This is really too funny…
Remember how we were told electronic voting machines were safe and secure?
Per Instapundit, HERE, the Democrats are now demanding the removal of Dominion voting machines after a pro-Trump investor bought the company and rebranded them as Liberty Voting machines, with some Democrats even calling for paper ballots.
Now that the shoe is on the other foot, it’s suddenly an issue???
Isn’t ‘that’ interesting…
And that nutjob is off his rocker!
All good things must come to an end, and another get together of the tribe is done…
It was really nice to spend four days with no internet, no TV, just shooting, talking, and eating… sigh
No more big sky sunsets for a while…
In other news, the US Navy is 250 years ‘young’, e.g. 250 years of tradition unmarred by progress…LOL
For those who are or may be interested, HERE is the link to the coin below.
And lastly, I listened to the news yesterday on my way back from vacation as the Israeli hostages were released! Twenty live hostages, and six bodies were returned. The thing that struck me was they were all male. No live females and no live children were left and I was unable to find out exactly how many women and children were taken Oct 7th, killed in captivity, or released… The Bibas mother and two children are the only indicator I could find of any of their bodies being returned, HERE.
Maybe, just maybe this will stop all the BS going on in the US over Palestine and Hamas, now that the peace treaty has been signed.
One hopes…
SSDD again…
The U.S. Navy is scavenging for spare parts from grounded materiel in order to address maintenance needs, a new government watchdog report found.
The problem arises from gaps in the Defense Department’s data rights for weapon systems that force Navy maintainers to rely on vendors for parts, which in turn can balloon maintenance timelines.
In the event of these repair delays, the service maintains operational readiness by repurposing parts from its own aircraft and submarines.
Full article HERE from Navy Times.
This is nothing new. We were doing this back in the 80s to keep things up and running. A lot of the blame for this lands squarely on the acquisition process, corrupt as it is, because Joe Average Sailor has NO idea what goes into maintaining parts inventory for their specific ship/sub/aircraft.
That was why we ‘usually’ had a hangar queen that was stuck off in the corner of the hangar that was the rob bird. Anything you needed to get your bird up came off that one.
It was pure hell trying to get the hangar queen flyable again… sigh…
At one point, the Marines were robbing parts off F-18s in museums to keep their F-18Cs flying… sigh
This is just one of MANY things that need to get fixed.
In other news, I’ll be out of pocket for a few days, taking a little vacation, so no posting until next Tuesday. Go read the folks on the sidebar, or pick up a book and read it!
And Hamas still has prisoners they took Oct 7, 2023…
Israel marked the second anniversary of the Hamas-led attack that began its longest war in subdued fashion on Tuesday, with new hopes of ending the conflict but with hostages still in captivity and its exhausted military adding to the death toll of Palestinians and to the destruction in Gaza.
The arrival of the Jewish harvest festival, Sukkot, a national and religious holiday, shut down most businesses across Israel for the day. The government delayed official remembrances of the war’s traumatic first day until Oct. 16, after the High Holiday season.
But Tuesday’s milestone was inescapable.
There were quiet gatherings at some of the kibbutzim near Gaza that suffered the most in the massacres of Oct. 7, 2023, and informal events drew participants throughout the country.
Full article, HERE from the NY Times. And I’m surprised at how honest the article is…
Two years… And thousands of lives affected directly, with an untold number who will never forget what happened two years ago yesterday…
As an ‘nonparticipating’ third party, I have to admire Israel for their restraint they have showed. I will be honest when I say I thought they would level Gaza within 6 months, salt it, and turn it into a desert again…
What has happened is that many of the ‘supporters’ are no longer supporting Hamas, thanks to the US and others who have helped defend from the almost continuous rocket and missile attacks day after day. Hezbollah is pretty much gone, the Houthi ‘rebels’ have been bombed back to the stone age (again), Iran has been taken off the table as a funder and their nuke plans set back years if not destroyed, and the world has been put on notice that Israel is willing to strike anywhere to take down the leadership of Hamas and the sponsors of terror in the mid-east.
