Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Our Greatest Instrument of Diplomacy

When all is going wrong in the world, the United States has always had one of its greatest instruments of diplomacy. Here's a song about it:


Six Degrees of blaming Bush


The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Blame
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical HumorTea Party

Christian Extremists disrupt Hindu Senate Invocation

They have to have the podium all the time. These people are as bad as the Muslims. Theocracy in the US anyone


Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Operation Wigwam

One of the solutions that was batted around for a solution to the Deepwater Horizon crisis in the gulf is to detonate a Nuclear Device to seal the well. What the explosion would accomplish is to heat and seal the wellhead by turning the ocean floor into a magma which would then cool. With evidence suggesting that the ocean floor may be cracking around the wellhead such a solution may be needed.

Would a conventional explosion be possible? I am not sure if the conventional explosives would work at that depth. Its untried. However, there has been a nuclear test at that depth and it was successful. On 14 May 1955, a 30 Kiloton Nuclear Device (which was a Nuclear Depth Charge designated Mark 90 Betty) was detonated 500 miles SW of San Diego at a depth of 2000 feet. The result was this:


The explosion released no radioactivity to the atmosphere.

There are two things standing in the way of using this and even I am not sure if it is wise.

One: Such an explosion is banned by the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (signed in 1963) which bans explosions above the surface of the earth, in Space, and underwater. However, there is a Peaceful Nuclear Explosions Treaty which was signed in 1976 and entered into force in 1990. An explosion of this nature would be covered by this treaty.

Two: Such a use of Nuclear weapons would give justification for other states (specifically Iran) to develop nuclear weapons for so-called "peaceful" purposes.

Nuclear weapons have been used to carve out harbors by the Soviet Union. A similar project by the United States (Operation Plowshare/Project Chariot) was canceled due to concerns about radioactive fallout and its dubious purpose in creating a harbor in Alaska where none was needed. Various proposals for peaceful uses of Nuclear weapons include: Creating a second Panama Canal, bringing water to the Qattara Depression in Egypt, and last but not least Project Orion which would have used Nuclear bombs to propel a huge spacecraft into orbit and then journey throughout the solar system (not to be confused with the Orion capsule project which was part of the recently canceled Project Constellation).

Nuclear Weapons have been contemplated for peaceful purposes, but the after effects are what have rendered any application of them as dubious. If however, this disaster cannot be controlled by the relief wells which are contemplated to be completed by August (for the first one) such a use may be contemplated. Sea life has already been decimated by the oil so an argument can be made that its use would do no more harm to said life. Our leaders will have to weigh the pros and cons of such use before contemplating it.

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Porky Pig is a Communist?

To those who would say that ours is a Christian Nation I offer this:


God was never in the "Pledge of Allegiance" and even the Pledge may have been an anathema to our founding fathers. Ours is a secular nation.

Friday, June 25, 2010

The WORST case scenario for the BP spill

Tropical Depression One forms off the coast of Yucatan.



000
WTNT31 KNHC 252159
TCPAT1
BULLETIN
TROPICAL DEPRESSION ONE SPECIAL ADVISORY NUMBER 1
NWS TPC/NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER MIAMI FL AL012010
600 PM EDT FRI JUN 25 2010

...FIRST TROPICAL DEPRESSION OF THE ATLANTIC SEASON FORMS IN THE
WESTERN CARIBBEAN...


SUMMARY OF 600 PM EDT...2200 UTC...INFORMATION
----------------------------------------------
LOCATION...16.5N 83.5W
ABOUT 355 MI...570 KM SE OF COZUMEL MEXICO
ABOUT 345 MI...555 KM ESE OF CHETUMAL MEXICO
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...35 MPH...55 KM/HR
PRESENT MOVEMENT...WNW OR 300 DEGREES AT 10 MPH...17 KM/HR
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE...1004 MB...29.65 INCHES


WATCHES AND WARNINGS
--------------------
CHANGES WITH THIS ADVISORY...

THE GOVERNMENT OF MEXICO HAS ISSUED A TROPICAL STORM WARNING FOR THE
EAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM CHETUMAL NORTHWARD TO
CANCUN.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT...

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR...
* THE EAST COAST OF THE YUCATAN PENINSULA FROM CHETUMAL NORTHWARD TO
CANCUN

A TROPICAL STORM WARNING MEANS THAT TROPICAL STORM CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE WARNING AREA WITHIN 36 HOURS.

FOR STORM INFORMATION SPECIFIC TO YOUR AREA...PLEASE MONITOR
PRODUCTS ISSUED BY YOUR NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE.


DISCUSSION AND 48-HOUR OUTLOOK
------------------------------
AT 600 PM EDT...2200 UTC...THE CENTER OF NEWLY FORMED TROPICAL
DEPRESSION ONE WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.5 NORTH...LONGITUDE
83.5 WEST. THE DEPRESSION IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST-NORTHWEST NEAR
10 MPH...17 KM/HR. THIS GENERAL MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR
THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. ON THE FORECAST TRACK...THE DEPRESSION
WILL REACH THE YUCATAN PENINSULA BY LATE SATURDAY.

MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS ARE NEAR 35 MPH...55 KM/HR...WITH HIGHER
GUSTS. SOME STRENGTHENING IS FORECAST...AND THE DEPRESSION IS
EXPECTED TO BECOME A TROPICAL STORM TONIGHT OR SATURDAY.

THE MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE REPORTED BY AN AIR FORCE RESERVE
HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT WAS 1004 MB...29.65 INCHES.


HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND
----------------------
WIND...TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE COAST
WITHIN THE WARNING AREA BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON.

RAINFALL...THE DEPRESSION IS EXPECTED TO PRODUCE TOTAL RAIN
ACCUMULATIONS OF 4 TO 8 INCHES OVER THE YUCATAN PENINSULA...EASTERN
GUATEMALA...AND MUCH OF HONDURAS AND BELIZE THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING.
ISOLATED MAXIMUM AMOUNTS OF 15 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE OVER MOUNTAINOUS
AREAS. THERE RAINS COULD CAUSE LIFE-THREATENING FLASH FLOODS AND
MUDSLIDES.


NEXT ADVISORY
-------------
NEXT INTERMEDIATE ADVISORY...800 PM EDT.
NEXT COMPLETE ADVISORY...1100 PM EDT.

$$
FORECASTER AVILA/BRENNAN

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Just wondering what this picture has to say

I always love Non Sequitur and this was particularly funny. If you can't read the caption balloon it says, "Yes, every once in a while I do think its a good idea to look a gift horse in the mouth."


Saturday, June 19, 2010

Remember Star Trek 6

Remember Star Trek 6 after the planet exploded and the wave front hits the Excelsior? This is the radar for me at the moment. The rain is starting to come down and its not too bad at the moment. Just weird looking radar. Never seen anything like this except on a lesson I saw on interpreting radar. Classic Bow echo.


Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Another sleepless day

Being a night worker has advantages and disadvantages. One of the great diasdvantages is taht that I have to sleep during the day. Yesterday, everyone was doing yard work with mowers and weed wackers working overtime to tame the encroaching grassland. the fact that it was trash day didn't help either.

I live in a trailer park and we used to have a couple of sets of dumpsters that were communal trash disposal areas. The sad fact that the redneck contingent used it to dispose of everything from refrigerators to couches to mattresses, in spite of being told by the trash companies that fines would ensue was not respected by said contingent. Therefore, the management, in its infinite wisdom decided to supply indivdual custom garbage cans to each resident. (I noted piles of said debris at the former sites of the communial dumpsters after they had been removed. Which, in my mind reinforces the intellectual level of the redneck contingent. They are now gone and no more debris are being disposed there. Lesson learned, but I digress). What this means to me the day sleeper is that the custom garbage cans are designed to be picked up by a trash truck and dumped into the truck. So, all 200 or so units have a garbage can, do the math. After trying to sleep, listening to that sound is just not right. I was finally able to get some rest after the trash truck left, but the sleep was fitful as the lawn contingent left, fleeing the humid air for the comfort of air conditioning.

Another factor seems my mother's claim that it is simply too cold in here. So she has a habit of shutting off the air conditioning at the worst times of the day. So much for sleep there as well. I may have to rearrange the household in order to accommodate my sleep.

Today, the weather was the culprit. A little after noon, a large lightning bolt stuck nearby. I was aware of the flash and then the bolt immediately sounded. It was CLOSE. I wondered if my truck, with the tall VHF antenna, was struck. So I got up and turned on the TV and yes, we are under a severe thunderstorm warning. In fact, immediately after I turned on the TV, my weather radio started going off with warnings for all the counties to the east and west of me. This incident had caught the weather services off guard apparently. So I went outside and looked up and not too bad, but it was starting to rain. Not seeing any rotation or anything like that, I went back inside and monitored the TV and weather radio.

Thus I am still awake, watching the TV and listening to the weather radio. Everything is moved off so I will try to sleep soon.

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Revised Theocracy Timeline

This represents a revision and completion of the timeline I presented in an earlier blog. Comments are welcome and appreciated. I had it end similarly to Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising. Hopefully we have sane officers in the military who realize that any use of nuclear weapons would be undesirable.

Timeline of the American Theocracy

President Obama wins the final Democratic primary and the Democratic convention selects him as the candidate for the 2012 election. Tea Party and other Right wing groups stage a tumultuous demonstration vowing that he will never be elected again.

Sarah Palin is selected as the Republican presidential candidate after a stormy Republican convention in which the Tea Party and Christian Nativist groups drown out moderate elements of the Party.

September 15, 2011 - President Obama assassinated by White Supremacist and Militia member Robert O'Dell of the Ohio "Patriot" militia at a campaign stop in Cleveland. O'Dell is killed in the resultant gun battle as the sniper nest he was concealed in is stormed by Secret Service Agents. Vice President Biden assumes office sworn in by Supreme Court Justice Sonja Sotamayor vowing to crack down on the perpetrators of this deed.

