10:24 pm MST
"Bigger Isn't Better On Wall St."
*"**Bigger Isn't Better On Wall St."* by Nomi Prins "What caused the overnight lending market to unexpectedly seize up in September? There’s a good reason to believe JPMorgan Chase (JPMC) may have been at the heart of it. JPMorgan Chase is the largest bank in the U. S., and has about $1.49 trillion in deposits. It’s one of the big banks that provide much of the loans in the overnight money markets. But it seems the mega-bank had gone on a stock buyback spree from January through September of this year. Buybacks, which are designed to boost stock prices, have been enabled for years... more »
Nationals leader agrees more action needed on climate change as bushfires rage
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack concedes the bushfire crisis has increased community concerns about global warming and says he "absolutely" accepts more action is needed to address climate change.
( Guess he hasn't seen 'fire roads' clogged with brush and blocked by barricades )
Prosper Macau A Model For Taiwan
It is hope for Taiwan too, people in Taiwan also see their future prospects just like Macau. Trust, Taiwan will even prosper more than Macau and develop more rapidly. Re-unification of Taiwan will boost the standard of life of Taiwanese, as well as strengthen China as a big power.
Productivity Does Not Explain Wages
As long as we believe the neoclassical productivity farce, we will know nothing about what causes prices.
Tribes Win KXL Order in Rosebud Sioux Tribe v. Trump
Tribes Win KXL Order in Rosebud Sioux Tribe v. Trump By Native American Rights Fund December 20, 2019 Categories: Environmental Protection (Climate Change), Native Lands, Religious Rights (Religious Freedom, Sacred Places, Repatriation), Tribal Sovereignty and Jurisdiction On Friday, December 20, 2019, NARF and their clients, the Rosebud
Midnight Meme Of The Day!
*by Noah* "And you can't make me!" So say treasonous politicians like the above pictured Rep. Doug Collins. Collins may be from Georgia but, like just about any Republican you care to name, his soul is with our nation's adversaries. It doesn't take anything to assume that Collins sees his first loyalty as not to his district or the nation but to "President" Trump and Trump's spy master handlers based in Moscow. Collins raised his right hand and took an oath to uphold and protect the Constitution of the United States of America on his very first day in Congress. Evidently, he held ... more »
Australian Daily Wind Power Generation Data – Friday 20th December 2019
By Anton Lang ~ This Post details the daily wind power generation data for the AEMO coverage area in Australia. For the background information, refer to the Introductory Post at this link. Each image is shown here at a smaller size to fit on the page alongside the data for that day. If you click […]
Now ‘Pillow Fights’ Are Offensive To Gays, Says GLAAD
By Gabriel Hays ~ Ah a Democratic presidential debate. The only contest in which the usage of the phrase “pillow fight” generates excitement. No, really. GLAAD, the speech Stasi for all things LGBT, blasted Politico for using the phrase in reference to a less-than-brutal debate exchange between South Bend, Indiana Mayor Buttigieg (who is gay) […]
A California Economy Built On Wind And Solar Is A Mirage
By Duggan Flanakin ~ In its never-ending war to demonstrate political correctness in the era of “climate change,” California lawmakers are demonstrating their ignorance of economics and resource allocation and angering voters across the nation in the process. Just last year, the California legislature enacted a law that requires the state to obtain all of its […]
Schiff’s Subpoenas Reveal New Escalation Of Partisan Warfare
By Paul J. Larkin Jr. ~ When law enforcement officials break the law to get someone they think is bad, politicians and the media rail in high dudgeon—and rightly so. The police, however, aren’t the only ones who occasionally decide to “get the bad guy” no matter what it takes or what laws may stand […]
A California Economy Built On Wind And Solar Is A Mirage
Originally posted on PA Pundits - International: By Duggan Flanakin ~ In its never-ending war to demonstrate political correctness in the era of “climate change,” California lawmakers are demonstrating their ignorance of economics and resource allocation and angering voters across the nation in the process. Just last year, the California legislature enacted a law that requires…
Climate Crisis, No! Energy Poverty.
Originally posted on Science Matters: Energy and Poverty are obviously tied together. “Access to cleaner and affordable energy options is essential for improving the livelihoods of the poor in developing countries. The link between energy and poverty is demonstrated by the fact that the poor in developing countries constitute the bulk of an estimated 2.7…
YOUR CARTOONS: CHRISTMAS and SOLSTICE: DECEMBER 21, 2019
Merry Christmas and a Blessed Yule to every one of you who wanders upon this page of mixed takes on the season of short days and bright lights. All I want for Christmas this year is a break from Liberals (Democrats) and their Bolshevik ways. Is it too much to ask for the best gift of all, an end to this madness they are pouring so selfishly upon the world? I am sure I am not alone in this wish. Whilst pretty ticked at the speech Trump gave at the White House Hanukah ritual, I have to put that on hold. Too blatant, too depressing. He just signed America over to even stricter Noahi... more »
Cosmic technological selection
An important person who wants to stay anonymous sent me an amusing, one-week-old physics.pop-ph preprint by Jeffrey M. Shainline, a photonics-chip guy Does Cosmological Evolution Select for Technology? (PDF) that offers the readers an even bolder modification of the Cosmic Natural Selection, a meme by Lee Smolin, a self-described seer who will forever be deeply grateful to Jeffrey Epstein for the unexpected and generous funding of the ludicrous anti-string-theory crusade. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The anthropic principle is a meme saying the parameters descr... more »
Is the Sig Sauer P-320 X-Carry All It's Cracked Up To Be?
