Reader’s Links for March 9, 2020

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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 must use it while we can.

About Eeyore

Canadian artist and counter-jihad and freedom of speech activist as well as devout Schrödinger's catholic

132 Replies to “Reader’s Links for March 9, 2020”

  3. Biden’s brother facing fraud allegations, used family ties to advance business interests

    A new report reveals legal problems and allegations of possible fraud involving former Vice President Joe Biden’s brother James, in the latest instance of the Democratic primary front-runner’s family members’ dealings drawing scrutiny amid his presidential bid.

    According to Politico, James Biden’s business with medical companies – including Americore Health – has led to allegations that he potentially engaged in fraud and traded on his brother’s name, by claiming Joe was interested in the venture and the family name could provide opportunities.

    https://www.foxnews.com/politics/bidens-brother-facing-fraud-allegations-used-family-ties-to-advance-business-interests-report

  4. Democrat Voter Fraud in Minnesota

    What most people would call voter fraud is actually legal in Minnesota elections.
    March 9, 2020
    Bruce Hendry

    Editors’ note: Below is Part 4 of a new essay written by Bruce Hendry: Democrats, Progressives and Socialists. Stay tuned for the ensuing chapters. [See links to previous chapters below this article].

    9. Democrat Voter Fraud in Minnesota.

    Voter Fraud in Minnesota, and one can presume elsewhere, is practiced almost entirely by Democrats, who have waged a relentless campaign to block any attempt to block ineligible voters from voting, or eligible voters from voting more than once as “voter suppression.”

    It’s actually technically incorrect to say that there is large voter fraud in Minnesota, because what you and I would consider voter fraud is in fact legal in Minnesota. The Democrats euphemistic phrase for voter fraud is “ineligible voting” but the manipulation of the voting system is still fraudulent and so it’s still voter fraud. Most voters of either party are totally unaware of what’s going on.

    Voter fraud In Minnesota is practiced almost entirely by Democrats through a two-part process. First, they construct election laws that are designed to tolerate ineligible voting and, second, they don’t enforce even the weak constraints in those statutes. Most voters of either party are totally unaware of what’s going on.

    Here is how it works.

    https://cms.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2020/03/democrat-voter-fraud-minnesota-bruce-hendry

  5. SecState Pompeo Confronts UN Secretary General Guterres on UN Blacklist

    A solid and legitimate move by the Trump administration.
    March 9, 2020
    Joseph Klein

    Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met on March 6th with United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres at UN headquarters in New York. Secretary Pompeo took the opportunity to condemn the UN’s highly biased pro-Palestinian decision to release its blacklist of companies doing business with Israeli firms operating in disputed areas of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, which includes several U.S. companies.

    According to the State Department’s readout of the meeting, Secretary Pompeo “reiterated his outrage at the decision by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to publish a database of companies operating in Israeli-controlled territories.” The U.S. statement added that Secretary Pompeo “made clear that the United States will continue to engage UN officials and member states on this matter, will not tolerate the reckless mistreatment of U.S. companies, and will respond to actions harmful to our business community.”

    https://cms.frontpagemag.com/fpm/2020/03/secstate-pompeo-confronts-un-secretary-general-joseph-klein

  7. Howard Dean Lashes Out at Rep. Elise Stefanik after She Is Threatened while Shopping

    Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) was a Republican star during the sham impeachment proceedings by Nancy Pelosi and Adam Schiff. Stefanik scored hit after hit on the anti-Trump witnesses during hearings on Capitol Hill.

    Because of this the left hates Rep. Stefanik today.

    Saturday while shopping with her husband a far left goon left a threatening note on her car.

    These type of threats and abuse are becoming more and more common from unhinged leftists.

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/03/disgusting-howard-dean-lashes-out-at-rep-elise-stefanik-after-she-is-threatened-while-shopping/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=daily

  8. Family of Missouri’s First Coronavirus Patient Breaks Quarantine to Attend Father-Daughter Dance

    On Saturday night news broke of the first confirmed coronavirus case in St. Louis and Missouri. A 20-year-old woman who was studying in Italy tested positive at Mercy Hospital in St. Louis.

