Monday, December 16, 2019

16 December - Blogs I'm Following - 2 of 5

10:06 pm MST

Death Squads Have Kept Belarus President Lukashenko In Power For 25 Years

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 6 hours ago
Lukashenko has ruled Belarus since 1994 *DW: **Belarus: How death squads targeted opposition politicians* Twenty years ago, some leading Belarusian opposition politicians disappeared without a trace. In an exclusive interview with DW, a key witness tells how he assisted a special unit in committing abduction and murder. In early September of this year, a man named Yuri Garavski contacted DW's Russian Service. The 41-year-old is living as an asylum-seeker in a German-speaking region in the Alps. Yuri asked us not to reveal which country he is in. He fears the long arm of the Belaru... more »

Recoverable Attack Drones: The New Best Buddy of the F-22 and F-35?

Kris Osborn at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Kris Osborn* *Technology, Americas* [image: Reuters] A deadly companion in a dogfight. *Key point:* The Air Force wants robot pilots to help its human fighters. US Air Force F-22s and F-35s will soon launch and control recoverable attack drones from the cockpit of the plane to expand air-combat operations, test enemy air defenses, conduct long-range ISR and even deliver weapons. This fast-approaching technology, which calls upon advanced levels of autonomous navigation, is closer to reality due of DARPA’s Gremlins program which plans to break new ground by launching – and recov... more »

Bloomberg, Sued By Seventeen Women, Acknowledges 'Disrespectful' Comments

The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Politics, Americas* [image: FILE PHOTO: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attends a meeting during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget, near Paris, France, December 4, 2015. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo] Oops. 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg acknowledged past “disrespectful” comments after ABC News found at least 17 women filed lawsuits against his company. Michael Bloomberg, the CEO and co-founder of Bloomberg LP, announced a 2020 presidential run in November. Since the announcement, multiple past lawsuits against his com... more »

Bloomberg, Sued By Seventeen Women, Acknowledges 'Disrespectful' Comments

The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Politics, Americas* [image: FILE PHOTO: Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg attends a meeting during the World Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) at Le Bourget, near Paris, France, December 4, 2015. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo] Oops. 2020 presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg acknowledged past “disrespectful” comments after ABC News found at least 17 women filed lawsuits against his company. Michael Bloomberg, the CEO and co-founder of Bloomberg LP, announced a 2020 presidential run in November. Since the announcement, multiple past lawsuits against his com... more »

Staff Jumps Ship After Anti-Impeachment Democrat Switches Parties

Chris White at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Chris White* *Politics, Americas* [image: U.S President Donald Trump stands beside West Point military cadets during the annual Army-Navy collegiate football game at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, U.S., December 14, 2019. REUTERS/Tom Brenner] Trump's party was not what they bargained for... Five staffers with Rep. Jeff Van Drew announced their resignation Sunday after the New Jersey Democrat switched parties amid his opposition to ousting President Donald Trump. “Sadly, Congressman Van Drew’s decision to join the ranks of the Republican Party led by Donald Trump d... more »

Gray Zone Politics: How Nepal Can Forge Partnerships with America, China and India

Sumesh Shiwakoty at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Sumesh Shiwakoty* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters] A deeper engagement with Nepal may provide a buffer zone for the United States in the region that may enhance Washington’s ability to negotiate with both Beijing and New Delhi. Recently, Chinese president Xi Jinping made his state visit to Nepal. During the visit, China and Nepal signed twenty agreements on topics ranging from connectivity to security. Through these agreements, Beijing promised around $500 million in economic grants to Nepal. Furthermore, China reinstated its commitment to build the Trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimens... more »

Judge Sets Flynn Sentencing to Jan. 28—And Denies Entrapment Defense

Chuck Ross at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Chuck Ross* *Politics, Americas* [image: FILE PHOTO: Former U.S. national security adviser Michael Flynn passes by members of the media as he departs after his sentencing was delayed at U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., December 18, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo] You can't undo a plea deal... A federal judge on Monday scheduled Michael Flynn to face sentencing in a case stemming from the special counsel’s probe, while rejecting the former national security adviser’s allegations that he was entrapped by the FBI and forced into entering a plea deal. Judge Emmet S... more »

"The Moments Between..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
"No one's place in this world is guaranteed. Not everyone is going to get a happy ending. But life isn't about how it ends. It's about the moments between. It's about the small things. The way our loved ones laugh. The sight of a butterfly in the sunlight after a year or two in the darkness. The love and support of an old friend. They might not be with us in body, but they are with us in spirit. The feeling of something we'd thought lost to us forever returned in a single, life-changing moment. Yes, that is simple, even though it might be momentous to us as individuals. Because eve... more »

The Daily "Near You?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
Abilene, Texas, USA. Thanks for stopping by!

"The Hilarity of Empire"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
*"The Hilarity of Empire"* by David Stockman "The odds were a hundred to one against me The world thought the heights were too high to climb But people from Missouri never incensed me Oh, I wasn’t a bit concerned For from hist’ry I had learned How many, many times the worm had turned They laughed at me wanting you, said it would be, “Hello, Goodbye.” But oh, you came through, now they're eating humble pie They all said we’d never get together, darling, let’s take a bow For ho, ho, ho! Who’s got the last laugh? Hee, hee, hee! Let's at the past laugh, Ha, ha, ha! Who’s got the last laugh... more »

Hot Mic Moment Exposes Insane Sleaziness Of British Political/Media Class

Caitlin Johnstone at Caitlin Johnstone - 6 hours ago
There’s a wildly under-appreciated clip of news footage from Thursday’s general election in the UK that, now that everyone’s had some time to emotionally process the emotional fallout from that depressing night, needs more attention. Labour MP and chronic left-puncher Jess Phillips appeared on Channel […]

Buffy Sainte Marie: Truthtelling Indigenous Genocide

Unknown at CENSORED NEWS - 6 hours ago
Tony Gonzales, director of AIM West, interviews Buffy Sainte Marie in San Francisco for his television program 'Eagle and Condor,' on the Bay Area Video Coalition, San Francisco Commons 29.sfc.tv aired on Sundays each week 4 to 5 pm. Buffy performed during November as the 50th Anniversary of the Occupation of Alcatraz was underway. Screenshot by Censored News. Buffy Sainte Marie:

Gowdy: 'It's Just Too Damn Late' For Comey to Apologize for FISA Abuse Statements

Chuck Ross at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Chuck Ross* *Politics, Americas* [image: Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC) questions FBI Deputy Assistant Director Peter Strzok as Strzok testifies before the House Committees on Judiciary and Oversight and Government Reform joint hearing on] 'I wsa wrong,' Comey had said. Former Rep. Trey Gowdy said Sunday that it is “too damn late” for James Comey to admit he was wrong about FBI abuse of the FISA process, as the former FBI director did in an interview on Fox News earlier in the day. “I think this morning Comey admitted he was wrong. Sometimes, Maria, it’s better late than never, and som... more »

Nadler Calls Trump a National Security 'Threat'

