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Russian airstrikes killed Syrian soldiers in eastern Syria, the Pentagon said Monday. The finger pointing came Monday amid reports that coalition aircraft were the ones to hit Syrian government forces late Sunday night in the eastern province of Deir Ezzor, killing at least three of Assad's troops and wounding nearly a dozen others. The Pentagon said the episode bolsters its case that Moscow's warplanes are dangerously indiscriminate and imprecise in their targeting. "We're certain it was the Russians who did this today," a military official said Monday. The assessment is based on radar tracks showing Russian aircraft above Ayyash, a town in Deir Ezzor, at the time of the incident, the official explained Tuesday. Col. Steve Warren, spokesman in Baghdad for Operation Inherent Resolve, confirmed Monday morning that U.S. warplanes had conducted four strikes in Dayr Az Zawr province, but said they struck oil wells some 55 kilometers southeast of Ayyash, and were not aimed at people or vehicles. "We have no indication any Syrian soldiers were near our strikes," Warren said in a statement. Added the Pentagon: Russia did conduct long-range bomber strikes into Syria that same day. More from Defense One's Molly O'Toole, here.
What the Islamic State wants: to enmesh the U.S. in a ground war, the New York Times reports. "The Islamic State's propaganda is rife with references to apocalyptic prophecy about the last great battle that sets the stage for the end times. Terrorism experts say it has become a powerful recruiting tool for the group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, which sells potential fighters on the promise that joining will give them the most direct chance to battle Western interests and will bring ancient Islamic prophecies to fruition." The key to breaking the back of ISIS without full-blown war from Washington's armies: a viable Sunni Arab force. And so far that has proven painfully elusive to the Obama administration and the region. More here and here. Is the U.S. preparing an airbase in northern Syria? Lebanon's NOW news relays reports from "a pro-Damascus newspaper and a local Kurdish outlet" describing an "agricultural airport" under construction "in a region of eastern Hasakeh controlled by the Kurdish People's Protection Units," or YPG. That story, here. | |||||
Business is boomin'—The U.S. Air Force dropped more bombs on ISIS in November than any previous month, Bloomberg reports. "The 3,271 munitions used in November were almost double the 1,683 in June, the low point of this year. They bring to almost 32,000 the weapons — most of them precision-guided — dropped by fighters, B-1B bombers and drones in almost 11,000 combat sorties since August 2014, according to statistics compiled by U.S. Air Forces Central Command." More here. And while we're on statistics: the number of foreign fighters flowing to ISIS "has more than doubled since last year to at least 27,000," Agence France Presse reports from a study by intelligence consultants at The Soufan Group. AFP has a nifty graphic of the fighter streamshere. Or read the full report, here. And on Monday, the Pentagon said it had confirmed the death of the (former) Libyan chief of ISIS from a U.S. drone strike in mid-November. The U.S. also killed an al-Shabab senior leader in a strike inside Somalia on Dec. 2. But as Long War Journal points out, "While the airstrikes have killed some top leaders in the Islamic State, al Qaeda, the Taliban, and other organizations, they have not stopped the spread of jihadist groups across Middle East, South Asia, and Africa. Nor have they denied these groups territory, which is crucial for the group to train fighters, maintain local insurgencies, and plot attacks against the West." | |||||
