The newer generations of Americans value service as a method to learn and ultimately earn a living. That's fine, but, serving in country's where dictators slay relatives is not the place for any American.
Conclusions (click here): PCV are exposed to unique risks, but these risks have become significantly less fatal over the past 20 years when compared to prior Peace Corps data and matched US population data.
There is no perfect world and while serving the USA through initiatives like the Peace Corps, there will always be an element of danger. In countries like North Korea the USA does not maintain an embassy. Normally, in those countries the Embassy of Sweden comes forward to assist.
Young Americans should never take it upon themselves to bring about a sign of liberation. It is not their place and inevitably they pay for it. Another example is the Rachel Corrie act of bravery. There is almost never any good that comes of it.
Otto Warmbier went to North Korea and was exuberant about the freedom he had back in the states. That enthusiasm is backed in the USA by innumerable freedoms guaranteed by law. A simple act of defiance is never welcome in places that reject freedom. Look at the way journalists are treated, as if spies by countries engaged in free trade with First World countries such as the USA. Even Egypt, prosecuted journalists because of their dedication to freedom.
Otto Warmbier knew when he made that confession it was the worst thing he could do, but, he was desperate to have a small chance the North Koreans would send him home. He gambled with his life and he lost. Never admit to any form of treason of another government. Otto Warmbier was innocent in his enthusiasm and his expression as an American. He meant no malice so much as HOPE for the future of North Korea. That is all it was. It was an expression of hope. He was not a member of a revolution or even close to being a leader of a militia. Otto Warmbier was innocent of the charges placed on him and he should have stood his ground.
The US Secretary of State is the primary contact to engage foreign relations. It is under the protections afforded through the USA government that young Americans should be seeking purposeful adventure to other countries.
If they can't be safe, please stay home.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Mr. Warmbier's confession opened the door to torture.
The spokesman for Hamilton County Coroner Dr. Lakshmi Sammaraco said the office "accepted the case" of Otto Warmbier, who died Monday in a Cincinnati hospital. Justin Weber told The Associated Press that a news conference is expected later to provide more information.
Wambier's parents did not cite a specific cause of death, but cited "awful, torturous mistreatment" by North Korea. Doctors had described Warmbier's condition as a state of "unresponsive wakefulness" and said he suffered a "severe neurological injury" of unknown cause....
The CDC.
These symptoms (click here) all result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress and symptoms may worsen to cause paralysis of certain muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and trunk (part of the body from the neck to the pelvis area, also called the torso). People with botulism may not show all of these symptoms at once.
Botulism is not associated with brain destruction. The symptoms are due to the muscles and nerve impulses, not the brain.
The WHO:
...Botulinum toxins (click here) block nerve functions and can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis....
The CDC.
These symptoms (click here) all result from muscle paralysis caused by the toxin. If untreated, the disease may progress and symptoms may worsen to cause paralysis of certain muscles, including those used in breathing and those in the arms, legs, and trunk (part of the body from the neck to the pelvis area, also called the torso). People with botulism may not show all of these symptoms at once.
Botulism is not associated with brain destruction. The symptoms are due to the muscles and nerve impulses, not the brain.
The WHO:
...Botulinum toxins (click here) block nerve functions and can lead to respiratory and muscular paralysis....
...Inhalation botulism
Inhalation botulism is rare and does not occur naturally, for example it is associated with accidental or intentional events (such as bioterrorism) which result in release of the toxins in aerosols. Inhalation botulism exhibits a similar clinical footprint to foodborne botulism. The median lethal dose for humans has been estimated at 2 nanograms of botulinum toxin per kilogram of bodyweight, which is approximately 3 times greater than in foodborne cases.
Following inhalation of the toxin, symptoms become visible between 1–3 days, with longer onset times for lower levels of intoxication. Symptoms proceed in a similar manner to ingestion of botulinum toxin and culminate in muscular paralysis and respiratory failure.
If exposure to the toxin via aerosol inhalation is suspected, additional exposure to the patient and others must be prevented. The patient's clothing must be removed and stored in plastic bags until it can be washed thoroughly with soap and water. The patient should shower and be decontaminated immediately....
Mr. Warmbier may have been exposed to botulism. It would be helpful if the WHO had statistics on botulism in North Korea. I doubt there are many modern day health statistics, but, there are probably some from the time of Kim Jong-Il. He was a better leader than his son has been. He had some affection for the people of North Korea. He allowed aid to the people so there maybe some understanding as to the health and illness (Morbidity and Mortality - click here) there.
August 1, 1986 / 35(30);490-1 Botulism antitoxin for patients (click here) with signs and symptoms of human foodborne or wound botulism is released to physicians by CDC from its quarantine stations located throughout the United States. Any health-care provider requesting botulism antitoxin should first contact his/her state health department. A list of daytime and 24-hour telephone numbers (if available) is published to assist those seeking botulism antitoxin (Table 2). If the state health department is unreachable during nights or on weekends, CDC may be called at (404) 329-2888 (24-hour number)
When botulism is suspected, a careful food history, especially for home-canned vegetables or fruits, should be sought, and the suspected food items, saved. Stool and serum should be obtained from patients with possible botulism and refrigerated. Electromyography should be done using repetitive stimulation at 40 Hz or greater. When indicated, cerebrospinal fluid should be examined for white blood cells and protein, and a Tensilon challenge test should be done. The patient's vital capacity should be monitored. The results of these tests are helpful in evaluating the need for botulism antitoxin. Reported by Enteric Diseases Br, Div of Bacterial Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
I am looking forward to the coroner's findings.
Mr. Warmbier may have been exposed to botulism. It would be helpful if the WHO had statistics on botulism in North Korea. I doubt there are many modern day health statistics, but, there are probably some from the time of Kim Jong-Il. He was a better leader than his son has been. He had some affection for the people of North Korea. He allowed aid to the people so there maybe some understanding as to the health and illness (Morbidity and Mortality - click here) there.
