10:25pm MST
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei Has Been Secretly Communicating With President Obama
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks live on television after casting his ballot in the Iranian presidential election in Tehran June 12, 2009. Caren Firouz/Reuters *FOX News/Wall Street Journal:** Iranian Ayatollah Sends Secret Communications to White House* *WASHINGTON—Iran’s paramount political figure, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has responded to overtures from President Barack Obama seeking better relations by sending secret communications of his own to the White House.* *The Iranian cleric wrote to Mr. Obama in recent weeks in response to an October... more »
Islam - Whose Story?
*Title: Islam - Whose Story? Source: The Coexistence Trust. Date Published: December 13, 2012. Description: * Many stories now get told about Islam's origins today by believers and sceptics alike. How might Muslims best respond to a revisionist account of their faith's origins? And how do we all debate such issues in a measured fashioned when the global response can often be beyond anyone's control? The panelists looked at these big issues by discussing Tom Holland's book on early Islam, and the response to his Channel 4 film, 'Islam: The Untold Story'. About the panel: Tom Hol... more »
Editor's Note
Wow .... I rarely do this but I checked the traffic stats for this blog. According to Google I have had over 12,000,000 page visits to this blog in the past few years. I am truly humbled by this recognition. Thank you.
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*Federal judge tosses coastal damage suit against permit-breaking oil companies ~Kevin McGill, AP *
Anti-Choice "Culture": Numismatics and Philately Divisions
A frequent lament from fetus freaks like SUZY ALLCAPS is "We have [sic] pro-lifers have no culture." http://www.bigbluewave.ca/2009/01/sorry-republicans-pro-lifers-there-is.html By "culture," I assume they mean music and films and television shows that don't actually suck. Celebs other than D-stringers standing up for forced pregnancy and merciless end-of-life misery. That sort of thing. While the "culture" thing continues to elude them, there's movement on a couple of other fronts. On January 19, I saw this on Twitter. I'll ask again, what is the international anti-abortion logo... more »
A Look At What Happens When The U.S. Closes An Embassy
Peter Van Buren, Reuters:* Who gets out when a U.S. embassy closes, and who gets left behind?* *The American Embassy in Yemen closed its doors and evacuated its American staff on Tuesday. U.S officials say security concerns brought on by the advancing Houthi rebel group caused the closure. The Houthis say the evacuation was unnecessary, a political act seeking to undermine their legitimacy, and grabbed embassy vehicles on Wednesday. Closing an embassy can often be as much about strategic political aims, as it is about security concerns, but how hard is it to execute?* *WNU Editor... more »
Can You Find Yemen On A Map?
I started traveling when I was still a teenager and I write about my travel adventures on another blog. I'm even a member of the (informal) century club-- meaning I've been to 100 countries. Yemen isn't one of them. In fact, aide Rep. Alan Grayson, a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, I don't know *anyone* who's been to Yemen. Working at Sire Records, I got to know Ofra Haza, an Israeli-born Yemenite many of whose songs derived from that country's traditional music. Ofra and her music got me interested in visiting Yemen, although I never did and when I've written abo... more »
Past Nazi Crimes in Ukraine
Published today in Times Record: Just a few miles outside of Kiev there is a ravine called Babi Yar where, between Sept. 29-30, 1941, 33,771 Jews were slaughtered by the Nazis and their Ukrainian fascist collaborators during the Nazi campaign against the Soviet Union. By the summer of 1943, the ravine held as many as 100,000 corpses — Jews, Roma, prisoners of war and others. How ironic. Recently, American General Ben Hodges, chief of the U.S. Army in Europe, awarded medals to a current group of Ukrainian fascists in Kiev’s Central Military Hospital. The medal, he said, is a symbol... more »
Dresden Was Firebombed 70 Years Ago Tonight
*Daily Mail*: *Out of the ashes: Seventy years after the Allies dropped 3,900 tonnes of explosives on Dresden, then-and-now pictures reveal how the city recovered from near-obliteration* ** Allied Forces dropped 3,900 tonnes of explosives over Dresden during four raids on 13th-15th February 1945* ** The bombings on the east German city destroyed 1,600 acres of its centre, killing an estimated 25,000 people* ** The resulting firestorm that engulfed the city centre is said to have reached temperatures of over 1,500C* *WNU Editor*: We have a tradition in our family of lighting a cand... more »
Shirt-sleeve weather
It's time (early this year, I know, but the ladybugs have hatched and the peach trees are budding) to close out the ducks for a bit and spread the compost. First I open the bins and fork out the contents into the wheelbarrow and dump around the garden. Then, knock down the heaps with the potato fork ... ... and spread them around even further with the leaf rake. A quick look with the thermometer tells me it's 43F in the lower garden and 44F in the upper one. Iffy for peas, so I think I will put them in flats for now and set them out later. The Young Man is visiting and after ... more »
"A Look to the Heavens"
"The Cheeseburger Nebula (NGC 7026) is a very bright bipolar planetary nebula of a little over one light-year across at its longest dimension, located about 6,000 light-years away in the constellation of Cygnus (The Swan). It is approaching us at approximately 40.6 kilometers per second. Despite their name, planetary nebulae have nothing to do with planets. The name of planetary nebulae arose because of the visual similarity between some round planetary nebulae and the planets Uranus and Neptune when viewed through early telescopes. *Click image for larger size.* A planetary nebula r... more »
Paulo Coelho, “Discovering The Real Fear”
*“Discovering The Real Fear”* by Paulo Coelho “A Sultan decided to make a voyage with some of his best courtiers. They embarked at the port of Dubai and set out across the open seas. As the ship sailed away from the land, one of his subjects, who had never seen the sea and had spent much of his life in the mountains, had a panic attack. Sitting in the hold of the ship, he wept and wailed and refused to eat or sleep. Everyone tried to calm him down, saying that the journey really wasn’t all that dangerous, but although their words reached his ears, they did not touch his heart. The ... more »
Chet Raymo, "Rules for Believing And Rational Thinking""
*"Seven Rules for Believing"* by Chet Raymo "I was reading again recently Richard Dawkins' letter to his daughter Juliet on her tenth birthday, urging her to avoid tradition, authority and revelation as reasons for believing. Ask for evidence, he writes - evidence that is at least potentially available to all. Good advice, and I wouldn't mind passing on Dawkins' letter to my own children or grandchildren. But there is further advice I would add. A week or so ago I proposed here Four Rules of Rational Thinking, and had some savvy comments by readers. Let me now propose Seven Rules o... more »
Tonight's Movie Is 'The Trench' (1999)
*Form YouTube:* A story about a group of soldiers last days before the battle of the Somme in 1916 it shows the conditions in the trenches during world war 1 and takes you into the minds of the soldiers.
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*Fracking fight - Abita Springs sues the Corps of Engineers for denying public hearing ~Robert Rhoden* *Rita LeBlanc loses seats on two Saints / NFL committees as feud with grandfather continues ~Ramon Antonio Vargas, N.O. Advocate*
World News Briefs -- February 13, 2015 (Evening Edition)
*Euronews*:* Argentina president Cristina Fernandez faces cover-up probe* *The president of Argentina Cristina Fernandez is to be questioned over accusations that she tried to cover up Iran’s alleged involvement in a 1994 bombing.* *MIDDLE EAST* U.S. says 15 more airstrikes launched* against Islamic State*. Air strikes in Syria kill at least *20 Islamic State fighters: monitor*. Islamic State militants* attack Iraqi town near US base*. ISIL fighters close in *on major Iraqi airbase*. Iraqi army repels attack on base *hosting U.S. Marines: officials*. Al Qaeda seizes Yemen Army b... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 13, 2015
*Al Pessin, VOA:* *Analysis: Can Ukraine Accord End Conflict?* *LONDON — When the leaders of four major countries convene at a neutral location for high-profile talks aimed at ending a war, results are expected.It took all night – 16 hours in all – but they got results. The questions now are whether they can implement their agreement, and whether it will be enough to end the conflict. There is a good chance that they can’t, and it’s not.* *Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 13, 2015* The Ukraine cease-fire does little to restrain Mr. Putin -- Washington Post e... more »
Is this why many citizens don't trust cops? (Not entirely, perhaps, but it does make a point)
*by Ken* I should say straightaway that my friend Jon is not entirely without, er, *opinions* about cops. This is because he is by profession a public defender, and so the role in which he most frequently encounters them is as witnesses against clients of his. And in this role, apart from other character defects that often become hard to ignore, he holds it against them that -- notwithstanding that oath they always take to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help them God -- their actual testimony tends to be, um, conspicuously untruthful. I should prob... more »
The New Dumbness Bred by Compulsory Schooling
*Video - *Part four in a series of short videos based on John Taylor Gatto's book, The Underground History of American Education. The post The New Dumbness Bred by Compulsory Schooling appeared first on Waking Times.