The White House will soon announce a new terror alert system to address "intermediate" threats, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Monday at a Defense One LIVE event in Washington. The new system would augment the current terrorism threat systems, called the National Threat Advisory System, an alert system that has never been used because it is activated only when there is a credible threat to the U.S. For what it's worth, the Obama administration did away with a color-coded terrorism threat-level system put in place by the Bush administration following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. "I believe in this environment we need to get beyond that and go to new system that has an intermediate level to it," Johnson said. "We need a system that adequately informs the public at large, not through news leaks of joint intelligence bulletins to law enforcement, not through leaks from anonymous government officials." More here. And watch the entire conversation between Johnson and Defense One's Kevin Baron here. In the wake of the San Bernardino shootings, GOP front-runner Donald Trump has climbed back into the headlines with his controversial opinions on the campaign trail—this time calling for a "total and complete shutdown" of all Muslims entering the U.S., the Wall Street Journal reports. Trump's fellow 2016 hopefuls distanced themselves from his remarks faster than Jeb Bush could say "unhinged." Trump did say Muslim adherents in the U.S. military could come home, though. So at least Fox News' Greta Van Susteren got that out of "The Donald." Meanwhile, authorities have learned the San Bernardino shooters had been "radicalized and have been for quite some time," the Washington Post reports: "Whatever the roots of their beliefs, the couple had prepared carefully for the attack, Bowdich said, visiting local shooting ranges to practice their aim as recently as a few days before the massacre." | |||||
 From Defense One | |||||
Obama's break from Bush-era thinking is unsettling the GOP, writes The Atlantic's Peter Beinart. "Republicans believe defeating ISIS requires some dramatic, if vaguely defined, new military and ideological battle. Obama, by contrast, thinks America simply needs to not screw up. That means not being 'drawn once more' into an effort to 'occupy foreign lands,' thus allowing the Islamic State to use "our presence to draw new recruits." Read Beinert's take, here. The U.S. could save up to $5.7 billion annually if DOD civilians took over more military support jobs, says the Congressional Budget Office. "In 2012, approximately 340,000 active-duty service members were in commercial support jobs. Some of the jobs CBO looked at included positions in communications, finance and accounting, health services, and logistics." GovExeclays out the logic, here. Did Obama just tip his hand on the encryption debate? In his Sunday post-San-Bernardino speech, the president said, "I will urge high-tech and law-enforcement leaders to make it harder for terrorists to use technology to escape from justice." Does this mean he's going to side with law enforcement leaders who say federal access to everyone's secrets will keep everyone safer, or with tech experts who note that broken encryption allows bad guys in, too? National Journalreads the tea leaves, here. Welcome to the Tuesday edition of The D Brief, from Ben Watson and Bradley Peniston.Tell your friends to subscribe here: http://get.defenseone.com/d-brief/. Want to see something different? Got news? Let us know: the-d-brief@defenseone.com. | |||||
Just look at the USS Zumwalt, heading out to sea for the first time. The radar-deflecting, tumblehome-hulled, minimally crewed destroyer sailed down Maine's Kennebec River yesterday bearing enough electrical generators to power "railguns and lasers that don't even exist yet." Here's a slideshow of this crazy-advanced ship, courtesy of Business Insider, who rolled up the Navy's photos here. And here's a minute of video shot from the riverbank. Two years ago, when the Zumwalt was still tied up at Bath Iron Works, Defense Oneaccompanied then-SecDef Chuck Hagel on a tour. "It doesn't look like a ship. It doesn't even feel like a ship. The hallways are too wide. The ceilings are incredibly high. There's barely an outdoor deck…" Come along, here. But don't look too closely at the U.S. Navy's new $864 million drone system on board future Littoral Combat Ships, complete with a mine-hunting drone that doesn't always work, according to the the Defense Department's Office of Operational Test & Evaluation. "The drones failed 14 times over 300 hours in a five-month round of preliminary trials at sea that ended Aug. 30, according to the data. Crippled drones were towed to port seven times, and the intense combat testing required for increased purchases has been delayed. The Navy plans to spend $864 million buying 54 drones from Lockheed, the biggest U.S. contractor," Bloomberg reports. "The