All the old history was written for the amusement of the ruling classes. The lower classes couldn’t read, and their rulers didn’t care about remembering what happened to them. | |
— Francis Zappa | |
As quoted by his son: Frank Zappa | |
From his book: “The Real Frank Zappa Book“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Together Forever |
Think It Over | |
Small But Fun | |
2020 | Still Learning |
2019 | Almost Hallmark |
Beyond All Reason | |
2018 | Daydreams And Wanna-Be’s |
Or Work For #45 | |
2017 | Summer Pale |
2016 | Ain’t It Funny |
2015 | At Both Ends |
2014 | Whiner(s) |
2013 | Just Passing Through |
2012 | Dog-gone Heaven |
2011 | Occasional, Sad Results |
Archive for the ‘History’ Category
Let Me Tell You An Amusing Story…
Posted in Quotes, Philosophy, History, Economics, Education, tagged Philosophy, Quotes, History, Frank Zappa, The Real Frank Zappa Book, Francis Zappa, Amusement, Ruling Classes, Lower Classes on June 9, 2022| Leave a Comment »
We Are Seeing The Future
Posted in Economics, History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged American Civil War, Economics, Electronics, First World War, Franco-Prussian War, General Sir John Hackett (Ret.), History, Military Technology, Philosophy, Quotes, Russo-Japanese War, Second World War, The Third World War: August 1985, Third World War on May 20, 2022| 2 Comments »
The wars of the late nineteenth century – the American Civil War, for example and the Franco-Prussian War – were wars of the railway, the telegraph, breech-loading small arms and tinned rations. The seas were dominated by the ironclad. At the beginning of the twentieth century the Russo-Japanese War show to any who cared to learn the dominance on the battlefield of the spade, barbed wire and automatic weapons. The First World War rammed home the same lesson, in a war in which the internal combustion engine, artillery, the submarine, air power and armoured vehicles became the dominant features. The Second World War was one of worldwide mobility on land and sea and in the air, of total mobilization of population and industrial reserves, of sea power and of air forces. It ended in the shadow of the nuclear weapon. The Third World War was widely expected to be the first nuclear war – and perhaps the last. It turned out in the event to be essentially a war of electronics. | |
— General Sir John Hackett (et al) | |
From his book: “The Third World War: August 1985“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | The Correct Answer Will Be In The Form Of A Question |
Listen Up | |
2020 | Testing To Open The Economy Safely |
2019 | Or Thought I’d Thought |
2018 | Go And Dare |
2017 | And Wealth A Poor Substitute For Ability |
2016 | Neither Darkness Nor Shadows |
2015 | It Took Roots |
2014 | Hard Evidence |
2013 | Full Participation |
2012 | Roving (Again) |
Ooops, Again | |
2011 | Why Not? |
Not Exactly Preventing Or Realizing
Posted in History, Philosophy, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Artists, Conclusions, Futurologist, General Sir John Hackett (Ret.), History, Philosophy, Predictions, Quotes, Science, Scientists, The Third World War: August 1985, Trends on May 10, 2022| 4 Comments »
History is not an exact science. And ‘the historian of the future’ is as much artist as scientist or academic. But the futurologist cannot be taken lightly. He bases his conclusions on perceived trends, and his predictions themselves may possibly have some effect on the future: in helping either to prevent his predictions coming true or to realize them. | |
— General Sir John Hackett (et al) | |
From: “The Third World War: August 1985“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Maybe He Agreed With His Mum |
Come To Me, You’ll See | |
2020 | Imagine Existence |
Posing As Action | |
2019 | Voices Of The Past |
2018 | Sunrises, Rainbows And Newborn Babies |
2017 | Untold Agony |
2016 | Just Borrowed |
2015 | Warning |
2014 | Always More Productive |
2013 | Is Not |
2012 | Loosely Translated |
2011 | Your Opinions Are Not My Facts |
Against Considerable Odds
Posted in History, Leadership, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Afghanistan, Favorable Defense Ratio, General Sir John Hackett (Ret.), History, Military Conflict, Military Leadership, Philosophy, Quotes, Russia, The Third World War: A Future History, Ukraine on March 6, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Colonels and generals are expected to fight moving, active battles, always seeking an advantage from the use of terrain, surprise and mobility. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Generals are expected to concentrate defending forces in front of the main thrusts of the enemy so that the fighting troops do not have to meet a greater ratio of strength against them than three or four to one. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
… | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The captains and their troops have learned that modern weapons in the defense can and should inflict losses on an attacker, in comparison to their own, of well over three to one. They have learned, in short, that a successful defense against considerable odds is possible. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
