Big Blue Huddle

or Russia's cyberattacks are expanding to include BBH.  I have had to refect multiple membership requests coming from Russia 

Normally I am not a fan of these click fests, but there was some really interesting information

https://www.ranker.com/list/saving-private-ryan-facts/anncasano?format=slideshow&slide=1&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=ob&utm_campaign=ob-d-savingprivate-2-lal2&utm_term=%09SI.com+-+NFL&obcid=00b292762a313157dbb63b480907eb22ce&dicbo=v1-2d7306d74e99cb73ba2a35fe1a8a2dd1-00bbad7277d3744117f44bad733f56ff03-mm4gkzrtge2gkllcmzqwiljuga2tsljzmfrdsllbha3denjygq2tenddg4

Jim's "Rifle" thread got me thinking.  What was the last book you read?

The pandemic was the sort of worldwide impactful event that can trigger societal changes.   In some ways, it is similar to WW2 in its impact.   Think about the lasting changes from WW2.   

Think about changes from WW 2

The end of European colonialism

In the US women found a place in the workforce (that would only grow)

The US enjoyed a decade of economic prosperity

Many men got college education through the GI bill

The UN was founded

There was a post-war baby boom


So what sort of changes do you see happening as a result of this pandemic?

Due to its secrecy, this major technological breakthrough rarely gets any discussion even among military history buffs.   It was so secret that it wasn't even called a proximity fuse but rather a VT (variable timed) fuse.   I am going to post a link to the excellent article, but I will give you my quick take.   

When trying to shoot down an aircraft, there are two ways to do it.  One is to hit it with a projectile which is what 50 cal, 20 mm, and 40 mm AA weapons attempt to do.   With larger shells like 3", 5", and 6" the idea was to explode near the plane and the shrapnel would rip up the aircraft (although there was the occasional lucky shot that hit an aircraft).   Most of the times the fuses were timed to explode at a certain altitude based on guess or radar information as to where the aircraft were flying. 

The other thing to consider is that WW2 was the air of tubes in electronic devices.  Not the hardiest of items and shells take quite a physical beating when shot out of a weapon.   

So it was quite the coup when the US developed a means to detonate shells as they neared an aircraft.  Suddenly those 5 inch shells ships were sending up at aircraft became devastatingly effective.   These shells could be used in ground-based artillery as well with the proximity allowing shells to detonate before hitting the ground making them much more deadly.   Interestingly enough this use was delayed in Europe out of fear of duds being captured and reversed engineered.   

Anyway here is the article

https://www.historynet.com/proximity-fuze.htm

In my opinion, this year-long sting by the FBI was an intelligence coup on par with the ones in WW2

In short, criminals thought they were slick by communicating with special encrypted communications services.  Well the FBI started shutting them down and got them to use an encryption service they ran.   I have to admire the brilliance of this move 


https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2021/06/08/global-sting-fbi-run-messaging-app-tricks-organized-crime/7601886002/

score one for the good guys! 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/07/politics/colonial-pipeline-ransomware-recovered/index.html

What was that movie?

: Battle of Midway, 4-7 June 1942

https://usnhistory.navylive.dodlive.mil/2013/06/07/midway-strategic-lessons/

The Battle of Midway - Myths, Legends and Greatness (with Jon Parshall)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN79g34wjQA

Battle 360: Battle of Midway Leads to WWII Victory (S1, E2) | Full Episode | History

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xtgggq1l8o4

What is one ingredient that will ruin everything it touches?

What do you do on hot humid days to beat the heat?

https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1944/overlord.html

https://www.npr.org/2021/06/02/1002658357/nba-arenas-have-been-opening-with-a-rash-of-fan-incidents-toward-players


One fan spit on a fan

Another threw a water bottle

and other bad behavior

why is this happening?

I had never heard about this


https://www.marinecorpstimes.com/veterans/military-history/2020/09/28/that-time-the-marine-corps-killed-a-john-wayne-movie/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=Socialflow+MAR&fbclid=IwAR17kAgfjkbgLSb9rJdcmZFL-fC6_LiufNYhcyY_bxSwrSu94D9XkyYub5c

The Associated Press
@AP
The NFL says it will halt the use of

[html]

Just a casual video of a lady unloading on a bear like she

what would it be and why?

https://twitter.com/ladbible/status/1399313430830620675

A soldier who photographed World War II in Europe describes 6 of his photos that reveal the 'insanity of war'

https://news.yahoo.com/soldier-photographed-world-war-ii-221900188.html

Like hand me a skate key

Or

I will call them after 9 when it's cheaper

There is great nobility in going down guns a blazing in defense of one's country, but I think this story is one of the most poignant I have ever heard and perhaps a very appropriate Memorial Day weekend thread.  I can't even imagine the horror this man faced after making a decision I think only one in a million would have made


https://www.historynet.com/captain-john-cromwells-decision.htm#:~:text=The%20enemy%20had%20dropped%20more,the%20submarine%20to%20the%20surface.&text=But%20one%20man%2C%2042%2Dyear,%E2%80%9CI%20know%20too%20much.%E2%80%9D

I think it might have been 1984, it was a reading assignment in high school and it changed my views in terms of truth and many things in general

What is the favorite thing you or your friend/family BBQ?


Where (either restaurant or part of the country) has the best BBQ?

was it the bow and arrow?

was it the tank?

was it the battleship?

was it nuclear weapons?

was it the automatic weapon?


What are your top 3 and why?

Do you favor iPhones or Android?    I have used both and don't have a favorite, I see pluses and minuses in both product lines.   What do you guys think?  Is there a better choice?  If so, why?

Self-driving cars are not that far off.   How do you feel about them?  Would you want one or would you be a hold-out? 

What were your top 3 Clint Eastwood movies?  why?

In all my years of following sports I have never heard of a tragedy of this magnitude

QuoteBEIJING (AP)

https://www.itsrosy.com/The+Best+And+Worst+'60s+TV+Shows%2C+Ranked

Can you imagine the shock his coworkers must have felt?   I am not sure this type of thing would even make it as a movie plot because I couldn't imagine a more far fetched story

QuoteLONG BRANCH, N.J.