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January 6, 2019
The Moon of Alabama Week In Review – Open Thread 2019-01

Last week's posts on Moon of Alabama:

The war on Yemen continues despite the ceasefire agreement in Sweden:

    Ceasefire in Al Hudaydah with the Taste of Saudi Bombs!

Since the World Food Program issued its threat, Saudi propaganda claims that the Houthi steal more WFP goods. These claims are false.

Al Arabiya English: Houthi attacks target warehouses storing Yemen food aid

Campbell MacDiarmid @CampbellMacD – 9:06 utc – 6 Jan 2019
A spokesperson for @WFP_MENA told me that the warehouse hasn't been under their contract for three months, they have no access to the area it is in, and it didn't contain any WFP foodstocks

Arab News: Houthis seize dozens of relief trucks: Yemen minister

Campbell MacDiarmid @CampbellMacD – 9:07 utc – 6 Jan 2019
A @WFP_MENA spokeswoman told me that the trucks haven't been seized, they have been delayed for inspection for one day longer than usual.

Forgot to link this: The Briefing note on the Integrity Initiative by Paul McKeigue, David Miller, Jake Mason and Piers Robinson is the most complete analysis of the Integrity Initiative papers.

The British Private Eye finds a relation between the Integrity Initiative and the Rendon Group which drove the propaganda for the Iraq invasion.

I'll have to say more on the issue. For some fun, check the attachment to this tweet. (Klarenberg writes for Sputnik.)

Kit Klarenberg @KitKlarenberg – 19:51 utc – 5 Jan 2019
Head of @InitIntegrity's German cluster says he's going to bring criminal charges against me for accessing II internal files. In the process helpfully confirming many of the people I contacted in the cluster for comment ARE collaborating with the organization!! Cheers pal!

Bolton is coming up with new pie-in-the-sky conditions for the U.S. retreat from Syria:

President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, John Bolton, said Sunday that the U.S. military withdrawal from northeastern Syria is conditioned on defeating the remnants of the Islamic State group, and on Turkey assuring the safety of Kurdish fighters allied with the United States.

Bolton, who traveled to Israel to reassure the U.S. ally of the Trump-ordered withdrawal, said there is no timetable for the pullout of American forces in northeastern Syria, but insisted it’s not an unlimited commitment.
…
Bolton said U.S. troops would remain at the critical area of al-Tanf, in southern Syria, to counter growing Iranian activity in the region. He defended the legal basis for the deployment, saying it’s justified by the president’s Constitutional authority, adding “I’m a strong believer in Article II.”

Sure, Turkey will guarantee not to attack the U.S. armed YPG/PKK that is daily fighting its troops within Turkey. Not!

See also this thread by Aaron Stein:

Aaron Stein @aaronstein1 – 20:17 utc – 5 Jan 2019

On Tanf, think Bolton is – once again – over his ski tips and not speaking for POTUS. This is how we got into this mess in the 1st place. It is very disconcerting
…

In Idleb governorate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has taken the town of Al Atareb without resistance. Atareb was the last somewhat neutral ground in Idleb with a local administration. A video shows a Zenki convoy of some 25 cars and two tanks that got stuck while fleeing al-Nusra. The Zenki fighters fled on foot towards Afrin and left the convoy and its load for Nusra to take.

Last night Turkey moved "moderate rebel" fighters it earlier sent to the Euphrates to fight the Kurds back to Afrin. It seems to prepare for a campaign to regain the ground Nusra took over last week from Turkish proxy rebels in Idelb. I'll prepare a large bowl of popcorn for watching that fight.

Other issues:

The New York Times once had the famous slogan "All the news that's fit to print." Nearer to reality is the slogan "All the news that fits our agenda." For a prime example see this: The Sounds That Haunted U.S. Diplomats in Cuba? Lovelorn Crickets, Scientists Say:

Diplomatic officials may have been targeted with an unknown weapon in Havana. But a recording of one “sonic attack” actually is the singing of a very loud cricket, a new analysis concludes.

Unmentioned in the NYT piece on 'new' U.S. research on the noise is the fact that in October 2017 Cuban scientist had already come to the same conclusion. Back then Moon of Alabama mocked the U.S. over the issue: Cuba – U.S. Diplomats Retreat In Horror … Because … 'Crickets'

Recommended:

John Pilger Special-A Look Back at 2018, Look Forward to 2019 – Video

Use as open thread …

Posted by b on January 6, 2019 at 15:06 UTC | Permalink
Comments

You can’t make this stuff up. . .news headline

Pompeo heads to Middle East with some explaining to do. . .Secretary of State will swing through at least eight countries in eight days in a bid to portray “America as a force for good in the region,” a senior State Department official said. . .here

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 6 2019 15:45 utc | 1

300 likely Dem. primary voters were asked about how a candidate’s position on a plan “to invest trillions of dollars into the development and distribution of green energy, creating millions of new high-wage jobs while preventing catastrophic climate change” would impact their decisions in the ballot box during the next primary.
> 47% would support a pro New Green Deal candidate. from:
https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/01/03/new-polling-shows-house-democrats-who-wont-back-green-new-deal-could-be-ousted
Allrighty. The Dems, top bozos and adherents, have lost it completely. With nothing to propose beyond loathe-Trump-hate-Deplorables-fight fascims-act the offended victim, they have nevertheless *had* to latch onto something. Noting that protests and rumblings in the world by the young are growing re. climate change, they picked this out of a hat. Friedman (2007) coined and described. A ‘G N D’ was outlined by Wyman in 2008, and in that year the UNEP put forth the Global G N D initiative. (> wiki)
….To boost the world economy and curb climate change!
The two are total opposition and making ppl believe in such a possibility is the ultimate fraud. ‘Green energy’ does not exist, or rather, can’t be defined in a way that makes ‘ecological’ sense in our modern world. For ex. wind ‘energy’ is totally dependent on a fossil-fuel run ‘stuff’ (massive steel manufacture, factories, endless tons of concrete, infrastrs. v. cumbersome for maintaince and repair, much transport, etc.), complicated grid and batteries – distribution problems, etc. I suspect energy losses are high (it depends on what one compares with) and are ‘accepted’ because of green-washing and ‘feel good’, boosted by hoodwinking of clever entrepreneurs who quickly exploited this small niche, as it is heavily subsidised by the tax payer. “Solar” is a different story, in a short post I can’t develop more.
PDF, orig. GND prop by the GND group (see the authors), 2008.
https://neweconomics.org/uploads/files/8f737ea195fe56db2f_xbm6ihwb1.pdf
against wind, an ex. (note: does not quantify, but brings up some good points.)
https://www.masterresource.org/droz-john-awed/21-bad-things-wind-power-3-reasons-why/

Posted by: Noirette | Jan 6 2019 15:57 utc | 2

re Bolton’s claim on troop deployment . .“I’m a strong believer in Article II.”
That would be. . .
Section 2, 1: The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of the United States
. . .but Article I takes precedence on who does the calling. . .
Section 8, 1, 11: The Congress shall have Power . . .To declare War . . .and. . .18: To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 6 2019 16:14 utc | 3

Tronald looks very weak, is pushed around by his so called adviser Bumbum Bolton. No tiene huevos el hombre.

Posted by: Pnyx | Jan 6 2019 16:38 utc | 4

As me and some few others here tried to tell for some weeks:
Some U.S. troops could remain in Syria after planned withdrawal
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/some-u-s-troops-could-remain-syria-after-planned-withdrawal-n955046
US wont leave Syria. Period.

Posted by: Zanon | Jan 6 2019 16:59 utc | 5

Pilger asks: “Why do the journalists do what they do?” (paraphrase) -> aka go along with the Deep State? “It’s got to that point – it (=MSM) has become *a cancer*” (quotes Robert Fisk)…” (see link @ top post)
I guess Pilger can appear on RT (not! the BBC etc.) and play naive. The MSM has been bought by Big Corp Interests, and thus has become part of an Oligarchic Cabal, while donning the wink-wink cloak of glitzy false independence. What is not stated is that the results of ‘privatization’ – giving over control of previously ‘state’-controlled sectors, efforts, orgs, circles, e.g education, basic health, etc. – to private blood-sucking conglomerates, would also engulf ‘public’ information, which would tailor itself to pandering to the highest bidders to minimally, for now, survive. The pretense of independent media is being upheld in for ex. the USA and France.

