This isn't the old Missouri class. Although they were cool. My friend served on the Wisconsin when Reagan reactivated it. He told me that, when it fired a broadside, the entire 58,000 ton ship actually slipped 50 feet sideways from the blast. Mind boggling.
Anyway the new ships will have hypersonic missiles, lasers and other stand off weapons. Not like the sitting ducks of yore...
Autonomous lethal drones are the nightmare. Release a cloud of them into a city. As effective as that messy firebombing, but leaves the infrastructure intact. What was claimed for the neutron bomb -- but actually viable.
Ships are best for global reach and staying power. Aegis-class ships were designed in the 80’s and for old sea command theories.
Speed, durability, and firepower are still needed, but blue-water navies are a thing of the past. New designs and construction techniques and technology are crucial.
I listened to a great piece from PtoPublica, about 8 or 9 years ago, that pointed out the Navy was still using Windows95 on ships in the 7th Fleet in 2016. Young sailors and officers were not used to ancient technology and it cost lives
These are not battleships. They are destroyers, much, much smaller than a battleship.
I have read articles that say we are falling behind the Chinese in fleet size. If we are going to compete with the Chinese in the Pacific, we need more ships.
The Trump Train on Steroids is keeping 24/7 the MSM and the Alternative Media completely off balance. Who can keep with the Golden Fleet, stopping offshore wind turbines as military security risk, $3,000 holiday bonus to self-deport…
The premise might be okay but the delivery of the news was pathetic and execrable. Repetitive, halting , went off message with riffs on other stuff, all in all a very poor messaging.
People will accuse him of paying more attention to the world and none to the new lodestar, affordability. What he should have highlighted and stressed were the job opportunities ship building and manufacturing plants brings. Yes it’s obvious to sentient thinkers but that’s not the majority of Americans.
Hegseth and the guy next to him looked like they were in a hostage video, and they were the hostages
I’m beginning to think he has no advisors that he actually listens to.
This is exactly what the left wants and actively tries to foment. They hate Trump. Why? Think about it. Because he's messing up the cute little scam they've been running for decades and getting rich off of on our tax dollars. We're $37 trillion in hock. Who does than? Easy. A kleptocracy run by and for the DNC. Stop carrying their water.
What are you talking about? Are you so Trump loving you can’t see constructive criticism? His messaging is bad bad bad. And it opens him up to ridicule and twisting by the media. His policies get lost in the fever swamps - ON BOTH SIDES.
Trump's extremely hard to listen to and most people don’t. They get their news from the media and the bots. Clarity, cohesiveness, coherency would be his friends.
No, I fully realize Trump's warts. But, at the same, time, feeding the well-funded establishment beast that hates him and wants to destroy him because he's messing up the cute scam they've been running does none of us any favors. Sorry you can't see that.
Again what the heck are you talking about? Do you seriously believe any criticism is simply unallowable? That he is perfection in whatever he does and says? That his messaging is so right on? That any criticism is only benefitting the democrats and would never redound to him, like making his message better?
Give me a break. He does no one any favors when he’s incoherent and bombastic and off message, if he even has one.
I'm with Bruce here, but I hear what you're saying. Given that approximately 30% of Americans consider themselves Independent, it would help if Trump wasn't, well... Trump. I'm his communications at least.
But the problem (for you) is the answer (for a lot of us). He's an entire package and really hasn't deviated from it one inch in decades. I admit I rarely listen to his speeches yet I'm a fan of recreational rhetoric. It does free up a lot of time.
There won't be a book of Trump's greatest addresses, but then again there won't be another Peggy Noonan or Arthur Schlessinger (thank goodness). This is one feature (not bug) we have to agree to grin and bear and then trust Mark Hemingway to give us a two paragraph summary of what he said.
And because he has no Governor on himself, when the Rs lose the House in 2026 and the last two years go to shit because it will be one impeachment after another and literally nothing gets done, I’m sure we will all be extremely happy that Trump is just being Trump with his four D chess as the entire package.
Holy Christmas Batman, blindly following someone is a recipe for being stupendously disappointed.
Did you actually read what I and others wrote??? Nobody is "blindly following Trump. You really need to stop being a parrot for the enemies of the Republic.
I’ll play Megyn Kelly in mediating this debate: “I agree with both Bruce and Unwoke, I’m not going to criticize them because they are my friends. I can see the issue on both sides and appreciate the open dialogue. If you guys like, I can arrange for an in person meeting to perhaps begin to bury the hatchet.” 🪓🤯.
And further to my point, of course Trump is off topic, grandiose and grating. But... he also lets much better spokespeople such as Rubio, Bessent, Navarro and others unfettered access to the media where they concisely and convincingly explain policies and strategy. With which of Trump's policies do you vehemently disagree? Isn't that the crux? If you hate him but love his policies - and they're clearly working - what's the point?
I’d say that if Republicans lose the House, it will be the fault of the faction that follows Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson into blatant Jew hatred, thereby splitting the party; and the Dems’ better ability to turn out their voters, sprinkled with another dose of fraud. Trump has practically nothing to do with any of that.
Collecting fat paychecks from the paymasters running these scams. The corporate boardrooms and NGOs pay their dupes lavishly. And none dare call it treason......
OK ex USN sailor here, no hypersonic missiles on a frigate, blue water navy is still needed, who else can and will keep the shipping lanes in Red Sea and Indian Ocean open. The Navy can't make a right decision to save its life, unfortunately. It is sad to watch what it has turned in to, frighteningly sad. The bigger problem is repair and construction facilities, we have none, literally none.
Someone below posted about the Chinese. Yes they are building at a furious pace, but still have little to no amphibious capability but they are addressing that for sure. They roll three destroyers a year off their lines, we are lucky to roll one in three years off ours. We're still better with our Submarines (we think), but lag woefully behind in production there too.
Capability wise we have no idea how good they are, ships are only as good as their crews. On the flip side of that coin, we have no idea how good ours are anymore either. Mixed crews (bad IMO), DEI selected and promoted officers, shooting our own aircraft out of the skies because we suck, (https://news.usni.org/2024/12/21/u-s-super-hornet-shot-down-over-red-sea-in-friendly-fire-incident-aviators-safe), crashing into other ships, turning into the paths of other ships, basic basic basic seafaring skills all appear to be gone. Fixing that does not happen over night, it takes years. All while the leadership of the navy makes bad decision after bad decision and wastes money like drunken sailors on shore leave. (Sorry, couldn't help myself there! :) )
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), which ex sailors all refer to as Little Crappy Ship. Zumwalt class, Constellation class, Ford class carriers, etc... How the F you gonna fix an electro magnetic catapult system damaged in combat? Steam, stand a chance, EM, gotta wait for magnets from China. IDIOTS! Complete morons. Sorry for the rant, but seeing what the Navy I served in during the 80's has turned into makes my blood boil.
