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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.

Saturday, December 14, 2019

14 December - Blogs I'm Following - 1 of 5

10 pm MST

Another Point Of View: Lessons for Bernie from Britain 2019

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 7 seconds ago
*-by Tim Russo* *Yesterday, the Republican wing of the Democratic Party couldn't wait to declare that Corbyn's loss in the U.K. meant that only a right-wing Democrat could beat Trump here. Bloomberg-- an *actual* Republican calling himself a Democrat and trying to buy the Democratic nomination-- called the election results in the U.K. a "catastrophic warning" to Americans. In a swipe at Bernie, he asserted that "Americans want change but I don’t think they want revolutionary change." Status Quo Joe also tried pinning Labor's loss on Bernie and Elizabeth, arguing that Boris Johnson... more »

House Democrats Gave President Trump 'Everything That He Wanted' On The $738 Billion Defense Bill

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 5 minutes ago
The U.S. Capitol Building is lit at sunset in Washington, U.S., December 20, 2016. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts *Business Insider: **House Democrats gave Trump 'everything he wanted' on a $738 billion defense bill while on the brink of impeaching him* * Progressives in the House are furious that most of their Democratic colleagues voted in favor of a $738 defense bill that excluded provisions aimed at ending US involvement in the Yemen conflict and limiting President Donald Trump's war powers. * The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passed in a 377 to 48 vote on Wednesday, w... more »

Is The Era Of The B-1 Bomber Coming To An End?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 minutes ago
A U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancer bomber aircraft lands at Avalon Airport, Geelong, Australia, in March 2017. A House Armed Services subcommittee is raising alarms about the dismal state of B-1 readiness, and could order the Air Force to produce a plan to fix it. (Master Sgt. John Gordinier/Air Force) *Popular Mechanics:* *The Aging B-1 Bomber Can No Longer Fly Like It Used To* *The 80s-era bomber may need to cut low-altitude flying due to old age.* * The B-1B Lancer heavy bomber was originally built in the 1980s. * The B-1B was built for low-level flight, flying beneath radars to bomb ... more »

Justice With Judge Jeanine 12/14/19

Hardnox at 'Nox & Friends - 18 minutes ago

Will masks save us?

David Brin at CONTRARY BRIN - 24 minutes ago
I'm not gloating, just sad. It turns out the one thing that might save us from the monsters in this looming night... is *light*. Did I tell you so, 22 years ago? No, make that 29 years ago. Ponder *any* aspect of the Putin-centered, Fox-propelled, Saudi/Mercer/Koch-financed Trump fiasco, and ask yourself: *"What if every single secret were exposed?" *Yes, including every secret of every Democrat or pundit or "deep stater." Fair exchange. Why am I confident *which* cabal would dissolve, like vampires under the sun? Because one of them openly raves against every possible type of re... more »

Visitors To Area 51 Have To Wear 'Foggles'

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 45 minutes ago
Visitors to the base are forced to wear foggles similar to these until inside a secure building *Daily Mail*: *Visitors to secretive military base Area 51 in Nevada have to wear 'foggles' while being escorted on site to protect classified government technology from prying eyes* * Area 51 is America's most secretive, secure military base in the Nevada desert * Visitors to the base are forced to wear foggles until inside a secure building * The frosted eyewear prevents wearers from seeing anything apart from what is directly in from of them and below * Glasses prevent the base from... more »

Thunberg accuses leaders of creative public relations

Keith at musingsofanoldfart - 47 minutes ago
In an Associated Press article called “Teen activist accuses leaders of ‘creative PR’ at UN climate talks” by Aritz Parra and Frank Jordans, Greta Thunberg did not shy away from calling leaders on the carpet. The activist who was recently … Continue reading →

There Are A Minimum Of 537 Anti-Drone Systems On The Market

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 50 minutes ago
*VICE:** Report on 537 Anti-Drone Systems Shows How Wild the Market Has Become* From jamming rifles to ground installations that fire nets, a new report lays out the expansive Wild West of anti-drone tech. Drones are everywhere. Military drones buzz war zones dropping missiles; surveillance drones hover above neighborhoods, looking for anything out of place; even now, commercial drones hide in holiday wrapping, waiting for excited enthusiasts to fly them in a park. As the market for drones has grown, so too has the market for tools to take them down. There’s jamming rifles, spoo... more »

USTR Releases Summary “Fact Sheet” Outlining U.S-China Phase One Agreement…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 59 minutes ago
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer has released a two-page summary fact sheet [pdf link here] outlining the “Phase-One” agreement in principal. From research into the material the principal agreement appears to be an 86-page document covering nine chapters. The fact … Continue reading →

