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Thomas Paine

To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.

Wednesday, December 25, 2019

25 December - Blogs I'm Following - 4 of 5

1- pm MST

Jesus Was Not A Centrist-- In Fact Almost No One Who Accomplished Anything Worthwhile Was

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 16 hours ago
*Make America Great Again-- But For Real This Time* Basically, Bernie began his career fighting for working families. Biden began his fighting for segregation. Last week an Ipsos poll for Reuters asked Democratic primary voters who was best in a series of issues Democrats are considering using to help guide them to a candidate to face Trump next year. Relevant results: *•* Health care Bernie- 27% Status Quo Joe- 17% Elizabeth- 12% Mayo- 5% *•* Environment Bernie- 22% Elizabeth- 13% Status Quo Joe- 12% Mayo- 6% *•* Economy/Jobs Bernie- 22% Status Quo Joe- 18% Elizabeth- 14% ... more »

Happy Xmas

Paul Homewood at NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE KNOW THAT - 16 hours ago
Let me take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Christmas. Thank you all once again for helping to make this the UK’s leading climate blog. Paul

Syrian Army reaches strategic highway in southern Idlib after new advance

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:50 P.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched a powerful attack from a new axis in southeastern Idlib on Wednesday, targeting several towns and villages located along the strategic Hama-Idlib Highway (M-5 Highway). According to a military source at the southeast Idlib front, the Syrian Arab Army was able to capture five […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

All Russian troops now armed with Iskander missile systems

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
All missile brigades of the Russian land troops have been rearmed with Iskander tactical ballistic missile systems, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Tuesday. “Large-scale work on rearming all missile brigades of the land troops with Iskander systems is over,” Shoigu reported to Russian President Vladimir Putin at a Russian defense ministry board meeting. […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkey threatens to send troops to Libya if Haftar-led forces continue Tripoli offensive

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (12:10 P.M.) – The spokesperson for the Turkish presidency stated on Tuesday that the Beghazi-based Libyan National Army (LNA) should stop their attacks (on Tripoli), otherwise the situation will escalate in different regions in Libya. Turkish Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in a press conference on Tuesday,”Hafter must stop his attacks, otherwise the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Hariri says he will not head any gov’t Gebran Bassil is part of

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (11:00 A.M.) – Former Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri said he refuses to head any government that the current Foreign Minister Gebran Bassil is part of. “I will not preside over any government in which Bassil is part of,” Hariri said, as quoted by Lebanon’s MTV. “I cannot work with those who always […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Jihadists suffer heavy losses in failed attempt to retake strategic southeast Idlib town

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:45 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) thwarted an attack by the jihadist rebels of Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) at the town of Jarjanaz in the southeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate on Wednesday. According to reports from the Idlib front, the jihadist rebels began their attack by attempting to break through […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Iran is ready to help force the US withdrawal from Syria if Damascus asks: Khamenei

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
Iran is ready to help Syria with the withdrawal of the US forces that are in the country illegally if Damascus asks for help, Ali Akbar Velayati, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, told RT Arabic. He remarked that the US was stealing Syrian oil and expressed hope that the Syrians would respond and put […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Video footage of the Syrian Army besieging Turkish troops in southeast Idlib

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:20 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) recently scored a big advance in the southeastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate, marking the first time in two months that they have captured several sites in northwestern Syria. Led by the 25th Special Mission Forces Division and 5th Corps, the Syrian Arab Army has […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Israel is using ‘weak’ excuses to bomb Syria: FM

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
Overnight into Monday, Syrian media reported that explosions had been heard in Damascus and that the air defense forces had repelled an attack on the capital. The rockets had reportedly been launched from the occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon. A source from Beirut International Airport said that Israeli warplanes were in Lebanon’s airspace during the […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army advances at new axis in southeast Idlib

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:45 A.M.) – The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) launched an attack at a new axis in southeastern Idlib last night, targeting several sites near the Abu Dhuhour Military Airport. Backed by Russian airstrikes, the Syrian Arab Army began the attack by storming the jihadist defenses at Kafr Basin and Jisr Hish; this resulted […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

