1:33 pm MST
Tweet For Today
Syria's civil war is a complex conflict that involves ever-changing alliances and factions. Here's the who's who 👉 https://t.co/6fvar6dQbZ pic.twitter.com/YedMm2ti73 — AFP news agency (@AFP) January 24, 2017
Rejoice in the Best Country in the world.
It's for ALL of us! Tomorrow is Australia day. It is not Invasion Day. Why we celebrate on the 26th January, doesn't really matter. It could have been on several other days, but, now, having decided years ago on this day, let's all celebrate our wonderful country. It has been called invasion day. Let's examine that. *Australia Day* is the official National *Day* of *Australia*. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and the raising of the Flag of Great Britain at Sydney Co... more »
"Write Your Worries On The Sand"
"I walked slowly out on the beach. A few yards below high-water mark I stopped and read the words again: WRITE YOUR WORRIES ON THE SAND. I let the paper blow away, reached down and picked up a fragment of shell. Kneeling there under the vault of the sky, I wrote several words, one above the other. Then I walked away, and I did not look back. I had written my troubles on the sand. The tide was coming in." - Arthur Gordon
The Geopolitical Hotspots of 2017
*George Friedman and Jacob L. Shapiro, Maudlin Economics*: *These 4 Maps Show The Geopolitical Hotspots of 2017* In geopolitics, a deep understanding of geography and power allows you to do two things. First, it helps you comprehend the forces that will shape international politics and how they will do so. Second, it helps you distinguish what is important from what isn’t. This makes maps a vital part of our work, here at This Week in Geopolitics (subscribe here). So we have decided to showcase some of the best maps our graphics team (TJ Lensing and Jay Dowd) made in 2016. These ... more »
Picture Of The Day
*Joint Chiefs Meeting* Defense Secretary James Mattis meets with the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, Jan. 23, 2017. DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantley
Where Is Former President Obama?
Barack and Michelle Obama arrived at Terrence B Lettsome International Airport in the British Virgin Islands on Monday night after flying in on Sir Richard Branson's jet *Daily Mail: Next stop, Necker Island:* *Barack and Michelle Obama are all smiles as they arrive in the British Virgin Islands on Richard * * Branson's private jet and head straight for his lavish private island retreat * Barack and Michelle Obama touched down in British Virgin Islands on Monday * The couple posed happily for a photograph with airport staff after their arrival * They flew in to the Caribbean on ho... more »
Trump Press Secretary Spicer Spawns A Cottage Industry Overnight!
*by Noah* Who said Trumpinsky wouldn't create new jobs? Well, Americans are hard at work today. It seems the Trump White House has created a whole new industry overnight. Since White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer's Saturday-afternoon speed-lying freakout extravaganza, a whole new cottage industry, a cottage industry of *Spicer memes*, has exploded on social media. I predict these memes will soon be turned into lawn signs, window signs, and bumper stickers. If not, they should be, immediately! It's up to you. Join in! *Heaps of disdain, derision, and zero tolerance are calle... more »
President Trump Hangs A Panoramic Portrait Of The Inauguration Crowd In The White House Press Hall
A photo delivered yesterday that will be displayed in the upper/lower press hall. Thank you Abbas! pic.twitter.com/Uzp0ivvRp0 — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2017 *The Hill*: *Trump hangs portrait of inauguration crowd in WH press hall* President Trump on Tuesday shared an image of a panoramic portrait illustrating the size of his inauguration crowd that has been put on display in the White House press hall. Trump tweeted a photo of the portrait, which was taken by Washington-based photographer Abbas Shirmohammadi, during Friday's inauguration ceremony. *Read mo... more »
President Trump To Issue Executive Orders On Immigration And Border Security
*Washington Post:* *President Trump is planning to sign executive orders on immigration this week* President Trump is planning to sign executive orders on Wednesday toughening immigration enforcement along the U.S.-Mexico border and targeting cities where local leaders refuse to hand over illegal immigrants for deportation, part of a multi-day rollout of his long-promised crackdown on illegal immigration, officials familiar with the decision said Tuesday. The moves represent Trump’s first effort to deliver on perhaps the signature issue that drove his presidential campaign: his be... more »
This Small U.S. Destroyer Escort Ship Has The Record For Sinking The Most Subs In History
The USS England off San Francisco, 1944. Wikimedia Commons/Public domain *Michael Peck, National Interest*: *This Tiny U.S. Navy Warship Sank the Most Submarines in History* Destroyer escorts were the econo-warships of the U.S. Navy in World War II. Designed to be smaller and cheaper alternatives to Navy destroyers, destroyer escorts weren't designed to slug it out in a fleet battle like their bigger brothers. Instead theirs was the dreary but vital duty of escorting convoys of slow merchant ships across the oceans. Yet the world's record for sinking submarines belongs not to a des... more »
Lamar W. Hankins : How is Trump illegitimate?
Let me count the ways… By Lamar W. Hankins | The Rag Blog | January 25, 2017 Since Rep. John Lewis challenged President Trump’s legitimacy, the mainstream media has stumbled over itself to declare Lewis wrong, saying that it is … finish reading Lamar W. Hankins : How is Trump illegitimate?
Democrats Move To Limit President Trumps' Options On Using Nuclear Weapons
U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the Inaugural Law Enforcement Officers and First Responders Reception in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., January 22, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts *Washington Times:* *Democrats propose taking Trump’s finger off nuclear trigger* Saying they fear President Trump with his finger on the nuclear trigger, two congressional Democrats introduced legislation Tuesday that would prevent the White House from launching a nuclear first strike without a declaration of war from Capitol Hill. Sen. Edward J. Markey and Rep. Ted W. Lieu... more »
Mississippi Governor Calls on Trump for Federal Disaster Relief in Wake of Deadly Tornadoes
Leaders in both Mississippi and Georgia are calling for federal relief after a swarm of deadly tornadoes killed at least twenty people, and damaged thousands of homes.
Canadians Reportedly Turned Away From U.S. Border on Inauguration Day
Canadian citizens crossing south into the United States to attend both the Donald Trump's inauguration and Women's March on Washington say border agents turned them back.
On Writing Correct and Clear English
*The Sense of Style * *Steven Pinker* Steven Pinker is indulgent when it comes to grammar and usage. In the book’s final chapter, “Telling Right from Wrong,” he goes after the language purists. He is not concerned with the “Twittering teenagers or Facebooking freshmen”—the purists he is after are the “sticklers, pedants, peevers, snobs, snoots, nit-pickers, traditionalists, language police, usage nannies, grammar Nazis and the Gotcha! Gang,” who, in their zeal to purify usage and safeguard language, make it difficult to think clearly. “When it comes to correct English, there’s no... more »
Musical Interlude: Ludovico Einaudi, "10 Best, Vol.1"
Ludovico Einaudi, "10 Best, Vol.1" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_cuyjXHB7Q&t=466s *Playlist:* 0:00 - I Giorni 7:02 - Una Mattina 10:30 - Time Lapse 16:00 - Le Onde 21:38 - Love is a Mystery 24:44 - Divenire 31:27 - Monday 37:24 - Andare 44:25 - Nefeli 48:57 - Ancora
Pakistan Successfully Tests A Ballistic Missile Capable Of Carrying Multiple Nuclear Warheads
*VOA*: *Pakistan Tests Ballistic Missile Capable of Carrying Multiple Nuclear Warheads* SLAMABAD — Pakistan says it has successfully tested a surface-to-surface ballistic missile that is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads and can hit targets with precision as far as 2,200 kilometers. Tuesday’s maiden flight test of the Ababeel missile was announced by military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor. He said it “has the capability to engage multiple targets with high precision, defeating the enemy’s hostile radars.” Earlier this month, Pakistan successfully tested for the... more »
Canadians Report Being Turned Away From the U.S. Border on Inauguration Day
Canadian citizens crossing south into the United States to attend both the Donald Trump's inauguration and Women's March on Washington say border agents turned them back.
Very High Energies in this Now
Terran: Nabrac the energies feel particularly intense tonight. Almost on the level of when the trio are working.Do you know what is transpiring? Nabrac: TERRAN. ALL IS FLOWING. INTENSITY WILL ACCELERATE AND EXPAND EVEN MORE. NABRAC. Terran: Duration? Nabrac: TERRAN. DURATION HAS A HIGH PROBABILITY OF ONE FULL DAY AND NIGHT. NABRAC. - Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
"A Look to the Heavens"
"Have you ever seen the Milky Way's glow create shadows? To do so, conditions need to be just right. First and foremost, the sky must be relatively clear of clouds so that the long band of the Milky Way's central disk can be seen. The surroundings must be very near to completely dark, with no bright artificial lights visible anywhere. Next, the Moon cannot be anywhere above the horizon, or its glow will dominate the landscape. Last, the shadows can best be caught on long camera exposures. Click image for larger size. In the above image taken in Port Campbell National Park, Victoria, ... more »
"Sometimes..."
"Sometimes even to live is an act of courage." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca
Chet Raymo, "Why We Need Poets"
*"Why We Need Poets"* by Chet Raymo "The poet Jane Hirshfield referred in a poem to the number of atoms it takes to make a butterfly. Ten to the 24th power, I think she said. I thought I'd check it out. A typical butterfly might weigh about half a gram. The exact ratio of elements I don't know, but mostly hydrogen, carbon, and oxygen. Let's assume an atomic weight of ten for a typical atom; that is, an atom with ten nuclear particles (Hydrogen=1, carbon= 12, oxygen=16, and so on). A proton or neutron has a weight of about 1.6 X 10-24 grams. About 3 X 1022 atoms in a butterfly. If I... more »
Trump Is Shoving His Agenda Up Ryan's Ass
Queasy unease about the unhinged, impulsive Trump has been quietly driving international gold prices higher. Gold investors have focused on two main views since Trump’s election in November: one seeing him as a wild card upending policy on everything from trade to alliances, and the other betting that he’ll boost U.S. growth, equities and the dollar. The administration’s opening days have been marked by protests, disputes about what constitutes a fact and assertions from Trump that he’ll put "America first." "The market is now worrying about what would come out from the new admi... more »
European Anti-Globalists Join Forces to Take Back Countries
[image: european-anti-globalists-join-forces-to-take-back-countries] Emboldened by the British “Brexit” vote to leave the European Union and President Donald Trump's historic victory over the globalist establishment, European political leaders opposed to globalism and the establishment met in Koblenz, Germany, over the weekend to cement their alliance and plan for potential victories in the months ahead. The gathering, organized by the pro-sovereingty “Europe of Nations and Freedom” alliance, featured senior leaders in the anti-establishment movement from across the continent. They ... more »
"Tears Turned Inside Out..."
"Laughter isn't even the other side of tears. It is tears turned inside out. Truly the suffering is great, here on earth. We blunder along, shredded by our mistakes, bludgeoned by our faults. Not having a clue where the dark path leads us. But on the whole, we stumble along bravely, don't you think?" - Alice Walker
President Obama Released $221 Million to Palestinian Authority?
