Saturday, January 11, 2020

11 January - Blogs I'm Following - 2 of 5

10 pm MST

Bruce Lee for the Amstrad CPC 464

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 6 hours ago
Ever fancied becoming a kung-fu master in with a chance of acquiring riches beyond your wildest dreams, *and* immortality too? Well, yes. That would do nicely. A pity doing so is not as easy as DataSoft's *Bruce Lee*, which hit all the major 8-bit computer formats in the mid-1980s. This included Amstrad's jolly old CPC464/6128 models, where I knew it best. This game, which is really only known to retro nerds and those, ahem, who were around at the time was nevertheless an important title and opened up an entire genre. What's so special then? As the eponymous Bruce you make your way... more »

Did the State Department Try to Hide Its Intelligence Failures Before Pearl Harbor?

Warfare History Network at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-PEARL-HARBOR-MUSEUM-RC156189BC80.html] Big if true. BACKSTORY: Although for the past 75 years history has had little to say about “Bally’s Project,” an effort to falsify State Department records to remove evidence of gross miscalculations prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor—the author recently discovered a small file of documents in the Frank A. Schuler, Jr. Papers, 1932-1991, at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York, that corroborates the ex... more »

Scary Fact: Vaccination Rates are Falling in Some States

Peter J Hotez at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Peter J Hotez* *Health, Americas* [image: Reuters] Thanks to nonmedical exemptions, vaccination rates are falling in some states. As a pediatrician-scientist who develops new vaccines for neglected diseases, I spent most of my career in the Boston-Washington, D.C. corridor. While working in the Northeast, I had heard a few things about the anti-vaccine movement. As both a vaccine scientist and a father of four, including a daughter diagnosed with autism and intellectual disabilities, I followed the emergence of doubt over vaccine safety in the general public. Ultimately, in sci... more »

The Cold War Produced Some Truly Terrifying American And Russian Weapons

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Americas* Here are the top 5. *Key point: *The most lethal weapons designed and fielded by both countries were thankfully never used in combat. The intense military rivalry between the United States and the USSR created the impetus for rapid technological advances. Despite never being technically at war, the Cold War constantly pressured each side to create newer, more advanced weaponry at a scale approaching wartime progress. The most lethal weapons designed and fielded by both countries were thankfully never used in combat. On the other hand, some of... more »

The Bomber Always Gets Through? This World War II B-17 Route Over Nazi Germany Was Deadly

Warfare History Network at The National Interest - 6 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* [image: FAIRFORD, United Kingdom – A B-17 aircraft flies past spectators during the 2017 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) located at RAF Fairford, United Kingdom, on July 15, 2017.] You could call it a death sentence. *Key Point: *Defense against fighters is characterized as a gleaming three-dimensional sword, its edges tempered by skill and experience. When the call came that morning, it was not unlike the 25 times previously when they had flown, or all those other times when weather intervened and postponement was ordered. The ... more »

Middle Finger Symphony Theater

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 6 hours ago
~ NO TUXEDOS REQUIRED ~ Brought to you By *BLUESJUNKY:* Chair of Music - Middle Finger Symphony Music Director

Iranian Protests Against Regime Cast a Stark Contrast…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 6 hours ago
Protests against the regime of Ayatollah Khamenei erupted today in Tehran following the government admission of shooting down Ukraine Airline Flight 752. In scenes that look familiar to the 2010 ‘green movement’, thousands of Iranian protestors, many young women, have … Continue reading →

Taiwan Votes to Retain Freedom From China – Tsai Ing-wen Easily Wins Re-election…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 6 hours ago
The results of a massive turnout vote in Taiwan reflect the country wishes to remain free from the overbearing influence of communist China. (Hong Kong Free Press) […] Taiwan’s incumbent leader Tsai Ing-wen has won Saturday’s presidential election, defeating her … Continue reading →

TODAY: Meghan Markle Reportedly Signs Deal with Disney Following Royal Split

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 6 hours ago
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex has reportedly signed a deal with Disney to do a voice-over in exchange for a contribution to a wildlife charity of her choosing. The news, which was reported by U.K. newspaper The Times, comes on the heels of the shocking announcement that the former Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince […] The post TODAY: Meghan Markle Reportedly Signs Deal with Disney Following Royal Split appeared first on Health Nut News.

