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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.

Thursday, February 20, 2020

20 February - Blogs I'm Following - 2 of 5

iGoogle Portal - MSM News    Tab 4   Tab 6  - MSM News     Tab 7 - MSM News

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10 pm MST

1960 was a long time ago

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 6 hours ago
“The Democrats’ candidate [JFK] in 1960 headlined freedom as the issue defining his campaign. Sixty years later, Democrats are moving down the road to nominating a socialist, pushing freedom as an American ideal out of the picture.” “It is a generation [18-29] to whom much has been given and from whom little is expected. When Kennedy ran for president in 1960, America’s youth still faced a military draft. In 1960, 72% of Americans over 18 were married, compared with 50% today. According to Pew, 78% of those ages 18 to 29 say it is acceptable for an unmarried couple to live toge... more »

Bernie Stands Alone – All Other Candidates Agree to Let The Club Pick The Democrat Nominee…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 6 hours ago
It was the final question in a wild and furious Democrat debate last night: “If no candidate earns the majority of delegates how should a nominee be chosen?” Should the candidate with the most delegates be selected as the nominee? … Continue reading →

Did Obama’s Last 3 Years See More Jobs Created Than Trump’s First 3?

Dan MacGuill at Snopes.com - 6 hours ago
Left-leaning critics of U.S. President Donald Trump rejected his claims to overseeing unprecedented economic growth in early 2020. Who was right?

Did Bruce Springsteen Say Trump ‘Doesn’t Have a Grasp’ on What It Means To Be American?

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 6 hours ago
"I didn’t need little Bruce Springsteen," Trump proclaimed at a campaign rally.

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Idlib Media Coverage Hyper Inflated To Prep For US Intervention In Syria?

Penny at Penny for your thoughts - 6 hours ago
* It's not at all clear if fighting has really intensified, since fighting has been consistent in Idlib for years now. How would the intensity be quantified? It can't be and that's why the 'chicken little' approach to covering Idlib has been avoided here. * * Much more realistic is that media coverage has been hyper exaggerated to excuse (**seek to defend or justify) a US intervention. Now that I can vouch for. Reporting has been amplified and magnified many times over this past week.* * * Intense Battles For the Mind Are Raging! Turkish/ Russian Dissolution or Adapting to Changi... more »

Christian sect reported as hotbed of 'super-spreading' coronavirus event in South Korea

Just In - 6 hours ago
At least 2.5 million South Koreans are urged to stay home as a minor sect is identified as being linked to a majority of new COVID-19 cases in the country.

Child-like sex doll found in Brisbane man's home, police allege

Just In - 6 hours ago
A Brisbane man becomes the first person in the state to be charged with a new offence for possessing child-like sex dolls, with the 44-year-old facing a potential 15-year jail term.

'Very vulnerable' Aussie dollar slumps to 11-year low

Michael Janda And Sue Lannin at Just In - 6 hours ago
The Australian dollar slumps to its lowest level since the height of the global financial crisis, after weak local jobs numbers and growing fears that coronavirus is spreading beyond China.

Bob Brown protesters face $500,000 fine if they defy forest ban

James Dunlevie at Just In - 6 hours ago
Anti-logging protesters from the Bob Brown Foundation are banned from Tasmanian forests due to what the State Government says are "unsafe" behaviours, with the foundation likening the action as something that "would do President Putin's Moscow proud".

ABC News Quiz: It's been a huge week of stories big and small

Just In - 6 hours ago
It's been a huge week of news stories big and small. How many do you remember? Test that memory in our news quiz.

Family of Hannah Clarke share their grief after daughter and grandchildren's violent deaths

Jessica Rendall at Just In - 6 hours ago
Hannah Clarke's father says his daughter's estranged husband, Rowan Baxter, was a monster who only cared about himself.

Rio Tinto's new mine will be solar powered, company says

Courtney Fowler And Kendall O'Connor at Just In - 6 hours ago
Global mining giant Rio Tinto has unveiled plans for a large solar farm to feed its new iron ore mine in Western Australia's Pilbara region.

'Inappropriate' Aboriginal flag banned by RSL in WA Anzac Day, Remembrance Day events

Rebecca Turner at Just In - 6 hours ago
The WA branch of the RSL introduces a new policy banning the performance of Welcomes to Country ceremonies at all of its Anzac and Remembrance Day services, along with the flying of the Aboriginal flag.

'This is mismanagement': New Sydney Metro's $3b blowout

Jessica Kidd at Just In - 6 hours ago
Sydney’s much-hyped City and Southwest Metro is to blow out by as much as $3 billion and could cost up to $15.5 billion, the NSW Government concedes.

Government announces $1.1 billion upgrade of Top End air base

Matthew Doran at Just In - 6 hours ago
The money will be spent on upgrading RAAF Base Tindal, outside Katherine in the Northern Territory, which is seen as one of the most strategically important defence precincts for both Australia and the United States.

Man's body found on road in second suspected hit-and-run crash in Port Augusta

Just In - 6 hours ago
A 29-year-old man from the Nullarbor Plain is killed in a hit-and-run crash in Port Augusta, the second alleged hit-and-run crash in the city in less than a week.

After the last election political parties owed Google $9 million. For what?

Ariel Bogle at Just In - 6 hours ago
Election experts estimate the figure is likely to represent only a small portion of what was spent by political parties on digital advertising in the last election.

With three weeks of drinking water left, last-minute downpour slakes river town's thirst

Jessie Davies And Lucy Thackray at Just In - 6 hours ago
A drinking water crisis has been averted in western New South Wales after widespread rain restarted rivers that were all but bone-dry just two weeks ago.

Rain brings positive vibes and a unique smell to go with it

Tom Edwards And Gianni Di Giovanni at Just In - 6 hours ago
That warm, earthy scent when it rains for the first time after an extended dry spell has a name. As Dr Karl explains, there's a whole science behind it.

Live: NSW Now: Buses in place following train derailment, protests over Western Harbour Tunnel

Just In - 6 hours ago
*MORNING BRIEFING: *Transport NSW urges travellers to check for updates on train services to Victoria, and warning for Sydney residents to monitor for damage caused by construction of the Western Harbour Tunnel.

Why China is 'laundering' cash and printing new banknotes

Tasha Wibawa at Just In - 6 hours ago
Cash transfers between banks in areas seriously affected by the coronavirus are suspended and notes received by banks are being sterilised before being given back to customers.

Bring on the pressure, we're ready for the Women's T20 World Cup

Just In - 6 hours ago
Australia all rounder Jess Jonassen speaks about embracing the pressure of playing in a home World Cup, the settled camp, and the words of advice Stuart Law gave her to deal with nerves.

Electric vehicles potentially deadly to vision-impaired people, inquiry told

Giselle Wakatama at Just In - 6 hours ago
Up to one in three vision-impaired people surveyed have narrowly avoided being injured by electric vehicles, because they are so quiet, according to submissions to a Government inquiry.

