Strategic Petroleum Reserve

 Strategic Petroleum Reserve 101

Understanding the SPR isn't hard but one thing people miss is the salt domes can only be emptied and filled a total of five times. 

Here's the "The Merge" rundown (mostly):

The SPR comprises 61 massive underground salt caverns in 4 locations in Texas and Louisiana. A typical underground storage cavern is a cylinder shaped 200 feet wide and 2,000 feet deep, and collectively the 61 caverns can store 700+ million barrels of oil.

The whole thing was developed in the aftermath of an OPEC oil embargo against the U.S. for supporting Israel during the Yom Kippur War. Fuel prices at the pump tripled, so the SPR was created in 1975 to provide a strategic stockpile to guard against future oil disruptions for the U.S. economy.

Normally, the U.S. only releases oil from the SPR when there is a threat to oil import supplies: Desert Storm (1991), Hurricane Katrina (2005), and the Invasion of Ukraine (2022) are stand-out examples.

However in 2022, solely to help President Biden and the Democrats secure the midterm elections (The Dems lost the House but gained one Senate seat giving them a 51/49 majority) Biden authorize a 6-month SPR release of 1 million barrels per day. This was the largest SPR release in history.

Unfortunately the SPR was less than full to begin with. It's interesting to note President Trump tried to fill the SPR during his 1st term when prices hit rock bottom but Chuck Shumer and the Democrats killed the administration's efforts. 

Making matters worse, the SPR is designed to empty much faster than it fills—a deliberate wartime/emergency feature. The system can surge 4.4 millions of barrels per day into the market quickly, but it only refills at roughly 400k barrels a day.

Instead of a few billion basic bar napkin math says it will now take $40B to refill the SPR. Money Congress must appropriate to purchase. Then, it will take almost 4 years to refill it, and that’s assuming max fill rate for 24 hours a day.

Thanks to President Biden using the SPR as his personal political chip that was unwisely played the state of the SPR is now a key national security issue, not just an economic issue.

Based on how the Iran War unfolds in the coming days or weeks, political pressure may lead to more SPR drawdown especially as the situation at Kharg island evolves and you can bet China is watching this closely, knowing that the U.S. oil reserves are in a dire state until 2030.

What is absolutely insane? Duh, Democrats and their TDS driven hateful Trump politics. In March of 2020, Senate Minority Leader Schumer and congressional Democrats effectively prevented the Trump administration from refilling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) with a major purchase that would have totaled $3,000,000,000 during his first term.

This happened in late March 2020, during negotiations for the $2 trillion CARES Act COVID-19 stimulus package which passed the Senate on March 25 and was signed into law on March 27.

The SPR funding provision was stripped from the final stimulus bill. Schumer publicly highlighted its removal in an email to senators, calling it the elimination of a "$3 billion bailout for big oil." Democrats opposed it as corporate welfare for the energy industry. 

Sadly the average price of a barrel in March of 20200was between 27 and 31 dollars depending on the grade. Not only would this have filled the SPR it would have eventually easily created $5+ billion in revenue. 

Trump Did Not Declare War on Iran

It's interesting to note that 47 years ago Iran declared war on America and it took the United States 47 years to properly respond. Just over two weeks ago the 47th President of the United States finally had enough of Iran's BS diplomacy, killing, maiming, kidnapping, holding hostage and threatening the Middle East. I think it's safe to say that Iran for the foreseeable future will no longer be a threat to anyone in the Middle East. Shipping in the Persian Gulf, specifically the Strait of Hormuz... Maybe for a while but that too will end violently for them.

Death to America, Death to Israel, Death to the Infidel will hopefully fade into history. This has been "radical" Islam's battle cry basically since May 14th, 1948. This road to war right now is absolutely paved with the blood of innocent men, women and children. 

For over 40 years Iran has been the world's #1 State Sponsor or Terrorism. The list of Iran's direct and indirect acts of terrorism are absolutely legendary. Their creation and support of Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis (aka Ansar Allah) also shows they have perfected terrorist proxies. 

Over the last 40 years Iran, via its proxies is conservatively responsible for 20,000+ direct deaths and 130,000+ serious injuries. 

