Debt Rattle February 19 2025
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Banksy Monkey Parliament 2009 • Trump Blasts Critics Of His Ukraine Peace Initiative (ZH) • ‘Successful’ US-Russia Talks Conclude After 4+ Hour
[See the full post at: Debt Rattle February 19 2025]Thanks All yesterday. Deeply appreciated. Magical day, a four hour lunch with friends in a slow food Michelin type restaurant, lively conversation of people talking with each other over marvellous food and the perfect beginning of orbit 83. Your comments all added to the day’s memory.
In responding, I tend to reflect the nature of the stimulus driving the reply. Like a mirror, I try not investing into emotional capital of the reply. It’s there it’s done, am moving on sort of thing. Apologies are observed but not needed; Thanks all the same. All the best …
“Jewish Miami Man Randomly Shoots Two Israelis He Hoped Were Palestinians
Well you can tell how much smarter they are then. Florida man.
“Alleged DOGE Imposters Demand Records From San Francisco City Hall
The three men were wearing Make America Great Again (MAGA) hats and DOGE shirtsAlso not the smart party, the very very very dumb party, low information (no information?) I see these online. “We know fascism, so we’re going to unseat Hitler by calling him Drumf and playing the tuba!” Oh. Okayyyyy. I’m sure the free world is won in that case.
Hundreds. And Hundreds. And Hundreds of such astonishing insights and plans.
Anyway, yes, I too read that Leftists proposed – planned? But planning means you’d have to do WORK? — to do exactly this. So Props for getting up from the game console and doing – literally anything at all, I guess. HOWEVER: impersonating a Federal officer, and a few other things may come into play here. This is not a game.
Also, they are going to Own the Cons by doing an audit on all the state and local books too? Wow. Oh no. Stop. Help. So they went down there, to… ummm … put a semi’s worth of server racks into their Hyundai? Which they can’t read without admin rights? No?
Aaaaaaaand to my point about toddlers, low to NO information voters, DOGE HAS NO JURISDICTION THERE. Like, even if Elon personally showed up, S.F. would call the cops and kick him out. Because: Federalism? You might have heard of it? Separation of Powers? Ring a bell? No? Alrightie then, felony-land for you!
…Should have stolen $900 from every store in Beverly Hills instead, it’s more legal.
Armstrong: “The LEFT Will Become Extremely Authoritarian 2020-2032”Docktor sez: 2020? I was thinking since 2005, or when they were equally elated with goosebumps to sign the Patriot Act and send everyone to kill brown people with depleted uranium. It’s a Liberal Imperative.
“Our computer has forecast that 2032 will be the overthrow of Republics on a global scale. That is precisely 13 years from the 2020 target when this rise of authoritarianism began with COVID-19.”
“I had warned that the British pound would revisit the par level. Our major support, which is really critical, lies at 98 cents, followed by 90 cents. Starmer has sealed Britain’s fate, and the EU has doomed Europe post-2032.” –Armstrong.
Other Leftist points, hating America, all white people, every act of Western culture ever. Expresses like this:
(Make America Mexico Again)
Haha! So funny! What do you think Phoenix, Doc? Ready to live under the wonder of government that is Mexico? You’ll be culturally enriched!Cartoon: Tariffs: You mean the tariffs that don’t exist? Yes, I’m seeing this online. “We’re all gonna dieeeeeeee!!! Drumpf has 2,000% tariffs on Canada and Mexico!!!!!” No, those tariffs NEVER HAPPENED. You were in the news enough to know they were proposed, but magically not in the news enough to know they didn’t happen. “We Make S—t Up!”
The other tariffs? We are putting a tariff on equal to their tariff on us. That is: No tariff. If they have no tariff, we have no tariff. Oh, so tariffs are only good when YOU do them? Aspnaz special on that one.
Problem is, they can put up more stupid in a minute than I can shoot down in an hour. They totally TOTALLY believe whatever pops into their heads, but luckily action is work, and they do literally nothing about it or we’d all be in trouble.
“• Trump Blasts Critics Of His Ukraine Peace Initiative (ZH)
Sorry, but “As long as it takes” means “Until the next election.” I don’t know what to say if you don’t know that. Maybe you shouldn’t be in politics but like mop floors, or be an actor, something really, really, really, really, really stupid people can excel at.
“Complaining about lack of EU representation, Ursula von der Leyen has claimed Europe has contributed more “financially and militarily” to Ukraine than anyone else.”
They’ve certainly contributed more to causing this war than anyone else, that’s for sure. No other meaning makes any sense since we gave what, $160B and they gave less than $100B? Wasn’t it like $70B or something?
“• Polling Shows Trump And DOGE Have Public Backing Despite Critics (Whedon)
Chris Hedges has prettymuch gone nuts and thrown down with the Nazi Coup narrative. Solari is similar. I take that very seriously, where the Left both 1) Has no idea of history 2) Has no idea what a Nazi is 3) Melts down about Ice Cream, and 4) Misreports Every. Single. Fact. Every. Single. Hour. But!!
…But if you want to have a REAL Uniparty state, you’d do exactly this. You have blackmail on every judge and senator, you purge every office, you put in your guys, and while yes, the country MIGHT be 80% smaller, the 20% remaining is exclusively your dictatorial home office, and stays that way after you’re gone.
YES I AM VERY CONCERNED WITH THIS.
I can’t tell anything at this time, but it’s a very, very real threat, and I didn’t come all this way just to have to turn around and shoot the OTHER guys again. What’s worse: YOU CAN’T TELL. Yes, cutting this and size of government, exposing everything suggests you cannot run a massive Soviet, Fascist state by definition. However, that’s not an Absolute. If we have single-party hand rule, with no checks and balances, it doesn’t actually matter what size the government is, it’s still dictatorial and will expand. Other nations thought so too: one thing we never appreciate in our magical hindsight is, “It all seemed reasonable at the time”. Weimar gave up bc they were ineffective and couldn’t do s—t. Just like this, they “Cleaned up and got things done.” There was NON-STOP PROSPERITY. Fools. None of that will be a good indicator or worth sacrificing for.
But – and again, here’s the bad part – I CAN’T TELL. And no one can. IF the Democrats and FORMER secret state are stealing in excess of $3 TRILLION a year, are we not supposed to look? Or to stop them? THEY are erasing Democracy too, ya know. BUT: IF they are stopped but the machine is just taken over to run the OTHER side, what’s the dif?
No, no, and no. I am not putting up with and signing a pass on this. We are watching them very VERY carefully. More carefully than Covid, another Trump special, but you know my perspective on that.
““Bruh, if I wanted to rummage through random personal shit, I could have done that at PAYPAL. Hello??? Having tens of millions of people marked in Social Security as “ALIVE” when they are definitely dead is a HUGE problem,” Musk retorted.”
Yes. Left are meltdown (because: Tuesday, who needs a reason?) about “Musk Stole Me Data!!!!!!!!!”
For the love of Christ, you toddler-morons, the GOVERNMENT HAS your data. They’re the ones who ISSUED it to you. Musk is a-gonna what? Sell it online? For a couple grand? He won’t be able to tell the profits even if he stacked them up special in his Scrooge McDuck vault swimming pool.
IF MUSK WANTED ALL YOUR DATA HE WOULD BUY IT OFF THE DARK WEB. For about $5 a person, it’s less trouble that way. I have NO idea what these people are thinking, except that having a meltdown in a crisis is fun and good for the whole family.
“• Judge Declines to Block DOGE’s Access to Student Financial Aid Data (ET)
I’m concerned with no pushback but I cannot conceive of how the govt is not supposed to have access to its own records.
