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Elaine J. Cohen : METRO | Vital statistics: Documentation and dignity
It is hard to conceive of dignity if one is stateless or forced to live in poverty, at the edges of abundance. By Elaine J. Cohen | The Rag Blog | September 24, 2015 A few weeks ago The Rag … finish reading Elaine J. Cohen : *METRO* | Vital statistics: Documentation and dignity
GOP 2016 Ticket Will Probably Be Cruz/Fiorina
It's very nice how libertarian-leaning conservative South Carolina Congressman Mick Mulvaney endorsed Rand Paul and made a case for him as the "real" conservative champion, the "not real" one being Ted Cruz. But Paul won't be his party's nominee, and there's a good chance that Cruz will. I'll get back to that in a moment, but first let's give Mulvaney, a big-time Boehner detractor, his say as to why he's backing Paul instead of Cruz, courtesy of Dave Weigel: "The last two weeks have been probably the most frustrating weeks in Washington for me, and that’s a high bar. There’s no w... more »
Remembering Yogi Berra
*WNU Editor:* Here are 35 memorable quotes from the legend .... *35 of Yogi Berra’s most memorable quotes* (New York Post). My favorite one is .... “It ain’t over till it’s over.”
Book Claim: Hillary Warns Obama To ‘Call off your f- -king dogs!’
*New York Post:* *‘Call off your f- -king dogs!’ Hillary rages to Obama* An enraged Hillary Rodham Clinton blew up at President Obama, demanding he “call off your f–king dogs” looking into her emails during a tense Oval Office meeting, according to a new book. The book, “Unlikeable: The Problem with Hillary,” says the former first lady was furious at what she believed were damaging leaks by Obama aides that led to investigations of her use of a private email server as secretary of state. So she went right to the top to settle the matter. Clinton requested a meeting with Obama, agai... more »
The Presence Of Russian Jets In Syria Means The End Of Any Talk For A 'No Fly-Zone' Over The Country
Russian Su-25 jets on the runway at at al-Assad airbase in Syria Photo: Александр Ермаков *The Telegraph*: *Russian jets in Syria mean no-fly zone is 'out of the question', warn experts* *Vladimir Putin is carrying out Russia's biggest military intervention outside the old Soviet Union for almost 30 years* Russia’s deployment of jet fighters in Syria has effectively destroyed the West’s option of imposing a “no-fly zone” over the country, experts have warned, as the British Defence Secretary said the intervention risked deepening the crisis. The Kremlin’s operation in Syria amoun... more »
A Most Unfortunate URL Choice
_______________________ [Taiwan] Don't miss the comments below! And check out my blog and its sidebars for events, links to previous posts and picture posts, and scores of links to other Taiwan blogs and forums!
Pentagon Confirms That Two Chinese Jet Fighters Made A Dangerous Intercept of A U.S. Spy Plane Over The Yellow Sea
*Wall Street Journal*: *Two Chinese Fighters Make ‘Unsafe’ Interception With U.S. Spy Plane* *Incident a week ago over Yellow Sea occurred days before President Xi Jinping’s trip to U.S.* WASHINGTON—Two Chinese jet fighters made what military officials called a dangerous interception with an U.S. spy plane a week ago, just days before Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to be received at the White House. The incident occurred on Sept. 15 over the Yellow Sea when two JH-7 Chinese fighters came within 500 feet of the nose of an American surveillance plane known as an RC-135. The U.... more »
Yogi Berra (1925-2015)
NYT caption: "*George Steinbrenner, right, with Yogi Berra in 1985 before Steinbrenner made 'the worst mistake I ever made in baseball,' firing Berra as manager.*" *by Ken* I wish I could remember which game it was, exactly, because in my memory it was just a couple of games ago that Yogi Berra's name came up in the course of a Yankees telecast, in connection with one of the vintage Yogi-isms, and announcer Michael Kay sent along best wishes to Yogi, explaining that he knew Yogi watched every game. So the first thing I thought of when I heard this morning that Yogi has died, was w... more »
Musical Interlude: Vangelis, “Fields of Coral”
Vangelis, “Fields of Coral” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ad1wFWdmZUs
"A Look to the Heavens"
“Bright spiral galaxy NGC 3169 appears to be unraveling in this cosmic scene, played out some 70 million light-years away just below bright star Regulus toward the faint constellation Sextans. Its beautiful spiral arms are distorted into sweeping tidal tails as NGC 3169 (left) and neighboring NGC 3166 interact gravitationally, a common fate even for bright galaxies in the local universe. In fact, drawn out stellar arcs and plumes, indications of gravitational interactions, seem rampant in the deep and colorful galaxy group photo. *Click image for larger size.* The picture spans 20 ar... more »
"The Most Beautiful People..."
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassions, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.” - Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
"Effort and Understanding: Having It Easy"
*"Effort and Understanding: Having It Easy"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM "When we view the lives of others and think they have it easy, we are not seeing the whole of their life or the story they are presenting. Our lives are an exercise in facing challenges. We dream the grandest of dreams as youngsters only to discover that we must cultivate copious inner strength and determination in order to meet our goals. Our hard work does not always yield the results we expect. And it is when we find ourselves frustrated by the trials we face or unable to meet our own expectations that we... more »
The Universe
“It's part of nature's built-in checks and balances, that while there may be times when you think you can't even help yourself, precisely in such moments there will always be someone else nearby you can help, instead. Which, I think you know, is actually one of the fastest ways to help yourself. I sure feel better.” “I hope that helps,” The Universe "Thoughts become things... choose the good ones!" - www.tut.com
Chet Raymo, “Not Known, Because Not Looked For”
*“Not Known, Because Not Looked For”* by Chet Raymo "Remember these well-known lines of T. S. Eliot (“Little Gidding”): "We shall not cease from exploration And the end of all our exploring Will be to arrive where we started And know the place for the first time." It is not quite what Eliot is up to, but I was reminded of some lines of Pascal that I shared here several years ago: “Scientific learning is composed of two opposites which nonetheless meet each other. The first is the natural ignorance that is man's lot at birth. The second is represented by those great m... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Longview, Texas, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
"Puzzling..."
"I've wondered why it took us so long to catch on. We saw it and yet we didn't see it. Or rather we were trained not to see it. Conned, perhaps, into thinking that the real action was metropolitan and all this was just boring hinterland. It was a puzzling thing. The truth knocks on the door and you say, "Go away, I'm looking for the truth,'' and so it goes away. Puzzling..." - Robert M. Pirsig
"How To Persuade Stubborn People"
*"How To Persuade Stubborn People"* by George Washington "As anyone who has tried to educate people with facts knows, it is very difficult to persuade stubborn people. New research sheds some light on this frustrating dynamic. As NPR noted: "New research suggests that misinformed people rarely change their minds when presented with the facts — and often become even more attached to their beliefs. A new body of research out of the University of Michigan suggests that's not what happens, that we base our opinions on beliefs and when presented with contradictory facts, we adhere to ou...more »
The Poet: Mary Oliver, "Morning Poem"
*"Morning Poem"* "Every morning the world is created. Under the orange sticks of the sun the heaped ashes of the night turn into leaves again and fasten themselves to the high branches- and the ponds appear like black cloth on which are painted islands of summer lilies. If it is your nature to be happy you will swim away along the soft trails for hours, your imagination alighting everywhere. And if your spirit carries within it the thorn that is heavier than lead- if it's all you can do to keep on trudging- there is still somewhere deep within you a beast shouting that the earth is ... more »
Chinese President Xi Begins His Visit To The U.S. -- News Updates September 23, 2015
*The Guardian*: *China's President Xi Jinping begins first US visit in Seattle* Xi to meet with 30 US and Chinese business leaders before attending White House state dinner on Friday and speaking at the United Nations The Chinese president, Xi Jinping, landed in Seattle on Tuesday to kick off a weeklong US visit that will include meetings with US business leaders, a black-tie state dinner at the White House hosted by President Barack Obama and an address at the United Nations. Xi and his wife touched down in an Air China 747 at Paine Field, adjacent to the massive plant where Bo... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- September 23, 2015
President Xi Jinping (L) is introduced by former US National Security Advisor and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at a speech during a dinner reception in Seattle, Washington, September 22, 2015. [Photo/China Daily] *Shen Dingli, China.org.cn*: *How should China, US improve relations on security?* Interaction between China and the United States is expanding. Bilateral economic and trade ties have deepened and been mutually beneficial. The China-U.S. security relationship is developing, too. They collaborate on a number of international security issues, including anti-terror init... more »
Nelson Report: Additional Responses to Richard Bush
*I love these curves.* The Nelson Report sent this around, responses to Bush as well as other comments. *+++++++++++++++* THE TAIWAN DEBATE...following on our Report last week on the excellent CSIS conference with keynote speaker Shelly Rigger, and our quoting former AIT president (and Cap Hill colleague) Richard Bush this week, two notes from the "green" side of the equation, bearing in mind that Formosan Association of Public Affairs, home of the first correspondent, is not the DPP, the political party now seen as a mortal lock to return to the presidency in January, which foll... more »
Rip-off News round-up. Our pick of the last week's media (Thu 24th September)
CBI chief backs green economy, says government’s U-turns will cost business hundreds of billions John Cridland, director general of the CBI and the most senior voice of British business, has blasted the government’s performance on the “green economy”, warning that UK companies will lose out on hundreds of billions of pounds in opportunities for overseas exports if ministers do not reverse
What Will Pope Francis Tell Congress?
[image: Pope_Francis - 900] Imagine if General George Patton, right after V-E Day, were coming to speak at West Point’s commencement. Expectations were high, the cadets were enthralled, and the instructors were eager to hear him. But the Commandant of the Academy had some... more »
The Monchy Ten
One thing that I find both fascinating and frustrating about history is that no matter how much you read or think you know or how many history courses or degrees you have, you will never know it all. I suppose that is why I feel motivated to read so much about it. Just when you think you are getting a grasp on a topic, you learn something out of the blue....one of those "Wow, I never knew that!" moments. I had just such a moment a couple days ago as I was reading through a general history of World War One. (Martin Gilbert's "The First World War: A Complete History" (2004) is a wo... more »
Quote of the day: On free speech
*“Freedom of speech means freedom from interference, suppression or punitive action by the government—and nothing else. It does not mean the right to demand the financial support or the material means to express your views at the expense of other men who may not wish to support you. Freedom of speech includes the freedom not to agree, not to listen and not to support one’s own antagonists. A “right” does not include the material implementation of that right by other men; it includes only the freedom to earn that implementation by one’s own effort. Private citizens cannot use physi... more »
Yogi Berra speaks
The baseball player and personality who inspired the Yogi Bear character has died, but his many malapropisms live on. Famous as much for them as for his baseball prowess, but as he once said himself, “I never said all the things I said.” *Berra’s **contributions to Major League Baseball history** are incalculable, but his legacy might be even better remembered for what he contributed to American language. A sportswriters’ favourite, Berra had countless expressions and turns of phrase that were memorable because most of them didn’t make any sense. (At the same time, every one had s...more »
It’s the Pope, Mr. Obama. Where are Your Manners?