The Associated Press reported that the outgoing president released aid to the Palestinian Authority that had been approved by Congress.
Would Captain America's Co-Creator Punch Nazis?
Jack Kirby's political stances received new attention following a 2017 attack against a prominent white nationalist.
Badlands National Park Twitter Account Posts, Deletes Messages About Climate Change
The posts about anthropogenic climate change were quickly deleted from the Badlands National Park's official Twitter page.
Winston Churchill on the Arts
While a quote defending the importance of the arts is frequently attributed to Winston Churchill, the legendary British prime minister never uttered this phrase.
Did U.S. President Donald Trump Declare Canadian Women the Biggest Threat After ISIS?
A satirical article on a hoax site riffed on a news cycle controversy.
Putting a Raw, Cut Onion In Your Sock Cures Everything?
It might give you more space in bed, but it’s certainly not fixing anything medically.
The trips refugees make
Ah, but refugees are just here to steal our jobs and bludge off welfare. Really? Have you ever thought that refugees make those dangerous trips across thousands of miles of water for *reasons*, desperate reasons, but not *those* reasons. Here’s the story of Tran Lawrence, who arrived from Vietnam from boat more than thirty years ago. Read it for some insight into the trips refugees make, and why. . Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Permission to republish is granted, with attribution.
What Will Eventually Defeat The U.S. Military Will Be America;s Debt
*Makoto Kajiwara, Nikkei Asian Review:* *US debt will ultimately defeat the great American military* Growing interest payments mean less money for defense spending. HONG KONG -- Stocks in Lockheed Martin and other companies in the U.S. defense industry have been on a roller-coaster ride since Donald Trump won the presidential election last November. After Trump, who was inaugurated on Friday, won the election, their stocks soared on his call for reinforcing U.S. defense capabilities. But they plunged in December as Trump said the prices of the new Air Force One presidential plan... more »
Withdrawing the US from TPP was a senseless act of wanton destruction
*The TPP was good for all participants – or would have been. The Cato Institute’s Daniel Ikenson argues in this guest post that America would have been one winner out of many, not the loser Trump has now made it.* ------------------------------ Yesterday, demonstrating his preference for action over reason, President Trump signed an executive order to officially withdraw the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. On the one hand, it’s refreshing to witness the rare act of a politician fulfilling a campaign pledge. On the other hand … there is nothing else go... more »
Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- January 24, 2017
*Liz Sly and Suzan Haidamous, Washington Post*:* Syria deal draws Iran into alliance with Russia and Turkey* ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Russia, Turkey and Iran agreed Tuesday to the outlines of a plan to reinforce a cease-fire in Syria, establishing the three most significant allies of the protagonists in the conflict as guarantors to a peace process. The deal concluded two days of talks in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, that drew Iran into a burgeoning alliance with Russia and Turkey over ways to secure a settlement. It set broad but vague parameters for a cease-fire enforcement mechan... more »
Tuesday Night Cat Blogging
Downward facing cats.
For Healthy Babies, Baby Monitors Have No Benefit
Expectant and new parents are under a great deal of pressure; every action is scrutinized by those around them, and food marketers and activist groups exploit their fear by telling them one food process will lead to higher grades in school while another food process will lead to obesity, cancer, endocrine disruption and anything else environmental fundraisers can dream up. It takes no time to make such claims and exploit people for money but far longer to do studies to show if the claims are real. read more
Israel Advises Citizens in Egypt's Sinai to Leave
*Worth mentioning..* A general view shows Israel's border fence with Egypt's Sinai peninsula (R), as seen from Israel's Negev Desert February 10, 2016. REUTERS *"Israel on Tuesday advised its citizens in Egypt's insurgency-hit Sinai peninsula to leave the region, warning of the threat of an imminent attack. * *Israeli holidaymakers are often warned of the risks they face in Sinai, which borders Israel, but the "Level 1" alert issued by the anti-terrorism directorate is its most severe warning. * *It described the threat as "very high and concrete". * *"The directorate warns of ... more »
Over 1,000 Water Protectors are gathered in front of the White House
Over 1,000 out at White House to say #NoDAPL. "We stand for water and for life!" the crowd roars. Can you hear us. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers rejected DAPL’s request for an easement late last year, finding that the agency had failed to fully consider the impacts of the pipeline on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. The Department of the Army pledged to conduct a full environmental review of the Missouri River crossing and evaluate alternative sites, which would not put the Tribe at risk of an oil spill. However, that environmental review would be circumvented under today’s Executi... more »
Al Gore’s Latest Climate-change Lie
[image: al-gores-latest-climate-change-lie] With his lucrative climate-change agenda and predictions under water, former vice president Al Gore is pulling out all the stops to salvage his reputation and earning potential. The latest example is a spun claim that one of his (many) incorrect predictions has actually come to pass.
President Trump Signs Executive Actions to Revive Keystone and Dakota Access Pipeline Projects
[image: president-trump-signs-executive-actions-to-revive-keystone-and-dakota-access-pipeline-projects] Trump's executive actions on oil pipelines serve as a "high alert" to his people that getting these pipeline projects approved is a first priority.
World News Briefs -- January 24, 2017
*CNN:* *Eastern Mosul liberated from ISIS, Iraqi PM says* Irbil, Iraq (CNN)Iraqi forces have liberated the eastern half of Mosul from ISIS' grip, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi reported Tuesday on state television. "I call on those heroes to move quickly to liberate the remaining part of Nineveh province, especially the right side, which is the western side of the city," Abadi said. Mosul is divided by the Tigris River, with both sides making up about half of Iraq's second-largest city. *Read more *.... *MIDDLE EAST* Russia, Turkey and Iran agree *trilateral mechanism to ... more »
Protest Song Of The Week: ‘It’s Up To You (Television Mix)’
Resistance to President Donald Trump’s administration is needed now more than ever, and the resistance to Trump seems to intensify with each grim step the administration takes. An appropriate track for the moment is a sound collage from Steinski and Mass Media that was released in 1992 called “It’s Up The post Protest Song Of The Week: ‘It’s Up To You (Television Mix)’ appeared first on Shadowproof.
Thoughts on the Stoke Central Shortlist
You've seen the shortlist for Labour's Stoke-on-Trent Central selection meeting tomorrow evening. One of the four people on that list is going to be our candidate and spearhead our effort to drive Paul Nuttall and UKIP out of Stoke-on-Trent once and for all. It's a high stakes election for both parties. Who we choose is extremely important. Firstly, let me register my displeasure about two things. I had previously argued that if Labour wants to win, the party needs to select someone who either lives in Stoke, is from Stoke, or has very strong links to Stoke. While three of the four... more »
Glen Ford: There is No Such Thing as a Progressive Movement That is Aligned with the CIA
Dandelion Salad TheRealNews on Jan 24, 2017 Black Agenda Report’s Glen Ford says a progressive movement can’t be build out of the pro-war, pro-CIA, and McCarthyite politics coming from Democratic leadership. Transcript From the archives: The Intelligence Community’s Dumb Isolated View of the Future by David Swanson Chris Hedges and Glen Ford: Obama’s Legacy–The Smashing of the Left […]
The Intelligence Community’s Dumb Isolated View of the Future by David Swanson
by David Swanson Writer, Dandelion Salad Let’s Try Democracy January 24, 2017 Thank you to Tom Engelhardt for pointing out that the people who couldn’t predict the end of the Soviet Union, the crimes of 9-11, the decency of numerous whistleblowers, the election of Donald Trump, the likelihood that utilities in Vermont would point out […]
Taliban Tell President Trump To Leave Afghanistan
Wikipedia *Reuters*: *Taliban tells new U.S. President Trump to quit Afghanistan* The Taliban has called on President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the "quagmire" of Afghanistan, saying that nothing has been achieved in 15 years of war except bloodshed and destruction. In an open letter to the new U.S. president published on one of its official web pages, the insurgent movement said the United States had lost credibility after spending a trillion dollars on a fruitless entanglement. "So, the responsibility to bring to an end this war also rests on your shoulders," it s... more »
New York Times Calls Trump Claim That Millions of Illegals Voted a “Lie”
[image: new-york-times-calls-trump-claim-that-millions-of-illegals-voted-a-lie] An article in the *New York Times* for January 23 carried an editorialized headline: “Trump Repeats Lie About Popular Vote in Meeting With Lawmakers.”
A Look At How The Islamic State Is Turning Commercial Drones Into Weapons
Three ISIS drones modified to drop 40mm rifle grenades - downed by the Iraqi Counter Terrorism Service in Mosul (Mitch Utterback). *FOX News*: *How ISIS is turning commercial drones into weapons in the battle for Mosul* Elite Iraqi units clearing Mosul from Islamic State occupation face aerial bombardment from modified ISIS drones every day. I just returned from two weeks on the ground inside Mosul with Iraq’s Emergency Response Division and the Counter Terrorism Service. These two units are Iraq’s best, and are taking the fight to ISIS daily. ISIS is using snipers, suicide car bo... more »
The Battle For The Iraqi City Of Mosul -- News Updates January 24, 2017
*Al Jazeera*: *Iraqi forces gear up for anti-ISIL push in west Mosul* Popular Mobilisation 'prepares' to soon launch operation in city's western part, even as fighting continues in the east. A hundred days into a major push to recapture Mosul from ISIL, the Iraqi army has said it is gearing up for an offensive to take the city's western half, even as troops are still battling the armed group to take full control of the eastern sector. The Popular Mobilisation "is preparing an operation in the next two, three days, to back up the operation to retake the right bank" of the city, on ...more »
Some History of U.S. Interference in Russian Affairs
The increased aggression towards Russia from US politicians and media is made more clear when taking into account the real history of the post-Soviet period. The hidden story of Boris Yeltsin’s presidency explains how deeply the US government, along with Western capitalist institutions, cheered, shaped and exploited the country after the fall of the Soviet Union, paving the way for the political system they all condemn today. To uncover just how much the US Empire has interfered in Russia’s political evolution, Abby Martin interviews Mark Ames, an American journalist who spent a... more »
Baboon Metaphysics
Baboons are a fascinating branch of the family tree. We humans have big brains, complex language, and a staggering collection of tools. Yet, with smaller brains, grunt communication, and no tools, baboons have brilliantly lived sustainably for millions of years — like every other species of animals, except you-know-who. Long ago, primates began as cute insect eating tree critters. Climate change has always been a mischievous rascal, periodically redefining the rules of survival. Two to four million years ago, east Africa, the “cradle of humankind,” became warmer and dryer. R... more »
Minnesota, Wisconsin and Wyoming have decided to eradicate wolves
*“War on Wolves Act” Senators from Midwest and Wyoming introduce bill to strip protections from endangered gray wolves* January 24, 2017 Washington, D.C. — Senators from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Wyoming yesterday introduced the “War on Wolves Act,” a companion bill to legislation introduced last week in the House that would strip federal protections from wolves and allow trophy hunting and trapping of the species in four states. If the legislation passes both chambers and gets signed by the president, it would hand the fate of wolves in Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin and Wyoming o... more »
Will The Trump Regime Use Orwell's 1984 As A Playbook?
