Thursday, March 31, 2022

Chernobyl

The Russians have left because of radiation poisoning. Those soldiers will probably die. The UN IAEA will have to provide guidance to the Ukrainians to protect their lives while attempting to close down radiation leaks. The USA and EU must send experts to correct this impending disaster.

If USA soldiers and NATO troops have to accompany the experts then it has to be.

This is Russia. This is an international incident occurring because of Russia’s sustained ignorance of nuclear power and the hate of Ukrainians. Any Ukrainian that has become ill and/or died adds to the ongoing genocidal war.

This is Russia. It is unable to handle basic standards to avoid cataclysmic events. 

There has been a day full of high winds with power outages. The repair crews have not been able to get out to return power because the gusts were so high the wires would sway and cause a severe danger to them. 

The wind is setting down and power will probably be restored overnight.

What does “Moscow Mitch” say about Justice Thomas?

 It is all political. 

Is it political or did Justice Thomas rule to deny the January 6th Commission access to White House records to protect his spouse?

Justice Thomas acted unethically in voting against transparency.

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are miffed?

Really?

The problem with Middle East security is not the United States, it is the lack of recognition of Israel. If there is any country on Earth capable of taking care of itself it is Israel. Yet. The Arab countries in that neighborhood turn away from one of the most technologically advanced civilization in the world on ideological reasons. 

Saudi Arabia, the UAE and whom ever else cares to get real in the Middle East needs to formally recognize Israel’s right to exist and establish good relations with them. Then talk about the Houthis. 

Assassins are outlawed internationally.

There are international laws and treaties that do not allow for the assassination of any government official. What was Putin's assassin doing in Ukraine?

Irina Starikova, (click here) 41, is codenamed Bagheera, after Rudyard Kipling's black panther in The Jungle Book

This is simply not allowed. President Zelenskyy is the legitimately elected president. Putin's assassins should be nowhere near him. He does not care about international laws, treaties or agreements. This is Putin. He will use whatever is available to him to reach his goal even if his goal will never work.

I told you so.

30 March 2022
By Laurence Dollimore

Two Russian planes (click here) that violated Swedish airspace earlier this month were equipped with nuclear weapons, it has emerged.

The flyover near the island of Gotland on March 2 was a deliberate act designed to intimidate Sweden, according to Swedish news channel TV4 Nyheterna.

A total of four planes had taken off from the Russian air base of Kaliningrad....

Putin violates international standards, treaties and laws all the time. PUTIN DOES NOT RESPECT DIPLOMACY. This is an intimidation tactic and aimed at Sweden, of all countries. Sweden needs to consider if it would be better to be a part of NATO.

This is not funny business. There is no waiting for the other shoe to drop or "let's see what happens." If civilization is going to wait to see if Putin is bluffing, it will be all over and too late to decide any sanctions or otherwise. The flight of nuclear bombs over Sweden is an act of war. Just that simple. NATO needs to prepare themselves that Putin's chronic brinkmanship is no longer brinkmanship with the unprovoked invasion into a peaceful sovereign country.

The rouge countries, of which Russia is now one, are prepared to strike with whatever it takes. That should be obvious from Syria.

When pregnant women, their newborn infants and mothers are targets of Russian missiles that is called genocide. And that is only ONE definition of which Putin is very guilty.

I fully expect NATO to get real and prepare for a war no one ever bargained to occur.

I might add, Russia has been sending squadrons of jets to pentrate USA borders. NORAD forces have been very busy. This is all serious violation and should not be tolerated. Russia has a long way to go to bring back any faith in it.

Squadron of four Russian jets is exactly the same STRATEGIC FORMATION seen at the borders of the USA. That is tactical flying with INTENT.

If those jets were not met with resistence in the USA, they would have violated our sovereign airspace and likely started retaliaiton and who knows where it would end?

Chloropicrin (PS): Lung Damaging Agent

I am grateful that Mr. Abramovich for taking any scandalous information out of the media. He is in a very serious situation with the invasion by Russia into Ukraine. It is considered genocide. 

It has been determined that he was exposed to choloropicrin (click here), a cheimcal agent also considered to be Novichok (click here). If he had any significant exposure he would be dead right now (click here). To the left is a chart that discusses the amount of cholorpicrin needed to kill. 

It has been determined by NIOSH that 0.1 ppm (0.7 mg/m3) or less of choloropicrin is the highest allowable limits in any exposure resulting in a non-disabling limit. Choloropicrin, due to it's highly reactive chlorine atoms is a cleaning agent as well as a fungicide TO KILL ANY FORM OF THE VIRUS. (there are protocols that are called "Terminal Cleaning") It is my suggestion that whoever cleaned the meeting room may have used it as a strong disinfectant and there was residue on fomite (surfaces). 

There are serious issues in that room and the discussion and conclusion of this Putin instigated invasion needs to stop and now. There is very little Russia should object to considering the number of Ukrianians targeted and killed in their own cities and towns. The migration of Ukrianians out of Ukraine is extremely worrisome and requiring the support of the entire world to maintain their well being. None of this is a minor issue and Russia should not be delaying complete withdrawal rather than using the violence of war to negotiate a peace agreement that a month ago was unnecessary. 

I strongly suggest far less propaganda should be at the peace tables and the withdrawal of Russian forces out of ALL of Ukraine so a sincere peaceful and PROSPEROUS state can return to the region.

Indict the petroleum industry over lagging change in response to the Climate Crisis.

This is "Scientific American" from October of 2002. Back then the Fuel-Cell was endorsed by Former President George W. Bush. That was nearly 20 years ago and the USA highways should be teeming with these vehicles among other electric cars. 

Over the past two decades, rather than putting money to good use in support of the people's efforts to control greenhouse gases, the petroleum industry has spent enormous amounts of money to OBSTRUCT progress. If the petroleum industy had invested in badly needed vehicles with alternative fuels to gas, those companies would be enjoying those profits instead. 