Gone Batty: “KAP announces ‘Bat Re-Stocking’ Proposal

Editor, cairnsnews at Cairns News - 6 hours ago
19 February, 2020 KAP ANNOUNCES “BAT RE-STOCKING” PROPOSAL Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) has today offered to devise a plan to safely export hundreds of thousands of Queensland flying foxes to New South Wales with no option for “return to sender”, as part of a proposed “Bat Re-Stocking Program”. The announcement follows the news that hundreds […]

Harvest expands medical cannabis market reach by buying Arizona rival

John Rebchook at Marijuana Business Daily - 6 hours ago
Arizona’s largest medical cannabis company, Harvest Health & Recreation, grew its footprint in the state by acquiring competitor Arizona Natural Selections. Under terms of the deal, Harvest received: Vertical licenses for three operating MMJ dispensaries and a fourth location to be opened. A 55,000-square-foot grow facility. A 322-acre site containing a 70,000-square-foot greenhouse and 25 acres […] Harvest expands medical cannabis market reach by buying Arizona rival is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Australis ends purchase of Colorado CBD firm after lurid charges emerge

John Rebchook at Marijuana Business Daily - 6 hours ago
Australis Capital, a cannabis investment firm based in Las Vegas, terminated its planned acquisition of hemp company Folium Biosciences in the wake of shocking headlines that surfaced regarding the Colorado company it was going to purchase only two months ago. Australis, a spin-off of Canadian marijuana producer Aurora Cannabis, said in a news release it […] Australis ends purchase of Colorado CBD firm after lurid charges emerge is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Alberta cannabis cultivators eligible for agriculture grants

Matt Lamers at Marijuana Business Daily - 6 hours ago
Cannabis producers and processors in Alberta, Canada, might be able to access a suite of cost-sharing programs through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (CAP), a joint federal-provincial initiative, if they meet eligibility requirements. Previously, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, which administers CAP in the province, had not taken a position as to whether cannabis farmers were able […] Alberta cannabis cultivators eligible for agriculture grants is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

"Economic Market Snapshot PM 2/20/20"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
*2/20/20, Updated frequently as available.* ◆ • “Something BIG is Brewing, With a Capital “B”! • "Warning Signs Suggest Chinese Tech Shipments Are About to Crash" • "China shut down -Japan in recession -Germany in recession - Major US company warnings -Inverted yield curves" • "Is This The Start Of The Factor Crash That Morgan Stanley Has Been Warning About?" Highly recommended: "Never Go Full Retard" "We can’t know until after the fact. From my perch this market is the most dangerous we’ve seen since 2000. A market in full retard mode, utterly removed from any economic foundation, ... more »

Musical Interlude: Deuter, “Loving Touch”

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
Deuter, “Loving Touch”

Show Trial Ends: Roger Stone Sentenced to 40 months in Prison, While Judge Rants About Trump

Patrick Henningsen at 6 hours ago
[image: undefined] Today, the long-time friend and Trump campaign consultant Roger Stone was sentenced to 40 months in a federal prison for multiple charges relating to his Congressional testimony and Robert Mueller’s Russia probe. US District Judge Amy Berman Jackson issued Stone’s sentence after his lawyers had first requested that he receive no prison time. After the sentence was handed down, Stone refrained from making a personal statement to the court. Normally, one might refrain from criticizing a judge too harshly, but this was no ordinary closing remarks performance, as Jud... more »

"If freedom of association is a right, then unions are in the wrong and pushing further in the wrong direction." Bonus #QotD

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 6 hours ago
*"If freedom of association is a right, then unions are in the wrong and pushing further in the wrong direction."* ~ Gary Galles in his post 'Unions Are Clearly in the Wrong about Freedom of Association' . Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Permission to republish is granted, with link and attribution.

Turkey Now Wants American Patriot Missiles On Its Border With Syria

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 6 hours ago
A Spanish patriot surface-to-air missile launcher in Turkey. Anadolu Agency *Ahval:* *Turkey's defence minister says U.S. could deploy Patriots to Syrian border * Turkey's Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said during a televised interview on Thursday the United States could deploy U.S.-made Patriot batteries on its southern border to provide protection. The United States could support Turkey militarily amid escalated tensions in Syria's last rebel-held province of Idlib by deploying Patriot batteries on its border, Akar said. "The United States may have Patriot support," he said. Tur... more »

"A Look to the Heavens"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
“Beautiful emission nebula NGC 6164 was created by a rare, hot, luminous O-type star, some 40 times as massive as the Sun. Seen at the center of the cosmic cloud, the star is a mere 3 to 4 million years old. In another three to four million years the massive star will end its life in a supernova explosion. *Click image for larger size.* Spanning around 4 light-years, the nebula itself has a bipolar symmetry. That makes it similar in appearance to more familiar planetary nebulae - the gaseous shrouds surrounding dying sun-like stars. Also like many planetary nebulae, NGC 6164 has bee... more »

Paranoia, Racism: German Killer Drew on Conspiracy Tropes

AP News at Snopes.com - 6 hours ago
The gunman who killed nine people in the Frankfurt suburb of Hanau left behind a 24-page rambling screed calling for the “complete extermination” of races he considered inferior.

"Perhaps It Is Better..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 6 hours ago
"Perhaps it is better to be un-sane and happy, than sane and un-happy. But it is the best of all to be sane and happy. Whether our descendants can achieve that goal will be the greatest challenge of the future. Indeed, it may well decide whether we have any future." - Arthur C. Clarke

The influence of France on the Meiji born Japanese artist

Lee Jay at Modern Tokyo Times - 7 hours ago
The influence of France on the Meiji born Japanese artist Lee Jay Walker Modern Tokyo Times The Japanese artist Takeshiro Kanokogi was born in 1874 during the infancy of the Meiji Restoration that began in 1868. Yet, by the time of his death in 1941, much had changed about Japan. Therefore, one can only imagine […]

TMZ: Pop Smoke Murder Appears to be Targeted Hit … Not a Robbery

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 7 hours ago
Pop Smoke’s death wasn’t a robbery gone wrong. Surveillance video from the scene supports the conclusion that it was a targeted hit. People who have seen the surveillance footage from outside the Hollywood Hills home where Pop was killed Wednesday morning told TMZ: … you see 4 men approach the home at around 4:30 AM […] The post TMZ: Pop Smoke Murder Appears to be Targeted Hit … Not a Robbery appeared first on Health Nut News.

Syrian Army intensifies operation against foreign jihadists in northeast Latakia: video

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 7 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (10:00 P.M.) – Despite the harsh weather conditions that surround the Latakia countryside at this time of the year, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) is working to control the ground situation near the jihadist front-lines. The Syrian Arab Army reconnaissance units began to intensify their operations along the contact lines in the northeastern […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Syrian Army stifles another attack by Turkish-backed militants in east Idlib

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 7 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (9:40 P.M.) – The jihadist rebels and their Turkish-backed allies were once again unsuccessful in their attempt to capture the town of Nayrab in the eastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate. The attack, which was led by Turkish-backed militants and their allies jihadists, was meant to infiltrate the Syrian Arab Army’s defenses at […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Rare drone footage shows Syrian Army’s next target: Aleppo-Latakia Highway

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 7 hours ago
Rare drone footage has been captured of the M4 highway between Latakia and Aleppo​ and​ of the largely abandoned Syrian town Ariha in the Idlib province on Wednesday. Shells of empty buildings can be seen in the town that the Syrian government forces are looking to retake and that has suffered extensive bombing damage during […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkish-backed militants make another push to capture east Idlib town

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 7 hours ago
BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:45 P.M.) – The Turkish-backed militants launched another attack in the eastern countryside of the Idlib Governorate on Thursday, as their forces attempted to capture the town of Nayrab near Saraqib. According to the latest report from this front, the Turkish-backed National Liberation Front (NLF) and their allies from Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

Turkey accuses Syrian Army of killing 2 soldiers in Idlib

News Desk at AMN – Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - 7 hours ago
The Syrian air force has carried out strikes on the Turkish army’s positions in the Idlib province, killing two troops, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter on Wednesday. “Our troops deployed to Idlib to ensure peace and carry out humanitarian activities came under the [Assad] regime’s attack, which killed two troops and left […] Source: AMN - Al-Masdar News | المصدر نيوز - The Arab Source

MAGAnomics – Big Manufacturing Jump Amid Mid-Atlantic Region Report…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 7 hours ago
The potential for supply chain disruption as a result of China dealing with the Coronavirus, and almost a complete shutdown of their manufacturing economy, is looming heavy upon Wall Street multinationals invested in China. However, tangentially related, as a result … Continue reading →

Biotech Industry’s New Hope ‘Gene Editing’ Dealt a Serious Double Blow

Sustainable Pulse at Sustainable Pulse - 7 hours ago
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a French court have dealt separate blows to the Biotech industry and their attempt to slide new gene editing techniques through the back door and in to the foods we eat. The Conseil d’Etat, France’s top administrative court, recently ruled that organisms obtained via new plant breeding techniques […] The post Biotech Industry’s New Hope ‘Gene Editing’ Dealt a Serious Double Blow appeared on Sustainable Pulse.