Pondering today? The fact that Georgia finally comes out and admits 300K+ voter fraud in 2020 like we all knew. Funny how 5 years seems to be when real evidence comes out. This means we have won 7/8 of the last elections - stay strong MAGA! You are winning.
Oh, and here is an explanation of your government since about 1976 via Jeffrey Epstein who was the money launderer for the US, UK, Saudi, French, and Israeli intel organizations rather than trafficking minors. Not that it is good, but he did things with adult women, the minor story appears to have been a diversionary op. This takes time. I am a father of two gals, so...
Made this comment the other day and got lambasted …..Was told my comment was misogynistic; and I don’t speak for all women. Do people even read anymore?
“Most women don’t want to work in the trades. Too hot, too cold, too dirty, too dangerous…take your pick.
Why must someone always make this type of comment? There’s no inequality in any profession these days; it’s just the difference in sexes as to what men vs women are drawn to.”
You don’t speak for all women, because women are individuals. I taught technical theater for thirty years and still love to build and perform home repair, and maintain a fully-equipped shop. I have female friends and former students who are carpenters, electricians, welders, etc.
I was delighted to see a young woman repairing a freezer unit at the super market. There are a few women house painters in my neck of the woods. They aren’t able to move heavy furniture out of the way on indoor jobs, or to set up scaffolding outdoors. Not my painters, anyway.
We had a female HVAC person the other day. And we had a female on the crew that installed it this summer. It’s good money. But hard hot wirk especially in Florida.
Glad to hear it! The best plumbing fixtures /parts person around here is a woman. All the plumbers revere her. She can find anything, and even suggests alternatives sometimes.
Where are women like y’all in my meat space life? Please send any who live in Texas my way. According to one of my friend’s wives (she didn’t know I heard her say this to one of their friends who was interested) “he looks like he’d be a lot of fun but you couldn’t take it seriously”. And here I am wandering around thinking I’m TOO serious! 🫣
I like building with my hands, but if I had to work outside under all conditions as a job I’m not sure I would. Due to my job, I’m on construction sites often. I hate the construction dust and paint fumes that stick in my nose well after I’ve left the job site. And the final reason women don’t work in construction as much….sharing the Port A Potty with men.
They are vile all the way around, but at least men can stand up to pee and don't have to place sensitive open orifices directly over the unhygienic mess.
There was a study, The Gender Equality Paradox, that showed that in countries with high levels of gender equality (like in Scandinavia), women gravitated toward historically feminine careers (nursing, teaching) more than in less egalitarian countries. The explanation is that when given a choice, people choose careers that align with their interests.
I assume that these people who lambasted you are so in a bubble that they leapt at the opportunity to argue with someone stating an obvious fact they don't like. Two things can be true. Men and women have different skills and interests in general, but there is a wide range within each sex, so we should judge people as individuals.
To the chagrin of progressives, the blank slate does not exist.
My brother got a bride from Russia in the Nineties, literally going to a speed-dating warehouse full of women trying to get out of Russia, and successful single men from the West and Japan looking for a woman to take home. After three such trips from Portland, he connected with a young woman who ran her own construction business.
Why did all those women want out of Russia? I’ll generalize here, but it was because the men, exemplified by Boris Yeltsin, were drunk all the time. This was before Putin and the oil oligarchs, and women were basically running the country. But they wanted out because they were sick of living in that culture.
There are some physical tasks that the vast majority of women simply cannot do. For example, in my former large city, there were literally thousands of firefighters, only two of whom were women. This was before the Woken Times, when it was perfectly OK to have one physical test for all firefighters, and where anyone who could not pass that test was deemed to be unqualified for the job.
But then the lawsuits started, and in many (dare I say most?) places, they waved many of the physical requirements for women. That is absurd, of course, since anyone who’s home is on fire just wants a fire crew that can lift the hoses, carry out people trapped inside, etc., and we don’t care what race/gender/sexual orientation they are.
My tasks today in advance of traveling to my son’s tomorrow are
Making lemon lavender almond bark
Making baked beans
Making marinated mozzarella balls
Making the beginnings of a cranberry frangipane tart (it just sounds so freaking delicious)
Tomorrow I’ll finish the tart, put together the cookie trays and somehow we’ll have to fit everything in the car because there are a lot of presents from and to 12 people.
I also need to hit Aldi to get their cinnamon rolls my son wants to have for Christmas breakfast.
I’m bringing the bottle of rum I earned at my Xmas gig to a party tomorrow night. Y’all make me wish I could cook. It ALL sounds yummy to me. Not sure what you have in mind for the next couple posts, but I could read everyone’s menus all day.
The bark is fantastic. This candy/nut store downtown sold it for like $16 a pound. I thought, I grow lavender, I harvest it so how hard can it be? Found a recipe on line and the rest is history.
24 oz white chocolate (actually vanilla) chips
1 cup roasted almonds
2-3 tsps lavender flowers
1-2 tsp lemon extract
Melt chips (I use the microwave) mix in the rest, spread on parchment or foil. Cool - break - eat.
I’ll post my son’s Christmas menu elsewhere. Very ambitious.
I just bought gifts from See’s (their chocolates bring me right back to my childhood, when they gave us a free sample every time we walked by during the season).
Unwoke, I made lavender shortbread cookies one year with dried lavender. They were delicious the first day, BUT the lavender flavor got stronger each day and became overpowering. Does that happen with the bark (or does it all get eaten the first day)?
The cheese balls are easy. Get some fresh mozzarella. You can chop up the big ball or get the pearls. Mix with minced garlic, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, dried red pepper, black pepper, salt, and chives. Add olive oil and marinate, stirring it up occasionally to disperse the herbs. My family really likes them. Me not so much.
And my son found the cinnamon rolls at Aldo’s but I couldn’t find them so I got pillsbury from Walmart. And I think they’ve lowered the price.
Bit of bittersweet here. The Letter from the PRNJ that put the oil tank issue out of its misery arrived yesterday, a week too late to allow me to close this year on the duplex that I'm buying to share with my daughter. Had hoped to use the rest of the year to schlep stuff to the new place but now I'm faced with actually packing it and getting it into the basement so that the present house can be shown. I've clearly gotten too old for that. Getting close to calling junkluggers and closing my eyes...
And yet it is the nature of the season to intrude a lightness, if not a sweetness, into a heap o' cares. I think that it's all that music -- and the Reason for the Season.
Yeah, that is a difficult one. When we were planning on downsizing living quarters, we got rid of a lot of things. Giving stuff to Goodwill helped, knowing that someone was going to get use out of it. It may also help to take photos of anything that means a lot to you, so you can still access the memory that way (not so helpful if tactile or 'actual use' elements are involved).
Last night for the Oratorio Society's "Messiah" at Carnegie Hall, I was glad to see that the entire packed audience of local fans and excited tourists stood as one for the "Hallelujah" chorus. Alas, a few muddled souls thought that it must be a sing-along, and some stray voices warbled.
And then, thinking it was over, more than a few people left. Hearing the next bit, abashed, they tiptoed back to their seats.
