LIVE AT FIVE – 05.24.12

Vasa was intended to express the expansionist aspirations of Sweden and to glorify king Gustavus Adolphus. No expense was spared in decorating and equipping the Vasa, which was also one of the largest and most heavily armed warships of its time.

Modern tribal knowledge has it that the king was all “More guns!” and the naval architect replied, “Can we invade Russia instead?”

Meanwhile, the same Administration that brought you Solyndra is coming at naval aviation with the brilliant flair of Gustavus:

New tests conducted at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have revealed that US warplanes are capable of flying faster and carry more payload on missions, when flying with synthetic fuels, including biofuels, compared to conventional military jet fuels made from petroleum.
The increased performance of biofuels could allow, for example, a fully loaded F/A-18 SuperHornet supersonic fighter to carry one additional missile during military operations.
According to Air Force special advisor on energy and fuels, Omar Mendoza, the Pentagon has authorized additional testing with General Electric, Rolls-Royce, and Pratt & Whitney to confirm the findings from the Air Force Research Laboratory, based at Wright Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio.
Mendoza added that, if the results seen at the extensive Wright-Patterson engine testing labs are confirmed, outcomes could include consideration of next generation engines that can take full operational advantage of the breakthrough in warplane performance.

Human Events fires back:

A few days ago, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta added fuel to the fire of an emerging controversy—just now capturing the attention of some members of Congress—by sharing his plans for the future of the military with a group of rapt environmentalists at an Environmental Defense Fund gala in his honor in Washington, D.C.
“Our mission at the Department is to secure this nation against threats to our homeland and to our people,” he said. “In the 21st century, the reality is that there are environmental threats which constitute threats to our national security. For example, the area of climate change has a dramatic impact on national security: rising sea levels, to severe droughts, to the melting of the polar caps, to more frequent and devastating natural disasters all raise demand for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.”
Despite pending defense cuts that have had a dismayed Panetta pounding lecterns across the country, the Defense Secretary said DoD would be committing $2 billion in the next fiscal year alone to energy-efficient equipment and efficiency programs, and research and development for green technology.

This came in a note from the Dilbert end of the equation, an aeronautical engineer I know from back in the day:

The truth seems to be that biofuels are less energy dense, meaning it takes more fuel to get the same amount of thrusties out the back end. Not sure if you have the time to blog on this, but it has me and a couple of engineers here at NAVAIR bleeding out our eyeballs reading this propaganda.

But the science is settled: policy trumps science. Or it will, as long as we continue to elect jackwagons to office, and suffer under the appartachiks they appoint.

Update: Fischersville Mike makes an excellent point:

Biofuels are less energy dense.
Politicans are more energy dense.

Category: Military

‘He Has No F–king Soul’

Posted on | May 23, 2012 | 125 Comments

FROM AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Today there is a massive Memeorandum aggregation about convicted terrorist Brett Kimberlin, including one on an article by my filmmaker buddy Ladd Ehlinger Jr.:

What Did Barbara Streisand Know …
And When Did She Know It?

An excellent question: Why would Barbra Streisand’s “philanthropic” foundation donate money to a 501(c)3 whose director is a violent felon notorious for his dishonesty (a “top-flight con man“) to say nothing of the other heinous crimes Kimberlin has committed? Leaving aside entirely the “lawfare” harassment strategy Kimberlin has used against Patrick Frey, Seth Allen and Aaron Worthing, doesn’t that situation — hiring an infamous liar and admitted tax cheat to run a tax-exempt non-profit — strike most people as incredibly reckless?

Kimberlin has continued dishonestly to deny his responsibility for the weeklong 1978 Indiana terror-bombing spree for which he was convicted in 1981 and sentenced to 50 years in federal prison. In fact, I’m told, Kimberlin has falsely claimed that he was “secretly exonerated” for those crimes, so that his life continues to be one enormous lie.

And what kind of person would donate money to pay the salary of a vicious creep like that, especially when it is so well-known that Kimberlin has spent the past year engaged in a series of efforts to intimidate those who try to expose the truth about him?

The fact that I was compelled, by concern for the safety of others, to leave my Maryland home in order to be able to continue reporting this story ought to be sufficient evidence of Kimberlin’s intrinsic maliciousness. But of all the many words written about this bizarre episode in recent days, none captured the essence of the problem so succinctly as a five-word sentence Scott Jacobs posted in the comments of another blog, describing Kimberlin: “He has no f–king soul.”