Heavy Fighting Escalates In The Syrian Province Of Idlib

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*Middle East Eye:* *Two Turkish soldiers killed as Syrian rebels stage assault on Idlib's Neirab* Opposition fighters making headway around strategic town of Saraqeb, backed by Turkish commandos and artillery Two Turkish soldiers were killed and five more wounded by a pro-Syrian government forces air strike in northwestern Syria, Ankara’s defence ministry said on Thursday, as fighting heated up around the Idlib province town of Neirab. In retaliation, 50 Syrian government soldiers were killed, and five tanks, two armoured personnel carriers, two armoured trucks and one howitzer ... more »

This Music Video by Avicii is a Shockingly Realistic Portrayal of Child Sex-Trafficking by Wealthy Predators

WakingTimes at Waking Times - 7 hours ago
*Buck Rogers* - Most famous people wouldn't dare touch a subject like this, and sadly, Avicci committed suicide.

When US Hospitals and Military PUBLICLY Brace for a Coronavirus Pandemic, You Should Pay Attention

WTStaff at Waking Times - 7 hours ago
*Daisy Luther* - “This is the time to open up your pandemic plans and see that things are in order."

Study Shows Rain Could Be A Viable Source Of Renewable Energy

WTStaff at Waking Times - 7 hours ago
*John Vibes* - The planet is overflowing with energy, and humans are just in the beginning stages of figuring out how to harness that energy.

Study: College Grads Would Spend A Week In Jail To Erase Student Debt

WTStaff at Waking Times - 7 hours ago
*John Vibes* - Unfortunately, going to college in the United States results in many years of debt for most students once they graduate.

The Many Benefits of Meditation

WTStaff at Waking Times - 7 hours ago
*Dr. Mercola* - Meditation can give you an energizing boost similar to caffeine, but meditation accomplishes this without adverse effects.

U.S. And The U.K. Accuse Russia For Last Year's Cyber attack Against Georgia

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 7 hours ago
Some websites, such as that of TV channel Pirveli, were replaced with an image of former President Mikheil Saakashvili in the hack *BBC:* UK says Russia's GRU behind massive Georgia cyber-attack A huge cyber-attack which knocked out more than 2,000 websites in the country of Georgia last year was carried out by Russia, according to Georgia, the UK and the US. The UK government says that the GRU (Russian military intelligence) was behind the "attempt to undermine Georgia's sovereignty". Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab described it as "totally unacceptable". Russia's Foreign Ministr... more »

Hair Club for Men Founder — And Client — Sy Sperling Dies

AP News at Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
Sy Sperling, who appeared in ubiquitous ads for Hair Club for Men, died after a lengthy illness.

Ukrainians Clash with Police to Block Coronavirus Evacuees from Wuhan

AP News at Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
Fearing that they would become infected, residents of a village intended to host the evacuees put up road blocks, burned tires and clashes with riot police.

K.T. McFarland, A Patriot who did not break!

Fuzzyone at 'Nox & Friends - 7 hours ago
K.T. McFarland served in the Trump White House as a national security advisor to Micheal Flynn. Ms. McFarland was questioned, and ABUSED by the Mueller investigators, trying to get her to break down and rat out the Trump administration. Only problem was, Ms. McFarland is an honest lady, and a true Patriot. She held her ground, and forced the interrogators to go look someplace else. Read here at American Greatness. I have the highest esteem for Ms. McFarland. We need more Patriots in our government like this, who have morals and courage. Fuzzyone

Senator meets with Iranian Official..

Fuzzyone at 'Nox & Friends - 7 hours ago
Senator Chris Murphy, a democrat from Connecticut, traveled to Munich, Germany for the recent Munich Security Conference. Along with Mr. Murphy were Sens. Robert Menendez of New Jersey, and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, and John Kerry, former State department chief and Logan Act violator. Read from the Clarion Project Senator Murphy has admitted that he met with the Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif. Senator Murphy says it is not his job as a Senator to conduct foreign policy. Where Senator Murphy strays is admitting that the Congress, as a equal branch of government to ... more »

SBRA now in effect for Small Business Bankruptcies

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 7 hours ago
Small Business Reorganization Act of 2019 (SBRA), was passed in late July 2019 by 2/3 majority in the House and voice vote in the Senate. The President signed the bill into law on August 23, 2019. Why bring this up now? — First because this was a Republican submitted bill that received a Bi-Partisan majority vote that was equally acceptable to the Senate. Not only that but it went to the president and was signed into law in thirty days. That is part of the reason. How rare has something like this been for this 116th Congress? Very rare especially … Continue reading →

Career Criminal Arrested for 141st Time in NY City, New Bail Law Keeps Him Free

R. Cort Kirkwood at rss - 7 hours ago
[image: career-criminal-arrested-for-140th-time-ny-city-can-t-keep-in-jail-because-of-new-bail-law] Career criminal Charles Barry has been arrested at least 140 times, at least seven times since January 1, the day New York’s bail reform law took effect. The new law says you can’t hold certain criminals in jail. They must be freed without bail.

Boy Scouts Have Muslim Troops — Who Don’t Pledge Allegiance to America

Selwyn Duke at rss - 7 hours ago
[image: boy-scouts-have-muslim-troops-that-don-t-pledge-allegiance-to-america] Some years ago the BSA allowed openly homosexual boys in its ranks, then openly homosexual adult leaders; next came “transgender” kids and girls. Interestingly, though, most of these changes probably wouldn’t sit well with another scouting innovation: all-Muslim troops who pray to Allah five times daily and don’t pledge allegiance to our nation.

... he had been obsessed with branding the company and lowering its carbon footprint at the expense of BP’s real business, producing and selling oil.” #QotD

Peter Cresswell at Not PC - 7 hours ago
*“[BP CEO John] Browne was distracted by his pet issues of climate change and environmentalism, and by his flirtations with the public spotlight.... he had been obsessed with branding the company and lowering its carbon footprint at the expense of BP’s real business, producing and selling oil.” * ~ Abrahm Lustgarten, from his 2012 book *Run to Failure: BP and the Making of the Deepwater Horizon Disaster*, quoted in the post "‘Beyond Petroleum’ Now ‘Big Promises’ at BP" . Content is copyright PC.BlogSpot.Com © Permission to republish is granted, with link and attribution.

Climate Activists Sit In For Major Changes At Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Terrace at PopularResistance.Org - 7 hours ago
Washington, DC - On February 20, members of the climate justice group Beyond Extreme Energy held a sit-in inside the offices of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Seven activists disrupted FERC’s monthly commissioner's meeting, calling for FERC to be replaced with the ‘Federal Renewable Energy Commission’ (FREC). An additional five BXE members sat down blocking a staircase, before being forcibly removed. Members of the group sang and unfurled banners reading “FERC Permits Climate Crimes” and “FREC sustains communities and the earth.” They sat peacefully in the FERC hea... more »

Polar Bear Scare Unmasked: The Saga of a Toppled Global Warming Icon [another look]

Hifast at Climate Collections - 7 hours ago
Originally posted on polarbearscience: For almost twenty years, , we’ve endured the shrill media headlines, the hyperbole from conservation organizations, and the simplistic platitudes from scientists as summer sea ice declined dramatically while polar bear numbers rose. This video of mine from two years ago, which deconstructs the scare, is worth another look as International…

Jet stream not getting ‘wavier’ despite Arctic warming, say researchers

Hifast at Climate Collections - 7 hours ago
Originally posted on Tallbloke's Talkshop: Credit: Wikipedia This contradicts climate alarmist claims such as: Global Warming Is Messing with the Jet Stream. Whether 40 years of data is enough to establish what is ‘normal’, is another matter. The fastest jetstream on record of 231 mph has only just been set, we’re told. – –…

How Good Are the Upgrades to Russia's Gromky Corvette?

