Month: March 2022

Defense Firms Whine

The purveyors of destruction are whining about the possibility they will be paying their taxes….

Defense companies are warning investors they could owe billions of dollars in additional taxes this April unless Congress repeals or defers a law that would tax research and development expenses.

Some say it will discourage American companies from making research-and-development investments at a time when the U.S. is increasingly competing with China both militarily and commercially.

“We firmly believe, and everybody we talk to in Washington understands, it is bad public policy,” Raytheon Technologies CEO Greg Hayes said Wednesday at a Barclays investment conference. “It discourages investment in innovation.”

Companies have been able to write off R&D expenses since 1954, but the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act requires companies to begin claiming R&D expenses on their taxes. The annual claims must be spread over a five-year period beginning in 2021. 

“The requirement for companies to capitalize and amortize R&D expenses amounts to a significant tax increase, which will negatively impact innovation,” the National Defense Industrial Association, a trade group that represents more than 1,500 large and small firms, said in a recent assessment of the defense industry.

https://www.nextgov.com/cio-briefing/2022/02/defense-firms-brace-billions-dollars-new-taxes-and-hope-congressional-relief/362494/

Seriously?

Since 9/11 the defense industry has generated $7.35 trillion in revenue.

Gone are the days when most of the defense budget was spent directly on soldiers. Since 9/11, war has become “modernized” — which means it’s fought with extremely expensive weapons bought from highly profitable private-sector companies.

Then there are those attractive packages for the industry’s CEOs…..

A Project On Government Oversight analysis of executive compensation at the top five Pentagon contractors – Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon – found that the average compensation package of a CEO at one of these firms was approximately $21.5 million last year, according to the firms’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Total compensation is the sum of base salary, bonuses, stock awards, option awards, incentive compensation, deferred compensation (including changes in pension value), and all other compensation.

Sorry for the wandering diatribe but my point is that the taxpayer is basically subsidizing these packages…..

A Project On Government Oversight analysis of executive compensation at the top five Pentagon contractors – Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon – found that the average compensation package of a CEO at one of these firms was approximately $21.5 million last year, according to the firms’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings. Total compensation is the sum of base salary, bonuses, stock awards, option awards, incentive compensation, deferred compensation (including changes in pension value), and all other compensation.

Publicly held U.S. corporations, ranked by DoD contracts CEO pay, 2020 Pentagon contracts, 2020
LOCKHEED MARTIN $23,360,369 $75,212,351,608
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES $19,407,572 $27,405,894,269
GENERAL DYNAMICS $19,328,499 $21,842,409,577
BOEING $21,074,052 $21,737,405,195
NORTHROP GRUMMAN $20,807,144 $12,334,259,578
HUNTINGTON INGALLS INDUSTRIES $6,440,417 $7,786,450,023
HUMANA $16,489,639 $6,922,421,962
L3HARRIS TECHNOLOGIES $15,452,653 $6,165,347,736
GENERAL ELECTRIC $73,192,032 $4,408,978,372
LEIDOS HOLDINGS $12,319,624 $3,127,617,234
CENTENE $24,956,777 $3,108,731,869
MCKESSON $15,435,470 $2,847,873,788
OSHKOSH $8,106,122 $2,497,907,347
SAIC $6,936,702 $2,379,197,494
FLUOR $11,236,632 $2,320,386,199
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON $8,095,433 $2,308,782,906
AMERISOURCEBERGEN $14,295,140 $2,143,834,610
AECOM $9,320,888 $1,971,579,509
TEXTRON $17,770,781 $1,964,808,269
KBR $9,864,381 $1,963,741,418
TOTAL $353,890,327 $210,449,978,961
AVERAGE

My point is if they can find the cash to pay these CEOs millions then they can find the  cash to pay their damn taxes….I have to then they should also.

CEO pay is obscene…..Taxpayers should not have to subsidize sky-high compensation levels for military contractor CEOs that perpetuate the profit motive for war.

When will enough be enough?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Ukraine–Day 18

This series is for those readers that do not have unlimited time to look at the conflict between Ukraine and Russia…..SOF News can help……

Russian Campaign Update. Russia continues to occupy three major Ukrainian cities – Kherson, Melitopol, and Berdyansk located in southern Ukraine. Mariupol on the coast of the Sea of Azov is encircled. The Russians have made some limited progress advancing from the east to Kyiv. Some small gains were made moving north from Crimea along the western bank of the Dnieper River. The Ukrainian counterattacks and ambushes against the Russian lines of communication in northeast Ukraine is hindering the logistics effort. Some news reports indicate that Putin has fired some of his top generals and others say that high ranking members of the intelligence community have been arrested.

Russian Wounded. Many wounded Russian soldiers are being evacuated to Belarus. There has been a constant flow of convoys of ambulances in the border area heading north. They are being taken to a hospital in Mazyr, a city in southern Belarus. Read more in “Russia Evacuates Wounded Soldiers to Belarus as Its Casualties in Ukraine War Rise”, The Wall Street Journal.

Russian Dead. The bodies of dead Russian soldiers are being brought by truck to Mazyr, Belarus and then sent home to Russia by train or plane. The morgues in Homel and Naroulia are also filled up. U.S. officials have estimated that several thousand Russian soldiers have been killed so far in the weeks-long war. “Bodies of Russian Soldiers Filling Up Belarusian Morgues, Residents Say”, Radio Free Europe, March 13, 2022.

Advance From Brest? There are indications that the Russians and / or the Belarus might push southward into western Ukraine from Brest, Belarus to interrupt the lines of communications running east – west across Ukraine. This would cut off supplies of weapons from western nations transiting across the border toward the central part of Ukraine in the vicinity of Lviv.

Fight for the Skies. The Russians are flying a couple of hundred sorties a day. However, most of them are not over Ukrainian airspace and are lobbing long-range missiles from inside Russian airspace. This is due to the air defense capabilities of the Ukrainians. The Ukrainians are flying infrequently because of the the Russian surface-to-air missiles that are in many locations of Ukraine. (Defense One, Mar 11, 2022).

Maritime Activities. No significant maritime activities have taken place in the past few days.

Kyiv. The capital city of Ukraine is considered the primary objective of the Russians. The Capture of Kyiv would allow Russia to put in place its puppet government. The Russian army is in the northern outskirts of the city and control the Antonov / Hostomel airport located to the northwest of the Kyiv. The city currently has electricity, gas, food, and water. There is enough food for the 2 million residents who have stayed in the city to last two weeks. The situation on the ground around Kyiv remains somewhat static. (view SITMAP of Kyiv).

Kharkiv. The second largest city of Ukraine is Kharkiv located in the northeast of the country. It is not yet encircled and the Ukrainians are putting up a strong defense. There is the possibility that Kharkiv could be cut off from the center of Ukraine – losing the ability to be resupplied.

Mariupol. Located on the Sea of Azov, the coastal city of Mariupol is under siege by the Russians. This city is situated along the coastal road network that would provide Russia with a land bridge between Russia and the Crimea. The mayor of the city says it can hold out until May 17th. The Ukrainian military is in no position to relieve the city as it is committed to defending too many other areas. Russian forces advanced into the eastern outskirts of Mariupol on Saturday. Humanitarian corridors continue to be interdicted by Russian forces.

Mykolayiv. Located on the west bank of the Dnieper River close to the coast of the Black Sea, Mykolayiv is a strategic objective for the Russians that is on the road to Odessa located further west along the coast of the Black Sea. Odessa is secure for now and the risk of an amphibious assault seems to have subsided for the moment.

Western Ukraine. The Yavoriv Military Range near the western city of Lviv suffered up to 8 missile strikes in the early morning hours of Sunday (Mar 13). The attack on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center is 20 kilometers away from the Polish border and 30 kilometers northwest of Lviv. At least nine are dead and 57 more were injured. This is the most western attack since the Russians invaded Ukraine. Reports indicate that the missiles were launched from Saratov, Russia. (The New York Times, Mar 13, 2022). (subscription)

Refugees. Currently 2.5 Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries to the west of Ukraine. There are about 1.8 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have fled to western Ukraine. The evacuation route from the city of Sumy in northeast Ukraine was open on March 12th, with about 8,000 people able to flee.

