August 16, 2017 -- A Quick Run Around the Web

"China-India Tensions Mounting"--China Uncensored (2-1/2 min.)

China and India are still saber rattling over the Chinese incursion into disputed territory claimed by both Bhutan and China. 

Firearms/Self-Defense/Prepping:

• You may remember from January of this year the news item about a man in Washington state that shot an intruder that was showering inside the man's home. I came across an article ("Practical Home Self-Defense Tips This Year") that discusses that incident, and more generally discusses concepts like "stand your ground" laws and the duty to retreat. Basically, though, "stand your ground" laws arose in response to courts in certain jurisdictions (I'm looking at you, Massachusetts) deciding that a homeowner had a duty to retreat, if safely possible, rather than use force to protected him- or herself from an intruder. Other states allowed a person to stand his/her ground in the home, but not elsewhere (e.g., in a public location). Some states did not impose any duty to retreat. Unfortunately, even states where there had previously been no duty to retreat still passed "stand your ground laws." These laws do not obviate the other requirements of self-defense, such as that the person shot posed an imminent threat of serious bodily harm (or however it may be articulated in your jurisdiction), which was the crucial point in the Washington state matter. That is, in that case, the intruder broke into what the article terms "a place of business" to use the shower and was discovered there by the business owner ... who shot him, even though the intruder did not appear to have threatened or harmed the business owner. 
• "Our Preparedness Plan Pie Chart: 2017 Update"--Security and Self-Reliance. The author's pie chart is a conceptual model for planning your preparations. Essentially, each segment of the pie represents a type of preparation, whilst the center represents a very short term (1-2 weeks), the succeeding circle on the outside represents an intermediate period of 1 to 12 months, and outside the circle represents over 1 year out. I would probably split the intermediate period up into a 2 to 3 month window, and then out to a year; but that is just me and your needs or ideas may differ. Nevertheless, as I stated, I have found it a useful conceptual model to ensure "full coverage" for your preps. Please also note that author's comments advising against storing cash or valuables at a bank because of potential problems accessing them in an emergency. The same also applies to important documents. For instance, it does no one any good if a will is stored in a safe deposit box if the decedent is the only person that can access the box.
• "Guns and Gear: Have Fun"--Modern Service Weapons. The author reminds us to not be overly serious about self-defense or prepping; get in your shooting practice because it is fun, even if that means that some of your purchases are for "range toys." He writes:

Don’t sweat those folks who think everything has to be about urban combat. Guess what?  My favorite caliber is the 10mm!  I don’t carry it for bipedal defense…it’s just for personal enjoyment.  ...  Train and practice for self defense.  But, life is short.  Buy toys.  Have fun.  Live life.

Other Stuff:

• Related to the video, above: "China urges India to protect peace after border altercation"--Reuters. The article begins:

China on Wednesday urged India to protect the peace and stability of their border after Indian sources said soldiers of the two Asian giants were involved in an altercation in the western Himalayas.

Although details are lacking, it appears from the news story that "altercation" is probably the best word to summarize what happened. "Some of the Chinese soldiers carried iron rods and stones, and troops on both sides suffered minor injuries in the melee, the source said."

• "India pulling it together on infrastructure is entering a China scale buildout"--Next Big Future. The article notes that "On a purchasing power parity [PPP] basis India is about 10 to 15 years behind China’s Economy," but India has begun heavily investing in infrastructure and other capital investment. This includes several tens of billions of dollars aimed at travel--especially in improving trains and lines in its major cities, and expanding rail service in other cities. "Other planned transportation initiatives include the development of 2000 kilometers (km) of coastal roads to connect ports and remote villages, as part of an 11 percent increase in the highways budget to almost US$10 billion." It's good to see the self investment in India, but its growing economy and power has a strong potential to bring it into conflict with China. Definitely something to watch.
• "Signs of Diplomacy Appear as North Korea Delays Guam Missile Test"--Global Security. Trump's carrot (back channel negotiations) and stick (public rhetoric) approach seems to be working. North Korea has blinked, but will it stand down?
• "North Korea's missile program linked to Soviet technology, says report"--Deutsche Welle. The article reports:

       "North Korea has acquired a high-performance liquid-propellant engine (LPE) from a foreign source," said IISS missile researcher Michael Elleman in the report.

       "Available evidence clearly indicates that the LPE is based on the Soviet RD-250 family of engines, and has been modified to operate as the boosting force for the Hwasong-12 and Hwasong-14."

