Figmund Sreud
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Post-Fed harangue, rainbows and unicorns in “The Markets!”, … and never mind wars, killing children. Santa delivers! Yes, …
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What a surprise? My TD WeBroker account sent me this article – in its entirety. It’s WSJ piece, … and so I’m pasting it here:
“Putin Vows to Push On With Ukraine War, from 1 hour ago by Dow Jones
1 hour ago by Dow Jones
By Ann M. Simmons
Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to press on with his war in Ukraine during an end-of-year audience in which he showed no sign of seeking a swift conclusion to the devastating conflict, saying there would only be peace once Russia had achieved its goals.
For the first time since launching the war, Putin fielded questions from the international media and ordinary Russians for more than four hours on Thursday, in a stage-managed event that cast the president as listening to his people, spotlighted Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine and sought to present Russia as resilient to the impacts of the conflict.
Putin trumpeted Russia’s economic resilience to stringent Western sanctions and vaunted Moscow’s commitment to the conflict amid U.S. infighting over tens of billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine.
“There will be peace when we achieve our goals. As for the goals, they are unchanged,” Putin said. These are “denazification, demilitarization of Ukraine and its neutral status,” he said during the combined news conference and citizen phone-in event. The Russian president has repeatedly and falsely accused the government in Kyiv of being influenced by neo-Nazis.
Putin’s bellicose remarks suggest little likelihood of an end to the war he began in February 2022 and that he has depicted as an existential struggle with the West. Ukraine’s allies had hoped earlier this year that its forces would retake some of the 20% of Ukrainian territory occupied by Russia, forcing Moscow to negotiate a settlement, but the counteroffensive failed to make significant gains.
“As for demilitarization, if they don’t want to come to an agreement, well then we are forced to take other measures, including military ones,” Putin said, referring to the government in Kyiv.
The Russian leader now appears to be hunkering down for the long haul in Ukraine just as Western support for Kyiv’s defense against Moscow faces new hurdles.
A sweeping foreign-aid measure providing $110.5 billion for Ukraine, Israel and other global hot spots was blocked by Republicans earlier this month and is now enmeshed in U.S. domestic politics.
Meanwhile, in Europe, a $54-billion package of aid is at the center of acrimony over the bloc’s approach to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s struggle to secure funding in the U.S. and Europe is throwing into question the West’s long-term commitment to supporting Kyiv. By contrast, Putin has signaled that he intends to fight in Ukraine for possibly years to come and appears prepared to wait for Western resolve to weaken.
Russia has reoriented its economy to sustain the war, greatly increasing military spending at the expense of civilian production.
Kyiv and many European governments believe Putin is waiting to see who wins next year’s U.S. presidential election, in the expectation that if Donald Trump is returned to office he would cut back or end aid for Ukraine.
Putin said a total of 486,000 volunteers had been recruited for military service in Russia to date and as many as 244,000 mobilized soldiers were currently fighting in Ukraine. In all, Putin said 617,000 Russian troops were on the front lines in Ukraine. He added that as of today there was no need for a further mobilization—a concern raised by citizens in the phone-in following last year’s call up of some 300,000 reservists.
The war in Ukraine has devastated Russia’s military, according to a newly declassified U.S. intelligence assessment shared with Congress. According to that intelligence, 315,000 Russian personnel have been killed or injured since Russia invaded in February 2022, or about 87% of Moscow’s prewar force of 360,000.
Ukrainian units have gone on the defensive, digging in along the eastern and southern front lines as winter slows fighting and Kyiv seeks to preserve manpower and equipment pending news on further Western aid. Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky ordered the construction of a network of defensive fortifications aimed at holding back Russian forces that are pressing an advance in the east.
Millions of Russians submitted questions in advance of Thursday’s event, according to the two television anchors who joined Putin at the podium inside the auditorium, where audience members hoisted placards indicating the theme of their concerns, home region, or their news outlet.
The last time Putin met the press in 2021, the focus fell on clues about his intentions as he amassed tens of thousands of troops on the Ukrainian border. At the time, Putin denied seeking a conflict with the West and defended what he called his country’s need to protect itself against the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s attempts to encroach on its doorstep.
