The MoA Week In Review – OT 2025-266

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November 16, 2025

Last week’s posts on Moon of Alabama:

Nov 10 – Ukraine – Zelenski Friend Accused In Energy Sector Corruption Case
Related:
– Bags of cash and a gold toilet: the corruption crisis engulfing Zelenskyy’s government (archived) – Financial Times
– Russia Tried to Cut Ukraine’s Lights. Now It’s Aiming for the Heat. (archived) – NY Times
– Impressions from the field research trip to Ukraine – October 2025 – Rochan Consulting
– Russia to produce 120,000 glide bombs and 70,000 drones this year – Ukraine’s Defence Intelligence – Ukrainska Pravda

Nov 11 – How To Start War With Russia – A British Think Tank Has Ideas
Related:
– Lavrov: Russia ready to offer non-aggression guarantee to NATO, EU – Yahoo
– The new Russian arsenal that can deter wars – Bhadrakumar / New Indian Express
– Responses by Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, to questions from the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, which the newspaper refused to publish in full without cuts or censorship, Moscow, November 13, 2025 – Mid.ru

Nov 13 – Justice Department Office Which Justified Torture Now Argues For Killing
Related:
– Secret U.S. Memo Authorizing Drug-Boat Strikes Cites Chemical Weapon Threat (archived) – WSJ
– Memo Blessing Boat Strikes Is Said to Rely on Trump’s Claims About Cartels (archived) – NY Times
– Trump’s Killings at Sea Escalate the US’s Forever Drug War – Jacobin
– Family of Fisherman Killed in U.S. Military Strike Says It Wants Justice (archived) – NY Times
– Trump weighs Venezuela strikes as U.S. forces prepare for attack order (archived) – NY Times

Nov 14 – Thoughts On The Shutdown
Related:
– Letter: By capitulating on the shutdown, Democrats showed their true colors – Salt Lake Tribune
– ‘Epstein Hoax’ Got Legs? – Meaning in History
– Jeffrey Epstein Was a Warlord. We Have to Talk About It. – Nation
– A Dark Money Group Is Secretly Funding High-Profile Democratic Influencers – Wired
– Is This When Trump Became a Lame Duck? – American Conservative
– Trump Is Falling Into the Same Trap That Ensnared Biden – Bulwark
Republicans learned nothing from how badly Dems bungled inflation.
– Trump, like Biden before him, finds there’s no quick fix on inflation – AP

—
Other issues:

Gaza:

Russia Counters U.S. Plan for Gaza With Its Own Proposal at U.N. Security Council (archived) – NY Times
The Trump administration wants the Security Council to adopt a resolution that has the 20-point U.S. plan annexed, effectively making it international law.
Navy Considers Base for 10,000 Near Gaza Without US Troops – Bloomberg (archived)
EXCLUSIVE: Soros Bankrolling Anti-Israel Drop Site News – Free Bacon

Europe:

The EU’s new censorship machine – The Democracy Shield will police speech – Unherd
EU to set up new intelligence unit under Ursula von der Leyen (archived) – Financial Times
The E.U. ‘Derisks’ Itself Into Another Disaster – Naked Capitalism
Europe’s carmakers face ‘devastating’ chip crisis as Nexperia supply crunch continues (archived) – Financial Times

Economy:

New York Fed convened meeting with Wall Street firms over key lending facility (archived) – Financial Times
Impromptu talks come amid worries about strains in money markets
Ford CEO says he has 5,000 open mechanic jobs with 6-figure salaries from the shortage of manually skilled workers: ‘We are in trouble in our country’ – Fortune
The seven deadly sins of corporate exuberance (archived) – Economist
A frenzy of financial innovation has ensnared America Inc. What could go wrong?
Economist Warns That Trump’s Investments in the Tech Industry Could Crash the Whole Economy – Futurism

China:

China Accuses U.S. of Stealing 127K BTC in High-Profile Crypto Hack – Coindesk
White House memo claims Alibaba is helping Chinese military target US (archived) – Financial Times
NEW ARTICLE: US Plans for China Blockade Continue Taking Shape – Brian Berletic

Syria:

Syria comes in from the cold – Indian Punchline
> Syrian presidency dismissed reports that President al-Sharaa had cooperated with Western intelligence services since 2016 to eliminate al-Qaeda and ISIS. Al-Sharaa was Abu Mohammad al-Joulani — an ISIS emir who later became al-Qaeda’s Emir in the Levant. < – Elijah Magnier
> Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Foreign Minister (formerly the head of MİT intelligence) announced publicly about HTS as: “We’ve had excellent cooperation on sharing intelligence to fight against especially DAESH leadership. They helped us a lot, but because of the sensitivities…” < – Husaan Hamoud

Miscellaneous:

The vampires feed on us when we’re alone – Nefarious Russians
This parasocial technology took over from where television left off and pushed society even more radically into an atomized configuration.

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

Posted by b on November 16, 2025 at 12:52 UTC | Permalink

Comments

tHAts all folks !

Posted by: denk | Nov 18 2025 19:07 utc | 301

“I thought you might appreciate another “honest fact that is untrue” but in mathematical ‘language’ ?
Circumference = 2πr
It might take you a while to figure that one out, I won’t explain.”
Posted by: Ornot | Nov 17 2025 4:01 utc | 125
I had a ponder about this, and I think I get it.
As General Factotum replied, the mathematical definition of π is the ratio of the circumference to the diameter (or 2r), which is both true and mathematically correct, while stated in the form as you presented creates a problem.

I may be off track, but it appears that the form:
Circumference = 2πr
creates an infinity issue (is it an infinite regression? I can’t recall the correct mathematical nomenclature as I last studied such things in 1990). So, it appears, in your example, that the circumference is an infinite function.

It will only ever be as “true” as the arbitrary choice of significant digits, and is only as “true” as the subjective and arbitrary choice of these.
Eventually, it extends to an infinite sequence of digits, and is thus also unknowable (untrue?) without knowing π to infinity, which I guess is impossible.

Thanks. It was an interesting thought experiment, and it wasn’t until I woke up this morning that I saw the paradox/conundrum.

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 20:51 utc | 302

The Ukraine telegram channel ‘Resident’ is still part of my very limited daily reading.
https://t.me/s/rezident_ua

The Brits and Europeans are trying to regime change the little green crackhead so he will try and find safety with Trump, Putin and Alaska.

In the larger Geo-political context, Ukraine is like hinges on a door. Small and insignificant and utterly corrupt. The ‘elite of the west thought they could break up Russia using Ukraine. Putin is breaking up the west or hastening its demise through Ukraine. Lavrov accepting the challenge of hybrid war…..

The Europeans with their meetings to Trump proof the war against Russia. Probably not a good idea to eat European mushrooms.
The Europeans cutting their energy umbilical cord. The Americans trying for a crypto scam to replace the petro-dollar.

Here so many have embraced the woke ideology. Especially the women. I’m not sure which thread to put a comment in now, because all that we watch interconnects. The massive financialization of the US. The Americanization of the western world. The insanity of this woke ideology.

Epstein tossed out as peasant food and the Fed meeting with the money boys….

And the band played on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uiIxAUmPMA

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 21:04 utc | 303

Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 20:51 utc | 302

The Pythagoras pie 🙂

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 21:12 utc | 304

@ Tom Pfotzer | Nov 18 2025 16:54 utc | 284

thanks.. i think it is a really important topic you are raising.. i have maintained the reason for many of these wars is for a continuation of what i call a ‘financial ponzi scheme’ of the highest order.. your posts on this topic don’t mention this, but i think it is important what you are addressing regardless, because i think it is connected to my underlying theory on why these wars are happening… to keep the money game going and the profit churning, regardless of the costs..