According to Grok, Iran via its proxies is responsible for 603 US military deaths and 4,000+ serious injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan via road side bombs and improvised explosive devices. 

VDH says "Over decades, they killed and wounded thousands of Americans by bombing U.S. embassies, barracks, and bases in the Middle East—without directly confronting the American military. For years, they sent lethal shaped charge IEDs to the Shiite insurgents to slaughter and maim thousands of Americans in Iraq and to the Taliban to do the same in Afghanistan." 

Finally, Iran has directly or indirectly sunk or damaged dozens of ships carrying oil and natural gas in international waters causing death and mayhem for decades.

I'm old enough to vividly remember when Iran started this war when they took over the US Embassy in 1979. I also remembered when Iran released the remaining 52 hostages just 20 minutes into Ronald Reagan Presidency. The 47th President, after trying for years to reach a nuclear agreement, end this awful regime and their existential threat to the world.

Trump absolutely did not start this war but it's pretty darn clear he is going to end it! 

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Iranian Frigate after stern targeted by MK-48

PS Do you think the Left will acknowledge that "The Doomsday Clock" has improved a bit with Iran being removed from the nuclear chess board?

Note - Iran has never been shy about killing its Own Citizens.

1979–1980s The post-revolution purges and unrest resulted in thousands being executed including opposition groups, ethnic minorities, and leftist/Monarchist protesters including mass executions of prisoners.

1999 Student Protests: official numbers are 9 killed, hundreds wounded and 1,200–1,400 arrested.

2009 Green Movement (election protests): Government admitted to 36 killed. The opposition/activist estimates are higher at 150 or more.

2019 Fuel Price Protests: Amnesty International documented at least 300+ killed (some estimates higher, up to 1,500 in early reports).

2022 Mahsa Amini/Women, Life, Freedom Protests: 500+ killed including many children.

2025–2026 Nationwide Protests (sparked by economic collapse, escalating to anti-regime demands. This has seen the highest death toll by far. Government official figures say 3,117 killed with independent sources at 7,000 verified dead.

February 2026 data indicate 11,000–17,000 have been killed with higher leaked claims up to 36,500 via multiple massacres. International reports of internal health official estimates that so far in 2026 there have been at least 30,000 deaths.

During this latest crackdown the regime "stepped up it's game" executing wounded protesters on the street and in hospitals.

State of the Union - Trump 47

Letter to Congresswomen Pingree

Before Trump 1st inauguration sixty-three Democrats refused to attend... "He's NOT my President!" Everyone said he would destroy the country, the stock market and start wars. He didn't... Then they said he wouldn't leave office and even though Trump didn't believe President Elect Biden received 81,283,591 votes he infact left office and the Democrats impeached him again anyways.

Congresswomen Pingree please don't blow off the State of The Union. You represent me and my state and if you don't go I'm not represented. I know Trump is a dictator. He's a wannabe King. Of course he's a pedophile, Nazi and a racist... But still, actions have consequences and by not going to the State of The Union you are feeding the fire that our democracy is at risk. You know, democracy, where the person getting the most votes gets elected?

Fast forward a few days: My request fell upon deaf ears. The largest previous boycott record was just fourteen in 2018. This was crushed in 2026. The Democrats call for unity seems crazy when 31 Senate Democrats and 103 House Democrats "miss"  the State of the Union. Yes some Democrats were sick or had other pressing obligations but it's clear no matter how you count this was the largest boycott of any gathering of Congress in our nations history.

Everyone says Trump continues to destroy the norms of his office when in fact it could be argued that the Democrats are the ones blowing up norms. It's Democrats fanning the flames of the people who are mentally unstable. Two serious assassination attempts with one a half inch away from blowing Trump's head off are indicators that the Democrats don't really believe in democracy.

It's hard not to believe Justice Kavanaugh being targeted for assassination or Charlie Kirk being assassinated are not the byproduct of the Democrats ever increasing, unhinged rhetoric of hostility and anything remotely associated with Trump. 

Van's RB-14 Fuselage Final Parts

I've been working pretty hard on the fuselage since the beginning of the year. Got the fuel system done, most of the brake system and the left skin is now attached.

