10 pm MST
Midnight Meme Of The Day!
*by Noah* On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me... A Witch Hunter's Christmas Tree!!! See how it rises as I chant and cheer Witch Hunt, Witch Hunt! Trump must have been right all along! Witch Hunt! Witch Hunt! Witch Hunt!!!!!
History Quiz: Can You Guess The Best Tank Of World War II?
*Michael Peck* *Security, * Good luck. *Key Point:* There are so many variables, and so many experts and history buffs that will argue those variables to the death. It can be argued that the best tank is the one that destroys the enemy. Or, depending on your point of view, it's the one that isn't shooting at you. But otherwise, choosing the top tank is always a nightmare of technical and historical analysis. There are so many variables, and so many experts and history buffs that will argue those variables to the death. Yet into the fray steps "Armored Champions: The Top Tanks of... more »
This Is How Nazi Germany Built Hitler's Private Army
*Warfare History Network* *History, * Meet the Waffen-SS. *Key Point:* Waffen-SS units were deployed in all major German land campaigns except North Africa and the 1940 campaign in Norway. In 1933 a portion of the Nazi Party’s Schutzstaffel (SS) was armed and trained along military lines and served as an armed force. These troops were originally known as the SS-Verfügungstruppen, the name indicating that they served at the Führer’s pleasure. By 1939, four regiments (Standarten) had been organized. The Verfügungstruppen took part in the occupation of Austria and Czechoslovakia s... more »
We Now Know Why Imperial Japan Didn't Keep Building Aircraft Carriers To Fight America
*Warfare History Network* *History, Asia* Its industrial capacity was shot. *Key Point:* Was this a big mistake or did Tokyo have no choice? Japan lacked the industrial strength needed to wage a war against the United States. Yet, Japanese military planners seldom considered the limitations to their nation’s construction capabilities. One example is the Imperial Japanese Navy’s June 30, 1942, plan for aircraft carrier construction. The loss of one light and four fleet carriers sunk and one badly damaged at the Battles of the Coral Seaand Midway had shocked naval planners. Warsh... more »
Video: Russia's Su-25 and Su-34s Go All-In On Target Practice
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * The brief clip, depicting Su-25 and Su-34 crews firing missiles in a target practice session, is the latest in a constant stream of Aviadarts footage circulated by Russia’s Defense Ministry. *Key point: *While by no means an ideal vehicle for diplomatic outreach, the IAG has become one of Moscow’s most established tools for the projection of Russian military influence across Eurasia. “*Soft power*,” or the ability to get what you want without the use of force, is typically conceived on such terms as cultural diplomacy, trade, and foreign aid. In th... more »
Hitler Nearly Died In World War I: Meet The Man Who Almost Killed Him
*Warfare History Network* *History, * Before becoming the ogre of Europe, Adolf Hitler was a corporal in the Bavarian 16th Reserve Infantry Regiment in World War I. Private Henry Tandey had a clear shot at the German soldier. He was so close that he could look his enemy in the eyes. Tandey could not have missed. But the man was wounded; one account of that far away day in 1918 says that the German was lying bleeding on the ground. In any case, the German soldier made no move to resist; he simply stared at the Englishman. Tandey eased off the trigger of his Enfield and did not fir... more »
Christmas meal 'slop' served at Adelaide nursing home prompts outrage
Just In - 21 hours ago
An Adelaide nursing home concedes a meal consisting of baked beans and mashed potato served to aged care residents on Christmas day was short of expectations, after a South Australian MP shared a photo of the dish online.
Fiji tourists and locals urged to 'check evacuation routes' as government issues cyclone warning
People in Fiji are advised to be on high alert and review their emergency plans as the government warns a tropical depression could intensify into a cyclone.
Christmas Day rock climb ends with night stuck under Tasmania's 110m-high 'Candlestick'
Just In - 21 hours ago
Six rock climbers are forced to stay overnight perched at the base of a 110-metre-high rock formation called The Candlestick off the rugged Tasmanian coast after being unable to return from their Christmas Day adventure.