Mary Margaret Olohan at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Mary Margaret Olohan* *Politics, Americas* [image: U.S. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) chairs the committee's vote on articles of impeachment against U.S. President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 13, 2019. REUTERS/Leah Millis] ...therefore, impeachment. House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler said Sunday that President Donald Trump is a “threat” to national security. Nadler spoke with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos on “This Week” about the lack of support from Republicans for impeachment. “Haven’t you failed your own test?” Step... more »

Obama on World Problems:

Mary Margaret Olohan at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Mary Margaret Olohan* *Politics, Americas* [image: U.S. President Barack Obama is seen in tears while delivering a statement, on the steps the administration is taking to reduce gun violence, in the East Room of the White House, Washington, U.S., January 5, 2016.] Uh-oh, Joe... Former President Barack Obama said Monday that most of the world’s problems are due to “old men not getting out of the way.” Obama spoke at a private event on leadership in Singapore where he said that many issues the world faces stem from older men not knowing when to step down. “If you look at the wor... more »

Fiorina Supports Impeachment—But She Still Might Vote Trump in 2020

Andrew Kerr at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Andrew Kerr* *Politics, Americas* [image: Former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S. February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts] But why? Former Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina said she supports the impeachment effort against President Donald Trump but left open the possibility that she will vote for him in 2020. “I think it is vital that he be impeached,” Fiorina said on CNN’s “Boss Files with Poppy Harlow” podcast Monday. “Whether removed this close to an elec... more »

FIRE! Distance Won't Save You From The U.S. Army's Newest Sniper

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * It can penetrate body armor at 1968 feet. *Key point:* These weapons of war will see active combat soon. The U.S. Army is preparing to issue thousands of new rifles to infantry squads across the service. The M110A1 Squad Designated Marksman Rifle (SDMR) is designed to extend the reach of infantry units largely equipped with short-barreled carbines. The SDMR will give one in nine infantrymen the ability to not only penetrate existing body armor but engage point targets at ranges of 600 meters (1968 feet). The standard nine-person U.S. Army infantry sq... more »

Does Russia Have Red Lines in Syria?

Ali Demirdas at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Ali Demirdas* *Security, Middle East* [image: Reuters] And will Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw American troops going to usher in an era of endless Russian wars? The recent Turco-Russian agreement in Sochi, while elevating Moscow’s role as one of a decisive power broker, formalized the waning American presence in northeast Syria. With the agreement, the presence of the Russian military and the Damascus military extends across the east of the Euphrates River, a first since 2015. Although the Sochi agreement is seen as another victory for Putin (who aspires to revive the glory... more »

Get Brexit Done? Be Careful What You Wish For.

Peter Harris at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Peter Harris* *Politics, Europe* [image: Reuters] A revolution in British politics is coming—but it will only happen when Brexit is finally settled, and its consequences are fully understood. It is tempting to conclude that Boris Johnson has fundamentally reshaped British politics. With his stunning electoral victory last week, Johnson secured a majority in the House of Commons that, in ordinary times, would suggest up to ten more years (two parliamentary terms) of uninterrupted Conservative rule. It was a landslide that could easily auger not just a new relationship between Br... more »

Iran's Imperial History Overshadows Its Future

Ilan Berman at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Ilan Berman* *Security, Middle East* [image: Reuters] Tehran’s leaders are distrustful of the country’s ethnic minorities—and all too eager to suppress them. Just who speaks for Iran? When engaging with the Islamic Republic, the international community has tended to treat the country as a monolith, a consolidated political and ideological entity presided over by an entrenched clerical elite. That, however, is hardly the case. In truth, Iran is a complex and cosmopolitan melting pot made up of multiple, competing ethnic identities kept in check by a strong central authority—but ... more »

Comey Admits Defeat on Surveillance: 'I’m Responsible For This'

Chuck Ross at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Chuck Ross* *Politics, Americas* [image: Former FBI Director James Comey speaks to the media after giving a private deposition to the House Judiciary and House Government and Oversight committees on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 7, 2018. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts] But he still wouldn't have resigned. James Comey said Sunday that he was “wrong” about the FBI’s handling of surveillance warrants against Carter Page, who the former FBI director acknowledged was “treated unfairly” by having his name leaked to the press as a suspected Russian agent. “He is right. I was wron... more »

History to Be Made? Russia Wants a Catamaran Aircraft Carrier

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, Europe* [image: Reuters] Can it be built? *Key point:* Moscow needs new carriers and a semi-catamaran hull may present a solution. Russia says it is building the world's first catamaran aircraft carrier. Russia's light aircraft carrier will feature a semi-catamaran hull, a representative of the Krylov Scientific Center told Russian news agency TASS (see the translation and a model of the design here). "The project is distinguished by the underwater part of a semi-catamaran form," he said. "Catamaran actually means two hulls united by a platform. It has... more »

China's H-20 Stealth Bomber Is Coming In 2025 (Should We Worry?)

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* The U.S. military is concerned. *Key Point:* It can hit targets from hundreds of miles away. In October 2018, Chinese media announced that the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) would publicly unveil its new H-20 stealth bomber during a parade celebrating the air arm’s seventieth anniversary in 2019. Prior news of the H-20’s development had been teased using techniques pioneered by viral marketing campaigns for Hollywood movies. For example, the Xi’an Aviation Industrial Corporation released a promotional video in May 2018 pointedly im... more »

Gillibrand pushes to strengthen mental health access and support for the military community

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 6 hours ago
Gillibrand Calls for Changes in Reporting Requirements that Prevent Service Members from Seeking the Help They Need New York, NY – With veteran and military suicide rates posing a crisis in New York and across the country, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking

Following the release of Afghanistan Papers, Senators call for ‘complete review of strategy’

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 6 hours ago
Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Personnel Subcommittee, today called for a Senate hearing to investigate U.S. strategy and obstacles to success in Afghanistan. Gillibrand’s letter comes following the Washington Post’s release of previously confidential documents and interviews, in

Fentanyl Sanctions Act will target illicit traffickers in China

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 6 hours ago
China Is The World’s Largest Producer Of Illicit Fentanyl And Currently Lacks The Capacity To Regulate Fentanyl; New Legislation Will Pressure China To Move Forward With An Aggressive Plan And Help U.S. Go After Illicit Traffickers The bipartisan Fentanyl Sanctions

Schumer rails against robocalls and demands a federal ban

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 6 hours ago
Schumer: “Americans Are Desperate For A ‘Silent Night’ Free Of Robocalls This Holiday Season & Beyond” Announcing that new federal legislation to finally help put an end to those hair-pulling robocalls is on the brink of being signed into law,

Gillibrand amendment to ensure military bases receive local dairy and produce

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 6 hours ago
Federal Proposal to Consolidate Military’s Dairy Suppliers Would Have Forced Local Farms to Ship Their Products To A Central Location Before Coming Back to New York Military Sites, Rather Than Selling Directly to Bases; Gillibrand’s Provision Secured in Conferenced NDAA,

