State Department Condemns* Designation Of Media As Foreign Agents (*only applies to Russia)
UPDATED below
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Today the U.S. State Department hit the ball of hypocrisy out of the park.
It remarked that "legislation that allows .. to label media outlets as 'foreign agents' ... presents yet another threat to free media". It noted that "freedom of expression—including speech and media ... is a universal human rights obligation".
The remark came after the U.S. Department of Justice required the Russian outlet RT America to register as a 'foreign agent' under the Foreign Agent Registration Act (FARA). RT registered as ordered on November 13.
But the State Department statement was NOT in response to the DOJ requirement against RT. The State Department reacted to a new Russian law that was issued in response to the demand against RT. The new Russian law is a mirror to the U.S. FARA law. It demands that foreign media which are active in Russia register as 'foreign agents'. (The EU poodles followed the State Department nonsense with an equally dumb statement.)
With its criticism of the Russian version of the FARA law while ignoring the U.S. FARA action against RT, the State Department confirmed the allegations of hypocrisy RT and other media have raised against the U.S. government.
The whole issue started with the notable liar James Clapper under the Obama administration. He and other 'intelligence' people found that RT was too truthful in its reporting to be allowed to inform the U.S. public. Publication of criticism of the U.S. government based on verifiable facts is seen as an unfriendly act which must be punished.
Congress and the U.S. Justice Department under the Trump administration followed up on that. FARA is originally NOT directed against foreign media. The Trump Justice Department circumvented the spirit of the law to apply it to RT.
The Russian government had warned several times that the application of FARA against RT would be followed up on with a similar requirement against U.S. media in Russia. The Trump administration ignored those warnings. It now condemns the Russian move.
Here is timeline of the relevant events:
Clapper calls for U.S. Information Agency ‘on steroids’ to counter Russian propaganda - Washington Times, Jan 5 2017
“We could do with having a USIA on steroids to fight this information war [with Russia] a lot more aggressively than we’re doing right now,” Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
...
“[Russia Today] was very active in promoting a particular point of view, disparaging our system, our alleged hypocrisy about human rights,” he said. “Whatever crack, fissure they could find in our tapestry, they would exploit it,” via the state-owned news network.
Intelligence Report on Russian Hacking - Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Jan 6 2017 - Annex I, originally published on 11 December 2012 by the Open Source Center
RT America TV, a Kremlin-financed channel operated from within the United States, has substantially expanded its repertoire of programming that highlights criticism of alleged US shortcomings in democracy and civil liberties.
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RT aired a documentary about the Occupy Wall Street movement on 1, 2, and 4 November. RT framed the movement as a fight against "the ruling class" and described the current US political system as corrupt and dominated by corporations.
...
RT's reports often characterize the United States as a "surveillance state" and allege widespread infringements of civil liberties, police brutality, and drone use.
...
RT has also focused on criticism of the US economic system, US currency policy, alleged Wall Street greed, and the US national debt.
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RT is a leading media voice opposing Western intervention in the Syrian conflict and blaming the West for waging "information wars" against the Syrian Government.
Cicilline Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Close Russia Today Loophole - Congress, June 7 2017
U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), who serves as co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee (DPCC), and U.S. Congressman Matthew Gaetz (R-FL) today introduced legislation to close a loophole in foreign agent registration requirements that Russia Today exploited extensively during last year’s presidential election.
Justice Dept Asks Russia's RT to Register as Foreign Agent - Newsmax, September 13 2017
RT said late Monday that the company that supplies all the services for its RT America channel was told by the DOJ in a letter that it is obligated to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, an act aimed at lobbyists and lawyers representing foreign political interests.
...
FARA specifically exempts US and foreign news organizations, and the DOJ focus on the company that supplies services for RT might be a way around that stipulation.
Russia to amend law to classify U.S. media 'foreign agents' - Reuters, Nov 10 2017
MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia’s parliament warned on Friday some U.S. and other foreign media could be declared “foreign agents” and obliged to regularly declare full details of their funding, finances and staffing.
...
Russian lawmakers said the move was retaliation for a demand by the U.S. Department of Justice that Kremlin-backed TV station RT register in the United States as a “foreign agent”, something Moscow has said it regards as an unfriendly act.
Russia's RT America registers as 'foreign agent' in U.S. - Reuters, Nov 13 2017
MOSCOW/WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Kremlin-backed television station RT America registered Monday with the U.S. Department of Justice as a “foreign agent” in the United States, the outlet’s editor in chief said and the Department of Justice confirmed later in the day.
Russia warns U.S. media of possible foreign agent status - AP, Nov 16 2017
MOSCOW – Russia’s Justice Ministry has warned several U.S. government-funded news outlets they could be designated as foreign agents under a new bill that has yet to be fully approved.The bill, endorsed by Russia’s lower house on Wednesday, comes in response to U.S. demands that Russian state-funded RT TV register as a foreign agent. It needs to be approved by the upper house and signed by President Vladimir Putin to become law.
Russian president Putin signs foreign agent media law to match U.S. action - USA Today, Nov 25 2017
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law Saturday a new bill designating international media outlets as foreign agents in retaliation for a similar measure taken by the U.S. Department of Justice against the state-funded RT television.
EU Criticizes Russia's 'Foreign Agents' Media Law - RFLRF, Nov 26 2017
BRUSSELS -- The European Union has criticized legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin that empowers Russia’s government to designate media outlets receiving funding from abroad as "foreign agents" and impose sanctions against them.
...
Maja Kocijancic, the spokesperson of the European Commission for Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, said in a November 26 statement that the "legislation goes against Russia's human rights obligations and commitments."
Russia's Restrictive Media-Focused Legislation - U.S. State Department - Nov 28 2017
New Russian legislation that allows the Ministry of Justice to label media outlets as “foreign agents” and to monitor or block certain internet activity presents yet another threat to free media in Russia. Freedom of expression—including speech and media which a government may find inconvenient—is a universal human rights obligation Russia has pledged to uphold.
With a few words less the statement by the State Department would have gained universality. It would have made perfect sense. See here for a corrected version:
Unfortunately the State Department's spokesperson added some verbose lamenting about one specific country. It thereby exposed itself to the very criticism the U.S. government strives to suppress.
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UPDATE - Nov 30 0:50am
As consequence of the FARA designation of RT's U.S. production company RT is now losing access to the Congressional Gallery. Congress Gallery access is in turn required to get White House press credentials. RT is now likely to lose those too.
Meanwhile a consultative Congress commission is pressing to designate the Chinese news-agency XINHUA as 'foreign agent'. It also wants all staff of XINHUA to register as such. That would make it nearly impossible for freelancer and others who work for multiple media to continue with their XINHUA gigs.
Posted by b on November 29, 2017 at 18:27 UTC | Permalink
It is so embarrassing to live in a country where the government issues nothing but lies and hypocrisy. I realize that to the players it's all a game and maybe funny but to this citizen and probably others this game is putting our lives in danger,,, and we don't find that 'funny'.
Posted by: ken | Nov 29 2017 19:30 utc | 2
thanks b... well, once again american hypocrisy is on public display... i guess someone is hoping that ignorance and a short memory will rule the day..
Posted by: james | Nov 29 2017 19:32 utc | 3
Ditto ken @2.
Speaking of hypocrisy, on 20 Nov 2017, one day after the Arab League Confab--which now ought to become known as the Zionist-Arab League--Nasrallah gave a speech calling out all those nations that supported Daesh, particularly the Outlaw US Empire. Video of the speech in French with English subs and a very partial transcript are here, http://sayed7asan.blogspot.com/ with a longer partial transcript available at The Saker's blog.
