11:30 pm MDT
Picture Of The Day
*Missile Fired* The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage fires a surface-to-air RIM-116 rolling airframe missile during a defense engagement as part of an Essex Amphibious Ready Group surface warfare advanced tactical training exercise in the Pacific Ocean, March 7, 2018. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryan M. Breeden *WNU Editor:* The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... *Marines, Sailors Conduct Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training* (US Department of Defense).
Why Andrew McCabe Was Fired
[image: why-mccabe-was-fired] Attorney General Sessions said that McCabe had “lacked candor — including under oath — on multiple occasions.” He did not call McCabe a “liar” and “perjurer,” but the implication was there.
Fired FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe Denounces President Trump For His Dismissal
*USA Today*: *In war of words with Trump, fired FBI's McCabe says he will no longer be silent* WASHINGTON — President Trump and fired FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe have unleashed a war of words over McCabe's abrupt dismissal, with the president calling it a "great day" and the FBI official saying he would no longer remain silent after a "unrelenting assault" by Trump and other critics on his reputation and service. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced late Friday that he fired McCabe effective immediately — barely 48 hours before his retirement benefits would have set in... more »
MacBrightness Mal-Feature
I've found out why my Mac screen wanders in brightness and how to stop it. Continue reading →
1,000,000 People Died during the Korean War. This Is the Forgotten Story of How It Started.
*Sebastien Roblin* *History, Asia* It might not be as cut and dry as you think. The Korean War is variously estimated to have claimed between 1.2 and three million lives, most of them civilian. Who was responsible for this tragedy? For Western nations, the answer is uncomplicated: North Korea, backed by China and the Soviet Union, launched an unprovoked invasion of its southern neighbor in 1950. An alternate history has been presented in Chinese textbooks, one in which the illegitimate lackeys of Western imperialists in the South attacked first, but China and the Soviet Union i... more »
America Must Ask More of Its NATO Allies
*John R. Deni* *Security, Europe* [image: A Polish soldier stands near U.S. and Poland's national flags and a NATO flag as the first company-sized contingent of about 150 U.S. paratroopers from the U.S. Army's 173rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team based in Italy arrived to participate in training exercises with the Polish army in Swidwin, northern west Poland April 23, 2014. The United States is sending about 600 soldiers to Poland and the three Baltic states for infantry exercises, the Pentagon said, one of its highest-profile steps yet to reassure N] Conditionality creates the very... more »
Why Obamacare Bailouts Will Ruin the Country
*Ed Haislmaier, Robert E. Moffit* *Politics, Americas* [image: U.S. President Donald Trump talks to journalists at the Oval Office of the White House after the AHCA health care bill was pulled before a vote, accompanied by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price (L) and Vice President Mike Pence, in Washington, U.S. March 24, 2017. REUTERS/Carlos Barria] Bailouts simply paper over Obamacare’s cost problems. This month could mark a turning point in national health policy. Big insurance companies have been pressuring Congress for a bailout—in the form of more taxpayer s... more »
Russia and Nazi Germany Fought a Ferocious Battle in 1943. Moscow Paid a Big Price.
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* Although ultimately successful in liberating Novorossiysk, twin Soviet amphibious landings proved costly in February 1943. The year 1943 began badly for the German Army on the Eastern Front. After a great struggle at Stalingrad, German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus surrendered himself and his Sixth Army on January 31. Powerful sledgehammer blows from the strengthening Red Army began to shudder the entire southern flank of the German Army. In the Caucasus, the Soviet steamroller started clearing the Taman Peninsula to eliminate the Ger... more »
Why Saudi Arabia Just Bought One of America's Most Controversial Warships
*Zachary Keck* *Security, Middle East* Care to take a guess which it could be? Lockheed Martin has taken the first steps in fulfilling a massive naval deal it reached with Saudi Arabia last year. As first reported by the *Motley Fool*, the Pentagon awarded Lockheed $481.1 million for "long-lead-time material" to begin construction of four Multi-Mission Surface Combatant (MMSC) ships. The MMSC ships are modified versions of the Freedom-class Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), which Lockheed also makes. Last November, the Pentagon had awarded the company a $22.74 million contract to wor... more »
The Maker of the AK-47 Just Released Footage of Its Robot Tank
*Task and Purpose, Jared Keller* *Security, Europe* And its totally insane. Kalashnikov Concern may be known for its ubiquitous and durable AK-47 assault rifle, but the Russian defense contractor’s been cooking up some other exciting weaponry and vehicles in recent months. A slick new handgun! A pop-up riot shield! Toy guns, even! But the most exciting futuristic murder gadget on the legendary weapons manufacturer’s radar might be its BAS-01G Soratnik “Comrade-in-Arms,” an autonomous unmanned combat vehicle designed to tear it up in every which way — at least, according to a ne... more »