What Might A More Serious Conflict In Ukraine Look Like?
*Jonathan Eya, CNN*: *Never-ending war: What might a more serious conflict in Ukraine look like?* *A deal aimed at imposing a ceasefire in Ukraine from this Sunday was concluded following talks between the leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany. Yet despite 17 hours of talks in the Belarus capital of Minsk, during which President Vladimir Putin was seen breaking pencils on his desk in frustration, some of the agreement's most important provisions have yet to be clarified.* *And although German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande proclaimed them...more »
Global Central Banks open 24/7. Currency Wars, Deflation and Instability
*This is the second of two financial news stories-* Both containing interesting, insightful and important information- Both are related to each other- *First news story- Oil Jumps on Weak US dollar- Deflationary tendencies & currency wars?* The Bloomberg news item directly below is *highly suggestive* of a *great deal of global instability *requiring* massive global money manipulation to create inflation and prevent deflation. Inflation benefiting the bankster, moneyed classes. Inflation is equivalent to a hidden tax on all of us.* Of course, I will highlight the bits I find interest... more »
Oil Jumps on Weak US dollar- Deflationary tendencies & currency wars?
- Oil prices rallied sharply on Thursday after two days of losses as news of deeper industry spending cuts and a sinking U.S. dollar revived buying. *The US dollar sinking despite the global prop up attempted a couple of weeks back signals the deflationary tendencies at play- So, will interest rates have to increase to hit the desired inflation target of 2% mentioned in this post- * U.S. crude closed above $51 a barrel, shaking off a morning dip tied to data showing a potentially record rise in stockpiles at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub. Its discount versus Brent crude expa... more »
Ukrainian Prime Minister: 'We Had Two Options – Bad, Or Worse'
Daily Mail: *'We had two options – bad, or worse': Ukrainian prime minister reveals the extent of how one-sided peace deal was… and how they do not believe Putin will stick to it* * Thirteen civilians killed during heavy clashes in past 24 hours * Eleven soldiers killed and 40 wounded, Ukraine's military said in statement * Deaths come as Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany broker ceasefire * It is due to come into force on Sunday at one minute past midnight * At least 5,486 people have been killed in 10 months of fighting * Ukraine PM Arseniy Yatsenyuk has spoken of his mistrust of ... more »
U.S. 'Missile Offense' Bases in Romania & Poland
The U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) headquarted in Stuttgart, Germany announces a second new "missile defense" (MD) base under construction. These bases in Romania and Poland, and their interceptor missiles, will be aimed at Russia as part of the Pentagon-NATO military encirclement of that nation. MD systems are key elements in US first-strike attack planning. Their job is to pick off any remaining retaliatory nuclear response after the Pentagon unleashes its sword. MD thus become the shield that the US seeks in order to deliver a 'successful' first-strike attack. Each year th... more »
Ukraine War News Updates -- February 13, 2015
*Wall Street Journal:* *Fighting Rages in Eastern Ukraine as Cease-Fire Deadline Approaches* *Doubts Grow Over Implementation of Peace Deal Agreed to in MinskUkraine descended into further violence on Friday as Kiev and Russia-backed separatists tried to expand and defend their territory before a cease-fire brokered by European leaders was due to come into effect.* *Ukraine War News Updates -- February 13, 2015* Ukraine battles persist before cease-fire deadline; 25 dead -- AP Fighting rages in run-up to Ukraine ceasefire -- Reuters Ukraine says 11 troops killed and 40 wounded, f... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
The Poet: Sheenagh Pugh, “What If This Road”
*“What If This Road”* “What if this road, that has held no surprises these many years, decided not to go home after all; what if it could turn left or right with no more ado than a kite-tail? What if its tarry skin were like a long, supple bolt of cloth, that is shaken and rolled out, and takes a new shape from the contours beneath? And if it chose to lay itself down in a new way; around a blind corner, across hills you must climb without knowing what's on the other side; who would not hanker to be going, at all risks? Who wants to know a story's end, or where a road will go?” ~ Sheenagh... more »
"Would We Lose Anything Important?"
“What would our world be like if we ceased to worry about "right" and "wrong," or "good" and "evil," and simply acted so as to maximize well-being, our own and that of others? Would we lose anything important?” - Sam Harris
"Remember..."
“Remember, we all stumble, every one of us. That’s why it’s a comfort to go hand in hand.” - Emily Kimbrough
"As Americans..."
''As Americans, we must ask ourselves: Are we really so different? Must we stereotype those who disagree with us? Do we truly believe that ALL red-state residents are ignorant racist fascist knuckle-dragging NASCAR-obsessed cousin-marrying roadkill-eating tobacco juice-dribbling gun-fondling religious fanatic rednecks; or that ALL blue-state residents are godless unpatriotic pierced-nose Volvo-driving France-loving left-wing communist latte-sucking tofu-chomping holistic-wacko neurotic vegan weenie perverts?'' - Dave Barry
Visage - Fade to Grey
I've had a video game-related blog post brewing in my brain for a wee while now. It's a tricky one because you would think it's pretty difficult to write about, being as it has no plot, no levels as such, no lives, no ending. Can you guess what it is? Unfortunately, you're going to have to wait until the morrow as Friday night finds me with an annoying sleepyhead. Staying up too late to shout at *Question Time* and *This Week* on Twitter is the culprit. Was it worth it? *Is it ever?* Here then is a musical interlude while I convalesce. Given the sad news about Steve Strange, it coul... more »
most people
Most people don't really want the truth. They just want constant reassurance that what they believe is the truth.
Islamic State Attack Against Iraqi Base With U.S. Forces Repelled. Heavy Fighting Still Ongoing In Neighboring Towns
*Reuters:* *Iraqi army repels attack on base hosting U.S. Marines - officials* *(Reuters) - Iraqi security forces on Friday repelled an attack by Islamic State insurgents against an air base in Anbar province where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi troops, Iraqi and U.S. military officials said.Militants from the jihadist group had attacked the Ain al-Asad base and the nearby town of al-Baghdadi a day earlier, leading to sporadic clashes in the town overnight.* *More News On The Islamic State Attack Against An Iraqi Base Housing U.S. Forces* ISIS Fighters Sneak Into Iraqi Base W... more »
More Nations Rush To Close Their Embassies In Yemen
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com *Globe and Mail/Reuters:* *More Western nations, Saudis pull embassy staff from Yemen after rebel takeover * *Saudi Arabia has joined Western states in evacuating staff from Yemen after a power grab by Shia Muslim Houthi militia there, a move reflecting the hostility of majority Sunni Muslim neighbours toward the Iranian-backed Houthis.* *More News On The Crisis In Yemen* U.N. says Yemen collapsing, on brink of civil war -- Reuters Yemen on the Verge of Chaos -- AP U.N. Chief Warns Yemen ‘Collapsing’ as al-Qaeda Group Makes Gains -- Time A...more »
Nigeria's Boko Haram Has Launched Its First Attack Against Chad
*BBC:* *Nigeria's Boko Haram militants attack Chad for first time* *Nigerian Boko Haram militants have carried out an attack on Chad overnight, the first such assault on Chadian soil, officials say.Fighters crossed Lake Chad in four motorboats and attacked a village, an army spokesman told the BBC.* *More News On Nigeria's Boko Haram Launching Its First Attack Against Chad* Boko Haram attacks village in Chad as revolt spreads -- Reuters Boko Haram launches first attack in Chad -- USA Today/AP Boko Haram Attacks Chad Village -- WSJ Boko Haram Carries Out First Attack in Chad -- NYT... more »
Satire: "U.S. Orders Alabama to Grow Up"
*"U.S. Orders Alabama to Grow Up"* By Andy Borowitz MONTGOMERY (The Borowitz Report)— “A week of turmoil in Alabama culminated on Friday with the United States ordering the Southern state to grow up. After a week in which Alabama exhibited various displays of childishness—including kicking, screaming, stamping its feet, and threatening to hold its breath—the United States decided to take the extraordinary action of telling the hundred-and-ninety-five-year-old state to act its age. But any hopes that the United States’ order would be heeded were dashed when Alabama put its fingers i... more »
President Obama In Silicon Valley For Cybersecurity Summit
*Reuters*: *Obama to encourage companies to share cyber threat data* *(Reuters) - President Barack Obama is set to sign an executive order on Friday aimed at encouraging companies to share more information about cybersecurity threats with the government and each other, a response to attacks like that on Sony Entertainment.* *WNU Editor*: Even though Apple's CEO is there, other tech leaders are deliberately avoiding this cybersecurity summit .... *Top tech CEOs snub Obama at cybersecurity summit* (Washington Times). *More News On President Obama Participating At The Cybersecurity S... more »
How confusing
Was I alone when listening to The Archers tonight of thinking that the next dance track was going to Sweet's Blockbuster? Air raid sirens are very confusing...
