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..

Now that is very very true.

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

LOL.. Well, they are both smooth talkers and they make you think it's your idea for him to do something.

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.

Oops..i had to go look myself...hard crowd here folks....

Nicolea was a lot more polished than him. You do a disservice to the beast.

Nothing O does is a coincidence. I think he is Nicoli Carpathian from the movie "Left Behind" !!!!!!

my mistake == Duvall !!! -- j

I was in Poland this past Summer and got a chance to talk with some locals about what they thought of the US and Obama. They love the US but not Obama. They are afraid of the Russians. When Obama canceled the missile defense system in Poland many were irritated. They went to bat for the US and then when they approved it Obama canceled it leaving them in a awkward position with the Russians. Worse yet he made the decision on Sept 14. It did not get coverage in the US but to the Pols this was the anniversary date that the Russians invaded Poland in 1939. A coincidence? Perhaps but it was a slap in the face to the people of Poland.

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

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

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?

VJ wears the nads in the current administration, and surprise....she's Iranian.

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.

Ned pepper?

Robert Duvall.

Wasn't it John "Kick A@@" Wayne? My hero....

Excellent point, he is not a model of emotional stability.

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.

DeNiro was in True Grit?

like DeNiro's sidekick in True Grit??? -- j

that "Tijuana donkey girl" might be up there
with mouse cowards!!! -- j

https://www.google.com/search?q=tijuana+...

a tautological circumlocution? -- j

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.