Flannelman
@flannelforever.bsky.social
Living in Maine. Originally from Away. Winter is coming. Flannel is ready.
Would dumbing-down eligibility requirements for men be a feature or a bug in the eyes of those in charge? www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...
Pentagon will begin review of 'effectiveness' of women in ground combat positions
The review, outlined in a Pentagon memo obtained by NPR, comes after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told admirals and generals in September that women must meet the "highest male standard."
www.npr.org
January 7, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Would dumbing-down eligibility requirements for men be a feature or a bug in the eyes of those in charge? www.npr.org/2026/01/06/n...
It stands to reason that if women are discouraged from entering service, then the military will need to lower their minimum academic and aptitude requirements for men in order to fill their ranks.
January 7, 2026 at 6:49 AM
It stands to reason that if women are discouraged from entering service, then the military will need to lower their minimum academic and aptitude requirements for men in order to fill their ranks.
Two takeaways from the article are: (1) women have become essential to meeting recruitment goals; and (2) an alarming number of men are unable to meet basic enlistment requirements.
January 7, 2026 at 6:49 AM
Two takeaways from the article are: (1) women have become essential to meeting recruitment goals; and (2) an alarming number of men are unable to meet basic enlistment requirements.
It would be super funny if the Mexican Navy appeared and interdicted a ghost fleet tanker. 🇲🇽
January 2, 2026 at 12:58 AM
It would be super funny if the Mexican Navy appeared and interdicted a ghost fleet tanker. 🇲🇽
Their mistake was failing to show their psychic paper.
a man in a suit and bow tie is standing next to another man in a room .
Alt: Matt Smith as Dr. Who in a suit and bow tie is standing next to another man in a room, taking out blank credentials consisting of psychic paper (in which the subject sees what is suggested).
media.tenor.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:39 AM
Their mistake was failing to show their psychic paper.
I grew up with a guy who is now a mouthpiece for what I assume is AIPAC. I saw him pushing this exact narrative (almost word-for-word) earlier today on FB. :-/
January 2, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I grew up with a guy who is now a mouthpiece for what I assume is AIPAC. I saw him pushing this exact narrative (almost word-for-word) earlier today on FB. :-/
I had lined up my car to plow headlong into a double parked car tonight just for the lulz. And then they turned on their hazard lights. So I broke off bc it didn't seem sporting.
December 27, 2025 at 12:46 AM
I had lined up my car to plow headlong into a double parked car tonight just for the lulz. And then they turned on their hazard lights. So I broke off bc it didn't seem sporting.
As a random aside, I didn't know Suntory bought Jim Beam. The ballpark in Yokohama used to be an open venue with several beer vendors in the stands. The Suntory vendors were the loneliest people in the park. Suntory should be used to no one wanting their stuff.
December 21, 2025 at 1:28 AM
As a random aside, I didn't know Suntory bought Jim Beam. The ballpark in Yokohama used to be an open venue with several beer vendors in the stands. The Suntory vendors were the loneliest people in the park. Suntory should be used to no one wanting their stuff.
Def not everything, but Nixon sounded the alarm on the environment in two of his State of The Union speeches and created the EPA as a response. Today's Republicans would brand Nixon as RINO without a second thought. Unfortunate that Nixon reduced his own legacy to his paranoia and law breaking.
December 21, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Def not everything, but Nixon sounded the alarm on the environment in two of his State of The Union speeches and created the EPA as a response. Today's Republicans would brand Nixon as RINO without a second thought. Unfortunate that Nixon reduced his own legacy to his paranoia and law breaking.
You can’t negotiate with Putin’s Russia.
1. You can deter them, or, if you fail to deter them,
2. You can stop them, or, if you fail to stop them,
3. You lose.
Europe has long failed to deter Russia. We now have two options left: Stop them, or lose.
Choose wisely.
1. You can deter them, or, if you fail to deter them,
2. You can stop them, or, if you fail to stop them,
3. You lose.
Europe has long failed to deter Russia. We now have two options left: Stop them, or lose.
Choose wisely.
December 19, 2025 at 11:22 PM
A pessimistic interpretation is they know what's coming and hope to get clear.
December 19, 2025 at 10:32 PM
A pessimistic interpretation is they know what's coming and hope to get clear.
Case in point...
December 17, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Case in point...
Thanks. Makes sense.
December 14, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Thanks. Makes sense.
Fair enough. Do the newspapers matter? I recognize Kennebec & Bangor skew right, so not sure relevant to this discussion. This is an aside regarding electioneering in Maine. What matters? Door knocking and phone work?
December 14, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Fair enough. Do the newspapers matter? I recognize Kennebec & Bangor skew right, so not sure relevant to this discussion. This is an aside regarding electioneering in Maine. What matters? Door knocking and phone work?
Limiting who would be included in the debates might be one way. PAC ad runs are another. I'm not suggesting that either Mills nor Platner would support any of that. In other jurisdictions, there is at least the allegation that the Dem establishment has worked against progressive candidates.
December 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Limiting who would be included in the debates might be one way. PAC ad runs are another. I'm not suggesting that either Mills nor Platner would support any of that. In other jurisdictions, there is at least the allegation that the Dem establishment has worked against progressive candidates.
What is the likelihood that the state Dem party wouldn't have moved to shut out a bona fide progressive candidate? (Not Mills nor Platner, but the state party).
December 13, 2025 at 7:21 PM
What is the likelihood that the state Dem party wouldn't have moved to shut out a bona fide progressive candidate? (Not Mills nor Platner, but the state party).
Anyone else hear in their head the opening "dun dun" from the Law & Order television show when you started reading this?
December 13, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Anyone else hear in their head the opening "dun dun" from the Law & Order television show when you started reading this?