Feb. 13: Why us humans believe.
This will probably be just a short note. First, a couple of quick points. 1. The Irving press still hasn't mentioned the story of three Muslim young people shot to death by their American neighbour in Carolina. As well, Obama has said nothing about it. Gee. He always has lots to say when Muslims kill. In fact, irving press foreign news gives no sense whatever of what's going on in the world. To get a sense of what they're ignoring, take a look at Information Clearing House. There's no need to agree with ICH opinions. Certainly, I often don't. But the coverage of ICH is far broader t... more »
Excerpts From The Introduction To "Hating God: The Untold Story of Misotheism" By Bernard Schweizer
*"Hating God: The Untold Story of Misotheism" By Bernard Schweizer (2010).* *Wikipedia:* Bernard Schweizer (1962-) is a professor of English at Long Island University, Brooklyn. He has published several books and essay collections on topics in British and European literatures. He is a leading Rebecca West scholar and has edited or co-edited a number of Rebecca West’s previously unpublished and uncollected works. In 2003, he founded the International Rebecca West Society in New York and is currently the second president of the Society. Schweizer has written pioneering scholarly work... more »
Modus Operandi: Faking the Evidence to Justify a War
These pictures purported to show how Russia is intervening in Ukraine, and were used as evidence by US Senators who were pushing for lethal aid to be sent to Kiev. RT's Lizzie Phelan has the details of an incident which has left some red faces on Capitol Hill. RT is also joined by political writer John Wight.
29 House Dems Join The GOP To Push The Keystone XL Pipeline Boondoggle-- What Is The Punishment?
Last week DCCC Chair and Steve Israel puppet Ben Ray Luján appointed Illinois Blue Dog Cheri Bustos DCCC vice-chair for recruitment. Wednesday she voted, once again, to force President Obama to start building the Keystone XL Pipeline on Republican terms, terms that are extremely disadvantageous to Americans. And Bustos, the Illinois Democrat who votes most frequently against progressive proposals and with the GOP, is trying to the Democratic Party Senate nomination for the seat Mark Kirk currently holds-- something that would virtually guarantee Kirk a second term. In all, 29 Demo... more »
A Look At Iran's Unit 190 Responsible For Secret Arms Shipments
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com *FOX News:* *Secret Iranian unit fueling Mideast bloodshed with illicit arms shipments* *As conflicts and civil wars rage across the Middle East and North Africa, a shadowy covert cell operating under the Iranian government is fueling the bloodshed.Unit 190, a secret arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard's Quds Force made up of about two-dozen employees, has for years smuggled arms to these conflict zones.* *WNU Editor:* It would not surprise me if all the countries in this region have operations of this sort (arms shipments) underway ... more »
U.S. Escalating 'Secret War' In Afghanistan
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Jason Hickman scans the area using binoculars while providing security from behind a partial stone wall during a patrol with U.S., Czech and Afghan soldiers through a village in Parwan province, Afghanistan, Jan. 27, 2015. Hickman is assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry Regiment. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class David Wheeler *New York Times:* *U.S. Is Escalating a Secretive War in Afghanistan* *Data From Seized Computer Fuels a Surge in U.S. Raids on Al QaedaWASHINGTON — As an October chill fell on the mountain passes that ... more »
Argentina's President Has Been Charged In Probe Of Alleged Cover-Up
Argentine President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner poses with her dog at the Olivos Presidential residence in Buenos Aires in this November 18, 2013 handout supplied by the Argentine Presidency. ( REUTERS/ARGENTINE PRESIDENCY/HANDOUT) *Buenos Aires Herald:* *Prosecutor Pollicita charges President CFK in AMIA cover-up case* *Federal Prosecutor Gerardo Pollicita has requested to investigate President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner and Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman in a case involving an alleged cover-up of Iran's role in the 1994 AMIA bombing.* *Update #1:* Argentina's President... more »
Big Pharma’s Psychotropic and Other Drug Problems
Catherine J. Frompovich Are you or your children on psychotropic drugs? If so, you may be interested in knowing what independent researchers are finding regarding ADHD drugs, Antidepressant drugs, Antipsychotic drugs, and Anti-Anxiety drugs. CCHR International—*The Mental Health Watchdog* online, publishes an extensive listing of those drugs risks and/or possible side effects here. ADHD drugs: Ritalin, Concerta, Adderall, Metadate, Vyvanse, Provigil. [1] Antidepressant drugs: Paxil, Prozac, Zoloft, Celexa, Luvox, Wellbutrin, Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro , Elavil, Remeron,Stratter... more »
NYPD Successfully Disarms, Pins Down Female 'Drug Lord' Wielding a Lollipop
Amanda Warren In an effort to really instill trust back into New York residents, NYPD has decided to be extra vigilant about finding drugs in all the wrong places. Are you a female who enjoys the occasional 'lolli'? Then of course you must be a drug lord deserving of a good kick, tackle and a literal roll in the grass only to find an unidentified plain clothes brute on top of you. Last spring, detective Sekou Bourne thought he'd do some sleuthing by conspicuously poking about Jarnale Henry's apartment building. To her, it must have looked like some creeper hanging out for odd len... more »
ISA Non-Panels: Fun and Games In IR
The annual meeting of the International Studies Association kicks off on Tuesday and runs through Saturday, Feb 17th-21st. The program is chock full of all kinds of IR. Of course, there is much to do and see during and after Mardi Gras in New Orleans beyond the panels. Using my power here as Duck-ster, let […]
“The Fourth Turning Shadow Crisis, Part 4: War on Multiple Fronts”
*“The Fourth Turning Shadow Crisis, Part 4: * *War on Multiple Fronts”* by James Quinn "In Part One of this article I explained the model of generational theory as conveyed by Strauss and Howe in The Fourth Turning. In Part Two I provided an overwhelming avalanche of evidence this Crisis has only yet begun, with debt, civic decay and global disorder propelling the world towards the next more violent phase of this Crisis. In Part Three I addressed how the most likely clash on the horizon is between the government and the people. War on multiple fronts will thrust the world through t... more »
THE FOG OF BRIAN’S VARIOUS SONGS: Still crazy after all these years!
*FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2015Part 5—The songs of SEAL Team Six:* The broken state of our public discourse has been our subject for seventeen pointless years. A couple of quick examples: In February 2000, that broken discourse was on display when Brian Williams and Bill Turque discussed the psychiatric problems suggested by Al Gore’s polo shirts and three-button suits—when they conducted that crackpot discussion and nobody thought it was nuts. (Williams had obsessed about Gore’s polo shirts all through the fall of 1999, often with Howard Fineman cast in the role of sidekick. Within t... more »
Whoops! It appears that my sanguine view of the Minsk peace deal yesterday was badly mistaken. Below, Paul Craig Roberts explains why. I urge you to open the link in the first paragraph, which is a series of still photos with short explantions, either before or after reading all of PCR's concerns that follow.
