10:18pm MDST
U.S. And Israel Intensify Their Military Cooperation
Israel Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon met with USMC Gen. Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Oct. 18, 2015. (Photo: Israel Ministry of Defence) *Reuters:* *Israel, U.S. signal security ties back on track after Iran feud* Israel and the United States signalled on Sunday they were starting to put disputes over the Iran nuclear deal behind them, announcing resumed talks on U.S. defence aid for Israel as it hosted Washington's top general and a joint air force drill. The allies had been looking to agree on a 10-year military aid package to extend the current U.S.... more »
U.S. Preparing To Lift Sanctions On Iran As Nuclear Deal Comes Into Effect
*Voice of America:* *Obama Orders US to Prepare to Lift Sanction on Iran* STATE DEPARTMENT - President Barak Obama Sunday ordered the U.S. government to start preparing to lift sanctions against Iran on what was called Adoption Day -- the day all parties who signed the nuclear deal in July take the first steps towards implementing it. "I welcome this important step forward, and we, together with our partners, must now focus on the critical work of fully implementing this comprehensive resolution that addresses our concerns over Iran's nuclear program," Obama said Sunday. *More Ne... more »
Senior Al Qaeda Leader Killed By U.S. Air-Strike In Syria
*NYT*: *Qaeda Cell Leader Killed in Airstrike in Syria, Pentagon Says* WASHINGTON — A military airstrike in northwest Syria has killed the leader of a shadowy Qaeda cell that American officials say has been plotting attacks against the United States and Europe, the Pentagon announced on Sunday. The leader, Sanafi al-Nasr, a Saudi citizen, was the highest-ranking leader of a network of about two dozen veteran Qaeda operatives called the Khorasan Group, and the fifth senior member of the group to be killed in the past four months. His death was announced in a Pentagon statement des... more »
Donald Trump Questions George Bush's Pre (And Post) 9/11 Response
*Politico*: *Trump-Bush feud fires up over 9/11* The feud between Donald Trump and Jeb Bush over the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks escalated on Sunday as Trump argued his hardline stance on immigration would have prevented the attacks while Bush defended his brother's handling of the attacks. In an interview on "Fox News Sunday," Trump was asked by host Chris Wallace what he would have done differently in response to an earlier suggestion that then-President George W. Bush was partially at fault for the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. And Trump insisted he was not blaming the former preside... more »
One More Thing About Campaign Contributions-- Well, 2 Things If You Count Trump's SuperPAC
Friday Bloomberg reporters Adam Pearce and Mora Rojanasakul wanted to see how much of the cash flowing into the various campaign coffers was coming from "real people." So they stripped out donations and loans from political committees and other sources as well as loans and contributions the candidates gave themselves. They also published charts showing how much of each candidate's haul came from small contributions-- defined as "less than $200"-- and how much came from rich people. You can see every candidate here. I just picked out the more interesting ones for sake of comparison,... more »
Russians Protest Against Their Country's Growing Involvement In the Syrian War
*DW:* *Moscow activists rally against Russian airstrikes in Syria* A group of Russian anti-war activists have protested against the Kremlin's actions in Syria and corruption in Russia. Intervention in Syria will only make matters worse for all involved, protesters claim. Some 300 people attended the rally Saturday, organizers told the Russian news agency Interfax, though security forces estimated some 150 demonstrators. Most of the rally participants were over 50 years old and wore pacifist symbols. The anti-war event was organized by Russian Solidarnost movement, known for its o... more »
Russian Prime Minister: 'U.S. Weak And Short-Sighted'
*RT*:* 'Weak and short-sighted' - Russian PM slams White House for failure to sync ISIS bombing campaign* Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has blamed the Obama administration for its failure to make progress in talks between the US and Russia on coordinating airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Syria. Speaking to the Rossiya 1 TV station, Medvedev said he was perplexed at the reasons behind the US not wanting to agree to President Vladimir Putin’s proposal to work with Washington to drive Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) out of Syria. *Update #1:* Russian PM b... more »
Former Head Of Britain's Nuclear Team: 'The Islamic State Will Inevitably Construct Or Acquire WMDs'
*Express:* *EXCLUSIVE: ISIS will 'inevitably' get WMDs, warns former head of British Army nuclear team* *ISLAMIC State will “inevitably” construct or acquire weapons of mass destruction, the former head of the British Army’s nuclear team warns.* The risk of an improvised nuclear bomb being detonated in a foreign city has “increased substantially” because of tensions with Russia, he claims. Dr Hamish de Bretton-Gordon said the extremist jihadist group already had chemical weapons such as mustard gas and it is “only a matter of time” before it managed to launch an attack capable of d... more »
Breastfeeding on a low carb diet - is there an increased risk of ketoacidosis?
[Disclaimer: I have never had a baby and have no practical experience of this subject. This blog post details the insights into this problem that can be found in the medical literature and is not intended as medical advice.] Any disaster that may overtake him, even to the extent of ground moles getting in his lawn, will be blamed on his "red meat" diet. - Blake Donaldson, Strong Medicine 1961 (download here) Lactation ketoacidosis is a rare event in humans, and the authors of a 2012 case study could only find four previous cases in the literature.[1] Non-diabetic ke... more »
Misreading Special Economic Zones [updated]
*[UPDATE:* SEZ report is launched tonight at the Mac’s Function Centre in Wellington at 5:30pm. Get along.] I welcome the welcome that Local Government NZ, the councils’ counsellors, have given to the NZ Initiative’s idea of Special Economic Zones. *Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) welcomes The New Zealand Initiative’s new report, *In the Zone: Creating a Toolbox for Regional Prosperity* which recommends the use of Special Economic Zones as a way to test new regionally tailored policies and encourage regional economic development. …* Lawrence Yule at LGNZ however seems to be o...more »
Musical Interlude: Deuter, “Enchanted Summer Night”
Deuter, “Enchanted Summer Night” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TE6RFPfoB48
Musical Interlude: Josh Groban, “Gira Con Me”
Josh Groban, “Gira Con Me” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r1VY1VRXeg ◆ English Lyrics: *"Gira Con Me Questa Notte"* *"Turn With Me Tonight"* "The world turns with me tonight. Small steps that I make with you. I follow your heart, and I follow the moon So hidden far from me. The world turns with us tonight, Ah, if only far from here there existed A place where to discover my heart, To know if it can love you or not. And it will turn, and it will turn, My heart together with you, And the earth will turn, And my life will turn, And one day, yes, it will understand. It's you who turns ... more »
"A Look to the Heavens"
“The dark Horsehead Nebula and the glowing Orion Nebula are contrasting cosmic vistas. Adrift 1,500 light-years away in one of the night sky's most recognizable constellations, they appear in opposite corners of the above stunning mosaic. The familiar Horsehead nebula appears as a dark cloud, a small silhouette notched against the long red glow at the lower left. Alnitak is the easternmost star in Orion's belt and is seen as the brightest star to the left of the Horsehead. * Click image for larger size.* Below Alnitak is the Flame Nebula, with clouds of bright emission and dramatic ... more »
Chet Raymo, “The Dark Angel”
*“The Dark Angel”* by Chet Raymo “The American Civil War claimed an estimated 620,000 lives, approximately the same number as in all of the nation's other wars put together. Compared to the size of the country's population, six times as many young men died between 1861 and 1865 as in World War II. Few American families, north or south, were unaffected. Lincoln insisted at Gettysburg "that these dead shall not have died in vain." Drew Gilpin Faust, historian and President of Harvard University, has written a book that tries to measure the effect on the American psyche of the apoca... more »
“Staying Afloat: Riding the Wave of Life”
*“Staying Afloat: Riding the Wave of Life”* by The DailyOm “While riding the wave of life you must also practice stillness so you can flow with, rather than resist the wave’s motion. Our lives are continually in motion, buoyed by the wave that is the universe’s flow. As the wave rises and falls, we are carried forward, through life’s high and low points. The universe’s flow may take us to a place in life where we would rather not be. As tempting as it can be to fight the direction and size of this wave that propels us, riding the wave is intended to make life easier. When you ride ... more »
"A Very Obscure Vulcan Quote"
*"A Very Obscure Vulcan Quote"* By Moon "*Ideally, do no harm. *Harm speeds up the heat-death of the Universe, and indirectly, your own. *More practically, do as little harm as possible.* We are creations of a Universe in which entropy exists, and therefore see no way of escape, but we do not need to help it. *Harm no one’s internal, invisible integrities.* Leave others the privacies of their minds and lives. Intimacy remains precious only insofar as it is inviolate: invading it turns it to torment. Reach out to others courteously: accept their reaching in the same way, with caref... more »
Corrupt Corporatists Steve Israel And Debbie Wasserman Schultz Declare Fratricidal War Against Progressives
Steve Israel, de facto head of the DCCC (and the most outspoken member of their recruitment committee) and with a new title Pelosi invented for him, Chair, Policy and Communications, is making noise again. His war against progressives is multi-faceted and never-ending. Although Pelosi, when giving him his new job, said that he "has consistently proved the depth of his wisdom and the strength of his strategic vision in making our case to the American people," she overlooked the fact that under his catastrophic chairmanship, the DCCC-- largely because of him and only him-- managed to... more »
"Reason, Understanding, Or Common Sense..."
