Has Trump done anything to dummy down USA intelligence/threat assessment? Is Congress receiving a real picture?
NATO would have a valid assessment if that were the case. The USA and NATO threat assessment should run parallel to each other, not conflict the facts.
Nancy Pelosi never went to Afghanistan. That is a blind spot. She was supposed to travel there anonymously and Trump exposed her. But, the trip was after a meeting by Russia with parties from Afghanistan. One could ask why did Trump reveal a trip into a war zone of a member of Congress? And why was the trip canceled after a summit by Russia?
9 November 2018
By Andrew Roth
Russia has hosted talks with Taliban delegates (click here) and members of Afghanistan’s high peace council, as the Kremlin seeks a role as peace broker between Islamist rebels and the US-backed government in Kabul.
The meeting on Friday demonstrated Moscow’s renewed aspirations in Afghanistan almost 30 years after the Soviet Union withdrew its battered forces.
Russia’s foreign ministry touted the attendance of the Taliban, who sent a five-person delegation to Moscow from their political office in Doha, as unprecedented for an international conference aimed at peace in Afghanistan, although the meeting produced few concrete results.
The Afghan government did not send direct representatives to Friday’s talks, electing instead to send members of the peace council “in its own capacity as a national but non-government institution”.
The Afghan government and the Taliban both denied that the conference marked direct negotiations for peace. But Russia’s foreign ministry focused attention on the spectacle of delegates from both sides of the line in Afghanistan sitting together at Moscow’s President hotel, alongside representatives from Iran, China, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan....
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
I might add, dissolving the INF Treaty is an assault against NATO. Where is Russia going to reconstitute land-based intermediate nuclear weapons? Canada? Mexico? Putin is shining on about Cuba. What this is actually about is NATO. It exposes NATO to Russia's ability to deploy land based missiles outside of Europe. That includes Ukraine.
In a real evaluation of Trump's ideas to end the INF, it is more of the hatred of NATO that is evident and more and more the favoritism of Russia. It was the last year or two that Ukraine reconstituted it's short range missiles. I suppose Putin realizes the expertise of Ukrainians and their former nuclear capacity, so this fits right into Putin's aggression regarding Ukraine.
Putin realizes the USA can now place short range and medium range missiles in Europe. That is not planned, but, if Russia is going to be aggressive against Europe that might happen. There is no missile treaty of any kind between Ukraine and Russia as any summit between the two countries has already been violated by Russia.
I think it is becoming more evident what went on in Helsinki.
In a real evaluation of Trump's ideas to end the INF, it is more of the hatred of NATO that is evident and more and more the favoritism of Russia. It was the last year or two that Ukraine reconstituted it's short range missiles. I suppose Putin realizes the expertise of Ukrainians and their former nuclear capacity, so this fits right into Putin's aggression regarding Ukraine.
Putin realizes the USA can now place short range and medium range missiles in Europe. That is not planned, but, if Russia is going to be aggressive against Europe that might happen. There is no missile treaty of any kind between Ukraine and Russia as any summit between the two countries has already been violated by Russia.
I think it is becoming more evident what went on in Helsinki.
I think Putin is jealous of the bromance between Trump and Kim Jong Un.
Putin was strutting his testosterone before the meeting in Vietnam. As usual, it is always brinkmanship. Putin isn't writing or receiving "beautiful letters" and he has to get attention some way.
To begin with, does anyone actually think Vladimir Putin is going to display the ONLY weapon he has to defeat a nuclear attack to the public? ONLY weapon? Give me a break.
If this is Putin's best hope, then he doesn't have one. There are a million holes in what he is saying about a nuclear confrontation with The West. The article about the Project 20380 is from 2017. This is not new.
Kim is a lot younger than Putin, so it is understanding why Putin is strutting his stuff.
The INF treaty was written by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. The treaty has existed a while. Basically, it only deals with short and medium LAND BASED missiles.
500–1,000 kilometers (310–620 mi) (short medium-range)
1,000–5,500 km (620–3,420 mi) (intermediate-range)
The treaty does not apply to air or sea launched missiles.
So, the hypersonic missile was never covered under the INF. If this is what Trump is referring to in ending the INF treaty then he has no basis for his actions. Canceling the INF without due cause is a reason for Russia to be hopping mad.
USA effected missiles with the INF Treaty according to NATO.
BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile (decommissioned)
Pershing 1a (decommissioned)
Pershing II (decommissioned)
Soviet Union effect missiles with the INF Treaty
SS-4 Sandal (decommissioned)
SS-5 Skean (decommissioned)
SS-12 Scaleboard (decommissioned)
SS-20 Saber (decommissioned)
SS-23 Spider (decommissioned)
SSC-X-4 Slingshot (Mobile missile launcher)
It could be argued the INF Treaty was old and ineffective in modern day war, however, in dissolving the treaty it allows Russia to begin to build is' SOVIET missiles all over again. So, all in all, it was best to leave it alone.
It also could be said the INF Treaty was between the Soviet Union and the USA. The Soviet Union doesn't exist anymore.
To just regroup on all this, if Putin is stating he has some radical new missile that will turn the USA into a nuclear wasteland, that is overstating Russia's abilities. Somehow the Russian audience is supposed to come away with the idea that Russia's defense or offensive first strike weapons are radically new and the USA is somehow behind the eight ball. The USA has known about this missile for a long time. Yes, I consider AT LEAST two years a long time. Now, either the Russians deployed these missiles in response to the USA weapons deployed or they really have no other measure of national security and Putin figured, "Go ahead, why not?"