------------------------------ *The Minsk Peace Deal: Farce Or Sellout? — Paul Craig Roberts * ------------------------------ February 12, 2015 | Original Here Go here to sign up to receive email notice of this news letter The Minsk Peace Deal: Farce Or Sellout? Paul Craig Roberts Judging by the report on RT http://rt.com/news/231667-minsk-ceasefire-deal-breakup/ I conclude that the Ukraine peace deal worked out in Minsk by Putin, Merkel, Hollande, and Poroshenko has little chance of success. As Washington is not a partner to the Minsk pe... more »
A Modest Masterpiece of Mockery
The Kates demonstrate with disarming light humor the futility of achieving true sustainability.
An Ominous Wind This Way Blows
Rory Hall Our world seems to be at a tipping point. The ever encroaching police state, the fact that all financial markets, over the entire globe, are rigged. Since when does the President come out and tell Congress that he needs omnipotent powers to continue to expand the wars of aggression? What next, maybe world war; cast a dragnet across the Internet to begin scooping up owners of alternative news websites? Perhaps begin systematically killing the bankers in the back office with the codes and programs that run the derivatives markets and rig the equities markets? Or maybe jou... more »
It Takes a Neoliberal Village
Hillary Clinton sure has a strange way of rolling out her presidential campaign. She's teamed up with Bill Frist (health industry profiteer, corrupt former senator, and inept long-distance diagnostician of Terry Schiavo) to advocate for the renewal of the Children's Health Insurance Program. (CHIP) This 90s initiative currently serves a couple million borderline-poor children -- out of the nearly 50 million people still uncovered under the Affordable Care Act. It seems that CHIP will run out of funding this fall. So what more perfect way for Hillary Clinton to show that she cares th... more »
“The Fourth Turning: The Shadow Of Crisis Has Not Passed - Part 3”
*“The Fourth Turning: * *The Shadow Of Crisis Has Not Passed - Part 3”* by James Quinn “In Part One of this article I attempted to illuminate the concept of generational theory as articulated by Strauss and Howe in The Fourth Turning. In Part Two I provided proof this Crisis is far from over, with ever increasing debt, civic decay and global disorder propelling the world towards war. *Seeds of Crisis & War: *“The seasons of time offer no guarantees. For modern societies, no less than for all forms of life, transformative change is discontinuous. For what seems an eternity, history... more »
The Economy: “$20 Oil?”
*“$20 Oil?”* by Bill Bonner São Paolo, Brazil - “The Dow rose 110 points yesterday to settle at 17,972. It seems to be struggling with the 18,000 milestone, as though some inner voice were telling it to beware. An inner voice is telling us to beware too. It’s impossible to know what will happen next. All we can say with any confidence is that something will happen. Probably something alarming. Everywhere we look we see rivets popping… *Global Output Shrinks: *The Baltic Dry Index has just put in a new all-time low. The index measures the cost of shipping raw materials over 23 sea ... more »
Putin checkmates Obama as Russia overcomes U.S. “diplomacy”
Remember, it's all about the agendas. IS Putin the savior so many claim him to be? No. His agenda is equally hidden and shrouded in secrecy, just as those of all the other "super powers". But..... ... in this game of US vs THEM, Putin has very obviously won the match. The US bully boy tactics are failing most grandly right now, and all the while, Putin has been sweeping up all of the players that are tired of getting beaten by the bully boy who lies, cheats and steals. The US is just figuring out that they are seriously shit out of luck. Obama and his mafia are about to find t... more »
THIS Is Absolutely Atrocious: McDonalds Restaurant In Amarillo Texas Giving Free Vaccines (!) To Children Along With Their "Happy Meals"!
We all know by now that the criminals in the US government are working hand in foot with the criminals behind the big Pharmaceutical Industries as well as the criminals in the American Jew spew media outlets in trying to force vaccinations on everyone..... It is truly astounding that there is not more public outcry against this travesty and a direct threat against people's rights and freedoms of choice..... But today, I came across something that is truly sickening, and I want to share this information wth all of my own readers... For according to this new article that comes from t... more »
The Sun Has Set on Sun News
That was abrupt, but people weren't watching so not surprising. I guess folks aren't interested in Ezra Levant's angry rants. Photo via CBC, you can read more here.
Progress in Ukraine and perhaps Greece?
Merkel, Hollande, Poroshenko, and Putin signed some documents in Minsk, the Minsk 2.0 ceasefire, which should come to force on Saturday (mid)night. After some doubts, the Novorussian Armed Forces seem ready to respect it, and so should Yatsenyuk's government. However, Dmitry Yaroš just announced that the Right Sector will keep on fighting after Saturday night, anyway. I guess that NAF will defend itself and if the Right Sector will be the only foe fighting NAF, I would bet that the Right Sector might be neutralized rather easily. We will see what will happen. On Tuesday, I wrote a... more »
Stephen Harper: Two articles that Every Canadian Should Read
Two articles that Every Canadian Should Read Meet the real Stephen Harper By Michael Harris | Jan 15, 2015 8:58 pm [image: Stephen Harper] *More from Michael Harris available here.* In politics, as in baseball, the rule is simple: Three strikes and you’re out. When Stephen Harper finally shambles towards the showers, head down, bat in hand, I’ll be thinking of Mighty Casey. For much of his career, Harper has umpired his own at-bats. But that role will soon — if briefly — fall to the people of Canada. Election Day is coming to Mudville. *Strike one* against this government of oligar... more »
World News Briefs -- February 13, 2015
Members of the Ukrainian armed forces ride on armoured personnel carriers (APC) near Debaltseve, eastern Ukraine, February 12, 2015. Credit: Reuters/Gleb Garanich *Reuters:* *Fighting rages in run-up to Ukraine ceasefire* *Ukraine and Russian-backed rebels fought fiercely across the east of the country on Friday despite a new peace deal brokered by Germany and France.A ceasefire is due to come into effect from Sunday under the agreement, which also envisages a withdrawal of the heavy weapons responsible for many of the 5,000 casualties in the conflict that broke out almost a year... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 13, 2015
*Brian Bremner, Bloomberg:* *Japan Gets Ready to Fight* *Abe wants to unshackle Japan from its postwar pacifism * *Japan’s shock, grief, and anger over the recent beheadings of two of its citizens by Islamic State has drawn into sharp focus the country’s ambivalence about the use of its military to protect its citizens and its interests. For decades, Japan was bound by its 1947 constitution to mobilize troops solely for self-defense. The country didn’t have the legal right to send armed troops abroad to protect its own people or back up allies who come under attack.* *Military A... more »
The Dream Still Lives
For the moment, economics has intervened and put Stephen Harper's dream of Canada The Petro State on ice. But his other dream -- Canada The Police State -- continues apace. Michael Harris writes: Where was the national debate about sloughing off a century of parliamentary tradition by putting the RCMP in charge of Parliament Hill security — an odd move when you consider that Michael Zehaf Bibeau’s attack on Centre Block occurred while the Mounties were parked on site with their motors idling? If anyone played a heroic role, it was Parliament Hill security, which is now being dump... more »
Principles of fundamental justice and lawyers' duty
*Canada (Attorney General) v.** Federation of Law Societies of Canada, *2015 SCC 7 is yet another case where the Supreme Court of Canada disapproved of federal legislation -- here holding certain reporting requirements imposed on lawyers unconstitutional: [95] Principles of fundamental justice find their “meaning in the cases and traditions that have long detailed the basic norms for how the state deals with its citizens”: *Canadian Foundation for Children, Youth and the Law*, at para. 8, per McLachlin C.J. The duty of commitment to the client’s cause is fu... more »
Manson as a Scapegoat
"For years I was the personification of everything evil, everything rotten in this country. Yeah, you dumped all your own criminality off on me. *I was your goat."* "To the faithful I say this, so that understanding can be touched and because I know you have been misled: I did live among you in the will of all, in and out of prison for over twenty years before I was put on trial in 1969. *From the 1940’s, I lived a lifetime in and on your prison cross, kept in your punishments to be your goat, your blame, all your bad, long before your children of the '60s picked me up and... more »
Robert D. Skeels on Refugio "Ref" Rodriguez's hostile opposition to Ethnic Studies in LAUSD
*"Bennett Kayser of Board District 5 authored the historic LAUSD Ethnic Studies Resolution!" — the Honorable José Lara* [image: Revenue minded Refugio "e;Ref"e; Rodriguez opposes ethnic studies in favor of more test preparation] The more we learn of Refugio "Ref" Rodriguez, the more we realize that he's far worse than just another charter profiteer. Whether discussing his schools using money for advertising instead of classrooms; the astonishing 50% remediation rate of his so-called college-ready graduates; he and his backers' vile ableism and mocking of people with disabi... more »
The Timing Of This Could Not Have Been More Perfect: Reports Claim "ISIS" (Mossad/CIA) Just Captured American Air Base In Iraq!