I do believe the change in administration here has mitigated at least ‘some’ of Israel’s responses. They could have done a lot worse…
The other thing that has come out is the accuracy of the strike teams and weapons, including smart bombs and missiles. Hitting ONE apartment in a building? Nobody could do that 10 years ago… The whole building? Sure, that was easy.
The attacks on the Iranian nuke sites? Done, with ‘new’ weapons. And they weren’t nuclear. Although I do believe Israel reserves the right to go that route if they need to.
I truly hope Hamas gives the hostages back soon, as all the other players are tired of waiting and tired of being strung along. Because the ‘Palestinians’ truly have no where to go. None of the muslim countries will allow refugees in, even Egypt won’t take them. And Syria isn’t capable of supporting any who might sneak across that border, after Israel went after Hezbollah and the Syrian regime (and Assad ran to Russia with most of the country’s funds apparently).
I said yet another prayer for those still held, the families, and the families of those who died. That is all I know to do at this point.
Is around here somewhere…
A growing number of marijuana users are driving while high — and it’s costing them their lives.
More than 40% of victims of fatal vehicle accidents over the past six years have had elevated levels of THC in their blood, a new study shows. The drug screenings were performed during the autopsy process.
THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the main psychoactive compound in the cannabis plant, is what causes the “high” feeling of euphoria that is associated with using the drug.
The Wright State University-led study, which was published in the Journal of the American College of Surgeons, reviewed data for 246 deceased Ohio drivers.
The researchers found that nearly 42% tested positive for THC, with an average blood level of 30.7 ng/ML, according to a press release.
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
We’ve known this for…at least 30 years, probably longer…
But everybody wants to ignore it, since ‘legalization’ is a thing…
And there is no way for the LEOs to test for cannabinoids on a traffic stop. So unless the driver is smoking at the time, or smells like a joint, they might get away with a ticket. Also, smokers don’t congregate at bars/joints, mostly smoking at home, so not really many ‘touch’ points for LEO to work from. And potency is up! From around 4% in the 90s to 12-15% of THC in most samples today.
So what happens when the bus driver for your kids is driving ‘high’, or the guy/girl driving the subway/metro train? Or the pilot flying the airplane?
I guess we’ll need to pile up a bunch more dead to get anyone to actually take action on this…sigh
To start the week…
Pilots vs. control towers…
British Airways flight asks for push back clearance from terminal.
Control Tower: ‘And where is the world’s most experienced airline going today without filing a flight plan?’
———————–
ATC: “Al Italia 345 continue taxi to 26L South via Tango – check for workers along taxiway.”
Al Italia 345: “Roger, Taxi 26 Left via Tango. Workers checked – all are working”
———————–
Nova 851: “Halifax Terminal, Nova 851 with you out of 13,000 for 10,000, requesting runway 15.”
Halifax Terminal (female): “Nova 851, Halifax, the last time I gave a pilot what he wanted I was on penicillin for three weeks. Expect runway 06.”
———————–
Lost student pilot: “Unknown airport with Cessna 150 circling overhead, please identify yourself.”
———————–
Tower: Have you got enough fuel or not?
Pilot: Yes.
Tower: Yes what?
Pilot: Yes SIR!
—————————
Frankfurt Control: ‘AF1733, You are on an eight mile final for 27R. You have a UH-1 three miles ahead of you on final; reduce speed to 130 knots.’
Pilot: ‘Roger, Frankfurt. We’re bringing this big bird back to 130 fer ya.’
Control: (a few moments later): ‘AF33, helicopter traffic at 90 knots now 11/2 miles ahead of you; reduce speed further to 110 knots.’
Pilot: ‘AF 33 reining this here bird back further to 110 knots.’
Control: ‘AF33, you are three miles to touchdown, helicopter traffic now one mile ahead of you; reduce speed to 90 knots’
Pilot (miffed): ‘Sir, do you know what the stall speed of this here C-130 is?’
Control: ‘No, but if you ask your co-pilot, he can probably tell you.’
————————–
ATC: ‘Cessna 123, what are your intentions?
