Kamikaze Drones and Container Ships

"As the world gets more and more dangerous, we have a kitten in the White House instead of a tiger. Don't think for a minute, that Putin and Xi do not know that. Not to mention Iran and North Korea also."

There is so much news in the news cycle these days, it is hard to know where to start. First off, the container ship backlog in Southern California is NOT getting any better. In fact, we are still have about 100 ships is queue. Only now, due to safety concerns, as well as image control, about half of the container ships waiting to unload, are being kept further offshore. How bad is it really? On the news this morning, it was reported that one of the container ships has a load which should have been delivered in October. Now it is December. Wow!

Next, according to an article from April of 2019, China is developing the capability to load cruise missiles into containers and hide them on container ships. This comes from an article in Military and Commercial Technology, dated April 2, 2019. Having hidden missile technology inside an intermodal container, allows the Chinese to activate these weapons when the container is on a ship, on a train, or on a truck. Sweet. Now think of those almost 100 container ships, sitting off the coast of Southern California.

By the way, that same article did say the Israelis are also working on this missile in a container technology. I wonder if we are also? 

In other news, the cat is now out of the bag with an exciting new technology. Well, not so exciting if you are on the receiving end of it. According to an NBC report dated yesterday, the United States has been working on Kamikaze Drones, or Suicide Drones for a while now. They have been tried out in Iraq, and Syria and Afghanistan. 

In Utah recently, a defense contractor recently displayed its current version of this technology - the Switchblade 300. For a few thousand dollars, a small and inexpensive drone can be launched on the battlefield, carrying a small and lethal warhead. Rather than having a Predator Drone fire an expensive Hellfire missile to take out an auto with a bad guy in it, this works just as well. One expert said, this technology will change the battlefield as much as the machine gun did. Let that sink in for a minute.

This morning, Joe Biden will have a Zoom call with Putin to discuss Russia's plans for the Ukraine. Putin will tell Biden he does not want Ukraine in NATO. Biden will tell Putin we will get real, real angry if he does. And that is about it. Meanwhile, Russia continues to develop exotic weapons like hypersonic missiles and anti-satellite technology. As the world gets more and more dangerous, we have a kitten in the White House instead of a tiger. Don't think for a minute, that Putin and Xi do not know that. Not to mention Iran and North Korea also.    

 

What up with Mother Russia?

"How in the world survive until our next presidential election with the goof squad in charge? I guess the Obama 'lead from behind' doctrine is back in style. As for the poor folks in the Ukraine, I shudder to tell them this - but I must. Help, is not on the way."

Yesterday, they had a big defense come together at the Reagan National Defense Forum. SecDef Lloyd Austin spoke on the dangers of Russia and China. Neither country is playing well in their respective neighborhoods as of late. But the country which is raising the most eyebrows as of late, is Mother Russia. It is starting to look like Crimea all over again. Only this time it is the Ukraine, and Russia is positioning lots and lots of troops on its border.

One commentor l listened to yesterday had a very good observation. Both Xi of China, and Putin of Russia, know how to smell fear and weakness. They could pick up the stench of weakness in the eight years Obama was President. And now that Obama's puppet is in the White House, that stench of weakness is even stronger. 

We have come a long way since the "Peace through strength" doctrine of Ronald Reagan. It was not as strong during Bush 41, Clinton and Bush 43. And it all but evaporated during Obama. But during Trump, it made a comeback. Unfortunately, that comeback was short lived. Now our armed forces, instead of learning how to kill and break things, are learning about diversity, inclusion, equity, and rainbows. I know it. You know it. And the bad guys of the world know it.

On another note, the new head of our newest defense agency (Space Command), recently held a presser about Russia and China. It seems they not only playing well in their respective neighborhoods, but also not playing well up in space. Our satellites are being attacked by one of both countries, on almost a daily basis. They are using lasers, radio frequency jammers, and cyber attacks. Basically, what they are doing right now, borders on an act of war. 