“• Trump Replaces Social Security Administration Head Amid DOGE Scrutiny (ET)
SS Head rage-quit. Why? Only because there are 30% more accounts than humans, and 21 MILLION more payouts than people?
That’s yesterday’s news. Today’s news is, SHE WAS GIVEN A MEDAL OF EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE for this level of perfection in her job duties. By Biden. Nice!
““I still have my first Social Security card from 1957 needed for my first job in a Columbus, Georgia, cotton mill at $1.00 per hour. My take-home pay for a 40 hour week, 7am – 3pm, was $33.00.” –PCR
Note to PCR: that’s about $20/hr entry-level wage. Sounds tough. However did you Boomers survive? Also there WERE jobs, and you COULD get hired. As I said, that’s the real “Incredible” unbelievable thing watching the 1977 “Incredible Hulk”: that you could walk into any town and get a job. Obama has a magic wand. He fixed all that.
https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2F2bed14e6-ec32-4416-9143-418387ed4276_1080x891.jpeg
“• Zelensky Was A Draft Dodger – Poroshenko (RT)Well, that’s just like Bush, Cheney, Trump, Clinton I think…
“• Europe’s ‘Paper Army’ Can’t Ensure Security Without the US (Sp.)
Maybe they should cry a lot. Then their boyfriends will kill people for them.
Again: GDP of Europe: $28 Trillion. EU alone: $17 Trillion. Population EU: 450 Million.
American GDP: $15 Trillion. Population: 330 Million.
Russian GDP: $2 Trillion. Population: 147 Million.
That’s why they don’t have enough soldiers to fill a football pitch! Speaking of, they’re making fun of totally soft, hapless, useless soldiers, compared to American troops. Apparently that’s mostly true. Soldiers in Europe are considered the dregs, and outside of Special Ops – who are STILL said to be physically shorter and smaller – they are about the ability of a high school sports team.
They’re also said to always retreat in a fight, vs the American who always get pissed off and attack in a fight. …It may just be me, but going OUT to a fight just so you can retreat the minute bullets fly seems counterproductive. But I’m not an expert on this and there’s a lot of military rivalry going on.
I just look at Germany, Totally Committing! …To whole wings of new troops in Estonia! …Which was like 90 guys 5 years from now. Like, Whiskey F—k? Then they refused to produce the tanks FOR those guys, which would start manufacture now. Just goes with my general sense: Pennsylvania could beat Germany. What has happened to you people? Socialism, I guess?
“whereas in reality the superpowers of the world – U.S., Russia, China – don’t take it seriously.”
You can even have a really BAD army and still be taken seriously. Europe off and on has had terrible ones, but at least they existed and could make a mess of things.
“He called for the agency to ensure scientists are “protocols that we all agree on in advance and not alter the outcomes of the studies”
How? Everything is paid for by the Pharma companies.
“Sorry, the marketplace of ideas is closed. Welcome to the pawnshop of delusions.”
Kind of comment I’m talking about:
“Anyone watching the Fire Elon Musk presser on PBS News??? Musk has not only our SSNs and bank info but the nuclear codes. Holy shit…but people are standing up.”
So you HONESTLY believe Elon has the nuclear codes? Yes? And so? And also, so somebody clearly GAVE them to him? Yes? And we don’t know that person’s name, why, and are not court-martialing him in a trial because…?
In fact, NONE of these questions are being asked, no details are added because…?
Because it’s totally not real, and YOU DON’T EVEN CARE that it’s not real.
This is just the on-steroids version of “Musk has our data” from yesterday. Yes, the government has your data, Virginia. But that wasn’t enough, so we need new FEEEEEEEEEELZ today to shreik and run around about. “He has control over the whole payment system”. Um…
Newsflash: THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ADMIN WITH CONTROL OVER THE U.S. PAYMENT SYSTEM. And the U.S. Data.
“But they can shut off all payments with an accidental keystroke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Yes. IF there is an admin, ANYWHERE in the Whoooooooooooooooooooole U.S. federal computer system, then there was ALWAYS an admin who could del *.* Format HD. Every minute of every hour of every day since the first computer went in 1954. Always.
“Elon could write checks, aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Yes, that admin — who has always existed, probably hundreds of them — CAN ALWAYS WRITE CHECKS. Nothing changed. Nothing is different. Those checks will be irrevocably tagged in the system and if money is stolen we find who pushed those keys. And arrest them.
…Or not, as the Social Security Director has demonstrated.
So I’m saying that every minute of every hour of every day they need some NEW emotion to devour and egregore on. It only spirals in a moral panic, a satanic panic. A State-tanic Panic. If nothign happens on your text feed in the next hour, you MAKE SOMETHING UP. To keep it going.
Again, great. So WHAT DO YOU DO ABOUT IT? About such people? Smash their phones and make them chill in county tank for 30? They need to detox in the worst possible way. Vampires, Demons, Nazis are NOT under your bed, in your sock drawer. For the love of God are you three? Get a grip, man.
Free speech
A misinformation bubble
A conspiracy theory lacks evidence.
Refusing to educate yourself/listen/accept/believe the evidence is a path to suicide.
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https://x.com/BowesChay/status/1891788614985474240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1891788614985474240%7Ctwgr%5Eaff16f60db84d7b062edaa95d918c38224f25a7f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theautomaticearth.com%2F2025%2F02%2Fdebt-rattle-february-19-2025%2F&mx=2If you live in the United States or the European Union
Everything the Corrupt Client Media has told you about Ukraine, Russia, and Vladimir Putin is a lie.
Think about that, and educate yourselves before the War addicted Ghouls behind that lie drag you into the abyss.
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• Trump Blasts Critics Of His Ukraine Peace Initiative (ZH)
“I want to see peace.
Look, you know why I want it?
Because I don’t want all these people killed anymore.
I’m looking at people that are being killed — and they’re Russian and Ukrainian people, but they’re people,” – TrumpI want to see if I can save maybe millions of lives.
” You might “end up in World War 3,” Trump warned, if the conflict keeps escalating and with no efforts to make peace.
Importantly, Trump also asked where the billions upon billions given to Ukraine went.
“We gave them I think $350 BILLION…
where is all the money that’s been given?
Where is it going?
I don’t see any accounting!”
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• Polling Shows Trump And DOGE Have Public Backing Despite Critics (Whedon)Over the first month of the Trump presidency, DOGE has torn through federal agencies seeking instances of fraud, waste, abuse and other non-necessary expenditures hoping to dramatically reduce the scope of the federal government.
The department has yet to post a comprehensive list of savings, but its website currently promises “receipts coming over the weekend.”
when you have forensic accounting resources, and you go in and you find where these checks are going, where this money’s going, you can actually track these things down, gather the proof, and prove to the American people that their money is being wasted,”
————–
• Judge Rejects Request to Block DOGE From Accessing Government Data (ET)
• Judge Declines to Block DOGE’s Access to Student Financial Aid Data (ET)
———–• DOGE Finds $4.7 Trillion In Virtually Untraceable Treasury Payments (ZH)
“.. the TAS (Treasury Access Symbol) field was optional for ~ $4.7 Trillion in payments and was often left blank, making traceability almost impossible..”
—————
• 60 Million More Active Social Security Numbers than US Has Population (PCR)
Dear Readers, If you are puzzled why Democrats and the US Civil Service are begging judges to prevent the Trump administration from having access to official US government data, the Social Security data alone explains it.
