Each day at just after midnight Eastern, a post like this one is created for contributors and readers of this site to upload news links and video links on the issues that concern this site. Most notably, Islam and its effects on Classical Civilization, and various forms of leftism from Soviet era communism, to postmodernism and all the flavours of galloping statism and totalitarianism such as Nazism and Fascism which are increasingly snuffing out the classical liberalism which created our near, miraculous civilization the West has been building since the time of Socrates.
This document was written around the time this site was created, for those who wish to understand what this site is about. And while our understanding of the world and events has grown since then, the basic ideas remain sound and true to the purpose.
So please post all links, thoughts and ideas that you feel will benefit the readers of this site to the comments under this post each day. And thank you all for your contributions.
This is the new Samizdat. We muse use it while we can.
Damage caused by Obama can’t be fully comprehended without the benefit of hindsight. Russia’s S-400 system deployment should be laid at O’s feet. PT’s extended olive branch to Russia in his administration’s early days was effectively killed by the false narrative–engineered by the O army and continuing–of Russian meddling while letting other enemies walk.
The original article at WSJ is behind a pay wall so I include this:
https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2019-01-23/pentagon-admits-russian-air-defenses-changing-us-calculus-abroad
One of the worst things the Dems do is delay development and deployment of new weapons systems. They screams we shouldn’t start development until we need the new weapons systems but with lead times of 10 to 15 years if we wait we are half a decade to a decade behind in our defensive and offensive equipment. A well armed and prepared US kept the peace (more or less) since the end of WWII but thanks to Obama the world is facing the very real possiblity of a war between the US and China or the US and Russia.
Afghan knifeman on trial before a German court: “I swear on the Koran”+++
An asylum seeker from Afghanistan is on trial at the Stuttgart Regional Court because of a knife attack. The 20-year-old is said to have stabbed and seriously injured his ex-girlfriend’s father in the latter’s house in Plüderhausen. On the first day of the trial, the Afghan man makes a confession, however, accompanied by excuses, in central points he evades or obviously tells the untruth. At one point he says: “I swear on the Koran!The magazine Focus Online reports in detail about the first day of the trial, the descriptions of the accused and the course of events clearly show that this foreign culture is neither compatible nor suitable for integration with the local culture. Below are some excerpts from the report: Amir W. is said not to have endured the fact that a 19-year-old German woman rejected him. For this reason alone, he wanted to kill her in the summer of 2018, with a very sharp butcher’s knife, blade length 17 centimetres. In the end, the stabbing weapon accidentally hit the 53-year-old father of the young woman, who was seriously injured during the attack. The prosecution speaks of “attempted murder”.
But already in the first two hours of negotiations it becomes clear:
the young man distracts, denies, glosses over. Although he makes a rough confession about the course of the crime, he avoids central points – or obviously tells the untruth. Once he says: “I swear on the Koran!
However, there is a woman in the room who does not give much on vows and who does not accept the defendant’s behaviour in the long run: the presiding judge Cornelie Eßlinger-Graf.
Several times she warns the defendant to abide by the rules and manners that apply here: “I want you to look at me when you talk to me. Then it will be more difficult for you to lie!
Read more:
https://searchlight-germany.blogspot.com/2019/01/afghan-knifeman-on-trial-before-german.html
Dystopia charges a woman with human smuggling for conspiring to bring in illegals.
If I were her lawyer I would argue that this is an impossible charge. In Dear Leader’s parlance there are now only “irregulars”. Therefore this woman could not have smuggled illegals. Is Dear Leader not guilty of the same crime but on a massive scale?
This woman should be ordered to pay taxes on her earnings, then go back to the carefree, inclusive and diverse utopia that only Dystopia can offer.
https://ottawasun.com/news/national/woman-charged-for-aiding-illegal-entries-at-popular-quebec-new-york-crossing/wcm/0bcf85b8-e440-444c-aa1c-aa54dd3ccbdc
“Is Dear Leader not guilty of the same crime but on a massive scale?”
Rule of law for thee, but not for me. Next Notes from NorseRadish.
You nailed it.
Poster boy for how to live off the public teet by working for a useless organization created by commies who wrote the book on how to live off the public teet.
https://ottawasun.com/news/local-news/yasir-naqvi-named-ceo-of-institute-for-canadian-citizenship/wcm/602ea899-59c3-40d5-9cfe-d78afa8a5e61
“Poster boy for how to live off the public teet by working for a useless organization created by commies who wrote the book on how to live off the public teet.”
What Social Media platform does Naqvi use, Tweater?
Titter? … C’mon, work with me here.
Top Pakistani court sets date for hearing on Christian woman (abcnews, Jan 24, 2019)
https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/top-pakistani-court-sets-date-hearing-christian-woman-60590727
“A Pakistani Christian woman’s defense lawyer says the country’s top court has set the date for the much-awaited hearing on a petition by radical Islamists against her acquittal from death row.
The lawyer, Saiful Malook, says the Supreme Court will review the petition against Aasia Bibi next Tuesday.
Bibi was on death row for eight years in a blasphemy case but was acquitted by the Supreme Court last October.
The acquittal sparked nationwide protests by radical Islamists and compelled authorities to take Bibi into hiding. She has since been living at a secret location, under guard.
The extremists have threatened to kill anyone who supports Bibi. Her lawyer says he is confident the court will reject the petition and confirm Bibi’s acquittal, meaning she would be free to leave Pakistan.”
Is this Angela Merkel as a child?
ANGELA’S CHRISTMAS | New Heartwarming Trailer – Netflix Family Movie
No this is:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=ugly+monkey+picture&atb=v59-2ab&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2Fdcassetcdn.com%2Fw1k%2Fsubmissions%2F20056000%2F20056426_3bf4.jpg
Ankara set to boost naval posture with major exercise (al-monitor, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/01/turkey-mediterranean-ankara-to-boost-naval-posture.html
“Military and political circles in Ankara say Turkey’s navy and air force are planning their largest naval exercise of the past 20 years in early March in the Aegean, eastern Mediterranean and Black seas. According to media reports, the exercise codenamed Blue Homeland will be held between Feb. 27 and March 3 in an area of 462,000 square kilometers (nearly 134,700 square nautical miles).
