Death by economic strangulation

"There will be lessons learned once this war is over. Both sides will learn. Will the same strategy be applied to the next war? Maybe - or it will be something else, even more painful. Maybe the next war will be totally digital. Fought with only ones and zeroes. Turning off the other sides water and electric. Excited? I'm not. I am ready for a return to the swords and shields."  

How has warfare changed over the ages? Plenty. From the Revolutionary War to the Civil War, to the World Wars, to Viet Nam and then into Afghanistan, war is constantly evolving. And the Iran War (if we can call it a war) is changing warfare again. How so? Sure, we are still using kinetic force against the enemy. And drone warfare has gone from science fiction to bloody reality. But the thing which has changed the most is economic warfare. Whom can strangle the other sides economy the fastest and most complete.

Right now, under the leadership of President Trump and the skillful acumen of Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, we have a tourniquet around the financial neck of Iran. We have blockaded their oil ports. We have threatened eye watering tariffs to any country who trades with Iran. In short, nothing in and nothing out. Their economy is in tatters, and inflation has made their currency next to worthless. Will they ever cry "Uncle" and simply give up? I sure hope so.

But there is still some kick left in Iran. They are making things painful for the US and our allies. The Strait of Hormuz is still a mess (don't think for a minute it is not), and now the Houthis are doing something similar to the Red Sea. The net result it even though we are awash in oil and gas in this country, we are still paying close to $4.50/gal for gasoline and over $6.00/gal for diesel. It seems Iran has found a different type of economic tourniquet to put around our neck also.

Where do we go from here? Is there an end in sight or are we all going to suffer together? The Democrats have sworn revenge on the president for mucking up our economy. Why President Trump? He did not cause prices to go up. If anything, he wants energy prices to be half what they are now. But he is committed to keep Iran from EVER having a nuke. Never, ever. But to do this, we needed to really put the screws deep into Iran. Thus, we have two choices: 1) Keep on keeping on. Suck it up buttercup. 2) Call it a day and leave the area. Let somebody else worry about Iran. Que sera, sera.

There will be lessons learned once this war is over. Both sides will learn. Will the same strategy be applied to the next war? Maybe - or it will be something else, even more painful. Maybe the next war will be totally digital. Fought with only ones and zeroes. Turning off the other sides water and electric. Excited? I'm not. I am ready for a return to the swords and shields.  

  

Is Star Wars finally here?

 

"In any event, just when you thought there would be a minor pause in the news cycle, we get this story. What is my opinion about weapons in space? It was only a matter of time. This is the start of a new frontier, just waiting for America's defense contractors to take the ball and run with it."

Whoa! Where in the world (or not in the world) did this one come from? We have fielded a space weapon? Ready to use if called upon? Have we not seen this movie before? During the Reagan years? Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). Better known as Star Wars. In reality, SDI in the 1980's could have been called "a whole lot of smoke and mirrors" instead of Star Wars. Why? It was a nothing burger. A bluff. But it worked - it scared the pants off the Soviets. Brought about their end a lot quicker and safer. 

So far, the two words to describe both the Russians and the Chinese are "not happy". This might end up being topic "A" (a good ice breaker) when Xi visits the White House later this month. Some might say this was an open invite for the Russians and the Chinese (at a minimum) to make their own version of a space weapon. Or, maybe they already have, and are still trying to keep it under wraps. In any event, it seems the charter of the Guardians in the Space Force might have just changed. We might have given them some teeth and growl. 

I would love to describe in detail what our space weapon looks like, but this secret is being held tighter than a drum. All the Secretary of the Air Force has said is this - it stands ready to use if hostile forces threaten friendly forces. Now there is a description you could drive a truck (or a star ship) through.

Some speculate it might be the Rods from God weapon system. Steel rods on a platform in space which can be released and directed downward towards an Earthly target. When they hit the ground, the kinetic energy released would be huge - almost like a small nuke. If I were a betting man, I would bet on this weapon. Why? It has been talked about for years. Plus - it would not violate any existing nuclear treaty.

