Pearl Harbor Little Known Facts

History 4 Minutes

Located on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, Pearl Harbor is best known as the site of the Japanese military strike that propelled the United States into World War II. But Pearl Harbor’s contributions to history didn’t begin—or end—on what President Franklin Delano Roosevelt called “a date which will live in infamy,” December 7, 1941. From epic rock concerts to astronaut visits, the storied lagoon has seen quite a lot. Here are 10 things you might not know about it.

Pearl Harbor’s Hawaiian name is Wai Momi.

Unfortunately, overharvesting, pollution, and human-induced sediment changes decimated the harbor’s native oyster population by the end of the 19th century. But in February 2019, the U.S. Navy announced that it was teaming up with the University of Hawaiʻi’s Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center and O’ahu Waterkeeper to reintroduce two native bivalve species: The Hawaiian oyster and the black-lip pearl oyster. Since they filter out pollutants, their presence may help clear the water in the Pearl Harbor area.

A shark goddess was said to live in Pearl Harbor.

According to Hawaiian legend, Kaʻahupahau was a former human who had transformed into a shark. It was said that she lived with her brother (or son) in the caves beneath Pearl Harbor. Together, the pair defended the scenic lagoon and the Indigenous people who fished there. In 1902, the entrance channel was artificially widened so large American ships could pass through. (Hawaii wouldn’t become a state until 1959, but it was annexed in 1898.) Locals became concerned that the project would upset Kaʻahupahau. When a newly finished dock collapsed in 1913, it was said to be the irate deity’s work. Others speculated that damage to the harbor caused Kaʻahupahau to leave—and she took the oysters with her.

Pearl Harbor’s resident naval station was established in 1908.

In 1887, 11 years before Hawaii’s annexation, the United States was given the exclusive right to set up a naval base in Pearl Harbor. But the federal government didn’t formally establish one there until 1908. Decades later, in 1940, that naval station became the main base of operations for what would soon become the U.S. Pacific Fleet, where it was intended to curb Japanese expansionism. The fleet’s relocation to Oahu set the stage for the devastating surprise attack.

The December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor came in two waves.

Before the assault on Pearl Harbor, Japan stationed six of its Imperial Navy’s aircraft carriers, which carried 414 planes in total, at a pre-chosen locale 230 miles north of Oahu. The ships maintained radio silence to keep their movements a secret. On December 7, 1941, at 6 a.m., the first wave of Japanese planes took to the air, and just before 8 a.m., they began an all-out assault on the Hawaiian base. Caught unaware, the American forces were pummeled by bombs and torpedoes.

A second wave arrived on the scene at about 8:50 a.m. Unlike its predecessor, this one didn’t include any torpedo planes and it inflicted less damage. Still, by the time Japan’s second wave pilots returned to their carriers at 9:55 a.m., the U.S. had lost 188 airplanes while 159 more sustained damages. Some 21 American ships were sunk or damaged. And then there was the human cost: 2403 Americans died in the attack, and an estimated 1178 others were injured.

Thirty-eight sets of brothers were on the doomed USS Arizona.

Nearly all the American vessels that were hit during the 1941 Pearl Harbor attack were later repaired, but the USS Arizona wasn’t so lucky. The 608-foot Pennsylvania-class battleship went under after an ammunition magazine exploded. Some 1177 marines and sailors perished aboard the Arizona. Altogether, there were 38 sets of brothers, representing a total of 79 men, on the battleship at the time. Within that group, 63 individual men were killed.

Pearl Harbor was rocked by mysterious explosions in 1944.

On May 21, 1944, a tank landing ship (or Landing Ship, Tank) in the lagoon’s West Loch suddenly burst into flame. Next came a string of explosions that killed 163 people, damaged more than 20 buildings, and took out a grand total of six LSTs. The disaster’s cause has never been verified, but it has been theorized that someone may have accidentally set the whole thing off by dropping an explosive mortar shell.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida visited Pearl Harbor in 1951.

