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Thomas Paine

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

Wednesday, April 21, 2021

21 April - Blogs I'm Following - 2 of 5

  My Feedly !

10 pm MDT

US Postal Service Running “Covert Operations Program” To Spy On Americans’ Social Media Posts, Share With Agencies
The Free Thought Project, The Free Thought Project - 6 hours ago
[image: mail]The US Postal Service (USPS) has been running a secret program to track and collect Americans’ social media posts
History flashback: Why NATO's destruction of Libya?
Bruce K. Gagnon, Organizing Notes - 6 hours ago
*Who gave NATO forces in Libya the right to eliminate Qaddafi? * This story is one example of why Putin is demonized by the west. The US-NATO claim that they cherish the 'rule of law'. But in the case of Libya (2011) we saw the destruction of that nation and the ugly street assassination of Qaddafi. What about his right to a fair trial? Washington was afraid to put him on the witness stand. (Recall Hillary Clinton's famous words at the time: "We came, we saw, he died"). Clinton showed her dark heart in that moment. Pure arrogance. Overthrowing Qaddafi was a humanitari...
On 51st Earth Day, Let’s Celebrate Real Drivers Behind America’s Improved Environment
IER, IER - 6 hours ago
Despite repeated pronouncements and predictions of doom and gloom by extremists, including President Biden, there are a lot of reasons… The post On 51st Earth Day, Let’s Celebrate Real Drivers Behind America’s Improved Environment appeared first on IER.
It's Official The US Omits Turkey From F-35 program due to S-400 purchase- Montreaux Accord Hand Wringing Continues
Penny, Penny for your thoughts - 6 hours ago
US, 8 other countries sign new agreement on F-35 program (excluding Turkey) *The United States and eight other countries have abolished the 2006 deal regarding the F-35 program and signed a new agreement that has excluded Turkey*, Anadolu Agency (AA) cited a Pentagon official as saying late Wednesday. Washington removed Turkey from the F-35 Lightning II jet program in 2019, arguing that S-400 air missile systems acquired by Turkey could be used by Russia to covertly obtain classified details on the Lockheed Martin F-35 jets and is incompatible with NATO systems. Turkey, however, i...
Brain Injuries and DEATH Continue to Follow J&J COVID Injections
Brian-Admin, Health Impact News - 6 hours ago
Reports continue to surface regarding brain injuries and deaths following injections of the Johnson and Johnson experimental COVID shots, currently on pause by the FDA due to reports of fatal blood clots. Mary Hynes, reporting for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, reported earlier this week that an 18-year-old teen became critically ill after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 injection and has undergone three brain surgeries related to dangerous blood clots. In North Carolina, Fox 46 is reporting that 61-year-old Darlene Blackwell has died two days after receiving the Johnson a...
Musical Interlude: Ludovico Einaudi, "The Royal Albert Hall Concert" ( 2010 )
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 7 hours ago
*Full screen recommended.* Ludovico Einaudi, "The Royal Albert Hall Concert" ( 2010 )
"A Look to the Heavens"
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 7 hours ago
“How many arches can you count in the below image? If you count both spans of the Double Arch in the Arches National Park in Utah, USA, then two. But since the above image was taken during a clear dark night, it caught a photogenic third arch far in the distance- that of the overreaching Milky Way Galaxy. Because we are situated in the midst of the spiral Milky Way Galaxy, the band of the central disk appears all around us. *Click image for larger size.* The sandstone arches of the Double Arch were formed from the erosion of falling water. The larger arch rises over 30 meters above th...
How to Hunt 8 Feet Tall, Massive Muscles And Looking At Me
arclein, Terra Forming Terra - 7 hours ago
Just sharing todays podcast from Steve. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TD68LvvqmCI
Segregation now, segregation tomorrow...
<b>bob somerby</b>, the daily howler - 8 hours ago
*WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021* *At the Times, segregation forever!* Kevin Drum may have solved the riddle of the Sphinx. We refer to his work on blood lead levels which, he reported for Mother Jones, were massively higher in past decades than they ever were for the children of Flint. He reported that the children of Flint may have lost an IQ point or two due to their city's water crisis. (No, that isn't desirable.) But he further reported that most Americans growing up a few decades earlier had *much* higher levels of lead exposure. This seems to suggest that all us unlucky duckies...
German Microbiologist: “They are Killing People with these COVID Vaccines” to Reduce the World’s Population
Brian-Admin, Health Impact News - 8 hours ago
In this exclusive interview with The New American magazine’s Senior Editor Alex Newman, world-renown German-Thai-American microbiologist Dr. Sucharit Bhakdi warns that the COVID hysteria is based on lies and that the COVID “vaccines” are set to cause a global catastrophe and a decimation of the human population. Starting off, he explains that the PCR test has been abused to produce fear in a way that is unscientific. Next, he explains what the mRNA vaccines are going to do to the human body in terms and using analogies that anyone can understand. Among other concerns, he expects ...
Brain Injuries and DEATH Continue to Follow J&J COVID Injections
AdminM, Medical Kidnap - 5 hours ago
Reports continue to surface regarding brain injuries and deaths following injections of the Johnson and Johnson experimental COVID shots, currently on pause by the FDA due to reports of fatal blood clots. Mary Hynes, reporting for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, reported earlier this week that an 18-year-old teen became critically ill after receiving the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 injection and has undergone three brain surgeries related to dangerous blood clots. In North Carolina, Fox 46 is reporting that 61-year-old Darlene Blackwell has died two days after receiving the Johnson a...