Beauty Brand Recalls Popular Face Mask Causing Adverse Reactions

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 6 hours ago
Popular beauty brand “Yes To” recalled their Grapefruit Vitamin C Glow-Boosting Unicorn paper mask due to complaints about skin irritations. Consumers have reported experiencing “red, swollen, itchy, raised abrasions” and severe burning after using the mask. The recall was issued on January 3, but many consumers had no idea. Yes To shared a statement on […] The post Beauty Brand Recalls Popular Face Mask Causing Adverse Reactions appeared first on Health Nut News.

'Everybody wanted to shock their parents': How 1960s youth fuelled the rise of op shops

Joey Watson at Just In - 6 hours ago
Once an economic necessity for the poor and needy, thrift shops have found a place in the hearts of hip, eco-conscious consumers. But their road to the mainstream has been a long one.

Climate policies will 'evolve' to beat emissions targets, PM says

Matthew Doran at Just In - 6 hours ago
In an exclusive interview with the ABC, Scott Morrison says he will take a proposal to establish a royal commission into the bushfire disaster — which has claimed 20 lives and destroyed more than 2,000 homes — to Cabinet, while foreshadowing a potential change to the Coalition's climate policy.

Lavender farmers want you to care for their crops as you pose for a pic

April McLennan at Just In - 6 hours ago
As Tasmania's lush lavender harvest gets underway, tourists are flocking to the purple fields in order to snap beautiful social media photos, but crop owners say the damage they can cause is devastating.

Why this scientist has dedicated his working life to Abrolhos seabirds

Samille Mitchell at Just In - 6 hours ago
Dr Chris Surman is driven by a belief that the Abrolhos Islands should be world-renowned and protected, not just for their gruesome shipwreck history and lucrative rock lobster industry, but for their riotous colonies of seabirds.

Cannabis will soon be legal in Canberra, but you might have to break the law to get it

Tom Lowrey at Just In - 6 hours ago
There is still one big unanswered question about Canberra's new cannabis laws — if supplying the drug remains illegal, how is anyone meant to acquire it?

It's cooler and calmer, so why can't we put these fires out?

Niki Burnside at Just In - 6 hours ago
Many of the fires burning across Australia are so fierce they have been impossible to fight, but on milder days, why isn't it possible to extinguish them?

Police offer $1m reward for information on 50yo suspected murder of toddler

Bellinda Kontominas at Just In - 6 hours ago
Exactly 50 years to the day since three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer went missing while at a Wollongong beach with her mother and brother, police announce a $1 million reward for information on her suspected murder.

People who don't have asthma 'using inhalers for the first time', western Sydney GP tells

Olivia Willis at Just In - 6 hours ago
Dr Tim Senior has been treating people affected by poor air quality in his western Sydney medical clinic for several months and he cannot see how the situation is going to get any better.

'Killer' trees litter fire zones across Victoria. It's this crew's job to clear them away

Ben Knight at Just In - 6 hours ago
Victoria's "killer" trees are marked with a yellow "K" before they are pulled down. It is a tough, arduous job and there are over 8,600 kilometres of fire-ravaged roads for Army crews to contend with.

Ex-cop's bush tucker changing lives one slice at a time

Jessie Davies at Just In - 6 hours ago
A retired cop sacrifices his retirement to turn around the fortunes of the central-west NSW town of Wellington. His weapon? Cakes.

This special flower is a symbol of the wild place below the mainland

Georgie Burgess at Just In - 6 hours ago
The last splashes of red from the Tasmanian waratah are slowly fading in the bush, but some people are finding ways to enjoy the flower year-round.

Despite smog, food quality issues and the Great Firewall, many Australians chose to live in China. Here's why

Samuel Yang at Just In - 6 hours ago
It's estimated there are more than 26,000 hot pot restaurants in the south-western Chinese city of Chongqing, so it takes something special to break through. Paul Tait says his hot pot Aussie burger is doing the trick.

You've got to 'Get Schwifty' with our summer TV binge guide

Just In - 6 hours ago
It's the weekend — plonk yourself on the couch, crank the air-con and start a new TV series. If you're not sure what to watch, don't worry — we've got you covered.

