10:36pm MST
The Battle For Mosul Is Starting To Take Shape
A Kurdish Peshmerga fighter keep watch during fighting with Islamic State militants on the outskirts of Mosul January 21, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Azad Lashkari *Wall Street Journal:* *U.S., Iraq Prepare Offensive to Retake Mosul From Islamic State* *WNU Editor*: This is not going to be an easy battle .... *In Mosul, Islamic State turns captured city into fortress* (Reuters). *More News On The U.S. And Iraq Preparing An Offensive To Retake Mosul From The Islamic State* U.S., Iraq preparing for assault to recapture Mosul: WSJ -- Reuters Kurdish forces, Iraqi army launch attack in Mosu... more »
From the DWT Mailbag: We answer reader questions like "Where's Howie?"
Okay, we've got a little time and space here, so why don't we dig into the *DWT* mailbag and answer a question or two. Okay, let's go for two. Right, here are the questions readers are asking most often at the moment? (1) So where the heck is Howie? (2) Man, that other guy sucks! *LET'S TAKE THEM IN REVERSE ORDER* (2) Technically this isn't actually a question, and so there isn't much we can say, except that sure, the guy sucks, but what you may not know is that he's here on scholarship, and giving him the boot would mean he'd have to be sent back where he came from, and the cab... more »
FFWN: Remembering David Crowley
*TODAY’S NEWS STORIES AND THEIR SOURCE LINKS* *In Memoriam: David Crowley and family* 1) Director of film, “Gray State”, suicided with his family http://beforeitsnews.com/conspiracy-theories/2015/01/director-of-the-movie-gray-state-was-suicideded-along-with-his-family-2467400.html 2) “CIA kills people, makes it look like suicide” – Guantanamo guard http://rt.com/usa/223139-cia-prisoners-suicide-guantanamo/ 3) Minnesota bill would ban NSA activities – let’s pass “the David Crowley Bill” in his memory http://www.mintpressnews.com/minnesota-bill-ban-nsa-activity-called-biggest-threat-sin...more »
What Will Be The Impact On Oil Prices With The Succession Of A New King In Saudi Arabia?
*Maher Chmaytelli, Bloomberg*: *Saudi Arabia’s New King Will Likely Stick With Current Oil Policy * *WNU Editor: *No surprise that when news of the death of Saudi King Abdullah was reported, oil prices jumped .... *Oil jumps after Saudi king's death amid huge market shifts *(Reuters). The big question now is what will be the *Kingdom's policy towards OPEC* .... maintain the status quo for production and price .... or start to reverse Saudi policy and limit oil production thereby increasing oil prices. My prediction is that nothing is going to change. Because of his poor health I s... more »
Musical Interlude: Kitaro, “Matsuri”
Kitaro, “Matsuri” - http://www.youtube.com/
"A Look to the Heavens"
“Here is one of the largest objects that anyone will ever see on the sky. Each of these fuzzy blobs is a galaxy, together making up the Perseus Cluster, one of the closest clusters of galaxies. The cluster is seen through a foreground of faint stars in our own Milky Way Galaxy. *Click image for larger size.* Near the cluster center, roughly 250 million light-years away, is the cluster's dominant galaxy NGC 1275, seen above as a large galaxy on the image left. A prodigious source of x-rays and radio emission, NGC 1275 accretes matter as gas and galaxies fall into it. The Perseus Clus... more »
Saudi Arabia's New King Is Salman bin Abdulaziz
Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz will take over as the new king, but he is in poor health and his reign may not last long. (Yuya Shino/Reuters) *Reuters:* *New Saudi ruler King Salman bin Abdulaziz* *WNU Editor:* Apparently the new ruler of Saudi Arabia is in *poor health and suffering from dementia.* With chaos in oil markets and a raging civil war in in Syria and Iraq, coupled with the crisis in Yemen .... is it smart to have a new ruler who has all of these health problems? Apparently he is .... and that is probably because the other prospective rulers in the K... more »
Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Has Died -- News Roundup
*Daily Mail*: *Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah dies aged 90 following battle with pneumonia: Oil prices shoot up as 79-year-old brother inherits the throne to continue 'cautious' reforms of kingdom* * King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz had been in hospital since December suffering from pneumonia * He took power in 2005 after the death of his half-brother King Fahd and was thought to be 91, although official accounts are unclear * King Abdullah was admitted to the King Abdulaziz Medical City of the National Guard in Riyadh in December to undergo medical tests * The royal court earlier this mon... more »
"Did You Ever Wonder?"
"Did you ever wonder if the person in the puddle is real, and you're just a reflection of him?" ~ Calvin and Hobbes
Chet Raymo, "As Time Goes By"
* "As Time Goes By"* by Chet Raymo "Is time something that is defined by the ticking of a cosmic clock, God's wristwatch say? Time doesn't exist except for the current tick. The past is irretrievably gone. The future does not yet exist. Consciousness is awareness of a moment. Or is time a dimension like space? We move through time as we move through space. The past is still there; we're just not there anymore. The future exists; we'll get there. We experience time as we experience space, say, by looking out the window of a moving train. Or is time… Physicists and philosophers have... more »
"People Who Don’t Get It: Living with It"
* "People Who Don’t Get It: Living with It"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM "When dealing with people who seem very unaware, remember that everyone must find their own way to awakening. You may be someone who understands the true nature of reality, perceiving deeply that we all emanate from the same source, that we are all essentially one, and that we are here on earth to love one another. To understand this is to be awakened to the true nature of the self, and it is a blessing. Nevertheless, people who just don’t get it are seemingly everywhere and, often, in positions of power. I... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Miles City, Montana, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
"Life..."
"Life... is not about how fast you run or even with what degree of grace. It's about perseverance, about staying on your feet and slogging forward no matter what." - Dean Koontz
Constructivism and the tension within
My first post of the new year (hey, it is still January!) is a bit IR theory geek-ish, so apologies to readers who do not follow those arcane discussions. About two weeks ago I participated in a workshop on constructivism at USC. Not surprisingly given the caliber of the people around the table, the conversation Continue reading
"An Old Farmer's Advice"
"An Old Farmer's Advice" Author Unknown "* Your fences need to be horse-high, pig-tight, and bull-strong. * Keep skunks and bankers and lawyers at a distance. * Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. * A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor. * Words that soak into your ears are whispered…not yelled. * Meanness don’t jes’ happen overnight. * Forgive your enemies. It messes up their heads. * Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. * It don’t take a very big person to carry a grudge. * You cannot unsay a cruel word. * Every path has a few pu... more »
“Also to meet competency 1.2 your practice example must relate to demonstrating the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi”
I’m sure it will comfort you next time you find yourself in need of a nurse l to know that, in order for your nurse to maintain their registration as a nurse, they must first “demonstrate their competence” as a nurse to The Council of Nurses. A Council who *does not hesitate* *to ensure* – and this is important – your nurse’s “continuing competence” in something they call “competency 1.2,” which it turns our is something to do with “the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi” etc. [image: image] For clarity, this “competency 1.2” is one of the very first “competencies” stressed ... more »
Culture Watch: Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places
*Gilberto was just looking for a little love.* *by Noah* Everyone wants love, don't they? Some are lucky in love. Some are not. Love will alter your future. Love will affect the way you look at life and the world. Love can soothe the savage beast within. Scientists say it can even lower your blood pressure. These are just a few of the things love can do. Ah, but not having love can drive a person to distraction, the despair of loneliness, drink, and self-destruction. Some women will buy a concert ticket and park themselves right up front of the stage in hopes that the star of the... more »
Just a Harmless Movie?
The reactions to the pro-war 'American Sniper' film are proving that it is serving its true purpose which is to pump up the domestic jam for all things military. Just like the 1968 Vietnam war promo movie Green Berets with John Wayne, this new 'American Sniper' is serving the interests of the US war machine. From what I've seen and read about this new movie it is not intended to question the lies and deception by the Bush administration that initiated 'shock and awe' of Iraq in 2003. Instead it's purpose is to reenergise the militarization of American culture - to demonize the pe... more »
Jesus is Not an American?
*The Daily Show* Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive
“The Secrets To Handling Passive-Aggressive People”
*“The Secrets To Handling Passive-Aggressive People”* by George Dvorsky and Levi Gadye “Dealing with people who exhibit passive-aggressive behavior is easily one of the most challenging aspects of our social lives. Here's what you need to know about this annoying personality quirk and how you can handle people who express their hostility in indirect and backhanded ways. Interacting with passive-aggressive (PA) people is something many of us are all too familiar with. As a behavior, it manifests in many different ways — some of them quite backhanded and subtle — which can make it dif...more »
Saudi King Abdullah- Dead- A Wily King?
Sorry for the fuzzy post- Something very 'earth shattering' occurred! Sure caught me by surprise. What will happen now? Power struggles in Saudi Arabia?- The oil prices?- Supporting fanatical jihadists in partnership with NATO? Yemen? *Or, will the status quo remain?* Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, the sixth king of Saudi Arabia, who has died most likely at age 90, was a master politician who *gained a reputation as a reformer without changing his country’s power structure *and maintained good relations with the United States while striking an independent course in foreign policy.*(?)* ... more »
Dooms Day Clock Moved Two Minutes Closer To Midnight. It Is Now At 3 Minutes To Midnight
Doomsday Clock is now at 3 minutes to midnight. Was at 3 minutes in 1984,1949. At 2 min. 1953: Watch: http://t.co/TsfS2THlwO — BulletinOfTheAtomic (@BulletinAtomic) January 22, 2015 *Bulletin of The Atomic Scientists*: *Three minutes and counting* *More News Ob The 'Doomsday Clock' Being Moved From Five Minutes To Midnight To Three Minutes To Midnight* Doomsday Clock Set at 3 Minutes to Midnight -- Live Science The Doomsday Clock is ticking again. It is now three minutes to midnight, a.k.a the end of humanity.-- Washington Post We Haven't Been This Close to the Apocalypse Since ... more »
For whatsoever a man sows, That shall he also reap
Raising hogs for meat and doing it in a manner that is responsible to the welfare of the animal while it is alive, good for the environment and fertility of the farm and produces a healthful and delicious product for the person sitting down to a meal of pork takes a lot of human effort and management. The word is husbandry. To do so without the use of GMO feeds, concentrations of waste, phosphorus loading, etc is at the very least a break even proposition when the final product brings a price point around 2.5 times higher than what is available at the average grocery store. People... more »
Saudi Arabia in Focus January 22 , 2015 : King Abdullah has passed away . New King Salman ascends to Leadership... Th new King will face challenges and challenging times !
