Opit's LinkFest!: 16 July - Blogs I'm Following am

English: My humorous rendition of Nikki Grahame and her infamous Bottled Water Tantrum. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

( If you had asked me whether one could sell bottled water at a profit when I was a kid, I would have looked at you as if you were brain damaged .... to suggest merchandising something so unnecessary. But I do have a filter and water bottles. )

English: Bottled water fills an aisle in a supermarket (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Publix bottled water with a baseball game in the background. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A University of Vermont research vessel on Lake Champlain. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

7:41am MDST ( 19 hr report )

Julie Rodgers, Tyler Huckabee and Their Mistake about Jesus

Owen Strachan at The Stream - 14 minutes ago

In the last couple of weeks, Tyler Huckabee, a former editor of Relevant magazine, and Julie Rodgers, until very recently a counselor at the Wheaton College chaplain’s office, both publicly endorsed same-sex relationships. Both Huckabee and Rodgers are witty, winsome and... The post Julie Rodgers, Tyler Huckabee and Their Mistake about Jesus appeared first on The Stream.

Untitled

jonjayray at EDUCATION WATCH INTERNATIONAL - 49 minutes ago

*Australian families providing fraudulent rental documents to get kids into top Sydney public school* *Reminiscent of Britain* FAMILIES have been providing fraudulent rental documents in an attempt to gain enrolment at Cherrybrook Technology High School, one of the state’s top public schools. Principal Gary Johnson said he had referred several cases to the police in which parents made false claims in an attempt to get their child enrolled. Under the education department’s enrolment guidelines, families whose homes are situated in a public school’s catchment area and who can provi... more »

Cronyism’s Revolving Door: Former Obamacare Chief to Lead Country’s Top Insurance Lobby

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 50 minutes ago

Marilyn Tavenner, the administration’s former top Obamacare official, was tapped Wednesday to lead the country’s largest health insurance lobby group. The board of America’s Health Insurance Plans, the top trade group for the industry, appointed Tavenner as the next president and CEO. Until she resigned in... The post Cronyism’s Revolving Door: Former Obamacare Chief to Lead Country’s Top Insurance Lobby appeared first on The Stream.

Study: Bans On Bottled Water Don’t Work

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 50 minutes ago

A new study analyzing a bottled water ban at the University of Vermont (UVM) suggests that such policies are totally counterproductive, leading to an increase in the consumption of unhealthy drinks while also doing nothing to reduce the output of plastic bottle... The post Study: Bans On Bottled Water Don’t Work appeared first on The Stream.

Untitled

JR at GREENIE WATCH - 1 hour ago

*Fun! Is organic farming making climate change worse?* *Both Greenies and food freaks are "wiser than thou" types. They have a desperate need to feel superior, even though they have just about zero originality. So it's neat to set one sort of false wisdom against another* It has a reputation for being better for us and the environment, but new research suggests organic food may actually be harming the planet. Scientists have found that rather than reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions released, organic farming may actually be increasing them. They found the shift to lar... more »

Fighting fit opposition for election 2015? Unlikely.

Boris at The Galloping Beaver - 1 hour ago

Alison draws attention to the very, very slick Conservative election winning machine that we are up against now. These folks, an international political conspiracy if there ever was one, have their game worked out down to fine detail. It may even be enough to overcome the low polling numbers of the Conservatives and create a perverse second majority. They are cornered in the polls and will fight

We Deserve An Explanation

Owen Gray at Northern Reflections - 1 hour ago

http://www.ctvnews.ca/ Justin Trudeau's support for Bill C-51 is one of the reasons his credibility is slipping. That support was not unqualified. He and his party, he said, would: “narrow and clarify the overly broad scope of the new powers” for CSIS, create a parliamentary committee to oversee the security agencies, and put the bill up for parliamentary review the bill within three years." That was pretty thin gruel. And he has paid a price for his vague suggestions of reform. Steve Sullivan writes that it's time for Trudeau ... more »

Phony Obamacare Applicants Received Subsidies at HealthCare.gov — Again

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 1 hour ago

For the second time, phony applicants with fake identities and documentation were able to receive Obamacare coverage and taxpayer subsidies through the federal exchange. The fraudsters were actually investigators in an undercover study by the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office. Their report is a continuation from July 2014, when... The post Phony Obamacare Applicants Received Subsidies at HealthCare.gov — Again appeared first on The Stream.

Iran Nuclear Deal: What Does It Mean for Americans Imprisoned in Iran?

Anika Smith at The Stream - 1 hour ago

With the announcement of a nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, their families and friends hope that the fight to free their loved ones won’t be ignored. They include Naghmeh Abedini, whose husband, Saeed Abedini, is a Christian pastor... The post Iran Nuclear Deal: What Does It Mean for Americans Imprisoned in Iran? appeared first on The Stream.

AP-GfK Poll: Hillary Clinton Falling among Democrats

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hillary Rodham Clinton’s standing is falling among Democrats, and voters view her as less decisive and inspiring than when she launched her presidential campaign just three months ago, according to a new Associated Press-GfK poll. The survey... The post AP-GfK Poll: Hillary Clinton Falling among Democrats appeared first on The Stream.

Greece Seeks Relief from Lenders after First Bailout Test

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 1 hour ago

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece’s troubled left-wing government was seeking urgent relief from European lenders Thursday, after it pushed a harsh austerity package through parliament, triggering a revolt in the governing party and violent demonstrations in central Athens. Finance ministers... The post Greece Seeks Relief from Lenders after First Bailout Test appeared first on The Stream.

Searching for Flood Victims among Snakes, Mosquitoes, Mud

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 1 hour ago

FLAT GAP, Ky. (AP) — Rescuers roam the banks of the swollen creek, looking for people who were lost when a flash flood ravaged this rural eastern Kentucky community. They battle swarming mosquitoes and snake-infested creeks, piles of rubble 10 feet tall... The post Searching for Flood Victims among Snakes, Mosquitoes, Mud appeared first on The Stream.

This Hero Uses Google Earth to Save Elephants

WTStaff at Waking Times - 1 hour ago

*Video - *Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilto uses Google Earth to track, study, and protect elephants from poaching by using geofences and satellite collars on elephants. The post This Hero Uses Google Earth to Save Elephants appeared first on Waking Times.

Stellarization comes with increasing accelerations of consciousness openings

Obi-Wan Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 1 hour ago

*Stellarization comes with increasing accelerations of consciousness openings* by ÉirePort Stellarization comes with *increasing* accelerations of *consciousness openings.* Hue-Beings are particularly affected with these and will lead to openings in all of hu-manity. Force - nestings are common at this time. Encounterings on Higher Dimensions are the norm. Fetterings are released as hu-manity recognizes links of bondage. Sparkles of "Golden Age" return to Gaia. ÉirePort | July 16, 2015 at 09:39 | Categories: Uncategorized | URL: http://wp.me/p2sFUY-va

Taxpayer Service Hits New Low at IRS as ‘Obamacare’ Kicks In

LaToya Rosario at The Stream - 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hello? Hello? Customer service at the IRS hit new lows this year, just as taxpayers were grappling with a wave of identity theft and new requirements under President Barack Obama’s health law. A report issued Wednesday by... The post Taxpayer Service Hits New Low at IRS as ‘Obamacare’ Kicks In appeared first on The Stream.

