11:21 pm MST
A straight proof of a curious cubic identity
Steve McIntyre retweeted a fun tweet by a statistics professor with three surprising identities:\[ \begin{align} 1^3 + 5^3 + 3^3 &= 153\\ 16^3 + 50^3 + 33^3 &= 16\,50\,33\\ 166^3 + 500^3 + 333^3 &= 166,500,333\\ \end{align} \] Yes, you may verify them and check that they work. If you add an arbitrary number of the digits \(6,0,3\) to the appropriate places, the identities will keep on working. Why is it so? If you Google search for \(166,500,333\) and "identity", you will quickly find out that the identity was discussed in a 2007 paper A curious cubic identity and self-similar sum o... more »
Why Did President Trump And National Security Flynn Feel The Need To Threaten Iran Now?
Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile.Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2017 *Pat Buchanan, WND:* *The coming clash with Iran* *Why did Trump and Flynn feel the need to threaten Tehran now?* When Gen. Michael Flynn marched into the White House Briefing Room to declare that “we are officially putting Iran on notice,” he drew a red line for President Trump. In tweeting the threat, Trump agreed. His credibility is now on the line. And what triggered this virtual ulti... more »
Picture Of The Day
*Advanced Hawkeyes* Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, using the world's most advanced airborne radar, land at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 2, 2017. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob A. Farbo
News you won't find on the BBC - Palestinian Woman Injures Three Israelis in Car-Ramming Attack Near Jerusalem
Whilst the institutionally anti Israel BBC continue their campaign to delegitimise and vilify Israel, there's yet another biased report on Jewish settlements online today, other news won't be reported at all. Breitbart report http://www.breitbart.com/jerusalem/2017/02/02/palestinian-woman-injures-three-israelis-car-ramming-attack-near-jerusalem/ on another attack in Israel where the attacker injured three civilians who have been evacuated to a hospital to receive medical treatment. This sort of attack is of little interest to the BBC for whom injured or dead Jewish Israelis are ... more »
Is This Man The Second Most Powerful Person In The World?
*David Von Drehle, Time*:* Is Steve Bannon the Second Most Powerful Man in the World?* Most modern Presidents chart their opening moves with the help of a friendly think tank or a set of long-held beliefs. Donald Trump's first steps had the feel of a documentary film made by his chief strategist and alter ego Stephen K. Bannon, a director who deploys ravenous sharks, shrieking tornadoes and mushroom clouds as reliably as John Ford shot Monument Valley. Act I of the Trump presidency has been filled with disruption, as promised by Trump and programmed by Bannon, with plenty of res... more »
Turkey Bans Footage of Terror Attacks and the Phrase 'Breaking News' from TV per Breitbart
If you cannot stop the terrorism then stop the reporting. Breitbart reports http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2017/02/02/turkey-limits-tv-broadcasts-terrorism-news/ that: 'Turkey's broadcasting oversight agency has enacted a new set of regulations that prohibit news outlets from broadcasting footage of terrorist attacks, including images of police and emergency vehicles, and bans the phrase "breaking news" and other "agitating" content. The newspaper Hurriyet has translated into English many of these new measures, which follow a renewed push by Turkish authorities to pr... more »
Terence McKenna’s Explanation of Why Our Culture is Killing Itself
*Dylan Charles* - 25 years ago, McKenna understood how our society would self-destruct. The post Terence McKenna’s Explanation of Why Our Culture is Killing Itself appeared first on Waking Times.
Turning The Supreme Court Into A Bastion Of Fascism
PPP released new polling this morning. A *majority* of Americans wish Obama was still president. And where last week, everyone was stunned that 35% of the country were already hoping Trump would be impeached, in just 7 days, that number has already increased to 40%! Only 43% of Americans are glad Trump in president. (The polling didn't ask about it but evidence is that Trump's strongest support comes from the counties with the heaviest prescription drug abuse and opioid addiction. It could be a coincidence... sure it could.) Why so much unhappiness with Trump? Voters think basic... more »
Did President Trump Sign an Executive Order Naming Himself the Popular Vote Winner?
A story claiming that the president ordered that he be deemed the winner of the popular vote was satire.
Freedom of Speech is NOT a fringe Issue
On the 1st February, the Australian's Editorial contained the following: A new Galaxy survey reported in our pages yesterday indicates almost half of voters want the words “insult” and “offend” removed, echoing an idea gaining ground among a group of Coalition backbenchers seeking compromise. ......... Fewer than 40 percent in the survey said they would oppose such a change. The IPA's Simon Breheny issued a media release: New opinion poll research shows that 95% of Australians think free speech is important to them with over 57% saying it is "very important". "Much to the surpri... more »
President Trump's Top Strategist Believes The U.S. Will Be Fighting A War In The South China Sea And In The Middle East In The Next 10 Years
Trump strategist Stephen Bannon outside Trump Tower in New York in November. Reuters/Carlo Allegri *The Guardian:* *Steve Bannon: 'We're going to war in the South China Sea ... no doubt'* Only months ago Donald Trump’s chief strategist predicted military involvement in east Asia and the Middle East in Breitbart radio shows The United States and China will fight a war within the next 10 years over islands in the South China Sea, and “there’s no doubt about that”. At the same time, the US will be in another “major” war in the Middle East. Those are the views – nine months ago at lea... more »
UN Whistleblower: UN Gave Names of Dissidents to Communist China
[image: un-whistleblower-un-gave-names-of-dissidents-to-communist-china] The United Nations “human rights” apparatus is being accused of, among other abuses, handing to the Communist Chinese dictatorship the names of activists who were set to expose the regime's crimes at a UN review of China's record. One of the dissidents in question ultimately died in detention. At least several other Chinese dissidents whose identities were reportedly provided to the regime by UN officials were also detained ahead of their trips to Geneva, according to reports. And then, making matters worse, th... more »
Keep Calm and... Olbermann On?
(By *American Zen*'s Mike Flannigan, on loan from Ari Goldstein) “If we could wipe it off of the history books, we would. But we can’t.” - White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus, on the Holocaust. *T*here's a still impotent if growing strain of alarm that Trump's about to bring back the horrors of the Third Reich and, while those who say this are not necessarily wrong, they do so without workable context that only a reading of the historical first draft at the time (its journalists and diarists) could properly provide. Perhaps to a primitive people, one's prediction of a solar ec... more »
Defining dual-use research: When scientific advances can both help and hurt humanity
Aerin Commins, Ph.D. Student, Global Studies Program, University of Massachusetts Lowell at Science + Technology – The Conversation - 2 hours ago
It's not always obvious where a new technology will end up. NIH Image Gallery, CC BY-NC Scientific research can change our lives for the better, but it also presents risks – either through deliberate misuse or accident. Think about studying deadly pathogens; that’s how we can learn how to successfully ward them off, but it can be a safety issue too, as when CDC workers were exposed to anthrax in 2014 after an incomplete laboratory procedure left spores of the bacterium alive. For the last decade, scholars, scientists and government officials have worked to figure out regulations t... more »
Trump moves to remove the US from the UN
Trump is not letting the grass grow under his feet.. H.R.193 - American Sovereignty Restoration Act of 2017 To end membership of the United States in the United Nations. Read text of the bill here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/193/text H/t HD
Why Japan is planning to build 45 new coal fired power stations
Isogo coal power plant Image: www.worldcoal.org"Our" ABC reported that the Japanese government (is) planning to build 45 new coal-fired power stations. The Japanese government is moving ahead with its plans to build up to 45 new coal fired power stations. The power plants will utilise high energy, low emissions (HELE) technology that use high-quality black coal. Japan is the largest overseas market for *Australian coal producers*, taking more than a third of all exports. (bold added) Tom O'Sullivan, a Tokyo-based energy consultant with Mathyos Global Advisory, said the move to m... more »
The White House Spent 7 Months Developing A Plan To Seize Raqqa, The Incoming Trump Team Regarded It As Inadequate
*Washington Post*:* Obama’s White House worked for months on a plan to seize Raqqa. Trump’s team took a brief look and decided not to pull the trigger.* Planning for the final assault on Raqqa, the capital of the Islamic State’s caliphate, had been grinding on for more than seven months. There had been dozens of meetings of President Barack Obama’s top national security team, scores of draft battle plans and hundreds of hours of anguished, late-night debates. There were no good options, but Obama’s top foreign policy advisers were convinced that they had finally settled on an app... more »
Why Should the US Solve Australia’s Offshore Refugee Problem? Why Does Australia Have Lots of Room for People from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, etc., but None for these Refugees?
It remains unclear why Australia doesn’t want to accept the refugees that it has left offshore on the islands of … Continue reading →
Was Al Qaeda Tipped Off On The U.S. Raid Against Their Base In Yemen?
*NBC:* *What Went Wrong? Inside the Yemen SEAL Raid* It might have been a barking dog, or a crashed drone, or overheard chatter on walkie talkies. But multiple military and intelligence sources told NBC News that something tipped off the terrorist targets of an early morning raid by the U.S. and its allies in Yemen on Sunday, and all hell broke loose. A well-rehearsed mission that was supposed to extract computers and other intelligence from an al Qaeda camp near a mountain village turned into a massive firefight involving Harrier jets, helicopter gunships and gun-wielding jihadi... more »
Protecting American Children From Trump And Bannon
When Blue America first endorsed Pramila Jayapal, becoming the first group outside of Seattle to do so, we talked about her record in the state legislature of working across the aisle. not by sucking up to Republicans and signing on to their toxic agenda the way the New Dems and Blue Dogs do, but by bringing mainstream Republicans along to work on issues where American values outweigh crazy right-wing partisanship and ideology. So... it should come as no surprise that she and another Washington state Congressmember, Republican Dave Reichert, have co-sponsored a bill to protect chi... more »
President Trump: The Final Assault on Cooperation and the Environment by Graham Peebles
by Graham Peebles Writer, Dandelion Salad London, England February 2, 2017 A silver lining of action and fury is bubbling inside the prevailing gloom that is the election of Donald Trump. His presidency may prove to be the final straw in the decades long assault on brotherhood, human kindness, cooperation and society inculcated during the […]
Two Major U.S. Attacks Against Al Qaeda In One Week. Does U.S. Intelligence Have Information Of A Planned Major Al Qaeda Attack?
*Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon*:* Al Qaeda resurgence* U.S. intelligence agencies recently uncovered new information indicating the al Qaeda terrorist group continues to plan for conducting terrorist attacks around the world. Until recently al Qaeda has been overshadowed by its more violent offshoot, the Islamic State, in conducting and inspiring deadly terrorist strikes around the world. However, new intelligence obtained over the past several months revealed that al Qaeda had stepped up terror planning using the chaos of Syria as a new base of operations. Al Qaeda operativ... more »
The Economy: "Predictive Linguistics, Andy Hoffman Interview"
"Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." - Marie Curie Predictive Linguistics: Clif High, “Banks Will Be Wiped Out, USA Economy, Ban On Cash” (#ClifHigh #USAEconomy) Andy Hoffman, “Expect Money Printing & A Financial Collapse in 2017” (#Gold #USAEconomy) "I didn't say it would be easy. I just said it would be the truth." - Morpheus
The Economy: “Markets Are Experiencing Cognitive Dissonance”
*“Markets Are Experiencing Cognitive Dissonance,”* *Introduction* by Brian Maher "America’s divided into warring camps- pro-Trump, anti-Trump. The market’s divided into the same warring camps… The pro-Trump faction howls, “His lower taxes, higher infrastructure spending and less regulation will Make America Great Again.” The anti-Trump forces holler, “He’s starting a trade war. And another currency war- both races to nowhere. Plus, lower immigration saps growth.” Who wins? That is the great unknown. So today, we fare forth on the pinions of uncertainty... in search of light… hoping... more »
Did Neil Gorsuch Push for the 'Separation of the White and Black Races'?
A Twitter account falsely attributed an ex-Ku Klux Klan leader's remarks to the Supreme Court nominee.
President Trump Eased Sanctions Against Russia's Intelligence Agency As a 'Present' to Putin?
The U.S. Treasury department updated President Obama's sanctions against the FSB to allow U.S. companies to continue selling consumer technology to Russian citizens.
The Amery Zig-Zags
*The Amery Zig-Zags* Cracks in the Amery Ice Shelf show a prominent zig-zag form. This is a type of crack which forms in a laminated material which is deformed under pressure. As the laminate is forced into a curve it tends to crack in a series of radial and lateral failures. The Amery Ice Shelf is the largest of the East Antarctic ice shelves. Its location is shown in the map below. *Antarctica ice shelves* image courtesy NSIDC. read more
Berlin: Ukraine’s Last Ally Standing?
*EU Council on Foreign Relations-* Notice that the *Oligarch Kolomoisky got a bit of “come uppance”*.* Undoubtedly not enough of one, but it’s at least something. I’ll bold it in red.*If you are unfamiliar with Kolomoisky, I’ll relink some previous posts regarding this thug! *And put a picture of the Jewish Oligarch wearing his Nazi Tshirt?!* "Russian advance and US withdrawal could see* Ukraine ever more dependent on continued German support.* Since 2014, Berlin has become the most frequently visited capital for Ukrainian politicians. President Petro Poroshenko, prime ministers Arse... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 2, 2017
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks by phone with Russia's President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, U.S. January 28, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst *David Tweed, Bloomberg*: *Trump Twitter Bursts Throw Decades-Old Alliances Into Chaos* * Abe, Turnbull, Merkel all forced to defend against Trump barbs * New Pentagon chief Mattis is in East Asia reassuring on ties For the first time in decades, America’s oldest allies are questioning where Washington’s heart is. This week, President Donald Trump and his deputies hit out at some of America’s closest f... more »
President Trump Eased Sanctions Against Russia's Intelligence Agency As a 'Present' to Putin?
The U.S. Treasury department updated President Obama's sanctions against the FSB to allow U.S. companies to continue selling consumer technology to Russian citizens.
Did Mitch McConnell Say One of His Proudest Moments Was Telling Obama 'You Will Not Fill This Supreme Court Vacancy'?
A viral image macro contrasts disparate statements by GOP Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the Senate's duty to confirm Supreme Court nominees.
Did President Trump Remove White Supremacists from the Terror Watch Program?
Although President Trump may change the scope of one government program to focus on Islamic Terrorism, there is more than one government 'Terror Watch' program.
Did Neil Gorsuch Found a High School 'Fascism Forever' Club?
Tabloid claims that Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch had founded a "Fascism Forever" club in high school are unverified.
Kazakhstan Confirms New Astana Meeting February 6/17
*TASS* MOSCOW, February 2. /TASS/. A technical meeting on the Syrian crisis will be held in *Astana on February 6, Kazakhstan’s* Foreign Ministry Spokesman Anuar Zhainakov said on Thursday adding that delegations from Russia, Turkey and Iran as well as a UN representative would take part in the meeting. According to Zhainakov, the meeting’s participants will discuss issues related to the Syrian ceasefire, the Kazinform news agency reported. "*We have indeed received a request for assistance in arranging an international technical meeting on the Syrian crisis between Russia, Turkey ... more »
World News Briefs -- February 2, 2017 (Evening Edition)
*CNN:* *US planning additional sanctions on Iran* The White House is expected to impose additional sanctions on Iranian entities under existing executive orders that predate President Donald Trump, according to sources familiar with the move. The additional designations are in response to Iran's ballistic missile test Sunday and were first reported by Reuters. The additional sanctions are similar to actions taken by former President Barack Obama after Iran's previous ballistic missile tests. *Read more* .... *MIDDLE EAST* U.S. to issue new Iran sanctions, *leading edge of get-to... more »
New CIA Deputy Director Briefly Ran Black Site In Thailand Where Detainees Were Waterboarded
Gina Haspel, who once ran a CIA secret prison in Thailand where at least two detainees were waterboarded, was selected to be the agency's deputy director. The post New CIA Deputy Director Briefly Ran Black Site In Thailand Where Detainees Were Waterboarded appeared first on Shadowproof.
REPUBLICANS FIGHT THE REAL ENEMY, PART MCMLXVIII
Story at *The Hill* right now: An aide to President Trump says Stephen Bannon's experiences at Breitbart News will be an asset for the president's chief strategist in his new role on the National Security Council (NSC). Sebastian Gorka, a Trump foreign policy aide, said that in an interview with NPR's Audie Cornish that aired on *All Things Considered* on Tuesday. Emphasis added below: CORNISH: Before I let you go, I want to ask you one other question because you work with the National Security Council, and you've worked with Steve Bannon in the past of Breitbart News. What's the r... more »
Australian Climate Sceptics blog BRAG!
This blog should reach 2,000,000 pageviews in the next month.
Day 2: Zumwalt 12 Trial Testimony
*The Zumwalt 'stealth' destroyer now made at Bath Iron Works in Maine* My name is Bruce Gagnon and I work for the Global Network Against Weaspons & Nuclear Poweer in Space - this is our 25th year of operation. I specialize on space technology and the missiles that are used by the military today. Every thing the Pentagon does today is directed by space technology. Most of the destroyers built at BIW carry advanced SM-3 interceptor missiles (Standard Missile -3) that are key elements in Pentagon first-strike attack planning. Living in Bath I’ve felt a special responsibility to lea... more »
U.S. Senator McCain Wants To Ship Lethal Weapons To Ukraine
*The Hill*: *McCain to Trump: Send weapons to Ukraine* Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is calling on President Trump to send lethal aid to Ukraine after attacks this week were blamed on Russia-backed rebels. “In the first of what will be many tests for your new administration, Russia and its proxy forces launched attacks against Ukrainian forces this week, killing at least seven Ukrainian soldiers and wounding dozens more,” McCain wrote in a letter to Trump released Thursday. “That this surge of attacks began the day after he talked with you by phone is a clear indication that [Russian... more »
Leftists Shut Down Conservative Speech at UC-Berkeley; Trump Threatens to Cut Funding
[image: leftists-shut-down-conservative-speech-at-uc-berkeley-trump-threatens-to-cut-funding] UC-Berkeley students staged violent protests in anticipation of a speech by right-wing gay provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos, forcing the speech to be cancelled. President Trump responded that if the campus did not respect the First Amendment, it could lose its federal funding.
Texas: Gov. Abbott Bans Funds for Sanctuary Cities; Senate Bill to Demand Compliance with ICE
[image: texas-gov-abbott-bans-funds-for-sanctuary-cities-senate-bill-to-demand-compliance-with-ice] Texas Governor Greg Abbott encouraged the state legislature to pass a bill that would deny state funding for cities that refuse to cooperate with immigration officials.
Friday Morning Ramble: End of Week Two, and (still) a Birthday!
*“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark. In the hopeless swamps of the not quite, the not yet, and the not at all, do not let the hero in your soul perish and leave only frustration for the life you deserved, but never have been able to reach. The world you desire can be won, it exists, it is real, it is possible, it is yours.”* ~ AYN RAND [image: 16406873_10155127261611614_3572293098830762195_n] *Ayn Rand says: “**Have a Selfish Randsday!**”* Ben Thomas: “The Labour of the Future Is the Alliance of 1999-2002.” *Willie Jackson dumps the Maori Party for ... more »
Russian President Putin Blames Ukraine For The Current Fighting in Eastern Ukraine
*Sputnik*: *Putin Explains Reasons Behind Ukraine Crisis Aggravation* Russian President Vladimir Putin explained three reasons behind the aggravation of the Ukrainian crisis. He said that first of all Kiev needs financial assistance and attempts to present itself as a "victim," especially in the eyes of the European Union. *"The first reason is that the Ukrainian leadership needs money. And it is better to ask the EU, European states, the US and international institutes for money presenting itself as a victim of aggression," Putin explained.* Putin also said that while Ukraine sup... more »
Does Melania Trump's NYC Security Cost Twice the NEA's Budget?
One report claimed the cost of protecting the First Lady while she lives in New York City would be around $300 million pear year.
President Trump Renamed 'Black History Month' to 'African-American History Month'?
Rumors claimed President Trump changed the name of 'Black History Month,' but he wasn't the first president to refer to February as "African-American History Month.'
Did a Pizza Hut Manager Disparage U.S. Servicemembers?
Pizza Hut confirmed that a man named 'Caleb Lee' fabricated a story about a rude store manager's decrying servicemen and first responders.
Tulsi's Road To Damascus Runs Through... Cleveland?
Cleveland restaurateur Tony George, who has long been a lonely voice in support of brutal Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, now has some powerful company in his crusade in Washington. To the dismay of many in Ohio’s close-knit Syrian-American community, including some of his own relatives, George last year hosted a successful fundraiser and rally for Donald Trump after discovering they were kindred spirits. By all accounts, George and Trump bonded at the event. George, a Christian activist opposed to refugees, helped Trump win Ohio and hence the presidency. After the election, Geo... more »
Many Storms Gathering: Reflections on Trump
I bow (in case you were wondering) to no one in my loathing for the Clintons, the Establishment, the Beltway Insulates, political correctness, BLM, radical feminists, the controlled media, Obama, Wall Street, neocons, Social-Justice Look-at-Mes, and the New York Oligarchs. … Continue reading →
Confronted by Activist Moms, Monsanto CEO Lies to Shareholders
*Christina Sarich* - CEO Hugh Grant refuses to admit what many studies have proven. The post Confronted by Activist Moms, Monsanto CEO Lies to Shareholders appeared first on Waking Times.