Turkish media say the exercise is actually a message to the Eastern Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF), a coalition formed recently by Egypt, Israel, Cyprus, Greece, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The alliance plans to explore energy sources in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, including disputed areas.
Despite the media reports, so far sources in Ankara haven’t confirmed to Al-Monitor that a final decision has been made on the exercise.
Looking at the current regional posture of the Turkish navy, such a massive exercise doesn’t seem very likely. But a security source told Al-Monitor that the navy’s smaller elements could stage smaller-level firing exercises simultaneously in the eastern Mediterranean, Aegean and Black seas at the end of February because Ankara feels a more military robust posture is needed in these naval zones…”
Austria: Suspected rapist pretending to be a cop is a Muslim+++
He is said to have lured an 18-year-old girl into his car at Linz station and raped her. The man had posed as a policeman for that. On January 11, he was arrested as the accused of several sexual offences. The weekly “Wochenblick” now has exclusive details on the accused, Wolf-Dieter G., from well-informed police sources: His father is said to be an Egyptian – his mother had also converted to Islam. According to his Facebook profile, Wolf-Dieter G. himself is clearly a Muslim…The suspected rapist is involved in the predominantly Muslim boxing and bouncer scene and is no stranger to the police. His profiles on social networks show that the overwhelming majority of his acquaintances and friends come from the Islamic milieu. Whether G. radicalized himself in this environment and developed an archaic image of women, or whether he brought this with him from home – according to police insiders, his father was Egyptian – is currently unknown.Wolf-Dieter G. sometimes worked as a chef in a bar in Linz. This is one of the reasons why the strict Muslim is no stranger to the local scene in Linz.Since it can be assumed that Wolf-Dieter G. could have sexually harassed or raped several more women – at least one other victim has already reported herself to the police – the police urgently requests further possible victims to contact the police department’s service at 059133 – 45 3333.
Read more:
https://searchlight-germany.blogspot.com/2019/01/austria-suspected-rapist-pretending-to.html
Belgian Police Detain Man on Suspicions of Preparing Attack – Prosecution (sputniknews, Jan 24, 2019)
https://sputniknews.com/europe/201901241071780109-belgium-attack-preparing-arrest/
“Belgian law enforcement officers have detained a man from Belgium’s central Molenbeek municipality on suspicions of preparing an attack, but it has not been established yet whether he was directly linked to any terrorist activities, a source from the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office told Sputnik.
“The suspect was detained as a precautionary measure as part of an investigation, the details of which we are not currently disclosing in the interests of the investigation. No direct link to terrorism has been identified so far. The investigation is ongoing”, the spokesman said.
He added that the investigators had reason to believe that the suspect could “proceed to action” since he had a significant amount of bladed weapons in his possession…”
Khan’s London: Manhunt After ‘Axeman’ Chases Shoppers Through Supermarket (breitbart, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/london-shoppers-flee-axeman-rampage/
“Police are searching for a half-masked “axeman” who rampaged through a Tesco in south London, chasing terrified customers as they fled the store.
Security footage of the incident, shared more than six thousand times on social media, shows around 10 people running away down a corridor before the suspect bursts through a pair of doors, swinging the “axe”.
After briefly slowing down, the man is seen running after shoppers again, with the footage ending as he raises the weapon above his head and goes offscreen, at which point he is thought to have fled the supermarket.
The seven-second clip, which appears to have been taken from a CCTV recording, was uploaded to Facebook on Tuesday night by Samantha Suki Lowe, who posted it with the caption: “Wtf is going on in this world. Tescos Purley tonight”, followed by a ‘facepalm’ emoji.
While the suspect was originally said to have been wielding an axe, police referred to the weapon as a hammer in a statement, adding that so far there have been no arrests…”
German Intelligence Used Antifa ‘Research’ to Build Case Against Populists (breitbart, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/german-intelligence-used-antifa-research-to-build-case-against-populists/
“The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) have been accused of relying on information from the far-left extremist Antifa movement to build their case for surveilling the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party…”
Migrant Narrowly Avoids Lynching After Alleged Alleyway Rape Attempt (breitbart, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/migrant-narrowly-avoids-lynching-after-alleged-alleyway-rape-attempt/
“A Nigerian migrant narrowly avoided being lynched by an angry mob of Italians after attempting to drag a local woman into an alley in an attempt to rape her.
The incident took place on a street behind the Piazza Garibaldi in the vicinity of the Napoli Centrale railway station in Naples at around 8:30 pm at night. The Nigerian, later identified as 41-year-old Stephen Pope, attempted to drag a local woman into an alley while groping her with police being alerted by her screaming, Il Giornale reports.
After sighting the police officers, the 41-year-old let the victim loose and attempted to escape but was met with a mob of Italians who had also gathered at the scene following the screams of the woman.
As members of the mob attempted to attack the asylum seeker, police were able to arrest him after cornering him following a brief chase.
It was later revealed that Mr Pope had come to Italy in 2008 seeking asylum after arriving illegally in Lampedusa, and has made repeated requests for protection over the last ten years. He has since been charged with acts of sexual violence.
The incident is just the latest alleged sex attack committed by a migrant in the vicinity of a railway station and follows the rape of a young boy in Brindisi by a pair of Pakistani migrants who also dragged their victim into a nearby alley in February of last year.
Train station areas have also been hubs of drugs and robberies as well with a woman in her 60s being robbed and beaten outside Rome’s Termini train station last month. The woman was thrown to the floor by one of a pair of illegal Egyptian migrants resulting in severe injuries including the fracturing of one of her arms.
In 2017, a female Italian television reporter attempted to document the scenes at Termini and was attacked while broadcasting live from the area.”
