Thursday short takes – McCarthy, Alphabet issues, Starbucks
First up, a famous USAF vet has passed on. Cormac McCarthy, author and playwright, passed on June 13 (for real this time, back in ’16 there was a brief ‘Cormac McCarthy dead’ urban legend.) McCarthy was best known for works like “The Road” and “No Country For Old Men.”
He became interested in writing after a professor asked him to repunctuate a collection of eighteenth-century essays for inclusion in a textbook. McCarthy dropped out of college in 1953 to join the U.S. Air Force. While stationed in Alaska, McCarthy read books voraciously, which he claimed was the first time he had done so.
Widely regarded as apolitical, McCarthy preferred the company to scientists over fellow writers. A resident of Santa Fe with a traditionalist disposition, he once expressed disapproval of the city and the people there: “If you don’t agree with them politically, you can’t just agree to disagree—they think you’re crazy.” A good place to read up on an interesting and eccentric writer is Wiki
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What a shock. We have often heard the “40% of post-op trans people attempt suicide” line – according to CNN, a new study seems to say that is actually an understatement.
Bisexual females were six times more likely to have attempted suicide in the previous year than their straight peers, for example, and were three times more likely to have an opioid use disorder. Bisexual males were three times more likely to have had problems with serious mental illness in the previous year than their straight counterparts. And about a third of all bisexual people and gay males said they had a problem with a substance use disorder in the year before they filled out the survey, the report found.
The researchers can’t explain exactly why the LGB community has more mental health and substance use challenges than the straight community, but the report notes that “sexual minorities experience unique stressors that can contribute to adverse substance use and mental health outcomes.”
So essentially it is not just the trans community having what used to be called excessive mental issues, it seems to be the entire alphabet community – one cause aired is “minority stress”, which I guess explains the high rates of mental illness in the Hispanic and South Asian communities. Oh, wait…
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Last but not least for the day (another short takes coming tomorrow) a white mid-level manager fired by Starbucks over an incident in which two black customers were asked to leave a store just won $25,000,000 from Starbucks. The two men were reportedly waiting for a third man, were told to leave, and the incident blew up and even caused a nationwide shut-down of all Starbucks stores so the employees could get racial awareness training. Remember that?
On Monday, in a surprising twist, a federal jury in New Jersey ordered Starbucks to pay $25.6 million to a former regional manager after determining that the company had fired her amid the fallout from the Rittenhouse Square episode because she was white.
The jury found that Starbucks had violated the federal civil rights of the former manager, Shannon Phillips, as well as a New Jersey law that prohibits discrimination based on race, awarding her $600,000 in compensatory damages and $25 million in punitive damages.
Phillips said in the suit that Starbucks, as part of its damage-control effort after the arrests, had sought to punish her and other white employees in and around Philadelphia even if they had not been involved in the events that led to the police being called.
According to the article, Ms. Phillips had exemplary reviews and was several layers up the command chain (she was in charge of over 100 stores) but essentially Starbucks blamed all white management … whether they were involved or not.
Target, Bud Light, Starbucks…sure seems like the companies that really ’embrace the woke’ – well, you know the rest.
Category: Politics, Reality Check, We Remember
“Fort Sill’s Top General And Fires School Commander Relieved”
https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2023/06/14/fort-sills-top-general-and-fires-school-commander-relieved/
“The Army has relieved the commanding general of the service’s fires school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma…”
“Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper was under investigation by the service’s inspector general for violating hunting regulations at the Oklahoma post…”
“Fort Sill Commander Fired After Allegedly Violating Base Hunting Rules”
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2023/06/14/fort-sill-commander-fired-after-allegedly-violating-base-hunting-rules.html
“Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper, an artillery officer who also commanded the U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence, was fired after being suspended in February amid allegations he repeatedly skirted hunting rules on base…”
“Kamper is awaiting reassignment.”
What did he do? Shoot a deer from off his back porch?
Snipe hunting out of season? 😜
You can’t use an old 105 Howitzer as a hunting rifle, apparently.
I wonder how many ducks you could take down with one beehive round…
KoB? Any guesses?
Welp, the 105mm round had 8K flechettes in it sooo…The whole flock?
Holy shit I had no idea lol
See, hunting deer on-post with an M60 before COB is a bad thing– even if one is the CG and could write a memo or otherwise secure a proper permit to authorize such activity. (Although I’m guessing… maybe it was a foxhunt through the comissary parking lot or he shot too many Texas Longhorn from a gov’t vehicle, who knows?)
(LOL) I can hear it now….
(arrested for shooting a deer with an M60)
(MP) “General, you’re under arrest for shooting a deer with an M60”
(General) “Deer? What deer? There’s no deer there….at least, not anymore.”
