What is this Aukus mess?

"This is not a good look for the US of A. Soon, we will need to have a come to momma meeting with our teammates. We need to confess we flunked the math test and cannot deliver on schedule. Sorry about that. Could Trump get us out of this mess without defaulting? Sure, if he had another term. But he does not, and we are now stuck with this hot mess called Aukus." 

Seemed like a good deal at one time. As usual, during the Biden Administration when this deal was agreed to, everything was coming up roses. Of course, nobody bothered to perform due diligence on the major party in this agreement (that would be us). BTW, Aukus is an agreement agreed to on September 15, 2021. It was all about subs and getting some state-of-the-art subs to Australia so they could be the back door cop on China expansionism. The idea was great - how to get there is a whole different issue.

Starting in 2032, the United States was going to sell a couple of new or slightly used Virginia Class submarines to the Aussies. And then later in the decade, one more. Sounds good, right? After all, we were getting rid of those clunky old Los Angeles Class attack subs and replacing them with much improved Virginia Class subs. But then we came face to face with that math thing which always bedeviled Biden and crew. 

As the Los Angles subs age out, we need to have a new Virginia Class sub ready to go to replace it. If not, we will have a hole in our submarine defense posture. Now the math thing. To keep his political base happy, and to keep spending money on "green" nonsense, Biden decided to cut the funding for building the Virginia Class subs from two a year to one a year. One might think, if we do that, how in the world are we going to fit our needs? And BTW - we are on the hook to sell three of these new or slightly used Virginia Class subs to the Aussies in 2032. What gives here? 

Trump has now had a chance to review this Aukus program, which he was never briefed on when he took office. I can only imagine what went through his head when he found out what a cluster this thing is. The entire program is now over three years behind schedule! Biden cutting the funding authorization from two per year to one per year certainly did not help. And because of the fact we are on the hook to deliver three subs to Australia in the 2030 timeframe (they will not exist at that time), Trump might just kill the program as it exists. Why? First off, it is still and always, America first. We can't afford to have any holes in our attack submarine program. Period!

One other thing which is glue in the gears. Our industrial base for producing submarines is lacking. We need a domestic Marshall Plan to get it back on schedule. I mean, good grief! Have we offshored everything which we used to build? We need more qualified companies which can build state-of-the-art subs and ships - NOW. 

This is not a good look for the US of A. Soon, we will need to have a come to momma meeting with our teammates. We need to confess we flunked the math test and cannot deliver on schedule. Sorry about that. Could Trump get us out of this mess without defaulting? Sure, if he had another term. But he does not, and we are now stuck with this hot mess called Aukus. 

The next war will look much, much different

 

"Wars and rumors of wars. I guess as a species we are kind of stuck with that for a while longer. It is in our nature to be warriors. Have been since the jump. Maybe someday we can be like the peace-loving people that Gene Roddenberry envisioned in Star Trek. Maybe someday, but not today. And probably not tomorrow."

Last evening, I watched a classic movie made in1965. In Harm's Way, starring John Wayne and Kirk Douglas, was a good old Navy movie about Pearl Harbor and beyond during World War II. Watching it, I was reminded on how far along we (mankind) have come in warfighting since that eventful war. I will go as far to say that any new war (of a global nature) which could be fought tomorrow, would look nothing like the wars fought yesterday. 

Current wars rely on stealth and speed. "Shoot the archer" is making sure you see the enemy before he sees you. Our stealth has gotten so good, so refined, a full-sized bomber looks as small as an insect on radar screens. But those days might be coming to an end, where new types of radars can defeat even the best stealth technologies. But that is tomorrow's problem. As we saw from Iran, today's B-2 bombers made quick work of Iran's defenses.

What then, will the new tag line be in wars going forward? More stealth might not be the answer, so what then? "Standoff" will be the new strategy. The ability to fire weapons from over a thousand miles away from the target, have the weapon fly at hypersonic speed, and bristle with AI, so even a moving target can be followed and hit. Meanwhile, the platform used to fire these hypersonic missiles, would be far, far away from the action.

Keep in mind, this type of war would only work in a non-nuclear exchange. Should nukes enter the picture, all bets will be off. But should a new war stay non-nuclear, what about our aircraft carriers? Would they still be of use? Maybe not. Our bombers? Could they still be used? Again, maybe not.