Donald Trump for President - some facts you will like to know

LeDaro at LeDaro - 2 hours ago

Q.What does Melania Trump see in Donald Trump? A: "Two billion dollars and high cholesterol!" Q: Why should Donald Trump rag on illegal immigrants? A: Because an undocumented worker has been living on his head for the past 2 decades! Q: If Donald becomes president what will be his first order of business? A: Turn the Library of Congress into a Casino! Q: How come Justin Bieber's hair fetched $40,000 on ebay? A: Donald Trump is running for president and needed a more youthful looking wig! Q: Why was there an awkward moment before Donald Trump awarded Rima Fakih the 2010 c... more »

Spain Government Goes Full Police State; Enacts Law Forbidding Dissent, 'Unauthorized' Photography Of Law Enforcement

urupiper at Yesterday 's Lies - 2 hours ago

[image: Techdirt] by Tim Cushing Wed, Jul 8th 2015 https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150705/18174231556/spain-government-goes-full-police-state-enacts-law-forbidding-dissent-unauthorized-photography-law-enforcement.shtml from the *shut-up-citizen-or-we'll-put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is* dept Well, Spain's officially a police state now. On July 1st, its much-protested "gag" law went into effect, instantly making criminals of those protesting the new law. Among the many new repressive stipulations is a €30,000-€600,000 fine for "unauthorized protests," which can be combined for ma... more »

VIDEO shocker: Dead baby parts 'harvested' during partial-birth abortions... sold to biotech companies for 'scientific' research... Profiteering from sales of baby brains, hearts and intestines

urupiper at Yesterday 's Lies - 2 hours ago

Wednesday, July 15, 2015 by Mike Adams *(NaturalNews) *The headline of this article is true. This is what passes for "science" in today's twisted world: the harvesting of dead baby parts during partial-birth abortions so that profits can be generated from the biotech industry's "scientific" research. It has all been caught on undercover video by the Center for Medical Progress. Full transcript and video links below. Here are the highlights of this gruesome story that showcases the truly sick, psychopathic behavior of the abortion industry and its harvesting of babies in the name o... more »

ISIS (Aka Israel-Saudi-Turkey Axis) Is The Big Loser of U.S.-Iran Detente

Saman Mohammadi at The Excavator - 3 hours ago

It's very interesting to see that the biggest critics of the P5 plus 1-Iran nuclear deal are also the biggest, though silent, supporters of ISIS and other Jihadist terrorist movements in the Middle East. Newspapers like The Washington Post *give a platform to an ISIS ideologue one day* and bash the U.S-Iran deal the next. These moronic clowns are not even trying to hide their villainy anymore. They're making their beds with terrorists who kidnap Christian priests, rape captured women and slaughter children for sport. And they're ripping a deal that has the potential of boosting the ... more »

Jade Helm Terror Brutality Already Crippling Targeted Individuals: Aussie Confesses Darkest Secrets

urupiper at Yesterday 's Lies - 3 hours ago

[image: Profile image][image: logo] By Deborah Dupre (Reporter) Monday, July 13, 2015 http://beforeitsnews.com/spies-and-intelligence/2015/07/jade-helm-terror-brutality-already-crippling-targeted-individuals-aussie-confesses-darkest-secrets-2447370.html?currentSplittedPage=0 An Australian targeted individual’s (TI) account Monday exposes what many fear Jade Helm is about. He has compiled what his says his experiences have been as subject of the type of covert program at the root of Jade Helm so much, it behooves the reader to take note, regardless of or perhaps especially because of ... more »

Russia Develops New Coastal Defense Gun

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 3 hours ago

[image: Koalitsiya-SV system]Russia is developing a new self-propelled coastal defense gun, based on the Koalitsiya-SV system, Burevestnik Design Bureau chief, Georgy Zakamennykh, announced on Wednesday. “We have always favored unification because it is cheaper… The knowhow obtained during the design of the Koalitsiya-SV gun can come in very handy in the development of the new coastal defense artillery systems,” Zakamennykh told RIA Novosti news agency. He said the naval command planned to outline the technical characteristics of the new system within the next two months. Read more

On Mission In Charleston — With Tears

Sheila Walsh at The Stream - 3 hours ago

SHEILA WALSH — Some of God’s most faithful servants showed up prepared to do the work of the Kingdom. The field of their labors was a courtroom in Charleston, South Carolina. They came, on mission, bearing seeds of peace — and... The post On Mission In Charleston — With Tears appeared first on The Stream.

"The Euro-Summit ‘Agreement’ on Greece": The Re-enslavement of the Greek people.

D ... Breaking The Silence at Removing The Shackles - 3 hours ago

Last night on Transpicuous News, I spoke about the latest developments in Greece and their new Slavery. This is the link to the transcription to the first interview that former Finance Minister for Greece, Yanis Varofakis gave after his resignation. He has some very interesting things to say and reading between the lines opens up some VERY interesting pieces of the puzzle to scrutinize. http://www.newstatesman.com/world-affairs/2015/07/yanis-varoufakis-full-transcript-our-battle-save-greece Below is Varoufakis' latest post, and it is a damning piece of transparency (of a sort)... more »

Nuclear News

Majia's Blog at Majia's Blog - 3 hours ago

*Breaking:NRC: 'Diablo Canyon among 'most embrittled plants in the U.S.'onNoNukesCA.net* Rickety & Risky - Diablo Canyon Unit 1 is on the NRC's short list of the worst embrittled pressurized water reactors in the U.S. along with 4 others - including New York's Indian Point. *Read More================* *Suing for Nuclear Justice - Facing "the global nature of the harm"* on *PlanetarianPerspectives.net * US sailors' $1 Billion suit against TEPCO goes forward Landmark nuclear damages suit in Korea *Read more*

Certification Campaign for H225M Caracal CSAR Helicopter Aboard FREMM Frigate Aquitaine

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: H225M Caracal]The French Air Force (Armée de l'Air) started qualification trials of the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) with the latest addition to the French Navy (Marine Nationale) fleet: the head of FREMM Frigate class Aquitaine delivered in November 2012 by DCNS. The Caracal, belonging to escadron d'hélicoptères 1/67 Pyrénées (belonging to the air force but with a joint component because the unit has army and navy personnel too), specializing in CSAR and special operation support missions conducted several landings and take offs from the ... more »

Topol turns 30: Missile launcher parade & ‘fuel-from-thin-air’ system

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

Russia’s strategic missile forces conducted drills in Moscow region to mark the 30th anniversary of the deployment of the iconic Topol missile system. The exercises showcased a unique innovative system capable of extracting missile fuel “from thin air.” Russian strategic missile forces began major drills on Tuesday in the city of Serpukhov, located some 90 kilometers from Moscow. Drone footage shot by RT’s RUPTLY video agency shows the columns of KamAZ trucks and missile launchers. Read more

Boeing, Tata sign framework manufacturing agreement

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: CH-47F Chonook]Boeing and Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) have signed a framework agreement to work together in aerospace and defence manufacturing. The deal was signed in Hyderabad by Shelley Lavender, president of Boeing Military Aircraft, and Sukaran Singh, managing director and chief executive of TASL, says Boeing in a statement. “This agreement with TASL is significant because it demonstrates Boeing’s commitment to expanding its aerospace manufacturing footprint in India,” Lavender said. Read more

