounds). This makes it significantly more destructive than any other missile or one-way attack drone currently available to Ukraine. The Flamingo missile will enable Ukraine to potentially inflict heavy damage on targets deep inside Russia, including key production hubs located as far as the Ural Mountains.
There’s not much difference between a Flamingo missile and a German V-1 (circa 1944), so the tech is old but proven, and they won’t be easy to shoot down. The air distance between Kiev (Boryspil International Airport – KBP) and Moscow (Sheremetyevo International Airport – SVO) is 473.8 miles (762.5 kilometers or 411.7 nautical miles).
Last of the Class (finally)
The littoral combat ships (LCS) were conceived by the same people who brought you the Zumwalt Class destroyer. Enough said about that. The Coast Guard doesn’t want them, but the Navy may have a mission for them (at last).
On August 20, 2025, the US Navy announced that it will commission the future USS Pierre (LCS 38) on November 15, 2025, in Panama City, Florida, marking the final addition to the Independence-variant littoral combat ship program. The vessel, constructed by Austal USA, is the nineteenth and final of its class, representing the culmination of a program initiated in the early 2000s.
The current thinking is that these over-priced and somewhat useless in combat ships could be used off the Pacific Coast and in the Caribbean to interdict drug traffickers. They are fast, they have a helicopter, and can deploy rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), and they have a small gun, which will out-gun the narcos. It’s like using a nuke to swat a fly, but – why not? Operating close to home, their lack of range shouldn’t be an issue.
Anti-Poverty Activism – a Get Rich Quick Scheme
“This so-called ‘anti-poverty’ activist has admitted to being nothing more than a self-serving fraudster, by seeking to enrich himself by defrauding lenders and investors out of hundreds of millions of dollars,” according to Bill Essayli, the Acting U.S. Attorney of the Central District of California.
Anyone with a bullshit title like that: anti-poverty activist, community organizer, social justice advocate, is just a scammer looking to make money off of people’s fear, anger, and gullibility. That’s what Barack did before running for office. He was doing that when he and Big Mike hooked up.
Then there’s ten percent for the Big Guy. (but not anymore – MAGA)
Zoltan Humiliates Himself (again)
(NY Post) I don’t understand. If you are such a weakling in your mid-30s, you can’t bench 135 ONE TIME….why in God’s name would you set yourself up for public humiliation like this? Does this physical weakness APPEAL to his supporters somehow? That’s all I can figure out. There’s not a drop of toxic male blood or one scintilla of testosterone in Zoltan’s body. I his beard might be fake. Big Mike Obama should give him a transfusion.
Does the comb-over suit Big Mike? Male pattern baldness is a bitch.
Should Government Take a Seat at the Table?
It’s not the government simply entering the open market and buying up stock, as you would through a brokerage. The Intel deal was structured as a negotiated investment package: Washington committed billions in subsidies, tax credits, and direct funding for fabs, and the Treasury took an equity stake in Intel as part of the arrangement.
The 10% number floating around isn’t about a blind market purchase; it’s closer to a “corporate buy-in,” negotiated alongside federal industrial policy goals. That’s what Hassett is referring to. Not day-trading by the government, but more like targeted “public/private partnerships” with Uncle Sam writing checks and taking a seat at the table.
It does make us more like China…
Luftwaffe Parachute Infantry
The German Air Force could have made a better effort at finding a helmet than just using the cooking pots and attaching a chin strap.
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
3
4
5
Two Graphics and a significant hint.
Parting Shot
End
Flamingos – will Russia reactivate prop planes and use them to play Flip The Wing games?
It has the virtue of having been done before.
Just read an article about a Ukraine unit flying YAKs, pilot and rifleman, to shoot down drones. Some of them have done the wing tip thing.
Sounds like it could be more fun than shooting feral hogs from the air :)
A simple flying bomb with minimal controls and GPS steering. Works. Doesn’t have to be overly expensive. There’s actually a point where many many stupid dumb barely controlled flying bombs that are more likely to make it through an already pert-near-destroyed anti-air defense and cost thousands is much better than one expensive cruise missile.
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It’s the advantages of destroying an enemy’s air defense. You can stop spending big bucks for single shots and go to launching lots of crappy drones. Considering the lack of targeting a lot of the Russky stuff seems to have, the Russians can’t really bitch about being vengeance weaponed by the Ukes.
Should Government Take a Seat at the Table? – Same difference as public sector unions…answer is no. The Federal government has one (basic) job, making deals with big corporations is not one of them; incentives or not, it is still K-Street lobbying for favors regardless how it’s done and for whatever reason is given that will ultimately use We The People’s tax money to line someone else’s pockets.