HOOPP to Develop Waterloo's iPort Cambridge

Leo Kolivakis at Pension Pulse - 6 hours ago
James Jackson of the Waterloo Region Record reports that one of Canada's largest defined benefit pension plans has purchased hundreds of acres of land in the north end of Cambridge: In a deal announced Monday, iPort Properties (owned by the Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan, or HOOPP), purchased 300 acres just west of the Loblaws distribution centre on Maple Grove Road. The property, currently farm fields and woodlots, stretches from Middle Block Road to Allendale Road. *The parcel is the largest of three pieces of property assembled in the area over the last 12 years by Intermar... more »

Hiding the decline in Australia…

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 6 hours ago
“Not surprisingly, BOM hides all of the hot weather before 1910.” click here

"An Expulsion of Demons"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
*"An Expulsion of Demons"* by Jim Kunstler "Is there any saving the Democratic Party? This wretched concatenation of ill-will, bad faith, false witness, and sore-loserdom lurches from one defeat to the next like some mindless monster from an ancient fable of ruin, seeking a final spectacular spasm of self-annihilation. Let’s face it: only an exorcism will do, some spiritual emetic to induce the projectile vomiting of all that borscht the monster has swallowed. The “progressive” (not) Resistance took two body-blows last week, one foreign and one domestic. Its cousin in Britain, the ... more »

"We Try To Deny..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
"Sometimes we find ourselves walking through life blindfolded, and we try to deny that we're the ones who securely tied the knot." - Jodi Picoult

Turkey Deploys Military Drones To Northern Cyprus

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 6 hours ago
*Al Jazeera: **Turkish drone lands on northern Cyprus for energy exploration* Ankara sends drone to accompany drilling vessels, naval forces in eastern Mediterranean in move that could stir tension. A Turkish drone meant to help seek hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean landed at an airport on the divided island of Cyprus on Monday, a Turkish official said, in a move that could further stoke tensions between Turkey and Greece. The breakaway Turkish Cypriot cabinet on Friday designated the Gecitkale airport on the island as a base for both unarmed and armed unmanned aerial v... more »

"Economic Market Snapshot PM 12/16/19"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
*Updated frequently as available.* ◆ PM 12/16/19: Gregory Mannerino, "This Is About To Happen... COUNT ON IT!" - https://www.traderschoice.net/ ◆ *MarketWatch Market Summary, Live Updates* - https://www.marketwatch.com/tools/marketsummary *CNN Market Data:* - http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/ *CNN Fear And Greed Index:* - http://money.cnn.com/data/fear-and-greed/ — § — *Buffett Indicator: Where Are We with Market Valuations?* "As of 12/16/19 (updates daily): The Stock Market is Significantly Overvalued. Based on historical ratio of total market cap over GDP (currently at 148.6%),... more »

Contemporary Japanese art and the mirage of time in the bleak midwinter

Lee Jay at Modern Tokyo Times - 7 hours ago
Contemporary Japanese art and the mirage of time in the bleak midwinter Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times Sawako Utsumi hails from northern Japan and in her latest landscape, you can depict the partial influence of Suzuki Kiitsu (1796-1858). Yet, unlike Kiitsu who focused on rinpa art, the latest stunning art piece by Utsumi is […]

America’s Next President: Warren SandersThere aren’t twenty...

Robert Reich - 7 hours ago
*America’s Next President: Warren Sanders* There aren’t twenty Senate Republicans with enough integrity to remove the most corrupt president in American history, so we’re going to have to get rid of Trump the old-fashioned way – by electing a Democrat next November 3. That Democrat will be Warren Sanders. Although there are differences between Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, I’m putting them together for the purpose of making a simple point. These two have most of the grass-roots energy in the 2020 campaign, most of the enthusiasm, and most of the ideas critical for America’... more »

Is This Nancy Reagan With Mr. T Dressed As Santa Claus?

Dan Evon at Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
Pity the fools who are just learning about this friendship.

Sex offender caught allegedly trying to flee Australia in yacht 'hadn't eaten for days'

Matt Garrick at Just In - 7 hours ago
Police believe the convicted sex offender may have been trying to reach his girlfriend in the Philippines but had no food and very little water left.

The secret Margaret Atwood book you won't be able to read until 2114

Just In - 7 hours ago
When an artist came up with the idea to grow trees for 100 books that won't be published for 100 years, she asked Margaret Atwood to write the first one.

Divers flock to famous shipwreck as shifting sands reveal buried secrets

Tom Forbes at Just In - 7 hours ago
Divers on the Gold Coast are rediscovering the wreck of The Scottish Prince with sand movements uncovering parts of the ship not seen for years.

Burglars reportedly nab $97m in jewellery from British heiress Tamara Ecclestone

Just In - 7 hours ago
Thieves make off with an estimated $97 million of jewellery from Tamara Ecclestone, the daughter of former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone, in an audacious raid at her west London home.

Live: NSW Now: Fears 'mega fire' could hit coal power station and mine as heat records fall

Just In - 7 hours ago
*MORNING BRIEFING: *Greenpeace says local communities could be in danger as the Gospers Mountains 'mega-fire' burns close to Mount Piper Power Station.

Crucial meeting of water ministers could see Murray-Darling targets shifted

Clint Jasper And Caitlyn Gribbin at Just In - 7 hours ago
After weeks of jostling, state water ministers will meet today to make some big decisions about the future of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Temperatures up to 48C forecast as heatwave intensifies across south-east

Daniel Keane at Just In - 7 hours ago
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting Australia's record average temperature could be broken several times this week, as residents across the south-east are urged to prepare for an intensifying heatwave.

Life more 'normal' as sub-Antarctic research station achieves gender balance

Annah Fromberg at Just In - 7 hours ago
Life counting elephant bull seals, penguins and albatross is found to be "incredibly rewarding" and "normal" as the Australian Antarctic Division succeeds in sending equal numbers of women and men to hunker down together for winter on Macquarie Island.

Reporting in the US meant covering numerous shootings and worrying about my kids at school

Zoe Daniel at Just In - 7 hours ago
At 3:30pm on every school day for the last four years, I've breathed a sigh of relief, writes North America correspondent Zoe Daniel who is returning to Australia after four years based in Washington.

Jan Brown walked away from a deadly plane crash. Here's why she says flights are dangerous for families

James Glenday And Niall Lenihan at Just In - 7 hours ago
Thirty years ago, studies revealed unrestrained children are at high risk during turbulence and doomed during crashes, but lap infants are still permitted to fly globally.

If we spent $4 billion to halt climate change, here's how we could transform Australia

Nick Kilvert, Tim Leslie, Annika Blau And Colin Gourlay at Just In - 7 hours ago
On average, Australians are willing to chip in an extra $200 a year to prevent climate change. It turns out that money could go a long way.