Brexit and Democracy
Taking a sneaky from things Stoke-related, it's time to cast an eye over last night's Commons vote giving the government permission to trigger Article 50. Annoyingly, it is not the Tories who find themselves poisoned and split over Europe, like the Lexiters promised. It's Labour. As the government won by 494 to 114, 47 Labour MPs joined the SNP and Ken Clarke in voting against. Like John McDonnell, I have some sympathy for the rebels' position. Some MPs hail from constituencies in which majorities voted for Remain, other believe leaving the EU is a catastrophic act of self-harm. Th... more »
Ukrainian President Poroschenko Wants To Call A Referendum On Joining NATO
*Politico*:* Ukraine mulls referendum on NATO membership* Polls show more than half of Ukrainians would favor joining the transatlantic alliance. Ukrainian President Petro Poroschenko plans to put NATO membership to a referendum after polls showed 54 percent of the country favored joining the alliance, German media reported Thursday. “Four years ago, only 16 percent [of the Ukrainian people] favored Ukraine’s entry into NATO. Now it’s 54 percent,” Funke Mediengruppe quoted Poroshenko as saying in an interview. “As president, I am guided by the views of my people, and I will hold ... more »
Backlash prompts prominent nutrition researcher to reanalyze multiple papers
To Brian Wansink of Cornell University, a blog post he wrote in November, 2016, was a meant as a lesson in productivity: A graduate student who was willing to embrace every research opportunity submitted five papers within six months of arriving to his lab, while a postdoc who declined two chances to analyze a data set […] The post Backlash prompts prominent nutrition researcher to reanalyze multiple papers appeared first on Retraction Watch.
Flailing Trumpsters Upset a Hijacked Nation by Ralph Nader
Dandelion Salad by Ralph Nader The Nader Page February 2, 2017 The Trump Gang, hardly two weeks in the White House, is giving strong, petulant signals that it is hijacking the checks and balances of our democratic institutions. Coupling the Boss’s easily brusiable ego, marinated in infinite megalomania, with ideologues harboring objectives that would have […]
Leukemia Treatment Adherence - Both Kids And Their Parents Over-report
Young patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia, the most common type of pediatric cancer, are likely to report that they adhered to their anti-cancer medication better than they really did. And so do their parents. Studies show that over 95 percent of prescribed doses must be taken to be effective but a new analysis instead finds that that 84 percent of patients or their parents *over-reported* adherence to a regimen of the oral maintenance therapy6-mercaptopurine (6MP), which is prescribed for two years after chemotherapy for patients to achieve durable remissions. read more
WATCH: Cop Threatening Fake Charges Against Innocent Man is Everything Wrong with Police Today
[image: police]An infuriating video captures a police officer saying that he will 'make up charges' to throw an innocent man in jail because he was 'getting tired' of him.
BREAKING: Standing Rock Tribal Council Betrays Water Protectors, Sends In Cops
[image: council]In an act deemed a complete betrayal, members of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe council showed up WITH law enforcement on the private property housing Sacred Stone, in order to perform a warrantless assessment.
WATCH: Fmr Cop With Severe Parkinson’s Tries Cannabis Treatment for First Time
[image: cannabis]A former cop with severe Parkinson's shows why the DEA and several states are criminals for continuing to keep cannabis illegal.
Fighting Continues To Spread In Ukraine
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *CBC:* *'It's so much worse': Renewed fighting in Ukraine pushes town to brink of humanitarian catastrophe* 'It's the fourth day of this, and now there's no heat, no water,' Avdiivka resident says After two years of relative calm, Ukraine's war with Russian-backed rebels took a deadly and destructive turn this week, pushing one town in the country's eastern region to the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Intense shelling has left Avdiivka, a community of 20,000 people located just north of Donetsk, without electricity, heat or water during a parti... more »
Tories ask Trump for help drawing up Brexit white paper
The Tories have been worried about what to put in their Brexit white paper. Although Labour has basically given them a blank cheque for Brexit, they still don’t want to give too much away. Which is to say they don’t want to give too much information away. Because everything else will obviously be up for […] The post Tories ask Trump for help drawing up Brexit white paper appeared first on... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Why Trump’s ‘war with the media’ is leaving out Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News, for now
President Trump has openly claimed to be at “war with the media”. But there’s one outlet in particular that Trump has warmed to, and that outlet is Rupert Murdoch’s Fox News. Congratulations to @FoxNews for being number one in inauguration ratings. They were many times higher than FAKE NEWS @CNN – public is smart! — Donald […] The post Why Trump’s... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Reddit punishes far-right groups for being out of line
Content sharing website Reddit has just banned two subreddits: altright and alternativeright. “Alt-right” is the name often given to a range of far-right groups and sympathisers. The two groups were found guilty of ‘doxxing‘: publishing a person’s private information online, often with malicious intent. Breaking the rules Reddit has banned other subreddits in the past. It... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Trump Repeats Need for Federal Intervention in Chicago
[image: trump-repeats-need-for-federal-intervention-in-chicago] For the second time in a week, President Donald Trump expressed his dismay over the continuing and escalating gun violence in Chicago, and offered the same solution: federal assistance.
Trump Administration Claims To ‘Officially Put Iran On Notice,’ Iran Rebukes
Donald Trump and his team have displayed a severe cognitive dissonance when it comes to their approach to the world. The post Trump Administration Claims To ‘Officially Put Iran On Notice,’ Iran Rebukes appeared first on Shadowproof.
Trump Executive Orders Expand Mass Incarceration Of Immigrants
President Donald Trump issued two executive orders on January 25 that will most likely contribute to the mass incarceration of immigrants in the United States. One, titled Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements, is best known for its provisions to build a wall on the U.S. border with Mexico. But it The post Trump Executive Orders Expand Mass Incarceration Of Immigrants appeared first on Shadowproof.
474 Arrested, 28 Children Rescued in California Child-Trafficking Sting
*Lance Schuttler* - Just how big is sex-trafficking in the United States? The post 474 Arrested, 28 Children Rescued in California Child-Trafficking Sting appeared first on Waking Times.
French Presidential Candidate Francois Fillon Under Pressure To Quit The Election
*Reuters:* *Fillon bid for French presidency in chaos as MPs call on him to quit* Pressure on French presidential candidate Francois Fillon to quit the race mounted on Thursday as some lawmakers in his own camp urged him to drop his scandal-tainted bid in order to save the conservatives from defeat. With opinion polls showing the conservatives that their candidate may be fatally damaged, some senior members of The Republicans urged him to pull out now to give the party time to find a good replacement. Fillon, 62, denied wrongdoing after Le Canard Enchaine newspaper reported the f... more »
Taboo 'The Fight' Music Video
Published on Jan 19, 2017 The official music video for Taboo’s “The Fight“ supporting the American Cancer Society. Directed by Devinsupertramp, featuring choreography by Matt Steffanina. Get “The Fight”: http://smarturl.it/JoinTh3Fight
Hundreds of Bald Eagles Gather on South Delta farm
Hundreds of bald eagles have been spotted at a South Delta farm and the birds don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. “They have been here since mid-December and they will (stay) probably until the beginning of March,” Rob Hope, the raptor care manager at Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society. According to Hope, this is not the first year the eagles has flocked to the farm. “It has happened in years past, there seems to be more this year than previous years.” A nearby organics transfer station is the reason that the eagles have settled on the farm. Seagulls are gathering the scra... more »
Does a Photograph Depict a 5-Year-Old Syrian Girl Handcuffed at Dulles Airport?
What's true and what's false about a widely shared and infrequently explained image taken of foreign visitors at Dulles Airport.
Is Trump's Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch a judicial or a political appointment?
Caren Morrison, Associate Professor of Law, Georgia State University at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 10 hours ago
On Tuesday, federal appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch took home the red rose when President Donald Trump nominated him to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy left by the late Justice Antonin Scalia. So is he everything the Republicans hoped for when they decided to ignore the nomination of Merrick Garland, and hold out for a Republican nominee? It would seem so. A conservative choice Gorsuch is in many ways a classic conservative choice. A recent academic study of the judicial ideologies of potential nominees puts him to the right of everyone on the court except for Justice Cl... more »
Japan Infuriating Enviros By Building 45 New Coal Power Plants
By Paul Homewood http://dailycaller.com/2017/02/01/japan-infuriating-enviros-by-building-45-new-coal-power-plants/ From the Daily Caller: Environmental activists are fuming over Japan’s plans to build as many as 45 new coal-fired power stations in the coming years. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is still firmly behind plans to build coal plants, despite repeated pressures from environmentalists to stop construction of the […]
"Fascism Forever"
To recap: We have a president who keeps Hitler's speeches next to his bed and thought Frederick Douglass was still alive. The Chief Strategist and member of the National Security Council is an open white nationalist. The KKK and white supremacy groups, including David Duke, supported Trump during his campaign. His Attorney General nominee is openly racist. After banning Muslims from seven predominantly-Muslim nations (including legal immigrants), Trump has just removed the white supremacist groups who hate Muslims the most from the terror watch program, t... more »
2018: A GREAT YEAR FOR THE DEMOCRATS, OR MAYBE A TERRIBLE ONE
Mike Gecan, co-director of the Industrial Areas Foundation, thinks Democrats are setting themselves for a disaster in 2018: ... the new Trump administration ... has studied the game films from Wisconsin in 2011, when Gov. Scott Walker declared war on organized labor, the Democratic Party and the moderate wing of his own Republican Party.... The unions and their supporters responded to this play by organizing massive demonstrations and sit-ins in the capitol in Madison.... The demonstrations took on a life of their own. Their leaders then called a second play -- a recall of the gover... more »
Shinzo Abe and Donald Trump and the Death of Christy Clark's British Columbia LNG Superpower Fantasy
*Written by Grant G* Well well well, how quickly worms turn.... As reported almost exclusively here at The Straight Goods, Japan, the country Christy Clark claimed was going to buy all the LNG B.C. produce and make us filthy rich....The dream(fantasy) has died.. Not only is there a worldwide LNG glut going out to 2030...not only is Japan's LNG use in freefall, not only is Japan's electricity demand in perpetual freefall because of efficiency and a rapidly declining population... Now add in Donald Trump.....Shinzo Abe, the Prime Minister of Japan is set to meet with Donald Trump... more »
U.S. Treasury Department Will Now Authorise Certain Tech Transactions With Russia's Intelligence Agency
*CNN*: *Treasury allowing for some transactions with Russian intelligence agency* (CNN)The Treasury Department said Thursday it will allow for some companies to do limited business with Russia's Federal Security Service, known as the FSB. The move is a minor easing of a sanction put in place at the end of the Obama administration that limits business to $5,000 for any calendar year. A top State Department official said the move was made as a technical fix to the sanctions that were put in place to avoid "unintended consequences" of US government business with Russia. President D... more »
Kellyanne Conway on Berkeley and the liars in the press...