Australian Daily Wind Power Generation Data – Wednesday 25th December 2019
By Anton Lang ~ This Post details the daily wind power generation data for the AEMO coverage area in Australia. For the background information, refer to the Introductory Post at this link. Each image is shown here at a smaller size to fit on the page alongside the data for that day. If you click […]
NY Times Editor Finds Media’s Problem: ‘Centrist Bias,’ Hurting Socialist Democrats
By Clay Waters ~ Former New York Times Washington bureau chief and now-columnist David Leonhardt (pictured) has found the problem with the press — they’re just too middle of the road. The headline was “What About Centrist Bias?” The subject line to Monday’s e-mail newsletter questioned the existence of “Liberal bias?” The online headline made […]
Peloton ‘Scandal’ Shows How Mentally Unfit We’ve Become
By Armstrong Williams ~ We are fast approaching the end of 2019, and as we close the book on a turbulent decade, nothing summarizes the state of our culture and our unhealthy relationship with contrived outrage quite like the Peloton ad controversy and the wave of hysteria that has followed in its wake. Imagine if […]
My Whereabouts at ASSA
If blog readers would like to see me at the upcoming ASSA meetings in San Diego, you can find me at the following events: *Friday, Jan. 3, 2020 12:30 PM - 2:15 PM (PST)Omicron Delta Epsilon John R. Commons Award Lecture* Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, America's Cup AB Hosted By: Omicron Delta Epsilon Chair: Stacey Jones, Seattle University Panelist: N. Gregory Mankiw, Harvard University Topic: *The Past and Future of Econ 101* *Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM (PST)Is United States Deficit Policy Playing with Fire?* Marriott Marquis San Diego, Marriott Grand Ballroom 3 Ho... more »
Tweets For Today
Israel says a rocket was fired from the Gaza Strip into its southern territory, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be hustled from a stage during an election rally in the city of Ashkelon. https://t.co/bPwkTETbSL — The Associated Press (@AP) December 25, 2019 A Syrian relief group active in rebel-held areas says more than 200,000 men, women and children have fled their homes in northwest Syria in recent weeks amid intense bombardment by government forces. https://t.co/rntEnvSNuR — The Associated Press (@AP) December 25, 2019 President Donald Trump said he and Chinese ... more »
Afghan Peace Process Annoys Modi Govt
The Modi government’s approach to the transition in Afghanistan bears an uncanny resemblance to the situation thirty years ago, in end-1989. A great power that intervened in Afghanistan was retreating after a bloody conflict that lasted a decade and was washing its hands off its client state; the puppet regime […]
Food safety voices heard during 2019
Editor’s note: Guest opinions columns and editorials or what we call “op-eds” are an important part of Food Safety News. Since we got our start more than a decade ago, we’ve published hundreds of such submissions. Many have been penned by the most influential people in food safety. We look back at a few... Continue Reading
Researchers contend inexpensive method could change outbreak investigation approach
Researchers say they believe they have found a cheap method to identify bacteria in a few hours on a mobile-phone-sized device. The bacterial identification method, called ON-rep-seq, examines strain-specific fragments of the bacterial genome, allowing results that earlier required DNA sequencing of the whole bacterial genome. The method also returns results faster than approaches like... Continue Reading
Raw beef liver ban had little impact on E. coli in Japan
A ban on serving raw beef liver in restaurants in Japan has not decreased the number of E. coli infections in the country, according to a study. Enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) causes many symptoms from diarrhea to the potentially deadly hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). Serving raw beef liver dishes at restaurants was banned beginning in... Continue Reading
Picture Of The Day
A woman takes a selfie outside the late 19th-century St. Joseph's Cathedral in the old quarters of Hanoi, Vietnam. © AFP 2019 / Manan Vatsyayana *WNU Editor:* The above picture came from this photo-gallery .... *Hope, Joy, and Little Baby Jesus: Christmas Celebrations Around the World * (Sputnik).