Vladimir Putin is a brinkman. He has practiced brinkmanship in the world for as long as he has been a leader for Russia. Ask any USA general retired or otherwise and they will tell the stories of how the Russians showed up with all kinds of bluster about their ability to begin a nuclear war. So, this speech is not a surprise, the only aspect of this which is NEW is the fact he is making it before Trump meets in Vietnam with North Korea. Like I said, either Putin is jealous beyond imagination of the affection between Kim and Trump or Trump is scared down to his skivvies of Putin. I do believe Trump has a yellow stripe down his back to put dandelions to shame.
The Russian Navy (click here) operates five Project 20380 corvettes and another five are under construction
...The targets, which Kiselyov described as U.S. presidential or military command centers, also included Fort Ritchie, a military training center in Maryland closed in 1998, McClellan, a U.S. Air Force base in California closed in 2001, and Jim Creek, a naval communications base in Washington state....
To begin with, does anyone actually think Vladimir Putin is going to display the ONLY weapon he has to defeat a nuclear attack to the public? ONLY weapon? Give me a break.
If this is Putin's best hope, then he doesn't have one. There are a million holes in what he is saying about a nuclear confrontation with The West. The article about the Project 20380 is from 2017. This is not new.
Kim is a lot younger than Putin, so it is understanding why Putin is strutting his stuff.
The INF treaty was written by Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. The treaty has existed a while. Basically, it only deals with short and medium LAND BASED missiles.
500–1,000 kilometers (310–620 mi) (short medium-range)
1,000–5,500 km (620–3,420 mi) (intermediate-range)
The treaty does not apply to air or sea launched missiles.
So, the hypersonic missile was never covered under the INF. If this is what Trump is referring to in ending the INF treaty then he has no basis for his actions. Canceling the INF without due cause is a reason for Russia to be hopping mad.
USA effected missiles with the INF Treaty according to NATO.
BGM-109G Ground Launched Cruise Missile (decommissioned)
Pershing 1a (decommissioned)
Pershing II (decommissioned)
Soviet Union effect missiles with the INF Treaty
SS-4 Sandal (decommissioned)
SS-5 Skean (decommissioned)
SS-12 Scaleboard (decommissioned)
SS-20 Saber (decommissioned)
SS-23 Spider (decommissioned)
SSC-X-4 Slingshot (Mobile missile launcher)
It could be argued the INF Treaty was old and ineffective in modern day war, however, in dissolving the treaty it allows Russia to begin to build is' SOVIET missiles all over again. So, all in all, it was best to leave it alone.
It also could be said the INF Treaty was between the Soviet Union and the USA. The Soviet Union doesn't exist anymore.
To just regroup on all this, if Putin is stating he has some radical new missile that will turn the USA into a nuclear wasteland, that is overstating Russia's abilities. Somehow the Russian audience is supposed to come away with the idea that Russia's defense or offensive first strike weapons are radically new and the USA is somehow behind the eight ball. The USA has known about this missile for a long time. Yes, I consider AT LEAST two years a long time. Now, either the Russians deployed these missiles in response to the USA weapons deployed or they really have no other measure of national security and Putin figured, "Go ahead, why not?"
Vladimir Putin is a brinkman. He has practiced brinkmanship in the world for as long as he has been a leader for Russia. Ask any USA general retired or otherwise and they will tell the stories of how the Russians showed up with all kinds of bluster about their ability to begin a nuclear war. So, this speech is not a surprise, the only aspect of this which is NEW is the fact he is making it before Trump meets in Vietnam with North Korea. Like I said, either Putin is jealous beyond imagination of the affection between Kim and Trump or Trump is scared down to his skivvies of Putin. I do believe Trump has a yellow stripe down his back to put dandelions to shame.
...The targets, which Kiselyov described as U.S. presidential or military command centers, also included Fort Ritchie, a military training center in Maryland closed in 1998, McClellan, a U.S. Air Force base in California closed in 2001, and Jim Creek, a naval communications base in Washington state....
Monday, February 25, 2019
Serges Lavrov is in Vietnam to pick up another bundle of highly classified USA intelligence as yet another payment for making Trump President of the USA. Lavrov is there because Putin ordered it. How many documents can one person place in their underwear without being detected? Their shoes? Their soxes? Inside their shirt and jacket or inside a long tie? My guess is a lot considering the size of microfilm.
Walmart's war on the disabled. What did Trump do to weaken the American with Disabilities Act?
Walmart forgets who many of their customers are. When driving into a Walmart parking lot what becomes very noticeable are a large number of handicapped parking spaces. The handicapped spaces at Walmart are usually full.
Despite several attempts to talk to the management at Walmart, Adam is unemployed.
February 19, 2019
By Charles Thompson
Adam Catlin, 30, is worried that restrictions from his cerebral palsy will cost him his longtime job at a Selinsgrove Walmart as the store transitions away from the traditional "people greeter" role.
A business decision (click here) by the nation’s largest retailer to revamp the role of the “people greeter” may have the perverse effect of costing a Snyder County man his job.
And for Adam Catlin and the customers he’s welcomed over the last 10 years with a big “hello”, this isn’t any old job in an ever-changing economy. Working the front door at the Walmart in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, has become the occupational sun around which his universe orbits.
You see Adam, age 30, lives with cerebral palsy.
The condition and its complications have left him, according to his family, unable to walk without a walker, lacking in fine motor skills with his hands, and legally blind.
