11:25 pm MDT
Watch This CH-47 Chinook Conduct An Incredible Mount Hood Rescue
*Warzone/The Drive:* *Watch This CH-47 Chinook Stick An Awesome Pinnacle Landing During Mount Hood Rescue* Fighting high-altitude and high-temperature conditions, the CH-47 crew did what only the CH-47 can to get everyone off the summit safely. Mount Hood, just an hour's drive from Portland, is one of the most beautiful mountains in the world. That beauty and easy access draws a lot of climbers and adventure seekers, a handful of which will require rescue. When alpine rescue teams can't get the job done, Oregon's national guard choppers are brought in to execute what are often ... more »
If You Believe Everyone Should Bow Before the Queen, Win The War Next Time
In *today’s edition* of “everything Trump does must prompt outrage” moment, DJT visited with Queen Lizzy 2, and together they inspected a contingent of handsome Royal Guardsmen on the lawn of Windsor Castle. Apparently, at one point, it looks like the President managed to briefly step in front of the Queen as they walked. This naturally, was enough to turn some formerly freedom loving people into loyalists demanding absolute subjugation to the throne. The lovely Ladies at The Huffington Post were on this vitally important story..... "The royal family adheres to a strict code of ... more »
Elon Musk the socialist vs Elon Musk the anti-socialist
This is not from The Onion, this is from his twitter account, I simply copy-pasted. A friend suggested that perhaps Elon associates himself with "voluntary socialism". For me that term is an oxymoron, a contradiction in terms, it does not exist. Socialism by nature is never voluntary, it is done by coercion, by force. The state will socialize the means of production -- land, factories, etc, by force and legislation. Voluntary giving like the Gates Foundation, many others is the one that is voluntary. No one put a gun on the heads of those people and their donors to give away thei... more »
Picture Of The Day
Alpha jets from the French Air Force Patrouille de France fly during the traditional Bastille Day military parade on the Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes *WNU Editor:* The above picture is from this photo-gallery .... *Bastille Day in France* (Reuters).
Fly Alongside The World's Largest Airplane (Video)
*Business Insider: **Fly alongside the world's largest airplane with this unusual video* The Antonov An-225 Mriya ("Dream" in Ukrainian language) is the world's largest airplane. Designed at the end of Cold War, its main purpose was to carry the Soviet "Buran" space shuttle and parts of the "Energia" rocket. Currently, the sole existing example (UR-82060) is used commercially, as an international cargo transporter. Mriya is not the largest aircraft ever built: this title belongs to the Hughes H-4 Spruce Goose hydroplane, that made only a single flight. The An-225 is performing a ... more »
Tour de Boulder Photos
Just back from an evening ride to NCAR, and met a few friends along the way. I’m trying to figure out what to do with this guy, who seems to have gotten himself into a bind.
Haiti’s Prime Minister Steps Down Over Fuel Prices, Violence
From VOA news: “Haiti’s PM Steps Down Over Fuel Prices, Violence July 14, 2018 6:29 PM VOA News Haiti’s prime … Continue reading →
Did You Lose Many Twitter Followers This Week?
I went out to lunch the other day and by chance I noted that I happened to have 14.5 Twitter followers. 90 minutes later I got how and noticed I had 14.2 Twitter followers. How did that happen? Some kind of organized assault by the Blue Dogs or the NRCC (or DCCC)? I was amused and asked some of my friends. They had all lost a load of followers so at least it wasn't just me being singled out. I figured out that Twitter was doing what they had promised to do-- but it *wasn't* about getting rid of bots. Vijaya Gadde is Twitter's lead counsel and the company's director of communicatio... more »
The U.S. Air Force's Valkyrie Drone Will Be Flying This Year
Kratos Defense *Popular Mechanics*: *The Air Force Valkyrie Drone, a Sidekick for Human-Piloted Planes, Will Fly This Year* The X-58A is planned as a “loyal wingman” to crewed combat aircraft. Later this year, the U.S. Air Force will test a new concept drone designed to act like a sidekick to combat planes with human pilots. The service sees the XQ-58A “Valkyrie,” or something very much like it, as a cost-effective way to augment the service’s current aircraft fleet. Kratos, a builder of target drones, has been developing the XQ-58A. Under the Air Force’s “loyal wingman” concept, ... more »
Sea ice is critical habitat for polar bears from late fall through late spring only
Originally posted on polarbearscience: Sea ice is said to be “an essential habitat for polar bears” but that’s an overly simplistic advocacy meme as ridiculous as the “no sea ice, no polar bears” message with which the public is constantly bombarded. Polar bears require sea ice from late fall to late spring only: from early…
NASA Chief Describes What President Trump's Proposal For A Space Force Will Involve
