Author Archives: Devereaux

The title refers to the iconography of the KGB. The shield signified protecting the country and the sword to smite her enemies. Mention the KGB and you immediately elicit a response from people about these heavy-weight Russian types who kicked in doors and sent people to the gulag.

Born in 1922, one Vasili Nikitich Mitrokhin became a Soviet foreign intelligence officer in 1948, at the time with the MGB. This organization would eventually become the KGB. His initial service was during the Stalinist paranoia. In 1953 Khrushchev ousted Beria from the control of the MGB. A new era arrived.

Vasili Mitrokhin thought things were going to improve. They did, but hardly enough to allow for some of his more outspoken criticisms of the service. In retaliation he … Continue reading →

Just heard that Alan Combs died.

I think he was pretty young. I never agreed with pretty much anything he said, but I hate to see someone young die.

 You can retire to Phoenix, Arizona where …

1.  You are willing to park three blocks away from your house because you found shade.
2.  You’ve experienced condensation on your rear-end from the hot water in the toilet bowl.
3.  You can drive for four hours in one direction and never leave town.
4.  You have over 100 recipes for Mexican food.
5.  You know that “dry heat” is comparable to what hits you in the face when you open your oven door at 500 degrees.
6.  The four seasons are: tolerable, hot, really hot, and ARE YOU KIDDING ME??

OR

You can retire to California where …
1.  You make … Continue reading →

As I watch DT move in the political sea, I am struck by what seem to be parallels.

DT is an outsider. He is disliked by many, if not most, politicians. He’s a populist. He is a strong supporter of America, wants a strong military. He believes America should be at the forefront of nations. He believes inthe 2nd Amendment. He wants to build, or rebuild, the national infrastructure.

?Does not all this remind one of Teddy Roosevelt. Neither were really “conservatives”. Both were America First. Remember who came up with, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Bet if you looked more carefully you’d find lots of parallels.

Continue reading →

On another thread, an e-mail discussion with numerous members of my old TBS class, we have been recently talking about what all Trump can or can’t do vis a vis money. One of the points was that we have always had a citizen-soldery, but now we have a “professional” military, the much vaunted “volunteer military”. There has also been quite a bit of RIF’ing in the services of late, Obama’s legacy to the services.

One of the issues brought up was the desirability of citizens to be the military, to create more of a bond between citizens and the country and to limit the “foreign legion” effect. There was the suggestion of using mercs for our basic ground-pounders as a more economiocal alternative, as Americans have become inured … Continue reading →

?Are you feeling a bit “down”. The administration appears to be regrouping around more traditional positions.

Well, let’s keep in mind it’s only February 13 – all of 3 weeks since Trump took office. During this rather brief period there has been more smoke, more artillery barrages, more screaming (by the crazies on the Left) and more mayhem than I recollect in any previous administration. We have been treated to just about every zany excuse by the Lefties the mind can imagine.

“He doesn’t have any experience!” Neither did Obama.

“Obama was a state senator!” Not really. He pretty much missed ALL the legislative sessions.

“He tells lies!” Kind of hard to make that argument with Obama’s record of “truth telling”

None of this is important. What I … Continue reading →

?Can someone please explain all the huffing and puffing that’s come up over Trump’s comment that we’re killers too.

?Is it just that modern society has so isolated itself from killing that it no longer recognizes its need and utility.

I am hardly a fan of Putin. It isn’t that he’s a killer; it’s that he’s a thug, a gangster. Stealing that Super Bowl ring is a great example of that. But one should not ever doubt that we have killers among us and that they are necessary for the life of the society.

If you are anywhere near my age, you cannot hear the 1812 Overture without visions of the masked rider on that great white horse, bringing justice across the wild west. Accompanied by his Indian friend and armed with silver bullets mined from a secret mine (I wonder just how he replenished his supply after a gunfight) he came to the aid of those unable to help themselves. We can argue whether this was actually vigilante action or justice, but for a young boy, it was a great show.How could a young boy resist the white hat, the guns that never ran out of ammo, that huge stallion!

The 9P Eastern/8P Central slot weekdays on FNN has been held by the hottie, Megyn Kelly. Armed with a great bod, … Continue reading →

Israel has been in the news off and on since its inception in 1947. The latest brouhaha comes from the UN, where a particularly onerous resolution was passed, without the United States vetoing it.

?So what all is happening. Perhaps a brief review of Israel’s history might be appropriate.

Israel was created by a UN mandate in 1947. One may attribute some of this to the Zionist movement, some to national guilt, some to growing pressure within the Jewish community for their old country back. Take your pick which was the most important aspect.

As soon as Israel was announced, she was immediately involved in a war for her very existence. All her Arab neighbors colluded to attack her and push her into the sea. That failed.

Subsequently … Continue reading →

Lots has been mentioned here about what Trump can or cannot do. Part of the discussion has been, at least tangentially, about the central bank (the Fed) and its role in the country finances. Perhaps that and the title might be interesting topics to discuss some.

I would hesitate to put myself forward as any expert on anything financial. I know a touch of history, and that can come in useful. So at the risk of being grossly wrong, let me put forward some structure around which to discuss. Hopefully those with better knowledge will correct me where I have strayed.

Central banks and fiat money have been around since time immemorial. The Romans had it, and while I can’t speak to all situations, I believe that all modern … Continue reading →