So, what happens after the new year, if Russia attacks Ukraine? What does NATO do? Anything? How about Biden? If he is awake, what will he tell Putin? More sanctions? Putin always blows that stuff off. Bottom line? We are once again a toothless tiger. We can "pitch a bitch" and moan, but that is about all we can do. If Russia wants to attack and conquer the Ukraine, all we can do is send Putin a nasty letter. Tell him he is being naughty. Biden can't even cut off Putin's oil, as Biden has already cut off our oil. Smooth move chestnut.

How in the world survive until our next presidential election with this "goof squad" in charge? I guess the Obama "lead from behind" doctrine is back in style. As for the poor folks in the Ukraine, I shudder to tell them this - but I must. Help, is not on the way. Welcome to Biden's America. I am so sorry to say this. 

 

Coming soon - a blizzard of EVs

"An old saying from the west was, 'Don't shoot your horse unless you make sure you have another one waiting.' By starting to phase out our internal combustion technology to chase the EV mystic, might be something we will regret in the future."

Peanut butter and jelly. Salt and pepper. Birds and the bees. Oil and water. Wait - oil and water? They don't go together, like the other items do. Guess what else does not go together? Batteries and cold. All kinds of batteries, including the ones which will power our next type of vehicles. The EVs. And they are coming. Right now, experts say, sales for EVs will go up by a factor of 6 by 2025, from where they are now. They might be excellent, for those south of the Mason Dixon Line. Or not. But up north here, there are problems on our very frigid horizon.

One of my old compadres from the old days, pokes me from now and again, about how much I talk about the weather. If he had lived here longer, he would realize that talking about the weather is part of our DNA in the north country. Most all of us do it. In any event, on with the story.

Those of us who have been born and raised in the far north, know all about cold and batteries. We have all heard that sick sound of a tired battery trying to start a car when the temps are 10 above or colder. Now picture a battery which does everything for your car, instead of just starting it. With today's technology, how will the new EVs make out in the sometimes very cold northland? Turns out - not well.

Here is what Consumer Reports is reporting about buying an EV if you live in a colder climate. Take the manufacturer's projected range per charge, and cut it in two (if the temps are very cold). So, if you buy a car with an estimated range of 300 miles, and want to go up to Duluth from Minneapolis (to maybe visit Bentleyville), and if the temps are 10 above or colder, plan on stopping midway up for charge. Not only halfway up for a charge, but charging again once you are in Duluth, and then charging once again, halfway home. That is, if you can find an available charging station.

I was exposed to battery technology when I was in the workaday world. I know a bit about the puts and takes of current (at that time) battery technology. For many in the high tech industry, finding a more robust type of battery will be the Golden Fleece of the future. If that technology is discovered, EVs might then, be the vehicle of the future. Or not. The EV might just be a passing fancy, similar to what the "pig tailed" florescent bulb were to lighting. Way too many problems with "pigtails", so they were phased out, to be replaced by led blubs.

An old saying from the west was, "Don't shoot your horse unless you make sure you have another one waiting." By starting to phase out our internal combustion technology to chase the EV mystic, might be something we will regret in the future. I am not saying the EV will not work out for us - it might in the future. But for right now, buying an EV while living in Minnesota, is a huge gamble. 

By the way, how to power the charging stations is also going to be a bit daunting. If we are getting rid of coal, and eschew building new nukes, and if the sun is not shining, and the wind is not blowing - then what? But that is a subject for another day. As for today, we will just assume we will be using fairy dust and lollypops to power our growing fleet of EVs. 

Problems for the solvers...

"Dean Phillips is a rich quack for a politician. He deserves to be voted out of office. The good folks in Minnesota CD 3 deserve so much better. I mean a lot better. How he beat a highly qualified guy like Kendall Qualls is beyond me."

One of the headlines from a news feed this morning, was a talk show host from Fox News called Joe Biden a constant liar. Big deal. That is old news. Everyone knows that fact. I am more interested in the makeup of the Congress - both in the House and the Senate. With the 2022 elections getting closer and closer all the time, it is time to shine the light of truth on those who are only pretenders. People who ran for Congress, professing to be one thing, and voting the other way. Dean Phillips comes to mind. In 2018, Phillips beat out Eric Paulsen to represent District 3 in Minnesota. He ran as a moderate. A problem solver. He has been anything but.

