Violence!
I’m thinking about building a new bike from the ground up—not to replace the irreplacable She Devil*, but to augment her—elements of a street bike, but dirt-capable. There’s always the weight issue when you go for a 640 horsepower motorcycle. I’m not speaking of power to weight, but what happens when she falls on you? I know a guy (we all know a guy, don’t we?) who builds up racing engines for Porsche in Phoenix. 911 Carrera to 640 horsepower in the 911 Turbo S. I think I could promote it free of charge (a rebuild from a wreck) if I advertised his business (on my tombstone).
While all this is true, how old do I plan to be when I kick?
* The 2015 Ducati Diavel only produces 162 horsepower through its 1198cc Testastretta 11° L-Twin engine (96.2 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm) – 452 lbs empty.
Retro Photo: Old NFO and the She Devil – I don’t let just anyone stand next to her. A cynic might have labeled the photo He Devil and She Devil. It’s a good thing I’m not a cynic.
Currently in Two-Up configuration (Strada) for a passenger. I know, a Ducati with a passenger is somehow just wrong.
Bullet Points:
** The most French man in the world.
** Words in common usage in Appalachia.
** Beck takes on LA County Lifeguards – What the article didn’t mention is that Los Angeles County lifeguards are part of the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Lifeguard Division is a specific division within the larger fire department, responsible for providing lifeguard services along the county’s coastline and on Catalina Island. Lifeguards are paid firefighters with specialized training and associated benefits, including pensions. It’s easy to trot out shocking numbers and bloated pensions. Still, professional public safety personnel retire due to age when they can no longer perform physically demanding work effectively. It’s not a summer job for teens – the way they’ve set things up. And when they don’t have enough staff, there is overtime. People I know who served with the US Navy’s SEAL Teams transitioned from enlisted service to the LA Fire Department, where they served as lifeguards. They were stellar lifeguards. Sometimes the clickbait ticks me off.
** The most Canadian man in the world.
**Another weekend of peaceful protests is approaching, later today. I couldn’t care less that they protest, but the democrats damage things and leave trash behind – every time.
** Nowadays, you can order food without speaking to a human, but if your Wi-Fi stops working, you’ll starve to death in your own kitchen like an idiot.
** There is a lot of bullshit flying out there spread by former CIA people to the extent that DCI John Ratcliffe is doing a bad job. I don’t think that’s true. They are doing their best to shed the old guard and force retirements. The layers of bureaucracy at the CIA, necessary to obtain approval for any action, have ensured that almost nothing happens. It has been an ultra-risk-averse culture. All that is changing, and they’re working to adopt the same general model that DCI Porter Goss tried to implement. He faced tough resistance. DCI Ratcliffe is meeting resistance, but he’s pushing through it. DNI Gabbard was the victim of some bad advice, and it’s not surprising, given that she’s swimming in a sea of vipers who want nothing more than to have her destroyed. She’s new at this, and it will take some time, but she’ll be okay.
** Russia might lose almost 11 million workers by 2030, Russian Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov said in describing a deepening demographic crisis that could threaten the country’s economy.
** The importance of branding and rebranding.
** Communist renters voted to increase property taxes on property owners and were then surprised that rent SHOCKINGLY increased. It’s how they roll.
In Syria
Israeli airstrikes in Syria are unlikely to achieve Israel’s stated aim of protecting the Druze in Syria because the strikes do not address the root cause of attacks committed by some members of the Syrian Ministry of Defense (MoD) against the Druze. These attacks largely stem from a lack of control over undisciplined MoD units.
In Iran
The United States and the E3 ( “E3” refers to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom) have reportedly set an end-of-August deadline for Iran to agree to a nuclear deal before the E3 triggers the JCPOA snapback mechanism. Iran has maintained its position on its right to enrich uranium in Iran, which makes it very unlikely that Iran would accept a nuclear agreement by the end of August that required Iran to halt domestic uranium enrichment.
Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei emphasized the importance of national unity in stabilizing the regime amid growing fissures between regime factions. Khamenei’s remarks come as moderate elements in the regime appear to be trying to use the Israel-Iran War and its aftermath to increase their political influence in the regime. Iran continues to send advanced weapons to the Houthis, including cruise and anti-ship missiles, which the Houthis regularly use to attack Israel and international shipping in the Red Sea.
Tacos – Sign of the Week
From Ammo.Com
Accidental shooting deaths have declined by nearly half over the past decade.
