The Charge of the CIA and the Storytellers

Okay, the above refers to novels.

The news is not supposed to reflect stories in these ways.

Was the Crimean War stupider that the current war in Ukraine?

(Mostly) lurking moron bensdad00 offers his review of the Crimean war history book, The Reason Why: The Story of the Fatal Charge of the Light Brigade, by which you'll see how easy it is to think of war as an enterprise conceived of by the insane, planned by the ignorant, and carried by the incompetent:

The war is a Near East boondoggle no one wanted sparked by obscure religious disputes (sound familiar?) and half a dozen instances described in the campaign will make you laugh out loud - i.e. the British commander who heads out with his staff for a better view of a battlefront and ends up obviously on a hill behind enemy lines, only avoiding capture or death because the enemy couldn't believe it wasn't a trap of some kind. Or the fleet of hundreds of ships crammed with thousands of sailors that sailed from port - - without a destination.

Combine this with the British gentry class's complete contempt for working men with actual skills (prejudice against soldiers with decades of experience because they served in India was rampant) and it's disheartening that despite how much things have changed they still remain the same.
'War is crazy' has been done before in books such as Catch-22, and M*A*S*H, but the reality is always far worse.

I find much to admire in the principles of the upper classes of Britain while Tennyson was alive, but they held a certain disdain for the working classes, and the popularity of this poem among the gentry somehow did not carry through to those who would make up the ranks of ordinary soldiers:

II
“Forward, the Light Brigade!”
Was there a man dismayed?
Not though the soldier knew
Someone had blundered.
Theirs not to make reply,
Theirs not to reason why,
Theirs but to do and die.
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

And the six hundred were expected to die for the Ottoman Empire - - NOT for their own country.

* * * * *

Storytelling in the NYT about Ukraine

On March 29, the end of month in which Zelensky challenged President Trump's idea that it was time to work toward peace in Ukraine, a huge article appeared in the New York Times revealing that the CIA and our military had been running much of the war effort in Ukraine out of Germany.

The Secret History of the War in Ukraine

"At the U.S. military garrison in Wiesbaden, Germany, they sealed a partnership that would bring America into the war far more intimately than previously known."

This piece by Adam Entous is behind a paywall, but the next day, a shorter piece was released with Key Takeaways from the longer piece without a paywall (if you look it up in a search).

And other news sources like The Nordic Times also reported on this remarkable news.

Walter Kirn and Matt Taibbi have done a rather thorough Fisking of the longer NYT piece, with commentary on the author's earlier piece on Ukraine as well, below:

America This Week Live on Monday Night 3/31/25 https://t.co/pVy30P4MOk
— America This Week (@AmericaWeek) April 1, 2025

It is actually sort of tedious to sit through, so you might want to skip through it, or put it on background as you do something else. But it shows how a prestigious NYT reporter changes the story in rather dramatic ways without causing much of an uproar in the nation. And there should be an uproar!

Key sections to check out are the beginning, at about 8 minutes. A CIA agent is our hero. And 300 people are interviewed.

44 minutes: Possible insights into why the Biden Administration issued a vague pardon for General Milley. Plus Hollywood!

1 hour 16 minutes: Chances of nuclear war estimated to increase from 5 to 10 % to 50% (limited strikes, but still).

1 hour 28 through 43 minutes - several narratives change. Zelenskyy is no longer "bulletproof" in the press.

2 hours 1 minute - Takeaway quote

Ghoulishly upbeat NYT recasts the FUBAR Ukraine war with its hundreds of thousands of dead and countless maimed and crippled soldiers and civilians as "a grand experiment in war fighting" which will reward the Americans with lessons for any future war."
Nice.

* * * * *

Hope you have something nice planned for this weekend.

This is the Thread before the Gardening Thread.

Serving your mid-day open thread needs

* * * * *

Last week's thread, September 30, N.I.C.E. Science and Technology vs. Ordinary Humans

UPDATE:

That Hideous Strength nailed it

In the novel by CS Lewis the technocracy is led by a severed head kept alive by extraordinary medical means https://t.co/lUl8YHs22q
— Walter Kirn (@walterkirn) September 3, 2025

Comments are closed so you won't ban yourself by trying to comment on a week-old thread. But don't try it anyway.

Posted by: K.T. at 11:13 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1
First with new body parts!

Posted by: naturalfake at September 06, 2025 11:16 AM (iJfKG)

2 Andrew Lambert gives a completely different explanation of the Crimean War, which he sees as actually Baltic-centric. It IS true that, when the RN was ready to assault the approaches to St Petersburg, the Czar called it quits. (I'm only partly through the book.)

Posted by: Eeyore at September 06, 2025 11:17 AM (s0JqF)

3 Good morning KT

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 11:18 AM (+qU29)

4 Don't mind me, just shaking out a dirty sock.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at September 06, 2025 11:19 AM (0eaVi)

5 Much of the Crimean War's failures and debacles can be laid on the fact that it was waged by peacetime militaries that had ossified leadership.

We're suffering from the same problem - careerist officers who have been taught to manage conflicts rather than win them.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 06, 2025 11:21 AM (ZOv7s)

6 Much of the Crimean War's failures and debacles can be laid on the fact that it was waged by peacetime militaries that had ossified leadership.

We're suffering from the same problem - careerist officers who have been taught to manage conflicts rather than win them.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 06, 2025 11:21 AM (ZOv7s)

But, but, but, they have soooo many ribbons and medals!

So many colorful and sparkly things. So pretty. So many!

It's Christmas on your chest, General!

Posted by: naturalfake at September 06, 2025 11:23 AM (iJfKG)

7 Good luck just replacing organs to live longer

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 11:23 AM (+qU29)

8 Congresswoman Sara Jacobs@RepSaraJacobs
Two can play this game. Next week, I'm introducing legislation to rename the State Department as the Department of Peace.
And if Trump wants to actually be the Peace President he says he is, then he should have no problem supporting it.

-
I was thinking more Department of Commie Rat Bastards.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Dinosaur Wrangler at September 06, 2025 11:24 AM (L/fGl)

9 "Combine this with the British gentry class's complete contempt for working men with actual skills (prejudice against soldiers with decades of experience because they served in India was rampant) and it's disheartening that despite how much things have changed they still remain the same."
---
The British gentry feel nothing even close to the level of contempt that liberal elites do. It's not even comparable.

