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.
Small Business Relief May Reach Deal Today; US Oil Sees Historic One Day Drop | NTD
Today is Yom Ha Shoah, Israel’s Day of Remembrance.
The ceremonies – like everything else these days – were online.
Arsen Ostrovsky links to the remarkable fiddler playing the even more remarkable fiddle.
https://twitter.com/Ostrov_A/status/1252336343004348416
(What the rest of the world calls “International Holocaust Memorial Day” – that’s April Fools’ Day. A double misnomer.)
I got the date of Yom Ha-Shoah wrong!
(Well, it’s not a religious holiday, after all. It’s Israeli.)
Physician statement from and to Orthodox Jewish community in favor of continued refraining from group prayer and celebrations and funeral processions
(and continued closure). Mentions expectation of future treatment advances; points out the unknowns of re-infection. I recognize two names — one a practicing pediatrician and one a research pathologist. It is a thoughtful statement that acknowledges the risk of multi-generational family life. I take from it the idea that personal prudence is more relevant than governmental regulation. (May need some translation if liturgical Hebrew is not evident from context.)
https://jcovid.com/physician-statement-regarding-premature-lifting-of-restrictions/
Separately, I have received an email that mentions the stomach breathing technique in NYC, as also reported in https://www.bu.edu/sph/2020/04/17/for-covid-19-patients-breathing-easier-could-be-as-simple-as-flipping-over/
(The email says that the relative in NYC is recuperating, but personal health history precluded the stomach technique; although it sounds like she had a Zelenko cocktail.)
I’ll need more than stomach breathing to get over the agoraphobia I’ve developed. No joke.
Be strong dear lady, there is nothing to fear but fear itself.
My apt’s on a high floor, with a tiny balcony. That’s as far as I’ll go.
The elevator down
{in my mind}glitters with coronavirus. Someday, if a get a hazmat suit with a topnotch respirator, I’ll emerge.Otherwise…
Related:
“What I Learned From Nursing My Husband Through COVID-19” by Martha Campbell – April 19, 2020
https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/19/what-i-learned-from-nursing-my-husband-through-covid-19/
Video: “Is Nasal Breathing Your First Line of Defense Against Coronavirus?”
by Patrick McKeown
https://buteykoclinic.com/corona-virus
“Anxiety, Panic Disorder, ?and Depression – Patrick McKeown”
Buteyko Clinic International – May 20, 2019
The “Nursing My Husband” article – awesome strength, character.
A good friend of mine is a nurse practioner. She got it, gave it to her husband and two of her sons. Her husband was the sickest, but pulled through without inpatient care. Barely.
We’re learning more all the time. It helps to feel somewhat more in control. Like saying, NO thanks! NO ventilator! And putting that in writing.
Letting go of the anger helps.
I'm working on it.Such terrible times.NYT – How Coronavirus is Upending Ultra-Orthodox Jewish Traditions
( 6 min 25 )
Hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews are estimated to have died in Brooklyn. Here’s how the pandemic is changing their longstanding rituals.
Thanks Martin that was a very good video. I actually understand a lot more than I did before it on a few things.
No more outdoor minyan – 10 men separated 2 meters – seems extreme to me. And much more to my Russki.
But in context, so much sacrifice… I don’t know, maybe it’s part of a package.
Assad Praises Iran’s Support for Syria in War on Terror
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/04/20/2247771/assad-praises-iran-s-support-for-syria-in-war-on-terror
“Syrian President Bashar al-Assad lauded Iran for supporting the Arab country in the fight against terrorism.
In a Monday meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Damascus, Assad paid tribute to late Iranian commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani for his unequalled role in the battle against terrorism in Syria.
Appreciating Iran’s backing for the fight against terrorism in Syria, Assad also expressed his sympathy for the coronavirus deaths in Iran.
The Syrian president and the top Iranian diplomat then discussed the latest political developments in Syria, the status of Syria’s Constitutional Committee, and the developments in Idlib.
Zarif thanked Syria for sending representatives to the funeral of General Soleimani, stressing that the martyrdom of the top commander would by no means change Iran’s support for the resistance and the fight against terrorism in the region.
He also said that the US’ refusal to lift the cruel sanctions amid the outbreak of the coronavirus has laid bare Washington’s real intent.
Zarif further pointed to his recent telephone conversation with the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen, saying Iran, Turkey and Russia, the guarantors of the Astana peace process, are going to hold consultations in the near future.
