Politics

[Hunt anything]

Gaetz resigned from the house last night so his ethics investigation will be dropped. My question is, if he is not confirmed as AG does he get sworn in as a house member of the 119th congress?

 

[Brent in Az]

There is definitely some posturing and maneuvering going on. Why else would Gaetz resign, when its a long shot at best to get confirmed as AG?

 

[skydiver386]

When I posted that Russia was using chips from Maytag washing machines, I wasn't kidding. Russia can't produce the technology that it makes the rest of the World think it can. It has to beg, steal and borrow what it needs to produce even mediocre weapons systems.

The stealth S-70 drone of the Russian Aerospace Forces shot down in Ukraine is equipped with components from U.S. companies

After being shot down in October, Ukraine confirmed that a Sukhoi S-70 Okhotnik drone from the Russian Aerospace Forces contains technological components

www.zona-militar.com

 

[skydiver386]

That big wart looking thing just forward of the cockpit on this SU-57 doesn't look very stealthy to me. Neither does the poorly fitted metal work. Deadly? Of course, you should never underestimate your enemies. A match for an F22 in the hands of a U.S.A.F. pilot? Well like Al Borland used to say on Tool Time "I don't think so Tim".

 

[gbflyer]

That big wart looking thing just forward of the cockpit on this SU-57 doesn't look very stealthy to me. Neither does the poorly fitted metal work. Deadly? Of course, you should never underestimate your enemies. A match for an F22 in the hands of a U.S.A.F. pilot? Well like Al Borland used to say on Tool Time "I don't think so Tim".
View attachment 647346

I think their aircraft have always been more on the “functional” side. Our flight demonstration teams travel with a Herc - full of parts and technicians. Their pilots carry a hammer and a crescent wrench with them.

 

[Red Leg]

That big wart looking thing just forward of the cockpit on this SU-57 doesn't look very stealthy to me. Neither does the poorly fitted metal work. Deadly? Of course, you should never underestimate your enemies. A match for an F22 in the hands of a U.S.A.F. pilot? Well like Al Borland used to say on Tool Time "I don't think so Tim".
View attachment 647346

Every one of those rivet and screw heads reflects radar like crazy. This aircraft doesn't match the F-22 (first flew 1997) which it mimics in many ways much less an F-35. That cobra maneuver isn't very effective if you are dead before you knew you were engaged.

 

[Altitude sickness]

Russians have always favored speed or power over stealth and accuracy.
Tanks, Subs and aircraft.

Our equipment and forces would not be habit forming for the big bear

 

[skydiver386]

Russians have always favored speed or power over stealth and accuracy.
Tanks, Subs and aircraft.

Our equipment and forces would not be habit forming for the big bear

True. Basic is often better. But some Russian weapons systems do a better job of killing their own crew than anything we've come up with.

 

[Saul]

Trump’s plan to reverse the ban on TikTok is possibly the most damaging thing he can do.

 

[CJW]

Don't be fooled. Russia knows these planes are junk compared to modern western technology. They also know that the average person around the world sees some pictures and think they look stealthy and high tech.

They would love to have what we have but their oppressive ways will never allow it.

 

[Wheels]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1856868020532253160

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

The Air Force always forgets their primary mission and wants sexy jets instead of the Plain Jane bombers and Warthogs.

Air Force is there for support of the ground forces. The chair warmers at the top and in procurement always seem to forget that. More bombers less sexy jets.

One other comment/observation for you @Neophyte about the AF and close air support. Meet the newest plane in the AF inventory. A modified version of an Air Tractor crop dusting aircraft.

 

[Altitude sickness]

This and a Warthog would be a ground pounder’s friend

One other comment/observation for you @Neophyte about the AF and close air support. Meet the newest plane in the AF inventory. A modified version of an Air Tractor crop dusting aircraft.


View attachment 647349

Persistence and Payload - 6-hour loiter at 200 nm combat radius; 6,000 lb flexible combat load-out

 

[skydiver386]

One other comment/observation for you @Neophyte about the AF and close air support. Meet the newest plane in the AF inventory. A modified version of an Air Tractor crop dusting aircraft.


View attachment 647349

Both the Skywarden and Super Tucano have been something the Air Force should have had as soon as the Skyraiders were retired. The A10 is a fantastic airframe, but not needed for beating up on drug smugglers and most insurgents.

 

[Red Leg]

Both the Skywarden and Super Tucano have been something the Air Force should have had as soon as the Skyraiders were retired. The A10 is a fantastic airframe, but not needed for beating up on drug smugglers and most insurgents.

Exactly. both aircraft are designed to support SOF. They would not last minutes in a peer-on-peer high intensity conflict.

It is noteworthy I think that the Russian Air Force does not dare operate a manned aircraft over Ukrainian airspace.

 

[Wheels]

I'll bet you a nice dinner that Gaetz's nom never makes it to a vote. The senate will love to find an issue where they can say we are with you Mr President, but .............. Gaetz will provide an irresistible and totally justifiable opportunity.

Not sure if this is accurate but I have read that Elon will primary any Republican who doesn't confirm Trump's cabinet. If true, Elon is now the new Senate Whip. Not sure if I care for America to have a Crassus but Elon will probably turn his attention back to Mars and other projects on July4, 2026 when DOGE ends.

 

[rookhawk]

Exactly. both aircraft are designed to support SOF. They would not last minutes in a peer-on-peer high intensity conflict.

It is noteworthy I think that the Russian Air Force does not dare operate a manned aircraft over Ukrainian airspace.

I'd think they're completely screwed on many fronts. 1.) They would never want to demonstrate to China that the Russian craft are weak. 2.) They really can't afford to lose any of their next gen fighters because they'd be vulnerable defensively since they have so few.

So in perfect conformance to Russian 17th-20th century tactics, Russians can only throw bodies at a war rather than machinery.

 

[Red Leg]

I'd think they're completely screwed on many fronts. 1.) They would never want to demonstrate to China that the Russian craft are weak. 2.) They really can't afford to lose any of their next gen fighters because they'd be vulnerable defensively since they have so few.

So in perfect conformance to Russian 17th-20th century tactics, Russians can only throw bodies at a war rather than machinery.

This is a Russian processing center where bodies are literally crated up for shipment home - at least those that are actually recovered from the battlefield. For the last three weeks, Russian losses KIA/WIA have reached nearly 2,000 a day as they have launched continuous unsupported offensives in Donetsk and Kursk.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1gr9ht9/a_huge_hangar_full_of_coffins_of_russian_invaders

Many others are allowed to simply rot on the battlefield.

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1gqbz3k/there_are_all_ours_lying_there_russian_soldiers

https://www.reddit.com/r/UkraineWarVideoReport/comments/1cxaks8/a_russian_films_around_his_position_in_ivanivka

The government, of course, is not required to pay a benefit to a soldier that is not confirmed dead.

 

[sgt_zim]

I’m wondering if Desantis might pull a Huey P Long (Louisiana governor in the 1930s) and name himself Senator and maintain his governor title too.

Doubtful. For the benefit of the folks who don't know LA history, Huey Long was one of the most corrupt politicians in all US history. It's a damned shame that the Union didn't raze Winnfield to the ground and salt the earth afterwards. I think it would have spared Louisiana several decades of heartache.

 

[CJW]

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4990312-kevin-mccarthy-matt-gaetz-feud-donald-trump-cabinet/