French Waitress Disarms Gun-Wielding Migrant Who Shouted ‘Allahu Akbar’ (breitbart, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/french-waitress-disarms-gun-wielding-migrant-shouted-allahu-akbar/
“A waitress in the French city of Montpellier was able to disarm a 43-year-old Moroccan migrant armed with a pistol after he threatened patrons of the restaurant in which she worked.
The 43-year-old entered the restaurant L’Escale on Saturday evening at around 6:45 p.m. to make an order and while waiting for his food began to pray to himself telling the waitress “it’s haram” and forcing her to sit down with him. He then proceeded to tell the waitress he had a pistol in his pocket and was planning on killing one of the customers eating at the restaurant, E-Metropolitain reports.
The waitress attempted to calm the man down and when he lowered his head in prayer she, along with other customers, managed to grab the pistol from his possession and restrain him until police were able to arrive.
When police arrived at around 7:15 p.m. the man is said to have shouted “Allahu Ackbar!” and recited the Shahada, the Islamic creed and profession of faith.
While the pistol was revealed to only shoot blanks, it was said to have been a near perfect replica of a real firearm in its construction.
Following his arrest, police have kept the 43-year-old in custody pending a psychiatric evaluation, saying that he exhibited symptoms of mental illness…”
There you have it: Islam is now officially a mental illness!
Italian Secret Service: People-Smugglers May Arrange Mass Drowning for Public Sympathy (breitbart, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/italian-secret-service-people-smugglers-may-arrange-mass-drowning-for-public-sympathy/
“The Italian secret service has warned that people-smugglers in the Mediterranean may seek to engineer a mass drowning in order to garner Western sympathy and resume the flow of migration.
According to Italian newspaper Il Giornale, the Italian secret services, referred to by the publication as “our 007”, are warning of the possibility of people-smugglers purposely causing a disaster at sea in order to garner sympathy from the West and resume their illegal trade, which has been declining over the last year.
Such a move could be a repeat of other major humanitarian disasters such as a shipwreck which killed around 700 migrants on April 18th, 2015, and led to the commencement of Operation Sophia and an outpouring of support for migrant ferry NGOs operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
According to some of the few migrants who survived the incident, people-smugglers had forced the migrants to set sail knowing full well that the weather had been gale force winds, leading some to speculate the disaster was sought or even caused on purpose by the smugglers.
The ship eventually sank, killing most of the migrants on board after colliding with the Portuguese container ship, King Jacob.
The Italian publication has also revealed inconsistencies in recent days from the ‘Alarm Phone’ organisation, which acts as a hotline for ships in distress in the Mediterranean, saying the NGO claimed a ship had been taking in water when other evidence proved it had not been in danger of sinking.
It was also alleged that the man steering the ship, which was rescued on Sunday, has been a suspected people-smuggler, but the NGO denied having any contact or co-operation with people traffickers.
The accusation is not the first time migrant-rescue NGOs have been said to be working with people smugglers. Italian prosecutors have alleged cooperation between the two groups as well and in one case even released evidence to the public.”
Ahok: Former Jakarta governor released early from prison (BBC, Jan 24, 2019)
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-46982779
“The former governor of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, has been released early from his jail term for blasphemy.
Basuki Tjahaja Purnama, known as Ahok, is a Christian and was Jakarta’s first non-Muslim governor in 50 years.
But he was convicted of blasphemy in 2017 in a case seen as a test of religious tolerance in the Muslim-majority country.
His case sparked protests in support and condemnation of a politician once tipped for the presidency.
Mr Purnama was released early – for good behaviour – on Thursday morning after serving 20 months of a two-year sentence.
He was greeted by supporters who had gathered outside the detention centre in the hope of meeting him…”
Tommy Robinson supporters are the BEST!
NRATV: Bernie Blasts Trump, Calls Him A Racist
#20 Is There a Trade War Solution? | Pierce Norton | China Unscripted
Maduro faces off with US over Venezuela rival’s power claim
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuelans headed into uncharted political waters Thursday, with the young leader of a newly united and combative opposition claiming to hold the presidency and socialist President Nicolas Maduro digging in for a fight with the Trump administration.
Violence flared again Wednesday during big anti-government demonstrations across Venezuela, and at least seven protesters were reported killed in the escalating confrontation with Maduro, who has been increasingly accused of undemocratic behavior by the United States and many other nations in the region.
https://www.apnews.com/52bb7f774bc94f439df0606eb96bab4e
US recognizes Venezuelan opposition leader as interim president
https://wctrib.com/news/world/4561031-us-recognizes-venezuelan-opposition-leader-interim-president
CARACAS, Venezuela – President Nicolás Maduro on Wednesday faced the gravest challenge to his authority since assuming power in 2013, as the leader of the U.S.-backed opposition claimed the legitimate mantle of leadership and President Donald Trump and other world leaders promptly recognized him as Venezuela’s interim and rightful head of state.
A defiant Maduro responded by announcing a break in “diplomatic and political relations” with the United States, ordering American diplomats to leave the country within 72 hours.
As world looks on, Venezuela’s Guaido to keep up pressure on Maduro
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s opposition on Thursday will seek to maintain pressure on isolated President Nicolas Maduro after congress chief Juan Guaido swore himself in as interim head of state with the support of nations around the region.
Guaido won diplomatic backing from the United States, Canada and right-leaning Latin American governments on Wednesday after declaring himself leader before ebullient supporters who thronged the streets of Caracas in hopes of change.
https://www.oann.com/after-upstaging-maduro-venezuelas-guaido-seeks-to-keep-up-pressure/
Russia warns U.S. against military intervention in Venezuela
“Venezuela is friendly to us and is our strategic partner,” Vladimir Putin’s deputy foreign minister said. “We have supported them and will support them.”
MOSCOW — Russia warned the U.S. on Thursday not to intervene militarily in Venezuela, saying such a move would trigger a catastrophe.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president on Wednesday, winning the backing of Washington and prompting socialist incumbent Nicolas Maduro to sever diplomatic relations with the United States. Violence flared during big protests across Venezuela, and at least seven deaths were reported.