Posted by: james | Nov 18 2025 21:47 utc | 305

π=c/r or π =c/d are both perfectly workable definitions. In each case, π is a transcendental number. You can’t write down the full sequence of digits with finite means, but you can use it with perfect accuracy in computations anyway given the above definitions (there are others available as well). One more reason to use the circumference/diameter approach is that the sine and cosine functions then have a period length of π instead of 2π which again seems more natural.

I apologize for getting the r and d conventions the other way in my earlier post. Actually d is the one commonly used, and the proposal is to switch to r. The new number is sometimes called the circle constant τ (tau). Here is for some further reading:

https://www.tauday.com/

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 18 2025 22:03 utc | 306

I messed up the d-r thing again in this post, argh. – One more reason to use the circumference/radius approach … would have been correct.

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 18 2025 22:07 utc | 307

Thanks. It was an interesting thought experiment, and it wasn’t until I woke up this morning that I saw the paradox/conundrum.
Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 20:51 utc | 302

********************

I don’t know what the ‘answer’ is, but a useful technique in physics is to ‘work from the definition’. This can also be useful in maths. When I first started out trying to learn physics, I was overwhelmed trying to remember all the physics derivations, trig identities, calculus ‘rules’…until I realized that knowing was insufficient, and understanding was paramount. So – the definitions define the ‘language’, and working from first principles charts the pathway. Magically, there is nothing to learn, because (by that stage) you already understand it… (which doesn’t mean that you know everything!)

The π question (in my mind) comes back to subconscious assumptions. Just like with the ‘marriage puzzle’, my mistake was assuming one had to know the marriage status of all three people. As several wise people pointed out, that is irrelevant. So maybe it’s time to consider assumptions around π.

Two people are asked to write down π exactly. One starts writing 3.14159265358979323846…, the other writes down π. One is correct, the other is always wrong, but gets closer over time. But π is irrational, meaning it cannot be expressed as the ratio of two numbers, yet many will write π = C/D and then cheerfully proceed on the basis that C and D can be measured and are known exactly. (Most students hated creating uncertainty tables for measurements in their physics experiments, didn’t they!). The more accurate your measurements are, or the more places you calculate in the infinite series, the closer your approximation to π will be.

So, working from the definition, I don’t see a problem. Moreover, I don’t see room for a problem. But that could easily change 🙂

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 18 2025 22:07 utc | 308

A lot of complexities around π perhaps arise from our fixation with base 10.

Is there a base where π doesn’t recur infinitely?

Why, yes there is! Base π of course, where π can be conveniently written as 10…

The world could be so very different…

Side-stuff: it has been rumoured that the two main competing rail gauges during the earlier days of rail expansion in Britain (Stephenson gauge and Brunel gauge) were respectively 4/3π yards and π-1 metres. Debate on this topic periodically resurfaces among rail historians.

Posted by: Jeremy Rhymings-Lang | Nov 18 2025 22:18 utc | 309

General Factotum | Nov 18 2025 22:07 utc | 308

I forget who first posed the question, but it seems everyone is running around in circles. And like me, you obviously dont mind pulling a chain or two. 🙂

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 22:20 utc | 310

Oh dear! The synchronicities! It’s almost enough to make me a true believer…

Persiflo says 𝜋 is transcendental, and I say 𝜋 is irrational. Who is correct? Well, we both are (but, bugger it, persiflo is more correct than I am – this time 🙂 ) because 𝜋 is both irrational and transcendental, but transcendental is the stronger requirement in that all transcendental numbers are irrational, but not all irrational numbers are transcendental. Working from the definition (already?):

An irrational number has a decimal representation that is infinite and non-repeating, meaning it cannot be expressed as a simple fraction of two integers.

A transcendental number has a decimal representation that is not a root of any non-zero polynomial equation with rational coefficients.

The transcendence of pi is what makes it an impossibility to “square the circle” using only a compass and straightedge, and not just a difficult task – as often understood by the colloquial use of the term (especially by politicians).

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 18 2025 22:26 utc | 311

Physics. A different place. Rocket science and the stuff the Russian regularly announce, sometimes demonstrate then deploy. Quantum computing, Quantum communications with those tangled squigly bits. Everything of the hands on world gets tossed out the window and the mind has to go into a different mode.

That maths riddle – me being a dumbfuck simply looked it up. Two radiuses plus a Pythagoras pie is a circle. The Russians have somehow combined these two different worlds – the world of the common man combined with rocket science.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 22:31 utc | 312

As a brief aside, tropical cyclone Fina has just been declared by the BOM, north of the Northern Territory coast.

It is currently a category 1, with max sustained winds of 75km/h, gusting to 100km/h. It is forecast to reach Category 2 by Friday, impacting the coast between Darwin and Minjilang.

The reason it is of interest to me, is that it is the earliest cyclone to have been declared in the Australian region (by 3 days).

With sea surface temps above 26⁰C across all of Australia north of 20⁰ south, we do have conditions very conducive to cyclone formation. It may be an interesting season ahead.

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 22:34 utc | 313

Yeah, synchronicity again. From the tau manifesto, which I highly recommend:And if you think that the circular baked goods on Pi Day are tasty, just wait—Tau Day has twice as much pi(e)!

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 18 2025 22:48 utc | 314

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 20:51 utc | 302
The worst or best that can be argued is that the truthiness of the statement

Circumference = 2πr

is qualified by context.
Algebraically (and logically) it is perfectly true since it follows directly from the definition of pi.
Arithmetically it is approximately true since pi is irrational and its value cannot be written out with perfect accuracy with a polynomial number notation of any base. It does have a precise value, we just can’t write it out or the value of any computation involving it.

Posted by: ChatNPC | Nov 18 2025 22:50 utc | 315

Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 22:34 utc | 313

Pythagoras baking his pies early. Bloody circles. Bath water circles when it goes down the plug hole. Bathing bubs and they blow bubbles. After the bubbles, a pooper scooper is required to remove the floaties.
When flying, l would sometimes hit strong updrafts sometimes spinning. But what goes up must come down. I would sometimes hit what was coming down when dicking about near the ground. On those occasions it was a matter of trying to balance height and airspeed. Its a fine line when there is no height left to lose.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 22:50 utc | 316

And like me, you obviously dont mind pulling a chain or two. 🙂
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 22:20 utc | 310

**********************

Hopes and aspirations do not always match with reality.

In the practical category of the assessment for my most recent progress report, my sweet wife stated that my predilection for dragging the chain precluded progress in the area of yanking the chain. At best, she thinks it may be regarded as a work in progress.

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 18 2025 22:58 utc | 317

General Factotum | Nov 18 2025 22:58 utc | 317

Sound like you are shackled to a good woman. Everyone talking circles here has got my head spinning. Australian term for a stockman working cattle was a ringer, though apparently it originated with the best shearer in a shed. But it very much fits with cattle work. To block a mob of rowdy cattle, its a matter of turning the lead and put them into an ever decreasing circle. A spiral type thing. Generally the could be quieted when ringed.

One place I worked when flying, some young blokes from Cunnamulla on the ground to clean the place up. I put those young blokes onto a small mob and they ringed them. I could see cattle further down the creek so I said walk them down the creek. The cloud of dust and those young blokes on bikes, walking a whirl wind down the creek flat to the next mob. That was something else.