August 1, 1986 / 35(30);490-1 Botulism antitoxin for patients (click here) with signs and symptoms of human foodborne or wound botulism is released to physicians by CDC from its quarantine stations located throughout the United States. Any health-care provider requesting botulism antitoxin should first contact his/her state health department. A list of daytime and 24-hour telephone numbers (if available) is published to assist those seeking botulism antitoxin (Table 2). If the state health department is unreachable during nights or on weekends, CDC may be called at (404) 329-2888 (24-hour number)
When botulism is suspected, a careful food history, especially for home-canned vegetables or fruits, should be sought, and the suspected food items, saved. Stool and serum should be obtained from patients with possible botulism and refrigerated. Electromyography should be done using repetitive stimulation at 40 Hz or greater. When indicated, cerebrospinal fluid should be examined for white blood cells and protein, and a Tensilon challenge test should be done. The patient's vital capacity should be monitored. The results of these tests are helpful in evaluating the need for botulism antitoxin. Reported by Enteric Diseases Br, Div of Bacterial Diseases, Center for Infectious Diseases, CDC.
I am looking forward to the coroner's findings.
More brinkmanship from Russia.
Russia doesn't care to have a USA reconnaissance plane flying. The only other country that has this particular type of aircraft is the UK and that is because the USA authorized the sale of a few to the UK, a NATO ally.
In the picture below the Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane is landing on an aircraft carrier. It is easy to state this is a highly versatile engineered flying machine.
The jet keeps the USA safe and there is no doubt about it. The plane does not fly unmanned either. The crew is aware of potential dangers as occurred with the Russian fighter jet today. The RC-135 is not armed as a combat jet.
And so it begins:
June 20, 2017
By Dan Lamothe
A Russian fighter jet (click here) came “within several feet” of an Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea and lingered by the side of the U.S. plane for several minutes on Monday, U.S. military officials said.
The incident comes amid increased tensions between Russia and the United States following the shoot-down Sunday of a Syrian fighter jet by a U.S. Navy Super Hornet after the Syrians bombed U.S.-backed fighters in northern Syria. Russia, which is aligned with the Syrian government and is carrying out military operations in Syria alongside it, condemned the incident and said Monday that it would track U.S. aircraft over Syria.
The Russian Su-27 maneuvered its wingtip within a few feet of the larger, slower RC-135 for several minutes, said Meghan Henderson, a spokeswoman for U.S. European Command. The Pentagon considered the incident, known as an “intercept,” unsafe because of the “high rate of closure speed” and the “poor control of the aircraft” that the Russian pilot had, Henderson said....
Plane history and variant details:
The RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft was developed by Boeing in the early 60’s from C-135 Stratolifter. It is a major variant of the C-135. This reconnaissance aircraft was adopted by the US Air Force in 1962 as the RC-135. It is referred by the Boeing company as the Model 739. Although the Boeing RC-135 has been in the service for over half a century, its operators plan to keep it employed for a few decades more. This aircraft remains among the USAF's most important strategic reconnaissance assets. The United Kingdom, which is the only country outside the US that uses the RC-135, plans to use these aircraft until 2045.
The US Air Force has been using this aircraft since 1962 and since, it was used in every of their military operations, starting from the Vietnam War. A total of 32 airframes of this type of aircraft were built. Currently 22 units are still in the US Air Force inventory. These are either RC-135S, RC-135U, RC-135V, or RC-135W variant. All of these reconnaissance aircraft are assigned to Air Combat Command, and often operate from US bases or using various forward deployment locations worldwide. The Royal Air Force operates a small number of these aircraft. Recently one of them flew missions against the Islamic State.
This aircraft gathers electronic and signal intelligence worldwide. It can operate at a theatre, or country level. This reconnaissance plane has near real-time on scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities...
...RRC-135S Cobra Ball (click here) is a measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) collection aircraft. It was designed to observe and track ballistic missile flights and monitor their signals at long range.This aircraft was fitted with special electro-optical instruments. Two RC-135S aircraft were converted from C-135B transports in 1969. These can be identified by a black engines and right wing. One aircraft was lost in 1981, however another was converted in 1983. The third aircraft was converted from the RC-135X in the late 1990s. So currently three of these aircraft are in service. There is one more TC-135S training aircraft, that was modified from the EC-135B. This trainer does not carry any mission equipment....
In the picture below the Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane is landing on an aircraft carrier. It is easy to state this is a highly versatile engineered flying machine.
The jet keeps the USA safe and there is no doubt about it. The plane does not fly unmanned either. The crew is aware of potential dangers as occurred with the Russian fighter jet today. The RC-135 is not armed as a combat jet.
And so it begins:
June 20, 2017By Dan Lamothe
A Russian fighter jet (click here) came “within several feet” of an Air Force RC-135 reconnaissance plane over the Baltic Sea and lingered by the side of the U.S. plane for several minutes on Monday, U.S. military officials said.
The incident comes amid increased tensions between Russia and the United States following the shoot-down Sunday of a Syrian fighter jet by a U.S. Navy Super Hornet after the Syrians bombed U.S.-backed fighters in northern Syria. Russia, which is aligned with the Syrian government and is carrying out military operations in Syria alongside it, condemned the incident and said Monday that it would track U.S. aircraft over Syria.
The Russian Su-27 maneuvered its wingtip within a few feet of the larger, slower RC-135 for several minutes, said Meghan Henderson, a spokeswoman for U.S. European Command. The Pentagon considered the incident, known as an “intercept,” unsafe because of the “high rate of closure speed” and the “poor control of the aircraft” that the Russian pilot had, Henderson said....
Plane history and variant details:
The RC-135 reconnaissance aircraft was developed by Boeing in the early 60’s from C-135 Stratolifter. It is a major variant of the C-135. This reconnaissance aircraft was adopted by the US Air Force in 1962 as the RC-135. It is referred by the Boeing company as the Model 739. Although the Boeing RC-135 has been in the service for over half a century, its operators plan to keep it employed for a few decades more. This aircraft remains among the USAF's most important strategic reconnaissance assets. The United Kingdom, which is the only country outside the US that uses the RC-135, plans to use these aircraft until 2045.
The US Air Force has been using this aircraft since 1962 and since, it was used in every of their military operations, starting from the Vietnam War. A total of 32 airframes of this type of aircraft were built. Currently 22 units are still in the US Air Force inventory. These are either RC-135S, RC-135U, RC-135V, or RC-135W variant. All of these reconnaissance aircraft are assigned to Air Combat Command, and often operate from US bases or using various forward deployment locations worldwide. The Royal Air Force operates a small number of these aircraft. Recently one of them flew missions against the Islamic State.
