If You Lack For Worries

Bret Stephens argues we are overspending on a military preparing to fight the last war. He's probably right and we can only hope the future does not prove it.

Left unmentioned - the next Democratic Presidential nominee will have no trouble finding places to cut the defense budget. Sensible investments in our defense? There is a bipartisan blind spot when it comes to reform and re-direction:

So what stops it? The answer is what Brose’s old boss, the late John McCain, called the military-industrial-congressional complex.

“Military pilots and ship drivers are no more eager to lose their jobs to intelligent machines than factory workers are,” Brose writes. “Defense companies that make billions selling traditional systems are as welcoming of disruptions to their business model as the taxi cab industry has been of Uber and Lyft. And as all this resistance inevitably translates into disgruntled constituents, members of Congress will have enormous incentives to stymie change.”

When the top brass rose through the ranks aspiring to lead a carrier fleet it is harder to find someone pounding the table for unmanned drones. OK, that is an example of a weapon that has literally and figuratively taken off, but still - unmanned boats and subs ought to be off the drawing boards by now.

 

Comments

[Buckeye]

Morning

[henry]

Blaming the brass? Stephens is wrong there. Blame McCain himself and his uniparty coconspirators in Congress who want to keep their skim going.

[Another Bob]

Willowed

For the F1 fans...

They’re on a street circuit in Baku, Azerbaijan. The track construction/prep people apparently neglected to weld down a manhole cover. (The aerodynamics of the cars will pull them out of the frames.)

Sure enough, LeClerc’s Ferrari ran over it and pulled it out. The next car, Russel’s Williams ran it over, destroying the underside on the car, and damaging the carbon fiber monocoque.

While hauling the damaged car back to the pit, the crane of the flatbed truck struck a bridge, damaging its hydraulics, dumping hydraulic fluid all over the car.

Large embarrassment for F1 and the local organizers.

[henry]

Nothing like a semi burning next to the Mars Cheese Castle to start a Friday:

https://twitter.com/vincevitrano/status/1121720854839164930

[Buckeye]

Video clip of the manhole cover doing the damage.

https://twitter.com/F1/status/1121716968057393153

[henry]

Metro
@MetroUK

Protester glues her breasts to ground outside Goldman Sachs trib.al/6WAuwWC

[KevlarKid]

There's a White Hat in There Somewhere

Good read this morning over AT.

[KevlarKid]

I wonder what glue compound she used? Nasty.

[Jim Eagle]

Gosh. All we got was a little rain to cool things down.

So, Biden is the “common man”. Versus billionaire Orange man.

[Captain Hate]

Levin: Mutt Rombley is the MFM's trained dog.

[Porchlight]

Biden's common, all right.

[Another Bob]

These sort of “protests” have always puzzled me, as: 1) there’s no clear thing against which they “protest”; 2) the tactics used aren’t designed to force anyone’s hand; and 3) are so inconveniencing to the general public who’s sympathies they presumably need.

It’s all “look at me”.

[henry]

AB, I wonder if they get "studies" credit for doing these things.

[Beasts of England]

I appreciate the F1 story and video, but where's the GS protestor video? ;)

[henry]

Another SJW judge:

MarketWatch @MarketWatch
6m

Companies must hand over data on how they pay men vs. women by September, judge says

https://twitter.com/MarketWatch/status/1121745814085414914

Washington D.C. federal judge Tanya Chutkan imposed the deadline Thursday, nearly two months after clearing the way for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to collect wage information from companies with at least 100 employees.

[Tom R]

Remember the claim by Thomas Wictor that Flynn was playing the sacrificial goat so that the real perps could be exposed?

I remember it very well. Mueller is the one who kept extending the sentencing date. There had to be a significant reason behind that since as many people here kept pointing out Flynn’s legal bills kept getting higher and higher. It makes zero sense why Flynn would keep agreeing to the extensions when he had already plead guilty.

[Captain Hate]

Shockingly Tanya Chutkan is a Bathhouse Rat appointee.

[henry]

Scott Manley @ManleyWMC
12m

Groups like Clean WI are trying to overturn laws they don’t agree with and set policies they can’t get through the legislature via the courts. Lawmakers are right to defend their laws and branch of government from attack. You can thank Clean WI for any taxpayer expense here.

https://twitter.com/ManleyWMC/status/1121746303157972993

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump
41m41 minutes ago

“President Donald J. Trump is the greatest hostage negotiator that I know of in the history of the United States. 20 hostages, many in impossible circumstances, have been released in last two years. No money was paid.” Cheif Hostage Negotiator, USA!
=====================

This is in response to an article in the Washington Post.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/apr/25/catherine-pugh-missing-fbi-irs-raid-baltimore-offi/

Yes, she is missing.

