11:19 pm MDT
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 1, 2018
Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, speaks to soldiers assigned to Task Force Southwest at Camp Sharob in Afghanistan’s Helmand province, March 22, 2018. DoD photo by Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dominique A. Pineiro *Stars and Stripes: **Army hopes new units will help break Afghanistan stalemate* FORT POLK, La. — Seventeen years in the infantry have turned Army 1st Sgt. Shaun Morgan into a hard-charging grunt, but the veteran of five combat tours who recently deployed to Afghanistan is prepared to take a back seat and let that nation’s forces le...more »
The CIA Is Now Talking About Its Recruitment Program
FIRST YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS: You’ve been waiting…Now is the time! Click here to apply to the Directorate of Operations 2019/2020 clandestine #internship program.https://t.co/NajumkS9fX pic.twitter.com/5u1cNVUbIN — CIA (@CIA) January 26, 2018 *NPR:* *CIA Recruiting: The Rare Topic The Spy Agency Likes To Talk About* Want to work at the CIA? Here's some guidance from Sheronda. We can't use her last name. But we can tell you she's the agency's chief of talent acquisition, or head of recruiting. So, at what age can you start? "We are looking for high school students to come in certa... more »
U.S. Gov’t Exposed for Conducting Bio-Warfare Experiments in San Francisco that Killed US Citizens
[image: chemical] The U.S. government is responsible for conducting one of the largest human experiments in history by simulating a germ warfare attack on thousands of unsuspecting Americans. The post U.S. Gov’t Exposed for Conducting Bio-Warfare Experiments in San Francisco that Killed US Citizens appeared first on The Free Thought Project .
Stormy Daniels' attorney is drawing a line in the sand.
Be clear: We will NEVER accept any settlement, regardless of the amount of money, that does not include Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump coming 100% (meaning 100%) clean with the American people. People that say this is about money haven’t been paying attention. #searchforthetruth #basta — Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) March 31, 2018 Well that seems pretty clear cut to me. But apparently not to everybody, because this tweet came out hours later. Remarkably, some seem to be confused as to what "100% clean" means. It DOES NOT mean being honest with America just about the sex. It means ... more »
Remembering King’s Perspective On Education
Fifty years ago this week, at age 39, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died as a result of an assassin's bullet. The murder of this great American was one of the most traumatic events in the history of the United States and still reverberates within American society.
VSU Rolls Out Inclusive Gender-Identity Diversity Program
Virginia State University is introducing its first university-wide diversity and inclusion program in order to create a “more inclusive campus culture” for Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning Intersex Ally+ (LGBTQIA+) individuals.
Researchers Double Effort to Enroll Women in Breast-Disease Study
Leaders of a landmark study aimed at heightening the focus on family medical history and genetic drivers that put some women at higher risks than others for developing breast disease are ramping up efforts to add Black females to their hoped-for pool of 100,000 participants.
John Pilger: ‘Silencing Assange is Part of Aggressive US-UK War on Free Speech’
*John Pilger* | "That's what this propaganda war is about - it is a war on speaking out. It is a war on dissent."
Ted Nugent: Parkland Teens Attacking the NRA Have ‘No Soul’
The rocker says Florida students calling for gun control have “no soul” and are “mushy brained children.”
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From Jenna Orkin Russian News Service RT to Go Off the Air in the Washington Area Mozilla creates Firefox extension to prevent Facebook from tracking you UK COURT HEARS OF PLOT TO RAPE, DISSOLVE IN ACID CHILDREN FOR PLEASURE OF “TOP OFFICIALS” HTTP://COURTNEWSUK.CO.UK/PAEDOPHILE-PLOTTED-ABUSE-CHILDREN-TOP-POLITICAL-PEOPLE/ Kentucky county where water smells like diesel Iranians use visa-free travel to Serbia to flee to EU Blackwater Founder Erik Prince Implicated in Murder Amazon Fires Washington's Biggest Lobbying Firm, Hires Two Podesta Group Alumni Sheriff's SUV hits protester... more »
After Colluding With Trump, Republicans In Congress Deserve Everything The Public Gives Them
Young people don’t seem to like Trump much. A new poll from the Associated Press shows that Americans 34 and under understand that he’s racist, dishonest and “mentally unfit” for office. 33% of people between 15 and 34 approve of Trump’s job performance, significantly lower than the whole population. This younger cohort, which rarely votes— especially not in midterms— claims they will vote in greater numbers in November. But the GOP has other problems than Trump’s sky-high disapprove ratings among young people. Almost no one feels any benefits from that cockamamie tax cut the GOP ...more »
2018 April Fools’ Day Roundup!
A collection of the best japes sprung on unsuspecting internet users as part of the annual April Fool's Day tradition.
Defunct Chinese Space Lab Set to Re-Enter Earth’s Atmosphere
China’s defunct Tiangong 1 space station is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere within the next day.
Reflections on a hunger strike
I've had a request to share some words about my recent 37 day hunger strike. I began the hunger strike on February 12, a few days after the first Taxation Committee work session on LD 1781. I was laying in bed talking with MB and told her I had come back from Augusta so upset that I knew if I didn't calm down I was going to have a heart attack. I knew the bill would be slow moving through the halls of the capital so I needed to do something. Twice in the past I fasted for two weeks in solidarity with a hunger strike by Yang Yoon-Mo from Jeju Island, South Korea and another time ... more »
SUNDAY SCREENING: Sex, Drugs & Refugees (2018)
*SUNDAY SCREENING* | This is one of the sordid byproducts of the West's disastrous policy against Syria... more »
March 31:this is funny....