December 26th – 2019 Presidential Politics – Trump Administration Day #1071
In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and … Continue reading →
Thursday December 26th – Open Thread
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those … Continue reading →
Against all Odds – Three FBI Officials Quietly Working to Reveal the Truth…
I’m not sure exactly who they are, and there’s a possibility they might just be one person; however, it appears there are three distinct FBI officials engaged in an overall investigative capacity, attempting to break the truth through the corrupt … Continue reading →
Better Than Bacon
To Fight Global Warming, Eat Bugs | Science | AAAS
The Old Polar Vortex
The coldest Christmas on record in the US occurred in 1983. The 1983 polar vortex came at a time of excess Arctic ice. But that was the old polar vortex. 26 Dec 1983, 1 – The Tampa Tribune at Newspapers.com … Continue reading →
Putin Claims Russia Is Now The World Leader In Hypersonic Weapons
*CNN:* *Putin claims Russia is world leader on hypersonic weapons* Moscow (CNN)Russian President Vladimir Putin boasted Tuesday of his country's "unique" advances in hypersonic weaponry, saying other countries were "trying to catch up with us." Putin made the remarks at a Russian Defense Ministry board meeting, adding that "not a single country possesses hypersonic weapons, let alone continental-range hypersonic weapons," according to a transcript released by the Kremlin. Like Russia, both the US and China are also working on hypersonic projects. Beijing said earlier this year th... more »
Quote of the Day
“How many observe Christ’s birthday! How few, His precepts!” ― Benjamin Franklin
Russia Declared Back In February That "The F-35 Will Never Be Alone"
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * Was that a threat? *Key point: *What did that mean? In a move that would raise eyebrows even by Cold War standards of political saber-rattling, the Russian Embassy in Washington seemed to threaten America’s F-35 fighter with Vietnam-era propaganda footage. Back in February, the official handle of the Russian Embassy in the US tweeted the following update: *'If a Russia... ever was to see an F-35 inside its airspace', we would love to send Chief of Staff of the @usairforce Gen. David L. Goldfein 'message with two words' — ‘remember Vietnam'* *'An ... more »
Was This the Best Fighter Plane During World War II?
*Warfare History Network* *Security, Americas* [image: Wikimedia Commons] The Focke-Wulf FW-190 fighter aircraft helped America beat down enemy fighters. *Key Point:* From Nazi Germany? On July 28, 1943, Luftwaffe Oberleutnant Erwin Clausen shot down another two B-17 Flying Fortresses to add to the two he had shot down the previous day. There were 15 other Focke-Wulf FW-190 pilots that claimed downing a bomber in defense of the aircraft works at Kassel and Oschersleben. It is believed that this was the first time that the Luftwaffe’s single-engined fighters had been able to emp... more »
The Army Wants The Bradley Fighting Vehicle To Take Down Enemy Tanks
*Sebastien Roblin* *Technology, Americas* With lots of missiles. *Key point:* The Army wants its Bradleys to be more survivable both when faced by the rocket-propelled grenade and IED threat encountered in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as to new guided antitank missiles and enemy IFVs that would appear in a high-intensity conflict against a near-peer adversary. The M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle is nominally used to carry infantry into battle, but is frequently misidentified by journalists as a tank. This is understandable, as the tracked vehicle currently tips the scales... more »
Foreign Correspondent-- A Xmas Tale: Death of a Suitcase
*-by Reese Erlich* Ralph died on an escalator in a foreign airport on Christmas Eve. I called my black, carry-on suitcase "Ralph" because he was almost like family. Ralph was 30 years old in suitcase years. His zipper had broken, and I managed to fall onto his pull-up handle and break it. Rather than leave him in an unmarked, third world landfill, I brought his remains back to Oakland. The other luggage in my closet and I held a quiet memorial around what remained of our Christmas tree. Almost all the soft sides were there. Even a few hard siders I hadn't seen in decades showed up... more »
Antibiotics offered to early learning centre staff, children after meningococcal diagnosis
Just In - 1 day ago
Children and staff at an early learning centre in Perth's east are being offered "clearance" antibiotics after a child, who is recovering from the illness, was diagnosed with meningococcal disease.