Posted by: Noirette | Jan 6 2019 17:03 utc | 6

Zanon 25
The US will “stay there” in Syria. You are right about that. They have been there in some form or another -agents, spies, traitors, journalists, diplomats, merchants- since the 40s.
But they will not be there as a uniformed military presence, for that they require the sovereign power’s permission. It is most unlikely that the government will grant it.
It is always an error to overestimate the power of the United States and to underestimate the will of its adversaries. The US might wish to become all-powerful but it isn’t. Nor is Israel. Both will have to adjust to a new reality which can be characterised in simple terms as “Withdraw. Or we will kick you out.”

Posted by: bevin | Jan 6 2019 17:29 utc | 7

@6
“Why do the journalists do what they do?” — because they don’t want to become ex-journalists. One excellent source is Norman Solomon’s “War Made Easy: How Presidents and Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death” . .here
So most “journalism” is a farce because the various media are simple purveyors of advertising, and other financial benefits, and the revenue sources must be protected. For example, no defense “journalist” is going to properly label the F-35 program a giant can of worms, which it is, because the Pentagon in this case is (in effect) merely a branch of Lockheed Martin. (Congress and the government are also in on the game, so the journalists are in good company!)

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 6 2019 17:30 utc | 8

General Mattis also thought the US military would stay in Syria. Disagreeing with the president on that matter is why Mattis is gone.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 6 2019 17:36 utc | 9

Canadian Kristian Baxter, apparently being held in Syria for what his mother suspects is his having a metal detector in his luggage is an interesting case, according to his online footprint. Seems that he had much experience in the financial sector – Commerzbank, Morgan Stanley, Citibank, BNP Paribas most based in the UK – then seven years of doing various jobs in Nanaimo BC. Also, a couple of volunteer stints, one in Rwanda (Consultant and Philanthropist in 2010) and the other for the Vancouver Island Military Museum. Then, he launched a gofundme campaign, saying he was an investigative journalist and planned to go to Syria in November 2018 with an Arabic speaking ex-pat to “bring people the real story.” Canadian officials have been tight-lipped about this guy. Seems a bit odd though to me.

Posted by: spudski | Jan 6 2019 17:48 utc | 10

@2 re wind power. Not so fast; it depends.
For example, the old water pumping windmill is, given a fairly regular wind, amazingly efficient, clean, durable, useful, kind of cute, cheap, green green green.
James McCanney again, has designed a wind generator which is much more efficient than the three bladed massive wind generators, which most of the air passes through;
there have been recent big advances in battery technology. Here is one link but there’s lots happening:
The old Jacobs Wind Generator was an amazingly durable and well made for its time.
Much more on this of course, but the general situation is that wind is free clean energy and can be a sensible clean useful part of a green energy mix.

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 6 2019 17:55 utc | 11

oops https://tinyurl.com/ydbo2avx

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 6 2019 17:55 utc | 12

Syria is well on the way to reconciling with the Arab world. They will almost certainly be accepted back into the Arab League at a meeting in March.
https://www.newsweek.com/syria-arab-league-middle-east-trump-troops-1278822
Not everybody is happy about this. Nasr Hariri, Syrian opposition leader, sees it as a huge mistake that may cost him his job.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-saudi/syrian-opposition-urges-countries-not-to-reconcile-with-assad-idUSKCN1P00CG

Posted by: dh | Jan 6 2019 18:04 utc | 13

bevin
US are using their uniform in Syria,
here is one photo, https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2017/11/24/543376/US-Syria-US-troops-Daesh-
US dont care about “permission” to stay in Syria and who will stop them? Syria cant, Hezbollah havent, nor have Iran. Russia works with US. I would say US are in a great position.

Posted by: Zaonon | Jan 6 2019 18:06 utc | 14

Bolton’s referring to Article II is channelling untested legal assertions articulated by the legal wizards associated with the W Bush administration. These theories hold that the executive (President) holds decision-making powers which inherently override both national and international law. The dubious arguments of inherent power were largely sidestepped by the Obama administration, which preferred to assert executive power through the use of declarations of National Emergency, a practice continued by Trump. Bolton may have woke up thinking it was 2005.

Posted by: jayc | Jan 6 2019 18:07 utc | 15

executive: having the power to put plans, actions, or laws into effect.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 6 2019 18:12 utc | 16

the centrist dems aren’t pushing a green new deal, they’re fighting it. they don’t like the original new deal for that matter.

Posted by: pretzelattack | Jan 6 2019 18:59 utc | 17

re: presidential executive privilege
The US has a dozen or more “national emergencies” declared by executive order and one of them, initiated fourteen years ago, concerns Syria. These EO’s must be, by law, renewed annually to remain in effect, and that is done routinely. The Syria “national emergency,” like others, brings on sanctions and not military action. Extract from the Syria EO last signed by President Trump on May 9, 2018:

To deal with this national emergency, Executive Order 13338 authorized the blocking of property of certain persons and prohibited the exportation or reexportation of certain goods to Syria. . . .here

BTW, reading on in the EO we get to the amusing part.

The President took these actions to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States constituted by the actions of the Government of Syria in supporting terrorism, maintaining its then-existing occupation of Lebanon, pursuing weapons of mass destruction and missile programs, and undermining United States and international efforts with respect to the stabilization and reconstruction of Iraq.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 6 2019 18:59 utc | 18

good stuff b, especially your scoop on the crickets way in advance of the usa!
as to the twitter post from kit klarenberg and the letter from hannes adomeit – i see hannes is a non resident fellow for chatham house.. https://www.chathamhouse.org/europe-conference/2017/speakers/hannes-adomeit
i wonder how much integrity initiatve and chatham house worked together?? probably a lot… it doesn’t surprise me the 2 propaganda shops are connected..

Posted by: james | Jan 6 2019 19:28 utc | 19

@ Robert Snefjella #10
You wrote of James McCanney designing a high efficiency wind turbine. (Google Mr. McCanney to find his rationalwiki entry and you’ll quickly learn he is a real crank.) There is nothing novel about efficient windmills – these were tried back during the Seventies several times, the most memorable being the Chalk Bicycle Wheel machine.
http://www.wind-works.org/cms/typo3temp/pics/Chalk_RF_Bicycle_Wheel_Turbine_9f09969e26.jpg
The problem with all of these things is that the first heavy wind gusts turn them into twisted rubble. There is a reason for the robust structure of the standard machines.
Regarding poster Noirette at #2, I fear this person is merely another Big Fossil Fuel troll. The link titled “Twenty-One Bad Things About Wind Energy” was written by a Denier who looks like a standard Professional Propagandist for BFF.
https://www.desmogblog.com/alliance-wise-energy-decisions
As you said, the old home windmills were wonders of their day. That they can’t compete with modern electrical pumps for watering livestock is hardly surprising. There are many uses for electricity where the intermittent nature of wind power doesn’t matter the least bit. The Denier-Trolls always avoid mentioning that.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Jan 6 2019 19:44 utc | 20

In Pepe Escobar’s latest, he breaks down a recently translated from Mandarin to Italian 2017 essay “by security expert Professor Zhang [wherein] Wenmu gives a glimpse of China’s geostrategic outlook, from the ‘Western Pacific Chinese Sea’ to the far side of the moon.” Pepe does his usual good job of providing us with the gist of Wenmu’s essay which tears apart essential aspects of the West’s view of Geopolitics and IMO is a must read.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 6 2019 19:55 utc | 21

@ Zachary Smith | Jan 6, 2019 2:44:37 PM | 20
rationalwiki is a prodigious disinfo site: read their 9/11 entry
McCanney’s design seems much stronger than the pictured windmill. I have no first hand knowledge of it but have some experience in this field.
“The problem with all of these things is that the first heavy wind gusts turn them into twisted rubble.”
“All of these things” is a very broad category. The cleverness and strength of the particular design
determines its durability. The destruction of a windmill by an act of nature, like any other technology, remains a potential feature of Earthly things. Ease and cost of repair are factors to take into account. In my own case, over a quarter century of being a great reliable benefit, my windmill was slightly damaged by one impressively strong wind which had enough gusto to also dislodge a couple of metal barn roof covers. The repair of the windmill cost me an hour and perhaps twenty dollars Canadian.