Our flag officers are just as bad.

If any 19th Century nation had forced its troops to sit through lectures about how awful they are, bigoted and racist, there would have been a service-wide mutiny.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 06, 2025 11:24 AM (ZOv7s)

10 Two can play this game. Next week, I'm introducing legislation to rename the State Department as the Department of Peace.
September 06, 2025 11:24 AM (L/fGl)
---
When was the State Dept. ever named that? These people are so stupid that they don't even understand their stupidity.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 06, 2025 11:27 AM (ZOv7s)

11 Ghoulishly upbeat NYT recasts the FUBAR Ukraine war with its hundreds of thousands of dead and countless maimed and crippled soldiers and civilians as "a grand experiment in war fighting" which will reward the Americans with lessons for any future war."

-
Reminiscent of the Spanish Civil War, dress rehearsal for WWII.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Dinosaur Wrangler at September 06, 2025 11:27 AM (L/fGl)

12 The great professor of Russian Literature, Gary Saul Morson, writing under a pseudonym, once observed that a happy ending in a Russian novel was when the hero learns the reason for his suffering.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:27 AM (xTIDn)

13 Social Security with people living to 150 will be interesting.

Posted by: Its Go Time Donald at September 06, 2025 11:27 AM (b3G0I)

14 Happy Saturday, friends! I hope you have something fun planned.

Posted by: Piper at September 06, 2025 11:28 AM (p4NUW)

15 In Italy we make the amore and slip out the finestrino. Live to love another day!

Posted by: Paolo at September 06, 2025 11:29 AM (gKWVE)

16 Happy Saturday, friends! I hope you have something fun planned.
Posted by: Piper at September 06, 2025 11:28 AM (p4NUW)

Does watching hour after hour of college football count?

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:31 AM (jSZ9s)

17 And, the glorious Brits have just named a nominally-British Pakistani Muslim as Home Secretary, meaning that she is in charge of the cops and immigration.

She's a big believer in globalizing the intifada, of course.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:31 AM (xTIDn)

18 The State Department should be renamed The Department Of Ass.

Posted by: Turd Polisher at September 06, 2025 11:32 AM (R/m4+)

19 There! There are your guns.

Posted by: Louis Nolan at September 06, 2025 11:33 AM (XvL8K)

20 Feeling safer yet?

Posted by: some Anglo-Jewish infidel at September 06, 2025 11:33 AM (gKWVE)

21
I don't mind getting old, but my body does.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 11:34 AM (kkTda)

22 5 Much of the Crimean War's failures and debacles can be laid on the fact that it was waged by peacetime militaries that had ossified leadership.

We're suffering from the same problem - careerist officers who have been taught to manage conflicts rather than win them.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 06, 2025 11:21 AM (ZOv7s)
_______
Not that simple. The Victorian army can hardly be called "peacetime"; they were almost always at war. What they did lack is experience against European foes.

And don't overlook the fact that many of their problems were the same ones that faced us in the Civil War, and for that matter, faced everyone in WWI.

Posted by: Eeyore at September 06, 2025 11:35 AM (s0JqF)

23 The People's State Department, comrade.

Posted by: A dude in MI at September 06, 2025 11:36 AM (/6GbT)

24 And, the glorious Brits have just named a nominally-British Pakistani Muslim as Home Secretary, meaning that she is in charge of the cops and immigration.

We'll see if this works as well as putting Goering in charge of the Prussian cops in 1933.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:36 AM (xTIDn)

25 Rename ATF to "Bureau of Booze, Drugs, Guns, Fireworks, Puppies and Candy"

Posted by: Mikey Alpha Kilo, Nobody Reads My Posts at September 06, 2025 11:36 AM (0aYVJ)

26 Thx K T. Always thought The Reason Why was a good read. All the basis for the various decisions made make you shake your head

Posted by: Smell the Glove at September 06, 2025 11:37 AM (Ah2Jt)

27 Not that simple. The Victorian army can hardly be called "peacetime"; they were almost always at war. What they did lack is experience against European foes.

And don't overlook the fact that many of their problems were the same ones that faced us in the Civil War, and for that matter, faced everyone in WWI.
Posted by: Eeyore
_______

Plus, at least in the British army of the time, you could still purchase a commission.

Posted by: Louis Nolan at September 06, 2025 11:37 AM (XvL8K)

28 17 And, the glorious Brits have just named a nominally-British Pakistani Muslim as Home Secretary, meaning that she is in charge of the cops and immigration.

She's a big believer in globalizing the intifada, of course.
Posted by: The ARC of History!
=========
And she is over the investigation into the rape gangs. Starmer's reshuffle was aimed at eliminating potential rivals to his PM ship. Raymer was bruited as a possible successor so she was taken out by a convenient means. The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel whatshername is too valuable as a punching bag for the sins of the UK fiscal mess and is so unpopular that she is no rival. Lammy, the new Deputy Prime minister is like Kamala as VP to Biden, job insurance for Starmer. And his Home Secretary will be doing the unpleasant things like suppressing the investigation, suppressing the flag wavers, etc.

While Starmer floats above the dysfunction caused by his and his party's horrendous policy decisions. And Britain will burn for it.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 11:37 AM (WDjG6)

29 The SAS may need to save the UK.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:38 AM (u82oZ)

30 forWAR'd: It doesn't matter who's in office.
The Establishment will Stay Established and the Wars will go on with Brainwashed Pride.

Truth in Adverting should keep going: DOD/Department of War, DOJ/Department of Criminalizing the Innocent, IRS/Department of Expropriation, Congress of Influence Peddling... simply a failure of imagination to realize the obviousness of the fact -- when the Truth Becomes a Liability ALL PEOPLE become the Enemy.

Venezuela to satisfy the BrennenUndead's objective in exchange for parallel construction on Epstein is a bad trade -- and he ought to know it. Next step, Iranian Drones, NKA Nuclear Technology and Russian-sponsored narco-Terror... but they already knew that. No? Not very Intelligent are they?