[image: President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Pope Francis wave to the crowd on the South Lawn from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, during a state arrival ceremony.] President Obama threw a big shin-dig for Pope Francis and the guest list caused all sorts of controversy. A gaggle of gay activists were invited to scarf down cocktail weenies at the White House -- along with an openly gay Episcopal... more »
Economics for Real People: John Nash, and the reconstruction of Political Economy in mathematical terms
Stepping outside economics for real people again, this week folks at the Auckland Uni Economics Group will instead be looking at maths. Earlier this year the remarkable life of John Nash and his wife Alicia was brought to a sudden and tragic end. In this seminar, Matthew Ryan from the Economics Department at AUT provides a reflection on Nash’s contributions to economics, as well as to social science more broadly. *It is the story of the reconstruction of Political Economy in mathematical terms.* *Date: Thursday, 24 September * *Time: 6-7pm Location: Lecture Theatre Three (OGGB3),... more »
Keynes advises students …
You don’t need to subscribe to his economics to admire his own facility with a pen. Here's what John Maynard Keynes had to say in his examiner's report when he was examiner for Auckland University in 1919: *The candidates as a whole showed that they had been reasonably industrious and conscientious in their work. If, however, I may make a criticism, it would be that they are unduly tied down to their textbooks, often imperfectly understood, and show an insufficient independence of mind. There was hardly any single instance in any of the papers of an individual or characteristic ... more »
#ShoutYourAbortion? How Could Anyone Shout Her Abortion?
[image: #shoutyour abortion tweet] BuzzFeed says that through the #ShoutYourAbortion Twitter hashtag, women are sharing "their personal stories about getting abortions." The tweets are meant to spread a story of liberation and triumph. Instead they reveal a culture of inhumanity. It started on Sept. 19th... more »
World News Briefs -- September 23, 2015 (Evening Edition)
*Reuters:* *At White House, pope focuses on environment, poverty and migrants* Pope Francis on Wednesday urged the United States to help tackle climate change and touched on other divisive U.S. political issues such as immigration and economic inequality on his first visit to the world's richest nation. In a speech on the White House South Lawn on the first full day of his U.S. trip, the Argentine pontiff lauded President Barack Obama's efforts to reduce air pollution, months after Francis made the environment one of his top concerns by issuing a landmark encyclical letter to the... more »
Cecile Richards to Testify Before Congress
[image: Cecile Richards Planned Parenthood - 900] Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards will testify before Congress next week about the non-profit's use of taxpayer funds, as the investigation into its fetal tissue harvesting continues. The purpose of the House Oversight Committee hearing is to determine how Planned Parenthood uses half... more »
The Scale of Labour's Challenge
This is what Labour is facing: In the sociology of social movements, many a printer cartridge has run dry discussing the problems of what we call 'frame alignment'. That is the problem by which a movement or, as is more usually the case, a social movement organisation of some kind has to gain wide currency for its world view. What this table from YouGov for the *New Statesman* shows is just how big that gap between Jeremy's support and the wider Labour-minded electorate is. This is a huge challenge for the party. Of course, Labour as a whole isn't an ideological sect organised aro... more »
Ken Wachsberger : Joe Grant: Happy birthday and goodbye, friend
Joe Grant, the publisher of ‘Prisoners Digest International,’ was one of the unsung legends of the underground press. By Ken Wachsberger | The Rag Blog | September 23, 2015 It’s always jarring to receive Facebook birthday reminders for friends who … finish reading Ken Wachsberger : Joe Grant: Happy birthday and goodbye, friend
Media’s 24/7 Early Campaign Coverage is Breaking Records
[image: Clinton-Trump3 - 900] NEW YORK (AP) -- By one measure, the 2016 presidential campaign has made more news at this early stage than any of the six previous contests. ABC, CBS and NBC have devoted 504 minutes to campaign news on their evening... more »
Violence Unchanged Last 5 Weeks In Iraq
For the last five weeks the number of attacks have remained relatively stable in Iraq. This is another sign that the war in Iraq has largely stabilized and become deadlocked. The government is on the offensive in several parts of Anbar province along with Salahaddin, but showing mixed results, while bombings continue unabated in Baghdad. The rest of the country remained relatively quite. Musings On Iraq counted 122 security incidents from September 15-21, 2015. That was lower than the previous weeks, which witnessed 144 attacks September 8-14, 139 from September 1-7, 136 from Aug... more »
Here’s how to keep clinical trial participants honest (and why that’s a big deal)
Additional lab tests, creating a clinical trial patient registry, and rewards for honesty are among the advice doled out in this week’s issue of the New England Journal of Medicine for researchers to help avoid the major issue of participants lying to get into clinical trials. In the Perspective, David B. Resnik and David J. McCann, […] The post Here’s how to keep clinical trial participants honest (and why that’s a big deal) appeared first on Retraction Watch.
EU Migration Crisis -- September 23, 2015
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *Washington Post*: *European leaders struggle over deep splits on migrant crisis efforts* BRUSSELS — European leaders moved Wednesday toward a messy showdown over the continent’s refugee crisis amid increasingly bitter divisions — and even possible court challenges — over how to cope with the crush of asylum seekers and others. The conclave comes a day after European Union interior ministers pushed through a plan to spread 120,000 asylum seekers across Europe over the strenuous objections of four Central European nations. The rare maneuver to force c... more »
The GOP Immigration Charade
At Trumpy's #AskTrump event Monday, "Marie" asked him what he'd do on his first day as president. No hesitation; he went right to the topic that launched him into the political stratosphere: lies about immigration. First thing I'd do in my first day as president is close up our borders so that illegal immigrants cannot come into our country. We have tremendous problems. We owe $19 trillion. We don't know what we're doing. Everything is falling apart. People can come into our country, but only legally. I will close up those borders. Yeah, yeah... sure he will. But as Julianne Hing ... more »
Donald Trump Sends Club for Growth Cease and Desist Letter
[image: Trump on a Wealth Tax: A Very Conservative Thing to do, if it’s Helping Pay Down the National Debt] Donald Trump has sent the Club for Growth a cease and desist letter aimed at stopping the conservative outside group from airing a set of attack ads against him in Iowa. The letter comes a week after the Club for... Continue reading *“Donald Trump Sends Club for Growth Cease and Desist Letter”* at *politico.com*.
Investment Treaty Between China and US Key Business Goal
[image: US President Barack Obama during a bilateral meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the US Ambassador's Residence in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, March 24, 2014.] SEATTLE (AP) -- When Chinese President Xi Jinping addresses some of the top names in Chinese and American business Wednesday in Seattle, they may be most interested in what he says about progress toward a treaty that would provide a... more »
A Mind of Our Own?
The more I learn the better I see how the collective American mind has been polluted beyond imagination. I like to call it mind colonization. Ever since we were young the ruling capitalist culture poured blind nationalism, consumerism, false idolatry, and addiction to endless entertainment into our open and eager brains. Most of us don't have a mind of our own. We like to think we do, but we actually don't. It takes a life time of determined work to open the lid to our dusty brains and clean out the trash that has been put in there by others. Most people don't bother with it.... more »
The Tragedy Of War And Conflict Continues In Libya
*New York Times*: *As Frustrations Build in Libya, So Do Calls for Help* TUNIS — For more than a year, Libyans have been watching their politicians shuttle between foreign capitals on rounds of peace talks, workshops and conferences in search of a solution to the worsening chaos at home. At one recent event in the Tunisian capital, frustrations at the slow progress were evident in the heartfelt questions and statements from the Libyan refugees in the audience. “We are a small country, and we need help,” Ahmed Werfalli, a businessman and activist, told the American ambassador durin... more »
Obama Does Not Care About ISIS Genocide of Christians
[image: Iraqi Christians] Stream contributor and founder of The Iraqi Christian Relief Council, Juliana Taimoorazy discusses the plight of Christians in the Middle East and why Western countries are not doing enough to help. She calls on Pope Francis to label the attacks... more »
Deputy Saves Drowning Kids in Dark Pond; the Dad is Arrested
[image: Lily Pond Sunset - 900] DURHAM, N.C. (AP) -- The North Carolina man accused of trying to drown his two young daughters initially told residents of an apartment complex he believed his 7-year-old son had been kidnapped and needed help finding him. Alan Tysheen Eugene... more »
Who is Pope Francis? Insights on a Remarkable Life
[image: "Jorge Mario Bergoglio","Pope Francis" as a student (4th from left, middle row), studied chemistry before joining the priesthood] A reformer? A radical? A revolutionary? He has been called all of these things since he was the surprise choice of the cardinals at the Vatican conclave in March 2013. Sometimes the label has been meant as a compliment, sometimes as... more »
Midday Musical Interlude: Ludovico Einaudi, “Night”
Ludovico Einaudi, “Night” - https://www.youtube.com/
"The Process of Grieving: Becoming Whole Again"
*"The Process of Grieving: Becoming Whole Again"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOm "Grief can arise from many life situations, but know it is not a permanent state of being. When we experience any kind of devastating loss, whether it is the loss of a loved one, a dream, or a relationship, feelings may arise within us that are overwhelming or difficult to cope with. This sense of grief can also come up when we are separated from anyone or anything we have welcomed into our lives. And while it may feel like we are caught up in a never-ending spiral of sadness and emptiness, it is import... more »
Supplemental: Chuck Todd rolls over and dies for Trump!
*WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015We live in astonishing times:* We live in remarkable times. On a major morning show—Morning Joe—an utterly naked propaganda campaign is being waged against Candidate Clinton. At the same time, the press corps is giving remarkably wide berth to the statements of other candidates. As an example of what we mean, consider the way Chuck Todd rolled over and died on Sunday’s Meet the Press. Todd was speaking with Candidate Trump, who tosses off howlers in much the way other alleged people breathe. Once again, recent examples: At last week’s nationally tel... more »
Obama Invited Fired Gay Catholic School Teacher and Her ‘Wife’ to Meet Pope
[image: Pope Francis meets President of the United States Barack Obama in the Vatican on 27 March 2014.] The Obama administration has made another potentially incendiary invite for the pope's visit to the White House Wednesday, inviting a Catholic school teacher who lost her job after marrying her same-sex partner. Her wife will be coming as well. Margie... more »
Untitled
*A split-brain report from Boston* *Don't you like those hopeful first two paragraphs below? How wonderful that one of America's biggest problems is on its way to a solution! PROBLEM: The rest of the article goes into the details and they show no systematic movement in educational attainment at all. There are both losses and gains. It was just a random walk. The first two paragraphs are just wishful thinking, to put it politely. Looking at the detail behind headlines and conclusions generally is a dreadful habit that I have had for decades. It sure was enlightening in re... more »
Colombia - FARC Peace Talks Progressing
*Wall Street Journal:* *Colombia, FARC Guerrillas Make Key Advance in Peace Talks* Breakthrough will bring Colombia closer to ending a half-century of conflict BOGOTÁ, Colombia—President Juan Manuel Santos is making a surprise trip to Cuba on Wednesday, where he and FARC guerrilla commanders are expected to announce a breakthrough in peace talks that will bring Colombia closer to ending a half-century of conflict, people familiar with the talks said. “Peace is near,” Mr. Santos said on his official Twitter account as a government delegation prepared to fly to Havana, where the neg... more »
'Bin Laden Bodyguard' Released From Guantanamo Bay And Sent To Saudi Arabia
*Washington Post:* *Once deemed too dangerous to release, Saudi detainee at Guantanamo Bay prison has been repatriated* A Saudi detainee and a longtime hunger striker at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, who was once deemed too dangerous to release has been repatriated, U.S. officials said Tuesday. A military review board in June cleared Abdul Rahman Shalabi, 39, for release. The board said that the effectiveness of the Saudi rehabilitation program that he is to enter and the country’s ability to monitor him were important factors in its decision. The board also noted ... more »
May the Pope Challenge Obama’s ‘Freedom of Worship’ for the Sad, Watered Down Thing That It Is
[image: President Barack Obama talks with Pope Francis in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015.] "A healthy pluralism, one which genuinely respects differences and values them as such, does not entail privatizing religions in an attempt to reduce them to the quiet obscurity of the individual's conscience or to relegate them to the enclosed precincts... more »
OPM Underestimated Number of Fingerprints Stolen in Hack by Millions
[image: OPM - 400] The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) said Wednesday that it underestimated by approximately 4 million the number of individuals whose fingerprints were stolen in the massive breach revealed this spring. OPM revised its original estimate of 1.1 million to 5.6... Continue reading *“OPM Underestimated Number of Fingerprints Stolen in Hack by Millions”* at *thehill.com*.