Excerpt:
"Of course, we will also need real festivities to celebrate the victory because it will be a great victory, a victory against the organization representing the greatest danger (for all) that soiled more than anyone the religion of Muhammad b. Abdillah, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, since 1,400 years. This will be the victory of humanistic and moral values against horrific bestiality, cruelty and violence. A victory that will have a huge impact on the cultural, religious, humanitarian, military, security, political levels, as well as on the very image (of Islam and Muslims) and at all levels.
"And at that moment, we will have to repeat that the Iraqi people, the Syrian people, the Lebanese people, all the elites and all the leaders and peoples of the region should reflect, weigh and return to the question of the identity of the creators, supporters, advocates and promoters of ISIS, that enabled them to commit these terrorist massacres [US, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Qatar…], and the identity of those who have stood against ISIS, fought them, offered martyrs in this fight [Iran, Syria, Irak, Hezbollah, Russia] and inflicted a defeat on ISIS and all those who stand behind them. This is a discussion to be held with depth and strength so that the (Muslim) believers do not become victims twice of the same ills."
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 29 2017 19:42 utc | 4
Once again, how much longer will people deny that what was formerly know as US government has turned into a Fascist regime - with the dictating done by Plutocrats whose names are not even known, in spite of everybody being surveilled. Just not the owners of the Nazi Sicherheits Agentur.
After I have been writing about the fact that the Western hemisphere as a whole is no longer democratic and that the CIA and the NSA dictate the policies of the US regime and its vassals, my cell phone started to turn itself off and on frequently and now my Mac is turning itself on in the middle of the night and the hard drive indicator lights turn red - what they have never done before. Every option to "wake up on call" is disabled. For WiFi (turned off - no Wifi here) and Bluetooth. The Mac is only connected to the power outlet.
Please let me know if anybody else has the same experience with their hardware. Also, I can no longer send emails on all accounts, but I do receive junk.
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The so called 'State Department' that has already a disturbing history of cooperation with Fascists throughout its existence, is now totally unhinged. It's actions make it clear beyond any doubt that the US is no longer and has likely not been since 2000 (or 1964, depending on view point) what goes for a 'democratic republic'.
The paymasters don't even bother any longer that the public is waking up based on their Fascist activities and actions. They don't give the proverbial F about people finding out and understanding what is actually happening in the Nazi High Five regimes. What are people going to do? Demonstrate against Fascism? Concerting a total consumer boycott - the antonym of 'go shopping'? Writing letters to misrepresentatives?
It certainly looks like the shit has piled up behind the fan like never before and the so called "happy holidays" seem to be the perfect time to flip the switch to "ON".
Sad, that through the incessant propaganda and Nationalism force fed to the lesser mentally gifted part of the population for centuries now, the people are no longer capable to do what the Declaration of Independence provides them to do (theoretically):
That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.
The authors of these 'goddamn pieces of papers' must have already used Orwellian lingo, since it appears that this paragraph only refers to regime change in other Nations, just not in the US.
Illegal wars and toppling of democratically elected socialist governments for the Safety and Happiness of the American people? That must be it.
Maybe one can call in at the regime department and tell them about psychological projection? The number is 1-800-FUC-KYOU. Yes, it's almost the same number Obama had chosen for criticism of the ACA - 1-800-381-2596. That is what these parasites think about "the people".
Now what? Following the advice of some people to not only see the negative shit on Earth? Sure, the genocide on the Palestinians and the Yemenis (plus countless other 'obstacles') is actually a good thing, correct? Because those who are exterminated now, won't have to experience worse down the line.
Apologies for the sarcasm, but this is getting out of public hands faster than the Ludicrous Speed of the "We Brake For Nobody"-Imperial Starship.
Posted by: notheonly1 | Nov 29 2017 20:08 utc | 5
Trump's as naked as the ape he actually is. Weird way to go about cultivating better relations with Russia. As with Obama previously, much of what Trump campaigned on is being reversed, the opposite of his orated intent being implemented instead. A commentator at Sputnik was shocked that I lumped Trump together with the criminals Clinton and Obama, wanting an explanation why I did so. Obviously, that person isn't paying attention, and I told him so. Even supposedly impartial international organizations continue to abet the Outlaw US Empire's Big Lies: "A press freedom watchdog, Reporters Without Borders, has asked the Swiss Press Club to cancel a panel discussion on the 'true agenda' of the controversial White Helmets group. But the club’s director won’t budge, noting that such demands are typically made by oppressive regimes." Kudos for foreign agent RT for providing the report, https://www.rt.com/news/411116-reporters-white-helmets-censorship/ Activist Post tells us that the presentation's by Vanessa Beeley, with Bradon Turbeville adding this observation: "Rather than attend the event to ask questions and present its side of the argument, RWB responded with insults and hid away under the guise of boycotting the panel. Pouting in the corner and refusing to take part in the discussion, however, did not stop the discussion from taking place." Lots of additional info and many links here, https://www.activistpost.com/2017/11/despite-western-funded-ngos-boycott-vanessa-beeley-exposes-white-helmets-at-swiss-press-club.html
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 29 2017 20:13 utc | 6
karlof1 @6
Behind the persona, Trump may be far smarter than Obama or Clinton, and perhaps more dangerous as far as keeping the US empire alive, depending on which way he goes.
I am starting think he won't create any new wars though, just let the neo-con esablishment do their thing within a limit, to build up leverage and pressure against countries that he may well try and strike some sort of deal with in the future.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Nov 29 2017 20:56 utc | 7
The state dept. is in its usual snit because Russia has just exposed the major CIA spy and pot stirring organs in Russia.
Posted by: Tony B. | Nov 29 2017 21:19 utc | 8
If it is US Media, it is an organ of destabilization. Ban them all if they don't register as agents of the Hegemon.
All are Khazarian mouthpieces. Time to call them all for what they are.
Posted by: Red Ryder | Nov 29 2017 21:21 utc | 9
I don't give a damn what the Federal government wants me to see or hear, but obviously this is being done for the "benefit" of the majority of the public who will not look very far to get "informed" about current/world events. I don't see any end to this fascist process here in the "land of the free"; how long before they just shut down the net or limit it to approved websites?
Obviously this won't be one of them.
Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 29 2017 21:30 utc | 10
@7
Beyond the personae and the relative intelligence of Clinton
vs Obama vs Trump, one must admit that times are different.
Both China and Russia are on the rise. China is now a formidable
rival in economic terms and is rising militarily. And fast.
Russia is recuperating from Gorbachev's treason and getting
stronger by the day and is nowa World player to be reckoned with.
There is one thing that must be solved and that is the money
exchange system through whichgates most countries must pass
to obtain their dues. China and Russia are working on it. Once
this is complete, US sanctions will work no more.
Even new internets are being created that will bypass the US
controlled one.
There is not much anybody can do against the realignment
of the globe.The Unipolar model is gone because the US could
not manage it. Greed, U.S. greed,and exceptionalism killed it.
North Korea just proves that the US power and influence have limits.
I presume, I may be wrong, that once KJU has a good enough
number of warheads and rockets, he will want the US to vacate
South Korea. Both the Russians and Chinese will love that. He will
want sanctions lifted and see normal relations resume
between NOKO and China and Russia.
There is no point for him to rock the boat if he does not pursue
greater aims.
Trump is difficult to fathom but has too much morgue to be a
good leader. When compared to Putin or even Rouhani, he is far
too impulsive.
But I guess deep down we would like the outcome to be better
than the circumstances would lead us to expect.
The US will remain a Zionist puppet for as long as Israel exists.
If it is down to Israel's will, America will pass, but Zion will prevail.
Jared is now the transmission belt in the Saudi, Israel, US triad. Which
means that Israel has a personal ambassador to Trump. Because
of the internal opposition to Trump, he must look for an external happening
that will remove him from public scrutiny. He wont tackle Kim but he
might believe Iran is gamer as he has allies in the endeavor.