The missile for which the R-250 engines were produced was developed in the Ukraine, but the Ukraine has denied providing assistance to the North Koreans.

• "Inspire 17 Train Derail Operations"--Krypt3ia. Al Qaeda apparently has put its publishing arm back together, because it has just released Issue 17 of its Inspire magazine. This article gives an overview of some of the topics discussed, including directions to Islamists to sabotage train tracks with derailer devices, and Al Qaeda's mocking of ISIS for its failures. Pot calling the kettle black, it seems to me. (See also this article from MEMRI).
• Well this is interesting:

• Photographs showing protesters surrounding and beating on Field's car before he rear-ended a couple vehicles propelling one into the crowd, including someone using a baseball bat.

• "Eyewitnesses: James Fields’ Car Was ‘Attacked,’ Police Set Up Rally-Goers To Be Assaulted"--Big League Politics. Video and witness statements stating that Fields was attacked before rear-ending another vehicle.

• "VIDEO: Protesters Attacked Charlottesville Driver’s Car With Baseball Bat"--Department of Memes.

• "Health risk alarm over water rationing in Rome"--The Local. Because of drought conditions and a dispute between the water utility and a neighboring local government over a lake that is the source of much of Rome's fresh water, Rome is looking at rationing the water provided via its municipal water system. The article indicates that authorities are looking at shutting down neighborhoods on a cyclical basis for 8 hours daily. This has some health experts concerned because it could impact hygiene in homes and restaurants, and threaten "essential health services."
• "Inside the Country Where Down Syndrome is Disappearing"--WFMY2. Expectant mothers in Iceland whose babies test positive for Down Syndrome are aborting them. Currently, there is nearly a 100% termination rate for Down Syndrome pregnancies. The article indicates that the United States has a 67% rate.
• "Trump’s 'America First' vs. McCain’s 'America Last'"--David P. Goldman at PJ Media. Goldman has criticism for McCain and his fellow RINOs for tying President Trump's hands when it comes with dealing with Russia vis-a-vis trade sanctions. As you know, Congress voted to continue sanctions against Russia, and added a provision of law prohibiting the President from lifting the sanctions without Congressional approval. Goldman believes this will unnecessarily and counter-productively bring us into a trade war with Russia, and limits the President's options on the diplomatic front. He writes:

       New sanctions against Russia passed by the House and Senate last week force Europe into a de facto alliance with Russia against the United States, and by extension with China as well. It is the dumbest and most self-destructive act of economic self-harm since the United States de-linked the dollar from gold on August 15, 1971, and it will have devastating consequences. The charade in the House and Senate may embarrass Trump, but it also poses a threat to European energy supplies as well as an extraterritorial intrusion into European governance. Berlin, Paris and Rome will conspire with Moscow to circumvent the sanctions while attacking the United States at the World Trade Organization and other international fora.

       Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), and their counterparts in the House of Representatives allowed their dudgeon against a sometimes provocative president to overwhelm their sense of self-preservation. The sanctions will hurt Russia, but not nearly as much as they will hurt the United States over the long term. The White House envisioned sanctions as a bargaining chip, to be used to persuade Moscow to behave in the Ukraine and to limit the ambitions of its Iranian ally of convenience. In their present form, however, the president will have no authority to remove sanctions imposed by Congress. That turns a feint into a threat. Wars have been started over less.

He also speculates as to motives:

       Trump humiliated the Democrats and the Establishment rump of the Republican Party last November. The losers now face the prospect of permanent exile from political life. Writing in the Times Literary Supplement July 25, historian Edward Luttwak predicted a Trump dynasty lasting sixteen years, in which Ivanka Trump Kushner would succeed her father. “No wonder that leading Democrats and non-Trumpers continue to act hysterically even eight months after the election. President Trump’s plan threatens to exclude them all from office until long past their retirement age,” Luttwak wrote. The hopes of high office of the defeated Establishment can be realized only by stifling the Trump administration in its cradle.

       That is the motivation behind the Black Legend of Russian collusion that continues to occupy the waking hours of the American media while putting most Americans to sleep. ...

       ... McCain and Schumer want to destroy Trump because a successful Trump administration would destroy them, and destroy the reputation of an entire generation of diplomats, intelligence officers, academics and military officers who achieved rank by promoting the export of democracy, nation building, counterinsurgency, and so forth.

Read the whole thing.