Galt's Gulch

Tiny Baltic States Prepare to Hit Back at Mighty Russia

Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 10 months ago to Politics
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We were discussing Sweden and that they were getting a bit pissed with the Russians sneaking into their waters...Well they are not alone it appears.. Vlad, get lost!
SOURCE URL: http://www.newsweek.com/tiny-baltic-states-prepare-hit-back-mighty-russia-285264

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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years, 10 months ago
    Just an amusing thought. Russian planes and subs have been annoying a lot of countries recently. I wonder if the US should make a flyby of Russia - just at its borders. Say, about 2000 planes should do it.

    I think the world would get the message.

    Jan
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    • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 10 months ago
      Uh, we would need 2000 planes to do it. The Obamanation has seen to it we have 53 2 Billion dollar planes, and 12 old B52s. (ok slight exaggeration but we really don't have a whole lot), and they couldn't afford for one of them to be shot down. The Russians use things forever, the Bears have been around since the early sixties.
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      • Posted by $ jlc 10 years, 10 months ago
        Because I am posting on the AS list, I looked at the number of planes the AF has before writing my email: wikipedia claims the USAF has over 5000 planes. So a couple thou' out for a jaunt should be OK.

        Jan
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        • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 10 months ago
          Careful Jan, Wiki says "5638+" but there was some other things to indicate the rot that the Obamanation has allowed: "Due to the Budget sequestration in 2013, the USAF was forced to ground many of its squadrons. The Commander of Air Combat Command, General Mike Hostage indicated that the USAF must reduce its F-15 and F-16 fleets and eliminate platforms like the A-10 in order to focus on a fifth-generation jet fighter future.[34] In response to squadron groundings and flight time reductions, many Air Force pilots have opted to resign from active duty and enter the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard while pursuing careers in the commercial airlines where they can find flight hours on more modern aircraft.[35]" It is not just a matter of numbers, but a matter of what numbers. They could have 4000 trainers, grounded planes, waiting parts, needing pilots or fuel, and still have "numbers". My point is, they have (and this is not limited to just the Dems) allowed the military to slip into a very bad state, and no one wants to be the bearer of bad news, so everyone buries the turd in the kitty litter. I served 20 years in the Navy in submarines, and heave seen P3 Orions actually break when trying to fly a mission, I flew one for training where of the 2 sensor stations, 1 worked, the other had been broke for 2 years waiting for a part that never came, the MAD system had been broken for 6 months. That was in 1991, and things never got any better after we "won" the cold war. They may act like they have a big, bad air force (and we do have some hot stuff, and really good people) but the politicos will lead you down the merry "it's all right" path and just hope no one catches them. Look at the status of the US Military on Dec 6, 1941 for an example of how bad it can get.
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          • Posted by $ jlc 10 years, 10 months ago
            I have had some very serious replies to a lighthearted statement - but correctly so. I have assumed that, even with all of the reductions in force the USAF was still the premier AF in the world. But you make some good points to the contrary.

            Prior to WWII, the military, especially the Army Air Corp, was in terrible shape. There was a lot of resistance to the concept of air combat being a worthwhile military investment, and this resulted in US pilots/ ex-military pilots flying for Britain and France during the 1930's and early 40's. (I was 3rd generation AF (though I did not go career) and I heard many stories over the dinner table as I grew up.)

            I do not have the information sources you have about the condition of modern AF and Navy planes. If it is accurate that the US could not muster 2000 combat planes for a casual flyby of the Russian border (which was suggested in jest), in response for their annoying poking at us and other countries, then we are indeed in bad shape.

            The ex-military civilian pilots you mentioned are an important resource, as are the production facilities for civilian commercial aircraft. I recall that civilian facilities converted to producing military aircraft fairly readily after Dec 1941; the abundance of pilots is a resource we did not have at that time. (My dad enlisted prior to WWII...and was given the job of currying a mule (who tried to bite him). Then the Army found out that he already knew how to fly (his dad - WWI pilot - had taught him) and snatched him up for flight training because pilots were hen's teeth in those days.) Those ex-military pilots who are actively flying commercial craft would be pretty much able to step back into the military if the occasion arose for them to do so.

