The List 7225
Good Wednesday morning July 2. . It was foggy and overcast again today and it is supposed clear and get to 79 later today. Lots on the plate today inside and out of the house.
This is a Bubba Breakfast this Friday and I hope to see many of you there.
Warm regards,
skip
HAGD
Make it a GREAT Day
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This day in Naval and Marine Corps History (thanks to NHHC)
Here is a link to the NHHC website: https://www.history.navy.mil/. Go here to see the director's corner for all 91 H-Grams
.July 2
1926 The Distinguished Flying Cross is authorized by Congress. The first Naval Aviator to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross is Richard E. Byrd for his flight to the North Pole on May 9, 1926.
1937 Amelia Earhart and her navigator Fred Noonan disappear over the Pacific. US Coast Guard cutter Itasca, USS Colorado (BB 45) and USS Lexington (CV 2) and PBY aircraft from Hawaii are dispatched, but the extensive search is unsuccessful.
1944 TBM aircraft from (VC 58) based on board USS Wake Island (CVE 65) sink German submarine U 543, southeast of the Azores.
1944 PB4Ys (FAW 1) sink Japanese sailing vessel Nishima Maru off Mokpo, Korea, and cargo ship No.12 Shima Maru.
1945 USS Barb (SS 220) bombards Japanese installations on Kaihyo Island, Japan in the first successful use of rockets against shore positions.( from skip. Thunder Below written by the Captain Eugene Flucky of the Barb is a great book about the Barb's exploits in WWII. He was one of the most decorated men in the war from the MOH on down with many of each. He also was the only one to put folks ashore on the Japanese home island when his crew blew up a train)
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Today in World History July 2
1298 An army under Albert of Austria defeats forces led by Adolf of Nassau.
1625 The Spanish army takes Breda, Spain, after nearly a year of siege.
1644 Oliver Cromwell crushes the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor.
1747 Marshall Saxe leads the French forces to victory over an Anglo-Dutch force under the Duke of Cumberland at the Battle of Lauffeld.
1776 The Continental Congress resolves with the Declaration of Independence that the American colonies "are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States."
1822 Denmark Vesey is executed in Charleston, South Carolina, for planning a massive slave revolt.
1858 Czar Alexander II frees the serfs working on imperial lands.
1863 The Union left flank holds at Little Round Top during the Battle of Gettysburg.
1881 Charles J. Guiteau fatally wounds President James A. Garfield in Washington, D.C.
1926 Congress establishes the Army Air Corps.
1937 American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart disappears in the Central Pacific during an attempt to fly around the world.
1961 Novelist Ernest Hemingway commits suicide at his home in Ketchum, Idaho.
1964 President Lyndon Johnson signs the Civil Rights Act into law.
1967 The U.S. launches Operation Buffalo in Vietnam.
1976 North and South Vietnam are officially reunified.
1980 President Jimmy Carter reinstates draft registration for males 18 years of age.
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Rollingthunderremembered.com .
July 2
Thanks to Dan Heller and the Bear
Links to all content can now be found right on the homepage http://www.rollingthunderremembered.com. If you scroll down from the banner and featured content you will find "Today in Rolling Thunder Remembered History" which highlights events in the Vietnam war that occurred on the date the page is visited. Below that are links to browse or search all content. You may search by keyword(s), date, or date range.
An item of importance is the recent incorporation of Task Force Omega (TFO) MIA summaries. There is a link on the homepage and you can also visit directly via https://www.rollingthunderremembered.com/task-force-omega/. There are 60 summaries posted thus far, with about 940 to go (not a typo—TFO has over 1,000 individual case files).
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Thanks to Micro
To remind folks that these are from the Vietnam Air Losses site that Micro put together. You click on the url below and get what happened each day to the crew of the aircraft. ……Skip
For Wednesday July 2
July 2: https://www.vietnamairlosses.com/loss.php?id=1218
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From the Archives
These two are fun reads. The List does not do pictures well so if you want to see the pictures open up the urls for each. skip
Aerial Gunfight: Shot Down by a .45
by Tom Laemlein - Friday, May 31, 2019
The M1911 and M1911A1 pistols are legends among firearms. Their remarkable exploits in the hands of American service personnel have been handed down among shooters since before World War I. I recently came across a whopper of an M1911 story that stopped me in my tracks like a hit from a .45 ACP. I figured that the big Colt pistol could do quite a bit, but when I heard that it brought down a German aircraft in 1945, I had to follow up on the tale.
It all happened on the way to Berlin. In this particular case, the story centers on the 5th Armored Division, part of the vanguard of the U.S. 9th Army. The American tanks, tank destroyers and halftracks had recently crossed the Rhine at the Ludendorff Railroad Bridge at Remagen. Once across the last great natural barrier in Germany, American forces were spreading like wildfire, blasting their way east towards the capital of the Third Reich. There was much excitement that the war would soon be over. There was also much concern. While many German units would surrender or simply fade away, other units, particularly the fanatical SS, were fighting to the last man. No one wanted to meet their end with victory so close. The M1911 pistol—the only pistol credited with a World War II air-to-air victory.
On April 12, 1945, travelling a few thousand feet above the advancing American tanks was a Stinson L-5 spotting aircraft, named "Miss Me." Lt. Duane Francies was the pilot. His observer was Lt. William S. Martin. Together, they had successfully located multiple German positions in the path of 5th Armored Division troops. During their mission on April 12, the men aboard "Miss Me" had seen the smokestacks of the Spandau Works rising in the distance. This meant that Berlin was not far away. Francies banked his aircraft to return to the 5th Armored and help map out the approach routes to the European war's final prize. The German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch
As "Miss Me" closed in on the lead elements of the 5th Armored, Francies noticed a German aircraft flying just a few hundred feet above the treetops. It was a Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork), a German tactical recon aircraft, flying the same type of mission as "Miss Me." As Martin radioed that they had spotted a German aircraft and that "we are about to give combat." As Francies dove on the target, his original intent was to drive the Storch onto the anti-aircraft guns of the American armor below. Strangely, a throwback sort of aerial combat would ensue.