But he can smile and cheer people up like nobody’s business, so the job as a front-of-the-store greeter - which Adam has held since shortly after his graduation from Midd-West High School - has made him a kind of a superstar in this river town about 60 miles north of Harrisburg....
Adam isn't the only American out of work because Walmart hates the disabled. Meet John Combs. This is very hard to accept. In the case of Mr. Combs, he has a dog to support. That dog is vital to Mr. Combs day to day activities. This is outrageous.
This is coming at a time when people have to work to maintain their Food Stamp benefit. I find this entire action by Walmart very suspicious.
February 25, 2019
By Alina Selyukh
John Combs is a "people greeter" at a Walmart in Vancouver, Wash. But he has been told that come April 25, his job is going away. And he is not alone.
If you ask John Combs (click here) what his biggest worry is, he'll say: "How will I feed Red?"
Red is actually white. He's a labradoodle rescue, just tall enough for Combs to pet if he reaches over the armrest of his wheelchair. Combs, 42, has cerebral palsy. He has difficulty speaking. But he has no difficulty saying the line most Americans have heard at least once: "Welcome to Walmart!"
Combs has one of Walmart's trademark front-door jobs: He's a "people greeter" at a store in Vancouver, Wash. But, he was told, come April 25 his job is going away. And he is not alone. According to Walmart, greeters are being removed at about 1,000 stores around the country.
NPR has found that Walmart is changing the job requirements for front-door greeters in a way that appears to disproportionately affect workers with disabilities. Greeters with disabilities in five states told NPR they expect to lose their jobs after April 25 or 26....
Despite several attempts to talk to the management at Walmart, Adam is unemployed.
February 19, 2019By Charles Thompson
Adam Catlin, 30, is worried that restrictions from his cerebral palsy will cost him his longtime job at a Selinsgrove Walmart as the store transitions away from the traditional "people greeter" role.
A business decision (click here) by the nation’s largest retailer to revamp the role of the “people greeter” may have the perverse effect of costing a Snyder County man his job.
And for Adam Catlin and the customers he’s welcomed over the last 10 years with a big “hello”, this isn’t any old job in an ever-changing economy. Working the front door at the Walmart in Selinsgrove, Snyder County, has become the occupational sun around which his universe orbits.
You see Adam, age 30, lives with cerebral palsy.
The condition and its complications have left him, according to his family, unable to walk without a walker, lacking in fine motor skills with his hands, and legally blind.
But he can smile and cheer people up like nobody’s business, so the job as a front-of-the-store greeter - which Adam has held since shortly after his graduation from Midd-West High School - has made him a kind of a superstar in this river town about 60 miles north of Harrisburg....
This is coming at a time when people have to work to maintain their Food Stamp benefit. I find this entire action by Walmart very suspicious.
February 25, 2019By Alina Selyukh
John Combs is a "people greeter" at a Walmart in Vancouver, Wash. But he has been told that come April 25, his job is going away. And he is not alone.
If you ask John Combs (click here) what his biggest worry is, he'll say: "How will I feed Red?"
Red is actually white. He's a labradoodle rescue, just tall enough for Combs to pet if he reaches over the armrest of his wheelchair. Combs, 42, has cerebral palsy. He has difficulty speaking. But he has no difficulty saying the line most Americans have heard at least once: "Welcome to Walmart!"
Combs has one of Walmart's trademark front-door jobs: He's a "people greeter" at a store in Vancouver, Wash. But, he was told, come April 25 his job is going away. And he is not alone. According to Walmart, greeters are being removed at about 1,000 stores around the country.
NPR has found that Walmart is changing the job requirements for front-door greeters in a way that appears to disproportionately affect workers with disabilities. Greeters with disabilities in five states told NPR they expect to lose their jobs after April 25 or 26....
Who is surprised Trump is lying about the collapse of Venezuela?
This is a no brainer, it is just that THE TRUTH doesn't fit into Trump's political strategy. Got that one Facebook? This political rhetoric is a HUGE lie!
Venezuela's economic collapse has nothing to do with socialism or communism or anything other than an economy that is NOT DIVERSIFIED.
The people of Venezuela need humanitarian relief. As soon as there is food in their bellies and clean water to drink, the civil unrest in the country will stop. Maduro has instead of addressing the humanitarian need of the country, turned to Russia for $1 trillion in weapons. That money was sorely needed for the people. I am not surprised they are unhappy with Maduro. He is a foolish leader without answers for his people.
Russia needs to return those monies to Venezuela in order for the people to rehabilitate their economy and provide a better future for Venezuelan children. I always faulted Hugo Chavez for his outsourcing higher education of his own people. Venezuela can be a great country, but, it needs to change drastically to return civil obedience to the people. Included in that change is hope for the future of every Venezuelan child.
Hugo Chavez was quick to point out the problems with other countries that didn't appreciate his leadership. But, he rarely reflected on the demoralized lifestyle of the Venezuelan people in comparison to the quality of life of the rest of the world. Venezuela was never much of a sovereignty, considering it didn't value a brain trust.
It is a heavy lift for a country void of wealth and the brain trust to change it's path to prosperity.
Venezuela's economic collapse has nothing to do with socialism or communism or anything other than an economy that is NOT DIVERSIFIED.
The people of Venezuela need humanitarian relief. As soon as there is food in their bellies and clean water to drink, the civil unrest in the country will stop. Maduro has instead of addressing the humanitarian need of the country, turned to Russia for $1 trillion in weapons. That money was sorely needed for the people. I am not surprised they are unhappy with Maduro. He is a foolish leader without answers for his people.