Situation Maps. The Institute for the Study of War provides a daily map and assessment update. The War Mapper has posted its SITMAP for March 13, 2022.

UNCN. The Ukraine NGO Coordination Network is an organization that ties together U.S.-based 501c3 organizations and non-profit humanitarian organizations that are working to evacuate and support those in need affected by the Ukraine crisis. https://uncn.one

Russian Intel Officers Arrested. After a dismal two week performance in Ukraine, Putin has suddenly launched another surprise attack. This time against the Fifth Service of the Federal Security Service (FSB). The leadership has been placed under house arrest for providing poor intelligence ahead of Russia’s non-stuttering invasion. The Service of Operative Information and International Relations Service has seemed to have told Putin what he wanted to hear instead of what he needed to hear. “Putin Places Spies Under House Arrest”, Center for European Policy Analysis, March 11, 2022.

Russian Logistics. Alex Vershinin, a retired U.S. Army LtCol with time in armor units, describes some of the logistics challenges that Russia is experiencing at the moment. He says that the initial thrust into Ukraine sucked up the fuel and supplies that the invading forces had on hand. But he believes in time the logistics system will catch up . . . especially once the railheads are established within Ukraine. “Russia’s Logistical Problems May Slow Down Russia’s Advance – But They Are Unlikely To Stop It”, Modern War Institute at West Point, March 10, 2022.

Video – Learning to Use the NLAW. In Kyiv, instructors are giving last minute training to members of the 112th Territorial Defense Brigade in preparation for the defense of the capital city. Watch this video of the training on the NLAW. “Kyiv Volunteers Get Last-Minute Training on Powerful Anti-Tank Weapons”, Radio Free Europe, March 11, 2022, 5 minutes.

Javelin Anti-Tank Missile. One of the more potent anti-armor weapons is the Javelin anti-tank missile. The weapon locks onto the target’s thermal picture. It has a ‘fire and forget’ feature that improves the crew’s survivability. Read an excellent article that provides a detailed description and graphics on the Javelin. “What to know about the role Javelin antitank missiles could play in Ukraine’s fight against Russia”, The Washington Post, March 12, 2022.

Russian Cluster Bombs. Civilian deaths in the cities of Ukraine are climbing daily as a result of indiscriminate firing by the Russians of artillery, rockets, and missiles into residential areas. One of the more deadly weapons are the cluster munitions – a type of weapon that will deploy a large number of smaller sub-munitions over a target. More than 100 countries have banned their use and signed up to the Convention on Cluster Munitions. “These are the Cluster Munitions Documented by Ukrainian Civilians”, Bellingcat, March 11, 2022.

Serbia – Staying Friends. Russians wanting to travel can fly direct from Moscow to Belgrade. There are about 15 flights a week by Ari Serbia. Travelers can then travel onward to their final destination from Belgrade. Top destinations are France, Switzerland, Cyprus, and Italy.

Russia and China – Sharing Lies. The men who lead Russian and China have been spending some nurturing their relationship. This deepening friendship is driven in part by a perception that the United States is constraining their interests. So naturally they are collaborating on the narratives they supply to their domestic audiences and to the world at large. David Bandurski, the co-director of the China Media Project, provides the details in “China and Russia are joining forces to spread disinformation”, Tech Stream, Brookings Institute, March 11, 2022.

Ukrainian Journalists. Life has changed dramatically for the reporters in Ukraine. They have adapted their work practices and location. Read more in “What It’s Like for Ukrainian Journalists Reporting on the War in Their Country”, Time, March 6, 2022.

From Cold War to Hot War. George Beebe, a former chief of CIA’s Russia’s analysis team, believes we could very well see ourselves in conflict with Russia. He believes that diplomacy is the only way to end the Ukraine crisis. Unless we follow that path he argues we are unlikely to find ourselves in a new Cold War. We may instead be in a very hot one. “Raging Toward the Abyss with Russia”, National Interest, March 11, 2022.

Supplying Weapons to Ukraine. There has been a lot of debate about the supplying of weapons to Ukraine by NATO and other countries of the world. Some critics worry that this support violates the law of neutrality – that it might be an act of war. A couple of law professors take a keen eye to this question and provide us with an answer in “Supplying Arms to Ukraine is Not an Act of War”, Just Security, March 12, 2022.

The Big Picture. Michael Kofman, the director of Russia studies at the nonprofit research organization – Center for Naval Analyses – is interviewed on the recent modernization of the Russian army, the false expectations of the Russian leadership, and the likely end result of the war. He says that a series of strategic missteps has hampered Putin’s campaign. “The Russian Military’s Debacle in Ukraine”, The New Yorker, March 11, 2022.

Keep the Weapons Flowing. Stephen Biddle, a professor at Columbia University, provides the argument for continuing the transfer of weapons to the Ukraine military. While it may not stop Russia from occupying Ukraine it will certain make it costly for them. And it will raise the cost of Russian aggression in other countries. “Arming Ukraine Is Worth the Risk”, Foreign Affairs, March 11, 2022.

For all those inquiring minds.

I Read, I Write, You KNow

“lego ergo scribo”

Spring Forward (Again)

Warning:  The included video uses hard language that some may find offensive…so if expletives offends your sensibilities then by all means do not read and move on.

Here we go yet another year…..

It is that time again….when a government mandate gives Americans jet lag twice a year….daylight savings time.

Personally I think this is the biggest waste of time (no pun intended) that accomplishes nothing but confusion and chaos.

Where did this stupidity begin?

Actually we can lay some of the blame on Ben Franklin…..

Benjamin Franklin gets some credit for the idea of daylight saving time, though his recommendation was really a joke.

In a letter to the editor of the Journal of Paris, Franklin jokingly recommended the people get out of bed earlier in the morning to minimize the use of candles and lamp oil.

He never even mentioned setting clocks back or forth.

In 1895, George Hudson, an entomologist from New Zealand, came up with the modern concept of daylight saving time. He proposed a two-hour time shift so he’d have more after-work hours of sunshine to go bug hunting in the summer.

Hudson suggested moving clocks ahead two hours in October and then a two-hour shift back in March.

In 1905, William Willett, a British builder, suggested moving clocks ahead 20 minutes every Sunday in April and then setting them back every Sunday in September. That’s eight time changes every year!

What about here in the US?

In the United States, daylight saving time was first used in 1918 when a bill introduced the idea of a seasonal time shift. It lasted seven months before the bill was repealed.

During World War II, President Franklin Roosevelt re-established the idea of daylight saving time. It was called “War Time.”

War Time began in February 1942 and lasted until the end of September 1945.

In 1966, the Uniform Time Act of 1966 established the idea of regulating a yearly time change. Daylight saving time would begin the last Sunday in April and end the last Sunday in October.

During the 1973 oil embargo, the United States Congress ordered a year-round period of daylight saving time to save energy. The period would run from January 1974 to April 1975. The plan did little to save energy and in October 1974, the U.S. switched back to standard time.

From 1987 through 2006, daylight saving time started the first weekend in April, running through the last weekend in October.

Now you know where this wasted stupidity began and who we can blame for our confusion.

I cuss this day every year….and start my vigil waiting for a return to normal time.

But what are the benefits?

This is the propaganda to keep it…..

  1. Saving Energy. During DST, the sun sets later in the day. This means people don’t need to use as much electric lighting in the evenings. It also rises later in the morning, but that doesn’t matter because the days are so long. By the time most people get up, the sun has already risen.
  2. Preventing Traffic Accidents. The time shift means that people do more of their driving in daylight. The DOT claims this reduces the number of accidents because people can see better.
  3. Reducing Crime. Crimes are more likely to take place when it’s dark out. The change to DST means people are more likely to be out and about during daylight, when crime is less common.

