NGC 604 in the Triangulum Galaxy is a very massive open cluster surrounded by an H II region. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
NGC 253 closeup (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Antennae Galaxies are undergoing a collision that will result in their eventual merger. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)Do You Smoke?
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8 Reptilian Traits In Human Beings
*Gregg Prescott* - The following are reptilian traits in human beings. You may recognize a few of them in you or someone you know. The post 8 Reptilian Traits In Human Beings appeared first on Waking Times.
"A Look to the Heavens"
“NGC 253 is not only one of the brightest spiral galaxies visible, it is also one of the dustiest. Discovered in 1783 by Caroline Herschel in the constellation of Sculptor, NGC 253 lies only about ten million light-years distant. *Click image for larger size.* NGC 253 is the largest member of the Sculptor Group of Galaxies, the nearest group to our own Local Group of Galaxies. The dense dark dust accompanies a high star formation rate, giving NGC 253 the designation of starburst galaxy. Visible in the above photograph is the active central nucleus, also known to be a bright source o... more »
Football Watch: Just 'cause you're as pretty (and, yes, talented) as Tom Brady doesn't mean you get to cheat -- and then lie about it
*Oh Tom, Tom, Tom! You stood there at that January 2015 news conference, looking pretty as a picture, and just fibbed your pretty head off.* *"We found these claims not plausible and contradicted by other evidence."* *-- the Wells report, on Tom Brady's claims of Deflategate ignorance* *by Ken* Since we had our share of fun with the Deflategate story when it broke, it only seems fair to pick up the story now that an NFL investigating commission has brought forth its report. And it appears that I for one may owe the Super Bowl champ New England Patriots' coach, Bill Belichick, an ap... more »
Remembering the Fight Against Nazi Germany
A brief summary of the number of dead during World War II can be found below: Soviet Union: 28,000,000 Germany: 9,000,000 Poland: 5,800,000 China: 20,000,000 Japan: 3,000,000 United States: 420,000 United Kingdom: 450,900 France: 550,000 Italy: 454,600 Yugoslavia: 1,700,000 See more countries listed *here* Germany: 9,000,000 China: 4,000,000 Japan: 3,000,000 - See more at: http://www.historynet.com/world-war-ii#sthash.SAsgw8Iz.dpuf
Russian Super-Tank 'Breaks-Down' During 'Victory Day' Rehearsal Parade In Red Square
*RT:* *New Russian T-14 Armata tank grinds to a halt on Red Square* *Russia’s military will be glad it was only a dress rehearsal, as its new state-of-the-art tank broke down in the Red Square. One of the T-14 Armata tanks ground to a halt, before finally rumbling away after the Victory Day parade rehearsal was over.* *In a dress rehearsal for the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II on May 9, a parade of the new tanks, which were getting their first public viewing, rolled towards the very heart of the Russian capital.* *All seemed to be going to plan until one of the might... more »
A couple of links…
Just a special note for a UK election Friday: if you’ve been hanging out for a run-down on the British election featuring beer – and let’s face it, who hasn’t – then Neil Miller’s latest Malthouse blog 'Beer, British politics and Boris Johnson' is probably the second-best place to start (and try his favourite bus-stop beer, and you’ll soon be finished). But if you were wondering why the Euro Zone is beginning to look more like meltdown-zone in “the markets” this morning, you might prefer David Stockman’s reminder that centrally-driven market highs have nothing to do with economics... more »
US Begins to Train & Equip "Syrian" fighters in Jordan
I will spare you the bogus claims of these killers being "moderate" Or even Syrian? I will further spare you the absolute nonsense that these US trained killers will be fighting ISIS. *They won't be.* They will be fighting the brave nation defending Syrian Army *I will highlight the relevant facts in this news.* *The U.S. has begun to train a group of approximately 90 Syrian rebels,* Defense Secretary Ashton Carter confirmed Thursday, saying that a second group will begin training in the coming weeks. “We're figuring out what the best training is, what the best initial deployment i... more »
The U.K. Election 2015: Live Updates
*WNU Editor*: Bloomberg has an excellent interactive map on the results of Britain's election .... the link* is here.* The above video is a live broadcast from ITV News. *Live Updates On The U.K. General Election* Watch live: Election day coverage -- The Telegraph Election Live -- BBC Election polling day live -- The Guardian Election 2015: Live -- The Telegraph General Election Live -- The Independent The Latest: Leaders vote early in close British election -- AP British Parliamentary Elections 2015: Live -- New York Times UK General Election 2015 LIVE UPDATES -- RT
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- May 7, 2015
*Jonathan Freedland, The Guardian:* *The U.K. exit poll no one expected* *With projections showing the Conservatives only 10 seats short of a majority, Labour is in shock. Exit polls have been wrong before, but if this one holds, there’ll be inquests aplenty * *It’s fair to say no one was expecting that. Not the political parties, not the punditocracy and – least of all – the pollsters. The exit poll that came on the stroke at 10pm will have caused ashen faces at Labour headquarters. At Lib Dem towers, the spirits would have crumpled in an instant. At Tory mission control, the jo... more »
"A Real Church Sign"
"Yeah, we're doing ok, thanks for asking..." - CP
World News Briefs -- May 7, 2015 (Evening Edition)
*BBC*: *Election 2015: Exit poll puts Tories close to majority* *London (CNN)It's been billed as one of the closest elections in British history, but an early exit poll projection indicates Conservatives could have gained ground at the polls in the country's general election.* *Results from an exit poll run jointly by the BBC, Sky News and ITN project Conservatives in the lead and gaining 14 seats in Parliament, going from 302 seats to 316. Official results haven't been announced yet. But if the exit poll projections hold true, it's a result that would keep Prime Minister David C... more »
Top Al Qaeda Leader In Yemen Killed In U.S. Drone Strike
*CNN:* *Senior AQAP leader Nasr Ibn Ali al-Ansi killed* *(CNN)A senior commander in al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula has been killed in a U.S. drone strike, according to an online video statement from an AQAP spokesman.* *It was not immediately clear when Nasr Ibn Ali al-Ansi was killed.* *A U.S. official confirmed that al-Ansi was dead, but would not say whether his death was the result of a drone strike.* *The senior commander was well known for giving a lengthy statement after the Charlie Hebdo shooting in Paris, claiming AQAP was responsible for the attack.* *WNU Editor*: T... more »
Saudi Arabia And Turkey Have Agree To Sypport Syria's Rebels In Their War Against President Bashar al-Assad
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, left, stands with Saudi King Salman. SPA *IBTimes: Syria:* *Saudi-Turkish alliance backs 'Conquest Army' rebels to defeat Bashar al-Assad* *Turkish officials have confirmed that Ankara has signed a pact with Saudi Arabia to help rebels fighting against embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.* *The unusual, strategic alliance will provide "logistical and financial support" to the constellation of anti-Assad groups fighting on the ground, according to AP.* *Earlier in April, the Huffington Post reported on high-level talks, brokered by ... more »
Untitled
*More questions crop up over Irvin Mayfield's use of library donations ~David Hammer* *Shrimp Scam: DOJ Nails Company for Counterfeit Crustaceans ~NOLA DEFENDER*
Who Will Help Bernie Sanders Pass The Too Big To Fail, Too Big To Exist Act?
Who does Wall Street most trust in Congress to take care of their business for them and make sure they get the kind of friendly legislation the banksters claim they need to keep their bottom line robust, their bonuses obscene and the campaign contributions flowing? Well, if you look at the financial sector's political contributions since 1990-- removing the presidential candidates from both parties-- you find the biggest share of the $2,131,628,813 Wall Street forked over to the DC politicians went to Republicans. But note the 3 current Members Wall Street has given the most "love... more »
US Offers $20 Million For Information On 4 Senior Islamic State Leaders
*Photo:* This combination of images provided May 5, 2015 by the US Department of State's Rewards for Justice Program shows key leaders of the Islamic State jihadist group (AFP Photo/) *BBC*: *US offers $20m in rewards on 'four IS leaders'* *The US government is offering rewards totalling $20m (£13m) for information on what it says are four leaders of the Islamic State (IS) militant group.* *It named the four as Abdul Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, Tarkhan Tayumurazovich Batirashvili and Tariq bin al-Tahar bin al-Falih al-Awni al-Harzi.* *They join a list of ... more »
Far Left UK General Election 2015 Results
Here are the only results that matter: the vote tally of the combined forces of the far left. The results are listed by party, and constituencies are arranged by alphabetical order by those headings. Simple! Where applicable, +/- indicates the far left 2010 result. * by candidates means that prospective MP stood there last time, and the same by a constituency indicates a far left clash. This will be updated as the results come in. *Alliance for Green Socialism* Kensington - Toby Abse Leeds North East - Celia Foote* Leeds North West - Mike Davies *Class War* Cities of London an... more »
Ports of Auckland: Remove the blinkers
*Plan of the Auckland waterfront ca. 1930, with the older coastline of 1841 also shown as a darker line [Pic Wikipedia Commons]* Since 1841 the Waitemata Harbour has been eaten into and ‘reclaimed’ many times. Point Britomart has long gone, its fill forming the first great reclamation of 1880,and its name the title of a station and a trendy part of town. Other new wharves and spaces have been added since, some of them now forming spaces on which to park cars. The latest might seem like just another increment, but that little bit of land you see on the right-hand top corner of ... more »
The Relationship Between Energy and Currency
*Pao L. Chang* - Once you figure out how energy and currency are related, you will eventually know how currency is being used to steal your energy and time. The post The Relationship Between Energy and Currency appeared first on Waking Times.
