Update no.703

Update from the Heartland

No.703

1.6.15 – 7.6.15

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

I took another, longer-this-time, motorcycle road-trip on Tuesday; this journey to the Mid-America Air Museum in Liberal, Kansas.  As was my desire, I took a southern, back road path via KS-42 and US-160.  Little did I know in my planning, the portion of my route – US-160 between Medicine Lodge and Coldwater – was designated as a Kansas scenic byway – the Gypsum Hills Scenic Byway.  The road and scenery truly lived up to the designation, which I highly recommend for anyone that happens to be transiting the region – well worth the minor detour.  For my ride, I had a beautiful, late spring day on the Great Plains.  The usual smells amplified the ride – predominately the rich scent of the earth, punctuated by the residue of a skunk, occasionally the distinctive odor of fresh oil, and a new experience, one spot offering the clear, unmistakable aroma of cured bacon cooking.  The moment of excitement came when a hapless bird struck my left thigh, landing in my lap; the bird did not survive, and I was not injured or even bruised.  To my surprise and education, a massive wind farm spanned at least 20-25 miles and 3-5 miles deep, south of my path.  I have no idea how many, large, wind turbines occupied that farm, but I would not be surprised if the number approached 1,000 units, and virtually all of them producing in the typical prairie wind.  I made several stops for navigation checks and once to thin out my leathers and jacket, as the temperature rose.  The ride outbound took five hours, longer than anticipated; while, the ride home took three hours, as get-home-itis sat on my shoulder.  While the ride alone made the day worth it, the purpose was the aviation museum.  The majority of aircraft displays were post-WW2, general aviation aircraft of a wide variety of types with a good smattering of military aircraft, some of which I have flown.  The B-25 Mitchell medium bomber in the collection was the ‘strafer’ variant with a nose gun array rather than a Norden bombsight and was in fine form; I suspect it could be made flightworthy in short order.  The aircraft that interested me the most and attracted me to make the journey to Southwest Kansas were types that Brian flies in the To So Few series of historical novels, namely the F4U Corsair (Book IX), F-8 Crusader (Book X) and F-4 Phantom (Book XI).  I wanted to obtain images I could use for details like access, relative size and distinctive features.  I inserted below an image of the Corsair on display, which was actually a F4U-5N night fighter variant, equipped with an AN/APS-19 radar system – an X-Band search & intercept radar; manufactured by Sperry – integral in a starboard wing mount.  The version in the museum was not exactly the version Brian flies, but close enough for my purposes. 

 

Vought F4U-5N Corsair

[file: F4U Corsair front.JPG]

Clearly featured in the image above are the distinctive gull-wing; the large, 13-foot diameter, 4-bladed propeller; and the 2,850 SHP, Pratt and Whitney, R-2800 engine with a two-stage supercharger and two banks of 9-cylinders each.  While the facility is not on the high end of presentation examples, it is a worthy aviation museum – a powerful machine.  As I get closer to writing those chapters in Brian Drummond’s career of service to freedom, I will probably return to the Mid-America Air Museum, especially if I can arrange for special access to the cockpits of some those aircraft.  It was a long day – the longest one-day ride I have taken so far (470 miles) – and another of my ‘to-do’s ticked off.  The next trip on my agenda is the Combat Air Museum, Forbes Field, Topeka, Kansas, and should include another scenic ride.

I was awaken from my Sunday nap by a short but strong, vertical-shaking earthquake.  We experienced no damage that I could detect.  This event was a modest 3.4 magnitude earthquake, 6 kilometers deep, with the epicenter in Haysville, Kansas.

The follow-up news items:

-- In the hegemony play-out by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) [696, 702], I offer the article noted below for two reasons: 1.) the deployment of the USS Shiloh – an Aegis cruiser – to monitor events in the South China Sea, and 2.) for the graphic that is an excellent depiction of the potential conflict, intersecting claims, and the extent of the PRC ‘possession’ offensive in the area.

“US preparing to face down China in the South China Sea - while locals expect 'bonanza of riches' from return of American sailors”

by Donald Kirk

The Independent [of London]

Published: Tuesday 02 June 2015

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/us-preparing-to-face-down-china-in-the-south-china-sea--while-locals-expect-bonanza-of-riches-from-return-of-american-sailors-10290332.html

The offered graphic illustrates the seriousness of what is happening at Fiery Cross Reef and numerous other sights.

-- On Tuesday, at 16:06 [R] EDT, the Senate passed the surveillance reform bill (H.R.2048), previously passed by the House of Representatives [700, 702].  The President signed the bill into law later that same day and it officially became the Uniting and Strengthening America by Fulfilling Rights and Ensuring Effective Discipline Over Monitoring Act of 2015 (AKA USA FREEDOM Act of 2015) [PL 114-023; H.R.2048; Senate: 67-32-0-1(0); House: 338-88-0-6(3); 129 Stat. xxx].  The new law reauthorized lapsed provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001 [PL 107-056; 115 Stat. 272] (and its subsequent amendments) and interjects a number of additional hurdles to refine both supervision and 4^th Amendment protection procedures into intelligence surveillance processes.  By my reading of the bill language, Congress did not reject the §215 electronic surveillance program; rather, they tried to reform the practice.  A number of sections prohibit various forms to bulk data collection.  What we need to see and probably will not see (unless there is another Snowden [599, 610]) is how the NSA and other agencies interpret these changes and adapt to the restrictions instituted by this law.