— General Sir John Hackett (Ret.) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From his book: “The Third World War: A Future History“ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The book was “written” by General Hackett and “others” and purported to be a “future history” of a war between NATO and the Warsaw Pact. The “war” ends following a limited tactical nuclear exchange which leads to a revolution in Russia. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
[With the delays in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, much has been said about the failure to overwhelm the militarily over-matched defenders. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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What isn’t clear to me is how many of Russia’s forces are actually “in theater” and committed to the invasion. The numbers I’ve seen indicate approximately “200,000” Russians were gathered for the invasion. This is (again approximately) 25% of Russia’s forces. If we assume a similar ratio across the board for other assets, the numbers are far less indicative of an assured success for the invasion. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In military theory, it is almost a given that the attacker needs a six-to-one superiority in order to have a reasonable “guarantee” of success against a prepared defense. (This is why you concentrate forces at breakout / breakthrough points.) Three-to-one superiority is considered the bare minimum to have a reasonable “expectation” of success. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Based on the above numbers, the “only” Russian advantage is in attack aircraft (29 vs 185). This is an even greater advantage than just the numbers indicate as attack aircraft serve as force multipliers for both your tanks and your ground forces. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
IMHO this invasion will succeed or fail based on three factors: logistics, will and geography. If the Russian forces can maintain their supply of fuel and ammunition, they will have the advantage in a war of attrition. If Ukraine can maintain their will to fight in the face of both heavy civilian losses and questionable munitions resupply from other countries, they will make the war / occupation unsustainable for Russia. Finally, we should recall Russia invaded and then dominated Afghanistan for almost twenty years before finally being driven out. Afghanistan is roughly the size of Texas. Texas is only about 10-15% larger than Ukraine. There is a vast amount of land to hide in and fight from IF you have the will to do so. So far, the Ukraine people have shown the will… | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Of course, all of this assumes Russia does not choose a tactical nuclear option… — KMAB] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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On This Day In: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | Only 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Just A Hopeless Case | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2020 | What We Know About Ourselves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2019 | But It Feels Dirtier Lately | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2018 | I Remember Some More Than Others | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2017 | Creating Reality | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2016 | Come, Read To Me Some Poem | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | Exceeding Service | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2014 | Still Learning | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Hospitality | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2013 | Execution Not Intensity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2012 | Charles Carroll Of Carrollton (The Only Catholic Founder) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | Life Works | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pay Like Hell | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Prosperity Finds Its Way Up | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Putin Invades Ukraine To Recreate The Old Soviet Union
Posted in History, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Bad Memory, History, Mark Twain, Philosophy, Quotes, Schoolboy Days, USSR, Vladimir Putin on March 3, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Schoolboy days are no happier than the days of afterlife, but we look back upon them regretfully because we have forgotten our punishments at school and how we grieved when our marbles were lost and our kites destroyed – because we have forgotten all the sorrows and privations of the canonied ethic and remember only its orchard robberies, its wooden-sword pageants, and its fishing holidays. | |
— Mark Twain | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Even If It’s A Nice View |
There’s A Calm Before The Storm | |
2020 | First Steps – The (California) Primary Vote |
#IncompetentTrump Administration Faces A Pandemic | |
2019 | Hearts Torn In Every Way |
2018 | Recently Seen On A T-shirt: |
2017 | Rhythmical Creation |
2016 | In The Beginning |
2015 | False Gods |
2014 | But Sometimes Careers Choose People |
2013 | Pretty Sure Of Uncertainty |