*where's the leak?* You decide.
According To Yemeni Officials, U.S. Warships Are Firing On Al Qaeda Positions In Yemen
*Reuters:* *Yemeni officials say warships, likely American, shell al Qaeda positions* Warships shelled suspected al Qaeda strongholds in a mountainous region of southern Yemen on Thursday, in what two Yemeni government officials said they believed was a U.S. operation. U.S. officials could not be immediately reached for confirmation. The strikes come less than a week after a covert U.S. Navy SEAL raid, also in Yemen's south, the first ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump as commander in chief. The naval attacks appear to be part of an intensifying campaign against one of the m... more »
Is President Trump Tweeting The U.S. Into A War Against Iran?
Iran was on its last legs and ready to collapse until the U.S. came along and gave it a life-line in the form of the Iran Deal: $150 billion — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2017 Iran has been formally PUT ON NOTICE for firing a ballistic missile.Should have been thankful for the terrible deal the U.S. made with them! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 2, 2017 *Ilan Goldenberg and Elizabeth Rosenberg, Foreign Policy Magazine:* *Is Trump Trying to Tweet Us Into a War with Iran?* On Wednesday, the White House put out a statement from National Security Adv... more »
German Newspaper: Iran Tested Nuclear-Capable Cruise Missile
© Photo: Youtube/ IranClips *Reuters*:* Iran tested nuclear-capable cruise missile: German newspaper* Iran has tested a cruise missile called "Sumar" that is capable of carrying nuclear weapons in addition to test-firing a medium-range ballistic missile on Sunday, German newspaper Die Welt reported Thursday, citing unspecified intelligence sources. No comment was immediately available from Germany's BND foreign intelligence agency or from Iranian authorities. The newspaper said the Sumar cruise missile was built in Iran and traveled around 600 km in its first known successful test... more »
Bank of England sharply raises 2017 growth outlook per BBC News
This BBC report http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38841747 is given through clenched teeth... 'The Bank of England has made another dramatic rise in its growth forecast for this year.It expects the economy to grow 2% in 2017, up from a November forecast of 1.4%, which was itself an upgrade from the 0.8% forecast made in August.' Project Fear, as willingly spread by the institutionally pro EU BBC, really was a crock of sh*t.
RBS caught out using Richard Branson’s Virgin as cover for alleged ‘industrial scale’ fraud
The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) is using Richard Branson’s Virgin Money brand as an alleged ‘cover’ to pursue legal cases attempting to bankrupt RBS/NatWest customers. But in a bizarre twist, these customers have never even held an account with the business tycoon’s brand. One case, passed to The Canary, involves allegations against RBS of […] The post RBS caught... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Theresa May tells the nation it’s ‘Time to Talk’, then ‘shuts down’ a helpline for survivors [VIDEO]
Thursday 2 February was Time to Talk Day, an initiative aimed at ending mental health discrimination. Prime Minister Theresa May released a short video to commend the appeal and, agreeing with its motto this year, explained that “conversations change lives”. Yet on the same day, May’s Minister for Women and Equalities Justine Greening faced a […] The post Theresa May... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
May vows the NHS is ‘not for sale’ post-Brexit, then quietly sells off a chunk straight afterwards
Theresa May vowed to the public that the NHS is not for sale in any post-Brexit trade deal at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs): The NHS is not for sale and it never will be. But soon after, it emerged that a private healthcare company will buy up ‘Out of Hours’ services for patients in Gloucestershire. […] The post May vows the NHS is ‘not for sale’... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Israel reaches a new low, making an unprecedented move on Palestinian land
The forced evacuation of an illegal Israeli settlement has led to an unprecedented move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He has vowed to build a brand new settlement for the 40 evacuated residents. But the UN has condemned what it says are Netanyahu’s plans to build 5,000 new units. And a Cabinet minister has […] The post Israel reaches a new low, making an unprecedented... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Damning new evidence reveals that Angela Eagle’s ‘Brickgate’ was not quite what it seemed
On 12 July 2016, an alleged ‘brick’ was thrown through the alleged ‘window’ of Labour MP Angela Eagle’s Wallasey constituency office. It was an alleged ‘attack’ by pro-Corbyn supporters. But ever since the alleged incident, evidence (or lack of it) appears to contradict the story given. Now, more revelations have come to light about the event. And it once... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
It’s much worse than we think. May getting close to Trump could drag us into nuclear war
Things are much worse than we think. Theresa May getting close to Donald Trump could drag us into nuclear war with China. At present, there are more than 400 US military bases surrounding China with missiles, bombers, and nuclear weapons. Behind the scenes, there is a battle going on between the US and China for […] The post It’s much worse than we think. May getting close to Trump could... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
First he came for Muslims, now Trump’s latest target has just been revealed [TWEETS]
US magazine The Nation and The Investigative Fund have uncovered a leaked copy of a draft executive order that will essentially legalise discrimination against the LGBTQ+ community. The draft order The order – “Establishing a Government-Wide Initiative to Respect Religious Freedom” – effectively legalises discrimination. The Nation reported that the draft has essentially broadened the... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Triple Or Bust: Paradox Resolved
A few days ago I discussed the coin toss game ‘triple or bust‘. The game is between Alice and Bob. Alice start the game by writing a $ 1.00 IOU to Bob. Alice then makes at least six subsequent tosses with a fair coin. On each ‘heads’ Alice triples the IOU amount. On ‘tails’ she sets the IOU to zero. read more
Did a CAIR Leader Say That 'Muslims Are Above the Law'?
A CAIR leader avowed that "if you're a true, practicing Muslim, you're above the law of the land" in 2013, but that statement has been taken out of context.
Did Police Raid and Burn a Standing Rock Protest Camp?
A popular report claiming police raided and burned a Standing Rock camp was dubbed 'fake news' by a movement leader.
“A Downright Lie” — Mexico Denies Trump Threatened Sending Troops Into Mexico
[image: mexico]After the AP and Mexican media reported that Trump had threatened to send the US military to chase “bad hombres” out of Mexico in a phone call with Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, the Mexican government has slammed the claim as “a downright lie.”
US Govt IRS Attorney Busted for Smoking & Distributing Massive Amounts of Meth
[image: meth]An attorney employed by the Internal Revenue Service, Jack Vitayanon, was arrested Wednesday and charged with conspiracy to distribute meth.
Get Ready for a Two-Thirds Cut to EPA Personnel
*Now more than ever...* *by Gaius Publius* We've already seen several indications that EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency, will be stripped of its mission — protecting the environment, including the climatic environment — and turned into a profit protection agency instead. At best, as I noted here, EPA would be reduced to a kind of janitor for the fossil fuel giants, "sweeping up after the energy industry's mess-making" as the toxic wastes, perhaps exponentially, increase. We certainly know that Trump's intended head of the EPA, Scott Pruitt, has sued the agency many times ... more »
Fact: Future Climate Will Be Flatter, not Hotter
Originally posted on Science Matters: Another powerful post by Clive Best on how earth’s surface temperatures change by means of changing meridional heat transfers. Meridional Warming. The key point for me was seeing how the best geological knowledge proves beyond the shadow of a doubt how the earth’s climate profile shifts over time, as presented in…
Meridional Warming
Meridional warming Posted on February 2, 2017 by Clive Best In this post I am going to present global temperature data in a different way to highlight how the earth cools by transporting heat from the tropics to the poles. This shows that enhanced CO2 warming is mainly concentrated in northern latitudes. To do this […]
The Poozle Personified
No matter what measure you use a simple cloth tape a metal retractable one that looks so cool or a laser beam that in scientific terms of measurement is a real tool the overall dimension is always going to be who calibrates the system that prints out or streams the outcome cause believe me tools lie Economics is the prime mover cause they took away the Central principal from religion and thats why we have so much trouble with Muslims can their economic system was a gift from God while Christians only got Jesus and he could not even trade for 40 years years of carpentry with cactus for a ... more »
Questions Arise On Sunday's U.S. Special Forces Raid Against Al Qaeda In Yemen
*New York Times*: *Raid in Yemen: Risky From the Start and Costly in the End* WASHINGTON — Just five days after taking office, over dinner with his newly installed secretary of defense and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, President Trump was presented with the first of what will be many life-or-death decisions: whether to approve a commando raid that risked the lives of American Special Operations forces and foreign civilians alike. President Barack Obama’s national security aides had reviewed the plans for a risky attack on a small, heavily guarded brick home of a senio... more »
World News Briefs -- February 2, 2017
*Reuters*: *Trump adopts aggressive posture toward Iran after missile launch* The White House put Iran "on notice" on Wednesday for test-firing a ballistic missile and said it was reviewing how to respond, taking an aggressive posture toward Tehran that could raise tensions in the region. While the exact implications of the U.S. threat were unclear, the new administration signaled that President Donald Trump intended to do more, possibly including imposing new sanctions, to curb what he sees as defiance of a nuclear deal negotiated in 2015 by then-President Barack Obama. The toug... more »
Police and Army Corps at Sacred Stone Camp -- Feb. 2, 2017
Police and Army Corps enter Sacred Stones Camp without permission Seventy-six water protectors arrested on Wednesday will have to spend a second night in jail, as no charges have been filed By Brenda Norrell Censored News Feb. 2, 2017 SACRED STONE CAMP -- Police, federal agents and Army Corps entered Sacred Stone Camp without permission at noon today, Thursday, Feb. 2. LaDonna Allard
Just when you thought Theresa May couldn’t get more despicable, she drops a bombshell claim about Hillsborough
Theresa May has caused outrage by claiming credit for securing justice for the Hillsborough victims. Asked at Prime Minister’s Questions about standing up for British values, May retorted: I’ll tell you what standing up for British values is. I and this government introduced the first Modern Slavery Act in this country. I have ensured that […] The post Just when you thought Theresa... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Open Fred
Thread for general observations and catty comments, preferably about the BBC
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 2, 2017
*International Business Times:* *When Will ISIS End? Syrian Army, Russia Bomb Islamic State In Aleppo As Iraqi Troops Battle For Mosul* The Syrian army said Thursday it would capitalize on a string of recent victories against the Islamic State group, also known as ISIS, in the Aleppo countryside as Iraqi troops clashed with the militants in a separate battle to recapture the city of Mosul. Syrian troops, backed by Russian airstrikes and allied militias, have rapidly advanced against ISIS in the past two weeks and retaken dozens of rural settlements in both the Aleppo and Homs regi... more »
Wyoming and Arkansas Reject Call for "Convention of States" Con-Con
[image: wyoming-and-arkansas-reject-call-for-convention-of-states-con-con] On January 30, lawmakers in Wyoming and Arkansas voted down bills in their respective states that would have pushed our country closer to a so-called convention of the states, a confab that would expose all the Constitution’s protections of fundamental liberties to the political maneuvers and monied manipulations of some of that document's most determined foes.
