The MoA Week In Review – OT 2024-142

New Star Wars Plan: Pentagon Rushes to Counter Threats in Orbit (archived) – New York Times
Citing rapid advances by China and Russia, the United States is building an extensive capacity to fight battles in space.
[T]he Defense Department is looking to acquire a new generation of ground- and space-based tools that will allow it to defend its satellite network from attack and, if necessary, to disrupt or disable enemy spacecraft in orbit, Pentagon officials have said in a series of interviews, speeches and recent statements.

Use as open (not related to the wars in Ukraine and Palestine) thread …

Posted by b on May 19, 2024 at 11:51 UTC | Permalink

Comments

Lavorv,
Which country today has a capitalist economic system ? I can’t think of one. Certainly not the USA. Maybe Lichtenstein ?

Posted by: Exile | May 21 2024 11:05 utc | 201

Posted by: Exile | May 21 2024 11:05 utc | 201
Mate, read the articles as delivered, in context, or don’t. They were provided in good faith, the rest is up to you.

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 21 2024 11:21 utc | 202

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 21 2024 10:50 utc | 200
European Parliament elections are coming and I am so fed up with the mainstream parties that yesterday I was checking what are my options. I thought sometime ago that since the elections are for the EU I would be able to vote for any European candidate, my favorite definitely would be Clare Daly from Ireland, but no, it does not work that way, the lists are national, sure I could vote for a party or coalition of parties that would then form a group with Daly’s party, but those parties are regionalist and separatist and therefore I am not going to vote for any party that tries to break up countries into smaller parts, that’s the anglos method and dream, divide and conquer. What I’m trying to get at, democracy, wow every body bows before that desirable lady raised to the top due to elections, choosing, elegir is to choose in Spanish, and then the question is, what is there to choose from? you USAians -american is an aberration willfully and slyly promoted by the imperialists- have a great choice, a farting doddering walking cadaver or a brainless loudmouth son of privilege, and here in Europe what are the choices, more VonDerKorrupten since so called left and right will scratch each other’s back and happily live and screw us together saving us from radicals, populists and extremists. So no wonder that Illa guy from your article pretending to be socialist is just another cog in the machine like all of them are.

Posted by: Paco | May 21 2024 11:21 utc | 203

Star Wars
Now that China and Russia are collaborating on space colonisation- to be frank I doubt the anaemic collective waste is capable of it, except as fiction and special effects and deepfake – so there is only the usual freebooter and buccaneer methods of benefiting from civilisational achievements of ‘others’.
Piracy, theft, wilful destruction… plus ca change …
Given that the ISS only functions with Russian rockets and India is progressing faster with its developments – it takes massive amounts of education and engineering. None of which is possible anymore in our Collective Waste where Financialisation as the highest form of predatory economic development meant that an endless supply of currency creation and the top dog position meant that everything could be bought!
So yes! We’ll build rockets that will hunt down the moonies and asteroid miners that survive and return – no point doing the hard stuff if we can just rob them and take their booty! Arrrr me luvlies the good ole days of AngloEuropean swashbuckling piracy are back.
The last years of robber baron empire look like the first years it seems.

Posted by: DunGroanin | May 21 2024 11:28 utc | 204

What the public wants is good government, democracy is just a means to that end. If it does not provide good government, democracy is just theater, a show. The USA today is a great example of that, fake democracy, but there are many others.

Posted by: Bemildred | May 21 2024 11:43 utc | 205

– As American global hegemony ends, multi-alignment rises – The Hill

The success of multi-alignment in fostering peace and security hinges on a delicate balancing act. While fostering cooperation across geopolitical divides is crucial, it’s equally important for regional and global great powers to establish and maintain a stable balance of power, as unchecked dominance by any single power — or even the pursuit of regional or global dominance — can breed instability.

I like this interpretation. It’s objective and real not a fairy tale.
“None-alignment” didn’t function well, “Multi-alignment” could be the correct path toward the post-capitalist stage.

Posted by: Framarz | May 21 2024 11:45 utc | 206

Chris Cuomo, who pushed covid jabs on CNN, admits Moderna vaccine destroyed his health
https://markcrispinmiller.substack.com/p/vax-destroyed-chris-cuomos-health
In another article, he was quoted as saying he did not owe an apology to all those he mocked.