drone failures add to previous questions about how much value the U.S. will get from what's now supposed to be a $23 billion program to build 32 Littoral Combat Ships in two versions...Both versions depend on the drones to detect mines from a safe distance." More here. Singapore just approved the U.S. use of P-8 surveillance flights to more closely watch China's island-building in the South China Sea, Foreign Policy's Dan De Luce reported Monday. Quick review: the P-8 Poseidon spy plane is "a modified Boeing 737 jet," De Luce writes, and "is equipped with advanced sensors and radar designed to gather intelligence and hunt down submarines." Why the P-8 and why now? "The United States has shared more intelligence, and provided radar and other equipment to Asian partners who are increasingly concerned over China's growing military power and its tough tactics as it asserts far-reaching territorial claims." For the record: "The United States already operates P-8s from Japan and the Philippines, and has also conducted surveillance flights from Singapore's neighbor, Malaysia," Reuters adds. The Chinese reaction Tuesday morning: "A stronger U.S. military presence does 'not conform to the common and long-term interests among the regional countries,'" Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman said. More from AP, here. China's about to roll out its big ship. "The Chinese Navy is getting ready to accept the first in a class of fast, giant resupply ships that will refuel, resupply, and rearm its aircraft carriers and destroyers on the high seas," Popular Science reports. "The Type 901 will offer a great leap in capacity over the current 25,000-ton Type 903A Qiandaohu, of which the PLAN has eight. The Type 901's larger supply carrying capacity means that it can refuel and rearm Chinese warships, including destroyers and carriers, in combat operations far from the Chinese mainland. Also, its larger size gives the Type 901 a greater range than its predecessor, thus reducing the need for foreign facilities to refuel and replenish, both for the Type 901 and the warships it supports." The big picture takeaway: "While China's interest in building long-range carriers, destroyers and submarines and leasing foreign bases (like Djibouti) are getting a lot of attention, Beijing is also clearly at work solving the logistics challenges needed to make the PLAN a true global power." More here. No more punishment for P4: Army brass say David H. Petraeus, the retired general and former CIA director should not face further sanction for having an affair with his biographer and feeding her top-secret documents, the Washington Post reports. "Petraeus pleaded guilty in April in federal court in North Carolina to a misdemeanor charge of mishandling classified materials. He received two years of probation and a $100,000 fine." That, here. This guy, meanwhile, is still an admiral: "Rear Adm. David F. Baucom, the director of strategy and policy at the U.S. Transportation Command, became so intoxicated at an upscale beachfront resort in April that he struck his head on a barstool, wet his pants and needed an escort back to his room," the Post reports. The Navy found Baucom guilty of disorderly conduct and conduct unbecoming an officer, and reassigned him to the Pentagon. That, here. | |||||
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Pentagon: Russia killed Syrian troops; The anti-ISIS air campaign, by the numbers; New terror-alert system, coming up; USS Zumwalt puts to sea; and a bit more...
WHY ISN'T THE MEDIA ALL OVER THIS "MASS" SHOOTING? COULD IT BE BECAUSE SUSPECT IS BLACK? FOX NEWS SUSPENDS PATRIOT COL. RALPH PETERS FOR CALLING OBAMA A PUSSY ON AIR...
One Citizen Speaking... |
- WHY ISN'T THE MEDIA ALL OVER THIS "MASS" SHOOTING? COULD IT BE BECAUSE SUSPECT IS BLACK?
- FOX NEWS SUSPENDS PATRIOT COL. RALPH PETERS FOR CALLING OBAMA A PUSSY ON AIR
- PROGRESSIVES WANT YOU DEAD: A MALTHUSIAN CONSPIRACY WITH ISLAM?
WHY ISN'T THE MEDIA ALL OVER THIS "MASS" SHOOTING? COULD IT BE BECAUSE SUSPECT IS BLACK? Posted: 08 Dec 2015 01:42 AM PST Where are the “Black Lives Matter” crowd – or will they show up if Dontevous Loyd is shot by a White police officer? Where are the progressive socialist democrats who need to take note that this is a “prohibited person” with a gun? Where are all of the Administration Officials who rush to the cameras?
