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April 14, 2019
The MoA Week In Review – OT 2019-21

Last week's posts on Moon of Alabama:

—
The Washington Post again laments that the U.S. coup attempt in Venezuela failed:

Venezuela’s military, despite U.S. expectations, has not turned on Maduro

Nearly three months later, Venezuela’s top-heavy military remains largely intact under President Nicolás Maduro. The once-brisk pace of defections to neighboring Colombia has slowed to a trickle. Fewer than 1,500 Venezuelan soldiers, relieved by the Colombian government of their weapons and uniforms and housed in sparsely furnished hotel rooms near the border, now sit waiting for something to happen.

The idea that the Venezuelan army would defect was always crazy. Anyone with a bit of knowledge of Venezuela could predict that it would never do so. Reports of lonely soldiers isolated in fourth class hotels in Columbia will not incite any further defections. While the random opposition guy promised amnesty for any soldier moving to his site, the U.S. seeks to arrest one of the few who did:

Venezuela’s ex-spy chief arrested in Madrid on US warrant

Venezuela’s longtime spy chief was arrested Friday in Madrid by Spanish police acting on a U.S. drug warrant a few weeks after he threw his support behind opponents of President Nicolas Maduro.
…
The opposition saw Carvajal’s criticism of Venezuela’s socialist government as a stimulus to prod other military figures to defect, but the country’s armed forces have remained largely loyal to current Maduro.

With the situaton stalled the U.S. is ramping up talk of a military attack on Venezuela:

US Military Attack on Venezuela Mulled by Top Trump Advisors and Latin American Officials at Private DC Meeting

EXCLUSIVE: Away from the public eye, the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) think tank hosted a top-level, off-the-record meeting to explore US military options against Venezuela.

Such talks are poor attempts to create some psychological pressure. There are no sound military options. The U.S. is not going to invade Venezuela. It will ramp up sanctions and press its 'allies' to do the same. Venezuela and its people will suffer but they will not give up on resisting U.S. pressure. The current situation will only resolve itself when the regime in Washington or in one of Venezuela's neighboring countries changes.

Use as open thread …

Posted by b on April 14, 2019 at 17:00 UTC | Permalink
Comments

the city of london the kazar ashkanizim of new york washington hollywood and tel aviver must i repeat must help the childs kinder surprise of caracas already if we do not then yahoo?

Posted by: moana | Apr 14 2019 17:42 utc | 2

The arrest of the spy who would defect was typical of how the defectors were cast aside and the promises given dissolved into thin air as soon as the U.S. and their proxies in Venezuela had no more use for them.

Posted by: T Mike | Apr 14 2019 17:45 utc | 3

b – thanks for the week of insights via the articles here..
i wonder if it would be prudent for maduro to offer those soldiers who are sitting lame duck on the border – amnesty? that might be a way to capitalize on the present situation..

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2019 17:56 utc | 4

Fucker Carlson Defends Assange. Huh?

Posted by: Uncle $cam | Apr 14 2019 18:13 utc | 5

Defending The Revolution a short film about the People’s Militia in Venezuela. Not gonna be easy.
And one more time, Whitney Webb is doing a bang up job with this series:

This article is Part II of a multi-part investigative series examining the efforts of the global elite, as well as powerful elements of the global Zionist lobby and the government of Israel, to create an independent state out of Argentina’s southern Patagonia region in order to plunder its natural resources and to fulfill long-standing Zionist interest in the territory that dates back to the “founding father” of Zionism, Theodore Herzl. Part I, which focuses on the de facto “parallel state” created by British billionaire Joe Lewis in Argentina’s Patagonia, can be read here. Part II focuses on Eduardo Elsztain — one of Argentina’s wealthiest businessmen, who is deeply connected to the global elite and global Zionist lobbies — and his role in a scheme to undercut Argentina’s democracy by hijacking its voting system.

See my “lost” comment at the end of OT 2019-20, #167

Posted by: Desolation Row | Apr 14 2019 18:19 utc | 6

The more Trump and his asinine deep state punch up the planet the more I see him and his monkeys as a one term play. The ground is shifting in USA and being an optimist I trust this nightmare and its brigade of clowns will be swept away in a landslide.
Trump hates black so much that he will go to any length to annul anything Obummer did which means the right demolishing the right. I expect Venezuela to continue as a headline of friction otherwise some dumb Clinton clown might wake up to what is concluding in Libya. A new emperor is emerging and not necessarily a yankee stooge. These are the times of overreach and dissolution of many psuedo empires.
In the USA it looks like Sanders could become a useful vice president to Tulsi Gabbard as President.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Apr 14 2019 18:45 utc | 7

Boutef is gone, welcome to Sissi (til 2030)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/330014/Egypt/Politics-/UPDATED-Egypt-MPs-vote-to-allow-President-Sisi-to-.aspx

Posted by: Mina | Apr 14 2019 19:08 utc | 8

Meanwhile in neighboring Colombia, Duque gets uppity.

Posted by: Maracatu | Apr 14 2019 19:15 utc | 9

Boeing has called its 737 Max 8 ‘not suitable’ for certain airports

Before last month’s crash of a flight that began in Ethiopia, Boeing Co. said in a legal document that large, upgraded 737s “cannot be used at what are referred to as ‘high/hot’ airports.”
At an elevation of 7,657 feet — or more than a mile high — Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport falls into that category. High elevations require longer runways and faster speeds for takeoff.

Faster speeds at takeoff put extra stress on the kludge Boeing put together so it could put huge new engines on an unsuitable airframe. Don’t know if there is any connection, but there are some other headlines going along with this one:
American Airlines cancels Boeing 737 Max flights through mid-August
Everybody knew there would be a period when passengers stayed away from the 737 Max. Now the airlines are going to be trying to decide if they want an airplane which can’t fly to some important cities in their territory and around the world. There is a terrific demand for airplanes the size of the 737, so it seems to me Boeing might shift their assembly line back to the latest 737 model which wasn’t a MAX. This way they’re still making and selling airplanes. While the situation for them would be hardly ideal, they could immediately start designing a new plane – something they ought to have done in the first place.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 14 2019 21:01 utc | 10

Boeing has called its 737 Max 8 ‘not suitable’ for certain airports

Before last month’s crash of a flight that began in Ethiopia, Boeing Co. said in a legal document that large, upgraded 737s “cannot be used at what are referred to as ‘high/hot’ airports.”
At an elevation of 7,657 feet — or more than a mile high — Addis Ababa’s Bole International Airport falls into that category. High elevations require longer runways and faster speeds for takeoff.

Faster speeds at takeoff put extra stress on the kludge Boeing put together so it could put huge new engines on an unsuitable airframe. Don’t know if there is any connection, but there are some other headlines going along with this one:
American Airlines cancels Boeing 737 Max flights through mid-August
Everybody knew there would be a period when passengers stayed away from the 737 Max. Now the airlines are going to be trying to decide if they want an airplane which can’t fly to some important cities in their territory and around the world. There is a terrific demand for airplanes the size of the 737, so it seems to me Boeing might shift their assembly line back to the latest 737 model which wasn’t a MAX. This way they’re still making and selling airplanes. While the situation for them would be hardly ideal, they could immediately start designing a new plane – something they ought to have done in the first place.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 14 2019 21:01 utc | 11

@ james your 38 from post on iran thread…..
” it seems the usa is no longer willing to go full on..”
What is being missed by most is that we entered a new era March 2018 when Putin unveiled his new toys. The u.s. is no longer the presumed supreme military power on the planet. Of course they will not not admit this, but I believe we are approaching the moment when the U.S. will be told to stand down or suffer the consequences, whether it be in Syria, Venezuela or Ukraine.
Link
“I want to tell all those who have fueled the arms race over the last 15 years, sought to win unilateral advantages over Russia, introduced unlawful sanctions aimed at containing our country’s development: Everything that you wanted to impede with your policies has already happened,” he said. “You have failed to contain Russia.”
“No one listened to us then. So listen to us now,” Putin said to thunderous applause in the speech, which was held at a venue just outside the Kremlin and televised live nationwide.
The pentagon has admitted it has no defense against those hypersonic missiles.
Link
“If that happens, what kind of defense do we have against the hypersonic threat?” Inhofe asked.
Hyten replied, “We have a very difficult — well, our defense is our deterrent capability. We don’t have any defense that could deny theemployment of such a weapon against us, so our response would be our deterrent force, which would be the triad and the nuclear capabilities that we have to respond to such a threat.”
Putin has quite clearly stated the what the Russian response will be should the U.S. resort to the use of nuclear weapons.
Link
“Only when we know for certain – and this takes a few seconds to understand – that Russia is being attacked we will deliver a counter strike. This would be a reciprocal counter strike. Why do I say ‘counter’? Because we will counter missiles flying towards us by sending a missile in the direction of an aggressor. Of course, this amounts to a global catastrophe but I would like to repeat that we cannot be the initiators of such a catastrophe because we have no provision for a pre-emptive strike. Yes, it looks like we are sitting on our hands and waiting until someone uses nuclear weapons against us. Well, yes, this is what it is. But then any aggressor should know that retaliation is inevitable and they will be annihilated. And we as the victims of an aggression, we as martyrs would go to paradise while they will simply perish because they won’t even have time to repent their sins. “
Russia is not going to allow the U.S. to destroy Venezuela, Iran, Syria or Ukraine. It makes sense because Ru cannot allow the United States and vassals to continually put Ru in the position of one step forward two steps backs via their destructive policies and I firmly believe that Putin will not allow the u.s. time to develop counters to their new missiles. That would be foolish as the u.s. has shown what they are capable of when there is no serious threat to their military. It will be a world war and the unites states has been pushing hard to keep its allies on a short tether.
U.S. has been stalemated in Syria, (soon to be ejected) Ukraine is about to fall back into ru orbit after the elections next week. Venezuela has Russians on the ground. They dare not go into Iran, because the iron dome is rusty and one direct hit by the foab about 13k southeast of dimona is going to make a large part of that illegal settlement called israel uninhabitable.
There is much room for miscalculation, and I believe war is an almost certainty. At the same time, I think we need a few tens to hundreds of millions to meet their maker as the human race is only growing more stupid by the minute and eliminating a large portion of the race will likely extend its survival. Sad but true.
’nuff said
b4real

Posted by: b4real | Apr 14 2019 21:20 utc | 12

Stratolaunch’s Roc, The World’s Largest Aircraft, Has Flown For The First Time
This airplane is enormous, but from what I can learn of it there is only one smallish rocket available for it to use. Where I expect it to really shine will be to carry “space planes” to high altitude where they can be sent off into space. A model called “Dream Chaser” will effectively turn the old Fifties science fiction stories into reality. Sending up one or more of these things to repair the Hubble telescope yet again looks to be possible. If you discover you forgot your metric adjustable wrench, just call Earth for another launch to fetch it for you.
Dream Chaser
Unlike the mother plane, this one is small. Seems to me you could hang more than one on that center wing. I’m also guessing the military will be drooling about possible uses.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 14 2019 21:30 utc | 13

Pepe Escobar strongly condemns Assange’s arrest. Rarely do I read angry prose by him; but in “You have the right to always remain silent: The arrest of Julian Assange was an act of revenge by the US government that strikes at the heart of journalism,” Pepe takes the gloves off to tell it like it is to the news editor/owners of Asia Times Online, whose editorial stance is decidedly neoliberalcon:
“Let’s cut to the chase. Julian Assange is not a US citizen, he’s an Australian. WikiLeaks is not a US-based media organization. If the US government gets Assange extradited, prosecuted and incarcerated, it will legitimize its right to go after anyone, anyhow, anywhere, anytime.
“Call it The Killing of Journalism.” [My Emphasis]
Imagine if Russia, China or any other official–contrived–enemy of NATO had done this, the level of BigLie Media attack would be at 911 levels. But all that’s seen if it’s seen at all is a whimper while the penultimate False Flag–911–gets new life breathed into it by Trump as he ups his racist game.
The Australian governments since Assange’s arrival on the journalistic scene has never been friendly, but the Australian public appears to be stirring. IMO, for Assange to have any chance at continuing his quest, Australia’s public must become rage-filled, mad-as-hell, until their fellow Aussie returns home. Sure, the Outlaw US Empire’s public ought to become just as outraged, but all I see is a bunch of wimps who can’t even see the most hole-filled hoax of all time when its paraded in front of them 24/7/365 for 2+ years. To fellow residents within the Empire, I challenge you to prove me wrong.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2019 21:31 utc | 14

This is a problem
“Venezuela’s longtime spy chief was arrested Friday in Madrid by Spanish police acting on a U.S. drug warrant”
When are other countries going to wake and stop enabling the United States in these matters. The idea that the USA can issue a warrant on trumped up charges and have the police in other countries kidnap those people is just plain wrong.

Posted by: erik | Apr 14 2019 21:47 utc | 15

Lavrov: Russia & China New Global Sheriffs:
“Russian-Chinese cooperation has a sobering effect on those who push ahead with illegal methods of solving international problems.”
FYI–TASS has very recently slightly altered its url, so check your bookmark and update if needed!

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2019 22:02 utc | 16

Headline at the Neocon York Times:
“Bernie Sanders Accuses Liberal Think Tank of Smearing Progressive Candidates”
The “liberal” outfit under discussion is the Center For American Progress. This outfit is against “single payer” health care. It was in favor of Obama’s escalation in Afghanistan. Funding comes from billionaires like Soros and corporations like Wal-Mart.
The blogger complaining about Sander’s awful behavior is a Biden fan, I generally don’t link to stupid sites, and all the connected ones in this case qualify.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 14 2019 22:08 utc | 17

Immagine working towards getting soldiers of a country to break their oaths and loyalty to a lawfully elected government?
If you did that in the United States, a country whose government literally whines over a mindless, pissy little Facebook ad, you’d be charged with treason.
And here’s what is supposedly a serious national newspaper talking about it as if it were the most natural thing in the world to expect.
I’m not sure most Americans can even understand how hideous they appear in the eyes of millions.
What a sick society.

Posted by: JOHN CHUCKMAN | Apr 14 2019 22:16 utc | 18

From an essay I just read:
“Do you not understand that Assange represents all of the rights of humankind?”
No, I don’t think enough people are thinking of Assange’s arrest in that manner–including many here at MoA.
The Criminal, Outlaw Nation says its seeks to attain justice. The Outlaw Criminal Nation Lies yet again.
But I’m not even preaching to the choir; the choir is out to lunch.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2019 22:19 utc | 19

China is calling it on Latin America. Will it succeed?
Latin America needs development, not zero-sum US games

Posted by: vk | Apr 14 2019 22:23 utc | 20

https://www.fort-russ.com/2019/04/bring-it-on-national-revolutionaries-to-join-venezuelas-military-citizens-militia-prepares-for-war/
Adding insurance.
#6 Thanks for the link to WW

Posted by: jo6pac | Apr 14 2019 22:44 utc | 21

WOW!!!
We are watching a global fight for narrative and the China/Russia side is winning in spite of the media being owned by the other side……think how much “face” the West/empire has lost.
We are a strange species forced to belong to an unspoken religion that controls all economic interaction with others as well as deciding what is provided.
It is way past time for some other group to rule the world than the inherited elite of the past 500 years.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 14 2019 22:50 utc | 22

@12 b4real… thanks for stating your views and sharing the links supporting it.. i had been following all that, but have seen nothing recently that sheds more light on this.. it is hard to know if anything has changed.. the links on the bottom regarding iran foab and the possibility of an attack on israel in response to an attack on iran – it is pretty scary, the whole set up..
it seems like a pretty scary game of chicken that the neo-cons want to pursue.. reminds me of the time i was on hwy 2 headed west, outside of blackfoot montana… it happened to me in real life.. i just went off the road and wasn’t going fast enough to get hurt.. i am not sure that russia, or iran will respond the same way.. based on the link you shared near the top – russia is very clear on not backing down… it sounds like you basically see the set up here much like i do.. thanks for sharing..

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2019 23:06 utc | 23

To have a bit of rest from the Deep State shenaningans, meet “Cactus”, the nomad dog and his adventures in the “Marathon des Sables”, where he was awarded championship for dogs…

Posted by: Sasha | Apr 14 2019 23:10 utc | 24

@12 b4real… you might also want to read stevens comments near the bottom on @47 previous thread.. i am not as convinced about that as he is..

Posted by: james | Apr 14 2019 23:16 utc | 25

The current Ecuador government has revealed why it was necessary to turn Assange over to the Brits.
1. “putting feces on the walls”
2. “left dirty underwear in the lavatory”
3. “failed to clean dishes”
4. “left a cooker on”
5. “listened to loud music”
6. “skateboarded inside the embassy hall at night”
7. “had a cat which spied on the embassy staff”
The charge of skateboarding through the hall has a video. One wonders why the one of smearing poo on the walls didn’t get documented too, for it strikes me as a far more serious one.
Loud music: Buy the man some decent headphones. If that failed, tell him the stereo will be confiscated. Dirty dishes? Paper plates. A person has to wonder if every single person within the Ecuadorian London Embassy was both clueless and helpless.
http://tinyurl.com/yyqdxmns

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 14 2019 23:17 utc | 26

Venezuela is the double surface of Iraq. Has 300 billion barrels of oil.
Shows a terrible sold out elite, yes but also a steady conscious people who have learned one thing or two from Hugo Chavez.
Neither the US, nor colombia and even less Brazil dare to initiate any war or invasion of the country: they would be beaten down like starvng dogs. Many rivers and jungle cover the whole southestern part of the country.
And they would be able easily to defend the capital Caracas and the most significant oil rich regions. And in two weaks Russia can deliver them a few
weapons and supplies.
And Russia will do it for one simple reason: if the US takes the venezuelan oil it can easily dominate the WORLDs oil supply and prices… for many years. A prospect that Putin is well aware of.
Only a war of attrition is within reach of the Uncle Scam real capabilities. But whatever doesn t kill you, will eventually strengthen you.

Posted by: augusto | Apr 14 2019 23:33 utc | 27

psychohistorian @22–
I just did a mental comparison of the information published by Assange’s Wikileaks and that being published on behalf of Michael Hudson and his research associates to determine which has the greater import–Assange’s unveiling the many crimes and Lies of the Outlaw US Empire and many other actors or Hudson’s revising/correcting and revealing the true nature of what and who are responsible for human enslavement/exploitation over the past 3,000 years. IMO, it’s a tie as both are equally important but only one actor is being considered an Imperial Enemy. Apparently, the crimes of the present/recent past are deemed more important than the ongoing/recurring crimes currently bedeviling humanity that began 3,000+ years ago. Of course, both are connected, symbiotic in fact.
At the end of his 4-part interview, Hudson’s asked: “How can people proceed from here?” Hudson answers: “Understanding [“a sense of history”] must come first.” More follows but relates to acting on the history that must be understood. Given the unwillingness of the vast majority here at MoA to acknowledge the longstanding nature of Predatory Creditors and their relationship to Empire, I don’t see that “understanding” being achieved anytime soon as all too many people don’t think they need to attain that “understanding.” I think it best to approach the issue with the assumption that there’s no choir to preach to–that all are skeptics needing to be convinced, and of course there will be those who think they’re exceptional and don’t need to gain “understanding.” And since they’re being ignored, they’ll do their best to impede others from “understanding” as they already do here and elsewhere–the disruptor trolls who maintain a façade of legitimacy that totally undermines the discourse. It should also be “understood” without saying that we are at War with the forces of Empire and Predatory Creditors.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 14 2019 23:56 utc | 28

@25 James
re: comments by steven t. jones comments on previous thread.
I didn’t want to disrupt that thread by pointing out inconsistencies in his comment.
b4real

Posted by: b4real | Apr 15 2019 0:04 utc | 29

27 – Karlof, as you know, but for others, it’s all in the Bible for those who read it: Leviticus 25 and Deuteronomy 15. It’s on the Liberty Bell, where liberty means freedom from debt. As for the Lord’s Prayer, somebody changed “forgive our debts” to “forgive us our trespasses”.
Recently I looked in Wikipedia at Hammurabi’s entry and found no mention of all the clean slates his dynasty proclaimed.

Posted by: Bart Hansen | Apr 15 2019 1:02 utc | 30

I suggest this translation of a presser by Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova be read as it calls out the gross illegalities of the Outlaw US Empire regarding Venezuela in a manner not previously seen–it borders on a declaration of war.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 15 2019 1:25 utc | 31

Bart Hansen @29–
Hudson explained in one of his initial essays introducing the topic that the change from “debts” to “trespass” occurred during one of the many translations.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 15 2019 1:37 utc | 32

If this has been posted here I overlooked it.
A Spanish gang tried to extort WikiLeaks with surveillance footage of Julian Assange

Some of the material appeared to have come from government-owned cameras and audio recorders installed in London’s Ecuadorian embassy last year, part of a multi-million dollar program pitched to supposedly “protect” Assange.

Since Lenín Moreno has been President of Ecuador since 2017, we must assume he was the one who became concerned about the safety of Assange.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 15 2019 1:56 utc | 33

From Caitlin Johnstone:
Trump Supporters Are Hurting Assange With Their 4-D Chess Talk
It would surprise me if Trump knows the rules for 2-D chess, let alone more complicated versions. Anyhow:

The pussyhat-wearing Assange haters and the MAGA hat-wearing Assange lovers are on the same side on this issue, mindlessly working toward the exact same agenda: the permanent imprisonment of a truth-telling journalist.
Every time President Trump advances a longstanding evil agenda of America’s permanent government, I see my social media notifications swarmed with Trump supporters telling me that it is actually a good thing, because it’s secretly a brilliant strategic chess move that the 45th president is taking against the deep state.

I’d quibble about the term “supporters”, for I’m fairly sure there are quite a few paid trolls at work proclaiming their love for and devotion to the Obese Orange Oaf.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 15 2019 2:18 utc | 34

The nature of the beast: Peter Phillips roadmaps the warmongers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np6td-wzDYQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZUGh1Su7-ok

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Apr 15 2019 2:30 utc | 35

James A. Lucas: US Has Killed More Than 20 Million People in 37 “Victim Nations” Since World War II

Posted by: John Doe | Apr 15 2019 3:19 utc | 36

John Pilger: Julian Assange Exposed US’ ‘KILL THEM ALL’ Mentality!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siHgvx3t9V8

Posted by: John Doe | Apr 15 2019 3:21 utc | 37

ICC judges reject opening of an investigation regarding Afghanistan situation
https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=pr1448
https://www.icc-cpi.int/CourtRecords/CR2019_02068.PDF

Posted by: John Doe | Apr 15 2019 3:26 utc | 38

Newsweek: Little Red Riding Hood Banned from School over Sexism Concerns
A school in Catalonia has withdrawn from its library 200 classic children’s books such as Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood because of their depiction of sexist stereotypes.

Posted by: John Doe | Apr 15 2019 3:33 utc | 39

Then there is this from Flocke Kroes
”
Gods get created over and over. The primordial Greek gods got demonised when they were replaced by the titans and the titans got demonised when they were replaced by the Olympians. The Greek Olympians were a bit too Greek for the Romans so they got recreated with a stronger Roman flavour. The god of Judaism was a bit Jewish for the Christians so they created an updated version closer to their own values.
Every culture creates their own gods – sometimes by recycling older ones. Hundreds of different gods and I have never seen any of them. Not even the invisible pink unicorn.
”

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 15 2019 3:44 utc | 40

Trump: Israelis should be immune from Int’l Criminal Court prosecution
It’s the second time that the Trump administration has extended its vow to protect allies from the court explicitly to Israelis.
By Ron Kampeas/JTA April 13, 2019 11:17
The Trump administration again named Israelis along with Americans as deserving immunity from International Criminal Court prosecution.
In a statement Friday, President Donald Trump declared victory after the ICC rejected a request to investigate U.S. personnel for actions in Afghanistan.
“Since the creation of the ICC, the United States has consistently declined to join the court because of its broad, unaccountable prosecutorial powers; the threat it poses to American national sovereignty; and other deficiencies that render it illegitimate,” the White House said in a statement it attributed to Trump. “Any attempt to target American, Israeli, or allied personnel for prosecution will be met with a swift and vigorous response.”
It’s the second time that the Trump administration has extended its vow to protect allies from the court explicitly to Israelis. Last month, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said ICC officials who prosecute Americans or Israelis would be denied entry into the United States.
The ICC is known to be considering whether to act on a request by the Palestinian Authority to investigate Israeli officials for war crimes. Like the United States, Israel is not a member of the court and thus its citizens are susceptible to court action only if they are in countries that belong to the ICC.

Posted by: John Doe | Apr 15 2019 4:06 utc | 41

In the country that Assange is from there is this from Reuters
Australian media charges over Cardinal Pell trial ‘chilling’ for open justice: lawyer
The take away quotes
”
Charges against dozens of journalists and publishers in Australia over the reporting of Cardinal George Pell’s child sex abuse conviction will have a chilling effect on future news reporting if they are found guilty of breaching a suppression order, a lawyer defending the press told a court on Monday.
Prosecutors in the southern state of Victoria have accused 23 journalists and 13 news outlets of aiding and abetting contempt of court by overseas media and breaching suppression orders aimed at ensuring Pell a fair trial.
”
”
The county court of Victoria last year put a suppression order on reporting of Pell’s trial, or its eventual outcome, to prevent jury prejudice ahead of a second trial, which was eventually dropped.
In December, the jury in the first trial found Pell guilty of abusing two choir boys. The verdict was widely reported by foreign outlets online. Some Australian media alluded to the conviction without naming Pell directly.
Collins pressed the prosecution for more information about how Australian journalists could have broken court rules because none mentioned Pell by name or his conviction.
”
Australia is an outpost of past empire and an accessory to the current empire. Thinking that they are going to step up for Assange is fanciful in spite of Catlin Johnstone’s passion to the contrary.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 15 2019 4:25 utc | 42

psychohistorian @41–
Agreed, most of the weight of Australia’s polity protesting for Assange will be required to make that 5-Eyes government find its backbone. Note Caitlin’s rallying cry for Australians to seek out the Convict/Emigre/Refugee/Slave past almost all Australians share to provide the strength and energy for confrontation. We need several divisions of Caitlins!

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 15 2019 4:48 utc | 43

The 10 Most Important Details In Bernie Sanders’ Medicare For All Bill
By The Young Turks – April 14, 2019;
https://trofire.com/2019/04/14/the-10-most-important-details-in-bernie-sanders-medicare-for-all-bill/

Posted by: ben | Apr 15 2019 4:48 utc | 44

How to pay for Medicare by Thom Hartmann;
https://trofire.com/2019/04/12/how-bernie-sanders-will-pay-for-medicare-for-all/

Posted by: ben | Apr 15 2019 5:05 utc | 45

@ karlof1 who wrote
”
We need several divisions of Caitlins!
”
I want to put them up against the likes of Kelly Conway who says to the best of her knowledge Trump didn’t know about the Assange arrest beforehand.
Trump get to continue to play the good cop, he just loves the role and it keeps the zombies feeding at the trough of ignorance.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Apr 15 2019 5:08 utc | 46

Posted by: John Doe | Apr 14, 2019 11:33:13 PM | 38
A school in Catalonia has withdrawn from its library 200 classic children’s books such as Sleeping Beauty and Little Red Riding Hood because of their depiction of sexist stereotypes.
———————-
Insanity grows stronger…
Another insanity:
Ministry of Justice drops ‘Dear Sir’ from letters after woman complains
Ministry of Justice drops ‘Dear Sir’ in automated responses to legal aid claimants

Posted by: John Smith | Apr 15 2019 5:24 utc | 47

Salisbury named best place to live in the UK 2019

Posted by: John Smith | Apr 15 2019 5:28 utc | 48

John Smith @ 47: You too would think Salisbury was the best place in the UK to live in, knowing that every time you’re in the main shopping mall and you’re feeling sick and about to fall unconscious, there’s always the most senior British Army nurse who happens to walk by just a few metres away! 🙂

Posted by: Jen | Apr 15 2019 5:37 utc | 49

Brazil president raises eyebrows saying Holocaust can be forgiven
—————–
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro says his ‘Holocaust can be forgiven’ remarks should not be used to drive division between him and his ‘Jewish friends’.
A fashist, he is a fashist in Africa… sorry… in Latin America.

Posted by: John Smith | Apr 15 2019 5:39 utc | 50

@ John Doe #40
That Trump would say such a thing was so amazing I made a search to see if I could find anything else about it. At first Zionist sites were the only ones I could find, but after several tries I located this one at USA Today.
Trump praises international court for decision not to probe Americans for alleged Afghanistan war crimes

Noting that the United States is not a member of the international court, and therefore it lacks jurisdiction over American citizens, Trump said that “the United States holds American citizens to the highest legal and ethical standards.”

Can anybody see the word “Israel” in that statement about “highest legal and ethical standards”? But POTUS DOPUS includes them on the “better not prosecute” list. I wonder if somebody has told the goofball sucking up to Holy Israel is the key to regaining his popularity.
They’re flying high in the apartheid Jewish state these days, and what if the Zionist Goons decide this is the time to do something extraordinary. Say, a small trial-run death march. Or using their free F-35s in a raid on Iran.
The US avoided getting the warmongering evil bitch HRC, but in exchange we have President Howdy Doody, and it’s Netanyahu’s hand doing the lower backside maneuvering.

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 15 2019 5:46 utc | 51

psychohistorian 41 “Australia is an outpost of past empire and an accessory to the current empire.”
Correction. We are an outpost of empire. Not past. We are a forward base for military or other not so good operations, that can be abandoned at any time by the empire if the going gets tough.

Posted by: Peter AU 1 | Apr 15 2019 5:49 utc | 52

The head of the committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on international affairs, Anna Gopko, said on the ZIK television channel that the Princess of Kiev, Anna Yaroslavna, brought the Gospel to “those who cannot read” the French.
“What is the cost of Anna Kievskaya (Princess Anna Yaroslavna. – approx. Ed.), who once brought the Gospel to France, even when the French could not, I can say, read,” said Gopko.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdkQCBcP6A4&t=160

Posted by: John Smith | Apr 15 2019 5:56 utc | 53

@ Peter AU 1 #51
What you say about Australia being small change in the Imperial scheme of things is true, but needlessly aggravating the biggest trading partner is a little bit like turning up at the shooting range with your trusty Polish Target Pistol. Talk about pushing suck-up behavior to the limit!

Posted by: Zachary Smith | Apr 15 2019 6:11 utc | 54

Thierry Meyssan has written a very interesting article – Geopolitics of oil in the Trump era:
https://www.voltairenet.org/article205987.html
It is very persuasive. Briefly, he argues that America’s current foreign policy is based on controlling the world’s oil supply and that you don’t need to look for any other explanations for their dealings with Iran, Venezuala, Syria etc. He argues that their current priority is keeping oil prices high enough to support their domestic fracking business, which is forecast to start tailing off in about 5 years. All the blah-blah about socialism, zionism, human rights etc is a red herring – it’s all about oil. His article made perfect sense to me and explains many of what appear to be Trump’s inconsistencies.

Posted by: Montreal | Apr 15 2019 7:58 utc | 55

Montreal #54
I agree all he wants to do is prevent any other players cutting the price of oil. The more anyone pumps the lower the home price and fracking bankruptcies multiply. Thats why the pipeline from Canada to Texas. Watch out Libya.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Apr 15 2019 9:26 utc | 56

A few remarks on the damage done by leakers
-A core feature of watchdog journalism is that it is not as loyal as you want it to be. Not only journalism , whistleblowers are in a similar situation. In that context there are a few things which people do to compensate that. The journalist demonstrates a loyalty to a greater good, usually not as big as something really international, but the nation is a good size. Indeed that is often a major motivation. But it is not only a motivation , also a public position. So when publishing a leak, the care one takes about filtering out anything the public does not really need to know serves in part to signal where the journalist and the leaker stand(also to themselves). They demonstrate their loyalty to the system overall.
But then one can argue they’re overdoing it. The strongest argument for disregarding damage may be that some external damage is secondary because the internal health of the society is much more important. It is also true that the damage of disclosing classified is generally heavily overrated and that an attitude of excessive secretiveness has resulted in a lot of information being classified for any possible reason with very high punishment for disclosing it(unless you’re important). The same way bureacracies can keep any slip of paper because there might some day be a need for it.
I recall that there was a case where Assange used the opposite rule: by default everything is going out but you have a brief period to convince me of things which i should leave out. That is a very differnt threshold, but it is not without merit.
The Vault 7 leaks apparently stood out as doing real damage to the CIA hacking operations. So one can argue that it’s worth it overall. One can also argue that with the CIA concentrating too much power, it’s even more worth it. And Comey also seems to have thought it was worth it…
But for those who want to maintain and demonstrate loyalty to the system overall, I think it will go too far.

Posted by: Tuyzentfloot | Apr 15 2019 10:03 utc | 57

54
ref Trump and oil
it explains why France, the new US doggy, is very shy talking about Sudan in the news

Posted by: Mina | Apr 15 2019 10:14 utc | 58

Tuyzentfloot 56
“leakers…demonstrate their loyalty to the system overall.”
Yes, all too much loyalty to a system that deserves zero. That was most obvious in the case of the system-curated Snowden presentation, which looked like a propaganda gambit from day one. But even Wikileaks went too far in not giving the people the full delivery of the people’s own information illicitly hidden from them by the illegitimate corporate state.
There were lots of stupid arguments about the contrasting pros and cons of a full delivery (I always hated the word “dump”, deliberately used to make it seem sordid) versus a curated version accompanied by the leaker’s analysis, as if it has to be one or the other. Obviously both should be done, and anyone from the public would then be free to read whatever part they choose.
Oh well, to say again the whole hysteria on all sides about leaks is much ado about nothing. Leaks never told us anything which wasn’t already obvious on its face. To fixate on leaks is standard do-nothing conspiracy theorist behavior.

Posted by: Russ | Apr 15 2019 10:35 utc | 59

Searching for their embedded staff
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-47926715

Posted by: Mina | Apr 15 2019 11:02 utc | 60

I have a request pertaining to the taunts that Trump has thrown Ilhan Omar’s way re 9/11.
Could someone who is good at that sort of thing please compile Trump’s various 9/11 statements over the years, starting with a video of his interview on TV that very day. Trump pointed out the anomaly of an aluminum shell penetrating the very dense structure of steel beams at the twin towers. There had to have been bombs involved he said, calling into question the whole hijack story.
But I understand that by the next day, for whatever reason, Trump was singing the official song, and went on doing so for years.
But then, during his campaign, first he made the outrageously untruthful claim that hundreds of Muslims had been reported in New Jersey celebrating the 9/11 carnage. Oddly, as might have been foreseen by him, the number two Google trending item for the next couple of weeks was the Israelis who had got caught celebrating and high-fiving while photographing the event from atop a white van in New Jersey. The mainstream, Jewish-controlled, media went ballistic trying to deal with the fallout.
Trump conveyed to woke people that he might really be with us. And even more so with his statement at the South Carolina debate in February 2016:
DONALD TRUMP: We went after Iraq, they did not knock down the World Trade Center. It wasn’t the Iraqis that knocked down the World Trade Center, we went after Iraq, we decimated the country, Iran’s taking over, okay.
But it wasn’t the Iraqis, you will find out who really knocked down the World Trade Center. Because they have papers in there that are very secret, you may find it’s the Saudis, okay? But you will find out.
As is clear by now, Trump is not the great woke hope. He’s as Manchurian as they get. It would be good to put some key questions to him, including the definition of treason.
But maybe the Colored Girls (Ilhan, AOC, Rashida, et al) are not the appropriate people to first raise the topic. The secret of their power is their sincerity and lack of sarcasm. We need to do our work first, getting the facts in place and getting the slant just right. The Colored Girls, nice as they are, can then put him out of his misery.

Posted by: sarz | Apr 15 2019 11:24 utc | 61

French weapons used by KSA in Yemen leaked
https://www.lemonde.fr/international/article/2019/04/15/un-rapport-classe-secret-defense-revele-la-liste-des-armes-francaises-utilisees-dans-la-guerre-au-yemen_5450365_3210.html
https://made-in-france.disclose.ngo/fr/chapter/yemen-papers/

Posted by: Mina | Apr 15 2019 11:27 utc | 62

Hoping for regime change in the U.S.
Away from the 2 party system – rebublicrats and MIC.

Posted by: jared | Apr 15 2019 13:06 utc | 63

re #60 Could someone who is good at that sort of thing please compile Trump’s various 9/11 statements over the years, starting with a video of his interview on TV that very day. Trump pointed out the anomaly of an aluminum shell penetrating the very dense structure of steel beams at the twin towers. There had to have been bombs involved he said, calling into question the whole hijack story.
Trump says whatever he thinks his audience needs to hear at the time. I have long since stopped looking for any consistency in his statements.
The entire job of his staff, starting with his Press Secretary and Chief of Staff, is to isolate Trump from any responsibility for his public utterances.

Posted by: ralphieboy | Apr 15 2019 13:53 utc | 64

Talk about a bunch of navel gazers, talking about being at war with the big boys (whether described as debt, or slave owners or whatever) the uselessness of these comments is so depressing because they are mental masturbation at its worst. The political correctness of today, known in the east as “the west’s cultural revolution”, will destroy everything that you masturbate about. The weakness of the west is that you would rather end up on the street smoking crack rather than do something that makes a difference. Who gives a fuck about history, is it really so amazing that humans still behave the same now as they used to 3000 years ago, humans who suffered and died and have nothing to teach us about saving ourselves in our current predicament. History is bullshit, it does not offer solutions, it makes us feel that we are not alone and provides us with an excuse for doing nothing: we are not the only losers.

Posted by: aspnaz | Apr 15 2019 13:55 utc | 65

TRUMP is NOT playing 4-D chess!! FFS how many times have we heard this? The pretzel like cognitive dissonance contortions Qanon and other die hard Trumpists are performing are harder to watch than all the recent Russia-gate nonsense. There will be no pardon – he could have done it already, no great reveal about the Clintons and Seth Rich. Can Trump hang onto his base?

Posted by: Gravatomic | Apr 15 2019 14:00 utc | 66

I see I’m gonna have to post my comment (with some tweaking) to William Gruff from the other thread here!:
Western democracies and some ME ones (the goal is many more to come) are co-opted by Zionism. The U.S. is the template for all other government occupation and subversion.
Hence Democrats and Republicans compete with each other in professing their love and loyalty to Zionism and thus you have a duopoly. This is THE main reason we go from one stooge President to another to another no matter which side assumes the Presidency.
You say that the public’s confidence in government and the political system is waning. This is true, HOWEVER, people have not yet discovered the root of the problem and how to correct it! They are still going from the present deception to searching for the new messiah to deliver them from the old messiah! And if it’s one thing Zionists excel in is recognizing desperation, milking despair, feeding people’s illusions and funding and grooming candidates that target the present sources of discontent injecting the masses with highs of hope, relief and euphoria during the primaries and election campaign and after the election the strategy turns to weaning people off their previously-induced high expectations with a wait-and-see gruel, and this is 4-d chess, the messiah knows better than you propaganda and a necessary long-suffering means to a beautiful ending bullshet. When in fact the Neocon oligarch agenda is advancing on cue and on schedule while you blindly, patiently wait for the messiah’s hidden meaning.
So to fix this well-orchestrated subversion people must do a purge of Zionist oligarch capital from the political system. Never mind what the Zionist-driven Supreme Court decided. March in the streets, occupy all government buildings, protest online, and demand that only people with their small donations are allowed to fund campaigns, demand that politicians STOP pledging their allegiance to AIPAC, demand that Zionist-driven think tanks and lobbies stop driving legislation. Until the people of all democracies that have been Zionist co-opted (zionized) realize that the ideology of a minority is subverting the will of the majority, nothing will change.
Zionism is a scourge on democracy. And, Jackrabbit, we already had the discussion of who comprises the majority of the oligarchy that run the deep state. Case closed. It’s the same one trying to ruin Jeremy Corbyn with smears of anti-Semitism, the same one that took down Occupy Wall Street with similar smears and ruined the careers of politicians and journalists who tried to break free of the narrative with same smears.
The Zionist oligarchy want another Trump term and are funding and grooming spoilers like Pete Buttigieg and Howard Schultze to get that result, while already preparing for the next people’s messiah and spoilage for 2024.
People need to quit reaching out to these fake Zionist oligarch-funded messiahs and PURGE Zionism from the political system because Zionism needs power to subsist. It feeds on political power, the people’s weakness and chaos to sustain itself, because it is driven by a lawless operation and chosen/entitled supremacist paranoia necessitating domination. Right now Zionism is using both sides of the white supremacy narrative to weaken and divide the populace including Islamophobia to further it’s own supremacy. This is a massive, divide-and-conquer shell-game manipulation and it’s happening world-wide.
Until people see the root of the problem and purge it from the political and geopolitical system we are all willing pawns and useful powerless idiots in their game.

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 15:18 utc | 67

Re: Gravatomic@65, “4D chess”, etc
Agreed, no 4D chess. By the way, not much discussion these days of the “50,000 sealed indictments” that Trump is about to use to “drain the swamp”, no going after the Clintons, no end to endless war, no normalization of relations with Russia, just another vetted presidential stooge carrying out the dictates of corporate fascism.

Posted by: Perimetr | Apr 15 2019 15:55 utc | 68

63 – Ralphie
“Trump pointed out the anomaly of an aluminum shell penetrating the very dense structure of steel beams at the twin towers.”
One of the planes, a 757, would have weighed around 100 tons. That much mass and a velocity of perhaps 300 mph would be a good bet to broach the side of a Tower. As I recall, neither plane went right through the building it hit.
It should be mentioned that Trump is no physicist.

Posted by: Bart Hansen | Apr 15 2019 15:56 utc | 69

@18 JOHN CHUCKMAN
“Immagine working towards getting soldiers of a country to break their oaths and loyalty to a lawfully elected government?”
In Europe we call that The EU Lisbon Treaty.

Posted by: TJ | Apr 15 2019 15:57 utc | 70

James @4
“i wonder if it would be prudent for maduro to offer those soldiers who are sitting lame duck on the border – amnesty? that might be a way to capitalize on the present situation.. ”
I disagree with that approach. I think that the military people seeing what happened to the deserters who are now countryless, broke, and abandoned is a great deterrent.

Posted by: arby | Apr 15 2019 16:11 utc | 71

Much of the ‘opposition’ to Assange’s arrest frames it as a
Freedom of Speech matter. — Not good…
— The *visible* group who is hounding Assange is the MSM, with fake news, endless personal slurs, lies (Julian MUST face charges of rape in Sweden, total BS) etc. The MSM journos are lying through their teeth, and that has nothing to do with the freedom of the press. They tout ‘fake news’ and slander, for their own reasons.
— The blanket ra-ra topic of freedom of speech / liberty of the press is nonsense to begin with on the ground. The MSM is not free to report ‘truthfully’ (whatever that means). Anyone reading this can think of at least one important story that was never published / revealed because ‘bad’ for the PTB, the Mega-Corps, the undergound Secret S, some top figures, the Gvmt, Trump, etc. — or so I hope.
It follows that the non-existent ‘freedom’ can’t be a target of ‘attacks.’ The US-MSM is 100% part of the oligarchic corporatist strangelhold.
It all serves to cover up breaching intl laws, other law, etc. to enter the age of glorious witch-hunting where ppl are put to death or imprisoned (possible tortured) for life as refusniks, dissidents, ‘bad’ people,’terrorists’, and more..
It all reminds me of when the Democrats rationalised and explained away 9/11 as ‘blow-back’ from some nebulous ‘islamic’ ppl impulse, forces, seeking revenge for the ‘invasions’ or other of their lands. Heh ‘like’ it was ‘understandable’, the US ‘had been mean’, not ‘nice’ so a ‘riposte’ was to be expected. Dishing up a scenario where the real culprits were never even hinted at.

Posted by: Noirettte | Apr 15 2019 17:09 utc | 72

Trump has appointed an anti-zionism = anti-semitism czar, Elan Carr. Make no mistake about it, this is the beginning of a WAR ON Anti-Zionist DISSENT. This is not about anti-Semitism, this is about domination. It’s about fascist repression. Now that many people are starting to see more clearly what is subverting their democracy, starting to see the duopoly conversion, the Zionist stooge President Trump is using this fascist tactic to crack down on all resistance to Zionist repression. We are the Palestinians and our rights are being eroded every day while a sham democracy has replaced real democracy with a co-opted zionized duopoly and hundreds of millions of Zionist dollars putting Zionism’s regime change and domination interests above our own.

Elan Carr, the United States’ new envoy to combat anti-Semitism, told American Jewish leaders in Jerusalem that he will work to end the “attempted distinction” between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism, while praising U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to combat the “scourge.”
I will work to eradicate the attempted distinction between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism. There is no distinction,” he
There is a lot of good news, too. We have real allies in Europe and in some cases in the Muslim worldwho are passionate about this issue. …This will be a full-court press. We are not going to be ignoring any part of the world or any ideology.

They are obviously intent on global repression.
Duopoly IS regime change against Democracy and this czar will bring about legislation everywhere to muzzle free speech and shackle dissent. Just as Zionists dispossessed Palestinians of their sovereign aspirations, soon it will be too late for us too. They came for them and now the’re coming for us!
The REAL Donald J. Trump is completely unmasked.

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 17:22 utc | 73

Circe @66
I just find it strange that someone that is so anti-Zionist supports Sanders.
You were on a roll until you dropped that bombshell.
You and donkeytale will spill loads of digital ink trying to square the circle for Sanders but MoA readers have already voiced their skepticism of Sanders and provided evidence that Sanders is a supporter of the Zionist establishment.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Apr 15 2019 17:36 utc | 74

@70 arby.. thanks.. i wasn’t sure..
@71 noirette… i agree with you here -” It all serves to cover up breaching intl laws, other law, etc. to enter the age of glorious witch-hunting where ppl are put to death or imprisoned (possible tortured) for life as refusniks, dissidents, ‘bad’ people,’terrorists’, and more..”
@73 jackrabbit.. i too find that weird or disingenuous..

Posted by: james | Apr 15 2019 17:46 utc | 75

Jackrabbit,
Sometimes I honestly suspect you’re a freakin’ Zionist! At every turn you try to block me on this shet when there is not a scintilla of doubt any longer of what is happening here!!! The fact that I support Sanders has no bearing! It only proves that I’m HONEST. I am not anti-Jew but Anti-Zionist! I FULLY RECOGNIZE SANDERS SHORTCOMINGS, but don’t you think it’s much more effective for a Jew to oppose the ZIONISM agenda than a non-Jew??? You just don’t get why Sanders was DERAILED last time or you don’t wanna get it because you’re part of it then!
Stop This! You have no solution! Someone must become President and I just don’t see who else is not co-opted! Last time I asked you for a VIABLE name and I got CRICKETS. Tulsi would be better than Sanders but her following is less than 1%!
So WTF can we do???

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 17:57 utc | 76

@ 66
“People need to quit reaching out to these fake Zionist oligarch-funded messiahs.”
Yeah – like Sanders.

Posted by: Russ | Apr 15 2019 17:57 utc | 77

@ 77
I’d say being an openly genocidal Zionist who has explicitly said in public that he thinks the Palestinians must not get equal rights is rather more than a “shortcoming”. And then there’s his entire career as a con artist beyond that.
The one and only thing Sanders is sincere about is being a war-mongering Zionist.

Posted by: Russ | Apr 15 2019 18:00 utc | 78

Russ,
Why do you think Sanders was derailed in the primary??? Because he’s a threat for Zionism! Hillary and Trump were not! Who else is there? Give me a VIABLE option not bullshet spin.

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 18:07 utc | 79

United States added to list of most dangerous countries for journalists for first time
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/united-states-added-list-most-dangerous-countries-journalists-first-time-n949676

Posted by: arby | Apr 15 2019 18:11 utc | 80

JR and James what is weird is JR acting like he’s a spokesman for MoA commenters, many of whom either ignore his paranoid theories or openly disagree with him.
Do you ever have anything to offer besides illogical opinions and misdirection, JR?
I could easily turn your obsessive “concern” about Circe and me, not to mention your obsessive “concern” regarding some fantastical Hillary/Trump deep state conspiracy as “squaring the circle” for Trump’s re-election.
You two crack me up. Circe is right on target about Trump and your gal Caitlin seems also to be in disagreement with you Trump supporters on the so-called “left” too. What you say about that Trump (athletic) supporters?
This is a great blog filled mostly with excellent commenters but in the final analysis it represents nothing meaningful beyond an exercise in infotainment.
The real paid disinfo troll action will always be by definition only on the BBB (big box blogs, h/t late great Mariscat) such as Facebook and Twitter. But keep on a-hunting “us” down here all you want. Or continue to use “us” as cover for your own paid disinfo trolling. LMAO

Posted by: donkeytale | Apr 15 2019 18:12 utc | 81

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15, 2019 2:07:54 PM | 80
“Why do you think Sanders was derailed in the primary???”
Because Hillary is corrupt to the core and wanted to win!!!
“Who else is there? Give me a VIABLE option not bullshet spin.”
I already answered this: Your whole fake electoralism is not VIABLE. Only a religious fanatic would assume that because you desperately want a non-criminal Fuhrer to follow, therefore such an “option” must exist. I’m afraid that doesn’t follow, logically or in practice.

Posted by: Russ | Apr 15 2019 18:18 utc | 82

For most Westerners, electoralism is a religious commitment, a theological fundamental to be exalted regardless of whether it actually works or not. (Scientism and technocracy are the same way.)
That’s why such worshippers congregate as flocks of celebrity fans of this or that politician. That’s all it is, nothing more or less than personal fandom. That’s why the actual record of what these politicians do is completely irrelevant to such partisans. Indeed the vast majority of partisan voters and fans are completely ignorant of what Obama has done in his career, or Trump, or Hillary Ribbentrop, or Sanders.
For me, on the other hand, electoralism was never anything more than a process to be judged by its strategic and tactical results.

Posted by: Russ | Apr 15 2019 18:25 utc | 83

@83 Russ
FFS! Wasserman Shultze, a rabid Zionist, was gatekeeping at the DNC! So iow you want rabid Zionist Trump to get a second term. Got it.
>>>>>>>>>
I wonder who will get blamed for Notre Dame fire? Two guesses: a) Muslims b) yellow vests.

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 18:32 utc | 84

“Never Trump” dembots want to make Trump the issue when he is really a symptom.
They urge that we focus our time and attention on an electable alternative to Trump (ie a Democratic Party candidate) instead of building consensus against the corrupt establishment that put Trump in office.
We’ve now seen two faux populist President’s, Obama and Trump, that have fooled US voters into thinking that they would be different.
It’s time to end the duopoly’s “lesser evil” con. For the greater good.

Posted by: Jackrabbit | Apr 15 2019 18:39 utc | 85

Jackrabbit,
Yes it’s time to end the duopoly, but not time to return Zionist A-hole Trump to power! If he gets more time IT’S OVER. DISSENT WILL BECOME ILLEGAL. This is what you’re abetting right now!

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 18:49 utc | 86

donkeytale.. i have to say i am nowhere near as heavily invested in usa politics as a few of you here are… i make drive by comments by almost never on usa politics more generally.. however, i happen to agree with jr often, so i guess that makes me a target or your ire, lol.. i don’t know if i have said much, if anything on sanders! but, do carry on taring me with the same brush!!!

Posted by: james | Apr 15 2019 19:14 utc | 87

@82 Donkeytale
“JR acting like he’s a spokesman for MoA commenters”
Actually…he does ‘speak’ for at least four that I can tell…
oo goo gachooo
gesundheit
hehehe
b4real

Posted by: b4real | Apr 15 2019 19:18 utc | 88

It’s time to end the duopoly’s “lesser evil” con. For the greater good.
Right so you are either dreaming the same dream since Perot and/or Nader or proposing a flat out [GOP] dictatorship then. The power as currently constituted accrues mostly to the GOP representing the white right might and overwhelming police military power of globalism. And they are gobbling up the judicial system as we speak which if completed renders all law moot, except for those the GOP wants in place.
We will quibble but I believe this globalism includes not only post-Brexit Britain, France Germany and the rest of the vassal EU states but also Russia for sure and China too, although I will allow the possibilty that China, currently tied to the hip to globalism through their vast global trade empire, is big enough to eventually set their own agenda. But they are far from able to do today. And when they do, who knows what the geopolitics of the world will resemble?
Russia and China are not the natural allies people wish them to be, historically, culturally or economically.
But if Rightwing dictatorships aren’t your way to end the duopoly, then what do you foresee exactly? “The Pirate Party?”
Stop looking backwards. Nader was already a failed bit like 19 years ago. Ditto Perot 27 years ago.
Third party dreaming leads to….more of the same status quo bro. It takes 65 million votes to win. OK, maybe only 43 million in a 3 way election scenario. Plus control of Congress. How many votes you got bro? And yes Perot came closest but was Perot anything else but an even more insane verson of Trump (albeit with more money and brains)? And was Congress going to bow to him?
If you have something else in mind….aren’t we, uhhm, rather a bit too old to person the barricades at this point? And where have we been all these years if that’s the solution?
It’s time to let a younger generation decide what they want. I don’t think it follows either of our prescriptions, probably.

