10:00 pm MDT
The Army And Marines Are Checking Their M4s And M16s For A Dangerous Glitch
*Task and Purpose, Jeff Schogol* *Security, * The Army alone will test a total of 903,000 rifles and carbines over the next 6 months and it expects repairs will take an additional 12 to 18 months. *TACOM has found the malfunction in 6 percent of 52,000 weapons tested so far, Walters said. The Army will test a total of 903,000 rifles and carbines over the next 6 months and it expects repairs will take an additional 12 to 18 months.* Both the Army and Marine Corps are checking their M4 carbines and M16 rifles for a malfunction with the selector switch that causes the weapons to f... more »
The Question the Navy Doesn’t Want to Ask: Is the Aircraft Carrier Obsolete?
*TNI Staff* *Security, * Let the debate begin. The United States Navy has the world’s largest aircraft carrier fleet with 10 Nimitz-class vessels and one Gerald R. Ford-class ship in service. Meanwhile, China has two carriers and is very likely to build more. The United Kingdom and India are also building aircraft carriers and Russia and France each have one such vessel. For navies around the world, the carrier is a symbol of prestige and power—much like the battleship before it. But are aircraft carrier still an effective tool of war or are they simply expensive white elephant... more »
Breaking: Saudi Coalition allegedly attacks UN boat off the coast of Yemen
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:50 A.M.) – The Saudi-led Coalition attacked a boat belonging to the United Nations after it left the Yemeni port-city of Hodeideh last night, pro-Houthi Masirah TV reported. Citing a source at the port, the Masirah TV report claimed that the boat was attempting to leave the Hodeideh harbor when it came under […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army launches big assault on jihadist forces in west Aleppo despite large Turkish military presence
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:30 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) unleashed a powerful assault against the Turkish-backed rebels in west Aleppo last night, a source from the military informed Al-Masdar News. According to the military source, the Syrian Army began the assault by launching a large number of artillery shells and missiles on the Islamist-held […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Hundreds of former East Ghouta residents request to return from northern Syria
BEIRUT, LEBANON (4:00 A.M.) – Hundreds of former residents from the East Ghouta region of Damascus have registered their names for reconciliation with the government after spending several weeks in rebel-held northern Idlib. According to a report from Damascus, the former residents of the East Ghouta are attempting to settle their cases with the government […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Russian Air Force receives latest training simulators for S-400 air defense systems
Russia’s Aerospace Forces have begun to receive the latest training simulators for the development of S-400 air defense missile systems, Mi-28N and Ka-52 combat helicopters, and Su-34 multipurpose air complexes, Colonel-General Sergei Surovikin told the journalists on Monday. “Currently, military units of the VKS are provided with modern training and facilities designed to train first-class […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Breaking: Heavy Israeli presence over Lebanese-Syrian border, Damascus on high alert
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:00 A.M.) – The Israeli Air Force is currently conducting several flights over the Syrian-Lebanese border amid fears of a potential attack in Syria, a military source in Damascus told Al-Masdar News According to the military source, the Israeli jets are currently flying over the Lebanese-Syrian border region inside the ‘Akkar District. The […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Facebook Investors Take Zuckerberg to Task
[image: facebook-investors-take-zuckerberg-to-task] Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is being forced to face the music over his social media company’s treatment of users’ data. In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal — in which as many as 87 million Facebook users had their data harvested and used to manipulate the 2016 election — Zuckerberg had to face his shareholders Thursday. It wasn’t pretty.
To Make America Great Again, We Must Make America States Again
[image: to-make-america-great-again-we-must-make-america-states-again] Federalism is the cure for the chaos and destruction of populism and statism.
U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis: ‘Bumpy Road’ Toward North Korea Nuclear Negotiations
*Reuters*: *Relief for North Korea only after clear, irreversible steps to denuclearization: Mattis* SINGAPORE (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Sunday North Korea will receive relief only after it takes clear and irreversible steps to end its nuclear program, adding it would be a bumpy road to a summit between U.S. and North Korean leaders. The comments sought to address concern the United States may be rushing to strike a breakthrough in the unprecedented summit between the two leaders after U.S. President Donald Trump put the meeting back on track for June ... more »
Neymar Scores in Triumphant Return to the Seleção
By Nelson Belen, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – On Sunday, June 3rd, the hopes of Brazilian football (soccer) fans around the world reached new heights as Neymar made his long-awaited return to the pitch scoring the opening goal in the Brazilian national team’s (seleção) 2-0 victory over Croatia in Liverpool, England. Yesterday’s pre-World […]
RUDY GIULIANI IS EFFECTIVELY DONALD TRUMP'S VICE PRESIDENT NOW
Rudy Giuliani has had quite a day. There was this: In an interview Sunday with ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos on "This Week," Rudy Giuliani discussed special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation of whether the president may have tried to obstruct justice in the probe of Russian efforts to interfere in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. When Stephanopoulos asked if the president has the power to pardon himself, Giuliani said he "probably does." And this: The president’s legal team is “leaning toward not” recommending he participate in an interview with the group in... more »
Dear Podesta, Thanks For Making Trump Possible!
