Sunday, January 19, 2020

19 January - Blogs I'm Following - 5 of 5

10 pm MST

Midnight Meme Of The Day!

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 21 hours ago
*by Noah Sunday Thoughts:* Putin's Chosen One looks a little slender in this depiction. Not to worry. His worshipers will send out for some Bigly Macs with Fascist Fries and get him back up to 400 pounds in no time. Meanwhile, the frothy chanting of his supporters is getting more intense by the day as the impeachment trial gets closer and closer. I think I just heard someone yell out "Perfect phone call." Just a while ago, another one was warbling "He did nothing wrong. He did nothing wrong!" Then there was the wailing of the guy who said "Bring me the head of Lev Parnas." By t... more »

He's back! Conor McGregor takes down Cowboy in 40-second UFC demolition job

Just In - 21 hours ago
Conor McGregor makes a spectacular return to the octagon, demolishing Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone in just 40 seconds in Las Vegas.

Man burned in Cobargo bushfire dies in hospital

Just In - 21 hours ago
Police confirm an 84-year-old man injured in the Cobargo bushfire on December 31 has died in hospital.

Impeachment proceedings a 'dangerous attack' on rights of American people, Trump says

Just In - 21 hours ago
President Donald Trump's legal team issues a fiery response ahead of opening arguments in his impeachment trial, while House Democrats say the President betrayed public trust with behaviour that was the "worst nightmare" of the founding fathers.

The most serious outbreak of locusts in 25 years is swarming across East Africa

Just In - 21 hours ago
The most serious outbreak of locusts in 25 years is spreading across East Africa and posing an unprecedented threat to food security.

Golf-ball-sized hailstones pelt Melbourne during severe thunderstorms

Rachel Clayton And Zalika Rizmal at Just In - 21 hours ago
Severe storms carrying heavy rain, wind and hail have hit the outer suburbs of Melbourne as firefighters are pulled from fire-affected areas where rain and wind has caused flash flooding and is likely to topple trees and create landslides.

Telstra urgently installing dangerous 5G networks in the suburbs

Editor, cairnsnews at Cairns News - 21 hours ago
Telstra, Optus, Vodaphone and the Australian Government have enhanced the Deep State depopulation program in earnest by rolling out dangerous 5G wireless networks throughout the suburbs of every city in the country without releasing any independent safety studies. With towers placed 100 metres apart there will be blanket coverage of EMF at more than 100 […]

Canada to Ban Single-Use Plastics by 2021 to Help Reduce Ocean Waste

Nick Meyer at AltHealthWorks.com - 21 hours ago
Half of all plastic waste is designed to be used only once according to the UN Environment organization, while about one million plastic drinking bottles are purchased every minute. This constant re-using of plastic has dramatically harmful impacts on the environment, as evidenced by phenomenons such as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which was recently found by Scientific Reports to be far bigger than originally thought, more than double the size of Texas. Despite the frustration and dire situation involving plastic pollution in the ocean, progress is being made in many corner... more »

Experts assess potential of whole genome sequencing in food safety

News Desk at Food Safety News - 21 hours ago
Whole genome sequencing offers new possibilities for foodborne outbreak detection and investigation, source attribution and hazard identification, according to an EFSA panel. The scientific opinion by the panel on Biological Hazards covers use of whole genome sequencing (WGS) and metagenomics for outbreak investigation, source attribution and risk assessment of foodborne pathogens. Cost/benefit analyses and technical... Continue Reading

China Has Been Watching America, And Now Has Special Forces Of Its Own

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 21 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, Asia* America heavily relies on its elite special forces. *Key point: *Special forces are only as good as their transportation, and China is developing the capability to convey special forces to where they are needed. Some special force units get all the attention. America’s Delta Force, Russia's Spetnatz and Britain's SAS have glamorous reputations. When was the last time you heard about China's commandos? But Chinese special forces exist, and they have been growing in size, sophistication and global reach, according to the U.S. Army's Foreign Militar... more »

Did You Know India Is Becoming A World Leader In Aircraft Carriers?