The More Things Change: The George Soros of the Sixth Century B.C.
[image: the-more-things-change-the-george-soros-of-the-sixth-century-bc] George Soros's use of his wealth to manipulate the poor into violent uprisings against the middle class follows the pattern of 6th century B.C. muckraker Pisistratus.
USING OUR WORDS: The slender blonde who's smarter than Us!
*THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2017Part 3—McEnany's wins:* We were amused, and not amused, by what we found when we googled Kayleigh McEnany again. Who is Kayleigh McEnany? On a few occasions in the past year, we've tried to find out. The basics are fairly simple. As explained in The New Yorker last fall, McEnany "is a twenty-eight-year-old Harvard Law School graduate who interned in the second Bush Administration and has supported Donald Trump since the primaries." More specifically, McEnany has supported Trump on CNN, where she became a leading figure in the channel's million-member s... more »
New column day
Here, on how we shouldn't be impressed with our political leaders' reactions to the bigotry on display in Donald Trump's Muslim ban and the Quebec City mosque shooting - but should see the popular response as a far more useful starting point for progress. For further reading... - I posted here on how Brad Wall has pushed exactly the same anti-immigrant messages underlying Trump's ban. - Lama Mourad argues that Canada can't plausibly treat the U.S. as a safe destination for refugees who have been declared in advance to be *persona non grata*. And Sukanya Pillay looks in more detail ... more »
FOX News Caught Stoking Hate With Fake News that Mass Shooter was Muslim
Fox News allowed a tweet to remain long after the Moroccan was confirmed as a witness, not a suspect -- allowing Islamophobes to run wild with fake news.
WATCH: ‘Thieving Idiot’ Cop’s Own Body Camera Catches Him Steal $200 from Man
[image: body camera]Seemingly, this officer was so accustomed to stealing from people he arrested that he forgot his body camera was on during his latest theft.
Should We Be Worried That President Trump 'Talks Tough' With Other World Leaders?
US President Donald Trump speaks by phone with Russia’s President Vladimir Putin in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington January 28, 2017. Reuters *Politico*: *Trump on combative calls with foreign leaders: 'Don't worry about it'* The president is under fire after leaks emerged about his aggressive phones calls with U.S. allies Mexico and Australia. President Donald Trump on Thursday dismissed reports of contentious phone calls he’s had with foreign leaders, telling Americans not to fret over his tough talk. “The world is in trouble, but we’re gonna straighten it out,... more »
Mosul Campaign Day 107, Feb 1, 2017
The Hashd on the western front launched its Sixth Phase of operations. This involved units from Kataib Hezbollah, Asaib Ahl Al-Haq, Badr, Imam Ali Brigades, and the Al Abbas Division. The main goalwas to cut the roads from Tal Afar to Sinjar and focused upon the Ain Hussan area. One brigade linkedup with the Peshmerga in the Sinjar district, and another claimedit cut a crossing point from Ninewa to Syria used by the Islamic State. Since the Hashd have not been allowed to take Tal Afar their main task has been to secure the system of roads in western Ninewa and cut off IS supply lin... more »
“Death By China” Film Exposes Suicidal U.S. Policy
[image: death-by-china-film-exposes-suicidal-u-s-policy] America is facing an existential threat that has potentially catastrophic military, economic, political, and national security implications. That threat is the U.S. “trade relationship” with the regime ruling Communist China, a suicidal pact engineered by globalist schemers in Washington, D.C., and New York and by power-hungry Chinese Communist schemers in Beijing. According to the film *Death By China: How America Lost Its Manufacturing Base*, directed by economist Peter Navarro, it is one of the “most urgent problems facing ... more »
Democrats Delay Pruitt Confirmation for EPA; Republicans Strike Back
[image: democrats-delay-pruitt-confirmation-for-epa-republicans-strike-back] After years of buckling to the Democrats, Republicans — now perhaps inspired by the more combative spirit of the man in the White House — are fighting back. Will this be the "new normal?"
No one arrested at Berkeley riot?...
*how is that possible?* They physically harmed people, *smashed ATM machines, smashed storefront windows, set fires, and caused mayhem* over a scheduled appearance by Milo Yiannopoulos. Hey, lefties - how do you defend this? Are you proud? You disgust me. Trump threatened to cut off funding to Berkeley if they don't line up their ducks and make them march in a row. Good for him. I think most of us "dirt people" have had just about enough of this crap. Every one of those rioters should have been rounded up, arrested, and then pitched out of school - *forever*. So go ahead you e... more »
While Candidate Trump Promised War against Globalism, President Trump’s Pro-Globalist Actions Speak Louder than His Words
Following in the footsteps of Obama’s precedent-setting record signing one executive order after the next, in his first couple weeks as president, Donald Trump is resorting to using the same nonstop, end-around executive orders that willfully defy, undermine and violate our constitutional checks and balances system requiring both Congressional approval and judicial oversight. Moreover, Trump’s actions in his first few days in power reflect a dangerous level of aggressive, in-our-face extremism, an unwillingness and hubris to even bother negotiating, compromising or otherwise coop... more »
German Chancellor Angela Merkel Is Facing A Tough Re-Election Fight
Even if he does not win the election, Mr Martin could become Mrs Merkel's deputy in a coalition. (Reuters: Yves Herman) *DW*: *German Chancellor Angela Merkel faces serious threat from centre-left Europhile Martin Schulz* A new threat has emerged to Angela Merkel's bid to remain in power. No, despite the international media attention, it is not from the anti-immigration far right but a straight-talking Europhile of the centre left. While the world was watching US President Donald Trump's first week in power, Martin Schulz shook up Germany's political landscape. The 61-year-old an... more »
Who Leaked The U.S. President - Australian Prime Minister Phone Call?
*Daily Mail*:* Who leaked Trump and Turnbull's phone call? Claims President's own advisers may have leaked details of clash with * * Australian PM to prove he doesn't want refugee deal * Canberra sources suggested Trump's own team leaked phone call with Turnbull * President 'yelled' at Australian PM over deal to resettle 1,250 refugees in the US * Trump reportedly accused Turnbull of trying to send the 'next Boston bombers' * Insiders speculated that chief strategist Steve Bannon could have leaked details Just a handful of close advisers were privy to President Donald Trump's h... more »
Meet the latest addition to our team, Victoria Stern
Please join us in welcoming our newest staff writer, Victoria Stern, to the Retraction Watch team. Vicky first worked with editor Alison McCook in 2009 at The Scientist. Since then, she has been freelancing for a number of outlets, including Medscape, Scientific American Mind (where she became a contributing editor), General Surgery News, MedPage Today, and Reuters Health. […] The post Meet the latest addition to our team, Victoria Stern appeared first on Retraction Watch.
Mohawk Nation News 'Gatling Guns to Buried Memories'
GATLING GUNS TO BURIED MEMORIES Posted on February 2, 2017 Please post & distribute. MNN. Feb. 1, 2017. “orowiio” is the perfect reality. These corporate invaders are not of our original natural way. They suffer from cultural shock. We know about a sustainable peace on earth forever. We, their victims, suffer from their brutal killing sprees so they could hold on to their stolen
As Farage is accused of lying, UKIP’s new leader is caught out telling a colossal whopper [VIDEO]
Things aren’t going well for UKIP this week. Both their leader and their former leader have been accused of lying. But while the claims against Nigel Farage are par for the course, the consequences for the new leader, Paul Nuttall, could be much more serious. ‘He’s lying to you’ The accusations made against Farage came during […] The post As Farage is accused of... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
A shocking crowdfunding appeal shows the absolute mess the Tories have made of the NHS
One of the most high-profile disability rights campaigners in the UK is having to crowdfund for a new wheelchair for her son due to government cuts. But the fact she is having to raise money because the NHS can’t afford to pay for the equipment highlights a problem thousands are facing. Left abandoned Linda Burnip […] The post A shocking crowdfunding appeal shows the absolute mess... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. - Andrew Coyne and Rob Mason each discuss Justin Trudeau's broken promise of a fairer electoral system. Chantal Hebert observes that the commitment itself - however frequently and fervently repeated - looks to have been little more than a cheap campaign prop. And Karl Nerenberg highlights how the Libs sucked in "strategic" voters with a promise they've done nothing but try to avoid keeping, while Ethan Cox places the false hope of electoral reform within a pattern of Lib lies. - Andre Picard comments on the key issues which need to be addres... more »
Iran Scoffs At White House Warnings Over Its Ballistic Missile Program
Ali Akbar Velayati *Reuters: **Khamenei ally says useless for U.S. to threaten Iran over missile test: Fars* ANKARA (Reuters) - A top adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Thursday Iran will not yield to "useless" U.S. threats from "an inexperienced person" over its ballistic missile program. U.S. President Donald Trump's national security adviser, Michael Flynn, said on Wednesday the United States was putting Iran on notice over its "destabilizing activity" after it test-fired a ballistic missile. Trump echoed that language on Thursday, saying in a tweet "Iran... more »
Riots Rock Berkeley University
*The Hill:* *UC Berkeley cancels Milo Yiannopoulos event after violent protests break out on campus* University of California, Berkeley is on a campus-wide lockdown after protests broke out against Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos, an alt-right leader who was scheduled to speak at the school. Yiannopoulos's event has been canceled, and university police urged students to shelter in place and stay away from the protest area. Videos from campus show fires breaking out, and students on the scene say firecrackers were thrown. Yiannopoulos took to Facebook to post about the incident... more »
Fukushima Daiichi Unit 2 Measures 530 Sieverts an hour but Units 1 and 3 Hotter Still
TEPCO is reporting measuring radiation levels of 530 SIEVERTS AN HOUR (10 will kill you dead pretty quickly) and has discovered a 2-meter hole in the grating beneath the reactor pressure vessel (1 meter-square hole found in grating): Radiation level at Fukushima reactor highest since 2011 disaster; grating hole found. The Mainichi, February 2, 2017, http://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170202/p2g/00m/0dm/087000c TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The radiation level inside the containment vessel of the No. 2 reactor at the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex stood at 530 sieverts per hour... more »
Where Did Groundhog Day Come From?