Tweets... *zerohedge* @zerohedge 11s 11 seconds ago The Saudi Succession: Its Impact On Oil, Markets And Politics http://www. zerohedge.com/news/2015-01-2 2/saudi-succesion-its-impact-oil-markets-and-politics … *zerohedge* [image: View this content on zerohedge's website] The Saudi Succesion: Its Impact On Oil, Markets And Politics By *zerohedge* @zerohedge As reported earlier, several hours ago Saudi Arabia announced that its 91-year-old King Abdullah had passed away, in the process setting off what may be a fascinating, and problematic, Saudi succes... View on web *... more »
Satire: "Six Weeks’ Paid Leave Opposed By People With Thirty-Three Weeks’ Paid Leave"
*"Six Weeks’ Paid Leave Opposed By People * *With Thirty-Three Weeks’ Paid Leave"* by Andy Borowitz WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)— “President Obama’s proposal to give workers six weeks of paid leave is meeting strong opposition from a group of people who annually receive thirty-three weeks of paid leave. Members of the group heard the President’s proposal on Tuesday night, one of the few nights of the year when they are required to report to their workplace. The opponents of paid leave, who show up for work a hundred and thirty-seven days per year and receive paid leave for the o...more »
Yemen breakdown as Houthi Rebwls force Government to resign - January 22 , 2015 ! Success story fails and implications are still being measured !
Yemen..... *Joyce Karam* @Joyce_Karam · 5h5 hours ago Without Exaggeration 4 Arab countries are on brink of Fragmentation: #Yemen, #Iraq, #Libya & #Syria *Joyce Karam* @Joyce_Karam · 6h6 hours ago #Yemen Government :We Choose to Distance Ourselves from Destructive Chaos. Statement of Resignation via @NadiaSakkaf [image: Embedded image permalink] Omar retweeted *Abubakr Al-Shamahi* @abubakrabdullah · 3h3 hours ago AJA announcing that "Saba" state (Marib + Jawf + Baidha) "leaders" will join Aden & Hadhramaut & calls on Janad (Taiz & Ibb) to join *Omar* @omarmash_ · ... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 22, 2015
*Danya Greenfield, BBC/Atlantic Council:* *Yemen crisis: Not a coup, but close* *Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 22, 2015* Pressure from powerful Houthis proves too much for Yemen's Hadi -- Noah Browning, Reuters Yemen's Hadi, leader who failed to bring stability -- AFP Yemen's US-backed president quits; country could split apart -- Ahmed Al-Haj and Maggie Michael, AP Yemen’s 2011 ‘upheaval’ leads to crisis today: Former US ambassador to Yemen examines the circumstances that led to current coup -- Stephen Seche, Boston Globe Yemen crisis: Chaos is security nig... more »
Atomic Robo-Kid for the MegaDrive/Genesis
In the annals of video games, titles pop into existence that quickly fade into the background and are doomed to an eternity of obscurity. One such title for Sega's black beastie is *Atomic Robo-Kid*. It hit the arcades in 1988 to absolutely no fanfare, and drifted its way over to the PC Engine, MegaDrive, and a few home computer formats. Contemporary coverage in the mags had it down as a reasonably competent blaster and it got decent marks, but it lacked that certain something - which probably explains why the MegaDrive version came out in Japan and North America only. *Atomic Robo... more »
Kindle Self-Publishing eTextbooks Offer
The internet age has started to enable classrooms without walls, or even borders and promote the leading educators to engage with all students. But is this reality today or merely technology waiting to be adopted and adapted and fighting much educational technology inertia? We have the same curriculum and exams, but an often significant variance between how students are engaged, motivated, learn and achieve the standards sought. Learning resources, such as textbooks help teachers to deliver the lessons, but can now technology allows them to do it smarter and more consistently? One... more »
Gilad Atzmon meets historian Robert Faurrisson
Last post for the week- Barring anything earth shattering happening- I am under the weather, presently, but I'll be back *Hat tip Gallier for this really excellent video- I found it powerful, thought provoking, shocking and sad. I very much found it worth the hour of my time* gallier2January 21, 2015 at 12:33 PM Hi Penny excellent interview Gilad Atzmon meets Robert Faurrisson (in english french subtitles). It's long but top quality. http://www.egaliteetreconciliation.fr/Gilad-Atzmon-rencontre-Robert-Faurisson-30143.html Information on Mr Faurrisson (avoiding the bias of Wikipe... more »
The Ukraine: The Truth behind the Western media propaganda campaign
Well the Ukraine Drama has really gone through the roof this past week. To recap: Thursday Putin sends message to Poroshenko for a cease fire and the removal of heavy artillery Sunday Ukraine bombs Donetsk with heavy artillery Monday Poroshenko legislates the addition of 50,000 more military draftees, bringing the total to 250,000 men conscripted Tuesday Ukraine states Russians on the border- Russia reply's: "Rubbish" Wednesday Poroshenko Speaks at Davos and says: .....Russia has invaded Ukraine .....We need more money.... Wednesday NATO demands that Russian troops leave Ukraine Thursda... more »
the day the earth stood still
Dr. J. Mack: Overcoming the disbelief of the UFO Phenomena
World News Briefs -- January 22, 2015 (Evening Edition)
Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz. Press TV *BREAKING NEWS:* Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah Has Dies: Crown Prince Salman has Become King - State TV (Reuters) King Abdullah, who sought to modernize *Saudi Arabia, at 90 (AP)* *WNU Editor:* This is a breaking news story. It will be updated later tonight. *MIDDLE EAST* Yemeni president quits, *throwing nation deeper into chao*s. Iraq coalition tensions emerge *in Islamic State fight*. Hagel disputes Iraq leader's weapons,* training complaints*. U.S.-led forces launch 31 air strikes *in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military*. Iraq force... more »
Videos of Yemen's Unfolding Crisis | The New York Times
"The Saudis cannot afford to have a failed state on their borders, because spillover effects into Saudi Arabia might be grave." - Stig Stenslie, head of the Asia Branch of the Norwegian Defence Staff. *Source: Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre. *March 2013. *An excerpt from, "Yemen's US-Backed President Quits; Country Could Split Apart" by Ahmed Al-Haj and Maggie Michael, AP, January 22, 2015:* Yemen's U.S.-backed president quit Thursday under pressure from rebels holding him captive in his home, severely complicating American efforts to combat al-Qaida's powerful local franc... more »
Palate cleanser needed...
after watching just a portion of Odumbo meeting with YouTube "stars."
Why give a dangleberry about Davos?
Consider these two extracts from the *Davos Devil’s Dictionary*1: *- Davos, Davos Several million gigaloules Of dead loss* And *- Oh to be in Davos Now that pricks are here* As we speak, the, (ahem) World Economic Forum is meeting in the Swiss ski resort of Davos to discuss political means to keeping attendees at the top of the tree. The week began with 1700 private jets flying in to discuss the main item on the agenda: climate change (yes, it turns out global warming actually causes private jets.) It continued with IMF head Christine Lagarde declaring Eurozone QE is “already... more »
Untitled
*New Orleans City Council passes smoke-free ordinance banning smoking in bars and casinos ~Alex Woodward, Gambit *
The Economy: “The Latest Subprime Scam”
*“The Latest Subprime Scam”* by Bill Bonner “The best things in life are free, But you can keep them for the birds and bees. Now give me money, That's what I want.” – “Money (That’s What I Want)” by Berry Gordy "We have high hopes for 2015. It is starting off so well. Only three weeks in and we almost tore a stomach muscle laughing. So many unwitting comedians. So many political pratfalls and financial gags. No fraud or no foolishness is too absurd. And the spectators are willing not only to suspend disbelief but also to chuck it out the window. Recently came news that US auto sale... more »
And speaking of "balanced" coverage in the "liberal media," the NYT sticks up for Republicans in 2015 and 1995
*Plus: E. J. Dionne Jr. says the president got it right innot trying to play nice with obstructionist Republicans* *Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? Perhaps bosom-buddy Sens. "Young Johnny" McCranky and Lindsey "I'm Going to Be the President" Graham, seen here listening (more or less) to the president's SOTU address Tuesday night.* *"There is something odd in the notion that Obama is supposed to abandon his convictions because the Republicans won a low-turnout midterm election whose Senate races were fought mostly in territory hostile to Democrats."* *-- E. J. Dion... more »
How the RMA continues to protect polluters
[image: tukituki] Hawkes Bay’s Tukutuki River is polluted with regular discharges of council sewage, and the river’s recreational users are understandably outraged that the regional council will not prosecute the district council responsible. The Central Hawke's Bay District Council's new wastewater plants have failed to meet the conditions of a new resource consent six times since it came into force in October… Spokesperson for the group Friends of the Tukituki, Simon Lusk, said the district council had 10 years to put a new sewage treatment plan in place, and the regional c... more »
London Summit Told That The War Against The Islamic State Is Making Significant Gains
*The Guardian:* *John Kerry: tide beginning to turn against Islamic State* *Iraqi government and backers have made significant gains against Isis, recapturing territory and killing half its leadership, London summit told* *More News On The London Summit's Closing Remarks On The War Against The Islamic State* IS momentum halted or reversed in Iraq - U.S. Secretary of State Kerry -- Reuters Islamic State momentum halted or reversed in Iraq by coalition: US Secretary of State Kerry -- Sydney Morning Herald Coalition Has Reclaimed Territory from Islamic State, Kerry Says -- WSJ Kerry: ... more »
Live Feed: Odumbo being interviewed by YouTubers Bethany Mota, GloZell Green and Hank Green...w/Update
*because nothing says class like green lipstick.* By the way - I heard President Ribbon Cutter will *not* meet with Netenyahu in March *Update: * Forgive me. I can't watch anymore of this.
What a Strange Way of Life
*Film - *This documentary discusses the strange ways of life of three communities: Cabrum, Cooperativa Integral Catalana and Tamera. The post What a Strange Way of Life appeared first on Waking Times.
