Up Your Pipe!(line)

Some people like to put their ready cash in a monkey, perhaps a baboon or a chimp if you can't afford the taxidermy on the larger trophy. And when a burglar confronts you in your study demanding cash, you gesture calmly to the simian floor safe, "The money's up the monkey, help yourself." It's a kind of preface to the thunder of a .357 Magnum.

Now imagine this scenario on a larger scale, replace the monkey with pipelines, a revolver with cruise missiles and you have something approaching Syria. Like the infamous monkey, pipelines are key to understanding the scenario. Here's a helpful infographic from Zerohedge:

For a quick-to-read backgrounder on the pipeline dimension to the Syrian affair, check out The Oil-Gas War Over Syria (In 4 Maps).

Then ask yourself, when you've finished reading, who the good guys are.

Here endeth the Lesson,

LSP

Bombs Away, ISIS Laughs

In the wake of America's attack on a Syrian government airfield, Russia has declared that relations with the US are "crippled."

So too are the chances of a US/Russian alliance against Islamic terror. Rather than join forces against the head choppers, it seems that America and its President have opted to support Saudi Arabia and Qatar in their push to remove Assad, via the use of mercenary Jihadists. And US missile power.

Oh no, can't do that!

If we succeed in toppling the Assad regime then our friends in Riyadh and Doha can, at long last, drive a pipeline through Syria and break Russia's hold over European oil and gas.

Of course that comes with a price, yet more Jihad savagery, yet another country ruined by US foreign policy and the chance of war with Russia. Still, at least no one can accuse Trump of being a Russian spy, unless they work for one of our lying, mendacious, venal, corrupt, elite media outlets, like CNN.

In related news, a Mohammedan rammed a truck into a crowd of people in Stockholm. You'd think we'd team up with Russia to put a stop to this disease.

Apparently that's beyond us.

ISIS laughs,

LSP

Go For Another Walk in The Woods

My philisophical pal, GWB, tipped up on Sunday night with a view towards some steaks and an armed stroll in the woods the following day. The steaks were good and so were the the woods, but just in case the latter needed pacifying, we took a small arsenal along.

GWB brought a Remington 870 because a 12 is always useful; I think it's his duck gun. I brought a Ruger American .22 and a .45. Who knows, maybe I'd have to use the pistol to get to the rifle, but even if I had to, I doubt I'd be much use with the rifle. 

Check Out The Pipe

I know this, because I fired off a couple of magazines off-hand against some steel plates, at around 50 yards, before we got to the woods and was appalled by my marksmanship, or rather lack of it. A couple of remedial afternoons at the range is definitely in order. 

Missing the target practice over, we headed into the thorny thicket of the woods, hoping for squirrels. They didn't show, but a stream did. It was tranquil, standing there looking down at the water and seeing fish glide and dart their way along the banks.

Go To The Woods

Water feature enjoyed, it was time to set up by some oaks and try to call in the bushy tailed tree dwellers. No joy, but the sound of the water moving in the near distance, and the woods coming alive in the silence, was soothing to the soul. 

Water, in Texas

At least it was for me, I'm not sure what GWB was up to. He was in a different spot, hidden in the brush, doubtless parsing John Milbank or texting some PH out of Eckland.

Time well spent communing with nature, we made our way out of the woods and back to what passes for civilization, pulled pork sandwiches at Dickey's BBQ Pit. And right tasty they were too.

Next time out, I'll try and shoot something.

God bless,

LSP