So I'm working on the avionics bay now and things are looking great.

Our local EAA monthly chapter meeting was canceled due to snow so I had a helper and we worked on the instrument panel. 

This week I finished with most of the remaining fuselage parts.

The first thing you do is separate them, deburr, scuff, wash and dry.

Then you clean them off with acetone and paint with self-eching primer.

The last step is crazy... After a few hours of drying you can bake them in the oven for 60 minutes at 160 degrees. These parts are ready to use but some will be painted a final color for looks or corrosion resistance. If a hard durable finish is required I wait a week or longer for them to completely dry. I them wipe them down with a rough rag, paint them their final color, let the dry for a few days or longer and then bake for 60 minutes at 160 degrees. The result is a be very consistent poor man's powder coat finish.

It's nearly impossible to really get the feeling how much work is needed to build a plane unless you participate in building one. Kinda like not being  able to understand how much your Dad loved you without being a dad.

Life is good and very importantly the chicken is once again ready to fly after our fourth nose gear overhaul in less than a month.🤞

 

Thanks to our local A&P Scott... That nose gear piston looks super shiny 😆.

TDS - Is it Terminal?

A Letter to a Friend Who Sees Things Differently

Dear Mike,

Your call inspired me to write a blog to help process my thoughts so I could move forward with a clearer mind. Like many on the Right I have a few close friends and some family members who share your strong feelings of frustration and concern about Trump. I understand that emotions run high on this topic, and history will judge how we all handled these divisions.

One of the smartest people I know is a very successful lawyer who ran for office as a Democrat. She's one of my best friends and one of my most valued clients. Last year, she mentioned her belief that Trump's assassination attempt was staged. It's hard to imagine a bullet grazing someone's head, missing by half an inch, as a publicity stunt. For the life of me I can't comprehend how anyone might question the assassination attempt even in these polarized times.

You and I are both thoughtful enough to recognize that Trump doesn't always know as much as he claims, that he's getting older and that he often says or does things that can be frustrating or misguided. Where we differ is that I'm willing to overlook much of this because I see value in many of his key policies and actions. Furthermore, unlike you I believe his intentions are generally aimed at what he thinks is best for the country.

I felt content during his first term and I was okay during Biden's term. So far, I'm feeling positive about Trump's second term. Do I need to adopt your perspective to understand the concerns that make you feel angry and disheartened? One big realization for me has been noticing how biased the media is. It's absolutely eye-opening once you start seeing it, like when you're thinking about buying a specific car and suddenly spot it everywhere.

Mike, you brought up the death of Officer Sicknick, mentioning that he was bludgeoned by January 6th rioters and died after being in a coma. I encourage you to look deeper into the details. Nearly everything on the Web talks about how this officer was attacked but they don't show anything because his bludgeoning was a lie. Maybe he was sprayed in the face with bear spray but even that didn't show up on his autopsy. I challenge you to did deeper and find the videos Congress released of Officer Sicknick walking around the rotunda helping with the cleanup after the riot. Definitely review his autopsy report and compare that the press reported regarding the fire extinguisher and what his body showed.

Similarly, take a closer look at the shooting of Ashli Babbitt, a former Air Force enlistee. Watch the video of the incident and note the two officers in riot gear at arms reach to her right. Read about the officer who fired the shot and then promptly "left" the scene. She was climbing through a broken window, and while she could have been apprehended and arrested instead she was shot in the neck.

Did Ashli Babbitt deserve to be killed? No. Did her actions put her in a dangerous situation and result in her death? Yes. Clearly the officer felt threatened in that chaotic moment. It's fortunate he didn't accidentally hit one of the officers behind Ashli. Firing his weapon with officers right next to Miss Babbitt, his quick departure from the scene and the $5,000,000 settlement raises serious concerns about judgement, accountability and the need for deadly force in this matter.

Mike, as you know I live in New England, where if you want an example of how systems can feel rigged look no further. Just over 40% of New Englanders voted for Trump even with the Left leaning media, schools, colleges, and universities, which often promote progressive viewpoints. 

