Posted by: rjb1.5 | Feb 27 2023 3:05 utc | 107
“There is another happiness: outside there is this band of steel, the narrow duration of the music which traverses our time through and through, rejecting it, tearing at it with its dry little points; there is another time…”
That reminds me of a Bollywood movie I saw many years ago, it had a very sweet song that I’ve been trying to pin down the name of. They’re singing “Sweet time brushing on by and by…”.
Many seek the sweet rhythm that is in tune with oneself and everything.

Posted by: nathan in WA US | Feb 27 2023 3:31 utc | 104

Posted by: Tom_Q_Collins | Feb 27 2023 1:58 utc | 98
I’m sorry for what your church did to you. I once met a lady at a craft show who excitedly told me of her monastery church on an island off the coast of Washington State — that the community considered her their resident atheist. She said it so happily and proudly; it still makes me smile.
There are scholars in the US, maybe only a small number, who are legally proficient, not corrupt, who know the founding documents better than ordinary folk and can work for their true implementation once greed is overcome as it will be in time. The Constitution is a sound document; it just hasn’t got the focus and adherence to it by those who ought to be calming the waves and ordering the ship of state correctly. As some might say, it’s not rocket science. Some things do need to be changed but the foundation is there. I’d start with ‘money is not speech’ and ‘corporations are not persons’…
And for once I can say :– Putin did it! Xi did it They are not gods, far from it. In this country there will be honest men and women who wait for their moment in the sun; it will come.
The way up is the way down

Posted by: juliania | Feb 27 2023 3:58 utc | 106

@Jen | Feb 27 2023 2:31 utc | 103
Weaver and the siege of Ruby Ridge occurred in late August of 1992, during the last year of George Bush Sr.’s administration. The Waco siege occurred the following late winter/early spring of 1993, during the Clinton administration’s inaugural year.

Posted by: majoab | Feb 27 2023 4:20 utc | 108

ZH has a posting up with the title
“We’re Dying Slowly”: East Palestine Residents Report Bizarre Health Issues After Toxic Train Derailment
The quote

According to Harvard-trained toxicologist, Stephen Lester, the hot zone at East Palestine is one of the ‘most concerning’ he’s ever seen – and warned that the chemical dioxin that was released during the controlled burn will be embedded in the soil and water.
“Until the government takes this seriously there are going to be real problems,” said Lester. “It’s criminal that the EPA didn’t come forward with information about dioxin and start testing for it.”

The shit show continues until it doesn’t…..how many more have to die before we get there?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 27 2023 5:26 utc | 110

Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Feb 27 2023 5:59 utc | 122
Well I have yet to covet my neighbour’s ass.

Posted by: Walt | Feb 27 2023 6:04 utc | 112

@rjb1.5 | Feb 27 2023 0:47 utc | 75

like i said, spokesperson for the ruling class and its values.

Go on, just repeat your untruths until your credibility is no more.

Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 27 2023 6:43 utc | 114

“But it takes a whole book to explain all that, and this is the book. It truly is, in my view, the masterpiece
that it has been called. I recommend it unreservedly, and I hope I can say more about it later on.”
Posted by: Grieved | Feb 27 2023 0:45 utc | 74
I agree Grieved, and thanks. Many say you can open the Bible anywhere and find something useful. Well, that is true for this book. It’s available FREE at the Internet Archive. Unfortunately that T of C does not have page numbers so you’ll have to find your way using the slide bar. But just scanning the T of C will likely be enough to capture you, so be careful if you have other responsibilites. Here’s the link at I.A. : Turtles
If that’s not enough to keep you off the streets then check out the exhaustive references @Turtles References
I like that it’s not about Covid. As Grieved said, “It’s standard playbook and business as usual.”

Posted by: waynorinorway | Feb 27 2023 9:58 utc | 116

Posted by: Norwegian | Feb 27 2023 7:11 utc | 127
“Ok, so here we have yet another poster claiming to be a mind reader. What is it that you have “observed” I have been thinking? ”
No one has said they can observe what you are thinking. What anyone can observe is what you have said. Then when someone succinctly summarizes your statements as supporting the interests of the ruling class the best you can do in response is to hide behind your “you can’t read my mind” bullshit. That is pretty good clue that you are attempting to avert any discussion that delves into how your opinions align with what the ruling class wants the sheeple to believe.
Let’s examine your claim that the pandemic is fake. Do you want us to believe the ruling class deliberately made 50 million US workers stay at home for many months and they spent something like 1.2 trillion dollars so that they suffered no lost income while doing no work? So how about you use your mind reading skills and tell us what TPTB motives were when they decided to create a hoax that would give so many people longest paid vacation of their lives?
I guess the ruling class was also wanting the permanent drop in the US Labor Participation Rate when they created this hoax. And did they plan to undermine the authority of govts by having them respond to covid with the deer-in-the-headlights look?
As for assigning motives for you saying what you have said, why should anyone besides you even care what your motives are? Its easy to explain how your statements align with what the ruling class wants the public to believe. The ruling class has a huge vested interest in getting us to believe that there is nothing to see WRT to the pandemic. Just move along, get back to work and pretend nothings happening.

