[Al Ahram] Lion trainer Faten El-Helw comes from a long line of lion trainers - five of whom have been attacked by their animals A long line of lion trainers, just not very good ones.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/08/2015 00:00 ||
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[Al Ahram] Colombia's Marxist FARC rebels have invited the newly-crowned Miss Universe Paulina Vega, a native of the country's Caribbean coast, to attend their peace negotiations with the government, a bid to end 50 years of fighting.
The 22-year-old Vega, a business student and model from the northern city of Barranquilla, was named Miss Universe in late January and has said in interviews that she would be willing to travel to the talks.
"We have read with interest your desire to contribute with your good works to reaching peace," the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia FARC or FARC-EP, is either a Marxist-Leninist revolutionary guerrilla organization or a drug cartel based in Colombia. It claims to represent the rural poor in a struggle against Colombia's wealthier classes, and opposes United States influence in Colombia, neo-imperialism, monopolization of natural resources by multinational corporations, and the usual raft of complaints. It funds itself principally through ransom kidnappings, taxation of the drug trade, extortion, shakedowns, and donations. It has lately begun calling itself Bolivarian and is greatly admired by Venezuela's President-for-Life Chavez, who seemingly fantasizes about living in the woods and kidnapping people himself. He provides FARC with safe areas along the border. , or FARC, said in a statement on their website late on Friday.
"We salute your willingness to travel to Havana, at this time we invite you to make a visit," added the FARC, which has been holding negotiations with the government in Cuba since late 2012.
The FARC did not say how Vega's visit would help advance the peace talks. She has yet to respond to the invitation. Nice legs are always good.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/08/2015 00:00 ||
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h/t Gates of Vienna
Ukraine, to use a technical term, is broke. That's what you call a country whose currency has lost half its value in just two days.
The problem is simple: Ukraine has no money and barely any economy. It's already talking to the IMF about a $15 billion bailout and what's euphemistically being called a debt "restructuring" i.e., default as its reserves have dwindled down to $6.42 billion, only enough to cover five weeks of imports. (Three months worth is considered the absolute least you can get by with). Another "kinetic action" that doesn't go as planned?
She (Angela Merkel) added that force had not proved to be the solution in the past when dealing with Russia. "I grew up in East Germany, I have seen the Wall," she said. "The Americans did not intervene in the Wall, but in the end we won." Funny, I seem to remember this guy as having something to do with its demo.:
#9
If it weren't for the Americans the Wall would have been somwhere near Strasbourg. Or at the Channel.
And if the South Vietnamese wouldn't have proven so damn expensive for the Russians to conquer, the Wall would still be there, and she'd still be supporting Russia's economy.
(Although... they let her into West Germany, and twenty years later Unified Germany is economically supporting Russia.... hmm....)
#10
Pragmatically, a US-vs-Russia mil buildup centered around the Black Sea Region is as good as Darth Vlad + Russia could hope for.
Again, PUTIN = RUSSIA has gotten what he wanted + formally annexed the Crimea - IMO Putin doesn't care about the rest of Ukraine save of ensuring Russia has permanent, undeniable Land-Sea-Air-space access to Russia's bases in the Crimea, not just "sea" or "air".
RUSSIA has three fears ...
> keeping the Hard Boyz out of the Caucaus + Russia including Central Asia.
> Keeping Secular Muslim Turkey from turning Pro-Islamist-Jihadists + "Neo-Ottoman". Also, keeping Turkey from dev or acquiring Nukes.
> MAKING SURE NEW BFF = STRATEGIC PARTNER GERMANY ALSO DOES NOT DEV OR ACQUIRE NUKES, STAYS SECULAR + UNDER NATO-EU CONTROL, + DOES NOT SEE ANY RETURN TO [Neo] PRUSSIANISM OR NAZISM.
Russia sees itself as #1 in the Russo-German strategic partnership, SCO-CSTO, + now its new Eurasian Customs Union, hence has a stake in all of the above.
IMO PUTIN IS WELL-AWARE THAT THE ABOVE COULD CHANGE TO RUSSIA'S DETRIMENT IFF RUSSIA'S ECONOMY OR STATE COLLAPSES, + IFF THE HARD BOYZ CURRENTLY IN IRAQ + SYRIA TURN THEIR FULL ATTENTION TO RUSSIA [+ China + India = Nukes-WMDS].