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 21 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/YOGA-DAY-INDIA-RC171B5A7D00.html] There are more coming in the future. *Key point: *The Indian Navy is the preeminent force in the Indian Ocean. With one large carrier in service and another on the way, India has become one of the world’s pre-eminent naval aviation powers. How did the program come about? Where is it going? And what is the strategic rationale for India’s massive investment in aircraft carriers? *The Origins of India’s Carriers* Despite considerable economic challenges, India took carrier a... more »

Picture this!

nonnie9999 at HYSTERICAL RAISINS - 21 hours ago
From Mediaite: Weekend Today anchor Kristen Welker pressed Pam Bondi, a member of President Donald Trump’s impeachment defense, on her and other Trump allies’ documented links to Lev Parnas. “So now we have multiple pictures of President Trump with Lev Parnas, his family members with Lev Parnas, … Continue reading →

Doomsday Climate Predictions: Wrong Then, Wrong Now

Hifast at Climate Collections - 22 hours ago
Originally posted on PA Pundits - International: From the team at CFACT ~ How many doomsday predictions about the Earth’s climate must fail before they finally get broadly ignored and dismissed out of hand? Considering the track record of climate predictions that turned out to be false, we are well passed the moment of ridicule.…

The Champ Is Here: What If Glock Lost out to Sig Sauer's P320?

Charlie Gao at The National Interest - 23 hours ago
*Charlie Gao* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] A new king? *Key point:* The P320 is a sturdy gun that has been well received. Given time, the P320 could cut some into Glock's market share. Sig Sauer’s P320 is perhaps Glock’s most successful competitor in the world of striker-fired polymer-framed handguns. It might also represent the first truly successful clean-slate design by Sig Sauer, Inc. But what makes the P320 the most successful competitor? It likely comes down to the P320’s differences, rather than its similarities to the Glock. Plenty of manufacturers have made “cl... more »

Germany Needs New Fighter Jets, But Will It Choose The Eurofighter Typhoon?

David Axe at The National Interest - 23 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * The German air force is close to making a decision on a replacement type for its fleet of Tornado fighter-bombers. *Key point:* One factor complicates Berlin’s decision. The German air force just received the last Eurofighter Typhoon fighter from its initial order for 143 of the planes. But many more new Typhoons could be in the air arm’s future as it eyes replacements for older planes. The German air force in late 2019 operates 141 surviving Typhoons plus 74 Tornado fighter-bombers and 30 Tornado ECRs, the latter equipped with special weapons and senso... more »

Tweets For Today

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 23 hours ago
WATCH: Security forces in Beirut, Lebanon, use water cannons and tear gas to disperse protesters rallying against corruption and mismanagement in the country. https://t.co/1WE4u9mpIM pic.twitter.com/ODYgIDYsxW — NBC News (@NBCNews) January 19, 2020 Foreign powers to discuss ways out Libya crisis with rival camps https://t.co/OAJbfHTCsP pic.twitter.com/lw1kkQ7WX3 — Reuters (@Reuters) January 19, 2020 Iran will send to Ukraine the black boxes of a Ukrainian airliner that its military accidentally shot down this month, killing all 176 people on board, Iranian media reports. https:... more »

January 19th – 2020 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1095

sundance at The Last Refuge - 23 hours ago
In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and … Continue reading →

Sunday January 19th – Open Thread

sundance at The Last Refuge - 23 hours ago
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those … Continue reading →

Impeachment: Salon Compares Republican Senators To Jim Crow Jury

PA Pundits - International at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
By P.J. Gladnick ~ The latest attack upon the Republican Senators who will sit as part of the jury in the impeachment trial of President Trump is truly bizarre. However, perhaps not so surprising considering the source: Amanda Marcotte of Salon. Her latest wacky shtick is that those Republicans will probably act as a throwback […]

Doomsday Climate Predictions: Wrong Then, Wrong Now

PA Pundits - International at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
From the team at CFACT ~ How many doomsday predictions about the Earth’s climate must fail before they finally get broadly ignored and dismissed out of hand? Considering the track record of climate predictions that turned out to be false, we are well passed the moment of ridicule. The latest climate prediction fiasco, about glaciers […]

People Who Hate Their Country Won’t Serve It

PA Pundits - International at PA Pundits – International - 23 hours ago
Is it any wonder that our military lacks representation from urban and coastal population centers? ~ Brian Mark Weber ~ There was a time in America when each generation learned about love of country and the importance of service. It didn’t matter whether a kid grew up in the Bronx or in a small […]

Picture Of The Day

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 23 hours ago
March 19, 2018 - Putin wins a landslide re-election victory and a mandate to stay in office until 2024. Yuri Kadobnov/POOL via Reuters *WNU Editor:* The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... *Putin's 20 years in power *(Reuters).