    The woman in her 20’s was released from the hospital and told to self-quarantine along with her parents at their home in Ladue.
    But the family did not quarantine.
    The family of Missouri’s first coronavirus patient broke curfew hours later to attend the father-daughter dance at Villa Duchesne on Saturday night.
    The father and daughter also attended a pre-party at the home of a fellow student.

    Now the entire Villa Duchesne High School will be closed on Monday.

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/03/family-of-missouris-first-coronavirus-patient-breaks-curfew-to-attend-father-daughter-dance/?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=the-gateway-pundit&utm_campaign=dailyam&utm_content=daily

    • Belgium: Clashes erupt at anti-Erdogan protest during Turkish leader’s visit

      Nearly a hundred people rallied to protest against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit in Brussels, on Monday.

      Footage shows police officers charging against protesters and arresting several.

      Activists could also be seen shouting slogans against Erdogan, calling him ‘terrorist’ and ‘murderer.’

      Erdogan, who met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg amid the ongoing crisis between Turkey and the European Union over migrants, requested additional support from NATO to help secure its borders with Syria.

    • Erdogan Holds Brussels Talks As EU Mulls Taking In Children Refugees

      […]European leaders are considering taking in 1,500 child refugees to ease pressure on overwhelmed camps on Greek islands facing a new wave of arrivals from Turkey.

      […]Early on Monday, Germany said the EU was considering taking in up to 1,500 migrant children who are currently housed in Greek camps. Von der Leyen said France, Portugal, Luxembourg and Finland had also offered to take in some.

      […]
      https://www.ibtimes.com/erdogan-holds-brussels-talks-eu-mulls-taking-children-refugees-2936366

  10. California Crazy! Bill would ban boys, girls depts at stores; Biden’s gaffes go viral | Ep. 182

  11. Imam of Peace
    @Imamofpeace
    ·
    18h
    Putin humiliated Erdogan and his entire entourage by making them wait outside the door until he couldn’t stand anymore. Where he sat is where butlers sit and wait for the next order from the boss. When inside, they stood under the statue of Catherine II.

    https://twitter.com/Imamofpeace/status/1236833557839937536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthedonald.win%2Fp%2F4FaC4jw%2Flol–erdogan-cucked-by-putin%2Fc%2F

  12. Five nationals from Chile have been arrested after securing tourist visas to travel to the United States with the intention to allegedly burglarize wealthy residents of California and New York.

    Chilean nationals Amaro Rosas, Bayron Palta, Fabian Catalan, Juan Rosas, and William Perez were arrested by Nassau County, New York, law enforcement officials after they were tied to a series of burglaries in the wealthy neighborhoods of Sands Point, Locust Valley, Great Neck, and Glen Cove.

    The Chilean nationals are part of a burglary ring that were able to legally arrive in the U.S. after securing B-2 tourist visas. Nassau County officials said the five men entered on their tourist visas through the U.S.-Mexico border and arrived in southern California before making their way to New York.

    https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/03/08/chilean-nationals-tourist-visas-burglarize-homes-wealthy-new-york-california/

  13. Michelle Malkin
    @michellemalkin
    ·
    1h
    And there it is. Already known yesterday by many. Now Corona-PAC-er has been named: Dr. Alan Berger. CPAC @mschlapp
    refused to confirm, but multiple of my sources verified, incl. those tied to Capitol Hill folks he met there.
    https://dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8092395/Doctor-New-York-hospital-self-isolates-coronavirus-fears.html

    #CPACVirus #DonorClass

    https://twitter.com/michellemalkin/status/1237085322527133697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthedonald.win%2Fp%2F4FaC4LG%2Fcpac-coronavirus-person-identifi%2Fc%2F

  14. Are Schumer’s threats against conservative justices just a foretaste of what’s to come

    Senator Chuck Schumer’s threats against Justices Gorsuch and Kavanaugh are not only outrageous and dangerous. They could well be a precursor of what we can expect should the Supreme Court advance the pro-life cause. There will be rage. There will be intimidation. There will be threats. And there will be violence.

    The same people who were scratching and pounding the Supreme Court doors during the Kavanaugh hearings will not sit quietly should Roe v. Wade be overturned.

    The same people who violently attack peaceful pro-life protesters will turn all the more violent should pro-life legislation be passed.

    In terms of physical attacks and verbal attacks, it could get very ugly very quickly.