One artist's rendering showed transport jets releasing pallets of missiles (Rapid Dragon) which launched shortly after leaving the plane and then would head towards a long distant target(s). Again, all of these missiles would be loaded with AI, so they would be absolutely, fire and forget.

Any planes which would be used closer up to the enemy would be Loyal Wingman type drones. We are reaching a point where we will have autonomic planes, subs, ships, and tanks. How far away is that? Closer than you think. AI, once more mature, will turn our battlefields into something which looks more like a video game. This is one very important reason why the United States is so determined to stay way ahead of China in AI. 

Wars and rumors of wars. I guess as a species we are kind of stuck with that for a while longer. It is in our nature to be warriors. Have been since the jump. Maybe someday we can be like the peace-loving people that Gene Roddenberry envisioned in Star Trek. Maybe someday, but not today. And probably not tomorrow. 

Battleground - Texas! (again)

"This was not a good look for the Democrats the first time they tried it. It will be even worse this time around. What have they learned from the last election? How to lose - other than that - nada. Take heart Earthlings - Texas is about to become a whole lot redder, and our Republic (not Democracy) is about to get a whole lot stronger."

What is it with these Texicans? Can't we all just get along? A few years ago, when the issue of voter ID was going to be voted on in Texas, the Democrats wanted none of that stuff. I mean, how racist can you get? To ask to see someone's ID to ensure they are eligible to vote (once). Of course, you need an ID to do just about anything (including to get into a DNC convention), but who cares? The Democrat cheat factor will start to crumble if only bona fide voters are allowed to vote. How rude! 

The Democrats left town in the middle of a session and headed for the friendly confines of Washington, DC. Per Texas rules, with all the Democrats being gone, there goes the quorum. In other words, nothing could get done. The missing Democrats were fined, warrants prepared for their arrest, and total castigation by the good guys. After a month, they came back, took their medicine, and voted. 

But that was then and this is now. The agenda for this session in Texas is to get some relief to the flood victims from that horrible flash flood last month. This is very important! But because so many newcomers (the legal kind) have come into Texas the past few years, the districts need to be brought up to date. Oh-oh...that smells like trouble. What if they come up with maybe five new districts, and they all swung Republican? Gosh, that would not be fair! Well, that is exactly what might happen. 

So, just like in the days of Voter ID, the Democrats are heading for the hills. This time to the friendly and corpulent confines of Pritsker's Illinois. Wait - what? What about the people, the citizens who need flood relief? Who cares, said the Democrats. They need to protect their power base by not voting for redistricting. Just like before, fines were levied and arrest warrants prepared. How is this going to end? Stay tuned.

This was not a good look for the Democrats the first time they tried it. It will be even worse this time around. What have they learned from the last election? How to lose - other than that - nada. Take heart Earthlings - Texas is about to become a whole lot redder, and our Republic (not Democracy) is about to get a whole lot stronger.

What is up with Avi Loeb and 3I/ATLAS???

 

"Maybe if there is intelligent life on this comet, we could show them how Washington DC works. Why? If they are looking for intelligent life, we could show them it does not yet exist here. Only bedlam and chaos. Then again, they might just nuke us to put us out of our misery." 

This incoming comet, 3I/ATLAS is really causing quite a stir. To many of us, it is just a comet. It is the third of its kind, it looks odd and travels fast. But a few scientists worldwide have sounded the Claxton. This one could be different. In fact, it could be a precursor to an "alien attack". Whoa! What? What do they mean "alien attack"? It means our Dark Forest strategy is not working very well. Our puny little nascent existence would be known to the most truculent and nasty aliens in the cosmos. What is for dinner? Maybe - us!

Harvard scientist Avi Loeb has another take. He is about halfway there with the alien thing. He thinks that 3I/ATLAS may be an ancient alien relic with alien tech on board. He feels so strongly on this, he feels a rocket, to intercept this comet might be in order. I mean, this comet (if Loeb is right), could contain a treasure trove of alien goodies. And Loeb may be a bit off center on many of his ideas, but he is still one of the sharpest minds in astronomy.