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SIG_Sauer_P320#/media/File:Sig_Sauer_P320_Modular_Handgun_System.jpg] Or is it just a waste of time? *Key Point:* The P-320 makes for a very capable civilian handgun. Sig Sauer’s new P-320 pistol is enjoying a considerable streak of publicity, in large part due to the U.S. Army’s adoption of the it as the service’s new handgun. One new variant of the rapidly growing P-320 line is the X-Carry, a compact handgun designed for concealed carriers and those that want smaller firearms with the handling qualities of full... more »
How to Use Your AR-15 or Glock in the Snow
*Gun News Daily* *Technology, * Shooting tips for the great outdoors--Winter edition. It gets cold during the winter, and understandably, the conditions may deter you from going outside to shoot. But here’s the truth: just because it’s the winter time with frigid temperatures and lots of snow outside does not mean you shouldn’t be out shooting. If anything, you should go shooting during the winter months to help become accustomed to the conditions. There are different considerations that you will need to take into account for winter shooting. After all, you may need to defend yo... more »
No Surprise: It Was An American Who Built The First Handheld Rocket Gun
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * Meet the Gyrojet. *Key point: *Today, the Gyrojet weapons are collector’s items. In the 1960s an American engineer and his partner invented a gun that fired rocket-propelled ammunition. Yes, rocket-propelled. Like a space launch, only much smaller and way deadlier. The Gyrojet handheld rocket gun was a unique child of both the Cold War and the Space Race. Meant for combat in Vietnam, it enjoyed a brief cameo in a James Bond flick and was the object of some half-hearted espionage — but soon fizzled out. The Gyrojet was the brainchild of Robert Mainh... more »
Why Russia's Sole Aircraft Carrier Is Such a Terrible Mess
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Europe* [image: Reuters] Bad for Moscow, good for America. *Key Point:* Moscow has been unable to repair its aging and under-funded flat top. Aircraft carriers are, with the possible exception of submarines, the most complicated naval vessels afloat. Not only do carriers have the traditional concerns of warships to deal with, they must also safely manage a fleet of aircraft which are often complicated in their own right. Despite these complications, carriers are among the most useful and lethal of warships. Even now, 100 years after the first purpose-b... more »
Veteran Who Flew the Last Combat Mission of World War II Tells Us Everything
*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* [image: Reuters] Here's what it was like. *Key point:* Bombing and strafing runs were dangerous even at the end of the war. The following is an account of Captain Jerry Yellin, who flew the last combat mission of WWII on the morning of August 15, 1945, out of Iwo Jima. From April to August 1945, Yellin and a small group of fellow fighter pilots flew dangerous bombing and strafe missions over Japan. Even days after America dropped the atomic bombs—on Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9—the pilots continued to fly. Though Ja... more »
Meet The USS Franklin: America's Most Damaged Aircraft Carrier That Survived World War II
*Warfare History Network* *Security, Asia* She fought until the very end. *Key point *She saw more than her share of tragedy. The USS Franklin was not a lucky ship. In March 1945, off the Japanese mainland, the Essex-class aircraft carrier was hit by two 550-pound bombs that struck her flight deck and penetrated into the hangar deck. Less than six months earlier, a kamikaze had hit her off Leyte in the Philippines, killing or wounding 120 members of her crew. The second attack ignited the fuel tanks of 31 armed and fueled aircraft awaiting launch, as well as “Tiny Tim” air-to-su... more »
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt: The Amazing Fighter That Helped America Win World War II
*Warfare History Network* *Technology, Europe* [image: Reuters] An excellent machine. *Key point:* These warplanes became the backbone of the Air Force's efforts to protect its bombers. Losses were high and morale low when the U.S. Eighth Air Force intensified its heavy bomber missions over Nazi-occupied Europe in late 1942. As the Americans persisted with their daylight offensive, complementing the Royal Air Force’s nightly raids, the air crews were eager and gallant, but misgivings mounted. The major threat came from the German fighter force, with its experienced pilots and ru... more »
Malnutrition Curses The Children Of Venezuela.
*Reuters*: *The Hungry Generation* *Malnutrition curses the children of Venezuela.* A generation of children is growing up hungry and stunted in Venezuela, where the economic crisis and a lack of public resources have led to widespread shortages of food and a public health system unable to care for the malnourished. Last August, Francys Rivero, an unemployed single mother of four, feared for her baby’s life. Two months after his birth, even though she was breastfeeding him regularly, Kenai de Jesús wasn’t gaining weight. “I feel like my heart is breaking,” Rivero, 32, told Reute... more »
Germany's Spies Unload On German Chancellor Merkel’s Relations With Russian President Putin
German Chancellor Angela Merkel (L) and Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speak together as they attend the opening ceremony of the Paris Peace Forum at the Villette Conference Hall in Paris on Nov. 11, 2018. AFP *The XX Committee:* *Top German Spies Unload on Merkel’s Kowtowing to Putin* One of the West’s open secrets is that Germany, Europe’s economic powerhouse, consistently behaves in an obsequious manner towards Vladimir Putin and his authoritarian Russia. Time and again, Berlin has refused to confront the Kremlin over its egregious misconduct – from espionage to subversion... more »
December 21st – 2019 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1066
In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and … Continue reading →
Saturday December 21st – Open Thread
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those … Continue reading →
Chinese Feel ‘Ripped Off’ By Phase One Deal With U.S.