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 6 2019 20:06 utc | 22

@ Robert Snefjella #22

rationalwiki is a prodigious disinfo site: read their 9/11 entry

If I had known before making my post you were a 9/11 “truther” I wouldn’t have bothered you. Sorry about that.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Jan 6 2019 20:18 utc | 23

Cork Soaking Democrats much prefer to mythologize the union-busting, commie-killing, contra-revolutionary, Social Security hating, red-baiting Ronald Reagan, than to mention the guy that instituted Social Security, Disability and Sick Pay stipends for the elderly, workers and their children.
Who was that loser? You never hear a Democrat mention his name.

Posted by: fast freddy | Jan 6 2019 20:20 utc | 24

@fast freddy
Yes.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jan 6 2019 20:27 utc | 25

@ Robert Snefjella | Jan 6, 2019 3:06:43 PM | 22
Thanks for your informative posts. If you’re aggravating Trutherphobes, you must be doing something right! 😉

Posted by: Ort | Jan 6 2019 21:01 utc | 26

“…Bolton is coming up with new pie-in-the-sky conditions for the U.S. retreat from Syria…”
Not to be outdone, this extra baggage thrown in from Neanyahu:

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked the United States to recognize Israeli sovereignty over Golan Heights as part of Washington’s decision to pull out its troops from Syria, Channel 10 reported on Sunday.

https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/192624-190106-netanyahu-asked-trump-to-recognize-israeli-sovereignty-over-golan-heights
Because, um… the two are somehow… inseparably linked? Even for Bibi’s addled mind, this is a real stretch. He should stick to normalizing Israel’s relations with the architect of the Darfur Holocaust, Sudan’s Wahhabi nutjob President Omar al-Bashir. Israel might need to hire some of his Janjaweed homicidal thugs someday – best not to burn that bridge for discounted cannon-fodder mercs.
“Hey… hey YOU, Darfur guy. How much for your teenage son? No, we don’t just want his organs. We want him to fight for us. But if his organs DO happen to become available through a tragic act of war…”

Posted by: PavewayIV | Jan 6 2019 21:04 utc | 27

@ fast freddy #24
Those Coke Sackers won’t even go back as far as the rabid Commie Dwight Eisenhower. Wasn’t it last week when the necomer AOC suggested 70% tax rates on the super rich? I think I heard Hannity raving about this obscenity on the radio.
As an aside, your post reminded me of the term “sock tucker” and that in turn caused me to think of the Codpiece Commander’s strut across the deck of the USS Lincoln – presumably enhanced by some strategically-placed tube socks…
Sunday, May 01, 2011 … Today In History … Happy Codpiece Day!

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Jan 6 2019 21:08 utc | 28

Zachary Smith @23
Combination solar panels with pumped hydro as off peak storage are a mighty good solution. Hydro storage is NOT dams on rivers but elevated storage ponds of some scale. Detailed research on this model has been done for Australia and global sites to identify optimally located storage ponds. This was done by University New South Wales professor and team with life long experience.
Apologies for not having youtube link here but am not at home base for a few days. There is a very good video of his exposition at a recent conference.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jan 6 2019 21:20 utc | 29

@Posted by: Zachary Smith | Jan 6, 2019 3:18:48 PM | 23
Zachary, no need to apologize; you didn’t bother me at all. Until you demonstrate otherwise I give you the benefit of the doubt: that is, that you are among the very many who are genuinely in the dark re rational wiki, and it would seem, 9/11.
If indeed you are not familiar with the extremely large effort that has been made to lie about and cover-up what actually happened on 9/11, or haven’t deeply researched the subject, here is a link to get you started. It’s a short ‘truther’ message from General Albert Stubblebine re the Pentagon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpEMi0l2P6Y
Here is a very short video of the demolition of WTC building 7. The fact that part of the descent is at free fall means that there was no resistance to the ‘collapse’. Steel resists collapse.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mamvq7LWqRU

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 6 2019 21:24 utc | 30

Hum, maybe Cuba could rent out some of those mystery crickets to Syria? If it helps in “persuading” the US military to leave…

Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Jan 6 2019 21:28 utc | 31

A reverse Khasshogi is the newest drama: Saudi 18 year-old renounces Islam and flees Saudi only ot have her passport revoked at Bangkok. I’d say she’s right to have fled, but I don’t like her prospects.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 6 2019 21:31 utc | 32

@30 Robert Snefjella (“snowy mountains”)
Thank you for your many informative posts and this one in particular. What is said in that video about the pentagon “plane” matches what I have thought for many years now. I think it must have been a cruise missile. The WTC7 free fall video is evidence by itself, such things do not not happen from a few office fires. Indeed, free fall means the structure has been removed before the fall. I am a structural engineer with background from Finite Element Analysis.

Posted by: Norwegian | Jan 6 2019 21:52 utc | 33

28 Regarding Hannity raving about a 70% tax rate, I’ll bet the word “marginal” never crossed his misinforming lips, right?
And so we are seeing the rise of another phrase that will present for the next two years – the Dems want to tax the “makers” at a job killing 70% percent, with no mention of at what level of income that amount kicks in.

Posted by: Bart Hansen | Jan 6 2019 22:00 utc | 34

@5 Zanon, it now doesn’t matter what the USA says it wants to do in Syria. Trump’s announcement that the troops are leaving made it inevitable that its erstwhile “allies” will seek an accomodation with Assad.
Nothing Bolton says from this point on can change that, precisely because no amount of unattributed background briefings can now alter this calculus: the USA is an unreliable ally, and its Syria “policy” is now about as unambiguous as reading tea leaves.
The USA can say that it is staying in al-Tanf until Hell Freezes Over and it won’t mean a thing. It will be mere bravado from The Moustached One, and nothing more, and will be quietly abandoned once reality finally intrudes upon this delusional mind.
Because the reality is this: nobody will believe him, and therefore nobody will expend even one iota of effort to help the USA to keep those boys and girls anywhere on Syrian soil.
N.O.B.O.D.Y.
US troops will stay in al-Tanf only for as long as it takes Trump to notice that they are there, and then ask his generals “What the f**k are they doing there?”
The answer will be “Nothing, Mr President.”

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Jan 6 2019 22:01 utc | 35

Israel and Arab Politics, an informational thread by the Angry Arab mostly focused on Iraq.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 6 2019 22:01 utc | 36

Further to green energy, here is a link to a new more efficient solar panel. http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4803
The implications are that an efficient electric motor vehicle could by provided much or all of its energy from the sun. The roof could be a solar panel. Add small wind generator when the car is not in use.
Usually the emphasis is on electric cars, but electric tractors have vast potential. This is because while in a car lightness of construction is a main criteria, in small and medium tractors weight is sought. So, for example, tractors capable of doing much or all farm work on many given farms, say from 25 to 50 hp, typically have weight added, say in the form of a water and calcium chloride, or other liquid ballast, to the back tires. The added weight improves tractor traction.
Thus a very large heavy battery for the tractor is an asset, not a deficit. The tractor operates at lower speeds, and the operator benefits from shade; substantial solar panels can be placed over the cab of the tractor operator.

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 6 2019 22:04 utc | 37

I find it astonishing that nobody connects the dots w.r.t. the obvious fact that USA embassy staff are the*only* diplomats reporting these health issues.
No British diplomats are reporting headaches.
No French ambassadors are being struck by mind-control beams.
No German attaches have been diagnosed with brain damage.
If it were really Cuban shenanigans then they wouldn’t just be pointing those beams at the Yanks.
If it really is cricket mating-calls then other foreign embassies would be reporting these symptoms.
The conclusion is that whatever is causing these symptoms is housed INSIDE the American embassy. And while the CIA/NSA/DIA/whatever knows full well that it is injurious to the health of their embassy staff they don’t give a s**t.
Hence the need to come up with *some* excuse for all those headaches no matter how ludicrous that makes them look.
All the talk about Cuban psych-ops or randy crickets is just a cover story.
The headaches are real – and probably very serious – but it is all self-inflicted, and the spooks who run that equipment know it. But they can’t admit it, no matter how much that requires them to play dumb.
Isn’t that obvious?