Donald Trump Boycotts Fox News for ‘Unfair’ Coverage
[image: FILE - This file photo combination made from Aug. 6, 2015, photos shows Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, left, and Fox News Channel host and moderator Megyn Kelly during the first Republican presidential debate at the Quicken Loans Arena, in Cleveland. Trump is welcoming Kelly back from a vacation with a broadside of criticism, tweeting that he liked her show better when she was away. Trump has been attacking Kelly ever since her tough questioning of him during the debate. (AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)] NEW YORK (AP) -- Donald Trump says he’s done appearing o... more »
Making Sense of Afghanistan
This is a guest post by Erik Goepner, a Phd student at George Mason University. He commanded units in both Afghanistan and Iraq. American and international expertise, money, and blood have flowed into Afghanistan for 14 years, yet stability appears more elusive today than it did in 2002. High rates of civil conflict continue with […]
Securitization Forum: On the poor reception securitization theory has gotten in the U.S.
This is the seventh contribution in our forum on securitization theory in the U.S. John Owen is Taylor Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia and, during the Fall of 2015, a Senior Guest Scholar at the Center for Transnational Relations, Foreign and Security Policy at the Free University of Berlin. He is author […]
Securitization Forum: Securitization Theory is All Very Well, But Will it Sell?
This is the sixth contribution in our forum on securitization theory in the U.S. Monika Barthwal-Datta is Senior Lecturer in International Security at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) Australia. Her research focuses on critical approaches to security, food security, and the international politics of South Asia. It’s quite simple, I’m told. Securitization Theory […]
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Comments On U.S. Reaction To Russia's Military Build-up In Syria
© Sputnik/ Eduard Pesov *Reuters:* *Russia's Lavrov says Washington more 'receptive' to Moscow position on Syria* Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that the United States was increasingly receptive toward Moscow's position on the conflict in Syria. Lavrov referred to comments by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry after military talks restarted between Washington and Moscow on Syria, where a war shows no signs of abating after four and a half years. A Russian diplomatic source said separately on Wednesday that Moscow saw growing chances for an international ... more »
Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Muslim Nazi Comparison
[image: Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Muslim Nazi Comparison] Marine Le Pen's former lawyer and FN party treasurer, Wallerand de Saint Just, has confirmed prosecutors in Lyon will send her to trial on 20 October on charges of inciting racial hatred, reports the Evening Express. Saint Just framed the issue as a... Continue reading *“Marine Le Pen Faces Trial Over Muslim Nazi Comparison”* at *breitbart.com*.
Spirituality vs. Consumerism
*Kingsley L. Dennis* - The inner evolutionary journey is not a shopping list of abilities and spiritual practices. The post Spirituality vs. Consumerism appeared first on Waking Times.
BLACK KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Prepare to cringe!
*WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015Part 3—The corps buys a bogus old tale:* On August 25, two professors at Penn—it’s an Ivy League school!—released an important new study. On the one hand, the study detailed an important state of affairs—an important state of affairs which has long been well known. On the other hand, the study also seemed to advance a theme which was familiar and tribally thrilling, but was also bogus. Result? All over the press corps, at major news orgs, American journalists rushed to pimp this familiar, well-memorized tale—a familiar old tale which was pleasing but... more »
I’m a Christian But I’m Totally Not… (BuzzFeed Parody)
[image: BuzzFeed Parody - 900]
Report: FBI Has Recovered Deleted Emails from Hillary’s Server
[image: Hillary Clinton email smartphone - GettyImages-134272681_Medium] Federal investigators reportedly have recovered work-related and personal emails from Hillary Clinton’s time as secretary of state that the Democratic presidential front-runner claimed had been deleted from her personal server. The recovery of the emails was first reported by Bloomberg... Continue reading *“Report: FBI Has Recovered Deleted Emails from Hillary’s Server”* at *foxnews.com*.
Intolerant of Truth
[image: The University of California - 400] Criminologists at the University of California beware: disseminating crime data could put you afoul of university governance. The politically appointed regents of the ten-campus UC system are devising "principles against intolerance" that would regulate university speech and behavior and could... Continue reading *“Intolerant of Truth”* at *city-journal.org*.
Elite Morality
So, I'm back at the gym these days and CNN is on the big screen tv in the changeroom. And I notice they're talking about how US troops say they've been forced to turn a blind eye to Afghan soldiers raping little boys. Two US soldiers who intervened and roughed-up one of the pedophiles were dismissed from the military. The actions of Quinn and the other soldier, Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland, against the American-backed police commander displeased their superiors in the U.S. military. Quinn says he and Martland were relieved of their duties shortly afterward. Quinn has since left ... more »
U.S. Secretary Of State Kerry Comments On The Russian Build-up In Syria
*BBC:* *Russia's Syria military build-up is self-protection - Kerry* Russia's military build-up in Syria appears to be limited to protecting its own forces in the country, US Secretary of State John Kerry has said. However, Mr Kerry warned that Russia's long-term intentions remained unclear. His comments on Tuesday followed the publication of satellite images that suggested Russia was developing two additional military bases in Syria. The images show new buildings, surface clearing and tents at a weapons depot and military complex north of Latakia. *WNU Editor*: Turkey is not hap... more »
Satellite Photos Show 16 Russian Fighters At A Syrian/Russian Airbase (Updated)
(*Click on Image to Enlarge*) Backed by Putin: This satellite image shows 16 warplanes at a government airbase near the coastal city of Latakia, backing claims of Moscow support made by the Syrian military officials *Aviationist:* *New Satellite Image unveils an impressive line-up of 12 Russian Su-25 Frogfoot attack jets in Syria!* *A new impressive photo unveils a large presence of Su-25 attack planes at airbase near Latakia.* A new impressive satellite image has just been released. It shows at least 12 Su-25 Frogfoot attack planes lined-up on the secondary runway at al-Assad ai... more »
Will Senator Whitehouse Renew His Call for RICO Prosecution of Climate-Denying Companies like Exxon?
*One of several Frontline videos discussion the blockbuster release of internal Exxon documents showing that global warming could well be real and that Exxon was worried about the effect of this knowledge on their business* *by Gaius Publius* I've been writing recently about the blockbuster report by *Inside Climate News* that Exxon knew, as early as 1977, that climate change was very likely real and that continuing to burn fossil fuels would disrupt the livability of the planet. The main page of the ICN report is here. My initial discussion is here. Prior to those revelations, Se... more »
Obama vs. Pope Francis: Different Views on the State of the World
[image: Pope and Obama - 400] On September 23, U.S. president Barack Obama will host Pope Francis in Washington, D.C. The two leaders, one described as a towering figure of American progressivism and the other as a liberal revolutionary, are often seen as allies. Strangely, the... Continue reading *“Obama vs. Pope Francis: Different Views on the State of the World”* at *nationalinterest.org*.
Exhibit A in Media Bias: Carson vs. Clinton
[image: 150909-ben-carson-ap-1160__1441848267_70.119.142.63] There is an old saying in journalism that there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. The proof of the pudding came when Ben Carson foolishly answered a hypothetical question about Islam to say he could never support a Muslim... Continue reading *“Exhibit A in Media Bias: Carson vs. Clinton”* at *foxnews.com*.
25+ Trump Statements Liberals Can Love
[image: Why Liberals Should Love Donald Trump] Trump attacked George Bush: “Bush has been so bad, maybe the worst president in the history of this country. He has been so incompetent, so bad, so evil, that I don’t think any Republican could have won.” “Look, everything in... Continue reading *“25+ Trump Statements Liberals Can Love”* at *americanthinker.com*.
Any Questions?
Last Sunday I was going to make a comment on Craig’s recent post about Question Time and Phil Burton-Carledge’s ‘forensic’ statistical analyses, which concluded that if there was indeed any partiality, which he tended to doubt, the bias was towards the right. I wrote half a comment but events prevented me from posting. I was going to say statistics aren’t everything. In fact in the case of AQ and QT, they aren’t anything. You can take the lists of contributors, over the entire history of those panel shows if you like, and you might also assess the political nature of the selection... more »
Natives Respond: Hillary Flipflops Harvests Votes on KXL
Hillary Clinton Announces Opposition to KXL, Native Leaders Respond For Immediate Release: September 23, 2015 Contacts: A. Gay Kingman, Kingmanwapato@rushmore.com, Dallas Goldtooth, ienpipeline@igc.org, Paula Antoine, wopila@gwtc.net,
How Jihadists Convince Teenagers To Be Suicide Bombers (Video)
*Daily Mail:* *The unwilling suicide bomber: Teenager weeps as he is ordered to drive armoured vehicle filled with explosives - moments before he is obliterated in mushroom cloud in attack on Syrian village* * Uzbek national Jafar al-Tayyar was ordered to blow himself up in Syria * Older bearded jihadis encourage the teenager and pat him on the back * But Tayyar appears terrified of dying and says he fears not succeeding * Then bursts into tears sitting in an armoured car packed with explosives * Final shot shows Tayyar driving into the distance and blowing himself up Harrowing vide... more »
Burkina Faso's President Returns To Power One Week After Coup
*Reuters:* *Burkina president says back in charge, but no sign of deal* Burkina Faso's President Michel Kafando said he and his government were back in power on Wednesday a week after a coup, though it was unclear who was really in charge after the rebellion's leader attended a state function. "I have returned to work," Kafando told journalists at the foreign ministry. At around the same time, around 5 km (3 miles) away, coup leader General Gilbert Diendere appeared at the airport, backed by a contingent of his presidential guard, to welcome regional leaders arriving to try to neg... more »
Carson on Hannity Defends, Expands His Remarks on a Muslim President
[image: Ben Carson] GOP candidate Ben Carson continues doubling down on his statement that he would not “advocate” electing a Muslim president. However, he has offered clarification. Appearing Monday night on Fox News. Dr. Carson told Sean Hannity he “absolutely” stood by the remarks made on Meet... more »
Fifty Years Ago, Sandy Koufax Refused to Pitch a World Series Game — For His Religion
[image: Sandy Koufax pitching] The famously reclusive Koufax, now 79, who declined to be interviewed for this story, is not regarded as a particularly devout Jew, but he never pitched during Yom Kippur in his career. In 1961, he did pitch a night game... Continue reading *“Fifty Years Ago, Sandy Koufax Refused to Pitch a World Series Game — For His Religion”* at *espn.go.com*.