5 Ways Trump Could Stumble into a War with North Korea
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, Asia* Yes, it could happen. Here's how. Notwithstanding Donald Trump’s immediate acceptance of Kim Jong-un’s invitation to meet this May, the Korean Peninsula is still one of the more volatile areas of the world. The inter-Korean summit set to take place this April at Panmunjom and the Trump-Kim sit-down a month later will no doubt cools the temperature briefly. It’s easy to look at all of the smiles, handshakes, and positivity surrounding the Winter Olympic Games in South Korea and imagine for a moment that Pyongyang and Seoul are on the cusp of ... more »
Marijuana Legalization And The 2018 Congressional Elections
[image: Goal Thermometer]As you may know, Blue America has been working with the Greenwave PAC to help candidates campaigning on marijuana legalization with ads like the one above-- and the one below. Progressive candidates campaigning on legalization can be found-- and supported-- by clicking on the Blue America Green Wave thermometer on the right. NORML is also working hard for candidates including legalization in their platforms. This week they released an awesome Marijuana Law Reform Candidate Packet. The packet encourages candidates to consider adding the issue to their plat... more »
Polls Are Now Opened In Russia To Elect A President
*Reuters*: *Putin on track for commanding win as Russians head to polls* PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, Russia (Reuters) - Russians began voting in a presidential election on Sunday set to give Vladimir Putin a commanding victory that could only be blemished if large numbers do not bother taking part because the result is so predictable. On Russia’s eastern edge, in the Pacific coast city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, polling stations opened at 2000 hrs GMT, and voting across the vast country will run until polls close at the westernmost point, the Kaliningrad region, 22 hours later. ... more »
Musical Interlude: Vangelis, “Message”
Vangelis, “Message” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZpTTokiCrE
"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. *Click image for larger size.* 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. Below Alnitak is the Flame Nebula, with clouds of bright emission and dramatic ... more »
Chet Raymo, “Retirement”
* “Retirement”* by Chet Raymo "Farewell, thou busy world! And may We never meet again! Here I can eat and sleep and pray, And do more good in one short day Than he who his whole age outwears Upon the most conspicuous theatres, Where naught but vanity and vice do reign." "The first verse from a poem called "The Retirement" by Charles Cotton (1630-1687), a friend of Izaak Walton, about his private fishing retreat on the river Dove. The poem was incorporated into Walton's "The Compleat Angler." And what do I make of it, now, in retirement? All these hours on... more »
Israeli warplanes attack Gaza with early morning strikes
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (2:48 A.M)- The Gaza Strip came under attack again tonight, as Israeli warplanes and artillery, opened fire upon targets throughout the besieged coastal enclave. The Israeli shellings were primarily reported to have taken place in the East of Gaza, in the Zeitoun neighborhoods and surround al-Bureij Refugee Camp. A confirmed civilian injury, reported […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Thousands Flee The Besieged Damascus Suburb Of Ghouta
*CNN:* *Airstrikes hit Syrian enclave where many are fleeing, activists say* (CNN)Airstrikes rained down again Saturday in the Syrian enclave of Eastern Ghouta, according to activist group Damascus Media Center, as swarms of civilians continued to pour out of the battered rebel-held area not far from the nation's capital. Officials with different groups have placed widely varying figures of the number of refugees who are leaving Eastern Ghouta. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) says more 12,000 people have fled in the past few days. Syria's ambassad... more »
Turkey's Afrin Offensive Has Displaced More Than 200,000 Civilians In Three days
*BBC*: *Syria war: 'Civilians killed' as thousands flee Turkish air strikes* A number of civilians have been killed by Turkish shelling and air strikes while trying to flee the embattled Syrian city of Afrin, reports say. Kurdish media spoke of dozens killed and wounded on Friday night alone while a UK-based monitoring group reported further deaths on Saturday. A resident told the BBC that shells on Friday had hit cars packed with people and air strikes had hit a hospital. At least 150,000 people have reportedly fled the Kurdish-majority city. Turkey denies targeting civilians. It... more »
Stormy Daniels and New York Times Co. v. Sullivan
Stormy Daniels’ effort to talk about her affair with Donald Trump is better protected by the First Amendment than contract law. The Supreme Court in *New York Times Co. v. Sullivan *(1964) limited the power of states to pass tort laws that chill or suppress speech about the qualities of public officials or candidates for public office. The specific decision in *Sullivan*was that the constitutional interest in vigorous debate over the vices and virtues of public officials constitutionally outweighs the interest of those officials in suppressing negligently false speech about themse... more »
What Would Work In Afghanistan. Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” or Carl von Clausewitz’s “On War”?