To show how "moderate" Dean Phillips is, once in Washington, he joined the recently formed Problem Solvers Caucus. The motto for this worthless organization is "Break the Gridlock". Who would join this organization? 29 Crafty Democrats and 29 gullible Republicans. Why say "crafty" and "gullible"? The Democrats were "crafty", as they had no plan to compromise on anything. The Republicans were "gullible", as they fell for this pile of BS.

How is that problem solving working out? The Build, Back Better bill, which Ms. Nancy rammed through the House, had an interesting vote. Here were the "bi-partisan" votes on the bill: 28 Democrats (including Dean Phillips), voted for this pile of goo. One Problem Solver Democrat (Jared Golden from Maine), voted against it. All 29 Problem Solver Republicans voted against the bill. 

Here is the question which begs to be asked. If the Problem Solvers are indeed non-partisan, how did the caucus split right down party lines? Answer: Because the Problem Solver Caucus is a canard, a phony, a sham. The Democrats version of compromise, is vote my way. When push comes to shove, a bill, no matter how flawed it is, will attract each and every Democrat vote, just like bees to honey. Hats off to the 29 Republicans in the Problem Solvers Caucus who smelled a rat in this bill, and voted against it. 

Dean Phillips is a rich quack for a politician. He deserves to be voted out of office. The good folks in Minnesota CD 3 deserve so much better. I mean a lot better. How he beat a highly qualified guy like Kendall Qualls is beyond me. Hopefully in 2022, the Republicans can put a good candidate forward (like Kendall Qualls), and send Phillips backing. He can go back to making cheap vodka, rather than voting or expensive legislation.    

December: Our fastest month, and misnamed month

"December has become almost synonymous with 'wonder and joy'. It is the one month where everyone seems to get along with almost everyone else. Why is that? Part of the magic of December. A magical, yet misnamed month."

Welcome December! The one month of the year, when wonderment and awe invades most all youngins. Well, it also invades some of us who are not so young anymore. It is the one month of the winter, we would love to savor each and every moment. But - as most of us know - this month tends to travel faster than the speed of light. We all start out on December 1st (like today), and before we know it, we are putting away our Christmas decorations, and getting ready to break our newly minted New Year's resolutions.  

But enough about the speed, and more about the savor. In our household, December starts off with a bang. Most of the decorating is done, and I am once again allowed to play Christmas music all the time. The kitchen is a very busy place, with all kinds of good holiday treats being prepared. My wife's birthday is right away, closely followed by my birthday (and St. Nicholas also!), and then my son-in-law's birthday. After that first week filled with birthday bliss, it is time to get serious about the birthday which is the reason for the season. The countdown to Christmas Eve has begun!

But wait a minute. I understand the derivation of names for some of our months. But December? That name is used on both the Julian and Gregorian calendars. But what does it mean? It is not named after a Caesar, or anything like that!

The month of December made a lot of sense when the calendar only had 10 months. Being the last month, it was like "Dec" = 10. But then when the calendar went to 12 months, December became somewhat of an oddity. But so what? It is ours, and we are keeping it.

December has become almost synonymous with "wonder and joy". It is the one month where everyone seems to get along with almost everyone else. Why is that? Part of the magic of December. A magical, yet misnamed month.

Before long, as we venture through and explore this wonderful month, it will be the night before Christmas. I am reminded of that wonderful and famous poem as it starts out:

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,

not a creature will be stirring, not even a mouse. 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there...  

Our life on the end of the branch...

"The extraordinary things that Donald Trump did in his four years, I have addressed many times before. People who were not blinded by red hot hatred for Trump, could see it also. Those however, who could not let their reason triumph over their hatred, ended up on the end of the branch with saw in hand."

"It is like cutting off your nose to spite your face". Remember that expression? Now think of the fix we are in right now. Many people in 2020, voted for Joe Biden for only one reason. They could not stand those mean tweets, sent by Donald Trump. Never mind the fact our economy was booming, and we were (for the first time in forever) energy independent. So many independents and RINOs, cut off their collective noses, in spite of their collective faces. Or as the graphic shows, they were at the edge of the branch, cutting it off - from the wrong side. And once the branch was cut, we ended up with Slo Joe Biden. 