CHILE -- Video: Lawyer for Acquitted Mapuche Goldman Prize Winner Speaks About Case

Unknown at CENSORED NEWS - 7 hours ago
Video: Lawyer for Acquitted Goldman Prize Winner Alberto Curamil Speaks About the Case By photolangelle on December 16, 2019 This video includes many of my photographs – Orin Langelle This video was shot over the week of 25 November, during the trial of Mapuche Lonko Alberto Curamil over manufactured charges that he was involved in a robbery. Lonko Alberto Curamíl during court

Russia And Turkey Are Backing Opposite Sides In The Libyan Civil War

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*Kirill Semenov, Al-Monitor:* *Are Russia and Turkey in tug of war over Libya?* Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the situation in Syria and Libya in a Dec. 11 phone call. The Turkish side initiated the conversation to address the countries' emerging differences over Libya that the two were trying to patch up. A few days earlier, Erdogan had declared his readiness to dispatch soldiers to Libya. “There is a security company from Russia [in Libya] called Wagner," Erdogan said. "This company sent its security staff there. On ... more »

Closing a Critical Gap in Cybersecurity

ckrebs at Lawfare - 7 hours ago
President Donald J. Trump Signs the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act, Nov. 16, 2018 (Source: Flickr/Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian) Last year, faced with rising threats in cyberspace, Congress established the nation’s first civilian cybersecurity agency—the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). We serve as the nation’s risk adviser, which means we’re the agency responsible for working with partners throughout government and industry to improve America’s cybersecurity. One of our main responsibilities is protecting critical i... more »

Report Outlines Policies and Reforms that Address Student Needs

cmaadmin at Diverse - 7 hours ago
A recently issued policy brief from Ithaka S+R offers insights and policy suggestions to increase diversity and meet the needs of today’s students.

Dr. F. King Alexander Named Next President of Oregon State University

Jessica Ruf at Diverse - 7 hours ago
Dr. F. King Alexander has been unanimously appointed Oregon State University’s (OSU) next president by the school’s board of trustees. Most recently the president and chancellor of Louisiana State University (LSU), Alexander has past presidential experience at Murray State University in Kentucky and California State University Long Beach where he was twice awarded “CSU president […]

The Power and Problems of Language When Used by Leaders with Power and Privilege

cmaadmin at Diverse - 7 hours ago
I am beyond outraged when Purdue President Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. (or anyone for that matter) had the audacity— which I call ‘caudacity’— to refer to Black scholars as “creatures”.

My Take on MMT

Greg Mankiw at Greg Mankiw's Blog - 7 hours ago
Readers may be interested in my most recent essay, A Skeptic's Guide to Modern Monetary Theory.

Judge Sullivan Denies Flynn Motion for Brady Material, Schedules Sentencing for January 28th….

sundance at The Last Refuge - 7 hours ago
In an order released moments ago, Federal Judge Emmet Sullivan has denied all of the Brady requests by the Flynn defense lawyer and summarily rejected the position of defense counsel. Flynn sentencing is scheduled for January 28th, 2020. Judge Sullivan … Continue reading →

NEC Chairman Larry Kudlow Discusses U.S. Economy and Trade Agreements…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 7 hours ago
National Economic Council Chairman Larry Kudlow appears on Fox News for a discussion of the status of the U.S. economy, the USMCA and the U.S-China trade agreement. The Wall Street GOPe, positioned primarily in the senate, are preparing to punish … Continue reading →

Asia Expected to Surpass Europe in New Offshore Wind Additions

IER at IER - 8 hours ago
The global offshore wind industry is still very small with just 23 gigawatts worldwide—80 percent in Europe and 20 percent… The post Asia Expected to Surpass Europe in New Offshore Wind Additions appeared first on IER.

Planting Rice By Air Tractor

E.M.Smith at Musings from the Chiefio - 8 hours ago
Three short videos of rice planting from the air with an "air tractor" (his words, but I like it ;-) and an air tour of my old stomping grounds a bit north of Biggs California. Continue reading →

Bernie Needs More Support From His Contemporaries-- His Campaign Is Working On It

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 8 hours ago
Adrian Pantoja is a Professor of Politics at Pitzer College and a senior analyst for Latino Decisions. Over the weekend, they released some new polling of Latino voters in California, who overwhelmingly favor Bernie for president. Pantoja wrote that "one of the primary ways to win the hearts and minds of young Latinos is by campaigning on issues that matter most to them." Bernie seems to have accomplished that. This table lists the top ten policy issues for young Latinos in California. Pantoja pointed out that the ten top issues are important for all respondents, regardless of ... more »

A Queen Deserves a King – Do Not Settle For Less, And Visa Versa

Natalie Porter at Enlightened Consciousness - 8 hours ago
You have to love yourself and respect yourself to feel you are A Queen or A King. Set your boundaries, and don’t settle for less. Many good looking attractive girls go out of their way to attract attention and visa versa. A lot of them need reassurance from the opposite sex. It takes one man that has overindulged or says the right thing to these vulnerable girls to get them into bed. They want attention, and any attention is better than none. Yes, we all have our moments where we get insecure and need a boost to make us feel that we still attractive, yet we have love and respect fo... more »

Lawsuit: More Than 2.5K Dead People Are Registered to Vote in Detroit

Pam Vernon at Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch - 8 hours ago
Originally posted on Nwo Report: Source: Breitbart News More than 2,500 dead Americans remain on the voter rolls in Detroit, Michigan, according to a federal lawsuit filed this week. The Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) filed a lawsuit in federal court this week against the city of Detroit for allegedly failing to maintain their voter…

Anna von Reitz Restoring Lawful Government

Pam Vernon at Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch - 8 hours ago
Originally posted on New Human New Earth Communities: If you really are serious about knowing how to restore the Republic and your freedom you need to put some effort into knowing how our freedoms are being robbed from us by fraud, lack of full disclosure, deception, threat, duress, coercion, and intimidation every day of our…

‘The Calculated Subversion of Humanity’ …and How to Resist It

Pam Vernon at Rangitikei Environmental Health Watch - 8 hours ago
Originally posted on The New Dark Age: 16 December 2019 — Global Research By Julian Rose As we transition into 2020, our World is in the grip of a deliberate attempt to destroy the fundamental values upon which all civilised life depends. Humanitarian values of love, kindness, compassion and mutual support – are being deliberately blocked,…

Former FBI And CIA Director William Webster Says President Trump And AG Barr Are A 'Dire Threat'

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 8 hours ago
*William Webster, New York Times:* *I Headed the F.B.I. and C.I.A. There’s a Dire Threat to the Country I Love.* *The rule of law is the principle that protects every American from the abuse of monarchs, despots and tyrants.* The privilege of being the only American in our history to serve as the director of both the F.B.I. and the C.I.A. gives me a unique perspective and a responsibility to speak out about a dire threat to the rule of law in the country I love. Order protects liberty, and liberty protects order. Today, the integrity of the institutions that protect our civil orde... more »

UN to America: You CANNOT Avoid Paying Punitive Climate “Reparations”

Selwyn Duke at rss - 8 hours ago
[image: un-to-america-you-cannot-avoid-paying-punitive-climate-reparations] The United Nations has just informed the United States that “it cannot avoid compensating poorer nations hit by climate change.”