Putin typically holds the news conference and live public question and answer session separately but canceled both stage-managed events last year. Russia analysts said doing so allowed the president to avoid the Russian people as the military’s offensive in Ukraine was largely floundering and the conflict had stretched for months longer than the Kremlin’s forecast.
This year, the atmospherics have shifted amid Ukraine’s slowing advance on the battlefield, tens of billions of dollars in aid for Kyiv’s defense against Russia at an impasse in the U.S., and the Russian economy proving resilient to sanctions.
In power as president or prime minister since 1999, Putin has cast himself as the only leader who can safeguard Russia’s independence in what he has described as an existential confrontation with the West, convincing Russians that the fight with Ukraine is a broader war with the U.S.-led NATO.
Sanctions have failed to bring Russia’s economy to its knees. Despite shortages in Russia’s labor market, profits from oil sales have allowed Putin to continue to dish out large subsidies to citizens, particularly to those fighting at the front and their families.
“There is enough for us not only to feel confident, but to move forward,” Putin said, adding that Russia’s gross domestic product is expected to grow by 3.5% by the end of the year. “This is a good indicator, it means that we have recovered from last year’s decline” in which the economy contracted by 2.1%, he said. However, Putin cautioned that annual inflation could approach 8% in Russia this year.
Russia retains strong and influential partners, mostly notably China. In October, Beijing rolled out the red carpet for the Russian leader and both countries, at odds with the U.S., used the moment to play up their solidarity and deepening economic and political ties. On Thursday, Putin called the level of cooperation between Russia and China unprecedented, noting that trade turnover was expected to exceed $200 billion this year.
The Russian leader has also sought to strengthen support from several developing nations, including in Africa, working to persuade them that the war in Ukraine hasn’t compromised the Kremlin’s ability to provide them military and political support. At the United Nations, African countries have been split on whether to support or abstain on various resolutions condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Earlier this month, Putin met with Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other top regional leaders, with Russian diplomats portraying the warm welcome he received as a decisive rebuttal of the U.S.’s attempts to isolate the Russian leader over his war in Ukraine.
An aborted rebellion in June by mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin presented the most serious challenge to Putin’s hold on power, but the Kremlin leader moved quickly to dispel any uncertainty at home over his authority. With his most prominent political opponents jailed or living in exile, Putin faces no serious rival in the presidential election, scheduled for March 14. Prigozhin died in a plane crash in August.
Despite failing to quickly conquer Ukraine, Putin has also sought to show Russians that their country remains a military powerhouse, largely by boasting about Russia’s nuclear capability and stoking tensions over the possible use of nuclear weapons. In recent months, he has raised the alert level of the country’s nuclear forces, announced stationing tactical nuclear missiles in neighboring ally Belarus and revoked Russia’s ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Write to Ann M. Simmons at [email protected]
@ ezlxa1949 – A bit more on sulfur.
___________There is a number of meanings regarding Smelling Sulfur, … just a short listing:
Sulfur is often associated with the devil or with hell. Sulfur can also be a sign of purification or cleansing, and be a symbol of transformation. The smell of sulfur can also be a sign that someone has been cursed.
There is more, … the scent of sulfur also indicates the presence of angels or other spiritual beings, or the smell of sulfur may be a warning from your guardian angel, … or spirit guide about someone or something evil nearby.
Anyway, I watched the vid, saw the haze filling the area, … seeing presence of Sulfur in the air was the first thing that came up into my mind! [ As I recall from my olden past – ‘50s and ‘60s – we Poles never had much love for Jews. Today, … Poland, I suspect, is not much different. I could be wrong, … ]
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It’s worth hearing this out ( … or just read transcript )
Arthur Berman: “Shale Oil and the Slurping Sound”
https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/101-art-berman
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Heat-map: Note Magnificent 7 (AAPL, MSFT, TSLA, GOOG, NVDA, AMZN, META) , … a sign of collapse? Or in another set of words, a suggestion that the world is to end, … “in a month or two”? Dunno, …
https://realinvestmentadvice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/heat-map.png
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Polish MP uses fire extinguisher to put out Hanukah candles, … Haze filled the area!
