John Engstrom

Just a guy, Married to Joan, Father of Christina, Anna, and Erik. Grandpa to Rowan, Nora, Theo, Louisa, Gus, and Anders.

[Olena Rohoza @OlenaRohoza]

Our soldiers quickly captured two enemy columns of armored vehicles, including modern T-72B3s and even T-90Ms. Instead of simply blowing up the tanks, they did something the Russians certainly did not expect.

Ukrainian crews got into the captured Russian tanks, switched on the radios, adopted the Russians' call signs, and set off on a deep raid behind enemy lines, posing as friendly forces.

The Russian columns moved calmly, believing they were safe. Our tank crews quickly neutralized the original crews, mastered the equipment, and blended into the Russian traffic flow. They spoke Russian over the radio, used the correct call signs, and imitated the style of Russian communications. At checkpoints, they were waved through without suspicion: "Go ahead, guys."

The Ukrainians then calmly drove straight onto the grounds of a Russian brigade headquarters.

Once inside, they suddenly turned their turrets and opened fire. The headquarters, supply depots, and vehicle park were turned into an inferno within minutes. Russian troops ran in panic between tents, firing in every direction, but it was already too late. They had allowed a "Trojan horse" onto their own base.

The operation was carried out brilliantly. Ukrainian forces seized the headquarters, captured officers, destroyed key facilities, and withdrew with minimal losses.

[Crazy Vibes @CrazyVibes_1]

A Nazi commander loaded his pistol, pressed the cold metal barrel directly against the forehead of an American soldier, and gave a chilling ultimatum: "Order the Jewish soldiers to step forward, or I will shoot you right now."

What happened next in that frozen prisoner-of-war camp changed history forever, yet the man who stared down death kept it a secret for the rest of his life.

It was January 1945, and the bitter winter of World War II was at its peak. Inside Stalag IX-A, a notorious German prison camp near Ziegenhain, thousands of American soldiers were trapped behind barbed wire. Among them was Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, a twenty-five-year-old from Knoxville, Tennessee. As the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in his section, Edmonds was responsible for the lives of 1,275 men.

One day, the camp commander, a fanatical Nazi major named Siegmann, issued a terrifying directive.

He ordered that the following morning, all American prisoners of Jewish faith must step out of the ranks during roll call. Everyone knew what this meant. Separating the Jewish soldiers was the first step toward sending them to extermination camps.

Inside the dark, freezing barracks, the prisoners panicked. Some of the Jewish soldiers considered stepping forward willingly to protect their Christian brothers from Nazi wrath. But Edmonds refused to let that happen. He looked at his men and gave a clear, definitive order: "Tomorrow, everyone steps forward. Everyone."

The next morning, the ground was thick with snow. Major Siegmann walked out onto the parade ground, expecting to see a small, isolated group of Jewish soldiers standing apart from the rest. Instead, he stopped dead in his tracks. All 1,275 American soldiers had stepped forward together in perfect unison.

The commander turned red with anger and stormed over to Edmonds. "They cannot all be Jews!" Siegmann screamed.

Edmonds stood completely still, looked the Nazi straight in the eyes, and replied: "We are all Jews here."

Enraged, Siegmann drew his Luger pistol and pressed it against Edmonds' forehead. The tension was suffocating. Hundreds of men held their breath, waiting for the gunshot. But Edmonds did not blink.

"According to the Geneva Convention, we only have to give our name, rank, and serial number," Edmonds said, his voice steady and calm. "If you shoot me, you will have to shoot all of us. And when the war ends, you will be tried for war crimes."

Edmonds knew the German army was collapsing and the Allies were advancing. Siegmann knew it too. The Nazi commander looked at the wall of unified men, realized he could not break their spirit, and slowly lowered his gun. He turned around and walked away without saying another word.

Because of that moment of defiance, two hundred Jewish-American soldiers survived the Holocaust. When the war ended, Edmonds returned to Tennessee, married his sweetheart, and raised a family. He never bragged about his actions, never looked for medals, and never even told his own children what he had done. To him, protecting his men was simply his duty.

Decades after his death in 1985, his son uncovered the truth by talking to the survivors. In 2015, Edmonds was officially recognized as Righteous Among the Nations, the highest honor Israel bestows upon non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. He remains the only American soldier to ever receive this recognition.

True heroism does not look for applause, and love will always be louder than hatred.

By standing together in the snow, those soldiers proved that when we refuse to abandon each other, ordinary human beings can become absolutely invincible.

[John Jackson @hissgoescobra]

The contrast between Reagan’s speech at Point-Du-Hoc and Pete Hegseth today are like two different galaxies. Listen to how much reverence he gives to the same allies that Hegseth attacks.