2012 | Face Reality |
2011 | Intelligent Luck |
Historians, Not Librarians
Posted in History, Investing, Philosophy, Quotes, tagged Gambling, Games, History, Investing, Librarians, Philosophy, Quotes, Risk, Warren Buffett on January 7, 2022| Leave a Comment »
If past history was all there was to the game, the richest people would be librarians. | |
— Warren Buffett | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Inshallah |
Leave No Doubt | |
2020 | A Choice |
2019 | Fill It Up |
2018 | Can We Talk About Me? |
2017 | About Change |
Gordian | |
2016 | Are Your Prayers Functioning? |
2015 | Expressing Love |
2014 | Cyclical Attitudes |
2013 | Footprints |
2012 | Broken Resolutions |
Bin It | |
It Still Isn’t
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged American Politics, Career Politicians, Elections, Founders, History, Incumbency, Philosophy, Polling, Quotes, Thought, Warren Buffett on November 13, 2021| Leave a Comment »
A public-opinion poll is no substitute for thought. | |
— Warren Buffett | |
[We are a republic because the “Founders” did NOT believe in the shared ignorance of the common man to run a government. They believed representatives could gain expertise, but would fundamentally vote their conscious for a common good. It is not at all clear the latter assumption remains true. It is increasingly difficult to vote out of office ANYONE who no longer represents the electorate, because of the massive amounts of monies required to conduct modern campaigns. Without the check of a suitable AND viable alternative replacing you at every election cycle, today’s politicians tend to vote in their interest and not in the interest of the electorate. This is both the power of and threat from office holder incumbency. | |
In fairness to the “Founders”, it is also highly unlikely they imagined modern medicine would extend the lives (and working careers) of an average politician into their 70’s and 80’s. The working assumption was political office would be a part-time thing or a crowning lifetime achievement, and not a life-long career. The expectation was that most would HAVE to go back to look after their families, their farms / land, or their businesses. This is obviously no longer the case – as long as you can retain the power of your elected office. — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | One Is Not Plural |
On And On… | |
2019 | I Think I’ve Just Been Argoted |
2018 | Good-Bye AG Jeff Sessions |
2017 | On Our Wall (Part 2) |
2016 | I Beg The Question |
2015 | By Their Fruit |
2014 | Proven Worth |
2013 | From Missouri |
2012 | Recipe To Write: Start With One Aching Urge |
2011 | Ip And Rib |
Real Things | |
2010 | Final Competition |
Veterans Day – 11 November 2021
Posted in History, Pictures, tagged 2021 Veterans Day, History, Pictures, VA.gov on November 11, 2021| Leave a Comment »
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The image / poster was taken from the Veterans Administration web site: http://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/gallery.asp where you can see each of the posters since 1978. | |
[To all who are serving, to all who have served, and to all those who have waited patiently for their return, “Thank You!!“ | |
If you have the time, take a minute to read: What Is A Vet? — KMAB] | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2020 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2020 |
Thankful | |
Remembrance Day – 11 November 2020 | |
2019 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2019 |
2018 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2018 |
2017 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2017 |
2016 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2016 |
2015 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2015 |
2014 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2014 |
2013 | Veterans Day – 11 November 2013 |
2012 | Monkey Business |
Veterans Day – 11 November 2012 | |
In Others | |
2011 | Veterans Day – 11/11/11 |
Deeply Confused (Still) | |
2010 | We are not from fearful men and I Am Not Afraid!! |
Veterans Day – 11 November 2010 | |
2009 | Narrowly missed first weight goal, but still happy… |
The Real World Effect Of Fox News’ Lies
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Proverbs, Quotes, tagged American Conservatism, Faux (Fox) News, Greek Proverbs, Newt Gingrich, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Roger Ailes, Rupert Murdoch, Warped Wood on October 6, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Wood that grows warped can never be straightened. | |
— Greek Proverb | |
[I predict when the history of this period is better understood, the poisoning of American conservatism will be laid at the hands of Faux News (specifically: Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes) and (former Speaker of the House) Newt Gingrich. The years of constant lies (Gingrich) and the promotion of these lies (Murdoch and Ailes) are what have led this country to our current state of affairs where a majority of “red” states believe they should secede from the Union and a majority of “blue” states seem willing to let them. — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2020 | #45: White House Turnover |
R.I.P.: Eddie Van Halen | |
