INTERESTING: Note on the impracticality of invading Taiwan

Friday, February 9, 2024

FROM FREEREPUBLIC

*** begin quote ***

I was reading the third book in Ian Toll’s War in the Pacific Trilogy the other day. There was a segment on the decision to invade Formosa or the Philippines.

Here is a quote:

“On August 18, 1944, Nimitz estimated that the operation (Invasion of Taiwan) would require 505,000 army troops, 154,000 marines, and 61,000 navy shore personnel.”

So, assuming that modern warfare doesn’t require the same number of troops and the Taiwanese will not “fight to the last man” as the Japanese would…let’s cut those numbers in half.

How is China going to move 325,000 troops across the Straits of Taiwan? It took the US three years of almost unstopped work to get the transports and landing craft to do that. Plus two years of hard earned practice. And no country has accomplished that since the Korean War—where we still had the men and equipment to do it.

No..China is not invading Taiwan any time soon.

*** end quote ***

Seems like some unbiased assessment of the practicality.  And, China has “other bigger fish to fry” like the collapse of Evergrande and all the “fiscal contagion” that will cause.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Humans can learn echolocation but xray vision is fascinating

Monday, February 5, 2024

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13005513/From-boy-sonar-vision-man-slept-50-years-meet-people-real-life-superpowers-scientists-just-explain.html

From the boy with sonar vision to a man who hasn’t slept for over 50 years – meet the people with real-life superpowers that scientists just can’t explain

  • Meet the people who can show you what the human race is really capable of 
  • The girl with X-ray eyes
  • The Iceman
  • The boy with sonar vision
  • The man who did not eat or drink for 70 years
  • The man who didn’t sleep for 50 years

By Matthew Cox
Published: 10:04 EST, 28 January 2024 | Updated: 10:09 EST, 28 January 2024

*** begin quote ***

We have all wondered what superpower we would like to have given the chance.

It is a classic icebreaker question – flying, pausing time or going invisible – but we never expect our answers to come true.

However, a smattering of unique individuals across the globe have powers which seem impossible to explain.

*** end quote ***

I find the vision one inexplicably fascinating.

Imagine all the expensive testing that could be concentrated to those who need it quickly and easily.

Like training dogs to smell disease and low blood sugar.

Give some real meaning to that joke about ‘cat scan’ and ‘lab(rador) work’.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Miss Japan? At least she’s a female

Sunday, February 4, 2024

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68078061

Ukrainian-born model winning Miss Japan re-ignites identity debate
24th January 2024, 04:25 EST
By Shaimaa Khalil, Tokyo correspondent

*** begin quote ***

Ai Wada, the organiser of the Miss Japan Grand Prix pageant told the BBC that judges had chosen Ms Shin as the winner with “full confidence”.

“She speaks and writes in beautiful and polite Japanese,” Ms Wada said. “She is more Japanese than we are.”

Ms Shiino had announced in Instagram earlier last year when she received Japanese nationality, saying that she “may not look Japanese”, but her mind had “become Japanese” because she had grown up in Japan. 

*** end quote ***

I immediately remembered: “‘Pusher’ Ross: Well, you tell ‘im. You talk better English than I do!”.

The organizer’s quote just struck me as funny.

What makes someone “Japanese”?  

Or an “American” for that matter.  I’d like to believe that it’s a desire for freedom and liberty to “be all that you can be”.  Some how that ethic has been lost on many native born Americans.  As demonstrated by those from China and India that arrive with little or nothing and within a few decades they are “prosperous”.  But those born here with the same opportunities or even more never can rise from a self-inflicted poverty.

I’m sure that the Gooferment “welfare”  — handouts that are enough to starve  — blunts any ambition.

So sad that one has to be “Japanese” to win a beauty contest in Japan but not “ambitious” to be an “American”.

Argh!  Makes me sad!

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Indo-Pacific species demonstrates they are the “smartest”

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

https://www.iflscience.com/first-dolphins-to-work-out-how-to-steal-bait-from-crab-traps-caught-in-the-act-71683?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

First Dolphins To Work Out How To Steal Bait From Crab Traps Caught In The Act

  • World-first footage shows that even among the three famously intelligent dolphin families, the Indo-Pacific species manages to excel again.

Stephen Luntz  — Freelance Writer

*** begin quote ***

Crab traps exist all over the world, but it’s only off Bunbury that dolphins have worked out how to safely steal the bait.

Superb film has been obtained of dolphins stealing bait from crab traps and escaping to tell the tale to their fellow pod members in what may be a unique behavior caught on film for the first time. Moreover, when crab fishers tried to make the traps dolphin-proof, their first efforts didn’t succeed for long. It wouldn’t be fair to call it an arm’s race when only one side has any, but it certainly seems the dolphins are up for the challenge of solving problems humans put between them and a meal that can’t swim away.

