10:35pm MDST
Faith-Based Football Drama ‘Woodlawn’ Set For Release
[image: Woodlawn movie still] Christian power couple Mark Burnett and Roma Downey weaved their talents onto the big screen once again as their faith-based football drama “Woodlawn” is set for release next month. “Woodlawn” stars Sean Astin and Jon Voight. The story is based... Continue reading *“Faith-Based Football Drama ‘Woodlawn’ Set For Release”* at *christiantoday.com*.
Catalonian Separatists Claim Victory In Regional Vote
*Reuters:* *Victorious Catalan separatists claim mandate to break with Spain* Separatists on Sunday won a clear majority of seats in Catalonia's parliament in an election that sets the region on a collision course with Spain's central government over independence. "Catalans have voted yes to independence," acting regional government head Artur Mas told supporters, with secessionist parties securing 72 out of 135 seats in the powerful region of 7.5 million people that includes Barcelona. The strong pro-independence showing dealt a blow to Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, thre... more »
Action In Oklahoma Politics
A couple of reality stars in Oklahoma Our old friend Tom Guild is running for the Oklahoma City congressional seat, going up against right-wing freshman Clyde "Steve" Russell. And although the Fifth District is the least red in Oklahoma-- PVI is R+12 and Obama scored 41% against both McCain and Romney-- it's a steep climb. But not an impossible one. Last time, the DCCC insisted on running a silly Republican-lite character, Al McAffrey, whom Russell pulverized 95,557-57,721 (60.1-36.3%). Since then, though, local area Democrats had some great news. When they ran Cyndi Munson, an act... more »
The War Of Words Between Iran And Saudi Arabia Over Haj Deaths Continues
*Reuters*: *Iran denounces Saudi Arabia over haj and demands apology* Iran demanded an apology from Saudi Arabia on Sunday over the deaths of 769 people at the haj pilgrimage and accused it of trying to evade blame, while Riyadh in turn accused Tehran of playing politics with the disaster. At least 155 Iranian pilgrims died in the crush of pilgrims on Thursday near Mecca and 300 other Iranians remain unaccounted for. Iranian officials say that, three days after the incident, they suspect most of the missing are dead too. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Muslim cou... more »
What Is Russian President Putin's Agenda At The United Nations This Week
Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting on agriculture in Rostov region, Russia, September 24, 2015. REUTERS/ALEXEI NIKOLSKY/RIA NOVOSTI/KREMLIN *Moscow Times*: *Putin Seeks Center Stage at UN Gathering* When Russian President Vladimir Putin takes the podium at the United Nations General Assembly on Monday for the first time in a decade, he is expected to put Syria and the fight against the Islamic State at the heart of his speech — and be looking to turn heads. An increased Russian military presence in Syria and a steady flow of Middle Eastern leaders flying into Moscow... more »
Musical Interlude: Leonard Cohen, “Anthem”
Leonard Cohen, “Anthem” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1HcpOtAYhc
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin in 360 degrees!
[image: image] Ever visited Frank Lloyd Wright’s own former home that he built in Wisconsin and dubbed *Taliesin*, i.e., ‘Shining Brow’? No, me either, yet. But now you can visit it online, in high-definition 360-degree photography, complete with commentary! It’s not the same thing as a real visit, but it’s pretty damn good to wander about the places even visitors don’t often see. *For instance, visitors aren't allowed in the Blue Loggia. Foot traffic would damage the irreplaceable Chinese rug, So they never see the balcony above or the rug up close. The virtual visitor can. ... more »
What is Chinese President Xi's Agenda This Week At The United Nations
China's President Xi Jinping laughs during the Global Leaders' Meeting on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment at the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan, New York, September 27, 2015. REUTERS/CARLO ALLEGRI *Qaurtz*: *Chinese president Xi Jinping will arrive at the UN armed with a list of things he wants changed* On Sept. 28, Xi Jinping will make his first speech as China’s president to the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Ahead of his talk, China’s foreign ministry helpfully published a list of amendments it would like to see the international body make, “so as... more »
Pitch Perfect 2 Movie Night!
“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #ThePitchesatWMT http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV” The Pitches are back! When Pitch Perfect 2 came out, we still hadn't seen the first one. My husband ended up going to the movie with a bunch of coworkers and then informed me that it was something that I HAD to see. We got our hands on the first one that night and laughed harder than we have in a long time. When the second one came out on video, we immediately pl... more »
What Is President Obama's Agenda At The U.N.
President Obama spoke at a United Nations meeting on global development concerns on Sunday. PHOTO: KEVIN LAMARQUE/REUTERS *Wall Street Journal:* *Obama to Press Growth, Climate Issues at U.N.What to Expect on Monday* *President to advance foreign-policy goals at General Assembly amid new challenges.* President Barack Obama’s appearance at the United Nations this week is essentially his last opportunity to use the high-profile global platform to press his foreign-policy agenda, which is facing new challenges as he enters his final year in office. Increasingly complex dynamics in a... more »
David Sirota Weighs In on CorpEd
A clip from Salon (minus links): . . . .For education, technology and charter school companies and the Wall Streeters who back them, it lets them cite troubled public schools to argue that the current public education system is flawed, and to then argue that education can be improved if taxpayer money is funneled away from the public school system’s priorities (hiring teachers, training teachers, reducing class size, etc.) and into the private sector (replacing teachers with computers, replacing public schools with privately run charter schools, etc.). Likewise, for conservative pol... more »
Bad News for the Testocracy
from the 2015 PDK/Gallup Poll on public attitudes toward the public schools:
"I have in my heart the stories of suffering and pain of the minors who were sexually abused by priests" (Pope Francis)
*"Words cannot fully express my sorrow for the abuse you suffered. I'm profoundly sorry that your innocence was violated by those you trusted."* - *- Pope Francis, to a gathering of abuse survivors today, in preparedremarks as released by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops* *"As with all things related to the Catholic Church, you have to listen to the words and then you have to watch what they do."* *-- abuse survivor John Salveson, president of theFoundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse* *by Ken* Earlier in the pope's visit, the victims of priestly sexual abuse and their defe... more »
Dealing with Mass Surveillance
A new report claims media freedom is declining in Europe, but what does that mean for the US? More whistleblowers are behind bars than ever before, as the government jails journalists for collecting ‘’sensitive” information. RT’s Brigida Santos has the details on how encryption can help the media take back freedom of expression.