Vice President Mike Pence, left, and NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine walk to Bridenstine’s office at NASA Headquarters on Monday. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls *Bloomberg: **Trump’s Space Force Will Guard the U.S. From Above, NASA Chief Says* NASA’s administrator is a strong defender of President Donald Trump’s proposals for space -- including an armed force and a permanent presence on the moon -- and says he wants Americans to realize how much their well-being depends on what happens far above Earth. “Every banking transaction requires a GPS signal for timing,” Jim Bridenstine sa... more »
U.S. Air Force Reveals Details On Some Of Its Most Secretive Drone Units When Awarding Medals To Its Crews
Meritorious Service Medals, in front, and Air Force Commendation Medals with the R devices. USAF *The Warzone/The Drive*: *USAF Reveals Details About Some Of Its Most Secretive Drone Units With New Awards* *The service gave out medals with a new "remote" operations device to one drone crew for their role in a controversial targeted strike.* The U.S. Air Force has handed out its first medals with an “R” device indicating the award is in relation to “remote” operations involving drones. In doing so, the service has also offered a rare acknowledgment of the secretive activities of it... more »
Clinton on Kavanaugh
Hillary Clinton claims that a SCOTUS justice who follows the constitution will return the country to the 1850s. Wow. I'm so thrilled I made the right choice for president. Maybe she should read her party's platform of 1856: "That Congress has no power under the Constitution, to interfere with or control the domestic institutions of the several States, and that such States are the sole and proper judges of everything appertaining to their own affairs, not prohibited by the Constitution; that all efforts of the abolitionists, or others, made to induce Congress to interfere with ques... more »
U.S. Director of National Intelligence Warns Of Devastating Cyber Threats To U.S. Infrastructure From Russia, North Korea, Iran, And China
*Reuters*:* U.S. intel chief warns of devastating cyber threat to U.S. infrastructure* WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. intelligence chief warned on Friday that the threat was growing for a devastating cyber assault on critical U.S. infrastructure, saying the “warning lights are blinking red again” nearly two decades after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Russia, China, Iran and North Korea are launching daily cyber strikes on the computer networks of federal, state and local government agencies, U.S. corporations, and academic institutions, said Director of National Intelligence Dan... more »
What Is The Surface Area Of A Cloud?
What is the surface area of a cloud? Bear in mind they are fractal in general shape. Continue reading →
Florida Gun, Mental Health Laws Couldn’t Have Stopped Parkland Massacre
Florida's gun and mental health laws likely could not have prevented school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz from buying the semi-automatic rifle authorities say he used to kill 17 people.
US Official: No Signs Russia Targeting Elections Like 2016
The U.S. homeland security secretary said there are no signs that Russia is targeting this year's midterm elections with the same "scale or scope" it targeted the 2016 presidential election.
What Are The Motivations That Will Decide The November Midterms?
I guess there weren't many DNC super-delegates voting in the massive YouGov poll released on Wednesday. It's a fascinating survey and I'm sure you'll be hearing lots more about it. But there were a couple of questions that I found especially interesting in light of the massive attack from rightists and "dentists" against Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez after her election. Questions 86 and 87 asked participants if they wished the candidates who run for Congress this year will be more or less like Donald Trump and more of less like Bernie. Overall, 30% of voters said they want congressional... more »
German Government Coalition Feuds On Raising The Defense Budget
*DW:* *German government feuds over military spending increases after NATO summit* Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives want more money for Germany's military. But their Social Democratic coalition partners have pushed back, warning that Germany should not cave into demands made by Donald Trump. A feud over how quickly to increase German defense spending has erupted within Germany's coalition government, days after US President Donald Trump blasted Germany at NATO summit for failing to invest quickly enough in its military. Germany most recently spent 1.24 percent of its GDP ... more »
Nicaragua News Updates -- July 14, 2018
*Globe and Mail/Reuters*: *Nicaragua students freed from church after violent night; one killed* Catholic bishops on Saturday secured the release of dozens of Nicaraguan student protesters trapped overnight inside in a church under a hail of gunfire from armed pro-government supporters, who killed at least one person inside, a human rights group said. The students took refuge inside the Divine Mercy Catholic Church on Friday after gunmen loyal to President Daniel Ortega began shooting at them at the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN) in Managua, prompting fresh cr... more »
The Potential Of You
We create our potential, we create the world around us based on what we are resonating with.
