Webster

The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions." --American Statesman Daniel Webster (1782-1852)


Thursday, May 31, 2018

Some Pics of the "KonigsTiger" and a bit of History

The Germans built some of the most sophisticated weapons of the 2nd World War and unfortunately the ultra-sophistication of the weapons in wartime was a hindrance for them, and lucky for us.



The German Tiger II heavy tank is disputably one of the best tanks of the entire World War II, and despite it’s flaws it was also one of the most fearsome.  Armed with an 88mm KwK 43 gun, this 70-tonne kitty was able to penetrate any tank from the Allied arsenal including the Soviet heavy tanks. An experienced gunner, able to estimate the range properly, had one more advantage – it was deadly accurate.
Presented on the Western Front in mid 1944, when air superiority was in the hands of Allies, the full capabilities of German armored divisions even with the Tiger II were seriously limited. On the Eastern Front, the first divisions outfitted with the Tiger II introduced themselves only in autumn of 1944.
Although targeting was somewhat of a challenge when the enemy was further than 2000m, anything in sight below that distance was easy prey. It was heavy, designed to shoot from a distance, and had thick sloped frontal armor. Regardless of it’s relatively slow speed, no sane foe was willing to take its chances in a duel against it. Luckily for the Allies, it was a rare machine with less than 500 seeing production.
The 501st Heavy Panzer Battalion was the first unit fully equipped with the Tigers B, with 25 in total. However with it’s late introduction, the Tiger II couldn’t change the fate of the war, and only served to slow down the inevitable outcome. Less than in a year after the Tiger II’s first engagements,  Berlin fell and the war was over.
Tiger IIs with the narrower “transport tracks”, of Schwere Heeres Panzer Abteilung 503 (s.H.Pz.Abt. 503) ‘Feldherrnhalle’ posing in formation for the German newsreel. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild

Königstigers in Northern France, 1944. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild
Problems with the King Tiger
The biggest enemy of the Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B was… its own “body”. An under-powered engine and common malfunctions resulted in ten Tigers to be stopped on a 10 km route while assigned to the command of 16th Panzer Division. German sappers also had to reinforce all the bridges in its way.
When the Soviets captured a few examples of Tigers, they concluded the same – it was under-powered, had limited maneuverability due to it’s extreme weight, was prone to malfunctions, and had significant design defects (mainly in the propulsion system). Basically was overcomplicated.


They also discovered that the quality of German was considerably worse when compared to earlier versions of the Tiger I and Panther tanks. This is likely attributable to a lack of resources during manufacturing late in the war, but it’s worth noting that malfunctions were also a merit of slave labor, brave prisoners who intentionally sabotaged their work.  When I was at Ford, I was talking to my foreman in the late 90's and he was telling me a story, he was an older gentleman and worked his way from hourly to supervisor.  Actually was a nice guy.  But I digress, he noticed a book I was reading at the time called "DeathTraps", it was about the American Sherman and he told me that his dad was a driver on a Sherman and that a German Soldier got the drop on them with a ""Panzerfaust" and his dad told him "We were toast, the guy had us cold, but when he pushed the trigger, it blew up on him".  That kinda gave me chills, I remembered reading stories about the convict labor sabotaging German armaments as they left the factory and many of them got caught and executed by the Gestapo.
Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, supreme commander of the Allied expeditionary forces, inspects an overturned German tank left by a roadside in France.
While the armor was still impenetrable, it was likely to crack, even from the inside. In the second half of the war, Germany was short on resources of all kinds. The design commissioned by Albert Speer (Minister of Armaments and War Production) in 1943 was not only costly in precious materials and burned a lot of fuel, but was also time-consuming.
Orders were placed for around 1500, yet Allied bombings and the sheer cost reduced production to a third of that target – one was built in 1943, 379 in 1944, and 112 in 1945. The cost for one Tiger II was double that of a Tiger I and 5 times that of a Panther. In contrast, the Soviets could produce 10 T-34’s for about the same amount. Production of T-34’s armed with an 85mm gun alone reached 22,559.One on one the Tiger was superior, but they got swarmed by the T-34's or Shermans.
British troops inspect a knocked out King Tiger tank in Le Plessis-Grimoult, 10 August 1944
Clumsiness
One of the biggest uses of Tigers II occurred during the Ardennes Offensive. Hitler wanted to again use the iron fist of Blitzkrieg tactics against his enemies. It worked well in 1939-1942 when the Luftwaffe had air superiority and the Panzer corps were outfitted with fast, mobile tanks.
Rear view. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild
In December 1944, the situation was much different. Monstrous and ponderous Tigers B were clumsy and slow. They blocked local bridges and were often more than a burden than a help.