A friend, contributor and colleague sent along this article:

“The Kansas Supreme Court Challenged Republicans' Agenda. Their Solution: Replace the Judges – Gov. Sam Brownback's tax-slashing crusade threatens to become a full-blown constitutional crisis”

by Pema Levy

Mother Jones

Published: Mon Jun. 1, 2015 6:00 AM EDT

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/05/final-front-sam-brownbacks-battle-control-kansas

I would say this opinion fairly well nails it.  Brownback has not been satisfied with his domination of the Executive and Legislative branches of state government.  What he is doing is quite akin to Roosevelt’s 1937 court-packing effort.  He came very close to being defeated in last year’s election, and we must endure another 3.5 years of this guy.  I am not a fan of nearly anything he does.

Then, we have a rather idiotic petition initiated by Ms. Jennifer Bradford of Fort Worth, Texas, that urges the International Olympic Committee to revoke Bruce Jenner’s 1976 Montreal Olympics Decathlon Gold Medal, because he has publicly chosen to change his identity to Caitlyn Jenner.  If Jenner had done this before competing, Bradford might have a basis for complaint.  Unfortunately, as best I can tell, trans-gender people offend Bradford, and she seeks to punish Jenner for having the audacity to change her identity.  Caitlyn has hurt no one.  She has broken no laws.  While I recognize some folks are offended by anyone who steps outside the box of conventional, heterosexual, acceptable conduct, I must publicly denounce Bradford and her efforts to impose her beliefs on another citizen – full stop!

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was urged by Congress to study the effects on ground water resources of hydraulic fracturing (AKA fracking) processes and techniques used in oil and gas production.  The study released publicly this week is only a draft, not yet official, and provisionally titled: “Assessment of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing for Oil and Gas on Drinking Water Resources.”  Every page of the report is annotated with the footer statement: “This document is a draft for review purposes only and does not constitute Agency policy.  DRAFT—DO NOT CITE OR QUOTE.”  I shall respect that instruction.  The conclusion of the study states they could not identify any widespread or systemic fluid leakage problems.  The study did not address the possible seismic or geologic consequences of fracking – a concern in this part of the country.  Given recent earthquakes in our area {5.11.2011 [516] and 12.11.2014 [674]} and now Sunday’s event, the geologic / seismic effects must be considered when weighing the costs of fracking against the benefits.

News from the economic front:

-- The Labor Department reported nonfarm payrolls increased a seasonally adjusted 280,000 in May, led by gains in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality and healthcare. The unemployment rate ticked up to 5.5% from 5.4% in April.  The report also indicates wages made progress last month as well.

Comments and contributions from Update no.702:

Comment to the Blog:

“We shall see what the PRC does next. I favor letting Australia, Japan, and their other neighbors lead the way in responding to them. The U.S. has already created too many other deep quagmires for itself. We now lack the resources to support our own infrastructure and take care of those in need at home, even veterans.

“The sun has set on the PATRIOT Act. Good night to an era based on the grossly overstated response to 9-11. Perhaps we shall again make progress on civil rights. So long as we are all monitored, none of us has any rights. Any actions we take and any words we speak or write can be used against us, and that takes away our rights. It's no use claiming that if we did no wrong we would be in no danger. Anyone who knows enough about us can find some angle or create some trap, thus taking away our relationships, our possessions, or our freedom. The laws that already existed before 9-11 will suffice for legitimate national security needs and probably a bit more.

“We have delayed decades too long in healing our relationship with our Cuban neighbors. I suspect it will go quickly now that we have finally begun.”

My response to the Blog:

            Re: PRC.  The problem in the South China Sea is the adjacent countries with a claim to those islands are small nations with little to no power projection capacity, certainly nothing compared to the PRC.  There is little doubt in my mind that Japan will not tolerate encroachment by the PRC in the Senkaku Islands [567, 574, 580, 582, 624, 673].  The impression I am left with is, if the body of water has China in the name anywhere, the PRC believes it belongs to them.  I understand your low opinion of the United States, even if I do not agree.

            Re: USA PATRIOT Act.  You articulate the nub of the issue . . . “used against us . . .” like censorship during WW1 and WW2.  Government agents read all mail going to and from troops in the field.  The §215 surveillance was not even reading the mail; it was only the metadata attached to electronic messages.  The Snowden betrayal blew the whole process way out of proportion by implication.  I am waiting for the final language.  I cannot imagine Congress eliminating the electronic surveillance program altogether.  I expect them to provide a replacement process that attempts to strike a balance between intelligence collection and every citizen’s fundamental right to privacy.  I will continue to argue that it is not the surveillance the USG conducts but rather what they do with the information.  For national security during the War on Islamic Fascism, I can accept a lot; for moral projection, I can accept none.

