10 pm MDT
Twitter hack exposes broader threat to democracy and society
Laura DeNardis, Professor and Interim Dean, American University School of Communication at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 6 hours ago
Hackers demonstrated they can take over Twitter's technology infrastructure, a brazen move that hints at how such an attack could destabilize society.
Did an Ohio Man Die of COVID-19 After Vowing Not To Wear a Face Mask?
The tragic death of 37-year-old Richard Rose attracted headlines around the world in the summer of 2020.
Will the WhatsApp Message ‘Argentina Is Doing It’ Hack My Phone?
A viral warning message urged people against opening a video file about the country's response to COVID-19.
Does Burning Sage Eliminate Airborne Bacteria?
Some claim that smudging with sage can purify air in confined spaces.
Lives on the Left
I couldn't wait for next month's new left media plug to share this. Lives on the Left is a new project by Paul Simpson looking at well-known and lesser-known figures in labour movement history, and it's fascinating. The first episode below profiles Peter Lee, a largely forgotten ex-miner, trade unionist and politician from Durham in the early 20th century. This interview with Jonathan Tomaney highlights the relationship between the labour movement and Methodism, looks at the deep roots of Labourism's conciliatory politics, and discusses how working class institutions in Durham in al... more »
The Political Situation in Northeast Syria -- An Assyrian Perspective
Assyrian International News Agency - 6 hours ago
Meeting between the Assyrian Democratic Organization and the Syriac Union Party (SUP) in Qamishli, Syria, 2017.In early May, Al-Monitor reported that the Kurdish National Council (KNC) and the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in northeastern Syria began US-sponsored reconciliation talks in the hope they could join the UN-sponsored peace process
Pentagon Flag Policy Skirts Military Post Controversy
[image: pentagon-flag-policy-skirts-military-post-controversy] Defense Secretary Esper apparently wanted to avoid a confrontation with President Donald Trump with his new policy on the Confederate battle flag, which leaves the names of southern military posts alone — for now.
Trump Touts Deregulation; Economy’s Rebound Shows it
[image: trump-touts-deregulation-economy-s-rebound-shows-it] In his stump speech on Thurday the president had a lot to celebrate.
Nevada Governor to Pardon Over 15,000 People Charged with Cannabis Possession
*John Vibes* - Cannabis has been legal for recreational use in Nevada for a few years now, and has become a significant part of the state’s economy.
Feds Use Unmarked Vans to ‘Kidnap’ Protesters Off Portland Streets, Enraging Local Officials
*Elias Marat* - Federal law enforcement have been driving around downtown Portland in unmarked vans and grabbing protesters, without even offering an explanation.
Charles R. Drew U of Medicine and Science Trains Doctors to Tackle Healthcare Disparities
On Aug. 11, more than a half century ago, the nearly all-Black community of Watts in South Central Los Angeles was simmering in a California heatwave. But before the day was done, Watts exploded into violence and flames after an abusive White patrolman arrested a young Black man for driving drunk. The incident touched off […]
Latinx Students Are Largest Group Admitted to U of California’s Freshman Class
In a first, Latinx students are the largest group admitted to the University of California’s (UC) freshman class for the upcoming academic year, reported CNN. Latinx students comprise 36% of the 79,953 students from California offered admission to at least one of the UC campuses, according to the institution’s preliminary data published on Thursday. They surpassed Asian […]
More Colleges Shelve Plans for In-Person Fall Semester as COVID-19 Cases Spike
More colleges and universities are canceling plans for an in-person fall semester as COVID-19 cases spike nationwide. Occidental College, Dickinson College, Rhodes College, East Stroudsburg University, West Chester University and Loyola University Chicago are the latest to alter plans and reduce the number of in-person classes. Earlier this month, Pomona College and the University of Southern California […]
Friday Update
3-D Printed (LINK) The FGC-9 is described in the official release documentation as “the most effective and easiest to build homemade semi-automatic firearm design for people with limited access to gunsmithing knowledge and tools.” Cryptids The Jersey Devil (pictured above in an artist’s conception) is a cryptid said to inhabit Southern New Jersey, […] The post Friday Update appeared first on Virtual Mirage.
50 Nights Of Anti-Racist Protests And Police Violence In Portland
In Portland, on July 16, protesters held their 50th straight night of demonstrations against police violence and racism. Oregon Live reports "Federal officers responded to one late-night demonstration downtown by using gas, smoke and impact munitions to press protesters away from two federal buildings." Oregon Governor Kate Brown and Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler called on federal officers to leave Portland, but they remain and continue to use aggressive and violent tactics. Brown called the deployment of federal officers "political theater" and a “blatant abuse of power by the feder... more »
Internal variability drives global temperature trends
Nicola Maher, Flavio Lehner and Jochem Marotzke. Quantifying the role of internal variability in the temperature we expect to observe in the coming decades Environmental Research Letters Volume 15, Number 5 On short (15-year) to mid-term (30-year) time-scales how the Earth’s … Continue reading →
Stocks Caught in Cross Currents?
