10:12 pm MST
Festivus for the Rest of Us
*Whereth the Jurassic One Venteth His Spleen in a Most Vexing and Uncouth Manner* Because this is the airing of Grievances. Because your crimes are so infamous, I won't even need linkage to prove what I'm about to write. Because when you're regarded by some as "the president", your crimes are well-known because, whether or not you like it, sometimes even the corrupt, corporate mainstream media does do their job and your endless crime spree is magnified as under an electron microscope. So let's commence with my own airing of grievances. Goddamn you for endangering... more »
Curt Flood Set Off the Baseball Free-Agent Revolution 50 Years Ago
Curt Flood set off the free-agent revolution 50 years ago Tuesday with a 128-word letter to baseball Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, two paragraphs that pretty much ended the career of a World Series champion.
He Wants to Have His Candy and Eat It, Too
FromPOLITICO: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who said last month that he had reached the decision not to enter the 2012 race after intense prayer, says that doesn’t take him out of the veepstakes. “Everything is still open. I haven’t closed doors. I found long ago that that’s not the smart thing to do,” Huckabee […]
Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church and the host of PowerPoint Ministries speaks on CT controversy
“When we [Trump's religious council] began to work with the Trump Administration, it was with the hope that our president would keep the promises he made to America and advocate for conservative biblical principles. We continue to support him because he has kept those promises (all of them) and often he has exceeded them and beyond expectations. The 2020 election is pivotal, and we all should be prayerful that the policies of our president are secured for generations to come. So call me foolish, but I’ve never been more confident in the will of God as we work and pray together wit... more »
IEDs blow up college costs
I have received Christmas/holiday greetings from the OSU Vice Provost for Diversity and Inclusion and Chief Diversity Officer Executive Director of the Todd Anthony Bell National Resource Center on the African American Male. There may be hundreds of these administrative bloat positions at any college or university by the time you include the department level and committee level appointments plus the various centers.
How Congress and the Federal Reserve Stole Christmas
[image: how-congress-and-the-federal-reserve-stole-christmas] The bickering over impeachment did not stop the president and Congress from coming together last week to avert a government shutdown by passing a 1.4 trillion dollar spending package.
A Helping Hand
[image: a-helping-hand] Thousands of those Jesus Christ called the “least of these” — the homeless — are suffering and dying on the streets of Los Angeles and other cities across America. It’s time to fix decades of “misguided and faulty” policies.
Trumpian Rhetoric: The Case of His Letter to Pelosi (and Foreshadowing 2020).
On Trump's schtick.
Did Lindsey Graham Really Say This in 1998 About Presidential Impeachment?
The U.S. senator from South Carolina is not exactly known for the consistency of his positions.
A Very Strange Debate
Even before last week’s impeachment vote in the House, a strange debate had begun about how the House should proceed with its articles of impeachment. Some have suggested that the House should never send those articles to the Senate to trigger a trial on whether President Trump should remain in office. Others have suggested that the House should wait until later in the year or somehow hold those articles hostage until Senator McConnell agrees to trial procedures to the Democrats’ liking. Some have suggested that the Senate could go ahead and hold an impeachment trial withou... more »
Dec. 22 Arctic Ice Nearly Normal
The image above, supported by the table later on shows that in December ice has recovered in the central Arctic with open water found only on the margins, as is typical this time of year. The animation shows progression of ice extent from Dec. 1 to Dec. 22, 2019. Most dramatic is Hudson Bay on […]
Study: Those with Higher LDL Cholesterol Levels Live the Longest
A couple of weeks ago the Lancet published a ridiculous study which created headlines around the world – most of which failed to understand the difference between LDL (‘bad’ cholesterol) and non-HDL cholesterol. This study was reported as saying that twenty-five-year olds should get their cholesterol checked, because raised cholesterol is far more damaging, at a young age, than previously thought. All based on, pretty much nothing at all. I critiqued it in my last blog. It was, to use a word I rather like … bilge! Then another study came out last week: ‘Association between hyperlip... more »
This Christmas, Over Half a Million Americans Will Struggle with Homelessness
The government estimates ending homelessness would cost around $20 billion, less than Americans spend on Christmas decorations, yet there appears to be little appetite to address the growing problem. The post This Christmas, Over Half a Million Americans Will Struggle with Homelessness appeared first on MintPress News.