A view from inside a Stinson L-5.
With the L-5's side doors open, both of the American aviators readied their M1911A1 .45 ACP pistols. The German Storch began to circle as tightly as possible. Francies maintained his altitude advantage, and "Miss Me" stayed with the tightly turning German. Pistol magazines were fired until empty, reloaded, and another barrage of .45 slugs were fired again. The range closed to just 10 yds., the Americans blasting all the way. There was no return fire from the German aircraft.
Suddenly the Storch staggered, and then spiraled in to crash in a placid cow pasture. The German's wingtip touched first and as it snagged the Storch cartwheeled into the field. Francies quickly brought "Miss Me" down to land, with Martin shouting into the radio: "We got him! We got him!" The tankers and armored infantrymen had just watched the strangest air battle of World War II. Many were dumbstruck by what they had seen.
A wrecked Storch.
Francies and Martin exited "Miss Me" and crossing the field they watched the German pilot and observer tumble out of their wrecked plane. The German pilot tried to hide but Martin found him and kept him covered with his .45. Francies tended to the observer, who had been wounded in the foot. Ultimately, the surprised and shaken Germans were just glad to be alive. Francies would later describe his air combat experience as "pure joy." It is the only confirmed American air-to-air victory achieved with a pistol.
This remarkable incident was first recounted in Cornelius Ryan's fantastic book The Last Battle, published by Simon & Schuster in 1966. I checked the combat records of the 5th Armored Division and found this entry:
"Enemy losses for 12 April were as follows:
"-Personnel, PWs: two thousand (2000) Killed: unreported.
"-Material losses were not yet reported, but it was known that one (1) ME109 had been shot down, two (2) enemy liaison planes destroyed (one (1) in an encounter with a Division liaison plane whose pilot and observer shot the enemy plane out of the sky with fire from a sub-machine gun)."
Apparently, the recording secretary of the 5th Armored couldn't believe the German aircraft was shot down by pistol fire. Regardless, Colt pistols did the work, and there was no submachine aboard "Miss Me." So there you have it, another amazing story about the long-serving M1911 pistol—on land, at sea and even in the air.
The M1911 pistol was carried by many pilots and aircrew. This one is on the hip of a pilot with the 9th Air Force.
https://www.americanrifleman.org/articles/2011/3/29/the-m1911-gets-a-zero/
The M1911 Gets a Zero
by NRA Staff - Tuesday, March 29, 2011
In the hands of American soldiers and marines, the M1911A1 performed admirably throughout World War II. In fact, there are numerous accounts of the 1911 being used in courageous acts earning the bearer the Medal of Honor.
There are also legends about the power, accuracy and reliability of Browning's masterpiece, which may, or may not, be true, but speak to the magnificence of a pistol design that is more than 100 years old. One of these stories took place March 31, 1943, near Pyinmana, Myanma, and was first reported July 1996 in "Air Force Magazine."
On that fated day, the 7th BG's 9th Bomb Squadron was sent on a mission to destroy a railroad bridge, but was attacked before it could reach its target. The bombing group took heavy fire from Japanese fighter planes, wounding the squadron's commander, Col. Conrad F. Necrason, and disabling numerous B-24 Bombers, including one carrying Lt. Owen J. Baggett.
Though the crew continued to fight, it was obvious that the plane was going to crash, so Baggett's pilot, Lt. Lloyd Jensen, ordered the men to bail out. Along with the other members of his unit, Baggett jumped from the plane and pulled his parachute.
The Japanese pilots fired on the floating crew killing some and wounding Lt. Baggett in the arm. The story goes that when the pilot who fired upon Baggett came around for a look, the young lieutenant hung limply in his harness as if dead. The ruse worked because the fighter raised his canopy as he flew within feet of the parachute giving Baggett an opportunity. As the plane soared by, Baggett raised his M1911A1 .45 and fired four rounds at the plane, which banked before stalling and crashing into the ground.
After landing on the ground, Lt. Baggett, along with three other crew members, was captured and taken to a POW camp near Singapore. Baggett didn't really believe that he had taken down a fighter plane with only a handgun, but Col. Harry Melton, commander of the 311th Fighter Group, ended up at the same camp telling a story about a Japanese colonel that had said that the pilot Baggett had fired upon had been thrown clear of the plane and had been found dead of a single bullet to the head.
While there is no direct evidence that Lt. Owen Baggett did in fact take down a Japanese fighter plane with a handgun, many believe it to be true. Regardless, this is a great story of a courageous man involving a legendary pistol.
After the end of World War II, Owen Baggett remained in the military eventually rising to the rank of colonel in the U.S. Air Force, which was his rank when he retired to San Antonio, Texas. In 2006, at 85 years old, Owen Baggett died in Texas, but he will always be remembered as the man who used a .45 to get a Zero.
