10 pm MDT
Meaningless D.C. test results!
*TUESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2019Meaningless promises made: * Annual test scores have been released for the D.C. public schools. This seems to mean *all* `D.C. public schools, traditional public *and* charter. If you read the Washington Post's hard-copy report today, the headlines were mainly upbeat: "District students improve on exam," the largest, boldest headline said. Perry Stein's news report topped the front page of the Metro section, beneath this triple headline: *District students improve on exams* PARCC SCORES SHOW GRADUAL GROWTH Hurdles remain in efforts to close achievement gap... more »
Argentinians Fernández and Kirchner Join Petition for Lula’s Release
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Several leftist political leaders from Argentina issued a manifesto in defense of the release of former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, convicted and arrested by Operation Car Wash 500 days ago. Cosigners include former Argentine President Cristina Kirchner and leading presidential candidate Alberto Fernández. The post Argentinians Fernández and Kirchner Join Petition for Lula’s Release appeared first on The Rio Times.
"We must make the building of a free society once more an intellectual adventure, a deed of courage... If we can regain that belief in the power of ideas which was the mark of liberalism at its best, the battle is not lost." #QotD
*"We must make the building of a free society once more an intellectual adventure, a deed of courage. What we lack is a liberal Utopia, a program which seems neither a mere defense of things as they are nor a diluted kind of socialism, but a truly liberal radicalism which does not spare the susceptibilities of the mighty (including the trade unions), which is not too severely practical, and which does not confine itself to what appears today as politically possible. We need intellectual leaders who are willing to work for an ideal, however small may be the prospects of its early ... more »
U.S. Space Command To Launch On Aug. 29
*Space.com:* *New US Space Command Will Launch Next Week, VP Pence Says* The U.S. Space Command will be born Aug. 29. The new United States Space Command will officially be up and running by the end of the month, Vice President Mike Pence said today (Aug. 20) at a meeting of the National Space Council. The U.S. Space Command will be the military's unified combatant command in charge of the country's defense operations in space. It will become the Defense Department's 11th unified combatant command, alongside the U.S. Strategic Command, the U.S. Special Operations Command and o... more »
Prenatal Ultrasound—Not So Sound After All
By the Children’s Health Defense Team Prenatal ultrasound is a taken-for-granted component of modern maternity care, to such an extent that most obstetrician-gynecologists find it impossible to practice their profession without it. American women now routinely undergo four to five ultrasounds per pregnancy. Despite the absence of demonstrated benefits, there is also a trend […] The post Prenatal Ultrasound—Not So Sound After All appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Did Charlie Chaplin Write the Poem, ‘As I Began to Love Myself’?
Sometimes the author of a poem gets lost in translation.
Freeway Crossing to Give Wildlife Room to Roam in California
A mostly privately funded wildlife crossing over a major Southern California highway will give big cats, coyotes, deer, lizards, snakes and other creatures safer access to more space.
Guidelines Say More Women May Need Breast Cancer Gene Test
Especially if they've already survived cancer once, an influential health group recommended.
Earth’s Future is Being Written in Fast-Melting Greenland
Glaciers here do shrink in the summer and grow in the winter, but nothing like this year.
Israeli, U.S. Special Forces Practice Taking Over Ships
*Times of Israel:* *Israeli, US special forces practice ship takeovers amid high tensions in Gulf* IDF says last week’s Noble Rose exercise not held in direct response to recent incidents around Strait of Hormuz Israeli and American naval special forces completed a large-scale exercise in the Mediterranean Sea last week simulating the takeover of a merchant ship carrying illegal weapons and contraband, as Iran and a US-led coalition square off on shipping routes in the nearby Persian Gulf. The Israeli military said the exercise, Noble Rose 2019, was not in direct response to thes... more »
China Strongly Criticizes Taiwan’s Offer of Asylum for Hong Kong Protesters
[image: china-strongly-criticizes-taiwan-s-offer-of-asylum-for-hong-kong-protesters] A communist Chinese spokesman criticized Taiwan’s offer of political asylum to Hong Kong protesters, saying they will make Taiwan a “haven sheltering criminals.”
The Ultimate Conspiracy Revealed
*Caitlin Johnstone* - What is the greatest conspiracy of them all?
US Military is a Bigger Polluter Than As Many as 140 Countries – Shrinking this War Machine is a Must
*Benjamin Neimark* - The US military is the biggest polluter on the planet.
Stunning Rare Photo Shows the XB-70 Valkyrie Bomber's Moveable Windscreen Ready for Mach 3 Flight
*Dario Leone* *History, Americas* [image: https://www.dvidshub.net/image/743203/xb-70a-windscreen-assembly-closeup-supersonic-flight-configuration] Ready for action. *It was capable of flight at speeds of three times the speed of sound (roughly 2,000 miles per hour) at altitudes of 70,000 feet.* The interesting image in this post is a close-up photo of an XB-70A taken from a chase plane. The XB-70 had a movable windshield and ramp. These were raised during supersonic flight to reduce drag. When the pilot was ready to land, he lowered the assembly to give both him and his copilo... more »
The Federal Reserve's New Approach: Say Nothing and Expect Change
*Samuel Rines* *Economics, United States* Forward guidance is far from dead, but it is a zombie policy tool that has been overused by the Fed. Reports of a media blackout enforced on those under the purview of Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell came as a surprise. While unconfirmed and somewhat tenuous, the reports were intriguing for a variety of reasons. Without the most prominent members of the Fed allowed to give speeches and grant interviews, how will the Fed be able to direct expectations for monetary policy? The vacuum of silence is going to be deafening. The Federal Res... more »
Could This Old Plane Really Kill an F-22 or F-35 Stealth Fighter?