SecAF James: Hill Refusal To Retire Planes May Force F-35, LRSB, KC-46 Delays

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James]Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James warned Congress today that its effort to stop the retirement of the A-10 Warthog and other aircraft could hurt the service’s modernization plans. In a speech before the National Aeronautic Association, James noted the service wants “to transfer and divest some older aircraft in order to free up resources for more pressing needs, but currently, we’re unable to make the necessary adjustments.” That’s because both the House and Senate Armed Services Committees have blocked those plans. That opposition ... more »

DoD to Award $718M Contract Supporting Fighter Aircraft

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: F-35B Lightning II STOVL]The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) announced several work agreements Tuesday, highlighted by two Navy contracts with Lockheed Martin, one of which involves production support for F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft. As part of the $718.2 million F-35 deal, Lockheed Martin will provide non-air vehicle spares, support equipment, Autonomic Logistics Information System hardware and software upgrades, full mission simulators, supply chain management, and engineering serving supporting the low-initial production of the aircraft. In addition... more »

Two Brimstone missiles FALL OFF British Tornado fighter jet

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: RAF Tornado]Two missiles were smashed into pieces after they fell off a British warplane in bad weather as it returned from taking out Islamic State targets in Iraq. The £105,000 Brimstone missiles came off an ageing Tornado fighter jet as it landed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus this morning. There was 'poor visibility' in the region at the time which meant the aircraft may have hit the ground at a wrong angle, forcing the missiles to detach from its mounting brackets. Read more

Eurofighter’s Agility, Weapon Carrying Capability Boosted

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: Eurofighter Typhoon]Airbus has successfully flight-tested aerodynamic upgrades to Eurofighter Typhoon swing-role fighter that boost the agility and weapon carrying capacity. The Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) is part of a wider Eurofighter Enhanced Manoeuvrability (EFEM) programme with the potential to help ensure the type's continuing superiority for many years to come, the Airbus announced Wednesday. The upgrade involves basically the addition of fuselage strakes and root extensions, which increase the maximum lift created by the wing by 25%. Further, it results in an... more »

NATO plans biggest exercise since 2002 to counter Islamic State

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 4 hours ago

[image: NATO Flag]NATO and its allies will hold their biggest military exercise in more than a decade from October, deploying 36,000 personnel across the Mediterranean to counter the threat of Islamic State on the alliance's southern flank. Briefly turning attention away from Russia, NATO commanders said on Wednesday the alliance would carry out some of its toughest training yet in a complex "artificial threat scenario" in which militants attack on land, from the air and at sea. "We cannot choose between the eastern threat and the southern threat, we have to train for both," said G... more »

Special Greece Report ( July 16 , 2015 ) Thursday Morning Updates ( Greece Parliament passes first round of required measures , next key vote on July 22nd , Bridge loan and 3rd Bailout items , ECB in focus , Debt sustainability related items , Domestic and International politics , odds & ends ! )

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 4 hours ago

Tweets..... *MineForNothing* ‏@minefornothing 1m 1 minute ago Euro drops below $1.09 *Holger Zschaepitz* ‏@Schuldensuehner 3m 3 minutes ago Mr. Market not thrilled with the Greek parliamentary vote. Greece's 2y yields rise to 26.8%. [image: Embedded image permalink] *Stavros Kallinos* ‏@StKallinos 7m 7 minutes ago *FINLAND TO DEMAND GENUINE GREEK COMMITMENT TO REFORM, PM SAYS *Nick Kounis* ‏@nickkounis 53s 54 seconds ago Nick Kounis retweeted Yannis Koutsomitis #Finland agrees #Greece Nick Kounis added, *Yannis Koutsomitis* @YanniKouts #*Finl... more »

Somalia: German Maritime Patrol Aircraft Completes Successful Deployment With Operation Atalanta Off the Coast of Somalia

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 5 hours ago

[image: German P-3C Orion]In July 2015 the German Maritime Patrol P3C-Orion aircraft completed a three month detachment with Operation Atalanta off the coast of Somalia. The Orion aircraft played a crucial role in the success of the European Union's counter-piracy operation by acting as the 'eyes in the sky' to provide timely intelligence about patterns of life and any potential pirate activity along the Somali coastline and far out to sea. With an air patrol and search area one and half times the size of Europe, the German aircraft and its crew flew more than 250 operational flying... more »

The Philippines may use Korean-built attacker in S China Sea

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 5 hours ago

[image: FA-50 Golden Eagle]Should a conflict eventually break out between the country and China over the disputed China Sea, the Philippines is very likely to deploy its 12 FA-50PHs against the People's Liberation Army Navy, reports the Sina Military Network based in Beijing. The Philippine Air Force had completed the maiden flight of its first FA-50PH on June 19. Originally, the FA-50PH was developed as a trainer known as the T-50 by Seoul-based Korea Aerospace Industries. It was modified into an attacker for the Philippine Air Force with the capabilities to carry up to 4.5 tons o... more »

Is Greece Just the Sound and Fury Signifying Much? (Tsipras Surrenders to Troika Bandits with Protests As IMF Admits Debt Situation Unsustainable and Greece Needs 30-Year Grace Period from EU) Bernie's/Hillary's Words Trustworthy? (Lie of Omission Still a Lie) NC = New Selma?

Cirze at Welcome to Pottersville 2 (Blogging Against Fascism!) - 5 hours ago

A New Versailles Treaty is Haunting Europe Who has profited from the Goldman-Saks-masterminded/Troika-manipulated Greek incurred debt/austerity measures? And how long will it be before these issues are publicly addressed? After the Greek Parliament approved the Troika-demanded reforms/bailout bill this evening, the people of Greece took to the street by the thousands. The Greek parliament

Beat the dog before the lion: Varoufakis accuses Schäuble of sacrificing Greece

Obi-Wan Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 5 hours ago

Former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis (Reuters / Jean-Paul Pelissier) *AK note: ★ Obscure English Idiom Alert *★ - *"Beat the dog before the lion". I honestly had to look this one up, leave it to literate Russians at RT.COM to come up with this obscure English Idiom! This is not 8th grade dumbed down English from David Wilcock's Divine Cosmos blog that's for sure. I actually like something that causes me to think. Here's what it means... **"**To take out one's frustrations on someone or something else with lower consequences." In short, "a whipping boy". The Chinese ha... more »

PH to station warplanes, frigates at former US base facing disputed sea

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 5 hours ago

The Philippines will station new fighter jets and two frigates at the former U.S. naval facility in Subic Bay from early next year, officials said, the first time the massive installation has functioned as a military base in 23 years. Using Subic Bay would allow the Philippine air force and navy to respond more effectively to Chinese moves in the disputed South China Sea, security experts said. Subic Bay's deep-water harbour lies on the western side of the main Philippine island of Luzon, opposite the South China Sea. "The value of Subic as a military base was proven by the America... more »

Biggest warship project: Russia selects Anil Ambani's Pipavav to make frigates for Indian Navy

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 5 hours ago

[image: Project 11356 (Admiral Grigorovich) class FFG]The Russian government has chosen Anil Ambani's Pipavav shipyard for a 'Make in India' naval frigate order that is likely to exceed $3 billion, making it the private sector's biggest-ever warship-building project. With public sector shipyards tied up in executing current orders and the Indian Navy battling to increase fleet strength, the government has been in advanced talks for the past several months with Russia for three to four upgraded Talwar class frigates, classified as Project 11356 vessels. Moscow, which has been keen t... more »