*James Palmer, Foreign Policy: **Why China Isn’t Celebrating the Phase One Trade Deal* A preliminary agreement with the United States means no new tariffs, but the future of the economic relationship remains uncertain. *A Christmas Truce in the Trade War* After much anticipation, the “phase one” U.S.-China trade deal was announced on Friday, but an immediate stock market bump didn’t accompany it. Markets were at first lukewarm on the deal, though U.S. stocks have closed at record highs this week. For now, the partial agreement avoided $160 billion worth of tariffs that were set t... more »
Watch This Baby Sea Lion Fight Off Sleep After Being Rescued From a Parking Garage
An adorable 5-month-old baby sea lion was exhausted after firefighters rescued the little pup who had wandered away from his Bay Area home. A good citizen called the Redwood City Fire Department after the pup, named Santos, found his way into a local parking garage. Firefighters finally got a rope leash around the sea lion’s […] The post Watch This Baby Sea Lion Fight Off Sleep After Being Rescued From a Parking Garage appeared first on Health Nut News.
OMG! What’s next? Caliph-ornia?!
Chris Matthews: Yesterday when we were giving you the latest news from Cairo and the White House, Beck was preaching the coming of the caliphate. That’s right, the coming of the caliphate. ‘Oh, we’ve got trouble in River City.’ The mad professor is prophesizing now that Britain, France, Spain and Portugal are all going to be grabbed up […]
This town should be full of tourists — instead it's full of smoke
Batemans Bay would usually be gearing up for one of its busiest weekends of the year, but bushfires have cut two major highways, disconnecting it from Canberra and Sydney.
The Rise of Skywalker left a question no-one was asking
The Rise of Skywalker delivers a long-awaited answer for fans. But it also leaves a question about one of the series' central characters. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Trump blasts Christian magazine calling for his removal on 'blackened moral record'
A prominent US Christian magazine says Donald Trump should be removed from office, arguing the facts around his impeachment are "unambiguous", but other evangelicals rally around the President.
Indian protest death toll climbs to 23 following violent clashes
India has been engulfed by nationwide protests which has resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people and thousands of arrests over recent days.
CPT2010
From THE HUFFINGTON POST: While visiting Chicago to support Mark Kirk, John McCain took a moment to defend Sarah Palin’s widely mocked crib notes, written on her hand during the Tea Party Convention last weekend. “Which is more egregious,” he asked, as if the answer were obvious, “reading from a word on your hand or […]
In Phone Call Chinese President Xi Accuses President Trump Of Interfering In Its Internal Affairs
"Also talked about North Korea," Donald Trump tweeted about talks with Xi Jinping *Reuters:* *In phone call with Trump, China's Xi says U.S. interfering in internal affairs* WASHINGTON/BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump spoke on Friday with Chinese President Xi Jinping and claimed progress on issues from trade to North Korea and Hong Kong, but China said Xi accused the United States of interfering in its internal affairs. The two leaders spoke a week after their envoys sealed a “Phase 1” agreement aimed at ending an 18-month trade war that has rattled markets and rai... more »
CPT:2010 The Brain That Wouldn’t Work
From TALKING POINTS MEMO: Sharron Angle has resorted to an unusual maneuver to counter Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s attacks on her past quotes and positions, the Reid campaign has announced: A cease-and-desist letter, demanding that Reid no longer republish Angle’s previous campaign website. Original DVD cover The short version of the story is as […]
The Devolution of the Rethuglican Party
From Maureen Dowd at The New York Times (Op-Ed): Christine O’Donnell doesn’t understand why monkeys can’t turn into people right before her eyes. Bill Maher continued his video torment of O’Donnell by releasing another old clip of her on his HBO show on Friday night, this time showing one in which she argued that “Evolution […]
Sarah Palin, Palm Reader
(ChattahBox)—-[…] After Sarah Palin’s keynote speech last night at the Tea Party Convention, she sat down with the event organizer Judson Phillips for a brief question and answer session. The questions were apparently pre-screened and Palin’s team of handlers had presumably prepped her on the right-wing talking point answers. But the half-term governor of Alaska […]
Has Australia just had its Hottest Day Evah?
Maybe, but only if you ignore our history: http://joannenova.com.au/2019/12/hottest-ever-day-in-australia-especially-if-you-ignore-history Read more on the 1896 heatwave: http://mclean.ch/climate/docs/Aus_Heatwave_1896v2014.pdf [PDF, 360 KB] And how to adjust the records: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/science/bureau-of-meteorology-cooling-the-past-to-declare-record-heat/news-story/9f40e780eaf267471b35fd851f24b3fe [Paywall] https://jennifermarohasy.com/2019/12/new-record-temperatures-need-justification/
Criminal network allegedly behind tainted clams that caused food poisoning
Authorities in Spain and Portugal have uncovered what they are calling a criminal network involving contaminated clams that sickened up to 30 people. The investigation involved the Portuguese Economic and Food Safety Authority (ASAE), Food Fraud Network of the European Commission and was led by the Spanish SEPRONA (Guardia Civil’s nature and environment division) and... Continue Reading
Northeast schools and health care facilities hit by outbreak caused by recalled fresh cut fruit
Fresh cut fruit recalled on Dec. 7 continued to be consumed at schools and health care facilities, sickening many more people with Salmonella Javiana. A multistate outbreak blamed on the recalled cut fruit has sickened at least 33 at four health-care facilities in Southeastern Pennsylvania and 26 in Delaware’s schools: greatly expanding an outbreak first reported... Continue Reading
Pork sausage recalled after consumer complaint about dark plastic pieces
