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Thursday 13 June 2019
Wednesday 12 June 2019
News and commentary round upASSANGE WATCH: #NoUSExtradition #FreeAssange #ProtectJulian #Unity4J From the Independent: US submits formal extradition request for WikiLeaks founder. Treaty bars United States from prosecuting for crimes beyond those included in solicitation. This means no more charges will be laid. From Twitter: A graphic tour of some of WikiLeaks biggest exposures of wrongdoing and criminality. [Ed: A must read.] From Jacobin: Chelsea Manning Against the Grand Jury. Their secrecy makes them vulnerable to prosecutorial abuse. From Antiwar: A Soldier’s Defense of Chelsea Manning and Julian Assange
From Reuters: Hong Kong leader defiant as city gears up for fresh protests over extradition bill From Zero Hedge: “We Are Extremely Angry": Thousands Of Protesters Block Hong Kong Roads In Protest Against China Extradition Bill. "Two days after one million Hong Kongers too to the streets to protest the proposed extradition law, protestors have, once again, blocked off key roads in the center of the city, infuriating Beijing in the process."
From the Gateway Pundit: DOJ Threatens Chairman Cummings With Executive Privilege Over Subpoenaed Documents if Panel Votes to Hold Barr in Contempt. [Ed: the vote is scheduled for early today.] From Axios: House votes to allow committees to enforce subpoenas in court
From Mish Talk: Boris Johnson Solidifies Lead: Pledges To Cut Taxes When Prime Minister. Prepare for Johnson and No Deal... From Vox: Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to be the UK’s next prime minister, explained
From Gateway Pundit: DOJ Letter Reveals Broad Scope of John Durham’s Spygate Investigation – “Much Larger Than Previously Known” and Gregg Jarrett: Broad Scope of Durham Probe Includes “Non-Governmental Actors” Like Glenn Simpson, Nellie Ohr, the DNC and Hillary Campaign.
From the Seattle Times: To board a plane without a ticket, just give up your face — and your privacy
From Zero Hedge: China's Rare Earth Monopoly Is Diminishing. [Ed: this is important because rare earth is a major bargaining chip in the US-China trade war.]
From Gateway Pundit: ANY EXCUSE WILL DO: Pinterest and Megan McClellan Block Gateway Pundit Posts – List “Nudity” and “Hate Speech” as a Reason …NUDITY??? [Ed: Zero Hedge was blocked as well. Along with other conservative sites.]
From the American Spectator: The Ides of June: Kerensky’s War Allowed Bolsheviks to Triumph in Russia. It took 74 years — and how many lives? — to begin to correct his mistake. [Ed: hat tip to David.]
From Brad Blog: NC’s Voting System ‘Master Passwords’ Found Online, Available to Download by Anyone.
From the Hill: Watergate figure John Dean earns laughter for responses to GOP lawmakers
From SHTF Plan: New Zealand Gun Control FAILS As “Kiwis” Ignore The New Bans.
From AgPro: Some Ohio farmers won't plant crops at all because of rain.
From the Rosie Memos: The Watergate Road Map and Why John Dean was called to testify. For those who are unfamiliar with the Watergate Road Map...from Lawfare: The Watergate Road Map: What It Says and What It Suggests for Mueller
From the Hill: “Hillary Clinton’s Russia collusion IOU: The answers she owes America” [Ed: a must read article by John Solomon,]
From Target Liberty: Rothbard: The Creation of the US Constitution Was a Bloodless Coup. [Ed: America would have been much better under the Articles of Confederation.]
From Issue Instincts: Great Lakes Reveal a Fatal Flaw in Climate Change ‘Science’.
From the Free Thought Project: Federal Court Rules Citizens Well Within the Law to Tell a Cop “F**k You” [Ed: still not recommended, tho']
From Sputnik News: Iran's Zarif Calls for 'Elimination' of Dollar to Stop US 'Economic Terrorism' [Ed: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif]
From Reason: Justin Trudeau Uses 9-Year-Old's Straw Stats To Sell Ban on Single-Use Plastics. [Ed: the man is determined to not get re-elected.]
From Politico: Gillibrand locks up June debate spot. [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, Oho. The cutoff day is today. Currently there are 19 qualifiers for 20 debate slots]. Meanwhile Biden shoots himself in the foot again. From Zero Hedge: Not The Onion: Biden Promises To Cure Cancer If Elected
From Reuters: Hong Kong leader defiant as city gears up for fresh protests over extradition bill From Zero Hedge: “We Are Extremely Angry": Thousands Of Protesters Block Hong Kong Roads In Protest Against China Extradition Bill. "Two days after one million Hong Kongers too to the streets to protest the proposed extradition law, protestors have, once again, blocked off key roads in the center of the city, infuriating Beijing in the process."
From the Gateway Pundit: DOJ Threatens Chairman Cummings With Executive Privilege Over Subpoenaed Documents if Panel Votes to Hold Barr in Contempt. [Ed: the vote is scheduled for early today.] From Axios: House votes to allow committees to enforce subpoenas in court
From Mish Talk: Boris Johnson Solidifies Lead: Pledges To Cut Taxes When Prime Minister. Prepare for Johnson and No Deal... From Vox: Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to be the UK’s next prime minister, explained
From Gateway Pundit: DOJ Letter Reveals Broad Scope of John Durham’s Spygate Investigation – “Much Larger Than Previously Known” and Gregg Jarrett: Broad Scope of Durham Probe Includes “Non-Governmental Actors” Like Glenn Simpson, Nellie Ohr, the DNC and Hillary Campaign.