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From the archives
Thanks to Johnny
My very first ride in an aircraft was in a Connie in 1949. We flew from New York La Guardia to Atlanta then to Biloxi Miss in a DC-3 (which was a bit rough and loud). My dad had been training down there and we went to meet him and I started my career as an Air Force Brat moving about every 18 months more or less to every corner of the country and a bunch in between….skip
Sent to me by another fellow named John from a friend of his…What a beautiful rebuild on this airplane…I actually got to fly in the cockpit in one of those in the 60s out in the far east…was a Navy plane as I recall, at least the pilot was a fellow academy guy…I think it may have been a hurricane hunter plane but not positive of that
Johnny
From Ex SWA Fuel Department/A&P mechanic friend who's very active in vintage aircraft rebuilding:
Hey John,
Big news in the warbird industry; after a multi-year restoration, Texas billionaire Rod Lewis' Lockheed Constellation, "Bataan" that took MacArthur to Wake Island to meet with Truman during Korean War, is back in the air again and will be based near San Antonio. Here is a short video documenting first flight, last week. The guy in the green T-shirt sitting in right seat is Steve Hinton. He does a lot of warbird test flights as he is the President of Fighter Rebuilders and Planes of Fame Air Museum and as such, is the highest time warbird pilot in the world. This guy has flown everything. Anyway, gorgeous restoration! Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFMGPsbdz6k
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. Thanks to History Facts
Abraham Lincoln's only hobby was "cats," according to his wife.
The White House has a long history of family pets, some more exotic than others. The first furry friends in the executive mansion belonged to its first presidential residents — John and Abigail Adams — who had two dogs named Juno and Satan. Teddy Roosevelt owned an entire menagerie during his term, including guinea pigs, snakes, birds, several horses, and many other animals. But few Presidents had quite as much affection for their pets as Abraham Lincoln did for his cats, Tabby and Dixie.
Both Tabby and Dixie were gifted to the President by William Seward, his secretary of state, and the two kittens lived at the White House (likely along with other strays invited by the commander in chief). Many anecdotes from government officials, family, and friends speak to Lincoln's unyielding affection for his feline friends. Caleb Carman, a friend of the President's, once said that Lincoln could "talk to [cats] for half an hour at a time." Lincoln himself, known for his sharp wit, once quipped that "Dixie is smarter than my whole Cabinet!" And supposedly, the President was even distracted at the 1865 Siege of Petersburg during the Civil War due to the nearby meowing of kittens. But the anecdote that most cements Lincoln's ailurophilia into history comes from his wife, Mary Todd. When asked if her husband had any hobbies, she had one simple reply: "Cats."
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Thanks to BRett
Geopolitical Futures
https://geopoliticalfutures.com
Keeping the future in focus
Daily Memo: Strategic Options as US-Russia Talks Stall
Escalation is only one possibility.
By Andrew Davidson
Jul 2, 2025
U.S.-Russia talks over a settlement in Ukraine have largely stalled. On June 16, Moscow announced that Washington had unilaterally canceled the next round of negotiations, while the U.S. simultaneously disbanded a key interagency working group tasked with pressuring Russia into a ceasefire. Moscow, for its part, has hardened its position. Former President and current Deputy Security Council Chairman Dmitry Medvedev said talks were aimed at securing a swift Russian victory, not a compromise, signaling the Kremlin's continued maximalist approach.
This diplomatic breakdown, coupled with intensifying Russian missile and drone attacks, places pressure on the Trump administration to demonstrate strength. Without visible resolve, Russia could accelerate its advances, NATO cohesion may falter and U.S. credibility – already under scrutiny – would suffer globally. Recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran serve as a precedent: Force will be employed as needed if a negotiated settlement, or talks toward that end, is not reached. In Ukraine, then, Washington is likely to adopt a strategy of deterrence.
The risk for the U.S. is to pursue its goals without triggering direct confrontation with Russia – and without compromising its own readiness. Domestic constraints, including "America First" political currents and fiscal fatigue, further restrict Washington's appetite for prolonged foreign commitments. Meanwhile, preoccupations with the Middle East, the South China Sea and the southern U.S. border compete for strategic bandwidth. To offset these pressures, the U.S. has increased demands on European allies to assume greater responsibility for their defense, reducing its own footprint and resource burden. This helps explain Washington's restraint in greenlighting escalatory battlefield actions by Ukraine, particularly in its capacity to provide targeting data for HIMARS strikes, despite clear Russian provocations.
It also helps explain why, although Russia has massed some 50,000 troops near Sumy and Kursk, it has yet to launch a major ground offensive. There has been increased indirect fire and drone activity in the area, but there has been little movement of armor. Ukrainian and open-source satellite intelligence have tracked the buildup, yet there is no public evidence that U.S. authorities have approved HIMARS strikes in response. The restraint evident on both sides is clearly a deliberate decision as a result of either logistical caution, a desire not to escalate the situation further, or breakthroughs in backchannel talks.
Now that high-level talks have stalled and escalation has been quietly tabled, Washington faces a strategic dilemma: Should it remain constrained by the current status quo, or should it initiate a sequenced military escalation designed to shift battlefield momentum and pressure Russia into serious negotiations to end hostilities?
To be sure, escalation isn't linear; it consists of tiered frameworks shaped by U.S. imperatives and constraints. Each tier is carefully designed to respond to events as they unfold and can thus be scaled back or abandoned altogether as the situation warrants. But no matter how careful or incremental the tiers may be, each carries with it an increased risk of direct confrontation.
Tier 1 would be activated in the current status quo, where major diplomacy remains stalled but Russian actions stay below the threshold of major escalation on the ground. It would consist primarily of continued support and added low-visibility assistance. The goal would be to sustain current capabilities and reinforce deterrence without altering the battlefield geometry. Tier 1 would involve the U.S. continuing to employ defensive measures such as cyber operations and the deployment of ISR platforms, and it would likely add more armor and artillery to the tons of armor and artillery Washington has already sent to Ukraine. It would also continue to integrate targeting data, communications and satellite imagery, giving the U.S. the ability to help sustain defensive operations while reserving the right to limit range and strike capability if it so chooses. In other words, Tier 1 would signal a steady commitment without crossing any Russian red lines.