*Dario Leone* *Security, * The Air Force is trying to answer that question. The 27th Fighter Training Squadron’s (FTS) T-38 Talon played the role of the opposing force for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) fifth-generation aircraft and partnering nations’ fourth-generation aircraft, during the 2017 allied exercise, Atlantic Trident 17. Even though as we have recently explained challenging the F-22 and F-35 is almost impossible, as reported by Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard, 633rd Air Base Wing Public Affairs, in the article Art of War: fifth-gen, allies train to defeat future adversaries,... more »
South China Sea Showdown: China vs. Vietnam (Round 2)
*Huong Le Thu* *Security, * Chinese incursions into Vietnam’s EEZ are by no means a new phenomenon. The most serious recent incident occurred in 2014, when China deployed an oil rig into Vietnam’s EEZ, sparking a diplomatic crisis between the two neighbors. The current situation near Vanguard Bank, however, represents a more serious challenge on several levels. The Haiyang Dizhi 8, a survey vessel belonging to a Chinese government-run corporation, began surveying a large swath of seabed on 3 July northeast of Vanguard Bank, which falls within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. Th... more »
One Party Wants To See Angry Uneducated-- Very Uneducated-- Men Running Around With Assault Weapons-- And One Doesn't
We had townies where I went to school, working class white people who hated that the potato fields had been plowed under, replaced by a sprawling university the changed the complexion of their rural county inexorably. They were always pissed off and sometimes that would result in violence. I also recall how angry construction workers always seems to be about college kids dissing the war against Vietnam, dissing Nixon, sporting long hair or pretty girlfriends. Sometimes that would result in violence too. These weren't people who thought highly of education-- although I imagined that... more »
Missouri gets 2,000+ medical marijuana applications
Missouri regulators received roughly 2,100 applications for up to 348 medical cannabis licenses. More than 1,200 applications arrived in the past three days, including 800 in the 24 hours leading up to the extended deadline, according to state officials. The deadline was extended from Saturday until 4:30 p.m. CT Monday. Here are the key details about […] Missouri gets 2,000+ medical marijuana applications is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
National Grid’s Preliminary Report On Blackout
By Paul Homewood The National Grid has just published its preliminary report into last week’s blackout: https://www.nationalgrideso.com/information-about-great-britains-energy-system-and-electricity-system-operator-eso Key points: Lightning was the original cause, even though such strikes are perfectly common, and do not usually result in such catastrophic blackouts Hornsea wind farm tripped first, contrary to original reports. They still […]
Sources: Lesotho’s draft cannabis regulations to be ‘grandfathered in,’ giving existing firms an edge over new entrants
Sweeping changes to Lesotho’s cannabis regulations are set to go into effect later this year and are expected to be grandfathered in, meaning existing businesses will be exempted from the most burdensome parts of the new rules, according to government and industry sources. Marijuana Business Daily recently reported that the southern African country is planning […] Sources: Lesotho’s draft cannabis regulations to be ‘grandfathered in,’ giving existing firms an edge over new entrants is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrep... more »
Major Investigation Exposes the Truth About One of America’s Largest Organic Egg Brands
Everyone buys organic for their own unique reasons, whether that may be health, animal welfare, environmental, or other, but it’s important to know that each individual brand and type of organic purchase has a different impact. In the case of eggs, it’s generally safe to say that the smaller the operation, the better: “pastured” eggs from small family farms are usually your best bet for all of the above categories, although organic is generally far better than anything “conventional” you can buy. Recently, the operations of the largest organic egg producer in the United States h... more »
Project TX - Next Gen VR Presence System is the future!
Nim Sony, who is this guy? He seems to be making a full IK-skeletal physics system for first person or third person VR gaming... this might be the most geniusest thing I've seen since I left the gaming industry in 2008.
End Foreign Aid to Israel and Everyone Else
[image: undefined] Democratic Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib are calling on the US Congress to reevaluate US foreign aid to the Israeli government. Their reason? Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, denied entry into Israel for the two of them, owing to their public support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, a global protest against the Israeli government’s longtime mistreatment of Palestinians. Omar stated: We give Israel more than $3 [billion] in aid every year. This is predicated on them being an important ally in the region and the only dem... more »
I'm a licensed builder. This is how property developers get rich at your expense
Just In - 8 hours ago
There is an urgent need to re-build public confidence in the high-rise apartment sector which has churned out more and more homes needing costly repairs, writes Catherine Williams.
The 'triple A' reason we love cash so much when there are easier options
Just In - 8 hours ago
If cash is good enough for central banks and it's still popular with the public, will the Government's crackdown on large transactions work? It's not that simple, writes Steve Worthington.
'A bit negative': EU slams Boris Johnson's 'misleading' proposal on Brexit divorce deal
Just In - 8 hours ago
The European Union rebuffed Boris Johnson's demand to reopen the Brexit divorce deal, saying parts of his proposal were "incorrect" and "misleading". Mr Johnson said the EU was being "a bit negative".