Cities Interfere in Free Market by Restricting Dollar Stores

Steve Byas at rss - 6 hours ago
[image: cities-interfere-in-free-market-by-restricting-dollar-stores] City officials would do better to make sure to police the streets, and put out the fires, rather than to dictate how much retail space is used for lettuce.

Record Abortions Expose Truth About Planned Parenthood

Dave Bohon at rss - 6 hours ago
[image: record-abortions-expose-truth-about-planned-parenthood] Planned Parenthood’s latest annual report demonstrates its commitment to reaping profits via abortion.

Nincompoop Genetically Unable to Reflect Nuanced Canadian Response to the World

greencrow at Greencrow As The Crow Flies - 7 hours ago
*Trudeau "Outraged and Furious"* *[also eager to show off his new beard]* Le Dauphin continues to embarrass Canada on the world stage by publicly operating in the intellectual vacuum of his own vacuity. He's genetically unable to respond in a *nuanced* way to what is, to any sentient person, a *very complex set of facts*. I am referring to the shoot down of the Ukraine Jet over Tehran--*which occurred subsequent to the USrael assassination of Iranian General Quassem Soleimani. *Trudeau simply cannot [or won't] connect the dots from one event to the other. So he gives the world *... more »

"Have You Not Your Soul?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
"What matter if this base, unjust life Cast you naked and disarmed? If the ground breaks beneath your step, Have you not your soul? Your soul! You fly away, Escape to realms refined, Beyond all sadness and whimpering. Be like the bird which on frail branches balanced A moment sits and sings; He feels them tremble, but he sings unshaken, Knowing he has wings." – Victor Hugo

Musical Interlude: The Who, “Overture” (From "Tommy")

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
The Who, “Overture” (From "Tommy")

Musical Interlude: Neil H, “The Remembering”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
Neil H, “The Remembering”

"A Look to the Heavens"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
“Distorted galaxy NGC 2442 can be found in the southern constellation of the flying fish, (Piscis) Volans. Located about 50 million light-years away, the galaxy's two spiral arms extending from a pronounced central bar have a hook-like appearance in wide-field images. But this mosaicked close-up, constructed from Hubble Space Telescope and European Southern Observatory data, follows the galaxy's structure in amazing detail. *Click image for larger size.* Obscuring dust lanes, young blue star clusters and reddish star forming regions surround a core of yellowish light from an older po... more »

Chet Raymo, “Yet…”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
*“Yet…”* by Chet Raymo "My suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose." - J. B. S. Haldane “Legend has it that after reciting his official recantation, kneeling on the floor of the Holy Office in Rome before assembled officials of the Inquisition, Galileo whispered, "And yet it moves." To save his life, or at least to avoid some dank dungeon and perhaps torture, the old man had publicly denied that he ever believed or taught that the Earth orbits the Sun, rather than the other way around. The public recantation was real ... more »

"But Believe Me..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
"But believe me, just because the human mind can't imagine something happening...doesn't mean it won't." - Dan Brown

"Bitch, Get Out!!"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
*"Bitch, Get Out!!"* by Missy Comley Beattie "Saturday, Oct 14th, I opened snail mail to read this typed letter that arrived in a typed envelope with a Purple Heart stamp: 'Bitch, You need to move! You should be out of our country within 30 days. You got the money, get out! You hate our country. You hate our flag, you hate our government! Your articles show your hate for our country and our people. You write about how ignorant and cruel our policemen act and you condemn our men in blue while they keep you safe and die for the safety of others. According to you, our country and our... more »

"The Conventional View..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
"The conventional view serves to protect us from the painful job of thinking." - John Kenneth Galbraith

"Just a Friendly Heads-Up, Bulls: The Fed Just Slashed its Balance Sheet"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 7 hours ago
*"Just a Friendly Heads-Up, Bulls: * *The Fed Just Slashed its Balance Sheet"* by Charles Hugh Smith "Just a friendly heads-up to all the Bulls bowing and murmuring prayers to the Golden Idol of the Federal Reserve: the Fed just slashed its balance sheet - yes, reduced its assets. After panic-printing $410 billion in a few months, a $24 billion decline isn't much, but it does suggest the Fed might finally be worrying about the reckless, insane bubble it inflated: Just to review the numbers, which you can ponder on this chart from the St. Louis Federal Reserve (FRED). August 28, 2019... more »