Nobody will win this war but Israel may lose more than expected.
Posted by: CarlD | Nov 29 2017 21:39 utc | 11
Another line just got crossed.
I dislike the phrase "breaking news"-- it's a fraternal twin to "breaking wind"-- but RT is reporting that US Congressional authorities have withdrawn RT Network accreditaton.
RT correspondents have been directed to turn in their credentials to the Congressional authorities.
This effectively blacklists RT reporters from covering Congress; without credentials, they can't attend hearings, press conferences, etc.
Sorry to not provide a link, but this is so recent it isn't even on YouTube yet.
It will be interesting to see whether the Western civil-liberties and "media-watchdog" organizations, including the ACLU, react to this draconian development, much less vociferously protest it.
In any case, I doubt if we'll see the rest of the Congressional press corps stage a walkout in sympathy and solidarity with their silenced and censored RT colleagues.
Posted by: Ort | Nov 29 2017 21:43 utc | 12
CarlD 11
Agree on China Russia ect, though I am starting to believe Trump is not impulsive, rather, he runs very well thought out stratagies.
The impulsiveness is part of the persona. I run onto an analysis of how Trump opertes the persona within a narrow band, and he uses it to gain attention and then direct attention to where he wants it.
I think this video is worth watching - the first half deals mainly with Trump's persona.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWA5pOmSDgQ
Trump's persona is like an inversion layer in air or water. An inversion lay in air can create mirages, and in water, submarines can, or used to be able to hide under inversion layers.
Pat Lang put in a comment at his blog, of a study of Trump that showed him change, or his public image change over the years, starting back in the eighties, as he developed the persona.
He mentions Stallone in his book as somebody he respects as Stallone had the ability to deliver a product that a large pecentage of Americans liked and wanted.
I think the persona is somewhat based on Stallone's fictional characters.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Nov 29 2017 22:01 utc | 13
@12 ort.. thanks.. very interesting development if true and it does sound like it is from the land of the clinically insane..
Posted by: james | Nov 29 2017 22:06 utc | 14
rt reporting it now - https://www.rt.com/usa/411361-rt-congress-credentials-withdrawal/
the usa apparatus must be really freaking out that their is an alternative view on all of their bullshit~!
Posted by: james | Nov 29 2017 22:11 utc | 17
Perimetr: Censoring the Internet is what the Net Neutrality debate is all about. If they repeal Net Neutrality, we can expect sites like Moon of Alabama to just spool and spool but never load, whereas CNN and Fox will load immediately.
Posted by: SlapHappy | Nov 29 2017 22:19 utc | 18
RE SlapHappy.
That makes sense. I already see that happening with RT on my iPhone. So now we will need Radio Free Russia to be set up in where, Mexico?
Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 29 2017 22:59 utc | 19
There is not much new in the heavy-handed methods employed by the Empire - they have always employed intimidation, false flags, fake news, bribery and corruption, even assassination -but up till now went to some pains to cloak their actions in a mantle of morality. They usually attempted to swing public opinion behind their endeavours. What is frightening lately, is their brashness and total disregard for the public's opinion. Because they know that short of armed revolt, they have little to fear. The presstitute media shall whitewash their hypocrisy and all their crimes, and at election time they will once more own all the candidates.
Posted by: SPYRIDON POLITIS | Nov 29 2017 23:29 utc | 20
in 1920 The Last Days of the Romanovs, by Robert Wilton was published he told a factual tale named names.
told tales of blood ritual tales and horror about a sordid group of peoples.
robert wilton like douglas reed later was called anti semite for telling truth.
the mail is a rag but somehow the truth must out
the blood must flow for sum
for moloch saturn whatever.
Fury as Russia launches investigation into whether the last tsar Nicholas II was killed with his family as part of a 'Jewish ritual murder'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5125545/Russia-investigates-tsar-killed-Jewish-ritual.html
Posted by: charles drake | Nov 29 2017 23:57 utc | 21
SlapHappy | Nov 29, 2017 5:19:49 PM | 18
Happening on google/youtube excessively. Stuff like the Jimmy Dore show, or any other critical outlet does not load, or takes forever respectively. Doggie videos and those showing stupid people doing stupid stuff - load instantly. It will be interesting to see, whence net neutrality is neutered, how the owners of the country will deal with the backlash of billions in lost revenue from online commerce.
Because people that can't get what they want when they don't shop, are unlikely to shop online any longer. The stench of censorship will keep those online consumers away - if not alone for endless loading times due to not being able to pay $ 800 per month for high speed internet.
Posted by: notheonly1 | Nov 30 2017 0:37 utc | 22
@ CarlID who wrote as part of his comment
"
There is one thing that must be solved and that is the money
exchange system through which gates most countries must pass
to obtain their dues.
"
I agree with this observation and read on ZH today something about Russia's gold being held hostage in the US and someone saying that is an act of war.
We just keep waiting for the trigger that sets off further escalation of posturing short of war. Since the public does not understand that all this strum and drang is about private finance maintaining overall control globally the lies, propaganda, misdirection and obfuscation will continue apace.
I like the idea from another commenter about making RT available beamed out of some place like Cuba instead of Mexico.
I guess I see a big flurry of indictments coming out for the media to blow into a shit storm to cover passage of the tax rape legislation.....otherwise I can't see much further ahead.
@ notheonly1 who has his tech compromised. My suggestion for the Mac is to find a competent techie that strips the thing and puts VMware on it before installing the Mac or whatever OS you are running. Have the techie build you a partition to use when online and have them show you the steps to insure that nothing ugly gets out of that partition and how to reset it cleanly....good luck ....don't link phone to Mac either unless protected partition and maybe some other tricks I haven't kept up on for interface of two devices like that.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 30 2017 0:43 utc | 23
First time US legalized targeting of media as "terrorists" thanks to neocon John Bolton and his zionist cohorts. Being labeled foreign agent is getting off easy
http://la.indymedia.org/news/2006/07/168921.html
@ 23
"chroot" is a simple and flexible Linux solution.
Posted by: Forest | Nov 30 2017 1:02 utc | 25
Are shortwave radios going to make a comeback? RT World Service?
It's tough to make out what the US endgame is in all this. It's probably even tougher to make out if the PTB in the US know what the endgame is. Open-ended, freestyle, ante-upping (by the US) devolution of any and all rational forms of coexistence, imo, with zero good outcomes.
Maybe even worse, the US PTB seem to have ZERO faith/confidence/belief in the "rightness" and resilience of our own system (certainly with cause), which makes them twitchy (re unstable) as a whole. Like a loaded gun in a shaky hand pointed at humanity.
Aw hell...
Posted by: ritzl | Nov 30 2017 1:16 utc | 26
charles drake | Nov 29, 2017 6:57:35 PM | 21
From the Daily Rag:
The 'ritual' claims were dismissed by the Prosecutor General's Office in the 1990s but will be explored again as part of a new criminal investigation into the killing.While I have nothing at stake in this investigation, I find it very telling that the Daily Rag refers to these claims having been 'dismissed' in the 1990's.
Let's jump into our time machine and travel into the ex-Soviet Union and not-yet Russian Federation/'Russia' and see who was ruling the former USSR then. Ouch. A drunkard prepped by the West who was constantly wasted.
Sure one can rely on the claims being dismissed by a pro-Western puppet prosecutor general. Furthermore, the constant tying of the name "Putin" with stories like this makes it clear what purpose this Daily Rag 'article' serves.
It would be great to find out what really happened that fateful night, but I sincerely doubt that there will be new information coming from this. Who knows. The Jewish people were already hated in Europe before that happened. Should it turn out to be a ritual killing by Jewish extremists, that could really lead to a new wave of Anti-Judaism. As if they have not enough enemies already based on their atrocious policies towards the Palestinian people.