Rand Paul Believes Impeachment Will “Dumb Down and Destroy the Country”

Warren Mass at rss - 8 hours ago
[image: rand-paul-believes-impeachment-will-dumb-down-and-destroy-the-country] In a recent TV interview, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he was concerned that the Democratic effort to impeach President Trump would “dumb down and destroy the country.”

Chain-ganging in reverse? Gulf states and US hostility towards Iran

Peter Henne at Duck of Minerva - 8 hours ago
I had a piece in the Washington Post’s “Monkeycage” over the weekend, which you can read here. I noted that many worry Saudi Arabia and the UAE will pull America into war with Iran. But it actually looks like they’re the ones restraining us. The piece was inspired by the famous “chain-ganging” dynamic in IR […]

On the run with fugitive Australian journalist Shane Dowling

Shane Dowling at Kangaroo Court of Australia - 9 hours ago
I’m arguably a fugitive journalist given I moved interstate to avoid the police and courts in NSW but the main person chasing me and trying to jail me again is actually the […]

US Air Force carries out drills over eastern Syria: photo

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) – The U.S. Air Force carried out military drills over the eastern region of Syria on Monday, the Deir Ezzor News Agency reported. According to the news page, two U.S. Air Force jets carried out drills over the Al-‘Umar Oil Fields in eastern Deir Ezzor at 3:00 P.M. (local time) on […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Iran may acquire Russia’s Su-57 in the future: media

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:55 P.M.) – Iran may acquire the Russian Su-57 stealth fighter jet in the future to bolster their air force’s capabilities and increase their military’s overall strength, a new report from Bulgarian Military News read on Monday. “Acquiring small numbers of elite fighters, possibly coupled with retiring of multiple older squadrons, could provide […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Russian special forces to receive cutting-edge ‘silent death’ assault rifle: report

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
The Russian special forces will be equipped with cutting-edge automatic rifles, known as “silent death”, the newspaper Izvestia reported on Monday, citing a military source. According to the report, a new version of the ASM Val (or 6P30M) will be delivered to the 24th brigade, stationed in the city of Novosibirsk, for complete testing and […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Air attack on southern Idlib intensifies as Russian warplanes carryout first strikes

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (7:15 P.M.) – The Russian Air Force has now carried out several attacks over the southern countryside of the Idlib Governorate, today, after grounding their squadrons this past week due to poor weather conditions. According to reports from northwestern Syria, the Russian Air Force carried out more than 15 of the 50 airstrikes […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkey may expel US forces from Incrilik Airbase over sanctions: Erdogan

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
Turkey may close the Incirlik air base for the United States if Washington imposes sanctions on Ankara, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told A Haber TV channel on Sunday. “The decision on whether to close the Incirlik air base [for the United States] lies with us. If we need to do this, we will close […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Watch: Russian Iskander missile system in action

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:15 P.M.) – The Russian Ministry of Defense released a new video of their Iskander missile system carrying out a test drill in the Astrakhan province, as part of exercises conducted in the “Kapustin Yar” field. In the short video, the Russian military can be seen positioning the Iskendar missile system and then hitting […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian President accuses US of selling stolen oil to Turkey

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has accused the United States of selling the oil it has stolen from his country to Ankara. According to him, several thousand American troops, including staff from private companies, have at present occupied vast territories in Syria. “Before the Americans, in the early days Jabhat al-Nusra used these wells; after Daesh […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Rare footage shows ISIS members awaiting trial in Syria’s Al-Hasakah: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 9 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:00 P.M.) – A new video released on Monday showed thousands of men suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS/ISIL/IS/Daesh) terrorist group awaiting trial in the Hasakah Central Prison, which is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In the never-before-seen footage from inside the prison shot on Monday, December 2, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Mitochondria Send Out Cellular Distress Signals When DNA Are Damaged, Like In Chemotherapy

News Staff at Science 2.0 blogs - 9 hours ago
Mitochondria, the energy factories in most of our cells that convert the fat, carbohydrates, and protein we eat into a common energy currency used by our bodies, also set off molecular alarms when cells are exposed to stress or chemicals that can damage DNA, such as chemotherapy, according to a new study in *Nature Metabolism*. This basic research could one day lead to applied science, like cancer treatments that prevent tumors from becoming resistant to chemotherapy. read more

Congress has introduced 50 pieces of legislation about Israel in 2019

contact@ifamericansknew.org at If Americans Knew Blog - 9 hours ago
While America struggles with crises in health care, hunger, and homelessness, Congress has found the time to entertain over four dozen bills and resolutions that cater to a wealthy, heavily-armed state: Israel. The post Congress has introduced 50 pieces of legislation about Israel in 2019 appeared first on If Americans Knew Blog.

China Will Not Be Able To Meet Its Promise To Buy US$300bn Worth Of Goods From The U.S. In The Next Two Years

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 hours ago
*SCMP:* *China faces ‘huge challenge’ in living up to US trade promises as it ‘needs to buy US$300bn worth of goods in next two years’* * Beijing’s response reflects caution about possible missteps ahead while Americans give details of its pledges to boost imports * Government adviser says Chinese appear less excited that the Americans about the ‘phase one’ agreement, which commit it to buying ‘lots more agricultural goods’ China has released fewer details about its trade deal with the US than the American side has – a sign of caution as one government adviser warned it would be a... more »

‘They Could be Anywhere’: Day 2 of Search for Florida Kids at Center of Amber Alert

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 9 hours ago
Search crews in Jacksonville, FL are looking again Monday for two siblings at the center of an Amber Alert. Braxton Williams, 6, was last seen wearing a red sweater with blue jeans and Bri’ya Williams, 5, was last seen wearing a grey sweatshirt with colorful writing on front and black leggings. The children were last […] The post ‘They Could be Anywhere’: Day 2 of Search for Florida Kids at Center of Amber Alert appeared first on Health Nut News.

Fish Recorded Singing Dawn Chorus on Reefs Just Like Birds

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 9 hours ago
At first thought, the ocean might seem like a quiet place. But if you listen carefully, you might hear the sounds of a fish choir. Much of this underwater music comes from soloist fish, repeating the same calls over and over. But when the calls of various fish overlap, they form a beautiful chorus. Robert […] The post Fish Recorded Singing Dawn Chorus on Reefs Just Like Birds appeared first on Health Nut News.

New Sunspot Space Age Record

Russ Steele at The Next Grand Minimum - 9 hours ago
Reposted from spacewesther.com: SUNSPOTS BREAK A SPACE AGE RECORD: Solar Minimum is becoming very deep indeed. Over the weekend, the sunset a Space Age record for spotlessness. So far in 2019, the sun has been without sunspots for more than 270… Continue reading →

Madrid Summit Ends In Failure

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 9 hours ago
By Paul Homewood COP25 has now finished, and, like most the other climate summits, it has effectively achieved diddly squat: A marathon UN summit wrapped up Sunday with little to show, squeezing hard-earned compromises from countries over a global warming battle plan that fell well short of what science says is needed […]

Oh dear, Huw!