World Leaders React To Iran Admitting That It Downed Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*DW: **Germany, world leaders react after Iran admits downing plane by 'mistake'* Ukraine's President Zelenskiy demanded Iran pay compensation and a full investigation over the downing of the Ukrainian passenger jet, while Germany called for measures to prevent such a disaster in the future. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday said Ukraine expected a full investigation and compensation from Iran, after Tehran said it "unintentionally" shot down a Ukrainian passenger jet, killing all 176 people board. After mounting international pressure, Iran earlier on Saturday voiced r... more »

Media Playbook: Matching Trump and Climate Hysteria

Ron Clutz at Science Matters - 7 hours ago
Erielle Davidson writing about latest media Trump hysteria reveals the parallels with climate reporting. Her article at the Federalist is The Media Is Always, Always Wrong About Trump And National Security. Excerpts in italics with my bolds. The level of breathless misinformation and disinformation spread after Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani’s killing by the individuals we […]

German Chancellor Merkel Meets Russian President Putin In Moscow

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*Euronews/AFP: **Angela Merkel meets Vladimir Putin in Moscow amid Iran crisis* German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. Her visit — the first to Russia since May 2018 — comes as Iran admitted accidentally shooting down a Ukrainian passenger plane shortly after its takeoff from Tehran, killing 176 passengers and crew. Iran and Libya are expected to be the main points of discussion between the leaders, as Putin has strong influence in both countries. The EU's foreign policy chief Josep... more »

Should We Think Of Trump As An Illiterate Buffoon Or As Someone With A Disability?

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 8 hours ago
One of the reasons why I don't like using RealClearPolitics' polling averages is because they include Rasmussen, a company known for delivering polling numbers their clients pay for. But even with a ridiculous Rasmussen poll included, the RealClearPolitics polling average for Trump's job approval shows that just 45.2% of the electorate approves of the job he's doing, as opposed to 52.3% who don't. A more accurate poll, by Morning Consult in mid-December, shows that just 41% of registered voters approve and 56% disapprove. That 41% approve of the job Trump is doing is mortifying, n... more »

The USS Vincennes and the Missing Unconditional Apology

A Political Junkie at Viable Opposition - 8 hours ago
Let's open with this quote: "*I will never apologize for the United States — I don’t care what the facts are. ... I’m not an apologize-for-America kind of guy.*” This comment was made on August 2, 1988 during a campaign stop by then Vice President George H.W. Bush, about the USS Vincennes' mistakenly downing Iran Air Flight 655 which killed 290 occupants, 254 of which were Iranian and 66 of which were children. The Iran Air flight was a scheduled passenger flight from Tehran to Dubai and was shot down by two surface-to-air cruise missiles fired from the USS Vincennes on July 3, 198... more »

Mr. Smith goes to sixth grade

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 8 hours ago
A certain man in my life (for his protection I’ve made up a name) decided he’d try substitute teaching in his school district. We’re about the same age, so right away, you know he’s too old to take on such a dangerous assignment. It reminds me of the years my father was taking temporary jobs in his retirement, such as night watchman at a prison or driving a school bus. The bus driver job was the tougher one he said. Things are different these days, Smithy told me. He first logged on to his computer at home and entered a password, and found the list of available spots for the day... more »

Sultan Qaboos Of Oman Dies Aged 79 Cousin Named As Successor

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 8 hours ago
*BBC*: *Sultan Qaboos of Oman, Arab world's longest-serving ruler, dies aged 79* Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman, the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, has died aged 79. The sultan deposed his father in a bloodless coup with British support in 1970 and set Oman on a path to development, using its oil wealth. Widely regarded as popular, he was also an absolute monarch and any dissenting voices were silenced. No cause of death has been confirmed. His cousin Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has been sworn in as his successor. A family council had three days to choose a successo... more »

Life In The Psychedelicatessen

Willis Eschenbach at Skating Under The Ice - 8 hours ago
Here, in order from the top, is the story of my wandering into the world of LSD-assisted psychotherapy … a strange tale indeed, and kids, don’t try this at home … Best to all, w. Another Tale of Derring-Don’t Well, now that Justice Kavanaugh has endured the attempted suspension of the presumption of innocence, and…