"Such as have reason, understanding, or common sense, will, and ought, to make use of it in those things that concern themselves, and suspect the words of such as are interested in deceiving or persuading them not to see with their own eyes." - Algernon Sydney
Another famous French thrashing
Did you know that six-hundred years ago this weekend, the French received another historic thrashing—but this one feted in Shakespearian lines elevating a sordid struggle between kings for boasting rights into a eulogy for a band of brothers. *Six hundred years ago this weekend, a wet and battered English army was fleeing France. King Henry V of England had invaded, hoping to press a claim to the French throne.. * Having invaded in order to change his hat, he quickly lost around a third of his band and began beating a hasty retreat before being forced to confront a French force o... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
"Sometimes..."
"Sometimes I lie awake at night and ask, 'Why me?' Then a voice answers, 'Nothing personal, your name just happened to come up.'" - Charles M. Schultz •
(S)election Day in Canada is Tomorrow, Yikes!!!
*Harper and Canada's Official Head of State* *- Queen Elizabeth of England* The only thing that's got me through this horrific (s)election is The Lapine, Canada's sane satire blog. Honestly, folks, even *The Lapine* can't make up some of the things that come out of Canadian politicians' mouths. Here's "wet behind the ears" Justin Trudeau saying he's gonna stand up to the "bully" Putin, face to face and give him what for. Great! *More* embarrassment coming down the pike. Trudeau seems oblivious to the history of what his parents, Maggie and Pierre, put Canada through in the 70's. ... more »
Sorry about yesterday's blog. It looked right when I sent it.
At last, I think I understand the limpness of the Faith Page with its sermonettes and dreary list of church activities. It's not intended to make people think or to challenge them in any way. This is, simply, a page for those who go to church to feel respectable. They don't go there to think. They want to fit in. Others will go to a bar with sports on TV for the same reason. I guess the writers of the sermonettes must think that Jesus was respectable, and fit in. But on to the topic of the day – some final federal election thoughts. When I was 8 or 9 years old, I was a Liberal. The ... more »
How strategic is strategic voting?
Jamie Biggar of Leadnow.ca and David Bush of RankandFile.ca debate whether such a strategy is useful or effective. Good respectful discussion of the issues involved. You'll have to restart it from the beginning. Transcript at The Real News Network .
"This 20-Year-Old Burger From McDonald’s Looks Brand New"
*"This 20-Year-Old Burger From McDonald’s Looks Brand New"* One 20-year-old quarter pounder with a large side of NOPE. by Hannah Jewell "This burger was purchased in 1995 by two teenagers in Adelaide, Australia. Eduard Neetz and Casey Dean bought it for their friend, who never turned up to eat it. So, naturally, they decided to keep it forever. Neetz and Dean, now grown men, say on their Facebook that: “As far as we know, it’s the world’s oldest.” God, we hope so. Like any proud owners of two-decade-old food, Neetz and Dean keep their burger in a little wooden box with a padlock. Th... more »
“America Is A Bomb Waiting To Explode”
*“America Is A Bomb Waiting To Explode”* by Sam Gerrans “The United States is in decline. While not all major shocks to the system will be devastating, when the right one comes along, the outcome may be dramatic. Not all explosives are the same. We all know you have to be careful with dynamite. Best to handle it gently and not smoke while you’re around it. Semtex is different. You can drop it. You can throw it. You can put it in the fire. Nothing will happen. Nothing until you put the right detonator in it, that is. To me, the US – and most of the supposedly free West – increasingl... more »
Midday Musical Interlude: The Moody Blues, “Question”
The Moody Blues, “Question” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP9iOqdxS8c
How strategic is strategic voting?
Jamie Biggar of Leadnow.ca and David Bush of RankandFile.ca debate whether such a strategy is useful or effective. Good respectful discussion. Takes a bit to really get down to it. Transcript at The Real News Network .
Unaltering images
Returning to a familiar theme - the BBC's relentless use of unrepresentative images of women and children and the disabled to 'represent' the migrant/refugee crisis (the vast majority of whom are actually young adult males)... Here are screenshots of all the various close-up images being used on the BBC's main migrant crisis report tonight (from Caroline Wyatt), re those 84 protesting bishops. See if you spot a pattern:
Never let a warmist ‘crisis’ go to waste?
Naomi Klein spills the beans on what warmism is all about: [image: Embedded image permalink]“Better” meaning, by her standards, a world in which trade, energy, intellectual property and capitalism are all expunged. Along with the undeniable historically-unprecedented worldwide prosperity it has brought. Naomi Klein: using an alleged warmist crisis to end global trade. In that context, consider Dim Post’s dim suggestion this morning that NZ should shun a free-trade deal with the world’s largest trading bloc because the deal doesn’t recycle the warmist mantra. : *One thing we should... more »
"I think it's wonderful"
Talking about multicultural matters... This morning's *Sunday *on Radio 4 marked the BBC's 'Faith in the World Week' by featuring interviews (long and short) with believers from several of the UK's faith communities. The tone was upbeat throughout all the segments - except for the two bits featuring Muslims, both of which focused on the the difficulties Muslims say they face in the UK (par for the course for a BBC programme of course). Among the features was a report from the BBC's Rosie Dawson (who we last met recharging her spiritual batteries at a Muslim college, apparently at ... more »
Sikhing the Truth
Today's Sunday Morning Live had a somewhat baffling segment which focused specifically on whether interfaith marriages should be allowed to take place in Sikh places of worship. Some traditionalist Sikh protestors here in the UK have started disrupting such weddings - actions that sound completely beyond the pale to me and which must be deeply upsetting for the marrying couple and their poor families. Jagmeet Singh, a supporter of the protests, appeared on the programme. He argued that interfaith marriage *per se* is wholly acceptable to him, he has no problem with it, and that... more »
Quarter-finals [updated]
So, who really wants to talk about much else this morning than those quarter finals? Four great games, eh? And all the northern hemisphere teams sent home from a northern hemisphere tournament. How good’s that? And with memories of 2007 so quickly and thoroughly expunged—*nine frickin’ tries!*—how good was it that none of us even got the chance to have a decent chew on our fingernails. But, well, with so much having been spent on and prepared for the tournament, and with so much riding on the result of every game—four more years, remember!—I can’t help wondering what is it about...more »
Day 10 - Into the Shopping Mecca of Freeport
Video by Eric Herter Following the end of World War II the US loaded nuclear weapons onto warplanes and flew them just off the coast of China. Each pilot was assigned a different Chinese city as his target. Bob Dale flew for the Navy and carried a nuke on his plane along with his assigned target city. Fortunately Bob never had to drop the bomb. Years later it dawned on him what he had been assigned to do and for many years he has been an active leader in Maine Veterans for Peace. Today Bob, at 91 years old, walked half of our 10 mile journey from Brunswick to Freeport. This t... more »
“17 Words that Changed My Life Forever”
*“17 Words that Changed My Life Forever”* by Jerry Clark “I remember several years back I heard something that changed my life forever. Up until that point I had been struggling through life – doing everything the hard way. I couldn’t figure out why my life wasn’t going the way I felt it should be. I saw some people going through life effortlessly and seemingly with less tension and frustration while I was wondering if I could ever straighten out the mess my life had turned out to be. I was behind on my dreams, my promises, and my bills. Then one day I was listening to a tape and... more »
Mini-ramble top-ten
Great weekend, thank you for asking. And thank you readers for making these your top-ten most popular links from last Friday’s ramble … 1. Where is the world's windiest city? Spoiler alert: it's not Chicago 2. Richard Russell: WARNING – People Need To Be Prepared For Some Shockingly Negative News 3. Scientific Urban Legends 4. An Intellectual Breath of Fresh Air Blows Through Cornell 5. A neuroscience researcher reveals 4 rituals that will make you happier 6. Back to School: Unlearning Nine Environmental Myths 7. This is the modern Italian roadster of you... more »
Christian militias, allied with Kurds, loot Christian towns in northeastern Syria
*Pathetic.* But the US/NATO backing of these thugs gives them a delusional sense of authority. *Christian militias have turned against their members of their own faith and looted several Christian villages in the northeast of the country* *This is a perfect example of power corrupting & the power of the NATO tyranny sitting behind these criminals is all it took for their psychosis to emerge. These christian militias are engaging in the exact type of activity the so called heroic kurdish militas have engaged in. And they do because they can.* *Guardians of the Christian minority... more »
Elections Have Consequences: Conservatives Are Trying To Cut Social Security Benefits
A couple of dozen people liked my tweet on Thursday suggesting the need for a general congressional house-cleaning next year because of the decision to not have a cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment for people living on Social Security benefits. And this is on top of threats by Mitch McConnell and his Republican senators-- as well as the clown show running for that party's presidential nomination-- to actually *cut* benefits for Social Security and Medicare as the price for GOP cooperation for not letting the government go bankrupt. Worse yet, a small number of right-wing Democrats i... more »
When the world gives you lemons, start a lemonade-stand day
