Quotables: A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves freely amongst those within the gate, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the halls of government itself. —Marcus Tullius Cicero
Russian Intelligence Ops
(h/t Claudio) Stragypage – November 19, 2024: The Ukrainian security service (SSU) recently detected several Russian agents operating in Kherson near the Black Sea northwest of Crimea. Three Russian spies were arrested. Each of them was operating independently, without knowledge of other Russian operatives. This is a common practice in all espionage agencies. The Russian spies were working jobs, like driving a cab, that allowed them to get around without raising suspicions. Interrogators found that the Russians were currently seeking locations and status of Ukrainian air defense systems and other military targets, especially those difficult to identify using aerial surveillance (ISR). Earlier, SSU had disrupted an espionage network seeking the location of Ukrainian HIMARS missile launcher vehicles. These are kept hidden because the Russians fear these mobile missile launchers and the damage they do to Russian artillery units and supply storage sites.
Eastern Ukraine always had a large Russian population because, during the 1930s, Russians were brought into eastern Ukraine to replace all the Ukrainians who died during the Holodomor (Great Famine). The famine was caused by the Soviet government exporting nearly all grain produced in that part of the country for several years. This was part of a Soviet plan to raise additional foreign currency to pay for importing Western machinery needed to industrialize Russia. This plan worked, and leader Josef Stalin saw the dead Ukrainians as necessary to enable Russia to build factories for producing commercial and military products, including tanks and the new multiple-cell rocket launchers they had recently invented.
Now, nearly a century later, there is another war because Russian forces invaded independent Ukraine in 2022. Stalin would have seen this as a civil war, but times have changed. Some things going on today, such as Stalin’s would, can be seen as familiar. For example, the current Russian government has lost its destabilization skills. A century ago, the new communist government in Russia came to power because of the communists’ ability to subvert their opponents and eliminate opposition without a lot of bloodshed. A more recent destabilization effort involved an effort to destabilize countries in Africa to distract the attention mass media paid to the Russian campaign in Ukraine. Russian mercenaries and spies are busy trying to cause as much distracting chaos as possible in the rest of the world. This includes covert operations in Europe, mercenaries operating throughout Africa, establishing links with Muslim organizations in Central Asia and Europe, and blowing up Western airliners. (more)
Mexican Drug Cartels & Human Trafficking
The nature of drug cartels, how they operate, how they evolve, and their successes (and failures) remain poorly understood even in law enforcement circles. Because they’re businesses, they adapt to changing markets quickly. Governments are ponderous and react/evolve slowly, so the organizations prosper no matter how many peons and kingpins are in prison. I was as ignorant as many of my co-workers for a long time, but I didn’t specialize in narcotics investigations or drug cartels. After my time in law enforcement, I worked in Latin America on projects that touched the narcotics business (DEA turf). In that capacity, I rubbed shoulders with higher-level narcos. On one occasion, fifteen years ago, I was in Guadalajara dealing with a situation and received a call that Ignacio “Nacho” Coronel Villarreal wanted to meet me and that he was in front of the hotel where I was staying. It was afternoon, maybe two months before Nacho was killed. He had a few taxis parked in front of the hotel and was in one of them.
No guts, no glory, so I went for a ride. We drove around Guadalajara for over an hour, talking about problems he had with Americans, primarily American lawyers. During the ride, he explained a few things about his business, mostly legitimate, built on drug profits. Nacho was a diabetic (uncontrolled), and he was ill. The conversation catalyzed me to view them in a different light. Not in a positive light, but with a greater appreciation for the complexity of relationships and the environment where they operated. I already knew that the FBI legats in Mexico City were hopelessly corrupt. They had just replaced the corrupt ASAC with a new guy (who had been a rank-and-file legat) who was dating an attractive cartel woman, you get the picture. I knew the players and so did Nacho.