Preparing for English Channel swim helps grazier cope better with drought
Brendan Cullen from drought-ravaged NSW is preparing to swim the English Channel by training in one of the last bodies of water in the far west of the state.
P-plater badly hurt after 'parasite' allegedly runs her off the road
A Sunshine Coast father is pleading for public help to track down the driver of a stolen car who allegedly ran his 18-year-old daughter off the road on Christmas Day, leaving her with serious injuries and staples on her scalp.
Parts of Australia in for another heatwave before New Year's Eve reprieve
Just In - 1 day ago
A "severe to extreme" heatwave will grip large parts of the country across the weekend, making conditions difficult for firefighters working to control catastrophic blazes in several states.
'Biggest single fall of rain in two years': Some Queenslanders celebrate Christmas present
Just In - 1 day ago
Queenslanders in the state's south-east rejoice after Christmas Day brings much-needed rain, but inhabitants of outback towns like Birdsville in the far south-west swelter through lunch.
'Call the cops!': Man clings to bull bar of moving ute for 3km
A row between two men involved in a minor collision in Western Sydney descends into a bizarre road-rage incident in which one man drives off with the other clinging to the bull bar of his vehicle.
'The results are amazing': How new tool helps calm down cranky shoppers
As shoppers flock to the Boxing Day sales, retail assistants have a new tool for dealing with angry or abusive customers, thanks to a training course on how to calm angry customers.
Comanche leads the way on day one of Sydney to Hobart, as it happened
Stronger than expected winds drive the leading boats down the coast in the 75th Sydney to Hobart, with Comanche powering to the front but their rivals are getting closer as night falls. Look back on the action as it happened.
Israeli PM Netanyahu: Putin Said That Israel And Russia Would Be At War If It Was Not For The Close Relationship Between The Leaders
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) speaks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on April 4, 2019. (Alexander Zemlianichenko/POOL/AFP) *Times Of Israel:* *Netanyahu: Putin said that if I were not PM, Israel and Russia would be at war* In interview ahead of Likud primary, PM refuses to answer questions on whether he will seek immunity from prosecution or what he’ll do if High Court rules he can’t form government Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Wednesday that Russian President Vladimir Putin told him the two countries could ... more »
Total Holiday Sales +3.4% Year-Over-Year, Biggest Holiday Sales in U.S. Retail History…
Whooo-doggies, middle-class Americans spent more this holiday shopping season than any year before it. Despite losing a week due to the late Thanksgiving holiday, total Christmas sales growth was +3.4 percent year-over-year. (Reuters) […] The holiday shopping season is a … Continue reading →
For Iraq's Assyrians, This Year Might Be Their Last
Assyrian International News Agency - 1 day ago
Iraqi Christians pray in Kurdish-run Iraq after fleeing ISIS. Many have not returned. ( Matt Cardy/Getty Images)The British Government's Christmas message of solidarity with persecuted Christians is a welcome gesture, but for many communities around the world time is quickly running out.
