Ukraine is a Training Space for Drug Cartel Members on Anti-Drone Tech

Drug cartels are among those profiting from experience in the Ukraine war for applications on smuggling toxic substances into the U.S.A. Gemini provided a summary of some of the drone situation with the Coast Guard and Border Patrol.

Gary- The armed forces of Ukraine are fielding anti-drone drones; do illegal drug importers use that sort of thing to take down border patrol drones?

Gemini- "In 2026, illegal drug importers, primarily Mexican cartels, have significantly escalated their use of drone technology to counter U.S. law enforcement, though their "anti-drone" tactics differ from the kinetic dogfights seen in Ukraine. Rather than solely using "anti-drone drones" to physically ram or take down border patrol assets, cartels primarily use electronic warfare, surveillance, and offensive weaponization to disrupt government operations. 

Cartel Anti-Drone and Counter-Surveillance Tactics

• Electronic Warfare: Cartels have begun deploying jammers and other electronic warfare systems to disrupt the control signals of rival cartels' drones and potentially those of law enforcement.
• Decoy Drones: Smugglers use decoy drones to act as diversions, intentionally drawing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) attention to a "fake" drop site while a secondary drone safely delivers the actual narcotics elsewhere.
• Cyber Attacks and Hacking: Criminal organizations have recruited IT specialists to hack or take control of unencrypted law enforcement drones, sometimes using malware like Maldrone or specialized drones like SkyJack to hijack controls mid-flight.
• Targeting Agents Directly: There are increasing reports and internal warnings of cartels authorizing kamikaze drone attacks specifically targeting U.S. Border Patrol agents and service members with explosives. 

Technological Transfer from Ukraine

There is evidence of direct tactical learning from global conflicts. As of late 2025 and early 2026, investigations have identified cartel members being sent to 

Ukraine

 to receive training in the International Legion specifically on offensive drone operations, skills they then bring back to enhance Mexican cartel programs. 

U.S. and Mexican Responses in 2026

• $115 Million DHS Investment: In January 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a massive investment in both drone and counter-drone technologies to specifically address cartel capabilities.
• Joint Intelligence Sharing: On January 20, 2026, the U.S. and Mexico agreed to link intelligence analytics software to identify and thwart drone threats along the border.
• State-Level Authority: New laws in 2025 and early 2026, such as those in 
  Arizona
  , now legally allow local law enforcement to shoot down or electronically intercept drones suspected of criminal activity along the border. 

Ukraine Conflict is a Trade and Civil War Sponsored by England, Germany, Poland Etc.

 The Ukraine war is comparable to a civil war and they tend toward being the most vicious sort of conflicts. Especially one with the secessionists sponsored by the rich and led by a picked comedian selected by the rich. The war could continue for decades or until the last Ukrainian soldier dies on the battlefield and no more mercenaries or international forces can be found to continue the battle.

The Ukraine war and sanctions on Russia radically disrupt the global flow of trade and prevent the development of new trade routes. It implicitly stops Arctic ocean developments of trade routes and trans-Eurasian land routes from increasing. There is a great deal of wealth made from existing global trade routes, oceanic and cities involved with the present system that would have a new competitor if the war ends favorably for Russia, sanctions end and peace breaks out. From the European point of view controlling all of Ukraine and bringing it into the E.U. would best perpetuate Europe's advantaged position in global trade so far as that remains.  Russia would be filtered out of being a hub for world trade. The United States  would benefit from new trade routes across Russia and on Arctic littoral shipping increases to Alaska.

Russians are generally accomplishing the goal of securing the Donbas, Crimea, Donets, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and other regions East of the Dnipro in spite of the hundreds of billions of dollars of weapons and military intelligence poured in to prop up secessionist forces. England is the most strong supporter of secession continuing the tradition begun perhaps with their support for Southern American rebels after their invasion of 1812 burning the U.S. capital evolved into a fiasco at New Orleans. France is another supporter of rebels agitating to stimulate and continue the war with its tradition of offing the rich with revolts. The problem is the French themselves are rich these days too, Russians aren't, Poles are paranoid and Germans are legendary evil Krauts lusting to blitzkrieg again.