Posted by: notheonly1 | Nov 30 2017 1:17 utc | 27
27
if one wants to know what happened find a copy written by a man that did his own investigation
in those times
he was an englishman which is a problem
but like douglas reed the guys that get erased from history
certainly have interesting truth to tell
The Last Days of the Romanovs, by Robert Wilton
Posted by: charles drake | Nov 30 2017 1:45 utc | 28
@ b for his opening line
Today the U.S. State Department hit the ball of hypocrisy out of the park.
After the park come the state/region/nation/world/universe.
See how far yet they have to expand their hypocrisy.....why they are just getting warmed up......is China news next?
To think there are so many people that watch TV for fake intrigue and ignore the real world machinations all around them.....sigh
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 30 2017 1:48 utc | 29
@ notheonly1
My Mac is acting squirley as well.....sigh
The price one pays for speaking truth to power
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 30 2017 2:00 utc | 30
Would be interesting to read the transcript of the next State Department Press Briefing, which the State spokesmodel must be dreading - talk about being handed an impossible brief......
Those briefings normally start with Matt Lee from Associated Press asking the first question, but I suspect that this time he'll start by turning to the RT reporter who is sitting in the back of the room and saying something along the lines of "No, please, you go first.....".
Posted by: Yeah, Right | Nov 30 2017 2:08 utc | 31
OT
While people are distracted by what is happening between Washington and Moscow, an election is being stolen and Clintonists will do nothing about it because Clinton and Obama made the thief, Juan Orlando Hernández, president of Honduras.
Back in 2009:
a cadre of military officers, businessmen, and right-wing politicians, including Hernández, overthrew the leftist President Manuel Zelayawith encouragement and assistance from Hillary Clinton and the State Department.
Contrary to what the New Yorker goes on to say " after he vowed to run for re-election" Zelaya tried to organise a referendum to change the constitution to allow him to run a second time which many Clintonists attacked as being anti-democratic. Juan Orlando Hernández then packed the Supreme Court with his own supporters and had the constitution changed without a word of complaint from the State Department under Obama or any of the Clintonists who'd accused Zelaya of being anti-democratic.
Over the next few days I expect to see those same Clintonists accusing Trump of being anti-democratic for failing to object to Juan Orlando Hernández stealing the election but ignoring or excusing the responsibility Hillary Clinton has for what has happened just like they claim that Hillary Clinton has no responsibility for restoring slavery to Libya.
To be honest, with Americans I prefer the conservatives, red necks and all the other nutjobs over Clintonists because while some of the former are hypocrites, none of them are as sickeningly hypocritical as the Clintonists and their führer.
Posted by: Ghost Ship | Nov 30 2017 2:47 utc | 32
@31 yeah, right
That is not only funny, but very probable. John Kirby loathed answering the direct, probing questions that the pretty lady from rt put forth. On numerous occasions, Kirby would utilize the go-to state dept. boilerplate response to her questions, "I'm not going to go into that or explain (their) thinking to you, right now. You'll have to ask them yourself." Kirby even spoke over Lee, who always defended her, complaining that her employer was indeed the Kremlin.
I would guess that this designation is just another flailing about by the State Dept. and will do nothing to dull Russia's growing influence or gather favor for the Anti-Russia crowd here in the states. Basically, rt was just the fly in the ointment at those briefings and this is childish payback. "Na-na-na-na-na!"
Posted by: NemesisCalling | Nov 30 2017 3:09 utc | 33
I happen to agree with most Russian reactions to US provocations. But in this case I think they are in error. The US obviously fears the Russian perspective on world events. Therefore the US government believe they should be banned. If one believes that Russia is mostly correct, why ban US propagated bullshit. It just makes Russia seem more righteous. These points are to obvious to argue. Information is not just another bullet in a war between nations -- it is something that those of us who engage in argument do want to see banned. Russia should be ashamed of itself in responding in this manner.
Posted by: ToivoS | Nov 30 2017 3:19 utc | 34
When will Israeli i24 news channel be declared a foreign agent?
i24 popped up on my suddenlink cable this year. It is a Israeli news outlet that spouts disinfo and the usual propaganda for Israel.
Looking into this I discovered that an Israeli, Patrick Drahi , big media player,
had bought 70% of suddenlink.
Posted by: renfro | Nov 30 2017 3:20 utc | 35
@31 yeah right... i was thinking the same thing myself.. i will post her response when they do another daily press briefing.. these press briefings are coming at once, maybe twice a week.. they had one this past tuesday.. not sure if another one happens this week! here is the link.
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/
@33 nemesis calling - it is heather neuart who does the briefings now.. she gets real prickly if anyone points anything challenging to her out.. it will be matt lee who probably brings it up and he is pretty good lobbing softballs for these liars.. that is why he is still their..
@34 toivos.. what the fuck are you talking about? run it by me again differently, as i am confused at your position here.. thanks..
Posted by: james | Nov 30 2017 3:25 utc | 36
A little OT but germane to the sides forming
China To Deploy Elite Troops In Syria To Fight Alongside Assad's Army
While the public focus is on going after the Uighur TIP a terrorist organization, I see it as China upping its position in the ME.
There is this take away quote from the article
"
China has lately positioned itself as a major player in Syria's future reconstruction. According to Reuters the Chinese FM recently promised that China will lead international reconstruction efforts, telling the Syrian delegation which visited Beijing last week, “China hopes the Syrian side can seize the opportunity, display flexibility, and promote dialogue and negotiation to achieve substantive results… The international community should emphasize and actively support Syria’s reconstruction. China will put forth its own effort for this."
"
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 30 2017 3:35 utc | 37
You couldn't make this stuff up. Is this all a bad dream?
Posted by: John G | Nov 30 2017 3:37 utc | 38
Best analysis of USA policy since WW2.
Monetary Imperialism
by Michael Hudson
If you think it is just about military weapons and bombings then you are seeing only the tip of the iceberg. There is a reason USA is initiating all those wars and coups.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2017/11/29/monetary-imperialism/
Posted by: mauisurfer | Nov 30 2017 3:49 utc | 39
US and most of the west is a perpetual caricature of itself; at every moment it is the mockery and the contradiction of what it is pretending to be. A good word for this is Orwellian.
Truth has been sacrificed for Propaganda since Bernay showed in WWI that Americans are helpless against it. Some combination of Fear, Nationalism and a Calvinistic God is all you need to get support for War, as well as some way to control the MSM to stay online with the message
It strikes me that Calvinism is not much different than Zionism and Islamism in terms of violence, intolerance and basically an unloving God so War Propaganda is just as effective in Israel and the Islamic world as in the West.
Posted by: Pft | Nov 30 2017 3:53 utc | 40
@ 36
James, I believe what the postered implied was that, to paraphrase, why ban the liers? Let them lie for us to see!
Posted by: Forest | Nov 30 2017 3:53 utc | 41
Full Spectrum Quicksand. Grasping for national interests and not looking too confident. When I watch it on TV at other's places ( I just don't get TV...) I noticed it next to PornPerPay in the guide for a reason , tho not a fair one. They've had a CFR member on staff, so my Mockingbird tinfoil strainer gets going finer. I don't hear them being accused of wrong stories so, it's sour gripes. The couple of times Rt came into a conversation was about Redacted Tonite.
I'm calling them the Worst Generation. Too early? Too late?
Thanks b and all. Carthage must be rebuilt.
Posted by: failure of imagination | Nov 30 2017 4:03 utc | 42
A search for Putin Kerry Brief case on RT Ruptly, and a body language viewpoint can tell what the relationship really is. What is in the funkink case??? Carthage should be rebuilt.