Table Mountain Ablaze in Cape Town
CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Apr 21 (IPS) - Cape Town-based photojournalist Yazeed Kamaldien reported on a massive mountain fire that broke out on Sunday on Table Mountain and near residential areas on its foothills. By this morning, Wednesday 21 April, officials said the fire had been extinguished after three grueling days for firefighters. Firefighters are still monitoring on the ground for any flare-ups. Read the full story, “Table Mountain Ablaze in Cape Town”, on globalissues.org →
New Iraqi law ‘major step’ in assisting ISIL’s female victims but more must be done
A new law in Iraq provides a measure of comfort for women and girls who have survived atrocities of ISIL terrorist fighters, but more must be done, an independent UN human rights expert said on Wednesday. Read the full story, “New Iraqi law ‘major step’ in assisting ISIL’s female victims but more must be done”, on globalissues.org →
Commit to restoring the planet, UN chief says in message for International Mother Earth Day
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has called for commitment to restoring the planet, and to making peace with nature, in his message to mark International Mother Earth Day, celebrated annually on 22 April. Read the full story, “Commit to restoring the planet, UN chief says in message for International Mother Earth Day”, on globalissues.org →
ILO kicks off Green Week to ‘jump-start’ a sustainable future
As the world grapples with the devastating economic and social consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, the UN’s labour agency launched ILO Green Week to explore what a green future of work could look like, and how we can get there. Read the full story, “ILO kicks off Green Week to ‘jump-start’ a sustainable future”, on globalissues.org →
Russia: Rights experts call for immediate medical evacuation of Alexei Navalny
Experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council called on Wednesday for the urgent medical evacuation of detained Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny, fearing he is in “serious danger” due to deteriorating health and harsh prison conditions. Read the full story, “Russia: Rights experts call for immediate medical evacuation of Alexei Navalny”, on globalissues.org →
Ocean benefits increasingly undermined by human activity, UN assessment reveals
Greater understanding of the ocean is essential if the world is to recover better from the COVID-19 pandemic and achieve agreed targets on sustainable development and climate action, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Wednesday in launching a major study on what he called “the life support system of our planet.” Read the full story, “Ocean benefits increasingly undermined by human activity, UN assessment reveals”, on globalissues.org →
Pedro Castillo vs. Keiko Fujimori: difficult relationship with Peruvian Congress awaiting whoever becomes president
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 6 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – (BBC Mundo) Neither Pedro Castillo nor Keiko Fujimori, the two rivals for the presidency in the second round, will hold a sufficient majority in Congress for a smooth relationship with the Legislative. The saga of disputes began with the Congress and the Executive elected in 2016. During his administration, Parliament […] The post Pedro Castillo vs. Keiko Fujimori: difficult relationship with Peruvian Congress awaiting whoever becomes president appeared first on The Rio Times.
Costa Rica’s exports recover 11 % in the first quarter
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 6 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Costa Rica's exports of goods during the first quarter of 2021 reached US$3.34 billion, a growth of 11 % compared to the same period last year, an official source reported Tuesday. Costa Rica's Foreign Trade Promoter (Procomer) revealed that this translated into US$322 million more in goods exports than the […] The post Costa Rica’s exports recover 11 % in the first quarter appeared first on The Rio Times.
FBI labeled Steve Scalise and GOP Assassination Attempt as ‘suicide by cop’ Not Domestic Terrorism or Political Violence
Sundance, The Last Refuge - 6 hours ago
Remember all those Democrat demands for the FBI to enhance their statistics and record-keeping to quantify threats? Remember FBI Director Chris Wray using those FBI compiled statistics to say that “white nationalists” are the greatest threat? Put those two issues together and consider…. ….What value are statistical records when those who compile the records […] The post FBI labeled Steve Scalise and GOP Assassination Attempt as ‘suicide by cop’ Not Domestic Terrorism or Political Violence appeared first on The Last Refuge.
German Microbiologist: “They are Killing People with these COVID Vaccines” to Reduce the World’s Population
AdminM, Medical Kidnap - 6 hours ago
In this exclusive interview with The New American magazine’s Senior Editor Alex Newman, world-renown German-Thai-American microbiologist Dr. Sucharit Bhakdi warns that the COVID hysteria is based on lies and that the COVID “vaccines” are set to cause a global catastrophe and a decimation of the human population. Starting off, he explains that the PCR test has been abused to produce fear in a way that is unscientific. Next, he explains what the mRNA vaccines are going to do to the human body in terms and using analogies that anyone can understand. Among other concerns, he expects ...
Uncertainty in several Mexican states due to a feared third Covid wave
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 6 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Cases of coronavirus are on the rise in at least ten Mexican states, and authorities are already talking about a possible third wave of covid which, in municipalities such as Ciudad Juarez, has led to growing concern in the health and commercial sectors, which the crisis has hard hit. After […] The post Uncertainty in several Mexican states due to a feared third Covid wave appeared first on The Rio Times.
Forty Venezuelan organizations unite to achieve “free elections”
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 6 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Forty Venezuelan opposition organizations announced this Wednesday the formation of a unitary platform to work for "free, fair and transparent" elections and thus find a way out of the crisis, for which they blame the ruler Nicolás Maduro, whom they label as "dictator". Through a manifesto, the forty organizations, among […] The post Forty Venezuelan organizations unite to achieve “free elections” appeared first on The Rio Times.
Guatemala declares red alert in its hospital network due to Covid-19 increase
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 6 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Guatemala declared this Wednesday a red alert in its hospital network due to the increase in cases of covid-19 infection, which in 13 months has caused the death of 7,309 people. Guatemala has a population of about 17.2 million, about the same as the Netherlands. The Ministry of Public Health […] The post Guatemala declares red alert in its hospital network due to Covid-19 increase appeared first on The Rio Times.
At least 75 people inoculated with canine coronavirus vaccine in Chile
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 7 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Two veterinarians have been accused of administering canine vaccines against coronavirus to some 75 people in the city of Calama, in northern Chile, said on Tuesday, April 20th, the Health Secretariat (SEREMI) of the Antofagasta region. SEREMI officials last September audited a veterinary clinic in Calama (about 1,400 km north […] The post At least 75 people inoculated with canine coronavirus vaccine in Chile appeared first on The Rio Times.
Colombia’s Medellin goes from model city in pandemic management to critical condition
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 7 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - The Colombian city of Medellin, which a year ago was a model in the management of covid-19, is living dramatic days due to the increase of infections and deaths, a situation that puts doctors in the painful task of choosing to whom they assign each free bed in the hospitals. […] The post Colombia’s Medellin goes from model city in pandemic management to critical condition appeared first on The Rio Times.
World largest cement group decides to sell business and leave Brazil
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 7 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Zurich-based world leader in the production of cement and other building materials, LafargeHolcim, is starting the process of leaving Brazil with the sale of its local operations, which total 10 industrial units, as well as distribution centers, mixing terminals and some mining units. According to industry sources, the Franco-Swiss group […] The post World largest cement group decides to sell business and leave Brazil appeared first on The Rio Times.
Bolsonaro: Covid deaths in Brazil begin to drop for fear of investigation on real numbers
Iolanda Fonseca, The Rio Times - 7 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - On Tuesday, April 20th, President Jair Bolsonaro said that deaths by the novel coronavirus have begun to drop in Brazil because there is "fear" over an investigation on the numbers of the pandemic. According to the president, an investigation into data on the disease in the country could show that […] The post Bolsonaro: Covid deaths in Brazil begin to drop for fear of investigation on real numbers appeared first on The Rio Times.
Chris Sky at Sunset Beach April 20, 2021 PLUS Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was looking into "immunopassports" to be used as early as April 2021
greencrow, Greencrow As The Crow Flies - 7 hours ago
*https://twitter.com/i/status/1384716100621922306* Good morning, readers. Before we get into the main topics of the day here are a few news updates from Twitter. I belong and use Twitter because I want to provide breaking news on this blog and Twitter is, for better or worse, the top source of breaking news. I thoroughly expect to be booted off...probably sooner than later...already been suspended/warned once. But until that happens here are two headlines that caught my eye this morning. Above is the excellent crowd that showed up at Sunset Beach on English Bay last night to...