The Daily Brief 2019-12-23

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 16 hours ago
This is a summary of 18 AMN articles on the following subjects: Homs, Lavrov, Muallem, Russia, Syria, Idiib, Idlib, Khashoggi, Saudi, China, Turkey, Damascus, Lebanon, Aleppo, Libya, Tripoli, Ansarallah, Houthis, Iran, Yemen, Erdogan, Israel. Categories covered in this brief: Syria, Gulf, Lebanon, Middleeast, World-News, North-Africa, Iran, Yemen, Turkey Let us know how you like this […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Steve Pieczenik talks on Infowars

Serban V.C. Enache at The Duran - 16 hours ago
Most recently, Alex Jones interviewed Jewish American writer, former US state official, psychiatrist, and publisher Steve Pieczenik. The full video, without commercial breaks, can be accessed here. I do recommend people take time to watch it. Some key takeaways from this hallucinating interview are mentioned below. Doctor Steve Pieczenik claimed to have been part of […] More The post Steve Pieczenik talks on Infowars appeared first on The Duran.

A happy, holy and blessed Christmas . . .

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 16 hours ago
. . . to all my readers and friends. Peter

Who Wins When America's F-22 And Russia's Su-57 Stealth Fighters Fight?

Kyle Mizokami at The National Interest - 16 hours ago
*Kyle Mizokami* *Security, Europe* A tough match-up. *Key Point:* The Su-57 as a challenger could prove as good, in different ways, and a worthy opponent for the first fifth generation fighter to gain operational status. Russia’s official designation of the PAK-FA/T-50 jet as the Sukhoi Su-57 is just another reminder that the field of fifth generation fighters is about to get more crowded. The United States, China, Russia, Japan and Korea are all working on their own fifth generation designs, but so far only three planes, the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the Chine... more »

Links 12/25/19

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 17 hours ago

Untitled

jonjayray at EDUCATION WATCH INTERNATIONAL - 17 hours ago
*Saying ‘No’ to College* As I finish the second calendar year of blogging regularly for Forbes, I realize I never have really seriously confronted an issue of fundamental importance regarding American higher education. Does the current generation or two of Americans, mostly born between, say, 1940 and 1980, the individuals who today run our nation’s business, professional and governmental enterprises and provide resources for America’s colleges and universities, realize that they are seriously botching arguably their most sacred responsibility, of caring for their progeny, the n... more »

Untitled

JR at GREENIE WATCH - 17 hours ago
*Glyphosate (Roundup) to the rescue* *The weedkiller that Greenies hate is the only one that can control black grass* The UK's food security is being put at risk by herbicide-resistant black-grass, ZSL [Zoological Society of London] has revealed, as it calls for a ban on overuse of weed killer. The grass out-competes wheat for soil nutrients and reduces the number of wheat plants where it grows - and it is likely to spread further across the UK. This would increase the prices of bread and biscuits, and there would be less animal feed available so could also affect how much meat ... more »

Australia’s record heat past….

drinkingwateradvisor at The Drinking Water Advisor - 17 hours ago

China Has A New Type 15 Tank: Should the U.S. Army Be Worried?

Mark Episkopos at The National Interest - 17 hours ago
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, Asia* China has a large arsenal of mostly outdated Cold War-era tanks. *Key point: *The Type 15 is specifically adapted for navigating sea-based obstacles. China’s collection of over 7,000 tanks, while numerically impressive, is inflated by increasingly outdated iterations of 1950’s Soviet T-series tanks like the T-54. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has taken active measures over the past several decades to renew their aging lineup, culminating with the Type 99 that can give competing U.S. and Russian flagship tanks a run for their money. But as ... more »

Merry Christmas

LL at Virtual Mirage - 17 hours ago

Depression and Loneliness at Christmas Increase Hotline Demand by 20 Percent

Xiu Ying at The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Some people do not fit into that Christmas cheer mood. There are many reasons behind it: not having anyone to celebrate it with, the loss of a loved one, the end of a relationship or the fight against a physical or psychiatric illness The post Depression and Loneliness at Christmas Increase Hotline Demand by 20 Percent appeared first on The Rio Times.