Iran is a key ally of Syria as the Islamic Republic has been providing military advisory assistance to Damascus in its anti-terror campaign.
Iranian officials have also made it clear that Tehran would stand by Syria in the reconstruction projects of the war-stricken country.”
Iran’s Military Power Deterring Attacks, Top General Says
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/04/20/2247706/iran-s-military-power-deterring-attacks-top-general-says
“Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri said the country has gained such great deterrent power that the enemies like the US and Israel do not dare to take military action against the Islamic Republic…”
Iran Ready for Unconditional Talks with Persian Gulf States: Spokesman
https://www.tasnimnews.com/en/news/2020/04/20/2247468/iran-ready-for-unconditional-talks-with-persian-gulf-states-spokesman
“The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed Tehran’s readiness to hold negotiations with regional and the Persian Gulf countries without any preconditions.
In remarks at a press conference on Monday, Seyed Abbas Mousavi hailed the improvement of regional cooperation between Iran and the Persian Gulf littoral states after the outbreak of coronavirus.
Apart from the threats that the novel coronavirus poses to the entire world, it has resulted in a series of favorable events and opened up opportunities as well, he said, adding that the outbreak has brought the stances and priorities of the countries closer together to some extent.
“We are witnessing streaks of shifting priorities and orientations in our region,” Mousavi stated.
“We have expressed readiness for dialogue with our friends in the region without preconditions,” the spokesman said, stressing that Iran is prepared for talks and interaction with the Persian Gulf littoral states.
Mousavi also stated that Iran has already proposed a regional peace initiative, known as the Hormuz Peace Endeavor (HOPE), and is still waiting to see readiness on part of the Persian Gulf countries for cooperation.”
Erdogan Threatens Syria Regime with ‘Heavy Losses’ over Idlib Ceasefire Breaches
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2243746/erdogan-threatens-syria-regime-%E2%80%98heavy-losses%E2%80%99-over-idlib-ceasefire-breaches
“Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused on Monday the Syrian regime of violating a ceasefire in the northwestern Idlib region, warning that Damascus would suffer “heavy losses” if it persisted.
Speaking in Istanbul after a cabinet meeting, he said regime was using the coronavirus outbreak as an opportunity to ramp up violence in Idlib.
Turkey would not allow any “dark groups” in the region to violate the ceasefire either, he vowed.
“Turkey remains committed to an agreement that it reached with Russia and will not give way to the (Syrian) regime’s aggression,” Erdogan said.
His comments came amid reports of limited Syrian violations and exchanges of fire between troops and Turkey-backed opposition forces, though the truce appeared to be mostly holding.
Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Syria’s war, agreed on March 5 to halt hostilities in northwestern Syria after an escalation of clashes there displaced nearly a million people and brought the two sides close to confrontation.
The deal halted a three-month Syrian regime offensive into the country’s last opposition stronghold.”
Algerian Authorities Target Online Media
https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2243766/algerian-authorities-target-online-media
“Algerian authorities have blocked a third online news website that covered the anti-government “Hirak” protest movement, stirring condemnation Monday from media watchdog Reporters Without Borders.
RSF also voiced concern that a draft law on “fake news” could be used as another channel to “muzzle the press”.
The draft legislation aims to “criminalize… fake news” which authorities say could undermine national security.
“Algeria is the country recording the largest numbers of deaths related to the coronavirus in Africa but authorities prefer to hound the free press,” said the RSF director for North Africa, Souhaieb Khayati.
Algerian authorities earlier this month shut down online media sites Maghreb Emergent and Radio M.
On Sunday, news website Interlignes was also hit by the censor’s axe and no longer accessible online, said its founder Bouzid Ichalalene.
“The authorities are trying to push serious media to close and allow only the mediocre ones to exist,” Ichalalene told AFP.
There was no immediate comment from the authorities…”
UAE-based companies suspected of breaking Libya arms embargo: Report
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/uae-based-companies-suspected-breaking-arms-embargo-eastern-libya-report
“Almost 11,000 tonnes of jet fuel has been shipped by UAE-based companies to eastern Libya, in suspected violation of an international arms embargo, according to documents seen by the Financial Times.
The shipment – worth as much as $5m – was delivered last month to the city of Benghazi, which is a stronghold of military commander Khalifa Haftar, the FT reported on Monday…”
‘Divisive’: Rights groups accuse Trump of stoking Islamophobia ahead of Ramadan
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/coronavirus-muslim-rights-groups-condemn-trump-remarks-mosques-ramadan-covid19
“Muslim rights groups have accused US President Donald Trump of stoking Islamophobia after he said there “could be a difference” in how local authorities and politicians enforce coronavirus lockdown measures during the month of Ramadan.