Things You Probably Wouldn't Want to See on Christmas Day
Christmas is a day for family (well at least the ones you like), friends, food, giving and receiving. But, there are some things we hope we don't have to see. *LIKE.........* *Hearing a noise and thinking it's Santa, * *but finding the local S.W.A.T. Team swarming your house, **locked and loaded!* *Rising early to find standing between you and your bathroom door, * *the next door neighbor's slightly insane son and he's transistor fetish.* *Richard Freakin Simmons standing in your living room!* *Your eldest daughter, recently scorned by her lover, * *offering for the f... more »
North Korea Almost Forced Nixon Into A War, While America Was In Vietnam
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed. *Key point:* Ultimately, the Nixon administration—not dovish by any stretch of the imagination—declined to retaliate. April 15, 1969 marked one of the deadliest days for the United States in postwar Asia. The shootdown of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft off the coast of North Korea was unprovoked, and cost the lives of thirty-one Americans. Despite stern calls from Congress to avenge the deaths of the American servicemen, President Richard M. Nixon ultimately decided to avoid retaliation, lest he start a ... more »
America's B-21 Raider (New Stealth Bomber) Is Going To Change How America Fights Air Wars
*Kris Osborn* *Security, * The service plans to field the new bomber by the mid-2020s. *Key point:* Russian media reports have recently claimed that stealth technology is useless against their air defenses. The Air Force’s stealthy long-range bomber will have the endurance and next-generation stealth capability to elude the most advanced existing air defenses and attack anywhere in the world, if needed, senior service officials said. When the Air Force revealed its first artist rendering of what its new Long Range Strike – Bomber looks like, former Air Force Secretary Deborah Ja... more »
The Democrats Have a Problem: They Can't Attack the 'Trump' Economy Very Easily
*James Pethokoukis* *Politics, Politics* [image: Reuters] Their talking points don't jive. During Thursday night’s Democratic debate, moderator Judy Woodruff asked former Vice President Joe Biden: “What is your argument to the voter watching this debate tonight who may not like everything President Trump does but they really like this economy and they don’t know why they should make a change?” To which, Biden replied, “Well, I don’t think they really do like the economy. Go back and talk to the old neighborhoods and middle-class neighborhoods you grew up in. The middle class is ... more »
Uzi: The One Gun That Everyone Still Fears
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * The Uzi was a textbook example of a simple project successfully completed by a nascent arms industry. *Key point: *Contrary to popular belief, the Uzi was not the standard weapon of Israeli infantry. One of the most recognizable weapons of the postwar era came from one of the newest nation-states. The Uzi submachine gun was designed to be a simple, inexpensive weapon that would overcome the logistical problems of a ragtag army turning professional. In doing so it became a commercial success, exported far and wide and a legend among postwar small arms... more »
Forget World Wars, The Black Death Almost Wiped Europe Off The Map
*Kyle Mizokami* *Society, Europe* Permanently. *Key point:* As widespread and deadly as it was, the plague never became a permanent resident of Europe. More than six centuries ago, disaster struck the people of Europe. A deadly plague, traveling west along trade routes from Central Asia, struck the continent with such force it wiped out entire villages and killed as many as twenty-five million people. The “Black Death,” as it was called, not only depopulated Europe but set the stage for profound societal change. The disease that was later called the “Black Death” is thought to h... more »
War Between Russia and America Could End The World
*Robert Farley* *Security, * Millions would die. *Key point: *While both the Americans and the Soviets had, by the 1980s, come to the conclusion that a general war *could* remain conventional, it would far from certain. Even before the guns fell silent in Europe in 1945, it became apparent to American and British planners that the Soviet Union would hold a massive advantage in land power along the Central front. In the early post-war years, Western planners hoped that nuclear weapons would keep the Soviets at bay. As the USSR’s own missile and nuclear programs accelerated, howe... more »
Reuters: Legionaries Founder Sexually abused 60 Boys, Religious Order’s Report Says
Sexual abuse of minors was prevalent among superiors of the Legionaries of Christ Catholic religious order. At least 60 boys were abused by its founder Father Marcial Maciel, a report by the group showed. The report is significant because for decades until 2006, including during all of the pontificate of Pope John Paul, the Vatican […] The post Reuters: Legionaries Founder Sexually abused 60 Boys, Religious Order’s Report Says appeared first on Health Nut News.