The now-famous woodchuck was once a bear, a badger, and a hedgehog.
Pakistan Is Punishing The Family Of The Doctor Who Helped The CIA Track Down Osama Bin Laden
Dr Shakeel Afridi *AFP*: *Pakistan tightens screws on bin Laden doctor's family* Pakistan has refused to grant identity cards to the family of Shakeel Afridi, the jailed doctor who helped the CIA hunt for Osama bin Laden, his lawyer said, effectively denying them passports and voting rights. Afridi has been languishing in prison for more than five years after his fake vaccination programme helped the CIA track and kill the Al Qaeda leader. His lawyer Qamar Nadim told AFP Wednesday that officials are refusing to renew Afridi's wife's ID card, which expired in December, because her ... more »
Most Britons back Donald Trump's planned state visit to UK, poll finds per The Times via the London Evening Standard
Despite the BBC's relentless anti President Donald Trump propaganda it seems that the British public are not buying it. The London Evening Standard reports http://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/most-britons-back-donald-trumps-planned-state-visit-to-uk-poll-finds-a3455216.html on a YouGov opinion poll for The Times that will definitely not be reported by the BBC. 'Most Britons back Donald Trump's planned state visit toBritain, a poll has found.The survey, conducted by YouGov for The Times, found 49 per cent of the British public supported Mr Trump's UK visit with 36 per cent opposed.... more »
A Drinking Person’s Guide to the Resistance
A guest post by Layna Mosley,* Professor of Political Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. (*with contributions from Jeff Colgan, Beth Copelovitch, Mark Copelovitch, Artie G, Anna Grzymala-Busse, Roger Halchin, Andrew Herring , Julia Lynch, Jon Pevehouse, Milada Vachudova, Erik Voeten and Christopher Zorn) President Trump’s proposed economic policies may be […]
What Does Big Oil Get For It's Political Bribery?
*Where did the $1.6 billion bribe to Trump come from?* With Trump and Bannon tearing it up so raucously in the center ring, some people aren't paying close enough attention to what the Republicans are up to in the sideshow. Like "world's best negotiator," Trumpanzee himself, totally buckling to PhRMA lobbyists within minutes. And rest assured, Ryan's foul little Congress is up to no good. As the *Washington Post* reported yesterday, the oil industry lobbyists are collecting on a debt. Big Oil and Gas spent $29,193,276 bribing politicians in the 2016 cycle alone-- $25,361,577 to Repu... more »
6 Sided Valentine Blocks
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SendingYourLove #CollectiveBias Valentine's Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love pulling out all of my pink and red decorations and making valentine's boxes and having our traditional surf n' turf dinner at home. It was a holiday I hated before I was married but I have come to love and adore as a spouse and a mom. I love buying each of my kids a box of chocolates and writing my husband a card each year. I also feel like Valentine's Day is a fun excuse to pull out all of o... more »
STEVE BANNON'S PHONY POOR MAN'S BLUES
I spotted this in the new *Time* cover story on Steve Bannon: To understand Steve Bannon, you have to understand what happened to his father. "I come from a blue collar, Irish-Catholic, pro-Kennedy, pro-union family of Democrats," he once told Bloomberg Businessweek. Martin Bannon began his career as an assistant splicer for a telephone company and toiled as a lineman. Rising into management, the elder Bannon carved out a comfortable middle-class life for his wife and five kids on his working man's salary. Friends say Steve pays frequent visits to his father, now 95 and widowed, at ... more »
"Why Trump Must Drain the Swamp"
*"Why Trump Must Drain the Swamp"* by Bill Bonner "The Dow is back below the 20,000-point mark. Federal debt, as officially tallied, is up to nearly $20 trillion. The two go together, egging each other on. The Dow is up 20 times since 1980. So is the US national debt. Debt feeds the stock market and the swamp. What’s not up so much is real output, as measured by GDP. It’s up only 6.4 times over the same period. Debt and asset prices have been rising three times as fast as GDP for 36 years! Best bet: Sell stocks and bonds (debt). Buy GDP. How? To be addressed in due course. *Swamp ... more »
"Life Is Never Fair..."
"Life is never fair, and perhaps it is a good thing for most of us that it is not." - Oscar Wilde
What Electoral Reform?
Justin Trudeau's newly minted Minister of Democratic Institutions has received her mandate letter. In part, it reads: There has been tremendous work by the House of Commons Special Committee on Electoral Reform, outreach by Members of Parliament by all parties, and engagement of 360,000 individuals in Canada through mydemocracy.ca … A clear preference for a new electoral system, let alone a consensus, has not emerged. Furthermore, without a clear preference or a clear question, a referendum would not be in Canada’s interest. Changing the electoral system will not be in your mandat... more »
The Emperor has no shirt
Today, after sending out his new rookie Minister of Democratic Institutions to deliver the news his electoral reform promise was dead, Justin Trudeau stood in the HoC and said: "As people in this House know, I have long preferred preferential ballot..." Yes. Here he is in 2014 explaining that preference at length. Jump to the 24:09 mark. Excerpted : "First of all on first-past-the-post, you’re absolutely right that it doesn’t matter if someone gets 31 percent of the vote, and the other parties only get you know 26 and 20 percent, and it’s all divided up, then they get to re... more »
Heavy Losses At The Guardian
By Paul Homewood It just goes to show that fake news does not pay. From the Telegraph: The Guardian has warned staff to expect further heavy losses, as the newspaper said it expects to burn through another £90m in cash this year. It has recorded negative cash flow of £60m so far […]
See you in court: the government is facing legal action from commuters over the chaotic Southern Rail crisis
Fed up commuters are taking the Conservative government to court over the chaos on the Southern Rail network. On Wednesday 1 February an application for a judge to review the Conservatives’ chaotic handling of the crisis was lodged. And it could see the government in the dock over the rail fiasco. The government in the dock? The […] The post See you in court: the government is facing... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Untitled
*New system for ranking universities* *I don't quite see the point of it. What's so good about "internationalness"? I would have thought that it impeded learning. There was a Chinese law lecturer at my alma mater -- the University of Qld -- a few years ago who had to be sent on leave because the students couldn't understand a word of his "English"* Australia has achieved stellar results in a new league table of universities which has inverted the world order by ranking US institutions as also-rans. Five Australian institutions claimed top-25 places in the Times Higher Educati... more »
Trump's "Migrant Policy" Exposes Continuity of Agenda
*February 2, 2017 *(Tony Cartalucci - NEO) - The full scope of the current deception being perpetrated against both the American people, and the rest of the world under the presidency of Donald Trump and the supposed "push back" from the "liberal media" is exposed in full amid President Trump's unfolding migrant policy. Bloomberg, in two articles, reveals in full how the US proxy war against Syria, presided over by US President Barack Obama, prepared for under US President George Bush Jr., and plotted since President Bush's father was in office in the 1990's, continues in earnest u... more »
Untitled
*Scientists Criticize 'Hottest Year on Record' Claim as Hype* Claims that 2016 was “the hottest year on record” are drawing sharp criticism from scientists who say it reflects how global warming has become more social crusade than evidence-based science. “The Obama administration relentlessly politicized science and it aggressively pushed a campaign about that politicized science,” said Steven E. Koonin, who served as under secretary for science in Obama’s Department of Energy from 2009 to 2011. Koonin, a theoretical physicist at New York University who once worked for energy gia... more »
Untitled
*From Jenna Orkin Iran Ditching Dollar* *And away we go. They've been threatening to do this for over ten years. *A 2-mile-long crack in Arizona is the largest of its kind — and it’s not stopping There’s a serious problem with serving sizes for marijuana edibles right now Early Results From NASA's Twin Study Are Actually Kinda Unnerving The NHS says Google mistook its 1.2 million employees for a huge cyberattack and blocked it WTI, RBOB Dump'n'Pump Despite Biggest Crude Build Since October, Record Gasoline Inventory European Bond Bloodbath - Worst January On Record Exposes Pol... more »
Transpicuous Views: Magnetics: Macro & Micro
Welcome to the first (sorta) episode of Transpicuous Views! For quite a while now I have been talking and writing about Magnetic fields- both geomagnetic (the planet) and our own personal magnetic and energy fields. Two weeks ago on the One People Roundtable Discussion, we dug into this topic and since then several very interesting discussion ensued. (link at RTS below). Today I invited two friends of mine to continue this discussion: Ann Callaghan, Homeopath and Essence Maker in Ireland Peter van Driel, professional Douser in The Nederlands Below is the OPRT Show mentioned i... more »
Musical Interlude: Sting, “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free”
Sting, “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ql2RcwNY5Eo
Musical/Poetical Interlude: "Don't Give Up"
Peter Gabriel, Feat. Kate Bush, “Don't Give Up” -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LMB6K4rTGU ○○○ *"Don't Give Up"* "Don't give up, you still have time to reach up and start anew, Accept your shadows, Bury your fears, Free your burdens, Fly again. Don't give up, that's what life is, Continue the journey, Follow your dreams, Unstuck time, Move the rubble, And uncover the sky. Don't give up, please don't give way, Even if the cold burns, Even if fear bites, Even if the sun sets, And the wind goes silent, There is still fire in your soul, There is still life in your dreams. Because life is ... more »
Autism Scientist Worried About a Vaccine Safety Panel
By Anne Dachel This is a disgusting bit of news. So David Amaral is worried about a vaccine safety commission? He as a lot of nerve! Every time I see this man's name in print, it makes me angry. Who...
Groundhog Day Might Be Ending for Autism
From 2003 to January 19, 2017 - so little had changed for autism. AofA readers know the drill. "No cause. But we know it's not vaccines. No cure. Why would you want a cure for such a gifty diagnosis?" Yadda...
Simultaneous Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
J Forensic Leg Med. 2007 Feb;14(2):87-91. Simultaneous sudden infant death syndrome. Balci Y1, Tok M, Kocaturk BK, Yenilmez C, Yirulmaz C. Author information The simultaneous sudden deaths of twins rarely occur and therefore it has received limited attention in the...