Tier 2 would be activated in the event of intensified Russian military activity – massed offensives, deeper strikes on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, signs of diplomatic collapse and the like. It would introduce conditional support designed to signal readiness for strategic escalation, with the ultimate goal of midlevel escalation and operational disruption without crossing Russian red lines. It would give Ukraine the ability to target deeper logistical hubs, command and control centers, and troop concentrations with U.S.-supplied systems like the Patriots, HIMARS and ATACMS. Loitering munitions and drones, such as the U.S. Switchblade and the Phoenix Ghost, would be resupplied. Importantly, this tier is constrained by the time it takes to deliver the weapons and train Ukrainian forces to operate them. (Patriot missile systems, for example, require about a year to master.) Put simply, training takes time, resources and direct involvement from foreign military instructors.
Tier 3 would be triggered if Russia escalates dramatically through large-scale offensives that threaten a Ukrainian collapse, an intensified strategic weapons campaign (including ballistic or hypersonic missile barrages), nuclear signaling, high-volume strikes on critical infrastructure, or destabilizing actions that threaten NATO. It would introduce persistent ISR-to-strike integration and expanded targeting of deep Russian infrastructure, airfields and strategic rails. Additional options could include use of the HIMARS-launched precision strike missile, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system, or combat aircraft to be operated by Ukraine. The goal would be to deny Russia sanctuary and demonstrate U.S. strategic depth of commitment to the cause. These kinds of measures – and the kinds of cyberattacks that would very likely accompany them – would certainly cross Russian red lines and would thus demand a Russian response. (They are also similarly constrained as the options in Tier 2.)
The escalation framework relies not only on capability but also on the speed of delivery, integration and impact on the battlefield. Supplies such as ISR platforms, ammunition and vehicles can be deployed within weeks through Poland. Satellite capabilities would be even faster. Effective U.S. military aid rests on matching logistical tempo to meet battlefield needs.
Crucially, each piece of equipment adds tension to U.S.-Russia relations. A tiered approach to escalation would allow Russia to respond – through diplomatic warnings, protests, hybrid options or cyber retaliation. Moscow's response pattern will likely escalate with each U.S. step. Yet so far, Russian moves seem to be geared toward delay, not provocation. (For example, Moscow has avoided striking NATO territory, even as it blames the West for direct involvement.) The effectiveness of U.S. escalation will depend on whether Russia remains in a posture below war or becomes destabilizing across the strategic threshold.
While each step adds complexity to U.S.-Russia relations, the broader logic of phased escalation remains intact. This approach offers a strategic tool to manage risk rather than invite it. Each tier, from sustainment to operational disruption and strategic threat, matches U.S. capabilities with battlefield relevance. But speedy delivery, training capacity and logistical support, particularly through Poland, determine whether these systems arrive in time to shape outcomes. Ultimately, the U.S. must weigh imperfect options in an unstable landscape. But one principle remains clear: Inaction carries its own risk. The U.S. failing to reinforce Ukraine in meaningful, timely ways will cede initiative to Moscow, fracture allied confidence and embolden rival powers. A phased escalation strategy, managed with strategic discipline, remains necessary and a measured tool for the U.S. to gain leverage, stabilize the front and prevent Russia from dictating the terms of peace.
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An interesting aspect and another success of the 12-day war that has seen little public coverage. Blowing things up must be of more interest to the public!
While Israel and the U.S. were bombing Iran's nuclear sites, another battlefield emerged behind the scenes: the financial infrastructure that keeps Tehran connected to the world.
Israeli authorities, and a pro-Israeli hacking group called Predatory Sparrow, targeted financial organizations that Iranians use to move money and sidestep the U.S.-led economic blockade, according to Israeli officials and other people familiar with the efforts. U.S. sanctions, imposed off-and-on for decades due to Tehran's nuclear program and support for Islamist groups, have aimed to cut Iran off from the international financial system.
Predatory Sparrow, which operates anonymously and posts updates of its activities on X, said this past week that it crippled Iran's state-owned Bank Sepah, which services Iran's armed forces and helps them pay suppliers abroad, knocking out its online banking services and cash machines. Iranian state media acknowledged the damage.
The group also breached Nobitex, Iran's largest cryptocurrency exchange, popular with locals for transferring money overseas. The hackers extracted about $100 million in funds and forced the platform to shut down, according to the exchange.
Iran's government pulled the plug on much of the country's online activities to prevent further attacks and keep a lid on dissent. Non-Iranian websites were blocked. Citizens were warned against using foreign phones or messaging platforms that it claimed could collect audio and location data for Israeli spies. Government officials were banned from using laptops and smartwatches.
Predatory Sparrow said the two hacks were directed against the "financial lifelines" of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the most powerful faction of Iran's military that also controls swaths of the economy. "Noble people of Iran! Withdraw your funds before it is too late," it tweeted.
Both targeted companies remain hobbled. Nobitex said it faced serious challenges in restoring services and was aiming to relaunch trading this coming week. Some Bank Sepah users say online they still aren't receiving deposits.
At Iran's state-owned Bank Sepah, many cash machines stopped working when the cyberattacks hit.PHOTO: ATTA KENARE/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
The group didn't say if it was acting on behalf of Israeli authorities. "The group's sophistication, target selection and geopolitical messaging fit the profile of an Israel-aligned, state-sponsored cyber actor," said Deddy Lavid, chief executive of Cyvers, a Tel Aviv-based cybersecurity firm.
Predatory Sparrow didn't respond to requests for comment sent to the administrator of its Telegram group.
The cyberattacks hit an economy already battered by U.S. sanctions that bar the purchase of Iran's oil or interactions with its banks. Iran's economy is highly dependent on a select few trading partners, notably China. Annual inflation runs above 40%, according to the World Bank. A constant flight of skilled workers has also throttled Iran's economic growth.
Israel confirmed a cease-fire with Iran on Tuesday. But cybersecurity experts and Israeli officials expect the cyberwarfare to continue. "Israel will likely keep launching precision cyberstrikes against the regime's power centers," said Lavid.