This aircraft gathers electronic and signal intelligence worldwide. It can operate at a theatre, or country level. This reconnaissance plane has near real-time on scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities...
...RRC-135S Cobra Ball (click here) is a measurement and signature intelligence (MASINT) collection aircraft. It was designed to observe and track ballistic missile flights and monitor their signals at long range.This aircraft was fitted with special electro-optical instruments. Two RC-135S aircraft were converted from C-135B transports in 1969. These can be identified by a black engines and right wing. One aircraft was lost in 1981, however another was converted in 1983. The third aircraft was converted from the RC-135X in the late 1990s. So currently three of these aircraft are in service. There is one more TC-135S training aircraft, that was modified from the EC-135B. This trainer does not carry any mission equipment....
Jon Ossoff is a good and decent man.
He should be judged by voters on his character, his history, his values that he reflects in his desire to be the USA House Representative for Georgia's 6th district and the best outcomes of the citizens of this district.
June 19, 2017
By John Kruzel
An attack ad (click here) released on the eve of Georgia’s special House election claims Democrat Jon Ossoff has the support of "unhinged leftists" who celebrated the shooting of Republican lawmakers.
June 19, 2017
By John Kruzel
An attack ad (click here) released on the eve of Georgia’s special House election claims Democrat Jon Ossoff has the support of "unhinged leftists" who celebrated the shooting of Republican lawmakers.
The video, from a group calling itself Principled PAC, opens with the sound of gunfire over footage of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., being wheeled on a stretcher. Scalise was critically wounded in the June 14 attack on a GOP congressional baseball practice that left five others with gunshot wounds and the shooter dead.
"The unhinged left is endorsing and applauding shooting Republicans," states the ad, which was viewed more than 86,000 times on YouTube since June 18. "When will it stop? It won’t if Jon Ossoff wins on Tuesday, because the same unhinged leftists cheering last week's shooting are all backing Jon Ossoff."...
U.S. House of Representative Scalise is in a hospital fighting for his life and the only question I have at the moment is the condition of his mentation. Was he impaired from lack of oxygen due to low blood volume at the scene of the shooting. From what is told in the attack ad there is a very bloody scene which I had not viewed in the news media. If he lost too much blood his brain may have been starved for oxygen for a longer period of time than is sustainable for a complete recovery.
I don't care to view the attack ad either. I do not believe violence should be part of an election in the manner this attack ad uses the visual impact. It is immoral and wrong.
Rep. Scalise is a self proclaimed "White Supremacist." Does anyone stop to realize the deaths that have taken place in this country in the name of White Supremacy, including judges and prison wardens? Yet, Scalise persists in his staunch beliefs that are now reflected by high ranking officials inside the White House with access to the Oval Office.
Does anyone remember the wreath laid in Israel in remembrance of the Jewish people that perished during the Holocaust? "In Remembrance from Donald J. Trump President United States of America." The wreath in the video below is the one I am referencing. The ribbon is odd enough, but, if President Trump found it necessary to personalize the message one has to wonder why. In his capacity of President of the USA on an official trip he represents all the people of the USA. Yet, in this particular instance he personalized the message. It was his choice as a person to lay this wreath and remove the message of it from the people in general. Is there a segment of American society that objects to the Jewish race? Is there a member of that segment of the American society that is in a high ranking place in the Oval Office and White House?
18 December 2016
A white supremacist website (click here) has endangered the people's lives by postign contact details and photos of Jewish residents in a small Montana town - where the mother of white supremacist Richard Spencer lives - and has urged readers to "take action"....
Now, you will excuse me, but, this is a direct threat to the Jewish people of Whitefish, Montana. A direct threat. These guys aren't messing around. Then I read today there was a Republican website that published it's voter bank. What does that mean? Favoritism in the American society and rejection of others even in their place of work?
When an American travels abroad to attend White Supremacist conventions it means that American is involved with the global movement of hate based in the philosophy of these ORGANIZATIONS. This isn't a man or a group of riflemen, these are highly organized and powerful organizations that profess hate.
Make no mistake about it, white supremacist organizations hate and want DEAD the Jewish and the Black race. Scalise is one of these people. In professing hate and representing it at a high ranking level of the Republican Party will result in certain dangers to one's well being and life. No one asked to have Steve Scalise assaulted by a military style gun that day at the baseball diamond. But, it happened. The party affiliation is not the issue here. US Senator Bernie Sanders has denounced violence and he accepts the idea Americans have the right to keep guns.
The attack ad is wrong and immoral. It exploits, as if a sympathetic figure, the injuries of a white supremacist congressman. People have strong feelings about the ISSUE OF DEATH. I cannot stand in sympathy of Mr. Scalise. I wish him no harm and never did, but, his life has spoken for itself and I care not to see him in any other light except as a man that supports the DEATHS of other races. I cannot make that turn and I won't. He is a dangerous man and he is not a sympathetic figure.
U.S. House of Representative Scalise is in a hospital fighting for his life and the only question I have at the moment is the condition of his mentation. Was he impaired from lack of oxygen due to low blood volume at the scene of the shooting. From what is told in the attack ad there is a very bloody scene which I had not viewed in the news media. If he lost too much blood his brain may have been starved for oxygen for a longer period of time than is sustainable for a complete recovery.
I don't care to view the attack ad either. I do not believe violence should be part of an election in the manner this attack ad uses the visual impact. It is immoral and wrong.
Rep. Scalise is a self proclaimed "White Supremacist." Does anyone stop to realize the deaths that have taken place in this country in the name of White Supremacy, including judges and prison wardens? Yet, Scalise persists in his staunch beliefs that are now reflected by high ranking officials inside the White House with access to the Oval Office.
Does anyone remember the wreath laid in Israel in remembrance of the Jewish people that perished during the Holocaust? "In Remembrance from Donald J. Trump President United States of America." The wreath in the video below is the one I am referencing. The ribbon is odd enough, but, if President Trump found it necessary to personalize the message one has to wonder why. In his capacity of President of the USA on an official trip he represents all the people of the USA. Yet, in this particular instance he personalized the message. It was his choice as a person to lay this wreath and remove the message of it from the people in general. Is there a segment of American society that objects to the Jewish race? Is there a member of that segment of the American society that is in a high ranking place in the Oval Office and White House?