Brazil’s Proactive Plan To Fight Poverty By Preventing It Through Neuroscience & Parents Love
The outcome of this massive experiment from Brazil may change the way parents are raising their kids worldwide.
Cannabis has Become an Alternative to Addictive Opioids, New Study Shows
We are in dire need for safe and effective treatments that could replace addictive opioids.
Why Does NuScale SMR Look Like a 1964 Drawing of Swiss Lucens Nuclear Reactor (which suffered a major meltdown in 1969)?
Originally posted on Mining Awareness + : Whatever NuScale is, or is not, it clearly isn’t “new”. The Bible must have foreseen the…
When it comes to Nuclear Power, Small Isn’t Beautiful, Nor Safe Nor Cheap Nor Even New
Originally posted on Mining Awareness + : NuScale in 2003 when it belonged to the US Gov and was called “MULTI-APPLICATION, SMALL, LIGHT…
Haitian Prime Minister Resigns After A Week Of Riots And Strikes
*CNN:* *Haiti's Prime Minister resigns amid deadly protests* (CNN)Haiti's Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant resigned Saturday amid violent and deadly protests sparked by a proposed plan to raise fuel prices, according to President Jovenel Moise. Lafontant resigned before Parliament, which was due to host a vote of no confidence, Yves Germain Joseph, the general secretary of the National Palace, told CNN. Lafontant, who took office in February 2017, informed Moise of his resignation by letter. Moise accepted the resignation, Joseph said. Moise said on Twitter he would address the c... more »
Bomb Thrown At Belfast Home Of Ex-Sinn Fein Leader Gerry Adams
Gerry Adams speaks at an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, in Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 10, 2018. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo *Daily Mail:* *Gerry Adams calls on those responsible for bombing his home to 'have the guts and gumption to sit down and tell me what it's about' after six nights of violence blamed on the 'New IRA'* * Former Sinn Fein leader has called on those responsible to 'sit down and explain to me what this is about' * He also said those 'poisoning the atmosphere' in Belfast do the same * Attack occurred at homes of A... more »
Do I Believe In Fairies?
The answer to that question is no, I don’t. Do fairies exist? I don’t know. Children say they do. I suspect knowledge of this is beaten out of children by brainwashing or the inculcation of culture so they stop seeing … Continue reading →
Why Protest Betsy
This Monday, Betsy DeVos will be touring a public school in Erie, Pennsylvania (it's an ironic choice, considering how badly Erie's schools have suffered from "choice" and other nifty reform policies). This means that lots of pro-public education folks are mobilizing to make a strong, vocal, public protest in her immediate vicinity. And a lot of other people will be asking the question, "Why bother?' It's a valid question. And look-- here are some of the things that are not going to happen as a result of this or any other protest: DeVos is not going to say, "Dang! Look at all; these... more »
Week in review – science edition
Originally posted on Climate Etc.: by Judith Curry A few things that caught my eye this past week. North American mega droughts in the Common Era [link] Ice sheets interact with the atmosphere, ocean, lithosphere, sea ice, and biosphere. How does it all work? Via @AGU_Eos [link] A fresh take on ancient climate change in…
Musical Interlude: Neil H, "Moonpath"
Neil H, "Moonpath" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jia_o-PHLxw
"A Look to the Heavens"
"These are galaxies of the Hercules Cluster, an archipelago of island universes a mere 500 million light-years away. Also known as Abell 2151, this cluster is loaded with gas and dust rich, star-forming spiral galaxies but has relatively few elliptical galaxies, which lack gas and dust and the associated newborn stars. The colors in this remarkably deep composite image clearly show the star forming galaxies with a blue tint and galaxies with older stellar populations with a yellowish cast. *Click image for larger size.* The sharp picture spans about 3/4 degree across the cluster cent... more »
"No One In The World..."
“No one in the world was ever you before, with your particular gifts and abilities and possibilities. It’s a shame to waste those by doing what someone else has done.” - Joseph Campbell
"Be Like The Bird..."
"What matter if this base, unjust life Cast you naked and disarmed? If the ground breaks beneath your step, Have you not your soul? Your soul! You fly away, Escape to realms refined, Beyond all sadness and whimpering. Be like the bird which on frail branches balanced A moment sits and sings; He feels them tremble, but he sings unshaken, Knowing he has wings." – Victor Hugo
"Consider The Following..."