The delusional self-imagine Trump and his lackeys are pushing out from the White House is colliding with the cold hard facts, if not the #AltFacts. He may style himself a "ratings machine," but his inaugural concert was "a dud, lacking A-list talent. On Friday, the inauguration ceremony pulled in 30.6 million viewers, 7 million less than Obama’s first swearing in, 12 million less than Reagan, and 3 million less than Jimmy Carter-- but slightly above that of Bill Clinton’s first- term ceremony of 29.7 million viewers. Trump, who recently Twitter-shamed Arnold Schwarzenegger for pu... more »
Was a Saturday Night Live Writer Suspended Over a Tweet About Barron Trump?
SNL Weekend Update writer Katie Rich has been disciplined for tweeting what critics called a distasteful joke about the president's 10-year-old child.
Did Mike Pence Say Trump Supporters Made Up 'More Than Half' of Womens' March?
A fake Facebook account overstated the amount of conservatives who attended demonstrations worldwide on 21 January 2017.
Protester Sets Trump Supporter's Hair on Fire
A video captures an anti-Trump protester setting a Trump supporter's hair on fire with a lighter.
Was Bowe Bergdahl Promoted by President Obama?
A report that President Obama had promoted former Taliban captive Bowe Bergdahl to staff sergeant was fake news.
Did the FBI Raid the CDC for Data on Vaccines and Autism?
A known hoax purveyor spread false claims the FBI "raided" the CDC in the middle of the night for data on vaccines and autism on the order of President Trump.
Trump Administration Suspends Cut in FHA Mortgage Insurance Rate
Immediately after Trump was sworn in, the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development suspended a pending rate cut to FHA mortgage loan insurance premiums.
The Daily "Near You?"
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. Thanks for stopping by!
"Research Shows How Virtual Reality Shuts Down The Brain"
*"Research Shows How Virtual Reality Shuts Down The Brain"* by Nicholas West "Virtual reality is already being embraced for its entertainment value, as well as by the military and the scientific establishment. It is also a goal of The Singularity Movement to enable a full mind upload as we increase our merger with machines toward a path of supposed immortality. However, scientists are beginning to study the effects of how virtual reality can impact one’s perception of themselves inside the virtual matrix, as well as a potential for transferred perceptions of those around them in the... more »
Trump is a ‘Man Who Gets Things Done’ to which the founding fathers were opposed in a president. In this, says George Friedman, there is hope.
Before everyone starts hyperventilating about everything a US president is able to do (I may already be way too late here), George Friedman says we should sit back, relax, and remind ourselves of how severely constrained a US president really is. Friedman has a big bucker of cold water ready to pour over both the over-excited Trumpeters and their opposite numbers who both think the position is one of dictator (benevolent or otherwise), with a reminder that, in Stephen Franks’s words, “The US Constitution was designed by a more worthy elite who expected the people to turn up an... more »
Syrian Peace Talks End
*Al Jazeera*: *Russia, Turkey, Iran agree plan to support Syria truce* *The three nations also said they supported the willingness of the armed opposition to participate in UN-led talks.* Talks between key Syria war players in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, have ended with Russia, Turkey and Iran agreeing on a mechanism to support a delicate ceasefire. The meeting, organised by Russia and Turkey and attended by the government and the armed opposition, was aimed at strengthening a nationwide ceasefire that has largely held despite pockets of violence, and at paving the way towards... more »
Trump Executive Order on Dakota Access (Bakken) Pipeline Violates Law and Tribal Treaties (But ETP Stock Value Up 4.31 % Today with Trading Increased!)
To know what’s going on in a timely manner apparently one must look at Donald Trump’s personal tweets. Is this … Continue reading →
Trump Doubles Down On Another "Colossal Untruth"
*. . . in the big lie there is always a certain force of credibility; because the broad masses of a nation are always more easily corrupted in the deeper strata of their emotional nature than consciously or voluntarily; and thus in the primitive simplicity of their minds they more readily fall victims to the big lie than the small lie, since they themselves often tell small lies in little matters but would be ashamed to resort to large-scale falsehoods.* *It would never come into their heads to fabricate colossal untruths, and they would not believe that others could have the impuden... more »
BREAKING: China Deploys Nuclear ICBM System In ‘Response to Trump’s Provocative Remarks’
[image: china]China has responded US threats by deploying an ICBM system near the Russian border, saying it was a response to 'Trump's provocative remarks.'
Trump Orders Media Blackout At EPA: Bans Use Of Social Media, Bars New Contracts
The Trump administration has instituted a media blackout at the EPA and barred staff from awarding any new contracts or grants according to the AP.
Observing our nation's descent toward the sea!
*TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017The shape of the downward spiral:* The downward spiral is hard to watch. The Conwayism has been horrific. Our tribe has been horrible too. Last Saturday night, Trump press secretary Sean Spicer staged a ridiculous public breakdown, screeching about the press corps' alleged dishonesty while offering crowd size information which plainly seemed to be false. Yesterday, in his first press conference, Spicer copped to the fact that he had used bad numbers about public transit (Metro) ridership during recent inaugurations. Speaking with Jonathan Karl, he authore... more »
"An Incredibly Depressing Thought..."
"That's an incredibly depressing thought," I said, "that if you're in a room and at one end lies madness and at the other end lies sanity it is human nature to veer towards the madness end." - Jon Ronson
The Obama Administration Asked Britain To Keep Details Of A Failed Nuclear Missile Test Secret
Crew from HMS Vengeance, a British Royal Navy Vanguard class Trident Ballistic Missile Submarine © David Moir / Reuters *The Australian/The Times:* *US urged Britain to keep trident blunder secret* The US government asked Britain to keep details of a botched nuclear missile test secret, a source told The Times. Officials from the Obama administration asked David Cameron’s government not to comment on the malfunction during a test of the Trident nuclear deterrent in June, it is understood. The £17 million unarmed D5 missile is believed to have been obliterated in an automatic self... more »
You Spin Me Right Round- Pinwheel Valentine with Free Printable
Are you ready for Valentine's Day yet? If not this easy printable Valentine will get you ready in a snap! This Pinwheel valentine cracks up parents and the kids love getting the pinwheels to go with them. I can't see to go a year without a sneaky 80s reference. For this Valentine you will need: - the printable found at the end of this post - Pinwheels (we used these provided by Oriental Trading) - scissors - bakers twine - a single hole punch Print and cut out the paper valentine. Have you child address them to each child in their class. Using the single hole pu... more »
"Battle of the Hats"
*"Battle of the Hats"* by Scott Adams "When Donald Trump ran for president he put his clear, simple message on the front of bright red hats. The message was perfect. The choice of a hat instead of a t-shirt or other garment was perfect. The color red was perfect for his message – bold, sexy, and important. The hats were a master class in branding and influence. Political historians will be referring to Trump’s hats for ages. Compare that to the Million Woman March. They chose pink because– I assume– it is a bit of an ironic color for women who are fighting for their rights. Women ... more »
Photographer captures young polar bears dancing in the snow and sharing a Kiss
*Two young polar bears were captured seemingly dancing hand-in-hand and sharing a kiss on the snow as they waited for their mother to return with some food.* The youngsters were enjoying each other's company, much like human children do, and spotted in salsa like moves on Barter Island, Alaska. Photographer Shayne McGuire watched in awe as they joined paws and mirrored their friend's movements. Shayne, from San Dimas, California, said it was the first time she had seen behavior like it as the one-year-old cub danced with a friend, estimated to be around three years old. Shayne s... more »
Senator Cotton uncovers some interesting evidence re the claims that "Russia Hacked the Election" at the Senate Armed Services Committee
https://youtu.be/5HT24PLyXAg Quite fascinating and the sort of information that the BBC will definitely not ever relay. The BBC have a narrative to promote after all.
Chinese Warships On Patrol In The Persian Gulf
China’s navy regularly tours the world and its ships patrol off the coasts of Yemen and Somalia as part of international anti-piracy operations. (File photo: AFP) *Reuters*: *Chinese warships tour Gulf Arab states for first time since 2010* Chinese warships have embarked on a tour of Gulf Arab states for the first time in six years as Beijing has signaled a desire to play a bigger role on the global stage. Three Chinese vessels, including a guided-missile destroyer warship, arrived in Qatar's capital Doha on Saturday following a visit to the Saudi port city of Jeddah, according t... more »
Cop Charged for Stealing 79yo Woman’s Dog then Shoving Pills Down Her Throat to Kill Her
[image: woman]After an elderly woman attempted to report a cop for stealing her dog and $65,000, he tried to murder her with pills and carbon monoxide.
Planting Seeds During the Great Unraveling
I fear the unraveling of the social fabric of human society We see it in war zones and across the pot hole filled roads of Maine that lead to worn out homes lacking safety and comfort full of holes that occupants can't afford to repair The corporate plunderers unravel our sacred Earth extracting every last oily dime they can blinded by greed with no care for life Our own families are fraught with fear rage and sadness as the social web is torn like an old sweater ripped apart the threads separating no longer joined in their warm unity The Native people across America were the first ... more »
Turkey’s President is becoming a dictator, and the UK is helping him out
Just as Turkey takes a step closer to dictatorship, newly published export statistics show that the UK has been selling its repressive NATO ally millions of pounds’ worth of arms. Effectively giving a green light to its ongoing descent into authoritarianism. Turkey moving further towards dictatorship On 21 January, Turkey’s ruling AKP regime passed a controversial reform package to […] The post Turkey’s President is becoming a dictator, and the UK is helping him out appeared first on The Canary.
If you’re ‘addicted’ to Facebook, maybe you should blame your parents
Researchers from King’s College London have discovered that the amount of time people spend on Facebook has a lot to do with their genetics. The study Scientists studied 8,500 16-year-old twins. They compared identical twins (who share 100% of the their genes) and non-identical twins (who share 50% of their genes). In this way, they were […] The post If you’re ‘addicted’ to Facebook, maybe you should blame your parents appeared first on The Canary.
The Telegraph faces a showdown with the press regulator over an article which took fake news to another level [IMAGES]
The Telegraph is under investigation by the press regulator, for printing what an independent researcher described as “inflammatory” and “xenophobic” comments about minority communities. The article contained falsehoods about a government scheme to force people to show ID when they vote, and inflated fears of voter fraud being a higher risk in Muslim communities. But in […] The post The Telegraph faces a showdown with the press regulator over an article which took fake news to another level [IMAGES] appeared first on The Canary.