My question is this - so what? What if this comet was really some classic vintage of spaceships gone by. What would we do with it? Does it come with an instruction book? In a language we understand. Or would it just be a complicated series of wires and components, accompanied by a book of instructions that nobody could read. And by the way, since even getting back to the Moon is such a giant leap for us these days, just exactly what would we use as a spaceship to intercept this comet (or spaceship)? Inquiring minds want to know!

In any event, we have until sometime in November when this comet will be close enough to be concerned about it. Chances are, just like the first two "visitors", it will take a loop around our sun and then head back out into the cosmos. Or here is another theory - maybe it is a scout of some kind. Checking out our neighborhood. Looking for any kind of intelligent life. And if we are outed? Does that mean a return visit by a different kind of craft? Something to lose sleep over? Not I. 

Maybe if there is intelligent life on this comet, we could show them how Washington DC works. Why? If they are looking for intelligent life, we could show them it does not yet exist here. Only bedlam and chaos. Then again, they might just nuke us to put us out of our misery. 

 

Whoa! Is this now WEXIT ho?

 

"Eastern Canada? No hope on the horizon. They have drunk their own bathwater for too many years. Wither will they go? They will fade away, to be replaced with an eastern version of WEXIT. But that is years away, if at all. Until then, just pop some popcorn and watch the show in western Canada. We are about to see freedom born, once again. And that never gets old."   

Funny thing about tyranny in a free society. Money can leave. People can leave. States or provinces can leave. When all of Canada feels like half of the people are subjects and the other half feels like citizens, citizens are ready to bolt. And that is what the WEXIT movement is all about. Not just a slogan, not just a political movement, but a real threat to the cohesiveness of Canada. But Canada (the government), has done this to itself. Now the western half of this once great country is ready to give notice to leave.

What is it about the west? Why are they acting like spoiled children? Ah - they are not. They are acting like patriots and freedom lovers. Right now, they feel a bit like we felt under King George. Only they don't have a king right now - they have Mark Carney, walking in the footsteps of Justin Trudeau who are both bathed in the stink of socialism. It seems that all the resources are in the west, and all the authoritarianism is in the east. To me, that is a formula for revolt - and revolt might just be spelled WEXIT.

Will these four renegade provinces become part of the US? Probably not - but I can see them becoming a new country called West Canada. They would have friendly relations with the remaining part of Canada, but the relations West Canada would have with us would be off the charts good. Why? Freedom attracts freedom. President Trump would welcome a new trading partner who knew how to trade fair. Old established Canada, under Mark Carney, will never learn. And that is why they will always be on the outside looking in.

Truthfully, it is kind of fun being on this side of the border watching this unfold. West Canada is acting like an incubator for freedom and liberty. While the staunch old white hairs on the east look at the west with disgust, we see peoples who remind us of us - in 1776. Only this revolution will not happen with one shot fired. Not one drop of blood shed. It will happen with some legal documents and a court of law.

From our perspective, this is all upside. First, we will get part of Canada (West Canada) normalized. Next, we will work with President Sheinbaum in getting Mexico fixed. Mexico could be GREAT once again, if Sheinbaum let our DEA and military have more leeway. Mexico could be as passive as a sleeping baby once the cartel crime families are neutralized. 

Eastern Canada? No hope on the horizon. They have drunk their own bathwater for too many years. Wither will they go? They will fade away, to be replaced with an eastern version of WEXIT. But that is years away, if at all. Until then, just pop some popcorn and watch the show in western Canada. We are about to see freedom born, once again. And that never gets old.   

 

 

 

Our new Russian chess game

"If we devolve into a nuclear war with Russia, it will be short and not sweet at all. We will lay waste to Russia, and Russia will lay waste to us. Radiation and nuclear winter will spread over much of the globe. There will be no winners, only losers."

I have thought this for quite a while now. Although that Putin is a war criminal, and his blood runs as cold as ice, he is not the one who is showing as much bluster as of late. It is the former President of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev. If there is anybody who could drag us into a war with Russia, it is this guy. And as much of a peacenik that Trump is, Trump is ready to call Medvedev's bluff at any angle. Up to and including parking a couple more nuclear subs close to Russia. 