In any event, just when you thought there would be a minor pause in the news cycle, we get this story. What is my opinion about weapons in space? It was only a matter of time. This is the start of a new frontier, just waiting for America's defense contractors to take the ball and run with it. Is DARPA involved in this new technology? Probably, although not known for sure. I do know this however (after having a couple of contracts with DARPA over the years) - that is where the wizards of smart live. And there are a whole lot of wizards who live there. 

Who is helping NATO? How about both Trump and Putin...

 

If Donald Trump was told that he was partially responsible for NATO being so ready right now, he would feel pretty good about himself. However, if Putin knew that he was setting the example to NATO why getting much more prepped was important, I doubt if Putin would be pleased. As the expression goes, we can always serve as an example, even if it is a bad example. And Putin serving as a bad example has certainly helped the cause. 

What an odd title for a blog post. NATO is stronger because of both Trump and Putin? Please explain Mr. Bird! It really is not that complicated. When Trump started his first term, his first meetings with fellow NATO types were not really a love fest. In fact, anything but. In so many words, Trump told (mostly the Euro Zone) that he was tired of propping up NATO financially. That NATO was woefully behind on its financial commitments, and as such, the US was considering pulling out of NATO. That was the start of the wakeup call.

Fast forward to Trump's second term. NATO is bigger and stronger (welcome, Finland!). More countries are either at commitment, or drawing much closer. Even though Trump is referred to by some in the alliance as "Big Daddy", ruling with an iron fist, a bit of tough love seemed to have worked. Bottom line? Because of some tough talk and some tougher love, NATO is bigger and stronger today because in part of Donald J. Trump.

But Trump may not have been the strongest catalyst for NATO to become more prepared and robust. Instead of just talking about a boogie man, Putin has done one better - he has shown himself to be a real live villain. As the expression goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. And Putin's illegal and immoral war on Ukraine, has shown the world (especially NATO), what a modern-day villain looks like. I can't prove this, but my guess is that without Putin, NATO would not have the razor's edge it currently has.

Interesting article in the news this morning. NATO is very worried that Putin will make a play for some NATO country by 2029 or before. And what does that mean? Whatever it means, NATO is prepping for the worst. And what really helps, is they think that the US will play a minor role rather than a lead role. That also helps in how pepped NATO is right now. I doubt if the US would ever turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to NATO should Russia ever attack - but I do like the idea that NATO thinks that way right now.

If Donald Trump was told that he was partially responsible for NATO being so ready, he would feel pretty good about himself. However, if Putin knew that he was setting the example to NATO why getting much more prepped was important, I doubt if Putin would be pleased. As the expression goes, we can always serve as an example, even if it is a bad example. And Putin serving as a bad example has certainly helped the cause. 

  

Denaturalize and deport?

It will be interesting to see if during Trump's final two years at POTUS if this denaturalization and deport issue has legs. I can see some liberal Biden or Obama appointed judge trying to stop it. On what grounds? Beats me. If somebody comes into my house and bad mouths everything I own, and then talks trash about my wife, I want that person to leave - like now. That is the way I feel about this country. Does that make me a redneck? Sorry - not sorry.

Up from the clamoring masses, the chants of "denaturalize and deport" are heard when America hating recent arrivals are showing this great country the back of their hands instead of loving on Lady Liberty. My thoughts on this? It is about freaking time. Coming to this country, living in this country, being able to drink out of the fountain of freedom - is a high privilege and honor. When I hear these recent arrivals showing us this magnitude of disrespect, it makes me mad and sad at the same time.

Rumor has it that POTUS and our SOS might try to denaturalize and deport our 5th District Congresswoman. Why? Numerous reasons really - but the overtly legal one is if she did commit fraud on her immigration information, she might be out. Would that cause a seismic shift in our politics in Minnesota. Count on it. 

But on a broader view, I really like this idea of having the gift of America open only to people who love it here and want to make this country better. If that sounds chauvinistic or nationalistic, I am sorry. I really don't mind immigrants. My great-grandparents were (legal) immigrants. This country was built on immigrants. I do, however, have problems with immigrants who are ungrateful and unloving towards our country.