[Olena Rohoza @OlenaRohoza]

🇬🇧 The Long Game, or How Russians Suddenly Realized They're Being Systematically Reduced to Zero

A remarkably sober — and therefore deeply alarming — realization is beginning to dawn in the swamps. Russian analysts have suddenly opened their eyes and understood that the current fuel crisis in Crimea, the airport shutdowns in Sochi, and the holes in Russia's air defenses are not "random strikes" or a "seasonal escalation."

They are the culmination of a long-term, cold-blooded strategy — one that bears all the hallmarks of a distinctly British style of planning. 🕵️‍♂️

While the Kremlin was thinking in terms of "taking Bakhmut in ten months" and drawing arrows on maps, Ukraine and its allies were playing a classic game of attrition and interdiction.

Step by step, patiently and methodically, Russia was being pushed into a logistical dead end:

Stage 1: Clearing the Sea

First came Snake Island. Then the opening of the maritime corridor. Then the systematic pushing of Russia's Black Sea Fleet out of Crimea and into Novorossiysk.

The fortress was left without naval cover.

Stage 2: Dismantling the Umbrella (the part Russians prefer not to discuss)

At the same time, Ukrainian forces effectively neutralized Russian aviation at Crimean airfields and systematically destroyed S-400 air defense units.

Whether the occupiers failed to notice or simply refuse to admit it, Crimea was transformed from an "unsinkable aircraft carrier" into a hollow, perforated corridor through which Ukrainian missiles and drones can now pass freely on their way deeper into Russia itself.

Stage 3: Drying Up the Fuel Supply

Instead of random strikes, a steady weekly campaign began against Russian oil refineries and fuel depots.

When you systematically target the same category of infrastructure for months, shortages become not a possibility, but a mathematical certainty.

Stage 4: The Land Corridor Trap

When the Kerch Bridge became increasingly incapable of handling heavy military traffic, the occupiers triumphantly declared:

"We built a railway through Mariupol — we're safe now!"

But it turned out to be a trap.

They had simply concentrated nearly all of their military logistics onto a single narrow route — one that can now be targeted along much of its length.

And now the results are visible:

Fuel depots are burning.

Airports are closing.

The "Crimean authorities" are opening hotlines to ration gasoline to tourists — strictly by passport, and only for a one-way trip toward the bridge. 🎪🚗

SO:

While they comfort themselves with stories about the "treacherous West" and wait for some new negotiator to save them, the noose around southern Russia's logistics network continues to tighten.

A patient, systematic, long-term operation.

The main thing now is having enough fuel left in the tank to reach Kerch.

To leave.

And never come back.

I suppose that would be Stage 5.

Glory to the Armed Forces of Ukraine! 🇺🇦

[Justin Gaard @Gaardsy]

I'm mostly concerned with France running away with the Gold Medal in LA 2028.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Breaking news, breaking news, breaking news- the constant cycle of bringing “the latest” drowns out the important, and makes us forget how often, at least under this regime, the “latest” is completely untethered to what came before. Caught in a trap….

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Who they support is not my primary concern, but this is a great example of a broken campaign finance system- which yields broken politics. I mean, no one can actually be stupid enough to believe these checks are being written with no strings attached. Right?

[Citizens for Ethics @CREWcrew]

Six of America's wealthiest billionaires spent more than $100 million apiece to help get Donald Trump elected president.

That's a broken campaign finance system. And it desperately needs reform. https://t.co/2jlmTtKCEa

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Interesting take. I used to have the kids list every way in which they could be identified- and then pick their top 3 most important. The arguments were epic- and instructive- and helpful as we looked at history thru various perspectives. The best year https://t.co/Ui1HcidDHd

[Simon Ateba @simonateba]

Trump: "Under the Trump economic plan, we will cut your energy prices in half within, mark it down, and you can get very angry at me if we don't do it, within 12 months, within 12 months your energy prices will be cut in half.

"My plan will cut energy prices in half or more than that within 12 months of taking office. Number one, your energy bill within 12 months will be cut in half and that's my pledge all over the country.

"Beyond farmers, that's my pledge all over the country. If you vote for me, I will cut your energy and electricity prices in half within 12 months. And under my plan, we will cut energy and electricity prices in half within 12 months and that means for your homes too. I will cut your energy."

[Jay in Kyiv @JayinKyiv]

One of Russia's most popular bloggers says that the Russian elite are about to oust Putin, replacing him with a weak pro-western puppet, ushering in (once again) a new Gorbachev-esque time of perestroika to convince the west to remove sanctions, while in the background warring clans will battle over the nation's (Putin's) wealth.