Claire Ballentine and Vildana Hajric of Bloomberg report that US stocks drift mostly higher: U.S. stocks drifted mostly higher in thin trading as investors digested this week’s initial burst of corporate earnings, economic data and coronavirus news. The dollar weakened and crude oil fluctuated. The S&P 500 edged higher, led by gains in utilities, health care and real estate, while the communication services and energy sectors slumped. Trading volume was almost 30% below the average over the prior 30 days. Netflix Inc. sank as much as 8.2% after saying it expects to sign up just ha... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- July 17, 2020
A still image from video footage shows Bavar-373 mobile missile system in Iran. Photo credit: Reuters *Jerusalem Post*: *Iranian air defense on high alert amid explosions - report* *In early 2020, Iran confirmed its air defense batteries mistakenly shot down a Ukrainian plane killing all 176 people on board.* The US has several intelligence indications that Iran has put some of its air defense systems on high alert in recent days, CNN reported early Friday morning, citing a "US official closely tracking developments." While the official refused to specify how the US got hold of th... more »
Russian Air Force intercepts Norwegian aircraft for 2nd time last 48 hours
[image: Russian Air Force intercepts Norwegian aircraft for 2nd time last 48 hours] BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:00 P.M.) – A group of Russian fighters intercepted a Norwegian R3S Orion reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea on Friday, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported. The Russian National Defense Administration Center announced in a statement on Friday: “Russian fighters of the Northern Fleet intercepted a Norwegian reconnaissance plane over the Barents Sea.” They continued: “On July 17, Russian airspace monitors discovered a Norwegian Air Force R3S Orion reconnaissance plane o... more »
Iran allegedly places air defenses on ‘high alert’ over recent events: media
[image: Iran allegedly places air defenses on ‘high alert’ over recent events: media] BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:45 P.M.) – A U.S. official said that the United States has several intelligence reports indicating that Iran has placed parts of its air defenses on “high alert” in recent days. The U.S. official, who is closely following the developments, said that the alert level means that Iranian air missile batteries will be ready to fire at targets “believed to constitute a threat”, according to CNN. The official did not say how the United States got to this information, but American sate... more »
Turkey offers its weapons arsenal to Azerbaijan to fight Armenia
[image: Turkey offers its weapons arsenal to Azerbaijan to fight Armenia] BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:40 P.M.) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated his support for Azerbaijan, which witnessed border clashes with Armenia, in which 16 people were killed. Erdogan said in a speech on Friday, that Ankara cannot leave Azerbaijan, “it’s a brotherly country, alone in the face of Armenian attacks.” Turkey has strong historical and cultural ties with Azerbaijan as well as joint energy projects. For his part, the director of the Turkish Defense Industries Authority said on Friday, that... more »
Gregory Mannarino, "Markets And More: This Is A Game Of Deception On An Epic Scale"
Gregory Mannarino, *"Markets And More: This Is A Game Of Deception On An Epic Scale"* - https://traderschoice.net/
Musical Interlide: 2002, "Challenge from Heaven"
2002, "Challenge from Heaven" YouTube's mandatory ad placements have caused embedding problems here. If you get a Playback error please play the video here: - https://www.youtube.com/
Musical Interlude: 2002, “An Ocean Apart”
2002, “An Ocean Apart” YouTube's mandatory ad placements have caused embedding problems here. If you get a Playback error please play the video here: - http://www.youtube.com/
"A Look to the Heavens"
"What caused this outburst of V838 Mon? For reasons unknown, star V838 Mon's outer surface suddenly greatly expanded with the result that it became the brightest star in the entire Milky Way Galaxy in January 2002. Then, just as suddenly, it faded. A stellar flash like this had never been seen before- supernovas and novas expel matter out into space. *Click image for larger size.* Although the V838 Mon flash appears to expel material into space, what is seen in the above image from the Hubble Space Telescope is actually an outwardly moving light echo of the bright flash. In a light e... more »
"Remember..."
“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” - Emily Kimbrough
"7 Ways to Support Others During Tough Times"
*"7 Ways to Support Others During Tough Times"* by Lexi Behrndt "Life is fragile. Hard times are inevitable. At one time or another, we will all go through a difficult time, whether we deal with sickness, catastrophe, crisis, or relational breakdown. In those times, we need each other more than ever, but it's not just enough to be surrounded by people. We, as supporters, need to be educated in the best way to love our friends and family through tough times. *1. Silence speaks louder than words misspoken.* Don't ignore them. Plain and simple. If you don't know what to say, don't av... more »
“The Nature of Courage”
*“The Nature of Courage”* by ClassicLit “Tolkien had experienced war and violence first hand in World War I. Like many of the writers from his era, his world could never be the same, after seeing his best friends die, and his land in ruin. Shippey writes, “The life experiences of many men and women in the twentieth century have left them with an unshakable conviction of something wrong, something irreducibly evil in the nature of humanity, but without any very satisfactory explanation for it.” Defeat seems inevitable. The forces of evil are strong. And, the quest isn’t really a qu... more »
What Did the U.S. Accomplish with its South China Sea Legal Statement?
Helicopters fly above the USS Nimitz and USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carriers in the South China Sea on July 16, 2020. (Source: US Navy) On Monday, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo issued a statement outlining the “U.S. Position on Maritime Claims in the South China Sea.” The statement coincides with the fourth anniversary of a landmark decision by an international arbitration tribunal vindicating claims brought by the Philippines against China under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and Pompeo’s announcement explicitly aligns the United States with the UNCLOS tribuna... more »
Economic Voices: A Reading List
A little while ago, I mentioned on Econlog that I have a history of fascination with economic thinking as expressed in non economic works–and particularly with the economic thinking of people who are in the daily grit of working blue collar jobs and doing household work. I think their diaries and letters and interviews […] The post Economic Voices: A Reading List appeared first on Econlib.
The Long History of How Jesus Came to Resemble a White European
The historical Jesus likely had the brown eyes and skin of other first-century Jews from Galilee, a region in biblical Israel.
Does Genomics Hold Back Advancement Against Racism In Medical Equality?