Officials at Israel's National Bureau for Counter-Terror Financing said they didn't have information on links between Predatory Sparrow and Israeli authorities. They said Israel was broadly targeting the economic infrastructure that allowed Iran to finance its military and proxies, imposing sanctions earlier this month on its central bank and other banks used by the IRGC.
The NBCTF, which is overseen by the defense ministry, plans to issue orders to exchanges outside Iran to help it seize more of Nobitex's crypto holdings. It has identified a further $150 million in funds held by Nobitex, the officials said
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. .Thanks to 1440
Good morning. It's Wednesday, July 2, and we're covering the opening of a controversial migrant facility, the latest on Trump's tax and domestic policy bill, and much more.
Need To Know
'Alligator Alcatraz'
A new migrant detention center opened yesterday in the Florida Everglades, with President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in attendance. Nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz," the 39-square-mile site located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport can house up to 5,000 detainees and is surrounded by swampland filled with alligators and pythons, which officials say serves as a natural security barrier.
The facility, composed of tents and trailers, was built within a week and is projected to cost Florida approximately $450M annually. FEMA is expected to reimburse a portion of the cost. Officials say it will help alleviate overcrowding and expedite deportations. But environmental groups and Indigenous leaders argue it threatens the Everglades ecosystem and encroaches on sacred tribal land. The site has prompted protests and lawsuits, with critics condemning what they call inhumane treatment of migrants.
Originally planned in the 1960s, the area was once pitched as the largest airport in the US—five times the size of JFK—before the project was scrapped. Its massive runway remains and will now serve as a departure point for deportation flights.
Megabill Returns to the House
The US Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump's tax and domestic policy bill yesterday. The final tally was 51-50, with Vice President JD Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. The revised, 940-page document heads to the House for consideration.
Three Republicans joined the upper chamber's 47 Democrats to reject the package: Sens. Rand Paul (KY), Thom Tillis (NC), and Susan Collins (ME)—Paul over the added debt ($3.3T by 2035), and Tillis and Collins over Medicaid cuts (over $1T by 2035). Out of a record-breaking 45 amendments considered over 27 hours, senators passed a catch-all amendment boosting rural hospitals' funding and phasing out federal subsidies for wind and solar energy. See what's in the bill—and how much it would cost or save—here.
The bill's passage reignited tensions between Trump and former ally Elon Musk. Musk suggested he will fund primary challengers to the bill's supporters and launch a third party. Trump suggested he would cut subsidies to Tesla and signaled interest in deporting him (Musk was born in South Africa but is a naturalized US citizen).
Malaysia Rejects US Rubbish
Malaysia cracked down yesterday on plastic waste imports, raising concerns about where the US—especially California—will send its growing mounds of trash. The new policy bans plastic waste from countries that don't abide by the Basel Convention, a global treaty regulating hazardous waste. The US signed the pact in 1990 but never ratified it. Last year, the US exported nearly 80 million pounds of plastic to Malaysia, with over 10 million coming from California.
Since China barred imports in 2018 over environmental and health concerns, Malaysia has become a key destination for the world's plastic, whose production has more than doubled to roughly one trillion pounds over the past two decades as recycling systems lag. US recycling rates remain below 10% largely due to contamination and mixed materials that make the process costly. Much of what lands in Malaysia is either burned—releasing toxic pollutants—or dumped into overfilled landfills.
Thailand and Indonesia, which also saw a rise in imports after China's ban, announced similar bans on plastic waste earlier this year.
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Thanks to Dictionary Scoop
After making cruises from the west coast of the USA to the shores of Africa and the east coast to the west end of the Med I have heard and used many of these. Being polite is a good thing…skip
. DOMO ARIGATO, MR. ROBOTO
From "gracias" to "merci," here are 10 ways to say "thank you" abroad!
Published on November 22, 2023
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Have you ever wondered how people around the world express their gratitude? Wonder no more, because here you'll find out how to say "thank you" in 8 different languages. Without further ado, let's get to it!
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English: Thank You
If you are reading this, you probably already know this one. However, it's interesting to consider the etymology of the word "thanks". It derives from the Old English and Proto-Germanic words for "thought" and "memory" and, according to Merriam-Webster, it is also related to the Latin word tongēre, "to know". When you give your thanks to someone, you are acknowledging what they have done for you and stating that you won't forget it.
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Spanish: Gracias
Spanish is one of the most widespread languages in the world, and you'll probably be surprised to learn that the United States is the second country with the largest number of Spanish speakers in the world (yes, including Spain!). If you are feeling extra-grateful, you can go beyond the simple gracias and say muchas gracias! (thanks a lot!) or muchísimas gracias! (thank you very much!).
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Mandarin Chinese: Xié Xie
For non-native speakers, Mandarin Chinese is an incredibly difficult language to learn. However, due to the size and population density of its country of origin, it's spoken by way over 900 million people. That's over 900 million people you can now say "thank you" to! Not a small number by any means.
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French: Merci
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Merci has been in use in the French language, as an expression of gratitude, at least from the 12th century onward. It derives from a Latin word meaning "wage" or "price", but its modern use comes from the Old French mercit, meaning "gift," "kindness," or even "pity". In the latter sense, it shares roots with the English word "mercy".
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Hindi: Dhanyavaad, Shukriyaa, Thaiṅkyū
There are plenty of ways to say "thank you" in Hindi, another one of the most widespread languages in the world. Dhanyavaad is the most formal one, but also quite standard, and you'll never go wrong with it. Shukriyaa, on the other hand, is more informal and should be reserved for your friends and family. Lastly, thaiṅkyū is kind of a cheat, as it is a loan word that tries to replicate the way "thank you" sounds.
