Friday, October 31, 2014

THE PARABLE OF THE BROKEN WINDOW

Special thanks to Frédéric Bastiat, Henry Hazlitt, and my good friend Dr. Wayne Brough . . . S.L.


A vandal throws a brick through a shop window, breaking a pane of glass. The next morning the townspeople gather to regard the damage. One of the spectators offers this consolation; "It is an ill wind that blows nobody good. At least this way the glazier will have employment fixing the shop window."

This sentiment drives an entire school of thought, which, unfortunately, is embraced by a significant part of our political leaders and representatives, and the professors who teach economics in our academic institutions.
Suppose it cost a hundred dollars to repair the damage; so we say that the vandalism brings a hundred dollars to the glazier's business. The glazier performs the repairs, receives his hundred dollars. And it can be concluded that the economy of the town has just experienced an increase of a hundred dollars.

This train of thought suggests that it is a good thing to break windows, that it causes money to circulate, and that this benefits the economy in general.

This is a fallacy, of course, for if this was true then we would be breaking windows and smashing property all the time in order to increase prosperity. What has really happened is that the shopkeeper now has one hundred dollars less with which to spend on other goods and services - a new pair of shoes for example - or to invest into the future expansion of his business, or to possibly offer as a holiday bonus to an employee. Acts of vandalism are wanton destruction, and have a negative effect on the economy.

It is taught in American schools that World War II got America out of the Depression. This is not true; America was already on its way out of the Depression by 1939, and in fact the Federal Government's interference in the economy actually prolonged the Depression. The argument is made that war is a benefactor, since historically it often has focused the use of resources and triggered advances in technology and other areas while reducing unemployment. The increased production and employment associated with war leads some to claim that "war is good for the economy."


However, this belief is actually an example of the broken window fallacy. The money spent on the 1940s war effort, for example, was money that could not be spent on food, clothing, health care, consumer electronics or other areas. The stimulus felt in one sector of the economy came at a direct – but hidden – cost to other sectors.

One example of the cost of war is the many projects postponed or not started until after the end of World War II in the United States. The pent-up demand for roads, bridges, houses, cars, and even radios led to massive inflation in the late 1940s. The war delayed the commercial introduction of television, among other things, and the resources sent overseas to rebuild the rest of the world after the war were not available to the American people for their direct benefit; neither did the war enrich any of these other nations.

The aftermath of the Firebombing of Dresden, Germany, February 1945

Warfare - like the vandal's brick thrown through the shop window - is wanton destruction, and ultimately has a negative effect on the economy. A few will benefit from the business of war, but the overall effect is a drain on resources. The phrase "War, boom and bust," represents the hollow prosperity of the 1920s following the First World War, and led directly to the Great Depression of the 1930s - which of course gave conditions for the political upheaval which led to Fascism and World War II.

This concludes today's lesson. Pay attention, you will be tested at a future time.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Thursday, October 30, 2014

FROM THE SEA . . .


From the sea
you call out for me
up on the shore

From the foggy mist
when I feel you breathe
it's all the same
what can walk will fly
so free to be

Let my spirit soar
on the breeze to where it beckons me
on the land and air
it belongs to me

From the sea
when I feel you breathe


by Kit Noir

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

HITLER REACTS TO BEING QUESTIONED ABOUT HIS SF SERVICE

How many times do you go to a gun store/indoor range and see these on-site arrogant A-holes whose claim to fame is that they can open carry in the store and they are SMEs simply because they are behind the counter?



"That's how you lose business, walk into a gun store and some POSER giving you the stink eye. Fuck you I'll take my business elsewhere."

Well, fuck it. I'm going to be unique. I'll just claim I was a leg truck driver, or a spoon. Spent my 3 years active duty shoveling shit in Louisiana. Ever in your life hear some guy at the bar make that claim?

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Saturday, October 25, 2014

THEY'RE HERE: BRACE YOURSELVES

The Politically Correct kid gloves are off - they're not calling it workplace violence anymore . . . S.L.