"Economic Market Snapshot PM 12/23/19"
*Updated frequently as available.* ◆ PM 12/23/19: Gregory Mannerino, "The Stock Market Is 60 to 70% OVERVALUED" - https://www.traderschoice.net/ *Related:* "With Stocks In Full-Blown Melt Up, Here Are The Key Gamma And Delta Strikes To Watch" ◆ *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 12/23/19 (updates daily): The Stock Market is Signi... more »
Musical Interlude: David Nevue, "Greensleeves"
Images of nature with "Greensleeves" performed by David Nevue.
"A Look to the Heavens"
"Do you see it? This common question frequently precedes the rediscovery of one of the most commonly recognized configurations of stars on the northern sky: the Big Dipper. This grouping of stars is one of the few things that has likely been seen, and will be seen, by every generation. *Click image for larger size.* The Big Dipper is not by itself a constellation. Although part of the constellation of the Great Bear (Ursa Major), the Big Dipper is an asterism that has been known by different names to different societies. Five of the Big Dipper stars are actually near each other in sp... more »
Big Brother – vehicle edition
Monday, December 23, 2019 Earlier this month, I pointed out that “If you allow “smart” devices to listen to you non-stop, you’re crazy“. That article examined the security risks of allowing smart devices into your home, because you had no idea what they were listening to and/or recording. Now comes news that your car is almost certainly spying on you just as hard, if not harder. Please watch the short video below; or, if you prefer, read the report about the investigation. Both are mind-blowing in their implications for our security. It turns out that almost every modern vehicle... more »
President Trump to wow citizens and break records even as the Democrat scrooges continue to rant
EXCLUSIVE: Trump hosts Amish in historic Oval Office visit Washington Times S.A. Miller December 22, 2019 President Trump began the holiday break by hosting an Amish delegation in the Oval Office, the first time members of the reclusive community have received that honor. They might be an odd pairing — the brash and extravagant billionaire president and the humble Amish — but they enjoy a kinship in their Christian faith and work ethic, the Amish visitors told The Washington Times. “He is a common man just like me and everybody else — very common, very friendly. He called us friends ... more »
Wisconsin City Mulls Dumping Ban on Throwing Snowballs
A 1962 ban on throwing projectiles in Wausau lumps snowballs into the same category as rocks and other items that can cause serious harm.
Did an Anonymous Philanthropist Donate 200 Human Kidneys to Hospital?
A routine review of content labeled satire.
Tiny Dixville Notch May Have to Forfeit Midnight Voting
The tiny New Hampshire town has been in the spotlight for years for voting first in the state’s first-in-the-nation elections.
BREAKING: House Argues in Court Filing Don McGahn Testimony Needed for Impeachment Evidence…
As we suspected, albeit against much criticism, House counsel Doug Letter has responded to the DC Appeals Court arguing the forced testimony of White House counsel Don McGahn is needed for evidence in impeachment trial. [Court pdf Avail Here] This … Continue reading →
Syrian Army captures strategic town in southeast Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:20 P.M.) – In a surprise move, the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) withdrew from the strategic town of Jarjanaz after a short battle in the southeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate on Monday. According to a report from the front-lines in southeast Idlib, the Syrian Arab Army’s 25th Special Mission […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
New map of ongoing battle for southeast Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:45 P.M.) – Last Thursday, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) kicked off their long-awaited offensive in the southeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate. Led by the 5th Corps and 25th Special Mission Forces Division, the Syrian Arab Army has managed to capture over 35 towns and villages over the course of four days, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian gov’t accuses US of bombing oil facilities in Homs
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:45 P.M.) – The Syrian Foreign Minister, Walid al-Muallem, accused Israel, the United States, and Turkey of working to help terrorists inside Syria. Muallem said during his meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, that “the Israeli enemy launched a missile attack yesterday targeting Damascus and its surroundings.” The Syrian Foreign Minister heavily […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Early reports of ongoing talks to have the jihadists surrender key city in Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:30 P.M.) – The jihadist rebels are reportedly in talks to possibly surrender the key city of Ma’arat Al-Nu’man in southeastern Idlib. According to reports from the Idlib Governorate, the Russian and Turkish armed forces are mediating this possible settlement, which will see the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) in full control of this […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
'New World Disorder' - Top Trends for 2020 With Gerald Celente
The legend returns! World famous trends analyst Gerald Celente once again joins the Ron Paul Liberty Report to let us know what he is seeing in store for us in 2020. War? Famine? Who will win the election? You won't want to miss today's Liberty Report:
Rushin’ To Destruction, Part 5-- Melania: A Wife
*-by Noah* What do we call this woman, this one half of the FLOTUS & BLOTUS combo? Should we call her First Ho? Queen Melanoma? Miss Money Honey? Lady Orange Dick? Money B. Best? Mommy Weirdest? Miss Chain Migration 2006? The Grabbed Pussy That Stuck? Lindsey Graham’s Worst Nightmare? I really don’t care, do you? All of the above will suffice. All I care about is what she knows. She made a dark choice and she lives with it. She never seems to radiate true happiness but, as they say, money can’t buy you love, especially when you marry a man who is completely incapable of loving o... more »
Sawfish researchers call for protection of crucial global stronghold in the Kimberley
A 17-year study concludes critically endangered sawfish could be at risk from dams and major water diversions on Western Australia's Fitzroy River.
