Politics

[375 Ruger Fan]

A retire F-15E driver sent this to me in regard to the F-18 shootdown: "IFF would have been checked before takeoff for function and proper codes, especially for a combat mission. Even our Navy brothers aren't that lax. Could have been a malfunction on the cruiser, but that's unlikely. Most likely cause is human error on the cruiser. The defense systems have to be set up and in the correct mode of operation by the crew on the boat."

Ward Carroll's Youtube channel is my go-to place for Naval aviation:

 

[Datchew]

I can appreciate the DOGE initiative to eliminate wasteful spending, even in the military, however, Elon & Vivek need to be cautious and not get overzealous with any military cuts
Now, more then ever, the U.S military needs to keep pace with the other super powers, as not to be left behind in military advancements.
That takes a considerable amount of money.

I agree with Brent's and red leg's concern here.

Going after defense spending is tempting and I'll be the first in line to say we need to reign in our international efforts. But not to the point of putting our ability to defend ourselves and our priorities at risk.

And that's where it gets sticky, subjective, and ideologically based and the debates start on what those priorities are. Nuff said.

We all know the military isn't exactly efficient with money. Why?
Because we've always been told as such. Some truth there... But there's some BS there too.

Also, the military isn't intended to be run like a capitalist corporation and IMO, that's a good thing.

I think DOGE can cut lots of things to the bone and the patient recovers just fine. I'm a little nervous the military piece is a hard pickle to get right.

Maybe the state dept, Intel, and the less action oriented parts should be the focus. Not the standing military arm.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Ahem, he was charged for lying to FBI, not for the Logan act. Same crime they got Martha Steward for.

“
Michael Flynn was charged with making false statements to FBI agents during a January 24, 2017 interview at his White House office regarding conversations Flynn had had in the preceding weeks with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak. (Flynn was also charged with making false statements in connection with certain filings under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, but I’ll put that to one side for now; among other things, Flynn never pleaded guilty to those crimes, and DOJ’s attempt to prosecute another high-profile figure, Gregory Craig, for similar violations failed miserably and would likely have failed against Flynn as well.)

Represented by lawyers from the large D.C. law firm Covington & Burling (who it now appears had a serious conflict of interest), Flynn initially asserted his innocence. Crucially, Flynn’s attorneys pressed the prosecutors from the Special Counsel’s Office to turn over the memorandum of interview or “302” prepared by the agents who questioned him regarding his communications with Kislyak. Throughout November 2017, SCO prosecutors repeatedly rebuffed those requests even as they ratcheted up the pressure on Flynn to plead guilty in exchange for a recommendation of no jail time. But Flynn continued to maintain his innocence, and his attorneys continued pressing for production of the 302 and other discovery—which the government continued to withhold.

It has been reported, credibly in my judgment, that the stalemate was brought to a head when the SCO leaked to certain reporters that a guilty plea from Flynn would ensure that Flynn’s son, who was under investigation as Flynn senior’s business partner (and also happened to be the father of Flynn senior’s four-month-old grandchild) would not be prosecuted. This is the sort of despicable tactic one associates with tyrants and dictators; but to our infinite discredit, it appears to have become a routine feature of American prosecutions as well.

In any event, we do know that something caused Flynn to suddenly change his mind in late November of 2017 and agree to plead guilty to a single charge of lying to FBI agents. He signed a “statement of the offense” to that effect (along with the alleged FARA violations) on November 30, and appeared in court to enter his guilty plea—on the charge of lying to FBI agents only—the next day, December 1, 2017.”

 

[PARA45]

I was under the impression that Trump was pro military, and wanted a strong military. I hope he is not thinking f cutting the military, especially in today’s uncertain world environment.

 

[Hunt anything]

I’m with you on that @PARA45 , I do think that their money can be spent a little more wisely though.

 

[flatwater bill]

The website Worldometer says that there are 195 Countries in the World.
Wiki says that the USA provides money and weapons to "more than 150" of them.
Do you feel safer?
Do you think any $ can be cut here?
This is funny. Until it's not.
FWB

 

[mdwest]

It’s actually worse than that…

The US funds the World Bank, IMF, and UN…

Those bretton woods organizations in turn provide money to the majority of the remaining forty five countries…

 

[CJW]

Don't worry! Illegals setting sleeping people on fire on the subway is exceedingly rare, so no reason to get worked up about it if you're a delusional idiot. Likewise, "Saudi doctors" of whom Germany has been warned about by the Saudi Arabian gov't itself driving cars through a bunch of infidels at a Christmas market is also, well maybe not such a rare thing, but still don't get worked up about it.

THIS is why people regard a good number of people on the left as EVIL and absolute suckers. Our tolerance will be our undoing.

Horrific video shows suspect watching woman burn to death in F train car after he allegedly set her on fire

A migrant from Guatemala has been arrested for allegedly lighting a sleeping subway rider on fire in Brooklyn on Sunday morning — then watching as his innocent victim burned to death in what the Ne…

nypost.com

 

[spike.t]

China again......

Tibet: How China cracked down on rare protests over Kamtok dam

Through sources and footage, the BBC pieces together how China cracked down on the protests.

www.bbc.com

 

[Altitude sickness]

I’ve heard people say that Ukraine has huge deposits of the rare earth minerals and elements needed for batteries and all forms of modern technology. So it’s being thrown around that as a side benefit to the taxpayers giving Ukraine nearly 200 billion dollars. The US will have access to those reserves. Which Russia wants.

