30 Seconds Over Tokyo: How the Doolittle Raid Doomed the Japanese Empire

On this date in 1942, three captured American airmen who had bombed Japan in the Doolittle Raid were shot in Tokyo.

National Interest

"At noon on April 18, 1942, the citizens of Tokyo looked up into the sky and saw the impossible.

"Zooming low over the imperial capital was a flight of twin-engined bombers. Nothing surprising about that in wartime Japan. Except that these aircraft were painted olive-drab, with red-white-and-blue stars on their wings and fuselage.

"They were American planes dropping bombs on the sacred soil of Japan. As the crump of explosions and the drone of aircraft motors faded, and the air raid sirens belatedly wailed, Tokyoites asked themselves a fateful question:

"What just happened?

"The Doolittle Raid seventy-five years ago was more than one of history’s most momentous air attacks. It was also one of the most economical. The Allies dropped 2.7 million tons of bombs on Germany, and the United States dropped seven million tons on Vietnam. And still the Nazis and the Communists continued to fight. Yet sixteen B-25 bombers carrying perhaps sixteen tons of bombs managed to change the course of history.

"It was a stunning reversal. In war, momentum is everything, and Japan was the one that had it in the early spring of 1942. Within four months, they had decimated the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor, conquered Southeast Asia, the oil-rich Dutch East Indies and the islands of the Central Pacific, and were about to compel the last battered U.S. defenders in the Philippines to surrender.

"America needed to reverse the momentum with a victory—any kind of victory—to bolster morale and take back the initiative. President Roosevelt had the right idea: days after Pearl Harbor, he called for the Japanese homeland to be bombed in retaliation. But how? " . . .

Last Doolittle Raider standing: WWII vet to attend homecoming, 75th anniversary event

Doolittle Raiders crew from left: Lt. Henry Potter, navigator; Lt. Col. James Doolittle, pilot; Staff Sgt. Fred Braemer, Bombardier; Lt. Richard Cole, copilot; Staff Sgt. Paul Leonard, engineer-gunner. Cole, the last standing Doolittle Raider left standing, is set to attend a 7th anniversary event in Ohio in April 2017.

When Celebrities Paint Themselves As Military Experts: Not A Pretty Picture

RedState  "President Trump garnered the attention of the globe when he commissioned the military to drop a massive piece of ordnance in Afghanistan. Dubbed the Mother Of All Bombs (MOAB) it was the largest non-nuclear detonation at our disposal. That level of aggression also drew the attention from the Hollywood experts.

"It was an impassioned zeal to condemn the actions of the reviled President by our luminary betters, but in the rush to voice outrage, many of these “societal experts” managed to expose stark ignorance. One of the joys in life is to behold a self-proclaimed expert who displays an abject absence of knowledge on a subject; that joy turns to hilarity when a lecture is sent down from an “important” celebrity.

"Let’s start with Mark Ruffalo, who is rather confused about our foreign policy.

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Mark Ruffalo 

✔@MarkRuffalo

Trying to finish the job Russia started. U.S. drops "mother of all bombs" in Afghanistan, marking weapon's first use http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-drops-mother-of-all-bombs-in-afghanistan-marking-weapons-first-use/ …

It just seems odd to have to explain to such a vested activist actor that we are not attacking the Afghani government, but the terrorist faction that is metastasizing therein, but here we are.

The creator of “House of Cards” shows he is more adept at pretend politics.

Beau Willimon 

✔@BeauWillimon

Having failed repeatedly during his first 100 days, @realDonaldTrump is resorting to bombs to improve his popularity https://www.google.com/amp/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/us-drops-mother-of-all-bombs-in-afghanistan-marking-weapons-first-use/ …

"This explains why Obama was so popular — he dropped tens of thousands of bombs during his tenure. Trump is just employing a proven methodology, we presume.

"George Takei gives us another explanation as to the problem: it wasn’t that Trump bombed ISIS terrorists, it was the size of the weapon."

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George Takei 

✔@GeorgeTakei

Dropping bigger bombs doesn't make you the bigger man, Donald.

