PSA…Why???

Posted on by February 12, 2026

Is this still an issue? It’s not like the Takata airbag issue hasn’t been beaten to death over the last few years…

Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Dodge, has issued a “do not drive” notice for 225,000 late-model vehicles due to an airbag issue that could allow metal fragments to enter the vehicle, causing injuries.

The stop-drive directive was issued for 2003 to 2016 Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram vehicles that contain Takata airbag inflators, Frank Matyok, a spokesperson for Stellantis, confirmed for USA TODAY on Wednesday, Feb. 11.

“Over time, the chemical propellant inside certain Takata inflators can degrade, particularly in hot and humid conditions, increasing the risk of rupture during airbag deployment and the potential for metal fragments to enter the vehicle cabin,” Matyok wrote in an email.

Full article, HERE from USA Today.

Here are the vehicles on the list-

  • 2003 to 2016 Dodge Ram pickup trucks and Dodge Sprinter vans
  • 2004 to 2009 Dodge Durango SUVs
  • 2005 to 2012 Dodge Dakota pickup trucks
  • 2005 to 2008 Dodge Magnum station wagons
  • 2006 to 2015 Dodge Charger sedans
  • 2008 to 2014 Dodge Challenger coupes
  • 2007 to 2009 Chrysler Aspen SUVs
  • 2007 to 2008 Chrysler Crossfire coupes
  • 2005 to 2015 Chrysler 300 sedans
  • 2007 to 2016 Jeep Wrangler SUVs

From what I could find, Takata ‘knew’ in the early 2000s there was an issue, and the first recalls began in 2008 and continued through 2013.  So WHY was Stellantis still putting defective airbags in vehicles after 2008???

Somebody wanna ‘splain that to me???

I don’t know enough about dealerships, but I wonder if they bear any responsibility for selling a vehicle with a known issue?

Any experts out there please chime in!

And if you own a vehicle on this list, PLEASE get it checked!!!

It was just a matter of time…

Posted on by February 11, 2026

Microsoft has always been a money grubbing bunch of @#$$)!!

From David Linthicum’s column in InfoWorld…

The era of true ownership is ending as cloud services and AI are transforming the PC. What does this mean for user control?

Last month, I met with a mid-sized law firm facing a common dilemma. Their Windows 10 laptops were nearing the end of support and needed to be replaced. Typically, this meant buying new hardware and software—predictable and straightforward. But this time, Microsoft suggested a different approach: move to Windows 365 Cloud PCs, a PC that operates with a monthly subscription and is accessible from any device, scalable, secure, and AI-enhanced. The catch? The shift from ownership to a subscription model and reduced local control led their IT team to question how “personal” these computers truly were.

Full article, HERE from InfoWorld.

Microsoft no longer ‘sells’ software of any type, they ‘lease’ it on subscription. Dell computers cut a ‘deal’ with Microsoft years ago, just paying them for the licenses for Windows for their computers, even if the customers didn’t want it…

Now, they want you to lease EVERYTHING and put it in the cloud.

Soooo, what happens when the Intarwebz goes down?  How do you work then?

What about your secure ‘stuff’… it’s now in the cloud for whomever wants to take a chop at it…

There are options, Linux being the best, if you are somewhat computer literate. That is a good open OS and it is supported world wide by volunteers. If you don’t want to run MS Office ver whatever, the options are include LibreOffice Writer (which I run), OnlyOffice, or a lightweight version called AbiWord.

As for me, I went to Macs when MS Windoze ver 7 died. I have not regretted it, and I started running what was then OpenOffice and was happy with it.

As always, it is up to the individual to do what is right for you in your particular circumstances…

Humph…

Posted on by February 10, 2026

Retro??? How about actual food!!!

American Airlines is marking its upcoming 100th anniversary with a nostalgic nod to its past. 

Capitalizing on today’s popular retro food trend, the airline is introducing luxury menu offerings inspired by the Roaring Twenties. Beginning Feb. 9, travelers are able to preorder special dishes, with menus appearing on select flights starting in March, the airline said in a news release.

Adding decadent dishes like beef Wellington and prawn cocktail isn’t just a step back in time. The move also apparently addresses a growing frustration among travelers that in-flight dining has been less than satisfactory in recent years.

Full article, HERE from Fox News.

After literally YEARS of peanuts/pretzels,  the itty bitty glass of water or coke, and the occasional bag of chips, they are supposedly bringing back ‘retro’ foods, of course, they will only be on long distance/international flights, and only in 1st/Business…

I am old enough to remember getting actual food in coach between DC and Chicago on a 727! Served on a plate with real silverware, not an unknown food item in a tub with the cheep Chinesium knife/fork that bent if you stabbed your ‘meal’ too hard.

I’ll bet this promotion doesn’t last more than 90 days either…

And the bean counters will be crying over every $.10 of lost profit.

