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Written by Michael Mandaville
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Some notable excerpts:
- •At the core of his desperate firefight was a murderous attacker who simply would not go down, even though he was shot 14 times with .45-cal. ammunition — six of those hits in supposedly fatal locations.
- •In his trunk was an AR-15; in an overhead rack inside the squad, a Remington 870. But reaching either was impractical. Gramins did manage to get himself to a grassy spot near a tree on the curb side of his vehicle where he could prone out for a solid shooting platform.
- •He [the robber] was transported to a trauma center where [Officer] Gramins also was taken. They shared an ER bay with only a curtain between them as medical personnel fought unsuccessfully to save the robber’s life.
- At one point Gramins heard a doctor exclaim, “We may as well stop. Every bag of blood we give him ends up on the floor. This guy’s like Swiss cheese. Why’d that cop have to shoot him so many times!”
- Gramins thought, “He just tried to kill me! Where’s that part of it?”
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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The Flashbang was seen worn by one of the female actresses in the Hit TV show NCIS LA on Tuesday May 8th on CBS. The agent drew her weapon from a flashbang holster. These holsters have proven to be very effective in comfortable, safe, concealed carry. They provide a great option for ladies who want to dress like a lady in form fitting clothes and still be capable of taking responsibility for their own safety. Only one of these ladies had any experience with firearms or drawing from a holster prior to the day of shooting! Each lady got about an hour of safety training and weapons familiarization. They were then taught how to safely present the pistol from the holster. |
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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Drone technology is moving so fast that the consumer can easily purchase an AR Parrot Drone camera at 720p or 1080i which allows hobbyists, filmmakers - or very strange people - to put cameras anywhere. Until now, the limit has usually been within 'line of sight' both for technology and FAA regulations. Check out this video on Youtube.
However, a new company has launched its Kickstarter-like campaign on IndieGogo for an application that will allow iphones to become 'Mobile Drone Stations'.
The resulting application would allow control from about 1 mile away.
The "Fighting Walrus Radio" will allow drone owners to extend the range of commercially-available hobbyist drones from about 200 feet up to a mile, which could get some people into hot water with the Federal Aviation Administration. The agency requires drone operators to fly unmanned aircraft within "line of sight of the operator."
The application's use may require some additional equipment.
For the device to work, the pilot has to connect a radio receiver to the drone, which will allow it to operate outside of Wi-Fi range and will allow it to communicate directly with the Fighting Walrus device. The team also plans on selling ready-to-fly drones with the device already installed.
Aarestad says the device is designed for hobbyists who want more control over their drones—it also offers waypoint navigation and flight-logging data. The radio won't allow drones to stream video back to the iPhone, making it unlikely to be useful for surveillance. The team is working on a follow up device that will allow drones to send video back to its pilot.
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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A nuclear stress test, carried by some lawyer and perfectly legal, set off alarms in the Chicago Transpo System.
The TSA team passed by him several times before ending up on his train car. Finally, he got a clue when an agent questioned the man right next to him and asked, ‘Sir, do you have an explanation as to why I am getting a high isotope reading on your bag?’”
“The fellow’s jaw dropped,” Jones said.
Once the agent said the word “isotope,” Jones says he realized he was the one they were looking for. He raised his hand to say he had a nuclear stress test.
The tests can leave patients emitting radiation for some time. After showing identification and proof of the nuclear test, Jones and the other passengers were allowed to go on their way.
He says he’s satisfied with the way authorities acted, “knowing there are people on the lookout for this type of thing,” and was pleased with the way officers and passengers behaved.
Patients undergoing nuclear testing can request a card they can give to security if they travel afterward. Doctors have done this for air travelers.
Actually, it is comforting to know that such teams are out there and working. I never heard of the TSA VIPR Team. And anything to do with the TSA as being 'elite' seems unusual given their other airport behavior.
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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Every day, the economic decline of national governements and the international economies becomes more self evident to even the unseasoned viewer.
In Germany, a group has risen up which opposes any further monetary union under the falling Euro. This group of economists, politicians and jurists suggests that Merkel leave the European Union before the Union collapses.
"An end to this euro," is the first line on the webpage of Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). "The introduction of the euro has proved to be a fatal mistake, that threatens the welfare of us all. The old parties are used up. They stubbornly refuse to admit their mistakes."
They propose German withdrawl from EMU and return to the D-Mark, or a breakaway currency with the Dutch, Austrians, Finns, and like-minded nations. The French are not among them. The borders run along the ancient line of cleavage dividing Latins from Germanic tribes.
The plans draw on work by Hans-Olaf Henkel, former head ofGermany's industry federation (BDI) and a chastened europhile -- the "worst error of my professional life", he told me.
Added to this situation, a currency war is brewing across the world. British Expats are fleeing the sterling.
Expats are increasingly moving their savings into the currency of the country they are living in, as a continued weakness in the pound makes sterling less appealing.
The pound has dropped by around 10pc against the euro in the past six months, and just 13pc of Britons abroad are holding money in sterling, compared with double that figure in September 2011, according to research from Lloyds TSB International.
Communist China threatened a currency war, given that Japan is desperately trying to devaue its Yen. In part, Prime Minister Abe wants the yen to drop to accommodate a massive reduction in Japanese exports to China over their territorial dispute in the Senkaku Islands. Check out this currency war map at Zerohedge.com.