Allies tried to avoid any direct confrontation with them, which wasn’t a difficult task in the heavily wooded areas of the Ardennes. Infantry had their hands full with the Tiger II but were able to use mines and Bazookas with some degree of success in disabling the behemoths.
After the Battle of Bulge, the Americans also captured several of the Tiger II’s and sent them for evaluation back to the US.
Their conclusion mirrored the Soviets, and American engineers were perplexed about what drove the Germans to build such a design.  The reason for the Germans building the King Tiger was Hitler's obsession for the bigger and better.  I saw pics of the MAUS, Hitler was obsessed about bigger and bigger.  He was wanting a "land battleship".  Ironically, the Americans were working on the T-29 Heavy Tank at the time, in which the weight and size were comparable.
When King Tiger 105, commanded by SS-Obersturmführer Jürgen Wessel, was struck by bazooka fire, the driver reversed into the debris of a house and got stuck. The crew abandoned the tank on Rue St. Emilion in Stavelot, Belgium. Wessell jumped on the next tank and continued west towards Trois Ponts.


What made Tiger II so special then? Its gun, tests estimated its maximum range at 3800 meters, firepower was simply perfect, and accuracy was simply shocking. The whole barrel was very stable after a shot and it was capable of firing 9 shells in 35 seconds (during tests).
The high velocity also made it easy to shoot at moving targets. All of the above suggest that Panzerkampfwagen Tiger Ausf. B was created for an Eastern Front “habitat” where in the boundless flat terrain it’s terrific gun and thick sloped armor would diminish most of its drawbacks.
Close-up at the turret and barrel. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild
More Photos
France, June 1944. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild

Captured German Tiger II (Königstiger) tank with temporary U.S. markings. Note 88-mm gun with muzzle brake.

Destroyed in Normandy, 1944

A Tiger II of s.H.Pz.Abt. 503 and Hungarian troops in a battle-scarred street in Buda’s Castle district, October 1944. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild

A King Tiger of the 503rd heavy tank battalion, after it has been rammed by a British Sherman commanded by Lieutenant John Gorman of the 2nd Armoured Irish Guards, Guards Armoured Division during Operation Goodwood. Gorman and his crew then captured most of the Tiger’s crew. The event took place on 18 July 1944 to the west of Cagny, Normandy, France.

Tigers II in France, July 1944. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild

Four German heavy tanks at the Panzer experimental establishment in Haustenbeck near Paderborn

Close view of Zimmerit on the turret of a Tiger II. Photo: Bundesarchiv, Bild

Tiger II knocked out by two AP rounds – Eastern Front 1944
 
Front view. Note the damage on the bottom.




Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (104) in the Bovington Tank Museum. Photo: Simon Q /

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (213) in the December 44 Museum. Photo: Uwe Brodrecht /

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (233) in the Musée des Blindés

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (502) in the Kubinka Museum

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (341) in the Swiss Militärmuseum Full, Notice the barrel

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II (321) in the Panzermuseum Munster

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II at the Panzermuseum Thun. Photo: Benutzer Chlempi /

Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger II in the Patton Museum
 

Wednesday, May 30, 2018

May 22, 2013, British Soldier beheaded in England (5 years later)

A little over 5 years ago, a British soldier was beheaded after he was hit by a car and pinned against a wall, y'all remember this image..?
Yep, this is one of the guys that did it, that is blood from the soldier on his hands and butcher knife,and they did it because he was a British soldier and they were in England and to them it was ok to kill a British soldier in England because the koran told them it was "ok".  I was doing a bit of reading on my blog for older post and apparently I had posted a LOT about islam during my time as a blogger.   I also use an image from Voltaire to make a point..
Apparently I haven't done my due diligence and criticized the religion lately.  Since the election of President Trump, the agitators of islam have been pretty quiet. with the exception of the palestinians, they are always pissed off.  I was reading some of the comments on the newspapers in England and even now they are so cowed by political correctness, you can't criticize islam or face charges in British court. 
     This makes absolutely no sense to me, you can't criticize islam or muslims in England or any EU country or get locked up.  You can criticize the catholic church or the anglican church and it be ok, talk about a double standard.  I did see that here in the United States where the DOJ during the Obama administration would sent lawyers and agents to intimidate people who criticized islam here in the United States, it kinda told me that islam is the unofficial state religion for the United States since it is the only one you can't say mean things about.    