Mark Episkopos at The National Interest - 7 hours ago
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, Europe* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2020%3Anewsml_RC2GCE9CRXCC&share=true] A decent ship. *Key point:* Russia is trying to upgrade its navy so it can deter NATO. This means even changing up smaller corvettes. Russia’s *Gromky* corvette has undergone a rapid series of back-to-back tests over the past months, an indication that the Russian Navy is pushing to make it fully combat-ready later in 2019. *Gromky* is the seventh vessel to be constructed as part of Russia’s new Steregushchiy-class series, specially commis... more »

Government Agency Admits Cell Phones Cause Cancer in Rats. Lawsuit Filed Against Apple and Samsung for Radiation Above Federal Limits.

Fox News and The Hill at Need To Know - 7 hours ago
The National Toxicology Program, a government organization, found that "high exposure to radio frequency radiation used by cell phones was associated with clear evidence of tumors in rats." However, federal agencies, including the FCC and FDA, claim that cell phone radiation is safe for humans.

Republican Oligarch Bloomberg Explains Why He Would Never Win A Presidential Race

DownWithTyranny at DownWithTyranny! - 8 hours ago
Yesterday, in his often excoriating music business newsletter, Bob Lefsetz set his sites on... oligarchs in politics. "You’ve got to be rich," he wrote. "And it always comes down to who you know." That could've easily been the opening lines about a music business post. But not when he turned to the powerful dons who run the Nevada Culinary Union who "bargained for a blue chip health care plan" and have basically said SCREW YOU to anyone who doesn't have a plan as good. (NOTE: Medicare-for-All is better than any union-negotiated healthcare plan and for that matter, better than any ... more »

CDPQ Gains 10.4% in 2019

Leo Kolivakis at Pension Pulse - 8 hours ago
Today, CDPQ announced its results, posting a 10.4% annualized return in 2019 and 8.1% over five years (added emphasis is mine): Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) today released its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2019. The weighted average return on its depositors funds was 10.4% in 2019, which represents $31.1 billion in investment results. The annualized return over five and ten years was 8.1% and 9.2%, respectively. The returns of CDPQ’s eight main depositors ranged from 9.5% to 10.8% for 2019, and from 7.2% to 8.9% over five years. Over ten years,... more »

My visit with the GE washer repairman

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 8 hours ago
My 18 year old Maytag started making death rattle noises, so on February 4 I went to Lowe's and bought a new GE washer. It was delivered and installed on February 5, and by the 5th load on the 13th it began leaking. Because of Phil's illness and hospitalization on the 15th, I didn't get a call into repair until yesterday thinking I had a day before Phil's release. The repairman came this morning. He quickly figured out the problem (which I had guessed): the drain hose was not properly connected. In fact, he told me I was lucky it hadn't flooded the whole basement, since it coul... more »

Why Didn't Donald Trump Invade Venezuela? Look To The U.S. Navy

David Axe at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * Venezuela has been undergoing serious political upheaval. *Key point: *The United States’ legacy in Latin America weighs heavily on the Pentagon’s reluctance to sail major warships through Latin American waters. A failed coup attempt targeting Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on April 30 ended in confusion and failure. Russian and Cuban advisors and a strong core of the Venezuelan military continues to support Maduro amid economic collapse and widespread protests. U.S. president Donald Trump in 2018 threatened military action against Maduro but didn’... more »

Yes the F-35 Has a Powerful "Beast Mode" to Strike Multiple Targets at Once

Mark Episkopos at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2016%3Anewsml_LR1EC7F17FT47&share=true] Watch it in action. *Key point:* America's F-35 is one of the best planes ever made. It can also forgo some of its stealthiness in order to carry more weapons. Recently leaked video sheds light on one of the F-35’s possible weapons configurations, previously dubbed as “beast mode” in a Lockheed Martin infographic. The video, dating back to November of 2018, depicts an F-35 simultaneously firing five air-to-surface missiles against five ... more »

Why Filing for Bankruptcy to Get Rid of Student Loans Often Won't Work

Brent Evans, Matthew Patrick Shaw at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Brent Evans, Matthew Patrick Shaw* *Economics, Americas* [image: Reuters] Here's why, and the other options available. Paying back student loans is not an easy thing to do. One out of every 5 borrowers with outstanding student loan debt has fallen behind their payments. There are several ways borrowers can get help to deal with their debt burden. Bankruptcy is the most extreme. In general, the law does not allow you to get rid of student loans through bankruptcy. One exception to the rule is if a borrower can prove that paying back the loans “would impose an undue hardship on ... more »

Could Turkey Soon Be Flying Russian Stealth Fighters?

Mark Episkopos at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, * Ankara won't be getting the F-35. *Key point: *Ankara’s revived interest in Russian military hardware comes during a time of acute strain in Turkey-NATO relations. Turkey’s plans to purchase the Russian S-400 missile system marked a major shift in Ankara’s defense orientation, eliciting a sharp response from *Washington*. Nonetheless, the S-400 deal barely scratches the surface of the blooming Turkey-Russia defense relationship and the threat that it poses to NATO’s military coherence. The Kremlin and Rosoboronexport-- Russia’s state arms exporting ... more »

Could Verizon Fios Dump Cable TV for YouTube TV?

Harry J. Kazianis at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Harry J. Kazianis* *Technology, * It does not sound like a bad idea. Here's why. On a recent earnings call, Verizon CEO Hans Vestberg was apparently pressed if their Fios TV service could someday be swapped out in favor of a bundled residential broadband and YouTube TV package. According to a readout of the call, Vestberg did not directly answer the question, instead commenting that over-the-top video services like YouTube TV are “where the market is going … more and more content is coming and you need to start mixing and matching.” While the question was clearly a valid one, ... more »

China Goes All In On Stealth: New Bombers And Fighters Are Coming To Asia

David Axe at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*David Axe* *Security, * Modernizing the People’s Liberation Army Air Force, or PLAAF, is a top priority of Chinese military leaders. *Key point: *China’s aircraft industry remains reliant on foreign-sourced components for dependable, proven, high-performance aircraft engines. The Chinese air force is expanding its fleet of J-20 radar-evading stealth fighters while also preparing to field FC-31 stealth fighters and H-20 long-range stealth bombers, the U.S. Defense Department warned in the 2019 edition of its *annual report on Chinese military developments*. China’s stealth expan... more »

Dish Network and DirecTV Could Merge. It Won’t Stop Them From Dying a Painful Death.

Harry J. Kazianis at The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Harry J. Kazianis* *Technology, * Would this help slow or stop the massive amounts of customers leaving both of their companies? No. Imagine this: Two dying companies that sell completely obsolete services that millions of people are canceling come to an obvious crossroads. They know they can’t survive as they exist today. So, instead of trying to appeal to the marketplace with new products and services that are innovative, exciting and cutting edge, they decide to double down on the same tired products and services that fewer and fewer will want in the years to come. In fact,... more »

Helper-Essay In Montaigne One Two Volume Volume

The first of which is an incapability to understand apart from intellectual, sensory, or overall health aspects, adopted by […]rnAsthma is lung disease characterised by continual irritation and subsequent problems. Thanks to its ongoing prevalence and severity, it is a major general public well being concern. An approximated twenty five. , 2014). Asthma is a single of the most widespread childhood illnesses, disproportionately influencing urban minorities. […]rnrnAddiction Essay (one) New music Essay (94) Physics Essay (four) Philosophy Essay (sixty nine) Private Assertion Essay (on... more »

Sociologist Examines Gendered Racism from the Perspective of Attorneys

cmaadmin at Diverse - 8 hours ago
A book by Dr. Tsedale M. Melaku explores the ways in which Black women face gender and racial discrimination when pursuing careers at elite law firms.