One might note there is also a discussion of skin color and terrorist germs. All these issues were on the minds of Americans 20 years ago. What progress have we made in ending the debate over where the future lies?

Twenty years is equivalent to a generation. How many more generations will have wasted time in securing the future?

Justice Thomas is REQUIRED to recuse himself in respect to the January 6th insurrection.

Guide to Judiciary Policy (click here)

IF Virginia Thomas testifies before Congress, I fully expect her to be far from humble or apologenic. I want to know if former president Trump insisted she be involved to the level she was, including being the go to person for all special requests from wealthy donors.

It seems to me that Virginia Thomas was a conduit to wealthy donors looking for quid pro quo with Trump in the White House.

I repeat, Virginia Thomas was not elected, assigned or hired to perform any duties for or to the president or his Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. I cannot believe Virginia Thomas was only acting for herself when she had a direct connection to the Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. Virginia Thomas was an activist. She had been for some time. Her activism was extreme to say the least. But, how many times did Virginia Thomas carry water for others to the White House. 

The former president Trump would not tolerate anything if he disapproved of it. There is no way Virginia Thomas was sneaking around. It seems rather obvious that Virginia Thomas was provided direct access to the White House because her spouse is an Associate Justice. How convenient that Virginia Thomas has access to high number donors and Donald Trump himself. When she called Meadows, he was either at this desk in the White House or in the Oval office itself. 

Meadows needs to turn over all the records asked of him, including those that he is hiding because Clarence Thomas names rolls off the tongue of his wife.

Meadows was compromised. He won an election in a district he never visited as a resident. A compromised assistant to the president is a lot to worry about.

I am more confident than not, realizing now that Meadows was compromised, that Trump has dirt on many Republicans. They cower to him for more reasons than just votes.

If Putin's generals are moving troops away from cities...

 ...there is a good reason to believe they are preparing to use illegal weapons or worse. There is absolutely no reason to believe Putin. He carried out an invasion in what seems an impulse of his own desires and fears.

NATO needs to prepare for the worst case scenario.

China and North Korea need to be evaluated for aggression as Russia carries out war with Ukraine. Both those countries as well as Iran have proven to be interested parties in Russia's war.

I think assessments of Venezuela would be prudent.

NATO isn't policing their own members. Orban is beginning propaganda stating Ukraine is interfering in it's elections. Why does NATO allow such propaganda? Either validate it or discipline it. Orban is a member of NATO, but, he is also in Putin's back pocket. There is no reason to trust the liars in the world and Orban is one of them.

29 March 2022
By Stephen Pogany

Hungary's Viktor Orban (click here) (right) will have to balance business interests with geopolitical tensions in his talks with Putin

Viktor Orban should be asking his business interests to leave Russia.

...Hungary’s long-serving ‘strongman’, (click here) Viktor Orbán, has dominated his country’s politics since 2010. According to Mary Kaldor, Orbán and Putin—as with Narendra Modi in India and Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil—expertly combine crony capitalism, ethnic nationalism and authoritarianism.

Orbán, who quickly established cordial relations with Putin after returning to office (he was previously prime minister between 1998 and 2002), has bestowed lavish patronage on relatives, friends and a clutch of compliant oligarchs. He has also expended considerable time and effort stoking the fires of ethnic nationalism, warning his countrymen of the supposed threat to Hungary and its ‘Christian culture’ from Muslim migrants, international financiers (ie Jews) and members of ‘deviant’ sexual minorities. The strategy proved effective in bolstering support for Fidesz, particularly in the provinces and among the less educated, as well as among members of ethnic Hungarian minorities in neighbouring states (many hold Hungarian citizenship and vote in Hungarian elections)....

Russia is an enemy of NATO. What has Orban done to contribute to sanctions? Is he working behind the scenes to assist Russia in disregarding the sanctions?

I don't listen to Trump. He is a traitor and I can say that legally as a judge has already made judgement about him. He is at least as much a liar as Putin. The mayor of Moscow's wife? Why the money, IF the money? Why? Just so Trump can say what is saying now. The facts are known about the right wings conflagration of Hunter Biden. There isn't anything else to know and it is harassment to revisit it. End of discussion.

Missing White House phone logs? Ask the plumber. The January 6th committee needs to go forward realizing records have been removed from the White House to Mar-a-lago. There is no finding those records. They have been destroyed. We know from information already available that records were regularly flushed down the toilets in the White House. 

continued...

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

This occured on the first day of the invasion by Russia.

This is a Russian jet that deliberately targeted a home. Luckily, the family was already taking cover. The jet came in at tree level in order to avoid radar. That pilot deliberately set out to kill civilians. There is no mistake. There is absolutely no weapons plainly in sight. This is a farm with farm equipment. The farm looks to be very poor people that eek out a life by growing crops. The baby's scream was most likely from the concussion he felt that was foreign to him.

There is no way to misunderstand the threat. There was no threat at this farm, yet, the Russian pilot attempted to be UNDETECTABLE to radar. UNDETECTABLE. He did that for a reason. He wanted to kill Ukranians and not be caught doing so. We were lucky to have this video. It is very telling to Russia's intent. 

The first day. From the instant Russia moved into Ukraine it was going to kill any Ukrainian it could. There is reason for that. If you kill the civilians and call it sad events in war, there is no insurgency either during or after the war.

These deaths of Ukrainians were from the one man that ordered the invasion as the war games were ended. There was only one man that decided that invasion and it was Vladimir Putin. That pilot knew what he was doing. He received his orders from someone.

 

These are all lies. Putin lied about the invasion into Ukraine right up to the point where a Russian tank crossed the border into Ukraine.

Both Joes are absolutely correct. Putin is not important. He committed genocide. End of discussion.

Now, this is what I'm talking about!

This is more of the DEFENSIVE war that Ukraine is waging. This is a military instillation whereby munitions that could kill Ukrainians was destroyed. It is all legal under international law. The destruction of these munitions will save Ukrainian lives from further genocide.