September 16, 2011 - Republican Candidate Palin appears on Fox News to express condolences for the death of the President but then calls into question the electability of President Biden since he was not the Presidential candidate. Right wing media takes up this "question," fanning indecision and the electorate begins to question the electability of Biden.

September 29, 2011 - A joint FBI, Secret Service and ATF task force begins crackdown of several so called "militia" units. The Colorado 44th "Jim Bridger" militia fights back resulting in a stand-off in Boulder for 34 days. The Police vehicles are shot at by RPG's and heavy machine guns when they attempt to storm the compound.

October 10, 2011 - FBI agent Harold Rediker is killed by a sniper within the Boulder compound.

October 15, 2011 - Some units of the Colorado National Guard refuse orders to surround the Bridger militia compound citing their membership in the so-called "Oath Keepers" organization. Units of the US Army are called in from Ft. Hood, Texas. Some members of these units also refuse orders, citing their membership in the Oath Keepers. Those soldiers in these and subsequent incidents are placed under arrest.

November 1, 2011 - Sarah Palin wins the Presidency as enough doubt is cast on Biden that many vote for her in the belief that Biden is not legitimate thanks to a campaign by right wing media outlets and pundits. This is also coupled with widespread voter manipulation and outright fraud in some areas.

November 3, 2011 - Units of the US Army, along with FBI and ATF agents storm the Boulder compound. Much like Waco, the compound is set ablaze by Bridger Militia members, many of whom kill themselves rather than submit to capture.

November 4, 2011 - Fox News, which has supported the Militias since the storming of the Boulder compound, interview several soldiers who claim they were ordered to execute militia members rather than attempt to capture them. Subsequent investigation proves the soldiers were nowhere near the area of Boulder or even assigned to the storming of the Boulder compound. Several right wing organizations pick up this rumor and it is spread through the use of social media on the internet. Attempts to explain or refute the interview are fruitless.

November 23, 2011 - An attempt is made to assassinate President Biden and Speaker Polosi. A state of emergency is declared in the Washington DC area and the National Guard is called out in order to maintain security.

November 29, 2011 - Militia members attempt to storm the Supreme Court, but are thwarted by soldiers of the National Guard.

December 15th, 2011 - The Joint Militia Task Force storms the compound of the Maryland Militia unit responsible for the attempt on the President and the Supreme Court attack. Many of the militia are killed.

December 29, 2011 - Units of Xe Incorporated (formerly Blackwater Incorporated) are called upon to secure some areas of Washington DC as some units of the US Military are rendered ineffective due to many soldiers who refuse to follow orders to maintain security citing their Oath Keeper membership.

Janruary 2nd, 2011 - Sarah Palin goes on Fox News to accuse President Biden and Speaker Polosi of treason in their enabling of the Obama Adminstration. She cites numerous statistics and rumors of cooperation with Al Queda. Right Wing media calls for internment of all persons of Arab decent and the arrest of President Biden and Speaker Polosi. She also calls for the deportation of all persons of Mexican decent regardless if they are citizens or not.

January 5th 2012 - Units of Xe Incorporated seize President Biden and Speaker Polosi and hold them hostage as Sarah Palin assumes the Presidency. Citing an unprecedented national emergency, Supreme Court Justice Roberts swears Palin in early. Media sources decry the seizure and early swearing in of the President with the notable exception of Fox News.

January 19th, 2012 - Supreme Court Justice Sonja Sotamayor dies under mysterious circumstances. Sarah Palin nominates Judge Roy Moore of Alabama as her replacement. Many soldiers which formerly were disobeying orders are released from military custody by the President who calls their imprisonment "un-American."

February 20th, 2012 - In a Capitol building surrounded by armed "militia" units, units of the National Guard and Military units loyal to the President, Roy Moore is confirmed as the new Supreme Court Justice in a swift vote. Some objecting Senators are taken away by armed guards. Of those taken away, some disappear under mysterious circumstances.

February 22, 2012 - Cynthia Dunbar, formerly of the Texas Education Standards Board, is confirmed as Secretary of Education vowing to "bring God back to the classroom."

February 29, 2012 - Many Americans fearing for their safety begin to gather at the borders of Canada and Mexico fleeing the country as a campaign of intimidation and ostracization by Tea Party sympathizers and Fundamentalist Christians begins. Canada grants asylum to many, but the numbers are starting to grow overwhelmingly as a wave of religious oppression begins in America.

March 14th, 2012 - President Palin proposes the first of many laws designed to "bring a Godly presence to government." Among these are laws withdrawing the United States from the United Nations, criminalizing homosexuality, instituting broad censorship of media outlets across the spectrum from television to Internet and criminalizing "disrespect of God." The penalty of many of these laws are low, but the sentiment in the country promises that such laws will be strictly enforced.

March 17th, 2012 - The City of Berkely, CA is among the first of many cities and states to object to the new laws proposed. Many cities in California, Oregon, and other "blue states" pass similar resolutions condemning the laws.