LET's EAT!
https://tinyurl.com/forWARd-BrennanBecomesSpookula

Strinking FEAR in to the heart of MAGA rather than the stake in Brennan.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEl1aXJaMto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMhwddNQSWQ
forWAR'd: Dare to be STOOPID!

Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at September 06, 2025 11:38 AM (6REjX)

31
If you think the British conducted the Crimean War incompetently, the Russians were 10X. The British Army was a sort of afterthought. The Russian Army practically defined the country. The sheer ineptitude just about killed Nicholas I.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 11:38 AM (kkTda)

32 And yesterday was the fifth anniversary of Angela Merkel's throwing open Europe's borders, and letting millions of Muslims immigrate into Europe.

How's that working out?

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:41 AM (xTIDn)

33 A fun Crimean War read is Flashman at the Charge. Best of the Flashman series, IMO.

Posted by: Louis Nolan at September 06, 2025 11:42 AM (XvL8K)

34 The ARC of History!

10th anniversary.

It was a mission kill for the entire German nation. She is one of the biggest traitors in all of history.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:42 AM (u82oZ)

35 Having Ukrainians kill Russians (sorry, "points of interest") via "secure cloud" directions from Americans in Germany reminds me of what my father-in-law lived through in Vietnam:

Orders from D.C.:

Take the hill.
Count casualties.
Give the hill back.

Repeat. Repeat again. And again.

Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 11:43 AM (7vIsy)

36 Looked up "The Reason Why" on Amazon. Not terrible prices, until you get to the "mass market paperback" at close to $90. Wha?

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at September 06, 2025 11:43 AM (CHHv1)

37 It's beat-down Saturday in college football. Lots of ranked teams playing tomato cans. Those that sucked last week, *cough*my Crimson Tide*cough, will try to get right against inferior opponents.

Posted by: toby928 Native Texan and Alabama Alumn, Twice as Smug as You at September 06, 2025 11:44 AM (jc0TO)

38 If you think the British conducted the Crimean War incompetently, the Russians were 10X. The British Army was a sort of afterthought. The Russian Army practically defined the country. The sheer ineptitude just about killed Nicholas I.

I thought that the attitude of the national armies towards military innovation was:

The Russians - "We beat Napoleon! We don't have to learn anything!"

The British - "We beat Napoleon! We don't have to learn anything!"

The French - "Uhhhh - perhaps we could learn something!"

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:44 AM (xTIDn)

39 @36 you can get a paperback for about $10

Posted by: Smell the Glove at September 06, 2025 11:44 AM (Ah2Jt)

40 BeckoningChasm

That is an excellent book. Too bad I donated my second copy to the library for sale.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:44 AM (u82oZ)

41 Watch Biden, first, give Putin the OK to go in then watch Biden and State do everything imaginable to antagonize Putin.
It appears that Biden encouraged the conflict in order to fill the pockets of the Military Complex while skimming off the top.

Zelensky, three times, has turned down the opportunity to end it.
The whole thing is a disgusting mess. The Ukrainians are ready for it to be over and are demonstrating (unreported) in the streets.

They should put Zelensky on a pike and end it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 11:45 AM (NGa9E)

42 It was a mission kill for the entire German nation. She is one of the biggest traitors in all of history.

Not just Germany.

Vienna is now 15% Muslim - but 40% of the school kids are Muslim.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:46 AM (xTIDn)

43 One dad of a killed Ukrainian soldier shot dead a prominent warmongering politician recently.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:46 AM (u82oZ)

44 >>>It was a mission kill for the entire German nation. She is one of the biggest traitors in all of history.
Posted by: NaCly Dog
---------------

She has Soviet mind.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 11:48 AM (NGa9E)

45 She has Soviet mind.

Good Things to come out of East Germany: Rammstein.

Bad Things to come out of East Germany: Angela Merkel.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 11:49 AM (xTIDn)

46 Speaking if the last picture, the nefrologist just stopped by. Pooky's kidneys seem to be lagging behind in clearing out toxins, but he's making urine and able to eat more. So another day of rest and then dialysis determination in the morning.

Not sure if resting on Friday and Saturday but not Sunday makes us Muslim or Jewish.

Posted by: pookysgirl needs to curl up into a ball and sleep at September 06, 2025 11:50 AM (NIVSB)

47 Waiting for touch up spackle to dry so I can clean up the sanding mess. Painting after those get done

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 11:50 AM (+qU29)

48 Wasn’t the Crimean War where we got the Charge of the Light Brigade?

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:52 AM (nyLca)

49 Wasn’t the Crimean War where we got the Charge of the Light Brigade?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:52 AM

Mein Fuhrer ... das post ...

Posted by: toby928 tugs collar at September 06, 2025 11:53 AM (jc0TO)

50
Doing dog laundry. Scrubbing down outdoor mats. Cleaning out the bird fountain. Getting attacked by fire ants.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 11:53 AM (kkTda)

51 29 The SAS may need to save the UK.
Posted by: NaCly Dog
-----------
The person that might with the most vested in the outcome along with the British people is William and his family. But he is not in position lead Britain out of the mess created by the politicians nor is it clear he wants to do that.

Instead, they have Charles III who cannot even handle his rebel son nor his pedo brother because of his weakness and foibles.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 11:54 AM (WDjG6)

52 Not sure if resting on Friday and Saturday but not Sunday makes us Muslim or Jewish.
Posted by: pookysgirl
========
Makes you human. Prayers for your family and you to bear up under the strain.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 11:55 AM (WDjG6)

53 Alfred, Lord Tennyson reading his Charge of the Light Brigade: https://youtu.be/MkqUq26z1CE? si=gIQW_8QFNHbfEhTI

Edison wax cylinder.

I don't think Tennyson meant the poem as a celebration. Listen to his ominous tone and cadence.

Posted by: Beverly at September 06, 2025 11:56 AM (Epeb0)

54 Here it is
Father of a Ukrainian soldier killed Ukrainian politician, Andriy Parubiy,September 2025

>>>actively participated in the Orange Revolution. In 2007, he was elected to the Ukrainian Parliament on the Our Ukraine political ticket. During Euromaidan, he was in charge of the Maidan self-defense, commanding more than ten thousand people by February 2014.
-------------

He was a CIA snek.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 11:56 AM (NGa9E)

55 Wasn’t the Crimean War where we got the Charge of the Light Brigade?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:52 AM

Mein Fuhrer ... das post ...
Posted by: toby928 tugs collar at September 06, 2025 11:53 AM

*snort*

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 06, 2025 11:56 AM (Wnv9h)

56 One dad of a killed Ukrainian soldier shot dead a prominent warmongering politician recently.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:46 AM (u82oZ)

Does he take commissions? I have a list...