There was a report a few days ago that a Russian general took his own life when he discovered the tanks in reserve for the war, were primarily cannibalized for part. There were no more tanks for him to use when his were captured or destroyed. For him, the war, was over as he had no recourse for his soldiers. That is why generals are included in war plans before the invasion.

29 March 2022
By David Averre

Footage has emerged of a huge explosion in Belgorod, (click here) western Russia, at the site of a suspected arms depot which is believed to have been hit by a Ukrainian missile.

The blast, which took place a mere 12 miles from the Russian-Ukrainian border near the village of Krasniy Oktyabr just outside the city of Belgorod, triggered a series of firework-like explosions which could be seen from Ukraine tonight.

Ukrainian journalist Yuriy Butusov claimed that the depot was destroyed by an OTR-21 Tochka-U ballistic missile fired by the Ukrainian 19th missile brigade, though this has not yet been confirmed by Ukrainian officials....

Video

The video supposedly showing Ukrainian soldiers shooting Russian prisoners in the legs could well be propaganda by Russia.

Ukraine commanders simply have to remind their soldiers that Russians have and should be taken prisoners for reasons of intelligence gathering. 

Ukraine soldiers in the field have a right to live. If at any time the Ukraine soldiers may have believed they were being attacked by Russian prisoners, they have a right to protect themselves. I did not see any restraints on the Russian soldiers. I also could not see their faces. The involved have to be identified as well as the Ukraine soldiers. 

Personally, I believe this is Russian propaganda until all the facts are gathered.

In Vietnam a USA lieutenant killed needlessly and he was tried and sentenced.

By the way, who made the video and why and not any other scene in the war? The videographer will be a witness along with identification of the men involved.

I am tired of people dying because Russia can't accept defeat.

27 March 2022
By Nick Fagge

Defiant residents (click here) living on the front line in Odesa are refusing to leave their homes and digging in to protect themselves from an imminent Russian invasion. 

While Kremlin warships test the port’s defences with regular bombardments volunteers are gathering supplies for Ukraine’s armed forces and old people are keeping calm and carrying on.

In normal times the 72-year-old Igor Igorovych lives in one of the most sought-after streets in Odesa, a stone’s throw from the famous Opera Theatre and with views of the Black Sea....

I don't believe neurtrality is going to work. The ONLY thing Russia understands is overwhelming power to prevent still yet another invasion. Turkey wants peace talks to end the genocide, but, will NATO become an ally to Ukraine? There would be no Ukraine today, if the USA lead by President Biden weren't "available" to protect NATO's interests.

The solutions at any peace summit need to identify and recognize the genocide decided by the World Court. In that lies the reason why Ukraine MUST be able to protect from still more coveting by Russia in the future. Currently, Russia will not admit defeat and continues to covert the coastline that belongs to Ukraine.

There is a genocide that has been declared of Russia. Where in peace talks is there room for Russia to do anything but admit it's guilt and leave Ukraine?

There is too much opportunity for Russia to plan another attack and carry it out. The next time will be far more deadly. 

We in the USA witnessed a former president that during his administration was denying Ukraine it's request for weapons. That was because he favored a victory by Russia. Trump never considered Ukraine or it's people important enough to defend. Trump assaulted NATO. If there is another term like that one, where does the free world stand, including Ukriane? Every country needs to be prepared to defend itself and not because the elections were won by the right persons. 

Ukraine had a missile production plant and yet never produced one missile to fire at Russia. It did that because it wanted neutrality. That turn and walk away from war as an expression of the desire for peace and prosperity was considered a weakness by Russia and the reason why Putin deployed his military into a sovereign country. He not only deployed his military, but, called on Belarus and the Chechens to kill at will. That is not an INDICATION it will never happen again. 

There is only one thing communists understand and that is the power of it's opposition. Putin vastly underestimated the resolve of Ukraine. 

Peace negotiations for Ukraine, in the face of genocide, demands Russia to leave and it's leadership surrender to the World Court. That is the dialogue of peace proceedings that provides a viable sovereignty to the remaining Ukraine people with the right to protect it. Would Israel see things any differently?

The military budget is again an issue, but, look where we are. Can we afford not to invest?

March 28, 2022

As part of his proposed budget (click here) for the upcoming fiscal year, President Joe Biden on Monday released a proposed minimum income tax rate applying to the highest-earning Americans, marking the first time the White House has ever directly targeted billionaire wealth after a similar Democrat-proposed measure failed to move forward last fall....

Of course, the tax proposed is appropriate, but, is it loophole proof?

March 28, 2022

The president’s proposed budget (click here) would raise taxes on billionaires and corporations as well as increase spending on the military and domestic priorities like affordable housing and supply chain issues....

As the wealthy find joy in housing that is ridiculously priced higher, the need for affordable housing will be heard more and more. This entire paradigm is wrong. Are there workers living where they work? That is the responsible approach in the time of the Climate Crisis. Are there homes affordable based on payrates?

Anyone that understands a supply chain whereby the physical presences of workers are needed in producing goods, knows there has to be housing, schools and opportunity. The idea the wealthy can get away with scoffing up hideously outrageous profits while asking workers to be existing on low pay rates and poor benefits aren't serious about the company's product or profit.

American companies enjoy a great deal of security and need to contribute their fair share for the services they receive in producing their product.

Russia's social fabric is impoverished, not it's wealthy. Reparations to Ukraine need to begin.

March 27, 2022

Investors breathed a sigh of relief last week (click here) after the Russian government made a $ 117 million interest payment on its foreign debt. But a much bigger payment comes due April 4 – to the tune of $ 2.2 billion – and creditors are far less optimistic Russia will pony up this time.

“The last payment was a small investment in credibility, but when Russia has to start writing billion dollar checks it’s a different calculation,” Jay Newman, former Elliott Management portfolio manager and author of “Undermoney,” told The Post. “I do not think it’s realistic that Russia comes up with the $ 2.2 billion.