*** end quote ***

At first it made me laugh.  Then, it made we wonder if we don’t understand “intelligence”.  

Dolphins, of any “family”, might be more intelligent than humans?

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Houston forced nonprofits to work together?

Monday, November 27, 2023

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12785247/Houston-Democratic-city-homelessness-housing.html

How one Dem-run city SOLVED its homelessness crisis…and did it on the cheap: Houston forced nonprofits to work together, then exploited city’s loose planning regulations to build one-bed apartments for vagrants

  •     A collective effort made of 100 different nonprofits has found a way to get apartments for homeless people
  •      In the past dozen years, 30,000 homeless Houston residents have been housed and supported 
  •     The city made sure to take a more direct and cheaper approach to do so 

By Emma Richter For Dailymail.Com
Published: 17:24 EST, 23 November 2023 | Updated: 17:24 EST, 23 November 2023

*** begin quote ***

A democrat-run city has managed to solved its homeless crisis with nonprofits that have worked together to obtain one-bedroom apartments for vagrants. 

Houston, Texas has gone on to create one of their ‘most important innovations’ – the Coalition for the Homeless, along with exploiting the city’s loose planning regulations. 

The independent agency, known as The Way Home, co-ordinates with 100 nonprofits to combat homelessness under a collective effort in the city. 

*** end quote ***

Well, “solved” might be an overstatement.  I’m not sure that it can be “solved” without addressing the drug addiction and mental illness that seems to be at the root of the “problem”.

The reporting make it sound like “loose planning regulations” are the problem.  Maybe it’s regulations in the first place that are the “problem”?

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Dog leads to cat; rescue

Friday, November 17, 2023

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-67349494?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter

Dog leads owner to cat stuck 100ft down Cornish mine shaft
Published  —  5 days ago (EDITOR’S NOTE: 08 Nov 2023)

Daisy alerted her owner to Mowgli’s predicament

By Christine Butler & Charlotte Cox  — BBC News

*** begin quote ***

A lucky cat was rescued by firefighters after falling 100ft (30m) down a mineshaft in Cornwall – and it was all thanks to a quick-thinking dog.

After six days of searching, Mowgli’s owner Michele Rose said she had “almost given up hope” of finding her missing pet.

But she said she saw her dog Daisy “going berserk”, running in and out of woods near their home in Harrowbarrow.

Daisy’s intervention led to the rescue of her feline friend, Ms Rose said.

*** end quote ***

Stories like this prompt two reactions on my part:

1) It’s good practice for a child rescue; and

2) What was done to prevent a child from falling in the same hole?

Inquiring minds want to know.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: The individual choices that played a role in the Titanic disaster

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

https://www.boredpanda.com/interesting-history-uncovered-pics/

History
Nov 12, 2023
50 Fascinating History Facts And Pics You May Not Have Been Shown At School
Gabija PalšytėRokas LaurinavičiusGabija Palšytė and Rokas Laurinavičius

*** begin quote ***

#26 Charles Joughin, The Chief Baker Aboard The Titanic, Emerged As An Improbable Survivor Of The Tragic Sinking Of The Ship

During the British Titanic inquiry, he faced questioning by Mr. Cotter, a part of the investigative effort to determine the circumstances of the ship’s demise. Here is an excerpt from his interrogation: Mr. Cotter: “What did you do with the children when you put them into the boat?” Joughin: “Handed them into the boat or dropped them in.” Mr. Cotter: “Threw them in?” Joughin: “Threw them in.” Mr. Cotter: “And what did you do with the mother?” Joughin: “We wanted to throw her in, and I think she preferred to try and step in.” Mr. Cotter: “What happened?” Joughin: “She missed her footing.” Mr. Cotter: “You said that you never went into your boat. Why did you not go, seeing that you were in charge?” Joughin: “I would have set a bad example if I had jumped into the boat. None of the men felt inclined to get into the boat.” Mr. Cotter: “When you found your boat had gone you said you went down below. What did you do when you went down below?” Joughin: “I went to my room for a drink.” Mr. Cotter: “Drink of what?” Joughin: “Spirits.” The Commissioner: “Does it very much matter what it was?” Mr. Cotter: “Yes, my Lord, this is very important because I am going to prove, or rather my suggestion is, that he then saved his life. I think his getting a drink had a lot to do with saving his life.” Despite his responsibilities in assisting women and children into lifeboats, Joughin repeatedly returned to his cabin for alcoholic drinks. As the final lifeboats left, he remained composed and rode the sinking Titanic down to the icy waters. In general, a person under the influence of alcohol is more susceptible to freezing to death due to vasodilation, the widening of blood vessels, which causes blood to move away from vital organs toward the skin’s surface, increasing the risk of hypothermia. However, the frigid temperature of the North Atlantic Sea that night, approximately -2 degrees Celsius (26.4 degrees Fahrenheit), was cold enough to constrict Joughin’s blood vessels, offsetting the effects of the alcohol. Joughin reported feeling relatively calm in the water and experienced no pain. Joughin spent two hours in the water before managing to climb onto an overturned lifeboat. He was later rescued by a passing lifeboat. This incredible tale of survival underscores the extraordinary circumstances and individual choices that played a role in the Titanic disaster.

