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.
For those interested, please check out https://vladtepesblog.substack.com/ as an another avenue of expression. The Substack is a different project in a sense. It is older videos that in the light of subsequent events, look different or of increased importance, Check it out now and again if you like.
On the existential peril of Volkswagon. Put in context of the greater destruction and deindustrialization of Germany it is a massive data point:
https://youtu.be/ITVsCnXnusU?si=MIBpfUzOeFKh5kjE
Taylor Lorenz Doubles Down on Wanting Healthcare CEOs Executed (VIDEO)
thegatewaypundit.com/2024/12/taylor-lorenz-doubles-down-wanting-healthcare-ceos-executed/
Dec. 7, 2024 12:40 pm
Former WaPo reporter and notorious crybully Taylor Lorenz doubled down on wanting to execute healthcare CEOs.
As previously reported, UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in the chest Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan in what is believed to be a targeted attack.
Thompson, 50, arrived before 7 am for a conference when he was shot at multiple times by a masked man who police say was waiting for him to arrive, the New York Post reported.
Thompson was pronounced dead at the Mt. Sinai Hospital.
The assailant calmly executed Brian Thompson and then took off down 6th Street on a bicycle.
According to CBS News, the shooter waited for hours overnight and used a silencer when he fatally shot Brian Thompson.
UnitedHealthCare CEO shooter unmasked
Following this gruesome murder, according to Disclose TV, former WaPo hack Taylor Lorenz posted “we want these executives dead” on BlueSky social media.
Taylor Lorenz appeared on TMZ and cheerfully said she wouldn’t shed a tear if another healthcare executive was murdered.
WATCH:
Holy crap: Taylor Lorenz has just doubled down on wanting to execute CEOs – says she’s “with the people”
pic.twitter.com/tiUcAiN3iu
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) December 7, 2024
‘Technology reporter’ Taylor Lorenz left the WaPo a couple of months after the newspaper launched an ‘internal review’, following her social media post about President Joe Biden.
https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/12/taylor-lorenz-doubles-down-wanting-healthcare-ceos-executed/
Avatar
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Opposition fighters in Syria, in an unprecedented move, have totally taken over numerous cities, in a highly coordinated offensive, and are now on the outskirts of Damascus, obviously preparing to make a very big move toward taking out Assad. Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years. This is where former President Obama refused to honor his commitment of protecting the RED LINE IN THE SAND, and all hell broke out, with Russia stepping in. But now they are, like possibly Assad himself, being forced out, and it may actually be the best thing that can happen to them. There was never much of a benefit in Syria for Russia, other than to make Obama look really stupid. In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!
Dec 07, 2024, 9:03 AM
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/113612147757280297
Five dead, more feared missing after The Hague flat explosions
27 minutes ago
Jake Lapham
BBC News
At least five people have died and four others injured after explosions rocked a block of flats in The Hague in the Netherlands, authorities have said.
Firefighters rushed to the three-storey building following the blasts that caused the collapse of several homes in the Tarwekamp area at around 06:15 (05:15 GMT) on Saturday.
The city’s mayor, Jan van Zanen, said it was unknown how many people were still missing.
The cause of the explosions is not yet clear, but Dutch police said a car drove away “at very high speed” shortly after, and have appealed for witnesses.
Van Zanen said the chance of survivors being pulled from the rubble was slim, and urged the community to prepare for a “worst case scenario”.
It was earlier thought up to 20 people may have been in the flats at the time of the blast, but the mayor refused to speculate on this.
The Dutch fire service said five bodies had been pulled from the rubble. Four others had been hospitalised – one of whom had since died, it said.
Another person was treated by the ambulance service before being taken to a shelter, it added, bringing the total number of victims to 10.
Dutch media reported five flats were destroyed in the explosion.
Rescue teams with sniffer dogs have been deployed to sift through the debris, but parts of the site remain too dangerous to access.
A large excavator has been brought in to remove debris and lighting erected at the site.
Fourteen-year-old Adam Muller told the AFP news agency the explosion “felt like an earthquake”.
“I was asleep and suddenly there was this huge bang,” he said.
“I looked out of the window and just saw flames. It’s a massive shock,” he added.
National police commissioner in the Netherlands Janny Knol said there was “disbelief and uncertainty” in the community.
Dutch King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima said in a statement: “We sympathise with all those who have been personally affected or who fear for the fate of their loved ones.”