The bond payment last week panicked investors because it was unclear whether Russia’s central bank would be able to use its frozen reserve of US dollars to make the payment – and whether US banks would work with the country to transfer the money. There was also a dispute about whether Russia could pay the debt in its own currency. The Russian Finance Ministry insisted the country could pay in rubles RUBUSD,
-1.68%
but people with knowledge of the contract say it’s required to be paid in dollars....

There is enormous damage to the infrastructure in Ukraine. Among that infrastructure are building collapsed on top of dead Ukrainians. A lesson from September 11, 2001 can be learned how to treat remains that simply can't be examined for forensics to determine an identity. The survivors and families of those that are dead were provided ashes and soil from the site where a chronic fire burned in a container. The containers provided a way for those left behind to bury their loved ones. There are ongoing forensics being conducted even today though as the search for proven identity goes on (click here). Ukriane will need dedicated forensic experts to sort through any remains to discover the dead so loved ones can bury them and the record of the dead at the World Court grows lengthy.

27 March 2022
By James Phillipe

The streets of Mariupol (click here) are being turned into cemeteries with makeshift graves appearing across the besieged port city.

Bodies of both civilians and soldiers are becoming buried under the rubble of destroyed buildings or left out on the streets with rescuers unable to retrieve victims and give them a proper burial due to the incessant bombing.

It comes as the UN said on Friday that it had received more information regarding mass graves in the city - one of which is thought to hold up to 200 bodies....

Russia must end its occupation of Ukraine.

Protesters in Slavutych were successful against Russian soldiers/occupiers. The people have made their position clear and the occupiers need to leave. NATO needs to organize and send qualified persons to assess not just the nuclear plant and return it to a stable and functioning state, but, also the people need to be assessed for any potential radiation poisoning as well as the water and air. 

26 March 2022
By Nick Enoch

...Yuri Fomichev, (click here) mayor of Slavutych, was briefly detained by Russian soldiers after they took control of the town, which is home to staff who work at the Chernobyl nuclear site.

'I have been released. Everything is fine, as far as it is possible under occupation,' he said, after officials in the Ukraine capital Kyiv earlier announced he had been detained....

India is not purchasing oil from Russia, but, is India considering purchases of coal from China? It should do neither. India needs advisors to develop a new electric grid and incorporate solar and wind power.

28 March 2022

Rameswar Teli, (click here) the junior oil minister, on Monday said that India is not considering buying oil from Russia using Indian rupees, after Western countries imposed sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine....

Russia is corrupt. It is carrying out a propaganda campaign to hide the genocide. Those that lie and hide the genocide are as guilty as those that committed it.

Monday, March 28, 2022

Their reality is profound and very real. Their lives have been destroyed.

And Putin is disturbed by President Biden's words? It is about time. Putin rather complain about his bruised ego rather than answer for his crimes.

''   

Trump is a Putin loyalist.

March 29, 2022

A federal judge said Monday (click here) former President Donald Trump intentionally tried to subvert the democratic process and probably committed felony obstruction by attempting to overturn the result of the 2020 election, in a ruling that allowed a House committee investigating the Capitol riot to receive sensitive emails from former Trump legal adviser John Eastman....

Fortenberry is a bozo, too. He invoked Mother Teresa in his resignation statement. He broke the law and invokes Mother Teresa for his lawlessness. Amazing. Perhaps Fortenberry would like to donate his ill gotten monies to Mother Teresa or perhaps join her ministry to carry the word of God forward anyway.

March 26, 2022

Omaha, Nebraska - Republican U.S. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Nebraska (click here) on Saturday resigned from office after a California jury convicted him of lying to federal authorities about an illegal campaign donation from a foreign national.

In a letter to the House, Fortenberry said he was resigning from Congress, effective March 31....

It was probably sea sickness from attempting to hide his yacht.

How dare he come forward with such outrageous allocations of poisoning. Abramovich should be at the front lines and then he will know what suffering actually is. Who dare he try to win sympathy when his country is committing genocide.

I don't care who did it. What I care about is Russia leaving Ukraine.

Below is one of three yachts (click here) owned by Abramovich, one bigger than the next. They should all be seized and sold to establish the trust to rebuild Ukraine from Russia's genocide of the Ukraine people.

March 28, 2022

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich (click here) suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning at talks in Kyiv earlier this month, sources close to him say.

The Chelsea FC owner - who has now recovered - reportedly suffered sore eyes and skin peeling.

Two Ukrainian peace negotiators were also said to have been affected.

The Wall Street Journal reported claims the alleged poisoning was orchestrated by hardliners in Russia who wanted to sabotage the talks.

The condition of Mr Abramovich and the Ukrainian negotiators, who include Ukrainian MP Rustem Umerov, has improved since the incident on 3 March, the paper quoted sources as saying.

A source close to Mr Abramovich told the BBC he had suffered symptoms of suspected poisoning. They said he had now recovered and was continuing with negotiations to try and end the war in Ukraine....

Russia states President Biden's speech is alarming. I would hope so.

March 28, 2022
By Guy Faulconbridge

London - The Kremlin said on Monday (click here) that U.S. President Joe Biden's remark that Vladimir Putin "cannot remain in power" was a cause for alarm, a guarded response to the first public call from the United States for an end to Putin's 22-year rule.

"For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power," Biden said on Saturday at the end of a speech to a crowd in Warsaw. He cast Russia's invasion of Ukraine as a battle in a much broader conflict between democracy and autocracy....

It is wonderful Russia has noticed President Biden's speech. I hope the speech, which is intended to bring peace, makes it to the Russian people who are losing sons at an incredible rate. That doesn't even count the Russian generals dying with one even commiting suicide at the reality Russian tanks not in the battlefield were cannibalized for part. There is no backup for the Russian tanks lost in the war with Ukraine. That is an amazing reality that Russia needs to embrace as it faces the truth about it's wayward military endeavors.

It is legal to kill generals, they aren't civilians. So, how many civilians in Russia has died by the illegal genocide? 

March 26, 2022
By William Booth, Robyn Dixon and David L. Stern

The war in Ukraine (click here) is proving extraordinarily lethal for Russian generals, the gray men bedecked in service medals, who are being aggressively targeted by Ukrainian forces and killed at a rate not seen since World War II.

