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Getty - Mark Makela
Ivanka Trump's Instagram account stands apart from her father's candidacy. It's the public feed of Ivanka, the brand. “American wife, mother & entrepreneur. EVP at the Trump Organization. Founder of IvankaTrump.com and #WomenWhoWork,” her bio says.
Scrolling through, it sometimes feels like an alternate reality. When Donald Trump's presidential campaign is in free fall, or facing controversy, Ivanka is posting a mix of inspirational quotes, family pics, and the occasional selfie. Photos of her on the campaign trail are far and few between.
That's on purpose.
“My Women Who Work initiative and my brand, was launched far before the presidential cycle commenced and will continue long afterwards,” she said this month at the Fortune Most Powerful Women Summit.
Still, the Donald Trump campaign and Ivanka Trump brand do coexist, and it's often jarring to witness them side-by-side. This is the story of the 2016 campaign, juxtaposed with @ivankatrump.
June 16, 2016:
Donald Trump announces his presidential campaign at Trump Tower in New York City. Ivanka introduces him as “a man who needs no introduction.” Actors are paid to wear shirts and pretend to be supporters. Trump accuses Mexico of sending drugs, rapists, and murders across the border and promises to build a wall on the southern border.
Ivanka posts a photo of her introduction. See her speech on IvankaTrump.com (link in profile). A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Jun 16, 2015 at 4:55pm PDT
December 7, 2015:
Donald Trump calls for a “total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States” following an ISIS-inspired shooting in San Bernardino.
Ivanka posts five black and white photos to promote her Ivanka Trump Jewelry campaign. “I love the idea of elevating an otherwise simple look with stunning accessories,” she writes. A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Dec 7, 2015 at 10:56am PST
February 18, 2016:
Donald Trump calls Pope Francis “disgraceful” after his comment that anyone who wants to build a wall is “not Christian.”
“No leader, especially a religious leader, has the right to question another man’s religion or faith,” Trump says.
Ivanka posts a photo with the (Link in profile) to her next #dinner #menu. “The #recipes are sure to warm you up when it's cold outside!” she writes. A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Feb 18, 2016 at 2:15pm PST
March 13, 2016:
Donald Trump says he will pay the legal fees of a man accused of assaulting a protester at his rally in North Carolina.
“From what I heard, there was a lot of taunting and a certain finger was placed in the air,” he says on “Meet The Press.”“I don't condone what he did. But you know what, not nice for the other side, either.”
Ivanka posts that she finally [email protected] the previous night and was blown away.
“Definitely a must-see!” she writes, with two thumbs up emoji. A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Mar 13, 2016 at 6:58pm PDT
March 30, 2016:
Donald Trump defends his then-campaign manager Corey Lewandowski, who the day before was charged with battery after being accused of grabbing then-Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields. Trump tells “Today” Fields lied.
Ivanka posts an inspirational #WomenWhoWork quote from Dorit Jaffee about tranquility. A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Mar 16, 2016 at 6:37am PDT
September 30, 2016:
Donald Trump goes on an early morning tweetstorm, attacking Hillary Clinton and Alicia Machado, a former Miss Universe contestant Trump once called “Miss Piggy” and “Miss Housekeeping,” between 3 a.m. to 5 a.m. He accused Machado of being in a sex tape, which she was not.
Ivanka posts a photo of a woman with a card in her purse that reads “Women Who Do It All” and writes “The weekend is calling your name! #WomenWhoWork.” A photo posted by Ivanka Trump (@ivankatrump) on Sep 30, 2016 at 11:03am PDT
October 22, 2016:
During a policy speech in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Donald Trump threatens to sue the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
“Every woman lied when they came forward to hurt my campaign,” he says. “Total fabrication. The events never happened. Never. All of these lill be sued after the election is over.”
Ivanka posts a looping video of her feet in front of a toasty fire. Oct 22, 2016 at 7:52pm PDT | 0 |
Donald J. Trump was introduced to millions of Americans in prime time through reality TV. In his first address to a joint session of Congress, President Trump tried to show, after a tumultuous first month, that he could also do scripted. The content of the president’s speech — on trade, terrorism and other issues — was much like what we’d heard from him in the campaign. But Mr. Trump’s goal seemed to be about his tone more than his text: to reassure America that he could simply keep control for an hour. Since his inauguration, Mr. Trump has, for starters, picked a fight on Twitter over Arnold Schwarzenegger’s “Celebrity Apprentice” ratings, declared that negative polls and news are fake, raged against his own intelligence agencies over leaks and spun a tale that millions of illegal voters cost him the popular vote. On Tuesday night, even his neckwear was more muted: a striped tie, not a blazing red one, as if to signal that he was putting away his bullfighter’s cloth for one night. During the campaign, Mr. Trump was known for going on furious improv tears, throwing belligerent verbiage against the turbine fan of his aggression. On Tuesday night, he had a script. He largely stuck to it. He performed a version of his campaign persona — the circles, little riffs. (“Great wall” in his prepared remarks became “great, great wall” he added a joke about executives trying to get him to ride one of their motorcycles.) The character he was playing this night was not the angry boss who might fire someone, but the executive who needed to reassure his shareholders. Although Mr. Trump won office by running an unconventional campaign, his address used many of the conventional tools of past presidents. He created moments by inviting guests — a tradition that goes back to Ronald Reagan — including the widow of Chief Petty Officer William Owens of the Navy SEALs, who drew a very long, emotional round of applause. (Afterward, Mr. Trump said that the fallen soldier was “looking down” and “very happy because I think he just broke a record. ”) The father of Chief Owens earlier refused to meet with Mr. Trump, insisting on an investigation into the death. But Mr. Trump also used those he invited to send a darker message. In a passage on immigration, he pointed out four relatives of people murdered by undocumented immigrants he had invited the victims’ families to sit in the box with his wife, Melania. This was showmanship, too, but of a much darker kind, meant to whip up fear against undocumented immigrants by implying that they’re more dangerous than Americans. Study after study shows that immigrants commit crimes at a lower rate than Americans. But if you skew the publicity, you skew the impressions. Put “immigrants” and “kill” in the same sentence often enough and people hear, “Immigrants kill. ” That familiar from his campaign, was a reminder that he still had an obligation to throw red meat to the passionate voters who got him elected. He deployed the phrase “radical Islamic terrorism,” which his new national security adviser, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, had reportedly asked him not to use, but which he had made a verbal totem in the campaign. Above all, Mr. Trump used the theater and scale naturally built into the event to show his status. The Democrats, in their televised response by former Gov. Steven Beshear of Kentucky, a champion of Obamacare, tried to make a virtue of the difference in grandeur by having it take place in a diner. Mr. Trump had used his speech for some damage control, beginning it by denouncing hate crimes he had been criticized for avoiding: the murder of an Indian technology worker in Kansas, blamed on a man who is said to have thought his victim was Middle Eastern, and the rash of bomb threats against Jewish community centers and desecration of Jewish cemeteries. “We are a country,” Mr. Trump said, “that stands united in condemning hate and evil in all its forms. ” But not that united. The health care issue was one of many that demonstrated the divide in the room: When Mr. Trump promised to repeal Obamacare, Republicans stood and cheered, Democrats booed and gave thumbs down on camera. For at least a year, pundits have been like forlorn scanning the sky for the appearance of the Great American Pivot. Judging by the pundit round tables after his speech, Mr. Trump gave them, for a while, reason to think it had returned. That has happened before. “At the right time,” he told NBC’s “Today” during the campaign, “I will be so presidential, you will be so bored. ” Since then, America has been a lot of things, but not bored. On Tuesday night, however, Mr. Trump declared, “The time for trivial fights is behind us. ” True enough: Mr. Schwarzenegger’s “Celebrity Apprentice” broadcast its finale two weeks ago. But history suggests we wait to declare the pivot achieved, at least until the congressional crowd has cleared and Mr. Trump has gotten his phone back for a while. | 1 |
PHILADELPHIA — Democrats pushed on Friday to extend the excitement spurred by a convention that culminated in the presidential nomination of Hillary Clinton, taking the fight against Donald J. Trump to the battleground states that could decide an election just over 100 days away. Two weeks of speeches, music, infighting and ultimately mountains of balloons and confetti for Democrats and Republicans have cemented the terms of the debate and left both parties as unified as they can be. Now comes the grueling homestretch of the campaign, where advertising will step up and the bickering between the candidates is likely to become even more biting. Signaling the importance of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Clinton and her running mate, Senator Tim Kaine of Virginia, stayed in Philadelphia to campaign early Friday, holding a rally at Temple University to begin a bus tour through Harrisburg and Pittsburgh and then Youngstown and Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Trump made his way west for campaign events in Colorado Springs and Denver. While en route, he lashed out on Twitter at those who were critical of him at the Democratic National Convention, specifically calling out Michael R. Bloomberg, New York’s former mayor, and John R. Allen, a retired general, as failures. That Pennsylvania, which Democrats have carried in every presidential election since 1992, is in play underscores the threat posed by Mr. Trump, who campaigned on Wednesday in Scranton. The Republican nominee’s appeals to white voters make him attractive in the Rust Belt and could potentially reshape the election map. Joined by her running mate and a handful of Pennsylvania lawmakers, Mrs. Clinton took stock on Friday of the campaign’s new phase, taking pains to contrast her convention’s sunnier outlook with Mr. Trump’s grim appraisal during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. And her more traditional campaign event was in stark contrast to the withering attack Mr. Trump delivered against Senator Ted Cruz in which he rehashed old dramas about the Texas senator’s wife and father. “We might as well have been talking about two different countries,” Mrs. Clinton told a crowd of thousands packed inside a gymnasium. “Or, as someone said to me, two different planets. ” Mrs. Clinton said she had been up quite late after her speech on Thursday — “It was just really hard to go to sleep,” she said — and joked that she and her husband had asked to have their coffee “administered through an IV. ” “We suddenly looked at each other and we realized, as of tomorrow, we have 100 days to make our case,” Mrs. Clinton said. That meant continuing to depict Mr. Trump as a danger to democracy, a anathema to the country’s principles. The nation’s founders “knew they didn’t want one person, one man, to have all the power like a king,” said Mrs. Clinton, who also made sure to note her family ties to Scranton, where she spent her childhood summers. A Suffolk University poll released this week showed Mrs. Clinton with a nine percentage point lead in Pennsylvania, but she is not taking anything for granted. Democrats hope that hosting their national convention in Philadelphia will give Mrs. Clinton a boost in the state. “I think Democrats will be unified against Donald Trump and in favor of a more hopeful optimistic message for the country,” said Josh Shapiro, the Montgomery County commissioner, who is running to be Pennsylvania’s attorney general. “Everyone will be on the same page coming out of Philly this week. ” Political analysts will be watching closely in the coming days to see if Mrs. Clinton receives a bounce nationally from the convention, which was well received for its crisp choreography. Mr. Trump overtook her in some polls after last week’s Republican convention. While Democrats generally considered Mrs. Clinton’s acceptance speech on Thursday night to be one of her best, Republicans offered reviews that were more mixed. Many considered it to be a classic liberal speech filled with policies they could never support, but some Republicans who still refuse to support Mr. Trump expressed remorse about the direction of their party and offered some praise for her address. “There’s a logic to this speech that is in American mainstream,” said Stuart Stevens, a former adviser to Mitt Romney. “Trump was dark and outside mainstream. ” Unsurprisingly, the Trump campaign pushed back against Mrs. Clinton’s assertion that Mr. Trump was taking the Republican Party from “morning in America” to “midnight in America. ” “If it’s midnight in America, it’s because of the seven and a half years of the Obama and Clinton administration,” Paul Manafort, Mr. Trump’s campaign chairman, said on Fox News on Friday. Mr. Trump’s running mate, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, said at a luncheon in Indianapolis that Mrs. Clinton offered no new ideas. “What I heard was more, a commitment to more taxes, more regulation, more government,” he said. “More of the same failed policies that have landed our national government $19 trillion in debt. ” In an interview on the Hugh Hewitt radio program, Mr. Pence lamented the personal attacks leveled by Democrats at Mr. Trump, particularly President Obama labeling him a “demagogue. ” “I don’t think name calling has any place in public life, and I thought that was unfortunate that the president of the United States would use a term like that,” Mr. Pence said. Mr. Trump was skewered by many of the speakers at the Democratic convention, where his business record, his combative policies and even his sanity were called into question. He clearly took it personally. Doing some of his own on Friday, he mocked Mr. Bloomberg’s height and claimed that General Allen “failed badly” in the fight against the Islamic State. And Mr. Trump took issue with the content and tenor of Mrs. Clinton’s speech, arguing that his opponent envisions a borderless America where workers have no power and no security. And he was not pleased with how she characterized him. “Crooked Hillary Clinton made up facts about me, and ‘forgot’ to mention the many problems of our country, in her very average scream!” Mr. Trump said. At his rally in Colorado Springs, Mr. Trump said that he thought the Republican convention was the better of the two and that he was disappointed Mrs. Clinton did not at least congratulate him on being nominated. When the adoring crowd began chanting “lock her up,” Mr. Trump did not stop them. “I’ve been saying let’s just beat her on Nov. 8, but you know what I’m starting to agree with you,” he said. “I’m taking the gloves off!” | 1 |
On Fox News Channel’s “Sunday Morning Futures,” House Freedom Caucus Member Sen. Louie Gohmert ( ) urged President Donald Trump to work with the freedom caucus instead of establishment Republican leaders like House Speaker Paul Ryan and White House chief of staff Reince Priebus. Gohmert explained how Trump and the Freedom Caucus came to agreement on two separate occasions during the Obamacare replacement negotiations, but establishment Republicans rejected them. “The president’s administration will either succeed or fail over the next 30 days,” Gohmert stated. “He can work with people that got him there that defended him when others like Ryan and the establishment were running scared, or he can work with us to help him fulfill his promises. ” Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent | 1 |
Email That this election is an abysmal disgrace is nationally acknowledged; that it is absolutely unique is not, although it’s undeniable. Never before has virtuallly the entire mainstream media avidly, emphatically endorsed one Presidential candidate while furiously, contemptuously vilifying the other. Never has a sitting President joined in general denunciation of a candidate. With ten days to go it’s affirmed by most key sources that Donald Trump can’t win and Hillary Clinton will. Many pundits predict a landslide for her. Assume it. What then? The most hated President-elect ever will not be loved by the Congress she will confront. Even with a majority in the Senate–just possible–and in the House–not–prospects for a legislative agenda, should she have one, are non-existent. What Obama’s phony charm failed to achieve, Hillary’s lack of it will scarcely obtain. This presages four more years of stasis and nullity, of social and economic rot, financial chicanery, and national decay. As regards the composition of the Supreme Court–the panicky Liberal pitch for being “with her”–unless she nominates hidebound conservatives, which is probable, not a single selection will be confirmed during her term. So… paralysis in Congress, reaction in the Court; two limbs of government neutralized, gives us rule by a disliked, distrusted figurehead with the full power of Wall Street and the Imperial War-loving Establishment behind her. What then will be accomplished? First, the interests of The Empire will be promoted at least as robustly as in Obama’s eight years of sycophancy. Including his Rube Goldbergian Obamacare, still foundering and gouging, nothing of any benefit to Americans was achieved under this charlatan who perfected the skill of describing an airplane crash as a triumph of gravity. So what will she do in office? Well, start with what she won’t do. She won’t make any effort to restrain The Big Casino, the Gold Sacks Mafia. They made her an offer she couldn’t refuse. She won’t attempt any closing of the inequality gap. That would entail clipping her base–”Our Crowd” of the Hamptons, Palm Beach and Beverly Hills. She won’t meddle with Sick Care–”fool me once…”–or, corporate tax enforcement. Her Big Donors don’t want to pay them and why should they, right? She can just let Labor die of its own raging leukemia. College grads have to stay in their parents’ basements and service their college debt via Macdonalds because Arbeit Macht Frei. No need to do anything about Global Warming so long as you denounce it boldly at international meetings. Best leave the environment in the hands of those who can turn idle nature into money. Besides, the solution to pollution is dilution and clearcuts grow back in a millenium or so. On the minor agenda, she knows there are still small poor countries who require our R2P and cluster bombs. Others have resources that, with the odd military coup or assassination, should come on line nicely. Africa, say, has low-hanging fruit, and the Latin American mess needs our firm hand to prevent Lefty dictators diverting perfectly good profits to their own societies. Turning to the major crises, Exceptionalism requires that they be made far bigger. Our Defense Industries can’t be expected to muck along forever on paltry brushfire wars: Iraq, Afghanistan–though in fairness they’ve profuced steady income streams–and Libya, no bonanza, and Syria, which Putin’s diabolical meddling prevented blossoming as we hoped. Still, there’s no earthly reason we can’t achieve a profitable Third World War simply by refusing to take the bait of Satanic Putin’s wimpy peace offers and calling them what they really are: a mortal threat to our Capitalist System. So much for her first Hundred Days. Beyond the panicked cheerleading of the Imperial Elite–those that the late, great George Carlin referred to as “your owners”–and their failing organs of crowd manipulation, and beyond the day Clinton takes office if their hopes are consummated, America faces a cataclysmic crisis of governance; one of the order of magnitude of the secession of The South under Lincoln. Clinton and Trump are the physical, mental and emotional symptoms of that crisis. Our dead system must, and will, have catharsis. Which of them precipitates it may not greatly matter. Or it may mean everything. As Brutus said at Philippi: “Oh, that a man might know the end of this days business ere it come; but it sufficeth that the day will end and then the end is known.” | 0 |
I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw it: a white fuzz ball of a baby seal, snuggling in a snowdrift. I stared dopily into its clear black eyes, squealed at the screen and tapped the cartoon heart beneath the photo. You better believe I liked it. Then I read the caption. “A newborn harp seal hides behind a piece of sea ice and seeks shelter during a blizzard,” it said. Aww. It went on: “With climate and the loss of sea ice, harp seals are losing their birthing grounds. ” Oh. “In 2007,” it added, “more than 70 percent of the pups died due to poor ice conditions. In 2010, almost none survived. As I type this, baby harp seals are struggling to survive yet another terrible ice year near the Magdalen Islands. ” Oh, God. I came to Instagram to get a quick baby animal fix and left with a horrifying message about how climate change could wipe this pup from the face of the planet, and all of its little friends, too. Paul Nicklen, the wildlife photographer who took the image, knows what he’s doing. “I hang a cute animal picture out there like bait and reel them in,” he told me. I’m hooked. Intellectually, I understand that climate change is one of the most important issues facing our planet. But practically, I ignore it. The problem feels too big, and the science too boring. I’ve never found a convenient time to watch “An Inconvenient Truth. ” I haven’t paged through a copy of National Geographic in my adult life. I’m part of the problem. But now, a crew of wildlife photographers and conservationists has found a way to reach me through one of social media’s shallowest pleasures: ogling marine mammals on Instagram. “Climate change is so huge, so uncomfortable, and so overwhelming, it’s hard to talk about it,” Mr. Nicklen said. “And often the best scientists are the worst communicators. ” Mr. Nicklen, a marine biologist as well as a photographer, is not personally drawn to the cutesy stuff. But after posting a picture two years ago of a baby Emperor penguin that inspired an avalanche of “likes,” he’s come around to the advantages of the aesthetic. He regularly draws in his 2. 6 million followers with heartwarming images, then pairs them with captions that recast them as cautionary tales. Every so often, he’ll post a direct glimpse of impending doom: a sea otter wheezing its last breaths on an Alaskan beach, or the body of a young polar bear that starved to death in an area of the Arctic that has lost its ice. Following wildlife Instagram means experiencing emotional whiplash. The savviest photographers work to achieve a careful balance between the superficial and the political. Jasper Doest, a Dutch wildlife photographer and conservationist, recently took a series of haunting photographs of white storks that had made their homes on European landfills. “I could fill up my whole Instagram with very harsh images of storks laying there dead in the garbage and feeding on plastic, but people would eventually have enough of that,” Mr. Doest said. He takes care to insert idyllic images amid the uncomfortable ones. “The first thing you want is for the audience to fall in love with the subject,” he said. Only then do you show that subject living on human garbage. Keeping the Instagram audience clicking into a wildlife photographer’s feed means serving up different kinds of images from those that appear in National Geographic. One of Brian Skerry’s most celebrated photographs shows a dead thresher shark caught in a fishing net off the Mexican coast National Geographic has named it one of the magazine’s 50 greatest photographs of all time. But when Mr. Skerry, a longtime National Geographic photojournalist, shared it with his 465, 000 Instagram followers, it was met with a muted response. More popular than the shark are the images Mr. Skerry took of a spinner dolphin leaping beneath a rainbow, a baby beluga whale seemingly smiling coyly for the camera, and a seal posing coolly underwater with one flipper folded over the other. The seal looks as if it were “about to drop his mixtape,” as one commenter put it. These casual internet surfers might be tempted to scroll past conservation public service announcements (preachy) or scientific tracts (boring). But Instagram’s freewheeling platform has opened a trap door into environmental awareness. When Mr. Skerry posted a portrait of a baby seal, he tagged it with the terms #climatechange and #nature, but also #seals, #babyanimals and #love. The Instagram users lured in by a magnetic animal photo may find themselves unexpectedly open to the message. “It can make them feel like they’re making these discoveries on their own,” Mr. Nicklen said. And while Instagram lacks the safeguards of more traditional scientific sources, it engenders a sincere, authentic experience. “Because of the intimate nature of these posts, viewers come to trust the photographers,” said Joel Sartore, a National Geographic photographer who has dedicated his career (and his Instagram) to photographing rare animals. “They feel that they know them. ” The comments in wildlife photographers’ feeds have spontaneously turned into de facto public forums on science. Under a recent photograph of a polar bear that died of starvation, posted by Mr. Nicklen, an argument unfurled among sentimental animal lovers (“Can the governments do something? Drop fish, meat, anything to give these animals strength? ”) radical vegans (it’s “meat and dairy eaters … Who claim to be animal lovers . .. Who are contributing to this”) and climate change deniers (“You people do realize that we are coming out of an ice age. ”) Last year, Mr. Nicklen and the photographer Cristina Mittermeier began SeaLegacy, a nonprofit that “bridges the gap between information and emotion” by pairing photographers with activist organizations. Instagram’s conservationists are hoping their images will inspire fans to do more than just look. That will test the limits of human nature, not to mention the constraints of the platform. Instagram is built for passing out eye candy. The captions are afterthoughts. When I scroll through my feed, it feels so good to tap and share an image that I don’t even think to feel bad for skipping over some critical context. Animals may be dying in the Arctic, but on Instagram, I can always find a newborn seal pup to share. The pictures are so freaking cute — who among us is strong enough to stop staring at the phone and start taking action? | 1 |
“What if technology could help improve conversations online? ”[That’s the lowkey Orwellian message that greets visitors to the website of Perspective, Google’s new AI system for detecting (and potentially deleting, hiding, or burying) “toxic” comments on the web. Perspective is still in early days of development, but in the future, you may have to adjust your speech in order to satisfy the lofty standards of Google. Otherwise, the company’s faceless AI might just have to “improve” you. Where’s Sarah Connor when you need her? The good news is that, for now at least, Perspective is about as effective as with a lisp. Software engineer and columnist David Auerbach has found the program woefully inept at sorting “toxic” comments from ordinary ones. Because the AI currently focuses on words rather than meanings, inoffensive comments like, “Rape is a horrible crime,” or, “few Muslims are a terrorist threat,” were assigned “toxicity” ratings of over 75 percent. Of course, even if Perspective could successfully sort “toxic” comments from innocuous ones, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be deleted or buried. According to the project’s homepage, the system performs no function other than detection. But statements from the project’s developers make it clear that censorship is the end goal. Indeed, the system seems to have been developed to augment the left’s ongoing war on comments sections. The software was initially made available just to organizations that are part of Google’s Digital News Initiative, including the BBC, The Financial Times, and The Guardian, which promptly began testing the software to moderate their comments sections. “News organizations want to encourage engagement and discussion around their content, but find that sorting through millions of comments to find those that are trolling or abusive takes a lot of money, labour and time,” says Jared Cohen, president of Jigsaw, the Google social incubator that built the tool. “As a result, many sites have shut down comments altogether. But they tell us that isn’t the solution they want. ” Google couldn’t be clearer: it’s a censorship bot. And just because it’s currently limited to news sites and comments sections doesn’t mean it won’t be rolled out to social networks and the rest of the web. Twitter, which just introduced yet another system to punish users who hurt celebrities’ feelings, would probably love to get their hands on a working version of Perspective. Twitter already has a tremendous depth of data on its users, including gender, location, and personal interests. Imagine that data, combined with an AI tool designed to pinpoint inconvenient content, in the hands of a CEO who has done little to conceal his political biases. The idea of an Google robot watching over us all, making sure our speech is “improved,” has greatly excited mainstream media. Google, says the BBC, is going to “make talk less toxic. ” According to WIRED, Perspective will put a stop to “abusive comments that silence vulnerable voices. ” New York magazine portrays Perspsective as a friendly a robot, “a kind of Clippy for the comments section. ” Our robot overlords are certainly getting a warm welcome, The left are likely to be disappointed though. If Auerbach’s early research on Perspective is any guide, the system is designed to filter out impoliteness, not political disagreement. Google’s censorbot might turn the comments section — and perhaps the web — into a grey, sanitized dystopia scrubbed of strong emotions and trollish humor, but it won’t get rid of facts. In other words, myths about gender wage gaps, police racism, and “moderate” Islam are still going to get debunked. Even Skynet can’t keep some things quiet. You can follow Allum Bokhari on Twitter and add him on Facebook. Email tips and suggestions to abokhari@breitbart. com. | 1 |
WASHINGTON — Scientists and environmentalists reacted with fear this week as the Trump administration purged nearly all mention of climate change programs from the White House and State Department websites and ordered a freeze on federal grant spending at the Environmental Protection Agency and other government agencies. Memos ordered employees of at least four agencies not to send out news releases or to create social media posts, blog entries or official website content, and to consult with senior officials before speaking to the news media. Such memos or oral communications landed this week at the E. P. A. and the Departments of the Interior, Agriculture and Health and Human Services, in a broad halt to external communications while the Trump administration struggles to put political appointees into position. Small of communications — apparently in dissent — appeared on Twitter, but they were quickly stopped. The Twitter posts of the social media division of the Badlands National Park broadcasting the threat of climate change became something of a cause célèbre before they disappeared from the platform on Tuesday. A White House spokesman, Sean Spicer, attributed those Twitter posts to a former park employee who had commandeered the park’s account. Longtime employees at three of the agencies — including some career environmental regulators who conceded that they remained worried about what President Trump might do on policy matters — said such orders were not much different from those delivered by the Obama administration as it shifted policies from the departing White House of George W. Bush. They called reactions to the agency memos overblown. On Wednesday, Douglas Ericksen, a spokesman for the E. P. A. said that grants had been only briefly frozen for review, and that they would be restarted by Friday. “I’ve lived through many transitions, and I don’t think this is a story,” said a senior E. P. A. career official who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the news media on the matter. “I don’t think it’s fair to call it a gag order. This is standard practice. And the move with regard to the grants, when a new administration comes in, you run things by them before you update the website. ” But the White House and State Department did delete nearly all mentions of climate change policy — which had been a top priority for Mr. Obama — and have begun replacing them with pages detailing Mr. Trump’s plans to roll back those policies — a top priority for the new president. It is standard practice for new administrations to make changes to their websites to reflect their different policy positions. The full contents of the Obama administration’s White House and State Department websites, including working links to climate change reports, have been archived and are readily available to the public. But environmental advocates and Democrats took advantage of the moves, noting that they appeared to target agencies that focus on environmental protection and scientific research, and calling them a chilling signal that the Trump administration intends to suppress communication about science and environmental policy, and possibly scientific data. If nothing else, the memos and ensuing reaction furthered the impression of turmoil throughout the government as Mr. Trump tries to assert control. Scientists said that even if no climate or other scientific data has been deleted from government websites, they remain fearful that it could be. Mr. Ericksen wrote in an email on Wednesday that the Trump administration team is now “reviewing” the E. P. A. ’s climate change page for changes. “People can’t tell whether data is being purged or not — it’s a confused situation,” said Michael Oppenheimer, a climate scientist at Princeton University and a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which supplies scientific reports to world governments. “If the Trump administration doesn’t want rumor, invective and anxiety running amok, they should get out there and say publicly and firmly that they believe in science and have no intention of hiding science from the public. And they haven’t done that,” Mr. Oppenheimer said. Environmentalists also criticized what appeared to be a Twitter war between some Interior Department employees and their new bosses, as the agency appeared to delete Twitter posts by National Park Service employees that highlighted the smaller attendance at Mr. Trump’s inauguration than at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, as well as facts about climate change. Rebellious posts on social media became so plentiful from so many obscure sites that the management of the Interior Department appeared powerless to find them all. The Golden Gate National Park tweeted out concerns over a warming planet. After the Badlands Twitter posts were taken down, employees at the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site in Buffalo ended Tuesday evening by quoting the first President Roosevelt on free speech — “a necessity in any country where the people are free. ” But it is far from clear how realistic the response has been. The Agriculture Department memo to employees was modeled after one written by Tom Vilsack, President Barack Obama’s agriculture secretary. “In order for the department to deliver unified, consistent messages, it’s important for the office of the secretary to be consulted on media inquiries and proposed responses to questions related to legislation, budgets, policy issues and regulations,” wrote Mr. Vilsack, a former Democratic governor of Iowa, in 2009. “ statements should not be made to the press without notifying or consulting with the office of the secretary. ” Michael Young, the acting deputy secretary of the Agriculture Department, who has worked as a career civil servant in the department for 33 years, wrote a memo to employees telling them to consult the secretary’s office when responding to news media inquiries, and he said the memo was little different than the one that was issued during the transition to Mr. Obama’s administration. “This memo is not some sort of creative writing exercise,” he said. “This is almost exactly what was issued eight years ago. I just updated it a bit. ” Asked about the memos at a news briefing on Tuesday, Mr. Spicer said, “I don’t think it’s any surprise that when there’s an administration turnover that we’re going to review the policies. ” | 1 |
Michael S. Rozeff https://www.lewrockwell.com/lrc-blog/trumps-prospects-improve/
Trump shares have gained sharply in the IEM prediction market, rising from under 10 cents to about 29 cents. Ordinary polls also are showing the race tightening. Clinton leads, but the suddenly much higher volatility of prices means that Trump’s prospects have improved.
Trump released his contract with America 6 days ago. The biased media ignored it.
The failures of Obamacare made headlines coincident with Trump’s shares rising.
Donna Brazile’s passing debate questions to Clinton is also coincident with Clinton falling and Trump rising.
The continuous Wikileaks revelations about Clinton are also coincident with the Trump comeback. My guess is that a good many voters who (naively) respect the integrity of the FBI are dismayed as they learn how Clinton interfered with the investigation and how the FBI was corrupted. (These are voters, and there are many, who think J. Edgar Hoover is a hero and who have never heard of entrapment.) Others are bound to be affected by the huge sums of money handed over to the Clintons where quid pro quos are evident. Charitable giving cannot explain these transfers. Yet others who support the Second Amendment are being solidified against Clinton by revelations that she intends to use executive orders to get her way.
Clinton and Trump have taken opposite positions on the integrity of America’s voting methods. Trump’s position has been helped by recent complaints of machines that switched votes from one candidate to the opposition. Clinton’s position has been hurt by (a) her own manipulations during the Democratic primaries, and (b) her attempts to link Trump’s position with the bogeyman Russians.
Furthermore, Clinton accused him of treason when she said “We also know from the former head of our Counterterrorism Center, Matt Olsen, that the kinds of rhetoric and language that Mr. Trump has used is giving aid and comfort to our adversaries.” Her extremism in this charge signals her fear of Trump’s challenge. It could only cause Trump supporters to close ranks behind him and assure greater voter turnout for him.
Clinton’s many baseless charges and wild exaggerations show yet again her fondness for character assassination and attacks on anyone she perceives as an obstacle to her ambitions. 11:52 am on October 28, 2016 | 0 |
Kim Severson is filling in for Sam Sifton, who emails readers of Cooking five days a week to talk about food and suggest recipes. That email also appears here. To receive it in your inbox, register here. So we need to talk. I want to break up. It’s not you, it’s me. I just need some space. I also need to turn this back over to Sam Sifton, your regularly scheduled newsletter date. But before we part ways, let’s spend just a little more time together. We’ll start with a recipe that I think you’ll always remember me for: tahini ranch dressing. Actually, it’s a recipe Tejal Rao pried out of Julia Goldberg, a cook at the New York vegetarian restaurant Superiority Burger. (Ms. Rao is our newest reporter here at Recipe Central. The kid’s got moxie!) You can use it to dress some romaine or punch up roasted potatoes. It would also work on vegetables or in a burrito. And since you’ve already got the jar of tahini out, put it to good use in this Martha Rose Shulman recipe for roasted broccoli with tahini sauce. Or go old school (there’s an Old Testament joke here somewhere) with Yotam Ottolenghi’s hummus from the cookbook “Jerusalem. ” Lastly, I’d stake my work marriage to Julia Moskin on her salted tahini chocolate chip cookie recipe. Melissa Clark has been busy, too. Check out her latest, a grilled corn recipe based on the elote, the Mexican street snack. And I’m a fan of her vegetarian skillet chili, because you probably already have everything you need to make it, and you can get it on the table pretty quickly tonight. In fact, you probably need some other easy ideas for Manic Monday. (Did you know Prince wrote that song?) We’ve got suggestions for that. Of course, a good cook is never daunted. A lasagna on Monday? Why not? I laugh at you, Monday. Here’s a light vegetarian version that will make you wish Monday would start all over again. Double down by making Mystery Cake, adapted from “Joy of Cooking. ” So, anyway, about us. It’s been great. I’ve loved our time together. I wish you a wonderful life. Don’t forget to write. The address is cookingcare@nytimes. com. And if you haven’t blocked or unfriended me yet, stay in touch on Twitter @kimseverson or on Instagram. And if you never want to see me again, at least follow NYT Cooking in all these places: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. I toast what we had with a glass of salty lemonade and leave you with this. It says it all. | 1 |
.@tribelaw says Pres. Trump must be impeached: ”He has shown no respect for the rule of law. He regards himself as above the law.” #ThisWeek pic. twitter. Sunday on ABC’s “This Week,” Harvard law professor Laurence Tribe said President Donald Trump must be impeached. Tribe said, “He’s shown no respect for the rule of law. He regards himself as above the law. He thinks it’s appropriate to essentially have a job interview with the FBI director. As we now know, the FBI director wanted to be reappointed. And the president essentially told him, ‘well, we’ll see. It depends, will you plead loyalty to me?’ Well, kings and monarchs and dictators seek that kind of loyalty. He essentially said, if you assure me that this meddlesome Russia investigation will go away, maybe I’ll keep you on. ” “That’s obstruction of justice,” he continued. “Even within the technical term of the criminal code. But they’re not relevant. The most relevant thing, because impeachment is our system’s last resort for someone who treats himself or herself as above the law, most relevant thing is whether this president, by his recent course of action, on top of his violations of the foreign corruption or Emoluments Clause, this president has shown that he cannot be trusted to remain within the law. And our constitution’s last resort for situations of that kind is to get the person out of office. ” Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN | 1 |
David Swanson | 0 |
usapoliticsnow admin 0 Comment FBI , Hillary Clinton
Dilbert creator Scott Adam’s analysis of Hillary Clinton’s body language during Friday’s press conference addressing FBI probe:
Clinton’s body language and word-choice tell us: 1) She’s lying about what she knows, and 2) She thinks she has already lost. Clinton's body language and word-choice tell us: 1) She's lying about what she knows, and 2) She thinks she has already lost. https://t.co/0hcSX5z1sd
— Scott Adams (@ScottAdamsSays) October 29, 2016 FULL Hillary Clinton Holds Press Conference After FBI Reopen Investigation – Hillary Lies Again! pic.twitter.com/wj6RyKKePl | 0 |
Wakame Seaweed Salad May Lower Blood Pressure VN:F [1.9.22_1171] Close Wakame Seaweed Salad May Lower Blood Pressure
I used to think of seaweed as just a beneficial whole food source of minerals—like iodine, for which it is the most concentrated dietary source. And, indeed, just a half-teaspoon of mild seaweeds, like arame or dulse, or two sheets of nori a day, should net you all the iodine you need for the day.
But, “the intake of seaweeds is advised” not only as a whole food source of iodine, but also, evidently, “for the prevention of lifestyle-related chronic diseases.” Based on what?
Well, you’ll see this kind of reasoning; the Japanese live long, and they eat seaweed. And so, they speculate that seaweed might have something to do with it, based on suggestive reports. But, when you see lists, like this, of all the supposed biological activities some food has, you want to know is this based on clinical data (meaning on actual people) or so-called preclinical data (based on test tubes and lab animals)? When a study like this is published, talking about the “Effects of seaweed-reconstructed pork diets” on rats, what do you do with that information? Seaweed is one of the ingredients they’re trying to use to improve the “image” of meat products. So, they try to add grape seeds, or flax seeds, or walnuts, or purple rice or, whatever this is. I had to look it up: thong-weed. How’s that for an image booster?
You can look at epidemiological studies (meaning looking at populations). And, indeed, Japanese preschoolers who eat seaweed tend to have lower blood pressures, suggesting seaweed might have beneficial effects—which would make sense, given all the minerals and fiber. But, you can’t prove cause and effect with that kind of study. Maybe it was the other components of the diet that went along with the seaweed-eating.
It’s even harder to do these kinds of studies on adults; so many people are on high blood pressure medications. University of Tokyo researchers took an innovative approach by comparing the diets of people on low-dose, versus high-dose, versus multiple blood pressure medications. And, although they all had artificially normalized blood pressure, those that ate the most fruit and sea vegetables tended to be the ones on the lower doses—supporting a dietary role for seaweed. But, why not just put it to the test?
A double-blind crossover trial found that seaweed fiber lowered blood pressure, apparently by pulling sodium out of the system. I know they couldn’t use real seaweed, because then you couldn’t fool people with a placebo; but, why not just, like, put whole powdered seaweed in pills? This was finally attempted, ten years later.
Compared to doing nothing, they got beautiful drops in blood pressure. But, if you look deeper into the study, they desalinized the seaweed—meaning they took out two-thirds of the sodium naturally found in it. So, that still doesn’t tell us if eating seaweed salad is actually going to help with blood pressure. What we need is a randomized controlled trial with just plain, straight seaweed. But, no one had ever done that study—until this study out of Ecuador.
Six grams of wakame, natural sodium and all, led to a significant drop in blood pressure, especially in those who started out high. Side effects were all minor, and what one might expect increasing fiber intake. And, the nice thing about whole food, plant-based interventions is you sometimes get good side effects as well, such as the resolution of gastritis—stomach inflammation that they’d been having—as well as the disappearance of chronic headaches. Close Sources Video Sources
My next video, Salt of the Earth: Sodium and Plant-Based Diets , will further address the sodium question.
Roxy
I’ve read that only asians, for the most part, have the bacteria (macrobiome) to properly digest seaweed. And by properly digest I mean….”to properly breakdown the seaweed to allow usability of the nutrients and such in seaweed.”
Some sort of genetic trait asians have? Evolutionary?
Truth in this? Joe Caner
It would seem that gut flora has more to do with what one eats as opposed to genetic factors. Asian populations are better able to handle seaweed in their diets precisely because they eat more seaweed so their gut flora adapts accordingly:
“Recent studies analyzed the gut flora of people across multiple countries and continents and identified two enterotypes. Enterotypes correlate with our diet and can change as our diet changes. Diets rich in animal protein and saturated fat are associated with the Bacteriodes enterotype, while diets rich in healthy carbohydrates are associated with the Prevotella enterotype.” http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/microbiome/ Roxy
So did the Okinawans have both of these types of enterotypes? How about some of the other cultures (longest lived) that include animal products/fish in their diet? Do they also have a healthy, varied enter type that of both baceriodes and prevotella? Roxy
And, apparently, the seaweed/gut bacteria macrobiome evolved over thousands and thousands of years, unlike, I think, the enteretype issue you are referencing that has more to do with our gut bacteria changing quickly, daily, weekly, due to the diet. Apparently seaweed might be a different issue, and for whatever reason takes a culture thousands of years to adjust. Richard W
Perhaps it is beneficial but, like fish oil, seaweed probably comes with a dose of pollutants too. Roxy
I am curious about all the plastic-residue showing up in fish….and if seaweed would then accumulate these plastics-chemical residues. Ishay
Unfortunately, most natural food will contain at least trace levels of pollutants, even those grown organically in ‘natural’ soil. It doesn’t mean, however, that this is always a palpable cause for concern. Theoretically, even though all seas and oceans are polluted to a degree, sea vegetables are low in the food chain, so there is less bio-accumulation of most contaminants.
The biggest concern in seaweed is inorganic arsenic. Hijiki is known to have high, potentially harmful levels, but moderate consumption of most other sea vegetables, including wakame, shouldn’t pose a significant risk:
I don’t know if seaweed that’s grown in indoor tanks is commercially available (similar to microalgae used for DHA/EPA pills), but that might become a safer alternative one day. Wade Patton
I shared the transcript. nonyabizzz
ok, but the seaweed salad shown obviously has a sizable amount of oil on it, possibly counteracting some of the health benefits…
The frame rate seems off in this video? rjs
small study that hasn’t been replicated (with seaweed that hasn’t been desalinized). Given the high sodium content of commercially available seaweed, I still feel reluctant to try it.
I’m already doing as many lifestyle things as I can to lower my BP such as eating a whole plant vegan diet, restricting sodium, drinking hibiscus tea, consuming fax seeds daily, avoiding BPA, doing daily aerobic exercise, and exercising with hand grips. Anyone have any other ideas? Matthew Smith
Hello! You are doing everything exactly right. Dr. Greger suggests “beans, whole grains, other legumes, beets, beet juice, cocoa, flaxseeds, greens, hibiscus tea, purple potatoes, and the seaweed, wakame,” in his hypertension page. Have you tried Vitamin D and Magnesium (watch out for diarrhea)? How long have you been on a low sodium diet? Since they add Iodine to salt, I have avoided it, and I developed in my opinion low Iodine levels. I had just one half teaspoon of salt and could no longer feel my heartbeat in my chest. I have since fallen in love with some salt. It takes at least a gram of salt a day to be healthy. I love Iodine. Dr. Greger recommends it. Beware of its heart benefits. Doctors say it is ideal to not be able to feel your heartbeat. Perhaps it is Iodine that modulates this. Darryl
Potassium Blood pressure response to changes in sodium and potassium intake: a metaregression analysis of randomised trials
Sodium reduction (median: -1.7 g/d) was associated with a change of -2.54 mmHg in systolic blood pressure…Corresponding values for increased potassium intake (median: +1.7 g/d) was -2.42 mmHg
In the context of a WFPB diet, increasing potassium means favoring tubers and beans over cereal grains as staple calories, more greens & tomatoes, and using “lite-salt” (50/50 mix KCl & NaCl) where possible. I mail-order sun-dried tomatoes (the most concentrated potassium source) in bulk, and they’re my main “dried fruit”. Previous Video | 0 |
Turkey, Syria & Russia proving cooperation possible - Yasar Yakis, ex-Turkish FM Published time: 26 Oct, 2016 17:36 Edited time: 26 Oct, 2016 17:37 Get short URL Former Turkish Foreign Minister Yasar Yakis at the 13th annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi © Nina Zotina / Sputnik Journalists, politicians and academicians have descended upon the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi for the 13th annual Valdai International Discussion Club at a time of deepening political fractures between Russia and the West.
RT spoke on the sidelines of the event with Yasar Yakis, former Foreign Minister of Turkey, for his opinion on a wide range of issues, including Russian sanctions and the ongoing Syrian conflict, which has driven a wedge between Russia and the US-led coalition.
Later in this section, RT also talks with Wolfgang Schussel, former Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (2000-2007). Russia not to blame for Ukraine crisis and sanctions won't work (Op-Edge by John #Mearsheimer ) https://t.co/BlykHOfU4o #UChicago #Valdai — RT (@RT_com) 26 октября 2016 г.
RT: The Turkish–Russian relationship has had a lot of ups and downs over the last year or so. How do you see a future of the relationship particularly now with the regards to solving the Syria conflict, and now that the relationship appears to be at a better level than it was last year?
Yasar Yakis: I knew that the Syrian crisis may help the Turkish–Russian relations to improve, because there are areas of cooperation. So far, Turkey and Russia agreed to cooperate on several specific questions. Both during the visit of President Recep Erdogan to St. Petersburg, and also during the recent visit of President Putin to Istanbul.
Also at a later stage they talked on telephone to each other – I think it was exchange of concessions, if we may say so. Turkey was asked by Russia whether Turkey could mediate in order to persuade some of the opposition factions in Turkey to withdraw from Eastern Aleppo. If Turkey could do it, it would be a good service to Russia. And in exchange for it, I guess at least, Russia agreed to show understanding to the measures that Turkey is taking in the north of Syria in order to prevent the Kurdish factions to link the two Kurdish cantons. This is a new area of cooperation.
The third area of cooperation is more specific, in my opinion. Now with the Kurdish question in the North of Syria, becoming more important than whether Bashar Assad should remain [in power] or not, because Turkey’s position at the beginning was that first priority has to be given to Assad to step aside, whereas now the Kurdish question has become more important, and which also requires that territorial integrity of Syria has to be preserved. If the Kurds declare their independence or autonomy, then the Syrian territorial integrity will be jeopardized.
So Turkey is moving from: ‘Bashar Assad is going first’ to 'preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria' is a big step. At this point, Turkey’s national interest and the Syrian national interest are overlapping, they are coinciding. And Russia is also in favor of the preservation of the territorial integrity of Syria. These three countries can cooperate. Turkey has now a national interest in cooperating with Assad (…)
RT: There has been some discussion in the West about new sanctions being put on Russia, in particularity because of Aleppo. They have been rejected for the time being. Do you view sanctions as an effective measure of achieving foreign policy goals, or should dialogue always come first?
YY: Armed conflict is the worst thing. When armed could be avoided, the confrontation could be avoided by sanctions, it may be preferable; but no sanctions at all is the best. For the Aleppo question, the truth is not yet cleared out – who was wrong and why the ceasefire has collapsed etc. We do not know. We’re still waiting for a neutral body to find out what exactly happened in Aleppo and how the ceasefire collapsed. Before ignoring all these details, I don’t think that we should talk about the sanctions. And if possible the international community should not resort to sanctions, because it makes the tension in the international relations more acute. Tool to 'preserve the peace': #Valdai Club hosts intl speakers as tensions peak between Russia & West https://t.co/1pLwoD8HQZ — RT (@RT_com) 25 октября 2016 г.
RT next spoke with Wolfgang Schussel, former Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria (2000-2007).RT: A new round of sanctions against Russia was rejected for the time being. However, the old ones remain in place. How do you see the future of those relations between Russia and the EU? Do you expect the sanctions to be lifted anytime soon?
Wolfgang Schussel: I think the most important element was last week’s summit in Berlin with Chancellor Angela Merkel, President [Vladimir] Putin, President [Petro] Poroshenko, and President [Francois] Hollande to find solutions or a road map for Ukraine to extend the ceasefire in Syria, and to recreate a kind of a feeling that a military solution is not possible neither in Ukraine, nor in Syria, or Iraq. What is needed are trust-building measures; a road map to bring about those units who are fighting against each other; to extend the ceasefire; to create an element where the relevant global and regional partners are sitting at the same table and finding a solution. This is the most important thing. The sanctions are always symbols. The symbol will remain. I am sure there is no short-term solution for that, because the problems as such are not disappearing. What is needed today is a return to the good old, as we say it in German, ‘Realpolitik.’ The soft power, economic development, the economic assistance, and diplomacy. This is the most important thing.
RT: You mentioned the conflicts in Iraq and Syria. There are currently two operations going on: in Mosul – carried out by the Western-led coalition, and in Aleppo – by the Damascus government and Russia. While the first one is being praised in the western media, saying that any civilians killed in Mosul is just 'collateral damage,' whereas in Aleppo, Russia is being accused of actual war crimes repeatedly by Washington and some others. Why do you think there are such two different narratives here going with these two operations?
WS: The main difference in Mosul – everybody is fighting and united against ISIS. This is quite clear. This is the common enemy, because what ISIS did in the last three years was terrible. They expelled, tortured, and killed civilians, mostly all the Christians had to leave the country, a country where they lived for centuries. The oldest part of identity and the Christian communities were living in these parts. And all of these parts are destroyed by ISIS. I hope, and I am not an expert what is really going on in Mosul there will be as few as possible civil causalities.
In Aleppo, there are also radical parts, that is for sure, but also some other factors (...) I don’t deny the attempt of Russians to support President [Bashar] Assad – you can agree with that, or you can disagree. I think a military solution will not be possible in Syria. This is the difference with ISIS. In my opinion it is not helpful always to ask for regime change, but what is needed is to find a political solution to avoid civilian casualties. This is de facto today a very negative scenario.
RT: In around two weeks we’ll found out the result of the US presidential election. Regardless of which candidate ends up in the White House, how do you see relations between the triangle of Russia, the US, and the EU evolving? And how do you feel cooperation over the key issues, such as the Minsk agreements and Syria will change after November 8?
WS: First of all, I have seen a lot of very emotional election campaigns in American recent history – this is not the only one and not an outstanding one – this is a fight. This is a very personal fight, a very emotional fight. Whoever wins, foreign policy is more or less stringent and a continuous effort [for] all the major players: in America, in Russia, in Europe, in China. Everybody knows the problems, everybody knows the restrictions, the limits of power; nobody can act alone. I think what happens is the return to normal policy, to Realpolitik where the global players: America, Russia, China and Europe are sitting together, inviting also the regional partners to find cooperative ways, to find cooperation instead of confrontation. That is the only way. I think after the November elections, the Americans will return to normal business. The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT. | 0 |
On Wednesday’s broadcast of CNN’s “New Day,” Senator Al Franken ( ) stated that he would still appear with comedian Kathy Griffin, and denounced the picture depicting her holding up President Trump’s severed head as something that “had no business” being in the public discourse and a “horrible mistake. ” Franken said that Griffin deserved to be denounced for the picture, and that he thought she went too far. He added, “Kathy is a friend, and she’s a terrific comedian, but what — this had no business being in our public discourse. And I talked to her. She apologized, a real fulsome apology. She’s actually begged for forgiveness, and I believe in forgiveness. ” Franken further stated, “I think she did the right thing. I think asking for forgiveness and acknowledging that this — this was a horrible mistake. ” Interviewer Alisyn Camerota then asked Franken, “And you’re still going to appear with her?” He responded, “Yes. ” ( GOP War Room) Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett | 1 |
Posted on November 4, 2016 by DCG | 1 Comment
Seattle proggies love to push businesses out of their city.
From MyNorthwest.com : Seattle City Councilmember Tim Burgess proposed a 241 percent business license fee hike for pot shops, citing inspection and enforcement costs associated with regulating the two-year-old retail marijuana industry.
The proposed increase, introduced at Wednesday’s budget meeting, would raise the annual licensing cost within Seattle to $3,450 from the existing $1,000 . Cannabis retailers — and one council member — immediately questioned the proposal, saying that the math doesn’t make much sense.
“So what justified the increase other than the fact that we can do it?” asked District 2 Councilmember Bruce Harrell, citing Mayor Ed Murray’s more modest proposal for a $500 increase. “We’ve done a cost analysis that actually reflects (the increase)? It seems like we’ve exceeded it quite significantly.”
The city’s Finance and Administrative Services department defended the cost, saying that even with the mayor’s proposed increase, the licensing fee falls $430,000 short of the city’s cost to regulate pot. The finance department projected that pot retailers will cost the city more than $700,000 next year.
Pot growers and retailers wondered why this industry, from a license fee standpoint, must pay for its regulation in a way that other businesses, such as pawn shops and strip clubs, do not. Moreover, the city finance estimate misses a key point, said KC Franks, owner of Stash pot shops. “What about the $2 million in new sales taxes to the city?” Franks asked. “Why doesn’t their math reflect that?” Seattle Council Tax-Raising-Advocate Tim Burgess
Burgess, who said he has no independent confirmation of the sales tax figures, conceded that the pot retailers have, “raised some legitimate objections, so I’m sure we are going to look at all of that.”
But, he added, the pot issue speaks to a larger policy discussion about how cities pay for the cost of regulating local businesses. Typically, he said, a city uses a blend of licensing fees and taxes to get the money for necessary inspections and enforcement. Pot, he said, costs Seattle about $1 million a year to regulate, an amount which he characterized as a big burden. “This proposal was made to try to offset some of those costs,” he said
Burgess said the licensing fee likely will go up, but he is not sure if the full council will support his proposed increase. The measure, as it is or modified, could come to a vote next week.
Franks and other marijuana retailers characterized the proposal as a simple cash grab directed at an industry without much political clout – or as much money as people seem to think. Philip Dawdy, of the Have a Heart pot shop, wondered why an industry that is a net contributor to city coffers doesn’t have more council support?
When the city raised business license fees to help pay for more police, he said, they consulted retail business organizations first. The pot fee, he said, was a complete blindside. “We are actually helping to balance the city’s budget thanks to sales taxes,” he said. “Why are we not someone’s priority?”