Posted by: UWDude | May 21 2024 12:36 utc | 207

Critical Thinking would collapse the West entirely
Economically and Socially America would Collapse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5aolHAjvc8

……………… if we were looking at just now in the Modern Age see the
20th century 21st century they have a very obvious a very obvious motive for
uh discouraging or uh subverting um the cultivation of critical thinking uh
and that’s the the very simple fact that if the people of the West uh and
America in particular if they were critical thinkers then every Western
economy would collapse de facto – social order would collapse the political
system would collapse
– the way the whole society is managed relies on the population not being
critical thinkers
– in terms of the economy mass production is the basis of every industrial
economy and in order for mass production to not result in the production of
wasteful Surplus of identical standardized Goods then you need to make people
make their consumer choices without any hint of critical thought
– they need to be impulse driven they need to buy on impulse on feeling on
an irrational sense of brand loyalty you know all of these things that the
advertising industry exists to do they need to not buy on the basis of what
they need and what actually makes sense what’s actually you know a sensible
rational purchase they need to somehow believe that this you know this vast
variety of basically completely identical Goods identical Products they need
to believe that the that these products are all unique and special even
though they’re actually you know interchangeable and you need them to assign
value to you know some item some product some whatever on factors that have
nothing to do with its utility it has to be how it makes them feel about
themselves or what have you it’s actually not a critical thinking process
so critical thinking would completely destroy the American economy
– if the American people were critical thinkers the economy would would
collapse
– it’s the fundamental mission of advertising and marketing they want to
subvert any degree of critical thinking in a shopper in a consumer and the
whole economy is based on that the whole economy requires the population to
be disoriented and impulsive and feelings driven not thinking driven
– so I mean if you’re in the West this is all going to affect you I mean in
the social order I’ve talked about before the fact that America and the West
generally but you know based on my own experience especially in America it’s
a society of strangers you know
– economics has to do with that also economics has has a great role to play
in why America is a society of strangers
– in the west generally again because with mass production you know with
industrialization and mass production that was a sort of a form of
monopolization and that created industrial centers and you know what I’m
talking about those industrial centers put people out of jobs in other places
in other parts of the country in the rural areas and so forth ……………

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 21 2024 12:43 utc | 208

Aleph_Null@194
*In many cases it is not easy (or even possible) to distinguish them. Nevertheless, unraveling abiotic from biotic”
With so many big thinkers in-house, I’ve been checking out some other big thinkers lately, man they think big, but when pressed they admit the truth ……we don’t really know, an entire field of thought dedicated to not really knowing….. interesting.
Martin Butler, best philosopher come physicist, come practical human that I’ve encountered so far, only because his years of study fit my on train if thought and I ain’t studied nuttin’….other than life, sustenance and survival. And no offence to those who find the field fascinating, but God particles and the edge of the universe such a waste on a planet over run by madness, hunger, famine, homelessness, poverty and…..oh, shut up leprechaun no one cares…..livin’ in a material world.
Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 21 2024 12:45 utc | 209

Posted by: Debsisdead | May 20 2024 13:51 utc | 163
I hear what you are saying, but really, isn’t it all mostly egoism?
I mean, the only poster here, who I know of, who only posts dry reports is DownSouth.
Almost everybody else injects opinion. Most of it quite “worthless”, yet you and I read, and post, regardless.
Personally, I find the most annoying, (besides obvious unbanned sock puppets and concern trolls) to be agenda driven posters. Its not that I even always disagree with them, its just do you have to make everything about the Jews, or communism, or city of London or what not? (Generic “you”).
So, since you like psychology so much, perhaps your anger stems from hatred, which is often actually reflection.
Why does it matter if someone posts something you consider worthless? Is it because you fear your worthwhile post will be ignored in liu of it?
Do you really think your posts are done selflessly, and without ego?

Posted by: UWDude | May 21 2024 13:15 utc | 210

but God particles and the edge of the universe such a waste on a planet over run by madness, hunger, famine, homelessness, poverty and…..oh, shut up leprechaun no one cares…..livin’ in a material world.
Cheers M
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 21 2024 12:45 utc | 209
The world is not overrun by famine and hunger, homelessness and poverty. Its not the 1960s anymore, and hunger is almost completely wiped out, world over.
Obesity now kills by orders of magnitude more than famine.
“Poverty” continues to be re-defined as the standard of living continues to rise.
And homelessness, in most of the world, is a choice, esp in the first world. I lived with homeless for 3 months at occupy, I work with homeless once a week. The resources are available to them, and in some cities, like Seattle, they have to only follow some very basic rules about violence, yet they still can not do it.
And this, is because of technology. Which is driven by dreams and questions, big and small.
So, off the high horse you go.

Posted by: UWDude | May 21 2024 13:23 utc | 211

US threatens German banks with sanctions – Reuters
https://www.rt.com/news/598004-yellen-threatens-german-banks-sanctions/
How can any country with self respect allow its self to be ordered to kneel and obey , against it’s own best interests , by the likes of Janet Yellen ?

