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August 19, 2021
Open Thread 2021-63
Comments
Posted by David G Horsman @186
Excellent suggestion DGH.
I believe the ‘Greek guy’ you are referring to is the articulate and competent economist Yanis Varoufakis, previously lecturing economics at an Australian university and briefly high in the new Greek government, until the EU demanded his removal as a precondition for EU ‘aid.’
https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu
I imagine his assistance would infuriate the powers that be and lead to his demonisation or worse.
Posted by: Paul | Aug 20 2021 19:14 utc | 201
@179 vk:
Japan’s gdp growth is linear-upward from 70s thru mid-90s, flat thereafter. Rise till the tigers and China come online. It had no appreciable pause in the 70s, even as the oil fiasco unfolded.
@181 c1ue: you said:
Your recollection is wrong.
Japan ate the Asian tiger’s lunch: Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea. The heyday of the Four Asian Tigers was the late 1970s to mid 1980s. Japan’s heyday was mid 1980s to mid 1990s.”
=======
c1ue, the data doesn’t support your assertion. Just looked at GDP numbers; Japan peaked in 94, while Singapore, Taiwan and SK linear growth from 80s thru 2018/20. Japan’s lunch was eaten, as I said in my orig post to vk. And now, the Tigers and Japan are going to get their lunch eaten by China. China’s GDP went linear-up right after “opening of China” then went parabolic-up from 2005 onward.
Check for yourself, and see, let me know if I didn’t read correctly.
The other points, about Plaza being about more than exchange rates…I agree with that.
Posted by: Tom Pfotzer | Aug 20 2021 19:17 utc | 202
c1ue @ 173 As a software developer I follow his arguments but can’t provide a rebuttal.
Being very solutions oriented I believe this man can and should define a null hypothesis if possible.
Anyone will a liberal education and also working in data science, ie models, has repeatedly stated the limits, reductionism and problems with models.
Your starting point is to question both your assumptions, stated and unstated both.
Here the author shows how to proceed from that mathematically (statistically) and the best tools. Incidentally this is foundational to NN and AI. They exploit a mathematical principle, back propagation.
It was clear that NN (neural networks) has huge potential in climate science.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Aug 20 2021 19:52 utc | 203
“…A Nordic defense union along with economic unity would be a paradise. …”
Posted by: Harald | Aug 20 2021 10:07 utc | 133
You could call it Valhalla or Folkvangr …
Posted by: tucenz | Aug 20 2021 20:13 utc | 204
More sanctions on Russia from the UK & U$A.
The following had promoted a theory of thawing (Yalta II) in the relationship between Russia and the U$A:
Gordog, Grieved, Seer, Cochore, Bemildred, pnyx, Kerwas, c1ue, Stonebird, Frozen, elephant, bluedogg, Roger, Hal Duell, Cunctator, Mar man, Hoyeru, Jen, svaya, Laguerre, m, Bemildred, expat (Alexander Mercouris), Arch Bungle, BM, Virgile, JaimeInTexas, wagelaborer, foolisholdman, Paul, Lozion, الجزائرa, tucenz, … Citizen621 (Dimitri Orlov – “He considered it to be Biden negotiating the terms of surrender..”),
Is this relationship getting friendly?
Posted by: Max | Aug 20 2021 20:22 utc | 205
COVID and the good doctors at flccc.net and ivermectin use with delta variant.
First, a synopsis of Ivm activity:
It Inhibits the replication of many viruses.
It has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
It diminishes viral load and protects against organ damage.
Prevents transmission of Cov-19 when taken pre- or post- exposure.
Hastens recovery and decreases hospitalization and mortality.
It leads to far lower case-fatality rates in regions with widespread us.
So, what’s not to like.
Unfortunately, the delta variant has been kicking the doctors ******. They are treating their patients with the flccc i-mask protocol and are having less success. There appears to be a reason.
The Delta variant is different from the Alpha variant in that it has a modification in the furin cleavage site that makes it much easier for the virus to be transported into cells. As such, the time it takes for the viral load to reach critical levels is four days instead of six (as with the Alpha variant).
This is explained in
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVBD_LZIlZ4
The problems that the flccc doctors are experiencing is that when they see patients with the delta variant, it is usually in the ICUs. At this later stage of illness, Ivermectin is less efficacious.
This illustrates the flccc docs main premise: to defeat covid, intervention must start early. Hence, the use of IVM for prevention as well as treatment.