In an interview with Russian journal International Affairs published on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said Moscow would stand with Venezuela to protect its sovereignty and the principle of non-interference in its domestic affairs.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-warns-u-s-against-military-intervention-venezuela-n962091
More than 10,000 Central Americans bound for US request Mexican visas
MEXICO CITY – Mexico said Wednesday that more than 10,000 people have requested visas to cross its southern border as it seeks to grant legal documents to members of a rapidly growing U.S.-bound migrant caravan from Central America.
If the migrants travel together, the convoy could exceed the size of the last such caravan, which became a flash point in U.S.-Mexican relations as President Donald Trump seized on it to argue for building a giant border wall.
https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/More-than-10-000-Central-Americans-bound-for-US-13556640.php
Across Mexico border from safe El Paso, violence surges in Juárez
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/01/23/Across-Mexico-border-from-safe-El-Paso-violence-surges-in-Jurez/2961548187558/#ixzz5dXLaXSDr
CIUDAD JUÁREZ, Mexico, Jan. 23 (UPI) — In 2018, 23 slayings occurred in El Paso, Texas, representing a low rate characteristic of U.S. cities that border Mexico. But it’s a different story just over the international line in Juárez, a low-wage, export-oriented manufacturing powerhouse of hundreds of factories known as maquiladoras.
Juárez and El Paso may be minutes from each other — connected by four international bridges — but in terms of homicidal violence, they might as well be worlds apart.
Read more: https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2019/01/23/Across-Mexico-border-from-safe-El-Paso-violence-surges-in-Jurez/2961548187558/#ixzz5dXLhVxaS
Chefs and truck drivers beware: AI is coming for your jobs
Robots aren’t replacing everyone, but a quarter of U.S. jobs will be severely disrupted as artificial intelligence accelerates the automation of existing work, according to a new Brookings Institution report.
The report, published Thursday, says roughly 36 million Americans hold jobs with “high exposure” to automation — meaning at least 70 percent of their tasks could soon be performed by machines using current technology. Among those most likely to be affected are cooks, waiters and others in food services; short-haul truck drivers; and clerical office workers.
https://www.apnews.com/6034c9ce1af347ec8da996e39b29c51b
‘AI’ to hit hardest in U.S. heartland and among less-skilled: study
4 Min Read
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Midwestern states hit hardest by job automation in recent decades, places that were pivotal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s election, will be under the most pressure again as advances in artificial intelligence reshape the workplace, according to a new study by Brookings Institution researchers.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-labor/ai-to-hit-hardest-in-u-s-heartland-and-among-less-skilled-study-idUSKCN1PI0D8
A Polish lawmaker has issued an invitation to students from Covington Catholic High School in Kentucky to address the Polish Parliament after they were falsely accused of mocking Native Americans following the March for Life in Washington, D.C.
“Dear Covington Catholic students, I’d like to invite you to the Polish Parliament. After watching this video, I am now standing up for these wrongfully accused young men and all of you!,” wrote Dominik Tarczy?ski, Conservative member of the Polish Parliament, and newly elected Vice President of the European Conservatives in Council of Europe, in a Jan. 20 Twitter post.
“You are very welcome to come and speak out what You believe in,” he added.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/01/22/polish-legislator-invites-wrongfully-accused-maga-boys-to-address-parliament/
Privately produced satellites open uncharted territory in data collection
A company has launched hundreds of small satellites capturing over a million photos of Earth each day for commercial use, offering unimagined possibilities and consequences. Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS
David Martin reports on a new, uncharted frontier in the collection of data created by hundreds of privately produced satellites whose millions of images are available to the public and not just the government. His story will be broadcast on 60 Minutes on Sunday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS.
Planet Labs, the satellite company, has launched hundreds of small satellites for commercial use, such as monitoring the health of crops. They get over a million photos from them each day. “I’m always astonished that almost every picture we get down, we compare it to the picture from yesterday and something has changed,” says one of the company’s founders, Will Marshall.
Planet Lab has 200 customers, none more important than the U.S. Government. Martin was given rare access to the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency’s operations center, where data from U.S. government satellites and Planet Lab is secretly analyzed.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/privately-produced-satellites-open-uncharted-territory-in-data-collection-60-minutes/
Satellite imagery raises suspicion of Saudi Arabia’s ability to produce missiles
Paul Sonne, The Washington Post Published 2:48 pm PST, Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Satellite images suggest that Saudi Arabia has constructed its first known ballistic missile factory, according to weapons experts and image analysts, a development that raises questions about the kingdom’s increasing military and nuclear ambitions under its 33-year-old crown prince.
If operational, the suspected factory near the missile base in al-Watah, southwest of Riyadh, would allow Saudi Arabia to manufacture its own ballistic missiles, fueling fears of an arms race against its regional rival Iran.
Recommended Video
Saudi Arabia does not possess nuclear weapons, so any missiles produced at the apparent factory are likely to be conventionally armed. But a missile-making facility would be a critical component of any eventual Saudi nuclear weapons program, hypothetically giving the kingdom capability to produce the preferred delivery systems for nuclear warheads.
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Satellite-imagery-raises-suspicion-of-Saudi-13556411.php
If true this is going to change the political map of that region.
World War 3 Cometh: Syria Is Threatening To Bomb The Airport In Tel Aviv And Iran Is Pledging To Wipe Israel Off The Map
http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/world-war-3-cometh-syria-is-threatening-to-bomb-the-airport-in-tel-aviv-and-iran-is-pledging-to-wipe-israel-off-the-map
We always knew that this was coming. We always knew that there would eventually be a war between Israel and Iran, but we had hoped that it could be put off for as long as possible. Well, now it appears that time may have run out. The exchange of missiles between the IDF and Iranian forces based in Syria on Sunday represented a major escalation of a conflict that has been simmering at a low level for months. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pledging to continue to “strike at the Iranian entrenchment in Syria”, and on the other side the Iranians and the Syrians have changed the rules of the engagement to allow for a military response against Israel every time Israel strikes targets inside Syria. What this means is that there are going to be more missiles going back and forth, and it seems inevitable that both sides will eventually cross the point of no return.
