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ANOTHER PROGRESSIVE SOCIALIST DEMOCRAT CRAZY IN CALIFORNIA?

Stockton, California Mayor Michael Tubbs

MT

“Cash for Criminals” -- $1,000 for Potential Shooters …

Why am I not surprised to find another progressive socialist democrat, this time the 27-year-old Stanford-educated African-American Mayor of Stockton, California proposing another unique method to control criminals and crazies. That a private program funded by liberal philanthropists pay potential shooters $1,000 after they complete 18-months of taxpayer-paid counseling. Known as the “Advance Peace” program, it is part of a proposed crime control experiment. Of course, this is the same guy that wants to provide $500 per month to select Stockton residents for 18-months to test the effects of a guaranteed basic income.

It seems that, like any progressive socialist democrat, the Mayor of a city best known for bankruptcy and crime is willing to spend dollars seeking a solution that defies both human nature and common sense. 

Perhaps all of those expensive courses at the prestigious but liberal Stanford University where the Mayor earned a Bachelors' degree in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and a master's degree in Policy, Leadership and Organization Studies, failed to teach a few simple facts: criminals and crazies do not respect nor follow the law. Incentivizing any activity often encourages more of that activity. 

The Mayor’s theory appears to be something along the lines of recognizing a small percentage of the general population commits a disproportionate amount of crime. So offering these potential criminals, most of whom will probably have a history of criminal interaction with the justice system, a reward to entering the system and undergoing counseling will be a cost effective crime prevention tool. One wonders if he will eliminate “gang members” from the payouts?

According to Tubbs, "Let me be clear, Advance Peace is not a get out of jail free card. Participating in this program doesn't erase the past, but it does help these young men learn how to make better choices for their own and our community's collective future."

ap-1
Peacemaker Fellowship™

Advance Peace interrupts gun violence in American urban neighborhoods by providing transformational opportunities to young men involved in lethal firearm offenses and placing them in a high-touch, personalized fellowship—the Peacemaker Fellowship™.

[Does this mean they are already criminals who have engaged in firearm offenses and should be in prison?] 

By working with and supporting a targeted group of individuals at the core of gun hostilities, Advance Peace bridges the gap between anti-violence programming and a hard-to-reach population at the center of violence in urban areas, thus breaking the cycle of gun hostilities and altering the trajectory of these men’s lives.

[OCS: Those at the core of gun hostilities are most likely to be minority criminals, gang members, or both. So perhaps gangs should be targeted more heavily by the community – but then again, the progressive socialist democrats have always been soft on crime where it impacts their core minority constituency.]

Advance Peace works with both public and community-based stakeholders to establish responsive community-driven strategies that achieve high-impact outcomes for those caught in the cycle of urban gun violence.


Advance Peace reduces gun violence, improves the general health and wellbeing of its Fellows, and increases public safety in the cities/neighborhoods where it is instituted. As a result of our efforts, Richmond, California, experienced a 66% reduction in firearm assaults causing injury or death between 2010 and 2017.

[OCS: How is it possible that Richmond, California experienced a 66% reduction in firearm assaults causing injury or death in 7 years if only 84 individuals were enrolled in the program? Unless of course, these people were the proximate cause of a significant amount of criminal activity?]

Eighty-four Fellows were enrolled during the first four cohorts between 2010 and 2015. Since becoming a Fellow:

  • 94% are alive. [OCS: 79]
  • 83% have had no gun injuries or hospitalization. [OCS: 70]
  • 77% have not been suspected in firearm activity. [OCS: 65]

[OCS: Considering this program has been active since 2010, 84 participants is a woefully inadequate sample to judge program effectiveness, so the numbers are really meaningless. And the fact that individuals had no injuries or hospitalizations is meaningless. ]

<Source: Advance Peace>

Bottom line …

I am always skeptical of progressive giveaways to incentivize human behavior. I am also skeptical of the charitable organizations that support such activities, especially if they remain unrated by charity watchdogs for not submitting financials showing what their leadership earns and spends on lodging, travel, and expenses involving “outreach” which is often a code-word for fundraising. Also, I am skeptical of the numbers because I do not find a breakdown of how many of these people are gang members and potential shooters.