In America, government agents have been arresting children for running lemonade stands—even celebrity, “the one force that could plausibly be strong enough to overpower America’s control-freak culture—gets squeezed like an overripe eureka in a gorilla cage.” While in Australia, government agents have announced they want to encourage an annual “lemonade stand day” to encourage entrepreneurial children. *THE humble, after-school lemonade stand could foster the next generation of Australian entrepreneurs. THAT is the winning idea from the government's weekend "hackathon"... more »
"Throwout,” by William Thorsell, and a little straight goods
*"*Throwout*,” by William Thorsell* https://medium.com/@InklessPW/throwout-by-william-thorsell-986c7546f921 *[I am on a list of people who receive periodic emails from William Thorsell, who was the **Globe and Mail’s editor-in-chief from 1989 to 2000 and the CEO of the Royal Ontario Museum for a decade after. William sends out occasional thoughts on events, design, urban life and other preoccupations. The other day he sent this, calling it “the editorial I’d write” — about the current federal election campaign — “if I were still writing them.” I’ve checked, and he consented to let m... more »
Alien Megastructures and Sociology
As you get older, life gets more absurd. Or so it seems. The humdrum is occasionally punctuated by something that's really out there, like the *Daily Mail* standing up against racism and xenophobia. Last week had one of those moments. It was announced that some of the observations of the catchily-named KIC 8462852, a star some 1,400 light years away, might be congruent with an alien megastructure orbiting it. Yes, you read that correctly. Eric Mack over at CNet notes: Basically, the star's light curve seems to show some strange stuff passing in front of the star, at irregular inter... more »
Boston Landfills
By Paul Homewood Thanks to mitchel44 for sending me this animation from the excellent Maximising Progress website. It shows how Boston has been transformed by landfills since it was a swamp in the 19thC. Boston Landfills ~ Timelapse Anime Map… Nice anime map of The Sequence of Landfill Projects in Boston… […]
Far Right Anti Immigrant Attacker Stabs German Mayoral Candidate
An extremist attacked the female German Mayoral candidate a day before the elections in Cologne. German authorities described the man as far-right with anti-foreigner tendencies. Time Magazine reports: The 44-year-old German on Saturday stabbed Henriette Reker, a leading candidate in Sunday’s election for new mayor of Cologne. Reker is currently responsible for housing refugees in the city, and officials have said the man told them he acted out of anti-foreigner motives. A psychological examination has shown that there is no reason to doubt that the suspect can be held criminally re... more »
Immigration discussion
[image: image] An informative discussion here on immigration, from an Objectivist perspective, with Yaron Brook and Onkhar Ghate -–both from the Ayn Rand Institute and *both, *as it happens, are immigrants to the United States. How does immigration affect small countries when millions are on the move? Don’t the worst get in? Or the dangerous? And what about immigration and welfare—isn’t why the hordes are coming? Or immigration and voting—won’t freedom-lovers be swamped? And is there a difference between residency and citizenship—and does it matter? And should we really contempl... more »
Editor's Note
Busy with 100 household chores right now. Winter is in the air, and I need my firewood inside my chalet. Blogging will return when I get back to the city later tonight.
Cardinal Daneels: A Wolf in Shepherd’s Clothing
[image: Daneels] This week I read one of the sweetest Christian essays I've ever encountered. Written by a frail and elderly pastor who has spent decades shepherding souls, it was delivered to the ongoing Vatican Synod on the Family. Here is a... more »
Lindsay Lohan Announces She May Run For President In 2020
When singer and actress Lindsay Lohan announced that she would run for US president in 2020, social media exploded! Lindsay Lohan states she may run for president in 2020. Excuse me I gotta laugh for 30 minutes. — Seifer Alberio (@SeiferA) October 17, 2015 “In #2020 I may run for president. Through ups and downs #YESWECAN lets do this,” wrote 29-year-old Lohan on her Instagram. Lohan says will take care of all the children and suffering in the world. It seems we have Kanye West to thank as Lohan cited the rapper, who also announced a 2020 presidential bid, as an inspiration. Since L... more »
US Pacific Hegemony vs. a Rising China
*October 19, 2015* (Tony Cartalucci - NEO) - The complexity and history behind the current tensions in Asia Pacific are belied by simplistic narratives underpinned by superficial nationalism. China's portrayal across the Western media as a regional "bully" versus its victims across Southeast Asia is dividing the general public down two sides of a predictable line. On one side are those who welcome the rise of China as a counterbalance for longstanding Western hegemony across Asia Pacific, on the other are those that fear China will simply replace a "benevolent" Western hegemony wi... more »
Sudanese Soldiers Sent To Fight In Yemen As Part Of The Arab Coalition
According to military sources in Aden, 300 Sudanese soldiers and officers arrived by sea on Saturday, aiming to ‘maintain security’ in Yemen. Middle East Online reports: A battalion of Sudanese troops arrived in Yemen’s southern port city of Aden on Saturday, military officials said, bolstering Saudi-led Arab forces trying to keep out the Iran-backed Huthis and curb the growing presence of Islamist militants. Aden, a strategic port and shipping hub, became the seat of the Yemeni government earlier this year after the Huthis, a clan from northern Yemen which follows the Zaydi branch ... more »
Putin's Endgame In Syria?
Syria army begins offensive near Aleppo with Russian support http://t.co/xSZvjsqDY7 pic.twitter.com/P8f0Xp6k2c — Agence France-Presse (@AFP) October 16, 2015 *Richard Fernandez, PJ Media:* *The Syrian Offensive* A big Syrian/Iranian/Russian push has started in northern Syria whose general features are depicted on this map. The big mystery is its goal. There are no deep penetrations, no flashy armored dashes. Outwardly the objectives appear to be limited: prolonging the survival of the Assad regime. Chas Danner of New Yorker Magazine cites president Obama’s confident prediction th... more »
‘Eating Healthy’ Is Now A Mental Disorder According To Officials
If you prefer eating healthy you must have an eating disorder known as“orthorexia nervosa”according to experts. The term has been defined as “a pathological obsession for biologically pure and healthy nutrition.” In other words, experts are now telling us that our demand for nutrient-dense, healthy food is a mental disorder… that must be treated. Global research reports: CNN, Fast Company, Popular Science, and other top outlets have all began to trumpet the talking points on cue relatively recently: “Orthorexia nervosa is a label designated to those who are concerned about eating he... more »
Chaos at the Vatican: The Synod on the Family Explained
[image: Pope Francis_900] Everyone talks about "chaos" in Congress just because Republicans haven't chosen a new speaker of the House. If you want to see real chaos, look at Rome, where Pope Francis's synod on the family has been a shambling disaster since the moment... Continue reading *“Chaos at the Vatican: The Synod on the Family Explained”* at *weeklystandard.com*.
Russia’s Climate Plan Will Increase Emissions
By Paul Homewood As we get closer to Paris, let’s see what pledges Russia has come up with in its INDC, the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution or “Climate Plan” in short. The UNFCC keep a database here for all plans so far submitted. This is their “unofficial” English translation. […]
Russian SAMS In Syria Pose Threat Of War Warns Naval Chief
Russian SAMS (advanced Surface-to-air missile systems) deployed in Syria to combat the so called Islamic State or ISIS, has raised concerns for an Ex-Navy chief. Admiral Alan William John West, a retired senior officer of the Royal Navy has described the positioning of the SAM’s in the heart of Syrian territory as ‘extremely dangerous.’ The sophisticated SAM’s are ready to shoot down flying objects up to 70,000 feet high or twice the altitude of flying commercial jets. Since ISIS poses no threat in the atmosphere to the Russians, this means that the missiles deployed by President P... more »
U.S. And Allied Navies Express Concerns On Russian Cruise Missile Developments And Capabilities
*Tobin Harshaw, Bloomberg*: *Putin's Navy Sends a Shot Across Obama's Bow* Russia's attack on Syrian territory last week, using cruise missiles fired from the Caspian Sea, led to a fair amount of chuckling in the West, after U.S. reports that four of the missiles crashed in Iran. But this is no laughing matter. Arguing over the attack's effectiveness misses the point. If Moscow had only wanted to hit Bashar al-Assad's enemies in Syria, it has plenty of ships nearby in the Mediterranean to do the job. Rather, the Russians launched the 26 missiles from the Caspian simply to show they... more »
Jeb Didn't Want It To Come To This But His Campaign Is Now An Apologia For His Brother's Reign
When Trump says that Bush (and Cheney) ignored all the flashing red lights that they should have taken as warnings of what was to happen on 9/11, he raises the hackles of Bush-Cheney apologists and touches the rawest of raw nerves. Because, of course, he's 100% correct. Let me go back to a passage from Barton Gellman's absolutely definitive Cheney biography Angler about how they aggressively and vehemently dismissed every serious warning that the American security and intelligence agencies flagged regarding al-Qaeda: When suicide bombers attacked the USS Cole shortly before the 20... more »
Gotcha! The "Bloody Hands" geostrategic game
*Bloody Hand* There is a well-known geostrategic game played amongst the upper echelons of "Humanity" called the "Bloody Hands game". One side kills people with abandon for years. Assassination programs are the order of the day..bunker bombs, drone missile strikes, proxy mercenary armies of terrorists...biological weaponry, denial of required food and water for subsistence...radiation poisoning of the land, seas and air. All this time, they're daring someone to come and stop them. Laughing like Hyenas...blood dripping from their hands and teeth. They kill friend and foe alike...Fa... more »
Controversy on critique of the “specialists.”