UPDATE: Lisa Graas writes:

I doubt Streisand knows how her money is being used, but then again, this is what you get when you fund groups that employ radicals.

Streisand is stuck in a nostalgic time-warp of “radical chic” and is thus perhaps actively in favor of giving money to left-wing terrorists.

UPDATE II: Michelle Malkin brought her awesome influence to bear today, as did Ed Morrissey at Hot Air, and the Memeorandum aggregation includes scores of bloggers.

Normally, I use the Shoe Leather Fund to pay travel expenses while I’m out on the campaign trail. This sudden and unexpected journey to an Undisclosed Location, however, has helped raise more money than any other road-trip I’ve ever taken, and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed, as this will help pay to relocate my family.

They say if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans.

Last Thursday morning, I was planning to go cover the G8 Summit at Camp David. Instead, I saw Aaron Worthing’s story, immediately recognized it as newsworthy and . . . well, God’s got a great sense of humor, doesn’t he?

Update (Smitty): Thank you again, Instapundit!

THE KIMBERLIN FILES:

Category: The Kimberlin Files

#OccupyResoluteDesk Toady, Jay Carney, Disavows Nose On His Face

Posted on | May 23, 2012 | 5 Comments

by Smitty

Does anybody really doubt that the anti-American Left is at the root of the #Occupy movement, from the head #Occupier sitting the Resolute Desk on down?

Of course, that is a fact-free assertion. However, Lee Stranahan is going to be holding a video seminar for us Real Soon Now.

Via American Glob

Category: Barack Obama, Democrats

Shout Out To Muir @daybydaycartoon

Posted on | May 23, 2012 | 13 Comments

by Smitty

Boss, you rawk! Click image for the full ‘toon:

Category: Day By Day

LIVE AT FIVE – 05.23.12

Posted on | May 23, 2012 | 11 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho

TOP NEWS
Egyptians Begin To Vote In Historic Presidential Election

An Egyptian walks by a poster for the Muslim Brotherhood candidate

Thirteen candidates vying for the vote; runoff between top two finishers to be held June 16-17

Unusually Good Forecast For Iran Nuke Talks
Is Khamenei willing to abandon the bomb after all?

Romney Sweeps Arkansas & Kentucky Primaries
Should secure last needed delegates in Texas next week

POLITICS
Congressman Clyburn Off His Meds Again

Representative James Clyburn (Monster Raving Loony-SC)

Obama spokesman quickly backs away from Clyburn’s “raping companies” accusation

Paul Ryan Calls Obama “A Failed President”

Rubio, Warner Collaborating On Visa Changes For Skilled Workers, Science, Engineering, Tech Graduates

North Dakota Senate Race Shaping Up To Be Competitive

Colin Powell Not Rushing To Endorsement This Time

Tom Cotton Wins GOP Primary For Arkansas Congressional Seat

Is This Cruz v. Dewhurst Or Palin v. Perry?

Washington Governor Race Turns To Transportation Funding

THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Oil Continues Slide As Iran Talks Progress, Eurozone Worries Persist; NYMEX $90.97, Brent $108.41
Scrutiny Of Facebook IPO Builds
World Bank Sees PRC As Drag On Recovering Asia
Mazda, Fiat To Collaborate On New Drop-Top Roadster
Japan Rating Cut Rings Alarm For Diet Deadlocked On Taxes
CFPB Seeks Comments On Prepaid Debit Card Rules
Ford’s Credit Rating Upgraded, Blue Oval & Other IP Reclaimed
“HALO” Developer Bungie’s Next Project: “Destiny”
ITC Judge Recommends Banning XBox Imports
Facebook Settles Lawsuit Over “Sponsored Stories”
FCC Chief Backs Usage-Based Internet Pricing

SPORTS
Heat v. Pacers: A Physical Series Gets Ugly

Pacers routed in Game 5, 115-83

Astrodome Fades, Crumbles As Houston Decides Its Fate

Kings Edge Coyotes 4-3 In Overtime To Win West

Arrest Made In OKC Post-Game Shooting

Hated Yankees In Trouble

Wainwright Shuts Out Padres With 4-Hitter

Matusz, O’s Spoil Youkilis’ Return

Phillies Drop Second Straight To Nationals, 5-2

FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
SI Model Chrissy Teigen Gets Death Threats From Chris Brown Fans