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Portuguese: Obrigado! Obrigada!
This one is a little different. Because of how Portuguese grammar works, how to say "thank you" will depend on the gender of the speaker. Men should say Obrigado, while women should say Obrigada. They both mean "I'm thankful" or, if you'd rather get technical, "I'm indebted to you".
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Russian: Spasiba
Being one of the largest countries in terms of surface area, Russian is a language spoken by a proportionally large number of people. Spasiba, sometimes written phonetically in English as "Spa See Bah", is the most common expression used to say "thank you" in Russian. It is short for Spasi Bog, which translates to something close to "let God save you".
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It has been suggested that Arigatō derives from a phonetic corruption of the Portuguese Obrigado. However, this has been disproven, and both of these ways to say "thank you" are false cognates. Arigatō, and the longer and more formal arigatō gozaimasu, find their roots in an old Japanese word meaning "rare" or "precious". It signifies the gratitude felt for an outstanding kindness received.
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. Thanks to AmericanFacts
From Nike To Dove: Discover The Stories Behind 12 Iconic Ads
Some ads are so catchy, clever, or downright bold that they become part of American culture. From slogans we still repeat to jingles we can't forget, the best campaigns leave a lasting impression. Take a look at the stories behind 12 of these iconic pieces. Which one do you remember the most?
Pepsi: "Is Pepsi OK?"
If you've ever asked for a Coke and heard, "Is Pepsi OK?", you're not alone—it's a common scenario that has become a cultural cliché. In 2019, Pepsi embraced that moment and turned it into an ad campaign.
Featuring celebrities, the ads leaned into the joke and confidently rebranded Pepsi as more than just "OK."
Westinghouse: "We Can Do It!"
Westinghouse Electric's We Can Do It! poster, created during World War II to boost morale among female workers, later became a symbol of female empowerment in the 1970s.
Initially unrelated to the Rosie the Riveter character, the poster eventually gained widespread use in advertisements and pop culture, celebrating women's strength and independence.
Pan-American Coffee Bureau: "Give yourself a coffee break!"
In the 1950s, the Pan-American Coffee Bureau popularized the "coffee break" with a campaign that encouraged workers to relax while drinking the popular beverage.
By the 1960s, coffee breaks had become so essential that the United Auto Workers Union demanded them in their contracts, even threatening a strike if they were not included.
Marlboro: The Marlboro Man
Created in 1954, the Marlboro Man transformed Marlboro from a women's cigarette into a symbol of rugged masculinity. The iconic cowboy became so recognizable that by the late '90s, nearly 90% of schoolchildren knew him.
The character was retired in 1998 as part of a tobacco industry settlement that banned the use of human and cartoon figures in advertisements
Ad Council: "Friends don't let friends drive drunk."
Launched in 1983, the "Friends Don't Let Friends Drive Drunk" PSA became a cultural milestone, directly addressing the widespread problem of drunk driving.
At the time, alcohol was involved in roughly half of all car crash fatalities. The campaign played a key role in shifting public attitudes and helped reduce that number to around 31% in the decades that followed.
Levi Strauss & Co.: "A Guide to Casual Businesswear"
In the 1980s, "Casual Fridays" gained popularity, but many companies quickly regretted the trend as employees began showing up in overly casual or sloppy attire. In 1992, Levi Strauss & Co. capitalized on the situation by releasing A Guide to Casual Businesswear, promoting its Dockers and Levi's brands as polished, workplace-appropriate options.
By 1995, Levi's reported record sales of $6.2 billion, helping to redefine "business casual" and promote a more professional yet relaxed dress code in the workplace.
Snickers: "You're Not You When You're Hungry"
Snickers' Super Bowl ad featuring Betty White, in which hunger causes a man to momentarily "become" her during a football game, became an instant hit and introduced the now-iconic tagline: "You're Not You When You're Hungry."
The campaign's humor and relatable message made it successful, with the concept evolving over the years with new scenarios and celebrities.
KFC: "FCK"
During a 2018 chicken shortage, KFC used humor to manage the crisis with a bold ad that featured an empty bucket and the letters "FCK" in place of its logo.
This self-aware and cheeky approach helped diffuse customer frustration and strengthened the brand's connection with its audience through honesty and wit.
Pepsi: "Pepsi Challenge"
Pepsi's second entry on this list is the iconic "Pepsi Challenge," a blind taste test campaign that invited consumers to compare Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
By focusing on taste and showing that many participants preferred Pepsi, the campaign successfully shifted public perception and boosted brand loyalty during the fiercely competitive "Cola Wars" of the 1980s.
Nike: "Just Do It"
Launched in 1988, Nike's "Just Do It" campaign featured athletes like 80-year-old marathoner Walt Stack to inspire people from all walks of life to take action.
The slogan quickly resonated with audiences, sparking countless personal stories of bold choices and perseverance. It has since become one of the most enduring and recognizable taglines in advertising history.
California Milk Processor Board: "Got Milk?"
Launched in 1993, the legendary "Got Milk?" campaign emphasized the importance of milk through a study showing how people felt when they ran out.
With its clever use of celebrity endorsements and pop culture references, the campaign ran for over two decades and produced hundreds of memorable ads nationwide, cementing its place as one of the most influential marketing successes in advertising history.
Dove: "Real Beauty"
Launched in 2004, Dove's "Real Beauty" campaign aimed to boost self-confidence by challenging traditional beauty standards.
Featuring real women instead of professional models, the campaign focused on diversity, aging, and natural imperfections, promoting a more inclusive and empowering definition of beauty.