One Simple Word May be Holding You Back from What You Want Out of Life
*Video -* This motivational video may help you overcome your fears and let go of the excuses that are holding you back from doing what you want to accomplish in life. The post One Simple Word May be Holding You Back from What You Want Out of Life appeared first on Waking Times.
Mind you if UKIP voters are even more shy then the exit polls could be out by enough to give Labour a victory... M
Depressed again and really off to sleep...........
Why You Need to Take Supplements
*Dr. Mark Hyman - *Even with a perfect diet, the combination of many things—including our depleted soils, the storage and transportation of our food, genetic alterations of seeds, and a toxic environment—make it impossible for us to get the vitamins and minerals we need solely from the foods we eat. The post Why You Need to Take Supplements appeared first on Waking Times.
http://politicalbetting.com/ is not available
http://politicalbetting.com/ is not available tonight, I wonder why! Yes I should be in bed asleep but I had a peek at the exit polls... Shy Conservatives again? False dawn? I'll find out at 6:30, slightly more cheerful than I was earlier this evening. I wonder how angry they are at the BBC? Champagne on ice and unopened?
Election Live Blog (not)
We don't do live blogs here at *ITBB*... However...crikey, what a BBC exit poll! 326 seats are needed for a majority. The BBC (and others) are predicting: 316 Conservatives (+10) 239 Labour (-19) 58 SNP (+52) 10 Liberal Democrats (-47) 4 Plaid Cymru (+1) 2 UKIP (+2) 2 Greens (+1) DUP 8 Others 11 (+1) If correct, the Conservatives and what's left of the Liberal Democrats could form a majority coalition government. As could the Conservatives the DUP and UKIP. (Nigel Farage as Foreign Minister?) It's early days, it's early days. And, boy, this poll could be *stupendously* wrong. Pad... more »
Cons, Libs pass C-51 anti-terrorism law.
CBC, May 6, 2015 : Bill C-51 passes by margin of 183 to 96. "The federal government's controversial new anti-terrorism bill has won the approval of the House of Commons.The Anti-Terrorism Act, also known as Bill C-51, easily passed third reading by a margin of 183 to 96, thanks to the Conservative government's majority and the promised support of the third-party Liberals." April 1, 2015 : "Not one of the more than 100 amendments submitted by opposition parties to try and change the government’s much-criticized anti-terror bill were adopted as a House of Commons committee wrapped... more »
100 Years Ago Today, The Sinking Of The RMS Lusitania
Today marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland... That sinking has always been one of intense controversy and was used as a propaganda weapon to help propel the United States into the first World War.... For this article and to mark the 100th anniversary of that important date in history, I want to present the following link to a most important James Perloff article that exposes some of the real truths about the Lusitania and its sinking.... The article is entitled: " False Flag At Sea: The Lusitania, Woodrow Wilson, And The Deceptions... more »
My election prediction
The result of this election may not be clear immediately but the final outcome I fear will be a Labour / SNP government whether as a formal coalition or a less formal Pact. Either way this will be the most left wing government the UK has ever had and the result for this country will be dire. I've got work in the morning, an early start, so good night and good luck to us all - we're going to need it!
May 7:Remember how Moncton mourned the deaths of three police?
They were killed by a man using a combat-style rifle (high rate of fire, large capacity magazine). It was a rifle of no hunting value. (If you miss a deer on the first shot, you're not likely to hit it on the 20th). Nor was it of any value for target shooting. This was a combat rifle, useful only for killing people. We mourned the dead in that incident.; and there seems no limit to the Irving press concern about it. But I don't recall a single article about that rifle. Now, take a look at the back page of "This Week" section. Start with the CXA VZ-58, Suomi M31, CSA VZ 58 sporter, No... more »
The Only Thing
It’s been an interesting few days (since the full moon?)… This week the energy again is “ramped up”… there are no issues or struggles while dropping into a meditative state or even just a state of calm. Our house is teeming with “energies”… it is/ (they are) different than before… faster moving and easier, stronger perhaps. Our way of life is changing… many of my family members are again switching gears and moving into previously unplanned places, myself included. We are choosing; deciding which roads we will climb and with whom and for what purpose. Just as we planned. It ... more »
"This Is All Ending"
*"This Is All Ending"* by Bill Gross “Having turned the corner on my 70th year, like prize winning author Julian Barnes, I have a sense of an ending. Death frightens me and causes what Barnes calls great unrest, but for me it is not death but the dying that does so. After all, we each fade into unconsciousness every night, do we not? Where was “I” between 9 and 5 last night? Nowhere that I can remember, with the exception of my infrequent dreams. Where was “I” for the 13 billion years following the Big Bang? I can’t remember, but assume it will be the same after I depart – going ba... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Thanks for stopping by.
Chet Raymo, “Minding my Ps and Qs”
*“Minding my Ps and Qs”* by Chet Raymo “When I was a young academic, I felt a certain obligation to make myself aware of philosophy. I started with the preSocratics and worked my way, in no particular order, to the postModernists. It was a long, hard slog, and except perhaps for David Hume I can't say that I'm better off because of it. The Greeks stated the questions succinctly: What is the good? What is beauty? What is truth? Shelves and shelves of tomes follow. Two-and-a-half millennia after Socrates, philosophers are still rearranging the furniture in the House of Intellect. Wh... more »
Analysing the Today programme's election coverage
The thought struck me yesterday that as Cardiff University is systematically monitoring the BBC for bias over this election period, we here at *Is the BBC biased?* probably ought to try something along the same lines as well... ...but, unlike, the good folk at Cardiff, we'll actually publish all our raw data and show our workings too. Choosing something easy to transcribe, I went for every 7.30am news summary featured on Radio 4's *Today *for the past month - from 7th April-6th May. (I'd have done from the very start of the election on 30th April if the earliest episodes hadn't a... more »
"Real Teachers Comments"
"Real Teachers Comments" Author Unknown "These 12 are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the New York City public school system. All teachers were reprimanded but, boy, are these funny! 1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig. 2. I would not allow this student to breed. 3. Your child has delusions of adequacy. 4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot. 5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them. 6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic t... more »
"We Must Do What We Can..."
"We must do what we can. Always. At night we must go to sleep knowing that we have done our best, and there is no more you can do than that. Do not let the problems overwhelm you. Start somewhere, anywhere, with just the smallest gesture of compassion, and you have made a dent against the evil of the world." - Gottfried Muller, in Thom Hartmann's "The Prophet's Way"
UK Election Special
Through a tear in the space time continuum I have been sent tonight's Election Night Special Probably more sensible than the real thing... Thanks to Monty Python
U.S. Troops in Ukraine
Three hundred American soldiers have arrived in western Ukraine. In the latest dispatch, Vice News traveled there to find out what their mission is. This Vice News report raises some questions for me. They are doing alot of reporting from Ukraine and many of their reports veer toward support of the US-NATO war project. First off, how did Vice News get access to this highly scripted event that included the US Ambassador to Ukraine and a speech by president (I use that word reluctantly) Poroshenko? Lately in Ukraine the puppet government has been killing or expelling any real jou... more »
Smart Locks make your home, you and your family, less secure
Not a surprise... Did anyone expect any different Recall my post from last week?*: What happens to Humanity when the Internet is in Everything. Everywhere. Always?? When the technology doesn’t serve you, the technology must be rejected.* *So, security is incompatible with smart locks.* *The problem with this type of technology is the FALSE SENSE of SECURITY. Creating an illusion of safety lulling you, the living breathing human, into complacency* *Smart Locks could make your home less secure* They offer plenty of convenience, and new models with handy new features are hitting the mar... more »
Supplemental: Scrutinization of Clinton’s loud voice!
*THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015Where have we heard that before:* In the past few weeks, we’ve linked to three different journalists warning the world about “the Clinton rules.” Last week, we linked to Paul Krugman, then to Gene Lyons. This week, we’ve linked to Michelle Goldberg. All three alleged a long-standing practice in which mainstream journalists have invented pseudo-scandals involving the Clintons. Our question: Has this “longstanding journalistic vendetta” (Goldberg’s term) actually taken place? You’ll *never* see that question discussed within the national press corps. You’ll... more »
22 Reasons That Make Quinoa an Incredible Superfood
*Meme - *Just a few reasons why the edible seeds of quinoa are an incredibly beneficial addition to any balanced diet. The post 22 Reasons That Make Quinoa an Incredible Superfood appeared first on Waking Times.
World War II?
Who writes the history? Who rules the world?
Jade Helm and the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia...
*are there churches in Syria that look like this?* Maybe Afghanistan? How about Somalia? I didn't think so. This morning I watched the following video over at Info Wars. Yeah, I know, home of the crazy Alex Jones. Rest assured, I would never subject you to the rasping sounds of Mr. Jones. This video features two of his "newscasters" or whatever they're called on his site. They report on a show that was on C-Span in which Colonel John Petkosek, commander of the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group at Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia, is interviewed. Included is a tour of the 300 acr... more »
Other Losses
*At a prisoner-of-war enclosure near Remagen, Germany, a U.S. soldier takes part in keeping guard over thousands of German soldiers captured in the Ruhr area - **25 April 1945* *Figure 38 (page 381) in the report: MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY PREVENTIVE MEDICINE IN WORLD WAR II; OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, D.C. (1969)* *"To sum up: Eisenhower was not a Hitler, he did not run death camps, German prisoners did not die by the hundreds of thousands, there was indeed a severe world food shortage in 1945, there was nothing sinister or sec... more »
"Federal Appeals Court Declares NSA Domestic Spying on Telephone Calls Illegal, ‘Staggering’ in Scope, and Unauthorized by USA Patriot Act"
*"Federal Appeals Court Declares NSA Domestic Spying on Telephone Calls Illegal, * *‘Staggering’ in Scope, and Unauthorized by USA Patriot Act"* by John W. Whitehead NEW YORK, N.Y. — "Describing the National Security Agency’s (NSA) domestic spying program that collects data about virtually all telephone calls made in the United States as “staggering” in its scope and unauthorized by the Patriot Act, a federal appeals court has struck down the agency’s surveillance program, ruling that the program violates a federal law authorizing more limited investigations in support of national s... more »
A Revolutionary Manifesto: Three Ways to Undermine an Unjust System
*Gary ‘Z’ McGee - *Here three ways to undermine an unjust system can help you become a more-aware revolutionary moving forward. The post A Revolutionary Manifesto: Three Ways to Undermine an Unjust System appeared first on Waking Times.
Prime Minister Bigot
“Mr. Harper is a bigot. Mr. Harper doesn't like Muslims. He wants to prove he’s tough on crime so who does he pick on? A 15-year-old boy.” Omar Khadr's lawyer spoke these words outside an Edmonton courthouse shortly after Mr. Khadr was released on bail. Say it loud and say it often. Canada has a bigot for a Prime Minister, with a bigoted cabinet, supported by bigoted voters. Don't it make
Unjust deserts
I don’t often blow my own trumpet, (no honestly) but as a time-impoverished blogger I feel pleased with myself when a *real* pro comes up with words that echo my own, rather than the other way round. Take, for example Douglas Murray’s article here. He’s saying exactly what *I* said about the media’s negative influence on this election campaign, namely magnifying trivial irrelevancies - a slip of the tongue, a stumble, an unfortunate photo. So much so that vital topics are completely forgotten. Foreign policy. Defence. Here at “ITBBCB?” we aim for clarity, brevity and topicality, ... more »
I voted for FREE PLANET on my ballot paper... species annihilation addendum.
I voted for FREE PLANET on my ballot paper. It was there, eventually. And voting for it felt like this: *POLITICAL ADDENDUM:* the Roman Empire's obsession with gladiatorial games likely caused the mass-extinction of several species hauled in from around the vast expanse of the Roman Empire to be slaughtered in the name of VOTES for standing politicians. *If one were to assume that the Roman Empire had an estimate of fifty amphitheatres and that each amphitheatre only showed an average of twenty-five days of beast fights per year, then they would show a combined 1,250 days of... more »
Timo Soini likely to become Finnish finance minister
*...and this can make a difference in Europe...* First, one of the best articles on Greece that I recently read was written by a guy with a Greek name, Prof Ted Loch-Temzelides of Rice University. In his Let the Greek Games End (Forbes), he explains why the expected Grexit will be very bad news for Greece, neutral or good news for others, and why Greece will remain unattractive for business even with a weak currency because of the bureaucratic barriers, ineffective public sector, low productivity, and public mentality that is hostile to capitalism and foreign investors. I would add ... more »
U.S. Military Officials Fear That Iraq Is On The Verge Of Losing Its Largest Oil Refinery To The Islamic State
Satellite map of Beiji oil refinery, Iraq. VOA *Wall Street Journal:** U.S. Military Worries Key Iraqi Refinery Could Fall to Islamic State* *Control of Beiji would ‘make it hard to hold Mosul,’ official says* *Pentagon officials said they are worried that a key Iraqi oil refinery held by Iraqi commandos could fall to Islamic State control in the coming days.* *For weeks, U.S. military officials have said that control of the refinery outside the northern city of Beiji has been bitterly contested between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants, who have long held nearby towns.* ... more »
A Look Afghanistan's Billion Dollar Drug War
*Al Jazeera:* *‘They’ll Never Stop Us’: The Drug Runners Fueling Afghanistan’s Epidemic* *Authorities appear to be unable or unwilling to stop those behind the multibillion dollar trafficking industry* *Afghanistan is in the grips of a drug epidemic that some say is far more dangerous than the Taliban. And those behind the trade remain defiant in the face of efforts to rid the country of their presence.* *“They’ll never stop us. You see, we’ve tasted the profits, so we’ll never let go,” said one smuggler when asked whether the government would ever be able to stop the illegal bus... more »
With Afghan Forces Suffering Unprecedented Casualties The U.S. Is Being Dragged Back Into The War
Reinforcement troops from the Afghan army prepared to travel to Kandahar. Ahmad Masood/Reuters *Michael Evans & Tom Coghlan, The Australian/The Times:* *Afghan army collapse drags US back into war * *The US is being sucked back into the war against the Taliban despite the official end of NATO combat operations because Afghan forces are suffering unprecedented casualties.* *US rules of engagement are supposed to prevent its aircraft in the country from taking a direct role in fighting unless they are participating in counter-terror operations against al-Qa’ida, or when the 16,200 Am... more »
Sanders to Obama: Don't Sell TPP at Nike
*by Gaius Publius* One more sign that Bernie Sanders is ready and willing to take up the "Warren mantle" as a presidential candidate. If Warren were a candidate, she'd be taking Obama apart over TPP and the Nike visit, the way she's taken him to task as a senator. Enter Bernie Sanders, candidate for the Democratic nomination, taking Obama apart over TPP and the Nike visit. From the LA Times: *Bernie Sanders criticizes Obama's planned Nike visit to promote trade deal* Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is calling upon President Obama to cancel his plans to visit Nike's corporate headquar... more »
Not the Roswell Slides and Richard Dolan
Richard Dolan has now chimed in on the Not Roswell Slides and his critique while interesting does little to further our knowledge. We are basically back where we were on May 4 except that there is now a better quality photo out there for us to look at. Dolan says, repeatedly, “…my position on the slides is still not firm. I have been and remained impressed with the story behind their provenance — such as we can put it together. And I am currently impressed with the analyses performed on the slides themselves, as well as the body in question. These analyses are far more technically d... more »
The Battle For The Afghan City of Kunduz Continues
*BBC* *BBC*: *Afghanistan forces defend Kunduz from Taliban* *The Afghan government has launched a major offensive against Taliban forces near the north-eastern provincial capital of Kunduz.* *The Taliban have come close to the city in recent fighting, leaving it cut off and displacing tens of thousands.* *A BBC correspondent who has flown into Kunduz has heard gunfire and artillery exchanges not far from its centre.* *Afghan officials say foreign jihadists trained by the Islamic State (IS) group are fighting alongside the Taliban. * *More News On The Battle For The Afghan Cit... more »
Friedman: "We get to invade people and they don't get to invade us"
Speech at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs on Feb 3rd, 2015 by Dr. George Friedman, founder and CEO of Stratfor, on US policy in Eurasia. Here is one more arrogant voice of the ruling corporate oligarchy. This is what the world sees and hears from the US - no wonder America is so despised. Watch the man on the left as Friedman reveals his ugly and provocative 'truths'.... does he wonder for a moment if he is standing in the right place.... or is he an aspiring oligarchic functionary and just learning not to flinch?