            Jan
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            • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 10 months ago
              It's ok, there is a LOT of information about our country today that "they" do not want us to know, because it would mean that the true nature would be revealed. That was exactly one of the major ideas of AS, and the impressive thing was Ayn Rand saw what had happened, and what would happen, because it is almost something you can predict with mathematical certainty The Russians too, present a hollow core shell, they pull their stuff out, make a lot of noise with a few things, and assume everyone will be frightened. One reason there has been no large scale war is that no one has near the materials they say they do, except maybe the Chinese. Now there is a crowd that can muster up a butt-ton of pitchforks on demand..
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      • Posted by DrZarkov99 10 years, 10 months ago
        The F-15s stationed at Elmendorf AFB in Alaska would be sufficient. One of the untold stories of the Cold War was how the U.S. and Russian air forces prodded each other constantly, even overflying their territory. In fact, after a particularly obnoxious series of forays by the Soviet aircraft that kept the U.S. on constant alert, a flight of F-15s did a "high-low", with two aircraft at high altitude to distract Soviet radar, while two others flew "on the deck" over the Soviet air base housing area at supersonic speeds, breaking lots of windows and china. That sort of cooled things for a while, as the Soviet pilots wives told their husbands they didn't appreciate such macho games.
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        • Posted by $ jlc 10 years, 10 months ago
          That was clever - enlist the wives of the Russian pilots on the American side, to fight in defense of their china. (I bet it was fun too.)

          Jan
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    • Posted by JanelleFila 10 years, 10 months ago
      I think the US is genuinely worried about Putin's reaction. He's shown that he doesn't play by the rules or follow convention. It is hard to "punish" an opponent who is breaking all the rules. It reminds me of the kamikaze pilots or Muslim jihadists. How do you combat someone that isn't afraid to die? Russia isn't afraid and could be the first nation to drop that nuke out of spite. I think everyone is tiptoeing around Putin because he is so crazy that he has all the power.
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  • Posted by $ jlc 10 years, 10 months ago
    If ANY of you have not seen The Singing Revolution - it is a must see. It describes how Estonia 'sang' its way through Nazi and Rus occupation...and ultimately to freedom. The stories in it read like fiction, but are first-person accounts and live video (in some instances). Incredible shots of people - civilians - standing up to tanks and military.

    The linked article has wonderful quotes in it, among them: “The 2008 war in Georgia was a wakeup call but most of Europe hit the snooze button.”

    and

    “The warships they’re sending have the latest technology – OK, it’s Russian technology, but they’re sending the best ships they have.”

    These tiny countries deserve our support. What happened/ is happening in the Ukraine is jaw-tightnening and must not be allowed to happen to them as well.

    Oh. Here is the link: http://www.singingrevolution.com/

    Jan
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  • Posted by mdk2608 10 years, 10 months ago
    Having been to Estonia I could see first hand that the country is enbracing the west capitalism in an attempt to minimize Russian influence. I hope we do not let them down but with our weak President anyting can happen
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    • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years, 10 months ago
      What do you mean "weak? Comrade citizen haven't you heard the news?
      Even GOP spokespeople have started to call Obama "an emperor."
      When you are "an emperor," you do not need anyone's permission to draw red lines all day.
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      • Posted by $ jdg 10 years, 10 months ago
        So when do we get to lock His Imperial Majesty in the Napoleon factory? Let him draw red lines on the wallpaper.
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        • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years, 10 months ago
          The sooner the better.
          So says my better half.
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          • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 10 months ago
            Tonight? Please?....
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            • Posted by $ allosaur 10 years, 10 months ago
              You would think so after tonight's amnesty speech.
              During the president's speech I wrote the following statement down because it fascinated me. This is Obama addressing illegals:
              "You may stay in this country temporarily without fear of deportation."
              Fascinating.
              I took a college Philosophy 101 (really just a logic) course during '71 or '72 and there must be a Latin name for that type of illogical reasoning.
              Saved the textbook but lost it during multiple moves throughout my life.
              Maybe Obama was moving his lips to mean that to stay permanently would come with a fear of deportation.
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              • Posted by $ nickursis 10 years, 10 months ago
                Logic has nothing to do with it, disinformation is the key. What sense does "temporarily" make? It is just that to say "permenantly" would mean he has bypassed the entire system and has granted them citizenship, which is the real plan. Next up: All you 5.5 million may apply for citizenship and it will be granted retroactively, with credit in Social Security and payment for back wages lost to evil people who took advantage of your status. Right after you register as Democrat, of course... The shysters would sell their mothers as a Tijuana donkey girl if they could get a vote or make a vote, or buy a vote.
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                • Posted by $ rockymountainpirate 10 years, 10 months ago
                  Does he really believe that the illegals are stupid enough to 'come out of the shadows' and let the dotgov know who they are, where they are, pay a penalty and taxes then in 2 years if someone (however unlikely) has the balls to say this is over and risk ICE knocking on the door with deportation papers?
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              • Posted by $ jbrenner 10 years, 10 months ago
                Translation:
                Temporarily = Until Obama finishes his presidency or is unceremoniously removed from the Oval Office.

                Without Fear of Deportation => You can come out of "the shadows".
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