(No Climate Leadership Here) Joyless Recovery (Koch Primaried?) Country of Bullshit American Snipers? (NC CIA-Senator Burr Demurs - Embraces CIA's Excuses Totally)
Climate Leadership Will Only Come from Us The U.S. citizenry is being eaten alive. No wonder the "Van Helsing" and "American Sniper" movie types get attendance in the hundreds of millions. And I'm counting the international box office numbers here. I've reserved comment so far on the most disappointing State of the Union address I've ever lived through. Finally I've located one that
Iraq Prime Minister: Falling Oil Prices Has Hurt The War Against The Islamic State
*Washington Post:* *Oil price drop hurting fight against Islamic State, Iraq’s prime minister says*. *WNU Editor: *When things are not going well .... look for excuses. *More News On Iraq's PM Claims That Falling Oil Prices Has Hurt The War Against The Islamic State* Oil Price Drop Cramps Iraq’s Islamic State Fight, Abadi Says -- Bloomberg Businessweek Falling oil price could hurt fight against Isis, warns Iraqi PM -- The Independent Iraqi PM: Lower oil prices could impede ISIS fight -- The Hill Oil drop ‘disastrous’ for anti-Isis fight -- Financial Times
A Tribute to Mike Sage, a True Fighter for Indiana Education and Children
by Doug Martin Michael Sage passed away last Saturday. He was a true crusader for children and a critic of school privatization in Indianapolis. Through parent and activist Matthew Brooks, I met and talked with Mike several times while in Indy for book events, and Mike was one of the first in Indiana to promote *Hoosier School Heist* and my research in so many ways. Mike was a sensitive and attuned soul. I respect him immensely. There will be a celebration of Mike's life in Indianapolis at 37th Place (2605 E. 25th St 46218) this Friday, Jan 23, from 4:00-8:00. Here below is ... more »
Jan. 22: damn damn damn damn damn damn damn damn
Damn Stephen Harper says we are not at war. (Sometimes he says we are at war - with ISIS . If so, it must be a special kind of war because it has never been approved by the Canadian people or our elected representatives - despite all the pious babbling on Nov. 11 that our people in military service died to win that right.) The truth is that the Stephen Harpers of this world don't give a damn why they died. Nor have our news media been a whole lot of help. When Canadian troops fired on ISIS troops recently, Harper (contradicting himself) said this was not war. They were simply ret... more »
MNN 'ADMIRALTY MATRIX'
ADMIRALTY MATRIX ADMIRALTY MATRIX MNN. Jan. 22, 2015. The Gus'wen:tha, Two Row Agreement, between the Ongwe'hon:weh of Ono'ware:geh, is the basis of our arrangement for the invader... View on mohawknationnews.com Preview by Yahoo
Petro/Chemical Lobby win- The Chemical Manipulation of Humanity to worsen
*Follow up to yesterday's post-* Petro/Chemical Lobby using TTIP to weaken European EDC Regulation- The Chemical Manipulation of Humanity My EU readership should be particularly disgusted, but, of course we should all be- The planet is one large intertwined system- *EU's food safety agency gives green light to Bisphenol A* *That's right- A pass to Bisphenol A* The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) re-evaluation of Bisphenol A (BPA) exposure and toxicity states that BPA, an endocrine disruptor,* poses no health risk to consumers of any age group at current exposure levels.* EFSA... more »
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq: U.S. Led Air Strikes Has Killed 6,000 Islamic State Fighters
*CNN*: *U.S. officials say 6,000 ISIS fighters killed in battles* *WNU Editor*: Talk about timing .... only this morning I said no one should believe in Pentagon reports that they do not take body counts ..... *The Pentagon Does Keep Body Counts.* *More News On Claims That 6,000 Islamic State Fighters Have Been Killed By Coalition Air Strikes* John Kerry: Half of ISIS leaders killed by Iraq and allies -- CBS/AP Kerry: Half of ISIS leaders have been killed -- Miami Herald Air strikes killed 6,000 ISIS fighters: U.S. ambassador -- Al Arabiya Over 6,000 IS Fighters Killed in US-Led Coa... more »
Yemen's President resigns AFTER Cabinet & Prime Minster all step down
By hook or crook, some* interested* parties were intent on ousting the Yemen government in order to cause a whole lot of instability- If an attempted false flag fails- Other means can be used. And clearly Plan B kicked in! All this despite the Houthi’s and Hadi making an agreement, peacefully. - One that the US/Israel/NATO tyranny was obviously never going to let pass... PennyJanuary 21, 2015 at 3:11 PM What a agreement, that is democratic and power sharing- The US and co will have none of that- Yemen isn't going away any time soon. No way Kerry said: *He stressed the powerful re... more »
Polish Foreign Minister: Ukrainian Soldiers Were Primarily Responsible For Liberating The Auschwitz Death Camp
*WNU Editor*: As I had said in a previous post .... hundreds of thousands of Soviet soldiers were killed liberating Poland from five and half years of Nazi occupation ... a liberation that all Poles were grateful for. As to the Polish Foreign Minister's remarks that it was the Ukrainians who liberated the Auschwitz death camp .... he could not be more wrong. My father served for a time in the Ukrainian Army group .... and it was named this way because they fought through Ukraine .... not because they were Ukrainian (though my father was a Russian Ukrainian). He also never saw hims... more »
What Happens When You Put a Blowtorch Up to Hempcrete
*Video - *Steve Allin, author of Building with Hemp, shows in this video the tests for the fire resistance of hempcrete. The post What Happens When You Put a Blowtorch Up to Hempcrete appeared first on Waking Times.
Nigeria's Presidential Security Adviser: 'Our Soldiers Are Cowards When It Comes To Fighting Boko haram'
*Reuters:* *Nigeria's campaign against Boko Haram hampered by 'cowards': aide* *Update:* Our 'cowardly' soldiers avoid fighting Boko Haram, says Nigeria's security chief -- The Telegraph *WNU Editor: *With Nigeria's elections less than a month away the failure in the war against Boko Haram is becoming "front and center" .... *As Nigerian election nears, Boko Haram looms large* (CSM). And with Boko Haram now taking credit of the latest massacre as well as threatening Nigeria's neighbors .... *Boko Haram claims Baga massacre and threatens Nigeria's neighbours* (The Guardian/AFP) ..... more »
Argentinian President: Murder Of Prosecutor Was Done To Implicate Her
*Daily Mail: **Argentinian president Kirchner claims prosecutor who died a day before he was due to accuse her of covering up a Jewish bombing was murdered to 'implicate' her* * Alberto Nisman found dead at his home with a gunshot wound to his head * He was set to accuse Kirchner of shielding Iranians implicated in bombing * Investigators suspect he committed suicide, but have not ruled out murder * Kirchner claims Nisman was killed in 'operation' to immerse her in scandal *WNU Editor:* She has a credibility problem .... and some are not going to believe her. *More News On The Argen... more »
The BBC's ECU partially upholds a complaint against the 'Today' programme
Hot off the presses, here's a BBC Editorial Complaints Unit ruling that partially upholds a complaint against the 'Today' programme: *22 January 2015: Editorial Complaints Unit finding - Today, Radio 4 (broadcast 1 July 2014) and Labour - working with or against business?, bbc.co.uk* *Today, Radio 4, 1 July 2014 & Labour - working with or against business?, bbc.co.uk: Finding by the Editorial Complaints Unit* *Craig Oliver, Director of Communications at 10 Downing St, complained about coverage of a Labour Party publication, “Mending the fractured economy”, in reports by Nick Robi... more »
Is he really an alcoholic?
It’s very easy to label everyone who likes a drink an alcoholic. Not so. There’s a big difference. A man who drinks too much on occasion is still the same man as he was sober. An alcoholic, a real alcoholic, is not the same man at all. You can’t predict anything about him for sure except that he will be someone you never met before. - Raymond Chandler, *The Long Goodbye* Discuss. Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)
Expanding the floor of the cage
Sent to the Washington Post, Jan 22, 2015 Re: "What are the odds that Congress actually rewrites No Child Left Behind? 50-50, Arne Duncan says." (Jan 21). In their hearings on the reauthorization of the education law, the Senate Education committee is considering a number of options for testing: They include keeping the old system of testing every student every year, as well as various proposals to make moderate reductions in testing. Not discussed is another option: Stop testing altogether, and take time out to consider the massive evidence that the standardized tests we are forcing ... more »
Poetic Reality
I had a guest post scheduled for today but the final text has not shown up yet. I did however receive this little offering from a regular corespondent. Enjoy! If I were rich in silver and gold Oil I would not need Con's in Ottawa having a fit Lost revenue, gained in greed. If fair they were from day one Not lie to we they "serve" Promises kept, when first "to power" Soon turned to bunch of nerds. Police need to police and do their job But Ottawa always to intervene Great white father that guides the crew Living his own private dream. Bubble to burst, and when it does Voters then to see W... more »
Winners And Losers In The Yemen Crisis
*Lora Moftah, IBTimes*: *Yemen 'Coup' A Sign Of Expanding Iranian Influence In the Middle East* *WNU Editor: *The Saudis have thrown in the towel .... *Saudi Arabia's new Yemen strategy: get behind a fence* (Daily Mail/Reuters) .... but I expect this to be temporary. Yemen is a majority Sunni country that will not be looking favorably to what has transpired in the capital with Shiite Houthis in control. I will expect them to increase military/economic aid to the Sunni tribes in the rest of the country, and I will not be surprised if Al Qaeda starts to receive "more assistance" fro... more »
We Steal from Our Children's Future
After all the lies all the false promises the words have little meaning New enemies are created to justify the thievery from our children We revel in the war stories missile launches bomb blasts reenlistment bonuses memorial parades flag waving pledge making our hearts have grown hard and bitter we are emotional zombies walking dead(ly) we continue to steal from the future generations with or without conscience
Project Blue Book Files and John Greenewald
(Blogger’s Note: John Greenewald has posted the following at various sites and I thought it interesting enough to post here. He gave permission and provides his perspective on the situation as it has developed over the last few days. I think John is getting some unfair bad publicity out of this and thought all along that the problem were the reporters who know nothing about UFOs, care little about UFOs and are happy to wallow in their ignorance.) John wrote: Just wanted to set the record straight. , First off, I never, EVER, made it appear these documents were newly declassified... more »
Yemen Government Has Collapsed. President, Prime Minister, And The Cabinet Have Resigned
*VOA:* *Yemen President, Cabinet Resign * *WNU Editor:* It looks like the US State Department was premature in making this announcement .... *State Department: Yemen deal 'a good step'* (The Hill). And this request is a little too late .... *Dem: US must ensure that Yemen 'does not disintegrate'*(The Hill). After only touting Yemen as a success story a few months ago .... President Obama's anti-terrorism startegy/policy is now in shambles. The next phase in this conflict will be this .... *Houthi march on Yemen's capital a prelude to showdown with Al-Qaeda *(Al Jazeera) *More New... more »
Argentina's Gualeguaychú UFO: An IFO?