Here is my biggest concern about 2024. And please - no hate mail. I am just being honest. First, let me set the table, as I have many times before. At the start of the campaign in 2016, I was not a Trump guy. I was a Cruz guy. However, once Trump won the endorsement, I was all on board with Donald Trump beating Hillary.

Now that Donald Trump's four years are over, I think history will judge him very well. In particular, Operation Warp Speed, and the Abraham Accords. Those were beyond historic. They were game changers. Because of those two huge accomplishments, as well as others, the "pluses" on Trump's report card are big pluses. But Trump's inability to play well with others, as well as those "mean tweets", were enough to move many swing voters over to the dark side. And on that dark side of course, lives Slo Joe Biden.

Now is where I might get the hate mail. I know, I know. The election in 2020 stunk to high heaven. However to date, nothing has been proved which could change the outcome. Would I be surprised if something unnatural did pop up which would change the outcome? Not a bit. Do I think if Donald Trump ran again and won, he would once again be a game changing President? Absolutely. That being said, I don't think he should run. I think he should be a cheerleader, and a mentor, for a newer, younger version of himself. Only one who knows how to play with others a bit better than Donald Trump did.

Donald Trump did so many things which we can be thankful for. Some extraordinary, and others revealing. The most revealing thing Donald Trump did, at the cost of his re-election, was exposing how deep the Deep State really is. How many branches of government have been infected. Like the DOJ, FBI and the intelligence services. 

The extraordinary things that Donald Trump did in his four years, have addressed many times before. People who are not blinded by a red hot hatred for Donald Trump, can see it also. Those however, who could not let their reason triumph over their hatred, ended up on the end of the branch, with saw in hand.

My biggest fear if Donald Trump ran again, those same people would be on that same branch - sawing. And we could end up with Harris or Buttigieg as President. Either one could or would be a disaster. A disaster which could make this cold war much, much hotter.

     

Midnight long before midnight...

"Hang in there folks. Brighter days are coming to great us. The good news? This time of year, we don't live in Barrow, Alaska. That is all."

Barrow, Alaska. Latitude 71 degrees and some change. In the summertime, a great place to live. Solid daylight from sometime in May to sometime in August. This time of year? Depends if you like any daylight at all. When the sun sets sometime in mid November, it is gone until mid January. Total darkness. For sixty-five days. Is that bad for you? Maybe, maybe not - that is, if you have a King's ransom in Vitamin D. 

We live on the 45th parallel. Almost dead center. That is halfway between the North Pole and the Equator. Our travels have taken us down to the 5th parallel, and up to the 65th. Mine, due to business, have taken me over the Equator. Then you start going on another latitude range. In any event, one the things we learned when we were down by the 5th, was this - the days and nights stay pretty even, all year long. 

When I was stationed up in northern Maine, it got dark early in the winter time. You would get off work, go back to the barracks, change out of your uniform, and then - not much. You could go to the club and drink, if you had a TV, sit in your barracks room and watch one of two channels coming out of Bangor, or read. I chose to just read. Lots and lots of reading. The kind of reading I should have done while in college before going in the Navy.

When the sun finally started to appear in longer periods up in Maine, it was like in Minnesota. People looked better, they acted friendlier, hope was once again in the air. Spring is a time of renewal and refreshment. Some places, the further north you do, spring can become very short. Further south, spring can become a much longer season. But the daylight - oh, do I miss the daylight! The cold, the snow, I don't like - but I can endure. But the darkness - that is a different story, all-together.

I know, I know. Our planet got its tilt, from "something", millions of years ago. That 23 degree tilt gives us our seasons, as well as for some, our very LONG seasons. But it is what is is. Last night when we left for our church small group meeting at 6:15pm, it was like leaving at midnight. Left at dark, came home at dark. When I got up today to make coffee, it was still dark. Why bring this up? We are less than a month from Winter Solstice. That means, this time next month, the days will start getting longer. Maybe by only minutes a day, but longer. 

Hang in there folks. Brighter days are coming to great us. The good news? This time of year, we don't live in Barrow, Alaska. Sunrise would be a long way off. That is all, and that is enought.