Jim Gaffigan on Performing Stand-Up for Pope Francis
[image: JIM-GAFFIGAN_400] There are some big gigs in stand-up comedy -- headliner at Madison Square Garden; host of the White House Correspondents' Association dinner -- and then there's the show that Jim Gaffigan is about to play. On Saturday, Mr. Gaffigan will... Continue reading *“Jim Gaffigan on Performing Stand-Up for Pope Francis”* at *nytimes.com*.
Pope Francis Meets with President Obama
[image: President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Pope Francis wave to the crowd on the South Lawn from the Truman Balcony of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2015, during a state arrival ceremony.] WASHINGTON (AP) -- Plunging headlong into the issues of the day, Pope Francis opened his visit to the United States with a strong call Wednesday for action to combat climate change, calling it a problem that “can no longer be... more »
New York Times Uses Pope’s Visit to Bash Catholic Church
[image: New York Times - 400] This month’s historic trip of Pope Francis to the United States cannot halt The New York Times from its relentless obsession with decades-old cases of sex abuse committed by Catholic priests. Despite the Church’s unprecedented corrective measures just in the past... Continue reading *“New York Times Uses Pope’s Visit to Bash Catholic Church”* at *newsbusters.org*.
France Confirms Sale Of 2 Disputed Mistral Warships To Egypt After Its Russian Deal Derailed
The two Mistral-class helicopter carriers Sevastopol (Bottom) and Vladivostok are seen at the STX Les Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard site in Saint-Nazaire, western France © Stephane Mahe / Reuters *RT:* *Egypt to buy Mistral warships originally built for Russia from France* France has agreed to sell two Mistral helicopter carriers to Egypt, which were originally ordered by Russia. "They agreed on the principle and the terms of the acquisition by Egypt of the two [ships]," the French President Francois Hollande’s spokesman told reporters in a statement on Wednesday. The deal wa... more »
Time Travel & The Multiverse – Many Worlds: Many Timelines
*Marie D Jones & Larry Flaxman* - Can we travel between different worlds and different timelines? The post Time Travel & The Multiverse – Many Worlds: Many Timelines appeared first on Waking Times.
Investigation ups nursing researcher’s retraction count to 3
The Journal of Clinical Nursing is retracting a paper “due to major overlap with a previously published article” from the same journal, following an investigation by the National University of Singapore. By our count, this is the third retraction for first author, Moon-fai Chan, all for “overlap” with other papers. As we reported in May, the Journal of Advanced Nursing retracted a paper […] The post Investigation ups nursing researcher’s retraction count to 3 appeared first on Retraction Watch.
"No, Teachers And Administrators Don't Abuse Students..."
*And 2015, it seems...* *"No, Teachers And Administrators Don't Abuse Students..."* by Karl Denninger "But remember, they deserve the respect of not only students but also parents in all cases... "OKEMAH, Okla.- A 4-year-old was allegedly forced by his teacher to write with his right hand, even though he’s left-handed. The child was sent home with a letter about how left-handedness is often associated with evil and the devil." Yeah. *In 2015*. Was the teacher immediately fired? Not as far as anyone can tell. "NewsChannel 4 called the school and were told the superintendent wa... more »
World News Briefs -- September 23, 2015
*Daily Mail*:* 'I look forward to these days in your country. God Bless America!': Pope Francis speaks about climate change, world peace and religious tolerance in front of crowd of 20,000 at the White House* * Pope Francis arrived at the White House Wednesday morning to give his opening remarks to America in front of a crowd of 20,000 * Among those who gathered for the speech were several prominent DC Catholics including Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State John Kerry and Kennedy family matriarch Ethel Kennedy * Following the speech, the pontiff went inside for a private m... more »
Trump Peppered with Wisecracks During Late Show Stop
[image: Trump on Colbert-900] NEW YORK (AP) -- Stephen Colbert showered thanks on Donald Trump, his Late Show guest. “I want to thank you not only for being here but for running for president,” Colbert told the GOP front-runner Tuesday night. “I’m not going... more »
Yogi Berra’s Wonderful American Life
[image: Yogi Berra & Whitey Ford] They will talk today about all the winning Yogi Berra did with the Yankees, and about as enduring a picture as there is in baseball history, Yogi jumping into Don Larsen's arms after Larsen's World Series perfect game in 1956.... Continue reading *“Yogi Berra’s Wonderful American Life”* at *nydailynews.com*.
Microchipped Pharmaceuticals are the Surveillance State’s Next Weapon
*Paul A. Philips* - Are you prepared to have your medications monitored by RFID microchips? The post Microchipped Pharmaceuticals are the Surveillance State’s Next Weapon appeared first on Waking Times.
Is Pedophilia Next?
[image: Children Swinging - 900] A shocking article posted on the Salon.com website has many people asking, "Now that we have embraced homosexuality, is pedophilia next?" The article, written by Todd Nickerson, was titled, "I'm a pedophile, but not a monster," with the subtitle reading,... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- September 23, 2015
'I am absolutely confident that never occurred': Gen. John Campbell, who heads U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, on Tuesday denied allegations that American officers stationed in the area were instructed to ignore Afghan police officers and commanders abusing local minors *Daily Mail:* *US General denies there is a policy to ignore the sexual abuse of little boys in Afghanistan after a marine was gunned down by teen 'being kept as a sex slave by the local police chief'* * Gen. John F. Campbell said Tuesday there was never a policy for US forces to ignore the alleged sexual abuse... more »
35 of Yogi Berra’s Most Memorable Quotes
[image: yogi3_400] Yogi Berra, considered one of the best catchers in major league history, died of natural causes at the age of 90 Tuesday. The Yankees legend and Hall of Famer may be better known for the way he creatively butchered the English... Continue reading *“35 of Yogi Berra’s Most Memorable Quotes”* at *nypost.com*.
Here’s The Face of The 20-Week Abortion Ban Debate
[image: Appeals Court OKs Tossing Strict North Dakota Abortion Law] At 29 years old, Danielle Pickering was faced with an impossible decision: Save her own life, or that of her unborn son. "We chose not to let them induce me to save my life, at the risk of his life," Danielle told... more »
Catholic Cuban-American Marco Rubio on Pope Francis
[image: Rubio_on_Francis_Bret_Baier] Marco Rubio shares his Catholic faith, his views as a Cuban-American, and his take on Pope Francis’ policies. Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com Continue reading *“Catholic Cuban-American Marco Rubio on Pope Francis”* at *video.foxnews.com*.
New Greek Government Sworn In, Pledges to Focus on Reforms
[image: Alexis Tsipras_900] ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Greece’s new coalition government formally assumed its duties Wednesday, pledging to enforce creditor-demanded spending cuts and reforms while softening the pain on an austerity-weary population. Labor Minister George Katrougalos said the new administration elected Sunday has... more »
Conservative Evangelical Ted Cruz Praises Pope Francis for Leading on Abortion, Marriage and Religious Liberty
[image: Pope Francis with cross - Wikimedia] It’s Pope Week in America, which means we’re getting lots of stories about how Pope Francis has “softened” the tone of the church and how conservatives are upset by his focus on climate change and the poor. What these stories miss... more »
Duke researcher with 7 retractions earns two Expressions of Concern
Data issues continue to plague pulmonary papers co-authored by Duke University professor William Foster and former Duke researcher Erin Potts-Kant. Yesterday, the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine posted an Expression of Concern for two articles from the pair while the findings are “under review.” The notice was published after the paper’s corresponding author, John Hollingsworth (also at […] The post Duke researcher with 7 retractions earns two Expressions of Concern appeared first on Retraction Watch.
You've Heard This Story Before
http://www.torontosun.com/ Bruce Carson's trial did not last long. We now await the judge's decision. On one level, the trial was about one individual's corrupt behaviour. But, on another level, the trial revealed yet again how the Harper government corrupts everything it touches. David Keith provides a little context: In the spring of 2004, University of Calgary President Harvey Weingarten recruited me back to Canada to help build a top-notch research centre that would inform the hard energy choices faced by Alberta, Canada, and the ... more »
USS Ford Deployment Delayed By Need For More Tests
The $12.9 billion Gerald R. Ford is the first of a new class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers for the US Navy. All are built by Newport News Shipbuilding in Virginia.(Photo: US Navy) *Defense News:* *Carrier Ford Delayed By Need For More Tests* WASHINGTON — Delivery of the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, is being delayed six to eight weeks, the service announced Tuesday, with more testing needed before the new ship can begin sea trials. The Navy and its shipbuilder, Newport News Shipbuilding, had been driving to a delivery date of March 31, 2016. That has... more »
State Department’s Account of Email Request Differs from Clinton’s
[image: Hillary Clinton_email_400] Throughout the controversy over her use of a private e-mail system while she was secretary of state, Hillary Rodham Clinton has described her decision last year to turn over thousands of work-related e-mails as a response to a routine-sounding records... Continue reading *“State Department’s Account of Email Request Differs from Clinton’s”* at *washingtonpost.com*.
Cosby Seeking Defense Lawyer for Pennsylvania Criminal Probe
[image: Bill Cosby_900] PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Comedian Bill Cosby is seeking to hire a criminal defense lawyer as suburban prosecutors revisit a 2005 sexual-assault complaint against him. Lawyer Edwin Jacobs said late Tuesday that Cosby’s agents had contacted him in the past few... more »
In the Story of Jonah, a Lesson About Solitary Confinement
[image: Jonah in whale drawing] Some extremely resilient prisoners can survive even long-term solitary confinement with their minds and souls whole, almost unscathed. But for many, perhaps most, isolation--and the featureless, purposeless life that accompanies it--is deeply damaging. Yet today, we impose this state, this... Continue reading *“In the Story of Jonah, a Lesson About Solitary Confinement”* at *tabletmag.com*.
The Longest Five Seconds in Football, Followed by Danger
[image: Jimmy Smith and Devin Hester, October 19, 2014. Facemask penalty on Jimmy Smith, Baltimore Ravens cornerback.] "Sure, it's one of the more dangerous positions," the Atlanta Falcons return specialist and receiver Devin Hester, who holds the N.F.L. record for punt-return touchdowns and total return touchdowns, told me recently. Football is thrilling and dangerous at every level,... Continue reading *“The Longest Five Seconds in Football, Followed by Danger”* at *newyorker.com*.
ESPN Mulls Layoffs as Media Landscape Changes
[image: ESPN] ESPN could be considering a series of layoffs as the Walt Disney-controlled sports-media juggernaut anticipates operating in a fast-changing media landscape. Citing multiple sources, The Big Lead, a sports-news site, reported Monday the company could be preparing to lay off... Continue reading *“ESPN Mulls Layoffs as Media Landscape Changes”* at *variety.com*.