I got this from One of the British Newspapers


Five years ago today, May 22, 2013 had been just a normal day in the News Shopper newsroom.
In the morning we had been covering our usual mix of news, from a noisy dog to two new schools set to open.
Then the day took a dramatic and terrifying turn and it quickly became a day like no other.
3pm
It was just before 3pm when reports about a shooting in Woolwich came in.
A reporter was sent to the scene as it appeared something big may have happened - but the true horror of what was actually going on only began to emerge shortly afterwards.
Police cordons in place 
News Shopper: Police close to the scene where a man was killed in John Wilson Street, Woolwich
3.30pm
It was just after 3.30pm when a Met Police spokesman said officers were called to an “assault” on the street in Woolwich.
Disturbing rumours began circulating online, and things took a darker turn when News Shopper spoke to a witness.
The man said: “I heard they were trying to behead someone and were shot by police.”
4pm
After 4pm a graphic tweet from Boya Dee said they had seen a man “with his head chopped off right in front of my eyes”.
Soon photos flooded social media of two bloodied men armed with knives and a cleaver.
Air ambulance landing at the scene 
News Shopper: M_ATLEY
4.30pm
At 4.36pm news about what happened became clearer after the London Ambulance Service confirmed one man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The spokeswoman added that two other men, who we later learned were responsible for the murder, were taken to hospital.
5pm
It was after 5pm when we discovered more about the murdered victim.
Woolwich and Greenwich MP Nick Raynsford said he understood the victim was a serving soldier (later identified as Fusilier Lee Rigby) and the two men taken to hospital were the suspected killers.
The manager of Mann Food and Wine shop in Frances Street then said a car was used to run down the victim before “they got out and butchered him”.
The brutal attack took place 200 yards from the Royal Artillery Barracks, and at 5.45pm News Shopper reported the incident was being treated as a terrorist attack.
Flowers laid at the scene 
News Shopper: fl
7pm
At 7pm a video emerged of a man with bloodied hands who said: “I apologise that women had to witness this today but in our land our women have to see the same.
“You people will never be safe. Remove your governments, they don’t care about you.”
Just before 8pm News Shopper wrapped up its live blog before more horrific details emerged over the next few days.
To look back at the live blog click here. Warning - graphic images and videos are included.
News Shopper: Woolwich attack map
Later it was confirmed the killers were wounded by police gunshots before they were treated in hospital.
It is now five years since the murder of 25-year-old Mr Rigby, who was off-duty when he was attacked.
Lee Rigby 
News Shopper: LEE RIGBY: The young soldier was killed on a London street
In December 2013 Michael Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale were found guilty of murder and were charged to life imprisonment and a minimum of 45 years respectively

Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Monday Music "50 ways to leave your lover" by Paul Simon

This edition of Monday Music is on Tuesday, this is by Design, Doing a video on Memorial Day unless it pertains to the Service is tacky.

    On a different note;  I will be using a new browser this week, I will give Chrome a run, Apparently I am having problems with my "Pale Moon" which is a derivative of "Firefox", uses the same coding.  Well I have been leaving comments on peoples sites and I go look later and they are not there.  I wonder if there is a conflict or a "incompatibility " issue with the software "handshaking" with other systems.
   I remembered this song coming out while I was living in Germany, I heard this song come on AFN(Armed Forces Network) out of Frankfurt, they had the music coming in from the Wolfman Jack show, I have stated many times that back then I thought "Wolfman Jack" was an AFN DJ, until I came to the states in late 1977 I found out differently.  HeckI was 11 years old in 1976.  I heard this song on the "70" channel on my Sirius/XM when I changed off my standard "80's on 8" when UB40 came on,   I know....I don't care for them at all.  Personal preference mind you.

"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Paul Simon. It was the second single from his fourth studio album, Still Crazy After All These Years (1975), released on Columbia Records. Backing vocals on the single were performed by Patti Austin, Valerie Simpson, and Phoebe Snow. The song features a recognizable repeated drum riff performed by drummer Steve Gadd.

One of his most popular singles, "50 Ways" was released in December 1975 and began to see chart success within the new year. It became Simon's sole number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and was his highest position in France, where it peaked at number two. Elsewhere, the song was a top 20 hit in Canada and New Zealand. The single was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), denoting sales of over one million copies.
      Written after Simon's divorce from first wife Peggy Harper, the song is a mistress's humorous advice to a husband on ways to end a relationship. The song was recorded in a small New York City studio on Broadway.
 TV Special in 1975,   Video's of the Stars performing before the age of MTV is spotty at best.