Business Roundtable’s New Purpose Statement Echoes Elizabeth Warren’s “Accountable Capitalism” Bill
[image: business-roundtable-s-new-purpose-statement-echoes-elizabeth-warren-s-accountable-capitalism-bill] The Business Roundtable’s new “statement on the purpose of a corporation” puts stockholder interests last, behind the interests of customers, employees, suppliers, and local communities.
Planned Parenthood Off Federal Title X Funding After Trump Rule Change
[image: planned-parenthood-off-federal-title-x-funding-after-trump-rule-change] Planned Parenthood dropped its Title X funding in response to a new HHS rule that prohibits family planning clinics from discussing abortion with patients.
Planned Parenthood Forced to Pay Former Director $3 Million for Firing Her After She Reported Violations
[image: planned-parenthood-forced-to-pay-former-director-3-million-for-firing-her-after-she-reported-violations] An Arizona jury unanimously ordered Planned Parenthood to pay $3 million in damages to a former clinic director who was fired after reporting unsafe and illegal practices at her clinic.
Another Reason To End Fluoridation: Fluoride Consumption During Pregnancy Lowers IQ of Children
*Aaron Kesel* - Another study links fluoride consumption during pregnancy to lower IQs in children.
Washington State Kills Last of Wolf Pack Hours Before Court-Ordered Reprieve
*Olivia Rosane* - The last four members of an embattled wolf pack were killed in Washington State Friday.
A highly carbon-positive "prince" from a Swedish girl's yacht
The prophet status of a teenage Scandinavian Mongoloid ADHD sufferer proves the insanity of the contemporary epoch. However, some of the news can entertain us, indeed. This Expres.cz story about a Monaco "prince" is one of them (it has 11 pictures in a gallery). The Swedish activist recently told the United Nations: Our civilization is being sacrificed for the opportunity of a very small number of people – for them to collect enormous amounts of money. Our biosphere is being sacrificed for the people in rich countries such as mine to live their lives in luxury. The price we pay is t... more »
Perception matters more than reality to the US president
Our friend Jill has written an excellent post on “Trumponomics 101” (a link is provided below). What I opined in a comment is Trump is more about perception than reality. Here are a few examples: – he beats his chest … Continue reading →
Syrian Army uncovers caves used by militants in southern Idlib: video
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:00 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) uncovered a number of caves used by the militant forces during the brief battle for southern Idlib this month. In a short video released on Monday, the Sputnik News Agency filmed the Syrian Arab Army as they entered these tunnels near the city of Khan […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Turkey has no plans to withdraw from observation posts
BEIRUT, LEBANON (6:30 P.M.) – The Turkish military has no plans to withdraw from their observation posts in northern Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a press conference in Ankara on Tuesday. “Right now, we don’t have an intention such as moving this elsewhere,” Cavusoglu told reporters in Ankara. “It will carry on […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
China establishes new counter-terror force in Xinjiang
The Chinese People’s Armed Police have established a new counter-terror special operations unit in Northwest China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region to adapt to the needs of counter-terrorism missions there, media reported on Tuesday. The unit, called Mountain Eagle Commando, was revealed to the public for the first time, Chinese newspaper Cankao Xiaoxi reported on Tuesday. It was […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source
Wind Power Is Collapsing In Germany
New onshore wind energy is in a steep decline in Germany. The expansion of onshore wind power in the first… The post Wind Power Is Collapsing In Germany appeared first on IER.
2:00PM Water Cooler 8/20/2019
Today's Water Cooler:
Today In 1975, Viking 1 Was Launched To Mars From...Well, It Depends. Here's A Tortured History Of Florida Space Coast Names
Viking 1, an unmanned U.S. probe headed for Mars, was launched on this day in 1975 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, which is Brevard county on the Atlantic Ocean and across the Banana River east of Merritt Island where Kennedy Space Center is which is itself east Titusville across the Indian River. Yet even though Viking 1 took off from Cape Canaveral, formerly called Cape Kennedy, it did not take off from its more famous adjacent site, Kennedy Space Center, formerly called NASA Launch Operations Center*. *It instead took off from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station headquartered at Patri... more »
Mars Weather Forecast 3,000,000,000 BC: Warm With Occasional Rain, Turning Cold
Mars may seem hospitable only for cute robots now, but 3 to 4 billion years ago it was warm enough to have rainstorms and flowing water, followed by a longer cold period where the water froze - a lot like earth. Scientists have long known that water was abundant on ancient Mars, but there has been no consensus on whether liquid water was common, or whether it was largely frozen in ice. Was the temperature high enough to allow the water to flow? Did this happen over an extended period, or just occasionally? Was the surface a desert or frozen? Warm conditions make it much more likely... more »
China's Air Force Is Going Stealth (As in J-20 Stealth Fighters)
*Dario Leone* *Security, * The J-20 made its maiden flight on Jan. 11, 2011, and was officially revealed at the 2016 China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition. Exactly eight years and one day after its first flight, the first operational People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF, China Air Force) front line unit, 9th Brigade at Wuhu has received its first two to four J-20 fighter aircraft, although local observations indicate that the unit received its first J-20s already in October 2018. *(This first appeared in January.)* According to Scramble Magazine Facebook Page,... more »
The U.S. Military Has One Goal: Beat China or Russia in a War (But There Is A Problem)