I posted this yesterday, roughly based on my experience with “specialists” in schools. The results have been mixed in terms of opposition to the concept and the contrary, that there is some room for analysis of the work that specialists do. Let me add some details to my perspective here. And if the reader finds […]
Where Did ISIS Get All Guess All Those Toyota Trucks From?
Recently the Department of the Treasury started an inquiry into how massive convoys of Toyota pick-up trucks ended up in the possession of ISIS. They started by putting some pressure on Toyota at first, who said they does not know how its trucks ended up in ISIS hands in such a quantity. It turns out however, that the US Treasury were asking the wrong party. Instead of Toyota, the US Treasury’s inquiry should have started closer to home…. Russia Insider reports: But just down the road the answer had been obvious for several years: the State Department had long been providing these T... more »
Hillary Clinton Toasts Planned Parenthood on Twitter
[image: LAS VEGAS, NV - OCTOBER 14: Democratic U.S. presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton (L) tastes ice-cream as she visits La Flor De Michoacan Ice Cream October 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Clinton continued to campaign in the area one day after the first Democratic presidential debate.] Friday afternoon is a time for letting loose and celebrating the start of the weekend. Maybe getting a little silly or irreverent, let your hair down. Unless, of course, you're Hillary Clinton. If you're Hillary Clinton, you're cheering on Planned... more »
Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES!
Source: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? In some cases, they are, and it’s pretty easy to figure this out. Our school in SE Washington, DC, for instance, was formerly in a building adjacent to highly coveted real estate: next to a DC Metro stop. As the area was slowly showing signs of gentrification, which haven’t […]
What Would Happen If Russian And US Aircraft Began Shooting At One Another Over Syria?
A Russian Su-35 Flanker. *Business Insider*: *Here's one surprising reason Russia might not want to pick a fight with US planes over Syria* The skies over Syria are dangerously crowded these days with the US, Russia, and the Assad regime all bombing various actors on vaguely opposite sides of the country's multidimensional conflict. In both Iraq and Syria, the reality of overlapping aerial operations among countries with little geopolitical fondness toward one another has already led to claims that British aircraft have been authorized to engage Russian aircraft over Iraq if threa... more »
No Matter Who Wins In Syria It Is A Country That Has Been Destroyed
Destroyed buildings in Homs. About half of Syria’s prewar population has fled, the United Nations says, and nearly four million people are refugees abroad. Credit Sergey Ponomarev for The New York Times *L.A. Times:* *For those left in Syria, life among the ruins takes on a ghostly air* Talal Barazi is seated in the pleasant outdoor restaurant of a heavily guarded hotel in Homs, or what is left of it. "Basically, it's Berlin after World War II," says Barazi, who as governor of Homs province has seen much of the area under his jurisdiction destroyed by Syria's civil war. He tries ... more »
Fyodor Dostoevsky, “The Dream of a Ridiculous Man”
*“The Dream of a Ridiculous Man”* by Fyodor Dostoevsky "For I have seen the truth; I have seen and I know that people can be beautiful and happy without losing the power of living on earth. I will not and cannot believe that evil is the normal condition of mankind. And it is just this faith of mine that they laugh at. But how can I help believing it? I have seen the truth- it is not as though I had invented it with my mind, I have seen it, seen it, and the living image of it has filled my soul for ever. I have seen it in such full perfection that I cannot believe that it is imposs... more »
"Laughter Is The Sound Of Hope..."
"Laughter is the sound of hope. Hope is the seed of power. Power is the combined force of a multitude of voices joined together... that began as a mere whisper in the immense darkness and the ferocious cold and only kept alive by small, improbable notes of laughter." - Ricardo Levins Morales
Paulo Coelho, "The Danger Of Words"
*"The Danger Of Words"* by Paulo Coelho "Malba Tahan illustrates the dangers of words: a woman said so often that her neighbor was a thief that the young man was finally arrested. Some days later, they discovered that he was innocent and set him free. Then he sued the woman. “Comments are not so serious,” she said to the judge. “Granted,” answered the magistrate. “When you get back home today, write down everything bad you said about the young man, then tear up the paper and throw the bits away as you walk along. Come back tomorrow to hear the sentence.” The woman obeyed and retur... more »
Extending the College Caste System with Online Diploma Mills
Good read. Digital diploma mills: The automation of higher education by David F. Noble Abstract In recent years changes in universities, especially in North America, show that we have entered a new era in higher education, one which is rapidly drawing the halls of academe into the age of automation. Automation — the distribution of digitized course material online, without the participation of professors who develop such material — is often justified as an inevitable part of the new “knowledge–based” society. It is assumed to improve learning and increase wider access. In practi... more »
Perhaps the Greatest Moment of TV in 2015
Larry David was born to play Sen. Bernie Sanders and he did it to perfection last night on SNL. I'm glad they raked Jim Webb over the coals through Alec Baldwin and ridiculed the three other ersatz candidates. But obviously, Larry David played Bernie flawlessly from the moment he began with, "We're doomed!" Hell, if Bernie wasn't such a good candidate for President, I'd be tempted to vote for Larry David on a write in ballot. But if you haven't seen this sketch, drop everything you're doing and just watch it. It's absolutely one of the best moments in SNL's 41 year-long hi... more »
The Poet: JRR Tolkien, "The Road"
*"The Road" * "The Road goes ever on and on Down from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, And I must follow, if I can, Pursuing it with eager feet, Until it joins some larger way Where many paths and errands meet. And whither then? I cannot say. The Road goes ever on and on Out from the door where it began. Now far ahead the Road has gone, Let others follow it who can! Let them a journey new begin, But I at last with weary feet Will turn towards the lighted inn, My evening-rest and sleep to meet." - JRR Tolkien
"A Dog's Purpose" (From A 6 Year Old)
"A Dog's Purpose" (From A 6 Year Old) - Author Unknown "Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the p... more »
Russia Announces Plans To Carry Out Up To 300 Aerial Missions Over Syria Every Day
*Daily Mail*:* Russia plans to escalate missions in Syria to '300-a-day' as troops backed by Moscow's jets advance on rebel groups in Aleppo* * Syrian ground forces are moving in on Aleppo as Russian jets give support * Warplanes flattened houses in a strategically important village near Aleppo * Russia's jets carry out dozens of missions a day but wants to up this to 300 * Country has been condemned for attacking Western-backed rebel factions Russia plans to carry out up to 300 aerial missions over Syria every day and intends to build a new runway to accommodate its warplane, it h... more »
The Real Cost Of Wind Power
By Paul Homewood https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2015/10/09/is-wind-power-really-cheaper/ We saw the headlines last week of claims that wind power is now the cheapest source of electricity. As I pointed out at the time, such claims ignore the fact that wind needs back up capacity, and therefore cannot be directly compared with conventional, dispatchable capacity. I have now […]
Donna Connelly Dumps Teacher Desks and Filing Cabinets
In 2010 Bronx the school led by principal Donna Connelly was listed as 27th worst in all of New York City for learning environment. In common parlance, that's an "F." Donna's claim to fame was based largely on her refusal of two year music appreciation grant for her school that she turned down because "there was educational value to it." It seems Donna, who holds a doctorate in psychology, is out to make more environmental modifications to "motivate" her teachers. Seems she has dumped all teacher desks on the curb, along with all their filing cabinets. Is it time for Donna's str... more »
Russia's Build-Up In Syria Continues
*VOA*: *Next Phase of Iran-led Ground Offensive in Syria 'Coming'* WASHINGTON - Russia appears to have at least doubled the number of military personnel on the ground in Syria ahead of an expected pro-regime offensive to retake the city of Aleppo. “It is coming,” said a U.S. official of an Aleppo offensive. What is unclear is whether Russian ground forces will take part. The latest U.S. estimates put the total number of Russian troops at about 3,000, according to an official who spoke to VOA on the condition of anonymity. A second U.S. official said the number of Russian military... more »
Northerntruthseeker Rant For Sunday, October 18th, 2015
[image: rant-jpeg-b] It is Sunday....And again time for my weekly rant.. I do get a lot of emails and comments periodically asking why I do not write on certain days and why I do not write more articles.... I have said before that with my increased work both at my employment and at home it has been difficult the last while to even put up ONE article a day let alone a multitude... I am doing my best and again I periodically have to play "catch up" on events that affect us all.... Hey, and I do sometimes hate to be blunt about this, I write this blog and if people do not like it, the... more »
Christianity Was The Only Way Out, Says North Korean Defector
[image: Joseph Kim North Korea Defector] Joseph Kim revered the Great Leader as a child, but on arriving in China he realized that if he embraced Christianity Jesus missionaries would help him escape. The first time Joseph Kim heard the words "Christian" and "church", he had... Continue reading *“Christianity Was The Only Way Out, Says North Korean Defector”* at *theguardian.com*.