Is this part of the reason President Trump has appeared to cave on the State of the Union?
No.
Running of the mouth.
Richard: I don’t know what to make of this, it appears to give the Dems a big victory and that isn’t like President Trump. Something is going on but what?
President Trump delays State of the Union
OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 6:16 AM PT — Thursday, January 24, 2019
The State of the Union saga continues with the annual address now being postponed indefinitely. In a surprising turn of events, President Trump took Twitter by storm late Wednesday, saying he’ll push the State of the Union back until after the shutdown is over.
This all came after a back and forth between the president and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with both leaders exchanging letters. Pelosi eventually uninvited the president from holding the address in the House chamber until the government is reopened.
“The State of the Union speech has been canceled by Nancy Pelosi, because she doesn’t want to hear the truth,” said President Trump. “She doesn’t want the American public to hear what is going on and she is afraid of the truth.”
Pelosi quickly responded to the president’s announcement, saying she hopes he will support the House’s bill to reopen the government. The Senate will vote on that bill Thursday, however, it’s not likely the senate will support this. The bill would reopen the government through February 8, 2019, but does not provide funding for a border barrier.
With Congress likely to hit a road block, the shutdown returns to a stalemate
https://www.oann.com/president-trump-accepts-pelosis-initial-invitation-to-give-state-of-the-union-on-house-floor/
He’s throwing the ball back in her camp. Smart move.
Yeah.
The SOTU can’t be held in an airport hangar like a rally. To push for the House against Nasty P. would look unseemly, a violation of Separation of Powers.
This was a gracious pass, our courteous Prez DJT.
China detains Australian on suspicion of endangering security
BEIJING/SYDNEY (Reuters) – Chinese authorities are holding an Australian writer, who used to be a Chinese citizen, on suspicion of endangering state security, China said on Thursday, and his lawyer said he was suspected of espionage.
Australian officials said Yang Hengjun was detained shortly after he flew in to the southern city of Guangzhou from New York last week, but it did not believe his detention was the result of rising tension between China and the West.
https://www.oann.com/chinese-australian-writer-detained-in-china/
Man who defended home against invader in deep trouble because of insane law
By LU Staff January 24, 2019
The scenario plays out with troubling regularity. A would-be burglar attempts to break into a home only to discover the homeowner is armed. If the homeowner is armed with a gun, the outcome can be deadly for the intruder. Such was the case in August 2017 of when Marietta, Ga. resident and gun owner Shaquita Green responded to prowlers inside her home with deadly force. “It was either him or me, and I wasn’t going,” she later told authorities.
In most state, domestic residents are covered by the “castle doctrine,” which essentially gives them the right to defend their life and property at any cost. Some states, however, subscribe to the “retreat doctrine.” Also known as a “duty to retreat,” the law holds that residents are required to run and hide during a home invasion if it is safe and prudent to do so.
https://libertyunyielding.com/2019/01/24/man-who-delivered-justice-to-home-intruder-charged-with-manslaughter-wait-till-you-hear-why/
“Some states, however, subscribe to the “retreat doctrine.” Also known as a “duty to retreat,” the law holds that residents are required to run and hide during a home invasion if it is safe and prudent to do so.”
Remember, when seconds count, the police are only minutes away!
Why Did Israel Claim Responsibility for Attack on Iran in Syria?
On the night of Jan. 21, Israel’s air force destroyed a large Iranian weapons storage area and flattened a large number of Iranian targets throughout Syria.
In a break from Israel’s previous ambiguity policy, Prime Minister Netanyahu took responsibility for the attack.
“Why is he poking his finger in the other side’s eye?” critics asked.
The reason is that Gen. Qasem Soleimani, who commands Iranian forces in Syria, has been putting on a fake show for his bosses in Tehran and the Iranian people in general. He keeps his military losses under wraps and tries to create an imaginary picture of victory.
Israel’s public announcements throw cold water on his attempts.
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/01/israel-iran-syria-russia-bashar-al-assad-idf-missile-golan.html
“On the night of Jan. 21, Israel’s air force destroyed a large Iranian weapons storage area and flattened a large number of Iranian targets throughout Syria.”
Oh, baby! Oh, baby! I love it when you talk that way! Va-va-voom!
With an American President (until recently, an oxymoron) at their back, Israel is far more willing to sending Iran the memo (flashburns compliments of the chef) it has so valiantly struggled to deserve.
Netanyahu openly claiming to have done so is a thorough insult. Probably to the tune of:
Almost unique—in the world of global alliances and politics—is how this, for once, is not a US war-by-proxy on Iran. Almost the exact opposite, in fact; as Israel’s continued existence hinges on containing (or crippling) Tehran’s unhinged mullahs.
1.) Millions of dollars in lost materiel
2.) Millions of dollars in replacement costs
3.) One more million dollars to safely ship the refit to Syria
4.) Another million in lost infrastructure (i.e., airtrips, blast pens)
5.) Lots of dead Iranian “military advisors”
6.) Lots of dead Hezbollah
7.) No advance warning from their own forward radar bases
8.) Likely ZERO Israeli casualties or injuries
9.)TOTALLY HUMILIATED SHIITE SCUM
Item number nine falls into the “last but not least” category, seeing as how HUMILIATION IS WORSE THAN DEATH FOR THESE HYPER-MACHO, SEMI-RETARDED WIFEBEATERS. Thank fecking goodness for small mercies.
Pretty daring strategy.
I trust Bibi, but I’m afraid Iran doesn’t have a monopoly on crazies.
75% of the Israeli population lives between Haifa and Tel Aviv. Too tiny, too vulnerable. Don’t need nukes, don’t need anything more than what’s aimed at the heartland right this minute.
Iron Dome and David’s Sling could be overwhelmed by a tiny fraction of the missiles sitting in Lebanon right this minute.
There are voices for the Sampson Option.