Meet the Tavor: Israel's Beast Rifle That Fires 800 Rounds a Minute

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Middle East* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/MIDEAST-RP4DRHYCOOAA.html] Amazing. *Key Point:* Israel doesn't fool around when it comes to its national security. In the 1990s, Israel developed an innovative new rifle designed specifically for the urban Middle Eastern battlefield. A compact weapon that moved freely indoors, the Tavor was one of the few so-called “bullpup” assault rifle designs to enter service with a modern military force. The unique design of bullpup weapons allows them to have a shorter overall length, but the design come... more »

These Are The Best 5 Handguns To Come Out Of 2018's SHOT Show

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * The Night Cobra, Glock 19X and more. *Key point:* Although heavy, Mossberg says the magazines hang from the shotgun’s center of gravity, making the overall package easier to handle. Held annually in Las Vegas, the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s SHOT Show is known as the industry event where new firearms of all kinds are introduced to the public. From self-defense revolvers to precision rifles, SHOT is the place to see the latest innovations in the world of guns. Let’s take a look at five weapons introduced at SHOT 2018. *Glock 19X* The U.S. A... more »

The U.S. Marines Adore the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-IRAN--RC1541081B50.html] Let us tell you why. *Key point:* Procurements for more M27 rifles just keep increasing. Marksmanship, the ability to shoot accurately and service targets with the minimum expenditure of ammunition, has always been part of the U.S. Marine Corps ethos. The adoption of the M27 Infantry Automatic Rifle over the older M249 Squad Automatic Weapon marks a return to that ethos across the service at the small unit level. More accurate and capable of accomplishing its mission with fewer... more »

The 1991 Persian Gulf War Convinced The World To Fear The Scud Missile

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * While the Scud itself will eventually go away, its legacy will continue to haunt the world for decades to come. *Key point: *The Scud missile, while never firing a shot in anger in the Cold War it was designed for, ironically went on to become a major military threat of the post–Cold War era. One of the most infamous missiles of the modern era, the Scud short-range ballistic missile was developed as a nuclear asset for Soviet commanders during the Cold War. Today, more than six decades later, the Scud’s DNA has been scattered worldwide, found in ball... more »

SETI, METI and the Fermi Paradox

David Brin at CONTRARY BRIN - 8 hours ago
Let's take a science break, looking upward at what might be ours someday, if we build a worthy, forward-looking civilization. Tantalyzing goals seem to be getting closer in some ways! For example, a “super Earth” about 6x our planet’s mass orbits a red dwarf *just 31 light years away* at the outer edge of its host star's "habitable zone," and hence, depending on atmospheric constituents, scientists believe that this super-Earth could have water on its surface. In a model based on Kepler probe data, researchers estimate that “planet is very close to Earth in size, from three-quart... more »

The Poet: James Broughton, "Quit Your Addiction"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
*"Quit Your Addiction"* “Quit your addiction to sneer and complaint. Try a little flaunt, Call for comrades who bolster your vim and offer you risk. Corral the crones, Goose the nice nellies, Hunt the bear that hugs and the raven that quoths. Stay up all night to devise a new dawn...” - James Broughton, “Little Sermons of the Big Joy”

The Daily "Near You?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
Reading, United Kingdom. Thanks for stopping by!

"The Internet Sacred Text Archive"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
*"About Sacred Texts"* "All ancient books which have once been called sacred by man, will have their lasting place in the history of mankind, and those who possess the courage, the perseverance, and the self-denial of the true miner, and of the true scholar, will find even in the darkest and dustiest shafts what they are seeking for,--real nuggets of thought, and precious jewels of faith and hope." - Max Müller, Introduction to the Upanishads Vol. II. "This site is a freely available archive of electronic texts about religion, mythology, legends and folklore, and occult and esoteri... more »

"I Remember..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
"I remember my youth and the feeling that will never come back any more – the feeling that I could last for ever, outlast the sea, the earth, and all men; the deceitful feeling that lures us on to joys, to perils, to love, to vain effort – to death; the triumphant conviction of strength, the heat of life in the handful of dust, the glow in the heart that with every year grows dim, grows cold, grows small, and expires – and expires, too soon, too soon – before life itself." - Joseph Conrad, 1857-1924, English writer, "Youth"