US Democratic Presidential Candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Wins Pushup Contest At Town Hall

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 23 hours ago
One of those memorable New Hampshire Primary moments: @TulsiGabbard challenged to a push-up contest at a Manchester Town Hall. She wins. #nhpolitics #fitn #wmur pic.twitter.com/bW2i7p28Ty — Jean Mackin (@JeanWMUR) January 17, 2020 *The Hill*: *Gabbard defeats man in push-up contest at New Hampshire town hall* During a town hall in New Hampshire Thursday night, Democratic presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) was asked if she could beat former Vice President Joe Biden in a pushup contest, sparking an impromptu challenge with a supporter. “Former Vice President Biden ... more »

Quote of the Day

vonMesser at 'Nox & Friends - 23 hours ago

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Says Lev Parnas's Allegations On President Trump Are Untrue

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 23 hours ago
*WNU Editor:* This did not go as well as CNN had hoped for. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Vadym Prystaiko is basically calling Lev Parnas .... who has been claiming for the past week that President Trump was directly involved through his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani in an alleged quid pro quo with Ukraine .... a liar. Not surprising. The comment thread in the above video is overwhelmingly negative on the foreign minister. Now I so happen to have met Vadym Prystaiko twice in Ottawa when he was Ukraine's Ambassador to Canada. One was business and the other was social, and he struck ... more »

Trump's Love-Hate-- Mostly Hate-- Relationship With The U.S. Military

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 1 day ago
Yesterday, the *Washington Post* ran a long and fascinating excerpt from *A Very Stable Genius*, the about-to-be-released (Tuesday) new book by *Post* reporters Phil Rucker and Carol Leonnig. The excerpt is really good and you'll enjoy reading it, especially in light of Trump's own relationship with the military. Remember, Trump was a draft-dodging chicken hawk who has been extremely disrespectful to the military over the years and has, since becoming "president," endlessly tried using and manipulating the military for his own purposes and personal aggrandizement. There is no more... more »

War in Syria Drives Out Christian Community

The main street of Tal Hafyan in Syria's northeast is as packed as ever, but almost no one is from here. "A local family? I think there's still one in that house but I couldn't tell," says a man among a group of five struggling to get a car out of the mud.

Another Of The "Stupidest Litigation" Contenders Dies -- But Just Barely

Francis Menton at Manhattan Contrarian - 1 day ago
* Among the many important initiatives of this website has been holding the competition for the Award for “Stupidest Litigation in the Country.” * To many readers, the very first nominee for the Stupidest Litigation Award has always been the clear leading contender to win it. That nomination, made in December 2017, went to the litigation titled Kelsey Cascadia Rose Juliana v. United States. This is the case where a group of adolescents in the Pacific Northwest have sought an injunction to require the federal government to decree an end to all use of fossil fuels, in order to “save t... more »

U.S. Navy To Name Its Next Aircraft Carrier After Pearl Harbor Hero Mess Attendant 2nd Class Doris 'Dorie' Miller

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
The US Navy is expected to honor Mess Attendant 2nd Class Doris Miller (pictured), naming a new aircraft carrier after him *Daily Mail*: *USS Doris Miller: Navy to name new $13bn aircraft carrier after Pearl Harbor hero who manned machine gun to fight off Japanese aircraft and was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for valor* * The US Navy is to name new aircraft carrier after a World War II hero * Mess Attendant 2nd Class Doris Miller was the first African American to receive the Navy Cross for valor in 1942 * The $13billion aircraft carrier will be the fourth o... more »

'Many trees in space?': Ridicule as US Space Force shows off camo uniform

Just In - 1 day ago
A social media post announcing the design of the US Space Force's new uniform attracts plenty of comments and questions from users who cannot see the benefits of camouflage in space, but there is a reason for the choice.

Hole big enough to swallow a car opens up on suburban Sunshine Coast road

Lexy Hamilton-Smith at Just In - 1 day ago
Police are called in the middle of the night after a large hole opens up on a suburban road at Sunshine Beach.

Facebook scrambles after Chinese President's name appears as insult

Just In - 1 day ago
Facebook says it is working to find out how its website gave an offensive translation of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's name in posts on its platform.

The champions of English rugby union are being relegated due to salary-cap violations

Just In - 1 day ago
In a case echoing the Melbourne Storm's salary cap scandal that saw them stripped of two premierships, English club Saracens is being booted out of top-flight rugby union after rorting the salary cap for three seasons, during which they won two titles.

