Saturday, October 03, 2020

3 October - Blogs I'm Following - 1 of 5

 10:30 pm MDT

October 4th – 2020 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1354
sundance, The Last Refuge - 9 minutes ago
In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and … Continue reading →
Sunday October 4th – Open Thread
sundance, The Last Refuge - 14 minutes ago
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those … Continue reading →
The Chamber Of Commerce Dems From The Republican Wing Of The Democratic Party Just Undercut Pelosi's Pandemic Negotiations With Mnuchin
DownWithTyranny, DownWithTyranny! - 29 minutes ago
Yesterday, the *Washington Post* reported that Pelosi anticipates striking a pandemic relief deal with Mnuchin, who the Republicans have tasked with keeping the package as small and mean as possible. Erica Werner and Jeff Stein asserted that Pelosi thinks that now that Trump is dying sick, it will beefier to get a bipartisan deal. The vote in the House on Thursday for the $2.2 trillion package was supposed to strengthen her hand in the negotiations. Instead, as we explained earlier a pack of mangy Blue Dogs and New Dems from the Republican wing of the Democratic Party, screwed i...
Since The Start Of The Pandemic Russian President Putin Has Been Governing In A Bubble
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 37 minutes ago
SPUTNIK/AFP *CNN:* *Trump kept a busy schedule during the pandemic. Putin stayed in a bubble * Over months of the coronavirus pandemic, US President Donald Trump has kept to a busy schedule, packed with campaign rallies and public events. The contrast with Russian President Vladimir Putin could not be more stark: The authoritarian leader Trump admires so much is living in a bubble. For most of the pandemic, Putin has been following a strict work-from-home regimen, running the affairs of state largely by videoconference. And the Kremlin has taken extreme measures to guard the he...
Russian President Putin And Chinese President Xi Both Wish President Trump a Speedy Recovery
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 57 minutes ago
*Daily Mail:* *Putin says Donald Trump's 'inherent vitality' will see him through COVID-19 after president and First Lady test positive * * Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote to Trump in a telegram Friday * He offered support in 'this difficult time' and wished Trump a speedy recovery * 'I am certain that your inherent vitality, good spirits and optimism will help you cope with this dangerous virus,' according to the Kremlin * Russia's ties with the US remain strained over many issues, including allegations of Russian interference in US politics * Trump and the First L...
Boom: Meet the XM913 Cannon the Army Wants to Put on the Bradley
Caleb Larson, The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Caleb Larson* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2016%3Anewsml_D1AETCHOKSAA&share=true] How will the vehicle be modified to take the new barrel? *Key point: *In order to keep the Bradley updated and out-gun the enemy, the Army would like to give the vehicle a new gun. The XM913 is a beast and can fire two types of ammunition. Jane’s Information Group, an open source intelligence company, reported that Northrop Grumman delivered several prototype guns to the U.S. Army for their Bradley replacement vehicle—and what they delivere...
Stealth Jump: New Parachutes Will Help Russian Paratroopers Get Behind Enemy Lines Unseen
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Peter Suciu* *Security, Europe* A less visible parachute is just one of the innovations in the technology that is reportedly being developed and potentially deployed from Technodinamika. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *While not true stealth—as it is unclear if the parachutes would show up on radar if a group of soldiers dropped together in close proximity for example—the stealth-like effect is achieved through the use of applying special saturating techniques at the stage of producing polyamide threads and fabrics. Nasenkov added that there are already samples of materials...
Why China Will Never Export Its J-20 Stealth Fighter
David Axe, The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*David Axe* *Security, Asia* Beijing has decided to keep the J-20’s high-end military capabilities all to itself. *Here's What You Need To Remember:* The U.S. expressly designed the F-35 to be safely exportable. The F-35 is smaller, slower and less stealthy than the F-22 is. But it still includes sensitive technologies including sophisticated sensors and radar-absorbing coatings. The Chinese government has never exported, nor even tried to export, its J-20 stealth fighter. There’s one major reason why. In the years immediately following the Chengdu-built J-20’s 2011 debut, West...
The Army’s Brigade Combat Teams Will Get a Weapons Upgrade
Kris Osborn, The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Kris Osborn* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] Stryker Brigades can now effectively destroy enemy drones, helicopters and even some lower-flying fixed-wing aircraft, a weapons adaptation, which massively propels the combat-tested platform more fully into the well-known great-power competition era. The Army is now stepping up efforts to arm its Brigade Combat Teams with Hellfire- and Stinger missile-equipped Stryker vehicles as part of a longer-term developmental trajectory intended to bring new dimensions to the services’ Short Range Air Defense technologies. Stryker Brigad...