The U.S. Government has yet to resolve to fully stop supporting Ukraine. Ukraine was generally always a part of Russia from the time of Catherine the Great- no one has a better claim on the much contested over history borderland, and the U.S.A. is rather dense to be involved in that historical quagmire. Russia may produce it's own Suvarov to thwart aristocratic, royalist, fascist or whatever else sort of forces one wants to call them fighting to wrest areas important to Russian security and prosperity away from Russia semi-permanently (until some future round). There are so many emerging threats to the survival of humanity on Earth from the over-the-horizon advances in technology that the war fought these days with drones, counter-drones and hypersonic missiles that the conventional aspect of it seems almost quaint through tragically stupid to prosecute when Ukrainian farmers and urban dwellers would find similar conditions of living when regardless of how the land is apportioned eventually.

Emerging technical weapons with nano-particles, AI and genetic engineering attacks would be slightly more manageable if the Ukraine war were settled amicably and soon. Political leaders working for the west probably have nothing besides greed and avarice in mind envisioning their business developments post war, and profit selling guns, weapons and harvesting body parts for transplants in the meantime. Old Europe probably needs lots of spare organs from healthy young soldiers lost to the predation of drones.

Comparing Micro-Plastics to Pneumonic Plague Criteria and Alternatives to Plastic Bags

 I asked Grok about developments in alternatives to micro-plastics and got some interesting information.

Gary-Are there prospects for low cost and quantitatively viable alternatives to microplastics? Can chemistry or molecular physics alter plastics in a way to make them too large to be absorbed into cells? Isn't there some kind of small micron size necessary- comparable to the need in making weaponized pneumonic plague to convert it into an aerosol form (I read that in a book about biopreparat and Cold war history)

Thought for 24s

Grok-Yes, there are promising prospects for low-cost and quantitatively viable alternatives to microplastics, driven by ongoing research into bio-based and biodegradable materials. These alternatives aim to replace primary microplastics (intentionally added particles, like in cosmetics or abrasives) and reduce secondary ones (from degradation of larger plastics). For instance, bioplastics derived from food waste, such as starches or proteins, show potential for scalability at lower costs due to abundant raw materials.

Other options include polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) like polyhydroxybutyrates (PHBs), produced by bacteria from renewable sources, which can mimic traditional plastics but degrade fully without leaving microplastic residues.

Algae-based polymers are also gaining traction for their versatility and environmental benefits, potentially replacing plastics in packaging or textiles at competitive scales.

Natural alternatives like olive stone powders or cellulose-based microbeads from seaweed and fungi offer low-cost options for specific applications, such as exfoliants in personal care products, with some already commercially available. bio-powder.com +2 Challenges remain in matching the durability and production volumes of conventional plastics, but advancements in bio-based polymers from plant cellulose or lignin could enable broader adoption, especially as regulations push for microplastic bans.

Quantitative viability is improving; for example, PHA production costs have dropped with optimized microbial fermentation, making them feasible for high-volume uses like single-use items.

Chemistry and molecular physics can indeed alter plastics to prevent them from breaking down into sizes small enough for cellular absorption, primarily by redesigning polymer structures at the molecular level. Traditional plastics like polyethylene degrade via environmental factors (e.g., UV radiation, oxidation, and mechanical stress), leading to fragmentation into micro- and nanoplastics. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +1 To counter this, chemists can incorporate cross-linking agents or stabilizers during synthesis to enhance chain stability, reducing brittleness and slowing degradation into small particles.

Molecular physics insights, such as studying polymer entanglement and crystallinity, allow for engineering "self-healing" or more elastic materials that resist fracturing.

Alternatively, fully biodegradable polymers (e.g., polylactic acid or PHAs) can be designed to break down via enzymatic hydrolysis into non-toxic monomers rather than persistent microfragments.

These modifications don't make existing plastics "larger" per se but prevent the formation of absorbable small particles altogether, addressing the root issue.You're correct that particle size is critical for cellular absorption, similar to the aerosolization requirements in weaponized pneumonic plague. For microplastics, cellular uptake and effects depend on size: particles larger than about 500 μm generally show limited cellular interactions or toxicity, as they're too bulky to enter cells easily.

Smaller microplastics (e.g., 1–20 μm) can be ingested by cells via endocytosis but often cause minimal disruption unless they're nanoplastics (<1 μm), which penetrate more readily and trigger inflammation, oxidative stress, or senescence. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +4 Shape, surface chemistry, and charge also influence this, but size is a key threshold—nanoplastics (1–1000 nm) are the most bioavailable.

airqualitynews.com In the context of bioweapons like aerosolized Yersinia pestis (the bacterium causing pneumonic plague), particles need to be 1–5 μm in diameter for effective inhalation, as this size allows them to reach deep into the lungs' alveoli without being filtered out by the respiratory tract. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov +4 This parallels microplastic concerns, where sub-5 μm sizes enable environmental dispersal and biological uptake, highlighting why preventing fragmentation below these thresholds is a focus in plastic redesign.