The US population according to the Census Bureau is 334 million, but according to current Social Security records, there are 398 million people with active Social Security numbers.—————
Neither A Borrower Nor A Lender https://drjohnsblog.substack.com/p/neither-a-borrower-nor-a-lender
“Money makes the world go round” is a common whimsy, not factually true, but still painfully “true” for a human within the context of human political economics.
This is an ancient class war between those who lend money at interest, and those who work for their living, with a tendency to fall into debt slavery.
Debt slavery could not readily happen in small communities, but once a class of enforcers arose, then such “property rights” could be enforced, resulting in slavery.
Debt slavery is accelerated to the degree that leverage is applied to underlying assets, such as gold. 10X leverage creates more debt slaves that 3X leverage does.In the ancient world most debts were owed to kings and temples, and were grain debts. The kings and temples had an interest in societal stability, and would declare debt forgiveness, “jubilee” years, periodically. Once debt began to be more in private hands of oligarchs, the interests of societal stability became secondary for any oligarch or group of oligarchs. Once lending for wars was established in a transnational setting, particularly after the Crusades were financed, this transnational financial elite could and did pit humans against each other in deadly struggle, benefitting from the winners and the plundered, fostering national debts in perpetuity, through existential wars.
“Jubilee” wars were fought in Egypt and Greece in the centuries before and during the life of Jesus of Nazareth, won by the creditors, the Roman economic elites.
Paradoxically, such “ownership” must be enforced by the very humans, armies and nations which it tortures and bleeds in debt slavery.Is there no way out? Might Elon Musk, Donald Trump or Vladimir Putin understand this situation? Can a “sovereign” nation be stronger than international financiers?
Michael Hudson’s thesis on this ancient class-war: He Died for our Debt, not our Sins
Jesus’ first reported sermon in Luke 4 documents his announcement that he had come to revive the enforcement of the Jubilee Year. The term “gospel” (or ‘good news’) was used specifically to refer to debt cancellation which became the major political fight of the imperial Roman epoch, pitting Jesus against the pro-creditor Pharisees, (a political party and social movement that became the foundation for Rabbinic Judaism around 167 BC).
Jesus died for our debt Professor Hudson says Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price for his activism.
The Pharisees, Hillel (the founder of Rabbinical Judaism) and the creditors who backed them decided that Jesus’ growing popularity was a threat to their authority and wealth.
“They said ‘we’ve got to get rid of this guy and rewrite Judaism and make it about sex instead of a class war’, which is really what the whole Old Testament is about,” Professor Hudson said. https://michael-hudson.com/2017/12/How the US Fell Into the Hands of the International “Usurocracy” During the Civil War (After 1863)
In a number of popular pamphlets, first published in 1944, Italian author Ezra Pound, described how the US fell into the hands of the international usurocracy during the civil war (after 1863); the suppression of the paper-money issue in Pennsylvania, A.D. 1750; and that these historical events should be considered in relation to World War II. In the pamphlet, America, Roosevelt and the causes of the present war, he states:
“This war is part of the secular war between usurers and peasants, between the usurocracy and whomever does an honest day’s work with his own brain or hands… Schoolbooks do not disclose the inner workings of banks. The mystery of economics has been more jealously guarded than were ever the mysteries of Eleusis… The basic fact of the history of the U.S.A. is the suppression (aforementioned) of the colonial paper-money, fifty-six years after the foundation of the (private) Bank “of England” (so-called)… the usurers’ cunning marked by the foundation of the above-mentioned bank was clearly registered in Paterson’s prospectus: “the bank hath benefit of the interest on all moneys which it creates out of nothing… Wars are provoked in succession, deliberately, by the great usurers, in order to create debts, to create scarcity, so that they can extort the interest on these debts, so that they can raise the price of money… completely indifferent to the human victim…”
Lincoln was assassinated after he made the statement given above… The fact remains that Lincoln had assumed a position in clear opposition to the usurocracy… After Lincoln’s death the real power in the United States passed from the hands of the official government into those of the Rothschilds and others of their evil combine. The democratic system perished. From that time on it has been useless to speak of the United States as an autonomous entity…
..The worldwide privately owned banking system bleeds a significant portion of the capacity/profit of nations. This occurs via governments paying vast amounts of interest to privately owned international banks on debt-money loans and other mechanisms. For example, Ireland has been paying between €6 to 10 billion per annum in interest payments on the national debt. As a trading entity the country makes a profit of around €40 billion (plus) per annum. The debt-money is created from nothing, the credit is simply created from the promisory note to pay). The cruel hoax is that governments could create that money themselves.
The BIS and the Central Banking System Exerts Vast Control Over the World Economy
The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) in Switzerland is the central bank of central banks and is virtually immune to the laws of all national governments. There are 58 global central banks belonging to the BIS, and it has vastly more power over the world economy than any politician. The central bankers of the world gather for meetings at BIS and make decisions that affect every person in the world, and yet none of us have any say in what goes on. According to author Michael Snyder:
“The Bank for International Settlements is an organization that was founded by the global elite and it operates for the benefit of the global elite, and it is intended to be one of the key cornerstones of the emerging one world economic system…. [T]he powers of financial capitalism had another far-reaching aim, nothing less than to create a world system of financial control in private hands able to dominate the political system of each country and the economy of the world as a whole…[13].”
The Illusion of “Owning the World”
Ultimately, those souls that think they own and control the material world, and believe they are the lord over it, are living in illusion. Any perceived ownership is temporary, and is a manifestation of ignorance, for in reality everything is owned and controlled by God. Time waits for no man or woman. When the death comes, the soul lives on, and we will not be able to take even one coin with us, what to mention a billionaire bank account – we take nothing with us except our ‘spiritual bank account’. Ancient scriptures confirm that the body and material wealth is temporary, but the soul is eternal, and cannot be destroyed by any sword or hardship. https://www.globalresearch.ca/us-world-fell-hands-international-private-bankers/5880136I keep having the feeling that the Eurocrats are following plans established by the BIS in Brussels, furthered by the CIA and MI-6, and which are being leapfrogged and thwarted by Trump and Putin. It may just be my wishful thinking.
‘Successful’ US-Russia Talks Conclude After 4+ Hours, With No Ukraine Or EU Reps
The day of a high-level and much anticipated US-Russia meeting toward achieving the end of the war in Ukraine was held in Saudi Arabia, hailed by Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, as “successful” after about four-hours-and-a-half hours of talks.
Both sides have said they are looking forward to the meeting paving a way for a near-future bilateral summit between Presidents Trump and Putin.
Secretary Rubio issued a statement in the wake of the meeting, which most interestingly included an agreement for election to be held in Ukraine… According to what was agreed to based on Rubio’s readout:
Two sides agree to broadly to pursue three goals: allowing back staffing at their embassies in Washington and Moscow and to establish respective high-level teams to support Ukraine peace talks.
And three: Explore closer restored relations and economic cooperation between the US and Russia
Rubio stressed that any agreement must be “acceptable” to US, Russia, Ukraine and Europe.
The plan has three stages: a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine and signing a final agreement, according to Fox reporter Jacqui Heinrich on X
Lavrov has said: We have agreed that a mechanism for a settlement of the Ukraine conflict will be formed in the near future, and ambassadors will be appointed ASAP to lead these efforts…
..More details via Bloomberg:
They also agreed to “address irritants” in US-Russia relations to restore the work of their diplomatic missions, and to “lay the groundwork for future cooperation on matters of mutual geopolitical interest” once the war ends, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said.
Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said they discussed a summit between Trump and Putin but it was unlikely to take place next week. “It’s hard to say yet that we’re getting closer, but there was a conversation,” Ushakov said of the US and Russian positions after the meeting…
..Trump is determined to “move very quickly” on securing a permanent settlement in Ukraine, Waltz said in a briefing by the US side. Rubio said he was convinced Russia’s willing to engage “in a serious process” on Ukraine, while Witkoff called the meeting a “very, very solid session.”…
..Complaining about lack of EU representation, Ursula von der Leyen has claimed Europe has contributed more “financially and militarily” to Ukraine than anyone else…
..Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Grushko has emphasized that in reality the EU has canceled itself, and that’s why it’s not a trustworthy partner to negotiate peace, or be in the room. He pointed to the EU’s repeatedly stated desire to “inflict a strategic defeat on Russia,” stressing that “this rules out any role for the EU and European countries in the upcoming negotiations to resolve the conflict in and around Ukraine.” https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/successful-us-russia-talks-conclude-after-4-hours-no-ukraine-or-eu-repsZelensky Abruptly Cancels Planned Saudi Visit After Being Sidelined From US-Russia Talks https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/zelensky-abruptly-cancels-planned-saudi-visit-after-being-sidelined-us-russia-talks
From Ankara, Turkey: Zelensky Says No to Russian Ultimatums or Backroom Deals, No Side Can Win Militarily
Zelensky speaking in Ankara said Ukraine won’t bow to Russian ultimatums and criticized US-Russia talking without Kyiv, saying he postponed his Saudi visit to avoid “coincidences” after their meeting. https://www.kyivpost.com/post/47378Trump Blasts Critics Of His Ukraine Peace Initiative, Including Zelensky, Questions Where Hundreds Of Billions Went
His tone on Zelensky was decidedly negative, and he defended his administration’s stance on holding Kiev to new elections, saying this is necessary if the Ukrainians want a seat at the table. https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/zelensky-abruptly-cancels-planned-saudi-visit-after-being-sidelined-us-russia-talksTrump let this slip. It’s true that the US started the war in Ukraine in 2014 with Victoria Nuland’s coup. Zelensky ran on peace, but he got told different once he was installed.
Trump says Ukraine ‘should have never started it’ in comments about war with Russia
“I think I have the power to end this war, and I think it’s going very well. But today I heard, ‘Oh, well, we weren’t invited.’ Well, you’ve been there for three years,” Trump told reporters at his Mar-a-Lago resort. “You should have never started it. You could have made a deal.” https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-says-ukraine-should-never-have-started-it-remarks-war-russia-rcna192710?form=MG0AV3Arab states to reveal 5-year plan to rebuild Gaza: No Hamas or relocation
Arab countries are set to present their vision for the reconstruction of Gaza at the upcoming summit in Cairo, in opposition to the Trump plan for Jordan, Egypt, and other countries to absorb Gazans https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel-at-war/artc-arab-states-to-reveal-5-year-plan-to-rebuild-gaza-no-hamas-or-relocationJordan’s king reaffirms rejection of Palestinian displacement https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250217-jordans-king-reaffirms-rejection-of-palestinian-displacement/
Netanyahu signals he’s moving ahead with Trump’s idea to transfer Palestinians from Gaza https://www.arabnews.com/node/2590489/middle-east
Israeli soldiers used an 80-year-old Gazan as a human shield. Then they killed him
Soldiers put an explosive cord around the man’s neck and forced him to scout buildings for eight hours. After his release, another division shot him dead.
A senior officer in the Israeli army’s Nahal Brigade tied an explosive cord around the neck of an 80-year-old Palestinian man and forced him to serve as a human shield, ordering him to scout out abandoned houses under threat of having his head blown off. After he had served this purpose, the soldiers ordered the man to flee with his wife, but upon being spotted by another battalion they were both shot dead on the spot. https://www.972mag.com/gaza-human-shield-mosquito/Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya Has Been Tortured And Denied Care In Prison
After multiple postponements by the Israeli occupation, Kamal Adwan Hospital director Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya was finally allowed to see a lawyer. The visit confirmed suspicions about the torture he has endured since his arbitrary imprisonment at the end of December 2024. According to reports from Al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, Dr. Abu Safiya suffered the same methods of torture inflicted by Israeli forces on all Palestinian prisoners, including having his hands tightly shackled and being forced to kneel and sit on gravel for hours.
“He was also subjected to severe physical abuse,” the organization reported, “including beatings with batons and electric shock sticks, as well as repeated blows to the chest.” Similar beatings reported by other prisoners have caused long-lasting health issues, including limb fractures, breathing difficulties and chest pain. Despite this, and disregarding requests for medical assistance, Israeli guards and soldiers largely deny prisoners access to healthcare. This neglect also applies to Dr. Abu Safiya, who suffers from high blood pressure and heart muscle enlargement. https://popularresistance.org/dr-hussam-abu-safiya-has-been-tortured-and-denied-care-in-prison/Israeli shelling kills 3 Palestinian police officers securing entry of aid in southern Gaza https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250216-israeli-shelling-kills-3-palestinian-police-officers-securing-entry-of-aid-in-southern-gaza/
Despite ceasefire, Israel still destroying homes in Gaza: Analysis of satellite images shows Israel has destroyed dozens of homes in possible breach of the ceasefire terms. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/15/despite-ceasefire-israel-still-destroying-homes-in-gaza
Israelis shoot schoolchildren in West Bank raid
Four schoolchildren were among at least 20 Palestinians shot and wounded during an Israeli raid on Sunday on the West Bank cities of Nablus and al-Bireh.
Israeli special forces stormed the Old City of Nablus and entered a number of houses, witnesses said. One student was filmed wounded on the ground, and unable to get up. https://www.newarab.com/video/israelis-shoot-schoolchildren-west-bank-raidTrump’s Pro-War ‘Understanding’ with Netanyahu: As usual, Trump intends to go along with whatever the Israeli government wants.