An inconvenient truth
This BBC report htttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-38837263 includes what should raise questions but won't. 'All of the occupants of Manus Island are male. By far the largest number are from Iran, followed by Afghanistan and Iraq. There are also sizeable contingents from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar.' Bangladesh, Pakistan and Myanmar - Refugees or economic migrants? What do you think?
Good-bye Wiener
h/t EBL By now, you all know that disgraced US Congressman and former New York mayoral candidate, Anthony Weiner, will soon be headed for prison on child pornography charges. Those of you who want to help him, send Weiner soap-on-a-rope, courtesy of the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Hard time takes on a whole new meaning for child molesters and kiddy porn offenders. *Rolling Stone Magazine* defends Anthony Weiner's behavior. If you're shocked by that, I have a bridge to sell you. There are persistent rumors. Anthony's wife, Huma Weiner, senior aid to Hillary Clinton and Clinton's alle... more »
Smuggling Migrants to Europe Now a Major Funding Source for Islamic State per Breitbart
News that you'll never find reported on the pro unlimited immigration BBC. This from Breitbart http://www.breitbart.com/london/2017/02/01/smuggling-migrants-funding-islamic-state/ 'Nearly 400,000 migrants reached Europe by sea in 2016, and more than 5,000 are believed to have died attempting the journey, aid agencies estimate. In 2015 the then Prime Minister of Australia, Tony Abbott, urged the European Union (EU) to turn boats back to Africa, saying: "If you want to keep life safe, you've got to keep the boats stopped." "The great thing about Operation Sovereign Borders is that, ... more »
The ethical dilemma of designer babies
Creating genetically modified people is no longer a science fiction fantasy; it’s a likely future scenario. Biologist Paul Knoepfler estimates that within fifteen years, scientists could use the gene editing technology CRISPR to make certain “upgrades” to human embryos — from altering physical appearances to eliminating the risk of auto-immune diseases. In this thought-provoking talk, Knoepfler readies us for the coming designer baby revolution and its very personal, and unforeseeable, consequences.
Leonard Susskind's dumb attack on Steve Bannon
Half a year ago, Leonard Susskind wrote a childish letter attacking Donald Trump. It was a part of the political confrontation that Trump later won while the likes of Susskind have lost it. Now, when Trump is already the president, Leonard Susskind continues in his weird war against the new administration. As recently as three days ago, the YouTube channel Susskind Lectures contained ten lectures about supersymmetry and grand unification. Ten is the spacetime dimension in superstring theory. What will you learn about in the 11th video? M-theory whose dimension is eleven? No, instead... more »
UC Berkeley cancels Breitbart speaker as students protest per BBC News
The BBC are keen to cast aspersions http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38837142 on any supporter of President Donald Trump. 'Mr Yiannopoulos is an outspoken supporter of President Trump. ... Mr Yiannopoulos's comments have been criticised as racist and misogynist.' Oddly strong supporters of Hillary Clinton were not described as outspoken. Oddly Islamist preachers who explain how hard a husband may beat his wife is not described by the BBC as a misogynist. The BBC's political prejudices are easy to spot but much harder to excuse.
Algorithmic Freedom as Non-Domination
Freedom is important. Modern liberal societies are built around it. Citizens fight for their fundamental freedoms — rights to speech, thought, religious expression, education, work and so on — and governments are evaluated relative to their success in securing these freedoms. But liberal freedom is a highly contested concept.
You Would Not Have Recognized Appalachia 150 Years Ago
*.* You need to see this photo. Large trees were also apparent on the east coast. Huge oaks were prevalent. Add in that natives did groom surrounds of forest debris in order to enhance useful trees. True restoration of these forests, even as local refuges will take centuries. We have not truly begun. This will also be the future as well.. *You Would Not Have Recognized Appalachia 150 Years Ago* *By AppalachianMagazine - * *January 17, 2017* * http://appalachianmagazine.com/2017/01/17/you-would-not-have-recognized-appalachia-150-years-ago/* *Despite being branded as ‘wild... more »
America’s Forgotten Fruit Tree: The Appalachian Banana
The Pawpaw again. From the material here, multiple uses can be made of this fruit with modest processing. I think a serious effort needs to be made. Otherwise this plant obviously thrives in creek beds and similar damp bottom lands. This is land never cropped and simple hand work would suffice to work these plants into the locales. again care would involve an annual grooming which should be done generally anyway. A fruit relish should certainly be commercially developed. *America’s Forgotten Fruit Tree: The Appalachian Banana* *By AppalachianMagazine -* *January 18, 2017* * h... more »
DHS Whistleblower Ready to Tell all to Trump:
The pattern of activity betrays willful incompetence in support of no agenda ever supported by the voters.. It has been readily discernible and that pattern actually triggered Trump to run. Understanding that we have here an actual investigator tracking this behavior and looking for the who and why. Have we been set upon by a so called 'progressive' conspiracy? What damage could they actually do? I have suspected as much, and am relieved that they were able to do as little as they actually did. But it would be good to have the right of it all. I called out Treason in 2008. ... more »
Goodbye President Obama
George Bush produced in his reaction to 9/11 a great deal of actual harm that haunted his presidency. now we suspect that it was deliberately gamed into the system. Obama's run did not correct this but actually made it far worse. Lacking a vision for the future he reacted instead with remnants of the socialist dream now been torn away. It is left to his successor to throw naysayers aside and move ahead. his legacy will be a successfully re - engineered obamacare if that. *Goodbye President Obama * * Published on January 19, 2017* * http://drsircus.com/world-news/goodbye-presid... more »
Anti-Semitic hate crime at record high, says UK charity per BBC News
Apparently: 'The CST, which has recorded data since 1984, said a perceived increase in racism and xenophobia following the EU referendum and greater discussion of anti-Semitism in the Labour Party could explain the rise.' That's it, blame Brexit but shh don't mention a religion that spreads hatred of Jews. Not a single mention of Islam, how odd. More obfuscation here http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38836536
As Court Case Against It Looms, Rosatom (Russia), KEPCO (S. Korea), EDF (France), China State Nuclear – All State Owned Entities- Express Interest in S. Africa Nuclear Station Showing That Nuclear Power Is Unsustainable in a Free Market
Although a court case against the project will not be heard until end February, the South African government has announced … Continue reading →
How 'voter fraud' crusades undermine voting rights
Jesse Rhodes, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Massachusetts Amherst at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 23 hours ago
President Donald Trump has “voter fraud” on the brain. Bizarrely, after winning the 2016 presidential election, Trump has raised questions about the legitimacy of his own victory by claiming that the election was tainted by widespread voter fraud. Indeed, the president recently suggested that as many as 3,000,000 people voted illegally in the election. Reports suggest that Trump’s obsession with voter fraud is due to his outrage at losing the popular vote to Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton. As Trump himself alleged in a recent interview, “of those [illegal] votes cast, none ... more »
A nomination battle over Neil Gorsuch could slow down Trump's agenda
Jamie Monogan, Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Georgia at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 23 hours ago
The U.S. Supreme Court. ThatMattWade/flickr, CC BY-SA When he took the oath of office, President Donald Trump became the first chief executive to inherit the opportunity to nominate a Supreme Court justice since Richard Nixon. On Tuesday, Trump announced that Judge Neil Gorsuch of the Tenth Circuit is his choice to fill this seat. He presented this nomination as a promise kept to his supporters, and Republican leaders in the Senate vow that Gorsuch will be confirmed. However, the nomination and confirmation process is neither unconstrained nor inconsequential. Trump will face obj... more »
Immigration and crime: What does the research say?
Robert Adelman, Associate Professor of Sociology, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 23 hours ago
People rally in New Brunswick, N.J. against President Trump's 'travel ban.' AP Photo/Mel Evans *Editor’s note:* In his first week in office, President Donald Trump showed he intends to follow through on his immigration promises. A major focus of his campaign was on removing immigrants who, he said, were increasing crime in American communities. In his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Trump named victims who were reportedly killed by undocumented immigrants and said: “They are being released by the tens of thousands into our communities with no regard for the... more »
Hunting hackers: An ethical hacker explains how to track down the bad guys
Timothy Summers, Director of Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Engagement, University of Maryland at Science + Technology – The Conversation - 23 hours ago
Looking deep into computer activities. Via shutterstock.com When a cyberattack occurs, ethical hackers are called in to be digital detectives. In a certain sense, they are like regular police detectives on TV. They have to search computer systems to find ways an intruder might have come in – a digital door or window left unlocked, perhaps. They look for evidence an attacker left of entry, like an electronic footprint in the dirt. And they try to determine what might have been copied or taken. Understanding this process has become more important to the public in light of recent event... more »
Tweet For Today
Watch the swearing in of Secretary of State Tillerson at the @WhiteHouse. pic.twitter.com/xRDWIv09Ce — Department of State (@StateDept) February 2, 2017
Is Syrian President Assad In Ill Health?