Ukrainian officials say their forces have killed seven generals on the battlefield, felled by snipers, close combat and bombings.

If true, the deaths of so many generals, alongside more senior Russian army and naval commanders — in just four weeks of combat — exceeds the attrition rate seen in the worst months of fighting in the bloody nine-year war fought by Russia in Chechnya, as well as Russian and Soviet-era campaigns in Afghanistan, Georgia and Syria.

“It is highly unusual,” said a senior Western official, briefing reporters on the topic, who confirmed the names, ranks and “killed in action” status of the seven....

From article at top of page. The White House staff is being stupid for apologizing for one of the greatest speeches in history. 

...The White House tried to clarify Biden's remarks and the U.S. president said on Sunday he had not been publicly calling for regime change in Russia, which has more nuclear warheads than any other power.

Asked about Biden's comment, which received little coverage on Russian state television, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "This is a statement that is certainly alarming."

"We will continue to track the statements of the U.S. president in the most attentive way," Peskov told reporters....

Even after pinning metals on broken Russian soldiers in wheelchairs that will never fight again; Putin's genocide is being hidden from the Russian people. Even the parents of the dead are still wondering where their sons are.

It is biological warfare. Allow the dead to create health problems. Just put them in mass graves. Let the families cry alone and pick through the rubble that the Russian people sanctioned in their lack of ability to control the tyrant in Moscow. I have no sympathy for a nation of people to allow Putin to carry on with completely unrelenting hatred of good and decent people in the Ukrainians.

When Bush diverted the war in Afghanistan to that of Iraq no one gave him a moment of peace. As a country, those that abhor war, fought propaganda, demonstrated and sought to change outcomes of future elections. And we did. By 2006 the legislative body of the USA was changed to Democratic majorities and we stopped Bush's free reign of terror both at home and abroad. This entire episode with Putin is Satan and nothing short of it and yet the Russian people don't question. I have no sympathies for a nation of people so ignorant to their own realities they passively go about life as if it is perfect.

Remember the Kursk? They laid at the bottom of the sea until sea predators picked their bones dry. This is Putin. 

March 28, 2022
By Shaun Walker

Kyiv - The Ukrainian president, (click here) Volodymyr Zelenskiy, has accused Russian authorities of disrespect towards the families of their own dead soldiers, criticising Moscow for not agreeing on a scheme to have the remains of those killed in action returned to Russia.

Zelenskiy claimed the Kremlin was affording less respect to those killed during its invasion of Ukraine than is usually given to dead pets.

“We’ve all had a moment in our lives when someone has passed away, maybe not even close people or relatives. Listen: even when a dog or a cat dies, that’s just not how to behave,” Zelenskiy said in an online interview with Russian journalists on Sunday evening. “I’m saying this to you as the president of a country that is fighting with Russian soldiers … It’s a war, but they are not animals.”...

Since his election, President Zelenskyy's leadership has been anti-corruption and peace.

Russia's compromise in the face of defeat is nowhere to be found. In that is an unspoken truth that can only be defined as an approach by Russia and allies of a Third World War. I remind there is a meeting of allies in Israel because they were attacked recently by missiles. The USA, NATO and The West needs to end that ideology of aggression and return the world to a dialogue of peace and denuclearization of war. Now is the time to end this ideology and return to prosperity as the dialogue that dominates all issues of potential war. When there is military escalation, even during peacetime, there is potential danger to annilation of civlization.

Strength in the belief in democracy and freedom will end hatred.

 

Russian propaganda is doing it's level best to delegitimize the Ukraine opposition. The Republicans and Russia are on the same page.

Duly elected and lawfully elected President of this country?

I believe the January 6th Committee is doing valuable work. I also believe the Republicans are willing to compromise our constitution in order to win an election. The reason I covered the topic of the legitimacy of Ukraine's democracy and it's decades struggle to rid itself of Russian style and Russian corruption is because of a Republican strategy to win elections by delegitimizing the Ukraine war with Russia.

As is the style of the Republicans, they take an issue and turn it on it's head in order to gain the "talking points" they believe will win votes. The problem with that in this case is that they are willing to destroy the USA democracy in the process of politics. The war Russia began with Ukraine is a war of politics spawned by Putin's ambitions. It is now a war that I believe Ukraine can win. If the Republicans successfully delegitimize the roll the USA is more than willing to play with Ukraine and NATO the country will be at risk of leaning too far to the right and return the autocracy movement begun by the disgraced Former President Trump and his assault on democracy on January 6th.

In this questioning by US Senator Sheldon Whitehouse of the Alabama Attoney General Steve Marshall, it is obvious Marshall won't breach his politics in recoginzing President Biden as the duly elected and lawfully serving President of the United States of America. I think it is disgraceful to say the least that such a high ranking state official is so afraid to be honest that he is willing to be deceptive in his answers to Senator Whitehouse.

These are the politics of the Republicans, they are dangerous and quite frankly dishonest and undermining of democracy. I think the American people need to be careful who they elect in 2022. The Republcians are coveting power to use against Americans in a way they have never imagined. I also believe the Republcans play into Putin's hands and he likes it and feels emboldented by it.

Americans need to be afraid, very afraid. War will be prevented not by passivist dialogue, but, through strength of our democracy. The politics the Republicans are engaging weakens our democracy. There needs to be a very strong turning point and now. 

 

Will Smith obviously loves his wife.

It takes great courage and heartache when an autoimmune problem erodes happiness.

I think part of the problem with the so called joke by Chris Rock was that it wasn't pre-vetted according to many trade papers and tabloids (click here)

It appears there is something personal going on with Chris Rock that was never known by the organizers at rehearsals. I don't like the public display of violence between very powerful celebrities on a stage where "the best" are supposed to be awarded for their excellence. But, the so called joke was done in bad taste. 

It is unfortunate that Chris Rock and Will Smith had to make history for the Oscars last night in such a tasteless display of emotion.

