Weekend Data Dump

Yes, the far right and far left are mirror images of each other. There really isn't much difference between socialists and national socialists who both want government control. Sadly, American labels confuse the matter. Conservatives abroad are statists on the right. Conservatives here can be statists but most are "classic liberals" who favor individual liberties over state power. Libertarians are the most committed to that view. Liberals here are simply statists on the left. Progressives more so on that side. I used to agree with the idea that ideology is a circle where the extreme right and left meet on the far side. My formulation was that communists believed workers were everything--as long as they worked for the state; while Nazis and fascists believed workers were nothing--unless they worked for the state. Now I think that trying to define two things that are the same by going to that much effort to massage the words means the definitions and template they are placed in are inadequate. I'd rather see definitions placed on a template that goes from total individual liberty to total state control. In a related matter raised in that article, I hate the entire RINO (Republican in name only) notion. Purging people who are 80% (or 70 or whatever on the plus side of 50) on your side is insane when it simply empowers people who are 50+% opposed to your ideas. Thank God we don't have a parliamentary system where such forces of purging and fragmentation get institutionalized.

In Taiwanese local elections, China-friendly candidates did very well. The presidential election is next year. The DPP leans toward independence from China--although it has not acted on that desire. The KMT which originally fled the mainland in the Chinese civil war is technically more friendly to China because the KMT agrees that there is one China that includes Taiwan--although the KMT officially thinks it should run China. Which is an interesting way to be considered China-friendly, eh?

Because socialism means caring. Or so I've been told.

Nigeria's president essentially admitted that the mission of defeating Boko Haram was not accomplished after all.

What is wrong with these people? If there are no sentient beings there when we arrive, it isn't colonialism--it's moving.

Ah, science! But this time the scientists have it right. As if those buffoons prior to our enlightened age had climate models!

Protesters in Paris angry about new fuel taxes have stepped up to rioting.

You know, I'd be open to discussing a minimum income provided by the federal government if it replaces the welfare system and the vast host of bureaucrats who run it with a simple strings-free check. That trade would save the federal government a lot of money. I don't know if people would use that money to play video games all day or whether people would work to improve their situation knowing they have a permanent unemployment insurance constantly going to their bank account. So it shouldn't be a plan that reduces the check if a person works. That kind of program requires bureaucrats to supervise. Setting up that way would encourage the video game route. It would be good to test the idea to see how that works out before rolling it out nationwide. It might be a horrible idea, I freely admit. It would definitely be a bad idea if it is just another benefit on top of the welfare system. Of course, if there is an income ceiling to qualify for the minimum income check people will game the system to avoid cutting off their check by reducing hours worked or working off the books. So maybe everyone should get the check. Which would be a backdoor tax cut (or even a negative income tax) for all, no?

The U.S.-supported Syrian forces in eastern Syria continue to battle ISIL forces.

Given that intelligence and military agencies pay attention to any ship that turns off its AIS (Automated Identification System), as Iran and North Korea do, you'd think that the best way to smuggle on a ship large enough to be required to use AIS would be to smuggle with the AIS on and be lost in the flood of legitimate traffic acting legitimately.

Pepper-spraying rock-throwing crowds at the southern border. But the hope and change made it okay then (tip to Instapundit). Now of course, tear gas of some type is an outrage. As a side note, the Army routinely tear gassed me when I was a soldier. And I swear I wasn't throwing rocks at the Army.

Your electric vehicle and bio-diesel are just making things worse. Basically you are just exporting the carbon footprint. But if you can feel all Green superior over lesser morally suspect people, who cares? I've long been against using food for fuel and suspected that a full accounting of the carbon footprint of electric cars would show they are worse than gasoline cars.

I don't understand why people say that Brexit must be opposed because it will harm Britain economically. Even if that is true--and in the long run I don't see how escaping the grip of a growing bureaucratic state will be anything but good for Britain free to negotiate trade terms with the world-- the economy is only one factor in deciding policy. Or have you failed to notice that climate change advocates eagerly promote policies that will harm economic growth?

The United States military continues to make good jihadis in Somalia.

Australia and America fought and died on New Guinea to shield Australia from Japanese forces. With an eye on China, America and Australia will modernize the Lombrum naval base at Manus in Papua New Guinea.

American and "Russian" forces in Syria have apparently thrown sharp elbows at each other in addition to the high-profile turkey shoot of a Russian mercenary outfit.  I suspect this means other Russian-staffed contract units and not Russian military units. There were casualties in the Cold War, recall, which while generally cold was a war, after all.

Strategypage tours the ongoing fighting in Syria.

This closure of our Congo embassy in Kinshasha because of a potential terrorist attack is a basic reason I advocated for The AFRICOM Queen as a mobile source of reinforcements and sea-based evacuation should things get really bad.

Some are more equal than others, comrade. Remember, free market capitalism doesn't cause greed. People cause greed.