Different worlds I guess

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 18 2025 23:33 utc | 318

Here’s one for you, Peter. Spotted on Aunty today…

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2025-11-19/robinson-r22-helicopter-fleet-sold-hm-air-northern-territory/106021962

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 23:39 utc | 319

Jon_in_AU | Nov 18 2025 23:39 utc | 319

The R22’s are good. I don’t know anything about the French choppers. When the aviation game goes big, they generally look for those wanting to gain hours and will work cheap as chips.`Many are after the tourist money, but they need hours for that. Those type are useless as tits on a bull.

Perhaps they will not go that way, but it is my understanding in general of how going big works. Anyway, thanks for linking it Jon.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 0:05 utc | 320

That little green crackhead now turning to Trump and Putin to save him. It boggles the mind. Billions stashed in offshore accounts…. the crackhead wants to get his hands on the frozen Russian billions in the EU but wants Trump and Putin to save him. I do not know who will kill him, but he will be killed.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 0:18 utc | 321

So….
The bill just got past, the epstien files will all be realeased they say, it just needs trumps signiture, and he’s said he will sign it,

The bill states all the documents will be realeased.

As long as they dont infringe anyones privisy
And on the condition of imunity of prosicution.

No comment needed from me.

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 0:35 utc | 322

@ Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 0:35 utc | 322

Bondi and her ilk have had plenty of time to destroy all of the most incriminating stuff.

Posted by: malenkov | Nov 19 2025 0:50 utc | 323

Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 0:35 utc | 322

There will be plenty of ‘redacted’ pages. You pretty much hit the nail on the head. The Epstein stuff though is nothing more than a red herring to take eyes away from US financials.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 1:00 utc | 324

More lies by the lier in Chief from Reuters

Trump says visiting Saudi crown prince knew nothing about Khashoggi killing, contradicting US intel

Trump, who chided the reporter who asked the Khashoggi question “to embarrass our guest,” also praised the crown prince for doing an “incredible” job on human rights, but did not elaborate.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 1:06 utc | 325

Malenkov @ 323
Yep your 100% right.
The israeies / jewish lobby will be all over it like a bad rash.

And yet, take hart.

This is a nixon …. watergate situation developing and gaining unstopable mommentum.

Andrew winsor will be impeached, mendleson too. Then trump will be impeached just like nixon.

With the same end result, and a good thing too , in my opinion. Becouse…….

Public opinion, trumps toast. Ha ha. ha.
Respect.

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 1:09 utc | 326

I just saw the posting below at Reuters and see this as indicative of the weakness in the US dollar

Foreign demand for US Treasuries slips in September, but Japan steps up buying

Japan is a colony of empire like Germany after WWII and Japan is required to buy/hold the off books hoard of Treasuries as part of the subservience.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 1:10 utc | 327

Peter Au1 @ 324

Yep your right, hang on in their an pass then popcorn.

Financials, failed wars and genicide .

But its always public opinion that brings them down.
Cheers.

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 1:15 utc | 328

Dungroanin

What are you on to attack me? Your posts, the way they are written, often I have not been able to make heads nor tails of them but I thought you were a decent bloke.

I considered British booze but a few other British blokes here are quite sane.
You must be drinking nail polish or partaking in European mushrooms or something. Perhaps it is woke ideology.

There are many things in this world I do not understand. You have been around long enough. What got into your mind to attack me?

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 1:16 utc | 329

On a serious note: Andrei Martyanov posted a comment on jet engines, linked to a video by Veritasium:

https://youtu.be/QtxVdC7pBQM

Veritasium is always excellent, but this is exceptional, covering an enormous range of topics in a highly complex field in a manner that most can easily understand.

Highly recommended. The best part is, if anyone has any issues related to jet engines, they can take it up directly with Veritasium.

I din’t say nuffink… (yet! 🙂 )

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 1:30 utc | 330

Posted by: james | Nov 18 2025 21:47 utc | 305

James, I agree. And when you look at how nations seem to be their own worst enemies sometimes, it could really be caused by the assassinations of leaderships — nothing to do with ideologies but rather conspiracies that succeed and leave a vacuum. So, what you describe steps into the vacuum. What Putin is doing in Ukraine is replacing the vacuum with responsible leadership. Plain and simple. Otherwise it is going to keep on happening. It worked in both Russia and China – the leadership has to be planned down to the local level with communication, real communication between the lowest level and the highest. Not my way or the highway — communication!

It takes hard work and dedication — and both the Russian people and the Chinese were ready to take that on. Maybe the rest of us will also be some day. New York might lead the way. It’s a good place to begin.

Posted by: juliania | Nov 19 2025 1:42 utc | 331

There are many things in this world I do not understand. You have been around long enough. What got into your mind to attack me?
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 1:16 utc | 329

***************

Hey, Peter: I reckon it’s simple… You and Dungroanin speak different languages, but I reckon you are mostly saying the same thing. I’ll try to explain.

I’ve just got a new toy to play with (painting finished, so the Project Manager has directed my attention to the garden) – the neighbor is an insurance repair builder, and he recently bought an excavator. He rarely uses it, so he said I can use it whenever I like, as long as I like. He’s a good bloke. So I’m like a pig in mud, reliving old times, and I have expanded my landscaping endeavors to a significantly higher plane.

The work is not intellectually challenging, so my mind drifts… I was thinking about your comments regarding useless uni types and hands on types, and other discussions, and it occurred to me that it could be brought down to a ‘language’ problem. Most here speak, or write, or read English, and have at least a rudimentary understanding. All the words we use are in a dictionary (well, most..) and the meaning is clearly defined – using words that it is assumed everyone will take to mean the same thing.

I dunno if this is making much sense. It seemed like I’d had a flash of insight, but I feel I’ lost the plot. Maybe I need an interpreter. Alternatively, maybe an interpreter could translate Dungroanin’s text? I reckon Peter’s writing is pretty clear – I can understand some Australian – ackshually, it’s the only language spoken without an accent; but I do struggle with some of that British stuff, they often sound like Pommy Bastards when they speak…

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 1:51 utc | 332

General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 1:30 utc | 330
On heat treatment on shitkicker scale, Its about keeping grain size small. I read some years back that turbine blades are grown, created whatever as a single crystal. A bit past my small workshop stuff. But the Russians have now gone beyond that. Their materials science is the leading edge.

On another note, that clown I simply term Wisco. Runs under an array of usernames and has now said he would come here and kill me. Perhaps I should simply call him Jake from the lake or wilting willy or something..

This west. The wide wede world of insanity and debauchery.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 1:54 utc | 333

— communication!
Posted by: juliania | Nov 19 2025 1:42 utc | 331

***************

Synchronicities… Dammit, Juliania beat me to the answer, much more efficiently – just one word is all it takes.

Juliania must be older (and therefore wiser), or smarter, or a lady – most likely all three, I suspect… I can retire; my work is done for me.

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 1:56 utc | 334

This west. The wide wede world of insanity and debauchery.

The wide wede. Probably what dungroanin is smoking.

This west. The wide wide world of insanity and debauchery.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 1:58 utc | 335

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 1:00 utc | 324

RE: There will be plenty of ‘redacted’ pages. The Epstein stuff though is nothing more than a red herring to take eyes away from US financials.

<<

It is bizarre that after a 42-day government shutdown the very first bit of legislation senators and representatives rush to pass pertains to the so-called Epstein Files, which may or may not actually exist in the conventional form most people expect.

So much expectation & anticipation hangs on whatever the Files might reveal to legislators and to the public: the hopes are high. It’s as if the New Jesus is about to appear.

Whatever anxieties the 42-day shutdown caused, whatever inconveniences the stoppage created—and keep in mind that it was the longest government shutdown in U.S. history—whatever fears people had about whether the temporary health insurance allowances, which were permitted during the pandemic, will be extended by Congress, took a backseat to the stampede of legislators on Capitol Hill to cast a voice vote on releasing the Epstein Files.