Glorious noises, klezmer and otherwise, were had for Hanukkah and Christmas; done gallivanting. Tired of loathsome news and sanctimony. Keep singing, and do your best, is what I say.
Philistine Mark here, to say that while I often attend symphony concerts, I find the lengthy buildup to the Hallelujah Chorus a bit tedious. I passed on it this year.
Haha! It's true that at one point last night through the mighty singing of "Messiah" I heard jaunty klezmer music from the night before.
A little like Jeanette MacDonald hearing Nelson Eddy's strains of "Indian Love Call," towards the end, while she's singing opera on stage. She cocks her head, listens, and loses her notes. Only MacDonald could've put it over.
A “Krazy Klezmer” truck used to cruise West LA advertising a band. I used to follow to frequently through the Santa Monica airport (it’s a locals shortcut) but never got to see them play.
Yay team Jew ! I hate to have to say this, but Megyn deserves it at this point. I messed up with my earlier comment- went back and added the part about the giant menorah I saw yesterday after you had already read my reply. Just seeing that brightly lighted symbol of hope and freedom in the middle of wokey dokey ville was such a delight.
Brian, I saw your comments on Sasha Stone, but am not subscribed so cannot respond. What is with the attacks on Ben Shapiro regarding the Amfest speech? I thought his speech was great. Another commenter there said Shapiro is the opposite of Kirk. I disagree. Not the same faith, but both solid conservatives. Like Charlie, Ben Shapiro is capable of reasoned and respectful debate with the most vicious of adversaries. Ben Shapiro has had Bishop Barron on his show a few times. Charlie was slated to be on Barrons show, just a few days after the assassination. There is much more that unites us than divides us. Looking for difference or ascribing bad motives to others is the game of the day. It’s evil. I love Ben Shapiro. MK, shame on you.
That was a fun debate on Sasha’s blog. I wish the comments were open to all, very frustrating that it is only for paying subscribers. They attack Ben Shapiro because he is Jewish. His speech was outstanding. Never mentioned Israel or Jews once. All policy. It was epic.
No.... Megyn didn't attack Shapiro because he is Jewish, she said why is he the Gatekeeper ? Why does he decide who is a true conservative? Why did he appoint himself the arbiter of who should be shut down and who should talk?
Ben laid out a very clear set of criteria that he believes conservatives should adhere to. Then he laid out clear reasons why he felt certain people, Candace and Tucker, were not adhering to those criteria. Thus, making the case that each are not conservatives. As to Megyn, he called her a “coward” for not calling out Candace and her constant preaching of conspiracy theories about the murder of Charlie Kirk. Ben was speaking in support of Erika Kirk, obviously.
Ben does not get to set the criteria for a conservative, he was merely parroting what Heritage foundation has on its website. And then he made his case to the audience for them to decide. Judging from the response, Ben hit the mark solidly. This talk of “gatekeeping” and “canceling” people is nonsense. The debate is about “values” of a conservative movement for the GOP. Does the movement want to associate with Jew haters or not ? Ben is making a very credible case not to associate with these people. The Democrat Party should have had this debate 10 years ago, but it did not. As a result, the crazy people on the left now run the party. Ben wants to prevent that.
This entire psyop is directed at US foreign policy towards the Jewish state. I’ve watched this debate unfold and it largely creates a double standard for Israel, which is discriminatory. Sure, let’s debate US foreign policy, but if we do, we have to treat all equally and not create double standards for some. The lies and propaganda making the case to severe US ties with Israel are wrong factually and fail to account for what the US gets from the relationship. They are sophomoric at best.
I value your opinion..... but that is what this is. My opinion is that I support Israel and Jewish people and believe they have a right to their country and existence.... not just because of their religion, but because they fought for it, won and now need to protect it to keep it.
Why do conservatives need to have a debate about supporting Israel?
What we do is elect the leaders who support Israel. That's it .... end of debate. We do not need to keep shooting inside the tent, although when they get too loony, smart people will simply ignore them... like I completely ignore Candace Owens and Nick Fuents and no longer follow Tucker Carlson...... Why does Megyn have to get in Candace's face or she is a coward?
Good thoughts indeed. Stepping back, your initial comment was right. I was wrong. Megyn did not attack Ben because he is Jewish. Megyn attacked Ben because he called her a coward and she was hurt.
You are indeed correct, we should elect leaders who support Israel. The debate we are having now is whether or not JD Vance will support Israel. That’s what all of Tucker’s podcasts are about. Tucker is openly attacking Evangelicals, who are Zionists. It’s very messy. Suffice it to say, JD Vance was given several of opportunities to show such support, and he has failed each time. The Jewish community sees him as a problem. Indirectly, that is what Ben Shapiro is attacking in his speech.
Very interesting indeed, thank you. I get it. Not difficult to see this “cabal” implementing its mission over the past decade through media, intelligence and otherwise. My question, that I know you can’t answer, is whether or not the opponents of the cabal see Israel as part of the cabal. It seems pretty clear to me that Tucker Carlson believes this, it’s obvious from his podcast. I’ll tune in to the Prometheus podcast periodically for updates as I have Subscribed and have it in my YouTube Subscribed bucket.
Throwing red meat into the Lions den.... what about Bari shutting down Alfonsi on 60 Minutes? I personally love it. Alfonsi is not a good human being IMO.
Michael Shellenberger wrote an article on it last night. It seems like much ado about nothing and the reporter is throwing a tantrum. "And an editorial decision is not the same as censorship, particularly since Weiss said she is delaying, not killing, the segment." It seems Weiss is just asking for her team to get a quote from the Trump admin before publishing. “The episode shows Sharyn’s poor investigative skills,” the person added. “She should have doorstepped the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or sent someone to the White House.”
The more Bari can do to toss out the entrenched assholes at CBS, the better. My own quarrels with her don't preclude cheering when she does something right.
I’m teaching today at one of the only schools still open. Kids are watching movies. I’m wondering what you are cooking. I’m going to make meatloaf for Christmas dinner for me and my mom. What should I serve with it ? She doesn’t like mashed potatoes 🥔 or really potatoes much at all.
I would definitely vote for Brussels sprouts, but not everyone likes them. On the other hand, the pan of roasted sprouts I took to the church Christmas dinner last Saturday disappeared rapidly.
I just can't bring myself to cook asparagus when it isn't in season. I mean, obviously it's in season somewhere, or they wouldn't have it for sale. But it feels wrong to me in ways that other sorts of out-of-season produce don't.
I've made rolls and apple cake and peanut brittle (because my d-i-l and Jem have decimated the batch we made a couple of weeks ago). Still need to make cookies. We made two kinds of fudge last night (rocky road and peanut butter).
I'm planning sweet potatoes (but not with marshmallows!) to go with our ham on Christmas, and d-i-l is going to make a mushroom dish. I still need to make pecan pie, but I'll do that Christmas Eve so it's ready for Mr. Celia's breakfast on Christmas.
Maybe rice would be a good side for meatloaf? Or roasted cauliflower?