DCG | 0 |
On Monday’s broadcast of the Fox News Channel’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” Caitlyn Jenner said, “I’m not a voter. ” But that there is a lot of pressure to be a voter, and “A lot in our community are … were very upset that I, you know, I was a Republican, and I said at the Republican National Convention, I said it was harder to come out as trans than it was to come out a member of the Republican Party. ” Jenner said, “They were fine in Malibu with it [Jenner’s support for Trump] but let’s put it this way, I never actually came out and outwardly supported Trump. The media did that for me. I am on the Republican, conservative side, and he wound up being our candidate. And so, certainly, I was going to vote for him. He looked like he would pretty good on all LGBT issues. Which is important, because my loyalties do not lie with Donald Trump. My loyalties do not lie with the Republican Party. My loyalties, and what I’m fighting for is my community, the LGBT community, and particularly the trans issues that are out there, because there are many of them. And so, that’s where my fight is. And I thought Trump would be pretty good. But he’s kind of disappointed me in the first 100 days on those issues. ” Jenner added, “I’m not a voter. I believe in limited government. I believe in our Constitution. I believe — I would rather convince the Republican Party to do a better job when it comes to all LGBT issues than to try to convince the Democrats to lower taxes and lower regulations and let our country thrive financially and economically. ” Jenner was then asked, “Isn’t there a lot of pressure, though, on you, specifically to be a voter? And how you respond — how do you deal with that?” Jenner responded, “I totally agree with you. A lot in our community are, and they were very upset that I, you know, I was a Republican, and I said at the Republican National Convention, I said it was harder to come out as trans than it was to come out a member of the Republican Party. And so, yeah, from that stand, it’s been pretty tough. ” Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett | 1 |
President Trump was still upbeat Wednesday night, as he settled into dinner in the White House residence with his secretary of state, Rex W. Tillerson, some 24 hours after giving the most consequential speech of his brief presidency. But not long afterward, the glow from Mr. Trump’s best day in office began to fade with the breaking news that his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, had met with the Russian ambassador during the 2016 campaign. Mr. Sessions failed to mention those conversations in his Senate confirmation hearing, or, according to presidential advisers, to tell Mr. Trump at all. The story overshadowed Mr. Trump’s visit the next day to the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, a classic presidential opportunity to highlight his role as commander in chief. And by the time he got back to the White House on Thursday night, the president let his frustration show. In a statement repeating a familiar critique that Democrats were on a “witch hunt” over the administration’s ties with Russia, Mr. Trump offered a passing but pointed public jab at how Mr. Sessions had handled the matter. “He could have stated his response more accurately,” Mr. Trump said. For Mr. Trump, it was the latest unforeseen obstacle preventing him from gaining traction after a historically bumpy first month in office that has been marked by massive national protests, the dismissal of his national security adviser, and historically low approval ratings. The president was irritated that Mr. Sessions did not more carefully answer the questions he was asked under oath, according to people who spoke with him. His larger frustration, however, was not with Mr. Sessions, but with whoever revealed the meetings to reporters for The Washington Post. Mr. Trump, according to his advisers inside and outside of the White House, has felt besieged by what he regards as a mostly hostile bureaucracy, consisting in part of Democrats and people who opposed his election who are now undermining his presidency with leaks. He believes that they are behind the stories about confusion and dysfunction in his administration and, most of all, that they have made his relationship with Russia a recurring issue. “That is the real story,” said Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for Mr. Trump, when asked for comment on how the White House views the constant string of stories based on what they have called leaks. Several of those stories have raised questions about ties between the president’s 2016 campaign and Russian officials. Allies of Mr. Trump say his sense of being surrounded by hostile forces will be relieved once his own appointments fill the thousands of political jobs that have not yet been filled. But people close to Mr. Trump concede that the White House’s sluggish hiring process, in which insufficient work was done to tap people for key deputy roles at major agencies during the transition process, is a large part of the problem. “Any new administration takes a while to get their sea legs,” said Charlie Black, a veteran Republican lobbyist. But he added that for Mr. Trump’s administration, “a big part of it is the lack of personnel political appointees around the government. ” In the meantime, Mr. Black and other Republicans said that Mr. Trump had to avoid the trap of fighting all fights, no matter how small. “The Trump team needs to better stay on the offense with their reform agenda, take out the trash, and get on with governing,” said Scott Reed, the top political strategist for the United States Chamber of Commerce, in a typical critique. Mr. Trump’s aides were heartened by his relative calm even amid the flap around Mr. Sessions. And he stayed on message during his appearance on the Gerald R. Ford and on Friday in an appearance in Florida, declining to weigh in then as new reports emerged about previously undisclosed meetings between additional advisers and the Russian ambassador. Mr. Trump is not one to spare the blame when he has hit difficult patches in the past, and his rebuke of Mr. Sessions reflected that. So did his public jab at his press secretary, Sean Spicer, for his attempt to trace leaks from his communications staff members by examining their cellphones. Mr. Trump told Fox News that he personally would have done that type of search “differently. ” But the stories related to Russia are of a different order of magnitude. During the transition he publicly called out the intelligence community for being behind the leaks and at one point, he compared them to smears conducted by the Nazis in the 1940s. More recently, he has blamed Democrats bitter over the defeat of Hillary Clinton. But while Mr. Trump puts the blame on leakers for his administration’s rough start, it has not helped that the White House has been distracted by internecine skirmishes, partly dictated by lingering tensions between advisers and aides to the Republican National Committee, who came to work for the president after he tapped the committee’s chairman, Reince Priebus, as his chief of staff. In the midst of it, Mr. Trump, who has a famously short attention span, has at times had trouble staying on course. He is pondering a broader response to the Russia issue, people close to him say, but he is so far stymied by opponents he can’t see, but who have clearly knocked him off track. On Friday, Mr. Trump tried to go back on the offensive with two Twitter messages, one about Chuck Schumer, the Senate minority leader, and the other about Nancy Pelosi, the House minority leader, and their meetings with Vladimir V. Putin, the Russian president, and Sergey I. Kislyak, the Russian ambassador to the United States. Instead of the intemperate messages that Mr. Trump has often deployed, he had help from the White House social media team in crafting the Twitter posts. But in doing it, he ended the week by breathing more oxygen into the Russia issue. Such daily skirmishes might satisfy the need to fight back, but Republicans who want him to succeed caution that Mr. Trump’s fate as president will lie in his actual accomplishments. “If they get some legislative successes, they’ll be fine,” said Representative Tom Cole of Oklahoma, “and if they don’t, that’s when the real trouble begins. ” | 1 |
HE'S BACK!
Donald Trump said today that the term "Defense Department" is "kind of PC but we'll keep the department going with Donald Rumsfeld at the helm." He continued, "During the campaign I said that I'd bomb the sh*t out of ISIS and kill the women and children in their families. That's a beautiful thing, being so militantly aggressive. It's making America great again and proclaiming we know we're at war. So we need a War Department."
Dick Cheney, who was primarily responsible for the U.S. invasion of Iraq which led to the creation of ISIS has agreed to be the Secretary of War. "We need to finish the job I started. Part of that will be the use of torture 'beyond waterboarding" as President Trump has recommended."
Whether that would include the women and children of suspected Isis members the former Vice-President would not say. Make Keith Shirey's day - give this story five thumbs-up (there's no need to register , the thumbs are just down there!) | 0 |
Eight defendants, including six Mexican nationals, forced young women and underage girls from Mexico and Latin America into prostitution in the United States. [The Trafficking Organization operated as a criminal enterprise that smuggled young women and girls into the United States for over a decade, according to a statement from the Department of Justice. Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York originally charged defendants Jovan 33, of Mexico Saul 39, of Queens Guillermina 46, of Mexico Francisco 28, of Queens Jose 34, of Mexico Felix Rojas, 47, of Mexico Odilon 45, of Mexico and Severiano 52, of Mexico in 2015. Law enforcement officers in the U. S. and Mexico simultaniously arrested the suspects in a operation in November 2015. Between April 5 and April 21, 2017, all eight defendants pled guilty to, “charges of Racketeering involving predicate acts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion and sex trafficking of minors. ” In addition to the racketeering charges that all eight defendants pled guilty to, seven of the defendants pleaded guilty to additional charges. Court records indicate the Trafficking Organization recruited girls from Mexico and illegally smuggled them into the United States. Once in the country, the girls were trafficked into New York and Georgia where the defendants forced them into prostitution as sex slaves. Jovan Saul Felix Rojas, Odilon and Severiano each pled guilty to “substantive offenses of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. ” Jose also pleaded guilty to sex trafficking of a minor while Francisco also pled guilty to “interstate transportation for the purpose of prostitution. ” The defendants admitted during plea proceedings that they recruited young women and girls from Mexico on “false promises,” smuggled them into the United States and forced them into prostitution. Members of this criminal enterprise used “used force, threats of force, fraud, deception, and coercion to compel them to engage in prostitution. ” The defendants laundered the profits they made from prostituting the young women and girls back to Mexico. Two of the defendants, Odilon and Severiano were also involved in a separate sex trafficking case in Northern Georgia in 2013. Odilon received a prison sentence in 2014 while Severiano remained a fugitive until November 2015. “The Department of Justice is committed to bringing to justice anyone who engages in the abominable crime of human trafficking,” said Attorney General Sessions. “The defendants, in this case, preyed on vulnerable young women and girls, and brought them to the United States with the sole purpose of subjecting them to degradation that no person should have to endure. ” In total, the defendants admitted to sex trafficking nine women and two minor girls. The defendants also forced a twelfth woman into prostitution. When sentenced, all eight defendants will face a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. criminal organizations from Mexico can be found operating all throughout the United States. Breitbart Texas reported on Friday that authorities arrested and charged 17 alleged operatives for a Mexican drug cartel in Colorado. Ryan Saavedra is a contributor for Breitbart Texas and can be found on Twitter at @RealSaavedra. | 1 |
On a summer morning in 2013, Octavian Mihai entered a softly lit room furnished with a small statue of Buddha, a box of tissues and a single red rose. From an earthenware chalice, he swallowed a capsule of psilocybin, an ingredient found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. Then he put on an eye mask and headphones and lay down on a couch. Soon, images flew by like shooting stars: a spinning world that looked like a chessboard himself on a stretcher in front of a hospital his parents, gazing at him with aching sadness as he reached out to them, suffused with childlike love. Psilocybin has been illegal in the United States for more than 40 years. But Mr. Mihai, who had just finished treatment for Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was participating in a study looking at whether the drug can reduce anxiety and depression in cancer patients. Throughout that session, a psychiatrist and a social worker from NYU Langone Medical Center stayed by his side. Published Thursday, the results from that study, and a similar small, controlled trial, were striking. About 80 percent of cancer patients showed clinically significant reductions in both psychological disorders, a response sustained some seven months after the single dose. Side effects were minimal. In both trials, the intensity of the mystical experience described by patients correlated with the degree to which their depression and anxiety decreased. The studies, by researchers at New York University, with 29 patients, and at Johns Hopkins University, with 51, were released concurrently in The Journal of Psychopharmacology. They proceeded after arduous review by regulators and are the largest and most meticulous among a handful of trials to explore the possible therapeutic benefit of psilocybin. Dr. Jeffrey Lieberman, a past president of the American Psychiatric Association, and Dr. Daniel Shalev of the New York State Psychiatric Institute are among leaders in psychiatry, addiction medicine and palliative care who endorsed the work. The studies, they wrote, are “a model for revisiting criminalized compounds of interest in a safe, ethical way. ” If research restrictions could be eased, they continued, “there is much potential for new scientific insights and clinical applications. ” Although cancer patients will not have access to therapeutically administered psilocybin anytime soon, the findings add vigor to applications to expand research in a multicenter trial with hundreds of participants. Some medical professionals held the studies at arm’s length. Dr. William Breitbart, chairman of the psychiatry department at Memorial Cancer Center, questioned this use of cancer patients. “Medical marijuana got its foot in the door by making the appeal that ‘cancer patients are suffering, they’re near death, so for compassionate purposes, let’s make it available,’ ” he said. “And then you’re able to extend this drug to other purposes. ” Psilocybin trials are underway in the United States and Europe for alcoholism, tobacco addiction and depression. Other hallucinogens are also being studied for clinical application. This week, the Food and Drug Administration approved a trial investigating MDMA, the illegal party drug better known as Ecstasy, for stress disorder. psychological distress, which afflicts up to 40 percent of patients, can be resistant to conventional therapy. Mr. Mihai’s anxiety began when doctors finally told him he was in remission. He would keep touching the nodules on his neck, where the cancer had announced itself. He flew to Europe to celebrate the end of treatment and his graduation from college, but abruptly returned to New York, terrified to be away from oncologists. He began drinking daily, hard, jeopardizing his fragile health. Alarmed, doctors suggested the psilocybin study. He took the capsule and began tripping. After seeing himself on a hospital stretcher, he recalled: “I had an epiphany. ” “Why are you letting yourself be terrorized by cancer coming back? This is dumb. It’s in your power to get rid of the fear,” he told himself. “That’s when I saw black smoke rising from my body. And it felt great. ” Three years later, Mr. Mihai, now 25 and a physician assistant in Las Vegas, said, “I’m not anxious about cancer anymore. I’m not anxious about dying. ” The session, he added, “has made my life richer. ” In the 1940s and 1950s, hallucinogens were studied in hundreds of trials. But by 1970, when those drugs were placed in the most restricted regulatory category, research ground to a near halt. Since about 2000, investigators have begun studying them, mostly with private funding. These two studies built on a 2011 UCLA psilocybin pilot project with 12 cancer patients. Both share similarities. All volunteers had diagnoses of anxiety or depression. Patients were randomly given a placebo or synthetic psilocybin, and not told which. Within seven weeks, they were given the other sample. All patients were educated about the drug, monitored by two people throughout the placebo and psilocybin sessions, and seen for evaluation. Researchers created music playlists, paced to the anticipated rhythms of the drug reaction. N. Y. U. leaned toward New Age and world music — Brian Eno sitars didgeridoos. Johns Hopkins favored Western classical. At N. Y. U. psychotherapists tried to layer the session into patients’ memories by asking them to write about their visions in a journal and discuss the experience in meetings. The Johns Hopkins study, led by Roland R. Griffiths, a psychopharmacologist, had monitors who urged participants to “trust, let go and be open. ” The N. Y. U. researchers assessed patients the next day and found the effects to be immediate in most of them. Dr. Stephen Ross, the lead investigator and chief of addiction psychiatry at N. Y. U. pointed out that antidepressants, by contrast, can take weeks to show benefit. “Cancer patients with anxiety and depression need help immediately,” he said, “especially if you consider that they are at elevated risk for completed suicide. ” Some experts questioned the reliability of the results. Dr. Breitbart said that because diagnoses ranged from cancer to imminent terminal illness, it was impossible to know which patients might have come through their psychological ordeal without psilocybin — whether some might have adapted to the new norms of their disease felt stronger once chemotherapy side effects, including depression, had abated or even experienced an improvement in health. None of those possibilities fit Kevin, who had a transplant for acute myeloid leukemia. It sent his cancer into remission, but left him with disease. Suffering from chronic pain and fatigue, Kevin, 57, who lives in central Michigan and asked that his last name be withheld because he had been in law enforcement, had to retire. Four years after the transplant, he despaired. “Going through a illness is similar to returning from combat,” he said. “It damages who you are, to the core of what it is to be human. ” “I was hoping to get out of this funk of waiting for the other shoe to drop,” he added. “You’re looking up to the heavens, saying ‘What else can I try?’ ” In 2013, Kevin entered the Johns Hopkins trial. During his session, he saw spirals of iridescent spheres that folded in on themselves. The experience did not restore him to his former life, he said, “but I have a greater sense of peace of what might come. I’m very grateful, beyond words, for this trial. But you have to approach the session with the right intentions of why you’re doing it. Because you’re going to meet yourself. ” Researchers do not know why psilocybin has worked in these settings. Neuroimaging scans of healthy volunteers show areas of the brain lighting up or resting during dosing. Hallucinogens activate a serotonin receptor that can lead to the alterations of consciousness reported routinely. One theory is that psilocybin interrupts the circuitry of thinking that is so pronounced in depressed people, making way for a mystical experience of selfless unity. The studies received funding from the Heffter Research Institute, an alliance of scientists interested in the medical study of hallucinogens. Dr. George Greer, the of Heffter, does not see a commercial future for psilocybin, even if it is eventually approved for therapeutic use, because these patients needed only one dose. Instead, he envisions a nonprofit manufacturer, with distribution restricted to specialized clinics. Researchers were emphatic that these results should not be interpreted as condoning hallucinogenic mushrooms for . Dr. Griffiths noted that patients received extensive support, which may have deepened and secured their transformations. “People will take psilocybin at a rave or at Burning Man” — the art and performance desert festival — “but the effect,” he said, “evaporates like water running through their hands. ” | 1 |
Why Is It So Hard to Reduce the Pentagon Budget?
Money in equals policy out, and nothing is going to change until we make all campaigns publicly funded and make all lobbying efforts public record. | 0 |
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the .) Good evening. Here’s the latest. 1. WikiLeaks’ latest release, if confirmed, appears certain to rock the technology world and deliver a serious blow to the C. I. A. The Vault 7 documents offer details of what are described as highly classified C. I. A. hacking tools used to break into smartphones and computers, turn TVs into spies and bypass encryption on messaging services like Signal, WhatsApp and Telegram. WikiLeaks said the source of the leak was raising policy questions that “urgently need to be debated in public. ” _____ 2. “Obamacare Lite. ” That was Senator Rand Paul, who like many other conservatives is in revolt over the Republican plan to replace the Affordable Care Act. The legislation would end mandated coverage but maintains many of the basic benefits that critics — including the Club for Growth, Heritage Action for America and the brothers Charles G. and David H. Koch’s Americans for Prosperity — see as warping the free market. _____ 3. Senate Republicans rejected Democrats’ calls for a special counsel to lead the investigation into Russian interference in the presidential election. The sparring came at a Judiciary Committee hearing on Mr. Trump’s nominee to be deputy attorney general, Rod J. Rosenstein. He would oversee any such inquiry since Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself. _____ 4. In the Netherlands, there’s also concern about foreign influence in coming elections — by American money. The leader, Geert Wilders, is getting donations from American conservatives attracted to his Union and views. “We would not have thought that people from other countries would have been interested in our politics,” said a member of Parliament. “Maybe we underestimated ourselves. ” _____ 5. China warned of a nuclear arms race in Northeast Asia after the United States began delivering parts of an advanced missile defense system, known as Thaad, to South Korea. The system, meant to counter the growing threat from North Korea, could be operational as early as April. And North Korea blocked all Malaysians from leaving the country, deepening tensions over last month’s assassination of Kim . _____ 6. Mr. Trump’s revision of the U. S. program for refugees reduces the number the country will accept by more than half. This year’s arrivals already approach the new ceiling of 50, 000. Thousands of Central Americans seeking to escape brutal gang violence may not make the cut, like two girls in El Salvador who saw their grandparents gunned down and who are themselves being hunted. “We got a call last weekend telling us that they’d find us under whatever rock we were hiding,” their aunt said. _____ 7. And some migrants in the U. S. are trying to make their way out. People from Yemen, Turkey and elsewhere have been streaming through a small town in upstate New York en route to Canada, driven by anxieties over the travel ban, sentiment and frustration over the immigration process. It’s almost impossible to apply for asylum at border posts, so they slip by to get arrested on Canadian soil and try their luck from inside Canada’s legal system. _____ 8. Canada came in second in the annual U. S. News World Report survey of the best countries in the world. The 2017 rankings prioritized countries that enjoy peace, quiet and prosperity, after surveys indicated widespread anxiety over social and geopolitical change. Switzerland took the No. 1 spot. Third? Britain. _____ 9. Travel advice: Cash redemption is often the worst value for your credit card points. We took a close look at the Chase, American Express and Citi rewards programs, and found better deals if you bank the points and use them to book flights through your card or partner sites. _____ 10. Finally, “huge news for refrigerators everywhere. ” That was a blogger’s take on the pending retirement of the longtime cartoon editor of The New Yorker, Bob Mankoff. We talked with him about some of his favorites from among the hundreds of his own cartoons that have appeared in the magazine. The one above was such a hit that he had the phrase trademarked. “One of the things you have to recognize about humor is that at its heart it’s stupid, and we should enjoy that stupidity,” Mr. Mankoff said. Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help. Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p. m. Eastern. And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a. m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a. m. Sundays. Want to look back? Here’s last night’s briefing. What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes. com. | 1 |
Here are the week’s top stories, and a look ahead. 1. Donald Trump opened up a surprising rift with U. S. intelligence agencies, lashing out over their assessments that Russian hackers acted covertly to further his campaign. “To have the of the United States simply reject the narrative that the intelligence community puts together because it conflicts with his a priori assumptions — wow,” said Michael V. Hayden, a former director of the N. S. A. and C. I. A. Other top Republicans are vowing investigations into Kremlin activities. _____ 2. Mr. Trump has a busy week ahead. In addition to a meeting in New York with tech leaders, he’s also planning to continue his victory tour with stops in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Florida and Alabama. Rex Tillerson, above, the head of Exxon Mobil, is expected to be Mr. Trump’s pick for secretary of state. We’re keeping track of all the selections for top posts here. An unusual questionnaire from Mr. Trump’s transition team is being circulated to managers at the Energy Department that requests the names of all employees and contractors who have attended climate change policy conferences. _____ 3. The U. S. will send 200 additional troops to Syria, nearly doubling the Pentagon’s presence there, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter, above, announced. The reinforcements will join Special Operations forces in recruiting, training and advising Kurdish and Arab fighters massing for an assault on the Islamic State’s stronghold of Raqqa. _____ 4. An email about walnut sauce. An Instagram of a refrigerator. Interpreting “cheese pizza” as code for “child pornography. ” A week after an armed man showed up at a Washington pizzeria looking for child slaves, we broke down the wild conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton and her top aides running a ring out of the restaurant. _____ 5. The — a movement of many factions — is trying to change its image now that its profile has risen. Some groups are ditching the use of symbols like the swastika in an effort to become more mainstream. The message of racial separation and supremacy, however, remains unchanged. Matthew Heimbach, above with his family, runs a group that advocates replacing the United States with based on races, ethnicities and religions. _____ 6. The latest in our series on how private equity investors influence daily American life focuses on a snack cake: the Twinkie. Investment firms brought the Twinkie back to shelves in 2013, months after Hostess had shuttered its bakeries and laid off workers. Our investigation of the financial maneuvering found a blueprint for how a select number of executives have amassed some of the greatest fortunes of the modern era. _____ 7. The death penalty trial of Dylann Roof, who is accused of massacring nine people at a prominent black church in Charleston, S. C. opened last week with testimony from one of the survivors. Jurors were shown video of him confessing to F. B. I. agents — calmly, clinically and occasionally chortling. Mr. Roof’s mother had a heart attack during the trial’s opening day. _____ 8. A new project is using satellite images to illustrate how the world’s lakes and rivers have changed over the past three decades. It’ll help researchers improve climate models, but even the untrained eye can see the impact of droughts and warming temperatures. Above, Lake Mead in Nevada. _____ 9. Lamar Jackson, Louisville’s sophomore quarterback, won the 82nd Heisman Trophy on Saturday. He beat out four other hopefuls as the most outstanding player in college football. Jackson, who had been heavily favored, is the youngest player to win the award. _____ 10. The Federal Reserve is expected to announce on Wednesday that it will raise interest rates for the first time this year. Above, Janet Yellen, the Fed’s chairwoman. (Earlier, we spelled her last name incorrectly.) Fed officials went into 2016 thinking they might raise the benchmark interest rate as much as four times, but have held back. Here’s a look at why an increase is expected now. _____ 11. The ceremony to award the 2016 Nobel Prize in Literature was held Saturday in Stockholm. As expected, Bob Dylan was not there to accept it. One last question remains: How will the elusive Mr. Dylan handle the prize’s requirement that he give a Nobel lecture within six months of the ceremony? _____ 12. Finally, shades of “Jurassic Park. ” A piece of amber found at a market in Myanmar has preserved a feathered dinosaur tail for about 99 million years — a first. The dinosaur may have looked like a version of T. rex. An amber expert who examined the specimen said, “You’re like ‘Wow, it’s the closest you’ll ever get to holding a dinosaur in your hands. ’” _____ Have a great week. Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help. Your Weekend Briefing is published Sundays at 6 a. m. Eastern. And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, weekdays at 6 a. m. Eastern, and Your Evening Briefing, weeknights at 6 p. m. Eastern. Want to look back? Here’s Friday’s Evening Briefing. What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes. com. | 1 |
Online shopping gets all the attention these days. But sometimes, there’s still no beating a physical store. The British designer Lee Broom came to that realization last May after opening a monthlong shop in Manhattan’s SoHo filled with his furniture and light fixtures, including lamps made from marble tubes and cut crystal bulbs recalling cocktail glasses. He had already been selling his products through his online store and about 180 retailers worldwide, including major online players like Lumens. But his temporary store in New York helped his sales in the United States jump by about 50 percent over the 12 months through early October. “It went incredibly well, and massively exceeded our expectations,” Mr. Broom said. “People want to see the pieces in person, get the scale, look at the materials and touch them. ” So, last month, Mr. Broom opened his first permanent American outpost in an storefront in SoHo, and plans to follow it up with a location in Los Angeles in the coming months. He is far from alone. Rather than crushing physical stores, the rise of online shopping is, in many cases, encouraging the development of new and innovative retail shops. [More in Shopping: Rise of athleisure | The sensuality of shopping] Companies of all sizes that once sold primarily through multibrand retailers are building on their experience running online stores by opening locations. Established retailers are shifting their focus from basic transactions to offering compelling brand experiences and higher levels of personal service. Design stores that once catered to professionals are welcoming independent consumers, as Houzz, Pinterest and Instagram give rise to a legion of decorators. And even companies that started as enterprises are increasingly opening physical stores. To understand why, just follow the money. Online sales in the United States will reach about $394 billion this year, according to estimates by the research and advisory firm Forrester Research, a number representing less than 12 percent of total retail sales, which the firm expects will total $3. 4 trillion. But sales in physical stores (when a consumer researches a product on a smartphone, for instance, and then buys in a store) are expected to account for an additional $1. 3 trillion, or about 38 percent of all retail sales. “Stores are still vitally important,” said Fiona Swerdlow, a vice president and research director at Forrester Research. “But the influence of digital touchpoints is huge. ” A decade ago, most websites run by designers and manufacturers were essentially digital pamphlets comprising images, descriptions and specifications of products you could buy somewhere else. But the online store soon followed, where the maker could sell direct. Now, pleased with becoming retail players while also establishing stronger relationships with their customers, many companies are taking it a step further by opening physical stores. Herman Miller, a modern furniture giant founded in 1923, is opening its first permanent American retail store since 1967 (when it ran a small Textiles Objects shop) on Nov. 22 in Manhattan’s Gramercy Park. The space will also include accessories from other manufacturers and vintage goods to present a complete lifestyle vision for the contemporary home. It follows the debut of Herman Miller’s online store six years ago. With the online store, “what started as a relatively small experiment has grown very rapidly,” said Ben Watson, the executive creative director of Herman Miller. “The size of the business we do directly to consumers has been growing. That was a hint to us that there is a lot of untapped appetite for products from Herman Miller. ” Other companies are discovering the same thing. “In a lot of categories, you’re seeing a significant shift from wholesale, as a percentage of their total revenue, to direct channels,” said Al Sambar, a managing partner at the management consulting firm Kurt Salmon. In the expectation that digital tools and social media will continue to drive more consumers to individual companies, while bypassing traditional multbrand retailers, “brands are building their capability to sell direct,” he said. “It’s also a way to have a personal relationship with the customer, and to have them be really loyal. ” The fashion designer Thakoon Panichgul, who once sold his collections through upscale retailers like Barneys New York and Bergdorf Goodman, switched exclusively to a model in August, with a new Thakoon online store and a chic SoHo boutique. “We saw a shift in the way that the customer was shopping, or the way she wasn’t shopping anymore,” Mr. Panichgul said. “The customer was shopping online more, and questioning the price of everything. The designer also wasn’t able to control his own vision through and through. All of these components made me question the way we were doing business. ” At the same time, he began presenting collections in a format, where pieces are available to purchase online or in the store immediately or soon after being presented on the runway. The strategy, which capitalizes on the immediacy of social media while reducing the risk of knockoffs, is shaking up an industry where a lag between runway and retailer is common. Many other brands, including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Tom Ford and Burberry, have recently been experimenting with the same thing. At Saks Fifth Avenue Downtown, the department store’s women’s store at Brookfield Place in Lower Manhattan, which opened in September, product displays are inspired by websites that encourage shoppers to browse. Where traditional department stores keep handbags separate from clothing, at Saks Fifth Avenue Downtown, an edited range of goods is organized by designer label, with handbags, and jewelry commingling on a circular path intended to inspire surprise finds. “We wanted to the department store,” said Marc Metrick, the president of Saks Fifth Avenue. “That’s not how she shops anymore. ” In some displays, “we lay things down flat on tables, just like you’d see on a website,” he added. But Saks’s embrace of technology is about more than mere surface treatment. The company has rolled out applications from the retail technology company Salesfloor that enable online saks. com visitors to with a sales associate at a nearby physical store. After browsing product suggestions online, shoppers can make an appointment to meet their sales associates in person, to continue shopping. And even after the visit, the shopper can follow up with the very same sales associate again, online. “Saks, overall, is transforming. We’re really pushing this experience,” which blends the digital and physical, Mr. Metrick said. “The goal is to keep that interaction going. ” Other stores embracing a similarly mixed approach include Rebecca Minkoff in SoHo and the Polo Ralph Lauren flagship on Fifth Avenue, which have smart touchscreen mirrors in fitting rooms that suggest coordinating pieces for items a shopper is trying on, enable alternate sizes to be summoned from staff and can send links to products via text message so customers can purchase them later, online. At Brookfield Place, Saks is also offering highly personalized services, including its new Power Lunch program, which promises to deliver a style consultation, beauty treatment and lunch together in one hour. The service is free, except for the cost of products a consumer decides to purchase. “We’re seeing this convergence where it’s the best of both worlds,” said Steven Barr, the United States retail and consumer leader at PricewaterhouseCoopers. “It’s centered around extraordinary technology and extraordinary customer service. ” Rather than treating online and sales as two separate channels, he said, “We’re finally entering that state where we can say there is a total retail experience. ” Other retailers are focusing on offering shoppers a chance to try products in a way they can’t online. Pirch, a kitchen and bath store that opened in SoHo in May, encourages customers to turn on fully functional faucets and showerheads or take in live cooking demonstrations, rather than merely looking at disconnected fixtures and appliances. Sonos, the company whose products are widely available through retailers like Amazon and Target, opened its first retail store in SoHo in July. Shoppers can stream their own choice of music to test different configurations of speakers in a series of private listening huts. Many showrooms were once the domain of professional designers and architects. Most homeowners either didn’t know they existed, or were purposely excluded. With the widespread availability of designer resources online, that has changed. Showrooms are increasingly fielding requests from individual homeowners who want to buy direct, and many are opening retail stores to become more accessible. Poliform, an Italian manufacturer of streamlined kitchens, closets and furniture, has long had a showroom inside the AD Building in Midtown Manhattan, where it catered largely to design professionals. But at the end of September, it opened a flagship store on Madison Avenue to have a larger retail presence. While the AD Building showroom remains, “it’s a destination for people who know we’re there, not really a retail location,” said Laura Anzani, the chief operating officer of Poliform USA. The Madison Avenue store, which is designed to resemble an extravagant, enormous apartment, “is a big billboard,” Ms. Anzani said. “It’s totally different being on the street. Before the store was even open, people came in and bought things. ” Exquisite Surfaces, a stone and tile company that was also previously in the AD Building, moved into a store in Manhattan’s Hudson Square neighborhood last month. The space includes elements to make shoppers feel at home, like seating areas inspired by residential settings. The British designer Tom Dixon opened an expanded store in SoHo in July, after establishing his first American retail store last November. Previously, Mr. Dixon, who produces sculptural copper, brass and chrome light fixtures as well as furniture and tabletop objects, ran a New York showroom for professional designers that was open by appointment only. Perhaps one of the most surprising retail trends is the proliferation of physical stores opened by companies that started out as enterprises. M. Gemi began last year as a business selling its own line of shoes that cost about half as much as similar luxury goods. With shoes ranging from about $150 to $600 per pair, the company describes its prices as “postluxury. ” In September, it opened its first store in SoHo. “It’s to let her try shoes on, feel the fabric and experience the brand in a tactile way that she can’t experience digitally,” said Ben Fischman, the company’s chief executive and . There is only minimal inventory in the store the vast majority of purchases are shipped directly to a shopper’s home, just like online purchases. And if shoppers do not want to make a purchase on the spot, store staff can add items to their online shopping carts for later consideration. “We want the experience to really influence what your digital experience becomes,” Mr. Fischman said. “When she goes home and logs on, sitting there in her cart are the shoes she said she wanted to buy. ” M. Gemi follows in the footsteps of companies like the eyewear brand Warby Parker (whose latest store is due to open inside Grand Central Terminal this month) and the men’s wear brand Bonobos (which opened its fifth New York store in Midtown in September). Both started out as online retailers, but now have an extensive network of physical stores. None of these stores carry inventory. Shoppers can try products on, but then place orders to have purchases delivered. At Bonobos, “It was a really humbling discovery to learn that retail stores were going to be one of the core parts of what was originally conceived as a brand,” said Andy Dunn, the company’s chief executive, who describes his business as “digitally native. ” After opening fitting rooms at New Bonobos’s headquarters in 2011, Mr. Dunn said, he was amazed at how they accelerated sales, and hatched the idea of the company’s guideshops. “The guideshops attract a really customer,” Mr. Dunn said. “He spends more money, he’s more valuable in the long run, and he’s more engaged with more categories. He’s buying sweaters, suits, dress shirts and outerwear, in addition to our iconic pants. ” Many new companies are now running with that model. AYR, a women’s fashion brand that Mr. Dunn helped start, opened a showroom on the eighth floor of 648 Broadway in NoHo in June, where customers can drop in or book a session with friends for $100, which can be used as credit toward purchases. Next year, AYR plans to open a store. Other digitally driven companies are opening physical stores that do have products in stock. AHA Front in Dumbo, Brooklyn, offers home and personal accessories, including sculptural ceramic vases and angular beer glasses. Pintrill in Williamsburg sells fashionably whimsical pins. And the outerwear brand The Arrivals is running a shop in SoHo through the end of this month. Paradoxically, the rise of online shopping may just make this one of the most exciting times in recent memory for shoppers to get back out onto city streets. General Fashion Adidas Originals Classic sneakers at a new flagship store. 115 Spring Street, . Aquatalia Weatherproof Italian footwear and handbags. 965 Madison Avenue, . Boglioli The Milanese fashion house’s first store in the United States, designed by Dimore Studio. 10 Bond Street, . Burton A new location for the pioneering snowboard brand, opening this month. 69 Greene Street, . M. Gemi A place to try on shoes from the online purveyor of footwear. 120 Wooster Street, (212) . North Sails A flagship store for nautically inspired apparel from a company best known for its sails. 108 Fifth Avenue. Rick Owens Muscular furniture and fashion in a purist interior of concrete and white walls. 30 Howard Street, . R. M. Williams Leather boots, belts and apparel from the Australian brand, founded in 1932. 152 Spring Street, . Ted Baker A clothing store crossed with an art gallery, in partnership with Pop International Galleries. 117 Wooster Street, . The Arrivals A monthlong shop, running through the end of November, from the online outerwear brand. 39½ Crosby Street. Vineyard Vines Martha’s clothing with a touch of whimsy from a company with the smiling pink whale logo. Grand Central Terminal, 89 East 42nd Street, . Women’s Fashion AYR Studioshop space for jeans and minimalist women’s wear from the online brand. 648 Broadway, Suite 808, . Bergdorf Goodman A luminous, newly renovated main floor, designed with the architect Michael Newman. 754 Fifth Avenue, . Enfold Women’s from Japan with a sense of relaxed simplicity. 411 Bleecker Street, . Moussy Premium Japanese denim for women, offering more than 26 styles of jeans. 474 Broome Street, . Pinko The first American boutique for the Italian women’s fashion brand, which has stores across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 1058 Madison Avenue, . Saks Fifth Avenue Downtown A new women’s store designed by Found Associates to have the appeal of a boutique. Brookfield Place, 225 Liberty Street, . Thakoon Women’s fashion by Thakoon Panichgul in a sleek space designed with Giancarlo Valle of SHoP Architects. 70 Wooster Street, . The Row Women’s fashion from Ashley and Olsen in a townhouse setting. 17 East 71st Street, . Men’s Fashion Bonobos The online men’s wear company’s fifth store in New York. 488 Madison Avenue, . Orlebar Brown Tailored British swimwear and beach apparel for men. 451 Broome Street, . Stone Island A flagship store from the sporty Italian men’s brand. Greene Street, . Home A design shop within a new designer support center, scheduled to open this month. 29 Norman Avenue, Brooklyn, . AHA Front Curated home and personal accessories from the online retailer AHA. 147 Front Street, Brooklyn, . ALT Box A showroom and coffee shop from the textiles and home accessories company ALT for Living. 234 East 60th Street, . BB Italia Sleek, modern furniture from Italy in a new location. 135 Madison Avenue, . Canvas Home Furniture and housewares, many with a handmade textural appeal. 426 Broome Street, . Exquisite Surfaces A showroom designed by Commune for wood flooring, stone and tile. 95 Vandam Street, . Foscarini Sculptural Italian light fixtures in a new, larger store. 20 Greene Street, . Hawkins New York A Manhattan outpost for modern home products from a brand based in Hudson, N. Y. 17 Eighth Avenue, . Herman Miller The first permanent American store from the modern furniture giant since 1967, scheduled to open Nov. 22. 251 Park Avenue South, . Lee Broom British furniture, tabletop accessories and light fixtures, including lamps made from marble. 34 Greene Street, . L’Objet Home accessories with luxurious appeal, like vases with the texture of crocodile skin. 370 Bleecker Street, . MoMA Design Store An overhauled shopping experience for the museum’s popular shop, courtesy of Lumsden Design and Gensler. 44 West 53rd Street, . Pirch A kitchen and bath store for trying out fixtures and appliances. 200 Lafayette Street, . Poliform Streamlined kitchens, storage systems and furniture from the Italian brand in a new store. 112 Madison Avenue, . Sarajo Antique textiles, costumes, art and jewelry collected around the world. 31 Howard Street, . Sennheiser German audio gear in a shop open through March. 134 Prince Street, . Sonos huts for trying the company’s wireless speakers. 101 Greene Street, . Studio Oliver Gustav Antiques and contemporary pieces from the dealer. 11 Howard Street, . Tom Dixon A new, larger store from the British furniture, lighting and home accessories designer. 19 Howard Street, . Toto Shapely toilets, bathtubs and plumbing fixtures by way of Japan. 20 West 22nd Street, . Accessories Cartier The jewelry brand’s flagship mansion, newly renovated by the architect Thierry W. Despont. 653 Fifth Avenue, . John Hardy Jewelry made by Balinese artisans, scheduled to open Nov. 25. 118 Prince Street, . Monica Castiglione Strikingly creative jewelry from the designer. 268 Court Street, Brooklyn, . Monica Vinader The first American store for the British jewelry brand, scheduled to open Nov. 21. 151 Spring Street, . Pintrill Colorful, pins. 231 Grand Street, Brooklyn, . Wempe Fine watches and jewelry in a store that has more than doubled in size. 700 Fifth Avenue, . Everything Target A store in Manhattan. 255 Greenwich Street, . Westfield World Trade Center Manhattan’s grand new shopping center in the World Trade Center Transportation Hub. 185 Greenwich Street, . | 1 |
Hell thats a good speech , maybe there is more to him than we know . he only needs to puts clips of that speech on TV everywhere on the net and he will succeed . Now he just has to watch out for the UGLY UN who is behind it all . What are those who were behind Ron Paul etc waiting for , this is the guy you have to vote for this time . | 0 |
Two former staffers of Hillary Clinton’s unsuccessful presidential run have launched a campaign to try and decrease Donald Trump’s sizeable Twitter following and promote progressive organizations instead. [On Sunday evening, Signal Boost, run by former Hillary Clinton staffers Jess McIntosh and Zerlina Maxwel, unveiled a “call to action,” where they encouraged their readers to unfollow both Donald Trump’s Twitter accounts and to instead “follow someone working towards the progress we all still believe in. ” The newsletter asked people to announce via Twitter who they have chosen to follow instead of Trump, using the hashtag #MuteMonday, and was consequently endorsed by other former Clinton staffers, former Department of Labor Secretary Tom Perez, as well as actress Jamie Lee Curtis. Día 3 de la Resistencia: Deja de seguir a @realDonaldTrump y @POTUS para #MuteMonday. Sigue a alguien que valga la pena. — Jorge_Silva (@Jorge_Silva) January 23, 2017, And for the most important part of #MuteMonday, we’re going to honor who are working their hearts out for progress. — Tom Perez (@TomPerez) January 23, 2017, Trending now #MuteMonday unfollowing @realDonaldTrump @POTUS and listening to and following the lead of @CoryBooker! #wisdomfromthepain, — Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) January 23, 2017, Trump is known for his prolific use of Twitter, regularly using it to convey his opinions and share proposed policies, despite expressing reservations about the service. “Look, I don’t like tweeting, I have other things I could be doing,” Trump said in an interview with FOX News last week. “But I get very dishonest media, very dishonest press. And it’s my only way that I can counteract. ” He currently has 21. 6 million followers on his personal account, and has attained 14. 3 million followers on the official @POTUS account. At the inauguration ball on Friday, Trump asked the audience whether he “should keep the Twitter going or not. ” “I think so,” he said. You can follow Ben Kew on Facebook, on Twitter at @ben_kew, or email him at bkew@breitbart. com | 1 |
President Obama, who has weighed ruling out a first use of a nuclear weapon in a conflict, appears likely to abandon the proposal after top national security advisers argued that it could undermine allies and embolden Russia and China, according to several senior administration officials. Mr. Obama considers a reduction in the role of nuclear weapons as critical to his legacy. But he has been chagrined to hear critics, including some former senior aides, argue that the administration’s nuclear modernization plans, costing up to $1 trillion in coming decades, undermine commitments he made in 2009. For months, arms control advocates have argued for a series of steps to advance the pledge he made to pursue “a world without nuclear weapons. ” An unequivocal pledge would have been the boldest of those measures. They contend that as a practical matter no American president would use a nuclear weapon when so many other options are available. Former Defense Secretary William J. Perry said in a recent interview, “It’s the right time,” noting that the pledge would formalize what has been America’s unspoken policy for decades. But in the end, Mr. Obama seems to have sided with his current advisers, who warned in meetings culminating this summer that a declaration would rattle allies like Japan and South Korea. Those nations are concerned about discussion of an American pullback from Asia prompted by comments made by the Republican presidential nominee, Donald J. Trump. Defense Secretary Ashton B. Carter and Secretary of State John Kerry also expressed concern that new moves by Russia and China, from the Baltic to the South China Sea, made it the wrong time to issue the declaration, according to senior aides in the Defense and State Departments. Secretary of Energy Ernest J. Moniz, whose department oversees the nuclear arsenal, joined in the objections, administration officials confirmed. The New York Times interviewed more than a administration officials involved in or briefed on the nuclear debate. All insisted on anonymity to describe internal administration deliberations on nuclear strategy. The United States dropped nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan at the end of World War II in 1945 — the only example in history of a first use, or any use, of nuclear weapons in warfare. Almost every president since Harry S. Truman has made it clear that nuclear weapons would be used only as a last resort, so the pledge would have largely ratified unwritten policy. Administration officials confirmed that the question of changing the policy on first use had come up repeatedly this summer as a way for Mr. Obama to show that his commitment to reducing the role of nuclear weapons in American strategy — and thus the risk of nuclear exchanges — was more than rhetorical. But the arguments in front of the president himself were relatively brief, officials said, apparently because so many senior aides objected. Mr. Carter argued that President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia and Kim the North Korean leader, could interpret a promise of no first use as a sign of American weakness, even though that was not the intent. The defense secretary’s position was supported by Mr. Kerry and Mr. Moniz, two architects of the Iran nuclear deal, who cautioned that such a declaration could unnerve American allies already fearful that America’s nuclear umbrella cannot be relied upon. Mr. Trump talked explicitly in interviews about withdrawing military forces from Asia unless Tokyo and Seoul paid more for their presence, and said in March that he was willing to see them build their own nuclear arsenals rather than depend on Washington. According to one senior administration official, Mr. Kerry told Mr. Obama that a pledge would also weaken the nuclear deterrent while Russia is running practice bombing runs over Europe and China is expanding its reach in the South China Sea. Mr. Obama and his national security team have rejected a second option: “ ” nuclear missiles ready to fire on short notice. The fear is that in a crisis, “ ” the weapons could escalate a conflict. Earlier, Mr. Obama and his aides also decided against eliminating one element of the “triad” of and weapons. The idea was to remove the missiles based in silos across the American West, which are considered outdated and vulnerable to a first strike. But the Pentagon argued strongly that the missiles were the part of the system with which they had the most assured communications, and that it was too risky to get rid of them. In the past year, arms control advocates, including some of Mr. Obama’s former aides, have argued that Mr. Obama still has time to repair his reputation as an atomic visionary. “Let Obama be Obama,” Andrew C. Weber, an assistant secretary of defense for atomic programs from 2009 to 2014, said in an interview. Mr. Weber strongly opposes the White House’s recent approval of a nuclear cruise missile. “The defense complex is doing a press, so things are going to be very hard to change,” he said. Mr. Obama’s favorite nuclear strategist in his first term, the retired vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. James E. Cartwright, wrote in a New York Times article last month with Bruce G. Blair of Princeton University, a former Minuteman launch officer, that “nuclear weapons today no longer serve any purpose beyond deterring the first use of such weapons by our adversaries. ” “Our nonnuclear strength, including economic and diplomatic power, our alliances, our conventional and cyber weaponry and our technological advantages, constitute a global military juggernaut unmatched in history,” they concluded. Mr. Obama made the eventual elimination of nuclear arms a centerpiece of his 2008 presidential campaign. In contrast, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic nominee, has said little this year about her nuclear plans, and Mr. Trump has argued for a major military buildup. Once Mr. Obama took office, his ambitions were frustrated. While he achieved a major arms control treaty, New Start, in 2010 — driven through the Senate by Mr. Kerry — it came at a price: He won Republican votes by agreeing to a sweeping plan to modernize the American nuclear arsenal and build a new generation of weapon carriers, including bombers, missiles and submarines. In 2013, some of Mr. Obama’s former national security officials criticized the plan, saying his original vision was in danger of being turned on its head. The doubters included Philip E. Coyle III and Steve Fetter, who had recently left White House posts. One study estimated the modernization cost at $1 trillion over three decades. The Federation of American Scientists, a private group in Washington, released an analysis showing that Mr. Obama had dismantled fewer nuclear warheads than any other War president. Inside the White House, Mr. Obama asked for new ideas to advance his agenda before leaving office. In May, he went to Hiroshima — the first American president to do so — and reaffirmed his vision of a nonnuclear world. “We must have the courage to escape the logic of fear,” he said at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. “We may not realize this goal in my lifetime. But persistent effort can roll back the possibility of catastrophe. ” Ten days later, Benjamin J. Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, outlined possible efforts in a speech to the Arms Control Association, a private group in Washington. His list included putting more nuclear material under tight security, reaffirming a global ban on nuclear testing and revisiting the administration’s plans to modernize the nuclear arsenal. It was an agenda sure to please his audience, but one that would largely fall to the next administration to execute. The president, Mr. Rhodes said, “will continue to review these plans as he considers how to hand the baton off to his successor. ” That review included the pledge. Behind the scenes, Mr. Carter argued that a ban on first use would be unwise. If North Korea used biological weapons against the South, he and other Pentagon officials said, the United States might need the option of threatening a nuclear response. Mr. Kerry argued that Japan would be unnerved by any diminution of the American nuclear umbrella, and perhaps be tempted to obtain their own weapons. The same argument, he said, applied to South Korea. Mr. Kerry and Mr. Carter have not taken public positions in large part because they do not want to appear to influence Mr. Obama as he makes a decision. Had Mr. Obama issued the declaration, officials conceded, the next president could have rejected it. In an interview this year, Mr. Trump bristled at the idea, saying he would never want to weaken America’s leverage. Mrs. Clinton has not spoken on the issue during her campaign. But a policy would have been hard for either to undo. Military experts say the next president would hesitate to reverse such a decision since the quick reversal would confuse allies and possibly fray important coalitions. | 1 |
Searching for money, for love and for food, we strike bargains. We may be content with one for years until we begin to be shadowed by the suspicion that the terms aren’t working out in our favor anymore. That doubt nagged me at Momofuku Nishi, which the chef David Chang opened in Chelsea in January. Early in his career, with Momofuku Noodle Bar and Momofuku Ssam Bar, Mr. Chang and his customers struck a deal that made decades of dining tradition look obsolete. He and his cooks could make Asian ingredients bend in new directions. The cooking could be gloriously unwholesome or willfully esoteric or stunningly precise, but it was never quite like anything else out there. In return for tasting these new sensations, Mr. Chang’s customers gave up amenities that used to be automatic at restaurants hoping to be taken seriously. When it comes to inflicting discomfort, Nishi still holds up its end of the bargain. You can make reservations, but not for a table, most of which are long and low you’re likely to share yours with strangers. Instead, you reserve a chair, which, strictly speaking, is a seat built like a hard, flat crate. Ssam Bar has similar seating, but the lighting is more seductive and the noise level is less throttling. At Nishi, highly sensitive microphones seem to be placed directly above all the loudest people, picking up and amplifying their every screech. Mr. Chang told the Eater restaurant critic Ryan Sutton in March, when Nishi was two months old, that the acoustics “have to get better. ” Reading that, I stayed away for six weeks, hoping for improvements. When I returned, the only obvious change was that more tiles had been affixed to the ceiling. If they helped, I couldn’t tell. In a phone interview, Mr. Chang told me he is “going crazy about the sound, but we are working actively to do the best we can. ” Nishi is still as loud as the opening of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals. Temporary soreness of the butt and throat were always potential downsides of a Momofuku meal. Back when we first agreed to the bargain, though, the food was so distractingly original and good that you wouldn’t have minded eating it while leaning up against a Dumpster in an alley sharing your chopsticks with GG Allin. At Nishi, you mind. The strongest dishes are exquisitely controlled plates of cold vegetables or protein that could easily fit into the lineup of a marathon menu at Momofuku Ko, the tasting counter where Nishi’s executive chef, Joshua Pinsky, cooked for more than five years. Shavings of watermelon radishes and raw beef veined with white fat are sprinkled with dashi and a Spanish olive oil that really stands out. Threads of celery curl around raw mackerel, given a breath of char and bathed in a soy analogue fermented from rye, with a precise flicker of yuzu. Sea scallops dusted with salted, dried kelp rise from a green juice that tastes like cucumbers, peppers and herbs — or maybe it’s just wheatgrass? These dishes and others like them are extraordinarily good because the ingredients are allowed to speak quietly. But when the kitchen reaches for the throttle, the results can be muddled or muted. Snails and anchovies seemed to be straining to keep a $55 prime rib from seeming ordinary and slightly dry. Where was the salted crust? Where was the invitation to give in to fleshy temptations held out by Ssam Bar’s rotisserie duck or its pork shoulder? Mackerel was almost perfectly cooked, but nothing about it made me want to come back for more, not the lukewarm daikon hiding under it nor the barbecue sauce spread on top, a blend so complex and balanced it canceled itself out. Allegedly, Nishi is Mr. Chang’s foray into Italy, although that’s not at all apparent until you dip into the noodles. The clams grand Lisboa is, I guess, a twist on spaghetti alle vongole. The fun of it is the way skinny chow mein noodles have been toasted before cooking, so you get some soft strands and some crackly ones in the same bite. Footnotes on the right side of the menu provide cryptic references to source materials. The one for the chitarra points toward the chef Mark Ladner’s pasta with crab meat and jalapeños. That dish is memorable. The Nishi version is not. Mr. Ladner’s bright clarity is replaced with a confusion of dried squid, XO sauce, fermented chiles and chile paste. One time it was spicy but too sweet another time it was less sweet but not spicy enough. The dish everybody talks about is called ceci e pepe, a takeoff on cacio e pepe made with chickpea hozon, a fermented paste made and sold in tiny amounts by Momofuku. Hozon does taste a bit like cheese, but not like the pecorino used in a classic cacio e pepe — it’s missing that wild pasture flavor of sheep’s milk. The dish is also missing a few degrees of heat like some of the other noodles, ceci e pepe has a habit of arriving lukewarm. A homage this far off the mark would be fine if the goal were to avoid animal fats, but butter slips around the strands of bucatini. I don’t know why this dish exists, except to find a use for a proprietary Momofuku product. Too much of the cooking at Nishi is inward looking and so concerned with technique that you can’t help being conscious of it. In his early days, Mr. Chang served the kind of food chefs like to eat: intense, animalistic, O. K. with messiness, indifferent to prettiness. Nishi serves the kind of food chefs cook to impress one another. As Mr. Chang’s operation has grown into a global concern with branches in Australia and Canada, his restaurants started to offer amenities that were once unimaginable. The cocktails at Nishi, like the margarita with an absinthe rinse, are clever in the right way. There is satisfying range on the wine list, too the nuanced Farrside pinot noir from Australia is a far cry from the sparkling shiraz that was one of the only bottles Ssam Bar carried in its first year. If dinner in Changland now includes intelligent drinking, why can’t it also encompass seating and acoustics that won’t leave your lower back in knots and your eardrums in shreds? When we made our original deal with Momofuku, we were all kinds of swept away by the rush of flavors we had never encountered before. Now that Mr. Chang has a dozen years’ worth of protégés and copycats, now that he even seems to be copying himself, now that the rest of us have cooler heads and other options, it’s time to take another look at that bargain. | 1 |
Of course, how much of this Trump could get away with in the face of the Constitution & courts &c is another matter. But then, Bush got a lot done in spite of the supposed checks & balances to his maddened stupidity. | 0 |
Columbia University’s wrestling team, which bills itself as the nation’s oldest intercollegiate program, has had its season suspended by the university while officials investigate text messages sent by team members that included the frequent use of racist, misogynistic and homophobic terms. On Monday, Columbia released a statement saying that the university’s athletic department “has decided that Columbia wrestlers will not compete until we have a full understanding of the facts on which to base the official response to this disturbing matter. ” A university official confirmed late Monday that the team was still practicing, which raised the possibility that the season would continue once the investigation was completed. Columbia withdrew from a meet on Sunday at Binghamton after the university announced it would have “zero tolerance in its athletics programs for the group messaging and texts sent by several members of the men’s varsity wrestling team,” messages that the university described as “appalling. ” The team’s next meet is scheduled for this Sunday at the New York State championships at Cornell, but Monday’s announcement made it unclear if the team would make the trip. Screengrabs of the texts were first published Thursday by Bwog, an independent, Columbia news website. The lewd texts were sent over the last three years by wrestling team members through the messaging app GroupMe, Bwog reported. The revelations at Columbia came one week after the Harvard men’s soccer team’s season was canceled after The Harvard Crimson, the university’s student newspaper, reported that players on that team had a history of creating sexually explicit “scouting reports” about members of Harvard’s women’s soccer team. At Columbia, which in recent years has been at the center of a nationwide discussion on how colleges handle sexually aggressive behavior, some students wanted the university to take a similar stance if the accusations against the wrestling team were substantiated. “Seeing that dialogue happening behind closed doors with our classmates and our peers was very, very shocking,” Claire Fry, a Columbia sophomore, said Sunday, adding that she hoped canceling Sunday’s meet was “a first step and not the end of the discussion. ” On Friday and Saturday, students protested outside the fraternity house of Kappa Delta Rho, which counts wrestlers among its membership. A Change. org petition calling for the expulsion of wrestlers had 875 supporters Monday evening. Other students were planning to spread fliers throughout campus Monday to “protest the culture that permeates Columbia’s men’s athletics teams,” according to the description of a Facebook group. Almost 500 students were listed as interested in or planning to attend the event. Rachel Deal, a junior and Bwog’s editor in chief, said that some athletes in Kappa Delta Rho who were not wrestlers were “really upset with the comments” and “personally hurt” by the language used. “That made me pretty hopeful that it isn’t as much of a culture on other teams,” Deal said. James Fast, a sophomore who is Bwog’s publisher, said he was encouraged by the university’s quick response and its investigation, including its decision Thursday to cancel the wrestling team’s participation in its first match. Deal and Fast said they received the text messages from an anonymous source early last week. They said that Bwog had additional screengrabs that were not published because they contained targeted insults against specific students. “They were sent to us by an anonymous tipster who felt this conversation had no longer become entertainment,” Fast said. The university’s statement last week called the language used in the texts “appalling” and said they were “at odds with the core values of the university, violate team guidelines and have no place in our community. ” Columbia’s wrestling coach, Zach Tanelli, and Peter Pilling, the university’s athletic director, have not been made available for interviews. Columbia and Harvard are not the only universities dealing with the exchange of controversial messages in what members thought were private group chats. Last week, black students at the University of Pennsylvania were unknowingly added to a GroupMe chat where racial slurs and lynching images proliferated. It led to an F. B. I. investigation, and a student at the University of Oklahoma was suspended for being involved in the chat. | 1 |
(Want to get this briefing by email? Here’s the .) Good evening. Here’s the latest. 1. President Trump issued new guidelines to rescind protections for transgender students, overruling his education secretary, who had pushed to keep them in place. The issue caused a cabinet rift between Betsy DeVos, the education secretary, and Jeff Sessions, the attorney general. Mr. Sessions was adamant that the administration move quickly to reverse an order from the Obama administration that allowed transgender students to use the restroom of their gender identity. Ms. DeVos, faced with the choice of resigning or defying the president, dropped her objections, according to insiders. _____ 2. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is en route to Mexico, accompanied by John Kelly, the secretary of Homeland Security, for talks with Mexican officials on trade, security, aid and migration. The meetings are not expected to be pleasant, as Mexico reels from the announcement, a day earlier, of Mr. Trump’s tough new immigration policies. Today’s episode of our podcast, The Daily, focuses on the new immigration policies. Listen from a computer, on an iOS device or on an Android device. _____ 3. Most of the activists protesting the Dakota Access oil pipeline left their longtime encampment under orders from the state. Some lit fires as they departed. A handful remained and there were several arrests by nightfall. The protesters had been camped out near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation in North Dakota for months, calling for a halt to construction of the nearly completed pipeline. They say it will imperil the water supply. Construction resumed this month with Mr. Trump’s backing, and barring court intervention, oil could be flowing through the pipeline by this spring. _____ 4. We unearthed a lawsuit that reveals an A. T. F. operation that existed on a murky frontier — between investigating smuggling and being complicit in it. Records and interviews show that agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms who were fighting cigarette smuggling filled a secret bank account with millions from their own operation — which revolved around cigarette sales. Tobacco farmers who say they were swindled out of $24 million filed a lawsuit that has been kept nearly entirely sealed for years. _____ 5. The U. S. commander for the Middle East said more American troops would speed the campaign against the Islamic State in Syria. In recent weeks, the Iraqi government recaptured the eastern part of Mosul, a major victory against the Islamic State in Iraq. A New York Times reporter describes a city torn in half. Military figures carry a great deal of weight in the Trump administration, with veterans in the top three security jobs, all from a generation of leaders from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. _____ 6. The Supreme Court ruled for the defendant in a Texas death penalty case because of testimony laced with “a particularly noxious strain of racial prejudice. ” The court required a new sentencing for the defendant, Duane Buck, who was convicted of the murder of a former girlfriend and one of her friends. The testimony came from a psychologist who said black defendants were more dangerous than white ones. _____ 7. The president of Iceland ignited an international debate with a joke about pineapple on pizza. Gudni Thorlacius Johannesson, above right, was visiting a high school when he joked that the topping should be outlawed. Internet outrage ensued, and it reached such proportions that the president issued a statement on Facebook. He wrote that he was glad he did not have the power to make such a law, adding that for pizzas, he recommends seafood. _____ 8. We’re continuing our of the best of comedy. The comics are taking on the usual suspects, like the pope, the royal family and our president. Here’s one from James Corden: “I bet it’s hard to play golf with Trump, because every time he misses a putt, Kellyanne Conway comes out and explains that he actually won that hole. ” And our brave tech writer embarked on a daring experiment: ignoring news about the president for a week, which was harder than it sounds. “Even when I found news, much of it was interleaved with Trump news, so the overall effect was something like trying to bite into a cake without getting any fruit or nuts,” he wrote. _____ 9. It’s London Fashion Week, and our critic says the runways are all about “the kicky, fearless exuberance of youth,” in keeping with the city’s reputation among designers. While New York has sheer numbers, Paris has high art and Milan has big business, London is known for ingenuity. “I think youth culture starts here,” Donatella Versace said. “British people have more courage than the others. ” _____ 10. Finally, scientists announced a remarkable discovery: a dwarf star that has not one but seven planets that could potentially harbor life. “I think that we have made a crucial step toward finding if there is life out there,” an astronomer said. _____ Photographs may appear out of order for some readers. Viewing this version of the briefing should help. Your Evening Briefing is posted at 6 p. m. Eastern. And don’t miss Your Morning Briefing, posted weekdays at 6 a. m. Eastern, and Your Weekend Briefing, posted at 6 a. m. Sundays. Want to look back? Here’s last night’s briefing. What did you like? What do you want to see here? Let us know at briefing@nytimes. com. | 1 |
Sent: Saturday, September 3, 2011 10:28 PM To: Oscar Flores Subject: Fw: tick tock on libya
PIs print for me.