March 29th, 2012 - After a tumultuous debate, the slate of laws are passed by the House and Senate. They are quickly signed into law by President Palin in a Rose Garden ceremony. In a speech at the signing ceremony, she states that, "We have begun a new order in which the Lord Jesus Christ will be the king of our land."

March 31, 2012 - Former President Biden and Former Speaker Pelosi are charged with treason by the Justice Department for facilitating Obama's Presidency. In the charges, it is alleged that Obama was not a citizen of the United States due to his status as a Kenyan citizen (or Indonesian depending on the media outlet originating the story). Hearings begin to nullify laws passed during the Obama Administration due to their alleged illegality and the alleged illegitimacy of the Presidency.

April 1, 2012 - The Religious Enforcement Division (RED) of the Department of Homeland Security is created by executive order to enforce the slate of religious laws passed in March since many professionals at the various agencies object to enforcing them. The new agency is staffed with extremists from various Christian religions, among them is Eric Prince, former head of Blackwater (Xe Incorporated) who is the head of the new agency. Members of the so-called "Joel's Army" are tapped as auxiliaries of the New agency with paid employment by the government pending background checks.

April 2, 2012 - The offices of MSNBC are stormed by Federal agents and many of the media personalities are arrested for Treason. Among them are Rachael Maddow, Keith Olberman and others. MSNBC is taken off the air. Similar raids take place at the offices of other Media companies, newspapers and radio stations in the ensuing days, in a campaign of intimidating the press. Some reporters and media personalities slip away and flee to Canada or Europe who grant asylum.

April 7th, 2012 - In Afghanistan, military units loyal to the President massacre a village filled with "suspected" al Queda members. the village is subsequently found to contain only elderly, women and children. European protests are dismissed by the Palin administration. The administration begins to ramp up operations in Afghanistan in preparation for a withdrawal later. The Karzai Government protests the atrocity as well saying that it will render the country impossible for him to govern.

April 12, 2012 - NATO forces, citing the present US policies state they will no longer support US operations in Afghanistan. Their forces begin to withdraw from Afghanistan, leaving the US alone.

April 22nd, 2012 - Former President Biden and Former Speaker Polosi are moved to a High Security Federal Penitentiary in Colorado.

April 25th, 2012 - Congress begins debate on a slate of new "citizenship laws" which will redefine who a citizen is and how citizenship is to be obtained. Among the proposals considered is that anyone who was born to a non-citizen is no longer considered a citizen even if born on US soil, revoking the citizenship of Arab Americans and persons of Middle Eastern or South West Asian decent, prohibiting persons of Mexican, Arab or South West Asian decent from owning land, and the prevention of using military service to obtain citizenship.

May 15th 2012 - In spite of attempts at opposition, the New Citizenship Laws are passed. Police are given power to stop anyone of suspected citizenship violation and anyone not found with citizenship papers on their person is subject to arrest and arbitrary detention. Federal Home Loans are denied to persons of Mexican, Arab and South West Asian decent and persons are encouraged to start to boycott businesses of those persons. These persons are also denied access to health care, Social Security, banking, schools, etc.

May 23rd, 2012 - Troops from the US Army (apparently forgetting their Oath Keeper oaths) under the auspices of the RED raid various sections of Dearborn and Detroit to start rounding up persons of Arab decent to enforce the new slate of citizenship laws. Similar raids take place in various Southwestern states with the exception that the persons rounded up are of Hispanic decent. Raids at various "gay bars" start rounding up persons alleged to be homosexual. In spite of statements to the contrary, many are killed in these initial raids by overzealous personnel in the RED.

May 25th, 2012 - New gun control laws are instituted requiring an RED background check before one can purchase a firearm. A letter or similar document from a pastor or other "approved" church leader is needed before a firearm can be purchased. All citizens are then required to satisfy the new gun control legislation.

May 27th, 2012 - Citing lack of support by their allies, President Palin quietly withdraws US troops from Afghanistan. This is not seen as a setback as they are going to be desperately needed to quell domestic disturbances. This goes unreported in the media due to censorship. Units are consolidated in Iraq as insurgent attacks increase. There are reports that units with large numbers of minorities are abandoned by their comrades in both countries to essentially fend for themselves.

May 30, 2012 - Due to the increasing numbers of people being rounded up, Federal troops seize control of Berkley, CA and other locations in the San Francisco Bay Area. A new "Federal District" is created in the area to house "displaced persons." Homosexuals from other locations throughout the country are brought to this area to be "processed." A similar area is created in the Detroit and Dearborn areas in Michigan to house persons of Arab decent. (Raids are executed in areas of Ohio, Indiana and other cities in the Northeast to round up citizens of Arabic decent). The city of El Paso, Texas is similarly cordoned off to create a district for Hispanics. They are then deported across the border to Mexico. (Strangely enough, persons of Cuban decent are not included, but it is strongly suggested that they remain in Florida so that they not be confused with Hispanics from other areas. Due to this, many Hispanics of all countries of origin flee to Florida to escape arrest).