U.S. Army 1st Lt. David T. Broyles watches as his men leave Observation Post Rocky with Afghan National Army Soldiers in Kunar province, Afghanistan, July 19, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Gary A. Witte *Shazar Shafqat, The Hill*:* 6,000 days into Afghanistan, US needs a lesson from Sun Tzu * On Monday, the war in Afghanistan marked its 6,000th day. Ending violence in Afghanistan appears, at times, to be a forlorn dream, but the recent developments suggest the U.S. policymakers might actually get the job of striking the perfect balance between military strikes with comprehensi... more »
"What They Long For..."
“Caged birds accept each other but flight is what they long for.” - Tennessee Williams, “Camino Real”
“Noam Chomsky: Why Americans Are Paranoid About Everything (Including Zombies)”
*“Noam Chomsky: * *Why Americans Are Paranoid About Everything (Including Zombies)”* by AlterNet “The following is a transcript of a part of an interview Noam Chomsky recently did with a group of students via Skype. Towards the end, a student asks the linguist and critic the quirky question why zombies figure so prominently in American popular culture. He replied with a brilliant analysis of the history of fear in America. *Question:* This might sound kind of random, but I would really like to ask your opinion of why you think there's this preoccupation with the apocolypse and wit... more »
Paulo Coelho, "The Mouse And The Books"
*"The Mouse And The Books"* by Paulo Coelho "When I was interned in Dr. Eiras Hospital, I began to have panic crises. One day, I decided to consult the psychiatrist in charge of my case: “Doctor, I am overcome by fear; it takes from me the joy of living.” “Here in my office there is a mouse that eats my books”, said the doctor. “If I get desperate about this mouse, he will hide from me and I will do nothing else in life but hunt him. Therefore, I put the most important books in a safe place and let him gnaw some others. In this way, he is still a mouse and does not become a monster... more »
Does int'l media get sore arms from carrying so much water for Beijing?
[image: DSC_0280] *The sign on the left sign cries out for captioning.* Warning... long post ahead. Yesterday President Trump of the US signed the Taiwan Travel Act. The act is simply a "sense of Congress" resolution and does not require anything; the President already has the power to order officials to Taiwan. But it is an important symbolic move (see Shannon Tiezzi's sturdy backgrounder at The Diplomat). Of course, the reporting was appallingly pro-China. Rupert Hammond-Chambers of the US-Taiwan Business Council neatly encapsulated the media's service to Beijing: R J Hammond-Ch... more »
Tsargrad TV: Russia Preventing the US from Establishing a Global GMO Dictatorship
American scientists recently found that RT and Sputnik outscored competitors from the US on the number of articles they publish on GMOs. The researchers expressed fears that the activity of the Russian media could harm the American GMO industry, which intends to establish a dictatorship over the global food market. Source: Tsargrad TV, By Kamran […] The post Tsargrad TV: Russia Preventing the US from Establishing a Global GMO Dictatorship appeared first on Sustainable Pulse.
Did Obama’s Justice Department Force the FBI to Delete 500,000 Fugitives from a Background Check Database?
A Justice Department decision made under Obama and implemented under Trump has garnered bipartisan criticism for its effect on the national background check system.
Afghan Refugess Are Returning Home To Rebuild
An aerial view of Kabul, Afghanistan January 1, 2017. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail *The Guardian:* *Pressure builds in 'powderkeg' Kabul as refugees return home * *As Pakistan deports thousands of Afghans, informal settlements are adding to the intense strain on Kabul’s resources – with potentially disastrous results* Racing against the setting sun to wind up the day’s labour, Shukour takes a few steps back and surveys his construction site. As the dust from the drilling settles back on the 50 square metres of rock that will become the foundations of his new house in Kabul, he stops ... more »
Bill Maher has a message for Democrats and I think we need to listen.