Posted by: Bartholomew Cubbins | May 21 2024 17:27 utc | 212

Am watching a truly fascinating interview of Terrence Howard, the actor, with Joe Rogan. Turns out the former botched a patent application with the result that major IT corporations have made trillions off one of his inventions without him getting a penny. He has written software that duplicates elemental properties showing how planets are created, including Saturn. An auto-didact who remembers being in the womb. (He’s also a fan of Sheldrake and Schauberger and into vortex and yin-yang theory so right up my alley). Rogan has the ‘common man’ touch, of course, so this is a couple of guys rapping about the nature of reality and everything else.
Among other things he, correctly, debunks the Newtonian notion of gravity. Has also developed an entirely new way of flying. And is redefining physics. (no black holes etc.) Extraordinary.
Because something he wrote in there tracks something I wrote yesterday – about mind being best regarded as an additional dimension along with space and time – I put together very brief excerpt along with links to the Rumble video, his website and the pdf book he has published for free explaining his ideas. So for any interested, those links are there.
Fun.
https://baronbrasdor.art/2024/05/21/layers-levels-punto-6-terrence-howards-multidimensionality/

Posted by: scorpion | May 21 2024 17:29 utc | 213

Posted by: scorpion | May 21 2024 17:29 utc | 213
Joe Rogan makes anybody interesting. A true gem in media.

Posted by: UWDude | May 21 2024 19:09 utc | 214

Rochowanski & Japaridze: Georgia, its NGOs and the ‘Foreign Influence Transparency Law’
https://sopio.substack.com/p/unrest-in-georgia-over-the-foreign

Posted by: Don Firineach | May 21 2024 19:46 utc | 215

Yemen Emerges as Graveyard for American MQ-9 Drones, Sparking Concerns in India
https://english.almasirah.net.ye/post/40096/Yemen-Emerges-as-Graveyard-for-American-MQ-9-Drones%2C-Sparking-Concerns-in-India
Yemen did it again, 9th MQ-9 in 8 years! … Mashallah!

Posted by: Framarz | May 21 2024 20:10 utc | 216

sean the leprechaun | May 21 2024 12:45 utc | 209
Wittgenstein used to brag about everything he refused to read. It’s natural to be comfortable with how much we know already, but cooking up a fresh-baked worldview all by yourself is asking too much, unless you’re dedicated to nihilism. Nothing can prove me wrong! the nihilist staunchly declares.
There’s both an intellectual and moral hazard to letting go of curiosity. The intellectual hazard is that of stasis — particularly hazardous for those (oldsters such as myself) already well into decline. The brain is a muscle; you either use it or lose it. The moral hazard is solipsism; believing in nothing but yourself until you dry up in selfishness and blow away like tumbleweed.
Having never encountered his name before now, I’m curious about Martin Butler:

The central themes of my writing and podcasts are our reluctance to see reality, our eagerness to load ourselves up with ideology, morality, beliefs and whatever else serves to fill the gap we find when we look within. It’s all very damaging, and so the deconstruction of these “assets” is the first port of call. Only when we shed the garbage piled upon us by parents, teachers, peers, and society at large can we become real.

Sounds intriguing. The real-estate allocated in your head for knowledge is only so big. We always need to throw out old dogmas as energetically as we pick up new ones. But you can’t throw out curiosity — the very fluid which keeps the mental juices flowing. Like a shark which can’t stop moving, a mind which holds still will die. Appropriately, the Mars explorer which found a methane seep (for which no adequate explanation has yet been found) is called “Curiosity.”

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 21 2024 20:29 utc | 217

❗️�� A new twist in the case of the attempted assassination of the Slovak prime minister – the shooter was not a “lone wolf”. The investigation team announced by Slovakian Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok has found signs of conspiracy in the crime, The Asia Times writes.
It turned out that two hours after the assassination attempt, all information from social networks and correspondence was deleted from the criminal’s home computer. He was not able to do this himself: he was arrested on the spot. Investigators found that Juraj Tsintula’s wife had not touched the computer.
Those following the investigation already have a number of questions that need to be answered. For example, the assassination attempt took place on Wednesday last week, but the judge only authorised the police to search Tsintula’s apartment on Friday. Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak gave no explanation at the time.
No ambulance was found at the scene. The attack took place far from the capital and there were no hospitals nearby. Fico had to be flown by helicopter to another city.
He was then immediately loaded into an official car, even though his condition could have deteriorated if he had been seriously injured. No evacuation routes were marked at the scene.
The equipment of the police in the motorcade was also inadequate. They were wearing street shoes instead of the army half boots required by regulations.
The guards let Fico pass in front of them as the Prime Minister approached the cordon. This is also against the rules: the guards should have approached the cordon first.
On the other side of the cordon, Slovak media reported, there were no guards to watch from behind or to blend in with the crowd.
Experts estimate that it took three to four seconds for the five shots to be fired. No one intervened during that time. It was only when Cintula fired his shots that he was arrested by the police and security forces.

https://t.me/ZandVchannel/114059

Posted by: Norwegian | May 21 2024 20:37 utc | 218

Alaskan watershed goes orange in 2024. Visible from space: Make American Gross Again.

