Thursday, January 31, 2019

Who is Jussie Smollett and Why Exactly Should I Care?

Jussie Smollett is allegedly an actor. Couldn't prove it by me. You'll forgive me if I don't post his picture. Jussie was allegedly the victim of a very unusual crime recently. It staggers the imagination. Really.

Jussie lives in Chicago, and says he was allegedly the subject of a racial and homophobic attack on his way back from a Subway restaurant. At 2:00 AM.

Okay! There''s at least a hint of plausibility there. The temperature was -21°. Plus whatever wind chill there was.. They call Chicago the "Windy City". I've been there. They're not lying. Personally I'd have to be pretty doggone hungry to go out for a sandwich at 2AM, when the temperature was -21°, and I had to walk to get there. I'd probably lick the picture on the Cheerios box before I'd go out for a sub in weather like that, but that's just me!

According to Jussie (think "Once upon a time"), he was on the phone with his agent when the attack occurred. Oddly enough, neither man would submit his phone to the police to be examined. Strange! He said that two men in ski masks, dressed in black, poured bleach on him, shouting "This is MAGA country!" and hung a noose around his neck.

Now, as the liberals say, "If true"... this would be a terrible thing. The police scoured all the available video and did come up with the two figures in the picture above. They are said to be "persons of interest", but not suspects, as the video above was captured 15 - 30 minutes before the alleged attack took place and they were moving away from where the attack took place.

"This is MAGA country!" I've never heard anyone outside of Twitter say anything like that, but if they did, would they say it in the very bluest city in one of the bluest states in the nation? Consider my credulity strained.

Oh, and the video they have of the victim show him moving out of the range of one camera and a minute later, into view of another, this time with a piece of rope around his neck, like a necktie. This might suggest that the entire "attack" took less than a minute, and afterwards, the victim casually strolled away without so much as a backward glance over his shoulder to see if his attackers might be in pursuit.

First thing, if it did happen, it would have to be premeditated. One doesn't typically stroll around the streets of a major metropolitan city carrying a bottle of bleach and a rope. And your plan involves standing outside in -21 degree weather, with a humongous wind chill factor on the outside chance you're going to find a black, gay liberal? At 2AM?? Heck of a plan, Brownie!

I'm told that household bleach freezes at around 18 - 19 degrees Fahrenheit. So, what? I pour bleach into a smaller bottle and keep it under my parka, to keep it liquid, hoping to heck that it doesn't leak, or splash back on my all black outfit when I douse my eventual target? Good plan! We'll call your black outfit with random bleach spots "Exhibit A" at your trial!

The reports don't say what the "victim" was wearing, but unless he's a complete moron, wouldn't he have most of his face covered? Ski mask, scarf, hoodie, wool cap...something to keep him warm? How then did these two geniuses identify him as the black, gay cast member of a TV show they may or may not watch?

I won't say there are holes in this guy's story. I won''t say there are holes in Swiss cheese. I'll just let the facts speak for themselves.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Built Like A Brick ... Fortress

We're all hoping for a peaceful resolution to the Venezuela crisis, especially to the demands made by dictator Maduro for all US personnel to abandon their embassy.
The US Embassy in Caracas was built decades ago as a fortress to withstand terror attacks.  
The five-story, 100,000-square-foot structure sits atop a hill — and a massive American flag flown outside is visible throughout much of the capital. 
The granite-clad building with at least one level underground was “designed and constructed to withstand terrorist attack,” according to LERA Structural Engineers.

I'm thinking reinforced poured concrete walls, polycarbonate bulletproof windows, safe rooms and a detachment of Marines. After the Benghazi debacle, I doubt that POTUS will allow another mob to storm a US embassy, legation, consulate or asparagus garden.



Why do Marines guard our embassies? The Foreign Service Act of 1946 (replaced by 10 U.S.C. §5983 in 2008) authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to provide this service. Marines fall directly under executive command, no need to authorize their actions via an act of Congress. Therefore "First To Fight" is one of their slogans.