Not to date myself, but I remember years ago some folks had bumper stickers which read, "America, love it or leave it." Many on the left thought that only right-wing rednecks would have something such as that on a bumper. But many of the right, thought that patriots would feel that way. Even back then, the first fractures in our society were starting to show.

It will be interesting to see if during Trump's final two years at POTUS if this denaturalization and deport issue has legs. I can see some liberal Biden or Obama appointed judge trying to stop it. On what grounds? Beats me. If somebody comes into my house and bad mouths everything, and then talks trash about my wife, I want that person to leave - like now. That is the way I feel about this country. Does that make me a redneck? Sorry - not sorry.

  

Falling down on the job

"Then who is the moron? Walz or the Minnesota voter? Good question. How about we just say all of the above and just leave it there."     

When I first went into Navy Boot Camp, one of the first things I learned (as a boy becoming a man), was accountability. Like with many young men, once in a while I would do something stupid and then get caught doing it. When that happened, the Navy pounded this into all of us. You stood tall, and said, "No excuse sir!" and then you accepted whatever consequences were dished out for that offense. We did not blame the other guy, did not blame the system, did not blame the weather - we took responsibility. It was all part of becoming a man.

Then I think about Tim Walz. Whatever happened to his training as a young man. He was in the Army (sort of) and should have learned basic responsibility. As a good Democrat, he should have learned that old adage coined by another Democrat - "The buck stops here". But Walz did not learn that lesson. He is blaming everything and everybody for Minnesota's fraud problem. But here is the deal folks (in Biden talk) - Walz was (is) the CEO of Minnesota. Much of the fraud happened during the Democrat trifecta (in other words, hard to blame Republicans when they were not even in charge of garbage pickup). 

Tim Walz was in fault. Period. Full stop. He could have stopped the fraud. Along with Ellison, they could have or should have seen in and stopped it. Then after the magnitude of this mess came to light, Walz should have been paraded around the state holding a sign high in the air which said, "I am a moron". I mean, most of us know Walz is a moron except for Walz. In his eyes, he should be the Veep right now. Try that one on for size! Harris as POTUS and Walz as her Veep. Beam me up Scottie!

Soon we will have a new Governor. If is us Hotdish Amy, expect more of the same. She is no better. No breath of fresh air. Not a reformer. I have said this before; Minnesota has some of the dumbest voters in the nation. How so? The elect people who break things and then re-elect them. It is like we keep re-electing arsonists who set the joint on fire. And again, we can't blame the Republicans, as they can't seem to win any office up for grabs. It is ALL DEMOCRATS - 100% all the time.

Then who is the moron? Walz or the Minnesota voter? Good question. How about we just say all of the above and just leave it there.     

Imagine a world, where Russia acted civilized...

"Nukes. Putin has nukes and his trigger finger is really starting to itch. I think he would love to plant one of his Satan Missiles in downtown Brussels. Just to send a message to NATO that as tough as they think they are, Russia is tougher."

Every day, I worry about what Russia is going to do next. Specifically, what Putin is going to do next. Right now, Vladimir Putin is an island in a sea of humanity. Nobody likes him; nobody trusts him. He is a monster. History will judge him for what he is - a monster who kills for joy. A war criminal. What he has done to Ukraine for no reason whatsoever, is a major breech of humanity. He actually is giving Hitler a run for his money in cruelty and dispassion.

I really thought, after the fall of Berlin and then the breakup of the Soviet empire, the world was going to get a break from the Russian Bear. If there was a break, it was short and not that sweet. The Communist thing which has infected Russia ever since 1917, is a hard bug to beat. It did not take long for Russia to rid itself from reformers and then get back to a KGB hardened dictator. As soon as Putin slipped back into the corridors of power in Russia, I knew the bad old days were about to return.

Here is what frightens me about Putin - he knows no boundaries. To him, this war on Ukraine is not just a war for territory, it is a war to fix an injustice of history. Ukraine belongs under Russia's thumb, and by golly, Putin will kill every Ukrainian man, woman and child to make it so. Even though the Ukrainian Army has performed a miracle turn around, going from farmers and accountants into an asymmetrical fighting machine, Putin can't be bothered with them anymore. He can't beat them, so he is on to the scourge of mankind - the genocide of civilians.