Productivity-wise, this is passing strange.

The vote on extending or not extending the temporary health insurance permissions will have to happen in Congress by 15 December. It’s not as if there’s an abundance of time for wrangling through the sticking points, especially w/ a major governmental holiday, Thanksgiving, happening between now & 15 December.

Your post @ #324 opens up an intriguing portal, however: diversionary tactics for fending off the financial woes.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Nov 19 2025 2:01 utc | 336

Re:
From reuters (via psychohistorian): Trump, who chided the reporter who asked the Khashoggi question “to embarrass our guest,” also praised the crown prince for doing an “incredible” job on human rights, but did not elaborate.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 1:06 utc | 325

It has been said, “He negotiates with his imagination and then declares Victory!”

To which an addendum can be added:

“He negotiates with his imagination and judges himself to be the most regal of hosts, expecting great acclaim and tributes with gilded gifts aplenty forthcoming.”

Paraphrasing a renown analyst in the alt news realm to which many former accepted experts have been driven, drumpff does not operate with a moral compass and exhibits no sense of moral responsibility.

Geopolitics is not a moral science.

Posted by: suzan | Nov 19 2025 2:05 utc | 337

“It is bizarre that after a 42-day government shutdown the very first bit of legislation senators and representatives rush to pass pertains to the so-called Epstein Files…”
steel_porcupine | Nov 19 2025 2:01 utc | 336

It seems to little old me that this shenanigan is all about changing the narrative from 3LA collusion corruption cross-nationally (and covering for elite financial theft (as usual) which often fuels societal chaos) to a narrative of focusing public attention on the suffering of sex-trafficked victims — a righteous emotion! — aka a woke narrative replacement switcheroo to function as a silencer on the growing siren calls that the system is broken corrupt and there’s no fixin’ it without total overhaul.

I probably will not see the outcome of this cycle in person but i support all people seeking truth, justice and defense of people respecting the collective need for a functioning moral shared universe.

This means imo at the local level living well as best one knows how.
Be kind, friendly, and helpful as best you can.

We all grow old and cherished agilities and skills fade but with age also comes the possibility that virtues are perfected. Think Socrates.

Posted by: suzan | Nov 19 2025 2:45 utc | 338

Posted by: suzan | Nov 19 2025 2:45 utc | 338

RE: I support all people seeking truth, justice and defense of people respecting the collective need for a functioning moral shared universe.

<<

The humility of witnessing comes to mind too—looking upon the broken system, perchance documenting what one sees when anything more definitive fails.

Posted by: steel_porcupine | Nov 19 2025 3:05 utc | 339

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 1:56 utc | 334

Given how often I err, General, I’m humbly appreciative — I always have enjoyed what I can understand from your contributions, so thanks for those as well.

Posted by: juliania | Nov 19 2025 3:21 utc | 340

Canada always prefers a controlled opposition. For this the No Difference Party (NDP) is a perfect fit. Yves Engler not at all. Hence the dirty tricks…

We Will Resist Exclusion From the Montreal Debate

“The Yves Engler campaign has been informed that the NDP vetting committee won’t make a decision about Yves’ campaign in time for the November 27 leadership debate. This is unacceptable.

We are now informed that the vetting committee will take their time in deciding if Yves has the right to participate in this process. While other candidates sailed through the vetting process quickly, it appears the 3-person vetting committee will drag out the process.

‘It is unbelievable that the NDP would choose to exclude the only candidate from Quebec who is also the only bilingual candidate in the race, from a bilingual Montreal leadership debate,’ said insurgent candidate Yves Engler.

‘This is unacceptable. It is not only an insult to party democracy, but an insult to Quebec. The party has a choice, they can hear from us inside the debate, or outside of it…”

Honest Yves Engler for NDP Leader – because there’s nobody else up to the job.

http://www.yvesforndpleader.ca

Posted by: John Gilberts | Nov 19 2025 3:28 utc | 341

As a follow on to
”
I just saw the posting below at Reuters and see this as indicative of the weakness in the US dollar Foreign demand for US Treasuries slips in September, but Japan steps up buying Japan is a colony of empire like Germany after WWII and Japan is required to buy/hold the off books hoard of Treasuries as part of the subservience.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 1:10 utc | 327
”
from that posting

Japan remained the largest non-U.S. holder of Treasuries with $1.189 trillion in September, its biggest holdings since August 2022, when their stash of U.S. government debt hit $1.196 trillion. Japan’s holdings have increased for nine straight months.

From ZH

Japan Bond Yields Soar To Record, Slamming Door On Stimulus Just As Economy Implodes Amid Escalating China Clash

One might ask why Japan has been increasing their holding of US Treasuries for the past nine months when their economy needs that stimulus money at home?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 4:16 utc | 342

Over the weekend Ecuador voted by 61% to reject a measure to change the Ecuadorian constitution to allow foreign military bases in the country.

Ecuador Slams Door On Hosting US Military Base In National Referendum

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 4:22 utc | 343

@ psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 4:22 utc | 343

i meant to tell you i got the book out of the library you recommended – breathe – am about 100 pages into it and enjoying it.. thanks for the recommendation!

Posted by: james | Nov 19 2025 4:33 utc | 344

@ juliania | Nov 19 2025 1:42 utc | 331

communication as opposed to obfuscation would be a nice change… when you can drop the phrase ‘national security’ obfuscation is easy.. think the epstein files.. everyone nods their head in agreement on releasing the files, but ‘national security’ has other ideas.. the fact is both parties in the usa are in on the fix… nothing is going to come out of this.. the 2 party system is a 1 party system that is designed to circle the wagons when anything serious actually might come to light… so that is how i see the epstein file saga and the financial ponzi scheme dynamic – that is another issue that both parties will make sure to keep the lid on… so you can forget about communication.. instead think deception.. that is what gets used regularly by the politicians serving the elite.. they dole out deception in spades regularly… this is how i see it, and i like to be optimistic about the future too, lol..

i apologize if i misunderstood you… got a little rant off my shoulders at any rate, lol..

Posted by: james | Nov 19 2025 4:45 utc | 345

On the circumference of a circle, it depends upon the underling geometry chosen.

In Euclidean Geometry π is a transcendental number ≈ 3.14159 .

In Taxicab Geometry π is the rational number = 4.

https://www.mathscareers.org.uk/taxicab-geometry/ <== fun and easy!

Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:00 utc | 346

Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:00 utc | 346

Ooophf! In Taxicab Geometry π is the whole number = 4.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:09 utc | 347

Credit default swaps are back again but to hedge against the AI debt bubble — Lehman on steroids ==> https://youtu.be/Syagp5YsqLQ

Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:21 utc | 348

In response to
”
Credit default swaps are back again but to hedge against the AI debt bubble — Lehman on steroids ==> https://youtu.be/Syagp5YsqLQ
Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:21 utc | 348
”
How long can they keep the music playing?……Amazing financial hubris probably covered by derivatives, eh?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 6:32 utc | 349

How long can they keep the music playing?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 6:32 utc | 349

—

John Maynard Keynes — ‘Markets can remain irrational longer than you can remain solvent.’

When this Jenga tower falls insolvency will touch everyone. No counter party is safe.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:40 utc | 350

In response to
”
When this Jenga tower falls insolvency will touch everyone. No counter party is safe.
Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:40 utc | 350
”
I agree and can’t fathom what that will look like. How far down the devolution ladder will we go?…..all the way?