Gee Whiz | |
2019 | Two Peace |
2018 | The Sensation Of Human Intimacy |
2017 | One Night In A Thousand Years |
2016 | A Considerable Amount Of Work |
2015 | Panzer Soldier |
2014 | Babies (I) |
2013 | Patriotic == Tell The Truth |
2012 | 30 Days To Go |
2011 | Altering The Course |
Glued To The TV – 3,000 Miles Away
Posted in History, Included Video, Music and Concerts, Quotes, Song Lyrics And Videos By Others, Videos, tagged 9/11 Rememberance, Alan Jackson, Favorite Lines, History, Included Video, Quotes, Where Were You -- music video, YouTube on September 11, 2021| 4 Comments »
Where Were You |
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Favorite Line(s): | |
Did you go to a church and hold hands with some strangers | |
Did you stand in line and give your own blood? | |
Did you just stay home and cling tight to your family | |
And thank God you had somebody to love? | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2020 | Current Heroes |
I’m Mid-West Born, But California Raised | |
Appropriated To Her Being | |
2019 | All In Good Time |
Day 13: Pause & Resume | |
Ghrelin And Leptin | |
2018 | Gratitude And Warmth |
Remembering Loss, Sacrifice And Service | |
Making Little Ones Out Of Bigger Ones | |
2017 | Never Forget |
2016 | It’s All Greek To Me (Well, Latin Actually) |
2015 | Truism |
2014 | Thank You |
2013 | Really |
2012 | Ordinary Five Minutes Longer |
2011 | The Wealth Of Sons (And Daughters) |
Current Heroes (II)
Posted in Faith, Faith Family and Friends, Health, History, tagged 9/11 Rememberance, California, COVID-19, Faith, Getting Vaccinated, Health, History, Hurricane Ida on September 11, 2021| Leave a Comment »
Sometimes re-posts are entirely appropriate… This isn’t “exactly” a re-post, but the first three following paragraphs are pretty close… | |
For the last twenty years, on 11 September my thoughts turn to those heroes who quietly serve to protect us: those in the military services, those in law enforcement, and those in health and other protective services. | |
Today (as it was last year), my beloved State of California is under a state of emergency as fires rage up, down and across the the breadth of the State. I would just like any of my readers to share with me a few moments of thought (prayers if you’re that way inclined) for those firefighters who are risking their lives daily (and have been for several weeks now) continuously fighting fires to save lives, pets and property. | |
I, for one, can never express my gratitude enough for what you do. I can only offer you (and your families) my thoughts and prayers. God keep you all safe! | |
This year, we are also engaged in a second wave (and second year) of battle against an indiscriminate virus which is ravaging the nation as well as our state. Last year – at this time, we didn’t have a vaccine to help protect us in this battle. This year we do have an effective vaccine, but it has not been fully distributed. Consequently, the virus is now running rampant among those who are unvaccinated – particularly children under 12 years of age (for whom the vaccines have not yet been proven safe). | |
We do not know how long the vaccines will remain effective. We do not know how severe “long-term” COVID effects will last or even if the effects ease or get worse for those COVID does not kill immediately. What we do know is the vaccines are very effective in reducing the number of folks going to the ER with serious (life-threatening) illness. We know masking, practicing social distancing and washing your hands frequently also reduces the rate of spread of the virus. | |
Unless you have an underlying medical condition which prevents you from getting vaccinated, the best thing you can do to help our doctors, nurses, EMTs and other health professionals is to get your shot(s). The life you save may be your child’s… | |
And finally, my thoughts (and prayers) go out to the people of one third of the country damaged by the winds and rain of the recent hurricane (Ida). With countless individual acts of courage, strength and charity, I believe you will come through these difficult days and be the stronger for it. | |
. | |
On This Day In: | |
2020 | Current Heroes |
I’m Mid-West Born, But California Raised | |
Appropriated To Her Being | |
2019 | All In Good Time |
Day 13: Pause & Resume | |
Ghrelin And Leptin | |
2018 | Gratitude And Warmth |
Remembering Loss, Sacrifice And Service | |
Making Little Ones Out Of Bigger Ones | |
2017 | Never Forget |
2016 | It’s All Greek To Me (Well, Latin Actually) |
2015 | Truism |
2014 | Thank You |
2013 | Really |
2012 | Ordinary Five Minutes Longer |
2011 | The Wealth Of Sons (And Daughters) |
Memorial Day 2022
Posted in General Comments, History, Leadership, Pictures, tagged Arlington National Cemetery, General Comments, History, Leadership, Memorial Day -- 2022, National Holidays, Pictures, Sacrifice, The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, Thoughts And Prayers on May 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Arlington National Cemetery
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
enjoying the freedom you sacrificed your lives to provide for us,
a grateful nation
remembers
and prays for you and your families…
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