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clykk717n1ko
America’s top internet sleuths reveal why they’re REFUSING to help cops find UnitedHealthcare boss’ assassin
Follow all the latest news and updates in the manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer
By JOE HUTCHISON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 01:32 EST, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 04:15 EST, 7 December 2024
America’s top internet sleuths have refused to help law enforcement officials track down the assassin of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.
The 50-year-old father-of-two was gunned down earlier this week, with the footage of his assassination circulating on social media amidst an ongoing manhunt for his killer.
Typically this type of high-profile violent crime sets platforms including TikTok and X alight with buzz, with amateur internet sleuths hunting to root out the perpetrator.
But many armchair detectives have decided to keep schtum, even as eerie details filtered out earlier this week including a hidden message being left on shell casings at the scene.
One of those who opted to stand aside is Savannah Sparks, who has 1.3 million followers on TikTok.
Sparks tracks down the identities of racists who are caught in viral videos, and according to NBC has been tapped by law enforcement to help train officers on finding suspects online.
When asked by the outlet if she was working to find the suspect in Thompson’s murder, she said: ‘Absolutely the f*** not.’
Fellow TikTok sleuth, thatdaneshguy, who boasts 2 million followers on his platform posted a video of him being critical of the health care industry.
The 50-year-old father-of-two was gunned down earlier this week, with the footage of his assassination circulating on social media amidst an ongoing manhunt for his killer
Read the rest at
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14167805/Internet-sleuths-UnitedHealthcare-CEO-Brian-Thompson-assassin.html
keep shtum = yiddish for keep one’s mouth silent
not commonly used in the US
(Richard: I don’t know this website so make up your mind about how trustworthy if its, I suspect it is run by Iranian dissidents in the west. This doesn’t make it trustworthy or untrustworthy but should be kept in mind.)
The Collapse of Iran’s Strategic Depth in Syria: A Nightmare for Khamenei’s Regime
By
Jazeh Miller –
7th December 2024
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For decades, the Iranian regime has treated Syria as a linchpin of its regional influence, famously dubbing it the “35th province” of Iran. However, this once-critical strategic asset has become a glaring symbol of failure for Tehran’s expansionist ambitions.
The Strategic Value of Syria
To understand the significance of Syria in Iran’s foreign policy, one must revisit a revealing statement by Mehdi Taeb, head of the Ammar Strategic Base, a regime-affiliated political and cultural organization. In 2013, Taeb declared:
“If the enemy attacks us and wants to take Syria or Khuzestan, the priority is that we keep Syria. Because if we keep Syria, we can also take back Khuzestan. But if we lose Syria, we cannot even keep Tehran.”
This statement, published by the state-controlled Asr-e Iran website, highlights the centrality of Syria in Tehran’s regional strategy.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his allies have long touted the concepts of the “Shia Crescent” and “Strategic Depth” as cornerstones of their foreign policy. However, these ambitions face unprecedented challenges due to mounting international and domestic pressures on Bashar al-Assad’s government, threatening the foundation of Tehran’s influence in the region.
A Costly Gamble
Iran’s involvement in Syria has been marked by massive financial and military investments. From the outset of the Syrian civil war, the Iranian regime funneled substantial resources to prop up Assad. Estimates suggest that Khamenei allocated at least $50 billion of Iran’s national wealth to support Assad through the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its elite Quds Force, led by the killed Qassem Soleimani.
Heshmatollah Falahatpishe, a former member of the Iranian parliament, inadvertently confirmed part of this expenditure when he stated:
“We gave Syria $20 to $30 billion, and we have to get it back. This was the nation’s money.”
These immense outlays occurred while millions of Iranians endured severe economic hardship. Public frustration boiled over during nationwide protests, where chants like “Leave Syria; think about us” reflected the people’s anger at the regime’s misplaced priorities.
Thwarting Peace and Escalating Conflict
Efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis have been consistently undermined by Tehran. The UN Security Council’s Resolution 2254, adopted in 2015, called for a political transition and an end to violence in Syria. However, Iran’s military and political interference, under the guise of defending Shiite shrines, derailed these efforts. The IRGC’s Quds Force mobilized militias to suppress opposition to Assad, effectively prolonging the conflict and stalling peace initiatives.
The Fall of a Strategic Pillar
The erosion of Iranian influence in Syria is a significant blow to Khamenei’s vision of regional dominance. For years, the regime considered Syria a “pillar of the resistance pavilion,” sparing no expense to maintain its foothold. But this pillar is crumbling, taking with it the regime’s dreams of a dominant regional network.
Khamenei’s fear of losing Syria is deeply rooted in the regime’s survival strategy. As Taeb ominously suggested, losing Syria could destabilize Tehran itself:
“If they didn’t fight in Syria, this enemy would come inside Iran. We would have to fight them in Kermanshah, Hamadan, and other provinces.”