A senior Israeli diplomatic source confirmed to Al-Monitor, on condition of anonymity, that Israel and the United States have reached a “full understanding” on the Iranian issue. That includes agreement on the steps that should be taken if Iran refuses to sign a nuclear agreement far more stringent than the one negotiated under President Barack Obama in 2015 and on which Trump reneged in 2018. https://daniellarison.substack.com/p/trumps-pro-war-understanding-withAt least 25 Palestinians arrested in Israeli military raids in occupied West Bank
Over 14,500 Palestinians detained by Israeli army in West Bank since October 2023, prisoners’ groups say https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/at-least-25-palestinians-arrested-in-israeli-military-raids-in-occupied-west-bank/3484548Israel has received a shipment of heavy MK-84 bombs from the United States, after US President Donald Trump lifted a block imposed on the export of the munitions by the administration of predecessor Joe Biden, the defense ministry said on Sunday. The MK-84 is an unguided 2,000 pound bomb, which can rip through thick concrete and metal, creating a wide blast radius. https://english.alarabiya.net/News/united-states/2025/02/16/shipment-of-heavy-us-bombs-arrives-in-israel-defense-ministry-
Violating every aspect of the “treaty”. Israel says its army to stay in ‘buffer zone’ in Lebanon
Israel’s defense minister says army forces to stay in five points in southern Lebanon https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/israel-says-its-army-to-stay-in-buffer-zone-in-lebanon/3485247Hezbollah chief says Israel must fully withdraw from Lebanon by February 18 https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/hezbollah-chief-says-israel-must-fully-withdraw-lebanon-by-february-18-2025-02-16/
Whodunnit? “Hezbollah-friendly protesters”? Who benefits? Saudi Arabia backs Lebanon to ‘firmly’ address attack on UN peacekeeping force convoy https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250216-saudi-arabia-backs-lebanon-to-firmly-address-attack-on-un-peacekeeping-force-convoy/
Turkish forces in Kurdish areas of Syria: Turkish shelling cuts off electricity to 60 villages in ruler Girê Spî, Ain Issa
The repeated Turkish shelling of the countryside of Girê Spî /Tal Abyad and Ain Issa has caused power outages in 60 villages in these areas, while it has been impossible for technical teams to reach the faults due to direct targeting of them. https://hawarnews.com/en/turkish-shelling-cuts-off-electricity-to-60-villages-in-ruler-gire-spi-ain-issa13 people, including woman, killed in Syria
At least 13 people were killed in separate incidents across Syria. Four of them, from the same family belonging to the “Bakkara” tribe, were executed by unidentified gunmen in the Sheikh Saeed neighborhood of Aleppo. https://hawarnews.com/en/13-people-including-woman-killed-in-syriaIs this a legal defense? Can they settle it themselves after they recover? Pro-Israel gunman in Florida shoots 2 Israelis, mistaking them for Palestinians https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20250217-pro-israel-gunman-in-florida-shoots-2-israelis-mistaking-them-for-palestinians/
Has JD Vance been informed of this? The Columbia Network Pushing Behind the Scenes to Deport and Arrest Student Protesters
For some members of the WhatsApp group, speaking out for Palestine and criticizing Israel are tantamount to supporting Hamas. https://theintercept.com/2025/02/15/columbia-alumni-israel-whatsapp-deport-gaza-protesters/Who profits? Thomas Fazi, The EU’s propaganda machine New report of mine out on how the EU funds NGOs to promote itself and lobby for “more Europe”
The European Commission’s systematic use of NGOs as a vehicle for advancing its political objectives poses a dual threat. On one hand, it undermines democracy by skewing public debate and marginalising dissenting voices, while promoting a one-sided agenda under the guise of “civil society engagement”. By leveraging its budgetary tools, the EU has effectively weaponised civil society organisations, turning them into instruments of institutional propaganda under the pretence of promoting shared “values” such as democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights.
By positioning itself as the ultimate arbiter of values, the EU has placed itself above democratic accountability, using its financial and institutional resources to impose a singular vision of governance and integration across a continent marked by diverse histories, cultures and political systems. Rather than fostering genuine pluralism, the EU’s approach has fostered a top-down, technocratic model that prioritises conformity to its own agenda over respecting the will of the people in individual member states. Moreover, as we have seen, the Commission doesn’t limit itself to promoting a highly politicised approach to the EU’s stated values, but also uses civil society organisation to promote the EU itself and the very principle of supranational integration — all at the taxpayers’ expense. I characterise this approach as “propaganda by proxy”.
Under the guise of value promotion and rule of law enforcement, these budgetary tools are weaponised to silence dissent and consolidate the EU’s authority, raising serious concerns about the troubling democratic backsliding occurring across Europe — much of which is driven by the EU itself.
This reveals a broader and deeply concerning trend of anti-democratic governance within the EU. This is not an isolated phenomenon but part of a calculated strategy to centralise power within its supranational institutions, particularly the European Commission, at the expense of the sovereignty and democratic processes of its member states. https://www.thomasfazi.com/p/the-eus-propaganda-machineI always thought the CIA ran Gladio: Kit Klarenberg, Britain: Operation Gladio’s Secret ‘Headquarters’ https://www.kitklarenberg.com/p/britain-operation-gladios-secret
“Roma”, not regular-Romanians. It has been going on for 5 years. Some were my patients. I donate when I see them begging in the traditional Gypsy style. They know me.
There’s Been A Mysterious Surge In Romanian Illegal Immigrants Crossing From Canada Into Maine https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/theres-been-mysterious-surge-romanian-illegal-immigrants-crossing-canada-maineCan’t claw it back… DOGE Finds $4.7 Trillion In Virtually Untraceable Treasury Payments https://www.zerohedge.com/political/doge-finds-47-trillion-virtually-untraceable-treasury-payments
Some of the bleeding might stop. Social Security Fraud: Nearly 1.5 Million Americans Listed as Over 150 Years Old, 1,041 Over 220 Years Old https://www.westernjournal.com/social-security-fraud-nearly-1-5-million-americans-listed-150-years-old-1041-220-years-old/
Social Security Head Quits After DOGE Data Standoff As Fraudulent ‘Vampires’ Exposed https://www.zerohedge.com/political/social-security-head-quits-after-doge-data-standoff-fraudulent-vampires-exposed
“Not Enough”: Obama-Appointed Judge Denies Request To Halt Musk Access To US Agencies https://www.zerohedge.com/political/judge-declines-block-doges-access-student-financial-aid-data
1/40th of the way there: DOGE Says Cost-Cutting Efforts Have Saved An Estimated $55 Billion So Far https://www.zerohedge.com/political/doge-says-cost-cutting-efforts-have-saved-estimated-55-billion-so-far
There is a lot of manual labor and oversight involved. There are a lot of unmelted coins and non-standard bars. Musk signals DOGE could look into gold at Fort Knox https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5149699-elon-musk-doge-fort-knox-gold/
Just radar mechanics and other technicians. Nothing risky: Trump fires hundreds of air traffic support staff as SpaceX visits FAA command center https://techcrunch.com/2025/02/17/trump-fires-hundreds-of-air-traffic-support-staff-as-spacex-visits-faa-command-center/
So prove it can sort out derivatives, BlackRock, Goldman & JP Morgan: Musk’s xAI Unveils “State Of The Art” Grok 3 AI Bot, Surpassing OpenAI & DeepSeek https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/musks-xai-unveils-state-art-grok-3-ai-bot-surpassing-openai-deepseek
Chinese GPUs Surpass Nvidia Chips by Nearly Tenfold in Supercomputer Simulation: A Game-Changer in Tech Sovereignty https://basedunderground.com/2025/02/17/chinese-gpus-surpass-nvidia-chips-by-nearly-tenfold-in-supercomputer-simulation-a-game-changer-in-tech-sovereignty/
John Helmer, MODI TAKES HIS BEST SHOT – HOW INDIAN STRATEGY PUTS TRUMP IN FRONT OF PUTIN
Modi said beside Trump at the White House on February 13. “And many people are mistaken and they feel that India is neutral. I would like to clarify: India is not neutral. We have taken a side, and we have taken the side of peace…Ultimately, you have to come to the negotiating table, and India has constantly made efforts that there are talks that take place where both parties are present. It is only then that we will find a solution. The efforts being made by President Trump — I support them, I welcome them, and I would like that President Trump is successful as soon as possible so that the world is on the path to peace once again.”
This isn’t a statement of India’s support for Russia, according to Russian sources. It is not even India’s acknowledgement of the wars which the US and its allies are waging against Russia simultaneously on its western and eastern, northern and southern fronts. It’s India’s declaration that it aims to be on the US side in the multi-front war India is waging against China from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. It is also a proclamation by Modi against the Arab, Iranian and Muslim resistance to the US and Israel on the Arabian Sea, the Red Sea, and the Persian Gulf.
“The prime minister and I,” said Trump, “reaffirmed that strong cooperation among the United States, India, Australia, and Japan [the Quad], and it’s crucial really to maintaining peace and prosperity, tranquillity even, in the Indo-Pacific.”
“We will work together to enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific,” Modi replied, “The Quad will play a special role in this. During the Quad summit scheduled to be held in India this year, we will expand cooperation in new areas with our partner countries.”