From the Seattle Times: To board a plane without a ticket, just give up your face — and your privacy
From Zero Hedge: China's Rare Earth Monopoly Is Diminishing. [Ed: this is important because rare earth is a major bargaining chip in the US-China trade war.]
From Gateway Pundit: ANY EXCUSE WILL DO: Pinterest and Megan McClellan Block Gateway Pundit Posts – List “Nudity” and “Hate Speech” as a Reason …NUDITY??? [Ed: Zero Hedge was blocked as well. Along with other conservative sites.]
From the American Spectator: The Ides of June: Kerensky’s War Allowed Bolsheviks to Triumph in Russia. It took 74 years — and how many lives? — to begin to correct his mistake. [Ed: hat tip to David.]
From Brad Blog: NC’s Voting System ‘Master Passwords’ Found Online, Available to Download by Anyone.
From the Hill: Watergate figure John Dean earns laughter for responses to GOP lawmakers
From SHTF Plan: New Zealand Gun Control FAILS As “Kiwis” Ignore The New Bans.
From AgPro: Some Ohio farmers won't plant crops at all because of rain.
From the Rosie Memos: The Watergate Road Map and Why John Dean was called to testify. For those who are unfamiliar with the Watergate Road Map...from Lawfare: The Watergate Road Map: What It Says and What It Suggests for Mueller
From the Hill: “Hillary Clinton’s Russia collusion IOU: The answers she owes America” [Ed: a must read article by John Solomon,]
From Target Liberty: Rothbard: The Creation of the US Constitution Was a Bloodless Coup. [Ed: America would have been much better under the Articles of Confederation.]
From Issue Instincts: Great Lakes Reveal a Fatal Flaw in Climate Change ‘Science’.
From the Free Thought Project: Federal Court Rules Citizens Well Within the Law to Tell a Cop “F**k You” [Ed: still not recommended, tho']
From Sputnik News: Iran's Zarif Calls for 'Elimination' of Dollar to Stop US 'Economic Terrorism' [Ed: Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif]
From Reason: Justin Trudeau Uses 9-Year-Old's Straw Stats To Sell Ban on Single-Use Plastics. [Ed: the man is determined to not get re-elected.]
From Politico: Gillibrand locks up June debate spot. [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, Oho. The cutoff day is today. Currently there are 19 qualifiers for 20 debate slots]. Meanwhile Biden shoots himself in the foot again. From Zero Hedge: Not The Onion: Biden Promises To Cure Cancer If Elected
Tuesday 11 June 2019
News and commentary round upASSANGE WATCH: The first substantive US extradition hearing, previously planned for 12 June has now been moved to 14 June. The hearing will be in Belmarsh Magistrates’ Court. From the New Matilda: A Tale Of Two ‘Heroes’: General Jim Molan and Journalist Julian Assange. [Ed: a must read.] From the World Socialist Web Site: Australian workers and youth defend Julian Assange and Chelsea Manning. From Sputnik: Ex-Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Believes Assange to Be Extradited to US From UK. [Ed: I think it is technically not legal to do so but that is likely not to matter.]
From the Gatestone Institute: "Europe Will Not Be Europe" [Ed: I fear this is true. But, then, I always resist change.]
From the Wall Street Journal: Democratic Candidates Take Aim at Biden in Iowa [Ed: reader friendly.]
From Target Liberty: Koch Brothers Organization to Fund Democrats Who Back Free Trade.
From Gateway Pundit: Mark Meadows: Inspector General Report Is Delayed — “Crimes Were Committed and People Need to Go to Jail” [Ed: Meadows is a Republican Congressman from N.C.] From the Federalist: Why The IG Report On FISA Abuse Will Unleash Barr’s Investigation Of Spygate.
From International Man: Doug Casey: Stupidity, Evil, & The Decline Of The US. "Regrettably, the US is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. It’s become the land of whipped and whimpering dogs that roll over on their backs and wet themselves when confronted with authority..." [Ed: Doug is harsh on Americans. You cannot categorize and comment on a huge population like that. But his message has truth to it.]
From Lew Rockwell: Falling Through the Cracks In Modern Medicine. [Ed: I am becoming a fan of Bill Sardi.]
From Grabien: Google CEO Forecasts New YouTube Restrictions: We Want To ‘Really Prevent “Borderline” Content’. "The CEO then said he wants to expand YouTube’s view of what’s prohibited." [Ed: back up everything you have on YouTube.]
From Zero Hedge: "Obama's Brain" Emerging As Unlikely Biden Critic. [Ed: Obama's brain is David Axelroad.]
From the BBC: 'Metal thieves' steal rail bridge in Russia. Perpetrators remove 75-foot structure weighing 56 tons. [Ed: you have to admire this.]
From Mises Wire: The Next British Prime Minister: Is There a Least-Worst Candidate? [Ed: this refers to May's replacement as head of the party, not to the upcoming elections.]
From the Conservative Treehouse: Carter Page Explains He Was “Decades Long” Source for FBI and CIA… [Ed: a must read.]