NYPD: HATCHET ASSAULT WAS TERRORISM



Canadian Prime Minister calls 'brutal and violent' Parliament attack terrorism



In August, the king of Saudi Arabia warned us: ISIS will reach Europe in one month and the U.S. one month after that.

Attacks by Muslim extremist terrorists in North America are nothing new; they've been going on since at least February 26, 1993, when a truck bomb was detonated below the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. And of course the world's most deadly and most spectacular terrorist attack happened at the same place on September 11, 2001. Since that time, however, a more sinister aspect of Muslim fundamentalism-inspired terror has developed: self-recruited jihadists.

The first self-recruited Muslim terrorists to go jihad in North America was John Allen Muhammad and his teenage sidekick Lee Boyd Malvo, the infamous DC Beltway Sniper team. Their string of killings actually began in Tacoma, Washington in February of 2002 and their final attacks were in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in September of 2002.

Left: DC Sniper mastermind John Allen Muhammed. Left: DC Sniper sidekick Lee Boyd Malvo

John Allen Muhammed was sentenced to death and executed in 2009; Malvo was sentenced to six consecutive live sentences with no chance of parole. Lee Boyd Malvo has spoken up recently: "I was sexually abused by John Allen Muhammad."

My personal take on this is he may or may not have been a sexual plaything for Muhammed - it's certainly within the realm of possibility - but what's really going on is that Malvo has had twelve years to dwell on his horrific crimes and is desperately trying to find a sense of justification, so that he can live with himself and not go insane in solitary. Whatever. You're a terrorist, Malvo, and we only spared you death because you were young and impressionable. But what you did was wrong and evil and you knew it at the time. Live in Hell for the rest of your life; that's more than you allowed the innocents that you killed.

Then next significant self-recruited Muslim terrorist in North America was former Army Major Nadal Malik Hasan the Fort Hood shooter. For reasons of political correctness, the Holder Justice Department declared this "workplace violence". Likewise the recent Oklahoma beheading attack, even though both incidents are clearly Islamic extremist-inspired terror attacks.

Left: Convicted murderer Nadal Makik Hasan. Right: Oklahoma beheading suspect Alton Nolan.

The two Boston Bombers were also self-radicalized:


Self-starters have also been active in the UK: the June 2005 bombings in London were perpetrated by British subjects who self-radicalized, as was the recent beheading of a British soldier in London.


Pundits and media talking heads will discuss these issues at length, try to analyze the why's and wherefore's, and what we can do to curb this phenomenon. That is what they do. The purpose of this blog post is to state that we are essentially under attack by terrorists that dwell among us. ISIS is here, just as the king of Saudi Arabia warned us they would be.

This is time to do a self-assessment of your personal security profile; at your home, your place of work, and your actions in between. Arm yourself appropriately, and seek personal security training. And from this point on, keep your head on a swivel, be prepared and have a plan for when - not if - the next deadly terrorist attack occurs.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Friday, October 24, 2014

WILL WORK FOR AMMO


"We are annoyed by the assumption on the part of certain public certain figures that the citizen should be able to prove the need to acquire a means of protecting himself. The Citizen's personal needs are no business of the State. Liberty, when in place, grants the right of the Citizen to do what he chooses as long as he does not stamp on the rights of others. Nobody needs caviar or a pleasure boat or opera tickets. Whether he wants these things is, again, no business of the State." - LtCol Jeff Cooper

FWIW I am currently between contracts and am available for combat pistol marksmanship training- interested parties may contact me through link to the right or on Twitter: @sean_linnane

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Saturday, October 18, 2014

THE FEDERAL GOVT TAKING CARE OF YOU

Oklahoma student posts picture of lunch served in accordance school lunch regulations championed by First Lady Michelle Obama and implemented by the USDA


I grew up wolfing down hamburgers and hotdogs and french fries and potato chips - some days I'd eat two burgers and I'd always eat two dogs on hotdog days - or multiple slices of pizza for lunch washed down with a large Coke or Pepsi. Obesity has somehow eluded me:


How the hell are kids supposed to have the energy to stay focused and learn? What the hell is happening to America? I sure as hell didn't spend 25 years serving in defense of this nation to have an un-elected America-hating Socialist bitch tell our kids what they can and cannot eat.