Does Spending Your Own Money on Yourself Create a Negative Externality?
David Henderson, Econlib - 8 hours ago
Tyler Cowen thinks so. In a post this morning, economist Tyler Cowen writes: Now consider some older people who have a lot of wealth but very little human capital. These (selfish) individuals still will pay a lot to avoid death or risk of death, but in essence there is an externality. They treat their […] The post Does Spending Your Own Money on Yourself Create a Negative Externality? appeared first on Econlib.
Document: Kristin Smart Once Buried in Suspect’s Backyard
AP News, Snopes.com - 6 hours ago
A California college student missing for nearly 25 years was once buried in the backyard of the home owned by the murder suspect's father, authorities said in a court document.
No Evidence for Claim That Meghan and Harry’s Son Archie Has Down Syndrome
Nur Ibrahim, Snopes.com - 6 hours ago
Like many rumors surrounding the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, this one has no apparent basis in fact.
LeVar Burton to Be ‘Jeopardy!’ Guest Host; Petition Credited
AP News, Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
The 200,000-plus LeVar Burton boosters who signed a petition calling for him to be the new “Jeopardy!” host will get to see him try the job on for size.
White House and Valerie Jarrett Release Statements on Police Shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant During Stabbing Rampage
Sundance, The Last Refuge - 7 hours ago
These statements should not come as a surprise as they are from the same ideological group, Obama’s crew. The White House and Valerie Jarrett are going back to the playbook where using race as a strategy to divide and conquer is deployed. This is Obama’s Alinsky playbook as deployed repeatedly. . JoeBama says “she was […] The post White House and Valerie Jarrett Release Statements on Police Shooting of Ma’Khia Bryant During Stabbing Rampage appeared first on The Last Refuge.
LeVar Burton to Be ‘Jeopardy!’ Guest Host; Petition Credited
AP News, Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
The 200,000-plus LeVar Burton boosters who signed a petition calling for him to be the new “Jeopardy!” host will get to see him try the job on for size.
Ramadan Arabian Nights 2021 : Tale of King Mahorab “Dagestan’s Portal” Ep.10
egyptianchronicler@gmail.com (Zeinobia), Egyptian Chronicles - 7 hours ago
Here we are on the tenth night of our Radio Arabian Nights this year. We will continue our tale for this year, the tale of King Mahorab First of all, You can refresh your mind with what happened last night here. It is the tenth episode in our tale and the 532nd night in the nights of our Egyptian Radio show. You can listen to the episode after the break. *Mahorab goes on his quest with one horse and nobody else. He spends nights and days in a desert till he finds an oasis with a water pond inside. * *He leaves his horse to rest and to drink whereas he explores the area. * *He finds...
Omaha Radio Host Slammed for Tweet Criticized as Racist
AP News, Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
A conservative radio host in Omaha is under fire for a social media post criticized as racist that he sent minutes after the conviction of a white former Minneapolis police officer for the killing of a Black man.
More Details Emerge On Russia's GRU Unit 29155
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 7 hours ago
Alexander Petrov and Ruslan Boshirov, two GRU Unit 29155 agents suspected of poisoning former double agent Sergei Skripal in Salisbury in 2018. AP *France 24:* *Unit 29155, the Russian spies specialising in ‘sabotage and assassinations’* The Czech Republic accused on Saturday the GRU – Russia’s military intelligence agency – of being behind a deadly explosion at an ammunition depot in 2014. They pointed the finger at a specific section of the organization – Unit 29155 – which has attracted an increasing amount of notoriety over recent years. If it was remembered at all abro...
"Life Is The Hyphen..."
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 7 hours ago
"Life is the hyphen between matter and spirit." - A.W. and J.C. Hare, "Guesses at Truth, by Two Brothers," 1827
Queen Thankful for ‘Support, Kindness’ After Philip’s Death
AP News, Snopes.com - 7 hours ago
A statement was posted on her Twitter account on her 95th birthday which she personally signed as Elizabeth R.
Amount of Aluminum in Infant Vaccines ‘Akin to a Lottery,’ Researchers Say
Aerowenn Hunter, Children's Health Defense - 7 hours ago
A new study led by Christopher Exley, Ph.D. found the aluminum content in infant vaccines is largely unmonitored and sometimes exceeds the amount listed on the product insert. Exley’s team also released a study showing a strong link between aluminum exposure and a type of Alzheimer’s disease. The post Amount of Aluminum in Infant Vaccines ‘Akin to a Lottery,’ Researchers Say appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Latin America spent 4.6% of GDP in 2020 on aid to tackle the crisis – report
The Rio Times Staff, The Rio Times - 7 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Latin America, the region most affected in the world by the pandemic, allocated in 2020 on average 4.6% of its gross domestic product (GDP) in social aid to combat the economic crisis caused by covid-19, a fiscal effort that should be maintained this year, ECLAC said Wednesday. In the report […] The post Latin America spent 4.6% of GDP in 2020 on aid to tackle the crisis – report appeared first on The Rio Times.
U.S. May Soon Reach Tipping Point on COVID Vaccine Demand + More
Julia Ferguson, Children's Health Defense - 8 hours ago
The Defender’s COVID NewsWatch provides a roundup of the latest headlines related to the SARS CoV-2 virus, including its origins and COVID vaccines. The post U.S. May Soon Reach Tipping Point on COVID Vaccine Demand + More appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Facebook-Backed Diem Aims to Launch Digital Currency Pilot + More
Julia Ferguson, Children's Health Defense - 8 hours ago
The Defender’s Big Brother NewsWatch brings you the latest headlines related to governments’ abuse of power, including attacks on democracy, civil liberties and use of mass surveillance. The post Facebook-Backed Diem Aims to Launch Digital Currency Pilot + More appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Japan-Based USAF F-16s Flew South China Sea Mission Fully Loaded With Live Air-To-Air Missiles
A Reader, From the Trenches World Report - 8 hours ago
Japan-Based USAF F-16s Flew South China Sea Mission Fully Loaded With Live Air-To-Air Missiles https://t.co/ZOzK71iJ9n — Thomas Newdick (@CombatAir) April 19, 2021 The post Japan-Based USAF F-16s Flew South China Sea Mission Fully Loaded With Live Air-To-Air Missiles appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
We Could Use a Private-Sector-Oriented Cyber Leader
prosenzweig, Lawfare - 8 hours ago
National Security Agency headquarters, Fort Meade, Maryland. (National Security Agency) Chris Inglis has been nominated to be the nation’s first national cyber director. Jen Easterly has been tapped to be the next director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). And Anne Neuberger is the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology at the National Security Council. All three are wonderful professionals, and the United States will benefit greatly from their expertise. I mean that sincerely, and I wish them all the very best of luck. B...