Satire: "Desperate Residents of Austin Completely Surrounded by Texas"
*"Desperate Residents of Austin Completely Surrounded by Texas"* by Andy Borowitz AUSTIN (The Borowitz Report) – "In a deepening humanitarian crisis, residents of the city of Austin report that they are completely surrounded by Texas, a situation that locals are calling “dire.” Austin has traditionally enjoyed freedoms as a semi-autonomous region, hosting film festivals and literary events without the interference of its hostile neighbors, but there are growing fears that those days may be coming to an end. Alarmingly, citizens of Austin report, extremists within the city limits h... more »
See What Lack of Digital Media Did for Children’s Ability to Read Emotions
*Marco Torres - *Researchers suggest children's social skills are declining as they have less time for face-to-face interaction due to their increased use of digital media, according to a UCLA psychology study. The post See What Lack of Digital Media Did for Children’s Ability to Read Emotions appeared first on Waking Times.
U.K. General Election -- News Updates May 7, 2015
*Reuters*: *Britain braces for election gridlock as polls predict dead heat* *Britons voted on Thursday in the tightest election for decades; one that could cause government gridlock, push the world's fifth-largest economy closer to leaving the European Union and stoke a second attempt by Scotland to break away.* *Final opinion polls showed Prime Minister David Cameron's Conservatives and Ed Miliband's opposition Labour Party almost in a dead heat, indicating neither will win enough seats for an outright majority in the 650-seat parliament. * *Live Updates On The U.K. General ... more »
The Economy: "Deflation Works!"
*"Deflation Works!"* by Bill Bonner Gualfin (“End of the Road”), Argentina - “We’ve been exploring how the credit bubble resolves itself. Inflation? Deflation? Are we locked in to a long, long period of stagnation, slump and economic sclerosis? Yesterday, we shared our research department’s forecast for the short term: Based on simple regression-to-the-mean logic, it suggests that the “most likely” course for US stocks over the next three months is a loss of more than 6%. Today, we give you our long-term forecast. *Little by Little or One Savage Blow: *“This is the most negative eve... more »
May 7th - 100th Anniversary of the Sinking of the Lusitania 1915...
*was it a planned attack?* Read *Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania.* You won't be sorry.
This Is The End For Canadian Citizen's Freedoms: Criminal Harper Regime Passes Horrendous Bill "C51"
I am truly shocked that most Canadians just do not get it.... The REAL terrorist are not these so called "Mooslims" and their minions running all over the planet causing havoc, but our own governments themselves... The simple fact is that TERRORISM itself is and always has been an illusion... It is a phantom and a propaganda weapon used against peoples' minds for the sole purpose of generating enough fear in gullible people that they will cry out to their governments to do something to "protect them"..... It has worked wonders in so many nations, and it appears to have succeeded here... more »
World News Briefs -- May 7, 2015
*Daily Mail:* *Could spring sunshine swing the election? Glorious weather boosts turnout to 75% in some areas as millions cast their votes in most unpredictable poll for a generation* ** Britain is having its say as voters flock to the 50,000 polling station dotted across the UK from 7am today * Quarter of voters say they are still not sure who to vote for and may change their mind before polls close at 10pm* David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg all voted in their constituencies alongside their wives this morning * Most recent election poll puts Conservatives just a... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- May 7, 2015
© Jonathan Ernst / Reuters *Fiscal Times:* *10 Things You Need to Know about America’s New Top General* *Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and President Obama almost never agree on anything related to the military or U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. So it was something of a surprise on Tuesday when the Armed Services Committee chair lavished praise on the president’s choice of Marine Corps commandant Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr. to become the next chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.* *“I’m a strong supporter of Gen. Dunford,” McCain told Defense One. “I think he’ll speak truth to power. ... more »
Musical Interlude: Supertramp, “The Logical Song”
Supertramp, “The Logical Song” - https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh3Kk5tZSmo&list=PLStU-ogJT0Jo3GRihuQWM8J4c3rOmgWy1&index=2
All wars of the past century were actually wars against Russia
*Putin in April 2015* Tomorrow is *May 8th, 2015 the day of the big celebration in Russia* honouring the anniversary of the Russian defeat of the Nazi's in what Russia regards as "The Great Patriotic War"...the west calls it WWII...(as in...we have wars and we count them). Russia is having a big parade in Moscow's Red Square. The "leaders" of the Western nations (NATO) have chosen to ignore their invitations and the western media is saying because of this that "Russia is isolated". It is all part of an orchestrated frontal attack on the "*enemy du jour*", Russia. It is a well kn... more »
Fake to the Left
What kind of mellow skunk spliffs are the corporate Democrats smoking these days? New York Governor Andrew Cuomo (D-Wall Street) has penned a totally out-of-character editorial demanding a living wage for fast food workers. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D-One Percent) has announced an awesome $5.5 million in reparations for victims of police brutality and institutionalized torture. Hillary Clinton (D-Empire) has finally broken up with hubby (ideologically speaking) and embraced criminal justice reform. She's also in semi-breakup mode with her paramour, Barack Obama: no deep-throated... more »
Randi Weingarten: Sleight of Hand Artist - Part 2
This article was originally posted on Schools Matter on April 22nd. Due to formatting problems some may have found it difficult to read. It is therefore being reposted due to its importance. *The American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research (AEI) is one of the oldest and most influential of the pro-business right-wing think tanks. It promotes the advancement of free enterprise capitalism, and has been extremely successful in placing its people in influential governmental positions, particularly in the Bush Administration. AEI has been described as one of the country's ... more »
ALLEGEDLY LIBERAL PUNDITS REACT: Goldberg finds the one paragraph!
*THURSDAY, MAY 7, 2015Part 4—Blind squirrel locates the nut:* Do you believe in a journalistic phenomenon known as “the Clinton rules?” Most voters don’t, but Michelle Goldberg says she does. At present, the question is extremely important, unless you look forward to eight great years under our President Walker. When did Goldberg say she believes in the Clinton rules? She said this in two different forums on Thursday, April 23—on the Chris Hayes cable program that evening, and in an earlier essay for The Nation. Yesterday, we showed you some of what Goldberg said on Hayes’ MSNBC ... more »
"Transcending The Victim-Rescuer-Persecutor Triangle"
*"Transcending The Victim-Rescuer-Persecutor Triangle"* by Michael Bradford, MA "The Victim-Rescuer-Persecutor Triangle is a psychological model for explaining specific co-dependent, destructive inter-action patterns, which negatively impact our lives. Each position on this triangle has unique, readily identifiable characteristics. Whenever a person becomes entangled in any one of these positions, they literally keep spinning from one position to another, destroying the opportunity for healthy relationships. The good news is that once a person becomes aware of these positions and c... more »
U.S. Courts Rule That The N.S.A. Phone Data Collection Is Illegal
*New York Times*: *N.S.A. Phone Data Collection Illegal, Appeals Court Rules* *WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court in New York on Thursday ruled that the once-secret National Security Agency program that is systematically collecting Americans’ phone records in bulk is illegal. The decision comes as a fight in Congress is intensifying over whether to end and replace the program, or to extend it.* *In a 97-page ruling, a three-judge panel for the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit held that a provision of the USA Patriot Act permitting the Federal Bureau of Inve... more »
Caretaking: "I Am Here On This Earth For My Own Soul’s Evolution- Not To Take Care Of You"
*"I Am Here On This Earth For My Own Soul’s Evolution- * *Not To Take Care Of You"* Author Unknown "Love is not about taking care of someone else. Even though taking care of someone else could be rewarding, it usually becomes a burden sooner or later. Some people learned to do this because they had to in order to survive. Some children grew up too fast- having to take care of their siblings or emotionally unbalanced parents. Caretaking can become a disease. Most caretakers become martyrs and eventually become sick or addicted to something to take away the pain. When I care-take som... more »
Top North Korean Official: Will Use Nuclear Weapons If The U.S. 'Fored Their Hand'
CNN's Will Ripley sits down with Park Yong Chol *CNN*: *Exclusive: North Korea would use nukes if 'forced,' official says* *Pyongyang, North Korea (CNN)When officials informed us that we'd be granted a sit-down interview with a high-ranking member of North Korea's inner circle with no preconditions, it was a real surprise.* *Senior figures in Pyongyang don't do interviews, especially not with the international press.* *"I do not like talking to foreign media," Park Yong Chol said frankly as we shook hands ahead of our meeting. He said that we report rumor and fabrication about his... more »
“Brave Spirits: Remembering Who We Are”; The Universe
*“Brave Spirits: Remembering Who We Are”* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM “As spiritual beings having human experiences we are on an important mission to learn and grow here on earth. Most of us are familiar with the idea that we are not human beings having spiritual experiences; instead, we are spiritual beings having human experiences. We hear this and even though we may experience a resounding yes in our bodies, we may not take the time to really acknowledge the truth of these statements. Integrating this idea into how we view ourselves can broaden our sense of who we are and help... more »
Jet Stream Coincides Well with Moderately Elevated Radiation Readings on US East Coast
Interesting because on April 28 I noted what looked like an emission event at Fukushima Daiichi (here). I also documented a slight increase in readings at Fukushima Daiichi and Daini using Netc data. Radiation levels in the Ohio valley were elevated two days ago with an Alert Level recorded for two days. Correlation or Causality? One important lesson from my investigation of the vast body of governmental, TECPO, and scientific data addressing the Fukushima disaster is this: Contradictions and unresolved questions about the Fukushima disaster ECLIPSE narrative coherence.