If I was a kid in school today and they served this kind of crap to me, there'd be a food fight in the cafeteria followed up by a good old-fashioned student demonstration and things would get ugly from there.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Friday, October 17, 2014

SFC ANDREW WEATHERS, B Co, 2d Bn / 7th SPECIAL FORCES GROUP


SFC Weathers died Sept. 30, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, in Germany, from wounds sustained when the enemy attacked his unit with small arms fire Sept. 28, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, according to the Department of Defense.

“From the beginning of his time with 7th Group, Sgt. Weathers was the consummate teammate,” said Col. Robert Kirila, deputy commander for 7th SFG (A), in a news release. “Weathers was critical to the well being of his team and those he mentored. The group mourns the loss of such a great leader and we will support his family in every way possible.”

Weathers joined the Army in January 2003. He attended individual training at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and graduated as a CH-47 Chinook helicopter repairer. He was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and assigned to the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade. Weathers deployed twice with the 101st CAB, first to Iraq in 2005 as a crew chief and to Afghanistan in 2008 as a Flight Engineer.

Weathers volunteered for Special Forces in 2010. He was assigned to the 4th Battalion of the 7th SFG (A) in 2012 and then to the group’s 2nd Battalion in 2014.

Weathers’ awards and decorations include the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon with two Oak Leaf Clusters and the NATO Medal.

Weathers was also the recipient of the Special Forces Tab, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Aviator Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

He is survived by his parents, Michael and Jere Weathers of Pollock, Louisiana, and a brother, Dusten and sister, Carrie.

SFC Andrew Weathers will be laid to rest at Arlington Cemetery today, Friday 17 October 2014.

RIP, Brother.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

HE SHOULD HAVE LISTENED

Armed Citizen Update . . . S.L.

An Army veteran was walking outside with his girlfriend near his home in Philadelphia on Sunday when all of a sudden a man threatened the couple with a 13-inch knife. The criminal didn’t know he had several factors working against him.

Firstly, his would-be “victim,” William Lawler, 38, is an Army veteran who retired as a lieutenant after serving for over a decade. That’s strike one. Secondly, he’s a longtime firearms instructor with a license to carry a concealed 9mm Glock. That’s strike two.

However, the failed robber was the one who struck himself out by refusing to listen to the “half-dozen” warnings the veteran gave him. Lawler also immediately drew his firearm as soon as the man started cursing at him and his girlfriend, and that didn’t deter him either.

“At least a half-dozen times, I ordered him to stop,” Lawler told the Philadelphia Daily News.

He ultimately issued one final, nine-word warning: “I don’t want to shoot you, but I will.”

But the seemingly clueless suspect instead walked towards the veteran and his girlfriend.

“I’ll cut you up,” he reportedly threatened.

He wouldn’t even get close as Lawler fired one round into the suspect’s groin when he got within 5 or 6 feet.

“My intent was to stop him, not kill him. I hope he’s OK, and hopefully he will be prosecuted,” Lawler said.



Police later arrested and identified the suspect as Dondi DeCosta, 37. He was treated for the gunshot wound at Aria Health’s Torresdale hospital, where he remained in critical condition on Wednesday, according to police.

DeCosta has an extensive rap sheet and has been arrested 21 times on charges like assault and theft. He will face yet another charge of aggravated assault and other possible charges for his run-in with the Army veteran.

After reviewing the surveillance video, law enforcement officials said Lawler tried to avoid a confrontation before he made the decision to shoot DeCosta.

“I firmly believe that in order to maintain a free society, people need to take personal safety into their own hands,” Lawler told the Philadelphia Daily News. “You should walk around ready and able to protect yourself and others in your community.”

Amen.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

MY TWILIGHT YEARS by CLINT EASTWOOD


As I enjoy my twilight years, I am often struck by the inevitability that the party must end. There will be a clear, cold morning when there isn't any "more." No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat.

It seems to me that one of the important things to do before that morning comes, is to let every one of your family and friends know that you care for them by finding simple ways to let them know your heartfelt beliefs and the guiding principles of your life so they can always say, "He was my friend, and I know where he stood."