I think that sometimes Bill Maher can be a little strident, and I certainly do not agree with him on all issues. But his defense of Nancy Pelosi here is spot on. And his call for Democrats to start showing some real balls goes right along with my thinking these last several years as well. I always thought that our first Democratic Senator in decades, Mark Begich, could actually have won a second term if he had only acted more like Congressman for life Don Young. I do not mean ideologically of course, but when people criticize Don Young he says "fuck you!" And I don't mean that fi... more »
Senators-- Democratic Senators-- Who Vote To Confirm Trump's New Cabinet Garbage Are Voting For Torture As A Legitimate Policy
*Revolving Door by Nancy Ohanian* The Trump White Mad House is still a chaotic mess, in complete turmoil orchestrated my the fool Putin placed there. Supposedly, at least according to the *Wall Street Journal* John Kelly is staying on-- for now-- as chief of staff. H.R. McMaster, on the other hand, will be replaced as soon as Trump can persuade someone to take the job. This week a West Wing staffer in Señor Trumpanzee's White House was widely quoted saying that "This is the most toxic working environment on the planet... There's no leadership, no trust, no direction and at this poin... more »
New Study Finds Antidepressants to be “Largely Ineffective and Potentially Dangerous”
*Alex Pietrowski* - "Antidepressants are largely ineffective and potentially harmful."
Opium Production In Afghanistan Reaches Record High
*WNU editor: *When the war in Afghanistan ends one day .... and it will end one day. The number one social/medical crisis that Afghanistan will need to face is the problem of opium production and addiction.
One Swamp Dweller Down, Several Thousand To Go
Andrew McCabe Canned - no pension for the wicked. One down, a few thousand to go... Continue reading →
Here Are Some New Russian Battlefield Tactics
*National Interest*: *Russia's Devious New Battlefield Tactic: Use Tanks as Decoys to Kill Enemy Artillery* Russia has unveiled a devious new battlefield tactic: use tanks as decoys in order to hunt down enemy artillery batteries. It's a bait-and-switch con job that relies on relies on Russian tanks, drones, artillery—and an opponent that is just a tad gullible. The technique works like this, according to Russia's Sputnik News: When facing an enemy that has artillery, Russia will attempt to locate the enemy batteries and destroy them through counterbattery fire. The problem, which... more »
Fired McCabe Kept Personal Memos Regarding Trump
Andrew McCabe, the onetime FBI deputy just fired by the attorney general, kept personal memos describing interactions with the president that are similar to the notes compiled by dismissed FBI chief James Comey.
Mayotte unrest: French island residents round up 'foreigners' per BBC News
'About 70% of the 10,000 babies born every year in the island's only maternity hospital in the main town of Mamoudzou are born to illegal migrants, mainly from the Comoran islands, according to official statistics.' 70% of babies born to illegal migrants, how long before London reaches that figure? BBC report here http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-43443716
Iran Fails In Breaking Away From The U.S. Dollar
A money changer counts out US dollars for a customer, Tehran, Iran, Jan. 20, 2016. REUTERS/Raheb Homavandi *Maziar Motamedi, Al-Monitor:* *Iran's break with dollar easier said than done* A little over two weeks ago, Iran eliminated another function of the US dollar in its internal workings in a move positioned amid yearslong plans to reduce dependency on the greenback. The consequences will be manifold and interconnected, but there are discrepancies in views concerning what will happen as a result among experts and officials. On Feb. 28, the Ministry of Industry, Mine and Trade an... more »
Climate Tricks 66, Ignoring the implications of worsening cosmic rays situation
For those who keep believing that global warming and climate change is anthropogenic or man-made, who believe that they can "fight" GW and CC via more government, more UN, more carbon taxes, more renewables cronyism, more climate bureaucracies, more global climate meetings, please widen your mind. Natural or nature-made GW and CC is factual than CO2-is-pollutant-evil drama. https://www.thegwpf.com/content/uploads/2018/03/SvensmarkLondon2018.pdf More galactic cosmic rays (GCRs), more cloud cover, more cooling of the planet. Conversely, less GCRs, less clouds, more warming of the plan... more »
Even after he got him fired Donald Trump cannot stop attacking former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe.
As the House Intelligence Committee has concluded, there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump Campaign. As many are now finding out, however, there was tremendous leaking, lying and corruption at the highest levels of the FBI, Justice & State. #DrainTheSwamp — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 17, 2018 The Fake News is beside themselves that McCabe was caught, called out and fired. How many hundreds of thousands of dollars was given to wife’s campaign by Crooked H friend, Terry M, who was also under investigation? How many lies? How many leaks? Comey knew it all, a... more »
In Wake of Two Russian Murder Plots in UK, Russia Threatens Nuclear War
[image: in-wake-of-two-russian-murder-plots-in-uk-russia-issues-threat-of-nuclear-war] In the wake of the attempted murder of a former Russian spy and the murder of a Russian businessman, the Russian Bear is showing its true colors. With indications that the Kremlin is behind the nerve agent poisoning of Sergei Skripal and his daughter as well as the murder of Nikolai Glushkov, Russia threatened the UK — where both attacks took place — with nuclear war.