Japan Shows-Off Its Navy
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, along with Defense Minister Gen Nakatani (second from left) and Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso (second from right), tours the USS Ronald Reagan, led by commanding officer Christopher Bolt (fourth from right) in Sagami Bay, off Kanagawa Prefecture, on Sunday afternoon. | POOL/KYODO *Wall Street Journal:* *Japanese Navy Flexes Muscles in Regional Fleet Review* *South Korea takes part in military exercise despite tensions between the two countries* YOKOSUKA, Japan—Prime Minister Shinzo Abe presided over a show of naval strength on Sunday with Japanese alli... more »
Pope Canonizes First Married Couple in Modern Times
[image: Pope Francis United Nations General Assembly_900] VATICAN CITY (AP) -- Pope Francis canonized the Catholic Church’s first married couple in modern times on Sunday, declaring the parents of the beloved St. Therese of Lisieux saints in their own right. Francis told followers gathered in St. Peter’s... more »
Paul Craig Roberts introduces "The distinguished and knowledgeable international commentator William Engdahl" who PCR says has expressed his own view "...that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech on September 28 at the 70th anniversary of the United Nations changed the balance of power in the world" and he sets up the background issues in his short introduction. The rest of the article comprises what PCR describes as "William Engdahl’s superb statement from the New Eastern Outlook, October 15, 2015."
------------------------------ *The Fall Of The Unipower * ------------------------------ October 17, 2015 | Original Here Go here to sign up to receive email notice of this news letter *The Fall Of The Unipower* Dear Readers and Friends: The distinguished and knowledgeable international commentator William Engdahl, in a superb statement, has expressed the view I gave you that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s speech on September 28 at the 70th anniversary of the United Nations changed the balance of power in the world. Until Putin’s spee... more »
How Important Is It To You And Your Family That The Super-Rich Pay Their Fair Share?
In 2011, when progressives proposed a 5.6% surtax on millionaires to pay for Obama's jobs program, conservatives whose primary job is, after all, to represent the interests of millionaires, went wild, accusing the Democrats of "class war." The GOP responded, as usual, with the same old tropes about how taxing the rich would discourage job creation and how small businesses would suffer. But, historically, even responsible Republicans have supported federal income taxes. A Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, was the first to initiate it and it was William Howard Taft who passed... more »
Пробуждение - Перевод с англйского Алисой Ермоловой
Пробуждение *Перевод с англйского Алисой Ермоловой* Наступит время озарения. Вдруг, в хаосе твоих страхов и безумия, ты внезапно останавливаешься, и как будто из далека голос в твоей голове кричит – ХВАТИТ! Хватит бороться и плакать и всячески цепляться за что-то. И, как у ребёнка, притихнувшего после вспышки гнева, рыдание утихает, ты вздрагиваешь пару раз, пытаешься сдержать слезы, и сквозь мокрых ресниц ты начинаешь смотреть на мир новыми глазами. Это твое пробуждение. Ты осознаешь, что больше не стоит надеяться и ждать пока что-то изменится, или пока счастье, защищенность и... more »
The Glib n' Stale's Idiotic "Endorsement."
People are justifiably mocking the *Globe & Mail's* nonsensical endorsement of the harpercons with harper. Given the fact that harper has run that cabal of cretins with an iron fist, it's bizarre to imagine how this gang of idiots' record can be separated from its leader. And, even if you somehow could, who are we talking about that is so full of promise? Jason Kenney? Chris Alexander? Pierre Poilievre???? But the *Globe & Mail *loses its credibility? Too late! They lost it in 2011 when the endorsed harper after he committed Contempt of Parliament. (It was not a biased, partisan "k... more »
Carson Communications Director Gave Big Bucks to Democrats
[image: Ben Carson] A top aide to Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson gave thousands of dollars to Democrats and none to national Republicans in the last few years. Doug Watts works as Carson's communications director, and statements from him can be found in... more »
Angela Merkel’s New Plan: Pay Turkey to Stop The Migrant Flood
[image: German Chancellor Angela Merkel Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu] ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday held talks with Turkish leaders in Istanbul to promote a European Union plan that would offer aid and concessions to Turkey in exchange for measures to stem the mass movement... more »
Congress Needs to Call Anti-Christian Genocide What it Is
[image: ISIS Execution of Ethiopian Christians - 900] Signatures. It needs signatures on the bottom line. It’s more than words on paper, but let’s start with the words. Members of Congress introduced a resolution on Thursday to label the atrocities committed by the Islamic State against Christians and other... more »
Untitled
*UK: Selective schools create real equality...no wonder our leaders hate them * By Peter Hitchens There aren’t enough public sector houses to go round. Would it then make sense to demolish all those houses and make everyone except the rich live in tower blocks? Of course not. Yet this mad principle – that if everyone cannot have something, nobody can have it – governs our education policy, and no major party disagrees with it. Half a century ago, everyone agreed that secondary modern schools were not working. Everybody knew that the technical schools, promised in 1944, had not... more »
Untitled
*Climate Change and Leftist Hypocrisy* Nothing exposes the cynical hypocrisy of the left more than its jihadist attitude toward the dubious theory of man-made global warming. The phoniness and selfishness of the left show up in several different ways. The left pronounces manmade global warming "settled science" but then insists that we continue to spend billions of dollars in climate change research. If it is truly settled science, then we need to spend no more money at all on research, and if this supposed dire threat requires immediate action by governments, then even research... more »
I Was a Child Soldier in the Burundian Civil War
[image: Burundi child soldiers] In 1993, Burundi's first democratically elected president was assassinated in a coup d'etat. Melchior Ndadaye, of the majority Hutu ethnic group, had sought during his three months in office to ease tensions between Hutu and the minority Tutsi, which had... Continue reading *“I Was a Child Soldier in the Burundian Civil War”* at *takepart.com*.
Unexpected Visitor: Woman Finds Bear Inside Apartment, Eating
[image: black bear] ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- A North Carolina woman says she entered her daughter’s apartment and found a bear, who had entered by opening an unlocked door, roaming through the home. Asheville Fire Department spokeswoman Kelley Klope told local news outlets... more »
No Sanctions Relief for Iran until It Complies
[image: US-POLITICS-IRAN-NUCLEAR-OBAMA] WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. expects Iran will take months to live up to its end of a seven-nation nuclear pact that could eventually provide the country relief from international sanctions, Obama administration said. A milestone in the agreement kicks... more »
Heroic Oregon College Shooting Victim Describes Gunman’s Rampage
[image: Christopher Mintz Oregon Hero Vet - 900] ROSEBURG, Ore. (AP) -- Chris Mintz, a college student celebrated as a hero for running toward danger when a gunman opened fire at Umpqua Community College, says the shooter showed no emotion as he shot Mintz five times. Mintz shared... more »
US Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Google’s Online Library
[image: Google - iStock_000024918289_Large] NEW YORK (AP) -- Google is not violating copyright laws by digitizing millions of books so it can provide small portions of them to the public, a federal appeals court ruled Friday in a decadelong dispute by authors worried that...more »
Sweden Close to Collapse With Immigration
[image: riot in Sweden] If the wave of migrants keeps coming, in 10-15 years, Swedes will be a minority in their own country. That there is, in fact, an exchange of populations going on, should be clear in any sober assessment. The final consequence... Continue reading *“Sweden Close to Collapse With Immigration”* at *gatestoneinstitute.org*.
Biden Team Leans in on Potential 2016 Run
[image: Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton-900] WASHINGTON (AP) -- Joe Biden is sending out an unmistakable “forget-me-not” plea for 2016, brushing past signs of a Hillary Rodham Clinton resurgence with fresh and direct suggestions he could be on the verge of entering the presidential race. The... more »
Refugees Flood Slovenia. Croatia’s Interior Minister Insists, ‘Nobody Can Stop this Flow Without Shooting.’
[image: Syrian refugees2 - 900] PETISOVCI, Slovenia (AP) -- Thousands of migrants surged into tiny Slovenia on Saturday as an alternative route opened in Europe for them after Hungary sealed its border for their free flow, adding another hurdle in their frantic flight from wars... more »
Last Chance .........