....but very, very dangerous. http://pressprogress.ca/ontario-pc-leader-doug-ford-claims-hell-cut-cbc-even-though-cbc-is-not-provincially-funded/ In much of the western world, we are moving into the same phase that Germany entered in the 1930s. We are dissatisfied (and justly so) by the quality of our governments. But instead of making rational and informed choices, we are turning to leaders who simply play to our anger. That's where Hitler came from. That's where Trump came from. That's where Doug Ford came from. And we're seeing it in France, Ukraine...... That's what happens when... more »
WHAT THAT ANN COULTER INTERVIEW SAYS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF A TRUMP PRIMARY CHALLENGER IN 2020
Don't worry if you haven't read Frank Bruni's Ann Coulter interview in *The New York Times* -- there's very little news in it. If it's noteworthy at all, it's primarily because she's calling herself a "Former Trumper." Bruni writes: A week ago, when [Trump] signed a $1.3 trillion spending bill with nothing for his promised border wall, [Coulter's] frustrations with him, expressed frequently in her syndicated columns, turned into fury. “Congratulations, President Schumer!” she tweeted to more than 1.9 million followers. She also fantasized on Twitter about his impeachment. During a... more »
Lake Chad Might Be Shrinking, But It Has Nothing To Do With Climate Change
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? ? Lake Chad vanishing? Must be climate change!. ? Lake Chad – a source of water to millions of people in West Africa – has shrunk by nine-tenths due to climate change, population growth and irrigation. But can a scheme dating…
Murders in London Overtake New York for First Time Since 1800 Under Sadiq Khan
Some news that the BBC won't report. 'London has overtaken New York City for number of murders for the first time in over 200 years under the mayoralty of Labour's Sadiq Khan. Britain's multicultural capital edged ahead of the American city — once so notorious for its high crime rates that it was chosen as the setting for Charles Bronson's *Death Wish –*– in February, *The Times*reports. London saw 15 killings to New York's 14 over the course of the month, and appears to have outstripped 'Gotham' yet again in March, with 22 killings to 21. Historically, London has had a murder rat... more »
The U.S.Navy Wants To Build 3 Virginia-Class Attack Submarines Per Year
The nation’s newest and most advanced nuclear-powered attack submarine and the lead ship of its class, PCU Virginia (SSN 774) returns to the General Dynamics Electric Boat shipyard following the successful completion of its first voyage in open seas called "alpha" sea trials. July 30, 2004 ( Wikipedia) *Warrior Maven:* *Navy Seeks to Rev Up to Building 3 Attack Submarines Per Year* The Navy hopes to increase its current submarine construction op-tempo and build as many as three attack submarines. The Navy hopes to increase its current submarine construction op-tempo and build as m... more »
Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. - Lana Payne offers her take on the need for Canada to catch up to the rest of the developed world in providing social supports: Canada is sitting at a dismal 17 per cent, down at the bottom of the pack with Ireland, Israel, and Latvia. No bragging rights here. Indeed, Canada doesn’t even reach the OECD average of 21 per cent. It was a surprising finding for many who follow such things. Perhaps it shouldn’t have been though considering what’s been happening in Canada for the past 20 years or so and the dominant narrative that Canada just can’t... more »
Russia And China Are Starting To Co-Develop New Weapons Systems
Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan (3rd-R) meets with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu (3rd-L) in Moscow, Russia, on April 27, 2016. (Xinhua/Dai Tianfang) *Dave Majumdar, National Interest*: *Russia and China Are Now Building Weapons Together* Russia and China are drawing closer together as Moscow faces further isolation from the West. Indeed, the two great powers are starting to co-develop new weapons systems. One such example is a new drone that would be launched from a multiple launch rocket system. "Joint experimental design work with the Chinese side is underway," T... more »
Breaking: Russia claims Skripal poisoning to be false-flag operation, was done to compensate for UK’s insignificance in European affairs
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:40 P.M.) – The Russian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Alexander Yakovenko, has officially accused British intelligence of carrying out the Sergei Skripal poisoning – since blamed on Russian spies. According to the Russian ambassador, there are two motivations for the false-flag attack by British intelligence: first, that the UK is trying to cover […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Confirmed: US, UK soldiers killed in Manbij IED attack – names
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:14 P.M.) – On Thursday, two troops of the US-led anti-ISIS coalition task force in Syria were killed and another 5 wounded when a patrol hit an IED (improvised explosive device) somewhere in the area of Manbij city. The two coalition troops killed in action have been identified as US Army soldier Master […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Confirmed: Syrian Army drives back huge ISIS offensive on key city and airbase in Deir Ezzor, massive weapons loot not true
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:39 P.M.) – Reports have been circulating since the night of Saturday to Sunday that Islamic State forces in eastern Syria have launched a partially successful offensive against the Syrian Army at the Euphrates city of Abu Kamal and at the T-2 airbase. Some reports suggested that terrorist fighters managed to infiltrate the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Update: 2 high-ranking Jaysh al-Islam leaders suddenly killed in Damascus’ Douma city, reports of assassination
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:50 P.M.) – Confirmed reports have emerged stating that two rebel commanders belonging to Jaysh al-Islam have been killed in Damascus’ eastern district city of Douma. The slain rebel leaders have been identified as Jaysh al-Islam management chief Abu Ali Idara and treasury chief Abu Omar Maliyah. At the present time, it is […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Update: Many thousands of Syrian Army, civilian hostages to be released by Jaysh al-Islam – details
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:27 P.M.) – With an agreement finally reached between the Syrian government and Jaysh al-Islam fighters holding out in the East Ghouta city of Douma, many thousands of Syrian Army and civilian hostages being held by the rebel group are expected to be released soon. According to Al-Masdar News journalist Ibrahim Joudeh, Jaysh […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Graphic: Nusra commander filled full of bullets during ambush by 5 masked gunmen in Idlib
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:55 P.M.) – A commander of Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate group Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (better known by its former name, Al-Nusra Front) has been gruesomely assassinated by unknown assailants in Idlib province. The Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham official, identified as Harb Abu Sa’eed, was both a commander and the militant group’s treasury chief for financial […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Breaking: Douma rebels reach agreement with Syrian government, Russian forces to enter city – details
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:27 P.M.) – Rebel forces holding out in the district city of Douma in Damascus’ East Ghouta region have reached a Russian-mediated agreement with the Syrian government after a week of back-and-forth bickering. According to reports, some Jaysh al-Islam militants from Douma will be evacuated to the town of Jarablus (under the control […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
WATCH: Body Cam Shows Cop Try to Stop Unarmed Man from Fleeing By Shooting Him
[image: body] Disturbing body camera footage was recently released showing a North Carolina cop dump 8 rounds into a unarmed fleeing man's car during a traffic stop. The post WATCH: Body Cam Shows Cop Try to Stop Unarmed Man from Fleeing By Shooting Him appeared first on The Free Thought Project.
NYPD Cops So Bad, Lawmakers Forced to Ban Them from Having Sex With People They Arrest
[image: nypd] Cops having sex with people they arrest was previously legal and became such a problem that lawmakers in New York were forced to pass legislation to make NYPD cops stop raping detainees. The post NYPD Cops So Bad, Lawmakers Forced to Ban Them from Having Sex With People They Arrest appeared first on The Free Thought Project.
Lake Chad Might Be Shrinking, But It Has Nothing To Do With Climate Change
By Paul Homewood Lake Chad vanishing? Must be climate change!. Lake Chad – a source of water to millions of people in West Africa – has shrunk by nine-tenths due to climate change, population growth and irrigation. But can a scheme dating back to the 1980s save it? "It’s a ridiculous plan […]
Hey, I know that guy!
Yep, that is Bill "Dropzone" Fulton marching with folks who want more comprehensive gun laws in this country. Man has he come a long way since he was this guy. To be fair Bill was more or less working undercover at this time infiltrating Right Wing militia groups for the FBI. Still, he did kind of like guns. However over the years he has mellowed out a ton. In fact lately he has been calling for a repeal of the 2nd Amendment on his Twitter account. Just goes to show that people can grow and evolve, you know if you believe in all that evolution hooey. Here is the article that ac... more »
Review Dodge, Toby, Inventing Iraq: The Failure of Nation Building and a History Denied
*Review Dodge, Toby, **Inventing Iraq: The Failure of Nation Building and a History Denied**, New York: Columbia University Press, 2003* The Americans would have been well served to have read *Inventing Iraq* during their occupation of the country. Toby Dodge wrote the book attempting to explain the ideology largely based upon stereotypes of the Ottoman Empire and colonial territories that shaped British rule during the Mandate period from 1920-32. Those ideas mixed with budget constraints and fading interest in London combined to undermine the creation of the modern state the Engl... more »
Is China’s New Stealth Fighter About To Surpass The U.S. F-22 Raptor?
