Author Archives: michael smith
News To Know
09/03/2021
Questions Surround Military Equipment Left In Afghanistan
The U.S. provided an estimated $83 billion worth of training and equipment to Afghan security forces since 2001. This year, alone, the U.S. military aid to Afghan forces was $3 billion.
Putting price tags on American military equipment still in Afghanistan isn’t an easy task. In the fog of war – or withdrawal – Afghanistan has always been a black box with little sunshine.
Not helping transparency, the Biden Administration is now hiding key audits on Afghan military equipment. This week, our auditors at OpenTheBooks.com reposted two key reports on the U.S. war chest of military gear in Afghanistan that had disappeared from federal websites.
U.S. taxpayers paid for these audits and the U.S.-provided equipment and should be able to follow the money.
After publication, the GAO spokesman responded to our request for comment, “the State Department requested we temporarily remove and review reports on Afghanistan to protect recipients of US assistance that may be identified through our reports and thus subject to retribution.” However, these reports only have numbers and no recipient information.
Furthermore, unless noted, when estimating “acquisition value,” our source is the Department Logistics Agency (DLA) and their comprehensive databases of military equipment.
Between 2003 and 2016, the U.S. purchased and provided 75,898 vehicles and 208 aircraft, to the Afghan army and security forces, according to a Government Accountability Office report.
Here is a breakdown of estimated vehicle costs:
- Armored personnel carriers such as the M113A2 cost $170,000 each and recent purchases of the M577A2 post carrier cost $333,333 each.
- Mine resistant vehicles ranges from $412,000 to $767,000. The total cost could range between $382 million to $711 million.
- Recovery vehicles such as the ‘truck, wrecker’ cost between for the base model $168,960 and $880,674 for super strength versions.
- Medium range tactical vehicles include 5-ton cargo and general transport trucks were priced at $67,139. However, the family of MTV heavy vehicles had prices ranging from $235,500 to $724,820 each. Cargo trucks to transport airplanes cost $800,865.
- Humvees – ambulance type (range from $37,943 to $142,918 with most at $96,466); cargo type, priced at $104,682. Utility Humvees were typically priced at $91,429. However, the 12,000 lb. troop transport version cost up to $329,000.
- Light tactical vehicles: Fast attack combat vehicles ($69,400); and passenger motor vehicles ($65,500). All terrain 4-wheel vehicles go up to $42,273 in the military databases.
– Forbes
Opinion Piece
As if leaving Americans and allies in Afghanistan wasn’t enough, it is unacceptable by any measure to leave the enemy weapons, especially enemies who want the destruction of America itself. There was no reason to leave the equipment as it were unless there was an underlying agenda to do so. It’s difficult to argue that this was not done on purpose.
As Walter Blackman attested (a former serviceman for 21 years and acting chairman of the Criminal Justice Reform Judiciary) in an open statement.
To go further, the type of weaponry left behind was likely purposeful. Here is a breakdown of the equipment left on Afghan soil, in Taliban’s control:
News To Know
Biden Victory Margin Challenged
09/03/2021
Hans von Spakovsky, manager of the Heritage Foundation’s Election Law Reform Initiative and a senior legal fellow of the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies, said president Joe Biden’s margins of victory in Arizona, Nevada, and Wisconsin in the 2020 presidential election were narrower than the states’ respective totals of unaccounted-for ballots. Biden’s margin of victory in Wisconsin was approximately 20,000 votes despite the number of ballots “missing or undeliverable” in the state amounting to 83,000, von Spakovsky noted.
“Remember the margin of victory in Wisconsin was only 20,000 votes, and that basically 82,000 ballots were either lost or undeliverable or were rejected,” von Spakovsky said on Wednesday’s edition of SiriusXM’s Breitbart News Daily with host Alex Marlow. “That’s four times the margin of victory. Those are the numbers that the Wisconsin Election Commission itself reported to the U.S. Election Assistance Commission,” he added.
Von Spakovsky shared details of “unaccounted-for ballots” from a Daily Signal report“[The Wisconsin Election Commission] said 6,500 absentee ballots they mailed out were sent back by the postal service as ‘undeliverable’ [and] 3,000 ballots that came back were rejected. They don’t say why, but usually [a ballot is rejected] because, for example, the signature doesn’t match, indicating it may have been a fraudulent ballot,” he remarked. Wisconsin authorities cannot account for 76,000 ballots, von Spakovsky stated. “They don’t know what happened to them,” he said.
“In other words, voters requested an absentee ballot, or [Wisconsin officials] simply decided — in some places in Wisconsin — to simply mail out absentee ballots to everybody, and the ballot never came back, so it’s unaccounted for. These are the official numbers of the election commission [in Wisconsin], and we don’t know what happened to them. We don’t know if [the ballots] got lost [or] if they were stolen and somebody didn’t get to vote.”“This didn’t just happen in Wisconsin. The margin of victory in Arizona for Joe Biden was only a little over 10,000 votes. Maricopa County alone has admitted that they sent 110,000 mail-in or absentee ballots to what turned out to be the wrong addresses,” he continued. “They were labeled [and] returned as ‘undeliverable’ by the postal service,” he added. “Same thing in Nevada. Clark County sent out something like 93,000 mail-in ballots that are unaccounted for. In other words, they mailed it out [and] it never came back. We don’t know what happened to them, and remember, the margin of victory in the entire state was only a little over 33,000 ballots.”
“There are literally tens of thousands of ballots out there floating around, and we don’t know what happened to them,” he concluded. The Public Interest Legal Foundation reported that approximately 15 million mail ballots were unaccounted for in the 2020 election.
News To Know
Explosion Shakes Airport In Kabul–At Least 13 Dead
08/26/2021
Multiple explosions went off near Kabul’s Hamid Karzai International Airport on Thursday days before the United States expected to withdraw forces from Afghanistan.
The Pentagon confirmed one explosion near the airport Thursday morning. Fox News correspondent Jen Griffin reported another explosion immediately after at Kabul’s Baron Hotel, which has been a gathering place for Americans waiting to be evacuated from the country.
“We can confirm an explosion outside Kabul airport. Casualties are unclear at this time. We will provide additional details when we can,” Pentagon press secretary John Kirby posted on Twitter.
“A U.S. military official confirmed that at least one explosion had occurred at the Abbey Gate, a main entryway to the international airport. Early reports indicated that the explosion was caused by at least one suicide bomber wearing an explosive vest. It was unclear how many people were injured or whether anyone was killed, but large crowds have been gathering at the gate in recent days,” The New York Times reported.
“Elsewhere in the city, sporadic gunfire and alarms could heard from the airport,” the outlet added.
The attacks come as U.S. forces prepare to withdraw from Afghanistan and end a weeks-long rush to evacuate Americans and Afghan visa holders. The total number of injuries remain unclear, however a preliminary report indicates that at least 13 people are dead and numerous injured from the bombings.
Earlier on Thursday, multiple countries suspended evacuation operations over terror threats reported near the airport. Thousands of Afghans and westerners have gathered outside the perimeter of the airport over the weeks since the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, toppling the Afghan government and forcing the president to flee the country. Desperate Afghans have crowded around the airport attempting to catch a flight out of the country over fear of the coming Taliban rule.
Islamic State-affiliated terrorists have been reported to be in the area, setting off security alerts among U.S. officials. On Wednesday, the U.S. embassy in Afghanistan sent out an alert to Americans still in the country, warning them to stay away from the airport.
“Because of security threats outside the gates of Kabul airport, we are advising U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the airport and to avoid airport gates at this time unless you receive individual instructions from a U.S. government representative to do so,” the alert said.
On Tuesday, Biden rebuffed calls from U.S. allies and declined to extend the August 31 deadline for U.S. forces in Afghanistan over security risks and the need for cooperation from the Taliban for further evacuations.