Long, but well worth the time. First of 2-Part Series:
Iran Increasing Its Sway in Southwestern Syria
Iran is heavily invested in securing Damascus and the zone extending to the Lebanese border. In Tehran’s view, this requires systematic demographic changes. Over the past year, Sunni communities have been pushed out of their long-time homes and replaced by people friendly to Iran and the Assad regime.
Hizbullah and Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have purchased numerous properties; according to reports quoting Syrian officials, more than 8,000 properties in the Damascus area have been transferred to foreign Shia owners in the past three years. Iran is also transforming local Sunni mosques into Shia religious centers and shrines, as well as constructing new Shia meeting halls, mosques, and schools.
Over the past six months, Iranian personnel have established military posts and security networks across the southwestern province of Deraa. Concurrently, they and their Hizbullah proxies have constructed at least eight local Shia religious centers and five religious schools. Iran is also reportedly offering jobs to young Sunnis. For $200 a month, many unemployed young men would rather join Iran’s militias in noncombat roles than be arrested, conscripted, or killed by the Assad regime.
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/pushing-back-on-iran-in-syria-part-1-beyond-the-boots
Iran Continues with Its Nuclear Activities Unabated
Iran’s nuclear chief Ali Akbar Salehi has said that Iran will continue with its activities at the heavy water plant in Arak.
Salehi said that Iran did not fill in the core of the reactor with cement in accordance with the nuclear deal and claimed on Jan. 22 that images showing that Iran had sealed the core were photo-shopped.
Salehi said he was “thankful to Allah for the way in which the discussions relating to the technical aspects of the nuclear talks were conducted, as they left so many breaches in the agreement that Iran was able to exploit.”
“Iran has lost nothing as a result of signing the agreement….We have preserved our capabilities in the field of enrichment. We are…continuing to manufacture new centrifuges. We are doing everything we need to do.”
http://jcpa.org/article/iran-continues-with-its-nuclear-activities-unabated/
Israel wins this round against Iran in Syria
According to security sources, the Iranians, headed by Revolutionary Guard commander Qasem Soleimani, prepared its recent attack from Syria against Israel for weeks.
https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2019/01/israel-iran-syria-russia-bashar-al-assad-idf-missile-golan.html
The tweet referred to in the article was totally viral yesterday. Pix in Arabic, Hebrew, and English:
https://www.mako.co.il/nexter-internet/viral/Article-41b7f8332157861006.htm
From Jan 10, Lee Smith – on “theme packaged news”. (J.E.Dyer’s term is better than my Omniscient Twitterati™).
An Improvised Explosive Device
News of the News: How operatives used the Khashoggi murder and the American press for political ends
https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/278423/an-improvised-explosive-device
RUSSIA’s interests in VENEZUELA
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/24/reuters-america-factbox-oil-loans-military-russias-exposure-to-venezuela.html
JAN 24 2019 – Maduro supporters march through the streets of Caracas with Venezuelan flags
Jim Jordan on Cohen postponing his congressional testimony
Michael Cohen Subpoenaed to Testify Before Senate Intelligence Committee
Subpoena comes a day after Cohen postponed House testimony, citing threats from President Trump
WASHINGTON—The Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday subpoenaed President Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen to appear before the panel, according to a spokesman for Mr. Cohen, a day after Mr. Cohen postponed testimony before a House committee citing attacks by the president on his family.
Mr. Cohen is scheduled to testify before the Senate committee in a closed-door session on Feb. 12, a person close to Mr. Cohen said.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/michael-cohen-to-testify-before-senate-intelligence-committee-11548349019
‘We are not worried’ says Hungarian Foreign Minister about EU fund cut threat
Péter Szijjártó speaks to Euronews about the European Parliament backing plans to freeze funds to countries violating rule of law. He says such moves are ‘basically a matter of revenge against Hungary’ for voting the ruling Fidesz party into power
Migrant, minor and struggling to find a home in Marseille
the guardian – Court in Italy rules Matteo Salvini should be tried for kidnapping
Leader of far-right party under investigation after preventing 177 migrants from disembarking in Italy
Italy’s deputy prime minister and interior minister, Matteo Salvini, is one step away from facing trial after a surprise court ruling determined that he be tried for kidnapping.
In August, prosecutors in Agrigento, Sicily, placed Salvini, who is leader of the far-right party the League, under investigation for the alleged kidnapping and detention of 177 migrants whom he prevented from disembarking the Italian coastguard ship Ubaldo Diciotti.
The ship had been docked for six days at the Sicilian port of Catania as Salvini maintained a standoff with the EU in an attempt to push other member states to take in the migrants. The Catholic church, Ireland and Albania, which is not an EU state, eventually agreed to host the mostly Eritrean migrants.
“I could face up to 15 years of jail because I have stopped the disembarking of illegals in Italy,” Salvini wrote on Facebook in response. “I’m speechless. Am I afraid? Not at all. I’m not going to give up on this. Now the decision will pass through the Senate. We’ll see how it goes …”
Since Salvini is a government minister, the accusations against him will be put to parliamentarians or senators, who will vote either for him to stand trial or for the proceedings to be halted.
Salvini said he was confident he had the support of the senators from the League. But the support of his coalition partners, the populist Five Star Movement, is far less assured. One of the M5S’s founding principles has always been to ask for the resignation of politicians under investigation.
Until last year, this principle was written in the Movement’s own statutes. The rule was part of the party’s attempt to present a clean image and distance itself from corruption.
Two years ago, Luigi Di Maio, the Italian deputy prime minister and leader of the M5S, called for the resignation of Angelino Alfano, minister of the interior at the time, who was under investigation for abuse of office.
Di Maio said: “We cannot allow a minister of interior under investigation to remain in office. Alfano must resign.”
Should the M5S vote against criminal proceedings, thereby rescuing Salvini from a possible conviction, the party would lose credibility among its supporters. But if it supported the investigation against Salvini, then it risks losing him and their political alliance, which would cause the entire government to fall.