Posted by: failure of imagination | Nov 30 2017 4:12 utc | 43
@41 forest.. thanks.. if that is what toivo thinks, then all i got to say to that is fascinating! i see it exactly the opposite.. it is the usa that is constantly lying... i would think the land of the free and brave weren't such chicken shits when it came to info, but obviously i am wrong here and thus the chicken shit designation of the crumbling us empire...
Posted by: james | Nov 30 2017 4:15 utc | 44
cluborlov - always fun! - why kremlin trolls always win!
http://cluborlov.blogspot.ca/2017/11/why-kremlin-trolls-always-win.html
Posted by: james | Nov 30 2017 4:28 utc | 45
ybody else has the same experience with their hardware: when the light is just right on my monitor.. can see a camera peering through at me.. replaced the new driver with a 2 year old driver; camera ceased to function..
A friend, complained about computer starting up in middle of the night even when power switched off, but still plugged in, discovered invasion via grid power line. apparently bios most computers enables a powerline protocol to start and take control of any computer.. good reason to go on solar panels.
Posted by: fudmier | Nov 30 2017 4:28 utc | 46
renfro | Nov 29, 2017 10:20:39 PM | 35
Israel24 is French, French government - Le Mond. As are most @24 type organisations. There are a few that use 24 and are not conected. Hezbollah is one that is not connected to Le Mond.
Most "opposition" twitter accounts in Syria are part of Le Mond.
ToivoS | Nov 29, 2017 10:19:36 PM | 34
Russia initialr responded by reciprocating the designating foreign government owned media as Foriegn agents, same as US did to Russia. Mostly meaningless apart from the fact that anybody watching or listening to the programs will have it in mind that these are foriegn agents.
Now the US has banned RT from accreditation to attend and report on US official proclamations. As far as I can see, it does not prevent RT from airing their channel in the US.
Russia is more than likely to use an asymmetrical response to this. I dont see them cutting US government funded media from attending official Russian press conferences and so forth.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Nov 30 2017 4:29 utc | 47
@ 44
I took it as the ruski response. Par for the course in the modern US of A.
Posted by: Forest | Nov 30 2017 5:05 utc | 48
psychohistorian @37:
Aren't they a little late to the party? I can't see the Russians being too happy with their late entrance.
Posted by: Ian | Nov 30 2017 5:14 utc | 49
@ Ian who asks if China sending troops to Syria is being late to the party......its a timing thing, I think
I can't speak for the Russians but expect they understand China's hesitancy to put boots on the ground because of the geopolitical implications at the early stage.
I see the situation having evolved to the point where China is putting boots on the ground in Syria as a message to the US that they are no longer welcome and will be expelled as non invitees anyway. at least the pressure will be applied but with all the other moving parts of this clusterf**k going on who knows what will happen.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 30 2017 5:48 utc | 50
@all - I updated the post with RT's loss of Congress Gallery credentials because it has now been put under FARA. Following from that RT will also lose White House credentials.
Additionally a congress commission now wants to put The Chinese Xinhua agency under FARA and also all individually staff that works for Xinhua.
Thanks, b, for the update.
And now for breaking news;
For those "consuming" news. You may also be swept up into the sweep for gathering "informational awareness."
While we know that thoughts may occur, however unpleasant that may be, just tune into our regular broadcast to get back into the programming.
;)
Posted by: Forest | Nov 30 2017 6:58 utc | 54
Ian 49
I guess the Chinese could do with some help in
SCS/ECS/Korean Peninsula/TW STRAITS.
Its one against SEVEN, [QUAD + 2]
Posted by: denk | Nov 30 2017 6:59 utc | 55
Ian 49
I guess the Chinese could do with some help in
SCS/ECS/Korean Peninsula/TW STRAITS.
Its one against SEVEN, [QUAD + 2]
Posted by: denk | Nov 30 2017 6:59 utc | 56
@ b who says that China denies sending troops to Syria
Sorry for spreading fake news but it looked reasonable to me.
You did confirm my guess that China would be next to lose press access to lying central
Where does all this go? It is going to be a strange Cold War with all the existing "mutual stuff" in existence...International space station, UN, trade agreements, etc.
Will there be a great unwinding/restructuring of relationships? It is looking quite probable unless everything blows up entirely.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 30 2017 7:05 utc | 57
re: Chinese involvement in Syria
How do we know if their denials are genuine? It's not the first time someone say one thing then do something else (i.e. US fight against ISIS).
Posted by: Ian | Nov 30 2017 7:43 utc | 58
IAN 58
'someone say one thing then do something else'
Thats a FUKUS speciality.
This shows you havent been paying attention,
Posted by: denk | Nov 30 2017 7:53 utc | 59
The hypocrisy is disgusting,
meanwhhile the real censorship against media in Russia gets attacked in a campaing in the US.
Russia Hysteria: US Congress Revokes RT’s Capitol Hill Press Credentials
https://www.reddit.com/r/TheNewsFeed/comments/7gh9eu/russia_hysteria_us_congress_revokes_rts_capitol/
Posted by: Anon | Nov 30 2017 8:00 utc | 60
denk @59:
On the contrary, I'm aware of the US/UK hypocrisy regarding their fight against ISIS. I want to know what else have China done besides showing political support (i.e UNSC). The lack of evidence doesn't mean they didn't conduct any covert operations in the country. Anyway, I should stop here as it's off topic.
Posted by: Ian | Nov 30 2017 8:31 utc | 61
Interesting times of the media war. US removed RT credentials to access Congress, I'm sure they will follow up with banning RT from the White House too.
Russia will probably ban US media from Kremlin and other institutions in the mirror law.
Whats next? US ban on Russian-linked media from US networks/satellites like they did with Iran? Will they dare to apply similar treatment to China? Interesting times indeed.
@ ToivoS | 34
why ban US propagated bullshit
Two reasons:
1. US perfected propaganda to the extent Goebbels would be proud of them. Thousands of PhDs/psychologists craft fake news presentation and masses manipulation, and it works. Just ask most of the Westerners, who believe that Assad or Iranians are evil, that Russia is a threat to the Worlds Peace, etc.
2. If Russia doesnt respond, US thinks they got away without repercussions and escalate, and then escalate some more. They will do that anyway now, but at the same time harming their own interests. How they will affect Russia's presidential elections, etc. if they are as confined as RT, but are losing even more because they have many more channels? They shot one bullet at Russia and got a ricochet of 10 bullets :)
Posted by: Harry | Nov 30 2017 8:37 utc | 62
@ Ian | 61
AFAIK China helps Syria financially and politically, not militarily (provides intelligence though).
Posted by: Harry | Nov 30 2017 8:42 utc | 64
Harry | Nov 30, 2017 3:37:25 AM | 62
An anecdote I read one time. A Soviet journalist in the cold war era goes to the US for a while to work with US journalists. The actual story is a bit longer, but the ending is along these lines. The Soviet journalist says to the US journalists "It is very good. Americans believe your propaganda, whereas our people don't believe ours.
Now the situation is reversed, where US propaganda is noit believed, and all Russia has to do is print the facts or ensure US propaganda gets broadcast within Russia. Russia seems to be doing both and it is driving the US nuts.
Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Nov 30 2017 9:29 utc | 65
Re: psychohistorian | 57
Where is this all going you ask. Suppose China informs the US that it will no longer accept US dollars or Treasuries in exchange for its goods and services.
Gold-backed trade notes or yuan will be required. Chinese losses will be offset by the massive increase in value of its enormous gold reserves.
Shelves in US stores will be empty or stocked with goods that cost multiples of what they cost today. China writes off its debts to the US.
The massive Chinese infrastructure developments (empty cities) will remain to be inhabited. US used its credit for endless war and lots of stuff.