From: Mills, Cheryl D [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 12:37 PM
To: H Subject: FW: tick tock on libya
Here is Draft
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2011 7:40 PM
To: Mills, Cheryl D; Nuland, Victoria Subject: tick tock on libya
this is basically off the top of my head, with a few consultations of my notes. but it shows S’ leadership/ownership/stewardship of this country’s libya policy from start to finish. let me know what you think. toria, who else might be able to add to this?
Secretary Clinton’s leadership on Libya
HRC has been a critical voice on Libya in administration deliberations, at NATO, and in contact group meetings — as well as the public face of the U.S. effort in Libya. She was instrumental in securing the authorization, building the coalition, and tightening the noose around Qadhafi and his regime.
February 25 — HRC announces the suspension of operations of the Libyan embassy in Washington.
February 26 — HRC directs efforts to evacuate all U.S. embassy personnel from Tripoli and orders the closing of the embassy.
February 26 — HRC made a series of calls to her counterparts to help secure passage of UNSC 1970, which imposes sanctions on Gaddafi and his family and refers Qadhafi and his cronies to the ICC
February 28 — HRC travels to Geneva, Switzerland for consultations with European partners on Libya. She gives a major address in which she says: “Colonel Qadhafi and those around him must be held accountable for these acts, which violate international legal obligations and common decency. Through their actions, they have lost the legitimacy to govern. And the people of Libya have made themselves clear: It is time for Qadhafi to go — now, without further violence or delay.” She also works to secure the suspension of Libya from membership in the Human Rights Council.
Early March — HRC appoints Special Envoy Chris Stevens to be the U.S. representative to Benghazi
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-20439 Doc No. C05788648 Date: 10/30/2015
March 14 — HRC travels to Paris for the G8 foreign minister’s meeting. She meets with TNC representative Jibril and consults with her colleagues on further UN Security Council action. She notes that a no-fly zone will not be adequate.
March 14-16 — HRC participates in a series of high-level video- and teleconferences with She is a leading voice for strong UNSC action and a NATO civilian protection mission.
March 17 — HRC secures Russian abstention and Portuguese and African support for UNSC 1973, ensuring that it passes. 1973 authorizes a no-fly zone over Libya and “all necessary measures” – code for military action – to protect civilians against Gaddafi’s army.
March 24 — HRC engages with allies and secures the transition of command and control of the civilian protection mission to NATO. She announces the transition in a statement.
March 18-30— HRC engages with UAE, Qatar, and Jordan to seek their participation in coalition operations. Over the course of several days, all three devote aircraft to the mission.
March 19 — HRC travels to Paris to meet with European and Arab leaders to prepare for military action to protect civilians. That night, the first U.S. air strikes halt the advance of Gaddafi’s forces on Benghazi and target Libya’s air defenses:
March 29 — HRC travels to London for a conference on Libya, where she is a driving force behind the creation of a Contact Group comprising 20-plus countries to coordinate efforts to protect civilians and plan for a post- Qadhafi Libya. She is instrumental in setting up a rotating chair system to ensure regional buy-in.
April 14 — HRC travels to Berlin for NATO meetings. She is the driving force behind NATO adopting a communiqué that calls for Qadhafi’s departure as a political objective, and lays out three clear military objectives: end of attacks and threat of attacks on civilians; the removal of Qadhafi forces from cities they forcibly entered; and the unfettered provision of humanitarian access.
May 5 — HRC travels to Rome for a Contact Group meeting. The Contact Group establishes a coordination system and a temporary financial mechanism to funnel money to the TNC.
June 8 — HRC travels to Abu Dhabi for another Contact Group meeting and holds a series of intense discussions with rebel leaders.
June 12 — HRC travels to Addis for consultations and a speech before the African Union, pressing the case for a democratic transition in Libya.
July 15 — HRC travels to Istanbul and announces that the U.S. recognizes the TNC as the legitimate government of Libya. She also secures recognition from the other members of the Contact Group.
Late June — HRC meets with House Democrats and Senate Republicans to persuade them not to de-fund the Libya operation.
July 16 — HRC sends Feltman, Cretz, and Chollet to Tunis to meet with Qadhafi envoys “to deliver a clear and firm message that the only way to move forward, is for Qadhafi to step down”.
Early August — HRC works to construct a $1.5 billion assets package to be approved by the Security Council and sent to the TNC. That package is working through its last hurdles.
UNCLASSIFIED U.S. Department of State Case No. F-2014-20439 Doc No. C05788648 Date: 10/30/2015
Early August — After military chief Abdel Fattah Younes is killed, S sends a personal message to TNC head Jalil to press for a responsible investigation and a careful and inclusive approach to creating a new executive council.
Early August — HRC secures written pledges from the TNC to an inclusive, pluralistic democratic transition. She continues to consult with European and Arab colleagues on the evolving situation. | 0 |
Bill Still’s 5-minute report :
No colleague I know of, nor I, have objectively verifiable factual information on a possible “white hat” recapture of lawful government. That said, what is easy to document and prove: When Americans are told an election is defined by touching a computer screen without a countable receipt that can be verified, they are being told a criminal lie to allow election fraud . This is self-evident, but Princeton , Stanford , and the President of the American Statistical Association are among the leaders pointing to the obvious (and here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here , here ). Again, no professional would/can argue an election is legitimate when there is nothing for anyone to count. President Kennedy , Martin King , Robert Kennedy (and here ), and dozens of others were assassinated by the .01% “Deep State.” The evidence is overwhelming in each case. The US is a literal rogue state empire led by neocolonial looting liars. The history is uncontested and taught to anyone taking comprehensive courses. If anyone has any refutations of this professional academic factual claim for any of this easy-to-read and documented content , please provide it. US ongoing lie-started and Orwellian-illegal Wars of Aggression require all US military and government to refuse all war orders because there are no lawful orders for obviously unlawful wars. Officers are required to arrest those who issue obviously unlawful orders. And again, those of us working for this area of justice are aware of zero attempts to refute this with, “War law states (a, b, c), so the wars are legal because (d, e, f).” All we receive is easy-to-reveal bullshit . And, duh, corporate media are criminally complicit through constant lies of omission and commission to “cover” all these crimes. Historic tragic-comic empire is only possible through such straight-face lying, making our Emperor’s New Clothes analogy perfectly chosen. The top three benefits each of monetary reform and public banking total ~$1,000,000 for the average American household, and would be received nearly instantly. Please read that twice. Now look to verify for yourself . More on the $2 billion Clinton Foundation giving just 10% of their money to charity. The categories of crime include: Wars of Aggression (the worst crime a nation can commit). Likely treason for lying to US military, ordering unlawful attack and invasions of foreign lands, and causing thousands of US military deaths. Crimes Against Humanity for ongoing intentional policy of poverty that’s killed over 400 million human beings just since 1995 (~75% children; more deaths than from all wars in Earth’s recorded history).
US military, law enforcement, and all with Oaths to support and defend the US Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, face an endgame choice: Demand arrests , with those with lawful authority to enact it. An arrest is the lawful action to stop apparent crimes , with the most serious crimes documented here meaning the most serious need for arrests. Watch the US escalate its rogue state crimes that annually kill millions, harm billions, and loot trillions.
In just 90 seconds , former US Marine Ken O’Keefe powerfully states how you may choose to voice “very obvious solutions”: arrest the criminal leaders (video starts at 20:51, then finishes this episode of Cross Talk ): Solutions worth literal tens of trillions to ‘We the People’:
Again: The top three benefits each of monetary reform and public banking total ~$1,000,000 for the average American household, and would be received nearly instantly. Please read that twice. Now look to verify for yourself . We can quantify the end of the lie-started and illegal Wars of Aggression quickly into the trillions, and that said, it’s worth a lot more than what we quantify. Truth : a world in which education is expressed in its full potential to only and always begin with good-faith effort for objective, comprehensive, and verifiable data.
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Note: I make all factual assertions as a National Board Certified Teacher of US Government, Economics, and History, with all economics factual claims receiving zero refutation since I began writing in 2008 among Advanced Placement Macroeconomics teachers on our discussion board , public audiences of these articles , and international conferences (and here ). I invite readers to empower their civic voices with the strongest comprehensive facts most important to building a brighter future. I challenge professionals, academics, and citizens to add their voices for the benefit of all Earth’s inhabitants.
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Carl Herman is a National Board Certified Teacher of US Government, Economics, and History; also credentialed in Mathematics. He worked with both US political parties over 18 years and two UN Summits with the citizen’s lobby, RESULTS , for US domestic and foreign policy to end poverty. He can be reached at
Note: Examiner.com has blocked public access to my articles on their site (and from other whistleblowers), so some links in my previous work are blocked. If you’d like to search for those articles other sites may have republished, use words from the article title within the blocked link. Or, go to http://archive.org/web/ , p aste the expired link into the box, click “Browse history,” then click onto the screenshots of that page for each time it was screen-shot and uploaded to webarchive. I’ll update as “hobby time” allows; including my earliest work from 2009 to 2011 (blocked author pages: here , here ).
This entry was posted in General . Bookmark the permalink . Not Guilty: The Power of Nullification to Counteract Government Tyranny → MyWikiDisQus
If Mr.Trump is elected president, he must purge the federal government of the militarists who have usurped the federal republic in the “soft coup d’etat” that was perpetrated by them on September 11, 2001. He must be aggressive, firm, and not deterred by any rancor that may rise from legal challenges, the corporate media, civil rights groups and foreign State lobbyists who have a vested interest in the neoconservative polity. He must do what Recep Erdogan did in Turkey but on a larger scale, with the panache that only the “Donald” can pull off, American style. He must charge them all with endangering the national and economic security of the United States.
He must open a federal investigation of the coverup of the 9/11 commission perpetrated by the Clinton and Bush (Bush 41 and Bush 43) regimes and restore the U.S.Department of Justice’s reputation as the standard bearer for equal justice under the rule of law. No person is exempt, not a member of the U.S. Congress former or incumbent, member of the United States Military active or retired, Wall Street financier, corporate CEO including the national media or lobbyists for a foreign State. The pursuit of these persons will be ongoing, thorough, and not be restricted by any statute of limitations.
All the illegal wars in foreign lands made in the name of the American people will be reconciled by trial and recompense made to the victims from the assets confiscated by all the accused and their conspirators who are found guilty.
Trump must claim the title of American Paladin, a council member of the new global trust that lays the foundation for peace and well being in the 21st century. Donate | 0 |
B y Danny Haiphong Originally posted on 06/07/2016 L iberalism is “an ideology rooted in a nation founded upon imperial conquest and rabid capitalist exploitation.” Its main proponent in is the Democratic Party, which “has become the engine of US imperial rule.” Hillary Clinton is a twin of Barack Obama. “While Obama intensified imperial war, austerity, and domestic repression, liberal supporters sat on the sidelines and watched.” Liberals wage fake wars on Republicans and real wars on the world. It’s no wonder that the complacent liberals and liberal media, despite the pious posturing, did not stop any of the big postwar crimes of subversion and intervention, such as Korea, Vietnam, Iran, Chile, Guatemala and many others. “An American liberal is the arbiter of a more effective politics of exploitation and oppression.” If anything, the 2016 elections have exposed the steep descent into bankruptcy of liberal politics in the US. The concluding years of the 1970s began a right-wing, authoritarian process in the US that grew from the roots of a capitalist economic base in decline. Historians and left academics framed this process not as a sign of decline but as a right-wing backlash. The term neo-liberalism was created to describe the backlash. However, “neo-liberalism” was less new than it was an exposure of what has always been true about American liberalism. American liberalism has always been an ideology created by and for the interests of the American capitalist empire, regardless of the period.
A house of concentrated infamy, for the most part the world’s foremost assembly point for crooks and outright criminals. To be a liberal in America has meant being a participant in the highest form of opportunism. Liberals have historically championed the freedoms of American capitalist society and defended developments like the enslavement of Africans as a necessary evil. Once these evils become unmanageable, liberals jump ship and look to support more palatable forms of exploitation. For example, during the Civil War, many American liberals did not oppose slavery. It wasn’t until the combined force of African rebellion and industrial capitalist development dug the slave-ocracy’s grave that many liberals warmed to the idea of abolition. “It was the bankrupt liberal leadership of the labor movement that collaborated with President Roosevelt to “stabilize” capitalism.” During the Great Depression, US capitalism was on the verge of collapse. A recovery in the system seemed nowhere in sight. Socialists played a key role in organizing unions across industries to strengthen the position of the working class in this time of crisis. It was the bankrupt liberal leadership of the labor movement that collaborated with President Roosevelt to “stabilize” capitalism. This leadership proceeded to settle for legislative gains and purge socialist elements. And so began the labor movement’s descent into the back pockets of the Democratic Party. American liberalism has thus historically been able to fester and thrive in the US political landscape in periods of reforms in the capitalist order. The transition from chattel slavery to industrial capital, and subsequently from industrial capital to the so-called age of social welfare, gave American liberals political space to adjust their bourgeois principles to fit the needs of the time. In the current period of capitalist decline, this is no longer possible. The rule of capital has reached its highest stage and it must eliminate all that stands in its way of unfettered profit accumulation. This period of capitalism has stripped liberalism naked of its supposedly “progressive” veneer. US capitalism has no room for welfare politics. The system’s rate of profit is falling and its corporate debt is mounting. Finance capital has speculated the economic base of US society into a hole it cannot crawl out of. It is under these conditions that liberalism has revealed itself for what it really is: an ideology rooted in a nation founded upon imperial conquest and rabid capitalist exploitation. “Finance capital has speculated the economic base of US society into a hole it cannot crawl out of.” I n the US, the home base for liberal politics resides historically in the Democratic Party. During the height of anti-communist hysteria and Black liberation insurgency in the mid 20th century, the Democratic Party was compelled to promote itself as a force of progress. To this day, the Democratic Party takes credit for Civil Rights reforms and anti-poverty programs that were pressured into existence by grassroots movements. However, the wheels of reform have reversed. No longer able to deceive the masses with crumbs, the Democratic Party has become the engine of US imperial rule. Liberals have been instrumental in this political shift. The Obama era has been the quintessential example of what liberal bankruptcy looks like in the age of neo-liberal, capitalist decline. While Obama intensified imperial war, austerity, and domestic repression, liberal supporters sat on the sidelines and watched. In some cases, liberal forces cheered on Obama’s policies (like the intervention in Libya) and decried Republican “obstructionism” as the primary reason for why social conditions continued to worsen under his rule. Yet these same liberals refused to acknowledge that it was Obama who sidestepped a Democratic Party majority in the House and Senate in 2009 and 2010 to push through the corporate Affordable Care Act and dash any hopes of universal healthcare being instituted in the US in the near future. “While Sanders is no revolutionary force, his brand of liberalism is now outmoded by the world capitalist system that he sought to manage.” The case of Bernie Sanders in particular and the 2016 elections have broadly exposed the Democratic Party and its bourgeois liberal base for the agents of Empire they’ve always been. Hillary Clinton and her supporters have tirelessly attacked Sanders throughout the duration of his campaign. The reason for the attacks is simple. While Sanders is no revolutionary force, his brand of liberalism is now outmoded by the world capitalist system that he seeks to manage. Finance capital cannot back a candidate that calls for universal healthcare, affordable public university, or higher taxation of the rich. These policy proposals run in contradistinction to neo-liberal capital’s need to turn everything into a profitable market to ensure its survival. When one asks what an American liberal is today, it is important to be honest. An American liberal is the arbiter of a more effective politics of exploitation and oppression. The American liberal supports the Democratic Party by waging a fake war with the Republicans while the entire establishment moves ever more rightward. The American liberal is no less an enemy of social progress than the right-wing, Republican oriented populace. The American liberal must be combated or its ideological stranglehold over emergent movements now and in the future will continue to lead them astray. APPENDIX The U.S. liberal – the real greater evil. Liberalism: the hard and soft sides of the coinage of social control Submitted by Orwellian Ghost on Thu, 06/09/2016 E xplaining liberalism to North Americans is a thankless and possibly futile task, but it is one that must be attempted for clarity’s sake. Liberalism is a theory of political economy that arose in Great Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its principal inspirations were Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) and John Locke (1632-1704). It emphasizes individualism, human avarice, the “virtue” of competition and the “justice” of the marketplace. It opposed feudalism and mercantilism. It sought to replace the traditional landowners with the rising commercial and manufacturing classes. It sought to liberate capital, not people (and especially not women, slaves and propertyless males). Liberalism is the foundational ideology of the United States. American Conservatives (aka Tories or Loyalists) were expelled to Canada, the Caribbean or sent back to England. The USA (a few southerners excepted – until the Civil War) began, and remains a homogenously liberal society. What, exactly, is liberalism? Here’s what classical liberal economist Adam Smith (1723-1790) said: “Whenever there is great property, there is great inequality. For one very rich man, there must be at least five hundred poor, and the affluence of the rich supposes the indigence of the many, who are often driven by want, and prompted by envy, to invade his possessions. … Civil government, so far as it is instituted for the security of property is in reality instituted for the defence of the rich against the poor, or of those who have some property against those who have none at all.” Liberal utilitarian Jeremy Benthan (1748-1832) added this: “In the highest state of social prosperity, the great mass of citizens will have no resource except their daily industry; and consequently will always be near indigence … uman beings are the most powerful instruments of production, and therefore everyone becomes anxious to employ the services of his fellows in multiplying his own comforts. Hence the intense and universal thirst for power; the equally prevalent hatred of subjugation. … When security and conflict are in conflict, it will not do to hesitate a moment. Equality must yield.” This means that, in liberal societies, the rich are pitted against the poor, gaining their wealth by appropriating the work of others; and it means that government is in “business” to protect the ruling class. Today, of course, there are two kinds of liberals. Soft-hearted liberals live mainly in the Democratic party. They sometimes toss crumbs to working and middle class people. In a pinch, they will do bad things reluctantly, but they will do bad things nonetheless, to protect the ruling class. Hard-hearted liberals live mainly in the Republican party. They do bad things gleefully, and never toss crumbs. They try to get racists and religious fundamentalists worked into a frenzy to oppose soft-hearted liberals, to protect the ruling class. They are the good cops and the bad cops, the soft and hard sides of the coinage of social control.
Submitted by Dosamuno on Tue, 06/14/2016 – 12:31 Why hasn’t there been a revolution in the United States? —Because it doesn’t have an American Embassy. NOTE: ALL IMAGE CAPTIONS, PULL QUOTES AND COMMENTARY BY THE EDITORS, NOT THE AUTHORS PLEASE COMMENT AND DEBATE DIRECTLY ON OUR FACEBOOK GROUP CLICK HERE ABOUT THE AUTHOR Danny Haiphong is an Asian activist and political analyst in the Boston area. He can be reached at [email protected] . Note to Commenters Due to severe hacking attacks in the recent past that brought our site down for up to 11 days with considerable loss of circulation, we exercise extreme caution in the comments we publish, as the comment box has been one of the main arteries to inject malicious code. Because of that comments may not appear immediately, but rest assured that if you are a legitimate commenter your opinion will be published within 24 hours. If your comment fails to appear, and you wish to reach us directly, send us a mail at: [email protected]
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What will it take to bring America to live according to its own propaganda? REMEMBER: ALL CAPTIONS AND PULL-QUOTES BY THE EDITORS, NOT THE AUTHORS. | 0 |
DNC Renews Lawsuit Against RNC Over Voter Intimidation (VIDEO) By Lisa Bonanno on October 29, 2016
According to a document filed in federal court this past Wednesday, the Democratic National Committee is taking Donald Trump and the Republican National Committee to task over their plans to “monitor” the polls.
The filing says that the RNC is violating a consent decree by: “… Supporting and enabling the efforts of the Republican candidate for President, Donald J. Trump, as well as his campaign and advisors, to intimidate and discourage minority voters from voting in the 2016 Presidential Election. Trump has falsely and repeatedly told his supporters that the November 8 election will be ‘rigged’ based upon fabricated claims of voter fraud in ‘certain areas’ or ‘certain sections’ of key states. Unsurprisingly, those ‘certain areas’ are exclusively communities in which large minority voting populations reside.”
The document goes on to name some of the specific quotes and directives that Donald Trump has given supporters. It also mentions that: “Following the third presidential debate, Trump’s campaign manager told a reporter that the campaign was working to combat purported voter fraud by ‘actively working with the national committee, the official party, and campaign lawyers to monitor precincts around the country.'”
This shows that the RNC is involved in this effort, which has already begun . Trump ally Roger Stone organized “Vote Protectors,” who are instructed to conduct “exit polls.” Initially, the volunteers were asked to upload video of voters, create ID badges and wear red shirts at specific polling places. After journalistic inquiry , Stone said he would change his tactics. He simply created a new website, but that’s another story.
The Democratic National Committee is going after Trump and the RNC for violation of a consent decree signed in 1982. At that time, the RNC was involved in voter suppression in targeted areas known to vote predominantly Democrat. They hired off-duty sheriffs and police officers to go to polling places in those areas displaying a sign stating “This area is being patrolled by the National Ballot Security Task Force.” There were other activities, such as the challenge of individual voter registrations in certain communities.
The consent decree forcing the RNC to cease its 1982 “ballot security” activities resulted from a successful DNC suit. The decree expires next year. In the current suit, the DNC seeks to renew it for another eight years.
34 years later, we have an old tactic re-branded by the same party to do the same thing: intimidate minority voters. The DNC opens fire against RNC voter intimidation tactics
Featured Image via screenshot from YouTube video Connect with me | 0 |
In 1920, for the first time, the Census Bureau counted more people living in urbanized America than in the countryside. This hasn’t been a rural nation ever since. Yet the idea of Thomas Jefferson’s agrarian America has receded slowly despite demographic change. We still romanticize the family farm, though relatively few of them exist anymore. We view even suburbia in pastoral terms — the “crabgrass frontier,” as the historian Kenneth T. Jackson put it. And, as the recent Electoral College results make clear, we still live with political institutions that have baked in a distinctly bias, by design. The Democratic candidate for president has now won the popular vote in six of the last seven elections. But in part because the system empowers rural states, for the second time in that span, the candidate who garnered the most votes will not be president. Rural America, even as it laments its economic weakness, retains vastly disproportionate electoral strength. Rural voters were able to nudge Donald J. Trump to power despite Hillary Clinton’s large margins in cities like New York. In a House of Representatives that structurally disadvantages Democrats because of their tight urban clustering, rural voters helped Republicans hold their cushion. In the Senate, the least populous states are now more overrepresented than ever before. And the growing unity of rural Americans as a voting bloc has converted the rural bias in national politics into a potent Republican advantage. “If you’re talking about a political system that skews rural, that’s not as important if there isn’t a major cleavage between rural and urban voting behavior,” said Frances Lee, a professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland. “But urban and rural voting behavior is so starkly different now so that this has major political consequences for who has power. “And it’s not just in terms of policy outcomes,” she continued. “This pervasively advantages Republicans in maintaining control of the U. S. national government. ” The Electoral College is just one example of how an increasingly urban country has inherited the political structures of a rural past. Today, states containing just 17 percent of the American population, a historic low, can theoretically elect a Senate majority, Dr. Lee said. The bias also shapes the House of Representatives. It exists, as a result, in the formulas that determine where highway funds are spent or who gets Homeland Security dollars. It exists in state capitols, where bills preferred by urban delegations have been much more likely to be rejected. Today, the influence of rural voters also evokes deeply rooted ideals about who should have power in America. Jefferson and James Madison argued that the strength of the nation would always derive from its agrarian soil. “They had this vision of what they called the ‘yeoman farmer’: this independent, person who owed nothing to anybody, who didn’t receive any payments from the government, who didn’t live by a wage, but who could support himself and his family on a farm growing everything they needed — and that these were the people who were going to be the backbone of democracy,” said Gerald Gamm, a political scientist at the University of Rochester, describing what could be the forefathers of the rural voters who tilted this year’s election. When the framers of the Constitution were still debating the shape of institutions we have today, 95 percent of America was rural, as the 1790 census classified the population. The Connecticut Compromise at the time created the Senate: one chamber granting equal voice to every state to counterbalance the House, where more populous states spoke louder. And they made sure the compromise stuck. Today, equal state representation in the Senate is the only provision in the Constitution that remains singled out for protection from the amendment process no state can lose its full complement of senators without its permission. But even as a deliberately undemocratic body, the Senate has slipped further out of alignment with the American population over time. The Senate hasn’t simply favored sparsely populated states politicians in Washington created sparsely populated states to leverage the Senate’s skewed power. “When we talk about bias, all of that was an intentional policy choice,” said Jowei Chen, a political scientist at the University of Michigan. Republicans in Congress passed the 1862 Homestead Act, offering free land to settlers who would move to territories that would eventually become states — creating more Senate seats and Electoral College votes for a Republican Party eager to keep government control away from Southern Democrats. They even managed to divide the Dakota Territory into two states, worth twice the political power. As the Plains later depopulated and American cities, then suburbs, swelled, the Senate became even more unrepresentative. Jeffersonian suspicion of big cities also appears in the sites of state capitals: Albany and not New York Jefferson City and not St. Louis Springfield and not Chicago. Political scientists at the University of California, Davis, have found that most state capitals were located near what was then the population centroid of each state — typically closer to the geographical center of the state, and not the place where the most people already lived, breaking with how much of the world sited its capitals. The state legislatures there also grew significantly less representative as America urbanized. In 1961, when lawyers in Tennessee brought what would be a seminal case before the Supreme Court challenging the practice, the state legislature had not reapportioned its districts to reflect population change in 60 years. Maryland was still using districts drawn in 1867. Even states that had constitutions requiring equal population districts were ignoring them. Florida, Georgia and New Mexico gave small counties 100 times the voting power of the most populous ones. Decades ago in California, Amador County (population 14, 294) had the same representation in the state’s Senate as Los Angeles County (with a population over six million). “They justified it because that was a cultural norm it was just the way things were,” said Stephen Ansolabehere, a Harvard professor of government. Rural legislators had no incentive to change a system that favored them. “They just let it keep getting worse. You’re in power. Why change?” By the century, no state approximated majority rule. America at the time, Dr. Ansolabehere and James M. Snyder Jr. wrote in their book “The End of Inequality,” had some of the most unequal representation in the world. A series of Supreme Court cases beginning with that Tennessee complaint upended this system and established the standard that equal representation means “one person, one vote. ” Not one town, one vote. Or one county, one senator. Only the United States Senate, protected by the Constitution, remained unchanged. Still, the House retains a rural bias. Republican voters are more efficiently distributed across the country than Democrats, who are concentrated in cities. That means that even when Democrats win 50 percent of voters nationwide, they invariably hold fewer than 50 percent of House seats, regardless of partisan gerrymandering. The Electoral College then allocates votes according to a state’s congressional delegation: Wyoming (with one House representative and two senators) gets three votes California (53 representatives and two senators) gets 55. Those two senators effectively give Wyoming three times more power in the Electoral College than its population would suggest. Apply the same math to California and it would have 159 Electoral College votes. And the entire state of Wyoming already has fewer residents than the average California congressional district. In Washington, these imbalances directly influence who gets what, through minimums (no state can receive below a certain share of education funding) and through formulas that privilege rural states (early road spending was doled out in part by land area and not road use). There are policy reasons that the country might want to disproportionately spend resources on places with few people. Repairing an interstate highway in rural Oklahoma keeps national commerce flowing. And when the private market won’t build essential infrastructure, public investments like the New Deal’s rural electrification help fight poverty. But even when you control for policy need, Dr. Lee’s research has found that a significant rural bias in resources persists. You can see it in Homeland Security funding that gave Wyoming, for example, seven times as much money per capita as New York after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. You can see it in Alaska’s proposed “bridge to nowhere. ” “In that case,” Dr. Ansolabehere said, “Alaska has so much disproportionate power in the negotiation over funds that in order for California to get some, Alaska gets a lot — to the point of not knowing what to spend the money on. ” These calculations also mean that populous states subsidize less populous ones, which receive more resources than the tax dollars they send to Washington. The challenge for rural voters now is that their electoral strength, and even these funding formulas, have not translated into policies that have fixed the deep economic problems they face, from high unemployment to declining wages. And it’s unclear how Mr. Trump will do that for them, either — even if his major infrastructure proposal comes to pass and helps rebuild their roads. If he can’t, rural voters may stray from his party again. In that future, the rural bias in American politics would persist. But Democrats might yet have a chance to blunt its effects. | 1 |
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Welcome to Our Picks, a guide to the best stuff to read, watch and listen to from around the internet. Check this space for the article, the next great podcast for your commute, the tweetstorm. And yes, we’re also tooting our own horn here. We’ll share can’ Times stories from the week and surface some gems you might have overlooked. We want to hear from you! Send us feedback about our selections to ourpicks@nytimes. com. • Scientists have discovered that there’s a species of parrots that can make each other laugh. According to a new study, kea birds in New Zealand are the first known to demonstrate contagious emotion. Just the thought of parrots giggling together should hopefully lead to some more laughter around the internet. [National Geographic] • What’s more than being in the N. F. L. draft? For one former football pro and Rhodes Scholar, it’s waiting to be matched for a neurosurgery residency. [Washington Post] • The history of the zipper is a fascinating — and complicated — tale that winds through a World’s Fair, Rolling Stones album cover and into space. [BBC] • Eleven new types of cloud have been added to the most recent edition of the International Cloud Atlas. Even better? The atlas is available online for the first time here. [Mashable] • One way to celebrate the life of Chuck Berry is to watch these clips of the musical icon playing “Johnny B. Goode” with Bruce Springsteen, John Lennon, Eric Clapton and more. [Open Culture] • The NBA’s secret addiction? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. If you only have time for one long read this weekend, make it this one. [ESPN] • Some histories take half a century to be revealed. In the 1960s, no one knew that scores of black NYPD officers went undercover to infiltrate the city’s radical groups. Now, some of them have stepped forward to tell their stories and “set the record straight. ” [Esquire] • You couldn’t script it: A reality television producer comes back from a experience with a new donated hand that was surgically appended and a fresh outlook on life. [LA Magazine] • Entomologists, for those who need a refresher, are scientists who study insects. More and more, these bug detectives find themselves serving as “accidental specialists” treating people with a rare mental disorder called delusional parasitosis, the belief that you’re covered in bugs that aren’t really there. [STAT] • In his latest Character Study, Corey Kilgannon profiles Rosemary Romano, 79, who has inspired generations of blind students to become office workers, teachers and lawyers (and is blind herself). • Sketch Guy has simple advice on how to turn your wishes into reality instead of regrets. • Melissa Clark has a recipe for malted milk fudge ripple ice cream, “a satiny ice cream that’s veined with fudge sauce to create gooey, bittersweet ripples. ” •Meet a charming who will happily meet a good flight delay with a favorite phrase: “Let’s talk about airport infrastructure. ” • Take a tour of the word factory (including the basement, with its distinctly analog oddities) and read lexicographer Kory Stamper’s take on three words nerds love to debate. And don’t miss Fran Lebowitz’s By the Book interview. • If you’re a fan of Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, or if you just enjoy hilarious people with incredible chemistry, we recommend listening to the married couple’s interview with Alec Baldwin on his show “Here’s the Thing. ” [WNYC | 1 |
Tuesday on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Special Counsel Robert Mueller was hiring “bad people” for his investigating into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. When asked if President Trump should fire Mueller Gingrich said, “I don’t think Trump should do anything, but the congressional Republicans ought to look into this. Mueller first four hires were all Democrats. One of them had worked for the Clinton Foundation, one of them had in two cases deliberately hid evidence from the defense, one of which was repudiated by by the Supreme Court. These are bad people. ” Stephanopoulos said, “Bad people?” Gingrich added, “Bad people. I mean, these are people who are going to be after Trump … He did not hire a single Republican in the first wave. ” Follow Pam Key on Twitter @pamkeyNEN | 1 |
In Britain, as in the U. S. when an Islamic terrorist is said to be, “known to law enforcement,” the translation is: “He is being actively ignored by law enforcement. ”[After the latest terrorist attack in Britain — at least as of this writing — Prime Minister Theresa May bravely announced, “Enough is enough!” What is the point of these macho proclamations after every terrorist attack? Nothing will be done to stop the next attack. Political correctness prohibits us from doing anything that might stop it. Poland doesn’t admit Muslims: It has no terrorism. Japan doesn’t admit Muslims: It has no terrorism. The United Kingdom and the United States used to have very few Muslims: They used to have almost no terrorism. (One notable exception was chosen as the National Freedom Hero in this year’s Puerto Rican parade in New York!) Notwithstanding the lovely Muslim shopkeeper who wouldn’t hurt a fly, everyone knows that with every tranche of Muslims we bring in, we’re also getting some number of killers. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair dumped millions of Third World Muslims on Britain to force “multiculturalism” on the country. Now Britons are living with the result. Since the attack, every U. S. president has done the same. President Bush admitted Muslim immigrants at a faster pace after than we had been doing before . Whatever the attackers intended to accomplish, I bet they didn’t expect that. Now we can’t get rid of them. Under the rules of political correctness, Western countries are prohibited from even pausing our breakneck importation of Muslims, much less sending the recent arrivals home. In defense of the poor saps responding to every terrorist attack with flowers, candles and hashtags, these are people who have no ability to do anything else. Western leaders are in full possession of the tools to end Islamic terrorism in their own countries, just as their forebears once ended Nazi Stormtroopers. Unable to summon the backbone to defeat the current enemy, the West is stuck constantly reliving that glorious time when they whipped the Nazis. In almost every Western country — except the one with an increasingly beleaguered First Amendment — it’s against the law to deny the Holocaust. Are we really worried about a resurgence of Nazism? Isn’t Islamic terrorism a little higher on our “immediate problems” list? How about making it illegal to make statements in support of ISIS, female genital mutilation, Sharia law or any act of terrorism? The country with a First Amendment can’t do that — the most that amendment allows us to do is ban conservative speakers from every college campus in the nation. But if our elected representatives really cared about stopping the next terrorist attack, instead of merely “watching” those on the “watch” list, they’d deport them. To this day, we have a whole office at the Department of Justice dedicated to finding and deporting Nazis even without proof they personally committed crimes against Jews. But we can’t manage to deport hearty young Muslims who post love notes to ISIS on their Facebook pages. If the Clinton administration had merely enforced laws on the books against an Afghani immigrant, Mir Seddique Mateen, and excluded him based on his list of terrorist affiliations, his son Omar wouldn’t have been around to slaughter 49 people at an Orlando nightclub last year. If Secretary of State John Kerry, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson or anyone else in our vaunted immigration vetting system had done his job, Pakistani Tashfeen Malik never would have been admitted to this country to commit mass murder in San Bernardino a year after she arrived. Before being warmly welcomed by the U. S. Malik’s social media posts were bristling with hatred of America and enthusiasm for jihad. We’re already paying a battery of FBI agents to follow every Muslim refugee around the country. When they find out that one of them lists his hobby as “jihad,” we need them to stop watching and start deporting. Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, the rest of the useless GOP — and obviously every Democrat — have the blood of the next terrorist attack on their hands if they don’t make crystal clear that admiring remarks about Islamic terrorism is a deportable act. But they won’t do it. That’s “not who we are,” as Ryan famously said. True, most Muslims are peaceful. Guess what? Most Nazis were peaceful! We didn’t knock ourselves out to admit as many of them as we could, screening out only the Nazis convicted of mass murder. Before we were even formally involved in World War II, the FBI was all over the German American Bund. No one worried about upsetting our German neighbors. (Perhaps because they knew these were Germans and wouldn’t start bombing things and shooting people.) But today, our official position is: Let’s choose love so as not to scare our Muslim neighbors. Isn’t that precisely what we want to do? Facing an immobile government, two British men — by which I mean British men — were sentenced to PRISON for putting bacon on a mosque in Bristol last year. One died in prison just after Christmas, an ancient religious holiday recently replaced by Ramadan. If we can’t look askance at Muslims without committing a hate crime, can’t we at least stop admitting ever more “refugees,” some percentage of whom are going to be terrorists and 100 percent of whom will consume massive amounts of government resources? No, that’s “not who we are. ” Until any Western leader is willing to reduce the number of Muslims in our midst, could they spare us the big talk? “We surrender” would at least have the virtue of honesty. | 1 |
Warner Bros. is expected to take a $75 million bath on Ben Affleck’s pricey gangster drama Live By Night, according to a report. [Sources close to the film and rival studio executives told Variety that the film — a passion project for Affleck, who wrote, produced, starred in and directed — was shaping up to be a bona fide box office bomb for Warners after bad reviews and poor box office crippled the film’s financial prospects. According to Box Office Mojo, the film has grossed a paltry $10 million in the United States and another $6. 5 million in international receipts since its wide release on January 13, a disappointing result for a film that reportedly cost $65 million to produce, not counting the studio’s marketing and distribution costs. The film couldn’t crack the Top 10 in its opening weekend, opening to just $5. 1 million from 2, 822 theaters for a average of $1, 809. Live By Night — based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane — stars Affleck as gangster Joe Coughlin, who spars with bootleggers and Ku Klux Klan members in 1920s Florida. The film also stars Elle Fanning, Sienna Miller, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Zoe Saldana and Chris Cooper. Variety reports that Warner Bros. is shielded from some part of its financial liability on the film through its partnership with Entertainment. Live By Night was Affleck’s directorial to his 2012 smash hit Argo, which won the Best Picture Oscar. The is next set to helm a standalone Batman film, tentatively titled The Batman. Affleck played the character in Warner Bros. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and will reprise the role in this year’s Justice League. Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum | 1 |
Share on Facebook Russia is ready and looks forward to restoring bilateral relations with the United States, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, commenting on the news of Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election. “We heard [Trump's] campaign rhetoric while still a candidate for the US presidency, which was focused on restoring the relations between Russia and the United States,” President Putin said, speaking at the presentation ceremony of foreign ambassadors' letters of credentials in Moscow. “We understand and are aware that it will be a difficult path in the light of the degradation in which, unfortunately, the relationship between Russia and the US are at the moment,” he added. Speaking about the degraded state of relations between the countries, the president once again stressed that “it is not our fault that Russia-US relations are as you see them.” Earlier today, in a message to Donald Trump the Russian President expressed confidence that the dialogue between Moscow and Washington, in keeping with each other's views, meets the interests of both Russia and the US. The Russian leader noted in the message that he hopes to address some “burning issues that are currently on the international agenda, and search for effective responses to the challenges of the global security,” RIA Novosti reported. On top of it, Putin has expressed confidence that “building a constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington, based on principles of equality, mutual respect and each other's positions, meets the interests of the peoples of our countries and of the entire international community.” Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin has also expressed hope that Trump's victory in the presidential election will help pave the way for a more constructive dialogue between Moscow and Washington. “The current US-Russian relations cannot be called friendly. Hopefully, with the new US president a more constructive dialogue will be possible between our countries,” he said. “The Russian Parliament will welcome and support any steps in this direction,” Volodin added on Wednesday. Commenting on Donald Trump's victory in the US presidential election, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia will judge the new US administration by its actions and take appropriate steps in response. “We are ready to work with any US leader elected by the US people,” the minister said on Wednesday. “I can't say that all the previous US leaders were always predictable. This is life, this is politics. I have heard many words but we will judge by actions.” According to many observers, US-Russia relations are now at their lowest point since the Cold War. Putin has repeatedly noted that the worsening of Russia's relations with the US “was not our choice,” however. For things to improve between Moscow and Washington, the US should first and foremost start acting like an equal partner and respect Russia's interests rather than try to dictate terms, Putin said last month. The US will have to negotiate with Russia on finding solutions to international issues as no state is now able to act alone, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last week, adding that problems in bilateral relations began to mount long before the Ukrainian crisis broke out in 2014. Related: | 0 |
Getty - Tibrina Hobson
Candace Cameron Bure has never been shy about voicing her opinions on social and political issues — a trait that has made her an exceptionally good fit at ABC's “The View,” as she stood out in contrast to the decidedly liberal viewpoints of many of her co-hosts.
But aside from praying (with Whoopi, no less) for the election cycle to be over soon: A video posted by Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) on Oct 26, 2016 at 9:35am PDT
Bure has kept her 2016 voting plans under her hat, noting earlier this summer that although she wasn't exactly thrilled with the remaining choices, she absolutely planned to vote:
"I've talked about how conflicted I am. I'm not happy with the ultimate choices that we're left with, but I'm still going to go out there and vote because I do believe that it's my right. And I think there are other things we have to consider.
And then there's the congressional power. There's also the seats in Congress. And I think a lot of people who don't show up to vote for the president then forget that there's all these other people we get to vote into Congress. So you're giving up so much just because you don't like the candidate choices."
She did reveal the issue that has her most concerned this election cycle , however, in a recent podcast with “The Church Boys”:
"The biggest thing for me is the Supreme Court justices… because, no matter who wins this election, it’s four years, maybe eight, if they’re reelected, but that’s the maximum.
The Supreme Court justice seats will be until those people die — and that could be a very long time."
A number of Americans share Bure's concern, noting the age of several sitting justices.
According to ballotpedia , with the increasing likelihood that Justice Scalia's seat will remain empty into the next president's term, the next president could potentially appoint four justices:
“The average age at which a Supreme Court justice retires is 78.7 years old. Justice Kennedy will be 80 when the next president takes office, Justice Ginsburg will be 83, and Justice Breyer will be 78.”
Bure explained her concern by noting that she has spent time recently studying the “bigger picture” and the principles outlined by the Founding Fathers in the Constitution:
“If we get too far away from what our Founding Fathers wrote up for us in how this country will be different from all other ones, then we will lose it.”
But in order to hold on to what we have, Bure says that it's not about putting faith in Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton — or any candidate, for that matter.
Instead, she says her faith remains unshakable in Jesus Christ, and that she will pray for the wisdom of whomever wins the election. | 0 |
WikiLeaks: Neera Tanden has ANOTHER ringing endorsement for Hillary! (No, not really) Posted at 3:21 pm on October 29, 2016 by Doug P.
