Hmmmm…

Posted on by April 3, 2025

Seems that Israel is now ‘getting’ Hamas attention…

Even as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are busily engaged revoking the birth certificates of Hamas terrorists in Gaza, and while Israel’s air force is likewise engaged in changing Hamas terrorists’ pronouns to “over here” and “over there,” Hamas is admitting they are feeling the pinch. Now they are offering to release all of the remaining 59 hostages taken in the October 7th, 2023 attack, in return for a permanent cease-fire with Israel. Less than half of those hostages are thought to still be alive.

Full article, HERE from Red State.

Although I have not been watching it closely, it appears the latest IDF incursions into Gaza, along with the loss of the Syrian and Lebanese funding and ammunition streams has the remnants of Hamas on their back foot, in addition to the IDF’s continued strikes removing leader after leader.

At ‘some’ point, there won’t be anybody foolish enough to ‘step up’, and hopefully that comes soon.

Those remaining 59 families deserve to be given closure with those who were taken hostage, even if they are dead. Closure is closure, as long as the families ‘know’ what happened to their loved ones.

If Hamas is allowed a ‘permanent’ cease fire, it won’t actually be that…It will just give them time to rebuild their forces once again. At least that is my opinion.

OBTW, has anybody wondered why NO countries in the Middle East will take Palestinian refugees?  The AP has one idea, HERE.  HERE is another look from Politico. Lastly, a look from the Arab Center in DC, HERE.

IMHO, the bottom line is that none of the countries ‘trust’ the refugees to not start crap in ‘their’ countries…

 

Book promo…

Posted on by April 2, 2025

Cedar Sanderson has a new book out with a series of short stories- A Garden of Stars

As always, click on the cover for the Amazon link!

The blurb-

A collection of short stories, which range from fantasy, to science fiction, and some which defy specification. Two brand new stories never seen anywhere else!

Family, cats, chickens, gardens, little old ladies… these are a few of my favorite things, and you will find them here. There are young people finding their way in the world, and learning that independence doesn’t mean you can’t rely on friends, like in the story of the Long Commute. The humor of The Great Chicken Escape is followed by its prequel of sorts which is a philosophical treatise on why space exploration – with gardens and roosters – is so very important in Gardener to the Stars. I’ve been wanting to write cozy stories recently. Not a lot of drama and conflict. The world is still a dark place at times – you’ll catch a reference to the Armenian Genocide in Rubber Duckie if you look hard enough, and Mouse Office is surely not anything beside a warning to the young and overconfident.

I won’t go over all of the stories you’ll find in here. I hope I have intrigued you to read onward. Please, step into my whimsical world, and enjoy your journey!

Next up is my friend Ben English with the second in his Templar family series- ¡Cristeros!

The blurb-

At sixty years old, Gideon Hood Templar rides into Mexico on his final adventure. In doing so a rediscovery occurs involving redemption, faith and honorable enemies who become more honorable friends.

Making their way across the Estado de Chihuahua and into Texas through the unpredictable fog of rebellion, Gideon and his little band of refugees pit themselves against an unforgiving desert, bandits, the American army and a special Mexican cavalry unit tasked with the capture of those he is responsible for.

Along the way a bond is formed between old antagonists now sharing an unwavering belief in their common mission. Men, as well as women, who together struggle for something far larger than themselves, and against an insidious evil attempting to eradicate God from the collective conscience of a nation.

From a blood soaked land where there is no Bill of Rights, no freedom of speech or religion, or peaceful assembly, they seek a new life in the final act of a revolution that was never quite over to begin with.

This is their story, the story of ¡Cristeros!

Much like Louis L’Amour, if Ben describes a location in the book, he has visited it and walked that land. I highly recommend not only both books, but the other books both these folks have written!!!

Nobody will turn out…

Posted on by April 1, 2025

The left said about the Wisconsin judges race…

The City of Milwaukee is running out of ballots due to “historic turnout” on Tuesday night, as Badger State residents stand in line at polling places to decide whether the Wisconsin Supreme Court will lean conservative or liberal.

