Racketeering in America
h/t WSF
There is an ongoing temptation to go medieval on the people responsible.
Gear
I don’t endorse gear all that often on VM – yes, always URT! URT! stuff (cry havoc and let slip the frogs of war) – but otherwise, not so much. I have been wearing Oboz shoes for a long time now and swear by their quality. They are not cheap, but they are sturdy and comfortable. Some people like Solomon or Merrill, but I don’t think they measure up as well. Take that as an endorsement for what it’s worth.
And if you’re going to milk a buffalo (right), go for the single-spigot animals and make what’s left of your life memorable. (shirt at URT!)
Military Philosophy
Crusading Armies didn’t just build castles. They built problems that took armies years to solve. Every defensive system the Crusaders developed in the Holy Land was an answer to a question that had already gotten people killed. The tactics inside those walls were nothing like what Europe had taught them.
This is how you hold ground when you are always outnumbered.
The first lesson the Crusaders learned was that a single wall was a deadline, not a defense. Once it fell, the castle fell. The answer was depth — concentric rings of walls, where breaching the first meant entering a killing ground with a higher wall directly ahead and archers on three sides. Krak des Chevaliers was the perfected version of this logic. It was attacked repeatedly over the course of 130 years. It never fell to assault.
The second lesson was that static defense lost. Garrison commanders who waited behind walls died behind walls. The postern gate — a hidden secondary exit — existed for one purpose: sorties. Small raiding parties move at night to destroy siege equipment, collapse approach trenches (saps), and kill engineers. The defenders of Krak launched sorties against Saladin’s forces in 1188. He besieged the castle, assessed what it would cost to hold it, and left.
The third lesson was water. Every castle that survived a prolonged siege had an internal water source that no attacker could reach or poison. Every castle that fell quickly had a vulnerability in its water supply that a patient enemy eventually found. In the dry heat of the Levant, this wasn’t an engineering preference. It was the difference between a fortress and a tomb.
What hits harder — that these tactics were sophisticated enough to hold ground for over a century, or that the Crusader states still collapsed anyway?
Bullet Points:
** Do I need to apologize for anything? Let this be a beginning.
** At the job fair.
** Question of the day – If you were put into the position of having a last meal and could order anything at all, what would you eat, and how would you want the food prepared? Any special requests?
** Pluto loves you even if you call it a dwarf KBO. That’s love.
** Are you profiting from this administration? President Trump explains it.
** What about Triton? Don’t let it keep you up at night, but…it’s headed in the wrong direction. Things won’t end well for it. A lesson for America’s inner-city youth? No, not really. I can’t push the example that far.
** What are British Intentions toward GCAP? (h/t Claudio) (article here) I don’t speak for the British Exchequer or for HM Government. I only speak for myself. However, I’ll throw my cracker into the soup. The British government can’t float an SSN (submarine) and has only one week’s war supplies on hand, according to MOD statements. They have roughly 9,000 deployable troops in their military and are challenged to get their only destroyer as far as Malta. Do you honestly think that they are in the market for a sixth-generation fighter? Their national GDP is less than Mississippi’s. All of the UK is poorer than America’s poorest state. Stop expecting the UK to “step up” because they have nothing to step up with. Leave them alone. Their priority is providing food, shelter, and medical care to shiftless Muslim immigrants. Lower your expectations when it comes to the British Military “doing their part.” The UK is not self-sufficient in food production. Domestic farms currently produce about 62% of the nation’s food by value. The UK produces over 90% of its wheat and is generally self-sufficient in barley and oats (beer/whiskey). It produces over 70% of its domestic consumption but relies on imports for some specific cuts and out-of-season items. The country is highly reliant on imports, producing only about 15% of the fruit and 53% of the vegetables it consumes. If the UK were forced into complete self-sufficiency, citizens would have to drastically change their diets to rely almost exclusively on seasonal produce, root vegetables, and grains. So we see where things are headed. They’re unlikely to be able to pay for the imports they need to maintain their current standard of living.
** Does rap get the point across better? Straight outta Compton. As a side note, I’ve actually been to Compton.
What Does Singapore Do?