Bangladesh to sign Free Trade Agreement with Nepal

bilaterals.org - 8 hours ago
20-Feb-2020 Bangladesh and Nepal have agreed to sign a Free Trade Agreement to enhance trade between the two countries.

Iran, India finalize negotiations on preferential trade tariffs

bilaterals.org - 8 hours ago
20-Feb-2020 Iran and India finalized talks on ratification of preferential tariffs on specific equipment needed for implementation of Iranian Chabahar Port project besides financing supply of required machinery for the project.

India, US ink pact on intellectual property rights

bilaterals.org - 8 hours ago
20-Feb-2020 ndia and the US have signed an agreement on intellectual property rights (IPR) ahead of US President Donald Trump's visit. The Cabinet Wednesday approved an MoU with the US on the issue of IPRs.

Provisional application of the Energy Charter Treaty: Article 45(1) “Limitation Clause”

bilaterals.org - 8 hours ago
20-Feb-2020 When it issued three interim awards for Yukos, the arbitral tribunal noted that the principle of provisional application of treaties was recognized under Russian law.

Zimbabwe's Thin Line between Child Smuggling and Child Trafficking

HARARE, Feb 20 (IPS) - While there are a large number of instances of child smuggling and trafficking across Zimbabwe's porous borders, these cases still remain unknown and unreported because of the nature of the crime. Elton Ndumiso*, a bus-conductor who works a bus route from Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, to neighbouring South Africa, sees it all the time: Zimbabwean women travelling with three or four children, who are clearly not their own kids, and taking them across the border. It's a crime that most bus drivers or conductors either turn a blind eye to, or become accomplices ... more »

Deputy Leader Of The Taliban Says He Is Committed To Peace

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 8 hours ago
Sirajuddin Haqqani, New York Times: *What We, the Taliban, Want* *I am convinced that the killing and the maiming must stop, the deputy leader of the Taliban writes.* When our representatives started negotiating with the United States in 2018, our confidence that the talks would yield results was close to zero. We did not trust American intentions after 18 years of war and several previous attempts at negotiation that had proved futile. Nevertheless, we decided to try once more. The long war has exacted a terrible cost from everyone. We thought it unwise to dismiss any potential o... more »

Tiesto, Mabel - God is a Dancer

Phil at All That Is Solid ... - 8 hours ago
You either like the Tiesto of old with his slew of early trance classics, or the Tiesto of the last decade who went and did loads of mainstream EDM. Rare are those who pay his two periods equal mind. I certainly wasn't one of them, not because he was a sell out or some such nonsense but simply because I didn't think his newer stuff was up to much. But now I'm happy to take that back. If last year's top ten of 2019 wasn't cancelled by the best of the 2010s, Tiesto's collab with Mabel would have made it. In lieu of blogging tonight, crank this up instead.

Russian President Putin Is Stunned When Asked 'Could You Live On £130 A Month?'

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 8 hours ago
The woman in a hooded coat pushed through and immediately asked Putin: 'Please tell me, is it possible to live on 10,800 rubles ($170)?' *Daily Mail:* *'Could you live on £130 a month?' Stunned Putin is stopped in public and quizzed by a woman in rare unscripted grilling* * Russian President Vladimir Putin faced rare grilling from woman on Wednesday * 'Please tell me, is it possible to live on 10,800 rubles ($170)?' she asked him * 'I think it's very hard,' Putin replied in video footage posted by Russian media Russian President Vladimir Putin faced what appeared to be a rare u... more »

33.5 Million Watched The U.S. Democrat Debate Wednesday Night

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 8 hours ago
*NBC:* NBC News and MSNBC Break Ratings Again With The Most-Watched Democratic Debate Ever *Averages Nearly 20 Million Television Viewers Across the Two Networks,Plus 13.5 Million Live Streams#1 Dem Debate in History in Both Total Viewers and the Key A25-54 DemoNBC News and MSNBC Now Claim the Top Two Dem Debates Ever* February 20, 2020 – NBC News and MSNBC once again made television history with the most-watched Democratic debate ever, averaging nearly 20 million total viewers across the two networks, according to Nielsen Fast National Data. Last night’s debate was also th... more »

Study: Medicare for All Would Save 68,000 lives, Half a Trillion Dollars Per year

Alan Macleod at MintPress News - 8 hours ago
Under U.S. law, the government is barred from negotiating prices with drug companies, leading to a situation where American-made HIV medication sells for $8 in Australia and up to $2,000 in the US. The post Study: Medicare for All Would Save 68,000 lives, Half a Trillion Dollars Per year appeared first on MintPress News.

New England and New York Have Almost Eliminated Coal-Fired Electricity

IER at IER - 8 hours ago
The U.S. Northeast is phasing out its coal-fired power plants. Both New England and New York generated 15 percent of… The post New England and New York Have Almost Eliminated Coal-Fired Electricity appeared first on IER.

Woman Struck and Killed by Mardi Gras Float During Parade

AP News at Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
The accident occurred during one of the many parades in the week leading up to Mardi Gras.

Did a Chinese Intelligence Officer Reveal the ‘Truth About the Coronavirus Outbreak’?

Dan Evon at Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
A piece of horror fiction was a little too believable for some readers.

BREAKING NEWS: RCMP to leave Wet'suwet'en Territory BUT Coastal GasLink still on lands

greencrow at Greencrow As The Crow Flies - 9 hours ago
Public Safety Minister Bill Blair *The federal government says the British Columbia RCMP’s offer* * to move from their position on Wet’suwet’en territory* * to a nearby town is a "significant" step towards* * ending the ongoing blockades.* The mainZtream newZ is reporting that the "British Columbia RCMP" is leaving the We'tsuwet'en territories, as if that was some major breakthrough in the impasse. Firstly, I always thought that the RCMP [Royal *Canadian *Mounted Police] is a *National Police Force*. Why are they referring to it as the "British Columbia RCMP"? Almost as if BC is b... more »

President Trump Delivers Commencement Address, Hope for Prisoners Graduation Ceremony – Video and Transcript…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 9 hours ago
Today President Trump will be delivering the commencement address at Hope for Prisoners graduation ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada. Anticipated start time 2:45pm ET. UPDATE: Video Added [POTUS remarks at 49:50] . [Transcript] – THE PRESIDENT: Good to see you. … Continue reading →

First Lady Melania Trump Receives 2020 Woman of Distinction Award…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 9 hours ago
First Lady Melania Trump was in Palm Beach, Florida, Wednesday to accept Palm Beach Atlantic University’s 2020 Woman of Distinction Award. Video below: …“As the first lady of the United States, it is a great honor to serve the people … Continue reading →

Show Trial Ends: Roger Stone Sentenced to 40 months in Prison, Judge Decries ‘Threat to Democracy’

21wire at 21st Century Wire - 9 hours ago
*Patrick Henningsen* | Stone is collateral damage in what could be the greatest political hoax in American history.