Nano-machine Replacements for Plastic Bags- A Progress Report by Grok

There are myriad alternative ways to replace plastic bags or at least scale up the size of the plastic in order to avoid very small micron sizes that allow easy absorption into biological cells. One of the more interesting one is that of nano-machines. I had a conversation with Grok- prompting Alex as he is known alternatively;

Gary- Could semi-intelligent nano-machines form bags that serve like plastics yet when their purpose is served, collapse into a powder or maybe a cube for recycling as another bag?

Grok- Thought for 39s

"Yes, the concept of semi-intelligent nano-machines forming bag-like structures that function like plastics and then collapse into a powder or compact cube for recycling is theoretically feasible, drawing from emerging research in programmable nanomaterials, molecular robotics, and self-assembling systems. While we're not there yet for everyday consumer products like grocery bags, foundational technologies demonstrate assembly and disassembly on command at the nanoscale, with potential pathways to scale up for macroscopic applications.

Core Principles and Feasibility-At the heart of this idea are "smart" nanomaterials or molecular machines that can respond to external triggers (e.g., chemical signals, solvents, light, or temperature) to organize into functional structures and later break down controllably. These aren't fully autonomous "intelligent" nanobots like in science fiction, but rather engineered molecules or particles with programmed behaviors:

• Self-Assembly: Nano-machines could use weak intermolecular forces (like hydrogen bonding or DNA hybridization) to link together, forming a flexible, impermeable network similar to plastic polymers. For a bag, this might create a thin, durable sheet that holds shape under normal use.
• Disassembly on Command: Once the bag's purpose is served, a trigger could disrupt those bonds, causing the structure to collapse. This might result in a fine powder (dispersed nanoparticles) or, with more advanced control, a self-organized cube (via directed reassembly into a compact form). The components could then be recycled by reassembling them into new bags, minimizing waste.
• Semi-Intelligence: The "intelligence" comes from built-in molecular controllers or circuits that process signals autonomously, allowing the system to decide when to assemble/disassemble without constant external input.

This aligns with sustainable manufacturing goals, where materials are designed for infinite recyclability without energy-intensive melting or chemical breakdown.Supporting Research and ExamplesRecent advancements show this isn't just hypothetical:

• Swarm molecular robots, propelled by kinesin motors along microtubules, can self-assemble into bundled structures via DNA signals from a coexisting molecular controller. An "assemble" command aligns them into formations, while a "disassemble" signal disperses them automatically. This autonomous process, regulated by a DNA circuit, could inspire scalable systems for dynamic materials. phys.org Though currently microscopic, extending this to larger scales might involve hierarchical assembly (nano to micro to macro).
• A self-assembling electrolyte for EV batteries uses aramid amphiphile molecules that spontaneously form nanoribbons in water, which can be pressed into a solid structure. Immersion in organic solvents causes rapid disassembly—like dissolving cotton candy—separating components for easy recycling. news.mit.edu Researchers note this reversible process could adapt to packaging, such as bags that assemble for use and collapse into recyclable forms on a solvent trigger, avoiding traditional plastic pollution.
• Broader nanotech design principles advocate building disassembly directly into products, such as using reverse assemblers to break items into reusable elemental components or enabling biodegradation into harmless parts. azonano.com Proposals like a "Law of Disassembly" emphasize ensuring all nanotech items have at least one safe breakdown pathway, which could apply to macroscopic items by programming nano-units to revert to a powder or cube state for collection and reuse.

Other work, like self-folding origami robots or programmable 2D nanosheets, further supports the idea of materials that change form autonomously. herox.com +1Challenges and Prospects

• Scaling Up: Current demos are at nano/micro scales (e.g., for drug delivery or batteries), not macro like bags. Achieving uniform assembly over square meters would require trillions of nano-machines working in concert, plus ensuring mechanical strength comparable to plastics.
• Cost and Viability: Production of such nano-machines (e.g., via DNA synthesis or chemical engineering) is expensive now, but costs are dropping with biotech advances. Quantitative viability could emerge if raw materials are cheap and recycling loops are closed.
• Triggers and Safety: Disassembly might use benign triggers (e.g., water or mild solvents) to form powder, or magnetic/electric fields to compact into a cube. Ensuring they don't accidentally disassemble (e.g., in rain) or pose health risks (e.g., inhalable powder) is key.
• Timeline: Prototypes for niche applications (e.g., medical or military) might appear in 5–10 years, with consumer packaging following as regulations push for zero-waste materials.