By all accounts, the visit was a muted affair. Yoshida was returning from a diplomatic visit to San Francisco when he opted to spend a little time in Hawaii. On September 12, 1951, the prime minister briefly met up with Arthur Radford, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, at Pearl Harbor. Three other Japanese prime ministers have since visited the lagoon. Ichiro Hatoyama dropped by in 1956; Nobusuke Kishi made the trip in 1957; and Shinzo Abe gave a speech there (with Barack Obama by his side) in 2016.

Elvis Presley helped raise money for the USS Arizona memorial fund.

In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the building of a USS Arizona memorial at Pearl Harbor. Three years later, the king of rock ‘n roll put on a benefit concert to raise money for the project. Presley sang “Hound Dog,” “Heartbreak Hotel,” and 13 other classic songs before a roaring crowd of around 5000 fans in Pearl Harbor’s Bloch Arena. The big event raked in over $64,000 and created public interest in the memorial—which was officially dedicated in 1962.

After returning to Earth, the Apollo 11 crew made a pit stop in Pearl Harbor.

Neil Armstrong, Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, and Michael Collins splashed down in the Pacific Ocean on July 24, 1969. Due to concerns about lunar diseases, the astronauts were confined to a quarantine trailer—which was ferried to Pearl Harbor aboard the USS Hornet. The contraption was later transported to Houston, Texas, with all three space travelers still inside.

The naval base at Pearl Harbor merged with another military property in 2010.

Prior to 2010, Pearl Harbor’s resident naval base and the neighboring Hickam Air Force Base were two separate properties. But that year, they were combined into the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. According to its website, the base “provides services comparable to a large city to a population of active duty from all services, guard, reserve, family members and retirees.”

A version of this story originally ran in 2019; it has been updated for 2021.

SOURCE: MENTAL FLOSS

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Published by pat frederick

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121 thoughts on “Pearl Harbor Little Known Facts”

  1. Good Morning, Pat and Filly!

    Very interesting post about Pearl Harbor! So sad about the brothers lost in the attack December 7, 1941. Imagine the pain of their parents and siblings.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Morning, Pat! According to the report yesterday, there is a system to the south of us bringing snow that is headed your way – eastern NE will see it but it should miss me up here. It’s one of those systems that will swing up from the south. Sorry! I’ve got today and possibly tomorrow with nice temps, then it plunges. I’ll be getting it soon enough! Wheezer just showed up for his breakfast – now he’s got gunk in one eye….sigh. Strays! They’ve always got something!!!

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Oh, that last one….just pisses me off every time! I used to gripe about that all the time back in VA. Once I retired and didn’t have to work, if I applied somewhere – like I did at Family Dollar – and they require a drug test, I flat-out refuse. I don’t HAVE to work any more and I will not put up with it any longer.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. same shit different speaker…MTG is pissed
    FTA
    In a written statement on X, the right-wing firebrand was even more scathing.

    “Leadership is asking members of the NDAA ‘conference’ to sign the 3000+ page conference report which is being released behind closed doors without even getting time to read it!” declared Greene.

    She continued:

    Speaker Johnson worked with Chuck Schumer to cut a deal that removes all abortion and trans surgery prohibitions we passed under Speaker McCarthy. It also would pass a CLEAN FISA extension.

    Not to mention, more of your taxpayer dollars sent to Ukraine to fund the proxy war.

    No member of the NDAA conference had any influence on this process. It was done in secret meetings with no input from conferees.

    Now, we’re supposed to just grin and take it with no say in the final bill.

    Is the GOP really going to fund abortion vacations and trans surgeries, fund the Ukraine war, all with a CLEAN FISA extension under Speaker Johnson?

    This was a total sell-out of conservative principles and a huge win for Democrats.

    Congratulations to my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, you should all be excited to vote for this!