USMC introduces JADOCS aboard USS George Washington

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

[image: USS George Washington (CVN 73)]The US Marines Corps (USMC) has embarked aboard the US Navy's Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) and introduced the joint automated deep operation coordination system (JADOCS). JADOCS operator Marine Corporal Steward Bach said that their visit aboard George Washington during exercise Talisman Sabre 15 allowed them to demonstrate their capabilities. He also added that it helped them to show how the USMC can integrate and improve the US Navy's maritime missions. Read more

Revolution underway in naval surface warfare

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

Two radical weapons will revolutionize naval warfare in the second decade of the 21st century, according to Forecast International's new analysis, "The Market for Naval Surface Warfare Systems." Lasers will be tasked with anti-aircraft, anti-missile, and anti-small-craft roles, while rail guns will give surface ships an entirely new dimension of ship-killing firepower. "Probably the only way to defend against these weapons is not to be there when they get used," said Stuart Slade, senior naval analyst at Forecast International. Read more

Indian Navy Plans To Expand Its Fleet To 200 Ships By 2027

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

[image: Talwar class FFG]The Indian Navy is planning to increase its capability to 200-ship fleet from the existing 137 ships and submarines under its command by 2027. According to a maritime capability perspective plan, a certain number of ships have to be built by a particular timeline. "Our aspiration is to become a 200-ship Navy (by 2027)", Vice Chief of Indian Navy Vice Admiral P Murugesan was quoted as saying by PTI today. The Navy has been at the forefront of indigenisation, and is also in “exploratory talks” with Russia to see if few of them can be built with their collabor... more »

Russia’s Severomorsk Warship to Participate in Barents Sea Drills

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

[image: RFS Severomorsk (DDG 619)]The Severomorsk large anti-submarine ship set sail to the Barents Sea where it will take part in a series of military exercises, the press office of the Russian Northern Fleet reported. "The crew of the large anti-submarine ship Severomorsk will practice fighting an artillery battle with a simulated enemy surface ship and conduct firing at sea targets with AK-100 versatile-caliber artillery systems. They will also practice repelling aerial attacks at different altitudes and destroy simulated aerial targets," the report read. In addition, the crew wi... more »

Delays in Zumwalt Destroyer Program Hamper Production of DDG-51s at Bath Iron Works

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

[image: DDG-1000 (Zumwalt) class DDG]Delays in the construction of the first two of three next-generation Zumwalt-class (DDG-1000) guided missile destroyers at the General Dynamics Bath Iron Works shipyard are partially to blame for slowing work on two Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) destroyers being built at the Maine yard, USNI News has learned. Several sources told USNI News that due to myriad reasons — including the size of the yard, the composition of the workforce at BIW and continued setbacks in the delivery of the first two next-generation Zumwalts — production of the future Burkes R... more »

PM's defence plan to blow out surplus

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

[image: Collins class SSK]Tony Abbott's signature election promise to boost defence spending to 2 per cent of GDP within a decade has put pressure on the government to start spending more money immediately and blow out its planned return to surplus. Sources have told The Australian Financial Review that the Defence Department has told the government that unless it starts spending extra money now by bringing forward projects and acquisitions, it will be unable to spend all the extra money required to hit the 2 per cent target by 2023-24. But bringing forward spending would disrupt t... more »

Control Freak Leaders Who Use Propaganda, Distortion and Fear...It Leads to Criminal Ideology(Stephen Jesus Christ Harper)

Grant G at The Straight Goods - 6 hours ago

Stephen Harper is not Hitler, but the tactics Stephen Harper uses to control the populous is very similar, endless propaganda, draconian legislation, ...Harper does not bring people together, he divides, instills hatred and fear of other, ...Harper`s messaging, Terrorists behind every shrub, the world hates us, the niqab is evil, ..Environmentalists are evil, Mulcair is a Greek-like socialist, Trudeau is a marijuana pusher... Oh indeed, all Hail Stephen the great Jesus Harper...... Wai Young, a British Columbia Stephen Harper groupie.. ____________ *"A Conservative MP has found ... more »

Military Photo of the Day: July 16, 2015

Tom Sileo at The Stream - 6 hours ago

A U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot prepares to take off on a combat mission from Bagram Air Field in Afghanistan on July 14, 2015. Thank you to this fighter pilot for serving our nation so bravely. We pray for the... The post Military Photo of the Day: July 16, 2015 appeared first on The Stream.

Thai plan to purchase submarines put on hold

Ko Savonije at Naval Open Source INTelligence - 6 hours ago

[image: Type 039A/041 (Yuan) class SSK]Thailand has put on hold the purchase of submarines from China, the Thai defence minister said yesterday, raising questions about its commitment to acquiring its first such vessels. Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said earlier this month the navy had approved a 36 billion baht (S$1.4 billion) plan to buy three submarines from China. General Prawit, known to be a strong backer of the plan to get submarines, told reporters the acquisition was put on hold while the navy reconsidered the role of the vessel... more »

Greece crisis: Treasury backs use of UK cash to help kick-start Athens’ economy

Obi-Wan Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 7 hours ago

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras (Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis) http://rt.com/uk/273760-greece-britain-money-loan/ *Greece crisis: Treasury backs use of UK cash to help kick-start Athens’ economy* Published time: July 15, 2015 15:04 Britain’s Treasury department has approved the use of EU-wide funds to alleviate Greece’s debt crisis, despite Chancellor George Osborne insisting the eurozone should foot its own bill, it has emerged. Anonymous sources told Sky News on Wednesday the Treasury will support the use of British cash as part of a bridging loan to Greece, on the condition t... more »

What has Danny Cohen been up to?

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 8 hours ago

Well, well, well! According to *The Times*, the BBC secretly organised that 'independent' protest letter from various celebrities. The BBC Press Office appears to be squirming with embarrassment at the *Times*'s scoop. Here are some extracts from the article: The BBC secretly helped to organise a celebrity letter warning David Cameron that plans to reform the corporation would damage Britain’s global standing, one of its top presenters has revealed. The BBC’s press office initially denied it had “anything to do” with the open letter, which was delivered to the prime minister on ... more »

1984

Oberon at GlobaLove Think Tank - 8 hours ago

Hillary Clinton Peddles Exhausted Bromides

Cal Thomas at The Stream - 9 hours ago

When I listen to Hillary Clinton speak, as she did Monday at The New School in New York, outlining her “economic policy” should she become president, my first reaction was not to her lack of substance and the predictability of... The post Hillary Clinton Peddles Exhausted Bromides appeared first on The Stream.

Zero Tolerance for Confederate Flag, Nuance and Understanding for Islamic Terror

Jonah Goldberg at The Stream - 9 hours ago

MONTPELIER, Vt. — “Nice flag!” the woman shouted sarcastically, adding: “F— you!” The woman was seated on the patio of a restaurant overlooking Main Street in this famously liberal capital of this famously liberal state when a truck sporting the Confederate... The post Zero Tolerance for Confederate Flag, Nuance and Understanding for Islamic Terror appeared first on The Stream.

NZ: Face it, who wouldn’t want to move here?

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 9 hours ago

It’s not his main point, but Raybon Kan answers the question: Why would you move to New Zealand and buy a house? Simple, it’s “time zones away from industrial smog and religious loonies, yet voluptuous with fresh produce.” *I'm certainly not surprised overseas people want to buy. Ask James Cameron: he thinks New Zealand is paradise, and he invented Pandora. Look at us: time zones away from industrial smog and religious loonies, yet voluptuous with fresh produce. How safe are we? We literally couldn't be further away from Greece's economy. Only the easy-going pace of our inte... more »

I Want You !