North Korea Replaces Its Foreign Minister

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho attends a meeting with China's President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China December 7, 2018. Fred Dufour/Pool via REUTERS *NK News: **Ri Yong Ho replaced as North Korean foreign minister, sources say* Ri Son Gwon will be replacement, sources say, a shift which could see major changes to foreign policy posture North Korea’s foreign minister Ri Yong Ho has been replaced, sources in Pyongyang confirmed to NK News, in a major political reshuffle which could have a significant impact on the country’s diplomatic stance ... more »

China Thinks It Can Nuke American Cities. Should We Worry?

Lyle J. Goldstein at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*Lyle J. Goldstein* *Security, Asia* [image: Military vehicles carrying hypersonic missiles DF-17 travel past Tiananmen Square during the military parade marking the 70th founding anniversary of People's Republic of China, on its National Day in Beijing, China October 1, 2019. REUTERS/Jason Lee] World War III is no joke... *Key Point:* Despite the developments related above, the balance of opinion in Beijing seems impressively moderate on the prospects for a major nuclear buildup by China. When one reads enough Chinese naval literature, diagrams of multi-axial cruise missile sat... more »

The Navy Has Built Too Many Aircraft Carriers For Its Own Good

David W. Wise at The National Interest - 1 day ago
*David W. Wise* *Security, * And they make for juicy targets. *Key point: *In its capacity as a force projection platform, the carrier operates by launching various types of attack and tactical fighter aircraft from its decks. “History,” it has been written, “does not repeat itself, but it rhymes.” Today it’s rhyming with Gen. Billy Mitchell. In the 1920s, Mitchell challenged conventional thinking by advocating air power at sea in the face of a naval establishment dominated by battleship proponents. The hubris of the “battleship Navy” was such that just nine days before Pearl H... more »

No. 2 General At The Pentagon Says North Korea Building New Missiles 'As Fast As Anybody On The Planet'

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*CNN*:* No. 2 US general says North Korea building new missiles 'as fast as anybody on the planet'* Washington (CNN)North Korea is "building new missiles, new capabilities, new weapons as fast as anybody on the planet," and learning from its mistakes as it makes advances in its missile programs, the No. 2 general at the Pentagon said Friday. Air Force Gen. John Hyten, the vice-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the comments as talks between Washington and Pyongyang over North Korea's nuclear program have stalled and Kim Jong Un has signaled he may be ready to test more m... more »

Wow – Puerto Rico Governor Fires Emergency Response Director After Massive Warehouse of Unused Aid Discovered…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 1 day ago
Folks, this is alarming. An explosive video from Puerto Rico shows a massive warehouse of emergency hurricane relief supplies discovered highlighting emergency supplies delivered in the aftermath of hurricane Maria that were never distributed. The warehouse was discovered after the … Continue reading →

“Dangerous, Brazen and Unlawful” — BREAKING:

Ragnar at 'Nox & Friends - 1 day ago
Trump Defense Team Files First Response to Sham Impeachment — WITH FULL DOCUMENT From the Gateway Pundit: Excerpts: President Trump’s Defense Team filed its first official response to the sham impeachment on Saturday afternoon. The six page document was filed by the 5 PM deadline on Saturday. The President’s team called the sham articles of impeachment with zero criminal accusations a dangerous, brazen and unlawful attack on our election system. Team Trump shreds the Articles of Impeachment. The document is embedded in the article above. Can’t wait for them to call witness! ~Ragnar ... more »

"944 Trillion Reasons Why The Fed Is Quietly Bailing Out Hedge Funds"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 1 day ago
*"944 Trillion Reasons Why The Fed Is * *Quietly Bailing Out Hedge Funds"* by Tyler Durden "On Friday, Minneapolis Fed president Neel Kashkari, who just two months earlier made a stunning proposal when he said that it was time for the Fed to pick up where the USSR left off and start redistributing wealth (at least Kashkari chose the proper entity: since the Fed has launched central planning across US capital markets, it would also be proper in *the banana republic that the US has become,* that the same Fed also decides who gets how much and the entire democracy/free enterprise/free... more »