* IIRC MSM-NET ARTICS = ON HOW RUSSIA'S ECON IS RIDING ON "THIN AIR".
* BHARAT RAKSHAK > [Xinhua] UNIPOLAR WORLD UN-ACCEPTABLE TO RUSSIA: PUTIN | US TRYING TO DOMINATE/CONTROL THE WORLD.
The US-n-Only-the-US.
D *** NG IT, I THOUGHT POTUS CLINTON SAID THE US-N-ONLY-THE-US MUST BE RESTRAINED + CONTROLLED!?
* RUSSIA TODAY > RUSSIA READY TO RESTORE NATO CONTACTS AS SOON AS [NATO-EU] BLOC IS.
* BIGNEWSNETWORK > RUSSIA REPORTEDLY GETTING MILITARY BASES IN EU STATE [Cyprus].
Lest we fergit, that's "Co-America/Amerika",
"America/US in Eurasia" RUSSIA.
versus
* BHARAT RAKSHAK, BIGNEWSNETWORK > [Sputnik News] RUSSIA RILED BY JAPAN'S [PM Shinzo Abe] RENEWED CLAIMS TO KURILE ISLANDS.
Perhaps ABE = JAPAN has been reading some of the China MilBlogs on the latter's claims, interests to presently Russian-controlled Northern = Far East territories includ Sakhalin???
Top commanders from the Navy and Marine Corps were on hand for the Saturday christening of a ship that honored the memory of a revered Marine and symbolized efforts to bolster the military's ability to put troops ashore on distant beaches.
Just before 11 a.m., with an estimated 1,000 people looking on at the General Dynamics-NASSCO shipyard in Barrio Logan, Martha Puller Downs, the daughter of Marine legend Lewis B. 'Chesty' Puller, broke a Champagne bottle -- on the fifth whack -- against the Mobile Landing Platform's hull.
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/08/2015 00:00 ||
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#1
Great article Frank! You can sure see Chesty's facial features in his daughter's face. Dad served with Chesty at the end of Guadalcanal, through Cape Gloucester and Peleliu. He really admired Chesty and told me stories when I was young.
And he hated MacArthur---Dugout Doug---and taught satirical song about him when I was a young lad.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
02/08/2015 0:49 Comments ||
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#2
Here ha go AP.
Dugout Doug MacArthur lies a shaking on the Rock
Safe from all the bombers and from any sudden shock
Dugout Doug is eating of the best food on Bataan
And his troops go starving on.
Dugout Doug's not timid, he's just cautious, not afraid
He's protecting carefully the stars that Franklin made
Four-star generals are rare as good food on Bataan
And his troops go starving on.
Dugout Doug is ready in his Kris Craft for the flee
Over bounding billows and the wildly raging sea
For the Japs are pounding on the gates of Old Bataan
And his troops go starving on...
Taught to all boots by osmosis in 1942 according to Dad, also Bonzai! (In case we lose ). :)
#3
Not to diminish great American and United States Marine Chesty Puller, but MacArthur was right about North Korea.
Dej'avue all over again, the untimely death of Patton, the removals of Generals MacArthur and Petraeus, the retirement of General Mattis. Could it be a sort of narrowing the political field before anyone actually takes the field ?
#4
My Dad would be pleased - he was a Corpsman attached to 2/7 1MARDIV in Korea. When I was little, every night Dad would close my nighttime prayers with "and God bless you Chesty, wherever you are."
They sent for MacArthur to go to Talagi
but General MacArthur said no.
He gave as the reason,
It wasn't the season,
Besides there was no USO.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
02/08/2015 12:32 Comments ||
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#7
Mr. B. Mac abandoned all pre war plans for the Phillipines and was forced into a long retrograde into the pennisula of Battan. This was where he should have started. He was out smarted, out maneuvered but not out numbered by the Japaneese. He disregarded a clear war warning and every damn damn air craft in the islands were wing tip to wing tip when visitors from Formosa arrived. A defense against sabotage? Meh.
That said he was the first to use armour against U.S. Citizens, so he got that going for him.
I stop, he was a jackass and Truman had his ass pegged.