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Jan 6 2019 22:39 utc | 38

As was discussed back when b wrote about the Cuban “sound torture,” cicadas, the insect in question, exist all over the Southern tier of US States and make noise that’s quite disruptive and takes awhile to deal with as I can attest to via personal experience. Eventually, most folks develop an ability to tune them out.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 6 2019 22:52 utc | 39

Yeah, Right @ 38: Inclined to agree with you that the cause of the US embassy staff’s health problems is electromagnetic and the source of this cause is the systems installed there. The noise and the crickets are just a smokescreen to hide behind. Who’da thought- bugged by their own bugs!

Posted by: Jen | Jan 6 2019 22:59 utc | 40

Western Europe is currently entering “multicultural mode,” in the words of (((Barbara Lerner Spectre))), a change it must make in order to survive. This is also its punishment for trying to spread civilization to other parts of the world.
There might be some mild unpleasantness associated with this kosher process, but don’t worry, the pain you feel is just your nation and bloodline dying. At least your enemies will be happy, at least until everything collapses and your ancient homeland resembles a constantly burning Dirt World all against all.
In some places, this process is almost finished, as roving gangs of “women and children” who fled “war” are preying on their benefactors. We did the “right thing.” Now it’s time for a North African immigrant to pound you out.
Breaking News: “A migrant gang left 12 people aged 13 to 42 injured after carrying out random attacks and hurling racist abuse in a German city, it has been reported.”
Random attacks, an isolated incident, the first time we’ve ever seen this, please go back to sleep. The indigenous population is rewarded for their suicidal generosity.
Of course, we have to call into question the so-called “racist” abuse. Only Whites can be “racist.” Being called a kuffir and then battered by muslim invaders is what you deserve for trying to have your own countries, you should be happy to get it. Just ask any jew.
Breaking news: “Four teenagers – from Iran, Syria and Afghanistan – are said to have targeted passers-by in the Bavarian city of Amberg.”
Those crazy “teens” and their little jests that maybe get a little out of hand. Time to pummel free range German livestock, get them nice and tenderized for the kosher slaughter. The best part of “immigration” is all the enrichment delivered by unwashed muslim fists.
Breaking news: “Eyewitnesses claim a man was pushed down a flight of stairs while a 17-year-old was left needing hospital treatment for a head injury.”
My last thought as I tumbled down stairs en route to traumatic brain injury was a sincere hope that this would prove, once and for all, that I’m not “racist.”
Maybe if I die this way, the merchant and their dark biological weapons will be reluctant to p*ss on my grave.
Breaking news: “Germany’s Interior Minister Horst Seehofer said he was ‘dismayed’ by the events in Amberg adding: ‘If asylum seekers commit violent crimes, they must leave our country.’
Yeah, it’s a real bummer. I felt bad for several seconds. If immigrants who we invited into Germany keep throwing us down stairs and bashing our heads in we may have to do something. No, I’m serious this time.
Full story: Migrant gang ‘leave 12 people aged 13-42 injured after carrying out random attacks and hurling racist abuse’ in German city, prompting Interior Minister to call for deportations
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6547181/Migrant-gang-leave-12-injured-carrying-random-attacks-random-attacks-German-city.html

Posted by: Ava | Jan 6 2019 23:02 utc | 41

In the golden years of capitalism the max income tax rate was 90%. Nobody wanted income, they wanted capital gains so kept money in their company and expanded in the US. No point in huge CEO bonuses that would be taxed 90% , but might as well pay workers a decent wage to keep them happy and productive rather than pay a higher corporate tax by squeezing them
Before his death JFK was looking to tax capital outflows to keep jobs in the US in exchange for a lower income tax rate. After his death only the income tax rate dropped and capital could still be exported with jobs at no cost
Now corporate managers can fleece the company and shareholders (esp those registered in Deleware where most have a PO box head office ) with sky high salaries and bonuses. They can move production outside the US to pay workers less and only pay an 11% corporate tax (half what they pay in US) and not even that if they pay an equivalent amount of tax to the host country (meaning they pay 0 US tax). Way to go Trump, someday we will be Sir Donald in his service to the City of London (aka the Crown)
Now I dont buy into a green economy as its based on religious fallacy more than science but this neoliberal experiment is working only for the 1 percent and those countries who receive the 1% ers tax savings in investments into their own economy, which of course is just what the globalists want.

Posted by: Pft | Jan 6 2019 23:42 utc | 42

Just finished a couple of interesting books called “Technocracy Rising: The Trojan Horse of Global Transformation by Patrick H. Wood and “Transhumanism” by David Livingstone
Wood reminds us of Brzezinski’s 1968 book, Between Two Ages: America’s Role in the Technetronic Era , was published . It was this book that drew him to the attention of Rockefeller and other elitists behind the Green Movement that was promoted by the Club of Rome (which was established in the same year). Technocracy actually had its beginning decades earlier when Dr Hubbert (same Hubbert who gave us the bogus Hubberts Peak Oil in the 50’s) established Technocracy Inc in 1934
Technocracy is an economic system that discards a price-based economics in favor of energy or resource-based economics The technocrats who serve in the corporate and academic temples of research and development are committed to achieve perfection in governance and control and plan to use a secular humanist religion as an opiate for the people to replace the defunct traditional religions (which promote individualism and not Interdependence) , and to have scientists opinions treated as priests once were treated .
The results of the global technocratic elites efforts will be totalitarian governments ruled by them. The individual will be obligated to relinquish his or her rights, privileges and aspirations for the greater good.
Brzezinsky said in his 1968 book: “Unhindered by the restraints of traditional liberal values, this elite would not hesitate to achieve its political ends by using the latest modern techniques for influencing public behavior and keeping society under close surveillance and control. “. Well we have seen quite a lot of surveillance and propaganda since then.
In 1975, Sen. Frank Church, the chairman of the Senate panel probing U.S. Intelligence agencies says the government has the technological capacity to impose “total tyranny” if a dictator ever came to power. “There would be no place to hide, …. and there would be no way to fight back..such is the capability of this technology.”
Twenty years of lobbying following the Club of Romes “Limited Growth “ publication brought about the 1992 Earth Summit . From this came Agenda 21 that was essentially the blueprint for implementation of Sustainable Development under the name of “green” and “smart”. An Earth Charter was also called for which was later completed and published on June 29, 2000.
Some view the Earth Charter as a prototype constitution for the New World Order Constitution. Earth Charter indoctrination is meant to take place through education and religion. Co-creator Maurice Strong stated, “ the real goal of the Earth Charter is that it will in fact become like the Ten Commandments. ”
On 9/9 , just two days before the 9/11 attack, a celebration of the Earth Charter was held in Vermont and attended by Steven Rockefeller. The event revealed the Ark of Hope, modeled after the Biblical Ark of the Covenant, and a hand-written copy of the Earth Charter on papyrus was placed inside with other sacred items.
Attending the 1992 Earth Summit was President Bush , the former oil man, who signed the Framework Convention on Climate Change that was adopted on 5/9/92
On 9/11/93, Clinton signed Executive Order 12862 which created the National Partnership for Reinventing Government (as it was renamed in 1998). Three years earlier President Bush had called for a NWO on 9/11/91
Why the need to reinvent our government? In short, implementing Agenda 21 and Sustainable Development , as well as a future NWO , would require a different form of government which would require a Constitutional Convention to amend the constitution. This was last tried , and failed in 1975, despite the introduction of a new Declaration of Interdependence calling for a NWO. Failing that FEMA was created by the Presidential Reorganization Plan and implemented by Executive Order in 1978 by the first of many future Rockefeller TLC Presidents.
Agenda 21 was to be implemented across America through a system of regional governance entities called Councils of Governments, or COGS, whose regional boundaries are remarkably similar to FEMA’s .
Agenda 21 declared that there will have to be a significant shrinkage in population: A reasonable estimate according to some would be one billion. While it does not suggest ways to get rid of 5-6 billion people outright, it does suggest that we must lower our standard of living to the point of being in balance with what they think the environment can supply to us.
Two days after the Earth Charter ceremony in Vermont the symbolic WTC towers were brought down and GWOT began which brought on legislation that effectively gave the Technocrats the ability to collect data on everyone, and brought on mass surveillance of citizens on the pretense of combatting terrorism. Big data analysis of communications allow for more effective creation of propaganda to manipulate public opinion on virtually every issue of interest to the Technocracy, including Climate Change.
I’ll have more on the Transhumanism aspects of the agenda according to these authors when I have time

Posted by: Pft | Jan 7 2019 0:02 utc | 43

Further on recent 9/11 related news: A possible breakthrough: The Lawyers Committee for 9/11 has petitioned for a 9/11 grand jury and the 9/11 grand jury request has been allowed by a judge. Some censorship is on display; less news of it than deserved.
To be expected is a tremendous PTB attempt to shut it down, defang it, distort news of it, etc.
American federal grand juries have extraordinary potential power. The formal evidence on behalf of actual 9/11 truth, in complete contrast to the official narrative, is overwhelming. Some of the lawyers involved admit to having not paid a lot of attention to 9/11 and having for years bought the ‘official 9/11 story’.
Pertinent material: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V3cfCX1s1Y
Also, Ron Unz at the Unz Review has recently done much helpful work on 9/11 and Israeli involvement. He admits to having been in the dark re 9/11 until more recently.