“Of Time, Turnings, Stars & Wars”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
*“Of Time, Turnings, Stars & Wars”* by Doug "Uncola" Lynn "Like nature, history is full of processes that cannot happen in reverse. Just as the laws of entropy do not allow a bird to fly backward, or droplets to regroup at the top of a waterfall, history has no rewind button. Like the seasons of nature, it moves only forward." - Strauss and Howe: “The Fourth Turning” "Contemplating the concept of time can be quite confounding, to say the least. In the extreme, considering the paradoxical nature of time’s passage will stretch the mind causing thoughts to invert like taffy in a rolli... more »

"How, Then..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 8 hours ago
"How, then, shall we face the future? When the sailor is out on the ocean, when everything is changing all around him, when the waves are born and die, he does not stare down into the waves, because they are changing. He looks up at the stars. Why? Because they are faithful..." - Soren Kierkegaard

Taiwan Presidential Election: Tsai Ing-wen Re-Elected In A Landslide For President

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 8 hours ago
*Daily Mail:* *Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen celebrates winning second term with landslide victory as voters show strong support for her tough stance on China* * Tsai Ing-wen took 57.2 per cent of the vote to soundly defeat her two challengers * She warned communist-ruled China not to use threats of force against Taiwan * Voters chose Tsai's position on China over Han Kuo-yu's calls for friendlier ties Taiwan's independence-leaning president Tsai Ing-wen has won a second term in office with a landslide victory, signalling strong voter support for her tough stance against Chin... more »

How the US Runs Iraq

Eric Margolis at 9 hours ago
[image: undefined] What ever happened to Iraq? Is it not an independent country with a democratic government thanks to the 2003 US invasion? So says Washington. The murder of senior Iranian military commander Qassem Soleimani suddenly shone a strobe light on ‘independent’ Iraq, and what we saw was not pretty. Welcome to the new Imperialism 101. Iraq’s population is estimated around 39 million. The pre-war Iraq of 2003 was broken into three parts by the US-British invasion: the Shia majority; Kurds in the north; and Sunnis, with scatterings of other ethnicities. Iraq remains fragmen... more »

Footage Of Jeffrey Epstein’s Jail Cell “Accidentally” Deleted, Including Backups

WTStaff at Waking Times - 9 hours ago
*John Vibes* - The prison keeps back up videos for all of their surveillance cameras, but the back ups for the important locations are missing as well.

Sanctuary Cities: A Battle Over the Second Amendment is Unfolding Across America

WTStaff at Waking Times - 9 hours ago
*Derrick Broze* - The Second Amendment sanctuary city movement is growing and showing no signs of slowing down.

‘No Other President Has Had the Gall’: Environmental Groups Balk as Trump Proposes Major Rollback of Infrastructure Review Process

WTStaff at Waking Times - 9 hours ago
*Olivia Rosane* - Trump announced the proposed changes Thursday at the White House, arguing that the current law delays important projects with needless bureaucracy.

Coincidence? Trump Admin Had Five Pentagon Officials Resign Prior To Assassination Of Iran General

WTStaff at Waking Times - 9 hours ago
*Aaron Kesel* - There are many who accuse U.S. President Donald Trump of “wagging the dog” when it comes to the recent killing of Qassem Soleimani.

2 U.S. Troops Killed And 2 Wounded By Taliban Bomb In Southern Afghanistan

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 hours ago
A map shows the location of the roadside bomb attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan *Daily Mail:** Two U.S. are soldiers killed and two others are injured in Taliban roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan* * IED struck US vehicle on Saturday in the Dand district of Kandahar province * Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the roadside bomb attack * Two U.S. service members were killed and two others injured Two U.S. service members were killed and two others injured when their vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in southern Afghanistan Saturday, the U.S. military said in a statem... more »

Debunking the 97 percent myth – Great Video

Robert at Ice Age Now - 9 hours ago
“The In-depth Story Behind a Climate Fraud” – The so-called 97% consensus was based on only 2% of the responses. Dr. John Robson, historian and journalist, investigates the unsound origins and fundamental inaccuracy, even dishonesty, of the claim that 97% of scientists, or “the world’s scientists”, or something agree that climate change is man-made, urgent ... Read more Debunking the 97 percent myth – Great Video The post Debunking the 97 percent myth – Great Video appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Jane Rimmer's teddy bear provides a rare glimpse into a life cut short 24 years ago

Andrea Mayes at Just In - 9 hours ago
A teddy bear placed on pillows and a toy rabbit in a cupboard are some of the deeply personal items belonging to murder victims Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon detailed in court that give a rare insight into their lives.