Singapore enforces a strict zero-tolerance policy against illegal narcotics. It combats the drug trade through severe penalties for traffickers and mandatory rehabilitation programs for local users. They don’t have a drug problem. Key pillars of this approach include:
- Severe Penalties: The Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) imposes the mandatory death penalty for trafficking, importing, or exporting specific large quantities of drugs (e.g., more than 15 grams of pure heroin or 500 grams of cannabis).
- Presumption of Trafficking: If you possess more than a set minimum amount of drugs, the law presumes you are trafficking, shifting the burden of proof to the accused.
- Strict Drug Testing: Authorities may require individuals to submit to drug tests. Traces of illicit narcotics found in a person’s system are treated as illegal consumption, even if the drugs were taken outside Singapore.
- Rehabilitation: Users who have not committed other crimes are sent to the Drug Rehabilitation Center (DRC) instead of prison. The program focuses on medical treatment, counseling, and reintegration into society.
- Public Education: The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) regularly runs campaigns to prevent drug use, particularly among youth.
Would Congress enact these strict measures to fix the problem? It’s doubtful because many members of Congress use illegal drugs recreationally, as do many of their children. Barack Obama remains a recreational drug user, meaning that he never stopped. Maybe a good first move would be to do blood tests on ALL members of Congress when they arrive to vote, to demonstrate their purity to the American public.
***
In Turkey and Kurdistan
There are many different political sub-groups within greater Kurdistan (which was Assyria), which spans Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. As some of this blog’s readers know, because you’ve been there, the Turks have been killing Kurds recreationally for centuries and are unlikely to stop. At the same time, Kurds currently make up approximately 15% to 20% of Turkey’s population, representing about 15 million people. They are the country’s largest ethnic minority, primarily concentrated in the east and southeast, though large populations now live in western cities such as Istanbul. Even though Turkey enjoys friendly (as friendly as a Turk can be) relations with some factions of the Iraqi Kurds, it is seriously conflicted when it comes to having the US or Israel pour arms into “Kurdistan.” Wholesale arming of Iranian Kurds would lead to those arms leaking into the hands of Turkish Kurds and the Syrian Kurds they use for artillery practice.
As a “NATO Member” – Turkey has a say when it comes to “Kurdistan” and their Ottoman paranoia runs large, which means that they spend a lot of time penetrating Kurdish movements of all sorts.
The Kirkuk–Ceyhan Oil Pipeline, also known as the Iraq–Turkey Crude Oil Pipeline, is a 600-mile-long (970 km) pipeline that runs from Kirkuk in Iraq to Ceyhan in Turkey. It is Iraq’s largest crude oil export line. Because it runs through Turkey, the Turks get a share of the oil export revenue. The terms of the deal are up for renewal this month – the Turks call it “renegotiation,” which means that they want a larger share of the profit. The pipeline doesn’t run through Iraqi Kurdistan, but it runs close to it, and the Kurds also get a share of the revenue. Everything in that part of the world is complicated.
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
3
4
Aircraft foreground.
Better turning than burning?
End
Identify the Aircraft
1. RCAF Grumman Goose
2. Pakistan Air Force JF-17
3. Chinese Chengdu J-7
4. Pakistan Air Force Saab 2000 Erieye EWAC
Outstanding
“There is an ongoing temptation to go medieval on the people responsible.”
When in the course of human events….
That “when in course” adventure was fairly civilized vs medieval which usually starts with lots of heavy drinking from skulls, then yelling and running with burning torches, swinging swords and axes at whatever resists, burning all to the ground. Then having some more food and drink and going at it again on what ever is left.
*
The Pakistan livery puzzled me today. Knew the plane type, not the owner. So much more to learn.
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Last meal? Texas cowboy rodeo two hundred and fifty item buffet feast. With strawberry shortcake for desert. All consumed on dozens of ancient heavy weight (takes four guys to move) picnic tables under a tent with live music, where hundreds of Texas college sorority ladies have been drinking heavily since seven am. Note… this is kind of like the pre eating at the medieval festival a few sentences ago. Coincidence I guess. Now where did I put my skull mug?
You’re definitely on your way to the corpse hall if you eat like that. Bring a knife so that when you go, the Valkyrie will recognize you as the right sort and will find you a place at Odin’s table.