World News Briefs -- February 20, 2020

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 9 hours ago
*Reuters:* *Flare-up in fighting in northwest Syria pulls in Russian, Turkish forces* AZAZ, Syria/ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkish forces and Syrian rebels fought government troops in northwest Syria on Thursday and Russian warplanes struck back in a sharp escalation of an intense battle over the last rebel bastions, Russian and Turkish officials said. The Turkish Defense Ministry said two of its soldiers were killed and five were wounded in Syrian government air strikes in Idlib, bringing Turkish military fatalities to 15 this month in the Idlib region. It said more than 50 Syrian so... more »

Multistate operators hog Missouri medical cannabis licenses

John Rebchook at Marijuana Business Daily - 9 hours ago
Missouri granted medical marijuana licenses to some of the largest multistate cannabis operators in the U.S., leading to a flurry of complaints from applicants who were rejected. A Missouri cannabis trade group also won a coveted license, according to an analysis of state records by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The influx of multistate operators seeking medical […] Multistate operators hog Missouri medical cannabis licenses is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Winter storm strands 50 people in Norway – Video

Robert at Ice Age Now - 9 hours ago
Which would you prefer? Global warming? Or global cooling? About 50 people are stuck at the Haukeli mountain pass (Haukeliseter Fjellstue) in southern Norway, due to a heavy winter storm.… Thanks to Harnaś for this video The post Winter storm strands 50 people in Norway – Video appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Whiteout conditions spark deadly vehicle pileup near Montreal – Video

Robert at Ice Age Now - 9 hours ago
Nearly 200 vehicles involved. Two killed. Ambulances transport about people to local hospitals. The crash happened around lunchtime Wednesday on the southbound side of Autoroute 15 in La Prairie, Quebec, a highway that connects the city of Montreal with the U.S. border in upstate New York. https://www.wcvb.com/article/hundreds-of-vehicles-involved-in-massive-whiteout-crash-on-montreal-highway/31006873# According to the CETAM ambulance service, about 100 ... Read more Whiteout conditions spark deadly vehicle pileup near Montreal – Video The post Whiteout conditions spark deadly vehi... more »

A glimmer of hope – For many, there is no need for panic

Robert at Ice Age Now - 9 hours ago
Concerning the coronavirus, “US citizens have nothing to worry about,” says a Feb 18th article on investmentwatchblog.com. However, for those who are already severely compromised, or have had the SARs vaccine… “First, let me say that there is no need for panic,” writes a person who identifies himself (herself) as Wildthing3. “Most US citizens are ... Read more A glimmer of hope – For many, there is no need for panic The post A glimmer of hope – For many, there is no need for panic appeared first on Ice Age Now.

Hannah Clarke's estranged husband stalked her and used 'scary' controlling tactics before killing his family

George Roberts And Kate McKenna at Just In - 9 hours ago
Car fire killer Rowan Baxter "tried to break" the wrist of his estranged wife after she challenged him about photos of herself she saw in his car last week, according to one of Hannah Clarke's friends.

As the 70s dawned, Fleetwood Mac knew they had a problem

Mark Bannerman at Just In - 9 hours ago
Without Peter Green, there would be no Fleetwood Mac. The renowned guitarist led the band to new rock heights, before virtually disappearing from public life. The question is, could he be about to make a return?

Would you drink while pregnant? New laws are coming to deter you

Caitlyn Gribbin at Just In - 9 hours ago
Small wineries in regional Australia are fighting back against a "prohibitive" move to explicitly warn pregnant women about the dangers of drinking alcohol.

After fires threatened this couple's property the last thing they expected were wombats floating down the river

Niki Burnside And Adam Shirley at Just In - 9 hours ago
After weeks of bushfires constantly threatening Kristen and Mick's property, heavy rains and flash floods struck. Their next challenge was rescuing drowning wombats.

Bees are more sophisticated than previously thought, with 'a building block of consciousness'

Nick Kilvert at Just In - 9 hours ago
Researchers have conducted experiments to prove that bees are capable of forming mental imagery, a skill that is considered a "building block" of consciousness.

Why it's important to 'shop around' for a funeral home

Sophie Kesteven at Just In - 9 hours ago
Why do some people feel comfortable discussing the intricacies of a wedding, but when it comes to planning on how to celebrate someone's life — arranging a funeral per se — it's almost taboo?

On this island people don't go to the beach alone. They're haunted by the blackbirding trade

Fiona Pepper at Just In - 9 hours ago
Mention 'blackbirding' anywhere on this island and you'll hear harrowing stories of missing boys and men. This is a place where the past haunts the present.

Tantrums and after-school meltdowns are normal, but you can stop them in their tracks

Gemma Breen at Just In - 9 hours ago
If your kid struggles to deal with big emotions after school, or at bedtime, you're certainly not alone. But there are some really simple tricks to make things easier for the whole family.

British satirical 'TV reporter' Jonathan Pie takes aim at Australia

Sarah Thomas at Just In - 9 hours ago
He's the apoplectic, potty-mouthed British TV news reporter whose off-camera sprays are some of the most scathingly sharp political insights in recent years — and now Australia is in his crosshairs.

Man arrested after stabbing attack at mosque in central London

Just In - 9 hours ago
Police were called to London Central Mosque at Regent's Park after a stabbing attack during afternoon prayers.

'Everybody needs to use this stuff': Why Billy tells Darwin patrons to lather up

Conor Byrne And Annie Brown at Just In - 9 hours ago
He's worn many hats in his days, including that of world barefoot mud crab tying champion and Top End buffalo shooter. But Billy Lowery really just wishes he'd worn more hats more often.

Roger Stone gets forty months!

bob somerby at the daily howler - 9 hours ago
*THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020Now he belongs to the ages:* We'll admit that we're never glad to hear that someone is going to prison. That said, Roger Stone has been sentenced to forty months, pending a possible retrial or pardon. Now it falls to our tribal tribunes to explain why his sentence was so light. For what it's worth, Stone has always seemed a little bit nutty. He has a tattoo of Nixon on his back, and things go sideways from there. Almost everyone seems to be crazy now. But long ago, long before crazy was cool, Stone was already like this. Originally, the Justice Departm... more »

Draining the Swamp: The Bill Binney Test - LaRouchePAC Fireside Chat

adam at LaRouchePAC Feed - 9 hours ago
Draining the Swamp: The Bill Binney Test - LaRouchePAC Fireside Chat Video of Draining the Swamp: The Bill Binney Test - LaRouchePAC Fireside Chat LIVE at 9pm EST / 6pm PST - President Donald Trump can now seize the strategic high ground from British intelligence and its treasonous influence on those in the “17 intelligence agencies” that failed to illegally remove him from office. In truth, 2020 is not so much about electing or re-electing a President, as escalating the fight to regain the institution of the American Presidency itself. One action that would assert the power of t... more »

He's got a point . . .

Peter at Bayou Renaissance Man - 9 hours ago
After President Trump pardoned several individuals a few days ago, reaction from the Democratic Party and the news media was very negative. However, as Donald Trump Jr. tweeted yesterday: It's kinda hard to argue with those numbers, isn't it? Peter

Disabled campaigners ‘one step closer to justice’, despite court setback

John Pring at Disability News Service - 9 hours ago
Disabled campaigners believe they are “one step closer to justice”, despite losing a legal case against the government over the potentially ruinous costs of taking discrimination cases through the courts. A high court judge yesterday (Wednesday) dismissed an application for judicial review […]

Tories refused to answer access questions in letter from their own equalities minister

John Pring at Disability News Service - 9 hours ago
Successive chairs of the Conservative party snubbed a request from their own equalities minister, after she asked them to explain how they intended to support more disabled people to become MPs and councillors. Penny Mordaunt (pictured) wrote last April to the chair […]

Errol Graham: Coroner pledges to press DWP on safeguarding review

John Pring at Disability News Service - 9 hours ago
The coroner who heard an inquest into a man who starved to death after his benefits were wrongly removed is to press the government for information about a promised review into how it protects “vulnerable” claimants. Dr Elizabeth Didcock, Nottingham’s assistant coroner, […]

Remploy loses inspection contracts after years of concerns over performance

John Pring at Disability News Service - 9 hours ago
A discredited US company that earns hundreds of millions of pounds a year through benefit assessment and employment support contracts has lost the right to run large parts of a care inspection scheme, following repeated concerns about its performance. Maximus, which has […]

ESA sanctions fall close to zero, but concerns remain over JSA and universal credit