The US decline to third world status will accelerate, as it lacks the industrial base it offshored to China.
Posted by: Perimetr | Nov 30 2017 9:44 utc | 66
It isn't just the TV show that is being victimised. I use Mozilla browser for day to day stuff and for the last week or so noscript has been nagging me about a tracking attempt allegedly emanating outta thetelegraph.co.uk. This evening I decided I was sick of clicking the block button and went hunting. Came across a site that alleged such tracking exploits were tied to a method of browser fingerprinting which makes our browsers identifiable and traceable no matter what. Long story short I 'refreshed' mozilla lost heaps of stuff including the RTNews extension which cannot be reinstalled because it has been deemed a legacy extension.
I knew that it had been made tough to do a new install with, but the latest iteration of mozilla (16th November iirc) blocks existing installations too.
I never used rtnews extension too much but the fact that some arsehole has decided I cannot use it really pisses me.
Not to mention that I'm now gonna have to develop a workaround for the 'browser fingerprinting' invasion of my privacy. Yeah yeah its been around a long time, but now I've been confronted by the reality of it I feel obliged to at least attempt a counter.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Nov 30 2017 12:11 utc | 67
@ Debsisdead | Nov 30, 2017 7:11:04 AM | 67
What for do you need an „extension“? You cannot open any rt.news-website?
Try to use the (free) Opera Browswer. You can get VPN there with ease.
Posted by: Hausmeister | Nov 30 2017 12:56 utc | 68
@66
That's the best in a nutshell description I've heard.
Posted by: Forest | Nov 30 2017 13:20 utc | 70
Top former soccer goalie sign on with RT.
Peter Schmeichel
"Delighted to announce I’m joining @RT_com as the new host for their @worldcup coverage. Lots of exciting things to come.."
https://twitter.com/Pschmeichel1/status/936173021013987328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Whatch the troll hate going on against him!^
Posted by: Anon | Nov 30 2017 13:43 utc | 71
Re: Syria, SDF, Russia, Turkey, Afrin etc...
I see this as quite interesting.
Russian Envoy Accuses U.S.-Led Coalition Of Trying To Partition Syria
Russia's ambassador to the United Nations has accused the U.S.-led coalition in Syria of trying to partition the country by setting up local governing bodies in areas seized from the Islamic State extremist group, Russian news agencies reported.Russian Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya at a meeting of the United Nations Security Council on November 29 complained that the coalition of Kurdish and Arab fighters that recently liberated Raqqa from IS was discussing setting up governing bodies and restoring the economy without the involvement of Russia's ally, the Syrian government, Russia's Interfax and RIA news agencies reported.
(This is Radio Free Europe - so no need to visit their propaganda rag, but you get the gist of what they're saying!)
Well duh.
I wonder if this sort of thing leads to the Russians - and of course Syrians - giving the Turks the GREEN LIGHT to walk into and take over Afrin - perhaps the payoff being that the Turks can keep that corner of North-Western Syria they've already grabbed (plus Afrin) - but what would Syria get in return?
Surely the return of the al-Qaeda pocket north of Homs and a slice of Idlib would have to be part of this deal for Afrin.
And then the question becomes how do the Kurds/USA react if this sort of deal eventuates?
Afterall, the Turks are already lined up on the perimeter of Afrin and ready to go. Champing at the bit so to speak.
By the way - if you're wondering why it's important Roy Moore (R) wins this Alabama Senate Election it's because one thing he will be certain to do is fight back against his enemies in the US Senate.
And who are his enemies? 99% of the Democrats and 80% of the Republicans in Congress!
Which is great.
One of the first things I can see Moore doing is finding a way to release the information on just which members of Congress - whoever they are - have been paying off victims of their sexual harassment. I have no doubt Moore will be good for creating havoc in the Senate as Trump has done on a broader stage.
It's absolutely vital Moore gets in there and gets his revenge and this is why Trump eventually came out and backed him for the win.
December 12 is a day to watch.
“[Russia Today] was very active in promoting a particular point of view, disparaging our system, our alleged hypocrisy about human rights,” --James Clapper
The real intended losers in this gambit are the American people. There currently is a political struggle within the "Democratic" Party for control, or perhaps dismemberment, following the sham that was called the 2016 election.
IMHO the real target of the ban is disenfranchisement of the remains of the real American left by eliminating venues for publication of independent American journalists such as Chris Hedges, Ed Schultz, and others. The primary people criticizing American foreign policy in RT are these American journalists. Other independent American journalists, such as Seymour Hersh and Thomas Frank have difficulty publishing in the US due to an unspoken blackballing mechanism. With the revocation of net neutrality coming soon, another brick will be laid for full censorship.
Posted by: Michael | Nov 30 2017 15:12 utc | 74
My God, what they are doing to RT is just criminal. I believe that this is a supreme court case in the making, isn't the law on the side of Freedom of Speech? I wonder what legal experts have to say about this.
About Roy Moore, it's amazing to see how resilient he is.
I'm glad Matt Lauer is gone. Sickening perv.
Such interesting times.
Posted by: Fernando Arauxo | Nov 30 2017 15:24 utc | 75
@ Forest | Nov 30, 2017 8:11:36 AM
Both. Free as in free beer and in free speech. I did not check said Mozilla extension problem, though.
Posted by: Hausmeister | Nov 30 2017 15:26 utc | 76
Free speech, free ‘media’, aka any pov has the right to be expressed, are the luxury of the dominant - those who control the ideology, the fire-power, thus, the narrative as they say. Having some loopy guys or minorities express strange ideas, desires, aims, or insistence on certain facts, is no problem when it is assured that the these will never have an impact, lead to any result.
Throwing small favors out always looks good, showing the ‘speech’ (belief, stance, strident call) is supposedly ‘taken seriously.’ (In the US this was accomplished by sectioning ppl into categories who made ‘demands’ - blacks, immigrants, gays, etc. thus bypassing all other political, economic, international issues.)
Being challenged on some point by outside powers (countries or other)…was usually swifltly and nastily dealt with. (> ‘dictators’..) The US has occupied the dominant narrative position from 1949 to 1989, say, as an ex.
That power is now lost, and it is lost for ever, as this kind of power can never be 'regained.'
The US reaction to defeat is exactly as expected, primitive, a loser strategy - batten the hatches, re-trench, censor, exclude, vilify, degrade anything that smacks of questioning / opposition / extremism / anything we don’t like / etc. Censor foreign TV, certain news outlets, and more of course to come, track internal dissidents, surveil all, etc. The top class (20%) is actually not very soldered and hasn’t had much chance for ‘input’ on this issue.
Posted by: Noirette | Nov 30 2017 16:23 utc | 77
Sneaky counter-propaganda tactics by those dastardly Russians: http://thesaker.is/re-visiting-russian-counter-propaganda-methods/
Posted by: Shakesvshav | Nov 30 2017 16:44 utc | 78
Okay, the Outlaw US Empire is chock full of hypocrisy and has been for decades; so, what differs this time that demands that the Empire now stand stark naked? It's losing, the Unipolar Ship's been torpedoed, is listing and slowly sinking--the egg has fallen off the wall. And here to remind us that's the case is Pepe Escobar with an update on BRI's progress. How many barflies know there's an important conference convening today in Tbilisi: "Representatives of no fewer than 50 nations are currently gathered in Tbilisi, Georgia, for yet another BRI-related summit."
Within Pepe's article is a link to a paper by Chinese scholar Chen Gang that's in Chinese, which Yandex's translation turns into intelligible English; I suggest following Pepe's hint that it be read, http://www.atimes.com/article/caucasus-balkans-chinas-silk-roads-rising/
Yes, the Russophobic hysteria is really all about China combining with Russia to gain control over the Earth's Island, establishing Multipolarity, and winning Great Game III, and the Hybrid Third World War that's taking place in a futile attempt to change fate.