Tomorrow will be the last chance to have your say as to who you want to represent you in parliament and, although we currently vote for individuals, this election has been all about which party is best positioned to replace the Harper Regime, With a minority government very much a probability we can only hope that whichever party get the most seats will work with ALL MPs to undo some of the antidemocratic practices that the Conservative have made common practice, and that opposition MPs from other partys put aside partisan games to ensure that this happens. That the remaining conser... more »
Russian PM Slams White House For Failure To Coordinate ISIS Airstrikes
The Russian Prime Minister blames the Obama administration for its failure to make any progress in talks between the US and Russia on coordinating airstrikes against ISIS targets. Talking to the Rossiya 1 TV station, Dmitry Medvedev said he was perplexed at the reasons behind the US not wanting to agree to President Putin’s proposal to work with Washington to drive the Islamic State out of Syria. RT reports: “The issue is that our American colleagues always tell us that it is necessary to solve the problem in a single package,” Medvedev said. “It is necessary to come to a conclusion... more »
Military Photo of the Day: October 18, 2015
[image: Guam in World War II-900] Two U.S. military officers plant the American flag on Guam eight minutes after Marines and Army assault troops landed on the Central Pacific island on July 20, 1944. Today and every day, we applaud the selfless heroism of our country’s... more »
North Korea Rejects More Talks On The Nuclear Program
North Korean military participate in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea, in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on October 12, 2015. REUTERS/KCNA *Reuters:* *North Korea rejects more nuclear talks, demands peace treaty with U.S.* North Korea on Saturday rejected the idea of resuming talks to end its nuclear program, saying previous such attempts ended in failure, and reiterated its demand that Washington come to the table to negotiate a peace treaty. The statement by... more »
White House Memo Reveals Bush & Blair Plotted Iraq War Year Before Invasion
A damning White House memo reveals the details of a “deal in blood” forged by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush over the Iraq war. The memo revealed that Blair had agreed to support the war a year before the invasion even started, while at the same time publicly, Blair still claimed to be looking for diplomatic solution In March 2003, the US and Britain invaded Iraq in what was blatant violation of international law and under the pretext of finding WMDs. No such weapons were ever discovered in Iraq, but more than one million Iraqis were killed ... more »
There Is A Lot Of Work To Be Done
https://www.chicagosummeroflearning.org/ It's beginning to look like -- after the smoke has cleared -- we will have a new and different government. Murray Dobbins writes that will mean we will get some kind of proportional representation. But he warns that: The desperate need for proportional representation has to some extent distracted us from just how inadequate and unresponsive the rest of the system is. It has taken the likes of Harper to actually push the other parties to suddenly call for change when they have for decades supported first-pa...more »
A Look At The Drone Pilots Who Kill People From 7,800 Miles Away
Reaper Sandstorm: Senior Airman Jason Epley *Kevin Maurer, Daily Beast*: *She Kills People From 7,800 Miles Away* *Her name is ‘Sparkle.’ She operates a drone. She is sick of whiny boys. And she is perfectly OK with dealing out death.* Anne crawled out of bed in her North Las Vegas house around 10 p.m. and started to get ready for her shift. She pulled her chestnut hair into a bun and slipped on her olive green flight suit. In the kitchen, she packed fruit to snack on during her shift and stuffed her schoolwork into her backpack-sized lunchbox just in case it’s a boring night. Mos... more »
Russia And Iran Say Victory In Sight: ISIS On The Run
Russia’s Defense Ministry has already said that ISIS are fleeing Syria en mass, now reports are surfacing saying that they are leaving their beards behind as Russia and Iran close in! According to members of the anti-ISIS resistance, some newly-shaved Islamic State militants are donning women’s robes and veils in an attempt to get away unnoticed. Zerohedge.com reports: The thing about ragtag groups of militants that display a penchant for extreme violence is that in the absence of serious opposition, they can rack up gains at an alarming pace. Of course there are plenty of (possibly ... more »
Russia Completely Ban All GMO Products Saying They Are Dangerous
As people in the US are being force-fed GMOs while petitioning their government for honest food labels, other countries around the world are already removing the ingredients from their food supply. While Americans ask what kind of agro-chemicals and GMOs are in their food, the Russian government has taking historic measures to eliminate the production of genetically modified food completely. Naturalnews.com reports: Manipulating nature at the genetic level and turning it into property and profit is how the biotech industry does business. The most infamous biotech giant, Monsanto, wh... more »
Hillary Clinton Emails Contain Secret Iraq War Documents Detailing An Agreement Between President George Bush And British Prime Minister Tony Blair To Invade Iraq Nearly A Year Before The War Began
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *Daily Mail*: *Smoking gun emails reveal Blair's 'deal in blood' with George Bush over Iraq war was forged a YEAR before the invasion had even started - despite claiming he wanted peace* * Leaked White House memo shows former Prime Minister's support for war at summit with U.S. President in 2002 * Bombshell document shows Blair preparing to act as spin doctor for Bush, who was told 'the UK will follow our lead' * Publicly, Blair still claimed to be looking for diplomatic solution - in direct contrast to email revelations * New light was shed on Bush-Bla... more »
Dream about 'Gods' and Animals
it's been a long while since I shared one of my 'dreams' with the readers of Free Planet, the culmination of which came with a blistering anthem in the digitally-amalgamated voice of Shirley Bassey or Adele, so here goes: *: This is the answer to the Gods, this is the answer to the Animals : * That was the celebratory opening phrase, repeated twice (hence the *:*s ). And I got the tune, too. Theme and baseline arranged on different layers for me, in case I meant to write it down. In fact, this dream happened two hours before I got up. I was going to get up and try to work out the ... more »
"Health warnings"
Peter Lilley MP isn't happy... (h/t Guest Who)... Following the BBC's fulsome apology over its broadcast of What is the point of the Met Office?, the corporation added the following to the programme's website: Mr Lilley and Graham Stringer MP did indeed appear on the programme and, yes, they are both trustees of the Global Warming Policy Foundation. And now both have been made subject to what Peter Lilley calls "health warnings" by the BBC. This is what he told the *Sunday Express* today: A colleague of mine alerted me to the fact that they’d slapped disclaimers essentially b... more »
Family of Texas Schoolboy Arrested For Homemade Clock Are Honoured Guests Of Sudan President Wanted For Genocide
Ahmed Mohamed, the 14-year-old who was arrested after bringing a homemade clock that was mistaken for a bomb to his Texas high school, has met with controversial Sudan President Omar al-Bashir *Daily Mail*:* Family of Texas schoolboy arrested for homemade clock under fire for meeting Sudan president accused of genocide* * Omar al-Bashir received Ahmed and his family at a presidential compound in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Wednesday * Ahmed told reporters he was 'extremely delighted' to meet Bashir and hoped to meet him again with 'a new invention and success' * Bashir has an outst... more »
Why Did U.S. And Coalition Forces Force Their Way Into The Destroyed 'Doctors Without Borders' Kunduz Hospital?
*NBC:** MSF: 'Potential Evidence' Was Destroyed by Vehicle at Kunduz Hospital* A vehicle containing U.S. personnel "destroyed potential evidence" on Thursday by forcing its way onto the ruined site of a hospital bombed by American forces in Afghanistan, the charity said. Doctors Without Borders, which ran the facility in Kunduz, initially said the vehicle was a "U.S. tank," but later corrected its statement and said it was an armored vehicle without specifying a country. The charity, which is also known as Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), said in an emailed statement to NBC News t... more »
Ebola Is Now An STD
Months after a male Ebola survivor tested negative for the disease, he reportedly transmitted the virus to a female partner through unprotected sex, a new report has revealed. Arstechnica.com reports: The Liberian woman, who became ill with the disease and died in March, is the first person known to contract the Ebola virus from sex, researchers reported this week in the New England Journal of Medicine. Typically, people contract Ebola from direct contact with the blood or other bodily fluids from a sick or recently deceased patient. But experts knew that the Ebola virus can linge... more »
Vladimir Putin Says He Loves Donald Trump
Donald Trump’s willingness to “get along with” Vladimir Putin and his fondness for the Russian leader appear to be reciprocated, as it has been revealed that Putin has set-up a pro Donald Trump website. Washingtonexaminer.com reports: Kremlin mouthpiece Konstantin Rykov said Wednesday in a Twitter post that Trump won the first Democratic presidential debate, held Tuesday in Las Vegas. In that tweet, Rykov linked to a Russian language, pro-Trump website with a Russian domain,www.Trump2016.ru, that he is likely behind. Until a few weeks ago, Rykov’s Twitter home page featured Trump an...more »
End Of McDonald’s? Franchisees Say Fast Food Giant In ‘Final Days’
Many McDonald’s franchisees are currently saying that the fast food giant is in a “deep depression” and is facing its “final days”, according to a new survey. Yahoo Finance reports: “We are in the throes of a deep depression, and nothing is changing,” one franchisee wrote in response to the survey by Nomura analyst Mark Kalinowski. “Probably 30% of operators are insolvent.” Another wrote, “The CEO is sowing the seeds of our demise. We are a quick-serve fast-food restaurant, not a fast casual like Five Guys or Chipotle. The system may be facing its final days.” More than a dozen fran... more »
China Threaten US With Military Force Over Island Dispute
China have told the US that they will use military force if the US go ahead with their plan to sail warships around China’s man-made islands in the Spratlys. Zerohedge.com reports: “It’s just a matter of time when it happens,” one government source told WSJ. Over the course of the last six months, we’ve seen China’s land reclamation efforts go from oddity, to spectacle, to alleged “provocation”, to excuse for war as Washington feels compelled to come to the aid of its allies in the South Pacific who cried foul after it became apparent that this was no “normal” dredging effort. In sh... more »
(Divine Right of Wealth?) Dumb Enough To Buy Into the BS? Dumb Enough To Pay With Your Life (Wall-Marted? TPP'd On?) Recessed Country! (Mesmerized by News Channels and Distracted by Status Quo-Supporting Hollywood Paradigm, Corporate Citizenry Firmly Believes Itself To Be Free and Safe) More Wars Obama
My buddy, Dave Dubya, does the patriotic duty for us today. Take a finger trip over to his blog and say "Thanks!" if you have the time. Just click on the link. October 17, 2015 Short and Simple Divine right of wealth has replaced divine right of kings. As global corporatism takes over the planet, the howling masses on the far Right cry, "Socialism!" "Freedom!" they howl, as they rig
A Brutal Attack Between By A Palestinian Disguised As A Reporter On An Israeli Soldier Is Caught On Camera The Moment It Happened
A knife-wielding Palestinian launches a savage attack on an Israeli soldier, after getting close to an armoured truck by disguising himself as a member of the press *Daily Mail*: *The terrifying moment Palestinian disguised as a reporter stabbed an Israeli soldier before being shot dead, as violence mounts* * WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT * The brutal attack comes amid dramatically escalating tensions between Palestinians and Israelis in the West Bank * Israeli troops today shot dead a Palestinian posing as a news photographer who stabbed a soldier in Kiryat Arba * Palestinians set fire ... more »
Israeli - Palestinian Violence Continues To Escalate
*Reuters:* *Israel says more knife attacks thwarted, four Palestinians dead* Israeli authorities said four Palestinians had been shot dead and a fifth seriously injured in thwarted knife attacks on Saturday in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank as tensions ran high after more than two weeks of unrest. Forty-one Palestinians and seven Israelis have died in the recent street violence, which was in part triggered by Palestinians' anger over what they see as increased Jewish encroachment on Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound. Israel says it is keeping the status quo at the holy com... more »
Alberta and Montreal Sarajevo for Canada?