Agni: The Offspring of the Waters
Unknown, The Conservative Socrates - 1 hour ago
The *Rigveda *contains several verses in which Agni (the fire god) is identified as Apām Napāt, the son of waters—who is born from the womb of the water laden clouds as lightening. Here’s an excerpt from 35th hymn in the Second Mandala of the *Rigveda *(Ralph T.H. Griffith’s translation, 1896): “The Waters' Son hath risen, and clothed in lightning ascended up unto the curled cloud's bosom; And bearing with them his supremest glory the Youthful Ones, gold-colored, move around him.” “Golden in form is he, like gold to look on, his color is like gold, the Son of Waters. When he is se...
Is President Trump’s “Illness” Really a Commercial for Regeneron’s New COVID Drug?
Brian-Admin, Health Impact News - 2 hours ago
The same day it was announced that President Trump was tested positive for COVID, it was immediately announced that the President was being administered a new experimental COVID drug, Regeneron's REGN-COV2. Business journals apparently already had press releases ready about the drug, and the company's stock immediately went up on Friday. FiercePharma, one the Pharmaceutical companies' main marketing trade publications, was one of the first to publish the story: "In a bombshell development Thursday, President Donald J. Trump tested positive for COVID-19, sending shockwaves through t...
Armenia - Azerbaijan War News Updates -- October 3, 2020
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 1 hour ago
*DW:* *Azerbaijan claims advances in Nagorno-Karabakh region, as Armenia vows to continue fight* *Scores of soldiers were killed in heavy clashes between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces despite calls for a ceasefire. * The two sides continued to attack each other with rockets and missiles. Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces were locked in intense warfare over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh province on Saturday. Armenia said it would use "all necessary means" to protect ethnic Armenian from Azerbaijani forces, in the conflict that has already claimed over 230 lives. Armen...
Inside Walter Reed Hospital's 'Presidential Suite' Where President Trump Is Staying
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 2 hours ago
The White House has said President Trump will continue to work from Walter Reed. One of the Rooms in Ward 71 is equipped with a desk for just that purpose *Daily Mail:* *Inside Walter Reed: The 'Nation's Medical Center' where Trump will be treated for coronavirus in a secure 'Presidential Suite' * * President Trump was admitted to Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, for COVID-19 treatment Friday evening * Walter Reed is the nation's largest military medical center and has 244 patient beds, including 50 ICU beds * The White House has said Trump will cont...
President Trump Addresses Health Rumors In Video Message From Walter Reed National Medical Center : "I'll Be Back Soon"
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 2 hours ago
pic.twitter.com/gvIPuYtTZG — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 3, 2020 *Daily Mail:* *'I’m starting to feel good': Trump says next two days are critical, calls experimental drugs 'miracles from God' and jokes Melania is doing better then him because 'she's slightly younger' in video address from Walter Reed * * President Trump said he was 'starting to feel good' in an update delivered to Twitter * Trump, 74, added that the treatments he is receiving are 'miracles from God' * He reportedly asked aides if he was going to die as he was transported to Walter Reed hospit...
'Nuclear Football' Spotted When President Trump Boarded Marine One Yesterday To Fly To Walter Reed National Medical Center
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 2 hours ago
Donald Trump's 'nuclear football', the briefcase which could trigger doomsday, was loaded onto Marine One alongside the President as he was airlifted to hospital for coronavirus treatment *Daily Mail:* *Trump's 'nuclear football' boards Marine One: US President is airlifted to hospital for COVID treatment with briefcase that could trigger doomsday - as he insists 'I'm doing well' * * The leader of the western world is always followed by the briefcase and a military aide wherever he goes * It has joined every president when they are away from the White House since the Cuban Mis...
Yipe more news! ... and the rest of Chapter 10 of Polemical Judo... does 'government" destroy or enhance freedom of creative competition?
David Brin, CONTRARY BRIN - 3 hours ago
Today: the second half of *Chapter Ten of Polemical Judo,* offering you all some agile and (I think) devastating refutations vs. the core catechism of American conservatism, since Reagan - that *government bureaucrats* are somehow the worst threats to individual liberty, prosperity and progress... despite freedom and markets and creativity having been squelched above all - across 99% of history - by inheritance oligarchy.. Still, in a busy week of news, let's start with a trio of more recent *urgencies*. *First:* FBI Director Christopher Wray needs to say loudly - *"Any police a...