We are going off the ranch this year. Like crazy off the ranch.
Grilled Szechwan Lamp Chops
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
Stir fried green beans with bacon and red onion
Broccoli
Mashed potatoes
Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole
and maybe some Key Lime Pie Ice Cream for Dessert on top of the Chocolates from Paris our Niece sent us. (Which is SOOOOOO Good and IATA who raided it early!)
If any of you listen to the Shawn Ryan podcast, he had Hunter Biden on recently. I haven't listened yet, Ryan does long-format interviews, this one is something like 5 hours.
That would be a nice Christmas present, but not sure if even that would top last year's gift of a full federal pardon for any and everything going back 10 years.
Hunter's $15 million dollar debt comeuppance is just desserts. He did it to himself. Despite his daddy's pardon for his criminality and ill-gotten gains, he'll now have to contend with debilitating debt and the reality of the Biden fraud. He'll only continue to humiliate the Biden "brand" because that's what they do.
We are having Christmas on the 24th this year. Hubby is the chef and I have great expectations for a delicious meal. He is off on another Rockstar tour and is leaving on Christmas day. He's going to be gone for 10 days. I am struggling to maintain my usual stoic attitude but I am a bit melancholy. I have no family, and so Christmas has always been emotionally difficult for me. In the last few years I have done well with it, but this year I feel bereft. I feel like I know all of you people, and let me say that I appreciate all of you so much. I hope that you all enjoy your time with family, and for Christ's sake don't take it for granted!
I found this quote from a letter Ben Franklin wrote to Joseph Galloway in the book I'm reading now, The March of Folly, by Barbara Tuchman and thought many of you in this community would appreciate it. Sounds like a lot of what we are learning about the incredible depth of fraud and corruption in our federal and state governments, as well as the lack of any accountability. The context is a discussion of a proposed union between Great Britain and her Colonies.
"When I consider the extreme corruption prevalent among all orders of men in this old rotten state" with its "numberless and needless places, enormous salaries, pensions, perquisites, bribes, groundless quarrels, foolish expectations, false accounts or no accounts, contracts and jobs that devour all revenue..." he would fear more mischief than benefit from closer union.
A German academic's take on what has gone on with DEI hiring at universities: Eugyppius taught in a college/university here for some years. His piece uses the Savage article on young white men NOT getting hired in this climate.
That guy is awesome. One of few worth paying for IMO. Jupp's another one, as is Schellenburger, Jeff Childers, bad kitty (El Gato Malo), and Elizabeth Nickson, although sometimes she's a little too much, but still worth it. My $.02c worth!
And of course the one and only... Celia!
I probably should look at how much $$$ i'm throwing at Substack, naw bad idea. I canned the WSJ, so that probably pays for all of the above! I'll just keep telling myself that. 🙂
I like your list Ted. I follow these people too. Eugyppius provides an interesting critical analysis viewpoint that includes the fact that he taught here for some years, so he knows the US terrain. I would add in Matt Taibbi and Walter Kirn. Taibbi is a stone cold journalist and Kirn is culturally brilliant. They do a bi-weekly talk on current events together, but each has separate posts as well.
OMG the Golden Fleet. Who but Trump? The USS Defiant. Adios, Maduro and maybe Cuba next. Lefties and other Democrats are weeping.......
Had to do a quick search to get up to speed.
Why do we need new battleships?
On the plus side, I’m hoping for some job creation, but not hopeful they’ll find enough people to work in the factory.
Because aircraft carriers are sitting ducks?
So are battleships
Battleships were pretty much done halfway through WW II.
The Ukrainians are showing the world what the future of combat is - drones, UAVs, etc.
They’re expensive though, so the Russians, Chinese, and Iranians are coming up with inexpensive suicide drones.
Not promising for the world when risk of waging war, in terms of human assets, becomes cheaper to wage
We need to put that money into securing our electric grid, which, if attacked, could cause way more damage than bullets overseas.
I fully agree but we also can walk and chew gum.
This isn't the old Missouri class. Although they were cool. My friend served on the Wisconsin when Reagan reactivated it. He told me that, when it fired a broadside, the entire 58,000 ton ship actually slipped 50 feet sideways from the blast. Mind boggling.
Anyway the new ships will have hypersonic missiles, lasers and other stand off weapons. Not like the sitting ducks of yore...
Autonomous lethal drones are the nightmare. Release a cloud of them into a city. As effective as that messy firebombing, but leaves the infrastructure intact. What was claimed for the neutron bomb -- but actually viable.
James Cameron saw this coming, his 1999 show Dark Angel had autonomous lethal drones policing Seattle. It is crazy that was 27 years ago.
Yeah, anti-drone weapons / defenses are the hot topic.
See above.
Ships are best for global reach and staying power. Aegis-class ships were designed in the 80’s and for old sea command theories.
Speed, durability, and firepower are still needed, but blue-water navies are a thing of the past. New designs and construction techniques and technology are crucial.
I listened to a great piece from PtoPublica, about 8 or 9 years ago, that pointed out the Navy was still using Windows95 on ships in the 7th Fleet in 2016. Young sailors and officers were not used to ancient technology and it cost lives
Which begs the question: if we’re entering an era of Great Power balance if not neo-Isolationism, why do we need global reach or staying power?
Because other nations ( cough cough China ) will fill the vacuum.
It's not a Battleship, it's a Frigate, and they are very useful in power projection, which is still a necessary thing unfortunately.
If you ask a submariner they'll say all ships are sitting ducks, or as they refer to them when on patrol targets, which they are.
These are not battleships. They are destroyers, much, much smaller than a battleship.
I have read articles that say we are falling behind the Chinese in fleet size. If we are going to compete with the Chinese in the Pacific, we need more ships.
The Trump Train on Steroids is keeping 24/7 the MSM and the Alternative Media completely off balance. Who can keep with the Golden Fleet, stopping offshore wind turbines as military security risk, $3,000 holiday bonus to self-deport…
Off shore wind turbines are an abomination. They killed so many whales, but of course Democrats and the wind industry blamed “climate change”.
Never take responsibility. It’s the mantra of the Left.
We’ve had 2 break in MA over the past year. Fiberglass and debris into the ocean and a cranberry bog. They are not that old….
The reverse Midas touch - everything the Left wants turns to merde.
I like the oh-so-continental use of the francais, there…
Merci mon ami.
There’s so much there! Heads might explode.
Ho, ho, ho, adios mo fo!
The premise might be okay but the delivery of the news was pathetic and execrable. Repetitive, halting , went off message with riffs on other stuff, all in all a very poor messaging.
People will accuse him of paying more attention to the world and none to the new lodestar, affordability. What he should have highlighted and stressed were the job opportunities ship building and manufacturing plants brings. Yes it’s obvious to sentient thinkers but that’s not the majority of Americans.
Hegseth and the guy next to him looked like they were in a hostage video, and they were the hostages
I’m beginning to think he has no advisors that he actually listens to.