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Zoltan needs to stay away from those Starbucks soy latte’s and estrogen supplements. The guy is weak at all levels, another Manchurian infiltrator. Where are the actual men who The Founders envisioned? Tim Walz is another who needs to be taken behind the woodshed…likely him and Madmommy are “bestee’s”. (Gag me with a pitchfork.)
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Parting Shot: Juxtaposition matters. CB has also revamped their table side triangle game to be less “triggering” and Heteronormative” while creating a “safe space” for the skinny jean wearing man-bun sporting/clipped multi-colored hair butch gal patrons; it only has 3 holes, and includes an African-American peg and an Oppressive White peg (where the black peg jumps the white one every time), and includes a rainbow flag color themed ‘block’, and is designed to compliment the new minimalist decor. (Yeah, that’s the ticket for business success, cater to the 0.1% dementors.)
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Anti-Poverty Activism: Modern snake-oil salesman who will attack you for not buying their “product”.
Ps: Just got an ad on my phone for Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte, back early from patron demand….now I gotta run to town to get in line for my very own Grande! (Not)
Pss: It would be exponentially faster to use an nice airless sprayer on the Big Beautiful Wall, and easier on the arms than rolling (h/t to Sec. Noem for giving it a go). And the black is a smart choice, it’ll get cooking in that Suthun’ Border sun.
I very much doubt that they’ll “roll on” the black paint. It will have to be very specialized and expensive paint to endure the heat of iron in 120+ degrees with wind, sand and environmental issues. The photo op was fun.
The pictures show them rolling it on….
Looks dumb.
Everyman optics…but still hilarious.
It’s the painting version of politicians and ceos using shovels to ‘start the big dig.’
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There’s a video out there of them using a spray truck.
1 – Douglas B26K
2 – Martin P6M Seamaster
3 – Grumman F6F Hellcat
4 – Junkers Ju 88
5- Sikorsky S-97 Raider
You beat Surly by one minute! Well done.
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Douglas A-26 Invader
2. Martin P6M SeaMaster
3. Grumman F6F-3E Hellcat
4. Junkers Ju 88
5. Sikorsky S-97 Raider
Well done!
I got news for you, sweetie. If you got so far as to get an interview with those awful people hiring in those random places in the middle of nowhere, they’d laugh you out of the building with your brand of cringe. Here’s how it would go for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo0KjdDJr1c
She has a PhD in soil biology but doesn’t want to move to ag country.
Fly-over country – where the riff-raff live.
Card carrying…
Open Fields: It’s not quite that simple.
“On the books (The Pennsylvania Game Code), in Section 901(a)(8) provides Game Commission officers the authority to “conduct administrative inspections of persons, licenses and permits, firearms, ammunition and other implements of taking, game bags, game, meat poles, tags, clothing, waterfowl blinds, decoys, tree stands, immediate hunting locations, or any means of transportation used as blinds or hunting locations, any coolers or containers possessed at a hunting location when prima facie evidence of hunting exists.” Note that by the text this applies to even law abiding hunters and anglers who have done nothing wrong and have not even been suspected of doing anything wrong! ”
“Finally, the Game Code makes it a crime when someone does not answer a Game Commission officer’s questions.”
In short, PA Game Commission Officers have the authority to trespass on your posted private property without your knowledge, a warrant, or probable cause. If you encounter them on your property they can demand that they inspect your person, ID, hunting license, and any weapons you have on you as well as your vehicle. And you MUST answer their questions!
https://www.pennlago.com/three-things-may-not-know-pennsylvania-game-commission-officers-waterway-conservation-officers/
In Pennsylvania, the laws differ from state to state, but the intent remains closely aligned.
The funding of intel follies reminds me of George Bush SR’s advisor who said it does not matter if we make potato chips or computer chips. We have been betrayed by both sides.
I personally initiated the restart of I-960 chips for the F-22 when the buyers could not do it because they were out of production and the masks were gone. If it is not in the book it cannot be done. I just asked backdoor if they had Y2K back up files and wafer machines that were close enough. A few mil later and we had enough I-960s to complete the last 100 F-22 AC. Pissed a lot of embarrassed managers off. I learned that from a hot rod guy who taught me you can buy anything with a little cash, the correct questions and get off your ass. He was the first one I knew to use an exhaust temperature sensor to change his fuel mixers in real time. He was later lost at sea in a $16k Cessna. I always prayed he faked his own death due to personal debts. He had the gumption. It is gumption we lack. Tom
I am in awe…
X2
Luftwaffe Cooking Pots-results due to a portent? Consider Wermacht “potato masher” handle used to make a post war potato masher handle, and steel helmets made into colanders?