*Stratfor Worldview* *Security, * Time and again, the United States has attempted to redirect more of its attention and resources toward its competitions with Russia and China. But Washington's other commitments around the world continues to undermine this effort. Time and again, the United States has attempted to redirect more of its attention and resources toward its competitions with Russia and China. But Washington's other commitments around the world continues to undermine this effort. Since taking office, U.S. President Donald Trump has sought to address this problem by pr... more »
Russia's New Weapons: From Doomsday Nuclear Torpedoes to Skyfall Missiles
*Stratfor Worldview* *Security, * While Russia's ambitions are pushing the boundaries of its capabilities in some of these projects — to even deadly results, as the most recent case demonstrates — the overall effort will undoubtedly force the United States into a response. The incident itself had immediate and drastic effects: five dead and a spike in radiation that was up to 16 times higher than normal. But the larger fallout from the Aug. 8 explosion of a nuclear-powered cruise missile on Russia's White Sea coast has drawn renewed attention to the development of some of the co... more »
The F-15 Eagle Can Take on Any Enemy (Even Mother Nature)
*Gabriele Barison* *Security, * “That was the first time it dawned on me that flying jets is fun and exciting but also could kill anyone, any day-even me,” Maj. Ben “Evil” Cook, USAF F-15 Eagle driver The incredible story in this post provides an excerpt of a from-the-cockpit account appeared in the March 2016 issue of Combat Aircraft magazine of what it’s like landing an F-15 Eagle at Keflavik International Airport (KEF), Iceland, in whiteout conditions. As explained by Maj. Ben “Evil” Cook, a U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-15 Eagle pilot, wintertime in Iceland means cold, snow, ice, ... more »
Leader of “Organic” Scam Sentenced
Ya Just Can’t Trust Anyone These Days Especially Those Leftists Who Make Tons of Money Off Trendy Catch Phrases Like “Organic”! So Much for Democratic Socialism aka Capitalism. OOPS . Leader of ‘Field of Schemes’ organic fraud sentenced to 10 years Sold millions worth of fake organic grains to unwitting consumers Cedar Rapids Gazette Trish Mehaffey August 19, 2019 CEDAR RAPIDS — A Missouri man prosecutors say ran a “Field of Schemes” — ringing up over $142 million in sales by passing off grains as organic when most were not — was ordered last week to federal prison for more … Contin... more »
Did the FEC Chair Ask Trump for Evidence of Voter Fraud, Writing ‘Lay Your Cards on the Table’?
A remarkably forthright open letter, supposedly written by Ellen Weintraub to the U.S. president, was shared online in August 2019.
Close encounters of the aviation kind
Here's a fun video of a Ukrainian Sukhoi Su-27 fighter closing in on a light cargo plane that was being used for air-to-air photography. The big fighter simply can't fly slowly enough to keep in formation with the slower plane, and eventually has to break away - but in the process, the photographers get some spectacular shots. I'd have been rather nervous, watching that fighter closing in on me like that! Peter
NED: Who actually is doing the interferring?
In this Grayzone special, Max Blumenthal attends a Capitol Hill gathering of the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and explores the group's destabilizing global campaign to meddle in other countries' affairs. The report covers the NED's interference in foreign elections in Russia and Mongolia, its participation in coup attempts from Haiti to Venezuela to Nicaragua, and its escalating public relations efforts against China and North Korea.
Australian universities risk catastrophe due to over-reliance on Chinese students, expert warns
A new report reveals top-tier Australian universities are highly dependent on international students for revenue, with even a small decline in Chinese students threatening dire consequences.
'Spiral of political uncertainty': Italy's PM resigns after lashing out at deputy
Just In - 10 hours ago
Italy's leader Giuseppe Conte accuses his own Interior Minister Matteo Salvini of sinking the ruling coalition and endangering the economy for personal and political gain.
How jogs around this regional Victorian lake are preparing Julian for midnight in Qatar
Thermostats and saunas become secret weapons as Australian athletes brace themselves for the unusual conditions of a midnight marathon at the World Athletics Championships in Doha next month.
Family Ranch Under Attack as Wolf Pack Is Killed in Washington
[image: family-ranch-under-attack-as-wolf-pack-is-killed-in-washington] Ranchers in Northeastern Washington are struggling to defend their business against wolves and environmental activists.
Fraud Investigator Accuses General Electric of Hiding $38-Billion in Liabilities. GE Says the Accusation Is A Fraud to Game Stock Prices
Markopolos' report indicates that GE is locked into $38-billion in future expenses that it has not disclosed, which is over 40% of the company’s market capitalization. The company says the report itself is fraud because it was designed to plunge the price of GE stock so insiders could buy cheap and sell high later.
At least 40 Babies Were Born Last Year But Allowed to Die. Why? Because They Survived Botched Abortions.
The Born Alive Protection Act would require that babies born alive following botched abortion receive medical care to save them, but the bill is opposed by Democrats in the House and Senate.
Marianne Williamson, a 2020 Democrat Presidential Candidate, Says We Must Stay in Afghanistan to Advance Feminism
Marianne Williamson says it is "unacceptable" for the Trump administration to consider pulling troops out of Afghanistan, because we need to ensure "the rights and protection of women" who were abused by the Taliban.
Kids Emulating Nazis
In a video publicized by Yahoo, teenage boys experiment with fascism: Southern California middle-classed boys embracing Nazism. When I went to school with these kids at San Diego State University in the mid 1980s they were partying and listening to New Wave and Punk, both of which had a decidely left-wing vibe: Now they are making Nazi salutes while listening to Nazi music. What happened here?
Epstein Update — All The World’s A Stage!