Russia needs to return those monies to Venezuela in order for the people to rehabilitate their economy and provide a better future for Venezuelan children. I always faulted Hugo Chavez for his outsourcing higher education of his own people. Venezuela can be a great country, but, it needs to change drastically to return civil obedience to the people. Included in that change is hope for the future of every Venezuelan child.
Hugo Chavez was quick to point out the problems with other countries that didn't appreciate his leadership. But, he rarely reflected on the demoralized lifestyle of the Venezuelan people in comparison to the quality of life of the rest of the world. Venezuela was never much of a sovereignty, considering it didn't value a brain trust.
It is a heavy lift for a country void of wealth and the brain trust to change it's path to prosperity.
By Jon Lee Anderson
...Venezuela (click here) has the largest proven oil reserves in the world, but since the 2014 crash in world oil prices, on which Venezuela depended for more than ninety per cent of its export revenues, its economy has contracted continuously, unleashing an economic crisis worse than that experienced by Americans during the Great Depression....
Where are the NFL sanctions on Kraft? The word "Cheating" never seems to leave the sport.
February 25, 2019
Authorities say New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (click here) visited a Florida massage parlor for sex acts on the morning of the AFC Championship Game, which he attended in Kansas City later that day.
According to documents released by the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office on Monday, it was the second visit by Kraft to the parlor in less than 24 hours.
The documents say Kraft arrived at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in a chauffeured 2015 blue Bentley at 11 a.m. on Jan. 20. He was videotaped receiving oral and manual sex from a woman at the spa in Jupiter. Officials say he gave her a $100 bill and another bill before leaving at 11:15 a.m.
The AFC Championship Game against the host Chiefs kicked off at 6:40 p.m. ET. Kraft was in attendance....
Of course he was in the stadium, he has to keep up appearances as if he is not guilty. I can't wait to see what Fan Appreciation Day includes for the Patriots, condoms and call girl phone numbers.
I am sure prostitution will be the new recruitment tool during "the draft."
Away games have never meant so much.
Let's see, what about JUST A FINE to bring some extra cash into the Florida economy.
The women will be charged with solicitation and face jail time, but, Kraft will buy his freedom with lawyers and a bankroll big enough to continue his dirty habit.
How young were the prostitutes? I hear they can be children and still get away with it under Trump. As a matter of fact, Kraft should tap Trump's labor secretary for advice.
Ah, yes, the excesses of wealth. A man can buy anything, even his own pimp
This won't effect The Patriots eighth record-setting $uperbowl victory facing off with another club with too much merchandise in the warehouse, will it? There are many leaving their credit cards open for the ticket scalpers.
The rumor is out there that Russia is paying it's bills with scalped $uperbowl tickets. It is called money laundering. It still hasn't found a safe market for Venezuela's gold yet.
Speaking of Venezuela, has anyone called Halliburton, by the way? They thrive in times of war. I am sure they won't mind working for Maduro.
February 8, 2019
By Scott Smith
Punto Fijo, — Nieves Ribullen, (click here) a Venezuelan oil worker sick of struggling to get by as his country falls apart, is betting it all on Iraq’s far-away Kurdish region to give his family a better life.
Authorities say New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft (click here) visited a Florida massage parlor for sex acts on the morning of the AFC Championship Game, which he attended in Kansas City later that day.
According to documents released by the Palm Beach State Attorney's Office on Monday, it was the second visit by Kraft to the parlor in less than 24 hours.
The documents say Kraft arrived at the Orchids of Asia Day Spa in a chauffeured 2015 blue Bentley at 11 a.m. on Jan. 20. He was videotaped receiving oral and manual sex from a woman at the spa in Jupiter. Officials say he gave her a $100 bill and another bill before leaving at 11:15 a.m.
The AFC Championship Game against the host Chiefs kicked off at 6:40 p.m. ET. Kraft was in attendance....
Of course he was in the stadium, he has to keep up appearances as if he is not guilty. I can't wait to see what Fan Appreciation Day includes for the Patriots, condoms and call girl phone numbers.
I am sure prostitution will be the new recruitment tool during "the draft."
Away games have never meant so much.
Let's see, what about JUST A FINE to bring some extra cash into the Florida economy.
The women will be charged with solicitation and face jail time, but, Kraft will buy his freedom with lawyers and a bankroll big enough to continue his dirty habit.
How young were the prostitutes? I hear they can be children and still get away with it under Trump. As a matter of fact, Kraft should tap Trump's labor secretary for advice.
Ah, yes, the excesses of wealth. A man can buy anything, even his own pimp
This won't effect The Patriots eighth record-setting $uperbowl victory facing off with another club with too much merchandise in the warehouse, will it? There are many leaving their credit cards open for the ticket scalpers.
The rumor is out there that Russia is paying it's bills with scalped $uperbowl tickets. It is called money laundering. It still hasn't found a safe market for Venezuela's gold yet.
Speaking of Venezuela, has anyone called Halliburton, by the way? They thrive in times of war. I am sure they won't mind working for Maduro.
February 8, 2019
By Scott Smith
Punto Fijo, — Nieves Ribullen, (click here) a Venezuelan oil worker sick of struggling to get by as his country falls apart, is betting it all on Iraq’s far-away Kurdish region to give his family a better life.
Over the years he’s watched dozens of co-workers abandon poverty wages and dangerous working conditions at the rundown complex of refineries in Punto Fijo on Venezuela’s Caribbean coast for jobs in far-flung places like Kuwait, Angola and Chile....