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This Day in U S Military History…….July 2
1809 – Alarmed by the growing encroachment of whites squatting on Native American lands, the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh calls on all Indians to unite and resist. Born around 1768 near Springfield, Ohio, Tecumseh early won notice as a brave warrior. He fought in battles between the Shawnee and the white Kentuckians, who were invading the Ohio River Valley territory. After the Americans won several important battles in the mid-1790s, Tecumseh reluctantly relocated westward but remained an implacable foe of the white men and their ways. By the early 19th century, many Shawnee and other Ohio Valley Indians were becoming increasingly dependent on trading with the Americans for guns, cloth, and metal goods. Tecumseh spoke out against such dependence and called for a return to traditional Indian ways. He was even more alarmed by the continuing encroachment of white settlers illegally settling on the already diminished government-recognized land holdings of the Shawnee and other tribes. The American government, however, was reluctant to take action against its own citizens to protect the rights of the Ohio Valley Indians. On this day in 1809, Tecumseh began a concerted campaign to persuade the Indians of the Old Northwest and Deep South to unite and resist. Together, Tecumseh argued, the various tribes had enough strength to stop the whites from taking further land. Heartened by this message of hope, Indians from as far away as Florida and Minnesota heeded Tecumseh's call. By 1810, he had organized the Ohio Valley Confederacy, which united Indians from the Shawnee, Potawatomi, Kickapoo, Winnebago, Menominee, Ottawa, and Wyandot nations. For several years, Tecumseh's Indian Confederacy successfully delayed further white settlement in the region. In 1811, however, the future president William Henry Harrison led an attack on the confederacy's base on the Tippecanoe River. At the time, Tecumseh was in the South attempting to convince more tribes to join his movement. Although the battle of Tippecanoe was close, Harrison finally won out and destroyed much of Tecumseh's army. When the War of 1812 began the following year, Tecumseh immediately marshaled what remained of his army to aid the British. Commissioned a brigadier general, he proved an effective ally and played a key role in the British capture of Detroit and other battles. When the tide of war turned in the American favor, Tecumseh's fortunes went down with those of the British. On October 5, 1813, he was killed during Battle of the Thames. His Ohio Valley Confederacy and vision of Indian unity died with him.
1926 – The Distinguished Flying Cross was established in the Air Corps Act (Act of Congress, Public Law No. 446, 69th Congress). This act provided for award "to any person, while serving in any capacity with the Air Corps of the Army of the United States, including the National Guard and the Organized Reserves, or with the United States Navy, since the 6th day of April 1917, has distinguished, or who, after the approval of this Act, distinguishes himself by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight."
1926 – An Act of Congress (Public Law 446-69th Congress (44 Stat. 780)) which established the Soldier's Medal for acts of heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The Secretary of War directed that the Quartermaster General prepare and submit appropriate designs of the Soldier's Medal per letter signed by The Adjutant General dated 11 August 1926.
1937 – CGC Itasca, while conducting re-supply operations in the Central Pacific, made the last-known radio contact with Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot Fred Noonan. Itasca later joined the Navy-directed search for the aircraft. The search was finally called off on 17 July with no trace of the aircraft having been found.
1941 – The US authorities very soon know of a Japanese determination to attempt to seize bases in Indonesia even if it should precipitate war through their code-breaking service which has managed to work out the key to the major Japanese diplomatic code and some other minor operational codes. The information gained from the diplomatic code is circulated under the code name Magic.
1943 – The American buildup on Rendova Island continues but the Japanese garrison continues to resist. During the night a Japanese naval force bombards the American positions with little effect.
1943 – The U.S. Army Air Corps 99th Fighter Squadron, the first of the all-black Tuskegee Airmen to see combat, had been based in Africa for four months when they were assigned to escort 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers on a routine mission over Sicilian targets. Lieutenant Charles B. Hall of Brazil, Indiana became the first Tuskegee Airman to score a confirmed kill when he shot down a German fighter plane.
1944 – There are Allied landing on Numfoor Island. About 7100 troops, including elements of the US 168th Infantry Division and Australian forces, under the command of US General Patrick establish a beachhead on the north coast near Kamiri Airfield. There is no Japanese resistance. Admiral Fechteler commands the naval support with US Task Force 74 and TF75 providing escort and a preliminary bombardment. On Biak Island, remnants of the Japanese force continue to resist.
1944 – On Saipan, American forces conduct a general advance. Garapan village is overrun.
1945 – The submarine USS Barb fires rockets on Kaihyo Island, off the east coast of Karafuto (Sakhalin) Island. It is the first American underwater craft to fire rockets in shore bombardment. Meanwhile, Japanese sources report that only 200,000 people remain in Tokyo. All others have been evacuated to safer areas. The Japanese claim that some 5 million civilians have been killed or wounded by American fire-bombs.
Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day
Today in History July 2 1863 there were 30 at Gettysburg, 1 in Cuba and 3 in the Philippines.
Here are a few of them
SLAGLE, OSCAR
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Elk River, Tenn., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: Manlius, Ill. Birth: Fulton County, Ohio. Date of issue: 30 October 1897. Citation: Voluntarily joined a small party that, under a heavy fire, captured a stockade and saved the bridge.
SMALLEY, REUBEN S.
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 104th Illinois Infantry. Place and date: At Elk River, Tenn., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: Brookfield, La Salle County, Ill. Birth: Washington County, Pa. Date of issue: 30 October 1897. Citation: Voluntarily joined a small party that, under a heavy fire, captured a stockade and saved the bridge.
SMITH, THADDEUS S.
Rank and organization. Corporal, Company E, 6th Pennsylvania Reserve Infantry. Place and date. At Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: ——. Birth: Franklin County, Pa. Date of issue: 5 May 1900. Citation: Was 1 of 6 volunteers who charged upon a log house near the Devil's Den, where a squad of the enemy's sharpshooters were sheltered, and compelled their surrender.