Breaking: Ceasefire announced in strategic East Ghouta suburb
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:15 P.M.) – The Syrian Ministry of Defense announced a 24 hour ceasefire in the strategic suburb of Harasta in the East Ghouta. According to the Ministry of Defense, the 24 hour ceasefire is being implemented to allow civilians to flee the war zone in Harasta. The ceasefire could be expended, depending on […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Syrian district occupied by ‘terrorists’
Instead of being a pawn of U.S. foreign policy, the Trudeau government should formally withdraw from the U.S. Coalition, rescind its illegal economic sanctions against Syria, re-establish diplomatic relations with Damascus and work with the United Nations to find a political solution to the crisis. The post Syrian district occupied by ‘terrorists’ appeared first on OrientalReview.org.
GD stock buybacks
General Dynamics bought back $14.4 billion of their own stocks from 2009-2017 driving up market value. They paid their CEO $21 million in 2016. They don't need $45 million from Maine.
Arctic Methane
Two recent papers enrich our understanding of interactions between oceans, ice and dissolved methane. The latest one is described in a Science Daily article Wandering greenhouse gas Climate models need to take into account the interaction between methane, the Arctic Ocean and ice by E. Damm et al. of Alfred Wegener Institute March 16, 2018. Excerpts […]
Natural Gas – New England: LNG-by-rail to the rescue?
By Paul Homewood Ironic news from New England, as the global oil and gas consultancy GCA reports: Natural Gas – New England: LNG-by-rail to the rescue? The Massachusetts legislature has adopted a very green agenda in recent months, which has resulted in a stance against fossil fuels that some critics are pointing to […]
Day 34: Lenten vigil at BIW today
Photos by Peter Woodruff (retired BIW worker) Bob Klotz rode his bicycle to BIW again from South Portland against a heavy wind and extreme cold. It took him about four hours. That is commitment.
The Daily "Near You?"
Demopolis, Alabama, USA. Thanks for stopping by!
10 Years After- An Anniversary. A Milestone
*It was ten years ago this very date I published the first post on this here weblog.* *Whew, what a whole lot of learning along the way! I'm not kidding. There are 4,410 published posts.* *I'm unsure of how many news articles, interviews, book reviews, enlightening shows etc., have been gathered in this one place? Or just how much information has been consumed over this past decade that has enlightened me personally as well as you all over this time period?* *When I think back, it's certain that is has been quite a lot! * *Take a gander at the first post - Looking back I realize both ... more »
Nikola Danalylov and David Wood on Transcending Politics
Ethical Technology - 8 hours ago
“There’s no escape: the journey to a healthier society inevitably involves politics.” This is how well-known futurist David Wood starts his most recent book Transcending Politics: A Technoprogressive Roadmap to a Comprehensively Better Future. And so I thought I’d bring him back on Singularity.FM to share with us how exactly is it he suggests that we transcend politics. During our 2 hours 15 min conversation with David Wood we cover a variety of interesting topics such as: why politics is the future of technology; why technology is not enough; why intelligence is not enough; the t... more »
High School Climate Change Term Paper for Those Who Don’t Want to Follow the Herd
In the above video, it highlights many of the principles that we’ve discussed on this blog, and are not taught in your average high school climate change high lecture. This video, however, provides much of the information to debunk the climate change alarmism. Term Paper Points: In the video, it highlights that CO2 has 3 … Continue reading "High School Climate Change Term Paper for Those Who Don’t Want to Follow the Herd"
The Mad King
Robert Reich - 9 hours ago
Trump is moving into a new and more dangerous phase.Before, he was constrained by a few “adults” –... more »
Australia Solved The Gun Problem. We Can Too
*-by Reese Erlich* Progressives aren’t supposed to say this. But none of the major gun control proposals now being debated in Washington would actually stop mass shootings. I know that sounds heretical, or even worse, like an echo of the National Rifle Association line. But it’s true. *An AR-15 assault rifle* Let’s take a look: *Ban sales of AR-15 and other assault rifles.* Assault rifles are deadly. But other semi-automatic weapons, which would not be banned, are just as dangerous. And even if all semi-automatic rifles were banned, Americans still have access to plenty of deadl... more »
"To Choose Well..."