A new Hastings Report compilation is based on the notion that genomics are the reason we still have medical inequality. Since genomics is a field that exists to sequence our DNA content and therefore help understand disease, it seems odd to posit that it could promote inequality when studying biology we all share. read more
Everything's Made Up (And Nobody Is Behind)
This is the opportunity we're missing, but to grab it would require us to look at things that some of us would rather not look at. We can start with the notion that students are currently "falling behind." Well, now-- behind what, exactly? Is there some line scribed by the Hand of God in the intellectual sand that tells us, yes, a child who has been on earth 193 months should have crossed this absolute line on the One True Path of intellectual growth? No box. Also, no spoon.No, because it's all made up. The line that says "This is where they should be" is made up. In fact, the notio... more »
Azerbaijan Threatens To Strike Armenia's Atomic Plant
CAUCASUS: Azerbaijan's Defence Ministry states that it can hit Armenia's Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant "with high accuracy", something it says would be a "great catastrophe for Armenia". https://t.co/jguSHiZ5q8 — Conflict News (@Conflicts) July 16, 2020 *Zero Hedge:* *Azerbaijan Threatens To Strike Armenian Atomic Plant Amid Worst Border Fighting In Years* The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense warned on Thursday, that its forces could carry out a precision strike on the Metzamur power station in western Armenia if Yerevan decided to hit Azerbaijani strategic installations. This afte... more »
Musical interlude
Iron and Wine - Passing Afternoon
See This Sniper Rifle? It Was Used To Assassinate President John F. Kennedy
*Matthew Moss* *History, Americas* [image: Mannlicher-Carcano Rifle Owned by Lee Harvey Oswald and Allegedly Used to Assassinate President John F. Kennedy. Warren Commission files, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration.] On Nov. 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald fired two 6.5-millimeter rounds from an Italian Carcano Fucile di Fanteria Mod. 91/38 rifle and killed U.S. president John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. *Here's What You Need To Remember:* Lee Harvey Oswald paid less than $20 for the murder weapon. On Nov. 22, 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald fired two 6.5-millimeter rounds ... more »
China Wants Ownership of the South China Sea. Here's Why That Can't Happen.
*James Holmes* *Security, Asia* Know this: Surrendering the South China Sea would embolden other coastal states to repeal the law of the sea by fiat if they felt strongly about offshore seas and possessed sufficient physical might to enforce their will. It feels like 2014 again. That’s when it came to light that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) had embarked on a seemingly quixotic project: manufacturing islands out of reefs and atolls in the South China Sea and then fortifying them to extend its sway vis-Ã -vis Southeast Asian rivals impertinent enough to insist on their mariti... more »
America's Virginia-class Submarines Have A Stealth Problem (And It Could Be Fatal)
*David Axe* *Security, Americas* Is the manufacturer responsible? *Here's What You Need To Remember: *It was apparent more than a decade ago that the *Virginia*’s coatings were peeling off during operations. The *Virginia*s are on track to become the most numerous type of submarine in the U.S. Navy’s roughly 50-strong undersea fleet. A former employee of Huntington Ingalls Industries, the Virginia-based shipbuilder that helps to construct all of the U.S. Navy’s submarines, has sued the company in federal court, claiming that the firm lied about problems with the external coating... more »
Friday Afternoon Links
Assorted content to end your week. - Radheyan Simonpillai discusses new polling showing how COVID-19 has caused stress on multiple levels. Al Etmanski writes about the importance of continuing to operate based on a mindset of caring for each other even once the worst of the pandemic is over. And Katharine Viner interviews Naomi Klein about the dangers of merely returning to the status quo after a crisis which has exposed its unconscionability. - Paris Marx suggests that governments respond to the factors which have led to both failed real estate investment and housing insecurity by... more »
Two Young Independent-Minded Florida Progressives Running As Democrats But...
*Anselm Weber and Rachel Brown are a progressive couple in Southwest Florida who have organized for voter registration and around issues of sensible drug policy, voter rights restoration, $15 minimum wage, Medicaid expansion, and climate action. Rachel Brown is running for the Florida Senate District 27 and Anselm Weber is running for Florida House District 76. Rachel is working on her environmental engineering degree and Anselm got his bachelors in history. I asked them to co-write a guest post for DWT introducing themselves. If you like what they have to say, please split a cont... more »
Saudi Coalition Attack on Yemen Wedding Party Leaves Over 30 Civilians Dead
United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths called for a transparent investigation into the attack, which comes just weeks after the UN took Saudi Arabia off its list of child killers. The post Saudi Coalition Attack on Yemen Wedding Party Leaves Over 30 Civilians Dead appeared first on MintPress News.
Portland Mayor Condemns Masked Federal Agents Abducting Protesters
Human rights groups, activists, and local politicians are decrying what appears to be the Trump administration’s latest tactic to crush nationwide protests that erupted in late May over the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police. The post Portland Mayor Condemns Masked Federal Agents Abducting Protesters appeared first on MintPress News.
Maddow interviewed Mary L. Trump!
*FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020Frankly, we aren't sure why:* At New York magazine, Matt Stieb is writing the evolving, multi-part essay, "Everything We Learned From Mary Trump’s Book." What have we learned from Mary Trump's book? Perfectly sensibly in our view, Stieb starts with the following chunk: *Mary Trump, a clinical psychologist, identifies the president as a narcissist* Even those who don’t know Trump intimately have noted that he has several narcissistic traits, such as an inflated sense of his importance, a need for attention, and a lack of empathy for others. But *Mary Trump, ... more »
The world's sweetest peach costs $7,000. So is it worth the price tag?