YES!
Funny how the modern combat helmet, which started out looking like a stahlhelm, has now evoveled into basically the luft-pot.
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Weird, isn’t it?
I Love the Gig that the video on the ASW sona buoys guy slipped in when mentioning all of the NATO partners that train with them in Iceland…
Except one that is reliably absent…
MSG Grumpy
NATO needs to reconsider the G-I-UK Gap. It’s been allowed to fester for a long time. The same is true of chokepoints in the Pacific and the development of effective captor mines.
So stupid it makes one cringe.
Supposedly painting the border fences black will make them too ho to climb. Will they still be hot at 0300?
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Open fields doctrine
Arguments on both sides. What is lacking is reasonableness. Curbing poaching, finding marijuana plots, moon shining, etc., might be acceptable. Planting game camera, driving vehicles among crops and cutting fences isn’t acceptable.
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English test for truckers
Yes! There is a larger problem in two parts. Many, perhaps most, foreign born truckers hold our ways (and laws) in contempt. They are here for the money. Second part, the fly by night companies that employ them.
An example, an Oregon tow operator was called to tow a semi to a repair shop. He found several people were living in the truck. They had cut a hole in the floor of the sleeper unit which they used for a toilet. He decided he wasn’t disconnecting the drive shaft and refused the job.
Another example, here in Colorado a young Mexican national coming down I-70 in a semi loaded with steel bars burned up his brakes, ignored runaway ramps, and ended up killing five people at the bottom of the hill. He didn’t have a CDL, had no mountain driving experience, but was still employed by the trucking company.
Tom, thanks for the interesting F-22 story!
To add to Tom’s info about the I-960 saga, I can attest (but only under certain conditions) that there are a number of components in use on US equipment that would not be made if not for various public-private agreements and investments between the US GOV and the corporation designing and making said components.
I found an interesting article about the I-960 at https://www.righto.com/2023/07/the-complex-history-of-intel-i960-risc.html
There’s some features in the Protected and Extended versions of the chip that could add “interesting” security capabilites to the chip and it’s implementation in various military environments.
And somewhere, something is tickling my memory of the I-960 used in a crypto device, but that could be my mind playing tricks…
I remember my TRC-97 radio van being down for the lack of a transistor.
I could have bought it at Radio Shack but I had to wait days for the gov’t supply chain.
For the want of a nail, a war was lost.
For the want of a Secure Processor, a combat system could not be upgraded and made combat-ready.
Interesting Radio rig you worked with…
“Learn microwave, it’s the wave of the future!” 😉
The first time I heard of “Micro Waves” was at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. Bell Labs had an exhibit called “The Wonder of Waveguide”, and it showcased how “Microwavelengths” were being used to carry hundreds of simultaneous telephone conversations. Pretty impressive for a 9 year old wannbe Radio Man!
**BREAKING**: Cracker Barrel has paved the way for others to follow suit, and the first one thru the wall gets all the grief:
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Nike’s Elliot Hill has announced they are doing a wholesale rebranding, and will start with a move of headquarters to Chicago, next door to Boeing as apparently there is plenty of available office space downtown, and with PDJT sending in the troops, it’ll be safe for employees. Hill said the new ad slogan is “Just Fuhgeddaboudit!”. All merchandise will only be offered in 3X and above using the newly minted Irish ex-pat Rosie as spokesperson doing a 1/100th Marathon in a wheelbarrow. Hill and his exec team insist this is a good move and told Media Doesn’t Matters it “won’t cost $700 million like CB’s rebranding.”
Yep, seen the P-8 and the trainers. Never got a chance to fly on it for either training or operations, but I had a little input… :-)
I should want the same people who can’t procure ships, airplanes, or rockets to make five year plans for chip fabs, comrade?
.
I saw some thing about Trump’s answer to high national debt and no manufacturing is, not to reduce spending and red tape, but to issue an IPO for North America and inflate the dollar 10X.
Problem is, five years MAY only cover pre-production/development. When the program takes five years just to reach production, then 10-15 years of production, then maybe 20-30 years of use, planning and upgrades become critical. Obsolence becomes a major problem, systems have to be modified or replaced due to lack of older parts.
R.E. Space shuttle program havign to go on eBay for processors for the five computers that drove the systems.
I still don’t see why we shouldn’t anchor up an LCS in Lake Whitney and extend SEAPOWER DOMINANCE. Yes, over Bosque County.