The Republican Health Care Plan Hasn't Changed: Don't Get Sick-- And If You Do, Die Quickly
Last October-- a month short of a year ago-- I started treatment for a rare form of cancer. The treatment ended, successfully, about a month and a half ago after a month in the hospital for stem-cell transplants. Today I spent the entire day at City of Hope's day hospital getting maintenance treatment, something I'll probably be doing every few months for the rest of my life. I've kept a sporadic running diary of my adventures in the world of medicine that you can check out here if you'd like. Tuesday you probably read, as I did, the Andrew Pollack piece in the *NYTimes* that ever... more »
Satire: “Wisconsinites Alarmed That Walker Has More Time to Be Governor”
*“Wisconsinites Alarmed That Walker Has More Time to Be Governor”* by Andy Borowitz MADISON, WISCONSIN (The Borowitz Report)— "In the aftermath of his sudden withdrawal from the Presidential race, on Monday, residents of Wisconsin are alarmed at the prospect of Scott Walker having more time to do his job as governor, Wisconsinites report. In interviews across the state, Wisconsinites expressed emotions ranging from dread to panic as they grappled with the realization that Walker would soon be back behind his desk performing his duties. “Earlier this spring, when he was riding high ... more »
Failure to testify may be considered in determining guilt
R. v. J.N., 2015 NUCJ 29: [25] Section 4 of the Canada Evidence Act, RSC 1985, C c-5, prohibits a judge or prosecutor from commenting to a jury on the failure of an accused to testify. This does not mean, however, that the trier of fact, whether a jury or a judge sitting alone, cannot weigh this factor into the balance when considering whether or not to accept evidence (R v B(JN) (1989), 56 Man R (2d) 215 (CA), 48 CCC (3d) 71; aff'd on other grounds [1991] 1 SCR 66, 71 Man R (2d) 156 (B(JN)). [26] In B(JN), the Court of Appeal for Manitoba stated: The Crown must always prove its... more »
Happy End Of The World Day!....NOT!
Yes... It is September 23rd, 2015... And according to many nutjobs out there, today is the day that the world is supposed to come to an end.. I have seen all the reports about a "meteor" or "comet" that is supposed to hit this planet today... And or the reports about "Nibura" and/or "Planet X", and all I can do is laugh.... Everyone has to understand that we have had this fear mongering of the "end of the world" for centuries... I remember reading years back for example about a failed researcher and "Buy-bull" believer that actually believed that the stones of the Pyramid of Giza w... more »
Will Russia's Air Defenses In Syria Be Enough To Deter U.S. F-22s and B-2s?
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *National Interest:* *American F-22s and B-2 Bombers vs. Russia's S-300 in Syria: Who Wins?* Russia is deploying advanced air defense systems to Syria as part of its military build up inside the war-torn country. While it is currently deploying point defense missiles, it’s possible Russian forces could deploy more capable area air defense systems like the much-feared Almaz-Antey S-300 to the region. If Russia does deploy their latest surface-to-air missiles (SAM) to Syria, the areas protected by these systems would become no-go zones for most allied a... more »
Untitled
*Aren't we clever? Or so the latest crop of bright-eyed Warmists seems to think* *The story below is that global average temperatures are not a good index of global warming. That seems to me to be a contradiction in terms but let logic go by for now. The claim is that we should look at the occurrence of extreme events instead. And we should look at them not in terms of overall averages but rather at what occurs in different parts of the globe. The logic of that is also suspect (It's called "cherry-picking") but let that go by too.So with the benefit of much indulgence, ... more »
Jay's Analysis: Brave New World- How far along are we?
For those that are interested in understanding the way society is manipulated and ordered to benefit an elite class, this is your analysis. Loved it. Listened twice. Do you see parallels to our so called modern progressive society? I sure did! *Thanks to Jay @ Jay's Analysis for providing half of this lecture for our enjoyment*. Jay's Analysis is always linked and accessible via the side bar of the blog. * "In this analysis, I cover Aldous Huxley’s classic 1932 dystopian novel Brave New World from a historical, philosophical and esoteric perspective. What is Huxley saying? Was he i... more »
The U.S. Army Wants Overwhelming Fire-power
*Military.com:** US Army Wants More Firepower across Formations, General Says* A U.S. Army technology czar wants to arm the service's combat formations, from squads to brigade combat teams, with firefight-ending weapons. "We are undertaking broad range of efforts to improve the lethality of our force," Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, director of Army Capabilities Integration Center and deputy commanding general of Futures at Training and Doctrine Command, told an audience at the 2015 Maneuver Conference at Fort Benning, Georgia. During the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army emphasize... more »
German Government ‘Knew about VW emissions Test Rigging — But Did Nothing to Stop It’
[image: Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn_400] Shares in Volkswagen swing wildly as scandal grows bigger, CEO’s future at the company remains unclear and German government denies allegations it was ‘in on’ the emissions deception. Meanwhile VW is understood to have hired BP oil spill lawyers as... Continue reading *“German Government ‘Knew about VW emissions Test Rigging — But Did Nothing to Stop It’”* at *telegraph.co.uk*.
‘Germ Cloud’ Surrounding Human Body Compared to Fingerprints
[image: germ cloud] Every human on earth has a cloud of germs surrounding them at all times -- and it is almost as distinct to that person as a fingerprint. The “germ cloud” contains millions of bugs that are put out from various pores... Continue reading *“‘Germ Cloud’ Surrounding Human Body Compared to Fingerprints”* at *mirror.co.uk*.
Federal Judge Rules Happy Birthday Song in Public Domain
[image: Happy Birthday song_900] LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The music publishing company that has been collecting royalties on the song Happy Birthday To You for years does not hold a valid copyright on the lyrics to the tune that is one of the mostly widely... more »
Obama to Welcome Pope Francis with Elaborate White House Ceremony
[image: 24popeprexy-web-master675__1443008353_70.119.142.63] WASHINGTON -- President Obama will host an elaborate arrival ceremony at the White House for Pope Francis on Wednesday morning in a highly symbolic encounter between the political leader of the world's most powerful nation and the spiritual leader of... Continue reading *“Obama to Welcome Pope Francis with Elaborate White House Ceremony”* at *nytimes.com*.
GAIA PORTAL: “Hostilities” have ceased
*“Hostilities” have ceased* by ÉirePort "Hostilities" have ceased. Openings for Higher Galactics are cleared. Effective "landings" now approved. Sentience is recognized for "observations". Hominids and Galactics, in Unison, uplift humanity. Stars of Silence flash. ÉirePort | September 23, 2015 at 08:18 | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/p2sFUY-vB
Economic News , Data & Views ( September 23 , 2015 ) Initial Overview ( What happened overnight , what's on the table for today in markets ) ....... Refugee Situation ( EU 28 Summit today , follows Interior Ministers Meetings of Monday & Tuesday - rancor over QMV imposed mandatory quotas continues , as does flow of refugees into Europe. ) ........ Broader Europe In Focus ( Spanish Regional Election on September 27th a big focus , Greece - new Cabinet and Ministers installed - MOU/ Bank Recap / Debt Relief will be focus for near and medium term , Ukraine stops debt payments , faces technical default , ECB in focus today - no additional QE seen at October 22nd meeting , Russia - capital outflows hit 80 bn for 2015 - flow in Q 3 seen as 7 bn and slowing from Q 2 outflow of 20 bn , Volkswagen continues to get battered today ) ..... China In Focus ( Xi visits US and defends economic stewardship - chinese markets seem to disagree overnight , Flash PMI for China show contraction in Economy continues - factory gauge lowest since 2009 , China leads Asia lower )
Evening recap - more at tweet feed ... Refugee situation.... One source - Syria War ..... *Yannis Koutsomitis* @YanniKouts 4m 4 minutes ago #*Turkey*'s plan for a 'safe zone' in northern #*Syria* v 'sensitive', needs detailed analysis. Area in discussion includes Dabiq. Enough said. *Yannis Koutsomitis* @YanniKouts 28m 28 minutes ago Tusk skeptical about #*Turkey*'s 'safe zone' plan for Northern #*Syria*. # EUCO #refugeecrisis *Charles Lister* @Charles_Lister 5h 5 hours ago PT: Kweiris Airbase - located 35km east of #*Aleppo* city - is besieged [&... more »
Islam in Slovakia would be an absurdity
I've followed the early consequences of the insane decision on the migrant quota in detail. There are hundreds of arguments why the decision is hugely counterproductive; there have been lots of angry reactions by the Czech and Slovak politicians and a hugely elevated comment activity at the Internet forums. Something like 98% of the population and 98% of politicians agree that the quota vote is a terrible decision that will solve nothing and create huge new problems. The animosity towards the EU has jumped to unprecedented levels. At any rate, the interior ministers of Slovakia, C... more »
Terracotta Dalek Statue
This little friend came from a conversation I had with my best friend. We are both crazy Whovians and when she saw a little garden statue on another blog, she remarked that it kind of looked like a Dalek. It that moment, my dream of having a Dalek Garden statue was born. A little bit of planning and painting later and now I want a whole fleet of them. I need them to exterminate the weeds in my backyard. ;) This cute little friend is perfect for the garden of the house and is really easy to make! You will need: - Two Terracotta Pots (You can make whatever size you want, just ... more »
Future of Volkswagen CEO Uncertain Amid Emissions Scandal
[image: Volkswagen_900] BERLIN (AP) -- Volkswagen’s share price swung wildly Wednesday as the future of CEO Martin Winterkorn hung in the balance amid the company’s growing emissions scandal. Having fallen below 100 euros for the first time in nearly four years, Volkswagen... more »
Progressive Movie Theater: Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11"
. . *By MARC McDONALD* After a hiatus, we're back in action. And today, we're unveiling a new regular series on this blog. Welcome to the first edition of *Progressive Movie Theater*, a series in which we take a look at notable progressive/left-leaning cinema. Our film today is Michael Moore's 2004 documentary film *Fahrenheit 9/11*. After more than a decade, the film still is an effective indictment of the disastrous Bush/Cheney years. I recall watching *Fahrenheit 9/11* in the theater here in Texas (not exactly a blue state). After the film was over, I heard the loudest and mos... more »
US-China Summit Takes Place Amid Human Rights Crackdown
[image: Chinese President Xi Jinping_900] WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States has warned that the toughest crackdown in years on Chinese activists threatens to cloud the high-profile state visit by President Xi Jinping. Yet the issue of human rights is unlikely to dominate the agenda... more »
Yankees Hall of Fame Catcher Yogi Berra Dies at 90
[image: Yogi Berra New York Yankees__1443005612_70.119.142.63] NEW YORK (AP) -- The lovable legend of Yogi Berra, that ain’t ever gonna be over. The Hall of Fame catcher renowned as much for his dizzying malapropisms as his unmatched 10 World Series championships with the New York Yankees... more »
High School Coach Bullied Into Dropping Prayer at Football Games
[image: High School Coach Bullied Into Dropping Prayer at Football Games] Political correctness has invaded my alma mater. I was disappointed to receive an email from our hometown pastor last week, informing me that the assistant football coach at my high school alma mater in Washington state was being investigated for... more »
Poll Shows Americans Ready for Tougher Approach to ISIS, Al-Qaeda
[image: Rally to Stop ISIS_900] The cover of a new survey by Chicago Council of Global Affairs titled "America Divided: Political Partisanship and US Foreign Policy" creates the impression that Americans are deeply divided over U.S. foreign policy. Yet according to the research presented inside,... more »
Turkish-Uyghur Terror Inc. - America's Other Al Qaeda