Everyone should understand and be up to speed by now about the absolute truth about the fraud known as "ISIS" (Or ISIL, IS, or Daash, or what ever the CIA/Mossad thinks of next...) and the absolute fact that they are an invention of both the Israeli Mossad and the American CIA... This "ISIS" does not contain "Muslim/Islamic extremists" as the liars in our Jew spew media continues to promote to the gullible sheep, but is entirely made up of CIA and Mossad agents and operatives....It is so ridiculous that people actually think they are the latest and greatest "terrorist" group, when th... more »
Kiev: This So-Called Cease Fire
US puppet President Poroshenko reveals true nature of the ceasefire for Ukraine.
Is Cancer An Ancient Survival Program Unmasked?
*Syer Ji* - Even after four decades of waging full-scale conventional (surgery and chemo) and nuclear (radiotherapy) war against cancer, close to one in every four Americans will be diagnosed with the disease within their lifetimes. The post Is Cancer An Ancient Survival Program Unmasked? appeared first on Waking Times.
Seeds and Weeds – The Power of Activism
*Zen Gardner* - We know the same central Truth, the heart of man being the same the world over, we know it only awaits awakening to come to full fruition. The post Seeds and Weeds – The Power of Activism appeared first on Waking Times.
Jews throw fit over lack of Jews on German "anti-Semitism" panel
"Anti-Semitism" is once again making headlines in the Jewish press - surprise, surprise. Individual European nations, including *the United Kingdom*, as well as *the United Nations* are taking steps to address and combat "anti-Semitism," i.e., telling the truth about the Jews, the Jewish state of Israel, and international Jewry's power and influence in the Western world. Can you believe the nerve of these arrogant, flippant Jews in Germany? Sadly, the outrageous behavior on display here is all too common not only in Germany, but the entire Western world, especially after WWII and th... more »
Violent Protests Return To Venezuela
*Reuters:* *Violence flares in Venezuela on anniversary of 2014 fatalities* *(Reuters) - Venezuelan security forces faced off with stone-wielding protesters on Thursday as supporters of President Nicolas Maduro also rallied on the anniversary of last year's fatal unrest.The flare-ups, in the volatile western city of San Cristobal and the capital Caracas, recalled four months of protests and violence in 2014 killing 43 people and underlined just how tense the South American OPEC nation remains.* *WNU Editor*: When I read stories like this one .... *Tweeting for Treatment in Venez... more »
How To Change Someone’s Mind
*Antony Sammeroff* - People are more likely to want to take on new information and learn, than to want to reverse their opinion and "unlearn" so to speak. The post How To Change Someone’s Mind appeared first on Waking Times.
Heavy Fighting Reported Between Myanmar Soldiers And Kokang Rebels Near The Chinese Border
*BBC:* *Myanmar clashes with rebels 'kill 47 soldiers'* *Nearly 50 soldiers have been killed in a week of fighting between government troops and Kokang ethnic rebels in Myanmar, state media report.* *More News On Heavy Fighting Being Reported Between Myanmar Soldiers And Kokang Rebels Near The Chinese Border* Myanmar says 47 soldiers killed in clashes with rebels near China border -- Reuters Rebels Kill Dozens of Soldiers in Myanmar Near Border With China -- New York Times Myanmar Clashes With Rebels Leave 47 Soldiers Dead -- WSJ Dozens of Myanmar troops killed fighting northern re... more »
The Vaccine Safety Myth by Jamie Deckoff-Jones, MD
The Vaccine Safety Myth by Jamie Deckoff-Jones, MD Green Med Info. 10 February 2015 *Vaccines are proven safe, right? You may be surprised to find how non-evidence based this belief really is....* A few days ago, *The Washington Post* published an *op-ed piece* by a medical ethicist who thinks that all doctors who have concerns about vaccines should lose their licenses. Last week, it was parents who don't vaccinate their children should be jailed or sued. There are case reports where not vaccinating has been used as proof of neglect for CPS to remove children and terminate par... more »
The U.S. Air Force Is Looking For A Better Way To Provide Close Air Support
The A-10 has proven itself to be the platform of choice for close air support missions, and many have criticised USAF plans to withdraw the aircraft as a cost saving measure. Source: US Air Force *Colin Clark, Breaking Defense:* *Air Force To Hold Close Air Support Summit; May Need New Weapon * *ORLANDO: The Air Force, under heavy pressure from Congress to keep the A-10 Warthog in the air, will hold a mini-summit with the Army, Navy and Marines to figure out the best ways to do Close Air Support, the politically sensitive mission of aircraft protecting troops on the ground.Gen.... more »
4 Reasons Human Beings May Not Be Mammals
*Josh Richardson* - Behaviorally, there is no other mammal that does what humans do. Our capacity to destroy our environment makes us practically pseudo-living organisms in this respect. The post 4 Reasons Human Beings May Not Be Mammals appeared first on Waking Times.
This Is Why The U.S. Military Has A Problem In Keeping Its Drone Pilots
U.S. Reaper drones at Kandahar Airfield (Credit: GlobalPost) *Aaron Sankin, The Kernel*: *The loneliness of the long-distance drone pilot* *Bruce Black had been preparing for this moment for most of his life.* *Growing up, he always wanted to be a pilot. After graduating from New Mexico State University in 1984 with a degree in geology, Black was commissioned as an officer in the Air Force. He spent years as an instructor pilot before quitting to join the FBI, where he specialized in chasing down white-collar criminals, but the pull of military was too strong. He eventually found ... more »
The 4 Deadliest Military Powers In Europe
*Dave Majumdar, National Interest*: *Europe's 4 Deadliest Military Powers * *While Asia might get all the headlines when it comes to defense budgets and advanced weapon systems, Europe's militaries can pack quite a punch.Throughout modern history, Europe has fielded some of the world’s most capable military forces. While many of those powers are nowhere near their zenith, they still field some of the most technologically advanced forces anywhere on Earth.* *WNU Editor*: Europe has a long history of fielding very deadly and effective armies .... and that is not going to change in... more »
MENA Report - February 13 , 2015 - Iraq/ Syria Regional War in focus , Yemen in focus , Additional items of note !
Links..... *Obama's War Request Runs Into a Brick Wall* *Southern Rebels Ask Israel to Attack Syrian Army, Hezbollah* *ISIS Nears Anbar Base Where US Troops Are Stationed* *Fear of Yemen's Collapse as al-Qaeda's Gains Mount* Iran Commander Suleimani Says ISIS 'Nearing End' Jordan's Air Force Resumes Raids Against ISIS UN Security Council Adopts Resolution Stifling ISIS, Nusra Front Cash Flows 57 Killed in Iraq; ISIS Stopped Short of Base Housing US Marines Yemen Army Base Seized by al-Qaeda Linked Fighters Tweets...... *Al Arabiya English* @AlArabiya_Eng 2m 2 minutes a... more »
Economic Updates - February 13 , 2015 - Greece and Europe in focus , Asia items of note !
Morning Tweets.... Greece.... *Yves Smith* @yvessmith · 55m55 minutes ago Fog of Negotiations: Greece and Germany Make Friendlier Noises, Restart Talks, But Press Reports Diverge: Afte... http://bit.ly/17seXTV *Kathimerini English *@ekathimerini · 1h1 hour ago ECB urges Greek political deal as emergency cash line kept tight http:// dlvr.it/8XF7QK *Kathimerini English *@ekathimerini · 2h2 hours ago EU's Moscovici: Monday's Eurogroup meeting to be 'difficult, decisive' http://dlvr.it/8XBRln *Kathimerini English *@ekathimerini · 3h3 hours ago Greek gov't spokesma... more »
What Does Organic Really Mean?