I lived closer to Sarajevo than Montreal for a good part of my life. The same passion Harper hopes to exploit was what gave us Sarajevo and the Holocaust but in some ways it the same old way of doing things. Today he is only baiting, does anyone think tomorrow he will be catching?
I found a Maple Leaf
It was pressed between two useless pages of a useless book a maple leaf, not especially big and now a hundred years latter the colours are not strong but my blood run true and I undertand history and what it means that today right now more people are living human lives than ever, however out of the billions on earth only a couple really understand what it means to inherit the earth and so far we have given the teen the keys to a Ferrarii and just because he won a couple of race he is now a celbrity and will be next week in viet nam with a scuba suit looking for junk his grandfather left beh... more »
Musical Interlude: Constance Demby, "Ocean Without Shores"
Constance Demby, "Ocean Without Shores" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dl1Pn-KrvGA&html5=1
Top U.S. General Arrives In Israel for Talks On Syria, Russia, And Iran Deal
U.S. Ambassador to Israel Daniel B. Shapiro meets with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corp Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. at the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, Israel, Oct. 17, 2015. DoD photo by D. Myles Cullen *Haaretz*: *U.S. Military Chief Lands in Israel for First Official Visit Abroad* Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph Dunford will meet Israeli counterpart Gadi Eisenkot to discuss Iran deal, Russia and Syria, as well as continued cooperation of two countries' armies. The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Joseph Dunford, landed ... more »
Hillary Clinton Emails Contain Secret Iraq War Documents Detailing An Agreement Between President George Bush And British Prime Minister Tony Blair To Invade Iraq Nearly A Year Before The War Began
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *Daily Mail*: *Smoking gun emails reveal Blair's 'deal in blood' with George Bush over Iraq war was forged a YEAR before the invasion had even started - despite claiming he wanted peace* * Leaked White House memo shows former Prime Minister's support for war at summit with U.S. President in 2002 * Bombshell document shows Blair preparing to act as spin doctor for Bush, who was told 'the UK will follow our lead' * Publicly, Blair still claimed to be looking for diplomatic solution - in direct contrast to email revelations * New light was shed on Bush-Bla... more »
Musical Interlude: James Brown, "Living in America"
James Brown, "Living in America" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzDDJm27vmc&html5=1 “When you're born into this world you're given a ticket to the freak show. If you're born in America you get a front row seat.” - George Carlin
"A Look to the Heavens"
“The universe is filled with galaxies. But to see them astronomers must look out beyond the stars of our own galaxy, the Milky Way. This colorful Hubble Space Telescopic portrait features spiral galaxy NGC 6384, about 80 million light-years away in the direction of the constellation Ophiuchus. At that distance, NGC 6384 spans an estimated 150,000 light-years, while the Hubble close-up of the galaxy's central region is about 70,000 light-years wide. * Click image for larger size.* The sharp image shows details in the distant galaxy's blue star clusters and dust lanes along magnifice... more »
"We Shall Meet The enemy..."
"There is no need to sally forth, for it remains true that those things which make us human are, curiously enough, always close at hand. Resolve, then, that on this very ground, with small flags waving & tiny blasts of tiny trumpets, we shall meet the enemy, and not only may he be ours, he may be us." - Walt Kelly
The Daily "Near You?"
San Antonio, Texas, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
An Interview With the Homeless Doctor
[image: Dr Jim Withers] “I was actually really shocked how ill people were on the street. It was like going to a third-world country,” he said. “Young, old, people with mental illness, runaway kids, women (who) fled domestic violence, veterans. And they all have... Continue reading *“An Interview With the Homeless Doctor”* at *cnn.com*.
Chet Raymo, "Soul"
"Soul" by Chet Raymo "There is a moment early in Stefan Zweig's The Post Office Girl when the eponymous heroine has a moment of illumination: "In this instant, shaken to her very depths, this ecstatic human being has a first inkling that the soul is made of stuff so mysteriously elastic that a single event can make it big enough to contain the infinite." Two interesting thoughts here. First, that the soul is elastic. This is a rather different notion of the human soul than the one I was raised with. We were taught that the soul - the essential self - is created fully formed at the... more »
“50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind”
*“50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind”* by Marc Chernoff "These questions have no right or wrong answers, because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer. 1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 2. Which is worse, failing or never trying? 3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do? 4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done? 5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world? 6. If happiness was the national currency, what k... more »
Are There 2,000 Cuban Troops In Syria?
U.S. President Barack Obama extends his hand to Cuban President Raul Castro at the start of their meeting at the United Nations General Assembly in New York September 29, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque *Fiscal Times:* *Are Cuban Troops Backing Up Putin and Assad in Syria?* The armed conflict in Syria has become more complex in recent weeks, with Russia launching waves of air strikes against rebel forces, some backed by the U.S. Various rebel groups have fought government forces and each other, as the Turkish military watches nervously on the northern border. And now there may be a ne... more »
Israeli - Palestinian Violence Continues To Escalate
*Reuters:* *Israel says more knife attacks thwarted, four Palestinians dead* Israeli authorities said four Palestinians had been shot dead and a fifth seriously injured in thwarted knife attacks on Saturday in Jerusalem and the occupied West Bank as tensions ran high after more than two weeks of unrest. Forty-one Palestinians and seven Israelis have died in the recent street violence, which was in part triggered by Palestinians' anger over what they see as increased Jewish encroachment on Jerusalem's al-Aqsa mosque compound. Israel says it is keeping the status quo at the holy com... more »
Lebanese Report: Russian Jets Blocked Israeli Fighters Over Lebanon Two Weeks Ago
*YNet News:* *Report: Russia blocks Israeli jets over Lebanon* Lebanese newspaper claims Israeli jets turn back after confrontation with Russian aircraft over northern Lebanon. Russian forces warned Israel over IAF flights in Russian controlled airspace near the Syrian–Lebanese border area after Israeli jets were detected nearby, according to a report Friday in the Lebanese media outlet As Safir. The report comes a mere day after Russia announced that it had established a "hotline" with Israel in order to coordinate aerial activity over Lebanon and Syria. As Safir quoted Lebanese... more »
Day 9 - Buddhist Nun Arrives in Brunswick
*Civil war statue at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine* We walked into Brunswick today from Bath and after arriving we looped through the downtown area where we were able to hand out many flyers. Then we passed through Bowdoin College which was having their annual 'parents day' so more people than normal were around. Three people unexpectedly showed up just before we began walking this morning - it's always a nice energy boost to have some fresh walkers join in like that. In all we had 15 people doing the whole 9.5 miles today so it was a colorful group for sure. Mary Beth drove... more »
U.S. Intelligence: Russia Air-Strikes Have Not Aided The Syrian Regime
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *CNN:* *U.S. intelligence: Russian strikes haven't greatly aided Syria's Assad* Washington (CNN)Both Russia and the United States are watching Syria for any signs that President Bashar al-Assad might be about to fall -- but for different reasons. The U.S. goal is to avoid a catastrophic collapse of the regime. Unlike in Iraq, the United States wants to try to ensure some elements of the Syrian military and key social services and structures in and around Damascus survive if Assad goes, so that Syria can begin to rebuild. U.S. officials think that Rus... more »
Will David "Diapers" Vitter Lose The Gubernatorial Race To A Democrat In One Of The Reddest States In The Country?