    Let’s remember that Senator Schumer delivered his remarks at a pro-abortion rally in front of the Supreme Court. He was preaching to an already-angry choir for whom Roe v. Wade is a sacred right (or should I say rite?).

    https://www.gopusa.com/are-schumers-threats-against-conservative-justices-just-a-foretaste-of-whats-to-come/?omhide=true

    (Richard: This article is talking about how the radical pro abortion individuals and groups will go ballistic if the Supreme Court agrees with any restriction on abortion this is not the only trigger point the left has. They are becoming more and more violent as they lose more, look at the Member of the House (I can’t remember her name) that came out of the store and found a note on her windshield tha said something about how she was a fascist bitch who should be dead. Instead of condemning the attack Howard Dean (member of the DNC) said that she was a disgrace to her state.

    The left has been priming their people for a violent reaction when President Trump wins a second term and I don’t see any sign that they are going to calm down and back off.)

  16. Sanders Was Manipulated by Soviets as Burlington Mayor, Documents Show

    Soviet officials used then-mayor Bernie Sanders’s attempts to establish a sister-city relationship with Yaroslavl, Russia as propaganda to “reveal American imperialism as the main source of the danger of war,” according to documents reviewed by The New York Times.

    As mayor of Burlington, Vt., Sanders was only one of several dozen mayors who already had or were applying to establish a relationship with a Soviet sister city at the time, in an effort to deescalate a possible nuclear conflict amid the tensions of the Cold War.

    https://www.nationalreview.com/news/sanders-was-manipulated-by-soviets-as-burlington-mayor-documents-show/

  20. SOUTH KOREA
    Quarantine in China: Expensive for Chinese, but Free for Foreigners

  21. Turkey’s Erdogan Calls on Greece to Open its Borders, Let Migrants Pass Through to Europe (breitbart, Mar 9, 2020)
    https://www.breitbart.com/europe/2020/03/09/turkeys-erdogan-calls-on-greece-to-open-borders-to-migrant-wave/

    “The Islamist president of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, called on Greece to open its borders to allow thousands of migrants to pass through the country into other European nations.

    Erdogan, who is meeting with European Union and NATO leaders in Brussels on Monday, said that he will demand “much more support” in return for curbing the flow of migrants attempting to enter the bloc illegally.

    “Hey Greece! I appeal to you… open the gates as well and be free of this burden… Let them go to other European countries,” Mr Erdogan said in a speech on Sunday, per The Telegraph.

    The Turkish leader had previously agreed to place controls on migration, holding back an estimated 3.6 million asylum seekers, after a deal was struck between Turkey and the EU in 2016, in which European nations, including the UK, sent billions of pounds in aid to the Islamic government in Ankara.

    Turkey has claimed that the EU did not fulfil its financial obligations, as well as demanding visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and greater alignment on trade.

    “We have fulfilled the obligations of the agreement we have made with the EU. However, the EU did not fulfil its commitments except for minimal contributions … I hope we will get different results this time,” Mr Erdogan said.

    While Erdogan meets with EU leaders in Brussels, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin to shore up international support for his efforts to maintain Greece’s border.

    Prime Minister Mitsotakis declared on Friday that the deal between Turkey and the EU is now “dead” as “Turkey has decided to completely violate the agreement”. He went on to accuse Turkey of using “migrants and refugees as geopolitical pawns to promote its own interests”.

    In his meeting in Berlin, the Greek leader will also press for more distribution of migrants throughout the European Union according to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

    The call for redistribution of asylum seekers is reminiscent of Angela Merkel’s call for EU member states to take their “fair share” of migrants during the height of the 2015 migrant crisis, which led to a populist backlash throughout the bloc.

    German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Monday that Germany would consider increasing the aid to Turkey in return for more controls on migration, but said that Turkey should not use migrants as “political pawns”.

    “Europe’s message to Turkey is clear: We believe in a fair sharing of the burden, but we do not accept that people who find themselves in desperate situations should be misused as political pawns,” Maas said according to Deutsche Welle.

    “Negotiations made at the expense of the weakest will not give the desired result,” Maas added.”

