10:26pm MDST
Mike Allen: The Wrong Choice for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo
Shortly before the 2012 election, we saw the creation of two new ridings here in response to our region's growing population. Fort McMurray and the surrounding municipality of Wood Buffalo was split creating the new ridings of Fort McMurray-Conklin and Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo. It was supposed to give Fort McMurray greater clout in Edmonton. Unfortunately, 2012 saw the election of Mike Allen under the PC banner in Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo. It started off well enough, I suppose with Allen being appointed as a special advisor to the Transportation Minister on Highway 63, a lon... more »
This Chart Shows Every Ship In The US Navy
*Business Insider:* This chart shows just how massive the US Navy is *The US Navy is the unquestioned dominant naval force in the world.In terms of both absolute tonnage and technical superiority, the US Navy is the world's largest and most advanced maritime military force. The capabilities of the US Navy are further enhanced and augmented by its military alliances such as NATO, in which the US plays a key role.The following graphic from Naval Graphics shows every vessel serving in the US Navy as of April:* *WNU Editor:* You can see the graphic in *closer detail here*.
Musical Interlude: Shakira, “Empire” (Instrumental)
Shakira, “Empire” (Instrumental) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RCpgW4JwCo
We're none the less here
April was much chillier than "winter" here and growth of some, though not all, things has been slowed. The lettuce and other greens seemed chuffed about the cold, which is irritating about them as they also complain when it gets hot. The broadbeans, elephant garlic, and rhubarb however are going gangbusters, but they always do. I've walked around some and I think we will have decent raspberries, cherries, pears (lots) and Granny Smith apples. The Gravenstein will do poorly, if anything. Most of the other apples I haven't checked. There will be some Jonagolds. The blueberries will ... more »
Secret Sex Magic Rituals of the Illuminati
*Video - *Is the New World Order just a theory or is it a true conspiracy? Some history into the world of Masonry, occult magic, and sex magic rituals. The post Secret Sex Magic Rituals of the Illuminati appeared first on Waking Times.
Where Does The Islamic State Get It's Weapons
The first Chinese CQ assault rifle documented by Conflict Armament Research in Syria, left, and a detail of the rifle’s obscured serial number. Credit Conflict Armament Research *C. J. Chivers, New York Times*: *Where the Islamic State Gets Its Weapons* *Early one morning in late February, a European investigator working in Kobani, the northern Syrian city that for months had been a battleground between Kurdish fighters and militants from the Islamic State, stepped outside the building where he was staying and saw something unusual. A Kurd on the street was carrying a long black ... more »
Did Chief Justice Roberts go a bit too far in explaining why judges are different from all other elected officials?
*Chief "Smirkin' John"*: *Too clever for his own good?* *by Ken* As Daily Kos's Adam B writes in a fine post on yesterday's Supreme Court ruling that Florida can indeed bar judicial candidates from personally soliciting campaign funds, the ruling "stunned many Court observers -- certainly including me." Even in retrospect, it looks to have been a ho-hum Roberts Court split, with the Five Loonies on one side and the Four Moderates on the other, and how dare a state try to limit anyone in pursuit of campaign cash? I say "even in retrospect," because eight of the nine justices lined ... more »
"A Look to the Heavens"
“What created the Waterfall Nebula? No one knows. The structure seen in the region of NGC 1999 in the Great Orion Molecular Cloud complex is one of the more mysterious structures yet found on the sky. Designated HH-222, the elongated gaseous stream stretches about ten light years and emits an unusual array of colors. *Click image for larger size.* One hypothesis is that the gas filament results from the wind from a young star impacting a nearby molecular cloud. That would not explain, however, why the Waterfall and fainter streams all appear to converge on a bright but unusual non ... more »
The Poet: Eugene O'Neill, "Free"
* "Free"* by Eugene O'Neill "Weary am I of the tumult, sick of the staring crowd, Pining for wild sea places where the soul may think aloud. Fled is the glamour of cities, dead as the ghost of a dream, While I pine anew for the tint of blue on the breast of the old Gulf Stream. I have had my dance with Folly, nor do I shirk the blame; I have sipped the so-called Wine of Life and paid the price of shame; But I know that I shall find surcease, the rest my spirit craves, Where the rainbows play in the flying spray, 'Mid the keen salt kiss of the waves. Then it's ho! for the plunging deck o... more »
A Cherokee Proverb
"One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, “My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, generosity, empathy, truth, compassion and faith.” The grandson thought about this for a minute and then asked the grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old Cherokee simply replied,... more »
"Sometimes You Do..."
"I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what. You rarely win, but sometimes you do." ~ "Harper Lee", "To Kill a Mockingbird"
"A Look to the Heavens"
“What created the Waterfall Nebula? No one knows. The structure seen in the region of NGC 1999 in the Great Orion Molecular Cloud complex is one of the more mysterious structures yet found on the sky. Designated HH-222, the elongated gaseous stream stretches about ten light years and emits an unusual array of colors. *Click image for larger size.* One hypothesis is that the gas filament results from the wind from a young star impacting a nearby molecular cloud. That would not explain, however, why the Waterfall and fainter streams all appear to converge on a bright but unusual non ... more »
Chet Raymo, “Les Matins Du Monde”
* “Les Matins Du Monde”* by Chet Raymo "Thirteen billion years ago it was morning in the universe." So began a story in the New York Times about new studies of the earliest galaxies. The Hubble Space Telescope and the giant Subaru and Keck Telescopes on Mauna Kea in Hawaii are turning back the curtain on the birthing room of the first stars- colossal spheres of primeval hydrogen and helium, hundreds of times as massive as the Sun, that lived and died in violence, forging heavy elements, seeding creation with the stuff of planets and life. Tous les matins du monde sont sans retour:... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
ThessalonĂki, Thessaloniki, Greece. Thanks for stopping by.
"What Part of “No, Totally” Don’t You Understand?"
*"What Part of “No, Totally” Don’t You Understand?"* by Kathryn Schulz "Not long ago, I walked into a friend’s kitchen and found her opening one of those evil, impossible-to-breach plastic blister packages with a can opener. This worked, and struck me as brilliant, but I mention it only to illustrate a characteristic that I admire in our species: given almost any entity, we will find a way to use it for something other than its intended purpose. We commandeer cafeteria trays to go sledding, “The Power Broker” to prop open the door, the Internet to look at kittens. We do this with w... more »
"Not You..."
"Let others lead small lives, but not you. Let others argue over small things, but not you. Let others cry over small hurts, but not you. Let others leave their future in someone else's hands, but not you." - Jim Rohn
"Hahaha vs. Hehehe"
*"Hahaha vs. Hehehe"* by Sarah Larson "I’m a big real-life laugher, and in recent years, in e-mails, chats, and texts, I’ve become a big “haha”-er. You say something hilarious, I’ll write a few “ha”s. That’s how I e-laugh. I realize that this isn’t especially dignified. My “haha”s make me look the way I do in party photos: open-mouthed, loud, a little vulgar. Writing “hahaha” makes you look deranged, but, then again, so does laughing. I’ve accepted this state of affairs, and my friends have, too, for the most part. I like a good-faith representation of how much laughing we’re doing... more »
Can America Win The Next War?
*Jeff Stein and Jonathan Broder, Newsweek:* *Can America Win a War?* *The two divisions, totaling nearly 22,000 men, were massed on the east bank of the river. With their superior numbers, arms and veteran officers, not to mention a long tradition of battlefield triumphs, they were confident of routing the ragtag band of rebels hiding in the woods and marshes on the other bank.The signal was given, and the first artillery volley fired. The soldiers moved out, crossed the river—and marched into military history. Within three days, the two divisions were annihilated, and their co... more »
The Rag Blog : METRO EVENT | It’s a Rag Blog Happy Hour and you’re invited! With special guests Jim Hightower & Ellen Sweets
Rock out with us at Maria’s on Saturday, May 9, with our favorite populist pundit, Jim Hightower, and Ellen Sweets, author of ‘Stirring It Up with Molly Ivins.’ Event: Rag Blog/Rag Radio Happy Hour Special Guests: Jim Hightower and Ellen … finish reading The Rag Blog : *METRO EVENT* | It’s a Rag Blog Happy Hour and you’re invited! With special guests Jim Hightower & Ellen Sweets
"We Are NOT Charlie Hebdo" event today in Madison!
This book has been selling so fast I can't keep it in stock. Fortunately two more big boxes arrived this morning… To celebrate, I'm going to be giving away free madeleine cookies (the kind Proust bit into and experienced flashbacks) and French-style coffee - regular and decaf. The slide presentation will show evidence that the Charlie Hebdo shooting was a joint operation of the French and Israeli secret services. See you there! TONIGHT, Thursday, April 30th! Madison, WI: 122 State St., Room 200, 7 pm.
Chris Pelling - The Iliad's Enduring Appeal + Felix Budelmann - Greek Tragedy and Religion
*Title: The Iliad's Enduring Appeal. Source: Tom Mackenzie. Date Published: October 11, 2014. Description: * Chris Pelling (Regius Professor of Greek, Oxford University) discusses the enduring appeal of the Iliad. *Title: Greek Tragedy and Religion. Source: Tom Mackenzie. Date Published: October 10, 2014. Description: * Felix Budelmann (Fellow and Tutor in Classics, Magdalen college, Oxford) discusses the religious context of Greek tragedy.