Koji's prize peaches are sweeter, more luscious and more expensive than anything you can buy at the supermarket, but for him this is not about making money. He wants his peaches to help restore the reputation of his hometown.
Australia-China tensions once again leave Asian-Australians 'caught in the middle'
Racism has become the latest pressure point in Australia and China's tense relations, making it even harder for Asian-Australians to speak out about the discrimination they often face.
'Going to be a bloodbath': Landlords to send small retailers to the wall
Fang Lu says her landlord just doesn't believe her business is under rental stress because of the coronavirus-related downturn — a situation for which many others are bracing.
73 millionaires did not pay a cent in tax — but it wasn't all through negative gearing
Seventy-three millionaires paid no tax in 2017-18, and Australia's richest people live in Sydney's Double Bay, on average earning more than 13 times the nation's poorest, who live in central-west Queensland.
We're about to see a historic spike in poverty — and thousands of Australians have suddenly become invisible
Amid all the talk of coronavirus supplements, the idea that we may be seeing an historic shift in the number of people living in poverty in Australia doesn't really register, writes Laura Tingle.
We're left in an impossible position as two opposing positions emerge in Australia
The coming days are critical in Victoria and NSW as we anxiously watch to see if the two outbreaks, one widespread and one burgeoning, can be brought under control, writes Casey Briggs.
Analysis: US coronavirus data will now go straight to the White House. Here's what this means for the world
Just In - 8 hours ago
With the world in desperate need of authoritative information, one of the foremost agencies for fighting infectious disease has gone conspicuously silent, writes Erin Smith.
Democracy Dies In Propaganda
Covid live updates: U.S. coronavirus cases set new record, topping 70,000 – The Washington Post Most people with a second grade education would understand that testing more people produces more positives. The relevant statistic is percent positive tests (blue line … Continue reading →
After Man Spray Paints Lincoln Memorial, He Finds Out Trump Was Serious About 10 Years In Jail
By Adam Casalino|July 16, 2020. What’s Happening: With the onset of anti-police protests over early Summer, numerous activists targeted national monuments. Americans watched as Antifa and BLM-linked protesters tore down statues of historical figures. It started with Confederate leaders but quickly moved on to icons like Christopher Columbus and George Washington. There was a rash … Continue reading After Man Spray Paints Lincoln Memorial, He Finds Out Trump Was Serious About 10 Years In Jail →
Tracking Bible Prophecy Headlines – 7/17/2020
Tracking Bible Prophecy Headlines – 7/17/2020 US official urges Netanyahu to keep alive chance of Palestinian state The Trump Peace Plan – Aiming Not to Make a Deal, but to Make a Deal Possible Netanyahu trial’s second hearing set for Sunday Gantz concerned: Netanyahu planning election in November Hamas finally admits one of its number … Continue reading Tracking Bible Prophecy Headlines – 7/17/2020 →
‘We’re Going To Make An Example Out Of Them’: Liberty University Sues New York Times Over Allegedly Misleading COVID-19 Story
‘It’s just not right for the mainstream media to lie about and target conservative Christian organizations…” By Jon Brown Jul 16, 2020 DailyWire.com Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images Liberty University hit The New York Times and two of its employees with a $10 million defamation suit on Wednesday after the nation’s paper of record … Continue reading ‘We’re Going To Make An Example Out Of Them’: Liberty University Sues New York Times Over Allegedly Misleading COVID-19 Story →
‘Building Power for Muslims in Politics’
Political Jihad The push to place Muslims in elective offices. July 17, 2020 Robert Spencer Editor’s note: In this monograph, Robert Spencer reveals the disquieting agenda and goals of those who are working hard to get Muslims elected to political office at the national, state, and local level. He shows how this initiative is … Continue reading ‘Building Power for Muslims in Politics’ →
George Soros’s Multi-Front War Against Israel
How the globalist financier’s desire to escape his Jewish identity fuels his Jew-hate. July 17, 2020 Kenneth Levin George Soros, in his political pronouncements and in his characterization of the goals of his Open Society Foundations (OSF), the primary financial vehicle for his political advocacy and activism, acknowledges his support of a globalist agenda. … Continue reading George Soros’s Multi-Front War Against Israel →
The Minority Victims of Whitenessphobia
For minority members, whiteness has become an accusation of acting white. July 17, 2020 Daniel Greenfield Daniel Greenfield, a Shillman Journalism Fellow at the Freedom Center, is an investigative journalist and writer focusing on the radical Left and Islamic terrorism. African albinos, Hindu gods, and Chinese architects. These three things and about three million … Continue reading The Minority Victims of Whitenessphobia →
Learning About Racism From the Smithsonian
“War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” The museum deep-sixes a poster that went viral – but keeps up a website that teaches noxious “lessons” on race. July 17, 2020 Bruce Bawer “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.” That’s George Orwell in 1984, of course. But the picture those … Continue reading Learning About Racism From the Smithsonian →
Hagia Sophia: Muslim Forgery vs Documented History
No, the ancient church was not “purchased” by Muslims, nor were its congregants “assured” of fair treatment. July 17, 2020 Raymond Ibrahim Raymond Ibrahim is a Shillman Fellow at the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Millions of Orthodox and other Christians around the world were either shocked, angered, and/or saddened to learn recently that Turkey … Continue reading Hagia Sophia: Muslim Forgery vs Documented History →
Biden Bags Angela Davis Endorsement
1980/1984 Communist Party VP candidate says a vote for Joe Biden is a “vote for ourselves.” July 17, 2020 Lloyd Billingsley “Biden is very problematic in many ways, not only in terms of his past and the role that he played in pushing toward mass incarceration, but he has indicated that he is opposed … Continue reading Biden Bags Angela Davis Endorsement →
Bryson Gray Video: When Biden Took My Black Card
A recording artist reflects on Joe Biden informing him that he isn’t black. July 17, 2020 Frontpagemag.com [To get the whole story on why leftists dehumanize those who cross the Party Line, read Jamie Glazov’s United in Hate: The Left’s Romance with Tyranny and Terror: CLICK HERE.] Subscribe to the Glazov Gang‘s YouTube Channel … Continue reading Bryson Gray Video: When Biden Took My Black Card →
Lawsuit: LA County Juvenile Hall Inmate Used as Medical Experiment; Estrogen Given to Control Him
[image: lawsuit-la-county-juvie-hall-inmate-used-as-medical-experiment-estrogen-given-to-control-him] If your son lands in juvenile detention in Los Angeles, California, he might just become the unwitting and unwilling subject of a medical experiment.