As emails released by WikiLeaks have revealed, Hillary Clinton adviser and Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden has demonstrated brutal honesty when it comes to the Clintons’ dealings, and a new email released today is no different: Neera Tanden knows (and she spells like Trump!): "Sometimes HRC/WJC have the worst judgement" https://t.co/hRSAhG2eua pic.twitter.com/cTs0oGSb4m | 0 |
The scenery may have shrunk, but that face — oh, that face — looms larger than ever. So does the ego that animates it, both indomitable and irreparably broken. “With one look,” indeed, to borrow a song lyric that describes such unsettling presence. That outrageous, desperate old lady shedding sanity on the stage of the Palace Theater still has the poetry in her gaze to break every heart. Yes, Hollywood’s most fatally narcissistic glamour girl, Norma Desmond, is back in town, in the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Sunset Boulevard” that opened on Thursday night. It is a show that exists almost entirely to let its star blaze to her heart’s content. The light she casts is so dazzling, this seems an entirely sufficient reason to be. Miss Desmond is embodied by Glenn Close, the movie actress who won a Tony in the same part 22 years ago. And what was one of the great stage performances of the 20th century has been reinvented, in terms both larger and more intimate, that may well guarantee its status as one of the great stage performances of this century, too. Ms. Close is even better than when I first saw her — more fragile and more frightening, more seriously comic and tragic. Part of this presumably involves the insights an artist accumulates over the decades. It is also to Ms. Close’s advantage that she is no longer required to compete with an elephantine, set. For this latest incarnation of “Sunset Boulevard,” directed by Lonny Price and first seen in London last year, is a close cousin to the productions from Encores! of vintage musicals in concert at City Center. As in such presentations, the orchestra (40 pieces strong) is onstage and visible. James Noone’s set, anchored by tiered industrial scaffolding, conjures 1950s Hollywood through suggestive visual accents — a giant chandelier here, a floating corpse there — rather than scenery. Yes, a car still shows up onstage. And our Miss Desmond still gets a workout walking up and down the stairs. But the opulence of John Napier’s original designs has been scrubbed away. Such relative minimalism allows us to see Norma and “Sunset Boulevard” plain. The good news is that Norma has never looked bigger. (And no, I’m not forgetting about Gloria Swanson, who immortally created the part in the 1950 Billy Wilder film on which this show is based.) The musical, on the other hand, seems and sounds thin, despite the velveteen lushness of its excellent orchestra. Don Black and Christopher Hampton’s book is just fine when it hews to the dialogue of the original screenplay. But “Sunset,” being a musical, spends most of its time singing, and Mr. Black and Mr. Hampton’s lyrics have a way of turning cynicism into taunting schoolyard jingles, with rhymes that land as emphatically as children on hopscotch squares. (“You know I’m right. It’s there in black and white. ”) Mr. Lloyd Webber’s music often inhabits a similar zone of singsong insistence, with certain melody lines repeated so often you fear surgery may be necessary to have them removed from your memory. Only the swirling, ominous overtures evoke the shades of noir of Franz Waxman’s original film score. For long stretches, you may even forget you’re inhabiting one of the darkest visions that Hollywood ever summoned of itself. This is a story, after all, that begins with a talking dead man. That’s Joe Gillis, the screenwriter who narrates in sustained flashback. On the lam from a collection agency, Joe (Michael Xavier) winds up in a scary old mansion at 10086 Sunset Boulevard, playing editor, house pet and eventually lover to the reclusive Miss Desmond, a nearly forgotten diva, who is planning her comeback. We also spend far too much time with Joe in the less exotic world of Hollywood hopefuls, where he falls for an ambitious studio worker, Betty Schaeffer (Siobhan Dillon) his best friend’s girl. Betty, to put it bluntly, is a bore, and so is Joe when he’s with her, since she has the effect of making them both sing like sweethearts out of Victor Herbert. Mr. Xavier is glib, handsome and charmingly . But he’s lightweight, lacking the tortured conscience that William Holden brought to Wilder’s movie. Fred Johanson, looking like Lurch from “The Addams Family,” finds more substance and shadow as Max, Norma’s fanatically loyal . The large ensemble, choreographed into flailing friskiness by Stephen Mears, is serviceable. But we’re just marking time until Norma’s back. Whenever she makes an entrance, the adrenaline that surges through the house is palpable. Swathed in ensembles of sequined black, shimmering gold and assorted animal prints (the great Anthony Powell did Ms. Close’s costumes) her face as white and exaggeratedly expressive as Marcel Marceau’s, Norma should by rights be merely a drag queen’s fantasy. And, yes, on one level, the lady is a camp. But Ms. Close deploys the declarative physical vocabulary of acting to convey a genuine grandeur of spirit and an equally outsize force of will. Watch Norma watching herself onscreen in a state of mimetic rapture, or seesawing violently between little girl coquettishness and iron imperiousness with her captive lover. The audacity of this performance is matched by its veracity. This is acting of a singularly sophisticated and disciplined order, one of those rare instances in which more is truly more. Her singing voice is reedy and at times . But her delivery, her stance, her very presence are operatic in the richest sense of the word. I won’t even try to describe the brilliant spiderlike dance — superhuman and pathetically human — with which Ms. Close concludes the show. You have to (and I mean have to) see it in person. Her interpretation of the show’s one great song, “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” in which Norma visits her old studio lot, is a . Watching it from its beginning (when a set worker trains a spotlight on Norma’s face) to its end (when she steps to the edge of the stage to absorb the applause like an unquenchable sponge) is to understand with all your senses the addictiveness of stardom. “Feel the magic in the making,” sings Norma. You can only nod your head in agreement. | 1 |
LOS ANGELES — Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed legislation that would impose new restrictions on assault weapons and regulate the sale of ammunition in California, cementing the state’s reputation for enacting some of the most stringent gun regulations in the country. Propelled by the reaction to mass shootings in San Bernardino, in Southern California, and Orlando, Fla. the gun regulations are the latest example of how this state, where the Legislature is under Democratic control, has been able to enact a legislative agenda on issues that have deadlocked Congress. The legislation in Sacramento was passed with overwhelming Democratic support, and was largely opposed by Republicans who make up a small minority in the Senate and the Assembly. Even as he signed six measures, Mr. Brown, a moderate Democrat with a history of resistance to some measures of gun control, vetoed five others that he described as overly regulative. Among them was a bill that would have restricted gun purchases to no more than one per person in a period. “My goal in signing these bills is to enhance public safety by tightening our existing laws in a responsible and focused manner, while protecting the rights of gun owners,” Mr. Brown, who himself owns guns, said in his signing message. The enactment of the legislation leaves little doubt to the standing of California, which in 1989 became the first state to ban assault weapons, as a leader in gun control at a moment when Congress has rebuffed such efforts and numerous states are moving in the other direction. States like Texas, in the name of promoting safety, have in recent years expanded the locations where people can carry concealed weapons, including bars and college campuses. “This makes California the most state in America,” said Amy Hunter, a spokeswoman for the National Rifle Association. In a statement, she called the legislation a “a draconian gun control package that turns California’s gun owners into citizens. ” “The governor and Legislature exploited a terrorist attack to push these measures through even though the state’s laws did nothing to stop the attack in San Bernardino,” she said. Amanda Wilcox, legislative advocate for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, hailed the governor’s action as a step forward in efforts to curb gun violence. She highlighted one bill sponsored by Senator Kevin de León, the Senate’s Democratic leader, requiring background checks for ammunition purchases as particularly crucial. “It is really and bold, and really has the potential to save a lot of lives,” Ms. Wilcox said. “It can give us a handle on who has illegal guns in the state, as well as limiting access to ammunition by dangerous people who may have illegal guns. ” The new laws would prohibit the possession of magazines — those holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition — for assault weapons. “These magazines are not for target shooting or hunting,” said Senator Loni Hancock, a Democrat who sponsored the bill. “Their sole purpose is to kill as many people as possible in the shortest period of time. ” A separate bill banned semiautomatic weapons with “bullet buttons,” which make it easy to quickly remove a magazine and replace it with another. Among the bills Mr. Brown vetoed was one that would have expanded the definition of a firearm. “While I appreciate the author’s intent, the actual wording of the bill is unduly vague and could have and unintended consequences,” Mr. Brown wrote in his veto message. Shannon Grove, a Republican Assembly member who spoke out against the bills during the debate, said that none of those signed would reduce gun violence or prevent mass shootings. Instead, she said, the restrictions compromised the rights of California families to protect themselves. “I think it’s death by 1, 000 paper cuts for our Second Amendment rights,” she said. “Nowhere in this nation do you give up your rights under any other amendments. ” The signing was not the end of gun control measures that might be enacted here in the wake of a wave of violence that has traumatized the world and the nation, including the shooting in San Bernardino that killed 14 people at a holiday party in December. A separate set of gun control measures will appear before voters in November some of them have been passed by the Legislature, but Mr. Brown vetoed those, saying they should be left to voters to decide. That initiative is being championed by Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat who is running for governor after Mr. Brown’s final term ends in 2018. His initiative would, among other things, make firearm theft a felony and require ammunition vendors to report lost or stolen supplies within 48 hours. “Today’s steps in the right direction will grow into a giant leap forward for public safety if voters pass the Safety for All initiative to keep guns and ammo out of the wrong hands,” Mr. Newsom said. Gun death rates fell 56 percent in California from 1993 and 2010, a larger decline than in the nation as a whole, according to a study by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. Gun control advocates pointed to that as evidence that such laws were effective. “Gun laws work,” Ms. Wilcox said. “California gun sales are really high. We are not deterring people from buying guns. We’re doing a better job of making sure dangerous people don’t have guns. ” But Ms. Grove pointed to the ammunition law as an example of a measure that would hurt the interests of gun owners without doing anything to curb gun violence. “Criminals who are not authorized to have firearms in the first place are not going to register to buy ammunition,” she said. “It’s absurd. ” | 1 |
WASHINGTON — It was midafternoon on Saturday, and Larry Wilmore was doing a sound check in the empty International Ballroom of the Washington Hilton, where he was to be the featured comedian of that night’s annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. The ballroom, a forbiddingly cavernous space, can be a comedy slaughterhouse. Bombing there means hearing a sad symphony of the HVAC system and clinking silverware, or maybe seeing Henry Kissinger nodding off at Table 27. (I saw it happen during Rich Little’s set in 2007, in the middle of Mr. Little’s Nixon impersonation no less.) But the gig can also give a topical comedian like Mr. Wilmore a chance to stitch his name into the fabric of America, before an audience that includes the president and some 2, 700 powerful people in government, media, politics and show business. “Stephen’s was the bravest,” Mr. Wilmore told me as he looked out from the stage at the ballroom. He was referring to the seminal performance that Stephen Colbert gave in 2006. Playing his Comedy Central character, an egotistic conservative talk show host, Mr. Colbert mockingly defended the Iraq war and the Washington press corps’ coverage of it. The act, typical of his show, wilted inside the hall. But it was a hit out in the world because it tapped the growing perception that a relationship between journalists and government officials produced credulous reporting that helped start a war under false pretenses. It was the perfect pairing of a comedian and the moment. Mr. Wilmore, whose “Nightly Show” occupies Mr. Colbert’s old 11:30 time slot on Comedy Central, knew he was part of a similar pairing, “one of those accidents of timing,” he said. Yes, he was a leading black comedian performing at the last correspondents’ dinner for the nation’s first black president. But his appearance was also coming during a national conversation about race and law enforcement race and the news media — including at The New York Times — and race and economic injustice. Mr. Wilmore has branded this year’s political campaign “The ” of the White House. And now here he was, getting ready to address an overwhelmingly white crowd of reporters — a sign of how far journalism has to go in achieving meaningful diversity — in the middle of a party weekend that can give official Washington the same sense of remove that the decadent capital city has in the “Hunger Games” movies. I asked him if there would be any “White House Correspondents’ Dinner So White” jokes. No, he said. He hinted at an inner tension between going for a big political statement and going for laughs. “That’s why I say Stephen did the bravest thing I’ve ever seen, you know?” he told me. “Because you want to go and have a good time, get laughs and have everybody say, ‘Yeah, you killed. ’” Before the dinner, Mr. Wilmore’s hotel suite was a show business version of a groom’s room before a wedding. Pacing around the living area were his manager his agent his publicist one of his writers, Robin Thede friends like Kenya Barris, who created the TV sitcom “ ” and his parents, Betty and Larry Wilmore. The whole group was to meet the president and first lady before heading into the hall. Mr. Wilmore was in his tuxedo — he is a necktie man, not a bow tie man — and staying quiet, getting into the zone. “I’ve always been proud of him,” Betty Wilmore told me as we all headed to the elevator. Mr. Wilmore seemed to cringe a little — as a son would — when she remembered showing up as the sole cheering section for his high school basketball team in California. “Why do I have to remember this?” Mr. Wilmore said. Mr. Wilmore said he was ready, but he and his producer had one fear: that President Obama, who would go first, would step on Mr. Wilmore’s act. That’s what he did to Seth Meyers at the 2011 dinner, by releasing his birth certificate that afternoon (“Thanks for the timing on that,” Mr. Meyers had said then, holding up pages of birth certificate jokes.) But Mr. Obama’s typically commanding performance on Saturday left Mr. Wilmore’s jokes more or less unscathed. And Mr. Wilmore came forward with a routine that gave his audience some uncomfortable moments that clearly came through on (which is how I watched it because The New York Times stopped going to the dinner starting in 2008). Calling the dinner “Negro night,” Mr. Wilmore said Fox News would cover the speech from him and Mr. Obama as “Two thugs disrupt elegant dinner in D. C. ” He joked that MSNBC now stood for “Missing a Significant Number of Black Correspondents,” a reference to its cancellation of a show hosted by Melissa . “Some of our finest black journalists are here tonight,” he said, and then added, “Don Lemon is here too,” a reference to the black journalist on CNN. (Mr. Lemon responded with a salute.) His high notes included telling the president to butt out of comedy, seeing as how Mr. Wilmore doesn’t go around “signing executive orders, pardoning turkeys, not closing Guantánamo. ” But sometimes the crowd groaned or fell silent, prompting him at one point to say, “You guys are tough, man. ” But at the end he got serious, speaking about how proud he was that Mr. Obama had proved “a black man can lead the entire free world,” and ended by saying “Yo, Barry, you did it,” and referring to Mr. Obama with an affectionate twist on the . They embraced. As Mr. Wilmore made his way through a light rain to the Vanity Fair and Bloomberg News at the French ambassador’s residence — where Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. mingled with stars like the actresses Helen Mirren and Rachel McAdams — the reviews started trickling in. Brian Lowry’s synopsis on CNN Money carried the headline “Larry Wilmore gets groans and grimaces. ” “Wilmore Underwhelms,” The Hollywood Reporter reported. But then the counternarrative emerged, suggesting that his routine played better outside the bubble. A Daily Beast review likened his act to Mr. Colbert’s, and The Drudge Report gave him a screaming headline: “Comedian Eats the Press!” Leaning against a doorjamb at the party, Mr. Wilmore told me the whole experience was “surreal. ” The motto of his show is “Keep it 100,” as in keep it real, and, he said, “If I’m going to keep it 100, I gotta do the jokes. ” Reality can be in short supply every year during this weekend. The Correspondents’ Association deserves credit for having a comic like Mr. Wilmore at its dinner. And regardless of whether you liked Mr. Wilmore’s act, you can’t say he didn’t keep it 100. Bad things happen in Washington when people don’t. | 1 |
TARAWA, Kiribati — One clear bright day last winter, a tidal surge swept over an ocean embankment here in the remote, island country of Kiribati, smashing through the doors and windows of Betio Hospital and spewing sand and debris across its maternity ward. Beero Hosea, 37, a handyman, cut the power and helped carry frightened mothers through the rubble and water to a nearby school. “If the next one is combined with a storm and stronger winds, that’s the end of us,” he said. “It’s going to cover this whole island. ” For years, scientists have been predicting that much of Kiribati may become uninhabitable within decades because of an onslaught of environmental problems linked to climate change. And for just as long, many here have paid little heed. But while scientists are reluctant to attribute any specific weather or tidal event to rising sea levels, the tidal surge last winter, known as a king tide, was a chilling call. “It shocked us,” said Tean Rube, a pastor with the Kiribati Uniting Church. “We realized, O. K. maybe climate change is real. ” Pacific island nations are among the world’s most physically and economically vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events like floods, earthquakes and tropical cyclones, the World Bank said in a 2013 report. While world powers have summit meetings to negotiate treaties on how to reduce and mitigate carbon emissions, residents of tiny Kiribati, a former British colony with 110, 000 people, are debating how to respond before it is too late. Much of Kiribati, a collection of 33 coral atolls and reef islands scattered across a swath of the Pacific Ocean about twice the size of Alaska, lies no higher than six feet above sea level. The latest climate models predict that the world’s oceans could rise five to six feet by 2100. The prospects of rising seas and intensifying storms “threaten the very existence and livelihoods of large segments of the population,” the government told the United Nations in a report last year. Half of the village of Bikenibeu, for instance, could be inundated by 2050 by rises and storm surges, according to a World Bank study. The study lays out Kiribati’s future in apocalyptic detail. Causeways would be washed away, crippling the economy degraded coral reefs, damaged by warming water, would allow stronger waves to slam the coast, increasing erosion, and would disrupt the food supply, which depends heavily on fish supported by the reefs. Higher temperatures and rainfall changes would increase the prevalence of diseases like dengue fever and ciguatera poisoning. Even before that, scientists and development experts say, rising sea levels are likely to worsen erosion, create groundwater shortages and increase the intrusion of salt water into freshwater supplies. In response, Kiribati (pronounced in the local language) has essentially been drawing up plans for its demise. The government has promoted “migration with dignity,” urging residents to consider moving abroad with employable skills. It bought nearly 6, 000 acres in Fiji, an island nation more than 1, 000 miles away, as a potential refuge. Fiji’s higher elevation and more stable shoreline make it less vulnerable. Anote Tong, a former president who pushed through the Fiji purchase, said it was also intended as a cry for attention from the world. “The issue of climate change is real, serious, and we’d like to do something about it if they’re going to take their time about it,” he said in a recent interview. But packing up an entire country is not easy, and may not be possible. And many Kiribati residents remain skeptical of the need to prepare for an eventuality that may be decades away. The skeptics include the rural and less educated residents of the outer islands who doubt they could obtain the skills needed to survive overseas, and Christians who put more faith in God’s protection than in climate models. “According to their biblical belief, we’re not going to sink because God is the only person who decides the fate of any country,” said Rikamati Naare, the news editor at Radio Kiribati, the broadcaster. As President Tong became a celebrity, invited to speak at conferences around the world, opponents accused him of ignoring problems back home, such as high unemployment and infant mortality. They derided the Fiji purchase, for nearly $7 million, as a boondoggle dismissed his “migration with dignity” as a contradiction in terms and called his talk of rising sea levels alarmist and an affront to divine will. Mr. Tong, having served three terms, was not allowed to run for this year, but in March elections the opposition defeated his party. The new president, Taneti Maamau, said he planned to shift priorities. “Most of our resources are now diverted to development, but in fact there are also bigger issues, like population, the health of the people, the education of the people,” he said during an interview at Parliament, which sits on reclaimed land at the edge of a turquoise lagoon. “Climate change is a serious issue, but you can’t do very much about it, especially if a big hurricane comes,” he added with a hearty laugh. The Fiji purchase was not the first effort to address Kiribati’s perilous future. The World Kiribati Adaptation Program, begun in 2003, developed plans, built coastal sea walls, planted mangroves and installed systems. The bank says the project, which cost $17. 7 million, has conserved fresh water in Tarawa and protected about one mile of Kiribati’s 710 miles of coastline. But a 2011 report cast doubt on whether the World Bank project helped Kiribati prepare for climate change. And while the mangroves and water management plans have helped, a 2014 study said the first round of sea walls, made of sandbags, had proved counterproductive and caused more erosion. “Adaptation is just this long, ugly, hard slog,” said the study’s lead author, Simon Donner, a professor of geography at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. “The idea that an outside organization can just come in with money, expertise and ideas and implement something easily is naïve. What you need is consistent, funding — the type of stuff that’s hard to pull off with development aid. ” Denis Jordy, a senior environmental specialist at the World Bank, acknowledged that “we had some issues” with the first sea walls but said subsequent ones made of rock were better designed. There is no shortage of ideas to avert Kiribati’s environmental fate. China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea shows the promise of sophisticated technology, experts say. Mr. Tong commissioned a study on raising Kiribati’s coastline. But such measures are financially unrealistic for a country like Kiribati. “It’s not about the place going underwater,” Professor Donner said, noting that some of Kiribati’s islands had actually grown in recent years because of land reclamation or natural coastal dynamics. “It’s about it becoming prohibitively expensive to live in. That’s the real challenge for Kiribati. ” The parallel freshwater crisis is also fixable, at a cost. Clean drinking water is already scarce on several islands, and saltwater from high ocean tides has infiltrated some wells. Many residents of South Tarawa, home to half the country’s people, now get their drinking water exclusively from rainwater tanks. Experts worry that as sea levels rise, Kiribati’s fragile groundwater supply will face even greater risks, while the next drought could quickly exhaust the municipal supply and household rainwater tanks. Kiribati could invest in desalinization equipment or ship in drinking water, but this is a country with only one paved road. “It’s all doable,” said Doug Ramsay, the Pacific Rim manager at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in New Zealand. “It’s just going to be a very expensive exercise. ” Another novel response gaining attention lately is the idea of applying international refugee law — largely drafted after World War II to protect people fleeing political, religious or racial persecution — to those forced from their homes because of climate change. In 2012, a migrant worker from Kiribati, Ioane Teitiota, applied for asylum in New Zealand, arguing that he was unable to grow food or find potable water in Kiribati because of saltwater intrusion. His lawyer, Michael Kidd, said the distinction between environmental and political refugees was arbitrary. “You’re either a refugee or you’re not,” he said in an interview. The courts rejected the argument, and Mr. Teitiota was deported from New Zealand last year. Mr. Kidd said he had appealed to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Still, migration may become increasingly important. Mr. Tong said he hoped to prepare his people to move with programs that would meet standards recognized in Australia and New Zealand. “The science of climate change is not 100 percent precise,” he said in the interview. “But we know without any argument that, in time, our people will have to relocate unless there are very, very significant resources committed to maintain the integrity of the land. ” Coastal threats are increasingly clear to residents of Buariki, an oceanside village of huts and towering coconut palms on the island of North Tarawa. Erosion along the beach has already toppled dozens of coconut trees. The World Bank estimates that 18 to 80 percent of the village, which sits on a peninsula not more than a few hundred feet wide, may be underwater by 2050. Some villagers said they were resigned to leaving. “Our government already has land in Fiji for the Kiribati people, so if there are more high tides here, they’ll bring people to live there,” said Kourabi Ngauea, 29. “But it depends on the government, and if they can support us. ” Others see no need to leave. “This is where I belong,” Aroita Tokamaen, 76, said as she peeled a coconut on her patio. “I would rather stay. ” The tide that damaged the hospital here last winter was an exceptionally strong king tide, a surge that occurs twice a year when the moon is closest to the Earth. The waves also flooded the outdoor meeting space of the local branch of the Kiribati Uniting Church. While some people were alarmed, the pastor, Ms. Rube, said she refused to accept the idea that Kiribati could disappear. “We are Christians,” she said. “So we don’t believe that God could have given us this world and then take it away. ” | 1 |
Police fired water cannons on peaceful protesters in freezing temperatures in North Dakota on November 20th. At least 17 protesters were taken to the hospital, and some were treated for hypothermia.
Police used tear gas, rubber bullets, and water hoses keep protesters from pushing past a blockaded bridge on a state highway on Sunday and early Monday morning.
Temperatures in Cannon Ball, North Dakota dropped into the 20s while police in riot gear sprayed activists with a hose mounted on top of an armored vehicle. Protesters were also pelted with rubber bullets, tear gas, and concussion grenades during the standoff.
Police have set up wire and concrete barriers on the bridge, which is about a mile south of where the pipeline developer plans to drill. Protesters argue that this barricade prevents emergency services from reaching the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and a nearby camp they have been using as a staging ground for demonstrations.
Protest organizer, Dallas Goldtooth, claims that protesters started small fires in the area to help warm people who had been sprayed with water in freezing temperatures. Law enforcement officials claim to have used water to put out those waters, yet there is evidence they were using water to spray and disperse protesters.
The road itself is public, yet according to Tara Houska, another protest organizer, over 200 people were hit with tear gas, pepper spray, or water.
Protesters and organizers are using the Cannon Ball gym as an emergency relief center with medics from the Standing Rock Sioux and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes. People who were injured in the standoff are being treated there. Physicians and tribal healers with the Standing Rock Medic and Healer Council are calling on authorities to stop using water cannons against the protesters, saying that below-freezing temperatures can cause hypothermia. They claim that the techniques used by militarized police are potentially lethal and controversial, especially since protesters have been peaceful.
Ariana Marisol is a contributing staff writer for REALfarmacy.com. She is an avid nature enthusiast, gardener, photographer, writer, hiker, dreamer, and lover of all things sustainable, wild, and free. Ariana strives to bring people closer to their true source, Mother Nature. She graduated The Evergreen State College with an undergraduate degree focusing on Sustainable Design and Environmental Science. Follow her adventures on Instagram. | 0 |
CHICAGO — The first truly great American sports documentary, it’s universally agreed, was “Hoop Dreams. ” Released in 1994, it garnered immediate critical acclaim Roger Ebert later called it the best film of the decade and “one of the great moviegoing experiences of my lifetime. ” Its failure to be nominated for an Academy Award caused such an outcry that the process for nominating documentaries was eventually revamped. “Hoop Dreams,” you’ll perhaps recall, followed two promising basketball players from Chicago’s West Side from the eighth grade through high school. One of them, William Gates, became a star guard for suburban St. Joseph, where Isiah Thomas went to high school the other, Arthur Agee, began at St. Joseph but ultimately wound up at his local public school, Marshall High, where in 1991 he led the team to a surprise finish in the Illinois state championships. Like thousands of poor families in disadvantaged neighborhoods all over the country, the Gateses and the Agees yearned for William and Arthur to make it as professional basketball players, in no small part to catapult them out of the poverty that permeates the West Side. But there were so many obstacles. William damaged his knee just as he was approaching stardom. Arthur and his family had to deal with the city shutting off their power because they could not pay their bills. The film touches on issues of addiction and domestic violence. Indeed, as I watched “Hoop Dreams” recently, I thought there was only one obvious obstacle that didn’t make it onto the screen: gun violence. “The reality is, it wasn’t what we really saw a lot in their lives,” recalled Steve James, the filmmaker who wrote and directed “Hoop Dreams. ” This was the case even though the crack epidemic was at its peak and the murder rate in Chicago was reaching a record high. “It was different then,” James said. So it would appear. Shawn Harrington was one of the bit players in “Hoop Dreams. ” A sophomore point guard at Marshall who moved from the junior varsity to the varsity during that glorious 1991 tournament run, he had his own star turn a few years later. After bouncing around several colleges — during which time he both got a degree and became a Division II — Harrington returned to the West Side, where he raised a daughter and eventually became an assistant coach for the Marshall basketball team. His first year as an assistant, 2008, Marshall won the state championship that had eluded the “Hoop Dreams” team. “When I left for school,” he told me when I met him this week, “my mom said she hoped I would never come back. She was happy that I was away. She didn’t have to worry. ” “I had the dream like any other player in Chicago to play in the N. B. A. ,” he added. “But God had another plan. ” Then he pushed his wheelchair up a small ramp and joined me by the dining room table in his small, apartment. Harrington, 41, originally returned to the West Side because he had just fathered a daughter and he wanted to be a real parent — not an absent father as his own dad had been. By 2014, he had etched out a life he was happy with: In addition to his assistant coaching duties, he worked with students at Marshall, and operated a small “scouting service” that was meant to help Chicago basketball players land college scholarships. He viewed his life’s work as helping youngsters in the neighborhood where he grew up, and he became a proselytizer for the importance of education in achieving a better life. Like many former athletes, he saw sports as a means to that education. Eleven years earlier, Harrington’s mother had been killed when she mistakenly walked into a house that was being robbed. “That was a rough patch,” he recalled. “I donated mom’s organs, which helped three people. God was preparing me for this. ” By “this,” Harrington was referring to his own shooting. One of his daily rituals was driving his daughter, Naja, to high school. Early one morning in late January in 2014, with Harrington’s car in a repair shop, they set out together in a rented white sedan. At the corner of Augusta Boulevard and Hamlin Avenue, in the West Side neighborhood of Humboldt Park, a shooting had just taken place involving a white sedan. When Harrington and Naja drove into that same intersection, the men who had been shooting at the other white sedan opened fire, thinking it was the same car. Harrington lay on top of his daughter, trying to protect her. “Daddy, I don’t want to die,” she cried. By the time the shooting stopped, she was unharmed, but he had been hit twice one bullet went through his back and damaged two vertebrae, causing him to lose the use of his legs. He has used a wheelchair ever since. The person who brought Shawn Harrington to my attention was an assistant professor at New Mexico State, Rus Bradburd. A former college basketball assistant coach, Bradburd had recruited Harrington to New Mexico State from a junior college. Harrington left the school after one year, and the two men had lost touch. But when he heard about the shooting, Bradburd visited Harrington and has since been a constant in his life, helping him in innumerable ways. (Bradburd is also writing a book about Harrington, which is to be published in 2018 and is tentatively titled, “All the Dreams We’ve Dreamed. ”) In the course of our conversations, Bradburd made me aware that Harrington was not the only former Marshall High basketball player to have been shot in recent years. Most of them had been coached by Harrington. Tim Triplett, star of the 2014 Marshall team, was killed in April 2015 — just a few years after his brother had been killed. Martin Satterfield, shot six times in the spring of 2014, is now paralyzed. Shawn Holloway was killed in early 2015. Marcus Patrick and Keon Boyd were killed this year. And two months ago, Edward and Edwin Bryant, twins who were sophomores at Marshall, met the same fate. Edward, a talented forward, was becoming a star of the basketball team, and Edwin played football for Marshall. “The violence has always been there,” Harrington told me. “When I was in high school, it was bad. But back then, gang members protected the athletes. They’d say: ‘Get out of here. Go back to school. ’” Indeed, that’s why Steve James didn’t focus on gun violence when he was filming “Hoop Dreams” — athletes, especially basketball players, had a on the street. Regular newspaper coverage of high school basketball turned players into celebrities. Gang members, some of whom had once played basketball themselves, wanted to see them succeed. There was an “unspoken alliance” between gang members and basketball players, said Bradburd, who grew up in Chicago and spends his summers there. And sometimes not so unspoken: “Hoop Dreams” has a remarkable scene at a sporting goods store where Agee and a friend are buying clothes, paying with a thick wad of bills. Agee explains to the camera that they got the money from drug dealers. “They’re thinking they can give us stuff and keep our career going,” he says. In 1984, when Benji Wilson, a heralded high school player, was shot and killed, the news was shocking not only because Wilson was considered the next great Chicago talent, but also because it simply didn’t happen: Basketball players were supposed to be immune to the violence that was so prevalent in the city’s poorer neighborhoods. So what has happened? First, the nature of gun violence on the West Side has changed. Twenty years ago, the gangs were fewer in number and better organized, and most of the shootings were among gang members. “These were gangs who were mostly fighting over turf,” said Alex Kotlowitz, the great chronicler of Chicago’s poor. Today, gun violence feels much more random, and people can be killed over the tiniest slights, including insults on social media. “The morality has changed,” said Dorothy Gaters, Marshall’s athletic director and Hall of Fame girls’ basketball coach. “People are getting shot for blowing their horns. ” Harrington told me that Marshall itself is a safe haven for students during school hours, and Gaters agreed. But the school can’t protect the students once they leave the building. Second, athletes no longer seem to be protected the way they once were. Gang members simply don’t seem to care anymore whether or not athletes succeed. Vince Carter, who coaches the Chicago Demons, a youth traveling team that Edward Bryant played for, told me that the Bryant twins were standing on a corner not far from Wrigley Field around 3:15 a. m. (The Cubs had lost a World Series game that night.) Although the hour was late, the neighborhood was relatively safe. They were gunned down in a shooting. The killers have not been apprehended, and no one has any idea what the motive might be — if there even is a motive. That’s why even though Chicago had 928 homicides in 1991, the city felt safer than it does in 2016, a year in which it had 739 homicides as of Wednesday. “Even though there were more murders, and the gun violence was greater, it felt more circumscribed,” said James, who in 2011 made a film with Kotlowitz about gang violence called “The Interrupters. ” (Gates and Agee escaped Chicago’s gun violence, but they each had close relatives who were killed after “Hoop Dreams” came out.) Even if you survive being shot, it changes your life irrevocably — and never for the better. Harrington’s circumstances today are pretty dire. He hasn’t been able to return to work at Marshall because the school does not have accommodations for wheelchairs it does not even have a freight elevator that might allow him to go from floor to floor. He is essentially confined to his apartment unless someone takes him out. He lives on $300 a month in Social Security, $175 from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (a. k. a. food stamps) and the generosity of family. Although he says he is still coaching Marshall players, it is a volunteer gig now. “He’s been abandoned,” Bradburd said. “It is a failure of America. ” Not completely abandoned, though. Dale Brown, the former basketball coach at Louisiana State University, heard about Harrington and took up his cause. In 2015, Harrington was named coach of the year by the National Consortium for Academics and Sports. This year, during the Final Four, he spoke on a panel with Brown and Shaquille O’Neal at the National Association of Basketball Coaches convention. During the event, O’Neal and Brown gave him a check for $40, 000 to buy a van. Harrington remains relentlessly upbeat. He has a machine in his apartment that allows him to stand and put weight on his legs, and he firmly believes that he will walk again someday. He corresponds regularly with Bradburd and Brown. He is trying to shepherd a group of basketball players — “teaching them,” he says, “to be student athletes, and use it to get an education. ” He checks in from time to time with Martin Satterfield, the former Marshall basketball player who is also paralyzed. Ever since he returned to the West Side all those years ago, Harrington’s goal has been to help young people find a better life. Even from a wheelchair, that hasn’t changed. “I’m glad to have the opportunity to help kids in my community,” he told me. To help them succeed and achieve, yes. But also to help them find a path where they won’t end up dead or maimed, victims of the scourge of gun violence in Chicago. | 1 |
Thursday on Fox News Channel’s “Fox Friends,” former United Kingdom Independence Party leader Nigel Farage said it was time to ignore 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on the heels of her remarks at a tech conference in California criticizing voters. Farage called Clinton a “sad and pathetic” and a “bad loser” now worthy of being ignored. “I mean, Hillary said the same things about me when I came across and supported Donald Trump in his campaign,” he said. “I don’t think it’s worth getting angry about Hillary. I just think she looks sad and pathetic. There is nothing worse in life than a bad loser, nothing worse than somebody who blames absolutely everybody else for their own failings. And let’s face it, you know, she represented an establishment. She almost appeared as if it was her right to become the president and I’m very pleased she didn’t. I’ll tell you what — let’s just from now ignore her. ” Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor | 1 |
Chart Of The Day: Shrinking Core Capital Goods Orders Signals Recession | 0 |
Rep. Luis Gutierrez ( ) whined about Breitbart News’ coverage of illegal immigrants and Muslim refugees during his recent commencement address at Cambridge College. “Breitbart and Fox News didn’t invent their opinions on Mexicans and Central Americans or Muslims,” he claimed the day after the London Bridge terror attacks. “They’re just recycling them. ” He told Cambridge College’s graduates, “I say lift the Muslim ban and tell the Supreme Court to say it’s unconstitutional and . ” Gutierrez called President Donald Trump an “unqualified game show host” and said he saw “in our country great hope and great enthusiasm for resistance against Trump’s America and what it stands for. ” After the London Bridge attacks, Trump called for the “Travel Ban” as an “extra level of safety” and added that “we must stop being politically correct” or “it will only get worse. ” “We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety!” Trump tweeted. “We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don’t get smart it will only get worse. ” We need to be smart, vigilant and tough. We need the courts to give us back our rights. We need the Travel Ban as an extra level of safety! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 3, 2017, We must stop being politically correct and get down to the business of security for our people. If we don’t get smart it will only get worse, — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 4, 2017, Gutierrez said when it comes to immigrants, religious and ethnic groups, “whatever group is coming right now,” there is “always a chorus” of people saying “they are the wrong kind of people, they are criminal, they are disloyal, and they will ruin everything for the rest of us in America. ” He said they were “wrong about the Irish Catholics that fled Ireland” and they are “wrong about the Syrian refugee Muslims that come to America seeking a place of refuge. ” He told graduates that when he was growing up, the New York Times said Puerto Ricans like his parents “were bringing tropical diseases” to New York and would be on welfare and “lead a life of crime. ” He also said there was “no one to stand up for my parents,” or the “Chinese when they were excluded,” or the Irish, or the “Japanese when they were put in internment camps, or the Jews when they were turned back to certain death, or the Italians everyone made fun of. ” He blasted Attorney General Jeff Sessions, claiming Sessions wants to “roll back voting rights and basic civil rights” and to “reignite the war on drugs. ” “I ask you to never forget as they try to roll back voting rights and civil rights that people were murdered, churches were bombed, people were lynched, they were beaten and brutalized so we can have these voting rights and civil rights,” he said. Gutierrez also claimed Sessions wants to deport as many people as possible and “use the law to paint all immigrants as criminals. ” He called on Trump’s administration to leave illegal immigrant laborers, parents, and those working in the fields alone and “go after the criminals that are in our neighborhoods, not after the decent people trying to make a better future in America. ” He told the audience that he became active in politics after realizing that his fellow establishment Democrats were “bigoted. ” Gutierrez told the graduates that in the 1980s, Democrats in Chicago asked him to vote for a Republican candidate for mayor because the Democrat, Harold Washington, was black. After Washington won the Democratic primary, “the Democratic Party of Chicago didn’t like it one bit because he was black,” Gutierrez said, adding that some Chicago Democrats wanted him to “vote against Harold Washington because a black person might move on your block, or went to school with your kids, or maybe married your daughter or your son. ” He said he was not “very political” at the time and just thought Washington, who would later endorse Gutierrez’s candidacy for Congress, was the best person for the job. Gutierrez said “these guys from the Democratic Party” were proving that “racism ran deep” and “something awoke in me. ” He said he told his neighbors “what racist bigots they were” and urged them to not let “fear and bigotry” determine their votes. Gutierrez told the graduates that they will have to play a role in “repairing the country from the damage that is being done today” and urged them to stand up “against the people who are surrounding the president and drawn from the most discredited corners of white nationalism, corporate greed rights, rights, rights, and extremists who are anti almost everything that should be top tier in America. ” He implied that Trump, Sessions, and White House chief strategist Steve Bannon would be uncomfortable with the “different ethnicities” and “different languages” in the crowd of “different colors. ” “You are the flavor of America,” he said. “You are building a stronger America. ” Gutierrez is for his rhetoric, histrionics, and outlandish predictions. When House Republicans passed the American Health Care Act last month, Gutierrez compared the passage of “Trumpcare” to Pearl Harbor, Fort Sumter, and the invasion of Iraq. “Attacking Pearl Harbor, firing on Fort Sumter and invading Iraq looked like good ideas to the perpetrators at the time,” Gutierrez said. “But in the end, they were huge blunders that harmed America and came back to haunt those who to took those actions. That is how I see this health care vote for Republicans. ” Gutierrez also predicted on the House floor in 2014 that George W. Bush would be the last Republican president if Republicans did not work with his fellow Democrats to pass a massive comprehensive amnesty bill. Two years after the bipartisan effort to ram through amnesty failed — largely because of Breitbart News’ relentless reporting on the matter — Trump was elected president. | 1 |
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Frank M. Wanderer – While dreaming, it has been proven that vital signs are influenced by the occurrence within the dream and that our bodies respond in some ways to what we’re witnessing.
Allow me to draw your attention to an apparently surprising thing. If I told you that now, when you are reading these lines, you are in fact asleep, you would certainly believe that I have gone mad.
You are awake , you are concentrating your attention to reading, and you are aware of your environment as well. You can see the furniture of your room, you can hear the call of the birds from the nearby forest. You are also aware of your thoughts and emotions. How can anyone claim that you are asleep at this very moment?
Naturally, you – just like everyone else – sleeps at night. Yes, sometimes you see dreams while you sleep, but right now it is daytime, you are awake. So how could you see dreams? You Imagine a Whole World Around Yourself
I believe that you do not only sleep at night, but also during the daytime. I believe that in your present state of consciousness, your greatest illusion is that you think you are awake. I believe that in your present existence, your greatest illusion is when you think that you are alert. What I see is that in your present state of consciousness you are asleep, and at present you are dreaming, and what you see and hear are all parts of your dream.
Your nighttime sleep is only different from your daytime sleep in that in the night your dreams are less active. During the day, you imagine a whole world around you, and you play an active role in that dream. Your personal history takes place in that world, and identifying with that world shapes your personal identity.
At present, you are dreaming that as a part of your personal history you are reading these lines while identifying with the role of the spiritual seeker, and you are outraged by what you are actually reading.
The question may arise, ‘why do I claim that you are asleep and dreaming now?’. Well, from the state of consciousness I call Alertness, I can see that you are asleep, you believe yourself to be a separate self, you are a captive of the works of your mind. You are not Present
What is the evidence for me to say that you are now asleep and, as a citizen of a dreamland, you are dreaming that you are awake?
It is because you are not present. To be present means that you are fully alert, attentive, and conscious in the present moment. Whatever you do, you do that fully consciously, you focus your entire attention on that particular activity.
Do you feel free to declare that you are present in every moment of your life?
What does it mean to be awake? It has happened to all of us that we have come under the spell of a moment, at some time during our life. A beautiful landscape, a sunset, a beautiful piece of art, the rhythm of music enchanted us. It may even happen that we are just lost in the silence of a peaceful moment. The identification with the forms and shapes loosens a little bit for a short while, and in that instant, we may experience an entirely different state of Consciousness. You Live in a Separate World
How deep you sleep may depend on how realistic you find your dreams, how much you identify with your identity embedded in your personal history. The less alert you are, and the deeper you submerge into your dreams , the more isolated, solitary and individualistic you will become.
Every sleeper –including you– has a separate world, only those who exist in the state of Conscious Alertness (the true Lucid Dreaming) have a common, shared reality. All those different and separate worlds are created by the mind, which generates the state of separateness: the Ego, which appears as the focus of our identification with our thoughts and emotions. Thus everybody has a separate identity, personal history, individual world view and methods of action.
Sometimes suffering alarms you from your sleep, but then you hasten to return to it, and start a new dream, a new objective in life, new ideals, passion, ambition that confirms your connection with your identity, rooted in your personal history. The Reasons of Your Sleep
The reason of you sleeping is that you are not alert, only awake. Only one dimension of Alertness is present in you. Although you are able to focus your attention on your internal emotions and your environment, in your present state of Consciousness you are still powerfully identified with your mind and its functions.
You are therefore drifting on the stormy ocean of your thoughts and emotions day by day, and the space necessary for the emergence of a contemplating Witness is missing from you. You still identify with your thoughts and emotions. These generate the dreams of the Mind , in which you live as a separate self, and try to find the ways of safely navigating your life on the stormy sea. Longing for Freedom
In this separate state of Consciousness, the lack of Alertness may appear as a desire for freedom. This desire emerges from your real self, as your mind remembers its origins. This atavistic memory of the ancient past is the quiet attraction that will eventually take you back to Silence.
This deep desire will only cease if you become alert again, that is, you will not be awake but also alert. Then the Consciousness awakens to its own existence in the human form you at present call yourself.
Only giving up the struggle with the thoughts and emotions and the recognition of the futility of insisting on them will bring you the real freedom, The freedom of independence of the functions of the mind.
Alertness, the awakened Consciousness , the world of internal silence are all beyond the functions of the mind. If you wish to reach beyond the identification with your thoughts and emotions, if you recognize the functions of the mind and the intensity of your identification with them loosens, you may become alert again, in the quiet, pure space of Consciousness.
In this way, the third dimension of Alertness, that is, the contemplating Consciousness, appears in your life. This the original state of our existence, the pure Consciousness, the state of the witnessing Presence. SF Source Dreamcatcher Reality Nov. 2016 Share this: | 0 |
Sean Adl-Tabatabai in News , World // 0 Comments
A disturbing new report suggests that over two-thirds of wild animals living on Earth are set to become extinct by the year 2020.
The comprehensive report by the WWF and Zoological Society of London says animal populations across the globe will continue to plummet by 67% by 2020 due to a mass extinction that is killing the natural world.
Thegaurdian.com reports:
The creatures being lost range from mountains to forests to rivers and the seas and include well-known endangered species such as elephants and gorillas and lesser known creatures such as vultures and salamanders.
The collapse of wildlife is, with climate change, the most striking sign of the Anthropocene, a proposed new geological era in which humans dominate the planet. “We are no longer a small world on a big planet. We are now a big world on a small planet, where we have reached a saturation point,” said Prof Johan Rockström, executive director of the Stockholm Resilience Centre, in a foreword for the report.
Marco Lambertini, director general of WWF, said: “The richness and diversity of life on Earth is fundamental to the complex life systems that underpin it. Life supports life itself and we are part of the same equation. Lose biodiversity and the natural world and the life support systems, as we know them today, will collapse.”
He said humanity was completely dependent on nature for clean air and water, food and materials, as well as inspiration and happiness.
The report analysed the changing abundance of more than 14,000 monitored populations of the 3,700 vertebrate species for which good data is available. This produced a measure akin to a stock market index that indicates the state of the world’s 64,000 animal species and is used by scientists to measure the progress of conservation efforts.
The biggest cause of tumbling animal numbers is the destruction of wild areas for farming and logging: the majority of the Earth’s land area has now been impacted by humans, with just 15% protected for nature. Poaching and exploitation for food is another major factor, due to unsustainable fishing and hunting: more than300 mammal species are being eaten into extinction, according to recent research.
Pollution is also a significant problem with, for example, killer whales and dolphins in European seas being seriously harmed by long-lived industrial pollutants. Vultures in south-east Asia have been decimated over the last 20 years, dying after eating the carcasses of cattle dosed with an anti-inflammatory drug. Amphibians have suffered one of thegreatest declines of all animals due to a fungal disease thought to be spread around the world by the trade in frogs and newts.
Rivers and lakes are the hardest hit habitats, with animals populations down by 81% since 1970, due to excessive water extraction, pollution and dams. All the pressures are magnified by global warming, which shifts the ranges in which animals are able to live, said WWF’s director of science, Mike Barrett.
Some researchers have reservations about the report’s approach, which summarises many different studies into a headline number. “It is broadly right, but the whole is less than the sum of the parts,” said Prof Stuart Pimm, at Duke University in the US, adding that looking at particular groups, such as birds, is more precise.
The report warns that losses of wildlife will impact on people and could even provoke conflicts: “Increased human pressure threatens the natural resources that humanity depends upon, increasing the risk of water and food insecurity and competition over natural resources.”
However, some species are starting to recover, suggesting swift action could tackle the crisis. Tiger numbers are thought to be increasing and the giant panda has recently been removed from the list of endangered species.
In Europe, protection of the habitat of the Eurasian lynx and controls on hunting have seen its population rise fivefold since the 1960s. A recent global wildlife summit also introduced new protection for pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammals, and rosewoods, the most trafficked wild product of all.
But stemming the overall losses of animals and habitats requires systemic change in how society consumes resources, said Barrett. People can choose to eat less meat, which is often fed on grain grown on deforested land, and businesses should ensure their supply chains, such as for timber, are sustainable, he said.
“You’d like to think that was a no-brainer in that if a business is consuming the raw materials for its products in a way that is not sustainable, then inevitably it will eventually put itself out of business,” Barrett said. Politicians must also ensure all their policies – not just environmental ones – are sustainable, he added.
“The report is certainly a pretty shocking snapshot of where we are,” said Barrett. “My hope though is that we don’t throw our hands up in despair – there is no time for despair, we have to crack on and act. I do remain convinced we can find our sustainable course through the Anthropocene, but the will has to be there to do it.” | 0 |
Many believe burglaries are crimes that occur out of desperation, but this isn’t always the case. In fact, the motivation that drives many criminals is simply opportunity. Such is the case for why home break-ins occur around Christmas time while homeowners are away at work. All a criminal needs to do is make a quick entry, grab all the gifts perfectly surrounded by a Christmas tree and they are out the door faster than you can blink. Here are some facts to gain a better perspective on what you are facing:
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, every 15 seconds a home in America is burglarized and the homeowner typically suffers a loss of nearly $2,000 in stolen goods or property damage. Most burglaries take place between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The majority of break-ins are committed by burglars who live nearby. Burglars tend to avoid homes with security systems. Most criminals can burglarize a home in less than ten minutes. Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window. An astonishing 34% of burglars enter through the front door. Burglars usually go to the master bedroom first. The average property dollar loss per burglary is a staggering $2,251. Someone is home during nearly three out of every ten burglaries. Only 13.6% of burglaries in 2014 resulted in arrests. Given these startling statistics, break-ins can be avoided altogether by using common sense and mindfulness. Here are some simple security measures to take to ensure your home stays out of the watchful eye of an intruder.
1. Keep security layers in mind Having security layers in place is the best possible preventative measures to deter possible criminals from marking your home as an easy target. These security layers will advertise to intruders that they should avoid your home altogether. Designing a home defense system that includes multiple security layers is a proactive way to protect your home, family, and belongings. Fortunately, there are plenty of tools at your disposal for keeping your property safe. Most of them cost significantly less than an alarm system, and all together can provide several layers of security to your home. Below are seven awesome tools for keeping your place safe during the holiday season. These affordable items are a great start to beefing up your home security.
Door club Wireless LED spotlight Fake TV burglar deterrent Digital lamp timers Sentry security bolt safe Hidden safes Security system Curtains and/or blinds on windows Use a wooden dowel on sliding doors and windows Read more about these
2. Keep security supplies near vulnerable areas Those that are preparedness-minded are always vigilant about ensuring the safety of their family members. In that same vein, children should know the basics of the family emergency plan and safety rules like not opening the door to strangers.
As well, having some basic safety/security supplies near the most vulnerable areas of the home (key entry points, garages, etc.) would be advantageous if you find yourself face to face with someone attempting to break-in. For examples, near the entry points in my home, we have a decorative basket that blends into the decor but has items such as flashlights, an emergency whistle, multi-tools and/or a knife. As well, if you do not have children in the home, you can also strategically place a handgun, clips or a non-lethal weapon if you choose. You can strategically place these items near vulnerable spots of the home.
The front door The backdoor The bedroom Living room Another vulnerable part of the home is windows. Burglars love to “window shop”. If you keep your curtains or blinds open, this will give them an opportunity to take a peek into the home. Moreover, if you have picturesque bistro tables and chairs, they can easily be used against you. Criminals will throw them against windows for fast entry. Installing shatter-proof window film on windows will help prevent this.
While we love a beautifully landscaped yard with shrubs and bushes cut low, this can also make for easy entry into the home. You can add bushes and landscaping to help deter criminals from marking your home. Plants with thorns such as roses, bougainvillea or blackberry bushes are great choices for securing the outer perimeter of the home. At the very least, secure the windows from becoming entry points with window alarms to alert you or your neighbors to a break in.
Speaking of yard and landscaping, how many of you have a ladder that you forgot to bring in? Criminals will look around for tools they can use to gain entry. The second story of a home is typically more lax when it comes to security. If you are guilty of this one, lock up your ladder in your garage.
3. Focus on the entry points The most common way for an intruder to get into your home is through the door. Make this your first priority in reinforcing your security. The best method is to install door frame and hinge reinforcements on the front and back doors. This security solution is made of galvanized steel and can prevent single entry door kick-ins and stop intruders before they are inside. Moreover, you might also want to consider installing a deadbolt . Even the strongest reinforced steel door can be neutralized by one swift kick if your lock does not extend deep enough into the door frame.
As well, gaining entry into a garage is another essential entry point to secure. It takes less than six seconds to break into a garage if the criminal knows how. Here are step-by-step instructions on how to prevent this.
3. Be aware and know thy neighbors Having a pleasant relationship with neighbors who stay at home is a beneficial relationship to have. They can keep an eye on your home while you are at work and you can reciprocate in a way that helps them out. Knowing who your neighbors are, what type of cars they drive and usually the time they are home, creates a neighborhood that is actively practicing OPSEC and awareness .
4. Don’t draw unwelcome attention to your home We typically assume those living around us are respectful of property, but this isn’t always the case. Those living in residential areas bring unwanted attention to themselves when they rid their home of the large boxes marked with brand names or pictures of products. This happens frequently during Christmastime. That new flatscreen television box or video game system packaging will scream, “Come steal me!” to criminals. Be mindful and load up boxes and drop them off at a recycling center. This will reduce the eyes on the prize. As well, boxes are one the easiest items to repurpose . On a personal note, I have broken down boxes and used them to create a lasagna-style garden . This cut down on my trash load and helped me create a more sustainable lifestyle.
5. Let there be light! Illuminating the perimeter is single-handedly one of the easiest security measures to take. Simply put, dark or poorly lit areas make it easier for burglars to go unseen. Motion sensing security measures will quickly signal you to trouble if it’s out there. As well, indoor timers for lamps and indoor lighting can help to fool anyone creeping around where they shouldn’t be. Remember, the main goal of burglars is to get in and get out unseen. If they think someone is home, they will think twice before entering.
Everyone wants to believe that they are safe and sound when they latch the windows and lock the doors. With the increase in crime, jobless rates, and increased food prices, home break-ins are likely to be on the rise. Take some incentive to review your family preparedness plans and beef up your home security measures! The investment in your home security will pay off for years to come.
Additional Resources:
Prepper’s Home Defense: Security Strategies to Protect Your Family by Any Means Necessary
The Prepper’s Blueprint: The Step-By-Step Guide To Help You Through Any Disaster
Home Security: Securing the Doors
Home Security: Securing the Windows
Tess Pennington is the author of The Prepper’s Blueprint , a comprehensive guide that uses real-life scenarios to help you prepare for any disaster. Because a crisis rarely stops with a triggering event the aftermath can spiral, having the capacity to cripple our normal ways of life. The well-rounded, multi-layered approach outlined in the Blueprint helps you make sense of a wide array of preparedness concepts through easily digestible action items and supply lists.
Tess is also the author of the highly rated Prepper’s Cookbook , which helps you to create a plan for stocking, organizing and maintaining a proper emergency food supply and includes over 300 recipes for nutritious, delicious, life-saving meals.
Visit her web site at ReadyNutrition.com for an extensive compilation of free information on preparedness, homesteading, and healthy living.
This information has been made available by Ready Nutrition
Originally published November 25th, 2016 10 Cheap Yet Effective Home Security Tips 5 Ways to Better Secure Your Home in an Emergency Seven Great Ways to Keep Your Home Safe for the Holidays They Bound Her Wrists In Duct Tape – What She Did Next… Tips On How To Fortify And Prep Your Home Or Apartment | 0 |
Posted on October 27, 2016 by Carol Adl in News // 0 Comments
The British Prime Minister has refused to withdraw her support for UK weapons sales to Saudi Arabia.
Theresa May also refused to withdraw support for Saudi Arabia’s place on the UN Human Rights Council despite the Kingdoms atrocities in Yemen.
During a debate at the House of Commons in Parliament on Wednesday, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn confronted May over Saudi violations and called for an end to the weapons sales (see video below)
Press TV reports:
“The issues are being investigated… We are very clear that the only solution that is going to work for Yemen is actually to make sure that we have the political solution that will give stability in Yemen,” May told Corbyn and the parliamentarians.
Instead of answering the direct question, May spoke about the UK government’s contribution to the humanitarian aid provided to the crisis-torn country.
Corbyn also questioned May’s support for Saudi Arabia’s membership in the UN Human Rights Council. A crucial vote on the membership of Riyadh in the council will take place later this month.
London has repeatedly been blamed by human rights groups, including Oxfam and Amnesty International, for fueling the Yemeni war by supplying Saudi Arabia with weapons.
Since the conflict began last year, the British government has approved more than £3 billion ($3.7 billion) in arms sales to the Saudis and military contractors hope more deals are in the pipeline.
Yemen has been under almost daily airstrikes by Saudi Arabia since March 2015. International sources put the death toll from the aggression at almost 10,000.
