After While Crocodile

SILENCE

First they came for abortion rights,
and I did not speak out —
Because I was not a woman.

Then they came for LGBTQ rights,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not LGBTQ.

Then they came for journalists,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a journalist.

Then they came for migrant farm workers,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a farm worker.

Then they came for the homeless,
and I did not Speak out —
because I was not homeless.

Then they began building concentration camps
and I did not speak out —
because I would never be in a concentration camp.

Then they came for civil service employees,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a civil service employee.

Then they came for universities,
and I didn’t speak out —
because I was not affiliated with a university.

Then they came for judges,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a judge.

Then they came for lawyers and law firms,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a lawyer.

Then they came for science and scientists,
and I didn’t speak out —
because I was not a scientist.

Then they came for health care,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a doctor.

Then they came for state voting records
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a state voter.

Then they came for climate tracking satellites,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a rocket scientist.

Then they came for education funding,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a teacher.

Then they came to censor books,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a librarian.

Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I did not speak out—
because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the military leaders,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not in the military.

Then they came for small business,
and I did not speak out —
because I was not a small business owner.

Then they came for me,
and there was no one to speak out —
because my silence was their silence.

A Tip of the Hat to Martin Niemöller (1892-1984)

Missed it by that Much

Missed it by that much

Hamas Blast Door

Notice the “Blast Door” has a window cut into the metal.  Not much of a shield from a blast.  Also notice that the securing mechanism is on the outside of the door.  This door was built to keep things inside the tunnel.  The door obviously has seen better days.  Doesn’t look to have been in use for some time. 

A former Israeli Prime Minister reported these tunnels were built by the Israelis in the early 1980’s. They are under a hospital to provide additional capabilities for medical service.  During this video, the gentleman opens a glass door, similar to those in a hospital.  Glass doors are not especially useful in  underground terrorist command bunkers.

As our IDF guide walks through the tunnel, he points out a bunch of seemingly loose cables hanging from the ceiling.  Some don’t appear to be connected to anything.  We are told that this is the “Communications Center” for Hamas fighters.

Further, our IDF docent points to what appears to be a hanging asbestos ceiling and remarks that the rooms were “build to contain people,” and was “an operational room that had communication.”  My guess that the room was built to contain people, likely hospital patients.  The “communications” look like cable for the buzzer to call the nurse.

It is certainly possible that these old tunnels built by the Israeli’s could be used by Hamas, but that wouldn’t be the brightest thing to do, as the IDF would have the plans for the layout of the tunnel system. In addition, there seems to no rebellious graffiti on the walls of this tunnel.  That is very unusual, as terrorist organizations typically decorate the walls, ceilings, doors, and so on with their propaganda.

Last, our guide takes us to a house, with a room with a chalk board that has a school vibe.  He points out that there is a tunnel entrance under this “school.”  And goes into the “what about the children?” act.  He then tells us that they had to pry the floor up to get to the tunnel entrance. 

This seems to indicate that the IDF has a good idea of the layout of the tunnel system. It also indicates that one need to view the Israeli propaganda with some skepticism.

 

Proud Representative of the United States

USS James E. Williams (DDG-95) Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer leaving Toulon, France – May 22, 2023

Source: WarshipCam.com

Daily Commute

pilotDownload

Marketing

Back to Blimps

AVIC floats idea of airships for tourists by Staff Writers Beijing (XNA) Mar 12, 2021 An artist’s impression of the AS700 airship. Aviation Industry Corp of China, the nation’s major aircraft maker, is developing an airship to meet potential demand from tourists, according to a project insider. Zhang Jinhua, a senior designer at the Special Aircraft Research Institute, an AVIC subsidiary in Jingmen, Hubei province, that designs blimps and other types of special aircraft, said engineers are finalizing the design work for the AS700 airship and expect to carry out its maiden flight in the second half of this year. The blimp’s research and development started in August 2018, aiming to meet tourist demand for sightseeing air tours, he said, adding that the project is also a result of the government’s favorable policies for general aviation business and low-altitude airspace tourism. Propelled by piston engines, the airship will be able to carry one pilot and nine tourists and will be capable of flying 700 kilometers and staying in the air for 10 hours.

What the Hell is all This?

Guard sleeping in Capitol

More Guard sleeping in the Capitol

Exactly who is supposed to be in charge of these people? Where is their support? Where are the basics like cots, field kitchens, medical support, communications, etc?

One photograph shows a solider sitting on a case of MREs. Why would you be eating MREs in the middle of Washington, D.C. There’s plenty or room for a field kitchen and other support for these troops.

Also, you would think, that the officers would show a little bit of organization, determining, what entry ways need to be protected, learning the layout of the building, where the vulnerable areas are, hardening them before the next assault. Maybe setting up positions and communication links. How about assigning posts, areas to patrol, schedules for troops to sleep, and patrol, eat, and maintain their camp area.

This is pathetic display of military disorganization.

Good People and Dirty Work

EVERETT C. HUGHES
Brandeis University

Everett C. Hughs was an American sociologist (1897-1983). He was one of the early contributors to the sociological analysis of Nazi Germany. Good People and Dirty Work is one of his essays on the subject of Nazi Germany. Although published in 1962, it has relevance to our current state of affairs.

In this essay, Hughs relates the various ways in which the “good” people in Germany rationalized, acquiesced, and accepted the Nazi regime.

As to the “dirty workers,” Hughes notes there are always enough of them around to around to do whatever dirty work the good people may be inclined to countenance.

The money quote:

“Now let us ask, concerning the dirty workers, questions similar to those concerning the good people. Is there a supply of candidates for such work in other societies? It would be easy to say that only Germany could produce such a crop. The question is answered by being put. The problem of people who have run aground (gescheiterte Existenzen) (Failed Existences)is one of the most serious in our modern societies.

Any psychiatrist will, I believe, testify that we have a sufficient pool or fund of personalities warped toward perverse punishment and cruelty to do any amount of dirty work that the good people may be inclined to countenance. It would not take a very great turn of events to increase the number of such people, and to bring their discontents to the surface.”

Good People and Dirty Work, Everett C. Hughes, Social Problems, Vol. 10, No. 1 (Summer, 1962), pp. 3-11 University of California Press