J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter jet. Chinese Military Review *The Diplomat:* *How China’s New Stealth Fighter Could Soon Surpass the US F-22 Raptor* *The J-20’s rapidly evolving combat capabilities could make it a world leading aerial warfare platform.* China’s Chengdu J-20 fifth generation air superiority fighter first entered service in early 2017, providing the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) with an analog to the U.S. F-22 Raptor. The platform was the first fifth generation fighter to enter service anywhere in the world outside the United States, and came equippe... more »
73 Years Ago Today On Easter Sunday The Battle For Okinawa Began
*Hans A. von Spakovsky, Daily Signal*: *Another Reason to Remember the Easter and Passover Weekend* As we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Jewish Passover, we should keep in our prayers and remembrances the many Americans who fought and sacrificed during that same time 73 years ago in the Battle of Okinawa. The event was Operation Iceberg. It was the bloodiest battle and the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II. On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, the Navy’s Fifth Fleet under Admiral Raymond Spruance attacked the Japanese-held island. They were joined by a... more »
This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 1
1941 PM Hashemi deposed in Golden Square officers coup after Hashemi tried to remove them (Musings On Iraq article on 1941 coup) 1941 Army surrounded royal palace Regent escaped to Anbar with help of US ambassador Nuri al-Said and other pro-British politicians fled Iraq 1941 US and England believed Iraq coup part of German plan in coordination with invasion of Balkans and Libya Wasn’t 1941 Golden Square officers thought British were plotting against them 1975 Iraqi amnesty offer to Kurdish rebels and army deserters expired 1975 Iran closed borde... more »
Musings On Iraq In The News
I was quoted by Paul Iddon in "What's behind the PKK withdrawal from Sinjar" in Al Araby. That article was reprinted in Mepa News. I was cited by Aron Lund in "How Washington Learned to Love Haidar al-Abadi" for The Century Foundation. Paul Iddon quoted me again in "Iraqi and Syrian deployments hinder Turkish operations against Kurds" in Rudaw.
The Taliban Are Effectively Using U.S. Night-Vision Goggles In Their Attacks Against Afghan Security Forces
U.S. soldiers are seen through night-vision goggles in the Korengal Valley in 2009. With night-vision devices now in Taliban hands, American commanders may opt to lift restrictions on supplying them to Afghan government forces. (TYLER HICKS/NYT) *Seattle Times/New York Times*: *The Taliban Have Gone High-Tech. That Poses a Dilemma for the U.S.* *U.S. commanders have been forced to consider loosening restrictions on access to night-vision devices for Afghan forces, even though they fear the equipment could be lost or sold underground* WASHINGTON — Once described as an ill-equipped ... more »
Afghans Will Go To The Polls On October 20 For Parliamentary Elections
Afghan elections 2005. Wikimedia *RFE:* *Afghanistan Sets October Date For Parliamentary Elections * Afghanistan's election authorities have set October 20 as the date for long-delayed legislative and district council elections. Abdul Badi Sayad, chief of the Independent Election Commission (IEC), said on April 1 that the commission was confident the vote could go ahead despite the difficulties in areas controlled by the Taliban. "Afghan security forces have assured us they will carry out operations in insecure areas not in government control and to ensure security for people in t... more »
DoD Inspector General: Can’t Verify Where $3.1 Billion Was Spent In Afghanistan
*Long War Journal:* *Inspector General reveals DoD can’t verify where $3.1 billion was spent in Afghanistan* The DoD Inspector General (IG) revealed in a report last week that military authorities could not confirm whether the $3.1 billion in funding for the Afghan government fulfilled its intended purposes. According to the report, insufficient US oversight and Afghan capability led to mismanagement and an overall lack of assurance as to exactly where DoD funds ended up. The funding provided by Combined Security Transition Command–Afghanistan (CSTC-A) to the Afghan Ministry of Def... more »
Whether Or Not
When Fox News stalwart Laura Ingraham mocked gun control advocate David Hogg this week, Hogg did not take the insult lying down. Jennifer Rubin writes: Rather than return her juvenile taunt in kind, the 17-year-old Hogg rose above it — and then used his new-found fame to summon an advertiser boycott of her show, “The Ingraham Angle.” She apologized, grudgingly and weirdly. “Any student should be proud of a 4.2 GPA — incl. @DavidHogg111. On reflection, in the spirit of Holy Week, I apologize for any upset or hurt my tweet caused him or any of the brave victims of Parkland,” she beg... more »
Russian Ministry of Defence Shares Evidence That The Soviet Union Shot Down A SR-71 Blackbird Spy Plane In 1983
*Hush-Kit:* *Russia reveals wreckage of US Blackbird spyplane shot down in 1983* Western observers stunned as Russian Ministry of Defence shares evidence that a US spyplane was shot down over the USSR during the Cold War. The shoot-down of the seemingly invulnerable jet, capable of flight at over 2,000mph, has not been acknowledged by either side until now. Yesterday, at a press conference in Moscow, Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation spokesperson Alexei Obmanov shared images and documents that conclusively prove a US SR-71 Blackbird spyplane was downed close to a rem... more »
EASTER SUNDAY – Down Tools: Redux Episode #227
*SUNDAY WIRE SHOW* | Update for this Easter Weekend... more »
Alabama Women Suing For Equal Pay Lack State Protection
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Amy Heatherly believes she would have been paid at least $50,000 more to do her job over the past five years if she had been a man. As the only female human resources director overseeing compensation at the University of Alabama’s main campus, Heatherly said she knew for years she was getting […]
VSU Joins Verizon STEM Initiative For Boys of Color
PETERSBURG, VA. – Virginia State University will be among 24 schools in a program that offers minority males from middle schools in Petersburg, Hopewell and Dinwiddie summer intensive courses in science, technology, engineering and math. The Verizon Innovative Learning program, the education initiative of the Verizon Foundation, works with historically Black colleges and universities and […]
Brown Receives Record Applications, Admits 2,566
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University’s Office of College Admission last week offered admission to 2,566 students, just 7 percent of 35,438 applicants, the largest applicant pool in the school’s history. The Class of 2022 includes 1,829 offers under regular decision and 737 in the early decision program. That’s 8 percent higher than the Class of […]
Is Russia Getting Ready to Sell India the Deadly S-400 Air Defense System?
*Dave Majumdar* *Security, * If so, New Delhi might be hit with U.S. sanctions. India and Russia have started to move forward on a potential purchase by New Delhi of the powerful S-400 air and missile defense system. However, India might come under American sanctions because of the new Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act that was recently signed to law. Depending on New Delhi’s reaction to those sanctions—which is very likely to be adverse—the U.S. Congress has unintentionally torpedoed any hope of solidifying a new strategic partnership with India as part of... more »
Get Ready, Russia: The Navy Wants to Build 3 Nuclear Attack Submarines Per Year
*Kris Osborn* *Security, * And China, too. The Navy hopes to increase its current submarine construction op-tempo and build as many as three Virginia-class submarines per year to more rapidly address the services’ attack submarine deficit. The previous status quo had been for the Navy to drop from building two Virginia-Class boats per year to one in the early 2020s when construction of the new Columbia-Class nuclear armed submarines begins. The service then moved to a plan to build two Virginia-class submarines and one Columbia-class submarine concurrently, according to finding... more »