*Source:www.aimdigital.com.arDate: 01.22.2015* *Argentina's Gualeguaychú UFO an IFO?* In recent weeks, videos of a "UFO" recorded over Gualeguaychú have been broadcast over the local and national media, showing a celestial object that has attracted the attention of locals. Phenomena of this sort occur on a daily basis and through this article submitted to AIM, specialists of the Asociacion Entrerriana Astronomica de Entre Rios (Entre Rios Astronomical Association - AEA) have tried to explain certain characteristics to enable identification. For over 60 years, humankind has had a ... more »
Understanding DNA Repair and Cancer Resistance Genes from Bowhead Whales May Enable 200 year Livespans in Humans
We really do need to understand just why long lived animals do so. As this reminds us we even have mammals with superior longevity. Thus it should be practical to establish possible causation that could lead to longer human lives. It will still require near perfect food choices to make work but that is something we are beginning to understand. Evidence does suggest that our lifespans are already seriously extendible and serious effort is underway to see if it is a possible. Genetic improvement would set the stage for lifespans of a thousand years or much longer. I no... more »
Healing Cancer With Organic Food
[image: Flickr - Organic - TimOller] I do not know if we are reaching critical mass, but what is true is that food education is certainly expanding quickly. I also think that people understand that they will all be growing food sooner or later. That it will be part of their life. Let me make this as crystal clear as possible. Present human lifetime is around eighty years with health issues. This will soon be one hundred years without health issues. This is foreseeable. What is noteworthy is that high impact earning can take up around forty of those years, after which rev... more »
Cotton Cars to Bring Down Costs of Composites
This is early days, but the idea is to use carbon fibers only where they are actually needed and to use the weaker organics elsewhere. Since cost matters and carbon is very expensive, this is a good move. Now if we could produce inexpensive natural resins, we would by flying. It has actually taken a long time for carbon fiber to be put into manufacturing anywhere close to its original billing. Tricky and difficult does not begin to explain it. I do not expect to see this innovation too soon either. We really have to get lucky. *Cotton cars to bring down costs... more »
Can Virtual Bodyswapping Make Us More Empathetic and Tolerant?
[image: Holding Hands Empathy Tolerance] This should become the basis for a sound therapy that needs to be applied generally across the entire population at perhaps the teen age group in particular. It shakes loose accepted ideas that have been adapted without much introspection and likely resets the brain. Once resolved ,they will hardly recur. Without question we are victims of earliest influences however obviously wrong they are. I was personally raised in a family setting that refused to accept any form of racial bias as a cultural thing in a time it was almost unique. ... more »
Craft Beer Uses 4 Times As Much Barley As Corporate Brew
This is actually horrible. Almost certainly the rest of the missing sugar is added by way of corn fructose or some other cheap sugar additive. They cannot seriously let up on the alcohol content and that happens to be the quick fix. It also tells me that the industry has locked themselves into a losing formula and why craft has no trouble competing at all when by rights they should be getting trounced. The industry is getting their cash flow by going short on the quality of the product and upgrading to craft industry standards will obviously be difficult for them and may ... more »
The War In Eastern Ukraine Is Going To Get Worse
OSCE observers saw no military equipment crossing at two border checkpoints along the Ukraine-Russia border, but there's a need to get aid to locals in eastern Ukraine, border-crossers said. Pro-Russian separatists stand next to a military truck in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, January 21, 2015. Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko *Carol Matlack, Bloomberg Businessweek:** Why the Situation in Eastern Ukraine Is Getting Worse* *Update*: No end in sight as violence surges in Ukraine -- Deutsche Welle *WNU Editor:* As I had mentioned in previous posts .... contrary to Ukraine media reports for... more »
The Ukraine Military Has Retreated And Abandoned Donetsk Airport
*BBC:** Ukraine crisis: Army retreats at Donetsk airport* *WNU Editor: *As reported earlier by this blog, this is why Ukraine President Poroshenko left Davos early .... the news from the front was not good. But this defeat has brought some (albeit very small and probably very fleeting) positive news .... *Russia, Ukraine agree pullback line for heavy arms (AP).* But this is not going to stop the war .... it will probably escalate it because in Kiev they cannot be perceived to be losing this conflict. *More News On The Ukraine Conflict* Ukrainian troops forced to withdraw from Don... more »
SELMA ON OUR MINDS: Confusions and cons!
*THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2015Interlude—In the realm of professors and journalists:* Early today, we were roused from sleep by a gaggle of sobbing analysts. “Who the [#$%^] is Cara Buckley?” the youngsters sobbingly said. Effortlessly, we familiarized ourselves with the problem. In this morning’s New York Times, Buckley writes a long, wondrously muddled piece concerning the current flap about the new feature film, Selma. Buckley’s piece runs the gamut of contemporary pseudo-liberal conceptual chaos. In the course of her 1400 words, she quotes three professors, a husband/screenwrite...more »
With "balance" like this, is it any wonder that right-wingers hold NPR in special scorn among the vast hordes of the liberal media?
*Today's "balance" quiz:* *Let's say you're going to have Colorado freshman Sen. Cory Gardner as a guest to shred the president's SOTU address on behalf of the Crackpot Scumbag Party. How would you "balance" him? Take a few seconds to think about it. What's that? With a self-styled conservative Democrat, you say? Ding-ding-ding!* *by Ken* After the nifty close look our friend Gaius Publius just gave the president's SOTU speech, surely nobody expects me to have anything smart to say about the speech. Besides, as I noted yesterday, I have the additional handicap of not having seen, ... more »
Vindicated: Gladio B, Paris Terror & ISIS Fakery Admitted
Jay Dyer Sibel Edmonds has done extensive research on Gladio Band has recently made connections between it and Paris evident in her new interview with James Corbett. What comes to the fore is Turkey’s role in training, arming and exporting radical Islamists. Training took place within the NATO domain, in Turkey and Jordan, whereas the *New York Times’* report whitewashes it as petty criminals and illegal immigration into China. Edmonds projects this region to be the next Ukraine, as this area forms what Pepe Escobar terms, “Pipelinestan.” The “democracy” exporting NGOs will no... more »
Deep Web (Official Promo Trailer)
By EPIX Who is the Dread Pirate Roberts? Deep Web explores the story of the free market website Silk Road. Coming to EPIX this spring, Deep Web is an original Documentary written, directed and produced by Alex Winter (director of Downloaded) with Marc Schiller and Glen Zipper also serving as producers. Visit DeepWebTheMovie.com *Get truth delivered to your inbox every week.* Subscribe to GLOBAL POLITICAL AWAKENING by Email
How Sugar Affects the Brain and the Body
*Video - *When you eat something loaded with sugar, your taste buds, your gut and your brain all take notice. The post How Sugar Affects the Brain and the Body appeared first on Waking Times.
Former UFC Fighter Tased and Arrested for Asking Police to Show ID
By Adam Kokesh Former UFC fighter Dave Herman was attacked by police officers and tased for not submitting without question. Adam was contacted this morning by Dave Herman's wife who used to intern with AVTM. They came up with an approach and produced this video to help Dave and put some bad officers in their place. Please help by calling the prosecutor! Visit AdamVsTheMan.com DeKalb Prosecutor's Office 260-925-1646 Demand Dave's release! Demand accountability! To contact Madeleine Herman: madeleinemherman@gmail.com *Get truth delivered to your inbox every week.* Subscribe to GLO... more »
Walking the Good Walk: Photos of Dineh Walking against Fracking!
Walking the Good Walk today, Dine' (Navajos) against Fracking: Journey for our Existence! Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015: "Today we were invited to speak to three classes at the Tse Yi Gai high school in Pueblo Pintado (NM). We shared information on historical trauma, resource extraction and the implications they have on us. There was a sense of empowerment that we could all feel as we departed to
VIDEO: Northern Paiute Wesley Dick: Traditional Tule Violations Dismissed
. Thank you to Northern Paiute Wesley Dick for sharing his story of winning his federal case of traditional tule gathering for ancestral crafts. On the Longest Walk northern route, the Earthcycles/Censored News Long Talk Radio, interviewed Wesley, descendant of Wovoka's family, at home in 2008. Now, with Wesley's creation of this new video, he shares this struggle. Wesley said of winning
Psychopath vs. Empath: the War Between Truth and Deception
*Gary ‘Z’ McGee* - A society based upon fear, apathy and hatred sets up a system which is fundamentally incapable of producing health and happiness The post Psychopath vs. Empath: the War Between Truth and Deception appeared first on Waking Times.