___________Yes, … Smell of Sulfur!. And so the reminder: Sulfur has long been associated with death and destruction. In Genesis 19:24, it is noted that God rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah. This act of divine retribution was seen as so complete and utter that the very name of the cities came to be used as a synonym for sinfulness.
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The Pentagon Is A Multitrillion-Dollar Fraud (Scott Ritter)
Recently, the Pentagon admitted it couldn’t account for trillions of dollars of US taxpayer money, having failed a massive yearly audit for the sixth year running
https://substack.com/home/post/p-139668885?source=queue
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Wow! War-time housing program in Canada. Yes! Today’s Dog and Pony Show:
Anyway, … in the past:
Oh, Canaduh…
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This most infamous polluting gas bag suggests a solution to how to fix democracy crisis ( … it starts at ~ 18:20 point)
Hint: Gore claims that social media had “disrupted the balances that used to exist that made representative democracy work much better.” Phlunkin dumb truck, …
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Alistair Crooke at its very best, that is, when he speaks, explains, educates, … and is not interrupted by such as Nap. Here he is for first time as a guest, and so he goes out of his ways and explains full background to the story. Even as we here know most of the story, … this time, however, we learn far, far more! Have a hear out, …
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Simon Hunt interview!
Folks, if you going to view – end to end – just one uTube vid today, this probably is it. This interview touches just about everything including all issues discussed on this forum. Enjoy, … or not, but hear it all out!
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This guy read owners manual of the latest Ford Mustang and you probably what to know what he found out. It starts at ~ 2 min. mark. It’s all about surveillance package your new car comes with at no extra cost!
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‘Pullin’ Pipe’, … Polish style! ie., Polish fairy tails
This secret operation was conducted by keeping the Americans in the dark, who were “indecisive” on approving the additional jets for Ukraine in the first three months of the war in early 2022, according to a new book by Polish journalist Zbigniew Parafianowicz ‘Polska Na Wojnie’ (Poland at War).
The book tracks the initial diplomacy and exchanges in the run-up and the immediate aftermath of Russia’s Special Military Operation (SMO) launched on February 24, 2022. It mentioned unknown details of what transpired between President Volodymyr Zelensky, his Polish counterpart Andrzej Duda, US President Joe Biden, Germany, France, and the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. […]
Frustrated By US Delays, Book Claims Poland Dismantled 10 Of Its MiG-29s & Placed Them In Forest For Ukraine
Alastair Crooke for this week:
Essay:
The Unspoken Elephant in the Room of Netanyahu’s Intent in Gaza
Interview
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News flash: Israel will begin daily four-hour pauses in northern Gaza to allow people to flee hostilities, the White House said moments ago, …
Dr. D – Okay, so we have two types of Jews.
_________________Uhm, … three (3) in fact? Parable: The year 1969: My father, Pole – residing in Canada – for the first time since the WW-3 separated them – meets with his very best friend in childhood years and beyond, Jew – residing in Chicago. They meet in Midland, Ontario, Canada. Most warmest, emotional reunion I ever witnessed! These two men sat down around the table and talked and talked for seemed like eternity, …
Anyway, at one point talk turned towards children, … my father asked about his children, how many, where are they, … what do they do?
His friend indicated that he has three sons, … and one daughter, … and he just kept talking about her for an extended bit of time. Eventually, my father interrupted, asked ‘and your sons?’. The old Jew hesitated for a bit, … than conversation restarted and went as follows ( I summarize it – it’s been long time, so forgive me).
One son stayed in Poland, became a politician, his father said, … was a hi-ranking government official, … continued helping building socialism – both my father and his friend concluded. When asked about second son, word was that that one was in the US, practicing and promoting socialism, … was a businessman and activist in Chicago – both men concluded building capitalism.
At that point, a long pause – I was puzzled, … so was my father, in fact. I actually recall that it was me who asked about his third son. Old man took a deep breath, hesitated a bit, … and than uttered: my Yitzhak now lives in Israel, on a kibbutz – northern Israel, and that he has five children already, … sixth one on its way!
Neither one of the two old friends suggested any further than that. There was no mention of politics.
… and that’s what I remember.
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@ Red – Brilliant genius’ you’d think. So they came up with a system to power up the EV’s while in the outback. Is this some amazing new use of the already existing tech?