*Infographic - *With so many products labeling themselves as organic, which ones are the real deal? And why do organic products cost so much more? The post What Does Organic Really Mean? appeared first on Waking Times.
A cold wind from Sweden
Continuing on from the previous post... The latest *Letter from Europe* came from anti-Israeli activist/Swedish novelist Henning Mankell (author of the Wallander books). In a dreary voice, Mr Mankell told us that Europe is built on immigration and that Europe must embrace and learn from all cultures, especially Arab and Muslim cultures. He said that anti-Muslim feeling is a growing problem, that European Muslims are feeling a cold wind on their faces and that they do not deserve to be on the receiving end of such feelings. Having initially only mentioned the attacks on Charlie Heb... more »
The Titanic Deception
The Titanic Deception from Spike EP on Vimeo. "And so the myths of villainy and heroism began..."
Steve Strange R.I.P.
Another icon of my teenage years has died, aged just 55, my memories of Visage are still vivid and will hopefully never Fade To Grey Still a stonking music video, once seen never forgotten
Lockeed Martin's Legion Pod™ Takes Flight
[image: Legion Pod™]Today, Lockheed Martin introduced Legion Pod – a multi-function sensor system that supports collaborative targeting operations between multiple aircraft in radar-denied environments. Combining Lockheed Martin’s IRST21™ infrared sensor with advanced networking and data processing technology, Legion Pod provides high-fidelity detection and tracking of airborne targets. Designed for flexibility, Legion Pod also accommodates additional sensors within its current structure to address diverse mission requirements across a variety of platforms. “Legion Pod fills a crit... more »
F-22's role, impact in Inherent Resolve increasing
[image: F-22 Raptor]The Air Force's most advanced fighter has been in battle against the Islamic State group for about five months, and has performed well enough to now be an anchor of airstrike sorties. The F-22 flew its first combat mission in September, striking an Islamic State headquarters building in Syria. Since then, the F-22 has flown as part of strike packages in most of the combat sorties as part of Operation Inherent Resolve in both Iraq and Syria. It has flown combat missions, escorted bombers and helped manage other fighter aircraft on their sorties, Air Combat Comman... more »
A question for Ed Miliband, one that the pro Labour BBC won't ask
Mr Miliband - if the deed of variation applied to your father's will wasn't used to (legally) avoid tax, what was the reason?
AFSOC adding cannon to its new gunship
[image: AC-130J Ghostrider]The Air Force's new gunship is going to be a lot more powerful. The AC-130J Ghostrider is in testing and expected to replace the service's current gunship fleet of AC-130H Spectres, AC-130W Stinger IIs and AC-130U Spookys. The new version already was planned to be outfitted with a precision strike package. But that wasn't enough for Air Force Special Operations Command. "I want to have two guns," AFSOC Commander Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold told reporters Thursday at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium here. Read more
Russian Fear of U.S. Hypersonic Missiles Threatens New Arms Race
[image: X-51A WaveRider]While conflict between the United States and Russia over Ukraine has raised talk of a new Cold War, another feature of that era has also begun to re-emerge — the missile race. A new arms rivalry between Russia and the United States is heating up as the two major military powers rush to develop a new class of hypersonic, non-nuclear missiles that can strike any target on the globe within one hour of launch with devastating accuracy. The United States is leading the chase for the new weapons, which Russia firmly believes poses a significant threat to its own nu... more »
India begins development of the Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile for the Su-30MKI
[image: Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile]The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of the Ministry of Defence of India started work on developing an air-launched version of the Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile to arm the Su-30MKI. According to TASS, the press service of the organization announced that – “the launch from an aircraft will take place in March-April of this year”. According to the missile’s creators, now they are working on integrating it with the fighter jet’s systems and developing the capability of launching from low altitudes, in order to minimize its ... more »
Egypt agrees fighter jet deal with France
[image: Dassault Rafale]Egypt is set to order 24 Rafale fighter jets alongside a warship and other related equipment, according to President François Hollande, in what would mark the end of years of failed attempts to export the plane abroad. France and Egypt have been negotiating since November last year on the sale of the multipurpose war planes, a Fremm naval frigate and MBDA air to air missiles in a multibillion-euro deal, according to people close to the talks. “The Egyptian authorities have just let me know their intention of acquiring 24 Rafale planes, a multi-mission frigat... more »
North’s fighter jets get a makeover
[image: North Korea’s two-tone MiG-29 fighter jet]North Korea recently changed the color scheme on its fighter jets, military sources told the JoongAng Ilbo, in an apparent attempt to improve performance during midair combat. “We have obtained intelligence that the North has been redesigning its fighter jets since October,” a senior military official said. “We compared old photos of their jets with newly released photos and confirmed that the colors and designs were entirely different.” In the past, the North colored its advanced fighter jets of MiG-29s with two tones. The top was ... more »
Reform Pentagon Acquisition By Slowing Down the F-35
[image: F-35B Lightning II]Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Ashton Carter, the incoming next defense secretary, agree on one thing – the need for acquisition reform at the Pentagon. They should start by looking at the F-35 program. McCain, in his opening remarks at Carter’s confirmation hearing last week, provided a litany of examples of major programs that had incurred huge cost overruns, from a new aircraft carrier to the F-35 combat aircraft. His basic message was that if the Pentagon doesn’t change the way it buys weapons, it won’t matter how much money it gets. Carter, for his p... more »
PLA could refit two Soviet era Kiev-class aircraft carriers
[image: Former Soviet heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Kiev]China's ability to modify its two decommissioned Soviet era Kiev-class aircraft carriers which now serve as hotel-theme parks in Tianjian and Shenzhen has been discussed in a recent article on Beijing-based website Sina Military Network on Feb. 10. The Kiev and the Minsk were the first two vessels of four Kiev-class aircraft carriers built for the Soviet navy back in the 1970s. Also known as aviation cruisers, the 45,000-ton vessels can be equipped with 80 to 200 surface-to-air missiles, two dual-purpose guns, eight close-... more »
Navy Awards SEWIP Block III Contract to Northrop Grumman
[image: AN/SLQ-32]Northrop Grumman has won the contract to develop the next generation system U.S. surface ships will use to jam or confuse incoming enemy missiles, according to a Navy announcement. The cost-plus-incentive fee contract for preliminary design of the AN/SLQ-32(V)Y Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP) Block 3 System includes options to, if exercised, that could bring the contract award to $267 million. The SEWIP program is set to replace the AN/SLQ-32 Electronic Warfare “Slick 32” system that was introduced in the 1970s to the U.S. Navy. Read more
B&W Announces $535 Million in Contracts for Naval Nuclear Reactor Programs
[image: USS Nautilus (SSN 571)]The Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) announced today that its subsidiary Babcock & Wilcox Nuclear Operations Group, Inc. (B&W NOG) has been awarded contracts totaling approximately $535.1 million for the manufacture of naval nuclear reactor components for U.S. Navy submarines and aircraft carriers. Of this work, approximately $424.6 million was issued as options under previously announced contract awards in 2010 and 2013. Approximately $110.5 million has been issued under new contracts awarded in late 2014. The work under these contracts, which began in ... more »
India will use the sunken submarine Sindhurakshak for diver training
[image: INS Sindhurakshak]The sunken diesel-electric submarine Sindhurakshak will be used for the preparation of Indian Navy’s divers. This was reported by the TV channel NDTV. This submarine, which they brought to the surface, “will likely be sunk to the bottom of the sea once again”. This will be done to practice rescue operations, as well as mine clearance techniques. The submarine Sindhurakshak sank in the port of Mumbai in western India after an onboard explosion on August 14, 2013. The Ministry of Defense has acknowledged that the cause of the accident was crew error while loa... more »
Nick Xenophon says Australia’s submarine-building reputation trashed by defence officials while overseas
[image: HMAS Waller]Defence officials on a tour of Europe left at least one of the contenders to build the Australia’s new submarines with the impression that overseas construction was preferred. The Advertiser has confirmed that Defence representatives, including Defence Materiel Organisation chief executive officer Warren King, appeared to discourage one shipbuilder from pitching to build the subs in Australia. South Australian independent Senator Nick Xenophon has accused the officials of trashing the nation’s reputation and yesterday asked the Government whether DMO questioned A... more »