I have not seen these ‘good’ reasons to keep it in my region….have you?

Then there are the side effects of DST…..

Depression. Studies in other countries show that the switch to DST can make people depressed. A German study, published in Economics Letters, found that people’s mood and life satisfaction drop for about a week after the switch. An 2008 study in Sleep and Biological Rhythms found that in Australia, suicide rates rise in the weeks following the switch to DST. A BBC News story from 2011 reports that Russian officials noted the same problem, but in the fall rather than in the spring. As a result, Russia decided to stop setting its clocks back and use DST all year.

Heart Attacks. Several studies show that the number of heart attacks rises when DST starts. For example, a 2008 study in the New England Journal of Medicine looked at heart attack rates in Sweden dating back to 1987. It found that during the first week of DST, the rate was about 5% higher than normal. A 2010 study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham found an even bigger effect: Heart attack risk increases by 10% in the first two days after the switch to DST – and then drops by 10% after the switch back in the fall.

Activity Level. Some people argue that extra daylight in the afternoon is good for our health because it encourages us to be more active. However, studies suggest this doesn’t really work. A 2014 study in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity measured the activity level of children in nine countries before and after the time change. It found that European and Australian children only increased their outdoor play time by about two minutes for each extra hour of daylight – and American children didn’t increase it at all. A 2014 study of American adults in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health also found no increase in physical activity during DST.

Lower Productivity. The loss of sleep right after the switch to DST in spring tends to make us less productive at work. A 2012 study in the Journal of Applied Pyschology shows that workers spend more time “cyberloafing” – that is, surfing the Internet instead of working – on the Monday after DST starts.

Problems for Farmers. There’s a common myth that DST was started to give farmers more hours of daylight for their work. In reality, most farmers oppose DST because it messes with their schedules. Having less light in the morning gives them less time to get their crops ready to go to the market. And for dairy farmers, it’s difficult to deliver the milk an hour early, because cows prefer to be milked at the same time each day.

Time Spent Resetting Clocks. Every time we switch to or from DST, we have to spend about 10 minutes resetting all our clocks. That’s 10 minutes we can’t devote to more productive activities. 10 minutes isn’t much, but multiply it by all the people in the country and it adds up. According to the American Enterprise Institute, just the act of changing our clocks costs our country about $2 billion a year.

Effects on Spending. There’s one group of people that DST is definitely good for: our nation’s retailers. It turns out that when people have extra daylight at the end of the work day, they’re more likely to go shopping. Businesses involved in outdoor sports, such as golf, are also happy about the time change. Michael Downing, a professor at Tufts who wrote a book on DST, says the golf industry lobbied hard for the expansion of DST back in 1986. Since it passed, the industry has been earning an extra $400 million each year.

There you have your answer…..profits…..is why this waste of time (no pun intended again) exists.

Commerce makes billions off an unpopular idea and after all that is all that counts, right?

You know Biden could end this nightmare with the stroke of a pen……but he does nothing….but then I would no expect a politician that makes millions off this in donations to do anything.

As frustrating as this issue has become….I will let Lewis Black give my feelings on ‘daylight savings time’…..

Warning:  Harsh language to come.

Have a day my friends….

Be well….Be safe….

“lego ergo scribo”

Ukraine–Day 17

AS the weekend begins Ukraine is still the number concern of the world…..looks like the chance of a solution through diplomacy is a bust (for now)…..

SOF News looks at the day in Ukraine…..

Russian Campaign Update. The Russians have expanded their aerial attacks against more cities across Ukraine. The large city of Dnipro in central Ukraine and Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk in western Ukraine were attacked by aircraft and missiles. The Russians have not made any significant advances in the past 48 hours; although they have stepped up their attacks over the March 11th period. A senior defense official held a ‘background briefing’ at the Pentagon on Friday, March 11, 2022 providing some details on the tactical situation on the ground in Ukraine.

And Belarus? There are a significant number of forces gathered around the Brest region. There is always the possibility that Belarus forces could move from that area (located in southwest Belarus) south into western Ukraine to cut off the supply routes of weapons being sent by Western nations. Something to keep an eye on.

Fight for the Skies. Two airfields in western Ukraine, Lutsk and Ivano-Frankivsk, were hit by long-range missiles. There have not been many attacks against targets in the west. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense reported earlier today that Russia launched two airstrikes inside Belarus. It is believed that this will be used as an incident to prompt Belarus to enter the conflict. Ukraine is looking for more air defense weapons from the West.

Kyiv. The capital city of Ukraine is considered the primary objective of the Russians. The Capture of Kyiv would allow Russia to put in place its puppet government. Russian forces are slowly moving forward in their positions. It is believed that the Russians will attack the capital city of Kyiv in the next several days. It is anticipated that the city will be encircled in the next two weeks and that the battle for the Ukrainian capital could take one month. Heavy fighting is occurring in the areas outside of Kyiv – including Bucha, Irpin, and Hostomel.

Kharkiv. The second largest city of Ukraine is Kharkiv located in the northeast of the country. It continues to be under heavy shelling but Ukrainian forces are holding the city.

Mariupol. Located on the Sea of Azov, the coastal city of Mariupol is under siege by the Russians. This city is situated along the coastal road network that would provide Russia with a land bridge between Russia and the Crimea. The city is considered to be completely cut off by the Russians – and has been for probably a week. Food, fuel, and water are extremely short and the humanitarian condition is dire. Mass graves are now being used in the city. The Russians failed to occupy this city in 2014; so they will likely want to ensure that they get control of this strategic city this time around.

Mykolayiv. Located on the west bank of the Dnieper River close to the coast of the Black Sea, Mykolayiv is a strategic objective for the Russians that is on the road to Odessa located further west along the coast of the Black Sea. The Russians are continuing their efforts to encroach further into the city limits. Several buildings were on fire as a result of shelling in the past 24 hours.

Dnipro. This city along the Dnieper River has been receiving early morning aerial attacks the last few nights. It will likely be a Russian target in the weeks to come.

Refugees. Are the European countries getting to the stressing point on receiving Ukrainian refugees? They have taken in 2.5 million over the past two weeks. How many more can they take in before things become problematic? Warsaw and Krakow are full and the train stations are maxed out. Check out this map to see where the refugees are going. There are about 1.8 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine.

Negotiations – Nothing Achieved. Russia seems intent on a military solution for Ukraine – despite the death of Russian soldiers on the battlefield, stiff resistance by Ukraine, the heavy costs to Russia’s economy, and the plummeting stature of Russia in the opinion of the world. The high-level talks in Turkey held on Thursday confirm that the Russians have firm goals in sight and feel that they can achieve all of their strategic objectives. “Talks Stall as Russian Army Besieges Ukrainian Cities”, National Interest, March 12, 2022.

Maps of Conflict. This map by David Batashvili provides a graphic display of the front line positions and axes of advance of the Russians in Ukraine. The Institute for the Study of War has posted its Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment for March 11th. It includes a good graphic of the disposition of forces in Ukraine. Euromaidan Press (UA) has posted its March 12, 2022 SITMAP. The UK Ministry of Defence has posted an updated (Mar 12th) situation map.

MiG-29 Fiasco. The U.S. decision to deny 28 Polish fighter jets to Ukraine is putting the spokespersons for the White House, Department of State, and Department of Defense into a difficult position. They are attempting to explain why Poland sending MiG-29s to Ukraine is ‘a good idea’ but that the U.S. receiving the jet fighters from Poland at Ramstein Air Base and then sending them to Ukraine is ‘a bad idea’. President Biden personally vetoed the delivery of the jets. Vice President Harris was in Poland to ‘patch things up’. She sidestepped questions about the MiG-29s with reporters. “The Ukraine MiG-29 Fiasco Gets Worse”, The Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2022. (subscription).

Ukrainian Women in the Fight. About 15% of the Ukrainian armed forces are women. Since the invasion by Russia many more women are joining in the volunteer resistance groups as well. “Ukrainian women are showing the world what they’re made of in the fight against Russia”, Task & Purpose, March 9, 2022.