World News Briefs -- January 22, 2015
*Reuters:* *ECB launches last-ditch program to revive euro economy* *MIDDLE EAST* U.S.-led forces launch 31 air strikes *in Iraq, Syria: U.S. military*. Iraq forces* ‘not ready’ to fight Isis*. British Foreign Secretary Phillip Hammond says *Iraq 'months off' major Isis offensive*. Houthis welcome Yemeni president's concessions* but gunmen remain*. Hezbollah under pressure *to act after Israeli strike.* Hamas calls on Hezbollah to *unite fight against Israel*. US diplomat: Another *Iran extension ‘possible’*. US administration opposes *up-or-down vote on Iran nuclear deal.* Aya... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 22, 2015
Members of the Ukrainian National Guard outside the cabinet of ministers headquarters in Kiev. (Press TV) *Defense News:* *US Trainers To Deploy To Ukraine * *Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 22, 2015* NATO wants to 'reestablish communication’ with Russia’s military -- RT Brzezinski: US Should Deploy Troops to Baltics -- Defense News/AFP Terrorism threat prompts increased security at military installations in Europe -- Stars and Stripes Security Increased at US Military Bases in Europe -- ABC News Top security adviser calls soldiers cowards after Boko Haram attacks... more »
It's a Small, Small World
Magical thinking has come back to bite the Magical Kingdom in the butt. The measles outbreak that now threatens to close Disneyland, along with the side-effect of sickening its customers, is the direct result of the insane anti-vaccination craze sweeping the country. And that this anti-science cult has been so mightily enabled and broadcast by ABC-Disney itself is nothing short of Karma. Until she was finally fired last spring, former Playboy centerfold Jenny McCarthy had enjoyed a year-long prominent national soapbox on the hit ABC-Disney daytime show, *The View*. Her starring role... more »
The State of the Union, Hillary Clinton & Obama's "Piketty Moment"
*"The Robbers of the Senate"* *by Gaius Publius* I want to deal with President Obama's State of the Union address, but in pieces and in more than one pass, since there's a fair amount to deal with, from climate and taxes to oil and Iran. There are also the obvious yet invisible clunkers, like this: My first duty as Commander-in-Chief is to defend the United States of America. No, his first duty as anything related to his office is the oath he swore, to "protect and defend the Constitution." As a constitutional scholar, I assume he knows he's lying, if conveniently, given his fo... more »
Transhumanism: The Anti-Human ‘Singularity’ Agenda
*Uri Dowbenko* - Eliminating humanity altogether also appears to be one of their goals as they seem to believe that the “Humanity Experiment” for all intents and purposes is finished. The post Transhumanism: The Anti-Human ‘Singularity’ Agenda appeared first on Waking Times.
Dead Bodies Dumped In Iraq’s Capital Did Not Turn Out As Feared
When the insurgency took off in Iraq in 2014 there were fears that militias would respond like they did during the previous civil war from 2005-2008 with extra judicial killings. During last year there was a huge jump in the number of bodies found in Baghdad in the summer. That trailed off afterward however, but at a slightly higher level than the first half of the year. Some feared that these incidents would mark a new level of rising violence in the country, but they have not played out that way. In order to analyze this phenomenon something first has to be said about the numbe... more »
Segregation and High Stakes Testing/Grading Will End, With or Without NCLB 2.0
While the AFT, NEA, PAA, NPE, and Fairtest lemmings foolishly pick their poison from Column A or Column B of the toxic NCLB menu, the real work continues, which is to organize, strategize, and act to bring down the segregated corporate testing machine that has replaced public schools in America. From Chicago: January 14, 2015; Chicago Now The history of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s civil rights advocacy included a clear willingness to engage in civil disobedience. The tactic is applicable in many situations of unjust public policies. Teacher and education advocate Laurie Levy has ... more »
China launched its 4th Type 071 LPD, its 21st Type 054A Frigate and its 5th Type 815G ELINT vessel
[image: Type 071 landing platform dock (Yuzhao-class LPD)]Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding, a wholly owned subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC, the largest shipbuilding group in China), launched on the same day near Shanghai three new vessels for the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN or Chinese Navy): The fourth Type 071 landing platform dock (Yuzhao-class LPD), the twenty-first Type 054A Frigate (Jiangkai II class) and the fifth Type 815G ELINT/SIGINT vessel. On the same day China launched 3 military vessels (representing over 32,000 tons combined) showing to ... more »
Andrew and the Magic pill: a moral dilemma!
I, as many NYS teaching professionals, am outraged, insulted, and hurt. However rather than be as venomous as the Governor, I offer this scientific analogy… [image: Unknown]A pill may cure 5% of a population’s ailment. It is untested and is known for severe side effects. Scientists have warned that for the other 95% it will cause paralysis, loss of vision and hearing, and in perhaps death. The authorities decide to use it anyway. The magic pill kills far more than it cures. Funeral parlors rejoice. The governor thinks his one size fits all “pill” will “cure” the very different 728 pu... more »
Wi-Fi Exposure: Is It Really More Hazardous to Children?
*Liberty Baldovino* - Researchers are now questioning if exposure to Wi-Fi, and the increasing usage of Wi-Fi connected devices by children and adolescents, are putting the younger generations at a greater risk of health complications in their future. The post Wi-Fi Exposure: Is It Really More Hazardous to Children? appeared first on Waking Times.
10 Strawberry Recipes for Valentine's Day
When I am planning our Valentine's Day meals, I always find myself reaching for the strawberries. There is something about strawberries that screams Valentine's Day to me. This year I have compiled some of the most delicious strawberry recipes I could find for one delicious Valentine's Day. DIY Chocolate Strawberry Bouquet by While He Was Napping. Strawberry Jello Poke Cake by Housewife Eclectic Strawberry Crepes by Our Thrifty Ideas White Chocolate Cheesecake with Strawberries by Nifty Thrifty Things. Strawberry Cream Cheese Fruit Dip from Loves Bakes Good Cakes. Strawberry Cre... more »
The Pentagon Does Keep Body Counts
A Kurdish People’s Protection Units fighter walks beside dead bodies of Islamic State fighters after they regained control of Al-Qassaib village, activists said, in Qamishli countryside December 25, 2014. REUTERS/Rodi Said *David Axe, Reuters*: *Don’t believe the U.S. military when it says it doesn’t keep body counts* *WNU Editor: *For an institution (i.e. US Department of Defense) that prides itself on its paperwork, power-points, and record keeping .... the idea that the Pentagon would not keep records of "body counts" stretches the imagination. David Axe in the above post is cor... more »
EEEK! A Deficit!!!!
So, there's talk that the falling price of oil, the damage it'll do to Alberta's economy, etc., etc., will prevent the harpercons from meeting their promised surplus in this, an election year. Whatever. Thanks to the failure of the unregulated, neo-liberal economic model, since 2008 the economy of the world has been teetering between stagnation and austerity. The opposition wisely forced dim-bulb harpercon finance minister Jim Flaherty, to launch a round of stimulus spending to help Canada avoid a recessionary spiral. They've now spent, what? $100 million? Advertising this piss-po... more »
ThorCon moving forward?
A recent post on the Weinberg Foundation Blog stated: "The American ‘skunkworks’ start-up ThorCon, established by shipping pioneer Jack Devanney, announced that Martingale, Inc has completed the pre-conceptual design of itsThorCon Molten Salt Reactor and that further design work is underway at a rapid pace. ThorCon’s MSR is a completely modernised version of Oak Ridge’s successful Molten Salt Reactor Experiment, part-fuelled by thorium and designed, from the ground up, for mass production in shipyards." If this is true, we have in ThorCon a serious MSR backed by deep pockets. If t...more »
Fukushima Update 1/22/2015: "Dying Pacific Ocean?"
*"Dying Pacific Ocean?"* by Douglas J. McCauley, Malin L. Pinsky, Stephen R. Palumbi, James A. Estes, Francis H. Joyce, Robert R. Warner [excerpted] "Wildlife populations in the oceans have been badly damaged by human activity. Human dependency on marine wildlife and the linked fate of marine and terrestrial fauna necessitate that we act quickly to slow the advance of marine defaunation. Three lessons emerge when comparing the marine and terrestrial defaunation experiences: (i) today’s low rates of marine extinction may be the prelude to a major extinction pulse, similar to that ob...more »
Mexican Drug Cartels Are Now Using Drones
Photo: Secretaria De Seguridad Pública Municipal De Tijuana *NYMag*: *Drone Filled With Meth Crashes Near U.S.-Mexico Border* *WNU Editor: *It is not going to be long before we start hearing stories of bigger drones and bigger payloads crossing the border. My prediction .... with 6 months. And after that .... calls from the White House and Congress to regulate drone traffic. *More News On Reports That Mexico's Drug Cartels Are Now Using Drones* Drone overloaded with meth crashes in Mexican border city -- FOX News/AP Drone loaded with meth crashes near Mexico-California border -- L.A... more »
10 Primary Causes of Disease and Dysfunction
*Dr. Ben Kim* - Disease and dysfunction tend to develop slowly, usually over many years as subtle and overt signs that mark loss of health are ignored. The post 10 Primary Causes of Disease and Dysfunction appeared first on Waking Times.