Argentine President Defends Emergency Package: “It Only Asks the Privileged to Contribute More”

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - President Alberto Fernandez said on Tuesday, December 24th, that during Christmas celebration he would toast "for everyone", but first to "those who are hurting, so that they will stop hurting" and said that his greatest wish is "that we will stop bleeding as a society and start moving forward hand […] The post Argentine President Defends Emergency Package: “It Only Asks the Privileged to Contribute More” appeared first on The Rio Times.

Severe Fires in Chilean Port City of Valparaíso – at Least 120 Houses Damaged

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 17 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - At least 120 houses have been destroyed or damaged by violent forest fires in the Chilean port city of Valparaíso. Several quarters of the city in the west of the South American country were evacuated, the fire department announced on Tuesday. Photographs show residents with belongings rescued from their homes. […] The post Severe Fires in Chilean Port City of Valparaíso – at Least 120 Houses Damaged appeared first on The Rio Times.

Vladimir Putin tells Russians their defence technology has leapt ahead of US for first time

Just In - 18 hours ago
President Vladimir Putin claims Russia is the only country in the world that can deploy hypersonic weapons, which places it ahead of its arch-foe, the United States, for the first time in modern history.

This Is How Delta Force Maintains Its Elite Status

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 18 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, * A grueling entry process. *Key point: *The unit’s brutal selection and training process is revealed to have a purpose beyond physical fitness fetishism Just how much torture is a person willing to undergo to get a prestigious job? Given that an average of 250 resumes are submitted for every job position in the United States, one would assume quite a lot. But there’s writing endless resumes—and then there’s running forty miles at night on an uneven forest trail while lugging a fifty-pound rucksack—with more weight added upon achieving each waypoint... more »

Musiical Interlude: "Mad World"; "Numb"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 18 hours ago
Gary Jules, "Mad World" The Fukushima post below... words like "insane" and "crazy" just don't work. Sometimes it feels like the whole damned world has lost its mind. Something like this: "We work in the dark. We do what we can to battle with the evil that would otherwise destroy us. But, a man's fate is defined as not a choice but a calling. Yet sometimes the weight of this burden causes us to falter, breaching the fragile fortress of our mind, allowing the monsters without to turn within and we are left alone, staring into the abyss... into the laughing face of madness." - David D... more »

Merry Christmas

arclein at Terra Forming Terra - 18 hours ago
Giving it a break for Christmas and Boxing day. Have a great holiday. arclein A little Justin Beiber. curious how the mass of Christmas music was literally a Fifties thing. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-e&sxsrf=ACYBGNT7BDXZshGtZXl99osG0-Ax0bU5hg:1576972995455&q=Justin+Bieber+Drummer+Boy&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAIVTu47UMBQlxaAlO8AqrJCYAo1GFHSTeCaZGcrlUSBWSDC9tXFiJxnbSWxvHsMfUPIJ1DR8BAUrKoptkCgokPgDSsJjYk9FZR3fc-895_r6YDAZTsnUK_3MCzmm4CZKRCoVO5NjmXMiL6y9uIbbTVGWF9b139BDMlguiwXS4YWkXvkPStevygr6GrKo3mS75Ag3UJAV1mHJVejqWgFiHjXZZQuYZrchCTPNRrB2oaGT46WnyXUXBbtaYVXBZLExcOC5YQN09sx... more »

"Japan Proposes Dumping Radioactive Waste Into Pacific As Storage Space Dwindles"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 18 hours ago
*"Japan Proposes Dumping Radioactive Waste * *Into Pacific As Storage Space Dwindles"* by Tyler Durden "As the decade comes to an end, the future of nuclear power in the west remains in doubt. Almost nine years ago, a powerful underwater earthquake triggered a 15-meter tsunami that disabled the power supply and cooling at three of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. The accident caused the nuclear cores of all three damaged reactors to melt down, prompting the government to issue evacuation orders for all people living within a 30 kilometer radius of the damag... more »

Three Soviet Christmas Cards

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 19 hours ago
Say what you like about the late and unlamented Soviet Union, it certainly knew how to do Christmas cards. Merry Christmas everyone!