The Mueller Special Council has turned up an incredible number of lawbreakers and even more indictments of the laws they broke. The Special Council has a single purpose and that is to investigate the unlawful activity affiliated with KNOWN hacking of a political party and candidate in the 2016 elections.
The Special Council is funded through the budget the Congress passes. The Executive Branch has no right to block distribution of the Mueller report resulting from the Special Council. Each branch of the legislature should receive the report, read through it and realize the extent the American political system was compromised by Russia. There is no denying it. The hacking was real and it is documented.
Realizing the country was compromised by a hostile enemy whom only within the last few days has promised nuclear holocaust, the legislature needs to write new laws in the form of a bill to end the possibility of such influence by other countries. Congress has a right to the Special Council findings. It is just that simple and anyone in the US House demanding no OBSTRUCTION of the Special Council report is not practicing politics, they are standing up for the US Constitution. There is nothing complicated about this.
The Special Council is funded through the budget the Congress passes. The Executive Branch has no right to block distribution of the Mueller report resulting from the Special Council. Each branch of the legislature should receive the report, read through it and realize the extent the American political system was compromised by Russia. There is no denying it. The hacking was real and it is documented.
Realizing the country was compromised by a hostile enemy whom only within the last few days has promised nuclear holocaust, the legislature needs to write new laws in the form of a bill to end the possibility of such influence by other countries. Congress has a right to the Special Council findings. It is just that simple and anyone in the US House demanding no OBSTRUCTION of the Special Council report is not practicing politics, they are standing up for the US Constitution. There is nothing complicated about this.
The Imperial Presidency no longer exists. The legislature has to do it's job and with qualified members lacking ideology in their politics.
Donald Trump is tearing up nuclear weapon treaties without the Congress moving forward with alternatives, he is making nice-nice to North Korea while demanding Congress defund American troops in South Korea.
If Vladimir Putin were president of the USA he would be doing the same thing.
Donald Trump is a communist.
The modern day communists are incredible capitalists. There is no reason to trust Trump on any nuclear weapon treaty. He submits no proof to the safety of democracy or The West while he is making these decisions.
The USA legislature needs to do their job and demand proof of troop withdrawal and any change in funding. The War Powers Act exists for a reason and now the legislature has to complete the picture and demand proof of troop withdrawal, especially when it involves allies.
What is being seen with Donald Trump is complete disregard of freedom and democracy. The Republicans crying "Liberty" do not have an ally with Trump, they have someone taking radical actions in the name of COST that exposes the USA to danger. Perhaps, the right wing of the Republican Party are communists in disguise with names as "The Tea Party."
Trump's corrupt administration is overcome easily enough if there is no cooperation between the DOJ and the House Intelligence Committee.
February 24, 2019
A top Democrat (click here) threatened on Sunday to call special counsel Robert Mueller to testify on Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and take the Trump administration to court if necessary, if the full report on the Russia investigation is not made public....
There is no respect for the legislature and it's responsibility to the people of this country with the Trump administration. The Executive Branch acts on USA legislation to protect and defend the USA. The legislative branch is where the power has always been. It passes laws that reflect the will of the people.
The American people forgot how their government works and the competency at the legislative level needed to write laws that matter.
Figure heads, like Trump, can work in the Executive Branch where others carry out the majority of the responsibility. But, that model does not work well anywhere else in the federal or state governments. Legislators have to know what they are doing.
If Vladimir Putin were president of the USA he would be doing the same thing.
Donald Trump is a communist.
The modern day communists are incredible capitalists. There is no reason to trust Trump on any nuclear weapon treaty. He submits no proof to the safety of democracy or The West while he is making these decisions.
The USA legislature needs to do their job and demand proof of troop withdrawal and any change in funding. The War Powers Act exists for a reason and now the legislature has to complete the picture and demand proof of troop withdrawal, especially when it involves allies.
What is being seen with Donald Trump is complete disregard of freedom and democracy. The Republicans crying "Liberty" do not have an ally with Trump, they have someone taking radical actions in the name of COST that exposes the USA to danger. Perhaps, the right wing of the Republican Party are communists in disguise with names as "The Tea Party."
Trump's corrupt administration is overcome easily enough if there is no cooperation between the DOJ and the House Intelligence Committee.
February 24, 2019
A top Democrat (click here) threatened on Sunday to call special counsel Robert Mueller to testify on Capitol Hill, subpoena documents and take the Trump administration to court if necessary, if the full report on the Russia investigation is not made public....
There is no respect for the legislature and it's responsibility to the people of this country with the Trump administration. The Executive Branch acts on USA legislation to protect and defend the USA. The legislative branch is where the power has always been. It passes laws that reflect the will of the people.
The American people forgot how their government works and the competency at the legislative level needed to write laws that matter.
Figure heads, like Trump, can work in the Executive Branch where others carry out the majority of the responsibility. But, that model does not work well anywhere else in the federal or state governments. Legislators have to know what they are doing.
The Climate Crisis has to be viewed as one of the most urgent needs in the political races of 2020.
The Climate Crisis has a time line of 11 years. The response required demands USA leadership to act like the First World nation it is SUPPOSED TO BE.
There is no road to kick the can down. The petroleum industry's voice is poison to a First World Country. Every other First World country has already moved forward on the terminal timeline of the Climate Crisis. Enough. The USA must move into it's leadership role.