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 06, 2025 11:57 AM (pV3p7)

57 50
Doing dog laundry. Scrubbing down outdoor mats. Cleaning out the bird fountain. Getting attacked by fire ants.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
========
Fire ants were not one of the Lord's nicest creations. More like a creature of Stan's liking. I prefer even scorpions to fire ants.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 11:57 AM (WDjG6)

58 To my knowledge Friday is Muslim, Saturday is Jewish

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 11:57 AM (+qU29)

59 Wasn’t the Crimean War where we got the Charge of the Light Brigade?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:52 AM

Mein Fuhrer ... das post ...
Posted by: toby928 tugs collar at September 06, 2025 11:53 AM (jc0TO)

I’m hanging my head in shame after going back to read the content…

Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:58 AM (5MZNC)

60 I don't think Tennyson meant the poem as a celebration. Listen to his ominous tone and cadence.
Posted by: Beverly
=========
Likely so. Not much glory in being killed in service of stupidity in command. Ironic yes that bravery should be so wasted.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 11:58 AM (WDjG6)

61 How's that working out?
———

From the Commie Stasi Wench perspective, really quite excellent.

Much of what our “elite” leaders do makes absolutely no sense unless and until you re-calibrate your thinking on what their actual motives are. Not their rhetoric. These are nothing more than monsters in human form.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 06, 2025 11:59 AM (idVke)

62 >>>Instead, they have Charles III who cannot even handle his rebel son nor his pedo brother because of his weakness and foibles.
Posted by: whig
---------------

Old royalty had ways of dealing with that. It's possible that there will be a new Crown, a new head of State and no Parliament.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 11:59 AM (NGa9E)

63 With massive support of the English citizens.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 12:00 PM (NGa9E)

64 Bad Things to come out of East Germany: Angela Merkel.
Posted by: The ARC of History!
=======
Not impossible that her minister father was a Stasi asset and possibly her as well. Germany was riddled with fellow travelers of Karl Marx since the 1900's.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 12:00 PM (WDjG6)

65 Wasn’t the Crimean War where we got the Charge of the Light Brigade?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt

Under Biden it would have been Charge of the Light In the Loafers Brigade.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Dinosaur Wrangler at September 06, 2025 12:00 PM (L/fGl)

66 Cromwell!

Posted by: Eromero at September 06, 2025 12:01 PM (LHPAg)

67 41 Watch Biden, first, give Putin the OK to go in then watch Biden and State do everything imaginable to antagonize Putin.
....

“Such a consequential president of the United States, a Mount Rushmore kind of president of the United States,” Pelosi'24 feeling that she's getting real on IceKingJOE

Remember who did this: OBAMA put HIM in charge of Ukraine, just like IceKingJOE put ctHARRIS in charge of the boarder. LosAngelesTimes/WashingtonExaminer
https://tinyurl.com/IceKingJOE-HeDidTHIS-Ukraine
https://tinyurl.com/IceKingJOE-BlamesObama
https://tinyurl.com/IceKingJOE-ReignOverTheRubble

Coming soon: the IceKing Presidential Library

eleware
The library will be a key part of efforts to burnish Biden’s legacy...Biden’s team envisions constructing an “immersive museum” ...

Stocked Full with of Hunter Biden's crack pipe collection s, porn stashes and random penguins named Gunther.

Posted by: MANFFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at September 06, 2025 12:01 PM (aAQK/)

68
It's possible that there will be a new Crown, a new head of State and no Parliament.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others

_________

Henry Somerset, 12th Duke of Beaufort, is the current head of the House of Plantagenet.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 12:02 PM (kkTda)

69 after going back to read the content…
Posted by: LinusVanPelt at September 06, 2025 11:58 AM

That's not who we are!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 06, 2025 12:02 PM (Wnv9h)

70 Much of what our “elite” leaders do makes absolutely no sense unless and until you re-calibrate your thinking on what their actual motives are. Not their rhetoric. These are nothing more than monsters in human form.

Bertolt Brecht explained the process after the 1953 East German revolt:

After the uprising of the 17th of June
The Secretary of the Writers' Union
Had leaflets distributed on the Stalinallee
Which stated that the people
Had squandered the confidence of the government
And could only win it back
By redoubled work. Would it not in that case
Be simpler for the government
To dissolve the people
And elect another?

A population of poorly educated Third Worlders is easier to govern.

Posted by: The ARC of History! at September 06, 2025 12:02 PM (xTIDn)

71 Having Ukrainians kill Russians (sorry, "points of interest") via "secure cloud" directions from Americans in Germany reminds me of what my father-in-law lived through in Vietnam:

Orders from D.C.:

Take the hill.
Count casualties.
Give the hill back.

Repeat. Repeat again. And again.

Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 11:43 AM (7vIsy)

I had 2 cousins in Vietnam who told me the exact same thing. Take it, give it away.

Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at September 06, 2025 12:03 PM (snZF9)

72 Old royalty had ways of dealing with that. It's possible that there will be a new Crown, a new head of State and no Parliament.

Posted by: Braenyard
=========
Back in about 2000 or so, Tony Robinson aka Baldrick had a show--Britain's real monarch. In that documentary, he found it likely that the Tudor line was not the legitimate heir line which eliminated those coming after (including the Windsors) from having the right to rule. His work led the trail to Australia to a real British earl Loundoun, whose direct descent from the middle brother (Edward, Richard III, etc.) meant that he was a Plantagenet and should have been the rightful king of England.

Funny thing is that this gentleman was thoroughly Australian as was his family and despite being an Earl--lived and worked on a rice research farm in the Outback. Good documentary if you can find it on YouTube.

Posted by: whig at September 06, 2025 12:05 PM (WDjG6)

73 53 Alfred, Lord Tennyson reading his Charge of the Light Brigade: https://youtu.be/MkqUq26z1CE? si=gIQW_8QFNHbfEhTI

Edison wax cylinder.