We conducted a thorough investigation into accidental shootings and hope you’ll help us share the truth. Although completely avoidable and often tragic, these types of shootings are infrequent. Here are a few highlights to review if you’re in a hurry:
- 1% of all firearm-related deaths were due to an accidental shooting in 2024.
- 30% of accidental shootings were fatal in 2024.
- There is an average of 114 accidental gun deaths annually in the <1-17 age group for 350 million people.
Not only do we want to provide accurate and reliable information, but understanding accidental shooting deaths and injuries can save lives. Please read and share our full report to help us get the word out:
https://ammo.com/articles/accidental-shooting-statistics
Politics
Omar Fateh is running for Minneapolis mayor to raise the minimum wage by over $4 over a few years, freeze rent, and ‘Trump-proof’ the city. He has his eye on Tampon Tim’s job (eventually). He’s obviously Somali. You can’t hide that DNA.
Will the Administrative State (Swamp) Survive?
Jeffrey A. Tucker chronicles how the U.S. administrative state emerged—rooted in the 1883 Pendleton Act’s introduction of civil-service professionalism—and gradually transformed into a sprawling, opaque “state within a state.” Bureaucratic power expanded through major 20th-century crises, while the permanent civil service, protected from removal, increasingly collaborated with media, industry, military, and intelligence in shaping policy and public opinion, outlasting elected officials.
As this unelected bureaucracy became less visible, democratic institutions merely served as “window dressing” while real governance happened through unelected officials. Tucker argues that this de facto “fourth branch” is contrary to the Founders’ vision and vulnerable once its legitimacy is exposed.
He highlights recent legal and political shifts—Trump-era executive actions aimed at curbing civil‑service permanence, and landmark Supreme Court rulings as signs of the administrative state’s unraveling.
DEI Hires
Michael Dorstewitz: “The problem with diversity hires is twofold: They’re not necessarily the best person for the job, and the person hired may not even have an interest in the job other than the job title and cashing a paycheck.”
Reviews
(One) In this review, David Lewis Schaefer examines “The Triumph of Economic Freedom” by economists Phil Gramm and Donald Boudreaux, who argue that Americans’ limited understanding of free markets makes them susceptible to policies eroding economic liberty.
The book dismantles seven pervasive myths—such as the Industrial Revolution’s harm to workers, the necessity of Progressive regulations, capitalism’s role in the Great Depression, and free trade’s damage to manufacturing—using historical data to affirm the free-market system’s role in unprecedented prosperity.
Schaefer praises the work for exposing the pitfalls of government interventions and advocates for reforms like work incentives and education choice to sustain economic vitality.
(Two) President Trump appears to be retreating from his “America First” isolationist posture and stepping back into the role of the world’s policeman. This piece argues that Trump has approved—or is considering—continued military and diplomatic interventions abroad, signaling a return to more traditional U.S. leadership. It highlights active engagement in regions such as the Middle East and Europe, suggesting a willingness to utilize American influence to shape global affairs.
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
3
4
It was instrumental in opening up the interior of Antarctica to private expeditions and tourism
End
1 is Dassault Falcon HU-25
2 is Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (717-148)
3 is Sukhoi S-80
4 is Conroy Tri-Turbo Three. A modified DC3 that is extra engine on the nose and larger engines.
Very good!
I love reading about history so Refuting Economic Sophistry just landed on my To Do list
RE: the Great Depression; I am willing to bet Hoover was right. According to Hoover’s economic theory, financial losses should affect profits, not employment, thus maintaining consumer spending and shortening the downturn. Hoover received commitments from private industry to spend $1.8 billion for new construction and repairs to be started in 1930, to stimulate employment. https://hoover.archives.gov/exhibits/great-depression
Propaganda was Hoover’s downfall; the same could be said about Nixon. It’s a pity most Americans’ historical knowledge only begins the date they’re born.
Most people think they’re learning when they’re only rearranging their prejudices.
.
Propaganda today is so absolutely pervasive that it takes a great deal of effort to sift and filter information to try and arrive at some understanding. (I avoid the word, “truth,” because it’s almost always value loaded to the extreme)
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Dassault HU-25 Guardian
2. Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker
3. Sukhoi Su-80
4. Conroy Tri-Turbo Three
yes
The administrative state: It’s them or us, and they’ve had a yuge head start.
They have all of the advantages and to be fair, history is on their side when you view the long game. It’s why Putin thinks he’ll win.
Looper Bright beings hope.
There is nothing wrong with the two up configuration, if your plus one is up for it.