Massachusetts marijuana corruption trial pushed until early 2021
The trial of a former Massachusetts mayor accused of trying to extort $600,000 from at least four prospective marijuana businesses was delayed for a second time because of the coronavirus pandemic. Former Fall River Mayor Jasiel Correia now isn’t expected to go to trial until January 2021 at the earliest, according to legal news service […] Massachusetts marijuana corruption trial pushed until early 2021 is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Rhode Island taking applications for six more medical cannabis dispensaries
Rhode Island medical cannabis regulators started accepting applications Friday for six potentially lucrative dispensary licenses, a move that will triple the number of retail outlets for the $60 million-plus market. With only three dispensaries now licensed, the state ranks at the top of the U.S. in terms of patients per dispensary, according to the recently […] Rhode Island taking applications for six more medical cannabis dispensaries is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Nicaragua: The Revolution Won’t Be Stopped
2019 was an amazing year in the search for peace in Nicaragua with The Amnesty Law and the promotion of reconciliation between neighbors in every corner of the nation. It was a year of life-giving advances in all aspects of wellbeing: poverty reduction, health, education, gender equity, recreation, culture and infrastructure; strengthened food security, and a new highway that joins Bluefields to the rest of the nation making the first paved transit route from the Caribbean to the Pacific. And all this despite cruel US unconventional warfare against the Sandinistas that has gone on... more »
Philadelphia Protest: ‘Housing Is Dignity!’
Residents of the James Talib-Dean tent encampment, set up on June 11 on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, held a press conference July 13 to denounce city plans to evict them. Calling for housing now for people who are homeless, camp residents say they are not willing to leave. Named in honor of a housing organizer who recently died, the JTD encampment brought together around 150 activists and houseless people to bring attention to the lack of affordable housing, poor conditions in city shelters and the need for permanent low-income housing. The city has posted notice... more »
Human Solidarity And A Global Health Commons
The COVID-19 pandemic reminds us of the most fundamental features of the human condition: the solidarity that exists between humans across borders, between humans and all other living beings, as well as between living beings and their environments. This reminder, which obtuse nationalisms and competitive logics are already rushing to hush up, invites us to rethink what a true global political institution should be — what we will here call the “global commons of humanity.” The lessons from the pandemic also apply to other major problems that confront humanity, starting with global ... more »
The Great American Firewall: On The Question Of Censorship
The Great Firewall in China is a hot button subject that unites the most hawkish and militarist forces of the state with the so-called U.S. left. China’s legal exclusion of Google, Facebook, and other American corporate media from acceptable consumption is often viewed as the most obvious example of “authoritarianism.” Few in the U.S., even on the left, analyze censorship as a political question. Many instead debate the issue from the lens of American exceptionalism. Censorship is “bad” because it violates the right to “free speech”—which is supposedly a laudable feature of U.S. s... more »
Chile: Night Of Fury To Demand The Withdrawal Of Pension Funds
From Tuesday night until early Wednesday morning, Chilean citizens took to the streets to support a pension-related bill and protest against President Sebastian Piñera. Today the Lower House is expected to vote on a bill that will allow Chileans to withdraw the 10 percent of their savings that remain controlled by the repudiated Pension Fund Insurers (AFP), which are private companies that control pensions in this South American country since that time of the Augusto Pinochet dictatorship (1973-1990). "This initiative is supported by a large majority of the people, which claims t... more »
Colombians Question Deployment Of US Security Forces
Colombian soldiers and military brass have been implicated in a string of human rights violations in recent weeks. On May 1, Semana magazine reported that the Colombian military illegally used U.S. military aid to spy on journalists and human rights defenders, including U.S. citizens. On June 4, Colombian armed forces carried out forced eradication of illicit crops and injured six farmers. On June 25, seven soldiers confessed to gang-raping a 13-year-old Emberá girl in Northern Colombia. Yet the United States is only deepening its relationship with the Colombian military. On May 2... more »
Expropriation Or Bust
Election seasons bring with them a renewed interest in politics. For most that couldn't care less about such concerns, election season becomes, for at least a moment, a time to reflect on deeper issues. For those of us who spend a large portion of our lives thinking, writing, acting, and engaging in these larger-than-life matters, election seasons bring other questions: can we affect change through the electoral system, how effective is voting, and how can we overcome the corporate stranglehold over politics, to name a few. However, beneath all of the political discussions lies an... more »
Supreme Court Stopped One Million Floridians From Voting In November
The Supreme Court all but guaranteed that nearly 1 million Floridians will be unable to vote in the 2020 election because of unpaid court debts in a shattering order handed down on Thursday. Its decision will throw Florida’s voter registration into chaos, placing a huge number of would-be voters in legal limbo and even opening them up to prosecution for casting a ballot. The justices have effectively permitted Florida Republicans to impose a poll tax in November. Florida’s ex-felons have a right to vote under both the state and federal constitutions. In 2018, a supermajority of re... more »
Egypt Calls Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam An 'Existential' Threat
*CBS:* *Ethiopia filling mega-dam that Egypt calls an "existential" threat* Ethiopia has dismissed reports that it's filling a massive reservoir behind a new hydroelectric dam, as the colossal infrastructure project strains ties between three African nations that all rely on the River Nile for water. Egypt has previously threatened to go to war over the dam. Almost 10 years of negotiations between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over Ethiopia's construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have failed to resolve the conflict. Recent satellite images from the European Space... more »
Israel Reimposes Sweeping Coronavirus Restrictions
*The Guardian: **Israel returns to partial lockdown with immediate weekend shutdown* Government unveils measures after marathon emergency cabinet session as infections rise Israel has reimposed some lockdown measures following a vigorous second surge in the number of coronavirus infections, putting in place stringent weekend shutdowns in which shops, hairdressers and attractions will be closed. The government announced the measures in the early hours of Friday morning, following a marathon emergency cabinet session called after daily infection rates climbed to close to 2,000. G... more »
Climate Breakdown Arrives!