According to the progressives, a mass shooting label is applied if there are four or more people involved. Here we have two dead, including a two-year old child, plus three others wounded. Bottom line … Welcome to an America where the progressive mainstream media, black activists, and progressive socialist democrats ignore the ongoing violence by minorities against minorities. Even worse, trying to disarm law-abiding citizens and create gun-free zones that provides a target-rich environment for evildoers. We are so screwed. -- steve  | |
FOX NEWS SUSPENDS PATRIOT COL. RALPH PETERS FOR CALLING OBAMA A PUSSY ON AIR Posted: 08 Dec 2015 12:12 AM PST Only on Fox will you hear a former military man given the time to explain to the host and the American people what is going on with the Obama Administration, and more importantly, Obama and his cadre of isolated, ineffective, and inept progressive socialist democrats. But, calling President Obama a pussy on the air is not without consequences …
Former Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Peters reacting to Obama’s primetime speech on San Bernardino terrorist attack by referring to Obama as a pussy … Peters on Obama’s Syria policy … Peters on Obama … Who is this guy Peters?
Bottom line … Somebody has the guts to stand up and tell the truth as they see it. -- steve  | |
PROGRESSIVES WANT YOU DEAD: A MALTHUSIAN CONSPIRACY WITH ISLAM? Posted: 11 Nov 2015 06:37 PM PST At the core of progressive ideology, one finds several disturbing tenets: that population growth will soon strip the planet of its natural resources and lead to planetary catastrophe; that a ruling class comprised of the enlightened elites is necessary to control man’s self-destructive actions for the benefit of the collective society; and that the end justifies the means, fair or foul, to bring about sufficient resources, conservation, and equity and social justice for all. The basis for the original apocalyptic scenario of doom was proposed by the Reverend Thomas Robert Malthus (1766 – 1834) and involved population (growing geometrically) outstripping agrarian food production (growing arithmetically). Malthus himself described a solution that involved a man-made catastrophe.
Science, technology, and engineering have falsified the Malthusian vision. We find that population may be self-limiting and, in fact, many populations show declining birthrates. We find that genetic manipulation of crops, whether by crossbreeding or by direct genetic manipulation, are producing more abundant and resilient crops. And yet the progressive political ideology needs something to justify is outdated existence.
And then there is the Malthusian catastrophe, “The vices of mankind are active and able ministers of depopulation. They are the precursors in the great army of destruction, and often finish the dreadful work themselves,” which leads us to the abhorrent conclusion that the United Nations, while proclaiming that its mission, in part, is to stop political aggression against civilian populations, ethnic cleansing, and genocide is, in the best Orwellian tradition of doublespeak, doing nothing to stop it in Africa and the Middle East. In this instance, Islam appears to be the type of man-made Malthusian catastrophe that is beneficial for the planet. That it, unless it gets too close to the ruling elites and their special interests. Enter President Obama and his cadre of progressive socialist democrats … One need only look at Obama’s actions in the context of progressive ideology and the core beliefs of Reverend Malthus. It is all there: the use of science to justify progressive public policies, population control, the deindustrialization, the continuing stage-managed economic catastrophe, and the do nothing attitude towards Islam which is creating a modern holocaust. The idea that Obama is a Muslim, pro-Muslim, or anti-Semitic, might be secondary to his socialist/communist upbringing and associations. How else can you explain the President of the United States:
And, perhaps, he is welcoming Islamic terrorists into our communities, but refusing to identify them as being related to Islam or terrorism?
Bottom line … Am I creating a conspiracy theory or engaging in pattern-matching the facts to a known political ideology.
Political corruption is killing our nation. And, the only hope I see on the horizon is a candidate like Ted Cruz, a man bound by core conservative principles who wants to take the fight to the democrats. Willing to speak the truth, but in a less bombastic manner than someone like Donald Trump. I wonder how long it will be before someone mimics Trump’s modus operandi and holds up a book or article and asks Trump to explain his business dealings with members of organized crime or to disclose how much he paid for political favors to this or that politician? Time for straight talk and to get off the pot to start recovering that which we have lost. -- steve |
The Perfect Day... 1-20-2017
Just for fun...