Chrissy Teigen, Chris Brown

Fans upset with Teigen’s criticism of Brown at Billboard Music Awards

Lohan Unhappy With Casting Choices For Richard Burton Role

Ellis And Dev Leaving “Smash”

Kelly Clarkson: My Boyfriend Is Ruining My Creativity

Johnny Depp Officially Adopted By Comanche Nation

Kelly Brook’s Indecent Proposal

Snooki Evicting Herself From “Jersey Shore” House

FOREIGNERS
Pakistan Hoist By Its Own Petard
Hezbollah Appeals For Calm After Syrian Kidnapping; Is Lebanon Being Drawn Into The Chaos?
Norks Pledge To Press Ahead With Nuke Plans
Visa For Castro’s Niece Sparks Florida Firestorm
Education Cuts Met With Strike In Spain
Ambassador Crocker To Step Down From Kabul Post
Montreal Crowds Mark 100 Days Of Student Protest

BLOGS & STUFF
William McGurn: The Dumbing Down Of Joe Biden
WyBlog: Union Rules Prevent Newark From Laying Off 300 Excess Teachers
Holman Jenkins: The IPO From Hell?
Gateway Pundit: Wolfe Draws 40% Of Arkansas Dem Vote, “Uncommitted” Gets 42% In Kentucky
Breitbart.com: Did Obama Have Lower SAT Scores & Grades Than W?
NRO Corner: James Clyburn Is A Hypocrite
Moe Lane: An Entertaining 5:12 Of Obamaflack Ben Bolt Killing His Soul (Video)
Bryan Preston: Biden – Plumbers Can’t Be President
Michelle Malkin: Unhinged, Bat-Wielding Union Thug Whacks Nikki Haley Pinata
Lee Stranahan: May 25 Is “Everybody Blog About Brett Kimberlin” Day
Weasel Zippers: Cardinal Dolan Rips Obama For “Strangling” Catholic Church
NRO Corner: Moral Clarity = Partisanship?
PJ Tatler: Top White House Officials Helped Shape Bin Laden Movie
Jim Treacher: Obama Backer, Former CNN Exec Leaves Dog Poop In Gay Couple’s Mailbox
Daily Caller: It Takes a ~~Village~~Nation To Pay For the Obamas’ Lifestyle
Jawa Report: TSA Grope Fees To Increase
Matt Welch: NYT Columnist Says Glass-Steagall Wouldn’t Have Prevented JP Morgan Loss Or The Financial Crisis
Ira Stoll: Eduardo Saverin And Echoes Of The Reichsfluchtsteuer

Category: Live at Five

Brett Kimberlin Has A Friend In Lee Stranahan, For ‘Worst Nightmare’ Values Of ‘Friend’

Posted on | May 22, 2012 | 34 Comments

by Smitty

Via Ace who throws down the gauntlet:

There are a lot of smaller bloggers who’ve heroically covered this. And one big blogger. And another big blogger is very interested (and I imagine that blogger will post soon; I just don’t want to commit this blogger to anything).

I will note them later. Right now, I’m just disgusted. Disgusted at my allies, disgusted at myself.

Cowards die a thousand deaths.

I already died 40 cowards’ deaths this past week. That’s enough for me. I will die no more of them.

Am I to understand only the smallest, least-well-financed bloggers are going to be covering this? While large media franchises with lawyers on retainer all decide “we’d rather let tiny one-man blogs take the lead on this?”

Does that make sense?

comes this:
With Lee Stranahan on the case, and videos like that one, Brett will soon be getting the media attention he deserves.

As a veteran, I didn’t mind having my life in harm’s way over all manner of people: sincere pacifists, vegetarians, homosexuals, Hari Krishnas. Liberty does not discriminate. But when I see a piece of trash like Kimberlin (admittedly, some distant relatives come to mind) I feel a deep anger. Such scum simply do not deserve their American citizenship.

Daily Pundit notes:

I suspect that this Kimberlin whackjob is going to regret taking on Stacy McCain.

Update: Here is a fat roundup of those who linked today’s noon post about bailing out of the People’s Republic of Maryland:
Instapundit
American Power

Brett Kimberlin Death Threats Against Robert Stacy McCain?
I don’t know, actually.
Robert Stacy McCain wrote yesterday that the police had been notified about the suspicious behavior of Brett Kimberlin, so my first thought was that Robert and his family were in physical danger. See: “Never Doubt That God Answers Prayer.”