Tearing Away At The Nation's Core
http://www.thewolf.ca/ The Harper government is busy preparing new anti-terror legislation. But, Colin Kenny writes in today's *Toronto Star*, we don't need new legislation. We need adequate funding of the institutions which apply the laws we already have: No less than eight pieces of anti-terrorism legislation have successfully passed through Parliament since the Twin Towers fell. These laws made comprehensive changes to Canada’s legal landscape to ensure the country has the powers it needs to prevent terrorism. Harper himself... more »
Untitled
*Delta Blues Part 1: The Battle To Keep Ho Chi Minh City Above Water ~Jesse Hardman, WWNO* *Tom Benson will transfer ownership of New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans to wife, Gayle Benson confirms ~N.O. Advocate * *~More from the Saints website* * ~Saints owner Tom Benson incapacitated, daughter, grandkids claim in lawsuit filed Thursday contesting succession plan* *Blogger who uncovered GOP leader's white supremacist ties had home Internet lines cut ~Aaron Sankin, The Daily Dot* *Corps rejects request for new public hearing on Helis’ plans ~Famon A. Roberts III * *Louisian... more »
Is The White House Reponsible For Leaking Mossad Report That New US Congressional Sanctions On Iran Will End Nuclear Talks
Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (L) and US President Barack Obama meet in the White House. (photo credit:REUTERS) *Jerusalem Post:* *Israel source says leaked report of Netanyahu-Mossad rift on Iran sanctions is 'Obama's revenge'* *WNU Editor:* When the U.S. Congress invited Israeli PM Netanyahu to address Congress on Iran and radical Islam ....* US House Invites Netanyahu to Address Congress on Radicalism and Iran* (Sputnik) .... the White House made it very clear that they were not happy with this move .... *Obama blindsided by invite to Israeli PM as Iran row with Congress i... more »
Israeli Mossad Report: New Iran Sanctions Bill In The U.S. Congress Will End Nuclear Negotiations With Iran
Mossad director Tamir Pardo (L) confers with Shin Bet chief Yoram Cohen. (photo credit:REUTERS) *Eli Lake & Josh Rogin, Bloomberg*: *Israeli Mossad Goes Rogue, Warns U.S. on Iran Sanctions* *WNU Editor:* Is Mossad gong rogue? Mossad is not in the habit of leaking their reports, and while I do know that in the past Netanyahu has had his differences with Israel's intelligence/military community .... would they go to this extent to undermine him .... something is missing here. *More News On Leaked Mossad Report That New Iranian Sanctions From The U.S. Congress Will End All Nuclear T... more »
Untitled
*Obama: Climate Change is the Greatest Threat* Not radical Muslim terrorism, not an unsecured border, not an ever-growing federal debt that now exceeds $18 trillion, not the fact that 109 million live in households on federal welfare programs. These are not the greatest threats facing us today. "No challenge--no challenge--poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change," President Obama declared in his State of the Union Address on Tuesday night. Although he referred to it as "climate change" and not "global warming," the president immediately followed his declar... more »
Anti-Islamic State Coalition Talks Begin In London
*VOA:* US-led Coalition to Discuss Progress, Strategy in IS Fight *WNU Editor:* Hearing that it would 'two years' to expel Islamic State from Iraq is probably something that the Iraqi PM did not want to hear. *More News On The Anti-Islamic State Coalition Talks Beginning In London* Islamic State conflict: London hosts coalition talks -- BBC In London, Kerry and coalition to discuss 'Islamic State' -- Deutsche Welle Turning the tide against ISIL: US-led coalition holds key talks in London -- Euronews London holds coalition talks to discuss ISIS -- Mashable Foreign ministers discuss h... more »
Russian Warship Spotted in Havana
[image: Viktor Leonov CCB-175]Russian intelligence warship Viktor Leonov CCB-175 docked in Havana on Tuesday with a crew of about 200 for a reported three-day stay, one day ahead of the first official diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Cuba. The ship's presence was not officially announced by Cuba, but U.S. defense officials are “not alarmed.” The ship also made unannounced docks last February and March in Havana. The U.S. and Cuba are set to have talks this week seeking to normalize relations after more than 50 years of animosity after President Obama recently e... more »
Untitled
*Journalism school dean: The First Amendment ends at insulting Mohammed* Unusual, not because it’s rare to see an American journalist bowing to Islamic sensibilities on depictions of Mohammed but because typically they don’t go so far as to demand legal limits on their own profession. When the New York Times refuses to run a cartoon goofing on Islam, they don’t want the reason to be government censorship. They prefer to be censored by more sympathetic agents, like violent Muslim radicals. To be precise here, though, DeWayne Hickham, the dean of Morgan State’s J-school, isn’t deman... more »
Europe Watch ( January 22 , 2015 ) - Pre- ECB Decision , items to consider with your morning coffee ... Heavy on looming ECB Decision and Greece Election
Tweets.... *Yannis Koutsomitis* @YanniKouts 1m 1 minute ago #ECB is about to make history. - ECB leaves interest rates unchanged - the big news comes at 8:30 EST on the Conference call ! *zerohedge* @zerohedge · 34s34 seconds ago UNCHANGED *zerohedge* @zerohedge · 32s32 seconds ago ECB SAYS FURTHER MEASURES TO BE ANNOUNCED LATER Bern, Berne *Holger Zschaepitz* @Schuldensuehner · 5m5 minutes ago #ECB keeps all rates unchg. Main rate remains at 0.05%, deposit rate at -0.2%. [image: Embedded image permalink] Bern, Berne *Holger Zschaepitz* @Schuldens... more »
The French Politician’s Prerogative
If democracy is a level playing field, then the belief that you deserve more than one partner is undemocratic, a throwback to less democratic times and places. I’m not referring here to promiscuousness amongst the single, or indeed consensual promiscuousness between the paired. These alternatives to monogamy come with their own problems of course - as does monogamy - but you can’t call them undemocratic. Unwise perhaps, but not unfair. Similarly I’m not talking about falling out of love with one partner and into love with another. At a stretch, I’m not even talking about those who ... more »
Peru buys Dutch AB412 search and rescue helicopters
[image: AB 412 SAR helikopter]An agreement has been reached between the Dutch and Peruvian governments on the sale of three Agusta-Bell AB412 SP helicopters, the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on 19 January. Signing of the contract is expected at the end of January, the MoD stated. The helicopters - SP stands for Special Performance - were stationed at Leeuwarden Air Base and at Vlieland (a Wadden island in the north of the country) and were tasked for search-and-rescue (SAR) missions, often for the NATO air forces exercise area north of the Netherlands. Read more
USS Iwo Jima, USS Fort McHenry move to Red Sea for possible Yemen evacuation
[image: USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7)]The Navy has positioned a pair of amphibious ships in the Red Sea for a possible evacuation of U.S. Embassy personnel from the Yemen capital of Sanaa. The USS Iwo Jima, an amphibious assault ship, and the USS Fort McHenry, a dock landing ship, were moved in recent hours from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea, nearer to Yemen’s capital, U.S. 5th Fleet spokesman Cmdr. Kevin Stephens said. Both ships are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group, and each has Marines embarked from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Read more
Israeli TV shows ‘Iranian missile’ that ‘can reach far beyond Europe’
[image: Long-range Iranian missile]Iran has built a 27-meter-long missile, capable of delivering a warhead “far beyond Europe,” and placed it on a launch pad at a site close to Tehran, an Israeli television report said Wednesday, showing what it said were the first satellite images of the missile ever seen in the West. It stressed that the missile could be used to launch spacecraft or satellites, but also to carry warheads. The Channel 2 news report showed satellite imagery documenting what it said was Iran’s “very rapid progress” on long-range missile manufacture. Read more
Words fail me, this was a British Doctor tweeting this morning
How can a British doctor hold and express such views and be allowed to carry on practicing in the UK? Would any Jew feel safe going to see a doctor who freely expressed such views? I, and others, have reported Dr Alishba Khan to the General Medical Council. In a sane world they would take serious and appropriate action but in 2015 Britain, I fear that they won't.
BrahMos Launch in March Will Boost India's Air Power
[image: BrahMos air launch]The much-awaited test of the air version of supersonic cruise missile BrahMos will be conducted in March. Earlier planned in December, this nuclear capable world class weapon system is now ready to surprise enemies. The launch has been planned on the sidelines of the visit of Russian Defence Minister General Sergei Shoigu to the BrahMos Aerospace Headquarters, said Sudhir Mishra, CEO and Managing Director of BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL), on Wednesday. Informing this over phone from Delhi, Mishra said, “If everything goes according to the progr... more »
F/A-50 Fighting Eagle do not rely much on ground based surveillance system
[image: F/A-50 Fighting Eagle]Philippine Air Force told the state-run news agency that F/A-50 Fighting Eagle has a radar system that can go on autonomous air patrols without relying too much on ground based surveillance system. PAF Lt. Col. Enrico Canaya added that “it has its own onboard radar systems so it can detect (any hostile air threats) while on patrol.” Department of National Defense earlier said one of the reasons it chose the South Korean made jet is the radar system. Its radar system was also designed to accomplish air-to-air and airstrike missions. Read more
Japan, Britain expand defense ties with joint missile technology research
[image: Kawasaki P-1 MPA]Japan and Britain agreed to jointly research new air-to-air missile technology as part of increased cooperation on defense-related security issues. Agreement was reached during talks here Jan. 21 involving their respective defense and foreign ministers. Visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida and Defense Minister Gen Nakatani met with Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond and Defense Secretary Michael Fallon. Read more
Airbus touts Tanan UAV's UK potential
[image: Tanan UAV]Airbus Defence & Space is working towards the certification of its Tanan rotary unmanned air vehicle demonstrator, which could be a consideration for the Royal Navy as it assesses its maritime surveillance options. The Ministry of Defence is expected to make announcements regarding its maritime patrol requirement when it releases its Strategic Defence and Security Review in May. Industry is speculating as to how this role will be filled: with a manned or unmanned aircraft, or a combination of both. Read more
Tridents lead the way once again
[image: P-3C Orion]Sailors of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 will make history Jan. 22 as the last East Coast squadron to deploy in the P-3C Orion aircraft. For the squadron, this deployment will mark the sunset of an aircraft with a 50-year legacy of excellence and historic milestones which began with the acceptance of its first P-3B back in 1966. On Jan. 4 of that year, nearly 49 years to the month, VP-26 became the Navy’s first operational P-3B squadron, when the squadron ferried the first P-3B from its production site in Burbank, Calif. to Naval Air Station, Brunswick, Maine. Read ... more »
Russian MiG-29s and Ka-31s to be stationed aboard INS Vikrant
[image: MiG-29K Fulcrum]The newest air wing of the Indian aircraft carrier Vikrant will be composed of the Russian MiG-29K and MiG-29KUB, as well as Ka-31 helicopters, RIA Novosti learned on Wednesday from a senior official at FSMTC (Federal Service for Military and Technical Co-Operation) of Russia. The aircraft carrier Vikrant is currently in the final stages of construction in India. “The Russian side is actually providing much needed technical assistance to its Indian partners in the creation and development of their national aircraft carrier, the Vikrant. On board they expect ... more »
Obama in India: India keen to jointly develop Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System with US
[image: EMALS launch]India and the United States are likely to expedite during US President Barack Obama's visit discussions on joint production of electromagnetic system to smoothen takeoff and landing of fighter jets on board India's indigenously developed aircraft carrier. Officials said India is keen to jointly develop Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) with the US for the aircraft carrier that is under production in Kochi. Frank Kendall, the US undersecretary of defence for acquisition, technology and logistics, who is arriving ahead of Obama, will discuss with his ... more »
Virginia delegation urges retention of 11 aircraft carrier fleet
[image: USS George Washington]Both U.S. senators and all 11 representatives from Virginia signed a letter Wednesday expressing their support of the nation's 11 aircraft carrier fleet in advance of the release of the president's fiscal year 2016 budget proposal, expected in early February. Last year, the Navy talked of retiring the USS George Washington, which is due into Newport News Shipbuilding for its midlife overhaul and refueling in March 2017, if steep budget cuts returned in 2016. But in December, a spending bill included $848.5 million toward the $4 billion project. That cov... more »
Indian Air Power at Risk as Rafale Warplane Deal Delayed
[image: Dassault Rafale]India’s purchase of 126 Rafale fighter jets from France’s Dassault Aviation SA (AM) is being delayed, even as the South Asian nation struggles for enough squadrons to counter potential threats from China and Pakistan. The sticking points are the 2007 tender’s $11 billion price tag and India’s requirement for quality guarantees from Dassault for planes made under license locally by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., three officials with knowledge of the matter said. They asked not to be identified as the talks are private. India had aimed to sign the contract by th... more »
Russia Ready to Supply India With Anaerobic Submarines
[image: Lada-class SSK (Project 677)]Russia could supply the Indian Navy with "stealthy" submarines, equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems if India opens a tender for them, a senior official at Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. "The Russian side is ready to supply a foreign client with a submarine refitted to meet any requests for a different exterior and equipment as formulated by the client," the source told RIA Novosti. In 2007, New Delhi said it was considering expanding its fleet of submarines with diese... more »
Navy to immediately open submarine service to enlisted female sailors
[image: USS North Carolina]The Navy will immediately open service on submarines for female enlisted sailors. The move follows the successful integration of female officers onboard subs, the Submarine Force will be immediately opening service on submarines for enlisted female Sailors. The integration plan includes opening all submarine ratings and Navy enlisted classification codes to enlisted women in Fiscal Year 2015 for a two-phase integration onboard the Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarines (SSBN) and Ohio-class guided-missile submarines (SSGN), and the Virginia-class attack ... more »
WHO is responsible for the failure on Ebola?