By Jason Bermas It’s now coming out that the latest images of Ghislaine Maxwell were indeed staged. Jason Bermas covers the latest in misinformation, disinformation,... more »
Solar Wars Part X: The force is strong with investors
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 These recent awards indicate that investors now have the upper hand in their ECT claims against EU states.
Ukraine, Israel want to expand free trade agreement to cover services
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 Ukraine and Israel have agreed to start to work on the expansion of the free trade agreement to cover services.
Ceta : le Canada versera 1,2 milliard d'euros à ses éleveurs laitiers
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 Pour compenser les importations de produits laitiers en provenance de l'UE, le gouvernement s'était engagé à indemniser ses éleveurs laitiers.
L'Afrique du Sud se prépare à mettre en œuvre la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 Le gouvernement sud-africain a mis en place lundi un comité chargé d'élaborer des plans d'action relatifs à la Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine (ZLECA).
La paradoja del acuerdo UE - Mercosur
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 El gobierno de Macri fomenta la reprimarización de las exportaciones y apoya un acuerdo que a ese efecto no es necesario. La garantía de la supresión de las retenciones es la consecuencia del acuerdo que más interesa al bloque agroexportador.
Francia quiere un debate público sobre el acuerdo UE-Mercosur
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 El gobierno francés subrayó hoy que aún no aprobó el acuerdo comercialentre la Unión Europea (UE) y Mercosur, al plantear la necesidad de hacer "una especie de debate público" para que evaluar los beneficios y perjuicios del pacto antes de adoptar una decisión definitiva.
Video | ¡A defender nuestro voto contra el TPP-11!
bilaterals.org - 11 hours ago
20-Aug-2019 El martes 6 de agosto, la Comisión de Relaciones Exteriores del Senado aprobó por unanimidad el Tratado de Asociación Transpacífico sin tener en cuenta la opinión de las 541.693 personas que dijeron NO AL TPP-11 a través del Plebiscito ciudadano.
Were Shell Workers in Pennsylvania Told to Attend a Trump Rally or Lose Pay?
Multiple news articles detailed a controversy surrounding the president's August 2019 visit to a Pennsylvania petrochemical plant.
FBI: Truck Driver Threatened Mass Shooting at Memphis Church
Thomas Matthew McVicker was apprehended in Indianapolis before the plan could be carried out.
Twitter Shuts Chinese Accounts Targeting Hong Kong Protests
The company also said it will ban ads from state-backed media companies.
Alaska Man Discovers Message in Bottle from Russian Navy
Tyler Ivanoff found the handwritten Russian letter early this month while gathering firewood near Shishmaref about 600 miles northwest of Anchorage
Writers Union Says Talent Agents are Violating Antitrust Law
At issue are so-called packaging fees, where talent agencies combine elements including writers, scripts or actors — most often on television series — and sell them directly to studios as a unit.
Leaked Audio Exposes Oil Lobbyist Bragging About Success in Criminalizing Pipeline Protests
By Jake Johnson As a growing number of states move to pass laws that would criminalize pipeline protests and hit demonstrators with years in prison, an audio... more »
Musical Interlude: Medwyn Goodall, “Invocation Part 2”
Medwyn Goodall, “Invocation Part 2”
"It's What You Do..."
“It’s what you do: not just play the score, but make new music with what you have, then with what you have left.” - Itzhak Perlman, after completing a concerto performance with a broken string on his violin.
Free Download: Ayn Rand, “Atlas Shrugged”
"If you saw Atlas, the giant who holds the world on his shoulders, if you saw that he stood, blood running down his chest, his knees buckling, his arms trembling but still trying to hold the world aloft with the last of his strength, and the greater his effort the heavier the world bore down upon his shoulders - what would you tell him to do?" "I... don't know. What could he do? What would you tell him?" "To shrug." - Ayn Rand, “Atlas Shrugged” ○ *“Atlas Shrugged”* by Ayn Rand "Then you will see the rise of the men of the double standard - the men who live by force, yet count on thos... more »
Free Download: Frederic Bastiat, "The Law"
*"Bastiat the Prophet"* By Bill Bonner "My mental image of Frederic Bastiat is of him in his last days, still young (he died at the age of 49) but sick from tuberculosis and frail, his back against the headboard. He has a writing board on his lap, and pen and ink in hand. He is frantically writing his last work, which ended up being called "Economic Harmonies." It was an attempt to explain the beautiful workings of the social order under liberty, how people come together in association and trade to build something larger than themselves and how this capacity to cooperate is the tru... more »
Maggie Toulouse Oliver versus The Machine, The Swamp, Schumer, The DC Stink
So far Blue America has only endorsed 3 candidates for the Senate in 2020, outstanding incumbent Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and two progressives in hot primary races against conservative Establishment shleps: Andrew Romanoff in Colorado and Maggie Toulouse Oliver in New Mexico, the current Secretary of State. Before Romanoff can get to incumbent Republican Cory Gardner he'll probably have to beat failed presidential candidate Frackenlooper. And before Maggie Oliver gets to whichever conservative loser the GOP spits out for the seat, she'll have to beat the DC Establishment candidate for t... more »
Top Iranian Official Says His Country Should Never Have Signed President Obama's Nuclear Deal
*NBC:* *Top Iranian official: We should never have signed Obama-era nuclear deal* *In a rare interview, Ali Shamkhani — a close adviser to Iran's supreme leader — said signing the 2015 pact was a mistake.* TEHRAN — A top Iranian official and close adviser to Iran's supreme leader says his country should never have signed the international nuclear deal that has now been renounced by President Donald Trump. In an interview with Lester Holt of NBC News, the official, Ali Shamkhani, who rarely speaks to the Western press, said that there were people in Iran who felt that signing the ... more »
Soon Doctors Will Screen Everyone For Drugs
Imagine in the not-too-distant future your job, college ID, drivers license, passport, gun permit, health insurance etc., will depend on you passing a mandatory drug screening. What is that you say? It could never happen in America. It could happen sooner than you think if the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has anything to say about […] The post Soon Doctors Will Screen Everyone For Drugs appeared first on Health Nut News.