New Orleans Declares A State Of Emergency After Cyberattack

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 hour ago
*Forbes:* *New Orleans Declares State Of Emergency Following Cyber Attack* The City of New Orleans has suffered a cybersecurity attack serious enough for Mayor LaToya Cantrell to declare a state of emergency. The attack started at 5 a.m. CST on Friday, December 13, according to the City of New Orleans’ emergency preparedness campaign, NOLA Ready, managed by the Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. NOLA Ready tweeted that "suspicious activity was detected on the City’s network," and as investigations progressed, "activity indicating a cybersecurity incident was ... more »

RIP, Karla

jurassicpork at Welcome Back to Gotham City - 1 hour ago
This is 20 year-old Karla Rodriguez of Framingham, Massachusetts. Last Thursday afternoon at 2, Karla was shot about two miles from my house in Hudson, MA and she died early yesterday morning. She was shot by her ex boyfriend, Luis Santos, who is now in custody and will be arraigned on Monday. Karla was from Puerto Rico, perhaps brought over here by her family because they thought she'd have a chance at a better life. I got this photo off her Facebook page. She left behind a baby boy who will never get to know his mother because she was forever taken from him by an inhuman... more »

Sea Ice Extent (Global Antarctic and Arctic) – Day 347 – 2019

Hifast at Climate Collections - 1 hour ago
Originally posted on sunshine hours: South / North

U.S. Secretary Of Defense: Strategic Interest Of U.S. Aligns With India

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 1 hour ago
U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper addresses reporters during a media briefing at the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, Oct. 11, 2019.rin Scott / Reuters *NDTV/Press Trust of India:* *Strategic Interest Of US Aligns With India: American Defence Secretary* *"Next week in Washington DC, the United States will host the second ever India two-plus-two ministerial, where we will continue to advance our growing partnership as our strategic interests align," US Defence Secretary Mark Esper said.* Washington: There is an alignment of America's strategic interest with India, US Defence Secre... more »

A Look At The Democratic Education Forum

Peter Greene at CURMUDGUCATION - 1 hour ago
After live-tweeting the day, I've worked up a summary, which you'll find over at my Forbes spot. Sorry to bait and switch, but that's where you can find my take on the day... more »

The Confederacy Had A Crazy Plan To Turn The Tide Against The Union (Helicopters)

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, Americas* America's first aerial assault. *Key point: *It turns out that a Confederate engineer actually did design a helicopter back in 1862. It’s the third day of the Battle of Gettysburg in July 1863 and Union forces on Cemetery Ridge await the final Confederate assault. But instead of witnessing serried ranks of rebels marching across a mile of open ground into the maws of Yankee cannons, the bluecoat regiments are shocked to hear the thud of rotor blades. It is the the sound of Confederate general George Pickett’s 13,000-strong division landing be... more »

Brexit Bonanza: Is Boris Johnson Ready for His Next Big Win?

Tom Quinn at The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Tom Quinn* *Politics, Europe* [image: Reuters] What kind of Brexit will Britain now ‘get done’ now that Boris Johnson is officially steering the country toward the future? The Conservatives’ victory in the UK general election is at once a decisive moment of clarity and a harbinger of uncertainty. Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the election with a pledge to “get Brexit done”, and with his newly-won parliamentary majority, he is now in a position to do just that. The shape of Brexit has already been defined by the withdrawal agreement Johnson negotiated with the EU in Octobe... more »

The New Block V Virginia-Class Attack Submarine Is Making The Navy Even Deadlier

Kris Osborn at The National Interest - 1 hour ago
*Kris Osborn* *Security, Americas* Bringing massive amounts of firepower closer to enemy targets, conducting clandestine “intel” missions in high threat waters and launching undersea attack and surveillance drones are all anticipated missions for the Navy’s emerging Block V Virginia-class attack submarines. (*Washington D.C*.) Bringing massive amounts of firepower closer to enemy targets, conducting clandestine “intel” missions in high threat waters and launching undersea attack and surveillance drones are all anticipated missions for the Navy’s emerging Block V Virginia-class at... more »

Health alert issued ahead of extreme heatwave in SA, NSW and Victoria

Just In - 1 hour ago
With temperatures forecast to reach the high 40s as a heatwave blasts south-eastern parts of the country later this week, authorities in South Australia are warning of the potential health risks.

Customers demand police exhume body of cryptocurrency boss who died without giving anyone his password

Just In - 1 hour ago
Lawyers representing the customers who lost money in insolvent cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaCX demand founder Gerald Cotten's body be exhumed to address what they says are "questionable" circumstances surrounding his death and to confirm he is dead.