E.M.Smith at Dear Podesta, Thanks For Making Trump Possible! – Musings from the Chiefio - 1 hour ago
Thank you Mr. Podesta and The DNC, for promoting Donald Trump. Without your efforts, it could not have been possible... more »
Is China About To Build An Arsenal Ship?
Popular Science *Task & Purpose*: *China's Navy Could Build the Ultimate Weapon: Arsenal Ships* The Chinese navy may be putting a new spin on a classic warship: It’s looking into the possibility of giving missile-laden arsenal ships submersible properties, enabling them to hide stockpiles of missiles, undetectable to radar, below the ocean surface. The Chinese are exploring two arsenal-ship versions, according to Popular Science: One is a high-speed surface warship that can submerge at will, while the second is more similar to a traditional submarine. What could a submersible sur... more »
North Korea Purges The Military. Morderate Defense Minister Named
A North Korean flag flies on a mast at the Permanent Mission of North Korea in Geneva October 2, 2014. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse/File Photo *Reuters:* *North Korea's top three military officials replaced, U.S. official says* WASHINGTON (Reuters) - North Korea’s top three military officials have been removed from their posts, a senior U.S. official said on Sunday, as U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un prepare to meet on June 12 in Singapore. The U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, was commenting on a report by South Korea’s Yonhap news ag... more »
U.S. May Provide More Direct Military Assistance In The Yemen War
*The Hill:* *US mulling direct military assistance to help seize key Yemen port: report* The U.S. is considering giving direct military support to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in an effort to capture a key port in Yemen from Houthi rebels, according to The Wall Street Journal. The UAE has reportedly asked the U.S. for assistance in helping the Saudi-led coalition retake Hodeidah, which provides support to the whole of Yemen. U.S. officials told the Journal that the Saudis and the UAE will not act until they receive U.S. support, but Washington worries about the toll such a mo... more »
Did Starbucks Announce ‘Patrons of Color’ Can Go to the Head of the Line?
A spoof of the Starbucks race controversy and anti-bias training featured an apocryphal quote from the chain's CEO.
Tsunamis and Waves
There exists a large body of myth around the destructive power of Tsunamis, including their inferred ability to erode and move parts of the condensed matter (crust) as deposits on land. Tsunamis are formed when a tectonic movement under an … Continue reading →
Why Trump’s Tariffs May Push Europe Toward China and Russia
*Erik Brattberg* *Security, Americas* [image: European Union flags flutter outside the EU Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, March 12, 2018. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo] The unfolding trade spat now risks unleashing a transatlantic trade war that would further add to the already frosty relations between Washington and European capitals. The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy, published late last year, called for a redoubling of efforts to stave off long-term strategic competitors, especially China and Russia. A crucial component of this strategy is r... more »
Trump Is Using the Madman Theory in North Korea Policy
*Jerome Slater* *Politics, Europe* [image: U.S. President Donald Trump holds a Make America Great Again rally at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S., May 29, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis] Trump is emulating Nixon's Madman Theory. Insofar as Donald Trump is implementing something that legitimately might be seen as a strategy in the cases of North Korea and Iran—as opposed to mere bellicosity, impulsivity, egomania, ignorance and the desire to undo everything accomplished by President Obama—it is possible the strategy could work. That is, North Korea and Iran ... more »
China Makes It Clear Who's the Boss of Hong Kong
*Robert Keatley* *Security, Asia* [image: Chinese President Xi Jinping makes a toast at the beginning of the welcoming banquet at the Great Hall of the People during the first day of the Belt and Road Forum in Beijing, China, May 14, 2017. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY] When Britian handed Hong Kong back to China, universal suffrage when electing executive and legislative officials was a stated goal- it didn't happen.K For the past twenty years—with one exception—Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists have held peaceful July 1 demonstrations in the island’s Victoria Pa... more »
America's Iran Deal Exit Could Wreck the Afghanistan-Pakistan Relationship
*Arif Rafiq* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters Photo] Pushing Afghanistan’s economy toward greater integration with Iran could increase Kabul’s dependence on Tehran. Some South Asia observers have argued that the Trump administration’s decision to exit the Iran nuclear deal will hurt U.S. efforts to stabilize Afghanistan. Their reasoning: it reduces the viability of the Iranian port of Chabahar, which India aims to use as an alternate gateway to Afghanistan, bypassing the land corridor through Pakistan. Chabahar, these observers believe, is crucial to decreasing Afghanistan’s reli... more »
China Is Challenging America's Dominance in the Western Hemisphere
*Rep. Paul Cook* *Security, Americas* [image: Members of border security forces stand in front of a docking cargo ship at Qingdao port in Shandong province, China March 8, 2018. China Daily via REUTER] Beijing's investment encourages poor governance and perpetuates corruption in the region. China is extending its economic, military and political influence in the Western Hemisphere, and while the short-term benefits are appealing, countries in the region should be wary of long-term consequences. At the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru in April, it was clear to me in my conver... more »