In summary, while full implementation requires further R&D, the building blocks exist, and this could revolutionize plastics by making them truly circular and eco-friendly."

Semi-Auto Nail Puller

I don't know if it already exists, yet if not someone should invent an electronic nail puller for. Useful on large roofs in need of replaced plywood or osb, a nail puller shaped like a Colt model 1911 with a powerful new battery instead of a magazine- or perhaps like a grease gun, would punch into the wood in a circle (adjustable) around a nail head to a depth of a quarter of an inch, tighten and extract- perhaps ejecting a nail like a spent cartridge.

A semi-auto nail puller would be a useful tool.

On Criticism of Self-Publishing

 I opt for writing positively. Being a critic is all too easy. Human nature seems to enjoy dissing others. If one hasn't anything positive to say then sometimes it is better to leave it unsaid. In literature there is a profusion of publishing that occurred with the advent of computers and the internet. Anyone can publish anything they like, precociously on-line without wait, review maturation or delay- instant gratification that trolls will follow up with attacks. There is something of an existential nature to publishing including an unlimited stream of AI generated books offered for sale. That is a phenomenal 21st century communication development. 

I used to give away 200 books a month of a particular cosmology-creation analysis e-book and then, during the Obama administration, that dropped to zero from my on-line self publisher. I literally could not give away books- just zero visibility. So in my opinion, without a regular publisher with an advertising budget selling books of any sort will be difficult. People have also moved on to preferences for videos and sometimes audio books because reading requires a little discipline. I believe harsh criticism without standing can be a misplaced activity with time better spent on production. Quality writing should receive some recommendation. Commend those with As or Bs, encourage those with Cs and understand those with Ds and Fs, yet withhold dumping abuse on those poor souls. Internet fraud is a better thing to be vigilant about; in all its various forms.

A Note on Nominalism, Realism, Epistemology and Philosophy of Language

 Logicians with linguistic philosophy tend to avoid make errors with words. There are various forms of symbolic logic, like predicate, propositional and term for instance. The entire point about formal logic is that valid statements need be technically supported. Though syllogistic logic isn't symbolic logic- syllogisms are classical, there are 256 possible forms of syllogism and only 23 are valid forms. With words and thinking with words one realizes that words too need be supported as one considers propositions about things; such as 'the sky is blue' or 'oceans have a lot of water'. A proposition in logic is a statement that is either true or false.

The philosophy of language is a fascinating subject. W.V.O. Quine in Ontological Relativity covered a lot of ground and discussed Saul Kripke's book 'Naming and Necessity'. In that book Kripke basically considered the nature of words and their meaning and if names are realist or nominal. That is do names and words have meanings that are just made or created with use and change or disappear over time, or do they have a real meaning independently of the use that lasts. For example will the name Winston Churchill mean anything in 1000 years. Kripke was a neo-realist. I tend to opt for Quine's view of nominalism. It does make a difference though- Plato's Republic and the theory of forms was based on realism rather than nominalism. The debate has continued about 2500 years in all sorts of fields and modern ideas about truth values- there actually are several theories of truth formally defining what it is. I tend to like disquotation theory that is a kind of verification paradigm. One says that A is A and one verifies that it is the case that A is A. Language is of practical value in communication and that can just be what is useful. Christian theological ideas are different than secular ideas though. Jesus is Truth because God is the source of everything- so in that context God is the only truth and everything else is contingent or emergent and partial lol.

One other point though- words and language exist in mind rather than in nature.  Water doesn't have a label on its molecules that say hydrogen or oxygen and water doesn't have an implicit water label on it- people make up those words

I wanted to point out my technical error, that I did correct, in writing noumenal rather than nominal. That was something like a complex typo; I am more used to discussing Kant's noumenon and phenomenal relationships rather than nominalism. Nominalism versus realism is the language debate. Kant's Critique of Pure Reason began a technical exploration of what it is that one perceives of the world that probably started with Plato. Kant named the things that one perceives phenomenal, and the things that a human cannot ever perceive, noumenal. Sartre made up terms like in-itself, for-itself and for-others etc. And I believe those are consistent with Kant's categories of noumenon, and phenomenon.