Top NATO Commander: Russia Readying For A New Ukraine Offensive
*Photo:* US Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove *Reuters*: *Russia may be readying for new Ukraine offensive: NATO commander* *(Reuters) - Russia's military may be taking advantage of a recent lull in fighting in eastern Ukraine to lay the groundwork for a new military offensive, NATO's top commander told the U.S. Congress on Thursday.U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, the NATO supreme allied commander, said Russian forces had been seeking to "reset and reposition" while protecting battlefield gains, despite a fragile ceasefire agreed in February."Many of their actions are... more »
Quote of the Day: On the TPPA
[image: (Photo: Kim Choe/3 News)] “Why the TPPA is a better trade agreement than you think: In a word, Vietnam. … Vietnam will be the biggest gainer from TPP. Do you get that, progressives? Poorest country = biggest gainer. Isn’t that what we are looking for?” - Tyler Cowen, “Why the TPP is a better trade agreement than you think” Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)
The Beginning Is Here
“Is everything a conspiracy? No, just the important stuff.” – Jeff Wells by Zen Gardner Waking up to the realities presented before us and even more importantly what they imply is a very profound and personal experience. Once we become aware we are living in a world that’s been deliberately fabricated in ways we never […] The post The Beginning Is Here appeared first on Waking Times.
Mistakes, Our Greatest Teachers by Joseph C. Richardson
*Source:**https://plus.google.com/u/0/103890513550952313529/posts*
Who are you going to believe? The Police? Or, your own lying eyes?!
*Who are you going to believe? The Police? Or, your own lying eyes?!* Now the Baltimore Police are trying to sell the story that Freddie was injured in the van when he hit his head on a bolt. That's what caused the spinal injury plus the injury to his voice box (on the *front *of his throat?) They are denying he was injured during the arrest. *Watch the above video carefully and make up your own mind. * I'm 100% sure and have been from the outset, that the police responsible will walk away from this murder. That's the way it has to be...for whites at the top in America (and the... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- April 30, 2015
KCNA/Reuters *Gordon G. Chang, Daily Beast*: *Are Coup Fears Keeping Kim Jong Un Home?* *In a surprising turn, Kim Jong Un cancelled a trip to celebrate with Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. After months of high-level executions, it’s leaving some to wonder if he’ll ever take a trip and return as the Supreme Leader again.* *Today, the Kremlin announced that Kim Jong Un will not be attending next week’s events in Moscow commemorating the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. “He has decided to stay in Pyongyang,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “This decision is related to Nor... more »
Celebrate true tradition of Cinco de Mayo
Celebrate true tradition of Cinco de Mayo http://tucson.com/news/opinion/column/guest/celebrate-true-tradition-of-cinco-de-mayo/article_85850170-3a67-5599-86e6-59c6d82e8836.html Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion [image: Roberto Rodriguez] submitt Roberto Rodriguez -- Credit: submitt 54 minutes ago • By Roberto Rodriguez Special to the Arizona Daily Star 0 Celebrate another way For information on the Cinco de Mayo 5K sobriety walk/run and healthy food festival Saturday, email run4cincodemayo@gmail.com Virtually every Mexican with any sense of pride cringes this... more »
CAUTION! If You've Been Talking With "Top Man!" On Grindr, You've Got A Closeted GOP Freak On Your Hands
In 2010, California state Senator Roy Ashbury, a leader of the most contemptibly aggressive gay haters in the state legislature, was outed. Patt Morrison interviewed him for KPCC immediately after he was busted, drunk, with a young male prostitute in his car. Listening to Morrison's interview made me sad for Ashbury and for all the GOP closet queens that infest our political system. *For decades you worked so hard to keep your sexual orientation under wraps. This must have been a torment, but in another sense, was there an element of relief?* I'm sensing relief now. I had not c... more »
Tonight's BBC One's Question Leaders' Special - and BBC bias
Blogs are meant to be topical (though we originally tried to buck that trend), so I'm going to post my raw observations of tonight's BBC One election extravaganza... These are the notes I wrote as I was watching (and, as I say, they are 'raw')... ******* BBC One's Question Leaders' Special this evening featured David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg. (Nigel, Nicola and Leanne will appear later). The BBC audience tonight, as you'll probably be aware by now, was meant to be (according to the BBC) 25% Conservative, 25% Labour, 25% Liberal Democrat and 25% 'others' (Green, UKIP, ... more »
World News Briefs -- April 30, 2015 (Evening Edition)
*BBC*:* US Navy to assist US-flagged ships through Strait of Hormuz* *Defence officials have said that US Navy ships will accompany US-flagged commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, to make sure they are not interfered with by Iran.* *Iranian patrol boats surrounded a US cargo ship in the strait on Friday.* *Earlier this week, Iranian naval ships reportedly fired warning shots near a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship before seizing it and its crew.* *The strait connects the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf.* *MIDDLE EAST* Iran says warships at entrance* to key Yeme... more »
Islamic State Offensives Subside In Iraq 4th Week of April 2015
The Islamic State’s offensives in Anbar and Salahaddin began to trail off in the fourth week of April 2015. That was not before it was able to seize another army base in northern Anbar. IS also continued with a high rate of car bombings throughout the country. The government responded with concerted efforts to retake lost ground in the Ramadi and Thar Thar areas of Anbar, and the Baiji Refinery in Salahaddin. A sweep began through northern Diyala’s Qara Tapa as well in response to insurgent attacks there. The result was that casualties declined in Iraq from the previous two weeks.... more »
Baltimore: And the Results of Socialist Intervention Are In
[image: http://tucker.liberty.me/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/Screen-Shot-2015-04-29-at-4.22.38-PM.png] *Guest post by Jeffrey Tucker* If you have seen *The Wire* you know the score. There are consequences to state management of any social order. Baltimore is a paradigmatic case. How long can people continue to evade the obvious lessons? It began more than 100 years ago with the imposition of state segregation. This was the original sin that created a second-class of citizenship and racial ghettos for the first time since the end of the Civil War. Every policy response foll... more »
YES LOVE YES
By Ed YES LOVE YES I AM THE MATRIX I AM THE LOVE I AM THE JOY I AM THE PEACE I AM THE GLORY I AM THE MAGNIFICENCE I AM THE GRACE I AM THE EASE I AM THE LIGHT=LITE YES LOVE YES BE AND BY WHICH WE ALL KNOW ALL THAT IS YES LOVE YES RAYDIANT RAYNBOW RAYS ABLAZE AFLAME CRYSTALLINE CORE DIAMOND LIGHT=LITE LOVE YES LOVE YES I AM WE ARE HERE I AM WE ARE LOVE I AM WE ARE ONE I AM WE ARE NOW YES LOVE YES I AM WE ARE M*Y*O*U*R QUANTUM DYNAMIC YES LOVE YES QUANTUM SINGULARITY YES LOVE YES QUE THE NOW MOMENT YES LOVE YES IMAGINATION ACTUAL MUTUAL YES LOVE YES 1249
How Not to Interpret Data ...
... Or why Harry Cole is an idiot. Here's a graph of mentions per minute on Twitter from the lovely folks at Digital Contact. As you can see from the word, mentions by David Cameron far outstrip those of Ed Miliband. This leads Harry Cole, chamber pot carrier-in-chief of the Guido Fawkes rabble to exclaim: Official: Miliband well and truly thumped by Cameron tonight. Absolutely brutal result from Digital Contact: pic.twitter.com/D5KV8y9KzQ — Harry Cole (@MrHarryCole) April 30, 2015 Indeed. Except there are two things wrong with his learned observation. Firstly, mentions aren't *po... more »
New Fuckhead plan in the dessert
No Bandar Bush! Has there ever been a better argument for democracy than that. England as well. The class system will be replaced or go down in flames within the next decade. Change is happing fast if you have not been keeping up. Money is no longer the only thing people care about.
Nuclear Ruling is Victory for Lakota Mine Opponents
JOINT PRESS RELEASE FROM CLEAN WATER ALLIANCE, OWE AKU/BRING BACK THE WAY, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WATER, AND DAKOTA RURAL ACTION NRC RULING GIVES VICTORY TO MINE OPPONENTS April 30, 2015 Contact: Jeffrey Parsons, Attorney Lilias Jarding, Ph.D. (Clean Water Alliance) Debra White Plume lakotaone@gmail.com (Owe Aku) Opponents of a proposed uranium mine claimed victory today, as the Nuclear
Citing Concerns About Iran U.S. Navy Warships Will Now Escort U.S.-Flagged Commercial Vessels That Pass Through the Strait of Hormuz
*CNN:* *Navy to escort U.S. commercial ships near Iran* *Washington (CNN)CNN has learned that U.S. Navy warships will now accompany U.S.-flagged commercial vessels that pass through the Strait of Hormuz due to concerns that ships from Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps navy could try to seize a U.S. cargo ship.* *Pentagon officials provided clarification Thursday afternoon that not every ship will necessarily be accompanied by the Navy. But this is still a significant change in the U.S. military posture in the Strait.* *The classified plan was approved by the Pentagon earlier Thursd... more »
Most Reports from Syria, Iraq War - Not Credible - Joaquin
"I would just think, or, hope, that Muslims who faced no small degree of demonization themselves would be able to understand and see that the very same BBC, CNN, ABC, and NBC that demonized them have demonized the Serbs." - Joaquin [11:20 - 11:40]. *Video Title: Most Reports from Syria, Iraq War - Not Credible - Joaquin. Source: 108Morris108. Date Published: April 28, 2015.*
The Medicine Man from "Reconstructing Reality" by Suzanne Lie
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 * The Medicine Man from "Reconstructing Reality" by Suzanne Lie * * A Story from Reconstructing Reality * After communing with her beloved Venusian Nature, Shature was ready to review the next life. When she entered the domed room, she walked straight toward her chair, but her Guide stopped her. “You no longer need to go up into the dome. Instead allow your own consciousness to project the hologram. Remember, dear, you are not limited to the portion of yourself standing before me. Close your eyes and allow the vision of sixth dimensional Arcturus to i... more »
Help Save One of America’s Most Endangered Rivers from Coal Mine
*Ryan Astalos* - Approximately 45 miles west of Anchorage, Alaska, near Beluga and Tyonek, lies the Chuitna River watershed. Like most of Alaska’s untouched beauty, this area houses pristine aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The post Help Save One of America’s Most Endangered Rivers from Coal Mine appeared first on Waking Times.