"50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" was Paul Simon's biggest solo hit and broke in the US in late 1975. It hit number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on February 7, 1976 (his only number one on that chart as a solo act), soaring from number ten the previous week, and remained there for three weeks; it topped the adult contemporary chart for two weeks. Overseas, on the UK Singles Chart, the song reached number 23 in January 1976. It was certified gold on March 11, 1976, and remained a best seller for nearly five months. Billboard ranked it as the No. 8 song of 1976.

Monday, May 28, 2018

Memorial Day 2018

I have preempted my "Monday Music" for Memorial Day.  To me it just didn't feel right, "Monday Music will be tomorrow.

 

     I had seen on The GodFather's post about Memorial Day being for those that got that blank check cashed.  Now that phrase came about from the one that said "Veterans, those people that gave Uncle Sam a blank check that could have any thing written in it including Life".  Well those we honor on Memorial Day Uncle Sam wrote "Life" on the payment line. 
     I and many like me are Veterans, we gave Uncle Sam that same check, but in our case, he didn't write life on the payment line.  We as Veterans know people that never made it back home, they are "Forever Young" as I occasionally call it, they will never grow old and I and many like me will meet our friends at Fiddlers Green or Valhalla.
     We Honor them on this day.

Sunday, May 27, 2018

Flag Etiquette and how it relates to U.S Veterans.

With Memorial Day Tomorrow, I figured I would post the differences in the Holidays for those that don't know. 


I ran across this article and shamelessly clipped it.  It is full of good information about flag etiquette and how it relates to Veterans.

by John Hages as it appeared in the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 154 - Boo Coo News, January, 2018.
U.S. military salutes are steeped in tradition, some dating back hundreds of years. However, there are misconceptions about military salutes — understandable, considering the number of salutes that exist for various occasions. Some have even changed over the years, sometimes through acts of Congress. All of them, however, are intended to demonstrate great honor to those for whom they are conducted. This includes fallen members of the military, presidents, heads of state and even the nation.
VVA Chapter 154 Color Guard rendering 3 volleys on Veterans Day, 2017
Three-Volley Salute Calling the shots fired at a military funeral a 21-gun salute is incorrect. Even if there are seven soldiers firing three rounds each, this is not considered a 21-gun salute. The shots fired during a military funeral are called the firing of three volleys in honor of the fallen.
The firing of three volleys dates back to the custom of ceasing hostilities to remove the dead from the battlefield. Once finished, both sides would fire three volleys to signal that they were ready to resume the battle.
During the firing of three volleys, the rifles are fired three times simultaneously by the honor guard. Any service member who died on active duty, as well as honorably discharged veterans and military retirees, can receive a military funeral, which includes the three volleys, the sounding of “"Taps,” along with a United States flag presented to the next of kin. Three spent cases are usually inserted into the folded flag, one representing each volley fired.
The 21-Gun Salute hails from naval tradition where a warship would fire its cannons, rendering them unloaded, to signify its lack of hostile intentions. Ships would typically fire seven shots. Whether this is because that was the traditional number of guns on a British warship or because it is of biblical significance is unknown. Forts, having more ammunition, would fire three shots for every shot by a ship. Of course, this wasn't set in stone, and the number of shots fired differed greatly depending on the country.
Today, the 21-Gun Salute is fired by artillery batteries in honor of the U.S. President, former presidents, the President-elect and heads of foreign states upon their arrival and departure of a military installation. "Hail to the Chief" or the national anthem of the visiting dignitary is also played. The salute is also fired at noon on the day of a funeral of the President, former presidents and the President-elect, as well as Memorial Day in honor of America's fallen, and on Washington's Birthday.
Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Calif. (June 9, 2004) - U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial Guard Company render a 21-Gun Salute in honor of former President Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, before his body is flown to Washington, D.C. where it will lie in state in the Capitol Rotunda. A state funeral will be conducted late Friday morning at the Washington National Cathedral, where President Bush will give the eulogy. On Friday, June 11, President Reagan's body will return to Calif., for a private burial service. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Jon D. Gesch (RELEASED)
In addition, a 19-Gun Salute is fired in honor of other dignitaries such as the vice president, the speaker of the House, president pro tempore of the Senate, chief justice of the United States, state governors, chiefs of staff and 5-Star generals. There is a ranking system for salutes to lower-ranking generals and other dignitaries consisting of dropping two guns for each flag rank junior to a 5-Star general.
Salute to the Nation The practice of firing one shot for each state was officially established in 1810, which at the time was only 17 guns. This tradition continued until 1841 when it was established as 21 guns. Current tradition has the Salute to the Nation as 50 shots by capable military bases, one for each state in the union, fired at noon on Independence Day, with naval vessels firing a 21-gun salute.
Copy of VA annual Veterans Day poster for 2017
Veterans Day While there isn't a gun salute dedicated to veterans, November 11 is a day when the U.S. and many World War I allied countries commemorate the sacrifices made by the men and women who served in the armed forces. Veterans Day is often confused with Memorial Day, or thought to be the same in their intent. Memorial Day is when we honor those who have fallen in service of our country. Veterans Day celebrates all living military service members.
Veterans Day was first created as Armistice Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to mark the end of World War I. In 1938, Congress made November 11 a national holiday. Then, on June 1, 1954, President Eisenhower signed legislation that changed the name to Veterans Day to celebrate all military veterans. The exact day of celebration changed a couple more times over the years before being permanently established as November 11 due to popular sentiment.