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 7 2019 0:05 utc | 44

@ Karlof, that article was crazy.

Posted by: Victoria Carpenter | Jan 7 2019 0:47 utc | 45

@ uncle tungsten #29
Pumped Hydro is a proven technology. Whenever some electricity turns up from intermittent sources, more water is pumped up to the high reservior.
Water can be broken down to get hydrogen for storage. Capacitors can be charged, or magnetic fields can be built up to the point where electricity can be later retreived. The energy storage wiki lists those and many more. For small applications just wire up the windmill/photovoltaic unit to a big water heater.
The Deniers are both deceptive and dishonest about many things. But then that’s how many of them get a paycheck.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Jan 7 2019 0:56 utc | 46

@21 karlof1
Agreed – great article from Escobar.
I like the Chinese analysis of true heartland power being a result of continually changing ratios between Europe, Central Asia and China as the three elements. I love the snark against Mackinder too:

Wenmu’s clincher: “The law of the aurea section [Latin for ‘golden’ section] as the base of strategic power in Eurasia helps us to understand the causes of alternate rise and decline of powers in the continent and to recognize the limits of expansion of Chinese power in Central Asia. To understand it is the premise of mature and successful diplomacy.”
Although this cannot be seriously depicted as a roadmap for “Chinese aggression,” Wenmu cannot help but direct another hit at Western geopolitical stalwart Mackinder: “With his genius imagination, Mackinder advanced the wrong theory of the ‘geographic pivot’ because he did not consider this law.”

And speaking volumes is the new map of the world that Escobar links to, now formally in use since 2013 by the Chinese navy.

Posted by: Grieved | Jan 7 2019 0:57 utc | 47

Yeah, Right@38
I believe that canadian diplomats, no doubt acting under direct instructions from Ottawa did complain of this red terror in Havana.
I recollect that crickets were determined to be the likely cause months ago. I have no links but a pretty good memory.

Posted by: bevin | Jan 7 2019 1:10 utc | 48

@38
Your point seems fair enough, however. I am convinced.

Posted by: bevin | Jan 7 2019 1:12 utc | 49

@ 38 yeah, right.. my recollection is the same as bevins @48, as memory serves.. otherwise your logic makes sense..

Posted by: james | Jan 7 2019 1:49 utc | 50

Zachary Smith @46
I see it as bigger than paid deniers but rather paid agents of corporatised energy generaters. Dispersed energy generators on people’s rooftops destroys the monopoly ownership model especially when house battery packs are in use. The only thing left in corporate private profit hands would be grid and hydro storage devices other than those owned by new energy unions (akin to credit unions).
As in the USA I have no doubt that the corporates will employ thugs to destroy peoples rooftop solar systems just they employ thugs to infiltrate, sabotage, smash, trade unions, black advocacy or peace organisations, anti nuclear groups etc. They will likely get their favorite legislators to tax sunlight collections too just like with filament lightbulb histrionics we witnessed a few years back.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jan 7 2019 2:38 utc | 51

Uncle Tungsten @29,
Very interesting … please if you remember post the video of the hybrid wind mill hydro system in the next open thread! thanks

Posted by: slit | Jan 7 2019 2:45 utc | 52

James and Bevin, I don’t doubt that the sound recordings that were released by the Americans were analysed and determined to be crickets.
After all, the CIA has to come up with *something* to convince the embassy staff that their brains weren’t being fried by by that mysterious machine in that ultra-secure room in the basement.
I believe the term is a “limited hangout” i.e. admit there is a health problem, but point the finger somewhere else.

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Jan 7 2019 3:04 utc | 53

I have not linked to a twitter picture before but couldn’t resist this opportunity
Team Bolton photo shot in Jerusalem

Posted by: psychohistorian | Jan 7 2019 3:37 utc | 54

uncle tungsten @51–
That sort of sabotage was tried by SMUD in the 1990s, and the people went ape while at the time they were getting the ENRON Shaft! Trying to prevent homeowners from selling their excess juice back into the grid is another, and some states have laws where the best a consumer can do is have zero power bill. With storage so cheap now, I’d go solar where I live in Oregon, although wind is far more reliable given local insolation vagaries. I like the kite flying a figure-8 pulling a generator!

Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 7 2019 4:36 utc | 55

Grieved @47–
Agree that the map delivers a much different visual paradigm than the European-centered Mercator projection in standard use. Really would like to find even the Italian translation as that essay makes about an even dozen important enough for me to read to thus further comprehend the Chinese perspective–superficial just won’t do.

Posted by: karlof1 | Jan 7 2019 4:43 utc | 56

@ 21, 56

In a nutshell, China is key for the equilibrium of Eurasia. “In Europe, the fragmented zone originates in the center, in Asia, it is around China. So that presents China as the natural barycenter of Asia.”

China’s proper name consists of two characters, pronounced as “tsung (central) kuo (kingdom),” or 中国. The Chinese have lived this concept for five thousand years.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 7 2019 4:59 utc | 57

@54 I’m (vaguely) mulling two questions:
1) What are they watching? (I assume it’s some holocaust guilt-trip presentation, but maybe not)
2) How many levels of Hell will now descend on the young lady in the second row who didn’t put on her Elbit Systems Mind Control Goggles(tm)?
Oh, and I do hope that none of the Giggled Goofballs are members of Bonkers Bolton’s security team…

Posted by: Yeah, Right | Jan 7 2019 6:07 utc | 58

This tip from b’s intro to the thread is a crucial revelation.
(My (in))…
See also this thread by Aaron Stein:
Aaron Stein @aaronstein1 – 20:17 utc – 5 Jan 2019
On Tanf, think Bolton is – once again – (in) over his ski tips and not speaking for POTUS. This is how we got into this mess in the 1st place. It is very disconcerting
Apart from all but confirming that Bolton is The Swamp’s preferred spanner in the Trump Administration works, it also explains why Trump hasn’t fired him yet. i.e. Bolton’s Chutzpah-ish approach to everything will eventually help Trump to ambush Bolton and thus The Swamp.
Bolton’s disloyalty became crystal clear to Trump when Bolton failed to inform him about the plot to get ‘Canada’ to arrest the Huawei executive – before the dinner with Xi. Trump is a lot smarter than Bolton and it’s likely that Bolton knows he’s on borrowed time but he’s now stuck between Trump and a hard Swamp.
I can hardly wait to see what comes next…

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 7 2019 6:55 utc | 59

US wont leave Syria. Period.
Posted by: Zanon | Jan 6, 2019 11:59:59 AM | 5
Just the prediction I’d expect from Netanyahu propaganda.

Posted by: Laguerre | Jan 7 2019 8:45 utc | 60

karlof1 | Jan 6, 2019 2:55:28 PM | 21
Thank you for the link to Pepe Escobar’s latest.
I particularly enjoyed this:
Escobar:
That paved the way to Wenmu’s clincher: “The law of the aurea section [Latin for ‘golden’ section] as the base of strategic power in Eurasia helps us to understand the causes of alternate rise and decline of powers in the continent and to recognize the limits of expansion of Chinese power in Central Asia. To understand it is the premise of mature and successful diplomacy.”
Although this cannot be seriously depicted as a roadmap for “Chinese aggression,” Wenmu cannot help but direct another hit at Western geopolitical stalwart Mackinder: “With his genius imagination, Mackinder advanced the wrong theory of the ‘geographic pivot’ because he did not consider this law.”
In a nutshell, China is key for the equilibrium of Eurasia. “In Europe, the fragmented zone originates in the center, in Asia, it is around China. So that presents China as the natural barycenter of Asia.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It’s another powerful insight to the genuine China. Grieved has also provided excellent information regarding today’s China.