Rights groups have also condemned the Kingdom’s crackdown on dissent and prosecution of pro-reform activists. | 0 |
BREAKING – Wikileaks Batch 19 Email Reveals Clinton Campaign Very Concerned About “The Black” Vote by IWB · October 27, 2016 | 0 |
WASHINGTON — With anger boiling over as passengers wait an hour or more at airport checkpoints, Jeh Johnson, the Homeland Security secretary, said on Friday that he had authorized steps to ease the lines, including more overtime for screeners, faster hiring and increased use of dogs. Mr. Johnson, standing next to Peter V. Neffenger, the head of the Transportation Security Administration, said at a news briefing at Reagan National Airport that although the moves would reduce waiting times, they would not eliminate them. “Our task is to keep passengers moving, but also, and most importantly, keep passengers safe,” Mr. Johnson said. The long lines in recent months have led airlines to delay hundreds of flights and passengers to miss many more. Airlines and airports are fearing gridlock during the summer travel season. The T. S. A. has attributed the lines, in part, to tightened security procedures and budget cuts that have produced a shortage of screeners. Some members of Congress, however, have pointed to what they call management problems at the agency. Many airports have threatened to replace T. S. A. screeners with workers from private companies if the agency cannot reduce waiting times. Senators Edward J. Markey of Massachusetts and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, both Democrats, have called on airlines to lend a hand in reducing waiting times by waiving the fees for checked baggage. “Without charges for checking their bags, passengers will be far less likely to carry them on, which snarls screening checkpoints and slows the inspection process,” they said in a letter to a dozen major airlines. Mr. Johnson urged travelers to sign up for T. S. A. Pre, an expedited screening procedure that allows passengers to leave their shoes on and keep computers in their bags. Enrollment in the program has fallen short of expectations, exacerbating the long security lines. The T. S. A. and its congressional supporters note that budget cuts have left the agency with 10 percent fewer screeners than it had in 2013. At the same time, the number of people flying is expected to increase by 12 percent this year, reaching a record. “The long wait times we’re seeing now are a direct result of Congress’s failure to give T. S. A. the money it needs to do its job,” said J. David Cox Sr. the president of the American Federation of Government Employees, which represents airline screeners. Congress has given the agency the authority to hire 768 additional screeners. But Representative John L. Mica, Republican of Florida, a longtime critic of the agency, said during an impromptu news conference of his own at the airport that the problem was not a lack of money or people. “The problem is a huge government bureaucracy,” he said. The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates Kennedy International Airport, La Guardia Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport, recently sent a letter to the T. S. A. saying that security waiting times had “risen dramatically in recent months,” leading to delayed and missed flights. The Port Authority threatened to hire private security workers if the T. S. A. did not increase the number of screeners at the airports. Officials at International Airport in Atlanta sent a similar letter in February. Other airports, such as Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, N. C. are also considering using private security contractors. Under the T. S. A. ’s Screening Partnership Program, 22 of the approximately 450 commercial airports in the country, including San Francisco International Airport, use private screeners. But some transportation experts point out that airports with private screeners are also experiencing longer waiting times as passenger volume increases. Private screeners still have to follow T. S. A. security procedures. And even if larger airports like the ones in New York and Atlanta moved to switch to private screeners, they could not do so in time for the increased summer travel. The T. S. A. review process takes about a year on average. The complaints about longer waiting times add to continuing problems at the T. S. A. which consistently ranks in employee surveys as one of the worst places in the government to work. The agency has been racked by accusations of mismanagement and misconduct, including the awarding of bonuses to supervisors who ignored warnings about security lapses and accusations that employees who reported problems were reassigned to other airports. | 1 |
This is what we expected all along.
The #NeverTrump independent candidate Evan McMullin is working to eliminate Donald Trump and elect Hillary Clinton.
The #NeverTrump Republican candidate last week told reporters all Republicans are racist.
The #NeverTrump movement hopes McMullin will steal enough votes from Trump for Hillary to win Utah.
McMullin told reporters this week his goal is to take down Trump.
McMullin: What we’re trying to do is earn enough electoral votes is to block Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump… If not they then we will be happy to have prevented someone who I believe is a true authoritarian from taking power in the United States and that’s Donald Trump.
Now what is it will all those Democrats saying “Trump is dangerous”? Dangerous to what? To their nest of corruption of course. Sure he is dangerous to that, they will go to jail most likely. Evan McMullin who looks like an E.T. with that ugly bold head of his used a different wording though, which is basically the same. He said he doesn’t want a “true authoritarian to take power in the US”. Umm sure he doesn’t, he doesn’t like the authority, the rule of law. Nope, he likes the rule of jungle where everybody can be corrupt in peace and be left alone.
According to his Wikipedia page, he is a former CIA operative who also worked at Goldman Sachs.
Those Democrats are so despicable. Its as if the USA fell in the hands of the organized Mafia.
Its obvious now this douchebag is a Hillary plant. Perhaps Republicans should have done something similar in California. Have some paid SJW agent trying to steal California away from the Democrats.
McMullin Admits Preventing Trump From Winning is Goal pic.twitter.com/Batqj3iZTv
— MicroSpookyLeaks™ (@WDFx2EU7) October 23, 2016
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“Leach” Say no more. | 0 |
Thursday, 10 November 2016 Don't ask me how I did it.
He said it would be rigged. He blatantly announced that the presidential election would be rigged. The squirrels supporting his presidential election promised the election would be rigged.
They would have poll monitors at various neighborhoods to police the possibility, and the various neighborhoods were in the predominately black areas of the country. Granted, he has questionable integrity, but why is no one taking him at his word?
Did Trump rig the election?
"We must support our new president," Hillary Clinton patriotically announced in her concession speech.
Hold it. Back up a couple of weeks.
Remember when the KGB was hacking into the Democratic National Committee, and Wiki-leaks published over 300 emails from John Podesta's computer? Seventeen US national security agencies announced that the hacking was traced to Russia. The former head of the KGB, Vladimir Putin, also had announced he was supporting Trump.
Then there was the Director of the FBI, James Comey's fiasco. First Hillary was guilty of original sin! Ten days later, in a perfect example of a Governor Rick Perry 'whoops', James Comey announced, "There is nothing there, there!"
So there!
Back up again. Wringing his hands, Comey feared that mutinous members of the FBI were about to reveal new evidence against Hillary Clinton found in Anthony Weiner's computer. Weiner is the estranged husband of Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton's chief of staff.
Long story to short: the new evidence was suggested in a book, Clinton Cash , written by Breitbart News senior editor-at-large Peter Schweizer. Breitbart News is a conservative website and the executive chairman, Stephan Bannon, is also the chief executive of the Donald Trump campaign.
The dots are easy to connect: the smear campaign, drop in polls, catch up game and the votes were cast.
"This election is going to be rigged."
Hillary Clinton never regained the advantage she had before the Comey fiasco. The down ballot was definitely compromised.
Quoting someone from Wisconsin. "Wisconsin went for Trump and we don't know how that happened. At least she got the popular vote."
The election was rigged. He said it would be. This time, believe him.
Read more by this author: | 0 |
Vladimir Putin has begun banning members of the corrupt Clinton cabal from Russia, just days after Vladimir Putin told President-elect Donald Trump he hopes the two nations can rebuild their relationship.
Via YourNewsWire
Michael McFaul, a close Clinton ally and former US ambassador to Moscow under President Barack Obama, is the first of many to be banned from entering Russia, according to Russian Foreign Ministry sources.
Mr McFaul, US ambassador in Moscow from 2012-2014, said he had learnt of the ban when applying for a visa to Russia last week. Asked what the purpose of his visit was, McFaul said it was to help presidential candidate Hillary Clinton prepare for what he assumed would be her transition to the White House.
Now McFaul, currently a Stanford University professor, is banned from Russia and Kremlin sources say he is the first of many Clinton allies to be banned.
Mr McFaul said: “I have hundreds of friends in Russia. I’m really sorry that these sanctions will make communicating with people harder. “I was told that I am on the Kremlin’s sanctions list because of my close affiliation with Obama.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry did not publicly confirm the ban, but ministry sources told Russian news agencies McFaul had been added to the sanctions list.
He was not banned because of his support for President Obama, a Foreign Ministry source told the TASS and RIA news agencies, but because of his “active participation in the destruction of the bilateral relationship and relentless lobbying in favour of the Clinton campaign to destabilize Russia.”
President Putin was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Donald Trump following his election victory, telling the tycoon that he had followed the election closely.
Russia is hoping for a “new understanding” and “restored Russian-American relations” according to Kremlin sources, with President Putin said to be “encouraged” by the American people voting to back themselves and reject the prospect of a New World Order totalitarian world government.
According to sources, Putin believes that the result of the U.S. election proves the globalists’ destructive agenda is deeply unpopular with real people, and when given a chance they will instinctively reject it out of hand.“The American people stood up against the media, the banks, the establishment, everything was against them, but they said enough. They want change.”
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The highlight of Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin’s confirmation hearing so far was his rousing defense of community banks against overbearing federal regulations. [“Regulation is killing community banks,” he declared, and if the process is not reversed, we could “end up in a world where we have four big banks in this country. ” He went on to offer examples of how regulations enacted after the 2008 financial crisis had some unexpected negative consequences. Mnuchin ran through a list of regulatory agencies — “the OCC, the FDIC, Consumer Protection Bureau, the Federal Reserve” — and noted that “in certain cases, there is overlapping regulation. ” “My biggest concern, and I fully support regulation for banks with FDIC insurance, but my biggest concern is that this regulation is killing community banks,” he said. “We’re losing the community banking business. We’re losing the ability for small and banks to make good loans to small and businesses in the community, where they understand those credit risks better than anybody else. ” “I think that we all appreciate the engine of growth is with small and businesses. In my role at FSOC, in working with the different regulators, I would make sure that we did what we could to have proper regulation, but eliminate overlap, as well as make sure that the banks are lending to small and businesses, and we don’t end up with a world where we only have four big banks in this country,” Mnuchin said. He was referring to his prospective chairmanship of the Financial Stability Oversight Council, a new regulatory body created by the regulations to decide which private institutions are vital to the stability of the U. S. financial system, and so merit enhanced federal oversight. Senator Mike Crapo ( ) noted the importance of Mnuchin’s role within FSOC, which he criticized as “heavily focusing on some of its statutory mandates while ignoring others” since its inception. Crapo highlighted the statutory mandate to “advise Congress and make recommendation in such areas that will enhance the integrity, efficiency, competitiveness, and stability of U. S. financial markets. ” “To date, frankly, I’m not aware of FSOC fulfilling that role,” he said. “We don’t get a lot of advice from FSOC. We get a lot of directive in the country. Will you pledge, as the chairperson of FSOC, that you will ensure that the council considers ways to make the U. S. financial markets more efficient, and then advise and work with Congress to achieve those outcomes?” “I absolutely will, Senator,” Mnuchin replied. “Let me just comment on, for instance, the Volcker Rule as an example. I do support the Volcker Rule. I think the concept of proprietary trading does not belong in banks with FDIC insurance. ” The Volcker Rule is another artifact of the legislation, which as Mnuchin indicated limits bank ownership of hedge funds and private equity funds. In essence, it prevents banks from using the money they’re holding for investments that benefit the bank instead of its customers, which is the sort of activity that contributed to the immense losses in the 2008 financial crisis. “The Federal Reserve just put out its own report that the Volcker Rule has completely limited liquidity in many markets,” Mnuchin continued. “The Federal Reserve is concerned that the interpretation of the Volcker Rule doesn’t allow banks to create enough liquidity for customers. So that’s something I would absolutely want to look at. ” | 1 |
[Photo: Before and after mountain top removal for coal extraction. Devastation brought to you by the Koch Brothers. Credit: Earth Justice.] =By= The Real News Network Editor's Note
We are at the point in Earth history, the breaking point. Humanity, (let’s be fair shall we?) western “civilization” has virtually killed the only home we have. There is no place for homeless humanity to go when this home becomes habitable only for cockroaches and similarly hardy beasts. Those in the worst offender nation, the United States, have allowed themselves to be pacified into disbelief that we are, or even can, destroy the only home we have. Much of that willing disbelief is founded on a welll orchestrated propaganda campagn carried out by the fossil fuel industry and the owners of it such as the Koch Brothers. The video below examines this decades long campaign that has been waged to lead a willing populace to the graveyard of humanity.
We are literally at a point where days matter in reversing course. We (humanity) does not have centuries to address this problem. We don’t even have decades. Some argue that if something significant is not done by 2017 to radically reduce the production of global warming gasses that it will be too late to avoid the worst that is coming at us. We are talking months – not years. Recognizing the urgency, many organizations and publications are devoting major effort to addressing the destruction of our world. The Real News Network is starting a Global Climate Change Bureau. The Greanville Post and Uncommon Thought Journal are dedicated to bringing you consistent news, analysis, and engagement opportunities focused on ACD ( Anthropogenic Climate Disruption ) – as Dahr Jamail argues, ACD clear puts the blame for the problem on humans. Please join us in this effort and send pertinent materials to Rowan Wolf at [email protected] .
From The Real News Network
Scientists say Temperatures Will Rise to Critical 2° by 2050
The Real News Network is Building a Global Climate Change Bureau
2014 and 2015 each set the record for hottest calendar year since scientists began measuring surface temperatures over 150 years ago, and 2016 is shaping up to be even warmer. This will be the first time that we’ve seen three consecutive years with record-breaking temperatures.
A temperature increase of two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels will now be reached much sooner than earlier predicted according to a report by seven leading climate scientists.
“The 1.5°C target could be reached by the early 2030’s and the 2°C target by 2050” says the report that included Sir Robert Watson, former Chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The scientists say that even if all the pledges made by the signatory countries to the Paris agreement are fully implemented, climate will pass this dangerous mark in 34 years.
This is a threshold that most scientists have warned cannot be crossed without dire consequences, including a rise in sea levels of several feet that would flood many coastal cities in the U.S., longer droughts, more intense heat waves that cause a major disruption in the world’s food supply, and large migrations of people from countries of the global south.
It is also a point where it becomes far more difficult to reverse the warming trend. Some scientists suggest temperatures by the end of the century could rise as much as 4-6°C above pre-industrial levels. [1°C equals 1.8°F, so this is a temperature rise of 7.2-10.8°F]
The report titled The Truth About Climate Change says, “Much of the public believes that climate change is only going to happen by the end of the century,” and that this is a misunderstanding of the urgency. Unless there is a dramatic change in current public policy, most people alive today will live to see the 2°C threshold crossed.
The report continues: “Climate change is happening now, and much faster than anticipated.” Climate change related floods, droughts, more intense storms, heat waves, and wildfires have already had devastating effects on livelihoods, infrastructure, and lives.”
If the 2°C threshold is to be avoided, the report calls for far more aggressive targets than those set by the Paris Agreement and for that action to begin immediately. The report says, “To meet the 2°C target, global CO2 emissions should be net zero by 2060-2075.”
The threat is catastrophic, the science overwhelming. So why aren’t solutions to the climate change crisis at the top of the political agenda?
Why don’t we see millions of people in the streets demanding decisive action? Why isn’t this a major issue in the election debates? Why are politicians who deny the existence of human-caused climate change even elected to office?
The lack of American public engagement in the climate crisis is a global concern. If U.S. policy doesn’t change, human life as we know it and thousands of other species will not survive.
According to a Yale survey, 70% of Americans now believe global warming is real. If so, why isn’t there more political pressure to face up to the crisis?
Dig further into the numbers and the state of public opinion is more fully revealed. Of those who believe climate change is real, only half (53%) think that global warming is mostly human caused. One in three (34%) believe it is due mostly to natural changes in the environment. Only about one in ten Americans understand that nearly all climate scientists (more than 90%) are convinced that human-caused global warming is happening. Over half of Americans (58%) say they are at least “somewhat worried” about global warming, but only 16% say they are “very worried.”
Why are only 16% of people surveyed very worried about what 90% of scientists think is a catastrophic threat?
The Koch Brothers’ war on science certainly plays a major role in promoting doubt about the overwhelming scientific evidence of human-caused climate change. They spend millions financing witch hunts against climate scientists and funding “research” designed to confuse public opinion.
The Kochs and other billionaires with a vested interest pour hundreds of millions into the coffers of politicians willing to obstruct legislation that would regulate fossil fuel and promote a green sustainable economy.
Perhaps as responsible for the gap between public opinion and scientific evidence is corporate television news, “The gatekeeper of public consciousness.”
Firstly, they ignore the crisis. The report cited above was not the lead story on television newscasts. We can’t find evidence it was carried by any U.S. television news outlet at all .
According to a Media Matters report, the four major corporate TV networks aired a total 146 minutes of climate change coverage in 2015. ABC only aired 13 minutes of coverage and Fox’s coverage consisted mostly of “criticism of efforts to address climate change.”
The report continues: CNN aired almost five times as much oil industry advertising as climate change-related coverage in the one-week periods following the announcements that 2015 was the hottest year on record and February 2016 was the most abnormally hot month on record.
Only 16% of Americans are “very worried” about global warming because corporate TV news doesn’t want us to worry about it.
Larry Wilkerson, former chief of staff to Secretary of State Colin Powell, says: While US foreign policy is mostly responsible for the growth of militant terrorist groups, the threat of a nuclear terrorist attack is existential. Think about what we’ll do when 500,000 people are killed in New York City. We will declare martial law nationwide. We will be the most draconian tyranny you’ve ever seen on the face of this earth. But still I consider climate change a greater danger because it is a threat to the very survival of the human race.
What are the reasons for corporate TV’s lack of interest in the major news story of the century?The obvious answers are pressure from certain advertisers, the interests of corporate ownership, and the political intrigues of the fossil fuel industry.
But I think it goes even deeper.
In 2009, two years after the Fourth IPCC Assessment Report said, “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal,” TV coverage of climate change was at its height – a whopping 205 minutes for the entire year. Even former Republican Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich appeared in an ad with Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi calling for action on climate warming.
Then something happened.
A large section of the elites looked at what it would really take to meet the target scientists said was necessary to mitigate and stop the terrible consequences of climate change. They said, “No way.”
The transformation required to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels and move to a green economy would change who has power and how business is done. There is no way to achieve the necessary reduction in carbon emissions without serious government regulation, a strengthening of the public sector, and massive public investment. All this requires a reduction in the political power of the fossil fuel industry and the financial elites associated with it.
Gingrich renounced the Pelosi ad in 2011.
The majority of the billionaires who control the commanding heights of the economy and politics are more interested in short-term profits and immediate personal gratification than some “long-term” threat. They either fight against all climate change legislative action or support relatively weak measures to reduce carbon emissions – better than nothing, but far from what scientists say is required.
For most people of wealth it comes down to a simple calculation: My family and I will be ok . As the IPCC puts it: “Risks are unevenly distributed and are generally greater for disadvantaged people and communities in countries at all levels of development.”
People who understand the scale of the systemic risk are marginalized by corporate media and thus are marginalized in politics.
A critical task in engaging large numbers of ordinary people in fighting and voting for a rational climate change policy is breaking the corporate monopoly on daily video news. We must create an independent, uncompromising source of global climate change news and investigative reports.
The very first story ever produced by TRNN in 2007 was an interview series with George Monbiot on the urgent climate change threat. We produced a series titled “Who Cares About Bangladesh” soon afterwards.
We reported directly from the COP21 Climate Conference in Paris.
We did in-depth interviews with climatologists like Dr. Alan Robock and Dr. Michael Mann who both worked on the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
Economist Robert Pollin has appeared in numerous interviews with specific proposals for a transition to a green economy.
We recently interviewed the esteemed actor Emma Thompson while she was onboard a Greenpeace vessel in the Arctic.
We’ve reported on environmental activism from all over the world.
We will soon be releasing the documentary “The Doubt Machine: The Koch Brothers War on Climate Science” narrated by Emma Thompson.
With our limited resources we have produced more than 535 reports on climate change since the fall of 2007 when we started our service. In 2015, we produced 1029 minutes of programming about climate change. That’s more than seven times of all the major networks combined .
We have produced more than 10,000 reports and interviews overall since we began our daily production. We also cover international and national news and now have a bureau in Baltimore reporting on the problems and solutions to the crisis of urban America. Millions of people have watched. We average 1.5 million views per month.
While we have worked hard to keep a focus on climate change, what we have accomplished is far from enough. We need a Climate Bureau with sufficient resources to become a major daily video climate news service for online and TV.
The power of daily video news is what shapes most people’s world view and the field is dominated by news organizations that will not seriously address the problem or are in fact, part of the “doubt machine.”
It is clear that a radical change in the way the world produces and uses energy is required. Currently, about 82% of energy produced in the world is obtained by burning fossil fuels. How we produce energy without burning fossil fuels will be critically important as the world population is expected to grow by 40% to 10 billion by 2050.
Please go to The Real News in order to read the rest of their plans for their new Global Climate Change Bureau (GCCB). | 0 |
HILLARY WILL LAND IN PRISON, NOT THE OVAL OFFICE Posted on Tweet Home » Headlines » World News » HILLARY WILL LAND IN PRISON, NOT THE OVAL OFFICE
FBI Director James Comey has caved to the pressure of his outraged employees at the FBI, and re-opened the CRIMINAL investigation of Hilary Clinton. With less than two weeks until the election, it would seem that Hilary is more likely to enter a prison cell than the Oval office: 2017 Gold Pandas and 2017 Silver Pandas Are Now Available! Secure Your 2017 Panda Coins Today at SD Bullion! You must be logged in to post a comment. Today's Top Articles Privacy Policy THE ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION PROVIDED ON SILVERDOCTORS IS FOR YOUR EDUCATION AND ENTERTAINMENT ONLY, IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR TRADING PURPOSES. THE DOC IS NOT AN INVESTMENT ADVISER AND INFORMATION OBTAINED HERE SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN FOR PROFESSIONAL INVESTMENT ADVICE. THE COMMENTARY ON SILVERDOCTORS REFLECTS THE OPINIONS OF THE DOC AND OTHER CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS. YOUR OWN DUE DILIGENCE IS RECOMMENDED BEFORE BUYING OR SELLING ANY INVESTMENTS, SECURITIES, OR PRECIOUS METALS. WE DO NOT SHARE IN YOUR PROFITS, AND THUS WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LOSSES AS WELL. Search | 0 |
CHARLESTON, S. C. — After three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, C. J. Hardin wound up hiding from the world in a backwoods cabin in North Carolina. Divorced, alcoholic and at times suicidal, he had tried almost all the accepted treatments for stress disorder: psychotherapy, group therapy and nearly a dozen different medications. “Nothing worked for me, so I put aside the idea that I could get better,” said Mr. Hardin, 37. “I just pretty much became a hermit in my cabin and never went out. ” Then, in 2013, he joined a small drug trial testing whether PTSD could be treated with MDMA, the illegal party drug better known as Ecstasy. “It changed my life,” he said in a recent interview in the bright, airy living room of the suburban ranch house here, where he now lives while going to college and working as an airplane mechanic. “It allowed me to see my trauma without fear or hesitation and finally process things and move forward. ” Based on promising results like Mr. Hardin’s, the Food and Drug Administration gave permission Tuesday for Phase 3 clinical trials of the drug — a final step before the possible approval of Ecstasy as a prescription drug. If successful, the trials could turn an illicit street substance into a potent treatment for PTSD. Through a spokeswoman, the F. D. A. declined to comment, citing regulations that prohibit disclosing information about drugs that are being developed. “I’m cautious but hopeful,” said Dr. Charles R. Marmar, the head of psychiatry at New York University’s Langone School of Medicine, a leading PTSD researcher who was not involved in the study. “If they can keep getting good results, it will be of great use. PTSD can be very hard to treat. Our best therapies right now don’t help 30 to 40 percent of people. So we need more options. ” But he expressed concern about the potential for abuse. “It’s a drug, and we know people are prone to abuse it,” he said. “Prolonged use can lead to serious damage to the brain. ” The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, a small nonprofit created in 1985 to advocate the legal medical use of MDMA, LSD, marijuana and other banned drugs, sponsored six Phase 2 studies treating a total of 130 PTSD patients with the stimulant. It will also fund the Phase 3 research, which will include at least 230 patients. Two trials here in Charleston focused on treating combat veterans, sexual assault victims, and police and firefighters with PTSD who had not responded to traditional prescription drugs or psychotherapy. Patients had, on average, struggled with symptoms for 17 years. After three doses of MDMA administered under a psychiatrist’s guidance, the patients reported a 56 percent decrease of severity of symptoms on average, one study found. By the end of the study, no longer met the criteria for having PTSD. examinations found that improvements lasted more than a year after therapy. “We can sometimes see this kind of remarkable improvement in traditional psychotherapy, but it can take years, if it happens at all,” said Dr. Michael C. Mithoefer, the psychiatrist who conducted the trials here. “We think it works as a catalyst that speeds the natural healing process. ” The researchers are so optimistic that they have applied for breakthrough therapy status with the Food and Drug Administration, which would speed the approval process. If approved, the drug could be available by 2021. Under the researchers’ proposal for approval, the drug would be used a limited number of times in the presence of trained psychotherapists as part of a broader course of therapy. But even in those controlled circumstances, some scientists worry that approval as a therapy could encourage more illegal recreational use. “It sends the message that this drug will help you solve your problems, when often it just creates problems,” said Andrew Parrott, a psychologist at Swansea University in Wales who has studied the brains of chronic Ecstasy users. “This is a messy drug we know can do damage. ” Allowing doctors to administer the drug to treat a disorder, he warned, could inadvertently lead to a wave of abuse similar to the current opioid crisis. During initial studies, patients went through 12 weeks of psychotherapy, including three sessions in which they took MDMA. During the sessions, they lay on a futon amid candles and fresh flowers, listening to soothing music. Dr. Mithoefer and his wife, Ann Mithoefer, and often their portly terrier mix, Flynn, sat with each patient, guiding them through traumatic memories. “The medicine allows them to look at things from a different place and reclassify them,” said Ms. Mithoefer, a psychiatric nurse. “Honestly, we don’t have to do much. Each person has an innate ability to heal. We just create the right conditions. ” Research has shown that the drug causes the brain to release a flood of hormones and neurotransmitters that evoke feelings of trust, love and while also muting fear and negative emotional memories that can be overpowering in patients with stress disorder. Patients say the drug gave them heightened clarity and ability to address their problems. For years after his combat deployments, Mr. Hardin said he was sleepless and on edge. His dreams were marked with explosions and death. The Army gave him sleeping pills and antidepressants. When they didn’t work, he turned to alcohol and began withdrawing from the world. “I just felt hopeless and in the dark,” he said. “But the MDMA sessions showed me a light I could move toward. Now I’m out of the darkness and the world is all around me. ” Since the trial, he has gone back to school and remarried. The chemist Alexander Shulgin first realized the traits of MDMA in the 1970s, and introduced it to psychologists he knew. Under the nickname Adam, thousands of psychologists began to use it as an aid for therapy sessions. Some researchers at the time thought the drug could be helpful for anxiety disorders, including PTSD, but before formal clinical trails could start, Adam spread to dance clubs and college campuses under the name Ecstasy, and in 1985, the Drug Enforcement Administration made it a Schedule 1 drug, barring all legal use. Since then, the number of people seeking treatment for PTSD has exploded and psychiatry has struggled to keep pace. Two drugs approved for treating the disorder worked only mildly better than placebos in trials. Current psychotherapy approaches are often slow and many patients drop out when they don’t see results. Studies have shown combat veterans are particularly hard to treat. In interviews, study participants said MDMA therapy had not only helped them with painful memories, but also had helped them stop abusing alcohol and other drugs and put their lives back together. On a recent evening, Edward Thompson, a former firefighter, tucked his twin girls into bed, turned on their night light, then joined his wife at a backyard fire. “If it weren’t for MDMA … ” he said. “He’d be dead,” his wife, Laura, finished. They both nodded. Years of responding to gory accidents left Mr. Thompson, 30, in a near constant state of panic that he had tried to numb with alcohol and prescription opiates and benzodiazepines. By 2015, efforts at therapy had failed, and so had several family interventions. His wife had left with their children, and he was considering jumping in front of a bus. A member of a conservative Anglican church, Mr. Thompson had never used illegal drugs. But he was struggling with addiction from his prescription drugs, so he at first rejected a suggestion by his therapist that he enter the study. “In the end, I was out of choices,” he said. Three sessions with the drug gave him the clarity, he said, to identify his problems and begin to work through them. He does not wish to take the drug again. “It gave me my life back, but it wasn’t a party drug,” he said. “It was a lot of work. ” | 1 |
Posted on November 4, 2016 by Eric Zuesse. Eric Zuesse, originally posted at strategic-culture.org The power above the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the U.S. Attorney General, and, above that person, the U.S. President. That’s whom the FBI actually serves — not the U.S. public. This is the reason why the FBI is having such internal tensions and dissensions over the investigation of Hillary Clinton: Not only is she the current President’s ardently preferred and designated successor — and overwhelmingly supported also by America’s artistocracy and endorsed by the aristocracy’s press — but the top leadership of the FBI have terms-in-office that (unlike, for example, the term of the U.S. Attorney General) do not end with the installation of the next President; and these people will therefore be serving, quite possibly, the very same person whom they are now ‘investigating’. This is the reason why James Comey, the FBI’s Director, let Clinton totally off the hook on July 5th, when he declined to present the case to a grand jury: he and the rest of the FBI’s top management violated three basic principles of trying white-collar-crime cases when a prosecutor is serious about wanting to prosecute and obtain a conviction against a person — he (and they) wanted to keep their jobs, not be fighting their boss and their likely future boss. If America were an authentic democracy, there would be a way for the FBI to serve the public even when the U.S. President doesn’t want it to. According to the only scientific study that has ever been done of the matter, the U.S. federal government is a dictatorship not a democracy. This was reluctantly reported by the researchers, whose own careers are dependent upon the aristocracy which they were finding actually controls that government. They found that the U.S., at the federal level, is not a democracy but an “oligarchy,” by which the researchers were referring to an “economic elite,” America’s billionaires and centi-millionaires who control America’s international corporations and the ‘charities’ (such as think tanks) that are dependent upon them — including many that directly affect U.S. politics, such as the think tanks or other way-stations for former U.S. government employees to become hired by private firms. The authors of the only empirical scientific research-study that has been done of whether the United States is a democracy , or instead a dictatorship, excluded the very term “aristocracy” (or “collective dictatorship” such as an “economic elite” is if that “elite” actually is in control of the given nation’s government) from their article. They did this so as for the meaning not to be clear to the U.S. public. In any country in the modern world where an aristocracy exists, aristocrats nowadays try to hide their power, not (like in former eras) display their power by crowns and other public symbols of ‘the nobility’. The closest the study’s authors came to using that term, “aristocracy,” was their only sentence that employed the pejoritave term for an aristocracy, “oligarchy.” That obscure lone sentence was: “Jeffrey Winters has posited a comparative theory of ‘Oligarchy,’ in which the wealthiest citizens — even in a ‘civil oligarchy’ like the United States — dominate policy concerning crucial issues of wealth and income protection.11″ Their 11th footnote made clear that they were referring here to the book Oligarchy , by Jeffrey A. Winters, which stated the ‘theory’ that this article had actually just confirmed in the American case. Their article mentioned the book — and the “oligarchy” — only in this one footnote, so that the authors of the article (whose own careers are dependent upon America’s ‘oligarchs’) won’t be able to be accused by oligarchs (or in any way thought by their own financial benefactors — America’s aristocrats) to have called the U.S. an “oligarchy” (a collective dictatorship by the few super-rich and their agents). To apply either term — “aristocracy” or “oligarchy” — to one’s own country, is now viewed as negative, an insult to the country’s controlling elite. Neither scholars nor scholarly publishers wish to insult the people who ultimately are their top funders. This article was written in the standard unnecessarily obscurantist style of social ‘scientists’ who want to be comprehensible only to their peers and not to the general public. Doing it this way is safer for them, because it makes extremely unlikely that their own benefactors would retaliate, against them or else against the institutions that hire them, by withdrawing their continued financial and promotional support (such as by no longer having them invited onto CNN as an “expert”). (This type of fear prevents theory in the social ‘sciences’ from being strictly based upon the given field’s empirical findings: it’s not authentically scientific. The physical sciences are far less corrupt, far more scientific. The biological sciences are in-between.) One particular reason why the authors never called the people who control the U.S. government an “aristocracy,” is that everyone knows that the Founders of the U.S. were opposed to , and were engaged in overthrowing, the existing aristocracy, which happened to be British, and that they even banned forever in the U.S. the use of aristocratic titles, such as “Lord” or “Sir.” Consequently, within the U.S., the only term that the aristocrats consider acceptable to refer to aristocrats, is “oligarchs,” which always refers only to aristocrats in foreign countries , and so is considered safe by the aristocrats’ writers (including scholars and political pundits) to use. Everyone knows: in accord with the clear intention of America’s Founders , the U.S. should eliminate from its citizenry any aristocrat (any self-enclosed and legally immune group that holds power over the government), but Americans naturally accept the existence of “oligarchs” in other countries (and “good-riddance to them there”), typically the ones in countries U.S. foreign policy opposes and often overthrows by means of coup or outright military invasion (any form of conquest, such as in 2003 Iraq, or 2011 Libya). It’s fine to refer to other countries’ aristocracies as ‘oligarchies’, because any such foreign aristocracy can therefore be declared to be bad and ‘deserving’ of overthrow. Thus, any aristocracy that is opposed to America’s aristocracy (especially one that’s opposed to being controlled by the U.S. aristocracy), and which wants to be controlling instead their own independent nation, can acceptably be overthrown by coup (such as Ukraine 2014 was) or invasion (such as Libya 2011 was). Thus, calling a foreign aristocracy an “oligarchy” is supportive of, not oppposed to, the U.S. aristocracy — and, so, “oligarchy” is the term the authors used (on that one occasion, and they never used the prohibited term “aristocracy”). Nonetheless, despite the cultural ban on describing the U.S. as an “aristocracy,” the authors were — as obscurely as they were able — proving that the U.S. is an aristocracy, no authentic democracy at all. Or, again, as they said it in their least-obscurantist phrasing of it: “Economic Elite Domination theories do rather well in our analysis, even though our findings probably understate the political influence of elites. Our measure of the preferences of wealthy or elite Americans — though useful, and the best we could generate for a large set of policy cases — is probably less consistent with the relevant preferences than are our measures of the views of ordinary citizens or the alignments of engaged interest groups. Yet we found substantial estimated effects even when using this imperfect measure. The real-world impact of elites upon public policy may be still greater.” ‘Greater’ than what? They didn’t say. That’s because what they were saying (as obscurely as possible) is that it’s probably ‘greater’ than is shown in the data that was publicly available to them, and upon which data their clear finding is that the U.S. is an aristocracy, no democracy at all. Or, as they also put it: “Economic Elite Domination theories do rather well in our analysis.” But, actually, “Economic Elite Domination theories” (virtually all of which come down to positing an aristocracy that consists of the billionaires — and centi-millionaires — and their corporations, and their think tanks, and their lobbyists, etc.) did phenomenally well, in their findings, not just ‘rather well’ — they simply can’t safely say this. Saying it is samizdat, in the U.S. dictatorship. They were allowed to prove it, but not to say it. So, that’s what they did. They didn’t want to “upset the applecart” from which they themselves are feeding. The simplest (but no less accurate) way of stating their finding is: the U.S., at least during the period the researchers probed, which was 1981-2002, was an aristocracy, no democracy at all. The U.S., in other words, was (even prior to the infamous Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which is making the aristocracy even more concentrated among even fewer people) a country of men (and women — that’s to say, of individuals ) not of laws; it’s a dictatorship, in short; it is not a country “of laws, not of men” . America’s Founders have finally lost. The country has been taken over by an aristocracy. And one of those “men” now, is actually Hillary Clinton, even though she is no longer officially holding governmental power. They know she soon might be. That’s why, the FBI cannot really, and seriously , investigate her. It’s not for legal reasons at all. It’s because of whom she is. In fact, purely on the basis of U.S. laws, she clearly ought to be in prison . Any honest lawyer, inside or outside the FBI, has long known this, because the actual case against her is ‘slam-dunk’ , even though the FBI has refused to investigate it and has limited its ‘investigation’ only to peripheral ‘national security’ issues. (The #2 person at FBI, Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, right below Director James Comey, specified this limitation to his ‘investigators’. They simply weren’t allowed to investigate her, except on the hardest-to-prove crimes that she probably but not definitely did also do. The slam-dunks were just off-limits to them. McCabe’s wife’s political campaign had received $675,000 from the PAC of Terry McAuliffe , a close friend of the Clintons, who chaired Hillary’s 2008 Presidential campaign. And, even on the harder-to-prove matters, which FBI Director Comey declined on July 5th to pursue, they stood a strong chance of winning, if only Comey hadn’t prevented their moving forward to try — but those issues are tangential to the basic case against her, anyway.) There are at least six federal criminal laws which accurately and unquestionably describe even what Ms. Clinton has now publicly admitted having done by her privatized email system, and intent isn’t even mentioned in most of them nor necessary in order for her to be convicted — the actions themselves convict her, and the only relevance that intent might have, regarding any of these laws, would be in determining how long her prison sentence would be. I have already presented the texts of these six laws (and you can see the sentences for each one, right there), and any reader can easily recognize that each one of them describes, unambiguously without any doubt, what she now admits having done. Most of these crimes don’t require any intent in order to convict (and the ones that do require intent are only “knowingly … conceals,” or else “with the intent to impair the object’s … use in an official proceeding,” both of which “intents” would be easy to prove on the basis of what has already been made public — but others of these laws don’t require even that); and none of them requires any classified information to have been involved, at all . It’s just not an issue in these laws. Thus, conviction under them is far easier. If a prosecutor is really seeking to convict someone, he’ll be aiming to get indictments on the easiest-to-prove charges, first. That also presents for the prosecutor the strongest position in the event of an eventual plea-bargain. As Alan Dershowitz said , commenting on one famous prosecution: “They also wanted a slam-dunk case. They wanted the strongest possible case.” Comey simply didn’t; he wanted the hardest -to-convict case. His presentation was a brazen hoax. That’s all. That’s the real scandal, and nobody (other than I) has been writing about it as what it is — a hoax. But what it shows is that maybe the only way that Clinton will be able to avoid going to prison is by her going to the White House. Either she gets a term in the White House, or else she gets a (much longer) term in prison — or else our government is so thoroughly corrupt that she remains free as a private citizen and still above the law, even though not serving as a federal official. Even if she is convicted only on these six slam-dunk statutes (and on none other, including not on the ones that Comey was referring to when he said on July 5th that, “Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case”), she could be sentenced to a maximum of 73 years in prison (73 = 5 + 5 + 20 + 20 + 3 + 10 + 10). Adding on others she might also have committed (such as the ones that Comey was referring to, all of which pertain only to the handling of classified information), would mean that her term in prison might be lengthier still, but what’s important in the email case isn’t that; it’s to convict her on, essentially, theft and/or destruction of U.S. government documents by means of transferring them into her private email and/or smashing hard drives. No one, not even a U.S. federal official, can legally do that, and those six laws are specifically against it. Motive is important in Ms. Clinton’s email case, because motive tells us why she was trying to hide from historians and from the public her operations as the U.S. Secretary of State: was it because she didn’t want them to know that she was selling to the Sauds and her other friends the U.S. State Department’s policies in return for their million-dollar-plus donations to the Clinton Foundation , and maybe even selling to them (and/or their cronies) U.S. government contracts, or why? However, those are questions regarding other crimes that she might have been perpetrating while in public office, not the crimes of her privatized email operation itself; and those other crimes (whatever they might have been) would have been explored only after an indictment on the slam-dunks, and for further possible prosecutions, if President Obama’s people were serious about investigating her. They weren’t. Clearly, this is selective ‘justice’. That’s the type of ‘justice’ an aristocracy imposes. Why, then, did Comey finally switch to re-open the Clinton case? It wasn’t merely the discovery of some of her previously unknown emails on the computer of Anthony Wiener, husband to Hillary’s closest aide Huma Abedin. As Politico on October 28th reported , “Another former Justice official said Comey’s letter [announcing the re-opening of Hillary’s case] could be part of an effort on his part to quiet internal FBI critics who viewed him as burying the Clinton probe for political reasons. ‘He’s come under a lot of criticism from his own people for how he’s handled this. He’s trying to gain back some of their respect,’ former Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Pierce said. ‘His ability to do what he does largely depends on the respect within his own ranks.’” Joachim Hagopian at Global Research headlined on October 30th, “The Real Reasons Why FBI Director James Comey Reopened the Hillary Email Investigation” , and reported: “Former federal attorney for the District of Columbia Joe diGenova spelled it all out in a WMAL radio interview last Friday just hours after the news was released that Comey had sent a letter informing Congress that the case is being reopened. DiGenova said that with an open revolt brewing inside the FBI, Comey was forced to go public on Friday with reopening the investigation. … Finally, diGenova dropped one more bombshell in Friday’s interview. An inside source has revealed to him that the laptops belonging to key Clinton aides Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson, both wrongly granted immunity , were not destroyed after all as previously reported, but have been secretly kept intact by investigating FBI agents refusing to destroy incriminating evidence as part of the in-house whitewash.” In other words: Comey was between a rock (the resignation-letters piling up on his desk from subordinates who felt that no person should be above the law) and a hard place (his ability to stay on at the FBI and not have a scandal against himself bleed out to the public from down below). The U.S. wasn’t yet that kind of dictatorship — one which could withstand such a public disclosure. In order for it to become one, the aristocracy’s control would have needed to be even stronger than it yet is. Also on the 30th, Ed Klein in Britain’s Dail Mail bannered : EXCLUSIVE: Resignation letters piling up from disaffected FBI agents, his wife urging him to admit he was wrong: Why Director Comey jumped at the chance to reopen Hillary investigation James Comey revived the investigation of Clinton’s email server as he could no longer resist mounting pressure by mutinous agents, sources say The atmosphere at the FBI has been toxic ever since Jim [Comey] announced last July that he wouldn’t recommend an indictment against Hillary He told his wife that he was depressed by the stack of resignation letters piling up on his desk from disaffected agents So, does this now mean that, finally, the FBI will bring before a grand jury the evidence that Hillary Clinton blatantly violated those six federal criminal laws against stealing and/or trying to destroy federal documents? There has never — at least since 1981 — been so severe a test of the extent to which this nation is (as those researchers found it to have unquestionably been between 1981 and 2002) an “oligarchy.” However, a serious criminal prosecution of Ms. Clinton would potentially start an unwinding of this dictatorship. The present writer will make no prediction. However, obviously, the results of the election on November 8th will certainly have an enormous impact upon the outcome. Since I think that anyone but a complete fool can recognize this much, I’m confident enough to assert it — a conditional about the future. | 0 |
84 Lumber has already released some of its ad that had to be changed before airing in the Super Bowl after it was deemed by Fox to be “too controversial. ” In the portion of the ad released Thursday, titled “The Journey Begins,” a Mexican mother and daughter embark on a journey by foot, truck and train. At the end of the ad, 84 Lumber directs viewers to see the conclusion of the journey that has “content deemed too controversial for TV” to be available halftime of Sunday’s game. The conclusion of the ad reportedly features a wall blocking people looking for work in the United States. The spot approved by Fox to air in the game is supposed to air just before halftime. Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent | 1 |
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Melania Trump may have made her homeland more famous thanks to her being the next First Lady of the United States. If you are planning your travels for 2017, know more about Slovenia attractions and why it should be next to your bucket list.
Slovenia recently made headlines in the international news after Donald Trump was elected as president of United States.
His wife, Melania Trump, is a proud Slovenia native.
She was born and raised in the simple and unassuming country before she headed to Paris to pursue her modeling career, The Week said. Slovenia attractions
But what can we see in Slovenia?
One visitor may start off his trip to Slovenia’s capital city Ljubljana. Boasting its name as The European Green Capital for 2016, the place bans cars in its city center and can only be traveled through walking or biking.
The place, which has over 300, 000 in population, has a triple bridge river. The town also has cafes, bars, and boutiques one can explore.
After the city tour, Skocjan Caves should be next in the list.
Considered as Europe’s largest underground ravine, the limestone caves has over six kilometers of lakes and waterfalls.
READ ALSO: AMAs 2016 – Gigi Hadid Showcases Melania Trump Impression, Hosting Skills Questioned By Fans
What made it stunning was also because of its natural bridges, CNN said.
One part of the Skocjan Caves, the Martel Chamber, consists of two million cubic meters in volume. It also displays a grandiose of stalagmites and stalactites.
Aside from this, Lake Bled is also under the list of Slovenia attractions.
One can see in the middle of this stunning body of water the Bled Castle from the 11 th century.
For one to visit the Roman-inspired castle, wooden boats will be perfect.
Bled is with a larger Slovenia attractions site Triglav National Park. It has numerous caves, bridges, and breathtaking views of lime stones.
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Why Donald Trump Must Shut Down The Federal Reserve And Start Issuing Debt-Free Money By 16th, 2016
If Donald Trump truly wants to fix the economy, he must shut down the Federal Reserve. If he just tries to patch up our current system, he will fail, because it has been fundamentally flawed from the very beginning. A little over a century ago, very powerful forces on Wall Street convinced Congress to completely restructure our financial system. An immensely powerful central bank known as the Federal Reserve was created, and the goal was to transform the U.S. dollar into a debt-based currency that would continuously be inflated and to create an endless debt spiral from which could never possibly escape. Sadly, they were successful on both counts. Since the creation of the Federal Reserve, the value of the U.S. dollar has declined by approximately 98 percent and our national debt has gotten more than 5000 times larger .
Americans tend to give most of the credit or most of the blame for the performance of the U.S. economy to our presidents, but the truth is that an unelected, unaccountable group of central bankers has far more power over our economy than anyone else does. The Federal Reserve has become known as “ the fourth branch of government “, but unlike the other branches of government we are told that the Fed’s decisions are “above politics” because they are “too important”. Fed officials fiercely guard their “independence”, and they fiercely resist any “interference” from Congress, the President, or the American people.
Donald Trump can try to lower taxes and reduce regulations, but what he will be able to do to influence the economy pales in comparison to the immensely powerful tools that the Fed wields. The Fed controls interest rates, the Fed controls the money supply, and the Fed regulates the banks.
To give you an idea of how enormously powerful the Fed is, I want you to pull out a dollar bill.
As you look at that dollar bill, I want you to notice that it says “Federal Reserve Note” right at the top.
In the financial world, a “note” is an instrument of debt, and the truth is that our system was designed to create as much debt as possible.
So why are we using debt-based “Federal Reserve Notes” in the first place? Shouldn’t Congress have control over our currency?
According to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution , it is Congress that has the authority to “coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures”.
So how did the Fed get involved?
Well, it is a very long and convoluted story, and if you are interested in the history behind it I would commend to you an excellent book by C. Edward Griffin entitled “ The Creature from Jekyll Island: A Second Look at the Federal Reserve “. Basically, big money interests on Wall Street got their hooks into the White House and Congress, and they rushed through legislation right before Christmas in 1913 that created this insidious central banking system that was designed to slowly but surely take wealth from the American people and put it into their hands.
Sadly, most Americans don’t even realize that we have a debt-based currency, nor do they understand where our money comes from. In a previous article , I discussed how money is normally created by the Federal Reserve under our current system…
When the U.S. government decides that it wants to spend another billion dollars that it does not have, it does not print up a billion dollars.
Rather, the U.S. government creates a bunch of U.S. Treasury bonds (debt) and takes them over to the Federal Reserve.
The Federal Reserve creates a billion dollars out of thin air and exchanges them for the U.S. Treasury bonds.
The Federal Reserve takes the U.S. Treasury bonds that it receives in exchange for the “Federal Reserve Notes” that it gave to the government and it auctions off those bonds to the highest bidder . But of course this process always creates more debt than it does money…
The U.S. Treasury bonds that the Federal Reserve receives in exchange for the money it has created out of nothing are auctioned off through the Federal Reserve system.
But wait.
There is a problem.
Because the U.S. government must pay interest on the Treasury bonds, the amount of debt that has been created by this transaction is greater than the amount of money that has been created.
So where will the U.S. government get the money to pay that debt?
Well, the theory is that we can get money to circulate through the economy really, really fast and tax it at a high enough rate that the government will be able to collect enough taxes to pay the debt.
But that never actually happens, does it?
And the creators of the Federal Reserve understood this as well. They understood that the U.S. government would not have enough money to both run the government and service the national debt. They knew that the U.S. government would have to keep borrowing even more money in an attempt to keep up with the game.
So our debt just keeps going up and up and up. While Barack Obama has been in the White House our national debt has risen by more than 9 trillion dollars, and at this moment it is sitting just under the 20 trillion dollar mark .
But we shouldn’t be surprised by this, because this is precisely what the Federal Reserve system was designed to do to us.
Many conservatives still hold to the mistaken illusion that we could somehow pay all of this debt back someday, but as I have shown in a previous article, this is mathematically impossible to do .
If the government went out today and grabbed every single dollar in existence we could not pay back the national debt, and of course we have of household debt, of corporate debt and of state and local government debt that we need to pay back as well.
Under the current system our only hope is to keep the wheel spinning by continuing to devalue the dollar and by continuing to go into even greater amounts of debt.
And of course it isn’t just the United States that is in this predicament. At this point, almost every single nation on the entire planet has a central bank.
Even though there are extremely sharp disagreements among nations on virtually everything else, somehow central banking has achieved nearly universal adoption.
As you read this article, well over 99.9% of the population of the globe lives in a country that has a central bank.
Do you think that is just a coincidence?
Of course there are still a few very small countries such as the Federated States of Micronesia that do not have a central bank, but the only big nation not to have one is North Korea.
And you would literally have to be insane to want to live in North Korea.
But now we have an opportunity to get free from this insidious system. The truth is that we don’t have to have a central bank. In fact, the greatest period of economic growth in U.S. history was when there was no central bank .
We don’t need central planners to set our interest rates and to manipulate our money supply. They will never admit this, but the reality of the matter is that their interference in the economy often creates tremendous economic busts.
Since the Federal Reserve was created in 1913, there have been 18 distinct recessions or depressions : 1918, 1920, 1923, 1926, 1929, 1937, 1945, 1949, 1953, 1958, 1960, 1969, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1990, 2001, 2008.
Considering their track record, isn’t it time for a change?
And we don’t have to have a debt-based currency. In fact, not too long ago we had a president that decided to start issuing debt-free “United States Notes”.
Back in 1963, President John F. Kennedy issued Executive Order 11110 which authorized the U.S. Treasury to issue debt-free “United States Notes” which were directly created by the U.S. government.
He was assassinated shortly thereafter.
Most Americans don’t realize this, but many of the debt-free United States Notes that were issued under President Kennedy are still in circulation today , and President Trump could do something similar.
But will he?
It has been said that the borrower is the servant of the lender, and the Federal Reserve system has turned all of us into debt slaves.