    I’m a HELL NO!

    https://www.mediaite.com/politics/hell-no-marjorie-taylor-greene-explodes-at-speaker-mike-johnson-for-cutting-deal-to-fund-abortion-vacations/

    Liked by 1 person

  5. houses passes CARS–a bill that prohibits the EPA from forcing certain cars on the American public
    article
    In a vote of 221-to-197, the House today passed the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act (H.R. 4468). Introduced by Reps. Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Andrew Clyde (R-GA) and supported by the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the bill would prohibit the Environmental Protection Agency from finalizing its proposed vehicle emissions rule that would limit what kind of cars Americans can buy. The CARS Act would also amend the Clean Air Act to prohibit the agency from mandating the use of any specific technologies or limiting the “availability of new motor vehicles based on the type of new motor vehicle engine in such new motor vehicles.”

    Following passage, Director of CEI’s Center for Energy and Environment Daren Bakst said:

    “I applaud the House of Representatives for passing the CARS Act on a bipartisan basis. This commonsense measure would stop the EPA from moving forward with its tailpipe emission rule that would restrict the freedom of Americans to choose the vehicle that best fits their needs. The bill would also help block any similar efforts in the future. Reps. Walberg and Clyde should be commended for introducing and securing passage of the bill, and I urge their counterparts in the Senate to swiftly pass the measure to ensure the EPA’s attack on consumer choice is killed once and for all.”

    https://cei.org/news_releases/cei-statement-on-house-passage-of-cars-act/

    Liked by 1 person

        1. He wouldn’t have a choice if it is veto-proof. It would go into effect w/o his signature.

          “Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law. But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Persons voting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by the President within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournment prevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.”

          Liked by 1 person

  6. I see Vivek took the “debate” by storm….yeah, sounds real nice, doesn’t it? Ha! He’s a POS, altho refreshing, I must say. Involvement of his company with the jabs and he is NOT Constitutionally eligible for President or VP. His Father is still not a US citizen and his Mother didn’t acquire her citizenship until AFTER he was born.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. They will all say that is settled law via the 14th Amendment, totally misrepresenting the Founders’ intent with that amendment.

        Liked by 1 person

  7. “Retribution 2024”
    CLANDESTINE
    DEC 6, 2023

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “Look, I know Trump isn’t perfect, but we cannot deny that he was right about a lot. His general thesis is that a Swamp/Deep State exists, they weaponized intelligence agencies to attack him, Russian Collusion was a lie, media and tech are corrupt.

    All that ended up being true. So while you may not like him, the reality is that when he came down that escalator, he forced the Deep State to deploy their assets and expose themselves. He was the catalyst for the global awakening we are seeing today.

    He could have just stayed at home in his mega mansion with his supermodel wife, but instead he went out of his way to expose this corruption, has been attacked mercilessly by every lever of power in government and the private sector, and now the Biden regime are trying to put him away for life.

    The man has earned the right to finish what he started, and the public will be with him this time around. The optics are set. Trump will have free reign to make sweeping changes with executive power, and the MSM’s cries of “DICTATOR!” will be ignored, because the public just witnessed 4 years of the tyrannical and fascistic Biden regime.

    If there was ever a chance to legitimately destroy the Deep State, this is it.”

    Liked by 1 person

  8. “The FBI Conducts Domestic Violent Extremism Investigations on TradCaths: House Report. FBI Labels Traditional Catholics as violent extremists and proposes the FBI infiltrate Catholic churches as a form of “threat mitigation.”

    ROBERT W MALONE MD, MS
    DEC 7, 2023

    EXCERPTS: “Trad Cath”: Traditionalist Catholicism is a movement encompassing members of the Catholic Church that emphasizes beliefs, practices, customs, traditions, liturgical forms, devotions and presentations of teaching associated with the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council (1962–65). It is very popular among young catholics, who believe in more traditional values.

    “New Report Details the Extent of the FBI’s Weaponization of Law Enforcement Against Traditional Catholics”
    December 4, 2023

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Judiciary Committee and its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government released an interim staff report titled, “The FBI’s Breach of Religious Freedom: The Weaponization of Law Enforcement Against Catholic Americans.”