Google’s Air Raid Function. On March 10, Google announced its “Air Raid Alerts” system for Android. The firm is building a client into the OS for the government’s air raid alert system. The feature is available via Google Play Services. (ARS Technica, Mar 10, 2022).

U.S. Volunteers for Ukraine. Jeff Schogol writes about Americans who have a desire to assist Ukraine in the fight against Russia. “In search of a just war: Why American veterans are answering a call to serve in Ukraine”, Task & Purpose, March 9, 2022.

U.S. Vets on Urban Combat. Several U.S. combat veterans are interviewed on what Ukraine needs to do to defeat the Russians. “Urban combat veterans share lessons for Ukraine fight”, Military Times, March 11, 2022.

False Flag Activities? There are reports that Russia may attempt two separate false flag events in the near future. The first is an alleged bombing of villages in Belarus by Ukrainian aircraft. The second is an alleged terrorist act at the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant. The United Nations announced on Friday that it had no evidence Ukraine had a biological weapons program. Washington and its allies accused Russia of spreading the unproven claim as a possible prelude to launching its own biological or chemical attacks.

Media Platform Actions. The Tow Center, posted on the Columbia Journalism Review, is tracking actions taken by social media and news platforms against Russia. “A Platform and Publishers Timeline of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine”.

Russia’s Disinformation Campaign. Days after Russia invaded Ukraine, multiple social media platforms made moves to limit the activities of Russia’s info ops organizations. YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter announced measures to limit Russia’s disinformation activities. Platforms have become more adept at handling this disinformation flow since the interference by Russia in the 2016 U.S. elections. “Russia is having less success at spreading social media disinformation (for now)“, NiemanLab, March 9, 2022.

Russia’s Media – Going Off Message? There may be some cracks in the internal Russian propaganda machine. Russians are starting to question the invasion of Ukraine on the air. “Even Russia’s Kremlin-backed media is going off message and beginning to question Putin’s war on Ukraine”, Fortune.com, March 11, 2022.

Volunteer Evac Groups. A number of volunteer veteran organizations formed up in the chaotic days of the Kabul airlift in mid-August 2021 to assist Afghans attempting to get on the Kabul airport and catch an evacuation flight out of Afghanistan. Many of the volunteers from these Afghan Evac groups are now helping Ukrainians flee to the western border into neighboring countries. Read more in a article by Beth Bailey – “Afghanistan evacuation organizations use lessons learned to assist Ukraine refugees”, Washington Examiner, March 10, 2022.

Trade Relations With Russia. The European Union and the United States will be ending normal trade relations with Russia. Tariffs on Russian goods will be raised. It appears that Russia will soon be denied the ability to borrow money from institutions like the IMF and World Bank.

U.S. Weapons Assistance – Speeding up the Process? The process that the U.S. uses to pass on weapons to allies in times of crisis is laboriously slow and bureaucratic. However, it appears the Pentagon is taking steps to speed up the delivery of weapons to Ukraine with the reactivation of a special team that has accomplished this task in the past. “Pentagon revives team to speed arms to Ukraine and allies, sources say”, Reuters.com, March 11, 2022.

NATO Membership? The aim of Putin to enhance Russia’s strategic position versus the North Atlantic Treaty Organization seems to be backfiring. The invasion of Ukraine was to weaken the NATO alliance and improve Russia’s security position. It isn’t working out that way. Finland and Sweden, long neutral countries, are looking hard at the benefits of NATO membership. “Complex – but Promising – Prospects as Finland and Sweden Mull NATO Membership”, RAND Corporation, March 3, 2022.

Merchant Ships and Neutrality. The French recently seized a Russian merchant ship at sea, using the the sanction measures recently instituted as a legal mechanism. This detention raises some questions. During armed conflict, can neutral states seize belligerent merchant vessels on the high seas and retain their neutral status? Cmdr. Michael Petta, U.S. Coast Guard, is a professor of international law at the U.S. Naval War College. He provides his thoughts on this maritime legal issue. “The Seizure of a Russian Merchant Vessel Raises Questions about Neutrality”, Lawfare Blog, March 8, 2022.

A Slow Advance – No Surprise. Russia doesn’t wage war elegantly. It is slow and ponderous. The last few weeks in Ukraine have come as no surprise to some who study the Russian way of war. A former Marine Corps officer provides an analysis of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine through the U.S. military’s three Warfighting Factors (time, space, and force); and the six Warfighting Functions (command and control, intelligence, fire support, movement and maneuver, sustainment, and force protection). “A Marine special ops commander explains why Russia’s stalled advance in Ukraine is no surprise”, Task & Purpose, March 10, 2022.

Urban Combat – Not a Russian Thing. The combined-arms doctrine followed by the Russian army has generally advised against making cities primary objectives. It has the stance that if the enemy’s main force in the field is destroyed, then his cities will surrender. Putin’s plan for a quick defeat of Ukraine’s military in the field and the decapitation of the Ukraine government did not work out. Now his army must deal with the difficult task of combat in built-up cities. “Russia Doesn’t Train Troops for Urban Warfare. It’s About to Learn the Consequences in Ukraine”, Military.com, March 8, 2022.

Sanctioning Russia. Jane Vaynman and Tristan A. Volpe had done some heavy thinking when they wrote this article about the sanctions applied by Western governments and how they will influence the ‘off ramp’ that Putin may take . . . if he does. “Making Coercion Work Against Russia?”, War on the Rocks, March 11, 2022.

No Off Ramp? When the Russian invasion took place two weeks ago most national security observers predicted a quick victory by the Russians, a temporary cessation of the conflict, and a period of negotiations. However, the stiff resistance by the Ukrainians has resulted in an outpouring of support for Ukraine, significant punitive action (sanctions, financial measures, etc.), and rapid resupply of needed defensive weapons to Ukraine. So now it appears that Ukraine and Russia are in for a long, hard slog with no end in sight. “No off-ramps: U.S. and European officials don’t see a clear endgame in Ukraine”, The Washington Post, March 10, 2022.

Understanding Putin’s Decision to Invade. Western governments are trying to determine why the Russian president decided to invade Ukraine. Perhaps, despite the months long posturing about Ukraine, he didn’t really plan to invade? Chris Harrington notes that after the Russians moved ‘peacekeeping forces’ into the two separatist regions of Ukraine, there was a partial mobilization of reservists in Ukraine. Drawing on parallels to the mobilizations of World War I, he suggests that Putin reacted to the mobilizations and went on the offense before his Russian army was ready. “Why Putin Pulled the Trigger”, Georgetown Security Studies Review, March 8, 2022.

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Saturday’s News Dump

The Ukraine conflict has moved many slow moving news stories to the back page…..this is just my way to show that there is still news…..just not the news that the MSM finds marketable…..

During the Olympics I wrote about the cross country skier and his bout with a ‘frozen penis’…..

Closing Thought–23Feb22

The question was asked….Is this dangerous?

A frozen penis is a rare side effect of sport, but for athletes at the Winter Olympics, it seems nothing’s off the cards. A recent race at the Beijing Games ended in exactly that for a cross country skier, who survived freezing winds and was eventually able to regain feeling, only to be rewarded with terrible pain.

The unfortunate incident occurred during what was meant to be the men’s 50 kilometer mass start skiing race. It had been delayed for fears the weather was getting a little nippy even for winter sports, but eventually went ahead at a shorter distance of 30 kilometers.

Perhaps not quite such a torturous test of endurance as the original race length, but it proved to be a challenge for heat-sensitive penises all the same.

Cross country skier Remi Lindholm, representing Finland, perhaps felt this more so than anyone, speaking candidly of the grueling experience:

https://www.iflscience.com/health-and-medicine/frozen-penises-at-the-winter-olympics-is-it-dangerous/

AS a former cross country skier I never thought about this…..but now……

The newest trend of ‘plant-based’ anything…..but what about us meat eaters?

The newest trend in-waiting….cell cultured beef…..