18 December 2016
A white supremacist website (click here) has endangered the people's lives by postign contact details and photos of Jewish residents in a small Montana town - where the mother of white supremacist Richard Spencer lives - and has urged readers to "take action"....
Now, you will excuse me, but, this is a direct threat to the Jewish people of Whitefish, Montana. A direct threat. These guys aren't messing around. Then I read today there was a Republican website that published it's voter bank. What does that mean? Favoritism in the American society and rejection of others even in their place of work?
When an American travels abroad to attend White Supremacist conventions it means that American is involved with the global movement of hate based in the philosophy of these ORGANIZATIONS. This isn't a man or a group of riflemen, these are highly organized and powerful organizations that profess hate.
Make no mistake about it, white supremacist organizations hate and want DEAD the Jewish and the Black race. Scalise is one of these people. In professing hate and representing it at a high ranking level of the Republican Party will result in certain dangers to one's well being and life. No one asked to have Steve Scalise assaulted by a military style gun that day at the baseball diamond. But, it happened. The party affiliation is not the issue here. US Senator Bernie Sanders has denounced violence and he accepts the idea Americans have the right to keep guns.
The attack ad is wrong and immoral. It exploits, as if a sympathetic figure, the injuries of a white supremacist congressman. People have strong feelings about the ISSUE OF DEATH. I cannot stand in sympathy of Mr. Scalise. I wish him no harm and never did, but, his life has spoken for itself and I care not to see him in any other light except as a man that supports the DEATHS of other races. I cannot make that turn and I won't. He is a dangerous man and he is not a sympathetic figure.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Vladimir Zhirinovsky is the only Russia currently registered for the 2018 presidential elections.
By Damien Sharkov
The populist firebrand of the Russian political establishment (click here) stormed out of parliament, threatening to “shoot and hang” lawmakers from Russia’s ruling United Russia party, after accusing them of corruption.
Vladimir Zhirinovsky, whose LDPR party seldom breaks ranks with United Russia, has long served as a tumultuous and ultra-conservative foil for Vladimir Putin at presidential elections. Speaking to parliament Wednesday, in the midst of a characteristically aggravated preamble about corruption, Zhirinovsky whipped himself into a shouting frenzy that ended with death threats and a walkout.
He first accused officials of covering for criminal gangs—a popular, if passé, trope of Russian politics—naming the Moscow region as one of the more corrupt ones. When a United Russia member for Moscow, Oksana Pushkina, piped up in defense of her region, Zhirinovsky shifted gears....
There is every indication the USA could be at war with Russia, except, for conflict of interest with Trump/Kushner company profits. Zhirinovsky needs to straighten his tie a little before declaring war.
June 19, 2017
By Sabra Ayres
Russia’s defense ministry (click here) said Monday that it was withdrawing from a Syrian airspace agreement with the United States in retaliation for the U.S. downing of a Syrian jet, and would begin considering any U.S.-led coalition planes flying west of the Euphrates River as targets.
Moscow, the closest ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, called the downing of the Syrian jet on Sunday “military aggression.”
"The shooting down of a Syrian Air Force jet in Syria’s airspace is a cynical violation of Syria’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement. “The U.S.’ repeated combat operations under the guise of ‘combating terrorism’ against the legitimate armed forces of a U.N. member-state are a flagrant violation of international law, in addition to being actual military aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic."
The U.S.-led coalition said it shot down the Syrian SU-22, a Russian-made fighter-bomber jet, late on Sunday afternoon. The U.S. Combined Joint Task force said it downed the Syrian government plane after it bombed fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The SDF is a multiethnic alliance made up of Kurds and Syrian Arab groups. The U.S. has supported the group in its fight against the Islamic State.
SDF is also fighting against Assad’s government, which Russia has continued to support throughout Syria’s six-year civil war....
Why did Russia enter into an airspace agreement in the first place? Was that before or after Turkey shot down a Russian jet? The air space agreement was well after Turkey shot down the Russian jet. That was December 2015 (click here). It only seems like yesterday.
Actually that is not precise. The ORIGINAL air space agreement was October 20, 2015 (click here). Then Putin tore up the Syrian air space agreement when Trump attacked Assad's airfield (click here). Gassing the people stuff. So now Putin wants to end ALL COOPERATION in order to carry out retaliatory strikes against the USA coalition which includes the SDF. But, the warehouse was already destroyed, so is this Putin continuing aggression or simply declaring war at the next opportune moment?
But, to be honest, this is just the latest in a lot of opposition between the two countries, not including Syria.
May 16, 2017
By Anne Barnard
Beirut, Lebanon — The Syrian government (click here) forcefully rejected on Tuesday accusations by the United States that the bodies of thousands of political prisoners had been disposed of in a crematory at a prison near Damascus, describing the allegations as “lies” to justify American aggression.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad has long been accused of killing thousands of prisoners and burying them in mass graves. But on Monday, the Trump administration made a new charge, accusing Damascus of burning corpses at the Sednaya prison to destroy evidence of war crimes.
“U.S. administrations continue fabricating lies and allegations to justify their aggressive and interventionist policies in other sovereign countries,” the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to the state news agency SANA. “These allegations are totally untrue and are only fabrications by the imagination of this administration and its agents.”
The response from the Foreign Ministry, which likened the accusations to the script of a Hollywood movie, came on the first day of a new round of negotiations in Geneva on the Syria crisis....
And we have quite a way to go before the Russian elections, which probably won't produce anything other than more war mongers with brinkmanship the favorite political posture.
See, but, brinkmanship throws the USA off to think "Oh, here goes Russia again." I would not let my guard down that much to be understanding and compassionate.
Russia is just not a happy place these days and it is really itching for war with the USA since the religious extremists were reflected in the "Putin Gaze" that reveals his soul. Even vacationers are down from Russia. If they asked "pretty please" maybe the Trump Organization could help with a casino in Crimea. Now that would attract interest from all over the region, huh?