Bungee jumping came from Vanuatu — now Indigenous groups want to protect their customs

Prianka Srinivasan at Just In - 9 hours ago
Indigenous people from Vanuatu's Pentecost Island are asking bungee jump operators around the world to pay them royalties for copying their ancient tradition of land diving.

Do Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have their own wealth?

Lucia Stein at Just In - 9 hours ago
We've had a look at exactly how the couple is funded and how they could potentially support themselves going forward.

Bushfires spawn cottage industry of 'sewing bees' to help injured wildlife

Sharnie Kim at Just In - 9 hours ago
A legion of crafters armed with sewing machines, knitting needles and crochet hooks are gathering in halls and shops around Australia to make items for wildlife injured in the bushfires.

It's About Survival

LL at Virtual Mirage - 10 hours ago
How will you explain your luck at surviving WW3 if you don't have the shirt?

Comments on Legal Scholarship (Renewed)

Mark Tushnet at Balkinization - 10 hours ago
It's been a while since I commented on "developments" (and the like) in legal scholarship, but reading a couple of things over the past two days provoked me. 1. *Ephemeral legal scholarship*. For reasons not worth going into, I was reading the Supreme Court Review volume for 2013, and found in it a (quite good on its own terms) 100-page article on *United States v. Windsor*. Dale Carpenter, the author, developed an interesting argument about the shape an "anti-animus" doctrine should take. What struck me about the article is that how thoroughly (I think) it has been superseded by *O... more »

Federal lawsuit filed against Pro-Palestinian human rights vigil

Alison Weir at If Americans Knew Blog - 10 hours ago
By Alison Weir. When synagogue member Henry Herskovitz was prohibited from giving a talk on his trip to the Palestinian Territories, he began a weekly vigil that has lasted 16 years. Meanwhile, the synagogue hosts Israeli soldiers & takes children on propaganda trips to Israel... Now a synagogue member is suing Herskovitz, and the SPLC has accused him of 'Holocaust denial'... The post Federal lawsuit filed against Pro-Palestinian human rights vigil appeared first on If Americans Knew Blog.

Israel’s Fingerprints Are All Over the Assassination of Qasem Soleimani

contact@ifamericansknew.org at If Americans Knew Blog - 10 hours ago
Although there has been no official confirmation or denial of the Israeli role in the US operation, it is only logical to assume indirect or even direct Israeli involvement in the assassination. The post Israel’s Fingerprints Are All Over the Assassination of Qasem Soleimani appeared first on If Americans Knew Blog.

Iran admits to accidentally shooting down UIA 752

Alex Christoforou at The Duran - 10 hours ago
The Duran Breaking News: Episode 1. More The post Iran admits to accidentally shooting down UIA 752 appeared first on The Duran.

Iran: Nothing Is Forgotten, Nothing Is Forgiven M.K. Bhadrakumar

barovsky at The New Dark Age - 10 hours ago
President Trump’s credibility is so low that it is difficult to contest the perception that he blundered into the recent confrontation with Iran by ordering the killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of the Quds Force. Many analysts point finger at US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo for persuading Trump against his better instincts.

Who Checks The Factcheckers?

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 10 hours ago
By Paul Homewood You may recall that I posted an article last month called “Green ideology, not climate change makes wildfires worse”. The post is here, but essentially it was sourced from an article last March by the Volunteer Firefighters Association of NSW, which pointed out that the major factor in why Victoria’s bushfires […]

This Day In Iraqi History - Jan 11

Joel Wing at MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 10 hours ago
1917 Start of Battle of Hai salient between British and Ottomans 1928 Abdul Sadoun become premier for 3rd time Replaced Askari who was forced to resign over opposition to his conscription plan for army 1972 Kurds started rebellion against govt with support of US, Iran, Israel (Musings On Iraq book review *Killing Hope, U.S. Military and CIA Interventions Since World War II*) (Musings On Iraq book review *Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope*) (Musings On Iraq book review *The Great Betrayal, How America Abandoned The Kurds And Lost The Middle East*) (Musings On Iraq article on Nixon ad... more »