So, just in case I'm gone tomorrow, please know this:


I voted against that incompetent, lying, flip-flopping, insincere, double-talking, radical socialist, terrorist excusing, bleeding heart, narcissistic, scientific and economic moron currently in the White House!

Participating in a gun buy-back program because you think that criminals have too many guns is like having yourself castrated because you think your neighbors have too many kids.

Regards,

Clint

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

GAMES PEOPLE PLAY


Got a call on Friday from an "IRS Agent". He informed me that I had been audited on my returns between 2008 and 2012. I was then informed that I had no right to appeal this and if I contacted a lawyer then the IRS would come at me with criminal charges, put a lien on my house, garnish my wages and more.

I told him that I've done my taxes with either Turbo Tax or H&R Block for those years and with Turbo Tax I paid for the audit defense. I told him, I want to know exactly which year specifically and what the issue was.

The "IRS Agent" said I could resolve everything today if I bought some sort of gov't green dot bonds and gave him the serial number of the bond for him to confirm and the associated PIN number with it. Then, after confirming everything, he would then arrange for me to sit down with a local IRS agent to discuss the issue.

Definitely sounded like a scam but he did have my name, address and phone number and seemed to know tax law so I asked him to call me back in 20 minutes. I needed to "contact" my bank.

Oh, his "name" was John Ryan . . . (Jack Ryan - Hunt for Red October - get it?) . . . did a quick google search of his name, phone number and IRS and sure enough, it popped up as an IRS scam. So, now I've been calling him and harassing the heck out of this guy. If anyone receives a call from an IRS Agent calling himself John Ryan, beware . . .

Oh, his phone number - just in case anyone wants to call and "talk" to him - is: 202-241-7436.

Have fun with that. It's a riot!!

STORMBRINGER SENDS

Friday, October 10, 2014

Thursday, October 9, 2014

'52 CHEVY

The United States Border Patrol is asking citizens to keep on the lookout for a red 1952 Chevy that they suspect is being used to smuggle illegal immigrants across the border from Mexico and into points along the U.S. border.

If you see the vehicle pictured below and have reason to believe that it is the suspect vehicle, you are urged to contact your local Police Department or the U.S. Border Patrol.




STORMBRINGER SENDS

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

SWASTIKAS

This incident compounds the warning I transmitted Friday . . . S.L.

Swastikas Painted On Jewish Fraternity House At Emory University Hours After Yom Kippur


(The person pictured is a member of the fraternity)

To understand this swastika incident, you have to understand what you are looking at.

Reprehensible as this incident is, those swastikas were not painted by neo-Nazis or white supremacists - I say this because the one on the right is pointed in the "wrong" direction (the Nazi swastika "rolls" to the left not the right) and the one on the left is not even a swastika if you look at it; more resembles the Blue Oyster Cult logo than anything else.

Left side: Blue Oyster Cult logo (NOT Nazi affiliated). Right side: Nazi swastika circa 1933-45

We had a similar situation at Fort Bragg in the mid-nineties; the press was reporting the presence of neo-Nazis and white supremacists in the 82d Airborne and at the same time somebody was painting swastikas on doors in Special Forces support soldier's barracks, and then later at the on-base auto parts store. They caught the guys on camera at the auto parts store - they were African American and they got their swastikas all mixed up, just like this.

Psychological warfare teaches one to read into the propaganda: this is anit-Semitic propaganda NOT generated by neo-Nazis. It is quite possible it was generated by African-Americans Muslims (self-radicalized) or Muslims of Arab/Middle East origin - in the current climate, it is quite possible this incident will be followed up by violence.

Stay Alert, Stay Alive

STORMBRINGER SENDS

FOUR THINGS ARE GOOD IN THIS WORLD...


Old Wood for a Fire,

Old Wine to Drink,

Old Books to Read,

and Old Friends to Trust


Ancient Viking Truism


STORMBRINGER SENDS

Friday, October 3, 2014

ADVISORY

This is real, Team - this Advisory was also transmitted on Fox - time to review your personal security profile and improve your perimeter as required - STORMBRINGER SENDS


This AMC product supports Campaign Objective 1.2, What are the enduring/imminent threats to AMC facilities, 1.8, What criminal activities that pose a threat to AMC personnel and interest.