DIY Power Ranger Gloves
It is no secret, we love to dress up. When it comes to costumes, we have Tinkerbell and Elsa costumes coming out of our ears but there is surprisingly few options when it comes to girl super heroes. That is why I was absolutely thrilled when Nerdy With Children contacted me and asked if we wanted to try some of their shirts. I want my girls to be able to play dress up as all of their favorite characters, not just the princesses. The first thing we did when we got our Power Ranger shirts was to run out and buy matching leggings for them. After running around in the outfits for the d... more »
Arcturians: Dear Beloved Volunteers to Assist Gaia--Arcturians and Galactic Family
http://suzanneliephd.blogspot.it/2015/04/dear-beloved-volunteers-to-assist-gaia.html Wednesday, April 29, 2015 * Dear Beloved Volunteers to Assist Gaia--Arcturians and Galactic Family * Written within the NOW of 4-30-15 Dear Beloved Volunteers to Assist Gaia We ARE the Arcturians Beloved Multidimensional Leaders, Within the NOW of Suzille’s last evening, we instructed her to prepare a Manual of many of our blog posts since January 2015. This Manual included much of what we have been sending to YOU, via our ONE wearing an earth vessel. All of you, our dear Leaders, are also we... more »
The Oil Slump Is Emptying the Stores of Dubai
Gold Traders In The Dubai Gold Souk http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-04-29/city-of-gold-fading-as-oil-slump-drains-purses-of-dubai-shoppers *The Oil Slump Is Emptying the Stores of Dubai* by Eddie Van Der Walt 7:00 PM EDT April 29, 2015 Gold Traders In The Dubai Gold Souk Gold traders in the Dubai Gold Souk. Now, with crude almost half the price of a year ago, gold buyers are harder to find as Middle East demand for the metal slows and the city sees a drop-off in some visitors. Photographer: Duncan Chard/Bloomberg Gold traders in the Dubai Gold Souk. Now, with crude almost... more »
AA Zadkiel: MANIFESTATION AND CO-CREATION
*Interesting channeling, or as my friend Eileen feels is a more accurate term, "quantum communion". The info about the speed of creation is spot on. I no longer like the term "co-creation" its a soft-pedal term like "divine" that implies you are something less than a unique and powerful human instance of the I AM Creator. Time to say what you really are, a creator being! -AK* *Archangel Zadkiel’s May 2015 Message through Linda Robinson* April 29, 2015 By The Golden Light Channel *MANIFESTATION AND CO-CREATION* Greetings Beloved Ones, This is Archangel Zadkiel along with Ho... more »
Len Brown pulls the knife out
*Guest post by Stephen Berry* Len Brown has saved his biggest dirty trick for yesterday’s Governing Body meeting with his proposal to add a 2% transport levy on top of the crippling rates increases already inflicted on Aucklanders. It seems the Mayor has been hatching this trick for quite some time by building public support for an expensive transport plan. Once he has obtained 50% support of submitters for the most expensive option in the Long Term Plan, he has pulled a knife from behind his back in the form of an extra transport levy to fund it. Essentially what has happened no... more »
April 30: Wow! two big stories about an economist!
I mean, you know, economists are experts. This one say that business needs more freedom to grow but, gee, rules and regulations get in the way. And, goodness, if business doesn't make money and create jobs, we'll all be poor. Oh, and he says shale gas is good for us. So there. Ted Mallet, interviewed for both stories by Brent Mazerolle, who doesn't seem to have asked a question or even made a comment after, "Please tell me what you said, sir." These stories are pure propaganda. and the economist is chief economist for the Confederation of Canadian Business. That means he's a shill ...more »
"You Are Not Crazy: Taking a Time Out"
*"You Are Not Crazy: Taking a Time Out"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM "Sometimes as adults, we just need a time out to refocus and gather ourselves before starting out again. Most of us feel a little crazy from time to time. Periods of high stress can make us feel like we’re losing it, as can being surrounded by people whose values are very different from our own. Losing a significant relationship and moving into a new life situation are other events that can cause us to feel off kilter. Circumstances like these recur in our lives, and they naturally affect our mental stability. ... more »
Are you being screwed by your bank?...
*of course you are - it's a bank.* It reminds me of the joke about the man who saves a frozen snake. After the snake thaws out, he bites the man. The man is gobsmacked and wants to know why the snake bit him after he saved him. The snake said, "You knew I was a snake when you brought me home." If you're still floundering around, a victim of *normalcy bias*, maybe it's time to do some research. *Unbanked and Underbanked* I never heard the terms "unbanked' or "underbanked" until last week. These are terms the banks themselves have coined. I also read that *Chase Bank will not a... more »
Supplemental: Nicholas Kristof does it again!
*THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015Featuring his latest remarks about our dismal schools:* The first half hour of today’s Morning Joe was about as bad as punditry gets. In their first chunk, the TV stars pretended to discuss the scene in Baltimore. In their second chunk, they staged their latest rant about the latest pseudo-scandal aimed at Clinton and Clinton. Regarding the Clintons, Scarborough shouted down Howard Dean, with Mika eager to help. Truly, she is an awful TV pundit, one of the worst of all time. Regarding Baltimore: Mike Barnicle shot out of the gate, showing that he doesn’... more »
These Are The 5 Major Syrian Military Goals In The Civil War
(Click on Image to Enlarge) *Christopher Kozak, Business Insider/Institute For The Study Of War*: *These are the Assad's regime's 5 biggest military goals in the Syrian Civil War* *The following is the second excerpt of the upcoming report from the Institute for the Study of War titled “An Army in All Corners — Assad’s Campaign Strategy in Syria.”* *The April 27th excerpt focused on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s goal to “preserve his rule in a post-war Syria through a negotiated ‘political solution.’” * *Written by ISW Syria Analyst Christopher Kozak, this study examines Syri... more »
Alice Embree : METRO | Ambush at UT-Austin
A firestorm of criticism has followed the selection of George Prescott Bush to receive the Latino Leadership Award. By Alice Embree | The Rag Blog | April 30, 2015 AUSTIN — When Texas Land Commissioner George Prescott Bush became the … finish reading Alice Embree : *METRO* | Ambush at UT-Austin
"The Americans"
*"The Americans"* By Jill Jackson "Wow," said Alice. "You look wasted." The White Rabbit rubbed his bloodshot eyes and let out a long sigh. "Just marathoned season 3 of “The Americans.” 10 hours. Blew me away." "That's that series about the Russian spies, right? Living undercover as Americans in the US- in the Jurassic Era." "Yes, in the 80's. The Cold War with the Evil Empire." "Back then, too?" Alice said. "I guess history repeats itself." The White Rabbit snorted. "Here's your tea," said the Mad Hatter with a smile. "Have to say, I certainly did not expect one particular chara... more »
The Last Word on Baltimore: It's Up to the State to Stand Down
*The world, as the very very rich are making it* *by Gaius Publius* I've been listening for days and days about how bad are those bad people in Baltimore, breaking windows and such. And listening to the media give honoring hours and hours to the calls for peaceful protest. And through my head runs the one message this intends — *Violence belongs only to the State. * Here's the terrific writer Ta-Nehisi Coates with the last word on Baltimore: *Nonviolence as Compliance* *Officials calling for calm can offer no rational justification for Gray's death, and so they appeal for order.... more »
16 Unusual Uses for Cucumbers
*Meme -* Not only are cucumbers a great addition to your salad, they help eliminate bad breath, remove crayon stains, and much more! The post 16 Unusual Uses for Cucumbers appeared first on Waking Times.
Is The Syrian Army On The Verge of Collapse?
Forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hold their weapons as they walk in Aleppo's historic citadel October 1, 2014. *Jeremy Bender, Business Insider *-- *The Syrian military is on the verge of collapse* *The Syrian Army is facing its most serious challenges since the start of the Syrian Civil War. * *Fatigued, over-stretched, and losing the support of its base constituency, the Syrian Army is conceivably nearing the point of collapse. Major rebel offenses have taken control of the strategic cities of Idlib and Jisr al-Shegour in the north. Meanwhile, a second rebel off... more »
General Election Question Time this week
The recent Conservative improvement in the opinion polls means that, even more than might have previously been the case, the BBC will be desperate to boost Ed Miliband and denigrate David Cameron on tonight's Question Time. We know that the audience has been split in a way that will reduce the right of centre voice to just 25% of those present. Now will David Dimbleby be his usual impartial self? Context here.