  22. (CNN)Italy has been put under a dramatic total lockdown, as the coronavirus spreads in the country. Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte announced that he is extending restrictions already in place in the north.
    “All the measure of the red zones are now extended to all of the national territory,” Conte said at a press conference on Monday evening, also announcing a ban on all public events.
    The Prime Minister said the move was taken in order to protect the population, and especially the most fragile individuals. His announcement came at the end of a chaotic day that saw prison riots across the country.

    https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/09/europe/coronavirus-italy-lockdown-intl/index.html

    While I, a serious germaphobe, take the Wuhan flu seriously. However, the long-term damage (and resultant deaths) of a country-wide lockdown will be greater than the Wuhan flu could pose, even if it had the mortality rate of 4% (significantly higher than what we see in Western countries).

  24. the gateway pundit – Twitter Labels Unedited Video Clip of Biden Saying “We Can Only Re-elect Donald Trump” as “Manipulated Media”

    Joe Biden held a rally Saturday at Kiener Plaza in downtown St. Louis and he couldn’t even deliver a 7 minute speech without bungling sentences.

    Biden made his biggest gaffe yet shortly after he forgot his own name and declared himself an “Obiden-Bama Democrat.”

    Biden awkwardly endorsed President Trump on Saturday.

    “We cannot win this re-election — Excuse me — We can only reelect Donald Trump.” Biden said.

    President Trump’s social media director Dan Scavino tweeted out a completely unedited video of Biden saying “we can only re-elect Donald Trump” and Twitter came in to shield old Joe from scrutiny.

    Twitter labeled raw video of Biden’s St. Louis rally where he jumbled sentences as “manipulated media.”

    Nothing in the video Scavino tweeted was manipulated or edited. Twitter is interfering in the 2020 election by protecting Joe Biden and falsely labeling a video of his gaffe as “manipulated media.”

    https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2020/03/twitter-labels-video-of-biden-saying-we-can-only-re-elect-donald-trump-as-manipulated-media/

    =====================================================

    europravda – White House shares ‘manipulated’ and ‘partly false’ video of Joe Biden

  25. Afghanistan conflict: US begins withdrawing troops (BBC, Mar 9, 2020)
    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51810498

    “The US has started withdrawing troops from Afghanistan as part of a deal with the Taliban aimed at bringing peace to the country.

    The US agreed to reduce its troops from about 12,000 to 8,600 within 135 days of signing the agreement.

    Drawing back troops was a condition of the historic peace deal signed by the US and the Taliban on 29 February.

    The Afghan government did not take part in the deal, but is expected to hold talks with the Taliban.

    Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani initially said he would not comply with an agreement to release Taliban prisoners as a pre-condition for direct talks with the militant group.

    But reports say the president, who was inaugurated for a second term on Monday, will issue a decree for at least 1,000 Taliban prisoners to be released this week.

    The peace deal appeared fragile last week after the US launched an air strike in response to Taliban fighters attacking Afghan forces in Helmand province.

    The Taliban called for de-escalation and on Monday, Col Sonny Leggett, a spokesman for US forces in Afghanistan, announced the first phase of the American withdrawal.

    The US retains “all the military means and authorities to accomplish our objectives” in Afghanistan despite the withdrawal of troops, Col Leggett said in a statement.

    The US and its Nato allies have agreed to withdraw all troops within 14 months if the militants uphold the deal.

    Under the agreement, the militants have agreed to refrain from attacks as well as not allowing al-Qaeda or any other extremist group to operate in the areas they control…”

  27. Sudan prime minister Hamdok survives assassination attempt
    https://thedefensepost.com/2020/03/09/sudan-prime-minister-hamdok-assassination-attempt/

    “Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok escaped unharmed Monday as an assassination attempt using explosives targeted his convoy in the capital Khartoum, his top aide said.

    “An explosion hit as Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s car was driving by but thank God no one was hurt,” said Ali Bakhit, his office director, in a March 9 Facebook post.

    The convoy was targeted on the way to his office in the Kober district of northeast Khartoum.

    Sudan’s official news agency SUNA said Hamdok was in “good health and a safe place” after the attack, without giving further details…”

  28. Trial of 215 Brotherhood Members from Helwan Brigades to Resume Next Week
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2171027/trial-215-brotherhood-members-helwan-brigades-resume-next-week

    “The Cairo Criminal Court has adjourned the trial of 215 Muslim Brotherhood members to March 17.