Was a story about a deer wandering onto an M60 range during live fire at Leonard Wood in the ’70s. Did not end well for Bambi.
We used to have to shut down ranges on Huachuca due to illegal aliens in the impact area.
Hey, Junior! Come get your boy.
Hey, Pappy, maybe they busted the good General for hunting “beaver” at the O Club? Or using beehive rounds and Patriot Missiles to take out some high flying migratory Sand Hill Cranes? I can neither confirm nor deny knowledge of smoke bison hump during the unit picnic. I admit nothing…call my lawer.
Rest easy, Mr. McCarthy. Your punctuation skills are still in demand today.
No doubt there are mental issues in the alphabet community. You gotta be crazy to not accept the way the Good Lord made you.
Another day going by and I have yet to spend any money at that overpriced coffee shop.
I also recall Starbux’ knee-jerk reaction was to open their lobbies and rest room facilities to the public, and the public came in.
Yeah, that went well.
Well well.
Starbucks Pulls Back from Trans, Diversity Advocacy
Multiple media reports say corporate executives — including at Starbucks — are reducing their chatter and advocacy on “green and social initiatives” amid the Target and Bud Light stock-market disasters.
On June 13, NBC News reported that gay and transgender employees at Starbucks protested when the company executives told the outlets to reduce the in-store displays for transgenderism and gay status:
Breitbart
Funny.
Fuck em.
Attention American companies, the CEI/ESG tyrants are pushing their far-left political interests and not your business’ well-being– now do you have a clue?
You Be The Judge.
A US Navy Psychologist…
“Naval Officer Based In Norfolk Arrested, Charged Following NCIS Online Child Sex Sting”
https://www.wtkr.com/news/naval-officer-based-in-norfolk-arrested-charged-following-ncis-online-child-sex-sting
“A Naval Officer who lives in Norfolk has been arrested and faces federal charges following an online sex sting…”
“…Michael Widroff tried to meet with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl. This happened while Widroff was transitioning to Submarine Readiness Squadron 34 in Norfolk after serving as a psychologist for the USS Gerald R. Ford…”
“…he’s facing three charges: attempted production of child pornography, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene matter to a minor.”
“…family and others gave testimony, speaking about Widroff’s character, and even acknowledged during testimony Widroff has had issues with depression.”
“Everybody who knows him says he’s a terrific individual, a great father, a great husband, a great Naval Officer, psychologist, so the allegations are totally foreign to the person that this community knows…”
“LT Michael Widroff, from New York, USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) ship psychologist, blesses the Passover wine during Passover Seder in the training classroom, April 16, 2022.”
https://www.dvidshub.net/image/7149428/passover-seder-service
“Six Sailors graduated from the year-long Clinical Psychology Intern Program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Oct. 13.”
“The graduating class included Navy Lt. Michael Widroff, Lt. Jessica Riley, Lt. Odelia McFadden, Lt. Milton Dawkins, Lt. Bryan Steinkopf and Lt. LaToya Small.”
“During their internship at WRNMMC, the new military psychologists conducted psychological testing, performed consultations, specialty evaluations and research, among other duties. Their studies prepared them to work in traditional settings like hospitals and mental health clinics, as well as military-unique settings, such as deploying units or combat stress control teams..”
“The clinical psychology internship program helps prepare new military psychologists to understand and treat the behavioral health concerns affecting the functioning, readiness and optimal health of service members and their families, such as readjustment, depression, post-traumatic stress, anxiety, sleep disorders and substance misuse..”
https://www.dcmilitary.com/journal/features/clinical-psychology-interns-graduate/article_1eb01c83-5b87-5012-89df-ddd83ca8c6b8.html
Oh, Dear…
Fucking tickle monster.
Throw away the key.
Why would the ship shrink be involved in blessing the Passover Wine?
Practitioner of the Hebrew faith, most likely.
He’s most likely a Rabbi.
And he will handing out repentance, prayer and forgiveness in a pound-me-in-the-ass prison.
Inquiring minds want to know: Will he be going to Leavenworth or civilian pita prison?
Think he a background investigation, before it hit the fan?
Well, you know what they say about Psych majors going into the subject because of first-hand knowledge…
Was just thinking that.
Does it seem that an abnormally high number of psychiatrists and psychologists are the ones being busted for doing crazy shit?
This adage has to be 25 years old…
Realize when you’re chatting online with:
a hot girl – it’s a dude
a lesbian – it’s a dude
a minor – it’s a cop
You get what you deserve you perv.
Over 30 years old if you go back to the BBS chat rooms.
I don’t know if that little tidbit of knowledge has been discovered at All-Points Logistics.