Stacy made it clear in a phone conversation that the answer to Mr. Douglas’s reasonable question is: No. There have been no specific threats against RSM or his family from Mr. Kimberlin.
An Ex-Con’s View:

For once, we need to rise as a unified voice and say: “NO FARTHER!”
It is scandalous that this saga has gotten this far! Man (or woman) up and ACT!

The Camp of the Saints

I spoke briefly with Stacy a short while ago and he assures me that he and his family are fine.
You can never be too careful, however, when it comes to psychopathic/sociopathic people and Brett Kimberlin is just that kind of person.

HillBuzz

Free speech can be dangerous when you’re dealing with an unhinged terrorist.

Richard Fernandez

How does he get away with it? By getting away with it. The only recorded instance in which Bill Ayers expressed admiration for America was when he realized that he could escape punishment more easily than he thought. “Guilty as sin, free as a bird, it’s a great country”.
Blogger Robert Stacy McCain may have accidentally found stumbled onto part of the reason for impunity. McCain is in hiding after becoming the latest target of Kimberlin. McCain had discovered that Kimberlin is associated with Democratic Party operatives and wrote about it.

Conservatory

I don’t want anybody trying to shame people into publicizing this story, at least yet. It’s reasonable, though, to believe that those whom you support and help to boost might take at least a passing interest in helping to get this awful story the publicity that it so richly deserves. Asses like Brett Kimberlin survive and thrive because people find it to inconvenient to help put an end to their behavior, and that is why they persist in it.

Legal Insurrection

The story is not about McCain as such. It’s about how bloggers, who don’t have large organizations and cadres of lawyers standing behind them, can be the subjects of attempted intimidation through a perceived weakpoint, such as an employer.

Nice Deb

Kimberlin is an evil menace to society, and must be stopped before he hurts someone again. Just as chilling is the fact that there are powerful and deep pocketed entities on the left that are willing to fund his nefarious operations. That anyone in their right minds would want to have their names associated with such a miscreant should be shocking, but we’re talking about institutional left, here. There is apparently no limit to the depths of depravity Marxists will sink to in order to destroy their enemies..

The Tatler

Right now, the terrorist turned activist — who gets money from major Democrats including Teresa Heinz Kerry and Barbra Streisand — is apparently threatening McCain’s family. Given Kimberlin’s history of bombings, harassment and thuggery, Kimberlin is unfortunately a real threat and the state of Maryland needs to step in and stop him.

Da Tech Guy

To my friends on the left who are financing this fellow: Do you have any actual honor left? Have you become so secular, so utilitarian that you have reached this point? I have no problem with redemption and forgiveness, Christianity demands it but the person in question is not behaving in an honorable way, and if you are paying a man so he can force a reporter/blogger, his wife and children on the road to avoid him you have to ask yourself: Have you no decency? Have your totalitarian impulses becomes so strong that this is what its come to?

The Daily Gator

McCain has drawn the attention of one Brett Kimberlin, a Leftist terrorist, and scumbag in general. Kimberlin would love to silence bloggers like McCain, who has dared to try and expose Kimberlin and his allies for what they are.

That Mr. G Guy

Kimberlin is hiding something and people are getting closer to figuring it out. He’s running scared. Funny thing is, he’s just bringing more attention to himself. He’s doing the equivalent of screeching up to the bank across the road from the police station with the intention of robbing it. Way to keep a low profile dude.

The Lonely Conservative

Stacy McCain and his family are still in an undisclosed location. I suspect it will be that way for a while. I have no idea if they’re in Timbuktu or Vanuatu, I only know they aren’t at home in Maryland. He did another post today that does a great job summarizing things to date. For telling the truth about a dangerous man he’s now in hiding. God bless America.

Granite Grok

Well, leftists and terrorists (but I repeat myself) can be vindictive when cornered or exposed, and Stacy had worked over the record of a certain ‘gentleman’ with such sharp prose that you could have gotten paper cuts just by reading the articles!