Cannabis consumption grew in 2020, Statistics Canada data suggests
Matt Lamers, Marijuana Business Daily - 8 hours ago
Recent reported cannabis use was much higher in the final quarter of 2020 than two comparable periods in 2018 and 2019, according to a new Statistics Canada report that studied pre- and post-legalization consumption trends. The report, however, cautions against attributing the increase to the impact of COVID-19, saying the pandemic’s effect on cannabis use […] Cannabis consumption grew in 2020, Statistics Canada data suggests is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
‘This Week’ With Mary + Polly: Beware of the ‘Vaccine Hunters’
Aerowenn Hunter, Children's Health Defense - 8 hours ago
In “This Week” with Mary Holland, Children’s Health Defense president, and Polly Tommey, co-producer of “Vaxxed,” Mary and Polly discuss the latest COVID vaccine news. The post ‘This Week’ With Mary + Polly: Beware of the ‘Vaccine Hunters’ appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
An Opportunity for Congress to Improve Transparency of the Executive's International Agreements
cbradley, Lawfare - 10 hours ago
The U.S. Capitol Building. (Ken Lund, https://flic.kr/p/4QQPGJ; CC BY-SA 2.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/) *This piece has been cross-posted to Just Security.* Tucked into the proposed bipartisan Strategic Competition Act of 2021, which was voted out of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee today, is a set of amendments that, if enacted, would constitute the most significant improvement in the transparency of international agreements since the enactment of the Case Act in 1972. The amendments, which can be found in Section 310, are consistent with a number of ...
Czech Republic Urges EU, NATO Allies To Retaliate Against Russia Over 2014 Munitions Explosion
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 7 hours ago
*DW:* *Czech Republic asks EU, NATO allies to expel Russian diplomats* Prague asked 18 Moscow officials to leave on the weekend over possible links to a 2014 explosion at a weapons factory. Now, the Czech Republic is seeking "solidarity" from its EU and NATO partners. The Czech Republic called on EU and NATO allies to expel Russian diplomats Tuesday, as Prague's diplomatic relations with Moscow continued to deteriorate. Acting Foreign Minister Jan Hamacek said he would summon the Russian ambassador for a meeting on Wednesday to disclose further steps after the weekend's e...
"A Single Lesson...
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 7 hours ago
"Your thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and worldviews are based on years and years of experience, reading, and rational, objective analysis. Right? Wrong. Your thoughts, opinions, beliefs, and worldviews are based on years and years of paying attention to information that confirmed what you already believed while ignoring information that challenged your preconceived notions. If there’s a single lesson that life teaches us, it’s that wishing doesn’t make it so." – Lev Grossman
Chauvin conviction: 2 things to know about jury bias and 2 ways to reduce it
Angela M. Jones, Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Texas State University, Politics + Society – The Conversation - 7 hours ago
How does pretrial publicity affect jury verdicts? What kind of verdicts are made when the jury is racially diverse? An expert on juries answers questions raised in the wake of the Chauvin verdicts.
Thousands Of Russians Attend Pro-Navalny Rallies Across The Country
War News Updates Editor, War News Updates - 8 hours ago
*The Guardian:* *Thousands of Russians attend rallies calling for Alexei Navalny’s release* *Allies of jailed opposition leader held as police close parts of Moscow and other cities * Tens of thousands of Russians have rallied in cities across the country in a last-ditch effort to secure the freedom of the jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The unsanctioned demonstrations have shown the determination of Navalny’s core supporters, who called for “freedom for political prisoners” in tense standoffs with riot police in helmets and body armour, who had vowed to disperse...
"Why Do We Laugh..."
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 8 hours ago
"Why do we laugh at such terrible things? Because comedy is often the sarcastic realization of inescapable tragedy." - Bryant H. McGill
The Poet: David Whyte, "One Day"
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 8 hours ago
*"One Day"* "One day I will say the gift I once had has been taken. The place I have made for myself belongs to another. The words I have sung are being sung by the ones I would want. Then I will be ready for that voice and the still silence in which it arrives. And if my faith is good then we'll meet again on the road, and we'll be thirsty, and stop and laugh and drink together again from the deep well of things as they are." - David Whyte, "Where Many Rivers Meet" "The poem is a little myth of man's capacity of making life meaningful. And in the end, the poem is not a thing we see - i...
Chris Evans (And Partners) Create A Useful Civics Tool
Peter Greene, CURMUDGUCATION - 8 hours ago
So this is how you do it. Chris Evans has entered the world of celebrity education support, and he's done it up right. There's a companion post to this one over at Forbes that explains in a little more detail what the site does; in this post, I want to explain why I think Evans and his partners are setting an example for how the rich and famous can have a positive impact on education. First of all, he hasn't done it alone. He has partnered up with actor/producer Mark Kassen, one of those guys who has a long, solid, steady career in the biz without becoming a household name, and Jo...
The Daily "Near You?"
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 8 hours ago
Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Thanks for stopping by!
"Flashpoint Ukraine: Don't Poke the Bear"
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 8 hours ago
*"Flashpoint Ukraine: Don't Poke the Bear"* by Mike Whitney And Israel Shamir *"Question 1:* For the last 4 years, Democrat leaders have blamed Russia for allegedly meddling in the 2016 elections. Now the Democrats - who control all three branches of government - have the power to reset US foreign policy and take a more hostile approach to Moscow. But will they? At present, there are roughly 40,000 US-NATO troops massed along the Russian border conducting military exercises while scores of Russian tanks, artillery and an estimated 85,000 Russian troops are now located about 25 mile...
"A Refining Process..."
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 8 hours ago
“Life is a refining process. Our response to it determines whether we’ll be ground down or polished up. On a piano, one person sits down and plays sonatas, while another merely bangs away at “Chopsticks.” The piano is not responsible. It’s how you touch the keys that makes the difference. It’s how you play what life gives you that determines your joy and shine.” - Barbara Johnson
"Confessions of a Doomsayer"
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 9 hours ago
*"Confessions of a Doomsayer"* by Bill Bonner YOUGHAL, IRELAND – "A dear reader writes to say we are wrong. “What these doomsday prophets like Bonner fail to explain is the efficiency of today’s supply chain that can quickly produce goods and services to meet demand. The market continues to roar in the face of his daily diatribes. If we were keeping score, we would say Fed: 40; Bonner: 0. I do enjoy reading the columns as I find them highly entertaining.” – Mike C. And yes, of course, we are wrong about a great number of things. This is partly because the odds are so heavily agains...