“We are changing the paradigm. We are detaching the meat from the animal.” Of course, that is essentially what butchers have always done, but it carries different meaning coming from Dr. Uma Valeti, cardiologist and cofounder of Upside Foods, a prototype lab/restaurant specializing in cell-cultured chicken. New York Times food writer Kim Severson’s taste review was ambiguous. “I sampled a slightly grainy chicken pâté,” she writes. “Generous seasoning masked the flavor of the meat.” However, professional tasters and other panelists in this YouTube of the “World’s First Cultivated Meat Blind Tasting” were fooled by the taste, texture, and smell. One called it “a historical moment.”

Still, it is downright hard to make it sound appealing. That has been a core problem for tissue engineers and their marketing teams ever since the “Burger Professor” of Maastricht University introduced a patty grown from cow stem cells in 2013. His $375,000 price tag was another problem at the time. Costs are way down now, but production remains relatively flat on a global scale. Singapore is the only country to grant regulatory approval. The FDA is writing rules. Global investors are not waiting, however, including ADM, which bet $347 million recently and happened to change its motto to “Unlocking Nature, Enriching Life.” Analysts with McKinsey say the industry could grow to $25 billion by 2030 (compared to $1.4 trillion for the meat industry).

In an interview with Modern Farmer,investor Rahim Rajwani of Atelier Meats remains confident, saying, “I think the ick factor goes away strictly through education and, ultimately, through taste profile.” The biggest selling point involves the enormous environmental impact of the actual meat industry, which accounts for 60 % of greenhouse gas emissions from food production, per the Guardian. That is why investors are betting on cell-cultured meat, but not everyone is eager to give up the traditional approach to “detaching the meat from the animal.” The Times notes potential issues around culture, ethics, health, and general unintended consequences stirring a nascent anti-lab-meat movement. Furthermore, the jury is still out on the environmental impacts, per this Vox report.

Sorry but that just sounds icky to me.

This story is just sick.

It seems that a GOP candidate when talking about rape said he would tell his daughter to ‘enjoy the ride’….

A Republican candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives who was campaigned against by his own daughters during 2020’s election season has made new remarks they’re also sure to dislike. The conversation on Sunday during a Facebook Live meeting of the Rescue Michigan Coalition, a group formed last year to “reclaim the lost liberties of the people of Michigan,” turned to election decertification, which is when Robert “RJ” Regan made a comment that drew immediate reaction from other guests on the show. “Having three daughters, I tell my daughters, ‘If rape is inevitable, you should just lie back and enjoy it,'” Regan said, drawing a shocked open-mouthed reaction from Amber Harris, a show attendee the Washington Post identifies as a Republican strategist.

Harris, who had to wait a few more minutes as Regan finished his comments, eventually got to weigh in on what he’d said. “Shameful,” she noted, adding that in terms of giving advice to his daughters along those lines, she’d say: “Don’t do that. Fight all the time.” Show host Adam de Angeli pointed out to attendees they were streaming live on YouTube, though “probably not for much longer after what Robert just said.” Both Dems and Republicans hit back immediately on the comment by Regan, who in the past has also called the pandemic “fake” and said that feminism is a “Jewish program to degrade and subjugate white men,” per the Post. “Offensive and disappointing,” Meshawn Maddock, the Michigan GOP co-chair, said. Carol Glanville, the Democrat who will face off against Regan in May after he earned the Republican nomination in an upset special-primary win last week, also weighed in.

“I am stunned that a person who wishes to hold public office would hold such beliefs,” she noted, per WXYZ. De Angeli was contacted by the outlet on Monday, and he said he believed Regan “misspoke” while trying to say that by not contesting the 2020 election, which Regan is an advocate for, it was akin to telling his daughters to sit back and enjoy being raped. “Maybe not the best analogy, but he was speaking extemporaneously,” de Angeli said. Regan himself spoke to Bridge Michigan after the controversial comment, insisting his remark meant only that “nothing is inevitable” and that he doesn’t use wording that’s as “smooth and polished” as other politicians. “I’m working on it,” he said. “The only reason the [politically] left trolls attack you is because they know you’re directly over the target, dropping direct hits on an issue.”

Just how sick is this SOB?

A short list of the stories you missed…..hope they were to your liking….

Be Well….Be Safe….

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“lego ergo scribo”

Ukraine–Day 16

Felt good to have a day away from the craziness….but it did leave gaps for my readers….for that I am sorry.

Much of the news is the same…..explosions….refugees…..NATO contradicting itself……and now a missing convoy……

Russian Campaign Update. The Russians have failed to reach the initial goal of quickly subduing Ukraine. Two weeks into Russia’s attempted conquest has yielded a quagmire that will require many more troops to get out of. The Russians are now bogged down in a war of attrition. The conflict has gone from a war of movement to one of urban conflict – with the Russians using siege tactics with their reliance on artillery and rocket assaults. The Center for European Policy Analysis provides an update on the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Putin’s Invaders Stall”, CEPA, March 9, 2022.

There are many reports of civilian casualties in cities being caused by the Russians who are employing explosive weapons with a wide impact area. A March 9th article by Aljazeera outlines how Ukraine mobilized as a country while Russia overreached. In the last week or so there have been numerous articles on the Russians recruiting Syrians to fight for them in Ukraine.

Fight for the Skies. A constant theme in the world’s press about the Russian air force is how badly it has performed. There are many reasons advanced on why it has not been seen at strength in the Ukraine conflict. Thomas Newdick writes about the increasing questions about the competency and role of the Russian Aerospace Forces. “After an Abysmal Start, Here is How Russia’s Application of Airpower in Ukraine Could Evolve”, The Warzone, March 9, 2022. There has been a decrease in Russian air activity the past few days, most likely due to the Ukrainian air defenses. Kris Osborn writing in the Warrior Maven (Mar 3) asks “Why Can’t Russian Control the Sky?”. Ukrainian air activity has decreased as well.

The Drones. Russian electronic warfare (EW) capabilities may be hampering Ukrainian drone activities. There are numerous reports about the Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drone that has been causing some significant damage to Russian forces. However, the Ukrainians have their own drones as well – a reconnaissance drone called Spectre and an armed drone named the Punisher. “Ukraine’s small combat drone “The Punisher” destroys Russian supply lines”, Interesting Engineering, March 7, 2022.

Maritime Activities. A Russian ship that fired on a small Ukrainian coast guard garrison on Snake Island has been a target of Ukrainian shelling during an exchange of rockets recently on Monday. (New York Post, Mar 8, 2022). There are reports that amphibious ships off the coast of Odessa have returned to ports in nearby Crimea.

Ground Fight. As temperatures warm in the coming weeks the ground will begin to thaw out, in many instances turning into a muddy situation for those Russian vehicles attempting off road movement. The weather will continue to channelize Russian ground movement on roads.

And the Convoy? The Russian convoy (or groups of convoys) followed by the international press has made little progress over the past few weeks and has suffered from air attacks and ambushes. However, some reports indicate that it has dispersed, likely moving into the staging locations for a thrust into Kyiv. Maxar Technologies, a satellite imagery firm, says that parts of the convoy have ‘repositioned’ in forests, while other parts are now parked in roadways in residential areas. The convoy reportedly has reinforcements, supply, fuel, artillery, and food for the forward units of Russia.

Kyiv. The capital city of Ukraine is considered the primary objective of the Russians. The Capture of Kyiv would allow Russia to put in place its puppet government. Currently there are Russian forces to the west, northwest, and east of the city. The long Russian resupply column moving towards Kyiv has reportedly dispersed and the elements of the convoy are moving to frontline staging areas. Many national security observers anticipate a big push by the Russians for Kyiv in the next few days. More than half the city’s 4 million occupants have left the city.

Mariupol. Located on the Sea of Azov, the coastal city of Mariupol is under siege by the Russians. This city of 430,000 is situated along the coastal road network that would provide Russia with a land bridge between Russia and the Crimea. Some reports say the city is completely encircled by the Russians and it is under constant shelling. The humanitarian situation is dire. Humanitarian aid has not been able to reach the city for six days. Pictures posted by the news media and on social platforms show a lot of devastation in the city.