By Paul Homewood Climate Breakdown in Worcestershire yesterday!
UK Flooding & Rainfall–GWPF Factsheet
By Paul Homewood The GWPF have just published their latest factsheet about UK flooding. Written by Harry Wilkinson and me, it can be read here.
Is This Miley Cyrus with Jeffrey Epstein?
A vague resemblance between two women does not support the salacious implications of this meme.
Is ICE ‘Citizens Academy’ Training Civilians To Arrest ‘Undocumented’ Immigrants?
An ICE initiative in Chicago aims to "debunk myths" about the agency known for its detention centers and targeting of immigrant communities.
Sham Bailout Statistics Shroud Shutdown Tyranny
[image: undefined] Last month, I wrote a piece here condemning the Trump administration for refusing to disclose the beneficiaries of bailouts authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The following day, the Trump administration reversed course and promised to reveal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan recipients. On July 2, Trump proclaimed that PPP is “saving and supporting the jobs of tens of millions of American workers” and the program “has been a tremendous success, levels that nobody has ever seen before.” Treasury Secretary Steven... more »
The Clown Cars Are Fully Loaded And Dr. Fauci’s Is Leading The Parade
[image: undefined] When it comes to the topic of clown cars, we’d say Dr. Fauci gets a limo version all to himself. Yesterday he uttered the following incoherent babble, saying the recent surge in new cases is because the Virus Patrol didn’t go far enough in throwing 50 million Americans out of work: 'We did not shut down entirely,' Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said. 'We need to draw back a few yards and say, "OK, we can’t stay shut down forever." …You’ve got to shut down but then you’ve got to gradually open.' Got that? What do... more »
A Work of Heart: Practicing Critical Compassionate Pedagogy in the Face of Adversity
As a faculty member, my biggest concern was the online (re)creation of a deeply engaged and rich environment, while simultaneously supporting students battling various challenges due to COVID-19 including but not limited to the loss of jobs, mental health conditions, and deaths of family members.
Sorry, Marvel Fans: “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” Won’t Arrive in August
*Stephen Silver* *Technology, * Deadline reported Friday that “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier” won’t be debuting in August, after Disney put out a list of scheduled August premieres that did not include the show. The series started filming in March, due to the coronavirus pandemic, and there’s no word yet on when the series might start filming again. Last spring, along with the next phase of Marvel Cinematic Universe movies, Disney announced several series featuring Marvel characters that would appear on Disney+. These series, like the movies, would be produced by Marvel Stu... more »
THEY THINK EVERYONE IS AS DIVISIVE -- AND AS CYNICAL -- AS THEY ARE
This showed up in my Twitter feed this morning, posted by the Trump campaign: How Would The Media Cover School Reopening If Hillary Clinton Were President?https://t.co/kat62D3Y2t — Trump War Room - Text TRUMP to 88022 (@TrumpWarRoom) July 17, 2020 Here's an excerpt from the linked post by Ben Domenech, which appeared on Tuesday: Imagine for a moment a similar situation to the school reopening debate on Earth One, where President Hillary Clinton was trying to get America reopened fending off an essentially AWOL Republican challenger, without the aid and direction of the pro-Democr... more »
Watch out for those Coronavirus Tests. They could have Dual Purpose! Ever hear about the "Cribriform Plate"?
1: Olfactory bulb 2: Mitral cells 3: Cribriform plate 4: Olfactory epithelium 5: Glomerulus 6: Olfactory receptor neurons *From Wikipedia* "In mammalian anatomy, the *cribriform plate*, *horizontal lamina* or *lamina cribrosa* (from Latin *cribrum*, *"sieve*" + -form) of the ethmoid bone is received into the ethmoidal notch of the frontal bone and roofs in the nasal cavities. The cribriform plate is narrow with deep grooves supporting the olfactory bulb,* and is perforated by olfactory foramina* allowing the passage of the olfactory nerves. The foramina in the middle of the groove ar... more »
Good Samaritan Finds Wallet Full of Money, Turns it in to Police Who Steal It
[image: money]A Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office deputy has been arrested and charged after allegedly stealing money from a wallet turned in by a good Samaritan.