_________Here is a lengthy harangue by ‘Stralia’s Automotive Engineer on this:
Risk expert Chuck Watson discusses recent news regarding the nuclear developments between Russia and the United States. I believe it’s worthy of landing your ear ( … about 56 min.)
Oh, Greta. You go, girl! A solution for your EV out in the ‘Stralian Outbacks!
(… this is “Australian-first technology”)This backup generator automatically switches on when the solar panels aren’t producing enough power and battery levels are low, typically after several overcast days.
Off-grid EV charger showcased at solar race across Australia
https://www.mynrma.com.au/electric-vehicles/news/off-grid-charger-powers-solar-raceWho knew? A US-made M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV) was spotted in a ceremony attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to celebrate the Day of Missile Forces and Artillery and Engineering Troops.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ABRAMS.jpg
Anyway, … “The US-made M1150 Assault Breacher Vehicle (ABV), which resembles a hybrid between a tank and a harvesting machine, will give Ukrainian troops vital powers to assist them in removing the hundreds of miles of dense minefields the Russians have erected.
Ukraine Becomes 2nd Country After US To Operate ‘Very Rare’ Abrams-Based M1150 Assault Breaching Vehicle
The Israeli paradigm crashed — both in its external, and internal manifestations of ‘deterrence’.
Paradigms are fractured beyond the imagined; perhaps irreparably
https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/opinion/paradigms-are-fractured-beyond-the-imagined–perhaps-irrepar… er, seriously?
Russian forces in southern Ukraine installed a powerful radio-jammer designed to interfere with the signals that help to direct GPS-guided munitions and drones.
Last week, Ukrainian forces blew up the Pole-21 GPS-jammer … with an apparent GPS-guided bomb.
“ It is a peek back from a modern audience into ancient history, an Old Testament massacre in real time.
The First Televised GenocideF.S.
Escobar: Let’s set West Asia on fire
The immediate goal of Straussian neocon psychos and their silos across the Beltway is to go for Syria, Lebanon – and ultimately Iran.
That’s what explains the presence in the Central and Eastern Mediterranean of a fleet of at least 73 U.S./NATO warships – ranging from two American aircraft carrier groups to 30+ ships from 14 NATO members involved in the ongoing Dynamic Mariner war games off the coast of Italy.
That’s the largest concentration of U.S./NATO warships since the 1970s.
Anyone believing this fleet is being assembled to “assist” Israel in its Final Solution project of imposing Nakba 2.0 on Gaza must read some Lewis Carroll. …
Anyway, … not exactly on topic, but the title fits! Enjoy, …
Let’s Set The World On Fire
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Reductionist moment: Israel vs. “Nazis” – legal and moral responsibility to kill civilians! Who knew?
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What are any other povs, analyses, takes? – Noirette
____________The U.S. is diabolical AI-type robotic machine! It was, … and continually is program-adjusted, by some very small group of devilishly ingenious psychopaths. All those who ignore right or wrong rules, tell lies to their advantage, have a sense of supreme superiority, … I can go on and on, but I think I just quit at that, … since devil has no bounds and I have limited time to outline it here all.
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…but actually it was deep and insightful. Tip/ – Dr. D
_____________________Yes, if your livelihood is strictly dependent on your investment practices, Lyn Alden is one of the few folks to hear out.
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Escobar, Oct. 27/‘23
The warmongers in charge of US foreign policy, not exactly Bismarckian stalwarts, believe that if Project Ukraine is unattainable, Project Final Solution in Palestine could instead be a – ethnic cleansing – cakewalk.
A more plausible scenario, though is that Iran-Russia – and the new “axis of evil” Russia-China-Iran – have all it takes to drag the Hegemon into a second quagmire. It’s all about using the enemy’s own, discombobulated flip-flapping to unbalance him and disorient him to oblivion.
https://new.thecradle.co/articles/iran-russia-set-a-western-trap-in-palestine
Interesting tidbit:
Now, the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, has released a picture of the Su-27 it recently acquired…
Su-27 Absolutely Dwarfs All Jets Around It At Its New Home
https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/su-27-absolutely-dwarfs-all-jets-around-it-at-its-new-homeF.S.