[Jim Eagle]

Off to the Vet for day 2 of Lady's Renal recovery procedure.

Prayers for a success!

[MissMarple2]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6962743/Baltimore-mayor-sick-not-lucid-decide-resign-FBI-investigation.html?ito=social-twitter_dailymailus

Her lawyer says she isn't able to decide whether to resign because she is sick.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-barr-will-look-at-incredible-possibility-of-ukraine-clinton-collusion

[clarice]

Carried over from last thread:
OH MY GOODNESS, MT!!! it's not unheard of. decades ago on a quiet alley/street a few blocks from here in the early a.m. --around 3--a former CIA official(retired) went for a walk and was shot in the face . I don't know if they ever solved it, but like Herb's "accident" the incident occurred in an isolated place in such a low crime area..

[MissMarple2]

Jack,

Prayers for Lady!

[anonamom]

KK, I do believe you missed yesterday. No more hat color discussion. (Clarice is FUCKING (her word; I am too) tired of it, and what she says goes, as the matriarch. Not kidding here.)

[Manuel Transmission]

Up at O-dark30 to get the early boat to Hoser Land. Picking up my mechanic to do final inspection of our bird before laying down a credit card for the largest charge I’ve ever done on one. Ugh. Still won’t bring it back until next week and then it will prolly be at the mechanic’s shop for a few days tweaking a few things.

[anonamom]

MM posted this near the end of last thread:

I am going to listen to President Trump's interview with Hannity. Back later.

Here it is if you missed it last night like I did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xglDpABkCA

(You will have to skip ads.)

[anonamom]

JiB--what likely happened to Lady is that she got severely dehydrated during her "vacation"; kidneys respond by decreasing their blood flow, which sometimes causes what I is called "pre renal failure."

In people, generally quite responsive to rehydration. You just got to go slow, in case the kidneys don't work right away--don't want to cause heart failure from too much fluid on board that doesn't get peed out.

[henry]

The president’s job ratings are a bit better in Wisconsin than they are nationally, and they will probably have to be for him to win the state a second time

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/elections/2019/04/25/both-parties-preparing-political-war-trump-heads-wisconsin/3573349002/

[MissMarple2]

Donald J. Trump
‏Verified account @realDonaldTrump

Weirdo Tom Steyer, who didn’t have the “guts” or money to run for President, is still trying to remain relevant by putting himself on ads begging for impeachment. He doesn’t mention the fact that mine is perhaps the most successful first 2 year presidency in history & NO C OR O!

[Narciso79]

Wasnt that a mossad agent, clarice, from fred burton book chasing shadows, I told you of my view of Napolitano as stringer for rand Paul at cpac, but he got the surveillance aspect right then dropped it

[Tom R]

Rosenstein’s speech last night on the rule of law, Spygate, punditry, confirmation bias, and other topics. I enjoyed reading it.

https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/deputy-attorney-general-rod-j-rosenstein-delivers-remarks-armenian-bar-association-s

[MissMarple2]

This is disturbing.

https://ilovemyfreedom.org/insane-clinton-connected-dem-arrested-for-horrifying-crime-against-young-children/

[clarice]

Narciso, I watched the waPo carefully--no other coverage then I can recall, and I don't think the case was ever solved. shot in the face which generally suggests to forensic analysts some personal animus.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

3
.
2
%

[MissMarple2]

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/440776-trump-blasts-russia-probe-as-an-attempted-overthrow-of-the-united

[fdcol63 🇺🇸]

So ... who's gonna die this Sunday at the Battle of Winterfell?

[Narciso79]

So it's a Pritzker hotel, in the UK, with some bad juju.

[Narciso79]

So Tillerson is the source of this bogus report about the north Korean bill.

[MissMarple2]

Narciso,

Yes. Pretty weird coincidence, isn't it?

[Tom Bowler]

Who's Herb, Clarice?

[Narciso79]

Herb meyer, Casey's special assistant

[Catsmeat]

Hi, Pin! Yes, I thought about giving Mayor Pete Paul Lynde's center square, but I don't think he has Paul Lynde's gravitas.