Thursday, January 24, 2019

A Fridge Too Far

Once Again Socialism Runs Its Course

A very wise person once said that "The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money." Venezuela has reached that point and now is paying the price, for once you're out of money in a socialistic country the only thing left of value is blood. It is indeed a tragedy as this nation was once South America's wealthiest.

Venezuela's dictator, Nicolas Maduro, is fighting to retain power. At least four people are dead in rioting that broke out today. Millions have left the country due to a failing economy, hyperinflation, no food, no medicine … you know, socialism at its best.

Fraudulent elections have a way of supporting socialism and Venezuela is no different. The Presidential elections last May were plagued with allegations of fraud and rigged voter registration. It was rumored that some of Maduro's campaign advisors were Hillary Clinton and Donna Brazile.

Almost every Central and South American country (with the exception of Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia and San Salvador) refused to attend Maduro's inauguration, as well as Canada and the US. The Organization of American States also refused to recognize Maduro's election.

Today POTUS joined other nations in recognizing the government of the opposition leader, Juan Guadio.


Venezuela Erupts Against Dictator Maduro as His Socialist Regime Starts to Completely Collapse  

Hundreds-of-thousands of people took to the streets in Venezuela Wednesday afternoon in protest of illegitimate President Nicolas Maduro and in support of internationally recognized President Juan Guadio.  
[…]On Wednesday afternoon the Trump administration, in partnership with a number of Central and South American countries, officially declared Maduro is no longer recognized as the leader of Venezuela and that Guadio is the legitimate President of the country.
More here and here.

Wednesday, January 23, 2019

Where's the Boss?


A few of you have been wondering about the prolonged absence of our dear Curmudgeon from these pages. I have been authorized to release the following:

About a month ago, Curmudgeon took off on one of her moderately lengthed vacations. (Think "Endless Summer"). The official story is that towards the end of her vacay, she developed a slight case of bronchitis or pneumonia or some such that caused her to extend her stay.

I have it on good authority that her breathing difficulties were from chasing a twenty-something cabana boy up and down the beach and occasionally catching him! Whether or not you buy the official version, I have it on good authority that she will be returning home to stately Sciuridae Manor by the end of the month. How long it will take her to restore her vintage Commodore 64 and dial up modem when she returns home remains to be seen.

Until then, sig94 and I will hold down the fort. Relief is on the way!

Monday, January 21, 2019

Exploiting Dead Cops for Political Gain Ought to be a Crime...

...so says Ruben Navarrett Jr. in my local dead tree paper yesterday morning. My first instinct was to move it right along to the recycling bin where it would do the most good. But since this goes well beyond the Left's typical hypocrisy, I thought it should have a reply. Mr. Navarett states:
It is grotesque that anyone would ever seize on the killing of a police officer for political purposes. Alas, the practice is bipartisan.
"Grotesque" Noted.
On the right, when the alleged assailant is an illegal immigrant, we often see a cheap and shrill attempt to turn the grief of families and communities over a fallen guardian into outrage over illegal immigration and "open borders."
A "cheap and shrill attempt to turn the grief of families and communities... into outrage" Got it.

You see, for me, the concept of dead policemen is personal and painful. It's not just another issue du jour to be played with. Still, mercenary politicians use it as a chew toy. May they choke on it.

May I suggest that Mr. Navarrett either didn't go far enough, didn't think it through or couldn't see past his own biases?

Maybe the outrage should be when people seize on any killing for political purposes? Recently, on the border, two children died because of medical problems related to their long trek across Mexico. How many on the Left immediately made a "cheap and shrill attempt" to turn the grief of families and communities over these children into outrage over Trump's immigration and borders policies, or against ICE and the Border Patrol?

After Sandy Hook, the "ghouls of gun control" seized on the killing of children for political purposes, proposing numerous gun control methods, none of which would have prevented the shootings. Or at Parkland, where laws already on the books, had they been properly enforced, would have taken the shooter off the street, long before the fateful shooting. "Grotesque", as Mr. Navarrett would say.

In Ferguson, Missouri, there were those who seized on the killing by a police officer for political purposes, giving birth to the bogus "Hands up, don't shoot" movement.