Stool testing
Norma, Collecting My Thoughts - 9 hours ago
This is not a topic I usually write about--I know nothing about it. But I've been following Lucy for some time--because I started a class on the microbiome. It was so gross (in my opinion) I dropped out, but did learn a lot and still think it's an interesting topic. Her specialty is the gut microbiome. Episode 172: Stool Testing with Dr. Lucy Mailing - Phoenix Helix Dr. Lucy Mailing is a research scientist specializing in gut health, the microbiome, and nutrition science. Her stool testing expertise comes from both her graduate school training and her clinical practice. In grad...
Vaccine Makers Destroy COVID Vaccine Safety Studies
barovsky, The New Dark Age - 9 hours ago
Makers of COVID-19 vaccines are now destroying long-term safety studies by unblinding their trials and giving the control groups the active vaccine, claiming it is “unethical” to withhold an effective vaccine.
Vladimir Putin On Petty Tabaquis And International Issues
barovsky, The New Dark Age - 9 hours ago
Today Russia's President Vladimir Putin made his annual Address to the Federal Assembly (English transcript). Most of his talk was about domestic and economic issues. At the end he made some remarks towards international developments and other governments.
University of Texas at San Antonio to Create Hispanic Thriving Institution Leadership Council
Arrman Kyaw, Diverse - 10 hours ago
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) will create an institutional-level Hispanic Thriving Institution (HTI) Leadership Council to help the school become a Hispanic Thriving Institution, according to UTSA officials. “The HTI Leadership Council will advise the President and Provost/Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs about how the university’s Hispanic Thriving efforts can be […]
Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education and New Mexico State University Receive Grant for Student Transfer Model
Arrman Kyaw, Diverse - 10 hours ago
The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) and New Mexico State University (NMSU) have received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). They will use the money to create an undergrad student transfer model meant to improve rates of transfer, retention and graduation of engineering students, according to WICHE officials. Traditional pathways […]
Migration Policy Institute Releases Fact Sheets to Help Address Integration Needs of U.S. Immigrant Families
Arrman Kyaw, Diverse - 10 hours ago
The Migration Policy Institute’s National Center on Immigrant Integration Policy (NCIIP) has published U.S. and state fact sheets to help efforts to more equitably address the integration needs of U.S. immigrant families through the early childhood, K-12, post-secondary, adult education and health and social services systems. The fact sheets – for 31 states – provide […]
Howard University Announces Endowed Scholarship to Honor Alum
Arrman Kyaw, Diverse - 10 hours ago
Howard University has announced a new endowed scholarship – beginning with more than $200,000 – in honor of alum David Neal McGruder, Esq. McGruder, ’93, died on Dec. 25, 2020, at age 49. As an attorney, McGruder fought for justice, often representing young people of color and union workers. “The David McGruder Scholarship for Service […]
Imposter Syndrome: A Buzzword with Damaging Consequences
cmaadmin, Diverse - 10 hours ago
Like many racially minoritized faculty who engage in work for equity and social justice, we are no strangers to the daily manifestations of systems of oppression and oppressive behavior in academia. Recently during one of our conversations, the topic of imposter syndrome surfaced as we both processed some of our experiences.
How Closely Related Are the StG-44 and the AK-47 Machine Guns?
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Peter Suciu* *Firearms, Europe* [image: Firearms] Here is how both famous guns had their history in the brutal experience of World War II. Even people who claim not to know anything about firearms know the AK-47 rifle. Simply put, it is arguably the most recognizable small arm in the world. In excess of 75 million AK-47s were produced, and weapons in the Kalashnikov-family based on the AK-47 exceed 100 million worldwide. Few weapons in the history of mankind have had such a lasting impact and it has been used by revolutionaries around the world. According to a World Bank Policy...
Cut the Cord: How the NFL Could Help Kill Cable and Satellite TV
Stephen Silver, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Stephen Silver* *Cord Cutting, Americas* If cable prices rise again due to the new NFL deals, but fans can get enough football for their fix via streaming, then why bother to pay for a full cable package? The NFL in mid-March reached new TV deals which will keep the league in business with all of its current broadcast partners, including Fox, CBS, Disney/ABC/ESPN, and Comcast/NBC. The deals, which run through 2033, will include a digital component, with CBS’ games streaming on Paramount+, and some streaming content appeared on ESPN+, and Fox-owned Tubi. NBC’s Peacock can also s...
GOP to Unveil $600-$800 Billion Infrastructure Package This Week
Rachel Bucchino, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Rachel Bucchino* *Infrastructure Package, Americas* Most Republicans want to target the impending package to cover traditional infrastructure, in addition to other items like broadband. A group of Senate Republicans reportedly began hammering out a broad counterproposal to President Joe Biden’s $2.25 trillion infrastructure package on Tuesday, coming in at roughly one-third the price of the president’s big-spending measure, with details expected to be released later this week. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.), the ranking member of the Environment and Public Works Committee w...
Want Another Stimulus Check? Democrats Have a Plan To Make It Happen.
Rachel Bucchino, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Rachel Bucchino* *Stimulus Check, Americas* A group of Democrats, as well as the Economic Security Project, argue that Americans need more assistance to combat the financial toll that has weighed on families in recent months. Some Americans received up to $3,200 from the federal government since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, as Congress provided financial support amid the economic crisis that left millions of people unemployed or under the poverty threshold. A group of Democrats, as well as the Economic Security Project, argue, however, that Americans need more ass...
Coercion or Compassion: How Should the U.S. Strategize North Korea’s COVID-19 Crisis?
Timo Kivimäki, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Timo Kivimäki* *North Korea, Asia* [image: North Korea] Pressure results in counterpressure, which makes sanctions less effective. But compassion destroys authoritarian us-versus-them narratives, making people doubt their dictators. South Korea’s Unification Minister Lee In-young has alerted the world to North Korea’s coronavirus crisis by saying that “coronavirus is crippling production and supply chains for crops…which will likely cause extreme famine...” North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un has recently confirmed these fears by comparing the looming crisis with the famine of the ...
How An Overheated U.S. Economy Could Create Chaos
Desmond Lachman, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Desmond Lachman* *U.S. Economy Overheating, Americas* [image: U.S. Economy Overheating] The United States is presently engaged in its largest peacetime budget stimulus on record. That stimulus risks causing economic overheating at home by the end of this year. This year’s recently released U.S. Treasury Foreign Exchange Report reads like Hamlet would read if we excluded the Prince of Denmark. In seeking the sources for world external imbalances and for global currency misalignments, the Treasury looks everywhere other than where the main source of these imbalances now resides. H...