‘Temptation’? More like ‘on the precipice to go full medieval’ on their sorry rear-ends as more of what those bums are doing to America with OUR confiscated tax money comes to light. Not conspiracy, truth.
Beck started off this morning on a particularly good subject…had to check in after his stint in DC over the weekend. He is showcasing ‘who owns your truck’ as a federal raid was done on a DEF Work-around shop and people arrested…for fixing truck problems. This guy was doing this because trucks were dropping out of service in Alaska at 30 below, stranding drivers because of DEF systems bolted onto engines that fail left and right. As I understand it, his was the only shop around he was constantly trying to fix this government idiocy foisted on the truck/pickup industry…said it constituted 80% of his breakdowns, so he came up with a solution. But no…make a fix on some government stupidity and the Ninny’s raid your business that was fixing a problem they created.
Beck was asking “Who owns your truck or pickup?” Same goes with property taxes….who owns your house? Don’t pay your property taxes and quickly find out ‘not you’. Freedom my a**.
PDJT needs to rid us of this overreach thievery.
I hate to respond this way, but it has to start with people voting (with ID) and putting the right people in state and local government and in Congress. Taxes and spending are a function of the legislature.
No reason, you are correct and measured…’Medieval’ can have many connotations and yours is my preferred as well. Yet looking at NYC, Denver, et al…not looking good to override the [current] fraud voting and short-sighted group(s) who keep putting these people in. If we can fix that and elect moral people not making a career in the statehouse or DC they might just remove the shackles, starting with K-Street largess. We have two more years under PDJT (God willing), the next person to receive and carry the righteous baton will be critical to success for America and her people.
👍
we have to find a way to pay/support/make sure we have functioning local police, fire departments, and courts. I don’t see/like getting the necessary funding from any source other than local (too much possiblity of pieces of silver accidently falling into “administrative” silk-lined pockets – it’s bad enough at the local level) taxes.
I see no way other than property taxes: those who live in the defined area pay the freight.
I’m all ears for all/any other suggestions.
There are massive differences between Sheriff departments the same is true of police departments. Differences in pay, benefits, integrity, education.
Big regional differences in how it’s done.
Sorry! forgot to mention local EMT.
Please forgive me.
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Grumman G-21 Goose
2. CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder
3. Chengdu J-7
4. Saab 2000 AEW&C
Excellent
Response to Question of the Day–Chicken Fried Steak and gravy, with fries (not mountain oyster fries). Prep.- Done by someone who knows, I mean really knows, how to prepare and season the meat, make and season the gravy, and someone who won’t let the fries get soggy with grease. I have a very discerning palate and limit my local patronage to those places who have demonstrated their competence in serving such vittles.
The gravy is the key. Too much pepper is my usual concern.
It won’t be a concern for long if it is your last meal. Having said that, I tend to like pepper, but prefer that the cook make it mild and let me season to taste when it comes to gravy. Meat needs to be seasoned before you cook it. Different dynamic.
Last meal? Fuck it, last chance to them the finger.
🤣…altho, using the America shovel fork method affords using one hand for the [preferred meal] while freeing up the other for the…uhh…salute. Win,win.
Pepperoni, sausage and mushroom New York style (thin crust) pizza.
I much prefer thin crust. Not that anyone cares but I’m being affirming
Double meat cheesesteak sprinkled with banana peppers from Giuseppe’s in Richboro, PA….with fries and Dr. Pepper…oh, and 17% buttermilk ice cream for desert. This was not a difficult question.
That’s specific – and a long way from Montana
…and we don’t get DoorDash…never would anyway, prefer to get our own food. Jersey Mike’s makes a passable cheesesteak, and Costco does carry good ice cream in a double gallon box. Maybe eat dessert first, delay the inevitable demise for disconnecting my DEF system – heh.
X2 for Mikes Way
Oboz: Made right here…well, 62 miles West…in Bozeman…hence the name, which oddly took me a minute to figure out until I saw the billboard while driving into town to hit Home Depot and Costco. For a decade or more wore Keens because of the wide toe box, and ai like them, but quality went downhill and they’d last maybe 6 months. Oboz are built better and could be had on sale for a comparable price. I wear the wide version, immediately comfortable and a lot better lasting, like a year plus. Solid underfoot and good looking. Merrills were also another brand I wore a lot, but I only buy Oboz now.