Don't Be Fooled—Ukraine Is Not a Frozen Conflict
*Lyle J. Goldstein* *Security, Eurasia* [image: Members of the] There are signs of escalation in the simmering conflict. With the North Korea and Iran pots both simultaneously coming to a boil, it’s naturally hard for national security specialists to take on any more complex and dangerous issues. Yet Syria and Yemen demand major attention as human rights catastrophes. Did we forget that U.S. troops are still somehow mired in Afghanistan – “the forever war”? Then, there is the seeming possibility of yet another Ebola outbreak in central Africa. Also never mind that the Taiwan iss... more »
U.S. To Increase South China Sea Navy Patrols To Challenge China's Growing Militarization In The Region
*Reuters: **U.S. weighs more South China Sea patrols to confront 'new reality' of China* SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States is considering intensified naval patrols in the South China Sea in a bid to challenge China’s growing militarization of the waterway, actions that could further raise the stakes in one of the world’s most volatile areas. The Pentagon is weighing a more assertive program of so-called freedom-of-navigation operations close to Chinese installations on disputed reefs, two U.S. officials and Western and Asian diplomats close to discussions said. The offici... more »
Ramadan Arabian Nights 2018 : The amazing tales challenge Episode 19 “Remorse ”
It is time for a new episode from our Ramadan Arabian Nights Podcast for this year. We continue with our tale “The Amazing tales challenge” which was aired in the Egyptian State Radio’s One Thousands and One Nights” in the late 1950s. Interesting events will happen in the magical realm of Djinn in the 19th episode of our podcast. You can listen to the tale in Arabic after the break after Your browser does not support the audio element. *Spoilers”*King Saeed regrets calling a meeting with King Haddam of Ifrits.* *He calls for a Diwan meeting, a meeting with his advisers. * *While he is d... more »
The Nineteenth Century Foundations for the Stupid Senate: An Invitation for a Conversation
My dear Jeffersonian: My immediate occasion for writing is the discovery that numerous members of the Thirty-Ninth Congress championed abolishing your *bete noir*, state equality in the Senate. One member declared, “In the Senate of the United States, the very first principles of representative equality are and will continue to be violated. The little State of Nevada, with one voter to about every forty in the State of New York, has the same representative power and influence in the Senate of the United States as the great State of New York.” Another opined, “Rhode Island with t... more »
The Case For President Trump's Tariffs
*Dan DiMicco, The Hill*: *Other nations forced Trump's hand on steel tariffs* There’s a lot of fuss right now about President Trump imposing tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Critics fret about a trade war. Others worry there will be disruptions to global markets. Realistically, the president had no choice but to stand up for America’s steel and aluminum producers. It’s simply a necessary step at a time when America’s industrial base is in worrying decline. Just how bad are things right now for U.S. manufacturing? Steel production in the U.S. has fallen by 20 percent over t... more »
Tuesday The Nation's Eyes Turn To Orange County
*The Elizabeth Warren of the West* Tuesday will see 4 crucial open primaries in Orange County. Blue America has endorsed in 3 but can't find a candidate good enough to make an endorsement in one (CA-48). In CA-48, the coastal district that starts up in Seal Beach and heads south through Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa and Newport Beach to Laguna Beach, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel and Three Arch Bay. It's the district occupied by one of Putin's 2 favorite congressmen, Dana Rohrabacher (the other being Devin Nunes) and Rohrabacher is just so bad that it may be necessarily... more »
China Warns The U.S. That All Trade Deals Will Be 'Void' If The U.S. Imposes Tariffs And Other Trade Measures
*ABC News Online: **China warns all trade deals are 'void' if US imposes tariffs, other trade measures* China has warned the United States that any agreements reached on trade and business between the two countries will be void if Washington implements tariffs and other trade measures, as the two ended their latest round of talks in Beijing. The warning came after delegations led by US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and China's top economic official Vice Premier Liu He wrapped up a meeting on Beijing's pledge to narrow its trade surplus. Mr Ross said at the start of the event the... more »
X22 Report: “Deutsche Bank Is Big Enough A Collapse Could Bring Down The Economy”
X22 Report: “Deutsche Bank Is Big Enough A Collapse Could Bring Down The Economy” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGOgMbq9p9Q
Obama and the FBI — Connect the Dots
A photograph of President Obama with current and future FBI directors is neither ominous nor revealing.
Musical Interlude: Gandalf, “Silent Joy”
Gandalf, “Silent Joy” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJvIeupfql4
"A Look to the Heavens"
“The spiral arms of bright galaxy M106 sprawl through this remarkable multiframe portrait, composed of data from ground- and space-based telescopes. Also known as NGC 4258, M106 can be found toward the northern constellation Canes Venatici. The well-measured distance to M106 is 23.5 million light-years, making this cosmic scene about 80,000 light-years across. *Click image for larger size.* Typical in grand spiral galaxies, dark dust lanes, youthful blue star clusters, and pinkish star forming regions trace spiral arms that converge on the bright nucleus of older yellowish stars. Bu... more »
"Three Musts..."
"There are three musts that hold us back: I must do well. You must treat me well. And the world must be easy." - Albert Ellis
"We Never Live..."