My better half and I agreed that she’ll switch back to platinum blonde when I get the Harley. I’m adding the mandatory “Momma didn’t love me” tattoo.
I’m your wingman when you return to the US with your lovely wife on the back of your hawg. You do have that Harley Davidson, easy rider thing about you, Claudio. The motorcycle means freedom, if it means nothing else.
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(Claudio and his wife are personal friends of mine)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qW64tq30egw
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ld1l4Ud7jp8
Idealized video of picking up a slick chick.
From personal experience I expect her ex will meet them down the road with a shotgun….
Or she will shiv him and take his scoot.
Cynic!
“** Russia might lose almost 11 million workers by 2030, Russian Labor Minister Anton Kotyakov said in describing a deepening demographic crisis that could threaten the country’s economy.”
I heard that Gaza was looking for somewhere to send people…
The Russians won’t take Muslims. They learned with the Chechens.
Carlos is making tacos? What happened to Guillermo?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZjrN4nZhow
—
“He’s obviously Somali. You can’t hide that DNA.”
You might not want to look into that DNA ’cause I don’t think it’s ONLY Somali. That … being appears to be a human/rodent hybrid. Not a verminologist so I couldn’t tell you what kind, but something rapacious. Geez but that guy looks like he could chew through kevlar. Not just the teeth, the rabies X meth expression.
To be fair, the last Somali I had a conversation with was obviously intelligent, prolly knew more European history than 90% of US HS grads (a low bar, to be sure) and spoke fluent, unaccented, educated-American English. His wife was in Sweden but planning on coming to the US. The Swedes were providing her an apartment, and about $2500 USD spending money each month, and “that is not enough.” That man did not discriminate (/sarc) but clearly considered me to be no different from an ordinary white American. “You people are ignorant of the world, of how you are viewed by other peoples. And we [he was an Islamist] will destroy you all. Because you are morally corrupt. We will use your weakness and your false charity against you and pull you down from within.” How did I meet this guy? He was my Uber driver. I did not tip him.
—
The stupidest humans I have met (outside of an institution) were both Haitian Uber drivers. Jean was astonishingly stupid, but JUST bright enough to have an inkling of how stupid he was, and was clearly frustrated. He was full of seething hostility. More recently, some other Haitian male I can’t remember the name of was cheerfully stupid. Pleasant enough, but really really dumb. This is where Maximus shouts: “Are you not enriched?”
Riffing off the video…what was your first clue he was an ‘Authentic Somali’? Geez Mike, you somehow manage to find these people on a weekly basis. Thanks for the heads up — get in an Uber – never have, never will – but if the guy in the rearview reflection has those eyes, GET OUT! More importantly, with all his worldly knowledge arrogance he failed to understand the American ‘no tax on tips’ protocol; it’s not automatic regardless of crappy [paid by the patron] services rendered.
I had a Lyft driver a few days ago who identified himself as Ramesses the Sixth, an Egyptian Pharaoh possibly reincarnated. He quizzed me on my knowledge of Cairo, and I passed the test. Under other circumstances and in another place and time, I might have put a bullet in his head (when the car stopped). That would have punctuated the test.
You still needed to put a bullet in his head, just because.
Of course. But its America
For some reason the guy straight out told me (nearly first thing) he was Somali. Plus, he had the distinctive look of what my friend James LaFond calls “the weird garlic-bulb head”. TBH I’m not sure what he means exactly, but I like the phrase.
—
“somehow manage to find these people”
Yeah, I dunno. Crazy attracts crazy?
—
It only just now occurred to me that Carlos of the Taco Truck could BE the Mayan virgin. How sexist to assume “virgin” would refer to a woman.
/hangsheadinshame
—
“You’re Ramesses VI? Good to see you again, son. Do you not recognize Us as the reincarnation of your royal and divine father, Ramesses III? You may call Us ‘Daddy’, boy!” (Yeah the 3 to 6 thing is confusing. I’m just going off of what Wikipedia says.)
I’m just going to go with demonic possession.
THIS.
X3
Now I feel as if I need to watch all of the Mummy films (again) to determine how best to exorcise one, should I encounter one of the cursed undead in a Lyft again.
Bubba HoTep is underrated.
Omar the Hopeful: When I look at him can’t help but think of that Khat redlined Somali pirate in Captain Phillips…might even the him. (Hint: Crazy eyes) Betting Minneapolis residents will elect him, further destroying what was once a nice city and continuing their slide into the regression captivity abyss. Same with NYC, guarantee they elect Mamdani the Communist…can’t help self-flagellate, almost as if they like being beat up on all fronts.