Meet the 14-year-old defying the odds and running his own free-range egg empire
Most teenage boys are busy playing sports or relaxing at home after school, but Blake McFarlane spends his free time caring for more than 500 laying hens.
Desert turtle thrives in outback drought
Researchers travel to outback Queensland to find out more about the secret life of the Cooper Creek freshwater turtle.
Adelaide Hills loses a third of the region's vineyards
A fast-moving fire in the Adelaide Hills destroys around a third of the region's vineyards as well as orchards and livestock.
Looking for Bingo: Parents' pre-Christmas quest for Bluey's little sister
Fans of the hit Australian TV series are using social media to track down a toy from the show in time for Christmas, but it's not the main character they're after, and the series' creators admit they were "caught by surprise".
When food is fear: Managing Christmas lunch with loved ones
While it can be the 'most wonderful time of year', for those living with an eating disorder and their loved ones, the focus on food at Christmas can be the cause of stress and anxiety.
Boeing sacks CEO to restore confidence after 737 MAX crashes
Just In - 8 hours ago
Boeing fires Dennis Muilenburg as chief executive following intense scrutiny set off by two fatal crashes of its 737 MAX jetliner.
Portrait of a Lady on Fire: This lesbian love story has stolen hearts worldwide this year
The award-winning tale of a blossoming relationship between a painter and her reluctant muse is romantic, erotic — and re-imagines intimacy on screen.
Hark The Herald Angels Sing originally harked about something else
The version of Hark The Herald Angels Sing you've been getting stuck in your head originally harked about something else.
My family's Secret Santa threw up a tricky conundrum
Just In - 8 hours ago
Last Christmas, my family gathered to organise our Kris Kringle. My sister drew her husband, prompting my brother to fatefully ask: What are the chances that all the partners draw each other? So we did the maths.
Thinking of buying a holiday home? Analysts say consider these towns
After years in the doldrums, many of Australia's regional property markets are picking up as city slickers search for a sea or tree change in retirement, or even early in life.
We are at risk of killing the golden goose of our transport system
Just In - 8 hours ago
The Victorian and New South Wales governments are reportedly considering a new tax for electric vehicles. But this short-sighted approach risks killing the golden goose of our transport system, writes Jake Whitehead.
Meet the first-ever Indigenous crew to race the Sydney to Hobart
Members of the first-ever all-Indigenous crew to race in the Sydney to Hobart say they are out to break stereotypes, inspire future generations and achieve something special on the water this year.
An old wives' tale about feeding babies could be stopping Indonesia's children from growing
In villages across Indonesia, some children are half as tall as they're supposed to be. Why is a country with a rapidly growing economy still grappling with stunted babies?
The AFL decade in review: The greatest team and player of the 2010s
It was a decade of change and expansion for the AFL, but when we look back at it, what will history remember? Here's our case for the best single-season team, player, mark, goal and game of the 2010s.
As farmers struggle with the drought, regional businesses are struggling too
It's been three years since NSW had a decent harvest and the Lees family are scraping by week-to-week as work for their trucking business becomes harder to find.
Multinationals caught up in the tax crackdown are disputing their bills, the ATO says
Australian companies across mining, oil and gas, e-commerce and the pharmaceutical industry are disputing billions of dollars in tax bills raised under tougher laws aimed at fighting multinational profit shifting, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) says.