Implications for Tehran
The collapse of Assad’s regime would not only signify the failure of Iran’s regional policies but could also trigger a domino effect threatening the regime’s grip on power. With its “strategic depth” eroding, the regime’s influence network is increasingly fragile. Public discontent, coupled with the regime’s inability to sustain its costly foreign adventures, exposes its vulnerabilities.
The downfall of Assad could mark the beginning of the end for Khamenei’s expansionist ambitions and signal a broader decline in Tehran’s regional power. As Mehdi Taeb’s stark warning implies, without Syria, even Tehran’s stability could be at risk.
https://irannewsupdate.com/news/middle-east/the-collapse-of-irans-strategic-depth-in-syria-a-nightmare-for-khameneis-regime/
Daniel Penny and the Attempted Murder of Courage: The Dangerous Precedent of Prosecuting Heroes
By
Doug Howlett –
December 7, 2024 38
Screenshot of Daniel Penny subduing a violent Jordan Neely.
Though the Daniel Penny trial is deadlocked with the judge urging jurors to continue deliberating, should they reach a decision, the verdict may ultimately be on something far bigger than the actions of one Marine on a New York City subway. It could be about what kind of country we want to be—a nation of men and women willing to step up in the face of danger, or a nation of cowards who film chaos on their phones and do nothing to stop it.
Penny, a Marine veteran, was riding the subway when Jordan Neely—a man with a long history of mental health issues and violent outbursts—began threatening passengers. Witnesses described Neely’s behavior as erratic and frightening. Penny acted decisively, restraining him in a chokehold to prevent what he and others clearly believed was a potential attack. Tragically, Neely died.
What followed wasn’t a nuanced look at a tragic situation, but an immediate rush to blame Penny, in part or in whole, because Penny is white and Neely was black. Neely also had a history of mental illness…and violence. His death was tragic, but the threat he posed to passengers on the F train that day was real. Despite that, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg wasted no time charging Penny with second-degree manslaughter. Bragg, known for his soft-on-crime policies, seemed determined to make an example of Penny—a man who, unlike the violent criminals Bragg often releases with a slap on the wrist, tried to protect people. How dare he?!? That’s Bragg’s providence.
Make no mistake, the prosecution of Penny sends a chilling message to all Americans: if you step up to stop violence, you might become the next defendant. At the very least it tells us that in Bragg’s New York, the safest course of action is to do nothing. Let the chaos unfold, keep your hands to yourself and pray the police arrive before anyone gets seriously hurt (and in Bragg’s New York as well as other cities with liberal district attorneys, even the police may wind up getting charged.) Better yet, pull out your phone and get it all on video. At least you won’t end up behind bars. Dead or seriously wounded maybe, but not behind bars.
The irony is almost unbearable. In a time when violent crime is rising and public safety feels more fragile than ever, Penny’s actions represented exactly the kind of courage we need. He saw people in danger and acted, not out of malice but out of a sense of duty to protect those around him. He didn’t wake up that morning or board that subway training thinking, “I want to hurt or kill somebody today.” His sense of duty—the willingness to defend others even at personal risk—is at the core of what makes a society function. Without it, we’re just bystanders to our own demise.
And let’s not kid ourselves about what happens next if this precedent sticks. Imagine the next subway, the next mall, the next street corner where someone decides to lash out. Will anyone step in? Or will they hesitate, thinking about the potential criminal charges that might await them? Alvin Bragg might not care, he’s sitting safely in his ivory tower, far from the danger spawned by his choices, but the rest of us will be living with the consequences of his decisions for a long time.
It’s worth noting that the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision in Penny’s trial—at least not yet, and maybe the won’t. That’s no surprise. The case was never black and white, and it shouldn’t have been brought to court in the first place. Prosecuting Penny wasn’t about justice—it was about politics. It was about sending a message that the powers-that-be are more interested in virtue-signaling than protecting their citizens.
But here’s the real question: What kind of country do we want to live in? Do we want to raise our kids in a world where good men like Daniel Penny are punished for doing the right thing, or do we want to stand behind them? Do we want to reward courage or cultivate a culture of fear? Part of that answer arrived during last month’s elections where a majoirty of Americans voted “enough” on the weakness of our country under the wan leadership of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris and the Democrats and decided they wanted a strong leader, the type who can take a bullet and stand back up undaunted.
Penny’s case isn’t over yet, but the debate it has sparked will echo far beyond an eventual jury verdict. And for those of us who believe in self-defense, courage and the right to protect ourselves and others, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Let’s hope the next good Samaritan isn’t afraid to act—because the alternative is a nation that stands by as chaos reigns.
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/daniel-penny-and-the-attempted-murder-of-courage-the-dangerous-precedent-of-prosecuting-heroes/
Skilled Assassin or Lucky Killer? LE and Experienced Shooters Aren’t Sure
By
Doug Howlett –
December 5, 2024 73
Security camera footage released by the NYPD of the shooter taking aim at Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthCare.
The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the early morning hours of December 4, 2024, has sparked debate among law enforcement and firearms experts regarding the assailant’s proficiency.
The shooter, described as a white male approximately 6’1? tall, wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, long pants, a gray backpack and a black face mask, approached Thompson near the New York Hilton Midtown hotel around 6:45 a.m. and fired multiple shots from approximately 20 feet away, striking him in the back and right calf.
Secuirty footage showing the face of Brian Thompson’s alleged assassin.
Notably, the gun appeared to malfunction with each shot, if it was a semi-auto, requiring the assailant to manually cycle the weapon—but the actions he took are also a characteristic of certain bolt-action pistols with integrated suppressors, such as the B&T Station Six based off the WWII English Welrod pistol (see video of one being fired here), which are rare and typically used by specialized military units. Some social media commenters suggested it was a semi-auto with a suppressor too heavy for the gun and without a booster, so it was likely failing to cycle each shot. Such a scenario would suggest incompetence on the part of the shooter, particularly if he appeared to plan the hit out without testing his weapon first.
On the other hand, if it was a bolt-action pistol, manaully cycling each shot would be par for the course with such a gun. Those who see the actions as a result of a malfunction question the shooter’s expertise, suggesting a lack of familiarity with the weapon.
Brian Thompson, CEO UnitedHealthCare
However, the assailant’s deliberate actions—waiting outside the hotel for several minutes, wearing a mask to obscure his identity and fleeing the scene without leaving significant evidence—indicate a level of planning and operational awareness. The suspect appears to have been in New York City since November 24, having traveled by Greyhound bus originating from Atlanta, Georgia. He checked into the HI New York City Hostel on November 30 using a fake New Jersey driver’s license and paid in cash.
However, former NYPD inspector Paul Mauro cautioned against hastily labeling the shooter as a professional hitman, noting that such figures are more common in fiction than reality. The combination of tactical behavior and weapon handling has left experts divided on whether the shooter was a skilled assassin or an inexperienced individual attempting to appear like a professional killer.
Regardless of his shooting skills, he tragically succeeded in his efforts and a manhunt for the killer is underway. At the same time a group of doctor’s have urged the deregulation of suppressors for the benefit of shooters’ hearing, no doubt this crime will strike up the drum beat from anti-gun politicians to clamp down on the already severely regulated devices.
https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/skilled-assassin-or-lucky-killer-le-and-experienced-shooters-arent-sure/
https://bt-usa.com/product-category/station-six/
Consider the implications if the pistol shown above was the one he used, it makes the shooter a different person. I haven’t been reading the firearms press very much for several years and wasn’t aware this pistol is available to the public. The shooter using this piece doesn’t mean he is a pro but it makes the statements that he doesn’t know weapons and isn’t familiar with the pistol utter BS.
“None of these players are good guys — they’re either terrorists, Iran proxies, Russian stooges, Turkish janissaries, or something else anti-American.” [*]
……….
Ahmed Al-Khalidi @khalidi79397
If Assad’s regime falls, you should expect a vicious and cruel massacre unlike anything seen since the days of Genghis Khan. Are you ready with your queers for a Damascus protest yet, or is it still too boring since no Israeli can be blamed? 4:19 PM · Dec 5, 2024
https://x.com/khalidi79397/status/1864781770467446981
____________
[*]Jonathan Spyer has a quiki summary of the parties involved:
What is happening in Syria is a microcosm of the dynamics of the Middle East
No one should have been surprised by the clash of rival ethno-sectarian forces, supported by powerful states, because that is how power is wielded across the region
https://www.thejc.com/lets-talk/analysis/what-is-happening-in-syria-is-a-microcosm-of-the-dynamics-of-the-middle-east-y5b3q7gz
Thanks, I was wondering what you have to say about the mess.
Prof. Mordechai Kedar!! He’s a frequent guest on Arab TV . The audience has fun screaming at what he has to say.
“No Good Guys” Middle East Expert says What NO ONE else will about Syrian Civil War