***
KBJ- When the likes of Sotomayer dresses you down…that might be a clue.
***
Tacos by Carlos/Mayan Virgins…IF LL had a food truck: https://imgflip.com/i/93mbd5
I’ve seen photos of that food truck before. And I do make a decent grilled cheese. Yeah, I’m your huckleberry.
Just for something to do, I’m watching reruns of a television series from the late 50s called Yancey Derringer. In the first episode, Yancy says to an adversary, I’m your huckleberry. Given Yancy’s behavior and dress I fully believe Val kilmer saw this scene.
Motorcycle
https://www.imz-ural.com/
Off road ready. Many BMW performance parts available – perhaps a direct power plant swap?
A trike? When I’m older, maybe.
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I know a little about the Urals. They’re not bad bikes and the sidecar isn’t a bad option if you’re going on a trip and need someplace to drop your possibles. I think the chance of me buying one is very small. I’d go full three-wheeler if I was going to do that – CanAm or some other soft peter style ride. Again, unlikely.
LL- re: New rocket bike…Your life axiom: “Never slow down at the end of the race”
I need to build a jig (welderup) in the garage out of structural steel I-beams. Which I would buy salvaged, or would “find” and salvage. Most of the new bike would end up as junkyard salvage recovery because you have to do it that way. Some of it’d need to be new, such as the suspension, and I’m not sure precisely how I’d work that, as it’d be too heavy for a motorcycle suspension. So we’re into automotive coilovers and modifying them for motorcycle dynamics. The weight of the machine poses a greater challenge. I have a friend who built one (he lives in Ventura, CA), and I might fly him out to help me get started. He calls it “The Red Baron” – because it does look SOMETHING like a modified WWI aircraft (no wings) with a VW automotive engine on it. He’s good with fiberglass molds, etc. He spent most of his life as a mercenary SURPRISINGLY.
The fun thing about Arizona is that if I build it, (keep the Porsche engine as the serial number), they’ll license it if I have a headlight and a tail light on it. Arizona MVD will work with me. It would end up as a “salvaged Porsche” on the title. The question of whether they’d M/C plate it or automotive plate it is up for grabs. I’d need to speak to somebody about that. The nice thing about Arizona is there’s never a line. There’s an ample lady at the Payson MVD office. I bring Hagen Das Rocky Road with a plastic spoon when I need something.
LOL, I forgot we took that pic. That was at PF Chang’s in Anaheim quite a few years ago! Still envy you that bike! And the two up works considering how often you take daughters for rides! And I’m sure the grands are waiting their turns too! That was a great lunch with you, me, and Dr. Jim!
Yes! Right down the street from the Happiest Place on Earth. I still take the kids and grandkids on the bike when they’re around. It will do a wheelie in fifth gear, nowhere near red line.
Those Appalachian words – the only one I didn’t grow up with in Miami was yuns. In addition to jeet, we’d say “jeet jet?” Did you eat yet? Our corner of the melting point of America was southern, like her world, with northern from New York refugees and add in the Cuban refugees.
Appalachian words. Yep. Know em all. She’ll probably bring up sellher, and redd up soon.
*
Omar Fateh at least owns a decent suit, tie and shirt unlike some politicians from the Ukraine. As to qualifications, well, probably none. But he has a nice suit, tie and shirt.
I’m sure they were purchased with other people’s money.
Commie renters; Which nation actually did this? Republica de Cali? This bullet point followed the a.i. enhanced voice of “New Scum”, as his own kids are now calling him. Had to be enhanced voice-over as the truth was actually coming out of his mouth. I’m sure both bullet points are unrelated.
Pockets in California – deep dem areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles City, but it seems more prevalent on the Eastern Seaboard.
Violence Motorcycle; with the long wheel base and LCG, would it fair well on hill climbing, sand dragging, or a dirt circle track? Great rough draft on the art L.L. Hope the Red Baron and Violent meet up for ride one day!
Helpful round up, and then there’s Fateh. Excuse me? What the actual…
Good to see the she devil’s still hot.
The riding season in Northern Arizona is somewhat limited, but I have plans for some winter excursions (transport the She Devil in a trailer to lower elevations to avoid snow and ice, drive around there where it’s very temperate during deep winter, and then load up and return to the mine when I’m ready to). It may be grist for “easy riding with LL” on the blog. We’ll see.
What? Not going with the Rokon? A very unusual motorcycle, more brawn than speed. If I had the scratch and the land, I’d have one.