I’ve discussed how the business actually works on this blog at length in the past. There is no need to rehash it today, but the Biden regime’s move allowed for vast profits to be made in human trafficking for the past four years as human cargo and suffering were exploited on both sides of the border. How much of that profit reached American politicians? I have no way of knowing, but based on track records (10% for the Big Guy), it’s almost impossible that it didn’t happen on a grand scale.
The New Woke Jaguar
Very British, very trans-homo, very weird – not only no, but hell no. You know the car will be a piece of crap.
Bullet Points:
** Burbon has never been recalled because of e-coli.
** CDRSAL on American weakness. (more here) It reminded me of the lame-duck Obama visiting China at the end of his second term. Air Force One landed, and the Chinese didn’t roll out the stairs, so he was forced to deplane from the stairs at the aft (from the ass portion) of Air Force One. The US can’t afford to be weak or seen as weak – two different but connected things. The demented pedophile, Biden, and his cast of misfits were seen as indicative of American decline. They took note of the election of President Trump and the rejection of the whore the Democrats wanted to emplace so that the shadow government could continue.
** Housekeeping—I’ve heard from some of you in the back channel regarding possible DC-related intentions that I might have. I’m old enough that a 24/7/365 tempo wouldn’t work, much as I’d like to. There are options out there that I am exploring seriously, not as ambitious, but in the game. The election of President Trump brought some prospects.
** Even the barrel horse riders are dancing. And in the Oil Patch, it’s even more common. Democrats complained to the NFL, but they were blown off.
** Einstein in a nutshell: Special relativity deals with observers moving at constant speeds without considering gravity, focusing on how time and space are perceived differently depending on relative motion. In contrast, general relativity incorporates acceleration and gravity into its framework, describing how massive objects influence space-time.
** The Chinese debt incurred by local governments is over $8 trillion now, about half of China’s GDP. China is working to stave off disaster by issuing debt instruments backed by the central government. Still, the upcoming Trump tariffs will cause businesses left in China to relocate even faster than they’re doing.
** What does it cost to train a USAF pilot?
** LSP and I were talking on the phone the other day about qualifications. As a subcomponent of my resume, I include operational experience in sensitive intelligence collection and tradecraft, foreign espionage and sabotage, counterterrorism, infiltration, information exploitation, asset identification management, recruitment, and development in operational settings in different regional locations. While it sounds cool to read, tens of thousands of Americans have similar training and experience. It’s not a one-off.
Illegal Alien Children
As the U.S. has been inundated with a record number of illegal immigrants, the unaccompanied children crisis has also spiked. Unaccompanied children are those who cross illegally without a parent or guardian. The government typically pays to send them to a sponsor. But whistleblowers say the sponsors are vetted through little more than an honor system, and the kids are sometimes trafficked into the hands of criminals and gangs. In August, the Inspector General seemed to confirm the worst. An urgent report said the government had lost track of more than 320,000 children over the last five years.
In many cases, children were purchased from parents in the poorer areas of Mexico (a practice that has gone on for decades for trafficking purposes) and sold to illegal immigrants who thought that they had a better chance of crossing the border if they had a child with them. This is not a secret. The media has silenced it.
In the Days of Fighting Sail
…Pirates roamed the Seven Seas demanding that the unwary surrender the booty. Would you surrender at the point of pistol and cutlass or tender blandishments?
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
Lots of hints in the photo
3
4
NOT a P-51 (not a North American Aviation product). Think more in terms of Old NFO (that’s your hint)
Identify the Vehicle
5
6
7
Parting Shot
End
2 is Textron AirLand Scorpion
The good thing about Australia being an island is it’s harder for illegal migrants to get here. Local supreme court recently ruled against indefinite detention for criminals and false asylum seekers. They let some out and most committed a crime within 48 hours. Latest insanity is that they can’t be made to wear monitors if they are let out.
I used to work part time for the company that had the electronic security and cctv contract for the detention centres. No one they had there should be released.
I feel the same way about our situation here in the US. We have encouraged other nations to empty their prisons and send their savages here. No sane person would want that.