There is no more time. 2030 is upon us and the USA has to move into a new method of energy that will insure American lives forever. Forever is real. Developing energy that does not assault Earth's atmospheres is forever. That is a legacy issue every person seeking leadership in the USA has to address.
The USA needs far more mass transit, it needs infrastructure eliminating at every turn greenhouse gas emissions. Now. Not in 2024 or 2028. Now. The time is now. As soon as the USA prioritizes the climate as a real path forward, the dialogue will reveal the existing crisis throughout the world. There is a reality Americans don't see because it is unpopular to address it. The "Real Time" world today is horrific in the dynamics occurring all over the planet due to the Climate Crisis.
It is not going away. This is real. This has to take precedence over any political issue. No more looking the other way. There is no alternative. The climate of Earth has to take priority.
21 February 2019
By Arthur Neslen
There is no road to kick the can down. The petroleum industry's voice is poison to a First World Country. Every other First World country has already moved forward on the terminal timeline of the Climate Crisis. Enough. The USA must move into it's leadership role.
There is no more time. 2030 is upon us and the USA has to move into a new method of energy that will insure American lives forever. Forever is real. Developing energy that does not assault Earth's atmospheres is forever. That is a legacy issue every person seeking leadership in the USA has to address.
The USA needs far more mass transit, it needs infrastructure eliminating at every turn greenhouse gas emissions. Now. Not in 2024 or 2028. Now. The time is now. As soon as the USA prioritizes the climate as a real path forward, the dialogue will reveal the existing crisis throughout the world. There is a reality Americans don't see because it is unpopular to address it. The "Real Time" world today is horrific in the dynamics occurring all over the planet due to the Climate Crisis.
It is not going away. This is real. This has to take precedence over any political issue. No more looking the other way. There is no alternative. The climate of Earth has to take priority.
21 February 2019
By Arthur Neslen
Climate change (click here) was responsible for the majority of under-reported humanitarian disasters last year, according to analysis of more than a million online news stories.
Whole populations were affected by food crises in countries ravaged by by drought and hurricanes such as Ethiopia and Haiti, yet neither crisis generated more than 1,000 global news stories each.
In Madagascar, more than a million people went hungry as corn, cassava and rice fields withered under drought and severe El Niño conditions. Almost half the country’s children have been stunted, but their suffering sparked few headlines....
Lisa Borders is not responsible for her son's behavior.
Composite from top left: (click here) Emilia Clarke, Emma Watson, Naomie Harris, Poppy Delevigne, Noma Dumezweni, Gemma Arterton, Nicola Walker, Noomi Rapace, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Emma Thompson, Thandie Newton, Ophelia Lovibond, Saoirse Ronan, Samantha Morton, Carey Mulligan...
...All over the world, women have been organising, resisting and speaking out – from Ni Una Más in Latin America and the #lifeinleggings movement in the Caribbean, to the Balance Ton Porc movement in France and the #EverydaySexism hashtag in the UK. You might have seen #MeToo. You may have said: “Me too.”...
There is no stopping this.
The Oscars were exceptional last night. I liked the presenters handling the entire show. It was nice. The final stage for Best Picture was a delight to see for it's diversity. Americans can be proud of their movie industry. The drastic change had to occur in a way that was visual and they rose to the need of the country.
Sunday, February 24, 2019
February 2019 - Black History Month
I have an affection for horses. They are incredible animals in realizing how they have provided the advancement of civilization. It could not have occurred without them. One of the places horses were used as a vital part of developing civilization is "The Old West" where food choices could include beef. Cattle were managed by people on the backs of horses and I began to wonder if there were African Americans somewhere in the history of the making of the West. I didn't have to look far.
Bill Pickett invented "bulldogging," a rodeo technique to wrestle a steer to the ground.
...Bill Pickett, born in 1870 in Texas to former slaves, became one of the most famous early rodeo stars. He dropped out of school to become a ranch hand and gained an international reputation for his unique method of catching stray cows....
Understand that the modern day rodeo competition called "Cattle Wrestling" would never have existed if Bill Pickett didn't develop the skill and technique in the beginning. He did participate in the earliest rodeos as a skilled cowboy.
One in four cowboys were black. (click here) So why aren't they more present in popular culture?
In his 1907 autobiography, (click here) cowboy Nat Love recounts stories from his life on the frontier so cliché, they read like scenes from a John Wayne film. He describes Dodge City, Kansas, a town smattered with the romanticized institutions of the frontier: “a great many saloons, dance halls, and gambling houses, and very little of anything else.” He moved massive herds of cattle from one grazing area to another, drank with Billy the Kid and participated in shootouts with Native peoples defending their land on the trails. And when not, as he put it, “engaged in fighting Indians,” he amused himself with activities like “dare-devil riding, shooting, roping and such sports.”...
Modern day racism no longer belongs on the American landscape. Tonight may be a magnificently historic ceremony at the Oscars for the African American community. I will be watching and hoping I will see history in the making.
Thank you for your interest.
...Bill Pickett, born in 1870 in Texas to former slaves, became one of the most famous early rodeo stars. He dropped out of school to become a ranch hand and gained an international reputation for his unique method of catching stray cows....
Understand that the modern day rodeo competition called "Cattle Wrestling" would never have existed if Bill Pickett didn't develop the skill and technique in the beginning. He did participate in the earliest rodeos as a skilled cowboy.
One in four cowboys were black. (click here) So why aren't they more present in popular culture?