    The Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government have been investigating the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) categorization of certain Catholic Americans as potential domestic terrorists. While the FBI claims it “does not categorize investigations as domestic terrorism based on the religious beliefs—to include Catholicism—of the subject involved,” an FBI-wide memorandum originating from the FBI’s Richmond Field Office did just that. Under the guise of tackling the threat of domestic terrorism, the memorandum painted so-called certain “radical-traditionalist Catholics” (RTCs) as violent extremists and proposed opportunities for the FBI to infiltrate Catholic churches as a form of “threat mitigation.” The FBI’s Richmond memorandum is a startling reminder that Americans’ civil liberties and core Constitutional rights must be vigorously guarded against government overreach, including in this case from an overzealous federal law enforcement agency.
    —————-
    The Committee on the Judiciary, through and with its Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, is charged with investigating “violations of the civil liberties of citizens of the United States.” This interim staff report fulfills the ongoing obligation to identify and report on instances of the weaponization of the federal government— here, the FBI’s mishandling of domestic violent extremism investigations against Catholic Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. While the documents and information received to date help to better understand what transpired, they do not tell the whole story. The Committee and the Select Subcommittee will continue to pursue the relevant facts to inform legislative reforms and to protect American civil liberties from government overreach. Read the full interim staff report here.

    Click to access 2023-12-04-the-fbis-breach-of-religious-freedom-the-weaponization-of-law-enforcement-against-catholic-americans.pdf
    —————-
    Personally, I find the FBI going after tradcaths and conducting “ domestic violent extremism investigations against Catholic Americans exercising their First Amendment rights” so abhorrent, I can barely write about it without my blood boiling. Thank goodness for Rep. Jim Jordan conducting an investigation on this shocking display of corruption and raw power by the administrative state.

    The fact that the FBI is stonewalling this House Committee and will not answer how many FBI employees accessed critical documents before their removal and cannot (will not?) confirm whether any outreach occurred to Catholic parishes as a result of the memorandum. That fact that this is not headline news is also pretty shocking.”

    https://rwmalonemd.substack.com/p/the-fbi-conducts-domestic-violent

    Liked by 1 person

  9. i have conflicting feelings on this. first seizing patents seems very socialist to me BUT if the drugs were developed using PUBLIC funds, then there should be patent sharing with the gov’t.
    FTA
    The Biden administration has determined that it has the authority to seize the patents of certain high-priced medicines, a move that could open the door to a more aggressive federal campaign to slash drug prices.

    The determination, which was described by three people familiar with the matter, represents the culmination of a nearly nine-month review of the government’s so-called march-in rights. Progressives have long insisted that those rights empower the administration to break the patents of pricey drugs that were developed with public funds, in an effort to create more competition and lower prices.

    The administration will not endorse the widespread use of march-in rights, and is not expected to take action against any individual medicines, said the people familiar with the matter, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal decision making.

    Instead, the Commerce Department on Thursday plans to issue a new framework spelling out factors that federal agencies should weigh in determining whether to take march-in action against expensive drugs or other individual products that were created with federal help. The price and availability of that product to the public are among the factors the department will recommend that agencies consider.

    https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/06/biden-admin-authority-seize-certain-drug-patents-00130452

    Liked by 1 person

  10. Pat, I’m watching Janis Dean and she says y’all will be getting much warmer weather – calling for 63 in NYC, and similar temps in MA, CT, etc. on Sunday.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. https://www.dailywire.com/news/daily-wire-and-the-federalist-sue-biden-state-department-over-censorship-effort
    Our Take: “This story is a good reminder that the law takes its time. The global engagement center is a centralized control mechanism within the censorship industrial complex, and independent researchers within the truth community have been exposing it for over a year. Now that it’s an election year, the re-runs (h/t Chris Paul) are in marathon mode.

    Censorship is coming into sharp focus in recent weeks, which brings two considerations to mind: First, we need to look around, and figure out what we’re being distracted from. There’s so many possibilities, it hurts my mind. Second, censorship is a tactic. What is the intended outcome of deploying the tactic?

    In other words, if we are going to talk about censorship, we need to talk about intent. Government colluding with corporations and nongovernmental entities to censor Americans is itself a crime. But ‘the why’ is more important.