Oh ye of little faith......
This is exactly what the left wants and actively tries to foment. They hate Trump. Why? Think about it. Because he's messing up the cute little scam they've been running for decades and getting rich off of on our tax dollars. We're $37 trillion in hock. Who does than? Easy. A kleptocracy run by and for the DNC. Stop carrying their water.
What are you talking about? Are you so Trump loving you can’t see constructive criticism? His messaging is bad bad bad. And it opens him up to ridicule and twisting by the media. His policies get lost in the fever swamps - ON BOTH SIDES.
Trump's extremely hard to listen to and most people don’t. They get their news from the media and the bots. Clarity, cohesiveness, coherency would be his friends.
Merry Christmas to you too Scrooge.
No, I fully realize Trump's warts. But, at the same, time, feeding the well-funded establishment beast that hates him and wants to destroy him because he's messing up the cute scam they've been running does none of us any favors. Sorry you can't see that.
Again what the heck are you talking about? Do you seriously believe any criticism is simply unallowable? That he is perfection in whatever he does and says? That his messaging is so right on? That any criticism is only benefitting the democrats and would never redound to him, like making his message better?
Give me a break. He does no one any favors when he’s incoherent and bombastic and off message, if he even has one.
Sorry you can’t see THAT.
Keep playing into their hands.
I'm with Bruce here, but I hear what you're saying. Given that approximately 30% of Americans consider themselves Independent, it would help if Trump wasn't, well... Trump. I'm his communications at least.
But the problem (for you) is the answer (for a lot of us). He's an entire package and really hasn't deviated from it one inch in decades. I admit I rarely listen to his speeches yet I'm a fan of recreational rhetoric. It does free up a lot of time.
There won't be a book of Trump's greatest addresses, but then again there won't be another Peggy Noonan or Arthur Schlessinger (thank goodness). This is one feature (not bug) we have to agree to grin and bear and then trust Mark Hemingway to give us a two paragraph summary of what he said.
Let the man work.
And because he has no Governor on himself, when the Rs lose the House in 2026 and the last two years go to shit because it will be one impeachment after another and literally nothing gets done, I’m sure we will all be extremely happy that Trump is just being Trump with his four D chess as the entire package.
Holy Christmas Batman, blindly following someone is a recipe for being stupendously disappointed.
Did you actually read what I and others wrote??? Nobody is "blindly following Trump. You really need to stop being a parrot for the enemies of the Republic.
I’ll play Megyn Kelly in mediating this debate: “I agree with both Bruce and Unwoke, I’m not going to criticize them because they are my friends. I can see the issue on both sides and appreciate the open dialogue. If you guys like, I can arrange for an in person meeting to perhaps begin to bury the hatchet.” 🪓🤯.
And further to my point, of course Trump is off topic, grandiose and grating. But... he also lets much better spokespeople such as Rubio, Bessent, Navarro and others unfettered access to the media where they concisely and convincingly explain policies and strategy. With which of Trump's policies do you vehemently disagree? Isn't that the crux? If you hate him but love his policies - and they're clearly working - what's the point?
I’d say that if Republicans lose the House, it will be the fault of the faction that follows Candace Owens and Tucker Carlson into blatant Jew hatred, thereby splitting the party; and the Dems’ better ability to turn out their voters, sprinkled with another dose of fraud. Trump has practically nothing to do with any of that.
I’m with you. He’s sounding loco lately. He’s not just driving the left crazy.
Where are Lloyd Austin and Jakey Sullivan on all they did the past 4-12 years
Collecting fat paychecks from the paymasters running these scams. The corporate boardrooms and NGOs pay their dupes lavishly. And none dare call it treason......
Commission Russian hookers to build the Showers
I wish you could top post on substack, but no...
OK ex USN sailor here, no hypersonic missiles on a frigate, blue water navy is still needed, who else can and will keep the shipping lanes in Red Sea and Indian Ocean open. The Navy can't make a right decision to save its life, unfortunately. It is sad to watch what it has turned in to, frighteningly sad. The bigger problem is repair and construction facilities, we have none, literally none.
Someone below posted about the Chinese. Yes they are building at a furious pace, but still have little to no amphibious capability but they are addressing that for sure. They roll three destroyers a year off their lines, we are lucky to roll one in three years off ours. We're still better with our Submarines (we think), but lag woefully behind in production there too.
Capability wise we have no idea how good they are, ships are only as good as their crews. On the flip side of that coin, we have no idea how good ours are anymore either. Mixed crews (bad IMO), DEI selected and promoted officers, shooting our own aircraft out of the skies because we suck, (https://news.usni.org/2024/12/21/u-s-super-hornet-shot-down-over-red-sea-in-friendly-fire-incident-aviators-safe), crashing into other ships, turning into the paths of other ships, basic basic basic seafaring skills all appear to be gone. Fixing that does not happen over night, it takes years. All while the leadership of the navy makes bad decision after bad decision and wastes money like drunken sailors on shore leave. (Sorry, couldn't help myself there! :) )
Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), which ex sailors all refer to as Little Crappy Ship. Zumwalt class, Constellation class, Ford class carriers, etc... How the F you gonna fix an electro magnetic catapult system damaged in combat? Steam, stand a chance, EM, gotta wait for magnets from China. IDIOTS! Complete morons. Sorry for the rant, but seeing what the Navy I served in during the 80's has turned into makes my blood boil.
We are broken. :(
I sadly agree with your last sentence in so many ways….
My eldest brother, a full colonel when he retired, says much the same about ‘his’ Air Force.
Pondering today? The fact that Georgia finally comes out and admits 300K+ voter fraud in 2020 like we all knew. Funny how 5 years seems to be when real evidence comes out. This means we have won 7/8 of the last elections - stay strong MAGA! You are winning.
Oh, and here is an explanation of your government since about 1976 via Jeffrey Epstein who was the money launderer for the US, UK, Saudi, French, and Israeli intel organizations rather than trafficking minors. Not that it is good, but he did things with adult women, the minor story appears to have been a diversionary op. This takes time. I am a father of two gals, so...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf2STj6JnAI&t=45s
Don’t expect the MSM or any Dem politician to confirm that election steal.
Mike Benz, hold on, this is going to take some time to explain.
Here is a shorter version
https://x.com/mikebenzcyber/status/2002450017647301084?s=46
Made this comment the other day and got lambasted …..Was told my comment was misogynistic; and I don’t speak for all women. Do people even read anymore?
“Most women don’t want to work in the trades. Too hot, too cold, too dirty, too dangerous…take your pick.
Why must someone always make this type of comment? There’s no inequality in any profession these days; it’s just the difference in sexes as to what men vs women are drawn to.”
You don’t speak for all women, because women are individuals. I taught technical theater for thirty years and still love to build and perform home repair, and maintain a fully-equipped shop. I have female friends and former students who are carpenters, electricians, welders, etc.
However, in general, you are correct.
And that was my point to begin with.