*September 23, 2015* (Tony Cartalucci - NEO) - It is no longer tenable for the United States and its regional allies in and near the Middle East to claim they are backing "moderate rebels" in the proxy war raging in Syria, Iraq, and parts of Lebanon. There is the Syrian government on one side, and terrorists including Al Qaeda and its various franchises such as the Al Nusra Front and the so-called "Islamic State" (ISIS/ISIL) on the other. If one is not supporting the Syrian government, it is very clear they are supporting Al Qaeda. So obvious is this fact, that the Western press and... more »
Uphill Battle for Dems as GOP Field Dwindles
[image: Republicans Democrats - 900] Democratic partisans have been rubbing their hands with glee as billionaire Donald Trump’s antics have dominated the Republican primary. I hope they’re enjoying themselves, because they soon may find themselves in their own world of hurt. While pundits have been... more »
Greg Hunter, “Global Economy Imploding Now- Warren Pollock”
*“Global Economy Imploding Now- Warren Pollock”* By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com "Warren Pollock warns the global economy is headed for a brick wall. Pollock explains, “It’s good you are using the term brick because that’s the part of the economy which is crashing first, the emerging markets, the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). That’s on the edge of empire, and now it is imploding inward. So, we can look at all of these peripheral economies, and that’s where the crash has occurred right now. When you talk about crash and people asking, ‘When is this going to ... more »
The Economy: “There Are Indications That A Major Financial Event In Germany Could Be Imminent”
*“There Are Indications That A Major Financial* * Event In Germany Could Be Imminent”* By Michael Snyder “Is something about to happen in Germany that will shake the entire world? According to disturbing new intel that I have received, a major financial event in Germany could be imminent. Now when I say imminent, I do not mean to suggest that it will happen tomorrow. But I do believe that we have entered a season of time when another “Lehman Brothers moment” may occur. Most observers tend to regard Germany as the strong hub that is holding the rest of Europe together economically,... more »
U.S. Diplomats Are Defeating The Militarists Inside The Obama Administration’
John Kerry (right) expressed his concerns to Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. (Reuters: Brendan Smialowski) *Patrick Smith, Fiscal Times:* *Obama’s New Pivot to Russia on Syria and What It Means* Yet another “pivot,” as the Obama administration insists on calling its many foreign policy reversals--this one in its strategy in Syria. In less than a week, the president did a 180, jumping on Russia for an apparent new military initiative against the Islamic State to opening “a mil to mil conversation,” as Secretary Kerry called it in London Friday, to coordinate with Moscow at defen... more »
French Navy Super Étendard Modernisé Fighters and ATL2 MPA in AM39 ASuW Exercise
On September 12, 2015, two French Navy (Marine Nationale) Super Étendard Modernisés (SEM) carrier-borne strike fighters from Flottile 17F and one ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) from Flotille 21F launched some AM39 anti-ship missiles against training targets at sea. The launch from the SEM was simultaneous as you can see in the picture below. This anti-surface warfare (ASuW) exercise validates the high level of training followed by the Flottiles crews and by the naval air station personnel. With expertise in the areas of air-sea control missions day and night, the Flotille 17... more »
Chemtrails: The Secret War- An Italian Documentary Subtitled in English
*Published on December 21, 2014* “ This documentary is dedicated to everyone who wants to fight for truth and life on planet Earth. Let's stand up and defend our rights ! " Antonio and Rosario Marciano http://www.tanker-enemy.eu/scie-chimi... Antonio and Rosario Marciano administrators of the Italian website TANKER ENEMY produced the film : “ Chemtrails the secret war ”. This HD documentary film is the first Italian professional film on illegal geo-engineering aka chemtrails. It has been realized thanks to many friends and collaborators. For years this issue has been denied and ... more »
Twice as many LibDem voters went to Labour than to Conservative, but three times as many LibDem seats went Conservative than Labour. The LibDem collapse unintentionally handed the Tories victory in 2015. A LibDem "comeback" could hand Labour a victory in 2020.
The Conservative victory in the 2015 General Election has rightly been described by just about everyone as "stunning". However with the continuous repetition of this accurate assessment it is gradually being forgotten why it was stunning. And it has been forgotten what the immediate result of being stunned is. The victory was stunning not because of its size, but because it happened at all.
All Republicans Cry "War!" (For Whose Benefit? Cui Bono?) The Wall Street Mentality — Unlimited Greed — Has Taken Over American Life and This Greed Has Been (Militarily) Exported to Europe (Is U.S. Still Being Led by Spoiled, Ignorant Teenaged Boys?) University Presidents Have Multimillionaire Incomes While Students Drown in Debt (Fascist Solutions Arising)
A senior serving General of the British army said that the army would not allow the people to “put a maverick in charge of the country’s security. The Army just wouldn’t stand for it and would use whatever means possible, fair or foul, to prevent that.” In other words, a democratic outcome unacceptable to the English military will be overthrown. Just like in Egypt. Here we have the
Lockheed Martin and Norwegian Armed Forces Celebrate Rollout of Norway’s First F-35A
Ceremonies were held today at the Lockheed Martin F-35 production facility celebrating the rollout of the first F-35A Lightning II for the Norwegian Armed Forces. The event marked an important production milestone for the future of Norway’s national defense. “We all know that the F-35 is not simply another fighter. We know that it is much more,” said Her Excellency Ine Eriksen Søreide, Norwegian Minister of Defence. “The F-35 provides us a capability we’ve never had before. It’s by far the most advanced fighter ever made. Today we are indeed turning the future into the present. The... more »
Airbus Helicopters delivers 15th NH90 NFH to the French Navy
[image: Airbus Helicopters delivers 15th NH90 NFH to the French Navy]Airbus Helicopters, the French Defense procurement agency (DGA – Direction générale de l’armement) and the French Navy today marked the handover of the 15th NH90 NFH multimission naval helicopter, the first to be delivered in the final radar configuration (FRC), during a ceremony held in the facilities in Marignane. The DGA ordered 27 NH90 NFH from NHIndustries in two different configurations for the French Navy. To date 15 aircraft have been delivered and the French Navy declared an operational capability in the... more »
US A-10s arrive in Estonia for 6-month rotation
[image: A-10C Thunderbolt II]Twelve A-10s arrived Monday at Amari Air Base in Estonia, the first stop in a deployment to Europe that’s expected to last about six months, the Air Force said Tuesday. The deployment marks the second time the Warthogs have been sent to Europe as part of a so-called theater security package. Since February, the Pentagon has deployed three of these large groupings of aircraft and personnel to Europe for six-month missions in response to the continuing crisis in eastern Europe over Russia’s hostile actions in Ukraine. The first theater security package wa... more »
Dog Poet: The Cleansing Love in the Crucible of Transformation.
*Its been an interesting 48 hours. There is a wave of love sweeping the planet and the dark corners of everyones inner attic. We tend to think of love as bliss and ecstasy, but sometimes its mom doing the spring cleaning in the kids messy rooms... the old pizza slice left under the bed, smelly socks from the inner reaches of places seldom traveled... yet its all good... the energies will be released and with it new beginnings... nobody on Earth is "perfect" but all are perfectly imperfect and perfect in pure love. Dog Poet is so on the money in this post below, thank you to Cyndi... more »
Northrop Grumman & U.S. Navy Demonstrate Fire Scout Capabilities
[image: MQ-8C Fire Scout]Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy recently planned a 10-hour, 150 nautical mile flight for the MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter. The system stayed in the air for 11 hours with more than an hour of fuel in reserve—a new flight record set by a drone designed to provide persistent reconnaissance, situational awareness and precision targeting support for ground, air and sea forces, according to a news release. The MQ-8C Fire Scout left from the Naval Base in Ventura County, Point Mugu, according to the release. The long-range, long-endurance flight was par... more »
Rivet Joint Crew Reports ‘Unsafe’ Move By Chinese Jet; McCain Weighs In
[image: RC-135 Rivet Joint]Timing matters in war and diplomacy. A Chinese JH-7 pilot performed an “unsafe” maneuver in close proximity to an RC-135 Rivet Joint surveillance aircraft on Sept. 15, the Pentagon confirmed today. With Chinese President Xi Jinping arriving in Seattle tomorrow, one wonders whether the pilot is being praised as a champion of Chinese sovereignty or being chastised as a bumblehead for complicating Xi’s visit. Two JH-7s were shadowing the Rivet Joint. “The incident in question happened in the Yellow Sea approximately 80 miles east of of the Shandong peninsula.... more »
Sea trials delayed for aircraft carrier Ford
[image: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)]The Navy's state-of-the-art aircraft carrier will be late coming out of the yard. Sea trials for Gerald R. Ford will be delayed six to eight weeks due to "a slight deterioration" in the shipboard test program, officials said Tuesday. Ship delivery is scheduled for March 31, but could be affected by the results of sea trial. "This prudent step provides the most affordable path to delivery," said Cmdr. Thurraya Kent, spokeswoman for the Navy Research, Development & Acquisition. "All the work and any associated schedule delays are being managed with... more »
Indian Navy set to get stealth destroyer
[image: Kolkata class DDG]The Indian Navy is set to get another stealth destroyer next week. Indian Naval Ship Kochi will be commissioned on September 30 by minister of defence Manohar Parrikar at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The ship's commissioning has got delayed by at least three years. INS Kochi is second in the series of Kolkata class vessels. In August last year, INS Kolkata was commissioned by prime minister Narendra Modi. The next would be INS Chennai, which is under production. Production of these three stealth destroyers were approved one and a half decades ago, that is ... more »
Why Is The U.S. Army Siding With Afghan Child Rapists?
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com *FOX News:* *Army rejects appeal from soldier discharged after confronting accused Afghan rapist* EXCLUSIVE: Even as the U.S. military denies reports that American troops were told to ignore Afghan child abusers, an 11-year Green Beret who was ordered discharged after he confronted an alleged rapist was informed Tuesday that the Army has denied his appeal. Sgt. 1st Class Charles Martland earlier this year was ordered discharged by Nov. 1. He has been fighting to stay in, but in an initial decision, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command to... more »
Former HMS Gloucester departs Portsmouth for final time
The Royal Navy's last remaining Type 42 destroyer has departed UK shores for the final time. The former HMS Gloucester left Portsmouth bound for Turkey where it will be scrapped. Known as "Fighting G", the ship was decommissioned in 2011 after 25 years of service. Read more
DND responds after docs suggest Navy procurement troubles
[image: HMCS Athabaskan (DDG 282)]The defence department and armed forces have responded with a joint statement after CTV reported on issues facing the Royal Canadian Navy’s multi-billion dollar procurement. CTV News’ Mercedes Stephenson reported on internal documents suggesting the Canadian Surface Combatant program, which will replace aging frigates and destroyers, is at “very high risk” of running over budget, behind schedule and producing inadequate capabilities. Sources later told CTV News that the project’s fixed budget -- combined with increasing costs and procurement delays ... more »
Will Morocco Become Russia’s New Weaponry Customer?