FOX 6 Milwaukee reporter Jason Calvi reported the developments on Tuesday night. At least seven polling sites have run out of ballots, per the Milwaukee Elections Commission. 

The sites are expecting more ballots soon, though the polls closed at 8 p.m. Milwaukee officials also noted that Wisconsin residents in line by 8 p.m. are still eligible to vote.

Full article, HERE from Fox News.

I don’t remember ‘where’ I saw it, but I remember how one of the MSM was talking about how off year, off cycle, and ‘unimportant’ little race would have a low to very low turnout.

Funny, isn’t it, how a unimportant race drew so 90 million dollars of war chest, and how much got spent on TV ads etc.

Well, ‘I’ think the people are speaking, and maybe we’ll have an answer tomorrow…

In other news, the AP has called both House of Representatives races in Florida for the Republicans, HERE. Patronis was ‘outraised’ 10:1 by his democrat opponent but won the race anyway. I can’t help but wonder how much money Soros et al spent on those two races…

So, the Republicans will hold a larger majority in the House going forward, which will make things more interesting, considering that the Pubs are not prone to vote in lockstep like the Dems…

 

Sigh…

Posted on by March 31, 2025

I would say this is an April Fool’s Day prank, but sadly it’s not…

The lefties will never give up… One  or more rounds for Camping World over their large flags!

The CEO of Camping World, a national RV dealer with stores in 200-plus locations, is facing a lawsuit by another city over its massive American flag that waves outside a dealership. 

City leaders in Greenville, N.C., voted 4-2 last week to initiate legal action to take down the American flag at a Camping World dealership. The vote came amid another lawsuit filed by the city of Sevierville, Tennessee. 

Full article, HERE from Fox News.

This is getting ridiculous! Camping World is flying BIG American flags because Marcus Lemonis is proud to be an American.

I really don’t understand ‘what’ the real problem is with these towns. It’s not like he’s flying some odd flag, although I sometimes wonder if they would be complaining if he was flying something like and LGBTQ+ flag…

I know here locally, both the Ford and GM dealers fly large flags over their dealerships, and have never (that I know of) had any complaints.

A little humor…

Posted on by March 30, 2025

To start the week…

It IS spring, so the snakes are starting to move…

Reaction to Snakes

  • Civilian: Runs away from the snake screaming.
  • Paratrooper: Lands on and kills the snake.
  • Armor: runs over snake, giggles, and looks for more snakes.
  • Infantry: “Look, a putty cat. Come ‘ere kitty….Ouch! Hey, that’s not a putty tat.”
  • Army Aviation: Has GPS grid to snake. Can’t find snake. Back to base for crew rest and the club and some sort of drink called “The Snake.”
  • Ranger: Plays with the snake, then eats it.
  • 2nd Ranger: Assaults the snake’s home and secures it for use by friendly snakes.
  • MI: analyzes all available intelligence and national asset input on the reptilian situation; reports sighting of Godzilla to National Command Authority.
  • JAG: Advises the snake on the rules of engagement and the law of war as it pertains to the snake and its defensive posture.
  • Quartermaster: Captures snake and applies a National Stock Number (NSN) to it. Implements a Found On Installation (FOI) procedure and picks up snake on property book. Has company commander sign hand receipt for “Snake, Green, One Each,” as non-expendable unit property.
  • Chemical Corps: Starts to gas the little booger, but then realizes that there is an M-18, A-2 Respirator especially made for snakes, remembers the Chemical Corps Motto, “UTRWBAG” (Up Their Rear With Bugs and Gas), and conducts three experiments on it that have been strictly prohibited by the Clinton Treaty of 1999.
  • Navy SEAL: Expends all ammunition, several grenades and calls for naval gunfire in a failed attempt to kill the snake. The snake bites the SEAL then retreats to safety.
  • Artillery: Kills snake, but in the process kills several hundred civilians with a massive TOT with three FA BDEs in support. Mission is considered a success and all participants (cooks, mechanics, clerks) are awarded Silver Stars.
  • Marine Recon: Follows the snake and gets lost.
  • Pathfinder: Guides the snake elsewhere.
  • AF Fighter Pilot: Miss-identifies the snake as a Russian HIND helicopter and engages it with missiles. Crew chief paints a snake on airplane.
  • AF Para-rescue: Wounds the snake in first encounter, then feverishly works to save the snake’s life.
  • Green Beret: Makes contact with the snake, builds rapport, wins its heart and mind, then trains it to kill other snakes.