Cessna: ‘To get my Commercial Pilot’s License and Instrument Rating.’
ATC: ‘I meant in the next five minutes, not years.’
————————–
Controller: AF123, say call sign of your wingman.
Pilot: Uh . . . Approach, we’re a single ship.
Controller: Oh . . . oh, shit! You have traffic!
———————
O’Hare Approach: USA212, cleared ILS runway 32L approach, maintain 250 knots.
USA212: Roger approach, how long do you need me to maintain that speed?
O’Hare Approach: All the way to the gate if you can.
USA212: Ah, OK, but you better warn ground control.
———————-
ATC: Pan Am 1, descend to 3,000 ft on QNH, altimeter 1019.
Pan AM 1: Could you give that to me in inches?
ATC: Pan Am 1, descend to 36,000 inches on QNH, altimeter 1019
————————
Cessna 152: ‘Flight Level Three Thousand, Seven Hundred’
Controller: ‘Roger, contact Houston Space Center.’
————————–
Beech Baron: Uh, ATC, verify you want me to taxi in front of the 747.
ATC: Yeah, it’s OK. He’s not hungry.
————————-
Student Pilot: ‘I’m lost; I’m over a big lake and heading toward the big “E”.
Controller: ‘Make several 90 degree turns so I can identify you on radar.’ (short pause)…
Controller: ‘Okay then. That big lake is the Atlantic Ocean. Suggest you turn to the big “W” immediately…’
——————–
Pilot: ‘Approach, Acme Flt 202, with you at 12,000′ and 40 DME.’
Approach: ‘Acme 202, cross 30 DME at and maintain 8000′.’
Pilot: ‘Approach, 202’s unable to make that descent rate.’
Approach: ‘What’s the matter 202? Don’t you have speed brakes?’
Pilot: ‘Yup. But they’re for my mistakes, not yours.’
—————————–
Tower: ‘American 123, and for your information, you were slightly to the left of the centerline on that approach.’
American 123: ‘That’s correct; and, my First Officer was slightly to the right.’
———————–
Controller: ‘USA353 contact Cleveland Center 135.60. (pause)
Controller: ‘USA353 contact Cleveland Center 135.60!’ (pause)
Controller: ‘USA353 you’re just like my wife you never listen!’
Pilot: ‘Center, this is USA553, maybe if you called her by the right name you’d get a better response!’
———————–
BB: ‘Barnburner 123, Request 8300 feet.’
Bay Approach: ‘Barnburner 123, say reason for requested altitude.’
BB: ‘Because the last two times I’ve been at 8500, I’ve nearly been run over by some bozo at 8500 feet going the wrong way!’
Bay Approach: ‘That’s a good reason. 8300 approved.’
————————————
Controller: ‘FAR1234 confirm your type of aircraft. Are you an Airbus 330 or 340?’
French pilot: ‘A 340, of course!’
Controller: ‘Then would you mind switching on the two other engines and give me 1000 feet per minute, please?’
—————————
Tower: ‘Cessna 123, turn right now and report your heading.’
Pilot: ‘Wilco. 341, 342, 343, 344, 345…’
———————————
Foreign Pilot Trainee: ‘Tower, please speak slowly, I am a baby in English and lonely in the cockpit.’
———————–
Controller: ‘CRX600, are you on course to SUL?’
Pilot: ‘More or less.’
Controller: ‘So proceed a little bit more to SUL.’
—————————-
Pilot: ‘Good morning, Frankfurt ground, KLM 242 request start up and push back, please.’
Tower: ‘KLM 242 expect start up in two hours.’
Pilot: ‘Please confirm: two hours delay?’
Tower: ‘Affirmative.’
Pilot: ‘In that case, cancel the good morning!’
Jamie Wilson is back with another in her series about tradpub and what they are doing and not doing…
My first literary convention was in Evanston, Ind. A man I admired (and would one day marry) convinced me to come along with him and some friends. The guest of honor was Gary Gygax, the creator of the original Dungeons and Dragons. I still remember the thrill of that drive, the butterflies as we checked in, wandering wide-eyed through the huckster’s room (today they blandly call it the vendor’s hall), wishing I had enough money to buy everything in sight. I sat in on writing workshops and geeky panels, rolled dice in pickup D&D games with strangers, and soaked in the wonder of being surrounded by people who loved the same things I loved.