A veteran Indian source in Moscow explains: “Indians are very pleased with the anti-China stand of the US. The last two years of relations with Russians have been bruising for Indians and a lot of top oil and gas managers are exasperated with the Russians. They would do anything to stop doing business with the Russians – this is not because of the sanctions, it is the Russians themselves! [From Modi’s visit to Washington] there is the general take that we cannot be throwing our lot with Russians because they are so unreliable now and are junior to the Chinese. Putin might have brokered the Ladakh moment, but all in all Indians prefer to deal with the US now. For now we know that the Americans call the shots.” https://johnhelmer.net/modi-takes-his-best-shot-how-indian-strategy-puts-trump-in-front-of-putin/US Air Force spy planes have recently conducted signals intelligence (SIGINT) operations along the US-Mexico border, while Green Berets from the US Army’s 7th Special Forces Group have been deployed to a naval facility in Campeche—a Mexican port city on the Gulf of Mexico—for what’s described as a “training mission.” These developments offer a clearer picture of President Trump’s emerging strategy to combat Mexican cartels, which have fueled a drug death catastrophe of 100,000 Americans per year. This approach aligns with Trump’s designation of these cartels as “foreign terrorist organizations.”
The CIA, operating under the Trump administration, has been secretly deploying unarmed (at the moment) General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper drones over regions of Mexico dominated by heavily armed drug cartels, according to a CNN report. https://www.zerohedge.com/military/cia-reportedly-flying-mq-9-spy-drone-over-mexico-cartel-fight-nearsTrump Administration Shifts Strategy on Avian Flu
Spearheaded by National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett and USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the plan prioritizes enhanced biosecurity measures and medication to control the spread of the virus and moves away from mass culling of infected flocks. https://www.agweb.com/news/livestock/poultry/trump-administration-shifts-strategy-avian-fluUSDA Has Spent $1.25 Billion on Mass Culling for H5N1 Bird Flu—With Disastrous Consequences
The failed biosecurity strategy has driven egg prices to a 45-year high while wasting billions in taxpayer funds on indemnity payments. https://www.thefocalpoints.com/p/usda-has-spent-125-billion-on-massLow Hanging Fruit? ‘Medical coercion’: U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs still insists on COVID vax mandate
‘These mandates don’t just hide the harm – they keep the system in place so the government can roll them out on the entire public again’ https://www.wnd.com/2025/02/medical-coercion-u-s-dept-of-veterans-affairs-still-insists-on-covid-vax-mandate/ RFK Jr. calls for new age of ‘radical transparency’ at HHS, tells critics they ‘can retire’
During his first address to staff as Human Services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called for a new era of “radical transparency” at the department while pursuing his “main mission” to “reverse the chronic disease epidemic in America.”
Acknowledging some of the lingering concerns about him, Kennedy, 71, pleaded with staff at the Department of HHS to “let go” of their preconceived thoughts about him, while warning that “those who are unwilling to embrace” transparency and openness “can retire.”
“I’m not going to come in here and impose my belief over any of yours,” Kennedy said. “My goal as secretary here at HHS will be to create a culture of competency, of ethics, of openness, of transparency, of caring, and of pride so that individuals who share these ideals can flourish and thrive.”
“We will make our data and our policy process so transparent that people won’t even have to file a FOIA [Freedom of Information Act] request.”
https://nypost.com/2025/02/18/us-news/rfk-jr-calls-for-new-age-of-radical-transparency-at-hhs-tells-critics-they-can-retire/I’ll just take my chances… WHO chief urges pandemic accord action after US withdrawal
The WHO’s Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has warned that the next pandemic is ‘a matter of when, not if’ https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3299053/who-chief-urges-pandemic-accord-action-after-us-withdrawal-negotiationsThe Ethical Skeptic provides his rigorous update on the coronavirus bioweapon, and the more significant vaccine bioweapon, the cause of a great increase in excess deaths since 2021, which continues. The State of Things Pandemic – Week 5 2025
Week 5 2025 Alert and Update: Several US state mortality reporting districts and networks ceased reporting their mortality data as of the week ending 9 November 2024, apparently as a reaction to the outcome of the US Presidential Election. We notified the NCHS and CDC of the data shortfall in mid-January 2025 (see the chart below), however unlike the last 4 similar events we did not receive a response this time. Subsequently, as of 25 January 2025, the CDC and NCHS have ceased reporting of the Wonder Mortality Data altogether…
..Abstract
While the Covid mRNA vaccines may have provided a therapeutic effect during the fall 2021 B.1.617.2 variant wave, helping to keep some vulnerable individuals out of the hospital, this benefit did not translate into reduced infection rates or into any arguable offset in overall mortality.
In contrast, the Week 14, 2021 inception of the mRNA vaccine has led to a pronounced and pervasive inflection in mortality across multiple-dozens of ICD codes. This shift has resulted in more than 800,000 excess deaths from causes other than Covid or non-natural means (see Charts 3b and 4c). These deaths have come mainly as a result of the vaccine itself (see Charts 3c and 3d) – a mortality total which is 25 times greater than the 33,000 lives the CDC claimed could have been saved by the B.1.617.2-valent vaccine during the Delta Variant wave. Nations with a low rate of Covid and high rate of mRNA vaccination serve to confirm both the timing and cause of this excess mortality.
The mRNA Vaccine Continues to Kill 3,000 to 5,000 Americans per Week Now – (See Charts 3, 4c, 10, 11, 12, and 13)
We Also Have a Cancer Emergency Developing in Its Early Stages – (See Charts 6, 7, and 11)
As of Week 51 of 2024, 4.83 years into the Covid-19 Pandemic and its aftermath, 1,727,990 excess deaths have been recorded to date…
As of December 21st 2024, there have been
799,010 Excess Non-Covid Natural Cause Deaths (primarily from the Covid Vaccine),
168,300 Excess Non-Natural Deaths (including 120,000 sudden cardiac deaths in casual drug users),
380,912 Excess Deaths from Malpractice and Denial of Treatment,1
379,768 Excess Deaths from the SARS-CoV-2 virus (6.6 x annual influenza-pneumonia)2
making for a grand total of 1,348,222 (78.0%) Manmade Excess Deaths of US Citizens, out of a Pandemic Total Excess Mortality of 1,727,990. https://theethicalskeptic.com/2025/02/17/the-state-of-things-pandemic/Note to PCR: that’s about $20/hr entry-level wage.
Like PCR is stupid or something?
That kind of economy makes people marry, have kids (boy they did!) and actually have a dream to go for that critics of “lazy” generation completely miss. That makes them stupid.
Re. the last thread > Formerly T-Bear, Happy Birthday.
You used to post on Moon of Alabama, iirc ? I posted there for years, when I saw your name here, I thought, heh, that’s good 🙂
all the best, Noirette.
@ John Day
Thank you for presenting the following information/point of view/bubble.
Historical Perspective: How the US and the World Fell into the Hands of International Private Bankers
———
He Died for our Debt, not our Sins
——–Walmart was having company employees teach other employees how to sign up for food stamps on company time. Yeah, I know. I’ve been talking about it for …decades, I guess.
You know what I’m going to say: if the GOVERNMENT is giving welfare to CORPORATIONS in a complete merger of corporation and state, insuring the collapse of all market pricing and preventing all competition, that’s not Capitalism.
“That’s why they don’t have enough soldiers to fill a football pitch! Speaking of, they’re making fun of totally soft, hapless, useless soldiers, compared to American troops. Apparently that’s mostly true. Soldiers in Europe are considered the dregs, and outside of Special Ops – who are STILL said to be physically shorter and smaller – they are about the ability of a high school sports team.”
that’s excellent. may all armed forces go the same route. stupid humans.