Fit for a queen, but not safe from extinction — the push to save the 'working dog' of horses

Larissa Romensky at Just In - 1 hour ago
With only five remaining purebred mares in Australia and only a few hundred of the breed left in the world, there's a campaign on to preserve the Cleveland Bay, a horse popular with farmers and royalty alike.

Qantas passengers use emergency slides to evacuate plane at Sydney Airport

Kevin Nguyen at Just In - 1 hour ago
Qantas passengers slide down the emergency exits of the plane after a "hydraulic issue" forces a Sydney to Perth flight to return to Sydney Airport.

Morris dancers surprise revellers in Adelaide with an ancient take on socialising

Malcolm Sutton at Just In - 1 hour ago
Grown men in top hats dancing about waving handkerchiefs in the air are an unlikely sight in Adelaide's entertainment district, but for members of the Adelaide Morris Men, it is a "fun" night out.

Three more Australian White Island volcano victims formally identified by police

Just In - 1 hour ago
New Zealand police formally identify more Australian victims of the White Island volcano explosion.

'You can always make a change': Five years on from the murder of eight children in Murray Street

Sharnie Kim at Just In - 1 hour ago
It's the suburban street where one of Australia's worst cases of family violence occurred. Five years on, is it a different place?

The Aboriginal rugby coach who says we need to stop using the term 'Indigenous'

Patrick Galloway at Just In - 1 hour ago
Instead of using the "Indigenous" tag, Jarred Hodges called the talent-spotting rugby sevens program "First Nations". And he says it's already making a difference on the field.

Water politics and stocks of MWC, AC, MPIC, DMCI

Bienvenido Oplas Jr at Government and Taxes - 1 hour ago
After President Rodrigo Duterte started lashing at the two water concessionaires, Manila Water (owned by Ayala) and Maynilad Water (owned by MPIC, DMCI, a Jap firm) last December 3, the stocks of companies associated with these two concessions suffered significant decline. The declines started December 4. I copy-paste here some data from the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) website over the past 15 trading days. The change in average prices from Dec. 3 (before the Duterte outburst) to Dec. 13 (last Friday) for MWC was.... -44.4%, in just eight trading days. 1. Stock average prices, v... more »

The Truth About The Life and Death of Author Jennifer Jaynes

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 1 hour ago
It seems like just yesterday that I “met” Jennifer Jaynes online through the social media platform, Facebook. I remember back in the day when you might make a new friend in college, at the gym or maybe through a family friend, but times have changed and now so often people meet through the the world […] The post The Truth About The Life and Death of Author Jennifer Jaynes appeared first on Health Nut News.

Breaking: Wikileaks releases new OPCW documents on Douma chemical weapons attack

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 2 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:30 A.M.) – Wikileaks has released its third batch of documents about the OPCW’s fact-finding mission in Douma, Syria. In the new leak, Wikileaks releases a memo that reveals that 20 inspectors felt the version “did not reflect views of the team members that deployed Syria.” According to the documents, one paramedic from […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

The Daily Brief 2019-12-13

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 2 hours ago
This is a summary of 24 AMN articles on the following subjects: Hezbollah, Lebanon, Damascus, Syria, Daraa, Aleppo, Kobane, Russia, Turkey, Libya, Kurds, US, Armenia, Nasrallah, INF, Iran, IRGC, Israel, Palestine, Benghazi, Haftar, Tripoli, Jawf, Yemen, Idlib. Categories covered in this brief: Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, North-Africa, World-News, Iran, Middleeast, Palestine, Yemen Let us know how […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

On The Limitations Of Free Market System

Unknown at The Verma Report - 2 hours ago
A free market system can facilitate the rise of large business houses and make it easier for the people to find better employment and procure goods and services at competitive prices, but it cannot make us more wise, rational, peaceful, or civilized. A nation with a free market system can be as unreasonable and nihilistic as a nation with backward economy. No power can coerce the big business houses which thrive under a free market system to use their economic power for moral purposes. The problem is that no one knows what purposes are moral. The free markets will solve a few economi... more »

China Is Not As Strong As Many In The West Like To Believe It Is

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 2 hours ago
Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during a high-level event in the Assembly Hall at the United Nations European headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, January 18, 2017. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse Milton Ezrati, National Interest: *No, China Is Not as Strong as It Seems* *Despite commentary to the contrary, Beijing's success isn't perfect or unstoppable.* American opinion has moved away from its once-benign view of China. That older view, still favored by many business people, held that a prosperous China would threaten its neighbors less than a poor China, and anyway would ... more »

We wish Jew a merry Xmas

nonnie9999 at HYSTERICAL RAISINS - 2 hours ago
From mxdwn: It’s kinda sad that there are so few Hanukkah specials out there. There are, of course, some great ones to choose from like the The Rugrats Hanukkah episodes, the Even Stevens Hanukkah special, or even An American Tale. And yes, if you wanted to, … Continue reading →

