Nov 172019
 
 November 17, 2019  Posted by at 10:06 am Finance Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,


Pablo Picasso Chair 1942

 

Ex-NSC Official Claims Sondland Said He Was Directed By Trump On Ukraine (CNN)
Prince Andrew Denies Sex With 17 Year Old, Says He Was At Pizza Express (Ind.)
High-Stakes Gamble On TV Interview Over Epstein Backfires On Prince Andrew (G.)
Boeing Pressures FAA To Re-Approve 737 MAX, Staff Beg Not To Fly In It (BI)
Macron Plays Fox in the EU Hen House (Spiegel)
Saudi Aramco IPO Set To Value Company Up To $1.7 Trillion (CNBC)
Iran Gas Price Hike Protests Escalate (RT)
Hong Kong Protesters Hurl PETROL BOMBS, Shoot ARROWS At Police (RT)
Tensions Run High During Yellow Vests Protests (RT)
Bolivia Death Toll Mounts Amid Pro-Evo Morales Protests (BBC)
Chile Agrees To Replace Pinochet Constitution Amid Turbulent Protests (AP)

 

 

The smell that emanates from this is something in the vein of : “How dare a president be involved in foreign policy?” Sure, Sondland is an out of place character, but to label this ‘interference’ is odd. “At the NSC, “we have a way we do things that works,” talking about regular vs irregular foreign policy channels. But the thing is that Trump didn’t trust the regular channels; he thought they’d protect Biden, and keep the focus on Russia Russia.

Is Trump dangerous for asking for a Burisma investigation? Or is he merely a problem for the State Lifers and their backers? Want to check what the Constituion says about foreign policy?

Ex-NSC Official Claims Sondland Said He Was Directed By Trump On Ukraine (CNN)

Gordon Sondland, the American envoy to the European Union, was acting at President Donald Trump’s instruction in his dealings with Ukraine, and Sondland said that the President told him Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “must announce the opening of the investigations,” according to the closed-door deposition of a former National Security Council official. Former NSC official Tim Morrison testified that he had heard from Sondland that US aid to Ukraine was conditioned on the country announcing an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.

Morrison’s testimony, which was released by House impeachment investigators on Saturday, adds additional corroboration to the testimony of others, like US diplomat Bill Taylor, that Sondland said he was acting at Trump’s direction when he was urging Ukraine to announce political investigations. Morrison’s testimony will only fuel questions about Sondland’s closed-door interview, which has been called into question based on the testimony others have given about his conversations with Trump. Sondland is scheduled to testify publicly before the House Intelligence Committee on Wednesday. House impeachment investigators also released Saturday the transcript of Jennifer Williams, an aide to Vice President Mike Pence, who listened into the July 25 call along with Morrison.

While Morrison did not take specific issue with the content of Trump’s call with Zelensky, both aides described their concerns as they listened to Trump discussing political investigations. Morrison’s testimony also added additional detail explaining how the call ended up on a highly secure server outside of normal channels. Morrison, who is scheduled to testify publicly on Tuesday, described how Sondland was a “problem” as he operated in what previous witness testimony described as irregular foreign policy channels. And he recalled Sondland speaking directly to Trump about the investigations and the military aid. “He related to me he was acting – he was discussing these matters with the President,” Morrison said.

[..] Morrison said Sondland was a concern for his predecessor, former White House Russia expert Fiona Hill, who is also scheduled to testify publicly next week. “She described Ambassador Sondland as a problem,” Morrison said, recounting a conversation they had about Sondland. “We both discussed that Ukraine was not in the EU, which led to the follow-on question of, why is he involved in Ukraine? And, as I mentioned, she mentioned Burisma, which I nearly did not know what that was.” Morrison explained their concern: “It was less about his role in Ukraine and more about how he conducted himself. He did not participate in the process. So we are very process-oriented on the NSC; we have a way we do things that works. And so when people come in and get involved in issues and they’re not of that process, it creates risk.”

Read more …

He can’t for the life of him remember meeting Virginia Giuffre, but he distinctly remembers going for pizza.

Prince Andrew Denies Sex With 17 Year Old, Says He Was At Pizza Express (Ind.)

