We need to learn quickly to keep up with the massive change around us so we don't get run over. We need to outrun change.
Hyperinflation is running rampant in Venezuela. Previous post described the deteriorating exchange rate in 2020 and thus far in 2021.
Let’s take a longer-term view to see the devastation of hyperinflation over the course of several years. We will turn to data available from Wikipedia in the article Hyperinflation in Venezuela.
Continue reading “This is hyperinflation, Venezuela edition. Courtesy of socialism, as usual. Part 2.”
Socialism in Venezuela has produced the expected results – poverty, a collapsing economy, and people fleeing for their lives. Twenty some odd years of socialism has also produced another foreseeable consequence – hyperinflation.
Let’s track the exchange rate of Venezuelan Bolivars to US dollar as an indicator.
According to Exchange-Rates.org, here is exchange rate of the Venezuelan bolivar to dollar from 9/11/20 through 3/5/21. Here is the month end data:
Continue reading “This is hyperinflation, Venezuela edition. Courtesy of socialism, as always. Part 1.”
The United States is working on developing a new ICBM to replace the Minuteman III and new Stealth bomber to replace the B-2.
1/15/21 – Air Force Magazine – Second B-21 Under Construction as Bomber Moves Toward First Flight – Northrop Grumman is building a second B-21 Raider bomber. The first is expected to roll off the production line early in 2020 and fly sometime the following summer. Goal is for the newest bar to operational in 2026 or maybe 2027.
Cost of the first 100 off the production line is expected to be around $80 billion adjusted to 2016 dollars. That is around $800 million a piece.
Continue reading “US is developing new ICBM and new strategic bomber.”
Previous posts in this series describe a luxurious 87 m yacht, the 66 m support yacht, and all the ancillary equipment carried on board, such as a personal submarine, helicopter, and five speedboats.
One final thought – curb your envy.
First post in this series described a luxury yacht and its associated support yacht. Second post made some guesses on the price tag for the two yachts along with a private jet this person owns.
Now this look at some of the auxiliary equipment, referred to as “toys” in the trade magazines, carried on the support yacht.
Helicopter
Articles above describing the Honan say it is rated for a helicopter such as an EC145. Controller website lists several EC 145 for sale with prices shown for three:
In June 2010 America and the Lakota Sioux people lost a hero.
Clarence Wolf Guts was born and raised on the Rosebud Reservation in the south-central area of South Dakota. During World War II he served as a code talker with other men from the reservation. There were about a dozen code talkers using the Sioux language.
Continue reading “Lakota Sioux Code Talker Clarence Wolf Guts. My newest hero.”
Previous post described a huge luxury yacht and a slightly smaller yacht used his support to carry the helicopter, submarine, and five small (?) support boats.
Totally wild guesses on costs
The accountant in me is incapable of using a high-powered telescope to glimpse inside this rarefied world without wondering about the costs. So…
While on vacation recently in San Diego I saw a huge yacht parked in San Diego harbor. This one looked weird, with a helicopter and several boats on the deck. A few hours later another yacht pulled into the harbor, dropping anchor many hundred feet away.
Noticed the name on the side of the first ship was Hodor. Well, of course I did a quick check on the ole’ internet and learned it is a support yacht.
While his clothes were on fire after an improved explosive device blew up the vehicle he was riding in, Army Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe returned to the burning vehicle, pulling out a soldier, then another, then another.
Ultimately he pulled six Americans and one national translator from the burning vehicle. Did I mention that his clothing was on fire as he removed each of the soldiers?
Sgt. Cashe is credited with saving the lives of six American soldiers. The national translator, working to free his people, died from the attack. Ten American soldiers were injured, seven seriously.
With 2nd and 3rd burns spread over 72% of his body, Sgt. Cashe died from his wounds a few weeks later.
America is so blessed that we keep finding men like Sergeant First Class Alwyn Cashe.
He was awarded the Silver Star. It took a while for the chain of command to fully understand the depth of his heroism. He will now finally get an even more appropriate award.
UPI reports on 11/11/20 that the Senate approved awarding Medal of Honor for Sgt. Alwyn Cashe.
Background articles on:
9/8/20 – Wall Street Journal – The Jumbo Jet Was the Pinnacle of Air Luxury – Now It’s Days Are Numbered – Boeing will shut its 747 production line in 2022 when the last of the already ordered freighters is completed. Airbus will close its A380 super jumbo line in 2021 when the last dozen planes are finished. The double-decker A380 was designed as the peer-to-peer competitor to the 747.
Article has lots of fun stats on both planes. I will provide some of the fun detail:
The 747 was the revolutionary jumbo jet. It opened up international travel to the masses. It was a major part of the rapid expansion in air travel.
The 747 debuted in 1969. The A380 in 2000 with first commercial flight in 2007.
Over 50 years there have been 1,556 747s produced. Forecast for the A380 had been 1,200 planes but only 242 have been delivered.
Seating capacity:
The UH-1 Huey has been used by the U.S. military for decades.
For your viewing pleasure, check out these photos of the restored aircraft on the flight deck of the Midway Museum.
As shown in the following graph, crude oil production increased again in August 2020. It is up 122,351 barrels of oil per day (bopd) over revised July amount, which follows a 148,343 bopd increase over June.
Continue reading “Oil production in North Dakota continues recovery in August 2020.”
The A-4 Skyhawk was an attack aircraft used by the Navy during the Vietnam war. For your viewing pleasure, check out these photos of the restored aircraft on the flight deck of the Midway Museum.
The F9F Panther was the first carrier based jet fighter to see combat in the Korean War.
While we were in San Diego recently, we stopped at Shelter Island on the far west side of San Diego Bay to enjoy the scenery.
While relaxing there, we got to see a USAF C-17 Globemaster III take off from North Coronado Naval Air Station.