Iranians Are Furious That Their Government Concealed The Truth On Shooting Down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 10 hours ago
*Reuters:* *Angry Iranians question authorities for concealing truth on plane incident* Iran's statement on Saturday that a Ukrainian passenger plane was downed by a missile fired unintentionally followed growing pressure from abroad but also at home, and for some Iranians, the authorities' expressions of condolence were not enough. For days, Iran had denied Western accusations it was responsible for Wednesday's crash soon after take-off from Tehran, in which all 176 people aboard were killed. Authorities said on Saturday that air defences had been fired in error while on high al... more »

"Anger Management: 8 Strategies Backed By Two Thousand Years of Practice"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
*"Anger Management: * *8 Strategies Backed By Two Thousand Years of Practice"* by Ryan Holiday "For as long as there have been people, there have been people doing stupid things because they were angry. Moses killing the Egyptian, Xerxes lashing the river, Alexander the Great brawling and killing his best friend, Caligula declaring war against the sea, Ivan the Terrible killing his own son. Me? When I think back on my own life, I can’t think of a single time I was glad I lost my temper. There have certainly been moments where I am glad I stood up for myself, but it wasn’t anger tha... more »

"How It Really Is"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago

"Dazed Lemmings Can't Bridge The Reality Gap"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
*"Dazed Lemmings Can't Bridge The Reality Gap"* by Zen Gardner "Ever wonder why people can't make the leap to real awareness of what's going on? Why do so few people seem to care about the dangers of the unreported Fukushima radiation levels and toxic debris washing across the pacific? As the Orwellian American police state sweeps into place, the economy crumbles, Americans celebrated their entry into a brave new 2020 with minimal awareness of the true dangers already dissolving their health, wealth and chances for survival in an engineered conflagration of mythic proportions that ... more »

"Eventually You Understand..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
"That's where it all begins. That's where we all get screwed big time as we grow up. They tell us to think, but they don't really mean it. They only want us to think within the boundaries they define. The moment you start thinking for yourself- really thinking- so many things stop making any sense. And if you keep thinking, the whole world just falls apart. Nothing makes sense anymore. All rules, traditions, expectations- they all start looking so fake, so made up. You want to just get rid of all this stuff and make things right. But the moment you say it, they tell you to shut up a... more »

Trump Ups Iran Accusations, Says 4 US Embassies Targeted

AP News at Snopes.com - 10 hours ago
Confronted by persistent questions about his military action in the Middle East, President Donald Trump and his top officials offered a string of fresh explanations.
( No comment on US ongoing support for targeting Iranian government and military officials ? )

New Questions Arise as Iran Says It Downed Plane

AP News at Snopes.com - 10 hours ago
Iran’s acknowledgement that it shot down a Ukrainian airliner, killing 176 people, raised new questions about transparency in the Islamic Republic and what led to the downing of the commercial flight.

These 5 Wars Were So Horrible That They Must Never Be Forgotten

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, * Untold millions perished. *Key point: *Acts of genocide contributed significantly to the war’s death toll All wars are awful. Some wars are much, much more awful than others. This is by no means a comprehensive list, nor does it comprise anything but a fraction of the overall deaths in wars in human history. Still, the five wars on this list may have collectively killed up to a quarter of a billion people. These wars were big and upset the status quo. The Chinese Civil War turned more than half a billion people Red. World War II destroyed a totalita... more »

Why Trump Chose Sanctions Over Military Escalation With Iran

Fred Lucas at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Fred Lucas* *Security, Middle East* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/USA-ELECTION-TRUMP-RC2OCE9EDZGW.html] A good call? Less than 24 hours after Iran fired 15 missiles at U.S. military facilities in Iraq, President Donald Trump signaled a strong desire to deescalate by announcing new sanctions instead of a military response. Trump also urged allies to put more pressure on Iran’s Islamist dictatorship. “As long as I am president of the United States, Iran will never be allowed to have a nuclear weapon,” Trump said to begin his formal remarks Wednesday in the Gra... more »

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