New Navy ship named for Bismarck
[image: USNS Fall River]Former Attorney General Bob Wefald, who was behind the drive to get a Navy nuclear sub named for North Dakota says the decision came as a complete surprise. In fact, he once asked if the Navy might consider naming a ship after the capitol city and was told that name belongs to the German Navy. Wefald says the joint high-speed USNS Bismarck will be built next year. The double hulled ship will be Navy owned but is not a war ship and will be operated by civilians. Read more
Greg Hunter, "Weekly News Wrap-Up, 2/13/2015"
*"Weekly News Wrap-Up, 2/13/2015"* By Greg Hunter’s USAWatchdog.com "Everywhere you look in the Middle East, there are “wars and rumors of wars.” Let’s start with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The President says he’s ready to fight the Islamic State, and they are “losing.” In fact, they are continuing to take territory in Iraq and Syria. President Obama is asking Congress for military authority, but in reality, the President’s proposal to defeat ISIS has restrictions, and he does not want to use ground troops. What is different about this request? Isn’t this what he is alread... more »
Top U.S. Counter-Terrorism Official Admits That The U.S. Was Surprised By The Collapse Of The Yemen Government
*AP*: *US official: US was surprised by collapse of Yemen govt* *WNU Editor*: In a matter of a few days the following has happened .... the UN chief is saying that Yemen is falling apart and is now at the brink of civil war, the U.S. embassy is evacuated, U.S. Marines are ordered to destroy their weapons, and Al Qaeda seizes a military base with its weapons and equipment. And the response from the Obama administration's senior counter-terrorism official is that "they were surprised"?!?!?!! I am still trying to digest the fact that someone ordered the U.S. Marines to destroy their ... more »
In Yemen, The U.S. Literally Gave Away The House Keys To Houthi Rebels, While Al-Qaeda Seized An Army Base In Country's South
*How about puncturing the tires before abandoning the cars? Break the windows. Tear the seats. Take the steering wheels out. Do anything. Just don't leave the cars in one piece for Houthi militants to drive away in and making out like bandits.* *An excerpt from, "Yemen Houthi rebels seize U.S. embassy vehicles after diplomats leave: staff" Reuters, February 11, 2015:* Armed Houthi rebels in the Yemeni capital Sanaa seized U.S. embassy vehicles after the ambassador and diplomats left the country on Wednesday, local members of embassy staff told Reuters. The employees said that mor... more »
The World's Currency Wars Are Spreading
*Bloomberg:* *Central Banks Now Open 24/7 Fighting Currency Wars and Deflation* *Central banks are now open all hours.Just as they worked weekends through the financial crisis, policy makers are again signaling they can strike at any time for the good of their economies.Spooked by the threat of deflation, Sweden’s Riksbank became the latest to put investors on alert when it said on Thursday that it’s “prepared to do more at short notice” after cutting its main interest rate below zero and unexpectedly saying it will buy government bonds. * *More News On The World's Currency W... more »
Anti-Smoke Belching Racket, Part 7
The Anti-Smoke Belching Unit (ASBU) of various city governments in Metro Manila remains among the dreaded agencies of those local governments. Lots of extortion are happening there because no one seems to pass their smoke test. Thus, those who do not want to be harassed further have to offer something so that they can go to their destination. Here is one news from GMA News, March 14, 2012. I myself gets terrified by these ASBU people whether in Makati, Pasay, Manila, etc. It is difficult to reason out with them. They flag you down for no sensible reason and when you ask why, they ... more »
NYT's David Carr on the Future of Journalism
RIP David Carr. *Title: NYT's David Carr on the Future of Journalism. Source: bu. Date Published: March 6, 2014. Description:* "New York Times" columnist David Carr and Bloomberg Media chairman Andrew Lack discuss how technology is making media more interesting, not less. Carr is the inaugural Andrew R. Lack Professor at Boston University's College of Communication.
Louisiana Takes First Step to Retry Albert Woodfox --AG Caldwell Continues to Obstruct Justice But Albert Does Not Fear A Trial
Yesterday, the State of Louisiana took the first step toward a retrial and announced that a grand jury has re-indicted Albert a third time for the murder of Brent Miller. Though we continue to hope that the State will stop wasting taxpayer money on the prosecution and torture of this innocent man, Albert looks forward to being able to prove to the world once and for all that he is innocent. We will update you as more information becomes available, and in the meantime urge you to join over 16,000 people in the US alone (and thousands more abroad) in signing Amnesty's new petition cal... more »
Islamic State Has Seized The Western Iraqi Town Of al-Baghdadi. Nearby Air Base With 320 U.S. Marines Threatened. Unconfirmed Reports Say That Iraq Has Lost Contact With The Base
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com *Reuters: **Islamic State fighters seize parts of western Iraqi town: officials* *(Reuters) - Islamic State insurgents took control on Thursday of large parts of the western Iraqi town of al-Baghdadi, threatening an air base where U.S. Marines are training Iraqi troops, officials said.Al-Baghdadi, about 85 km (50 miles) northwest of Ramadi in Anbar province, has been besieged for months by the radical Sunni Islamist militants who captured vast swathes of northern and western Iraq last year.Militants attacked al-Baghdadi from two dir... more »
Russia Has Lost Its Early-Warning System For Detecting An Incoming Nuclear Missile Strike
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (right) visits the Voronezh-DM a radar warning system station in Kaliningrad November, 2011 (AFP/Ria-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev) *Business Insider*: *Russia has lost its ability to detect incoming nuclear missiles from space* *Russia just lost its early-warning system for detecting ballistic missiles because of delays in the launch of its new "Tundra" advanced early-warning system.According to Russia's Kommersant newspaper, the system was due to replace ageing satellites launched as part of the Oko programme that had already exceeded their expe... more »
U.S. 71, EU 6
No, it's not a sports score. It's the number of $100 million incentive packages offered in each place beginning in 2010. This is based on my first paper to use the September 2014 update of Good Jobs First's Megadeals database (you can download the entire update in spreadsheet form). I've said before that U.S. investment incentive use is totally out of control. The new paper confirms this beyond my worst nightmares. Think about it: The United States and the European Union have comparably large economies, yet U.S. state and local governments have put together an average of 14 $100 mil... more »
Failing to provide necessities of life
R. v. S.J., 2015 ONCA 97: [47] The offence of failing to provide necessaries of life first appeared in 1892 in the first *Criminal Code*. English 19th century legislation dealing with the protection of servants, apprentices, and inmates of penal and other institutions was the likely origin of s. 215: *R. v. Peterson* (2005), 34 C.R. (6th) 120, leave to appeal to S.C.C. refused, [2005] S.C.C.A. No. 539 (Ont. C.A.), at para. 65 (Borins J.A. dissenting on sentence). Although the language has changed somewhat since 1892, the core of the legislation remains the same: where a pe... more »
Ukraine To Get $40-Billion In Emergency Funding
*Linda Kinstler, Quartz*: *Ukraine is heading for a total economic collapse* *When IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde announced Ukraine’s new, $17.5 billion bailout package Thursday morning, she suggested it would be a “turning point for Ukraine,” which stands to receive $40 billion in relief funding from various sources over the next four years. “This new four-year arrangement would support immediate economic stabilization in Ukraine as well as a set of bold policy reforms aimed at restoring robust growth over the medium term and improving living standards for the Ukrainian p... more »
Embracing The Darkness Of Our Own History: Trumbo
Chances are, unless you're a student of Hollywood film history, if you've heard of Dalton Trumbo at all, it's because *Breaking Bad* star Bryan Cranston is playing him in the upcoming biopic *Trumbo*, which was shot last year in New Orleans and is scheduled to come out later this year. (John Goodman, Helen Mirren and Louis C.K. also star in the film.) An old friend of mine is involved in the making of the movie, and he's been telling me about Dalton Trumbo's story for a year. I can't wait to see it! Trumbo, who died in 1976, was a screenwriter and novelist (*Johnny Got His Gun*) ... more »
New PPP Poll Shows Democratic Base Lukewarm to Clinton
*"Shine Bright, Jamie Dimon" — written and performed by Lauren Windsor * *by Gaius Publius* I haven't seen this very widely reported, so I'll take it on here. This is a Warren story, a Clinton story, and a "What are we gonna do?" story. *The Warren part* of the story is clear and clean. According to Politico, a group of people who are clearly Not Ready For Hillary have commissioned a poll by the highly respected firm PPP to find out just how vulnerable Hillary Clinton is. What's the Warren part? Politico wants us to know that the group commissioned the poll because, among other rea... more »
Will The Ukraine War Intensify From Now Till The Start Of The Ceasefire On February 15?