I googled it because people were bitching so much. Per Google, trades are less than 5% female.
I was delighted to see a young woman repairing a freezer unit at the super market. There are a few women house painters in my neck of the woods. They aren’t able to move heavy furniture out of the way on indoor jobs, or to set up scaffolding outdoors. Not my painters, anyway.
We had a female HVAC person the other day. And we had a female on the crew that installed it this summer. It’s good money. But hard hot wirk especially in Florida.
My dear friend is a plumber - for 30 years - and she is one of the best!
Glad to hear it! The best plumbing fixtures /parts person around here is a woman. All the plumbers revere her. She can find anything, and even suggests alternatives sometimes.
Where are women like y’all in my meat space life? Please send any who live in Texas my way. According to one of my friend’s wives (she didn’t know I heard her say this to one of their friends who was interested) “he looks like he’d be a lot of fun but you couldn’t take it seriously”. And here I am wandering around thinking I’m TOO serious! 🫣
I like building with my hands, but if I had to work outside under all conditions as a job I’m not sure I would. Due to my job, I’m on construction sites often. I hate the construction dust and paint fumes that stick in my nose well after I’ve left the job site. And the final reason women don’t work in construction as much….sharing the Port A Potty with men.
That would be a deal breaker with me.
Sharing a porta potty with women is awful too. Porta potty’s are just plain awful.
Sharing anything is problematic.
Except when hiking or cross-country skiing. Then it's part of the experience.
😂
They are vile all the way around, but at least men can stand up to pee and don't have to place sensitive open orifices directly over the unhygienic mess.
That’s the deal.
And when they stand, they don’t always bother to take aim.
According to my husband, it is a lot harder to aim consistently than it looks.
Yeah, it’s the porta potty that raises my objection.
There was a study, The Gender Equality Paradox, that showed that in countries with high levels of gender equality (like in Scandinavia), women gravitated toward historically feminine careers (nursing, teaching) more than in less egalitarian countries. The explanation is that when given a choice, people choose careers that align with their interests.
I assume that these people who lambasted you are so in a bubble that they leapt at the opportunity to argue with someone stating an obvious fact they don't like. Two things can be true. Men and women have different skills and interests in general, but there is a wide range within each sex, so we should judge people as individuals.
To the chagrin of progressives, the blank slate does not exist.
My brother got a bride from Russia in the Nineties, literally going to a speed-dating warehouse full of women trying to get out of Russia, and successful single men from the West and Japan looking for a woman to take home. After three such trips from Portland, he connected with a young woman who ran her own construction business.
Why did all those women want out of Russia? I’ll generalize here, but it was because the men, exemplified by Boris Yeltsin, were drunk all the time. This was before Putin and the oil oligarchs, and women were basically running the country. But they wanted out because they were sick of living in that culture.
There used to be a Commie under every rock, now there is a misogynist or racist or Hitler under every rock.
It's tiresome.
💯
There are some physical tasks that the vast majority of women simply cannot do. For example, in my former large city, there were literally thousands of firefighters, only two of whom were women. This was before the Woken Times, when it was perfectly OK to have one physical test for all firefighters, and where anyone who could not pass that test was deemed to be unqualified for the job.
But then the lawsuits started, and in many (dare I say most?) places, they waved many of the physical requirements for women. That is absurd, of course, since anyone who’s home is on fire just wants a fire crew that can lift the hoses, carry out people trapped inside, etc., and we don’t care what race/gender/sexual orientation they are.
Exactly!
It’s a truthful comment PH!!!!
Not controversial to me.
My tasks today in advance of traveling to my son’s tomorrow are
Making lemon lavender almond bark
Making baked beans
Making marinated mozzarella balls
Making the beginnings of a cranberry frangipane tart (it just sounds so freaking delicious)
Tomorrow I’ll finish the tart, put together the cookie trays and somehow we’ll have to fit everything in the car because there are a lot of presents from and to 12 people.
I also need to hit Aldi to get their cinnamon rolls my son wants to have for Christmas breakfast.
Yum, that all sounds very delicious! Safe travels.
Lemon lavender almond bark- just reading that makes me hungry!
Sounds yummy.
I would never have thought of lemon lavender almond bark, but it sounds SO delicious. Ditto the cranberry frangipane tart.
I’m bringing the bottle of rum I earned at my Xmas gig to a party tomorrow night. Y’all make me wish I could cook. It ALL sounds yummy to me. Not sure what you have in mind for the next couple posts, but I could read everyone’s menus all day.
Just open forum the next two days. I would also love to hear about food!
The bark is fantastic. This candy/nut store downtown sold it for like $16 a pound. I thought, I grow lavender, I harvest it so how hard can it be? Found a recipe on line and the rest is history.
24 oz white chocolate (actually vanilla) chips
1 cup roasted almonds
2-3 tsps lavender flowers
1-2 tsp lemon extract
Melt chips (I use the microwave) mix in the rest, spread on parchment or foil. Cool - break - eat.
I’ll post my son’s Christmas menu elsewhere. Very ambitious.
$16 a pound?
I just bought gifts from See’s (their chocolates bring me right back to my childhood, when they gave us a free sample every time we walked by during the season).
The boxes start at $32 per pound, plus shipping!
Well it was like 15-20 years ago if not more
I buy Belgian or Peruvian white chocolate chips (67% cacao).... Its fabulous!
Unwoke, I made lavender shortbread cookies one year with dried lavender. They were delicious the first day, BUT the lavender flavor got stronger each day and became overpowering. Does that happen with the bark (or does it all get eaten the first day)?
I think the taste stays ok. Maybe the recipe called for too much? I think most recipes do that with sugar.
That sounds amazing!
I had to try this. It was very easy so SO delicious!
I'm going to make a Bouche de Noel for Christmas. Been wanting to do it for a few years but never got to it, hoping I get it to roll without breaking.
Can I order some of those marinated mozzarella balls? That sounds yummy!
Aldi’s for cinnamon rolls??
The cheese balls are easy. Get some fresh mozzarella. You can chop up the big ball or get the pearls. Mix with minced garlic, basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, dried red pepper, black pepper, salt, and chives. Add olive oil and marinate, stirring it up occasionally to disperse the herbs. My family really likes them. Me not so much.
And my son found the cinnamon rolls at Aldo’s but I couldn’t find them so I got pillsbury from Walmart. And I think they’ve lowered the price.
I have found that I'm not fond of fresh mozzarella. I'm not sure why, but the flavor is just too strong for me.
I’m not cooking…I shop for the groceries in return for my daughters to do the cooking while I play with the grands.
Bit of bittersweet here. The Letter from the PRNJ that put the oil tank issue out of its misery arrived yesterday, a week too late to allow me to close this year on the duplex that I'm buying to share with my daughter. Had hoped to use the rest of the year to schlep stuff to the new place but now I'm faced with actually packing it and getting it into the basement so that the present house can be shown. I've clearly gotten too old for that. Getting close to calling junkluggers and closing my eyes...
