Russia believes the USA is as dangerous as Pakistan.

Listening to former DHS Secretary Johnson, it reminds me of a country concerned about the nuclear power of the USA and it's handlers.

I am not defending Russia, but, I believe Putin is worried about the stability and leadership of the USA since "W."

The question the USA should be asking is, "What does the USA look like to the rest of the world?"

I recognize Russia has breached the USA sovereignty as it relates to cyber space and it's relationship with politics and voters. That is a real threat. But, one has to wonder why Vladimir Putin would be involved directly.

Russia invaded the cyber space of the USA to expose the Democratic Party politics to control the outcome of the 2016 elections. Putin is very used to leading other leaders. He was building or perhaps has built that relationship with Trump. It could be fiscal, but, it's more than that. 

Clinton would not be easy to lead. A novice at the top of a government requires leadership and in this case Russia. One has to ask what possessed Putin to STUDY the voter base of the USA. 

Trump fits the need for Putin without a doubt in my mind. But, copying the voter bases is data mining. Why? Russia wants to influence all the USA elections from here forward? If so, why? It obviously has occurred since the fall of Iraq and the subsequent instability in the Middle East.

The global community is always concerned about whom has control of the nukes in Pakistan because of the gross instability in government (assassinations and treason trials) and the unpredictable ISI. Has the USA since "W" become another Pakistan? If we are calling the USA a Banana Republic, what consequence does the world face due to that fact?

I have to return to the White Supremacist movement in the USA. It has been successful. It has been very successful in elections. What happens to other peoples and other countries when a real madman takes the controls in the White House? 

The Russian prowess of cyber space is one of the reasons the F-35 is so very impractical. It is one of the reasons computers in government in sensitive areas is so completely ridiculous.

The issues are greater than Russia. We have witnessed the release of information from Republican organizations of member lists. It is to provide the country with information that will build and favor the GOP. In other words, if a job has candidates of equal stature, a GOP member should be chosen over anyone else. Why risk having anyone but a religious conservative in the company? It is a problem and now the morons of the GOP have an ally from outside the USA, namely Putin.

The GOP is corrupt. It is corrupt to the core. What political organization turns it's back on it's own children and plows full speed ahead with oil gluts in the face of a climate crisis? And they are very worried their "Old World" is coming to a close and they can't stop it. The ambitions of the GOP are toxic and any thinking, feeling American knows it.

I have an image in my mind I can't shake lately so let me share it with you. This is serious and not a joke, "Golden Showers, Trump." Translated into the president's place in the GOP it is "The Golden Showers GOP." Excuse the vulgarity, but, basically doesn't the GOP say "piss on it." "Piss on everything, EXCEPT, our cronies." 

It doesn't take a genius to throw the baby out with the bath water and isn't that what Wall Street wants?

Trump has captured the imagination of Americans to believe their country can be formed and shaped into their expectations without consequence. Americans are dummied down enough to believe they don't need government, except, for a mighty military. Well, their mighty military is being disarmed in the Pacific Ocean by freighter ships. There is a reason an aircraft carrier has an escort of very powerful ships, because, without them it is vulnerable should it's jets not be able to intercept and destroy incoming enemy jets.

The USA's reputation is extremely tarnished since the invasion into Iraq. Democracy in Egypt turned into a nightmare that brought about vulnerabilities to leadership that wished to do harm to citizens to achieve it's ideological goals. What if that happened in the USA? What if a leader thought it is time to do away with all the people his ideologies opposed and finally find Valhalla on Earth. A world shaped by ideology does manifest into the monster it is suppose to be.

I believe we are at that juncture. There is authority in the USA giving themselves permission to ravage our land, turn their backs on American health, reduce Medicare to a voucher and USE the USA government infrastructure for THEIR ideological purpose and let's not even start on my view of our imperiled education system.

I am dead serious. We are at a very dangerous place in history of the USA and Putin is pulling the puppet strings in the White House. The question we should be asking is, why and what purpose does it ultimately serve? No NATO? A return of the USSR?

Basically, we can't trust the people in power in the government in Washington, DC and it's isn't because of corruption feeding Wall Street; it is because of stupidity in leadership that creates vulnerability that is dismantling our democracy. 

I want every American to realize, the GOP has an ally outside the USA and it is Russia. That is a fact. Now, what are we all going to do about it?

Reality check!

June 5, 2017

By Buster Coen

After a weak Memorial Day frame, (click here) the box office was invigorated this past weekend by a big debut from Warner Bros.' "Wonder Woman."