73 Years Ago Today the Battle for Okinawa Began. It Was Hell on Earth.
*Hans A. von Spakovsky* *Security, * Military planners considered the capture of Okinawa and its airfields to be a crucial and necessary precondition for the invasion of the Japanese mainland. As we celebrate Easter Sunday and the Jewish Passover, we should keep in our prayers and remembrances the many Americans who fought and sacrificed during that same time 73 years ago in the Battle of Okinawa. The event was Operation Iceberg. It was the bloodiest battle and the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theater of World War II. On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, the Navy’s Fift... more »
South Korea Is Deploying Hyper-Precise Missiles to Protect Seoul from North Korea
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, Asia* Could it work? South Korea’s government would like nothing better than a peaceful, no-drama relationship with North Korea, and the administration of President Moon Jae-in clearly hopes that new talks with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un may de-escalate tensions. However, Seoul must also must prepare for the possibility of a second Korean war, and especially mitigate the damage that could be caused to the capital itself, which lies a little over thirty miles south of the Demilitarized Zone. North Korea maintain hundreds of long-range Koksan ... more »
Hitler's Jet Fighters Tried to Turn the Tide of World War II. They Failed (but Changed History Forever)
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* A plane before its time? The Germans knew the bombers were coming, and they prepared even as the U.S. 457th Bomber Group first assembled in the early morning sunlight over faraway London. That March 18, 1945, raid on Berlin included more than 1,220 Allied bombers and scores of North American P-51 Mustang fighters contending with heavy German flak and tangling with fast-flying German Messerschmitt Me-262 jet fighters employing air-to-air rockets operationally for the first time. *A Twelve-Thousand-Foot Jump* It was the last great air ... more »
Viral Video Exposes News Stations Across US Pumping Exact Same Scripted Fear into Viewers
[image: video] The anchors who were involved in the video have said that while they encouraged viewers to reach out with any concerns, they were told by Sinclair Broadcast Group, “corporate will monitor the comments and send replies to your audience on your behalf." The post Viral Video Exposes News Stations Across US Pumping Exact Same Scripted Fear into Viewers appeared first on The Free Thought Project.
New Memo to Prosecutors Reveals Law Allowing Gov’t to Execute LEGAL Marijuana Growers
[image: execute] Jeff Sessions' latest memo pushes prosecutors to seek the death penalty against drug dealers, including the ability of the government to execute owners of completely legal marijuana businesses. Seriously. The post New Memo to Prosecutors Reveals Law Allowing Gov’t to Execute LEGAL Marijuana Growers appeared first on The Free Thought Project.
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*A Quiet Win at the U.S. Department of Education* It’s been a tough stretch for Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. DeVos looked overmatched in a big 60 Minutes interview just when memories of her abysmal confirmation hearing were fading. She was rebuffed by a Republican Congress in the new federal budget, and she has struggled to make her case in heated debates over student discipline and school safety. The ensuing cascade of negative coverage has been unfortunate, not least because it obscures some of the quieter things that have gone right on DeVos’s watch. In a noteworthy ... more »
The South Korean Navy Wants A Nuclear Submarine
A South Korea-based think tank recommends the country model its nuclear attack submarine after the French Barracuda-class submarine because it is powered by low-enriched uranium. (DCNS) *The Warzone/The Drive*: *Why Would The South Korean Navy Be Eyeing A Nuclear Submarine Capability?* A nuclear boat would offer significant additional capabilities for the service, but could come at a high cost, practically and politically. South Korea’s Navy is looking into the practical and political feasibility of domestic design and production of a nuclear-powered submarine. The study comes ami... more »
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*Climate study shows Sahara getting bigger* *But does it? The journal article is much more interesting than the lay article below and the abstract ends with an admission that generalizations are difficult and shaky in this area so maybe I should really just leave it at that. I append the journal abstract to the lay summary below.The thing that bothers me is that the overall conclusions of this study appears to contradict what we have long heard about the Sahara -- namely that its green border -- the Sahel -- is expanding. So why the reversal?There is actually no reversal... more »
Dammit! I did not even get a chance to make fun of her yet.
By my count, that’s 2 races. https://t.co/Vy6nYW6QxV — amber ruffin (@ambermruffin) March 30, 2018 Courtesy of CNN: *"Clueless" star and former Fox News commentator Stacey Dash is withdrawing her congressional bid, a representative for the actress confirmed to CNN Friday. * *"After much prayer, introspection and discussions with my family, I am withdrawing my candidacy for California's 44th Congressional District," Dash said in an email statement to CNN. * *The news comes one month after the actress and outspoken Republican filed paperwork to run in California's 44th district, wh... more »
Starshatter - A Sci-Fi Novel by The Black Night
*Dozan’Re * The young Kil’ra Morale Officer looked at his new uniform with pride. He’d finished his apprenticeship in half the normal time, and been decorated with the Gold Honor Badge for achieving top scores in all disciplines. It was neatly pinned upon the breast of his beautiful dark grey uniform, worn by all Terran officers of the Corps, outshining the epaulets embossed with silver filigree and the platinum-covered buttons. But even those bright features stood out the least. His furry, tiger-like face stood at least three heads above the crowd of humans visiting the graduati... more »
Rosanne beats out Stormy
I was never a fan of the Rosanne show—when it came on the rerun channel, I always changed. Too much whining and yelling. So I didn’t watch the remake redux which has the media mavens all a twitter with hate and angst. 18.2 million viewers, a comedy with some poignant moments and it beat out Stormy (prostitute) interview in the numbers and rating game. From what I’ve heard on the filters, it shows family can disagree on politics and still love each other. Who knew? “Most of the sparring is between Roseanne and younger sister Jackie (Laurie Metcalf), who shows up at the Conner ... more »
Nancy Jacobson-- One Of DC's Many Faces Of Pure Evil Working Against America
*As bad as any Republican-- and more dishonest* A couple off days ago, a fine progressive candidate for Congress was making her pitch as to why Blue America should endorse her and mentioned, proudly, that she had been endorsed by EMILY’s List. I couldn’t resist asking her to read these posts that delve into the heart and soul of EMILY’s List. We don’t hold it against anyone because they’re endorsed by EMILY’s List-- after all, they don’t force candidates to take any abhorrent policy pledges the way the New Dems do-- but an endorsement from EMILY’s List isn’t a plus either. Sam with ... more »
Jeremy Corbyn's Labour Party and antisemitism
In an earlier post I raised some questions that should be asked of the Labour Party, how many Labour Party members were also members of antisemitic Facebook groups, being one. The Times has a very revealing article https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/exposed-jeremy-corbyns-hate-factory-kkh55kpgx that partly answers that question, not that the BBC will be reporting that. 'Twelve senior staff working for the Labour leader and the shadow chancellor, John McDonnell, are members of groups containing anti-semitic and violent comments, including praise for Adolf Hitler and threats to kill ... more »
Sunday morning music
Christ the Lord is risen today! Whatever your faith (or none), may the blessings of this Easter Sunday be yours in abundance. Peter
'Corbyn has finally been exposed for who and what he is... a venal, cowardly, anti-Semitic-enabling bully.'