Syrian Rebel Group Releases Amazing Video Of A 'Graduation Ceremony' Featuring 1,700 Soldiers And A Fleet Of Armoured Tanks
*Daily Mail:** The Army of Islam: Militant group battling ISIS and the Syrian regime show their might in 'graduation ceremony' featuring 1,700 soldiers and a fleet of armoured tanks* ** Jaysh Al-Islam fights against government soldiers in Syrian city of Damascus* ** Made up of around '60 rebel factions', it also opposes Islamist groups like ISIS* ** Held the 'largest military parade witnessed' since start of the Syrian revolution* ** Saudi Arabia is 'funding the group with millions of dollars in arms and training'* *A militant group which opposes both ISIS and the Syrian regime ha... more »
Ashtar Command Message - April 2015 ~ Love is Breaking Out ~
*Most of this message resonates with me, given certain data that I have had since December, those portions that don't I have marked in red italics. This message is different from other Ashtar messages in that is feels like a committee created document because it is. * *Channelings are only as good as the conduit that provides them, use higher discernment with all channelings. The best ones don't add politics are personal agendas or beliefs, and I do not know this conduit for this message. * *The Galactic Federation of Eagles, I assume, is what is being referred by David Wilco... more »
Civil War In Syria News Updates -- April 30, 2015
Rebel fighters inspect a site damaged by what activists said was shelling by warplanes loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Jisr al-Shughour town, after the rebels took control of the area, April 26, 2015. (Reuters/Khalil Ashawi) *Newsweek/Reuters*: *CIA-Backed Rebels Fight Alongside al-Qaeda Wing in Syria* *REYHANLI, Turkey (Reuters) - Hardline Islamists fighting side-by-side with groups backed by the United States have made gains in northern Syria in recent weeks while showing rare unity, which some fear may be short-lived.* *An Islamist alliance calling itself Army of... more »
U.S. Navy Grapples On How To Respond To Iran's Navy Actions In The Middle East
The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut is shown in this undated photo operating in heavy seas in the Atlantic Ocean. It is now in the vicinity of the Strait of Hormuz, where the Iranian navy forced the container ship Maersk Tigris deeper into Iranian waters and is still holding it. (Aaron Chase/U.S. Navy via Reuters) *Washington Post*: *New dilemma for the Navy as it grapples with Iran at sea* *The United States was grappling Wednesday with a naval dilemma: How should the Navy respond to Iranian ships intercepting a civilian container ship in the Strait of Hormuz and holding if... more »
Yemen: US pressuring Saudi Arabia to stop bombing? Much more!
Just a quick round up- There sure seems to be lots of action taking place, let's catch up with some of it: *1-U.S. pressures Saudi Arabia to stop bombing Iran-backed rebels in Yemen* *That is farcical. Stop providing logistics and refuelling and the bombing will soon stop* *Presentation?* "While Pentagon officials have said they are still backing the now month-old Saudi bombing campaign against on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen,* the White House is increasingly signaling a desire for the campaign to come to an end.* “There is no military solution to the crisis in Yemen, and the human... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- April 30, 2015
*RT:* *Russia's cutting-edge military hardware parades through Moscow for V-Day rehearsal* *Thousands of Muscovites were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Russia’s latest military hardware rolling across the cobbles of Moscow’s iconic Red Square during the first night-time rehearsal ahead of Victory Day parade.* *Infantry from Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan practiced their performances in front of the public for the first time this year, ahead of Victory Day on May 9. Troops from other countries such as India, Mongolia, Serbia, and Ch... more »
The Economy: "America’s Expensive 'Nobility'”
*"America’s Expensive 'Nobility'”* by Bill Bonner Gualfin (“End of the Road”), Argentina - "US stocks are still near their all-time highs. Gold is still clinging to the $1,200-an-ounce mark. So, let’s return to the examination of why the 21st century has been such a dud so far. Here’s a simple answer: There are too many zombies. *$75,000 a Year from Uncle Sam: *First, a reader explains how to become a zombie: Follow these easy, proven 13 steps to financial well-being... 1. Don't get married to her 2. Use your mom’s address to get mail sent to 3. Guy buys a house 4. Guy rents out... more »
The Corruption In Afghanistan Continues
*Gary Owen, VICE:* *Phantom Troops, Taliban Fighting, and Wasted Money — It's Springtime in Afghanistan* *It's springtime, which means blossoming flowers, Opening Day baseball, and the start of the Taliban's annual campaign to violently drive foreigners out of Afghanistan. But instead of calling it spring, NATO calls it "fighting season," which for the allied coalition is one of only two seasons in the country. (The other is "poppy season," when the Taliban and the poppy harvest make it clear that America's plans to counter narcotics in the country are going every bit as poorly as... more »
This Is Just Too Creepy For Words... Apple Watch Needs To See Your Blood Before It Works (!)
I for the life of me just have never understood people and their insane infatuation with Apple products... The world is going to heck in a hand basket, with people losing their jobs and their very livelihoods, and yet we find people lined up at Apple retail stores awaiting the newest and greatest "Apple" product and paying a king's ransom to afford them! It is insane that people will fork over their hard earned money for overpriced gizmos that will become obsolete, and are designed to do so, within no time.... It does boggle the mind.... Over the last while we have been inundated... more »
Fukushima: “Nuclear Number Games”
*“Nuclear Number Games”* by Miriam German "A number is something that expresses a mathematical value. A reference point representing a neutral fact. For example, some numbers regarding the Columbia Generating Station nuclear plant in WA State: • 1 Nuclear Reactor. • 12 Earthquake Fault lines. • 764 fuel assemblies. • 185 control rods. • 0 containment around the fuel pool • 7 million people in Washington State • 1 million people in Oregon. • 56 million gallons of radioactive waste next door at Hanford. Numbers. They represent value. But the value depends upon the validity of the proce... more »
The Rag Blog : METRO EVENT | ‘Black Out': A documentary on gentrification in Austin
By The Rag Blog | The Rag Blog | April 30, 2015 Event: Screening of ‘Black Out’ What: Documentary on gentrification in Austin Date: Thursday, April 30, 2015 Time: 7 p.m. Where: UT-Austin Student Activities Center (SAC) Auditorium 1.402 Address: … finish reading The Rag Blog : *METRO EVENT* | ‘Black Out': A documentary on gentrification in Austin
Afghan Forces Unable To Dislodge Taliban Forces From Kunduz
Afghan National Army soldiers fire artillery during a battle with Taliban insurgents in Kunduz, Afghanistan, April 29, 2015. The U.S. military has sent fighter jets to Afghanistan's northern province of Kunduz, where Taliban insurgents have launched a major offensive and overrun government checkpoints close to the main city, U.S. and Afghan sources said. REUTERS/Stringer *Reuters*: *Afghan forces struggle to drive back Taliban from besieged city* *(Reuters) - The Afghan army and police on Thursday failed to expel Taliban fighters from the outskirts of a besieged provincial capital ... more »
THE PSEUDOJOURNALISM RULES: Peter, Paul and Mary and Bill!
*THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015Part 4—The facts, they may be a-changin’:* What kind of journalism has the New York Times been performing? Before we compare the paper to Rolling Stone, let’s review its recent “bombshell report” about that scary Cold War deal. Back in 2010, the Obama administration did in fact reach a uranium deal with Vladimir Putin, a well-known evildoer. If you read the Times’ lengthy report, you may find yourself asking these questions: *Question One:* Did the uranium deal with Dr. Evil turn out to be a *bad* deal? We have no idea. Journalistically speaking, Becker... more »
CIA Chief Bought Seligman Children CIA Logo T-Shirts
Dr. Martin Seligman is the co-developer of resiliency training methods that have been adapted and adopted by KIPP and other No Excuses charter schools to both pacify and motivate school children who never suspect that they are subjects of psychological experiments conducted by untrained non-professionals. Despite information in Jane Mayer's 2009 book, *The Dark Side *. . ., that suggested a significant involvement by Seligman in shaping CIA interrogation techniques during the years of Bush II, Seligman has denied any involvementbeyond a single lecture in 2002: I gave a three ho... more »
World News Briefs -- April 30, 2015
*AFP*: *Iran says warships at entrance to key Yemen strait* *Tehran (AFP) - Two Iranian destroyers, sent to the Gulf of Aden to protect commercial ships, have reached the entrance of Bab el-Mandab, a strategic strait between Yemen and Djibouti, Iran's navy said Thursday.* *In another sign of tensions between Gulf rivals Iran and Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, the Saudi charge d'affaires was summoned to the foreign ministry in Tehran to hear a "strong protest" over Saudi military action which prevented an Iranian plane from landing in Sanaa.* *MIDDLE EAST* Besieged Yemeni city sees* wor... more »
Iraq is Still Waiting For Their U.S. Made F-16s
June 8, 2011: A U.S. Air Force F-16CJ Fighting Falcon jet takes off from Malta International Airport outside Valletta. (Reuters) *Washington Times*: *Iraq still waiting on F-16 fighter jets, U.S.-trained pilots for Islamic State battle* *Iraq’s besieged military was supposed to be flying front-line American F-16 fighters by now, joining other Arab forces in a daily air war against the Islamic State terrorist army controlling western and northern Iraq.* *Instead, prospective Iraqi pilots are anchored in the United States, still undergoing training. The Iraqi air force, such as it is... more »
Chinese - Russian Navies To Hold First Joint Mediterranean Exercise
Russian destroyers at a port in Shanghai during the China-Russia joint military exercises held last year, May 18, 2014. (File photo/ Xinhua) *Voice of America/Reuters*:* China, Russia to Hold First Joint Mediterranean Naval Drills* *BEIJING - China will hold joint naval drills with Russia in mid-May in the Mediterranean Sea, the* *first time the two countries will hold military exercises together in that part of the world, the Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday.* *China and Russia have held naval drills in Pacific waters since 2012. The May maneuvers come as the United Stat... more »
Hollywood hot shots attempt to curb "Holocaust denial"
In yet another pathetic attempt to perpetuate the fake "Holocaust" narrative of WWII, in addition to demonizing and vilifying individuals wishing to independently and critically investigate the sacred myth of alleged "Jewish persecution and genocide" at the hands of Adolf Hitler's National Socialist Germany, Jewish Hollywood is now attempting to "tackle Holocaust denial," as *The Times of Israel* recently reported: Hollywood takes on the subject of Holocaust denial as a film about Holocaust scholar Deborah Lipstadt’s legal battle against David Irving goes into production. “Denial,”... more »
Is The U.S. Navy Buying The Right Ships?