Monsanto hit list exposed
Written by Joseph Mercola, D.O., Ph.D. In what Democracy Now!1 refers to as an “explosive report” by The Guardian,2 documents obtained during the discovery process of lawsuits against Monsanto reveal the company has been engaged in a coordinated campaign to discredit critics of the company. Among them are journalist Carey Gillam, the nonprofit U.S. Right […] The post Monsanto hit list exposed appeared first on Health Nut News.
This Isn’t Normal: Kansas And Oklahoma Have Been Hit By 65 Earthquakes Within The Last 7 Days
By Michael Snyder What are we supposed to think when rather large earthquakes start happening in places that aren’t supposed to have large earthquakes? 2019... more »
Twitter And Facebook Accuse China Of Using Fake Accounts To Undermine Hong Kong Protests
*CNBC:* *Facebook, Twitter accuse China of running disinformation campaign against Hong Kong protesters* * Twitter and Facebook have suspended numerous accounts that are believed to be tied to a state-backed disinformation campaign originating from inside China. * Facebook said it took down several pages, groups and accounts involved in the activity, while Twitter suspended 936 accounts associated with the misinformation campaign. * Twitter is also barring state-controlled news media entities from advertising on the platform. Twitter and Facebook have suspended numerous accounts t... more »
Jamaica seeks cannabis seed-to-sale software; 54 licenses ‘granted’
Jamaica has launched an international competitive bidding process to identify a qualified organization to provide seed-to-sale tracking software for the country’s regulated marijuana industry. The country’s Cannabis Licensing Authority will accept bids until 3 p.m. local time on Sept. 25. Off-island bidders are required to obtain and submit a valid Tax Compliance Letter and Public […] Jamaica seeks cannabis seed-to-sale software; 54 licenses ‘granted’ is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Leaked Audio Shows Oil Lobbyist Bragging About Success in Criminalizing Pipeline Protests
A leaked audio recording of an oil company lobbyist bragging about criminalizing pipeline protests has exposed the industry's influence over lawmakers.
Damning JAMA Study Finds Link Between Fluoridated Water and Low IQ in Children
[image: fluoride]The prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association has published a study linking fluoride ingestion by pregnant mothers with low IQ in their offspring.
‘You Do Not Belong Here’: Crazed Cop Holds Man at Gunpoint to See His ID
[image: cop]An innocent man was held at gunpoint by an off-duty cop who told him that "you don't live here and you don't belong here."
LHS 3844b: Rocky World’s Atmosphere Probed
These days we have a keen interest in small red dwarf stars (M-dwarfs) not only because they’re ideal for study, with deep transits of worlds in their habitable zones and the prospect of future analysis of their atmospheres, but also because they are so plentiful. Comprising perhaps 80 percent of all stars, they may well […]
Timely Repost: "Neuroscience Says Listening to This Song Reduces Anxiety by Up to 65 Percent"
*"Neuroscience Says Listening to This Song * *Reduces Anxiety by Up to 65 Percent"* By Melanie Curtin "Everyone knows they need to manage their stress. When things get difficult at work, school, or in your personal life, you can use as many tips, tricks, and techniques as you can get to calm your nerves. So here's a science-backed one: make a playlist of the 10 songs found to be the most relaxing on earth. Sound therapies have long been popular as a way of relaxing and restoring one's health. For centuries, indigenous cultures have used music to enhance well-being and improve health... more »
World News Briefs -- August 20, 2019
*The Guardian:* *Russia and China say US missile test could revive arms race* *Beijing urges US to ‘let go of cold war mentality’ after it fires nuclear-capable weapon* China and Russia have accused the United States of stoking a new arms race by testing a cruise missile, just weeks after Washington withdrew from a cold-war era missile control treaty that would have barred the test launch. The ground-launched missile, a conventionally-configured version of the nuclear-capable Tomahawk cruise missile, hit its target after over 500 kilometres of flight during Monday’s test, the Pen... more »
Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- August 20, 2019
*DW*: *Russia, China accuse US of stoking military tensions with missile test* Russia and China have sharply criticized the US for ramping up military tensions by testing a ground-launched, medium-range cruise missile weeks after withdrawing from the INF pact with Moscow. Moscow and Beijing on Tuesday said the US was stoking military tensions by testing a ground-launched, medium-range cruise missile after Washington tore up a Cold War-era pact banning this type of potentially nuclear-capable weapon. The Pentagon said on Monday it had tested a conventionally configured cruise mi... more »
Post #55,000: "We Are Mortals All..."