June 5, 2012 - In order to prevent "confusion," persons of Hispanic or Arab decent are required to wear flags on their clothing indicating whether they are a legal citizen or not. This does not stop the arbitrary detentions or arrests as people are known to wear the flags regardless of their citizenship status. The penalties for violations are harsh if one is caught wearing a flag he is not entitled to wear. Persons on temporary visas are required to wear a flag of their country of origin either on their clothing or in a pouch contained on or about their person visible to law enforcement personnel. All citizens are encouraged to carry required display identification and display such if approached by law enforcement. Failure to do so is enforced by harsh penalties as well. Homosexuals are required to wear pink triangles on their clothing. Hispanic radio and television stations and other media outlets are ordered to begin broadcasting in English under penalty of license forfeiture. Border control officers along the Mexican border are now advised to "shoot to kill" anyone trying to get across the border from Mexico. Many Restaurants and Yard Care companies close due to lack of personnel. Strikes and protests staged by Hispanic and Arab-American groups are dealt with in harsh
manners by RED units.

June 20th, 2012 - In order to prevent "confusion" in news reporting and media outlets, all media outlets are closed down in favor of Fox News and other Murdoch and conservative owned papers, electronic media, radio and television stations. The newspapers, radio stations, and television and cable outlets of several cities are seized and given over to the new government sanctioned media monopoly. After objections by the board of the FCC, Glenn Beck is appointed to the revised Federal Communications Commission which is given responsibility to apply the new directives concerning the media. Stations not seized and not in the affected areas are strongly encouraged to broadcast the sanctioned media. Amateur Radios not involved with public safety organizations are ordered seized by Executive Order.

June 25th, 2012 - The RED is placed "above the law" by Executive Order.

June 30th, 2012 - A resolution in the Oregon State legislature proposes secession from the United States. The Governor of Oregon mobilizes the National Guard in his state to protect its citizens from the new Federal Laws and seizures. A similar resolution is proposed in California but is quickly quashed by conservative legislators. Governor Schwarzenegger resigns rather than enforce the new federal laws, leaving for Austria just missing being arrested by Federal agents.

July 1, 2012 - Federal troops from Fort Lewis, Fort Ord and Camp Pendelton are mobilized in order to invade Oregon in the first step to quash the so-called "Blue State Rebellion." Oregon passes its secession resolution by acclimation. The States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York all pass resolutions to join Oregon. These states mobilize their various National Guard Units. The State of Maine petitions Canada for assistance to protect itself from US Federal troops.

July 15, 2012 - Sailors on the USS Harry Truman and her escorts mutiny and sail towards Oregon to assist them in their struggle. The "Blue Mutiny" of the US Military begins. There is some chaos as other Federal units begin to mutiny on some overseas bases. Some other Federal individual soldiers and some entire units join the "Blue Mutiny" as well and head to Oregon and other states to assist them.

July 20th, 2012 - The Harry Truman is sunk off the coast of California by Federal US Air Force aircraft. Mutinies by other units are quashed as leaders are executed by officers loyal to the President. Some soldiers in the Blue States flee their bases to join National Guard Units. Those that remain on base are enclaves surrounded by National Guard troops of the states in question.

July 22nd, 2012 - The RED begins purging the military of suspect persons based on affiliations and the like. Many discharged soldiers, sailors and Airman flee to the Blue States. President Palin declares martial law and begins to institute federal rule by decree calling it "Gods Order." The Stars and Strips is hauled down from the US Capital and replaced with the so-called "US Civil" Flag with red stripes on a white field vertically with blue stars in the corner.

July 31, 2012 - Canadian officers and military personnel are removed from NORAD and Space Command Headquarters at Pearson AFB in Colorado. Canada responds by ordering all US military units off their soil. Canada continues to offer asylum to US citizens and soldiers fleeing the country. Some soldiers who slip into Canada return to Blue States to join up with Blue National Guard units. Canada begins to mobilize its military. Units of other NATO countries are quietly mobilized to assist Canada in the event they are needed. US Military facilities in Europe and other locations are ordered locked down with extra security added in order to quell dissent and prevent "spies" from infiltrating these facilities.

August 10, 2012 - Riot at the Canadian border crossing at Detroit as persons attempting to cross are shot at by Federal troops. Lines of cars are shot at and set ablaze by Federal troops. The Detroit Border crossing is closed.

August 12th, 2012 - NATO advises US units to leave Germany and England as well as other countries on European soil. Soldiers who do not wish to return to the US are invited to stay and many do so. Remaining US Forces are withdrawn and evacuate via Airlift. Whatever heavy equipment could not be flown out is demilitarized and left behind by withdrawing US Federal Troops. The US is given 30 days to remove all Personnel. US responds by banning flights from the US to NATO and EU countries by Executive Order. Thousands of stranded travelers, students and businessmen unable to flee before the order begin to make their way to Blue States or to the Canadian or Mexican border in order to return to their home country. US units in Iraq and units remaining in Afghanistan are attacked by insurgents. The units in Afghanistan are few since the withdrawal was almost complete. Those units institute a fighting withdrawal as they flee by transport aircraft. Units in Iraq are surrounded as they hole up in Baghdad. Some units composed of minorities are wiped out as they are again abandoned by their comrades.