I don't think Tennyson meant the poem as a celebration. Listen to his ominous tone and cadence.
Posted by: Beverly at September 06, 2025 11:56 AM (Epeb0)

How great. Thank you!

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:05 PM (aURVT)

74 Ukraine was about money, nothing more, nothing less.

Posted by: Eromero at September 06, 2025 12:07 PM (LHPAg)

75 8 Congresswoman Sara Jacobs@RepSaraJacobs
Two can play this game. Next week, I'm introducing legislation to rename the State Department as the Department of Peace.
And if Trump wants to actually be the Peace President he says he is, then he should have no problem supporting it.

-
I was thinking more Department of Commie Rat Bastards.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Dinosaur Wrangler at September 06, 2025 11:24 AM (L/fGl)

Some wag in the tech thread guessed somebody would counter with Ministry of Peace.

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:08 PM (aURVT)

76 Does watching hour after hour of college football count?
Posted by: LinusVanPelt

I’m off to the range and when I get back, that’s exactly what I have planned.

Posted by: nurse ratched at September 06, 2025 12:10 PM (FVv6s)

77 - Before I start reading comments, I think theee most important book on or about war got left out.

"War is a Racket"
Some guy named Smedly.

Posted by: TeeJ at September 06, 2025 12:16 PM (eDPLA)

78 43 One dad of a killed Ukrainian soldier shot dead a prominent warmongering politician recently.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:46 AM (u82oZ)

Much sadness.

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:16 PM (aURVT)

79 46 Speaking if the last picture, the nefrologist just stopped by. Pooky's kidneys seem to be lagging behind in clearing out toxins, but he's making urine and able to eat more. So another day of rest and then dialysis determination in the morning.

Not sure if resting on Friday and Saturday but not Sunday makes us Muslim or Jewish.
Posted by: pookysgirl needs to curl up into a ball and sleep at September 06, 2025 11:50 AM (NIVSB)

Yay, your continuing sense of humor!

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:19 PM (aURVT)

80 And, the glorious Brits have just named a nominally-British Pakistani Muslim as Home Secretary, meaning that she is in charge of the cops and immigration.

She's a big believer in globalizing the intifada, of course.

Daniel Greenfield says "The jihad is coming from inside the building". LOL.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 06, 2025 12:19 PM (QZThv)

81 The SAS may need to save the UK.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at September 06, 2025 11:38 AM (u82oZ)

They may not be enough.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 06, 2025 12:21 PM (2WIwB)

82 Remember the natural gas flowing through Nordstream 2, the pipeline that was blown up? That gas was keeping Europe in business. There was much hilarity that the Russian War Machine would be crippled, as it was being funded by money from those gas sales.

Last week Putin and Xi signed a deal to build a pipeline to ship all that gas to China.

Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at September 06, 2025 12:21 PM (3jSqd)

83 I’m off to the range and when I get back, that’s exactly what I have planned.
Posted by: nurse ratched at September 06, 2025 12:10 PM

Off to the range in a bit with the RMBS Mom. She's getting in her pre-Corsicana practice.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 06, 2025 12:26 PM (Wnv9h)

84 One dad of a killed Ukrainian soldier shot dead a prominent warmongering politician recently.

The NYT has a story where they say the thing: "women hardest hit by the Ukraine war". Apparently guys who have their limbs blown off aren't at least 6 feet tall so there's nobody to date.

Original article: https://tinyurl.com/c37zvcbs

Posted by: Ian S. at September 06, 2025 12:27 PM (QZThv)

85 Interesting video as watch a lot of military music, in Germany watched a parade and did took note didn't see any non foreigners in uniform. Not saying there isn't just didn't see any.

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 12:28 PM (+qU29)

86 75 8 Congresswoman Sara Jacobs@RepSaraJacobs
Two can play this game. Next week, I'm introducing legislation to rename the State Department as the Department of Peace.
And if Trump wants to actually be the Peace President he says he is, then he should have no problem supporting it.

-
I was thinking more Department of Commie Rat Bastards.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Dinosaur Wrangler at September 06, 2025 11:24 AM (L/fGl)

Some wag in the tech thread guessed somebody would counter with Ministry of Peace.
Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:08 PM (aURVT)

OOPS no it was Ministry of Love:

93 83 Watch the next Democrat administration change it to the Ministry of Love
Posted by: Some cynic at September 06, 2025 06:29 AM (4eB/Q)

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:28 PM (aURVT)

87 >>> a huge article appeared in the New York Times revealing that the CIA and our military had been running much of the war effort in Ukraine out of Germany.

I'd would make a small wager that Trump gave them direct orders to stop and they said, "Nah Bro".

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at September 06, 2025 12:31 PM (/lPRQ)

88 "Much of what our “elite” leaders do makes absolutely no sense unless and until you re-calibrate your thinking on what their actual motives are. Not their rhetoric. These are nothing more than monsters in human form."

Thanks, Tater. I've been banging that drum for years.

So frustrating to hear conservatives wail that "socialism doesn't work and don't they realize that?" Actually socialism works Brilliantly -- for the Ruling Class of socialists. They don't give a rat's ass about the rest of us, and in fact I think they get a sexual kink out of tormenting us.

Posted by: Beverly at September 06, 2025 12:32 PM (Epeb0)

89 >>> In the novel by CS Lewis the technocracy is led by a severed head kept alive by extraordinary medical means...

Assuming the tech exists, could we tickle the head for eternity with an agonizer?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at September 06, 2025 12:33 PM (/lPRQ)

90 But War Department and State Department are old terms

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 12:33 PM (+qU29)

91
Off to the range in a bit with the RMBS Mom. She's getting in her pre-Corsicana practice.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 06, 2025 12:26 PM (Wnv9h)

Please hug your mom for me - we met at a NoVA momee several years ago and she was a delight!