Iran Has Released The Maersk Cargo Ship That It Seized Last Week
*Reuters*: *Maersk Tigris ship released by Iran, crew safe* *Iran has released a Marshall-Islands flagged container ship and its crew which were seized last month in one of the world's major oil shipping lanes, the vessel's operator said on Thursday.* *The vessel was diverted on April 28 by Iranian patrol boats in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting the United States to send vessels to monitor the situation and to accompany U.S.-flagged vessels passing through the strait.* *Iran had said the vessel would be let go once a years-old debt case with the ship's charterer Maersk Line was ... more »
“NANU NANU”: AN ALIEN EVALUATION OF AMERICAN SOCIETY
By Mork the Orkan https://dcgmentor.wordpress.com/2015/05/07/nanu-nanu-an-alien-evaluation/ I bet you didn't think I was still around. I guess I “egged” you all on to believe I left Earth in 1982, but I have been here all these many years masquerading as a series of your loser presidential hopefuls. I thought I was rather funny as Michael Dukakis. The tank looked so much like a rove ranger on my native planet, Ork. My apologies for being elected president in 2000. Who knew Chad could be so important. I thought it was a nation in Africa. I have to admit I still actually read print... more »
Back to C-51 Hearings
So, trying to save time, I'd copied and pasted the entirety of the remaining evidence of the first Public Safety and National Security Committee meeting on C-51. But all that stuff in the composing window caused blogger to slow right the fuck down. I never expected my summaries of these committee hearings to be instrumental in defeating this legislation. So, the fact that the harpercon majority, and the seriously deranged Liberals, have passed C-51 from the House of Commons, isn't really going to change my desire to actually read and reflect upon this ghastly business. I'll deal w... more »
Republicans Reject Closing Guantanamo Bay Prison
A Navy officer, center, and two Army officers enter Camp VI at the detention center at the Navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (Walter Michot / Miami Herald / MCT / August 6, 2012) *Wall Street Journal:* *Republicans Reject Calls on Guantanamo Bay Closure * *Senate Republicans are rejecting renewed calls by Democrats and a retired Supreme Court justice to expedite closing Guantanamo Bay, saying they fear released detainees could pose a security threat.* *In remarks to a legal group Monday, retired Justice John Paul Stevens said that the prison never should have been opened, and said... more »
Should Guantanamo Bay Detainees Be Awarded Reparations?
(Reuters: Joe Skipper ) *Washington Post:* *John Paul Stevens says some Guantanamo Bay detainees should be given reparations* *Retired Supreme Court justice John Paul Stevens said this week that the government should compensate detainees still being held at Guantanamo Bay even after authorities determined that they did not pose a threat to the United States.* *Stevens’s call to give reparations to dozens of detainees at the U.S. military detention center in Cuba comes as the Pentagon is racing to move these inmates ahead of possible congressional action that could restrict trans... more »
Iraq Hits Another Record High In Oil Exports In April 2015
Iraq exported another record high in oil in April 2015. The country surpassed the 3 million barrels a day mark for the first time in over twenty years. This was due to an increase in exports by the Kurds. Ironically, Baghdad’s announcement led to a decline in international oil prices showing the precarious situation the country is in needing to earn as much money as possible with the decline in prices, but its production driving them down even more. Iraq’s April numbers had not been seen since the 1990s. The country exported an averageof 3.08 million barrels a day, up from 2.98 m... more »
Darlington Borough Council - Statement from Darlington Borough Council regarding missing name from ballot paper
'A spokesperson for Darlington Borough Council said that voting in the general and local elections was continuing as normal in Darlington but that the name of one candidate, David Hodgson (UKIP) had been missed off ballot papers issued to one polling station in the borough. Approximately 89 ballot papers (0.1% of the total number of ballot papers printed) had been issued, but as soon as the issue was identified, corrected ballot papers were issued to the polling station concerned.' More here http://www.darlington.gov.uk/your-council/news/statement-from-darlington-borough-co... more »
The Young Are Mobilizing
http://thetyee.ca/ The conventional wisdom holds that the young are disengaged from politics. But Samantha Power writes that Rachel Notley's newly elected caucus is the youngest in Canada: Many of the newly elected NDP MLAs in Alberta have never known another party to be in power. They are in their 20s and 30s. At that age, the thought of creating change in the province can be overwhelming. Forming a government itself seemed an unheard of proposition. The 53-member caucus is younger and more diverse than any previous caucus ... more »
U.S. Secretary of Defense Carter Criticizes U.S. Republican Defense Budget Plans
Secretary of Defense Ash Carter testifies before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee in Washington, D.C., May 6, 2015. DoD Photo by Glenn Fawcett *Defense News*: *Carter, Dems Slam GOP's Inflated War Fund* *Secretary Pledges 'Personal Support' to Getting Ryan-Murray II* *WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and key Senate Democrats on Wednesday slammed a Republican-concocted plan to offset defense-spending limits by inflating a war fund.* *House and Senate GOP leaders' decision to inflate the Obama administration's $50.9 billion war-fund request t... more »
Top U.S. General Issues Dire Warnings On Global Security
Defense Secretary Ash Carter looks on as Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, answers questions as the two defense leaders testify before the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee in Washington, May 6, 2015. DoD photo by Glenn Fawcett *PJ Media:* *Dempsey: Global Security ‘as Uncertain as I’ve Seen in 40 Years’* *President Obama’s outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff warned Congress today that the global security environment “is as uncertain as I’ve seen in 40 years of service.”* *Appearing before the Senate Appropriations... more »
Jeff Van Drew-- More Dysfunctional Recruiting From The DCCC
Norcross, Christie, Van Drew The new Quinnipiac Poll of likely Iowa caucus goers shows New Jersey Governor Chris Christie falling behind in the dust with just 3% support. In New Hampshire, the new WMUR poll released this morning shows Christie's support at the same embarrassing 3%-- in the state he's counting on to turn it all around for him! As New Hampshire voters have gotten to know him better, his standing has sunk from 9 to 3%. Even Trump and Fiorina have more support-- although Christie still leads Santorum, Jindal, Graham and Pataki. And a new poll from Monmouth University o... more »
Performance Artist Matthew Silver: The Dancing Trickster of Love in NYC
One of the things that has always fascinated me was the ability of art, artists, music, musicians, satirists, comedians, and other performers to shatter programming, illusions, and habitual patterns in people. Its also the reason they are often the first to persecuted by religions, dictators, and another control freaks who have no sense of humor or art in their soul. We have been programmed to expect wisdom and truth to come from men in pin striped grey suits.. Yet the trickster archetype endures throughout the eons the cosmic joke that laughs at the illusion and seriousness.. ... more »
Untitled