Victor Davis Hanson Looks At Big Picture: President Trump Undoing Progressive Agenda….

sundance at The Last Refuge - 3 hours ago
Deep and compelling discussion between Victor Davis Hanson and Epoch Times’ Jan Jekielek about President Trump, his effectiveness, and an overall era of apoplexy amid the left as President Trump deconstructs the progressive agenda. It’s an hour long interview that … Continue reading →

WATCH: The Global Climate Ghetto – The Environmental Crisis from the Perspective of the Global South

Wrong Kind of Green at Wrong Kind of Green - 3 hours ago
"And the third group, are the anti-ecological environmentalists. They who love trees, forests and organic food, but find no inconsistency between their environmentalist ideology and discrimination, racism and colonialism." The post WATCH: The Global Climate Ghetto – The Environmental Crisis from the Perspective of the Global South appeared first on Wrong Kind of Green.

Man Steals Speech From Alleged Political Enemy

Rob Slane at 3 hours ago
I was most amused to listen to Boris Johnson’s victory speech on Friday morning. I listened as he talked about a new dawn; about being humbled that people who had never voted for his party had put their trust in him; about getting support from all parts of the country; about the heavy responsibility this has brought; about not letting people down; about the need for change and the need to deliver change; about having been given a historic mandate; about […]

China's Two New Stealth Bombers Are Bad News For America

Mark Episkopos at The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, Asia* And the U.S. military has taken notice. *Key point: *China’s two next-generation fighters appear to be separated by years of R&D work. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) is developing not one, but two stealth bombers, according to a Defense Intelligence Agency report published earlier this year. A steady stream of details has emerged concerning one of them-- the H-20 is a long-distance flying wing stealth bomber, with a robust electronic countermeasures (ECM) package and sensor fusion integration. Nevertheless, Chinese defens... more »

Artificial Intelligence Is Going To Make America's F-35 and B-2 Even Stronger

Kris Osborn at The National Interest - 3 hours ago
*Kris Osborn* *Technology, Americas* The future is now. *Key point:* ​Faster, more capable processors will enable the aircraft’s avionics, radar, sensors and communications technologies to better identify and attack enemy targets. (Washington, D.C.) Fighter jets will control attack drones from the cockpit, bombers will avert air defenses and real-time intelligence data will be available to attacking forces more quickly -- all due to new iterations of fast-evolving Artificial Intelligence technologies. Faster computer processors, AI-infused algorithms able to merge or “fuse” sen... more »

U.S. Secretary Of Defense Esper: China Has Become Top US Military Priority. Russia Is Number Two

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 3 hours ago
*SCMP:* *Pentagon head says China has become top US military priority, moving past Russia* * US Defence Secretary Mark Esper says Beijing is ‘asserting illegitimate maritime claims’ and ‘threatening its neighbours' sovereignty’ in South China Sea * ‘Beijing and Moscow are not only violating the sovereignty of smaller states, they are also attempting to undermine international laws,” he said. Even as US and Chinese officials were reducing global economic tensions on Friday by confirming they had reached a “phase one” trade deal, the top US military official said that the Pentagon h... more »

China's Military Is Betting Big On Drones

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 3 hours ago
Reminds me to the UAV demonstration at Malan AB in August 2018 but this one is even more impressive. 😮 Seems to be the complete UAV family, the PLAAF operates or has in test? (Image via 捣蛋就对 at Weibo) pic.twitter.com/ZfT1iNSFgq — @Rupprecht_A (@RupprechtDeino) December 8, 2019 *Warzone/The Drive:* *Highly Impressive Lineup Of Chinese Air Combat Drone Types Caught By Satellite* *The display of China's most prominent operational and developmental unmanned military aircraft is another sign that Beijing is betting big on drones.* A satellite image that was posted on Chinese interne... more »

Katanga my tick box companions!

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 3 hours ago
One of the Sunday Times's quotes of the week comes from Sir Lenny Henry: *“They would rather have a dog do Doctor Who than a black person”* *The actor Sir Lenny Henry is not optimistic that BBC bosses would consider an application from him to play the Doctor.* I doubt that Sir Lenny is right about that. I suspect that the famously 'woke'-friendly BBC would love to have a black person as Doctor Who - and, after the first female Doctor departs, I'm betting they appoint one. And, further, I suspect their reasons for turning down Sir Lenny's application would have nothing to do with r... more »