Ashland Sausage Co. in Carol Stream, IL has recalled approximately 1,092 pounds of pork sausage products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically hard, dark plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) reports.. The ready-to-eat (RTE) coarse ground sausage items were produced on Nov. 14, 2019, and the recalled... Continue Reading
Beef patties recalled over extraneous green soft plastic materials
Cincinnati-based Advance Pierre Foods has recalled 15,739 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) beef patty products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically small, green soft plastic, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS). The frozen, RTE beef patty items were produced on Sept. 11, 2019. The following products are... Continue Reading
Michael Bloomberg Is Offensive
Disgusting and widely loathed Republican billionaire Michael Bloomberg-- currently pretending to be a Democrat in his Trump-like quest to buy the White House-- is running for president for several reasons. Aside from his own self gratification though, stopping Bernie and Elizabeth, is way on the top of his list. But to take on one of the progressives, *mano a mano*, he first has to get beyond the 3-5% range in which he's polling and then he has to become the front-runner in the conservative or neoliberal lane-- currently dominated by Status Quo Joe and Mayo Pete. (As Elizabeth Warr... more »
Real Star Wars: Believe It Or Not, America Wanted Its Very Own 'Death Star'
*Steve Weintz* *Security, Solar System* An orbital railgun, to be precise. *Key point: *A generation after the program ostensibly wound down, megawatt lasers and railguns *have* arrived. A long time ago in an era much like ours, the United States poured billions into its “Star Wars” missile defense program. What those billions actually bought is still highly classified, so much so that we know very little about the various exotic space weapons conceived during the late Cold War. One of those concepts—“Have Sting”—would have been the biggest gun in the solar system . . . had it e... more »
Why The Air Force Still Flies U.S. F-15s After Nearly Fifty Years (Even with F-35s in The Air)
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * There just aren't enough F-22s to go around. *Key Point:* In a world still dominated by fourth-generation fighters, the F-15 is an aging—but still formidable—fighter. For nearly three decades, the F-15 Eagle fighter was considered the undisputed king of the skies. Until the debut of its replacement, the F-22 Raptor, the F-15 was the U.S. Air Force’s frontline air superiority fighter. Even today, a modernized Eagle is still considered a formidable opponent, and manufacturer Boeing has proposed updated versions that could keep the airframe flying for t... more »
Look Out America: Russia's Hypersonic Avangard Nuclear Missile Is Going Live
*Michael Peck* *Security, * The Avangard is a nuclear-armed glider that travels at hypersonic (faster than Mach 5) speed. *Key point: *The U.S. withdrawal from the INF agreement has spurred fears that Washington and Moscow will revive the costly and dangerous Cold War nuclear arms race. Russia’s Avangard hypersonic boost-glide missile is about to operational. “This missile system is set to go on combat alert in December 2019,” Russia’s Ministry of Defense announced. A defense industry source said “that the first two UR-100N UTTKh intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) outf... more »
RIP, Iran: Could the End of the Iranian Regime Finally Be Near?
*Mohammed Ayoob* *Politics, Middle East* [image: Reuters] Anything could happen. *Key point:* Tehran is facing more pressure and the Iranian people are angry. The events of the last few weeks in Iran indicate that the country may be in for a repetition of the events of 1978 that led to the toppling of the Shah. Anti-government protests in Iran have reached a boiling point with the streets of several of Iran’s cities and towns reverberating with slogans demanding the overthrow of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. One can hear echoes of the “Death to the Shah” slogans of 1978... more »
Italy's Battleships Were Such A Threat That Hitler Sent Bombers To Destroy Them
*Robert Farley* *Security, Europe* He couldn't afford to let them fall into Allied hands. *Key point: *Despite their drawbacks, *Roma* and its sisters were useful ships. Italy’s Regia Marina was one of the busiest navies of the interwar period. Four old battleships were rebuilt so completely that they barely resembled their original configuration. This helped Italy achieve what was really, by the late 1930s, significant ship-to-ship superiority over the French Navy. The reconstruction of these ships helped generate ideas as to what their new battleships should look like. The new... more »
These Are History's Top 5 Naval Battles And Battleships Of All Time
*TNI Staff* *Security, * Check them out. *Key point: *Naval warfare is as old as time itself. Fighting on the water for trade routes, territory or plain power and glory is as old a concept as there is when it comes to war. Naval powers have also used various types of vessels to punish their enemies, from old wooden ships to the steel monsters of the battleship era of years past to aircraft carriers to the smaller but still dangerous cruisers and destroyers of today. But if we were to survey history, what were the biggest, most important naval battles in all of history? And, i... more »
Does Smith & Wesson's M&P9 Outclass Glock's 26 Gen 4 Pistol?
*Gun News Daily* *Technology, Americas* [image: Reuters] Here's how they stack up. *Key Point:* S&W is giving Glock a run for their money. A couple days ago my father-in-law and I met with one of his old friends at his personal shooting range. He showed us his collection — among which is a Chinese-made AK-47 clone (the brand is called Norinco), a Rock Island Armory 1911-style pistol chambered in .22 TCM, a Glock 26 Gen4 and an obscure semi-auto pistol that looked so beaten up I didn’t bother checking it out. What caught my attention was his newest acquisition: a subcompact S&W M... more »
President Trump Tweet Signals Ongoing Hostage Negotiations…
An interesting tweet from President Trump today with a clearly coded message to North Korean Chairman Kim Jong-un. Within the message President Trump notes an ongoing dialogue with Chinese Chairman Xi Jinping about Kim’s status. The hostage negotiations happening against … Continue reading →
Whither Impeachment?