*Survey finds more than half of Britain's 18 to 25-year-olds do not know what VE day celebrates* It marked the end of years of blood, sweat and tears – but most young people have no idea what VE Day is. With two days until the 70th anniversary, a survey found 54 per cent of Britons aged 18 to 25 did not know that Friday's VE Day celebrates the end of the Second World War in Europe. And 38 per cent could not identify Winston Churchill as the prime minister who declared victory in Europe on May 8, 1945. Seven per cent believed it was former US president John F Kennedy, another 7 p... more »
Untitled
*Murdered by climate change deniers (?) * *I suppose I should join a lot of my fellow skeptics by having a laugh at dear little "Schatzie" (Yiddish for little treasure) who wrote the hymn below. It passionately celebrates faith -- faith in global warming. No knowledge of actual climate facts or interest in climate data is evident. Her logic is a bit hard to follow but she seems to be saying that Arctic explorers would not have to explore so hard if everybody accepted the global warming gospel. So when Arctic explorers die, that is the responsibility of climate skept... more »
Stefan Verstappen- Psychopathy & Societal Conditions creating that Pathology
SOTT Radio interviews Stefan Verstappen This week we're talking once again to Canadian author, artist, and martial arts expert, Stefan Verstappen. Stefan has a professional background in communications and business management and has travelled extensively throughout East Asia, where he has studied oriental art, culture and Kung Fu. Stefan is the author of '*The art of urban survival*' from which the viral YouTube video documentary 'Defense Against the Psychopath' was taken. We previously spoke to Stefan about the video he produced on the topic of historical cycles of human civiliza... more »
15 Amazing No Churn Ice Cream Recipes
I love making homemade ice cream, but since I don't have an ice cream maker I always assumed I had to stick with boring recipes. Not true! I have pulled together 15 amazing No Churn Ice Cream recipes that are both delicious and easy! No Churn Cake Batter Ice Cream from Housewife Eclectic. No Churn Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from Like Mother Like Daughter. No Churn Bubble Gum Ice Cream from The Tip Toe Fairy. No Churn Crispy M&M Ice Cream From Just Us Four. Fresh Cherry and Buttered Almond No Churn Ice Cream from Anyonita's Nibbles. Homemade Coconut Ice Cream from Our Thrifty ... more »
Economic News , Data and Views ( May 7th , 2015 ) - UK Elections head the list of market moving news ( updates at the blog tweet feed during the day ) ..... Global bond rout truly the story off the day - especially rout in Europe ....... Latest on Greece - snail's pace Creditor talks continue , state of play detailed overall !
Tweets.... UK Election items .... Derek Gatopoulos retweeted *Theodora Tongas* @theodoratongas · 5h5 hours ago Polls open in one of the closest races in British history #London # elections2015 #ge2015 [image: Embedded image permalink] MineForNothing retweeted *Telegraph News* @TelegraphNews · 23m23 minutes ago The 22 swing seats and key battlegrounds in the race for Number 10 http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/general-e lection-2015/11588376/22-swing-seats-and-key-battlegrounds-in-the-race-for-10-Downing-Street.html … #GE2015 [image: Embedded image permalink] *Mi... more »
The BBC - no opportunity missed to push the Vote Labour message
The BBC have a handy Election 2015: How To Vote page, very public spirited of them? Not so much, see how they illustrate how to mark the ballot paper... Note the pencil poised over the Labour candidate's box. Subtle? Insidious? Biased? On election day of all days, when the media are meant to be scrupulously unbiased, the BBC put that online. They know they are more powerful than any politician, they control the political agenda more than any other media company or politician. The BBC's pro Labour bias has been disgusting for years and nobody dares take them on. Well nobody to ... more »
The Philosophy of Hate Crime: Special Section Edited by Myself And David Brax Published By The Journal of Interpersonal Violence
I have been posting a few times over the last couple of years about themes, events and media linked to my engagement in research on philosophical and ethical aspects of hate crimes, hate crime law, and policy relating to this. The engagement originates from my participation in the European Commission funded project *When Law and Hate Collide*, and I'm now happy to be able to announce the final publication of one of the main academic outputs of this project: A special section of the *Journal of Interpersonal Violence* on the theme of the philosophy of hate crime, guest-edited by Davi... more »
The 'Grexit' Issue and the Problem of Free Trade
The real question is what do we do to replace tariffs as a policy tool when free trade is still weak or actually suppressed? I return to my central argument that it is critical that fiat credit expansion occurs with the bottom third of society first. Put another way, a mega power plant with few consumers is a white elephant while a million small funded businesses create financial demand and the power plant gets built to provide efficiency. Government has typically held onto this capacity and this natural greed leads to citizen resistance and tax avoidance. Greek is merely a... more »
Canadian house prices 35% overvalued, Economist magazine says
Perhaps but 35% is no bubble. Folks are qualifying and a serious down stroke embeds a cushion. Add real market stability and an actual broadening into the small towns as well and we see a large deep market that has adjusted to low rates and million dollar mortgages. The real risk is a decline in high paying jobs. Yet that sector merely participated rather than drove the market. It still takes a combined family income of several thousands of dollars to qualify and that is common enough. The real surprise is that we got here and stayed here allowing the entire market to generall... more »
Keep That Iranian Genii Bottled Up!
The perceived Iranian threat will collapse economically with the developing collapse in the demand for oil. It is already been felt. At the same time, it is possible to eliminate the propaganda threat to Israel by actually resolving the Palestinian question anytime using methods we suggested. My point is that the world will soon be looking very different no matter what anyone does. The Iranian leadership is aging out as a regime after almost forty years and promises made then no longer have force now. The loss of oil revenues may soon bring all to an accomadation. *Keep That... more »
An Army of Lions, Led by Asses
In the end, the plan was bungled from top to bottom. The worst of it was simply lousy intelligence and appreciation of enemy's capability. Yet an ounce of conservatism might have saved the day. The important aspect was clearing the Darnelles to shipping. They learned almost immediately that this was not going to happen. That made landing on the northern shore no longer critical. It also made landing on the south shore viable. That allowed defenses, easy supply as they brought vast tracts of land under control and easy bombardment across the strait to reduce fortresses and mi... more »
Meanwhile, in Ottawa
Geez, I disappear for a few days, Alberta elects a Dipper majority and Dana returns to blogging at the Beaver. I need to go away more often. Meanwhile, in the Iraq bunker where dearest leader hid while Alberta painted itself orange... more »
SPECTRE - Jaguar C-X75 vs Aston Martin DB10 - Rome car chase
copyright *Business Insider*. In the following teaser clip, SPECTRE henchman Mr. Hinx (Dave Bautista) in an orange Jaguar C-X75 chases Bond's silver Aston Martin DB10 at night through the streets of Rome. "These cars don't actually exist, yet!" ya dig? Love it!