The practice is bipartisan, but alas, it seems to primarily find its home on the Left. If Mr. Navarrett wants to criminalize or at best stigmatize the killing of a police officer for political purposes, may I suggest that he expand his horizons to include the deaths of those shot by the police until such time as they can be thoroughly investigated? The deaths of illegal immigrants who tragically may be sick or dying before they ever enter the country is also not "another issue du jour to be played with", not a "chew toy".

Time for Mr. Navarrett to step up and not be choked by his own chew toys of deaths that he approves of politicizing, not just the ones he disapproves.

Now, it's ready for the recycling!

Flowing Curves of Beauty

There is definitely something sexy about a girl with an attitude and a pair of leather pants. 
-Eliza Dushku






Friday, January 18, 2019

The Wheels Go Round And Round, Then Fall Off

Nancy Pelosi thought that she was being oh so clever regarding the SOTUS when she told POTUS to choose a later date for the live address, or deliver his speech in writing because of the government shutdown.
Source

She still fails to realize that she is dealing with a VSG and should have expected a stunning comeback. Well, here it is:
bah dah bing 
STRANDED BUS with Pelosi and Democrat Lawmakers IS DRIVING CIRCLES AROUND US CAPITOL  
On Thursday afternoon, President Trump informed Speaker Pelosi her “public relations” trip to Afghanistan, Egypt, and Brussels has been postponed so that she can stay in DC and negotiate with him.

The President canceled Pelosi’s flight just one hour before she was scheduled to depart — Pelosi and other lawmakers were on the bus en route to the airport.

Trump told her to fly commercial on her own dime.

According to Fox News reporter, Chad Pergram, furious phone calls are flying back and forth from The Hill to the State to the Pentagon and White House.
Source 

Until the government shutdown is ended with a $5 billion gift card from Walls-R-US, this is the bus that Pelosi and her staff will be riding.

beep beep

Thursday, January 17, 2019

It's A Trap!


A "Reduction In Force" (RIF) can be used to reduce the federal bureaucracy. This way POTUS can start weeding out some of the dead weight and DS trash that infects the government. The shills are going crazy now that the 22 business day restriction nears.
"When agencies furlough employees for more than 30 calendar days or 22 discontinuous work days, they must use RIF procedures. An employee can be terminated or moved into an available position….
[…]If this was the plan all along, it would explain why President Trump goaded Chuck and Nancy in his televised meeting with them last year, boasting that he would claim credit for the shutdown. How could they resist a prolonged shutdown when he made it so easy to blame him?" 


Wednesday, January 16, 2019

Women In Combat..... Nah

The optics may be awesome, you know, a steely-eyed, comely lass with a M-4 slung over one shoulder, her hip thrust aggressively forward and a smoldering look on her face. Yowssir!


But when the Marines take the concept out for a test drive, the results aren't so awesome.
In September 2015 the Marine Corps released a study comparing the performance of gender-integrated and male-only infantry units in simulated combat. The all-male teams greatly outperformed the integrated teams, whether on shooting, surmounting obstacles or evacuating casualties. Female Marines were injured at more than six times the rate of men during preliminary training—unsurprising, since men’s higher testosterone levels produce stronger bones and muscles. Even the fittest women (which the study participants were) must work at maximal physical capacity when carrying a 100-pound pack or repeatedly loading heavy shells into a cannon.
Let's be clear, I have a daughter who was in the Army for eight years, had two deployments to Afghanistan and will be deployed again through her National Guard unit. I am so proud of her and I wouldn't change a thing. She does her absolute best and is an excellent soldier. But she is in SIGINT.

There is a definite need for qualified soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen regardless of race or sex. There are many, many support positions that must be filled in order to kept our warriors prepared. But combat is another story. There are physical limitations that must be recognized and addressed without any fault or failing implied due to gender. 

Monday, January 14, 2019

Flowing Curves of Beauty


“I am so wily and feminine that I could live by your side for a lifetime and deceive you afresh each day.” ― Jane Bowles






Monday, January 7, 2019

Flowing Curves of Beauty


"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous." -Ingrid Bergman