“We do not rest satisfied with the present. We anticipate the future as too slow in coming, as if in order to hasten its course; or we recall the past, to stop its too rapid flight. So imprudent are we that we wander in the times which are not ours, and do not think of the only one which belongs to us; and so idle are we that we dream of those times which are no more, and thoughtlessly overlook that which alone exists. For the present is generally painful to us. We conceal it from our sight, because it troubles us; and if it be delightful to us, we regret to see it pass away. We try...more »
Secret Memo Written By President Trump's Legal Team To The Mueller Counsel On Why The President Cannot Be Subpoena Has Been Leaked
There was No Collusion with Russia (except by the Democrats). When will this very expensive Witch Hunt Hoax ever end? So bad for our Country. Is the Special Counsel/Justice Department leaking my lawyers letters to the Fake News Media? Should be looking at Dems corruption instead? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 2, 2018 *ABC News*:* Giuliani threatens legal battle with Mueller over subpoena* The president's lawyer Rudy Giuliani threatened a legal battle with special counsel Robert Mueller if he attempts to subpoena Donald Trump. "If Mueller tries to subpoena us, we're goi... more »
“The 13th Warrior: Prayers Before Final Battle”
*“The 13th Warrior: Prayers Before Final Battle”* *Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan: * “Merciful Father, I have squandered my days with plans of many things. This was not among them… But at this moment, I beg only to live the next few minutes well. For all we ought to have thought, and have not thought; all we ought to have said, and have not said; all we ought to have done, and have not done; I pray thee God for forgiveness.” *Buliwyf, and others:* “Lo, there do I see my father. Lo, there do I see my mother and my sisters, and my brothers. Lo, there do I see the line of my people back to the beginn... more »
US Coalition begins 2nd phase of east Syria offensive
BEIRUT, LEBANON (2:00 A.M.) – The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Iraqi Armed Forces launched the second phase of their east Syria offensive against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) this past weekend. The Coalition press service circulated a message citing representatives of the SDF, in which it claimed the Islamic State still maintains a […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
"What Frustrates Us..."
“Our souls are hungry for meaning, for the sense that we have figured out how to live so that our lives matter, so that the world will be at least a little bit different for our having passed through it. What frustrates us and robs our lives of joy is this absence of meaning. Does our being alive matter?” - Harold S. Kushner
Teacher Posts 2nd Grader’s Wish that Cell Phones Didn’t Exist Due to Parents’ Heavy Use. How Digital Addiction is Hurting Us All.
By B.N. Frank An article about this 2nd grader’s wish was first posted on May 24, 2018: The child’s teacher, Jen Adams Beason, shared a... more »
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad To Make A State Visit To North Korea
Bashar al Assad and Kim Jong Un are set to meet, according to Pyongyang *BBC:* *Syria's President Assad 'to visit North Korea'* Syrian President Bashar al-Assad plans to make a state visit to North Korea, the North's state news agency says. It would be the first time North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has hosted a head of state since assuming power in 2011. He has undertaken a flurry of diplomatic activity recently, meeting China's president in May, and is expected to attend a summit with Donald Trump this month. Syria, an ally of the North, has made no comment on the reported plan. ... more »
“Who Knows What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men?”
*“Who Knows What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men?”* by Andrew Bard Schmookler "I recently had an interesting experience writing a piece for an American newspaper that’s published me over the years. In my piece, I addressed the puzzle of why it is that some of the most remarkably decent people I know have supported an American leadership that’s itself remarkable precisely for lacking such decency. To that puzzle I proposed an answer in two parts. For one thing, I suggested, these good people have been seduced by leaders expert in displaying the trappings of righteousness - leaders go... more »
“What Is Perhaps the Most Powerful Word in the English Language?”
*“What Is Perhaps the Most Powerful Word in the English Language?”* by Michael S. Broder, Ph.D. “I'll spare you the tease. That word is "no"! The ability to be assertive and say "no" is a communication skill we all learn at a very young age. If you're a parent, you know better than anyone that once this word enters a child's vocabulary it's used very often. However, as an adult, "no" is often much more difficult to say. As life gets busier and obligations increase, the ability to say "no" is increasingly important. If you can learn to assert yourself, it can be the difference betwe... more »
Jordan Rocked By Anti-Government Protests
*Al Jazeera:* *Protests against IMF-backed tax reform bill continue in Jordan* *Demonstrators gather near the office of prime minister in Amman to protest against price hikes and tax increases.* Hundreds of people in Jordan's capital have protested for the third consecutive day against the increase of living costs and a new income tax draft law. Rallied kicked off after more than 33 unions participated in a general strike on Wednesday, accusing the government of covering up failed economic policies. On Saturday, crowds of people made their way to Amman's Fourth Roundabout, wh... more »
Report: Trump Lawyers’ Letter to Mueller Challenges Subpoena
President Donald Trump's lawyers composed a secret 20-page letter to special counsel Robert Mueller to assert that he cannot be forced to testify.
Giuliani: Trump Would Fight Subpoena, Not Pardon Himself
President Donald Trump’s attorneys stressed that they would contest any effort to force the president to testify in front of a grand jury but downplayed the idea that Trump could pardon himself.
Woman Says She Killed Husband Because He Beat the Cat
Dallas police say a 47-year-old woman has told detectives she shot and killed her husband because he had been beating the family cat.