Sunni Islamists butcher mainly women in a fresh massacre in Burkina Faso
Sunni Islamists butcher mainly women in a fresh massacre in Burkina Faso Murad Makhmudov and Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The nation of Burkina Faso needs international support to contain the ravages of Sunni Islamic terrorism. In the latest massacre, a staggering 35 civilians were butchered – nearly all of them were women. It […]
Israeli PM Netanyahu Rushed Off Stage To Bomb Shelter After Gaza Rocket Attack On Southern Israel
*Haaretz:* *Israel Strikes in Gaza After Rocket Launched at South, Forcing Netanyahu Off Stage at Mid-campaign Event* *'Whoever fired rockets now, better pack his belongings,' Netanyahu threatened as he returned to finish address at southern Israeli port city of Ashkelon * The Israeli military said it struck Hamas targets early Thursday morning after rocket sirens had blared in several communities, forcing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to rush off the stage at an election campaign event in the southern port city of Ashkelon. One rocket fired from Gaza was intercepted by th... more »
Watch Russia's Su-34 Fighter Complete Its Mission In Extreme Weather
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * One of Russia's most impressive jets. *Key point: *Except for a brief, limited Su-57 test run in the latter stages of the Syrian Civil War, the Su-34 is widely regarded as the *most technologically advanced* aircraft to be deployed by the Russian Air Force (VKS) in Syria. Russia's Su-34 fighter-bomber aircraft is again in the headlines after successfully completing an aerial refueling exercise under “extreme” conditions. *Zvezda*, the official television channel of Russia's Defense Ministry, has published video footage of the exercise. The clip, th... more »
This Is What Disagreements Do to The Human Brain
*Andreas Kappes* *Environment, Americas* [image: Reuters] We suspect that when disagreements are about heated topics such as politics, people will be even less likely to take note of the strength of contradictory opinions. We’ve all been there. You are in the middle of a heated disagreement when you lose respect for the opposing party. Whether it is about the latest election or childcare, you feel like your considered arguments are not appreciated – perhaps even ignored. But did you ever wonder what exactly is happening in the mind of the person on the other side? In a recent st... more »
Throughout History U.S. Leaders Have Lied
*Gordon Adams* *Security, Americas* [image: Reuters] Lies are an integral part of national security operations. They seek credibility for government policy. They mislead adversaries, cover up mistakes and failures. The Washington Post has, after more than two years of investigation, revealed that senior foreign policy officials in the White House, State and Defense departments have known for some time that the U.S. intervention in Afghanistan was failing. Interview transcripts from the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, obtained by the Post after many lawsuits, s... more »
America's World War II Internment of Japanese Americans Was Cruel
*Warfare History Network* *History, Americas* This is what life was like for Japanese-American citizens on the inside of American concentration camps. “We were stunned when we entered the camp,” Yoshio “Yosh” Nakamura said, remembering the day when he and his family, from El Monte, California, were herded through the main gate at the Gila River Relocation Center—a Japanese American internment camp 30 miles southeast of Phoenix, Arizona—carrying only suitcases into which their worldly possessions had been crammed. [text_ad] “There was a wire perimeter, searchlights, armed sentries... more »
Why the Battle of Shanghai Foreshadowed the Grim Urban Combat
*Warfare History Network* *Security, Americas* This was only a preview of how deadly World War II would be. *Key Point:* A battle that should never be forgotten. The 1930s was a decade full of World War II’s antecedents. Fighting broke out at various points around the globe during this decade, and many consider the period to be a training ground for 1939-1945. In particular, fighting broke out between several nations in Asia; among these the fighting between Japan and China was no doubt the largest. It was a bloody and vicious series of conflicts that essentially bled into World... more »
Tank Battle: How Did America's M-26 Pershing Fare Against North Korea's T-34 Tank?