The USS Hurricane, USS Typhoon and USS Chinook in the Persian Gulf, March 2015. U.S. NAVY/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Charles Oki *David Axe, Reuters:* *The Pentagon is buying the wrong ship, and it’s costing taxpayers billions* *The United States will spend $585 billion on its armed forces in 2015 — the biggest military budget in the world by far. That’s just the Defense Department budget and doesn’t include the tens of billions of dollars that Washington spends on veterans, the purview of the Veterans Administration, or nuclear-weapons development, which falls under... more »
Are You a Mature Soul?
*Frank M. Wanderer* - What does it mean that the Soul is mature or immature? The post Are You a Mature Soul? appeared first on Waking Times.
Remembering The Fall Of Saigon 40 Years Ago
*USA Today*: *Vietnam celebrates 40 years since end of war* *Thousands of people marked the 40th anniversary of end of the Vietnam War on Thursday with a massive military parade in the capital of Ho Chi Minh City.More than 3 million Vietnamese and nearly 60,000 American troops were killed before Saigon, then the capital of U.S.-backed South Vietnam, was captured by communist troops from the North on April 30, 1975.North Vietnamese tanks crashed through the front gate of the presidential palace, before the troops hoisted the communist flag.The following year, North and South ... more »
U.K. Informs The UN That Iran Is Still Using Blacklisted Firms To Purchase Nuclear Technology
A general view of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, some 1,200 km (746 miles) south of Tehran October 26, 2010. Reuters/IRNA/Mohammad Babaie *Reuters*: *Exclusive: Britain told U.N. monitors of active Iran nuclear procurement - panel* *(Reuters) - Britain has informed a United Nations sanctions panel of an active Iranian nuclear procurement network linked to two blacklisted firms, according to a confidential report by the panel seen by Reuters.* *The existence of such a network could add to Western concerns over whether Tehran can be trusted to adhere to a nuclear deal due by June ... more »
Geomagnetic 44-month cycle seen in the climate data
Roy W. Spencer, John R. Christy, and William D. Braswell – the team of pioneers of the satellite temperature measurements – have released Version 6.0 [beta] of the UAH [AMSU] Temperature Dataset Released: New LT Trend = +0.11 C/decade [raw data] which is more compatible with the RSS AMSU dataset. In fact, UAH now shows a smaller (by 1/4 or so) warming trend than RSS. The trend has been exactly zero in the last 18 years. In the past, I tended to slightly prefer RSS AMSU – partly because I wanted to avoid suggestions that Spencer et al. aren't impartial just because they're skeptics (... more »
No-Fly Lists
It appears that Liberal Wayne Easter is going to ask about No-Fly Lists and C-51: *The Chair: * Mr. Easter. *Hon. Wayne Easter: * Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Ministers and officials, for coming. Minister Blaney, before I get to the more substantive issue, I have a minor but important issue. You mentioned the appeals process for the no-fly list. Most of us as members of Parliament have had some experience with trying to get people off the no-fly list. You talked about the appeals. In the legislation, it says, “If the Minister does not make a decision in r... more »
Top Ten Oil Reserves, Globally. Canada comes in 3rd!
*South American nation Venezuela tops the list, followed closely by Saudi Arabia.* *And, CANADA, the Saudi Arabia of North America comes in at number 3* Think I'm kidding with the comparison. Certainly, I am not! *Canada is Saudi Arabia in more ways then just oil inventory. **Bad governance*.* Largely impoverished populace thanks to plunder by elites within and outside of the country.* *Just like Saudi Arabia Canada’s populace gets no benefit from the nations resource wealth.* *Unlike Norway. Or Libya did, until NATO’s destruction and plunder of that nation.Sadly most Canadians are ... more »
Alan Grayson: TPP "Would Give Away The Sovereignty Our Founding Fathers Fought For In Exchange For... Nothing"
The Establishment-- the *Democratic Party* Establishment-- has fallen to new lows. Wall Street growled about cutting DNC, DSCC and DCCC funding because of Elizabeth Warren and BOOM!... Chuck Schumer, the biggest recipient of Wall Street bribes, excluding presidential candidates, in history is on the road to be the new Senate Democratic Leader. The DSCC and DCCC are working full-time to disadvatage-- to put it mildly-- primary candidates against the conservative, pro-Wall Street hacks they're backing. No top Democrats seemed all that thrilled yesterday when Bernie Sanders hinted ... more »
North Korean Leader Kim Jong-un Has Cancelled His Trip To Russia Due To 'Domestic Affairs'
*New York Times:* *Kim Jong-un Won’t Attend WWII Celebration in Moscow* *MOSCOW — Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, will not attend a celebration in Moscow in May of the 70th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s defeat of Nazi Germany, a top Russian official said on Thursday.* *Dmitri S. Peskov, President Vladimir V. Putin’s spokesman, said that Moscow had learned of Mr. Kim’s decision through “diplomatic channels,” and that the tentative plans were canceled because of “internal Korean affairs,” the Interfax news agency reported.* *Kremlin representatives have said several time...more »
China Warns Of An Internet Arms Race
The Pentagon’s new cyber strategy presents a potentially far more muscular role for the US military’s cyber warriors – something that worries China. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters *The Guardian:** China worried US cyber strategy 'ups the ante on the internet arms race'* ** New Pentagon cybersecurity policy singles out China, among others, as threat* ** Country also dismisses concerns over parade to mark end of second world war* *China’s defence ministry expressed concern on Thursday over the Pentagon’s updated cyber strategy, which stresses the US military’s ability to retal... more »
Rip-off News round-up. Our pick of the last week's media (Thu 30th April)
Network Rail's own staff 'choose to fly within the UK because it is cheaper than the train' Network Rail bosses travelling on business spent £1.3million on UK flights in the last year because it was cheaper than taking the train. Employees of the public sector body took 8,353 flights from April 2013 to March 2015. The figures, revealed following a Freedom of Information Request submitted by
What happens to Humanity when the Internet is in Everything. Everywhere. Always??
*Techcrunch* *Before you read this article- Let's pause and reflect on a few facts:* - Don’t count on any government to act in YOUR best interest. -No one will save you, but you and each of us doing our part as individuals cooperating collectively to maintain our privacy and our human dignity. -Because interested parties want these all intrusive devices to proliferate to the point where we don’t have a second of privacy over out entire life time, doesn’t mean it has to happen- We can reject out of hand- that which does not serve our individual human interests -In my opinion this level... more »
The African Nation Of Burundi Is Gripped By Political Violence
*The Guardian:* *Burundi: thousands flee to Rwanda as protests grip capital before June poll* *More than 22,000 Burundians flee to Rwanda in a month amid violence provoked by President Pierre Nkurunziza’s bid for third term as president* *Thousands of people have crossed from Burundi into neighbouring Rwanda over the past week, fleeing intimidation by youth militia who are reportedly targeting rural areas as protests grip the capital, Bujumbura, over the president’s decision to stand for a third term in June’s presidential elections. * *According to reports, the authorities have ...more »
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*Give Every Child in Baltimore a $17,329 School-Choice Voucher* "The education system has failed them." That is part of the explanation that Billy Murphy, a lawyer representing the family of Freddie Gray — who died after his spine was severed while in police custody — gave CNN's Wolf Blitzer for why some young men in Baltimore rioted on Monday afternoon after Gray's funeral. "These kids have had bad experiences in school," Murphy said. "They are frequently harassed by the police," he said. "They are unemployed because there's no summer jobs, and so this is what you would expect i... more »
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*Surprise admission on CBS: Earth 'Not As Warm...As the Climate Models Predicted'* On Friday's CBS Evening News, a NASA scientist made a surprising admission about climate change during a report about an erupting volcano in South America. Correspondent Michelle Miller turned to Dr. Allegra LeGrande, who detailed how the gases from a volcanic eruption can lead to a reduction in the amount of sunlight that reaches the Earth. Le Grande added that "this is a small component of why we're not as warm today as the climate models predicted we would be seven years ago." [video below] All... more »
Here Comes The U.S. Marines Guardbots
*IBTimes:* *GuardBot: US marines testing robot guard balls that can swim and roll on any terrain* *The US marines are currently testing out an unmanned spherical robot ball that can both swim in water and roll across most terrain in order to perform reconnaissance for armed forces.GuardBot is the brain child of GuardBot Inc, a robotics firm based in Stamford, Connecticut in the US.The idea for the robot was first conceived in 2004, and the autonomous robot was initially designed to go to Mars, but now the US Navy is interested in using robot as a guard in unknown territory, an... more »
Amazing Device that Makes Filthy Water Drinkable
*Video - *An astonishing demo of the portable Lifesaver filter, invented by engineer Michael Pritchard, which makes the most revolting water drinkable in seconds. The post Amazing Device that Makes Filthy Water Drinkable appeared first on Waking Times.