[image: Putin in Morocco]In August 2015, several Russian and Moroccan media outlets reported that Morocco and Russia were close to signing a deal for Morocco to purchase the Russian-made Amur-1650 Submarines, which would be the first submarines for the North African country. The deal, according to these sources, will be officially signed during King Mohamed VI’s upcoming visit to Moscow. However, many are questioning the likelihood of this deal taking place, especially after Morocco purchased three CH-47D Chinook helicopters from a US repair and overhaul company last August, in ad... more »
Russian spy ship makes port call in Curacao
[image: RFS Yantar]A Russian naval spy ship, tracked by US intelligence assets over the past two months as it sailed the western Atlantic, arrived in Curacao this weekend, where it is expected to take on supplies. On Sunday, the research ship Yantar sailed into the port of Willemstad, capital of Curacao, after transiting international waters off the southeastern United States. Maritime tracking data showed that it was near Aruba several days ago, the Washington Free Beacon reported. The Yantar is a newly commissioned Russian naval research vessel that is believed to be conducting su... more »
GM Mustard In India: A Case Of Monumental Fraud And Unremitting Regulatory Delinquency
Countercurrents, Global Research, CounterPunch, RINF The approval and planting of large-scale field trials of genetically modified (GM) mustard in India is currently taking place. According to environmentalist Aruna Rodrigues, this is completely unconscionable. It is occurring even as the Supreme Court-appointed Technical Expert Committee (TEC) Report awaits adjudication in India’s Supreme Court, which expressly recommends a bar on herbicide-tolerant (HT) crops. As a result, Rodrigues is mounting a legal challenge as the lead petitioner in a Public Interest Litigation. Large-scale... more »
Navy demos submarine mine-deployment capability
[image: USS Buffalo (SSN-715)]The U.S. Navy reports that its Pacific Submarine Force has successfully demonstrated its capability at clandestinely deploying mines. The mines used in the exercise off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii, were Mk-67 submarine-launched mobile mines, which are launched like a torpedo. The Mk-67 SLMM consists of a Mk-37 torpedo body with a modified warhead and trigger so the submarine doesn't have to pass over the area to be mined. The Mk-37 has an effective firing range of 23,000 yards. Read more
Military Photo of the Day: Sept. 23, 2015
[image: F-35 Fighter Jet-900] A combat-coded F-35A Lightning II aircraft flies past the control tower at Hill Air Force Base in Utah on Sept. 17, 2015. Thanks to Alex Lloyd for taking this photograph!
Chinese Military Morale Is Taking A Hit Over Plans For Large-Scale Troop Cuts
Chinese troops march during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War Two, in Beijing, China, September 3, 2015. REUTERS/ROLEX DELA PENA/POOL *Reuters:* *China military hints at strong opposition to large-scale troop cuts* Bitterness is growing within China's armed forces to President Xi Jinping's decision to cut troop numbers by 300,000 and considerable effort will be needed to overcome opposition to the order, according to a source and commentaries in the military's newspaper. Xi made the unexpected announcement on Sept. 3 at a military parade in ... more »
Strange New Climate Change Spin: The Hottest Year Ever Inside a Global Warming ‘Pause’?
[image: Global Warming Illustration - 900] There are two stories floating around about the state of the earth's atmosphere. Both are believed true by government-funded scientists and the environmentally minded. The situation is curious because the stories don’t mesh. Yet, as I said, both are believed. Worse,... more »
The U.S. Navy Will Face A Fighter Jet Shortage By 2035
A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet on a mission over the Persian Gulf in September 2005. Wikipedia *Dave Majumdar, National Interest*: *F/A-XX: The U.S. Navy's 6th Generation Strike Aircraft...in 2035?* The U.S. Navy needs to start conducting an analysis of alternatives (AOA) this year if intends to field a successor to the Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet by 2035. If one were to assume a best-case scenario, that would be the earliest a new clean sheet F/A-XX aircraft design could be developed and built, multiple industry sources agreed. “2035, if you started right away, would be your ... more »
Eli Broad and the Clintons: Update
By Ken Derstine September 22, 2015 On Sunday, September 20thhundreds of supporters of public schools rallied in Los Angeles to protest corporate education reformer Eli Broad as he opened his new museum. The Broad is a museum designed to show to the world Eli Broad’s “trophy acquisitions from the contemporary art market, tigers’ heads bagged from a notoriously wild and lawless economic jungle.” The protestors were not at The Broad to protest the crass commercialization of art, however. They took the opportunity to protest their outrage at what Broad would like to do to the public s... more »
It’s Not Fiorina Who’s Wrong in the Planned Parenthood Fight
[image: CMP Planned Parenthood Holly O'Donnell 2 - 900] “Anyone who has watched this videotape, I dare Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama to watch these tapes. Watch a fully formed fetus on the table, its heart beating, its legs kicking while someone says, ‘We have to keep it alive to harvest its brain.’... more »
Why Did Pope Francis Appease The Castro Brothers?
*Washington Post editorial*: *Pope Francis appeases the Castros in repressive Cuba* IN HIS visit to the United States beginning Tuesday, Pope Francis will meet not just President Obama and Congress but also those marginalized by our society: homeless people, immigrants, refugees and even the inmates of a jail. He’s expected to raise topics that many Americans will find challenging, such as his harsh critique of capitalism. His supporters say it’s all part of the role the pope has embraced as an advocate for the powerless, one that has earned him admiration from both Catholics and ... more »
A Dark Side Of "Gay Culture"-- In Traditional Afghanistan
How do you go into a relatively primitive traditional culture and demand it change because it doesn't meet our 21st-century standards? I can remember arguing with progressive congresswomen who wanted to keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan to help liberate Afghan women. We're talking about hundreds if not thousands of years of ingrained behavior tied to religion, culture and the most intimate of social relations. Soldiers aren't going to make it happen; they're just going to kill people and be killed. My times in Afghanistan, in 1969 and again in 1972, were awesome, and a total cultu... more »
Was The Pope Kept Waiting Because President Obama Was Late To Meet Him?
*The Atlantic*: *Why the Pope's Plane Was Put Into a Holding Pattern* As the pope stalkers of the world watched his flight path on the Alitalia website, suddenly… the plane started making donuts. Several loops over North Carolina later, the pope is back on his way to D.C. A source on the ground at Joint Base Andrews said several government officials told him the reason the plane started circling was that Obama and Biden were running late to the greeting ceremony. A White House spokesman disputed this account. He pointed out that the president did not actually arrive late. The Pope... more »
The Current Global Migration Routes In Five Maps
(*Click on Image to Enlarge*) Families and individuals on the move swell into long-used migration routes across the globe. *National Geographic:* *The World’s Congested Human Migration Routes in 5 Maps* Europe is not the only part of the world facing a refugee crisis. The desperate men, women, and children flooding into Europe from the Middle East and Africa are not the only people moving along ever-shifting and dangerous migration routes. Last year saw the highest levels of global forced displacement on record—59.5 million individuals left their homes in 2014 due to “persecution... more »
Iodine-131 Levels in Fukushima Sludge Spiked in July 2015
Fukushima Diary is reporting that Fukushima sewage plants detected high levels of Iodine--131, over 1,000 Bq/Kg, in dry sewage sludge in Fukushima Prefecture in July. Iodine-131 is a fission product with a roughly 8 day half-life. The reading could possibly have come from cancer patients' treatment but I don't thinks so based on my webcam observations from July. Here is an excerpt from the the Fukushima Dairy post: The highest I-131 density of this year detected in 2 Fukushima sewage plants http://fukushima-diary.com/2015/09/the-highest-i-131-density-of-this-year-detected-in-2-f... more »
Growing our wings
So today we'll start with a song... it's one I heard, acapella, at two different schools today. Sung by children, boys and girls, age 5 to 55+. The writing of this post took place before the songs did... Both were unplanned. I think they provide the perfect theme... Here is the link. The most profound gift we have to offer is ourselves. It is something we have always with us. It is all that we came here with, and will be the only thing we take with us upon exiting. By definition then, it is rare and without equal; this is your moment to share it. It is useful in any situation, ... more »
Provision in Affordable Care Act Could Unravel Obamacare
[image: Barack Obama applauding Affordable Care Act_900] A provision of the Affordable Care Act established to advance Obamacare could do just the opposite if a Republican is voted into the White House in the next election cycle. Section 1332 of the law, set to take effect in 2017,... more »
Clinton Breaks Keystone Silence, Says She Opposes Pipeline
[image: Hillary Clinton__900] DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday she opposes construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, breaking her longstanding silence over a project criticized by environmentalists as a threat to the planet’s climate. The Democratic presidential candidate said... more »
Venezuela Deploys Troops To Guyana's Border As Border Tensions Between The Two Countries Continues
*Reuters:* *Guyana accuses Venezuela of 'aggressive behavior' near border area* GEORGETOWN (Reuters) - Guyana's President David Granger said on Tuesday neighboring Venezuela had launched an "extraordinary military deployment" in the east of the OPEC country, near a disputed border area. "We have noticed during the month of September an extraordinary escalation of Venezuelan military activity in eastern Venezuela," Granger said at his Georgetown office. "It is a persistence of aggressive behavior, hostile behavior towards Guyana," he said, adding the deployment was "mostly marine ... more »
TV Watch: "The Big Bang Theory" comes roaring out of the gate at the start of Season 9
*For a limited time you can watch last night's Big Bang Theory season premiere, "The Matrimonial Momentum," free online. Even more exciting, you can watch this entire "half-hour" show in a mere 20:26. (This must be that "miniaturization" fad we hear so much about.)* *by Ken* As the new TV season officially launches, it's never been clear where the medium is headed, though there seems widespread agreement that it's going to very different from what we have no. I'm less optimistic than a lot of people -- mostly, I guess, because these days most of the programming that's celebrated a... more »
The government promises 200k new houses a year? We’ve only ever come close to hitting that figure once since the 1970s
KJ, Fee and Chris desperately seek diversion from the nation's never-ending property nightmare... SOURCE BBC NEWS: 'Million' new homes by 2020 target declared by minister Brandon Lewis Housing minister Brandon Lewis said the government aimed to see one million new homes in England over this Parliament. But the National Housing Federation (NHF) said about 245,000 new homes were needed
Objectivism: The two-minute lesson
Take two minutes for an introduction to the philosophy for living on earth? You’d be a fool not to. Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)
Colombia And Venezuela Restore Diplomatic Ties, But The Border Remains Closed
*Colombia Reports*: *Colombia and Venezuela restore diplomatic ties, but border remains closed* Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro agreed on Monday to re-open their embassies in an attempt to ease tensions over an ongoing border crisis. The two heads of state met in the Ecuadorean capital Quito for the first time after a month of tensions. Following the shooting of three Venezuelan soldiers near the border with Colombia, Maduro decided to close the main border crossing and deported more than a 1,000 Colombians within days. *More ... more »
Goldman Sachs Lloyd Blankfein has Lymphoma
As reported by Zero Hedge: http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-09-22/goldman-ceo-lloyd-blankfein-reveals-he-has-lymphoma Lymphoma and NonHodgkins Lymphoma are rising in frequency and are primarily attributed to environmental causes: Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Facts 2014-2015 https://www.lls.org/sites/default/files/file_assets/facts.pdf An estimated combined total of 156,420 people in the US are expected to be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2014. New cases of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are expected to account for 9.4 percent of the estimated 1,665,540 new can... more »
Biden: “Abortion Is Always Wrong,” But Should Remain Perfectly Legal
[image: Biden] In this exclusive interview with Father Matt Malone, S.J., editor in chief of America, Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. discusses his thoughts on Pope Francis, as well as his Catholic faith, his upbringing, his public life and private sorrow,... more »
Musical Interlude: Vangelis, "La Petite Fille de la Mer"
Vangelis, "La Petite Fille de la Mer" - https://www.youtube.com/
"A Look to the Heavens"
"Why do many galaxies appear as spirals? A striking example is M101, shown below, whose relatively close distance of about 27 million light years allows it to be studied in some detail. Recent evidence indicates that a close gravitational interaction with a neighboring galaxy created waves of high mass and condensed gas which continue to orbit the galaxy center. *Click image for larger size.* These waves compress existing gas and cause star formation. One result is that M101, also called the Pinwheel Galaxy, has several extremely bright star-forming regions (called HII regions) sprea... more »
Chet Raymo, “Reaching For The Stars”
*“Reaching For The Stars”* by Chet Raymo “Here is a spectacular detail of the Eagle Nebula, a gassy star-forming region of the Milky Way Galaxy, about 7,000 light-years away (click to enlarge). This particular spire of gas and dust was recently featured on APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day). The Eagle lies in the equatorial constellation Serpens. If you went out tonight and looked at this part of the sky - more or less midway between Arcturus and Antares - you might see nothing at all. The brightest star in Serpens is of the third magnitude, perhaps invisible in an urban environme... more »
The Poet: Rainer Maria Rilke, "Sunset"
*"Sunset"* "Slowly the west reaches for clothes of new colors which it passes to a row of ancient trees. You look, and soon these two worlds both leave you, one part climbs toward heaven, one sinks to earth, leaving you, not really belonging to either, not so helplessly dark as that house that is silent, not so unswervingly given to the eternal as that thing that turns to a star each night and climbs – leaving you (it is impossible to untangle the threads) your own life, timid and standing high and growing, so that, sometimes blocked in, sometimes reaching out, one moment your life is a s... more »
"Against Evil..."