Posted by: karlof1 | Nov 30 2017 16:58 utc | 79
Meanwhile, Trump may kick TIllerson for dangerous neocon CIA chief Pompeo!
White House develops plan to replace Rex Tillerson with CIA Director Mike Pompeo: Report
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/white-house-develops-plan-to-replace-rex-tillerson-with-cia-director-mike-pompeo-report/article/2642124
Posted by: Anon | Nov 30 2017 17:29 utc | 80
75
My God, what they are doing to RT is just criminal. I believe that this is a supreme court case in the making, isn't the law on the side of Freedom of Speech? I wonder what legal experts have to say about this. //i>
It wont happen because the so called "legal experts" like the rest of the elite of the west is the very one that wage this campaign against Russia itself.
There is no opposition at all, its crazy.
Posted by: Anon | Nov 30 2017 17:34 utc | 81
Ian 51
For starters China sent some hundreds of counter - intelligence Police to back Assad's forces back around 2010/11 . At the time it signaled to me that the Syrian government would hold . If that slipped out into the Press then I am sure they did many unreported things !
Posted by: ashley albanese | Nov 30 2017 18:34 utc | 82
@74 Julian,
Nope, that is not the plan. The plan was/is to have Trump elected and Democrats to take the house in 2018. They will reign in the Executive whose powers have been allowed to grow beyond what is constitutionally permissible. This due to congress gaming votes on politically sensitive issues and relinquishing their responsibilities/authorities to the executive.
The reality is we are going to have a democrat house and senate in 2018. There is no electoral college involved in these races. At the same time, the democrats are still doomed because they will pander to the extreme left, again, and rally the reds, setting up what will be an interesting 2020 if we survive that long.
I am on the fence whether Trump finishes out his term, not due to impeachment, but once the democrats get control of the house and senate and put those shackles on him, he may walk away after a defeat or three.
While I can definitely appreciate your relishing Moore getting into the senate and exposing the members who have had ethics problems concealed from their masters, that is just not going to happen. Number one, as a junior senator he will have no pull, McConnell and many other senators will shun him and he will be put in a position where he can do little harm/good. The republican base is not going anywhere, (their conditioning does not allow them to concede any point of view) but just like with the dems, the deciding vote is always decided by the faction feeling most threatened. Right now, that would be the whites due to the attacks on their history and them becoming a minority themselves by 2040 if not sooner. 2016 51% of babies born in u.s. were non-white.
In my personal opinion, Americans are fighting for a future that does not and will not exist, because this system has been corrupted beyond repair. Americans are too detached from the the consequences of the governments actions and as such are easily able to justify/accept US warmongering. I've said it here before and (one more time for new people)unless or until American cities are on the receiving end of cruise missiles we will not be able to appreciate the carnage and destruction we have caused. As such, we will feel no urgency in halting the spread of empire which will enslave Americans also.
Also, I don't know if you live in Alabama or not, but don't trust the polls. Moore was unfit to be a judge and is unfit to be a Senator. Right now he is up against the black voters, a portion of the white vote and an *unknown* number of sympathetic women. The number of sympathetic women are going to be the deciding factor in this race and they are not going to admit who they intend to vote for. Some will abstain because they cannot vote dem due to the conditioning I mentioned earlier and some will vote Jones because for whatever reason they are at the polls that day but won't vote for a sexual predator.
Posted by: b4real | Nov 30 2017 18:35 utc | 83
Somewhat OT, but still interesting and worth a listen: John Mearsheimer on “liberal hegemony.”
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSj__Vo1pOU
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESwIVY2oimI
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsonzzAW3Mk
Posted by: E | Nov 30 2017 18:51 utc | 84
What is the procedure for revocation of credentials. Who initiates, what are the rules, who interprets and applies the rules and presents the case to whom for decision.
If everybody else knows who does what and how it works, never mind.
Posted by: rjj | Nov 30 2017 19:02 utc | 85
Thanks b for this post.I watch in Germany RT on cable TV on a regular basis. Recently I watched an half hour interview with the deputy chairwoman Beatrix von Storch of the AfD. It was calm and factual.The interviewer (pretty Sophie)let the interviewee finish her answers to the questions.It was the first time I really learned what the party's agenda .I never saw this on a German media outlet or on TV. I would never vote for them.Censorship is on the rise.I hope the won't take RT of the cable.
Posted by: Theo | Nov 30 2017 19:12 utc | 86
Damn, long read when you jump in late, but good read all, thanks..
CarlD @ 11: Like the way you format your opinions. Easy to read.
Still don't get why folks think Trump is anything but a serious grifter/misogynist/ sciopathic liar/puppet for the 1%ers..
Oh well, guess everyone gets an opinion.
Thanks b, for the therapy..
Posted by: ben | Nov 30 2017 19:29 utc | 87
@ rjj | 85
If everybody else knows who does what and how it works, never mind.
___________________________________________
Well, I don't know either, so it isn't "everybody" else. ;)
It's a good question, and I'm curious too. But, as a retired government bureaucrat-- albeit a state (as opposed to federal) government bureaucrat-- I guarantee that the process will appear to have been designed by Franz Kafka and/or George Orwell.
Also, despite all the lip-service promoting the concept of "transparency", which has been a US political/administrative buzzword for decades now, agencies are still essentially a "black box". So, at best one only gets second-hand information and explanations from designated spokespersons.
The public never gets to see, or understand, the actual process. All we'll get are self-serving, sanitized accounts, and sketchy hearsay assertions about the process.
Posted by: Ort | Nov 30 2017 19:39 utc | 88
A few thoughts about a few things that are discussed here. These are view points and not statements of facts (although one is definitely a fact:
1) At the root of Fascism, there are are behavioral patterns that give away its presence. These are demagoguery and psychological projection. Especially psychological projection is a very useful tool to create 'enemies', as everybody could be made that, based on the projection.
2) Fascism is inherent in all three 'religions' derived from the so called 'Old Testament'. Authority and obedience are at the core of these religions. Authority and obedience are of course indispensable prerequisites for Fascism. It can be surmised, that the proclivity for Fascism lies the delusions of exceptionalism, an exceptionalism that is incessantly displayed by these religions and it saturates the minds of those living in a Fascist society.
3) Fascism thrives under a unipolar world view. It requires the division of the population in order to gain momentum. A people that are constantly busy shoving blame at each other will be unfit to detect the underlying attempt to install a Fascist dictatorship.
4) Fascism utilizes lies, as it can not exist without lies. Especially the big lies. A people lacking the ability to spot these lies, will succumb to them and take them for the truth. A people who abhor lies for any reason will spot them as they occur.
5) Mass media is opportunistic. The output adjusts to anyway the wind blows. Thus, it can never be trusted and signs of trust also reveal the inability of critical thinking.
6) Fear as basis for Fascism. Coincidentally, those who proclaim to be 'god-fearing' people, are the most fearful people of all. The notion of "in god we trust" is the equivalent of "god with us" - meaning that an enemy can easily be created by pointing out its 'godlessness'. Leaving a wide interpretation of what goes for 'godless' and thus create a universal applicability based on ones religious beliefs.
7) Suicide. Suicide is not limited to the individual. It can also befall an entire society and has already reared it tragic head in the US. It is also a hallmark of Fascism, as Fascism drives a victims for dissenting it either into suicide, or into a camp of some sorts. Suicide becomes the only solution. The suicide rate int he US is higher than ever before and reflects the Fascist nature of this society.