Please refer to the flccc.net site for further information
Posted by: naiverealist | Aug 20 2021 20:33 utc | 206
Smoothie comments on the Merkel-Putin meeting:
OK, THE Man Is A 80th lvl Troll)))
(Watch the movie …)
Posted by: Bemildred | Aug 20 2021 20:55 utc | 207
“the articulate and competent economist Yanis Varoufakis, previously lecturing economics at an Australian university and briefly high in the new Greek government, until the EU demanded his removal as a precondition for EU ‘aid.’
https://www.yanisvaroufakis.eu
I imagine his assistance would infuriate the powers that be and lead to his demonisation or worse.” – Paul @ 201
Yes thank you Paul. You are right of course but I can’t imagine a bigger middle finger to the EU monstrosity than do it and having Afghanistan become a shining success story. He’s the guy that could help them do it.
He (someone) would have to train the interpreters for six months using a language verification methodology of some sort. Ideally they would be working on the ability to accurately machine translate text.
Of course this would be better applied in science and technology. I hope and assume that Russia and China have efforts in this regard. The technology is certainly out there in open source form.
My own interest in having language compatibility within code and databases. Translation has come a long way but where I think we could crowd source some major progress is in the area of idiom and style. It’s a big deal.
Based on a long career related to this, I can tell you that it is technically possible if a bit difficult. Within cognitive science I think this has implications to language in general. See Chomsky for example.
We don’t just have innate language but a complex system of innate abilities and biases. It is establishes both our amazing potential and limitations.
If you like science fiction. In a way there a thoughts that can kill vulnerable people at a minimum. They don’t drop dead, they suicide, sometimes with help.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Aug 20 2021 21:08 utc | 208
There is no herd immunity.
The “vaccines” don’t provide sterility. The vaccinated can infect the unvaccinated, and vice versa.
The virus will never be contained and eliminated. it is forever.
Get outside, exercise, sunshine, ivermectin.
There is no point in segregating with vax passports. Everyone will be exposed to the virus, regardless.
This is a deliberate attempt by financial elites to slow down the global economy, because there is too much derivative exposure.
We are looking at a desperate attempt to reign in global debt, disguised as a pandemic.
Posted by: Cadence Calls | Aug 20 2021 21:30 utc | 209
China gets a career diplomat this time:
In shift, Biden taps career diplomat, not politician, for ambassador to China
Posted by: Bemildred | Aug 20 2021 22:32 utc | 210
re “Biden taps career diplomat . . .”
His having been a career diplomat is the only good thing one can say about Nicholas Burns.
He would seem to be demonstrably adept at representing military-industrial interests. Yay. No detectable expertise regarding China, but that really would be expecting too much, wouldn’t it?
Posted by: corvo | Aug 20 2021 22:54 utc | 211
Posted by: corvo | Aug 20 2021 22:54 utc | 211
Well, he’s long been a curse on Latin America, but I’d still rather have a pro than a “donor”, and I think the Chinese can handle it.
Posted by: Bemildred | Aug 20 2021 23:00 utc | 212
Below is a quote from a local posting about forced vaccination in Oregon
”
The deadline for both the health and education groups to be vaccinated is Oct. 18, or six weeks after full approval of the Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines.
Brown is also requiring all employees of the state’s executive branch under her control to be vaccinated.
There are health and religious exemptions the state workers can apply for, but the third option, Brown said, “is termination.”
”
I was not aware that the end of August looks like the magic date for Big Pharma to bring home the bacon or somehow are exposed for the financialization cancer they represent. Do other barflies know the details about the approval process and any chances for the truth to come out?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Aug 20 2021 23:28 utc | 213
Oil industry – tales from North and South
South – Off the coast of Tabasco, Zama Oil Field
https://www.worldoil.com/news/2021/7/5/mexico-snubs-talos-energy-names-pemex-sole-operator-of-zama-field
https://www.wsj.com/articles/showdown-in-mexicos-zama-oil-field-11624823865
From the North – Alaska & Norway
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/alaska-ruling-shows-big-oil-s-uphill-battle-in-climate-fears-era-1.1642098
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/norway-s-us-1-4t-wealth-fund-puts-oil-stocks-on-notice-1.1642291
(Maybe Washington/NATO should just let Canada buy those Swedish jets? Just sayin’)
Gloom around oil stocks
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/oil-caps-longest-run-of-losses-since-2019-on-fed-tapering-signal-1.1642198
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Aug 21 2021 0:40 utc | 214
@Posted by: Max | Aug 20 2021 20:22 utc | 205
The war against the challengers to the Anglo-Saxon and colonist settler nations will never cease until the AS’s are thoroughly defeated and forced to accept other’s right to independence and sovereignty. They have seen off Spain, France, then Germany (twice), and then the Soviet-bloc. The new challengers, China-Russia-Iran, may have forced a tactical retreat from overreach but that is all it is. The war will continue until the AS’s are thoroughly beaten or climate change makes who is on top an irrelevant question.