Hell, I’d bet most folks would just be happy to be treated as humans, and not cattle shoved on the airplanes. Personally, ‘I’ am thankful I no longer have to travel at least monthly for work. Now, I only travel when I want to, and only by air if I can’t drive there more cheaply than the plane ticket (including gas, and hotel on the road).

What do y’all say?

Funny that…

Posted on by February 9, 2026

Japanese culture is significantly different than ours…

Last fall, Sanae Takaichi was elected Prime Minister of Japan, making her the nation’s first female leader. Normally, Democrats would trip over themselves to praise such an example of girl-bossing. But Takaichi is a conservative, you see, so the Left has to hate her. When she was first elected, CNN called her a “hardline conservative.” Now over the weekend, another election has given Takaichi’s ironically named Liberal Democratic Party an even bigger advantage in Japan’s House of Representatives.

Sky News has now upped the ante, calling Takaichi an “ultra-conservative” who is “seizing” more power.

Full article, HERE from Town Hall.

Personally, I find it ‘funny’ that the MSM refuses to champion her because she is a conservative. She is literally the FIRST ever female prime minister!!!

And Japan is historically very conservative when you actually dig into their beliefs. Starting in 1955, The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan has been the major political entity in Japan. Contrary to their name, they are conservative, favoring low taxes, few restrictions on businesses, and a strong military self-defense force.

The LDP is not just hardliners, but has a little bit of every type of politicians in their group.

But the MSM refuses to recognize this… Why???

They don’t want to admit she’s right in what she’s doing, or she doesn’t match up with ‘their’ version of what women in power are supposed to do, or because she aligns with the current administration?

I don’t know, but they ARE missing a chance to elevate a woman who definitely deserves it… Grrrr…

A little humor…

Posted on by February 8, 2026

To start the week!

An oldie but a goody…

God said, “Adam, I want you to do something for Me.”

Adam said, “Gladly Lord, what do You want me to do?”

God said, “Go down into that valley.”

Adam said, “What’s a valley?” God then explained it to him.

Then God said, “Then cross the river.”

Adam said, “What’s a river?”

God explained that to him, and then said, “Then go over to the hill….”

Adam said, “What is a hill?” So, God explained to Adam what a hill was.

He told Adam, “On the other side of the hill you will find a cave.”

Adam said, ‘What’s a cave?’

After God explained, He said, “In the cave you will find a woman, Eve.”

Adam said, “What’s a woman, Who is Eve?’ So God explained that to him, too.

Then, God said, ‘I want you two to reproduce.”

Adam said, “How do I do that?”

God first said (under His breath), “Gee whiz.” And then, just like everything else, God explained reproduction to Adam as well.

So, Adam goes down into the valley, across the river, and over the hill, into the cave, and finds the woman Eve. Then, in about half an hour he was back.

God, His patience wearing thin, said angrily, “What is it now Adam?”

And Adam said….

“What’s a headache?”

 

 

Why???

Posted on by February 7, 2026

Are these people still representing the USA???

Judging from the comments from multiple athletes at the start of the Winter Olympics in Italy, the Games are at risk of turning into a version of the Grammy Awards that lasts two full weeks. 

One U.S. snowboarder named Hunter Hess is already expressing mixed emotions about representing the U.S.

Full article, HERE from Twitchy.

I have to disagree with Eruzione, if ‘I’ were in charge, they would have been on the next airplane back to the USA without any Team USA gear.

You can bet this kid, along with Chris Lillis, and Amber Glenn have ‘benefitted’ from all the free training, coaching, etc. from the USA Olympic Committee, along with all the support of the majority of the US people. And they do this?

They could have learned something from the tennis players in Australia, if they had bothered to listen.

Grrrr…

 

E-4 Mafia???

Posted on by February 6, 2026

A ‘slightly’ different version of capture the flag…

In a strange turn of events, even for the U.N., the World Health Organization held the U.S. flag captive in what seemed to be an act of defiance after the American government withdrew from the organization.

In January 2025, the U.S. announced its plan to leave the WHO. During the yearlong process, the U.S. stopped funding, withdrew all personnel from the WHO, and began pivoting activities previously conducted with the organization to direct bilateral engagements with other countries and organizations. On January 22, 2026, the U.S. completed of its withdrawal from the World Health Organization.

Yet, according to a joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Rubio and Secretary of Health Kennedy, “even on our way out of the organization, the WHO tarnished and trashed everything that America has done for it. The WHO refuses to hand over the American flag that hung in front of it, arguing it has not approved our withdrawal and, in fact, claims that we owe it compensation. From our days as its primary founder, primary financial backer, and primary champion until now, our final day, the insults to America continue.”

Full article, HERE from UN Watch.

‘Mysteriously’, four days later the US Marines had the flag back…

My only question is, was the ‘order’ given before or after the Marines did their thing???

I mean look at all those ‘innocent’ faces… And they’re in MARPAT, not dress uniforms…

In any case, BZ Jarheads!!!