From Mint Press: The Trust Project: Big Media And Silicon Valley's Weaponized Algos Silence Dissent
From Matt Taibbi: Claim that would-be key Russiagate figure Konstantin Kilimnik is a longtime American informant might be a game-changing story – in a country with a real press corps.
From Eric Peters Auto: Punished Regardless."Did you know that when you’re stopped for no reason at a drunk driving checkpoint – well, stopped for no reason having anything to do with something you did to suggest you might be “drunk” – your refusal to participate in self-incrimination can result in your arrest, loss of your government permission slip to travel as well as the impounding of your car?"
From the Nation: Anthony Bourdain Knew There Was Nothing More Political Than Food. [Ed: I still miss the man.]
Not from the Onion. A real FB ban on a single-word post: honk.
From the Gatestone Institute: "Europe Will Not Be Europe" [Ed: I fear this is true. But, then, I always resist change.]
From the Wall Street Journal: Democratic Candidates Take Aim at Biden in Iowa [Ed: reader friendly.]
From Target Liberty: Koch Brothers Organization to Fund Democrats Who Back Free Trade.
From Gateway Pundit: Mark Meadows: Inspector General Report Is Delayed — “Crimes Were Committed and People Need to Go to Jail” [Ed: Meadows is a Republican Congressman from N.C.] From the Federalist: Why The IG Report On FISA Abuse Will Unleash Barr’s Investigation Of Spygate.
From International Man: Doug Casey: Stupidity, Evil, & The Decline Of The US. "Regrettably, the US is no longer the land of the free and the home of the brave. It’s become the land of whipped and whimpering dogs that roll over on their backs and wet themselves when confronted with authority..." [Ed: Doug is harsh on Americans. You cannot categorize and comment on a huge population like that. But his message has truth to it.]
From Lew Rockwell: Falling Through the Cracks In Modern Medicine. [Ed: I am becoming a fan of Bill Sardi.]
From Grabien: Google CEO Forecasts New YouTube Restrictions: We Want To ‘Really Prevent “Borderline” Content’. "The CEO then said he wants to expand YouTube’s view of what’s prohibited." [Ed: back up everything you have on YouTube.]
From Zero Hedge: "Obama's Brain" Emerging As Unlikely Biden Critic. [Ed: Obama's brain is David Axelroad.]
From the BBC: 'Metal thieves' steal rail bridge in Russia. Perpetrators remove 75-foot structure weighing 56 tons. [Ed: you have to admire this.]
From Mises Wire: The Next British Prime Minister: Is There a Least-Worst Candidate? [Ed: this refers to May's replacement as head of the party, not to the upcoming elections.]
From the Conservative Treehouse: Carter Page Explains He Was “Decades Long” Source for FBI and CIA… [Ed: a must read.]
From Mint Press: The Trust Project: Big Media And Silicon Valley's Weaponized Algos Silence Dissent
From Matt Taibbi: Claim that would-be key Russiagate figure Konstantin Kilimnik is a longtime American informant might be a game-changing story – in a country with a real press corps.
From Eric Peters Auto: Punished Regardless."Did you know that when you’re stopped for no reason at a drunk driving checkpoint – well, stopped for no reason having anything to do with something you did to suggest you might be “drunk” – your refusal to participate in self-incrimination can result in your arrest, loss of your government permission slip to travel as well as the impounding of your car?"
From the Nation: Anthony Bourdain Knew There Was Nothing More Political Than Food. [Ed: I still miss the man.]
Not from the Onion. A real FB ban on a single-word post: honk.
Monday 10 June 2019
Socialist Equality but with full Intellectual Integrity by Michael OliverExclusive to this blog. I am pleased to post an intriguing article by my long-time associate and always intriguing Michael Oliver: "Socialist Equality but with full Intellectual Integrity." J. Michael Oliver is the author of The New Libertarianism: Anarcho-Capitalism (reviewed by the Mises Institute in May, 2014, available on Amazon.com)
Socialist Equality
but with full Intellectual Integrity
It is widely acknowledged that inequality has advanced sharply in recent years, especially since 2008. The stock market’s advance, largely fueled by the Fed, ECB and BOJ money printing and unreal interest rates has vastly benefited the 1%ers, most of whom are capitalists in name only and who are of course usually intertwined with the State (“crony capitalists”). Remember it was the 1%ers who managed to still have a portfolio at the end of the last central bank boom-bust cycle in 2008. And they were also the ones who did not have to re-mortgage their homes for survival cash.
Meanwhile, the middle and lower classes have had little to cheer since. Yes, they have a job (or two, perhaps) and at a lesser rate than before. Breathing, and still trying to return to prior levels. (Family “emergency cash” metrics are now worse than in 2009).
In particular, the retirees who depend on conservative investments that offer yield returns have been starved for yield. Why? Because the wise, from-above Central Bank academicians have deemed that it is beneficial to society to have the cost of money at objectively unrealistically low rates and for years ongoing. While that’s great for large companies, it’s not so good for the growing number of retirees and those who are counting on their pension funds. Actually, it’s not good for corporations in the longer run — as they will soon discover in the next central bank bust — when their investments and financial commitments, based on notions of cheap money, are unraveled by events that expose their delusional errors.
But all the above is merely the current situation.
Instead, pick any point in time.