Posted by: V | Jan 7 2019 8:54 utc | 61

slit @52
found the solar hydro hybrid video
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Lk3elu3zf4
watch the entire 40 minutesas he rolls out the proposal from local to global.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jan 7 2019 9:35 utc | 62

@Zanon 14: “US are in a great position” (in Syria). Really? Got any more LOLz like that to offer? I could do with the laugh. Just to sketch in the realworld background: The US is in the classic empire-in-irreversible-decline pattern that all empires – to date – have manifested eventually. It and it’s homunculus/golem ‘israel’ – more precisely: the dziP; the doomed-zioentity-in-Palestine – are heading down the tubes. Irreversibly. All it’s opponents need to do is to act carefully and be patient. Exactly what VVPutin and the Putiniki running Russia, together with their allies in Beijing, are doing. Watch and see. USAmerican pretensions in Syria, and indeed in the whole ME, are moribund.

Posted by: Rhisiart Gwilym | Jan 7 2019 10:22 utc | 63

bevin | Jan 6, 2019 12:29:06 PM | 7

The US will “stay there” in Syria. You are right about that. They have been there in some form or another -agents, spies, traitors, journalists, diplomats, merchants- since the 40s.
But they will not be there as a uniformed military presence, for that they require the sovereign power’s permission. It is most unlikely that the government will grant it.

Permission? What permission did the US get to occupy a great chunk of NE Syria? A chunk it still occupies!
What permission did the US get to bomb and fire missiles at Syria?
What permission did the US get to arm and support its proxy armies in Syria?
I think it’s time people got real about US imperialism. Only force will stop force, it’s the only thing the Empire understands.

Posted by: William Bowles | Jan 7 2019 11:20 utc | 64

Yeah Right
Words dont matter (I dont trust Trump’s words for example, do you?), if US stays, they stay, regardless of what they have said.
Its not the first time US have changed its mind or decieved.
Lets say they actually leave. They will still bomb, fund, arm support their “allies” kurds and israelis.
Chemical attacks will “occur” again and so on. So they will never not “leave” in the general ramification.

Posted by: Zanon | Jan 7 2019 11:23 utc | 65

Rhisiart Gwilym
When did US have a better position in Syria than now? You cant name me such a period the past 30 years atleast.

Posted by: Zanon | Jan 7 2019 11:25 utc | 66

William Bowles @64
Exactly and I clearly recall the Tet offensive and the abject demoralising of the yankee invaders in Vietnam. Force is what counts and the yankees have generated all the necessary major elements of push-back in both Iraq and Syria. I feel sure that there will soon be a debacle or close debacle for them.
A lof depends on the depth of Ron Paul’s dialogue with Donald. Time will tell but peace is vitally important and within grasp for Syria. I would not have thought so a year back but the Syrians are doggedly persistent and brilliant soldiers.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jan 7 2019 11:33 utc | 67

@58 They are watching a virtual reality model of the temple (and being prepped for the coming reconstruction.)
https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-trump-aide-bolton-visits-western-wall-stoking-palestinian-fury/

Posted by: dh | Jan 7 2019 14:18 utc | 68

found the solar hydro hybrid video
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Jan 7, 2019 4:35:58 AM | 62
I’ve been looking for any good technical sources of information on IMPLEMENTING a solar-hydro hybrid, if you have any good links or know of good experts. I am interested in a scale of around a megawatt or a few megawatts. The basic principles are extremely simple, but there are a number of practical issues (eg leaks, water pressure etc) which can potentially complicate the implementation.

Posted by: BM | Jan 7 2019 14:53 utc | 69

lol the guardian now premodding me cause i asked a couple of civil questions about the luke harding article, and the lack of response to the firestorm of criticism it received. transparent, fearless journalism!

Posted by: pretzelattack | Jan 7 2019 15:06 utc | 70

Pro-Russia dreamers and pro-Trump dreamer should read this from Caitlin Johnstone:Reasons To Believe In Trump’s Syria Withdrawal Are Vanishing

So there was a very strong reaction to Trump’s words about Syria. But what have his actions been? If we look at this administration’s actual behavior with the narrative soundtrack on mute, what we see is a significant increasing of the number of troops in Syria, bombing the Syrian government twice, committing war crimes in Raqqa, providing full-throated support for hundreds of Israeli air strikes against Iranian targets in Syria, and a steadily increasing number of indications that the troops won’t be coming home at all.
“I never said we’d be doing it that quickly,” press were told on Sunday by the president, who has indeed previously used the words “now” and “quickly” to describe the pace of troop withdrawal.
“We won’t be finally pulled out, until ISIS is gone,” Trump added

And a funny tweet from Caitlin to illustrate:

Trump: We’re leaving Syria.
Bolton: We’re not really leaving Syria.
Trump: We’re leaving Syria very slowly.
Graham: Very, very slowly.
Bolton: Or maybe never.
Trump: When ISIS is completely gone.
Bolton: And Iran.
Trump: I hired Bolton and regret nothing.

Caitlin’s conclusion:

In a world where narrative manipulation is the key to real power, it’s impossible to take anyone close to power at their word.

<> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>
“Narrative manipulation” = psyop. The faux populist model of leadership is inherently a psyop.
Wish fulfillment is a powerful element of the psyop. People WANT TO BELIEVE that their phony hero will deliver.
Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jan 7 2019 15:24 utc | 71

Good article:
Grandmaster Putin’s Trap
https://orientalreview.org/2014/12/25/grandmaster-putins-trap/

Posted by: ninel | Jan 7 2019 15:30 utc | 72

If one defines ‘better’ as more destructive and disruptive then yes, the USA is in a better position. I rather doubt that posters such as Zanon actually believe what they typing but that is neither here nor there. While it is true that the USA has managed to entrench its forces in various nations throughout the MENA, they are also largely over-extended. Given that most of what it’s forces do is not really to their own benefit but to isreal’s, the definition of ‘better’ comes into question when examined more broadly. There is also the fact that forces such as SAA and Hezbollah have gained experience, endurance, and much better hardware. This further extends the usage of the term. While I agree that force is use of pressure is the the only sure way to get USA forces and Friends ™ to get out and stay out, there is also the more subtle use of these factors. It’s pretty clear that the invading forces are willing to go as far as to manufacture any excuse to launch waves of missiles etc. into Syria, so using chess-like moves and countermeasure is more prudent. Time is also on the side of the defenders at this point, while the USA continues to postpone it’s deflation on the world stage. Keep in mind that USA forces don’t have a very good track record when fighting comparatively poorly equipped forces and no modern record at all of conflict with near-peer adversaries. All the banter about the worlds strongest military is great for domestic consumption but it has not played out in reality.

Posted by: Chevrus | Jan 7 2019 15:39 utc | 73

An excellent article on the Yellow Vests by Boris Kagarlitsky at Counterpunch today. Highly recommended.

Posted by: bevin | Jan 7 2019 15:44 utc | 74

I’m literally over the moon that there’s a woman of Palestinian heritage now in Congress not afraid to speak her mind! The first thing she did was rightly call for the impeachment of Trump MFr. Now, we’re barely into the New Year and the first bill Republicans want to push through is an anti-Constitutional bill that protects Israel from BDS and that also intensifies sanctions against Syria. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, who is opposed to this bill alluded to America first when she slammed those in Congress in a tweet for trying to push this bill through Congress forgetting what country they work for and trying to deny people’s right to protest instead of opening up government and for her tweet she got a backlash of criticism accusing her of anti-Semitism. No doubt the Trumpeter is working feverishly to have her impeached now on that basis. Rashida breaks the established norm with guts; not your Zionist Trump-god!
Tlaib blasts Israel first bill
Your Trump and his Republican cohorts stink. Those of you continuing to support him are Israel first supporters pushing that agenda surreptitiously. Now Trump flip-flopped on pulling the U.S. out of Syria, because that was never the plan to begin with! You continue to support this loser and con artist when all he has done til now is embolden Neocons and their Zionist agenda. I was at my wits end trying to make sense of why you continue to hang on to Trump while he makes Israel great. It’s no longer an enigma! You can’t have two masters: Zionist Trump and justice for Palestinians and Peace! I am sickened by your continuing blind support of Trump and not with you on your Trump cause one iota! I can’t wait for the Mfr to go down in FLAMES!
You are on the wrong side of history, on the wrong side of morality and humanity and on the wrong side of justice and righteousness with your Trump fan aticism!