August 14th, 2012 - US Navy personnel at the US Base in Yokohama are asked to leave by Japanese authorities. What forces do not turn themselves over for asylum to Japanese Self-Defense Forces withdraw to Korea, Guam and Hawaii or are tasked to assist in the evacuation of US forces from Iraq and Afghanistan.

August 15, 2012 - US borders are closed to departing persons by Presidential decree. Units of the Department of Homeland Security are placed under Eric Prince, (Head of the RED) and
Law Enforcement is Federalized under the RED by Executive Order.

August 17, 2012 - In what is typical of many abuses by the RED, a 20 year old woman in Denver is executed for failing to wear a dress according to the new dress code instituted under the "Gods Order" Laws. Hair Salons and beauty shops are ordered closed and the sale of makeup and birth control devices are banned.

August 25th, 2012 - President Karzai is executed by al Queda operatives as they assume control of Afghanistan and the Taliban are again in charge of the country.

September 12th, 2012 - US Forces complete withdrawal from NATO countries.

September 15th, 2012 - Oregon is invaded by US Federal troops in an attempt to quash their rebellion.

September 20th, 2012 - Portland is bombed by US Air Force and by Cruise Missiles launched from US Naval vessels in the Pacific.

September 30th, 2012 - Portland, Oregon falls to Federal troops as the last pockets of the Oregon National Guard surrender. Lacking sufficient manpower, resources and equipment the Oregon forces were doomed form the start. Some officers and men are executed summarily by Federal troops by order of the President. The Governor of Oregon is hanged by executive order. The hanging is broadcast live on Fox News as a warning to all who would oppose Gods Order.

October 10th, 2012 - In a meeting in the Adirondacks, the Governors and key legislators of the various remaining Blue States elect the Governor of New York as de facto head of the government. They declare all Federal Laws and the Constitution of the US that was extant before the new administration to be in force in the area. They adopt the name "Free United States" as their name. The Council of Governors and the heads of the various state national guard units begin the process of coordinating strategies to maintain their republic and the safety of the people therein.

October 15, 2012 - Units of the New York National Guard attempt to seize Fort Drum, the HQ of the 10th Mountain Division and are successful as the units are understrength due to the mutiny. In a coordinated operation, Blue Rebel units seize federal facilities in their states and imprison Federal officers who refuse to join in the rebellion.

October 25, 2012 - US Federal Forces mass at the New York Border in Northern Pennsylvania in a standoff that lasts approximately three months.

November 1st, 2012 - Fighter sweeps begin as the US Air Force attempts to gain Air Superiority over the area controlled by the Free US.

November 10th, 2012 - A raid by rebel navy units of the Free US Navy based in New London, Connecticut responding from Submarines, seize the remaining ships based at the Diego Garcia Naval facility which contain ammunition, vehicles and supplies for the Rapid Deployment Forces. They are then spirited to New York for use by the Free US Military. (Although the USNS Bob Hope is sunk by the Federally controlled USS Sacramento, the Sacramento is then sunk by Free US units defending the Convoy).

November 20th, 2012 - This the middle of a period of relative calm as both sides take steps to consolidate their positions. The RED continues to round up various groups people who practice non-Christian religions and ship them to Detroit (if they are in the East) or San Francisco (in the West). Some practicing witches other Pagan religions are summarily executed rather than shipped off because they worship Satan or practice religions against "Gods will." Prices rise for goods and services in the Federal states as world trade increasingly becomes disrupted. Groups of RED officers continue to make sweeps across Oregon looking for Blue State sympathizers. They adopt the Celtic cross as a logo on their uniforms and wear armbands with the logo on them. Its a symbol that becomes increasingly associated with "Gods Order."

However, the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have had their toll on Federal forces. The Oregon attack proved brutal on many and the prospect of shooting their own citizens has had the effect of polarizing some soldiers.

Blue state units attempt to fortify their positions with the limited manpower and resources available to them. Many of the new arrivals who manage to slip in have abilities to assist. Tens of Thousands head to the Blue States to attempt to slip in and get away from the repression of "Gods Order." While they would love to assist, Canada and other NATO countries have to have an official neutral stance given the nuclear capability of the Federal Forces and the lack of it on the Blue State side. (While some soldiers and units escaped with Nuclear Weapons, in many cases the codes did not come with them and the weapons are few and far between).

Several overseas US Federal military bases and facilities are seized by their host governments. Air Forces continue a battle of wits over the skies of the Blue States as they attempt to maintain air travel to and from the rest of the world.

December 27th, 2012 - An Air Canada Airbus A320 is shot down by a USAF fighter for "violating" the Federal Airspace restricted zone around the Blue States. The shooting is accidental, but the effect is to drive Canada into the rebel camp with Canada responding by closing the Alaska Highway and cutting off Alaska. US Federal troops are massing at the Pennsylvania/New York border in preparation for an expected invasion of New York. The closure of the Alaska Highway puts these plans on hold.