[Tom Bowler]

Thanks, Narciso.

[Narciso79]

The mysterious incident was bill Colby in a canoe,

[Tom Bowler]

Reading about the mysterious incident here: http://www.pythiapress.com/wartales/colby.htm

[MissMarple2]

Symone Sanders, Biden's "senior political advisor":

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D5EtB9VWAAEoASi.jpg

This is the gal that said the dems shouldn't have any old white guys in charge.

[Captain Hate]

Yes, Mayor Buttplug is an unfunny Paul Lynde. Or a male Ellen.

[henry]

Let's test this on university faculty in WI and see how they fare: the all bug diet. (would not have restricted it to WI, except catsmeat and jimmyk should be able to eat whatever the choose).

https://badgerherald.com/news/2019/04/25/eating-insects-has-sustainability-health-benefits-but-faces-economic-challenges-expert-says/

[Narciso79]

So any of you folks are a part of brinks home security

[Narciso79]

Looks like hes feeling better:

https://mobile.twitter.com/batchelorshow/status/1121614043310100483

Sounds like a religious cult

[Narciso79]

What a weasel:

https://mobile.twitter.com/costareports/status/1121590889158197249

[Buckeye]

Her lawyer says she isn't able to decide whether to resign because she is sick.

I won't be surprised to find that the Baltimore mayor is an addict.

[Manuel Transmission]

Narc, thanks. Colby/ Casey. Poor recollection.

[Tom Bowler]

I'm going to be taking a road trip from Key West to Phoenix soon. It looks like the way to escape Florida is I-75 up the west side of FL to I-10, then across. Do any Floridian JOMers know of a better way?

[Catsmeat]

Zero interest here in eating bugs. I also have no interest in trying to save the planet more generally, as it doesn't need my help, being in God's hands until he rolls up the scroll altogether. I don't recycle: it's a crock.

[MissMarple2]

Caleb Hull
‏Verified account @CalebJHull
2m2 minutes ago

Obama in 2016 on Trump growing the economy:

"Well, how exactly are you going to do that? What exactly are you going to do? There's no answer to it... What magic wand do you have? And usually the answer is, he doesn't have an answer."

==============

Charlie Kirk
‏Verified account @charliekirk11

BOOM:

US economy SURGES to 3.2% GDP growth, way beyond the “experts” predictions

@realDonaldTrump has the strongest economy in HISTORY!

GREAT AGAIN!

[clarice]

henry, eating bugs is not kosher so I'll pass.

[Marlene]

Tom Bowler,that is your best option. One thing about Florida is that alternate routes are time consuming because of traffic. US 41,for instance. I know all the back roads between Maine and NH and usually get off I-95 before reaching the Kittery bridge. It isn't that easy in Florida. :)

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

TB, We take 75 on our annual trip to the Keys from Atlanta. Absolutely concur on that escape route.

[henry]

chickens eat bugs... fish eat bugs...

I'll have my bugs second hand.

[fdcol63 🇺🇸]

Tom, that's the most direct route, and arguably the quickest so long as you don't get caught in a frequent bottleneck on 75 between Wildwood 7 Gainesville.

But you could also perhaps take I-75 to Tampa, then catch S.R. 589 (Toll) to US 98 around Homosassa Springs, then take US98/US19 through some small towns like Crystal River, Chiefland, Perry, and then catch I-10 just east of Tallahassee.

[Marlene]

Stephanie,you mentioned moving to Florida,maybe Port Charlotte? Take a look at Nokomis and Osprey. Englewood,Manasota Key,Venice,Nokomis are one long beach with just a few passes.

[Jane]

Tom if you go up 75, you will be a mile from where I live. Feel free to stop here - and spend the night if you want to. Sounds like a fun trip. The heat appears to be settling in.

[Narciso79]

In more deliberate circumstances was Amir kansis attack at Langley in 93, he was actually baloch.

[Tom Bowler]

Marlene, Stephanie, and fdcol63, Thanks so much. I'm helping my son move, so we're looking for the most direct route. I expect it will be a tiring trip, but I'm really looking forward to it.

[Captain Hate]

The magic wand comment is why the JEF will be a historic footnote. It was a petulant reaction that had the large potential of blowing up in his face by showing that non ruling class people are much better at running the economy. But the stupid punk just had to fire back with something.

[MissMarple2]

My friends are through security at Lucas Oil. They found parking at Shapiro's where I used to meet daddy for lunch. Only 10 bucks!

