Day: March 2, 2014

Notes from HJL:

It looks like things are beginning to move quickly in Ukraine. This came in yesterday: US issues travel warning as armed men seize two Crimean airports. Per Spetsnaz military doctrine, airports are always the first objective. This establishes what the U.S. military calls an “airhead”, thus bypassing border defenses. Then today, Putin asked for and recieved permission from parliment to use the military in Ukraine. The parliament apparently also wants their ambassador pulled from Washington DC. Of course, the U.S. is apparently hamstrung. Despite warnings from Obama, Russia is moving forward with their plans. We knew clear back in 2008 …


Staying Warm In An LP/OP, by M.E.

Hugh, recently B.B. wrote asking for readers’ input on how a listening post/observation post (LP/OP) occupant can stay warm during extremely cold weather. His letter, and your reply, generated some self-reflection as I begin retirement in a few months after a 30+ year Army career, which spanned both active duty and National Guard service. During that time I served on active duty as an artillery forward observer to both Infantry and Armor companies and was branched Infantry for most of my National Guard service. I suspect that B.B. will find that his biggest problem will not be one of staying …


Letter Re: Ammunition Shortages

The article on ammunition, shortages, and government purchases was very informative and well written. Here is a very simple way to look at the shortages that occur from a mathematical perspective. Assume that 20 million rounds of .22 are available every single day. That would be 40,000 boxes of 500 rounds each. Fifty states get 800 boxes each. Fifty retailers per state get 16 boxes each. I cannot tell you how much ammo the U.S. can manufacture or import, but I do not think it is anywhere near the level of demand created by our current government’s stance on the …


Letter: Timing of Collapse

Sir: There has been some debate as to whether ‘the Collapse’ will precipitate quickly or not. I think it will depend on the immediate cause of the collapse. I was in the Ba’ath Party Headquarters in Baghdad in 2003 a couple of days after our cruise missiles hit it, starting the war. It was though Saddam Hussein was there watching a movie, but he was not. I walked through the Headquarters, and saw blood and brain tissue on the walls. I found a cruise missile fan blade on the roof. All the carpets, vases, pictures, furniture, et cetera had been …


Economics and Investing:

Bye Bye Bitcoin, Hello Hard Assets Household debt first increase in 4 years largely driven by massive increases in student debt. Items from The Economatrix: Applications For US Jobless Benefits Rise To 348K The Affordable Care Act’s Multiple Taxes Confidence Improves as Americans Grow More Upbeat About Economy The Coming Silver Storm: The Public Is Not Prepared


Odds ‘n Sods:

Connecticut officer says woman sounds ‘anti-American’ for questioning gun control law – RBS o o o WBB sent in this video concerning the CIA and their goals: GigaOM Structure:Data 2013. Of particular interest is their prioritizing social media (even though the vast majority of social media users are U.S. citizens.) Also of interest is the CIA’s determination that your smartphone’s ID is better than a fingerprint and they can get it even if your phone is “off”. o o o Noah’s ark project in Ky. to move forward – P.M. o o o Need to reload your 12 gauge and …