Social Disease
Kate, Small Dead Animals - 3 hours ago
What changed, precisely? Facebook, Twitter And TikTok Say Wishing Trump’s Death From COVID-19 Is Not Allowed Because it’s not like wanting Trump dead has been regarded as disqualifying activity in the past.
Forget The J-20, China Is Building A “Super F-35” Stealth Fighter
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Peter Suciu* *Security, Asia* Instead of a highly maneuverable aircraft, today information could be the deciding factor. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *China likely sees the potential of a highly networked, yet far less agile or speedy aircraft. There are plenty of planes that can dogfight and plenty that are super fast. But none of that matters if a stealth aircraft can get in, hits its target and be gone before the enemy knew what hit it. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) has long touted the capabilities of its Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter since it was first introduce...
China Wants You to Think It Can Track America's Stealth Fighters
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Peter Suciu* *Security, Asia* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2020%3Anewsml_RC26YE9TGV6R&share=true] But does Beijing really have such technology or secrets? *Key point: *The F-22 and F-35s are America's finest warplanes. It would be a big deal if they could be tracked and shot down, but it seems like China is likely exaggerating its capabilities. Stealth fighters such as America's F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aren't technically invisible, but they are difficult to track on radar. Now the People's Republic of China is ...
Can the United States and the Vatican Help Taiwan to Avoid a War?
Patrick Mendis, The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Patrick Mendis* *Security, Asia* The fear of the Vatican’s eventual recognition of China is a growing concern, especially given that the Holy See is the most important embassy in Taiwan among the remaining fifteen. When President-elect Donald Trump accepted a phone call from President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan just before his inauguration, “political warfare” between China and the United States had already begun. Now, evolving evidence suggests that Washington has departed from its 1972 “one China” policy and 1979 “policy of ambiguity” to one of resolve on defending Taiwan, leading...
Why the 2020 Election Has Become a Geopolitical Russian Roulette
Dimitri Alexander Simes, The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Dimitri Alexander Simes* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] How does Russia plan on dealing with a potentially unpredictable United States over the next four years? One option is to continue strengthening relations with China. With the presidential election fast approaching, Russia is preparing for another four years of confrontation with the United States regardless of whether President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden prevails. A growing consensus in Moscow is arguing that neither Trump nor Biden will improve relations with Russia if elected and that more ...
WWII Fact: Germany's Tiger Tank Could Take On 12 Shermans And Live
Warfare History Network, The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* Like the Allied Sherman Tanks, Tiger Tanks and other German armored units were a benefit and an impediment during the Battle of the Bulge. When American soldiers landed in France in June 1944 as part of the great Allied crusade to liberate Europe, they were well trained, fully equipped, and brimming with confidence. But, like their fathers two and a half decades earlier, they were in for a rude awakening at the hands of the seasoned, ruthless German Army. The GIs believed that, man for man, they were better soldiers than their foes and ...
President Trump's message to us from Walter Reed (video)
Adrienne, Adrienne's Corner - 3 hours ago
* "I'm thankful for all the support."* “You have to confront problems.” Indeed!
Asking the Non-Consensual Questions, My New Book on Climate Change
jennifer, Jennifer Marohasy - 3 hours ago
He is calling it the ‘thinking sceptics’ guide to climate change. The article is by journalist Graham Lloyd in The Weekend Australian. It is about my new book, Climate Change: The Facts 2020 (CCTF2020). Graham Lloyd has read the book – all 20 chapters – and he understands the importance of the three chapters by [...] The post Asking the Non-Consensual Questions, My New Book on Climate Change appeared first on Jennifer Marohasy.
Our President Sends a Video Message From Walter Reed Hospital…
sundance, The Last Refuge - 3 hours ago
President Trump released a video message from Walter Reed medical facility telling the nation he feels “much better.” “I came here, wasn’t feeling so well. I feel much better now. We’re working hard to get me all the way back. … Continue reading →
Twitter Vows To Remove Messages Rooting For President Trump To Die
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 4 hours ago
Twitter's communications department made the vow Friday evening, following a wave of sick tweets posted by users *Daily Mail*: *Twitter vows to remove messages rooting for President Trump to die after thousands of sick tweets were posted to the site after he tested positive for COVID-19 * * President Trump tested positive to COVID-19 on Friday; thousands of Twitter users subsequently shared sick messages hoping for the worst outcome * The company hit back, releasing a messaging saying that tweets were a violation of their rules and policies regarding abusive behavior * They ...