DAVID BROOKS, MEET DAVID BROOKS
Here's David Brooks today, dismissing the anti-Trump movement as an abject failure after one day's worth of significant nationwide (and worldwide) protest: Sometimes social change happens through grass-roots movements -- the civil rights movement. But *most of the time change happens through political parties:* The New Deal, the Great Society, the Reagan Revolution. Change happens when people run for office, amass coalitions of interest groups, engage in the messy practice of politics. *Without the discipline of party politics, social movements devolve into mere feeling,* especiall... more »
EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science”
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 10 hours ago
Originally posted on Watts Up With That?: Guest post by David Middleton Environmentalists have put out a new ad campaign attacking President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for “encouraging debate” among scientists about the “degree and extent” of global warming. “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of…
Trump Presidency & Bombing Begins; Pentagon Denies Coordinating With Russia; Syrian Rebels Clash
Trump presidency (& bombing) begins. US-led coalition coordinating with Russia or not? Syrian rebel infighting, Astana peace talks, and more in our war news round up… CENTCOM Syria: Russian Military Claims Coordination With US Coalition, Pentagon Denies _ On Monday, AP reported: “BREAKING: Russian Defense Ministry says its warplanes The post Trump Presidency & Bombing Begins; Pentagon Denies Coordinating With Russia; Syrian Rebels Clash appeared first on Shadowproof.
Jailed Activist Pens Letter To Justice Department On MCC New York’s Squalid Conditions
A jailed activist, who faces felony charges for a digital sit-in against the Boston Children’s Hospital website, has written a letter from the Metropolitan Correctional Center calling attention to what he describes as appalling conditions inside the facility. The letter was addressed to officials at the Justice Department, the Federal The post Jailed Activist Pens Letter To Justice Department On MCC New York’s Squalid Conditions appeared first on Shadowproof.
Ancient pre-Inca temples - vitrified stonework - moulded rock walls... how how how?
Literally, "How do you sufficiently heat a rock such that it gains a molecularly-altered shiny patina without making the rest of the rock crack under the intense heat needed?" Is this technique of moulded architectural details or bricks, tight internal angles and external skin vitrification evidence of some amazing lost art of the stone-mason? Seriously, it's hard to work out whether these 'seemingly carved' globally-found stone items were moulded then vitrified or simply carved out of the native rock/marble with LASERS.
Colorado to Use Pot Taxes to Treat Drug Addiction — INSTEAD of Prison
[image: colorado]The Colorado program is already proven to reduce recidivism, save money and improve police/community relations -- opposite of the War on Drugs.
Transparency, Privacy and Surveillance in a new era
Surviving Surveillance: My co-editor of the Chasing Shadows anthology - Stephen W. Potts - has written a "5 books" contribution to the Tor web site, taking you on a tour of (almost) half a dozen great science fictional portrayals of surveillance. Of course our new anthology, Chasing Shadows, takes it a step farther, with two dozen stories and essays portraying how citizens might answer elite eyes... with light of their own. See an excellent review from Locus Online. (We'll be signing copies in San Diego on January 27, at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore.) A rich compilation of thoughtf... more »
The Euclidean Index
Motty Perry and Philip J. Reny propose a way to rank economists by citations (published AER September 2016), and now RePEc implements it here.
Quantum computing lady: feminized physics is a formula for failure
*The 2017 Australia Day address (full video in AU only; transcript globally) denounces the feminist dumbing down of physics education* Ms Michelle Simmons is a physics professor in New South Wales, Australia focusing on quantum computation – which isn't a soft science, I assure you – and surrounding fields and boasting physics/chemistry degrees, 360 publications including 27 in PRL, and \(h=40\), among other things. She's spent some time in a leading Cambridge, UK lab and is doing well in the land of the kangaroos, too. Her lab has a nontrivial chance to become the first group that... more »
Trump Signs Orders to Advance Dakota Access and Keystone Pipelines
Construction of both controversial pipelines had been halted under the previous administration but now appears to be back on track.
Did President Trump Shut Down the White House Phone-In Comment Line?
The White House phone-in comment line was non-operational in January 2017, but the change took place during President Obama's administration.
Mondays in the Morning with Sixth Graders
by Susan Ohanian Our local elementary school regards community service as a high priority, and every Monday at my town Senior Center, which is a social gathering place for activities and information, four sixth graders give up their lunch & recess to volunteer as helpers for the popular lunch we provide once a week. A volunteer parent ferries the children between the school and the Center. Each group of kids does an eight-week stint, and then a new group moves in. Ostensibly, I’m in charge of the kids. Each group is different, and I supervise this pretty much the... more »
Happy birthday, RW Daily. Have you signed up yet?
A year ago tomorrow, we announced that we were starting The RW Daily, an email that would summarize the previous day’s news and link to other relevant stories elsewhere — a sort of sneak peek at Weekend Reads. In about six and a half years, we’ve published more than 3,600 posts; that’s a lot of science publishing […] The post Happy birthday, RW Daily. Have you signed up yet? appeared first on Retraction Watch.
Ford to Sell and Finance Its Autos Online
[image: ford-to-sell-and-finance-its-autos-online] With a free market nothing stands still; everything changes. Resistance is futile, even by auto dealers.
Trump to Renegotiate NAFTA With Canada and Mexico
[image: trump-to-renegotiate-nafta-with-canada-and-mexico] President Trump indicated that he will renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) with Canada and Mexico.
EVERYTHING Before a Trial Judge Should be Marked as an Exhibit for Evidence or Identification
1162740 Ontario Limited v. Pingue, 2017 ONCA 52: [36] In my view, every document or thing put to a witness or to the trial judge as a piece of evidence should be made a numbered or lettered exhibit. I would also add this: although trial judges have discretion in whether to mark as exhibits, out-of -court statements that are used solely to impeach the credibility of a witness, for the same reasons the best practice is to mark such statements as lettered exhibits for identification, if not as numbered exhibits: *Ontario Courtroom Procedure, **at p. 945-946; and **R. v. Betker... more »
Stoke-on-Trent Central Labour Shortlist
After interviews that were conducted with a panel from the NEC, the Labour shortlist for Stoke-on-Trent Central is: Cllr Dr Allison Gardner Cllr Dr Stephen Hitchin Trudie McGuinness Cllr Gareth Snell A very interesting list to say the least, and surprising too. Maybe more later.
Trump's Constant Lying Is a Power Game Called "Fuckery," and He's Winning At It
*Amy Winehouse, live, 2010* *by Gaius Publius* Yes, Virginia, that man said "fuckery." It's a lovely word with a lovely place in hip-hop culture. And it's exactly the word we need to understand Trump's (and really, all Republicans') outrageous lies and shenanigans, and also how to deal with them effectively. *Bottom line:* Donald Trump isn't just lying, he's "fucking with us" and challenging us to call him on it. This is exactly the "Who do you believe, me or your lying eyes?" problem. And here as there, *it's not about the lies; it's a naked show of power*. It's about whether on... more »
Did Trump Tweet That Drug Testing Will Be Mandatory for Public Benefit Recipients?
A fake tweet attributed to President Trump suggested mandatory drug testing would be imposed on recipients of public assistance.
The government’s court defeat could lead to a new Scottish independence referendum
On 24 January, the Supreme Court decided 8-3 against the government. It ruled that there will need to be a parliamentary vote on the triggering of Article 50. It also ruled on whether the Welsh, Northern Irish, and Scottish governments should have to give ‘legislative consent’. This would have meant that the government could not trigger Article […] The post The government’s court defeat could lead to a new Scottish independence referendum appeared first on The Canary.
HMS Vengeance renamed Nukey McNukeface if we ignore misfire, promises PM
Following an embarrassing, fumbled, and arse-headed denial, the PM has come clean. Namely by admitting that yes, she did know Trident misfired, and no, she didn’t pass that information on. And yet, she has also come up with a plan that could see her emerge from this cesspit of scandal relatively un-filthed. A plan which […] The post HMS Vengeance renamed Nukey McNukeface if we ignore misfire, promises PM appeared first on The Canary.
'Slutwalk' Image Repurposed as Women's March Photograph
An image from Chicago's 2013 'Slutwalk' was circulated with false claims that it was taken at a 2017 Women's March event.
Did Dr. Phil's 'Cash Me Outside' Girl Commit Suicide?
A fake news site leveraged the "Cash Me Outside" meme to fabricate a story about a young teen's suicide.
Bill Quietly Introduced to Withdraw US from the UN
[image: united nations]A House Resolution has quietly slipped past the public radar – proposing that the United States withdraw its membership from the United Nations.
Ukraine's President Disagrees With U.S. President Trump's Outreach To Russia
Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko listens during a news conference in Tallinn, Estonia January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins *Reuters:* *Ukraine says Russian sanctions must stay, rejects talk of Trump deal* Ukraine's president said on Tuesday world powers should keep sanctions on Russia, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to consider reducing the penalties if Moscow proved a useful ally. Petro Poroshenko told reporters that sanctions remained the only way to keep Russia at the negotiating table over the crisis in eastern Ukraine, that Western powers say has been ... more »
Have Russian Sanctions Been Ineffective?
Former French Prime Minister Francois Fillon (left) chats with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a meeting of the Valdai discussion club northwest of Moscow in September 2013. *RFE:* *French Presidential Candidate Says Russia Sanctions 'Ineffective'* French presidential candidate Francois Fillon says that the European Union's economic sanctions against Russia are ineffective and called for dialogue with Moscow. Speaking on January 23, Fillon also expressed concern that the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump could forge links with Russia that would sideline the EU.... more »
World News Briefs -- January 24, 2017
Mohammad Alloush (C), the head of the Syrian opposition delegation, attends Syria peace talks in Astana, Kazakhstan January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Mukhtar Kholdorbekov *The Guardian:* *Sponsors of Syria talks in Astana strike deal to protect fragile ceasefire* *Russia, Turkey and Iran to set up trilateral commission to monitor breaches of ceasefire that came into effect last month* Tortuous efforts to install a credible international body to entrench and broaden the patchwork ceasefire in Syria have partially succeeded on the second and final day of talks in Kazakhstan. Discussions en... more »
Queen’s Chaplain Resigns Amid Backlash Over Criticism of Koran Reading in Church
[image: queen-s-chaplain-resigns-amid-backlash-over-criticism-of-koran-reading-in-church] A Scottish minister resigned his post as a "Queen's Chaplain" rather than keep quiet about such serious matters as the reading of the Koran during a Christian church service.
Albuquerque Girl Burned by UFO?
In looking at some of the Project Blue Book files, and learning that late that Edward Ruppelt, the one-time chief of Blue Book, was probably anti-extraterrestrial as opposed to neutral; I came across what I think of as evidence of this bias throughout the history of Blue Book. The case on point is that of Sharon Edward Ruppelt who wasn't quite as unbiased as we had all thought. Stull who claimed that she was burned by a UFO on April 28,1964. The story, as it appeared in the newspapers and in *The A.P.R.O. Bulletin*, was that Stull had returned to school after lunch and was on the p... more »
"The Protected, Privileged Establishment Versus The Working Class"
*"The Protected, Privileged Establishment Versus The Working Class"* by Charles Hugh-Smith "You know, I've been around the ruling class all my life, and I've been quite aware of their total contempt for the people of the country." - Gore Vidal "As noted yesterday in "The Collapse of the Left," the working class has finally awakened to the Left's betrayal and abandonment of labor in favor of the protected privileges of the elitist Establishment. I also described the Left's Great Con: "To mask the collapse of the Left's economic defense of labor, the Left has substituted social just... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- January 24, 2017
*VOA:* *NATO, Pentagon Chiefs Discuss Military Budgets, Terrorism* BRUSSELS — NATO's chief and new U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis have discussed military spending and combating terrorism, the source of criticism of the alliance by President Donald Trump. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg's office said Tuesday that the two men "agreed on the fundamental and enduring value of NATO for the security of both Europe and North America." In a phone call, they looked forward "to working together to strengthen the alliance, including by increasing defense spending and doing even ... more »
Trump Executive Orders Expedite Keystone and DAPL Pipelines
. Resistance continues at the water protector camps at Standing Rock Native Americans vow immediately to resist as Trump signs executive orders advancing Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines By Brenda Norrell Censored News President Donald Trump issued executive orders removing obstacles to the construction of both the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines on Tuesday morning."The
"'Common Sense' Addressed To The Inhabitants Of 2017 America", Part 2
*"'Common Sense' Addressed To The Inhabitants Of 2017 America", Part 2 * by Jim Quinn "In Part One of this article I explored Thomas Paine’s critical role in the creation of our nation. His Common Sense pamphlets inspired the common people to uncommon acts of courage and heroic feats of valor; leading to the great experiment we call the United States of America. Paine, Franklin and the other Founding Fathers produced a republic, if we could keep it. John Adams championed the new Constitution precisely because it would not create a democracy, as he knew a democracy “soon wastes, exh... more »
How Russia Sees The Global Media
*(Click on Image to Enlarge)* *WNU Editor*: So today's global media is *hostile towards Russia*. What's my take .... I have seen worse.
Sheriff Caught Speeding Refuses Blue Privilege — Demands Cop Write Him a Ticket
[image: speeding]A Florida sheriff is reversing the trend of blue privilege after he demanded that a cop write him a ticket after he caught the sheriff speeding.
BREAKING: Trump Signs Executive Order Forcing Continuation of DAPL & Keystone XL
[image: pipeline]The executive orders reinstating the continuation of the pipeline were set to be signed at 11 a.m. ET, according to the official in Washington.
Bring on the Noise, Bring on the Contempt
Frank Bruni's Sunday *New York Times* column went right to the heart of what probably peeves the Establishment the most about Donald Trump. It's his utter lack of style and his dark vision. They still haven't recovered from his utterance of the word "carnage" on such a lofty occasion. In their world, the blood and gore of the forever wars and the opioid epidemic and rising death rates are realities which must not be named during official ceremonies touting American exceptionalism. We haven't been allowed to see the returning body bags at Joint Base Andrews for the past decade and a ... more »
President Obama Averaged A 47.9% Job Approval As President
*Gallop:* *Obama Averages 47.9% Job Approval as President* * Only Truman, Ford, Carter had lower averages as president * Final job approval rating of 59% among the highest for presidents * Obama ratings avoided extreme highs, lows WASHINGTON, D.C -- Barack Obama finished his tenure as president with a 47.9% average job approval rating. He ranks below eight presidents and ahead of only three -- Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter and Harry Truman -- in Gallup's polling history. John F. Kennedy, Dwight Eisenhower and George H.W. Bush, all of whom averaged better than 60% job approval while in ... more »
China Deploys Ballistic Missiles Near The Russian Border
© Photo: Youtube/ Military Technology Zone *RT:* *China reportedly deploys ICBMs near Russia’s border* Beijing has deployed advanced Dongfeng-41 ICBMs in Heilongjiang Province, which borders Russia, according to reports based on images, possibly leaked to coincide with Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president. “Pictures of China's Dongfeng-41 ballistic missile were exposed on Chinese mainland websites,” the Global Times said citing reports in “some Hong Kong and Taiwan media.” Russian news agencies identified one of them as the Apple Daily, a Hong Kong-based tabloid-style resour... more »
China Says It Is Prepared To Lead The World Economy
Chinese President Xi Jinping *Fortune:* *China Says It Will Lead the World Economy If Western Nations Stand Down* A top Chinese diplomat has said that China is ready to lead the world economy if other nations should retreat from globalization. Zhang Jun, the Chinese foreign ministry's head of international economic affairs, told foreign reporters in Beijing that "if it’s necessary for China to play the role of leader, then China must take on this responsibility," reports the Wall Street Journal. Zhang's comments come just days after President Donald Trump pledged to put "America... more »
China is Building a Navy to Displace, Not Defeat the US in Asia
*January 24, 2017* (Joseph Thomas - NEO) - In many ways, China's socioeconomic and military influence in Asia has already balanced a long-lopsided equation of geopolitical power in the region. The social and economic stability brought by the rise of China along with the rest of Asia has helped eliminate many of the "dark alleys" the US and its European allies have often used to create division, destruction and opportunities to then intervene, even overturn entire governments. China's naval ambitions in particular have been disparaged by Western political and military analysts who b... more »
How exactly did the Department of Defense end up in my child's classroom?
from Wrench in the Gears You cannot fully understand what is happening with Future Ready school redesign, 1:1 device programs, embedded assessments, gamification, classroom management apps, and the push for students in neighborhood schools to supplement instruction with online courses until you grasp the role the federal government and the Department of Defense more specifically have played in bringing us to where we are today. In 1999, just as cloud-based computing was coming onto the scene, President Bill Clinton signed Executive Order 13111 and created the Advanced Distributed... more »
This lion got stuck in a tree and his brother had to help him down
In what might be the cutest piece of evidence that lions are just like housecats, this guy, well, got stuck in a tree. So embarrassing. The lion had climbed into the tree in search of some shade but ended up clinging on after his cheeky brother dragged him down. But the joke soon backfired on the bigger brother, who ended up being used as a sturdy platform by the younger sibling. The two lions, named Echo and Etosha, left onlookers in Zimbabwe roaring with laughter. Although they are both related, Echo is better known for his cat demeanour, while Etosha has a reputation for bein... more »
Wyoming Moves to Ban Wind and Solar Power for Use by Electric Utilities
*Vic Bishop* - State lawmakers are pushing to prevent utility companies from using solar and wind power. The post Wyoming Moves to Ban Wind and Solar Power for Use by Electric Utilities appeared first on Waking Times.
FALSEHOODS, MISSTATEMENTS AND LIES: Lawrence O'Donnell gets it on!
*TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2017Part 1—Our own team's gross incompetence:* Last night, in his opening segment, Lawrence O'Donnell really got it on. The transcript isn't available yet, not even through Nexis. Given the way his corporate channel works, who knows when it *will* appear? The transcript isn't available yet, but we're willing to show you how O'Donnell started his program last night. You see his words below. In many ways, O'Donnell's show is currently well worth watching. But what you see here is spectacularly dumb—and dumbness is a large liberal problem. It helped put Trump wh... more »
Untitled
*From Jenna Orkin * *Mark Robinowitz on globalresearch.ca/trump-and-the-deep-state Trump Inauguration now national Day of Patriotic Devotion *A secure email service used by Edward Snowden is relaunching The director of UK spy agency GCHQ is leaving Americans are rejecting the 'homeschool myth' — and experts say the misunderstood education might be better than public or charter schools Stephen Hawking warned us about contacting aliens, but this astronomer says it's 'too late' HALLIBURTON: We are seeing weakness everywhere but in North America Nicolas Maduro fired Venezuela's C... more »
Mosul Campaign Day 99, Jan 23, 2017
The big news of the day was the Defense Ministry claimingthat all of east Mosul was liberated when it wasn’t. The Ministry made the announcement at the start of the day, but was quickly corrected by the forces on the ground, and the Joint Operations Command. General Yahya Rasool pointed out that the Rashidiya district in the northeast was still being attackedby the 9th and 16 Divisions, while the Joint Operations Command toldthe media that it was the only body authorized to declare areas of the city under government control. The Defense Ministry had to acknowledged that it was mis... more »
Journal retracts paper due to image mismatch; one co-author alleges fraud
Researchers have retracted a biology paper that included an image mismatch — despite the fact that, as they claim, another image in the same paper confirms the original findings. The authors say they plan to resubmit the paper with the corrected figure panel. The second to last author — Carlo Croce, chair of the department of […] The post Journal retracts paper due to image mismatch; one co-author alleges fraud appeared first on Retraction Watch.
Is The Trump Administration Ready For War In The South China Sea?
*Simon Denyer, Washington Post:** Is Trump ready for war in the South China Sea, or is his team just not being clear?* Was this a prelude to a major escalation in the South China Sea, or is the Trump administration having trouble articulating its foreign policy? On Monday, new White House spokesman Sean Spicer said the United States would prevent China from taking over territory in international waters in the South China Sea. His comments were widely interpreted as doubling down on remarks by Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, on Jan. 11 that the United States... more »
China Warns The White House Over South China Sea 'Takeover' Claims
An aerial photo taken though a glass window of a Philippine military plane shows the alleged on-going land reclamation by China on mischief reef in the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, west of Palawan, Philippines, May 11, 2015. REUTERS/Ritchie B. Tongo/Pool *The Guardian*: *China hits back at US over South China Sea 'takeover' claims* Beijing warns White House to tread carefully after Rex Tillerson likens island-building to Russia’s taking of Crimea China has warned the US to “speak and act cautiously” after the White House said it would act to foil Chinese attempts to “t... more »
Dire Straits
The main news today is the Supreme Court’s decision (8 - 3) that the government cannot use its prerogative to trigger article 50 without putting it to a vote in parliament. Therefore the decision about ‘triggling aritcer 50’ (as certain BBC reporters and politicians are apt to Spoonerise) will be up to our MPs. See Guido’s provisional list of MPs who will vote against. ***** Triggling aside, I do think the media is presently running the country. Theresa May’s hesitant performance on the Marr Show exposed her genuine and understandable fear of the media, as much as anything else. ... more »
Here’s the proof that Theresa May doesn’t give a s**t about children’s mental health
On 9 January, Theresa May announced plans to “transform” mental health care. In particular, she claimed her focus would be children and young people. But new information from headteachers reveals how little the government cares about funding mental health services in schools. Budget slashing According to research from six unions, 98% of schools will see […] The post Here’s the proof that Theresa May doesn’t give a s**t about children’s mental health appeared first on The Canary.
The whistleblower who exposed a billion-pound scam by HSBC claims the media is now gagging him [VIDEO]
A whistleblower who exposed millions of pounds of “unreasonable” customer charges by HSBC says he feels “vindicated” after the bank agreed to finally redress affected customers. But speaking exclusively to The Canary, the man at the centre of the storm insists that mainstream media outlets have repeatedly “gagged” and “ignored” him. And he believes a […] The post The whistleblower who exposed a billion-pound scam by HSBC claims the media is now gagging him [VIDEO] appeared first on The Canary.
An ex-military whistleblower claims there’s been a decades-long cover-up over institutionalised child abuse
Former army information officer and whistleblower Colin Wallace has condemned the findings of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry. The inquiry found no evidence that security agencies were complicit in child sex abuse that took place at Kincora Boys Home, Northern Ireland. But Wallace claims that the British government knew about security services’ alleged involvement in […] The post An ex-military whistleblower claims there’s been a decades-long cover-up over institutionalised child abuse appeared first on The Canary.
And the award for the biggest meltdown over the Brexit ruling goes to… Iain Duncan Smith
With the UK’s hysterical pro-Brexit press, it was a close call. But the award for the biggest meltdown over the Brexit ruling goes to Iain Duncan Smith. On 24 January, the Supreme Court rejected Theresa May’s taxpayer-funded appeal against the ruling that parliament must vote on Article 50. No longer can the Prime Minister bypass parliament […] The post And the award for the biggest meltdown over the Brexit ruling goes to… Iain Duncan Smith appeared first on The Canary.
Trump 'to advance controversial pipelines' per BBC News
This BBC report http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38734450 follows the BBC rule that if something goes against what the BBC wants then it is controversial or populist. Conversely if something is in accord with BBC views then it is beyond reproach.
Buffoonery, De Damned
Just back from DC, where the Women's March brought out more than a half million people to assert their determination to maintain a constitutional democracy and the civil and human rights that our predecessors over many generations have fought and died for. If it comes down to it, the millions that gathered around the country this past weekend have declared that they are no less willing to make sure that we continue to protect our Constitution and work toward "a more perfect union." I feel confident that this Republic will not be usurped by a band of neo-fascists led by a narciss... more »
Kellyanne Conway: "Presumptive negativity by the press"...
*be very cautious of what you see or hear.* All news is fake news until proven other wise™ Listen carefully to what she says about the bust of Martin Luther King. Compare this woman to the screeching foul mouthed harridans that took to the streets (the ones they left piled with trash) dressed as their lady parts. Here's a woman who, by all reports, attends daily Mass, is raising four lovely children, and wears high heels. She is the highest ranking woman in the White House. Wouldn't you think she would be someone to hold up to your daughters as an example of modern womanhood? In... more »
Britain’s Supreme Court Rules That Parliament Must Vote On Brexit
*New York Times*: *‘Brexit’ Talks Can’t Start Without Parliament, U.K. Supreme Court Rules* LONDON — Prime Minister Theresa May must secure the approval of Parliament before she can begin the process of taking Britain out of the European Union, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday. The ruling, which upholds an earlier decision by the High Court in London, creates another hurdle for Mrs. May, who has promised to begin a two-year, irreversible process of exit negotiations by the end of March by invoking the European Union’s Article 50, the legal mechanism for leaving the bloc. In its... more »
Cops Want to Punish Woman who Called them ‘Pigs’ for Killing Her Innocent Husband on Video
[image: Rodriguez]A widow is facing potential charges for going on Facebook Live and referring to the men who killed her innocent husand, Luis Rodriguez, as 'pigs.'
Tweet For Today
Britain's Supreme Court to rule whether #Brexit can proceed without parliamentary approval pic.twitter.com/TtJrrWhDtV — AFP news agency (@AFP) January 24, 2017
President Trump To Keep FBI Director Comey
James B. Comey, the F.B.I. director, during a reception on Sunday for law enforcement officials and first responders at the White House. Credit Al Drago/The New York Times *New York Times:* *Trump Is Said to Keep James Comey as F.B.I. Director* WASHINGTON — The F.B.I. director, James B. Comey, told his top agents from around the country that he had been asked by President Trump to stay on the job running the federal government’s top law enforcement agency, according to people familiar with the matter. A decision to retain Mr. Comey would spare the president another potentially bru... more »
Picture Of The Day
*Prepping to Fire* Soldiers prepare to test fire an M119A3 105mm howitzer system at Camp Roberts, Calif., Jan. 18, 2017. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy M. Black
TRUMP'S PEOPLE ROUTINELY BACKSTAB TRUMP, AND ONE ANOTHER
A *Washington Post* story about the first few days of the Trump administration really doesn't put the president in a very flattering light -- and it's clear that Trump aides are leaking the unflattering details to the *Post*'s reporters: As his press secretary, Sean Spicer, was still unpacking boxes in his spacious new West Wing office, Trump grew increasingly and visibly enraged. Pundits were dissing his turnout. The National Park Service had retweeted a photo unfavorably comparing the size of his inauguration crowd with the one that attended Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony in... more »
Major Big Box Retailer Calls on Suppliers to Stop Using Bee-Killing Chemicals
*Vic Bishop* - Costco is a prime position to influence the overall use of pollinator killing neonics. The post Major Big Box Retailer Calls on Suppliers to Stop Using Bee-Killing Chemicals appeared first on Waking Times.
Astana: Joint Statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey regarding Syria
*Astana: Joint Statement by Iran, Russia and Turkey regarding Syria* In a joint statement issued following the talks, Russia, Iran and Turkey reiterated that there is no military solution to the Syrian war and that only a political process can resolve the crisis. The states also reaffirmed their commitment to the independence and territorial integrity of Syria. Following is the full text of the statement: *JOINT STATEMENT BY IRAN, RUSSIA, TURKEY ON THE INTERNATIONAL MEETING ON SYRIA, IN ASTANA, JANUARY 23-24th, 2017* The delegations of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Russian Fed... more »
Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation on Fukushima Wildlife
Relatively little research has been conducted on animal life in Japan and its coastal waters after the Fukushima Daiichi disaster but anomalies have already been identified. One study found a marked decline in bird abundance in Fukushima.[i] Spiders, grasshoppers, dragonflies, butterflies, bumblebees and cicadas also suffered population declines since the accident.[ii] Another study found cesium contamination in Japanese macaques, ranging across time from a high of 25,000 Becquerels per kilogram in 2011 to 2,000 in 2012.[iii] Yet another study published in 2015 found chromosomal... more »
Is Donald J Trump Nothing More Than Steve Bannon's And Robert Mercer's Plot Against America?
When push comes stop shove, McCain, Graham and Rubio won't be standing up to Trumpism. If you ever thought otherwise, you were delusional-- maybe more so in Rubio's case, but Republicans are going to be pushed a lot further before they join any kind of resistance. I hope they've all read Phil Roth's 2004 novel, The Plot Against America. (In fact, I hope everyone has-- and in pursuit of that hope, I've added it to the *DWT* Book Shoppe, as you'll see by hitting the title link in the last sentence.) Anyway, Roth's book can be categorized as alternative history, prescient alternativ... more »
Life With The Snopeses
Chris Hedges sees dark days ahead. The reincarnated robber barons are now in charge. And capitalism is in deep trouble: We are entering the twilight phase of capitalism. Wealth is no longer created by producing or manufacturing. It is created by manipulating the prices of stocks and commodities and imposing a crippling debt peonage on the public. Our casino capitalism has merged with the gambling industry. The entire system is parasitic. It is designed to prey on the desperate—young men and women burdened by student loans, underpaid workers burdened by credit card debt and mortgag... more »
A Tory MP wants to change the law to ban junior doctors and rail workers from striking
On Tuesday 24 January, a Conservative MP will put forward a bill in parliament which could see the rights of millions of people in the UK eroded. Ignoring warnings from the UN that it may break international law, Chris Philp, the MP for Croydon South, wants to pass legislation that will stop workers like junior […] The post A Tory MP wants to change the law to ban junior doctors and rail workers from striking appeared first on The Canary.
John Bercow forgets his mic is on and gives a frank opinion on Theresa May’s government [VIDEO]
The language of the UK parliament is often stilted and riddled with subtext. But Speaker of the House John Bercow forgot his microphone was on this week, and provided a frank opinion on a “stupid” move by Theresa May’s government. John Bercow gets real On Monday 23 January, Defence Secretary Michael Fallon was called to the House […] The post John Bercow forgets his mic... Visit www.thecanary.co to read more.
Czech diplomacy frees Polish evangelist in Syria
Two Czech pro-Kurdish warriors against ISIS were caught by the pro-ISIS Turkish government and most TRF readers believe that they're doomed. But it doesn't always have to be like that. Even seemingly tougher situations may be resolved. Hours ago, we've heard about such a great example. Leszek Marian Panek (54) has been a well-known character in Poland, especially in Wroclav. He believes that the return of Jesus Christ is imminent and will be accompanied by a nuclear war. His golden Nissan recommends Jesus Christ as the new king of Poland, among other things. God told him to sleep ... more »
Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. - Owen Jones writes that we should give credit for the failure of the Trans-Pacific Partnership to the popular opposition which will be need to push back against Donald Trump, rather than pretending it represents a win for Trump himself: That Trump has any ownership over TPP is a travesty, and a damning indictment of the Democratic establishment. The new president’s rightwing populism combines xenophobia, protectionism and policies which directly enrich the Donald Trump class. Yes, American workers have suffered years of stagnating or falling... more »
Observing Events
On his first day in office, President Trump met with business leaders and then he met with union leaders. Both groups were very excited to work with the President to help bring jobs to the nation (and make America great again). The Democrats are outraged that Donald Trump is stealing their mojo. Union workers were their bread-and-butter voters. Maybe not anymore. The progressive movement has always preferred grievance voters to union members, who lowed like cattle on their way to the slaughterhouse as did inner city voters. Those two voting blocks are in danger of deserting the Dem... more »
George Soros: The “God” Who Should Be Jailed
[image: george-soros-the-god-who-should-be-jailed] George Soros, who fancies himself a god and intends to remake the world, is the Lord of Chaos and pursues a world order that is demonic, not divine.
Do Conspiracies Exist?
[image: do-conspiracies-exist] To understand the workings of government, it is necessary to acknowledge the mostly unseen hand of conspiracy. Only seldom do historians mention it, and even less the majority of commentators on current events; the very word “conspiracy” has acquired overtones of hysteria and emotionalism. To be styled a “conspiracy theorist” is perhaps the ultimate reproach in media-driven discourse. Yet conspiracies, difficult to detect and even more difficult to prove, are as natural an element of politics as algae is of pond water.
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*England: Elementary errors force maths guides to be pulped* A total of 90 errors were found in one book aimed at teenagers studying for maths GCSE exams They were supposed to test the maths skills of 16-year-olds but revision guides and homework books written by experts for new GCSEs were strewn with errors, it has been revealed. Two guides produced by leading publishers to complement maths qualifications created by exam boards have been pulped, with teenagers and teachers offered refunds. Other publishers apologised, saying mistakes would be corrected in future editions. Error... more »
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*EPA transition team announced* *Typical "ad hominem" Green/Left rant below. No argument about facts or policy. Just paranoia about "funding". The Left are themselves funding slurpers so think that everyone else is too. They think everybody else is as buyable as they are* US President Donald Trump's administration has drawn heavily from the energy industry lobby and pro-drilling think tanks to build its landing team for the Environmental Protection Agency, according to a list of the newly introduced 10-member team seen by Reuters. The email lists at least three former researc... more »
Moving moment Bear the dog is freed after spending 15 years chained up outside
An elderly dog is finally free after he spent 15 years chained up to his house in his owner's backyard. Bear, of Suffolk County, New York, had to carry his heavy chain, survive harsh winters outside and received little care from his owner. But he will no longer be tied to his doghouse after a local animal rescue group freed him, as a heartwarming video has shown. His owner, who has neither been named nor charged with animal cruelty, agreed to let him go. Guardians of Rescue president Robert Misseri said: 'We knew that we had to do something to make a difference in that dog's life... more »
Domestic Wood Burning Leads To “Very High Pollution Alert” For London
By Paul Homewood h/t Ian http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-38716498 From the BBC: A "very high" air pollution warning has been issued for London for the first time under a new alert system. Warnings are being issued at bus stops, roadside signs and Tube stations under the new system set up by London Mayor Sadiq […]
The Startling Debacle Of Germany’s Electric Cars
By Paul Homewood http://notrickszone.com/2017/01/21/the-startling-debacle-of-germanys-electric-cars-auto-industry-faces-demise-in-10-years/#sthash.yZBBdo9K.dpbs Pierre Gosselin brings news on how electric cars are struggling to get off the ground in Germany. The skeptic European Institute for Climate and Energy (EIKE) here brings our attention to a documentary on electric cars by German flagship ARD public television broadcast recently. German auto industry risks […]
Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics: “Families are Under No Obligation to Put Their Children at Risk By Participating in the Corrupt Current US National Immunization Program”
NOTE: Congratulations and thank you to Ginger Taylor for her tireless work! ### The Johns Hopkins Journal, Narrative Inquiry in Bioethics, has published their issue entitled, "Narrative Symposium: To Vaccinate or Not? Parents' Stories." The journal description of this edition:...
The One People, Jan 23/17: Magnetic fields and I don't wanna go to sleep!
Last nights Discussion on the One People Show started off with Dani discussing the magnetic fields of our "planet" vs the magnetic fields of our own bodies and how they interact. Lisa joined in and the floor was opened to several topics, ranging from Magnetic poles, to sleeping....or the lack of sleeping, that a lot of people are currently experiencing. Setting a group Intent was a huge discussion this weekend in the Unfuckers Group with Sunday being the day that we all did our own thing to create and set the intent of WAKE UP!", sending it out to the world in general. AND....... more »
200,000 litres of oil spills onto First Nations agricultural land near Stoughton
Jan 24, 2017: About 200,000 litres of oil spilled near Stoughton, Sask., last week. The pipeline breach occurred on First Nations land about 140 kilometres southeast of Regina. The spill covered an approximately 20-metre radius. The provincial government was notified of the spill on Friday evening "as soon as the leak was detected," a government email said. Media were notified Monday afternoon. The pipeline was shut down when the breach was discovered, and the spill is fully contained. The source of the leak is not yet known. The oil did not enter any water sources but covered ag... more »
Longevity and the Christian Tradition
It has been a common conviction among atheist life-extensionists that religion generally, and particular branches of Christianity, are somehow intrinsically averse to far-reaching biomedical interventions or even to the idea of human life-extension, placing a greater emphasis on faith-healing and life in the world to come.
Syria is on the brink of partition – here’s how it got there
Of course it is. All these tribes will need a national homeland, even if it is a designated city that they can exile themselves to in case of need. Right now they have beat themselves into some form of submission to what is acceptable. Maybe such an outcome will settle things. At least it is a sane beginning. *Syria is on the brink of partition – here’s how it got there* *January 11, 2017 1.50pm EST* *https://theconversation.com/syria-is-on-the-brink-of-partition-heres-how-it-got-there-70825* *After nearly six years of uprising, conflict and chaos, the partition of Syria is i... more »
China’s ban on domestic ivory trade is huge, but the battle isn’t won
It may not be over yet but this is an excellent start. The rest is actually clean up. The more difficult problem is learning to establish successful human - elephant communication. Once that is done, it is no trick for elephant husbandry to be established globally. Recall elephants consume and tear down trees. This is very useful almost everywhere. With communication we can identify which trees. This has great economic value. Thus the human future of the elephant can be huge. . *China’s ban on domestic ivory trade is huge, but the battle isn’t won* * Januar... more »
Pesticide Alternative helps Plants Protect Themselves from Disease
It is techniques such as this that will solve the pest and disease problem and perhaps it will do it permanently simply because a system such as this responds dynamically to an emergent threat with a biological response. We need more thinking like this rather than simply dumping toxins all over everything. This is truly promising and promises an actual commercial model as well. *Pesticide alternative helps plants protect themselves from disease* *Lisa-Ann Lee* * January 11th, 2017* *http://newatlas.com/bioclay-gene-silencing-plants-pesticide-alternative/47344/* *A newly devel... more »
Are We Really in the Year 1714? The Phantom Time Hypothesis
I really would like to see this issue definitively resolved. It is really important. Much of my work depends of locking down dates and having a built in 300 year error happens to be annoying. I want to say something else. The era in question was just too quiet. The western roman empire was taken over but all the new guys adopted as much of the roman infrastructure as they could. After all they did need tax income as well. The Church itself did not disappear. And Charlemagne could have been a local war leader to draw into the story line once created. Thus the only entity with... more »
FBI Find Nothing Inappropriate In National Security Adviser Michael Flynn's Phone Calls With Russian Officials
Russian President Vladimir Putin, center right, with retired U.S. Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynn, center left, and Serbian filmmaker Emir Kusturica, obscured, second right, attend an exhibition marking the 10th anniversary of RT (Russia Today), the 24-hour English-language TV news channel in Moscow, on Dec. 10, 2015. (Photo: Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) *Chicago Tribune/Washington Post*:* FBI finds nothing illicit in Michael Flynn's calls with Russian ambassador* The FBI in late December reviewed intercepts of communications between the Russian ambassador to t... more »
Arctic Heatwave? It Was Warmer In 1985!
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-38417198 ? You might recall apocalyptic claims last month about record breaking heatwaves in the Arctic. As I suggested at the time, such claims were nonsensical, and were based on no more than isolated incursions of mild air from lower latitudes,…
Mainstream Media Ignores New Study: Present Sea Surface Temperatures “Indistinguishable” From Those During Last Interglacial…
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on Bob Tisdale - Climate Observations: …When Sea Levels Were Roughly 20 to 30 Feet Higher than Today Science recently published Hoffman, et al. (2017) Regional and global sea-surface temperatures during the last interglaciation. Not too surprisingly, the study has been ignored by the mainstream media. Why? As Science writes in their summary…
El Nino to El Nino – no net global warming
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on wryheat: The Earth experienced two super El Ninos recently: 1997/1998 and 2015/2016. It was expected that 2016 would be the hottest year in the satellite record which begins in 1979. It was, but by only 0.02°C over 1998. That is not statistically significant according to Dr. Roy Spencer, keeper of the UAH…
Arctic Sea Ice Extent Same As 2006
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? https://polarbearscience.com/2017/01/22/polar-bear-habitat-update-as-much-sea-ice-in-2017-as-2006-at-18-january/ ? Susan Crockford writes: ? Sea ice charts for 18 January from NSIDC Masie show exactly as much sea ice in 2017 as there was back in 2006 – 13.4 mkm2. Masie image below from 2006 (enlarged and cropped from…
Fossil Fuels Supplying 72% Of Electricity Tonight
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT: By Paul Homewood ? According to Prince Charles, we now get more electricity from solar power than we do coal. ? Unfortunately the sun is not shining tonight, and there has not been much wind either today. The result is that coal power is currently…
California Drought Report #80: El Niño Return This Summer
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on Sierra Foothill Commentary: Listening to Joe Bastardi’s Weekly summary at WeatherBell this morning, his assessment was that the current weak La Niña would become an El Niño in the tropical Pacific by summer. National Weather Service Meteorologist Brian Ochs: “if you have warmer sea surface temperatures over a larger area of the…
Polar bear habitat update: as much sea ice in 2017 as 2006 at 18 January
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on polarbearscience: Sea ice charts for 18 January from NSIDC Masie show exactly as much sea ice in 2017 as there was back in 2006 – 13.4 mkm2. Masie image below from 2006 (enlarged and cropped from archived version and label re-inserted) shows the distribution of ice was slightly different than this year…
The Cruelest Tax Of All
Hifast at EPA Nominee Pruitt Attacked Because: “He believes debate should be encouraged about the truth of climate science” – Climate Collections - 23 hours ago
Originally posted on Skating Under The Ice: A “progressive” tax is one where the wealthier you are the higher percentage of tax you pay. On the other hand, I’ve said before that a tax on energy, the so-called “carbon tax”, is one of the most regressive taxes available. It is the reverse of progressive, it…
And then I wondered……
I had not known the Jewish religion rejects the process of cremation. This is not unusual but for adherents of a religious faith that bans cremation, I would not expect, Jews in this case, to be wise in the ways … Continue reading →
Did Jeff Sessions forget wanting to execute pot dealers?
Max Schoening, Law Student, Stanford University at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 23 hours ago
Before the Senate Judiciary Committee votes on Jeff Sessions’ nomination to be attorney general, senators should demand an explanation for the sudden bout of amnesia he had at his nomination hearing earlier this month. When Sen. Patrick Leahy asked him about his past support for imposing mandatory death sentences on people twice convicted of dealing marijuana, Sessions smiled and claimed to have a foggy memory. “Well, I’m not sure under what circumstances I said that,” he told the committee. Perhaps this will refresh Sessions’ memory: In 1996, when serving as Alabama’s attorney ... more »
Overcoming 'cyber-fatigue' requires users to step up for security
Richard Forno, Senior Lecturer, Cybersecurity & Internet Researcher, University of Maryland, Baltimore County at Science + Technology – The Conversation - 23 hours ago
Fatigued via shutterstock.com As a new presidential administration takes over, it will need to pay significant attention to cybersecurity. Indeed, we’ve already been told to expect “a comprehensive plan” for cybersecurity in the first few months of the new administration. But as a professional who has long been part of the global internet security community, I am pessimistic that the typical government and individual plans or responses to our ongoing cybersecurity concerns actually will lead to meaningful improvements. For decades, this cycle has repeated itself. First, a high-pro... more »
Still Time to Stop Rex Tillerson: US Senate Vote Next Week; Things to Know About Putin’s Friend, Former Exxon CEO Tillerson
Still Time to Stop Tillerson-Exxon-Russia! Rex Tillerson Vote will probably go to Senate next week (maybe sooner?). Contact your Senators … Continue reading →
Mike Pompeo Is Confirmed By The U.S. Senate As C.I.A. Director
*New York Times*: *Mike Pompeo Is Confirmed to Lead C.I.A., as Rex Tillerson Advances* WASHINGTON — President Trump’s cabinet continued to take shape on Monday, as Representative Mike Pompeo of Kansas earned approval to lead the Central Intelligence Agency and Rex W. Tillerson, the secretary of state nominee, cleared a key Senate hurdle to all but assure his own confirmation. Despite some shaky appearances from his nominees on Capitol Hill and often blistering Democratic opposition, Mr. Trump has thus far faced few meaningful obstacles in installing the team of his choice — aided ... more »
U.S. Senate Panel Approves Rex Tillerson For Secretary Of State
*CNN*: *Senate committee approves Tillerson for secretary of state* (CNN)Former ExxonMobil chief executive Rex Tillerson won the backing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Monday to be secretary of state when it voted 11-10 to send his nomination to the full Senate. Sen. Marco Rubio was a long hold-out and potential "no" vote after he raised concerns about Tillerson's views toward Russia and human rights. But the Florida Republican announced earlier Monday that he would support the nomination. If Rubio had voted no, it could have stalled Tillerson, although GOP leaders plan... more »
What happens when you have a disease doctors can’t diagnose
Five years ago, TED Fellow Jennifer Brea became progressively ill with myalgic encephalomyelitis, commonly known as chronic fatigue syndrome, a debilitating illness that severely impairs normal activities and on bad days makes even the rustling of bed sheets unbearable. In this poignant talk, Brea describes the obstacles she’s encountered in seeking treatment for her condition, whose root causes and physical effects we don’t fully understand, as well as her mission to document through film the lives of patients that medicine struggles to treat.
Trump Administration Freezes EPA Grants, Limits Employee Access to the Press?
Multiple news outlets, citing anonymous sources, reported that the Trump administration had frozen all EPA grants and contracts until further notice.
Lawmakers Criminalize Peaceful Protest?
Several state legislatures have proposed bills that would create harsher penalties for protesters, but none has yet been made into law.
Musical Interlude: 2002, "Believe"
2002, "Believe" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-msdaMuQbg8
Coup, Illustrated: Iran, Oil, and the CIA Overthrow of 1953
A panel from Operation Ajax: The Story of the CIA Coup That Remade the Middle East (Verso Books) In the sweltering late summer heat of 1953, a fifteen-year-old boy who would, a few decades and thousands of miles later, become my father, walked to his older brother’s shop near the center of Tehran, Iran. The streets of the densely-populated capital city were eerily empty. It was a Wednesday.
"A Look to the Heavens"
“The Sleeping Beauty galaxy may appear peaceful at first sight but it is actually tossing and turning. In an unexpected twist, recent observations have shown that the gas in the outer regions of this photogenic spiral is rotating in the opposite direction from all of the stars! Collisions between gas in the inner and outer regions are creating many hot blue stars and pink emission nebula. *Click image for larger size.* The above image was taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2001 and released in 2004. The fascinating internal motions of M64, also cataloged as NGC 4826, are thought... more »
"Tell Yourself..."
“Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won’t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could.” - Louise Erdrich
Abby Martin: Russia’s Transformation From an American “Colony” to it’s “Number One Threat”
Dandelion Salad with Abby Martin teleSUR English on Jan 23, 2017 The increased aggression towards Russia from US politicians and media is made more clear when taking into account the real history of the post-Soviet period. The hidden story of Boris Yeltsin’s presidency explains how deeply the US government, along with Western capitalist institutions, cheered, […]
The Arrogance of the Main Stream Media
*Professor Tim Ball* Tim Ball addresses a meeting at Australian Parliament House 8/11/2016 The arrogance of the main stream, and even too much of the medium stream media, believe they have a divine right. It is the same. They are panicking because the internet and Trumps’s use of Twitter has and is bypassing them completely. They accelerated their own demise by not accepting the responsibility that comes with being the Fifth Estate. It is sad and pathetic to see even Fox trying to defend people like the New York Times journalist who claimed the MLK bust was removed. They mumbled ... more »
News Flash! Spicer! Conway! The Trump White House Is Now Officially An Insane Asylum
*White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is on the job.* *by Noah* That the Trump White House has become a home for crazy people shouldn't come as a surprise to any sane observer of the events of recent years. Face it: We've seen the Republican Party cross over the edge of sanity since the dawn of the Tea Party. That was the point where it became apparent that the Republican Party had *fully* become the Crackpot Party. I don't need to recount the Bizarro World antics of the likes of Michele Bachmann, Sarah Palin, Louie "The Bestiality Guy" Gohmert, Paul LePage, et al. Their number... more »
AT THE WHITE HOUSE, THE BOMB-THROWING WING GETS A NEW RECRUIT
*The Washington Post*'s Robert Costa is describing the new hire at the White House as an enemy of Paul Ryan: When House Speaker Paul D. Ryan’s redbrick Georgian revival in Janesville, Wis., was surrounded last July by women whose children were murdered by undocumented immigrants, conservative writer Julia Hahn published a scathing report and a blurry snapshot of Ryan’s departing SUV. The headline: “Paul Ryan flees grieving moms trying to show him photos of their children killed by his open borders agenda.” Three months later, Hahn wrote a 2,800-word story alleging that Ryan was th... more »
"Fate, Luck, Chance..."
"That is life, isn't it? Fate. Luck. Chance. A long series of what-if's that lead from one moment to the next, time never pausing for you to catch your breath, to make sense of the cards that have been handed to you. And all you can do is play your cards and hope for the best, because in the end, it all comes back to those three basics. Fate. Luck. Chance." - Kelseyleigh Reber "Unless, of course, there's no such thing as chance... in which case, we should either- optimistically- get up and cheer, because if everything is planned in advance, then we all have a meaning and are spared ... more »
The Daily "Near You?"
Lodi, California, USA. Thanks for stopping by!
Paulo Coelho, “Beauty Exists Not In Sameness”
*“Beauty Exists Not In Sameness”* by Paulo Coelho “Beauty exists not in sameness but in difference. Who could imagine a giraffe without its long neck or a cactus without its spines? The irregularity of the mountain peaks that surround us is what makes them so imposing. If we tried to make them all the same, they would no longer command our respect. It is the imperfect that astonishes and attracts us. When we look at a cedar tree, we don’t think: ‘The branches should be all the same length.’ We think: ‘How strong it is.’ When we see a snake, we never say: ‘He is crawling along the ... more »
The Poet: William Wordsworth, "Lines Written in Early Spring"
*"Lines Written in Early Spring"* "I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sat reclined; In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind. To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think, What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure, But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleas... more »
Robert Merlin Carter: 9 March 1942 – 19 January 2016
It is hard to believe that it is a year since we lost Prof Bob Carter. Robert Merlin Carter: 9 March 1942 – 19 January 2016 It is equally hard to realise that it will be a year, tomorrow, since Bob's funeral. Bob was one of the world's greats in fighting the inaccuracies of the global man-made climate change hoax. As a tribute to Bob, Australian Climate Sceptics re-publishes some of one of the last works in which he was involved. *Why Scientists Disagree About Global Warming* The NIPCC Report on the Scientific Consensus [image: why_scientists_-_front_cover-260] By *Craig D. Idso, R... more »
The Poet: William Wordsworth, "Lines Written in Early Spring"
*Please do click for larger size.** *○* *"Lines Written in Early Spring"* "I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sat reclined; In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind. To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think, What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure, But the least motion wh... more »
Meditation Gaining Popularity in Prisons to Change the Lives of Inmates
*Alex Pietrowski* - The whole world should be meditating. The post Meditation Gaining Popularity in Prisons to Change the Lives of Inmates appeared first on Waking Times.
On The Words “Liberal,” “Conservative,” and “Libertarian”
In *The Art of Nonfiction*, Ayn Rand says that “it is important to know when to continue using a word despite its being corrupted, and when to drop such a word.” She says that she did not use the words “Liberal,” “Conservative,” and “Libertarian,” because their meanings are not clear. Here’s the excerpt: “Take the word “liberal.” In the nineteenth century, this was a proper term which stood for one who defended rights and limited government—except that it never represented a fully consistent political philosophy. So historically, what started as nineteenth-century liberalism gradua... more »
"Yes Or No..."
"Why say "yes"? "Yes" means opportunity. "Yes" makes the dots in your life appear. And if you're willing and open, you can connect these dots. You don't know where these dots are going to lead, and if you don't invest yourself fully, the dots won't connect. The lives you make with those dots always lead to interesting places. "No" closes doors. "Yes" kicks them wide open. As long as you're able to say "yes", the opportunities keep coming, and with them, the adventures. Say "no" to fear and complacency. Keep saying "yes" and the journey will continue." - William Shatner "The worst t... more »
Monday Evening Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. - Rahul Kalvapalle reports on the latest Ipsos poll showing how younger Canadians expect to lead a worse life than the generations who went before them. - PressProgress examines how inequality has been burgeoning under Christy Clark's B.C. Lib government. And Maimuna Majumder notes that the toxic effects of higher inequality include an increased number of hate crimes. - Jacqueline Sullivan reports on a UC Berkeley study showing that a $15 minimum wage in Fresno substantially improved wages without any net effect on employment. - C... more »
Who Does President Trump Trust?
*Michael Knigge, DW:* *Trump only trusts his family, says biographer* Trump family biographer, Gwenda Blair, talks to DW about the new president’s views on family, and explains the very different roles his wives and children play. *DW:* Family plays a very important role for President Donald Trump. What kind of first family can we expect in the Trumps? *Gwenda Blair:* As we have seen, he is holding on close to that family. This is how he is going to continue what he has always done, which is to focus on maximizing his own advantage. He always had a very sharp eye for how to get a... more »
Can The Democrats Win The 3 GOP-Held Seats In Iowa In 2018?
Saturday, as *millions* of women and their allies, not just in the U.S., but around the world, marched against Trump, one DC wag asked "where was all that energy during the election?" My response-- "at Bernie Sanders rallies-- drew hysterical anger from thin-skinned Clinton die-hards. It took some cheating, but Clinton managed to win the Iowa caucuses against the then largely unknown Democratic socialist, Bernie Sanders, 49.9% to 49.6%. Most counties were pretty 50/50 but the biggest disapritiy between them came in Jefferson County where Bernie won 72.7% of the votes to her 27.3%.... more »
Trump Hit with Lawsuit Over Constitutionality of Business Ties
A public accountability group in Washington, D.C. has filed an ethics lawsuit against President Donald Trump.
Why Was Melania Trump Frowning on Inauguration Day?
A video clip showing Melania Trump smile and then frown during her husband's inauguration is real, but the reason for her reaction is unknown.
See what this 9-year-old Tlicho boy can paint, inspired by his artist father
*When nine-year-old Joshua Wedzin of Behchoko, N.W.T., isn't watching TV, playing with his brother or at school, he is at work in his artist father's studio, painting the stars.* His father, James Wedzin, is a well known Tlicho artist who taught himself and then trained at art school in Victoria. He draws inspiration from the landscape around Behchoko. James said his son began watching him create artwork a few years ago. James said he would get up at 4 a.m. and head over to his studio to work on a carving or painting, and an hour later his son would get himself out of bed just to... more »
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