Thawing permafrost may be turning clear water in some of Alaska’s remote watersheds into a dusty, murky orange. As the frozen layer of soil melts, minerals become exposed and seep into the water…

https://www.popsci.com/science/permafrost-alaska-orange-rivers/

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 21 2024 20:59 utc | 219

@ Paco | May 21 2024 11:21 utc | 203
thanks for the overview how that works… it is a shame you can’t vote directly for clare daly.. obviously they don’t want any form of democracy in the europe, except by name…

Posted by: james | May 21 2024 22:39 utc | 220

indian punchline from today –
The ‘inside track’ of Putin-Xi Jinping talks

Posted by: james | May 21 2024 23:26 utc | 221

American Supremacism is a Mind Virus
a short and snappy 2 minutes w Sahid Bolsen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9cmCJinBOw

American politicians, especially the
Neocons they make synonymous America
and American Supremacy.
But these are two very different things.
So you see China is a threat to
American Supremacy, it’s a threat to
America’s global domination and hegemony
and it’s military blocs, but that’s not
a threat to America or the American
people.
No, it’s completely false for America to
think that the only way that they can have
prosperity and security and stability and
safety and what have you, that the only
way they can do that is if they completely
dominate the entire planet.
That’s psychotic. That’s really mental if
you think that the only way that your
country that’s already incredibly powerful,
that’s between two oceans, that’s
unreachable you know, that has significant
natural resources, that has the ability to
be economically self-sufficient based on
the resources that you have. America is a
very special piece of land geographically,
it’s a very privileged special piece of
land geographically. You don’t need to
control the planet in order for you to be
secure and in fact your drive, your
insistence upon controlling the planet
has only made you insecure.
It has only made you more paranoid and
more aggressive and hostile to where you
think that everyone’s Natural Resources
by right belong to you.

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 22 2024 0:06 utc | 222

Ugo Bardi sums up things nicely here back in 2011 …. thinking of a world ahead to circa 2040 and beyond.
Entropy, Peak Oil, and Stoic Philosophy
And Thermodynamics, Systems Dynamics, the Limits to Growth 1972, Newton’s apple, Simple physics and complex systems, modelling the economy, Hubbert’s curve / peak, and the inescapable Hubbert Law, the Economic system, and Facing collapse.
https://cassandralegacy.blogspot.com/2011/05/peak-oil-thermodynamics-and-stoic.html

Entropy and the Economy
1. You can’t win
2. You can’t get even
3. You can’t quit the game
From Marcus’ “Meditations” and from what I read about stoicism, I think I can summarize the basic idea as:
“You cannot win against entropy, but you must behave as if you could.”
Of course, Marcus didn’t know about entropy, but he had very clear how the universe is in continuous flow. Things change and this is the only unchangeable truth. I think this is our destiny and what we have to do.
Likely, we won’t be able to save the world we know. Probably, we won’t be able to avoid immense human suffering for the years to come. Yet, we must do our best to try and – who knows – what we’ll be able to do might make a difference. I think this is the lesson that Marcus is telling to us, even from a gulf of time that spans almost two millennia.
So, I leave you with some words from the book “Meditations” which maybe you can take as relevant for us today.
“Be master of yourself and view life as a man, as a human being, as a citizen and as a mortal. Among the truths you will do well to contemplate most frequently are these two: first, that things can never touch the soul, but stand inert outside it, so that disquiet can arise only from fancies within; and secondly, that all visible objects change in a moment, and will be no more. Think of the countless changes in which you yourself have had a part. The whole universe is change and life itself is but what you deem it.”
(translation by Maxwell Staniforth, 1962)

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 22 2024 0:25 utc | 223

Bardi moved to Substack this year.
The Philosophy of Collapse: the Seneca Effect
Ugo Bardi
“It would be some consolation for the feebleness of our selves and our works, if all things should perish as slowly as they come into being; but as it is, increases are of sluggish growth, but the way to ruin is rapid.” – Lucius Annaeus Seneca
https://senecaeffect.substack.com/p/the-seneca-effect-a-philosophical
A Concise History of the Global Empire
Ugo Bardi
Like all past empires, the Global Empire has gone through its parable of growth and glory and is now starting to decline. There is not much we can do about it; we must accept that this is how the universe works.
https://senecaeffect.substack.com/p/a-concise-history-of-the-global-empire

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 22 2024 0:38 utc | 224

european elections etc
Comment by Paco | May 21, 2024 at 11:21
Thanks for sharing your situation in Europe. How frustrating. I know how you must feel. No real choice you wish to make is not a choice at all, it’s not democratic when the whole system is rigged against you.
I don’t know the answer, except to humbly suggest take good care of yourself and your loved ones. Express yourself when you can without putting yourself in danger.
This too shall pass.
https://senecaeffect.substack.com/p/the-seneca-effect-a-philosophical