Dan Hodges in The Mail www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-5566239/DAN-HODGES-Corbyns-Labour-isnt-bad-BNP-WORSE.html writes a corruscating piece on Jeremy Corbyn and his Labour Party. '... Corbyn has finally been exposed for who and what he is. Obviously the mask slipped a long, long time ago. But now he has been stripped bare. The avuncular, beneficent uncle has slunk away. In his place stands a venal, cowardly, anti-Semitic-enabling bully. His supporters have been exposed as well. His social media storm-troopers. His alt-media black propaganda arm. His army of Shadow Cabinet and... more »
Heaven Is A Place - An Insight from Magnus Ericsson
*To enlarge the image, just click on it.*
Labour Party 'not connected' to abusive anti-Jewish messages per BBC News
The BBC faithfully report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-43609296 the Labour Party line that they are not connected to the various antisemitic groups that have been revealed as having Labour Party figures as members. 'Labour has sought to distance itself from a series of pro-Jeremy Corbyn Facebook groups that feature anti-Semitic, racist and abusive comments. A report published in the Sunday Times claims to have uncovered more than 2,000 such messages, including misogynistic and violent posts. Among the messages was praise for Adolf Hitler and threats to kill Prime Minister... more »
A Geopolitical Psalm
You don’t necessarily have to be interested in the details of the lives of earthly kings, but no matter what, sooner or later, the decisions they make will affect you. The post A Geopolitical Psalm appeared first on OrientalReview.org.
Map update: Syrian Army liquidates 85 percent of East Ghouta pocket and banishes three rebel force groupings in month-long offensive
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:07 P.M.) – With the Syrian Army now in control of the districts of Jobar, Zamalka, Arbeen and Hazzah in Damascus’ East Ghouta region, some 85 percent of what was rebel-controlled territory east of the Syrian capital just over one month ago has since fallen to government forces. The Syrian Army ‘Damascus Steel’ […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Developing: Syrian Army rushes divisions fresh from victory in east Damascus battle towards Daraa
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:29 P.M.) – Following the Syrian Army’s virtual defeat of armed rebel groups in Damascus’ East Ghouta region, key divisions are now rushing towards Daraa province for a looming operation against militant factions there. According to Al-Masdar News journalist Ibrahim Joudeh, main elements of Syrian Army formations which participated in the East Ghouta […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
WATCH: Latest Houthi bomb attacks see Saudi Army soldier vaporized and vehicle literally blown off hilltop
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:30 A.M.) – Houthi rebels have targeted and destroyed a Saudi Army vehicle with a roadside bomb during an ambush operation carried out in the high-hills of the Arab kingdom’s southern Jizan region. According to sources, all Saudi military personnel present inside the army vehicle were killed either by the blast or as […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
VIDEO: Syrian Army takes full control of strategic national highway in Damascus littered with destroyed armor
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:55 A.M.) – Following its take over of the districts of Jobar, Zamalka and Arbeen from rebel forces (since evacuated to northwest Syria) on Saturday, the Syrian Army has now assumed full control of the entire section of M-5 national highway that runs through Damascus. For years, Syrian government forces controlled most of […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Turkey urges France to refrain from reckless steps in Syria – Defense Minister
Ankara calls on France not to take reckless steps in Syria, Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said. “We hope that France would not take such a reckless step,” Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli said as quoted by the Anadolu news agency. According to the minister, at the moment there is no need to deploy foreign […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Al-Qaeda offensive to seize imperative town in west Aleppo ends in abysmal failure with huge infantry, armor losses – details
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:20 A.M.) – Forces of Al-Qaeda affiliate militia Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (better known by its former name, Al-Nusra Front) have suffered a major defeat at the hands of rival Islamist group Jabhat Tahrir Souriya near the town of Maklabes in western Aleppo province. According to opposition sources, Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham has endured many dozens […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
VIDEO: Huge Russian thermobaric bomb incinerates Nusra courthouse in Idlib near border with Turkey, many jihadists neutralized
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:55 A.M.) – Video footage (below) has emerged showing the moment that Russian warplanes carried out a precision strike against a Sharia (Islamic law) courthouse belonging to Syrian Al-Qaeda affiliate Ha’yat Tahrir al-Sham (better known by its former name, Al-Nusra Front) in Idlib province near the Turkish border. The bombing was just one […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Russian Easter Eggs, Oligarchs, And Trump
Fabergé Resurrection Egg owned by Russian Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg Photo by Testus, CC-BY-SA-4.0, cropped. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_(Fabergé_egg) Trump Commerce Secretary pick, Wilbur … Continue reading →
Did Russia Arrest Oligarch (Magomedov) In Order To Expropriate Novorossiysk Commercial Sea Port Without Compensation?
A Russian oligarch was arrested on Saturday. Why? One logical guess would be so that Russian State owned Transneft could … Continue reading →
Happy Easter heathens!
Y'all know the story. Jesus died. They buried him. He rose from the dead. And then he started biting people and that's how Christianity spread throughout the world. I may be a little hazy on the specifics, and I HAVE been watching a lot of zombie movies, but I think that's the gist. Personally I do not think it is all that weird that Easter fell on April Fool's Day this year. After all I have been calling it a fool's holiday for decades. But still, in the interest of human fellowship, I hope you have a great holiday. And stay away from those Peeps, I have it on good authority ... more »
Autism At The Foot of the Cross
By Cathy Jameson I know that our readers come from many different backgrounds – both religiously and politically, but today, today is a day that Christians around the world celebrate new life, new hope, and a new beginning. It’s Easter,...
Easter Sermonette (a confession)
I am not prejudiced by race or non-violent faith, by national origin or by circumstances of birth - but I can not effing tolerate STUPID PEOPLE. Right behind the stupid are the chronically rude. My lack of tolerance for idiots is compounded when they work to take away rights or tell me how to live my life. I've been trying to be more tolerant of the moronic, imbecilic actions of the chronically stupid and it's been a struggle. Watching less news has helped incrementally. Ignoring politics to the extent possible, given what I do for a living, has also helped. I am as tolerant as I... more »
Five Most Popular Posts in March
What were the most read posts in the month of March? It be these: 1. A Terrible Stalinist Purge 2. Corbynism and Anti-Semitism 3. 10 Points on Russia and British Politics 4. The Tories and Betrayal 5. Boris Johnson and Russia Given the obsession the media has had with the Labour Party this week, you could be forgiven for thinking there were no other news items hitting the agenda. And yet, objectively speaking, it was a tough one for the government saved only by the fog of war the press and, yes, the BBC threw over proceedings. The attempted murder of the Skripals saw Corbyn cast a ... more »
“Conservative” Gov. Kasich Praises Anti-gun March; Gets Liberal-NeoCon Boost for 2020 White House Bid
[image: conservative-gov-kasich-praises-anti-gun-march-gets-liberal-neocon-boost-for-2020-white-house-bid] Ohio Governor John Kasich praises the “March for Our Lives” attack on gun ownership. No wonder he’s the GOP darling of CNN, MSNBC, BuzzFeed, the *New York Times*, *The Weekly Standard*, Jorge Ramos, and Bill Maher.
Midnight Meme Of The Day!
*by Noah* Trumpanzee prides himself on his tremendous capacity, the best capacity, for stating lies and otherwise misleading his gullible followers. Trump's ability to lie is the best that America has ever seen. His ability to issue insane tweets is also beyond compare, and he usually manages to combine his two talents well. Truly, he has "the best words." The basic "thought" that Trumpanzee expressed in the above tweet is already being shared enthusiastically by republicans across the country. Hating knowledge and devoid of critical thinking, many of them are now assuming that J... more »
This Timelapse Video From Antarctica Puts The Flat-Earth Argument To An End?!
This Timelapse Video From Antarctica Puts The Flat-Earth Argument To An End?! | Disclose.tv https://www.disclose.tv/this-timelapse-video-from-antarctica-puts-the-flat-earth-argument-to-an-end-329453 Advertisements
Scientists have discovered a way to destroy cancer tumors using nothing but sound waves.