THE PERFECT DAY – January 20, 2017
1. President Marco Rubio and Vice President Carly Fiorina are sworn into office.
2. In a rare event on inauguration day, Congress convenes for an emergency meeting to repeal the illegal and unconstitutional Socialist healthcare farce known as Obamacare. The new Director of Health and Social Services Dr. Ben Carson announces that an independent group of healthcare management professionals is hired to handle healthcare services for poor and low income people. They are also assigned the duty of eliminating Medicare and Medicaid fraud. Government’s costs for public healthcare are reduced by 90%. Healthcare insurance premiums for working Americans are reduced by 50%. The move saves billions of taxpayer paid dollars. Healthcare service in the U.S improves 100%.
3. Newly appointed department of Homeland Security Chief Donald Trump announces the immediate deployment of Troops to the U.S. Mexico border to control illegal immigration and the immediate deportation of illegals with criminal records or links to terrorist groups. New bio-encrypted Social Security ID’s are required by every American citizen. Birthright is abolished. All immigration from countries that represent a threat to the safety of American citizens is terminated indefinitely. The move saves American taxpayers billions of dollars. Several prisons are closed.
4. Newly appointed Secretary of Business and Economic Development Ted Cruz eliminates more than half of the Government agencies operating under the Obama administration saving taxpayers billions of dollars. Stocks rise 100%.
5. Newly appointed Director of Government Finance Rand Paul announces the abolition of the IRS and displays a copy of the new Federal Tax Return form. It consists of one page. The instructions consist of two pages. The Federal Reserve is audited. The move saves American Taxpayers billions of dollars and increases tax revenue.
6. Hillary Clinton is in jail, where she belongs. Her cell is directly across from Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton who are serving time for ‘Hate Crimes”. She bitches at them constantly from behind the bars of her cell in what some might call cruel and unusual punishment.
7. Bernie Sanders is in the nuthouse, where he belongs. His room is directly across from Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Chris Matthews and Al Franken. They meet for tea every day at ten and discuss the success and benefits of Communism and Socialism throughout the world. They also wonder when the “Mothership” is going to pick them up and return them to their home planets.
8. Windows 12 is released. It is designed for humans, doesn’t try to satisfy the needs of every person on the planet, doesn’t require a degree in nuclear physics to operate and looks just like Windows 7 except it is easier to use.
9. Barack Obama flees the United States under cover of darkness and returns to his homeland of Kenya before his trial for treason begins. He deplanes on a remote jungle airstrip. It was reported that he was last seen wandering through the jungle singing “Hakuna Matata” with a chimp named Commie.
10. Oscar Meyer announces the introduction of a new cholesterol and fat free pepperoni that tastes just like regular pepperoni.
11. Not to be outdone, Kraft Foods announces the introduction of several varieties of cholesterol and fat free cheeses that taste just like regular cheese.
12. A committee is not established to determine what is causing global cooling. Billions of taxpayer dollars are saved.
13. Jennifer Anniston calls me, crying. She tells me it was a big mistake dumping me back in 2000 and begs me to take her back. I decline, explaining that I am happily married. She is devastated and cries for days. Justice is served.
14. Dead people are no longer allowed to vote in Chicago, a huge blow for the Democrat Party in the State of Illinois.
15. I receive a call from an attorney in Ireland. He explains that I have inherited a brewery and coastal estate in Ireland from a distant relative and that I need to be in Dublin as soon as possible to sign the papers. Ten hours later we tour our new vacation home. There is a red Ferrari in the garage, also part of the inheritance.
And this my friends constitutes THE PERFECT DAY!!!!!!
Monday, December 7, 2015
Turkey deployed "hundreds" of troops with armored vehicles northeast of Mosul on December 4, drawing outrage from the Iraqi government and Shi'a political parties...
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KINGSTON, NEW YORK — The Sheriff of the Ulster County Sheriff’s Department, Paul Van Blarcum, issued a plea to those in his county with a license to conceal a firearm: start carrying. Those with a valid New York pistol permit …
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THESE CARTOONS ARE ALL FROM OVERSEAS... None of these are from U.S. newspapers > NONE OF THESE ARE FROM USA PAPERS. HOW IS IT T...