Posted by: jinn | Feb 27 2023 15:50 utc | 118

@ Norwegian | Feb 27 2023 6:43 utc | 126 / 127
norwegian.. i like you and i like where you are coming from most of the time.. i recommend you ignore people more often, lol… i know it is hard, and i am not very good at it myself… but one can always try… cheers james

Posted by: james | Feb 27 2023 16:56 utc | 120

Sunday, TASS interviewed ” the Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mikhail Bogdanov” who’s been very busy lately, including today with his meetings with Egypt’s Russian-based diplomats. Some of this activity’s related to the upcoming Russia/Africa Summit, and some is related to possible BRICS/SCO membership for African nations. Here’s the transcript:

Question: The United States and THE EU countries, primarily France, have recently been constantly announcing Russia’s alleged increased activity in Africa and threatening to do everything to weaken Russia’s influence on the continent. Are there any fears that the West will soon stage armed clashes, for example, in the CAR, Mali or other countries, with the aim of overthrowing the current governments there, will this hit Russian interests?
A: Given the behavior of Washington and the so-called “collective West” towards sovereign states, the danger of Western states inciting various armed groups to overthrow the current authorities is very high. Paris, for example, has long been doing everything possible to eliminate the transitional government of Mali, which it does not like. On May 16, 2022, the Malian government issued a statement about the attempted coup d’état on the night of May 11-12 by a mid-level military group “with the support of one of the Western states” (read France). Various dirty methods and means are used for anti-Russian propaganda, ranging from unfounded accusations of the Armed Forces of Mali and Russian instructors of violating international humanitarian law and human rights, to violations of The airspace of Mali in order to collect information by spy drones for further transfer of intelligence to armed gangs in order to destabilize the situation in the country.
As for the Central African Republic (CAR), Paris, losing its political influence there, is curtailing its presence and suspending programs to provide it with financial and economic assistance. The French block the import of various types of fuel into the CAR, which negatively affects the socio-economic situation of this country.
There are numerous reports that illegal armed groups operating in the CAR rely, among other things, on organizational and financial support from former colonial masters, and recently, in the area of the border with Sudan, Europeans were first seen among the militants, who, according to the CAR, may be Western instructors or mercenaries. We believe that such actions against sovereign States are unacceptable.
Question: Earlier, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that an agreement in principle had been reached to connect Iran to the Russia-Turkey-Syria trilateral format, designed to normalise relations between Ankara and Damascus. What meetings and at what level are being worked out now within the framework of the relevant format? In what terms can they pass? How does Moscow assess the prospects of this format?
A: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, during a recent joint news conference in Moscow with his Egyptian counterpart Sergey Shoukry, expressed our support for Iran’s participation in promoting the normalisation of interstate relations between Syria and Turkey. This would make it possible to take advantage of the potential accumulated within the framework of the Astana process, which has proved its effectiveness. The agenda now includes the organization of a meeting of foreign ministers in a quadripartite format. Its modalities and timing are being worked out.
We believe that if our common efforts are successful, it will be possible not only to avoid a large-scale Turkish military operation in northern Syria, but also to create additional opportunities to ensure a comprehensive settlement in that country, including correcting the humanitarian and economic situation.
Question: Does Russia have any information that the United States is trying to put pressure on African states to participate in the Russia-Africa summit? How many countries have already confirmed their participation, and at what level?
A: Indeed, the United States and its allies are waging an unprecedented campaign to isolate Russia politically and economically, including disrupting the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg in July. Since the beginning of the Special Military Operation, the “collective West” has significantly increased pressure on African countries – through threats of sanctions, cessation of financial and humanitarian assistance. Americans on a daily basis fabricate accusations against us “of the coming famine”, the increase in prices for fuel, grain and fertilizers and, as a result, the aggravation of socio-economic problems on the continent.
However, in the traditions of Russian diplomacy, which has a long history, it is necessary to take into account all possible external factors, promote its own agenda, and put the state interests of Russia and its friends at the forefront. And we do not intend to deviate from this course.
Our country resolutely defends the principle of free choice of the path of development of sovereign countries, which is the key idea of the upcoming second Russia-Africa summit. Currently, preparations for the event are in full swing, and its agenda is being worked out together with Africans. We receive confirmation of participation in the upcoming summit from the leaders of the states of the continent, and this is a signal to us of the principled support from a significant bloc of countries, despite the enormous pressure of the West.