Fine Art!!!

Posted on by March 29, 2025

Robert Grant “R.G” Smith was originally an engineer for the Douglas Aircraft Corporation, and helped design a number of WWII and later aircraft. He was also a VERY talented artist, and did something like 2000 paintings, many of them Navy birds, including the A-4, which he had actually helped design.

He was known for the accuracy of his paintings, and many of his works have been displayed at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola. He also spent time underway with the Navy, and it showed in his art. He loved to capture the aircraft coming right at you!

You can go to his website- HERE to see more of his works, and even purchase copies if desired!

Book promo…

Posted on by March 28, 2025

Raconteur Press has another anthology out (what a surprise) Wyrd Warfare

As always, click on the cover for the Amazon link!

The blurb-

“I was born in the late 1970s, which means I grew up in a family that held living memories of World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. My generation was exposed to a plethora of culture and entertainment much earlier than we probably should have been. War filled many of those books, comics, games, songs, and films. The historical, the fantastical, what was, might have been, never happened, should have happened, and thanks be to God didn’t happen. World War III was always imminent. War Games and Missile Command reminded us there was no way to win. We expected the end to come like The Day After or The Terminator. Maybe it already happened, maybe we were already dead and just didn’t realize it.
The stories in this anthology draw from a multitude of inspirations: real-life deployments, places, things, people. Monsters. Events. Incidents. Sacrifices. Heroism. Horror.” (From the Introduction by Chris DiNote)

Next up is John Van Stry’s newest work (also from Raconteur Press) Book 1 in the Valley of Fire series Misplaced

The blurb-

Eric and his sister escaped a bloody past, finding refuge with a starship salvage yard owner who straddles the line between criminal and honorable. Now, after twelve years of hauling scrap, Eric is ready carve his own path. The streets don’t let go so easily, nor does the Solarian Empire. As Eric steps into manhood, his talents draw dangerous eyes—jealous rivals and shadowy forces who’d rather see him buried than rising. Two years after the fall of the Solarian Empire, the paranoia of a hunted life lingers, but Eric’s done running. In a kingdom where power burns bright and betrayal simmers, he’ll learn that standing tall means facing the fire head-on.
Misplaced—a tale of grit, loyalty, and defiance, set in the expansive universe of Wolfhounds. 

And I have a bleg… If you’ve read my collection The Short Stories Vol 1, I’m stuck at 48 reviews… I need two more to get over that first hump, so if you’ve read it, I’d appreciate an honest review.

Thank you in advance!

Honestly…

Posted on by March 27, 2025

I’m NOT surprised at this…

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the alleged top MS-13 gang member who was arrested early Thursday morning in Virginia had likely been in the United States for over a decade. 

Bondi made the revelation in an interview on “The Ingraham Angle” after 24-year-old Henry Josue Villatoro Santos, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, was taken into custody by federal agents.

“We believe he was recruited in middle school — in middle school!” the former Florida attorney general said.

Full article, HERE from Fox News.

When I lived in Arlington in the early 2000s, it was ‘known’ that there were hispanic gangs that lived in northern Virginia. Since I lived inside the beltway, I knew there was a section a couple of blocks from where I lived in Arlington that ‘we’ didn’t go into for safety reasons. Under Warner and Kaine as governors, nothing was done to clean them up, and local LEOs were ‘told’ to ignore the problems unless people got killed.