Posted by: moki at September 06, 2025 12:36 PM (wLjpr)

92
@91. Would you?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 12:37 PM (kkTda)

93 Posted by: Aliassmithsmith at September 06, 2025 12:34 PM (bpcbm)

That bowl of shit pebbles ain't going to eat itself, yannow.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at September 06, 2025 12:38 PM (pV3p7)

94 Next week, I'm introducing legislation to rename the State Department as the Department of Peace.

This is about the most brainless thing out of DC at the moment, other than all the AWFLs complaining that the parks are now full of white families safely having fun.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 06, 2025 12:39 PM (QZThv)

95 >>> We're suffering from the same problem - careerist officers who have been taught to manage conflicts rather than win them.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

The first step would be purging all the ring-knockers.

I put a note under Hegseth's pillow but I think he overlooked it.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at September 06, 2025 12:39 PM (/lPRQ)

96
Cabinet meeting

Trump: Next, Department of Peace.

Secretary: We...

Trump: Thank you. Next, Department of Agriculture.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 12:43 PM (kkTda)

97 Trump could create a "Department of Piece" that's in charge of giving people free guns.

Posted by: Ian S. at September 06, 2025 12:44 PM (QZThv)

98 100

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:44 PM (aURVT)

99 34
'10th anniversary.

It was a mission kill for the entire German nation. She is one of the biggest traitors in all of history.'

It sounds like you're talking about Germany's second worst Chancellor, Angela Merkel here.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 06, 2025 12:44 PM (3wi/L)

100 Patriots will fight if their country is invaded by a foreign army even when outnumbered and outgunned (Ukraine,Vietnam, Afghanistan)
-
Given the progressive worldview, the "patriots" in Vietnam were the commies and the mujahadeen.

So you're admitting that the government of Ukraine and its army are also enemies of the American people.

Posted by: Methos at September 06, 2025 12:45 PM (zLwRl)

101 96 If you're not a mustanger or WO, pack your trash. You're outta here!

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at September 06, 2025 12:45 PM (gm9Sb)

102 ...and in Afghanistan...

Posted by: Methos at September 06, 2025 12:46 PM (zLwRl)

103 It sounds like you're talking about Germany's second worst Chancellor, Angela Merkel here.
Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 06, 2025 12:44 PM (3wi/L)

Narrator: They were...

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at September 06, 2025 12:46 PM (/HDaX)

104 @71

Give the credit for that to McNamara and the rest of those cocksuckers who gave a fuck less about the troops they misled so badly.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at September 06, 2025 12:47 PM (hKoQL)

105 *poof*

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:48 PM (aURVT)

106 98 100
Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:44 PM (aURVT)

I wuz robbed! But for a good cause.
Them's the breaks.

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:49 PM (aURVT)

107
The NYT has a story where they say the thing: "women hardest hit by the Ukraine war". Apparently guys who have their limbs blown off aren't at least 6 feet tall so there's nobody to date.

Original article: https://tinyurl.com/c37zvcbs
Posted by: Ian S.

Article minus paywall:

https://t.ly/zEFgk

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 06, 2025 12:51 PM (63Dwl)

108 Doomberg covered the gas issue in Germany. They are now stuck with importing US LPG. And competing with our use of that for AI data centers.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at September 06, 2025 12:52 PM (kUxzU)

109 107
'"women hardest hit by the Ukraine war"'

Anyone saying or writing this should be hard hit.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 06, 2025 12:53 PM (3wi/L)

110 Give the credit for that to McNamara and the rest of those cocksuckers who gave a fuck less about the troops they misled so badly.

But I was smart and went to Harvard and my policy analingus said we would win in Vietnam! In hindsight, I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.

Posted by: Zombie Robert McNamara, Asshole at September 06, 2025 12:54 PM (R/m4+)

111 Much of the Crimean War's failures and debacles can be laid on the fact that it was waged by peacetime militaries that had ossified leadership.

We're suffering from the same problem - careerist officers who have been taught to manage conflicts rather than win them.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at September 06, 2025 11:21 AM (ZOv7s)

Which is why Pres. Trump has renamed the Department of Defense to the Department of War. His administration is trying emphasize a Warrior culture within the Pentagon. Military action should have the goal of killing people, breaking things and winning a decisive victory, not "managing" a forever war.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at September 06, 2025 12:55 PM (pJWtt)

112 110
'In hindsight, I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.'

And then you quit and let other people clean up your mess.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 06, 2025 12:56 PM (3wi/L)

113
Department of Peace. Could they, like, annihilate honey-do lists for husbands?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at September 06, 2025 12:57 PM (kkTda)

114 66 Cromwell!

cromwell > crommeh > crompoorly

Posted by: anachronda at September 06, 2025 12:58 PM (edU/H)

115
William Shakespeare
Alexandre Dumas
Jack London
Fyodor Dostoevsky

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 12:59 PM (aURVT)

116 "Much of what our “elite” leaders do makes absolutely no sense unless and until you re-calibrate your thinking on what their actual motives are. Not their rhetoric. These are nothing more than monsters in human form."

Thanks, Tater. I've been banging that drum for years.

So frustrating to hear conservatives wail that "socialism doesn't work and don't they realize that?" Actually socialism works Brilliantly -- for the Ruling Class of socialists. They don't give a rat's ass about the rest of us, and in fact I think they get a sexual kink out of tormenting us.
Posted by: Beverly at September 06, 2025 12:32 PM (Epeb0)

Utilitarian arguments are a non-starter when attempting defeat collectivism. This is a spiritual battle, not an argument about economic policy. Communism is an inversion of Christianity that promises to help the poor and downtrodden. Communism will always sow the seeds of destruction because there is no spirit of agape' (unconditional love). Thus, Communists must commit the Sins of Pride, Anger, Theft and Envy.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at September 06, 2025 01:03 PM (pJWtt)

117 I keep thinking about that iconic photo of Merkel and some others, leaning into PDJT and telling him what's what. PDJT had his arms crossed and Japan's Abe had the same stance. Sadly, Abe was assassinated and a more Socialist government took over.

How many German candidates have 'somehow' died in the past couple months. Amazing that they are all AfD candidates.

Posted by: mustbequantum at September 06, 2025 01:05 PM (GjnYY)

118 >>>Last week Putin and Xi signed a deal to build a pipeline to ship all that gas to China.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy
---------

The purpose of Nixon's China policy was to drive a wedge between Russia and China.
Biden and the Administrative State wins again.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 01:05 PM (NGa9E)

119 The Charge of the CIA and the Storytellers

$20, same as in town.