We are a strange species that seems afflicted with a potential dead end branch of our evolution at this point. I hearken back to my reading of The Dawn Of Everything by Graeber/Wengrow that described the 40K years of social organization before we became afflicted by the monotheistic religions faced by the God Of Mammon one in the West.

It is amazing to see our species at what looks to be a serious inflection point but maybe pre WWI and WWII looked similar……all wars are banker wars as this is against, finance as a public utility, China.

The shit show continues until it doesn’t and it all comes down to who gets to flush……grin

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 6:57 utc | 351

From Reuters

China bans Japanese seafood as diplomatic dispute deepens

China informed Japan on Wednesday that it will ban all imports of Japanese seafood, media outlets reported – a decision which comes amid an escalating diplomatic dispute between Asia’s top two economies.

China is playing hardball and this is what is being reported in public.

The hardball of China that is not being reported on is the restrictions on military rare earths that should be bringing all military hardware including jets to a halt soon if not already……no reports of how much left in supply chain…..any barflies have any info on this situation?

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:13 utc | 352

should be bringing all military hardware including jets to a halt soon

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:13 utc | 352

—

Its not just military hardware. Its modern communications systems.

In 2024, China produced 98 percent of the world’s low-purity gallium, according to the United States Geological Survey ==> https://www.csis.org/analysis/beyond-rare-earths-chinas-growing-threat-gallium-supply-chains

Gallium is critical for communications semiconductors.

Gallium Nitride is becoming an interesting solution for low-noise applications in the lower part of the millimeter-wave spectrum and is gaining increasing attention in the space community for microwave receiver functionalities. Lately, its maturity level has increased and its performance in terms of noise figure and operating frequency is reaching other advanced III-V technologies such as Gallium Arsenide and Indium Phoshpide. Moreover, Gallium Nitride features higher power handling capability …

https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10056942

Pricing power? China has it!

Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 7:26 utc | 353

I agree that
”
Pricing power? China has it!
Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 7:26 utc | 353
”

but current absolute Supply Power over military rare earths is more important, IMO

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:40 utc | 354

Xinhuanet has interesting posting up, three linked to below

JUNO team releases first achievement about neutrino

Using 59 days of effective data after the start of operation on Aug. 26 this year, JUNO has already measured two of the solar neutrino oscillation parameters with a factor of 1.5 to 1.8 better precision than previous experiments, said Wen, also the physics analysis coordinator of the JUNO Collaboration.
The two parameters, originally determined by solar neutrinos, can also be precisely measured by reactor antineutrinos. Earlier results from the two approaches showed a mild 1.5-sigma discrepancy, known as the solar neutrino tension, hinting at a possible new physics theory.
“Achieving such precision within only two months of operation shows that JUNO is performing exactly as designed,” said Wang Yifang, JUNO project manager and spokesperson.
“With this level of accuracy, JUNO will soon determine the neutrino mass ordering, test the three-flavour oscillation framework, and search for new physics beyond it,” Wang added.

China releases latest findings from second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau scientific expedition

Since its launch in August 2017, the second expedition has mobilized over 3,000 research teams and more than 30,000 personnel, conducting comprehensive surveys across the entire plateau region.

Prehistoric site in east China’s Jiangsu dates back about 7,500 to 8,100 years

The team’s findings are exceptionally diverse and well-preserved due to the water-saturated environment at the site. They consist of various types of pottery, wooden artifacts, plant remains, animal remains including bones of mammals, and some woven objects, such as ropes made from hemp or grass.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:47 utc | 355

It is being reported at Xinhuanet that China has opened a RMB clearing bank in Turkiye which I think is significant and wonder what other barflies think

RMB clearing bank launched in Türkiye, marking milestone in China-Türkiye financial cooperation

In recent years, China-Türkiye cooperation has maintained a steady momentum. Bilateral trade has grown rapidly, reaching 42.9 billion U.S. dollars in 2024, while China’s stock of direct investment in Türkiye stands at 3.2 billion dollars. According to Turkish statistics, China has already become one of Türkiye’s largest trading partners in the first three quarters of this year, with full-year trade expected to reach a new record.
On the Turkish side, Deputy Minister of Treasury and Finance Osman Celik said the launch represents not only a financial cooperation initiative but also “a new page” in the long-standing relationship between the two countries. He noted that the RMB clearing bank will help reduce trade risks and transaction costs, while fostering opportunities in trade, investment, and long-term financing.

Read between the lines of “He noted that the RMB clearing bank will help reduce trade risks and transaction costs, while fostering opportunities in trade, investment, and long-term financing.”.

Sounds like serious dedollarization to me.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:54 utc | 356

Let me add to the Turkiye comment that an important aspect is that the investment will not be in dollars and therefore the debt will not be in dollars

In the coming crash I think there will be a big fight over whether the new debt instruments will be in US dollars or ???
My bet is on the ??? but Gawd only knows how this will play out.

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:58 utc | 357

Ooophf! In Taxicab Geometry π is the whole number = 4.
Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 6:09 utc | 347

In Mywife-driving Geometry π >6.

Posted by: waynorinorway | Nov 19 2025 8:58 utc | 358

China’s new adaptive-cycle jet engine delivers unprecedented thrust, efficiency

https://interestingengineering.com/military/china-supersonic-jet-engine-speed

Posted by: emersonreturn | Nov 19 2025 11:17 utc | 359

emersonreturn | Nov 19 2025 11:17 utc | 359

Mach 4 sounds high for a turbine. The SR-71 at mach 3.2 cruise speed had virtual all the fuel going to the afterburner/ramjet. Just enough fuel going to the turbine to keep it idling. At cruise the skin of the aircraft was I think around 600F. I think turbine temps limited it to mach 3.4 though from an interview with a pilot it could go much faster.

That was 1960’s tech, and I guess with advances in material science enabling higher temps and design, its likely doable

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 11:41 utc | 360

DunGroanin | Nov 19 2025 11:47 utc | 361

You attacked me as being a racist simply because I wrote something about those two female crooks at the airport. As I said, there are bad apples in every barrel.

And as for mentioning my sister was afraid to travel in Australia when Australia is, by murders per capita, amongst the safest places in the world. She had bought a van set up for traveling and camping but was then to afraid to travel.

You have woke racism DunGroanin

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 12:01 utc | 361

psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 7:54 utc | 356

A new world is being created that is outside the American world. At the moment, it looks like the Chinese yuan my be the most used trade currency in that system.

The level of madness here in the west – closely tied to the imminent demise and collapse of the Nato proxy army in the war against Russia. The Europeans bet everything on breaking up Russia and looting it.

The Americans have different problems of their own making. The crash when it comes will be big. Perhaps the Americans can cook the books again to delay the inevitable, but the longer they do this, the bigger the crash will be.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 12:23 utc | 362

I dunno if this is making much sense. It seemed like I’d had a flash of insight, but I feel I’ lost the plot.

The language of the MoA board is the most challenging use case of English I’ve ever encountered. I have it on good grounds that not even a native speaker with lots of life experience could make sense of everything or even most of what gets written here. I will confess that DunGroanin’s style still often flies over my head after more than a decade of regular reading at the whiskey bar.

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 19 2025 12:43 utc | 363

Persiflo @ 364
Haveing read your comment , we can chalk you up as a right wing trump lover. With a transparent and deveous agenda on this blog.

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 13:04 utc | 364

@Mark2 | 365 – Lol.

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 19 2025 13:07 utc | 365

Ford CEO says he has 5,000 open mechanic jobs with 6-figure salaries from the shortage of manually skilled workers: ‘We are in trouble in our country’ – Fortune

Bullshit. Look at the publisher, B. Those jobs would be snapped up so fast it would make your head spin, if they really existed. Reality: they have been playing this “we have no skilled workers” game since the late 90s. They lie that there’s nobody to take six figure jobs and then ship them to Mexico where they pay half the wage and enjoy virtually no regulation whatsoever. Posted by: Ahenobarbus | Nov 16 2025 16:42 utc | 34
—————————————————————————
Agree and Disagree.
DISAGREE !!!! These shortages are the result of demograpic developments. There was the socalled “Baby Boom Generation” and this generation is in the process of retiring. All these vacant spots need to be filled but the employees are not there, for the simple reason that the birth rates after say 1960 / 1970 / 1980 kept dropping. There are simply too little people to fill up all the vacant spots.

And then we come back to the excellent work from people like Emmanuel Todd, Harry Dent, Elizabeth Warren and Steve Keen have done. Todd and Dent both emphasize the importance of demographic developments in a country, society.

Posted by: WMG | Nov 19 2025 15:18 utc | 366

@B: I still have one complaint about this blog. To make a post more readable I regurlarly insert an empty line. When I am typing (in the “Visual” tab) a comment then inserting an empty line creates a distance between two lines that’s much larger (in height) than is being displayed in the published comment. I would like to see that in this case the line spacing in both cases (typing versus being published) has (nearly) the same height. Then we have a situation of “What You See Is what You Get”.

Posted by: WMG | Nov 19 2025 15:49 utc | 367

Posted by: DunGroanin | Nov 19 2025 11:47 utc | 361

“Never mind. The place is full of stinky sock swine, who don’t recognise such pearls…”

I had a mate that lived in a squat down Ladbroke Grove, near the underpass in the 90s who used to put on squat parties.

Anyway, his definition of a good night was if in the morning, his socks were so stinky that when he threw them, they stuck to the wall.

Straight up guvnor 😀.

Posted by: lachaussette | Nov 19 2025 18:56 utc | 368

Posted by: DunGroanin | Nov 19 2025 11:47 utc | 361

********

Lots to choose from there!

My interpreter has gone AWOL, so there was ackshually a lot that whooshed over my head, must be a lost in translation thing… Maybe sign language may help – but , just to avoid confusion, I should warn that I broke my middle finger in a pie-eating competition many years ago. It wasn’t set properly, and now sort of sticks up awkwardly – it causes a lot of mixed signals, which may result in mistranslation. It also makes it difficult for me to pick up the pearls when I’m scrabbling around with all the other swine – gets stuck in the mud – prolly where my nickname came from.

Hey, do they still sell Bex in Old Blighty? When Mum got a bit cranky she used to take a Bex, have a glass of ‘water’, and a good lie down. Sort of pupated, I suppose – she emerged after a few hours as the real Queen she always was.

Redemption relies on you delivering a best-yet Sunday Sermon. Three sleeps to go. Don’t spare the acid!

PS. The only thing I don’t understand about The Ashes is how any sentient being could even bring themselves to make a comment about a comment on that utter waste of time that wastes so many other people’s time.

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 20:17 utc | 369

China’s new adaptive-cycle jet engine delivers unprecedented thrust, efficiency https://interestingengineering.com/military/china-supersonic-jet-engine-speed
Posted by: emersonreturn | Nov 19 2025 11:17 utc | 359

***********************

Interesting article, emersonreturn. I’m always bemused by the reporting language surrounding any Chinese advances. Compare with the positive gush when talking about western advances. Remember the worship about the US President commissioning the F-47? Well, it seems that work is proceeding apace – from the most important part – the external appearance. Reports have it that the decals designs have been completed. With that challenge laid to rest, the US only have to now fashion a jet to stick to the decals. Almost there!

To the ACE. The basic principle of the advances in design (roughly) comes back to what I’ve been croaking about with principles of problem-solving. Rather than spending enormous effort on eliminating a problem, why not see whether it can be turned to your advantage?

The broad ACE designs (principles!) tie in neatly with what I mentioned some time ago about hypersonic engines. I put that on hold for a while because commentary here got a bit complicated….

Maybe with ACE, Veritasium, and a few other bits and pieces brought together as background it could be possible to move on without distractions.

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 20:44 utc | 370

I just watched the latest Judge/Col Macgregor and at the end the Col said he now agrees with a friend that told him a few months ago that Epstein will bring down Trump.

The Judge showed some examples of recent Trump losing it when asked about Epstein. It is scary to think about this man “in charge” of America given his behavior…..unhinged and inappropriate for someone in his position.

Hey b. My memory tells me that you thought this would blow over and I agree. I would rather society focus on stuff like finance but the Epstein story is about to go as viral as the lopsided votes by the Congress Critters would indicate…….lets hope some good comes out of the process

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 21:23 utc | 371

MOATS, with George Galloway: ‘Epstein Unveiled’

https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeGallowayOfficial/streams

“|Will files implicate Trump?| Redaction fears| Venezuela & wag the dog|

With Chris Hedges & Rachel Blevins.”

Posted by: John Gilberts | Nov 19 2025 21:28 utc | 372

I have been trying to remember which airport it was where the incident with the two people snatchers occurred. I think it had to be the Hong Kong airport. We had been to Bangkok the year before and there were lots of large signs around the customs area warning of human trafficking.
There were no warning signs at the Hong Kong airport, but it was due to the trip to Bangkok and the signs there, plus the fact I had been watching those two wondering what they were up to, that I instantly recognized what was occurring. They had not approached my daughter while I was there. We had been standing away from the crowds as we had about an hour to wait. They only approached what they saw as a young girl alone.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 21:43 utc | 373

psychohistorian | Nov 19 2025 21:23 utc | 372

I had thought the Epstein stuff a red herring to take eyes off financial problems. It may well be that, but it could also be serious move to oust Trump due to the Alaska talks and now forcing Ukraine to agree to Russia’s terms.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 21:47 utc | 374

Whats trump for ?

Posted by: Mark2 | Nov 19 2025 22:04 utc | 375

General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 20:44 utc | 371

From the article, the the turbofan gradually moves over to ramjet. The engines of the SR-71 did that.
Though as far as I know its engines were jet rather than turbofan. I can’t remember if those engines ducted air around the combustion chamber or all air went through the combustion chamber. I assume temps for the turbine on the exhaust side were the limiting factor.

These ACE designs use the bypass air from the fan to feed the ramjet. I see the Russian jets, The tailpipe is wide open for take off and low speed flying and narrow in for a higher velocity exhaust airflow at higher speeds.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 22:25 utc | 376

This looks like part of the CIA’s covert operations in Venezuela

“Crude upgraders along the Orinoco Belt, Venezuela’s main oil producing region, are key to turning the country’s extra heavy crude output into exportable grades.”

“An explosion was heard before the fire, which was near the upgrader’s distillation tower, a worker from a nearby project said. The fire could have extended to a naphtha plant, according to another source.”
https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/fire-erupts-petrocedeno-crude-upgrader-venezuela-source-media-2025-11-19/

A few days back an attack on high voltage transmission towers that brought three down. Now an attack on Venezuela oil infrastructure.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 23:07 utc | 377

Thanks for your response, james, even though you disagree with my foolish optimism. I’ll just repeat that there is going to be a reversal, and it will come quickly — a reversal of the ‘kick it down the road’ strategy in the US that seems to go on for ever. I can only point back to when the trio of assassinations happened in the US. It was during my young family times – I was in my 20s and having a family was a big thing, but bigger still was that happening in Dallas because it threw the known world completely askew. It shattered our lives, because there had been nothing, as far as we knew, to foretell it. In these hazardous times now, it is perfectly understandable not to realize how enormously shattering that was. Everything was stable and had been stable since the end of WW2 as far as living conditions for most people in the US. Stable and better than it had been before and during the war. Of course there were happenings that shook as an earthquake shakes, that’s life. But on the whole it was a peaceful time for most people.