* On Wednesday evening, the House voted two Articles of Impeachment against President Trump. The first alleges “abuse of power,” and the second claims “obstruction of Congress.” Neither is a crime. * So we now know the answer to the question posed in the title of my post of November 13, “The Trump Impeachment: What Is The Crime?” The answer is that we’re not even pretending that there is a crime. . . . * What next? If your answer is, on to the trial in the Senate, you are not fully thinking through all the posturings and maneuverings that our politicians are capable of. Just because... more »
Continuing Coup Remains Greatest Strategic Threat
Continuing Coup Remains Greatest Strategic Threat Video of Continuing Coup Remains Greatest Strategic Threat Not content with ramming through the U.S. House a completely unconstitutional impeachment of President Trump, Nancy Pelosi is continuing, on behalf of the anti-Trumpers, the drive to destabilize the U.S., and use the crisis created by the Obama intelligence team to destroy the nation as a republic. Helga Zepp LaRouche reviewed the fake narratives from Russiagate to Ukrainegate, then used Trump's letter to Pelosi to show that the president is fully aware that this is an atta... more »
Humanity’s Salvation Will Necessarily Look Like A Leap Into The Unknown
If humanity is to turn away from its murderous, omnicidal, ecocidal, oppressive and exploitative trajectory, it will necessarily involve a sharp, drastic deviation from all its previous patterning. You would think that this would go without saying; obviously a drastic change in behavior will look […]
Around half of historic $600m Bell Group settlement eaten up in legal fees
About $600 million will pour into the Western Australian Government's coffers as one of Australia's longest-running legal stoushes, the Bell Group litigation, reaches settlement, but it cost $300 million in legal fees to get there.
US woman deliberately hits teen with car in racial attack
A woman in the US is charged with attempted murder after she told police that she intentionally steered her car onto a footpath and ran over a 14-year-old girl because she believed the teenager was Mexican.
Zerafa lodges protest after loss to Horn
Michael Zerafa's camp decides to lodge a protest following his controversial boxing loss to Jeff Horn in Brisbane.
Notre Dame to miss first midnight Christmas mass in 230 years
It has been a place of worship for over 800 years, but for the first time since the French Revolution, Parisians will be missing out on a midnight Christmas mass at the capital's famed Notre Dame Cathedral.
Victorian bushfire 'large enough to be generating some of its own weather'
Victorian firefighters say a bushfire threatening homes and lives near Ensay in far east Gippsland created its own weather system as it rapidly expanded overnight.
Boeing capsule launches to wrong orbit, causing major setback
Boeing's new Starliner capsule ends up in the wrong orbit after lifting off on its first test flight, in a blow to the company's effort to launch astronauts for NASA next year.
Fire inside Brisbane CBD bar 'suspicious', investigators say
Police investigate a suspicious fire inside the Mr Percival's bar at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane's CBD after flames and smoke were seen through a window.
Falling tree branch crushes back of car, killing passenger
A falling tree branch crushes the back of a car on Kings Way in South Melbourne, killing one of the back-seat passengers and putting another in hospital.
How Nazi Germany's Attempt to Seize Moscow Failed
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* [image: Reuters] The Soviets fought back hard. *Key point:* Never invade Russia and never fail before the winter. The war map gave Adolf Hitler every reason to be confident. Operation Barbarossa, Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union begun on June 22, 1941, had succeeded spectacularly on nearly every front. One Soviet army after another had been smashed as Germany’s Ostheer, its army in the East, plunged deep into the industrial heart of Josef Stalin’s vast Eurasian state. By September, Hitler’s legions were within sight of Leningrad, ... more »
Lisa Page Email Shows Direct Evidence of Investigative Leaking and Bias IG Horowitz Said He Could Not Find…
Within the small group conducting the 2016 FBI investigation of the Trump campaign, the Steele Dossier was called “Crown Material“. A name relating to Christopher Steele’s British intelligence position. [James Comey testimony to congress] The “Crown Material” has become more … Continue reading →
Professor Feldman, Democrat Witness, Trump Isn’t Impeached Until Articles Are Sent to Senate
Fox Business Senate Majority Leader slammed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for delaying the Senate impeachment trial. end
More Than 9,300 Stores Closed Across US in 2019: Report
More Than 9,300 Stores Closed Across US in 2019: Report by JACK PHILLIPS, https://www.theepochtimes.com/ A report found that more than 9,300 stores have closed or are closing across the United States in 2019, including locations operated by Payless, Gymboree, Fred’s, Walgreens, Family Dollar, and many more. – According to a report (pdf) by Coresight Research, which released …
Rickards: World on Knife Edge of Debt Crisis
Rickards: World on Knife Edge of Debt Crisis by James Rickards, https://dailyreckoning.com/ Herbert Stein, a prominent economist and adviser to presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, once remarked, “If something cannot go on forever, it will stop.” The fact that his remark is obvious makes it no less profound. Simple denial or wishful thinking tends …
Why Western Media Ignore OPCW Scandal
Why Western Media Ignore OPCW Scandal by Tyler Durden, https://www.zerohedge.com/ The credibility of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons is on the line after a series of devastating leaks from whistleblowers has shown that the UN body distorted an alleged CW incident in Syria in 2018. The distortion by the OPCW of the incident …
Putin: Trump Impeachment Charges Made Up, US Senate Republican Majority’ll Not Impeach Him
Russia Insight Russian President Vladimir Putin holds his annual news conference, attended by Russian and foreign media, at the World Trade Centre in Moscow. Vladimir Putin has criticized the impeachment of Donald Trump, dismissing the charges as “absolutely made up” and saying he expected the US president to survive the US Senate vote. In remarks …
Boeing’s 737 Max Cancellations Approach 150K
CNBC Television CNBC’s Phil LeBeau reports on Boeing’s bad week. With CNBC’s Brian Sullivan and the Fast Money traders, Tim Seymour, Carter Worth, Steve Grasso and Guy Adami. end
Repo Madness Is Also Being Used to Paper Over Massive Forward Dollar Swap Losses Globally?