"Consider the following. We humans are social beings. We come into the world as the result of others' actions. We survive here in dependence on others. Whether we like it or not, there is hardly a moment of our lives when we do not benefit from others' activities. For this reason it is hardly surprising that most of our happiness arises in the context of our relationships with others. Nor is it so remarkable that our greatest joy should come when we are motivated by concern for others. But that is not all. We find that not only do altruistic actions bring about happiness but they a... more »
On Saboteurs and Sabotage
Ever got in a fight with one hand tied behind your back? Well, that was the situation Labour faced during last years general election, if *The Times* is to be believed. To hype a bit of interest in what otherwise sounds like a snoring boring slice of Blairist nostalgia, ex-spinner Tom Baldwin made this observation by way of "Shippers": Corbyn's aides sometimes demanded big spending on Facebook advertising for pet projects that southsiders [Labour HQ staff} regarded as a waste of money," Baldwin writes. He quotes an official explaining: "They wanted us to spend a fortune on some sc... more »
July 14: Making Canada a better place for billionaires
I was puzzled as I wrote the July 11 blog. What was Trump doing with his attacks on allies? But a day of thinking it over made me realize nothing has changed. 1. Trump wants more spending on the American defence industry -spending by allies as well as by Americans. The purpose means nothing for defence itself. It's purely to stuff the pockets of American defence billionaires. And that sort of thinking has been common for most American presidents after Eisenhower who saw this coming, and who warned against the 'military-industrial' alliance. 2. As for his criticisms of Canada and E... more »
Middle Finger Symphony Theater
** No Tuxedos Required ** Brought To You By *BluesJunky*: Honorary Chair of Music - Middle Finger Symphony Music Director *Thank You* *MJA* *for the Linkage!*
Another Phantom Indictment: Latest Mueller Farce Meant to Degrade Trump-Putin Summit – Russian Foreign Ministry
*21WIRE* | Defense attorneys say charges in US court amount to a “make-believe crime” and that Mueller and colleagues are now trying to 'justify their own existence'.
Congress Needs to Investigate the RSS Data “Adjustments”
h/t Tony Heller of Real Science (Link) The introductory graphic is of the RSS Data prior to the “adjustments” (Source). It is clear that the observed data is falling outside the IPCC forecasts at the 95% confidence level. In any real science, that would be game over for the CO2 drives temperatures theory, and the … Continue reading "Congress Needs to Investigate the RSS Data “Adjustments”"
Free Downloads: Kahlil Gibran, "The Prophet"; "The Garden of the Prophet"
*"The Prophet- On Pain"* "Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain. And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy; And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields. And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief. Pain is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your ... more »
Nothing is easier than getting an indictment
Once someone starts to cite a grand jury indictment as their proof that a prosecutors' charges have merit, they've demonstrated how weak their case is. Nothing is easier than getting an indictment. And either way, you haven't seen the evidence to assess it. — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) July 14, 2018 Trying to imagine how an investigation team that had a bunch of flashy assertions with no evidence managed to compose a couple of paragraphs like these from the indictment (from the money laundering count 10): 59. ...To further avoid creating a centralized paper trail of all of thei... more »
NEPA Under Attack! Tell Trump ‘Hands Off Nat’l Env Law’ Before Aug. 20
Originally posted on "OUR WORLD": globaljusticeecology.org Posted on July 13, 2018 by GJEP staff Leave a Comment Note: Thanks to a…
The Daily "Near You?"
Cluj-napoca, Cluj, Romania. Thanks for stopping by!
"It Is Our Fate..."
"Well, it is our fate to live in a time of crisis. To live in a time when all forms and values are being challenged. In other and more easy times, it was not, perhaps, necessary for the individual to confront himself with a clear question: What is it that you really believe? What is it that you really cherish? What is it for which you might, actually, in a showdown, be willing to die? I say, with all the reticence which such large, pathetic words evoke, that one cannot exist today as a person – one cannot exist in full consciousness – without having to have a showdown with one’s sel... more »
Half Way There .. Living On A Global Warming Prayer
Half way through the very short Arctic summer, temperatures are barely above freezing. Ocean and Ice Services | Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut But it should be no problem melting twelve trillion tons of sea ice in the next 35 days, with … Continue reading →
The Democratic Candidate For President
She was a liar. She was an unethical, dishonest lawyer. She conspired to violate the Constitution, the rules of the House, the rules of the committee and the rules of confidentiality. If I had the power to fire her, I … Continue reading →
Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki Visits Ethiopia For The First Time In 20 Years In A Historic Trip
*Al Jazeera:** Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki in Ethiopia for landmark visit* Isaias Afwerki arrives for three-day visit, as Eritrea and Ethiopia further cement unprecedented thawing of relations. Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki has arrived in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, for a three-day state visit, as part of an unprecedented softening of tensions between the neighbouring countries. Saturday's visit by Isaias, his first in 20 years, comes a week after Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made a landmark visit to Eritrea's capital, Asmara. "Words cannot express the joy... more »
Did Republicans Vote to Make It Legal to Ban Gays and Lesbians from Adopting?