    In my opinion, it’s the managed decline of America with the intent of removing the remaining barrier obstructing the Great Reset to the New World Order. It’s treason. And that’s what needs to be argued in this case.” — Ashe in America

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I remember when i was younger, the coffee clatch would meet once a week at my mom’s. all the ladies from the neighborhood showed up and every week someone different baked. mom made the coffee. my aunt next door brought my young cousins for us to play with. we were supposed to be in the other room playing, but when we got old enough to understand such things–we hid in the hallway to hear all the good gossip…lol

      Liked by 1 person

      1. There are several groups like that here – one for quilting, one for reading/new books, etc. Altho all of the members that I knew are all older and they may not be meeting any more for all I know.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. that’s a shame…just the weekly social contact can be valuable.
          when we moved here, the old man who lived in the house on the road (now deceased) used to drive into town every morning for coffee–and it was terrible he said. but he met his “crony friends” as he called them–THAT was the worthwhile part he said

          Liked by 1 person

          1. I’ve thought now and then of joining the morning coffee drinker crowd at Speedy Mart. My mower repair guy, Jerry, is one of the regular visitors and I know most of them. Once I get teeth, I might give it a try.

            Liked by 1 person

              1. I used to hang with them now and then but the problem is, they talk about agriculture, tractors, etc., and people I don’t know.

                Liked by 1 person

      1. IKR? Wish I’d thought of that the 2 times I got pulled over after I’d been drinking. But then again….a short skirt and sexy legs did the trick! LOL

        Liked by 1 person


  17. “There is no method to this madness. It will be the end of this country as we know it, and the however many millions of people who voted for this brain-dead motherfucker in the White House are all to blame. Look at the price we will all pay for the hatred of one man – DJT. Unbelievable. They can all have the same bumper-sticker on their cars:”

    Liked by 1 person

  19. “California Man Confused Why He Would Play ‘GTA VI’ When He Can Commit Crimes Without Consequence In Real Life”
    ENTERTAINMENT · Dec 6, 2023 · BabylonBee.com

    LOS ANGELES, CA — A local man expressed confusion today, wondering why he should look forward to playing the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI when he can simply walk outside and experience committing horrifically violent crimes without any consequences in real life.

    “Why pretend when I can do the real thing?” asked Luis Garcia, setting down the controller. “I mean, how exciting can it be to watch your avatar steal cars, beat up homeless people, and rob businesses on a television screen? I can literally do those things in real life and not worry about being prosecuted. Plus, the game is supposed to be released when? 2025? Please. I can walk out my door and punch a woman of ill repute today.”

    Though gamers have been eagerly anticipating the latest installment in the popular Grand Theft Auto series, residents of California have had trouble getting as excited about the release due to recent changes in state laws that resulted in criminals being allowed to run roughshod without consequences. “I can understand people in other parts of the country being excited about it,” Garcia said. “But here in California? We’ve already evolved enough to bring the world of Grand Theft Auto to life. It would be just like watching my own dashcam.”

    At publishing time, a spokesperson for the game’s manufacturer, Rockstar Games, said this sentiment was anticipated. “Yes, we knew things would be different in the California market,” said public relations director Jacob Loera. “But we figured the game wouldn’t draw much revenue in California anyway because all of the copies would be stolen instead of purchased.”

    Liked by 1 person

        1. no, no change. not escalating, just hanging on…won’t go away.
          thanks for asking!
          we may be moving our Christmas visit into next year at this rate. but the important thing is to not take anything to my mom’s.

          Liked by 1 person

  20. Bowman has been censured. whopppeee
    FTA
    Censuring lawmakers in the House is a largely symbolic act: The reprimand does not carry any repercussions other than having to stand in the well and listen to a reading of the resolution. It does, however, carry the stigma that a lawmaker has acted in a manner that was unbecoming of Congress, as determined by colleagues.

    https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4347631-bowman-censure-fire-alarm/

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Liked by 1 person

  30. NF: Take one guess….

    “Father and son stand trial for 13 attempted murders after insurance fraud plan to blow up clothes store left dozens injured—The son has remained silent throughout the trial, but the father, with the help of an interpreter, has spilled the beans and incriminated his own child”
    December 07, 2023
    editor: REMIX NEWS author: THOMAS BROOKE

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “A father and son accused of injuring 17 people when they intentionally burned down their poorly performing fashion business to claim on the insurance are standing trial in Germany. Both are charged with 13 counts of attempted murder, among other counts of grievous bodily harm, and arson.