Never trust the AS’s until your boot is on their neck (as said Sun Tzu in my imagination).
Posted by: Roger | Aug 21 2021 1:27 utc | 215
@Tom Pfotzer #202
Try looking at when the term “Four Asian Tigers” arose.
It is clear you either paid no attention to the world when you were younger or else you are young and didn’t actually live through that era.
I did.
Posted by: c1ue | Aug 21 2021 1:43 utc | 216
@David G Horsman #173
What McKitrick presents is not argument – it is basic statistical science as used by econometricians.
Nor is it required for McKitrick to form a null hypothesis.
The point of his paper is that the seminal work underlying the supposed human signature in global warming is based on nothing: shoddy statistical architecture.
Note this has nothing to do with the reliability/accuracy of climate models. That is a different subject entirely.
The reason why this matters is because the models, to a significant degree, are predicated on the basis that there is an objective statistical signature in temperature which can be attributed to humans – and McKitrick has shown that this is utter bullshit.
AT99, the seminal paper diagnosing human attribution to climate change, is based on flawed premises and is nothing more than a hand-waving exercise justifying AGW bias.
Posted by: c1ue | Aug 21 2021 1:50 utc | 217
Paco 184
Germanium media, intelligence services ect are controlled by the US occupation forces. Merkel had to tread a fine line.
All of the so called west – I call it the US west, both media and intelligence are infected with the yank virus or cancer is perhaps a better likeness. Yankistan is like a systemic cancer that has invaded all parts of the body.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 21 2021 1:58 utc | 218
“Triple therapy specialist Professor Thomas Borody has issued a Triple Therapy Protocol (Ivermectin, Zinc and Doxycycline) for COVID-19 to Australian GPs, allowing them to lawfully prescribe the drug to COVID-19 positive patients, or as a potential preventive measure.”
COVID-19 Ivermectin Triple Therapy Protocol
It would be nice to have a list of GP’s willing to accommodate us of the unclean unvaccinated.
Hopefully I will not be ‘unpersoned’ as MOA is now having it’s glasnost moment.
Posted by: ted001 | Aug 21 2021 2:18 utc | 219
Many thanks to the commenter who posted the latest FLCCC update video – I think it was in this thread. I didn’t even know they did update videos, but I just watched it and found it an oasis of sanity with doctors who are treating Covid patients and succeeding.
The ivermectin prophylaxis protocol is now changing. FLCCC now recommends ivermectin twice per week, as an upgrade from their previous protocol of once per week. Alternatives and associated preventives are discussed also. The update video explains why the increase, and the bottom line is that reports from the field make it clear that the Delta variant is much more aggressive, and faster acting, so time is of the essence when dealing with it if you get symptoms.
One note along the way from Peru in the video is that the new P Variant leaves Delta in the dust – this one is really wicked. So we’re in an arms race, and the only good thing is that this all still seems amenable to the treatment and prophylaxis protocols developed by FLCCC.
The updated protocol is here, and the video with Dr. Kory and Dr. Marik, and questions from the public, is here:
FLCCC Weekly Update 8/11/21 — Dr. Pierre Kory & Dr. Paul Marik on the Delta Variant & Protocol Changes
Posted by: Grieved | Aug 21 2021 2:50 utc | 220
Allahu Akbar
[ˌaləho͞o ˈäkˌbär, əˌläho͞o ˈäkˌbär]
EXCLAMATION
a phrase meaning ‘God is most great’, used by Muslims in prayers and as a general declaration of faith or thanksgiving.
(copy and paste).
…………
The so called west uses the word democracy in a similar context. Not sure about Allah in the muslim world, but our equivalent in the western world, democracy, is nothing more than a privatized commodity. Something that is bought and sold but praised as a god.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 21 2021 2:53 utc | 221
c1ue
I flew a gyrocopter for a time and participated in a forum on flying them. There were a few gurus that most took heed of.
One of these clowns was telling newbies to keep their head inside the cockpit and glued to the instruments.
If you ever want advice for suicide, that was it. Its very much seat of the pants flying at low level in those things with instruments only glanced at from time to time as a reference to the wind speed in your face ect.
Instruments are good but must be matched, constantly calibrated to the real world. You seem to keep your eyes glued to the instruments like you are flying in the dark.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Aug 21 2021 3:16 utc | 222
@206 naiverealist
Thank you for the link to Dr. Chris Martenson and his 40-minute summation of where we are in this virus war.
This one video from Martenson is astonishingly useful – the kind of thing you can send to lay people in your circle, which is exactly what I will do.
Martenson is a supreme communicator, able to to translate the nuances of reality into easily absorbed information for any level of expertise. He deals with the medical and the scientific, and doesn’t shy away from the exotic jargon – but you always remain clear on what he’s saying.
I have to take the moment to applaud how well he can communicate. Imagine if he were the spokesperson for a nation – the entire nation would be on the same page. This is a remarkable capability, and I wanted to salute it in passing.
Martenson offers the results of his recent interview with Dr. Kory, and he’s very much up to speed with FLCCC findings and recommendations. But he also pulls in all the latest date from the world at large, including from the ICU, and shows us that Delta is kicking our ass – young and old, vaccinated and even the unvaccinated. All equally at risk and in peril.
~~
Where are we? As FLCCC says, we’re deep in Delta, and it bites. But Martenson suggests that since it’s obvious – and now officially acknowledged in some countries – that the vaccines will not bring herd immunity, herd immunity will come regardless – and may be here in a couple of months!
UNLESS…
Unless a new variant appears. Martenson only makes this a provisional condition in his conclusions, but Dr. Kory in the FLCCC video I posted up-thread says the news from Peru is that just such a bad boy variant already exists and is on its way – mercy!
But see for yourself – 40 minutes of superb State of Play on things viral:
Delta, vaccines and herd immunity – what’s the true story? [Martenson, August 10, 2021]
Posted by: Grieved | Aug 21 2021 5:26 utc | 223
Grieved | Aug 21 2021 5:26 utc | 223
I suggest Martenson’s take on the Delta variant be considered with this presentation by Dr. Ryan Cole, one of the very best spokesman for the science to date
Dr. Ryan Cole #StoptheMandate
8-11-21
31 mmin
also posted: https://americasfrontlinedoctors.org/videos/dr-ryan-cole-stopthemandate/
Posted by: pogohere | Aug 21 2021 8:01 utc | 224
@Paul | Aug 20 2021 19:14 utc | 201
Unfortunately, Varoufakis was all talk and no action. He had no actual plan when the EU said “no”. I liked his talk, but would not recommend him to anyone after that.
Posted by: Norwegian | Aug 21 2021 8:58 utc | 225
@tucenz | Aug 20 2021 20:13 utc | 204
You could call it Valhalla
Valhall is where you go when you die.
Posted by: Norwegian | Aug 21 2021 9:02 utc | 226
Interesting development in the Syrian-Russian-Israeli rodeo.
Israeli jets fired 24 missiles at Syria, endangering two civilian jets, one approaching Beruit, the other Damascus. Only 2 of the missiles made it through the recently upgraded Syrian air defence. Another embarrasement for the west. Old, upgraded Soviet systems with some new kit did that. Imagine what the Russians can do. One S-200 fired at the Israeli jets missed, then went on a scenic tour of Occupied Palestine, untouched by any Israeli air defence system. Hope it took some selfies. Another failure.
Have any barflies confirm what ASB News twitter account says about the following “It was reported in international media that Biden gave Putin “a firm nod” at countering IDF airstrikes in Syria”.
@ASBMilitary
Aug 19
Thread: IDF strikes on Syria
Last month, Syria made the following statement:
“Syria will not hesitate to use its legitimate right to protect and defend the national sovereignty in full accordance with the UN Charter.”
During this time, Syria’s air defences were upgraded by Russia-
It was reported in international media that Biden gave Putin “a firm nod” at countering IDF airstrikes in Syria, with the alleged Russian military source to Arab media -saying Biden doesn’t support Israeli strikes on Syria. Directly after this report, Syrian forces received —
https://sputniknews.com/middleeast/202108201083673473-syrias-russian-made-air-defense-systems-shot-down-22-israeli-missiles-military-says/
https://twitter.com/ASBMilitary
Posted by: Tom | Aug 21 2021 9:33 utc | 227
Bonus for MoA readers.
Sneak peek at Australian society, 4 Corners- AbC retrospective:
https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/4cs_2010sa_1908/13503316
Posted by: Paul | Aug 21 2021 10:51 utc | 228
Posted by: Tom | Aug 21 2021 9:33 utc | 227
I don’t believe anything just because a bunch of people are yammering about it in the media. If the media is hyping it, it is more likely to be biased, a “narrative”, bullshit. I try to notice when someone is hyping something to me as opposed to just saying what THEY think with no particular concern about what I think. If it’s their job, it is not about helping you, they don’t give you anything worth having for free these days. Too many homeless scavengers in the modern hi-tech economy. Too many grasping, dumb, needy rich people.
For example, I don’t believe anything they say about Biden or Trump, they lie all the time, it is not ambiguous. And in particular I don’t believe Biden gave Putin a “firm nod”. Right now Biden and the Pentagon are lying back & forth at each other about the mess in Afghanistan.
Which by the way it is the Pentagon’s job to organize and carry out. That is the “chain of command”. Biden did the right thing to ignore their attempts to keep the old game alive there. Probably the first good thing he has ever done.
Posted by: Bemildred | Aug 21 2021 12:08 utc | 229
snake @ 111
Ivermectin effectively blocks the ACE2 receptors from the spikes. Also blocks, with varying efficiency, all the other sites the spike uses. No link as this has been all over the web and all over the medical literature. Just tried a google search for ‘ivermectin receptor sites’ and got pages, including a few I’d previously read.
Other repurposed drugs do the same.
Many things we simply do not know. Others all you have to do is read. Very hard to discuss any of this with those who just won’t read.
Posted by: oldhippie | Aug 21 2021 15:14 utc | 230
c1ue @174:
Well, I was explaining why the debt has risen. And why they had to let it rise. And why that isn’t a problem in China. Yet. Might be one day. If the rising continues. But it isn’t not now.
I’ve studied Hudson, and he is excellent, but I think you slightly misinterpreted him. The problem isn’t debt in its suchness, that’s just bookkeeping. (‘debit’, the left side in a bookkeeping spreadsheet) Problem is debt that can’t be paid (has to be written off, but just bookkeeping too) and compound interest (which makes debt unpayable in the long run).
Posted by: Jörgen Hassler | Aug 21 2021 16:41 utc | 231
Anyone who needs another laugh (I already had a good one with Grieved’s comment at #101):
Today’s Cardboard Cutout Corporate Heroes – Virgin Births All
IMHO the best bit:
By one measure, Soros is unique among the subjects of this essay since there exists a huge international movement to have him burned at the stake as a witch. Other than this, nothing separates him from the other members of this clan. One need speak to Soros for only a few minutes to realise he hasn’t the knowledge to “bankrupt the Bank of England” or perform the other financial crimes attributed to him.
Posted by: Scotch Bingeington | Aug 21 2021 20:20 utc | 232
More on my posted at #227 on Syrian AD systems by Andrei Martyanov at
https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/
“Syria can be included in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), if it is beneficial for this country and the states of the organization. This was announced by the head of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the RF Ministry of Defense Andrei Kartapolov on the air of the “Moscow speaking” radio station. “Why not? Firstly, the charter is not a dogma, it must respond directly to the situation, if it is beneficial to everyone, both Syria and the CSTO are partners, I do not exclude such a possibility,” Kartapolov said.”
The Syrians aren’t the only one’s smiling at a 92% success rate. Anyone with old Soviet kit will be.
Posted by: Tom | Aug 21 2021 20:51 utc | 233
This Afghan crisis, has not come just very timely to cover the increasing number of hsopitalized vaccinated and the increasing resistance even in places where totalitarian measures are being more harshly impossed?