In a party line vote, the Republican majority in the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment to a funding bill that would allow federally-funded adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ families.
Charges Undermine Assange Denials About Hacked Email Origins
DOJ indictments suggest WikiLeaks received material from Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate of the General Staff and even gave Russian hackers advice on how to disseminate it.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis Calls Reports Of Pentagon 'Damage Control' After The NATO Summit As Fiction
© AFP 2018 / THIERRY CHARLIER *Washington Examiner:* *Mattis shoots down report that Pentagon was engaged in ‘damage control’ following NATO summit* Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis called a report “fiction” that claimed the Pentagon was engaged in a “damage control” operation following Trump’s visit to NATO headquarters. “That was fascinating. I love reading fiction,” Mattis said of the report, published by NBC. “So it was — it was stimulating to read it. I find out while I've been with you with full transparency on the airplane, you watching what's going on; that I've been in dam... more »
X22 Report Spotlight, “In The Next Recession People Are Going To Suffer With Or Without A Job: Peter Schiff”
X22 Report Spotlight, “In The Next Recession People Are Going To Suffer With Or Without A Job: Peter Schiff” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I67uuf1bE28
End the cheating...
This time, I'll finish with a weird comparison of Donald Trump as the Bizarro Gorbachev... indeed, I believe that's how Vladimir Putin views his puppet! But let's start by talking about how Rupert Murdoch and his minions and overseas allies hope to continue their impressive run, having controlled the US legislature, despite losing the popular vote in ten of the last twelve congressional elections, and in all but one of the last seven presidential elections. How do they do it? We know how urgently they need to control the Supreme Court, which has refused to intervene against t... more »
Putin Is Basking In The Glory Of The World Cup
© Alexei Druzhinin / Sputnik *CNBC*: *Putin basks in the glory of a World Cup that has broken stereotypes and ripped up the rulebook* * Before the kickoff of the Russian World Cup almost a month ago, soccer fans were told to attend the tournament at their own risk, Russia was portrayed as a malignant player on the world stage and Putin was something of a persona non grata. * Several weeks into the tournament and international soccer stars, pundits and the public have largely had nothing but positive comments and experiences in Russia. Before the kickoff of the Russian World Cup ... more »
QotD: Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."
*"Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."* ~ Robert Heinlein . Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Permission to republish is granted, with link and attribution.
On The Eve Of The Trump - Putin Summit, Russia Agrees To A $50 Billion Invstment In Iran’s Oil And Gas Sectors
*Quartz:* *Days before Trump meets Putin, Russia is cozying up to Iran in a big way* On May 7, a day before the president Donald Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, a former US ambassador to Russia gave a prescient warning, telling Quartz that the withdrawal would play straight into president Vladimir Putin’s hands. And that’s what’s happened. “Russia is ready to invest $50 billion in Iran’s oil and gas sectors,” Akbar Velayati, a senior adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, told the Financial Times (paywall) on Friday. “Military and technical co-op... more »
VIDEO: Israeli Sniper Executes a 15 Year Old Palestinian Child
DAMACUS, SYRIA (7:40 P.M)- Yesterday, Israeli Regime Snipers shot and killed a 15 boy during demonstrations at the separation fence, an addition 100+ people were injured. Fifteen year old, Osman Halas, was shot and killed by an Israeli Snipers this Friday. The child, whose murder was filmed (below), posed no immediate threat to Israeli forces. […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
"Big Pharma & The Rise Of Gangster Capitalism"
*"Big Pharma & The Rise Of Gangster Capitalism"* by Charles Hugh Smith "$8 per vial in competing developed-world nations and $38,892 in the U.S. That says it all. Thanks to decades of gangster films, we all know how gangster capitalism works: the cost of "protection" goes up whenever the gangster wants to increase revenues, any competition is snuffed out, and "customer demand" is jacked up by any means available - addiction, for example. This perfectly describes the pharmaceutical industry and every other cartel in America. You might have read about the price increase in Acthar gel... more »
U.S. Courts Release 2017 Wiretap Report: Orders and Convictions Rise, No Requests Denied, 10 States Absent, No FISA Data
By Aaron Kesel Federal courts across the U.S. reported a 30 percent increase in authorized wiretaps in 2017, compared to 2016, that’s up 73% over... more »
Are There Optogenetics, Nano Biology And Blue Light Nexus Health Problems?