Maxim Kalashnikov further cites that not only the armed Russians returning from the front will descend the country into violent chaos, but that interethnic violence will explode.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

I realize that MLB has a revenue sharing problem that is bigger than just the Pohlads. Also realize that a higher payroll doesn’t guarantee wins. It’s beyond that- it’s their attitude and approach that drips of 3rd/4th generational arrogance, entitlement, and obliviousness.

[Draymond 2 @dennistwinsfev1]

@jzulgad @JohnEngstrom1 The twins aren't worth much when there is no revenue being generated.
Charlie Walter's believes the Twins will strip down their assets to help buyers bec ome more inclined to buy. Im not a big Viking fan but apparently the previous owner of Vikes from San Antonio did just that.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Sure- but I have even more empathy for us, the fans, who continue to suffer from the pathetic “leadership” of the Pohlads. Born on third base, think they hit a triple- no clue how to run an organization or sell a vision. Hopeless.

[Judd Zulgad @jzulgad]

It's difficult not to feel empathy for the Twins' starters. Prielipp gives up two runs in five innings today but it's a close game and you know the bullpen will blow it. Worse yet, Varland was warming up for the Blue Jays.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

So the Twins, Wild, and Wolves, United, Lynx, and Frost have all had more recent playoff success than the Vikings. Brings new urgency to “the Minnesota Vikings are on the clock.”

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Pohlad crew could learn from people like Mike Veeck. They should watch the documentary, but maybe the family cut the Netflix subscription as part of a wider payroll reduction.

[Jeff @MNTwinsZealot]

So bad, yet so predictable. Pohlad “leadership” has shredded this fan base.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

You hate to see it…. JK- I’ll unapologetically dance all over LIV’s grave. Now the PGA needs to impose meaningful penalties on any player trying to return.

[The Wall Street Journal @WSJ]

Breaking: After weeks on life support, LIV Golf has lost the funding of its Saudi backers, sounding the death knell for the upstart league that split pro golf https://t.co/7bXzthz667

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Calm down libtards. Remember when Lloyd Austin was giving Springsteen joyrides on Apache helicopters during our little excursion in Iraq? You never said anything then…. (Sarcasm font)

[Secretary of War Pete Hegseth @SecWar]

Joined my friend @KidRock — and some of our great @USArmy Apache pilots — for a ride this morning. (More to come on that!)

Kid Rock is a patriot and huge supporter of our troops. The War Department is wasting no time celebrating America’s 250th — home of the free because of the brave.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

If you spend any time on the current iteration of this hellscape known as “x,” but you aren’t following @3YearLetterman , @Super70sSports , or @NormSNLJokes , you’re doing it all wrong. Just sayin.

[Three Year Letterman @3YearLetterman]

I had a very ugly encounter with a young man - likely a socialist - at the grocery store this evening for trying to charge me for plastic bags

I was buying two handles of Fireball for this week. The cashier rang me up and before I paid he asked me if I wanted bags. I said yes, and he told me there would be a ten cent bag charge

“The hell there will be, junior,” I said, “Take that off the bill of sale right now.”

“I can’t do that sir. But I can do is sell you one of our canvas bags. They are reusable and only cost a dollar.”

“If I wanted to carry my liquor around in a burlap sack like a Depression-era vagrant, I’d move to California,” I replied.

“Sir I really don’t know what you want. If you don’t want to pay for the bags just carry them out.”

“I think I’ll do just that,” I said.

I then snatched my debit card from him before he could charge it, picked up the two handles of Fireball, and strode out of there without paying

I received a standing ovation

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

“The clock still be runnin’…” sure seems like it would fit nicely on t-shirt or a promo towel.

[Chris Hine @ChristopherHine]

Jaden McDaniels on what Nikola Jokic said to him at the end of the game. Said he didn’t know.

“I just seen someone as big as hell.”

Then explained why he decided to score at the end.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

Maybe don’t foul down 12 with less than a minute to go, or jack up a 3 with 20ish seconds left. Denver made choices to keep playing at the end of the game. Fine, but then STFU if the other team keeps playing as well.

[Justin Gaard @Gaardsy]

Coach your team.

[John Engstrom @JohnEngstrom1]

On what planet does it make ANY sense for these 2 guys to be our lead negotiators? People can have honest, good faith disagreements about any number of things. This is not one of those things. This is just plain stupid. Period. FFS

[Tom Nichols @RadioFreeTom]

Sure, why involve the Secretary of State