8) Destruction from within. In order to destroy a Nation for whatever reasons, one way is to create enemies, as the US does. It can therefore be assumed, that the real goal of present US politics is the amassing of enemies. Each new perversion of what goes for 'humane', is creating additional enemies up to the point, where these enemies act as one force in order to shake off/disable their tormentor. The success rate for the overthrow of a Fascist dictator is high and left alone, Fascism can never sustain itself based on this principle. It is safe to say, that public enemy number one of the people in the Western hemisphere are its regimes. Those who still call them 'governments' are willfully ignorant of the truth.
9) Self-Dynamic. Self dynamic implies that from a certain point of action or influence on, the action or influence develops a self dynamic that withdraws itself from further control. It is perfectly well displayed in Goethe's "Sorcerer's Apprentice". Transformed into a metaphor, the American society has unleashed forces it can no longer contain. Fascism is not going away through magic spells, or pleas, or threats. It has a self dynamic that will take over the entirety of society and the result will always lead to total destruction of such a society.
10) Qui Bono? In order to understand the intricacies of Fascism, one must ask 'Qui Bono?'. Who benefits from Fascism and the inevitable wars it creates? While I won't answer that question, it will answer itself. War transforms public wealth into a destructive force that is then completely obliterating the target territory, that will require a new infrastructure, housing, public offices, transportation, hospitals, schools and private possessions. It should not come as a surprise, that the aggressor is also the main beneficiary in the rebuilding of a destroyed Nation. Recent examples include Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya and Somalia, whereas the destruction of Syria by US/SA/IR/NATO will not lead to contracts to 'rebuild' this utterly destroyed Nation. That will only work IF Assad would be toppled by the axis of pure evil.
The regime department is a mouthpiece for the Fascist forces in the US. It is of course intellectually understaffed, a necessary requirement in order to spew lies and demagoguery.
Without having noticed it, the US has switched the roles with North Korea and other Nations it accuses of human rights violations, propaganda and terrorism in a grandiose display of said psychological projection. It is painfully apparent that the US has indeed become, what it accuses others of. Unable to look into the mirror, its population dangles now between exceptionalism, denial and hypocrisy in order to uphold the illusion of a democracy, of freedom, liberty and justice for all. The regime department fulfills its given role in the creation of enemies and public dissent. A collapse of the US society is therefore desired by those who will financially benefit from its destruction.
IF someone would ask me what to do about this tragedy, I would reply that
The Sole Power Is Still In The Purse
It never left, but people were duped to believe that. An awakening population will create a parallel society based on local communities and commerce, thus starving centralistic Fascism to is death.
Now here is the only true fact in existence:
Life is like a Cigarette - Smoke it to the Butt
From the claymation movie "Harvey Krumpet". A contemporary masterpiece regarding the human condition.
Posted by: notheonly1 | Nov 30 2017 21:36 utc | 89
Posted by: Hausmeister | Nov 30, 2017 7:56:40 AM | 68
Of course I don't 'need' an extension as I said in the post.
The thing summarised that day's RTnews stories and linked directly to any I was interested in. There are a other ways sure, but that isn't the point. I dunno if you are a fuckwit or merely being some lame "I know tech" dingbat. The point is that mozilla have decided to jump on the bandwagon and try to limit access to RTNews - whether or not it is effective is irrelevant, this is about every arsehole jumping in on the race to make RT as obscure as possible.
But get back to yer ego I'm sure that keeps you very busy.
Posted by: Debsisdead | Nov 30 2017 22:27 utc | 90
ben @87:
People are desperate for a savior. They're willing to overlook his behavior in hoping that he'll do what he campaigned on. However, there is a limit to people's patience. The media's treatment of Trump, is what gives voters pause. Already Trump lost some support from his base when he allowed the missile strike against Syria.
IMO, it's over. Assuming that Trump is the real deal, his problem, besides his inexperience, is dealing with an entrenched bureaucracy whose loyalty is to anyone but the nation.
Posted by: Ian | Nov 30 2017 22:36 utc | 91
This seems like hitting the hypocrisy ball out of the park, but really is totally predictable. Everybody knows that the USSA has the Infinite Everything® policy. This simply means that we can live on the "interest" of infinite everything. For instance, we have infinite credit to buy all kinds of stuff from china just by sending them infinite IOUs. Or we can just keep starting new military campaigns forever. Same thing with High Ground -- we have infinite amounts of it. So no matter what we do, it cannot be wrong or evil (just like with the cops). So you see the USSA cannot possibly be hypocritical, since we always possess the High Ground. I thought this was well understood.
Posted by: blues | Dec 1 2017 0:30 utc | 92
I believe the best way to stop the US from doing all these nasty things to Russia
is that each time the US takes a measure against Russia, Russia then takes one
against Israel.
After all, barring the reporters of Ynet, Haaretz and other jewish/israeli media
Reuters etc will hurt the instigators that wag the dog.
Then they will understand that Russia understands the game and the originators.
Anti Russia started in the States when Russia intervened in Syria against
the interests of Israel.
Posted by: CarlD | Dec 1 2017 13:18 utc | 93
Two thoughts on the issue.
1. Is hypocrisy a renewable resource? Can we have "hypocrisy depletion", running out of credible hypocritical stands, when nobody will take them seriously? Like with oil, my initial prognosis has to be corrected. New technologies can increase the supplies by a significant factor, enabling exploration in new areas, and more interestingly, "rejuvenating" old areas that were deemed depleted for good, like Permian Basin or The Hunt for Red (or Russian) Witches. My naive hope for hypocrisy depletion was based on observation that hypocrisy is based on lies, and at some point the lies are obvious. Alas, large segments of the public feel that their well being is under threat, and the government should use all means, lies included, to protect them. For example, widely accepted two-pronged argument about torture: (a) torture accusations are a dastard calumny, (b) every tortured person richly deserved that and for our security, we should torture more. Trump promised more torture in his campaign which led to a stark opposition: Trump pretending to be a supreme sadist, and Hillary pretending to be a homicidal maniac. Luckily, those opposites can be reconciled, Trump gives signs of cherishing actual slaughter too. For that reason liberals are in rage that he had some contacts with Putin.
Somewhat in that direction, American politicians sometimes try to reassure the public that they enjoy killing by showing their hunting exploits, even if they are rather mediocre hunter (Dick Cheney comes to mind, he shot his own friend while hunting ducks, figuring a difference between a mammal and a bird should not be a problem for a true hunter IMHO).
2. Hypocrisy may be more amusing than other kinds of lies. Look at the accreditation to Congressional interviews etc. that was denied to RT. State Department very accurately stated that labelling RT as a foreign agent does no restrict its activities and yet, a committee that controls the aforementioned accreditation rescinded the accreditation of RT. The stand of DoS is quite logical, the only government enforced conseqence of "foreign agent" are certain disclosures. The congressional media pools are beyond the control of USG.
That said, the executive committee of Congressional correspondents is democratically created as 5 elected (selected?) individuals, 4 of whom represent large media conglomerates, and one is certain Cronkite. Those augusts persons merely decided to enforce rules of the accreditation, in particular the prohibition for the representatives of foreign governments, including government owned media. However, that executive committee, while being a collection of independent representatives of organizations that collect news for living, is not able to determine which media organizations belong to foreign government, at least, not without some official statement from DoS. Perhaps someone will eventually notice that BBC belongs to Her Majesty Government, and Deutche Welle, Al-Jazeera etc. belong to various governments too, but this is doubtful. Representatives of our media companies that in no way are influenced by the government will not believe their own lying eyes without a proclamation from USG.
Posted by: Piotr Berman | Dec 2 2017 5:40 utc | 94
The comments to this entry are closed.
Yeah. Whatever. This is how Russia is supposed to respond. If the US does something, Russia is should respond immediately. Not several months or a year down the road. Stop waiting for the spoiled brat to get it. They never will.
Posted by: NewYorker | Nov 29 2017 18:44 utc | 1