Kharkiv. The second largest city of Ukraine is Kharkiv located in the northeast of the country. The city continues to suffer from heavy Russian shelling; however the Ukrainians are putting up stiff resistance. An experimental nuclear reactor facility in Kharkiv was struck damaging the exterior of buildings and some laboratories.

Other Cities Under Attack. Located on the west bank of the Dnieper River close to the coast of the Black Sea, the city of Mykolayiv is a strategic objective for the Russians that is on the road to Odessa located further west along the coast of the Black Sea.

Graphic Assessments. The Institute for the Study of War provides a daily “Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment” and graphic map of areas controlled or under the influence of Russian forces. Read the one for March 10. View a graphic map depicting Ukrainian and Russian troop disposition for March 10th by @JominiW (Twitter).

Exodus from Ukraine. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reports that as of Thursday (Mar 10), 2.3 million refugees have departed Ukraine. The western city of Lviv currently has 200,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs). Other western cities are also hosting IDPs in the thousands. The U.S. Embassy in Ukraine issued a security alert entitled Ukraine Land Border Crossing Options (Mar 9, 2022). Many of the Ukrainians crossing the western border of Ukraine are arriving at the crossings on trains from the interior cities of Ukraine. An in-depth article describes the train operation in “On board the mobile command that’s keeping Ukraine’s trains running”, Business Insider, March 4, 2022.

Evacuation Routes. The ‘humanitarian corridors’ from Mariupol and Volnovakha remain completely blocked due to Russian fire. The Russians have proposed several evacuation routes that lead . . . to Russia.

Negotiations. Senior officials from the Russian and Ukrainian governments met in Antalya, Turkey on Thursday (Mar 10). No real progress was made. Russian demands include that Ukraine adopt a neutral status, recognition of Crimea as Russian, the entire Luhansk and Donetsk regions as independent, and the ‘demilitarization’ and ‘denazification’ of Ukraine.

Some Private Sector Help. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that so far, 20,000 volunteers from 52 different countries have signed up to serve in Ukraine in its International units. There are about 3,000 U.S. citizens who are taking that journey. A former Special Forces officer and ‘overseas contractor’, Mykel Hawke, is one of several individuals is interviewed about Americans ‘working’ in Ukraine. “Private military firms see demand in Ukraine war”, BBC News, March 9, 2022.

Bio Weapons Labs? The Kremlin is intentionally spreading outright lies that the United States and Ukraine are conducting chemical and biological weapons activities in Ukraine. The Russian claims are a false pretext to justify its invasion of Ukraine. The U.S. State Department has issued a statement disputing the Russian claims. “The Kremlin’s Allegations of Chemical and Biological Weapons Laboratories in Ukraine”, U.S. Department of State, March 9, 2022. (Shades of 2003?) See also “Russia and China Falsely Accusing Use of Biological Weapons Against Russians, Say Officials”, U.S. Department of Defense, March 10, 2022.

Anti-Propaganda Text Messages. Anonymous groups have gone on the offensive against Russia . . . sending text messages to millions of phones, hijacking camera feeds, and interrupting web services. (HS Today, Mar 9, 2022).

Failure of Russian’s IO Machine. For decades the Russian information operations machine has been eating the lunch of the western nations. However, something has gone amiss. A few critical errors have brought down Russian’s complex and objectively brilliant war of influence in the west. Tom Southern informs us on this topic in “The Spectacular Collapse of Putin’s Disinformation Machinery”, Wired, March 10, 2022.

Cyber Escalation? While the world is worried about an escalation between NATO and Russia resulting in nuclear weapons, it should also consider the effects of an increase in offensive cyber activities. Moscow may very well consider responding to the West’s support to Ukraine with an increase in cyber attacks. Jason Healey explores this topic in “Preventing Cyber Escalation in Ukraine and After”, War on the Rocks, March 9, 2022.

Shortwave Radios. Using lower transmission frequencies, shortwave radio signals can travel thousands of miles. This means news outlet like BBC can broadcast from a safe distance into a conflict zone without needing physical infrastructure. Low frequency signals reach into buildings and basements better, even when the transmitters are from far away. Shortwave radio receivers are power efficient, you can run a short-wave capable radio on car batteries for days. And wind-up or solar-powered shortwave radio receivers are available as well. Read more in “Shortwave radio in Ukraine: why revisiting old-school technology makes sense in a war”, The Conversation, March 9, 2022.

MiG-29s. The drama around Polish MiG-29s to be given to Ukraine has caused a bit of a black eye for the United States. Some question whether there are airbases in Ukraine that the MiGs can operate from. According to one article any highway will do. “Watch Fighter Jets Take Off and Land from a Freeway”, Popular Mechanics, May 26, 2016. U.S. defense officials testifying before Congress faced withering questions on Thursday (Mar 10) about the U.S. backtracking on Polish MiG-29s being transferred to Ukraine. “Frustrated lawmakers blast stalled transfer of European aircraft to Ukraine”, Defense News, March 10, 2022.

Starstreaks to Ukraine? Britain has been providing Ukraine with a variety of weapons to include numerous Next Generation Light Anti-tank Weponss (NLAW). Now you can add the Starstreak anti-air missile to that list of weapons. The Starstreak is a high-velocity missile designed to provide air defense against helicopters, low-flying fixed wing, and UAVs out to a range of 4 miles. There are vehicle mounted and lightweight shoulder fired configurations of the weapon. The weapons are coming from the UK’s weapons stockpiles. “Britain mulls giving ‘Starstreak’ air defense weapons to Ukraine”, Defense News, March 9, 2022.

Air Defense Weapons for Ukraine? With the debacle over the Polish MiG-29s fading in the news there are now reports that the Pentagon may come up with an alternative plan that would assist the Ukrainians in contesting ownership of the skies. The Stinger, Starstreak, and other short-range anti-aircraft missiles are taking a toll on Russian aircraft. However, larger, more sophisticated air defense systems are needed that will get above the 10,000 foot level. “U.S., Allies Look at Sending Soviet-Designed Air-Defense Systems to Ukraine”, The Wall Street Journal, March 10, 2022. (subscription). The Pentagon has said that Patriot missile systems would not be sent to Ukraine.

U.S. Aid Grows. The White House asked for $6.4 billion on February 25th to assist Ukraine and East European nations. This past week the aid package seems to have grown to over $13 billion. The bill includes about $6.5 billion for DoD, nearly $4 billion for DoS, and almost $3 billion for USAID. “Biden’s Ukraine aid package is getting super-sized by Congress”, Defense News, March 9, 2022.

Sweden Spending More on Defense. If Putin thought that invading Ukraine would in some way weaken NATO then he miscalculated. NATO is stronger than ever and ‘neutral’ countries like Finland and Sweden are being pushed ever closer to NATO. In addition, they are upping how much they spend on defense. “Sweden to Raise Military Spending Over Ukraine War”, The Defense Post, March 10, 2022.

Occupation with No Political Victory. Russia has misjudged how long the conquest of Ukraine will take. It hasn’t taken in account the costs of a long-term occupation. “Miscaluation and Myopia in Moscow: Understanding Russia’s Regime Change Folly”, by Benjamin Desnison, Modern War Institute, March 9, 2022.

Taking Out Putin. Many commentators have expressed the hope that Putin would be removed from office through a military coup, internal political forces, or other means. Sometimes mentioned are assassination attempts against Putin. A week ago Senator Lindsey Graham stated that the only way to end the conflict is to have Putin removed. There was a lot of moral outrage over his comments, but not a lot of discussion as to what actual effect Putin’s removal would have. Book author Brad Taylor examines this topic in “A Simple Primer on Counter-Leadership Targeting”, March 6, 2022.

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The Reporting On Ukraine

Note:  Since I wrote this draft for future posting the media has become a bit better at reporting this conflict.  I still think there is too much ‘unverified’ sources.