She said since she has on a red top people are asking her for directions. LOL!

They were on a flight from California last night and she thinks the guys flying into Indy in the seat row with them were either federal marshals or Secret Service.

[Extraneus]

Kimberley Strassel: One of the Mueller probe's biggest failures -- All but ignoring the infamous 'dossier'

[henry]

Zoe Tillman @ZoeTillman
41m

Hello on this gray morning from the federal courthouse, where Maria Butina, who pleaded guilty to conspiring to act as an unregistered agent for Russia, will be sentenced. She's asking for time-served and immediate deportation back to Russia. Prosecutors are asking for 18 months

[Beasts of England]

I forgot that Trump was visiting Miss Marple's locale today!!

~ ~ ~

The 'magic wand' comment is a personal favorite. I really hate that punk. :)

[fdcol63 🇺🇸]

Strassel's right. The Mueller team ignored the Steele dossier because they knew it exposes the coup plotters, and that the whole hoax was based on the bogus dossier financed by Hillary.

[KevlarKid]

"the all bug diet."

subsistence farming and eating bugs. who's gonna die first to "sustain" that model?

[Tom Bowler]

Thanks for the offer, Jane. We're going to be trying to get to the state line on the first day. Not sure how realistic that is. Maybe we can stop and say hello on the way through, but right now I don't know when that will be.

[fdcol63 🇺🇸]

KK, frying 'em kills all the nasty germs, you know! And makes them deliciously crunchy!

ROFLMAO

[KevlarKid]

read the other day where a homosexual POTUS-- male or female--- would have serious credibility problems in negotiations with China, NOKO, MENA countries, and moslem nations in general.

Sorry Mayor BootyCheez....maybe you'll get a cabinet post in some snowflake administration.

[Tom R]

I’m going to see Jimmy Buffett tomorrow up in Nashville. The concert is right next to where the NFL is holding their draft. Last night there were thousands of people standing in the streets where the NFL stage was setup. Tomorrow it’s going to be even a bigger madhouse with all the Parrotheads partying outside Bridgestone. Getting a hotel near Bridgestone was over $600 a night so we got a hotel at the airport instead. I have no idea how much it’s going to cost me to get an Uber or taxi to drive us to downtown Nashville but I have a feeling it’s going to be a lot.

[Narciso79]

That seems like a long trip, Tom r.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6961389/Biden-campaigns-hires-include-onetime-Harvey-Weinstein-adviser-former-Bernie-spokeswoman.html

[henry]

Or buy them in all the popular snack flavors:

https://www.vat19.com/item/crick-ettes-flavored-cricket-snacks?adid=gshopping&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&adpos=1o5&scid=scplpcrick-ettes-1247&sc_intid=crick-ettes-1247&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI56_i0vbt4QIVjYbACh0HWwTcEAQYBSABEgJnuPD_BwE

* my niece sent me some of these, probably go well with Southern Comfort. (I haven't tried them yet).

[KevlarKid]

The magic wand comment.... whenever it gets referenced i think of that pic of The Bath House Rat riding a girls bike wearing a helmet.

total catcher.

[henry]

seems truthy.

Bowen Yang 杨伯文 @bowenyang
14h

My original Mandarin name is "博文," which used to mean "scholar." In 2019 it means "blog content." This is 100% true and it feels amazing to be humiliated by a 6,000-year-old language.

[Tom R]

Ext @ 9:57

Strassel should know that everything related to the Steele dossier and the FISA abuse scandal falls under the jurisdiction of Horowitz/Huber.

[KevlarKid]

TomR did you see the interviews with the Raiders 2nd pick, the Bama running back? quite moving. didn't have a bed until he went to college. reminded me of Lou Holtz who tells the story of being so poor he grew up with having a closet.

i saw Jimmy B a long time ago right after "Pink Crustacean" came out. pretty good band.

[Beasts of England]

It's a mess downtown, Tom R. I've heard rumors that the rolling taverns have been grounded for a few days... I've yet to see a show at Bridgestone, but the younger Beastette saw Pink there last month and said it's a fine venue. Enjoy!!

[KevlarKid]

fdcol63:

i'm sure the elites will forego their Wagyu beef and arugula to enjoy the finery of eatin bugs.

i envision the onset of a new social class: "bug eaters"....it'll happen out here in Califas first as people try to deal with the reality of $5 gas and it's impact on the price of food.