John Pring at Disability News Service - 9 hours ago
The number of disabled people on the main out-of-work disability benefit who are being sanctioned by the government for failing to meet strict conditions has fallen close to zero, following years of criticism of the harsh regime. Department for Work and Pensions […]

News round-up: Capita, basic income, immigration, arts diversity, UC… and Motability

John Pring at Disability News Service - 9 hours ago
The performance of one of the government’s disability benefit assessment contractors has worsened over the last year and has remained well outside a government target it has never met, new figures have revealed. They show that the proportion of personal independence payment […]

Drug War Obtuseness

Jacob G. Hornberger at 9 hours ago
[image: undefined] Sometimes I wonder how super-smart people can be so obtuse when it comes to the drug war. A recent example of this phenomenon is Ioan Grillo, a contributing editor for the New York Times. Grillo is the author of two books on the drug war: El Narco: Inside Mexico’s Criminal Insurgency, which was translated into five languages and was a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, and his new book Gangster Warlords. Clearly, Ioan Grillo is a super-smart person. The problem is that he, like so many other super-smart people in the mainstream press, is also super-obtuse whe... more »

Blago Is Free

Llewellyn H. Rockwell, Jr. at 9 hours ago
[image: undefined] On Tuesday, February 18, President Trump with excellent judgment commuted the 14 year prison sentence of former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, aka “Blago.” “We have commuted the sentence of Rod Blagojevich,” Trump said. “He’ll be able to go back home with his family after serving eight years in jail. That was a tremendously powerful, ridiculous sentence in my opinion. And in the opinion of many others.” The President thus brought to an end a disgraceful episode in American politics. After Barack Obama was elected President in 2008, his seat as Senator from I... more »

RSBN Trump Rallies – a couple

E.M.Smith at Musings from the Chiefio - 9 hours ago
RSBN Live Coverage of the Trump Rally in Phoenix Arizona Continue reading →

Fish farms: private gains, public costs

Philip Moscovitch at Halifax Examiner - 9 hours ago
News 1. Province: Sipekne’katik First Nation should blame itself for lack of consultation Jennifer Henderson was in court yesterday, covering the hearing on whether or not the province fulfilled its duty to consult on the Alton Gas project. The project would see gas stored in salt caverns, with brine from the caverns flushed out into […]

Despite Attacks at Wednesday’s Debate, Bloomberg’s Strategy Remains in Place

Bob Adelmann at rss - 9 hours ago
[image: despite-attacks-at-wednesdays-debate-bloombergs-strategy-remains-in-place] Bloomberg’s strategy to force a brokered convention remains in place following Wednesday night’s political fisticuffs.

2:00PM Water Cooler 2/20/2020

Lambert Strether at naked capitalism - 9 hours ago
Today's Water Cooler:

Peru sells out of medical cannabis

Alfredo Pascual at Marijuana Business Daily - 10 hours ago
Peru’s only medical cannabis product is out of stock, not even three months after sales began. This means patients have no option to legally access regulated medical cannabis in the domestic market, according to industry sources. Francesca Brivio, who represents a Peruvian patients association, wrote on her Facebook page that there’s no “single, formal way to access […] Peru sells out of medical cannabis is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs

Opinion: Why the world should pay attention to President Trump [Video]

Seraphim Hanisch at The Duran - 10 hours ago
The US president is all-in in the battle against globalism; every move he makes is to uproot this cancer on American government. More The post Opinion: Why the world should pay attention to President Trump [Video] appeared first on The Duran.

Defender Europe 2020: the Trial War

alvis at The Duran - 10 hours ago
In anticipation of the U.S. led, large multinational military exercise dubbed as the Defender Europe 2020, Latvian population faces great pressure from the national authorities. The preparations made by the Ministry of Defence make Latvians nervous. Thus, the transferring properties, needed for conducting maneuvers, to the Ministry of Defence has been actively in the process […] More The post Defender Europe 2020: the Trial War appeared first on The Duran.

Is the US ready for ‘saint’ Pete to be president? This is the wrong question. [Video]

Seraphim Hanisch at The Duran - 10 hours ago
The mere prospect could be a geopolitical disaster for the US More The post Is the US ready for ‘saint’ Pete to be president? This is the wrong question. [Video] appeared first on The Duran.

Military And Intelligence News Briefs -- February 20, 2020

War News Updates Editor at War News Updates - 10 hours ago
*Stratfor*:* What’s Driving Iran to Build a Better Missile* *Highlights* * Iran's perceptions of the threats it faces combined with its weakness in other military areas will continue to drive its desire to develop ballistic and cruise missiles. * Iranian missile research and development efforts have increasingly focused on improving the reliability, accuracy and effectiveness of its missile systems to give them more tactical utility. * Attacks over the past two years show that while Iranian missiles have become more accurate, improvements in accuracy remain a work in progress. Gre... more »

Roger Stone Gets 40 Month Prison Sentence…

sundance at The Last Refuge - 10 hours ago
Roger Stone receives three years and four months in federal prison as a first offender. However, Judge Amy Berman Jackson has delayed the implementation of the sentence until she takes up the issues with a biased jury foreperson, and request … Continue reading →

The Poet: Wendell Berry, "Circles of Our Lives"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
*"Circles of Our Lives"* "Within the circles of our lives we dance the circles of the years, the circles of the seasons within the circles of the years, the cycles of the moon within the circles of the seasons, the circles of our reasons within the cycles of the moon. Again, again we come and go, changed, changing. Hands join, unjoin in love and fear, grief and joy. The circles turn, each giving into each, into all. Only music keeps us here, each by all the others held. In the hold of hands and eyes we turn in pairs, that joining joining each to all again. And then we turn aside, alone... more »

Does the SAFE Rule “Roll Back” MY 2022-2025 Fuel Economy Standards?

Marlo Lewis at GlobalWarming.org - 10 hours ago
I pose this question because a recent report by the Rhodium Group describes the SAFE rule’s expected 1.5 percent annual increase in average fuel efficiency as a “roll back” from the 5 percent annual increase championed by the Obama administration. If by “rollback,” Rhodium simply means the SAFE rule standards are less stringent than those advocated by […]

From Cow Pox to Mumps: People Have Always Had a Problem with Vaccination

David Mikkelson at Snopes.com - 10 hours ago
Lies spread through social media have helped demonize one of the safest and most effective interventions in the history of medicine.”

Take Note LGBT Community – Who is really biased – Trump or Media and Democrats

Uriel at 'Nox & Friends - 10 hours ago
Media and Democrats show Gays the Truth in Trumps pick for Acting Director ODNI Personally I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ANOTHER SLUR AGAINST TRUMP OR HIS ADMINISTRATION about how he hates Gays and is racist. This story is so-o-o-o-o in your face! The best part: the one chosen was confirmed to be Ambassador to Germany in April 2018 but as Acting Director ODNI does not need to be confirmed for that position. Great “up-yours” moment there. The left hates Trump so much — they are actually taking off their pancake and we are seeing them FOR REAL. THEY ARE JUST … Continue reading →

MSNBC's Democratic Debate Failed for One Important Reason

Daniel R. DePetris at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Daniel R. DePetris* *Security, * There was no talk about America's role in the world, national security or foreign policy. Why? Last night’s Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Nevada was a good old-fashioned Tyson v. Holyfield grudge match. The only difference was that everyone came off the stage with their ear lobes intact. Joe Biden, struggling to maintain momentum after two horrid performances in Iowa and New Hampshire, was more firey and insistent than he usually is on the debate stage. Elizabeth Warren, in a similar make-or-break moment, delivered an aggressive... more »

So What If Iran Can Build Its Own Homemade Submarines?