Scientists have discovered a way to destroy cancer tumors using nothing but sound waves – NaturalNews.com https://www.naturalnews.com/2017-03-29-scientists-have-discovered-a-way-to-destroy-cancer-tumors-using-nothing-but-sound-waves.html
Giant Deluges
There is presently a move afoot for another radical compression of ancient history among a group I am associated. Somewhat unrelated is figuring out what to make of the mention of giants in ancient history from various sources such as … Continue reading →
U.N. Blacklists 27 Ships And 21 Companies For Helping North Korea Avoid Sanctions
*Reuters:* U.N. blacklists dozens of ships, companies over North Korea smuggling UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations Security Council blacklisted dozens of ships and shipping companies on Friday over oil and coal smuggling by North Korea, boosting pressure on Pyongyang as leader Kim Jong Un plans to meet with his South Korean and U.S. counterparts. The council’s North Korea sanctions committee acted on a request by the United States, designating 21 shipping companies — including five based in China — 15 North Korean ships, 12 non-North Korean ships and a Taiwanese man.... more »
Tweets For Today
Russia more than doubles number of UK diplomats expelled in spy poisoning row https://t.co/oGWaFQPLcW — BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) March 31, 2018 Syrian army declares victory as rebels vacate most of Ghouta. https://t.co/c5IYpnNwgX — The Associated Press (@AP) March 31, 2018 New footage shows the interior of Kim Jong Un's armored train https://t.co/FX6zCTLolv pic.twitter.com/KZROGLoLPj — CNN International (@cnni) March 30, 2018 China says Tiangong-1 space station to enter Earth's atmosphere on Monday https://t.co/1rVuSyWEyX pic.twitter.com/GnQBBLkGTS — Reuters Top News (@R... more »
"The Web Gallery of Art"
"The Web Gallery of Art" "The Web Gallery of Art is a virtual museum and searchable database of European painting and sculpture of the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassicism, Romanticism and Realism periods (1100-1850), currently containing over 44,800 reproductions. It was started in 1996 as a topical site of the Renaissance art, originated in the Italian city-states of the 14th century and spread to other countries in the 15th and 16th centuries. Intending to present Renaissance art as comprehensively as possible, the scope of the collection was later extended to show its M... more »
Car crash kills, injures scores of evacuated militants en route to Idlib
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (5:30 A.M.) – At least 6 militants were killed, 20 others injured when their bus collided with another car while their convoy was heading to Idlib. A bus carrying rebel fighters who left East Ghouta pocket to the country’s northwestern province of Idlib hit a mini truck loaded with vegetables. The two following […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Stephen Hawking writes a post-mortem paper
Stephen Hawking had a funeral in Cambridge yesterday. Some 500 people attended. I think that the family members were wise not to completely destroy the body because it could also include the soul. Hours later, the decision already produced its fruits. Stephen Hawking just posted a new paper to the arXiv: Imaginary time as a path to resurrection (screenshot) It's just five pages long but it's using some very hard mathematics so I haven't had the time to fully comprehend it yet. The abstract looks simple and intriguing, however: We exploit the machinery of imaginary time to circ... more »
A Look At North Korea's Nuclear Threat (In 3 Charts)
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects the intermediate-range ballistic missile Pukguksong-2's launch test in this undated photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency, May 22, 2017. KCNA | Reuters *CNBC:* *North Korea's growing nuclear threat – in 3 charts* * Since 2011, Kim Jong Un has fired more than 90 missiles and conducted four nuclear weapons tests. * North Korea remains the only nation to test nuclear weapons in this century. While the details of the unprecedented summit between President Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un begin to take shape, experts are remindin...more »
Picture Of The Day
*Hornet Launching* An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Persian Gulf, March 19, 2018. The pilots are assigned to Strike Fighter Attack Squadron 22. Theodore Roosevelt and its carrier strike group are deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations to reassure allies and partners and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew Langholf *WNU Editor:* The above picture is from this ... more »
Alice Embree : ‘The Rag’ in Paris
By Alice Embree | The Rag Blog | April 1, 2018 “The Rag in Paris,” was the subject line of an e-mail from Chilean doctoral student Manuel Suzarte. He is pictured at a table. Projected on a screen behind him … finish reading Alice Embree : ‘The Rag’ in Paris
Alice Embree : METRO EVENT | DSA to screen ‘She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry’ at the Alamo Mueller
By Alice Embree | The Rag Blog | March 31, 2018 Event: Screening of ‘She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry’ When: Tuesday, April 17, 2018, 7 p.m. Where: Alamo Drafthouse Mueller Address: 1911 Aldrich Street, Austin, TX 78723 Sponsor: Feminist Action … finish reading Alice Embree : *METRO EVENT* | DSA to screen ‘She’s Beautiful When She’s Angry’ at the Alamo Mueller
Japan's Foreign Minister Is Claiming That North Korea Is Preparing Another Nuclear Test
Photo Credit: Damir Sagolj/Reuters via rtp.pt *Nikkei Asian Review:* *Japan's Kono hints at North Korea nuclear activity amid easing tensions* TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Foreign Minister Taro Kono suggested Saturday there are signs North Korea is preparing to again test a nuclear weapon, even as tensions on the Korean Peninsula are easing ahead of summit talks between the leaders of the two Koreas. North Korea appears to be "working hard to get ready for the next nuclear test," Kono said in a lecture in Kochi city, referring to soil removal from the tunnel at the nuclear test site where pas... more »
Trump Will Never Tweet That He Has Decided To Institute Fascism Per Se
The regime is moving at break-neck speed to set its neo-fascist agenda in cement and change the country fundamentally. “Billboards. TV campaigns. Radio programs. The anti-immigrant government… uses different levers to influence public opinion… Even school textbooks… [T]he far-right leader’s message is now woven into the school curriculum.” The country’s Constitution has been re-written and the judiciary reshaped. The leader’s appointees or supporters dominate many artistic institutions and universities. A growing number of plays and exhibitions have had nationalist undertones. Rel... more »
“The Future Ain't What It Used To Be”
*“The Future Ain't What It Used To Be”* by Chris Martenson "This marks our our 10th year of doing this. And by “this”, we mean using data, logic and reason to support the very basic conclusion that infinite growth on a finite planet is impossible. Surprisingly, this simple, rational idea - despite its huge and fast-growing pile of corroborating evidence - still encounters tremendous pushback from society. Why? Because it runs afoul of most people's deep-seated belief systems. Our decade of experience delivering this message has hammered home what behavioral scientists have been tel... more »
Russia Tells The U.K. To Cut Its Diplomatic Staff By 50
*The National/AFP*: *Russia demands UK cut over 50 diplomats in new tit-for-tat move* The call is seen as Moscow's retaliation to the mass coordinated expulsion of Russian diplomatic staff by the UK's allies following a nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England. Russia demanded on Saturday that Britain further slash its diplomatic presence as a crisis in ties between Moscow and the West escalated over a nerve agent attack on a former spy. The call came after 23 British diplomats were kicked out of Russia earlier this month and is seen as Moscow's retaliation to the mass coordinate... more »
Israel Loses A Drone In Lebanon, The Fourth This Year
A photo on local media claims to show the crash site of an Israeli drone that went down in Lebanon, March 31, 2018 (screenshot) *Times of Israel:* *Israeli drone crashes in Lebanon due to malfunction* Army says no sensitive info lost in incident; according to Al-Manar, spy plane was destroyed by second aircraft after going down in country's south An Israeli drone on Saturday crashed in Lebanese territory due to a technical malfunction, the Israeli army said. The IDF said the incident was being investigated, and added that no sensitive information had been lost due to the crash. H... more »
Russia Plans to Completely Overhaul Its Deadly Tupolev Tu-160 Bomber Fleet by 2030
*Zachary Keck* *Security, Europe* Will it have the cash to do it? Russia plans to completely overhaul its Tupolev Tu-160 bomber fleet by 2030, Moscow announced this week. “We are going to purchase the entire fleet of our strategic Tu-160 bombers in their new version and carry out heavy upgrade of operational aircraft where only the fuselage will remain while all the onboard radio-electronic equipment and engines will be replaced,” Deputy Defense Minister Yuri Borisov said on March 28, according to Russian media outlets. “That is why, we will get the renewed fleet of strategic a... more »
These 5 Wonder Weapons Were Hitler's Plan to Save Nazi Germany. They Failed.