After spending Christmas in a psych unit, Rebecca's writing the card she wished she had received
When Rebecca Egan spent Christmas in a psych unit four years ago, she felt "ashamed" and isolated. Now she's joining a movement of people writing the cards of compassion, warmth and humour she would have loved to receive.
'Wake up. Scratch. Stretch. Clean': Learning how to be a 'Cat' changed my life
Just In - 8 hours ago
At 25 years old, I found myself lying on the floor, improvising the morning routine of an animal I knew nothing about, preparing for my first role in Cats. I didn't know what I was getting into but it would change my life, writes Erin James.
Energy & Environmental Newsletter: December 23, 2019
By John Droz, Jr. -- December 23, 2019 The Alliance for Wise Energy Decisions (AWED) is an informal coalition of individuals and organizations interested in improving national, state, and local energy and environmental policies. Our premise is that technical matters like these should be addressed by using Real Science (please consult WiseEnergy.org for more information). A key element of AWED’s efforts is public education. Towards that end, every three weeks we put together a newsletter to balance what is found in the mainstream media about energy and the environment. We appreciate M... more »
Andrew Yang is Halfway There
Andrew Yang, one of the candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination, recently tweeted: We should consider decriminalizing sex work on the part of the seller – it would be helpful in combating human trafficking. Many sex workers are themselves victims. I agree with his proposal. But Yang left out something key: we should also […] The post Andrew Yang is Halfway There appeared first on Econlib.
MORE Econlib Holiday Reading
In case the recommendations from Munger and Boudreaux weren’t enough, and as promised, here are some more: Alberto Mingardi Reading recommendations are always though, particularly for the Christmas season. Perhaps one should just stick with Argentinian writer Ernesto Sabato’s advice to those who asked him: read what gives you joy. I would dare to […] The post MORE Econlib Holiday Reading appeared first on Econlib.
California Group Unveils Plans for $3 Billion “City” for the Homeless
[image: california-group-unveils-plans-for-a-3-billion-city-for-the-homeless] A private organization in California is attempting to raise money to build a 300-acre city for the homeless that would be able to house up to 150,000 people.
New HHS Rule Includes Safeguards to Prevent Taxpayer Dollars From Funding Abortions
[image: new-hhs-rule-includes-safeguards-to-prevent-taxpayer-dollars-from-funding-abortions] The Trump administration has released a final rule that will help ensure taxpayer-funded ObamaCare plans do not fund abortion.
English Girl Finds Plea for Help From Prisoners in China in Christmas Card
[image: english-girl-finds-plea-for-help-from-prisoners-in-china-in-christmas-card] A six-year-old girl in London found a note inside a Christmas card reading: “We are foreign prisoners in Shanghai Qingpu prison China. Forced to work against our will.”
Nearly 200 Christian Leaders Take Bold Stand for Trump
[image: nearly-200-christian-leaders-take-bold-stand-for-trump] An overwhelming number of evangelical Christian leaders and notables have signed an open letter opposing a *Christianity Today* editorial calling for President Trump to be removed from office.
U.S. Officials Say North Korea’s Promise of a “Christmas Gift” Could Be Missile Launch
[image: u-s-officials-say-north-korea-s-promise-of-a-christmas-gift-could-be-missile-launch] U.S. officials worry that Kim Jong-un will light off another missile to test President Trump’s resolve, perceiving Trump to be vulnerable while under pressure from his impeachment threat and his reelection chances next year.
"Cynicism Is Not Smart, Sophisticated or Detached: It’s a Cop-Out"
* "Cynicism Is Not Smart, Sophisticated or Detached:* *It’s a Cop-Out"* by WashingtonsBlog "We have overwhelming numbers. If we worked together we would win. Why aren’t we? A large reason that we are failing is that people are copping out by adopting a cynical attitude. Many of us pretend that we are too smart to think anything can change. Too smart to get emotionally involved in the destruction of our prosperity or our liberties. “Cynicism is nothing but intellectual cowardice.” - Henry Rollins “Cynicism is not realistic and tough. It’s unrealistic and kind of cowardly because it ... more »
Chet Raymo, “The Wild Silence And The Wild Dark”
*“The Wild Silence And The Wild Dark”* by Chet Raymo "It is probably obvious by now that I have been reading Yeats. So let me share one more poem, "He Wishes for the Cloths of Heaven": “Had I the heavens' embroidered cloths, Enwrought with golden and silver light, The blue and the dim and the dark cloths Of night and light and the half-light, I would spread the cloths under your feet: But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” There is a wonderfully sexy scene in “Frankie Starlight” where Anne Parillau... more »
"Or So One Thought..."