Question: Sergey Lavrov said that Russia is now accumulating the proposals and initiatives of its African partners that came to the Russia-Africa summit. How active have they been in putting forward these initiatives? Are there any among them that will help bring Russia’s partnership with the African continent to a new level following the summit?
A: One of the main tasks of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visits to a number of African countries in January-February this year was to receive first-hand proposals from our friends for the summit. All of them, of course, are carefully taken into account and analyzed. In addition, there is a constant dialogue with the African diplomatic corps in Moscow. The fundamental difference between our approach and westerners is that it is unacceptable for us to achieve any goals to the detriment of the legitimate interests of the partner. The upcoming summit in St. Petersburg is a common “brainchild” of Russia and Africa, and therefore work on the content of the upcoming summit is being carried out jointly.
In general, the numerous proposals of African States correspond to our conceptual vision of the future forum. Priority is given to the transfer of technology and expertise, the development of industry and critical infrastructure on the continent. In particular, Russia’s participation in industrialization, digitalization, energy, agriculture, and mining projects in Africa is being discussed. The most important issue on the agenda of the summit will be the problem of ensuring food and energy security. These topics are designed to give a powerful impetus to Russian-African mutually beneficial and equal cooperation.
I would like to single out one of the main areas of our partnership – the training of national personnel. A number of African countries are in favor of increasing scholarships for their citizens to study at Russian universities in priority specialties, implementing joint initiatives in the fields of education and science. In this regard, I would like to note the appeal of the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Russia Ivan Vangu Ngimbi, who, on behalf of his government and with the support of the entire African diplomatic corps, called for the speedy return of the RUDN University named after Patrice Lumumba, which would become a symbol of close educational and scientific ties between our countries. I believe that a positive solution to this issue will serve as an important signal for our partners that Russia is returning to Africa, and Africa is returning to Russia.
Question: Does Moscow intend to increase arms supplies to African countries this year, and have new agreements been concluded? Has the volume of supplies decreased against the background of the special operation carried out by Russia?
A: I can only confirm that work is certainly underway with African countries in the military-technical sphere. Russia is ready to cooperate with all our African friends who are interested in strengthening their national armed forces and law enforcement forces and increasing their combat capability, including in order to effectively combat the terrorist threat that has worsened over the past decade as a result of the well-known destructive events of the Arab Spring in North Africa.
Question: After Sergey Lavrov’s African tours, representatives of a number of Western countries, as well as China and Turkey, came to the continent. Why has the attention of Africans become so dear to the world? Can we say that this is such a struggle for Africa? Do we win in it? Who is China for Russia in Africa: a partner, a competitor?
A: Unfortunately, this is not about attention, but about desperate attempts by the “collective West” to preserve its neocolonial empire, which for many years allowed to ignore the sovereignty of African, and not only, countries and continue to plunder their populations. Today, especially after the roads of Russia and the West diverged through no fault of our own, Western countries are faced with an urgent need to replenish the lost volumes of vital resources to maintain their industry and develop the economy and, preferably, at minimal cost. Their goal now is to solve, one might say, existential issues. This can be seen in the tools they use, mostly “unsportsmanlike”: “laws” on restricting Russia’s activities in Africa, sanctions, stop lists, threats, blackmail.
The policy of Russia, as well as china, Africa’s time-tested partners, is pragmatic and naturally based on a balance of national interests. We build equal relations and respect the sovereignty of foreign states and their inalienable right to determine their own domestic and foreign policy. At the same time, healthy, fair competition never gets in the way. This is the main difference between Russia’s fundamental approaches and the former Western metropolises.
Economically, we have a lot to offer our African friends. In addition to the traditional spheres of interaction since the days of the USSR, which are geological exploration, oil, gas and chemical industries, mining, agriculture, fishing, recently there has been a movement towards high technologies. Domestic assembly enterprises are being opened in some African countries, and cooperation is developing positively in the space sphere, ICT and the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.
Who in his approaches stands on the right side of history, will show not so distant time.
Question: Earlier, Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentyev said that the summit of Russia, Iran and Turkey in the Astana format could be held in mid-2023 in Sochi. Is a meeting at the level of foreign ministers being worked out on the eve of this event? Under the current conditions, how is our economic cooperation with Damascus developing in syria? Which Russian companies are involved in syria’s early reconstruction projects? Does Russian business remain interested in such work, given the difficult situation against the backdrop of sanctions against Moscow?
A: The meeting of heads of state is always preceded by serious preparation and thorough work. As a rule, consultations of the heads of foreign ministries are held. I think that the next summit of the Astana Troika will not be an exception.