Finally!!!

Posted on by February 5, 2026

A long overdue reward for what he did, that was classified for over 50 years!

Naval aviator Capt. Royce Williams, 100, is set to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his 1952 actions during the Korean War, Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., announced on Wednesday.

Issa has played a significant role in Williams’ recognition, introducing the “Valor Has No Expiration Act” in 2025 to extend and expand upon the 1996 National Defense Authorization Act. Introduced last June, the act was instrumental in highlighting Williams’ Korean War record.

Full article, HERE from Military Times. And the rest of the story, HERE.

This is just one story of many that has been buried by classification for many years…

There are other stories out there, as poignant, as horrific, and as normal as any, but where/when/how they happened meant they were ‘shielded’ behind classification. Usually that meant 50 year classification.

I, for one, am happy to see the good captain get recognition while he was still alive. The ‘biggest’ reason his battle was classified was he was shooting down Russian pilots, not North Koreans in an F9F-5 Panther, which was considered inferior to the Mig-15s he shot down!

Bravo Zulu, Captain Williams!

 

Another one…

Posted on by February 4, 2026

Bites the dust…

First it was Ellett Brothers, down in SC, due to ‘bad’ investment(s) and bad advice. Bankrupted in 2019, now it’s Big Rock Sports.

Big Rock Sports, the Graham, NC-based distributor of fishing, hunting and outdoor sporting goods, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation, listing just over $100 million in liabilities. Unsecured claims totaling about $83 million and including many vendors in litigation with Big Rock are not expected to be paid.

Many past senior executives and investors in the business, who appear to be tied to a management-led buyout, also held sizeable unsecured claims.

The filings in U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina so far have not detailed the reasons for the move to liquidate, but show the company was facing a wide range of lawsuits from suppliers, property owners and other business partners.

Full article, HERE from SGB News.

Apparently the Canadian subsidiary had already been liquidated/sold prior to the bankruptcy. There seems to be a lot more to this story than is making the news, with the mention of ‘vendors in litigation’…

I don’t have a clue, but something stinks on this one. And this bankruptcy will just add pressure on the gun dealers and others, as there will be less options to get deals from the remaining distributors.

I know that back in the day, Ellett Bros was the ‘favorite’ of the military exchanges that sold guns, as they gave the exchanges a good break on pricing.

I can’t help but wonder what the banks might have had to do with this, as there has been a push to ‘debank’ anything to do with guns…

The distributors that remain are-

Top Wholesale Firearms Distributors-
    • Lipsey’s: Based in Louisiana, one of the largest independent distributors, known for exclusive firearms.
    • Sports South: A major national shooting sports distributor.
    • RSR Group: Known for a broad, diverse inventory.
    • Chattanooga Shooting Supplies:  Offers a wide range of firearms and gear.
    • Davidson’s: A major wholesaler. 
    • Iron Valley Supply: Focuses on outdoor gear and firearms.
    • Bill Hicks & Co.: A prominent national distributor.

Specialized Firearms Distributors-

  • GT Distributors: Supplies both law enforcement/military and the civilian market.
  • Craig’s Firearm Supply: A major distributor for Glock handguns.
  • Pacific Sporting Arms: Specializes in high-grade competition and field shotguns.

Sigh…

And it begins…

Posted on by February 3, 2026

USS Abraham Lincoln SG is currently 500nm SOUTH of Iran…

A U.S. Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone that was approaching the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, U.S. Central Command said Tuesday, threatening to ramp up tensions as the Trump administration warns of possible military action to get Iran to the negotiating table.

The drone “aggressively approached” the aircraft carrier with “unclear intent” and “continued to fly toward the ship despite de-escalatory measures taken by U.S. forces operating in international waters,” Central Command spokesman Capt. Tim Hawkins said in a statement Tuesday.

Full article HERE from Military Times.

Of note, this was a drone, not a manned aircraft, and there are questions how many of those aircraft the Iranians actually have that are flyable.

This crap brings back memories of the BEAREXs we used to have to deal with. That was when a USSR Bear or May would close the strike group, trying to sneak in and get pictures/close approach the ships. The standard response was to use F-14s to ‘push’ the Bear/May out by maneuvering to block them, but the US reserved the right to fire on those aircraft if they did not turn away.

It is apparent in this case, the drone didn’t turn away, so the Iranians were ‘testing’ the US resolve, checking to see if they would actually shoot it down. Now they know…

The Shahed 139 does have a missile capability, in addition to being capable of EO/IR surveillance, with a range of approximately 2000nm. This is not a ‘throwaway’ drone. It appears the Iranians are ‘claiming’ it was actually a Shahed 129, but they don’t have the range to go out 500nm and make it back to shore, so that doesn’t make sense. Also, I’d trust the visual ID of the pilots over the Iranians. I’m betting there are pictures and video of the drone and the shoot, not that we’ll ever see it.