You Might Soon Get Another ‘Stimulus Check’ (Not From the Government)
Ethen Kim Lieser, The National Interest - 8 hours ago
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *Stimulus Check, Americas* Due to the laws around insurance premium revenue, under certain conditions health insurance companies have to provide cumstomers a partial refund. The $1,400 coronavirus stimulus checks that are currently being sent out to financially struggling Americans might just be an appetizer. It now appears that millions of Americans will be on the receiving end of even more money in a few months—and it will be the health insurance companies writing out the checks. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, private insurance companies are on t...
Does Derek Chauvin Have a ‘Three Percenters’ Symbol on His Hand?
Bethania Palma, Snopes.com - 8 hours ago
A blurry image of the former police officer taken as he was led away in handcuffs sparked speculation.
Pelosi Floats New Proposal for Bipartisan Jan. 6 Commission
AP News, Snopes.com - 8 hours ago
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is renewing her push for a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie Arrested for Perjury During Questioning About “Promise Program”
Sundance, The Last Refuge - 8 hours ago
This is actually one of those small stories with BIG, very big potential. Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie was arrested this morning on a charge of perjury in an official proceeding. Broward School Board attorney Barbara Myrick was also arrested. According to local news {LINK} Runcie gave testimony about how official school district programs […] The post Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie Arrested for Perjury During Questioning About “Promise Program” appeared first on The Last Refuge.
The Word From the Trenches – April 21, 2021
Henry Shivley, From the Trenches World Report - 9 hours ago
Join in on the conversation. Call (712) 770-5597 then enter 220029#, press *6 to mute and unmute. (If you are unable to get through call... The post The Word From the Trenches – April 21, 2021 appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
Herpes infection possibly linked to COVID-19 vaccine, study says
A Reader, From the Trenches World Report - 9 hours ago
New York Post – by Jackie Salo Herpes infections may be a side effect of a COVID-19 vaccine, experts have revealed. Scientists in Israel identified six cases... The post Herpes infection possibly linked to COVID-19 vaccine, study says appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
The Postal Service is running a ‘covert operations program’ that monitors Americans’ social media posts
A Reader, From the Trenches World Report - 9 hours ago
Yahoo News The law enforcement arm of the U.S. Postal Service has been quietly running a program that tracks and collects Americans’ social media posts,... The post The Postal Service is running a ‘covert operations program’ that monitors Americans’ social media posts appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
Guilty! People’s Uprising Wins Justice For George Floyd
Terrace, PopularResistance.Org - 9 hours ago
One thing is unambiguously clear: Derek Chauvin being found guilty is the result of a historic popular uprising. Chauvin’s brutal murder of George Floyd ignited a massive resistance from Minneapolis’ Third Precinct into the smallest towns and biggest cities in the United States. The Party for Socialism and Liberation was proud to participate in this historic movement that brought millions into the streets, many for the first time. New leaders emerged and are now in the struggle for the long haul. “Justice for George!” was screamed in Trafalgar Square and painted on walls in Port...
Solar Energy To Power Canada During Winter
tonyheller, Real Climate Science - 9 hours ago
an 80-megawatt solar project in the county of Newell between Calgary and Medicine Hat, will produce more than 195,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of renewable energy once completed, enough to power more than 18,000 Canadian homes for a year. Is Amazon’s climate … Continue reading →
Breaking Barriers in Higher Education – An Interview with Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz
cmaadmin, Diverse - 10 hours ago
Join this audio interview with University of California (UC) Merced Chancellor Juan Sánchez Muñoz, a first-generation college student who became a lifelong advocate for providing education and social mobility for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Hosted by Sara Weismann, this interview dives deep into the emergence of new barriers for minority students in the higher education […]
2021 Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs
cmaadmin, Diverse - 10 hours ago
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Ralph Newell Phone: 703.385.2419 Email: Ralph@DiverseEducation.com Fairfax, Va.— For the eighth consecutive year, Diverse: Issues In Higher Education is pleased to announce its report The Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs will be published in the June 10, 2021 edition of the magazine. With a focus on workplace diversity, […]
Report: Joe Biden Supports Passing Amnesty Through Budget Reconciliation with Simple Majority
Admin, From the Trenches World Report - 10 hours ago
Breitbart – by Charlie Spiering President Joe Biden told Hispanic members of Congress on Tuesday he supported the idea of moving legislation on immigration reform... The post Report: Joe Biden Supports Passing Amnesty Through Budget Reconciliation with Simple Majority appeared first on From the Trenches World Report.
I Have Questions
Francisco, Small Dead Animals - 11 hours ago
So should a lot of people. For some reason we have more people in ICU’s (see chart below) now than we did throughout all of last year even though we’re rolling out the vaccines and have been locked down most of the time. Here’s our hospitalizations. Follow the thread down for more charts. For comparison… Continue reading →
Airbus Conducts New A400M Helicopter Air-To-Air Refueling Test Campaign
Stefano D'Urso, The Aviationist - 11 hours ago
[image: A400M HAAR] The tests with the A400M involved the day and night refueling of two French Air Force H225M Caracals. Airbus recently announced the successful completion of a new Helicopter Air-to-Air Refueling (HAAR) test campaign with the [...] The post Airbus Conducts New A400M Helicopter Air-To-Air Refueling Test Campaign appeared first on The Aviationist.
"How It Really Is"
CoyotePrime, Running 'Cause I Can't Fly 2 - 9 hours ago
Well that's not entirely true, there's the $trillion mineral deposits; the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline; the trillions spent by the Defense Dept; the hundreds of billions spent on "private contractors"; tremendous oil and natural gas deposits; the hundreds of billions spent on "reconstruction projects" like gas stations in the middle of deserts; and control (and distribution) of 90% of the world's $100 billion yearly opium supply by those great patriots the CIA; and on and on ad absurdio... Oh, and lest we forget, *"freedom and democracy",* baby! ○ *Rel...
Father Angry After Teacher Cuts Biracial Daughter’s Hair
AP News, Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
A Michigan father has moved his 7-year-old biracial daughter from one school to another after the child’s hair was cut on separate occasions by a classmate and a teacher.
Alaska Piñata Maker Now Makes Coronavirus-Shaped Models
AP News, Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
“Coronavirus is the perfect villain for children."
Did Otters at Georgia Aquarium Test Positive for COVID-19?
Madison Dapcevich, Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
It wouldn’t be the first time captive animals tested positive for the virus.
Brazil cases dropping but relaxing health measures could reverse gains – PAHO Director
Latin America News, The Rio Times - 9 hours ago
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - Brazil is seeing a drop in Covid-19 cases including in the hard-hit Amazon region, but the relaxation of measures by some municipal governments could bring a reversal in that improvement, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Carissa Etienne warned on Wednesday. Etienne said cases in the South American giant, […] The post Brazil cases dropping but relaxing health measures could reverse gains – PAHO Director appeared first on The Rio Times.
Were Both Derek Chauvin and Kim Potter Police Training Officers?