This is an area where you respect human nature, provide swift, sure punishment to violators, and support the law enforcement community that keeps you safe.

Since Tubbs appears to be a professional politician, look for his advancement to a higher political office and more media-grabbing programs to enhance his media presence.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Senator Feinstein Releases More Partisan Progressive Garbage

Once again, I find DiFi’s one-sided bull-pucky in my inbox …

df1

An Update From Senator Dianne Feinstein

May 30, 2018

INVESTIGATING RUSSIAN COLLUSION IN THE 2016 ELECTION

Preliminary Findings About Trump Campaign’s Effort to Obtain Incriminating Information on Secretary Clinton from Russia at Trump Tower Meeting (May 16, 2018)

“The June 9, 2016, meeting is one piece of a much larger puzzle and confirms that the Trump campaign was willing to accept Russia’s assistance. The Committee’s staff interviews reveal that top Trump campaign officials were frustrated and angry that the meeting did not produce enough damaging information on their opponent. Their efforts to conceal the meeting and its true purpose are consistent with a larger pattern of false statements about the Trump campaign’s relationship with Russia.” To read the full statement, CLICK HERE.

The Committee’s investigation remains incomplete, including further review of the June 9, 2016 meeting. Nonetheless, the following preliminary findings are clear:

  • The Trump campaign was willing to accept Russia’s assistance.

[OCS: Why is Feinstein ignoring that the Hillary Clinton campaign and the DNC surreptitiously funneled money through a law firm (Marc Elias at PerkinsCoie) to engage Fusion GPS who actively solicited Russian intelligence operatives to dig up dirt on candidate Trump which they then used to feed to top Obama officials to instigate an investigation of the Trump candidacy?

Why is Feinstein ignoring that the Obama Administration failed to protect Americans from such interference – especially at the direction of National Security Adviser Susan Rice who ordered security officials to “stand down” and not take active measures against Russian computer penetration attempts?

Why is Feinstein ignoring that the DNC refused FBI requests to forensically examine a computer server at the base of the hacking claims?

Why is Feinstein ignoring the fact that California Attorney General Xavier Becerra provided the FBI with a phony computer serve to avoid having them examine a compromised House server system?] 

  • Top campaign officials Donald Trump Jr., Paul Manafort, and Jared Kushner accepted the offer of incriminating information on the campaign’s opponent from a hostile foreign government.

[OCS: Top Obama Administration officials, Hillary Clinton, and the DNC accepted actual incriminating information from a hostile foreign government – not a bogus offer, but actual information.]

  • These Trump campaign officials did not report the offer of Russian assistance to proper authorities.

[OCS: Why did Hillary Clinton and the DNC hide payments to Russian operatives using an attorney cut-out and Fusion GPS? Why has nobody mentioned Sidney Blumenthal and Cody Shearer and any contacts they may have had with Christopher Steele and his Russian informants.]

  • Top campaign officials made clear their frustration that more damaging information was not produced at the June 9 meeting in Trump Tower.

[OCS: There is apparently nothing wrong with receiving damaging opposition research from any party or the DNC, Hillary Clinton, Obama, and others would already be in prison.]

  • Donald Trump Jr. and the White House misled the public about the June 9 meeting with Russians and other campaign contacts with Russia.

[OCS: In spite of his public relations, Donald Trump has been described as being ‘dumb as a rock” and having daddy issues which makes him prone to reckless actions when viewed in a political context. This is not Junior’s first screw up if you consider the failed mortgage business and the failed contractor supplies company.]

  • Several significant questions remain unanswered about this meeting and the numerous other contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian associates.

[OCS: You cannot even begin to count the questions involving the Obama Administration, domestic spying, obstruction of justice, and other criminal activities. Most important about that meeting was that the Russian operative was given clearance to enter the U.S. by the Obama State Department, met with Fusion GPS before and after the meeting – and the entire episode looks like a stinking setup.]

To read the preliminary findings of the Senate Judiciary Democrats in full, CLICK HERE.

[OCS: Remember this is a biased report which contains numerous inaccuracies and interpretations.]