Good Riddance, Jeff Van Drew, Who Has Always Belonged In The GOP

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 4 hours ago
If you're a regular *DWT* reader, the *Washington Post* and *NY Times* pieces from earlier today should come as no surprise: Blue Dog and fake-Democrat Jefferson Van Drew is jumping the fence and becoming a Republican instead of just voting like one. Mike DeBonis, Rachel Bade and Josh Hawsey wrote it up. And Jonathan Martin did the honors for the *Times*. The *Post* crew said his switch to the GOP-- after a meeting with Señor Trumpanzee on Friday-- would be a "political jolt to Democrats ahead of next week’s expected vote to impeach the president." Why? Have they not be noticing h... more »

Even more interesting times

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 4 hours ago
Meanwhile, the *Mail on Sunday* is quoting a No 10 source: Last night, a No 10 source called on the BBC to mount an internal investigation into its performance during the campaign, saying: 'The BBC speaks to a pro-Remain metropolitan bubble in Islington, not the real world represented by Wakefield and Workington. There has been a failure by senior management at the BBC, and we expect them to launch an internal review of their performance.' The BBC angrily denies the allegations of bias. Senior figures in the Corporation describe the claims as 'trumped up' and part of an 'agenda t... more »

Interesting times

Craig at Is the BBC biased? - 4 hours ago
The *Sunday Telegraph*'s political editor Edward Malnick writes that "Downing Street has decided to impose an effective boycott of Radio 4's flagship news programme" - i.e. *Today* - "over allegations of pro-Remain bias". If enforced, that would be quite something. His report also says that "Boris Johnson has ordered his aides to launch an urgent review into decriminalising the BBC licence fee". That would also be quite something. Interesting times for the BBC.

Middle Finger Symphony Theater

Diogenes Sarcastica™ at Diogenes' Middle Finger - 4 hours ago
~ NO TUXEDOS REQUIRED ~ Brought To You By *BLUESJUNKY*: Chair of Music - Middle Finger Symphony Music Director

President Trump Attends Army -vs- Navy Game, Crowd Cheers – Stadium Plays Rocky Theme…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 4 hours ago
NAVY WINS ! (31 – 7 ) Congratulations NAVY ! Today President Trump attended the Army Navy game at Lincoln Field in Philadelphia. The Commander-in-Chief visited both teams in their locker room prior to the start of the game. . … Continue reading →

The Growth Of China's Military Power Over The Past 40 Years (Video)

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 4 hours ago
*WNU Editor*: China's military growth has primarily happened in the past 15 years. Now they will have to maintain what they have built up.

Ghost town buildings looking for a saviour

Catherine Heuzenroeder And Samantha Dawes at Just In - 4 hours ago
Stone buildings are all that is left of these railway towns now that all but a few people have left. But should they be preserved or left to ruin?

Meet the people of the port, who scale ships the size of buildings

James Carmody at Just In - 4 hours ago
They scale ships the size of buildings to keep $30 billion in goods flowing through one of Australia's biggest shipping hubs each year. Meet the men and women of Fremantle Port.

Australia's biggest firefighting aircraft sent to WA to fight Yanchep bushfire

Gian De Poloni at Just In - 4 hours ago
"Weary" firefighters will tackle the bushfire for a fifth day, with a Boeing 737 water bomber sent from New South Wales to help protect lives and homes.

New laws to stop domestic cats roaming could save fairy tern population

Jessica Warriner at Just In - 4 hours ago
After a single cat decimated a population of fairy terns over just a few nights last year, the Mandurah council has moved to introduce new laws for cat owners.

Woman killed in hit and run near highway petrol station

Andree Withey at Just In - 4 hours ago
Police are looking for the car that fled the scene after hitting the woman and leaving her with catastrophic injuries that paramedics described as "incompatible with life".

'Eyes in the back of your head': Wendy celebrates 40 years as a lollipop lady

Emily JB Smith at Just In - 4 hours ago
Wendy McKenna thought of an old friend as she celebrated 40 years as a lollipop lady on Western Australia's south coast this week, becoming the state's longest serving traffic controller.

Meet the man training Olympic hopefuls in the Australian outback

Just In - 4 hours ago
After years of professional skateboarding, a youth worker in a remote Aboriginal community is passing on his skills to children, encouraging them to dream of the Olympic stage.

Anger erupts at UN climate summit as major economies resist bold action

Just In - 4 hours ago
Major economies resist calls for bolder commitments as a UN summit in Madrid limps towards a delayed conclusion, dimming hopes that nations will act in time to mitigate the impacts of climate change.

'You can always make a change': Five years on from the murder of eight children in Murray Street

Sharnie Kim at Just In - 4 hours ago
It's the suburban street where one of Australia's worst cases of family violence occurred. Five years on, is it a different place?