Prince Andrew has claimed he could not have had sex with a 17-year-old girl on the night he is accused of doing so – because he had taken his daughter to Pizza Express in Woking. Giving an unprecedented television interview to address claims surrounding his friendship with billionaire sex offender Jeffery Epstein, the Duke of York denied having sex with Virginia Giuffre in 2001. [..] “On that particular day, that we now understand is the date which is the 10th of March, I was at home,” the duke said. “I was with the children and I’d taken Beatrice to a Pizza Express in Woking for a party at I suppose, sort of, four or five in the afternoon.

“And then because the duchess [of York] was away, we have a simple rule in the family that when one is away, the other one is there.” When asked why he remembered the specific trip to the restaurant, he replied: “Because going to Pizza Express in Woking is an unusual thing for me to do, a very unusual thing for me to do. “I’ve never been … I’ve only been to Woking a couple of times and I remember it weirdly distinctly. “As soon as somebody reminded me of it, I went: ‘Oh yes, I remember that’.”

[..] The duke went on to question the validity of a photograph with his arm around Ms Giuffre in London – saying it was not possible to prove if the image had, or had not, been faked. He said: ”I don’t believe it’s a picture of me in London because when I would out to… When I go out in London, I wear a suit and a tie. “That’s what I would describe as… those are my travelling clothes if I’m going to go… If I’m going overseas.” He added: ”Nobody can prove whether or not that photograph has been doctored but I don’t recollect that photograph ever being taken.”

Read more …

What a trainwreck of a man. Saw Epstein umpteen times, a man who everybody says was always surrounded by minor girls, but not during all those times Andrew was around, in London, New York, pedo island.

High-Stakes Gamble On TV Interview Over Epstein Backfires On Prince Andrew (G.)

The prince’s answers are likely to ensure he remains in the headlines for the conceivable future, and several commentators have condemned his approach. Catherine Mayer, founder of the Women’s Equality Party, tweeted that the prince was “too stupid to even pretend concern for Epstein’s victims”. Charlie Proctor, editor of the Royal Central website, said: “I expected a train wreck. That was a plane crashing into an oil tanker, causing a tsunami, triggering a nuclear explosion level bad.” It is known that some close to the prince had reservations about how the interview – reportedly the result of six months of negotiations with the royal household – would play out.

Jason Stein, who previously worked for the former work and pensions secretary Amber Rudd, recently quit as an adviser to the prince after less than a month. It is understood he had disagreed with the decision to go ahead with the interview. It is claimed that the prince sought permission from the Queen before giving it, and that she gave her consent early last week. In the interview, the prince said that with “hindsight” his decision to stay at Epstein’s house was “definitely the wrong thing to do”. Giuffre’s lawyers did not respond to requests for comment but her Twitter account retweeted a comment from the former editor of the Northern Echo, Peter Barron, who said: “Astonishing decision by the royal family to go ahead with this Prince Andrew confessional interview in the hope it would draw a line under the scandal. It will have the opposite effect.”

[..] Giuffre’s lawyer, Jack Scarola, told Mail Online the prince should agree to an interview “under oath” instead of giving statements to the media that carry “little weight”. He said: “I believe there is an ongoing investigation in New York by the FBI under the supervision of the US Attorney’s office into those involved in facilitating Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. “I would love to see Prince Andrew submit to an interview under oath with the investigating authorities. Talking to the media doesn’t quite cut it. Statements that are not under oath carry little weight.”


Prince Andrew: I don’t do public displays of affection

Read more …

Getting antsy: “Asking the FAA to let Boeing deliver newly-manufactured 737 MAXes to clients before it is approved to fly..” Wait, how are you going to deliver them then?

Boeing Pressures FAA To Re-Approve 737 MAX, Staff Beg Not To Fly In It (BI)

Boeing is exerting pressure on the Federal Aviation Administration to speed up the approval of its 737 Max jet to fly again, according to multiple reports, and seemingly confirmed by the agency’s head. At the same time, airline crew and pilots are pushing back against any expedited timescale for the Max’s return, with some begging not to be assigned to the jets even after they return to service. The Max has been grounded for eight months, since the second of two fatal crashes which killed more than 300 people between them. The approval process centers on proposed fixes to an automated flight control system which malfunctioned in the two crashes. It has taken far longer than many in the aviation industry expected.