That assassination was a bolt from the blue — and it’s important to say we treated it like an earthquake and tried to make sense of it that way. But no, there was another, and then a third. We lost our bearings. And then in the vacuum something took over that had been impossible to envision beforehand. We, ordinary people, entered a void very like the one we have today. Ours had war and this was one our fellow young persons were actually coming home in body bags. And then, Watergate happened. What I want to say is that Watergate wasn’t just Watergate. Looking back it doesn’t seem like much, but it represented a darkness to be overcome which stretched back to and through the assassinations. What happened as Watergate unfolded was that there were heroes during that time — none of them I had even heard of in the stretch since JFK vanished, LBJ came and went, and then there was Nixon. It felt then like now, horrible and unending.

Then the story broke, and then there was a judge. There were the Pentagon Papers. There were even congresspersons. There was John Dean and the tapes. Talk about the Book of Revelation! The nation was riveted and it was a time for startling testimony, for reaching back to the Constitution. And we shamed two presidents; one before Watergate but after the horrible bloody Vietnam had begun, and one after that puny Watergate breakin. I know, that history seems phony looking back, but you are not seeing the darkness spreading from those triple assassinations. That had us in its power, and maybe still does in part.

There were so many innocents among us back then and we didn’t know everything involved. Nor was it as remorselessly savage as our darkness now has become. But just as we didn’t know everything then, we don’t now, except we know that we are living an accumulated nightmare of darkness. We all know that.

Many already have tried to be as it was back then and some others may still come forward too soon. There’s always that danger. I just think that the heavier the darkness, (and it is heavier this time) the closer we are to that happening. If it happens like Watergate, we won’t know it beforehand. There was no warning when the Watergate dam finally cracked. It was sudden and even early on it was only a trickle. But it did happen! People who could make a difference did.

Yes james, you could be right that the optimum time hasn’t yet come, but come it will. The cracks are already appearing. My era had Martin Luther King’s powerful voice still echoing. This era has Occupy and the many single truthtellers who have been taken from us one by one to keep us in fear. That fear only works when the darkness is powerful, but it cannot last. And if Putin and his Russian team is determined, in the darkness his country faced, to persevere as long as they have for a more permanent solution, knowing what they now know — perhaps this shameful time for the US will be more permanently addressed as well.

We’ve been here before. When the battered can of shame finally reaches the end of the road, let there appear a team of heroes for us as well!

Posted by: juliania | Nov 20 2025 0:11 utc | 378

“Western Europe” isn’t a place. It is an idea. A covetous idea that zealots harbour everywhere Imperialism has visited. A nation-state cannot march against neoliberal globalism. Ideas must be defeated by means other than force of arms.
Posted by: too scents | Nov 19 2025 17:51 utc | 27

good post

Posted by: arby | Nov 20 2025 1:45 utc | 379

Yes james, you could be right that the optimum time hasn’t yet come, but come it will. The cracks are already appearing. My era had Martin Luther King’s powerful voice still echoing. This era has Occupy and the many single truthtellers who have been taken from us one by one to keep us in fear. That fear only works when the darkness is powerful, but it cannot last. And if Putin and his Russian team is determined, in the darkness his country faced, to persevere as long as they have for a more permanent solution, knowing what they now know — perhaps this shameful time for the US will be more permanently addressed as well. We’ve been here before. When the battered can of shame finally reaches the end of the road, let there appear a team of heroes for us as well!
Posted by: juliania | Nov 20 2025 0:11 utc | 379

SORRY, all of that is DELUSIONAL fantasy gish gallop.

For one Putin has nothing to do with your fucked up American culture politics or dysfunctional society. And like me and billions of awake humans nor does he care.

How America Got Divorced from Reality: Christian Utopias, Anti-Elitism, Media Circus
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XirnEfkdQJM&list=PLunO6ghcPSn-zWFtHVFXXf-vRgL65kSDK&index=23

OLD NEWS
Your Democracy Has Been Stolen; It’s Time For Revolution

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94eFg1t6PWk&list=PLunO6ghcPSn-zWFtHVFXXf-vRgL65kSDK&index=23

Posted by: Mindless Rules | Nov 20 2025 6:16 utc | 380

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 19 2025 21:47 utc | 375

#####

Trump would not have been allowed the Alaska talks unless the outcome was predetermined.

It is silly to believe that Trump has any autonomy as President. When he is not continuing an agenda set decades ago, he’s engaging in a performance for the hoi polloi. It’s all drama. Meeting this one, shaking hands with that one, threatening so and so.

There are several people at the bar who marvel at Trump addressing the press. He typically lies and says stupid things, but the hoi polloi hold his talking to Imperial hagiographers as some revolutionary thing.

An intelligent person might be curious, when Trump gives a speech at the UN, who is he talking to, and who is he representing?

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Nov 20 2025 6:22 utc | 381

LoveDonbass | Nov 20 2025 6:22 utc | 382

US is now divided.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 20 2025 6:43 utc | 382

We’ve been here before. When the battered can of shame finally reaches the end of the road, let there appear a team of heroes for us as well!
Posted by: juliania

well said !

Posted by: exile | Nov 20 2025 8:03 utc | 383

OLD NEWSYour Democracy Has Been Stolen; It’s Time For Revolution

[link]

Posted by: Mindless Rules | Nov 20 2025 6:16 utc | 381
__________

— although it’s impossible to steal what one never had.

Posted by: malenkov | Nov 20 2025 11:44 utc | 384

@ Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 19 2025 1:51 utc | 332

—————————————————–

“Good try attempting the ‘lost in translation’ excuse for antediluvian ‘colonial’ attitudes – but in this modern age of communication – it cuts no ice with me, as I explain a above as simply as I can. My post was initially playful, riffing on Pi anx it’s supernatural existence. Along with the stone circle builders problem of mapping the sky. It has gone whooshing over all heads… Never mind. The place is full of stinky sock swine, who don’t recognize such pearls… As for the ‘lost in translation’, ‘divided by a common language’ excuse – The Ashes start in less than 48 hours – I expect everyone will understand each other very clearly.”

Posted by: DunGroanin | Nov 19 2025 11:47 utc | 361

Don’t let such Intellectual Wastelands (“IW”, TM) such as General Fuckface disturb your magnificent postings ; your surrealistic and punchy prose isn’t appreciated, or even understood, by these Intellectual Wastelands.

Posted by: canuk | Nov 20 2025 14:21 utc | 385

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 20 2025 6:43 utc | 383

#######

Exactly what I would do. The easier to break and manipulate people.

The joke is, the people who claim to want to make the US great, engage in a lot of scapegoating and rarely extend a loving political hand to their neighbor.

Something something “a House divided…”

And that is why I believe with the end of institutionalized colonialism, humanity has a shot at brotherhood and pursuit of the mysteries of the universe.

There will always be predators, racists, and traumatized people but right now they get to hide behind the fig leaf of Empire.

Posted by: LoveDonbass | Nov 20 2025 15:19 utc | 386

Brian Berletic: US Plans For China Blockade Continue Taking Shape

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqi_cPYiT9c

“What was once a theoretical discussion in US military journals about blockading China’s oil supply is now steadily turning into a tangible multi-layered strategy aimed at global dominance.”

Recommended.