Captain Brittles on apology.
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https://www.youtube.com/shorts/jppfHNDw84o
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Last meal. Yellow curry made with chicken (hold the heat) over Jasmine brown rice, Major Grey’s Chutney on the side, cold Shiner to wash it down.
Foot wear. I have a pair of 5.11 boots, Style 12464ABR. They see light duty for yard work and the occasional outdoor adventure.They are not my point. These are–
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https://www.walmart.com/ip/Dr-Scholl-s-Heel-Pain-Relief-Orthotic-Inserts-for-Men-8-12-Insoles-for-Plantar-Fasciitis-Heel-Spurs/738363821?classType=VARIANT
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I buy my boots a half size over and stuff in a pair of these insoles. Obviously very comfortable, but also noticeably less fatigue at the end of the day. That little extra spring in each step adds up.
Done that in the work boots as well, Scholl’s makes some nice inserts for a good value. Hiking? Superfeet inserts, pricey but last forever.
**a good first move would be to do blood tests on ALL members of Congress when they arrive to vote, to demonstrate their purity to the American public.**
Yes! A drug test for all of Congress and their staff, with the results being released to the public!
Last meal? The liver of Obozo garnished with the pureed heart of Slick Willie.
Make it two, please.
Put an apple in Hillary’s mouth
Krak des Chevaliers is the ‘classic’ king of the hill type castle. Each smaller killing zone is overlooked by a higher perch. And yes, the internal water was critical. If I remember correctly, they never actually ‘lost’, they were tricked into surrendering somehow. Drug test both the congresscritters AND their staffs. Last meal? Chicken Fried Steak, green beans, mashed taters, and gravy of course!
Biscuit?
Krak des Chevaliers uses the same principals as European castles and fortified towns.
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Multiple layers of walls, often where the inside of towers connected to walls don’t have thick walls on the fort’s inside face, or no walls at all. Interior partitions and crooked streets making kill-zones. Multiple water sources and multiple egress points.
There were also the “murder holes”
And my favorite, the oubliette. A hole in the floor that is basically a cell. Drop someone in it or take the ‘door’ off when your castle’s being attacked.
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The whole realm of removable/expendable features is something most people don’t see nor get about castles. Like entrances on the 2nd floor, not the ground floor, and the ramp to the entrance is either removable or built to collapse at the right times. Many castles were converted in the 1600s and later by simply filling in the interior open areas inside the castle’s outer walls and the castle itself in order to make the entrance more accessible.
Last Meal:
My mother’s liver and onions – or her lamb chop toast (toasted lamb chop?), potatoes mashed with Gänseschmalz, and fresh, shucked peas followed by (just?) one lekvar Hamentaschen
Are there different qualities of liver? To me it’s guts but I respect your choice.
liver is kosher and was very inexpensive during the 40s – and in my father’s house, you ate what was placed in front of you – all of it – after all, children were starving in China
the lamb chops were burnt to a crisp to make sure there was no blood, really crispy-crunchy like good bacon, were a treat
and BTW, the lekvar Hamentaschen (To Die For) were made with the sweetened bread dough, not the hard, fall-apart cookie dough you see nowadays
My grandmother (Swiss) made them and my grandfather called lekvar Hamentaschen “griddlers.” Same thing and delicious when fresh.
Last meal.
Communion.
Nothing else matters at that point.
Does it matter who officiates? I’m thinking of Kiplings GRAVE OF THE HUNDRED HEAD. Fifty file of Antifa to open you heavens gate and all that.
“Domestic farms currently produce about 62% of the nation’s food by value.”
C’mon PaulM! Clarkson’s Farm?
Clarksons biggest obstacle is the government.
Oh, Lord…..Compton. Almost as bad as Wilmington, or “Wilmas” as the locals call it. Our place in Long Beach was about 4~5 miles from Compton. North Long Beach (a Compton wannabe) was immediately North of us. 4th of July was like a war zone. Continuous thunder from those directions.
.
And bullets falling like hail on July 4 and New Year’s Eve.
Yep. Same thing when I lived in San Pedro.