Nur Ibrahim, Snopes.com - 9 hours ago
Chauvin was convicted of murdering George Floyd, while Potter was charged with second-degree manslaughter of Daunte Wright.
2:00PM Water Cooler 4/21/2021
Lambert Strether, naked capitalism - 10 hours ago
By Lambert Strether of Corrente. Bird Song of the Day More from Amazonia. * * * #COVID19 At reader request, I’ve added this daily chart from 91-DIVOC. The data is the Johns Hopkins CSSE data. Here is the site. I feel I’m engaging in a macabre form of tape-watching. Vaccination by region: The Northeast jump […]
Is Merrick Garland allowed to do that?
<b>bob somerby</b>, the daily howler - 10 hours ago
*WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021* *Lessons in novelization:* Merrick Garland seems to be getting way out over his skis. He seems to be doing what mustn't be done! According to the New York Times (headline included), he's messing with novelization: BENNER (4/21/21): *Attorney General Merrick Garland announces an investigation into the Minneapolis Police Department* *The Justice Department will investigate the policies and operations of the Minneapolis Police Department, Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announced on Wednesday,* a day after the former officer Derek Chauvin was convict...
18-Year-Old Undergoes 3 Brain Surgeries From Blood Clots After J&J Vaccine
Aerowenn Hunter, Children's Health Defense - 10 hours ago
A Nevada teen was put in a coma, placed on a respirator and underwent three brain surgeries after developing blood clots about one week after getting the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. The post 18-Year-Old Undergoes 3 Brain Surgeries From Blood Clots After J&J Vaccine appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Is This Mermaid TikTok Video Real?
Dan Evon, Snopes.com - 10 hours ago
Footage from a 2012 documentary continues to capture people's imaginations online.
In the News
Larry-Lambert, Virtual Mirage - 10 hours ago
Missing Submarine It’s often more difficult than finding the soap in the bathtub unless there is an oil slick pointing the way. JAKARTA, April 21 (Reuters) – Indonesian rescuers searching for a submarine that went missing with 53 people on board found an oil spill on Wednesday near where the vessel dived, authorities […] The post In the News appeared first on Virtual Mirage.
Marijuana MSO TerrAscend buys Pennsylvania dispensaries for $63M
Jeff Smith, Marijuana Business Daily - 10 hours ago
North American cannabis operator TerrAscend is doubling its Pennsylvania footprint with the acquisition of three additional retail outlets for $63 million. TerrAscend, which has offices in Toronto and New York, signed a definitive agreement to acquire the remaining 90% of KCR Holdings, which operates the medical marijuana dispensaries in northeast Pennsylvania under the name Keystone […] Marijuana MSO TerrAscend buys Pennsylvania dispensaries for $63M is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
What Big Ag Doesn’t Want You to Know: Small Farms Can Feed the World
Aerowenn Hunter, Children's Health Defense - 10 hours ago
According to a new peer-reviewed paper, “The Myth of a Food Crisis,” corrupt philanthropic and academic sectors in agriculture and development perpetuate the lie that Big Ag is the only way to feed the world. The post What Big Ag Doesn’t Want You to Know: Small Farms Can Feed the World appeared first on Children's Health Defense.
Fly fishing, multiple use, & delisting grizzly bears (ft. Senator Steve Daines)
Gabriella Hoffman, CFACT - 10 hours ago
Senator Daines joins District of Conservation for a wide-ranging interview to share his thoughts on the latest in conservation/energy public possible and much more. Tune in! The post Fly fishing, multiple use, & delisting grizzly bears (ft. Senator Steve Daines) appeared first on CFACT.
Retail cannabis shops offer discounts and merch, see more shoppers on 4/20
Roger Fillion, Marijuana Business Daily - 11 hours ago
For many, 4/20 was just another date on the calendar. But for cannabis businesses and customers across the nation, Tuesday’s 50th anniversary of the unofficial marijuana holiday offered a fresh start following a tumultuous year that saw the pandemic upend retail businesses. While the coronavirus pandemic put the kibosh on live 4/20 celebrations last year […] Retail cannabis shops offer discounts and merch, see more shoppers on 4/20 is a post from: Marijuana Business Daily: Financial, Legal & Cannabusiness news for cannabis entrepreneurs
Kristina Beggen
Angie Aker, Food & Water Watch - 11 hours ago
Kristina Beggen Oregon Organizer Corvallis, OR
Greg Layton
Angie Aker, Food & Water Watch - 11 hours ago
Greg Layton Delaware Organizer Camden-Wyoming, DE
CO2 Levels Highest in 3.6 Million Years, Yet Temperatures Are Not Following Suit
James Taylor, Climate Realism - 12 hours ago
Federal bureaucrats and their media allies are conducting a targeted public relations campaign promoting reports that atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations are higher than at any point in the past 3.6 million years. This, they say, is more proof of a climate crisis. However, current temperatures are nowhere near the highest they have been in that […] The post CO2 Levels Highest in 3.6 Million Years, Yet Temperatures Are Not Following Suit appeared first on Climate Realism.
This Day In Iraqi History - Apr 21
Joel Wing, MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 12 hours ago
1802 Wahabi army from Arabia sacked Karbala 2,000-5,000 killed 1917 Battle of Istabulat in Diyala started between British and Ottomans with the Turks being defeated 1920 News of British setbacks along Syrian-Iraq frontier arrived in Tal Afar leading to anti-British activity 1926 Turks told British they no longer wanted Mosul just a stake in the province’s oil (Musings On Iraq How The Ottoman Province Of Mosul Became Part Of Iraq) (Musings On Iraq interview with Princeton’s Sara Pursley on Sykes-Picot and creation of Iraq) (Musings On Iraq review *The Creation of...
Displaced Returns Continue To Stagnate In Iraq
Joel Wing, MUSINGS ON IRAQ - 12 hours ago
The number of displaced (IDPs) going back to their home areas hit a new low in Iraq during the start of 2021. When the war against the Islamic State ended there was widespread hope that IDPs would immediately return and the crisis would largely be over. That’s not happened. Instead the country is experiencing something similar to what happened after the civil war with over one million likely to be permanently displaced. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the paramount group working with Iraq’s internal refugees. It recorded 1,205,767 people still displaced a...
A Fourth Stimulus Check: Why You Might Get Another $1,400 (Or Not)
Stephen Silver, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Stephen Silver* *Stimulus Check, Americas* [image: Stimulus Check] Some progressive senators are eager for another round of stimulus, but President Joe Biden is busy focusing on infrastructure and has little room for political error. The $1,400 checks from the American Rescue Plan have been rolling out in recent weeks. Other payments will follow, including those from the expanded Child Tax Credit. But there’s already much media speculation about whether a fourth package will be distributed at some point this year. There are many arguments for an additional stimulus payment. The...