Debt is a form of social control, and the global elite use all of this debt to dominate the planet. The total amount of debt in the world just hit of 152 trillion dollars , and the longer we allow the central banks to control the system the bigger this debt bubble will become.
here in the United States that starts with shutting issuing debt-free currency. It would take someone very bold to make a move like this, and so let us hope that the man that we just elected is up to the task. | 0 |
Prince, the music icon who struggled with debilitating hip pain during his career, died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl, a type of synthetic opiate, officials in Minnesota said Thursday. The news ended weeks of speculation about the sudden death of the musician, who had a reputation for clean living but who appears to have developed a dependency on medications to treat his pain. Authorities have yet to discuss how he came to be in possession of the fentanyl and whether it had been prescribed by a doctor. Officials had waited several weeks for the results of a toxicology test undertaken as part of an autopsy performed after he was found dead April 21 in an elevator at his estate. He was preparing to enroll in an opioid treatment program when he died at 57, according to the lawyer for a doctor who was planning to treat him. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, which conducted the autopsy, declined to comment beyond releasing a copy of its findings. The Carver County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the death with help from the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The sheriff’s office had said it was looking into whether opioid abuse was a factor, and a law enforcement official had said that painkillers were found on Prince when investigators arrived. “The M. E. report is one piece of the whole thing,” said Jason Kamerud, the county’s chief deputy sheriff. Fentanyl is a potent but dangerous painkiller, estimated to be more than 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report did not list how much fentanyl was found in Prince’s blood. Last year, federal officials issued an alert that said incidents and overdoses with fentanyl were “occurring at an alarming rate throughout the United States. ” Weeks before his death, Prince postponed a concert in Atlanta, saying that he had the flu. A week later, he made up the show, but on the flight home to Minneapolis, he fell unconscious and his private jet made an emergency landing in Moline, Ill. There, emergency medical personnel treated him with Narcan, a drug typically used to counteract the effects of an opioid overdose, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the matter. Prince told his friends and associates after that emergency that he was O. K. His publicist said he had the flu and that this was what had led to the emergency landing. But a concerned friend later reached out to a doctor who specializes in treating opioid addictions, in hopes of getting him into treatment, according to William Mauzy, a lawyer for the doctor, Howard Kornfeld. On April 20, Dr. Kornfeld sent his son, Andrew Kornfeld, who is not a doctor but works at his father’s clinic, on a flight to Prince’s Paisley Park estate in Chanhassen, Minn. Mr. Mauzy said. But when Andrew Kornfeld arrived on the morning of April 21, he and two members of Prince’s staff found the singer lifeless. He then called 911. Andrew Kornfeld was carrying a drug used to treat opioid addiction, but Mr. Mauzy said he hoped his client, who was not authorized to dispense medications, would not be charged with any crime, in part because of a good Samaritan law that allows people to call 911 to get someone help without worrying about criminal consequences. Mr. Mauzy said neither Kornfeld had given Prince any medication. The medical examiner’s report listed Prince, who was as weighing 112 pounds and said he had been dressed all in black that morning, including a black cap. His death came at a time when an opioid addiction epidemic has been sweeping the United States. Studies showed that more than 28, 000 people died from opioids, which includes heroin and painkillers, in 2014, and 4. 3 million people were taking pain medication for nonmedical purposes that year. Fentanyl can be consumed in a variety of ways, including through patches, injections, smoking and a lollipop. It is unclear what method Prince used. Dr. Torin Finver, an addiction medicine specialist at the Jacobs School of Medicine at the University at Buffalo, said it can be easier to overdose on the drug because its effects last shorter than they do for other opiates, thus leading users to dose more frequently and possibly consume too much. The illicit shipment of fentanyl into the United States has become a major concern for federal officials, who say the substance has become an increasingly popular product of drug cartels in Mexico and is often mixed with heroin. Prince’s body was worn down from decades of taxing performances, in which he often did splits or jumped from heights in platform shoes, several people close to him said. One person who knew him said that Prince had hip surgery in the but it did not completely alleviate his pain. The medical examiner’s report noted a scar on Prince’s left hip as well as one on his lower right leg. To some of Prince’s closest friends and colleagues, his struggle with pain medication came as a surprise because the musician had become a Jehovah’s Witness and strove, friends said, to live such a clean life. He was averse to drinking alcohol and frowned on the use of recreational drugs. He typically ate a vegan diet, and would not allow meat in his house. “It doesn’t matter what people say after you are gone,” Cassandra O’Neal, Prince’s keyboardist for the last seven years, said after being told of the overdose report. “What matters is what they meant to you when they were here. Prince is still a genius and one of the most gifted artists I ever worked with. ” Investigators have used search warrants as they look for evidence in the case and collected records from medical personnel who treated him in the final months of his life, including one Minnesota doctor, Michael Schulenberg who had seen him the day before he died. It was unclear what Dr. Schulenberg saw Prince for, but he had also seen him weeks earlier, the same day that Prince had postponed the Atlanta show. Dr. Schulenberg also prescribed medications for Prince, according to an affidavit filed by an investigator in support of a search warrant, though it did not specify the drugs. There has been no indication from investigators that Dr. Schulenberg prescribed opiates to Prince. “He was interviewed on April 22,” said Amy S. Conners, the doctor’s lawyer, “and fully cooperated and has received no further requests from any investigators. ” | 1 |
Some of the tech world’s elites have come together to fund research that hopes to protect humanity from the rise of artificial intelligence. [LinkedIn Founder Reid Hoffman and eBay Founder Pierre Omidyar’s Omidyar Network have each donated $10 million dollars to the “Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Fund. ” The Knight Foundation has contributed $5 million to the cause, while Raptor Group founder Jim Pallotta and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation have made respective donations of $1 million. This fund will focus on research into the inevitable ethical quandaries posed by the very nature of complex AI. As the Knight Foundation explains: Even when we don’t know it, artificial intelligence affects virtually every aspect of our modern lives. Technology and commerce will ensure it will impact every society on earth. Yet, for something so influential, there’s an odd assumption that artificial intelligence agents and machine learning, which enable computers to make decisions like humans and for humans, is a neutral process. It’s not. Even algorithms have parents, and those parents are computer programmers, with their values and assumptions. Those values — who gets to determine what they are and who controls their application — will help define the digital age. In summary, AI will only be as neutral or objective as the people who create it which is to say, probably not at all. The Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Fund will allocate portions of its $27 million to people dedicated to addressing this issue, and the ever more complicated questions that will arise as we move toward a future guided in large part by the intelligent constructs that already know our names, our addresses, our incomes, our children, and even our favorite foods. Harvard’s Berkman Klein Center and the MIT Media Lab will serve as “founding anchor institutions” in an effort at “bridging the gap between the humanities, the social sciences, and computing by addressing the global challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) from a multidisciplinary perspective. ” MIT Media Lab Director Joi Ito outlined the “tough challenges” that “AI’s rapid development” brings with it: For example, one of the most critical challenges is how do we make sure that the machines we ‘train’ don’t perpetuate and amplify the same human biases that plague society? How can we best initiate a broader, discussion about how society will with this technology, and connect computer science and social sciences to develop intelligent machines that are not only ‘smart,’ but also socially responsible? According to the MIT Media Lab statement, the fund will be managed by “a small board, consisting of leadership from each participating foundation and institution,” as well as members of their faculty and “a number of other individuals from a wide range of disciplines and organizations. ” With the concept of truly intelligent artificial beings climbing even as far as the European parliament, this research seems especially relevant. According to the Berkman Klein Center, the participating organizations “welcome public engagement,” but are not currently seeking further investment from the general public. They do, however, “welcome discussions with all institutions and individuals engaging in research related to developing ethical AI in the public interest. ” Follow Nate Church @Get2Church on Twitter for the latest news in gaming and technology, and snarky opinions on both. | 1 |
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WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange’s lawyers have suggested that the globally detested, thorn in the side social figure will keep at, and even perhaps intensify, efforts to be fully pardoned by the United States once President-elect Donald Trump takes office next year.
Assange’s lawyers made the announcement after the controversial global “whistleblower” spoke with Swedish authorities who had come to consult with him within the neutral territory of the Ecuadorian embassy in the U.K. over rape charges which Assange faces in Sweden.
Assange has been holed up in the aforementioned embassy for years in an effort to escape facing the diverse set of global charges which have been lobbed against him.
And, as for a pivoted effort for Assange to escape the charges he faces, one directed at attempting to garner a Trump signed, U.S. presidential pardon, Assange’s lawyers said, according to London’s Evening Standard , “Through U.S. counsel, we had reached out to the Obama administration, most recently just a few months ago, and we will continue to do so with future U.S. administrations until the investigation is closed.”
These efforts at a presidential pardon for Assange began, as noted, under the Obama administration, but with Obama’s own federal appointments and the soon to be former president himself as the ones to ever begin an investigation into Assange in the first place, efforts for an Obama pardon of Assange unsurprisingly never got anywhere.
The U.S. investigation was first prompted by Assange’s publication of classified documents related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan delivered to him by Army whistleblower Bradley/Chelsea Manning — who, mind you, is still in American custody and doesn’t seem to have much of a hope of release anytime soon.
Assange’s more recent work, during the lead up to Election Day, quickly turned into an elaborate anti-Clinton campaign, one viewed by American intelligence officials as backed by the Russian government in the interest of seeing their preferred candidate — Trump — elected to the presidency.
WikiLeaks published in this time frame a huge cache of emails hacked from key members of the Democratic Party leadership and the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign, targeting figures from the now former party chairperson and U.S. Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz to Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta. WikiLeaks also released many thousands of emails taken from Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state serving under President Obama.
The credibility of the emails has been occasionally questioned. Indeed, even if the organization only received and hacked actual emails and the like that had actually come from Democratic Party officials. WikiLeaks was still found, on multiple occasions, to have been improperly spinning the email contents. Such as the time a mundane email about then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s UN translation providing earpiece, was spun into a fake story about Clinton using an earpiece to be fed what she was supposed to say.
Trump is far from predictable enough for any observer to definitively suggest his course of action regarding Assange once he takes office. He continues to surround himself with figures ranging from “level-headed,” establishment conservatives like Reince Priebus, to the far right controversial at best conservative media guru Steve Bannon. | 0 |
Why Is Obama Threatening Russia With World War 3 Right Before The Election? October 16th, 2016
It sure seems like an odd time to be provoking a war with Russia. As I write this, we stand just a little bit more than three weeks away from one of the most pivotal elections in U.S. history, and Barack Obama has chosen this moment to strongly threaten the Russians. As I wrote about on Friday , Reuters is reporting that Obama is contemplating “direct U.S. military action” against Syrian military targets, and the Russians have already indicated that any assault on Syrian forces would be considered an attack on themselves. The rapidly deteriorating crisis in Syria has already caused tensions with Russia to rise to the highest level since the end of the Cold War, but now Obama is adding fuel to the fire by publicly considering “an unprecedented cyber covert action against Russia”. Apparently Obama believes that Russian hackers are interfering in the election and so he wants payback. The following comes from an NBC News article entitled “ CIA Prepping for Possible Cyber Strike Against Russia “…
The Obama administration is contemplating an unprecedented cyber covert action against Russia in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the American presidential election , U.S. intelligence officials told NBC News.
Current and former officials with direct knowledge of the situation say the CIA has been asked to deliver options to the White House for a wide-ranging “clandestine” cyber operation designed to harass and “embarrass” the Kremlin leadership.
The sources did not elaborate on the exact measures the CIA was considering, but said the agency had already begun opening cyber doors, selecting targets and making other preparations for an operation .
Somebody should tell Obama that he is not playing a video game. A cyber attack is considered to be an act of war, and the Russians would inevitably retaliate. And considering how exceedingly vulnerable our cyber infrastructure is, I don’t know if that is something that we want to invite.
At the end of last week, Vice President Joe Biden also publicly threatened the Russians …
On Friday, Vice President Joe Biden met “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd for an interview that has raised serious concern in Russia.
Without bothering to question the authenticity of the claims, Todd took the allegations of Russian hacking at face value, opening his interview with a loaded question: “Why haven’t we sent a message yet to Putin?”
After a moment of stunned silence, Biden responded, “We’re sending a message. We have the capacity to do it and it will be at the time of our choosing, and under the circumstances that will have the greatest impact.”
When Todd asked if the public will know a message was sent, Biden replied, “Hope not.”
The Russians firmly deny that they had any involvement in the hacking, and so far the Obama administration has not publicly produced any firm evidence that the Russians were behind it.
Perhaps the Obama administration privately has some evidence, but at this point they have not shown that evidence to the American public.
So for Joe Biden to be making these sorts of threats is a very dangerous thing. The Russians are taking these threats very seriously, and they are preparing to protect their interests …
‘The threats directed against Moscow and our state’s leadership are unprecedented because they are voiced at the level of the US vice president.
‘To the backdrop of this aggressive, unpredictable line, we must take measures to protect (our) interests, to hedge risks,’ a Kremlin spokesman said, according to RIA Novosti news agency.
Here in the United States, most people don’t even realize that we could be on the verge of a major conflict with Russia.
But over in Russia things are completely different. Talk of war is everywhere, and the potential for war is the number one topic in the Russian media right now. Just check out some of the recent Russian media headlines about the conflict between our two nations…
-“ In Contrast to Clinton, Trump Has No Appetite for War With Russia ”
And one Russian television network recently instructed their viewers to locate the nearest bomb shelter in case a nuclear war between the United States and Russia suddenly erupts…
A terrifying Russian television broadcast explicitly told civilians to find out where their nearest bomb shelter is and repeatedly asked viewers if they were ready for nuclear war.
One apocalyptic broadcast told viewers on Moscow’s state-owned TV channel NTV: “If it should one day happen, every one of you should know where the nearest bomb shelter is. It’s best to find out now.”
I don’t believe that the Russians are crazy to be thinking that a war might be coming.
To me, it almost seems as though Obama wants one.
Could it be possible that a conflict with Russia will be used to alter, change or influence the upcoming election in November?
The truth is that it isn’t going to take much for the shooting to begin. If Obama orders airstrikes against Syrian forces, the Russians have said that they will shoot back …
Ash Carter has threatened Russia with “consequences”. After blowing up the ceasefire, the Pentagon – supported by the Joint Chiefs of Staff — now is peddling “potential strikes” on Syria’s air force to “punish the regime” for what the Pentagon actually did; blow up the ceasefire. One can’t make this stuff up.
Major-General Igor Konashenkov, Russia’s Defense Ministry spokesman, sent a swift message to “our colleagues in Washington”; think twice if you believe you can get away with launching a “shadow” hot war against Russia. Russia will target any stealth/unidentified aircraft attacking Syrian government targets – and they will be shot down.
The only serious question then is whether an out of control Pentagon will force the Russian Air Force – false flag and otherwise — to knock out US Air Force fighter jets, and whether Moscow has the fire power to take out each and every one of them.
I discussed the potential for war with Russia in my latest video . Hopefully cooler heads will prevail and war with Russia will be put off…
But without a doubt the crisis in Syria is not going to be resolved any time soon because it is one giant mess. Most people don’t realize that the Syrian civil war has essentially been a proxy war between Sunni Islam and Shia Islam from the very beginning. Jihadist rebels that are being armed and funded by Saudi Arabia and Turkey are fighting Hezbollah troops that are being armed and funded by Iran. And now Turkish forces have invaded northern Syria, and this threatens to cause a full-blown war to erupt between Turkey and the Syrian Kurds. Of course ISIS is right in the middle of everything causing havoc, blowing stuff up and beheading anyone that doesn’t believe in their radical version of Sunni Islam.
It is absolutely insane that the United States and Russia could potentially go to war because of this conflict. Both sides are determined to show the other how tough they are, and one false move could set off a spiral of events from which they may be no recovery.
The American people very foolishly elected Barack Obama twice, but up until now the consequences have not been quite as dire as many had been projecting.
However, right here at the end of his second term Obama is facing a moment of truth. If he ends up dragging us into a war with Russia, the American people will ultimately bitterly regret putting him into the White House. Drowning In Debt: 35 Percent Of All Americans Have Debt That Is At Least 180 Days Past Due » Guest
“If he [Obama] ends up dragging us into a war with Russia, the American people will ultimately bitterly regret putting him into the White House.”
Oh, I doubt it. Most Americans just lap up the propaganda fed to them by the mainstream media that has incessantly demonized Putin and other foreign leaders. Where is the outrage over what this administration has done in destabilizing Libya and other sovereign nations in the Middle East? Where is the outrage over what the Bush administration did in Iraq and Afghanistan?
There is a video on Youtube with General Wesley Clark discussing how the Pentagon planned to attack 7 countries in 5 years. Google it. JC Teecher
The reality of the general public putting an atheistic/muzzy, into the white house, will not strike home, until their sons and daughters are coming home in body bags. Guest
No, when their sons and daughters come back in body bags, their parents will wave that American flag and say that their children died to defend the “freedoms” of this country. Good grief. JC Teecher
Oh yea. plenty of those folks as well. watchmannonthewall
God help us! You are both right! But there will be far fewer of the first than the second! Paul Patriot
Nothing liked a lame duck traitor to recklessly stick his nose in the affairs of others, and then leave office in a few months.
This traitor should have been impeached after one year of his first term…..but the American sheeple demanded the “change you could believe in”. So, the way I see it, we are bearing the fruits of allowing a traitor to occupy the white house, and a apethetic population that is not united and sat back and did nothing to protest. If Hitlery gets in, she will gladly continued the change that Obama (global elite masters) has been determined to accomplish, and will transform this nation into a nation unrecognizable to most who call this nation home.
I predict if hitlery gets in she will be even more addicted to executive orders than the invader obummer. df NJ
I’m not sure Obama is really in control of the military at this point. gfmucci
Sheesh, I hope you’re right. Orlando
Prayers for us all since all the elite and Governments have bunkers to hide in smh we should have never allowed the Government Coruption to get this Far that’s why I’m voting Trump if we even make it to That at this point Who Knows Bill G Wilminton NC
VOTE TRUMP !!! Donna
Yes we need to vote for Trump, but here’s the problem, it has now surfaced that 15 states have voters machines that are connected to George Soros and friends. The second thing is we have to quit being so weak as the American people wanting someone else to fix this for us. I do t know that they can this time. Bill G Wilminton NC
Donna Vote For Trump, Be Strong, And Be Happy That You Are One Of The ” DEPLORABLES” !!! Donna
Thank you, didn’t get to see this till today but, WE WON!!! SnodtBlossom
2 Peter 2:1-22 ESV
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; … Lester Holt
We knew you were an idiot. At least you’re a Christian idiot. SnodtBlossom
How much prior political experience does Trump have? NADA!!! ZIP!!!! ZILCH!!! ZERO!!! He talks the talk, but never walked the walk. But hey.. it’s only THE PRESIDENCY! Maybe next we’ll grab people off the street w/no medical training to do surgery! Neither did Ulysses Grant or Dwight Eisenhower have a prior politcal position, though both had a strong military background. Dwight being ” The Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in World War II” and Grant “Commanding General of the United States Army” How much military background does Trump have? NADA!!! ZIP!!!! ZILCH!!! ZERO!!!
“no major U.S. company has filed for Chapter 11 more than Trump’s casino empire in the last 30 years.” He has filed four business bankruptcies. Maybe he thinks it’s just as easy to file bankruptcy w/the entire government and walk away. randy wellman
bankrupt…all major cities in america ARE bankrupt, so it is fitting that we put a person in charge that knows HOW to go through the process….cities, states, counties, the federal gub-mint, and individually. we are ALL broke now. they ALL thought they could spend money in perpetuity, never having to actually PAY these debt obligations. the check is now ON THE TABLE, and the waiter is nervously tapping his foot….and BTW, we don’t NEED a person with “experience”, as their advisors they hire once in office are the ones that actually do the work/planning….all we need is a person willing to do U.S. RIGHT….a person with HEART. we KNOW killary has done the WRONG thing at every turn….pick the guy who will do RIGHT, america…don’t put ANOTHER criminal in the spitehouse. Lazarovic
Don’t waste your time with Bill, he ain’t playin’ with a full deck…. Orac4Prez
Hillary is going to have him in her team to “kickstart” the economy! pulltheweeds
he has the same amount of military background as obozo and hitlery SnodtBlossom
Both were Hillary & Obama were Senators before Presidency Trump hasn’t even been mayor of a rich boy community watchmannonthewall
An interesting thought and one that appears to be supported in some quarters. However, who “purged” the military leaders over the past 5-6 years and placed those who are now in charge where they are? The man seems to be a master at creating situations where a defense of“plausible deniability” can be invoked! There is little doubt much of what he has done has been a well thought out, and implemented, strategy that creates a lot of confusion and allows no one to be held accountable. Look at the IRS scandals and the gun running to drug dealers in Mexico by the DOJ! Everything he does is meant to destabilize society! Mike Smithy
Perhaps President Zero will get another Nobel Peace Prize. alan
Piece prize. Similar but completely different. John
Yeah, Piece Prize. For blowing up Americans to Pieces! tracey marie
learn to spell if you are going to troll ALWAYSTOMORROW
COUNTDOWN. Today, October 16, 2016. In 22 days I predict Mrs. Clinton will be elected our next president. Bill G Wilminton NC
If Trump Is As Far Ahead As I Think He Is There May Not Be An Election…… Donna
If he causes a war with Russia and our idiot GOP congress approves it, we the people better take up arms to remove them and try them for treason! jakartaman
Obama”s job from the globalist elites was to bring down the USA to the level of Greece. Globalism is the new term for Communism. BTW he has done a terrific job!! Lennie Pike
Hate democracy much? Orac4Prez
Clinton’s account hacked. Blame Russia. This is the classic bait and switch. Love or hate her, the “line” has been sold that the Russians were involved in the hacking. Even if something happens that was a system fault, she now has a scapegoat and will hammer the line that Russia did it before and will do it again. She’s blamed China on other occasions, so she can even play the line that “at this stage we only know that it was an outside attack.” And be sure that the media will spin it even further for those ratings! Before long the general public will be DEMANDING action. Orac4Prez
Can you explain why the US air force has been sending warbirds into the region with transponders off (eg over the Black Sea and through commercial airspace) and some painted in Russian air force colors – with the Red star! df NJ
In the movie The Dark Knight, Batman is trying to figure out the Joker’s motivations.
Alfred tells the story that one day he found a child playing with a ruby as big as a tangerine. The bandit had been throwing the stones away.
Wayne says, “So why was he stealing them?”
Alfred says, “Because he thought it was good sport. because some men aren’t looking for anything logical, like money…they can’t be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.” SnodtBlossom
“Are all these words to go unanswered? Is this talker to be vindicated? 3 Will your idle talk reduce others to silence? Will no one rebuke you when you mock? 4 You say to God, ‘My beliefs are flawless and I am pure in your sight.’ 5 Oh, how I wish that God would speak, that he would open his lips against you 6 and disclose to you the secrets of wisdom, for true wisdom has two sides. Know this: God has even forgotten some of your sin. 7 “Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do? They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know? 9 Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. 10 “If he comes along and confines you in prison and convenes a court, who can oppose him? 11 Surely he recognizes deceivers; and when he sees evil, does he not take note? 12 But the witless can no more become wise than a wild donkey’s colt can be born human.[a] 13 “Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, 14 if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, 15 then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. 16 You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. 17 Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. 18 You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. 19 You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. 20 But the eyes of the wicked will fail, and escape will elude them; their hope will become a dying gasp.” LOSER BLO SUM ONE
IGNORE THE BLO SOME ONE SnodtBlossom
The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
9“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.
10“You are Israel’s teacher,” Jesus replied, “and do you not understand these things? 11Truly, truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, and yet you people do not accept our testimony. Teresa F
Oh good… you’re in the New Testament now SnodtBlossom
😀 momentarily Orac4Prez
You missed the obvious… 2 Tim 3:16 “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” Both new and old testament.. watchmannonthewall
Unfortunately, there are still many teachers Jesus could still ask, “And you are a teacher in Israel and do you not understand these things?” Forget about explaining them to those who are lost! Bill G Wilminton NC
Put Her On BLOCK…I Did. watchmannonthewall
It is interesting that the man you quote ended up being rebuked by God for his FOOLISH words. He was eventually forgiven when God stood up for Job and had Job pray for the man because of his stupidity in projecting a false picture, bearing false witness, of Him. Oh that we might take some of this to heart! JC Teecher
For what it is worth; would it not be an easy task, for the Odrama/liberal/Industrial War Machine, to pull off a strike of instant war of immediate reaction, with the powers of the Iranian/Russian regimes, in light of a Donald Trump win next month.
Easily, it could be the catalyst for a chaotic event of stock market crashes and world wide chaos to invoke a martial law edict. Which, would prevent Trump from becoming potus, and keep the NWO wheels turning.
Even with a liberal win, it could be the one thing that prevents a psychopath from actually taking the reins, and continuing a program that is soon to take a hold of the whole world, anyway.
Folks that are awake and seeking truth, should pay attention and make changes in their lives accordingly. df NJ
On the one hand you say government is completely incompetent and a waste of money. And then in the next breath you say government is a super genius organization capable of duping everyone into a NWO. Just like people resist Jesus Christ and your Christian religion, people will resist the NWO.
One thing is for certain. People will continue to copulate and have babies. And most people hate their bosses and would not do anything the boss asked them to do if they were not being paid to do it. I think having faith in people this way is a faith that is very strong. gfmucci
Again, words from an obviously abused person:
“And most people hate their bosses and would not do anything the boss asked them to do if they were not being paid to do it.”
That is a dark and hopeless sounding attitude you have there. And it does not reflect reality in my 70 years in the world. Liberty First
There would be a civil war. Are they that stupid? df NJ
The South got their butts kicked the last time. I doubt the pussssies in the South have the guts to try it again. dlewenz
The civil war of the past is not relevant, what we will have is a takeover of all democratic office holders and remove them from office with military and local police support, you can call it a constutional rebirth. James Staten
Mark Twain said that ever man is entitled to at least one insanity, but he was wrong!!!! alan
It doesn’t need to be an armed revolt, just vote for succession and do it. Donna
Your an idiot, you make it sound as though it was quick and seamless, I’d say we all lost that war, many Americans died in that long ruthless war. Another point I might make here is you better look at the size of Trumps rallies to the size of her meetings…oops, my bad her rallies. Also us southern rednecks aren’t the ones who won’t own a gun because you think you’re corrupt government is the only ones who should have them. Civil war is the last thing you liberals want. You enjoy being helpless and told what to do, and over half the military will not support her or the POTUS you have now. Destiny
The U.S. didn’t win the war on the battlefield but by the war on Southern civilians. The marches through South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina where 25% of the houses were burned and all food was taken, Florida, where children of a town were nail inside a church and burned alive. Athens, Alabama where the soldiers were given an hour to rape, pillage and do any evil thing to the people they could dream up. Southerners more that other Americans should know why the world hates us, df NJ. JC Teecher
Yep! Donna
I think there is a chance of that anyway if she gets elected. Our military will be cut to shreds because they won’t serve her. pulltheweeds
agreed Allan Rogan
Right on the money forgive the pun a voice in the dark chillawack bc canada.thanks neighbour SnodtBlossom
JCT is the biggest fool to ever walk these boards.. You Canadians have bacon for brains. tsf
No reason to get regional here. We’re all made of the same stuff – Canadian or American. Instead, we should appreciate our neighbors for sharing the longest unguarded border on earth. crossroads2016
If JCT were a fool, he’s a fool for CHRIST. Whose fool are you??
nobody’s df NJ
I think many Christians want WWIII to happen. I don’t understand why people are praying for death and mayhem of innocent woman and children. If WWII happens, millions of pregnant women will be killed and their babies aborted. I just don’t understand the death wish by the Christians. If they want to to meet their maker can’t they do it in private. KarenL
I am a christian & we’re not praying for death to anyone, however WWlll is inevitable whether we want it to or not its coming, it’s in the bible, we must be wise & be ready to meet the Lord i just pray that when it does its swift so no one suffers but the enemy is at play & certainly wants it, aldownunder
I agree WWIII is inevitable But not because it’s in the bible Fiction = Not true KarenL
you are entitled to your opinion even if its wrong, no matter how hard scientist have tried to disprove the bible, the more they proved every thing is correct, in the end, every knee will bow every tongue will confess, when Jesus returns but in Rev 9 it speaks about it, so its going to happen bc God said it will…. SaveUSA
Bible is true…Has been proven to be true…You are not obligated to believe it.However, the facts and the events lines up as was told by the Lord through the apostles in the Holly Bible. GSOB
……”You are not obligated to believe it”…. ??
All In The Bible……. Jerry C
The Holy Bible is the only Truth on this planet and the Deception will get much worse. gfmucci
Where do you get this BS idea from? There isn’t one sect of Christianity that desire what you described. You may be mistaking Christianity with Islam whose leaders are hoping to bring in their Mahdi via violent provocation. SnodtBlossom
WHEN???What did i miss? SaveUSA
WWII is past tense a 70+ years ago..And as of WWIII you are a very poor soul to believe that Christians are waiting or wanting to happen…If it is true they are not true Christians….Get your fact straight and read the Revelation that may shed some light in your heart. Bill G Wilminton NC
BS…….Are You On Drugs ALWAYSTOMORROW
Bill, was your above statement a quote from the bible too? New or old testrament? Bill G Wilminton NC
Mr gfmucci Below Says It Perfectly…..Read About It…. Paul Patriot
There is no death wish by Christians. It is in your mind. You are not listening……I have told you manyt times before…..stop drinking the koolaide that the pied piper of propaganda is feeding you, get off yoiu mefds and start thinking for yourself. realist
Why is it that when Trump says there is election interference and rigging going on, he is derided and chastised as being ridiculous. But Hillary can say the Russians are doing the same, with absolutely no proof, and the media take it as the word of God. What irony and hypocrisy. gfmucci
I call it mindless complicity due to the training of most journalists in our Socialist/Communist schools of higher education over the last 5 decades. Resistance
Not just higher education. It starts from elementary school. Indoctrination is the key to controlling future generations. It’s been going on for longer than the last five decades. Still, an awesome comment. Orange Jean
And it’s not just journalists. I went to UMass-Amherst in the 80s, studied anthropology and then grad school in geography. Anthro was clearly focused on presenting the “Marxist-Leninist school of thought” on EVERYTHING. Geography somewhat less, but they have swollowed the “global warming” hoax hook, line and sinker. And that was in a state university, funded largely with taxpayer money. LIZ THE SHIZ
yup, there’s nothing like a good old commie education from the Peoples Republic of Massachusetts SnodtBlossom
Trump IS RIDICULOUS!!! He’s the RONALD MCDONALD of the USA w/o the CLOWN OUTFIT All the world may love a clown, but he would make the USA a LAUGHINGSTOCK w/his INCOMPETENCY & ARROGANCE! GoinSheep
When you compare the candidates, I wonder if you’ve noticed:
Donald Trump
1. Hasn’t killed anyone… 2. Hasn’t lied under oath… 3. Hasn’t committed perjury in Congress…… 4. Hasn’t leaked national secrets… 5. Hasn’t sold Uranium to Russia… 6. Hasn’t supplied weapons to militant Muslims… 7. Hasn’t stolen money from the State Department… 8. Hasn’t peddled national interest in turn for donations… 9. Hasn’t left any Americans for dead… 10.Hasn’t provided new Toyota trucks to ISIS…
11. Hasn’t left a string of body bags behind him, including two young boys The list goes on and on, but I don’t have that kind of time…
Locker Room Banter Versus Treason – There is no comparison!
First, any guy who says that they have never participated in locker room banter or said something sexually explicit when they had a reasonable expectation of privacy is either Jesus or a liar. There is no comparison between natural male human behavior and treasonous activities.
Additionally, this low-life ploy by the Progressive Liberal Democrats is disgusting and changes nothing for many of us. JFK was having an ongoing affair with Marilyn Monroe and I’m sure his Secret Service Agents could have repeated some rather spicy language in which he described their sexual sessions. But you know what? Neither JFK’s Secret Service Agents nor the Mainstream Media said anything about the affair, much less JFK’s private conversations about it because they had dignity, respect for the office of POTUS, and respect for JFK. Any ONE of those things alone should be enough to keep despicable actions of the democrats and the Mainstream Media from happening around the whole institution of the POTUS, including the potential POTUS candidates. However, we see that neither the democrats nor the Mainstream Media have any honor, truth, or journalistic integrity remaining.
General George S. Patton and Prime Minister Winston Churchill were both as crude as they come in private, and often in public, but they got the job done when they were called upon. Maybe you don’t consider Donald Trump in the same ranks as the above three men. Maybe you don’t think Donald Trump can get the job done. Either way, I couldn’t care less. What I do care about is the poor state of our country, the damage that Barack Obama & the democrats have done, and the damage that Hillary Clinton is sure to do. For Pete’s sake! Look at the shell of a city that used to be Detroit, MI. Look at Chicago with double-digit murders just about every week. If you want the US to look like these long-time democrat-run cities, by all means, vote for Hillary Clinton. If not, then the ONLY other VIABLE option is Donald Trump.
If the worst thing that the democrats, the Mainstream Media, and the Progressive Liberal Useful Idiots have on Donald Trump is locker room banter by a man acting like men do, then that’s nothing to see, in my opinion. It might actually be beneficial to our country to have an alpha-male as POTUS, for a change. Lynn Bowling Cosentino
And we’re not already? Obama has succeeded in making us look stupid and weak, always apologizing for America’s actions of past decades. Other world leaders don’t trust him. Lazarovic
I’d say you’re a mindless, brainwashed acolyte of the Rush Limbaugh Institute of Advanced Conservative Studies…. (snicker) Raymond Chow
How is that when you can turn off Limbaugh anytime you want but you have no choice when it comes to public education? You are one stupid dimwit, you are one of the idiots that voted for a dumbass knee grow and now want to put in a DISHONEST CORRUPT CROOKED HOG (no typo) for president. Lazarovic
It is difficult to free fools from the chains they revere. SnodtBlossom
Trump has done nothing but give lippservice. He has never worked a steady bureaucratic job in his life. He blasts his mouth in obnoxious ways. Are you insane enough to want this man as a president? Paleface
It states quite plainly that I’m referring to lippservice Trump TheLulzWarrior
“that I’m referring to lippservice Trump”
We have no troubles believing you! 😉 SnodtBlossom
You know I have to edit spelling to avoid censure LIZ THE SHIZ
lippservice , I thought that was you give to your dates after they bought you dinner SnodtBlossom
mm.. been a long time since I’ve done that.. I had a bf over 10yrs you know.. maybe my boss will get brave LIZ THE SHIZ
it’s always a good career move to SUCK up to the boss SnodtBlossom
He’s much HARDER to get than expected 😉 LIZ THE SHIZ
but I HEAR HE’S A BIG TIPPER SnodtBlossom
I AM due for a raise Da Fish
YES; beats the crap out of Warmonger Hillary. ThePeanut995
We do not need this slimy couple in the White House again! SnodtBlossom
Ridiculous! T rump would be the first one to say offensive things and get us into a war. TrollingforTrolls
Clinton has both public and private positions on issues. At least he (Trump) speaks his mind on what is so blatantly wrong with our current system. Hillary will sell out everyone, including YOU to attain the power and prestige she yearns. Be careful what you wish for Bill G Wilminton NC
Put Snotty On Block…I Did !!! SnodtBlossom
Bill wears frilly girly panties LIZ THE SHIZ
and you of course wear Government issue boxers SnodtBlossom
I wear no undies under my Mao suit 😉 jonodough
yes. satin85718
She and obama want WW3 more than anything! What is wrong with you? Check it out! They have signed a death certificate for the Americans! GoinSheep
Did she say that? Would you post the link of the death certificate? watchmannonthewall
Adults don’t immediately respond to words. If they did the U.S., because of Obama and Hillary, would be toast. We will be toast anyway. Any one who thinks Russian leadership is going to wait for the U.S to make the first move, unless they allow us one and then hit back 100 x’s harder, is living in la la land. Nukes will come out almost immediately. No more 15 year wars. If Hillary wins, this is what you have to look forward to. If Trump wins, the neocons might still hijack policy and we may end up there anyway. Count on Putin to play to win, it won’t be a long war! jonodough
I hope they nuke D.C. First.
Wow. Thought police Automatically typing in for me with the lowercase d c turning into D.C.
Global control of the internet and free speech now in place. LIZ THE SHIZ
steady bureaucratic job = lazy pencil pusher with 10% productivity at best just biding time until they collect a pension paid for by the makers and do’ers SnodtBlossom
Yes.. but not everyone can sit there steadily while draining the taxpayers ThePeanut995
Are you insane enough to want Hillary as president? I pick Trump over Hillary any day of the week! The_Ipcress_File
I’d rather have a Muslim in the WH….oh, wait. TheLulzWarrior
Facetious BelieveInCod
Snodt is quite sane. Almost all the people in Intelligence and the Military are voting for Hillary. We know that TrumP really isn’t what’s good for America. -retired Major ThePeanut995
The people on this website are mostly Christians. Christians will vote for the President who will stand up for and enforce Christian Values … such as pro-life! By voting for Hillary you are voting pro-choice which means KILLING BABIES! You will have to answer to GOD if you vote for her. I choose GOD and what HE has said is important! Also Trump wants traditional marriage (not Hillary) which is also God’s will! Woa to those voting for Hillary … they will have to answer to God! GoinSheep
Guys who vote for Trump won’t be able to get some for many years. John Hughes
I think most men can live without sexual favours from Madonna! Lynn Bowling Cosentino
Well, if Hillary gets in I hope you never piss her off if you know what I mean. Raymond Chow
SnodtBlossom is the same troll a few months back trolling in this site. She had a picture of a vampire back then calling herself someone from Florida. SnodtBlossom
look closely into my flower.. Same pic Same Florida 😉
Lester is a homopester crossroads2016
We’re so sorry that when you were a kid, you got caught trying on your mom’s dress when you thought no one was home. SnodtBlossom
I’m female you goof jonodough
WhAt about tomorrow? Will you self identify as a woman tomorrow to get into a ladies locker room? Bill G Wilminton NC
Put A Block On Snotty…I Did !!! Odeezy Liita
Yea, because we TOTALLY need more beaurcrats running the show. That’s worked out so well for us. Wake up dummy. Gave
Yes. Insane or not – our choice. You made yours – you’re not with us, so –‘git. SnodtBlossom
And I’ll be yours until the stars fall from the sky,
Yours until the rivers all run dry
In other words, until I die
Baby, I’m yours (baby, I’m yours)
And I’ll be yours (yours) until the sun no longer shines,
Yours (yours) until the poets run out of rhyme
In other words, until the end of time
I’m gonna stay right here by your side,
Do my best to keep you satisfied
Nothin’ in the world can drive me away
Cause every day, you’ll hear me say
Baby, I’m yours (baby, I’m yours)
And I’ll be yours (yours) until two and two is three,
Yours (yours)…
Ha..ha…ha….. LIZ THE SHIZ
Thank you everybody, I’m Snodtblossom and I’ll be appearing here all week at the Tampa Holiday Inn, bye the way try the sausage ,it’s to die for satin85718
Why do you want killery? What does she have planned for USA that you want? SnodtBlossom
Kick Tru mp in the Rump Lynn Bowling Cosentino
Are you saying that the ordinary US citizen cannot serve as president? Remember our Constitution represents a government for the people and by the people (aka Donald Trump) not career politicians who want to rule instead of serve. HisChild
It’s not so covert when Obama goes around talking about it. EVIL BAS TURDS
Hmm, isn’t that what they said about Bush? Just sayin’ gfmucci
I agree with your concerns – the Obama/Clinton machine will commit any insanity to remain in power.
However, this statement is a bit off the mark:
“Of course ISIS is …blowing stuff up and beheading anyone that doesn’t believe in their radical version of Sunni Islam.”
What ISIS is doing is Islam…not just “their radical version.” Muhammad and most who followed created the misnamed “radical” Islamic playbook. Most Islamic leaders today follow that same Muhammad-inspired playbook. So, no, it is not “radical Islam.” It is Islam, period. ali
Read bible and you feel its pretty violent at some places but offcourse I might be reading it out of context. Same is true for Quran. Now you can create more hatred among faiths by your statements as above or you can try to be a little less judgemental and try to create interfaith harmony which is the need of time. Bless you. re Is NO Interfaith Harmony With Islam….Islam Means Submission !!! And If There Is Harmony It Is Only A Fake Interlude As “They” Work On Gaining Strength And Numbers !!!. One Wife 4 Concubines Equals Upwards Of 25 Kids AND ALL ON WELFARE AND SOCIAL SERVICES !!! The Host Pays For His Own Demise!!! Just Look At Paris “FINISHED”
I Have Read And Studied The Quran And The Hadith…The Infidel Either Converts Or Dies….Islam Is About Death To Its Believers And Its Enemies….Die For Allah And Have 72 Virgins….Allah Is No Loving God, Allah Is The Moon God “Lucifer” He Has NO Son Who Died For US But Wants Us To Die For Him….Blow Yourself Up For Allah…. What A Flock Of BS!!! MeMadMax
And we have president importing these mini nukes by the 747 load…. SnodtBlossom
How much prior political experience does Trump have? NADA!!! ZIP!!!! ZILCH!!! ZERO!!! He talks the talk, but never walked the walk. But hey.. it’s only THE PRESIDENCY! Maybe next we’ll grab people off the street w/no medical training to do surgery! Neither did Ulysses Grant or Dwight Eisenhower have a prior politcal position, though both had a strong military background. Dwight being ” The Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in World War II” and Grant “Commanding General of the United States Army” How much military background does Trump have? NADA!!! ZIP!!!! ZILCH!!! ZERO!!!
“no major U.S. company has filed for Chapter 11 more than Trump’s casino empire in the last 30 years.” He has filed four business bankruptcies. Maybe he thinks it’s just as easy to file bankruptcy w/the entire government and walk away. Paleface
file bankruptcy? that ought to be obamas job Lester Holt
Hey you effeminate, flower-faced buffoon:
At least Trump went out and did something with his life.
Have you never heard the saying:“Failure is the rungs on the ladder of success.”
Oh sorry, that’s a little deep for you. Or was that cerebral? Oh never mind.
So, how many businesses have you started? How many people have YOU employed?
Trump has no military background?Neither does Hillary. (Oops.) You conveniently left that out of your little tirade.
Maybe you should listen to others more, instead of crankin’ your bitch box.. Or before struttin’ your pompous, kneejerk opinions around. jakartaman
That why I will vote for trump!! Donna
Your talking Old Testament, I wish democrats would quit doing that! Once Christ was born and died for our sins all that changed. So don’t bring it up, it is there for the stories of how it was before Christ, not after. SnodtBlossom
5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 5:18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 5:21 Ye have heard that it was said of them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 5:22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire. Lester Holt
“A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.” Proverbs 26:9
Put Snotty On Block…I Did !!! jakartaman
ITS called a NEW Covident LIZ THE SHIZ
what’s a covident? is that some new technique used in auto body shops? Bill G Wilminton NC
Covenant….. ali
How come word of God has so many versions. Which one is true and which is false. Jerry C
The Dead Sea Scrolls found in 1947 prove the accuracy of translation for almost 2,000 years, based on the Textus Receptus texts; otherwise known as the Received Texts. All modern perversions go by texts found much later in Alexandria, Egypt, so all those are corrupt. Hope that helps you. By the way, you should study the book of Esther in original Hebrew using acrostics since that book was almost not included in the canon because God’s name (God of Abraham) was not written (technically, not written on the textual level). May the God of the Holy Bible lead you to the Truth. Abba Father. Amen. Donna
They are all true, the old testament was written before Jesus’s birth, after Jesus was born and died for us on the cross a lot of things changed because we are forgiven through his blood on the cross. All we have to do is sincerely ask for his forgiveness and obey the commandments, and live an obidient life. Study his word and apply it to our daily lives. Don’t just take someone’s word, go to church and even then back it up with his word and prayer. gfmucci
The huge difference you choose to ignore, Ali, is that the founder of Islam, Muhammad, unlike the founder of Christianity, Jesus, practiced jihad, violence, intolerance, supremacism, and conquest as written in his book, Qur’an. Christ was opposite. So of course faithful Muslims attempt to emulate the life of Muhammad as Christians attempt to emulate Christ. So, naturally, good Islamic leaders want their followers to emulate Muhammad in all his violent and conquering overt jihad and stealth jihad ways as well.
Even the ratio of Jews today shooting, beheading, igniting and terrorizing people in the name of their ‘Old Testament” religion, compared to Muslims, is 1 to 1 million.
Nope, the “moral equivalency” argument you attempt is BS – it is a ‘uuuge stretch, aka “lie”, obfuscation, distraction, vain attempt, etc. But I know you will persist because Islam promotes illogic to attempt to prevail and conquer. ali
I am not here to argue. But if you go into historical facts, you will see that all the battles fought by Muhammad were in Self defense. I love Jesus as I consider him also Prophet of God. But then again you can choose to believe in what you want to believe in.
I do agree that concept of Jihad has been demolished by retarded extremists but I am not here to defend Islam or Muslims. Jihad means to struggle. Remember Muhammad also said Jihad of Pen and Jihad of Self control over desires and bad virtues is much bigger than Jihad of sword GSOB
Jesus is God. Jerry C
“23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Romans 3:23-26 jakartaman
NO- the techers of today – the Islamic experts will unabashidly tell you that ISIS is following the true faith. Theer is no miss understanding pls educate yourself TheLulzWarrior
False flag cyberattack lead to US cyberattack “retaliation” on Russian federation that retaliates in kind = Continued fighting over Syria = Mass panic in the US = Worldwide economic collapse and mass riotings = Elections can´t go ahead of schedule, martial law is declared. jakartaman
Been saying this for years ISIS are the TRUE followers of the official techings if Islam Alcoholic Prepper
Wal-Mart has created such a good prepper supply center in the camping isle. alan
Not to mention their economic collapse brand “Great Value”, helps you to save a little prepping. Mike Smithy
President Zero and his NWO handlers are on the wrong side of history. I am with Putin on this one. tacoma
The American War Machine, consisting of POTUS (of both parties), the Pentagon, the CIA/NSA, the neo-con politicians, who have been fighting some kind of war non-stop around the world since WW2, is today mad as hell. See, they are not doing what they want with expected impunity all over the Middle East, the Russian front and the Chinese front. They expected to go in and simply take over the regions. With Pentagon massive Afghanistan and Iraq invasions, these were initial success of conquest and plunder. U.S. forces are today running these countries, ensuring there are daily suicide bombers for entertainment in American TV. But projects to take over Libya, Ukraine, Georgia, Syria, even Egypt ran into resistance. All such resistance can be traced to the strategy and actions of Russian president Putin.
Mr. Putin said he opposes American military conquest of countries on Russia’s border. Perhaps he feels this encirclement is not to Russia benefit? Perhaps Washington would feel the same way if Russia took over Mexico and Canada? Well, why do you think the American War Machine spent so much effort, blood and treasure, the latter two items come not from the Machine, but from ordinary citizen mass of fools.
Time again Mr Putin played a superior hand. The War Machine is not used to being out-played. It is used to American Impunity, American Exceptionsim, American Power, American Superiority.
And so, with only a few months left in the current regime of war, this gang of devils is talking big war. Not the kind of ‘routine’ war America fight every single year since the founding of this military state. But Vietnam War II, even global nuclear war.
The Syrian government is winning its country back from the rebels and terrorists. This is bad news for the American War Machine. The Machine is deciding that the only way to stop their project of conquest and hell is to declare war on Russia and Syria. This will drag China in on Russia’s side, meaning a war will break out in the South China Sea.
But you know what if war is what the American War Machine wants then war is what it will get. History will record who comes out alive.
The Russian military already stated publicly that if Russia is attacked then the next war will not be fought on Russia soil alone as it was when Napoleon and Hitler attacked. Russia have lost dozens of million of people in these attacks from the West. It has proven it can survive, win, even prosper. It will do so again.
The only question is if America is wiling to put up the cost of attacking Syrian/Russian forces. On its own soil. Big time. I don’t think Obama/Hillary gang dares to ask such a question to the public. The public will detracted from its non-stop tweeting and celebrity worshiping suddenly to find out a certain American city just disappeared. And it ain’t a video game. Scott Comin
It is the neo-cons not Obama. Obama is a puppet. The neo-cons have been running our foreign policy since Clinton or before. If you want to understand our foreign policy. Paul Craig Roberts is your man! David
if michael will allow me to paste the site hopefully there has been an executive order signed on Oct 13 2016 on Government preparing nation for Space Weather Events. Sounds like an EMP Detonation to me. I really don’t think any of us will know anything of what happens when the lights go out. read this executive order & you may also agree. my guess would be just before or right after the elections. we the sheep will be out of their way & without power we will litterally be living in the dark, Government doing as they please without our knowledge. Donald Trump has been exposing these DC Criminals for who they really are & they are in panic mode right now with all the allegations of his sexual misconduct. anything to keep him out of the White House. he gets in it’s game over for them. I got a Gut feeling they are getting ready to stomp on us. may God Bless you all!! alan
There is no profit in nuclear war, there fore no nuclear war will happen!
Now a hacker war you could blame everything on it. Oh social security is bankrupt, Putin did it. Your retirement is gone, Putin did it. Stock market crashed, Putin did it. No EBT Putin did it.
I’m not saying the Russian’s are saints, but looks like Putin will take the fall for everything that will go wrong shortly. ali
“Jihadist rebels that are being armed and funded by Saudi Arabia and Turkey” and the west. Just a little addition to your comment above Tatiana Covington
Why? Because he’s an asshole. Sammy
There will be World War with the globalists in charge before a Trump presidency with the bums out of power horse777res
The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget GOD. Psalm 9:17 America is becoming HELL! df NJ
Well, as it turns out God is indifferent and doesn’t give a crap about evil. There is no amount of evil God will not tolerate in order to preserve our free-will. Man poops in his own bed. If you want justice in the world it’s not going to come from God. If you want justice, it’s up to us to uphold our secular laws. Why anyone would ever be surprise by the depths and evil of human nature is beyond me. JC Teecher
Well, if you are speaking of the liberals on the left, and liberals on the right, then you are absolutely correct, it is becoming a sort of Hell on Earth, by their hands at the voting booths.
Murdering of 3500 innocent babies daily, by ripping them out of their mothers womb, and glorifying the sexual perversions associated with gay marriage and teaching it in schools, and churches, as acceptable in God’s eyes, is like living on a planet called Hell, and wondering what happened to good ole 1849. Anonymous
1. Declare war with Russia 2. Declare Martial Law 3. Install New World Order
My theory…..
Your theory and that of a million more of us. Jerry C
1. Trump becomes U.S. President 2. Collapse the economy 3. Install New World Order
My theory…
Every President HAS to leave a legacy, it ensures the timeline will continue.
If Trump did actually win, he will have no choice before to go down the same line. biglipnagger
He is lighting as many fires as he can before he leaves to get back at whitey. Someone needs to throw him a banana to calm him down. XSANDIEGOCA
The Democrats learned long ago that there is nothing like a War to goose the Economy. It also blows everything else off the Front Page. We are no longer governed. We are ruled. df NJ
The arms manufacturers are ALL owned by Republicans. What you are saying makes absolutely no sense. Lennie Pike
The Western Financial System is now on life support through the creation of “money” out of thin air. Countries which could fill the void would take all power away from the criminals now in control.
Many years ago the banksters acurately estimated how much time they had left before their financial system was dead and have been taking the necessary steps to implement their next financial system which will be a totally fraudulent cashless one. They must eliminate any possible competition.
The timing has nothing to do with the election. Trump is no threat to the banksters because if by small chance that he is not their tool, they will easily correct the problem as they corrected JFK. df NJ
Every president who attempted to provide interest free money supply to the American economy was a_s_sinated. The attempt on Jackson’s life was not successful or he will have been killed too. Lennie Pike
I was agreeing with you. You know the truth behind our institutions of slavery. Lennie Pike
I knew you were agreeing with me. I put it that way because there are very few things that I agree with you on – but that’s ok, I can tell that your opinions are sincere.
Afraid that spelling out the word “assasinated” will set off some alarms at a Fusion Center? Not I – because I was Born Again, and although I feel extremely alive, it is not due to worldly stimuli. F##k the NSA.
No fear is a nice added benefit. thegeorgespyman
New Obama Executive Order Hints At Devastating Space Event: “Could Disable Large Portions Of The Electrical Power Grid… Cause Cascading Failures”
http://freedomoutpost.com/new-obama-executive-order-hints-at-devastating-space-event-could-disable-large-portions-of-the-electrical-power-grid-cause-cascading-failures/
I would dare to say this has nothing to do with ‘space weather’ and everything to do with an anticipated EMP attack on the power grid by Russia as WW3 commences. The severity of the loss of power would mean in real terms never having electricity again for a couple of years if not forever depending on whether or not peace terms are sought early in the conflict. Enjoy the stone age. A thousand years from now we may be a conspiracy theory about a lost civilization.
US under attack? Panic as ‘explosions, air raid sirens and fighter jets’ stoke WW3 fears
There is an exercise under way as of today VIGILANT SHIELD 17. That could account for it. A more likely scenario might be Russia aircraft approaching off the coast. Mike Smithy
don’t worry they’ll call it an alien invasion JC Teecher
“…… the Syrian civil war has essentially been a proxy war between Sunni Islam and Shia Islam from the very beginning. ”
That is the absolute truth, and whoever says that Islam is a religion of peace is either lying through their teeth, or is so ignorant, they probably believe the Keebler Elves are baking all those cookies. lol.
The fact is that the two Superpowers of the world, Russia, and USA, via their “appointed/chosen/selected” leaders, are using this ongoing feud between the Muzzies, as to achieve their goals of “feeding” their respective war machines.
It just so happens, that the new Vietnam, is Syria. It just so happens, that the refugee issue was a planned one, to further the goals of spreading the Arabian bloodlines throughout the world, to weed out all caucasian races of different countries.
The plans of the devil, to eradicate the caucasians, that came from Adam and Eve, called Hebrews, then Israelites, then, the House of Israel (ten tribes to the North) that migrated to western Europe, and then later to North America; and, the House of Judah, tribes of Judah and Benjamin (plus some Levites and a few mixed in from the others) that were also part of the migrations; the plans have evolved to what we see now via Islamic peoples.
What was, the plan back in the beginning of this Earth Age, to eradicate the pure bloodline. through which Christ would come (be born), is still a problem for Satan. Albeit, the problem for him has now grown to include peoples from all races and bloodlines, (grafted in), via true Christianity. We were a thorn in his side back then and still are.
Now we see that hatred manifested via the liberal minds of ignorant, and possessed people (most unknowingly), to help further the agenda of Satan, because……..Rev 12:17“And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”
Can anyone, as a Christian grasp that concept, of what is taking place? Satan is behind this whole mess, and uses those that are “useable” to obtain his goal of trying to punish Christians.
If left to Putin, and Obama, and all their pawn regimes of rogue nations, they would kill off all peoples that were Christian, and have a following of robotic peoples, so that they could “control” them.
It will backfire on them eventually, and the soon coming of their leader, Satan, will not have enough time to get his agenda of hatred to come to it’s full potential against Christians; thanks to our Saviour and King, the Lord Jesus Christ. Rick
Michael, Just a minor detail, but I do not believe the “American” people elected Obama, at least not the second time. There’s great proof the election and electronic ballots were rigged for him. I travel the country for my job, and other than a very few brain washed lefties, I heard of no one that actually pulled the lever for him, or were willing to admit it. As you may recall, the “American” people were fuming mad about his first 4 years, so doubt they would be lying after the second election. Lazarovic
You’ve drank way, way too much right wing kool aid my friend, you can’t even tell reality from fantasy anymore. Turn off the Fox Fake News, it should clear up. df NJ
How quickly the right wingers forget the economy was losing 800,000 jobs per month at the time of the election. If the boy wonder’s administration did not screw up the economy so badly the gay black muslim guy who was supposed to take all ur gunns would never have gotten elected in the first place!!! Seen2013
And, job creation is predominantly part-time, seasonally adjusted, and contractor that has not a prayer of replacing full-time employment and capital structure remains severely neglected. df NJ
Get rid of the 30-hour rule. Put it back to 20-hours and full time workers will return. Labor has NO voice in this country. It’s completely skewed in favor of the corporations. It’s alright. The longer the CEOs repress the working class the bigger the swing is going to be back in the other direction. Bernie Sanders hand thousands of people at his labor rallies. Next cycle should be the one. Cal
Democrats are so funny. Not only dead people vote but fictitious people who live at fictitious addresses vote. Richard J Daley has got nothing on current democratic vote fraud. Let Jesus handle it. He will sweep this current scum off the planet in good time. Call it purification of liberals…Washington Post. When Jesus arrives Post employees will be hiding under the rocks in the Potomac River. df NJ
You will be long dead and gone before the second coming or the economy collapses. Second Coming Is Armageddon…..” The Rapture” Is Very Close !!! JC Teecher
Yes it is very close, ….. to Armageddon that is. About 15 minutes just before the Hand of Christ is raised and He kills all those in the army gathered to come against Israel, by the sword of His mouth, that cuts both ways.
So, that 7 year pre-trib rapture is all junk that is proliferated by the likes of the “Left Behind” crowd.