    The regional court in Aachen heard how the son, 22-year-old Karsan K., poured 13 liters of gasoline into the fashion store in Eschweiler back in March this year and set it on fire, causing a mass explosion that left dozens injured. The store was a terraced building with residential apartments above other commercial outlets on both sides. The detonation destroyed 28 properties, five cars, and goods from 12 neighboring shops, according to WDR.

    It was reported that the resulting inferno and a blast radius of 50 meters resulted in four people being hospitalized in critical condition. A mother and her two-month-old baby were injured in the blast. Firefighters initially suspected the fire was a result of a gas explosion, however, a further investigation led to suspicions of foul play.

    According to the public prosecutor’s office, the explosion caused damage estimated at €2.3 million, and the owners of the store sought to claim €100,000 from their insurers. “It is entirely due to chance that no other people were significantly injured or suffered fatal injuries as a result of the act, especially flying parts of the building, glass or metal splinters,” the indictment read.

    At the trial, the son has remained silent, however, his 56-year-old father, known as Sherwan K., has proclaimed his own innocence and accused his son of acting alone. With the help of an interpreter, the older defendant incriminated his son, insisting he had simply rented the store to the younger defendant and didn’t have a key for it. He claimed not to have been on the premises at any point in the lead-up to the explosion.

    “No one accuses him of being present when the crime was actually carried out,” the father’s defense attorney, Rainer Dietz, told the court. “The prosecution says he was the head of the family. He has authority. Nobody does anything against their will or without their will. And from this, one concludes that he must have been the driving force. The evidence will not prove that,” he added.

    The trial has also focused on the complex relationship between an extensive Islamic family. The father is understood to be married to three women across Germany. Local media also reported that both defendants are drug addicts. A verdict by the court is expected on Jan. 5.”

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Appellate Court in NY affirms decision to pause dissolution of Trump properties in NY
    FTA
    Meanwhile, during his time in court Thursday, a New York State Appeals Court on Thursday affirmed an October decision that paused the dissolution of the Trump Organization until after the trial is complete.

    The New York Appellate Division in October temporarily halted the dissolution of some of the former president’s most valuable properties amid the civil fraud trial.

    That ruling paused a September pre-trial ruling made by Judge Arthur Engoron, who found that Trump and his family business committed fraud. That order stripped the Trump family of certain properties, like Trump Tower and 40 Wall St.

    Trump, who appeared in Manhattan court Thursday, said the ruling was a victory for business.

    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trump-visits-manhattan-court-blast-nyag-case-praises-appellate-ruling

    Liked by 1 person

  33. WASHINGTON (AP) — The military announced late Wednesday it was grounding all of its Osprey V-22 helicopters, one week after eight Air Force Special Operations Command service members died in a crash off the coast of Japan.

    The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps took the extraordinary step of grounding hundreds of aircraft after a preliminary investigation of last week’s crash indicated that a materiel failure — that something went wrong with the aircraft — and not a mistake by the crew led to the deaths.

    The crash raised new questions about the safety of the Osprey, which has been involved in multiple fatal accidents over its relatively short time in service. Japan grounded its fleet of 14 Ospreys after the crash……

    https://apnews.com/article/osprey-crash-grounded-japan-air-force-920c0ad16e005adbb0ff22548d7b11c4

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Living in the woods would block this for you, I expect!

    “A very bright fireball was observed over Connecticut, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia on Tuesday, December 5th 2023 around 06:39 UT… WOW!”