Posted by: Commissar of plenty and festive little hats at September 06, 2025 01:10 PM (HTa/G)

120 How many German candidates have 'somehow' died in the past couple months. Amazing that they are all AfD candidates.

Posted by: mustbequantum at September 06, 2025 01:05 PM (GjnYY)

It would be nice to think a lot of the "stay behind cells" of the German army during the Cold War are still there and the gear was passed down to the kids and grandkids.

Posted by: Diogenes at September 06, 2025 01:11 PM (2WIwB)

121 Please hug your mom for me - we met at a NoVA momee several years ago and she was a delight!
Posted by: moki at September 06, 2025 12:36 PM

Will do!

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at September 06, 2025 01:16 PM (Wnv9h)

122 Europe's problems with war largely stemmed from incompetent inbred aristocrat retards being in charge. Unfortunately these have been replaced with the careerist political animals referenced earlier, who aren't a hell of a lot better. Then you have former SecDef Lloyd Austin who was the worst of all of these things, with delusions of African country third-world military dictatorhood.

Posted by: Mostly the shit that floats to the top at September 06, 2025 01:17 PM (TbWk/)

123
https://www.biography.com/authors-writers/jack-london

"London made it a practice to write at least a thousand words a day"

Posted by: m at September 06, 2025 01:18 PM (aURVT)

124 *117 I keep thinking about that iconic photo of Merkel and some others, leaning into PDJT and telling him what's what. PDJT had his arms crossed and Japan's Abe had the same stance. Sadly, Abe was assassinated and a more Socialist government took over.*

With the great meme caption:

"Last time we listened to you, we got nuked!"

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at September 06, 2025 01:18 PM (XQo4F)

125 Massive thunderstorm out. Coming down in buckets. No tornadoes yet.

Posted by: Smell the Glove at September 06, 2025 01:19 PM (Ah2Jt)

126
Then you have former SecDef Lloyd Austin who was the worst of all of these things, with delusions of African country third-world military dictatorhood.
Posted by: Mostly the shit that floats to the top

He's the one who should be sent to Eswatini.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at September 06, 2025 01:20 PM (63Dwl)

127 Speaking of the CIA....

There was speculation that they're still running operations that were originally spun up during the Cold War. Operation Mockingbird was mentioned. It's a Cold War propaganda op set up to spread disinformation and shape public opinion about Russia during the late 50's through the early 80's.

The point being; the CIA is likely running operations to shape public opinion on a lot of things... among your run-of-the-mill color revolutions, insurgent conflicts, assassinations and what not that probably were approved decades ago.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at September 06, 2025 01:21 PM (Q4IgG)

128 >>>Given the progressive worldview, the "patriots" in Vietnam were the commies and the mujahadeen.

So you're admitting that the government of Ukraine and its army are also enemies of the American people.
Posted by: Methos
---------

We're not in Ukraine, our people aren't dying there. They've got a prosperity for the Defense Industry / Money Laundering business
going on over there. As to sucking the average citizen dry they are indifferent. They are also indifferent to the possibility of totally pissing off Putin.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at September 06, 2025 01:21 PM (NGa9E)

129 120 After the end of WW2 and German occupation, the Norwegians decided on having small cells of resistance fighters scattered throughout the country with arms caches. Over the years, with emphasis on secrecy, a lot of those caches were lost along with members of the cells. Imagine stumbling into some farmer's dairy house and finding a bunch of preserved Stens or Thompsons

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at September 06, 2025 01:23 PM (gm9Sb)

130 Merkel's daddy was a big wig in the East German commie party. The road apple doesn't fall far from the horse's ass.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at September 06, 2025 01:26 PM (5+Y60)

131 A rally in London is planned for Sept 13, led by Tommy Robinson. The "Raise the Colours" movement seems to be picking up steam. Might not plan a visit to London this month.

Posted by: Lirio100 at September 06, 2025 01:26 PM (ky7/T)

132 Imagine stumbling into some farmer's dairy house and finding a bunch of preserved Stens or Thompsons
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at September 06, 2025 01:23 PM (gm9Sb)

Oh GOD...sorry. I just came.

Posted by: *lights up* at September 06, 2025 01:27 PM (TbWk/)

133 126
'He's the one who should be sent to Eswatini.'

He'd fit right in.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at September 06, 2025 01:28 PM (3wi/L)

134 Repeat. Repeat again. And again.
Posted by: KT at September 06, 2025 11:43 AM (7vI

Pappymayhem was a Vietnam vet. He believed very firmly that it wasn't about stopping communism. The point of the Vietnam war was to destroy the American military. The left hated the military and knew it would stand fast against them when (not if) the left went full Totalitarian Collectivist. They got the US involved in Vietnam, created stupid rules that got people killed, dragged it out for ten years, encouraged "protests" against War!, the military, and the troops themselves, and crammed tens of thousands of young men through a meat grinder.
The result was devastating. We couldn't have defended ourselves if the homeland had been attacked. The military couldn't rebuild quickly because of the loss of young men who now saw the forces as a dishonorable non option, plus the dead and disabled. The whole world watched us lose and respect for our military both at home and abroad was absolute minimum. Bad actors thought they could get away with anything. Allies questioned our effectiveness.
For the left it was Mission Accomplished.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at September 06, 2025 01:28 PM (2J/Lj)

135 I’m near Ft Worth NAS today and there’s some F-35’s doing take-off landing exercises. Pretty cool, I don’t think I’ve seen one in person before.

Posted by: Tom Servo at September 06, 2025 01:32 PM (BSY5a)

136 We train F35 pilots here at Fort Smith, and they are quite noisy and the locals love them.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at September 06, 2025 01:34 PM (gm9Sb)

137 THE GARDEN THREAD IS BLOOMING

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 01:35 PM (+qU29)

138 The result was devastating. We couldn't have defended ourselves if the homeland had been attacked. The military couldn't rebuild quickly because of the loss of young men who now saw the forces as a dishonorable non option, plus the dead and disabled. The whole world watched us lose and respect for our military both at home and abroad was absolute minimum. Bad actors thought they could get away with anything. Allies questioned our effectiveness.
For the left it was Mission Accomplished.
Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at September 06, 2025 01:28 PM (2J/Lj)

I hadn't ever considered it in that light. But now that you say it, it makes a terrifying amount of sense. McNamara's Morons now take on a whole new significance.