During his daily coronavirus news conference on Saturday, Trump said there “could be a difference” in the way authorities and law enforcement would impose lockdown measures on mosques compared with how they were enforced on churches during the Easter holiday.
“I would say that there could be a difference,” Trump said. “And we’ll have to see what will happen. Because I’ve seen a great disparity in this country.”
The president made the comments after he was asked about a tweet by conservative writer Paul Sperry, which Trump had retweeted, that suggested Muslims could get preferential treatment.
“Let’s see if authorities enforce the social-distancing orders for mosques during Ramadan (April 23-May 23) like they did churches during Easter,” Sperry wrote, echoing a theme that has circulated in right-wing circles on Twitter.
‘Bigoted attempt at political football’
Nihad Awad, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), denounced Trump’s remarks, calling them “divisive” and “insulting”.
“President Trump’s bigoted attempt to use American Muslims as a political football just before the holy month of Ramadan was as divisive as it was insulting,” Awad said in a statement.
“Mosques across our nation have already announced plans to remain closed indefinitely because the American Muslim community, unlike President Trump, recognises the ongoing threat of the coronavirus.”
The pandemic has overturned traditional religious gatherings and prayers since widespread lockdowns and restrictions were implemented in states throughout the country in March.
Hundreds of mosques shuttered their doors early last month, well before some states issued stay-at-home orders.
Deflecting blame
The Fiqh Council of North America issued a statement last week, in which it said all congregation prayers, including Eid prayers, would be “suspended until the ban on congregation is lifted”.
The Council said that mosques in the US would remain closed throughout Ramadan and that they should “strictly follow” the health guidelines issued by the state.
During the holy month, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food, liquids and smoking. It is also a time for prayer, reflection, atonement and charity.
Farhana Khera, the executive director of the rights group Muslim Advocates, said that Trump was attempting to deflect blame from his administration’s failure to handle the crisis.
So far, more than 40,000 Americans have died from the coronavirus while more than 700,000 have been infected. The global death toll stands at more than 160,000.
“It is insulting and frustrating that on the eve of Ramadan, and as all Americans are suffering because of the Covid-19 crisis, our president chooses to use his energy and platform to amplify the hateful words of a bigot,” Khera said in a statement.
“Do your job, Mr. President. Tens of thousands of Americans have died so far. America needs ventilators and coronavirus testing, not bigoted anti-Muslim rants.”
‘Preferential treatment’
Awad also criticised the president for claiming that Muslims were getting preferential treatment amid lockdown measures.
“President Trump’s claim that American mosques, many of which have been protested, threatened, vandalised and even bombed in the years since he launched his first presidential campaign, receive preferential treatment compared to other faiths is an Islamophobic fantasy,” Awad said.
The American Civil Liberties Union reported in December that anti-Muslim activities had spread to 44 US states since 2005.
Meanwhile, CAIR reported over 500 incidents of anti-Muslim bias in the first half of 2019 alone.
“Instead of fanning the flames of bigotry to distract the public from his own failures, the President should focus on combating the continued spread of the coronavirus,” Awad said.”
‘Imminent war’ between UAE and Saudi-backed forces in Yemen
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20200420-imminent-war-between-uae-and-saudi-backed-forces-in-yemen/
“UAE-aligned separatists in southern Yemen have warned of an “imminent war” against Saudi-supported mercenaries, fighting on behalf of the UN-recognised Yemeni government, based in Riyadh.
The UAE and Saudi are joint-leaders of the US-backed coalition which has been waging a five-year war on Yemen, in a bid to topple the Houthi-led government ruling from the capital Sanaa in order to reinstate President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi.
A statement issued by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) said it had informed foreign ambassadors and UN envoy Martin Griffiths that “the outbreak of war is imminent”…”
Russian news agency close to Putin calls Assad ‘weak and powerless’ in unprecedented criticism
https://english.alaraby.co.uk/english/news/2020/4/19/russian-news-agency-calls-assad-weak-in-unprecedented-criticism
“A Russian news agency close to President Vladimir Putin has launched an unprecedented and surprising attack on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Russian forces have provided critical support to Assad in the Syrian conflict for nearly five years but the Federal News Agency (FAN), which is owned by infamous Russian businessman Yevgeny Pregozhin, took aim at the brutal Syrian dictator in an article published on Wednesday.