"Good Night, Moon"

The Waning Crescent

25.2 day old moon

19.4 percent lit

March 24, 2022
By Sam Thompson

The meteor (click here)  that lit up the sky Wednesday night in the Interlake wasn’t the only one Manitobans saw this week.


Astronomer Scott Young from the Manitoba Planetarium told 680 CJOB the province — as well as nearby areas — had the extremely rare treat of seeing back-to-back meteors Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It was all across southern Manitoba — in fact, all the way down into North Dakota and off into Saskatchewan … just like the one that happened the night before,” Young said.

“The timing of these two things — the odds against it are astronomical.

“Usually we might see one or two across that month period, rather than having them back-to-back in the same area. Literally, if you were in the right spot, you could’ve seen this once-in-a-lifetime thing on Tuesday and then seen another once-in-a-lifetime thing the following night.”...

I am sure statistically this is an event. But, in reality, I think it needs to be decided if they are the same rock that may have collided with another rock and split. To me, that is the only logical answer for two rocks following the same trajectory within 24 hours of each other. I think once the two rock reminants are found, if they are found, will have the same chemical composition. Either they were the same rock at one time or they both were spewed into space from the same explosion somewhere out there.

Sunday, March 27, 2022

The American people are wrongly focused on the causes of inflation before them.

It is greed, plain and simple. And the fact the USA is still in the stone age with energy production doesn't help at a time when any petroleum product is more expensive than the food bill.

I also need to say, President Biden is not going to war with Russia. If Russia is foolish enough to escalate this war into NATO states there is no alternative and we will stand with them and fight for their sovereignty. For now, that seems unrealistic.

But, as to the inflation, it is not caused by increases in labor costs. One might take a look at the forms of energy being used and understand that energy touches every aspect of our economy. I never thought there would be a $5.00 per gal price for gasoline.

We need to switch our energy to renewables as much as is possible as soon as it possible. We cannot continue to pump oil out of the ground and suck methane from chemical cracks in rock and expect the USA economy to survive.

The so called inflation is at a 7 percent rate. Yep. Labor increases are at a 2 percent increase. I hardly call 2 percent inflationary if that is all that was increasing. There is absolutely no reason to bring down income of Americans that work the hardest to make this economy run. Americans deserve their salary increases.

And, I won't be going to Applebees anytime soon. It is a shame really, my sister loved Sunday brunch there. Like I said, it is greed. CEOs don't care about the people, they care about keeping their jobs and returning dividends to stockholders. Never will it occur to any CEO that their profit margin is actually hurting the American economy by reducing disposable income, but, also hurting their employees as well.

CUT PROFITS! That means there will be a stable wage for all Americans that assist in creating an enormous Middle Class which fuels the USA economy. 

CUT PROFITS NOT WAGES!

USE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY AND NOT PETROLEUM!

Wall Street can end this inflation if it wanted to.

March 25, 2022
By Aimee Picchi

To Applebee's franchise executive Wayne Pankratz, (click here) surging gas prices are an opportunity for his business, rather than a downside. That's because, as he told managers in an emailed memo, the pool of people who work at Applebee's live "paycheck to paycheck" and will be forced "back into the work force" to earn more.

Pankratz also saw another silver lining: High gas prices will increase costs for competitors, who won't be able to increase wages to the extent they had been. "We all competed to hire out of the limited applicant pool and there was a wage war," he wrote in the March 9 memo. "They will no longer be able to afford to do this."

The result, Pankratz predicted, is "hiring employees in at a lower wage to decrease our labor [costs]."
The memo, which was shared on social media, is sparking a backlash against Applebee's, with some consumers vowing never again to dine at the chain. And at one Applebee's location in Lawrence, Kansas, three of its six managers reportedly quit over the memo, according to the Lawrence World-Journal....

It is time to bring Russia to grips with the genocide.

There seems to be an interesting article about Vladmir Putin in the New York Times. I have not had time to read it yet. But, I will.

Link: click here

I do know it is time for the world to take a long hard look at Russia, it's people and the wrongful events in the Russian Duma that created a monster named Putin. The Duma is not even practicing communism. The Duma is practicing corruption of government in instilling a single man to remain at the head of the government for the rest of his life.

Russia has deteriorated since the Revolution in the Maidan. Their president is obsessed with controlling the Soviet Union again. He is blind to the genocide he is causing in Ukriane. The Russian people need to take control of their government and military, if that is possible. They cannot look away while their president kills more and more Ukrainians everyday.

This is not about ideology. This is about how we define life and how to protect it from "False Flag" propaganda that literally is so powerful it compels generals to march unprepared into a sovereign country killing those that they once lived among. The death of children is so unthinkable I can't find the words. 

I am convinced the Russian leadership knew exactly what they were doing when they unleashed their missiles on Ukraine and it's people. It is the obligation of the global community to bring Russia back from the brink of a greater war. The Russians have to be made to answer the judgements of them that exist.

I am more than pleased to see the former President Poroshenko has returned to Ukraine.

He was a very strong advocate for Ukraine's independence from Russian influence. He was very popular with the people for a long time. He also has experience that the country may need at this time. He certainly appeared, in that interview, to be fit and more than outspoken about the wrongful invasion and outraged that Putin is using propaganda to attempt to justify his human rights abuses.

President Zelenskyy has been a strong and powerful leader. He is unendingly dedicated to his country and the people within it. He has the loyalty of his countrymen and women which means he is trusted beyond a doubt by those that stand with him.

President Zelenskyy has been honorable in all his dealings since he started to run for office. He appropriately placed his holdings with another party, arguably someone he knew and trusted, but, certainly willing to leave his former life aside while he conducts the much needed changes in Ukraine.

President Zelenskyy has done what no other Ukraine president has ever done or any other previous Soviet governor, clean up the corruption. That is what is so unfortunate about this stupid war. President Zelenskyy was achieving his goals and the EU application was receiving favorable reviews. That application, from what I have heard reported, is successful and Ukraine is not part of the EU. That is astounding.