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 9 hours ago
Huw Edwards has hit back at BBC bias accusations, but nearly half of Brits (48%) say they don't trust BBC News journalists to tell the truth. This figure was 41% just back in October https://t.co/UVZoNbiOC5 pic.twitter.com/Rx0OxAwPQR — YouGov (@YouGov) December 16, 2019 *Update*: Given that the BBC has, over the past couple of years or so, been relying rather too heavily for its defence against its critics by citing a BBC-sponsored Ipsos Mori opinion poll showing public trust for the corporation holding up, this YouGov poll will surely go down very badly with them. In fact, I ... more »

India's Citizenship Law Triggers Mass Protests And Violence

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 hours ago
*The Guardian: **Indian students join fierce protests against ‘anti-Muslim’ citizenship law* Campus protests take place across country, as alleged police brutality fuels anger Intense protests against a divisive Indian citizenship law that excludes Muslims have spread to university campuses across the country, fuelled by a brutal police crackdown on a demonstration in Delhi at the weekend. Police entered the Jamia Millia Islamia University (JMI) campus in the capital on Sunday and detained more than 100 students, beating activists in the street and firing teargas. JMI was shut ... more »

No, Comedian Carol Burnett is Not Dead

Dan MacGuill at Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
A routine review of content labeled satire.

AP: Thousands of Ohio Absentee Applications Denied

AP News at Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
Thousands of Ohio voters were held up or stymied in their efforts to get absentee ballots for last year’s general election because of missing or mismatched signatures on their ballot applications, an Associated Press review has found.

Wikileaks Bombshell: UN Agency FAKED Douma 'Gas Attack' Report

Daniel McAdams at 9 hours ago
New documents released by Wikileaks confirm that within the Organization for the Prevention of Chemical Weapons there was a massive push to alter the findings of the "Fact Finding Mission" sent to Douma, Syria to investigate an alleged gas attack last year. Now 20 inspectors have claimed that their conclusions were left out of the report, which was re-written with conclusions opposite to what they found. Who forced them to fake the report and why? Watch today's Liberty Report:

Afghanistan War – The Crime of the Century

Ron Paul at 9 hours ago
[image: undefined] “We were devoid of a fundamental understanding of Afghanistan. We didn’t know what we were doing.” So said Gen. Douglas Lute, who oversaw the US war on Afghanistan under Presidents Bush and Obama. Eighteen years into the longest war in US history, we are finally finding out, thanks to thousands of pages of classified interviews on the war published by the Washington Post last week, that General Lute’s cluelessness was shared by virtually everyone involved in the war. What we learned in what is rightly being called the “Pentagon Papers” of our time, is that hundre... more »

Update Dec. 2019 Yes PM Pokes Fun at Climatism

Ron Clutz at Science Matters - 9 hours ago
GWPF published today a letter from the late Sir Antony Jay, co-creator of Yes, Minister and Yes, Prime Minster, attacking the BBC for its blatant bias on climate change 8 years ago. It seems timely to repost the final episode from the last season addressing the topic of global warming/climate change. As you see, climate […]

House approves Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act, with Higgins’ amendment

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 9 hours ago
Higgins’ Measure Addresses Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced the House of Representatives approved the Coastal and Great Lakes Communities Enhancement Act (H.R. 729), a bipartisan package of legislation protecting Great Lakes and Coastal communities

Democrats see potential local use of new maritime grant program

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 9 hours ago
Program Honors Nation’s Maritime History By Supporting Preservation and Public Awareness Projects Washington, DC – U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Congressman Brian Higgins (D-NY-26) announced last week that the FY 2020

Higgins announces his support for House passage of prescription drug legislation

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 9 hours ago
Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) announced House passage of H.R. 3, the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, landmark legislation that reduces the cost of prescription drugs by empowering Medicare to negotiate the cost of drugs, caps out-of-pocket costs

Higgins announces committee approval of legislation reversing SALT cap

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 9 hours ago
Legislation Reinstates Deduction Taken from Homeowners in 2017 GOP Tax Bill; Full House Vote Expected Next Week Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-26) and his colleagues on the House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means approved the Restoring Tax Fairness for

Downstate lawmakers demand more transit projects — as Chairman Kennedy declines to do so for WNY

The Buffalo Chronicle at The Buffalo Chronicle - 9 hours ago
Members of the Assembly representing Bronx, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties urge MTA Chairman Foye to add critically needed projects currently left out of the $51.5 billion MTA Capital Plan TARRYTOWN, NY – The members of the New

Why South Korea's Marines Are Such an Excellent Fighting Force

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 9 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters] North Korea should be wary. *Key point: *Seoul takes its national security very seriously. In modern Korea’s relatively short history, amphibious warfare has played a key and pivotal role. The United Nations essentially liberated South Korea from invasion with a single amphibious stroke, and the country has maintained a large and powerful Marine Corps ever since. Now, a new generation of South Korean amphibious naval forces means the country can ponder taking the offensive during wartime, not only blunting an invasion but upendin... more »

Yes Tokyo Would Be a Target by North Korea in A War

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 9 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Asia* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/NORTHKOREA-MISSILES--RC2LKD9CX6NC.html] Another reason to avoid conflict. *Key point: *Millions would perish and that is why Washington and Pyongyang must never come to blows. Tokyo has a population of 13.491 million, making it by far the largest city in Japan and home to more than 10 percent of the nation’s population. The greater Tokyo area, home to thirty-seven million, is the largest urban area on the planet. It is also squarely in the crosshairs of North Korea’s nuclear weapons. In the event of n... more »

It's 2025, And China Has the Most Powerful Naval Gun

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 9 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, * [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Railgun#/media/File:Railgun_usnavy_2008.jpg] Is there anything we can do before that happens? *Key Point:* Railguns as a technology might not be all they're cracked up to be. China could have the world’s most powerful naval gun by 2025, according to a U.S. intelligence report. China is testing a ship-mounted railgun “capable of striking a target 124 miles away at speeds of up to 1.6 miles per second,” according to CNBC, citing anonymous sources familiar with the report. “For perspective, a shot fired from Washin... more »

These Are the 5 Greatest Air Forces In the World

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 9 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/JAPAN-DEFENCE--GF10000249445.html] Do any surprise you? *Key Point:* Just because a country has good planes, doesn't mean they have the skill to fly them. Qualifying the five most powerful air forces in the world is certainly a difficult and challenging proposition. There are large, well-trained and well-equipped air forces that are obvious candidates for such a list. Then there are less-obvious candidates—like Russia. The Russian Air Force, while plane-for-plane older than many air forces, has numbers, t... more »

"The war on vaccines does not stem from a dispute over facts, but from a disdain for facts, truth, and reason. The anti-vaccine movement is itself a danger." #QotD

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 9 hours ago
*"The war on vaccines does not stem from a dispute over facts, but from a disdain for facts, truth, and reason. The anti-vaccine movement is itself a danger."* ~ Dr. Amesh Adalja, from 'The War on Vaccines: An Interview with Dr. Amesh Adalja' . Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Permission to republish is granted, with link and attribution.