“The sooner we can finish, the better,” Biden said during an address as the White House. “Every day we’re on the ground is another day we know that [Islamic State-affiliate] ISIS-K is seeking to target the airport, attack both U.S. and allied forces and innocent civilians.”
“Thus far, the Taliban have been taking steps to work with us so we can get our people out,” he said. “But it’s a tenuous situation. We’ve already had some gun fighting break out. We run a serious risk of it breaking down, as time goes on.”
The Daily Wire
Opinion Piece
It is difficult to believe that this entire ordeal was due to a mistake or miscalculation. All evidence thus far likely contains no coincidences, and that the pull-out of Afghanistan and the resulting violence was planned. Biden is likely not calling the shots. He makes appearances without taking questions, or in the case of a statement he was making last evening, the White House cut the microphone off, avoiding an answer from the obviously senile president.
News To Know
08/25/2021
President Biden is struggling to provide a message of strength and confidence amid international scorn and uncertainty over his handling of the U.S. military drawdown in Afghanistan — showing up late to speeches, refusing to answer reporters’ questions, and largely avoiding the White House press corps ever since Taliban insurgents took over the country in a matter of days.
Biden’s remarks Tuesday from the White House were delayed more than four hours after being rescheduled twice, and the U.S. evacuation effort in Afghanistan was the last topic he addressed after touting his Build Back Better agenda.
“He made us wait a number of hours and then touted a $5 trillion liberal wish list that will increase greater inflation and transform our country in the worst way possible,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy fumed during a press briefing Wednesday morning.
“The most embarrassing part though, was that he refused to take questions, and he turned his back and walked away — an image that has come to define him and his presidency,” McCarthy said. “He turned his back on our own citizens stranded in Afghanistan, he’s turned our back on our allies and partners, he’s turned his back on his duties as commander in chief.”
Biden has repeatedly defended his plan to withdraw American troops from Afghanistan, while tens of thousands of U.S. citizens, allies and Afghans vulnerable to Taliban reprisal are desperately trying to flee the country through Kabul’s airport, which has been surrounded by militants.
Biden assured Americans just last month that a Taliban takeover of Afghanistan was not likely and that he trusted “the capacity of the Afghan military.” The president largely avoided cameras during the debacle, watching the Aug. 15 fall of Kabul unfold last weekend from the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.
Three days later, Biden was fiercely criticized after he gave public remarks about COVID-19 and failed to address the situation in Afghanistan or take any questions. He later sat down with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos and said the “chaos” in Kabul was inevitable. It was only the ninth cable news interview of his presidency and the second with Stephanopoulos, placing him far behind his predecessors in terms of TV appearances.
On Friday, Biden was nearly an hour late to give remarks further defending his Afghanistan withdrawal.
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki had an “out of office” email message for one week starting the same day Kabul collapsed.
Vice President Kamala Harris, who previously said she had a key role in Biden’s decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, has also managed to stay relatively silent on the crisis, embarking on her first official visit to Southeast Asia this week.
“The president never shies away from taking questions,” White House communications director Kate Bedingfield insisted during a Friday appearance on MSNBC.
The White House didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
Fox News
News To Know
08/20/2021
Forward
In an effort to preserve news and information that is otherwise censored, Brian’s Daily Exposure is launching News To Know. With control of information, today’s media has weaponized it, meaning a radical left agenda is the narrative. The term ‘fake news’ has taken on an entirely different meaning, in that sometimes it can be classified by what is not reported, versus what is. This is what propaganda looks like at its core.
As the news is released, News To Know will gather it, then document it here. Readers are encouraged to read, draw their own conclusions, and be the critical thinkers they should be. Flock mentality is discouraged, and questioning everything in an unbiased forum, encouraged. These things are absent in today’s media coverage, and journalism has appeared to take on more of an activist role than a journalistic one.
Yes, true journalism is close to death.
This is news, uncut, and uncensored. The truth concerning the past and present, with a dose of integrity, is what the typical American desires. Surely you’ve asked yourself or others, “Why won’t they just report the news without their biased opinions?”