"We are mortals all, human and nonhuman, bound in one fellowship of love and travail. No one escapes the fate of death. But we can, with caring, make our good-byes less tormented. If we broaden the circle of our compassion, life can be less cruel." - Gary Kowalski
Why I (Mostly) Don't Blog About Climate Anymore
Recently the journal Nature published a "study" arguing that climate contrarians got too much media attention and that, essentially, the media needs to stop quoting them. A part of the study included a list of climate skeptics and their media influence scores. It was a little off-putting to be left off this black list, though […]
Race-Woke New York Times Asleep At the Switch
It's almost enough to make you feel sorry for the *New York Times. * Their *Russiagate-*centric "resistance" to Donald Trump in tatters (even though they won a jPulitzer for their bold fear-mongering propaganda from a board of judges composed of their fellow Russophobes!) they've now been caught in real time plotting their next Big Theme. They will deign to spread the word that the president of the United State is a lifelong racist and xenophobe who appeals to lifelong racists and xenophobes, which is even worse than being either a witting or unwitting Russian stooge. And the *Times... more »
Expansion of the Hashd al-Shaabi’s Influence In Iraq, Interview With Clingendael’s Erwin van Veen
(Getty) Erwin van Veen is part of the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands, which has released a series of reports about the Hashd al-Shaabi in Iraq over the last several years. The last one came out in July 2019 and talked about how different Hashd groups were expanding their influence in Iraq. This is an interview about those development. Van Veen can be followed on Twitter @ErwinVeen. *1. Prime Minister Mahdi just announced a new plan to try to further integrate the Hashd into the Iraqi government. What are the chances that it will be successful and what if it isn’t? Could ... more »
Solving the Climate Crisis is Beyond Governments
Global Issues News Headlines - 12 hours ago
PANAMA CITY, Aug 20 (IPS) - Throughout my ten years working in international development and climate policy, I've mostly heard colleagues talk about the private sector as if it was this intangible, multifaceted medusa with its own business lingo that is impossible for us policy experts to tackle: "the ‘private sector' needs a return on investment in order to act on climate" or "the ‘private sector' does not have the right incentives, but we need ‘private' capital to solve this crisis" Read the full story, “Solving the Climate Crisis is Beyond Governments”, on globalissues.org →
UN Aid Boss Promises “Punishment” for Misconduct in Yemen and Palestine
Global Issues News Headlines - 12 hours ago
UNITED NATIONS, Aug 20 (IPS) - A senior United Nations official has promised a thorough investigation into allegations of misconduct in field operations in Yemen and the occupied Palestinian territories, saying that those responsible would be punished. Read the full story, “UN Aid Boss Promises “Punishment” for Misconduct in Yemen and Palestine”, on globalissues.org →
South Must Also Set International Tax Rules
Global Issues News Headlines - 12 hours ago
SYDNEY and KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 (IPS) - Recently, Christine Lagarde, outgoing Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), argued that developing ‘countries need a seat at the table' to design rules governing international corporate taxation. This acknowledges recent IMF findings that developing countries lose approximately USD200 billion in potential tax revenue yearly, about 1.3 per cent of their GDP, due to companies shifting profits to low-tax locations. Oxfam estimated in 2018 that extreme poverty could be eradicated for USD107 billion annually, i.e., about ha... more »
This Day In Iraqi History - Aug 20
1974 Iraq deployed 84,000 troops and 20,000 Kurdish militia to fight KDP (Musings On Iraq book review of *The Kurds, A Modern History*) (Musings On Iraq book review *Kurds of Iraq, Tragedy and Hope*) 1987 Dawa set off car bomb in Baghdad killing 20 1988 Ceasefire in Iran-Iraq War announced 350 UN peacekeepers deployed along border (Musings On Iraq interview with author Anthony Tucker-Jones on Iran-Iraq War) (Musings On Iraq interview with author Tom Cooper on Iran-Iraq War) (Musings On Iraq book review *The Iran-Iraq War 1980-1988*) (Musings On Iraq book review *Iran-Iraq War, The Li... more »
Australians dump hospital cover in huge numbers as premiums outpace wages
A new report shows basic hospital cover is at its lowest level in more than a decade, as almost 30,000 people dumped their policies in just three months.
Sniper kills man who hijacked a bus and took 37 people hostage
Just In - 12 hours ago
Six hostages were released in the first few hours and police said they told authorities the man had spilled gasoline in the bus and threatened to set it on fire.
Big Tech Under Fire
[image: big-tech-under-fire] Its motto used to be “Don’t be evil,” but Google is being hammered — from within and without — for being very evil, with charges of lying, prying, spying, and treason.
When, If Ever, Can We Lay This Burden Down?
[image: when-if-ever-can-we-lay-this-burden-down] Around the world, America is involved in quarrels, clashes and confrontations with almost too many nations to count. In how many of these are U.S. vital interests imperiled?