Identify the Aircraft:
1. PZL.38 Wilk
2. Textron AirLand Scorpion
3. SEPECAT Jaguar
4. Curtiss XP-40Q
Identify the Vehicle:
5. Panzer II
6. KV-2
7. M29 Weasel
Right on, Surly
Quotables; “a nation cannot survive “treason from within.” Seeing Gladiator 2 last night surprised me. A lot of modern correlations to ponder. One being the planned invasion of the southern border. Two being the amount of spycraft being used by the alphabet agencies for lawfare against members of the right. Three being the exposition of the moral lunacy of the elite left.
The movie is good?
On the list to see…at home of course.
From the truly gorgeous E-type to this? It appears Jaguar learned nothing from Anheuser-Busch. “Hold my Bud Light and watch this!”
*I’m going to sit back and enjoy (for as long as He gives me) the interaction(s) between Donald John and Vladimir Vladimirovich; these may surprise more than a few a people. What might be even more interesting to watch will be the dance with Jinping: the hula, the foxtrot, or the why – and it will be a love triange.
* Burbon: Kaintuck, Tennessee and now, it appears, Romanian, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/burbon
* What does it cost to train a USAF pilot? I just sent this off to a friend; used to be a Huey silo bus driver
* I will more than happily surrender my booty. BTW, what is that dimple below her right breast.
I know, I know! I shouldn’t look a gift horse that closely in the mouth. If this is one of yours, however, I’ve got to say the digits are definitely improving.
* “operational experience” – “…tens of thousands of Americans have similar training and experience.” not to be argumentative, but the figure seems awfully high
* making myself very popular! “Unaccompanied children…” “How could you possibly send these poor little tykes back to starve to death‽”
It’s pleasant to read Emma Lazarus n’ all, but how did we become the city dump?
Thus speaks the child of penniless immigrants both of whom dreamt the “American Dream”, studied and spoke only English to and with their friends and at home, and worked hard to succeed in making their life into the “American Dream”.
Mom and Dad both pulled themselves up by their bootstraps; no help from anyone, ’cause bootstraps are available free to anyone just for the taking. Not necessarily easy, but millons have done it.
I believe that’s part of her rib cage. Extremely rarely seen in real life. The necessary body composition is so low fat that it can’t offer breasts like those.
Don’t be a hater.
Cartels- When you follow the money and reality slaps you in the face its a sinking feeling. No one wants or likes to see how the sausage is made but until U.S. and Mexican politicians and corrupt lawyer stop taking money from cartel profits, human suffering in all forms will continue. 10% for the Big Guy! Jaguar- You know why the Brits drink warm beer? Because they can’t engineer shit! Add a bunch of fudge packers dancing around in tutus and you’ve got a sure fire was to torpedo Jaguar. Obama probably enjoys the commercial though. Just don’t let “Big Mike” catch ya Barack Hussein you terrorist crack smoking faggot!
Jaaaag Bizarro World- Curious what The Worlds Greatest Living Englishman has to say, especially on the heels of attending the recent ‘farmers revolt’ against The Motherland’s farm-killing regs that have caused food shortages? No matter, Volvo responded with their version of family and pro-life. (Yeah, Swedish, but we’ll let that slide…this time)
– Then there’s Aston Martin, who had a few things to say: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHoMpINNqDM
***
Fighting Sail – Not sure much fighting would get done…considering…eh…ahh, you know. But there ya go LL, a new business opportunity: “Pirate Booty Lingerie”…. about time VS had some proper competition catering to real woman and not tarting up teenagers for profit.
***
The Dance- Trump has a way…and We The People feel the sea change, it’s palpable…which is the why the rats are self-exiting by jumping overboard. Winning!
It would depend on how the fighting was being done. One fantasy novel had a minor character introduced by a boat load of women pulling up to a small warship, with barrels of ale as cargo. The women invited the officers and sailors to have an all-day-all-night party. Once all the warship crew passed out several women, who had stayed sober, went around cutting throats.