By Catherine J. Frompovich Optogenetics is something consumers using all types of high tech gadgets need to become fully informed about; the sooner, the better! ... more »
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani Boasts That The U.S. Is Isolated On Sanctions Even Among Its Allies
*Reuters:** Rouhani says U.S. isolated on Iran sanctions, even among allies* DUBAI (Reuters) - Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday the United States was more isolated than ever over sanctions against Iran, even among its allies. Rouhani, in remarks carried live on state television, spoke after meeting the heads of parliament and the judiciary. He appeared to be trying to ease popular concerns fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw from world powers’ 2015 deal with Iran on its nuclear program. The likely return of U.S. economic sanctions has tri... more »
Protests Grow In Southern Iraq Over Corruption, Poor Services, And The Economy. Iraq Declares A State Of Emergency
*Al Jazeera:* *Iraq: Protests rage over poor public services, unemployment* Demonstrations began in the southern city of Basra over high unemployment and a lack of basic services. Iraq has placed its security forces on high alert after protests against high unemployment and a lack of basic services in the country's southern provinces spread to the capital, Baghdad. The nationwide directive on Saturday was issued overnight by Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who also serves as the country's commander-in-chief of the armed forces. Reinforcement soldiers from both the Counter Terrori... more »
Mueller’s Indictment of Russians and the Indictment of Democrats
[image: mueller-s-indictment-of-russians-and-the-indictment-of-democrats] Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team just indicted for election meddling 12 Russians, but are the latter the *Dirty Dozen*? Note that the film by that name was about 12 criminals who, though having checkered pasts, certainly brought to mind the proverb, "It's an ill wind that blows nobody good."
Some Miscues At Today's Bastille Day Celebratons In France
*The Telegraph:* *French air force get their colours wrong in Bastille Day mix-up * Gallic pride took an embarrassing knock ahead of France’s World Cup final match when the annual Bastille Day military parade went awry in the air and on the ground and in full view of President Emmanuel Macron. The July 14 parade is France’s chance to display its military muscle as soldiers troop down the Champs-Elysées under the gaze of the President and French fighter and reconnaissance jets thunder past overhead. But only minutes into the parade down "the world's most beautiful avenue", a glari... more »
British Authorities Find 'Small Bottle' Of Novichok In Victim's Home
*NBC: **British police determine source of nerve agent that poisoned couple* *Police are investigating whether the nerve agent came from the same batch that poisoned a former Russian spy and his daughter. * British authorities investigating the poisoning of two people have found a bottle believed to have contained Novichok, a nerve agent that was also used against a former Russian spy and his daughter, the Metropolitan Police said Friday. Dawn Sturgess, a 44-year-old woman who was exposed to the poison, died in a hospital on Sunday. Charlie Rowley, her 45-year-old partner, was sai... more »
Al Franken Has Some Questions For Brett Kavanaugh-- File Under "If Only"
Are we better off that that that effing hypocritical idiot Kirsten Gillibrand got her scalp by pushing Al Franken out of the Senate? Nancy Pelosi didn't say boo-- nor did Gillibrand fro that matter-- when it came out that Tony Cárdenas, (D-CA) had far, far more serious sex allegations lodged against him by a girl who was 16 when he raped her. He's still in Congress, still laundering corporate bribes into the Congressional Hispanic Caucus' BOLD PAC. And Franken? On the sidelines. Thanks a lot, Senator Gillibrand. Earlier today, Franken took to Facebook to suggest what his former c... more »
Murray: ‘The Holes in the Official Skripal Story’
*Craig Murray* | It's time to demolish one of the most ludicrous conspiracy theories we have ever heard.
When Hollywood Makes a Mockery of Our Debt Servitude
*Teodrose Fikre* | Take a good look around: we are lurching back to the days of feudalism where the aristocracy used surfs as their property and personal entertainment.
Israel And Hamas Exchange Intense Fire Along The Gaza Border
*CNN:* *Israelis and Palestinians exchange fire along Gaza border* Jerusalem (CNN)Militants in Gaza have fired more than 65 projectiles since early Saturday toward Israel, prompting a series of raids against targets in Gaza by Israeli fighter jets, Israel Defense Forces said. The projectiles are a combination of mortar shells and rockets, according to IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus. About 10 of the launches were intercepted by Israel's Iron Dome aerial defense system, the Israeli military said. No injuries were reported. In response to the launches, Israeli fighter jets ... more »
Climate Comics
It takes a properly skeptical mindset to see the humor in the behavior of those believing in global warming/climate change. Here are some cartoons that came to my attention recently. Paris Accord Media Climate Reporting Biased Climate Science Misguided Climate Policies H/T to Lisa Benson, Chip Bok, Mike Lester and Gary Varvel. Work by Rick […]
Does This Image Represent a ‘MAPs Pride Flag’?