America Alone Cannot Save Hong Kong
*Daniel L. Davis* *China, Asia* However much some in America may wish to intervene in Hong Kong if things go south, the sober truth is that there aren’t many levers Washington could pull, let alone any that would be likely to improve the situation. On July 4, 1821, then-Secretary of State John Quincy Adams answered critics who implied the United States wasn’t doing enough on the world stage. America, he said, “is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all,” but is “the champion and vindicator only of her own.” His words might appropriately apply to Hong Kong today. T... more »
Fact: Russian-Built MiG-25 Fighters Have Trained with NATO Forces
*Tom Cooper* *Security, * What you need to know. Algeria was the first export customer for MiG-25 (ASCC/NATO-code ‘Foxbat’). Related contract was signed in 1978, and a group of pilots and ground personnel underwent conversion training in Krasondar already during the same year. Thus, the first out of a total of eight MiG-25Ps, three MiG-25Rs and two MiG-25PUs were shown in the public already during celebrations for 25th anniversary of the Algerian revolution, on Nov. 1, 1979. The type entered service with two units: 120th (Independent) Squadron, flying MiG-25Ps from Bechar, Tind... more »
North Korea's Recent Missile and 'Projectile' Tests Need Your Attention
*Dong Geon Lim* *Technology, Asia* [image: https://pictures.reuters.com/archive/NORTHKOREA-MISSILES--RC18D32E4570.html] Pyongyang is developing sophisticated systems that Seoul and Washington don't have a way to shoot down. Here is a breakdown of what Kim tested this month. On August 10, North Korea conducted its sixth missile test as the United States and South Korea began their long-planned, yet much scaled-down, joint military exercises. In response to the drills, Pyongyang has also made itself clear that it would be compelled to “seek a new road” if Washington and South Kore... more »
See This Gun from Nazi Germany? It Help Create the M-16 and AK-47
*Warfare History Network* *Security, * Here is the story. *The first model developed by Haenel and designed largely by Hugo Schmeisser premiered in 1942 and was designated the Mkb42 Karabiner (or carbine). It was apparent from this rough draft that a new type of weapon had entered the domain of infantry combat, as it shattered all previous conceptions of small arms design. The gas piston system was revolutionary in its configuration for automatic small arms; however, a similar system existed in the United States M1 Garand semiautomatic rifle.* With the conflict in Iraq, combat ... more »
How Iran Is Taking Ancient F-14 Tomcats and Making Them Better
*David Axe* *Security, * Like a fine wine, they get better with age? *Five decades in, Iran’s F-14s are only getting better and better. And more and more important to the Persian state’s defense.* On April 9, 1972, Iraq and the Soviet Union signed an historic agreement. The USSR committed to arming the Arab republic with the latest weaponry. In return for sending Baghdad guns, tanks and jet fighters, Moscow got just one thing — influence … in a region that held most of the world’s accessible oil. In neighboring Iran, news of Iraq’s alliance with the Soviets exploded like a bom... more »
"Economic Market Snapshot AM 8/20/19"
• Gregory Mannarino, “Yield Curve AGAIN Signals Trouble Ahead” - https://www.traderschoice.net/ • MarketWatch Market Summary, Live Updates - https://www.marketwatch.com/tools/marketsummary • CNN Market Data: - http://money.cnn.com/data/markets/ CNN Fear And Greed Index: - http://money.cnn.com/data/fear-and-greed/ • *"'Impossible' Events Are Becoming A Daily Occurrence"* "A 4-sigma event would be expected to happen once or twice in a trading lifetime – according to the most popular VaR-based risk models. We’ve seen 10 of those *this month* in Treasuries. What we should have learned from... more »
Trump administration revives public charge clause that kept Nazi-era refugees from the US
Laurel Leff, Associate Professor of Journalism, Northeastern University at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 12 hours ago
During the Nazi era, roughly 300,000 additional Jewish refugees could have gained entry to the U.S. But the immigration law’s “likely to become a public charge” clause kept them out.
What states that don't protect LGBTQ workers from discrimination have in common
Tesa Rigel Hines, Clinical Instructor, American Politics and Public Policy, Purdue University Northwest at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 12 hours ago
The Supreme Court will decide in the next year whether sexual orientation and gender identity are covered under federal employment discrimination law.
How two Islamic groups fell from power to persecution: Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and Turkey's Gulenists
Ahmet T. Kuru, Professor of Political Science, San Diego State University at Politics + Society – The Conversation - 12 hours ago
A few years ago, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and Turkey's Gulenists were running the show. Now both religious movements face political repression. How did they fall so far, so fast?
AmazonFACE Project Study: Rainforest Absorbs Less Carbon Than Previously Estimated
If you read English newspaper The Guardian, you will be convinced farming is killing us all. Instead of being the negative they persistently insist, food is a basic resource, we will literally die without it, and the modern world is creating more food at affordable cost with less environmental strain and less energy than once even dreamed possible. Actual data show all land use combined, types of farming, forestry, etc. are only 23 percent of greenhouse gas emissions and not all greenhouse gases are equal. read more
Can We Never Learn From The Our Failures With Cuba?
Apparently the American embargo and blockade of Cuba have worked so well that Trump wants to try the same thing with Venezuela Axios is calling it President Trump's Venezuela naval blockade "obsession" based on accounts of unnamed administration officials: "President Trump has suggested to national security officials that the U.S. should station Navy ships along the Venezuelan coastline to […]
“I’m No Doctor, But I Think the Wine Helped:” The Story of the Man Who Refused Chemo, Went Home, and Outlived All of His Doctors
“How long do I have to live? Because I have work to do,” told high-spirited Stamatis Moraitis to his doctors when he was diagnosed with lung cancer in his 60s. The answer “6 to 9 months” did not satisfy him. Stamatis’s homeland was a Greek island of Ikaria, and it has become famous as the island where people “forget to die.” Stamatis refused chemotherapy or any medications. And because funeral costs in the U.S. (where he moved in 1943 for treatment of a combat arm injury) was too expensive, he went back to Ikaria. “I found my friends in the village where I was born, and we start... more »
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