Gardasil: When Will Our Nightmare End? by Martin of County Meath, Ireland
Gardasil: When will our nightmare end? by Martin County Meath, Republic of Ireland Sane Vax, Inc 25 April 2015 My daughter, Abbey, was a healthy happy 13 year old when she started secondary school. On the 22nd September 2014 she received her Gardasil vaccine along with the Tdap vaccine in school. She had an adverse reaction straight away. For over an hour, she was left lying on a mat on the floor while the rest of the girls were being vaccinated. During this time she had seizure-like jerking, rolling eyes, blurred vision, headache, nausea etc. Eventually after an hour and twent... more »
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*New person is overseeing some of the trusts containing Saints, Pelicans shares in Benson dispute ~Ramon Antonio Vargas * *Zurik: S&WB overtime spewing out of control * *La. family's lost dog found 4 years later in Iowa ~WWL*
Labor Econ 15: Wages in Asia, Robots and OFWs
International Labor Day tomorow, various labor issues will be highlighted once again. In this chart from a Bloomberg article, China Is Set to Lose Manufacturing Crown, April 29, 2015, the cost of labor in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhu are twice than those in Cebu and Hanaoi; and 3-4x than those in Yangon and Pnom Penh. The article noted that *"Manufacturers will be drawn to Southeast Asia's strengths, including the strategic location and cheap labor of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos... By 2030, more than half of 650 million people in Southeast Asia will be under the age of 30, part of an... more »
GAIA PORTAL: Friable energetic patterns in Gaia fields have been fluidized and will soon be removed
friable * adjective fri·a·ble \ˈfrÄ«-É™-bÉ™l\* *: easily broken into smaller pieces* *: easily crumbled or pulverized **— fri·a·bil·i·ty \ËŒfrÄ«-É™-ˈbi-lÉ™-tÄ“\ noun* *Friable energetic patterns in Gaia fields have been fluidized and will soon be removed* by ÉirePort  Friable energetic patterns in Gaia fields have been fluidized and will soon be removed. Hue-manity conscious withdrawal from disingenuous ego patterns continues. Framing of consciousness evolution in the Higher Expanse is now the "norm". Vortices of torsion fields enables release of dim viewing. Permutations of Light conv... more »
French Navy Test Launched a MU90 Torpedo from its ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft
[image: ATL2 Maritime Patrol Aircraft Launching a MU90 Torpedo]The French Navy released a picture showing one of its ATL2 (Breguet/Dassault Atlantique 2) Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) launching a MU90 torpedo. The MPA belongs to the Flotille (naval air squadron) 21F based in Lann-Bihoué (Britanny) and the trial was conducted at the French procurement agency (DGA) maritime test field in the Mediterranean Sea. The first even MU90 torpedo launch from an ATL2 took place in April 2011. Read more
Raytheon receives $20 million DARPA contract to continue hypersonic missile development
[image: X-51A Waverider]The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded Raytheon Company a $20,489,714 million contract modification for the Tactical Boost Glide program. Under the TBG program, Raytheon intends to develop and demonstrate the technology to enable air-launched hypersonic boost glide systems. A majority of the work will be performed in Tucson. "Hypersonics is the new frontier of missile design and development," said Tom Bussing, Raytheon vice president of Advanced Missile Systems. Read more
Economic News , Data and Views ( April 30 , 2015 ) - Greece in the forefront as the Creditor Talks shift toward May , state of play on financial condition / banks / economy / political front , Moody's downgrades Greece to Caa2 ....... Very Early Europe Updates and very early data ( Spain GDP - economy grows stronger than expected for Q1 , SNB in news after massive Q1 losses , German Bunds tommy hammered of late due to rising negative sentiment ) ...... Pre- US Market Open items ( Fed Hold on Wednesday , Apple in news for Apple Watch defect causing shortage , not demand ) ..... Japan items focus of Asia news cycle ( BOJ refrains from additional easing , yen strengthen against dollar as a result ) ... RBNZ holds off touching rates , more dovish than expected NZD weakens as a result
Tweets..... ( Updates as news flows in at the blog tweet feed .. ) Greece... *MineForNothing* @minefornothing 39s 40 seconds ago FT cites Greek Finance Ministry Official stating there has been a "sharp decline" in tax revenues in April *MineForNothing* @minefornothing 2m 2 minutes ago Greek official said pension payments were delayed yesterday as Greece had no money http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e 14e79ac-ef0b-11e4-87dc-00144feab7de.html?ftcamp=published_links/rss/home_europe/feed//product#axzz3YmeU45re … *fred walton* @fredwalton216 25s26 seconds ago fred wa... 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.” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw4RAkCiwvw&feature=related “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 ... more »
Russia to Renew Production of Tu-160 'Blackjack' Strategic Bomber
[image: Tu-160 Blackjack]Russia will renew the production of its Tu-160 (Blackjack) supersonic strategic bomber and missile carrier, Russian Defense Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday. "Today it is already necessary to solve the task of not only maintaining and modernizing long-range aviation, we must also produce the Tu-160 missile carrier," Shoigu said during a visit at the Kazan Aviation Plant. Shoigu said that the Tu-160 is "a unique machine, ahead of its time for many years and even until now has not been exploited to its full potential." Read more
Navy Moving Closer to Acquiring Devastating Ship-Killing Stealth Missiles
Top defense contractors are poised to compete in a major industry battle to develop autonomous missiles for the U.S. Navy that can kill enemy ships at sea and demolish air-defense radar sites inland. Although the Navy has so far released few details on what it plans to buy, missile manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon and Boeing are keeping a close eye on a program the Navy has dubbed “next-generation strike capability.” The Navy is seeking funds in its 2016-2020 budget to begin the development of next-generation strike weapons, with the goal to start an industry competiti... more »
France's Dassault poised to ink 36-fighter jet deal with Qatar
[image: Dassault Rafale]French group Dassault Aviation is poised to sign a multi-billion-euro deal with Qatar for 36 of its Rafale fighter jets, sources close to the negotiations said Thursday, the third foreign order this year. Having struggled for years to sell any of its Rafale jets abroad, Dassault has recently scored several lucrative, high-profile contracts with Egypt, India, and now -- if the deal is confirmed -- Qatar. The agreement, which is due to be signed in the coming days, includes a firm order for 24 jets with an option on 12 other planes, said the sources, who wishe... more »
China’s advanced J-11D heavy fighter jet takes maiden flight
The upgraded D variant of China’s J-11 fighter jet, a copy of the Russian Sukhoi Su-27, has made its maiden flight, Chinese media reported. The jet reportedly has new radar and an air refueling system. The J-11D model, which was tested in the air for the first time on Wednesday, incorporates technologies developed for the J-16 fighter jet. It is reported to have better active phased array radar, use more composite materials in its wings and tail, and be capable of firing more advanced air-to-air missiles like PL-10 and PL-15. Read more
Israel’s Uvision Unveils Its Smallest Version Of Hero-30 System
[image: HERO-30 UAV]Uvision, the Israel manufacturer of unmanned expandable unmanned air systems (UAS), has unveiled its Hero-30 system, the smallest version of its family of such systems. The Hero-30 loitering munition, is a small (3kg) expendable very accurate munitions carried in a canister , that is used also as a pneumatic launcher. After launch, the electric motor is turned on. The HERO-30 is equipped with a day/night sensor and has an endurance of 30 minutes. Read more
Making Unmanned Search And Rescue A Reality: Unmanned K-MAX® Helicopter Conducts First Collaborative Casualty Evacuation
[image: K-MAX® UAS]Dangerous frontline operations call for a safe and efficient method to locate and evacuate wounded personnel. To address this critical need and help save lives, Lockheed Martin, Kaman Aerospace, and Neya Systems demonstrated the first ever collaborative unmanned air and ground casualty evacuation using the unmanned aerial system (UAS) Control Segment (UCS) Architecture and K-MAX® cargo helicopter on March 26. During the demonstration, a distress call led ground operators to send an unmanned ground vehicle to assess the area and injured party. Read more
Japan may soon land maritime patrol aircraft in Philippines
[image: Kawasaki P-1 ASW Aircraft]Japan may soon seek permission from Philippine government to land air assets in Filipino air bases in a bid to join United States in conducting maritime air patrols in South China Sea. Japanese maritime air patrol in South China Sea is currently being discussed within Japanese military, Reuters reports. A US military source of Reuters said that if Japan decides to begin flights in South China Sea, Tokyo may ask the Philippines for access to air bases under disaster relief training and other joint training exercises to give Japanese aircraft added r... more »
US may need new fighter to take on China's J-20: expert
[image: F-22 Raptor]Some US experts believe that the development of the F/A-XX, the next-generation carrier-based fighter, should be carried out as soon as possible since Lockheed Martin's F-35C may not be able to compete against Russia's T-50 and or China's J-20, according to Beijing's Science and Technology. Experts close to Lockheed Martin said that both the F-35C Lighting and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet would be unable to prevail in aerial combat against the T-50 and J-20. One of the experts even said that improvements in the Russian and Chinese missile launching systems indicate t... more »
The F-35 Has More Engine Troubles, But It's Been Through Worse
The debate over the reliability of the Lockheed Martin F-35, the fighter jet that is also the most expensive single weapons program in U.S. history, has taken another turn, as two separate government reports have declared its engines to be unreliable. The Government Accountability Office report, originally released in mid-April, said that the engines, made by Pratt & Whitney, were a problem. "The F-35 system reliability has been limited by poor engine reliability," the report said, adding that it "will take additional time and resources to achieve reliability goals.” Read more
Navy considering Newport News Shipbuilding's future
[image: USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)]Is the day coming when Newport News Shipbuilding will no longer have a monopoly on building the Navy's aircraft carriers? A defense analyst said the Navy's desire to create more competition - to stifle rising costs and address changes in technology and warfare - could lead the Pentagon to encourage a future rival to Virginia's largest private employer. Others disagree, arguing that Newport News is well-positioned because the cost of developing another carrier builder would far outweigh any potential benefits. Read more
Nigel Pearson, oh dear
Baker: What criticisms .. do you not think are right? Pearson: Have you been on holiday for six months? Have you been away for six months? Baker: I am not quite sure what specific criticism you are referring to? Pearson: I think you must have been either head in the clouds, away on holiday or reporting on a different team because if you don’t know the answer to that question, I think your question is absolutely... unbelievable, the fact you do not understand where I am coming from. If you don’t know the answer to that question then I think you are an ostrich. Your head must be i... more »
April 29: When I was a child, we used newspapers as toilet paper.