The Obama administration's border forces used tear gas a lot. But there was no outrage on the left or in the media, oddly. Apparently when you mix  2-chlorobenzylidene malononitrile with Hope and Change you get a lavender-like smell that soothes rock throwers. Media bias is sometimes reflected in the choice of stories covered--or not covered--rather than slanted words or framing.

I'm not sure why Ukraine is declaring martial law in its border regions with Russia now given that Russia has been attacking Ukraine since February 2014 and illegally occupies Crimea and parts of the Donbas region in the east. Yes, Russia has escalated the war with a subliminal blockade in the Sea of Azov and actually fired on and boarded three Ukrainian ships trying to run the blockade. But unless Ukraine is planning to escalate the war to recapture Donbas, bombard Russia's Crimea military bases, or possibly destroy the Kerch strait bridge that Russia built at great expense, what does martial law do for Ukraine now? If Ukraine has a plan to hurt Russia, I hope it works. And while I would not wage war against Russia on Ukraine's behalf at this point, I'd sure help supply the Ukrainians with material and information to send Russian body bags home at a higher rate.

This is silly, Brexit has nothing to do with encouraging a European Union army. The latter has been a goal of the anti-NATO EU apparatchiki all along. And if Brexit rather than Russian aggression is what motivates Germany to repair their broken down military? Well, shame on Germany.

Army General Brown discusses multidomain challenges for the Army in the Indo-Pacific region. But what I don't hear is how the Army would dominate the land domain if asked. Which would help the other domains, as we have demonstrated. And to add confusion, the Air Force has a General Brown discussing Pacific challenges.

Egypt is building its military and arms industry. Being the sword of the Arab world is a path to influence and power. It didn't work out when Israel was the primary target. But it will be much more effective with Iran as the main focus, bolstered by Gulf state money.

You are a verifiably compassionate person if you want American immigration policies that encourage these kinds of dangerous journeys. Of course, you were already a compassionate person for cheering on the regime for creating a system that drove these women to flee.

The end is nigh! Yawn. Honestly, "science!" isn't as pure as you think.

When you consider that GM is shutting down a lot of plants in the midst of an ongoing economic expansion, how can you defend the bailout following the start 2008 Great Recession? At the time I was appalled by the undermining of rule of law in the whole bailout. It was great for the government officials who used other people's money to get the credit for as long as they were in office. In the end it just delayed the end. But hey, at least Osama bin Laden is still dead. I could be persuaded that America can afford a GM collapse now more than it could have afforded it back then--especially in the psychology of that potential loss (and that is true for bank bailouts). But that's a different argument than the wisdom of the government picking winners and losers or deciding who is too big to fail. I don't blame the people who worked for GM over the last decade thinking that massive cost was worthwhile.  But the economics are the economics. And God help us if large businesses have learned they can privatize profits while socializing losses; and if government officials have learned they can benefit from that system by rushing in with other people's money to save the day.

An American warship and a logistics ship sailed through the Taiwan Strait in defiance of China's claims on the waters and on Taiwan itself. China is upset that we sail in international waters they claim as their own.

Running on empty. Hopefully memories of the last bloody jihadi rebellion will prevent a return of Islamist opposition.

The Navy thinks it has a handle on fixing Ford's problems. A new carrier design will of course have teething problems normal for any new weapons system. And the carrier is a huge and complex system. On the other hand, our shipbuilding industry doesn't inspire confidence in me these days.

Ah, while the first Turkish pilot (or pilots) is already in America to train on the F-35, it will be two years before the first plane makes it to Turkey. So we have time to halt the delivery lest Russia and China gain access to its secrets. Which means we have two years to see Turkey change direction or two years to get alternatives to Turkey's position in the plane's supply chain and maintenance role.

When I worked there, this is the kind of thing I would have had to write. I know the author--the lower right has the actual author's initials, if you follow the links to the actual document. Remember, you can introduce anything within the rules. And I suspect there may have been a discussion about how you can't actually ban the practice with a bill enacted into law. Hence a resolution urging a change in practice. See constituent group upset about this issue? I did something! I suspect the resolution was referred to a committee where it will quietly die.

Bigotry can be expressed in many ways.

Good. I have long considered this a form of legalized state thievery.

Britain needs to take the deal and run from the EU. I fully agree. Get out while they can with whatever they have now and deal with amendments later when safely out. Seeking a better deal will just ensure no deal and the smothering embrace of the EU forever.

Despite all the howling that opposing illegal immigration is hateful and likely racist, I am in the vast majority on that; and in the solid majority of favoring legal immigration while opposing illegal immigration.  Democratic leadership has just gone nuts on this issue to placate their radical base.

That's not how full disclosure on loan terms is supposed to work. That's not how it is supposed to work at all. Tip to Instapundit. When you are desperate enough for money, you let them grab you by the collateral, I suppose.

Actual anti-Semitic "dog whistle."

Let's go to the Wayback Machine for one reason why southern border security is a real issue.

Hate crimes are up in Canada and ... America is blamed. If we are so influential, explain the metric system, Canadian football, and vinegar on french fries. But I'll defend poutine to the death, of course.