    Liked by 1 person

  35. “Ukraine has no path to victory and the war has become a massive sunk cost, yet Congress is about to send $60 billion more taxpayer dollars to Zelensky. Time for peace talks?”
    JORDAN SCHACHTEL
    DEC 7, 2023

    ENTIRE ARTICLE: “You can say the Ukraine war skeptics have been vindicated…On 24 February 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine. In the days and weeks thereafter, the people calling for a swift end to the hostilities and a mediated settlement were basically shouted out of the room, as excited accelerationists in the West demanded nothing less than the overthrow of Moscow.

    It’s been 651 days since Russian forces breached the border. Let’s take a look at what has happened since that fateful day. But first, it’s important to set the stage accurately.

    Russia’s invasion was immoral, but it was not without provocation. Ukraine, a country that was once a buffer between East and West, has over the past several years transformed itself into a NATO-aligned client state. This has alarmed its much more powerful neighbor, which understands NATO as an adversarial force.

    The current war is a result of Ukraine unbalancing itself and botching the fundamentals of realpolitik. A nation state must never put too much weight into pursuing objectives outside of its rational self-interest, and that’s exactly what Ukraine did. Putting the moral conversation aside, Kyiv’s increasingly antagonistic approach to Moscow (egged on by the West) was the height of foolishness.

    Now, there are a handful of hard truths about the ongoing war in Ukraine that are worth observing today:

    1. Ukraine isn’t winning and has no path to victory without direct Western involvement — Ukraine’s military has fought bravely and they have achieved success in slowing Russia’s advances, but they are outmanned and outclassed by a superior fighting force, on top of not having a functioning Air Force. At the expense of Ukraine, Western nations have wisely not crossed the red line for nuclear escalation, which would come via direct involvement in the war. Under this framework, Ukraine simply does not have a path to victory. Thus, it’s immoral to continue maintaining the delusional that victory can be achieved.

    2. The people who now live under Russian control don’t really care for the Ukrainian government

    — Similar to the residents of Crimea (which was annexed in 2014), surveys show that the people who live in now Russian-occupied eastern Ukrainian lands don’t care much for the government in Kyiv. In fact, many often think of themselves more as Russians than Ukrainians. The longer this war continues, the less leverage Ukraine has. The vast majority of Russia-friendly land lost to Russia will not be recaptured or delivered back to Ukraine. In all likelihood, the current lines will be permanent, whenever the war comes to an end.

    3. Ukraine has become a massive money pit (unless you work in the defense industry) — Since the war began, a massive U.S. taxpayer-funded war chest has been continually deployed to Ukraine, now growing to the tune of around $200 billion (once the next round of funding is authorized by Congress) in money, weapons, and supplies.

    Far from the initially advertised “drop in the bucket,” Ukraine has become a significant taxpayer expenditure. In Congress, the war is now being spun as a jobs program for the “defense industrial base,” the new term for the military industrial complex.

    4. Egging on the war was a massive blunder — When the war began, a select few commentators and analysts asked why the U.S. was not acting to push for peace talks. We found out soon thereafter that NATO powers were vehemently opposed to peace talks, and wanted to effectively use Ukrainian nationals as cannon fodder in their ideological crusade against Russia.

    Now, Congress and the Biden Administration are readying another $60+ billion for Ukraine, once Republicans succeed in winning a few pennies for the border. That money will do nothing to help Ukraine take back territory from Russia, nor will it assist Ukraine’s negotiating position. It’s nothing more than a slush fund for the power brokers in D.C. and Kyiv, and it will encourage Ukraine to continue its fight to the very last Ukrainian.

    For the sake of humanity, and for the sake of the American taxpayer, this war needs to come to an end as soon as possible. The Donbas region is not worth another American penny.”

    Liked by 1 person

    1. you can’t treat a war like a matter of honor–it’s an unwinnable money pit and the American people are sick of our $$ going to foreigners whether it be illegals or a foreign country for their gov’t.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. I am adding a short daily prayer to the board. I would invite each of you, if you wish, to also add one or maybe two of your own liking. I do not want to stifle anyone but please limit yourself to one or two religious postings. here’s one I found that I liked.

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