I bet he’s really depressed now. And since he’s so terrific, he will make his cellie very happy.
Some People Are So Dumb…
“US Marine Among Two Arrested For Firebombing California Planned Parenthood — After Texting Picture Of Molotov Cocktail”
https://nypost.com/2023/06/14/us-marine-among-2-arrested-for-firebombing-california-planned-parenthood-after-texting-picture-of-molotov-cocktail/amp/
“A US Marine was one of two men arrested Wednesday in connection to the firebombing of a California Planned Parenthood last year…”
“Chance Brannon, a 23-year-old active duty Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton in Orange County, and Tibet Ergul, 21, were taken into custody for allegedly tossing a Molotov cocktail at the entrance of the Costa Mesa clinic in March 2022.”
“Prosecutors allege Brannon and Ergul disguised themselves in hooded sweatshirts and face masks to carry out the early morning attack.”
“The FBI had issued a wanted poster in January this year offering a $25,000 reward for help identifying the suspects, which prompted an individual who attended high school with Brannon and Ergul to come forward..”
“The person told investigators Ergul texted him boasting about his involvement in the bombing, as well as a photo of a hand holding a Molotov cocktail inside a moving car.”
“Ergul and Brannon were each slapped with charges of using an explosive or fire to damage real property affecting interstate commerce.”
“If convicted, they each face a maximum of 20 years in federal prison.”
Chance…..Tibet…….MUST…..RESIST…….BAD…..DAD….JOKES……
well…
“affecting interstate commerce”
Who knew there would be such a high demand for fetal tissue.
It’s a Marine.
One of uncle Sam’s misguided children
“US Army Soldier Pleads Guilty To Trying To Contact Terrorists To Ambush Army Soldiers In Middle East”
https://www.kktv.com/2023/06/14/us-army-soldier-pleads-guilty-trying-contact-terrorists-ambush-army-soldiers-middle-east/
“A U.S. Army soldier duped into thinking he was communicating online with a terrorist when it was really an FBI employee pleaded guilty Wednesday to seeking to tell terrorists how to ambush U.S. soldiers in the Middle East.”
“Cole Bridges, 22, entered pleas in Manhattan federal court to trying to provide material support to terrorists and trying to murder U.S. military service members. He could face up to 20 years in prison on each of the two charges at a Nov. 2 sentencing.”
“Bridges, of Stow, Ohio, has been incarcerated since his January 2021 arrest, which occurred while he was based in Fort Stewart, Georgia, with the Third Infantry Division, where the private was a cavalry scout. He joined the Army in September 2019.”
“…Bridges was 19 when he began researching and consuming online propaganda promoting jihadists in 2019.”
“Authorities said he expressed support on social media for the Islamic State militant group and for jihad before he began communicating in October 2020 with an FBI employee posing as an Islamic State group supporter who was in contact with the group’s fighters in the Middle East.”
“At his plea hearing, Bridges acknowledged that he tried to provide material support to Islamic State group members.”
“…investigators said Bridges, also known as Cole Gonzales, expressed frustration with the U.S. military during his online chats.”
“U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement: “As he admitted in court today, Cole Bridges attempted to orchestrate a murderous ambush on his fellow soldiers in service of ISIS and its violent ideology. Bridges’s traitorous conduct was a betrayal of his comrades and his country.”
You have to watch out for these young people who are easily swayed by what they read online. They innocently click on a link out of curiosity, and before you know it, they are fully committed to the cause, posing an existential threat to their fellow service members. It happens all of the time. ISIS. Al Qeda. Herbal Life. Amway.
Our looney legislature here in Vermont want to let 16 year olds vote and hold public office.
To quote HT3
“This adage has to be 25 years old…
Realize when you’re chatting online with:
a hot girl – it’s a dude
a lesbian – it’s a dude
a minor – it’s a cop
You get what you deserve you perv.”
Addendum:
A Mideast jihadi– it’s an FBI agent.
Great point.
An unbiased pollster–it’s a Democrat…
$25,000,000? With that kind of money, she may be able to purchase a large cup of coffee at Starbucks.
With $25 Large, she should be able to purchase a large franchise of Starbucks…..but why would she want to?
I might have a Starfucks within 300m, step foot in there? I couldn’t tell you the last time…
3, 4 years?
But a few times in that same frame purchased those bottled frappuccino things at a gas station or such. Like most products, them drinks used to be so much better but pushing profits has left them a watery mess.
It’s a shame that company has tried to serve too many conflicting masters, thereby pleasing none.
Not really complicated, the sexual deviants are mentally ill.
“The researchers can’t explain exactly why the LGB community has more mental health and substance use challenges than the straight community”
Methinks they are getting the symptoms confused with the disease here.