June 19, 2017
Russian travel agents (click here) have seen sales of package holidays to Crimea fall by almost a third, new data has revealed.
Sales for trips to Crimea was down 30 percent in June compared to the same time last year, the Russian Travel Industry Union (PCT) reported on Monday.
PCT spokesperson Irina Tyurina said that more Russian holidaymakers were choosing to travel abroad thanks to the growing stability of the ruble. The end of Kremlin sanctions against Turkey — a popular destination among Russian tourists — also affected the domestic travel market, with resorts across Russia's Black Sea coast suffering similar declines, she said.
The number of Russians traveling abroad plummeted in 2015-2016, falling from 17 million to 9 million people annually. The trend sparked a pledge from the Kremlin to boost domestic tourism, although growing prices in Crimea has caused many Russians to holiday elsewhere.
This is my theory.
Russia wanted Trump in the White House so badly because he is inept. Rammed ships in the Pacific, downed jets and an airfield attacked in Syria. New Kushner opportunities for wealth in China and perhaps deceiving Trump into believing he would be the preferred organization to establish gambling casinos and tourist hotels in Russia.
Add to the current tensions the fact ExxonMobile is selling oil fields in Kurdistan in order to purchase them in Russia with lifted sanctions and all is right with the world. At least the world of the USA plutocrats. Demoralizing the educational system in the USA, setting up environmental damage to America's air and water, denying health care to 24 million Americans and all sorts of "Perks for Profit" of the American taxpayer, while setting up "for profit" dynamics in the rest of the world.
This USA administration is on a one way path to economic and international disaster. At every turn, Trump is defaming NATO and not committing to support of the treaty. He is looking for payments from NATO allies in the face of increasing tensions with Russia and growing fears in the UK.
This administration spells bad. I don't mean a little bad, I mean it stinks. It is playing footsie with the Trump Organization and the Kushner family to increase their wealth. I've had enough of the attacks against the past policies of the USA that have stood for decades and now I am watching the USA Navy pay the price for China's anger with increased tensions between it, Taiwan and Japan. Now bring to bear the reality with North Korea and the increased USA presence in the region and it looks as though Russia and China are getting ready to make their "2000 Friendship Agreement" matter.
The USA Congress needs to act. I firmly believe Trump's ego is more important to him than the country and he would sell the USA down the tubes to have his empire expand in China and Russia. The communists know it and they are ready to take advantage of Trump's willingness for profits before Hillary Clinton can return to the White House!
My Irish Grandfather had an expression for times like this, "May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you are dead."
There is every indication the USA could be at war with Russia, except, for conflict of interest with Trump/Kushner company profits. Zhirinovsky needs to straighten his tie a little before declaring war.
June 19, 2017
By Sabra Ayres
Russia’s defense ministry (click here) said Monday that it was withdrawing from a Syrian airspace agreement with the United States in retaliation for the U.S. downing of a Syrian jet, and would begin considering any U.S.-led coalition planes flying west of the Euphrates River as targets.
Moscow, the closest ally of Syrian President Bashar Assad, called the downing of the Syrian jet on Sunday “military aggression.”
"The shooting down of a Syrian Air Force jet in Syria’s airspace is a cynical violation of Syria’s sovereignty,” the ministry said in a statement. “The U.S.’ repeated combat operations under the guise of ‘combating terrorism’ against the legitimate armed forces of a U.N. member-state are a flagrant violation of international law, in addition to being actual military aggression against the Syrian Arab Republic."
The U.S.-led coalition said it shot down the Syrian SU-22, a Russian-made fighter-bomber jet, late on Sunday afternoon. The U.S. Combined Joint Task force said it downed the Syrian government plane after it bombed fighters from the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF. The SDF is a multiethnic alliance made up of Kurds and Syrian Arab groups. The U.S. has supported the group in its fight against the Islamic State.
SDF is also fighting against Assad’s government, which Russia has continued to support throughout Syria’s six-year civil war....
Why did Russia enter into an airspace agreement in the first place? Was that before or after Turkey shot down a Russian jet? The air space agreement was well after Turkey shot down the Russian jet. That was December 2015 (click here). It only seems like yesterday.
Actually that is not precise. The ORIGINAL air space agreement was October 20, 2015 (click here). Then Putin tore up the Syrian air space agreement when Trump attacked Assad's airfield (click here). Gassing the people stuff. So now Putin wants to end ALL COOPERATION in order to carry out retaliatory strikes against the USA coalition which includes the SDF. But, the warehouse was already destroyed, so is this Putin continuing aggression or simply declaring war at the next opportune moment?
But, to be honest, this is just the latest in a lot of opposition between the two countries, not including Syria.
May 16, 2017
By Anne Barnard
Beirut, Lebanon — The Syrian government (click here) forcefully rejected on Tuesday accusations by the United States that the bodies of thousands of political prisoners had been disposed of in a crematory at a prison near Damascus, describing the allegations as “lies” to justify American aggression.
The government of President Bashar al-Assad has long been accused of killing thousands of prisoners and burying them in mass graves. But on Monday, the Trump administration made a new charge, accusing Damascus of burning corpses at the Sednaya prison to destroy evidence of war crimes.
“U.S. administrations continue fabricating lies and allegations to justify their aggressive and interventionist policies in other sovereign countries,” the Syrian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, according to the state news agency SANA. “These allegations are totally untrue and are only fabrications by the imagination of this administration and its agents.”
The response from the Foreign Ministry, which likened the accusations to the script of a Hollywood movie, came on the first day of a new round of negotiations in Geneva on the Syria crisis....
And we have quite a way to go before the Russian elections, which probably won't produce anything other than more war mongers with brinkmanship the favorite political posture.
See, but, brinkmanship throws the USA off to think "Oh, here goes Russia again." I would not let my guard down that much to be understanding and compassionate.
Russia is just not a happy place these days and it is really itching for war with the USA since the religious extremists were reflected in the "Putin Gaze" that reveals his soul. Even vacationers are down from Russia. If they asked "pretty please" maybe the Trump Organization could help with a casino in Crimea. Now that would attract interest from all over the region, huh?
June 19, 2017
Russian travel agents (click here) have seen sales of package holidays to Crimea fall by almost a third, new data has revealed.