[ Read the rest ... ]
Socialist Equality
but with full Intellectual Integrity
It is widely acknowledged that inequality has advanced sharply in recent years, especially since 2008. The stock market’s advance, largely fueled by the Fed, ECB and BOJ money printing and unreal interest rates has vastly benefited the 1%ers, most of whom are capitalists in name only and who are of course usually intertwined with the State (“crony capitalists”). Remember it was the 1%ers who managed to still have a portfolio at the end of the last central bank boom-bust cycle in 2008. And they were also the ones who did not have to re-mortgage their homes for survival cash.
Meanwhile, the middle and lower classes have had little to cheer since. Yes, they have a job (or two, perhaps) and at a lesser rate than before. Breathing, and still trying to return to prior levels. (Family “emergency cash” metrics are now worse than in 2009).
In particular, the retirees who depend on conservative investments that offer yield returns have been starved for yield. Why? Because the wise, from-above Central Bank academicians have deemed that it is beneficial to society to have the cost of money at objectively unrealistically low rates and for years ongoing. While that’s great for large companies, it’s not so good for the growing number of retirees and those who are counting on their pension funds. Actually, it’s not good for corporations in the longer run — as they will soon discover in the next central bank bust — when their investments and financial commitments, based on notions of cheap money, are unraveled by events that expose their delusional errors.
But all the above is merely the current situation.
Instead, pick any point in time.
[ Read the rest ... ]
News and commentary round upASSANGE WATCH: From the Sydney Morning Herald: 'You don't stand a chance': how the press freedom argument will go for Assange. [Ed: because of the particular court he would be tried before.] From Twitter: Julian Assange has today been awarded a journalism prize from the National Press Club of Mexico. From YouTube: On Contact: Julian Assange w/UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. YouTube.[Ed: An extremely informative interview. Recommended.]. From Contraspin: Freeing Julian Assange, Part One.
From Twenty Two Words: 50 Ridiculously Terrible Fails [Ed: just for the fun of it.]
From the Volokh Conspiracy: Justice Stevens Admits Error in the Kelo Case—but also Doubles Down on the Bottom Line. In his recent memoir, he admits he seriously misinterpreted precedent in one of his most controversial decisions, but maintains he still got the result right.
From Hong Kong FP: Over a million attend Hong Kong demo against controversial extradition law, organisers say. [Ed: law permits extradition to China.]
From Moon of Alabama: U.S. 7th Fleet Cruiser Ignores Rules At Sea – Nearly Collides With Russian Destroyer [Ed: I was confused about this situation. Thanks Moon!] From the Nation: Is Russia Waking Up? Protests in Yekaterinburg ended in a victory for civil society. Who’s next? [Ed: interesting article.]
From the Economic Collapse Blog: "The Skid Is Everywhere" And We Just Got Confirmation That The Worst Is Yet To Come. [Ed: the rise in homelessness and skid rows as a harbinger.] From Liberty Nation: The Los Angeles Disease Renaissance: Typhoid & Typhus Make A Comeback
From the Gateway Pundit: China’s President Xi in Russia: President Trump Is My “Friend” – China, US Too Intertwined to Break Up Over Trade War. [Ed: Xi does not send international signals on a whim. Good sign.]
From the Washington Examiner: FBI docs: Study found Clinton email server hacked, info found on dark web
From the Economic Policy Journal: Why is Walmart Calling on Congress to Boost the Minimum Wage? From MIT Technology Review: YouTube is deleting videos on Nazi history as part of its hate speech crackdown
From International Man: Doug Casey On What Happens After The Next War [Ed: I wish Doug did not have such a stellar record of being correct.] An antidote from the Valdia Club: Global Peace: Why a Major War Is Impossible in Modern International Relations.
From the Hill: Dershowitz: Why did Mueller team distort Trump attorney's voicemail? [Ed: clear sign of bias on Mueller's part.]
From Zero Hedge: Visualizing How Different Generations Approach Work. [Ed: it is not clear how much is a cultural difference as opposed to an age one.]
From Cato: What Will The E-Verify Program Be Used To Surveil Next? [Ed: a must read.]
From the Journal: The writer behind Cold War spy series Deutschland '83 on why it's important never to forget your history "The Berlin-based American will be attending the Dalkey Book Festival next week, taking part a number of panel discussions, including the ominously-titled ‘How To Lose A Country: a few short steps from Democracy to Dictatorship’."
From Common Dreams: FAA’s Boeing-Biased Officials: Recuse Yourselves or Resign. [Ed: by Ralph Nader. Remember that a member of his family died in one of the crashes.] From CNBC: Some airlines want Boeing’s new ‘797′ to fly with just one pilot on board
From Of Two Minds Blog: What Would It Take To Spark A Rural/Small-Town Revival?
From Twenty Two Words: 50 Ridiculously Terrible Fails [Ed: just for the fun of it.]
From the Volokh Conspiracy: Justice Stevens Admits Error in the Kelo Case—but also Doubles Down on the Bottom Line. In his recent memoir, he admits he seriously misinterpreted precedent in one of his most controversial decisions, but maintains he still got the result right.
From Hong Kong FP: Over a million attend Hong Kong demo against controversial extradition law, organisers say. [Ed: law permits extradition to China.]
From Moon of Alabama: U.S. 7th Fleet Cruiser Ignores Rules At Sea – Nearly Collides With Russian Destroyer [Ed: I was confused about this situation. Thanks Moon!] From the Nation: Is Russia Waking Up? Protests in Yekaterinburg ended in a victory for civil society. Who’s next? [Ed: interesting article.]