A Summary of ICE’s Reversal and Re-reversal on Online Class Policy for International Students
A student walks in front of Austin Hall at Harvard University on September 1, 2009. (Source: Elissa.rolle, https://tinyurl.com/yyf4ube5, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en) The much anticipated July 14 hearing in the Harvard/MIT lawsuit over Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s new international student policy in the age of online learning ended, to the relief of many, with an about-face. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security decided to rescind its July 6 announcement of a policy that would have required international students to leave the Uni... more »
Everything You Need to Know About Section 230
President Trump, joined by Attorney General Barr, signs an Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship on May 28, 2020 in the Oval Office. (Source: White House) Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act has become a frequent topic in the news and political debate. In the last few months alone, the “law that created the internet” has faced attacks ranging from President Trump’s Executive Order on Preventing Online Censorship to calls by Sen. Josh Hawley and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden to revoke Section 230. But what does Section 230 actually say? ... more »
Is home schooling due for a massive expansion - at the expense of public schools?
Jack Spirko has started an interesting series of podcasts dealing with what he sees as eight megatrends we're likely to encounter over the next few years. The second and most recent of these podcasts deals with primary and secondary education. I was intrigued by his perspective. Today I want to discuss with you how changes in primary and secondary education will drastically impact our economy in the coming years. For those not familiar with these terms, primary and secondary education are commonly referred to as K-12 education in the U.S. Right now the media is only paying atte... more »
The Poet: Langston Hughes, "Mother To Son"
*"Mother To Son"* "Well, son, I'll tell you: Life for me ain't been no crystal stair. It's had tacks in it, And splinters, And boards torn up, And places with no carpet on the floor— Bare. But all the time I'se been a-climbin' on, And reachin' landin's, And turnin' corners, And sometimes goin' in the dark Where there ain't been no light. So, boy, don't you turn back. Don't you set down on the steps. 'Cause you finds it's kinder hard. Don't you fall now— For I'se still goin', honey, I'se still climbin', And life for me ain't been no crystal stair." - Langston Hughes
Teachers Beware Your Cultural Revolution Turning on You
The protests in city streets of developed countries are coordinated and led by Social Justice Warriors indoctrinated in Western academies of higher education, after elementary school slanted teaching. If neo-Marxist progressive post-moderns take pride in this as accomplishing their agenda, consider what happened in China’s cultural revolution in the 1960s and is repeating itself in […]
Did Melania Trump Post a Photo of Herself Wearing a Soviet Army Hat?
Digital manipulation gave the appearance that the first lady of the U.S. was photographed wearing Soviet insignia on a traditional Russian ushanka.
4 Reasons Why India Couldn't Win a War With China
*Amit Gupta* *Security, Asia* There are diplomatic, economic, and military choices that New Delhi can make to both achieve greater security and put pressure on Beijing. The clash between India and China on June 15 left twenty Indians and an unknown number of Chinese soldiers dead. This led to a wave of public outrage in India. Retired Indian generals came on television to demand that India take the fight to China (with claims that the military is supremely confident it could do the job) and the Indian public started talking about boycotting Chinese goods. Neither option is a part... more »
The Czech Sa vz. 23 Was a "No Frills" Submachine Gun That Was Ahead of Its Time
*Peter Suciu* *Security, * Militaries around the world loved the Israeli-made Uzi, the open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine gun. Its telescoping bolt design allowed the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip, which created a shorter weapon. However, the Uzi – developed in the early 1950s – wasn't the first to utilize such a revolutionary concept. Militaries around the world loved the Israeli-made Uzi, the open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine gun. Its telescoping bolt design allowed the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip, which created a shorter weapon. However, the... more »
Double the Destroyers: China Will Soon Have Almost 40 of These Modern Warships
*Kris Osborn* *Security, Asia* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2017%3Anewsml_RC1783A884D0&share=true] Can America keep up with China's ambitious and speedy ship-building? The Chinese Navy may double its fleet of destroyers in just the next five years, bringing increased reach, firepower and missile defenses to new areas around the globe. The People’s Liberation Army Navy, which now fields twenty destroyers, is expected to operate as many as thirty-nine of the warships within five years, a move which massively expands the attack reach of the Chin... more »
South Carolina Dog Euthanized After Positive Coronavirus Test
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *Technology, * A dog in South Carolina had to be put down after it tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, according to Clemson University. A dog in South Carolina had to be put down after it tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 in humans, according to Clemson University. Dr. Boyd Parr, a state veterinarian and director of Clemson Livestock Poultry Health (LPH), said a private veterinarian decided to test the 8- or 9-year-old shepherd mix for SARS-CoV-2 after one of its owners was infected by the cor... more »
Duck Boat: The World War II DUKW Still Has Some Quack (They Helped Beat Hitler)
*Peter Suciu* *History, * Throughout the United States, it is still possible to take a "Duck Boat" tour in a vintage World War II vehicle that is able to go from road to river and back again. Throughout the United States, it is still possible to take a "Duck Boat" tour in a vintage World War II vehicle that is able to go from road to river and back again. Meet the DUKW, a type of transport that was designed to get artillery, supplies and most notably Allied soldiers ashore during the Second World War. The DUKW moniker came from its maker General Motors' manufacturing code: D fo... more »
2:00PM Water Cooler 7/17/2020
By Lambert Strether of Corrente. * * * Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how […]
DADDY CALLED ME A DEMOCRAT!