Posted by: Circe | Jan 7 2019 15:56 utc | 75

Chevrus
You are free to answer the quesiton I posted at 66 and earlier, could you name me one other period where US were better at in Syria past 30 years?

Posted by: Zanon | Jan 7 2019 16:01 utc | 76

I answered in a roundabout manner above. I dont have an interest in answering on the overly simplified term you have defined.

Posted by: Chevrus | Jan 7 2019 16:03 utc | 77

” People WANT TO BELIEVE that their phony hero will deliver.
This is a strawman argument. Those of us who believe that the US is withdrawing from Syria do not thank Trump for it but reality.
The US cannot stay in Syria because its presence is untenable. This means that if it wishes to stay it has to take certain unpleasant steps, most of which it has already tried and which have failed.
This is not to say that the policy could not be changed. That is always possible. But it would have a price.
The problem of your viewpoint is that you assume that the US is hegemonic. That it can do militarily whatever it chooses. That its economy is an endless well of wealth. That its people are sheep who will always tolerate governments milking them in order to feed the MIC.
Curiously enough most people who hold these opinions live in the USA and ought to know better. That they do not tells you America’s true weakness: it is not a nation like most others, but an artificial construction riven by racism and class arrogance, crude social darwinism. An explosion is coming.

Posted by: bevin | Jan 7 2019 16:06 utc | 78

@ Circe 75
For you the Palestine situation is paramount, for others it is not because there are more important issues affecting many more people. You need to live with that fact or your health will suffer.

Posted by: Don Bacon | Jan 7 2019 16:10 utc | 79

This is Trump’s game and your game: Don’t blame me! Don’t blame him, the Neocons made him do it!
So, then when a serial killer pleads with the judge: Don’t blame me; the devil made me do it…you’re all going to chime in his innocence.
Your Trump game and his game is o-v-e-r.

Posted by: Circe | Jan 7 2019 16:18 utc | 80

Chevrus
It would be easy to refute the claim by simply replying the “obvious” answer. But you nor anyone else can, because there are simply no better time than now for US. If you do not understand why etc please let me know and I could elaborate if you have specific query to pose.

Posted by: Zanon | Jan 7 2019 16:23 utc | 81

@psychohistorian | Jan 6, 2019 10:37:35 PM | 54
As telling as that image is, I can’t help thinking one critical element is missing.
A better angle here.

Posted by: Ross | Jan 7 2019 16:24 utc | 82

Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 7, 2019 1:55:49 AM | 59
I think there’s a basic misapprehension running through the threads here concerning the relationship between US presidents and the ruling class, namely that to a large degree the post of prez is largely titular, symbolic. Yes, he has a degree of latitude to operate but only within prescribed limits, once he ‘oversteps’ those boundaries, he’s quickly slapped down.
US capitalism doesn’t spend billions over decades to be blown this way and that by the actions of a single individual, it’s not how state machines function.
Trump can say this and he can say that, big deal, he can say whatever he likes but policy goes on going on regardless.
‘Pulling troops out’ is throwaway, one-liner, it means nothing. Remember Nixon ‘halting the war’ in Vietnam and then terror bombing the North?

Posted by: William Bowles | Jan 7 2019 16:46 utc | 83

Circe @ 80
Quite right. b’s line here, as it seems to frequently of late vis a vis Amerikkkan politics in general and Trump in particular, is straight out nonsense. It bears little resemblance to reality.
b may have gotten 2016 right. I don’t know that for sure because I wasn’t around then but he seems to believe Trump’s election was a win and surely believes Trump to be some kind of genius breath of fresh air. However, but US electorate whipsaws rather quickly on its elected leaders nowadays. b totally fumbled the 2018 midterms and he continues to misunderstand and overinflate Trump so far in 2019.
Here is the real story, imho: Trump will be lucky if he’s not impeached in 2019 or indicted after he runs/loses in 2020. The coup d etat may be in fact his only weapon and it is looking doubtful as a viable option. Of course, Trump gonna Trump and his weighing of options and making good decisions doesn’t appear to be one of his strong suits.
In fact, my guess is Trump’s already attempting to negotiate pre-emptive pardons from Pence, both for himself and his family members in exchange for resigning office in 2019. The problem he faces is that many of the financial laws he/family allegedly broke may well also be prosecutable in New York state courts.
The Trump news will soon be 24/7 about his questionable business dealings for the last decade at least, featuring already well-known evidence which quite obviously seems to suggest (or scream) his and family’s alleged participation in massive money laundering schemes. The Demotards on the Judiciary are already working to uncover the evidence, some of which is already in their hands and formerly suppressed by the GOP leadership.
The overwhelming question to be answered is why would he run for President in the first place with all this legal baggage attached? The only two plausible answers I can determine are: 1. He’s dumber than a rock, shielded as he has been all of his life by daddy’s gift of $435MM or 2. He’s unconcerned because he will simply pull a coup rendering the law moot.
Or maybe he has a death wish?

Posted by: donkeytale | Jan 7 2019 16:51 utc | 84

bevin @78
There are different types of Trump dreamers.
Some see him as ‘hero’ fighting ‘globalists’.
Some see him as savior, bowing to ‘realities’ to avoid a greater tragedy.
But all dreamers argue that we look beyond ‘set backs’ to the glorious Trump agenda. We saw the same BS from Obamabots.
Welcome to the rabbit hole.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jan 7 2019 16:51 utc | 85

Or maybe he has a death wish?
Posted by: donkeytale | Jan 7, 2019 11:51:09 AM | 84
Or maybe it doesn’t really matter?

Posted by: William Bowles | Jan 7 2019 16:53 utc | 86

Yes Bevin @ 78 I agree with JR here.
You’re rhetoric is overspun. You are arguing like a man holding a pair of jacks who believes he has a full house.

Posted by: donkeytale | Jan 7 2019 16:58 utc | 87

re wind power, Robert S. at 11.
For example, the old water pumping windmill is, given a fairly regular wind, amazingly efficient, clean, durable, useful, kind of cute, cheap, green green green.
Surely! In fact one of my ancient ancestors (in Holland) got great ‘power’ from wind. However, as a resource to accomplish much of what must be done for 7.2, say, billion ppl so that they first of all not starve to death, then consume some (if only a TV for 50 ppl, 3 meals a day, some health care, cute dresses, a small lodging, just making it up) ..errr… I don’t think the contribution can be over 1% .
US citizens are often keen on ‘renewables’ in the sense that others could use them or ‘benefit.’ They themselves live off of Fossil Fuels (the biggest users in the world after KSA and maybe UAE etc.), but the cute green stuff can be hyped as ‘alternatives’, just get to it, whatever.
How many windmills would be needed (in good conditions) to run Robert’s home? Placed where? With what distributive circuit, paid for by whom? Even if he lives in a small studio and shivers in the winter and diets desperately all year? Of course Robert will be outraged, and state he is not subject to such strictures, he is confortable and ‘pays’ for his heat/cooling/food/transport, etc.
Heh…charmed to see some believers in ‘renewables’, but I wouldn’t have expected if of Robert. Really not, some of his posts are excellent. Just goes to show how obfuscation works.

Posted by: Noirette | Jan 7 2019 17:14 utc | 88

@83
Stop enabling Trump punch-drunk diehards. Trump’s not a baby who got bamboozled or is threatened by the ruling class. He IS the ruling class!! He poops on a golden toilet for crisessakes! He’s no victim. The victims are the mesmerized hostages who think he’s on their side that keep hanging on his every word spinning it to fit their delusion. They project their messianic hopes on the Chosen One of the Zionist/Neocon 1% ruling class. Yes, Trump was Chosen because he’s a fantastic PIED PIPER. You’ve all been reduced to spinning, second-guessing and putting your thoughts in his brain. That is the clear definition of self-delusion. He’s got Zionist billionaires in his pocket; Adelson, Blavatnik,Icahn, Singer, Mercer who donated 2 million to John Bolton’s super-pac and then there’s the Zionist oligarchs who funnlled him money through his inauguration. HELLO??? He’s the Chosen PAID PIPER, their master of distraction and deception with the tastiest punch juice ever!