Sales for trips to Crimea was down 30 percent in June compared to the same time last year, the Russian Travel Industry Union (PCT) reported on Monday.
PCT spokesperson Irina Tyurina said that more Russian holidaymakers were choosing to travel abroad thanks to the growing stability of the ruble. The end of Kremlin sanctions against Turkey — a popular destination among Russian tourists — also affected the domestic travel market, with resorts across Russia's Black Sea coast suffering similar declines, she said.
The number of Russians traveling abroad plummeted in 2015-2016, falling from 17 million to 9 million people annually. The trend sparked a pledge from the Kremlin to boost domestic tourism, although growing prices in Crimea has caused many Russians to holiday elsewhere.
This is my theory.
Russia wanted Trump in the White House so badly because he is inept. Rammed ships in the Pacific, downed jets and an airfield attacked in Syria. New Kushner opportunities for wealth in China and perhaps deceiving Trump into believing he would be the preferred organization to establish gambling casinos and tourist hotels in Russia.
Add to the current tensions the fact ExxonMobile is selling oil fields in Kurdistan in order to purchase them in Russia with lifted sanctions and all is right with the world. At least the world of the USA plutocrats. Demoralizing the educational system in the USA, setting up environmental damage to America's air and water, denying health care to 24 million Americans and all sorts of "Perks for Profit" of the American taxpayer, while setting up "for profit" dynamics in the rest of the world.
This USA administration is on a one way path to economic and international disaster. At every turn, Trump is defaming NATO and not committing to support of the treaty. He is looking for payments from NATO allies in the face of increasing tensions with Russia and growing fears in the UK.
This administration spells bad. I don't mean a little bad, I mean it stinks. It is playing footsie with the Trump Organization and the Kushner family to increase their wealth. I've had enough of the attacks against the past policies of the USA that have stood for decades and now I am watching the USA Navy pay the price for China's anger with increased tensions between it, Taiwan and Japan. Now bring to bear the reality with North Korea and the increased USA presence in the region and it looks as though Russia and China are getting ready to make their "2000 Friendship Agreement" matter.
The USA Congress needs to act. I firmly believe Trump's ego is more important to him than the country and he would sell the USA down the tubes to have his empire expand in China and Russia. The communists know it and they are ready to take advantage of Trump's willingness for profits before Hillary Clinton can return to the White House!
My Irish Grandfather had an expression for times like this, "May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you are dead."
The exterior coating on the Grenfell Tower was illegal in the UK.
By Aine Fox
A young girl evacuated (click here) amid the Grenfell Tower fire and a man saved from the 19th floor of the burning building moved the Prime Minister to "well up" as she listened to their harrowing accounts.
Theresa May met survivors of the disaster and others who helped get people out as the fire raged, prompting her to release a strongly-worded statement saying support for victims in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity "was not good enough".
Those she met on Friday evening near the site in west London were invited to Downing Street on Saturday to "continue the conversation" after Mrs May had to be rushed away from the scene due to angry protests, the Area Dean of Kensington said....
June 15, 2017By Chloe Chaplain
In a touching show of solidarity (click here) people across the UK have even offered to vacate their homes to make way for those affected by the horrific events of Tuesday night.
Seventeen people have been confirmed dead – with that number expected to rise – and hundreds have been displaced from their homes.Emergency funds have been set up and collection points are operating across the capital, where Londoners can donate whatever they are able....
The survivors of the inferno are facing the lost of everything in their lives. Their belongs and their memories.
By Tara Evan
The local council (click here) is providing emergency assistance to those families affected by the blaze but it’s feared many do not have insurance cover....
Firefighters did everything they could to save lives, but, the smoke was more of an enemy than they expected.
If they don't train for buildings with illegal coatings, why should they be prepared to do the unexpected? Those coatings burn hot and fast. They are impossible to extinguish in the reaction time that reality dictates.
Governments don't regulate because it favors one company over another, it regulates to save lives and protect quality of life.
By Narjas Zatat
...Arriving at the scene, (click here) he said he was instructed to answer a call for help on the 14th floor, Flat 113 – where people were known to be waiting for help – along with his crew mate Terry Lowe.
However their first attempt to reach it failed and on the 10th floor the duo discovered a mother attempting to carry her daughter away from the flames.
They decided to take the two people down to the third floor, where they were handed over to other crew members and evacuated.
The pair tried to get to the 14th floor for a second time, but only managed to get to the eighth before they were confronted by another woman and a small girl in her pyjamas.
After taking them down, they were ordered to leave the building because the consuming smoke had rendered the environment too dangerous even for those wearing fire safety equipment....
There are discriminatory views that have to be assessed in the UK and Europe.
The person who died was already receiving aid at the Mosque. The person was probably unable to get out of the way of the van. But, others were injured as well. It is stated all the injuries looked serious.
I think it is appropriate to discuss immigration plans of a country among the incidents of attacks on citizens because the immigration limits stem from fear.
I will say this about immigration recently into Europe. It was foolhearty to allow so many to come from the Middle East, especially Syria, where primarily young men without families entered the continent.
Within Europe there is also a problem with discrimination among it's citizens. I strongly suggest before more people are brought into the UK or Europe in mass numbers an assessment of discrimination and it's impact on labor be conducted.
There needs to be stronger discrimination laws in the EU and UK with a focus on providing quality of life to all citizens through work with a living wage. The leaders of the EU countries and the UK know where these issues lie. Discrimination breeds oppression and oppression breeds hate.
So, while Theresa May's decision to hold the numbers of immigrants down is unpopular in the business community, she is not completely incorrect. Limiting the number of immigrants will call up those normally discriminated against for another look at their job readiness and willingness. I think the people in the UK and the EU, whom are citizens or wanting to be citizens, be fully engaged, thus fully invested in the well being and prosperity of the country.
I realize the unemployment rate in the EU and UK is at rates are low similar to the USA, but, there are some underlying social issues that MUST be addressed to insure all the people are a part of a satisfying life with potential.
This attack on the Mosque was retaliation for all the other bombings occurring in the UK. The structure fire that took lives recently didn't help the fear in the country. I am confident many Brits were seeing the fire as a terror attack. I don't believe it was, but, when people are fearful they will react in unexpected ways.