Oberon at GlobaLove Think Tank - 10 hours ago

A Rich Man's Trick

Musical Interlude: Liquid Mind, "Liquid Mind X: Meditation" (Full Album)

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago

Liquid Mind, "Liquid Mind X: Meditation" (Full Album) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_o4-rRwZPg

Former President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized after Fall

Tom Sileo at The Stream - 10 hours ago

KENNEBUNKPORT, Maine (AP) — Former President George H.W. Bush fell at home on Wednesday and broke a bone in his neck but was doing OK after, a spokesman said. Bush, 91, was in stable condition and was doing “fine” after... The post Former President George H.W. Bush Hospitalized after Fall appeared first on The Stream.

The Chinese Crash Is Government's Fault, Not Capitalism's

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 10 hours ago

How do you say “déjà vu all over again” in Chinese? *Guest post by Lawrence Reed* The crash in the Chinese stock market (down 30 percent in three weeks with no end in sight) is bringing forth comparisons to the big U.S. stock crash of 1929, as well it should. In the world of central banks and fiat money, inevitable busts follow unsustainable booms. The closer one watches the “experts” at the helm of monetary policy in any country, the more apparent it is that they are constantly scrambling to undo the calamities of their own handiwork. Prior to the 2008 global financial meltdown,... more »

“Pre-schoolers who can match sounds to letters earlier go on to read more easily”

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 11 hours ago

“New research suggests it may be possible to predict which preschoolers will struggle to read.” The study analysed *brain waves of children as young as 3. And guess what they discovered: that those most likely to have trouble reading are those least exposed to oral language*, and *least able to link sounds to letters*. *Connecting sound to meaning is a key foundation for reading. For example, pre-schoolers who can match sounds to letters earlier go on to read more easily.* This will be no surprise at all to those who learn, and teach, phonetic reading. It will be astonishing n... more »

Musical Interlude: Vangelis, “Albedo 039 - Alpha”

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 11 hours ago

Vangelis, “Albedo 039 - Alpha” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOXZ8E4wH70

Catching up with Mitch Waxman -- and his new camera (and helping him pay for it!)

KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 11 hours ago

*One of the early pictures Mitch has taken with his new camera: the Bayonne Bridge, connecting Staten Island to New Jersey, viewed from Newark Bay (click to enlarge, and see below for descriptive comment)* *by Ken* Our pal Mitch Waxman, among his many other distinctions, all pretty unusual, probably the most interesting photographers chronicling New York City, is now working with a brand-new camera, and has been sharing the early results, most of which were taken under unusual conditions. Of the shots taken at the same time as the "reverse" one of the Bayonne Bridge above, for exa... more »

Musical Interlude: Moody Blues, “Land of Make Believe”

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 11 hours ago

Moody Blues, “Land of Make-Believe” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E32Nvlb8p98

The Most Important People You've Never Heard Of : Franciszek Ząbecki

Spike EP at News Spike - 13 hours ago

*Franciszek Ząbecki* *I quote The Enemy [Wikipedia] : * "*Lieutenant Franciszek Ząbecki (8 October 1907 – 11 April 1987) was a station master at the village of Treblinka.* During the German occupation of Poland in World War II, Ząbecki worked as a dispatcher for the Deutsche Reichsbahn; he also became a secret soldier in the underground Armia Krajowa (AK), collecting classified data and reporting to the Polish resistance on the Holocaust transports that went to Treblinka extermination camp. Over 800,000 Jews were murdered there in the course of Operation Reinhard, the deadlies... more »

MENA Report ( June 15 -16 , 2015 ) Catching Up With MENA News Of The day - Iraq- Syria Regional War In Focus ; Conflicts Involivng Libya And Yemen In Review ; Iran Nuclear Deal Items Of Note ! )

Fred Walton at Catharsis Ours - 13 hours ago

Links.... *Iran, World Powers Clinch Historic Nuclear Deal* *Republicans Fume but Little Hope of Killing Deal* *Iranians Dance in Streets, Thank Rouhani for Deal* *Shia Militiamen to Battle to Take Back Fallujah* *Pentagon #2: ISIS No Threat to US Homeland* *Saudi-Backed Forces Capture Aden's International Airport* 180 Killed in Iraq Military Operations, Attacks Arab World Split Over Iran Nuclear Deal TWEETS.... Iraq........ Retweeted 126 times *The Associated Press* ‏@AP Jul 14 UN report says some 15,000 civilians have been killed in *Iraq* in t... more »

"A Look to the Heavens"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

“Near the outskirts of the Small Magellanic Cloud, a satellite galaxy some 200 thousand light-years distant, lies 5 million year young star cluster NGC 602. Surrounded by natal gas and dust, NGC 602 is featured in this stunning Hubble image of the region. * Click image for larger size.* Fantastic ridges and swept back shapes strongly suggest that energetic radiation and shock waves from NGC 602's massive young stars have eroded the dusty material and triggered a progression of star formation moving away from the cluster's center. At the estimated distance of the Small Magellanic Clo... more »

The Poet: Wendell Berry, "A Warning To My Readers"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

*"A Warning To My Readers"* by Wendell Berry "Do not think me gentle because I speak in praise of gentleness, or elegant because I honor the grace that keeps this world. I am a man crude as any, gross of speech, intolerant, stubborn, angry, full of fits and furies. That I may have spoken well at times, is not natural. A wonder is what it is."

"To Endure Oneself..."

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

"To endure oneself may be the hardest task in the universe. You cannot hire a wise man or any other intellect to solve it for you. There's no writ of inquest or calling of witness to provide answers. No servant or disciple can dress the wound. You dress it yourself or continue bleeding for all to see." - Frank Herbert

"Stress..."

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

"Stress is caused by being ‘here’ but wanting to be ‘there’." - Eckhart Tolle

"The ‘Busy’ Trap"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

*"The ‘Busy’ Trap"* By Tim Kreider “If you live in America in the 21st century you’ve probably had to listen to a lot of people tell you how busy they are. It’s become the default response when you ask anyone how they’re doing: “Busy!” “So busy.” “Crazy busy.” It is, pretty obviously, a boast disguised as a complaint. And the stock response is a kind of congratulation: “That’s a good problem to have,” or “Better than the opposite.” Notice it isn’t generally people pulling back-to-back shifts in the I.C.U. or commuting by bus to three minimum-wage jobs who tell you how busy they a... more »

The Daily "Near You?"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

Curran, Michigan, USA. Thanks for stopping by.

"Small Gestures Make a Big Difference: Common Courtesy"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

*"Small Gestures Make a Big Difference:* * Common Courtesy"* by Madisyn Taylor, The DailyOM "Common courtesy is a small gesture that makes a big difference and should be practiced as often as possible. We often feel that we don’t have the time or energy to extend ourselves to others with the small gestures that compose what we call common courtesy. It sometimes seems that this kind of social awareness belongs to the past, to smaller towns and slower times. Yet, when someone extends this kind of courtesy to us, we always feel touched. Someone who lends a helping hand when we are stru... more »

"The Vanishing Days..."