Forget About the $1,400 Stimulus Checks: The IRS Might Have Money For You
Stephen Silver, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Stephen Silver* *Stimulus Check, Americas* [image: Stimulus Check] The deadline is May 17, after which the 2017 tax return money that has not been disbursed will become the property of the U.S. Treasury. The $1,400 stimulus checks from the American Rescue Plan have been rolling out for the last several weeks. Beyond that, the expanded Child Tax Credit will result in payments for families for the rest of the year. Many are still trying to track down their stimulus payments from the two coronavirus relief packages that passed in 2020. But in the meantime, the IRS announced earlie...
SIG Sauer M17 Trophy Pistols: Why They Are a Really Rare Gun
Peter Suciu, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Peter Suciu* *M17 Trophy Pistol, Americas* The competition is a famous and grueling event in which the winning team gets a pair of special sidearms. This year those were M17s rather than the old 1911s. First lieutenants Vince Paikowski and Alastair Keys, both from the 75th Ranger Regiment, each won a very special trophy. For this year’s U.S. Army Best Ranger Competition, New Hampshire based SIG Sauer created a pair of U.S. Army Best Ranger Competition M17 Trophy Pistols. The custom M17 pistols, which are based on the standard sidearm of the U.S. Army, were designed and built by...
Stimulus Check Question: When Is It Illegal to Keep Stimulus Checks?
Ethen Kim Lieser, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *Stimulus Check Question, Americas* [image: Stimulus Check] There is one exception to the rule. The IRS has stated that if the person who died is a married member of the U.S. military, the surviving spouse is still eligible for the $1,400 stimulus payment. Nearly one hundred sixty million coronavirus stimulus checks worth $376 billion have been disbursed to date—but be aware that it may be illegal to cash some of them. Many of those checks were for deceased individuals. In such an unfortunate situation, the Internal Revenue Service has given notice that spo...
Love Your TCL TV? Get Ready for TCL OLED HDTVs.
Stephen Silver, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Stephen Silver* *OLED TVs, World* A big entry by the large, Beijing-subsidized firm could cause competitors to lower their prices in this otherwise high-end TV market. After many years of climbing the TV market share charts with QLED-based TVs, TCL recently confirmed that it will soon begin making OLED TVs. TechRadar had an article last week that said TCL is jumping into the OLED game, with a target for production to begin in 2023. TCL had been reportedly working on a new method of inkjet-printed OLED TV, which included an investment by TCL in the Japanese company JOLED. The re...
Did Israel 'Help' China Build Its Deadly J-10 Fighter?
Sebastien Roblin, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Sebastien Roblin* *J-10, Asia* If Israel did transfer technology to China, both parties would have strong incentives to deny it. *Here's What You Need to Know*: The J-10 is more inspired by Israel's Lavi than an outright clone. The J-10 “Vigorous Dragon” is a mainstay of China’s effort to modernize its large fleet of single-engine jet fighters, with 350 already in service. An agile tactical fighter similar to the ubiquitous F-16 Fighting Falcon, the Vigorous Dragon was the first domestic Chinese design roughly on par with Western and Russian fourth-generation fighters. However...
Is There Still a Way for America and Iran to Return to the Nuclear Deal?
Doreen Horschig, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Doreen Horschig* *Iran Deal, Middle East* [image: Iran Deal] Talks to renew the Iranian nuclear deal remain steady after Natanz attack and Iran’s response of 60% uranium enrichment. Iran announced last week that it would begin enriching uranium up to 60% following an attack on its Natanz nuclear facility that damaged centrifuges and cut the power supply. Worries grew quickly that this attack, allegedly carried out by Israel, could negatively impact the ongoing efforts to revive the Iranian nuclear deal. Fortunately, diplomacy in Vienna wasn’t halted. In fact, the talks are picki...
The M1014: Inside the U.S. Marine Corps’s Combat Shotgun
Travis Pike, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Travis Pike* *Guns, Americas* Shotguns in the military have traditionally been manually operated designs, but the M1014 changed the game with its semi-auto design. The story of the M1014 is fascinating. The Marine Corps rarely gets to be the lead on a joint service project. The small size and limited resources of the Marine Corps often make them second to the Army when it comes to searching out new small arms. However, in 1998 the USMC got their opportunity, and as the Marine Corps tends to do, they charged forward, ready to deliver the best possible option. The U.S. Army Arma...
Anti-Satellite Weapons: How China Sends the U.S. Back to the Dark Ages?
Caleb Larson, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Caleb Larson* *Anti-Satellite, * If enough satellites were taken out in the event of war, troops would have to dust off a compass and map. *Here's What You Need to Remember: *China has conducted several other anti-satellite tests after their infamous 2007 strike, some of which had the potential to be extremely dangerous. China has conducted several anti-satellite strikes. This capability has been compared to hitting a bullet with a bullet—but should the world be worried? *Space Race* The United States, and the whole world really, is dependent on space. Satellites are used for...
CDC: Fewer Than 6,000 Fully Vaccinated Americans Have Contracted Coronavirus
Ethen Kim Lieser, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Ethen Kim Lieser* *Coronavirus, Americas* To date, roughly half of all American adults have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that fewer than six thousand cases of the novel coronavirus have been found among fully vaccinated Americans. The figure represents only 0.007 percent of the eighty-four million individuals in the United States with full protection against the contagion. “With any vaccine, we expect such rare cases, but so far out of more than eighty-four million people who were fully v...
Joe Biden “Strongly Supports” DC Statehood. But Will It Happen?
Rachel Bucchino, The National Interest - 10 hours ago
*Rachel Bucchino* *DC Statehood, Americas* Republicans contend that authorizing DC statehood is unconstitutional, as it violates the twenty-third amendment that gives the region electoral votes for presidential elections. The White House announced its support of DC statehood Tuesday, taking a clear policy position ahead of a House vote scheduled for later this week that would make the District the 51st state. The bill would reduce the federal district to a two-mile scope that includes the National Mall, monuments, White House and other federal buildings. The rest of the city w...
Mid-week musings
Keith, musingsofanoldfart - 10 hours ago
Ever the news junkie, I have seriously dialed back my news intake. It has made my life much easier, as I need not worry as much about who said what about whom. Mind you, those stories seep in as I … Continue reading →
Sherlock Holmes for the win
Peter, Bayou Renaissance Man - 10 hours ago
I came across this quotation from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's detective hero, Sherlock Holmes, on MeWe. Click the image for a larger view. I wonder how we could get our politicians, journalists and influencers to absorb the truth of that statement? When push comes to shove, I reckon a *huge* proportion of our present troubles in this country could be avoided, or minimized, or mitigated, if only people would avoid that mistake. Yes, yes, I know - I'm impossibly naïve to think that might even be possible, much less hope for it . . . **Sigh** Peter

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