These are my thoughts and opinions on the quality of the reporting by the MSM on the Ukraine conflict.

As a consumer of the news and interested on the conflicts around the world I am dissatisfied with the quality of the news that is given to us mere mortals on the Ukraine/Russia conflict.

Let me explain why…..

The public is getting canned unverified information there is little to no actual fighting shown…..like the statement that 200 Russian soldiers have been captured….if so then why is the Ukrainians not trotting them out for propaganda purposes….a Ukrainian member of parliament stated that 5000 Russian soldiers have been killed and left rotting in the streets…where is the proof?

Then there is ‘Breaking News’ that is reported for hours…the same story…the same reporters….that is NOT breaking in my book.

Of course the Russians are just as bad they spread false news liberally.

I am not saying that all the news is crap….just that there should be a more concerted effort to tell the story beyond hearsay….quantity does not mean quality.

I fall back to the battle with ISIS…journalist pressed forward to get the real story and the real fighting….not so much in Ukraine….why?

The media keeps trying to make this situation worse….by comparing it to WW2.

We keep hearing the Ukraine crisis described as the “worst since WW II.” This is seems far-fetched given the number of dead (4 million) in the Korean War (which US refuses to end), Vietnam (2.5 million), and Iraq (2 million).

The journalists are doing their jobs as they are instructed to do….but somewhere there has to be someone that will say….”can we please used verified information”…..

The sanitizing of war by the media.

Showing destroyed buildings but the dead are put in a burred bubble…..war is the ultimate obscenity….it is brutal and ugly…..let the people see just how brutal it truly is and the human costs of any conflict.

Then there are there network pundits, so-called ‘experts’ that regurgitate the slogans and views of the groups they actually represent….. Big Time political commentator in the US have to be able to generate nonsense on-demand….and they are excelling at this….

The newest poll shows that 83% of the American people support Ukraine I can understand this figure by the quality of the news they consume….the bias that they are given by the MSM.

I am disappointed in the news coverage….CNN was on top of the beginning of Desert Storm and did some fabulous reporting but their news stories around this conflict is a pale shadow of their previous years.

Please someone explain these networks if the news is 12 hours old it is no longer ‘Breaking News’….it is just news.

I search various sources for info….Reuters, AJE, BBC, France24, DW….and I still cannot put together an accurate analysis of this conflict….so I will stick with my gut and my analysis.

Forf those that want to do their own research (I realize that there are few and far between)…..there are some ‘open source’ intel sites you can go to…..

Bellingcat – A leader in OSINT journalism known for painstakingly geolocating video and photo evidence, Bellingcat is tracking the use of cluster munitions in Ukraine and debunking dubious footage from the Russian invasion. The Twitter feeds of individual Bellingcat journalists including Christo Grozev and Aric Toler, among others, are also useful sources. 

Liveuamap – An interactive map that pins the locations of video and photo evidence of military movements, strikes, and other events. (A recent NYT story describes its history.)

The Centre for Information Resilience – With another mapmaking effort, CIR is working with Bellingcat and others to chart original source material of significant incidents in Ukraine. The group also frequently updates its Twitter account with its work geolocating footage from social media. 

Oryx – Orxy has worked to identify and track Russian equipment losses, including those destroyed by Turkish drones. They have a great Twitter account as well for updates.

Ukraine Weapons Tracker – This active Twitter account identifies Russian weapons and abandoned (and destroyed) vehicles. 

Satellite imagery companies – Several companies, including Capella Space, Planet and Black Sky have become a valuable source for journalists, researchers and governments seeking to track developments like Russian convoy movements from above.

Some of the reporting smacks of propaganda…..at least to my mind….

Is it propaganda?

Define and explained….so you decide unless of course you will accept crap as news.

What Is Propaganda?

Please do not think for a minute that I feel this war is a hoax….far from…..and the reporting is getting better but I still feel that more could be done.

What are your thoughts on the reporting?

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Ukraine–Day 15

The invasion and resistance rages on as the Ukrainians thwart ‘Vlad the Invader’s’ forces attempt to subjugate the nation of Ukraine.

But sadly I need to step back and deal with more family stuff today.

I will return tomorrow with more updates.

Hopefully I did not let anyone down…..thanx for your understanding.

Be Well……

The Mystery Of Those Polish Planes

About a week ago there was much buzz about Poland sending some of the Soviet era MiGs to Ukraine for their air defense against the forces of ‘Vlad the Invader’…..

Whatever happen to that idea?

The saga so far…..

Kamala Harris is in Warsaw Wednesday to thank Poland for receiving masses of Ukrainian refugees, reports the AP—and to mop up a late-developing diplomatic headache. The Polish government on Tuesday evening offered to hand over Soviet-era MiG-29 jets to the US, which would then give them to Ukraine. The Pentagon replied by calling the plan “not … tenable,” and it turns out Poland didn’t float the idea with the Biden administration before going public with it. The exchange was quickly branded as “a rare sign of disunity among NATO allies.” Context and analysis:

  • The Boston Globe explains that Vladimir Putin has made clear that if planes used by Ukrainians use a neighboring country’s base, it will view that country as being involved in the conflict. Should that country be a NATO member and should Russia retaliate with force, Article V of the NATO treaty would kick in. “It stipulates that an attack on one allied country is an attack on all of them.”
  • At the Guardian, Patrick Wintour writes the issue comes down to a subtle but crucial shift. The original idea the US put forth would have seen Poland supply Ukrainian pilots with its MiGs; the US would supply fighter jets to Poland to occupy the resulting gaps. With its Tuesday suggestion, Poland tweaked things so that it would have the appearance of a “US, NATO, or EU scheme but not a Polish one … [as] Poland felt the plan unduly exposed its citizens to Putin’s ire.”
  • As for why these planes, the AP provides some background: Soviet-made MiG-29 and Su jet fighters like those used by former Soviet-bloc NATO members Poland, Bulgaria, and Slovakia are what the Ukrainian air force uses; its pilots aren’t trained to fly US-made fighter jets. Polish pilots can fly those and sees the possibility of the US replacing whatever it directs toward Ukraine.
  • But that still leaves open the question of where the MiG-29s would be based (“it isn’t clear if Ukraine would be able to safely house and service them in the long run, given the warfare on its territory,” per the AP) and how to get them there. Polish pilots are NATO pilots, so flying them in would be a risky proposition. Poland’s Tuesday night offer would have seen the jets flown to the US air base in Ramstein, Germany.
  • Wintour’s take: “Russia retains air superiority. Ukrainian pilots who were being trained in Poland to fly the planes are now grounded with no machines with which to defend their country. An opportunity has been squandered.”
  • At the Telegraph, Nick Allen writes that Harris won’t just be tasked with smoothing things over, but also with working to find another method of getting planes into Ukrainian hands. He points out that Ukraine’s defense attache in Washington, Maj. Gen. Borys Kremenetskyi, reiterated that his No. 1 priority is strengthening his nation’s air defense: “It can be ground-based air-defense systems. It can be fighter jets. Whatever possible.”
  • CNN reports that prior to Harris’ morning departure, “intensive conversations” took place within the administration about how to coordinate with Poland in a way that would end up with Ukraine getting jets

Why is this such a sticking point, you may ask…well I can offer a small amount of help….

The Pentagon said Wednesday that the US does not support sending Polish warplanes to Ukraine since the move is too “high risk” and would not significantly improve Ukraine’s ability to fight Russia.

“We assess that adding aircraft to the Ukrainian inventory is not likely to significantly change the effectiveness of the Ukrainian air force relative to Russian capabilities. Therefore, we believe that the gain from transferring those MiG-29s is low,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

“The intelligence community has assessed the transfer of MiG-29s to Ukraine may be mistaken as escalatory, and could result in significant Russian reaction that might increase the prospects of a military escalation with NATO. Therefore, we also assess the transfer of the MiG-29s to Ukraine to be high-risk,” he said.