It was intoxicating. And as I began building a writing career, the layers of what conventions could offer only deepened. Later, I graduated to more professional gatherings. One of my favorites was the 2012 Romance Writers of America convention in Orlando. My family went to Disney World while I immersed myself in the business of writing. I casually chatted with Nora Roberts in a hallway. I sat in on marketing workshops that explained the power of long-tail sales and the different types of romance heroes. I hobnobbed with publishers, editors, and agents. It was a world where professional craft and fannish joy overlapped, where anyone, from an aspiring writer to the most established professional, could feel at home.
That’s what conventions and professional organizations once were: the living, breathing community of writers. Places where the walls between readers, writers, and publishers came down. A place of discovery, career building, and fellowship.
And then, slowly, the drift began.
Full article, HERE from PJ Media.
Go read the whole thing, and she has links at the bottom to the earlier articles in the series.
And our little ‘local’ con, P-Con even gets a mention!!!
And what she’s been saying is true, which is why a lot of us have gone Indie and keep begging for you to share our books with your friends. We can’t afford the advertising budget to get our names out there, and we’re never up for any awards because we’re Indie…
What really counts for us is the Benjamins. They help us pay for our covers, editing, and other costs incurred publishing our books.
Getting old SUCKS!
Fighting off back spasms, so no post for you. Go read the folks on the sidebar.
Sorry…
And then there is REALLY old school…
1924 Ford Model T fuel tanker. Unrestored (except seat was redone years ago).
Yes, the plate is correct and did belong to the Model T in 1924. The engine cranks over, and he also got the ‘air pump’ hook up that goes with the truck. The Model T could actually run on 2 cylinders and if you pulled the plugs and screwed in the ‘air pump’, you could actually put air in the tires (which they needed on a regular basis).
And it was used by the Continental Oil Co. distributor to take gasoline to the service stations.
This is the back of the tank, with the original Conoco logo vaguely visible…
Yes, those are original wheels. Wooden spoked, three piece, split rim wheels! And the fronts are also wooden spoked split rims.
The new owner is planning to ‘fix it up’, repairing the 2x4s the tank is sitting on, welding up the tank (after the rust repair), and hopefully keeping the old logo visible.
He said the engine turns over, so he plans to get it running again (since it has a battery to start it with, in addition to the crank). And will be part of an old gas station display in addition to his plan to drive it in parades. He said he already has another Model T so is familiar with their operation (and lack of stopping power, mechanical brakes ONLY on the rear wheels activated by a pushrod by the driver’s foot on the brake).
He was on his way to Houston to have the repairs started, and I hope I get to see it after it’s completed (And I hope he gets rid of the ‘new’ 1930 Conoco emblems on the doors)…
Will be interesting…
President Donald Trump on Thursday announced his nomination of former GOP Senate candidate Hung Cao to be the next Under Secretary of the Navy.
“Hung is the embodiment of the American Dream,” Trump said in a statement posted on Truth Social. “As a refugee to our Great Nation, Hung worked tirelessly to make proud the Country that gave his family a home. He went to our amazing United States Naval Academy, and later earned his Master’s Degree in Physics. Hung served in combat as a Special Operations Officer for twenty five years. With Hung’s experience both in combat, and in the Pentagon, he will get the job done.
Full article, HERE from Town Hall.
Retired O-6 EOD type, combat vet, Vietnamese refugee as a child, Naval Academy graduate… And proud to be an American citizen!
So he ‘knows’ the Navy inside and out. He will be a great balance with John Phelan, who is now SECNAV and never served. Along with ADM Caudle, this should promote a significant shift in the Navy back to a warfighting footing, and improve the average sailor’s lives. And it will be even better if they get the damned pay raises through the congresscritters… Grrr…