Posted by: John Gilberts | Nov 20 2025 15:28 utc | 387

Don’t let such Intellectual Wastelands (“IW”, TM) such as General Fuckface ….
Posted by: canuk | Nov 20 2025 14:21 utc | 386

**************

It is sad that Mr. canuk’s spelling has not only failed to improve, it seems to be deteriorating even further.

It is also interesting that Mr. canuk’s posts about me only ever contain subjective assessments, which are, unfortunately, uniformly based on incorrect and emotional assumptions.

However, Mr. canuck is to be highly commended for his resolute stand on avoiding any question regarding publicly available information regarding his claimed business ventures, as well as studiously avoiding any response to my many challenges regarding factual fault with respect to any of my scientific- or physics-related posts.

Hmmm… I’m starting to see a pattern here.

Posted by: General Factotum | Nov 20 2025 21:01 utc | 388

Today something funny happened. A while ago when I was broke I subscribed to a job portal, and never heard back until now. Me being broke again, and them needing someone for the same day, I agreed to do it. Turned out it was a catering job at the Bezirksamt Wandsbek on the occassion of someone being presented with an officious award there. My boss and me got along immediately. The food was a bit over-dimensioned, as were the drinks, so we did well serving and keeping everyone happy, including ourselves.

Every little thing is gonna be alright! (funny AI version involving some usual suspects)

Video version of the original Three Little Birds by our usual suspect Bob Marley.

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 20 2025 22:52 utc | 389

Sanchez Effect| Prof Radhika Desai

https://rumble.com/v7205ke-sanchez-effect-radhika-desai-sht-is-going-to-hit-the-fan-because-trumps-face.html

“Shit is going to hit the fan because Trump’s facing reversals.”

Recommended

Posted by: John Gilberts | Nov 21 2025 1:33 utc | 390

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 21 2025 1:29 utc | 167
From the High Noon thread.
I hate animal cruelty. I have been a vegetarian since I have been 16. I will only eat animals that I kill myself. I’m okay with eating plants and fruits harvested by others. We humans are horrible creatures.

Posted by: lex talionis | Nov 21 2025 3:22 utc | 391

I am watching the latest Judge/Mearsheimer video and in it was shown a Don’t Give Up The Ship video with Dem Congresscritters who are ex military/intelligence folks saying to the existing US military not to execute illegal orders…..can’t provide link to just the video that is not in Facebook

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 21 2025 3:31 utc | 392

Posted by: persiflo | Nov 20 2025 22:52 utc | 390
I find it hard to believe that someone as smart as you has a hard time finding a job. I guess Germany is in a really bad place.
Best of luck! If I hear about anything, I will let you know.

Posted by: lex talionis | Nov 21 2025 3:53 utc | 393

From Reuters

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s cabinet approved a 21.3 trillion yen ($135.40 billion) economic stimulus package on Friday, marking the first major policy initiative under the new leader, who has pledged to pursue expansionary fiscal measures.

I am starting to think that Japan is going to be the straw that breaks empire back. Ambassador Chas Freeman in the latest from Glenn Diesen says China is pushing for the removal of Takaichi for her comments about Taiwan. This, combined with Japan’t fragile economy and excessive purchase of US Treasuries over the past 9 months puts Japan in a very critical position that I think may collapse and set off a chain of other collapses.

Chas also talks about the rare earth for military use restriction by China that I keep saying is not be talked about and built into the geopolitical equations we are discussing

Posted by: psychohistorian | Nov 21 2025 5:54 utc | 394

US has just designated the Venezuelan military a terrorist organisation.

Cartel of the Suns. The wikipedia page was started during Trumps first admin. Several hundred entries for 2025.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartel_of_the_Suns

Reuters
“President Donald Trump’s decision to designate an alleged drug cartel that the U.S. links to Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a foreign terrorist organization provides the Pentagon with a range of new options, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said.

On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the U.S. would designate the Cartel de los Soles a foreign terrorist organization, which makes it a crime for anyone in the U.S. to provide material support to the group.

Hegseth spoke with One America News and, in excerpts released on Thursday, was quoted as saying the designation “brings a whole bunch of new options to the United States.””
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/us-military-has-new-options-pursue-group-tied-venezuelas-maduro-pentagon-says-2025-11-20/

I guess strikes on Venezuela’s military will start soon. Trump is trying to push the agreement with Russia through very fast so perhaps he will wait till he has that or perhaps not.

Posted by: Peter AU1 | Nov 21 2025 7:15 utc | 395

Yesterday’s leg down in the US markets could be an echo of the unwind of the JP Yen carry trade.

Japan’s Takaichi unveils $135bn stimulus to spur growth

…The package will primarily involve ¥17.7tn of spending and will be backed by a supplementary budget likely to be presented in coming weeks. Such a budget would be 27 per cent larger than the one secured a year ago by Takaichi’s immediate predecessor. It also involves ¥2.7tn of tax cuts and some funding from the special account.

…Earlier in the week, the yen tumbled to a 10-month low against the US dollar, while yields on the benchmark 10-year Japanese government bond rose to their highest level since the global financial crisis in 2008. Yields on 30- and 40-year JGBs surged to record highs on Thursday ahead of the announcement. Yields on the 10-year JGB fell one basis point to 1.795 per cent after the cabinet approved the plan.

Excerted from ==> https://www.ft.com/content/a579a3a7-d08e-46a2-9ff5-5b5e2ed34e80

Easy money is heading back East.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 21 2025 7:30 utc | 396

Posted by: lex talionis | Nov 21 2025 3:22 utc | 392
Thanks lex.
I was vegetarian for a large chunk of my adulthood, but I do now eat meat a couple of times a month to stave off my tendency to get anaemic.

I do struggle with my own cognitive dissonance over doing so though.

The animal cruelty thing really tends to anger me also, especially when so blatantly uncaring and unthinking as that meth-head was. If I was the presiding judge, I’d have likely named and shamed her. Or maybe made her publish a public apology in the local newspapers.

Posted by: Jon_in_AU | Nov 21 2025 7:36 utc | 397

Bernard-Henri Lévy has an opinion piece up in Murdock’s Zionist loving WSJ, in which he whines:

we have rumors of a new “peace plan” hastily cooked up by Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, which, if true, would be a moral and strategic catastrophe and would equate to an unacceptable capitulation.

https://www.wsj.com/opinion/halfhearted-allies-keep-ukraine-in-a-futile-war-17747af6

Ukraine cannot fail, it can only be failed.

Posted by: too scents | Nov 21 2025 7:38 utc | 398

This is only a drive-by comment because my computer setup is currently extremely cumbersome and I am hardly on the net at all right now.

On the topic of eating and responding to Jon_in_AU ( Nov 21 2025 7:36 utc | 398 ):
If it helps you feel any better then remember the food you eat is shared with and/or pass through all the bacteria in your internal microbiology and all the creatures living on and inside your body :3

I remember (might be outdated) people discussing whether the mitocondria inside our cells are separate forms of life from humans or not.

We are all micro-ecologies XD (and plants and fungi are life too).

It could be worse; it is my understanding that frogs don’t kill what they eat but that it survives for some time in their stomach. Quite possibly wrong? One shouldn’t think any worse of frogs for such a reason whether true or not, nor ourselves for our own different situation and context which includes us being omnivores.

100% agreed on animal welfare, care, and outright kindness.

Good wishes to all of you!

Posted by: Sunny Runny Burger | Nov 21 2025 13:41 utc | 399

Re: Bernard-Henri Lévy

the racist blood thirsty hate filled Bernard-Henri Lévy ?

Posted by: Exile | Nov 21 2025 15:09 utc | 400

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