Laura Henkel is going to Switzerland to 'die with dignity'

Leah White And Catherine Marciniak at Just In - 4 hours ago
A 90-year-old grandmother who doesn't qualify for voluntary assisted dying in Australia is travelling to Switzerland to die on her own terms.

As Kate's mother lay dying in aged care, staff seemed unable to cope. She's calling for change

Elizabeth Byrne at Just In - 4 hours ago
The royal commission into the aged care sector reveals many people are suffering needlessly because facilities are either short-staffed or not set up to manage the process of a dignified, comfortable death.

Mitchell Starc will never be a model of consistency, but right now he is running hot

Geoff Lemon at Just In - 4 hours ago
Mitchell Starc's five wickets in the first innings of the day-night Test against New Zealand in Perth shows that in the right conditions, there is nobody better, writes Geoff Lemon.

China Wants Group Commanders For Its Aircraft Carriers

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 4 hours ago
J-15 fighters aboard China's Liaoning aircraft carrier conduct a drill in the South China Sea. REUTERS/Stringer *SCMP:* *Chinese navy trains top guns to command expanding aircraft carrier fleet* * Best pilots from carrier-borne squadrons sent to naval academy for warship training to meet ‘urgent need’ for commanders * They had to pass more than 10 assessments – from political thought to psychological testing – before they could join the programme The Chinese navy is training fighter pilots experienced in carrier-borne operations to command and manage its warships as it seeks to exp... more »

B&T VP9: This Gun Is a 'Stealth Assassination Pistol'

Charlie Gao at The National Interest - 4 hours ago
*Charlie Gao* *Security, Americas* [image: Stealth Pistol] And here is why. B&T’s Veterinärpistole 9 (VP9) is one of the most niche products made by Swiss firearms manufacturer B&T AG. A bolt action pistol with a magazine grip designed to quietly kill wounded animals, it outwardly resembles the suppressed Welrod pistol used by the Allied Special Operations Executive (SOE) to assassinate targets during World War II. This, along with the stylish leather case the gun comes in, has led some to suggest that the VP9 is a modern stealth assassination pistol. But a closer look at the des... more »

The U.S. Air Force’s New B-21 Stealth Bomber Is Under Construction

David Axe at The National Interest - 4 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * The U.S. Air Force’s new B-21 stealth bomber is scheduled to make its first public appearance in December 2021. But there’s a lot of work to do before the plane can debut. The U.S. Air Force’s new B-21 stealth bomber is scheduled to make its first public appearance in December 2021. But there’s a lot of work to do before the plane can debut. The U.S. Air Force in 2015 awarded Northrop Grumman a $23-billion contract to develop the new bomber as a partial replacement for the service’s existing fleet of around 160 B-1, B-2 and B-52 bombers. More than four ... more »

America Must Dissuade China's Interest In Nuclear Arms

Michael Mazza, Henry Sokolski at The National Interest - 4 hours ago
*Michael Mazza, Henry Sokolski* *Security, Asia* [image: Reuters] These steps should assure America's allies and make real nuclear threat reductions, including useful arms limits, much more likely not just in East Asia, but globally. Washington’s security gurus like to say that America’s nuclear arsenal soothes its allies while dissuading them from scratching nuclear weapons itches of their own. Critics may contest the maxim, but in East Asia, an opposite contention—that China’s growing nuclear proficiency is dangerous—is gaining ground. In fact, China’s nuclear ambitions not onl... more »

The Russian Government Is Cracking Down on Draft Dodgers

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 4 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, Europe* [image: https://external-preview.redd.it/QYkxPcuNYBUhZ4luCgP6BSwIAQPiKUg4jtj2MkTVF24.jpg?auto=webp&s=f86738fac818181842b864c76bde6c8a3446f335] Problems for Moscow? The Russian government is cracking down on draft dodgers in a bid to find recruits for its military. It is also going after websites that help potential draftees escape service in a military known for harsh and spartan living conditions, and which is increasingly relying on volunteers instead of conscripts. Russia’s Ministry of Defense has said that “the number of draft dodgers is de... more »

Will the Navy's New LRASM Missile Change the Balance of Power?

Sebastien Roblin at The National Interest - 4 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *Security, North America* [image: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AGM-158C_LRASM#/media/File:Long_Range_Anti-Ship_Missile_(LRASM)_launches_from_an_Air_Force_B-1B_Lancer.jpg] Or will it keep the status quo? *Key Point:* The LRASM Missile can be bought at a premium, making it a beneficial addition to the Navy's assets. On October 11, 1967, the Israeli destroyer *Eilat *was sunk by three P15 cruise missiles fired by two dinky sixty-one-ton patrol boats of the Egyptian Navy firing from nearly twenty miles away. The realization dawned on navies across the world that ... more »

“Satanic Temple” Group Launched at U.S. Naval Academy

Dave Bohon at rss - 4 hours ago
[image: satanic-temple-group-launched-at-naval-academy] A “Satanic Temple” study group has been approved by top brass at the U.S. Naval Academy.

