Send in the Marines

    This is often used by many as a problem solution. I don't think so in the case of small urban disturbances such as those in LA and a few other cities. National Guard troops are sufficient; local police are sufficient. Combine the two and you have more than necessary. So, in this case, Stumpie is acting like he's on TV and needs some more eyeballs. Hence, "Send in the Marines".

     How'd that work out in Lebanon all those years ago? Or, better yet, how'd it work out in the infamous quagmire in Vietnam? The Marines were given a job they had little experience with: policing. Yes, they've been deployed as policemen more than once. Vietnam required policemen, lots of them. The Vietnamese civilians were overmatched by Viet Cong aided by NVA soldiers. North Vietnam looked over the Johnson administration actions and decided correctly: Johnson is an boob, and doesn't know much about geography, as the song goes. Johnson and his Dem lackies poisoned the well by gradually sending military assets to SE Asia. Results: 58,000 dead Americans and hundreds of thousands of wounded soldiers and Marines. More than a million American families were affected by these numbers and it continues to this day. Sending in Marines is nothing more than a publicity stunt and Gruesom Newsom, Governor of California recognizes this order for what it is: headline grabber. The mass media couldn't resist. Reporters outnumbered protesters.

      All the training given to Marine recruits is designed to prepare them for : killing or be killed. Pretty simple.

      So, don't send in the Marines, not now, not unless the United States is in danger of an armed adversary knocking at the door, such as Mexico.  

Tehran Locals Losing Sleep

     After announcing some time ago that Israelis would not let Iran achieve nuclear capability, Israeli bombers carried out numerous strikes against specific sites in and around Tehran and other points in the country.

     American intelligence indicated that a strike(s) were possible at anytime. The Israeli military has been active, assessing information as to the locations of all leaders of Iran's military apparatus. Many of the Iranian army leadership were targeted and possibly eliminated today. This will cause a disruption among many capitols in the Middle East but comes as no surprise as few countries support Iran and their Islamic regime whose leader, the Ayatollah, has made it his goal to keep the Middle East the focus of thew world's political leaders.

        More actions could be taken as Iran and the United States continue talks about Iran's nuclear program which recently was named as being in violation of past agreements. This activity by Israel will certainly put an end to Iran's postponement of serious discussions on the subject. The Ayatollah will bluster, make a few statements, and attempt to bide for time to assess the situation. Now Israel will make further moves to shore up the country's defense in light of possibility of retaliations.

    What will Trumpie say tomorrow? Not much. 

California US Senator Roughed UP

      One of California's two Democratic US Senator's got a hard lesson in politics. He attended an event where Kristi Noem gave a speech on current issues regarding her department. Ms. Noem is Secretary of Homeland Security, appointed by Pres. Trump upon his assumption of the White House. She is the former governor of South Dakota for 6 years. She is a member of the republican Party, married with 3 children and has been married for over 30 years.

      Ms. Noem served as an intern in Congress while a student of political science. Her experience has not been in national security, law enforcement, or international politics. She has supported Pres. trump for years and was chosen as a cabinet level secretary after being vetted by Trump's transition team. Today's altercation involving a sitting US Senator appears to be a problem for many government officials. A video of the take down suggests that perhaps he was unidentified  as a sitting senator. His behavior could also have triggered a reaction from a security detail protecting the Secretary. While Mr. Padilla was released, repercussions began immediately.

      So, who ordered the take down? Who was the OIC of the unit? What was Mr. Padilla saying that so upset the Secretary's staff security that they would order the take down of an old man who was in attendance during a government information discussion with the public?  Some splainin' necessary. The Senate minority leader might have a few words with the Senate majority leader, who ever that is. 

     More shenanigans from the White House Circus.   

Pacers Win Again against OKC

     So, Indiana takes Game 3 of the NBA Finals. OKC Thunder the favorite, is now behind and showing signs of stress.   OKC lost 116- 107. Hmmm. What's going on with OKC/ We'll find out more in Game 4.

Curfew in LA Again

     Flag waving protestors were scarce in downtown LA last night as police arrested many who did not follow the curfew restrictions after dark. Folks around the country want law and order, especially in the cities where most people happen to live. Liberal politicians were intimidated by media reports and hesitated to restore order when riots followed  unpopular ___________________- fill in the blank. So in California, I.C.E. workplace arrests caused community displeasure and many locals took to the streets to protest. As per usual, agitators stirred up the crowds and the usual events followed: fire bombing a few autos/tires for visual effects; standing in front of buildings being protected by National Guard soldiers more visual effects. 

     And Gov. Newscum went public with sharp criticisms aimed at Trumpie, just as Trumpie had hoped he would. Poor old Newsom, he can't help diving in and taking the chum. trumpie hardly lifted a finger, just a few strokes of the pen, some phone calls , and his lackies got with the program: arrest and deport more, more , more.

         The Mexican flag has been prominent among protesters; and whynot, Mexicans and other Latinos make up a majority in California, and   so it's to be expected. Also, LA is home to an estimated 1 million illegals of approximately 4 million in the state. No problem, trumpie.

FedEx Problems

      FedEx was a disrupter.  Air freight was changed forever. Overnight became possible; other players joined in.  The USPS cashed in, too. So, when you book an overnight delivery in the continental US, you expect delivery to be completed. Sadly, that is not often the case.

     These days the service is a problem. One pays for overnight, then one holds one's breath. Maybe it will arrive, maybe not. For far too many incidents, the package is lost, sometimes forever and at great cost. Insured-good luck.

     What's happened? Customer service has been lowered to the point of trouble: no guarantees. Oh, you paid a huge sum for overnight? Too bad for you. Oh, placed on a truck for delivery tomorrow afternoon? Too bad. The company is starting to react like Sears, or Rite Aid, or United Airlines. All have lowered their standards of customer service. They are /were making too much money. Why change? Still prfitable and the brand is king of the mountain.

     Now DHL and USPS have begun to take over from FedEX. Will FEDEX leadership fix things? TBD.

Think twice before shipping FedEX.  

The 'New' Afrika Korps

    So, Russya dissolves one mercenary unit and forms a replacement. The notorious Wagner Group was shut down after its leaders revolted against the Rus army generals who asked them top come to Ukraine to help out. After the Kremlin assassinated the entire command of the Wagner Group in a targeted bombing of their aircraft, the Kremlin reconstituted the group and renamed it AFRIKA KORPS. Same people, new name. But this group will not have Putin's Chef as leader. A new lackie of Putin will run the show as thye Kremlin seeks sway in the sub-Saharan areas of Africa. 

       Of course, the goal is to reap profits in Africa by extraction of minerals. Namely, diamonds and gold. Some years ago, Botswana partnered with De Beers, the diamond king, to forma mining company to mine alluvial deposits in the country. Other areas were also located that could be exploited. The Central African republic is one of those. That country has deposits of both. The government partnered with the Rus/Afrika Korps to provide security not only for the government , but also miners working in the mines. The new problem: the price of natural diamonds has plummeted, surpassed by the production of lab grown diamonds. All diamond dealers/cutters/ miners have been affected. De Beers have cut back mining in South Africa. Inventories in Europe and America are stagnating in safes, waiting for customers who no longer are interested. Marketing of "natural" diamonds has not made much of an impression. Meanwhile, the lab grown diamond trade has grown larger by the day. Improved production methods have lowered already low prices.

     In modern parlance-a disruption has occurred dramatically altering a traditional business, never to return. Yes, prices may stabilize in some way, but the strangle hold of the former monopolists is over. Hail the disruption.