Pub #: AMC-AD-140926.1
Information Cut Off Date: 20141021
Derived from: Army Threat Integration Center (ARTIC)

SUBJECT: Over the past year, ISIL has threatened violence against the United States and US interests overseas in response to ongoing counterterrorism pressure. Following the start of US air strikes in Iraq in early August 2014, and then Syria in late September 2014, ISIL supporters launched a Twitter campaign threatening retaliatory violence against the United States. Additionally, a recent audio message from an ISIL spokesman called for the first time, for lone offender attacks in the Homeland. With these recent threats, all DOD personnel should always be aware of their surroundings and maintain situational awareness of their environment now more than ever.

(U) ISIL Threatens Attacks against Civilians and Military in the Homeland; Urges Supporters

• (U) On 22 Sep 14, and ISIL spokesman urged its followers to attack citizens of the US, France and other countries that joined the US-led coalition against the group.

• (U) Based on a law enforcement bulletin citing a jihadist tweet ISIL has called on lone offenders in the US to use the “yellow pages,” social media sites like Facebook, Linkedin, and Twitter to find the addresses of service members, “show up (at their homes) and slaughter them.

• (U) According to the US Government as many as 300 Americans are fighting with ISIL; an increase from an initial estimate of 100. There is concern that these Americans could return to the US and commit attacks using the skill they learned overseas. Efforts are being made to track these foreign fighters, however, those not being tracked by law enforcement may be able to reenter the US without raising suspicions.

• (U) Prior to the initiation of US airstrikes against ISIL in Iraq, Twitter posts were disseminated depicting ISIL supporters in front of the White House in Washington, DC and the Old Republic Building in Chicago. These tweets stated “We are in your state, we are in your cities, we are in your streets." Another tweet added “we are here #america near our #target . . . soooooooooon."

(U) Social Media Precautions

(U) Think before you post. Always assume everyone in the world will be able to see what you are posting, or tweeting, even if the site limits your posts to your friends and family.

• (U) Limit who can view your social media sites; but do not trust these settings as absolute

• (U) Avoid posting your home or work address and phone numbers; and any government or military affiliation

• (U) Avoid providing detailed accounts of your day (e.g., when you leave for or return from work)

• (U) Never allow applications to geolocate your location

(U) Potential Indicators of Attack Planning

(U//FOUO) Historically, terrorists engage in substantial, long term, and detailed planning’ however, despite the indicators typically associated with pre-operational surveillance or attack planning only a handful of terrorist plots have been disrupted over the years. Based on the ongoing encouragement of HVEs and lone offenders by jihadists it is possible that long term planning may be abbreviated to conduct an attack with little or no warning.

(U) Physical/Home Security Precautions

(U) While most of these measures are primarily geared toward home burglaries, when implemented these same measures can help prevent an individual from conducting an attack while you or your family members are home.

• (U) Always lock doors, windows and garages

• (U) Make sure home entrances are well lit and minimize bushes where intruders can hide before their ambush

• (U) Use the peephole before opening the door to anyone

• (U) Don’t open the door to solicitors or strangers

• (U) Install solid-core doors, heavy-duty locks and window security systems

• (U) Establish a safe haven

• (U) Hold a family meeting to work out home security plans

(U) Conclusion

(U//FOUO) AMC CRIMINT reminds that it is imperative to be aware of your surroundings and report all suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities; report criminal threat information and suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities and your chain of command; report
Counterintelligence (CI) information by calling 1-800-CALL-SPY or use the online CI incident report link (ISALUTE) within AKO at https://www.inscom.army.mil/isalute/

Reference: Army Threat Integration Center (ARTIC) Special Assessment/ARTIC-SA_14-0015

POC for this advisory: AMC CRIMINT Branch Pri. (256) 405-8234, Alt. (256) 450-8243, email usarmy.redstone.usamc.list.amcop-cf-ti-crimint@mail.mil