The ruling by the court of ministers on Thursday came as a surprise, as the chief prosecutor of Catania, Carmelo Zuccaro, known for launching several investigations against rescue boats operated by aid groups, a few months ago dropped the charges against Salvini, suggesting the court of ministers would not put him on trial.
‘’If what I did means I’m a kidnapper,” Salvini said, “well, then you can consider me as a kidnapper for the coming months.’’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jan/24/court-in-italy-rules-matteo-salvini-should-be-tried-for-kidnapping
====================================================
ITALY – Marche governor files suit against security decree
ANSA) – Ancona, January 24 – Marche Governor Luca Ceriscioli on Thursday said the region has filed a lawsuit against Interior Minister Matteo Salvini’s security and migration decree. “Fortunately there is still a charter that recalls for us in a clear way the principles with which people in this country are to be treated,” Ceriscioli said.
“We believe the security decree violates numerous points in the constitutional charter,” he said.
https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2019/01/24/marche-governor-files-suit-against-security-decree_a6ba3c17-4169-4b46-8735-41c7c8873088.html
BREITBART -Italian Secret Service: People-Smugglers May Arrange Mass Drowning for Public Sympathy
The Italian secret service has warned that people-smugglers in the Mediterranean may seek to engineer a mass drowning in order to garner Western sympathy and resume the flow of migration.
According to Italian newspaper Il Giornale, the Italian secret services, referred to by the publication as “our 007”, are warning of the possibility of people-smugglers purposely causing a disaster at sea in order to garner sympathy from the West and resume their illegal trade, which has been declining over the last year.
Such a move could be a repeat of other major humanitarian disasters such as a shipwreck which killed around 700 migrants on April 18th, 2015, and led to the commencement of Operation Sophia and an outpouring of support for migrant ferry NGOs operating in the Mediterranean Sea.
According to some of the few migrants who survived the incident, people-smugglers had forced the migrants to set sail knowing full well that the weather had been gale force winds, leading some to speculate the disaster was sought or even caused on purpose by the smugglers.
The ship eventually sank, killing most of the migrants on board after colliding with the Portuguese container ship, King Jacob.
The Italian publication has also revealed inconsistencies in recent days from the ‘Alarm Phone’ organisation, which acts as a hotline for ships in distress in the Mediterranean, saying the NGO claimed a ship had been taking in water when other evidence proved it had not been in danger of sinking.
It was also alleged that the man steering the ship, which was rescued on Sunday, has been a suspected people-smuggler, but the NGO denied having any contact or co-operation with people traffickers.
The accusation is not the first time migrant-rescue NGOs have been said to be working with people smugglers. Italian prosecutors have alleged cooperation between the two groups as well and in one case even released evidence to the public.
https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2019/01/24/italian-secret-service-people-smugglers-may-arrange-mass-drowning-for-public-sympathy/
Pro-Macron march in Paris likely to flop under shadow of ‘gilets jaunes’
Minds of French politicians turning nervously to European parliamentary elections
While weekly protests by gilets jaunes and President Emmanuel Macron’s “great national debate” continue, the minds of French politicians turn increasingly to European parliamentary elections, only four months away.
After 45 minutes of a dull exposé on the restructuring of Macron’s party, La République en Marche, its leader, Stanislas Guerini, finally got round to the European contest at his first press conference of 2019 on Thursday.
LREM’s main rival will be Marine Le Pen’s far right Rassemblement National (RN), which won the previous elections under its former name, Front National. In mid-January, LREM overtook RN in terms of voter intentions.
Guerini alluded to “outside pressures” exerted by Le Pen’s foreign allies, including Donald Trump’s former adviser, Steve Bannon, and Russian president Vladimir Putin. “People sometimes say we overdramatise what is at stake,” Guerini said. “But this is historic. The day after the election will either be the first day of the unravelling of the EU or the beginning of its reconstuction.”
RN “are the party of lies and imposture”, Guerini said. “We saw it regarding the Marrakesh Pact and the Treaty of Aachen. Their European campaign will be dominated by fake news.”
The French far left and far right falsely claimed that a UN pact on the rights of migrants would open France to unlimited immigration, and that the Franco-German treaty signed on Tuesday means France will give Alsace, Lorraine and its seat on the UN Security Council to Germany.
‘Slow poison’
“Marine Le Pen has injected a slow poison into the veins of French democracy,” Guerini continued. “Day after day, she lies shamelessly. The texts are available, but she says they mean exactly the opposite of what they do.”
LREM will create a “riposte cell” to denounce disinformation, which is now called “infox” in France. It will hold weekly briefings.
Guerini accused MEPs from the RN of saying one thing about migration and taxation, then voting the other way in the EU parliament. “Marine Le Pen flaunts her friendship with [the Italian far right leader] Matteo Salvini. He wants France to take more migrants, which is the opposite of Marine Le Pen’s position.”
Guerini said repeatedly that LREM would be “on the offensive”. Yet he refused to call on the party’s 410,000 members to participate in a pro-Macron “republican march for liberties” that is being organised for the Place de la République in Paris at 2pm on Sunday, January 27th. As a result, the march is almost certain to flop. The government too has refused to endorse it.
“Stop the Violence” and Foulards Rouges, the groups organising the march, originally intended to call it “the republican march in support of Emmanuel Macron”. They dreamed of rallying a million people, like the May 30th, 1968 demonstration that ended the 1968 revolution.
“I have not called on les marcheurs [as members of LREM are called] to participate in the demonstration, even if I respect its intentions and its indignation over the violence at the Arc de Triomphe, against police and government buildings,” Guerini said, in reference to the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) protests. “But it seems to me it is not the role of LREM to demonstrate when we are in a phase of dialogue, when the national debate is taking hold. I did not want LREM to support one camp against another.”
The gilets jaunes have announced they will field a list in the May election, led by Ingrid Levavasseur, a 31-year-old care-giver who has appeared widely in French media during the crisis caused by the protests. Analysts say gilets jaunes participation will help Macron’s party, since the protesters are likely to siphon votes from the far right and far left.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/europe/pro-macron-march-in-paris-likely-to-flop-under-shadow-of-gilets-jaunes-1.3769759
Ireland has gone almost all the way to hell.