Iran comes under attack as fighting between Armenia-Azerbaijan spreads across border
[image: Iran comes under attack as fighting between Armenia-Azerbaijan spreads across border] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:30 A.M.) – On Saturday, the Iranian authorities announced that 10 shells had fallen inside Iranian territory as a result of the battles in the Karabakh region between Azerbaijani and Armenian forces. The governor of the city of Khoda Afrin in northwestern Iran, Ali Amiri Raad, said that the shelling has been going on inside Iranian territory for days due to the battles in Karabakh between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Raad said that at least ten shells fell on Saturday in unin...
Syrian Army kicks off military operation near Golan Heights
[image: Syrian Army kicks off military operation near Golan Heights] BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) began an operation inside the town of Kanaker on Saturday after building up their forces in the area for much of the week. According to a field report from rural Damascus, the Syrian Arab Army, backed by reconciled rebels, entered Kanaker on Saturday and began combing through the town. The report said the Syrian Arab Army and their allied forces entered different buildings in search of militants and their weapons, while establishing security corridors acros...
UN Report On Venezuela Omits The Greatest Violation Of Human Rights
Terrace, PopularResistance.Org - 14 hours ago
On September 23, María Eugenia Russián, president of Fundalatin, Venezuela’s oldest human rights organization, testified to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and decried an attempt by a UNHRC fact-finding mission to erase people who were “lynched, burned alive, decapitated and murdered by extremist sectors of the Venezuelan opposition.” This fact-finding mission had published a report a week earlier that generated sensationalist headlines of “crimes against humanity” and painted a bleak picture of the situation in Venezuela. The post UN Report On Venezuela Omits The Greatest Vio...
Homeland Security Assessment Warns Of Violent Unrest
Terrace, PopularResistance.Org - 15 hours ago
In the lead up to the 2020 presidential election, potential civil unrest and worse has been predicted by multiple governmental agencies and assorted federal outfits, including the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness. Last week the organization published a “supplemental threat assessment” on the upcoming electoral contest subtitled “The Convergence of COVID-19, Nationwide Civil Unrest, and the Upcoming Presidential Election.” Using COVID-19 as a backdrop, the 13-page report identifies the pandemic as the “driving factor” behind “public health fears, economic inst...
East Ongul Island In Antarctica Has Had A Cooling Trend For September Since 1960
Kirye, Real Climate Science - 18 hours ago
Today, I made the chart below using the data from the Japan Meteorological Agency(JMA). ▲ Data Source As you can see, Syowa Station, which is a Japanese research station, East Ongul Island in Antarctica, has shown a cooling trend for … Continue reading →
The End Of Civics Classes = The End Of American Democracy?
DownWithTyranny, DownWithTyranny! - 4 hours ago
Yesterday, the *Washington Post* reported that the Justice Department is preparing for civil unrest and violence at polling states in November. I don't think that ever happened before-- at least not since I was born. And you wouldn't be off base if you pointed out that that's a uniquely Trumpian thing. How Trump got into the White House, though, is something different. That's on the voters, our neighbors and fellow countrymen. Whenever I hear someone-- like Jordan Klepper-- interviewing Trump supporters at one of his rallies, I mourn the loss of civics classes in public school...
Is the USS Bonhomme Richard Doomed?
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Peter Suciu* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2020%3Anewsml_RC2HSH9Q2FX0&share=true] Is the ship worth the money, time and effort to try and save it? Now that the smoke has had time to clear it seems that the U.S. Navy’s options are bad or worse when it comes to the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6), which was gutted when a fire broke out on the lower deck while the ship was undergoing maintenance at Naval Base San Diego. It took four days for firefighters to finally extinguish the fire, which broke out on...
Yes, China Is Militarizing Its Border With India
Stratfor Worldview, The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Stratfor Worldview* *Security, Asia* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2020%3Anewsml_RC22ZI9SKS56&share=true] Beijing is setting itself up to maintain dominance and win future fights. China's intensified development of military infrastructure on the Indian border suggests a shift in Beijing's approach to territorial disputes, forcing New Delhi to rethink its national security posture. China is expanding and upgrading a large number of military facilities along its entire border with India as tensions continue to run high in the wake of the bloody...
