Recently, the TSA has adopted another scare-tactic, warning people that charging their phones at airports might infect their phones with viruses which will steal their identities and personal information (including credit card data).

Well, first off; this threat is WAY overblown!  There is no known technology which can do this under any circumstances other than a laboratory environment with very controlled conditions which the average person would never face in public.  But let's examine why (and, I happen to know a bit of what I am talking about here).

First...in order to anything to "infect" your phone, or any other device, there has to be an intelligent mechanism nearby (i.e. like a storage device and a processor).  Even if it's networked...which would mean the airport is "in on" the hack...there still has to be a storage device to host the malicious software.  No airport would voluntarily participate in such a caper.  

Secondly, your phone (or other device) would have to be set up to willingly accept downloads from any unknown source.  Anyone with even reasonably updated OS's and even OEM virus protection would never allow this.  Not ever.  At minimum, you have to give your mobile device permission to accept a download, and you will be presented with numerous options to prevent its installation.  Even beyond this, there is no way, other than the lowest IQ, who would allow their device to be taken over even for a second by a 3rd party.  Now, people ask about 3rd party WiFi at airports (something I know about quite well).  Yes, a user will be asked to accept certain terms and agreements, BUT, this is the ONLY allowance permitted on a device.  Side note - Just think about this for a moment...if an airport or other public space knowingly allowed damaging or criminal malware and/or viruses to be inserted into their devices, how long do you think these networks would be deemed acceptable before they became the subject of every hacker blog and sensationalized news site on the planet?  Like 5 minutes maybe?  Bottom line, they'd be taken down instantly.  BUT, there's more. ...

Malware isn't just harmful to the user, it's also harmful to the host.  You see, these people don't care; they are looking for maximum impact in the shortest amount of time with the most amount of damage...and hosts are an even better target.  A user is one person, but a host is tens of thousands of users...possibly even millions.  A host has exactly zero incentive to allow such malicious software to exist on their networks.  This isn't about bulletproof security as much as it is about overwhelming business incentives to prevent such things.  But, there's even more. ...

Up to this point, in what I've written so far, a person could say..."yeah, yeah, but you're biased".  Even though I could go into volumes about why I am not biased (I don't work for an airport authority), this goes beyond the point.  I am appealing to common sense here, and nothing more.  There is also one other (perhaps even more significant) thing to consider, and this is regulatory oversight.  Airports have lots of rules.  LOTS.  There are more regulatory rules at an airport than most people could even imagine.  And, it's not a big stretch to imagine that security might be a big portion of these.  If there were huge and unresolved security issues on an airport network (the ones who transport this data), then there would also be an indefensible position that their whole network(s) are vulnerable to control by outside, evil, doers.  Right?  So, I don't think I should have to go very far to reinforce how dim of a view airports would have to such an event (even one, let alone thousands)!

Furthermore, I need to address a concept known in the airport world as "concessions".  A concession is a vendor who sets up shop at their own expense and pays rent.  In theory, they control everything about their world.  Take a food vendor like McDonald's; they're concession.  And McDonald's often offers free things like Wifi (just to get you to eat there...it's called "dwell time", btw.)  However, if McDonald's were determined to have a serious security breach in the USB plug ins at their restauraunts, then an airport would shut that service down (immediately) until the breach was corrected.  Why?  Because public relations is a really big issue at airports (Gawd knows with all the bad press EVERY airport gets over the TSA, which everyone universally hates!)

So, there's no way...that an innocent USB charging station at any serious airport is ever going to infect your phone.  And...

...the TSA led scare that this is even possible is just pure "DOOM PORN"...nothing more.  You don't have to trust me, you can go test it for yourself.  Just don't be surprised if, when testing, you get locked out of the network.  Why?  Because you're doing exactly what they are trying to prevent.

You can safely charge your phone or other USB device at any airport without worry.  There are so many checks and balances to prevent anything bad from happening it would make your head spin.  Now, at Juan's Taco Shack food truck, maybe not, but at a full blown airport, it's not a worry.

Just stop it, TSA!!  We don't need you, and we never did!

Where do you guys host your pictures?