How Britain dresses up crimes in Israel as ‘charitable acts’

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 9 hours ago
The British state is being asked to account for its financial and moral support for a UK organisation accused of complicity in the ethnic cleansing of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians from their homeland. So far, it appears determined to evade answering those questions.

We have mortally wounded Jim Crow program

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 9 hours ago
It took us six years of investigating and reporting on the nationwide Jim Crow Interstate Crosscheckpurge operation that cost more than 1.1 million voters of color their registrations and elected Donald Trump. But, finally, Kansas, which generates the Crosscheck secret scrub lists for other states, has agreed to kill the program. This effectively ends the entire national purge operation.

‘The Calculated Subversion of Humanity’ …and How to Resist It

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 9 hours ago
As we transition into 2020, our World is in the grip of a deliberate attempt to destroy the fundamental values upon which all civilised life depends.

Coming to a location near you - ISIS, recently helicoptered into Iraq from Syria, indulges in cultural display

greencrow at Greencrow As The Crow Flies - 9 hours ago
*Iraq mob lynches Iraqi Teenager* Syrian President Bashar al Assad is someone who doesn't mince words. That's why his interviews are so popular in the alternative media. Listening to Assad is like sitting at a window by the sea with a fresh ocean breeze blowing in. Particularly to those used to reading the drivel in the Main*Z*tream media. I have reprinted a copy of the report about his latest interview below, but first take a look at what's going on now since the US helicoptered its ISIS proxies out of Syria and back into Iraq. According to a Press TV report the US proxies are m... more »

China's Top Leaders Continue To Support Hong Kong’s Embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 hours ago
Carrie Lam met President Xi Jinping for the second time in two months. Photo: Pool *SCMP:* *China’s leaders praise Hong Kong’s Carrie Lam over handling of protest crisis, but remind her she has yet to quell violence* * President Xi Jinping says chief executive has stood firm on principle of ‘one country, two systems’ * Premier Li Keqiang earlier says Lam has Beijing’s backing, but warns she must tackle ‘deep-rooted conflicts and problems’ China’s top leaders on Monday assured Hong Kong’s embattled Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor of their full support as they praised her ... more »

Bolivia’s New US-Backed Interim Gov’t Wastes No Time Privatizing Economy

Alan Macleod at MintPress News - 9 hours ago
From privatizing natural resources to partnering with other right-wing regimes, Bolivia's new interim government has wasted no time in reversing years of hard-fought gains. The post Bolivia’s New US-Backed Interim Gov’t Wastes No Time Privatizing Economy appeared first on MintPress News.

British Weapons Manufacturers, Banks, See Share Price Rocket after Conservative Election Victory

Alan Macleod at MintPress News - 9 hours ago
Almost every one of Britain’s top arms producers saw large spikes in their share price immediately following the news that Boris Johnson was to become the next Prime Minister. The post British Weapons Manufacturers, Banks, See Share Price Rocket after Conservative Election Victory appeared first on MintPress News.

GUESS WHO HAS A MULTI-RACIAL COALITION NOW

Steve M. at No More Mister Nice Blog - 9 hours ago
While you weren't looking, Bernie Sanders surged to second place in the Democratic presidential contest. Former Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders lead the crowded Democratic field, pulling in together about half of the support of Democratic voters and Democratic-leaning independents, according to the latest NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist Poll. Biden leads with 24%, followed closely by Sanders at 22%. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren is third with 17%, followed by South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 13%, all together making up a clear top tier of four candid... more »

Barbara McQuade gets it right!

bob somerby at the daily howler - 9 hours ago
*MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019Three cheers for Barbara McQuade:* In the past few years of impeachment and The Chase, Barbara McQuade has become one of MSNBC's go-to legal experts. In our view, she has occasionally seemed to be sliding into the propagandistic bubble which has come close to swallowing the cable channel whole. This very day, at New York magazine, she offers a clear assessment of the problems within the FBI which Inspector General Horowitz detailed last week. The dumbnification of MSNBC has been underway for years. It's reassuring to see a mainstay of the channel maintai... more »

Mohawk Nation News 'O Cana'jon' the Revised Anthem'

Unknown at CENSORED NEWS - 9 hours ago
Read column at Mohawk Nation News http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2019/12/14/canajon-the-revised-anthem/

Daniel in the lions' den

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 10 hours ago
As MB notes on the "Pheeww!" thread, the BBC's Daniel Sandford went rather above-and-beyond on Twitter the other day: Two thoughts on Labour’s devastating defeat. 1) Labour voters need to join the party in large numbers in order to get the leader and policies they want, otherwise the party will keep on offering only what the current membership advocate. 2) It is not enough to tell voters what they want. You have to listen to them. If they don’t agree with you, you have to win the argument or possible alter your policy. Do not shout at them and call life-long Labour voters Tories. ... more »

Open Thread

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 10 hours ago
Huw's got his Christmas jumper on, though he's not very happy. Apparently, lots of us aren't going to get presents from him this year because we've been very naughty by accusing the BBC of bias!! Thank you for all your comments.

How Should Asian Americans Respond to Asian Racism?

Frank Wu at Diverse - 10 hours ago
Asian racism is an especially touchy subject for Asian Americans. For every effort to denounce the attitudes overseas comes the inevitable backlash of “Who are you to judge us?”

Rice University Announces First African American Provost

Sara Weissman at Diverse - 10 hours ago
Rice University recently promoted its dean of engineering, Dr. Reginald DesRoches, to the position of provost. DesRoches will be the university’s first African-American provost, a historic moment for the Texas campus, which didn’t enroll Black undergraduates until 1965, the Houston Chronicle reported. As dean, DesRoches opened the Center for Transforming Data to Knowledge, which gives […]

Former Death Row Inmate Graduates College

Sarah Wood at Diverse - 10 hours ago
After being exonerated of murder, Ryan Matthews worked to earn his college degree. In 1997, Matthews and a friend were accused of killing a grocery store owner in an attempted robbery. The suspected getaway car shared a similar color as his friends but had a different body style. However, police pulled them over and brought […]

Foundation Pulls $1.5 Million Following UNC’s ‘Silent Sam’ Settlement

Jessica Ruf at Diverse - 10 hours ago
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation withdrew its anticipated $1.5 million grant to the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, in direct response to the school’s decision to allocate $2.5 million to the N.C. Sons of Confederate Veterans for the upkeep of a Confederate memorial. The grant, according to the foundation’s director of communications, […]

2:00PM Water Cooler 12/16/2019

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 10 hours ago
By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Patient readers, lots of political events over the weekend, but my connection was tooth-grindingly slow, and so I’ll have a bit more shortly. –lambert Politics “But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?” –James Madison, Federalist 51 “They had one weapon left and both […]

Five Biographies of Economists

Arnold Kling at Econlib - 10 hours ago
This is a rich genre that is under-appreciated. With a quality biography, you can obtain a better understanding of the economist’s background and thinking. 1. Perry Mehrling, Fischer Black and the Revolutionary Idea of Finance. Portrays a unique individual. Besides revolutionizing finance with the Black-Scholes option pricing model, Fischer Black forever changed Wall Street by […] The post Five Biographies of Economists appeared first on Econlib.

