Random Thoughts: Suggested readings from Oct. 10, 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 death and destruction on the world scene … just to keep things in perspective … we accept far too much of it, while going into conniptions over relatively small scale events. Makes you wonder why we think we are immune … and where do we get such hubris and arrogance … of course, I have known about American arrogance for many years … it is the easiest way to recognize an American overseas … but their arrogance.

The question is, of course, in the wake of the bombing and chaos in Ankara is who perpetrated the explosions and why ... where is Claude Raines when we need him.

First in Asia Minor, now this in Africa ... it makes you wonder ... and yes, what can we do? Do you have the answer?

And it seems that ISIS scored one against the Iranians ... now it makes you wonder how close and involved to the front Iran really is in the Syrian Civil War ... and what would the US do if a flag officer was killed out there?

In this, the high speed jet jocks will get their way ... and the slugs on the ground will have to endure without it. Of course, the planes could go to the Army ... but that violates the 1947 agreement that created the Air Force ... which makes one wonder why the Marines have their own separate dedicated to ground support air force.

I suspect that this will be the case ... although it is not what I would like to see. But you see, in the squishy feel-good world today that is being imposed on war fighters today, no one is be held for their actions, regardless of how stupid or callous they are, especially if they put others at risk. No, the narcissistic individual is our paradigm these days ... just look at our President.

Unfortunately, this list - in my humble opinion - is just the tip of the iceberg ... but since nobody else seems to give a rodent's derriere ... especially those in position to do something about it ... I guess I won't either ... who cares if the country falls into lawless chaos with total disrespect for the rule of law ... it doesn't matter. If it feels good, just do it, and the heck with the consequences.

A very interesting outline of the dangers facing the regime in Saudi Arabia, and how disastrously the Obama Administration has performed ... which is not to be unexpected, given its progressive proclivities that seem to ignore the hard realities that drive global affairs ... if everybody would just be nice and sit around the beach bonfire with their guitars and talk of love and kindness and sing Kumbayah ... then the whole world would be at peace.

It seems our cousins in the British Isles are fated to be living in interesting times for the foreseeable future ... the question remain: Will the UK remain in the EU ... and will the UK remain the UK?

Unrest in Jerusalem bodes ill for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza ... the question is: Who gains from this unrest? Who is the benefactor?

And interesting commentary on why Republicans and Conservatives are asking themselves this question: Why should we settle for the status quo? It is gaining us nothing and making things worse.

Russians target US-backed Syrian rebels and other "moderates", rather than ISIS. The lament here is that the US can do nothing, which is wrong. The US could do something, but it is unwilling to do it. We already have provided limited close air support on the ground to these forces, so an option would be to fly air defense missions ... attacking those planes attacking their positions. OOPS ... that means a direct conflict with the Russians and the Syrians ... and that is not going to happen, so the guys we want to win will get left hanging in the breeze, just like we have done with our allies since the 1960s.

Sometimes things in zero-gravity are just awesomely beautiful.