            Re: Cuba.  Agreed, and I hope you are correct.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“I do not understand your reference to my ‘low opinion’ of the United States. That implies moral judgment. No moral judgment was stated or intended. That we cannot maintain our infrastructure or provide for those in need is a statement of fact supported by any number of sources. I do not know whether Fox News has pointed out the failure of current policies, but most sources have recognized at least the issues with veterans' benefits and crumbling bridges. There are many other well-documented domestic economic issues. That this state of events results from our military adventures is less well proven due to the other factors in our economy including corporate subsidies and tax breaks, the Wall Street bailout, and a few other items. All the same, our military misadventures have racked up an enormous cost both financially and in deaths and injuries, and we continue to expend far more than any other nation on our military.

“Your statement that the surveillance conducted by United States government agencies is not a central issue ignores both the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the entire history of spying. With those agencies having collected large amounts of personal data in violation of the Fourth Amendment, we can pretty much rest assured that extensive misuse of that information will occur.”

 . . . my follow-up response:

            Re: low opinion.  You said: “The U.S. has already created too many other deep quagmires for itself.”  You did not list any or provide any examples; however, the statement suggests a rather low opinion relative to the performance of this Grand Republic in the international arena.  With such little definition, I am afraid I cannot agree with the “any number of sources” to which you refer.  I neither explicitly nor implicitly offered a moral judgment.

            Re: domestic spending.  This is always a great topic for discussion.  In general, I would agree we are spending money on many of the wrong things.  We endured far too much congressional spending on ‘pork barrel’ projects, largesse, and other foolish spending to benefit rich donors.

Another contribution:

“I was expecting a blast on the subject of the CIA and the ability of its security affiliates to monitor mobile phone messages etc. I suspect, maybe wrongly, that you personally would not object to having your personal communications scrutinised as indeed neither would I. In fact we would both be foolhardy to believe that we are not being subject to observation. And so, shall I say, that we are duly sensible in what we say. However, I have no such qualms about those who are a threat to the state. They must be watched with due diligence as our people would expect.”

My reply:

            We, you and I, are accustomed to extra scrutiny in the brotherhood of arms.  Unfortunately, citizens not accustomed to such scrutiny cannot appreciate the need or the balance.  The difficulty in all this is finding the correct, acceptable and tolerable balance between surveillance and privacy.

A different contribution:

“This is being sent to group for any input, insights, comments, debate, or anything else. 

“As to your latest Update, do you see Russia or China a bigger threat, as single actors, or are you like some of us, not sure exactly where the threat is most likely from?   I realize China is still emerging, so let's keep this in a time-frame of the next months to 10-years.  Further, do you believe Russia and China could merge their military operations to satisfy varying political agendas, to counter our country?  And lastly, do you think Russia and/or China may soon conduct serious offensives against ISIS?”

My response:

            Thank you so much for forwarding last week’s Update [702] (and others) to your group.  As always, all comments, contributions and opinions are most welcome.  The object of this forum is public debate on contemporary issues / matters.

            To your questions:

            Re: “do you see Russia or China a bigger threat, as single actors, or are you like some of us, not sure exactly where the threat is most likely from?”  As I see things, Russia and the PRC are each serious threats to world peace for entirely different reasons.  Russia is being driven by pride and history.  Putin is the persona or mouthpiece for what, for lack of a better word, we shall call the contemporary politburo.  They suffered a huge embarrassment in the 90’s after the collapse of the USSR.  They want to return to those glory days, when they were universally feared.  They know fear works in many ways to tamp down civil unrest or dissatisfaction.  All of their current actions – Crimea, Ukraine, Baltics, air penetrations, submarine deployments, et cetera – are muscle flexing demonstrations to gain them respect (as the politburo sees things).  The PRC on the other hand sees their hegemony in far different terms, but driven by similar motives.  They seek respect and intimidation of all the players in and around their sandbox.  They want to demonstrate the United States is powerless to help them, so that they may dominate Asia and project their power to all corners of the planet.  Both are very dangerous in their current mindset.

            Re: “do you believe Russia and China could merge their military operations to satisfy varying political agendas, to counter our country?”  For whatever motivating reasons, the United States is the ultimate target of their actions.  The Russian ‘politburo’ seems to think they cannot compete with the U.S. in economic, trade or marketplace terms, so they choose to use the one tool they know – fear.  The military is the fulcrum by which to apply the tool.  The PRC recognizes the economic muscle they possess by their population alone.  They certainly do not need the Spratly Islands for mineral resources; they have ample supplies of many items; they control the market in some of them.  They simply do not want the U.S. ‘selling’ in their neighborhood.  They want Asia dependent upon them, not the U.S. or Europe.

            Re: “do you think Russia and/or China may soon conduct serious offensives against ISIS?”  In my humble opinion, no!  I think both Russia and the PRC see ISIL, AQ, et al, as distractions for the United States (not an immediate threat to them), to keep the focus of the U.S. away from their neighborhood intimidation operations.  I think we will be very lucky if they remain silent and ambivalent.  It would be a very short step for them to provide assistance to ISIL, to minimize our willingness or interest in thwarting their hegemonic activities.

My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)