So let’s think this through. The taxpayer fronts hundreds of billions. Industries move in then sell the products to other corporations that then sell the products to we the taxpayer and others around the world.

Rhetorical question. Do we taxpayers get a discount on those products. Less than other nations pay for that Apple IPhone? Just like the discount we get on all the oil we have secured for decades.

Perhaps DOGE can ask for the taxpayers to be repaid from profits of oil, minerals and elements

 

[mdwest]

There may be other minerals, but the two primary needed for lithium and EV batteries, lithium and graphite… Ukraine is not a significant producer.. they’re not in top ten countries for either mineral.. not even close…

 

[spike.t]

Yup Russia and China sowing them up in certain African countries

 

[WAB]

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There may be other minerals, but the two primary needed for lithium and EV batteries, lithium and graphite… Ukraine is not a significant producer.. they’re not in top ten countries for either mineral.. not even close…

How extensive is the lithium deposit that has been found in Arkansas.

 

[Manwe]

Russia and China have the world on a chokehold, and they have their foot in Africa already.

 

[Red Leg]

Unfortunately, the lure of cutting defense is not in reshaping its bureaucratic structure, which could use some serious weight reduction, but in cutting programs. Restructuring (any of the departments for that matter) will be multi-year battles not tied to the annual appropriation process. It is difficult to realize immediate savings that can be reflected by GAO or trotted out to an admiring electorate. Cut a major weapons program however, and the savings are immediate and can be reflected for the entire anticipated lifespan of the program.

For instance, cut a planned navy carrier, and the savings associated with it are not merely the cost of the carrier, but also its operational, personnel, maintenance, and port support costs for the next thirty years or so. That loss of a carrier also means fewer support and escort ships are needed to deploy with it. The "savings" are enormous. Unfortunately, there is no budget calculation for the strategic cost of not having an available carrier battle group to support a critical national interest. We have seen a demonstration over the last year how difficult it already is to maintain two battle groups in the same region for more than a few weeks.

We have done this exact thing several times since the end of the cold war. The B2, Sea Wolf, Crusader, and Future Combat System, are the larger examples. Even our F-22 inventory of 186 Raptors was originally planned to be 750. It is still considered by most analysts to be the finest air-to-air fighter ever created. But the "savings" at the cost of our capabilities were irresistible. As a result, the F-15 will soldier on well into this century and the F-22 and the B2 are poster children for exorbitant cost per airframe - though what critics conveniently fail to mention is that cost was largely a result of not procuring the programmed inventory.

I would again note, whatever Trump may think, his DOVE guru Musk has already been very critical of new manned aircraft programs like the F-35. I would simply note that any truly effective unmanned fighter aircraft is a good little while in the future (if ever). Heck, we are still struggling with an operational robotic taxi. Until then, our adversaries are fielding Gen 5 fighter aircraft. A quad copter carrying a grenade is not an alternative.

 

[Red Leg]

Russia and China have the world on a chokehold

How so?

 

[spike.t]

How extensive is the lithium deposit that has been found in Arkansas.

Massive lithium deposit found across southeastern US could end reliance on imports

A new geological survey has discovered enough lithium to meet global demand for the next six years.

nypost.com

and

Thacker Pass lithium mine - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Altitude sickness]

We can fight Russia with one arm. And still simultaneously beat China

The technology and military weapons China has they stole the idea or technology . But what they can’t steal is our hard earned lessons from the battlefield. Our naval, Air and land tactics. When is the last time they engaged and defeated an opponent at sea. Our submarines and planted ocean devices would quickly sink every floating craft they have.

 

[Red Leg]

The website Worldometer says that there are 195 Countries in the World.
Wiki says that the USA provides money and weapons to "more than 150" of them.
Do you feel safer?
Do you think any $ can be cut here?
This is funny. Until it's not.
FWB

Actually I do. US military assistance includes military training teams and supply chains. Obviously, also a great deal of coordination and exposure of the foreign military to our defense culture. That inevitably creates some level of coordination and influence. Does that influence always shape behavior in our national interests - of course not. But, I think most would agree that the opportunity is far better than no influence at all. Of one thing we can be assured, that void will be filled by another power.

 

[Red Leg]

We can fight Russia with one arm. And still simultaneously beat China

The technology and military weapons China has they stole the idea or technology . But what they can’t steal is our hard earned lessons from the battlefield. Our naval, Air and land tactics. When is the last time they engaged and defeated an opponent at sea. Our submarines and planted ocean devices would quickly sink every floating craft they have.

To some extent I agree, but allow me one cautionary example. In 1945, the US had the most powerful and technically advanced army in the world. Five short years later, that once powerful force deployed poorly trained and unready Task Force Smith to the Korean peninsula to stop a North Korean incursion into the South. The task force was soundly defeated by North Korean troops and driven back to the Pusan perimeter which the US was only just able to hang onto by its fingernails.

A similar scenario was replayed when China entered the war later that year.

The lesson is simply that the readiness, training, and capabilities needed to win require constant attention or they can deteriorate almost overnight.