Film Ladd

Stacy fled because he believed that Brett Kimberlin, convicted domestic lefty terrorist bomber, was overly curious re: Stacy’s geographic location.
This curiosity was most likely generated from Stacy’s very loud reporting on Kimberlin’s money ties to George Soros and Barbara Streisand.
I had a conversation with a political consulting friend about the matter.
“Is Stacy serious?” my friend asked. “I look at this post and he’s rattling his tip jar? I thought he was joking.”
Yes, I said; that’s just Stacy. It’s serious.

Update II: A special shout out to our kosher pal The Lid

Think about that for a second.. most bloggers get nasty emails, even threats and rebukes from politicians and public figures. Heck Steve Israel has sent out at least two fundraising letters pointing out things I’ve written as the reason he needs extra funds. But Stacy didn’t get an overt threat those are easier to deal with–he got the implied threat, the kind that can’t be acted on by the authorities.
I spoke to Stacy McCain tonight and you wouldn’t know he was on the run from a terrorist/sociopath (the guy was accused of killing his Grandma). McCain was calm, cool and determined to see this story through because he won’t shy away from the truth.

Kimberlin may not be wise, but you neglect his low animal cunning at your peril. Thus, while Stacy is playing perhaps a hyper-cautious hand (a wife and five children remaining at home limits flexibility, given Kimberlin’s history) there is also the understanding that Kimberlin’s less kinetic strategies resemble the bad guy in the Scooby Doo episode. Kimberlin seeks to bully and intimidate people, and he’d would’ve gotten away with it, too, if not for that meddling Stacy McCain shining a light into inconvenient history and still less convenient, rich Lefty ties.

Let’s see if those ties, and more recent skullduggery don’t become the focus as this story unfolds. I don’t know much about Kimberlin at all. But if he proves to resemble the dirtbag archetype I have in mind, then it may be that Kimberlin hasn’t really breathed an honest breath in a long, long time. Hope I’m wrong on that call.

via FilmLadd

Category: Terrorism, The Kimberlin Files

Bristol Palin To Get Reality Show; Stacy McCain Content With Surreality Show

Posted on | May 22, 2012 | 14 Comments

by Smitty

Via Memeorandum and Politico:

Bristol Palin: Life’s a Tripp, premiering Tuesday, June 19, at 10pm ET/PT with back-to-back episodes. Two new episodes will subsequently air every Tuesday, showcasing Bristol’s journey growing into womanhood with her young son, Tripp.
With never-before-granted access to Bristol’s real-life experiences, the show follows her everyday life as a single mother living under intense media scrutiny that comes from her lineage as the daughter of former Alaska Governor and Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin.

I want to see the episode where she’s out to dinner and Stacy McCain, now The World’s Most Interesting Blogger (mosquitos do not bite him, out of respect), saves her from being accosted by Levi Johnston.

McCain takes Johnston to task for being a standing insult to manhood of Obama-esque proportions. Johnston breaks down crying at the description of what McCain would do to him, were one of McCain’s daughters to receive such despicable treatment. Levi eventually requires hospitalization to recover from contusions suffered due to the impact of McCain’s verbal onslaught, and actually sends a thank-you note to Todd Palin for showing more mercy.

Hmmm. I seem to bear some animus toward Johnston.

Meanwhile, I did have a quick word with Stacy, sounded chipper. I haven’t the foggiest idea where he is. Start prepping your material for the 25th, Everybody Blog About Brett Kimberlin Day.

Category: Bristol Palin, Nice Deb

« go back — keep looking »

About

This is an area on your website where you can add text. This will serve as an informative location on your website, where you can talk about your site.

The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

LIVE AT FIVE – 05.24.12

Remember The Vasa? We’re Going For The Aerial Version, It Appears

‘He Has No F–king Soul’

#OccupyResoluteDesk Toady, Jay Carney, Disavows Nose On His Face

Shout Out To Muir @daybydaycartoon

LIVE AT FIVE – 05.23.12

Brett Kimberlin Has A Friend In Lee Stranahan, For ‘Worst Nightmare’ Values Of ‘Friend’

Bristol Palin To Get Reality Show; Stacy McCain Content With Surreality Show

THE FULL METAL JACKET REACH-AROUND AWARD

HIT THE FREAKING TIP JAR!

Search

Recent Posts

RSS reader subscription

MEMEORANDUM

Recent Comments

THE AMAZING GONZO FEED

Major Leagues

Archives

Free Agents

SHAMELESS CAPITALISM

Triple-A Franchises

Blogroll

About

Subscribe to our feed

Search

Admin