The Most Powerful Evidence Climate Scientists Have of Global Warming…Rules Out CO2 as the Cause
Source We have mentioned countless times on this blog that the warming oceans are evidence that CO2 is not the cause of global warming. To understand the climate you must first understand the oceans. The oceans control the global climate. As the oceans warm, they warm and alter the humidity of the atmosphere above them. … Continue reading "The Most Powerful Evidence Climate Scientists Have of Global Warming…Rules Out CO2 as the Cause"
Clinton Allies Open To Backing A Different Loser in 2020
*Today We Celebrate 500 Days Since Hillary Clinton Was Not Sworn in as President * Now that Hillary Clinton has whined and blamed her way through the entire English speaking world and has exposed her physical frailties, thus burying most any chance of ever winning an election of any kind again (yes, there is a God) the floundering leaderless Democrats are still milling about like ants whose hill was stomped on by voters in 2016. And the 2020 field is in such disarray that if she were to say she'd run, America's favorite fat girl Oprah would probably be the leading contender. Since ... more »
The Poet: John Glenday, "Concerning the Atoms of the Soul"
*"Concerning the Atoms of the Soul"* "Someone explained once how the pieces of what we are fall downwards at the same rate as the Universe. The atoms of us, falling towards the centre of whatever everything is. And we don't see it. We only sense their slight drag in the lifting hand. That's what weight is, that communal process of falling. Furthermore, these atoms carry hooks, like burrs, hooks catching like hooks, like clinging to like, that's what keeps us from becoming something else, and why in early love, we sometimes feel the tug of the heart snagging on another's heart. Only th... more »
Musical Interlude: 2002, “Sea of Dreams”
2002, “Sea of Dreams” - https://www.youtube.com/
John Simpson tweets that Israel has broken the Geneva Convention
And talking of matters Israeli and Palestinian... Here's the BBC's World Affairs Editor John Simpson, brushing aside Gillian Reynolds-style concerns about the need for BBC journalists to "maintain steadfast independence of any political viewpoint", by claiming (on Twitter) that Israel has committed a war crime by contravening the Geneva Convention. That's not remotely ambiguous. He's explicitly saying it. What is the point of BBC impartiality guidelines if he can get away with this? Regardless of that last question, he's already received thousands of 'likes' plus 'thank yous'... more »
How BBC Complaints think
Listening to Thursday's *From Our Own Correspondent* I heard one of their fairly regular reports highlighting aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (They are much less regular than they used to be though). Though it probably needs properly quantifying with statistics, I'd say (from consistent but informal monitoring) that a substantial majority of *FOOC* reports focus on the conflict from the Palestinian angle. And this was another of those reports. It featured former *Newsnight *regular Robin Denselow - now freelance and very much into world music. Here he recounted his... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. Thanks for stopping by!
Musical Interlude: 2002, “Sea of Dreams”
2002, “Sea of Dreams” - https://www.youtube.com/
"Don't Take Anything Personally"
*"Don't Take Anything Personally"* by Don Miguel Ruiz "Whatever happens around you, don't take it personally. Using an earlier example, if I see you on the street and I say, "Hey, you are so stupid," without knowing you, it's not about you; it's about me. If you take it personally, perhaps you believe you are stupid. Maybe you think to yourself, "How does he know? Is he clairvoyant, or can everybody see how stupid I am?" You take it personally because you agree with whatever was said. As soon as you agree, the poison goes through you, and you are trapped in the dream of hell. Wha... more »
"Pythagoras on the Purpose of Life and the Meaning of Wisdom"
*"Pythagoras on the Purpose of Life and the Meaning of Wisdom"* by Maria Popova "The Greek polymath Pythagoras (c. 570–c. 495 BC) ignited the golden age of mathematics with the development of numerical logic and the discovery of his namesake theorem of geometry, which furnished the world’s first foothold toward the notion of scientific proof and has been etched into the mind of every schoolchild in the millennia since. His ideas went on to influence Plato, Copernicus, Descartes, Kepler, Newton, and Einstein, and the school he founded made the then-radical decision to welcome women as... more »
Primaries-- Tuesday And Beyond
On Tuesday there are primaries in California, Iowa, New Jersey, South Dakota, Alabama, Mississippi, Montana and New Mexico. Three weeks later-- on June 26--there are congressional primaries in Colorado, New York, Oklahoma (and Utah). If you live in any of the states that vote Tuesday, please be sure to get to the polls-- and drag a friend-- or two friends-- with you. Blue America has a special page for California congressional candidates we've endorsed. Kevin de León is the progressive running for the U.S. Senate. And these are 7 candidate for the House who California can contrib... more »
"We Plan Our Lives..."