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

“The sunset on which we gaze is a sunrise on the other side of the world, and the vanishing days can take from us nothing that may not be restored by some day yet unborn.” - E.C. Hall

Chet Raymo, “Letting Go”

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

*“Letting Go”* by Chet Raymo “We all know that Charles Darwin's five-year voyage aboard HMS Beagle in 1831-1836 planted the seeds that eventually led to his theory of evolution by natural selection. Less well know is his explanation of the atoll islands of the warm Pacific by a combination of volcanic action, erosion, subsidence and coral growth, also inspired by the voyage. On observing the isle of Mauritius on the homeward leg of the circumnavigation, he wrote of the corals: "We feel surprise when travellers tell us of the vast dimensions of the Pyramids and other great ruins, bu... more »

"How It Really Is"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 13 hours ago

Gathering Power: Apache Stronghold Convoy Nears DC

brendanorrell@gmail.com at CENSORED NEWS - 14 hours ago

How Each 2016 Candidate Reacted to the Planned Parenthood Bombshell

Amelia Hamilton at The Stream - 14 hours ago

Yesterday, a hidden camera investigation exposed Planned Parenthood for selling body parts from aborted babies. As despicable as many abortion industry practices are, this still left many shocked and wanting answers. As Americans choose a new president in 2016, we... The post How Each 2016 Candidate Reacted to the Planned Parenthood Bombshell appeared first on The Stream.

Editor's Note

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 14 hours ago

Friends from overseas are visiting me now .... I have to play the host and spoil them. Blogging will return tomorrow morning.

Quote of the Day: On the Iran “deal”

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 14 hours ago

*“For now, it’s fair to say, even at this early moment when euphoria reigns, that we are not witnessing another grand moment of U.S. and global diplomacy. That is, Iran will quietly, firmly continue its nuclear program; and Western politicians will continue to pretend that things are under control. It makes the Greek debt crisis look like a model of rationality and effective problem-solving.”* - Byron King, from his article ‘Iran Nuke Deal Will Spur Bigger, Faster Global Arms Buildup’ Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (or... more »

Actually, the Planned Parenthood Body Parts Business is Likely Very Illegal

Rachel Alexander at The Stream - 14 hours ago

The Center for Medical Progress released an undercover video this week showing Planned Parenthood’s Senior Director of Medical Services, Deborah Nucatola telling actors posing as potential buyers from a startup biologics company how they can buy fetal body parts from... The post Actually, the Planned Parenthood Body Parts Business is Likely Very Illegal appeared first on The Stream.

New Facebook App for the Duck

Josh Busby at Duck of Minerva - 14 hours ago

I’m just testing a new plugin so that posts automatically feed to our Facebook page if that’s where you get your news. Don’t mind me!

Baby-killers that so-called "pro-life" chooses not to attack.

noreply@blogger.com (deBeauxOs) at DAMMIT JANET! - 15 hours ago

Across the USA, there's an ideologically-fuelled campaign to limit women's reproductive choices. Under the disingenuous banner of "pro-life" these rabid religious fundamentalist, neo-con, misogynist crotch-sniffers pressure like-minded politicians to do their bidding. These laws and measures exemplify the kind of oppressive backlash women and girls suffer as government takes control of their breeding capabilities. As a result of anti-choice bullying and lobbying the number of health clinics and other healthcare providers that give women options ranging from birth control to pregna... more »

Ukraine News Updates -- July 15, 2015

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 15 hours ago

*Reuters*: *Ukraine, rebels report deadliest fighting in over a month* Ukraine on Wednesday reported some of the strongest attacks by pro-Russian rebels since the signing of a peace deal in February, with eight government soldiers killed in the past 24 hours. The separatist rebels in turn accused Ukrainian forces of intensifying attacks. They said two of their fighters and a civilian had been killed, and seven people wounded. More than 6,500 people have been killed since the conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine in April last year. Attacks have lessened since the peace agreement ... more »

Investigations into Planned Parenthood Announced by Congress, States

Anika Smith at The Stream - 15 hours ago

A day after a shocking video was released showing a Planned Parenthood executive cavalierly discussing the sale of fetal organs to researchers, lawmakers have begun to take action. House Republicans have announced congressional investigations, both by the Judiciary Committee and the... The post Investigations into Planned Parenthood Announced by Congress, States appeared first on The Stream.

In 2012 Trump Called Romney “Maniacal” for Opposing Amnesty

John Zmirak at The Stream - 15 hours ago

It might be hard to believe given the furor over Donald Trump’s recent anti-immigration comments, but in the aftermath of the 2012 defeat for Republicans, Trump had some harsh words for former Presidential candidate Mitt Romney about his outreach to... The post In 2012 Trump Called Romney “Maniacal” for Opposing Amnesty appeared first on The Stream.

Liberal Medical Ethicist Says Planned Parenthood May Have Endangered Women for Profit

John Zmirak at The Stream - 15 hours ago

New York University ethicist Professor Arthur Caplan raised two significant red flags after viewing the now infamous video of Dr. Deborah Nucatola talking about harvesting of baby body parts. After watching Nucatola talk about pricing — ranging from $30 to... The post Liberal Medical Ethicist Says Planned Parenthood May Have Endangered Women for Profit appeared first on The Stream.

6 Things to know about Planned Parenthood...

Adrienne at Adrienne's Corner - 15 hours ago

*and some questions.* * 1.* Planned Parenthood clinics did 327,653 abortions in its fiscal year 2014 (which ran from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014). * 2.* Planned Parenthood received $528.4 million from government grants and reimbursements, which equaled 41 percent of its revenue. That's an average of $1.4 million per day. *3.* Cecile Richards, CEO of Planned Parenthood earned $590,928.00. *4.* The combined salaries of Planned Parenthood's CEO's was $11,536,408.00 in 2013. *5.* Planned Parenthood has over 1.4 billion in assets. *6.* Planned Parenthood's 62 affiliat... more »

Is there any chance of informed discussion of the nuclear deal when critics offer only lies and psychosis?

KenInNY at DownWithTyranny! - 15 hours ago

*by Ken* I had the radio on while President Obama announced the deal on Iran's future nuclear capability agreed to by the five permanent Security Council members, Germany, and Iran, and I listened as well as I could. My gut impression was that it actually sounded like a pretty reasonable deal, and certainly a lot better than the alternative, which is to say no deal, where the only real check against Iranian nuclear aspirations is war -- which in the end is very likely the outcome desired by U.S. critics of the deal, who are so stupid and uninformed as to have no conception of what... more »

6 Past Planned Parenthood Scandals

Nancy Flory at The Stream - 15 hours ago

An undercover video was released Tuesday of a top official at Planned Parenthood discussing the sale of organs harvested from aborted babies. But it is not the first time the organization has been involved in a scandal. Planned Parenthood released... The post 6 Past Planned Parenthood Scandals appeared first on The Stream.