January 15th, 2013 - NATO officially begins to assist clandestinely the Free US forces by shipping whatever spare parts were left at US bases in Europe and other countries which were seized after US forces left. Since many spares are universal among the NATO countries, the transfer of parts offers a respite the Free US Forces need.

January 25th, 2013 - The countries of Kenya and Uganda officially offer support the US Federal Government. Several other Christian-dominated African countries on the western coast offer their support as well.

January 27th, 2013 - Federal Forces begin a series of harassment raids along the de facto Federal/Free US border which follows the southern border of New York State. It consists of Artillery bombardment, Fighter raids and the like as a preparation for an expected invasion. The Siege of New York begins as US Federal and Free US Forces begin Artillery duels in areas close to the City. Millions of New Yorkers flee rather than submit to being shelled. Federal Forces pay particular attention to the UN Secretariat building which is hit several times. However, UN personnel have already been evacuated to Geneva and have reconvened the UN Security Council and General Assembly at the old League of Nations Headquarters. Some of the works of art at the Headquarters building and grounds which could not be evacuated are destroyed. Among these are the Japanese Peace Bell and the "Swords into Plowshares" statue. The raids are primarily a diversionary tactic to keep the Free US forces off balance and allow for a planning of a raid into Canada to open up the Alaska Highway.

February 10th, 2013 - Continued Cyber attacks come to a head as computer systems around the world crash due to repeated cyber attacks and retaliation by Federal and Free US Forces. Cyber-duels by organized and unorganized hackers employed by both sides render most of the internet impotent for the majority of the year. Europe and the rest of the world isolates the internet from the United States which stops a large majority of the attacks. However, traffic from Canada is heavily contaminated with viruses and malware propaganda from both sides in the conflict.

February 27th, 2013 - World trade with the Federal US has ceased as the US is isolated not by its government, but by the rest of the world. Alaska is increasingly isolated and supplies are difficult to get to due to the closure of the Alaska Highway. Oil tankers are unable to put to sea due to threats by Free US and Canadian submarines. Free US Forces have succeded in capturing or sinking several commercial tankers. In spite of systematic hunting by Federal US Forces, the Free US is able to field a limited number of Los Angeles-class Attack submarines. Use of the Panama Canal is also denied to Federal US forces due to its size and the Federal US's treatment of Latinos. The major goal becomes not to take the Free US, but to establish road communications to Alaska to obtain Oil and to supply goods to Alaska's citizens. Air traffic is able to supply Alaska, but the lack of petroleum from Alaska is starting to take its toll. The Federal US institutes drastic petroleum rationing. Communities start to become isolated as Gas prices soar to $5-$7 a gallon even when available. Aviation Fuel and fuel for military units is given priority.

March 10th, 2013 - Federal US forces begin to mass at the Washington/British Columbia Border at the head of the Alaska Highway. Originally, these forces had been deployed in the Oregon Operation. Limited Guerrilla activity by irregular and Free US sympathizers in Oregon and other West Coast cities have tied down federal forces. However, President Palin is determined to take the Alaska Highway to regain Alaska at any cost. She does this by thinning forces at the Free US border in the East and moving forces to Washington state.
The goal is to start a blitzkrieg through British Columbia to establish a communications route to Alaska. Fighting on two fronts reduces the Federal commitment to the Free US operational front in New England. Canadian forces are deployed to counter this threat, supported by NATO troops.

March 17th, 2013 - Battle of Bermuda as a combined NATO/Free US and Canadian Task force battles units of the Federal US Navy. The Royal Navy Submarine HMS Artful, freshly commissioned and the Free US Submarine USS Springfield manage to slip into the middle of the Federal Task Group and sink the USS George HW Bush and severely damage the USS Eisenhower. However, the Springfield is sunk attempting to withdraw. Long range Cruise Missile strikes by NATO forces on Norfolk and Charleston Naval bases. With the remaining Atlantic fleet carrier units either in extended refit, securing oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico or seized in NATO ports in the Medeterian, and Pacific Fleet units committed to operations in British Columbia, the Federal US Navy is left with no significant surface naval air force in the Atlantic for the foreseeable future. This leaves the Atlantic open for resupply by NATO to Free US and NATO forces defending Canada.

March 25th, 2013 - Operation Cold Ranger begins as Federal US forces proceed up US 97 and cross the Canadian border at Osoyoss, British Columbia. Federal US Naval forces bomb Vancouver, Victoria, Comox, CFB Comox and CFB Esquimalt with Cruise Missiles and aircraft in a simultaneous attack to keep Canadian Forces from responding. Other Federal US Cruise Missiles strike at targets deep in Canada to destroy Canadian forces which might retaliate. The Federal US Forces are met with little resistance in the initial stages.

April 4th, 2013 - Battle of Kelowana as Canadian/NATO troops ambush US Federal forces. NATO and Free US Submarines harass Federal Naval forces and fuel shortages are starting to tell on US forces as they are unable to field Air Forces at adequate strength to counter NATO air power. Losses are Heavy on both sides, but the Federal US advance is slowed.