Rumors holding that MAPs (Minor Attracted Persons) created a pride flag in an attempt to join the LGBTQ community originated with a troll experiment on Tumblr.
Another Accident Of Chance
People on the left believe God’s creation is an accident of chance, caused by lightning hitting a rock, or something like that – though they are not quite sure where the lightning and rock came from.
CNN Explains Russian Election Hacking
Before they went 24/7 spouting Russian election hacking conspiracy theories, CNN explained why the election couldn’t be hacked. No, the 2016 presidential election can’t be hacked – CNNPolitics
US Propaganda: Time Magazine Takes Swipe at Thailand
*July 15, 2018* (Joseph Thomas - NEO) - Time Magazine's article titled, "Thailand’s Leader Promised to Restore Democracy. Instead He's Tightening His Grip," reflects Wall Street and Washington's growing displeasure with the current Thai government and its seemingly successful efforts to pivot the nation away from US-backed proxies including the ousted regime of Thaksin Shinawatra and his Pheu Thai political party (PTP), and toward a more multipolar footing in Asia and internationally. This includes stronger ties with not only Thailand's other Southeast Asia neighbours, but also with... more »
Heartwarming photos show California black bear's miraculous recovery
Heartwarming photographs show a California black bear's miraculous recovery six months after she was found emaciated and hairless while rooting through a dumpster. 'Eve the bare bear' was just 25lbs when she was rescued by the Fund for Animals Wildlife Center in Ramona, California, on Christmas Eve last year. This week the center shared photos of the bear who now weighs more than 100lbs and has almost fully recovered from the severed case of mange that had caused all of her hair to fall off. Veterinarians had initially assumed Eve was a cub due because she was so small, weighing ... more »
The Poet: Mary Oliver, “Evidence”
*“Evidence”* “Where do I live? If I had no address, as many people do not, I could nevertheless say that I lived in the same town as the lilies of the field, and the still waters. Spring, and all through the neighborhood now there are strong men tending flowers. Beauty without purpose is beauty without virtue. But all beautiful things, inherently, have this function - to excite the viewers toward sublime thought. Glory to the world, that good teacher. Among the swans there is none called the least, or the greatest. I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especia... more »
Minding Our Health: The Nudge, Part Two
from Wrench in the Gears July 13, 2018 This piece expands upon my prior post about digital nudging and behavioral economics. Disruption in the healthcare industry mirrors the ed-tech takeover that is well underway in public education. If you explore the webpage for Catalyst, the innovation PR outlet for the New England Journal of Medicine (remember, social impact policy makers and many investors are based in Boston), you’ll notice the language being used to direct health care providers towards big-data, tech-centered solutions is eerily similar to the language being used on educat... more »
Free Download: Eckhart Tolle, “The Power of Now”
*“The Power of Now” (Excerpt)* by Eckhart Tolle • "Is there a difference between happiness and inner peace? Happiness depends on conditions being perceived as positive; inner peace does not. • Is it not possible to attract only positive conditions into our life? If our attitude and our thinking are always positive, we would manifest only positive events and situations, wouldn't we? Do you truly know what is positive and what is negative? Do you have the total picture? There have been many people for whom limitation, failure, loss, illness, or pain in whatever form turned out to b... more »
WHAT WE DID: Vacation's end!
*SATURDAY, JULY 14, 2018Conclusion—Homo sapiens' folly:* In the end, which is it? Does time pass slowly up there in the mountains, as Bob Dylan once insisted? Or it there really "less time" by the shore, as Professor Rovelli now claims? Does time actually pass more slowly *down there?* In this theoretical dispute, Dylan's claim holds one large advantage. As a general matter, people knew what he was talking about when he made his famous assertion. Rovelli's theoretics don't rise to that level. Let's return to the start of Part 1 in The Order of Times, his impossibly easy-to-und... more »
"The Reality Of Life..."
"Despite my firm convictions, I have been always a man who tries to face facts, and to accept the reality of life as new experience and new knowledge unfolds it. I have always kept an open mind, which is necessary to the flexibility that must go hand in hand with every form of intelligent search for truth." - Malcolm X
The Commission's proposals to correct EU-Morocco relations and the EU's obligation not to recognise as lawful the ‘illegal situation' in Western Sahara
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
14-Jul-2018 The proposals violate the EU and its Member States' obligation of non-recognition of Morocco's breaches: the right to self-determination of people, the prohibition on aggression, and some of the ‘intransgressible rules' of international humanitarian law.