I believe Prime Minister May is also addressing the fear within the UK with such announcements. I am sure the fear is palpable. The fear is an enemy of the UK, too. Fear needs treatment when it is irrational and out of control. It is my estimate this attack on the Mosque was exactly that, irrational and out of control.
The Post Brexit government has to have the legitimacy of the people while other parties rebuild TRUST citizens can believe in. The UK needs the commitment of all it's leaders to address their deepest concerns, including, equity in employment and the stability of their economy. The shortage of labor will become evident and then can be addressed in a real way and perhaps Prime Minister May will be proven foolish.
June 19, 2017
By Andrew Grice
Theresa May’s post-Brexit plan (click here) to slash immigration will have a devastating “double whammy” impact on the British economy, according to the most detailed study of EU nationals to date.
The new report seen by The Independent reveals how the Prime Minister’s stubborn refusal to dump her “tens of thousands” cap on net migration would not only cut off a vital supply of labour, but deepen existing shortages in key sectors.
Kindly adjust volume of any videos to prevent hearing damage.
I think it is appropriate to discuss immigration plans of a country among the incidents of attacks on citizens because the immigration limits stem from fear.
I will say this about immigration recently into Europe. It was foolhearty to allow so many to come from the Middle East, especially Syria, where primarily young men without families entered the continent.
Within Europe there is also a problem with discrimination among it's citizens. I strongly suggest before more people are brought into the UK or Europe in mass numbers an assessment of discrimination and it's impact on labor be conducted.
There needs to be stronger discrimination laws in the EU and UK with a focus on providing quality of life to all citizens through work with a living wage. The leaders of the EU countries and the UK know where these issues lie. Discrimination breeds oppression and oppression breeds hate.
So, while Theresa May's decision to hold the numbers of immigrants down is unpopular in the business community, she is not completely incorrect. Limiting the number of immigrants will call up those normally discriminated against for another look at their job readiness and willingness. I think the people in the UK and the EU, whom are citizens or wanting to be citizens, be fully engaged, thus fully invested in the well being and prosperity of the country.
I realize the unemployment rate in the EU and UK is at rates are low similar to the USA, but, there are some underlying social issues that MUST be addressed to insure all the people are a part of a satisfying life with potential.
This attack on the Mosque was retaliation for all the other bombings occurring in the UK. The structure fire that took lives recently didn't help the fear in the country. I am confident many Brits were seeing the fire as a terror attack. I don't believe it was, but, when people are fearful they will react in unexpected ways.
I believe Prime Minister May is also addressing the fear within the UK with such announcements. I am sure the fear is palpable. The fear is an enemy of the UK, too. Fear needs treatment when it is irrational and out of control. It is my estimate this attack on the Mosque was exactly that, irrational and out of control.
The Post Brexit government has to have the legitimacy of the people while other parties rebuild TRUST citizens can believe in. The UK needs the commitment of all it's leaders to address their deepest concerns, including, equity in employment and the stability of their economy. The shortage of labor will become evident and then can be addressed in a real way and perhaps Prime Minister May will be proven foolish.
June 19, 2017
By Andrew Grice
Theresa May’s post-Brexit plan (click here) to slash immigration will have a devastating “double whammy” impact on the British economy, according to the most detailed study of EU nationals to date.
The new report seen by The Independent reveals how the Prime Minister’s stubborn refusal to dump her “tens of thousands” cap on net migration would not only cut off a vital supply of labour, but deepen existing shortages in key sectors.
Kindly adjust volume of any videos to prevent hearing damage.
Now why would there be an emoluments clause in the USA Constitution?
Will a billionaire with a conflict of interest in Russia and China be willing to defend the USA and it's military at the cost of his businesses?
Sunday, June 18, 2017
To be noted...
...the freighter ship that rammed the USS Fitzgerald decided to back up and make a 90 degree turn right in the direction of a USA warship that should have maneuvered out of the way ANYWAY.
The lousy freighter was in the shipping lanes when it decided to practice parallel parking.
The USS Fitzgerald was recently refitted and should have been better than ever.
WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE PACIFIC!
Japan and South Korea are completely opposed to nuclear confrontation!
The ACX Crystal hit dead on. That was no glancing blow. It took aim on the USS Fitzgerald. I think the Commander of the Fitzgerald at the time was completely caught off guard.
Yes, I am saying this was a deliberate strike. What was the ACX Crystal's speed when it rammed the USS Fitzgerald?
I want to know who advised them? Russia? China? I don't believe any Japanese government entity is involved.
June 18, 2017
By Scott Shane
...The Navy (click here) released the names on Sunday night of the seven sailors aboard the Fitzgerald who were killed in a collision with a container ship. They were all located in flooded berths, the Navy said.
The sailors were identified as Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, of Palmyra, Va.; Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, of San Diego; Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, of Oakville, Conn.; Noe Hernandez, 26, of Weslaco, Tex.; Carlosvictor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, of Chula Vista, Calif.; Xavier Alec Martin, 24, of Halethorpe, Md.; and Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, of Elyria, Ohio....
The lousy freighter was in the shipping lanes when it decided to practice parallel parking.
The USS Fitzgerald was recently refitted and should have been better than ever.
WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE PACIFIC!
Japan and South Korea are completely opposed to nuclear confrontation!The ACX Crystal hit dead on. That was no glancing blow. It took aim on the USS Fitzgerald. I think the Commander of the Fitzgerald at the time was completely caught off guard.
Yes, I am saying this was a deliberate strike. What was the ACX Crystal's speed when it rammed the USS Fitzgerald?
I want to know who advised them? Russia? China? I don't believe any Japanese government entity is involved.
June 18, 2017
By Scott Shane
...The Navy (click here) released the names on Sunday night of the seven sailors aboard the Fitzgerald who were killed in a collision with a container ship. They were all located in flooded berths, the Navy said.
The sailors were identified as Dakota Kyle Rigsby, 19, of Palmyra, Va.; Shingo Alexander Douglass, 25, of San Diego; Ngoc T Truong Huynh, 25, of Oakville, Conn.; Noe Hernandez, 26, of Weslaco, Tex.; Carlosvictor Ganzon Sibayan, 23, of Chula Vista, Calif.; Xavier Alec Martin, 24, of Halethorpe, Md.; and Gary Leo Rehm Jr., 37, of Elyria, Ohio....
