Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Suggested readings from Sept. 9, 2015

Note: Each block of text actually is a link to a story or a web page that I am commenting on. Click on that text and it will take you to the page being referred to.

More on the silliness of American politics, economics and government.

This retired Marine general officer hits the problem with women in combat directly on the head. When men and women can shit, shave and shower together without getting sexual fantasies going ... then it will work, but not until. Anything other will break down the intangibles that can't be measured but are essential for any military unit to be effective. By no means is this saying that women can't meet or exceed objective, measureable standards, but it is the intangibles that will make or break a unit in combat.

More on the Marine experiment on women in the infantry, armor and artillery ... trying to objectify what can't be really measured.

For those who haven't been listening ... and it hurts to say that I saw this coming ... but the Senate is set to block any action on the Iran Deal

The Speaker of the House's latest plan on the Iraq deal ... ain't gonna make a bit of difference ... the fight is in the Senate ... and the battle is lost there because the Democrats in the Senate are willing to surrender their role on treaties ... and yes, the deal is a treaty.

This is a good question ... which I already think as been answered. Party loyalty trumps everything.

The market continues to be unsettled ... as it probably should be.

This is one of the reasons that the US market may become unhinged ... but we will see.

Here is an illustration of putting the best gloss on what probably is a bad situation. Worried about wage inflation, rather than what would happen if those record number of Americans who have abandoned the work force actually decided it was in their best interest to go back to work. Unfortunately, the entitlement society gives them little incentive.

And then you wonder how something like this, in reality, could happen ... and it occurs that possibly the Obama Administration is cooking the books ... like the debt, the unemployment rate ... what other numbers are cooked.

And China's markets are not out of the woods yet ... and this bodes ill for them

The State Dept. appears more and more to be engaged in full-fledged CYA to protect Hillary Clinton

John Stossel on what is standing in the way of a real economic recovery.

And don't forget that the budget drama is just starting ... because it is what the Democrats want.

This story tends to make you at least think about the Syrian refugee crisis in a different light ... good question, thought, where are the women and children?

It seems the plan to close the detention facilities at GITMO has been deferred again.

Never underestimate your enemy ... and the power of his learning curve. ISIS is learning fast how to fight in Cyberspace.

Interesting story about the real America ... which really can be colorblind and support the officers who put their lives on the line in communities across the nation every day.

Walter Williams does a pretty good job of skewering the current mantra of blaming every problem in the black community on slavery.

This long story is illustrative of how impatient we have become ... well at least our political pundits, who seem to think that the race is already over for president. I really wish, in a way, we could go back about 50 years and wait until next summer before we start announcing the failure of candidate X's campaign.

This does not surprise me ... of course, being Democrats and progressives, they won't be called out for it in the mass media.

Just so you know ... it seems the Brits get pretty fixated on things like this ... here is a story on who owns weapons among the Republican presidential candidates … but nary a thing on the Democrats.

I can't remember the name of the system, but 30 years ago, the Army already fielded a ground launcher for air-to-air missiles. ... And I think it used a Sidewinder missile as well.

Lockheed ain't happy it didn't get the contract for the replacement for the Humvee ... aww ... so it is crying foul.

Interesting story ... with the implication being that the officer committed suicide ...

Did I ever say I really don't like NIMBYs ... I really think they are so self-centered it isn't funny

Does this mean the end of Hillary Clinton's hope for the presidency is near? I would really be surprised if she did cop a plea. It just wouldn't seem to be in her character.

Interesting contrast ... between the two women.

After reading this story, I wonder whether there is any honor left in Iran ...

Interesting. I have made this point for many years about grades in college or high school. The only thing that getting your high school diploma or a college degree or certification proved to me, was that you had the determination to complete something you set out to do. It didn't tell me much, looking at grades, so I never asked for transcripts or anything similar. It literally was all academic ... and now the person had to prove themself in the real world.

Point well taken about any alliance the US is in ... it becomes a question of honor, trust and integrity ... values that our political leadership these days seem to have precious little of.

It is good to remember that QEII is the protector of Christians ... it is in her titles. And now she has passed her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria as England longest reigning monarch.

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