Posted by: Mind blown at September 06, 2025 01:35 PM (TbWk/)

139 Posted by: Mind blown at September 06, 2025 01:35 PM (TbWk/)

Pappymayhem was a smart fella.

Posted by: Madamemayhem (uppity wench) at September 06, 2025 01:39 PM (2J/Lj)

140 Madam Mayhem, I arrived at the same conclusion as your dad independently. Hindsight is always 20/20.

They should have invaded Berkley and Ann Arbor, Madison, Columbia U. and the rest of the Pink strongholds.

They also ran the “Free Love” operation and the hippes simultaneous. It’s awfully curious that LSD became the wonder drug of the New Generation.

All those “non conformists” were heralded by Time Life - the 50s was where all the intellectuals like Henry Luce and Tim Leary were dropping government supplied CIA acid. Within 10 years California was flooded with the stuff. I’m sure it was all just a coincidence.

Posted by: Common Tater at September 06, 2025 01:43 PM (HKCc2)

141 Give the credit for that to McNamara and the rest of those cocksuckers who gave a fuck less about the troops they misled so badly.

But I was smart and went to Harvard and my policy analingus said we would win in Vietnam! In hindsight, I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.
Posted by: Zombie Robert McNamara, Asshole at September 06, 2025 12:54 PM

Oddly, McNamara was the officer who did planning and bomb assessment for LeMay's firebombing campaign in Japan so he did know how to do it right.

Posted by: toby928 at September 06, 2025 01:44 PM (jc0TO)

142 But I was smart and went to Harvard and my policy analingus said we would win in Vietnam! In hindsight, I had no idea what the fuck I was doing.

Posted by: Zombie Robert McNamara
---------

Body Counts, FTIW!

Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at September 06, 2025 01:47 PM (XeU6L)

143 Speaker Mike Johnson Says Trump was Working as FBI Informant Against Epstein

Posted by: SMOD at September 06, 2025 01:50 PM (GITLP)

144 Had tiny thunder storm, just a preview I think

Posted by: Skip at September 06, 2025 01:52 PM (+qU29)

145
Immortality through transplants. What a buncha crap. At some point the brain wears out. That can't be fixed with a transplant.

Our own deep state elite maggots talk about this kind of thing too. I don't think it matters, except to illustrate their narcissism.

Posted by: Semi-Literate Thug at September 06, 2025 01:57 PM (OA/Kt)

146 RIP Ken Dryden.

Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory, red heifer owner at September 06, 2025 02:21 PM (5+Y60)

147 IMHO, the Crimean War was far stupider than the current war in Ukraine. Putin has a rational objective in Ukraine - a twisted, criminal objective, to be sure, but rational nonetheless. The invasion by the British and French into Crimea to restore a balance of power in the Black Sea region by propping up the Ottoman Empire, achieved nothing except to kill a great many men on both sides. Couple that with the criminally incompetent execution of the war, in particular the utter lack of care for the men who were suffering from wounds or disease (principally cholera, transmitted through dirty water), how red tape and bureaucratic incompetence prevented much-needed supplies from reach the men, and it's clear that Crimea (for the British, at least) was a shit-show like few others. For details, see any biography of Florence Nightingale.

Posted by: Nemo at September 06, 2025 02:21 PM (4RPgu)

148 "Oddly, McNamara was the officer who did planning and bomb assessment for LeMay's firebombing campaign in Japan so he did know how to do it right."

McNamara was a bean-counter at heart. He figured that the job of an army is to manufacture corpses, so the more bodies they manufacture, the better. That worked with Japan, when we were engaged in total war with a clearly defined objective; not so much in Vietnam, when we injected ourselves into the middle of a multi-faceted war (some would argue, a civil war) with no clear path to victory. There, a higher body count was not necessarily a hallmark of victory.

Posted by: Nemo at September 06, 2025 02:27 PM (4RPgu)

149

The rational analysis of the Vietnam war was that if our military had been allowed to prosecute that conflict as we were capable of doing, it would have been a 6/8 month affair. And y'all bloody well know it.

And I am now done talking about that misbegotten affair.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at September 06, 2025 02:38 PM (hKoQL)

150 I’m near Ft Worth NAS today and there’s some F-35’s doing take-off landing exercises. Pretty cool, I don’t think I’ve seen one in person before.
Posted by: Tom Servo at September 06, 2025 01:32 PM (BSY5a)

You just reminded me that things occasionally get interesting here. I'm close enough to the McGhee Tyson airport that the UH-60 Blackhawks stationed on the north side of the field go by my house on a fairly regular basis. But usually at a fairly moderate speed.

A couple days back, one came thundering by at low altitude and top speed (168 kts) heading northwest. I finally tracked him up to Ft. Knox by about 9:30 PM, where, as it turns out, a fair number of aircraft were "doing things". A C-17 at low altitude and high speed (>1000' AGL, 335 kts) heading towards the fort, a C-130 circling the area and so on.

Must have been some sort of exercise.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at September 06, 2025 02:40 PM (/HDaX)

151 RIP Mark Randall Volman (April 19, 1947 – September 5, 2025) was an American vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the 1960s rock band The Turtles, and, along with his bandmate and friend Howard Kaylan, a member of the 1970s rock duo Flo & Eddie, where he used the pseudonym Flo (short for The Phlorescent Leech). Volman also became a stand-out figure upon joining Frank Zappa’s band, The Mothers of Invention.
The Turtles “She’d Rather Be With Me
“She’d Rather Be with Me” is a song written by Garry Bonner and Alan Gordon and released by the Turtles in 1967. The song was the follow-up to “Happy Together”.

Posted by: SMOD at September 06, 2025 02:50 PM (GITLP)

152 Good Things to come out of East Germany: Rammstein.

Bad Things to come out of East Germany: Angela Merkel.
Posted by: The ARC of History!

Two other good things from East Germany: Nina Hagen and Katarina Witt!

Posted by: Can Pick'em! at September 06, 2025 05:23 PM (oftw2)

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