The Irving press starts out as toilet paper. The "events centre" push starts on page 1 with the story that a downtown business group supports it. Beside it is the biggest story of the day. The $400,000 concrete lobster in Shediac is 25 years old. We are told, "Some thought investing in a huge sculpture was a waste, but few if any doubters remain today." Does that sub-headline bring something to mind? It's supposed to. This is what's called propaganda by subliminal suggestion. It's supposed to make you think of how some, weird people today think an events centre is a waste of mone... more »
Italian Navy takes delivery of FREMM frigate
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[image: ITS Carlo Bergamini (F 590)]The Italian Navy has taken delivery of its fourth FREMM frigate, the Carabiniere, from shipbuilder Orizzonte Sistemi Navali. The ship is about 472.5 feet long and has a maximum speed of 27 knots. Its weapons systems are in an anti-submarine warfare configuration. FREMM, or Multi Mission European Frigate, is the product of an Italian-French program which is coordinated by the European Union's Organization for Joint Armament Cooperation. Read more
The BBC's choice of whether to use 'said', 'claimed' or not report the story at all.
If a news story is negative for a party, person or country that the BBC opposes, yes the BBC is not the impartial reporter of the news that it claims to be, then the word 'said' or 'says' is used. As an example the headline on the BBC News main page this morning is: If the news story is negative for a party, person or country that the BBC supports then the word 'claimed' or 'claims' is used. Look at BBC reports that start 'Ed Miliband has promised', later on will come 'the Conservative party claimed...'. Of course if the story is really negative for a party, person or country tha... more »
This chart shows just how massive the US's Navy is
[image: US Navy april 2015]The US Navy is the unquestioned dominant naval force in the world. In terms of both absolute tonnage and technical superiority, the US Navy is the the world’s largest and most advanced maritime military force. The capabilities of the US Navy are further enhanced and augmented by a its military alliances like NATO, where the US plays a key role. The graphic from Naval Graphics shows every vessel currently serving in the US Navy as of April 2015: Read more
Japanese 'megasub' size of a football field mapped off Hawaii coast
A Japanese World War II-era megasubmarine the length of one and a half football fields has been mapped and filmed off the coast of Hawaii, 70 years after being deliberately sunk. Stretching nearly 130 metres in length, the I-400 Sen-Toku submarine was the largest to see action in World War II, and the largest ever built until the 1960s, but only three were ever completed, the International Business Times reports. The submarine's hangar was so large it could hold three bombers, launched via catapult, built with the aim of attacking the US mainland. Read more
An NMSSM explanation of the ATLAS Z-peaked excess
In March, ATLAS has moderately excited us with a 3-sigma SUSY-like excess in final states with a lepton pair, jets, and MET. At the end of another blog post, I mentioned a paper explaining it in terms of a light sbottom. There's a different explanation on the arXiv now, extending the proposal by Ullwanger 3 weeks ago. It's been a lot of time after the Big Bang so Shang, Yang, Yang Zhang, and Cao (no kidding) have hung a new Explanation of the ATLAS Z-peaked excess in the NMSSM Fortunately, the author names haven't been sung which could make your face blank and unless you're a monk, ...more »
Mercury In The Mist: Holding Unilever In India To Account
RINF, Global Research, Countercurrents, Asia-Pacific Research Scientists in India and the UK recently joined together to express solidarity with ex-employees and local residents exposed to toxic levels of mercury in Kodaikanal, India. Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL) is a subsidiary of the Anglo-Dutch multinational Unilever and is being held responsible for dumping toxic mercury close to human settlements, polluting the ecosystem and placing workers’ lives in danger. These actions relate to HUL operating a mercury thermometer factory in Kodaikanal between 1986 and 2001. According to a Go... more »
Vietnam buys submarine-launched land attack missiles to deter China
[image: Klub-S (SS-N-27B) missile]Vietnam is arming its expanding submarine fleet with land attack missiles that could be capable of reaching Chinese coastal cities, a choice of weapon likely to be seen as provocative by China in the ongoing South China Sea dispute. The independent Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) recently updated data on its website to show Vietnam's acquisition of the Russian-made land attack variant of the Klub missile for its state-of-the-art Kilo attack submarines. SIPRI arms researcher Siemon Wezeman said the entry was based on an earli... more »
Russia Launches Quietest Submarine in the World
[image: RFS Novorossiysk SSK]Admiralty Shipyards - a Russian defense company - held a ceremonial launching for its newest Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines. According to the company’s website, the commander of Russia's Navy, Viktor Chirkov, attended the ceremony. Dubbed the Krasnodar, the vessel is the fourth of a planned six upgraded Kilo-class subs Russia is constructing under Project 636. Previously, Russian state media outlets have said that the Varshavyanka-class are the “quietest in the world, and so was dubbed ‘black hole’ by NATO.” Read more
Sunken Soviet submarines threaten massive radioactive contamination
[image: November class SSN (K-159)]Russian scientists have made a worst-case scenario map for possible spreading of radionuclides from the wreck of the K-159 nuclear-powered submarine that sank twelve years ago in one of the best fishing areas of the Barents Sea. Mikhail Korbinsky with the Nuclear Safety Institute of the Russian Academy of Science says the sunken November-class submarine can’t stay at the seabed. The two reactors contain 800 kilos of spent uranium fuel. At a recent seminar in Murmansk organized jointly by Russia’s nuclear agency Rosatom and the Norwegian environme... more »
MENA Report - ( April 30 , 2015 ) - Global ISIS War - means entanglements around the globe - ISIS popping up in Africa and Afghanistan ........US seeks Iran help with Yemen even as the Iran - P5 +1 Talks could be ham-strung by the US Senate .....Yemen ongoing Regional Proxy War continues to take its toll on civilians ....... Iraq - Syria Regional War continues its daily death dealing - with refugee blowback rolling up on Europe shores , as well as in Lebanon and Jordan .....Libya continues to be a hell hole failed state.....
Links....... *US Poised to Expand ISIS Fight Worldwide**US Asks Iran to Help With Yemen Peace Talks* *Senate Rejects Iran Amendment Amid Veto Threat* *US Continues Afghan War Under 'Training' Guise* *ISWAP: Boko Haram Rebrands as ISIS Affiliate* 69 Killed Across Iraq as Sadr Threatens Return to Fight Govt Bombing Kills 23 in North Syria Obama Would Veto Any Bill That Would Undermine Iran Nuclear Talks: White House Yemen Government to Request Membership in GCC: Official Yemeni Spokesman Libya's $1.2bn Goldman Lawsuit Hangs in Balance After Lawyers Quit The United Arab Emirates... more »
Has Japan Abandoned Its Policy Of Being A Pacifist Nation?
