OlDawg

It is estimated that 70-80% of the products sold at Walmart stores in the United States are imported from China. This estimate excludes food products, as most food items in Walmart superstores and grocery stores are sourced and produced domestically within the U.S.. [Hidden Content] (Walmart always tries to skew their import numbers by including groceries. They’re also known as being way less than forthcoming. A closer look at their Bills of Lading are very telling.) Don’t get me wrong, I occasionally shop for small items at Wally World. But, they’re items I don’t expect to last. Basically, ‘throw away items.’ Also, I’ve noticed them revamping the local stores and adding a little better quality product line—supposedly—on some of their items. From what I’ve read in business articles, they’re actually losing now on the low price battle to some competitors. So, they’re modifying their inventory to attract a little more affluential customer along with their groceries. Similar to a Target model. Many of the items I used to buy at Walmart, I now buy a comparable/better quality at Tractor Supply. I’ve actually become a pretty big TSC fan. Even bought a sliver of the company—as Stuart Varney would say.

Same to you if it applies. 👍

Not sure how they can be MAGA when 90% of what they sell comes from China. I say this having spent much of my childhood in Bentonville as my mom was raised there. Spent a decent amount of money at the original Walton’s. Walmart used to be proud to say they sold ‘Made in America.’ That went away a long time ago. Now, you get what you pay for… Mainly Chinese crap.

What has divided the country is progressives not getting their way on everything. The voters pushed back on their ideas at the election, and they aren’t happy. The organizers purposely picked the day to protest. Trump—like him or not—didn’t pick it. So far, the Constitutional Republic is functioning as intended. POTUS has won a few SCOTUS cases, and lost a few. Power has been checked. Congress is working on a budget that might reign in some spending & prioritize. (Yet to be seen how it will turn out.) Immigration law is being followed more than it has in decades. Yes, there have been some high profile hiccups. But, the broader effort is what the majority of voters requested, and is required by law. Nothing ‘kingly or authoritarian’ about that issue. I don’t see a need for a No Kings Day effort other than it’s a way for progressive/anarchist groups to attempt to disrupt. The major crowds amounted to—supposedly—around 2 million nationwide from numbers I’ve seen. A good number…until you realize it’s actually only around 1% of the voters of the 2024 election. Why am I not surprised that Randi Weingarten (Teacher’s Union) is a major promoter & contributor? How teachers can still support her is beyond me. She is a big reason Texas passed school choice—which most teachers I’ve spoken with were against. She cares more about activism than the teachers and students she supposedly represents.

Today is Flag Day. It commemorates the adoption of the first official U.S. flag. The celebration began June 14, 1777. Hopefully, many people will fly their U.S. flags proudly as the progressive/anarchists will surely be parading their countries’ flags around at all the protests today, and I guarantee they won’t be U.S. flags. Bad timing, purposeful, or pure disrespect… I can disagree with a lot going on in this country, but still be proud to be an American. My flags will be flying as they do every day.

SECDEF and CJCOS (along with the rest of the JCOS) are political/advisory positions. Heck, you could eliminate 2/3 of the General & Admiral ranks and not lose a tactical/operational iota. They’re administrators for the most part. If you know anything, you know the secret to the success of the U.S. military is that it’s a bottom up operational force. Sergeants and Chiefs basically run the tactical operations. Command structure—operationally—could stop at the Colonel/Captain level and still function without missing much of a beat. Most O7 & above aren’t even weapons qualified anymore. This is different than every other modern military. SECDEF and JCOS are basically irrelevant except as conduits. They neither make nor approve any plans. They make recommendations and budgets. That’s it. Yes. A lot has changed since my time. But, not that much in the way of operations.

It's solid, human intelligence. Doesn't work in most places as the ability to blend isn't there. However, very effective in their sphere. U.S. Intelligence is global. But, sometimes not as accurate as it can be hard to confirm. Rest assured, if we still operate similar to how we used to, this was not a surprise.

You have obviously never served.

Double post

After quickly perusing to satisfy your curiosity of my opinion, apparently the Senator was being a putz, and was lucky he wasn’t tazed. As I said…theater.

Haven’t seen anything about it. I don’t watch or listen to the news all day. I turn off the business news at 11 a.m. & don’t watch again until the next day. I only watch early local & then morning business news. The rest is just irritating crap. I have enough to worry about every day with my better 1/2 than to stew over stuff that’s mostly theater.

But, you still chose Teasip U. So, your judgement has been off for a while then…😉

Aren’t the people saying they want the police to handle the riots, and don’t need the National Guard, the same people who wanted/still want to defund the police? I say—as a State’s Rights advocate—let the NG guard protect any federal property and/or person’s. Let the rest of the state burn for all I care. The people elected their leaders, and they keep electing the same type idiots. Deal with it themselves. It’s the only way it’s going to change.

Entrance requirements were too high. 🤓

One of the best movies of all time! Positive waves Moriarity…positive waves. Oh man, I only drive it. I don’t know what makes it work… Definitely an antisocial type. Bring me my uniform!!! Makes it feel like home don’t it. It kinda does… And who can forget the classic Kilroy. Ha! Own 2 copies of that movie. Watch it regularly when I want to chuckle.

Good work DCTF!

So did everyone else. 😁

Yes x 1000

True dat. (Music in background) Clowns to the Left, Jokers to the Right, here I am...stuck in the middle...

Problem is, if you're an independent in Texas, you don't really have a say in the primaries. If you pick Demorat or Repugnican, you're stuck with the choice for 2 years. I've voted for Perot, Paul, and even Johnson. Ron Paul was the best of the three IMHO. Media portrayed him as 'batty.' Far from it. Used to talk with him all flight long from Cleveland back to Houston. I was leading a project for Lubrizol in Wycliffe, OH and he practiced what he preached and always took the cheapest flights--which happened to be the red eye from DC to Cleveland, then to Houston. We got to the point we sat by each other for the discussion. One of the smartest--most genuine--men I've ever met. We didn't agree on everything. No one ever does. But, he stood by his convictions. His son is somewhat similar.

A little surprised by Kagan, Jackson & Sotamayor. Interesting that Kagan wrote the opinion. Goes against the typical liberal mantra of ‘it’s the gun.’ Agree the characterization of AR-15 style rifles as ‘common’ will have future impacts when gun control issues try to portray them as military weapons only.

A regular Dionne Warwick are we? 😉

I think—for a man supposedly as smart as Musk—he let himself be played. Like the wife who wants a divorce a year after marriage because he didn’t change like she thought she could make him. If he was naive enough to think he could make a real difference, he’s not as smart as portrayed.