Australia people breaking the police line…
https://twitter.com/madibooo/status/1429096449111990272
Posted by: Asha K. | Aug 21 2021 23:46 utc | 234
The media talk about the Taliban this, and the women rights that, but in Australia you now need permission of government to travel…
The people really thought that after going to take the two shots they would be left alone…
COVID-19: Strict new travel laws in Australia mean people will need permission to leave the country
Also, in another location where totalitarian measures have been more openly unleashed, advertising already warns the vaccinated will need non-stop boost to 2024, and that failing any shot will lead to the lose of the Covid Pass…
https://twitter.com/EstulinDaniel/status/1429116048792604680/photo/1
Here Justin Trudeau at his best, as NWO punisher…
https://twitter.com/JaymeKnyx/status/1428724189456969728
It is not difficult to imagine that as long as the people swallows, new requirements will follow…
Posted by: Asha K. | Aug 22 2021 0:02 utc | 235
So Moon got a name-check:
Invitation to a Fiasco: U.S. Policy Toward China and Iran
Nice rant too.
All this Chinese razzle dazzle success contrasts most shockingly with the image of corrupt, chaotic and destructive western capitalism. People might even get the idea that other economic systems are, well, superior; that maybe having, as the U.S. does, 500,000 vagabonds, millions of students indentured to the tune of nearly $2 trillion, a vast gulag caging over 2 million people, starvation wages for many, astronomical rents for all, no health care, lousy infant mortality and life expectancy stats compared to the rest of the industrialized world, 15 million people just a paycheck away from homelessness and, a global grasp causing the destitution of billions of people and the trashing of a habitable planet and a livable climate – maybe all this ain’t so great. Maybe there are other, better ways to do things besides the savagery of the American economic system. Maybe exporting that system around the globe, often at gunpoint, is a fiasco.
U.S. politicos and military bigwigs are determined to slam the brakes on this critique before it becomes action. The method of choice, mentioned in informed corners of the internet, involves arming Japan with nukes and then egging Japan, South Korea and India into attacking China. Our geniuses in the pentagon no doubt consider such a nuclear war “containable.” Our intellectual heavyweights in the CIA and state department, as Moon of Alabama has noted, probably salivate at the prospect of the U.S. stepping in after this mass murder and cleaning up financially, while enhancing Washington’s planetary power. Unfortunately for this grandiose scheme, China is already wise to it. Even now it expands its nuclear arsenal and builds new nuclear missile silos – the inevitable response to U.S. hostility and the apparent American appetite for a supposedly limited nuclear war.
Posted by: Bemildred | Aug 22 2021 0:08 utc | 236
@ Bemildred | Aug 22 2021 0:08 utc | 236 with the Strategic Culture quote which includes
”
Maybe there are other, better ways to do things besides the savagery of the American economic system.
”
Just to clarify the context here, America is just one of the barbaric faces of the God of Mammon economic cult. I think the UK can easily be considered another barbaric face of that cult as can Occupied Palestine.
The Western Economic System is not just America and the decisions being made by the God of Mammon cult don’t give a shit about Americans or the British public.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Aug 22 2021 0:47 utc | 237
Grieved and psychohistorian
Appreciate your Covid perspectives and links to Martenson. I watched the 40min vid and was impressed. Lots of concepts explained. He’s a great teacher. I expect his predictions to come true which would give him more cred I hope.
Wife and I (age 70) got the J&J in March, no reactions. We live rural, minimal travel, go to stores 3X per week each. We mask in stores. She’s more pro vaccine than I, we both refuse the Mrna though.
Last Wed our county board of health held a small press conference. We attended because a good friend (pharmacist) heads it. He’s pro vaccine, got covid before the vaxes. Our county is at 50% vaccinated (central Illinois). The red vs blue team crap is getting a bit muddled on the covid issue since the reds are also getting hit and some republican health care providers are now recommending that people get vaccinated. Bottom line, the health board is pushing for more people to get a vaccine but also being careful about how hard they push… we’re nowhere near the Left Coast. However, the vaccine magic bullet theory is filling up the conversation and the many important aspects we need to understand are not being explained: viral load, effective use of masks, herd immunity… which result in very little talk about what we should do: moderate exercise, good– live–food, medicinal herbs and mushrooms, sunshine, lower stress, minimal exposure.
I am going to work on trying to bring in Martenson’s perspective to these locals. I keep reminding my wife that she was mostly anti vax 10 years ago when I was still working in the public schools and getting the flu shot occasionally. She argued then that the flu bugs mutated around the vaccine and so people just got sick with a new strain. “Leaky vaccine” anyone?
Posted by: migueljose | Aug 22 2021 10:26 utc | 238
@ Max 205
I think you are misreading the comments. How is negotiating the terms of surrender friendly?
I would call it an admission of having lost.