Sailors stand on the deck of the Izumo warship as it departs from the harbor of the Japan United Marine shipyard in Yokohama, south of Tokyo. March 25, 2015. REUTERS/Thomas Peter *William Johnson, Reuters*: *With a $42 billion defense budget, is Japan a hawk in dove’s clothing?* *Japan’s identity as a pacifist nation, as defined by Article 9 of its constitution, is increasingly at odds with reality. The Japanese Naval Self-Defense Force is the second-most powerful naval force in the region, trailing only its close ally, the United States Navy. Japan has the seventh-largest defense... more »
Peace Activists Decry The $1.8 Trillion Spent On Global Defense
Members of the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom used red poker chips as a symbol of global military spending, redistributing them as they saw fit. Photograph: Mir Grebäck von Melen/WILPF *The Guardian*: *Peace activists at The Hague decry $1.8tn global military spend in 2014* Female peacemakers at a conference marking the centenary of the 1915 Congress of Women want *money diverted away from weapons and into public services.* *There is no mistaking Anne Scott’s opinion of nuclear weapons. Standing outside a conference hall in The Hague on a chilly Tuesday luncht... more »
Mitch Waxman ruminates about the role of a "schmuck with a camera" standing up to city movers and shakers
*Doughboy Park alongside Woodside Avenue in Woodside, Queens, from our April 11 Woodside Avenue walk with Jack Eichenbaum -- all photos in this post by Mitch Waxman* *"I'm some shmuck with a camera who wanders around and researches the history of Western Queens and North Brooklyn obsessively."* *-- Mitch Waxman, in his *Newtown Pentacle *post today,* "resting and brooding" *by Ken* A few weeks ago I did a dandy Municipal Art Society walk along historic (and wildly varied) Woodside Avenue in Queens with my walking pal Jack Eichenbaum, the Queens borough historian, and who should be ...more »
Nepali Montessori
Since the Nepal earthquakes, we’ve been asking Montessorian Susan Stephenson how the Nepali Montessori schools are that she helped set up. ( I featured a while back one she had helped set up in Bhutan, if you recall.) She has now heard news, she says, about two schools where she has worked, including the Shree Mangel Dvip Boarding school for poor children of Tibetan origin: The children are all okay in both, say the reports, but sleeping outside… ... while the damage is great all around the area, all the children, monks and nuns are alive and safe… the damage to the upper floors... more »
Don Scott: The Wrong Choice for Fort McMurray-Conklin
As I suspected, Don Scott and the PC machine are getting desperate. Clearly it isn't business as usual. He is being forced to defend his first term but many long-time PC supporters are giving up on him. So desperate, in fact, that Scott's only play seems to be attack his Wildrose and NDP opposition Forced to defend a budget that is clearly unpopular with Albertans, Scott accuses Wildrose leader and local candidate, Brian Jean of showing a lack of leadership. Mr. Scott, were you showing leadership when you spent over $24,000 on a government trip to Poland? Why don't you show lea... more »
Rebellion Continues in Sicily
*The Tiny Italian Town Killing the U.S. Navy’s * * Surveillance Plans* *The Sicilian village of Niscemi keeps scoring unlikely victories in its battle to keep a controversial U.S. military satellite system from going online.* By Barbie Latza Nadeau NISCEMI, Italy — Sicilian pensioner Salvatore Terranova blames America for messing with his pacemaker. Every six months or so, he has to drive across the island to Palermo to get it re-calibrated. His doctors told him that he uses the computer and cellphone too much, even though he says he doesn’t actually use electronic devices much a... more »
The U.S. Moves To Contain China
U.S. President Barack Obama shakes hands with China's President Xi Jinping during a joint news conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing November 12, 2014. Petar Kujundzic/Reuters *Bill Powell, Newsweek*: *In Washington, a Strategic Shift on China—Toward Containment* *"China represents and will remain the most significant competitor to the United States for decades to come. As such, the need for a more coherent U.S. response to increasing Chinese power is long overdue.”* *The words are dispassionate: “significant competitor”; not "enemy.’’ They are careful: "A more co... more »
Iran's Foreign Minister: U.S. Congress Can’t Stop An Iranian Nuclear Deal
John Kerry and Mohammad Javad Zarif in Lausanne. Photograph: Reuters *Josh Rogin, Bloomberg:* *Iran's Zarif Says Congress Can’t Stop Obama* *If Iran strikes a deal with the West, all sanctions will be lifted very quickly and there’s nothing the U.S. Congress can do to stop it, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told a New York audience Wednesday.* *In a set of blustery and self-righteous remarks, Iran’s top diplomat assured the crowd at New York University that President Barack Obama would be compelled to stop enforcing sanctions only days after any nuclear agreement wa... more »
Musical Interlude: Michael Jackson, “Earth Song”
Michael Jackson, “Earth Song” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAi3VTSdTxU
Intro by Paul Craig Roberts: "The Western media has created a fictional account of events in Ukraine. The coup organized by the Obama regime that overthrew the elected democratic government in Ukraine is never mentioned. The militias decked out in Nazi symbols are ignored. These militias are the principle source of the violence that has been inflicted on the Russian populations, resulting in the formation of the break-away republics. Instead of reporting this fact, the corrupt Western media delivers Washington’s propaganda that Russia has invaded and is annexing eastern and southern Ukraine." "The Western media is complicit in many war crimes covered up with lies, but the false story that the Western media has woven of Ukraine is the most audacious collection of lies yet."
------------------------------ Statement by Elena Bondarenko—People’s Deputy of Verkhovna Rada of UkrainePOSTED BY OLGA LUZANOVA ⋅ APRIL18, 2015 Translated by Alya & Alan Bailey / Edited by Olga Luzanova I, Elena Bondarenko, a deputy of Partiya Regionov [Party of the Regions], which is in opposition to the governing party in Ukraine, would like to make a statement about the fact that the government is directly threatening with assault opposition politicians, depriving them of freedom of speech in the parliament and in other places, as well as conniving in the crimes against opposit... more »
Free Download: Mark Twain, “The Mysterious Stranger”
*"The Mysterious Stranger"* by Mark Twain "An unfinished novella that Mark Twain worked on periodically from roughly 1890 until his death in 1910. The body of the work is a serious social commentary addressing Twain's ideas of the Moral Sense and the ''damned human race.'' Published posthumously in 1916 by Twain's biographer Albert Bigelow Paine. “…I must go now, and we shall not see each other any more." “In this life, Satan, but in another? We shall meet in another, surely?” Then, all tranquilly and soberly, he made the strange answer, “There is no other.” A subtle influence blew... more »
Saudi u-turn on human rights abuses. PM says: “No drama.”
This just in… [image: image] BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!! ----------------------------------------------------------------- Word is just coming in that internationally popular, highly respected, and super-casual New Zealand Prime Minister, John Key, has just delivered the world an historic diplomatic coup, by persuading the Saudi Royal Family to end it’s centuries long tradition of not having any human rights. “It wasn’t really a big deal, to be honest,” said Key. “I just said: ‘Look Salman, the people of New Zealand have had enough of this beheading business, and stoning women and st... more »
Two Speeches About The Armenian Genocide
*Forgotten Fire (2002)*. *Video Title: English Speech of Aram I. about the Armenian Genocide || Vatican. Source: Soghomon Tehlirian. Date Published: April 12, 2015. Description:* Any attempt to erase the Armenian Genocide from history and from our common memory is doomed to failure.“, Aram I. This is the English part of the speech of Aram I, Vatican April 12, 2015. *Video Title: Paula Yacoubian on Centennial of Armenian Genocide: The Ottomans Were the Forefathers of ISIS. Source: MEMRI TV. Date Published: April 28, 2015. Description: * On the centennial of the Armenian genocide... more »
Musical Interlude: Yanni, "Magical Concluding Musical Performance"
Yanni, "Magical Concluding Musical Performance" -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbBAlUnNKjM&html5=1
"A Look to the Heavens"
"The dark Horsehead Nebula and the glowing Orion Nebula are contrasting cosmic vistas. Adrift 1,500 light-years away in one of the night sky's most recognizable constellations, they appear in opposite corners of the above stunning mosaic. *Click image for larger size.* The familiar Horsehead nebula appears as a dark cloud, a small silhouette notched against the long red glow at the lower left. Alnitak is the easternmost star in Orion's belt and is seen as the brightest star to the left of the Horsehead. Below Alnitak is the Flame Nebula, with clouds of bright emission and dramatic ... more »
The Poet: Arthur O’Shaughnessy, "Music and Moonlight"
*"Music and Moonlight"* "We are the music makers, And we are the dreamers of dreams, Wandering by lone seabreakers, And sitting by desolate streams; World-losers and world-forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams: Yet we are the movers and shakers Of the world forever, it seems… We, in the ages lying In the buried past of the earth, Built Ninevah with our sighing, And Babel itself in our mirth; And o’erthrew them with prophesying To the old of the new world’s worth; For each age is a dream that is dying, Or one that is coming to birth." - Arthur O’Shaughnessy, "Music and Moonlight" (1874)
Chet Raymo, “The Seat of the Soul”
*“The Seat of the Soul” * by Chet Raymo "It was not my first visit. I had been there once before to talk with the great man, to the Castle of Cloux, near Amboise, in the valley of the Loire. He had been living there since 1516, at the invitation of Francis I, king of France. He was 67 years old, bundled up in a thick fur wrap by a roaring fire. His face showed age but not infirmity. Long white hair fell about his shoulders. White beard. Thick, downswept brows shaded his eyes like awnings. A strong nose. And of course the mouth, serious yet generous, not unlike the mouth of the Chris... more »
The Poet: Linda Pastan, "What We Want"
*"What We Want" * "What we want is never simple. We move among the things we thought we wanted: a face, a room, an open book and these things bear our names- now they want us. But what we want appears in dreams, wearing disguises. We fall past, holding out our arms and in the morning our arms ache. We don't remember the dream, but the dream remembers us. It is there all day as an animal is there under the table, as the stars are there even in full sun." ~ Linda Pastan, "Carnival Evening"
"The Purpose Of Life..."
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"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
Mohawk Nation News 'BALTIMORE - RESERVATION CITY'
http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2015/04/29/baltimore-reservation-city/ -- Censored News www.bsnorrell.blogspot.com
The Reason Why Iran Seized A Container Ship In The Persian Gulf Yesterday
*Ankit Panda, The Diplomat:* *What Really Happened in the Persian Gulf on April 28, 2015?* *Iran’s navy has seized a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, the MV Maersk Tigris.* *A 65,000 ton, Danish-owned, Singapore-chartered, container ship, en route to the United Arab Emirates from Saudi Arabia, manned mostly by Eastern European and Asian sailors, is intercepted, boarded, and confiscated by the Iranian navy, prompting a U.S. destroyer to investigate.** *That wasn’t an anecdote from Tom Friedman’s next book on globalization–it’s a rough description of what took place on Tuesday, Apr...more »
The Many Failures of the CPI
*Guest post by Mark Thornton* [image: Shoppers]Economists of the Austrian school oppose the whole notion of trying to accurately measure“inflation” which mainstream economists see as a general rise in prices. (Austrians view inflation as a politically engineered increase in the money supply.) A few years ago, mainstream economists like Paul Krugman chastised the Austrians for the lack of anticipated price inflation in the economy. However, their mistake was a fixation on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If you looked around at other prices in the economy you could see higher price... more »
The "Living Wage" Mistake
*Guest post by Ryan McMaken* [image: cutting bills]Much of the push to raise minimum wages centres on the assumption that each individual worker should be paid an amount allowing a worker to purchase food, health care, transportation, and housing based on that one wage alone. In many cases, the living wage claims extend to the claim that each worker — or two adult workers, in some cases — should be able to support a family of four or more. Unfortunately, the “solution” to this challenge generally proffered these days is the minimum wage, which as we have se
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