Do not any longer stay in the recalcitrance of a waywardness

Bob Dinn at balance10 - 4 hours ago
* Beloved* hearts, the mantle given to me for this Stump (across the land) which I have placed upon the Messenger has been the very dispensation to galvanize lightbearers. May this Word continue through you. May you also understand the message that is the stepping-stones of life whereby those lost in a dead doctrine may be the quickened who come first to the understanding of eternal Life and then to its love and then to its manifestation by that courage and honor of the heart…. Do not any longer stay in the recalcitrance of a waywardness and the stiff-necked generation of old... more »

Is This The Future Of Stealth Fighters?

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 4 hours ago
Image: BAE Systems. *Robert Beckhusen, National Interest: **What Is The Future Of Stealth Fighters? This Picture Is Your Clue.* Will stealth survive in the age of artificial intelligence? Key point: It’s long been a goal of aerospace developers to eliminate moving control surfaces from airplanes. Researchers at BAE Systems and The University of Manchester successfully test-flew an experimental unmanned aerial vehicle with no moving control surfaces, BAE Systems announced in December 2017. The 12-foot-span, jet-propelled MAGMA drone could help BAE develop stealthier warplanes. Con... more »

North Korea Conducts Another 'Crucial Test' At Its Sohae Missile Site

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 5 hours ago
*BBC:* *North Korea conducts 'crucial test' - state media* A spokesman told KNCA news agency it took place late on Friday at the Sohae Satellite Launching Ground, but did not give specific details. This is the second test to take place at the Sohae site in less than a week. Talks between the US and North Korea about its nuclear programme remain stalled. US President Donald Trump has refused to lift biting sanctions until North Korea fully abandons its nuclear programme. *Read more* .... *More News On North Korea Conducting Another 'Crucial Test' At Its Sohae Missile Site* No... more »

Turkish warship confronted Israeli ship in eastern Mediterranean

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:10 P.M.) – The Turkish Navy reportedly confronted an Israeli research vessel off the coast of Cyprus this month, the National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Ministry confirmed on Saturday, as reported by the Jerusalem Post. According to the Jerusalem Post, “the Bat Galim, a vessel belonging to the Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research, […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

US will never be able to turn a profit from Syrian oil: report

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
The United States will never be able to turn a profit from Syria’s oil, even if it took control of the entire country and somehow managed to double prewar production, Karam Shaar, a Syrian-born economic analyst at the Treasury of New Zealand, has calculated. In a recent op-ed for the Carnegie Middle East Center, a […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Jihadist rebels take advantage of poor weather to advance in northwest Syria this month

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:20 P.M.) – The month of December has witnessed very little airstrikes, as poor weather has grounded both the Syrian and Russian air forces in northwestern Syria. According to a government source in Damascus, the Russian and Syrian air forces have been unable to carry out many airstrikes due to heavy rain and […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Russian military allegedly forming new group to replace SDF in northern Syria

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:45 P.M.) – Russian Armed Forces are allegedly forming a new military force in northern Syria that is meant to replace the Kurdish-led People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) along the Turkish border. According to the Rojava News Network, the Russian military has begun recruiting new recruits in the cities […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Lebanese Forces Party will not join new gov’t: Geagea

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:30 P.M.) – The leader of the Lebanese Forces Party, Samir Geagea, announced on Saturday that his organization will not participate in the next government, stressing his refusal to form a mixed government of technocrats and politicians. After meeting with former Minister Ghattas Khoury, a delegate from President Saad Hariri, Geagea said, “there […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

The Daily Brief 2019-12-12

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 5 hours ago
This is a summary of 10 AMN articles on the following subjects: Haftar, Libya, Iraq, ISIS, Hasakah, Syria, US, Russia, Idlib, Aleppo, China, Iran, Lebanon. Categories covered in this brief: North-Africa, Iraq, Syria, World-News, Iran, Lebanon Let us know how you like this brief in the comments below. — The AMN Live Team Table of […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Advances In Missile Technology Is Forcing The US Navy To Adopt New Ways To Use Its Aircraft Carriers

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 5 hours ago
US Navy *Business Insider/Defense News:* *With China gunning for aircraft carriers, US Navy says it has to change how it fights* * Advances in offensive weaponry, namely Chinese long-range missiles, have stoked more debate about the viability of the aircraft carrier in future wars. * But just because those threats are there doesn't mean the carriers are obsolete, the Navy's top uniformed official said this month. WASHINGTON — Just because China might be able to hit US Navy aircraft carriers with long-range anti-ship missiles doesn't mean carriers are worthless, the service's top o... more »