"Life is hell, but at least there are prizes. Or so one thought." - Janet Frame
Evangelicals Under Attack: The left is after ALL Christians...
*don't fall for it.* Get your happy self to a *real* church that teaches the truth. Cliff Kincaid did a good job explaining what is going on with his article Fake Christians Open Fire On Pro-Christian Trump. Take a moment and read it. It seems the new whack job in charge over at the magazine Christianity Today, Mark Galli, is dumping on Trump for being too "immoral" to be president. He's telling evangelicals that can't vote for Trump. Franklin Graham, whose father, Billy, founded the magazine, *slammed the magazine for invoking his father's name. * *"My father knew Donald Trump, ... more »
Literary Corner: Rodolfo
Extracted from Olivia Nuzzi's remarkable report on brunch with the president's personal attorney, at Jean-Georges Vongerichten's restaurant in The Mark Hotel on Madison at 77th (he ordered an omelet with extra-crispy bacon and a Bloody Mary, which is going to run you something over 50 bucks and not what I'd be ordering at those prices, I'll tell you right now): *Song of George Soros* by Rudolph Giuliani Don’t tell me I’m anti-Semitic if I oppose him. Soros is hardly a Jew. I’m more of a Jew than Soros is. I probably know more about — he doesn’t go to church, he doesn’t go to r... more »
Did Dozens of People Die During the Production of ‘Cats’ Movie?
Rest assured, no staff members were harmed during the creation of this fact check.
Censorship And The Cost Of Healthcare: Vaccines Are Safe And Effective Except When They’re Not! Dr John Bergman
Originally posted on Truth To Power: The Journal of the American Medical Association States That Nineteen (19) Percent Of All Children Who Are admitted To Emergency Rooms For Drud Reactions Are Suffering Vaccine Injury! And Then You Hear The Talking Heads Saying…”Vaccines Are Safe And Effective”? Except When They’re Not! The Headline I’m Focusing On…
“I don’t want to die!” Climate Exploitation of Children
Originally posted on Iowa Climate Science Education: “I don’t want to die!” Climate Exploitation of Children Children are being used as proxies for climate change hysteria across Canada. Ecojustice is acting on behalf of children in taking the Ontario government to court of the relaxation of certain climate laws, and a key child turns out…
Here's How Iran's Aging Air Force Would Take On America's F-22 Stealth Fighters
*TNI Staff* *Security, Middle East* Not a fair fight. *Key point:* It would be much smarter for Iran to use asymmetric means to take on the United States instead of challenging America in the air. With the United States withdrawing from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal with Iran, a war with Tehran seems to be a distinct possibility. In the event of a military conflict between Washington and Tehran, there is also the ever growing possibility that the White House might seek regime change in Iran. A full-scale military campaign against Iran would require the Uni... more »
A Note to North Korea's Kim Jong-un: Choose Your 'Christmas Gift' to Trump Wisely
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, * By taking away the one thing—the absence of North Korean long-range missile and nuclear tests—Trump has been able to brag about over the last year and a half, the North Korean leader will be making a purposeful choice to kick the American president in the shins. And Trump is pre-programmed to take such an offense badly. As we get closer and closer to the new year, the anticipation of a major North Korean provocation is getting louder and louder. Korea analysts in the Beltway’s think-tank community have been pouring over satellite imagery to dete... more »
Millions Protest India’s Anti-Muslim Citizenship Laws As Gov’t Crackdown Intensifies
At least 25 people have been killed in the protests and India's far-right government has banned gatherings in cities across the country. The post Millions Protest India’s Anti-Muslim Citizenship Laws As Gov’t Crackdown Intensifies appeared first on MintPress News.