WallStForMainSt Not only is the Fed buying around 90% of new US Treasuries being issued (according to Daniel Amerman’s new article) but the Fed is also apparently bailing out the global dollar shortage and bad derivatives bets in the forward dollar swaps market? #RepoMadness #DollarShortage – The Fed’s official balance sheet is now up $41.561 …
Gas Blackmail: US to Sanction EU Companies for Nord Stream 2 Work
RT #US senators have resorted to #bullying tactics threatening a Swiss company with sanctions that could cripple its business, if it doesn’t stop working on the construction of the #NordStream2 pipeline. end
EU Withdrawal Bill Passed, Paving Way for January 31 Brexit
RT UK MPs have voted to pass PM Boris Johnson’s amended EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), which sets the stage for an almost-certain Brexit on January 31 — and prevents any extension of the transition period beyond December 2020. A previous version of the bill said that the post-Brexit transition period could be prolonged by …
Presidential Debates are as Dull as 1950s TV Game Shows.
*Michael J. Socolow* *Politics, Americas* [image: Reuters] The whole production is tidy, predictable, nonthreatening and occasionally entertaining. That’s precisely why the two dominant political parties, and their candidates, still insist on the format. Televised political debates continue to disappoint viewers and critics. Sometimes they even frustrate the participants themselves. That’s because, since their inception, nobody has been able to come up with a model that rival candidates would accept, and that would be useful and informative for the viewing public. The only debate... more »
Why the Allies Used 1000 Bombers to Eliminate Nazi Germany's Berlin
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* [image: Reuters] A huge fleet. *Key point:* The Allies wanted to harm German industrial capacity and morale. He was widely regarded as America’s best pilot, he was already a recipient of the Medal of Honor, he was commander of the Eighth Air Force caught up in 1,000-plane bombing missions deep into the Third Reich, and he was mad as hell. Lieutenant General James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle was also a gentleman who rarely used harsh language, but when they gave him the battle order for a mission to be flown on February 3, 1945—a mission to B... more »
Trump's Big Tax Cut: A Waste of Time or a Big Economic Growth Driver?
*Rachel del Guidice* *Politics, Americas* [image: U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump smile during the family photo session with invited guests at the G7 summit in Biarritz, France August 25, 2019. REUTERS/Christian Hartmann/Pool] And have all Americans benefited? The American economy has had a strong year. How much of this can we attribute to the federal tax reform passed in 2017? Ahead of this Sunday’s second anniversary of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, The Daily Signal is featuring several interviews about the law and its impact. We begin with *Joseph Sempre... more »
The Gatling Gun Might Be The Scariest Ever Designed (And Deadliest)
*Warfare History Network* *History, North America* She revolutionized 19th century warfare. *Key Point:* Dr. Richard Gatling traveled the word hocking his new weapon, which was put to deadly effect. Richard Gatling was born in Hertford County, NC, on December 12, 1818. His father was a prosperous farmer and inventor, and the son was destined to inherit the “invention bug.” After three of his sisters died at a young age from disease, Richard Gatling decided to study medicine, and graduated from the Ohio Medical College in Cincinnati in 1850. He moved to Indianapolis the same year... more »
How the Glock 43 Gun Is Superior for Concealed Carry
*Gun News Daily* *Security, Americas* [image: https://us.glock.com/en/pistols/g43] Let's take a look. *Key Point:* Could this be the ultimate self-defense gun? Both the Glock 26 and the Glock 43 are very popular small pistols, especially among those who like to carry their handgun concealed. On paper, the differences between these guns appear to be very slight, but in the real world even these slight differences can have a big impact. The debate as to which of these pistols is better has raged for as long as they’ve both been available. The Glock 26, released in 1994, revolution... more »
Faster and Faster Still: The 5 Best Fighter Jets Ever
*Robert Farley* *Security, * [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_262#/media/File:Messerschmitt_Me_262A_at_the_National_Museum_of_the_USAF.jpg] Do your picks match ours? *Key Point:* There are several points an aircraft should meet to be dubbed one of the greatest of all time. What are the five greatest fighter aircraft of all time? Like the same question asked of tanks, cars, or rock and roll guitarists, the answer invariably depends on parameters. For example, there are few sets of consistent parameters that would include both the T-34 and the King Tiger amo... more »
The Navy Has A New Stealth Destroyer, But It Is No True Battleship (At Least Not Yet)
*James Holmes* *Security, * The shoe just doesn’t fit. *Key point: *The DDG-1000 isn’t a stealth battleship. But it should be. And—suitably armed—it could be. Over the years it’s become commonplace for writers to sex up their descriptions of guided-missile destroyer (DDG) *Zumwalt*, the U.S. Navy’s newest surface combatant. Commentators of such leanings depict the ultra-high-tech DDG-1000 as a battleship. Better yet, it’s a “stealth battleship”—a fit subject for sci-fi! Not so. And getting the nomenclature right matters: calling a man-of-war a battleship conjures up images in t... more »
National Security Highlights from the Fourth Democratic Primary Debate
On Thursday, PBS Newshour and Politico hosted the sixth debate of the 2020 Democratic primary campaign, moderated by Judy Woodruff, Amna Nawaz, Yamiche Alcindor, and Tim Alberta. We’ve combed through the transcript from the debate to present the national security-related exchanges. These excerpts are organized both thematically and chronologically. A complete transcript is available through the Washington Post here. *Impeachment* WOODRUFF: To the candidates -- last night, at this hour, the House of Representatives voted for only the third time in American history to impeach a pre... more »
"The Fed’s Gifts to Wall Street"
*"The Fed’s Gifts to Wall Street"* by David Stockman "A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both." – President Dwight D. Eisenhower, “First Inaugural Address” (January 20, 1953) "This is probably the last real trading day before Christmas; things are going to be very slow next week. But, as of midday, it looks like all the major equity indices are going to close well in the green today, at or near all-time highs too. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, indeed. This rally – to put a bow on a 25%-plus year for “the stock market” – makes it easy to... more »
How Badly Will Their Votes Against Impeaching Trump Cost Swing District Republicans?