According to The New York Times and the Reuters news agency, Boeing has pushed the FAA on two fronts in the hope of getting the plane back in the air faster: • Pushing for pilots to test the new software on flight simulators before the FAA has finished vetting it. • Asking the FAA to let Boeing deliver newly-manufactured 737 Maxes to clients before it is approved to fly, to shorten the lag between approval and airlines putting passengers on it. The FAA has resisted, The Times reported. It said engineers pointed out that it does not make sense to ask pilots to test software before it is fully vetted, since it could be changed during that process. Senior figures at the FAA have encouraged staff to take all the time they need to keep assessing the plane, both in public and in private.

Lori Bassani, the head of Association of Professional Flight Attendants, a union representing staff at American, said: “I hear from flight attendants every day, and they’re begging me not to make them go back up in that plane.” She said Boeing needs to share more information with her members about their safety changes before they will be happy to get back on. Her words followed a harsh rebuke from Jon Weaks, the head of the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, who said Boeing was demonstrating “arrogance, ignorance, and greed” in its push to get the plane flying again.

Read more …

“Russia, he said, is part of Europe and it cannot and should not be ignored..”

Macron Plays Fox in the EU Hen House (Spiegel)

French diplomats in Brussels are open about the fact that differences between Berlin and Paris are growing more frequent. Berlin officials, by contrast, insist that the frontlines now run between Paris and the rest of the EU. That has also been easy to see when it comes to Brexit. In recent months, Macron has repeatedly failed in his demand that Britain not be granted a deferral or, if unavoidable, merely a short delay. Most recently, the French had virtually no allies left on the issue. Macron was similarly isolated at the EU summit in mid-October, when he blocked the beginning of accession negotiations with North Macedonia by making use of his veto. Outgoing Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker referred to it as a “historic mistake” that could endanger the Balkan country’s stability.

Merkel likewise said pointedly that the EU had to “remain reliable.” Insiders say that it only became clear how Macron would vote on the issue just one day before EU heads of state and government gathered for the summit. When Chancellery staff inquire at the Élysée as to why they aren’t always kept informed, they sometimes receive answers that they have thus far only associated with the Trump administration in Washington: Élysée staff, they hear, only has limited influence over the president. In August, Macron initiated a new approach to Russia without consulting at all with his allies. Just a few days ahead of the G-7 summit in Biarritz, a group that Russia was expelled from after the annexation of the Crimea, Macron invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to southern France for talks.

Not speaking with Russia would be a major mistake, Macron said immediately before the consultations. Russia, he said, is part of Europe and it cannot and should not be ignored, adding that he believed in the power of geography and European history. Even then, it was growing clear that Macron was thinking about a new security concept for Europe. For Macron, a strong Europe is one that self-confidently seeks dialogue with the large and mid-sized powers the world over. The more we do to ensure that Russia becomes a power within Europe, Macron said at the time, the better.

Read more …

Some people are suggesting the Saudis badly need the cash.

Saudi Aramco IPO Set To Value Company Up To $1.7 Trillion (CNBC)

Saudi Aramco has set a price range for its listing that implies the oil giant is worth between $1.6 trillion to $1.7 trillion, below the $2 trillion that the Saudi crown prince had previously targeted, making it potentially the world’s biggest IPO. Aramco said on Sunday it plans to sell 1.5% of its shares or about 3 billion shares, at an indicative price range of 30 riyals ($8.00) to 32 riyals, valuing the initial public offering (IPO), as much as 96 billion riyals ($25.60 billion) at the top end of the range. Aramco could just beat the record-breaking $25 billion raised by Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba when it made its stock market debut in New York in 2014.

Read more …

A sreies of protests articles. The one in Iran ignited fast.

Iran Gas Price Hike Protests Escalate (RT)

The Iranian government’s surprise decision to raise gasoline prices, which caused protests around the country, should be implemented, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei said, blaming the violence amid demonstrations on criminals. The divisive decision, announced this week, has caused protests in several Iranian cities. Khamenei was cited by the Iranian media on Sunday as saying that, while he was no expert in petrol industry, he still believed the government’s decision should be implemented. The Iranian leader also confirmed that there have been deaths related to the protests caused by the hike, blaming them on foreign influence.


“Sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people. The counter-revolution and Iran’s enemies have always supported sabotage and breaches of security and continue to do so,” he said as quoted by state TV. The demonstrations that started on Friday have been largely peaceful, but on some occasions the public anger escalated into vandalism and clashes. Iranian authorities confirmed that one person was killed in the southeastern city of Sirjan. There were also reports of protesters vandalizing cars, setting banks on fire and otherwise causing property damage.

Read more …

There’s a shift in emotion going on. Sympathy for the Hong Kong protesters appears to be waning.

Hong Kong Protesters Hurl PETROL BOMBS, Shoot ARROWS At Police (RT)

Demonstrators in Hong Kong attacked common citizens who attempted to free the roads from barricades amid a new round of clashes with police. A fierce street battle erupted outside the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) on Sunday, as protesters threw bricks at police, which responded with tear gas and water cannons. The officers were trying to remove the barricades erected by the demonstrators earlier this week, and urged them to stop placing metal spikes on the roads in hopes of piercing the police vehicles’ tires. The protesters earlier attacked a group of citizens who were clearing the roadblocks and debris outside the PolyU. A man and a woman were hospitalized with head injuries in result of the attack.

Similar scuffles occurred near the University of Hong Kong (HKU) and the City University of Hong Kong (CityU), where black-clad, masked rioters threw bricks and petrol bombs at the volunteers, who were removing the makeshift barricades. The residents, many of whom are alumnae of these universities, have answered online calls from pro-government politicians to help clean the streets. Some of them told the South China Morning Post that protesters have gone “too far” when they switched from rioting downtown to seizing campuses and blocking major roads, including the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, which connects the Hong Kong Island with the rest of the city.

Around 50 Chinese army soldiers joined the volunteers to dismantle the barricades near the Hong Kong Baptist University, marking the first time when Beijing’s troops have left their barracks since the start of the protests this summer. The soldiers were unarmed and wore no protective gear.

Read more …

“Celebrating” the 1 year anniversary.

Tensions Run High During Yellow Vests Protests (RT)

Yellow Vest protesters were doused with water during clashes with police and rioting in downtown Paris, ahead of the first anniversary of their nationwide anti-government demonstrations. The Place d’Italie circle in the city’s 13th arrondissement descended into chaos as protesters erected makeshift barricades and threw stones at police officers, which responded with tear gas and water cannon. The protesters overturned several parked cars and set vehicles on fire. A group of Yellow Vests attempted to block a fire truck from getting through to the barricades, which were also set ablaze.


A shopping mall and several bus stops were vandalized when the protesters vented their anger over what they deem as government inaction towards their demands, made throughout a full year of weekly demonstrations. The windows of a bank were smashed during the rioting. The protester groups on social media had earlier called on their colleagues to occupy and block several stores, including the Ikea and Apple stores. Police were also called in to disperse protesters who were blocking traffic along the Boulevard Peripherique, the city’s main ring ‘beltway’ road. The authorities revoked their permit to stage a rally at the Place d’Italie, after the protests turned violent. Police had arrested 61 protesters by 3pm, Prefect of Paris Didier Lallement confirmed, adding that some officers were injured in the clashes.

Read more …

Can they bring Morales back?

Bolivia Death Toll Mounts Amid Pro-Evo Morales Protests (BBC)

The death toll in Bolivia continues to rise after violent clashes between security forces and supporters of former President Evo Morales. On Friday, security forces opened fire on supporters of Mr Morales in Sacaba, killing at least eight people. A doctor in the city told the Associated Press that most of those killed and injured had bullet wounds. The country’s national ombudsman said a total of 19 people had died since the disputed election on 20 October. On Saturday, UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet warned that violence in Bolivia could “spin out of control”. “Repressive actions by the authorities… are likely to jeopardise any possible avenue for dialogue,” she added. Amid claims of electoral fraud, Mr Morales resigned on 10 November and later fled to Mexico.


On Friday, before the violence in Sacaba, he told the BBC that there were no meaningful charges that could be brought against him. He was responding to interim President Jeanine Áñez, who said he could be prosecuted if he returned to Bolivia. Mr Morales had previously said he was willing to return to Bolivia in order to restore peace. He also told US broadcaster CNN that what happened in Sacaba was “a real massacre”. Ms Áñez, who declared herself interim president on Tuesday, has already broken ties with Venezuela and is sending home more than 700 Cuban medics. The moves are meant to show that the interim government is distancing itself from Mr Morales’s regional left-wing allies.

Read more …

Heavy protests in Chile too.

Chile Agrees To Replace Pinochet Constitution Amid Turbulent Protests (AP)

Chile’s most important political parties agreed Friday to call for a new constitution to replace one imposed by a military dictatorship almost 40 years ago, a move that follows a month of turbulent social protests in the streets. The agreement calls for an April plebiscite asking Chileans who should draft that document: the existing Congress or a new group made up of legislators and specially elected citizens. Holding the plebiscite itself will require a modification of the existing constitution. The agreement follows a month of demonstrations that began with a protest over subway fares and expanded into a mass movement against inequality that has shaken the nation.


At least 25 people have died and thousands injured. It wasn’t immediately clear if the pact would pacify the hundreds of thousands of Chileans who have taken to the streets in recent weeks. “They are hearing what the people have been asking for so long,” said Pedro Alastuey, a 36-year-old physical education teacher who took part in some of the protests. But he added, “Until they give a concrete solution to the demands of the people, it will be very hard to stop this.” [..] A broad swath of the centre and left of Chile’s political spectrum has long demanded scrapping or major overhauls to the 1980 constitution imposed by the dictatorship of Gen. Augusto Pinochet, which overthrew democratically elected Socialist Party President Salvador Allende in 1973.

Read more …

 

 

 

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Home Forums Debt Rattle November 17 2019

Viewing 20 posts - 1 through 20 (of 20 total)
  • Author
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  • #51363

    Pablo Picasso Chair 1942   • Ex-NSC Official Claims Sondland Said He Was Directed By Trump On Ukraine (CNN) • Prince Andrew Denies Sex With 17 Ye
    [See the full post at: Debt Rattle November 17 2019]

    #51364
    V. Arnold
    Participant

    6.4 trillion dollars?
    Wow, that must be a lot…
    So, of course most Usian’s have no idea/comprehension/understanding/context/economic savvy/etc., etc., etc., …………………………………………………….

    But they’re educated to not understand; anything; …

    #51365
    V. Arnold
    Participant

    Pablo Picasso Chair 1942

    Frankly, I’m bored with Picasso’s cubism…
    Just not a fan of this style of art…
    But, by all means, please carry on…

    #51366
    boscohorowitz
    Participant

    Black swans need not be large. Sometimes a small polyp or vascular obstruction can radically later history:

    Trump makes sudden medical visit

    I don’t think he’s particularly ill. More likely he’s taking advanced security measures these days so he doesn’t take a bullet.

    Also, from the article:

    “She added that Trump met with the family of a special forces solider who was inured in Afghanistan while at the facility.”

    Even major name brand journalism can’t write above a 6th grade level anymore. “inured”?

    Art for art’s sake

    Seemed like good music to admire one of Picasso’s giddier experiments in multiple perspective.

    #51367
    zerosum
    Participant

    Same old same old
    Why do we raise kids “not to lie?”
    Why do we raise kids “not to steal?”
    Why do we raise kids “in la-la-land?”

    WARNING! ILLUSION. SHIFTED REALITY!

    Pablo Picasso Chair 1942

    #51368
    boscohorowitz
    Participant

    What about that Middle East, huh?

    This Land Is Mine

    As Vietnam Vet often reminds us: only now we have hypersonic nukes. Still, I’d rather be instantly vaporized than set on fire or hacked to bits.

    Waddya know. It’s Sunday. Let us pray:

    Sweet in the Morning

    #51369
    zerosum
    Participant

    Re.: Ukraine military aid

    Follow the money.
    (Simply put. lawyers and accountants set up a system to make sure that there is no proof of wrong doing)

    1. USA gov. prints money.
    2. Money is used to pays companies for military aid before shipment
    3. Ukraine gov. gets inflated invoice for the military aid, which includes ALL the rake by all the participants.
    4. USA will forgive invoice/loan if Ukraine does “quid pro quo” re.: Russia
    5. If Ukraine doesn’t do the requested “Quid pro quo” then the loan is not forgiven and the Ukraine people will get taxed to pay the loan.
    6. Irregardless, the USA people must pay back the printing press + all the rake

    #51370
    zerosum
    Participant

    Breaking news
    Quid pro Quo example

    Alberta Premier Kenney challenges Legault on equalization payments

    Alberta Premier Kenney challenges Legault on equalization payments
    Kenney said if Quebec and other provinces want to keep benefitting from those payments they should stop obstructing pipelines that carry Alberta oil.
    Presse Canadienne Updated: August 19, 2019

    The response was sparked by Legault saying on Sunday that Quebec had a right to equalization payments — funding co-ordinated by the federal government to ensure the same level of services across the country — and possessed that right since the founding of Canada in 1867.
    However, Kenney pointed out on his Facebook page that Legault was unaware of the history of equalization payments, reminding the Quebec premier that the system was established not in 1867 but 1957 and written into the Constitution of 1982, which has yet to be ratified by Quebec.
    The Alberta premier added that his province had paid out $620 billion to other provinces since 1957, and if Quebec and other provinces want to continue to benefit from those payments they should stop obstructing pipelines that carry Alberta oil.
    Quebec received $13.1 billion in equalization payments from Ottawa in 2019, a sum that represents 11 per cent of its revenues.

    #51372
    Polder Dweller
    Participant

    Poor Andy suffering with PTSD (post-traumatic sweat disorder).

    If only having sex with pimped underage girls and then lying about it was actually funny.

    #51373
    sumac.carol
    Participant

    Zerosum quid pro quo or just political game playing and scape goating and fanning flames of division?
    1. The current per-capita based federal transfer system in Canada was set up by the Harper government of which Jason Kenney was a part.
    2. Federal transfers are comprised of both equalization funds and funds for health and social programs. The equalization portion is only about a quarter of the total.
    3. Total federal transfers in 2019-20 were $1465 per capita for most provinces (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Newfoundland) and higher for provinces with slower growth (PEI $4160, NS $3484, Quebec $3013, NB $4078).

    The equalization history that Jason Kenney likes to forget


    I and some others like me can never support the extraction of tarsands oil which is permanently polluting unimaginable amounts of fresh water on this planet. Nicole Foss has likened EROEI of the extraction process to something like burning $20 dollar bills to cook the stuff (if I recall correctly).
    You call this quid pro quo. I liken this to blind pursuit of short – term financial gains and tainting those who are environmentally conscious and stand in the way.

    #51374
    zerosum
    Participant

    Do you live where time goes faster or slower? Time is relative.

    https://carnegiescience.edu/news/runaway-star-was-ejected-heart-darkness

    It was moving 10-times faster than most of the stars in the galaxy.

    Who can calculate time.

    #51375
    zerosum
    Participant

    @ sumac.carol
    All I wanted to do was to give an current example of ….
    “You do this for me and I’ll do that for you”

    No proof of wrong doing – Biden

    No tainting intended.
    I don’t agree with a pipeline to remove oil from Canada.
    I don’t like a future with no oil.

    #51376
    seychelles
    Participant

    So we are very process-oriented on the NSC; we have a way we do things that works.

    We like our secretive, slowly-engineered powerful sinecure, which is a traitorous unconstitutional bureaucratic Mafia. And woe to anyone who threatens our security.

    #51377

    Yeah, what does some elected guy think that he can barge in on our grand little set-up? He’s only there for four years or so. We devote our entire lives to this.

    That’s what emanates from the inquiry: all these lifelong “public servants” who want to keep their little thingy going, and who get so terribly worried when someone ask questions about what they do about the corruption in one of the most corrupt nations on the planet -certainly in the northern hemisphere- that also happens to receive billions worth of US aid.

    No, you don’t get it, Putin wants to restart the Soviet Union. And besides, Ukraine will use those billions on one thing only: arms purchases from US companies. See, it’s a great little deal.

    #51378
    boscohorowitz
    Participant

    Pizza Express? Cue the Pizzagate jokes!

    #51379
    lasttwo
    Participant

    the cost of war and then the lives and the hate. Keep Gabbard in the race maybe Americans will wake up

    #51380
    V. Arnold
    Participant

    Keep Gabbard in the race maybe Americans will wake up

    The question is: Does it matter any longer who is in office?

    #51381
    sumac.carol
    Participant

    Thanks for clarifying Zerosum- I think we are on the same page.

    #51382
    Dr. D
    Participant

    Great article, in National Review of all things:

    “The government’s policy community has gotten so political, it has forgotten that its mission is to implement the president’s policies, not undermine them. … their job is to try to guide the president to good policy, not usurp his role. The president’s decisions carry the day. Bureaucrats are not free to substitute their judgments for the president’s. If they can’t accept that, the honorable thing is to resign, à la Bolton and Mattis. Remaining in place to countermand the elected chief executive is not an option.”

    https://www.nationalreview.com/2019/11/trump-vs-the-policy-community/

    This from a policy official who likewise believes (or says) Trump’s policy IS misguided. Congratulations, people have the right to disagree! But not to not do your job. You’re still a voter, that’s your outlet.

    “We’ve moved way beyond that, though. Democrats are now scheming with fellow progressives in the policy community to achieve their three-year longing to impeach President Trump. …The Left will tell you it’s not — it’s driven by lawlessness. But the Left treats all disagreement with its policy preferences as lawlessness. And when it can’t pull that off, it slanders the dissenters as outlaws. That’s how, with a Supreme Court slot on the line, a widely admired jurist with a peerless record of mentoring his law clerks, mostly women, into high professional achievements somehow becomes a serial rapist.”

    Yeah, that was pretty bad. God forbid people with those morals and tactics get anywhere near power. A senseless buffoon looks positively jolly in comparison.

    Oh, and if you have policy differences, vote him out. It’s right around the corner, the easiest path. …Which also tells us impeachment is just everyday election tampering, as now admitted (implied) by AOC.

    “And so when people come in and get involved in issues and they’re not of that process”

    “People” like the President, your boss? Gosh I hate it when they get involved. Why don’t they just give speeches, shake hands, and boff interns? Why they gotta be Presidenting all the time? Then we gotta have the CIA lie to them about what’s happening so they’ll do what we say. What happens then? He just IGNORES the meetings and doesn’t hear the lies! Da nerve of this guy! Going off listening to military intel instead. Why I never.

    “Prince Andrew Denies Sex With 17 Year Old, Says He Was At Pizza Express (Ind.)”

    So as with Trudeau being in blackface so many times he doesn’t remember, Andy doesn’t remember THAT underage girl specifically, since there’ve been so many underage girls they all run together. And he “let the team down” he says. It’s okay Andrew: we forgive you. And in light of your important position, you can only serve 2-5 in Belmarsh next to Assange, and spend only the first year in solitary. Everyone else would serve 5-10 and be killed in suspicious circumstances, so that’s how much we care.

    Ah, but don’t we know it will never happen? Justice, even delayed and mild, will never, EVER be served.

    “Some people are suggesting the Saudis badly need the cash.”

    The Saudis are essentially bankrupt, foreseen 20 years ago with Gahwar. And Putin just said the U.S. Dollar is about to fail. …Because it’s the Petro dollar. Backed by Saudi oil. No oil = no dollar. And while I’ll do that just because it’s the right thing, I think almost everyone else will chase me down the street and lynch me if I did. …And so that goes to how we have troops there, or refuel Yemen, etc. This. No arms = no Saudi Arabia = no dollar = no free money to bribe, rig, and overthrow Bolivia. And overthrow me, the voter, with banks and secret tribunals.

    “Hong Kong Protesters Hurl PETROL BOMBS, Shoot ARROWS At Police (RT)”

    Not exactly Kumbaya, “we will overcome”, is it? Ah well, no surprise. And China shows great restraint in doing what they do best: waiting them out. And us, by the way. Many years ago, they asked what China thought of western democracy. The answer? “It’s too soon to tell.”

    Speaking of:

    Tensions Run High During Yellow Vests Protests (RT)”

    I’d ask if they’re shooting their eyes out, but they don’t report the truth anyway, so…

    Chile’s most important political parties agreed Friday to call for a new constitution”

    But is it really a Constitution if you just replace it all the time, though? Isn’t it more like just Parliament, or club rules? Or like a menu?

    And don’t worry about the cost of war. We won’t pay them. …Well, not in cash anyway. I’ve been paying all my life already.

    #51399
    lasttwo
    Participant

    IThe question is: Does it matter any longer who is in office?

    dont know if it matters the military money machine is so huge that it will probably overwhelm anyone and everyone. But what is the alternative. The wars and the corporate welfare will bankrupt the American empire as virtually all previous empires have ended. Anyone can see that it does not have to be that way. If what you are doing is not working try anything else. At lease Gabbard will keep talking about the wars and the corruption. Just calling out Hillary as a warmonger and Harris as a Devilish DA is worth sending her a few bucks in my opinion

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