When I was younger, the only person I really feared was somebody who had nothing to lose. As an older adult, the only person or nation who I fear is one who thinks nuclear war is winnable. To me, both Putin and Medvedev come under that category. Both of these guys have launched numerous nuclear threats towards the west in the past few years. Russia knows we have just about as many nukes as they have, but either they don't care, or their bluster is more than convincing.

I think this week, Medvedev has caused Trump to reach his tipping point. He is not going to take any more trash talk from this country which is causing so much trouble in Europe right now. In a couple weeks, Trump is going to impose the strictest of all consequences (sanctions) on Russia as well as countries which buy Russian oil. Does Trump want to do that? No - but this is the final measure which could get Russia to agree to a cease fire in Ukraine.

But here is what I cannot fully understand. Russia has made it known through inkles as well as direct comments, that Ukraine might only be the first of many battles Russia will fight with the west. What does that mean? It means that even a cease fire in Ukraine is of little or no interest to Russia right now. If Russia needs to turn the entire country into dust, and kill every man, woman and child - so be it. And if it means using a tactical nuke or two, again, so be it.

It is hard to broker peace with an imperialistic country like Russia. By the same token, it is hard to have a serious trading partner like China, who at any minute can invade and conquer a close friend like Taiwan. And it is hard to take a group of murderous thugs (like Hamas) seriously who did what they did to Israel on October 7th. And Iran? Don't get me started. All these are the countries which are giving Trump so many headaches.

If we devolve into a nuclear war with Russia, it will be short and not sweet at all. We will lay waste to Russia, and Russia will lay waste to us. Radiation and nuclear winter will spread over much of the globe. There will be no winners, only losers. The reason MAD was so successful for so many years, was sane men realized this fact. Today, we have insane men who are Russian megalomaniacs, and they don't seem to care. Ergo, that is our new Russian chess game. 

  

 

 

The burn boys - together again!

 

"Yesterday, the Minnesota Twins gutted their team. Sold or traded just about everyone. That might be a precursor to what will happen in Minneapolis. The town will be gutted - even more so than it is now. Who will be the winners? The first to leave. The last to leave might end up being stuck here. Now that is a loss beyond measure."

Oh boy, Minneapolis! Do you ever have a rich choice for mayor coming up! What is the big news? Fellow "burn boy" Tampon Timmy, has endorsed the person the DFL did not endorse. Jacob Frey has been dissed by the party (don't ask me why) and tossed to the curb. I mean, Jacob really hit his stride in 2020, when he and fellow "burn boy" Governor Taxing Timmy, watched a large portion of Minneapolis burn down. Why did they do that? You know - "peaceful" protestors needed to "burn off" some steam. 

Jacob may be a closet socialist (to a degree), but the throngs down in Cedar Riverside wanted a true radical. So, they had a peculiar endorsing convention and choose Omar Fateh. Jacob cried foul, as the convention was odd, even for Minneapolis standards. But be that as it may - unless the powers that be demand a new convention, the die is set. Even with the golden hand of endorsement being bestowed on Frey by Walz, his goose is cooked. Looks like Minneapolis is on its way to have its own version of Mamdani.     

It is too bad that Jacob Frey will not be in charge, working with Tim Walz again. Come 2026, it will be time for new leadership in Minneapolis. The city which burned, the city which still worships at the shrine of George Floyd, the city which looks like it got plucked out of Northern Africa, is going to have a new mayor, and Minnesota will have a new governor. Wait - any chance a Republican can step forward and save the day in Minneapolis? When pigs fly. How about governor? Can we get somebody normal (Republican) to govern this out-of-control state? Again, pigs flying.

Did Walz miss the memo? That 1) the Somali endorsement is like gold in this state, and 2) Walz has no cred anymore. He is washed up. A joke. So, ladies and gentlemen, the field is wide open. Well, sort of wide open. We already know who the next mayor of Minneapolis will be. The relators are already licking their lips. There will be flood of money and business concerns leaving town. Who will remain? I think most of us know the answer to that one.

Yesterday, the Minnesota Twins gutted their team. Sold or traded just about everyone. That might be a precursor to what will happen in Minneapolis. The town will be gutted - even more so than it is now. Who will be the winners? The first to leave. The last to leave might end up being stuck here. Now that is a loss beyond measure.