    They have been charged with forming a militant group called “Helwan Brigades,” which was responsible for killing at least six security forces and wounding several civilians and policemen in separate attacks in Cairo.

    The court’s decision to adjourn the trial was made on Sunday to allow the defense to continue making its argument.

    The public prosecution referred the defendants to trial in February 2015, accusing them of leading a group that aimed at disrupting the provisions of the constitution and laws, preventing state institutions and public authorities from exercising their duties, attacking citizens’ personal freedoms, public freedoms and rights guaranteed by the constitution and law, and harming national unity and social peace.

    “They established three specialized committees in Cairo and Giza, each of which undertook the formation of armed groups, known as Helwan Brigades, to carry out hostile operations in the country,” said the Public Prosecutor.

    Probes indicated that leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood, officially classified as a terrorist organization, had plotted a terrorist attack from prison to topple the regime by “assigning the group’s members outside to implement it.”

    They are all accused of targeting security forces in the vicinity of al-Azhar University, in east Cairo, killing three police officers and injuring 11 others and one civilian.

    They are also accused of attacking administrative security officials in the university, and leaving three of them injured, vandalizing the building of the tenth district police station and attempting to target Nasr Pedestrian Bridge with explosives.”

  29. Egypt Sentences 41 People to Life on Terror Charges Linked to Hasm Group
    https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2171457/egypt-sentences-41-people-life-terror-charges-linked-hasm-group

    “a military court in Cairo sentenced 41 people to life in prison on terror-related charges, rights lawyer Khaled el-Masry said. The military sentenced 98 others to prison terms ranging from three to 15 years. It acquitted 50.

    The court convicted the defendants of joining a militant group known as Hasm, which has links to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is banned in Egypt, where it is considered a terrorist organization. Hasm has targeted mainly Egyptian security forces in bombings and drive-by shootings.

    The 41 were also accused of carrying out several militant attacks, including one that killed a senior Egyptian army officer and the attempted assassination of a deputy public prosecutor in 2016.

    The verdicts can be appealed, el-Masry said.

    Egypt has for years been battling a long-running insurgency centered in North Sinai that is now led by an ISIS group affiliate”

  30. Saudi Arabia reports five new cases of coronavirus; first in Makkah
    http://saudigazette.com.sa/article/590664/SAUDI-ARABIA/Saudi-Arabia-reports-five-new-cases-of-coronavirus-first-in-Makkah

    “Saudi authorities on Tuesday announced the discovery of five more new coronavirus cases, raising the total number of cases in the Kingdom to 20.

    The Ministry of Health said that three of the new cases (a male and two females) were quarantined in a hospital in the Eastern Province. They had visited Iran and Iraq and were tested on arrival to the Kingdom. The laboratory tests showed that they were infected with the virus.

    The ministry statement explained that the fourth case is of a citizen with mild respiratory symptoms had reported to a hospital in the Eastern Province. He has been isolated in the hospital for treatment after the tests returned positive.

    All contacts of the infected people were identified and accounted for, and samples were taken from them for examination.

    The ministry added that the fifth case is an Egyptian, who had recently come from his country. He too showed mild respiratory symptoms and tested positive. The patient has been isolated in a hospital in Makkah, and all those with whom he had contacts were identified and accounted for.

    The ministry called upon all people to contact its 937 Service Center for any queries about the virus, while stressing that information should be taken from its official sources and not to believe in rumors.

    The ministry stated that it provides all information and advice about dealing with the virus through social media and also by specialist doctors through the No. 937. — SG”

  32. Egypt, UAE establish Libya naval commando squad to fight Turkey
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200309-egypt-uae-establish-libya-naval-commando-squad-to-fight-turkey/

    “A special naval commandos unit made of of dozens of Libyan fighters has been setup with the held of the UAE to carry out operations against Turkey’s naval interests in the Mediterranean, sources told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed.

    Egyptian and Libyan sources revealed the new squad’s missions include as blocking the naval route that Turkey uses to send military aid to the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli.

    Libyan forces had been sent to Egypt to receive training at the hands of its navy, the sources added. This special marine operations squad, which consists of around 50 fighters, will reportedly be joined by a second batch of commandos who are currently receiving their training in an Egyptian naval base.