Le gouvernement italien confirme le rejet de l'accord de libre-échange UE-Canada
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
14-Jul-2018 Le vice-premier ministre italien, Luigi Di Maio a confirmé que la majorité parlementaire rejetterait le CETA, mettant ainsi en danger son existence même.
Hard cheese: Italy vows to scupper EU free trade deal with Canada
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
14-Jul-2018 Italy will not ratify the EU's free trade agreement with Canada, the Italian deputy prime minister has said, potentially scuppering the bloc's biggest deal in years.
Protests In Iraq Greatly Escalate And Spread Throughout South
In just a few days the annual protests in Iraq have greatly accelerated. There had been a week of protests since the start of July, but then July 8 in northern Basra province a demonstrator was killed by the security forces. That gave impetus to greater activism, and another person dying from gunfire on July 12, leading to an explosion of people taking to the streets on July 13 across southern Iraq, which saw ports, airports, and political offices occupied and attacked. The government offered some platitudes in response, but the public was far from satisfied. July 13 there were d... more »
This Day In Iraqi History - Jul 14
1941 PM Midfai declared martial law in Sulaymaniya to stop revolt by Barzani 1958 Free Officers led coup overthrowing King Faisal II and Iraq’s monarchy 1958 Gen Qasim became head of state King Faisal II and family killed (Musings On Iraq interview with Western Kentucky’s Prof Romero on the Qasim govt) 1959 Communists called rally to celebrate 1958 coup in Kirkuk Turned into 2 days of fighting between Kurds and Turkmen with around 30 killed 100 injured (Musings On Iraq Interviewwith Prof Johan Franzen on the history of the Iraqi Communist Party) 1964 Pres Arif announced ... more »
"Fukushima Update July 14, 2018: 17,266.65 Hiroshima Bombs Today, More Tomorrow"
*"Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.”* - Shiva *Updated July 14, 2018: Fukushima Equals 17,266.65 Hiroshima Bombs Today, More Tomorrow; There is No Place On Earth to Escape the Rad: *The 3 melted-through cores of the destroyed reactors, now melted together into a single "corium" totaling over *600 tons*, at Fukushima *daily* release the radioactive equivalent of 6.45 Hiroshima bombs directly into the atmosphere and the Pacific Ocean. As of July 14, 2018 - 2,677 days since the disaster began - this equals the detonation of *17,266.65 *Hiroshima atomic bombs and it is st... more »
Gotham City Digest: Bastille Day edition
We will never leave you in the weeds. ------------------------------ You know I NEVER link to Fox for obvious reasons but this goes to show the desperation with which Republican dead-enders are treating this Mueller probe. You think it's any coincidence they're doing this the day after Rosenstein broke the news about the 12 indictments? Think about it- House Republicans are trying to defend 12 Russian military intelligence spies who'd hacked the DNC, the DCCC and the Clinton campaign with the intention of subverting our presidential election by trying to impeach the Deputy ... more »
A Reset In U.S. - Mexico Relations?
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, right, with Mexico’s president-elect, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in Mexico City on Friday.CreditCarlos Jasso/Reuters *New York Times:* *Trump taunts protesters at Scottish golf course * MEXICO CITY — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo led a high-level cabinet delegation to Mexico City on Friday to gauge how Mexico’s president-elect intends to reset the fractious relationship between the two countries. The president-elect, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a leftist who has pledged to fight corruption and tackle Mexico’s... more »
Trump Witch Hunt uses Tactics Similar to the CO2 Witch Hunt
Continue Reading Why was this released right before President Trump meets with Putin? Did we elect Rosenstein to conduct foreign policy? The appearance of interfering should be enough alone to remove Rosenstein. Way too many things just don’t pass the stink test with this investigation. It is like Climate Change. They ignore the Sun and … Continue reading "Trump Witch Hunt uses Tactics Similar to the CO2 Witch Hunt"
President Trump Taunts Protesters At His Scottish Golf Course
US President Donald Trump (C) gestures as he walks during a round of golf on the Ailsa course at Trump Turnberry. AFP *The Telegraph:* *Donald Trump taunts protesters at Scottish golf course as they tell him to 'go home'* Donald Trump has taunted protestors while playing golf at one of his Scottish resorts after Liam Fox attacked those demonstrating against the US President as "an embarrassment to themselves." Demonstrators on the beach below Mr Trump's Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire booed loudly when the President and his son, Eric, came within view as he made his way around ... more »
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