The Greatest Political Show On Earth Begins Tomorrow
*The Guardian*:* UN's 70th general assembly: the greatest political show on earth* Eyes are on Vladimir Putin as Russian president attends event for the first time in more than a decade, joining more than 150 world leaders in New York. In geopolitics, this is the greatest show on earth. For the best part of a week, the world’s leaders – more than 150 of them – will mingle, bargain and argue over the state of the world at the UN general assembly in New York. For much of the proceedings, “show” is the operative word. When the presidents and prime ministers mount the green marble po... more »
Musical Interlude: Vangelis, “Alpha”; "The Pale Blue Dot"
Vangelis, “Alpha” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jG--3elufo • * "The Pale Blue Dot" * "Look again at that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and e... more »
"A Look to the Heavens"
A broad expanse of glowing gas and dust presents a bird-like visage to astronomers from planet Earth, suggesting its popular moniker - The Seagull Nebula. This portrait of the cosmic bird covers a 1.6 degree wide swath across the plane of the Milky Way, near the direction of Sirius, alpha star of the constellation Canis Major. * Click image for larger size.* Of course, the region includes objects with other catalog designations: notably NGC 2327, a compact, dusty emission region with an embedded massive star that forms the bird's head (aka the Parrot Nebula, above center). IC 2177 f... more »
The Poet: David Whyte, "The Opening of Eyes"
*"The Opening of Eyes"* "That day I saw beneath dark clouds The passing light over the water, And I heard the voice of the world speak out. I knew then as I have before, Life is no passing memory of what has been, Nor the remaining pages of a great book Waiting to be read. It is the opening of eyes long closed. It is the vision of far off things, Seen for the silence they hold. It is the heart after years of secret conversing Speaking out loud in the clear air. It is Moses in the desert fallen to his knees Before the lit bush. It is the man throwing away his shoes As if to enter heaven ... more »
“The Opposite Of Loneliness"
* “The Opposite Of Loneliness"* by joyin “The opposite of loneliness, it’s not togetherness. It is intimacy.” - Richard Bach, "The Bridge Across Forever" "When I read that line about intimacy in the book, it stood out for me. I’ve seen many couples who, despite being together all their lives, lack intimacy. I’ve heard about husbands and wives who barely speak to each other except to exchange tactical how-to’s throughout the day. Loneliness prevails in many households, and it’s not for lack of physical proximity between bodies. It’s for lack of intimate connections between hearts an... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Talca, Maule, Chile. Thanks for stopping by.
MNN. "MADE IN CANADA" INDIAN
http://mohawknationnews.com/blog/2015/09/27/made-in-canada-indian/
Chet Raymo, “On Saying ‘I Don't Know’"
*“On Saying ‘I Don't Know’"* by Chet Raymo "When Charles and Emma Darwin bought the house that would be their family home for forty years, at Downe, sixteen miles south of London, one of Charles' first improvements was to have the flints removed from the property's chalky meadow. The glassy stones were more than an agricultural nuisance; they were a puzzle to be solved. The countryside about Downe is pretty much pure chalk, and Darwin was confident he knew where the chalk came from: the calcerous deposits of the myriad planktonic organisms that lived in a sea that was once superinc...more »
"Never Being Afraid..."
''How do you know so much about everything?'' was asked of a very wise and intelligent man; and the answer was, ''By never being afraid or ashamed to ask questions as to anything of which I was ignorant.” - John Abbott
the great weed of 2015?
You will not be surprised to learn that Allan and I own a lot of books. And CDs. And even LPs! Many, many hundreds of each. We have culled our collection a bit over the years, out of necessity, but living in houses for the past 10 years, we expanded again without much thought. Now here we are in an apartment. It's a large apartment, to be sure, but we no longer have extra rooms where we can stash as much stuff as we like. And neither of us wants to fill up every inch of wall and floor space with books and music. Thus we are contemplating weeding our own library. And this is very ... more »
Outgoing Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dempsey Is Leaving At A Time When The U.S. Military Is Facing Numerous Challenges
U.S. President Barack Obama (C) sits down to a meeting with Defense Secretary Ash Carter (L) and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff U.S. Army General Martin Dempsey (R), for an update on U.S. efforts against the Islamic State (ISIS), at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia July 6, 2015. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst *James Kitfield, Politico*: *Martin Dempsey’s World Is Falling Apart* *The outgoing Joint Chiefs chairman bids farewell to an alliance beset by crises.* BERLIN—As his convoy sliced lights flashing through the busy streets of Berlin on a recent morning, Gen. Martin Dempsey c... more »
Against anonymous commenters
Mark Steyn attacks anonymous commenters too timid to put a name to their opinions. *Kathy Shaidle** and **Gavin McInnes* * have been discussing online anonymity. I agree with them. You’re not in the battle unless you put your name to it – and don’t give me that Scarlet Pimpernel stuff: you’re not riding out after dark on daring missions, you’re just reTweeting some bloke’s hashtag. Mr McInnes is withering about the cyber-warrior ethos – the butch pseudonym, the graphic-novel avatar. But, cumulatively, it’s making the Internet boring and ineffectual for everyone other than Is... more »
Ramble-lite
Oh yeah, naturally you’ll be wanting to know which were the most popular links from last Friday’s Ramble. And, naturally, you’ll be totally unsurprised about which is proving the most popular… 1. Shunga: Japanese Erotic Art from the 1600s – 1800s 2. The Pope and Climate Change: Ignoring the Hockey Sticks of Human History 3. What Motivates The Haters of Capitalism? 4. Veteran Meteorologist Joe Bastardi On Scandalous Letter By 20 Academics: “Reeks of Paranoia”…”Attempt To Silence Dissent” 5. Pope Francis Wrongly Blames Capitalism For Poverty 6. Warm is good... more »
Crash Bandicoot for the PlayStation
There was a time where new systems needed a whole stable of video game characters to give them that edge over the rivals. In the fourth generation (16-bit) era of games consoles, Nintendo and Sega came out on top partly because each had established a following for their big guns. Nintendo had Mario, Zelda, *Metroid*, and a range of more minor exclusives to hand. Sega retaliated with *Sonic the Hedgehog* and a pantheon of titles based around their arcade properties, or built from scratch as a me-tooism. Part of the reason why so many industry pundits bet against Sony to begin with wa... more »
Catalonia Goes To The Polls With Separatists Expected To Win
*ABC News (Australia)*: *Catalonia election: Separatists expected to win historic regional election in Spain's Catalonia* Catalans have voted in an election seen as crucial for Spain's future, with opinion polls pointing to a win by separatists who vow to declare the region independent by 2017. The drive to break the rich north-eastern region away from Spain and create a new state in Europe has prompted a fierce standoff with the Spanish government. Spanish prime minister Mariano Rajoy urged voters to return Catalonia to "normality" after three years of mounting separatist tensio... more »
Thousands Of Foreign Recruits Continue To Join The Islamic State
BBC *New York Times*: *Thousands Enter Syria to Join ISIS Despite Global Efforts* WASHINGTON — Nearly 30,000 foreign recruits have now poured into Syria, many to join the Islamic State, a doubling of volunteers in just the past 12 months and stark evidence that an international effort to tighten borders, share intelligence and enforce antiterrorism laws is not diminishing the ranks of new militant fighters. Among those who have entered or tried to enter the conflict in Iraq or Syria are more than 250 Americans, up from about 100 a year ago, according to intelligence and law enfor... more »
Stock up your fridge
When is a better time to talk about drinking beer, but on a Monday morning when all you can do is think about it This year, like every year, the Brewers Guild NZ awards give you a virtual list of beers to try over the next few hours months. Here’s the full list of gold medal and trophy winners to add to your fridge (although I’d advise treading lightly on some of those so-called NZ lagers … ) *International Lager Trophy* Lion Beck’s Gold DB Breweries Amstel Light Lager *New Zealand Lager Trophy* Panhead Custom Ales Port Road Pilsner Gold DB Breweries Tui 2.5 Gold Hawkes Bay Br... more »
Establishment Greed And Dysfunction Destroying American Democracy?