    The sources also revealed that the UAE has been aiding Egypt in this training campaign by proving boats to militias in eastern Libya, operating under the rival government led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. The naval operations conducted by the fighters against Turkish interests will be supervised by Egyptian military experts before the tasks are completely handed over to Haftar’s naval officers, it was reported…”

  33. US marines arrive on Yemen’s Socotra to support UAE forces
    https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200309-us-marines-arrive-on-yemens-socotra-to-support-uae-forces/

    “A new batch of US Marines arrived on the Yemeni island of Socotra on Saturday, according to local sources, installing Patriot defence systems.

    Sanaa Post reported that the American soldiers were received by the “occupying” UAE forces at their headquarters on the island.

    There is speculation that the US intends to establish its own military base amid reports that America had sent military experts to equip observation points to deploy radars and air defence points on the strategically located island overlooking the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

    US forces had previously arrived on Socotra in December of last year and reportedly started installing a Patriot missile system in order to protect the Saudi and Emirati forces on the island at the time.

    According to the sources, on 21 December of last year, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the UN-recognised, exiled Yemeni government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to lease the entire island to the UAE for a period of about 95 years.

    Saudi and Emirati forces began to arrive on the island in April 2018, the Saudi deployment was reportedly coordinated with the Yemeni government, whilst the UAE arrived without prior coordination with the Saudi-backed Yemeni authorities.”

  35. The EU without Turkey
    https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-without-turkey-152806

    “Without Turkey, Europe just doesn’t look right and in the long run it probably won’t work.

    The idea of Turkey as an active player in the life of Europe is a relatively new one for people in Europe. Because Turkey industrialized much later than most of the countries on the north side of the Mediterranean, it was for many years just a bystander.

    But historically Turkey has often been a vigorous participant in the life of the continent, especially at the height of the Renaissance. In the sixteenth century there was a sort of diplomatic “axis” in European politics between Francois I of France and Süleyman the Magnificent.

    Even today, the influence of Turkey on daily life in many countries is much more pervasive than most people usually realize. Turkish products, Turkish cuisine and produce, Turkish holidays, archaeology and history are all around.

    What’s more, if you go back in history, you will find that ever since Neolithic times – when farming techniques began in Anatolia and then spread gradually from there across Europe – Turkey has been an integral part in the life of the continent. King Midas, Croesus, the Gordian Knot, Helen of Troy, Santa Claus and of course St Paul all came from present-day Turkey – a cultural and religious bridge between east and west, north and south.

    Trade between Turkey and Western Europe is nothing new either. If you had visited Ankara in the 17th century, you would have found a quarter of the city where families of Scottish, English, and Dutch merchants lived. That went on all the way through until the French Revolution broke the trade links, leaving everyone poorer.

    Though Turkey lies at the south-east end of Europe, history and geography have always combined to make it very important to the rest of the continent. As a result, the movement towards European unity cannot and should not by-pass Turkey, as it would be doing serious damage to the long-term interests of everyone.

    The economic arguments for including Turkey are formidable by themselves. Few people realize that Turkey has a larger, more developed, and more dynamic economy than many of the EU members. Turkey has been one of the main suppliers of cars, white and brown goods and iron and steel. It is an increasingly important regional economic power.

    This is because Turkey is a large country with a young population of 84 million people and abundant natural resources. It has a vigorous free market economy that has industrialized at almost breakneck speed over the last decades. In this regard, there are still great opportunities for European investors. Because we are so close to markets in Russia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and the Middle East, we also enjoy big comparative advantages.

    In Istanbul we have one of the great cities of the European continent, the hub of the business and cultural life of an entire region, and a place with a really exciting and diverse cultural scene. The routes for energy supplies run through Turkey. New routes being planned will make this outlet to the Mediterranean even more important.
    Remembering that Turkey and the EU launched a customs union at the beginning of 1996. For a long time it worked well for all. However, at the moment, it is in dire need of improvement, since our economies have become more interdependent.

    The common interests of Turkey and Europe are not just economic. Turkey is Europe’s southern frontier. The facts of geography being what they are, it will always remain so. Turkey provides indispensable protection and stability to the other countries of Europe. Think how precarious the western world’s situation would be with the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The dangerous situation of mass migration from such countries Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan to name a few.