“We plan our lives according to a dream that came to us in our childhood, and we find that life alters our plans. And yet, at the end, from a rare height, we also see that our dream was our fate. It's just that providence had other ideas as to how we would get there. Destiny plans a different route, or turns the dream around, as if it were a riddle, and fulfills the dream in ways we couldn't have expected.” - Ben Okri
The Rag Blog : METRO EVENT | ‘Celebrating The Rag’ at Half Price Books North Lamar on June 9
The event will feature editors Thorne Dreyer, Alice Embree and Richard Croxdale, with live music by Bill Kirchen and comments by artists Jim Franklin and Kerry Awn. Event: Presentation and booksigning of Celebrating The Rag When: Saturday, June 9, 2018 … finish reading The Rag Blog : *METRO EVENT* | ‘Celebrating The Rag’ at Half Price Books North Lamar on June 9
Open Letter to President Trump: I've Got Melania
(By Cyril Blubberpuss, Conservative-American) The Honorable Donald J. Trump, Chancellor President of the United States The White House or Mar-a-Lago or Bedminster or Camp David Now see here, Mr. Chancellor President, as a Republican American, I am willing to do anything and everything for flag and country provided it glorifies or covers up for the GOP. I have already done several favors for your own family including once putting up Paul Manafort, Don Jr and Eric for a night after they frantically knocked on my door on 5th Avenue one evening smeared with dirt after a "job" in the... more »
Politicizing Education: Israel and Myanmar set worrisome precedent
Israel and Myanmar, two countries with troubled human rights records and disputed histories of dealing with ethnic and national rights, have set a worrisome precedent by giving each other a veto over what students are taught about the other. A recently signed education agreement between Israel and Myanmar allows for editing each other’s textbooks as […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Large number of rebels settle their cases with government and return to civilian life
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:30 P.M.) – A large number of rebels settled their legal status in southern Damascucs this weekend in order to return to civilian life, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported. SANA reporter said that committees from the competent authorities on Sunday settled the legal status of several former rebels from the town […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Wide-scale protests reported across Jordan (video)
Massive protests have been taking place in the Jordanian capital and other cities since May 30, after the government proposed a set of economic reforms aimed at raising taxes and reducing spending in accordance with the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) requirements. Jordan Rocked by Biggest Protests in Years as Demonstrators Rally Against Austerity Measureshttps://t.co/NwenvSCMKN pic.twitter.com/AiNdI90qC3 […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
New group in Afrin demands East Ghouta refugees leave or face death
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:00 P.M.) – A new group in the Afrin region of northwest Aleppo issued a stern warning to the refugees from the East Ghouta about staying in this area. The group calls themselves the “Afrin Hawks” – they are rumored to be a sleeper cell militia that is comprised of fighters from the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Syrian Army reportedly withdrew from north Aleppo
DAMASCUS, SYRIA (6:00 P.M.) – A convoy for the Syrian Army was seen leaving the northern city of Tall Rifaat to the government-held Nubul and Zahraa towns southward amid conflicting reports of a Turkish-Russian agreement. According to a rebel military commander, the retreated forces were basically stationed in side Tall Rifaat and Kafr Naya town […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Zahran Alloush’s most trusted adviser turns out to be Syrian Army spy
BEIRUT, LEBANON (5:25 P.M.) – Another high ranking rebel commander has abandoned his militant group and rejoined the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) after several years of battle. The former director and founder of the Signal Battalion in Jaysh Al-Islam, Khalil Ebour, was recently photographed in a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uniform after spying on the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Pink Floyd Frontman Opens Show By Exposing The Government Silencing of Julian Assange
By Jay Syrmopoulos Pink Floyd co-founder Roger Waters showed solidarity with Julian Assange during a concert in Berlin by unveiling a message in red text... more »
"The Inversion"
*"The Inversion"* Soon, everything will be public knowledge, except what governments do. by Robert Gore "Last Tuesday, May 29, Starbucks executive chairman Howard Schultz published “An Open Letter to Starbucks Customers” in The Wall Street Journal (it may have been in other publications as well): "Recently, a Starbucks manager in Philadelphia called the police a few minutes after two black men arrived at a store and sat waiting for a friend. They had not yet purchased anything when the police were called. After police arrived they arrested the two men. The situation was reprehens... more »
"You Can Ignore Reality..."
"You can ignore reality, but you cannot ignore the consequences of reality." - Ayn Rand
Most popular vitamin and mineral supplements provide no health benefit, study finds
Medical Xpress: Most popular vitamin and mineral supplements provide no health benefit, study finds https://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2018-05-popular-vitamin-mineral-supplements-health.html Advertisements
Dark Matter Particles Must Be Smaller Than We Thought
Dark Matter Particles Must Be Smaller Than We Thought https://www.space.com/40766-dark-matter-particles-smaller-than-thought.html?utm_content=buffer0eff6&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook
Unnecessary imaging: Emergency CT for head trauma is overused
Unnecessary imaging: Emergency CT for head trauma is overused http://www.radiologybusiness.com/topics/quality/unnecessary-imaging-emergency-ct-head-trauma-overused
Just one word
Mark Mardell and his use of language... Today's *The World This Weekend *featured the following news report: *Newsreader*: Italy's new interior and deputy prime minister Matteo Salvini is visiting Sicily to push his anti-immigration message. The island is one of the main landing point for refugees from Africa and the Middle East. Here's our Europe regional editor Danny Aeberhard. *Danny Aeberhard*: "The fun's over" was Matteo Salvini's message to illegal immigrants speaking at a rally yesterday. The leader of the far-right nationalist League party told them to "pack their bags". ... more »