*Warfare History Network* *History, Europe* But they may have changed history. During Germany’s early string of victories between 1939 and 1941, Hitler informed the members of the nation’s aerospace industry that he had decided to impose new restrictions on aircraft research and development. However, by 1942 the Führer and his Air Force High Command (Oberkommando der Luftwaffe) had recognized their mistake. With the increasing weakness in the fighter arm, Hitler saw that his old faithful aircraft like the Messerschmitt Me-109 were losing ground to the new Allied long-range fight... more »
Here's Why Taiwan Wants America's F-35
*Zachary Keck* *Security, Asia* How would China respond? Two U.S. senators are pushing the Trump administration to sell F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to Taiwan. In a letter addressed to Trump on March 26, Sens. John Cornyn and James Inhofe urged the president to sell Taiwan the F-35B fighter jets. If that could not be arranged, Cornyn and Inhofe said Washington should sell Taipei the F-16V. “The survivability of the F35B and modern long-range sensors could help Taiwan intercept Chinese missiles, promoting deterrence well into the next decade. The F-35B would not only provide a mo... more »
Why Russia's Armata Tank Could Take on NATO's Best (and Not Even Need a Crew to Fight)
*Charlie Gao* *Security, Europe* Yes, it could come in "robot" format. The T-14 Armata, Russia’s next-generation tank, is finally nearing readiness. However, information on recent development has been scarce. A recent interview in February 2018 with Vyacheslav Khalitov, the deputy director of Uralvagonzavod (UVZ), has shed some light on what progress the Armata has made since its last public display. It also gave some information on the Koalitsiya-SV self-propelled howitzer (SPH) project, and the Armata’s derivative T-15 Heavy Infantry Fighting Vehicle (HIFV) project. The prima... more »
The Army's 'Military Review' Just Declared that America Was Defeated in Syria
*Task and Purpose* *Security, Middle East* Could this be true? I was interested to see in an article in the new issue of “Military Review,” a publication of the U.S. Army, conclude that, “Russia appears to have won at least a partial victory in Syria, and done so with impressive efficiency, flexibility, and coordination between military and political action.” Looking at Putin, the article states that “the Russian campaign might be judged a qualified success from the standpoint of the Kremlin’s own objective.” As for the United States, Saudi Arabia and Jordan, the authors (who ... more »
This Is How Trump Can Successfully Navigate the China Trade Trap
*Peter Harrell* *Economics, Asia* Trump cannot let his administration be bought off by Beijing’s initial concessions if he wants to reverse years of American failure in pressing China to change its economic practices. Foreign-policy experts and America’s allies have roundly criticized President Trump’s new tariffs and investment restrictions as a potential opening salvo in a global trade war. But at least rhetorically, the Trump administration argues that its goal is not simply to protect American industries from foreign competition. Rather, the Trump administration argues that ... more »
Why the U.S. Government Is No Longer Capable of Ensuring National Security
*Russell W. Glenn, Ian M. Sullivan* *Security, North America* [image: U.S. President Donald Trump addresses members of U.S. military services and Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF) at U.S. Air Force Yokota Air Base in Fussa, on the outskirts of Tokyo, Japan] Does America's system of government prevent it from winning the wars of the future? *The U.S. government as currently structured and regulated is unable to guarantee the security of its country. This is true both in terms of wars involving combat with a peer or near-peer competitor and what we will here call “conditional-peer” t... more »
Break and Remake the U.S. Navy Surface Fleet
*James Holmes* *Security, North America* [image: The USS Wasp joins other U.S. Navy vessels in maneuvering around Hurricane Maria before eventually returning to assist the U.S. Virgin Islands, in the Caribbean Sea] Why did it take a series of shipboard disasters to jolt the U.S. Navy into reforming the training regimen? So Adm. Phil Davidson, the commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, has come out in favor of longer, more rigorous training before aspiring surface warfare officers step aboard their first ships. Good, and not a moment too soon. But let’s ask why it took a series o... more »
Say hello to the Petroyuan
As the dollar has been consistently dropping in value, it really didn't need any help from China More The post Say hello to the Petroyuan appeared first on The Duran.
Syrian Army’s announces official control over East Ghouta towns (video)
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:40 A.M.) – Chief of the General Staff of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) Ali Mayhoub announced that his troops established full control over “all Eastern Ghouta cities and villages in Damascus country,” during a televised address on Saturday. “It obliterated hundreds of terrorists and destroyed their headquarters, gatherings, fortifications, weapons and machines, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Breaking: Jaysh Al-Islam announces preliminary agreement with Russia in Douma
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:50 A.M) – Jaysh Al-Islam announced tonight that they have reached a preliminary agreement with the Russian Reconciliation Center that would allow for the latter to transport their critical wounded fighters to northern Syria. Based on the details of the agreement, Jaysh Al-Islam will allow Russia to transport their wounded fighters to Idlib […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
Syrian Army to officially launch southern Syria offensive
BEIRUT, LEBANON (1:30 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) will be officially launching their southern Syria offensive in the coming weeks, a military source told Al-Masdar News this evening. According to the military source, most of the Syrian Army units that participated in the East Ghouta offensive will now partake in the operations in […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز
That's a good question
Seen on Gab, in reference to the DREAM Act debate: That's a pretty good question, if you ask me! What about it, Mr. Iger? Peter
Power and Contemporary Politics: A Martian Perspective
"The humans have a bifurcated social structure that divides them into two major groups. The first group, the majority of the population, appears to do most of the productive work in their economy. With respect to the second, much smaller group, a tiny fraction owns almost all of the wealth and occupies most positions of economic and political authority at the highest, directorial levels; the rest occupy bureaucratic positions in the lower operational levels of their State, or positions in the judiciary and above all, the apparatuses of public education and communication." "A strik... more »
Another Violent Day On The Gaza - Israel Border
*Daily Mail*: *Palestinians prepare for fresh protests as funerals begin for 16 people killed by Israeli forces in Gaza's bloodiest day for four years - as Israel threatens to target 'terror organisations'* * Protesters are preparing for further demonstrations near the Israel-Palestine border following violent clashes * Thousands of Palestinians have gathered in tent encampments set up across five sites for the six-week protest * Israel has defended its soldiers who opened fire on demonstrators, killing 16 and injuring more than 1,400 Palestinians are preparing for further protests... more »
The U.S. Army Wants A Better Protection For Its Tanks
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ason Forsyth *WNU Editor*: Two articles that outlines how the U.S. Army wants to better protect its tanks .... *The Army Wants This Modular, Universal System To Shield Its Armor From Rockets And Missiles* -- *The Warzone/The Drive* The Modular Active Protection System will be able to run multiple types of protection systems and could pave the way for networked defenses. The U.S. Army has hired Lockheed Martin to continue development of a universal control system that will be able to run current and future active protection systems to defend a variety of veh... more »
I finally know what in the hell Roseanne Barr is tweeting about. And I wish I didn't.
