21st. century, war with no end in sight.

 TRUMP TRAPPED IN IRAN, MORE ENDLESS WAR

WEST SELF DESTRUCTS IN QUEST FOR  SUPREMACY 

 

It is becoming clear that Trump can not exit the latest Mideast war, just as his predecessors. The U.S. has had large numbers of assets in the region for more than a year and has been engaging in hostilities for over 4 months.  While there are a series of ceasefires and breaks, mostly to regroup and build up limited munitions, this war can now be expected to go on for the rest of Trump's presidency. Trump's domestic agenda is dead and it is now clear his enemies have prevailed. 

 

Trump has no choice but to stay and continue this war or go home, it is that simple. Either choice is viewed as a loss for the U.S. and for Trump personally. This is now Trump's war, in fact, Israel is content to keep killing in Lebanon, Gaza and the west bank, while Trump and the U.S. flounder around in Iran. A remarkable end to Trump's hope to "Make America Great Again" 

 

The same is happening in Ukraine, a U.S. project from the start, now a 4 year conflict, sapping the resources of all of western Europe and Russia and devastating Ukraine, with no end in sight. Europe bloviating about war with Russia in 2030, attempting to build a military to fight that war.  Maybe Russia will eventually believe them and decide, why wait until they actually build such an army and get it over with now? Incredibly they are encouraging German rearmament and encouraging transitioning their dying auto factories to transition to building weapons. Are they hoping they can have a redo of WW2 between Russia and Germany, they better be careful, who knows who a rearmed Germany would view as its biggest enemy.

 

In the U.S. we hear plans of transitioning auto plants for more war production. Do they now believe only massive war can save the economy? All these new armies both in Europe and the U.S. will need lots of warm willing  bodies. They may be harder to come by than more weapons, unless the world economy crashes and the military is the employer of last resort. 

 

While we hear of record numbers on wall street, mostly due to AI speculation, the real world lives on food and energy, both now expected to become far more scarce as war both in Russia and the gulf will cause diminished supplies. It now seems almost impossible to dodge that combined speeding bullet. 

 

One has to objectively ask, was Russia a real threat to the existence of Europe and U.S. and the same can be asked about Iran?  I suspect the biggest threat to both is the lust for  world domination that is likely to accomplish what neither Russia or Iran could.

 

 

 

Time to end ethanol in gas not increase it.

 TRUMP TO PUSH INCREASE IN ETHANOL IN GAS

DAMAGE TO ENGINES OFFSETS ANY SAVINGS 

 

It is being reported that both Trump and congress are going to push to increase ethanol in gas to 15%. They claim that it will reduce the cost of fuel, but I find that unbelievable. It  doesn't make sense that producing corn, fermenting it and then distilling it is cost effective for a fuel additive. An additive that makes small engine maintenance a costly necessity. It will also increase problems for all vehicles especially if not driven daily.

 

The reality is American farmers have now become addicted to ethanol subsidies and politicians view ethanol as a vote getter. It raises the cost of food and also increase maintenance cost to vehicles. 

 

I at one time was constantly disassembling the carburetors on all my small engines for cleaning, I have since switched to ethanol free fuel, at higher cost, and have not had any problems for years. If ethanol fuel is left in carburetors for an extended time they actually can destroy the carburetor.

 

While my vehicles seem to run OK, I have to wonder what the long term effects will be on those engines and fuel systems, especially when I do not drive every day. Raising the percent to 15 % is an obvious political ploy to gain votes, it has no redeeming value to vehicle owners or anyone who runs gas engines.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trump says done with MOU, but!

 U.S. RETALIATES FOR IRANIAN ATTACKS IN STRAIT

NEGOTIATIONS WILL CONTINUE 

 

During a press conference with the NATO head, Trump stated he was done with MOU with Iran and continued to label the Iranians as untrustworthy, despicable and that he doesn't like them. While all that may be true, we can expect negotiations to continue and that an all out breakout of war is unlikely.  In fact, the strikes on ships is a form of negotiation by Iran in making it clear that they do not expect to give up control of the strait of Hormuz. 

 

Rutte, the head of NATO praised Trump in a slavish manner in any way he could, hoping to gain support for the war in Ukraine, while Trump kept bringing up Greenland, desiring NATO support for its acquisition. Maybe Trump would support a trade of U.S. support in Ukraine for Greenland? 

 

Trump dismissed Netanyahu's desire that Trump not supply weapons to Turkey, now on Israels list of possible targets in the future. 

 

Everyone wants U.S. military support for their ambitions, support that is now stretched way beyond its real capabilities, both financially and materially.

 

While many still want a rekindled war with Iran it is increasingly unlikely as oil reserves globally continue to decline and Iran is unified in its position as never before. A return to all out war would lead to global economic crisis and also a possible negative military  result. It may just fester on as is for the foreseeable future. 

 

While the Ukraine war continues, it is unlikely that support for this war is without limits, even for the European NATO members.  We can expect no conclusions to be made anywhere for the rest of the summer.

 

 

 

 

Big questions about Charlie Kirk trial.

 FAMILY SAVED SUSPECTS LIFE

BULLET, RIFLE AND SUPPOSED CONFESSION 

 

The trial for the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk is now about to begin. While details about the evidence are being suppressed, as is the often the case, what is known raises a lot of questions. 