Posted by: donkeytale | Apr 15 2019 19:43 utc | 89

james, read your comment above to JR. It appears to me that Circe and I are your targets.
Lol.

Posted by: donkeytale | Apr 15 2019 19:47 utc | 90

b4real
Oh, I’m sure there are more than 4 JR supporters and don’t get me wrong, I loves me sum JR too. So make that 5. Lol.

Posted by: donkeytale | Apr 15 2019 19:58 utc | 91

@91 donkeytale… to a degree that’s true, but it’s not 24/7 which is how i read some folks commentary on usa politics and zionism..

Posted by: james | Apr 15 2019 20:10 utc | 92

@92 Donkeytale
swoosh

Posted by: b4real | Apr 15 2019 20:17 utc | 93

From an essay recited by karlof1 4.14.20.. Karlof1 said “Do u not understand Assange represents all of the rights of humankind?” No, I don’t think enough people are thinking of Assange’s arrest as a challenge to the rights of mankind. including many here at MoA. by: karlof1 | Apr 14, 2019 6:19:03 PM | 20
I have written and submitted to comments on that subject, its difficult to get them published. I agree.
Human rights are superior to state rights; so those that expect to control the civil-world must discount human rights. The take no prisoner, respect no-one, drive to acquire wealth, profit and to control everyone and everything is a system of economics which I call Economic Zionism. EZ d\n recognize any rights of others, including human, nation state sovereignty or property rights. Certain structures (army, civil government, publishing businesses, search engines, etc.) are highly suited for opportunist abuse of human rights as these structure afford opportunity to achieve monopoly powers, to acquire wealth, and to control everyone and everything but among mankind there are only a few who will take advantage of such structures because to use such structures, institutions and businesses for such purposes involves ignoring all rights of all others.
but what is needed to elevate man kinds rights or nation state rights?
a mechanism capable to force recognize the human rights into position to be superior to civil authority.
No authority, civil or military, should be allowed to infringe on the human rights of anyone, for any purpose.
Humanity s\b authorized, empowered and armed to put down, to incarcerate or to eliminate any and all
government, institution, corporation, person or other entity, that either embodies or allows infringement on
human rights in its purpose or operations, or that allows or finds itself to be lead by authorities that intend to,
or who do, abuse human rights. It is the lack of a human rights court, and a system of human rights
governance that accounts for the abuses some have been able to inflict against mass of humanity without
having to answer for such abuse. .
Any human should be able to bring charges for violations of human rights, and the
human rights court (independent of the laws of nations should be empowered to
investigate, decide and punish such violations.
Example, If someone had charged Hitler, or Churchhill with a violation of human rights,
and the court had jurisdiction, to remove them, there would never have been WWI or WWII.
I believe the Internet is moving toward a human rights authority capable to prevent an
earthly establishment of human rights offenders.
No force exist today is strong enough to assist Julian Assange.. That is the problem.

Posted by: snake | Apr 15 2019 20:41 utc | 94

“We noticed one night when we couldn’t figure out where to go, there was always a village burning in the direction of the gunfire…
We watched the flames as they swallowed up everything… churches and barns one after the other… Even from ten or fifteen miles away you get a good view of a burning village.
A tiny hamlet that you wouldn’t notice during the daytime, with ugly uninteresting country around it, you can’t imagine how impressive it can be when it’s on fire at night, you’d think it was Notre Dame!
A village even a small one takes at least all night to burn, in the end it looks like an enormous flower, then there’s only a bud, and after that nothing… Unfortunately the villages didn’t last… After a month’s time there wasn’t a village left in that neck of the woods. The forests were shelled too. They didn’t last a week. Forests make nice enough fires but they don’t last.”
(excerpt from Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s “Journey to the end of Night”)

Posted by: Mahood | Apr 15 2019 20:48 utc | 95

snake @95–
Aye! But such a court will require coercive powers strong enough to rebuff entities like the Outlaw US Empire whose agents have vowed to destroy any such court of law that gets in their way. Pence just walked into the UNSC Chamber, violated the UN Charter and US Constitution without any retribution, and was allowed to exit freely.
Did you read the statement made by Zakharova [on 12 April, I believe] of Russia’s Foreign Ministry I linked to? Here it is again.
Crooke today reminds:
“On March 14, Russia’s National Security Council, headed by President Putin, officially raised its perception of American intentions toward Russia from ‘military dangers’ (opasnosti) to direct ‘military threats’ (ugrozy). In short, the Kremlin is preparing for war, however defensive its intention.”
I keep returning to the wry smile Assange wore as he was being hauled off. IMO, he knew this would occur, the only unknown being when. The affair’s nearing its climax, and I believe he’s ready to take it on, thus the wry smile. A lot of the world’s braying at Trump and his Outlaw Neocon Gang, something that could only have occurred with Julian’s arrest. The UK will now face the wrath of Brexit and Assange supporters with a government all too ready to fall.

Posted by: karlof1 | Apr 15 2019 21:32 utc | 96

@95 snake / karlof1.. regarding some international court of law… notice how the usa wants to veto the icc and etc. etc… the warmongers are not going to want to be held accountable for their war crimes.. that is what assange issue here highlights as well..
https://www.icc-cpi.int/about
clearly the usa is threatened by such a court, which explains trump shitting on it..
@32 karlof1’s link is confirmation of all of this too, in case folks missing it –
http://thesaker.is/maria-zakharova-discusses-us-policies-towards-venezuela-must-read/

Posted by: james | Apr 15 2019 22:33 utc | 97

@68 circe
How about Tulsi Gabbard?
She seems legit, with excellent foreign policy…
BTW enjoy your posts… very passionate

Posted by: xLemming | Apr 15 2019 22:35 utc | 98

@99xLemming
Thanks. Of course Tulsi Gabbard would be a start and a welcome change, but right now, she’s polling less than 1%. It’s critical that people fund her all the way to the first caucus so she can qualify for all the debates. Her views must become the norm and no longer considered a fringe exception in political discourse. It’s as I wrote, the candidate must be viable to move ahead. I just don’t see how she can overcome such a wide margin. In 2016 she quit her post at the DNC over the contents of the leaks regarding Hillary’s camp and DNC dirty tricks and immediately endorsed Sanders. So, I have to trust her judgment is not worse than mine.

Posted by: Circe | Apr 15 2019 23:30 utc | 99

One more point on Sanders. The gatekeeper media is slamming Sanders every second day and praising Buttigieg comparing his announcement speech to Obama’s announcement speech and plastering his face on the cover of important magazines. Already, this speaks volumes on who is a threat to Zionism and who is not. Buttigieg is the SPOILER. If Buttigieg becomes the Nominee, Trump is a shoe in! A gay political neophyte will NEVER beat Trump, that’s why they’re pushing Buttigieg besides him being Zionist friendly! So that’s yet another reason I’m with Sanders, because the gatekeeper media is against him and don’t want him to win and beat Trump.

Posted by: Circe | Apr 16 2019 1:01 utc | 100

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