Virginia Supreme Court Upholds Ruling that George Mason University Foundation Is Not Subject to State FOIA Statute, Leaving Koch Funding Details Undisclosed

Jerri-Lynn Scofield at naked capitalism - 10 hours ago
Virginia Supreme Court allows Koch influence to remain undisclosed; the decision has yet to attract much media attention.

Sheriff Mack: Power of the County Sheriff

Hardnox at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
In light of the recent declarations by County Sherriffs in Virginia concerning the upcoming assault by the incoming Leftist Legislature, these videos explain the Power of the County Sherriff in plain English. Sheriff Mack is best known for challenging the Brady Bill, a gun control scheme requiring local law enforcement to perform background checks on prospective gun purchasers. He maintained that the Federal Government had no authority to command local officials, and became the first sheriff in American history to sue the Federal Government (under the Clinton administration) and win... more »

Dangers of impeachment and do-nothing session

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
Those in Congress on both sides of the aisle have decided they know better than the general citizenry about what is acceptable and right for the office of president. Conservatives voted in Donald Trump in 2016. Democrats have refused since the general election to accept that and have waged a campaign of contempt and disruption since that election was confirmed by the Electoral College votes. They have arrogantly decided that they know best and since 2016 have shown themselves to be vindictive, disdainful of all the laws of our country, and disapproving or manipulative of the Constit... more »

Supreme Court Can Extend Trump’s Term By Up To 3 Years If He’s Acquitted In The Senate

Hadenoughalready at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
DECEMBER 13, 2019 There’s a little-known precedent on the books that Democrats are trying desperately to have removed before the impeachment trial of President Trump begins. In 1974, as Nixon faced impeachment, the Republican Congress passed a law that would allow his term to be extended if he was acquitted. The law was specific to Nixon and was set to expire in 5 years, but Nixon resigned. The removal of the law, therefore, never happened. According to legal analyst and constitutional scholar, Art Tubolls, the fact that the law exists at all sets a precedent: “The law is very clear... more »

Going west: The other side of Sydney's 'latte line'

Mridula Amin at Just In - 10 hours ago
The "latte line" is an imaginary border which starts at Sydney Airport and travels diagonally north-west towards Parramatta. For those looking at which side of the line to live on, it is a case of houses versus jobs.

School for high-needs children told to update its 'business model'

Elise Kinsella at Just In - 10 hours ago
A Melbourne school for children with disabilities says its will soon lose funding for its support staff because of a financial stoush between the Victorian and Federal governments.

The surprising truth about Australian hospitals — we don't need so many

Just In - 10 hours ago
If Australia is to make the most of its healthcare future, it will likely need fewer hospitals, not more. There I said it, writes hospital boss Toby Hall.

Whatever happened to Candidate Harris?

bob somerby at the daily howler - 10 hours ago
*MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2019A peculiar report in the Times:* Whatever happened to Candidate Kamala Harris? One week ago today, a peculiar report on this basic question appeared in the New York Times. What the heck happened to Candidate Harris? Why did she fail to catch on? What went wrong with the Harris campaign? At one point, Lerer and Medina offer this highly unflattering overview: LERER AND MEDINA (12/P/19): *Supporters acknowledge that many of the problems faced by Ms. Harris’s presidential campaign were self-inflicted*, having little to do with her race or gender. *They list f... more »

What market economics does not do . . .

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 10 hours ago
https://www.thebalance.com/market-economy-characteristics-examples-pros-cons-3305586 Market economics does not hold that money is all that matters. . . Market economics does not hold that the world would be perfect if only government stays out of the way. . . Market economics does not hold that consumers, workers, investors, and entrepreneurs are fully informed and never prone to error or to personal irresponsibility. . . Market economics does not assume that markets are perfectly competitive and that prices, wages, and interest rates adjust instantaneously. Market economics does ... more »

Rent Control: A Bad Idea That Keeps Coming Back

Luis Miguel at rss - 10 hours ago
[image: rent-control-a-bad-idea-that-keeps-coming-back] High rents and few choices are usually the result of government policies — often as a result of rent controls — yet the Left keeps looking to rent controls to solve housing problems.

Mexico Protests USMCA Labor Provisions

Bob Adelmann at rss - 10 hours ago
[image: mexico-protests-usmca-labor-provisions] One of the sticking points during negotiations over the USMCA between Mexico and the United States was the issue of national sovereignty over labor practices. Ironically, it’s Mexico who considers the matter worth fighting over.

Beyond repair? The Energy Charter Treaty

bilaterals.org - 10 hours ago
16-Dec-2019 An obscure investment agreement, the Energy Charter Treaty, threatens to undermine bold climate action to transform Europe's energy system.

You think you're tough? Try removing your own appendix!

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 10 hours ago
I recently came across a fascinating article about a Russian doctor who cut out his own appendix, after being left with no alternative. During an expedition to the Antarctic, Russian surgeon Leonid Rogozov became seriously ill. He needed an operation - and as the only doctor on the team, he realised he would have to do it himself. * . . .* Rogozov was part of the sixth Soviet Antarctic expedition - a team of 12 had been sent to build a new base at the Schirmacher Oasis. The Novolazarevskaya Station was up and running by the middle of February 1961, and with their mission complete ... more »

Sin Taxes & Other Orwellian Methods of Compliance That Feed the Government’s Greed

WTStaff at Waking Times - 10 hours ago
*John W. Whitehead* - More than two centuries after our ancestors went to war over their abused property rights, we’re once again being subjected to taxation without representation.

Seattle Will Be The Home Of The World’s First Human Composting Site In 2021

WTStaff at Waking Times - 10 hours ago
*Mayukh Saha* - Composting human bodies is something that has drawn a lot of debate. But April 2019 saw Wahington becoming the first state in the United States to legalize this process.

Michigan Hunters Donate 58,000 lbs of Meat and $100,000 to Feed 232,000 Hungry People

WTStaff at Waking Times - 10 hours ago
*Elias Marat* - Meat is something food banks, food pantries and shelters can never get enough of because it’s so costly.

"Every Normal Man..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
“Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.” – H.L. Mencken

Huw Edwards comes down from the mountain

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 10 hours ago
For those who haven't read it in full yet, here's Huw Edwards's blogpost at Linkedin in all its glory. All I'll say about it in advance is: - that Huw obviously isn't a happy bunny. - that in Paragraph 1 Huw puts on his tin foil hat and pushes a conspiracy theory that most criticisms of the BBC over bias are part of some malign attempt to "cause chaos and confusion" and "undermine trust in institutions" rather than being manifestations of genuine anger by large numbers of licence-fee-paying (and non-licence-fee-paying) individuals. He sounds slightly hysterical and silly, don't you... more »

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