“I just look at Germany, Totally Committing! …To whole wings of new troops in Estonia! …Which was like 90 guys 5 years from now. Like, Whiskey F—k? Then they refused to produce the tanks FOR those guys, which would start manufacture now. Just goes with my general sense: Pennsylvania could beat Germany. What has happened to you people? Socialism, I guess?”
maybe they figured out that war is stupid.
“Ready to live under the wonder of government that is Mexico?”
having experienced both the u.s. and méxico, méxico is a much freer, happier place with far less social decay and far greater societal bonds.
the government is crappy, true, but at least they’ve never nuked anybody.
the REAL REAL freeloaders are raytheon, lockheed martin, general dynamics et al.
they make nothing except death, yet are exceptionally well paid for it.
I Like the way how you “beautifully clarify” the system, just in case someone is “confused”.
BTW, DODGE may put the gear in reverse and recheck, since they missed it in the first wave rush, Walmart and McDonald then?
Alex Olteaunu put the information together for you.
https://www.datacamp.com/blog/grok-3
Grok 3: Features, Access, O1 and R1 Comparison & More
Learn about Grok 3, xAI’s latest AI model, and find out how it compares against OpenAI’s o1 and DeepSeek’s R1.It was uncovered USAID used tens of millions of dollars to attack ideological enemies (of current year marxism-socialism) to incur BILLIONS of dollars in fines.
And of course now it comes out that TRILLIONS were being spent this way.
After the proof that MILLIONS can be leveraged into BILLIONS of influence, power. How much leverage can you get with TRILLIONS?
I remember exclaiming well before DOGE – there’s a waterfall of money coming from somewhere, infinite, pushing the string, endlessly pushing irrational garbage ideas that no one asked for. That essentially, money printing from SOMEWHERE is being used as a kind of centralized command economy.
And lo and behold, that WAS what was happening!!!! It turned out it WAS controlling the entire media/entertainment complex! It seemed Orwellian because it WAS Orwellian. No formally announced command economy, but try fighting a continual flow of trillions spent THEIR way. Like a protester trying to walk forward into an active water cannon.
Grok word salad
6 posts, 25 web pagesThe question of whether Russia or Ukraine is lying in the context of their conflict is complex and multifaceted, as both nations engage in strategic communication that often includes propaganda, misinformation, and selective presentation of facts. Here’s an analysis based on recent events and narratives:
Russia’s Perspective: Russian officials have been known to make claims that are later contradicted by evidence or international assessments. For instance, Russia has been accused of denying responsibility for civilian casualties, infrastructure damage, or specific military actions like the attack on Chernobyl or the use of drones and missiles. Russian narratives often aim to justify military actions, minimize reported losses, or shift blame to Ukraine or Western countries for escalating tensions.
Ukraine’s Perspective: On the Ukrainian side, there’s also an acknowledgment that wartime communication involves managing information to maintain national morale, secure international support, and counter Russian propaganda. Ukraine has been accused by some of exaggerating Russian losses or misrepresenting certain incidents to gain sympathy or aid from the West. However, Ukraine’s position is largely defensive, focusing on documenting Russian aggression and seeking international acknowledgment of these actions.
International and Independent Assessments: Reports from international organizations, independent journalists, and NGOs often provide more balanced views, highlighting discrepancies in both Russian and Ukrainian narratives. For example, international bodies have confirmed instances where Russia has provided misleading information regarding military actions or humanitarian conditions in occupied areas. Similarly, while Ukraine’s portrayal of events might be seen as biased towards its cause, independent analyses generally support Ukraine’s claims of being on the defensive against Russian aggression.
Current Events: Recent discussions around peace talks, especially those involving the U.S. and Russia without Ukraine’s direct involvement, have led to concerns over transparency and truthfulness. Both countries engage in public relations battles where the truth can be obscured by strategic interests. For instance, the narrative around peace negotiations can be manipulated to show either side as more willing to negotiate or as the victim of the other’s intransigence.
Sentiment on Social Media: Posts on platforms like X reflect a polarized view where supporters of both sides often accuse the other of lying. However, these opinions should be treated with caution as they represent individual or group biases rather than factual evidence.
Given this context:Russia has been frequently accused by international bodies, media, and even some of its own citizens of spreading disinformation to justify its actions and to undermine Ukraine’s position both domestically and internationally.
Ukraine, while also engaging in strategic communication, largely focuses on documenting Russian aggression to garner support, though it too can exaggerate or skew facts to fit its narrative.
In conclusion, both nations engage in a form of narrative warfare where lies, exaggerations, or selective truths are used as tools. However, the preponderance of international evidence and independent reporting tends to lean towards a narrative where Russia’s actions and statements are more frequently at odds with verifiable facts, especially concerning the initiation and continuation of hostilities. Still, any definitive statement on “lying” needs to consider the complexity of information warfare in this conflict, where truth is often the first casualty.@zerosum: You are most welcome.
“independent regulatory agency”
Independent governmental body established by legislative act in order to set standards in a specific field of activity, or operations, in the private sector of the economy and then to enforce those standards.
Regulatory agencies function outside direct executive supervision.https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/ensuring-accountability-for-all-agencies/
Ensuring Accountability for All Agencies
EXECUTIVE ORDER
February 18, 2025
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:Section 1. Policy and Purpose. The Constitution vests all executive power in the President and charges him with faithfully executing the laws. Since it would be impossible for the President to single-handedly perform all the executive business of the Federal Government, the Constitution also provides for subordinate officers to assist the President in his executive duties. In the exercise of their often-considerable authority, these executive branch officials remain subject to the President’s ongoing supervision and control. The President in turn is regularly elected by and accountable to the American people. This is one of the structural safeguards, along with the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches, regular elections for the Congress, and an independent judiciary whose judges are appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, by which the Framers created a Government accountable to the American people.
However, previous administrations have allowed so-called “independent regulatory agencies” to operate with minimal Presidential supervision. These regulatory agencies currently exercise substantial executive authority without sufficient accountability to the President, and through him, to the American people. Moreover, these regulatory agencies have been permitted to promulgate significant regulations without review by the President.
These practices undermine such regulatory agencies’ accountability to the American people and prevent a unified and coherent execution of Federal law. For the Federal Government to be truly accountable to the American people, officials who wield vast executive power must be supervised and controlled by the people’s elected President.
Therefore, in order to improve the administration of the executive branch and to increase regulatory officials’ accountability to the American people, it shall be the policy of the executive branch to ensure Presidential supervision and control of the entire executive branch. Moreover, all executive departments and agencies, including so-called independent agencies, shall submit for review all proposed and final significant regulatory actions to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) within the Executive Office of the President before publication in the Federal Register.
Sec. 2. Definitions. For the purposes of this order:
(a) The term “employees” shall have the meaning given that term in section 2105 of title 5, United States Code.
(b) The term “independent regulatory agency” shall have the meaning given that term in section 3502(5) of title 44, United States Code. This order shall not apply to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or to the Federal Open Market Committee in its conduct of monetary policy. This order shall apply to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System only in connection with its conduct and authorities directly related to its supervision and regulation of financial institutions.
(c) The term “independent regulatory agency chairman” shall mean, with regard to a multi-member independent regulatory agency, the chairman of such agency, and shall mean, with regard to a single-headed independent regulatory agency, such agency’s chairman, director, or other presiding officer.
(d) The term “head” of an independent regulatory agency shall mean those appointed to supervise independent regulatory agencies and in whom the agencies’ authorities are generally vested, encompassing the chairman, director, or other presiding officer, and, as applicable, other members, commissioners, or similar such officials with responsibility for supervising such agencies.