Earlier this week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Poland had the “green light” to send MiG-29 fighter jets to Ukraine despite the obvious risk of escalation with Russia. Poland responded by offering to send the aircraft to a US base in Germany, giving Washington the option to send the planes to Ukraine.

(antiwar.com)

Confused?

Join the club.  I have studied conflict for years and none of them make much sense because of treaties, agreements and BS….Ukraine is proving no different….just the most recent.

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Insurrection Update #25

A quick break from one conflict in Ukraine to an internal conflict here in the US…..

My series on the failed coup has hit some slow times but there are major news stories being generated around 06 January and the insurrection that was attempted….

The ex-president is being shown to have an active part in the violence of that day….

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol says it has evidence that then-President Donald Trump and his campaign “engaged in a criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States” and illegally attempted to obstruct the counting of electoral votes and certification of the 2020 election results in Congress. The committee made the allegations in a court filing Wednesday that is part of its attempt to persuade a judge to give the committee access to lawyer John Eastman’s emails, CNN reports. Eastman, a right-wing lawyer who was on the campaign team and allegedly involved in the Jan. 6 planning, has been claiming attorney-client privilege and sued to block the release of the emails, Politico reports.

In what is being called a “major” release of its findings and, per the Hill, the “most serious” accusations leveled against Trump so far, the panel submitted excerpts of almost a dozen depositions and laid out Eastman’s alleged efforts to plan a legal strategy justifying then-VP Mike Pence’s overturning of the election results, and his alleged continued pushing of Pence to do so even after the mob of rioters stormed the Capitol. Accused by Pence’s counsel of being to blame for the “siege,” Eastman responded, “The ‘siege’ is because YOU and your boss did not do what was necessary to allow this to be aired in a public way so the American people can see for themselves what happened.” The committee says Eastman knew he was asking Pence to violate the law, but carried on anyway.

Appears that one insurrectionist took the easy way out…..

A 37-year-old man awaiting sentencing for his role in the Capitol riot has died by suicide—and his family blames “the constant delays in hearings.” Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, resident Matt Perna was due to be sentenced April 1, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. In an obituary, his family said postponements had dragged the case out for more than a year. “Because of this, Matt’s heart broke and his spirit died, and many people are responsible for the pain he endured,” they said, among them “his community (which he loved), his country, and the justice system.” Perna was out on bail and the Mercer County Coroner’s office confirmed Tuesday that he died by suicide at his residence on Friday.

According to the Department of Justice, Perna was arrested on Jan. 19, 2021 and pleaded guilty to all four counts against him—including a felony count obstruction of an official proceeding—as part of a plea agreement on Dec. 17 last year. Prosecutors said Perna spent around 20 minutes inside the Capitol building during the Jan. 6 riot and posted a video on Facebook later that day, NBC reports. “It’s not over, trust me,” he said. “The purpose of today was to expose Pence as a traitor.” A person who knew Perna contacted the FBI after the agency shared his photo and asked for the public’s help.

In Perna’s obituary, his family said he went to Donald Trump’s Jan. 6 rally to “peacefully stand up for his beliefs.” “Matt’s family stood by him during this devastating ordeal, and are extremely proud of his passion for life and his pursuit of many dreams,” they wrote. “His actions last year are not looked down upon, instead his family is grateful and humbled by his courage.” They said Perna was “ushered in by police” and did not “break, touch, or steal” anything inside the building. A sentencing memo had not been filed in his case, but others who have pleaded guilty to the same felony obstruction count faced recommended sentences of more than two years, WUSA9 reports.

Apparently this is one criminal that will not “take a bullet for freedom”

Proud Boys leader is indicted on conspiracy charges…..

A federal grand jury on Tuesday indicted the leader of the right-wing Proud Boys on a conspiracy charge stemming from the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, the Justice Department announced.

Enrique Tarrio, 38, was arrested in Miami on a charge of conspiring to obstruct an official proceeding, a felony that federal prosecutors have brought against hundreds of Capitol riot defendants and carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 years in prison.

Tarrio is being charged alongside five co-defendants affiliated with the Proud Boys who were all indicted early last year and have since pleaded not guilt to an effort to “stop delay and hinder the certification of the electoral college vote.”

https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/597325-proud-boys-leader-indicted-on-conspiracy-charge-over-jan-6

Finally!  A major conviction of a moronic insurrectionist…..Guilty of ALL charges…..

Guy Wesley Reffitt was found guilty Tuesday of all five counts against him related to the Capitol riot, reports NBC News. In the first federal trial stemming from the Jan. 6 violence, Reffitt was convicted of storming the Capitol with a holstered gun, among other things. He faces serious jail time when sentenced, and the AP sees the guilty verdict as a potential “bellwether” for future riot cases.

  • The charges: He is charged with five counts, including obstruction of Congress, a charge originally meant to criminalize activities like tampering with documents or witnesses—defense lawyers tried to have it dismissed, arguing it was being taken too far, but judges are allowing a jury to decide, for the first time, whether it can apply to cases like this, the New York Times reports. That charge, the most serious, carries a sentence of up to 20 years, WUSA 9 reports. He is charged with four other felonies: two different civil disorder counts, being on restricted ground with a firearm, and obstruction of justice.
  • His kids are key witnesses: Two of the 49-year-old’s children will testify to the fact that he issued death threats should they turn him in, per WUSA 9. The obstruction of justice charge involves threats of physical force, which the 19- and 17-year-old kids will speak about, the station says, adding that recordings they made of him will be introduced as evidence. The 19-year-old is reportedly estranged from his family now.
  • Militia group: Another key witness will be an alleged fellow member of the Three Percenter militia group who authorities say traveled to DC from Texas with Reffitt; the witness was offered immunity in exchange for his testimony.
  • Setting the tone: As the Times explains in its look at the case, this trial will likely “set the tone” for dozens more that are scheduled to happen this year. “For the first time in a courtroom, [prosecutors] will present a broad portrait of the violent chaos that erupted that day and seek to persuade a jury that the pro-Trump mob that Mr. Reffitt is accused of joining struck at the heart of American democracy by disrupting the transition of presidential power.”
  • How long will this take? Jury selection is Monday, with opening arguments and testimony likely starting by Tuesday afternoon. The trial could last a week or longer, depending how long jury deliberations take.
  • Juror bias? Defense lawyers have argued that DC jurors will be biased against Jan. 6 defendants, and as such, judges will be closely watching for signs of bias, the Washington Post reports. “Reffitt’s prospective jurors Monday will be the subjects of a kind of trial-within-a-trial, scrutinized by both parties and the wider public, with potential ramifications for Capitol breach defendants to come.”
  • Jailhouse letter: Last week, Reffitt penned a defiant letter saying he’s ready to “receive the bullet of freedom,” WUSA 9 reports.

About damn time!

Time for these people to face the music that created….all should be put on the ‘no-fly list’…..there should be stiff penalties for their actions….I feel some are getting off too light for the participation.

We have a good news/bad news thing going on with hate groups….

As far as raw counts go, they’re down: In its annual report released Wednesday, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) said it recorded nearly 300 fewer hate groups in 2021 as compared to the year prior, logging 733, and about 80 fewer anti-government groups, logging 488 of those. But the Hill reports the SPLC made clear that a lower number doesn’t necessarily mean that what these groups espouse is on the wane. “Rather than demonstrating a decline in the power of the far right, the dropping numbers of organized hate and antigovernment groups suggest that the extremist ideas that mobilize them now operate more openly in the political mainstream,” reads the SPLC report.

Indeed, the report notes that most of those arrested over their alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack had no formal ties to right-wing groups. The SPLC report sees a pattern, noting that “the growth of a mainstream reactionary right-wing movement in 2021 is inextricably linked to the powerful racial justice movement that mobilized Americans in 2020.” It highlights similar parallels in US history: the formation of the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction, and the “massive resistance” to school desegregation the US witnessed during the civil rights era.

Like I said….good news/bad news…..

There will be more updates as long as there are trials for their part in the 06 January failed coup.

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