I assume, looking at the "Insert Pictures" function, that you need to place a URL in the 'http://' box (thus the reference to a web address), so to me this means I need a host to upload and store the pictures in order to generate a linkable URL from it, correct?  If so, is there a favorite place to do this?  I used to use Imgur (I think), but it's been a while.  That was kind of a pain in the butt to get them loaded and then generate a link (required about 5 steps or more).  I'm hoping someone has an easier way to do this so pictures can be posted quickly.

Appreciate any info which members or staff can provide.

Thanks!

I hadn’t heard of it until covid and happened onto a news article about it.  It’s about Jesus’ ministry and him choosing his disciples, hence the name of the series.

I know there’s been many movies about Jesus but this series is awesome.  It’s told in a way through the eyes of the disciples.  Yes, there’s some non biblical liberties that have been taken as is done with most productions based on true stories but I’ve watched the first 4 seasons several times over the past few years.

Season 5 premiers this Sunday on Prime but will be released later in the summer on the free app.  The producer, Dallas Jenkins, has vowed to always be able to make it free.  

Anyway I just wanted to share in case anyone hadn’t heard of it.  Please check it out if you haven’t already.

Mae

None essential personnel and dependents were being evacuated from some of our Military bases in the great garden spot of the Mid-East. The prep work has been going on for a couple of weeks. Now we wait and see what Iran can do about it..  

Quote:World News
breaking
Israel launches air strikes on Iran’s nuclear program: ‘If we don’t act now, there will not be another generation’
By
Samuel Chamberlain,
Caitlin Doornbos,
Victor Nava and
Anna Young
Published June 12, 2025
Updated June 12, 2025, 11:22 p.m. ET




Israel launched air strikes inside Iran late Thursday in its latest effort to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program – an operation military leaders said they had “no choice” but to carry out.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Operation “Rising Lion” targeted several sites across the Iranian capital to dismantle the country’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories and military – in a mission to “roll back” Iran’s threat to Israel’s “very survival.”
Though the extent of damage remains unclear, the attack reportedly killed a high-ranking general and nuclear scientists as explosions boomed across Tehran.
8
Israel launched air strikes inside Iran late Thursday, the latest effort by the Jewish state to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program. X/IsraeliPM
8
Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran. AP

Quote:World News
breaking
Israel launches air strikes on Iran’s nuclear program, killing top military officials: ‘If we don’t act now, there will not be another generation’
By
Samuel Chamberlain,
Caitlin Doornbos,
Victor Nava and
Anna Young
Published June 12, 2025
Updated June 12, 2025, 11:22 p.m. ET




Israel launched air strikes inside Iran late Thursday in its latest effort to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program – an operation military leaders said they had “no choice” but to carry out.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Operation “Rising Lion” targeted several sites across the Iranian capital to dismantle the country’s nuclear infrastructure, ballistic missile factories and military – in a mission to “roll back” Iran’s threat to Israel’s “very survival.”
Though the extent of damage remains unclear, the attack reportedly killed a high-ranking general and nuclear scientists as explosions boomed across Tehran.

Israel launched air strikes inside Iran late Thursday, the latest effort by the Jewish state to destroy Tehran’s nuclear program. X/IsraeliPM
8
Smoke rises after an explosion in Tehran, Iran. AP

“We can’t leave these threats for the next generation,” Netanyahu said during an address shared on YouTube, pressing that the attacks will continue for “as many days as it takes.”
Explore More

“Because if we don’t act now, there will not be another generation. If we don’t act now, we simply won’t be here. We have internalized the lessons of history. When an enemy says he intends to destroy you — believe him,” he continued.
“When the enemy develops the capabilities to destroy you — stop him.”
A recent report that Iran had enriched enough uranium to build nuclear bombs within days was confirmed, a source told The Post Thursday night, adding that is why the strike occurred.
Gen. Hossein Salami, the head of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, and Mohammad Bagheri, the chief of the country’s military, are believed to have been killed in the barrage, as were two nuclear scientists, Iran’s state media said, according to the Times of Israel.
8
A map showing the cities that Israel targeted in Iran during the first wave of Operation Rising Lion on Thursday.
8
“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. AP
The Revolutionary Guard oversees Iran’s ballistic missiles, which it has used twice to strike Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7, 2023.
The Jewish state also targeted Iran’s main nuclear enrichment facility in Natanz — where black smoke was seen billowing from the building, Iranian state media showed.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the US was “not involved” in the strike.

“Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” he said.
“Israel advised us that they believe this action was necessary for its self-defense. President Trump and the Administration have taken all necessary steps to protect our forces and remain in close contact with our regional partners. Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel.”
However, the US may be forced to act to protect Israel — and prevent the Jewish state from using its nuclear weapons, a source said.
8
Smoke rises from a damaged building in Tehran, Iran, after the air strikes. AP
The US Embassy in Israel has since directed all US government employees and their family members to shelter in place until further notice.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the Jewish state had reached a “point of no return.”
“We cannot wait for another time to act, we have no choice,” he said in remarks published by the IDF.
“History, both distant and recent, has taught us that in the face of ambitions to destroy us, we must not bow our heads, and so we fight to preserve our existence. Freedom is granted to those who are willing to fight for it.”
8
A video grab of Israel striking Iran’s capital, Tehran. Reuters
Iran threatened to retaliate — with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing that Israel will face “severe punishment” after the strikes, he said in a statement shared by the state-run INRA news agency.
At the White House earlier Thursday, President Trump said an Israeli airstrike “looks like it’s something that could very well happen” — but stopped short of saying an operation was “imminent.”
Danny Danon, the Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, urged the Security Council to support the Jewish state.

“This is a moment to make moral decisions. Stand by Israel or you will be partners in a dangerous silence.”
While some US officials have come out in opposition to Israel’s latest attack, Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, a vocal supporter of the Jewish state, said officials should do whatever it takes to wipe out “Iranian leadership” and “nuclear personnel.”
“Our commitment to Israel must be absolute and I fully support this attack,” the Democrat said on X.
8
This handout photo released by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Sepah News Telegram channel on June 13, 2025 reportedly shows a building in Tehran hit in an Israeli strike on the Iranian capital early in the morning. SEPAH NEWS/AFP via Getty Images
8
People gather in the street near an emergency vehicle in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, in Tehran. via REUTERS
“Keep wiping out Iranian leadership and the nuclear personnel. We must provide whatever is necessary – military, intelligence, weaponry – to fully back Israel in striking Iran.”
Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) said America “stands ready to work with President Trump and with our allies in Israel to restore peace in the region and, first and foremost, to defend the American people from Iranian aggression, especially our troops and civilians serving overseas.”
“Iran must never gain access to a nuclear weapon,” he said in a statement.

Democrats losing it bigtime as their Cartel $$$ are drying up.

This Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) is obviously a dangerous mental case.

Doesn't he know Noem gets hundreds of threats and she has security everywhere?

Air India flight AI 171, a Boeing 787, was carrying at least 244 people on board. Preliminary reports indicate the plane crashed in a residential neighborhood about five minutes after taking off around 1:38 p.m. The flight was bound for London’s Gatwick Airport.

"FACT FOCUS: A Craigslist Ad Is Not Proof of Paid Protesters in LA. It Was Posted as a Prank"

Quote:    CLAIM: A Craigslist ad seeking “the toughest badasses in the city” is proof that Los Angeles demonstrations over immigration raids are made up of paid protesters.
    THE FACTS: This is false. The ad, which appeared in Craigslist's Los Angeles section for general labor jobs, was bait for a prank show and had nothing to do with the protests in Los Angeles, the ad's creator told The Associated Press. It was posted on Thursday, the day before the protests began. In a livestreamed episode on Friday, the show's hosts called and spoke with people who responded to the ad.
   
    “I literally had no idea it was ever going to be connected to the riots. It was a really weird coincidence,” said Joey LaFleur, who posted the ad on Craigslist.
    The ad was developed as part of a new prank show called “Goofcon1,” said LaFleur, who hosts the podcast with Logan Quiroz. On their show Friday, the day protests began, they spoke live on the phone with people who responded during Goofcon1’s third episode.

A sex attack happened in Ballymena Northern Ireland a couple of days ago and two 14-year-old boys were charged with attempted rape of a teenage girl, they were remanded in custody when they appeared at Coleraine Magistrates' Court on Monday , a Romanian interpreter also attended the court hearing giving an indication of the nationality of the alleged offenders. Last night angry locals took to the streets to vent their anger as I have read this isn't the first sex attack to happen in the locality.