*** end quote ***

I’m not sure what lessons one can take from this.  Other than, luck has a lot to do with survival!

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: An alternative for Israel

Friday, October 13, 2023

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-12620821/invasion-Gaza-Israel-better-way-Colonel-TIM-COLLINS.html

I fear a full-scale invasion of Gaza by Israel will end in a bloody quagmire. But there is another, better way… writes Colonel TIM COLLINS, drawing on the lessons of Iraq and Northern Ireland

By Colonel Tim Collins For The Daily Mail

Published: 17:23 EDT, 11 October 2023 | Updated: 01:56 EDT, 12 October 2023 

*** begin quote ***

The overthrow of Hamas by Fatah, backed by Israel, would be a step forward for democracy in Palestine – and would isolate the theocratic Iranian regime which has long bankrolled and armed Hamas.

Israel should not play into Iran’s hands. And as an Irishman, I know why.

In 1972, soon after the Troubles had been rekindled, support for the IRA soared after the Bloody Sunday massacre, when British paratroopers opened fire on a Catholic protest march through the city of Derry. Fourteen innocent people were killed and there was to be no peace in the province for another three decades.

The decision is Israel’s. Do they, in a spasm of vengeance, unleash a flood of Bloody Sundays in Gaza? Or could they, dare they, act with reason and mercy?

*** end quote ***

While as satisfying as killing every Hamas in Gaza might feel, there has to be some wisdom in the long term effects.

The idea of targeted reprisals has the merit of not repeating the lessons of Ireland.

Plus, the Hamas leadership safely in sympathetic countries needs to be targeted.  As well as anyone who gives them aid and comfort.  Time for Israel to turn loose their Mossad with “license to kill”.  

Marque and Reprisal is a very underused tactic.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: But what alternatives did its economics crowd out; remember seen and unseen?

Saturday, October 7, 2023

https://electrek.co/2023/10/03/worlds-first-artificial-energy-island/?utm_source=tldrnewsletter

The world’s first artificial energy island just got the go-ahead
Michelle Lewis | Oct 3 2023 – 7:58 am PT 

*** begin quote ***

The world’s first artificial energy island has secured its environmental permit, so it’s now all systems go in Belgium.

Princess Elisabeth Island is a pioneering electricity grid at sea that’s going to connect offshore wind farms to the Belgian mainland and also serve as a hub for future interconnectors with the UK and Denmark.

Belgian electricity transmission system operator Elia is the project’s developer, and obtaining the permit, which Elia applied for in January 2023, is a key milestone. Construction will take over two years, from March 2024 to August 2026. 

*** end quote ***

But what alternatives did its economics crowd out; remember seen and unseen? There are no “shareholders” looking for a profit. Just nameless faceless politicians and bureaucrats with endless supplies of Taxpayer “wealth” to amuse themselves “saving the planet”.  

Seriously, how do “we” know that was the best use of resources?

“That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen” Frédéric Bastiat http://bastiat.org/

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: Dogs can id identical twins by scent

Monday, September 25, 2023

https://theconversation.com/your-unique-body-odor-could-identify-who-you-are-and-provide-insights-into-your-health-all-from-the-touch-of-a-hand-210231

Your unique body odor could identify who you are and provide insights into your health – all from the touch of a hand

Published: September 20, 2023 8.26am EDT

Authors

  •     Chantrell Frazier Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Food Science, Framingham State University
  •     Kenneth G. Furton     Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University
  •     Vidia A. Gokool     Postdoctoral Researcher, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

*** begin quote ***

Researchers have been studying the discriminating potential of human scent for over three decades. A 1988 experiment demonstrated that a dog could distinguish identical twins living apart and exposed to different environmental conditions by their scent alone. This is a feat that could not be accomplished using DNA evidence, as identical twins share the same genetic code.

*** end quote ***

Wow. 

Now all we have to do is have a scent capturing device for crime scenes and we don’t need DNA if it’s not available.

Fascinating stuff, imho.

—30—

Leave a Comment » | INTERESTING | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »