Other planes have guns; this gun has a plane

A-10 Warthog: Why America’s Tank-Killer Jet Still Rules the Battlefield

The A-10 Thunderbolt II, famously known as the Warthog, remains a cornerstone of American air power well into 2025. Despite debates over its retirement, the A-10 continues to dominate close air support (CAS) missions with its unique design, powerful GAU-8 Avenger cannon, and unmatched durability.    

Introduction to the A-10 Warthog:    "The A-10 was developed in the 1970s with a singular focus: to destroy Soviet tanks in Europe. But over time, it has proven versatile, reliable, and irreplaceable in a wide range of operations from the Gulf War to counterinsurgency missions in Iraq and Afghanistan.  

  Why the A-10 Still Matters in 2025  "Many thought the introduction of advanced platforms like the F-35 or the MQ-9 Reaper would signal the end for the A-10. Yet, the Warthog persists. Its low operational cost, high survivability, and direct connection with ground troops make it essential even in the age of stealth fighters and drones.

Unmatched Firepower:   "The heart of the A-10 is the GAU-8/A Avenger, a 30mm cannon capable of firing 3,900 rounds per minute. This weapon can destroy tanks, bunkers, and convoys with terrifying efficiency. In close air support, there's simply no replacement for the A-10’s gun.  

Battle-Tested Design: "The Warthog's design includes titanium armor, redundant systems, and a rugged airframe. It can fly with one engine, one tail, or even with significant wing damage. Pilots often refer to the aircraft as a "flying tank." In terms of survivability, the A-10 is peerless.  

Recent Upgrades Keeping It Lethal:  "Modernization efforts have kept the A-10 relevant. The "A-10 Common Fleet Initiative" has included new wings, cockpit upgrades, communications systems, and precision weapon enhancements. These upgrades ensure the Warthog can operate alongside modern fighters and support 21st-century battlefield needs.

The A-10 Warthog: Specifications, Variants, and Legacy - Military Tech

Bill Maher DESTROYS the Media!

It's Bill Maher, so be aware the language can be raw. TD

The Katie Porter Gubernatorial Campaign Has To Be Performance Art. It Can’t Be Real.

"No way. Even as crazy as the Democrats are, and even as crazy as they are in California, they’re still human beings. And this character is way too bizarre and repulsive for human beings to agree to be led by her." . . . Scott McKay

Issues & Insights  "I looked it up and found out that Jason Clarke, who played Jerry West in the HBO sports drama Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty and Teddy Kennedy in Chappaquiddick, as well as lots of other prominent film and TV roles, is Australian. I had no idea.

"Clarke is a very good actor.

"He comes to mind because with Katie Porter emerging as the Democrats’ leading candidate for governor in California, I’m wondering whether Clarke is actually playing a new role.

"I’m wondering if he’s playing Porter.

"You can’t unsee this…

"Yes, of course you’re right. They’re not the same at all.

"He’s prettier than she is.

"Still, it’s hard to shake the feeling that we’re all being trolled here and that Porter isn’t actually a real politician but rather some sort of put-on, or a LARP. Like we’re being Borat’ed.

"CBS News Sacramento reporter Julie Watts had to feel that way, you’d think, after this utterly bizarre interface with Porter…

Hollywood Panics As Celebrities Face Replacement By AI Generated Actors

Tyler Durden

"For now, the only thing AI seems to be good for is making memes which almost no one mistakes as real."

"The growing opposition in Hollywood to AI generated "actors" is in many ways similar to the growing feminist fury over AI girlfriends:  If you're a good actor (or a good woman), then you should have no fear of being replaced.  If you can't compete with a robot or software for the affections of the masses, then perhaps you deserve to lose your exalted position in society.

"AI design is not particularly impressive (at least not yet).  Characters are graphically realistic but the Uncanny Valley effect is ever present; the human mind processes them as off-putting in most cases and making an entire film using them would require extensive input from human CG artists.  Still images and short clips are effective enough, but this is not film making.  

"By extension, AI fiction writing is not improving and is truly terrible.  Storytelling requires an intuitive grasp of plot beats, a deep understanding of the nuances of human psychology and interactions, as well as a creative ability to surprise the audience with something unexpected while still (in most cases) wrapping up the plot in a way that is satisfying.

"Anything more than a basic synopsis and AI scripts turn into a rambling, confusing mish-mash of ideas copied from more intelligent creators and slopped onto the page.  In other words, AI writes scripts much like the typical woke leftist screenwriters now infesting the film industry. 

"And this is why Hollywood is scared - They have been getting away with mediocrity for so long they have forgotten how to make a good movie.  They are so bad at their job that they could actually be swapped for software.

"In terms of acting, it's unlikely that solid performers will ever be retired to the dustbin or unable to get work because of AI.  Movie goers will always know in the back of their minds that they are watching CG people with no capacity for real emotion.  However, if film companies continue to fill their actor stables with soulless, robotic or narcissistic egomaniacs, then the public may welcome the robot overlords as the new standard for cinematic entertainment.

"The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is very unhappy with the recent release of an AI acting model called "Tilly Norwood".  The union condemned reports that talent agents are looking to sign the artificial intelligence "actor" for representation. They argued in a statement that Tilly Norwood "is not an actor, it’s a character generated by a computer program that was trained on the work of countless professional performers." . . .

Charlie Kirk’s Death 100% MSM and Democrats Fault

 “YOU CAUSED THIS!”   

"And yes, Lefties [similar to Islamo-Fascists], Thinks Lawns Are Racist. Add to that Math. Even showing up to work on time is “systematic white supremacy.” When everything is racist there’s no room for reason."

• Any Rep. or Senator who says Trump, his supporters, or other Republicans is Hitler or a Nazi doesn’t care about minimizing the horrors of the Holocaust. Any reporter who doesn’t challenge that disgusting statement is just as bad. (THE LID, May 2025 | See also NYP, July 2024 | )
• Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-PA) is under fire after widespread airing of four-year-old remarks in which he called former President Donald Trump’s voters a “horde of budding blood-and-soil fascists.” (Washington Examiner, June 2024) , , ,

"Reason is gone, not offending someone is the new gospel: “…demanding the campus be made more of a “sanctuary” as they protested classism, sexism, discrimination and ethnic intimidation.” (Detroit News) | Milk and cookies, crayons and coloring books, therapy dogs and ducks (Campus Reform). When the real world and these people collide, escape goats are the outcome:

• So, in the West as these “well-meaning” ideals works themselves out, expect more legal, cultural, and violent expression against those who hold to a historical, conserving theology and expressing this in public life. (ME/RPT in 2015)

"Need more examples to support the Left’s [read here Democrats and the MSMS] push to label Republicans such horrible things that people want to kill us?" . . .

'He’s never been funny': Internet slams Jimmy Kimmel as comedian's jokes fall flat at Oscars 2024

 MEAWW  "Jimmy Kimmel found himself in a barrage of internet criticism after his several jokes failed to land"

"One of the angry social media users said, "Jimmy reminds me with the kid at the back of the classroom who is the clown in each session …. Not funny but ridiculous and annoying to everyone.."

. . . "The 56-year-old talk show host found himself getting criticized by several fanbases after he made jokes in 'poor' taste.

Kimmel made one of his major faux pas for the night during his opening monologue when he referred to Robert Downey Jr's history of substance use. 

Per Daily Mail, Kimmel addressed the ‘Avengers’ star and said, "This is the highest point in Robert Downey Jr's long and illustrious career."

“But, one of the highest points is-" Kimmel paused and pointing to his nose, quipped, "Was that too on the nose or a drug motion you made?”

"As the camera panned toward Downey, he was seen doing the same. He, however, responded by making a gesture prompting him to continue with his monologue.

"Later, he again motioned toward Downey, who took home the Best Supporting Actor Award for his role in ‘Oppenheimer’, and joked, "But look at him, he's so handsome, so talented, he's won every award there is to win. Is that an acceptance speech in your pocket or do you just have a very rectangular p**is?"

"This joke, however, didn’t receive a response from the Marvel superstar who looked serious while looking at the camera."  . . .More...

Emma Stone garners support as fans catch her seemingly labeling Jimmy Kimmel 'p---k' over 'Poor Things' joke 

 Internet users assert Jimmy Kimmel 'deserved to be called worse' A user wrote, "He’s on a quest to make as many enemies as possible tonight."

15 Jimmy Kimmel rumors we've fact-checked | Snopes.com 

 . . . "To set the record straight, we've compiled 15 rumors about Kimmel that Snopes has investigated over the years."

Mamdani Refuses to Tell Hamas to Disarm, Will Arrest Netanyahu

Mary Chastain: Legal Insurrection

"Zohran Mamdani REFUSES to voice support for the need of Hamas to disarm in Gaza and doubles down on his desire to have Benjamin Netanyahu arrested if he ever visits New York City for the United Nations"...

"I give socialist Zohran Mamdani credit for going on Fox News for a sit-down interview with Martha MacCallum.

"But that’s where it ends.

"Mamdani has an anti-Israel past, and he didn’t help himself with MacCallum.

"MacCallum gave him numerous times to come out against Hamas, and he refused. He also said he would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he set foot in New York City due to the international arrest warrant.

"I’m glad NewsBusters’ Curtis Houck transcribed it so I don’t have to:

Martha MacCallum: “So, you have denounced Israel and the United States for the response to the slaughter on October the 7th. In fact, at times you’ve called it a lasting stain. The response. At times, you have left October 7 out of your statements completely around this issue. Right now, you just talked about Israelis killing Palestinians but Hamas is killing Palestinians within Haza. And they have not returned the bodies that they promised to return including two Americans, Itay Chen and Omer Neutra whose families that we have interviewed over these months. So, what is your response to what Hamas is doing now?”

Zohran Mamdani: “I think those are bodies and remains that should absolutely be returned and I think that I have no issue with critiquing Hamas or the Israeli government because my critiques all come from a place of universal human rights. My focus however is right here in New York City and transforming the most expensive city in America into one that is affordable for each and every New Yorker.” . . .  More

‘No Kings’ Isn’t Protecting Democracy, But Suppressing It

 The Federalist  " ‘No Kings’ isn’t a defense of democracy at all. Instead, it’s a defense of the entrenched power of the Democratic Party."

"The “No Kings” movement is not a defense of democracy, but rather its subversion. Those who support it are buttressing a system in which electoral outcomes are tolerated only if they serve the interests of the permanent unelected ruling class."

Tony Branco

. . . "Organizers describe their movement as a necessary defense against President Donald Trump’s supposed assault on America’s democratic foundations, believing that Trump’s actions are akin to a tyrannical ruler’s rather than the legitimate actions of a democratically elected president.

"Activists are expecting the largest single day of protest in modern American history, citing increased organic opposition to the Trump administration’s attempts at enforcing immigration law, the attempted deployment of National Guard troops to Democratic-led cities, and even the recent government shutdown, which are all being cast as examples of authoritarianism.

"But a closer look at the “partners” page of the No Kings website contradicts the “grassroots” categorization of these “anti-authoritarian” protests.

"Far from a spontaneous uprising of concerned citizens, the “No Kings” movement is powered by a familiar network of progressive organizations such as the Human Rights Campaign, MoveOn, Public Citizen, the American Federation of Teachers, the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Greenpeace, among others.

"Behind them stand the same constellation of progressive megadonors that have driven the “resistance” since 2016. One major No Kings partner, Indivisible, for instance, has received more than $7.6 million from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations since 2018." . . .More...

Victor Davis Hanson: The Left Is Gearing Up Against Trump’s Counterrevolution

 The Daily Signal "Victor Davis Hanson: The Left’s Anger is Proof Trump’s Counterrevolution is Working

"We are in the midst of the most significant political counterrevolution in nearly a century, rivaling the sweeping changes of FDR’s New Deal. "Not only is Trump succeeding, he is exceeding expectations as well. But the Left is not going down without a fight. Victor Davis Hanson explains the challenges being poised against Trump’s counterrevolution, and what he believes are the next steps on today’s episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ 'The symptoms of the progressive project are not just the Democrats exercising power in Congress or holding the White House, it's how they get that power. And they get that power through PBS and NPR, now defunded; cable news and slanted network news, now under assault when they lie and defame and face court ramifications. “  'The majority of the American people oppose [Democrats’] agenda. And they do this through the bureaucracies, through the media, through the universities, through the popular culture. And these are the very sources that Donald Trump is asking them to reform. And the government is going to shrink. The government's gonna get out of the media business. The government's gonna take a hard look at universities, who want and obtain federal funds.”

What Happens When Transgenderism Is No Longer Cool? Prosecutions, Hopefully

 The Federalist  Ideologues foisting the harmful lies of transgenderism onto kids should be laughed — and prosecuted — out of polite society.

"Transgender doctrine was always held together by the corporate assumption that it could not be questioned. It cannot survive being dismissed, or worse, laughed at. While any reports of its death are greatly exaggerated, it is certainly weakened."

 

"When the transgender fever fully subsides, it won’t be because of how celebrities like Kiera Knightley respond to idiotic questions about it. But it’s telling when celebrity windsocks no longer feel obligated to pay ritual fealties to social contagions, because social contagions rely on ritual fealties to survive.

"In a Decider interview published last week, Knightley — who voices a character in a forthcoming audiobook recording of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series — was asked if she was “aware” of the fury directed at Rowling and, by extension, the Potter franchise for Rowling’s “ongoing campaign against trans people.” (By this, the interviewer meant Rowling’s insistence that men cannot become women and should not be enabled to invade private women’s spaces.)

“ 'I was not aware of that, no. I’m very sorry,” Knightley said with a glint of sarcasm and a laugh.

"I highly doubt Knightley, who has included herself in what she describes as a “progressive” and “left-wing artistic” group of people, intended to become the new patron saint of conservative women’s magazines with that laugh. The actress’s previous deference to progressive sexual politics (“of course” she’s raising her daughters to be feminists, she told Vanity Fair) suggests she became the conservative icon du jour by total accident, though if she withstands the pressure to apologize for her momentary moral clarity, she deserves some respect for that. (If she really wants us to praise her bravery, she should speak up for women with the decisive conviction that Rowling has.) But at the very least, that Knightley felt free to react so candidly to the absurd demands of trans radicals suggests some kind of Overton window shift.

"So does a study, published the same day Knightley’s interview was posted, indicating a “Decline of Trans and Queer Identity among Young Americans.” Canadian professor Eric Kaufmann found the share of students at “elite” universities who professed to have irregular gender identities had dropped drastically in the past two years. Even more interesting, he concluded the trend reversal was happening independently of political or religious beliefs, which did not follow the same trendlines." . . .

Elle Purnell is the assignment editor at The Federalist. She has appeared on Fox Business and Newsmax, and her work has been featured by RealClearPolitics, the Tampa Bay Times, and the Independent Women's Forum. She received her B.A. in government with a minor in journalism.

This Is Bonkers: Israeli Fans Banned From Attending Soccer Match in the UK

Teri Christoph  

"The late Charlie Kirk traveled to England back in May and was astounded by what he saw during his time there. He offered some on-point observations, such as it being a "totalitarian third-world hellhole" that was a "husk" of its former self."  

"An absolutely bonkers story is emerging from across the pond this Thursday afternoon, and it's not a good look for our British cousins.

"The famed U.K. soccer team known as Aston Villa Football Club—Prince William, the heir to the throne, is a club superfan—announced on Thursday that it would not allow fans of the Israeli team, Maccabi Tel Aviv, to attend a November match at Aston Villa's stadium in Birmingham. From the announcement:

Aston Villa can confirm the club has been informed that no away fans may attend the UEFA Europa League match with Maccabi Tel Aviv on Thursday, November 6, following an instruction from the Safety Advisory Group.

"As [a] way of explanation, the team claimed the ban of Israeli (AKA, Jewish) fans—which they downplay as merely "away fans"—was due to security fears, saying local law enforcement "have public safety concerns outside the stadium bowl and the ability to deal with any potential protests on the night." The team, rather glaringly, did not address which segment of the community might show up with violent intentions toward fans of the Israeli team. Please feel free to draw your own conclusions.

"Backlash was swift, with one conservative Member of Parliament tweeting he was "sad, angry and ashamed" at the decision to ban Maccabi Tel Aviv fans. 

Teri Christoph is the author of the Smart Girl Politics meme-letter. Follow her on Twitter or check out her carefully curated meme-posting over on Facebook.

When any Democrat speaks should Obama's voice come out...or not?

 

Here comes BO  . . . "Rights of women? I thought that two women were running for governor. The next governor of Virginia is going to be a woman, so what rights is he talking about? Abortion? That's up to the Virginia legislature.

"So why is President Obama talking about women's rights and abortion? Maybe he is avoiding the one about men playing in women's sports or changing in women's locker rooms? Or why is he talking about cutting taxes for the rich? I thought that taxes were low there.

"Former President Obama is also talking about the cost of health care. Really? Why is he not forced to explain the failure of ObamaCare? What about all of those promises that didn't come true?

"In the end, the former President is not going to change anything. He is desperately seeking relevance, and that's it.

"Why don't they send him to New Jersey, where there is a real competitive campaign? I think we know the answer to that."

Obama’s dour new Presidential Center is getting savaged on social media: ‘Death Star in Chicago’  

. . . "Some posted videos with “Star Wars” X-wing fighters closing in on the library building, while others Photoshopped the structure sideways to replace the torsos of the massive AT-AT walkers from “The Empire Strikes Back.”

"Others superimposed the Eye of Sauron from the “Lord of the Rings” movies on its roof, and others simply posted photos of Easter Island heads.

"Kitty litter boxes were also included in the comparisons, as were common trash bins, dumpsters, and ephemera from “Star Trek” and “A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” . . .

David Cameron ‘thought Barack Obama was a self-absorbed narcissist’

Obama Does Ad for Gavin Newsom on Redistricting – Accuses Republicans of Trying to ‘Rig’ the Next Election (VIDEO)   "Former President Obama just will not go away. It seems like every other day, he is on a podcast, doing an interview, or making news by commenting on the issues of the day.

"At the same time, he seems like the incredible shrinking man, because his legacy is being gutted by Trump’s second term.

"Now he is doing ads for Prop 50 in California, in which he accuses Republicans of trying to rig the next election." . . .