*Warfare History Network* *History, Asia* One of the more famous Korean War battles occurred at Obong-Ni, and resulted in a major encounter between the NKPA's T-34 and USMC M-26 Pershing. *Key Point:* It was a legendary tank contest. The North Korean People’s Army (NKPA) had almost everything going its way during the earliest Korean War battles. The opposing South Korean and American forces, weak and unprepared, were pushed into a shrinking perimeter around the small port city of Pusan. That perimeter was steadily being reinforced, with an eye toward an eventual breakout and c... more »
These Are The 5 Best Handguns For New Gun Owners and Home Defense
*Gun News Daily* *Technology, * Protect you and your's without worry. *Key Point: *It all depends on your needs. You want to protect your home and be able to defend you and your’s, but you don’t have much experience with firearms? Maybe you don’t know where to start when buying your first gun? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. As a (decently) skilled marksman and lifelong gun aficionado, I can readily recall how vulnerable I felt when I was getting my first gun and learning how to shoot. Here I’ll cover the *important factors* that should be considered before deciding on a ha... more »
Postwar Delusions: Why America Keeps Making Mistakes Abroad
*Derek Leebaert* *History, North Atlantic* Voters are blaming the twenty-first century’s forever wars on the foreign policy establishment, just as Washington’s best and brightest were blamed for Vietnam half a century ago. The culpability of today’s prominent mainstream historians, however, has gone unnoticed. PAYING MINIMAL attention to the ironies of history is a key reason why America has failed at four wars: Afghanistan, Iraq, Vietnam and, as is often forgotten, Korea, with its doomed counter-invasion to “liberate” the north in 1950–1951. Each ended up unrecognizably and disa... more »
Fire the Rockets: Watch Russia's MiG-29 Destroy This Armored Vehicle With Ease
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * The MiG-29’s new purpose was on full display at a recent combat exercise at the Ashuluk training grounds near the Astrakhan region in southwestern Russia. *Key point: *For a major military power like the Soviet Union and its Russian successor, there is always going to be a glut of aircraft roles to fill at various intensity levels and operational uses. As with many of Russia’s most prolific aircraft, the MiG-29 has spawned numerous variants four decades of service. Originally intended as an superiority fighter, and particularly as the Soviet answer ... more »
US Considers Plan To Reduce Or Withdraw Troops Completely From West Africa
*Daily Mail:* *Defense secretary draws up plans to pull troops out of anti-terror operations in West Africa in first move by Pentagon to meet Donald Trump's promise to end the 'endless wars'* The Pentagon is mulling a plan to reduce or withdraw troops completely from West Africa, The New York Times reported Tuesday President Trump has long promised to end the 'endless wars,' though this move would reposition troops, not shrink U.S. forces There are between 6,000 and 7,000 American troops in African, who are mainly in West Africa, but also Somalia The Pentagon is looking into red... more »
Israel Army Admits ‘Mistakes’ Over Attack that Killed Gaza Family
Israel Army Admits ‘Mistakes’ Over Attack that Killed Gaza Family by https://www.aljazeera.com/ Nine members of Sawarka family, including five children, were killed in November along with dozens more Palestinians. – An attack in Gaza that killed nine members of the same family was due to faulty assessment of the risk to civilians, the Israeli army …
Israeli Airstrikes in Iraq Target Iranian Weapons: IDF Military Chief
Zionist war propaganda to lay the foundation for Albert Pike’s Satanic WW3. Israeli Airstrikes in Iraq Target Iranian Weapons: IDF Military Chief by http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/index.htm JERUSALEM, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) — Israeli military’s chief said Wednesday that Israel “has carried out actions” in Iraq to foil convoys of weapons that could be used against Israel. Aviv Kohavi …
IDF Preparing for Confrontation with Iran – Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi
Zionist war propaganda to lay the foundation for Albert Pike’s Satanic WW3. IDF Preparing for Confrontation with Iran – Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi by ANNA AHRONHEIM, https://www.jpost.com/ Lt.-Gen. Kochavi acknowledges in public for the first time that Israel has struck Iranian targets in Iraq. – The IDF is preparing for a limited confrontation with …
Fitton Calls On Senate to Probe ‘Deep State’ Attack on Trump
Fox Business Judicial Watch president and author Tom Fitton discusses how he would approach President Trump’s impeachment if he was ‘the Senate.’ end
Seventy Years of U.S. Destabilisation in China. U.S. Sponsored Uyghur Insurgency in XinJiang
Seventy Years of U.S. Destabilisation in China. U.S. Sponsored Uyghur Insurgency in XinJiang by Shane Quinn, https://www.globalresearch.ca/ China’s exit in October 1949, from the sphere of US control, was perhaps the heaviest blow to strike American post-World War II global hegemony. China’s successful drive for independence had been anticipated in Washington for many months. – …
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