Mark Episkopos at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Mark Episkopos* *Security, Middle East* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2012%3Anewsml_GM1E8131GFU01&share=true] That doesn't make them good. *Key point:* Tehran is making strides in its domestic naval program. However, it will still take time to learn how to construct first-class boats. In yet another milestone on Tehran’s path to becoming a self-sustaining regional power, Iranian state news *announced *the Iranian Navy has commissioned its first homemade submarine. The new Fateh-class vessel was unveiled by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani l... more »

Is Putin Turning the Mediterranean Into a Russian Lake?

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Security, Europe* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2019%3Anewsml_RC121C54F780&share=true] He can try. *Key point:* The Mediterranean has long been a strategic area for military and commercial maritime traffic. Although NATO has a presence there, so too does Russia- and Moscow is ramping it up. Is the Mediterranean the new playground for the Russian Navy? Russia is expanding its naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean because it’s easier than trying to, compete with the United States on the world’s oceans, according to Dmitry ... more »

Kill Shot: Did Elizabeth Warren Just Knock Michael Bloomberg Out of the Presidential Race?

Hunter DeRensis at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Hunter DeRensis* *Politics, * Fighting words last night at the MSNBC debate: “So, I'd like to talk about who we're running against, a billionaire who calls women ‘fat broads’ and ‘horse-faced lesbians.’ And, no, I'm not talking about Donald Trump. I'm talking about Mayor Bloomberg,” Warren said. Last night former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg made his first appearance on the 2020 Democratic debate stage to optically disastrous results (others disagree, see this). The candidate appeared unprepared to respond to expected attacks on his past personal conduct towards women. ... more »

Turn Off the TV: Why Cable and Satellite Companies Like Xfinity, Fios and Dish Network Are Dying

Harry J. Kazianis at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Harry J. Kazianis* *Technology, * People just aren't watching TV like they did in the past. As we slowly but surely watch the complete disintegration of the pay-for-tv industry, we sometimes forget some of the more basic factors causing this historic shift in consumer habits away from cable and satellite TV providers. And when I say historic, think about this: 8.8 million people in the United States dumped cable and satellite TV between 2018-2019 according to the *Wall Street Journal*. To get an idea of the scale of what that means, this is close to the entire state population... more »

Robot Artillery Gunners: The ARMY Wants Its Big Guns to Be Self-Loading

Michael Peck at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Michael Peck* *Technology, Americas* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2019%3Anewsml_RC2SND9HTSA6&share=true] Will it work? *Key point:* Robots are cheaper than soldiers and don't get tired. The question is whether they can successfully replace the men and women who load America's artillery. Will the U.S. Army’s future artillery be operated by robot gunners? A new Army research project calls for developing autonomous systems that can perform functions such as loading shells into cannon. It also follows another project that aims to replace forwar... more »

How America Won the Largest Naval Battle in History Against Imperial Japan at Leyte Gulf

Robert Farley at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Robert Farley* *History, Asia* [image: https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?id=tag%3Areuters.com%2C2002%3Anewsml_RP3DRHZTHRAA&share=true] A tough fight? *Key point:* The battle involved hundreds of ships and many planes. In the end, most of Tokyo's navy was ruined and Washington was closer to invading the Japanese homeland. In late October 1944, the United States and Japan fought what was, by the most useful metrics, the largest naval battle in history. An American armada of more than 300 ships intended to begin the liberation of the Philippines at the island of Leyte. Nearly se... more »

Coronavirus is Spreading Rapidly in China (And One Minority Group Is Under Serious Threat)

Jonathan R Goodman, Paul Ewald at The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Jonathan R Goodman, Paul Ewald* *Public Health, Asia* If the Chinese government cannot or does not curb the transmission of the novel coronavirus in Xinjiang, it’s possible that it will evolve, as the influenza virus did in 1918, to become even more dangerous to humans A novel coronavirus is spreading rapidly in China, causing a disease called COVID-19. The latest World Health Organization report puts the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 at 73,332, with 1,873 deaths. Despite widespread concerns that we are facing a new global pandemic, public health experts suggest that COV... more »

A Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Aims at Reinforcing Efforts to Save World’s Ecosystem

UNITED NATIONS, Feb 20 (IPS) - The UN's highly-touted socio-economic agenda, which lays out an ambitious global plan for "people, planet and prosperity", has been dominated by "goals, targets and deadlines." Read the full story, “A Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework Aims at Reinforcing Efforts to Save World’s Ecosystem”, on globalissues.org →

"Never Deceived..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
"We are never deceived; we deceive ourselves." - Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

"Don’t Forget How Strange This All Is"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
*"Don’t Forget How Strange This All Is"* by David Cain "Jerry Seinfeld joked that if aliens came to earth and saw people walking dogs, they would assume the dogs are the leaders. The dog walks out front, and a gangly creature trailing behind him picks up his feces and carries it for him. Throughout my life I’ve had moments where I felt like one of these visiting aliens, where something I knew to be normal suddenly seemed bizarre. I remember walking home from somewhere, struck by how strange streets are: flat strips of artificial rock embedded in the earth so that our traveling mac... more »

The Daily "Near You?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
Hulu Langat, Selangor, Malaysia. Thanks for stopping by!

"What Are The Facts?"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
“What are the facts? Again and again and again – what are the facts? Shun wishful thinking, ignore divine revelation, forget what “the stars foretell,” avoid opinion, care not what the neighbors think, never mind the un-guessable “verdict of history” – what are the facts, and to how many decimal places? You pilot always into an unknown future; facts are your single clue. Get the facts!” - Robert A. Heinlein And always remember... "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, "Sherlock Holmes" Hey, who... more »

The Many Benefits of Meditation

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 10 hours ago
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola Story at-a-glance – Meditation benefits include improved attention, memory, processing speed and creativity. It may also help counteract age-related loss of brain volume Meditation can give you an energizing boost similar to caffeine, but meditation accomplishes this without the adverse effects associated with caffeine Meditation provides your body with rest […] The post The Many Benefits of Meditation appeared first on Health Nut News.

Detroit Fentanyl Kingpin Gets 30 Years: ‘He Was a McDonald’s for Drugs’

Erin Elizabeth at Health Nut News - 10 hours ago
As the opioid crisis continues in the United States, the leader of a massive heroin, crack cocaine, and fentanyl operation in Detroit is headed to prison for 30 years, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider. Tempo was the last of thirteen convicted defendants in this conspiracy to be sentenced. Demarco Tempo, who goes by Polo, […] The post Detroit Fentanyl Kingpin Gets 30 Years: ‘He Was a McDonald’s for Drugs’ appeared first on Health Nut News.

"No Rehab..."

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
"I don't get high, but sometimes I wish I did. That way, when I messed up in life I would have an excuse. But right now there's no rehab for stupidity." - Chris Rock

"Covid-19: Global Retrenchment Will Obliterate Sales, Profits and Yes, Big Tech"

CoyotePrime at Running 'Cause I Can't Fly - 10 hours ago
*"Covid-19: Global Retrenchment Will * *Obliterate Sales, Profits and Yes, Big Tech"* by Charles Hugh Smith "If you think global demand will rebound as global debt and confidence implode, you better not be making consequential decisions based on Euphorestra-addled magical thinking. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the global economy was slowing for two reasons: 1) everybody who can afford it already has it and 2) overcapacity. One word captures the end-of-the-cycle stagnation: saturation. Everyone who can afford a smartphone (or can borrow to buy one) already has one. Everyone wh... more »

The United States of America began in 1776, not 1619

Norma at Collecting My Thoughts - 10 hours ago
The New York Times has been perpetrating a fraud. “Gordon Wood, one of the USA’s leading historians of the Revolutionary War, has been sharply critical of 1619’s best known essay (“America Wasn’t a Democracy Until Black Americans Made It One,” by Nikole Hannah-Jones), dismissing Hannah-Jones’s claim that the USA seceded from Britain primarily to protect the institution of slavery as factually inaccurate. Wood points out that attributing American secession to a desire to protect slavery—rather than (say) taxation without representation, conflicts over French and Indian war debt, or te... more »

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