And yet it is the nature of the season to intrude a lightness, if not a sweetness, into a heap o' cares. I think that it's all that music -- and the Reason for the Season.
Be well, y'all.
Sorry the PRNJ messed up your plans. I would vote for junkluggers. Not worth risking health at this point to do things others can do instead.
I second that recommendation. Find some neighborhood kids or day laborers. At our age it’s dangerous to lift and carry
I hear you both. But it's not the labor so much as having most of my past go to the dumpster.
Yeah, that is a difficult one. When we were planning on downsizing living quarters, we got rid of a lot of things. Giving stuff to Goodwill helped, knowing that someone was going to get use out of it. It may also help to take photos of anything that means a lot to you, so you can still access the memory that way (not so helpful if tactile or 'actual use' elements are involved).
Culture is not dead!
Last night for the Oratorio Society's "Messiah" at Carnegie Hall, I was glad to see that the entire packed audience of local fans and excited tourists stood as one for the "Hallelujah" chorus. Alas, a few muddled souls thought that it must be a sing-along, and some stray voices warbled.
And then, thinking it was over, more than a few people left. Hearing the next bit, abashed, they tiptoed back to their seats.
Glorious noises, klezmer and otherwise, were had for Hanukkah and Christmas; done gallivanting. Tired of loathsome news and sanctimony. Keep singing, and do your best, is what I say.
Freakonomics podcast just did a 3 part series on Messiah. It was super interesting.
Philistine Mark here, to say that while I often attend symphony concerts, I find the lengthy buildup to the Hallelujah Chorus a bit tedious. I passed on it this year.
Of course, anyone’s mileage may vary.
There are sections I like and sections I find dull. As with anything.
Haha! It's true that at one point last night through the mighty singing of "Messiah" I heard jaunty klezmer music from the night before.
A little like Jeanette MacDonald hearing Nelson Eddy's strains of "Indian Love Call," towards the end, while she's singing opera on stage. She cocks her head, listens, and loses her notes. Only MacDonald could've put it over.
A “Krazy Klezmer” truck used to cruise West LA advertising a band. I used to follow to frequently through the Santa Monica airport (it’s a locals shortcut) but never got to see them play.
We heard the Klezmatics, part of the Klezmer brass. Done well, Klezmer is a beautiful cacophony that actually goes.
The last verse of the performance I appended to my yesterday's comment, though, was no cacophony but a heartbreaking single horn duet with the singer.
I’m glued to TwiX, watching fellow Jews make minced meat out of Megyn Kelly.
This group is battle tested in propaganda and lies because of the 2 year war in Gaza.
The good news, there is a large group of fellow tribesman engaged in the attacks.
They won’t back down and won’t stop.
Every time Megyn says something new to support her position, they attack relentlessly.
It’s glorious.
Yay team Jew ! I hate to have to say this, but Megyn deserves it at this point. I messed up with my earlier comment- went back and added the part about the giant menorah I saw yesterday after you had already read my reply. Just seeing that brightly lighted symbol of hope and freedom in the middle of wokey dokey ville was such a delight.
I bet that menorah looks beautiful.
Brian, I saw your comments on Sasha Stone, but am not subscribed so cannot respond. What is with the attacks on Ben Shapiro regarding the Amfest speech? I thought his speech was great. Another commenter there said Shapiro is the opposite of Kirk. I disagree. Not the same faith, but both solid conservatives. Like Charlie, Ben Shapiro is capable of reasoned and respectful debate with the most vicious of adversaries. Ben Shapiro has had Bishop Barron on his show a few times. Charlie was slated to be on Barrons show, just a few days after the assassination. There is much more that unites us than divides us. Looking for difference or ascribing bad motives to others is the game of the day. It’s evil. I love Ben Shapiro. MK, shame on you.
That was a fun debate on Sasha’s blog. I wish the comments were open to all, very frustrating that it is only for paying subscribers. They attack Ben Shapiro because he is Jewish. His speech was outstanding. Never mentioned Israel or Jews once. All policy. It was epic.
No.... Megyn didn't attack Shapiro because he is Jewish, she said why is he the Gatekeeper ? Why does he decide who is a true conservative? Why did he appoint himself the arbiter of who should be shut down and who should talk?
Ben laid out a very clear set of criteria that he believes conservatives should adhere to. Then he laid out clear reasons why he felt certain people, Candace and Tucker, were not adhering to those criteria. Thus, making the case that each are not conservatives. As to Megyn, he called her a “coward” for not calling out Candace and her constant preaching of conspiracy theories about the murder of Charlie Kirk. Ben was speaking in support of Erika Kirk, obviously.
Ben does not get to set the criteria for a conservative, he was merely parroting what Heritage foundation has on its website. And then he made his case to the audience for them to decide. Judging from the response, Ben hit the mark solidly. This talk of “gatekeeping” and “canceling” people is nonsense. The debate is about “values” of a conservative movement for the GOP. Does the movement want to associate with Jew haters or not ? Ben is making a very credible case not to associate with these people. The Democrat Party should have had this debate 10 years ago, but it did not. As a result, the crazy people on the left now run the party. Ben wants to prevent that.
This entire psyop is directed at US foreign policy towards the Jewish state. I’ve watched this debate unfold and it largely creates a double standard for Israel, which is discriminatory. Sure, let’s debate US foreign policy, but if we do, we have to treat all equally and not create double standards for some. The lies and propaganda making the case to severe US ties with Israel are wrong factually and fail to account for what the US gets from the relationship. They are sophomoric at best.
I value your opinion..... but that is what this is. My opinion is that I support Israel and Jewish people and believe they have a right to their country and existence.... not just because of their religion, but because they fought for it, won and now need to protect it to keep it.
Why do conservatives need to have a debate about supporting Israel?
What we do is elect the leaders who support Israel. That's it .... end of debate. We do not need to keep shooting inside the tent, although when they get too loony, smart people will simply ignore them... like I completely ignore Candace Owens and Nick Fuents and no longer follow Tucker Carlson...... Why does Megyn have to get in Candace's face or she is a coward?
Good thoughts indeed. Stepping back, your initial comment was right. I was wrong. Megyn did not attack Ben because he is Jewish. Megyn attacked Ben because he called her a coward and she was hurt.
You are indeed correct, we should elect leaders who support Israel. The debate we are having now is whether or not JD Vance will support Israel. That’s what all of Tucker’s podcasts are about. Tucker is openly attacking Evangelicals, who are Zionists. It’s very messy. Suffice it to say, JD Vance was given several of opportunities to show such support, and he has failed each time. The Jewish community sees him as a problem. Indirectly, that is what Ben Shapiro is attacking in his speech.
Megyn is a coward for not calling out Candace. She calls out Michelle Obama for picking on Barack but she can’t call out crazy loon Candace?
