With only a few exceptions, anyone who knows anything about history and aviation has respect (at worst) and love for the extraordinary De Havilland Mosquito fighter-bomber-reconnaissance airplane.
As a number of my Readers fall into the history/aviation dork genus, here’s an hour or so of the restoration of a Mozzie. I loved every minute of it.
Even better, in Canada (????). Brilliant stuff.
I had never even heard of this encounter.
Fascinating stuff.
Via Insty comes this report:
In Finland, adolescent males report for a short and intense period of military training, followed by shorter refreshers for most of their adult life. The training is not, as in the Israeli model, a few years of dedicated service. Nor does it emphasize military discipline, such as keeping one’s bunk tidy and shoes polished, or the Prussian-style transformation of citizen-recruit into fighting machine. Instead, it prepares civilians to be ready to join their unit and harass and kill invaders. A country of Finland’s size can rapidly field nearly 1 million trained soldiers.
And they’re doing this right now. One of my Loyal Readers has a spy at Sako, who tells him that we’re not going to be getting new Sako rifles in the U.S. anytime soon, because their entire production is being directed towards “local consumption”. As I posted earlier:
Insty’s final comment on the report is absolutely on the nail, by the way:
“America should do this too.”
I’ve been trying… A Nation Of Riflemen, remember?
Longtime Readers may remember that I held our former House Rep, the late Sam Johnson (PBUH) in the highest regard, and while I understood why he retired (age, Vietnam POW, etc), I was sad that he did, sadder still when he passed away last year.
He was replaced by a slightly oily little worm whom I’d actually met prior to his election as Mr. Sam’s replacement — but as he was the best of a rather poor bunch, I voted for him.
How times have changed. Today is primary day, and Van Taylor is being challenged by several Republicans in the Third District.
Just so we’re all clear as to why Taylor’s being challenged, this slimy little RINO voted in favor of the disgusting Jan 6 House Commission (one of two Texas reps, and one of twenty-three Reps nationwide to do so). He’s proven himself to be a Never-Trumper, and I’m not going to vote for him. (He’s also been caught bonking some chick in Washington, but I don’t care as much about that as the other stuff.)
Looking over the candidates, former judge and arch-conservative Keith Self seems to have the right stuff:
Infantry Platoon Leader, Special Forces Detachment Commander, Company Commander, as the Executive Officer to a Major General in Egypt, responsible for managing $2 Billion in security assistance. In addition, Keith served in Joint Staff assignments in US European Command and later in NATO Military Headquarters in Belgium.
During his career, Keith received the Master Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Special Forces Tab, and held some of the highest level of security clearances. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
Upon retiring from the U.S. Army after 25 years of service, Keith ran for and was elected County Judge in Collin County. In that position, Keith stood up for us when others wouldn’t—cutting taxes 25%, defending private property rights, and solving the pension crisis.
See you at the polls today, Judge.
….aaaaannnnd: they’re off!!
The People’s Convoy has announced plans to make its way across Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas before cutting through Oklahoma, Missouri, and Illinois, with additional stays in Indiana, Ohio, and Maryland before reaching the nation’s capital. Details of stops and precise routes were not specified.
“To our elected officials that believe they rule us: YOU work for US,” the group wrote. “Our constitution was written to provide enough power to act on a national level, but not enough to deprive the people of fundamental rights. The people are prepared to see this challenge through — as we have seen through all challenges to our Freedom in the past. And we will prevail and prosper.”
I’m just wondering if I should hitch a ride with them if they come anywhere near North Texas… watch this space.
I’m sorry to see that P.J. O’Rourke has left us for that Great Editorial Office In The Sky.
Although I didn’t agree with much of his later writing, I loved his earlier books (Parliament Of Whores, Eat The Rich, etc.) and I do owe him a debt of gratitude.
You see, when I was homeschooling the kids, whenever they asked a question about politics or taxes or any of that, I simply pointed them to the relevant chapter in one of P.J.’s books, and let him be their guide. (Also, they didn’t always believe my explanation because for some reason they thought I was a right-wing conservative, and wanted an “impartial” perspective, ho ho.)
The Son&Heir now has all O’Rourke’s books on his shelf, and I truly believe that these have formed his socio-political outlook, such as it is.
No better legacy.