Tab Clearing

You're really living in a bubble if one of these items below doesn't anger you.  Each of these stories deserve their own Ushanka post and rant, but as the wise John Goodman once said: "So many social engagements.  So little time."

First: Ukraine.

It is getting rough over there.  CNN is reporting four dead.  These are the first deaths in the recent civil unrest, and I'd normally be quick to say a terrible new phase has started. But then I saw the videos.  Both sides are escalating.

More video:  Liveleak.

Is it ironic to note that the people fighting against the agreement with Russia are using a weapon (Molotov Cocktails) named after Stalin's most loyal aide?  Regardless, that is a serious escalation and one that would warrant a more serious response.  If I may suggest, if your cause requires fire bombs, your cause has transitioned from "civil unrest" to "revolution."

(Would it be called "Double Ironic" to note that the Molotov Cocktail was named by the most fiercest of anti-Soviets, the Finns?)

Anyhoo....  the story is the same as it was when we posted on it over a month ago.  The Ukrainian leader was elected on the promise of a more Western integration focus, but then chose a pact with Russia over the one offered by the Europeans.

Imagine an elected leader going against the best wishes of the people who voted for him.  I know!  Crazy!

I'll keep an eye out for a more clarifying view on the unrest.  With what I know now, both sides could be blamed.  Two things to leave you with here:  1) Look at the crowds.  This is no Occupy-type wanna-be protest, and 2) keep in mind there may be some off-shoot anarchist group who are doing the fire-bomb escalations.

More insight at GuerrillAmerica:

I’ve been loosely following developments in Ukraine, and have watched protests slowly evolve into riots and then real fighting between protesters and security forces.  There’s a very real possibility that Ukraine is in a civil war.  Parts of Kyiv (the capital; Ukrainian spelling, not Russian) look like something out of Mad Max.  In short, the battle is over with which side Ukraine will align herself: the European Union or Russia.

UPDATED 1.23.14 4pm:  Ann Barnhardt's post on Ukraine. 

UPDATED 1.23.14 8:30pm: Doug posts 15 photos from the civil unrest.


Next, Mark Witaschek.

Who is he?  He's a DC resident who was arrested for having a sabot round in his DC house.  Not a gun.  Not an "arsenal."  Not even a working cartridge of ammo.  A Sabot bullet (left) that is used in a muzzleloader.

The same prosecutor, Irvin Nathan (middle) who didn't pursue David Gregory when he waved a 30-round magazine on national television is prosecuting Mark (right).   Washington Times, October 23, 2013:

Mark Witaschek, a successful financial adviser with no criminal record, is facing two years in prison for possession of unregistered ammunition after D.C. police raided his house looking for guns. Mr. Witaschek has never had a firearm in the city, but he is being prosecuted to the full extent of the law. The trial starts on Nov. 4.

The police banged on the front door of Mr. Witaschek’s Georgetown home at 8:20 p.m. on July 7, 2012, to execute a search warrant for “firearms and ammunition … gun cleaning equipment, holsters, bullet holders and ammunition receipts.”

More info:  For What It's Worth (blog), Washington Times, Jan 20, III Percenter (blog).


Next, that explosion in Minneapolis.  Remember?

Another story that has escaped a thorough analysis here at Ushanka.  Too many social engagements....

So you remember the vacant building next to the Mosque that experienced an explosion on New Year's day?  Three bodies were found, but not identified until much later.  There was no investigation because the building was destroyed a couple days later.  (Please read that last sentence again.)

Comrade Mr B posted about this today, and we have some hard-working bloggers digging into the story.  He links to Free North Carolina blog, and to the best analysis to-date at the Gates of Vienna blog.

Gates of Vienna lists the crimes that occurred after the explosion.  The coverup, the changing stories, the destruction of evidence, etc.  Fascinating.  We'd add that the MSM should be guilty of something for not keeping this story alive. 


And last.  Wyoming.

Rated the freest state year after year, the people of Wyoming should assume they are always in the cross hairs of those who dislike freedom. 

Apparently, a bureaucrat in the bowels of the EPA has decided the Wind River Indians deserve more land.  Debate?  Nah.  Just confiscate one million acres from the state of Wyoming and give that land to the Wind River reservation.  Who cares if non-Indians live on that land?  EPA PDF.

I got nothing else to say.  It appears it was that simple.  That blatant.

But hey, it couldn't happen here...

U/T: MoonBattery