A Pivotal Year For U.S. - Russia Arms Control Talks
U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Hamburg, Germany July 7, 2017 © Reuters /Sputnik/ Kremlin /Mikhail Klimentyev *Rebecca Kheel, The Hill:* *Trump faces pivotal year with Russia on arms control* The coming year is poised to be pivotal for U.S.-Russia arms control talks. The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), the last major treaty constraining the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, is set to expire in early 2021. That means President Trump has to get serious in 2020 about engaging... more »
Being Human: "Watch This Boy's Reunion With His Lost Dog And Try Not To Cry"
"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love." - Washington Irving *"Watch This Boy's Reunion With His Lost Dog And Try Not To Cry"* by Hilary Hanson "This is second only to the ending of "Homeward Bound" as the most heartwarming video reunion between a child and a pet we’ve seen. And this one isn’t a movie, folks. Paula Williams, a mother in Lubbock, Texas, posted a video on the city's “Lost and Found ... more »
Moving Forward with a Narrow United States - Israel Defense Pact
In late November, Senator Lindsay Graham expressed his support for the Senate ratification of a narrow United States - Israel mutual defense treaty sometime in 2020. Before this treaty reaches the floor of the Senate, American voters should be well acquainted with the United States obligations under the terms of the treaty, the purpose of this posting. Let's open this posting by looking at what the Jerusalem Post had to say about this new treaty: Here's what Donald Trump had to say: Here is what Lindsay Graham had to say about the treaty on the website of the Jewish Institute f... more »
“The Lancet” on Health and Climate Change: A Tale of Editorial Bias
By Paul Homewood https://notalotofpeopleknowthat.wordpress.com/2019/12/20/lancets-latest-climate-report-is-full-of-errors/ You will recall I critiqued the latest Lancet report on climate change last week. It elicited this comment: Prof Florin and Dr Allen detailed the full story a couple of weeks ago on the Saltbush Club website: The public has every right to expect that scientific medical […]
2:00PM Water Cooler 12/23/2019
Today's Water Cooler: Open thread.
Mitch McConnell: “Quit the Charade, this is a Political Exercise”…
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell appeared on Fox Morning broadcast to discuss the current status of the House impeachment and his perspective on why Speaker Nancy Pelosi is not sending the written articles of impeachment to the Senate for trial.
Doug Collins Discusses Possibility of Representing President Trump in Senate Impeachment…
House Leader Kevin McCarthy stated yesterday he would recommend John Ratcliffe, Jim Jordan and Doug Collins as House members who would represent the interests of President Trump if any Senate impeachment trial was to begin. All three are exceptional legal … Continue reading →
Farewell, False Equivalence
The Washington Post has a survey that mostly confirms things we already know...but these are things the news media have yet to internalize. It starts out badly, though, by framing the obviously true and obviously false as if they were legitimate questions: But do white evangelical Protestants actually believe that Democrats will strip them of their rights? And is it true that Democrats and atheists want to strip evangelicals of their rights? A new survey has some answers. *Is it true*? Are you fucking shitting me? I nearly stopped reading right there. But it gets better with the sur... more »
A Proposal for Princeton and Other Ivy League Admissions -- Lottery 20% of the Spots
The Varsity Blues admissions scandal along with the lawsuits by Asian Americans against Ivy League schools' admissions processes have brought new scrutiny to private university admissions standards. I was thinking about a small proposal to respond to this scrutiny that particularly falls on legacy, large donor, and athletic admissions. I think this proposal would help […]
There's something fishy going on here . . .
I had no idea that the United States was the largest producer of farmed Caspian-Sea-origin beluga caviar in the world! The New York Post reports: Caviar prices are plummeting — but if you want the best price, you might want to find a dealer. * . . .* Even if you don’t have a special connection, caviar is becoming more accessible than ever. Wholesale prices in the US have plunged more than 50 percent since 2012, from $850,000 per ton to $350,000 per ton last year, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. At the same time, US caviar consumption is up dramatically. Imp... more »
Libya War News Updates -- December 23, 2019
*SCMP: **Libya conflict: Russian mercenaries from the shadowy Wagner Group are spearheading the battle for capital Tripoli* Libya has been divided since 2014 into rival military and political camps based in the capital Tripoli and the east The Russian mercenaries are fighting for Khalifa Hifter’s forces against the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) The security chief of Libya’s UN-backed government in Tripoli said Russian mercenaries backing eastern commander Khalifa Hifter are now spearheading a battle to capture the capital. Fathi Bashagha, the interior minister for ... more »
Red States Succumb to Pressure, Open Their Doors to Refugees
[image: red-states-succumb-to-pressure-open-their-doors-to-refugees] Several red state governors are electing to allow refugee resettlement within their borders, in some cases backpedaling on former efforts to resist it.