“To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.” - Kofi Annan
Russia Claims US Deploys Warships For Imminent Attack On Syria, Trains Militants For False Flag Attack
[image: undefined] Last April, in one of the Trump administration's first "diplomatic" ventures, the US fired 59 Tomahawk missiles on Syria, in stated retaliation for the latest alleged chemical attack by the Assad regime, the same "false flag" excuse which was used by the US to officially enter the conflict back in 2013 when military tensions between the US and Russia nearly resulted in a regional war. Well, it appears that Assad is a relentless glutton for punishment, because not even a year later, the WaPo reported two weeks ago that the US is considering a new military action a... more »
Lettre ouverte au Président de la République du Sénégal
bilaterals.org - 9 hours ago
17-Mar-2018 Objet : demandes de rencontre, d'annulation de votre signature de l'APE et d'expulsion de la France du franc CFA.
Jax Jones ft Ina Wroldsen - Breathe
Unfortunately, just as one of this year's big ructions convulses Westminster I find my writing powers have gone on holiday. As readers will have noted 2018 isn't proving to be as prolific as recent years, so bear with us. I'm not dead and neither is this place, though infrequent forays are likely to reign here for the next few weeks. That may mean a break from writing, but not from my music taste. *Which is the real reason why you come here*. Far be it of me to disappoint, here's a ditty that has gone down a storm with the yoof.
“Rome, France, Germany; Now Washington/Wall Street (W^2)”
*“Rome, France, Germany; Now Washington/Wall Street (W^2)”* by W K Darcy "For the last two decades, a common theme amongst “non pro-government” journalists and writers has been the comparison of the W^2 duumvirate to the Roman Empire citing the parallels, excesses, corruption, more corruption , MORE corruption and EVEN MORE! Corruption and breakdowns which are part of the life-cycle of all empires. Since WWII, but greatly intensifying under the reign of Bush the First (after the fall of the Soviet Union), Washington and its deep-state complex have consistently created wars around th... more »
College Library Calls “God Bless You,” “Merry Christmas” Oppressive Language
[image: college-library-calls-god-bless-you-merry-christmas-oppressive-language] The library at a college in Boston has issued guidelines for “oppressive” language, and common Christian greetings are especially targeted.
March 17: Just as I Thought it Couldn't Get Worse
We are in very serious trouble. All the principals we were told we were fighting for in World War Two have been abandoned. The Canadian Legion, which should be challenging that, has not done so – and it won’t. It feels that any criticism of our governments is a criticism of our veterans. It’s not. Nobody is blaming them for our betrayal. We should be blaming ourselves for the horror that is shaping up. We sent Canadians to kill in illegal wars in Libya and Syria. And we did it without declaring war. We have put Canadians in danger in Eastern Europe, as bootlickers for the U.S. gover... more »
Flaming Sparky Car Batman!
What happens when a Tesla hits a tree? Continue reading →
Russian Exiles In The U.K. Want Better Security
Yulia, 33, and Sergei Skripal, 66, are both fighting for their lives following the poison plot and it has sparked panic among wealthy Russians in Britain *BBC:* *Russian exiles contacted over safety after tycoon murder* UK police have begun to contact a number of Russian exiles to discuss their safety as they investigate the murder of businessman Nikolai Glushkov. The 68-year-old's body was discovered at his south-London home on 12 March. A post-mortem examination has found he died from "compression to the neck". The UK granted Mr Glushkov political asylum in 2010 after he fled Mos... more »
Trump attorney's push to move Stormy Daniels case to federal court and threaten to sue her for 20 million dollars.
Courtesy of CNN: *Attorneys defending President Donald Trump and the company of his personal legal counsel, Michael Cohen, have filed to move the lawsuit against their clients by porn star Stormy Daniels to federal court and are claiming she could owe as much as $20 million for violating a nondisclosure agreement. * *The move marks the first time attorneys for Trump himself have joined the legal action in the Daniels matter. * *Attorney Charles Harder -- best known for representing Hulk Hogan in his lawsuit against Gawker, which resulted in its bankruptcy -- is handling the case ... more »
Incredible letter to editor by BIW worker
*In Support of Activists and the First Amendment * *Times Record Letters (Brunswick)* Today’s lesson (and it is a hard one): I have worked at BIW since 1986 and I love my job, but I worry about its future. People worry about their jobs and worry about the future of our state and the world in general. And all I want to say is we have to be prepared to listen, really listen to each other. And educate ourselves, there is always more than one side to a story. And to let ALL sides speak about their fears, hopes, and expectations. To be open to other opportunities that present themselv... more »
Russia Expels 23 British Diplomats And Has Closed The Consulate General In St. Petersburg
*TASS:* *Russia to expel 23 British diplomats, close consulate general in St. Petersburg* *Twenty three diplomats of the British Embassy in Moscow have been declared personae non gratae and will be expelled within a week’s time* MOSCOW, March 17. /TASS/. Twenty three British diplomats have been declared personae non gratae and will be expelled within a week, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Saturday. "On March 17, British Ambassador to Moscow Laurie Bristow was summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry where he was handed a note saying that in response to provocati... more »
Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. - Lana Payne writes about the need for real wage increases to relieve the financial stress on Canadian workers. - Sheila Block examines the relative effects of tax cuts and minimum wage increases on lower-income workers, and finds that people are far better off receiving fair pay for their work than being told they'll be cut off of provincial tax rolls. And Elise Gould studies the experience of U.S. states to the effect that minimum-wage increases improve incomes for a large number of workers. - Meanwhile, Alec Schierenbeck points out the... more »
Resist (Carefully!) the Parade Nonsense: Confidence speaks louder than symbolism
Nothing expresses lack of inner confidence like bluster. Sure, we all know — and even supporters avow — that our president blusters, like no one else. So the latest imperative from the Commander-in-Chief should come as no surprise; a direct order to the Pentagon. *To march.* *(Note: This missive is cross-posted on MEDIUM, where I'll put up some of my items meriting wider coverage.)* Of course, showy military displays go back millennia, to ancient Egypt and Greece and beyond. Yet, the U.S. has no consistent tradition of big military parades, especially since the Second World War. Wh... more »
Many Americans have no clue what transpired in Syria. Here are 3 narratives explaining the conflict in Syria
Syrian War For Dummies - Three Versions More The post Many Americans have no clue what transpired in Syria. Here are 3 narratives explaining the conflict in Syria appeared first on The Duran.
Hatgate (2)
Jess Brammar The acting co-editor of *Newsnight *responds to Owen Jones: *Jess Brammar*: - Ok, it’s Saturday & I’m in the hairdresser but my phone is having a meltdown so I’m going to address this - I’ve been staying out of it because I haven’t been in the office since thurs afternoon, but here we go...*Newsnight *didn’t photoshop a hat. - Our (excellent,hardworking) graphics team explained the image has had the contrast increased & been colour treated, usual treatment for screen graphics as they need more contrast to work through the screens. If you look ... more »
Even Though U.S. Forces In Africa Are Not Seeking Combat, The Combat Seems To Seek Them
A US Special Forces soldier demonstrates how to detain a suspect during Flintlock 2014, a US-led international training mission for African militaries in Diffa, Niger. (Reuters / Joe Penney) *Task & Purpose:** US Troops In Africa Aren’t Seeking Combat, But They Keep Finding It Anyway * U.S. troops in Africa may be killing bad guys – and getting shot at in the process – but most of them are not there on a combat mission, Department of Defense officials insist. In December, a combined force of U.S. and Nigerien troops killed 11 Islamic State fighters during a mission in Niger – just... more »
Despite the Morally Bankrupt West's Reputational Attacks...Russia keeps eye on the ball - Winning Syria
*Syrian child being evacuated out of Ghouta, Syria* Today is a national election day in Russia. In the build-up to this event over the past week or so, the morally bankrupt and criminally insane West has launched an unprecedented propaganda, dysinfo effort to disrupt the event. The obvious goal is to try and provoke voter apathy in Russia so that Putin will not get the overwhelming vote of support from Russian citizens that he deserves and needs to meet the challenges ahead. It is *exactly* the kind of electoral interference that the West is hypocritically and falsely railing a... more »
Lil' Goebbels 2.0
“What if our politicians weren’t the bitch of the NRA?” Apologizes to Alfred Eisenstaedt "We are suddenly useful to the old people of America. Many of those my age have no idea they are being played as fools. They are literally tools for a movement they know almost nothing about." - *Cole Sherman*
Graphic pictures: Scores of Al-Qaeda militants slayed during botched assault on besieged Shiite-majority towns in Syria’s Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:35 P.M.) – On Saturday, Al-Qaeda-linked jihadist militants in northern Idlib province attempted to break through government lines at the long-besieged Shiite-majority towns of Fouaa and Kafraya. The assault, described as an infiltration operation by local military-affiliated sources who first reported the event, was stopped dead in its tracks by local Syrian pro-government […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Breaking: Another massive flood of civilians fleeing rebel areas reaches Syrian Army lines in east Damascus – statistics
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:49 P.M.) – Saturday has witnessed another massive flood of civilians fleeing areas of Damascus’ East Ghouta region under the control of militant groups reach Syrian Army lines. According to Russian and Syrian sources, anywhere between 7,000 (per Russian military) to 10,000 (per Syrian Ministry of Defence) civilians have exited the combat zone […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Moscow Expels 23 UK Diplomats & Shuts British Council in Retaliation as Spy Row Deepens
RT Published on Mar 17, 2018 The Russian Foreign Ministry said 23 UK diplomats must leave Russia in response to Britain’s “provocative actions and groundless accusations” over ex-double agent Sergei Skripal’s poisoning. The British Council will also be shut. end
Outrage About that New Yorker Mag's Cover Picture of a Trump...