How can I say the system is rigged? Even with 40% conservative support Republicans hold only 3% of New England's congressional delegation. Only 1 of New England's 33 seats in Congress and the Senate is Republican. It's very likely that over $100 million will be spent trying to unseat Susan Collins, potentially giving Democrats full control of the region's representation all in the pursuit of democratic outcomes. Wasn't taxation with out representation a thing 250 years ago?

Here's a biscuit we might both consider chewing: There's agreement across the political spectrum that Trump genuinely believes he won the 2020 election. Yes, Trump delayed the transition while court cases were dismissed one by one. In the end, though, the only thing that was different was the cordial White House handover. Citizen Trump boarded the Marine helicopter, flew to Andrews, and departed on "Air Force One" without shaking Joe Biden's hand. Democracy persisted, even as the nation navigated challenges under a leader whose cognitive health was embarrassingly downplayed by the MSM for the next four years.

It's tough for anyone deeply invested in one viewpoint to shift perspectives, but I hope you can one day see things the way I do and return to the Republican party. Regardless, I firmly believe Trump will once again become just a citizen on or before January 20th, 2029 and you Sir will scratch you head and say... Hummm that wasn't so bad.

15 year old Dog is teaching us about life.

Five Year Old Taken by ICE!

Was the five year old in Minneapolis taken by ICE? Technically yes but that's what officers do when someone is arrested and they abandon their child to flee authorities.

This little boy who was "captured" by ICE has become a talking point designed to enrage the Left and spur action. Actions that are illegal (yes, interfering with a officer of the law while they are arresting someone is a felony) are being celebrated by the radical Left. Liam Conejo Ramos was brought home by ICE but his mother wouldn't open the door to take her son. The father and son where flown to Texas and are awaiting deportation. However, Texas U.S. District Judge Fred Biery has ordered the boy and his father. The vast majority of Judges know the federal government is responsible for enforcing immigration law but some judges, typically those on senior status, have found ways to legislate from the bench. 

We also have the lie that U.S. Citizens being "disappeared". Some like this man in his underwear during a Minnesota winter by "masked" men? Note the officer here is NOT masked.

If ICE can do this to this citizen they can do it to you... Right? Well yes they can if you repeatedly refuse to tell the officers who you. It's also been reported this citizen wouldn't allow the officers to use their biometric identification tools. When on officer asks you who you are are yo in are required to to tell them.

If you refuse to open the door and the government suspects you are harboring two illegal alien convicted sex offenders they will likely kick it down. Even the slightest cooperation in this case would have prevented this entire fiasco.

If you do not cooperate with the federal government they can "disappear" you if they have probable cause for 72 hours or longer if national security is involved. This is a constant regardless of who you are. ChongLy "Scott" Thao, a 56-year-old Hmong immigrant and naturalized U.S. citizen refused to identify himself, was brought to the ICE detention center and released as soon as his identity was determined which took 60 minutes. My guess is he refused to get dressed as well.

Media flaming the fire continues. Reporting that a VA nurse was just walking the streets and came to the rescue of a woman being assaulted by ICE was a lie proven by a video of a violent incident just 11 days before he was killed. The subsequent struggle with ICE ended with the tragic loss of life after Alex Pretti's handgun "fell" from his waist band. To increase his appeal as a man wrongly killed the media ran with the AI modified picture above.

The Left continues to pound the drum that ICE's actions are unlawful. Even the men who created  the laws ICE is enforcing have joined in the deception. Here is Senator Dick Durbin in the Well of the Senate showing an AI generated picture of Alex Pretti being assinated. If you look closely you can see the officer on his knee is missing a head. Crazy to think that Dick Durbin is leading the Senate efforts to get AI under control with Bills like the AI LEAD Act (S. 2937)... Go Dick Durbin!

This shit has to stop. Picking and choosing which laws to enforce has to stop. Senior judges that don't give a shit about the law anymore more need to fully retire. Clearly the media doesn't give a shit about getting it right anymore. The Left is wholeheartedly convinced that this administration will be the death of democracy thus anything and everything can be justified to stop them. I've got dear friends and family members who are so ramped up they can't, even if their life depended on it, see things for how they truly are. Common sense is not even a part of their thought process. Tell them they are looking at AI generated photos and the response isn't OMG that's BS... it's something  else that's hard to describe.