SIGINT Technology to Help Expand Gray Eagle's Eye View
[image: MQ-1C Gray Eagle]With advances in technological capabilities, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have taken on crucial tasks in the military. Although this progression keeps our troops safer, adapting to smaller platforms like a UAS comes with its challenges. Among these challenges is developing updated hardware to fit within the size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints of a UAS. At BAE Systems, our sensors team rose to the occasion by developing a tool that will allow warfighters to see the big picture with intel from a U.S. Army UAS known as the MQ-1C Gray Eagle. Read more
Raytheon Surveillance Technologies, Analytics Proven Aboard Navy Stiletto Experimental Vessel
[image: M-80 Stiletto]The U.S. Navy's experimental vessel, Stiletto, was underway during a recent successful test of a Raytheon advanced intelligence solution during operations at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. The combined technology was created by combining two, proven Raytheon technologies: the Persistent Surveillance System Cross Domain Solution (PSS CDS) and Intersect™ Sentry. The successful test was conducted as part of the Stiletto Maritime Technology Demonstration Program. Read more
Malaysia purchases US missiles worth US21 million
[image: AIM-120C7 AMRAAM]The Malaysian government is reported to have acquired missiles from the United States at an estimated cost of US$21 million, according to Asia-Pacific news portal The Diplomat. The purchase is said to be part of a comprehensive partnership between the two nations inked between President Barrack Obama and Prime Minister Najib Razak last year as part of US efforts to ‘rebalance’ its presence in the Asia-Pacific. The purchase involves AIM-120C7 AMRAAM missiles and associated equipment, parts, and logistical support. Read more
Tanzanian navy commissions new vessels
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[image: TNS Mwitongo (P77)]Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete has commissioned into service two new warships supplied by China’s Poly Technologies. The vessels, TNS Mwitongo (P77) and TNS Msoga (P78), were commissioned on April 28 at Kigamboni Command’s base in Dar es Salaam. Kikwete said strengthening the navy’s capabilities was important in light of maritime crime such as illegal fishing and piracy. “Commissioning of these two patrol ships has come at the right time following the increase of crimes like illegal fishing and piracy. We need to strengthen our forces to safeguard o... more »
Raptor test force enters new phase of AIM-9X testing
[image: F-22 Raptor]The 411th Flight Test Squadron and F-22 Combined Test Force successfully test fired two guided AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles this year as part of the latest phase in getting the Raptor closer to using the missile operationally. The AIM-9X is an advanced infrared missile and the newest of the Sidewinder family of short-range air-to-air missiles carried on a wide range of fighter jets. The first guided launch of the AIM-9X from an F-22 Raptor was Feb. 26 by Maj. Christopher Guarente, 411th FLTS assistant director of operations and F-22 test pilot. The missile success... more »
Parliamentary panel concerned that Sukhoi-30 fighters have no protective shelters
[image: Su-30MKI Flanker]The Parliamentary Committee on Defence has noted with concern that the frontline combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Sukhoi-30MKI, do not have protection of hardened shelters in air bases which would save them from direct hits of bombs in the event of a war. The report, which was submitted in parliament recently, says that “the Committee are concerned to find that our air force is already short of planes and worse than that hardened shelters are not available for even the limited numbers of aircraft that is available with the Service”. The IAF inf... more »
Christine Mau Becomes First U.S. Female Pilot to Fly F-35 Lightning II Jet
Meet the first female F-35 fighter jet pilot. The U.S. Air Force said that Lt. Col. Christine Mau on Tuesday piloted the F-35 Lightning II — a state-of-the-art fighter jet often described as one of the most technologically complex planes ever built. It said that Mau, 33rd Fighter Wing Operations Group deputy commander, had completed 14 virtual training missions in a flight simulator before taking to the skies from Florida's Elgin Air Force Base on Tuesday and joining the ranks of 87 other F-35 pilots who've trained there. Read more
NASAs Ten-Engine Electric Plane
NASA has been grabbing headlines recently with their potentially game-changing emDrive propulsion system. The emDrive has generated a lot of discussion, and a lot of controversy too. But NASA has a lot more going on than futuristic space travel designs, and one recent test flight showed that the minds at NASA are still working on innovative designs for flight systems that operate in Earth’s atmosphere. Read more
AUVSI: Lockheed urges more X-47B testing
[image: X-47B UCLASS]Lockheed Martin wants to see the continuation of the X-47B demonstrator programme led by Northrop Grumman as the US Navy’s unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (UCLASS) competition enters a “waiting period” with no firm requirements so far revealed. Bob Ruszkowski, Lockheed’s director of advanced air dominance and unmanned systems strategy, says that industry and the navy still have much to learn about unmanned operations within a battle carrier group that is swarming with manned aircraft. “It’s still very important for the navy to continu... more »
16 Finnish jets join NATO-dominated exercise over Lapland
[image: Arctic Challenge 2015]Sixteen Hornet fighter jets from the Finnish Air Force will take part in a multi-national aviation exercise in the northern Nordic region beginning May 25. Planes from 10 countries will fly over northern parts of Finland, Sweden and Norway during the 12-day Arctic Challenge Exercise. The Finnish Air Force announced details of its involvement in the manoeuvres on Wednesday. The Finnish Air Force has 62 Boeing F/A-18 C/D Hornet jets. Dubbed Cross Border Training North, the exercise is one of the most important events of the year for the Air Force. Read more
Refurbished Russian Ka-31 helicopters delivered to India
[image: Ka-31 Helix]The Russian Helicopters Holding Company, part of the Rostec State Corporation, has delivered the first batch of refurbished Ka-31 helicopters to India, manufactured by the Kumertauskoye Aviation Production Enterprise (KumAPP). In 2004, KumAPP delivered nine Ka-31 helicopters to India. Six of these machines required refurbishing before their first scheduled overhaul, for which they were sent back to Kumertau for capital repairs. The first two of these have now been returned to India for further use. The remaining machines will be sent shortly. Read more
Airbus, Turkish Air Force to cooperate on CN235 aircraft maintenance
[image: TAF CN-235-100M]Airbus and the Turkish Air Force signed a letter of intent on Wednesday to start the certification of the Air Supply and Maintenance center in Kayseri, Turkey as a regional maintenance hub for CN-235 aircraft. CN-235 is a medium-range twin-engine transport plane used for military roles, including maritime patrol, surveillance and air transport. “The agreement capitalizes on those proven capabilities to provide support for aircraft of the Turkish Air Force, Coast Guard and Navy, as well as those of other operators in the region,” Airbus said in a statement Re... more »
U.S. Navy no longer escorting ships in Strait of Hormuz
[image: MV Maersk Tigris]The Pentagon says that U.S. Navy warships are no longer accompanying American and British-flagged commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf. Army Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman, says the order to accompany the vessels through the narrow strait along Iranian territorial waters expired Tuesday. Warships began accompanying the commercial ships last Thursday, two days after Iranian naval vessels detained a Marshall Islands-flagged cargo ship and its crew. Read more
Raytheon's SM-6 moves from low-rate to full-rate production
Raytheon Company's Standard Missile-6 program has moved from low-rate to full-rate production, clearing the path for significantly increased production numbers and focus on further cost-reduction opportunities. SM-6 is a surface-to-air supersonic missile capable of successfully engaging manned and unmanned aerial vehicles and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. It also defends against land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles in flight. "SM-6 is proven against a broad range of advanced threats, which makes it very valuable to Combatant Commanders who need and want that flexibility," ... more »
Construction of Russian Next-Generation Warship Delayed by Ukraine Export Ban
[image: Project 22350 (Gorshkov) class FFG]Russian military shipbuilding is being stalled by Ukraine's refusal to deliver engine turbines to drive a new class of Russian naval frigates, a senior official at one of Russia's shipbuilders said in an interview published Wednesday by industry news site FlotProm.ru. The first of the new Admiral Gorshkov-class frigates was delivered to the Russian navy last year, but construction on the second ship stalled for lack of an engine to power its propellers. "Ukraine refused to supply the turbines … even though the money has already been paid,"... more »
Undersea Electricity Cable Generates Friction Between Russia and Baltics
An undersea power cable aimed at reducing the Baltic states’ energy dependence on Russia has emerged as the latest point of friction in a region increasingly enveloped in a Cold War atmosphere. Sweden and Lithuania, which are at either end of the proposed 280-mile electricity line, have complained that Russian warships have repeatedly interrupted the installation. The latest such incident, the third in two months, occurred last week when the Russian Navy ordered a vessel involved in the cable-laying work to leave the area, according to Sweden and Lithuania. Although the vessel was ... more »
Navy’s wish list: 6 nuke subs, N-powered carrier
[image: INS Vikrant]The Navy has asked the government to allow a fleet of six nuclear-powered submarines and is also looking at nuclear power as an option for the next sea-borne aircraft carrier, which will be the follow-on to the INS Vikrant currently being built in Kochi. “We have proposed to the government that in lieu of the conventional submarines we would like to have more nuclear-powered submarines,” Navy Chief Admiral Robin Dhowan told The Tribune today. The decision is pending at the level of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Admiral said, adding that the number... more »
China's nuclear submarine fleet vulnerable due to idleness: report
[image: Type 094 (Jin) class SSBN]Nuclear-powered submarines in China's navy are vulnerable to precision missile attacks because of the significant amount of time they spend at their bases, according to an article in the May edition of the Chinese-language Kanwa Defense Review (漢和防務評論). The report by the Toronto-based publication said the Chinese navy's three main nuclear-powered submarines, the 11,500 tonne Type 094 with ballistic missile launching capabilities, and the 5,500 tonne Type 091 and 7,000 tonne Type 93 spent much of 2014 at their bases. China's most advanced Type 094 su... more »
Details of China's new AIP submarine technology revealed
[image: Type 039 (Song) class SSK]In recent years several different air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines have entered service in China and are said to be leading the world in standards, according to Duowei News, a media outlet run by overseas Chinese. Due to the highly classified nature of submarine technology, however, the parameters of China's AIP systems have not been fully revealed to the public, the website stated. A May 1 report in Communist Party mouthpiece People's Daily, however, mentioned that China's "new Stirling engine" was 117% more efficient than its internat... more »
S. Korea launches new attack submarine
[image: Yu Gwan-sun (Type 214 class) SSK]South Korea unveiled its sixth 1,800-ton-class attack submarine Thursday aimed at boosting its underwater warfare capabilities against North Korea. The launching ceremony for the 214-class submarine, manufactured by Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering Co. and named after revered independence fighter Yu Gwan-sun (1902-1920), will take place in the southern coastal city of Geoje, South Gyeongsang Province, according to the Navy. The Navy plans to commission the submarine in November 2016, it said. Read more
Musical Interlude: Kevin Kern, “Another Realm”
Kevin Kern, “Another Realm” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqex_8q0AlM
Australia Asks Japan To Join Submarine Tender
[image: Soryu class SSK]Australian Defence Minister Kevin Andrews on Wednesday asked Japan to participate in procedures to become Australia's partner in a project to jointly develop next-generation submarines. Andrews made the request in a telephone conversation with Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani who responded positively, Japan's Jiji Press news agency reported. In February, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said his country will team up with either Japan, France or Germany to develop next-generation submarines for Australia. Read more
A Look At The Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis (Bu The Numbers)
Foxtrot Alpha: The USS Stennis Is A Fortress At Sea: By The Numbers This shot of the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) exemplifies the idea that nuclear super carriers are really fortresses at sea. Not to mention that they are some of mankind’s largest and definitely most complex inventions. Here are some “by the numbers” eye opening facts about the USS John C. Stennis: *WNU Editor:* Point made .... its a big ship.