In some things we males are the weaker sex…beware of maidens bearing gifts, such as booze, kind of a red flag (no law required, just common sense).
Female pirates are sly, cunning and bear considerable watching.
Sometimes it’s best not to look.
Thank LL. You create a bright start and many thoughts to my day. In thanks, I have (in the past), stolen clips and columns and posted them elsewhere (attributed). Did it again today and will again int the future, unless you shake that no-no finger at me. Stay safe and fair winds and seas.
Steal as you are moved to steal – spread the love.
the jag spokesman at a recent rally was most proud of his twelve new dei groups, rather than his quality cars. even if i could afford one, nope.
Wait until they rebrand ‘British Racing Green” as a righteous way to “fight” GlobalWarmingClimateCoolingChange (the paint will have a carbon tax premium excise tax).
No, I wouldn’t put my ass in one of their cars for fear of catching something that crawls…
I’ve had to put up with Faguar jokes all day.
I love my Jag XF. Refined, great lines, and exhilarating to drive….but those woke bastards have wrecked an image.
I can’t afford an Aston Martin….so…..
A pre-owned AM works (“just because you’re not the first, doesn’t mean that you won’t enjoy the ride”).
The Mexican Cartels have “team logos.”
https://www.borderlandbeat.com/2024/11/the-symbology-used-by-criminal.html?m=1
They absolutely do. And have had for decades.
Picture #4, so it is cranky, hard to start, idles rough and bucks the person controlling it?
:)
Are we sure that ad is for the car manufacturer and not some couture house?
Because, I’m having trouble relating to reality lately.
This ad.
Prominent Democrats going Republican.
DEI on the run.
The Lions might end up in the Super Bowl.
It’s all so surreal.
Lions in the Super Bowl – only if the Democrats had won and needed to sacrifice Christians.
Back when I went through flight training in the early 80s, the ‘cost’ to train a Navy pilot or NFO was pegged at $1,000,000. I really don’t see how the USAF can possibly justify that spread of costs, unless they are figuring in trainer cost/hours per pilot/etc.
Re buying children, you and I both know this has gone on for years, at least since the 70s that I know of, especially in the far east. Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, PI, etc. girl children were cheap. I’m sure the same has been true throughout South America in that same time frame, because they look(ed) at human life differently than we do.
I don’t buy those numbers either. There’s training to get your wings, i.e. become a pilot…..probably little difference.between fighter and.bomber/transport.
Operational conversion which for transport can actually be productive strat missions. Finally continuing ops training.which is probably where the bull of the costs are.
That short history of Japan is just so wrong…
And I can’t help 😀
Jaguar. Hope Morgan stays true to their roots so we continue to have one wonderful British automobile. The rest? I wouldn’t have one as a gift. If I had stupid money a Plus 6 would be on the list. Dr Jim in his Supra and I could terrorize the Foothills. Banner can co-pilot.
Morgan is alive and doing well. They have a new model coming out this coming year. One of the few British cars I would own. Along with a Lotus 7 or Caterham.
What about a Rolls Royce?
Doesn’t tickle my fancy.
Are you thinking of Banner’s comfort or just your own? Doesn’t he deserve a smoother ride to the Walmart?
Jaguar hasn’t been British for a hell of a long time now. Jaguar-Land Rover is owned
By Tata of India. Before that it was owned by Ford. Before that, it was almost the 1980s.
*
LR is making money almost as fast as Jaguar is losing it. The company is shutting
production for at least 2 years, and is going to try and rebrand as a boutique halo
marque.
*
Obviously that isn’t going to work, the people put in charge are imbeciles.
I think they’re just doing this so they can pretend that they didn’t just kill the brand.
*
– Kle.
Jaguar ad alternative ending.
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1GKzBBzW6P/
X2
Heh
HAH!
destabilization
By commies? Don’t say USA.
Ok, I won’t.