[Narciso79]

So ths mao loving anita Dunn, on slo Jo's advisers circle, among other things.

[MissMarple2]

Kev,

That bike picture is right up there with the magic wand comment, for sure!

I also am grateful that I don't have to look at Michelle's hideous clothing outfits and be told she is the most fashionable first lady ever!

[fdcol63 🇺🇸]

"Pink Crustacean"

Not nearly as rocking as the B-52s' Rock Lobster!

[Beasts of England]

Josh Jacobs, Kev - he's a good kid.

[Tom R]

No I went to see Avengers last night so missed the second half of the 1st round. Barring injury Josh Jacobs is going to be a superstar in the NFL. He combines the power running and blocking skills of Mark Ingram and the speed and receiving skills of Alvin Kamara all in one package. He is also an unselfish first class teammate.

[Jim Eagle]

Tom Bowler,

I'll be an outlier here and recommend you take US No. 1 through Florida City and catch the Florida/Ronald Reagan Turnpike all the way up past Orlando where it merges on to I-75 then I-10 to Phoenix. It's more a straight line, although you will have tolls. If you do this route, purchase a Sun Pass transponder first. No stopping for tolls.

Usually, there is no hassle or urban type of traffic. Moves pretty fast.

[KevlarKid]

Forty Whiners liberal fans are not happy over their teams #1 draft pick Nick Bosa. He loves Trump and has said so publically. Thinks KipperSnack is a clown and has said so publically. Thinks Beyonce's music is trash and has said so publically.

LOL. https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Nick-Bosa-tweets-Trump-Kaepernick-Beyonce-racist-13796870.php

[MissMarple2]

LOL! President Trump comment on his age as he heads to Indiana. 30-second video clip at link.

Pres. Trump says 2020 Democratic field is "making me look very young, both in terms of age, and I think in terms of energy."

"I'm so young...I am a young, vibrant man." https://t.co/NkJuIoh4fP pic.twitter.com/rYaGmbcnM6

— ABC News (@ABC) April 26, 2019

[KevlarKid]

""Pink Crustacean"

Not nearly as rocking as the B-52s' Rock Lobster!"

Jimmy B's "Why Don't We Get Drunk and Screw".... was more my speed back then:D

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

Marlene, anywhere south of Sarasota is where we are exploring. Looks like K, D and Ariel will be relocating to Austin/Houston/San Antonio triangle in the next year (his family is from there), so then will be a perfect time to move.

The son is an hour from us now, and we only see them 4-5 times a year due to their schedule, so unfortunately, being proximate to them is not an anchor to Atlanta. My parents are grousing about our possible move, and I see them frequently, but I am hellbent on getting out of here.

I want relatively constant weather with maybe a sweatshirt on occasion not 4 seasons.

The tax situation is only a minimal issue as the hubs retirement is non-taxable in GA (teacher), so only my income would be boosted by no state tax and I can work from anywhere since I work from home.

We are primarily looking at 3/2 ranch w/pool canal optional properties. And of course, a boat or jet skis is factored into that as a future purchase. I want a fixer upper needing moderate renos, too. Got to have something to keep busy when not working!! Lots of 1960-70 builds in Port Charlotte fit that which is why we are focusing there for now.

[Captain Hate]

Wait a second, an Inspector General of the DOJ overruled a Special Counsel? That seems counterintuitive. Maybe clarice can weigh in on that but that might even be uncharted territory for her. Maybe Rosenstein would coordinate it to Mueller's satisfaction but that would have to involve some back and forths.

[KevlarKid]

Beasts/TomR: it was refreshing to see the Raiders #1 and #2 picks (dint see anything on their #3 during the draft show) be such men of character.

was so glad to see the Raiders draw from the BCS title game in that first round. Gruden is going for a certain kind of locker room as they head off to Vegas in 2020.

[clarice]

CH--I assume you're talking about strassel's piece. If so, it might not involve overruling, but an understanding between rosenstein and Horowitz. A territorial division,possibly.

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

LOL Kev, JB was in the ATL last night and lots of folks I know went. We used to go annually, but I balk at $215 per seat now.

We used to tailgate with a kiddie pool, sand, flamingos, lawn chairs and such before the concerts, but I'll settle for Margharitaville channel on Sirius now.

Get off muh lawn!

JIB, I finally got my toll bill for our Sept trip to the Keys last month, and ordered the mini SunPass for the next one in November. It sits in my desk drawer for now.