President Zelenskyy is not carrying out a political campaign of hate against the former President. He is standing by his administration while they present the facts and the judge decides the case. 

Ukraine is a democracy. Currently, it is mired in Russian muck because Putin decided the war exercises were enough to launch an invasion into a former Soviet state for his own reasons. 

There is no corruption with President Zelenskyy and Ukraine is not a dictatorship. Ukraine is a united country under a strong love of freedom and democracy. Enough of all the Pro-Russian propaganda from the USA political right wing. This is serious business in Eastern Europe. 

Zelenskyy's administration did not target the former President Poroshenko, they targeted corruption.

Basically, President Zelenskyy went to work to end the corruption as he had run on a platform of reform.

The former President Poroshenko is accused of financing the Pro-Russian separatists in Donbas. In that is the understnding that with such help the separatists would be successful in assaulting the sovereign state of Ukraine, hence, treason charges.

This is all  a part of the anti-corruption administration brought about by President Zelenskyy. The new President is not carrying out the investigations across Ukriane. The anti-corruption unit had autonomy in their investigations. So, while, people that want to shoot holes in the idea Ukraine is a democracy in the USA for their own purposes, they are sadly wrong. What is occurring with the former president is due to findings of the anti-corruption unit of the Zelenskyy government. 

...The charges allege that Poroshenko, (click here) the owner of the Roshen confectionery empire and one of Ukraine’s richest businesspeople, was involved in the sale of large amounts of coal that helped finance Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine in 2014-15. His assets have been frozen as part of its investigation into the allegations of high treason, and he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

Poroshenko, a pro-European politician who has been critical of Moscow, has denied the allegations and accused the prosecution of acting “shamefully” and of “dividing” the country.

He accuses his successor, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, of seeking to discredit him politically to distract from Ukraine’s widespread problems, including economic woes and rising deaths from Covid-19....

The former president of Ukraine will have his day in court and he can dispute the findings. He may do that handily, but, it isn't because the current president is being vindictive and attempting to eliminate a political foe, it is because there was evidence to bring charges. 

With the election of President Zelenskyy the Ukraine people demanded he fire whoever was committing fraud and start fresh to prosecute those that could not or would not be stopped in supporting the corrupt governing infrastructure that also extended into private enterprise. It was the private enterprise that the EU objected to most strongly and demanded it all be cleaned up from government into the private sector. The former president was found, under the Ukraine constitution, that he violated the trust of the Ukriane people to the point of destruction of their constitution. I might add, the Ukraine constitution is a very interesting document.

So, if Zelenskyy is so corrupt, how did he win over the incumbant President Petro Poroshenko ?

June 11, 2020
Katya Gorchinskaya

"The Poroshenko Era" (click here)

In early March 2017, the Solomyansky district court in Kyiv was the scene of a compelling crime drama. Inside the courtroom, the nation’s top tax inspector, Roman Nasirov, appeared on a stretcher behind bars, wrapped in a checkered hospital blanket for a hearing to determine whether he would be jailed or go free while under criminal investigation.

The taxman was suspected by the nation’s anti-graft authority of causing $75 million in damages to the state by abusing his authority. Just prior to being served with an order of suspicion, effectively a pre-indictment notice, Nasirov reportedly suffered a heart attack. Then there was a further delay as authorities could not immediately find an available judge to preside over the court proceedings. On top of all that, the courtroom received a bomb threat....

President Poroshenko was the first freely elected President of Ukraine after the revolution that took place in the Maidan or otherwise known as the Euromaidan. Viktor Yanukovych was exiled and at that time Ukraine had no president. So, there was an election organized and Petro Poroshenko was elected. He was a very successful businessman and the people wanted a far better economy than they had under the Pro-Russian president. 

Petro Poroshenko was recognized throughout The West, but, when it came to beginning trade that he hoped would be forthcoming the issue of corruption came up over and over. For that reason, his presidency while wonderfully laced with freedom, was also failing to capture the real problem with Ukraine's economy, the Russian influence that entrenched the country in corruption. When he ran for re-election against the current President Zelenskyy it was the issue of corruption and the people wanted to trust someone who had become an everyday hero in their hearts.

January 17, 2022
By Andrew Kramer

Former (click here) Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko reacts to Russian President Vladimir Putin's defense of the invasion of Ukraine.

Kyiv, Ukraine - Ukraine’s former president (click here) and a leading opposition figure, Petro O. Poroshenko, returned Monday to Kyiv, where he faced possible arrest on charges of treason, adding internal political turmoil to the mounting threat of a Russian invasion.

Mr. Poroshenko led Ukraine from 2014 until 2019, when he was soundly defeated by his rival, Volodymyr Zelensky, the current president. Mr. Poroshenko’s return escalates their long-running feud and focuses attention on Ukraine’s fractious domestic politics, which analysts and critics say is a perilous distraction as the Kremlin masses troops at its border.

Since Mr. Zelensky took power, his government has questioned Mr. Poroshenko as a witness in a raft of criminal cases that he claims are politically motivated. On Monday he said he was under investigation in more than 120 separate cases. Police in the past month have also searched the apartments of members of his political party....

No one can say Russia is corrupt without also looking at Ukraine.

Last update August 2020 (click here)

Snapshot

A combination of rampant corruption, (click here) market volatility and political instability in Ukraine represents major business risks for foreign investors. Bribery and facilitation payments are widespread among Ukrainian public officials, severely complicating business registration and trade procedures for international companies. Public procurement also suffers from pervasive corruption, burdensome regulations, and favoritism, severely impeding fair competition. Corruption, extortion, bribery of foreign public officials, abuse of office and facilitation payments are criminalized under the Criminal Code, and official corruption – including conflicts of interest, asset disclosure and gifts and hospitality – is also covered under Ukraine’s legislative framework. Ukraine’s anti-corruption laws encompass corrupt misconduct in both the private and the public sectors. The Law On Prevention of Corruption introduces measures for monitoring the effective implementation of anti-corruption provisions. However, a weak judicial system limits the enforcement of Ukraine’s anti-corruption laws....