If readers are able to get only the news, they are also able to form their own opinion(s).
News and illustrations that are used here will be cited. All channels of media from every spectrum will be utilized. An Opinion Piece will be featured with each article, and will be labeled as such. Also, readers are encouraged to chime in, either on this platform or via email. An email address will be added for correspondence soon.
Welcome, to News To Know.
Throughout America: 20 Years of Personal Discovery – Chapt. 13
Hot Stuff
There is so much to share about California, such as the attractions and many wonders like Yosemite National Park, Death Valley National Park, Redwood National Forest, and many others. We will touch more on parks later in the series, where national and state parks will be the focus.
After nearly 3 years in the Sacramento area, the next hotel assignment took me to Scottsdale, Arizona. I arrived there in late August, so needless to say, the introduction to the Sonoran Desert was a surreal one. The air temperature was a scolding 115 degrees. I often heard from others that it’s a “dry heat” but truth be told, it can only be compared to an oven. When the wind blew, it felt like a hair dryer blowing in my face. And although we sweat in this type of climate, there is no trace of it on the skin, as it dries before it can accumulate.
The Sonoran Desert is massive, covering an area of about 100,000 square miles. It makes up most of the desert southwest, extending in to California and northern Mexico. There are many notable things about this region, but despite the arid climate, many plant species flourish. The most popular plant, the saguaro cactus, grows naturally only in the Sonoran Desert, and no other place in the world. I never imagined them in person, as they towered high, between 10 and 50 feet in height. These fascinating plants typically live for 150-200 years. It is illegal to meddle with them in any way. I remember an occasion when a motorist hit one, destroying it. He was fined heavily, accident or not.
In this harsh region, only the strong survive. Insects and animals have adapted, but just like nearly all life there, there comes danger. Scorpions are plentiful, as are the venomous snakes. I thought it was a description of lore when I was told that there were Gila monsters amongst us in the desert. I scoffed, but when I was shown what one was, I was taken aback.
Gila monsters are not an animal of fairy tales. As it turns out, they are the only venomous lizard native to America. However, they are rarely a danger to humans. Because of its namesake and rumored reputation as being aggressive, some who encounter these species of lizards kill them. They too, are protected by Arizona state law, as they are nearing endangered status.
Another animal of interest is the javelina. Some mistaken these herbivores for pigs, but it is anything but. Javelinas are a species of the Tayassuidae family, sometimes also called skunk hogs. They are closer in nature to goats than pigs. I didn’t really know about these animals until I encountered a small herd of them. Many rumors circulate that javelinas are aggressive, but that’s simply not the case. While there is potential for injury, it is rare. They have poor eyesight, and mistakenly charge blindly when there is an encounter with a human. While my encounter was a peaceful one, never get close enough to take a picture such as the one below like I did.
All told, I spent about 3 years in Arizona, and like California, there is plenty to keep the typical explorer busy. The Grand Canyon, Meteor Crater, and a list of other points of interest will be discussed in a chapter covering only national and state parks. I suppose I had better get busy digging through the dusty box that holds years of photographic images from one coast to the other.
To learn more about the state of Arizona and things to do, click here.
Benedetto’s And Kumquat Growers Team Up For Grand Tour
It was warm and slightly overcast, making for a comfortable day to explore and tour. We were extended an invite to the Kumquat Growers Citrus Farm and Benedetto’s owner Ben Pumo’s adjacent farm and hydroponic garden, located at 31647 Gude Rd. in Dade City, FL. As is always the case, we never pass it up. Supporting our local businesses and causes is always priority one.
In an area surrounded by lush forests, cow pastures, and farms, the setting couldn’t have been better. We arrived in time for the tour of both locations, complete with a tour tram that comfortably transported the visitors to the kumquat packing house and gift shop, the kumquat groves, then to the birthplace of fresh vegetables that Chef Ben Pumo proudly serves at his restaurant in Land ‘O Lakes.