April 19th, 2013 - Battle of Prince Rupert as Federal Marines from Camp Pendelton make an amphibious landing at Prince Rupert in British Columbia. However, several supply ships are sunk by Free US and NATO forces leaving supply an ongoing problem. The Marines are slated to rendezvous with Army forces, but since they are not advancing according to timetable, the Marines face a possibility of being cut off. The Southern advance is stalled by fierce Canadian/NATO resistance at Williams Lake

April 27th, 2013 - Marine Units surrender after being cut off at the Prince George Crossroads. With the Southern advance stalled, the operation is starting to fall apart. Incidents of "fragging" of fanatical Federal US officers by Federal US noncoms are increasing as RED harassment of the US populace continues.

April 30th, 2013 - The Governor of Illinois, in a surprise to the Federal US, declares for the Free US and attempts to seize the State House in Springfield with loyal National Guard Units. With Federal Units tied up in British Columbia and on the New York Border, response is due to be slow.

May 5th, 2013 - The Detroit ghetto riots - in an uprising similar to the Warsaw ghetto riots in WWII, Arab Americans and others detained in the Detroit Federal district, begin to attack Federal forces. Forces being sent to quell the Illinois uprising are diverted to deal with the new threat.

May 7th, 2013 - Similar riots and uprisings occur in the San Francisco and El Paso Federal Districts. Mexico declares war on the Federal US and requests NATO assistance.

May 17th, 2013 - Unknown to Free US and its allies, the Federal US forces begin to prepare Nuclear weapons. With forces stalled in the Canadian invasion, the use of Nuclear bombs would break the back of the forces in British Columbia and send a message to the Free US and its allies.

May 21st, 2013 - Federal US B-52's equipped with Nuclear Weapons are moved to Mountain Home AFB in Idaho from Louisiana in preparation for deployment. Tactical Nuclear weapons are moved to Mountain Home for use by F-15 Strike Eagles already based there.

May 27th, 2013 - Revolt of the Military - In a surprise move by low level military officers, federal US military officers seize control of the government, killing Vice President Rand Paul and arresting President Palin. Eric Prince is assassinated by Navy Seals at his home in Alexandria, VA and the building housing the Religious Enforcement Division is seized along with other Federal buildings. The commander of the rebels Federal Officers, the Admiral of the Navy on the JSC, offers an armistice with NATO/Free US forces and offers the Governor of New York to take over the government until free elections can be held.

Friday, June 11, 2010

How would the flag look with more stars

Legislation has been introduced in the US to give Puerto Rico statehood status. In retrospect, our "territorial" system is outdated. Most of the entities we term territories have far surpassed their populations to be admitted to statehood. I quite frankly feel that all the territories should be admitted to the Union as states.

What would our flag be like if we had new states. I found this on Slate and thought it was interesting:


Dolphins are learning to communicate through iPads

http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2010-06/early-adopting-dolphin-uses-ipad-touchscreen-communicate-humans

Pretty soon we will have to start paying dolphins to perform at the water parks. I can't wait till "Dolphins Got Talent." Then we got to pay them to help us fishing. Maybe then we will manage our oceans better. Next they sue us for the spill in the Gulf and then we will have to start fighting for Cetacean Civil Rights. The next movement in Civil Rights.

Niven predicted this in several of his books. In his stories the breakthrough was through telepathy, but here we have direct communications. Like the Chimps who learn sign language or African Grey Parrots who have displayed intelligence. Things like this just go to show that we, as humans, are nothing more than advanced animals.

One more reason to support evolution.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

This is what you get when you don't pay taxes

You take a place with very low property taxes. Add a little tea party magic and voila! The city will start dying. Such is a place called Colorado Springs. They voted down a property tax increase and now they have to face the consequences. City services have been drastically cut. Street lights have been disabled in order to save money. The police helicopters have been sold as they were too expensive to operate. Transit service does not function after 6:15pm or on the weekends. I guess people will have to learn to walk again or buy a car they can't afford and choose between gas and paying the bills or rent or whatever. To a lot of conservatives I suppose a car can be a good home for the poor.

Our area faced this as well. St. Louis County voters rejected a proposed tax increase to fund basic services for Mass transit. They, in their infinite wisdom, rejected it. Then came the cuts in services. Doctors who had relocated their offices to the county then realized that a lot of their lucrative medicare patients use the bus to get to their offices. Businesses realized that a lot of their employees use the bus to get out to jobs at the malls in the county. The affluent in the county realized that their maids and other cleaning people need a bus to get to their McMansions. After slashing mass transit to the bone, the local business community realized that they needed mass transit and supported an increase in taxes. The proposition passed overwhelmingly and now the local mass transit system is slowly restoring services.


Tuesday, June 8, 2010

I want to hold your hand

Obviously this cat doesn't want to let go:


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Its time to get away

I saw this picture and I got a kick outta it! :-)

About Me

My photo
I am interested in CNG vehicles because they are good for the environment and aren't powered by dead Marines. I still have a little hope for the world. Read the musings and enjoy.