The “rapture” is nothing more, or nothing less than the physical change from a flesh body to a spirit body. For those found in the Book of Life, that have not followed the lies of man and followed the “first” Messiah, they will also have an incorruptible soul.
Not so much for the pre-tribbers and liberals, that have followed ole Lucifer as he has played the role of the Antichrist (first messiah), and the false prophet. max gon
WW3: The only one to blame for the end of humanity will be the brainwashed and spineless USA population for sitting idle and doing nothing to stop this insanity. df NJ
Just what exactly do you expect people to do? There’s nothing that can be done. I’m not 100% convinced the US military is under civilian control anyway.
“Reclaiming Civilian Control: How to Keep Generals as Warriors, Not Politicians”
Just ask yourself, “If the devil himself was president, what would he do?” Fiddlin df NJ
Would Jesus drop 23,000 bombs on five predominately Muslim countries in 2015 only? I don’t think so. I think Jesus would be advocating a little less war by our so called “Christian” country. GSOB
??? df NJ
You would think people who follow the teachings of Christ would be anti-war. But they are not. LIZ THE SHIZ
I don’t know but I get the feeling that this is an NSA / CIA controlled website which wants to gin up and lure anti-government patriots to say provocative statements that can be used against them at a later date , so when a Reaper or Predator drone approaches your house will you hear it coming? df NJ
The NSA practically doesn’t exist anymore. The guts of the agency have been outsourced to a private corporation Booz Allen Hamilton. How many times have we heard Edward Snowden’s name and NSA in the same sentence. Snowden was not even a government employee! He was some burger flipper hired off the streets. Snowden was an employee of Booz Allen Hamilton!!! It’s the most amazing story. Just imagine this implications of a privately run security apparatus for the US government. By their own corporate charter to increase shareholder value above all other considerations the executives of Booz Allen Hamilton would be remiss in their corporate duties if they did NOT sell state secrets to the highest bidder. I don’t understand why Snowden’s name is even mentioned in any stories. Booz Allen Hamilton taking over NSA is one of the biggest stories in our lifetime that is completely ignored. LIZ THE SHIZ
outsourcing is the best way to deflect blame , how many so-called private security enterprises are just cover operations for our intelligence apparatus , they are one of the major growth industries in the DC Metroplex df NJ
Outsourcing the NSA ? We might as well give the Chinese all the gold in Fort Knox. Oh wait, there is no gold in Fort Knox. LIZ THE SHIZ
that’s right out of the Goldfinger plot line df NJ
Yeah, I just made up the whole thing. Booz Allen Hamilton doesn’t exist. Snowden was government employee. Go back to sleep. Orange Jean
Plenty of Booz employees work for DOD also. Seen2013
By all signs, national security and national interests have been overly blurred. The Arabian Alliance predominantly made up of OPEC members effectively leveraged US Foreign policy in the region that Israel, Iran, Syria, Russia, and China are throwing a monkey wrench into national interests as a result. tsf
Well now, unusual things have a way of happening during an election year. Is not this game with the Russians a ploy to somehow help Hilary? Perhaps people will regard The Donald as more trigger-happy and Hillary as more restrained. (?) As such, more folks may be moved (or rather frightened) into her column. Your thoughts? Rhino Horns
God is about to gather all nations to fight against Jerusalem (Zechariah 12 and 14), but not before Ezekiel 38-39 happens first! Rhino Horns
God is putting a hook in Obama’s jaw (Ezekiel 38) to drag him into World War 3 over there in Syria, and then Obama will be destroyed in spectacular fashion once the battle moves down to Israel (Ezekiel 39, Zechariah 12, Zechariah 14). Coming soon! df NJ
A God of love would never allow such hatred to be realized. GSOB
God is all loving. Bill G Wilminton NC
God Is Just And God Will Forgive Any Sin If The Sinner Asks For Forgiveness……NO ONE Will Enter Into Heaven To Be With God With Unconfessed Sin On Their Soul…
God Does Not Want AnyOne To Be LOST But Some Will CHOOSE To Be LOST !!!
Shalom
World War 3 has been cancelled due to a lack of public support. If you are not 100% satisfied your money will be cheerfully withheld.Please call 1-800- MASHIACH and ask for “UNCLE NUKE”.. Chris utter
if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…. Its a quack, and this page is full of them… retired22
I don’t believe this business is anything but an amateurish propaganda ploy that is not going anywhere except the front pages of left wing papers. If this regime of incompetent fools were really interested in these attacks on the Russians,…even they would not be stupid enough to advertise it all over the media. Something of this nature,if real,would be the deepest & most guarded secret until after it happened! This is like a widely advertised Hollywood stunt to generate activity for some new movie. Just imagine Hitler telling the world what he intended a week before he invaded Poland. Imagine the Japanese government in 1941 telling the world that Japan we was going to attack Pearl Harbor on Dec.7 of that year!
Only a pack of fools like those in the Obama regime would cook up such a pathetic plot! df NJ
All the news outlets are owned by Republicans. It’s just not true that the papers and cables news are liberal.
If you want liberal this is liberal:
Just because you claim it’s liberal it’s NOT! Hillary is a Nixon Republican. A Democrat from Texas is further to the right than a Republican from New Jersey. USE YOUR MIND…. df NJ
Did Hillary Clinton work for Goldwater?
She was a high-school Young Republican and “Goldwater Girl” in 1964 but swung to supporting Democrat Eugene McCarthy’s campaign in 1968 and George McGovern’s in 1972.
She’s a Republican:
Hillary Clinton (“Living History,” page 21): I was also an active Young Republican and, later, a Goldwater girl, right down to my cowgirl outfit and straw cowboy hat emblazoned with the slogan “AuH20.” … I liked Senator Goldwater because he was a rugged individualist who swam against the political tide. retired22
Can I ask you a serious question? What the Heck are you babbling about? Orac4Prez
Day 1. Hillary wins Day 2. China unveils newly discovered ancient navigation charts showing an atoll off the US was actually Chinese territory. Day 3 Sends boats to reclaim island and build Chinese Cultural Center and Freedom Radio Station: Voice of China. Day 4. Sends aircraft carrier fleet along the coast of the US to ensure freedom of navigation & protect Chinese interests. df NJ
Native Americans have been proven genetically to be of Chinese descent.
But what difference does it make. You are projecting American values on the Chinese. If you study Confucianism you would understand something profound about the Chinese character. They built the Great Wall to keep people out. Unlike American adventurism, the Chinese people simple are not expansionists. Yeah, they do stuff to make sure they have enough oil for their factories. But they also are spending huge amounts of money on alternative energy technologies.
The United States is the only other country other than Germany in WWII to occupy 3 different countries with troops in the last 50 years. This country LOVES war more than Jesus. Orac4Prez
Can’t disagree. I would like to see something happen to shake some of the politicians and media moguls out of this aggressive mindset. Lazarovic
Day one: Hillary wins Day two: You wake up with a hangover, having had a terrible anxiety dream about the Chinese… Orac4Prez
I’m not worried about the Chinese in the slightest. But, I’d loved to be a fly on the wall when the news reaches the Oval office! I’m sure her reaction would be priceless. Poor Hillary might head for the bottle though and the rest of the world could end up with a hangover. History tells us how the US reacts t anyone even hundreds of miles from their borders (like the Cuban missile crisis) pulltheweeds
One doozie of a choice coming November 8th. Republicans versus Democrats . Corporate rule or government rule. Does not matter. They are both of the same mind . Have fun when you swing that bar in the voting booth. Hold your loved ones close. We are in for one hell of a ride. df NJ
They are the same in a fascist state:
“Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power.” Benito Mussolini Lennie Pike
And since that is the truth, one can agree and at the same time be Conservative and Christian – especially since the desire to deal only with truth is what defines true Christians and Conservatives. Lennie Pike
What is truth? That’s for me to know (not inherently), and for you to find out. greanfinisher .
In a scenario like that, I think that we’ll all be dead before any of us ever hear the air raid sirens. df NJ
If a tree falls down in the forest and nobody is around to hear it does it make a noise? The answer is the forest does not exist. If humans are no longer here to experience the Universe, time ceases to exist. greanfinisher .
Sounds rather cryptic, but yes, time is a human invention. df NJ
It’s not cryptic at all. If no one exists to experience the Universe, the Universe, and time, does not exist. Without subjective experience, objective experience is meaningless. God is just a word, nothing more. God only exists in our use of language. If we cease to exist, God no longer exists. Lazarovic
Time is the Creator’s invention. Orange Jean
Ha… I think the squirrels would argue with you on that point! You don’t think they notice if a tree going down? NARENDRA MODI KING of WORLD
Nuclear war will NOT happen. I repeat, nuclear war will NOT happen. Just like I said the markets will NOT crash. Why? Because NARENDRA MODI is the savior df NJ
Well, I don’t know if Modi can save us. But I do know the last thing the people who have all the power and privilege want is to lose it. War will cause the ruling class to lose their legitimacy and power. The people in power will do anything and everything to keep everything exactly just the way it is now. Before the economy collapses the people in power will double people’s salaries to prevent rioting. Lazarovic
That’s a great idea! What are they waiting for? David
I remember Hillary asking during the 2nd debate if Trump can be trusted with his finger on the nuke button. we may never know. Obama has his itchy finger on it right now. df NJ
” If you are depressed you are living in the past. If you are anxious you are living in the future. If you are at peace you are living in the present.”
Lao Tzu Jerry C
“If you don’t learn from your past, you’re an idiot. If you do not plan for the future, you’re an idiot. If you are at peace in the present, re-read the first two sentences, because you’re an idiot.”
me
impeach obama 2016 df NJ
You do know in order to impeach a president a crime as to have been committed? What crime do you think Obama has committed? Also, please present the evidence for the crime. Because you can’t impeach a president of committing a felony if you do not have any evidence. You can’t do it just because of politics. Gay Veteran
Libya, Syria, Yemen, and Obama loves using drones to kill people Thomas D Guastavino
War with Russia the “Wag the Dog” scenario to cover the absolute bombshell wikileaks that are coming out just before the election? df NJ
People who are voting for Hillary has already decided. People voting for Trump have already decided. Most swing voters are not that tuned into the propaganda sound machine. I doubt anything coming out of wikileaks really matters. If Hillary gets indicted for some crime then it will matter. But subjective judgments about Hillary’s character because of the content of the Emails is pretty much irrelevant. Thomas D Guastavino
Then vote for the candidate who will interfere with your life the least. df NJ
Whatever that means. Does the president come to your house and bother you? Do you talk to imaginary friends named Jesus? Thomas D Guastavino
Was it not Jesus that mentioned something about casting pearls before swine? Seems appropriate here. df NJ
Are you calling me a swine?
Matthew 7:5
Are you calling me your brother ? Lazarovic
I get your point, but, ya, I talk to Jesus…. Bill G Wilminton NC
No But When Hillary Passes TPP You Will Be Bothered And Because It Is Signed With The UN It Is Irrevocable Bill G Wilminton NC
Pathetic Analysis….. df NJ
It’s easy to play defense. Why not tell us your opinions so we can all have a good laugh. lilbear68
this is along the same lines as the lie about Benghazi being caused by an anti muslim film sister soldier
Benghazi, the “other” elephant in the room. Lazarovic
Too Bad The Four Soldiers Abandoned On The Roof Arn’t Able To YAWN !!! Chris Gerber
What a dumbass he is! Gave wootendw
There are a number of possibilities besides the very real threat of all nuclear war.
It could be that this is just a way of shutting up the warmongers who are pressing Obama to exact revenge on Russia for when Syria retakes Aleppo. Putin and Obama may just be putting on a show.
Or perhaps this just another way of rigging the election. If Trump somehow pulls out a win, Obama might say Russia hacked the election, declare the election invalid and go on to serve another six months or so. Or perhaps, Obama wants Russia to make an aggressive move that would make Trump look bad.
It is too simple to say that this is between Sunni and Shia. Saudi Arabia would not be assisting ISIS without the USG approval. The USG has been saying for years that “Assad must go”– something that will be painful to back away from even if a referendum supports Assad after Syria is retaken. Bashar Assad is not a Shia either. He is a secular Alawite married to a Sunni. Most Sunnis in Syria have supported him.
Or this could be just another case of imperial hubris. Given that NATO’s population is 6 times Russia’s and its GDP nearly 20 times Russia’s, these guys may just think they have checkmate on Russia, not believing that Russia would dare resort to the unthinkable. Problem is, conventional war might be worse for Russia, once its air defenses are gone and NATO bombers have a free sky from which to carpet-bomb Russian cities. If this is the case, then we should all be asking ourselves where to go to be safe from nukes. Oregon is the best possibility in the US – not many targets and radiation-free winds from the Pacific. Maybe it’s time to pack and go. df NJ
We survived the 70s without nuclear war. We will survive the teens without nuclear war.
The last thing people in power want is to lose their power. If a nuke goes off anywhere in the world the people in power will be disposed by right or left wing reactionary totalitarian regime changes. This is not going to happen. wootendw
“We survived the 70s without nuclear war. We will survive the teens without nuclear war.”
The Soviet Union had a credible ‘conventional’ defense – perhaps offense – back then. It does not now, especially when compared to NATO.
As for “This is not going to happen”, such disasters happen when people least expect them. When people expect nuclear war, as in the Cuban missile crisis, they act to prevent it. When everyone believes nothing bad will happen – as in the aftermath of the Bear Stearns collapse – something bad does happen. Lazarovic
Exactly. Finally, some logical discourse on this site. Bill G Wilminton NC
Dem or Repub Two Wings Of The Same Bird….Trump Is Really His Own Party As He Has Taken Over The Republican Party.
Vote Trump The Party Of The “Deplorables” Vote Trump He Will Bring Hillary To Justice !! Vote Trump He Will Bring Jobs Back To USA !! Vote Trump He Will Stop Illegal Immigration !! Vote Trump He Will Enforce Our Borders !! Vote Trump He Will Keep Radical Islamists Out !! Vote Trump ” He Will Build The Wall ” Vote Trump America’s Last Chance !!!! mtntrek3
Bill…. I love you and others of our bro’s and sis’s in Christ. While I wish for ones to help us politically…….. seeing it as wishful thinking. My passions for our country are as serious as yours. For example…….. my Dad has a sign outside his house relating Trump to Hitler. My Dad’s brother in particular is all in for Trump. Talk about division. Personally, I wrote in my vote. Christ is the Way. Division is eating us alive in what’s left of our country. Christ first. Take care. Chris. Bill G Wilminton NC
Is Your Dad Voting For Hillary…..And All The Babies Duck…. mtntrek3
How many abortions have occurred in our family? 0 Just saying. I’ve already stated my stance on the subject, Bill. Jerry C
You’d do great on the Titantic. “Even God couldn’t sink her!” ROFLMAO. SpecialK
Obama and Hillary blaming the Russians could be to provoke them into a confrontation, maybe because they want America to fall and the NWO to rise? Many people have seen visions of Russia and China invading America. Tony Bennett says it will happen after our economy collapses. Everyone really needs to prepare for all scenarios. df NJ
If we let our fears drive what actions we take in our life then we will have a very poor quality of life. I would rather be brave int he face of fears and have a better quality of life. My gut feeling tells me I will be long dead and gone before the economy collapses or we experience the second coming of Jesus. If Jesus were here, he would not be able to win a Republican primary. He’s just way too liberal. SpecialK
No one said anything about letting fear drive our actions. God gave us the Bible, for one reason, to prepare us for what’s to come. So we shouldn’t be afraid when it happens. Also, you can hope you’re dead before all this happens but looking at whats going on in the market, geopolitically, etc, something could happen next week for all we know. Lazarovic
Jesus still wouldn’t win a Republican primary, he’s way too liberal… df NJ
People who seek God through the Bible are doing it out of fear and not because of love. Fear is the driving motivation behind the Bible. Nobody has proven eternal damnation exists. It’s all based on imaginary fears. Why would an omnipotent God who needs absolutely nothing from us care if we are sinners or not. It makes absolutely no sense. God needs nothing from us. There is no cosmic scoreboard. God is omnipotent whether we choose to have faith in God or not.
If God truly loves us then he would use his omnipotent powers of forgiveness to allow everything through the gates of heaven to experience eternal bliss. What difference does it make to God? It’s not like it will diminish God’s omnipotent powers to forgive Hitler. God loves Hitler because other than Hitler’s mother, God is all Hitler has!
Not accepting God’s omnipotent powers of forgiveness will be given to everyone no matter what indicates you have a lack of faith in an all-powerful all-loving God. What sins you’ve committed or how you practice your religion makes no difference to an all-powerful all-loving God. Are you willing to risk eternal damnation by putting all your faith in an all-power all-forgiving God? Is your faith strong enough? Are you brave enough? Now that’s a real test of faith!
It think a better way to be is to worship a loving God not out of fear but just out of faith. So rather than be afraid I choose to believe God will allow me through the gates of heaven no matter what sins I commit or how I practice my religion during my time on earth. You may think I’m wrong and crazy. But I would rather put my faith in all-loving all-forgiving God as opposed to your dark twisted idea of a hateful vengeful God. Your vengeful angry petty God is based on your twisted ideas of right and wrong. What is a sin and what is not sin is constantly changing. The big ones don’t change much. But there are thousands that are constantly being debated as being right or wrong.
There is only one true God and that God is God. The Bible is not God. Your twisted ideas about Jesus are not God. Or the twisted ideas about Jesus written by men in the Bible are not above God. The disciples are not above God. The disciples are men and nothing more. The disciples are not Gods. You can’t tell me that each disciple did not describe the teachings of Jesus based on their own world view and interpretation of Jesus’s teachings. What is written in the Bible is the ghost of teachings of Jesus as seen through the eyes of each disciple.
There is only one true God and his name is God. My faith is in God above all other words of men that were written in the Bible.
If you are not talking about God then you are NOT talking about God. It’s so obvious yet most of you are so twisted with ideas about God that your ideas about God eventually have nothing to do with God.
For example, talking about Jesus is not talking about God. Jesus was a Jewish rabbi who was talking about God. But when you are talking about Jesus you are not talking about God.
If you want to seek God where do you look? You don’t need to look in the Bible to find God. I don’t need a disciple to tell me where God is or how to look. God is everywhere around us. God is infinite. God does exist outside the Bible. You don’t need a Bible to find God. You just have to have faith in God while you are looking. Bill G Wilminton NC
You Just Flap Flap Flap…..Do You Get Paid By The WORD… df NJ
Yup You Could Be A Writer For Professor Corey….Just Nonsense !!! GSOB
Trump is doing well tonight in this final debate. mtntrek3
My take on the matter…….. write in a vote. Christ first. Good day/night. df NJ
Write in Christ as your vote? I wonder if Christ would get elected in this country. mtntrek3
No, Jesus wouldn’t take part directly in our imperfect governance. Bill G Wilminton NC
My Take On The Matter…..You Waste Your Vote…..You Sentence Babies To Die….. mtntrek3
I didn’t vote for Trump or Clinton……that’s for sure. How many abortions have happened in our family? None. mtntrek3
What matters…….. Christ in our lives. I’ve read several inputs on this article. The article itself. Our collective frustration with the way things that are…….. are in the spotlight no doubt. Personally, I can’t recommend either of these. Write it in IMHO. To me that’s the way to bring about change for the better. Beyond that….. we don’t want to go there. God first. With love to all. SnodtBlossom
are of few days and full of trouble. 2 They spring up like flowers and wither away; like fleeting shadows, they do not endure. 3 Do you fix your eye on them? Will you bring them[a] before you for judgment? 4 Who can bring what is pure from the impure? No one! 5 A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed. 6 So look away from him and let him alone, till he has put in his time like a hired laborer. 7 “At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. 8 Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, 9 yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. 10 But a man dies and is laid low; he breathes his last and is no more. 11 As the water of a lake dries up or a riverbed becomes parched and dry, 12 so he lies down and does not rise; till the heavens are no more, people will not awake or be roused from their sleep. 13 “If only you would hide me in the grave and conceal me till your anger has passed! If only you would set me a time and then remember me! 14 If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal[b] to come. 15 You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. 16 Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. 17 My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin. 18 “But as a mountain erodes and crumbles and as a rock is moved from its place, 19 as water wears away stones and torrents wash away the soil, so you destroy a person’s hope. 20 You overpower them once for all, and they are gone; you change their countenance and send them away. 21 If their children are honored, they do not know it; if their offspring are brought low, they do not see it. 22 They feel but the pain of their own bodies and mourn only for themselves.” Footnotes: mtntrek3
Yes…….. however there is hope Sunny. This life is a few days and full of troubles (To quote Job). The eternal picture…….. paradise with Christ as our Savior. Ask Him to forgive us our sins…… He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Take care. Chris. Bill G Wilminton NC
So Dont Vote Or Right In Some Name….Brilliant Then Abortion Loving ” Rip Their Little Bodies To Shreds ” HILLARY gets elected…..You Answer To God Not Me !!!! mtntrek3
Trump, Clinton no. Let’s get that out of the way up front. One that envies Putin…… ? Seriously? No. Write in a vote. df NJ
His hair turns a deeper shade of Orange every time he lies. mtntrek3
Yeah, have to agree with that. Bill G Wilminton NC
Use Anti-BS Spray And Goggles…..Your Are Buried….Maybe A Flame Thrower !
Trump Is The Last Chance For Our Country !!! mtntrek3
Trump’s not any kind of savior. Clinton, no again . We’ve got to get away from the same old, the nut jobs and the weasels etc. mtntrek3
I will say this Bill…… you and a few others online and in our local area have gotten me to inspect who I vote for more, along with opening my eyes more to the abortion topic and others. Thank you for that. Chris. Main Stream Media Has You Buried Under BS……I Wouldnt Care If His Hair Was Pink….Trump Speaks The TRUTH !!! re Is No Other Choice…..Trump Has Shredded The Elite Controlled Repub Party…..They “The Elites” Never Believed That Trump Could Do It….But He Did… The Elites Never Counted On The Fact That the American People Are Gettin It…..These Are “The Deplorables ” FOR TRUMP…..This Is The Last Chance !!! mtntrek3
The talk w/o the walk is just that. Trump a grandstanding weasel, just another corporate type that has avoided paying wages/taxes at several turns in his life, is delusional, narcissistic, unstable, ……… . Clinton is questionable in the integrity department, wants to continue certain Obama programs that need either improved greatly or discontinued, headed too far left for me in general. Neither one. mtntrek3
I will add…….. those that think Putin is our friend are mistaken. Seriously? C’mon,please. Lerch
And I guess that Obongo, Binden, the Hildebeast and the rest of our war monging leadership are the best of friends? What century or planet you live on? Get your head out of the sand. Who nation has the empirical dreams of conquest? Who has the most military bases around the globe? Which country in every major conflict on this globe and the lust and desire for even more? If you say another country other the so-called good old US of A; you’re an idiot. mtntrek3
You neglected to reflect both sides of the political aisle. Just saying. While things are bad, getting worse….. I’m glad to be here in the U.S. Blame to be spread on both sides of the aisle IMHO. My humble advice is to get or keep your faith in Christ. Good day. Chris. re Are Not Two Sides Of The Aisle….The Dem And Repub Are Two Wings Same Bird….Trump Has Totally Created A New Repub Party !! mtntrek3
A single party system? The party of Trump……. “of, by and for Trump”. Trump’s way or the highway. Sounds scary to me. In an ideal world…… the dem’s /rep’s check and balance one another. In today’s world in particular……. they’re headed further apart. No cooperation whatsoever. Too far left or right a problem to me. Bill G Wilminton NC
Trump Is A Nationalist, Putin Is A Nationalist….Hillary Is A Globalist……Is That Hard To Get ? mtntrek3
Not been on here in awhile. I get carried away with my rant sessions at times. My bad. Anyway…. hey Bill, how’re you? I’m going to be looking into Independents more in the future. Sick of this crap that is politically. I voted for who I thought was the “best” out of the ones I could think of. Maybe you and others say I threw my vote away…… or I actually voted for one or the other of these two clowns by default. I disagree. We need to get away from the status quo however possible. Hard to vote Independent often time as their aren’t many (if any) on the ballot / no space for a write-in. I’m going to try more in that direction in the future however. Also, I’m going to be contacting the elected officials more often as well. And, abortion……. I’ve already stated my views on the matter. Take care Bill. mtntrek3
My heart goes out to our people and Russia’s. We’re being led by ones in control of each. Which is worse?…. . I’d like to think which ones are worse. ………….. I have to say, I want to stay here in America that we’ve fought and died for. I’m sad for the state we’re in. Troubled indeed. We have to be on our guard for further declines as a nation. Improvements?….. with these two as a choice, not seeing it. Think about it. df NJ
I stopped thinking after George W Bush got elected…chosen to be president in 2000. mtntrek3
Rigged? I wonder. Trump cries that out now of course. He states several of these things that I personally have questioned for some years. He has tapped into the concerns of many of us in America. Now….. if only he was sane/credible and had some sort of viable plan. He’s been a part of the problem in our corporates. Now he says he’s not. To me, he’s a rabble-rouser with alternate objectives. df NJ
2000 was an historic election:
“THE COURT STEPS IN The Supreme Court actually interposed itself into the election contest three times. Only the last two are known as Bush v. Gore. In the first of these cases, Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board, the Court hoped to end the election crisis by putting a stop to the Florida Supreme Court’s decision to extend the time for certifying the vote past the period set by state law. But by the time the Court began hearing arguments in the appeal on December 1, the certification had already occurred. The embarrassed justices sent the case back down to the Florida Supreme Court, instructing the lower court to rewrite its opinion so that it would not create a conflict between state and federal law.
A week later, the Florida Supreme Court ordered a statewide recount of ballots. Unlike its earlier decision, however, this one was not unanimous. With the Florida justices split 4-3, the U.S. Supreme Court once again exercised its discretionary appellate review jurisdiction and granted certiorari, or review, to Bush v. Gore. The day after the Florida Supreme Court had ordered a recount, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary stay, or delay, in enforcing the Florida Supreme Court’s order. The U.S. Supreme Court justices, too, were narrowly divided, 5-4. The five justices voting in favor of the stay were the same five conservatives who had been moving the Rehnquist Court to the right for more than a decade. The first hearing of Bush v. Gore telegraphed to the nation what would happen if the Court took further action in the case.
The Court’s third and final intervention in the 2000 presidential election came just days later. In its unsigned opinion, the Court explained that it had voted 5-4 to put a stop to the Florida recount. Allowing the recount to go forward, the Court said, would violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court sent the case back down to the Florida Supreme Court, which had no alternative but to dismiss it. The presidential election of 2000 had been decided, in essence, by the vote of one Supreme Court justice. “ mtntrek3
Yep, I remember that election…… counting and recounting, hanging chads, confusing ballots, etc. Some say that this election will be a landslide one way or the other. I’m not sure about that. To me it’ll probably be close. Whether it’s by a few hundred votes again or not, time will tell. Bill G Wilminton NC
Good Leaders Like Churchill, Gen Patton and Gen MacArthur Are Hard To Find. They Say What Has To Be Said and Dont Give A “F” What Anyone Thinks…..
Trump Is From That Mold…..He Has A Plan You Just Arn’t Listening To His Speeches….Borders, Trade, Constitution, Jobs, Factories, Illegals, Muslims, 1 st, 2 nd, 9 th Amendments etc etc etc etc etc etc etc …..What Does Trump Have To Do Drive To Your House And Sit At Your Kitchen Table for You To Get It….. mtntrek3
I’m not hearing much if anything new except for tariffs. That would help? Maybe. To me it would just raise the prices on several things. Tax breaks for the corporations? Well…. another maybe. Seems as though it really doesn’t translate to that many more jobs. Guess the corp’s suck up the savings at the top w/o creating all that many new jobs. The border wall he touts is fantasy land fodder, as is renegotiating all trade deals. He’ll just wave his magic wand and do these things I suppose. It’d take probably 10-15 years to build a wall , not accounting for snafus along the way (illegals have been tunneling underground more all the time anyway)…… and I guess other world leaders will cave in to his wishes in trade deals just because “The Donald” is across the table from them. I’ve been hearing what he says…. in between all his extracurricular blah, blah, blah and his twitter escapades. When something sounds too good to be true……. . The guys is nuts basically. And…… no thanks, I don’t want him at my place. For that matter, Clinton either. I’ve heard enough of both of them the past several weeks. Trump/Clinton neither one as I see it. Neither one are my savior either. Take care again Bill. God Bless. Deplorable Twister Jones
Thanks Bill, yours is one of the most succinct to the point posts for President Trump I’ve seen in weeks! You’re right, what the hell do these people hear? They don’t miss a lick when some dumbass spits out the lies about racism or hating women or illegals! They will soon learn to listen…soon enough!! Bill G Wilminton NC
Trump says what has to be said ” I Am Not Politically Correct, Never Was Politically Corect And Never Will Be Politically Correct ”…….
No One Has To LEARN To Listen Or March In Goose Step….Nor Speak German!!! df NJ
We’re all going to die….of old age. mtntrek3
Politics ……. s–t overall. To promote one side or the other is amounting to our demise. Hey…… I side somewhat left of center politically, but I see possible answers somewhere in the middle. Too far left or right is …….. not good. We’re all Americans, let’s meet somewhere towards the middle. If only…… . I think ideally that the left and right politically can check and balance themselves out. Nowadays……… not so much. Too far left and right. We can’t reach across the aisle due to the chasm that is. I go to the Bible for my indication of where we’re at….. and it’s getting late. Radical left/right….. umm, no thanks. Christ, He’s our Hope. df NJ
There are two sides of the political spectrum. One side wants change. One side wants to keep things exactly the way they are. The side that wants to keep things exactly the way they are always wins. Bill G Wilminton NC
Did You Used To Be A Writer For Professor Irwin Corey…..He Was The “Professor Of Double Talk” df NJ
Power wants to preserve power. It’s not double talk. ALWAYSTOMORROW
COUNTDOWN. Today, October 20, 2016. In 19 days I predict Mrs. Clinton will be elected our next president. df NJ
Bill Clinton, first husband. LOL!
If the Republicans want to win the White House in 2020 they have to run a gay guy. Bill G Wilminton NC
If So, Goodbye USA……And Satan Will Applaud For This Abortion Loving, Perversion Loving, Drug Loving, God Hating Septic Tank We Are Stuck In…..Til Jesus Comes For His Bride !!! Salley Mae
Why does the US fight ISIS and Al Qaeda in Syria by bombing Assad and arming ISIS (per the Wikileaks emails)? Meanwhile the Russians fight Al Qaeda and ISIS by bombing Al Qaeda and ISIS – all at the invitation of the Syrian government. I would like to know the REAL reason we have invaded that country and what is behind it. df NJ
Our ME foreign policy is determined by the Council of Foreign Relations. The centerpiece to our foreign policy is the balkanization of the Middle East and the Arab World using groups like ISIS. ISIS is a CIA black ops organization. The goal is not to have any strong states or regional powers remaining. This is accomplished by bombing certain Arab countries back to the stone age. ISIS is needed to have a legal and moral justification for excessively bombing of the ragheads. The result will be no credible threats to the USA’s most important interest in the ME. Jerry C
Globalist centralized bank. They installed one here in the U.S. in 1913. A few years ago, Iraq & Libya didn’t have one but now they do (sorry Saddam & Qaddafi). Syria doesn’t have one, so that explains why they’re after Assad. The few remaining countries left without a centralized bank is China, Russia, North Korea, Iran & Syria. After Syria, the plan is to go after Iran. | 0 |
Sean Adl-Tabatabai in News , US // 0 Comments
Barack Obama has been accused of using the Department of Justice (DOJ) to illegally funnel money into left-wing groups such as the Clinton Campaign.
According to Clinton Cash author and Government Accountability Institute (GAI) President Peter Schweizer, a new GAI report indicates that the DOJ, under direction from Obama, used money obtained by fining financial institutions to fund left-wing liberal causes.
Breitbart.com reports:
Breitbart Editor-in-Chief and SiriusXM host Alex Marlow described the report as exposing the Justice Department of “quite literally extorting companies to fund left-wing activists.”
“When I first joined Breitbart,” Schweizer recalled, “There was a scandal called Pigford where the federal government was basically taking taxpayer money and giving it to people who were claiming to be victims who were not victims and giving them billions of dollars. This is in that tradition.”
He explained:
What’s really happening here is simple. You’ve got large financial institutions on Wall Street, you’ve got banks like Bank of America, who have in some cases committed financial crimes. I think some of them are real, some of them may not be, but set that aside for a minute. The Department of Justice has gone after them and basically said, ‘You committed these offenses, you’ve got to pay restitution in the form of billions of dollars.’ Okay, they committed the crime, they ought to pay that.
Now, ostensibly that money, those billions of dollars, are supposed to go to the victims of their financial crimes. If your Wall Street broker committed fraud, you’re supposed to be made whole with this money, and the rest of it is supposed to go to taxpayers.
The problem is the Obama Justice Department has been diverting literally more than $650 million to left-wing groups. They do it under the guise of, “Well, you know, if this bank discriminated against lenders racially, we’re going to give this money to these left-wing quote-unquote housing groups to help deal with the problem.”
But that’s not what’s going on. These housing groups are advocacy groups. They’re left-wing organizations. They are registering voters and getting voters out to the voting booth. And they specifically target what they call quote-unquote progressive voters.
So this is taking the Department of Justice, which we’ve experienced so much in recent years has been politicized by this Administration, even further to where now the Department of Justice is transferring money to left-wing groups — in an effort, frankly I think, to influence this election. | 0 |
posted by Eddie Toys “R” Us stores in the UK are offering a “quiet hour” for shoppers with autism this holiday, and we’d love if U.S. retailers did the same! Remember that part in The Grinch Who Stole Christmas when the kids of Whoville play with dozens of toys and the Grinch grimaces and moans about all the “Noise, noise, noise, noise?” Yep. I think of that moment every time I try to take my two kids shopping during the holidays. Yes, they both love toys and, yes, they both adore toy stores—but they both have sensory issues and my oldest is non-speaking and autistic. This means that going to big toy stores like Toys “R” Us just isn’t an option for us during the holiday season (or even most days). Crowds, fluorescent lights, loud music, and many other sensory triggers overwhelm both my kids (and me, if I’m being honest) and we usually leave within minutes of stepping into the store. Toys “R” Us locations throughout the U.K. will be hosting a quiet hour on Sunday, November 6, for those with autism and their families. Stores will be opening an hour earlier with special accommodations meant to make holiday shopping easier for individuals on the spectrum. As part of the shopping experience, lights will be dimmed and fluorescent lighting will be limited. In-store music will also be muted, and no announcements will be made. Stores will be offering quiet-zones for shoppers. These adjustments are all an effort to make sure children on the autism spectrum and their family members can have a comfortable and enjoyable shopping experience, regardless of their disabilities, Toys R Us representatives told the Telegraph . “For many autistic people and their families a simple trip to the shops, which should be an enjoyable experience, can be fraught with difficulty,” Cadey says. We’re hoping Toys R Us locations in the United States will adopt this idea too. Parents have petitioned for sensory-friendly aisles in Target and ShopRite with local success, but children on the autism spectrum and their parents deserve a place to shop comfortably year-round, no matter where they live. After all, Toys R Us is a place where a kid can be a kid, right? Source: | 0 |
One by one, the women paraded into the research center in Midtown Manhattan. There were about 40 of them, pregnant or of reproductive age, brought together by New York City health officials for sessions in English and Spanish. They were there to discuss the Zika virus. But not the mosquitoes known to carry it. They were there to talk about sex. Specifically, public health officials were trying to devise the most effective way of communicating the growing threat posed by sexual transmission of the virus — a threat that could significantly alter the course of the epidemic. After two days, they had their message, aimed at men as much as women: “Do not put your child at risk. ” While mosquitoes are the primary carriers of the virus, which has swept across the Americas and the Caribbean, infecting tens of thousands of people and causing devastating birth defects in more than 1, 800 newborns, health officials are concerned that the threat of sexual transmission remains little understood, largely underpublicized and worryingly underestimated. Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the head of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in an article published this week in The Journal of the American Medical Association, said Zika represented “an unprecedented emergency. ” “Never before, to our knowledge,” Dr. Frieden wrote, “has a virus been associated with human birth defects or been capable of sexual transmission. ” With 491 cases so far, four believed to have been contracted through sex, New York City’s total now accounts for about a quarter of all Zika cases in the United States, according to health care officials briefed on the latest test results. More than 3, 000 pregnant women have been screened for the virus. While sustained local transmission by mosquitoes is considered unlikely in the city, it has both a large population of people who travel back and forth to Zika hot zones and sophisticated public health surveillance systems, making it one of the best places to closely study the virus’s alternate means of transmission and how to prevent Zika from spreading through those means. Because much about the virus is unknown, just how great the threat sexual transmission poses remains contested. As long as mosquitoes that thrive in warm tropical environments are the primary carriers, Zika’s spread will be somewhat limited by geography and efforts. Experts agree, however, that if sex becomes a common means of spreading Zika, the already difficult challenge of containing the virus will become exponentially harder. It could also further stoke a debate about family planning and the availability of birth control, even as the risk to pregnant women increases. All men and women who travel to places where Zika is spreading are now told either to abstain from sex for at least eight weeks or to use barrier protection — if they have symptoms or not. Men with symptoms should abstain from sex or use condoms for at least six months. Pregnant women who live where the disease is present or whose partners have been to a Zika zone should have their partners use condoms or abstain from sex for the duration of the pregnancy, health officials say. “Those recommendations come as a pretty big shock to our patients,” said Dr. Gary Mazer, director of emergency management at the CityMD urgent care centers in New York City. “Many people have no idea. ” In a recent survey by the Annenberg Public Policy Center, people seemed aware of the risks of traveling to places where Zika is spreading and the need to take precautions from being bitten by mosquitoes. But when asked what steps they could take to prevent contracting the disease, only 5 percent named using condoms or abstaining from sex with someone who lives in or travels to a Zika area. Getting doctors and patients to talk openly about sexually transmitted diseases is often difficult, and part of the challenge with Zika is that it exploded so suddenly and that so much remains unknown. Only seven months ago, there was a debate over whether sexual transmission was even a real concern. Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, the director of the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said during a news conference on Thursday that understanding of the virus kept changing. When sexual transmission first was established, Dr. Fauci said, it was predominantly men infecting women. “No sooner did we say that than there was a case of woman to man,” he said. While the one known case of transmission may currently be an outlier, he said, it cannot be discounted. The bottom line: “The efficiency of sexual transmission is still unknown. ” In two studies published on Thursday in a European journal of infectious diseases, scientists described two cases in which the semen of men who contracted Zika in Haiti early this year continued to test positive for the virus past six months, raising questions about the current guidelines. The semen of one man tested positive 188 days after he first experienced symptoms of the illness, the other on Day 181 — twice as long as previously documented. William Smith, the head of the National Coalition of S. T. D. Directors, said he had heard concern from health departments across the country. “There has been an across the board and a lack of leadership in talking about and educating people — both citizens and providers — that sexual transmission is a real threat,” he said. He pointed to the posters distributed around the country by the C. D. C. and mirrored by local health departments, with big pictures of mosquitoes but no mentions of condoms. In addition, the emergence of the virus is coming at a time when public health departments are strained and the three most commonly sexually transmitted diseases — syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia — are on the rise for the third year in a row in the United States, an indication that messages about protected sex are falling short. The city is planning to start its new campaign in two weeks, building on its current educational effort that focuses largely on travel and mosquitoes. It will include fliers, posters, and radio and television advertisements drawing on suggestions from the focus group and years of battling other sexually transmitted diseases. Community outreach workers will spread out to gathering places like street fairs and transit hubs to communicate the risks of sexual transmission. Dr. Mary T. Bassett, the city’s health commissioner, said that even as the city addressed concerns about sexual transmission, it did not want to lose focus on what remained the primary threat to women in New York: travel to places where Zika is spreading. “What we do know right now is that mosquitoes are the most important source of transmission in areas,” Dr. Bassett said. “We do need every New Yorker to know that Zika can also be sexually transmitted, and we have adapted our messaging to reflect this. “For New Yorkers, the two best ways to prevent Zika are to avoid traveling to areas and to use barrier methods when having sex with someone who traveled to a area. ” Pamela Perez, 25, and Emmanuel Espinal, 35, both born in the Dominican Republic, are part of the target audience. Walking in Highbridge Park in Upper Manhattan recently, they said they had been infected with other illnesses like chikungunya and dengue, and were not all that concerned about Zika. Mr. Espinal said the disease would not change his plans to travel between New York and the Dominican Republic. But asked if he knew the disease could be transmitted via sex as well as mosquitoes, Mr. Espinal was taken aback. “I didn’t know that,” he said, pausing. “Now I have to be more careful. ” | 1 |
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Conspiracy theories about Western plots to undermine Turkey run so deep in the nation’s collective psyche that only the language of psychology is suitable to understanding them. The phenomenon is known as the Sèvres Syndrome, harking back nearly 100 years to a treaty that was never carried out but that would have divided Anatolia, the Asian landmass that makes up the bulk of modern Turkey. The syndrome is named for the French city where Western powers, at the conclusion of World War I, signed a treaty that brought about the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Analysts have used the terms “phobia,” “trauma” and “syndrome” to describe the country’s as if Turkey were a patient on a psychologist’s couch. Ever since Sèvres, they have said, Turkey as a nation has been suffering from stress disorder. One way the syndrome is believed to have manifested itself is in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian genocide. More recently, Turks have blamed the United States and Western allies for huge street protests, a corruption scandal and this summer’s failed military coup. The Turkish government has accused followers of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric in exile in Pennsylvania, of plotting the coup. But rather than talking about how President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had allowed Mr. Gulen’s supporters to gain a foothold in the nation’s military, the Turkish public has been consumed with blaming the United States. “They say, well, it was the Americans who worked with Gulen to get in these positions,” said Fatma Muge Gocek, a sociologist at the University of Michigan. “Why? Because they are out to get us. ” She added: “When you are constantly blaming others for what happens to you, you can never, therefore, heal. ” Dietrich Jung, a professor of Middle East studies at the University of Southern Denmark, said the actions of Europeans sometimes underscored suspicion about the Turks. He pointed to a recent debate in Denmark about whether that country’s royal family should meet with Mr. Erdogan during a visit to Turkey, given concerns about the Turkish leader’s growing authoritarianism. “They visited Saudi Arabia,” Mr. Jung said. “They visited China. Nobody talked about authoritarian politics. Why Erdogan?” Why indeed, many Turks would say, suspiciously. | 1 |
A poster campaign depicting naked children with genitalia of the opposite sex has hit cities across northern Spain thanks to an anonymous American donor. [The posters, which declare that some girls have penises and some boys have vulvas, have appeared at bus stops and metro stations across the Basque Country and Navarre. Created by transgender advocacy group Chrysallis Euskal Herria, the images have appeared in major cities such as Pamplona, San Sebastián, Bilbao and Vitoria, with the backing of local government. They show four naked children holding hands, including one boy with female genitalia and one girl with male genitalia. Underneath, a slogan reads: “There are girls with penises and boys with vulvas. It’s as simple as that. ” Beatriz Sever, the group’s press officer, said they were designed to “raise social awareness about transgender children and for these children to feel represented”. “There is an evident gap in society’s ability to approach the issue of transgender children in a normal way,” she told El País. “The more we talk, the easier it will be for some parents to detect what is happening to their own children. Many of them deny their kids’ real identity simply out of ignorance. ” The poster campaign was made possible by a 28, 000 euro donation from an anonymous New York businessman. The organisation said he donated the money after reading about an earlier campaign where they handed out educational material in eight different languages. Ms. Sever defended the group’s depiction of naked children, saying: “It makes all the difference between children either being accepted or not. We need to make people understand that nature is not a photocopying machine. Those who deny their identity typically use genitals as an excuse. I myself, as a mother, once used that same argument, until I finally understood what was going on. ” The ongoing drive to push transgender ideology onto children is causing concern from some quarters. A report by two psychiatrists last August found most children and teenagers who claim to be transgender change their minds as they grow up. It also warned parents and officials not to impose surgery or treatment on children, saying: “There is no evidence that all children who express thoughts or behavior should be encouraged to become transgender. ” | 1 |
The Euro Is Murdering Europe
By F. William Engdahl
November 13, " NEO " - The Euro is murdering the nations and economies of the EU quite literally. Since the fixed currency regime came into effect, replacing national currencies in transactions in 2002, the fixed exchange rate regime has devastated industry in the periphery states of the 19 Euro members while giving disproportionate benefit to Germany. The consequence has been a little-noted industrial contraction and lack of possibility to deal with resulting banking crises. The Euro is a monetarist disaster and the EU dissolution is now pre-programmed as just one consequence.
Those of you familiar with my thoughts on the economy will know I feel the entire concept of globalization, a term which was popularized under the presidency of Bill Clinton to glamorize the corporativist agenda that had just come into being with creation of the World Trade Organization in 1994, is fundamentally a destructive rigged game of the few hundred or so giant global players. Globalization destroys nations to advance the agenda of a few hundred giant, unregulated multinationals. Its based on a disproven theory put forward in the 18 th Century by English free trade proponent David Ricardo, known as the Theory of Comparative Advantage, used by Washington to justify removing any and all national trade protectionism in order to benefit the most powerful Global Players, mostly US-based.
The faltering US project known as Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership or the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, is little more than Mussolini on steroids. The most powerful few hundred corporations will formally stand above national law if we are foolish enough to elect corrupt politicians that will endorse such nonsense. Yet few have really looked closely at the effect that surrender of currency sovereignty under the Euro regime is having.
Collapse of Industry
The nations of what today is misleadingly known as the European Union follow a concept ratified by a then-far-smaller number of European memberstwelve versus 28 states todayof what had been the European Economic Community (EEC). A European version of giganto-mania appeared during the EEC Commission presidency of French globalist politician Jacques Delors when he unveiled what was called the Single European Act in February 1986.
Delors overturned the principle established by Frances Charles de Gaulle, the principle which de Gaulle referred to as Europe of the Fatherlands. De Gaulles concept of the European Economic Communitythen six nations including France, Germany, Italy and the Benelux threewas one in which there would be periodical meetings of the premiers of the six Common Market nations. There, with elected heads of states, policies would be formulated and decisions made. An assembly elected from members of national parliaments would review the actions of the ministers. De Gaulle viewed the Brussels EEC bureaucracy as a purely technical administrative body, subordinate to national governments. Cooperation should be based on the reality of state sovereignty. Supranational acquisition of power over individual nations of the EEC was anathema for de Gaulle, rightly so. As with individuals so with nationsautonomy is basic and borders do matter.
Delors Single Act proposed to overturn that Europe of the Fatherlands through radical reforms to the EEC aimed at the destructive idea that the diverse nations, with diverse histories, cultures and diverse languages, could dissolve borders and become a kind of ersatz United States of Europe, run top down by unelected bureaucrats in Brussels. It in essence is a Mussolini-style corporativist or fascist vision of a non-democratic, non-responsible European bureaucracy controlling populations arbitrarily, answerable only to corporate influence, pressure, corruption.
It was an agenda developed by the largest multinationals of Europe, whose lobby organization was the European Roundtable of Industrialists (ERT), the influential lobby group of Europes major multinationals (by personal invitation only) such as Swiss-based Nestle, Royal Dutch Shell, BP, Vodafone, BASF, Deutsche Telekom, ThyssenKrupp, Siemens and other giant European multinationals. The ERT, not surprisingly, is the major lobby in Brussels pushing adoption of the TIPP trade deal with Washington .
The ERT was a major driver for the 1986 Delors Single Act proposals that led to the Frankenstein Monster called the European Union. The idea of the EU is creation of a top-down central unelected political authority that would decide the future of Europe without democratic checks and balances, at heart a truly feudal notion.
The concept of a single United States of Europe, dissolving national identities that went back more than a thousand years or more, can be traced back to the 1950s when the Bilderberg Meeting of 1955 in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, West Germany, first discussed the creation out of the six member nations of the European Coal and Steel Community of a common currency, and this necessarily implied the creation of a central political authority . De Gaulle was not present.
The project to create a monetary union was unveiled at a 1992 EEC conference in Maastricht, Holland following the unification of Germany. France and Italy, backed by Margaret Thatchers Britain, forced it through over German misgivings in order to contain the power of a unified Germany. British Tory press railed against Germany as an emerging Fourth Reich, conquering Europe economically, not militarily. Ironically, this is what has very much de facto emerged from the structures of the Euro today. Because of the Euro, Germany economically dominates the entire 19 Eurozone countries.
The problem with the creation of the European Monetary Union (EMU) prescribed in Maastricht Treaty is that the single currency and the independent European Central Bank were launched without being tied to a political single legal entity, a genuine United States of Europe. The Euro and the European Central Bank is a supranational creation without answerability to anyone. It was done in absence of a genuine organic political union such as that created when 13 states, with common English language and following a commonly-fought war of independence from Great Britain, created and adopted the Constitution of the United States of America. In 1788 the delegates from the 13 states agreed to establish a republican form of government grounded in representing the people in the states, with separation of powers between the legislative, judicial and executive branches. Not so the EMU.
The EU bureaucrats have a cute name for this disconnect between unelected central bank officials of the ECB controlling the economic destiny of the 19 member states with 340 million citizens of the so-called Eurozone. They call it the democratic deficit. That deficit has grown gargantuan since the 2008 global financial and banking crisis and the emergence of the not-sovereign European Central Bank.
Collapse of Industry
The creation of the Euro single currency since 1992 has put the Euro member states into an economic strait-jacket. The currency value cannot be changed to boost national exports during economic downturns such as that experienced since 2008. The result has been that the largest industrial power in the Eurozone, Germany, has benefited from the stable euro while weaker economies on the periphery of the EU, including most notably, France, have endured catastrophic consequences to the rigid Euro rate.
In a new report, the Dutch think-tank, Gefira Foundation, notes that French industry has been contracting since the adoption of the euro. It was not able to recover after either of the 2001 or 2008 crises because the euro, a currency stronger than the French franc would be, has become a burden to Frances economy. The floating exchange rate works like an indicator of the strength of the economy and like an automatic stabilizer. A weaker currency helps to regain competitiveness during a crisis, while a stronger currency supports consumption of foreign goods .
The study notes that because of this currency strait-jacket, ECBs policy has created a Euro too high versus other major currencies to enable France to maintain exports since the economic downturn of 2001. The Euro has led to increased imports into France and because France had no exchange rate flexibility, her industry could not regain international competitiveness in the worlds market after the 2001 crisis, so its industry has been slowly dying ever since. They lost the economic stabilizing tool of a floating exchange rate .
Today, according to the Eurostat, industry makes up 14.1% of the French total gross value added. In 1995 it was 19.2%. In Germany it is 25.9%. Most striking has been the collapse of a once-vibrant French car industry. Despite the fact that world car production almost doubled from 1997 to 2015 from 53 million to 90 million vehicles annually, and while Germany increased its car production by 20% from 5 to 6 million, from the time France joined the Euro in 2002, French car production almost halved from nearly 4 million to less than 2 million .
Euro Bail-in Laws
The same Euro strait-jacket is preventing a serious reorganization of troubled banks across the Eurozone since the 2008 crisis. The creation of the supra-national, non-sovereign European central Bank has made it impossible for member countries of the Eurozone to resolve their banking problems created during the excesses of the pre-2008 period. The case of Italy with its request to make a state bailout of its third-largest bank, Monte dei Paschi, is exemplary. Though draconian layoffs and closings have for the moment eased panic, Brussels refused to permit a $5 billion Italian state rescue of the bank, instead demanding the bank revert to a new EU banking law called Bail in. While they may not yet dare to implement bail-in just yet in Italy, it is EU law and will certainly be the instrument of choice by the unelected Eurogroup when the next banking crisis hits.
Bail-in, while it sounds better than taxpayer bailout, actually requires that a banks depositors be robbed of their deposits to rescue a failed bank, if Brussels or the unelected Eurogroup decides such a bail-in of deposits is needed after bank bond holders and stock holders and creditors have not been able to meet the losses. This bail-in confiscation was applied in Cyprus banks in 2013 by the EU. Depositors there with over 100,000 either lost 40% of their money .
If you are a depositor in, say, Deutsche Bank, and the stock shares are tanking, as they have been, and legal troubles threaten their existence, and the German government refuses to talk bailout, but rather leaves the bank to potential bail-in, you can be sure every depositor with an account over 100,000 will begin to look to other banks, worsening the crisis for Deutsche Bank. Then all other remaining depositors would be vulnerable to bail-in as was initially proposed by the Eurogroup for Cyprus banks.
Surrender of monetary sovereignty
Under the Euro and the rules of Eurogroup and ECB, decisions are no longer sovereign but central, taken by not-democratically appointed faceless bureaucrats like Holland Finance Minister, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, President of Eurogroup. During the Cyprus bank crisis Dijsselbloem proposed confiscating all depositor money, big or small, to recapitalize the banks. He was forced to back down at the last minute, but it shows what is possible in the coming EU bank crisis that is pre-programmed by the defective Euro institution and its fatally flawed ECB.
Under current Eurozone rules, effective January, 2016, EU national governments are prohibited from taxpayer rescue of their banks, preventing orderly resolution of bank liquidity problems until too late. Germany has adopted a bank bail-in law as have other EU governments. The new bail-in rules are the result of a bureaucratic directive from the unelected, faceless bureaucrats of the EU Commission known as the EU Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive ( BRRD ).