Growing Interest In .338 Caliber Machine Guns

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Warzone/The Drive:* *Makers Of The Famous Minigun Give Us Our First Look At A .338 Magnum Gatling Gun* *There is a growing interest in .338 caliber machine guns, which offer greater range than 7.62mm types, and this one would provide a high rate of fire.* Dillon Aero has revealed that it is working on a new Minigun-style machine gun chambered to fire .338 Norma Magnum ammunition. U.S. Special Operations Command is separately testing more traditional machine gun designs in this same caliber, which has previously been more commonly associated with sniper rifles. The Arizona-based... more »

On The Dogma Of Individualism

Unknown at The Verma Report - 1 day ago
When a philosophy movement takes individualism as its driving principle, it becomes the preacher of a new form of conformism which regards individualism as a dogma. Its followers are convinced that by conforming with the thinking of their movement’s philosophy and groupthink they are furnishing the ultimate proof of their individualism. No amount of evidence or arguments is sufficient to dispel their illusion of being individualists.

9th Circuit Court of Appeals Dismisses “Children’s” Climate Lawsuit Against U.S. Government

James Murphy at rss - 1 day ago
[image: 9th-circuit-court-of-appeals-dismisses-children-s-climate-lawsuit-against-u-s-government] On Friday, a three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals dismissed the case of *Juliana v. the United States* — a climate-change lawsuit that asked the court to compel the U.S. government to adopt policies designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. Sanctions Are Cratering The Iranian Economy

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Raphael Badani, American Interest: **Iran's shriveling economy shows effectiveness of US sanctions* The reimposition of economic sanctions following the 2015 nuclear deal directly impacted Iran's economy, seemingly causing it to shrink 9.5 percent in 2019. Following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, and Iran's retaliatory strike on a U.S. Army base in Baghdad, Trump increased sanctions substantially. This, in turn, limits Iran's ability to fight back against the targeted killing of Soleimani. *The Situation in Iran* Iran, an already isolated country, is increasingly becomin... more »

Israeli Intelligence: Iran Likely To Field Nuclear ICBM In 2 Years

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 day ago
*Photo:* Shahab-3 is a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) developed by Iran (Wikipedia). *Breaking Defense:* *Iran Likely To Field Nuclear ICBM In 2 Years: Israeli Intelligence* Once Iran builds such a warhead, Israeli experts told Breaking D that all Iranian ballistic missiles with at least a diameter of 4.1 feet can be fitted to carry one. An example is the Shahab-3, with a range of 620 miles. TEL AVIV: Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) intelligence says Iran is two years from a capability to equip one of its ballistic missiles with nuclear warhead. Such a development would cons... more »

Once Again Class, It's He, She or Freak....

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 1 day ago
Sanity at Last: Court Refuses to Kowtow to Personal Pronouns. On Wednesday, a panel of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals refused a male prisoner's motion that the name on his order of confinement be changed and that he be addressed by female pronouns on account of his female gender identity. The ruling on personal pronouns sets an important precedent for free speech, judicial impartiality, and the basic meaning of pronouns against the transgender movement's bastardization of language. The case involves Norman Varner, a federal prisoner who pleaded guilty in 2012 to attempted receipt... more »

How Dare You Greta and all the UN charlatans

Robert at Ice Age Now - 1 day ago
“A callous, indifferent staged performance by a privileged ill-educated school drop out.” __________ How Dare You Greta and all the UN charlatans Rosco Mac How Dare You Greta and all the UN charlatans using emotional nonsensical lies as propaganda in an attempt to justify their incompetent and inhumane stupidity. How dare you talk utter bullshit ... Read more How Dare You Greta and all the UN charlatans The post How Dare You Greta and all the UN charlatans appeared first on Ice Age Now.

INTERVIEW: Robert Inlakesh on how US vs Iran fallout affects Israel-Palestine impasse

21wire at 21st Century Wire - 1 day ago
*21WIRE* | The US strike on Iran's Soleimani has accelerated new alliances in the region - which may change the face of geopolitics for generations to come.

Thunderstorm warning issued as fire-affected Victorian communities brace for flooding

Rachel Clayton And Zalika Rizmal at Just In - 1 day ago
Heavy rainfall and humidity is expected to help dampen fire-affected areas across Victoria this afternoon, but there are fears flash flooding and strong winds could topple trees, create landslides and send debris onto roads.

Thunder win by four runs despite scoring 48 fewer than the Sixers, but that's life under Duckworth-Lewis

Just In - 1 day ago
Even the winning captain in the BBL's Sydney derby is wondering if cricket needs to rethink its method for deciding rain-affected Twenty20 matches.

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