Donald Trump Is Not Deporting Immigrants As Fast As His Predecessors

Alex Nowrasteh at The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Alex Nowrasteh* *Security, Americas* In 2019, ICE deported 85,958 illegal immigrants from the interior of the United States, down about 10 percent from 95,360 in 2018. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a report detailing deportations (henceforth “removals”) conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the fiscal year 2019. The DHS report divides removals into two categories based on the arresting agency: those removed from the interior of the United States and those removed from the border. Interior removals are those who are initially ... more »

Trump's 'Maximum Pressure' Strategy Against Iran Isn't Working (It's Time For A Change)

Daniel R. DePetris at The National Interest - 5 hours ago
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, Middle East* Diplomacy would be a good start. More than a year and a half since the Trump administration’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran began, Washington is no closer to taming the country’s behavior or getting a “better deal” with Tehran. President Trump needs to accept the reality in front of him: The problems posed by Iran are not going to be solved by more sanctions, isolation, or military deployments*. *It’s time to ditch the failed maximum pressure strategy and engage in pragmatic diplomacy. The logic behind maximum pressure was... more »

Musical Interlude Deuter, "Endless Horizon"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
Deuter, "Endless Horizon"

"A Look to the Heavens"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
“In front of a famous background of stars and galaxies lies some of Earth's more unusual trees. Known as quiver trees, they are actually succulent aloe plants that can grow to tree-like proportions. The quiver tree name is derived from the historical usefulness of their hollowed branches as dart holders. *Click image for larger size.* Occurring primarily in southern Africa, the trees pictured in the above 16-exposure composite are in Quiver Tree Forest located in southern Namibia. Some of the tallest quiver trees in the park are estimated to be about 300 years old. Behind the trees ... more »

"A Prayer for the World"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
"A Prayer for the World" "Let the rain come and wash away the ancient grudges, the bitter hatreds held and nurtured over generations. Let the rain wash away the memory of the hurt, the neglect. Then let the sun come out and fill the sky with rainbows. Let the warmth of the sun heal us wherever we are broken. Let it burn away the fog so that we can see each other clearly, So that we can see beyond labels, beyond accents, gender or skin color. Let the warmth and brightness of the sun melt our selfishness, So that we can share the joys and feel the sorrow of our neighbors. And let the light ... more »

"The Greatest Use Of Life"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
*"The Greatest Use Of Life"* by John Kaag ‘The greatest use of life is to spend it on something that will outlast it.’ – William James, "The Thought and Character of William James" (1935) "A year ago, on a late afternoon in November, I decided to walk the seven miles from my hotel in Manhattan to Brooklyn’s Community Bookstore. It was a cool day, on the cusp of evening, at a moment when things, even grimy New York-type of things, seem to glow, and I was so busy looking around that I almost didn’t notice the small white sign that someone had placed at the bottom of Brooklyn Bridge.... more »

"I Felt Pretty Lucky..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
"We sat looking out at the ocean. There was just so much of it, and it never failed to take my breath away. Looking at the ocean gave me the same sensation I'd get staring at a sky full of stars - that I was small. Like the way a math problem reveals its undeniable truth, I knew when I stared into this sort of endlessness that my life didn't count for much of anything. And knowing that, that I was nothing but a speck, I felt pretty lucky for all that I had." - Dana Reinhardt

The Daily "Near You?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
Santa Rosa, New Mexico, USA. Thanks for stopping by!

How much time do we have? Not much.

Graeme Decarie at The Decarie Report - 5 hours ago
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/boris-johnson-win-brexit-uk-ireland-scotland-1.5395001 The Conservative Party of Britain, in all its years of existence, has never given a damn for the needs of the British people. It has always been the party of the upper classes. Scotland and Northern Ireland have been ready for some time now to pull out of Britain. The empire that ruled the waves is gone (much of it, as in the middle east, stolen by Britain's 'friend' , the U.S. which also tried to snap up much of the old British Empire , notably by recapturing China, at which both the U.S. and Britai... more »

"Impeachments 'R' Us"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 5 hours ago
*"Impeachments 'R' Us"* by Michael Reagan “Parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus.” “The mountains went into labor, and brought forth a mouse.” - The Roman poet Horace "Forget the phony solemnity about the Constitution and the rule of law. Forget the malarkey about the president committing high crimes and misdemeanors. We all know the real reasons Democrats are hell-bent on impeaching Donald Trump. It’s because they hate him beyond reason and because they still believe their own hoax that he stole the presidency from Hillary Clinton. But Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler... more »

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