An Easy Way to Prove Climate Skeptics Wrong or Expose Climate Sophists as Alarmist Frauds
(left) A healthy ocean snail has a transparent shell with smoothly contoured ridges. (right) A shell exposed to more acidic, corrosive waters is cloudy, ragged, and pockmarked with ‘kinks’ and weak spots. Photos courtesy Nina Bednarsek, NOAA PMEL. The above graphic comes from the NOAA Website. The graphic is accompanied by the following text: Carbon dioxide also dissolves … Continue reading "An Easy Way to Prove Climate Skeptics Wrong or Expose Climate Sophists as Alarmist Frauds"
Pardons, Obstruction of Justice and the Rule of Law in the Demagogic Presidency
Critics of the Trump’s recent pardons understandably and correctly see in them the actions of a man unable or unwilling to separate his personal interest and public role. He bypassed the Department of Justice’s well-established advisory process for supporting a president’s consideration of pardons, and he opened himself to the suspicion that he was making political points, catering to favored constituencies or perhaps sending reassuring messages to witnesses, suspects or even targets in the current Russia investigation. Once again, Donald Trump did things his way, as he pleased an... more »
Greg Hunter, "Banking System Has Huge Problems"
*"Banking System Has Huge Problems"* By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com "Money manager Peter Schiff says even though Deutsche Bank is the most systemically dangerous bank in the world (according to the IMF), that is just the tip of severe global financial problems. Schiff explains, “I think it’s a problem, and it’s not just Deutsche Bank. Deutsche Bank could be the weak link of a chain. If you remember back to when we had the financial crisis (2008). First, you had the sub-prime mortgages blowing up, and everybody was like don’t worry about it. It’s contained. I said it’s not contai... more »
JORDAN PETERSON
.... The writings of University of Toronto psychology professor *Jordan Peterson* are inspired by Hitler and Trump's The Art of the Deal? *Jordan Peterson* *suffers from severe depression and an auto-immune disorder. * He has suffered from psoriasis and gum disease. Peterson's daughter has also suffered from depression. 'Alt-light Jordan Peterson has defended Jewish power by saying that Jews have higher average IQs than the general population, which he claims accounts for their disproportionate influence...' Peterson 'has admitted that most of his friends are Jewish... 'Pete... more »
Sea Ice Extent (Global Antarctic and Arctic) – Day 153 – 2018
Originally posted on sunshine hours: South / North
Pink Floyd Frontman Opens Show By Exposing The Government Silencing of Julian Assange
[image: waters] At a recent concert, Pink Floyd's Roger Waters called for the public to “Resist the attempted silencing of Julian Assange." The post Pink Floyd Frontman Opens Show By Exposing The Government Silencing of Julian Assange appeared first on The Free Thought Project.
Leak Re Mueller Investigation: Trump’s Attempt To Shift Focus Away From Russian Collusion?
A little over a month ago, The New York Times published an article including what they said was a list … Continue reading →
Previewing the ERA Debates
Rachel Frank As it starts to look like the Equal Rights Amendment may soon be ratified by a thirty-eighth state, a number of Article V questions come into focus. A few days ago, Professor Sandy Levinson argued on this blog that to believe the ERA would pass, one would have to believe Congress has no power to set time limits for amendments and that states cannot rescind their ratifications. It may not be so simple. In this post I aim to lay out the major objections and rejoinders to the Article V questions raised by Illinois’ ratification of the ERA. *Time L... more »
A Second American Civil War?
Robert Reich - 10 hours ago
Imagine that an impeachment resolution against Trump passes the House. Trump claims it’s the work of... more »
Factual Microwave Radiation Research Consumers Need To Know Before Embracing 5G
By Catherine J. Frompovich Microwave technology seems to have been around ‘forever’, so that’s probably why very few tech consumers question its safety. However, consumers... more »
Parents video under-fives dressed as jihadis storming Israeli building
I see in The Mail http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5798499/Proud-parents-video-fives-dressed-jihadis-storming-Israeli-building.html that the brainwashing of Palestinian children continues. I've reported on this sort of news before but in case you rely upon the institutionally anti Israel BBC for your Middle East news: 'Disturbing footage has emerged of children at nursery school in Gaza dressing up as jihadis and storming an Israeli building. The children, who are no older than five-years-old, are seen carrying fake rifles, handguns and gas masks. The young children then tak... more »
The Trump Legal Team’s Remarkable Letter to Mueller
Flickr/The White House The New York Times has published two long letters that the president’s lawyers sent to Special Counsel Robert Mueller in January 2018 and June 2017. These letters argue, essentially, that the president can’t obstruct justice. That is because, they say, obstruction of justice “would amount to him obstructing himself” as the nation’s chief law enforcement officer. Indeed, he could “terminate the inquiry, or even exercise his power to pardon” himself at any time “if he so desired.” As president, the letter asserts, Trump was free to fire former FBI Director Jim... more »
Rethinking the “Lessons” of the First World War
Photo Credit: via wdfpodcast.com History can be a good friend of confirmation bias. We often look to the past for lessons that support beliefs that we already have instead of the ones best supported by a deep analysis of the evidence. For most of today’s pundits and those academics who use the past to imagine the future, the origins of the First World War generally present one of two sets of “lessons.” The first, taking its cue from a recent best seller, characterizes the leaders of that age as “sleepwalkers” who were unusually incompetent and out of their depth. A second set of l... more »
George Soros: The Devil’s Disciple
Europe is under sentence of death and George Soros is the executioner. When he's finished he has his next target lined up: the U.S. Lasha Darkmoon explains
SUNDAY SCREENING: ‘Coups R US: Regime Changes & Their Aftermaths’ (2018)
*SUNDAY SCREENING* | When it comes to destablizing other countries, the USA are certainly in a league in their own.