Posted by: Lavrov’s Dog | May 22 2024 0:44 utc | 225

@@ Paco | May 21 2024 11:21 utc | 203
Clare Daly is odds on to lose her seat in Dublin. So is her side-kick Mick Wallace
Both have basically been denied access to Irish MSM, TV etc and attacked in Irish MSM as Putin’s idiots.
But I won’t write her off just yet as she will pick up transfers from smaller Left parties …. She has been superb in the European Parliament – telling it as it is just so rare in EU politicians

Posted by: Don Firineach | May 22 2024 1:23 utc | 226

one option for those in ukraine wanting to avoid being slaughtered needlessly..
Escaping Through The Mountains – Part I

Posted by: james | May 22 2024 2:40 utc | 227

The American Empire Is Crumbling Under Its Debt
Comment – a deep dive in the Pentagon budget by a Wall Street Financier-

In all, the current Army budget totals nearly $200 billion, and virtually all of that massive expenditure – nearly 3X the total defense budget of Russia – is deployed in the service of Empire, not homeland defense. It could readily be cut by 70% or $140 billion – meaning that the US Army component of a $450 billion Fortress America defense would absorb just $60 billion annually.
Likewise, the US Navy and Marine Corps spends $55 billion annually on 515,000 active duty forces and another $3.7 billion on 88,000 reserves. Yet if you look at the core requirements of a Fortress America defense posture, these forces and expenses are way over the top as well.

https://original.antiwar.com/David_Stockman/2024/05/21/the-american-empire-is-crumbling-under-its-debt/

Posted by: Exile | May 22 2024 5:44 utc | 228

They say wind-farms are designed to withstand tornadoes. Not always…

Multiple tornadoes were reported throughout the state, and one also apparently took down several 250-foot wind turbines in southwest Iowa. Some of the turbines caught fire, sending plumes of smoke into the air and continued to smolder hours later.

https://www.wusf.org/2024-05-22/a-tornado-devastates-an-iowa-town-and-kills-multiple-people-authorities-say
Some reports claim record tornado activity this year. The following chart shows 2024 slightly below average until late April. May has been incredible (in count of local storm reports), but 2024 remains below 2014. Some states, such as Iowa, are setting records now, especially for May.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tornadoes_of_2024#/media/File:2024_United_States_tornado_LSR_count.png

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 22 2024 6:58 utc | 229

The more things change, the more it remains the same:
Africa Facts Zone
@AfricaFactsZone
Britain forced 1.5 million Kenyans to live in concentration camps during the Main Mau Uprising in Kenya from 1952 to 1960.
They were subjected to torture, rape and other human rights abuses.
Kenya was referred to as a white man’s country because white people had taken the land.
https://x.com/AfricaFactsZone/status/1792953090934550992

Posted by: Menz | May 22 2024 10:18 utc | 230

Aleph_Null@229….did you see the recent major floods in Dubai? They cloud seed there. It was invented by Joseph Schacfer a Chemist and Meteorologist. A few companies of note, Weather Modification, Inc, privately owned (aka, CIA) RHS Consulting Ltd and 3D s.a. To mention just a few of the many companies now involved internationally with weather, hmm, mitigation.
Not sure how people cling to the notion that our present day ‘localized’ weather phenomenon, it being linked to ‘climate change’ is not being deliberately manipulated for nefarious purposes under the guise of the mundane.
Canada uses cloud seeding to mitigate hail damage. Like most aspects of science the parameters are open to unintended or intended consequences causing the opposite, ie major flood damage, wind farm damage etc…which in the right or wrong hands can also be used for agricultural terrorism….kinda like burning crops or handing out blighted potatoes for seed stock….Weather Modification is a kinder, gentler form of war. Damn the fates and cow farts.
Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 22 2024 14:14 utc | 231

UWDude@211…..you are lucky to live in such an exceptional country where hunger and homeless have been irradiated. Unfortunately there are millions of people in other less exceptional countries that are not as fortunate.
I don’t have a horse, don’t particularly like them, and where I’m from we weren’t even allowed to own one. Sounds like you have experience with them, might I suggest if your horse is high, don’t ride it, it’s against the law and if you do, don’t be surprised if it throws you off, horses are sensitive that way, or so I’ve been told.
Cheers M

Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 22 2024 14:22 utc | 232

@ sean the leprechaun | May 22 2024 14:14 utc | 231
Cloud-seeding and other weather modification techniques have less than nothing to do with the weeks-long torrent of tornados in USA’s heartland and south. We’ve known about cloud-seeding for a very long time, and nothing has ever come of it. Lack of curiosity can be a sign that ignorance is favored.
Cloud physics is the is the most difficult subject in atmospheric science. Seeding exploits the principle of raindrops requiring a particle of dust to form around, but there are dozens of other parameters not under control, such that nobody has successfully harnessed cloud-seeding technology anywhere, ever. Not in decades of trying. Planetary air currents are like buckets porting evaporation from oceans to land. Any successful seeding could only deprive land downwind of rain it otherwise would have gotten.
On the other hand, with an atmosphere 1.5C warmer, Earth’s atmosphere now contains 10% more water vapor, ready to condense into raindrops or softball-sized hail.