Nathan Paxton has a provocative post on The Monkey Cage where he suggests, among other things that the World Health Organization (WHO) is not to blame for the Ebola crisis. Rather, he lays the blame squarely on donor countries. He rightly notes that the WHO’s budget and staff was cut after the financial crisis, but I think Continue reading
A-10 Warthogs Are Putting Fear In The Ranks Of The Islamic State
The A-10 flies low, needs little maintenance, an scares the heck out of ISIS, according to a recent report. (USAF) *FOX News: **Legendary A-10 'Warthog' sends ISIS fleeing even as it faces Pentagon cuts* *WNU Editor*: As a close support aircraft it has proven itself on numerous occasions .... even the enemy has made it a high priority target for its anti-aircraft missile teams .... *Islamic State using MANPADS against A-10 Warthogs in Iraq: report* (Washington Times). For the moment the A-10 will survive .... but a better way must be found to keep the plane flying and its budget f... more »
France Has 3,000 People With Jihadist List That They Must Monitor
*Daily Mail*: *Four men charged with helping deli terrorist Coulibaly as French prime minister says the country has THREE THOUSAND people with jihadist links it needs to keep under surveillance* * Four from Paris suburbs have been charged with helping Amedy Coulibaly * Self-style Isis 'warrior' Coulibaly killed four Jews in a Paris deli this month * The arrests appear to confirm that the 32-year-old was part of a large cell *More News On France's Counter-Terrorism Measures* France needs to monitor 3,000 with jihadist links: PM -- AFP France to monitor 3,000 suspected jihadists, sp... more »
Events In Yemen Are Moving Quickly, Plus Some Other Developments
*Developments to keep an eye on:* *1. Daily Star: Israeli tanks take up positions along Lebanon border (January 21)*. *2. Antiwar.com: The Death Sentence That Could Inflame Sectarian Tensions Across the Middle East (January 21)*. *3. Voice of America: Pakistan Minister: Saudis Destabilizing Muslim World (January 20)*. *4. The Telegraph: Egypt to 'rebuild pyramids' as Sisi plots economic revival (January 20)*. *Video Title: Yemen leader ready to accept demands of Houthis after his guards were defeated. Source: Reuters. Date: January 21, 2015. Description:* Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu ...more »
Football Watch: "Cheating" is such a harsh word, but strange things just seem to happen around New England Pats' coach Bill Belichick
*Strange things seem to happen around Coach Bill.* *"There’s no answer for this one, for why, as Steve Young put it, the Patriots are a team that does the really difficult things well, yet trips up and sets off a national conversation in which everyone, from the Colts, the team the Patriots vanquished 45-7, to Vice President Joe Biden has weighed in."* *-- the *Washington Post's *Cindy Boren* *by Ken* Funny how these things circle around. Here in New York, once upon a time, when the legendary NY Giants coach Bill Parcells had begun a process of extricating the NY Jets from a seem... more »
“Where Self-Esteem Comes From”
*“Where Self-Esteem Comes From”* by David Cain “When one of my favorite radio hosts, Shelagh Rodgers (pronounced ‘Sheila’), announced on air that she was leaving her morning show to take some time off, she had a way of explaining why that left a lasting impression on me. She said that for years, a colleague of hers (Peter Gzowski?) insisted on making frequent trips to a remote cabin up North, where he spent the time chopping wood, reading books and walking with his dogs. When she asked him why this ritual was so important to him, he said, “Well… I guess I really like who I am when... more »
TV Watch: "This show has been a crazy ride for us" ("Better Call Saul" showrunners Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould)
*Better Call Saul showrunners Peter Gould and Vince Gilligan* *"The character of Jimmy McGill has taken us places we never expected. Jimmy's not yet Saul Goodman: he's his own man, and he's messy and struggling and still finding himself."* *-- from the open letter from Vince and Peter* *by Ken* I realize that I'm risking becoming a PR shill for *Better Call Saul*, the *Breaking Bad* prequel that AMC is unveiling in a two-part premiere Sunday and Monday, February 8 and 9, at 10pm/9pm CT. But frankly I worry more about the possibility of being let down by one of the few upcoming tele... more »
French Defence Minister: About A Dozen Former French Soldiers Have Defected To The Islamic State
French Minister of Defense Jean-Yves Le Drian at the Pentagon in the US. Reuters/Yuri Gripas *The Telegraph*: *Up to ten former French soldiers 'have defected to Islamic State'* *Update*: Some French jihadists are former soldiers, minister admits -- France 24 *WNU Editor:* I would also like to know how many other former soldiers (from other countries) have also defected. My gut is telling me that if you include former soldiers from the Syrian and Iraqi armies, a good part of the Islamic State is actually made up of a lot of former soldiers from countries all around the world.
These Are The Five Global Front Lines That President Obama Will Beed To Confront This Year
U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, January 20, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Mandel Ngan/Pool *Howard LaFranchi, CSM:* *Five global front lines that could define Obama's final two years* From the battle with the Islamic State to Iran's nuclear program, President Obama's clear signal from the State of the Union address is that cooperation with partners will continue to trump a rush to confrontation. *WNU Editor:* I would definitely add Afghanistan to this list .... and the rise of terror groups ... more »
Iran Has A Big Financial Incentive To Continue Participating In Current P5+1 Nuclear Talks
*Adam Kredi, Washington Examiner*: *U.S. to Award Iran $11.9 Billion Through End of Nuke Talks* *Another $490 million released on Tuesday under deal* *WNU Editor*: Supporting Hezbollah, Syria's Assad, and providing men and material to battle the Islamic State in Iraq .... coupled with falling oil prices, sanctions, and maintaining a system that provides subsidies to its population (social programs, cheap gas, etc.) .... Iran needs every dollar that it can get. And while $11 billion may not mean much in the long term for Iran .... for the moment it is a big help.
Is The Islamic State Being Stopped?
*Zack Beauchamp:* *Obama is right: ISIS is being stopped* *WNU Editor:* The above video from VOX sums it up accurate .... since 9/11 the U.S. has not been successful in defeating one radical Islamic terrorist group .... and the Islamic State is probably the strongest of all of these groups .... combined.
Ko Wen-je VS the Construction-Industrial State: Ko wins one
*Beachcombing in Hsinchu.* Taipei mayor Ko Wen-je is rocking the construction-industrial state. The Taipei Times reports... The Taipei Dome and Farglory’s contract had become a source of controversy in recent days as Ko and his administrative team began looking at several major projects either underway or in the proposal stage. Prior to last night’s meeting, Ko had said the Dome contract would have to be revised to increase the penalties for failing to meet deadlines. He also said discrepancies between the initial contract terms during the bidding process and the firm’s final cont... more »
"Fukushima Update, 1/21/15"
*"Fukushima Update, 1/21/15"* "Study: Fukushima plume spread worldwide, far exceeding the hundreds of miles mentioned previously — 100 Quadrillion becquerels of Cs-137 released tops Chernobyl — “Implicates radiological hazard at distances otherwise overlooked” By ENENews *"International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health* (pdf), University of Florida College of Medicine, Weill-Cornell Medical College, etc. (2014): "The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant accident is an example of a contemporary nuclear plant accident with serious implications. The Fukushima NPP... more »
A Speech Of Pure Bull Crap And Lies - Ripping Barry Soetoro's 2015 "State Of The Union" Address To Smithereens!
Yesterday, I actually enjoyed a relaxing evening considering the fact that I have suffered for the last three weeks straight with both a series of head colds and the damn flu... It was finally good to have the headaches disappear and my coughing has now subsided.... But of course yesterday evening was the time for the criminal US President, Barry Soetoro, to go in front of the US Congress-critters and spew out a torrent of lies called the '2015 State Of The Union Address"... As a Canadian, I thought that thank goodness I did not have to turn on any of the Jew spew American Talmudvis... more »
A question for Gauleiter Brownlee
News just in from a NOT PC roving correspondent that Gerry Brownlee has ordered up 100 double-cab utes “for Christchurch earthquake recovery.” New, not second-hand. Double-cabs, not even your average cheap-jack big-tray ute. Perhaps because only100 really big utes can fill up the carparks of Gauleiter Brownlee’s failing "frame"? The mind boggles. Who or what will be using these? Have they been using bicycles until now? And who exactly is paying? That last question, of course, is an easy one. And by the time the taxpayers’ bill is finally in – after liners have been fitted ... more »
"Why is it not OK to kill people in the name of a religion, but it is OK to kill people in the name of a nation?" (Ian Welsh)
*Showtime's Homeland has been one of the few mainstream media places where consideration has been allowed for the implications of murder by drone -- or even that there are implications.* *by Ken* I should have had occasion before now to direct attention to a string of posts Ian Welsh has written in the wake of the events in Paris, because Ian has been insisting on questions that hardly anybody else has even been hinting at, namely the wild disproportion between the furor over those events and regularly occurring series of events in various parts of the world that have been taking ... more »
The definition of "combat" ...