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/08/2015 18:01 Comments ||
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#11
I'm sure the Screaming Ugly Girls will be up in arms over such a misogynistic name as "Chesty." I'm sure Gen. Puller is one of those marked for removal from history books to make room for the Harvey Milks and the Ceasar Chavezes. You know. The people who really made America great. /sarc off/
#12
If it's any consolation: The long-lived City Delicatessen in Hillcrest, San Diego (our gay neighborhood) was bought and re-opened as "Harvey Milk's Cafe"...and after less than a year went broke. Apparently, Harvey's name is not gold
Posted by: Frank G ||
02/08/2015 18:05 Comments ||
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#13
You'd think a ship named for Chesty would be a real gator, a fighting ship, not a supply/log platform.
#14
When I was in Ranger School we had a bunch of Force Recon Marines in my class. We did lots of pushups and were told to do one extra for the "Big Ranger in the Sky." Well, no surprise, my Marine Ranger buddies all would do the one extra for the "Big Ranger in the Sky" and then "One for Chesty Puller"
The stories about that guy are endless and should be taught in schools.
And those panty-waist politically correct sissy boys that youknowwho is putting into flag positions are a disgrace compared to fighters like him.
Posted by: mystic was my code name ||
02/08/2015 22:18 Comments ||
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#15
@#13: It appears that Mobile Landing Platforms are the new Frigates.
[DAWN] Two coppers in plain clothes were beaten up by area residents when they tried to 'arrest' a suspect who, before escaping, raised the alarm that he was being kidnapped in a PIB Colony area on Friday, officials said.
They said that Sub-Inspector Kamran and ASI Akhtar of the investigation wing of the Gulistan-e-Jauhar cop shoppe had gone to Meena Bazaar in PIB Colony in a private car to arrest suspect Shakeel, who was wanted in a fraud case. Gulshan SP Abid Qaimkhani said that the two coppers intercepted the suspect to get hold of him. However, some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them... the suspect started screaming that he was being kidnapped.
A number of people coming out of a mosque after offering Friday prayers heard him shouting and they tried to rescue him.
The area people overpowered the two coppers, who were not in uniform, and beat them up. The SP said that a police team of the PIB cop shoppe reached the spot and rescued the two coppers.
"It was improper conduct of the investigation officers as they were in civilian dress and travelling in a private car," said SP Qaimkhani.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/08/2015 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] THERE is no doubt that the truth behind the Baldia fire tragedy of 2012 -- in which 258 workers perished -- needs to emerge. While it is bad enough that the inferno was billed as one of the nation's worst industrial disasters, the fact that the fire may have been caused deliberately is particularly disturbing. In this regard, the startling revelations about the incident made in court on Friday need to be thoroughly verified and cross-checked. According to a report, compiled by the joint investigation team probing the tragedy, filed with the Sindh High Court, a statement from the Rangers claims that individuals associated with the MQM deliberately set the factory on fire. As per information gleaned from a suspect -- allegedly a Muttahida worker -- by the paramilitary force, the factory was set on fire as its owners refused to pay extortion money. The report says a "party high official", through a front man, had demanded Rs200m in extortion money; when the owners did not pay the building was set on fire using chemical substances. These are very serious allegations and cannot be taken lightly. But before jumping to any conclusions we must realise that this claim is based on the 'confession' of just one individual who was picked up by the Rangers. A more detailed investigation is needed to reach the facts in this case. It is hoped scientific investigation methods are used to uncover the truth behind the inferno.
The onus now lies on the MQM to disprove the allegation and clear its name as the party or its activists have been accused of strong-arm tactics in the past. In fact, Muttahida chief Altaf Hussain himself has publicly lashed out at "corrupt and unwanted" elements within the party. In 2013 he had said there was a ban on party workers collecting 'donations', and that there was no room for land grabbers within the Muttahida's ranks. The Coordination and Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... Tanzeemi committees have also been shaken up in the recent past; the latter outfit was believed to have become too powerful even by some party members. Despite the MQM's efforts at internal cleansing, the stigma caused by the activities of 'unwanted elements' remains, and the party will have to make a greater effort -- especially in light of the latest allegations -- to root out such forces. The fact is the Muttahida is a major player in Sindh's politics, as well as nationally, and cannot afford to have black sheep within its fold.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/08/2015 00:00 ||
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'You know that stealth may be over-rated,' Greenert said during a speed at the Office of Naval Research Naval Future Force Science and Technology Expo, Washington D.C. 'I don't want to necessarily say that it's over but let's face it, if something moves fast through the air and disrupts molecules in the air and puts out heat ' I don't care how cool the engine can be ' it's going to be detectable.'