Everyone is getting excited about the 2016 elections which are over a year away. But there's a pretty exciting little election coming up in a week. Louisianans will be picking the guy to take over for Governor Bobby Jindal.... whether he makes it into the White House or goes back to performing exorcisms. Louisiana's jungle primary pits three Republicans-- U.S. Senator David Vitter, former Lt. Governor Scott Angelle, and current Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne-- against one Democrat, John Bel Edwards, the Minority Leader of the state House of Representatives. The most recent polling, la... more »
BUMPED TO THE TOP: Why did US Navy pull US Aircraft Carrier out of Persian Gulf?
*UPDATE: October 17, 2015 - *I'm going to bump this post to the top, due to new information about Russian radar and laser jamming capability--as currently being used in Syria by the Russian and Syrian forces. Thanks to Penny for your Thoughts blog for this great catch! Here's the Tarpley.Net commentary on the Russian weaponry: *"Russian Secret Weapon Deployed in Syria* The technology in question seems similar to the KRET Richag-AV system, although it apparently functions on a larger scale. A tactical version of this system was presented to journalists in the Russian city of Back i... more »
Here Comes Iranian Crude And (Probably) Even Lower Oil Prices
*Bill Murray, Real Clear Energy:** Oil Markets Clutch Blanket as Iran's Adoption Day Nears* As evidenced by reports that several hardline members of Iran’s parliament were so distraught they were crying after failing to stop passage of the nuclear agreement earlier this week in Tehran, the reopening of Iran’s economy after years of biting sanctions is leaving a lot of people and world capitals on edge. Passage of the agreement through the 290-seat Majlis on Tuesday was a near-formality, but its occurrence is being viewed as one of the last possible political obstacles before the ... more »
"Weary"
The second story, at midnight tonight, on the BBC News website is: Now, you may think that "thousands of *weary* migrants" sounds a bit emotive and that "after Hungary closed *another* of its borders", especially in the context of such a phrase, makes Hungary sound heartless as a result... ...and, if you do think such things, some sensible soul at the BBC website now seems to agree with you. When you now click into the article you won't find the word "weary" at all *or* the word "another" in connection to Hungary's borders. A swift change of mind, leaving a rack behind, it seems.
Oct. 17: Hitler and Mussolini - and us.
First, I have found a computer copy of Conjuring Hitler, the book on how Hitler's rise to power was engineered by Britain, the U.S. - with a little help from Canada. The purpose of it all – for Britain - was to maintain the profits of British big business. But, from 1870 on, Britain was worried that its empire was threatened by the rise of Germany and, later, Russia. It should also have been worried because the U.S. had ambitions to inherit the British Empire. But Britain desperately needed the U.S. as an ally. And that really sums up the history of the Twentieth century and of this ... more »
Dispossession: Liberalism's Crisis
I'm finishing up my book on "liberalism" crisis. This project synthesizes years of research on the financial crisis, the BP oil crisis, and the Fukushima nuclear crisis. These crises are examined as failures of liberal governance. Two of my previous books, Governmentality, Biopower, and Everyday Life AND Governing Childhoood have examined threats to liberal democracy in great detail. Dispossession: Liberalism's Crisis provides specific institutional analyses of the energy and financial complexes that pose the greatest endogenous threat to liberal democracy. Here is an excerpt fro... more »
Whither the Blairite Rebellion?
It wasn't their finest hour. As Labour MPs filed through the no lobby Wednesday evening to vote against George Osborne's budget surplus wheeze, 21 of our number sat on their hands. These included Liz Kendall, late of the Labour leadership contest, a couple of former front benchers, and backbench loyalists-no-longer like Mike Gapes. In all, their showing was fewer than expected as most noted 4.5%ers fell in behind the leadership. The question, not answered by our Jacobin Blairist tendency, is what on Earth were they trying to achieve? *Why* were they moved to vote, or not vote, as t... more »
Saudi Arabia's Oil War With Russia Is 'Heating Up'
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) attends a meeting with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Mohammad Bin Salman at the Konstantin (Konstantinovsky) Palace in St. Petersburg. Grigory Dukor / Reuters *Leonid Bershidsky, Bloomberg*: *Saudi Arabia's Oil War With Russia* As President Vladimir Putin tries to restore Russia as a major player in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia is starting to attack on Russia's traditional stomping ground by supplying lower-priced crude oil to Poland. At a recent investment forum, Igor Sechin, chief executive of Rosneft, Russia's biggest oil company, complained... more »
Rightwing Nuthouse: “5 Right-wing Absurdities this Week: Rand Paul Gets Unhinged About Bernie”
*“5 Right-wing Absurdities this Week: * *Rand Paul Gets Unhinged About Bernie”* Calm down, Rand. Time to fade away. by Janet Allon *“1. There’s a reason Rand Paul has become completely irrelevant. *The fact that Rand Paul was once touted as the savior of the Republican Party does not speak well of either of them. But just to drive the point home that Paul is definitely not suited to play the role of level-headed grown up in the room, the Kentucky libertarian got a little hysterical this week about Bernie Sanders. Just a tad. The word “socialist” can do that to right-wing libertaria... more »
"If; Never..."
“If you're going through hell, keep going.” “Never give in... never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never yield to force... never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.” - Winston Churchill
"We are all immigrants"
You may have thought I was joking earlier and that Janina might have been engaging in a spot of wishful thinking, but now it's straight from the horse's mouth...and the *Guardian*... Yes, the BBC really *did* choose to go with its new *Game of Thrones*-style epic, *The Last Kingdom*, because of its helpful 'message' about immigration - i.e. that we English are *all* immigrants: *Bernard Cornwell: BBC made The Last Kingdom due to its 'interesting echoes of today'* The BBC was inspired to make a lavish new series about King Alfred the Great because of current debates about immigrat... more »
Restricting Your Eating Time Period to 8 Hours Will Transform Your Health & Fitness
I use a modified form of this dietary approach which i described in the arclein diet. Relying on the fact that our digestive tract holds 125% of its needs, a simple calculation informs us that every week we eat nine days worth of food and that the result must be a natural weight level set at around 130% to 140% above what would be normal. In my case i was at 230 to 240 most of my adult life however i struggled with it. I calculated that my proper weight would be around 180 to 190. What i then did was engineer a twenty hour fast into my schedule ultimately to three times per ... more »
Untitled
*Bombshell In Louisiana Governor’s Race: Former Mistress Alleges David Vitter Asked Her to Get An Abortion ~CenLamar*
Syria:Russian Technology to Impede Communications/Circumvent the TOW Missiles
I have got to tip my hat to Gallier 2 for bringing this site to my attention along with some additional information regarding weapons systems Russia brought into Syria. *So first things first:** Merci Gallier/tristopia!* *tristopia October 13, 2015 at 8:51 AM* *According to strategika51, the Syrian air force destroyed 50 tons of these dropped supplies. They also claim that the Syrians found a way to circumvent the danger the TOW missiles pose. They also say that Russia continued to shoot with cruise missiles from the Caspian.I have no way to check their claims but they are quite ... more »
VIDEO Juan Sandoval: Protecting Indigenous Peoples Sites in Mexico
. Mexico's anthropologists held a seminar in northwest Mexico to discuss the formation of the northern border, and protection of burial places and cultural places of Indigenous Peoples. Video, photos and article by Brenda Norrell Censored News Exclusive HERMOSILLO, Sonora, Mexico -- Dr. Juan Manuel Sandoval of the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City,
The U.S. Navy Wants A 'Super Ship'
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 23, 2014 ) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leads a formation of ships from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 during a maneuvering exercise. Theodore Roosevelt participated in the exercise with the Peruvian submarine BAP Islay (SS 35), the guided-missile destroyers USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98), USS Farragut (DDG 99) and the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60). Theodore Roosevelt is underway preparing for future deployments. *Dave Majumdar, National Interest*: *Railguns, Lasers and Nuclear Power: The U.S.... more »
"Amazed. That's quite a sign for a London street in 2015"
They *aren't **all* the same. Here's *The Daily Politic*s's Giles Dilnot, for example: Unfortunately, yes, that *is *quite a sign for a London street in 2015. It's getting grim.
Democrats Ready to Dump Debbie Dictator
*-by Dorothy Reik* Debbie Wasserman Schultz has gotten away with so much that she thought she was invincible. As a Florida state senator she drew herself a congressional seat in southeastern Broward County and the northern Biscayne Bay shoreland of Miami Dade. This is how the D+18 FL-20 was described by non-partisan *Almanac of American Politics*: "Precinct by precinct, it's computer generated borders are drawn to include heavily Democratic and Jewish areas; while its large gay and lesbian community, Wilton Manors, trails only Provincetown, Massachusetts and Guerneville, Californi... more »
Booker & The Incompetent Met Office
By Paul Homewood Booker is on the case of the Met Office today: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/11938459/Met-Office-shown-to-be-wrong-by-its-own-data.html Imagine if Michael Fish, our most famous weatherman, had been sacked by the BBC for writing a book accusing the world’s climate scientists of having “manipulated” their data to promote panic over global warming. Something similar mad
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