    But none of these things, in my view, is Turkey’s biggest asset. Its main asset both for itself and for Europe are its people; warm, affectionate, humorous, energetic, adaptable, industrious. Naturally being a Turk myself I have to admit to being biased on this point, but I think most foreign visitors to Turkey tend to incline to my view. That is why so many of them, having visited our country once, come back again and again.

    On the basis of all this, it is surely obvious that an ever-closer partnership between us is in everyone’s interests. However, I know that not everyone would agree. The nearer Turkey and the rest of the EU get together, the louder become the voices of protest from some, quarters.

    The aim of those is certain to be that the EU and European public opinion should ostracize and isolate Turkey. I find it very difficult to see how anyone who genuinely wants to see European values spreading and growing can subscribe to such messages. The “founding fathers of the European Union, Jean Monnet and Robert Schuman, did not proceed in this spirit. If they had, the movement to reconciliation and unity in Europe would have died on the launch pad.

    The truth of the matter is that the anti-Turkish movement in Western Europe is very shortsighted and does not even work in the interests of the people it purports to be defending. Of course much of it is based on ancient stereotypes and hatreds, unworthy of the people who indulge them. It is also based on profound ignorance and misapprehension. Lining up against Turkey will do harm, not good. It will exacerbate conflicts and cause opportunities to be lost. Turkey is not going to allow itself to be steered in a different direction.

    But progress will be much easier if the rest of Europe stands alongside Turkey. For 68 years Turkey has stood with Europe in NATO, fighting to bring freedom and democracy to Eastern Europe. Together we have achieved one of the great triumphs of the century.

    Integration of Turkey with the rest of Europe will produce profound changes and adaptations also in Turkish society. That will benefit us, just as it has benefited so many other countries, and it will benefit the rest of Europe by creating stability and prosperity on its southeastern flank. Whatever the opponents may think, Turkey is an important reality on the map and it has a right to its place in Europe.

    Question is will EU be able to overcome its complacency and be realistic about dangerously developing international crises. Now is the time to take concrete steps concerning Turkish membership.”

  36. Dozens killed in northern Burkina Faso attack
    https://www.france24.com/en/20200309-dozens-killed-in-northern-burkina-faso-attack

    “Gunmen killed at least 43 people in attacks on two villages in northern Burkina Faso, the government said Monday.

    Armed men attacked Dinguila and Barga villages in Yatenga province, the government said in a statement on Monday. The military was dispatched to secure the villages and at least six injured were taken to the central hospital in nearby Ouahigouya, said the statement.

    Government spokesman Remis Fulgance Dandjinou told The Associated Press he didn’t know who was behind the violence.

    The villages that were attacked, however, are known to be populated by Fulani herdsman who have been targeted by local defense groups and the army for their alleged affiliation with jihadists.

    A resident from Ouahigouya, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of his safety, told the AP that the attacks occurred after jihadists sought shelter in the town of Dinguila. Local defense groups followed the extremists to the town and massacred people, he said.

    Analysts say the attack signifies a worrying trend.

    “This is also one of the areas where we have identified a significant risk of increased stigmatization against the Fulani,” said William Assanvo, senior researcher with the Institute for Security Studies. This is the first massacre of this scale in that area, he said.

    This trend is also occurring in neighboring Mali, said Christian Poonwah, director of Safer Access Consulting, an international security company in Ouagadougou.

    “This speaks to the wider trend of growing fault lines between local communities. This is further exacerbated by extremist groups capitalizing on the inter-communal violence and attracting targeted communities to their side,” he said.

    Attacks by militants linked to the Islamic State and al-Qaida have shaken the West African nation. Almost 2,000 more fatalities were reported last year than in 2018 — a six-fold increase — according to a report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, which collects and analyzes conflict information.”

  38. “Speaking of the World Health Organization, founded 1948 as branch of United Nations, of course, we find #TheRedThread
    WHO founder Brock Chisholm was a proponent of World Government, World Law, World Police.
    #Trump #MAGA are these globalists’ counter-revolutionary nightmare.”
    Diana West – March 8, 2020 – Twitter
    https://twitter.com/diana_west_/status/1236679197894094848

    “Event 201 Global Pandemic”
    Amazing Polly – March 9, 2020