Is NOT the one provided by some pencil-necked, political, maggot out of the prime minister's office. Especially when that particular creature has never so much as stood in a recruiting office, much less actually been in armed conflict. Let's get an item out of the way here. Anyone in any military theatre of operations coming under hostile fire has every right to return fire and every right to
Musical Interlude: Liquid Mind, “Terra, Earth”
Liquid Mind, “Gold In The Shadows”, “Terra, Earth” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5IWJWEOIDg&feature=related
"A Look to the Heavens"
"Big beautiful spiral galaxy M66 lies a mere 35 million light-years away. About 100 thousand light-years across, the gorgeous island universe is well known to astronomers as a member of the Leo Triplet of galaxies. In M66, pronounced dust lanes and young, blue star clusters sweep along spiral arms dotted with the tell-tale glow of pink star forming regions. *Click image for larger size.* This colorful and deep view also reveals faint extensions beyond the brighter galactic disk. Of course, the bright, spiky stars lie in the foreground, within our own Milky Way Galaxy, but many, smal... more »
The Poet: David Whyte, "The Opening of Eyes"
*"The Opening of Eyes"* "That day I saw beneath dark clouds The passing light over the water, And I heard the voice of the world speak out. I knew then as I have before, Life is no passing memory of what has been, Nor the remaining pages of a great book Waiting to be read. It is the opening of eyes long closed. It is the vision of far off things, Seen for the silence they hold. It is the heart after years of secret conversing Speaking out loud in the clear air. It is Moses in the desert fallen to his knees Before the lit bush. It is the man throwing away his shoes As if to enter heaven ... more »
Chet Raymo, “On Saying ‘I Don't Know’"
*“On Saying ‘I Don't Know’"* by Chet Raymo "When Charles and Emma Darwin bought the house that would be their family home for forty years, at Downe, sixteen miles south of London, one of Charles' first improvements was to have the flints removed from the property's chalky meadow. The glassy stones were more than an agricultural nuisance; they were a puzzle to be solved. The countryside about Downe is pretty much pure chalk, and Darwin was confident he knew where the chalk came from: the calcerous deposits of the myriad planktonic organisms that lived in a sea that was once superinc...more »
Rip-off News round-up. Our pick of the last week's media (Thu 22nd January)
Firms benefiting from lower oil price should raise wages, says Cameron A glut in global oil supplies has caused Brent crude prices to more than halve in little more than six months. Britain's political parties are competing to try to show they can best help voters benefit from the fall, as a national election looms in May. "I want to see companies' success passed through in terms of wage
"Politics..."
'Politics is supposed to be the second-oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.'' - Ronald Reagan
Satire: “Republican Fashion Icon”
*“Republican Fashion Icon”* Joni Ernst Says She Used To Wear Bucket on Head for No Apparent Reason by Andy Borowitz WASHINGTON (The Borowitz Report)— “Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) shared more folksy stories of her childhood on Wednesday, telling reporters that she used to wear a bucket on her head for no apparent reason. “I’d be walking outside our house and see a bucket lying there, and I’d say to myself, ‘That’s a perfectly good bucket, I think I’ll put it on my head,’ ” she said. “It wasn’t because I needed a hat or anything. I must have had, oh gosh, a half-dozen hats or so. I ju... more »
Why The Movie 'Amercian Sniper' Is A Big Hit
*Rich Lowry, New York Post*: *Americans love war heroes, despite what Hollywood liberals think* *WNU Editor:* I am not surprised by the public reaction to the movie .... we all love war heroes and Director Clint Eastwood and actor Bradley Cooper did an excellent job in presenting one such hero .... but what I find is interesting is how Hollywood has reacted to the movie .... *‘American Sniper’ decried as propaganda by some, praised as veterans’ paean by others* -- Cecilia Kang and Terrence McCoy, Washington Post. As to what is my own take on the movie .... as I had mentioned a few... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 21, 2015
*Stephen L. Carter, Bloomberg:* *Best State of the Union Analysis: Don't Watch* *Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 21, 2015* Coup in Yemen: Saudi Arabia's Nightmare -- Simon Henderson, Washington Institute Can Iraq hold together? How the new Shiite premier is doing. -- Scott Peterson, CSM The Iraqi TV show where 'bombers' meet their victims -- Rami Ruhayem, BBC New Japan’s Abe Faces Great Risk, Little Reward in ISIS Hostage Crisis -- Kirk Spitzer, Time The dire consequences of meddling in Libya -- Con Coughlin, Telegraph There Are No Winners in the Ukraine C...more »
RMA reform? Mush, without any details to give it form
[image: Motu - Impacts of planning rules] That table above was released last night as part of a 65-page report accompanying Nick Smith’s speech detailing outlining his plans to gut abolish reform tinker with the Resource Management Act, the RMA. It shows what the report writers consider to be the range of costs that hit house and apartment builders under the RMA. (Not shown, though the report’s authors tried to model them, were the costs of home and apartment builders simply giving up in the face of the overwhelming uncertainties associated with planning anything under the RMA.) ... more »
Shadow of Crisis Passes But Smell of Bullshit Remains
Emperor Barack Obama’s much anticipated State of the Union address last night was a pure masterpiece of pomp and bullshit and likely hit all the right notes with millions of gullible Americans. There was the triumphant heralding that the “shadow of crisis has passed” and the economy is once again the greatest on the planet. I suppose that this is somewhat true if your indicators are a stock market that is at record levels thanks to having been backstopped by the Federal Reserve and the government since 2009. All that Obama and his dynamic duo of Fed bosses “Helicopter” Ben Bernank... more »
On the Stoke-on-Trent City Independents' 2015 Manifesto
A novelist turned aspiring musician. Two former leading BNP activists. A man who's been in more parties than Paris Hilton. Someone who thinks the NHS should be scrapped. Another likes spending time on Guido Fawkes and ConHome calling for a UKIP vote. And there's the bearer of a conviction for possessing child sex abuse images. A motley crew and no mistaking, but of whom am I speaking? It's the colourful (some might say gaudy) cast of the Stoke-on-Trent City Independents' candidate list for this year's local elections. As readers know, there is no finer pearl of a city than Stoke-o... more »
Yemeni official: ISIS is active and recruiting in Yemen [Source: CNN]
Apparently, ISIS is under every rock and behind every bush in the Middle East. It is recruiting in Pakistan, manhandling government ministers in Libya, eating up territory in Iraq, poking the eye of Saudi Arabia, causing trouble in the Sinai, and threatening the U.S. embassy in Yemen. But in Syria, where they originated, and where they're on the march towards Damascus, they're still being referred to as "rebels" and continue to receive training, money, and arms from the U.S. and its allies. Make of that what you will, but one thing is for sure, those who released this monster to pu... more »
"American Sniper": Chris Kyle Was No Hero
*By MARC McDONALD* Clint Eastwood's new film, *American Sniper* purports to tell the story of real-life U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. But this is nonsense. The movie character actually has little in common with the real-life Kyle, who was a twisted, bigoted, dishonest person who (in his 2012 memoir) wrote that killing Iraqis was "fun." What kind of person says that killing people is "fun"? (Well, outside of Jack the Ripper-type sociopaths?) People like this aren't heroes. They certainly don't have a place in our nation's military. As the U.K. *Guardian* noted, Kyle had nothing but co... more »
Windows 10, Microsoft HoloLens, wow
I gave a near 3-hour interactive talk at a local Science Café tonight which was fun. Well, the number of guys who followed it at the technical level was close to \(\pi\) but everything was relaxed, no one was tired, so the talk could have been made entertaining even for those ladies and gentlemen who didn't really follow all those things about escape speeds, special relativity, general relativity, quantum mechanics, Hawking and Bekenstein, second laws and black hole entropy, Strominger and Vafa, ER=EPR, quasinormal modes, landscape and swampland, LHC destructive black holes, and so ... more »
Winning Hearts for Jesus
More evidence that US is heavily involved in outfitting the Kiev regimes soldiers. American evangelists are sending these recording to win 'hearts for Jesus'. The Baptists would not have the ability to give these solar-powered recording devices to all of the Kiev junta's troops without Pentagon intervention. We saw the same thing early on in Afghanistan when US troops were handing out bibles to the civilians there. The crusaders are still at it!
6 Major Lies That Will Be Pushed On NFL Fans This Week
*Bernie Suarez* - As we wind down another NFL season, let's turn our attention again to how the globalists rely heavily on the irrational sports (fanaticism) platform to pump their lies and deception... The post 6 Major Lies That Will Be Pushed On NFL Fans This Week appeared
.U.S., Iraq preparing for assault to recapture Mosul -WSJ
.U.S., Iraq preparing for assault to recapture Mosul -WSJ
U.S., Iraq preparing for assault to recapture Mosul -WSJ Source: Reuters - Fri, 23 Jan 2015 02:07 GMT Author: Reuters WASHINGTON, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The United States and Iraq have started preparing for an offensive by summer to recapture the Iraqi city of Mosul, which was taken by Islamic State militants ...
Iraq Says Rebuilding of Army Still in Early Stages Reuters BAGHDAD - Iraqi Defence Minister Khaled al-Obeidi said on Tuesday that the Iraqi military has started rebuilding after its near total collapse last summer but that the effort is still in its initial phase. "We are still in the very early ...
ISIL actually losing battle against Iraqi army, commentator says HomeFeaturedInterviews Mon Jan 12, 2015 5:34PM http://www.presstv.ir/Detail/2015/01/12/392789/ISIL-terrorists-actually-losing The ISIL Takfiri terrorists will ultimately face defeat against the Iraqi army which is inflicting heavy losses upon the militants, says an analyst. Jim W. Dean, with Veterans Today from Atlanta, said in an interview with Press TV ...
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