Two More Conservative Judges Appointed to Ninth Circuit Ends Its Liberal Domination
[image: two-more-conservative-judges-appointed-to-ninth-circuit-ends-its-liberal-domination] Conservatives should take heart that Trump is keeping perhaps his most important campaign promise: to appoint “originalists” to the federal bench.
Democrat Representative Van Drew Switched to Republican. Is He a Conservative?
[image: democrat-representative-van-drew-switched-to-republican-is-he-a-conservative] Representative Jeff Van Drew has switched parties from Democrat to Republican over his refusal to vote for President Trump’s impeachment. But is he a conservative?
Backdoor Amnesty for Illegal Aliens in 2020 NDAA
[image: ackdoor-amnesty-for-illegal-aliens-in-2020-ndaa] The 2020 National Defenses Authorization Act contains potential amnesty provisions.
Over 100 Virginia Localities Are Now Second Amendment Sanctuaries
[image: over-100-virginia-localities-are-now-second-amendment-sanctuaries] Dozens of Virginia cities and counties will resist gun-control legislation planned by the state legislature’s incoming Democrat majority.
Italian prosecutors believe Mifsud dead. Papadopoulos tweets Mifsud alive & “more to come” (Video)
The Duran Quick Take: Episode 412. More The post Italian prosecutors believe Mifsud dead. Papadopoulos tweets Mifsud alive & “more to come” (Video) appeared first on The Duran.
Joe Mercola's Maze Of Vaccine Denying Organizations
The anti-vaccine movement tries to portray itself as scrappy grassroots outsiders standing up to Big Pharma and Big Government, but it's nothing of the kind, finds a recent *Washington Post *exposé. The National Vaccine Information Center, which claims to be the largest "awareness" non-profit opposing vaccines, actually gets almost half of its funding from corporations. And their largest corporate benefactor is the osteopath Joe Mercola, head of a $100 million empire that sells alternatives to medicine for nearly everything. And who funds lots of groups opposed to science, from med... more »
Chemical Weapons Watchdog Is Just an American Lap Dog
[image: undefined] A spate of leaks from within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international inspectorate created for the purpose of implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention, has raised serious questions about the institution’s integrity, objectivity and credibility. The leaks address issues pertaining to the OPCW investigation into allegations that the Syrian government used chemical weapons to attack civilians in the Damascus suburb of Douma on April 7, 2018. These allegations, which originated from such anti-Assad organizations as the Sy... more »
Donald Trump: Peace Candidate, Presidential Warmonger
[image: undefined] Mr. Trump ran in 2016 almost on a peace platform in terms of foreign policy. He said things such as this: I share the American people’s frustration… I also share their frustration over a foreign policy that has spent too much time, energy, money — and, most importantly, lives — trying to rebuild countries in our own image instead of pursuing our security interests above all other considerations. I supported him vis a vis Mrs. Hillary Clinton mainly because she seemed, at least in comparison, to be a pro-war belligerent. From her support for the US invasion of Ir... more »
How Congress and the Federal Reserve Stole Christmas
[image: undefined] The bickering over impeachment did not stop the president and Congress from coming together last week to avert a government shutdown by passing a 1.4 trillion dollar spending package. The bipartisan agreement has something for everyone — a 22 billion dollars increase to bring total spending on militarism to 738 billion dollars, and a 27 billion dollars increase to bring total spending on domestic programs to 632 billion dollars. It also imposes a national ban on selling tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to anyone under 21. The agreement was split into two... more »
McConnell Not Ruling Out Witnesses in Impeachment Trial
“We’ve said let’s handle this case just like we did with President Clinton. Fair is fair,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said in an interview with “Fox and Friends.”
President Trump Impeachment News Updates -- December 23, 2019
*The Hill*: *McConnell: 'Let's quit the charade' on impeachment* Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Monday slammed Democratic senators as well as Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) over her decision to withhold House-passed articles of impeachment against President Trump from the upper chamber until Republicans guarantee a "fair" trial. During an interview with "Fox & Friends," the GOP leader knocked the idea that Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) or Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) would act as impartial judges during the pres... more »
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