Obviously I have to be careful what I say but I can give some advice to migrants in the area ... Don't piss off the Irish , especially the Northern Irish !

The house the migrants were supposedly living in has been torched along the house next door.
 

If they keep pushing this multicultural disaster on us more of this stuff will happen , politicians only have themselves to blame and will reap their reward at the ballot box next election.

The other day I read some article which was talking about a Navy frigate.  I wondered...what is the difference between a frigate and a destroyer?  Then I got to wondering about naval ship sizes in general.  The gist of the one article I was reading was how a Navy frigate outgrew its utility.  Now, I've talked about this theme related to the military (in general) here before.  The theme is, the military just can't do anything small; everything they do has to be huge.  Never was this theme more true when talking about US Navy ships.  I'll cut to the chase here and describe what I'm talking about, then circle back to this part.

As part of my research, I looked at modern day ships as well has ship sizes throughout naval history.  Almost without exception, the following progression happens every single time.  ...

The Navy will build a small(er), highly efficient, and very effective ship, and then they will "improve" them.  The "new and improved" ship will be bigger, less efficient and less effective.  Over time, the same type of ship will grow so large and become so inefficient that it can no longer even be called that class of ship any longer and has to be re-classified as the next larger class above it.  So, frigates grow, and grow, and get heavier and slower, until they can no longer be called "frigates" anymore and have be called "destroyers".  Destroyers will grow, and grow, until they can no longer be called destroyers and have to be called "cruisers".  And so on, and so on.  If you look at the history of the Navy, this happens every time.  The problem becomes when a frigate (for example) becomes too large to be called a frigate, and now has to be called a destroyer, it is not effective as a frigate and it is not effective as a destroyer.  They're just not effective at anything.  Same for destroyers, and cruisers.  

Where I got off on this tangent was thinking about how the US Navy doesn't really have any good brown/green water ships; they're all so big they have to be blue water boats.  So, what happens when a brown/green water threat shows up?  (the most likely threat, btw).  The Littoral Combat Ship (designed to address this issue) has been a catastrophic failure.  They will be retired before they ever see service (they're THAT bad)!  There is a huge gap right now between a 'coastal patrol boat' and a frigate (the next larger ship).  Yet, every other navy on the planet is bristling with patrol boats.  Yes, this is the US Coast Guard's area of responsibility but the USCG is not set up to fight a war, unlike the Navy.

Destroyers too are the same way.  The primary function of a destroyer is to protect the fleet.  But destroyers today have become so big they're now called missile cruisers, and while they might be capable of defending the fleet against other ships (sort of), they're very little deterrent to aircraft, particularly swarmed aircraft like say drones.  

Yes, if you look, you will still see names like 'frigate' and 'destroyer', but if you look at the evolution of these ships over time, they have all gotten progressively bigger to the point they no longer serve their intended role.  A missile cruiser, for example, is most effective against land based targets which doesn't have anything to do with protecting the fleet.  And then I suppose we have to ask, what is a "fleet" today?  Well, predominantly aircraft carriers now.  So, now aircraft carriers are pretty much left to defend themselves.

I really wonder what would happen if we were to get into a full blown war with another large naval power?  I fear we wouldn't fare as well as our military brass is telling Congress (when requesting funding).  If the mix of ships in the Navy is wrong, then naval power of the nation is at risk.  All great big, expensive, floating targets.  

Lastly, remember it wasn't some awesome superpower with a great big, expensive, technically advanced military which toppled the twin WTC towers on 9-11.  No, it was a handful of guys with box cutters and (4) unarmed airliners.  The point here being, it's not the great big, expensive, enemy who does the most damage; it's the little guy you don't see coming.  Just ask Putin, the guy who just lost 1/3 of his entire nuclear capable air force to less than a half dozen well timed strikes with weapons which you can buy at Best-Buy for a few hundred bucks.  Oh, and it wasn't some super massive force which just about sank the entire US Navy on Dec. 7th 1941 either.

But hey, we have drones right??  Heh, yeah, great big, expensive, ones which are too big to be called drones, so they're called UAV's.  (I've been saying this for years, but it doesn't appear anyone is listening).

We're fighting a war against an adversary who doesn't exist anymore. A ghost.