Have you ever noticed that the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we learn something new every day! The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life. The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.
The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine guidance.
The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.'
The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic..
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers. For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been molded.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first born.
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their Nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.
There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning. In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why.

Friday, May 25, 2018

Some Friday Musings....

I have been real busy the past few days with the end of school and many other things, I and my son went to pick up our new "used" Cub Cadet that was made in 2002 but is well maintained and the price was real good(Couple of "C notes").  Well we were returning from North Georgia to pick up the lawnmower, I was on an off ramp for the turn home off the interstate I heard a pop, didn't think much about it...Harry looked behind us to make sure that the mower was still in the truck..Well we started moving and I heard this God awful racket and the truck didn't drive right...I am thinking "aw Crap" is it the Transmission?....Something in the suspension.....$$$Dangit$$".  Well I pull off to the side of the road...and climb out and start to look around and I see this.....
Yep that Pop I heard was the tire going flat.....
   I was initially annoyed but I decided to have a teachable moment....I learned how to change a flat in my 1976 Gremlin on the way to College in 1984....Nobody ever showed me how to change a tire and figuring out how to do it on the side of the road really sucked.  I immediately decided to make this a teachable lesson for my son.
I showed him where the assorted tools of the trade were from the lug wrench..
To positioning the jack properly and raising the Axle so the old tire can be removed.   The Spare tire was already lowered from its position behind the hitch.  As we were working, I kept admonishing him to be aware of his surrounding to prevent someone from walking up on us .  The area wasn't the greatest area, it wasn't the hood, but it is an area full of gas stations and warehouses.
Apparently I "found" a nail on the off ramp.....
"Mission Completed"

We have been inundated with rain that Old NFO had sent here from Texas in the past few days, it has prevented from working some projects outside like I wanted to.  I am planning on picking up my Garand in 2 weeks from Anniston and I am excited.
    On a different note politically related, the Democrats have ramped up their goals for the 2018 election...A huge part of their platform is ...
Impeach Trump, gun control, support of Illegals and roll back the Trump tax cuts.   I keep hearing of this big blue wave from the media and the talking heads.  I have come to the conclusion that they are doing the same thing that they did in 2016, they are in a big echo chamber and only hearing from their own and ignoring the people out on flyover land again...The unemployment is lower, there are more jobs opening up and more people are working.  How you keep beating the drums and ignoring the state of the economy.  Bill Clinton famously stated in 1992 "It is the economy.....stupid", and defeated a sitting President which is statistically difficult to do when he defeated George H.W. Bush who should not have been defeated especially after his handling of the Gulf War.  But the economy was in trouble and people voted with their wallets in mind especially after the "Read my lips, No new Taxes" but then he caved to compromise with the democrats who then used it to beat him over the head during the election.

    People will vote the same here, despite the 90% negative news for President Trump from the media, he has a 50% positive rating in the polls.  This is a great concern for the Democrats, their attempts to use Stormy Daniels to tarnish Trump has failed.
     Well the FBI got themselves in a ringer, the information came out that they had surveilled the Trump campaign and now the information is coming out.
When you have James Clapper from the Obama administration who was the chief of intelligence for the Obama administration coming out and saying "we did it to look for Russians", really left a bad taste after they spent a year denying it and mocking President Trump for saying otherwise.  
     And speaking of President Trump, he pulled out of the summit with North Koreans...
He wasn't going to get played like the prior Presidents have especially Clinton and Obama.  The democrats of course couldn't decide which way to go...

Now I hear that "Rocket Man" wants a summit afterall, apparently he was confident that Trump would bow to international pressure and placate the North Koreans.  And President Trump withdrew much to the surprise of the NORKS.  It will be interesting how this plays out.  
    I will not have a Mondays Music because it is Veterans day so my installment of "Monday Music" will be on Tuesday this week.