President Trump has freed so many children held in bondage to pimps all over this world. Hundreds each month. He has broken up trafficking rings in high places everywhere. notice that. I disagree on some things, but give him benefit of doubt-4 now. — Roseanne Barr (@therealroseanne) March 31, 2018 Okay so that tweet has been sent to me a number of times since yesterday, but I had no fucking idea what she was referring to so I did not know what to post about it. Well now I know. Courtesy of Newsweek: *The tweet seems to allude to a conspiracy theory known as The Storm, which eme... more »
It's Hard To Imagine Duncan Hunter, Jr. Going Back To Congress In 2019
CA-50 is one of the last conservative Republican districts in California. Obama lost it both times-- badly-- and Trump beat Hillary 54.6% to 39.6%. The PVI is R+11. Duncan Hunter, Sr and Duncan Hunter, Jr-- two very crooked, self-entitled Republican assholes have held the district for 38 conservative years. Political education is very low and many people don't realize that Hunter I has been replaced by Hunter II. The district is what's left over in San Diego County after all the beautiful and desirable parts were divided up among other districts. Aside from Temecula and Escondido ... more »
The U.S. Military Has 3,822 Nuclear Weapons
*Michael Peck, National Interest:* *The U.S. Military Has 3,822 Nuclear Weapons. (Enough Firepower to Kill Billions)* In a more peaceful universe, the fact that the United States possesses almost 4,000 weapons that can destroy entire cities would be horrifying. But in our universe, it is actually an encouraging sign of how much America's nuclear arsenal has declined since the Cold War. As of 2017, the U.S. had 3,822 nuclear weapons, according to data just declassified by the Department of Energy. That's down from 4,018 in 2016. That number does not include weapons that have been r... more »
For The Past Five Months China Had Completely Cut-Off North Korea From Petrol Products And Other Vital Supplies
China's President Xi Jinping (R) shaking hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing on March 27. Data suggests China might have used its economic clout to ensure it remained at the heart of international negotiations involving North Korea Credit: AFP *The Telegraph:* *China turns the screw on North Korea by cutting its petrol supply, report says* China has turned off the tap on crucial goods for North Korea in a bid to pile on economic pressure as South and North Korean leaders prepare for an unprecedented diplomatic summit this April, and hopes for May talks between t... more »
X22 Report, “Liquidity Crisis Headed Our Way,The Economic Warning Signs Are Everywhere”
X22 Report, “Liquidity Crisis Headed Our Way, The Economic Warning Signs Are Everywhere” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUFtQTtIHRM
Musical Interlude: Neil H., “Candlelight Dreams”
Neil H., “Candlelight Dreams” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ysoh_adCr8
Musical Interlude, 1968: Mason Williams, “Classical Gas”; Paul Mauriat, "Love Is Blue"
Mason Williams, “Classical Gas” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhMuCiAe6vA Paul Mauriat, "Love Is Blue" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6cPXvTqasg
"A Look to the Heavens"
"A gorgeous spiral galaxy some 100 million light-years distant, NGC 1309 lies on the banks of the constellation of the River (Eridanus). NGC 1309 spans about 30,000 light-years, making it about one third the size of our larger Milky Way galaxy. Bluish clusters of young stars and dust lanes are seen to trace out NGC 1309's spiral arms as they wind around an older yellowish star population at its core. *Click image for larger size.* Not just another pretty face-on spiral galaxy, observations of NGC 1309's recent supernova and Cepheid variable stars contribute to the calibration of the... more »
I went down to buy a beer today ...
... and of course I was stopped by a group of religious trolls who'd caught the ear of a bully with a clipboard, working when no-one else is allowed to. Fortunately, you can still get a cold one down at the Pop Up Globe. Despite the best efforts of the grey ones. [Cartoon by Nick Kim, courtesy of *The Free Radical*] . Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Permission to republish is granted, with link and attribution.
Spy Case: Russia, United States Envoys Leave Washington, St. Petersburg
The moves were the latest in a spy poisoning case that has escalated East-West tensions, with both sides expelling more than 150 of each other’s diplomats from two dozen countries.
What the actual expletive deleted???
Courtesy of Vox Day, we learn of this message: Click the image for a larger view. Here's the critical sentence: *MPD received a permit application several months prior to the actual event, and there was several months of planning for this large event.* *WTF????* Permits for the March For Our Lives demonstration were applied for *several months before the Parkland shooting - which was allegedly the event giving rise to the march - had even happened?* Two possibilities come to mind: 1. The permit application was for use with a different demonstration, but was rapidly "re... more »
7 decades later, a Native American Marine's remains come home from Korea
A lifetime of mourning for a 74-year-old member of the Gila River Indian Community has come to an end. Laverne McAfee was finally able to welcome her father home. It was a day Laverne McAfee never expected. Her father, Sgt. Johnson McAfee Jr., who was killed in one of the Korean War's most brutal battles, received full military honors at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona on March 23. “We celebrate you today, sir,” said Bishop Rick Garrett, Sr. “We celebrate your life and we celebrate your accomplishments.” As six Marines carried a flag-draped coffin holding Sgt. McAfee’s ... more »
Indiana Wants to Euthanize Raccoons, Opossums, and Coyotes
A new rule being proposed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources would sign the death warrant for thousands of raccoons, opossums and coyotes across the state. The agency is considering changes to a current administrative rule that would require animal control workers to euthanize any of the three animals that they catch, rather than being allowed to catch and release them. That decision is currently left to the professional, with various regulations and limitations governing a release. The DNR and some animal control businesses say this change can help prevent nuisance pr... more »
Chet Raymo, "Lessons"
"Lessons" by Chet Raymo "There is a four-line poem by Yeats, called "Gratitude to the Unknown Instructors": "What they undertook to do They brought to pass; All things hang like a drop of dew Upon a blade of grass." Like so many of the short poems of Yeats, it is hard to know what the poet had in mind, who exactly were the unknown instructors, and if unknown how could they instruct. But as I opened my volume of The Poems this morning, at random, as in the old days people opened the Bible and pointed a finger at a random passage seeking advice or instruction, this is the poem that pr... more »
"For The Most Part..."
"Human beings never think for themselves, they find it too uncomfortable. For the most part, members of our species simply repeat what they are told- and become upset if they are exposed to any different view. The characteristic human trait is not awareness but conformity, and the characteristic result is religious warfare. Other animals fight for territory or food; but, uniquely in the animal kingdom, human beings fight for their 'beliefs.' The reason is that beliefs guide behavior, which has evolutionary importance among human beings. But at a time when our behavior may well lead ... more »
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