Source: Senator Feinstein Releases Preliminary Findings From Russia Investigation

Bottom line …

Dianne Feinstein and her husband have grown wealthy at the government’s teat. She is not an unbiased observer, but a multi-millionaire hack politician who supports Obama and all of the progressive socialist democrat agenda.  It appears that only Devin Nunes is trying to get to the truth. Others, like the articulate Trey Gowdy, are simply issuing letters and bloviating.

We are so screwed.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


CALIFORNIA'S DIGITAL LICENSE PLATES: THE APPLE EFFECT?

How do you sell expensive electronic license plates that can track your every move to a skeptical public?

NEVILLE BOSTON, CEO & COFOUNDER of REVIVER AUTO

NEVILLE BOSTON, CEO, REVIVER AUTO :: Photo by © Martin Klimek

Simple, use Apple’s formula for marketing ho-hum technology in clever packaging. Hence we see California testing a new license plate that will be sold at prestige dealerships for approximately $699 (without installation costs) and a fee of about $84 per year. The must have car bling of the moment.

Sleek and stylish …

r5

But, do you really want a product that is little more than a Kindle e-reader on the back of your car? One that can electronically track your movements – and possibly used by the government to place you at or near the scene of a crime as a reluctant witness? And, of course, like all official records, your tracking information is not protected by law – and can be easily obtained by government officials and anyone willing to bring a court case – think a spousal complaint during a divorce.

Known as the R-plate, the electronic plates are manufactured by Reviver Auto, based in Foster City, California and will be part of an “exclusive” 175,000 plates authorized by the California DMV as a test of the technology.

Other than its trackability – hackability might be an additional concern, with thieves being able to change plates in microseconds.

While the R-plate may have value for fleet operations, the functionality is duplicated by today’s GPS-enabled systems such as those already used by Uber and other car services. For those who suggest that the plate can be used for displaying ads, but, of course only when the vehicle is stopped, one can imagine an increase in rear end collisions or an increase in driver inattention as they think about the ad content being displayed.

And what would any electronic device be without a corresponding smartphone app?

r-3

Or multiple price points …

rapp

Bottom line …

ca-scam

Another silli product from silicon valley where novelty often trumps functionality. However, there is one good thing about imagining an electronic plate in your future. Imagining the elimination of the DMV – to be replaced by Amazon and its Kindle style plates.

In an era when we have real problems that can be solved with technology, the R-Plate and its look-alikes are all products with a difference, but without a distinction.  If this catches on, I wonder what the investors will do if automakers simply incorporate the technology as part of their vehicle build (economies of scale, dealer registration, etc.) and simply program your plate at point of purchase with no fuss and no muss?

We are so screwed.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


CALIFORNIA'S UNKNOWN HERO: SHOOTS ACTIVE ROBBER THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU WINDOW

police

It appears that a man in a black mask with a black revolver was holding up the Cozy Corner restaurant in Santa Ana, California and an individual in the drive-up lane fires three shots through the closed drive-up window at the robber, hitting the suspect twice.  One shot hit the drink machine.

The suspect was hit twice in the upper-torso and collapsed outside where he was transported in stable condition to a local hospital and arrested on suspicion of robbery.

robber-2

Unfortunately, in California, the perp is also considered to be a victim. And, the citizen protecting the lives of those innocents involved will probably be arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon. For those who believed that the bystander acted recklessly, it appears he had a clear shot and the counter clerk was well to the side.

We know that the hungry bystander probably wasn’t a law enforcement officer or he would have stopped and identified himself. We know he probably wasn’t a gang member as they generally have no incentive to break up a robbery and are notoriously poor shots. And, it is more likely that this hero may be from out of state where people actually stand up to criminals and protect their fellow citizens.

While the driver left the scene, it appears that the photos of the vehicle in the drive-up lane had a pixelated license plate – which mean that the police already knows who they might be.

Bottom line …

cal-com-flag

Had this been Texas instead of The People’s Republic of California, the shooter would have been honored by his community as a heroic Texas citizen.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


REMEMBER & RESPECT: MEMORIAL DAY 2018

 

cryingeagle

ArmedServices-MIA

 


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


RAPING THE LEGAL SYSTEM

hesaid-shesaid

It appears that a fundamental rule of law, that an individual is presumed innocent until they are convicted in a court of competent jurisdiction where the accused can confront their accuser and test the quality of evidence during cross-examination has been turned upside down. You are now assumed to be guilty until proven innocent. And, that the recounting of events, even decades old events, by biased, emotional, or publicity/money-seeking individuals are being given a level of credibility as if it happened yesterday. That numerous people with similar recollections, grievances, or motivations constitute proof of the events claimed. Or that events – which were commonplace dating rituals and ploys long ago – somehow rise to the level of rape.

Now it appears that all you need to gain fame and fortune is to run to the media with your allegations against the famous or powerful and provide the names of a few individuals who were allegedly told a one-sided story, contemporaneously, about an event but lack first-hand knowledge of the event itself. How many times have we seen a woman claim she was raped when her boyfriend found out about a consensual extra-relationship affair or a one-night stand? There are any number of sleazy attorneys willing to grab for the brass ring – a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement complete with the routine non-disclosure agreement. Some of which appear to consider an active media campaign of shaming to be just another legal tactic to force a quick settlement.

Personally, I do not give a crap that Donald Trump used his wealth and position to make himself attractive to women. I do not care that he dated hookers. I do not care if he buckled under to extortionate demands for “hush money.” But I do care that a self-serving media-whore lawyer is attempting to gain fame and fortune by exploiting a lawsuit to nullify a routine non-disclosure agreement from a sex worker who was paid $130,000. Perhaps the real crime is that Trump’s attorney was too cute by half in attempting to hide the payment. Or that Trump is not bringing suit against both her and her attorney for breaking the NDA which I hope is found legal – if for no other reason than to wipe the smirk off the face of the media-whore lawyer.

I do care that the President is being distracted from his official duties by a progressive socialist democrat who ran with Rahm “never let a crisis go to waste” Emanuel and was known to engage in opposition research and dirty tricks on behalf of the Democrats. I do care who is funding the attorney because it isn’t, according to her statements, the complainant.

I do care that men are disadvantaged, unfairly and illegally, by progressive institutions and individuals who now believe they have a right to adjudicate sexual matters outside of a court of law and without any form of due process and judicial review. Creepy behavior does not rise to the level of a criminal act just because some progressive snowflake is “uncomfortable.”

Bottom line …

We have sufficient laws to deal with unwanted contact (assault and battery), date rape, and other criminal behavior. But it should be addressed in a court of competent jurisdiction before a jury or trier of fact – not in a progressive media that is incentivized to sensationalize and speculate about the matter to the extent of destroying an individual’s reputation or costing them their job on mere allegations.

It is time to reject the snowflakes and hold people accountable for false accusations, even those leveled at “public persons.” And perhaps we should acknowledge that the rich and powerful have always had an advantage, witness Hillary Clinton’s actions against her sexual predator husband Bill Clinton when he was accused of assault, battery, and rape by multiple women. What changed? Nothing – it is just that the progressive socialist democrats operate under a double standard.

We are so screwed as we see our legal system crumble under the assault of progressive socialist democrat politics and progressive media attention.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DISRESPECTING OUR FALLEN SOLDIERS

I must be getting more emotional as I grow older -- and realize more than ever that our precious freedom can be directly attributed to all of those who gave their lives for our nation. So I am greatly offended when the iconic image of a fallen soldier is used to hawk goods and services. I have removed the name of the company because I do not believe that they recognize how disrespectful they have been to the fallen.

m-sale

So, for all those companies and individuals who might not know what they are doing: Memorial day is a day on which those brave soldiers who died in active military service are remembered. I may celebrate the good times I had with my friends who did not return from Nam or conflicts around the world, but I would never dishonor their memory by using the occasion to sell products and services.

cryingeagle

ArmedServices-MIA

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


DAVID HOGG: THE WHITE MIDDLE-CLASS VERSION OF COMMERCIAL EXTORTIONIST JESSE JACKSON

I can think of no other comparison that explains the actions of teenage activist/agitator David Hogg, a survivor of the mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, than to compare him to commercial extortionists like the “Reverends” Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton.

demogogue

Who does this punk, backed by radical progressive socialist democrats, think he is when he demands that a public company not only forego their rights to support a political candidate of their choice, but also demands that they fund and pledge loyalty his cause which seeks to destroy the Constitution’s Second Amendment?

hogg-1

What the stats don’t show is what they don’t want you to know …

A potential mass shooting (4 or more victims) was averted today by an armed bystander.

ms

Bottom line …

From my perspective, Hogg is a jumped-up douchebag that has been empowered by anti-Constitutionalists like former New York Mayor and Billionaire Michael Bloomberg and the likes of the Billionaire George Soros – both of which are surrounded by armed guards and probably carry weapons themselves.

The idea that you were in proximity to a tragedy does not imbue you with wisdom or even an understanding of the issue at hand. I am sorry that a snowflake was traumatized, but I look at the young men and women serving our nation to uphold this jamoke’s right to be ignorant and ignore the right of every law-abiding citizen to self-defense and a means to redress the grievances of a tyrannical government if needed.

I am a life member (patron level) of the NRA and I am unaware that my 5,000,000 fellow brothers and sisters have embarked on a weapons-fueled crime spree in our nation. And, I question why it is mostly white, middle-class, males that are shooting up the schools. Could it be the result of the “pacification” drugs to turn fractious boys into obedient little girls? Could it me our progressive “tolerance” for misbehavior and the lack of adult supervision and assertive discipline? Or could it simply be that the media’s wide-spread 24/7 looped coverage makes these random events seem like they are an epidemic.

It is tragic when anyone dies at the hands of a criminal, crazy, or terrorist – but to disarm citizens to further a toxic political agenda is immoral and wrong.

We are so screwed.

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


THE U.S. MILITARY NEEDS TO RETURN TO BASICS ...

T-12_Cloudmaker_at_USAF_Armament_Museum

It is amazing to me that our military leaders in the Pentagon are now complaining that America is running out of missiles and bombs in spite of plans to invest more than $20 BILLION on munitions in the next budget cycle.

Considering that approximately 97 percent of the Department of Defense's weapons funding accrues to two companies, Raytheon and Lockheed Martin, one wonders why the geniuses at the Pentagon have not broadened their vendor base and used competition to lower prices so we purchase more bang for the buck?

Or why Pentagon rules of engagement policies are so restrictive that America must use multi-million dollar weapons to take out a few terrorists instead of simply bombing the area into oblivion with more conventional dumb weaponry.

Maybe we should outsource weapons production to China (just kidding)? Although I would not be surprised that the critical components for our weapons are manufactured off-shore.

I am all for standoff weapons that can be fired from platforms outside of the battle and target areas, but why should we use precision-guided weaponry when old-fashioned iron bombs will do? Why are key strikes conducted at times when there are few enemy combatants present – the remaining ones repairing and rebuilding immediately after the raid. And, it hasn’t gone unnoticed that U.S. forces are often de-conflicting strikes against enemy targets with friends of the enemy, thus providing our targeted enemies with sufficient time to evacuate the target area and remove critical materiel.

Something is wrong and it appears that the Pentagon has gotten used to BOHICA (Bend Over Here It Comes Again) weapons contracting.

Squaring the circle …

1. The US is running out of bombs — and it may soon struggle to make more
(Defense News) The Pentagon plans to invest more than $20 billion in munitions in its next budget. But whether the industrial base will be there to support such massive buys in the future is up in the air — at a time when America is expending munitions at increasingly intense rates.

2. Congress reviewing sale of precision munitions to Saudis, UAE
(Reuters) The Trump administration, working to increase exports of U.S.-made weapons, has asked the U.S. Congress to review the sale of more than 120,000 precision-guided munitions to allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, sources said on Tuesday.

How does this make sense? The story in Defense News says we are are running out of bombs and may struggle to make more, while the Reuters’ story claims that the Trump Administration was to increase exports of precision-guided munitions.

Could it be that, instead of supplying the Department of Defense, we are supplying commercial customers? And, perhaps that is why were are running out of weapons?

I was greatly hoping General Mattis would start revamping procurement systems as the Secretary of Defense. I recognize that it is not easy to overcome decades of bureaucratic infighting, fumbling, and seemingly purposeful incompetence, but we need to start somewhere. And, it appears that it is about to kick-off.

How the DoD’s first-ever chief management officer plans to turn cash into military capabilities

A frequent refrain from U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is the need to reform the internal workings of the Pentagon to find efficiencies that can be reinvested toward war-fighting capabilities. Helping to guide that project is John H. “Jay” Gibson II, the Pentagon’s first-ever chief management officer. In his first interview since taking office, Gibson ― a former U.S. Air Force financial official who has spent significant time in industry ― laid out his plan for tackling the traditionally thorny issue of internal management reforms. You may wish to read the interview at Defense News.

Time will tell if Gibson is a reformer or just another political appointee who will be swept away by an incoming administration.  As a political appointee, one wonders if he cares more for his career or his country?

-- steve


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
"Acta non verba" -- actions not words

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”-- George Bernard Shaw

“Progressive, liberal, Socialist, Marxist, Democratic Socialist -- they are all COMMUNISTS.”

“The key to fighting the craziness of the progressives is to hold them responsible for their actions, not their intentions.” – OCS

"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." -- Marcus Aurelius

“A people that elect corrupt politicians, imposters, thieves, and traitors are not victims... but accomplices” -- George Orwell

“Fere libenter homines id quod volunt credunt." (The people gladly believe what they wish to.) ~Julius Caesar

“Describing the problem is quite different from knowing the solution. Except in politics." ~ OCS


Roger Stone says Trump may not run in 2020, pledges to line up challenger to Pence-Haley ticket

There are a relatively few slimeball political operatives generally known to the American public. I cannot think of two more loathsome characters than Hillary Clinton’s pal Sidney Blumenthal and on-again-off-again Trump associate Roger Stone, an acknowledged Nixon-era dirty trickster.

ROGERSTONE

Now we find Stone, poisoning the GOP well before the 2020 presidential election by suggesting a Pence-Haley ticket and in the process sliming Vice President Pence.

Personally, I find Pence to be a political zero – Trump’s plus-one at political events and a man who seems to be a “go along to get along” type of politician. Nikki Haley, on the other hand, is an attractive, accomplished, well-spoken candidate who should be judged on her stellar performance as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.  

Roger Stone says Trump may not run in 2020, pledges to line up challenger to Pence-Haley ticket

 

Longtime Trump confidant Roger Stone pledged to have someone lined up to challenge Vice President Mike Pence should he run for president in 2020.

During an interview Friday with Big League Politics, a right-wing news website, Stone suggested that President Trump may not ultimately run for re-election if his first term is adequately successful and denounced the possibility of a 2020 ticket with Pence and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

"I guarantee you I will have a candidate challenge Mike Pence," said while speaking on the "Howley Reports" show.

Stone derided Pence as a "establishment Republican quisling" who is under the control of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and the Koch brothers. Asked what he thinks about Haley, Stone grimaced and alleged that she "loves war" that isn't in the interest of the U.S.

On the prospect of a Pence-Haley ticket, Stone exclaimed, "Bring it on!" <Source>

For those who want a strong GOP woman on the ticket – Nikki Haley fits the bill …

Nikki_Haley_official_photo

  • As the 116th governor of South Carolina and a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, Haley is an able administrator and no stranger to elective politics.
  • She is articulate and delivered the official Republican response to President Barack Obama's 2016 State of the Union Address and continues to make her positions crystal clear in the United Nations where ambiguous and incomprehensible diplo-speak is the norm.
  • She was vetted by the Romney team for a vice presidential slot, which she turned down due to her commitment to South Carolina citizens, and enjoys bi-partisan support among the Senate who voted to confirm her (96-4) as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.
  • She is well-educated with a degree in accounting from Clemson University which she put to use in a variety of businesses.

Bottom line …

If I read the tea leaves correctly, this is a classic Trump putdown of someone (Haley) who is getting favorable media attention and is relatively independent of the need to slavishly praise Trump at every media opportunity. 


“Nullius in verba”-- take nobody's word for it!
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