Random News and Notes 9 May
Led by arguably the worst commander on either side, the British 1st Army Corps went over the top at Aubers Ridge in Artois France on this date in 1915. Sir Douglas Haig ordered successive waves despite intelligence indicating the Germans were rapidly and effectively reinforcing their lines. British artillery here proved ineffective, with many of the shells fired proving defective and many others too light to cause serious damage. As a result, when the soldiers attacked, they were completely unable to break through the German defenses.
Two of his three subordinate commanders protested, including General James Willcocks, commander of the Indian Corps, and General Hubert Gough, commander of the 7th division, who reported to Haig his certainty of any further attempt to attack by daylight being a failure. Yet Haig ordered another attack. The Khaki clad Brits were mowed down in rows by German machine guns.
At dusk, Haig yet again ordered the attackers to push forward this time with bayonets; faced with overwhelming resistance from his three commanders, he withdrew this order but mandated that battle be resumed the next day. On the morning of May 10 however, Willcocks, Gough and Richard Haking of 1st Division all told Haig they lacked sufficient ammunition to start a second day’s offensive, and the attack was canceled. The first and only day of the Battle of Aubers Ridge had resulted in the loss of 458 officers and 11,161 men.
Lions led by Donkeys.
Now News!
I normally wouldn’t mention that today is Victory day in Russia. It celebrates the Soviet “victory” over Nazi Germany in the “Great Patriotic War”. I mentioned that the original – and the only one that actually counted – surrender document for the Nazis was signed on 7 May in Reims France to go into effect on 8 May. Stalin, being a puffed up egotist, required a second signing in Berlin, so rather than cause an incident, the rest of the Allies went along with him.
Every year since 1946 on 9 May there are massive celebrations in the former Soviet Union, particularly Russia. The regime holds huge military parades in Red Square. Except this year.
For the first time since ’46, there will be no military hardware parade through Red Square. Why? Nearly all of it is in Ukraine, most of it scrap. Oh, I know the official Kremlin line is that they didn’t want to be a target for Ukraine. That doesn’t add up frankly. Ukraine had the ability to target Moscow last year and probably the year before.
According to the most accurate tracking site, the Russians have lost at least 14023 armored vehicles [Tanks, AFVs, IFVs, APCs, and MRAPs] – of which: destroyed: 11040, damaged: 381, abandoned: 1048, captured: 1554.
And while I am aware not everyone shares my opinion on Volodomyr Zelenskyy he laid down a master troll of Putin.
Yes, that is real. Yes it is spectacular. And yes, it is a huge troll.
Some Canadian dumbass hit a gray whale while jet skiing in Vancouver the other day. On May 4, 2026, around 7:30 p.m. in Burrard Inlet near Siwash Rock, the rider crashed into the whale while it fed.
Wildlife officials confirmed the whale appeared unharmed, spotted feeding normally days later.
Dumbass.
Samuel Clemens AKA Mark Twain is credited with the saying lies, damned lies and statistics. While he did say it – several times – during his life, the overall sentiment is older. Regardless, the headline I saw for my next item put it in mind.
According to NYPD data, subway homicides are up 300% over the same period last year.
Skeery huh? Well, not so much when you look at the actual numbers. There have been 4 total homicides on the NYC subway system in the 1st quarter of the year, there was a single killing in the first quarter of last year. So, the increase is 3.
3.
Not to say that is good, but it isn’t what you think when you see a 300% increase now is it.
Other crime on the subways are up as well. Robberies have surged by 18%, while misdemeanor assaults are up 15% year-over-year and 68% compared to seven years ago.
Overall crime in the city is declining. New York City recorded 54 murders in the first quarter (January–March) of 2026, which the NYPD announced on April 2, 2026, as the lowest number for any first quarter in the city’s recorded history. This represented a 28% decrease (21 fewer murders) compared to the same period in 2025.
There is some hinky sheit going on in Mormon land. Utah Supreme Court Justice Diana Hagen authored an opinion that forced the state to redistrict. Turns out she was having a long term affair with the attorney for those trying to force the change.
I am unfamiliar with Utah law, but I have to wonder if that is grounds for a re-hearing and/or reversal of the ruling.
Regardless, I’ve always maintained that those Utah mormons are freaks. . .
Best part, he gives that last ball to a kid.