Since currency warfare is now back and more violent than at any time in the past 80 years, it only makes sense to bring back a long-time reader favorite: the currency warfare heatmaps which show who, on any given day, is winning and losing, the global race to debase and in the process beggar all globalized and SWIFT-interlinked neighbors. But don't forget: in a relativistic fiat world, nobody can actually win the global race to debase. Well, not nobody: gold (and other precious metals) can, assuming it is not confiscated as it was the last time the US ended the global currency war with a 50%+ devaluation of the USD relative to gold... and promptly confiscated all gold.
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from my friend Kyle. Thanks Kyle!
A War of Competing Worldviews By Baron Bodissey

“We must abandon the picture of a world divided up by states, in which states make war and conclude peace with one another. The trend — as shown by the Balkan wars — is toward denationalization, privatization and commercialization of war, in the course of which local warlords, bandit chiefs, mercenary-hiring companies, as well as internationally connected and deployable religious warriors are increasingly the real actors in the prosecution of war.”
The following article by Udo Ulfkotte was originally published on February 20 at
. JLH, who translated the piece, includes this note:
Udo Ulfkotte has turned up before in Gates of Vienna as a modern Jeremiah — heeded by some and carefully ignored by those in power. He practices what he preaches, has settled with his family on a farm that makes them largely self-sufficient.
The concluding advice in this essay can be clicked on to lead to an ad for his most recent book,
: Poverty for Everyone in a Jolly Immigrant Community.
The translated article (which I highly recommend):
The New World Order: Why the Surveillance of Radical Muslims Is a Failure By Udo Ulfkotte
Something is changing in German-language territory. History, ultimately, means change. Policy maintains that the changes will be good for us. In this process, a new world order is arising out there with more and more Islamist cells.
There are many good books and DVDs on Islam, But one thing is mostly left out. If we examine the goals, motives and ideological-religious background of the radical Islamic network, which to all appearances, has control of firm institutional linkages and a not-to-be-underestimated criminal energy, we should expect the uneasiness of German authorities and citizens to increase. More than 3.2 million Muslims are living in Germany, in peaceful coexistence — at first glance — with their fellow citizens.
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Read more... [A War of Competing Worldviews]
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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Support "Jihad Watch".
This organization is dedicated to watching the incursion of radical Islam into society. On its site:
"Because the West is facing a concerted effort by Islamic jihadists, the motives and goals of whom are largely ignored by the Western media, to destroy the West and bring it forcibly into the Islamic world -- and to commit violence to that end even while their overall goal remains out of reach. That effort goes under the general rubric of jihad."
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Read more... [Monitor Jihad with 'Jihad Watch]
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Written by Sent by Mack Dougherty
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Action: Use Stories to Enlighten about complicated Economics
To All My Valued Employees, {A Memo about Hard Work]
There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job. What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country. However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interests.
First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a Back Story. This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You've seen my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure; all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life.
However, what you don't see is the BACK STORY :
I started this company 28 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living apartment was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.
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Read more... [Action: Economics Lessons - "Memo From Boss To Employees on Capitalism]
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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“The Soviet Story” is a story of an Allied power, which helped the Nazis to fight Jews and which slaughtered its own people on an industrial scale. Assisted by the West, this power triumphed on May 9th, 1945. Its crimes were made taboo, and the complete story of Europe’s most murderous regime has never been told. Until now…
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Written by Michael Mandaville
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Emergency Preparedness is the insurance that we don't want to use. Just like our car, house and business insurance, we hope that the need doesn't arise.
But smart people know different. Every region in the world has epic natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, floods and more. In November, 2011, a tornado hit Italy. They commonly race across the southern United States. Massive snowstorms hit Spain and France, throwing floods over Great Britain. Hurricane Sandy devastated parts of the Caribbean Caribbean and the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States during late October 2012 and also sections of the Southeastern and Midwestern United States as well as Eastern Canada.
What we learn about these devastating events is the requirement to have warm and weather resistant clothes in our homes, cars and perhaps at work. What's to say that an earthquake or tornado won't happen when we're driving or at work - far from our home preparations? A Go-Bag is precisely what it sounds like. A bag, or preferably a backpack, with emergency food, lighting, medical kit and clothing. If you're not worried about yourself, then okay. But what if a family member is injured, cold, experiencing shock or worse and you're not ready? Bad news.
Let's start with clothing. The best clothing is usually army surplus. Rigorously made and tested with weather resistant materials, you can usually get clothing that is superb against adverse conditions i.e., snow, rain, severe cold, etc., and will last. I found one site at www.Nightgear.co.uk. The site has a number of useful categories like Military, Police, Security, Outdoor, Fire, etc., But let's just check out their army surplus Military and Tactical Clothing section.
A few products with fleece fabric caught my eye. Fleece is soft, lightweight and warm. It is the fabric that fights water well. Even when weight it retains a great deal of its insulating powers. Perspiration passes through the fabric. Fleece also dries quickly, making it an ideal fabric for emergency situations. No use shivering in ice cold clothes when you can have a fabric that dries fast. This particular fleece jacket has a hood with multiple pockets. Light, dark and comfortable.
One useful item that is oft overlooked in Emergency Preparedness is a strong vest, packed with emergency lighting, a small medical kit, food bars, etc., Some people can't walk well with a backpack, like the elderly, but with the weight distribution of a vest, they can keep moving and have both hands free to navigate adverse conditions. I saw a number of vests available which I liked, tending toward the Tactical Vests with their strong construction and multiple pockets. Check out the vests here.
You will always be working within a budget these days, but a few well-considered items - pants, jacket, weight bearing gear like a vest, etc., - along with your standard emergency supplies will help you in uncertain times and unpredictable futures. Be Prepared!
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