ClearedHot

T-38 circling....pish posh, try a summertime single-engine pinto pattern right after takeoff in Del Rio.

They have nukes and ambition unlike Brazil and Italy. Also, we are now fighting our FIFTH proxy war with Russia. Whether or not they meet your definition of a Superpower they have been a pacing threat for almost 70 years and have aggressively threatened our interests around the world. Our debt is obviously a huge issue, that being said thus far we have given Ukraine $113B, which represents 22.5 days of deficit debt accumulation at our current rate...yes, that is a HUGE bargain. Data should ALWAYS be be viewed in context. When you look at your math it seems like no big deal, I can assure you it is a HUGE deal. Look at the graphic below, it is not about the impact total population, it is about impact to males in younger age groups, especially in a population with an aging problem like Russia. While it may only be .08 of the total population, these deaths have touched every town and village in Russia. Keep in mind, the number of wounded is double further impacting the working population of males in Russia that will support the growing bubble at the top. Russia conscripts between the ages of 18 and 27, that group of males has a population of 3.9M, the impact of killed and wounded cuts that seven year group of men by over 12%...that my friend is a HUGE deal. And again, the birth rate behind these year groups is decreasing. They are seriously F'd and yes that offers challenges but it does reduce the likelihood that they try to invade another neighbor. Amen brother. I think 99% of the folks on this forum feel the same. Regardless of political affiliation or social belief everyone is part of the 1% that stepped forward to "Support and Defend the Constitution of the United States." I am thankful for each and every one of you REGARDLESS of what side of the aisle your beliefs reside. I think we face threats both outside and inside. I am certainly not the expert on Russia but I have had a particular interest in them since I wrote a paper on them in War College that ultimately led to me to traveling there on exchange. This war has and will change their society.

Seriously? Over the past past 10-15 years via proxy and direct action Putin has been trying to rebuild the FSU. Have you heard of the little incursion into Crimea in 2014, that successful effort certainly emboldened him to do more. Myself and others believe that if Ukraine folded quickly as many thought, Putin would continue efforts west. A lot of people have been sounding the alarm the past few years, a few good outlines of what they have been doing and the implications can be found here and here .

I respect your views but with regard to Russia, it is not about the price per acre of Ukrainian land. Instead, Russia has been humbled, their Army is in tatters and they are no longer a threat to the rest of Europe and beyond. You've invested in the geopolitics and some of the economics, look at the demographics, this is a turning point for them and it will take a generation to recovery...if they ever do. Demographic wise the U.S. population in the late 60's was around 200 million, we lost 55,000 Americans over 20 years in Vietnam and it changed our country. Russia today is a country of 143 million and they have lost approximately 120,000 in a year and a half. Russian birthrates are again on the decline after a sight recovery to years ago, they are in real trouble. Bottomline, for about 15% of the DoD budget we have taken a superpower out of play without the loss of any U.S. troops...that my friend is not a waste, it is a bargain.

When judging truth I tend to lean towards the side that does not machine gun and behead babies, but that is just me.

The big guy said I should get a shotgun for home defense so thinking about the IWI Tavor TS12. Anyone tried it?

Ukraine uses secretly shipped U.S. missiles to launch surprise strike Ukraine says it destroyed 9 Russian helicopters in airfield attacks

In addition to the 2,000+ Chinese and 2000+ Russians CPB captured 4 "High Interest Iranians" this week. So far in 2023 CBP has captures 160....I say again 160 people on the Terror Watch list, up from 100 in 2022. The administration admits there have been 1.5 Million Got-aways...KNOWN...how many unknown and how many were on the terror watch list or came with nefarious intent. Key Facts: CBP reported 204,561 alien encounters along the Southwest Border (SWB) in May 2023 —up over 13% from May 2021. 35,317 aliens were encountered at ports of entry — 17% of the total encounters in May. This is a 20% increase from April 2023 and a staggering 34% increase from January 2023. 28,696 inadmissible aliens were processed by OFO with CBP One app appointments. So far in FY23, CBP has arrested 20,923 aliens with criminal convictions nationwide, including 442 known gang members, 134 of those being MS-13 members. In FY23 alone, CBP has seized over 20,000 pounds of fentanyl coming across the Southwest border—enough to kill over 4.6 billion people. In May 2023, fentanyl seizures at the Southwest border increased 136% compared to May 2022. Leading up to the end of Title 42, Border Patrol reported more than 10,000 illegal alien apprehensions a day.

F-ing NitWit sold off half of the SPR for politics...what could possibly go wrong when we might have a hot war in the Middle East. Biden sold off nearly half the U.S. oil reserve. Is it ready for a crisis?

A new angle on fish in a barrel.

Its called a joke, I know homeboy and he has honored his oath on many occasions and continues to do so to this day. Knowing his full history and current position I’d actually call him a hero and most certainly a patriot. That being said, his commitment to his self-imposed ban (quiet quitting), on political posts...not so much. J Its been a while since I've read the entire document, I try to do it every few years but I don't seem to recall the part about the President being allowed to have an open border through executive fiat...In fact, I seem to recall the direction in the 4th amendment: Article 4 Section 3 “The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United State” Article 4 Section 4 The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; The 14th gives some direction on naturalization and due process but again it doesn’t say open border… Thus, the Constitution gives Congress the power to determine which foreigners can become citizens, and under what conditions. The Constitution, however, is silent on immigration. At the risk of derailing the thread, yes, the Congress has failed to establish a clear immigration policy, and Biden has used executive fiat to set the conditions and allow us to be overrun with illegal immigrants. Ok, back to our regularly scheduled programming, the world is on fire and Israel is going to fight a two front war while leveling Gaza…Iran has achieved its goal and derailed the peace deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia thus insuring many more needless deaths.

So NOW you are a Constitutionalist?

Grandpa was not Fing around! Retired Israeli general who rescued his family under siege from Hamas is being compared on social media to Liam Neeson's character in 'Taken'

The situation is so egregious even the liberal media like NBC is attempting to report the truth. 'Top secret' Hamas documents show that terrorists intentionally targeted elementary schools and a youth center

What is a "Senior Evaluator Pilot" Rating?

AF took his bio down...that was quick.

You have some valid points and I will ALWAYS have sympathy and concern for innocent civilians. When I say kill them all I am obviously talking about the terrorists not the Palestinians in general. Israel is far from perfect in this situation and much has been made of the conditions in Gaza but cutting off the heads of babies is a completely different realm and drastic actions have to take place. The "where do they go" question does not have an easy answer, at first Egypt opened their border but as of the morning they have moved to restrict the flow of evacuation fearing a mass exodus that would lay a massive humanitarian crisis at their feet. If Israel intends to completely destroy Hamas they will likely completely destroy Gaza. The other big question is what about Iran? Will we turn another blind eye? Will we be able to restrain Israel?

I am appalled by the report I just saw, as Israeli forces have liberated a village overrun by Hamas they discovered babies that were beheaded by Hamas terrorists. Kill them all.

Hamas terrorists post Israeli grandmother’s murder on her Facebook page Any sympathy for their plight is overwhelmed by their gross brutality. Israel is ready to F-up Gaza once and for all.

Highly doubtful, especially with regard to taking territory in Gaza. Freeing American citizens and giving payback for killing Americans on the other hand... This has to be tied back to actions/actions against Iran. Hamas receives 93% of it's military budget from Iran. The Quds force more than likely was aware, helped with intel/planning and gave at least tacit approval. Given the monetary support from Iran I hope it is not lost on the masses that the Big Guy gave Iran $6 Billion two weeks ago...its not rocket surgery to see how that played out.