Syria's President Bashar al-Assad speaks to French journalists in Damascus, Syria, in this handout picture provided by SANA on January 9, 2017. SANA/Handout via REUTERS *Reuters*: *Syrian government denies rumors Assad in poor health* The Syrian government has denied rumors that President Bashar al-Assad is suffering from ill health, saying he was "carrying out his duties quite normally". Speculation swirled in recent days on social media and some Arab news websites saying Assad, 51, was in critical condition, citing rumors of stroke, or even that he had been shot. "The presidenc... more »
Picture Of The Day
*Live-Fire Training* Marines and soldiers conduct live-fire mortar training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Jan. 24, 2017, while preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Justin T. Updegraff
U.S. And Mexican Governments Blast AP's Report That President Trump Threatened To Send U.S. Troops Into Mexico
U.S. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Mexico's President Enrique Pena Nieto arrive for a press conference at the Los Pinos residence in Mexico City, Mexico, August 31, 2016. REUTERS/Henry Romero *Washington Times*: *Mexico, U.S. both say Associated Press misreported Trump-Nieto phone call* White House says wire service wrongly claimed new president had threatened to invade Mexico. Mexico said Wednesday that the Associated Press’ account of a call Friday between President Trump and his Mexican counterpart is inaccurate. “The assertions that you make about said conve... more »
U.S. President Trump And Australian PM Turnbull Have Testy Phone Call On Refugees
*Washington Post:* *No ‘G’day, mate’: On call with Australian prime minister, Trump badgers and brags* It should have been one of the most congenial calls for the new commander in chief — a conversation with the leader of Australia, one of America’s staunchest allies, at the end of a triumphant week. Instead, President Trump blasted Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull over a refugee agreement and boasted about the magnitude of his electoral college win, according to senior U.S. officials briefed on the Saturday exchange. Then, 25 minutes into what was expected to be an hou... more »
Same Old Rhetoric Cannot Justify Banning Refugees from Australia (View on Refugees which Australia wants to send to the US while taking Central Americans in their stead)
From “The Conversation”: Same old rhetoric cannot justify banning refugees from Australia Alex Reilly, University of Adelaide The federal government … Continue reading →
The (continuing) animus against Peter Thiel
Sorry, I don’t see what the problem is with Peter Thiel choosing to take out NZ citizenship, or why the aggressive opposition to it is still continuing – but the flavour of that opposition makes it abundantly clear that the nastier part of the New Zealand character is coming out: Envy. Here’s what I wrote last week, when you would have thought (hoped!) the animus had peaked: It’s been reported that the enormously successful tech-entrepreneur and investor Peter Thiel has become a New Zealand citizen and bought property at Lake Wanaka. True or not, since journalist Matt Nippert s... more »
Samantha Bee: "Paul Ryan's New Intern Has Such A Pure Voice"
Certainly the biggest-- and most hilarious-- news out of Sunday's prestigious Screen Actors Guild award show came when Julia Louis-Dreyfus got up to accept her award (best actress in a comedy-- for *Veep* ). She eviscerated Señor el Presidente Trumpanzee. "My father fled religious persecution in Nazi-occupied France," she said. "I’m an American patriot, and I love this country. Because I love this country, I am horrified by its blemishes, and this immigrant ban is a blemish and it's un-American." The audience loved it. I doubt Samantha Bee needed to see that kind of a reaction to... more »
Musical Interlude: Ludovico Einaudi, “I Giorni”
Ludovico Einaudi, “I Giorni” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmj3iU36Mmw
"A Look to the Heavens"
“Why isn't this ant a big sphere? Planetary nebula Mz3 is being cast off by a star similar to our Sun that is, surely, round. Why then would the gas that is streaming away create an ant-shaped nebula that is distinctly not round? *Click image for larger size.* Clues might include the high 1000-kilometer per second speed of the expelled gas, the light-year long length of the structure, and the magnetism of the star visible above at the nebula's center. One possible answer is that Mz3 is hiding a second, dimmer star that orbits close in to the bright star. A competing hypothesis holds... more »
Chet Raymo, “Out Of The Silence”
*“Out Of The Silence”* by Chet Raymo "A few words about Douglas Christe's “The Blue Sapphire of the Mind: Notes for a Contemplative Ecology”, the title of which is drawn from the 4th-century monastic writer Evagrius of Pontus: "When the mind has put off the old self and shall put on the one born of grace, then it will see its own state in the time of prayer resembling sapphire or the color of heaven." It is a beautiful image, although I am not at all sure what it means. We are separated from Evagrius by centuries, by a Scientific Revolution, by the Enlightenment. I am not suggestin... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
San Luis Obispo, California, USA. Thanks for stopping by!
The Poet: Rainier Maria Rilke, "The Swan"
*"The Swan"* “This laboring through what is still undone, as though, legs bound, we hobbled along the way, is like the awkward walking of the swan. And dying- to let go, no longer feel the solid ground we stand on every day- is like his anxious letting himself fall into the water, which receives him gently and which, as though with reverence and joy, draws back past him in streams on either side; while, infinitely silent and aware, in his full majesty and ever more indifferent, he condescends to glide.” - Rainier Maria Rilke
Nigel Farage points out EU Parliament hypocrisy on Donald Trump
https://youtu.be/M_3qv3rxRdc
House Hearing On Whistleblower Protection Highlights Trump’s Illegal Gag Orders
Members of Congress called attention to Trump administration directives that create chilling effect against whistleblowers. The post House Hearing On Whistleblower Protection Highlights Trump’s Illegal Gag Orders appeared first on Shadowproof.
Philippine Communist Rebels To End Their Ceasefire On February 10
*Reuters*:* Philippines communist rebels end ceasefire but still support peace talks* The Maoist-led rebel group in the Philippines said on Wednesday it was terminating a unilateral ceasefire it declared five months ago and resuming a protracted guerrilla warfare that has killed tens of thousands of people. The New People's Army said in a statement that the ceasefire agreed to last August would expire on Feb. 10, but added the rebels would still support peace talks with the government of President Rodrigo Duterte. "In our experience and in the experience of other peoples, it is po... more »
Allan Gotthelf on Ayn Rand’s Theory of Concepts
To celebrate Ayn Rand’s birthday (2 February 1905) here’s a good quote from Allan Gotthelf on Ayn Rand’s unique achievement, her theory of concepts: The nature and formation of a concept depends in part on *reality* (for instance, mind-independent commensurability and causal relationships) and in part on *the requirements of a conceptual consciousness* (for instance, the need to integrate via measurement-omission and the need of unit-economy). Concepts, then, are neither products of subjective conscious choices, as nominalism claims, nor intuitive grasps of *intrinsic* universals o... more »
New revelations show the FBI still poses serious threats to civil liberties
A document obtained by The Intercept reveals how the FBI can use loopholes to secretly infiltrate political and religious organisations. And many civil liberties groups worry about the implications. Going undercover Civil liberties group Muslim Advocates filed a lawsuit, resulting in the FBI’s Domestic Investigations and Operations Guide (DIOG) being made public in redacted form. The redacted... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Growing Tensions Between Greece And Turkey
Turkish Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar on a visit to the area of the Aegean Sea that includes the Kardak islets. Posted Jan. 29, 2016. (photo by Twitter/@metesohtaoglu) *Reuters:* *Greece reports mass Turkish air incursions as tensions simmer* Greece reported mass incursions by Turkish military aircraft on Wednesday, amid tensions over Athens' failure to hand over Turkish soldiers Ankara accuses of involvement in a coup attempt. Defense ministry officials said they had recorded 138 violations of Greek airspace over islands in the central and southern Aegean, an unusually high ... more »
Did President Donald Trump Sign an Executive Order on Climate Change?
A story appearing to report that Trump planned a 20 percent cut in U.S. carbon emissions by 2022 was completely fabricated.
The Economy: “Peril in the Casino”
*“Peril in the Casino”* by David Stockman "Donald Trump was out in full force two nights ago, pugnaciously performing his appointed historical function. That is, firing the acting heads of the Justice Department and ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) on behalf of "safe borders," thereby fueling a fractious debate that will soon paralyze the Imperial City. Indeed, Trump's whole "safe borders" agenda strikes an opening mortal blow against the White House's still incoherent plans for economic stimulus. That's because this campaign will generate the kind of crisis atmosphere and... more »
Musical Interlude: Simon & Garfunkel, “A Hazy Shade Of Winter”
Simon & Garfunkel, “A Hazy Shade Of Winter” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnZdlhUDEJo
How to fall in love with traffic jams
A few traditional Auckland traffic jams didn’t disturb last night’s Auckland Liberty on the Rocks in Mt Eden, where we enjoyed a fascinating discussion led by Adriano Melo talking about Brazil’s journey into political darkness -- and also his own personal journey from Brazil to New Zealand, and from Marxism to discovering Ayn Rand. His observation last night that I enjoyed most was of how his own personal disposition changed as he dispensed with his Marxism, and read more of Rand. As a committed Marxist, one who actively recruited for the cause (so many souls recruited into dar... more »
Pentagon's Inspector General: White House Did Not Manipulate Islamic State Intelligence
*The Hill:* *Pentagon watchdog: No evidence Obama admin manipulated ISIS intel* An internal investigation by the Defense Department has found that senior military officials at U.S. Central Command did not falsify, manipulate or distort intelligence to provide an unrealistically rosy picture of the United States’ fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. An inspector general’s report, released Wednesday morning, reached the opposite conclusion of a House Republican task force, which last year determined that final intelligence assessments out of the Pentagon differed from... more »
Quebec Shooting: Questions About the Meetings between Debrois & Bissonnette?
* This incident has a bunch of red flags- Some have been mentioned previously and some have been brought to my attention from others. I've listed them. Share some thoughts..* *Quebec Mosque Shooting Breaking News- Listen to what eye witnesses are telling local media* hattip: Anonymous*January 31, 2017 at 11:12 PM* *hattip Gallier2 * gallier2January 31, 2017 at 11:53 PM *Here an interesting article in a Canadian francophone paper * *http://www.lapresse.ca/le-soleil/justice-et-faits-divers/201701/30/01-5064535-bissonnette-setait-replie-sur-lui-meme.php* *interesting points in that ... more »
“Does Trump’s Travel Ban Make Sense?”
*“Does Trump’s Travel Ban Make Sense?”* by Bill Bonner "Thank God for the travel ban! Since the 1950s, roughly 1,000,000 people have been murdered in the US, including 2,996 killed on 9/11 by terrorists. We don’t need any more killers in the US; we’ve got plenty already. But wait… You say that native-born Americans are five times more likely to be killers than refugee immigrants? You say the travel ban did not cover the countries- most notably Saudi Arabia- that supplied the 9/11 terrorists? (Note that Mr. Bonner said "supplied"; he doesn't mention the actual "doers", or the traito... more »
The Economy: "The Ice-Nine Lockdown"
*"The Ice-Nine Lockdown"* by Jim Rickards "I am often asked, ‘Does Ice-Nine put gold at risk of lockdown or confiscation?’ First, Ice-Nine is a phrase borrowed from author Kurt Vonnegut. Vonnegut wrote a book in the early 1960s called "Cat’s Cradle," and it’s a doomsday scenario. In "Cat’s Cradle," a doomsday machine is created. Scientists discovered a molecule called Ice-Nine, very similar to water (H2O), with two differences. Number one, it has a melting point of 45 degrees Celsius, which means it’s frozen at room temperature. The other characteristic is that if a molecule of Ice... more »
“Hypnotists Flips Pro-Choicers to Pro-Life in Seconds (I Explain How)”
*“Hypnotists Flips Pro-Choicers to Pro-Life in Seconds (I Explain How)”* by Scott Adams "Here’s a provocative (and disturbing) short video of a hypnotist (my word) flipping pro-choicers to pro-life in minutes. I judge it to be real because the persuasion technique is solid gold. I’ll tell you how he did it after you watch. I’ll explain the steps he used. These are not necessarily in order. *Step One: Choose your subjects carefully: *Notice that the subjects were on the young side. Young people are easier to flip because they haven’t had as long to harden their opinions and to make... more »
"We Might Just As Well..."
“Don’t let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it. The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.” - Earl Nightingale