Glovo Delivery App Was Used to Move Drugs in Argentina

Juan Martinez at The Rio Times - 19 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Services like Glovo and Rappi claim to deliver anything, but there are items that cannot be carried, for obvious reasons. Or at least that should be the case: in Argentina, employees linked to these platforms have complained about requests involving drug delivery. Obviously, the terms of use of App delivery […] The post Glovo Delivery App Was Used to Move Drugs in Argentina appeared first on The Rio Times.

A Christmas Sampler

Yves Smith at naked capitalism - 19 hours ago
Dear patient readers, I was going to write a post about gift-giving but I had too many non-convergent ideas for it besides wanting to reminisce about my favorite childhood gifts, all for transportation! A sled, a Flexible Flier, which ironically introduced me to infinity (the Flexible Flier had a little image of a Flexible Flier […]

"You Say You Want A (Russian) Revolution?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 19 hours ago
*The hypersonic Mach-10 aero-ballistic Kinzhal.* *"You Say You Want A (Russian) Revolution?"* by Pepe Escobar "Once in a blue moon an indispensable book comes out making a clear case for sanity in what is now a post-MAD world. That’s the responsibility carried by “The (Real) Revolution in Military Affairs,” by Andrei Martyanov (Clarity Press), arguably the most important book of 2019. Martyanov is the total package - and he comes with extra special attributes as a top-flight Russian military analyst, born in Baku in those Back in the U.S.S.R. days, living and working in the U.S., an... more »

Death Match: Is the AK-47 More Deadly Than the M-16?

Warfare History Network at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] The competition is fierce. *Key Point:* Which is deadlier? During the Vietnam War, two of the most famous firearms of modern times emerged as icons of the latter half of the turbulent 20th century. The Soviet-made AK-47 and the American M16 were both developments that followed the deployment of the world’s first true assault rifle, the Sturmgewehr 44, by the German Army during World War II. There were obvious advantages to the rifle that could be fired in automatic or semi-automatic mode without requiring the soldi... more »

These Bombs Sunk Hitler's Last Super Battleship

Warfare History Network at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Warfare History Network* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] The Tirpitz capsized with her superstructure lodging itself into the sand bed. *Key Point:* It was the end of an era. April 1, 1939, was a red-letter day in the history of the reborn German Kriegsmarine for two key reasons. First, Reich Chancellor Adolf Hitler presented the fleet’s chief, Erich Raeder, with an ornate, icon-studded Navy blue baton of office as the first grand admiral since the days of the Kaiser Wilhelm II. This was done with great ceremony and a gala luncheon afterward aboard the new battle cruiser... more »

These Military History Clichés Really Need To Die

Tom Ricks at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Tom Ricks* *Security, North America* Here are some basic rules of writing military history *Key point*: These appear too often. The other evening in my reading room I reached over to the three-foot stack of military history books I need to go through for my next roundup for the “New York Times Book Review.” Contemplating which book to crack next. I opened one, and almost at random saw the phrase, “Artillery stocks were critically low.” I thought, *Well yes, a year or so into every war, that is almost always true.* You know the joke about comedians at their convention just yelli... more »

Why Air Force Pilots Still Love The A-10 Warthog

Kris Osborn at The National Interest - 19 hours ago
*Kris Osborn* *Security, * And why it won't go retire. *Key Point* (This first appeared in 2017 and is being reposted due to reader interest): Although the continued existence of the A-10 is assured well into the next decade, the debate about what, if anything, might be able to replace it is quite likely to continue. Known for an ability to keep flying after taking multiple rounds of enemy machine gun fire, land and operate in rugged terrain, destroy groups of enemy fighters with a 30mm cannon and unleash a wide arsenal of attack weapons, the A-10 is described by pilots as a “fl... more »

São Paulo’s Property tax is Readjusted by 3.5 Percent for 2020

Iolanda Fonseca at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The São Paulo Property and Urban Territorial Tax (IPTU) will increase by 3.5 percent in the 2020 fiscal year. This adjustment was published on Tuesday, 24, in the São Paulo City Gazette by Mayor Bruno Covas. The increase applies to the unit figures for construction and land square meters and […] The post São Paulo’s Property tax is Readjusted by 3.5 Percent for 2020 appeared first on The Rio Times.