One analyst said if Navy F/A-XX developers seek to engineer a sixth-generation aircraft, they will likely explore a range of next-generation technologies such as maximum sensor connectivity, super cruise ability and an aircraft with electronically configured 'smart skins.'
'The weight that we put on an aircraft due to the pilot is kind of extraordinary. You can take that off and put sensors on there instead,' Greenert explained. I believe this last sentence kills any USAF support.
#1
The pilot problem will cure itself in due course, in the worst way possible, after that four hour shifts on the video screen then, FORE!. Maybe have South Carolina ANG handle the Minutemen.
#2
Maybe have South Carolina ANG handle the Minutemen.
...My kid was a maintainer for the SCANG (169 FG, the World Famous Swamp Foxes) - believe me when I tell you that he and his buddies would not only have done a better job, they would have instilled a Strategic Air Command level of discipline.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
02/08/2015 7:06 Comments ||
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#4
Stealth is great. Speed and manueverability are great. But in the end, disposability will rule. On-board pilots are not (to our culture) disposable. Drones will be the future.
In 2001 I had proposed launching thousands of air-launched 'Radio Shack' radio-controlled model aircraft, each with a shotgun shell and a camera in it, controlled by a bunch of video gamers in a high=altitude circling aircraft. I could build them for $1000 each (with plenty left over for graft) and they could hunt down any target of opportunity.
14 years later they could be automated with smart facial ID robotics and solar power and dispersed by the thousands with no controllers.
h/t Gates of Vienna
China and Thailand agreed yesterday to expand military links over the next five years, from increasing intelligence sharing to fighting transnational crime, as the ruling junta seeks to counterbalance the country's alliance with Washington.
...Thailand's army took control last May saying it needed to restore order after months of political unrest that killed nearly 30 people. The United States, a long-time ally of Thailand, expressed dismay at the coup and froze US$4.7 million of security-related assistance and cancelled some security cooperation.
US-Thai relations deteriorated further last month when Bangkok accused Washington of meddling in its political affairs over the remarks by a visiting US envoy, who criticised the junta. O & Co, making friends and influencing people wherever they go.
#1
US-Thai relations deteriorated further last month when Bangkok accused Washington of meddling in its political affairs over the remarks by a visiting US envoy, who criticised the junta.
Rejecting the encroachment of radical Islam will usually result in criticism and betrayal by the White House.
#2
A similar situation occurred during the Carter regime. When the Thai military attacked students for acts of lese majeste the US via Carter's flack Pat Derian tried to cut off all aid to Thailand. This was brought to a speedy conclusion by superior diplomat Philip Habib who reminded Derian (and Richard Holbrooke) that the US and Thailand had been allies for more than a century, and AID/State meddling would not be tolerated.
#3
There has been no US Ambassador here in Thailand since last November - signaling America's dissatisfaction with a military-installed government that took over last May, to put an end to widespread street disturbances between opponents and supporters of a weak, dysfunctional, and corrupt civilian government.
So - Thailand is playing its cards smoothly, to remind the US that it is not the only game in town.
#5
If one's objective is to detach the country foreign relations efforts from anything other than diplomacy, then I'd say the White House had another success.
#6
"Oh no... we're gonna recall our ambassador, and your only recourse will be to throw us into the Briar Patch! Oh no, Brer Hound, don't throw us into the Weaker US Briar Patch!"
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[Al Ahram] Lion trainer Faten El-Helw comes from a long line of lion trainers - five of whom have been attacked by their animals
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
She (Angela Merkel) added that force had not proved to be the solution in the past when dealing with Russia. "I grew up in East Germany, I have seen the Wall," she said. "The Americans did not intervene in the Wall, but in the end we won." 
Top commanders from the Navy and Marine Corps were on hand for the Saturday christening of a ship that honored the memory of a revered Marine and symbolized efforts to bolster the military's ability to put troops ashore on distant beaches.