Still time to pack up, but don’t tarry!
PACE: Sharia law incompatible with basic human rights
NR: Amidst the foofarah and hullabaloo over Covington (and rightly so), some crucial perspective is in order. Hugh Fitzgerald’s four paragraphs make crystal clear how Kollab is a far greater danger than some itinerant, lying, drumming, sobbing, mass-crashing, as-seen-on-TV (not available in stores!), genuine military imposter.
Hugh Fitzgerald: Lara Kollab Says She Was “Young and Foolish” A Few Times, And So Very Long Ago (Part Two)
(Courtesy of Jihadwatch)
“These posts were made years before I was accepted into medical school, when I was a naïve, and impressionable girl barely out of high school. I matured into a young adult during the years I attended college and medical school, and adopted strong values of inclusion, tolerance, and humanity. I take my profession and the Hippocratic Oath seriously and would never intentionally cause harm to any patient seeking medical care. As a physician, I will always strive to give the best medical treatment to all people, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, or culture.”
Actually, Lara, those posts were not “made years before” you went to medical school. They went on for six years, including all the years you were in medical school. Have you forgotten? Indeed, they became steadily more vehement during your time in medical school and after graduating. …
“I have learned from this experience and am sorry for the pain I have caused. I pray that the Jewish community will understand and forgive me. I hope to make amends so that we can move forward and work together towards a better future for us all.”
Nonsense. I don’t think she’s sorry “for the pain” she “caused.” She’s sorry for the pain that she herself has been caused, by having been found out. What she “learned from the experience” is to watch what you tweet, for all kinds of people may be listening. She learned that, as a doctor, it is inadvisable to make threats to murder your patients. Believe it or not, it could get you in trouble.
— Hat tip: AF @ GoV
FULL DISCLOSURE: As a self-proclaimed grammar Nazi, let it be known that I hold Hugh Fitzgerald’s writing style in the highest esteem. His scrivening embodies a measured blend of polemicist and expository essayist that delights both reader and editor alike. Few are better (e.g., Takuan Seiyo), most are worse … a lot worse.
AND – he’s exceptionally fond of Junior, POTUS-6.
Our 1st ambassador to Russia. Who knew about Islam way back when and wrote most eloquently of the threat. (With a soft spot for the “Israelites”, as he called them.)
I’m unsuccessfully searching for the book title about Abigail & John. Gelles? I recall it being a detailed, semi-fictive (but truthful) historical account (i.e., reconstruction) of their courtship, marriage and POTUS 2’s ascension.
After having edited almost all of a 1,700 page online (and DVD) book that included profiles of every signatory to the Declaration of Independence, the A&J Adams book really embellished my mental picture of those times, and that amazing family.
Part of my work involved verifying that specific passages were accurately cited in context from editions by Vattel et al of the same exact printing runs that graced the desks of Washington and Jefferson.
Holding and reading from those incredible historical gems was a life-changing experience.
I even managed to contribute an Editor’s Forward and later directed the author’s (pre-publication) attention to how 0bama’s Nobel Prize was a naked attempt by a foreign organization to directly influence the policies of an American administration.
All of which was the precise possibility that America’s Founding Fathers were terrified of, in terms of foreign born presidents (with dual-allegiances) in later administrations.
After opening with the classic:
“An extraordinary claim requires extraordinary proof.”
— Marcello Truzzi
Language lover that I am (I like swapping tongues!), the forward’s closing quote was in the vein of Heinrich Heine’s, “Where they have burned books, they will end in burning human beings.” In my case:
A man who deliberately inflicts violence on the language will almost certainly inflict violence on human beings if he acquires the power. Those who treasure the meaning of words will treasure truth, and those who bend words to their purposes are very likely in pursuit of anti-social ones. The correct and honorable use of words is the first and natural credential of civilized status.
— Paul Johnson (Enemies of Society)
You might enjoy:
“Familiar letters of John Adams and his wife Abigail Adams, during the Revolution”. <http://www.gutenberg.org/files/34123/34123-h/34123-h.htm
French Minister of the Interior – Mosquée de Paris – Christophe Castaner : “Prier Allah et aimer la République ne sont pas incompatibles”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christophe_Castaner
A l’occasion de la présentation des voeux du Conseil Français du Culte Musulman le 23 janvier 2019 à la Mosquée de Paris, Mizane. TV publie quelques extraits de l’intervention du ministre de l’Intérieur Christophe Castaner.
Le ministre des cultes s’est exprimé sur la place de l’islam en France, sur la laïcité, et a également dévoilé les trois orientations des prochaines mesures sur l’islam du président Macron.
This article focuses on a very particular nonmilitary method of applying coercive pressure—the use of migration and refugee crises as instruments of persuasion.
https://www.armyupress.army.mil/Portals/7/Hot%20Spots/Documents/Immigration/Greenhill-Migration.pdf
Thank-you, excellent!
Lovely weekend reading~
itv news – Police fear rise in far right extremism over Brexit tensions
Prosecutor: Investigations on Threats Against Covington High School Children – ALREADY UNDER WAY
Tucker: Ruling class was wrong about Covington students
59,446 views
3
MORE THREATS AGAINST CHILDREN: Footage Captures Woman Across the Street from Covington High School Filming Children as They Leave School
Covington Catholic High School was open on Wednesday after cancelling classes Tuesday due to threats of mass shootings and bomb attacks.
The liberal media branded a group of innocent Catholic boys in MAGA hats at the March for Life in Washington DC as hateful racists.
The media ran with the false narrative that the children abused and harassed the Native American who was beating a drum in a kid’s face.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2019/01/terroris-threat-footage-captures-woman-across-the-street-from-covington-high-school-filming-children-as-they-leave-school/?omhide=true
https://twitter.com/i/status/1088315618212921344