STACEY, CHARLES
Rank and organization: Private, Company D, 55th Ohio Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: ——. Birth: England. Date of issue: 23 June 1896. Citation: Voluntarily took an advanced position on the skirmish line for the purpose of ascertaining the location of Confederate sharpshooters, and under heavy fire held the position thus taken until the company of which he was a member went back to the main line.
TOZIER, ANDREW J.
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Company I, 20th Maine Infantry. Place and date: At Gettysburg, Pa., 2 July 1863. Entered service at: Plymouth, Maine. Birth: Monmouth, Maine. Date of issue: 13 August 1898. Citation: At the crisis of the engagement this soldier, a color bearer, stood alone in an advanced position, the regiment having been borne back, and defended his colors with musket and ammunition picked up at his feet.
WELBORN, IRA C.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 9th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: At Santiago, Cuba, 2 July 1898. Entered service at: Mico, Miss. Birth: Mico, Miss. Date of issue: 21 June 1899. Citation: Voluntarily left shelter and went, under fire, to the aid of a private of his company who was wounded.
GREER, ALLEN J.
Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, 4th U.S. Infantry. Place and date: Near Majada, Laguna Province, Philippine Islands, 2 July 1901. Entered service at: Memphis, Tenn. Birth: Memphis, Tenn. Date of issue: 10 March 1902. Citation: Charged alone an insurgent outpost with his pistol, killing 1, wounding 2, and capturing 3 insurgents with their rifles and equipment.
HENDERSON, JOSEPH
Rank and organization: Sergeant, Troop B, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Patian Island, Philippine Islands, 2 July 1909. Entered service at: Leavenworth, Kans. Birth: Leavenworth, Kans. Date of issue: Unknown. Citation: While in action against hostile Moros, voluntarily advanced alone, in the face of a heavy fire, to within about 15 yards of the hostile position and refastened to a tree a block and tackle used in checking the recoil of a mountain gun.
MILLER, ARCHIE
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Patian Island, Philippine Islands, 2 July 1909. Entered service at: St. Louis, Mo. Birth: Fort Sheridan, Ill. Date of issue: Unknown. Citation: While in action against hostile Moros, when the machinegun detachment, having been driven from its position by a heavy fire, 1 member being killed, did, with the assistance of an enlisted man, place the machinegun in advance of its former position at a distance of about 20 yards from the enemy, in accomplishing which he was obliged to splice a piece of timber to one leg of the gun tripod, all the while being under a heavy fire, and the gun tripod being several times struck by bullets.
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AMERICAN AEROSPACE EVENTS for July 2, FIRSTS, LASTS, AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOMPLISHMENTS. THANKS TO HAROLD "PHIL" MYERS CHIEF HISTORIAN AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, AND RECONNAISSANCE AGENCY
2 July
1914: First of Martin's T Tractor airplanes (Signal Corps No. 31) accepted at San Diego.
1926: Congress created the DFC, retroactive to 6 April 1917, to honor heroic acts or extraordinary flight achievements by armed services' members. (4) First known aerial reforesting occurred in Hawaii. (24)
1943: Lt Charles Hall, 99th Fighter Squadron, became the first US black pilot to shoot down an Axis plane, a German Focke-Wulf 190 over Sicily. (21)
1944: Using Fifth Air Force air support, the 158th Regimental Combat Team (Task Force Cyclone) landed on Noemfoor Island, Schouten Islands, off the north coast of Dutch New Guinea. The RAAF's Number Two Works Wing started construction on Kamiri airstrip started at once. The next day, 54 TCW C-47s dropped the 1st Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment over the airfield. Infantry from the 158th Royal Construction Team (RCT) secured Kornasoren Airfield on 4 July. The airdrome at Kamiri received its first fighter group on 16 July, the Kornasoren field on the 25th. (17)
1952: The USAF announced that the Lockheed F-94C Starfire was first fighter to be armed solely with rockets. (16)
1955: The biggest troop airlift in history to date began at Donaldson AFB, S. C., when 3,900 paratroopers moved from the US to Japan and 3,100 from Japan to the US. (16) (24)
1964: SAC received its first KC-135B airborne command post. The final Polaris A3 missile of the test program launched from Cape Kennedy. Its 2,500-mile flight was the 41st in a program that began in 1962.
1966: Mrs. Jerrie Mock set a closed-course distance record of 3,800 miles for women in an airplane weighing 3,850-5,300 pounds.
1982: Fairchild Republic Company selected to develop the T-46A, next generation trainer. (12) A Titan II (site 570-9), belonging to the 570 SMS at Davis-Monthan AFB, came off alert for testing. It became the first Titan II to inactivate under a phase out program. (6)
1984: The inactivation of a second Titan II unit, the 381 SMW at McConnell AFB, began earlier in the year. The wing's first site (533-8) came off alert on 2 July. 1987: Rockwell International received a $155.2 million contract to build AC-130U gunships. (12)
1991: The McDonnell Douglas MD52ON, the first production helicopter built without a tail rotor, made its first flight. The helicopter used a blown air system for anti-torque and directional control. (20)
1993: AMC integrated tanker and airlift forces under Fifteenth and Twenty-First Air Forces. (16)
1998: Operation PHOENIX FLAME. Through 7 July, AMC flew 10 C-5 and 2 C-141 missions to assist Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) firefighting efforts in Florida. The airlifters delivered more than 300 people and 740 tons of equipment to NAS Jacksonville and Patrick AFB. Active duty, reserve, and guard units supported efforts to fight wildfires in some 200,000 acres of Florida. (22)
2007: The 119th Wing (North Dakota Air National Guard) in Fargo, N. Dak., flew its first MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system mission. The 119th Wing converted from its previous mission with F-16 Fighting Falcons to Predators and C-21s. (AFNEWS, "North Dakota ANG Unit Flies First Unmanned Mission, 3 Jul 2007.)
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