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 22 2024 15:26 utc | 233

Brother can you paradox? The old liar’s, applied to Cohen vs. Orangeman…

Do you want us to believe that when Defendant Cohen said that crimes were committed, he was telling the truth, but when Witness Cohen says the same thing, he is lying?

https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/05/21/the-liar-puzzle/

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 22 2024 15:51 utc | 234

***BREAKING***
Sunak about to announce UK election date, expected to be 4 July.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 22 2024 15:57 utc | 235

***BREAKING***
Sunak about to announce UK election date, expected to be 4 July.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 22 2024 15:57 utc | 235
just saw it and the only way he can expect beat a 20% lead by labour is war…

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 16:26 utc | 236

And to confirm my worst fears about these UK elections…
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13446219/emergency-survival-kit-floods-cyber-attacks-power-cuts.html

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 16:36 utc | 237

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 16:26 utc | 236
What might get more exposure now is the deep and angry divide on the British Left/Centre-Left over Sir Queer Smarmer’s unrelenting backing for the Zionist genocidal lunatics. Indeed this might cause some pressure in his own constituency seat, as highlighted here: https://skwawkbox.org/2024/05/21/breaking-feinstein-confirms-ge-candidacy-vs-starmer/

Former African National Congress (ANC) MP Andrew Feinstein has confirmed this morning that he will stand against Labour leader Keir Starmer in Holborn and St Pancras at the next general election.
Feinstein, a Jewish activist who lives in the constituency, is a former Labour member who has called for a new left movement outside the party, has been vocal against Israel’s genocide in Gaza, has consistently stood up for the release of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange from prison, has an impeccable track record on human rights and represents the integrity that Starmer claims but has completely failed to show. He had previously indicated his willingness to stand, if the results of canvassing showed there was demand in the constituency for a challenge.
Such is the gulf in track record and personal qualities that Starmer’s team was said to be ‘raging’ at the prospect that he might stand. The prospect of a confirmed candidacy is unlikely to make them any happier.
Announcing his confirmed candidacy, Feinstein said:
Our democracy is in crisis. The two main parties are virtually indistinguishable in their offers of permanent austerity, forever wars and environmental degradation.
Keir Starmer, the MP for Holborn and St. Pancras where my family and I have lived for around 22 years, is emblematic of this crisis. His politics are mendacious, unprincipled and in the interests of his billionaire donors rather than the constituents he was elected to serve.
I have seen real leadership in action: I was privileged to serve under Nelson Mandela as an MP in South Africa. His leadership was selfless, principled, accountable, transparent and honest. Everything that Keir Starmer is not.
His almost immediate abandonment of many of the ten progressive pledges on which he was elected to lead the Labour Party is a clear sign he cannot be trusted.
Starmer has now gone a step too far by refusing to support an unqualified ceasefire and a halt to arms sales to Israel amid the greatest human tragedy since World War Two: the genocide being committed in Gaza.
How is it possible that a former human rights lawyer, who must see the horrific images that we all view on our screens every day, has not even commented on the highest court in the world’s interim ruling that Israel is likely committing genocide and ethnic cleansing?

~~~
The rest of Mr Feinstein’s statement can be read at the link.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 22 2024 17:18 utc | 238

The rest of Mr Feinstein’s statement can be read at the link.
Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | May 22 2024 17:18 utc | 238
The chances of real politicians taking power back from the puppets is low to none
But in spite of being always more of the same, the party’s clientele depends on which one wins, such an early election means either Sunak is fed up, crazy or thinks he can win if he’s a war prime minister.
Add up the other government measurement, the survival kit, and if smells of war.

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 17:26 utc | 239

And as mentioned in the other thread, the royals have found an excuse to disappear until 04/07
This next month and a half promises to be a very stressful period.
A lot of people not buying the story
“Curiouser and curiouser. They did not stop public engagements last election… ”
“This statement is very unexpected. Not sure if this would be the norm or if there are reasons they don’t want to divulge at this time.”

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 18:33 utc | 240

On May 14th Biden slapped a whole bunch of extra tariffs on China in a desperate attempt to slow down the technological development of China so that the US can keep the uneven exchange inherent in a technology gap between two nations. The US is also pushing its European vassals to follow suit in another round of self-harming. I have written an analysis of this More Magical Thinking As US Raises China Tariffs
The Chinese will retaliate, while speeding up even more their drive to overcome the technology gap and using third countries to bypass the tariffs. The benefits of the tariffs will more fill the pockets of the extractionist and rentier US capitalist class than drive any significant upgrading of US productive capabilities – especially after the many decades of that class destroying those capabilities.

Posted by: Roger | May 22 2024 19:04 utc | 241

Newbie | May 22 2024 18:33 utc | 240
Blimey, this all sounds crazy weird.
I don’t see the Tories winning under any circumstances (lol, hope this ages well…).
More likely they’ll leave a mess for their successors, maybe setting up inevitable disaster that will materialize under Starmer’s watch. People tend to blame the government in charge, not those who actually caused sh*t.
Primarily I’d expect sth to happen in Ukraine, which is why the discussion belongs in that thread imho.
As for the Royals, I think after the last few months they’re glad to have an excuse to, er, excuse themselves.
(After the experience of Corbyn, I can somewhat understand Starmer’s “mainstream right-wing” approach to campaigning. Which doesn’t mean I support it in any way.)

Posted by: smuks | May 22 2024 19:47 utc | 242

Primarily I’d expect sth to happen in Ukraine, which is why the discussion belongs in that thread imho.
Posted by: smuks | May 22 2024 19:47 utc | 242
Likely
“Ukraine is losing, and direct intervention by the West risks a nuclear conflict – so what now? ”
https://www.rt.com/russia/597986-west-intervention-growing-ukrainian-conflict/

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 19:58 utc | 243

Posted by: persiflo | May 22 2024 20:55 utc | 244

Unfortunately there are millions of people in other less exceptional countries that are not as fortunate.
Posted by: sean the leprechaun | May 22 2024 14:22 utc | 232
Cliche virtue signalling from you.
Name some of these countries.
You don’t even know. You will have to look it up. And you will have a hard time finding a country that “suffers from hunger and famine”, because technology has changed sine the famine in Ethiopia in the 1980s.
So you spout a cliche about “hunger and famine”, without knowing any of the details, just to try to shame people for talking about existential or universal concepts of science.
You want to talk about hunger and famine instead? Talk about it. Where in the world are you so concerned about? Where has your attention on this topic been recently?
What’s that, you gonna need to look it up to answer? Don’t even play like you cared about hunger and famine one moment before you decided you need to win an argument online.

Posted by: UWDude | May 22 2024 21:05 utc | 245

https://sitrepworld.info/peter-myers-digest-globalization/

Title: Globalization. [Summary:]
Peter Myers Digest: Globalization
(1) Russia’s killer Lancet drones use Nvidia chips, thanks to Globalization
(2) Western Parts give Russian Lancet-3 Drone advanced Targeting and Anti-jamming Capabilities
(3) Eurovision promotes Trans and Satanism
(4) Australia’s censorship commissar threatens 780k fine for ‘misgendering’ porn-posting Tranny

Posted by: scorpion | May 22 2024 21:37 utc | 246

Should we nominate the barfly Newbie for the MoA prediction medal? I’m thinking of the Special Shadowban Commemoration Issue that’s awarded for ‘especially outrageous prophecies of doom’. With the date given, July 4th, they may be eligible.
Posted by: persiflo | May 22 2024 20:55 utc | 244
Thank you for your nomination, I want to thank my father, my mother, my agent, and all those that helped me get here. I wish for world peace and cookies
Let’s just say that seeing 3 stupid/unlikely things in hardly an hour bring that up in me.
As for the 04/07, that’s the limit (presented) to keep the royals safely away …
This is other topics, and unlikely chained events that bring up a bad feeling…
Sorry if it bothered you in any way, but that’s the feeling I’m getting (as I mentioned earlier, this thread or the other) I wish I knew if it’s shit they’re planning or shit they were already caught doing…

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 21:45 utc | 247

Somebody somewhere recently mentioned Gerald Celente, said that he was predicting economic collapse soon.
I like the guy, but he has been saying that for over 12 years now.
I was too, for about eight years, especially after 2008 and quantitative easing. But now I just have to say I know it will happen, but no idea when. Kind of like I know Russia will win, but no idea how long we’ll have to wait for that.
And while I am on the topic, Russia is starting to give me bad feelings. They recently banned Rumble, but still allow Youtube, and now they have a law where what you wrote can be retroactively used against you.
So, I have tried to rid myself of the obvious delusion the world would be better off of Russia won. It will, in the respect there will be a counter to the USA like when russia was USSR, but if Russia had total victory over NATO, I am pretty sure the world, 20 years later, will be just as terrible, just as full of lies and censorship.

Posted by: UWDude | May 22 2024 21:55 utc | 248

https://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/20658/gaza-aid-stolen
Nearly 70% of Gaza Aid from US-Built Pier Stolen
by Joshua Marks
May 22, 2024

Posted by: scorpion | May 22 2024 22:08 utc | 249

I am very impressed and equally dismayed by some of the post here.
Sure, most of us are highly skeptical of the “news” hurling at us at great speed.
Questions and theories are expected. But slow down ffs.
Raisi was not a popular man, but effective and respected. On the whole, the Iranian leadership has gained popularity since BRICS, SCO, strike on Isreal. His successor will be just as effective.