From the Economic Collapse Blog: "The Skid Is Everywhere" And We Just Got Confirmation That The Worst Is Yet To Come. [Ed: the rise in homelessness and skid rows as a harbinger.] From Liberty Nation: The Los Angeles Disease Renaissance: Typhoid & Typhus Make A Comeback
From the Gateway Pundit: China’s President Xi in Russia: President Trump Is My “Friend” – China, US Too Intertwined to Break Up Over Trade War. [Ed: Xi does not send international signals on a whim. Good sign.]
From the Washington Examiner: FBI docs: Study found Clinton email server hacked, info found on dark web
From the Economic Policy Journal: Why is Walmart Calling on Congress to Boost the Minimum Wage? From MIT Technology Review: YouTube is deleting videos on Nazi history as part of its hate speech crackdown
From International Man: Doug Casey On What Happens After The Next War [Ed: I wish Doug did not have such a stellar record of being correct.] An antidote from the Valdia Club: Global Peace: Why a Major War Is Impossible in Modern International Relations.
From the Hill: Dershowitz: Why did Mueller team distort Trump attorney's voicemail? [Ed: clear sign of bias on Mueller's part.]
From Zero Hedge: Visualizing How Different Generations Approach Work. [Ed: it is not clear how much is a cultural difference as opposed to an age one.]
From Cato: What Will The E-Verify Program Be Used To Surveil Next? [Ed: a must read.]
From the Journal: The writer behind Cold War spy series Deutschland '83 on why it's important never to forget your history "The Berlin-based American will be attending the Dalkey Book Festival next week, taking part a number of panel discussions, including the ominously-titled ‘How To Lose A Country: a few short steps from Democracy to Dictatorship’."
From Common Dreams: FAA’s Boeing-Biased Officials: Recuse Yourselves or Resign. [Ed: by Ralph Nader. Remember that a member of his family died in one of the crashes.] From CNBC: Some airlines want Boeing’s new ‘797′ to fly with just one pilot on board
From Of Two Minds Blog: What Would It Take To Spark A Rural/Small-Town Revival?
Sunday 09 June 2019
News and commentary round upASSANGE WATCH: Just Security: L’Affaire d’Assange: Why His Extradition May Be Blocked. "...the US-UK extradition treaty may strictly prohibit it." [Ed: a must read.] From Consortium News: Video Emerges of Assange in Belmarsh: Watch the Webcast. [Ed: Includes link to the video. I do not know the video's date but Gateway Pundit says the recently released photos were taken before he went to hospital.] From Paul Craig Roberts: When the Journalists Ganged Up on Assange They Ganged Up on Themselves. From Caitlin Johnstone: My Speech On Assange’s Persecution For “Whistle-blowing, Wikileaks & the Future of Democracy”
From Politico: Koch network floats backing Democrats in revamp of influence operation.
From Zero Hedge: Watch: World's First Raspberry-Picking Robot Completes Field Tasks. [Ed: text as well. An amazing feat of engineering. The robot can actually detect ripe fruit.]
From CNBC: Facebook will reportedly announce cryptocurrency this month, allowing employees to take it as salary
From the Rutherford Institute: You're Under Arrest: How The Police State Muzzles Our Right To Speak Truth To Power. [Ed: by John Whitehead.]
From the Onion: Media Urged Not To Release Names Of Any More Presidential Candidates In Effort To Prevent Copycats. "Warning that the promise of publicity and notoriety is often exactly what motivates a run for the White House in the first place, media ethics groups called on news outlets Thursday to stop releasing the names of presidential candidates, part of an effort to stem the tide of copycats." [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, This is funny on multiple levels; I like the implicit parallel between politicians and mass killers.]
From the Verge: Google must face lawsuit alleging hiring bias against conservatives, judge rules. "Suit is set to enter discovery."
From the Washington Examiner: Empty words: Why Pelosi is suddenly saying she wants Trump ‘in prison’ [Ed: absolutely correct analysis.]
From the Volokh Conspiracy: May the House of Representatives Appeal Dismissal of Criminal Charges, When the Justice Department Doesn't Appeal?
From Ars Technica: Measles cases hit 1,001 as anti-vaxxers hold another rally of disinformation. [Ed: old diseases are coming back with the decline of vaccinations, sanitation systems, etc.]
From Bloomberg: African Swine Fever Is Spreading Fast and Eliminating It Will Take Decades. [Ed: pork will become increasingly expensive.]
From Axios: Too much money (and too few places to invest it) “A truly bizarre trend is having an impact on the economy — wealthy people and corporations have so much money they literally don’t know what to do with it.”
From Digg: The Nuns Who Stole Half A Million From A Catholic School, And More Of The Week's Best Scam Stories.
From Zero Hedge: Two Former Republican Lawmakers Found Shot Dead At Home In Same Week. [Ed: former state Senators. I don't know what to say about this coincidence. I am just noting it.]
From Watts Up With That?: Glacier National Park Quietly Removes Its ‘Gone by 2020’ Signs. From Twitchy: ‘Skeptical Environmentalist’ Bjorn Lomborg sets fire to the scourge of ‘unbridled climate alarmism’ [Ed: his new book sounds incredible.] From the Daily Caller: EPA Reassigns Top Bureaucrat Critics See As Key Resistor Of Trump’s Agenda.