Posted by: Circe | Jan 7 2019 17:47 utc | 89

Those who are now recognizing the duplicity of Trump’s “pull out” announcement should reconsider the Israeli Christmas attack.
Trump’s “pull out” announcement was made just days before the Israeli attack; an attack whose main objective MAY have been to trick SAA into downing a commercial airliner. The Israeli’s had previously cause SAA to down a Russian military plane. By executing a similarly risky attack, we can surmise that the Israeli’s hoped for a similar result – the downing of a plane.
By announcing a troop “pull out”, underscored by Mattis’ resignation, Trump set himself up to win public support for a ‘righteous’ attack on Syria and RE-commiting US to Middle East in general.
Note: in light of Trump’s backing away from a “pull out”, Mattis’ resignation is revealed as a PR stunt.
This is the reality that so many (even here!) want desperately to avoid: US-Israeli coordination, duplicity, and psyop to achieve their objectives.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Jan 7 2019 17:48 utc | 90

@Noirette 88: Actually, you have extrapolated imaginatively from my words.
Here are some of my key words above re wind: “wind is free clean energy and can be a sensible clean useful part of a green energy mix.”
So it would seem that even stating the obvious in simple terms is not immune from distortion.
In my case, the particular windmill I was referring to faithfully pumped sufficient amounts of high quality water into a cistern or directly into two barns and a house for many years at very low cost and completely cleanly.
But more generally, a societal intention of profound sustainability will include an energy paradigm which includes ongoing attempts to maximize harmony with the biosphere. It will utilize all available benign options, and minimize detrimental options, in so far as practically possible. In some locations, wind can help a great deal. In most, it can help somewhat.
@Bevin: Don’t let the turkeys get you down. I appreciate your contributions.

Posted by: Robert Snefjella | Jan 7 2019 18:17 utc | 91

Posted by: William Bowles | Jan 7, 2019 11:46:39 AM | 83
(legislated limits to POTUS power/authority)
You’re undoubtedly correct in claiming that there are limits to the number of categories of action over which POTUS has absolute control and the Final Word. But I suspect, from perusing the opinions expressed over at Sic Semper Tyrannis from Pat Lang and his regular contributors, that those limits could be counted on the fingers of one hand.
My impression is that as CIC he has broad powers concerning US involvement in warfare, and as CEO of the US he can classify or declassify ANY document/record up to and including TOP SECRET. Of course that could be wrong…
However, from a speculative pov, it seems highly unlikely that the US Constitution forbids POTUS from acting to overthrow a subversive, illegal and illegitimate organisation such as The Swamp which POTUS, in His Infinite Wisdom, deems to have accumulated too much power.
I also believe that Young Trump’s time in Military Academy would have inspired a keen interest in Military affairs and Governance. After all, if ‘your’ army has been sent to overthrow the government of a foreign country, it’s ‘your’ job to cobble together a substitute government – even if it’s only based on the Military Academy’s booklet How To Cobble Together A Substitute Government In 10 Easy Steps (or whatever they call it).
The above is my informal impression.
If you’d care to list the major categories over which POTUS does NOT have implied authority, I’d be very interested to read it. Carefully.
This is a topic worthy of pondering, imo, so thanks for raising it.

Posted by: Hoarsewhisperer | Jan 7 2019 18:29 utc | 92

I almost never respond to attacks, so what, ho hum. But this is important..
Regarding poster Noirette at #2, I fear this person is merely another Big Fossil Fuel troll. The link titled “Twenty-One Bad Things About Wind Energy” was written by a Denier who looks like a standard Professional Propagandist for BFF.
The link was not too good, I admit. And said so..
As for me being a Fossil Fuel Troll, this is completely absurd. I have no links/interests whatever/ with any FF co. in fact I have spent much time catigating them on various points.
It is interesting, what would a fossil fuel troll actually do, write, and why? Is the person paid to tout Big Oil? How do they do it? For what payment?
However, that the now OECD countries run almost entirely on FF (which incl. coal) can’t be denied.
Again, re. windmills, and Big oil, there is a problem of scale.
Zachary Smith’s house, car, work (taking him as an ex. of a ‘regular’ US employee, which he might not be, so excuses on that..he might be living in Thailand on a plantation with sexy girls, or in a cave, etc.) are not, and cannot ever be, run by wind energy for more than 1%.
As a typical US citizen (ex. merely!), his car, house, the roads, the commute to his job (though it might be by train or plane) are 98% dependent on FF. As is his food, via fertilizers, pesticides, tractors, big agri, and then transport, processing, refrigeration, btw *heavily* subsidised in the US. The heating and cooling of his home, ditto.
This cannot de denied. Every single stat, official ones in the US included, shows the same.

Posted by: Noirette | Jan 7 2019 18:37 utc | 93

@83
Don’t feed the delusion that Trump is an unwilling victim with no control! Trump isn’t even a willing victim because he’s not an effing victim, he’s a conniving willing participant and the sleaziest operator ever chosen for the Presidency.

Posted by: Circe | Jan 7 2019 18:43 utc | 94

Good article by Caitlin Johnstone for those that think Trump will move out from Syria.

“It really doesn’t matter what noises Trump makes with his mouth if no moves to scale down interventionism actually occur”

https://russia-insider.com/en/reasons-believe-trumps-syria-withdrawal-are-vanishing/ri25807

Posted by: Zanon | Jan 7 2019 18:46 utc | 95

82 Ross, thanks for the improved view of Bolton and his merry team. With those goggles, that particular country looks to be taking their routine brainwashing of visitors to a whole new level.

Posted by: Bart Hansen | Jan 7 2019 18:52 utc | 96

What is the latest trick of the ruling class? Choose a candidate that talks the lingo of the disenfranchised, while he is really walking it back!
Tens of millions were poured into analysis of the American brain mass to come up with a strategy on hooking the disenfranchised. Some here are giving Trump’s billionaire patrons their money’s worth.

Posted by: Circe | Jan 7 2019 19:06 utc | 97

Robert at 91 posted.
In my case, the particular windmill I was referring to faithfully pumped sufficient amounts of high quality water into a cistern or directly into two barns and a house for many years at very low cost and completely cleanly.
Well good for you! Great. I’d love to replicate that. I’m sure many ppl in the world would love to have windmills or whatever and a cistern and two barns and a house (presumably rather large) with all being hunky dory.
(What of your electric usage and I presume two cars one a SUV or truck, etc.? land use per capita?..)
A starving family in Iraq, or for that matter in F periphery, or even in the US, though it can’t be called starvation (another story) would no doubt be really pleased to hear how ‘wind energy’ can be harvested and provide ‘free’ high quality water. They might ask you for advice! Can I forward your name / mail, please communicate, to some of these ppl in despair and close to starving?
I can’t believe I’m actually typing this out.

Posted by: Noirette | Jan 7 2019 19:17 utc | 98

Jackrabbit @ 71 says:
The faux populist model of leadership is inherently a psyop
your narrative seems a little manipulated, to me.
you’ve conveniently neglected ms. Caitlin’s words, piggybacking on someone who, unlike you, is clearly not intrigued with assigning motive (because it’s basically unknowable?). she ain’t talking about faux populist models and psyops, she’s talking about the perfidiousness inherent in the doublespeak used by our overlords to propel forward their incessant war mongering. questions of connivance or incompetence are immaterial.
as Caitlin says:
I personally do not care about Trump’s motives. Antiwar analysts tend to put a lot of emphasis on what the president’s personal intentions are, but it doesn’t matter how Trump’s feelings feel or what kind of person he is inside, what matters is if America’s unconscionable global military expansionism gets scaled down or not. The power structure behaves the way it behaves, and if the troops don’t come home it’s because Trump is either complicit or impotent. Either way, the power structure and its behavior is what matters
get it?

Posted by: john | Jan 7 2019 19:19 utc | 99

@78 bevin quote “an explosion is coming”….. yes – definitely… predicting the timing of it is impossible, but one can see the wick burning down as we speak…

Posted by: james | Jan 7 2019 19:47 utc | 100

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