Amid all of the political news that we’ve been talking about the 2nd biggest story in the world is getting very little play.
Namely that Ukraine is still holding it’s ground in Russia and continues to use drones to strike within their territory.
The situation is mostly unchanged from last week. Ukraine continues to operate freely in Kursk. You can catch my update on that operation here: Russia Invaded, Week 2. State of Play.
Russian airstrikes continue to drop, some of that can be attributed to Russian aircraft being deployed out of range of Ukrainan drones and thereby reducing their sortie rates. We have experienced the longest sustained period without a massive Russian missile attack since the war began. This, by my count, 45-day drought is 35% longer than the last 34-day dry spell between February 16 and March 22, 2024. While I can only guess why this is happening, the fact is it is happening. That the invasion of Kursk hasn’t provoked a missile blitz is very curious.
Furthermore some of Russia’s former allies are getting cold feet:
We now know why Putin, just yesterday, stated India is no longer a trusted partner.
Aside from India cancelling all their orders for Russian military gear. https://t.co/nVu4Hyq62F
and even some of the folks who we thought might be joining in when the world thought Russia would just walk through Ukraine without a problem are singing a different tune.
For quite a while Russia has been considered an unstoppable military machine, but think about the answer to this question:
When is the last time Russia won a war an actual war vs an army that fights back when it did not have the US:
Posted: September 2, 2024 by datechguy in Uncategorized
As the reviews for the Vice President Harris experimental interview come in and people realize that this person somehow rose to the rank of Senator and Vice President without the ability to complete a coherent thought we’re approaching a fascinating situation. This twitter exchange sums it up:
What's the difference between @Joebiden & @KamalaHarris in terms of interviews & speaking?
All of this has established a few basic facts that I find rather disturbing.
Right now it’s becoming evidently clear that if Kamala Harris is elected president the same unelected people who are currently in charge of the White House instead of Joe Biden and have been for some time, will be running her administration.
It’s also clear that the only real qualification she has for the job is not being Donald Trump, a quality she shares with the entire human race with one notable exception.
There are disgracefully millions of Americans who apparently have no problem with point one and are willing to vote for her based solely on point two.
I am convinced that this election is going to come down to a single factor:
“Is Kamala Harris credible enough as an electable candidate to make the results of a 2nd steal of the Presidential race plausible to those who allowed the first one to take place?”
This was the key reason why Joe Biden had to go, after that first debate any result that suggested that Joe Biden would defeat Donald Trump became so implausible that even those who disliked Trump enough to allow the steal last time figuring it was less harmful to the nation that acknowledging it would not go along.
Kamala is not yet at that point but could reach it before election day.
It’s the 1st of the Month so it’s indulgence calendar time.
Remember if you have a deceased relative or friend you want included you can either leave the name in comments or post it on the WQPH radio prayer wall here and I’ll get it in next month.
Last month the Democratic National Convention was held in Chicago at the United Center.
I did some photography work for a right-of-center publication. There’s no need to mention which one.
Left-wing radicals are trained to spot “infiltrators” among within their protests. To get the best coverage, it’s important to blend in. It’s also wise to do so in terms of personal safety.
During the DNC protests–which were mostly centered around Union Park, which is roughly halfway between the UC and downtown Chicago–I witnessed three fights, but no one seemed to get injured in them.
Here are some tips regarding not only in covering protests. but also, how not to get spotted, to use a favorite put-down of the leftists, as a “counterrevolutionary.”
For starters, when you cover protests, whether the organizers have a rally permit or not, these gatherings often turn into marches. Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, and depending on the conditions outdoors, have bottled water and sunscreen available. If you can’t remain on your feet for several hours, or if you don’t feel confident walking a few miles, then covering rallies is not for you.
And because these events can last several hours, bring light snacks.
Blending in:
The DNC protests were largely Hamas pep rallies—the attendees, politically speaking, for the most part, were to the left of Kamala Harris. Obviously, I left my Donald Trump button at home.
At these rallies—most credible sources said that about 3,500 protesters attended the big ones–often there are people handing out buttons and protest signs. Don’t sell yourself out. I picked out a “thought criminal” button and a “give peace a chance sign.” I support peace under the right conditions and as a Republican living in Illinois, that makes me a thought criminal.
And wear a hat with the logo of a local sports team. Once again, you want to blend it.
Don’t go alone. Okay, a couple of days last month, I broke that rule, but having someone watch your back is sound advice on most occasions in Chicago.
Have a cover story. Often, I’m asked at these protests, “Why are you here and who are you working for?” I always reply, truthfully, that I am a free-lance photographer and an amateur historian. Have a pseudonym already picked out, because someone may ask for your name. This is not the time for a Ralph Kramden “hummina-hummina-hummina” moment.
Ask permission to take someone’s photograph or to videotape them. There are several reasons. The first one is simply because it’s the polite thing to do. Secondly, you’ll capture much better images. Finally, it decreases the odds of you being identified as a provocateur.
What to do if spotted? I’ve only been outed once at a leftist protest, after someone noticed me speaking to a well-known conservative videographer. But because at that time the scene was chaotic–hooligans were throwing water bottles at police officers–the radicals quickly lost interest in me. If that attack on the cops hadn’t broken out, I would have left for home.
Live to document another day.
You don’t want to make the same mistake as two other videographers I know, who years ago not only refused to blend in at a protest, but when identified–which didn’t take long–they suffered the indignity of having their $1,000 video camera snatched from them. The leftists decided to play keep-away and catch with their equipment, which of course was quickly dropped on a sidewalk. Then the radicals stomped on the video camera.
Keep calm and remain strong. Imagine yourself as a glacier–sturdy and slow moving–with such a permanence that people forget you are there.
If you have your own tips on not getting noticed at left-wing protests, drop them in the comments section.
Update (DTG) : Instalanche! Thanks Glenn (Actually Sarah Hoyt) John is on a roll! I always found that my doctor who scarf and hat make people assume I’m a leftist so all I had to do is be quiet and listen and I could cover any event without grief. It doesn’t take long for a leftist to pontificate if you just wait.
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