From Politico: Koch network floats backing Democrats in revamp of influence operation.
From Zero Hedge: Watch: World's First Raspberry-Picking Robot Completes Field Tasks. [Ed: text as well. An amazing feat of engineering. The robot can actually detect ripe fruit.]
From CNBC: Facebook will reportedly announce cryptocurrency this month, allowing employees to take it as salary
From the Rutherford Institute: You're Under Arrest: How The Police State Muzzles Our Right To Speak Truth To Power. [Ed: by John Whitehead.]
From the Onion: Media Urged Not To Release Names Of Any More Presidential Candidates In Effort To Prevent Copycats. "Warning that the promise of publicity and notoriety is often exactly what motivates a run for the White House in the first place, media ethics groups called on news outlets Thursday to stop releasing the names of presidential candidates, part of an effort to stem the tide of copycats." [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, This is funny on multiple levels; I like the implicit parallel between politicians and mass killers.]
From the Verge: Google must face lawsuit alleging hiring bias against conservatives, judge rules. "Suit is set to enter discovery."
From the Washington Examiner: Empty words: Why Pelosi is suddenly saying she wants Trump ‘in prison’ [Ed: absolutely correct analysis.]
From the Volokh Conspiracy: May the House of Representatives Appeal Dismissal of Criminal Charges, When the Justice Department Doesn't Appeal?
From Ars Technica: Measles cases hit 1,001 as anti-vaxxers hold another rally of disinformation. [Ed: old diseases are coming back with the decline of vaccinations, sanitation systems, etc.]
From Bloomberg: African Swine Fever Is Spreading Fast and Eliminating It Will Take Decades. [Ed: pork will become increasingly expensive.]
From Axios: Too much money (and too few places to invest it) “A truly bizarre trend is having an impact on the economy — wealthy people and corporations have so much money they literally don’t know what to do with it.”
From Digg: The Nuns Who Stole Half A Million From A Catholic School, And More Of The Week's Best Scam Stories.
From Zero Hedge: Two Former Republican Lawmakers Found Shot Dead At Home In Same Week. [Ed: former state Senators. I don't know what to say about this coincidence. I am just noting it.]
From Watts Up With That?: Glacier National Park Quietly Removes Its ‘Gone by 2020’ Signs. From Twitchy: ‘Skeptical Environmentalist’ Bjorn Lomborg sets fire to the scourge of ‘unbridled climate alarmism’ [Ed: his new book sounds incredible.] From the Daily Caller: EPA Reassigns Top Bureaucrat Critics See As Key Resistor Of Trump’s Agenda.
Saturday 08 June 2019
News and commentary round upFrom Reason: David Bergland. R.I.P. "David Bergland, the Libertarian Party's 1984 presidential candidate, died last week at age 83 of prostate cancer." I knew David casually, and I liked what I saw of the man. He and I were at opposite extremes on the propriety of electoral politics. He was the 1984 Presidential candidate for the LP; I co-founded the modern Voluntaryist movement in 1982. But anyone who met him recognized that he was a thoroughly good man.
ASSANGE UPDATE: From Gateway Pundit: ‘He needs his story told’: Inmate releases pictures of visibly skeletal Assange inside jail. From the World Socialist Web Site: WikiLeaks warns US Justice Department preparing more charges against Assange. [Ed: based on the testimony of a convicted fraud.] From Urdu Point:Hearing On Assange Extradition To US Rescheduled From June 12 To June 14 - WikiLeaks. From South China Morning Post: WikiLeaks whistle-blower Chelsea Manning's senate bid branded a publicity stunt.
From Zero Hedge: Trump: Deal Reached With Mexico "To Stem The Tide Of Migration", Tariffs Suspended
From the Gateway Pundit: Investigation Into Ilhan Omar Reveals Alleged Fraudulent Tax Returns Linked to Marriage to Her Brother From Fox9: Rep. Ilhan Omar ordered to pay fine for campaign finance violation.
From Space News: Little legal recourse for astronomers concerned about Starlink. [Ed: a must see photo.]
From the Guardian: Huawei Signs Contract To Build 5G Network In Russia. Huawei’s Chairman Guo Ping said he was "very happy" with the agreement "in an area of strategic importance like 5G."
From Zero Hedge: The Most 'Believed' "Conspiracy Theories" In America. ...the most commonly believed conspiracy theories among U.S. adults is that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone in the assassination of JFK... [Ed: just fun. I subscribe to 3 of the 8 conspiracy theories.]
From KMOV: Bloodhound K9 reports for duty in Jefferson County (April 5) and : Fenton man found alive by canine unit 2 days after being swept away by floodwaters (May 31). [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, It didn't take long for this dog to earn his keep.]
From the Organic Prepper: Daisy Luther: 10 Kinds Of Americans Who Are Ruining Our Country
From RT: "In Gold We Trust": Waning Confidence In US Sends World's Central Banks On Buying Spree. “The reign of the dollar must end...This whip that the Americans use in the form of the dollar would then, to a great extent, not have such a serious impact on the global financial system.”
From Bloomberg: Americans May Be Strapped, But the Go-To Statistic Is False. "It is a myth that a large share of people can’t cover a $400 emergency expense. Why does the story persist?"
From the Daily Bell: Don’t forget the “Galt’s Gulch Tactic.” Shrug-off the government. It’s not your duty to prop up a corrupt and immoral system. In fact, it might be your duty to deny it your support.
That was the main message of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (although it took her about 23,000 times as many words to say it).
From Zero Hedge: "Elon Musk Is A Charlatan": Fund Manager Slams Tesla On CNBC, Says Company Will Have To Restructure. "Elon Musk is not a genius, he's not a visionary. He's a charlatan, he's a carnival barker."
From KTTH: Rantz: Local libertarian high schooler left out of yearbook, but Karl Marx appears. [Ed: I don't know the reason behind this phenom but the story is interesting.]
From the Gateway Pundit: JOHN SOLOMON BOMBSHELL: Key Figure That Mueller Report Linked to Russia Was Actually a State Department Intel Source. [Ed: john Solomon of the Hill.]
ASSANGE UPDATE: From Gateway Pundit: ‘He needs his story told’: Inmate releases pictures of visibly skeletal Assange inside jail. From the World Socialist Web Site: WikiLeaks warns US Justice Department preparing more charges against Assange. [Ed: based on the testimony of a convicted fraud.] From Urdu Point:Hearing On Assange Extradition To US Rescheduled From June 12 To June 14 - WikiLeaks. From South China Morning Post: WikiLeaks whistle-blower Chelsea Manning's senate bid branded a publicity stunt.
From Zero Hedge: Trump: Deal Reached With Mexico "To Stem The Tide Of Migration", Tariffs Suspended
From the Gateway Pundit: Investigation Into Ilhan Omar Reveals Alleged Fraudulent Tax Returns Linked to Marriage to Her Brother From Fox9: Rep. Ilhan Omar ordered to pay fine for campaign finance violation.
From Space News: Little legal recourse for astronomers concerned about Starlink. [Ed: a must see photo.]
From the Guardian: Huawei Signs Contract To Build 5G Network In Russia. Huawei’s Chairman Guo Ping said he was "very happy" with the agreement "in an area of strategic importance like 5G."
From Zero Hedge: The Most 'Believed' "Conspiracy Theories" In America. ...the most commonly believed conspiracy theories among U.S. adults is that Lee Harvey Oswald did not act alone in the assassination of JFK... [Ed: just fun. I subscribe to 3 of the 8 conspiracy theories.]
From KMOV: Bloodhound K9 reports for duty in Jefferson County (April 5) and : Fenton man found alive by canine unit 2 days after being swept away by floodwaters (May 31). [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, It didn't take long for this dog to earn his keep.]
From the Organic Prepper: Daisy Luther: 10 Kinds Of Americans Who Are Ruining Our Country
From RT: "In Gold We Trust": Waning Confidence In US Sends World's Central Banks On Buying Spree. “The reign of the dollar must end...This whip that the Americans use in the form of the dollar would then, to a great extent, not have such a serious impact on the global financial system.”
From Bloomberg: Americans May Be Strapped, But the Go-To Statistic Is False. "It is a myth that a large share of people can’t cover a $400 emergency expense. Why does the story persist?"
From the Daily Bell: Don’t forget the “Galt’s Gulch Tactic.” Shrug-off the government. It’s not your duty to prop up a corrupt and immoral system. In fact, it might be your duty to deny it your support.
That was the main message of Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged (although it took her about 23,000 times as many words to say it).
From Zero Hedge: "Elon Musk Is A Charlatan": Fund Manager Slams Tesla On CNBC, Says Company Will Have To Restructure. "Elon Musk is not a genius, he's not a visionary. He's a charlatan, he's a carnival barker."
From KTTH: Rantz: Local libertarian high schooler left out of yearbook, but Karl Marx appears. [Ed: I don't know the reason behind this phenom but the story is interesting.]
From the Gateway Pundit: JOHN SOLOMON BOMBSHELL: Key Figure That Mueller Report Linked to Russia Was Actually a State Department Intel Source. [Ed: john Solomon of the Hill.]
Friday 07 June 2019
News and commentary round upASSANGE WATCH: From the L.A. Times: Julian Assange, Bryan Carmody and the increasingly fraught world of journalism [Ed: the comparatively obscure case of Carmody, a journalist in SF, has parallels in its details and possible impact.] From Consortium News: After Assange’s Espionage Act Indictment, Police Move Against More Journalists for Publishing Classified Material From Alternet: Julian Assange might be a ‘villain’ and a ‘spoiled brat’ — but he’s also a journalist. [Ed: I wish people would eschew personal attacks on Assange. Character flaws--even if accurately reported--are not what is important here.] From Tass: Assange case glaring example of Western double standards, diplomat says From Lew Rockwell: “The Quality of Mercy” [Ed: a must read on Assange's health and his treatment.]
From Zero Hedge: CNN Panel Slams 'Arrogant, Lazy Biden' Over Latest Example Of Plagiarism. From Vice: 2020 Democrats Are Literally Begging For $1 On Facebook: “Can You Chip In?” "The new Democratic debate rules have made “Chip in” the unofficial, decidedly thirsty rallying cry for several campaigns desperate to make the cut. The resulting fight for small donors has helped Facebook rake in more than $1 million each week from the sprawling Democratic field, according to company figures....But here’s the rub: Longshot candidates may need to spend more on Facebook ads and other digital outreach than donors actually give to their campaigns."