In his 1907 autobiography, (click here) cowboy Nat Love recounts stories from his life on the frontier so cliché, they read like scenes from a John Wayne film. He describes Dodge City, Kansas, a town smattered with the romanticized institutions of the frontier: “a great many saloons, dance halls, and gambling houses, and very little of anything else.” He moved massive herds of cattle from one grazing area to another, drank with Billy the Kid and participated in shootouts with Native peoples defending their land on the trails. And when not, as he put it, “engaged in fighting Indians,” he amused himself with activities like “dare-devil riding, shooting, roping and such sports.”...
Modern day racism no longer belongs on the American landscape. Tonight may be a magnificently historic ceremony at the Oscars for the African American community. I will be watching and hoping I will see history in the making.
Thank you for your interest.
Russia, Russians and Putin do not do anything that does not benefit Russia.
By Elisha Fieldstadt. Charlie Gile and Rich Shapiro
Russian operative (click here) Maria Butina admitted Thursday to conspiring to infiltrate influential conservative organizations, including the National Rifle Association, in an effort to push Moscow's agenda.
Butina, 30, who has agreed to cooperate with federal prosecutors, pleaded guilty in a Washington courtroom to one count of conspiracy to violate the law governing foreign agents operating in the U.S.
The felony carries a five-year prison term, but the estimated sentencing guideline range is from zero to six months in prison. The charge was brought by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington, unrelated to special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
As a noncitizen, Butina would face deportation after serving any prison sentence....
Saturday, February 23, 2019
The Deep State of the USA
Since the beginnings of the 13 original colonies, the USA has always had an intelligence agency to assist with sovereignty. With every conflict, every attempt to undermine the American democracy there have been loyal and true Americans that have lined the halls of secrecy, prosecution and justice to protect and defend this United States of America.
During the Battle of Long Island, (click here) Nathan Hale--a captain in the Continental Army--volunteered to go behind enemy lines in disguise to report back on British troop movements. Hale was captured by the British army and executed as a spy on September 22, 1776. Hale remains part of popular lore connected with the American Revolution for his purported last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."...
The evil "Deep State" created by FOX News, right wing radio and Trump is a fictitious element that is a political ploy to inspire those that hate and seek to harm the democracy that now stands nearly 250 years.
I won't put up with such lies and innuendos. If it were for the FBI, CIA and many others, including allies, this democracy would have been trampled a long time ago.
The "Deep State" is something Putin believes in and fears. We, as Americans, should be proud of everyone of those that serve in the military, military intelligence and Homeland Security. They are all good and loyal Americans that will defend their country and it's domestic peace.
...In November 1778, George Washington charged Major Benjamin Tallmadge with creating a spy ring in New York City, the site of British headquarters. Tallmadge led the creation of the Culper Spy Ring, recruiting friends to work as his informants. Tallmadge served as the main handler for the Culper Spy Ring until the end of the war....
The Boston Tea Party would have occurred without covert action by many. This country was built on intelligence and will continue to be strong due to it.
...Well-connected within the New York, colonial, upper class, Anna Strong utilized her farmstead on Long Island to help transfer intelligence information to the other members of the Culper ring. Strong’s husband, Selah Strong III, was a prominent Patriot judge who served as a captain during the war. Anna Strong arranged clothes on her clothesline as a means to signal fellow Culper spy Caleb Brewster regarding the location of hidden documents to be transported....
The USA has always had a "Deep State," will always have a "Deep State" and will seek the proud service of agents and agency that protect this mighty country.
During the Battle of Long Island, (click here) Nathan Hale--a captain in the Continental Army--volunteered to go behind enemy lines in disguise to report back on British troop movements. Hale was captured by the British army and executed as a spy on September 22, 1776. Hale remains part of popular lore connected with the American Revolution for his purported last words, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."...
The evil "Deep State" created by FOX News, right wing radio and Trump is a fictitious element that is a political ploy to inspire those that hate and seek to harm the democracy that now stands nearly 250 years.
I won't put up with such lies and innuendos. If it were for the FBI, CIA and many others, including allies, this democracy would have been trampled a long time ago.
The "Deep State" is something Putin believes in and fears. We, as Americans, should be proud of everyone of those that serve in the military, military intelligence and Homeland Security. They are all good and loyal Americans that will defend their country and it's domestic peace.
...In November 1778, George Washington charged Major Benjamin Tallmadge with creating a spy ring in New York City, the site of British headquarters. Tallmadge led the creation of the Culper Spy Ring, recruiting friends to work as his informants. Tallmadge served as the main handler for the Culper Spy Ring until the end of the war....
The Boston Tea Party would have occurred without covert action by many. This country was built on intelligence and will continue to be strong due to it.
...Well-connected within the New York, colonial, upper class, Anna Strong utilized her farmstead on Long Island to help transfer intelligence information to the other members of the Culper ring. Strong’s husband, Selah Strong III, was a prominent Patriot judge who served as a captain during the war. Anna Strong arranged clothes on her clothesline as a means to signal fellow Culper spy Caleb Brewster regarding the location of hidden documents to be transported....
The USA has always had a "Deep State," will always have a "Deep State" and will seek the proud service of agents and agency that protect this mighty country.
Compassionate forces bringing humanitarian aid should hold their positions. Do not give Maduro a reason to kill.
Does the interior of the country know what is occurring at the borders? Do they know the world is trying desperately to help them? The people don't have to take sides in any debate, they need to receive the humanitarian aid.
Maduro should realize by now the Russians are very good at flying embattled leaders to it's own borders. He should consider that option. It will give him a chance to reunit with his country’s money.