*has nothing to do with an unlovely depiction of the president.* The artist, Barry Blitt, makes his living by drawing unlovely caricatures of important people. Upon viewing the image I immediately dumped it in the "who gives a sh*t' file. Yet a number of people are outraged. Why? Because, dear friends, it's fat shaming. That's right. It the latest crazy SJW assault on our senses and intelligence that claims being fat is not only okay, it may even be perceived as beautiful. We are now assaulted with models who are beyond what anyone would deem a bit fluffy, and are so grossly ov... more »
Review Hiro, Dilip, Iraq, In the Eye of the Storm
*Review Hiro, Dilip, **Iraq, In the Eye of the Storm**, New York: Thunder’s Mouth Press/Nation Books, 2002* This is the second book by Dilip Hiro that I’ve read on Iraq and I enjoyed both. *Iraq In The Eye of the Storm* covers Iraq from the Gulf War right up to before the 2003 invasion. Each chapter has a theme such as life for ordinary Iraqis under sanctions, the Iraqi opposition, the Kurds, the impact of 9/11, etc. The three most interesting parts were on the mid-1990s plots against Saddam, the coup proofing of the regime by Saddam, and the U.N. weapons inspections. First, in 1... more »
Because of March 17th
*It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without some war tunes.* The Old Black Brimmer The Boys of the Old Brigade Come out Ye Black and Tans The Wild Rover (not a war tune) Ok, and a bit of Metalica - Whiskey in the Jar
This Day In Iraqi History - Mar 17
1917 British forces captured Baquba from Ottomans 1935 PM Midfai forced to resign due to tribal revolt Yasin al-Hashemi became PM of Iraq 2ndtime with National Brotherhood Party in cabinet 1941 After consulting with UK For Min Suwaidi convinced PM Hashemi and Regent to move against Golden Square officers 1941 Golden Square officers called on army to overthrow Hashemi 1975 Iraq and Iran Foreign Ministers signed agreement to create three committees to resolve outstanding issues 1975 US Sec State Kissinger responded to Barzani saying that US underst... more »
BREAKING: This is where the discourse goes!
*SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 2018Brooke Baldwin, report to the madhouse:* Yesterday's biggest event may have been what Barry McCaffrey said. According to Brian Williams, McCaffrey "was the youngest and most heavily decorated four-star general in the history of the U.S. Army." He was also commander in chief of Southern Command, then later a U.S. drug czar. McCaffrey is a major figure. Here's what he said on Twitter: "Reluctantly, I have concluded that President Trump is a serious threat to U.S. national security. He is refusing to protect vital U.S. interests from active Russian attacks. I... more »
Good advice on reducing major medical expenses
A writer styling himself "hedgeless_horseman" offers a detailed article on how to negotiate with medical service providers, to reduce their bills by as much as 80% or more, if you're lucky. It's very long, but packed full of useful advice, and is worth reading - particularly if, like me, you're older, and can expect your medical expenses to increase. Here's a brief excerpt. Primarily, this talk is to educate those of you that are, now, or may be, in the future, responsible for paying for your own healthcare. It is not directed at the nearly half of America that is now on Medicar... more »
'T is an Oldie But Goodie, 'T is
A conservative Irish judge went pub crawling after a hard Friday at court. He was known as a law and order judge and had an image to maintain but after such a hard day, his Irish thirst was raging. After he crawled out of his 6th pub, he vomited all over his brand new suit and racked his reeling brain for what to tell his teetotaling wife Brigit. Then he got a brilliant idea. He poured himself through the front door and said in an outraged voice, "Ah, Brigit, you'll never guess what happened to me this very night. I was walking home from the courthouse and this ... more »
Sarah Palin flew all the way to Florida, and all she got for her troubles was an absentee president, and an inattentive crowd. Update!
Courtesy of WaPo: *If they came to see the president, they were disappointed. But the well-dressed crowd of Republican activists who gathered at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club here Friday night still got a glimpse of party royalty. * *There by the poolside, in a pink shirt and sport jacket, was Donald Trump Jr., the president’s eldest son. And the headliner of the night was Sarah Palin, the former Alaska governor and vice presidential candidate, who could not help but observe the differences between the palm-fringed setting and her home state. * *“Just days ago I was out plow... more »
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