This Cycle's Worst Self-Funders Trying To Buy House Seats (So Far)
*Nancy Pelosi's Democratic Party, not ours* Can we all agree not to vote for anyone trying to buy House seats with their own money? Trump claims to have been spending his own fortune to by the White House-- mostly a lie-- and now he feels entitled to steal whatever isn't nailed down. Many of these congressional self-funders are incredibly like Trump, especially in terms of overwhelming feelings of entitlement. The list below leaves out the poor schnooks who already lost their primaries this year-- like Republican imbecile Kathaleen Wall down in Texas ($6,019,732). Happily several of... more »
LIVE! Dine' CARE Western Peoples Convention, Dilkon, June 3, 2018
. . The final session now! Dine' CARE -- what made a difference over the past 30 years, panel by founders. Dilkon, Navajo Nation, Peoples Convention. Scroll down for Facebook live, Sunday noon. Roberto Nutlouis, Black Mesa Water Coalition Nate Etsitty, Food Sovereignty, Permaculture, Dryland Farming LIVE! Dine' CARE Western Peoples Convention, Dilkon, June 3, 2018
Rio Nightlife Guide for Sunday, June 3, 2018
We have the top three picks for this Sunday, and below there is a list of bars and lounges that are always a good option. MÚSICA BRASILEIRA: Samba da Urca de Casa Nova (Urca) – This Sunday will see the rooftop of the Círculo Militar (Military Circle) opened up to a glorious evening of samba. […]
Two men busted in Ukraine’s “fake murder” ruse, turn out to be Ukrainian Intelligence (Video)
The Arkady Babachenko "Putin kills journalist" hoax goes from bad to worse for Ukraine. More The post Two men busted in Ukraine’s “fake murder” ruse, turn out to be Ukrainian Intelligence (Video) appeared first on The Duran.
Italy’s EU future survives, but expect pushback against Russian sanctions (Video)
Alexander Mercouris in London (E3): Will Italy rebel against its EU masters? More The post Italy’s EU future survives, but expect pushback against Russian sanctions (Video) appeared first on The Duran.
More EU troubles, as Spain removes its prime minister from office (Video)
The Duran - News in Review - Episode 16. More The post More EU troubles, as Spain removes its prime minister from office (Video) appeared first on The Duran.
16 Scientific Health Benefits of Cannabis
*Luka Petkovich* - Here are the real effects of cannabis on the human body.
5G Mini Cell Towers – ‘Junk Yards On A Pole’ – Will Affect Your Lifestyle More Than You Know
*Catherine J Frompovich* - You will not be allowed to have these removed from your property.
Republican Accomplishments Under Trump
--> ✔Best Economy in 18 years, based on economic expansion begun 9 years ago under Obama. ✔Lower Taxes that primarily benefit the top 1 percent of earners, paid for by adding $2.3 trillion to the deficit. ✔Repealed Obamacare Individual Mandate, thus assuring higher premiums for sick and elderly and 13 million fewer Americans to be insured in 2027. ✔Support for Military (best in 15 years), which means support for corporations who will reap the benefits of an unneeded expansion of the military-industrial complex. ✔Supreme Court Justice, Neil Gorsuch, who promises to be one of the most... more »
Musings On Iraq In the News
I was quoted by Terrance Mintner in "Iraqi Communist Party Throws Hat Into Shiite Cleric Al-Sadr's Ring" for The Media Line.
Review Woods, Kevin, Palkki, David, and Stout, Mark, The Saddam Tapes, The Inner Workings of a Tyrant’s Regime 1978-2001
*Review Woods, Kevin, Palkki, David, and Stout, Mark, **The Saddam Tapes, The Inner Workings of a Tyrant’s Regime 1978-2001**, Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape town, Singapore, Sao Paulo, Delhi, Tokyo, Mexico City: Cambridge University Press, 2011* *The Saddam Tapes, The Inner Workings of a Tyrant’s Regime 1978-2001*was the first book to use the wealth of captured documents and tapes seized after the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The book specifically focuses upon recordings of Saddam and his top advisers, usually at meetings of the Revolutionary Command Council or cabinet. Th... more »
‘The Best Interests of the People’: Ex-US Top Spy Clapper Justifies Election Interference
[image: undefined] Fret not, people of the over 80 countries where the US has interfered in elections – it was done in your “best interests,” according to former head of US Intelligence James Clapper. Clapper, who famously lied about the NSA mass surveillance program before it was revealed by Edward Snowden, is back in the media spotlight, promoting his new book, *Facts and Fears*. The tome promises readers "Hard truths from a life in intelligence." However, perhaps the more interesting insights are on Clapper’s reflections on the so-called Russiagate scandal and investigations int... more »
This Day In Iraqi History - Jun 3
1915 British forces captured Amarah after convincing Ottoman garrison to surrender 1941 3rd train load of German military aid arrived from Syria Stored in Mosul after war ended 1941 British troops occupied Mosul after overthrowing PM Gaylani govt 1944 Hamdi al-Pachachi became premier of Iraq 1950 Grenade attack in Jewish neighborhood of Baghdad 3rdof 7 such attacks on Jews 1950-51 1982 Iraqi intelligence made attempt on life of Israeli amb to UK using Abu Nidal terrorist group 1982 Evidence Iraq tried to provoke Israeli invasion of Lebanon to end ... more »
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