But despite how poorly the Ukrainian War is going for Putin, he has a scratch which needs to be itched. And this scratch (in Putin's opinion), is another accident of history which needs to be corrected. NATO. That pain in Putin's side which gets worse for him every year. And the lack of respect for Putin and Russia by NATO is jaw dropping (for Putin). To think that Ukraine has fought Putin to a draw, just think what an unleashed NATO could do to Russia. But there is a hitch to that brave thinking.

Nukes. Putin has nukes and his trigger finger is really starting to itch. I think he would love to plant one of his Satan Missiles in downtown Brussels. Just to send a message to NATO that as tough as they think they are, Russia is tougher. Or maybe Putin wants to take out London. Or Paris. Or Rome. Or all of them. Until the world can rid itself of Putin and his nukes, scenarios showing a nuclear future for Europe are vivid and realistic. 

That is why Putin is so dangerous. What he can do, and what he might do. Without nukes, Putin is a paper tiger. With nukes, Putin can end the world.    

A day like no other....

 

"But today if a day to remember. We remember the heroes of 9/11, both living and dead. We honor them. Many of us still remember our solemn promise - WE WILL NEVER FORGET! Unfortunately, some have forgotten. Some no longer honor our heroes. May the number of those people be forever small, and as time goes on, even smaller. Our 9/11 heroes deserve so much better."

As we go through life, there are certain milestone events which shape us. Sometimes change us. But whatever they are, many if not most of us, remember exactly what we were doing at the time of the event, where we were, and the aftermath. For example, I remember when John Kennedy was shot. Even though I was in Jr, High School, I remember it clearly. My folks for their entire lives, remember Pearl Harbor. Where they were, what they were doing. And most if not all, of the folks reading this blog article, remember 9/11 like it was yesterday. But it was not yesterday. It was twenty-five years ago today. 

My story from twenty-five years ago is not that special. No different from many of us. I got up, got dressed and headed off to work in downtown Minneapolis. I was working at IBM, and IBM had American Express as a client. As I pulled in the parking lot across from the American Express building, I turned the car off and just looked out at the morning sky with wonder. This was going to be one of those "10 out of 10" days for weather. The sky was azure blue and nary a cloud was in sight. I was just turning the radio in the car off to head into work, when the first news flash came across. Some plane had hit the World Trade Center.

My first thought as I was walking into the building was if New York was having weather like we were having, how could some small plane not be paying attention and then fly into a building that size? When I got into my office, I turned on my radio. That is when the gravity of the situation hit me. It was not a small plane hitting a large building - it was a commercial air liner. Then my phone rang. It was my daughter calling from college. "Dad, what is going on? I am watching the news, and it showed an airliner hitting the WTC." 

Then the second plane hit, and all of a sudden. I had a dozen people in my office glued to my radio. One of my co-workers who knew I was retired Navy asked me what I thought was going on. I was stunned and really had no idea what was happening. It did say this - "We might be at war, and this is an attack." Shortly thereafter, we were all sent home, as were most other businesses downtown. 

Many people became heroes that day. Some of those heroes never made it home. Many of us when we arrived home that day, immediately turned on the TV. But a sense of foreboding was in the air. Was the attack over, or was something else, maybe even more sinister in the offing? Most of us were just numb - this was like a bad dream. A nightmare. 

What did we learn from 9/11? The same thing we learned from Pearl Harbor. We need to be prepared. Expect the unexpected. Did anything good come out of 9/11? We learned that our homeland was a sitting duck. So, we promulgated the Department of Homeland Security. An organization which can keep us safer and more prepared. 

But today is a day to remember. We remember the heroes of 9/11, both living and dead. We honor them. Many of us still remember our solemn promise - WE WILL NEVER FORGET! Unfortunately, some have forgotten. Some no longer honor our heroes. May the number of those people be forever small, and as time goes on, even smaller. Our 9/11 heroes deserve so much better.