Russian-Syrian economic cooperation during the years of crisis in the SAR did not stop for a day. These issues are under the jurisdiction of the Permanent Russian-Syrian Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Its Russian part is currently headed by the Minister of Construction and Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation I.E. Faizullin, the Syrian part – by the Minister for Presidential Affairs of the SAR M.Azzam. The next meeting of the IPC is being prepared.
In the context of the total restrictions imposed against Damascus by the “collective West”, our cooperation with Syria has been and remains the most important factor in the viability of the Syrian economy. As part of efforts to develop bilateral cooperation, Russian companies are implementing projects in the industrial, energy and oil and gas industries, in the field of mining, reconstruction and modernization of transport, logistics and communal infrastructure.
After the introduction by the “collective West” of tough sanctions against the Russian Federation in the context of their anti-Russian activity, the interest of Russian business in working with Syrian partners not only remains, but also increases. If earlier one of our businessmen could experience hesitation for fear of falling under Western restrictions, in particular, the action of the notorious American “Caesar Act”, which provides for punishment for all who will cooperate with the Government of the SAR, now that the whole of Russia has been “punished”, these fears are irrelevant.
As for the “early recovery” you mentioned, that’s not our term. It is used, first of all, by the UN as a palliative, allowing them to justify at least some actions to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Syria in conditions when Western donors categorically refuse to allocate funds for the full-fledged post-conflict reconstruction of this country and prohibit their companies from participating in it.
Question: What are the prospects for a Palestinian-Israeli settlement in conditions when the Middle East Quartet of international mediators has not been working for a long time?
A: Regardless of whether the Quartet is working or not, Russian diplomacy continues to vigorously contribute to the preparation of conditions for the resumption of the Process of Palestinian-Israeli Political Settlement. The activities of the Quartet have not been frozen on our initiative. Under various far-fetched pretexts, it is blocked by the United States and the European Union, which seek to divert the focus of the world community’s attention from the Middle East and other regional crises. We believe that such an approach is unacceptable, as it only exacerbates problems. Recent events in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, have once again clearly demonstrated this.
Despite the tense international situation, Russia retains its main asset – friendly and constructive relations with Palestine and Israel, as well as with all the states of the region, with which we maintain a regular dialogue on a wide range of issues, including the Palestinian-Israeli settlement. The countries of the Middle East and North Africa trust our foreign policy course and firmly know that Russia consistently adheres to its principled approaches to regional issues based on a universally recognized legal platform, primarily on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
As for the “quartet” consisting of Russia, the United States, the EU and the UN, we have repeatedly voiced our position on this matter. Even in the current geopolitical conditions, we call for the resumption of the work of this unique mechanism of diplomatic support for the Middle East settlement. We are convinced that obstructing the activities of the Quartet has a direct negative impact on the situation on the ground and plays into the hands of the forces interested in fomenting a new full-scale Palestinian-Israeli confrontation by force. Nor are the US attempts to undermine collective interaction and monopolize the role of the “mediator” to the detriment. The Americans’ track record in this regard is widely known: U.S. one-man mediation between Palestinians and Israelis has invariably led to another bloody surge in violence.
Question: As Oil Minister of the Libyan Government of National Unity Mike Oun said earlier, Tripoli invites Russian oil companies to return to negotiations with the National Oil Corporation of Libya. Were consultations under way in that regard? Is there any interest on the part of Russian business?
A: Libyan officials have repeatedly raised the issue of resuming the activities of Russian companies in Libya during their contacts with us. Russian-Libyan cooperation has a rich, decades-old experience. Before the events of 2011, many Russian economic operators worked in this country. Among the largest projects, I will name the contracts of Gazprom Neft PJSC and TATNEFT PJSC for the development of hydrocarbon fields.
Unfortunately, after the aggression of the NATO bloc in Libya, almost all foreign companies, including Russian ones, were forced to curtail their activities, and their personnel – to leave the country. Nevertheless, Russian organizations remain interested in returning to the Libyan market. In turn, we intend to encourage such an attitude of our economic operators as the military-political situation in the country improves and the appropriate conditions are created there to ensure the safety of Russian specialists.
We will also be ready to join the post-conflict reconstruction and development of Libya’s basic economic infrastructure through the implementation of major joint projects, and not only in the energy sector.
We plan to resume the work of the Russian Embassy in Tripoli in the near future. Moreover, the plans include the opening of our Consulate General in Benghazi. We hope that the restoration of our diplomatic presence in Libya will contribute to the promotion of Russian economic interests in that country.

Posted by: karlof1 | Feb 27 2023 17:57 utc | 122

for anyone who likes reading, or writing – you might all enjoy this… it is very insightful..
The 4 Types of College Papers for English Majors

Posted by: james | Feb 27 2023 19:38 utc | 124

karlof1 #70
from the report you cite:

There could be worse. ‘Yes’, indeed, the US ruling class are terrified that their collective mishandling of the Ukraine issue and relations with President Xi just might have brought about their worst nightmare: Russia and China moving toward a mutual defence pact.

The US ruling class in appointing Biden/Harris kleptocrats got exactly as was described on the label. It was not Biden/Harris that delivered their dashed expectations, it was Russia. Plus any expectations the same US ruling class had of China was immediately dashed by China.
Given the US ruling class lacks acumen, then their next move will be to appoint Trump and (in their febrile brain) that way defeat China because Trump hates China. It is the thinking of simpletons and usually simpletons have short lives.
Meanwhile there is no emerging leader in the democrats even if Biden AND Harris stepped aside and lots of presentable stupids in the Republicans. All the US ruling class wants is a tool to cap Russia and squash China – its that simple(ton). I am sure they will find what they seek.
I am not sure the people of the USA are able to ‘vote’ any other way in sufficient number to redirect the game.
Thank you for that link and your thoughts.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Feb 27 2023 22:10 utc | 126

@128 waynorinorway | Feb 27 2023 9:58 utc
Thank you for that link. I didn’t know it was available online.
If anyone is curious to explore Turtles All The Way Down here’s a simple way to do it. The last chapter summarizes all the points made in the preceding 10 chapters, and proceeds from there to the conclusion. It’s an extremely well written book, easy to read and easy to follow because the logic is so rigorous.
So you could go straight to Chapter 11 on page 520 from the archive link, and read everything there. Then decide if you want to go back anywhere and fill in the collateral. It struck me as I was finishing the book yesterday that Chapter 11 is something I wish they’d put online the way they put Chapter 1 online, because it is so persuasive in its own right, and seems to me so evidently clear, even without its supporting materials.
~~
This book is the reference for understanding how vaccines work in the west. It’s not “anti-vax” as such, it simply reveals how the corporate profit motive took what was a good idea – vaccination – and built a rigged system from the very beginning, so that safety was dismissed, testing and trials were designed to mislead and cover up the facts, and all the usual obfuscations you could expect from a mafia operation.
And the doctors and scientists at the field level have no idea how rigged the vaccine industry is, while the people at the top have total clarity on this point, and work diligently to keep the narrative unchallenged.
The children, the infants, the very most vulnerable of all, are the ones who pay the price. And mothers are the ones who have to take up the fight, since practically no one at the professional level can be found to help.
If you have the money you could buy the book, too. It’s a good gift to anyone willing to learn.

Posted by: Grieved | Feb 28 2023 1:41 utc | 128

Reuters has a posting up currently with the title
Hong Kong to scrap COVID mask mandate from March 1
How come it is that in the US all the health care workers and places still require masks?
Might the health care industry be afraid of what might happen if they stop the mandate?
Look at what happened in China when they opened up to Covid….pretty much back to normal from what I read….do their medical systems still require masks everywhere?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 28 2023 3:26 utc | 130

Below is a Xinhuanet posting that should be read by all Americans, IMO

BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) — With the first hearing of the U.S. House committee on China around the corner, the panel members, as committee Chairman Mike Gallagher has said, “are really enthusiastic right now.”
The U.S. lawmakers do have reasons to be ecstatic. Bogged in a bitter wrangle over pressing domestic issues, they have finally found easy prey to unhesitatingly pounce on.
As revealed by U.S. media, the witness list of the upcoming hearing includes security officials from the administration of former U.S. President Donald Trump, some “human rights activists” and representatives from U.S. manufacturers. It is predictable that the gathering will trot out the old cliches against China in such areas as security, human rights protection and its fast development.
By orchestrating this anti-China show, the two parties run further into turning the fallacy that China poses a threat to America into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Whatever China does will be interpreted by those politicians as aggression, reinforcing their misperception on China. Finally, a vicious circle will lead to a catastrophe on the world’s most important bilateral ties.
In fact, as opposed to the narratives by Washington’s China-bashers, the Chinese have always been a peace-loving people and staunch advocate of harmony and coexistence. Since its founding in 1949, the People’s Republic of China has never started a war, never occupied one inch of foreign land, never engaged in proxy wars and never participated in or organized any military bloc. It remains the only country in the world that has enshrined a path of peaceful development in its constitution.
Meanwhile, China is a major troop contributor and the second-largest financial contributor to UN peacekeeping operations, and has set up an 8,000-strong peacekeeping standby force. Last year, China proposed the Global Security Initiative, offering solutions to pressing security issues.
On human rights protection, regarding the rights to subsistence and development as primary basic human rights, China has over the past decades made unprecedented progress in its human rights cause. It has eliminated absolute poverty, best protected people’s lives and health during the pandemic, established the world’s largest social security and healthcare system, and advanced whole-process people’s democracy.
For the whole world, including the United States, China’s development presents an opportunity, not a challenge. China’s development is to deliver better lives to the Chinese people, not to target anyone, still less replace anyone.
In China’s view, development holds the key to solving many of the world’s daunting problems. That is why it has pushed forward the Belt and Road cooperation and proposed the Global Development Initiative to expand global consensus on building a better world for all.
According to a World Bank forecast, if all Belt and Road transport infrastructure projects are carried out, the initiative would generate 1.6 trillion U.S. dollars of global revenues annually to 2030. Up to 90 percent of the revenues would go to partner countries.
Since its inception, the U.S. House committee on China has been boasted by politicians on both sides of the aisle as a symbol of bipartisan solidarity. But trumping up a common threat will not help cover up the two parties’ inability to overcome their fundamental divergence to solve the problems facing Americans. The drama over the U.S. House speakership, which ended with Kevin McCarthy’s winning after 15 rounds of voting, is clear testimony to how extremely polarized U.S. politics are.
More ironically, McCarthy, who had pleaded for bipartisan unity when introducing his idea on establishing the China committee, was recently reported to hand over a massive trove of internal government materials on the Capitol riot to a friendly media outlet of his party, triggering a new round of battle between Democrats and Republicans.
What the two parties are debating in Congress has nothing to do with the real interests of the American people, who are increasingly upset with Washington’s elite circles. Such issues as rampant gun violence, extensive racial discrimination, widening wealth gap, abortion rights, and soaring inflation remain far from being unsettled.
By joining hands to establish the China committee, organize some hearings and foment fear about China’s development, the so-called public servants are making believe that they are performing their duties.
For ordinary Americans, it must be disappointing.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Feb 28 2023 6:01 utc | 132

@ james | Feb 27 2023 19:38 utc | 137
A brilliant rollicking witty diversion. Truth. Thank you kindly. The Beowoulf & ‘Masters of the Old Switcheroo’ repartee were uproarious. Highly recommended.

Posted by: Outraged | Feb 28 2023 7:47 utc | 134

“…I am not sure the people of the USA are able to ‘vote’ any other way in sufficient number to redirect the game…” uncle tungsten@139
It’s an interesting question. Many here would agree with you. Those who believe that the US is run by an oligarchy are not wrong, but they misunderstand what it is that makes it an easy country for oligarchs to take control of.
The Constitution is a real problem- it was designed to prevent democracy and has largely worked. Electing a President is important but it is only a beginning. Suppose a mass movement elected a radical candidate a Kucinich type, as President. There would be very little he could do without coordinating with the leaders of the House, so the Election campaign would have to begin with primaries making sure that the right candidates were running for the President’s party, then the election would have to be mass social movement producing a landslide nationally and locally.
None of which is impossible though it would involve a gargantuan effort- almost a revolution (which it would need to be given the power of the vested interests).
Talking of which, the next problem would be the Senate- only one third of whose members would have been elected in the “landslide” year. We all know how easy it is for the Senate to be used to block radical ideas. And then, there is the important factor of the Senate’s undemocratic nature.
Which is a coin with two sides: we all know that Montana or Alaska with small populations elect as many members to the Senate as the tens of millions in California and New York state. There is a tendency to forget that one of the underlying problems of US democracy, exemplified in the Senate elections, is the enormous number of constituents that members of Congress have- so many that it is impossible for there to be any real individual influence on the members. To get rid of a Senator from California is a massive political undertaking, unless the campaign is financed by the ruling class it is almost impossible.
And that really brings up the real question. It would be perfectly possible for a popular party to win elections in the United States and elect a radical government but to do so would involve a broad based political party which would neutralise the financial power of the ruling class, the oligarchs’ base, by creating a culture of its own, its own media (Humanite; Daily Worker etc) and its own organisation. The oligarchs “bring out the vote” by their control of the media, the influence of the “academy” and the vast amount of advertising on every medium that they can buy. So much for the “few”. The real advantage that they have is not money or even intellectual inertia but the fact that they are broadly in agreement as to what they want- the disagreements between Democrats and Republicans do not extend to the real questions. Their mutual agreement, their bi-partisan positions, is based on their subscription to the ideology of capitalism. That is what unites them.
As to the ‘many” as represented, for example, by the positions of the posters of these comments, we are all over the place. In fact there are probably more people who believe in the capitalist ideology than there are critics of the system.
They see the problems, which are systemic functions of capitalist class rule, as being caused by other factors- not capitalism but control over capitalism by wealthy families, members of one religion or another, the graduates of elite institutions, followers of satan, evil minded individuals the list is long, if not endless.
And what it signifies is an inability of those who reject rule by an oligarchy to agree on what it is that motivates and organises that oligarchy.
Which suits the oligarchy just fine. Members of the Rockefeller family, for example, might not enjoy being blamed for humanity’s ills but they take consolation in the fact that their wealth, privileges and social position are guaranteed so long as there is no mass opposition to the system that they helped shape and from which they derive their power. No doubt the Rothschilds feel the same.
There is no need for opponents of the duopoly, the oligarchy to agree on everything-it would be terrible if they did- but it is essential that they agree as to who the oligarchs are, what their power is founded on and what alternative socio-economic arrangements it is desirable to put in the place of capitalist class rule. Once that is done building a movement powerful enough to elect large majorities in Congress, a sensible and humane President ready to lead the business of winding up the empire, eradicating the Military Industrial Congress, putting the Pentagon to better use and reforming the Supreme Court which has always been the backstop of privilege, property and reaction.

Posted by: bevin | Feb 28 2023 16:25 utc | 136

victoria nuland quote
“However, she proceeded to admit that “on the fringes of both parties, folks are starting to question, but fundamentally, when you look at how this issue is polling around the country, Americans hate a bully.”
americans hate a bully?? really? there must be a lot of self hate going on with americans, lol…

Posted by: james | Feb 28 2023 16:30 utc | 138

americans hate a bully?? really? there must be a lot of self hate going on with americans, lol…
Posted by: james | Feb 28 2023 16:30 utc | 154
Come, come, Ms Nuland has good reason to know most people hate bullies. Even here, most people are not bullies.
Ms Nuland seems cut from the same cloth as Jake and Ned, but not as quick. I imagine having the Russian economy not collapse really triggered her.

Posted by: Bemildred | Feb 28 2023 16:59 utc | 140

as an outsider and a canuck, it is hard for me to see usa foreign policy in any other light then it being a 24-7 full time bully around the globe for most of my life… and yet, i know the usa is capable and has done good as well… but maybe i became jaded from the vietnam war which never made sense to me.. i was born around the time of mcchartyism, but never lived thru it.. i feel like i am living thru it now though and that is not just for the usa, but for canada too.. it seems we have all gotten a lot more stupid, or the media has played a key role in dumbing people down… anyway – you get my drift hopefully..

Posted by: james | Feb 28 2023 17:07 utc | 142

Posted by: Bemildred | Feb 28 2023 16:59 utc | 157
Do you really think “Jake” and effing “ned” are quick…could of surprised me cause they seem pure stupid to me and pompous twits on top of that. Eff em.
Posted by: Buffalo_Ken | Feb 28 2023 18:05 utc | 163
While I appreciate your question, in my view quick is not the same thing as smart. They are quick and practiced liars, unlike Nuland these days, but it is still a stupid plan they are trying to implement. (And yes they are sometimes used as synonyms.)

Posted by: Bemildred | Feb 28 2023 20:03 utc | 144

https://t.me/s/GeromanAT: “Twitter suspended my account LOL” (https://twitter.com/GeromanAT)
Then there are:
https://twitter.com/bidetmarxman
https://twitter.com/AlphaWarNews
https://twitter.com/Vick_top55
https://twitter.com/PelmeniPusha
and many many other cancelling’s
Caitoz Apr 26, 2022: “Believing Elon Musk is going to save Twitter is as naive as believing Joe Biden was going to save America. Billionaires Only Come To The Rescue In Movies And Comic Books. You’re as likely to be saved by Elon Musk as you are by Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark.” (https://twitter.com/caitoz/status/1518757619414224896?lang=en)
At the time I was 99% on board with her but 1% hoped there might be some chance. It would be gratifying if Russia would take out the whole SpaceX constellation. At least it would save many lives.