On my publications page I used to note that two articles I wrote were purchased by the United States Naval Institute Proceedings long ago (pre-9/11) but were not published. One addressed Army-Marine Corps joint operations and one examined the implications of network-centric warfare for the Navy. I regained rights to them, so who knows? I think the new strategic environment give them a new lease on life if updated. I did get one old pre-9/11 article idea (suitably evolved) published this year. One thing I learned from that is not to be shy about asking editors about the status of article submissions when I haven't heard anything.

The Chinook sure has a lot of life left in its old frame. And related information on delays with upgrading our own.

Am I the only person who thinks it is odd that Erdogan wants America to seriously punish Saudi Arabia for a single (admittedly horrific) murder when America still deals with Turkey despite Turkey's denial of deliberately killing 1.5 million?

Strategypage takes a tour of Iran and its many fronts, and highlights the economic problems Iran is now experiencing despite European efforts to help Iran.

Japan will put F-35Bs on their large flat-deck warship class that is not in any way an aircraft carrier. Tip to Instapundit. Haziness on terminology is not new. Recall that the Soviets refused to call their aviation ships carriers in order to be within compliance of the Montreux Convention limits against carriers transiting the Turkish straits and operating in the Black Sea. Although that Turkish acceptance of the ship designation is cloudy and was convenient for the Soviets. And for the Chinese who bought Varyag from Ukraine for their first carrier and towed it through the strraits on the fiction that the hull was destined to be a casino or something.

In a new era of great power confrontation and emphasis on conventional war, we need a new emphasis on logistics support for the Army. The consequences of losing our supply lines was a problem in counter-insurgency. It would be catastrophic in conventional combat.

A belated public thank you to Sweden for shielding a damaged SR-71 late in the Cold War. Tip to Instapundit.

At the G-20 summit, all eyes are on America and China? If China is such a power, it is time the world stopped granting them trade advantages intended for Third World countries trying to edge out of poverty.

Standing by their man. Repulsive. Tip to Instapundit.

America has kept disease specialists away from Congo's Ebola outbreak and health leaders are urging us to go in. I was skeptical when Obama sent in our military to help on an earlier outbreak, but it worked out well. Trump should figure out a way to help this time. We can make a difference and keep it from spreading here. Just be careful.

A North Korean soldier defected to South Korea by crossing the DMZ, a rare path for such defections.

Asylum isn't the motivation for most of the caravan migrants. Also a reminder that illegal immigration isn't simply about crossing the border illegally. Others cross legally for a short visit and simply remain illegally when permission expires. "A wall" (read that barriers and enforcement at the barrier and in the legal system behind it) is a necessary but not sufficient measure to control illegal immigration.

Jordan's stability is nothing to take for granted these days. Jordan is a poor country in a vital area. Their foreign policy basically blows with the winds of power that can provide Jordan with the money to remain viable. When Saddam was riding high, Jordan tilted to Iraq. When the UAE subsidizes the Jordanian military, Jordan names a brigade after a UAE crown prince. Jordan has tilted to America and the Gulf Arabs since 1990. And Jordan hosts an American military presence as well as backing the now-failed Southern Front rebels in Syria. Now that Assad is ascendant in Syria and Iran is perched there, we should watch both Jordan's stability and the direction of their lean.

NATO practiced cyber-war defenses against Russia in Estonia. Which will be useful to America as Russia continues to probe our electrical network, presumably to do to us what they do to Ukraine.

Egypt is building a new capital 45 miles west of crowded Cairo where the government is currently housed. Next year the first people will move to the new political capital. I don't assume all government functions will be moved. But for the top political people, being away from a crowded city full of potential protesters and rebels is probably comforting. Until people move in and create slums and lower class neighborhoods there, too. There will always be a Cairo no matter where the government moves.

People need to grow up. We allied with Stalin's USSR to defeat Nazi Germany. We overlooked Pakistan's problematic behavior to fight the Soviets and then the Taliban. We can back Saudi Arabia despite its problems to defeat Iran. We don't have to like Saudi Arabia. But we need them for a number of problems. Please don't think that Saudi Arabia isn't better now than what it was on September 10, 2001. And without our support, it could get a whole lot worse.

I assume Trump's statement that Russia's holding of Ukrainian sailors from the recent Kerch Strait Incident is intended to indicate to Putin that releasing those sailors is the price of any type of meeting with Trump in the near future.

I do worry about this threat. Sure, given the damage it would cause we'd nuke whoever carried out an EMP strike against us. But our country would be crippled and driven to focus inward to try to cope with the effects and recover. Lord knows what would happen abroad to our long-term detriment while we did that. I would really like America to stockpile the "key elements of the electric grid" that would be knocked out and that take many months to produce (if we can make or import them). That's even more important than the Strategic Petroleum Reserve we created when our energy imports were rising.

Oh please, the only "stealth" feature this new Iranian warship has is that after we sink it nobody will see it on radar. Yet the reporter writes the story as if Iran doesn't have a history of fantasy super weapons announcements that have zero basis in reality. And yet reporters bridle in indignation when you call their stories "fake news."