Long Island GOP crackpot Peter King went further than just calling the Liberty Caucus members who forced Boehner to retire "the crazies." He also told CNN's Dana Bash that "the time for appeasement is over." And who he's talking about appeasing are the Confederate slime and their allies who have taken over the Republican Party. King may think it's time to stop the appeasement, but Gerald Seib at the *Wall Street Journal* painted a picture this weekend of a considerably less determinative GOP establishment, more a victim than a shot-caller or, as he put it, shaking-- presumably with... more »
Keynesianism, market monetarism & Austro-classical compared [update 2]
Paul Krugman has a new post he says “summarises” Keynesian economics: 1. Economies sometimes produce much less than they could, and employ many fewer workers than they should, because there just isn't enough spending. Such episodes can happen for a variety of reasons; the question is how to respond. 2. There are normally forces that tend to push the economy back toward full employment. But they work slowly; a hands-off policy toward depressed economies means accepting a long, unnecessary period of pain. 3. It is often possible to drastically shorten this period of pain and greatl... more »
Sept. 27: A turning point in Canadian history - I hope.
In the United States today, 22% of all children live in poverty. And that's a very grudging figure for an even worse situation because poverty is defined as having less than half of what is required to reach basic living standards. Think that's overstated? Just google U.S. child poverty rate. Pick a site. Pick any site. 22% is the official figure. Compared to the figures for all of Europe, the U.S. is at the bottom along with Lithuania. Those children and their children for generations will never have a chance. Canada is somewhat better - but nothing to brag about with 13% of child... more »
what i'm reading: the doubt factory, a young-adult thriller by paolo bacigalupi
A thriller about public relations? And for teens? It sounds improbable, and *The Doubt Factory* by Paolo Bacigalupi is an improbably terrific book. Marrying a somersaulting plot with heart-pounding suspense to an unabashed political agenda and a hot love story, Bacigalupi has delivered a stunning youth read. On the political front, we contemplate "the place where big companies go when they need the truth confused. . . . when they need science to say what’s profitable, instead of what’s true.” All the tricks of the trade - astroturfing, fronts, false flags, sock puppets, money funn... more »
harper Defends Saudi Arms Deal ...
NOTE: I wish I knew html. Then I could edit the bizarre formatting that blogger has introduced for reasons known only to itself. Supposedly the geniuses at the heights of the Canadian political edifice don't think that human rights are a winning issue in Canada. That's why nobody really bothers to try to press the harpercons (or past Liberal administrations) about our fairly noxious record. Then, for a few days, surprise surprise, Canadians become outraged at the news of fleeing refugees drowning enmasse in the Mediterranean, and there's a bit of a blip. Then it's forgotten, becaus... more »
Untitled
*UK: Anxious parents 'breed generation of clueless children', says schools leader* Anxious parents are breeding a generation of “clueless” children who never experience any physical risks, a schools leader has warned. In an effort to protect them from physical and mental harms, parents are leaving children unable to cross the road or walk to school on their own when they reach senior school, according to David Hanson, chief executive of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS). Parents, he said, are also damaging children by wanting to live “precariously through their a... more »
Syrian Officials Are Confirming Reports That China Will Be Deploying Military Personnel To Join Russian Forces In Syria
Chinese president Xi Jinping and Russia's president Vladimir Putin. CNN *Intrastar*: *Chinese Military Experts and Troop Deployment to Syria : Joint Russian-Chinese Development* The situation is heating up in Syria yet again. If reports coming from Almasdar News are accurate, another troop deployment will soon be about to take place – in addition to the 2,000 Russian troops who arrived earlier this week. This time, however, the troops are coming from China. Leith Fadel of Almasdar News (the Arab Source), reported that China has now decided to commit troops and military aircraft to ... more »
Iraq Confirms That It Will Work With Syria, Iran, And Russia To Combat The Islamic State
*Al Jazeera*: *Iraq, Russia, Iran and Syria coordinate against ISIL* While Iraq has officially announced it is sharing intelligence with Russia, Syria and Iran, the cooperation is not new. The Iraqi military has officially announced it is to begin sharing "security and intelligence" information with Russia, Syria and Iran to help combat the advances of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group. A statement issued by the Iraqi Joint Operations Command said the countries would "help and cooperate in collecting information about the terrorist Daesh group (using the Arabi... more »
Russian President Putin And Chinese President Xi Will Be Staying At The Same Hotel In New York City
*Bloomberg*: *Xi, Putin Stay at Chinese-Owned Waldorf Obama Snubbed* Chinese President Xi Jinping leaves the White House, where he discussed the theft of commercial secrets, and heads to New York to check in tonight at the Waldorf Astoria, where his privacy is sure to be guaranteed by the hotel’s new Chinese owners. On Sunday, Xi will be joined by Russia’s Vladimir Putin, who also picked the Waldorf for his first stay in Manhattan in a decade, according to diplomats preparing for the Eurasian leaders’ address to the annual seven-day session of the United Nations General Assembly. ...more »
Capital taxes are double-plus taxes.
*“A tax on capital income is equivalent to a tax on current consumption combined with a higher tax on future consumption, and so cannot in any relevant sense be said to tax everything equally.” ** Discuss. ------------------------------ *** Stephen Landsburg, summarising D. McCloskey, in his article ‘McCloskey at Chicago’ Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Please contact author for permission to republish: (organon at ihug.co.nz)
Russia, Syria, and the Costs of Inaction in Ukraine
The ominous Russian military buildup in Syria represents the most significant projection of force beyond the territory of the former Soviet Union since the old Cold War. It will allow Russia to keep the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad in power in Syria, effectively negating the new diplomatic path toward resolution of the regional sectarian […]
Rightwing Nuthouse: "5 Nuttiest Right-Wing Moments This Week
*"5 Nuttiest Right-Wing Moments This Week*: * 'Respectable' Marco Rubio Spins Insane Conspiracy Theory"* by Janet Allon "The Pope came to Washington and spoke some sense this week, but hard-right Christians didn't seem to get the message. Here are five unhinged moments from some of the men who would be president. *1. Marco Rubio digs in deep with insane thoughts about women and abortion. *Cloaked in a veneer of respectability and so-called sanity, Marco Rubio manages to say some of the most stunningly crazy things about women and abortion. During an interview with an Iowa TV station... more »
"How It Really Is"
*Meanwhile...* *Same as it ever was, and will be...*
"Mystery of the 'Golden Ratio' Explained"
*"Mystery of the 'Golden Ratio' Explained"* by Richard Merritt "DURHAM, N.C. - The Egyptians supposedly used it to guide the construction the Pyramids. The architecture of ancient Athens is thought to have been based on it. Fictional Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon tried to unravel its mysteries in the novel "The Da Vinci Code." "It" is the golden ratio, a geometric proportion that has been theorized to be the most aesthetically pleasing to the eye and has been the root of countless mysteries over the centuries. Now, a Duke University engineer has found it to be a compelling spr... more »
Pope to Prisoners: I Stand Before You a Brother
[image: Pope Francis embraces an inmate as he meets with prisoners at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia, on September 27, 2015. Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst *Editors: This photo may only be republished with RNS-POPE-PRISONERS, originally transmitted on Sept. 27, 2015.] PHILADELPHIA (RNS) It was a meeting of preachers and prisoners, of tattoos and crosses, of caregivers and criminals. Pope Francis visited with 95 inmates at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility here, bringing with him a message of redemption, hope and encouragement. "I am... more »
Untitled
*Saints back-up quarterback Luke McCown is excited about his opportunity to start Sunday at Carolina ~Joel A. Erickson, N.O. Advocate * *City tests permeable concrete to reduce street flooding ~Susan Buchanon, Louisiana Weekly *
Let's make ALL the girls and women wear niqab, RIGHT?!
Now that I have your attention, my point is that Harper and the CPC are cravenly using the niqab to push hot buttons during this election. The political cartoon above suggests the niqab issue will provide Harper with a "wind at his back" which he needs desperately needs to win the election race. There are dozens of institutions that oppress women. The niqab is the least of them but Harper's Attack Dingo™ Lynton Crosby has found one with formidable scaremongering OPTICS, right? Susan Delacourt unpacks CPC doublespeak with regard to the niqab. Rational people and critics of H... more »
Migration 25, Creating new island-countries to address refugee crisis
On the refugee crisis in Europe (mainly coming from Syria) and East Asia (mainly coming from Myanmar). One possible solution is for the EU and ASEAN countries to buy one island respectively, and put all the refugees there. That island should become a new country someday with its own government and territory. Meantime, EU and ASEAN countries, other countries outside the respective unions, theUN and multilateral, foreign aid agencies should chip in and help, plus individuals and civil society assistance, will give foreign and humanitarian aid to those islands of refugees. The aid is s... more »
Is Capitalism UnChristian?
[image: capitalism] I don't believe the Bible mandates a specific economic system. Capitalism is not required by Christianity. But Christian principles do undergird capitalism. And the biggest of these is capital itself. When we hear "capital" we think of money. But that's not... Continue reading *“Is Capitalism UnChristian?”* at *thegospelcoalition.org*.
Disasters, Displacements and Human Rights Conference
I was supposed to attend this conference this weekend but an abscess in my jaw led to surgery and I had to Skype in my presentation on Fukushima and nuclear dispossession: THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE, KNOXVILLE SECOND CONFERENCE IN DISASTERS, DISPLACEMENT, AND HUMAN RIGHTS (DDHR): “BRIDGING THE COLLABORATIVE GAP” SEPTEMBER 25-27 2015 http://web.utk.edu/~anthrop/ddhr15.html Missing the conference was very disappointing because the attendees are people who care about what happens to displaced people. I was able to Skype in my presentation but mi... more »
Sunday Classics snapshots: In D.C., still no Lincoln -- or even a Boccanegra
*Leonard Warren as Simon Boccanegra* I weep for you, for the peaceful sun on your hillsides, where the olive branches bloom in vain. I weep for the deceptive gaiety of your flowers, and I cry to you "Peace!" I cry to you "Love!" *Leonard Warren (b), Simon Boccanegra; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Fritz Stiedry, cond. Live performance, Jan. 28, 1950* *Lawrence Tibbett (b), Simon Boccanegra; Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Ettore Panizza, cond. Live performance, Jan. 21, 1939* *by Ken* The great political chronicler Richard Reeves titled his book about the start of the post-Nixon (i.e... more »
"Living In The Moment"
* "Living In The Moment"* By Frederic Premji "I was going through the excellent book by Eckhart Tolle, "The Power of Now" (which is one of my all time favorite books) and I came across an interesting passage about the amount of time and energy people spend on past and future events, instead of focusing on the present moment. Everyone agrees, that the older you get, the quicker life seems to be. I remember a summer in between school years when I was 10 years old felt like forever, while now, I don’t even see the summers go by. Think back about your time between grades 2-7 for exampl... more »
"The Only Way To Know..."
"There's a truth deeper than experience. It's beyond what we see, or even what we feel. It's an order of truth that separates the profound from the merely clever, and the reality from the perception. We're helpless, usually, in the face of it; and the cost of knowing it, like the cost of knowing love, is sometimes greater than any heart would willingly pay. It doesn't always help us to love the world, but it does prevent us from hating the world. And the only way to know that truth is to share it, from heart to heart, just as Prabhakar told it to me, just as I'm telling it to you n... more »
What I've Been Reading Recently 2
Another episode in an occasional series. Since last time I've read: *I Married a Communist* by Philip Roth *The Jungle Book* by Rudyard Kipling *What is a Social Movement?* by Hank Johnston *The God of Small Things* by Arundhati Roy *Old Goriot* by Honoré de Balzac *A Confederate General from Big Sur* by Richard Brautigan *Social Movements in Global Politics* by David West *A Hazard of New Fortunes* by Dean Howells *Trout Fishing in America* by Richard Brautigan *Middlesex* by Jeffrey Eugenides *Their Eyes Were Watching God* by Zora Neale Hurston *The Back Passage* by James Lear *Strangers... more »
Preview: Putin Interview w Charlie Rose Airing Tonight
If you are interested? Watch the full interview with Putin tonight on 60 minutes I've rounded up some excerpts that have been reported on prior to air time There are also brief video clips available at CBS *CBS-* *Reuters* & *Russia beyond the headlines* Image from Russia Beyond the Headlines *Charlie Rose spent time with Putin while on assignment for "60 Minutes," and asked him about Russia's intentions in Syria.* *Charlie Rose: *So you would like to join the United States in the fight against ISIS? That's part of why you're there. Others think that while that may be part of your... more »
We Are Seeing The Putin Doctrine In Action
*Lamont Colluci, Weekly Standard:* *The Putin Doctrine in Action* Unlike American presidential doctrines, Russian doctrines tend to go unnoticed by the western media or are often dismissed as propaganda. This is curious, as the Russians, and before this the Soviets, are not known for hyperbole in geopolitics as they are in the ideological arena. For example, the Brezhnev Doctrine, which condemned Eastern Europe to Soviet domination was brutally enforced by the Soviet military and KGB. Now there is a Putin doctrine that counters the Obama Doctrine in every way. *WNU Editor*: I alwa... more »
A Look At The History Of Past Putin - Obama Face-To-Face Meetings
Obama and Putin, not on the same page. (Photo: Reuters) *Washington Post*: *Putin and Obama: A brief history of painfully awkward face-to-face meetings* After what has been described as "repeated requests" by the White House, President Obama has agreed to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Monday. It will be a relatively rare face-to-face meeting for two of the most powerful political leaders in the world. While the pair talk on the phone with relatively frequency, they have not met in person recently. Many of their pre... more »
Russian President Putin Criticizes US Policy In Syria Ahead Of Tomorrow's Meeting With President Obama
*Reuters*: *U.S. support for Syria rebels illegal, Putin says ahead of Obama meeting* Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday branded U.S. support for rebel forces in Syria as illegal and ineffective, saying U.S.-trained rebels were leaving to join Islamic State with weapons supplied by Washington. In an interview with U.S. networks recorded ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Barack Obama, Putin said Syrian President Bashar al-Assad deserved international support as he was fighting terrorist organizations. Obama and Putin are scheduled to talk on Monday after Putin addresses... more »
Dalai Lama Says That Any Female Successor Would Have to be ‘Attractive’
[image: Dalai Lama Says That Any Female Successor Would Have to be 'Attractive'] To his millions of fans in the West, he is the living, breathing embodiment of humanity and compassion. But if stepping into the Dalai Lama‘s shoes was not a tough enough act already, he has now laid down an extra... Continue reading *“Dalai Lama Says That Any Female Successor Would Have to be ‘Attractive’”* at *telegraph.co.uk*.
The Universe
“There is always something to be happy about. Truly happy. And if you have the audacity to find it and the courage to make it your focus, in spite of the countless temptations to do otherwise, you will have learned well, your life will be transformed, and all things will be added unto you. Trust me, I have connections.” "End" game, The Universe "Thoughts become things, choose the good ones." - http://www.tut.com
"What Is Hope?"
"What Is Hope?" by Rubin Alves "What is hope? It is the pre-sentiment that imagination is more real and reality is less real than it looks. It is the hunch that the overwhelming brutality of facts that oppress and repress us is not the last word. It is the suspicion that reality is more complex than the realists want us to believe. That the frontiers of the possible are not determined by the limits of the actual; and in a miraculous and unexplained way, life is opening creative events which will light the way to freedom and resurrection. But the two - suffering and hope - must live... more »
France Launches Air Strikes Against The Islamic State In Syria
*VOA*: *France Launches Airstrikes Against IS Targets in Syria* France said Sunday it had launched its first airstrikes against the Islamic State militants in Syria. A statement from the office of French President Francois Hollande said the strikes were conducted early Sunday and were coordinated with France's regional partners. Earlier this month, France had begun reconnaissance flights over Syria. Hollande's statement said information about the targets of Sunday's airstrikes was gathered from that surveillance. *More News On France Launching Air Strikes Against The Islamic Sta... more »
Northerntruthseeker Rant For Sunday, September 27th, 2015
[image: rant-jpeg-b] Sunday.... And again it is time for my weekly rant.. Honestly, I really do hate getting sick....I had hoped that what hit my son last weekend that laid him up for days would not affect me, but as usual I was wrong.... What ever this "bug" is hit me like a ton of bricks starting Wednesday and indeed has left me with a wicked head cold and inflamed sinuses.... I was able to fire off one article on this blog last Thursday, but much to the chagrin of my better half that recommended that I do not write but instead take the time to actually get some rest and fight of... more »
Eli Broad's California Strategy, Part 2: Shrinking Organized Labor and Increasing Control of Parents
Broad's plan to claim half of Los Angeles schools over the next 8 years for corporate welfare charter companies is specific in its grandiosity. See Part 1 here. The first chart below shows the Broadie vision for how paternalistic "no excuses" charters will replace the most vulnerable public schools. By 2023, Broadies expect the number of charter students in corporate reform schools to outnumber those students in public schools. As apartheid charter schools replace highest poverty and lowest scoring publics, the number of union members will also decline, as the chart below shows. ... more »
"Hope"
“Hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.” - Walter Scott, “Lady of the Lake” (1810), Canto IV, Stanza 1.
Musical Interlude: Kevin Kern, “Another Realm”
Kevin Kern, “Another Realm” - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4a2JtNQublQ
From Leave It to Beaver to Game of Thrones
[image: Leave it to Beaver scene__900] If an intelligent being from another planet wanted to gauge the moral condition of America based on the recent Emmy Awards, what conclusions would that alien draw? Aside from the dazzling fashion display on the red carpet -- what odd,... more »
The U.S. Is Pushing Iraq To Retake The City Of Ramadi
Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com *Reuters:* *U.S. urges Iraqi forces to move 'as quickly as possible' to retake Ramadi* The United States is encouraging Iraqi forces to move to retake the city of Ramadi from Islamic State militants "as quickly as possible" to deny them the chance to regroup, a U.S. military spokesman said on Friday. The militants seized Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province, in May, extending its control over the Euphrates valley west of Baghdad and handing the Iraqi army its worst defeat since June 2014 when Islamic State swept through northern Iraq. T... more »
Notre Dame Undefeated When the Pope is in America
[image: Notre Dame football] During the team’s pep rally on Friday, the speaker made a big deal of telling the crowd that the Irish have gone undefeated in every game they’ve played during those visits. According to the Associated Press, they’ve gone 4-0. Here... Continue reading *“Notre Dame Undefeated When the Pope is in America”* at *masslive.com*.
Supreme Court Justices Could Review Nonprofits’ Contraceptives Objection
[image: Supreme Court-400] Religion, birth control and President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul are about to collide at the Supreme Court yet again. Faith-affiliated charities, colleges and hospitals that oppose some or all contraception as immoral are battling the administration over rules that... Continue reading *“Supreme Court Justices Could Review Nonprofits’ Contraceptives Objection”* at *abcnews.go.com*.
As Many as A Million Expected for Pope’s Last Mass in U.S.
[image: Pope Francis Phildelphia Popemobile_900] PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Greeted by throngs of cheering faithful at every turn, Pope Francis is capping his whirlwind visit to the United States in an entirely fitting way -- Mass for the masses on Philadelphia’s grandest boulevard -- while also... more »
Pope Francis Shares Stage with Queen of Soul, Bocelli
[image: Pope Francis watches Aretha Franklin perform during the Festival of Families on September 26, 2015 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.] PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Pope Francis and an admiring throng of thousands enjoyed a little music from the Queen of Soul, Andrew Bocelli and others at the end of his first day in Philadelphia on his first-ever U.S. tour. Aretha Franklin... more »
Bill Nye, the Bad Science Guy
[image: Bill Nye] NARAL Pro-Choice America posted a video featuring Bill Nye giving his views on abortion. Throughout the roughly four and a half minutes, Nye says pro-lifers have a "deep scientific lack of understanding" and hold positions "based on bad science." He... Continue reading *“Bill Nye, the Bad Science Guy”* at *blog.secularprolife.org*.
101 Iranian-American Scholars Warn The White House That The Iran Regime Is Still As Brutal As Ever
Iranian President Hassan Rouhani delivering speech at plenary session during the Asian African Conference in Jakarta. *Brian Booker, Digital Journal*: *Iranian-American scholars blast Rouhani in letter to Obama* While Iran has been enjoying improved publicity following the conclusion of nuclear talks, 101 Iranian-American scholars are warning that the regime remains as brutal as ever. Iran is moving ever closer to normalized relations with the United States and the rest of the world, following the conclusion of negotiations over the country's nuclear ambitions. While current Irani... more »
Democrats Have To Be Careful Not To Nominate An Unelectable Candidate
The Clinton machine tried the inevitability thing again this year. And when that didn't work, they tried an "electability" argument. But that isn't working either. The Republicans-- with media allies like MSNBC's *Morning Joe*, not to mention Fox News and Hate Talk Radio-- have been overwhelmingly successful in painting her as an unlikable, untrustworthy character whom voters don't think should be president. A lot could change in the next year, of course, but that means they could change for the better or for the worse. In any case, new polling for New Hampshire released by WMUR ... more »
Election Day -Spain ( September 27 , 2015 ) - Voters In Catalonia head to the polls in a historic Regional Election , examining the background and history of Catalonia quest for independence ....... Greece In Focus - Updates as to the ongoing refugee crisis , economic data , MOU reform steps needed to free up bailout funds , update as to the condition of the banking system ....... The Global Refugee Crisis - A Thirty Thousand Foot View !
Tweets Of The Day ........ *The Spain Report* @thespainreport 1m 1 minute ago So taking the three together, not a huge difference in the pro-indy vote between 2012 and 2015: [image: Embedded image permalink] *Vincenzo Scarpetta* @LondonerVince 2m 2 minutes ago Coalition of pro-independence parties far from a done deal. Catalonia looks set for short-term political instability. #27S *El PaÃs in English* @elpaisinenglish 6m 6 minutes ago Secessionist CUP, which will be key to next Catalan leader's election, warns that premier Mas "is not indispensa... more »
Quarter Three Local By-Election Results 2015
Party Number of Candidates Total Vote % +/- Q2 Average/ contest +/- Q2 +/- Seats Conservative 59 26,443 22.1% -13.6% 448 -1,050 +2 Labour 56 36,884 30.9% -1.1% 659 -684 -1 LibDem 44 11,498 9.6% +0.6% 261 -323 +4 UKIP 48 7,578 6.3% -3.0% 158 -438 -2 Green 39 6,297 5.3% +0.3% 161 -257 -2 SNP* 13 24,649 20.6% +17.4% 1,896 -2,170 +1 PC** 5 1,616 1.4% +0.5% 323 -234 0 TUSC 5 264 0.2% +0.1% 53 -19 0 Ind*** 21 2,333 3.5% -0.5% 111 ... more »
This Is Why The South China Sea Dispute Is Important
A map shows different nation's claims to the South China Sea. *Business Insider/BRIC+*: *The South China Sea is way more important than anyone realizes* Robert Kaplan, one of the foremost experts on China, stated “The South China Sea will be the 21st Century’s defining battleground.” Unlike the Persian Gulf, which has widespread recognition due to its significance to oil, the South China Sea is shrouded in obscurity and rarely discussed. Despite its crucial importance to geopolitics, little is known about this marginal sea surrounded by littoral nations vying for supremacy over it... more »
A Look At Who Calls The Shots In China
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *Zero Hedge*:* Who Calls The Shots In China* As documented here and elsewhere, in addition to the Pope and Putin, the third world leader US president Obama is "historically" meeting this week is China's President, and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist party, Xi Jinping. But just like everywhere else, the president is mostly a figurehead for far greater political and primarily financial interests backing him. So who calls the shots in China? The following infographc lays out the key power divisions of political, economic and financial power in... more »
Untitled
*Big British power generator pulls out of Government's £1bn green energy project* Drax blames cuts in support for renewable energy for its decision not to build a carbon capture and storage facility next to its North Yorkshire power station A £1bn green energy plan backed by the Government has been dealt a major blow after one of the UK’s top power companies pulled out of the project. Drax blamed cuts in support for renewable energy for its decision not to build a carbon capture and storage facility next to its North Yorkshire power station. "We’ve also got concerns about the go... more »
Has Rubio Figured Out How to Take on Trump?
[image: Marco Rubio - 400] The Internet is a fickle place. For weeks, it lavished attention on the storyline that Jeb Bush was destined to play the role of chief antagonist to Donald Trump -- Jeb would be Sherlock Holmes to Trump's Professor Moriarty, bravely... Continue reading *“Has Rubio Figured Out How to Take on Trump?”* at *washingtonpost.com*.
A Look Inside The Pentagon's Program To Build A Super Soldier
*Annie Jacobsen, The Atlantic: **Engineering Humans for War* *Inside the Pentagon’s efforts to create a super-soldier—and change the future of the battlefield* Retired four-star general Paul F. Gorman recalls first learning about the “weakling of the battlefield” from reading S.L.A. Marshall, the U.S. Army combat historian during World War II. After interviewing soldiers who participated in the Normandy beach landings, Marshall had learned that fatigue was responsible for an overwhelming number of casualties. “I didn’t know my strength was gone until I hit the beach,” Sergeant Bru... more »
Conservatives to 2016 GOP Field: Defy Us at Your Peril
[image: ted cruz - 900] WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Republican Party’s conservative wing, pumped up by House Speaker John Boehner’s stepping down, is warning the 2016 presidential candidates that defying its wishes will come at their peril. Religious activists forcefully conveyed this message Saturday: embrace... more »
The Myth That Links Poor Families to Fast Food
[image: fast food] Among many moth-eaten perceptions about the American diet is one that links the disproportionate consumption of fast food to low-income families. Back in 2011, a national study by a team at UC Davis concluded that as American salaries grow into... Continue reading *“The Myth That Links Poor Families to Fast Food”* at *theatlantic.com*.
Women Now Control More Than Half of US Personal Wealth
[image: Marissa Meyer] Women have overtaken men and now control more than half of all U.S. wealth and will likely take an even bigger piece of the pie in coming years, a new study has revealed. About 51 percent, or $14 trillion, of... Continue reading *“Women Now Control More Than Half of US Personal Wealth”* at *businessinsider.com*.
BERNIE SANDERS GRASS ROOTS CANDIDATE
Think big...stay smallReturn free enterprise to the people. If there are factories setting idle and people unemployed, then turn them over to the people who live there and let them build practical products designed at the grass roots...G% ZZZZZzzzzzz.....
Boehner’s Departure Raises Question: Can House GOP Be Led?
[image: Faith Freedom] WASHINGTON (AP) -- The gulf between tea party conservatives and establishment Republicans has grown so wide that it just swallowed up the speaker of the House and may threaten the entire Republican Party and Congress itself. The question now is... more »
Supermoon Plus Eclipse Equals Rare Sky Show Sunday Night
[image: 304_lunar_transit_14-00_ut_0] CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Get ready for a rare double feature, starring our very own moon. A total lunar eclipse will share the stage with a so-called supermoon Sunday night or early Monday, depending where you are. That combination... more »
Harper History – Conclusion, Index
It is all but impossible to cover all the things that the Harper Regime has done to diminish our democratic institutions or the contempt that he has shown for democratic conventions in a few paragraphs. From the shutting down of parliament to suit his political purposes to instructing committee chairs on how to disrupt or delay proceedings, from not permitting any government employee or spokesman to say a word with express approval from his censors in the PMO, from his refusal to answer any but 'approved' questions from the press (and only three per carefully controlled 'photo opp... more »
BBC gleefully slams Taiwan and misses key political point, while Reuters makes one
*"Good day, sir," Drake said formally. "I must be off to New York, and your welfare is really not a major concern in my life.""Good day," Lovecraft said, rising with Colonial courtesy. "Since you have been so good as to give me a warning, I will return the favor. I do not think your interest in these people is based on a wish to oppose them, but to serve them. I beg you to remember their attitude toward servants."* Reuters reports that China is angered by Tsai's upcoming visit to Japan. Tsai visited the United States this year, which also angered China. Many people in Taiwan, wh... more »
Supermoon Plus Eclipse Equals Rare Sky Show Tonight
[image: eclipse - 400] Get ready for a rare double feature this weekend, starring our very own moon. A total lunar eclipse will share the stage with a so-called supermoon Sunday night or early Monday, depending where you are. That combination hasn't been seen... Continue reading *“Supermoon Plus Eclipse Equals Rare Sky Show Tonight”* at *seattletimes.com*.
#DCPS as an all-charter district?
This, according to the Washington Post. I say no, absolutely no. In many cases, charter schools are operated by for-profit entities with boards and shareholders. By law, the rights of shareholders are protected. But in the process of ensuring adequate profits on investments, they are forgetting that they are providing education and not the manufacture of […]
Yet another view of the war crimes of the U.S. and its NATO puppets: "The NATO alliance has been conducting a war of aggression against Syria since 2011 when it succeeded in destroying Libya and it was responsible for the waves of humanity who fled the NATO bombing and who now flee the Takfiri militants NATO used as their auxiliaries." Recently the U.S. asked both Greece and Bulgaria to block Russian flights over their air space headed for Syria. Only Russia now stands between the the Syrian People and the NATO-Saudi, Israeli auxiliaries who are fighting in Syria under the acronyms ISIS or ISIL or Al Qaeda. "One has to ask, where are the American and European relief supplies for the Syrian people?" "The attempt to blockade the delivery of humanitarian assistance amounts to a war crime under international law, including the the Geneva Conventions, the Nuremburg Principles and the Statute of Rome that sets out the definitions of war crimes under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court."
------------------------------ US Blockade of Syria: A War Crime By Christopher Black Region: Europe, Middle East & North Africa, Russia and FSU, USA Global Research, September 25, 2015 New Eastern Outlook 24 September 2015 Theme: United Nations, US NATO War Agenda *The news that the United States asked both Greece and Bulgaria to block Russian flights over their air space headed for Syria is a logical extension of the criminality of the aggression against Syria being conducted by the NATO powers and their allies in the region. The NATO alliance has ... more »
On The Way Out
https://www.pinterest.com/ It's not easy to tell the truth -- particularly when people don't want to hear it. Linda McQuaig caused something of a political firestorm awhile back for suggesting that -- if we're really serious about climate change -- most of the black goo in northern Alberta will have to stay in the ground. Yonatan Strauch and Thomas Homer-Dixon write that the numbers back up McQuaig: The math says that having a safe climate requires leaving huge oil reserves in the ground. To avert warming so catastrophic we can’t ada... more »
Rail Phantom: Russia Developing Invisible 'Death Trains' With Nukes
[image: BZhRKs]For the first time since 2005, Russia is set to resume the manufacturing of its "death trains" - covert railway complexes with ballistic missiles - but on a higher technological level which will make them even more untraceable now. The Soviet Union decided to produce combat railway missile complexes (BZhRKs) with ballistic missiles in 1969 in response to the US' powerful system of nuclear-capable submarines. The USSR operated 12 BZhRKs with three missile launchers each, and it was an efficient and intimidating solution. The vehicles travelled across the system of rai... more »
Chinese Super Manoeuvrable Air-to-air Missile Closer to Deployment
[image: J-20 Powerful Dragon carrying PL-10 AAM]China’s short-range air-to-air missile, the PL-10, which has been test fired 30 times, is close to deployment abroad fighter jets such as the J-20 and the J-11. The PL-10 is ‘nearly ready’ according to comments made by Liang Xiaogeng, chief designer of the Luoyang Electro-Optical Research Institute, which designed the missile. The missile has largely competed development and testing on various aerial platforms, the designer added. This new missile is fitted with a multi-element imaging infrared seeker with anti-jamming capabilities, we... more »
Rafale talks to take one more month: defence sources
[image: Dassault Rafale]Talks between India and France about the Rafale fighter jets is going on at a "hectic" pace and is likely to be wrapped up in one month, top defence sources said. "The talks have been very hectic. There are a lot of fine prints that both sides look into. The talks will most likely take one more month," defence sources told PTI. "The French side is here three times every month and every effort is on to wrap up the talks fast," they said. Read more
Russia's T-50 5th Generation Fighter Jets to Enter Service in 2017
[image: Su T-50 PAK-FA]The T-50 is currently undergoing flight tests that have so far been successful, Bondarev said. Previous reports stated that the aircraft would enter into service in 2016. “Under the program, we will finish testing next year and will begin to receive the T-50 jets in 2017," Bondarev said. According to Bondarev, the aircraft fully meets the requirements. Read more
China may launch Type 001A carrier on Mao's birthday: report
[image: Type 001A aircraft carrier]China is ready to launch its first domestically built aircraft carrier, known as the Type 001A, on Dec. 26 to mark the 122th birthday of Mao Zedong, according to Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao on Sept. 24. President Xi Jinping reportedly visited the Dalian Shipyard to inspect the progress of work on the carrier in August. The shipyard had previously overseen the retrofitting of the Varyag, China's first aircraft carrier purchased as a hulk from Ukraine and finally commissioned in 2012 as the Liaoning. Read more
Viraat to make a last call at Kochi
The world’s oldest aircraft carrier in service, INS Viraat (R 22), will make one last visit to the Cochin Shipyard, which has carried out some 12 cycles of routine refit of the vessel, by the middle of next year for its decommissioning refit. Also flying into sunset will be its integral, now depleted, fleet of Sea Harrier jump jets. “They — the Harriers and the carrier — have a symbiotic relationship and it’s in the fitness of things to phase out both together,” Captain Rajesh Pendharkar, commanding officer of Viraat , told the media on board the vessel, which is slated to set cou... more »
Repairs in Subic Bay urgent for air support in West PH Sea row
Plans to renovate an air base near Manila, enabling Philippine fighter jets to respond quickly to any Chinese moves in the disputed West Philippine Sea, may face delays due to a spending ban before general elections, a senior official said on Friday (September 25). New fighter jets and two frigates are to be stationed at the former U.S. naval facility in Subic Bay northwest of the capital from early next year, the first time the massive installation will have functioned as a military base in 23 years. Robert Garcia, chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority — which is overseein... more »
The Super Blood Moon Eclipse
*Scientific American:* *Sunday's "Supermoon" Total Lunar Eclipse: When and Where to See It* The evening of September 27 will be the fourth time in the last 17 months that the moon becomes immersed in the Earth's shadow. On the evening of Sept. 27, the moon will once again become immersed in the Earth's shadow, resulting in a total lunar eclipse─the fourth such event in the last 17 months, As with all lunar eclipses, the region of visibility for Sunday's blood-moon lunar eclipse will encompass more than half of our planet. Nearly 1 billion people in the Western Hemisphere, nearly ... more »
INS Trikand to visit Toulon
[image: INS Trikant (F50)]In continuation of Indian Navy’s overseas deployment to West Asia, Africa and Europe, INS Trikand entered Toulon on Saturday for a three-day visit. The ship will engage extensively with the French Navy during its stay in the country. Apart from professional interaction, a number of sports and social engagements are also planned, which would go a long way in enhancing cooperation and understanding towards mutually beneficial issues of maritime interest. The Indian and French Navies routinely undertake bilateral maritime exercises known as VARUNA which is t... more »
Stranded: Ageing British nuclear submarine in top-secret mission is undergoing repairs off the coast of Iran
A British nuclear submarine has been caught on camera after it apparently became stricken with technical problems while on a top-secret mission in one of the most dangerous parts of the world. Satellite images show the Royal Navy vessel undergoing repairs at a port less than 100 nautical miles from Iran. The nuclear-powered submarine is pictured docked at Fujairah, one of the United Arab Emirates, in the politically sensitive seaway of the Gulf of Oman. Read more
Office for National Statistics reports show Conservative Party claims of lowering personal taxes are an illusion. Personal taxes actually increased since 2010!
One month before the UK General Election in May 2015 David Cameron, warming up for a post prime ministerial career as a game-show host, announced it was "Money Back Monday". On that first day of the 2015-16 tax year Cameron declared: "Today is a big day for our country. It's 'money-back Monday' - a day when, quite simply, hard working taxpayers get to keep more of their own cash. A whole host
Justin Trudeau, Thomas Mulcair, Canadians Need To Hear About A Return To Democracy
*Written by Grant G * The Straight Goods has been deliberately quiet on the federal election, sort of, I`m not prepared to endorse either Thomas Mulcair or Justin Trudeau, I am however continually highlighting the evil that exists in Stephen Harper and his reform ultra rightwing base.. Tom Mulcair wants to bring in affordable quality daycare and his goal deserves merit, ..remember the days of large families with stay at home moms, average Joe worker could support a wife, home and a basket full of kids on a modest middle of the road income, those days are long gone, year after ... more »
Military Photo of the Day: September 27, 2015
[image: Parachute Jump-900] U.S. Marines jump from a C-130J Super Hercules aircraft during parachute training over Camp Pendleton in California on Sept. 17, 2015. Wow! Thank you to Pfc. Devan Gowans for capturing this amazing image.
U.N. Report: Islamic State Gaining Ground In Afghanistan
Khaama Press *VOA:* *Islamic State Inroads in Afghanistan Concern US* NEW YORK—A senior State Department official said Saturday that the U.S. was concerned about the Islamic State group’s efforts to try to establish a stronghold in Afghanistan. “It is a newly emerging threat,” the official said in a background briefing on Afghanistan. “It is unpredictable as yet how it might evolve. It is something that we are taking seriously.” The official commented a day after the United Nations released a report that indicated the militant group was gaining influence in the country. *Update #... more »
L.A. Declares State of Emergency on Homelessness
[image: homelessness] Acknowledging their failure to stem a surge in homelessness, Los Angeles' elected leaders on Tuesday said they would declare a "state of emergency" and devote up to $100 million to the problem. But they offered few details about where the... Continue reading *“L.A. Declares State of Emergency on Homelessness”* at *latimes.com*.
GOP Senator Mark Kirk Lashes Out at Chicago Tribune
[image: Senator_Mark_Kirk_official_portrait] CHICAGO (AP) -- Sen. Mark Kirk’s campaign has launched an unusual public attack on a Chicago Tribune reporter, accusing him of “bullying” former and current staff members with questions about allegations that the Illinois Republican has been physically and verbally... more »
U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr. Is Sworn In As Chairman Of The Joint Chiefs Of Staff
Washington Post: *Dunford becomes America’s top military officer as Dempsey retires* Army Gen. Martin Dempsey stepped down as the United States’ top uniformed official on Friday, making way for Marine Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, who commanded U.S. troops in Afghanistan and will now take on a daunting set of military challenges including Russia’s buildup in Syria, China’s saber-rattling in the South China Sea, and a stalemated campaign in Iraq. President Obama and Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter joined Dempsey and Dunford at the handover ceremony, accompanied by a gun salute, drum c... more »
Tsunami Warning Issued for … Connecticut?
[image: tsunami] HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) -- The Connecticut shoreline was briefly under a tsunami warning before the National Weather Service disclosed the alert had been sent by mistake during a routine monthly test. The Weather Service’s office in New York sent the...more »
Mexicans March on Anniversary of 43 Students’ Disappearance
[image: Mexcio protest] MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Thousands of people marked the one-year anniversary of the disappearance of 43 students by marching down Mexico City’s premier avenue in an atmosphere of defiant hope Saturday. Activists said the movement might bring justice for Mexico’s... more »
Anyone Ever Tell You Voting Matters? Even When Many Of The Candidates Are Likely To Be Horribly Flawed?
Last week, writing for Vox, Sean McElwee offered a big reason why "Congress ignores the poor: they don't vote." He argued that turnout has a determinative effect on who we elect and, more important, what policies are enacted. (Primaries, in fact, are even more important today in many cases than general elections, where the Wall Street candidates-- whether a Jeb Bush or a Hillary Clinton-- are likely to be presented as the only alternatives, a lesser-of-two-evils choice.) "Americans who vote," McElwee wrote, "are different from those who don’t. Voters are older, richer, and whiter ... more »
Is that John Oliver cheering as the noose apparently begins to tighten around world soccer supremo Sepp Blatter's neck?
*JOHN OLIVER PRESENTS WORLD SOCCER* *GANGSTER-SUPREMO SEPP BLATTER* *The June 2014 FIFA report* *The June 2015 "FIFA II" update* *In the "FIFA II" update, John demonstrated just how far he was prepared to go in support of his urgent plea to FIFA's commercial sponsors: "Please! Make Sepp Blatter go away! I will do anything!"* *by Ken* If you're not up on Sepp Blatter, the Sheik of Soccer, as I've called him, or perhaps better described as the boss of all bosses of the international soccer crime syndicate, you might want to take a look at John O's 2014 report above, which I first i... more »
Syrian Bishops Issue Desperate Call for Help
[image: Syrian refugees2 - 900] Bishops from two Christian rites in Syria have spoken out in the past week about the desperate situation in the country as more and more people flee the destruction of a senseless
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