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 This is just regional news from my neck of the woods but South Central Louisiana got smashed by a weird, slow moving tropical storm.

My area was mostly spared.  The earlier rans (lasted all week) were bad enough with flooding widespread.  Some roads flooded but the damage was relatively (looking at it from the view of a person who's has was damaged) bearable.

Not the case for Avoyelles Parish.  Its basically a farming community, with great hunting, fishing and the little festivals are freaking awesome.  Plenty of bayous that are remarkably clear, quite scenic and make for a good sunday drive.

We're kinda different down here.  Two lane roads are labeled as highways and for the most part well maintained.

The storm changed everything.  You won't know the communities but I'll name them anyway.  Cottonport was harmed with a couple of bayous rising so high that they flooded the highway leading there. Moreau had water so high (I never dreamed that it could flood to the extent that I saw) that the Sheriff's Dept was making water rescues in Air Boats and other watercraft.  Marksville, the Parish Sea was basically shut down.

State Police, Game Wardens, Sheriff's Depts, Fire and other agencies stepped up hard and made a bad day somewhat better.  Damage is widespread but I have yet to hear of loss of life.

Pray for all affected.  Many are gonna have a hard time recovering.

President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to retired Marine Maj. James Capers Jr. for extraordinary heroism during a four-day mission in Vietnam, where he continued leading his team despite severe wounds and heavy blood loss, refusing evacuation until every member of his patrol… pic.twitter.com/3DkJ8Slgaf

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) June 18, 2026

Today on June 18, President Trump awarded the Medal of Honor to Colonel John W. Ripley posthumously, for his heroism in destroying the Dong Ha Bridge to halt advancing North Vietnamese forces.

During the Easter Offensive, Ripley’s unit was ordered to “hold and die” against… pic.twitter.com/lefKhR2XJl

— Special Ops Magazine (@specialopsmag) June 18, 2026

President Donald J. Trump awards the #MedalofHonor to #MarineCorps Maj. James Capers Jr. (Retired), and posthumously to Marine Corps Col. John W. Ripley (Retired) during a ceremony at the @WhiteHouse.

Capers received the nation’s highest military decoration after being upgraded… pic.twitter.com/e87gGeUs8o

— U.S. Marines (@USMC) June 18, 2026 Congratulations to Maj Capers, Col Ripley and Maj Dockery (his actions are definitely worthy). Col Ripley has been an icon in the Marine Corps forver, Maj Capers achievement is also been lifted as an example to junior Marines (although from what I've read he was always considered a lion in the Recon/Force Recon community). They're more famous than Maj Dockery but if he research is action on his own "bad day" then you'll be equally in awe of hs actions. America has always had heroes and these men remind us all of how we should conduct ourselves when sugar turns to shit.

Happening Now: President Donald J. Trump awards the Medal of Honor to Maj. Nicholas Dockery, U.S. Army, retired; Maj. James Capers Jr., U.S. Marine Corps, retired; and Col. John W. Ripley, U.S. Marine Corps, posthumously at the @WhiteHouse. https://t.co/R547saaZUc

— U.S. Army (@USArmy) June 18, 2026

When I first saw the vid and saw her pre-lift shennanigans I was like WTF! Then I realized that her dad had taken the time to get her involved in the sport, probably by having her watch him workout and then by her WANTING to do it too and she was simply modeling his behavior before a heavy lift. So good on her and her dad. I consider this impressive by any standard. Well done.

New PR at The Arnold! pic.twitter.com/wr8SyiR1AA

— Gym Fiesta (@GymFiesta) June 7, 2026

 

 

Sorry guys.  Been off on a tangent lately but I'm getting back on track.  I appreciate ya'lls patience with me.

Having said that. THANKS AGAIN!

Issues to discuss?

1.  The war in Iran.  We gotta get Netanyahu on a leash.  Dudes is spinning and on a different kind of mission.  We want this over for NUMEROUS reasons but he can't find a fight he doesn't want to send his troops into.

2.  The economy.  We are inching toward something....weird.  I can't place it and it might be another conspiracy theory (I'll take that bashing) but high oil affects alot more than just gas.  Fertilizer which affects food, plastics etc...We need this war over and yesterday.

3.  Is anyone noticing that the old playbook that we ran on the USSR is being rolled out again for China?  Maybe its just me.

4.  What did I miss?

 

According to reports, the downed object may belong to the UAE.

I could be wrong, but based on the available footage, it appears to possibly be a Rafale fighter jet.

However, there is no official confirmation at this stage. https://t.co/SxDH8xuatQ pic.twitter.com/QTgF9uvv0X

— Defence Index (@Defence_Index) May 23, 2026 THIS BEARS WATCHING! I HAVE NOT BEEN IMPRESSED BY THE AIRMANSHIP OF UAE AVIATORS BUT TO BE SHOT DOWN BY A DRONE????

Instagram can be one huge joke but this one is verified. Wonder what else the Catholic Church is hiding? View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Buried History (@worldburiedhistory)

BREAKING:

• The IRGC is limiting authority: Araghchi and Ghalibaf can continue talks with the Americans — but without the power to commit or guarantee anything
• A rollback from previous understandings regarding 60% enriched uranium (450 kg)
• The message from Tehran: talks —… pic.twitter.com/Vwg9m1r7oI

— דרור בלאזאדה | Dror Balazada (@DBalazada) April 23, 2026 The difference between real estate and nation state diplomacy...especially in the Middle East. In real estate you're dealing with rationale people. In the Middle East you're dealing with religious zealots. Full stop. No debate. Having said that, all the bluffs and bluster did nothing but harden the hearts of the hardliners in Iran. In essence they're telling us to do it or shut up. Unfortunately Trump has placed our credibility on the line. We gotta make them "find out". Troops on the ground? I think we have to seize a couple of islands. Other than that no need to put people on the mainland except for Special Ops bubbas. The main effort will once again be our air power but smarter this time. Long range missiles from height...anything to minimize the threat to our air crews. Trump backed himself into a corner. Netanyahu is pushing to continue. I believe the Gulf States want Iran eradicated but most importantly we can't afford another black eyes from a country in the Middle East. We fight. We take whatever it is we want taken and we get the fuck out. No rebuilding. No pushing for Jeffersonian democracy. Just win the fight and leave the bar.

The US Army is training with MV-22s at JRTC, FT Polk LA. They're getting ready to induct the MV-75 into their ranks and most notably the 101st is leading the way. Want to talk some basic innovation that the Army is already talking about before they get their new rides? They're planning on using unmanned tankers to refuel their new birds in the air. You can bet that for the really long range stuff those tankers will be modified to be ISR platforms and maybe even flex into the attack role. Additionally if they follow the same trend that they have with the UH-60 then you'll see the MV-75 flex into the gunship role too. The total focus of Marine Corps leadership on Force Design 2030 has caused other necessary, damn near obvious solutions fall by the wayside.