@ Grieved 223
I am a member at Peak Prosperity. The videos Martenson does behind the paywall are even better. I recommend that community.
Posted by: Citizen621 | Aug 22 2021 12:08 utc | 239
The Western Economic System is not just America and the decisions being made by the God of Mammon cult don’t give a shit about Americans or the British public.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Aug 22 2021 0:47 utc | 237
Well, I didn’t say that, the article did, and I have never suffered from the illusion that we are exceptional here, or that the government was not crooked, in that regard or any other. Certainly we inherited and “improved” on the Brit’s nasty political culture (which is what I inherited, being WASP on one side and Scots on the other), but we are neither the first or last predatory cultures, we’ve just had it too easy here and not learned our lessons yet. Lots of free stuff for the taking, becomes a habit. Looks like that time is coming. Sad. Maybe, if we get our shit together, it might not be too late for us. Our opponents seem to have better judgement about these things, having learned their lessons the hard way, at least for now.
But your are right, of course.
Posted by: Bemildred | Aug 22 2021 12:44 utc | 240
@234 Asha
That breakthrough was thrilling to watch, like a breakaway score in sport (pick your own). Interesting that Victoria has the rep for being a police state, but Sydney was the one that cracked down on the protests before they could get going.
Posted by: Platero | Aug 22 2021 13:18 utc | 241
@238 migueljose
It sounds like you are north of coal-mining country, but I once read a book, Bloody Williamson, about Williamson county. Very interesting slice of Americana.
Posted by: Platero | Aug 22 2021 13:20 utc | 242
@224 pogohere
I came back to say thank you for the Ryan Cole video. I just now watched it. Possibly the most comprehensive and articulate overview of the immorality of the pressure to become vaccinated, and the damage being caused now and in the future by this madness.
It’s 31 minutes that might just inform an open mind, and encourage those faced with coercion to join this medical experiment. Excellent presentation – I recommend it to all:
Dr. Ryan Cole #StoptheMandate
Many thanks again, pogohere, you always seem to pop in to offer a useful link.
~~
@239 Citizen231 – thanks for the recommendation regarding Peak Prosperity, I’ll pursue it.
Posted by: Grieved | Aug 22 2021 18:57 utc | 243
@ 224 pogohere.. ditto grieved comments to you… i have watched the video.. it is pretty good.. thanks..
Posted by: james | Aug 22 2021 19:16 utc | 244
@243 Grieved, James, pohohere
The “fact checkers” are already hot on his trail
Posted by: Platero | Aug 22 2021 20:24 utc | 245
More on the “fact checkers”:
they ridicule the doctor’s claim to be non-political by exposing the fact that he is registered as a republican.
As to being political, the “fact checkers” are the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation which is always available to dig up dirt on, say, Putin. One of Biden’s top Covid advisors is one of the top executives of this foundation.
Posted by: Platero | Aug 22 2021 20:29 utc | 246
@Tom Pfotzer #202
I’ve visited 3 of the 4 Asian Tigers, periodically, since the 1980s.
I remember in the early 1980s – Taipei traffic was so miserable that it was usually faster to walk, except walking was really dangerous due to the many new drivers.
Yes, GDP numbers in these countries are higher than before. However, their growth has stalled – particular in comparison with other East Asian countries ever since Japan kicked them off the US offshoring gravy train.
Secondly, the gaudy GDP numbers in those 3 cities (Taiwan is basically only somewhat larger than Singapore in livable land) and 1 actual nation conceal tremendous inequality which was far less pronounced in the 1980s than it is today. You can still walk around outside the tourist areas in Singapore and Hong Kong and find extremely poor people. Taiwan has become better but it is the only one of the 4 still receiving major outright US “aid” benefits.
Posted by: c1ue | Aug 25 2021 13:31 utc | 247
@Peter AU1 #222
I have no idea what you are talking about.
Posted by: c1ue | Aug 25 2021 13:32 utc | 248
@Jörgen Hassler #231
Point me out where in the world where interest is not compounded on debt.
Secondly, point out to me how you differentiate “good” debt from “bad” debt.
Yes, it is true that a country which is growing rapidly, can issue a lot of debt because the repayment in real terms is reduced by inflation.
However, it is regulatory action which keeps creditors and banksters in check – nothing else. In the ancient Middle East, they did this via the debt jubilee which Hudson has written about repeatedly.
Where is this equivalent today?
Posted by: c1ue | Aug 25 2021 13:35 utc | 249