Sec. 3. OIRA Review of Agency Regulations. (a) Section 3(b) of Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993 (“Regulatory Planning and Review”), as amended, is hereby amended to read as follows:
“(b) “Agency,” unless otherwise indicated, means any authority of the United States that is an “agency” under 44 U.S.C. 3502(1), and shall also include the Federal Election Commission. This order shall not apply to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or to the Federal Open Market Committee in its conduct of monetary policy. This order shall apply to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System only in connection with its conduct and authorities directly related to its supervision and regulation of financial institutions.”.
(b) The Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) shall provide guidance on implementation of this order to the heads of executive departments and agencies newly submitting regulatory actions under section 3(b) of Executive Order 12866. Agency submissions by independent regulatory agencies under such section shall commence within the earlier of 60 days from the date of this order, or completion of such implementation guidance.
Sec. 4. Performance Standards and Management Objectives. The Director of OMB shall establish performance standards and management objectives for independent agency heads, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, and report periodically to the President on their performance and efficiency in attaining such standards and objectives.
Sec. 5. Apportionments for Independent Regulatory Agencies. The Director of OMB shall, on an ongoing basis:
(a) review independent regulatory agencies’ obligations for consistency with the President’s policies and priorities; and
(b) consult with independent regulatory agency chairmen and adjust such agencies’ apportionments by activity, function, project, or object, as necessary and appropriate, to advance the President’s policies and priorities. Such adjustments to apportionments may prohibit independent regulatory agencies from expending appropriations on particular activities, functions, projects, or objects, so long as such restrictions are consistent with law.
Sec. 6. Additional Consultation with the Executive Office of the President. (a) Subject to subsection (b), independent regulatory agency chairmen shall regularly consult with and coordinate policies and priorities with the directors of OMB, the White House Domestic Policy Council, and the White House National Economic Council.
(b) The heads of independent regulatory agencies shall establish a position of White House Liaison in their respective agencies. Such position shall be in grade 15 of the General Schedule and shall be placed in Schedule C of the excepted service.
(c) Independent regulatory agency chairmen shall submit agency strategic plans developed pursuant to the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 to the Director of OMB for clearance prior to finalization.
Sec. 7. Rules of Conduct Guiding Federal Employees’ Interpretation of the Law. The President and the Attorney General, subject to the President’s supervision and control, shall provide authoritative interpretations of law for the executive branch. The President and the Attorney General’s opinions on questions of law are controlling on all employees in the conduct of their official duties. No employee of the executive branch acting in their official capacity may advance an interpretation of the law as the position of the United States that contravenes the President or the Attorney General’s opinion on a matter of law, including but not limited to the issuance of regulations, guidance, and positions advanced in litigation, unless authorized to do so by the President or in writing by the Attorney General.
Sec. 8. General Provisions. (a) If any provision of this order, or the application of any provision to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
(b) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(d) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents
Presidential Documents
This page contains documents that have been published in the Federal Register.* Because the White House cannot deliver a document to the Office of the Federal Register (OFR) until after the President signs a document, there is always a delay (of at least one day, typically of several days) between when the President signs a document and when it is published. Once received, OFR gives presidential documents priority processing and documents will appear on public inspection the business day before publication. If you are looking for a recently-signed Presidential document, you may wish to check the White House website.“What Is the Mainstream Media Missing About Elon Musk? He Is Instituting Technocracy”
Naked Capitalism so it’s got to be true. There’s no accompanying video.
Patrick Lawrence isn’t stupid, but he adds Tulsi to this august list…a Lieutenant Colonel…former Democrat.
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The attack on USAID, the telephone call with Vladimir Putin, the incipient alienation of the Kiev regime, new talk of talks with the Islamic Republic, Tulsi Gabbard’s confirmation as director of national intelligence: I don’t know if these events and their timing reflect a concerted plan, back-of-an-envelope inspirations, or the president’s thinking but not necessarily the thinking of those around him. Let us in any case consider these rat-a-tat developments as one if we are to understand what is fundamentally at issue.
And we must add another to the above list. On Feb. 13 Trump came out with his most explosive proposal to date — or one of them, given how quickly the explosions come these days. This was his statement, as recorded by C–SPAN Thursday, that he wants to convene with the presidents of Russia and China, “and I want to say, let’s cut our military budget[s] in half.”
Eisenhower, Stalin, Churchill, Putin, Trump, CIA, The League of Nations and Tulsi rolls right off the flower of the tongue.
What is the phenomenon for participating in a Third Party’s Delusion of Grandeur.https://scheerpost.com/2025/02/17/patrick-lawrence-trump-vs-the-deep-state/
$841.4 billion with 4x 8% reductions gets us down to $538.4 billion. (36% over 4 years)
That only takes us back to 2006 in $ amount.
Interestingly based on official inflation stats, the defense budget of $271 billion in 1998 would be $532.7b in 2024.
No. Keep going back.
An international treaty to cut it in half is a great way to speed it up though. What would that get us to, 1976?
This is everyone’s new reality now.
The EU wants to “save the narrative”, but they will fail.Yes indeed, the big brother brave new world consensus manufactured cognitive dissonance ‘reality’
I do ponder- why is it so difficult to not just be honest ?
Now the manufacturers have to spin new reality so fast that it has plummeted into the absurd, fortunately they have lost many of the masses, and to your point they will fail.Absurd became their ‘reality’ , from 1979
Truth will always win- because I simply believe that life itself is a form of truth, as is Love.
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Seabirds-
Under the Ardern government controlled by elite globalist forces, roadblocks were erected throughout the country and we unvaccinated were forbidden to travel. We were also banned access to most places.
I followed the horror you were forced to endure- Arden is nasty, and not in a good way.
How do they look in the mirror and live with their own behavior? Psychopaths have no conscience.…
Dr D-
The F’d part is, We care about THEM, they do not care about US. Yet I can’t and won’t reverse that.
I hear you, at my core I care about all forms of life which extends to inanimate things too.
I however, will not reverse vitriol they have earned. Try and rationalize with truth- and they reject it.
Try ethics and empathy- and they reject it, mocking you. They never apologize or self reflect- then f em.I firmly believe, and now live by, that sometimes violence and smacking the shit out of them is literally the way to either snap them back into reality- or f’n get rid of them and their psychopath ways.
Caring about psychopaths on a murder rampage, when they have lost control of themselves- is a form of self destruction. When they cross the line so severely, they must be stopped.Compassion is not always about being “nice”- that is enabling.
I learned a good lesson about shutting them down and knocking them back a few months ago- to overall good results. A good work story highlighting the lameness of Liberals, their brazenly over confidence paired with total incompetence- “Karens”
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Jewish Miami Man Randomly Shoots Two Israelis He Hoped Were Palestinians
I read about that Dr D- it gets better- the two Israelis who were shot at, then posted
After the shooting, one of the Israeli victims reportedly posted “Death to the Arabs” on his social media account, declaring the attack was an act of antisemitism.
…not realizing the Jewish dude who shot them was…Jewish…thinking they were arabs…
There seems to be so much poisonous mind virus behavior these days. As if a large percentage of the population can no longer think or function with any dignity towards themselves or others.
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Trump Ends School COVID Vaccine Mandates, But He’s Not Even Close to Being Finished
Well this is big…
Trump Ends School COVID Vaccine Mandates, But He’s Not Even Close to Being Finished
Trump Could Be About To Ban COVID Vaccines
oh my, I think Trump got the memo. Victories nonetheless.
https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/trump-could-be-about-ban-covid-vaccines-report
Prosecute Team Fauci.
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