Moro Voted Among “Top 50 People of the Decade” by Financial Times

Lachlan Williams at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Sérgio Moro, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, was selected by the Financial Times as one of the top 50 people who marked the decade. The list, compiled from the British newspaper's network of reporters, featured "individuals who have proved capable of wrenching the consolidated power of institutions". He was […] The post Moro Voted Among “Top 50 People of the Decade” by Financial Times appeared first on The Rio Times.

Following Saraiva Crisis, “Leitura” to Become Brazil’s Largest Bookstore Chain

Arkady Petrov at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The bookstore market is expected to have a new leader in the country after decades. And it is a relatively unknown network on the Rio-São Paulo axis: the 'Leitura', a bookstore in Minas Gerais created by the Teles family 52 years ago. The chain currently operates 72 stores, compared to […] The post Following Saraiva Crisis, “Leitura” to Become Brazil’s Largest Bookstore Chain appeared first on The Rio Times.

Over 80,000 Tourists to Reach Rio by Ship for New Year’s Eve

Adele Cardin at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - More than 80,000 tourists, traveling on 14 ships, will dock at Pier Mauá during Christmas week to attend the New Year's Eve party in Rio de Janeiro. On December 31st alone, 20,000 tourists are expected. Once again, there will be a fireworks display at the turn of the year, in […] The post Over 80,000 Tourists to Reach Rio by Ship for New Year’s Eve appeared first on The Rio Times.

Large-Scale Fire Strikes Warehouse in São Paulo’s North Zone

Iolanda Fonseca at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A major fire took over a building on Tuesday, December 24th, in the North Zone of São Paulo, according to information from the São Paulo State Police of (PMESP). The warehouse is located at Rua Santa Olivia, in Vila Maria, and is situated between Marginal Tietê, Presidente Dutra Highway and […] The post Large-Scale Fire Strikes Warehouse in São Paulo’s North Zone appeared first on The Rio Times.

Seven Dead From Barrier Slide in Recife

Dorah Feliciano at The Rio Times - 20 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - A barrier slide in the north side of Recife left seven dead and three people injured. According to the Fire Department, the accident occurred around 2:55 AM yesterday, December 24th, at Rua Bela Vista, in Córrego do Morcego, in the neighborhood of Dois Unidos. Among the victims found dead are […] The post Seven Dead From Barrier Slide in Recife appeared first on The Rio Times.

"To the Barricades! We Will At Least Be Less Bored"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 20 hours ago
*"To the Barricades! We Will At Least Be Less Bored"* by Fred Reed "Katie, bar the ever-lovin’ door. Compromise seems a forlorn hope in today’s strange version of America. Anger runs too deep. All that is left is to choose sides. We will then see whether the country sinks -continues sinking - into a Soviet future already largely upon us, or we see armed mobs battling in the streets. Does this sound crazy? I don’t think so. The hostility is beyond anything I have seen in what has become a depressingly long life. In the media, on the web, anger seethes. Countries both civilized and n... more »

"The Mos Maioram And The Barbarians"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 20 hours ago
*"The Mos Maioram And The Barbarians"* by Paul Rosenberg "The mos maiorum, or “way of the old ones” were the traditional principles and practices of public life in ancient Rome. These customs included: • Good faith • Respectfulness • Self-discipline • Virtue • Dignity I won’t go through a history lesson, but Rome, which had no written constitution, began to degrade as the mos maioram, the ancient ways, were abandoned piece by piece. That’s what was involved in the breakdown of the republic, and it increased until the Western empire was a wreck. I bring this up because what we’re se... more »

Accused Child Trafficking Gang Walk Free from Court in Romania

EuroNews at Need To Know - 20 hours ago
The case centered on the trafficking and exploitation of more than 160 children, in which the ringleaders were accused of forcing minors to beg and steal for the gang across Europe.

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