The way I see this is, "How do you survive and be successful in a country so steeped in corrupt there is no financial interaction that can be carried out cleanly?" Ukraine was corrupt long before President Zelenskyy was in office.


3 October 2021
by Elena Loginova

...The documents show that Zelensky and his partners (click here) in a television production company, Kvartal 95, set up a network of offshore firms dating back to at least 2012, the year the company began making regular content for TV stations owned by Ihor Kolomoisky, an oligarch dogged by allegations of multi-billion-dollar fraud. The offshores were also used by Zelensky associates to purchase and own three prime properties in the center of London.

The documents also show that just before he was elected, he gifted his stake in a key offshore company, the British Virgin Islands-registered Maltex Multicapital Corp., to his business partner — soon to be his top presidential aide. And in spite of giving up his shares, the documents show that an arrangement was soon made that would allow the offshore to keep paying dividends to a company that now belongs to his wife....

...In the heat of the campaign, a political ally of incumbent President Petro Poroshenko published a chart on Facebook purporting to show that Zelensky and his television production partners were beneficiaries of a web of offshore firms that allegedly received $41 million in funds from Kolomoisky’s Privatbank.

That ally, Volodymyr Ariev, didn’t provide evidence, and his accusations have never been proven. But the Pandora Papers show that at least some of the details in this alleged scheme correspond to reality. The leaked documents show information on 10 companies in the network that match structures detailed in Ariev’s chart....

Is Russia corrupt? Absolutely.

Last updated 2020 (click here)

Snapshot

Corruption significantly impedes businesses operating or planning to invest in Russia. High-level and petty corruption are common, especially in the judicial system and public procurement. The business environment suffers from inconsistent application of laws and a lack of transparency and accountability in the public administration. Russia’s regulatory inefficiency substantially increases the cost of doing business and has a negative effect on market competition. The Russian Federal Anti-Corruption Law (in Russian) requires companies to actively implement anti-corruption compliance programs. However, compliance with these provisions in practice is lagging behind. Russian law criminalizes active and passive bribery, facilitation payments, gifts and other benefits. However, effective enforcement of anti-corruption legislation is hindered by a politicized and corrupt judicial system.

There is more to the assessment than this paragraph summary. This assessment spells out very clearly that Russia has rampant corruption. No one is enforcing laws on the books to end corruption. Russia is so corrupt, that the laws are nothing more than a decoration for Russia to say they have anti-corruption measures. None of the enforcement is real, UNLESS, you are an oppositional candidate to Vladimir Putin. Every person opposing Putin is automatically corrupt and worthy of prison.

But, Putin is a saint and should not be bothered with such details of corruption within his administration or the accounting in the "Panama Papers."

Not only is Russia corrupt, but, it's president leads the country in being corrupt.

April 3, 2016
By Luke Harding

A network of secret offshore deals (click here) and vast loans worth $2bn has laid a trail to Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin.

An unprecedented leak of documents shows how this money has made members of Putin’s close circle fabulously wealthy.

Though the president’s name does not appear in any of the records, the data reveals a pattern – his friends have earned millions from deals that seemingly could not have been secured without his patronage.

The documents suggest Putin’s family has benefited from this money – his friends’ fortunes appear his to spend.

The files are part of an unprecedented leak of millions of papers from the database of Mossack Fonseca, the world’s fourth biggest offshore law firm. They show how the rich and powerful are able to exploit secret offshore tax regimes in myriad ways....

As to corruption in Russia.

I read an assessment of Russian corruption from a company named "GAN Integrity." Their short history is illustrated in an icon that appears to be liquid in nature.

GAN Integrity (click here)


There is some talk among the right wing media stating Ukraine is not a democracy. I would like to address that.

The Chinese media "Tik-Tok" is carrying the political right wing of the USA's message that Ukraine was never a democracy because the current president has prosecuted his opposition. To begin, President Zelenskyy was elected by a majority in the free and open elections in Ukraine.

22 April 2019

Ukrainian (click here) comedian Volodymyr Zelensky has scored a landslide victory in the country's presidential election.


With nearly all ballots counted in the run-off vote, Mr Zelensky had taken more than 73% with incumbent Petro Poroshenko trailing far behind on 24%.

"I will never let you down," Mr Zelensky told celebrating supporters.

Russia says it wants him to show "sound judgement", "honesty" and "pragmatism" so that relations can improve. Russia backs separatists in eastern Ukraine.

He said he expected Mr Zelensky to "repeat familiar ideological formulas" that he used in the election campaign, adding: "I have no illusions on that score....

President Zelenskyy's win could never have been corrupt because the percentage was enormous. Yes, he was a comedian and that is scoffed at in Moscow, but, it is not unusual for popular figures to be elected by Ukrainians. The "tone" of Russia's comments from it's leadership are adult-child. From the beginning with his election Russia was defaming him, belittling him and Putin saw him self superior to Zelenskyy in every way.

I rarely discuss the monarchy, but, this deserves attention.

The New York Post (click here) has a photos collection that portrays the Diamond Jubilee tour of the Caribbean. The royal couple met with demonstrations regarding the colonalism that still exists with the British monarchy still the ruling class of these countries.

They met the challenge with grace and some stumbles, but, primarily it helped define the way in which the monarchy is changing in response to the countries that have been a part of the Commonwealth. There is a lot of good reasons for the Commonwealth to exist. But, to end the monarchy's role as head of state is wrong. It needs to change.

Prince William was every bit the sovereign in measuring his place within the governance of the Commonwealth and the new autonomy they will take on when he is King. He does not expect to be a head of state when the power of the thrown is passed to him.

The Commonwealth will survive, but, each country will have it's own head of state. I think that is a remarkable statement by Prince William.

This is the royal couple as they leave for home. Both the Prince and Duchess had remarkable wardrobes for the occassion. The Queen has every reason to be proud of them.