In 1992 when Swedish banks went into insolvency as a real estate bubble popped, the state stepped in with Securum, a bad-bank/good bank rescue. The bankrupt banks were temporarily nationalized. Non-performing real estate loans in billions were put into the state corporation, Securum, the so-called bad bank. The risk-addicted bank directors were dismissed. The nationalized banks, minus bad loans, were allowed, under state management, to resume lending and return to profit before being reprivatized as the economy improved. The non-performing real estate became again profitable as the economy recovered over several years, and after five years the state could sell the assets for a total net profit and liquidate Securum . Taxpayers were not burdened.
ECB Prevents Bank Resolutions
Now, as the EU faces a new round of bank solvency crises with banks like Deutsche Bank, Commerzbank and major banks across the Eurozone facing new capital crises, because the EU lacks a central taxation power, no flexible tax-payer or bank nationalization is possible. New national bank rules adjusted to local circumstances are not possible. Measures to give troubled banks time such as allowing a temporary moratorium on foreclosures and repossessions if people fall behind on their payments, outsourcing national electronic payment system to commercial banks, are not possible.
The EuroZone has no central fiscal authority, so such solutions cannot be implemented. Banking system problems are only being solved by monetary authorities, by the insane ECB policy of negative interest rates, so-called Quantitative Easing where the ECB buys endless billions of Euros in dodgy corporate and state debt with no end in sight, and in the process making insurance companies and pension funds insolvent.
The answer is definitely not that proposed by the kleptocratic George Soros and others, namely to give the unelected Brussels super-state the central fiscal power to issue Brussels Euro bonds. The only possible solution short of destroying the economies of the entire Eurozone in the coming next European bank solvency crisis, is to dismantle the Frankenstein Monster called the European Monetary Union with its ECB and common currency.
The individual countries in the 19 country Euro Zone do not form what economists call an optimum currency area, never did. The economic problems of a Greece or Italy or even France are vastly different from those of Germany, or of Portugal or Spain.
In 1997 before his death, one of my least-favorite economists, Milton Friedman, stated, Europe exemplifies a situation unfavorable to a common currency. It is composed of separate nations, speaking different languages, with different customs, and having citizens feeling far greater loyalty and attachment to their own country than to a common market or to the idea of Europe. On that, I have to say, he was right. Its even more so the case today. The Euro and its European Central Bank are murdering Europe as effectively as the Second World War did, only without the bombs and rubble.
F. William Engdahl is strategic risk consultant and lecturer, he holds a degree in politics from Princeton University and is a best-selling author on oil and geopolitics, exclusively for the online magazine New Eastern Outlook. | 0 |
Tuesday on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Sen. Rand Paul ( ) called on former National Security Advisor Susan Rice to be brought in front of Congress under subpoena and asked questions about allegations she was behind the unmasking of American identities in raw surveillance. Paul also said she should be asked about former President Barack Obama’s knowledge of these alleged activities. “For years, both progressives and libertarians have been complaining about these backdoor searches,” Paul said. “It’s not that we’re searching maybe one foreign leader and who they talk to we search everything in the whole world. There were reports a couple of years ago that all of Italy’s phone calls were absorbed in a one month period of time. We were getting Merkel’s phone calls we were getting everybody’s phone calls. But by rebound we are collecting millions of Americans phone calls. If you want to look at an American’s phone call or listen to it, you should have to have a warrant, the old fashioned way in a real court where both sides get represented. ” “But a secret warrant by a secret court with a lower standard level because we’re afraid of terrorism is one thing for foreigners but both myself and a Progressive Ron Wyden have been warning about these back door searches for years and that they could be politicized,” he continued. “The facts will come out with Susan Rice. But I think she ought to be under subpoena. She should be asked did you talk to the president about it? Did President Obama know about this? So this is actually, eerily similar to what Trump accused them of which is eavesdropping on conversations for political reasons. ” Follow Jeff Poor on Twitter @jeff_poor | 1 |
PAY TO PLAY : Hillary’s Two Big Favors For Morocco Netted Her $28 Million PAY TO PLAY : Hillary’s Two Big Favors For Morocco Netted Her $28 Million Breaking News By TruthFeedNews October 31, 2016
By Richard Pollock – DailyCaller
Hillary Clinton did two huge favors for Morocco during her tenure as secretary of state while the Clinton Foundation accepted up to $28 million in donations from the country’s ruler, King Mohammed VI, according to new information obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation Investigative Group.
Clinton and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Lisa Jackson tried to shut down the Florida-based Mosaic Company in 2011, operator of America’s largest phosphate mining facility.
Jackson’s close ties and loyalty to the Clintons were revealed when she joined the Clinton Foundation’s board of directors in 2013, just months after she left the EPA. Jackson is also close to John Podesta , Clinton’s national campaign chairman.
Morocco’s state-owned phosphate company, OCP, would ostensibly have benefited from Jackson’s move to shut down Mosaic. Mohammed donated up to $15 million to the Clinton Foundation through OCP.
Clinton also relaxed U.S. foreign aid restrictions on Morocco, thus allowing U.S. funds to be used in the territory of Western Sahara where OCP operates phosphate mining operations. The aid restrictions stemmed from Morocco’s illegal occupation of the territory since 1974.
Morocco is repeatedly condemned for seizing the territory and for unilaterally extracting the country’s valuable minerals, impoverishing what’s left of the local Sahrawi Arabs.
No nation recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara and the United Nation’s Security Council legal office and the International Court of Justice both demand that Muhammed withdraw his claim over the territory and end illegal extraction of minerals.
An email WikiLeaks made public last week illustrated how Clinton, while acting as secretary of state, negotiated an additional $12 million donation to the Clinton Foundation from Muhammed in return for holding the 2015 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting in Marrakech, Morocco. Another $1 million payment came from OCP to cover the expenses of the CGI meeting.
The regulatory assault against the U.S. phosphate industry began in earnest when Jackson launched a barrage of intimidating regulatory initiatives against Mosaic. Environmental concerns about phosphates date from 1979 but the EPA did little to address concerns related to phosphate mining until Jackson’s 2011 moves.
The regulatory assault on the U.S. phosphate industry encompassed several agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS aircraft flew at low altitudes over Mosaic’s central Florida operations in search of environmental problems. The EPA also threatened large Superfund penalties, which could have bankrupted Mosaic.
Phosphates are essential ingredients in fertilizers used in American farming. Closing or reducing Mosaic’s output would have cost tens of thousands of American jobs and injured the country’s agricultural productivity.
It also would leave the U.S. dependent upon foreign phosphate producers, but particularly Morocco’s OCP. The only other countries that mine phosphates are Russia, China and Saudi Arabia.
Rep. Dennis Ross, a Republican congressman who represents the Florida district where Mosaic operates, told TheDCNF he now sees why the EPA went after Mosaic.
“The tactics makes perfect sense as to why the EPA, under Lisa Jackson’s tutelage, targeted Mosaic’s phosphate operations in my district. I was never given any answers when I questioned Lisa Jackson about the EPA’s deliberate actions against Mosaic,” Ross told TheDCNF.
“Now I know why. An environmental concern never existed. This targeting was all done as a payback to Morocco for donating millions of dollars to the Clinton Foundation,” Ross said.
An uproar from Florida regulators push-back from the state’s congressional delegation and the agency’s tenuous legal position all forced the EPA to end its threats against Mosaic.
Rep. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican who is vice-chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and a vocal critic of the Clinton Foundation, agreed with Ross, saying “these facts seem to reveal the possibility of more pay-to-play activities at the Clinton Foundation.”
“It would be especially troubling if the Clinton Foundation was working with the EPA to suppress the American phosphate industry in favor of Morocco. The EPA and Clinton Foundation should be forthcoming about their dealings with the Moroccan government and the American phosphate industry.”
Clinton’s 2012 support of a rider on the U.S. foreign aid bill permitting foreign aid to be sent to the Western Sahara arguably legitimized Moroccan occupation of territory and depopulated the Sahrawi Arabs. Native Moroccans were sent into the country by the government to extract the minerals.
The rider approved by Clinton said that U.S. foreign aid funds “may be used in regions and territories administered by Morocco,” meaning, the Western Sahara. The Western Sahara is classified a “Non-Self-Governing Territory” under international law.
“Previously, United States excluded Western Sahara from bilateral assistance to avoid seeming to endorse Moroccan control,” said Eugene Kontorovich, a professor at Northwestern University School of Law, in a legal review of occupied territories around the world.
Hans Corell, the U.N. Security Council’s Under-Secretary for Legal Affairs, said in January 2002 that “if further exploration and exploitation activities were to proceed in disregard of the interests and wishes of the people of Western Sahara, they would be in violation of the international law principles applicable to mineral resource activities in Non-Self-Governing Territories.”
A Dec. 10, 2015 report by the International Court of Justice ruled that “the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over Western Sahara is not recognized by the European Union or its Member States, or more generally by the UN, and the absence of any international mandate capable of justifying Moroccan presence on that territory.”
But none of that mattered to former President Bill Clinton, who said nothing about the world’s condemnation of Morocco’s exploitation of the area for its phosphate industry, while speaking at the Clinton Foundation’s 2015 Marrakech CGI conference. Instead, he praised it.
“The Moroccans who are here will tell you that in the last several years, they have become the Saudi Arabia of phosphates, and what they have done with it, to diversify their economy and to make it part of a comprehensive strategy instead of another example of resource curse, is very impressive indeed,” Clinton said.
“Hillary Clinton sold her soul when they accepted that money,” reported Politico the day after the Marrakech CGI conference.
H/T – DailyCaller
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Opponents of abortion watching the women’s march on their televisions last Saturday stewed as they saw the Planned Parenthood logo over the stage and the actress Scarlett Johansson praising the group for the gynecological care she received as a teenager. But for these viewers, there was an even bigger problem. The women’s march had drawn an estimated people to Washington, and many more to simultaneous demonstrations around the country, dominating the nation’s news coverage just six days before abortion foes were holding their annual march. Since then, the organizers of that march have been telling their followers: You’d better turn out on Friday. This year’s march in Washington — the 44th annual March for Life — was expected to be a celebratory event at which abortion opponents could finally savor a few victories. The new president, Donald J. Trump, is already delivering on his promises to sign a slate of measures. He has promised to nominate a Supreme Court justice who could overturn Roe v. Wade, the decision that legalized abortion 44 years ago. And a Congress dominated by Republicans is poised to cut funding for Planned Parenthood, the nation’s largest abortion provider. But a new sense of urgency, anxiety and maybe a little envy has accompanied this year’s event, with organizers suddenly realizing they had a tough act to follow. “We’re definitely pulling out all the stops this year to try to get people to come,” said Amelia Irvine, president of Georgetown Right to Life at Georgetown University in Washington. National organizers of the March for Life said that while they were hopeful of a large turnout on Friday, they did not have any way to gauge how many would attend. This year’s event will have two major draws: Vice President Mike Pence and Kellyanne Conway, who managed Mr. Trump’s campaign and is now a White House counselor, are scheduled to speak. No president or vice president has ever addressed the march in person. Last year, many marchers were deterred by a snowstorm that trapped some buses en route and stranded some marchers in town for days afterward. Organizers said that since so many had to cancel last year, there is energy this year. One of the largest turnouts was in 2013, the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the march itself. Some abortion opponents claimed that as many as 650, 000 marchers showed up. But for this and every year, the March for Life organization itself played it conservative, estimating that the marchers numbered in “the tens of thousands. ” “I don’t think that these numbers are the most important,” said Jeanne Mancini, president of the March for Life, in a telephone interview. “The number most important for us is 58 million, which is the number of Americans that have been lost to abortion. ” She said that calls and emails began pouring into March for Life’s offices last Sunday from women who are opposed to abortion and were disturbed to see the strong abortion rights message coming from the stage of the women’s march in Washington. “We are hearing from a lot of women who felt like their voices weren’t represented last weekend,” said Mrs. Mancini, who called in volunteers to handle the deluge. But it is unclear whether that anger will translate into attendance at the March for Life. Though many marchers come to the city by car or train, one gauge of expected attendance — bus parking permits — suggests the event will be smaller than last weekend’s women’s march. As of Wednesday only 92 permits had been issued for the March for Life, according to Events DC and the city’s Department of Transportation, which handle the permits. Some 1, 800 permits were issued for the women’s march, and 450 for Mr. Trump’s inauguration, the transportation department said. The march has become an increasingly youthful event, attracting busloads of college, high school and middle school students from across the country, many from Catholic and evangelical Christian schools. This year, the University of Notre Dame, the famed Catholic college in Indiana, is sending 700 students on 13 charter buses, one of the largest campus contingents, said Emily Burns, vice president of communications with Notre Dame Right to Life. She said that she and many of her club members shared many of the feminist goals of the women’s march, such as preventing sexual assault and violence against women, and were uncomfortable being seen as in competition with the women’s march. “This definitely is not a competition for us,” Ms. Burns said. “But we are hoping that with the numbers we bring year after year, maybe we receive a bit more coverage this year. ” There is widespread resentment in the movement that the media has not devoted much coverage to the March for Life in the past, perhaps because it happens every year. This year, a large coalition of groups have banded together to pressure television and cable networks to devote the same kind of media coverage to the March for Life as they devoted to the women’s march. Still, compared with supporters, organizers of Friday’s march may have a smaller base of people to draw from. A survey released by the Pew Research Center in October found that 59 percent of Americans said that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 37 percent said it should be illegal in all or most cases. Although there were wide gaps between Democrats and Republicans, overall support for legal abortion was at its highest level since 1995, the survey found. At Georgetown University, which is a Catholic and Jesuit college, Ms. Irvine is expecting only 30 to 40 students to attend the March for Life, despite her group’s efforts. Some students who would have wanted to attend could not, she said, because Friday is a class day and the university would not excuse absences from classes or labs to attend the march. The numbers appear far lower than Georgetown’s turnout for the women’s march, said Ms. Irvine: “Our entire school basically went. ” She said it would be unfair to compare the size of the two marches, however, because Washington is a liberal city in which a vast majority of residents voted for Hillary Clinton over Mr. Trump. “I do think there will be comparison,” she said, “but I don’t think it will be an accurate representation of what the public actually thinks. ” | 1 |
Get short URL 0 6 0 0 Amid escalating tensions in Eastern Europe, the US Army will soon arm its Stryker combat vehicles with a laser weapons system.
The laser, developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, is currently being tested and is expected to be ready within the next 11 months. © AP Photo/ Alik Keplicz US General Reveals Details on NATO Troops Deployment in Poland
"The idea is to provide a solution to a capability gap which is an inability to acquire, track and destroy low, slow drones that proliferate all over the world," said Tim Reese, director of strategic planning, according to Business Insider .
Mounted on US Army Stryker vehicles, the lasers will likely be used to shoot down enemy drones. The weapon could also be fine-tuned to target incoming munitions.
"The energy of the laser damages, destroys and melts different components of the target," Reese said. "We’ve clearly demonstrated you can take out UAVs pretty effectively," Mary Miller, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Research and Technology, added. "Now we are not only working on how we take out UAVs but also mortars and missiles – and eventually cruise missiles." Scared of Russian BMPs, US Strykers in Europe to Get 30mm Guns
Laser weapons offer a number of benefits. Ammunition, for instance, is virtually unlimited, so long as enough power can be generated to create a beam. The USS Ponce was one of the first US military units to be fitted with a mounted laser weapon, since a ship can easily mobilize the large power generators necessary. Stationary laser weapons have also been placed at military bases for the same reason. Shrinking these power sources to fit a vehicle as small as a Stryker was a unique challenge.
Even with the high-energy requirements, lasers are comparatively cost-effective.
"The shot per kill (with lasers) is very inexpensive when the alternative is sending out a multi-million dollar missile," Miller said.
A number of US Strykers are based in Europe as part of the US Army’s 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Those units have already undergone upgrades to the 30mm cannon, at a cost of $3.8 million per vehicle. © REUTERS/ Agencja Gazeta/Adam Stepien
The Stryker squadron, based in Germany, will play a role in NATO’s increased presence in Poland and the Baltics.
"This is credible deterrence," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday, according to Stars and Stripes. "Concrete proof that NATO can and will deploy thousands of forces to support our allies. And a clear demonstration of our transatlantic bond."
Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, especially in Eastern European countries neighboring Russia, using Moscow's alleged interference in the Ukrainian conflict and its potential for "aggression" against neighboring states as a pretext.
Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned NATO that the military buildup on Russia's borders is provocative and threatens the existing strategic balance of power. ... | 0 |
Короткая ссылка 27 октября 2016, 03:13 В ходе телефонного разговора президент США Барак Обама призвал своего турецкого коллегу Реджепа Тайипа Эрдогана к координации усилий с Ираком в борьбе против «Исламского государства»*.
«Президент приветствовал продолжающийся диалог между Турцией и Ираком с тем, чтобы определить подходящий уровень и форму участия Турции в усилиях коалиции против ИГ* в Ираке. Оба лидера подтвердили твердую поддержку суверенитету и территориальной целостности Ирака», — приводит РИА Новости заявление пресс-службы Белого дома.
Кроме того, Обама поблагодарил Турцию за поддержку сил оппозиции в борьбе против ИГ* на северо-востоке Сирии .
Ранее министр обороны США Эштон Картер сообщил , что Турция и Ирак достигли соглашения по операции в Мосуле. Позднее министр иностранных дел Турции Мевлют Чавушоглу заявил , что Анкара готова начать сухопутную операцию на иракской территории в случае возникновения угрозы национальной безопасности Турции.
*«Исламское государство» (ИГ) — запрещённая в России террористическая организация. Подписывайтесь на наш Telegram , чтобы быть в курсе самых важных новостей. Для этого достаточно иметь Telegram на любом устройстве, пройти по ссылке и нажать кнопку Join. | 0 |
March 2, 2016: Zika PAYDAY! Obama wants to funnel $1.8 billion for vaccine research and more I even published a mini-documentary revealing the published science that shows how DEET insecticide causes brain damage in humans. You can watch it at this link or view the video below: If anyone from the Washington Post bothered to read Natural News and learn about real science, they would have learned that Zika has infected tens of millions of people throughout South America for decades, with absolutely no measurable increase in neurological deformations. (But facts be damned, the WashPost had a panic to push!) Nation after nation records tens of thousands of infections with ZERO birth defects...Despite the factual reality of the situation, the state-controlled propagandists writing for rags like the Washington Post - a bogus newspaper that has lost all credibility in the minds of intelligent people - continued to pummel home their kooky science theories that claimed much of the U.S. South would be overrun by brain damaging mosquitoes, turning Southerners into shrunken-brained mutants while pregnant women fled northward to survive the airborne insect onslaught. Instead, nothing happened. No explosion in shrunken-headed babies. No wave of birth defects across Florida, even as city officials desperately bombarded their own cities with brain-damaging insecticides. No national emergency declared by Obama to bring back DDT and eradicate baby-murdering mosquitoes by dousing our open streets with thick clouds of organophosphate neurotoxins. Instead, the rate of neurological birth defects in most countries approached zero. Via the Washington Post 's own graphic: (partial list) Venezuela: 60,791 Zika infections... ZERO birth defects Honduras: 31,933 Zika infections... ONE birth defect Guadalupe: 30,969 Zika infections... ZERO birth defects Puerto Rico: 29,084 Zika infections... TWO birth defects Mexico: 4,837 Zika infections... ZERO birth defects From the WashPost article: Brazilian officials were bracing for a flood of fetal deformities as Zika spread this year to other regions of the country, Marinho said. However, "we are not seeing a big increase." Gee, really? The vast majority of the brain defects, it turns out, came from just one small region of Brazil. A total of 2,033 children are so far recorded with neurological defects there, even while most other countries throughout the region had ZERO birth defects (or near zero). So what gives? Zika mosquitoes apparently carry geopolitical maps so they can solely target Brazil You don't have to be a genius to figure out that the stupid science theories of the mainstream media are total hokum and bunk. If Zika really did cause brain defects, it would have spread all across South America by now. It would have spread into Florida, California, Mississippi and Louisiana. It would have devastated the American South, Cuba, Haiti, Curacao and all the other island nations across the Caribbean. Yet the neurological defects were limited almost exclusively to Brazil. Somehow, if we believe the illiterate Washington Post science writers - who may in fact be the only brain damage victims of Zika in North America -- mosquitoes carry MAPS to make sure they only activate their brain damage voodoo in Brazil. "...[A]lthough the outbreak has spread this year to more than 50 nations and territories across the Western Hemisphere, U.N. data shows just 142 cases of congenital birth defects linked to Zika so far outside Brazil," says WashPost . Yes, my friends: GPA-carrying Zika mosquitoes are very careful to limit their pandemic voodoo to just one region of Brazil. By sheer coincidence, that's the same region where larvacide chemicals were dumped into the public water supply. Apparently, there isn't a single "official" scientist in the entire global government who has thought to test the water. Just freaking WOW... Let's throw these morons out of power in every election, okay? They don't deserve any positions of authority over anyone else. They're all so incredibly stupid, they couldn't survive at all unless they functioned as parasites on the taxpayers. They aren't giving up hope just yet... science writers desperately hope for more brain damaged babies to prove them right Enthusiasm for more brain damaged babies runs high at the Washington Post , which explains why they are all in for Hillary Clinton, the candidate of choice for brain damaged adults. Writing with a sense of real enthusiasm, the Washington Post can't wait for more brain damaged babies to appear: Scientists at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are closely watching Puerto Rico, which has reported more than 26,800 cases of Zika. More than 7,000 pregnant women could be infected by the end of the year, according to the CDC.(Yippee?) And now, the loony tunes quack science of the Zika "scientists" goes apoplectic, grasping for silly metaphors to try to obscure the fact that they are all stupid beyond belief. Via the WashPost: "Now we've settled on Zika as the smoking gun, but we don't know who pulled the trigger," said Marques, speaking from Recife, where he is working with government researchers. Huh? Wha? The metaphor doesn't even make any sense. Maybe the problem is too much fornicating. Seriously, this is now part of their idiotic theory: "Sexual habits and hygiene may also play a role," he said, explaining that researchers are looking at whether sexual transmission can infect the uterus and placenta with the virus, potentially exposing the fetus to elevated risk. "We suspect the villain has an accomplice, but we don't know who it is," Marques said. Huh? Do they seriously think that people only have sex in Brazil but not other South American countries? Where does the Washington Post find these morons? I'm a real scientist saying all this As you read all this, remember that I have rapidly become one of the world's leading research scientists on the quantitation of cannabinoids in hemp extracts using mass spec instrumentation. I led the team that developed the most pioneering (and accurate) CBD mass spec analysis method in existence today. You can read about it at this link . I also routinely test water, food and environmental samples for heavy metals, pesticides and a multitude of chemical contaminants. When I say these Zika scientists are complete morons, that's the educated opinion of an accomplished scientist correctly pointing out the lunacy of Zika scaremongering. I could have solved this entire problem in the first few days by analyzing and detecting brain-damaging larvacide chemicals in the public water supply in Eastern Brazil. The entire project would have taken just a few days and cost almost nothing. Instead, Obama handed $1.8 billion to the vaccine companies in the midst of the Zika panic pushed by laughable rags like the Washington Post . It's all a racket, of course, just like their coverage of elections and political candidates. Everything you read at the Washington Post is a deception of one kind or another. The paper exists solely to promote the propaganda of the state so that the population can be manipulated and controlled. The Washington Post exists to terrorize the citizens with fascist propaganda parading as science As you've also learned by now, the corrupt leftist establishment of junk science, criminal politicians and idiotic journalists isn't interested in legitimate scientific solutions. They all function as extensions of a fascist state that must routinely terrorize its citizens with pandemic boogeyman scare stories in order to demand absolute obedience to the vaccine mandates that actually do damage the brains of children. Thus, SCIENCE be damned. They've got an agenda to push, and it doesn't matter to them whether that agenda is based on a single shred of real science. Zika is dangerous because they told you so, in exactly the same way they told you Hillary Clinton is totally honest, Obamacare would make health care more affordable, there's no such thing as voter fraud in America, and GMOs and vaccines are really, really good for you. So you can put down the DEET and stop poisoning your skin like an obedient idiot. Yes, it was all a scam. Yes, the official "science" was totally rigged. Yes, the media lied to you yet again. Yes, the CDC is a criminal racket. Yes, all the health "officials" were completely full of s**t. And no, Zika is not going to cause your babies to be born with shrunken heads. VACCINES, on the other hand, will most definitely cause brain damage, as they still contain mercury, a potent neurotoxin the Washington Post ridiculously insists becomes magically neutralized when you inject it into the body of a child. Red more unintentional scientific comedy at this Washington Post article . Comment: More interesting articles about the Zika freakout: | 0 |
Britain looking forward to bonfire night because it can’t afford to put the heating on 05-11-16
BRITAIN’S enthusiasm for firework displays is really about avoiding extortionate heating bills, it has been confirmed.
Researchers discovered that, rather than being excited about synchronised explosions, most attendees are actually looking forward to getting the feeling back in their extremities without laying awake worrying about money.
Zero-hours courier Sarah Smith, 33, said: “It’s not just the bonfire, there’s the body heat from the crowd too. What a treat.”
Nurse Tom Logan, 27, added: “I couldn’t give a shit about fireworks.
“I’d rather be at home watching Luther , but it’s so cold that I have to wear gloves and a hat inside. If getting warm means standing in the mud, in the dark, listening to people go ‘ooh’, that’s a small price to pay – and much better value than EDF.”
Both said that they would be leaving before the finale, however, as it would inevitably be soundtracked by Katy Perry’s Firework , like every display since 2010.
Share: | 0 |
Posted by b on November 1, 2016 at 03:11 PM | Permalink Comments
Idlib school attack is a fake.
Bombs did not destroy tables etc.: http://blauerbote.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/idlib_schule_fake_white_helmets_faelschung_weisshelme_syrien.png
Video mixed from at least 2 videos, clouds vs. blue sky: http://blauerbote.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/fake_luftangriff_syrien_faelschung_rfa.png
More (german): http://blauerbote.com/2016/10/29/luftangriff-auf-schule-ist-eine-faelschung/ Posted by: Jens | Nov 1, 2016 3:33:59 PM | 1
What another day off? You just had one;) b what type of laptop did you finally get?
Enjoy the day/evening. Posted by: jo6pac | Nov 1, 2016 3:38:33 PM | 2
I've been voting here in the states since turning 18 in 1996, when I cast my first presidential vote for Ross Perot. This cycle I decided to burn my ballot to protest the near total corruption of our political system. Bash me all you want, but the political system has lost what little legitimacy it had after Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004.
I even wrote a song and made a little video about it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTTTDQ6_l_I Posted by: lizard | Nov 1, 2016 3:59:18 PM | 3 Posted by: nmb | Nov 1, 2016 4:00:09 PM | 4 Verify your Comment | 0 |
Общество » Практика » Как отдохнуть Как изменить жизнь к лучшему с помощью фэншуй? Как организовать домашнее пространство так, чтобы вещи работали на ваше благо? Почему специалисты по фэншуй против стеклянных столов и с осторожностью относятся к зеркалам? В какую сторону света все же лучше спать головой? Секреты фэншуй для Pravda.Ru раскрыла мастер фэншуй Татьяна Мизгирева. 0 комментариев 1 поделились
— Фэншуй — это наука?
— Да, фэншуй - это наука. Но это не наука с точки зрения какой-то западной доказательной базы, это наука с точки зрения восточного взгляда. Разные школы фэншуй, традиции, передачи развивались тысячелетиями - и развивались за счет наблюдений. У каждой из них создалась огромная накопительная статистическая база. То есть, когда что-то одно повторяется десять раз, вы думаете, что в этом есть какая-то закономерность. Но если сто, тысячу раз этот эффект повторился, то это уже можно назвать научной статистикой, но в восточном ключе.
— Давайте рассмотрим домашнее пространство. Начнем с прихожей. Какие ошибки чаще всего делают люди в оформлении своей прихожей? Каких вещей там не должно быть в принципе, а какие вещи или цвета, наоборот, благоприятно влияют на жизнь хозяев этой квартиры?
— Самая частая и распространенная ошибка — это расположение зеркала напротив входной двери, в особенности если прихожая небольшая. Если прихожая огромная и где-то вдали находится зеркало, то это не так страшно. Но если у нас от входной двери до ближайшей стены напротив полтора-два метра и сразу же висит зеркало, то это будет серьезно обесточивать квартиру. Потому что зеркало на сто процентов отталкивает все входящие воздушные потоки, а с ними и жизненно важную энергию Ци, которая приходит вместе с потоками воздуха. Таким образом, квартира обесточивается, и это проявляется в жизни людей, возникают проблемы, такие как трудности в получении работы, новых проектов, невозможность реализовать себя, трудности в общении. Как будто бы пространство стоит спиной к нам, и вся жизнь отвернулась, и все приходит с колоссальным трудом.
Стоит только убрать это зеркало и перевесить его таким образом, чтобы оно перенаправляло вглубь квартиры все эти воздушные потоки, и можно почувствовать сразу же, в течение нескольких дней, что жизнь кардинальным образом поменяется. Как будто все снова повернулось к вам лицом и начинает помогать. Это очень важно.
Еще одна ошибка, которую очень часто можно встретить в прихожих, - это недостаточно яркий свет. Все-таки прихожая — это так называемая "янская зона". Там должна быть сильная активность, и там должен быть яркий свет. Нужно не поскупиться на хорошую лампочку, которая будет все хорошо освещать. Известно, что яркий свет привлекает яркие, сильные энергии.
Также в прихожей надо добавить простора. То есть чем менее заставлена входная зона, тем легче воздушным потокам войти в квартиру и наполнить ее.
Кроме того, хорошо здесь использовать какие-то позитивные красивые символы — то, с чем мы бы хотели отождествляться. Потому что когда мы входим в квартиру, мы видим первый символ, с которым мы отождествляемся. И если мы входим и перед нами, например, находится картина "Иван Грозный убивает своего сына", то это посылает определенные импульсы, это то, чего следовало бы избегать.
— Теперь предлагаю поговорить о гостиной. Это место, где отдыхает вся семья, собирается вечерами, общается, смотрит телевизор. Какие предметы будут благоприятно влиять на людей в гостиной?
— Я бы сказала, что здесь нет какой-то одной общей рекомендации. Это зависит и от того, в какую сторону света смотрит гостиная, и какие люди там живут. Это очень индивидуально. Главное, чтобы это было комфортно для людей.
Другие рекомендации, которые я могла бы дать, - это то, что здесь надо избегать обилия острых углов, которые были бы направлены на диванную группу, или нависающих полок. Мне встречались такие квартиры, где стоит диван и над ним висят тяжелые полки. Конечно, в таком месте особо сильно не расслабишься и не восстановишься, потому что то, что нависает, будет давить и бессознательно вызывать чувство угнетения.
Еще часто в гостиной располагают перед диваном или креслами журнальный столик, на который можно поставить какие-то угощения или еще что-то. И стало очень модным использовать стеклянные столы. Это тоже не очень хорошо, потому что мы знаем, что стеклянная поверхность может разбиться. Поэтому всякий раз, когда мы ставим что-либо на этот стеклянный стол и слышим стеклянный звук, то у нас возникает легкий спазм в теле. И, таким образом, мы не расслабляемся, а продолжаем оставаться в напряжении. А ведь гостиная — это то место, где бы мы хотели отдохнуть. Поэтому я советую либо не использовать такие столы, либо если такой стол уже есть, то можно просто покрыть его непрозрачной скатертью или чем-то еще.
— Довольно часто в магазинах можно встретить небольшие деревца, на которых висят монетки, и считается, что это принесет финансовое благополучие в дом. Некоторые люди считают необходимым в своей гостиной разместить такое дерево. Как оно в действительности будет влиять на жизнь владельцев квартиры?
— Само по себе дерево — это сувенир с монетами. Использование этих сувениров дома и в офисах — это китайское наследие. И, на самом деле, его предназначение в том, чтобы напоминать своему хозяину о его цели, чтобы он активно действовал в направлении достижения своих финансовых задач.
Мы можем расположить такое деревце с монетами рядом с пышным растением. И хорошо будет, если мы поставим рядом, например, декоративный фонтанчик или водопадик, потому что именно эти предметы будут активно создавать энергию. Растения за счет своего роста продуцируют янскую энергию, а фонтанчик создает ее за счет циркуляции воды, что также создает избыток кислорода в этом месте.
И если мы поставим это дерево с монетами, то мы, таким образом, поставим в нашей квартире маркер, что для меня благосостояние — это важно и я хочу, чтобы энергия направилась в этом русле. И тогда, всякий раз видя эту композицию, у нас будет запускаться процесс мышления: "А что же нужно сделать для того, чтобы это благосостояние пришло в мою жизнь?" И оно будет напоминать нам и толкать нас в этом направлении, чтобы мы были более активными в достижении того, что нам нужно в жизни.
— То есть цветы в доме — это хорошо не только с точки зрения насыщения кислородом, но и с точки зрения фэншуй?
— Да, конечно. Тем более, есть даже специальные сектора в комнатах, которые полезны для того, чтобы там были растения, чтобы более активная энергия усиливалась. А такие растения, у которых есть цветущие бутоны, или срезанные цветы в определенных местах усиливают романтическую удачу. И это ценно для тех, кто хочет обрести счастливое партнерство.
— Наверное, все мы хотим, чтобы дома был порядок, но за неимением большого количества свободного времени довольно часто порядок превращается в беспорядок. В результате мы имеем завалы вещей и на стульях, и на открытых полках. Как это влияет на жизнь человека? Это просто некрасиво визуально или это еще способно вызывать какие-то негативные события?
— В каком-то смысле да. Наше внешнее пространство отражает, во-первых, наше внутреннее состояние, и мы это также потом проецируем в мир. То есть если бардак чрезмерный, то он создает и некое хаотичное мышление, и проецируется на наши события в жизни. Живем мы так же хаотично, без какого-то планирования, бесконтрольно. И тут уже все зависит от талантов человека, от того, как он может управляться с этим хаосом в своей жизни.
Еще важно, чтобы предметы, которыми мы пользуемся, были более-менее в движении. То есть какие-то хаотичные завалы, конечно, не хороши, но если еще человек этим не пользуется, и оно просто лежит как груда, то это как тромб. А это значит, что где-то внутри в жизни есть какой-то тромб, потому что внешнее и внутреннее неразделимо, все связано. Поэтому важно, чтобы мы пользовались тем, что у нас есть. Если мы не пользуемся, то, возможно, это просто не нужно, это нужно куда-то переместить, продать, выбросить.
— Давайте перейдем к спальне. Это место, где мы отдыхаем, где мы проводим много часов подряд, когда спим. Очень много споров идет о том, в какую сторону лучше спать головой. Есть какие-то рекомендации?
— Да, конечно, они существуют, но, к сожалению, я не могу дать одного общего совета. Я часто слышу, что головой нужно спать только на север или только на восток. Это абсолютная неправда. Люди индивидуальны, и каждому человеку соответствует несколько благоприятных направлений и несколько неблагоприятных. Это можно прочувствовать интуитивно.
Какая здесь возникает чаще всего проблема? Человек ставит кровать каким-то классическим, традиционным способом, но чувствует себя некомфортно, неуютно, не высыпается, ворочается или ему снятся плохие сны. Это признак того, что данное место, или направление, или и место, и направление не подходят этому человеку. Тогда нужно попытаться найти какое-то нешаблонное решение. Может быть, переставить кровать в другое место, или даже иногда эту кровать стоит поставить под углом, защитив тыльную часть кровати, чтобы она не смотрела в пустой угол. То есть нужно проявить креативность, послушать свою интуицию, чтобы найти это хорошее место. И тело обязательно сообщит об этом, вы легко почувствуете, что так спать гораздо лучше, комфортнее, вы лучше засыпаете, легче просыпаетесь, нужно будет меньше времени, чтобы выспаться и т.д.
Не рекомендуют располагать в спальне зеркала. Если есть все-таки острая необходимость, то желательно повесить зеркала таким образом, чтобы человек, лежа на кровати, не видел своего отражения. На самом деле, это может немного пугать во сне, когда ты просыпаешься, встаешь и видишь свое отражение. И вообще, какие-то блики, силуэты, тени, лучи на зеркалах могут просто тревожить. Потом, зеркала создают объем, дополнительное измерение, и тоже во время сна это может беспокоить.
— Коснемся наиболее важных сфер нашей жизни — это здоровье, карьера, финансовое благополучие и личные взаимоотношения. Дайте, пожалуйста, короткие рекомендации, что сделать, чтобы во всех сферах жизнь стала немножечко лучше.
— Что касается здоровья, должно быть больше энергии в квартире или в доме. Для этого квартира должна хорошо проветриваться, не быть захламленной.
Если говорить о романтической удаче, о партнерстве, то важно следить за тем, что если у нас есть сложности в этом, чтобы в квартире не было каких-то одиноких символов: изображений одинокой тоскующей дамы или, опять же, картины "Иван Грозный убивает своего сына". Таких изображений не должно быть. Напротив, нужно привнести в интерьер как можно больше партнерских символов, которые символизируют счастливые взаимоотношения: две свечи, две птицы, две кошечки.
А что касается бизнеса, успеха, процветания, то полезно правильным образом расположить рабочий стол, за которым вы работаете. Расположение стола должно быть таким: за спиной должна быть стена, с левой стороны - какая-то защита, а перед нами - открытое пространство. Тогда у нас достаточно много фантазии, есть тыл за спиной, и мы гораздо лучше функционируем.
Беседовала Марина Архипова
К публикации подготовила Мария Сныткова
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Posted on November 1, 2016 by Sean Adl-Tabatabai in News , UK // 0 Comments
The director general of the MI5 intelligence agency in the UK has declared Russia a “threat to national security” in a grave warning on Monday.
Speaking with the Guardian , Andrew Parker warned that Russia is currently using all of its cutting-edge tools in order to undermine Britain.
Presstv.com reports:
“It is using its whole range of state organs and powers to push its foreign policy abroad in increasingly aggressive ways – involving propaganda, espionage, subversion and cyber-attacks. Russia is at work across Europe and in the UK today. It is MI5’s job to get in the way of that,” he told the UK’s prominent paper. RELATED CONTENT Ukraine President Warns Of World War 3 With Russia
He said that Russia has already some intelligence officers in the UK and has been threatening the UK covertly for decades, but “what’s different these days is that there are more and more methods available.”
Moscow is using cyberwarfare to target military secrets, industrial projects, economic information as well as the British government and foreign policy, he added.
He went on to say that Moscow “defines itself by opposition to the west and seems to act accordingly.”
Relations between Russia and the west soured after people in Ukraine’s Black Sea peninsula of Crimea voted for rejoining the Russian Federation in a referendum in March 2014.
The West branded the move as Moscow’s annexation of the territory, with the US and its allies in Europe accusing the country of having a hand in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Russia’s relationship with the US and the UK has also become unfriendly over the crisis in Syria, where Moscow has been conducting an air campaign at the request of the Syrian government to fight Daesh terrorists there since September 30, 2015.
US-led coalition has also been conducting airstrikes in Syria to purportedly target terrorist groups like Daesh since 2014, but they openly fund and equip militant groups who are waging war against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
On October 20, British Prime Minister Theresa May called on European leaders to unite against Russia and stop what she referred to as Russian “atrocities” in Syria.
“It is vital that we work together to continue to put pressure on Russia to stop these appalling atrocities, these sickening atrocities, in Syria,” the premier said.
Russia’s military campaign has helped the Syrian government defeat the Takfiri terrorists in many regions across the country. | 0 |
The Federal Reserve, which raised its benchmark rate on Wednesday for the second time in three months, this time to a range between 0. 75 percent and 1 percent, is finally moving toward the end of its economic stimulus campaign, which began in the depths of the financial crisis. But Janet L. Yellen, the Fed’s chairwoman, said at a news conference after the decision was announced that the Fed did not share the optimism of stock market investors and some business executives that economic growth is gaining speed. It still plans to move slowly because the economy continues to grow slowly. She suggested that the Fed would have plenty of time to adjust its plans should President Trump and Congress cut taxes or spend massively on infrastructure. Her announcement was full of confidence. But it certainly was not ebullient. “The data have not notably strengthened,” Ms. Yellen told reporters. “We haven’t changed the outlook. We think we’re moving on the same course we’ve been on. ” The Fed said that the United States economy continued to chug along, expanding at a “moderate pace. ” Employers are hiring, consumers are spending and businesses — the laggards in recent months — are starting to plow a little more money into their operations, too. The Fed’s sobriety did not appear to make much of an impression on investors. The stock market’s heady march that began after Mr. Trump’s election continued apace. The Standard Poor’s index rose 0. 84 percent to close at 2, 385. 26 Wednesday, moving up sharply after the announcement. Some said the Fed was still a long way from doing anything that might hurt. “The first four to eight rate hikes are the fruit,” said Deron McCoy, the chief investment officer at SEIA, a Los Angeles firm. “The real test will be whether the economy can withstand positive real rates. And that still seems to be a 2019 topic. ” Some analysts said the Fed will want to see an impact from its actions. “Policy makers hike rates to tighten financial conditions,” said Ellen Zentner, the chief United States economist at Morgan Stanley. “If this easing of financial conditions on the back of today’s hike are sustained, that would tell policy makers they need to do more. ” Ms. Zentner said she expected the Fed to raise rates again at its June meeting. The Fed’s committee next meets on May 2 and 3. She noted that the Fed’s outlook is less clear. Ms. Yellen’s term as Fed chairwoman ends in February, and Mr. Trump could then replace her. The Fed, charged with maximizing employment and moderating inflation, is close to achieving both goals. The unemployment rate fell to 4. 7 percent in February, consistent with the normal churn of people moving among jobs. And after several years of concern that prices were not rising fast enough, inflation is reviving. The Fed’s preferred measure rose 1. 9 percent over the 12 months ending in January, close to its 2 percent annual target. “The basis for today’s decision is simply our assessment of the progress of the economy,” Ms. Yellen said at the postmeeting news conference. “And it’s been doing nicely. ” The Fed, which had made more inflation a central objective, said on Wednesday that it was now focused on stabilizing inflation. Ms. Yellen took the opportunity to note that inflation may now rise a bit above 2 percent, just as it has been below 2 percent the last few years. “It’s a reminder 2 percent is not a ceiling on inflation,” she said. “It’s a target. ” The Fed’s increased confidence was reflected in a new round of policy forecasts it also published Wednesday. An increased number of Fed officials are expecting to raise rates at least twice more this year. Only three of the 17 officials who submitted forecasts expect the central bank to move more slowly. There was a similar coalescing around tighter policy for the following two years, marking the first time in recent years that the Fed’s quarterly economic forecasts have shifted toward a prediction of tighter monetary policy. This is the third time the Fed has raised rates since the financial crisis. The first hike came at the end of 2015 and the second almost exactly one year later. This time the Fed waited just three months. The benchmark rate remains below 1 percent, a very low level. People with credit card debt are likely to see an immediate increase of about a quarter percentage point in their interest rates. The effect on loans is less direct, but the average rate on a mortgage rose by half a percentage point over the last year. The nation’s largest borrower, the federal government, will also feel the pinch of higher rates. The Congressional Budget Office expects federal interest payments, measured as a share of the economy, to double over the next decade. Savers are unlikely to benefit immediately. Banks tend to raise interest rates on loans more quickly than they raise rates on deposits. Last week, the average rate on a certificate of deposit was 0. 14 percent. Last year at this time: 0. 13 percent. The Fed’s move to raise rates puts it on course for a collision with President Trump, who has repeatedly promised to increase economic growth through policies including cuts in taxation and regulation and more spending on infrastructure and defense. Fed officials have emphasized that the economy is already growing at roughly its maximum sustainable pace faster growth would therefore lead to faster increases in interest rates. Some economists and liberal activists argue that the Fed is raising rates too quickly. Narayana Kocherlakota, an economist at the University of Rochester and a former member of the Fed’s committee, noted that strong economic growth continued to pull people into the job market while wage growth remained relatively weak. That suggests, he said, that the economy has not yet returned to full employment. “We should be seeing faster wage growth with this level of employment growth if we were close to full employment,” Mr. Kocherlakota said on Twitter before the Fed’s decision. Mr. Kocherlakota’s successor as president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, Neel Kashkari, cast the sole vote against raising rates on Wednesday. The Fed’s assessment of economic conditions remained quite measured. The economy expanded by just 1. 6 percent in 2016, and there is little sign of an acceleration during the first quarter. Fed officials continue to forecast a Goldilocks economy, with the unemployment rate remaining at 4. 5 percent and inflation around 2 percent for the next three years. Ms. Yellen played down surveys showing a sharp rise in the optimism of consumers and business executives since the presidential election, noting there is little evidence that such surveys predict spending decisions. She said that Fed officials spoke regularly to business leaders, and that many were undoubtedly in “a much more optimistic frame of mind. ” But she added that many of those executives have adopted a attitude — just like the Fed itself. | 1 |
Facebook has reportedly contributed $120, 000 to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) this week, according to a report by the Daily Beast. [“Facebook’s contribution is worth more than $120, 000, according to our sources,” the Daily Beast reported on Tuesday. “Half of that is cash, and the other half is support for CPAC’s operations. Facebook will have a space at the conference for attendees to film Facebook Live videos, and will also train people on best practices for using the social network and Instagram. ” Chairman of the American Conservative Union Matt Schlapp, who hosts CPAC, praised Facebook’s involvement with the conference. “We are glad Facebook agreed to be at CPAC and to acknowledge the importance of conservatives to their company, and we continue to work with them on issues important to conservatives,” he declared. Facebook, meanwhile, defended their contribution, citing their involvement in a wide range of events “across the political spectrum. ” “Facebook participates in events hosted by organizations across the political spectrum. Our presence allows us to facilitate an open dialogue where people can share their views and create content to engage their audiences, just as we did during other political events such as the Republican and Democratic Party conventions,” explained a Facebook spokesman. “Our involvement is not an endorsement of any particular position or platform. ” During CPAC, Facebook will hold numerous workshops, while an event on how attendees can “better reach and connect with voters on Facebook” will also be held at the conference on Wednesday. Charlie Nash is a reporter for Breitbart Tech. You can follow him on Twitter @MrNashington or like his page at Facebook. | 1 |
One of the main news outlets in the Mexican border state of Chihuahua has shut down its operations after the murder of one of its journalists, multiple threats, and the complete lack of security conditions. [On Sunday, Oscar Cantu Murgia, the director for El Norte De Cd. Juarez announced that after 27 years in print, the publication is going silent. The print and online news outlet is one of the publications that the late Miroslava Breach worked for. As Breitbart Texas reported, Breach was one of three Mexican journalists gunned down last month. The journalist had helped uncover the close relations between Mexican politicians and a faction of the Juarez Cartel called “La Linea”. At the scene of Breach’s murder, the gunmen left a banner signed by the leader of La Linea, Carlos Arturo “El 80” Quintana. The kingpin is listed as a wanted fugitive by the U. S. Department of Justice on multiple drug trafficking and money laundering charges tied to the Juarez Cartel. “This day, my dear reader I am informing you that I have taken the decision to close this news outlet due to the fact that among other things, there are no security conditions or guarantees for the exercise of a press that is critical and provides counterpoints,” Cantu Murgia wrote in his Sunday editorial. The farewell piece criticized the local, state, and federal government of Mexico for its corrupt practices. Cantu Murgia stated that he did not want any more of his staff members to pay the stiff price asked of them. As Breitbart Texas reported, even after Breach’s murder, attacks on journalists continue to be commonplace in Mexico. Just days after Breach’s murder, gunmen in the states of Veracruz and in Baja California attacked two other journalists. Both survived the attack, however, authorities have not been able to capture anyone tied to any of the attacks. Ildefonso Ortiz is an journalist with Breitbart Texas. He the Cartel Chronicles project with Brandon Darby and Stephen K. Bannon. You can follow him on Twitter and on Facebook. Brandon Darby is managing director and of Breitbart Texas. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook. | 1 |
EAST BATON ROUGE, Louisiana — A previously deported criminal alien from Mexico faces murder charges and federal charges after allegedly shooting and killing a teenager. Louisiana State Police arrested Octavio Bringas, 49 for allegedly shooting Darius Plummer in the head — killing him on the day of his birthday, according to WBRZ. East Baton Rouge Sheriff Officer deputies originally found Plummer in the apartment where he had been shot. Court documents allege Bringas was the only other individual in the apartment at the time of the shooting. Bringas’ family told police they heard the gunshot. When they entered the apartment, they saw only Plummer. An ambulance transported Plummer, a student at Zachary High School, to the hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Witnesses who live in the apartment building said Plummer visited the apartment but did not actually live in the building. After the shooting, Bringas called one of the witnesses who had been communicating with the police, telling them that he had accidently discharged the gun and said he was already on his way to Lafayette, Louisiana, which was once a ‘sanctuary city’ in the state. Bringas was subsequently arrested while heading to Lafayette, with police saying they believe he was attempting to flee the country. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials confirmed to Breitbart Texas that Bringas is an illegal immigrant. ICE officials put an immigration detainer on the suspect, which is a request for Bringas to be handed over to them should he be released. Bringas has a long history with the law. ICE spokesman Thomas Byrd told Breitbart Texas that immigration officials previously previously encountered Bringas on March 5, 2012, after he was released from the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison. Bringas was removed by ICE on March 22, 2012. In August and September of 2003, Border Patrol agents deported Bringas after apprehending him illegally crossing the border. John Binder is a contributor for Breitbart Texas. Follow him on Twitter at @JxhnBinder. | 1 |
There is nothing like traveling with your adult children to make you feel dazzled and impressed that they are truly all grown up, competent citizens of the world. And there is nothing like traveling with your adult children to remind you that they are still your children and sometimes you need to take care of them. My husband and I were pleased and flattered and maybe a little anxious that our three grown children all wanted to go on a vacation with us this winter. With the youngest now in college, and the oldest at the extreme end of that endless medical training, we were talking about five adults taking a trip together. This is not something that I remember even contemplating with my own parents, and sure enough, it turns out that there may be a trend here and even children may be statistically more likely to vacation with their parents nowadays. Maybe they wanted to come because we were heading to Taipei on the way to a teaching assignment. Foreign travel certainly has a special allure, and extra potential for mishaps, but you could also play out all the same family dynamics close to home. The long flight to Taiwan landed late at night, and I had worried we were too many to fit into a taxi, so my daughter had booked a van to pick us up she had pasted in the obscure street address of our Airbnb apartment, so the driver knew exactly where we were going, and I was the only one who found any of this surprising. My sons had spent time in Taipei the previous summer, and wanted to take us for the best beef noodle soup, or the best sea urchin bowl. So there were lots of moments when my husband and I found ourselves enjoying the unaccustomed pleasure of being led around by kids who had planned an itinerary, scoped out restaurants on Yelp, and plotted the walking and subway routes carefully on their phones. We two technologically befuddled parents followed along, playing our part by marveling at the confidence of our guides, exchanging genuinely surprised and almost giggly glances. We had put in years schlepping folding strollers and disposable diapers onto airplanes, planning trips to include special train rides, building in ice cream stops. Now we were delighted to do as we were told, proud to have raised offspring. The food was phenomenal, including the almond milk and mango ices (someone was still building in the ice cream stops) the Taipei subway was a dream, and somebody always seemed to know where we were going. We found a supercheap flight to Bangkok and flew there for a few days. My husband and I, who had visited in 2014, got to lead the troop onto the ferry along the Chao Phraya River to take everyone to the Temple of Dawn and the Royal Palace. None of the children had been there before, unless you count the trip my older son made with us decades ago as a toddler (in a folding stroller) we recreated some of those same photo ops with him, now as a bearded man. Back in Taiwan, there was the moment when we climbed out of the taxi after the long ride to the picturesque seaside town of Jiufen, which is supposed to be the setting of the anime film “Spirited Away. ” It was a holiday afternoon, and the road winding up into the mountains had been slow going. But here we were at last, ready to walk the picturesque old street and eat the famous glutinous rice cake, or the taro ice cream rolled in chopped peanuts. That was the moment at which my younger son realized he had left his cellphone in the cab, and all five of us ran wildly through the streets, peering into the window of one taxi after another, searching for the kindly driver who had brought us all that way. We tried calling the phone, but the ringer was turned off (only clueless parents actually use phones as phones). Finally my daughter decided that we were slowing down the search, and sent us to go explore the town and market with her older brother to keep an eye on us. So there we were, admiring the vista of mountains and sea, and exchanging parental glances what could be more familiar than a child who didn’t keep a close eye on his valuables? We shook our heads and felt like the parents again, as we tried to strategize the next steps toward canceling and replacing the phone, and promised each other that we wouldn’t draw any morals when the kids got back. Meanwhile, they efficiently located the cabdriver and effected a handoff as he drove back down the twisting mountain roads (did I mention that the son in question speaks Mandarin? ). So sometimes adult children really can show themselves to be adults, and sometimes you even feel like they’re taking care of you. My daughter, who has more than her family share of organizational ability, arranged pickups and in Bangkok as well. And then, on our last night there, she went down to the hotel lobby to print out all the boarding passes for our flight the next morning, and the hotel printer didn’t work, and the desk clerk advised her to go print at the much more luxurious hotel next door. And as she says herself, she lost it. We were too far from home and things weren’t going according to plan she had efficiently checked us all in and forwarded all the boarding passes and she was suddenly convinced that we would not be allowed on the flight or be forced to wait on long lines and then check our bags (against the family religion). Her father sent her up to her room, apologized to the desk clerk, who had borne the brunt of her distress, and, because he knew she would not otherwise be consoled, set off into the night to find a place to print the boarding passes. And thanks to the deity who occasionally watches over technologically inept parents, and makes them look as if they can keep the world on track, he followed the clerk’s suggestion and succeeded with the printer at the next hotel over. | 1 |
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