Greg Gude, whose family has been growing on this land for generations, led the tour of the kumquat portion of the visit. He explained the history and uses of kumquats, and even demonstrated how to enjoy the fruit in its raw form. There were samples of kumquat pie and other edibles that were simply delicious, and pleased the crowd. To explore more about the Kumquat Growers and rich history, visit their website here.
After our visit to the kumquat farm, the tram headed to Ben Pumo’s farm and garden. This is the pride of Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano, located at 21529 Village Lakes Sopping Center Dr., in Land ‘O Lakes, FL. Vegetables served in his restaurant are grown right here, with no chemicals or pesticides. While the cost is a little more than purchasing from suppliers, it’s obvious that there is a motive: Quality.
Ben led the group to his garden, where it was his turn to explain exactly what he does there and the type of vegetables grown. He explained the hydroponic process, as well as dishes he uses his vegetables in. If you’ve eaten at his restaurant, it all makes complete sense. Food is second to none in quality, taste, and presentation.
This group gathering was especially important to Ben, because his guests are also friends of his. He partners with them in the annual Gasperilla Parade. Called the Spirit of Cigar City Krewe, the collective members of the group have their own float in the parade. But, they do have a vision. According to their group site on Facebook, they are a “group of business men and women from different walks of life and from different locations, but with one belief. That belief is to promote the history of Tampa, Ybor City, and their diverse heritages by supporting charities and fostering civic pride.
To learn more about the Spirit of Cigar City Krewe, go to their website here.
As a friendly gesture to his friends and visitors, Ben put together quite the outdoor dining set. Friends of the group brought dishes to compliment each other. The sun was going down, and folks were ready to relax to a tasty meal near the fire. The only sounds to be heard in this quiet country location was the laughter and chatter. The food was impeccable, and at the end of the evening, guests were happy to have spent their day at the grove and farm.
Both locations are highly recommended for a leisure day out for the entire family. And Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano? Any occasion will do!
Trump’s Triumphant Return
by Brian Michael Smith
Leading up to Trump’s election as President of the United States, rally’s were very common for the billionaire developer. It was his way of reaching out to the masses with his messages and agendas. He was well on his way to Making America Great Again. We were there during his rally in February of 2016 at USF in Tampa, and when Trump took to the stage on July 31 at the Florida State Fairgrounds, also in Tampa, we were there again. But this time, in much better seats.
I got a special invite this time around – no press pass necessary. Friend Ben Pumo, owner of Benedetto’s Italiano Ristorante, 21529 Village Lakes Shopping Center Dr. in Land O’ Lakes, FL, is also the NFIB Florida PAC Chairman. NFIB (National Federation of Independent Business) is “the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals.”
The NFIB sent Ben Pumo two VIP invites, and he extended one of them to me. This meant that we were seated behind Trump during his address to the massive audience. Speaking of which, the crowd was so large that thousands couldn’t get in. Trump’s team learned from the past, so they installed a large projector and speakers outside for the ones who couldn’t squeeze inside. Don’t believe the media, I saw it firsthand.
The anticipation was an anxious one. To be just several feet away from our president to show our support was an amazing opportunity, and we both made the very best of it.
Trump didn’t miss a beat, nor did he disappoint his supporters. His message was quite consistent, as he touched on not only the accomplishments over the months since being elected, and the agenda for the future, including the battle to ‘drain the swamp’ as he promised to do upon being sworn in as president. Trump had another motive for his visit to Florida. He was also there to officially endorse Ron Desantis, who is running for Governor of Florida.
Of course, the media got their usual dose of reality, but this time, it was from the crowd. While CNN reporter Jim Acosta was broadcasting live, rally-goers chanted, “CNN sucks!” It’s worthy to note that CNN did not broadcast the event.
Of course, there were the usual protesters, but not really in large numbers. It would appear that Trump supporters are tiring of the constant attacks, and are fighting back with counter protests. This may be playing a part in smaller protest crowds.