The article said that Assad was weak and “did not own the situation” in Syria and that the country’s wealth was being stolen by corrupt officials who “had all power and control over the electricity and industry in the country”.
Yevgeny Pregozhin is a close associate of President Putin and has been called “Putin’s chef” by the Associated Press.
He made his fortune in the restaurant business and is now involved with a series of well-known Russian companies, including the notorious Internet Research Agency troll farm, accused of interfering in the 2016 US presidential elections and the private security firm Wagner, which has sent Russian mercenaries to Syria, Libya, and Africa.
Cracks in the alliance between Assad and Russia have come to the surface before. Russia is reportedly angry with Assad for violating a ceasefire and attacking rebel-held Idlib province in January 2020, causing Turkey to intervene against Assad. A new ceasefire has been in place since early March.
The Federal News Agency’s criticisms appear to have been prompted by the closure of two gas wells in central Syria by the government of Assad’s prime minister, Imad Khamis. The Russian website said that the “security reasons” offered by Assad’s government for the closure were fake and that the real reason was due to government corruption, with officials wanting to profit from the resulting rise in prices.
It said that Russia had “restored” Syria’s economy but the corruption of Khamis’s government was making it impossible for Russian firms to operate in the country. It also accused Khamis of renegotiating electricity supplies with other countries, such as Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon for his personal benefit, portraying Assad as unwilling or unable to rein in his prime minister.
Russia’s 2015 intervention in the Syrian conflict, which has cost thousands of Syrian lives, is considered to have been a decisive factor in Assad’s continuing rule of Syria. The Russian intervention has taken on a neo-colonial character, with Assad leasing the port of Tartus to Russia for 49 years and Russian companies taking control of the country’s phosphate resources.”
This is theatre.
Ramadan: Turkish faith body to give aid to 35 countries
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/ramadan-turkish-faith-body-to-give-aid-to-35-countries/1811542
“Turkey’s top religious authority on Monday said the country would provide aid to needy people in dozens of countries during Ramadan, the Muslims’ holy fasting month.
In a news conference, Ali Erbas spoke on the policies of the Religious Affairs Directorate in Ramadan as well as performing religious duties amid the coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed tens of thousands of lives across the globe.
Erbas said the religious body would provide aid to needy people in 35 countries during the holy month, adding Ramadan would be observed under the virus’ dark shadow.
In 2019, the directorate distributed aid in 98 countries, but this year, due to the pandemic making logistics more difficult, it will provide assistance to 35, he added.
“We will distribute 38,450 food packages, and 46,000 packages” for fast-breaking iftar dinners, he said, adding that nearly 11,000 orphans would also be provided with clothes.
Stating that fasting is a spiritual act in which heart and mind become one, he added that it also boosts the immunity system and can help fight the virus.
Turkey has so far registered near 86,000 coronavirus cases, with a death toll of over 2,000. More than 12,000 people have fully recovered from the disease and 1,920 people are receiving treatment in intensive care units.
The coronavirus has spread to at least 185 countries and regions since emerging in Wuhan, China last December, with the U.S. and Europe now the hardest-hit areas.
More than 2.4 million cases have been reported worldwide, with the death toll at nearly 166,000 and over 632,000 recoveries, according to data compiled by the U.S.-based Johns Hopkins University.”
test 01
“Let then eat ice cream ”
Germany: Several arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Chemnitz
Nearly 300 people reportedly took part in an unauthorised protest in the city of Chemnitz on Monday, to oppose the restrictive measures imposed to fight against the coronavirus spread.
Footage shows police forces pushing protesters and dragging them away, with some seen being arrested.
Jens Lorek, a lawyer from Dresden, said, “there was to be a gathering here of 500 registered participants. That was initially banned by the city of Chemnitz. Then an administrative court in Chemnitz overturned the ban and allowed just 15 participants to gather here due to the measures against the coronavirus.”
Only 15 people were initially allowed to rally in front of the Karl Marx monument at the demonstration led by the right-wing ‘Pro-Chemnitz’ group, with some clashes reportedly erupting when hundreds filled the area chanting slogans and showing banners.
twitter @bennyjohnson
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says that protests against stay-at-home orders organized on his platform qualify as “Harmful Misinformation” and are taken down.
https://twitter.com/bennyjohnson/status/1252269969125052421
Tucker: Some lockdown lawmakers want to stamp out dissent
Expressing your views about the decisions that politicians make is protected under the Constitution.