When someone is bit by a rattlesnake, gets nauseous as a result and starts throwing up, treating them with anti-nausea medication may help alleviate that one symptom, but they’re still gonna die from the snakebite.
Both the substance abuse and membership in the “LGB community” are symptoms of that whole “mental health challenges” thing.
Perhaps patronizing and enabling are not, after all, effective treatment regimens for mental health issues?
Don’t hold your breath for the medical community to admit that one though.
OMG!!
Listen what Ole Brandon Boy is saying!
“We have plans to build a railroad from the Pacific all the way across the Indian Ocean. We have plans to build in Angola, one of the largest solar plants in the world. I could go on, but I’m not. I’m going off script. I’m going to get in trouble.”
https://twitter.com/RNCResearch/status/1669187098371391490
We Are So Screwed…
The Leftoids can’t even build a local line in CA. Fifteen years since approval. Milage = zero.
Did he just plagiarize Harrison’s “a transatlantic tunnel, hurrah”?
I can’t wait until he decides we need to build a transcontinental railroad.
Well, this is interesting:
“Evaluation of Accountability Controls for Defense Items Transferred Via Air to Ukraine within the U.S. European Command Area of Responsibility”
https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/Article/3424247/evaluation-of-accountability-controls-for-defense-items-transferred-via-air-to/
“The objective of this evaluation was to determine the extent to which the DoD implemented accountability controls for defense items transferred via air to the Government of Ukraine (GoU) within the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, in accordance with the Defense Transportation Regulations (DTR) and DoD instructions.”
“As of February 2023, the United States has provided approximately $31.7 billion worth of defense items to the GoU. The DoD rapidly supplied those items via an aerial port in Jasionka, Poland (Jasionka). The DTR prescribes documents, methods, and procedures for DoD Components to transport and move defense items, including items such as those transferred to the GoU at Jasionka.”
“DoD personnel effectively and swiftly received, inspected, staged, and transferred defense items to GoU representatives in Jasionka. However, DoD personnel did not have the required accountability of the thousands of defense items that they received and transferred at Jasionka. Specifically, we observed that DoD personnel did not fully implement their standard operating procedures to account for defense items and could not confirm the quantities of defense items received against the quantity of items shipped for three of five shipments we observed, as the DTR requires.”
“DoD did not have accountability controls sufficient enough to provide reasonable assurance that its inventory of defense items transferred to the GoU via the air hub in Jasionka was accurate or complete.”
What’s the over/under for when a Mexican cartel uses a formerly-Ukrainian Javelin to express their annoyance with US law enforcement?
Unfortunately, although I do believe Russia is in need of a dire ass-whupping, our buddies in Ukraine are but 1 Generation away from being a part of that Corrupt Shithole that was the SSR.
They don’t publish it that much, but Ukraine is STILL having issues with Soviet Style Corruption. They have fired and charged several officials in the past year, and if people don’t think that funds and gear aren’t being siphoned off by Criminals in their Government and Military I have a Charter Fishing trip in the Mohave Desert I will sell you. One of the British Volunteers in Ukraine did an interview on you tube and he said that under the supervision of a Shady Commander a truck carrying his section’s heavy weapons and Ammo ( 4 Machine Guns and 2 Mortars, plus Grenades and Ammo) just went missing when the unit was just moving from Kyiv to the Kherson Region. There are also Videos of a Swap meet in Odessa where one of the Booths has brand new Uniforms, Boots and Socks for Sale, still in the boxes from the manufacturer but marked as Govt Property.
I have no expectations of saints in war, nor in government.
I just have to cheer anyone making Russia look bad. They fucked around with us since the 1920s. They helped kill tens of thousands of our sevicepeeps. Now they find out.
Awwwwwww. (Small violin)
Yeah, we ain’t saints. But we is the Good Guys. I know which team I am on.
If the Russians had stayed home, no one would be seeing them as …. weak and vulnerable. Oops.
I haven’t set foot in a Starbucks in years.
They got to a point at one time that you could order just about anything other than a regular black coffee.
Patriues, pizza, books, t-shirts, electronics, you name it.
Fuck em.
The extent of my coffee snobbery:
Former Head of FBI J6 Pipe Bomb Investigation Comes Clean With Stunning Admission: “I Don’t Want Any Conspiracy Theories, Right?” – Revolver News
https://www.revolver.news/2023/06/steven-d-antuono-former-head-of-fbi-jan-6-pipe-bomb-investigation-comes-clean-with-stunning-admission/
This is the same guy who headed the whitmer kidnap investigation.
I wonder why he is speaking up now . He is also raising questions about Mar a lago raid, by whom and how it was done.
Makes me wonder if he didn’t leave a note that says I didn’t kill myself.