Defending, and expanding, the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic.(Reuters/Alexander Ermochenko) *Quartz:* *Ukraine’s ceasefire gives separatists two days “to conquer as much territory as they can”* *More than 12 hours into talks between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France, and Germany, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko emerged to tell reporters that there was “no good news yet” on a deal to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine.* *WNU Editor*: I doubt that the war is going to escalate right now for the purpose of seizing territory .... the momentum is to hold back and s... more »
Ukraine War News Updates -- February 12, 2015
*The Guardian:* *Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia rebels scramble for ground after ceasefire* *Kiev claims Russia is building up military hardware as it tries to regain control of border following Minsk ceasefire agreement* *Ukraine War News Updates -- February 12, 2015* Ukraine says rebels strengthened by tanks, missiles from Russia -- Reuters Tanks Cross Border from Russia as New Ceasefire Is Signed -- Defense One/The Atlantic Ukrainian army: Debaltseve and Mariupol areas key target of militants' strikes -- Kyiv Post Fighting continues despite Ukraine truce agreement -- Al Jazeera... more »
Speaking to the 'Non-Choir'
The UK arms industry's Annual Dinner took place on 3rd February 2015 at the London Hilton on Park Lane. The £246-a-head banquet was attended by arms industry executives and more than 40 MPs. This industry, which profits from selling arms to repressive regimes and conflict zones including Saudi Arabia, Israel and Bahrain, is supported and subsidised by the UK government. Activists from Campaign Against Arms Trade were there to greet the arriving arms dealers and deliver an impromptu speech asking them to reconsider their choice of career.
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials On The Ukraine Peace Agreement
*Dennis Lynch, IBTimes*:* Ukraine Ceasefire Agreement: Who Came Out On Top In Minsk?* *A 17-hour negotiating marathon in Minsk, Belarus, among Russian, Ukrainian, German and French leaders over the crisis in Ukraine ended Thursday morning with both Ukraine and pro-Russian separatists giving concessions to end fighting in the east of the country. Doubt over how long the new Minsk agreement will last, including its ceasefire set to go into effect on Sunday, are widespread.* *Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials On The Ukraine Peace Agreement* Ukraine ceasefire: Who wins, who lo... more »
History: "The Cathars: 'Kill Them All, God Will Know His Own.'"
*"The Cathars:* *'Kill Them All, God Will Know His Own.'"* by Laura Knight-Jadczyk “'Kill them all, God will know His own.' A chronicler reported that Arnold Amaury, the monk who led the Albigensian Crusade, uttered this catchphrase outside the city of Beziers on July 22, 1209. His crusaders had asked him how to tell the Catholic believers from the Cathar Heretics. Arnold's instructions were followed, and the entire population of Beziers - some 20,000 men, women and children - were indiscriminately murdered. No one really knows if Arnold really said what was reported, but what is k... more »
"The Sky Is Blue Even on a Cloudy Day: Blue Skies"
*"The Sky Is Blue Even on a Cloudy Day: Blue Skies"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM "Darker days are just as much a part of life as are the days graced with sunshine. When we refer to a “beautiful day,” we are often describing a day that is sunny, clear, and without a cloud in sight to mar a sky that is a brilliantly perfect blue. We find ourselves bouncing along, light in spirit, free from worries, and enjoying the moment. That is, until the clouds begin to form. The sky may turn grey, and a fog may roll in. Puffs of white take on whimsical, darker shades, and our beautiful day dis... more »
Leaked HSBC documents name thousands dodging hundreds of millions in tax by using private Swiss accounts
KJ needs it all explained to him by Fee... SOURCE DAILY MAIL: HSBC arm 'helped clients evade taxes' as thousands of clients including celebrities and sports stars hold secret Swiss accountsThe Swiss arm of HSBC, Britain's biggest bank helped wealthy clients such as sports stars, celebrities and politicians evade huge amounts of tax, according to an investigation by journalists. The Guardian
Ukraine Peace Agreement -- News Roundup (Updated)
*Wall Street Journal:* *Five Things to Know About the Ukraine Truce Deal* *An all-night summit between the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France sealed a fresh agreement Thursday for a cease-fire between Ukraine and Moscow-backed militants. The deal was signed by representatives of Ukraine, Russia, the militants and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. The hours of negotiating delivered mixed results for Russia, Ukraine and the rebels, and officials conceded it was unlikely to be a final resolution to the monthslong conflict.* *Ukraine Peace Agreemen... more »
Enigma, “Metamorphosis”
Enigma, “Metamorphosis” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ0PFrWavYU
"A Look to the Heavens"
“To see a vista like this takes patience, hiking, and a camera. Patience was needed in searching out just the right place and waiting for just the right time. A short hike was needed to reach this rugged perch above a secluded cove in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in California, USA. And a camera was needed for the long exposure required to bring out the faint light from stars and nebulae in the background Milky Way galaxy. *Click image for larger size.* Moonlight and a brief artificial flash illuminated the hidden beach and inlet behind nearby trees in the above composite image ta... more »
"The Limits Of Our Sight..."
"Life is eternal and love is immortal; And death is only a horizon, And a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight." - Rossiter W. Raymond
Chet Raymo, “We Are The Consciousness of the Universe”
*“We Are The Consciousness of the Universe”* by Chet Raymo "The leaves are raked and bagged. The grass is mowed for the last time. The geraniums smile weak goodbyes. Now, as if by some law of compensation, the curtain opens on the sky. The great starless spaces of autumn fall like a black velvet drape into the west. The show opens. The sky begins. As the Sun sinks beneath the horizon, the Pleiades rise in the east, heralding the arrival of the spectacular winter stars. Aldebaran, the red eye of the Bull. Sirius, the Dog Star. Rigel and Betelgeuse in Orion. Castor and Pollux, the T... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Maisuru, Karnataka, India. Thanks for stopping by.
"The Wonder Of Life..."
"We live in radical times surrounded by tasks that seem impossible. It has become our collective fate to be alive in a time of great tragedies, to live in a period of overwhelming disasters and to stand at the edge of sweeping changes. The river of life is flooding before us, and a tide of poisons affect the air we breathe and the waters we drink and even tarnish the dreams of those who are young and as yet innocent. The snake-bitten condition has already spread throughout the collective body. However, it is in troubled times that it becomes most important to remember that the wond... more »
The Poet: Maya Angelou, “I’ve Learned...”
*“I’ve Learned...”* "I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life." I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you s... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 12, 2015
*Adam Chandler, The Atlantic*:* A New and Unimproved Ceasefire* *An all-night peace summit yielded an agreement to de-escalate the violence in eastern Ukraine even as tanks were spotted crossing into the country from Russia overnight. * *Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- February 12, 2015* US effort to train Syrian rebels ramps up: Can Pentagon avoid past follies? -- Anna Mulrine The Kurds need weapons, now -- David Ignatius, Washington Post Arab nations united in fury against Isis but divided on strategy -- Kareem Shaheen in Beirut and Ian Black, The Guardian How to ban... more »
How to create a bust
Back in the day, a quip that used to be popular was this: Q: How do you make a small business? A: You give a large business to Hugh Fletcher and wait ten years. We might try a quip along similar lines that has much wider implications: Q: How do you get an economy-wide bust? A: You give an economy to a central banker and tell him (or her) to fix it. You might notice that this quip is not funny. That’s because it isn’t funny. Not funny at all. Not for anyone, except perhaps for those first in line for the central bankers’ money. Of course, post-2009 when the central bankers were s... more »
Untitled
*Follow me, chicken! I'm full of corn!*
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