23 February 2019
In a separate development, (click here) Venezuelan troops have fired tear gas at people looking to cross into Colombia to work.
Tensions have been rising over a row about the delivery of humanitarian aid.
President Nicolás Maduro said the border with Colombia is partly closed to stop aid being delivered....
...Footage posted online shows the soldiers requesting help from the Colombian migration agency to cries of "freedom" and "put down your arms."
Maduro should realize by now the Russians are very good at flying embattled leaders to it's own borders. He should consider that option. It will give him a chance to reunit with his country’s money.
23 February 2019
In a separate development, (click here) Venezuelan troops have fired tear gas at people looking to cross into Colombia to work.
Tensions have been rising over a row about the delivery of humanitarian aid.
President Nicolás Maduro said the border with Colombia is partly closed to stop aid being delivered....
...Footage posted online shows the soldiers requesting help from the Colombian migration agency to cries of "freedom" and "put down your arms."
Local media report people jumping the barricades to cross the border at the Venezuela-Colombia border, while opposition MPs have posted defiant messages on social media denouncing the use of force.
The BBC's Orla Guerin, on the Colombia border, said Venezuelans were begging soldiers to be allowed to cross....
...Three soldiers abandoned their post at this bridge by crossing into Colombia, while another did so at the Paula Santander International Bridge in Ureña, in south-west Venezuela....
...Venezuela is in the grip of a political and economic crisis. The country's inflation rate has seen prices soar, leaving many Venezuelans struggling to afford basic items such as food, toiletries and medicine....
...About 2.7 million people have fled the country since 2015.
The entire movement is defined by compassion. There is no one involved seeking to begin war. It is about life and maintaining life.
...Three soldiers abandoned their post at this bridge by crossing into Colombia, while another did so at the Paula Santander International Bridge in Ureña, in south-west Venezuela....
...Venezuela is in the grip of a political and economic crisis. The country's inflation rate has seen prices soar, leaving many Venezuelans struggling to afford basic items such as food, toiletries and medicine....
...About 2.7 million people have fled the country since 2015.
The entire movement is defined by compassion. There is no one involved seeking to begin war. It is about life and maintaining life.
Racists and bigots take notice; employers are afraid of you and the hate you bring with you.
February 22, 2019
By Sam Shepard
Augusta - An employee of the Red Barn (click here) has been taken off the restaurant’s work schedule after racist remarks he made to a person of color via an Instagram direct message, prompting a video apology posted to the restaurant’s social media account.
Peter Benedict, a manager at the Red Barn, confirmed Friday that the employee in the video was 19-year-old Brady Maheux, a grand-nephew of owner Laura Benedict. He said no permanent decision about Maheux’s employment had been made by Friday evening.
Peter Benedict said Maheux was “a good kid” who made a “bad decision.”
“He knew way before anything even started,” Peter Benedict said. “He’s not a racist kid.”
The incident on Tuesday this week came to light after the user of an Instagram account, FBCCBayArea, publicized comments Maheux made to him in a direct message. It also shows Maheux’s Facebook page and place of work. The account holder said he would speak with Maheux’s manager at the restaurant in the morning.
Maheux’s original Instagram post, which has since been deleted, called the person a “disrespectful (N-word).”...
By Sam Shepard
Augusta - An employee of the Red Barn (click here) has been taken off the restaurant’s work schedule after racist remarks he made to a person of color via an Instagram direct message, prompting a video apology posted to the restaurant’s social media account.
Peter Benedict, a manager at the Red Barn, confirmed Friday that the employee in the video was 19-year-old Brady Maheux, a grand-nephew of owner Laura Benedict. He said no permanent decision about Maheux’s employment had been made by Friday evening.
Peter Benedict said Maheux was “a good kid” who made a “bad decision.”
“He knew way before anything even started,” Peter Benedict said. “He’s not a racist kid.”
The incident on Tuesday this week came to light after the user of an Instagram account, FBCCBayArea, publicized comments Maheux made to him in a direct message. It also shows Maheux’s Facebook page and place of work. The account holder said he would speak with Maheux’s manager at the restaurant in the morning.
Maheux’s original Instagram post, which has since been deleted, called the person a “disrespectful (N-word).”...
Friday, February 22, 2019
If any journalist receives or has received threatening phone calls, tweets, letters or packages they absolutely should involve the authorities for prosecution of the assault. Words can be assault weapons, too. By doing so, the harassing voice of Donald Trump can be identified in the number of people arrested affiliated with his hate speech. Journalists need to protect themselves, peers and their profession. Do not hesitate to act. None of the hate in today’s society is appropriate or healthy for the country.
Wait a minute, let me get this right.
The judge in the Manafort case has set a deadline for today that prosecutors have to submit additional details for his sentencing and that hasn’t happened yet?
That is uncharacteristic of the prosecution team in this case.
Isn’t Barr holding a meeting at the DOJ today regarding all of this? Is Barr seeking a way to obstruct the prosecutors?
Where is Giuliani?
Trump has a scandal riddled administration just as he has had a scandal riddled life and it is no one’s fault but his own.
The judge in the Manafort case has set a deadline for today that prosecutors have to submit additional details for his sentencing and that hasn’t happened yet?
That is uncharacteristic of the prosecution team in this case.
Isn’t Barr holding a meeting at the DOJ today regarding all of this? Is Barr seeking a way to obstruct the prosecutors?
Where is Giuliani?
Trump has a scandal riddled administration just as he has had a scandal riddled life and it is no one’s fault but his own.
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