Trump also showed his humorous side. When addressing his critics who say that Trump doesn’t act presidential enough, he had quite the comeback, saying, “It’s a lot easier to act presidential than to do what I do.”
On his way to the stage exit, Trump stopped long enough to autograph a baseball, and playfully throw it back.
Veterans Day: The 11th Hour, 11th Day, and 11th Month
Some of us remember why holidays or observations are important, or at least important enough to designate a day of the year to it. When we ask kids if they know the meaning, most will contend it’s a day they don’t have to go to school, or align it with another day, out of confusion. To clarify to our young and the folks who don’t give it much thought, and in honor of our veterans who’ve served and risked it all, we want to explain to our local community what it means to us.
We have two major holidays honoring those who served. Memorial Day, for those who died for The United States of America, and Veterans Day, for those who bravely served in the armed forces for The United States of America. Many in this country who’ve served have been forgotten or lost in the cracks, and although we’ll leave politics out of this, it’s a shame for the ones who fought and volunteered to protect our great country and go widely unappreciated.
After World War I (most hostilities ended with the German signing of the Armistice, on the 11th hour, 11th day and the 11th month in 1918), Veterans Day was on its way to being observed. Thereafter, then-U.S. President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11th as our Armistice Day in 1919. President Wilson said of his Proclamation of Veterans Day:
“To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”
Let’s not forget the ones who cannot attend our cook-outs, football games this weekend or the parents, children, and friends of these brave souls who continue fighting for a free country. Oh, how some take Veterans Day and many other observances for granted. All of us wouldn’t be enjoying the quality of our lives without their dedication, sacrifice and service. I implore all to find ways of helping our veterans who’ve been used for a great cause and then forgotten, and those who sit by themselves wondering why this great country is slowly forgetting why Veterans Day comes every November 11.
A special thanks to all who have served in order to bring peace to all Americans. We know you did it without wanting a badge of heroism, and in our eyes will go down as the reason our Constitution will continue to be worth fighting for, many generations to come.
May we not take it for granted.
Freedom from the Kingdom: Independence Day
I remember back when we arrived in our classrooms at the beginning of the school day, nothing could commence before placing our right hands over our hearts and citing the Pledge of Allegiance. We would all face the flag that a student either held or was on a pole hanging from the wall. Every class had our national flag, and every student paid their respect.
Where has the proud, patriotic symbolism of our love for the United States gone?
I suppose we could debate this question among certain groups to no end. But as Americans, we all have the right to still pledge allegiance to our country, complete with ‘One Nation, Under God’ in our hearts and voices. The meaning of our freedom has been lost by those who haven’t fought for it, or those that take it for granted. But on July 4th, Americans who still have love for their country, the celebration really begins.
The date was July 4, 1776. It was the day the United States revealed the Declaration of Independence, thus declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. While the American Revolution was in full swing, legal separation of the 13 colonies took place (July 2, 1776). The United States had prepared a special document explaining this to the world. Thomas Jefferson led the way in writing the Declaration of Independence, a document that would solidify the United States as the land of the free and brave.
While the actual legal separation of the colonies from Great Britain was on July 2, 1776, Americans came to celebrate the federal holiday on July 4, the day the declaration was presented. There are also disputed dates among historians who claim the declaration wasn’t actually signed on that date. Additionally, John Adams wrote on July 3, 1776, to his wife:
“The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
John Adams was close. By a couple days.
But he was right about one thing: It has been ‘celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival.’ What’s more fascinating is that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only two signers of the Declaration of Independence to go on to be President, both died on July 4, 1826. Coincidence?
Here we are, arriving at July 4, 2017, two hundred and forty one years later. Our founding father’s were on to something big, as the United States went on to be the envy of the world.
Our family will observe Independence Day as a gift of freedom. The smell of barbecue and sounds of children laughing will be in the air. I think our founders had this very vision in mind. We’re eternally thankful.
Happy Independence Day to all our friends across the country!
Brian's Daily Exposure 