A critical look at Pamela Geller's well-funded, subversive agenda
*The Jewish Daily Forward* recently published an article about the controversial and well-funded Jewish neocon propagandist Pamela Geller, who is at the center of the alleged "shooting" over the weekend by "radical Islamic extremists" with *purported ties to ISIS* in Garland, Texas. Geller, a hysterical and quite vitriolic critic of Islam and the alleged "threat" it poses to Western "Judeo-Christian" civilization, was one of the main organizers and promoters of a cartoon contest that revolved around caricaturing the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The Islam-bashing event was reportedly at... more »
Career in Free Market Think Tanks
Yesterday, I was of four UP ETC alumni-speakers in the student organization's "Career Workshop". The purpose of the forum was to give the members who are undergrad students, additional ideas how alumni found jobs or change jobs after they graduated from UP. I spoke about my current professional engagements. ETC gave about eight guide questions for the alumni talk or presentation. I answered them but first I gave some definition of terms with these two background info. The free market think tanks are more prominent in the US, Canada, UK and other developed economies. A few exist... more »
This Is One Soldier Who Refuses To Give Up
*Washington Post*: *Viral video: This U.S. soldier refused to give up on an Army road march* *In the closing moments of a grueling 12-mile road march, Army Capt. Sarah Cudd fell to her knees. She was exhausted, bowed over by the heavy pack on her back and seemingly unable to continue.* *The soldier pressed on, however. Using her rifle to prop herself up, she stumbled to her feet and made it another nine steps before falling again. Other soldiers gathered around her, cheering her on. She rose again, and gritted it out another 50 feet or so until she made it across the finish line... more »
Is The Iranian Nuclear Deal A Backdoor Channel To Sell Weapons To Saudi Arabia?
A Saudi air force jet flies in formation during a graduation ceremony for air force officers at King Faisal military college in Riyadh December 27, 2009. Reuters/Fahad Shadeed *Tyler Durden, Zero Hedge*: *Obama's Real Motive Behind The Iran Deal: A Backdoor Channel To Sell Weapons To Saudi Arabia* *For a long time there was confusion about the "quo" to the Saudi Arabian "quid" over its agreement to side with the US on the Iranian "nuclear deal" (which incidentally looks like it will never happen simply due to the Russian and Chinese UN vetoes).* *Then over the weekend we finally g... more »
Pam Geller and the Garland Texas "Shooting": They Just Won't Stop The FALSE FLAGS (update: compare the 911 anthrax letters to Pam Geller's bus signs)
*(SEE THE UPDATE IN RED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST: THE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE 911 ANTHRAX AND PAM GELLER'S ANTI-MUSLIM BUS SIGNS) * *Enemies within the gates ruining America (rightwing media calls her a "patriot"): Jewish Zionist Mossad Agent Pam Geller* There are so many FALSE FLAGS in this country that it seems like I can't get onto another subject when another one comes up to write about. This time Jewish anti-Islam hatemonger Pam Geller was involved. How can someone have a "job" that solely involves putting anti-Muslim signs on buses around the U.S. and having "contests" of... more »
50 Submarine Classes In Service From 35 Countries (To Scale In A Single Infographic)
(*Click on Image to Enlarge*) Naval Graphics *Business Insider:* *This chart shows every model of military submarine in service around the world* *Submarines give navies around the world a huge strategic and tactical advantage.* *Ballistic-missile submarines can serve as nuclear deterrents if a country's land-based launch systems have been destroyed. Meanwhile, nuclear-powered attack submarines can effectively hunt enemy subs and can sink enemy naval targets. During war games in March, a French Rubis-class sub even "sunk" a US aircraft carrier.* *Smaller non-nuclear attack subma... more »
This comma miscue hardly seems worth making a federal case of, but it does make a point about current political rhetoric
*From a tweet by Christopher Mendoza (@CMendoz_a), which reads (links onsite): "What a welcome from Rancho HS! Can't believe they made this @HillaryClinton sign. They're excited! #Hillary2016"* *everyday* *adj.* (ca. 1623): encountered or used routinely or typically: ORDINARY (~ clothes) *-- Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition* *everyday* *adj.* *1.* Suitable for ordinary days or routine occasions: *an everyday suit*. *2.* Commonplace; ordinary: *everyday worries* *--The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition* *by Ken* It's not hard to draw me into ... more »
Rip-off News round-up. Our pick of the last week's media (Thu 7th May)
One in four MPs now a landlord The data has been seized upon by housing campaigners who claim it shows that Britain’s political class has a vested interest in maintaining the status quo instead of strengthening the rights of tenants. The private rental sector has grown rapidly to 4.8m renters, driven by a fall in social housing and increasing house prices. The landlord MPs include nine
Drone War Body Count
*Tom Engelhardt, Tom Dispatch/Real Clear Defense:* *Who Counts the Bodies in the Drone Wars?* In the twenty-first-century world of drone warfare, one question with two aspects reigns supreme: Who counts? In Washington, the answers are the same: We don't count and they don't count. The Obama administration has adamantly refused to count. Not a body. In fact, for a long time, American officials associated with Washington's drone assassination campaigns and "signature strikes" in the backlands of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Yemen claimed that there were no bodies to count, that the ... more »
U.S. Refuses To Send Arms To Nigeria To Wage War Against Boko Haram
Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters *Philip Obaji Jr., Daily Beast*:* U.S. to Nigeria: No Guns to Fight Boko Haram* *There are many reasons the U.S. doesn’t trust Nigeria’s military: human rights, corruption, losing weapons to the enemy. But while D.C. dithers, the insurgents thrive.* *LAGOS — As the fight against Boko Haram intensifies, President Barack Obama is supporting Nigeria’s neighboring countries with $35 million worth of military and defense support services to Chad, Niger and Mali channeled through France. A press statement from the White House last week said the U.S. leader gave ... more »
Six thoughts on that Alberta election
Six thoughts on the Alberta election. First, this is not that wild a swing. Rachel Notley is a moderate. That’s how she got elected. And, with occasional exceptions like Ralph Klein in his first years, the province’s Conservative governments haven’t been extreme either, with a populist willingness to spend on health and education, and even arts, when it’s politically useful. That’s how they kept getting elected. (Even Klein wasn’t really that extreme. He cut health spending by 15 per cent in his first three years in office, but then put the money back. From 1992 to 2001, Alberta's he... more »
Science at MIT: From the Cold War to Climate Change
Noam Chomsky and Subrata Ghosroy who are both with MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Their topic is the Pentagon funding of university research. Noam needs no introduction and Subrata is an expert on space technology issues. Subrata used to work for the US Congress as a staffer but left after studying the corruption inside the 'missile defense' testing program which he was commissioned to investigate and report on but the government was unwilling to do anything about his important findings. Subrata will be speaking at the Global Network's 23rd annual space organizing conference in ... more »
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