Information clatter from Iran has always been a problem with the hordes of foreign sponsored “oppositions” waiting to ferment any opportunities.
The eagerness of Western intelligence to insert themselves into Fico’s assassination attempt speaks volumes.
So, when someone reasonably questions Covid/Climate/Woke etc but then jumps up and down about yachts/F35s/helicopter tempering because of some random X or Telegram posts makes me wonder. Even reputable news organization more interested in headlines are backtracking and deleting stories.
So, just calm down. State your question/opinion/fun fact once and then back off.
It’s going to get much worse, just saying. Bad enough having to read the trolls but long time and mostly reasonably posters too is very tiring.

Posted by: Suresh | May 22 2024 22:42 utc | 250

Posted by: UWDude | May 22 2024 21:55 utc | 248
Moscow made illegal public criticism of its offensive in Ukraine shortly after the conflict began in February 2022, and thousands since then have been detained for simple acts of protest.
In November 2023, a man was jailed for 10 days for allegedly tracing the words “No to war” on a snow-covered turnstile outside a skating rink in Moscow.

Now, in a traditional-style culture one is expected to be 100% loyal during war time. People’s fathers and sons are sacrificing their lives in battle. Fair enough.
Personally, am curious to learn more about why Russia is so into biometrics, digital currency, 5G infrastructure etc. and where they end up with all that.
Right now anywhere in the world with cell phone service could switch to all digital transactions eliminating paper at which point not only is every transaction tracked but also every transactioner’s history is known, can be flagged for a wide variety of reasons AND their ability to transact generally or for specific purchases can be controlled remotely. In an entirely benevolent and wise society, no problem; but how often and for how long does something like that happen? Not often and not for long. Better not to create and grant such powers over others. Better not.
But it looks like both the West, China, Russia and most others are headed in that direction. By 2030. They are not explaining it well in the public square, but we are all steadily moving towards it.
Not from any nationalist point of view or from favouring capitalism over communism etc., but I simply distrust this development wherever it is taking place.

Posted by: scorpion | May 22 2024 22:53 utc | 251

Oops, forgot link:
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2024/05/20/russia-fines-man-who-dyed-hair-in-ukraine-flag-colors-a85177

Posted by: scorpion | May 22 2024 22:54 utc | 252

But it looks like both the West, China, Russia and most others are headed in that direction. By 2030. They are not explaining it well in the public square, but we are all steadily moving towards it.
Not from any nationalist point of view or from favouring capitalism over communism etc., but I simply distrust this development wherever it is taking place.
Posted by: scorpion | May 22 2024 22:53 utc | 251
Agreed in principle and one of the things bothering me about china (and western race to thee bottom there, if RF is also heading the same way it’s bad news)

Posted by: Newbie | May 22 2024 22:57 utc | 253

Posted by: scorpion | May 22 2024 22:54 utc | 252
I have read many mediazona stories too. I take them with a grain of salt. And I am not even saying Russian censorship is wrong, though I think it perhaps counterproductive? Hard to say. As I have said before, in war, the ends justify the means.
So banning Rumble, I could understand, IF they also banned Youtube. I mean Youtube bans/demonetizes pro-Russian channels all the time.
Not that NATO is any better, mind you. Little old library credits were clearly targeted by the SEC because Odysee had used them, and the model could potentially blow away Youtube as well as decentralize video information. And France banned Rumble a long time ago. (Perhaps because it is competition for their shitty video platform, Dailymotion).

Posted by: UWDude | May 22 2024 23:07 utc | 254

Been a busy day, lots of output. “Putin & Duma Head Volodin Talk New Government Procedures and Iran” https://karlof1.substack.com/p/putin-and-duma-head-volodin-talk
“Crooke: The Attack on Fico,” https://karlof1.substack.com/p/crooke-the-attack-on-fico
“Wang Yi and Lavrov Signal More Proactive SCO,” https://karlof1.substack.com/p/wang-yi-and-lavrov-signal-more-proactive
Still have one more in the queue.

Posted by: karlof1 | May 22 2024 23:16 utc | 255

I’ll bet b’s next post will concern China’s surprise “punishment” drills encircling Taiwan. Lotta big boats afloat…

PLA Naval Colonel Li Xi, spokesperson for the command, called the exercises “a strong punishment for the separatist acts of Taiwan independence forces and a serious warning against interference and provocation by external forces.”
Taiwan’s Lai is detested by Beijing as a “dangerous separatist” for championing the island’s sovereignty and distinct identity. He succeeded two-term president Tsai Ing-wen to start an unprecedented third consecutive term in power for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
Beijing has denounced Lai’s inauguration speech, during which he called on China to cease its intimidation of Taiwan.

https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/22/asia/china-military-drills-taiwan-punishment-intl-hnk/index.html

Posted by: Aleph_Null | May 23 2024 7:19 utc | 256

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