I was pretty sure, thanks to LEO contacts, that at least a few MS-13 types lived behind us and they hung out and ran a park off Glebe road behind the Safeway grocery store. I also knew there were robberies that took place in that area that weren’t ever investigated, and no officers patrolled that area at night.

We shot IDPA at a gun range in Woodbridge, and the owner was an instructor with the Capital Police. He was always cautioning us to make sure we were armed when we left at night, and made sure the parking lot lights were routinely ‘fixed’ when they mysteriously went out… Also, a number of the folks that shot there were LEOs, and they would usually bring their work rides when shooting, even if they were in civilian clothes, which ‘might’ have kept any incidents from happening at his place.

And yes, even in the early 2000s, MS-13 was using machetes to take out folks in northern Virginia! At least those got investigated… but seldom solved.

And yet the people on the left/Dems want to keep them here. Makes absolutely NO sense to me!

Interesting…

Posted on by March 26, 2025

In 2018, after the Florida HS shootings, Yeti ‘changed’ their discounts with the NRA, HERE. It was not well received, to put it mildly…

Thermal cup brand YETI has come under fire on social media for refusing to fulfill an order for a young women’s nonprofit leadership organization.

In emails obtained exclusively by FOX Business, the brand had previously fulfilled an order for the Clare Boothe Luce Center (CBL) worth $3,797.84 in May of last year with the same exact logo customization.

The Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women in northern Virginia, a nonprofit, describes itself as “an all-women organization that specializes in the conservative outreach, education, and mentorship of young women.” The center is named after Clare Boothe Luce, herself a celebrated playwright, congresswoman and ambassador to Italy.

Full article, HERE from Fox Business.

I can’t help but wonder if, even though they are based in Austin, Texas, they haven’t been ‘infected’ with the Austin ‘attitude’… e.g. hard left these days.

Frankly, I’ve always thought they were overpriced, and really pointed their advertising to the yuppie crowd…

Yes, they pay lip service to the rugged individual, but those individuals are always outfitted in the latest, greatest whatever the individual is doing. Maybe that’s just me…

This smacks of once again purposefully dumping a conservative organization, and now that they have been caught, they are dissembling and crawfishing as fast as they can. There are other better and cheaper options, IMHO, including Stanley.  They’ve been around for over 100 years, along with Aladdin and I still have and use my Aladdin thermos (2 of them), both of which are over 40 years old.

No, I don’t chase fads either… If it works and ain’t broke, I don’t get rid of it for the newest ‘fashion’ items…

YMMV, and all that stuff…

I can haz…

Posted on by March 25, 2025

Questions…

Amid the fallout from the controversy over officials accidentally sharing military information with a journalist, President Donald Trump is standing by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.

The Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg published a piece on Monday claiming he had been accidentally included in a group chat with high-profile Trump administration officials. According to the piece, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Vice President JD Vance, State Secretary Marco Rubio, Waltz, and several others discussed plans for an airstrike on the Houthis in Yemen.

Goldberg claimed Waltz added him to the chat without knowing who he was, which has prompted criticism and calls for Waltz to resign.

Full article HERE from Town Hall.

One of the things that has come out is the phones were a turnover item from the previous administration, who used Signal for ‘off the record’ things.

It also appears that there were ‘phone lists’ already existing on those phones. And Waltz was NOT the individual who set up the meeting, it was one of his staffers, possibly Alex Wong.

My question is, WHY was a reporter’s number on a phone used by an NSC individual? I kinda doubt it was put there by a new employee, so who had the phone in the last administration?

How many ‘leaks’ from the last administration went to The Atlantic?

Yes, the discussion was what is known as ‘sensitive’ information, probably surrounding potential fallout/media takes/other government reactions. But nothing I’ve seen points to any classified information being discussed, contrary to what the MSM seems to be saying.

Was it a CF? Hell yes! Was it intentional? I doubt it.

But that goes back to my original question, why was the reporter on a Signal list of an NSC staffer?

I haven’t seen anyone asking that question…