Father’s Day

As any fule kno, I’m not much for Hallmark holidays (like today).  However, this one’s priceless:

Probably not on United, or else the cabin crew would have given the kid a broken nose by now.

And because I’m relentlessly cynical:

Excellent Article

Via Stephen Green at Insty comes this thought-provoking article by Michael Korfman, which you need to read first for the rest of this to make any kind of sense.  It’s one of the best takes on the geopolitical situation with respect to Russia and the U.S. that I’ve seen for a while, so it’s worth the time.  And the fact that much of his analysis is based on historical precedent makes his hypothesis even more compelling.

While looking at the reasons why Russia is doing what it’s doing, Korfman makes this comment (and it gives rise to my only quibble with his piece):

This theory of victory stems from the Russian assumption that the structural balance of power will eventually shift away from the United States towards China and other powers in the international system, resulting in a steady transition to multipolarity. This strategy is emergent, but the hope is that a successful campaign of raiding, together with the greater threat from China, will force Washington to compromise and renegotiate the post-Cold War settlement.

I don’t understand why Russia would “raid” the Western democracies to cause the focus of power to move towards China, which seems on its face to be a perilous activity for Russia.  After all, the United States is never going to invade and annex Siberia — which the Chinese are going to do, eventually and inevitably, as soon as they become strong enough — and with the loss of Siberia’s oil and mineral resources, Russia is going to be left far weaker even than it is already.

Unless, of course, the Russians are gambling that China will first try to establish hegemony in the South China Sea, and that if the U.S. has been weakened even slightly, that China will follow that course instead of invading Siberia.  It’s a big gamble.

Failing that eventuality, I don’t have a counter-answer as to why Russia is being a pain in the ass;  I do have a solution to counter their activities, which is to raid them back.  For starters, I see a hugely-favorable trade agreement with Georgia, a massive U.S. military entrenchment in the Baltic states (with some offensive and not just defensive capability) and a “boys will be boys” attitude towards CIA mischief aimed at undermining Russian beach-heads (a.k.a. their embassies) in every country in the world.  Two can play at the raiding game, and we need to show the Russians that we can, and will.  Yeah, it leads to dangerous brinkmanship;  but it’s also a way to stop their shit-stirring, or at least think twice before doing it.

As Cousin Avi said in Snatch:  “Russians. I should’ve known. Anti-Semite, slippery Cossack sluts.”  Truer words were never spoken, and we shouldn’t forget them.

Total Gorgeousity

Last weekend, fiend Reader Mr. Lion jogged my memory about a certain car that I’ve always loved simply because it is so beautiful.  (Forget actually driving one:  they cost well over a million dollars, if  you could find someone willing to part with theirs.  Good luck.)

Anyway, here it is, the Ferrari 250 California Spyder, from 1958. 

Ferrari made several variations of the 250 over the years.  One of my favorites is the rather more conservative GTL Lusso:

Then there’s the (much) racier GTO:

I could go on, but there’s only so much one can stand, really.  Your favorite 250 models in Comments, if you like.

5 Worst Times To Be Without A Gun

Ranked in ascending order of helplessness/need:

  • While in lion / grizzly / snake-infested countryside
  • During a school shooting
  • While driving through any urban paradise featuring public housing
  • Driving along any highway, road or street in Johannesburg
  • When you’re the only person in the room not holding one

Your suggestions in Comments.


P.S.  I see I forgot to post a 5 Worst list last Friday.  Sorry.