“Being against evil doesn't make you good.” - Ernest Hemingway
The Daily "Near You?"
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Thanks for stopping by!
“Human Condition And Human Nature”
*“Human Condition And Human Nature”* by MeaningsOf Life "For in fact what is man in nature? A Nothing in comparison with the Infinite, an All in comparison with the Nothing, a mean between nothing and everything. Since he is infinitely removed from comprehending the extremes, the end of things and their beginning are hopelessly hidden from him in an impenetrable secret; he is equally incapable of seeing the Nothing from which he was made, and the Infinite in which he is swallowed up. We burn with desire to find solid ground and an ultimate sure foundation whereon to build a tower r... more »
"You..."
*“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, * *nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”* - Dr Seuss
Lester DeKoster’s 3 Dimensions of Work
[image: Lester DeKoster’s 3 Dimensions of Work] Lester DeKoster's short book, Work: The Meaning of Your Life, sets forth a profound thesis and solid theological framework for how we think about work. Although the faith and work movement has delivered a host of books and resources on the topic,... Continue reading *“Lester DeKoster’s 3 Dimensions of Work”* at *blog.acton.org*.
We Can’t Solve Poverty Without Addressing Families
[image: We Can’t Solve Poverty Without Addressing Families] Last week, the Census Bureau released the annual poverty statistics for 2014. They show that 14.8 percent of the people in the United States live in poverty (below $24,008 in income for a family of four, meaning with two children), including 15.5... Continue reading *“We Can’t Solve Poverty Without Addressing Families”* at *thefederalist.com*.
ANALYSIS: Looking on the Bright Side of Sharia
[image: Looking on the Bright Side of Sharia] The warnings of recent papal teachings on questions of social justice rarely - if ever - identify the dangers of a highly bureaucratized central government. Apparently most of the sinful and corrosive "love for money" comes from private sector capitalists,... Continue reading *“ANALYSIS: Looking on the Bright Side of Sharia”* at *acton.org*.
Percentage of Immigrants in U.S. Hits Record High & Keeps Climbing
[image: Percentage of Immigrants in U.S. Hits Record High & Keeps Climbing] Last week, the Census Bureau released some data from the 2014 American Community Survey (ACS). Itshows that the nation's immigrant population (legal and illegal) grew by 2.4 million people since 2010and is up one million from 2013 to 2014. Last... Continue reading *“Percentage of Immigrants in U.S. Hits Record High & Keeps Climbing”* at *cis.org*.
CCCU: Christian Colleges That Permit Professors in Same-Sex Marriages Resign Membership
[image: CCCU: Christian Colleges That Permit Professors in Same-Sex Marriages Resign Membership] The Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) has again lost two member schools. This time, it’s the ones which now permit faculty and staff in same-sex marriages. Earlier this year, Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and Goshen College added sexual... Continue reading *“CCCU: Christian Colleges That Permit Professors in Same-Sex Marriages Resign Membership”* at *christianitytoday.com*.
Is Your Fridge Giving Away Your Personal Data?
[image: Is Your Fridge Giving Away Your Personal Data?] You could lose your personal information through your refrigerator, and there's nothing the government can do to protect you. That's if you aren't killed by a hacker remotely cutting your engine while driving. "If it's connected, it can be hacked,"... more »
Producer of Planned Parenthood Videos Invited to Pope Francis’ Congressional Address
[image: Producer of Planned Parenthood Videos Invited to Pope Francis’ Congressional Address] The pro-life advocate whose organization has sent shockwaves throughout the nation with videos exposing how Planned Parenthood sells aborted babies and their body parts has been invited to witness Pope Francis' address to Congress on Thursday. Congressman Tim Huelskamp, a... Continue reading *“Producer of Planned Parenthood Videos Invited to Pope Francis’ Congressional Address”* at *lifenews.com*.
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- September 22, 2015
*Krishnadev Calamur, The Atlantic:* *A Controversial Plan to Redistribute Migrants in Europe* Ministers approved the plan to distribute 120,000 migrants in the face of strong opposition from four Central European countries. European Union ministers approved a plan to distribute 120,000 migrants among the bloc’s member states in the face of strong opposition from four Central European countries. Under the deal agreed to in Brussels on Tuesday, migrants now in Greece, Hungary and Italy will be moved to other countries over the next two years. Of the three EU members that have an op... more »
World News Briefs -- September 22, 2015 (Evening Edition)
*Reuters:* *EU backs refugee-sharing plan, exposing east-west rift* The European Union approved a plan on Tuesday to share out 120,000 refugees across its 28 states, overriding vehement opposition from four ex-communist eastern nations. The European Commission, the EU executive, had proposed the scheme with the backing of Germany and other big powers in order to tackle the continent's worst refugee crisis since World War Two. But the rift it has caused between older and newer members was glaringly evident as the interior ministers of the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hung... more »
U.S. Trained Syrian Rebels Have Betrayed The U.S. And Join Al Qaeda
Reports since yesterday claim US-backed leader Anas Obaid has betrayed US & handed weapons to Jabhat al-Nusra #Syria pic.twitter.com/yTZqVT3CI0 — Charles Lister (@Charles_Lister) September 22, 2015 *The Telegraph:* *US-trained Division 30 rebels 'betrayed US and hand weapons over to al-Qaeda's affiliate in Syria'* *Pentagon-trained rebels are reported to have betrayed US and handed weapons over to Jabhat al-Nusra immediately after entering Syria* Pentagon-trained rebels in Syria are reported to have betrayed their American backers and handed their weapons over to al-Qaeda in Syria... more »
Satellite Images Reveal Two More Russian Bases Being Built In Syria
Satellite images from IHS Jane’s, a defense-intelligence provider, that it says show Russian military expansion in Syria. ILLUSTRATION: AIRBUS/IHS JANE’S INTELLIGENCE REVIEW *Wall Street Journal: **Russia Expands Military Presence in Syria, Satellite Photos Show* *Apparent development near Latakia is latest sign Moscow is preparing to intervene in Syrian war* WASHINGTON—Russian forces appear to be expanding their military presence in Syria through the development of two additional bases, according to new satellite imagery viewed by The Wall Street Journal. The expansion near the ... more »
Psychology: "20 Cognitive Biases That Screw Up Your Decisions"
*"20 Cognitive Biases That Screw Up Your Decisions"* by Samantha Lee and Drake Baer "You make thousands of rational decisions every day — or so you think. From what you’ll eat throughout the day to whether you should make a big career move, research suggests that there are a number of cognitive stumbling blocks that affect your behaviour, and they can prevent you from acting in your own best interests. Here, we’ve rounded up the most common biases that screw up our decision-making." *Click image for larger size.* *Much larger size at this link:* - http://www.businessinsider.com.au/
The Stream’s Jay Richards on the Pope and Economics
[image: Jay Richards on Fox Business News - 900] Pope Francis arrived on American soil this afternoon, greeted at Joint Base Andrews by the First Family and much fanfare. He was also greeted with much consternation over his economic world view. The Stream‘s Executive Editor Jay Richards, who doubles as... more »
US-Trained Rebels Defect and Join Al-Qaeda Ally
[image: Nusra-Front-carry-_3449043b] Pentagon-trained rebels in Syria are reported to have betrayed their American backers and handed their weapons over to al-Qaeda in Syria immediately after re-entering the country. Fighters with Division 30, the "moderate" rebel division favoured by the United States, surrendered... Continue reading *“US-Trained Rebels Defect and Join Al-Qaeda Ally”* at *telegraph.co.uk*.
Clinton Breaks Silence, Announces Opposition to Keystone XL Pipeline
[image: Keystone pipeline - 400] Hillary Clinton on Tuesday broke her years-long silence over her stance on the Keystone XL pipeline, announcing in Iowa that she opposes the controversial project. The former secretary of state previously had dodged questions about her position on the pipeline,... Continue reading *“Clinton Breaks Silence, Announces Opposition to Keystone XL Pipeline”* at *foxnews.com*.
Future Generations Will Never Get Why We Allowed These 5 Crimes to Happen
*Bernie Suarez* - Will we do nothing while these massive crimes go unpunished? The post Future Generations Will Never Get Why We Allowed These 5 Crimes to Happen appeared first on Waking Times.
Sept. 22: A new world shaping up? You won't hear about it in the Irving press.
The headline story for today is “Jury shown photos of Oland death scene. This is pure, scandal-magazine sensationalism. It's followed a big photo of rocks and heavy equipment on Main Street looking just like every pile of big rocks and heavy equipment I have ever seen. It's a photo that tells us nothing. Then there's the front page story on “New Brunswickers love their moose hunting” Then, there's a story that the province's social development minister loves her job. There's nothing in any of these stories. The one about death photos of Oland might appeal to readers of a certain typ... more »
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