COVID-19: NFL Stadium Being Cleaned with Drones Ahead of Return of Fans
Stephen Silver, The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Stephen Silver* *Health, * Can that stop any potential coronavirus oubreaks? The NFL, like most American professional sports leagues, is moving through the coronavirus pandemic the best they can. Most games have been played without fans, while a few teams have allowed a limited capacity of spectators into the games. The league suffered a setback this week when some players with the Tennessee Titans tested positive for the virus, leading their planned game this week against the Pittsburgh Steelers to be postponed until later in the season. One NFL team’s stadium is using a uniqu...
Greenland’s Ice Melt on Track to Be Faster Than in Any Century Over Past 12,000 Years
Ethen Kim Lieser, The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *Environment, Europe* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2020%3Anewsml_RC2FYI9NDW4G&share=true] What will that mean for overall global sea rise? Scientists have concluded that the rate of ice loss of Greenland’s ice sheet within this century will likely outpace any other hundred-year period since the end of the last ice age, according to a new study published in the journal Nature. Over the last two decades, Greenland’s massive ice sheet has melted at a rate of roughly six billion tons per century, a troubling figure that is onl...
Check Out the Bradley Fighting Vehicle's New 50mm Gun
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Peter Suciu* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2011%3Anewsml_GM1E79119LA01&share=true] The weapon is massive and can shoot even more powerful ammunition. *Key point: *The M2 went through a long development period and several upgrades during the two Gulf Wars. Here is how the Army hopes it can serve into the future. U.S. defense contractor Northrop Grumman is continuing to deliver the XM913 50mm cannon to the U.S. Army, even as the service continues to consider its cannon caliber requirements for the vehicle that will eventual...
The Air Force's Plan To Take On China And Russia Could Break The Service
Kris Osborn, The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Kris Osborn* *Security, * “In most scenarios, Airmen will be the first to respond to emerging crises, given our ability to project power from afar,” the document states, emphasizing the need for fast modernization and sustainment of weapons systems. *Here's What You Need To Remember: *The strategy document also calls for continued fast-paced, innovation-centric sustainment and modernization efforts of major programs such as the new B-21 bomber. Technical upgrades form this basis of this, given the number of existing programs that have received new software, sensors and weapons...
At 8 seconds of video waitress appears at area of cafe that joins Tomsk airport area
Bob Dinn, balance10 - 5 hours ago
8-20 *At 8 seconds of video waitress appears at area of cafe that joins airport area*; at *20/21 secs. Navalny, followed very closely by waitress;* at 22 secs. entering cafe area; at 25 and 27 secs. Navally and waitress (now behind counter) with dark hair, ponytail(s) and dark jacket and white skirt or pants. at 44 seconds of video Navally apparently quickly served by waitress. https://www.unian.info/world/navalny-s-poisoning-cctv-video-shows-who-gives-him-coma-causing-tea-11119721.html *Unian* is Ukraine’s news very connected to Ukraine intelligence; other videos posted on ...
A Few Thoughts
Larry-Lambert, Virtual Mirage - 5 hours ago
Thinking of the Old Breed – Underwater Some of this blog’s readers served on nuclear-powered submarines. There may even be a one or two who served on GUPPY (Greater Underwater Propulsion Power) diesel/electric boats or WW2 Fleet boats. But the old S-Class submarines, which were forward deployed during the early days of WW2 and […] The post A Few Thoughts appeared first on Virtual Mirage.
COVID Fear Isn’t The Kitchen Sink – But It’s Close…
sundance, The Last Refuge - 6 hours ago
With 30-days left before the election perhaps it’s worthwhile remembering what all of this opposition is about…. Something 99% of American voters do not quite understand. Congress doesn’t actually write legislation. The last item of legislation written by congress was … Continue reading →
Comrades, and Now, Following the Narrative Strategy, U.S. Media Will Again Start Hyping COVID-19 Fears…
sundance, The Last Refuge - 7 hours ago
Weaponizing COVID-19 for the ultimate political benefit, the usefulness of COVID-19 fear cannot solely rely upon the infection of President Trump. For maximum election usefulness the infection fear must be nationalized; and at the very least emphasized in those states … Continue reading →
Social distancing and masking up are musts
Keith, musingsofanoldfart - 7 hours ago
With US approaching 210,000 COVID-19 deaths, we learned the president and his wife have tested positive for COVID-19. I wish them well in their recovery. Their testing positive follows a day after Hope Hicks, a key White House staff member … Continue reading →

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