*Fore! by Nancy Ohanian* Michael Scherer, writing for the *Washington Post* Wednesday, reported that "When the dust clears, the result is most likely to look more like a draw than a victory, say political strategists from both sides." He quoted Democratic pollster Geoff Garin: "I am confident that not a single Democrat anywhere in the country next year will lose their seat because they voted for impeachment." And he quoted Republican pollster Glen Bolger: "I am not convinced that anybody is in significant danger but the small number that represent the other team’s area, and there ar... more »
Muslim Cop Charged with Sex Crimes Against Children in English Grooming Gang Scandal
[image: muslim-cop-charged-with-sex-crimes-against-children-in-english-grooming-gang-scandal] A Muslim police officer in West Yorkshire has been charged with being a part of a grooming-gang that sexually exploited 13-16-year-old girls from 2006 until 2009. As part of the Protective Services Operation, Amjad Ditta may have abused his position in order to gain access to the children.
"Déjà vu All Over Again?"
*"Déjà vu All Over Again?"* By Nomi Prins "Back in 1907, the world’s leading financier gathered his colleagues around a table in his library. His name was J.P. Morgan. In that plush room filled with the smoke of expensive cigars, New York City’s most important bankers were worried. There had been a run on the money of a few lesser banks. As a result, the financial system, along with the city, was in a state of panic. Morgan got word to President Theodore Roosevelt, who sent his Treasury secretary to calm their nerves. This he did, with a government bailout fund of $25 million that ... more »
Help me understand on this cold December night
I hope everyone had a great week and will enjoy a stress free weekend. Using a questioning theme, help me understand… – how JUULs and the like can be portayed as safe by their makers when an excessive amount of … Continue reading →
A Leprosy-Free World Is Possible
DHAKA, Bangladesh, Dec 20 (IPS) - From Dec 11-12 the plight of people with Leprosy took centre stage during the National Conference on Zero Leprosy Initiative 2030 and at the historic and the first-ever the Conference of Organizations of persons affected by Leprosy- in partnership with the Nippon Foundation. Read the full story, “A Leprosy-Free World Is Possible”, on globalissues.org →
President Trump Speech and Signing of 2020 NDAA Initiating Spaceforce – 7:30pm ET Livestream…
Tonight President Trump will deliver remarks at Joint Base Andrews and sign the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. Included in the bill are twelve weeks of paid parental leave, initiation funds for the United States Space Force … Continue reading →
Gardasil Vaccine Censorship Continues as Published Research Documenting Fertility Rates is Withdrawn
In June 2018, the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A published my article “A lowered probability of pregnancy in females in the USA aged 25-29 who received a human papillomavirus vaccine injection”. Data revealed that 60% of women who had not received the HPV vaccine had been pregnant at least once, while only 35% of HPV vaccine recipients had ever conceived. The article detailed the statistical analysis as well as offered possible biological mechanisms for the results. Three researchers peer-reviewed the article. When the article first appeared, the editors ... more »
Texas Pathologist Criticizes Child Abuse Pediatricians – Wants Law Put in Place to Protect Parents
NBC News along with the Houston Chronicle is continuing their series in exposing medical kidnapping. Mike Hixenbaugh and Keri Blakinger recently published an article featuring Dr. Michael Laposata, chief of pathology at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, who has a history of helping parents wrongly convicted of child abuse by Child Abuse Pediatricians. Dr. Laposata, along with other Texas doctors and Texas lawmakers, want to see the law changed so that courts do not rely solely on the opinion of a single "Child Abuse" doctor as an expert. They want to require that cou... more »
Trump’s Transformation of the Courts Barrels Onward
Senators confirmed 13 of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees, bringing to 102 the number of federal judges approved this year — more than twice the annual average over the past three decades.
Editor's Note
Blogging has been light for the past few days. Visitors, presentations, getting ready for Christmas .... it all came together at the same time. But blogging will return to normal this Sunday. We are all going to stay put for the holidays, which means that I am going to have a lot of free time for the next two weeks.
Dozens of ex-French soldiers joined jihadist groups in Syria and Iraq: video
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:45 P.M.) – Dozens of former French soldiers, sometimes from elite units, have joined jihadist groups in the Middle East since 2012, the Centre for the Analysis of Terrorism reported this week. According to the report, the Centre identified some 30 former French soldiers that have joined terrorist groups in Iraq and Syria, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
The Daily Brief 2019-12-19
This is a summary of 14 AMN articles on the following subjects: Hama, Idlib, Syria, Hezbollah, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi, Russia, Gaza, Israel, Palestine, US, Libya, Tripoli, Trump. Categories covered in this brief: Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Gulf, Middleeast, Palestine, North-Africa, Turkey, World-News Let us know how you like this brief in the comments below. — The […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Turkish troops allegedly fighting in GNA’s ranks in Libya: LNA
Turkish snipers and storm groups are fighting in the ranks of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) in the capital of Tripoli, a military source in the rival Libyan National Army (LNA) said. “We saw Turkish soldiers fighting on the ground in the direction of Khallet al-Furjan in Tripoli among the GNA armed militias. We […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Jihadists suffer heavy losses as Syrian troops keep advancing in southeast Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:10 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is rolling through the southeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate this evening after launching a big attack at two axes. According to a military source near the front-lines, the Syrian Arab Army has captured the town of Al-Rafah after a short battle with the jihadist […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Climate Crisis, No! Energy Poverty.