Posted by: xor | Feb 28 2023 21:35 utc | 146

US Spy Plane has CNN Dumbf*ck along for a ride in Taiwan Straits. Those evil Chinese ask them to GTFO as it goes over a Chinese warship.
https://twitter.com/CarlZha/status/1630342126587482113?

Posted by: daffyDuct | Mar 1 2023 0:51 utc | 148

Read this: https://wallstreetonparade.com/2023/02/goldman-sachs-is-being-sued-for-27-separate-stock-offerings-it-underwrote/

After reading the Wall Street investment bank’s annual report, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission last Friday, the word “strange” doesn’t seem to do justice to the situation. Goldman Sachs is looking more like a litigation warehouse these days than an investment bank.
According to Goldman’s annual report, it is being investigated for pretty much everything it does to make money: derivatives, currencies, mortgages, financial advisory, securities lending, dark pools, investment management, commodities, U.S. Treasuries, corporate bonds, credit cards, hiring and compensation practices, research practices, compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, transactions involving government-related financings – and on and on.
Things are so bad that it concedes in this annual report that it may have under-reserved for its legal costs by $2.3 billion. That’s a pretty big number to fail to anticipate – especially when your Chairman and CEO, David Solomon, has a side hustle as a DJ at tiki bars.
Particularly unnerving is the revelation that Goldman Sachs is being sued for its work as one of the underwriters of 27 separate share offerings, many of which have declined dramatically in share price. (The lawsuits actually total 28 but we have not included the lawsuit involving Waterdrop Inc. as Goldman Sachs reports it was dismissed by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on February 3.)
The lawsuits involve the following stocks, listed in the order that they appear in the Goldman Sachs annual report. We have added ticker symbols in parenthesis following the company name:
Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER); GoHealth, Inc. (GOCO); Array Technologies, Inc. (ARRY); ContextLogic Inc. (WISH); DiDi Global Inc. (DIDIY); Vroom Inc. (VRM); Zymergen Inc. (acquired by Ginkgo Bioworks); Sea Limited (SE); Rivian Automotive Inc. (RIVN); Natera Inc. (NTRA); Robinhood Markets, Inc. (HOOD); ON24, Inc. (ONTF); Riskified Ltd. (RSKD); Oscar Health, Inc. (OSCR); Oak Street Health, Inc. (OSH); Reata Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RETA); Bright Health Group, Inc. (BHG); 17 Education & Technology Group, Inc. (YQ); LifeStance Health Group, Inc. (LFST); MINISO Group Holding Limited (MNSO); Coupang, Inc. (CPNG); Yatsen Holding Ltd. (YSG); Rent the Runway, Inc. (RENT); Opendoor Technologies Inc. (OPEN); FIGS, Inc. (FIGS); Silvergate Capital Corporation (SI); Centessa Pharmaceuticals plc (CNTA).
Five of these companies’ share prices have declined by 75 percent to 90 percent over the past year. (See chart below.)

Then watch this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogH0wRD0Vkw

Richard Wolff on the decline of the US empire and the denial of the US

Consider USA capitalism as a last ditch effort to rob people blind.

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Mar 1 2023 4:48 utc | 150

We all are pretty “full” with the events revolving around outbroken Russia/Ukraine and brewing America/China conflicts…
And they are a lot.
But perhaps barfleis and B could also spend some of our attention span to Peru?
This last month in Peru is something not quite usual.
Example: https://hippy-end.livejournal.com/5399984.html

Posted by: Arioch | Mar 1 2023 15:16 utc | 152

Posted by: uncle tungsten | Mar 1 2023 4:48 utc | 172
Also thanks, uncle tungsten, for this post. It records what needs to happen and will to those elements of banking which deserve to be eradicated. They were not present when I took out my home mortgage with a local bank, then saw it shifted from one larger to another larger to finally end up at one of the largest. All those ‘investors’ had to increasingly get a cut of the pie when derivative casinos took off. It doesn’t take a member of ‘mensa’ (I am dating myself) to see that is corruption writ large.
Thank you, Bill Black. You tried to warn them. The sad thing is that people’s pensions, their life savings, will be involved in it all. Well, I do know how having nothing and no prospects feels; I am here to say it is not the end, but a beginning.
Have courage, and stick together.

Posted by: juliania | Mar 1 2023 16:47 utc | 154