Today commemorates Father's Day.
This is what happens when a Republican President wants to look presidential; he expands a stupid war that is never going to end. This is not a war the USA needs to fight. It is a regional war that can only be settled when the people reject the Taliban.
Today, there are many children in the USA that do not have a father for Father's Day. When are the conflicts going to end? Don't we have enough dead service men after nearly two decades of chasing the Taliban? We can now add dead Navy sailors to those numbers. When does it get to be enough of a sacrifice for the people of the USA?
June 18, 2017
By Charlie May
In a war (click here) that has now seen its third president, the Pentagon plans to send nearly 4,000 additional troops to Afghanistan, according to the Washington Post.
The news comes as President Donald Trump recently gave Secretary of Defense James Mattis the authority to establish troop levels and as concerns have come from “the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan that he doesn’t have enough forces to help Afghanistan’s army against a resurgent Taliban insurgency,” according to the Post. Trump has not spoken to or met with Iraq or Afghanistan commander once.
Most of the troops will help train or advise Afghan forces, while a smaller number of troops will be dedicated to “counterterror operations against the Taliban and IS,” according to the Post....
There is nothing presidential about escalating the conflict in Afghanistan. In my opinion, Mattis is sending more troops because of Russia, not the Taliban. Never give a general carte blanche to do as he wishes. Never.
I WANT TO KNOW THE STRATEGY OF RETURNING SOLDIERS TO AFGHANISTAN, another surge? If the first one didn't work why should this one?
THE AFGHANISTAN WAR HAS GONE ON A GENERATION ALREADY. An entire generation in the USA has known war and Osama bin Laden is dead.
"The True Cost of the Afghanistan War" (click here)
According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report published in October 2007, the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost taxpayers a total of $2.4 trillion by 2017 when counting the huge interest costs because combat is being financed with borrowed money.
The USA Deaths in Afghanistan are 2399. (click here)
According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report published in October 2007, the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan could cost taxpayers a total of $2.4 trillion by 2017 when counting the huge interest costs because combat is being financed with borrowed money.
The USA Deaths in Afghanistan are 2399. (click here)
The Summer Solstice is later this week, so maybe I'll continue the discussion of the Kyoto Protocol then.
Good night.
Saturday, June 17, 2017
This is something like the second collision in a month of a US warship and a cargo ship.
This appears to be human error and this is not simply a bumper accident. How much human error, how much shipping lane traffic and how much deliberate attack? This is serious, sailors are missing and the destroyer is badly disabled. The USS Fitzgerald is a member of the Carl Vinson carrier group.
By Toru Hanai and Megumi Li
Tokyo - Search and rescue (click here) efforts went on after dark for seven U.S. sailors missing after the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Fitzgerald collided with a Philippine-flagged container ship more than three times its size off eastern Japan early on Saturday.
The Fitzgerald, an Aegis guided missile destroyer, collided with the merchant vessel some 56 nautical miles southwest of Yokosuka, the Navy said.
Three aboard the destroyer had been medically evacuated to the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokosuka, including the ship's commanding officer, Cmdr. Bryce Benson, who was reported to be in stable condition, the Navy said. The other two were being treated for lacerations and bruises, while other injured were being assessed aboard the ship, it said.
The USS Fitzgerald sailed into port on Saturday evening but search and rescue efforts by U.S. and Japanese aircraft and surface vessels were continuing for the seven missing sailors, the Navy said. Their names are being withheld until the families have been notified, it added.
Benson took command of the Fitzgerald on May 13. He had previously commanded a minesweeper based in Sasebo in western Japan....
April 27, 2017
By Zachary Cohen
Washington - A US destroyer (click here) rescued two pilots and a crewman Wednesday after their Navy helicopter crashed in the waters near Guam, according to the service.
A medical team aboard the USS Dewey examined the helicopter crew and reported no apparent injuries.
The incident occurred as the MH-60R Sea Hawk was performing "routine flight operations," with the cause of the crash currently under investigation, the Navy said in a press release....
What is the ready status of the USA military? Retiring increase? Resignation increase? What is going on? It seems to me to be a lot of interplay in the region of North Korea and the Philippines. This is not normal.
There were a lot of retirements and such during the "W" years and the military was forced to advance officers that may not have been ready. What is going on?
We have a commander and chief that leaks ship locations to despots. How much of this is new personnel and/or new commands and how much is worrisome and possibly attacks on the USA Navy. What degree of disablement has the Navy experienced since January 20, 2017?
Disabling a military is a real strategy. Cargo ships the size of a small mountain are destroying USA Destroyers? Really?
Apr 21, 2017
F-18 Jet From USS Carl Vinson Heading to North Korea Crashes Near Philippines
A pilot ejected an F/A-18E fighter jet on its final approach to the USS Carl Vinson as the carrier steamed north toward the Korean Peninsula,
By Zachary Cohen
Washington - A US destroyer (click here) rescued two pilots and a crewman Wednesday after their Navy helicopter crashed in the waters near Guam, according to the service.
A medical team aboard the USS Dewey examined the helicopter crew and reported no apparent injuries.
The incident occurred as the MH-60R Sea Hawk was performing "routine flight operations," with the cause of the crash currently under investigation, the Navy said in a press release....
What is the ready status of the USA military? Retiring increase? Resignation increase? What is going on? It seems to me to be a lot of interplay in the region of North Korea and the Philippines. This is not normal.
There were a lot of retirements and such during the "W" years and the military was forced to advance officers that may not have been ready. What is going on?
We have a commander and chief that leaks ship locations to despots. How much of this is new personnel and/or new commands and how much is worrisome and possibly attacks on the USA Navy. What degree of disablement has the Navy experienced since January 20, 2017?
Disabling a military is a real strategy. Cargo ships the size of a small mountain are destroying USA Destroyers? Really?
Apr 21, 2017
F-18 Jet From USS Carl Vinson Heading to North Korea Crashes Near Philippines
A pilot ejected an F/A-18E fighter jet on its final approach to the USS Carl Vinson as the carrier steamed north toward the Korean Peninsula,
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