 

First the video that is supposed to show the shooter exit the the top of the building and is supposed to show a rifle, does not such thing, there is no rifle that is visible. We are also told that the rifle was disassembled and brought to the scene inside the pants of the suspect. This is a Mauser 98 with a scope mounted, very unlikely, especially for a thin person in jeans and shirt.

 

Then the bullet supposedly fired from a 30-06 at less than 150 yards.  The big question is not the shot, a relatively easy shot from a rested position, but the bullet failed to exit, almost an impossibility, unless it it some kind of special projectile. Slow motion video of a soft ball bulge on impact but a failure to exit is incomprehensible from any normal store bought ammunition for a 30-36. I have observed 100's of deer shot with everything from  6mm to large weapons and it is unlikely that any round from a 30-06 would not exit were Kirk was shot. In fact, videos of the entrance wound appear a lot large than .308 diameter more like 45 or larger. We are already hearing about strong bones and bullets do things that are not calculable, in fact, that is just the opposite, bullets of certain weight and density do very predictable things. Supposedly the empty case was still in the rifle along with other unfired rounds,  they can be compared.

 

We never heard about the diversions by several people in the audience during the shooting even claiming that they had shot Kirk.

 

Then there is the supposed emailed confession that seems to be very vague and its source is questionable.

 

We can speculate that his suspects family, by convincing him to turn himself in, have saved his life, at least to have a trial. It seems the suspect has not spoken or answered any questions, we can assume we will get to hear the other side of this story. It will be interesting to hear the explanations for these questions. 

 

If anyone in this jury has any serious experience with firearms  it is very possible to not get a guilty verdict in this trial. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Russia accelerates in Ukraine.

 RUSSIA ADVANCING ON ALL FRONTS

NATO MONEY WILL NOT BE ENOUGH 

 

It is clear that the Russia has stepped up its pressure in Ukraine. It started with massive aerial  attacks in most of eastern Ukraine, has put out of commission most of the gas stations, cut off energy supplies to Karkiv and is advancing at a quickening pace in every area of conflict. It is becoming clear that the internal pressure on Putin to get this conflict over with is having an effect.

 

While Ukraine continues to offer strong resistance, without some sort of game changing situation it now looks like it's days are numbered , even though this could go on for many more months. 

 

We can expect that this week's NATO meeting will be dominated by the Ukraine situation, we can expect to see calls for more money and more weapons, but what Ukraine needs is more manpower, it does seem that Ukraine is running out of manpower. One would expect that even mercenary soldiers may be hard to come by at this point.

 

While the EU countries continue to talk about war with Russia and increase spending on weapons, they have little in the way of manpower. We can expect that attempting to raise an army will be politically difficult with the fragile political environment. They also want a commitment from the United States before they attempt any intervention in Ukraine. The U.S. still has troops in the middle east and  a shortage of munitions, so it is doubtful that any real commitment is possible. 

 

It also appears that there are no real negotiations possible, it seems that most of the good will in negotiations in Ukraine have evaporated. it will most likely be some sort surrender that will end this war. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After 250 years, U.S. still best.

 BRAVE WISE MEN CHANGED HISTORY

OVERTURNED THE EXISTING ORDER

 

The men who declared independence from the feudal order of the British Empire started a world wide revolution that attempted to change the existing world order.  That spirit is still necessary as it continues to fight many of the same forces that still exist today. 

 

We have to conclude that the experiment that started those many years ago has been successful, the U.S. is still the best place for individuals to pursue their dreams and use their talents as free individuals.   

 

The constitution and the bill of rights is a remarkable document, that while continually under assault, it is still standing. These documents need the steadfast awareness of the citizens to make sure the spirit is preserved for the next generation.

 

We would do well to remember the admonitions of those brave men to beware of foreign entanglements and alliances that can sap the strength and vitality of the nation.  Those same issues are still with us today. 

 

The philosophy of "vote your pocketbook"  is a great danger to the nation as we have seen the results of massive deficit spending, something that the founders would never had tolerated. 

 

While the nation still stands, it has perils both from outside and inside that only a well informed and active citizenship can insure its continued existence. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supreme court's final decisions for the term.

 ONE IS REAFFIRMING STATE RIGHTS

ONE RULING ON PRECEDENT

 

The ruling concerning trans male athletes from participating in women's sports was a classic states rights ruling. It certainly was not an issue when the constitution was written and states rights is perfect for covering such matters.  It is probably the best ruling that the court could have agreed upon.

 

The birthright citizenship ruling seems to have been based on many years of precedent even if it is a bad precedent.  The 14th amendment was enacted in 1868 and was the direct result of abuses concerning freed slaves who often were denied citizenship in some states. The amendment ruled that everyone born in the U.S. was automatically a citizen. There was an ambiguous line stating, "subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S" The amendment clearly disqualified children born to foreign diplomats and occupying armies. 

 

In today's world, recognizing anyone born in the country even if here on vacation or illegally is not in the spirit of the original amendment.  This amendment was written way before the era of financial benefits linked to citizenship and is not practiced by any other country in the world. We can assume that court feared the complications of any change that has been practiced for near 200 years. It could have been possible for a  clarifying  ruling that exempted all before the present date from losing their citizenship. 

 

I suspect that this may not be the end of this effort to change birthright citizenship, either by amendment or another attempt with different court.