Energy and Poverty are obviously tied together. “Access to cleaner and affordable energy options is essential for improving the livelihoods of the poor in developing countries. The link between energy and poverty is demonstrated by the fact that the poor in developing countries constitute the bulk of an estimated 2.7 billion people relying on traditional […]
Pure Global Cannabis ‘temporarily’ lays off staff to conserve cash
Canadian license holder Pure Global Cannabis has become the latest marijuana firm to shed part of its workforce to conserve cash amid the challenging capital market conditions facing the industry. “This is about cost containment,” CEO Mel Panchal said in an interview. “It’s just prudent fiscal measures to ensure that we’re not burning unnecessary cash. […] Pure Global Cannabis ‘temporarily’ lays off staff to conserve cash is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Lupaka amenaza a Perú con arbitraje ante bloqueo de manifestantes indígenas
20-Dec-2019 En una nota de prensa difundida por la minera canadiense Lupaka, ésta anuncia que ha presentado Notificación de Intención de Presentar una Reclamación de Arbitraje, de conformidad con el Acuerdo de Libre Comercio de 2009 entre Canadá y Perú el 12 de diciembre, ante el Ministro de Economía y Finanzas peruano.
Struggling Arsenal, listing in midtable, rolls the dice and appoints former player Arteta as manager
Arsenal hires Mikel Arteta as manager, hoping its former midfielder can turn around the fortunes of the ailing London club after spending more than three years learning the coaching ropes as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
Cruise ships collide while trying to dock in Mexican port
Six passengers suffer minor injuries after the Carnival Glory and Carnival Legend collide while trying to dock in the Mexican Caribbean resort of Cozumel.
Former security guard behind shooting at headquarters of Russian intelligence agency
Russian investigators say the man who opened fire on the headquarters of the FSB intelligence and security service in Moscow was Yevgeny Manyurov, a 39-year-old former security guard.
RUDY GIULIANI ON UKRAINE: Documents PROVE Hunter Biden, Burisma Corruption and Money Laundering
Dec 20, 2019 ~Interesting! This is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg…HEA
NAFTA 0.0
“I have long contended that NAFTA was perhaps the worst trade deal ever made,” said President Trump at an October 1, 2018 White House ceremony where he touted its proposed replacement, the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA). A little over 14 months later, we are close to having the USMCA replace the North American […] The post NAFTA 0.0 appeared first on Econlib.
Money Is Leaving China At A Record Rate
China is expected to issue a digital version of its yuan currency. Photo: AFP / Fred Dufour *CNN:* *Money has been leaving China at a record rate. Beijing is battling to stem the tide* Hong Kong (CNN Business)Beijing is stepping up the battle to stop money flowing out of China as the country contends with economic woes and trade war tensions that have eased but show no sign of ending altogether. Money was leaving the country at a record clip earlier this year through unauthorized channels, according to analysts. That's bad news for China, which needs to keep financial reserves hig... more »
Assyrian Churches in Turkey Damaged By Kurdish Group Undergo Restoration
( DHA)Four churches in the southeastern city of Diyarbakır will be returned to their former glory by the end of next year, authorities say, as their renovation following attacks by the terrorist group PKK continues.
The Epilepsy Demon
The Assyrian epilepsy demon can be spotted at the bottom of the image, horns and face to the left and legs to the right.When Assyriologist Troels Pank Arbøll of the University of Copenhagen was studying the tablet at the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin four years ago, he accidentally discovered a partially damaged drawing on its reverse.
Middle Finger Symphony Theater
~ NO TUXEDOS REQUIRED ~ Brought To You By *BLUESJUNKY*: Chair of Music - Middle Finger Symphony Music Director *~* Thank You *WHATFINGER NEWS* for the Linkage! *~*
Is Harvard Law Professor Noah Feldman Related to Jeffrey Epstein?
Feldman's Wikipedia page was under attack the day he testified in Congress about the impeachment of the U.S. president.
Twitter Fights Interference, Deletes 5,929 Saudi Accounts
Twitter has identified and removed nearly 6,000 accounts that it said were part of a coordinated effort by Saudi government agencies and individuals to advance the country’s geopolitical interests.
This German Naval Radar Terrorized the Allies During World War I (Not a Battleship)
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* The German cruiser Emden compiled an impressive record as a raider in the opening months of World War I before meeting an untimely end. World War I was only a few days old when the German light cruiser SMS *Emden*, patrolling off the Korean Peninsula, spotted its first target. Shortly after 4 am on August 4, 1914, lookouts spotted what they believed to be the Russian cruiser Askold. The Emden’s crew readied for action. The Russian vessel fled before it, prompting *Emden*’s crew to fire a series of warning shots. The vessel slowed after ... more »
In the 21st Century, the U.S. Navy Will Eliminate Submarines With Drones
*Kris Osborn* *Security, Europe* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/EURONAVAL-FRANCE--RC1D71718670.html] The Chinese and Russians better watch out. *Key point: *This is how submarine hunting will look in the age of technology. Should an enemy submarine surface well beyond undersea or surface drone detection range and send intelligence to attack platforms - US Navy platforms could be vulnerable in some instances. Fortified by targeting data from well beyond the horizon, enemy subs, planes and ships might, in this case, be well-positioned for a coordinated strike. Howe... more »
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