Opening to $100.5 million, the DC film had one of the top openings of all time for a superhero origin movie, and the biggest opening ever for a film directed by a woman....

Not a member of the Screen Actor's Guild?

June 20, 2017

By Boede Carmody

Wonder Woman (click here) may have been pivotal in ending World War I, but there's still one fight she's yet to win: the gender pay gap. 

Everyone's favourite sword-wielding Amazonian, Gal Gadot, earned just $400,000 for her role in DC's latest superhero blockbuster....

This was a delightful film for even me. Wonder Woman is viewed growing into her role, not just as a child to adult, but, as a superhero.

Her inner self grows to realize the power within her over the entire film. It is delightful and harnesses the idea strength grows in self-awareness. She achieves her final strength as her favorite human dies (a hero himself) and she is confronted by a half-sibling, Ares, Ares is the God of War in Greek mythology.

Wonder Woman is younger, protected and less aware of the world. Ares uses that to his advantage. In the final scenes of her struggle, she digs deep and finds even greater power given her by her heritage. 

I won't give the ending away, but, it is a fun ride. 

This is a female directed film and I have to wonder what her salary was. I am rather disappointed Gal Gadot can buy a house, but, not a Delorian to take her Back to the Future. Because that is what is needed for Ms. Gadot and her director. They need a trip back to the future with a modern day respect for the talent in this fim. Ms. Gadot needs a guaranteed portion of the movie's revenue as does the director. 

Warner Brothers should be the proud father of the largest grossing film by a female director. It is a historical event to be proud of. The salaries of the women in the film should reflect that event.

And lose this poster. It reminds me of a pregnant image. Yes, I think that is victimizing, especially to the younger girls that will view this film and see this poster. I find it offensive.

Congratulations to Wonder Woman and all it's women that made it a great film.

And then there is this, too.

June 21, 2017
By David Wroe

The RAAF (click here) has halted air operations over Syria amid rising tensions with Russia, after the United States shot down a Syrian regime fighter jet.

Defence said in a statement that operations had ceased temporarily as a "precautionary measure" and a decision on resuming air strikes would be made "in due course". Operations in Iraq will continue.

The move follows Russia's declaration that it may view US planes flying in its own area of operations as targets. Tensions have risen rapidly since the US shot down a Syrian regime jet on Sunday near al-Raqqa, the heartland of the so-called Islamic State. The Syrian fighter had been bombing too close to US-backed fighters.

That triggered the bellicose response from Russia, which supports the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad....

When were last assessed for life insurance. A selfie may be telling.

For the USA, the plutocratic playground, the only health insurance that will actually be affordable is "Medicare for All."

June 20, 2017
By John Collett

..."Smoking (click here) is going to be written on your face," Ricanek says. "Even if you stopped smoking, once it's written, it's there."

The software also estimates their body mass index and how quickly a person is ageing biologically, which can be quite different to their chronological age. 

Ricanek reckons Chronos would enable a customer to buy life insurance online in as little as 10 minutes without the need for a medical examination. 

Advances in life and computing sciences and harnessing the power of cloud computing have facial technology developers, such as Lapetus, claiming face-reading software provides much more accurate lifespan estimates than traditional methods....

In New Zealand it is the shortest day of the year.

Antarctica
Water Vapor Composite (click here for 24 hour loop - thank you)
20 June 2017
1900 UTC (about 3 hours behind NZ)

This is New Zealand's neighborhood. Winds can be strong at times. I think the satellite needs adjustment.

21 June 2017

The shortest day of the year (click here) has arrived, bringing winter's latest assault on the country.

Winds picked up overnight and vast swathes of New Zealand are set to be drenched as a complex low conjures up days of rain, thunderstorms, gales and even snow for the South Island.

This morning MetService put out severe wind and rain alerts covering the upper North Island and southern Westland....             

There is no reason for young Americans to put their lives in danger. They confuse purpose with the freedoms they have at home.

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.

Mr. Warmbier's confession opened the door to torture.

June 20, 2017

Cincinnati - A coroner's office in Ohio (click here) is investigating the death of a 22-year-old college student who died shortly after his return to the U.S. after nearly a year and a half in North Korean detention, a spokesman said Tuesday.

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....

...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.

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....

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.

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.
          

Vladimir Zhirinovsky is the only Russia currently registered for the 2018 presidential elections.

March 15, 2017

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." 

The exterior coating on the Grenfell Tower was illegal in the UK.

June 18, 2017
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, 2017
By Chloe Chaplain

Survivors: Hundreds of families have been affected 

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.

June 15, 2017
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.

June 18, 2017
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.

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?