Pence: ‘Era of strategic patience is over’ with North Korea during DMZ visit

Washington Times

"Vice President Mike Pence said the “era of strategic patience is over” with North Korea, expressing impatience with the willingness of the North Korean regime to move toward ridding itself of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

"Mr. Pence told reporters during a surprise visit Monday to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea that President Trump is hopeful that China will use their “extraordinary levers” to pressure the North to abandon their weapons.

"He said there was a “period of patience” over the years but “the era of strategic patience is over.” He said that the Trump administration hopes their clarity will be received in North Korea, adding the U.S. and its allies will achieve its objectives through “peaceable means or ultimately by whatever means are necessary” to protect South Korea and stabilize the region." . . .

Trumped by Trump  . . . "By Easter Sunday morning, Kim Jong Un’s party had ended, but was not over.  The U.S. Pacific Command was still in place.  And China supposedly had terminated North Korea's coal imports, among other reported conciliatory concessions, ever since China's visiting leader, Xi Jinping, enjoyed “the most beautiful piece of chocolate cake that you’ve ever seen” at the Xi-Trump Mar-a-Lago summit. " . . .

"The Obamas' non-stop jet-setter vacay continues. Sorry, Sasha."

Monica Showalter  "Continuing on in their new life as rich wastrels mooching off leftwing billionaires, the Obamas have continued their quest for non-stop vacation by posing for pictures on a $300 million luxury yacht owned by Hollywood bigshot David Geffen in Tahiti. The A-listers were there with them: Bruce Springsteen, Tom Hanks, and Oprah Winfrey on their longest of spring breaks on Marlon Brando's hideaway resort on Tahiti. Not exactly a hideaway given that the Daily Mail has the story and photos.

"I suppose they have a right to do it and if Gefffen wants to waste his money this way, no doubt in expectation of a future payoff when the next Democrat is elected, one supposes this is their prerogative.

"What's unseemly is how different it is from the picture they painted of themselves leaving office. President Obama said he intended to stay in Washington for the time being, renting out a luxury house in tony Kalorama. not to continue to politically meddle, he assured, but to ensure that his young daughter Sasha, now a high schooler at the exclusive Sidwell Friends Academy, got as much of a normal childhood as she deserved and could complete her high school without too much family trauma. Get a load of this treacly account here.

"Turns out that those needs went by the wayside, now that David Geffen's yacht beckoned. The house, it turns out, seems to have been an abode for onetime Obama consigliere Valerie Jarrett, who actually lives and cooks up political meddling plots there.

"The other unseemliness is that Obama made a big deal about public service being his post-presidency operating plan, serving others, returning to his community organizer roots, helping mentor young black men. Last December, he vowed to do the work of 'My Brother's Keeper' for life. Well, what's that promise compared to David Geffen's yacht?

"I could* care less if they want to be rich wastrels and get their pictures in the tabloids. But it's impossible not to be disgusted with how they marketed their exit originally to the public as so much selfless service and giving/ The only people they are serving are themselves."

*"Couldn't care less". Think about it.

Hopefully: How Don made Jong’s Nodong go wrong

From the UK Sun: "They say US agents may have infected the hi-tech electronics in tyrant Kim Jong-un’s rocket with an undetectable virus that caused a massive malfunction." . . .

"Experts later said it was possible the medium-range ballistic rocket, thought to be a Nodong, was brought down by a US cyber attack.

"North Korea is forced to import the high-tech electronics used in its missiles.

"US agents are believed to have infiltrated the supply chain and may have planted undetectable “malware” viruses inside Kim’s missiles.

"As soon as a launch was detected, a signal could have been delivered to the infected component via satellite from the US National Security Agency headquarters in Maryland.

"Defence analyst Paul Beaver said: “It is perfectly feasible the US brought down this missile.

“ 'Their cyber warfare capabilities are now highly advanced.

“ 'As soon as military satellites watching Sinpo detected an imminent launch, a team at the National Security Agency would have got to work." . . .

Wouldn't you love this to be more than wishful speculation?

http://legalinsurrection.com/2017/04/branco-cartoon-kim-jong/

VIDEO: Berkeley cops sit in patrol car and watch as Trump supporters attacked

The American Mirror  "There were numerous reports from those on the scene that Berkeley police largely stayed back as Antifa agitators took pot shots at Donald Trump supporters on Saturday.

“ 'As the violence escalated police in Berkeley stood down and retreated from the crowds,” reporter Tim Pool tweeted.

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Tim Pool 

✔@Timcast

As the violence escalated police in Berkeley stood down and retreated from the crowds. I have never seen so few police at an event like this

7:29 PM - 15 Apr 2017 · Berkeley, CA

 
•  1,5741,574 Retweets
 
•  2,8542,854 likes

“ 'I have never seen so few police at an event like this.”

"One observer claimed police “ran away,” despite several Trump rally attendees being attacked."

Even a leftist Mother Jones reporter saw this and reported on it.
Video

"Mother Jones reporter Shane Bauer saw two officers at a patrol car, not engaged in protecting citizens from violence."

Shane Bauer 

✔@shane_bauer

I tell a police officer I've been seeing people get beat up all day and they haven't been around. "Okay, and?" he says.

5:11 PM - 15 Apr 2017

 
•  8,7158,715 Retweets
 
•  8,2278,227 likes

“Hey, how come you guys are hanging back?” he asked an officer standing in an open door of the car and another sat in the back seat.
“That would be a question for the chief of police,” an officer sitting in the driver’s seat responded.
“You want a public statement, right?” the standing officer asked the reporter.
“I would refer you to our public information officer.”
“Do they told you to hang back?” Bauer said.
“As I said, I refer you to our public information officer,” the cop responded.
“I’ve been watching all day people get beat up pretty bad and I haven’t seen you guys around much,” Bauer said.
“Okay, and?” the officer responded.

"Numerous videos show Trump supporters being beaten in the streets as police failed to keep the two sides apart."ew image on Twitter

MEDIA BLACKOUT: First Lady Melania Trump’s Visit to Home for Abused Girls Goes Unreported

The Gateway Pundit   "How does the national media try to control how Americans perceive the Trump presidency? One way is to not report on actions that make the Trumps look good. Take for example the Good Friday visit by First Lady Melania Trump to HomeSafe, a home for abused girls in Lake Worth, Florida,located a few miles south of the the Winter White House at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach where President Trump is spending the Easter weekend with his family." . . .

First Lady Melania Trump visits HomeSafe, photo via HomeSafe.

"The First Lady’s visit to HomeSafe was unannounced, however a press release was issued by HomeSafe and several photos were posted online including at the @FLOTUS Twitter account.

"Yet, with the exception of the local Palm Beach Post and FootwearNews which focused on the shoes she wore to HomeSafe, no media reported on the First Lady’s visit." . . .

"Excerpt from the HomeSafeFL press release (photos here):

This morning, First Lady Melania Trump made a surprise visit to HomeSafe, and visited with the girls living in one of the five residential group homes run by the agency. Mrs. Trump brought gifts for each of the girls and spent time in the home visiting with all of them. In addition, she brought Easter Baskets and stuffed bunnies for other clients served by HomeSafe.

“We were thrilled to have the First Lady here and for our girls to spend time with her,” said Matthew Ladika, CEO of HomeSafe. “What a unique experience for them. This is something they will never forget.”

The First Lady spent about 45 minutes at the agency. The girls she visited with are victims of abuse, ages 12-17, who have been removed from their family and placed in HomeSafe’s residential program for treatment of the trauma they have suffered…”

Apparently not all in North Korea are robots

ISIS could take lessons on executions from the "little fat kid" Kim.

Report: North Korea soldiers face punishment for Kim Jong Un jokes

. . . "News of cadres of the second army corps slandering Kim Jong Un reached all the way to the People's Army's General Political Bureau, and the arrested cadres are to be severely punished," the source said.

"The group had "compared Kim Jong Un to a kindergartner," a joke that began to spread covertly across the military unit, according to the source.

"Other soldiers referred to Kim as a mentally ill patient in their jokes, the source said.

"Kim is so unpopular among the cadres that another joke, suggesting the North Korean leader is more outrageous than his father Kim Jong Il and grandfather Kim Il Sung combined, refers to him as "Kim squared." . . . 

"Kim is increasingly unpopular in the country.

"In December, anti-Kim propaganda leaflets that read, "Let us overthrow Kim Jong Un" were found in the city of Pochonbo." . . .

Retired British Colonel doesn't see war coming to North Korea

From the UK Sun: "This will not lead to a war"

By Richard Kemp, retired British Army Colonel

I DON’T think this will amount to anything at all. North Korea knows it cannot possibly survive an attack by them against either the US or its allies.

Its dictator would not last long, so I think there is no chance that they would initiate any serious military action.

The Americans are not interested in conflict with them, so they will not initiate anything.

I also believe the Chinese are interested in calming the situation down.

I think the actions of Trump in Syria and Afghanistan, if anything, make conflict with North Korea less likely.

Both the strikes he ordered were legitimate and proportionate, and sent  a message around the world that you do not mess with America anymore.

They signalled that you may have been able to mess with America under Obama  — but you cannot do the same with Trump or you will suffer for it.

That deterrent is far more likely to prevent a conflict than provoke it. So I would say don’t worry  — there will not be a conflict between the US and North Korea.

The statement added: “The closer such big targets as nuclear powered aircraft carriers come (to the Korean peninsula), the greater would be the effect of merciless strikes.”

But talk of pre-emptive action against the rogue state continues to swirl as experts estimated the country would be able to hit Western targets within four years.

Former CIA officer Dennis Wilder told ABC Kim would be able to strike at both the US west coast and Australia very soon if he was able to keep developing his missiles.

"US 'SABOTAGED KIM'S MISSILE LAUNCH' 

Former foreign secretary Malcolm Rifkind claims American intelligence has foiled similar nuke tests."

If we can hack the launches, how about we blow them up on the launch pads? Rockets can be replaced, but the launch facilities would be a whole 'nuther thing. TD

America’s enemies are emboldened by eight years of cowardice in the Oval Office

War: The Necessary Insanity  . . . "All of which gives context to the present moment. America’s enemies are emboldened by eight years of cowardice in the Oval Office. Our allies have become distrustful of us. To reverse all that, President Trump has sent a clear signal to the world, but it will take more than a few bombs to deter the madmen who intend to kill us. It will take popular support from Americans, support for a massive commitment to battle, and, if it comes to that, the endurance of tens of thousands dead. Is that insane?

"Half of all Americans are already more on the side of the enemy than on the side of freedom.

"Theirs is the true insanity."

N Korea missile launch fails, says South Korea

The cartoons capturing the imagination of Trump's America

America BBC  "Antonio Branco, an editorial cartoonist, is known for his conservative take on current affairs.

"He says he's a fan of a "president that talks directly to the people" and thinks conservatives are now getting their message across in online media after being slow to do so initially.

"Branco shares what he thinks about liberal "overreaction" to Trump and the current state of political speech."

Mr. Branco's site is at Comically Incorrect. As his cartoons demonstrate, Tony does not suffer fools gladly.

Much more here.

Car ploughs into group of people on the Sidewalk in Palma

Vlad Tepes Blog  "A driver of Northern African background drove onto the pedestrian walk at a main traffic road in Palma on Saturday morning. Five people who were waiting at a bus stop were injured, the Spanish sister newspaper of MM, Ultima Hora report on their webpage.

"The driver of the vehicle was arrested. He is being charged with battery and endangering the safety of the traffic. Word is that according to police, the young driver of Moroccan nationality lost control over the car. The car came to a stop at the outer wall of a branch bank.

"Panic broke out immediately after the accident at the scene of the accident at the Avenida Alejandro Rosselló near the central Plaza España. Police started a large scale operation to get the situation under control quickly. Initially, there is no information about the backgrounds of the accident which occurred around 10 AM CET.

"According to Spanish Media reports, the police are now investigating if it is a simple traffic accident, or if other motives could lie behind the incident.
One of the victims suffered grave injuries. Ultima Hora tweets that the injured are four tourists from the Northwestern Spanish region Galicia, all of them old age pensioners, and one young person from Palma." . . .

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