Poor child is traumatized, it appears. Well thinking about it, I’d be too. Watch this video: ~Ragnar (RFXtFR)
Interview With Dr. Rajter Of Broward County Ivermectin Trial
An interesting interview with the M.D. in Broward County Florida who tried Ivermectin and found it worked. Continue reading →
US Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg announces cancer resurgence, will not retire
Just In - 10 hours ago
The oldest member of the US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says she is receiving chemotherapy but has no plans to retire just yet.
Terrorist on CSIS payroll illegally, Judge says. Greencrow asks: Has CSIS EVER done anything positive for Canada?
*Canadian Security and Intelligence Services* Folks, I ask the following question seriously. I really want to know: *Has CSIS EVER* in its history-- which dates back to* immediately prior *to the downing of the *Air India Passenger Jet in 1985*-*-done anything positive for Canada?* I personally have never read of anything. On the other hand, I have read countless newZ reports, like *the following one from yesterday's CBC*, which is just the latest in an endless trail of criminal and/or *scofflaw antics *on the part of the Taxpayer-funded CSIS. Please read and I will have more ... more »
La crise du Covid-19 renforce la perspective transhumaniste
Ethical Technology - 10 hours ago
*Contrairement aux apparences, et à quelques déclarations emballées d’écologistes mystiques ou de bio-conservateurs thanatophiles, le coronavirus n’aura pas écorné la perspective transhumaniste. Au contraire, il pourrait bien avoir démontré sa pertinence et sa force.*
destiny is ours
There are many schools of the Brotherhood. There are many methods of achieving. In our releases through the Summit Lighthouse we seek to assist our students in expanding their consciousness with facility. We seek to weld together the body of God upon earth by first creating the understanding of both the beauty and the practicality of true alchemy…. What we are interested in is the subscribing of our students to a universal brotherhood and body already existing spiritually as the Great White Brotherhood. Being in the invisible this order comprising the alchemists of the Spirit ... more »
Review The ISIS Apocalypse, The History, Strategy, and Doomsday Vision of The Islamic State
*McCants, William, **The ISIS Apocalypse, The History, Strategy, and Doomsday Vision of The Islamic State**, New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2015* The declaration of the caliphate in 2014 by the Islamic State created a cottage industry in western books on the group. With time having passed and more knowledge on the Islamic State available these releases can now be evaluated better. *The ISIS Apocalypse, The History, Strategy, and Doomsday Vision of The Islamic State* by William McCants published in 2015 is one such case. The author had three main points. One was that he tried to expl... more »
Beautiful Economics of Indian Medical Care
In the mid-1990s, Shetty began experimenting with a business school concept alternately called upskilling or task-shifting. The idea is for everyone involved in a complex process to work only at the top of his qualification, leaving simpler tasks to lower-paid workers. In a hospital, this might mean that the costliest staff—experienced surgeons—enter the operating theater […] The post Beautiful Economics of Indian Medical Care appeared first on Econlib.
This Day In Iraqi History - Jul 17
1920 British worked out ceasefire with Iraqi rebels to end siege of Abu Sukhair (Musings On Iraq review *Reclaiming Iraq, The 1920 Revolution and the Founding of the Modern State*) 1925 Frontier Commission report to League of Nations on where border between Turkey and Iraq should be Said Mosul vilyat should be in Iraq after British seized it after WW1 armistice Said Assyrians should return to Turkey (Musings On Iraq How The Ottoman Province Of Mosul Became Part Of Iraq) (Musings On Iraq review *The Creation of Iraq 1914-1921*) (Musings On Iraq review *The Tragedy of the Assyrian Mi... more »
Geopolitical Implications of the European Court’s Schrems II Decision
The Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on November 18, 2006. (Source: Cédric Puisney (European Court of Justice - Luxembourg), https://tinyurl.com/y63s68q3; CC BY 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/deed.en) On July 16, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) invalidated one principal legal method for the transfer of personal data from EU territory to the United States and cast substantial doubt on the validity of the other. U.S. intelligence agencies can utilize personal data initially transferred for commercial purposes to the U.S. from Europe... more »
U.K. Foreign Secretary Says Russia Interfered In The 2019 UK Election
*BBC: **'Almost certain' Russians sought to interfere in 2019 UK election - Raab* Russians almost certainly sought to interfere in the 2019 UK general election through illicitly acquired documents, the government has said. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said any attempt to meddle in UK democracy was "completely unacceptable". The documents - on UK-US trade discussions - emerged online and were used by Labour in the 2019 campaign. A much-delayed report into allegations of wider Russian interference into UK democracy is due next week. Labour said it condemned "any attempt by Rus... more »
Justice Ginsburg Says Cancer Has Returned, but Won’t Retire
Ginsburg said chemotherapy has so far succeeded in treating her condition.
Rev. C.T. Vivian, Key Civil Rights Leader, Has Died at 95
Vivian began staging sit-ins against segregation 12 years before lunch-counter protests by college students made national news.
The Cathedral and the Starship: Learning from the Middle Ages for Future Long-Duration Projects
It doesn’t take much to awaken my internal medievalist. On this score, Andreas Hein’s latest is made to order, looking at European cathedrals, long-term projects and starships. Is there an analogy that impacts long-term thinking here, or is the comparison too strained to be useful? Andreas is the Executive Director and Director Technical Programs of […]
Twitter Hack Dupes Liberals, Threatens National Security, Shows Need for Better Security
[image: twitter-hack-dupes-liberals-threatens-national-security-shows-need-for-better-security] Experts warn that if the hackers had wanted power instead of money, they could have crashed the stock market, swayed elections, or even started a major war.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment