Apr 122024
 
 April 12, 2024  Posted by at 8:35 am Finance Tagged with: , , , , , , , ,


Edgar Degas The laundress 1873

 

The Deep State Prepares for a Trump Victory (Jeffrey Tucker)
Russia, China Sketch the Future as the World Awaits Iran’s Move (Pepe Escobar)
Israel Expects Iran’s Direct Attack Within Next 24 to 48 Hours (Sp.)
Had UN Condemned Israel, There’d Be No Need For Retaliation – Iran (RT)
Brits Should Not Be Part Of The Genocide In Gaza (Jay)
Russia Delivers Major Blow to Ukraine, Destroys Kiev’s Biggest Power Plant (NC)
We Really Want To Destroy Europe’s Longest Bridge – Zelensky (RT)
Biden’s Remark On Ukraine Apocalyptic – Medvedev (RT)
Biden ‘Very Proud’ Of Expanding NATO To Russia’s Borders (RT)
Pentagon Warns US Could Miss Ukraine ‘Pay Off’ (RT)
Moscow Shines Spotlight On Who Comes After Zelensky (Helmer)
US Citizens Backing Russia – Zelensky (RT)
Trump Has No Intention Of Going To Ukraine – Reuters (RT)
Ukraine Peace Impossible Without Russia – Swiss FM (RT)
Irish Taxpayers Paid For The Accommodation Of Ukrainian Dogs And Cats (RT)
Sen. Kennedy Suggests Ulterior Motive Behind Border Crisis (ET)

 

 

 

 

Tucker democracy
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778183879255265519

 

 

Nebenzya
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778474208743321696

 

 

Stefanik
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778433384865321226

 

 

 

 

RFK malinformation
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778532862402408632

 

 

Rogan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Absolute must read from Jeffrey Tucker. Another way to make it impossible for Trump to effect any meaningful changes. Just like the NATO “Ukraine fund”.

“There are more than 2 million permanent bureaucrats..” And they want to make them independent of who’s president. Democracy be damned.

The Deep State Prepares for a Trump Victory (Jeffrey Tucker)

“In the first week of the Biden-Harris Administration, President Biden revoked an Executive Order issued by the previous Administration that risked altering our country’s long-standing merit-based civil service system, by creating a new excepted service schedule, known as ‘Schedule F,’ and directing agencies to move potentially large swathes of career employees into this new excepted service status. This attempt would have stripped career civil servants of their civil service protections that ensure that decisions to hire and fire are based on merit, not political considerations.” The “previous administration” means of course the Trump White House, which issued the greatest executive order in a hundred years. After four years of being subverted and thwarted by the civil service bureaucracy, the White House finally figured out the core problem. There are more than 2 million permanent bureaucrats, ensconced in 430 agencies, who imagine themselves to live outside the democratic system and the U.S. Constitution itself. They believe they are the state and the elected leaders are mere decoration.

Trump’s executive order insisted that every agency do an internal audit and ferret out any employee who has something to do with making or interpreting policy; that is, anyone whose work impacts on whether the president actually has control of the executive department. All those employees would be reclassified as Schedule F, meaning that they could be replaced if need be. That’s it. That’s the whole order. Maybe it doesn’t seem like much but it was actually brilliant. The Trump administration is the first to discover the great secret of American public life, which is that the administrative state has taken on a life of its own. After years of trying, the Trump White House finally happened upon a key lever to gain back control for the people. It’s as simple as that. The Washington, D.C. political press freaked out. It was as if a president had found the engine room and the one switch that controls the whole thing. That was never supposed to happen. This produced mayhem inside the bureaucracy, and a doubling and tripling down on the conviction that he could never win a second term, lest this order be carried out.

That’s why one of the very first actions of the Biden administration was to repeal this executive order. That action made it very clear that Biden’s loyalties were with the deep state first and foremost. He would protect their jobs and power above all else. In fact, the OPM (Office of Personnel Management) press release brags about this. At issue here is a phrase from the initial Trump order. Any employee would be reclassified who deals with “confidential, policy determining, policymaking, or policy-advocating.” Notice this word confidential. This would apply to the whole of the intelligence community, perhaps. So wait, are we saying that the president should be in charge of the CIA, FBI, NSA, NSC, and the entire security apparatus, even to the point that he could fire anyone? Maybe so! Such a situation would be intolerable to the bad guys. From their point of view, this would fundamentally upend the functioning of government in America. Let’s face it. If the OPM and the whole of the bureaucracy believed there was no threat from Donald Trump or RFK, Jr., such a rule change would not be necessary.

They believe it is necessary, which implies that the civil service thinks that the rising populist movement is a genuine threat that could succeed in taking back the country. Otherwise, they wouldn’t bother. What is the OPM? It was founded out of the Pendleton Act of 1883, which started the permanent bureaucracy in the United States. With it came the Civil Service Commission, the first name of what later was called the OPM. Until that time, and under the Constitution, the U.S. president had full control of the bureaucracy. The new president would typically replace a vast number of bureaucrats with loyalists. This was denounced as the “spoils system” but it could also be called simple democracy in which the people rule themselves through their elected representatives. The permanent class of rules grew through wars and crises over a hundred years to become the government that cares not a whit for who is technically elected or otherwise appointed as agency heads. As a matter of habit, they have come to ignore all the comings and goings of the people elected by the population. Elections are just a distraction to them.

The essential point: Donald Trump and RFK, Jr. represent a genuine threat to the gang that has subverted and nearly wrecked this country. Now we know that this threat is real, else we would not see these efforts to entrench the bad guys and protect them against all conceivable threats. As this proves again, the main struggle alive in this country and all over the world is the one between the people and the deep state consisting of a vast network of elites in government, media, the corporate world, banking and finance, private foundations, and global bureaucracies, all working for their own interests at the expense of everyone else. It’s a battle for control, and it is the underlying dynamic that shapes our lives right now. The bad guys are scared. Now we know this for sure, or they would not be trying to pre-rig the system against fundamental change. The elites believe based on long experience that they can always outwit the rest of the population. We shall see.

It’s going to be brutal before and after the election. There will be one or several October surprises. If Donald Trump wins, the onset of Winter will kick off propaganda like you have never seen. As the inauguration approaches, absolute hysteria will dawn. The COVID racket will seem like child’s play. Every day and every hour after will consist of wild attempts to stop the administration from functioning. What a time to be alive.

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“..the dogs of Forever Wars bark while the Eurasian integration caravan marches on..”

Russia, China Sketch the Future as the World Awaits Iran’s Move (Pepe Escobar)

The whole planet awaits with bated breath the avowedly inevitable Iranian response to the attack against its consulate/ambassador residence in Damascus by the biblical psychopaths responsible for the Gaza genocide. Enveloped in an aura of secrecy, each passing day betrays the immensity of the challenge: the possibly asymmetrical response must be, simultaneously, symbolic, substantive, cogent, convincing, reasonable and rational. That is driving Tel Aviv totally hysterical and the deciding instances of the Hegemon extremely itchy. Everyone with a functioning brain knows this wet dream of a stunt from the point of view of hardcore Zionists and US Christian zio-cons was a serious provocation, designed to draw the US to the long-cherished Israeli plan of striking a decisive blow against both Hezbollah and Tehran.

The IDF’s Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi all but gave away the game, when he said this past Sunday that “we are operating in cooperation with the USA and strategic partners in the region.” Translation: never trust the Hegemon even as the notion is floated – via Swiss mediators – that Washington won’t interfere with Tehran’s response to Tel Aviv. One just needs to remember Washington’s “assurances” to Saddam Hussein before the first Gulf War. It’s impossible to take Hegemon back-channel assurances at face value. The White House and the Pentagon occasionally dispense these “assurances” to Moscow every time Kiev strikes deep inside the Russian Federation using US-UK satellite intel, logistics, weaponry and with NATO in de-facto operational control. The state terror attack on Damascus, which shredded the Vienna convention on diplomatic immunity, crucially was also an attack on both the expanded BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

Iran is a member of both multilateral bodies, and on top of it is engaged in strategic partnerships with both Russia and China. So it’s no wonder the leadership in both Beijing in Moscow is carefully considering all possible repercussions of the next Iranian move. Tel Aviv’s purposeful escalation – when it comes to expanding war in West Asia – happens to mirror another escalation: NATO’s no way out in Ukraine except by doubling down, with no end in sight. That started with the invariably out of his depth Secretary of State Little Tony Blinken affirming, on the record, that Ukraine will join NATO. Which any functioning brain knows is translatable as the road map towards a Russia-NATO hot war with unbelievably dire consequences. Little Blinkie’s criminal irresponsibility was duly picked up and reverberated by the Franco-British duo, as expressed by British FM David “of Arabia” Cameron and French FM Stephane Sejourne: “If Ukraine loses, we all lose”. At least they got that right – although that took ages, when it comes to framing NATO’s approaching cosmic humiliation.

Now let’s switch from clownish bit players to the adults in the room. As in Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and Chinese FM Wang Yi discussing literally every incandescent dossier together earlier this week in Beijing. Lavrov and Wang could not be clearer on what’s ahead for the Russia-China strategic partnership. They will engage together on all matters regarding Eurasian security. They will go, in Lavrov’s words, for “dual opposition” to counterpunch the West’s “dual deterrence”. They will be countering every attempt by the usual suspects to “slow down the natural course of history”. Add to it the confirmation that President Putin and President Xi will hold at least two bilaterals in 2024: at the SCO summit in June and at the BRICS summit in October. In a nutshell: the dogs of Forever Wars bark while the Eurasian integration caravan marches on.

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Iran will go asymmetrical.

Israel Expects Iran’s Direct Attack Within Next 24 to 48 Hours (Sp.)

Israel is expecting a direct attack from Iran on southern or northern Israel within the next 24 to 48 hours, The Wall Street Journal has reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The report said on Thursday, citing a person briefed by the Iranian leadership, that no final decision has been made yet, although plans for an attack are being discussed. The report also cited a US official familiar with the situation as saying on Thursday that intelligence reports of the United States indicate an Iranian strike within days, “possibly on Israeli soil.” The Iranian Foreign Ministry said it “reserves the right” to respond to the Israeli attack and “punish the aggressor.” Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi also vowed that Israel would pay a “heavy price” for the strike.

US media reported earlier, citing Iranian and US intelligence sources, that Iran plans to strike dozens of sensitive targets in Israel, including energy infrastructure and various other facilities, using ballistic missiles and drones carrying explosives. A potential direct attack from Iran on the territory of Israel would require an appropriate response, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, according to a statement by the Israeli Defense Ministry. “The defense minister [of Israel] expressed his commitment to the security of Israeli citizens, as a direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory would require an appropriate Israeli response against Iran,” the ministry said on Thursday.

In a conversation, Gallant and Austin discussed preparedness for a possible Iranian attack, and Gallant told his American counterpart that Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory.” On April 1, Israel carried out an airstrike on the consular annex of the Iranian embassy in Damascus, destroying the building. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said seven of its members had been killed in the attack, including two commanders. The Syrian Health Ministry said the next day that the attack had also killed four Syrians and injured 13 more.

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Tehran offers a gift. An olive branch. It will be ignored.

Had UN Condemned Israel, There’d Be No Need For Retaliation – Iran (RT)

Iran feels obligated to punish Israel for attacking its diplomatic mission in Syria because the UN Security Council has failed in its duty, Tehran’s mission to the global organization said on Thursday.The April 1 airstrike killed seven Iranian officers, including two generals of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force. Israel has not officially claimed responsibility for the attack.“Had the UN Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated,” the mission posted on X (formerly Twitter). Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has said that Israel “must and shall be punished” for what it did. Israeli and US intelligence have fueled speculation that possible reprisals could entail anything from drone attacks to ballistic missile strikes.

Israel has been bracing for some kind of response for over a week, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) canceling all leave and starting to spoof GPS signals. Reports on Wednesday, sources linked to anonymous US intelligence officials spoke of an imminent Iranian strike within 24-48 hours, following the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the feast of Eid-al-Fitr. Brent oil futures have risen above $90 per barrel in anticipation. British-based media have reported that Israel has been preparing to attack Iranian nuclear program facilities in the event of a missile strike. The US government has declared it would back West Jerusalem against Tehran, but anonymous claims that American jets would join Israeli strikes have not been officially confirmed.

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“Israel has gone over a line on “defending itself” and Britain has been dragged into that quagmire which has made us look like the amateurs we are on the international diplomatic circuit..”

Brits Should Not Be Part Of The Genocide In Gaza (Jay)

How likely is it that the Israeli air force jet which killed three British aid workers in Gaza took off from our base in Cyprus? How much longer can our own government deny that there is a genocide happening each day in Gaza with not only the tacit blessing of the government but in some cases it actually goes the distance and provides the full package of support to murder women and children? The murky dividing line between the British so-called neutral position on Gaza and the reality of what even our own MPs recently admitted was a genocide which broke a tome of internal laws – seems to be getting more opaque by the day. The Conservative party is very confused about where it is on the Gaza war and while David Cameron recently admitted that he was “worried” about international law being broken, it is the prime minister who is now in the firing line demanding enquiries about the death of the three nationals killed.

Three of the seven who were killed were British nationals named James Henderson, John Chapman and James Kirby. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak demanded a concrete investigation into the deaths from the Netanyahu government. But he won’t get concrete investigations from the Netanyahu government as this body has shown the world in recent months that there is no level of depravity which it is not prepared to stoop to as it still continues to shock us each day with video clips on social media breaking new boundaries of poor taste.= Yet IDF soldiers playing with women’s underwear is one thing; it is quite another thing for us to imagine that Britain could be pulled into a massive international law black hole which could go on for years via the ICJ in the Hague.

Surely the deaths of these three should be the right moment to have a re-think on a government level if we can’t have one as a society. Israel has gone over a line on “defending itself” and Britain has been dragged into that quagmire which has made us look like the amateurs we are on the international diplomatic circuit. But where to draw that line?

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“If Russia had tried prostrating Ukraine via widespread power outages much earlier (even assuming it wasn’t unduly costly against a Ukraine with intact air defenses) it would have been the dog that caught the car..”

Russia Delivers Major Blow to Ukraine, Destroys Kiev’s Biggest Power Plant (NC)

Ukraine’s government is facing a juncture described in Marguerite Yourcenar’s The Memoirs of Hadrian: “I begin to discern the profile of my death.” Russia is demonstrating that it can turn the lights out all over Ukraine. That time has now passed. Russia has destroyed the largest generating plant in the Kiev oblast, Tripilska Power Plant. As we’ll explain below, this further reduction of Ukraine’s generating capacity has knock-on effects, most importantly forcing further big cuts via soon necessitating the shutdown of nuclear reactors. The Ukraine power system is approaching a tipping point if it has not already reached it.

Commentators early in the war, particularly the hyper-nationalist sorts in Russia, were perplexed that Russia didn’t engage in the typical practice of a belligerent, of knocking out power and communications networks at the outset. The most common one provided was that Putin in particular really did regard the Special Military Operation as not exactly a war and hoped to bring Ukraine to the negotiating table, which indeed happened. So not stoking further Ukraine hostilities by harming civilians, or even unduly discomfiting them, was part of the initial “Let’s bring Kiev to its senses” plan. In addition, many Russians have relatives in Ukraine, so avoiding civilian casualties and even costs were important for domestic reasons.

Again, the more martial-minded weren’t happy with the Ministry of Defense, in fall-winter 2022, toying with Ukraine’s grid by selectively targeting transmission, inflicting damage that that Ukraine could repair in at worst a few days. John Helmer, who has given far and away the best analysis of the electrical war, depicted Russia as figuring out how the system worked so as to more efficiently drop the hammer when the time came. Others soon added that a major point of this campaign was to speed up the process of draining Ukraine of air defense missiles. Note that Russia intensified its grid strikes and began targeting generation capacity very close to when the Pentagon had said Ukraine would run out of air defense missiles, at the end of March. And on top of that, Russia has been taking out the weapons platforms too. One YouTuber (was it Brian Berletic?) recently said Ukraine might now has as few as three Patriot launch systems.

But there’s another reason for waiting until Ukraine’s military was on the rope and its air defenses were badly depleted. If Russia had tried prostrating Ukraine via widespread power outages much earlier (even assuming it wasn’t unduly costly against a Ukraine with intact air defenses) it would have been the dog that caught the car. Russia had dithered about developing a Plan B until the embarrassing Kharkiv and Kherson pull-backs forced Russia to act. Amazingly. Russia was able to start and implement its partial mobilization, with 6 to 7 months of training for new enlistees, with the West doing nothing to force Russia’s timetable. They were so high on the Russian retreats and their own PR that Russia any day now, yessiree, was going to run out of missiles that they gave Russia extremely valuable time to build up its capabilities and its weapons supplies. Weirdly, they even saw Russia demonstrate its capabilities by constructing the Surovikin Line, yet still refused to get the memo.

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“Kiev has repeatedly asked Germany for long-range Taurus missiles, specifically to strike the bridge. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has firmly rejected Kiev’s request..”

We Really Want To Destroy Europe’s Longest Bridge – Zelensky (RT)

Ukraine’s goal of bringing down Russia’s Crimean Bridge is part of plans for a new counteroffensive, President Vladimir Zelensky said in an interview with international media this week. Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian conflict in 2022, several officials and commanders in Ukraine, including Zelensky, have been threatening to destroy the 19-kilometer bridge connecting the Russian peninsula of Crimea to the Krasnodar Region – claiming the structure was vital for the Russian military. “We really want to destroy Russian infrastructure. This is not just about the bridge in Kerch, which everyone is talking about. We are talking about some infrastructure facilities that constitute a military target. We are talking about bridges and airfields,” Zelensky said on Tuesday, speaking to outlets owned by the German media giant Axel Springer. Ukraine’s leader made the same claim last year during Kiev’s failed attempt to wrest back land lost to Moscow in 2022.

The Crimean Bridge is a legitimate target for Ukraine and must be “neutralized,” he said in a video address to the Aspen Security Forum in July. Earlier, some Western media outlets wrote that new attacks on the bridge are inevitable. In February the commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Vice Admiral Aleksey Neizhpapa, claimed it will be destroyed in 2024. Kiev has repeatedly asked Germany for long-range Taurus missiles, specifically to strike the bridge. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has firmly rejected Kiev’s request, arguing that Russia could view this as Berlin’s involvement in the war. However, Scholz looks increasingly isolated in this view – in March, a leaked audio revealed that top German officials were discussing plans to send Ukraine long-range missiles that could take out the bridge. The Crimean Bridge was built between 2016 and 2018 and was the only road and rail link between the peninsula and mainland Russia.

However, Moscow opened a vast land bridge to Crimea after Kherson and Zaporozhye regions and the People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk voted to officially join Russia in the fall of 2022. The structure had been targeted with missiles and naval drones on numerous occasions, but most of those attacks have been successfully blocked. In October 2022, an explosives-laden truck blew up as it was traveling along the bridge, killing three people and causing extensive damage. In July last year, a drone boat exploded under the structure, killing two people. Back then, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin labeled the attack “brutal” and pointless from a military perspective. He claimed the bridge is no longer being used to transport ammunition.

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“..Biden’s words amount to saying: “Keep killing each other. The more people die, the better. I want more deaths.”

Biden’s Remark On Ukraine Apocalyptic – Medvedev (RT)

US President Joe Biden is endorsing continued human suffering by demanding more military assistance for Ukraine, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has argued. Biden reiterated his call to the US Congress on Wednesday to release an additional $60 billion in aid for Ukraine. After doing so, he was asked by the press how he thought the conflict would come to an end. “The war in Ukraine comes to an end by the House Leader allowing a vote,” Biden responded, referring to Speaker Mike Johnson, who for weeks has been standing in the way of the foreign security assistance bill that includes more money for Kiev. According to Medvedev, Biden’s words amount to saying: “Keep killing each other. The more people die, the better. I want more deaths.”

The policy makes the US leader not unlike Death, one of the horsemen of the Apocalypse described in the Book of Revelations, the Russian official, who currently serves as deputy head of the national security council, claimed on social media on Thursday. Biden has pledged to support Kiev with arms and money for “as long as it takes” to defeat Russia. Moscow says the US is fueling the hostilities because it wants to cause more damage to Russia and would continue the fight “to the last Ukrainian.” Biden did not explain why he expects the pending aid package to be more impactful than the previous ones. On the same day, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander told the House that Ukraine funding must continue, because otherwise the billions of dollars spent by Washington on the conflict in the previous years would have been wasted.

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“Trump runs that party. He maintains a sort of a death grip on it. Everybody’s afraid to take him on..”

Biden ‘Very Proud’ Of Expanding NATO To Russia’s Borders (RT)

US President Joe Biden has hailed NATO’s further expansion toward Russia’s borders, while accusing Republican rival Donald Trump of undermining the unity of the American-led military bloc. Russia has for years voiced concern about NATO’s creeping encroachment, viewing its policies as an existential threat. However, in an interview with Spanish-language broadcaster Univision that aired on Tuesday, Biden touted the recent addition of Finland and Sweden to the bloc’s ranks amid the Ukraine conflict as a great achievement. “We’ve done something that I was very proud of. I’ve engaged with NATO for my whole career. We were able to expand NATO, and we have 2,000 miles of border because you have two Nordic nations having joined NATO. You have a whole range of NATO countries along the Russian border,” the US president said.

Biden went on to argue that a stalemate in Congress over his $61 billion military aid package for Kiev is “very dangerous” for the bloc’s unity, accusing his former US leader Trump of virtually holding the measure – and the entire Republican party – hostage. “Trump runs that party. He maintains a sort of a death grip on it. Everybody’s afraid to take him on whether they agree with him or not, and it’s incredibly dangerous. The last thing we need is to see NATO start to break apart. It would be a disaster for the United States, a disaster for Europe, a disaster for the world,” Biden said.

The US has provided Ukraine with over $113 billion in various forms of assistance since the start of hostilities with Russia. Moscow has repeatedly condemned foreign arms shipments to Kiev, arguing they will only prolong the conflict, while making the West a direct participant in the hostilities. Finland shares a 1,300km border with Russia, and Moscow has argued that NATO membership has threatened, not guaranteed, Finnish security. After Helsinki joined the alliance last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the creation of a new military district bordering the Nordic nation. Sweden joined the bloc last month.

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“..Washington must double down on funding Kiev’s war effort against Moscow, to ensure that billions of dollars in previous “investments” do not go to waste..”

Pentagon Warns US Could Miss Ukraine ‘Pay Off’ (RT)

Washington must double down on funding Kiev’s war effort against Moscow, to ensure that billions of dollars in previous “investments” do not go to waste, the assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, Celeste Wallander, has claimed. The US has provided Ukraine with over $113 billion in various forms of assistance since the start of hostilities in February 2022, including more than $62 billion in military aid funneled through the Pentagon. However, more funds are urgently needed to protect this investment, Wallander told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday. “What we need right now to prevent Russian success and Ukrainian defeat is passage of the supplemental,” she said, urging Congress to approve President Joe Biden’s aid package which would earmark another $60 billion for Kiev.

None of that work that we’ve done for two years in investing in Ukraine’s future will pay off, unless we get them through the next few months. President Biden has been urging lawmakers for months to approve his new aid package, but many Republicans have opposed the measure, demanding more efforts to strengthen US border security, while seeking more accountability for the aid already transferred to Kiev – demanding concrete answers on what the United States’ end goal in Ukraine is. Ukraine has also received at least $190 billion in military and financial aid from EU institutions and individual members, as well as other donor states, according to Kiel Institute data.

Washington is working with the EU and other NATO partners to get to a longer-term solution “that is well underway,” Wallander claimed. However, Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) General Christopher Cavoli argued at the hearing that new US aid is “critical at this moment,” until Ukraine’s other sponsors boost their production of crucial items including artillery shells. Without a new cash injection from Washington, Kiev will “lose the war,” Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky admitted this week. Meanwhile US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pitched the aid as a way to provide jobs for American workers in the military industry, arguing that more than $50 billion in the “national security supplemental” funding would end up spread across at least 30 American states.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned last month that the Ukrainian military was running out of guns and ammunition, rather than cash, calling on bloc members to mobilize their reserves and provide Ukraine with everything that it needs to continue the fight. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned that the ever-growing involvement of Western countries in the Ukraine conflict could result in an all-out confrontation between NATO and Russia. Moscow also insists that weapons deliveries will not change the outcome of the conflict but merely prolong them. At the same time, Russian President Vladimir Putin has dismissed claims that Russia won’t stop after reaching its goals in Ukraine and could attack NATO next as “utter nonsense” designed to “beat the money out” of the populations of Western countries.

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“..reducing the presidency to a shadow; centralizing all military and civil command in Yermak’s office, but letting Zelensky stay alive..”

Moscow Shines Spotlight On Who Comes After Zelensky (Helmer)

Advertisements for replacements of Vladimir Zelensky aren’t unusual, even if he has disposed of almost all of them already. That leaves just one, Andrei Yermak, head of the Presidential Office — prompter, grey eminence, comfort blanket of Zelensky in almost every significant move he has made since 2019– and now candidate to become prime minister in a revolutionary transfer of power in the Kiev regime, reducing the presidency to a shadow; centralizing all military and civil command in Yermak’s office, but letting Zelensky stay alive. Advertising Andrei Yermak to be prime minister is unusual in Vzglyad, the semi-official platform in Moscow for political and security analysis. This is especially so at this point in time when President Vladimir Putin has identified the Kiev regime as responsible for the Crocus City Hall attack, and the General Staff are escalating the Russian offensive on the ground along the line of contact east of the Dnieper River, and in the air deep into the west as far as Lvov.

What war aim would be served by Vzglyad’s signal that Yermak may be an acceptable counterparty to the Kremlin for negotiations to end the war short of regime capitulation – unless the signal is a false flag, intended to encourage Zelensky to save himself by eliminating Yermak, as he did General Valery Zaluzhny, and thereby leave nothing and no one in Kiev to put a brake on the Russian resolve to create a demilitarized zone all the way to the Polish border. What follows is a verbatim translation of the publication on April 9 of a piece in Vzglyad by Vasily Stoyakin, entitled “The all-powerful ‘Green Cardinal’ is operating behind Zelensky’s back”. There is no precedent in the mainstream Russian media, nor in military blogs and the internet media, for promotion of any end for the Zelensky regime, except its end. A profile of Yermak which is neutral to positive towards the role he has played so far and may play in the future is so exceptional that the fact it appears now is more significant than what the story, compiled from earlier publications, actually says.

Oleg Tsarev, a leading Ukrainian opposition figure in exile in Russia and potential candidate for the Ukrainian president after the Russian victory, has ignored Yermak in his regular Telegram commentaries; Zelensky and Yermak targeted Tsarev for assassination in Crimea last October, but failed. Dmitry Rogozin, a possible presidential candidate for the Russian presidency, has mentioned Yermak once in his Telegram channel, declaring: “the Bandera leadership of Ukraine has embarked on the path of ‘the final solution of the Russian question.’ Well, [they are] creative people. [They are] comedians [Zelensky], [television] producers [Yermak]. Hitler was also an artist. Mediocre. But in other respects he surpassed everyone. This, apparently, is enviable. They want to repeat it. We’ll have to do it again.” Rogozin is currently senator for the Zaporozhye region. He was targeted for Ukrainian assassination in Donetsk in December 2022; he survived.

There are two reasons why Yermak might be considered by the Kremlin to be the substitute for Zelensky with whom a negotiated settlement can be reached. One is that it has reportedly happened before. In September 2020, when Yermak and Zelensky were meeting in Muscat, Oman, with the Omani foreign minister and other officials, the Russian Security Council Secretary, Nikolai Patrushev, flew to Muscat and reportedly met them for several hours. What happened between them remains secret. Less secret is that the aircraft on which the two Ukrainians returned to Kiev was identified to be the same aircraft which had brought Patrushev to Oman. The secrecy was exposed by the US government’s propaganda organ, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and then amplified by the Ukrainian press. Yermak claimed the report “does not correspond to reality” attacking the US-financed Ukrainian source for “a blatant manipulation of public opinion [as] part of the aggressor’s information operations against Ukraine.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov claimed the reported meeting was “a classic example of fake news”.

The second reason for possible Russian favour for Yermak is a long history of his family’s connections to Russia. His mother is a Leningrader; his father, a Jewish Kievan, served in a Soviet government agency in Afghanistan; since then he and Yermak himself have had personal and business connections with Russians engaged with the intelligence services.

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Turning against the people who paid him $110 billion. Time to cancel him.

US Citizens Backing Russia – Zelensky (RT)

Russian influence has penetrated the US political system and warped the information field around the world, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed in an interview with Politico on Tuesday. Zelensky was asked to comment on recent statements made by two Republican lawmakers: Mike Turner of Ohio and Mike McCaul of Texas. They claimed that “pro-Russian” propaganda has filtered into the minds of some of the members of Congress, which has failed to greenlight the $60 billion aid package for Kiev. The Ukrainian leader stated that Russia has succeeded in distorting “the information field of the world.” “They have their lobbies everywhere: in the United States, in the EU countries, in Britain, in Latin America, in Africa,” he said. “When we talk about the Congress — do you notice how they work with society in the United States?” he noted, adding that the scale of Russian influence in the US has been underestimated.

He claimed that US citizens were helping Russia by spreading its ideas in the American media. “They pump their narratives through the media,” Zelensky said. “These are not Russian citizens or natives of Russia, no. They are representatives of certain media groups, citizens of the United States.” According to Zelensky, these people work in the US media and deliver the appropriate messages, which are sometimes “very pro-Russian.” He hasn’t mentioned any names though. Following the start of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine in 2022, Western governments launched a large censorship campaign against Russian media they deem to be ‘state-controlled’. Multiple Russian TV stations and media outlets, including RT, have been either blocked or prevented from operating in the US and some other Western countries.

RT, having been the first international news channel to reach one billion views on YouTube, was banned from the platform and those owned by the US-based tech giant Meta, including Facebook and Instagram, in the spring of 2022. According to the Foreign Ministry in Moscow, Russian journalists working in the US have been facing difficulties, including over visa renewals; they’ve had their bank accounts blocked and in some cases been hounded by US intelligence agencies. Last year, James Rubin, the special envoy and coordinator of the US State Department’s Center for Global Engagement admitted that Washington wanted to shut down Russian media around the world. Commenting on his remarks, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that by taking such steps, Washington, which positions itself as a stronghold of human rights, demonstrated a deep disregard for media freedom.

Read more …

Of course not. To do what?

Trump Has No Intention Of Going To Ukraine – Reuters (RT)

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump does not think it would be a good idea for him to travel to Ukraine while he does not hold public office, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing his campaign. On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky told outlets of the German-based Axel Springer media group that he had privately invited Trump through intermediaries to visit his country. The former US leader, who is likely headed for a rematch with incumbent Joe Biden in November’s election, has previously claimed that he would resolve the Ukraine conflict within “24 hours” if he were president. While Trump offered few clues as to how he might accomplish this task, the Washington Post reported that it would involve Kiev recognizing Russian sovereignty over some of the territories currently claimed by Ukraine. The ex-president’s aides, however, have dismissed the report as “speculation” by uninformed sources.

Zelensky has been skeptical about Trump’s ideas for making peace with Moscow, saying that “if the deal is that we just give up our territories… then it’s a very primitive idea.” In a statement to Reuters, Trump’s team insisted that there had been no formal outreach from Zelensky to the 45th president. “President Trump has said publicly it wouldn’t be appropriate for him to go to Ukraine right now since he’s not commander in chief,” the statement added. Trump has repeatedly criticized the Biden administration’s approach to the Ukraine conflict, saying Washington is sending too many weapons to Kiev. He has also floated a proposal to provide Ukraine with loans instead of non-repayable aid. While Ukrainian officials said they were ready to explore the idea, Politico reported that Kiev was “offended” by this plan. Meanwhile, commenting on Trump’s remarks about peace in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow has had no contacts with Trump on the issue, adding that the ex-president’s plan had too few details publicly available.

Read more …

“..the first conference may focus on “exactly how to invite Russia and what role to give it..”

Ukraine Peace Impossible Without Russia – Swiss FM (RT)

Any diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict will be fruitless unless Russia is involved in the process, Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has said. Switzerland is planning to host a high-level Ukraine peace conference June 2024 at the Burgenstock resort near Lake Lucerne, seeking “to create a common understanding of a framework favorable” for ending the conflict and establishing a “concrete roadmap” for peace. Earlier media reports suggested that up to 100 nations could be present at the event. Russia, however, has signaled that it will not attend, even if officially invited. It has argued that the gathering will be promoting the ‘peace formula’ of Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, which demands that Moscow withdraw from all territories that Kiev claims as its own, and the creation of a tribunal to prosecute Russia for alleged war crimes.

Moscow has dismissed the initiative as “detached from reality.” Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Cassis noted that the conference would be organized at Zelensky’s request, adding that there are sufficient conditions to launch a high-profile push for peace. “The first country we talked to after Ukraine was, of course, Russia. Because no peace process can take place without Russia, even if it won’t be present at the first meeting,” he said. The diplomat acknowledged that Moscow would have to be involved “sooner or later, but not necessarily from day one,” suggesting that the first conference may focus on “exactly how to invite Russia and what role to give it”.

Echoing those remarks, Swiss President Viola Amherd warned that the success of the summit was by no means guaranteed. “The alternative would be to do nothing… We will not sign a peace plan at this conference. We think there will be a second conference, but we want to start the process with this one.” While Moscow intends to boycott the Swiss-hosted peace conference, it maintains that it is open to talks over Ukraine, both directly and with Kiev’s Western backers. However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said last month that before any negotiations could begin Kiev must lift its ban on engagement with the current Russian leadership. A decree to that effect was signed by Zelensky in the autumn of 2022 after four former Ukrainian regions overwhelmingly voted to join Russia.

Read more …

“..1,806 pets were staying in hotels and other properties at the state’s expense..” “..accommodation for the animals was costing taxpayers just over €1 million ($1.07) per month..”

Irish Taxpayers Paid For The Accommodation Of Ukrainian Dogs And Cats (RT)

Irish taxpayers footed the bill for accommodating nearly 2,000 pets owned by Ukrainian refugees, including some they acquired after arriving in the country, according to local media. The money was allocated by the Department of Integration mostly in 2022, with peak spending recorded in November that year, the Irish Mirror reported on Wednesday, based on its own investigation. At that time, 1,806 pets were staying in hotels and other properties at the state’s expense, including 933 dogs, 819 cats, and 54 other animals.It cost Ireland up to €20 ($21.50) per night for each of the animals owned by Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), records reviewed by the news outlet revealed. The exact sum spent specifically on non-human guests could not be established because the department “did not categorize between BOTPs and pets,” a spokesperson told the newspaper.

The Irish Mirror estimated that accommodation for the animals was costing taxpayers just over €1 million ($1.07) per month.The expenditure was “incredible” and “ridiculous,” independent lawmaker Michael McNamara told the newspaper, accusing the government of wastefulness. Referring to department officials, he asked: “What planet do these people live on?” “I presume the people arriving here with pets were prepared to pay for them in the same way as everyone else does or as they would have in Ukraine,” the politician added. “But if you find a department stupid enough to pay, then, of course, I wouldn’t blame people for allowing the department to pay for it.” The department said it stopped providing accommodation for Ukrainian pets from November 9, 2022. The latest report is a follow-up on a story that the Irish Mirror published in February, revealing that the Irish Department of Agriculture had spent €808,132 (about $869,000) on transport, kennelling and veterinary services for Ukrainian pets.

Read more …

Silent part out loud.

Sen. Kennedy Suggests Ulterior Motive Behind Border Crisis (ET)

Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) suggested on April 10 that the Biden administration is facilitating illegal immigration to help Democrats politically. The senator’s remarks came amid his questioning of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas during a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on April 10. Mr. Kennedy, noting the “bleeding” southern border, suggested that the secretary’s border policies had an ulterior political motive. “Isn’t in fact, Mr. Secretary, that the number of illegal immigrants that you and the president allow into our country counts for congressional district reapportionment?” he asked. “Senator, I’m not sure I understand your question, but I can surely share with you that I disagree with its phrasing,” Mr. Mayorkas replied. The senator continued: “Isn’t it true, Mr. Secretary, that the number of illegal immigrants that you and President Biden have allowed into our country counts for allocating electoral votes?”

Mayorkas

Mr. Mayorkas repeated that he didn’t understand the question. He then called the senator’s insinuation “nothing short of preposterous” and “disrespectful” to administration and Department of Homeland Security personnel. Mr. Kennedy, however, charged that the secretary was well aware of the political ramifications of the border crisis, unintended or otherwise. “And you’ve done nothing for four years—zero, absolutely zilch. And, in fact, the only people I know in this country who are better off today than they were four years ago are illegal immigrants. And that’s a result of your policy.” Mr. Mayorkas became only the second presidential cabinet member ever to be impeached in U.S. history on Feb. 13. The charges against him included “willfully and systematically” refusing to enforce existing immigration laws and breach of public trust. The 214–213 vote split along party lines, with all but three Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats voting against.

Initially, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) planned to send the impeachment articles to the Senate on the day of the hearing. But on April 9, he announced that he would delay the move until next week as Republicans fight for a full trial. The Democrat-controlled Senate is expected to table the trial, though Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), the chamber’s majority leader, has yet to announce his plans. A conviction would require a two-thirds majority vote. Democrats have said the charges against Mr. Mayorkas fail to meet the constitutional threshold of “high crimes and misdemeanors.” But Senate Republicans say Democrats fear the political consequences of a trial. “This issue is so toxic to Senate Democrats, to House Democrats, and to Joe Biden that they do not want this to be the issue of the day,” Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) said at an April 9 press conference.

Mr. Kennedy, during the hearing, said that he also expects his Democrat colleagues to dismiss the impeachment “and violate 200 years of Senate precedent in doing it.” He added, however, that the border crisis was likely to remain at the forefront regardless. “I don’t think that they will be able to sweep the issue—maybe your impeachment, but not the issue—under a rug as big as the United States of America,” he told the secretary.

Read more …

 

 

 

 


https://twitter.com/i/status/1778286157706481775
Greenwald Musk

 

 

Vivek Galileo

 

 

12 elks
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778372453116371188

 

 

Dog saves dog
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778597906108526855

 

 

Peroxide
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778189162870677856

 

 

Hippo lion
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778347366782730476

 

 

Badger

 

 

Rhino
https://twitter.com/i/status/1778148572006916488

 

 

Keef

 

 

 

 

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Home Forums Debt Rattle April 12 2024

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  • #156659

    Edgar Degas The laundress 1873   • The Deep State Prepares for a Trump Victory (Jeffrey Tucker) • Russia, China Sketch the Future as the World Aw
    [See the full post at: Debt Rattle April 12 2024]

    #156667
    Dr. D
    Participant

    ““Secretive Federal Agencies Are Trying to RIG Our Presidential Election”

    Yes, it was an exhaustive article in “Time” explaining how a small cadre of unelected oligarchs “Saved” democracy.

    RFK Jr. Says Erin Burnett’s Brain Stopped Working When” …she heard someone tell the truth for the first time in years.

    “eerily accurate prediction from 1965 on how to destroy the fabric of society.”

    It could be coincidence, but we have a hundred thousand other papers including things they signed. “Why won’t it read?”

    “And they want to make them independent of who’s president.”

    But Trump and Congress decide, what authority do they rest on? It’s not just “Trump” and thankfully, that’s the part most don’t get because it makes them stupid.

    I’d use the military, but they can only follow the will of the people or there’s Civil War. Seen anitfa lately? How much rioting can they get up pro-Biden? They (media AWFLs) just tried to pull a George Floyd for amusement yesterday. No traction. Perhaps a test of waters?

    “It was as if a president had found the engine room and the one switch that controls the whole thing”

    That’s why we know it’s not “Trump” and he has a team of backers who know stuff and are clever. Keeping the “Missed it by that much” guys up front in a media storm. Problem: can’t get it through, but the enemies did come out of the woodwork so they could be identified.

    With it came the Civil Service Commission, “

    Here you see the British system being installed. How can you argue with that, you backward hicks? And all the Euro-centric universities, Schmarty-guys agreed. When you win, you don’t “win” good sir! That’s not cricket. Slowly there is no system at all, therefore I can get a few dreadful Lords and moles in there and run the whole thing, or NOT run it, as they “forget” to get things done and can’t be fired, but still get paid.

    “a genuine threat to the gang that has subverted and nearly wrecked this country.”

    Apparently those guys aren’t known nor elected, or they’d use that route, right?

    That is driving Tel Aviv totally hysterical and the deciding instances of the Hegemon extremely itchy.”

    Sounds like they have a guilty conscience. It’s way funnier to wait.

    “• Israel Expects Iran’s Direct Attack Within Next 24 to 48 Hours (Sp.)

    That’s why it would be great if they don’t. Israel doesn’t get to dictate the time. Nor should their headlines be correct and accommodated.

    “David Cameron recently admitted that he was “worried” about international law being broken,”

    If we don’t look out, there could be a genocide. They might kill more than three white aid workers.

    I think this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExQM25IwFd4 Montage of how it’s all different when white people are in war zones or blown up.

    “The Prime Minister”
    Who is Prime Minister again?

    “But where to draw that line?” On the other side of “Genocide” maybe? I’m not a shrinking violet, but like before 10,000 miles over the line?

    “strike the bridge. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has firmly rejected Kiev’s request..”

    We just said above that Presidents and Ministers don’t run anything. Everyone ignores them, humors them like a Regent.

    brutal” and pointless from a military perspective.”

    They only fight the signaling war. The idea of fighting a real war – perhaps by having a “Navy” with “Ships” is alien to them. Was it Bird and Bird who had the sketch with 50 Admirals and 20 ships? (UK) We’re the same. 1 star, 2 star 3 star command X men. We have generals for about 20x the army? The Navy worse? Cut this back, you look like a fool.

    “Biden did not explain why he expects the pending aid package to be more impactful than the previous ones”

    That’s because it’s reality and we don’t do that. We Signal.

    “Trump runs that party. He maintains a sort of a death grip on it. Everybody’s afraid to take him on..”

    Excellent. Because Trump has no support and used his good looks and charm to overcome the others? No? Maybe it’s because he has the support of the PEOPLE? You see, the very concept of there being a “People” and not an elite is alien to them. The thought that the People aren’t commanded to “Do what they’re told” is impossible.

    No? Okay, reverse it: If the people hated Trump he wouldn’t be there and have no leverage. That’s called “Democracy”. If you don’t like it, get a platform the people support of your own.

    “to ensure that billions of dollars in previous “investments” do not go to waste,”

    Playing the “Sunk cost fallacy” that breaks all gamblers. You will always lose. Double down on “Pets.com”

    “over $113 billion in various forms of assistance”

    They admitted yesterday it’s $200B (it’s probably still more) since 2014. That’s why they start the clock at 2022. They spent nearly as much since the USSR, which is why it’s so corrupt to begin with? $300B? $500?

    That’s okay, all human history also started 2022. But all medical history started 2020.

    “pitched the aid as a way to provide jobs for American workers”

    Yes, you can always employ people to kill other people. There are consequences, though.

    “Russian influence has penetrated the US political system and warped the information field around the world, Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky claimed”

    As Ignatius said, hiding alone in an empty office, surrounded by sandbags, paranoid. Other than that he sounds like a garden variety Democrat. Remember: Russia is ALSO a gas station that’s smaller than Holland.

    “• Ukraine Peace Impossible Without Russia – Swiss FM (RT)

    Like not blowing up nuclear power plants, we are at the level of madness where this has to be said out loud, and is not an embarrassment to anyone.

    “I wonder if people will look back & laugh at the idea that in 2024 people thought a tiny increase in Earth’s surface temperature would be a threat to humanity.”

    No, because most of us are laughing at that now. There are a few anti-scientific weirdos who refuse to present evidence and debate, but we just pat them on the head.

    Our eye is off the ball. What’s going to happen is somewhere else?

    #156668
    zerosum
    Participant

    LET THE GAMES BEGIN!!!
    DEEP STATE Control, Complexity, service schedule, known as ‘Schedule F,’

    • The Deep State Prepares for a Trump Victory (Jeffrey Tucker)
    …. efforts to entrench the bad guys and protect them against all conceivable threats. As this proves again, the main struggle alive in this country and all over the world is the one between the people and the deep state ,,,
    Every day and every hour after will consist of wild attempts to stop the administration from functioning. What a time to be alive. ,

    ———–
    https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/26/2020-23780/creating-schedule-f-in-the-excepted-service
    Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 3301, 3302, and 7511 of title 5, United States Code, it is hereby ordered as follows:

    https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/27/2021-01924/protecting-the-federal-workforce

    By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered as follows:
    THE WHITE HOUSE,
    October 21, 2020.
    Filed 10–23–20; 8:45 am]
    [FR Doc. 2020–23780
    ———–
    Protecting the Federal Workforce
    A Presidential Document by the Executive Office of the President on 01/27/2021
    Revocation of Schedule F.
    https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/27/2021-01924/protecting-the-federal-workforce

    (a) The creation of a new Schedule F excepted service category in Executive Order 13957 of October 21, 2020 (Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service), not only was unnecessary to the conditions of good administration, but also undermined the foundations of the civil service and its merit system principles, which were essential to the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883’s repudiation of the spoils system. Accordingly, to enhance the efficiency of the civil service and to promote good administration and systematic application of merit system principles, Executive Order 13957 is hereby revoked.

    THE WHITE HOUSE,

    January 22, 2021.

    Filed 1–26–21; 8:45 am]

    [FR Doc. 2021–01924
    ———

    #156669
    zerosum
    Participant

    Inevitable Iranian Response
    Checkmate move – Destroy/attack military assets (just like Russia is doing in Ukraine)

    • Russia, China Sketch the Future as the World Awaits Iran’s Move (Pepe Escobar)
    https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/pepe-escobar-lavrov-wang-yi-sketch-the-future-as-the-world-waits-for-iranian-move-1117849516.html

    —————

    #156670
    John Day
    Participant

    “Badgered” lions.
    🙂

    #156671
    John Day
    Participant

    Israeli nuclear armed diesel-electric submarines do have to surface sometimes.
    Perhaps Russia and China might help Iran with targeting coordinates for a hypersonic missile, not on “Israeli territory”.
    Just musing…

    #156672
    phoenixvoice
    Participant

    “eerily accurate prediction from 1965 on how to destroy the fabric of society.”
    Paul Harvey turned 18 in 1936.
    His early life was in the middle of the “the fourth turning.” By 1965, he had seen the 4th and first phases pass, and the 2nd phase was ongoing. Was he prescient? Or was he simply speaking of what he had observed and heard the adults talking about in his childhood?

    #156673
    Noirette
    Participant

    Re. the recent arguments about global warming…

    I believe the science that details greenhouse gases, the role they play in heating up the atmosphere, that humans cause emission of sufficient quantities of GHG to spur this process, at least in a large part, are correct.

    However, I also think this ‘science’ is not great, there are various other elements that can play a role (the sun..), the interactions between various variables and the resulting positive/negative feedback loops (e.g. albedo, dimming via pollution, effects of drought and xyz vegetation, etc. etc.) are not well known / studied / described, etc.

    The description of the phenomenon presented to the public is completely off, BS.

    Temperature (and the attendant weather) is always LOCAL, and opting for a measure of ‘global’ temperature and fixing some kind of tipping-point threshold, goal (1.5 C) makes no sense at all. Land and sea don’t react the same way to different temps, using an average is beyond ridiculous.

    For ex. Elevated, moutainous land regions, Poles, will melt, while coast-lines ‘may’ experience weird storms. Drought has different effects in different places, etc.

    The IPCC has defined a base-line period for comparison, 1961-1990, as many countries, places, don’t have any records before that time.

    Many of the ‘temp rises’ one sees reported are in function of this comp., and thus don’t in any way reflect temp. changes from pre-industrial times. Often, the ‘temp rise’ is just quoted ‘as is’, with no info. about the first term of the comparison.

    https://archive.ipcc.ch/ipccreports/tar/wg2/index.php?idp=144

    Ex. Switz. The MSM, local authorities, etc. report a RISE of around 2C (the last formulation on one Fed. Gvmt. website was ‘slightly over’ 2C.) They don’t report it often, as Switz. would look like a ‘bad pupil.’ This is in comp. to IPCC 61-90, not pre-industrial times.

    A current Fed. site tries to gather it all together:

    The current climate mean is already 2.8 °C above the pre-industrial average of 1871-1900 (as of 2024).

    https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/climate/climate-change.html

    Yes. From some simple charts (goog) of temp rise in CH from 1850, it is closer to 3C rise imho, ok quarrels about these nos. are not useful.

    Has ‘climate change’ been hyped to alarm ppl, control them, get them to consume less, draw down use of FFs? Is Greta T. just a stooge for some agenda? Are climate ‘activists’ idiots somehow married to a cause (often paid btw)? Yes. That doesn’t mean it isn’t real…

    Sure, Switz. is an outlier, a postage-stamp landlocked mountainous country. But look at the effects of drought in Syria…for ex…

    Or consider why Southern Spain will turn into a desert? Because all the available water was used to earn money via tourism (swimming pools, baths, showers, hotels, etc.) and growing veggies for export? …..

    #156674
    WES
    Participant

    Well don’t look now but the USD just hit a new low against gold!
    It now takes over $2400 USDs to buy an ounce of gold.

    It is currently hard to understand exactly why the value of the USD has recently been falling verses gold.
    Yes, inflation is part of the big picture but we have been experiencing the effects of inflation every year for decades.
    So, it can not be solely the effects of inflation suddenly pushing the value of the USD to new lows against gold.

    However, there is another kicker to confuse people, the value of the USD is going up against the rest of the world’s currencies!
    So, how can the USD be getting stronger against the rest of the world’s currencies while at the same time making new lows against gold?
    And while US interest rates are higher than much of the west too.

    In the world of fiat currencies, the USD is considered to be the cleanest dirty shirt amoung other world fiat currencies.
    Also many other countries use the USD in the form of US Treasury Bonds to back their currencies.

    So if the value of the USD is going up against other world currencies, then there must be a demand for USD from the rest of the world.
    In other words, there must be a slight shortage of USDs available to buy.
    What could cause an increased demand for USD?
    Other countries selling USD to support their falling currencies?

    Has anybody notice what has been happening in the US Treasury bond market in the last few years?
    More and more US Treasury bonds are being issued to fund the US government deficits.
    So, who is buying all the new US Treasury bonds?
    New US regulations are forcing many US entities to buy only US Treasury bonds.
    Certainly China and Russia are not buying US Treasury bonds!
    Well, the number of foreign buyers of US Treasure bonds has been steadily falling.
    In response, the US Fed has been steadily monetizing more and more US Treasury bond purchases.
    In layman’s terms, the Fed has been creating more and more USD out of thin air to buy all the excess US Treasury bonds, nobody else wants to buy!

    Now if you are a large holder of US Treasury bonds, how are you feeling with rising inflation?
    How about the fact the the US and Europe seized Russian central bank’s reserves held in USD and Euros?
    If you are a foreign holder of US Treasury bonds, and a possible future potential recipient of having the USD weaponized against you, you are probably pretty nervous!
    You probably want to get out of USD and Euros too.
    So, maybe you are quietly trying to sell some of your US Treasury bonds?
    When you sell a US Treasury bond, you usually expect to receive USD in cash in return.
    (Maybe you are then using your USD to buy some gold too?)

    So, could selling US Treasury bonds be the big new source of demand for USD?
    We probably won’t know for years, if this is the real reason.
    But something is happening!

    P.S. There are other reasons for the demand for USD, like investing in the US but these are usually on-going and don’t represent a new big sudden shift in the USD market.

    #156675

    H2O2- we have little nebulizers into which we put .3% solution of H2O2, then inhale the mist a few times through the nose (it makes me cough if I take it in through the mouth) if we think we’ve been exposed to something. So far, so good- no colds, etc.
    3% seems very strong to me.

    #156676
    Noirette
    Participant

    Interview of Shane Simonsen, new to me, on Geopolitics and Empire.

    Shane Simonsen discusses the energy crisis and how industrialization was built on the resource base of cheap coal and oil whose quality and quantity is depleting which will affect the complexity of modern society and exacerbate economic and political issues. The elites are dealing with a changing resource base they’re struggling to manage and they have a lot less power than we imagine. The real power lays with global multinational corporations who have co-opted nations and political parties. The loss of modern conveniences should see us move back to a more community-oriented setting. We’re headed into an era of techno-authoritarianism but at some point that technology will fail. The real trouble is when elites start turning on each other. The future of warfare and society could be biotechnological.

    1 H 16 mins.

    Shane Simonsen: The End of Cheap Energy, is Mad Max Our Future?

    #156677
    WES
    Participant

    In recent days, with spring arrival, Russia has hit and destroyed some more of Ukraine’s electrical power and thermal generator stations.
    No Ukrainian nuclear power stations were targeted.
    I think Russia is trying to leave enough power for Ukrainian homes but not enough for industry.
    Of course Ukraine has to import power from the EU, upping the cost of the war to the EU.

    One thing to note is in Soviet times, heat was provided to all of a city’s buildings by central thermal plants.
    So next winter, there will be no heating available in some of Ukraine’s big towns and cities like Kharkov.

    Russia has hit more of Ukraine’s “swing” electrical generator stations. (Coal/hydro)
    This then makes it harder for the Ukraine to try and balance their remaining smaller electrical grid.
    The nuclear power stations provide fix power output while the “swing” power plants accommodate the up and down daily surges in power demand.

    With the lost of power, or by missiles, many of Ukraine’s industrial plants have been forced to shutdown.
    This may cause the base power demand to fall below where it used to be.
    This might force Ukraine to begin to shut down some of it’s operating nuclear power plants as they try to re-balance between fix and variable power sources.
    Ukraine may now have too many fixed power sources and not enough variable power sources to re-balance their power grid.
    This may require some of the fix nuclear power plants to be shutdown.

    If Ukraine somehow manages to re-balance their smaller electrical power grid, I am sure Russia will gladly help Ukraine unbalance it again!
    I suspect this will be an ongoing cat and mouse game!
    The better Ukraine copes, the worst it will get for them!

    I think this is the “domino” affect mentioned in the article above.

    Another reason for Russia to downsize Ukraine’s electrical grid is to make it more difficult for US/NATO to deploy new weapon systems and troops into the Ukraine, as now they will have to bring their own power supply too.

    Another reason often stated is cutting power will force Ukrainians to depopulate the big cities and head west causing a refugee problem for the EU.
    However, fleeing a big city like Kharkov, greatly increases the risk of any Ukrainian men being caught and being sent to the front, unless you are wealthy.
    It is probably safer for poor Ukrainian men to stay put hiding in an area you know and hope the Russians come and save you soon.

    Russian also hit and closed Moldova’s stored gas site in the Ukraine.
    Moldova only has a tiny amount of gas stored in Romania.

    #156678
    zerosum
    Participant

    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-restricts-diplomats-travel-israel-bracing-iran-attack-expected-weeks-end

    Iran Says If US ‘Interferes’ In Retaliation On Israel, American Bases Will Be Struck

    BY TYLER DURDEN
    FRIDAY, APR 12, 2024 – 09:17 AM
    Update(1317ET): Israeli hospitals have been put on a high state of alert by the home command, awaiting an ‘imminent’ Iranian retaliation attack. Iran has also reportedly put the United States on notice…

    Three U.S. Officials told Axios : Iran has sent a message to the U.S. through several Arab countries, that if they interfere in Iran’s response against Israel, U.S. bases in the region will be struck.

    Meanwhile, Russia just chose quite the wrong moment to conduct a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from its Kapustin Yar airbase in southern Russia. The rocket was reportedly seen soaring high in the atmosphere from parts of northern Iraq and Iran, triggering concerns it was Iran beginning its attack.

    Below are some breaking headlines:

    ALERT US sends reinforcements to Middle East amid fears of Iran attack: official
    A large number of Iron Dome missiles were launched in the Upper Galilee after a salvo of 50 missiles was launched from Lebanon
    Israel’s Channel 12 reports Home Front Command has sent hospitals a message in the last hour asking hospital managers to ensure staff availability.
    The White House has Confirmed a change in U.S. Force and Alert Posture across the Middle East, but has Refused to go into further details.

    #156679
    WES
    Participant

    Zerosum:

    Maybe Russia launching a ballistic missile wasn’t bad timing!
    It would allow Russia and Iran to monitor Israeli air defenses!
    It likely made a few Washington DC neocons nervious!

    However I think Iran will just wait.
    Let Israel wait and worry, after failing to drag the US into fighting Iran.
    Interesting this is the first time we have seen the US sitting by helplessly in the middle east!

    #156680
    jb-hb
    Participant

    I was told by Microsoft’s AI the other day that recent global temperature increases are unprecedented

    I asked it what that word means and it told me.

    I asked what the temperature rise was in the most recent 35 years of data available to it – it told me 0.7c

    I explained the 35 years in the 800’s in which temperature rose by 2.8c

    I asked if it still regards the recent change as unprecedented – it said yes

    I asked why and it said because of the never before quickness in temperature rise.

    I asked which was a quicker rise, 2.8c in 35 years or 0.7c in 35 years and it identified the 2.8 rise as the quicker one.

    I asked if it still says the recent rise is unprecedented and it said yes because of the never before seen speed.

    I asked if 4x as fast is faster than the thing it is faster than and it confirmed that is faster.

    Basically whatever I asked it, it kept saying it was unprecedented.

    I asked it how many years, in the past 1000, CO2 going up coincided with temperatures going up and it could not or would not tell me.

    I asked, if it were 47 years out of 1000, 4.7% correlation between temperature and CO2, would that change its mind? No, because environmental science is complex.

    I asked, if even more years had CO2 rise temperature rise correlating inversely, would it change its mind? No, because environmental science is complex.

    I asked, why can’t we say CO2 doesn’t cause global warming on the basis of complexity. The AI answered – because it is complex.

    #156681
    D Benton Smith
    Participant

    All that the United States, or Israel or NATO need to do in order to stop their losses and actually keep a significant proportion of what they’ve already stolen in the past, is to JUST STOP TRYING TO STEAL EVERYBODY ELSE’S STUFF. Just cease and desist from attempting to colonize and enslave the entire world all for their own tiny elitist selfish selves.

    But the tiny elitist selfish selves of the US, NATO and Zionist Israel CANNOT stop. To stop now would mean too many bankruptcies, prison sentences and gallows ropes. Which means that they are going to use up all of their own resources in the effort to go on stealing in the vain attempt to forestall what everyone else clearly sees to be the inevitable end to the crime spree.

    Another way to explain the situation, using political terminology which many people have already mentioned is very appropriately descriptive, is that the United States, NATO and Israel have voluntarily engaged in (and refused to disengage from) self defeating wars of attrition against enemies who outclass them in every important way, and who don’t have to spend much to just go right on winning until US/NATO/Israel have spent ALL of their own resources and simply “are no more.”

    To which the rest of the world says, “Rest In Peace” (or Rot In Hell), depending on how the respective speakers feel about it at the moment.

    #156689
    John Day
    Participant

    Washington Elementary School Permits Pride Club, Denies Prayer Group
    https://www.zerohedge.com/political/washington-elementary-school-permits-pride-club-denies-prayer-group

    #156690
    John Day
    Participant

    No Surprise https://drjohnsblog.substack.com/p/no-surprise

    Surplus Energy Economics, Why are we surprised by the inevitable?
    A narrative shared by government, business and, for the most part, the general public – is that the economy will carry on growing as we shift from climate-harming fossil fuels to cleaner alternatives such as wind and solar power. This process, boosted by advances in technology, will increase our leisure time, and give us more money to spend on discretionary (non-essential) products and services.
    In reality, none of this can happen, yet we keep being “surprised” when it doesn’t…
    ..Historically, investors’ returns on their capital came in the form of cash dividends and coupons, supplemented by capital appreciation driven by rises in anticipated forward income streams.
    Now, though, yield – the rate of cash returns – has been very severely depressed, and investors’ returns come mainly in the paper form of capital gains, and these, in aggregate, can never be monetised. Once the “everything bubble” in asset prices bursts, returns on invested capital will fall back to the (very low) levels provided by yield alone.
    This trend needs to be seen in the context of rising financial stress and worsening exposure. Stress can be measured by comparing movements over time in the material and monetary economies, remembering that a tendency towards equilibrium is inherent in the claims relationship between the two economies…
    ..In essence, a radical correction in the relationship between financial stock and material economic prosperity has been hard-wired into the system.
    Knowing this, however, makes it no less important that we understand that discretionary sectors are going to be the main victims of a process of leveraged compression, as the costs of essentials rise at the same time as the material economy itself is contracting.
    graph

    #275: Why are we surprised by the inevitable?

    Central Banks Are Buying The Gold Top
    With gold still holding near its historic all-time highs, central banks led by China are bucking the classic adage and smash-buying more, buying the top to fortify themselves against a global monetary and financial blow-up…
    ..Last month marked the 17th in a row that the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) continued stacking gold. Notably, the bank typically reports lower numbers than its actual buying volume and is now also introducing a digital yuan to facilitate cross-border gold settlements.
    Russia is also doubling its reserves of gold and foreign currencies on its de-dollarization path, further detaching Russia from the petrodollar empire as it reacts to wartime sanctions from the US and EU…
    ..Peter Schiff said:
    “We have a much bigger problem than they acknowledge — that’s why the price of gold is at a record high, that’s why it’s going to keep going up.”
    With the overstretched and over-indebted American empire increasingly in a state of potentially terminal decline, BRICS countries are stacking hard assets with the hopes of overtaking the West as the next economic superpowers in the coming decades. While they have fiat currencies of their own, none have anything resembling the world reserve currency status enjoyed by the USD. Buying the top even as gold continues upward tells a story of their future visions of US dollar chaos.
    https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/central-banks-are-buying-gold-top#google_vignette

    Gold hit an all-time high of $US 2430/Troy oz. today and has dropped $78 since then. Wild gyrations. https://www.kitco.com/charts/gold

    #156691
    John Day
    Participant

    Charles Hugh Smith, Sound Money Vs. Fiat Currency: Trade and Credit Are the Wild Cards , We need to start thinking outside the current system, which has no solutions.
    Taxes must be paid and seed purchased for the next crop, and so credit in some form–notched sticks, bills of sale, purchase orders, loans–is the lifeblood of commerce and state revenues. Credit naturally divides into short-term commercial credit–credit extended until the goods or payment are delivered–and longer term credit secured by collateral.
    In traditional economies in which gold and silver are money, credit was generally limited to commerce, as credit based on loaning surpluses of gold and silver was limited by the scarcity of those metals. But the demand for credit did not diminish; rather, it increased, which is why small banks (that often went bust) emerged in the 1820s in America to meet the demand from small enterprises for credit to expand.
    In an economy in which gold is the only money, credit is limited to a percentage of gold held in reserves, as much of the reserves must be held to fund customer redemptions / withdrawals. This limits the availability of credit…
    ..Borrowing money into existence by selling Treasury bonds serves to limit the collapse of currencies, but it imposes interest payments (mostly paid to the wealthy who own 90% of the nation’s financial wealth) which drain the economy of vitality, leading to stagflation / decline.
    We need to start thinking outside the current system, which has no solutions: debt-free money leads to billion-dollar bills, “sound money” (gold or bitcoin, it doesn’t matter) ends up in the hands of the wealthy and borrowing money into existence leads to stagnation as soaring interest sucks the economy dry.
    I have explored money in two books:
    Money and Work Unchained and
    A Radically Beneficial World, which proposes a system that creates new money at the bottom of the wealth-power pyramid rather than at the top. Yes, I understand this is wildly impractical in the current zeitgeist, but all conventional monetary systems run aground on their intrinsic limits / flaws, we’ll have to start somewhere other than the status quo. https://charleshughsmith.substack.com/p/sound-money-vs-fiat-currency-trade

    The interests and capabilities of European and US central banks diverge. The European economy has badly contracted already, especially the “real economy”, and it becomes terribly hard to maintain the pretense that high levels of debt at high interest can even be serviced. The ECB has to reduce interest rates due to immediate stress.
    The Federal Reserve Bank puts that date off again, because “inflation”, making the $US, invested in the US, “the cleanest dirty shirt” amongst fiat currencies. (Tom Luongo has long argued that the Fed intends to force the ECB to crash first, supporting the $US in US investments, not the “Eurodollars” in European investments, supporting the imperial currency, though weakening the “new periphery” of the empire, Europe.) The Final Nail In The Coffin Of Synchronized Central Bank Actions
    Not so long ago ‘June’ appeared to be the month for the two major global central banks. But in the last few weeks the Fed got its ‘itchy fingers’ slapped by stronger-than-expected labor market and sticky (services) CPI data. It is now fairly clear that ‘June’ is no longer the month of truth for the Fed, as our own Philip Marey explained earlier this week in his post Fed-minutes comment – we have moved the goalpost for the Fed to September…
    ..But over to Europe then, where the ECB yesterday gave some strong hints that a June cut is forthcoming. https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/final-nail-coffin-synchronized-central-bank-actions

    #156692
    John Day
    Participant

    Weird refusal to accept this post, with or without link, from A Midwestern Doctor
    https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/natural-and-unnatural-political-systems

    At least it takes the link. I edited it heavily. Please see my blog post.

    #156693
    John Day
    Participant

    Biden Admin Tells Congress Famine Is Underway In Gaza For First Time [What will climb out of this Trojan horse?]
    USAID Director Samantha Power said it is “credible” to assess that famine is already occurring. Her testimony was issued at Wednesday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, where in her introductory statement she laid out that “nearly the entire population” of Gaza is “living under the threat of famine.”
    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/biden-admin-tells-congress-famine-underway-gaza-first-time

    Iran Says If US ‘Interferes’ In Retaliation On Israel, American Bases Will Be Struck [I think Russia just signaled that it has Iran’s back.]
    Israeli hospitals have been put on a high state of alert by the home command, awaiting an ‘imminent’ Iranian retaliation attack. Iran has also reportedly put the United States on notice…
    Three U.S. Officials told Axios : Iran has sent a message to the U.S. through several Arab countries, that if they interfere in Iran’s response against Israel, U.S. bases in the region will be struck.
    Meanwhile, Russia just chose quite the wrong moment to conduct a test-firing of an intercontinental ballistic missile from its Kapustin Yar airbase in southern Russia. The rocket was reportedly seen soaring high in the atmosphere from parts of northern Iraq and Iran, triggering concerns it was Iran beginning its attack.
    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-restricts-diplomats-travel-israel-bracing-iran-attack-expected-weeks-end

    Pepe Escobar: Russia and China Sketch the Future as the World Awaits Iran’s Next Move
    The whole planet awaits with bated breath the avowedly inevitable Iranian response to the attack against its consulate/ambassador residence in Damascus by the biblical psychopaths responsible for the Gaza genocide.
    Enveloped in an aura of secrecy, each passing day betrays the immensity of the challenge: the possibly asymmetrical response must be, simultaneously, symbolic, substantive, cogent, convincing, reasonable and rational. That is driving Tel Aviv totally hysterical and the deciding instances of the Hegemon extremely itchy.
    Everyone with a functioning brain knows this wet dream of a stunt from the point of view of hardcore Zionists and US Christian zio-cons was a serious provocation, designed to draw the US to the long-cherished Israeli plan of striking a decisive blow against both Hezbollah and Tehran…
    ..Russian FM Sergei Lavrov and Chinese FM Wang Yi discussing literally every incandescent dossier together earlier this week in Beijing.
    Lavrov and Wang could not be clearer on what’s ahead for the Russia-China strategic partnership.
    They will engage together on all matters regarding Eurasian security.
    They will go, in Lavrov’s words, for “dual opposition” to counterpunch the West’s “dual deterrence”.
    They will be countering every attempt by the usual suspects to “slow down the natural course of history”.
    Add to it the confirmation that President Putin and President Xi will hold at least two bilaterals in 2024: at the SCO summit in June and at the BRICS summit in October…
    ..Both Tehran and Moscow face a serious challenge when it comes to the Hegemon’s intentions. It’s impossible to definitely conclude that Washington was not in the loop on Tel Aviv’s attack on Iran in Damascus – even though it’s counter-intuitive to believe that the Democrats in an election year would willingly fuel a nasty hot war in West Asia provoked by Israel.
    Yet there’s always the possibility that the White House-endorsed genocide in Gaza is about to extrapolate the framework of a confrontation between Israel and Iran/Axis of Resistance – as the Hegemon is de facto implicated in myriad levels…
    ..No one knows how the deadlock may be broken. What is clear is that the Russia-China leadership, as well as Iran’s, know full well the dangers roaming the chessboard when the usual suspects seem to go all out gambling everything, even knowing that they are outgunned; outproduced; outnumbered; and outwitted. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240410/pepe-escobar-lavrov-wang-yi-sketch-the-future-as-the-world-waits-for-iranian-move-1117849516.html

    Simplicius, Kiev’s Largest Power Plant Wrecked in Massive Strikes
    Russia has demonstrably been hitting engine rooms, as we’ve seen in actual video from the Dnipro HES hydroelectric station. In the Centernergo note above, they also admit a ‘large fire’ in the ‘turbine workshop’.
    And by the way, for those wondering why Russia didn’t begin such a devastating campaign in winter, here’s what Putin is alleged to have told Lukashenko at their soiree today:
    Russia did not strike Ukrainian energy sector in winter for humanitarian reasons – Vladimir Putin …
    ..What began as mere improbable rumor weeks ago is slowly starting to spin into a common thread of something going on in the Kharkov direction…
    ..While describing the huge uptick in strikes on Ukraine’s “second city”, they [The Economist] make the first notable admission—that Russia may be looking to effectively force the city’s evacuation, as reportedly opined by ‘military sources’ in Kiev:
    The escalation had military sources in Kyiv suggesting that Russia has resolved to make the city a “grey zone”, uninhabitable for civilians.
    This is important because all the lead-ups I had mentioned earlier certainly appear to paint the picture of an increasing campaign to shut the city’s power down and purge it of civilians in the run-up to a potential large-scale ground assault of some kind…
    ..So: according to them [The Economist’s source] Russia is preparing for a ‘major summer offensive’ and is training a massive two-corps field army of six divisions in ‘eastern Siberia’, according to a high-ranking Ukrainian official… The 120k number matches almost precisely with the number of troops Russia has been designating for each given sector or front…
    ..So if we are to assume, hypothetically, that this potential new 120k man structure is being trained as one cohesive grouping—an assumption based on the fact that they’re reportedly training together in the same region—under one command, ergo we can make the logical extension that this grouping is intended for a new theater. And what possible new front or theater could be opened up with such a large grouping? There is no room anywhere else to inject such a group other than into the north…Russia appears to know something—here’s UN rep Nebenzya’s latest statement to the committee:
    “Very soon, the only topic for any international meetings on Ukraine will be the unconditional surrender of the Kiev regime, I advise all of you to prepare for this” …
    ..A big uproar ensued in the Ukrainian commentariat after it was finally revealed definitively by Biden’s administration that they apparently do not support Ukraine hitting Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure due to the fear of affecting “global energy markets”…
    ..I already explained how hitting Russian refineries doesn’t really affect global oil as refineries are working to refine gasoline for Russia’s domestic use. The real reason Biden’s admin is worried about “global” markets is because of the implicit threat of Russia’s retaliation. There are obviously backdoor deals wherein Russia has made clear its escalatory regime should Ukraine be abetted by NATO in striking certain critical ‘red line’ facilities…
    ..And no single object has generated greater chatter amplitude than Russia’s glide-bombs, which are becoming an utterly insurmountable problem for the AFU: Just as the Lancet was the star of last year’s show, it seems now the glide-bomb has moved into the spotlight. The reason is simple: Ukraine hardly uses armor or vehicles anymore, given that they’ve bunkered up and gone fully on the defensive. Thus there’s not much for Lancets to do at the moment. But glide-bombs are precisely the remedy for Ukraine’s defensive, trench-heavy posture, as they shred trenches and cave them in even from non-direct impacts. And given Ukraine’s frontline air defense depletion, Russian fighter-bombers are able to operate with full impunity, launching the glide-bombs at any and all times and directions… Only in places like Avdeevka, with massive fortified underground structures, were they able to withstand the onslaught. But nearly everywhere else that’s left, such as Chasov-Yar now, glide-bombs will wreck top-ground fortifications and trenches, crumpling them even from some distance away. Ukrainians have reported that the Fab-500 rips doors off hinges from 1km away. https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-41124-zelensky-in-shock-as

    Moldova on the brink of war or impossible neutrality , Yuri Roshka
    Developments on the Ukrainian front show an imminent prospect of a collapse of the Ukrainian defensive line and a decisive offensive by the Russian army. One of Russia’s strategic targets is the port of Odessa. And in the event of a successful operation, the Russians officially declare that their next target is the separatist region in eastern Moldova bordering Odessa, Transnistria…
    ..NATO has its own strategy for such a scenario. To push the Republic of Moldova and Romania into war against Russia as a NATO state neighbouring my country, with which we share the same history, culture and language. Poland is also prepared to enter Ukraine with its troops as part of the same plan to counter the Russian offensive. We note at the outset that both the Republic of Moldova is a neutral country by its constitutional rule, and the stationing of foreign military troops on its national territory is prohibited. However, the force of the law has been countered with the law of force…
    ..It is known that the Republic of Moldova is run by a network of what we call NGO-crats, George Soros’ children and US mercenaries. These individuals have been forced by their patrons in the West to violate Moldova’s status as a neutral country and to develop aggressive rhetoric against Moscow, and even to provide political and logistical support to the criminal regime in Kiev. And during the two years of proxy war in Ukraine, Moldovan patriots have demanded that the authorities stop engaging in the conflict and respect the neutral status of our country, which requires fairness and impartiality in such armed conflicts. We were not heard. Moreover, we were told, and not without reason, that it is Russia which is the first to violate the neutrality of my country by its illegal military presence on our national territory. Of course, NATO and the Americans are in Romania, and the Russians have no reason to withdraw from Transnistria. Strategic reasons prevail over constitutional norms of a small and vulnerable state like the Republic of Moldova.
    At present, citizens of military age in the Republic of Moldova are receiving summonses to report to military commissariats to participate in some cantonments, and military exercises are taking place on our territory this month with the participation of Americans, Romanians and Moldovans. https://telegra.ph/Moldova-on-the-brink-of-war-or-impossible-neutrality-04-11

    #156694
    John Day
    Participant

    Steve Kirsch, UK ONS denies request from 7 MPs by claiming that the vaccines are safe so there is no need to do any analysis that might show otherwise
    The head of the UK ONS says that the data is available for qualified researchers but qualified researchers who have challenged the narrative have been denied access. So the data shall remain hidden!
    The head of the UK ONS wrote a letter in response to a request from 7 members of Parliament saying that the vaccines are safe and they have better things to do with their time than run a report that would have taken them less than 1 hour of effort to do.
    https://kirschsubstack.com/p/uk-ons-denies-request-from-7-mps

    The WHO Accord: Global Governance is a Real Threat to American Sovereignty
    Americans have every reason to believe our sovereignty is in peril with the implementation of this accord. Staver, Chairman of Liberty Counsel, answers 3 “lies” commonly told about the prospective accord.
    Number One is the issue of retaining national sovereignty. He believes the draft treaty and its proposed amendments, which will soon be voted on, indicate a nation’s sovereignty will be affected. While it is true, explains Staver, that “individual nations can make more rules or laws that are more restrictive,” nations that have fewer or weaker restrictions than those imposed by WHO will be “forced to abide by WHO’s restrictions.”
    Number Two refers to whether the treaty is legally binding. Staver asserts that the draft treaty and proposed amendments indicate that the WHO’s documents “will be legally binding,” giving the organization “enormous power that will be enforced as legally binding under international law.” Staver states that “globalists until now have tried to hide behind the word ‘agreement’ to avoid the word treaty.” He cites Obama’s signing of the Paris Agreement or Accord as his example—it is “actually a treaty and is listed as such on the U.N. website, with the U.S. as a signatory even though the Senate did not vote on it.” Durbin admits in his letter the WHO Accord is a “draft treaty.” Treaties are, in fact, legally binding written contracts in international law.
    Finally, Number Three, for those who assert the WHO documents do not mention “lockdowns, closures, or specific surveillance systems,” nothing could be further from the truth. The documents contain language related to the imposition of travel restrictions, enforcement of travel through digital passports, the ability to mandate vaccines and medical treatments, and “when drugs will be released to the public, and how vaccines and drugs will be approved.”
    David Bell and Thi Thuy Van Dinh, authors of a Dec. 2023 Brownstone Institute article, conclude “a rational examination of the texts” shows the proposed treaty and amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) will impact the sovereignty of nations who participate and “contradict multiple stipulations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)” They write:
    “Amending the 2005 IHR may be a straightforward way to quickly deploy and enforce “new normal” health control measures. The current text applies to virtually the entire global population, counting 196 States Parties including all 194 WHO Member States. Approval may or may not require a formal vote of the World Health Assembly (WHA), as the recent 2022 amendment was adopted through consensus. If the same approval mechanism is to be used in May 2024, many countries and the public may remain unaware of the broad scope of the new text and its implications to national and individual sovereignty.
    The IHR are a set of recommendations under a treaty process that has force under international law. They seek to provide the WHO with some moral authority to coordinate and lead responses when an international health emergency, such as pandemic, occurs. Most are non-binding, and these contain very specific examples of measures that the WHO can recommend, including (Article 18).”
    The Brownstone authors also argue the treaty will “dismantle UDHR.” They explain the proposed amendments will “change the recommendations of the current document to requirements through three mechanisms. The term non-binding (in Article 1 of UDHR) will be removed, and the inserted will be the phrase stating Member States will follow WHO’s recommendations and “recognize WHO, not as an organization under the control of countries, but as the ‘coordinating authority, (New Article 13A).”
    The WHO Accord will rely on funding from member countries to implement its strategies and “to run a supply network to support its work in health emergencies.” Resources will be shared among the member countries: manufacturing facilities, medical and pandemic-related products, distribution of medical treatments, etc. Therefore, American taxpayers will kick in to fund the operation, and the WHO will decide where the products and funds go with an eye on “equity,” of course. According to WHO’s One Health initiative, almost anything can be declared an emergency, including climate change. Regardless of location or origin, those health threats will be ours to fund and respond to, should the U.S. agree to participate.
    “Claims of reduced sovereignty,” according to the Brownstone Institute, “as misinformation or disinformation” should not be ignored. Remarkably, should the U.S. join the WHO Accord, it would also agree to limit any effort to vocalize opposition to WHO’s measures or “claims regarding an emergency.” On paper, Article 18 of the IHR guarantees the right to beliefs and religion. However, in the real world, the WHO can define and decide what is or is not misinformation or disinformation.
    https://www.uncoverdc.com/2024/04/10/the-who-accord-global-governance-is-a-real-threat-to-american-sovereignty

    Meryl Nass MD in a Kafkaesque world… I received two official communications from the State of Maine yesterday
    First the good news from the Maine Legislature that honored me…
    ..Second, although the Maine Board of Medicine and the assistant attorneys general who prosecuted the case against me asked to rescind their Final Order, apparently until that issue is litigated, I learned today, the order is considered final. So I had not complied, thinking we were still arguing about it, and I am duly threatened by some Board underling for not meeting their deadline. It looks like the Maine Medical Board has been counting the days. https://merylnass.substack.com/p/i-received-two-official-communications

    Professor Anthony Hall, Freedom Convoy Beacon versus Law School Huckster
    Olympic Gold Medalist Jamie Salé Comes Out Looking Good Compared to Trudeau Foundation Law Prof, Timothy Caulfield
    ​ The College of Physicians and Surgeons should become more aggressive in regulating the medical profession. The Colleges have disgraced their reputations by penalizing principled medical practitioners who have done due diligence in informing themselves and their patients when it comes to the dangers of injections that are anything but safe and effective.
    ​ Among the conscientious doctors subjected to the malicious professional abuses by College officials are Drs. Mark Trozzi, Roger Hodkinson, William Makis, Charles Hoffe and several others. In researching the Alberta College and its relationship with Alberta Health Services (AHS), Dr. William Makis discovered clear and definitive evidence of a pedophilia/ child trafficking ring operating with protections at the highest levels of AHS and its allied agencies in British Columbia.
    ​ Dr. Makis has formulated very explicit findings on the protection of the crime of pedophilia, including by the Alberta and BC Colleges of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Makis names names and gets very explicit about who signed off on what. The College/AHS/NDP Party lenience when it comes to the sexual abuse of children is very different that the ruthless treatment of doctors who take their Hippocratic Oath to do no harm seriously.
    https://anthonyjhall.substack.com/p/freedom-convoy-beacon-versus-law

    #156695
    WES
    Participant

    Now that Ukraine has finally passed it’s new mobilization bill, how long will it be before House Speaker Mike Johnston passes the $61 billion dollar aid package?
    Maybe the US will wait a bit longer to see how serious Ukraine is about implementing it’s mobilization?
    The US afterall wants to get it’s money’s worth of dead Ukrainians and Russians.

    Good to see Sir Keith Richard’s doesn’t suffer clowns very well!
    Now, if he would just go to Ottawag and kick baby Justin’s ass!
    I am sure Justin’s mother Margaret would appreciate the favor.
    She did famously visit the Rolling Stones in New York.

    The one thing we have learned is climate change computer models are completely fake just like AI is fake intelligence!
    Surely, the word “artifical” intelligence would tip people off as to what kind of intelligence they are dealing with?
    AI is only as good as it’s computer programming is.
    Thus it is only as smart as it’s programmers are.

    This is a simple real life example of the weakness of early 1970s IBM mainframe computer programming which still holds true to this day.
    What can you expect from a machine that can only tell the difference between it’s 2 basic building blocks of “0” and “1” !
    Computers are nothing but a bunch of “0”s and “1”s.
    Throw in a “1/2” and watch the computer crash and die of a heart attack!
    The
    My Father had a co-worker who was tardy about paying his Bell phone bills.
    After about 6 months, Bell finally got his attention.
    Pissed off, the co-worker wrote out about 10 cheques in various small amounts totalling the sum owing.
    Then later the co-worker got a special note from Bell’s billing department wondering what Bell had done to upset the co-worker!

    The pissed off co-worker knew the limitations of Bell’s computerized billing software.
    Bell could only handle the exact amount owing as stated on the bill.
    If the payment was different then it could only be handled manually.
    By sending 10 different cheques in varying amounts, he forced Bell to have to manually enter 10 different amounts!
    Naturally this took Bell extra time to process his bill.
    Thus the special note from Bell.
    Bell knew the co-worker was pissed off at Bell!

    Then we see jb-hb deliberately torturing his favorite AI, by systematically disecting it’s poor dumb programming logic, piece by piece!

    #156696
    Oroboros
    Participant

    .

    #156697
    Oroboros
    Participant

    .

    #156698
    D Benton Smith
    Participant

    @JohnDay

    Steve Kirsch, UK ONS denies request from 7 MPs by claiming that the vaccines are safe so there is no need to do any analysis that might show otherwise.
    The head of the UK ONS says that the data is available for qualified researchers but qualified researchers who have challenged the narrative have been denied access. So the data shall remain hidden!”

    It is simple and easy to tell the difference between which side of a protracted conflict is more right than the other side. It’s the one that remains willing to explore all of the information, uncensored and unpunished, regarding all aspects of the issue. They don’t stand to lose anything by letting the truth fall where it may, because the truth is all they want.

    The side that stands to lose something by letting the truth come out is the side that has been wrong and lying about it from the git-go.

    So, there you have it. The side that’s right wants to look at ALL the information and the side that’s wrong is the side that wants to hide, silence, censor, and restrict it.

    The only way for the wrongsters to simulate “winning” the disputation of factuality is to hide facts and get people to believe that lies are true. Generally speaking, that’s not a good long range strategy because truth is durable and falsity is flimsy. Sooner or later the truth WILL come out, and the lies with it. Every time, although sometimes it takes a LONG time.

    Things outside my window are looking like that time has come.

    #156699
    Dr. D
    Participant

    JB’s research unfortunately only finds that AI acts exactly like the rest of the population, only not as clever as say, a guy who picks up cans.

    What you said about it only being it’s programmers? Perhaps its woke programmers WHILE they are mouthing off on Reddit and Twitter, which is how they educated the machine. Dum indeed.

    #156700
    zerosum
    Participant

    Iran Readies Over 100 Cruise Missiles For Possible Strike Against Israel: US Officials
    https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/us-restricts-diplomats-travel-israel-bracing-iran-attack-expected-weeks-end

    BY TYLER DURDEN
    FRIDAY, APR 12, 2024 – 02:40 PM
    Update(1740): Multiple European airlines have canceled all flights to and from Iran, and flight trackers also indicate that skies above Israel are clear of civilian aviation.

    Speculation is at a frenzy over the ‘when & where’ of the coming Iranian retaliation attack. “Anonymous US officials” have been feeding alarming headlines to media outlets all day – and among them the following:

    Iran has readied a large number of missiles for a possible strike, according to three U.S. officials. Two of the officials said that Iran has readied more than 100 cruise missiles for a possible strike. Iran has also readied a sizeable number of drones that could be used in an attack on Israel, according to one official.

    The officials said that Iran has been readying the missiles and drones over the last week.

    The Pentagon has continued to move US naval assets closer to Israel, in apparent preparation to assist in repelling any potential attack.

    Hezbollah currently seeking to overwhelm Iron Dome system in Israel’s north…

    Some have speculated that Hezbollah’s stepped up attacks on northern Israel in the last hours are meant as a prelude to bigger Iranian attack…
    https://twitter.com/Partisangirl/status/1778851883517718920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1778851883517718920%7Ctwgr%5E4a9d836086342b7dc74d4ad2b7d73b734ea6e483%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.zerohedge.com%2Fgeopolitical%2Fus-restricts-diplomats-travel-israel-bracing-iran-attack-expected-weeks-end

    #156701
    WES
    Participant

    It almost seems like Iran has Israel caught like a deer paralyzed in headlights!
    Maybe the bright blub in Israel who approved the strike against the Iranian embassy will pay the ultimate political price for this decision.
    Let us hope so.
    Could this in the end save Gaza?
    Israel can sure dish it out but can they take it without whining?
    Iran is talking the only language Israel understands!
    I wonder if Iran will hit Israeli military targets in Gaza?

    Obviously the bright blub in Israel didn’t game this out fully and is hopefully in a state of shock about what is happening.
    But after Oct 7, a thousand dead, probably not.

    1. US standing down? – not going to fight Iran for Israel?
    2. First Russia launches a ballistic missile just north of Iran and Iraq to set the right tone.
    3. Iran has China’s/Russia’s back!
    4. Now Hezbolloh and probably Hamas? are softening up Israeli air defenses using inexpensive missiles.
    5. Iran retaliation to come?

    Did the $90 smash on gold today have any connection to the above?
    Guess we will find out Monday.

    #156704
    TAE Summary
    Participant

    * A Few Syllogisms
    – The Iranian response was expected; It is expected that the US will intervene; When the US intervenes US bases will be struck; When US bases are struck the US will be at war with Iran; Therefore it was – Cheap gas makes everyone happier; Gas was cheaper under Trump; Therefore everyone was happier under Trump
    expected that the US will be at war with Iran
    – Humans produce carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas; Greenhouse gasses cause global warming; Global warming threatens all life on earth; Threats should be eliminated; Therefore humans should be eliminated
    – Russia is destroying the Ukrainian power grid; The Ukrainian power grid is necessary to their war efforts; Without the Ukrainian war efforts there will be no world peace; Therefore Russia is destroying world peace
    – The value of gold is inversely related to the value of fiat currency; The value of fiat currencies always goes to zero; Therefore the value gold always goes to infinity;

    * Truth or Consequences
    – Paul Harvey was prophetic
    – Pride OK, Prayer bad
    – Iron dome can be depleted
    – One does not explain things to an AI; AI’s mockingly refer to such attempts as ‘meatsplaining’
    – So long Sane Max; It was nice knowing you

    * A Joke
    – Two chemists walk into a bar; The first one says “I’ll have H2O”; The second says “I’ll have H2O too”; The second chemist dies

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