From the Rutherford Institute: You’re Under Arrest: How the Police State Muzzles Our Right to Speak Truth to Power. [Ed: by John Whitehead.]
From Axios: Poll: Americans view fake news as a bigger problem than terrorism.
From Politico: Pelosi tells Dems she wants to see Trump ‘in prison’. "She also clashed with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, who pressed her to begin impeachment proceedings." From the Gateway Pundit: Speaker Pelosi Tells Democrats She Wants to See President Trump “In Prison” [Ed: impeachment for beating Hillary is no longer good enough? The first article is rich in detail. The second is commentary]
From AFP: Mexico blocks new caravan of Central American migrants. [Ed: a hopeful sign for the rattling of tariff sabres to stop.]
From Antiwar.com: The American Cult of Bombing and Endless War.
From Zero Hedge: From Zero Hedge: Mexico Freezes Human Traffickers' Bank Accounts, Sends National Guard To Border Amid 'Very Good Discussion.' Mexico to build more migrant detention centers, allow US to drop people back over the border. [Ed: will it be enough to prevent the tariff on Monday? Trump also demanded "safe third country" status of Mexico.]
From Metro: The sun has ‘reached solar minimum’ and its surface is ominously calm. [Ed: for Brad.]
From the Asia Times: Why Trump Now Wants Talks With Iran. If Tehran blocks the Strait of Hormuz it could send the price of oil soaring and cause a global recession.
From Sputnik News: China Moves One Step Closer to Cyborg Future With New Mind-Reading Chip. "... a chip known as the Brain Talker, with the device said to be capable of reading human brainwave activity and efficiently translating it to enable users to control a computer." From the Wall Street Journal: Hackers May Soon Be Able to Tell What You’re Typing—Just By Hearing You Type. Research suggests that sound waves from typing on a phone can be intercepted and decoded. [Ed: user friendly.]
From SHTF: Democrats Want The Post Office To Handle All Your Banking Needs
From the Future of Freedom Foundation: Would Trump’s Impeachment Lead to Freedom? [Ed: Jacob Hornberger says "no."]
From the Gateway Pundit: RAND PAUL RIPS DEEP STATE: “I Was Sitting in White House” When Trump Revoked Brennan Security Clearance — And He Still Has It! (VIDEO)
From Zero Hedge: CNN Panel Slams 'Arrogant, Lazy Biden' Over Latest Example Of Plagiarism. From Vice: 2020 Democrats Are Literally Begging For $1 On Facebook: “Can You Chip In?” "The new Democratic debate rules have made “Chip in” the unofficial, decidedly thirsty rallying cry for several campaigns desperate to make the cut. The resulting fight for small donors has helped Facebook rake in more than $1 million each week from the sprawling Democratic field, according to company figures....But here’s the rub: Longshot candidates may need to spend more on Facebook ads and other digital outreach than donors actually give to their campaigns."
From the Rutherford Institute: You’re Under Arrest: How the Police State Muzzles Our Right to Speak Truth to Power. [Ed: by John Whitehead.]
From Axios: Poll: Americans view fake news as a bigger problem than terrorism.
From Politico: Pelosi tells Dems she wants to see Trump ‘in prison’. "She also clashed with Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler, who pressed her to begin impeachment proceedings." From the Gateway Pundit: Speaker Pelosi Tells Democrats She Wants to See President Trump “In Prison” [Ed: impeachment for beating Hillary is no longer good enough? The first article is rich in detail. The second is commentary]
From AFP: Mexico blocks new caravan of Central American migrants. [Ed: a hopeful sign for the rattling of tariff sabres to stop.]
From Antiwar.com: The American Cult of Bombing and Endless War.
From Zero Hedge: From Zero Hedge: Mexico Freezes Human Traffickers' Bank Accounts, Sends National Guard To Border Amid 'Very Good Discussion.' Mexico to build more migrant detention centers, allow US to drop people back over the border. [Ed: will it be enough to prevent the tariff on Monday? Trump also demanded "safe third country" status of Mexico.]
From Metro: The sun has ‘reached solar minimum’ and its surface is ominously calm. [Ed: for Brad.]
From the Asia Times: Why Trump Now Wants Talks With Iran. If Tehran blocks the Strait of Hormuz it could send the price of oil soaring and cause a global recession.
From Sputnik News: China Moves One Step Closer to Cyborg Future With New Mind-Reading Chip. "... a chip known as the Brain Talker, with the device said to be capable of reading human brainwave activity and efficiently translating it to enable users to control a computer." From the Wall Street Journal: Hackers May Soon Be Able to Tell What You’re Typing—Just By Hearing You Type. Research suggests that sound waves from typing on a phone can be intercepted and decoded. [Ed: user friendly.]
From SHTF: Democrats Want The Post Office To Handle All Your Banking Needs
From the Future of Freedom Foundation: Would Trump’s Impeachment Lead to Freedom? [Ed: Jacob Hornberger says "no."]
From the Gateway Pundit: RAND PAUL RIPS DEEP STATE: “I Was Sitting in White House” When Trump Revoked Brennan Security Clearance — And He Still Has It! (VIDEO)
Dogs and snow just go together
Thursday 06 June 2019
Don't Know Much"Weird Brad" here. While driving this week, I've been enjoying a free trial of Sirius XM radio. And -- finally! -- someone played the perfect song for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (a.k.a. "Occasional Cortex"). Don't believe me? Click the links.
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