Untitled

New Orleans Ladder at New Orleans Ladder - 15 hours ago

*House passes Steve Gleason Act* *Rising Tide X conference to be held Aug. 29 at Xavier University ~Gambit *

The Economy: “Greece: Sound and Fury Signifying Much”

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 15 hours ago

*“Greece: Sound and Fury Signifying Much”* by Paul Craig Roberts “All of Europe, and insouciant Americans and Canadians as well, are put on notice by Syriza’s surrender to the agents of the One Percent. The message from the collapse of Syriza is that the social welfare system throughout the West will be dismantled. The Greek prime minister Alexis Tsipras has agreed to the One Percent’s looting of the Greek people of the advances in social welfare that the Greeks achieved in the post-World War II 20th century. Pensions and health care for the elderly are on the way out. The One Per... more »

Close encounter on Pluto

Oberon at GlobaLove Think Tank - 15 hours ago

Near-true-color image of Pluto taken by New Horizons spacecraft on 13 July 2015. On 14 July 2015, the New Horizons spacecraft became the first spacecraft to flyby Pluto. During its brief flyby, New Horizons made detailed measurements and observations of Pluto and its moons. Pluto was discovered in 1930 by Clyde Tombaugh, and was originally considered the ninth planet from the Sun. After 1992, its status as a planet fell into question following the discovery of several objects of similar size in the Kuiper belt. In 2005, Eris, which is 27% more massive than Pluto, was discovered, w... more »

Disney Inspired Lunches and preparation for Back to School

Debra Hawkins at Housewife Eclectic - 16 hours ago

I can't believe that we are talking back to school already. Our summer has been filled with Summer Camp, BBQs, Swim Lessons and many days at the waterpark. As sad as I am to be thinking about school, I am excited too. Back to school is my favorite thing to shop and prep for. New crayons all sharpened in the box, a new backpack and a new lunch box. I get all nerdy excited about it. I actually have a box of unused school supplies in my closet because I can't seem to stop myself when it comes to new office supplies. My daughter is going to be a 1st grader this year. It breaks my he... more »

JFK on Nuclear Weapons

Saman Mohammadi at The Excavator - 16 hours ago

*Title: JFK on Nuclear Weapons. Source: JFK Library. Date Published: January 28, 2008. Description:* President John F. Kennedy speaking before the UN General Assembly on September 25, 1961. It's long past time for the hypocritical clowns who rule Israel, Pakistan, Germany, India, China, Russia, U.S, France, England, and whoever else that has nukes to get rid of them.

Riots Break Out In Front Of The Greek Parliament

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 16 hours ago

*Daily Mail*: *Is Greece about to burn its bridges with the Eurozone? Protestors hurl petrol bombs at riot police on the streets of Athens ahead of final deadline for bailout deal * * Violent protestors have hurled petrol bombs at riot police after surrounding the Greek parliament this evening * Police responded with tear gas against anti-austerity protestors who set ablaze parts of Syntagma square in Athens * Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras agreed to harsh austerity terms as part of an €86 billion bailout from Eurozone leaders * Greece's parliament looks likely to adopt reforms ahead... more »

Did The Pentagon Get What They Wanted In Yesterday's Iranian Nuclear Deal?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 16 hours ago

Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey and Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. Yuri Gripas / Reuters *Politico*: *How the Pentagon got its way in Iran deal* Restrictions on advanced military weapons sales to Iran will remain in place for five to eight years The Pentagon exerted key influence over one major sticking point in the final hours of the nuclear negotiations with Iran, according to current and former U.S. officials and diplomats: when to relax the international embargo on advanced military weapons to the Islamic Republic. As the talks entered the final stages, U.S. negotiators... more »

Top Iranian General Accussed Of Killing Hundreds Of Americans Will Benefit From Yesterday's Iranian Nuclear Deal

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 16 hours ago

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Commander Qassem Soleimani stands at the frontline during offensive operations against Islamic State militants in the town of Tal Ksaiba in Salahuddin province March 8, 2015. Reuters *Shane Harris, Daily Beast:* *Nuke Deal Helps Qasem Soleimani, The Top Iranian General With ‘American Blood on His Hands’* John Kerry denied it. So did Iran’s foreign minister. But the world’s most notorious spymaster stands to benefit—big time—from the accord with Tehran. Among the big winners in the agreement to curtail Iran’s nuclear program, count a notorious and shadowy... more »

In other news...

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 16 hours ago

Things aren't all bad with everything, you may be surprised to hear. Humanity has just achieved something special a few miles away from Earth, and it's a shame Sir Patrick wasn't still alive to see it... That's such a pretty picture, it even deserves to crash the right-hand side bar of this blog!

Supplemental: Same old story (SOS) on the achievement gap!

bob somerby at the daily howler - 16 hours ago

*WEDNESDAY, JULY 15, 2015Apparently clueless superintendent discusses the wonders of testing:* Nobody’s heading back to school yet. That said, we were struck by a puzzling essay in Sunday’s Washington Post—an essay from the head of the public schools in the state of Virginia. More specifically, we were struck by the incoherence of the piece—the type of fuzziness which has dominated such writing for decades. As she started, Virginia education secretary Anne Holton sounded an upbeat note, including a note from her own childhood. She said the state was determined to help its kids esc... more »

The individual must be incapacitated -- video interview with Denis Rancourt

Denis Rancourt at Activist Teacher - 17 hours ago

Julia Tourianski interviewed me about my book. This is a short summary statement captured at the end of the long interview. Brave The World also put out this meme on Twitter, which features a quote from my book:

Tonight's 'Moral Maze' on 'Whither the BBC?'

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 17 hours ago

It's a while since I've tuned into Radio 4's *The Moral Maze*. Back in its early days - the days of Rabbi Hugo Gryn - I was quite a devotee, but seem to have got completely out of the habit over the past decade or so. I was lured back today because the subject was "Whither the BBC?" and David Vance at *Biased BBC *had posted that either he or Alan would be on, so I was very keen to listen to that. Unfortunately, neither of them appeared after all. They must have been 'bumped'. (Stephen Glover from the *Daily Mail *and Ryan Bourne of IEA were on instead.) *Had* they been on the... more »

Amazing Photos of Little Boy at 25 Weeks Show Unborn Baby’s Humanity

Nancy Flory at The Stream - 17 hours ago

A viral video of little Ward Miller gives glory to God and supports the fact that all life is precious. Parents Benjamin and Lindsey were not expecting their unborn son Ward so early when he was unexpectedly born 3 1/2... The post Amazing Photos of Little Boy at 25 Weeks Show Unborn Baby’s Humanity appeared first on The Stream.

Paris protests Mexican President: Fuera Peña Nieto! Aytzinapa Resiste!

brendanorrell@gmail.com at CENSORED NEWS - 17 hours ago

Photos by Roger Nymo Paris July 14th 2015 – Fuera Peña Nieto! Ayotzinapa Resists! This July 14th [French National Day], many actions took place all day to protest against the participation of Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto, guest of honor of the National Day, anniversary of the French Revolution. Early in the morning, demonstrators rallied along the route of

Political Correctness Run Amok: Man Wears Confederate Flag Shorts In Canada, And Some CANADIANS Get Offended (!)

Northerntruthseeker at Northerntruthseeker - 17 hours ago

Knowing what I know about the true history of the United States, and especially its Civil War of 1861-1865, it is ridiculous to see so many Americans suddenly "offended" by the Confederate battle flag... Many of them are unaware or totally oblivious to the truth about the Confederate flag and how it actually stood for freedom from a tyrannical federal government.... As I stated in my last article, people everywhere should be flying that flag proudly rather that being brainwashed like fools into believing that it stood for "slavery" and "oppression" and should be taken down.... I th... more »

Sphere Alliance Message #17 Intra-Terra Portals are Available For Use

Obi-Wan Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 17 hours ago

As received by Denise... 15 July 2015 *I wasn’t planning to ask a question today because I am tired, but as I was reading some news I was also thinking “how does a portal work?” and I got* *“We are glad you asked!*” *So I cleared my space and declared that only messages of absolute, unconditional, pure love and truth are welcome.* *Yes we laugh at your hesitation. We are never too tired of you! You are tired, but this will not take long. How does a portal work? You asked. Firstly there are many types of portals and to go into the detail quantum mechanics and technical specif... more »

Free the Mind of the Burden of Others

Russell Duffy at GlobaLove Think Tank - 17 hours ago

Shamanic Chants that Call Upon Healing Spiritual Power

WTStaff at Waking Times - 17 hours ago

*Video - *Chants that call upon the spiritual powers beyond our visible reality and demonstrate the emotional bond between the shamans and the world of nature. The post Shamanic Chants that Call Upon Healing Spiritual Power appeared first on Waking Times.

Tupelo Daily Newspaper Won’t Accept Same-Sex Marriage Announcements

Nancy Flory at The Stream - 17 hours ago

After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage in the historic Obergefell v. Hodges case, several media outlets reverted and retreated to their ideological lines. The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, has garnered national attention in an article... The post Tupelo Daily Newspaper Won’t Accept Same-Sex Marriage Announcements appeared first on The Stream.

Jobless Teen Gives $10K Won in Talent Competition to Homeless Shelter

Nancy Flory at The Stream - 17 hours ago

Christian Hudson could have been $10,000 richer Saturday night after beating 11 competitors to take the top prize at the Stampede Talent Search. Instead, inspired by a few nights surrounded by Calgary’s homeless, he vowed he would donate the money to... The post Jobless Teen Gives $10K Won in Talent Competition to Homeless Shelter appeared first on The Stream.

The Moment to Turn Left

Spike EP at News Spike - 17 hours ago

*Donna and Rose on another Earth - * *or is it...?* *There's something on your back...*

The Economy: "Pope Francis Takes the Zombie Side"

noreply@blogger.com (CoyotePrime) at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 18 hours ago

*"Pope Francis Takes the Zombie Side"* by Bill Bonner PARIS – "The Dow rose 75 points yesterday. The press reported “growing confidence.” Investors believe the cronies have things under control. In China, the government has had some success in arresting the plunging stock prices, thanks to a barrage of interventions. And Greece and its creditors have kicked the can down the road so many times most investors are losing interest. *The Greatest Conflict of Our Time: *But the Great Zombie War goes on… Even Pope Francis has got involved… (More on that below.) It is the great conflict ... more »

Greek Tragedy

Bruce K. Gagnon at Organizing Notes - 18 hours ago

The Greek parliament has until the end of the day to swallow the austerity reforms demanded by the European creditors to get a third bailout. Two members from the finance ministry have already resigned over the bailout, comparing it to a tombstone. The government after all, came to power promising to put an end to austerity.

Is The Iranian Military Weak Or A Formidible Force?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 18 hours ago

Fars News/Reuters *Robert Beckhusen, War Is Boring*: *Stop Freaking Out — Iran’s Military Is Weak Even Without Sanctions* Tehran remains behind its regional rivals. Iran and the P5+1 coalition of six major powers have reached a historic deal to halt Tehran’s nuclear enrichment program. Some months from now, as Iran verifies compliance with the agreement, a series of debilitating international sanctions targeting the country’s economy and military will disappear. To be sure, the deal is good for the Iranian military. It will free Iran to make arms deals abroad, replace some of its... more »

An Analysis On The Iran Nuclear Deal

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 18 hours ago

*Photo:* Retired Adm. James Stavridis *Ashish Kumar Sen, Atlantic Council*: *Assessing the Iran Deal* Nuclear agreement will have 'strategic cost' for U.S. alliances in the Middle East, says Retired Adm. Stavridis The nuclear deal reached July 14 that limits Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief will have a significant impact on the United States’ alliances in the Middle East, says retired Adm. James Stavridis, a former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe. “I think you are going to see a great deal of strategic cost to the United States in our alliance structure... more »

House GOP Leaders Order Planned Parenthood Video Probe

Nancy Flory at The Stream - 18 hours ago

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has ordered a congressional investigation into Planned Parenthood, one day after an undercover video surfaced in which a high-level official discusses transferring the organs of aborted fetuses. Boehner is also urging the Obama administration “to... The post House GOP Leaders Order Planned Parenthood Video Probe appeared first on The Stream.

Dan Bacher: My Ten Point Plan to Stop Fracking and Ocean/Estuary Destruction In California

brendanorrell@gmail.com at CENSORED NEWS - 18 hours ago

800_stop_frackin_around_-... My Ten Point Plan to Stop Fracking and Ocean/Estuary Destruction In California by Dan Bacher Censored News In response to one of my articles about offshore fracking, a reader asked, "What can we do here right now?" So here's my ten point plan to fight fracking and the destruction of our oceans and estuaries by fracking and other harmful activities

Transpicuous News Midweek report

D ... Breaking The Silence at Removing The Shackles - 18 hours ago

.... I'll be going LIVE in 3 hours!! Transpicuous News Midweek Report, LIVE Stream on CCN at 11pm BDT/ 6pm EDT http://www.consciousconsumernetwork.tv/ccn-live/

Some to give away

risa bear at A Way to Live - 18 hours ago

This young lady has appeared among the blackberries a month ahead of schedule, along with the blackberries, which attract protein to her web: symbiotic. The ladybug was also after the prey insects but blundered into the threads and became prey as well. It's an opportunistic world out there. I suspected the ladybug would give the babies something to eat when they hatched out; and, sure enough a week later, there they were, arrayed in a rough circle around the edges of mom's prey-garden, each waiting for a gnat or cranefly for school lunchies. We try to leave well enough alone round... more »

President Obama SEETHES At Reporter For Mentioning Abandoned Americans In Iran During Today's Press Conference

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 18 hours ago

*WNU Editor:* Hmmm .... it is very easy to get under the skin of this U.S. President. A complete video of today's press conference has not been made available yet .... but I watched all of it live on the White House's YouTube channel .... and to put it bluntly .... the President was defensive, angry, and insulting to the reporters today. Now .... I am not a fan of the main stream media .... and White House correspondents are not really admired by the public .... but even I was surprised by how combative they were in today's press conference.Will this new "combative approach" from ... more »

UN: Syrian refugees to hit 4 million mark

Saman Mohammadi at The Excavator - 19 hours ago

*Photo Source.* *An excerpt from, "The Syrian Refugee Crisis Will Transform Middle East Politics" by Charles Glass, The Intercept, July 14, 2015:* The legacy of Syria’s refugee disaster awaits. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, António Gutteres, has just declared that 4 million Syrians are now refugees in neighboring countries. That is almost six times greater than the number who fled Palestine. Another 7.6 million Syrians, he says, have also lost their homes but remain destitute within Syria. Gutteres said, “This is the biggest refugee population from a single co... more »

Presenting The “Greek Terms Of Surrender” As Annotated By Yanis Varoufakis

Obi-Wan Kabuki at AMERICAN KABUKI - 19 hours ago

*Presenting The “Greek Terms Of Surrender” As Annotated By Yanis Varoufakis* By silveristhenew Published July 15, 2015 *The Greek “deal” has already been dubbed “a new Versailles Treaty” for good reason: for Greece, the agreement which effectively abdicates sovereignty to Germany, is precisely that.* And while few if any in Greece – and certainly its parliament – have carefully read the actual contents of the Summit statement, and instead are rushing to pass the deal with hopes that just approving its contents may lead to the ECB blessing a prompt reopening of banks so Greeks can... more »