See this video of Promethean Action (Barbara Boyd) - she talks about this specifically and in great detail ..... she has direct long-time experience.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Qdppy5xNQ
Very interesting indeed, thank you. I get it. Not difficult to see this “cabal” implementing its mission over the past decade through media, intelligence and otherwise. My question, that I know you can’t answer, is whether or not the opponents of the cabal see Israel as part of the cabal. It seems pretty clear to me that Tucker Carlson believes this, it’s obvious from his podcast. I’ll tune in to the Prometheus podcast periodically for updates as I have Subscribed and have it in my YouTube Subscribed bucket.
I think you can comment without a subscription. Or maybe a subscription but not a paid subscription.
My open forum comment is... Wah!
Merry Christmas all and a Happy New Year!
Oh, here's one for the team to discus...
Throwing red meat into the Lions den.... what about Bari shutting down Alfonsi on 60 Minutes? I personally love it. Alfonsi is not a good human being IMO.
Michael Shellenberger wrote an article on it last night. It seems like much ado about nothing and the reporter is throwing a tantrum. "And an editorial decision is not the same as censorship, particularly since Weiss said she is delaying, not killing, the segment." It seems Weiss is just asking for her team to get a quote from the Trump admin before publishing. “The episode shows Sharyn’s poor investigative skills,” the person added. “She should have doorstepped the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security or sent someone to the White House.”
Makes me wonder if Alfonsi is trying to get fired so she can sue.
There was speculation to that effect. That her email was written with the intent to leak it to create this drama.
The more Bari can do to toss out the entrenched assholes at CBS, the better. My own quarrels with her don't preclude cheering when she does something right.
YES! LOVE THIS!
I’m teaching today at one of the only schools still open. Kids are watching movies. I’m wondering what you are cooking. I’m going to make meatloaf for Christmas dinner for me and my mom. What should I serve with it ? She doesn’t like mashed potatoes 🥔 or really potatoes much at all.
Brussels sprouts.
I would definitely vote for Brussels sprouts, but not everyone likes them. On the other hand, the pan of roasted sprouts I took to the church Christmas dinner last Saturday disappeared rapidly.
I love them but I think my mom wants to make asparagus.
Then asparagus it is!
I just can't bring myself to cook asparagus when it isn't in season. I mean, obviously it's in season somewhere, or they wouldn't have it for sale. But it feels wrong to me in ways that other sorts of out-of-season produce don't.
I agree. My mom wanted frozen from the store on Sunday so that’s probably what we will have. I prefer fresh in season too.
Butter noodles and mushroom gravy, gives it a bit of stroganoff flare! Vegetable, sweet baby carrots.
Oven roasted carrots and roasted cauliflower. Yum.
I've made rolls and apple cake and peanut brittle (because my d-i-l and Jem have decimated the batch we made a couple of weeks ago). Still need to make cookies. We made two kinds of fudge last night (rocky road and peanut butter).
I'm planning sweet potatoes (but not with marshmallows!) to go with our ham on Christmas, and d-i-l is going to make a mushroom dish. I still need to make pecan pie, but I'll do that Christmas Eve so it's ready for Mr. Celia's breakfast on Christmas.
Maybe rice would be a good side for meatloaf? Or roasted cauliflower?
Sounds like my mom is a going to bake sweet potatoes 🍠
We are going off the ranch this year. Like crazy off the ranch.
Grilled Szechwan Lamp Chops
Smoked Beef Short Ribs
Stir fried green beans with bacon and red onion
Broccoli
Mashed potatoes
Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole
and maybe some Key Lime Pie Ice Cream for Dessert on top of the Chocolates from Paris our Niece sent us. (Which is SOOOOOO Good and IATA who raided it early!)
Yeah pretty Bougey I know!
Merry Christmas All!
Sounds delicious! Merry Christmas!
If any of you listen to the Shawn Ryan podcast, he had Hunter Biden on recently. I haven't listened yet, Ryan does long-format interviews, this one is something like 5 hours.
$15 million in debt...daddy isn't bailing him out of that.
That would be a nice Christmas present, but not sure if even that would top last year's gift of a full federal pardon for any and everything going back 10 years.
Hunter's $15 million dollar debt comeuppance is just desserts. He did it to himself. Despite his daddy's pardon for his criminality and ill-gotten gains, he'll now have to contend with debilitating debt and the reality of the Biden fraud. He'll only continue to humiliate the Biden "brand" because that's what they do.
We are having Christmas on the 24th this year. Hubby is the chef and I have great expectations for a delicious meal. He is off on another Rockstar tour and is leaving on Christmas day. He's going to be gone for 10 days. I am struggling to maintain my usual stoic attitude but I am a bit melancholy. I have no family, and so Christmas has always been emotionally difficult for me. In the last few years I have done well with it, but this year I feel bereft. I feel like I know all of you people, and let me say that I appreciate all of you so much. I hope that you all enjoy your time with family, and for Christ's sake don't take it for granted!
Chin up (as best you can). And come to JIP and hang out with all of us. Christmas Eve dinner sounds great.
I will definitely be a presence at JIP!! Sometimes I think this is the only group of sane people existing in this mad world.
Enjoy your Christmas Eve and then treat yourself kindly while hubby is gone. *hugs*
I found this quote from a letter Ben Franklin wrote to Joseph Galloway in the book I'm reading now, The March of Folly, by Barbara Tuchman and thought many of you in this community would appreciate it. Sounds like a lot of what we are learning about the incredible depth of fraud and corruption in our federal and state governments, as well as the lack of any accountability. The context is a discussion of a proposed union between Great Britain and her Colonies.
"When I consider the extreme corruption prevalent among all orders of men in this old rotten state" with its "numberless and needless places, enormous salaries, pensions, perquisites, bribes, groundless quarrels, foolish expectations, false accounts or no accounts, contracts and jobs that devour all revenue..." he would fear more mischief than benefit from closer union.
Corruption is a weed that must be rooted out in every generation. Otherwise it will grow like kudzu and choke any hope of good governance.
A German academic's take on what has gone on with DEI hiring at universities: Eugyppius taught in a college/university here for some years. His piece uses the Savage article on young white men NOT getting hired in this climate.
https://open.substack.com/pub/eugyppius/p/savages-lost-generation-or-thoughts?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
That guy is awesome. One of few worth paying for IMO. Jupp's another one, as is Schellenburger, Jeff Childers, bad kitty (El Gato Malo), and Elizabeth Nickson, although sometimes she's a little too much, but still worth it. My $.02c worth!
And of course the one and only... Celia!
I probably should look at how much $$$ i'm throwing at Substack, naw bad idea. I canned the WSJ, so that probably pays for all of the above! I'll just keep telling myself that. 🙂
I like your list Ted. I follow these people too. Eugyppius provides an interesting critical analysis viewpoint that includes the fact that he taught here for some years, so he knows the US terrain. I would add in Matt Taibbi and Walter Kirn. Taibbi is a stone cold journalist and Kirn is culturally brilliant. They do a bi-weekly talk on current events together, but each has separate posts as well.
Yup! Follow them too, sorry I omitted them as they definitely belong in that list!