theduran--2020-03-21--Orthodox Christianity vs. Socialism, Part V: Why are there “Christian socialists?”

Despite the facts we are outlining in this Christianity versus Socialism series , we are faced with the fact that there are a great many people – even Orthodox Christians – who ascribe to a philosophical point of view that is not Christianity at all , but socialism .
Telltale signs of this include the belief in the notion that rich people should not be so rich , that their ‘ excessive wealth ’ is sinful and that money ought to be distributed among the people who are not wealthy .
Usually the concept manages to avoid the believer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , despite the fact that the people who often talk about redistribution of wealth only mean to redistribute other people ’ s wealth , whose monetary value always exceeds their own .
Many of these socialist supporters are often very well off , too , certainly not living hand-to-mouth , or from paycheck to paycheck .
But at the same time , they are not making “ that much ” so they are always exempt from having to do this amazing act of “ Christian generosity.
” Most pro-socialist arguments go like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that socialist thinking does not have to come from a book .
In fact , usually , it doesn ’ t spring from the educated at all , but from the simple cry of children who didn ’ t have what they themselves wanted , though their friends seemed to .
For all the great efforts spent by men and women far more educated than I , the basis of their ideology is that of a four-year-old crying “ it ’ s not fair !
!
” when someone else has two pieces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
All the book learning just amplified the sense of personal victimhood and set it in stone for many of these people .
Christianity never makes the claim that life should be fair , but this is easy to ignore .
This attitude often persists even if the person becomes a Christian believer .
“ Christ was the first communist !
” some people in the new Communist Party of the Russian Federation say .
They limit Christ , and Christianity itself , to very narrow aspects of his teachings to people like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lord instructed to sell everything he owned , give the money to the poor and then to follow Him personally .
The socialist-minded see the first instruction , blur over the second and completely miss the point of the third and therefore misunderstand the entire process .
Christ was not advocating for the poor here .
He was prescribing the precise means of treatment for this young man ’ s soul , one who had found the external practice of all the commandments to be a relatively simple matter .
This happens @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rich young man the needed step he , and he alone , needed to take .
We know that he went away sorrowful because of his own enslavement to his possessions , but that again is not about who gets the money .
Christianity does not care who gets the money .
That instruction was not given as a directive to all believers , they ignore vigorously .
Yet this is absolutely evident in the Gospels , because Christ never gave such a directive to anyone else .
He commented on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything they had to follow him , but he never directed them to do this .
Neither , as we noted much earlier , is the common ownership of everything a requirement to being a Christian , though this practice is often helpful for people trying to remove possessions as a distraction to their personal efforts at salvation .
Such groups exist to this day .
In the Orthodox Christian world ; they are largely called ‘ monasteries.
’ We have written much about this already but a new piece , written by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , does so much to show the differences inherent in the socialist / secularist and the Orthodox Christian that we thought it should be presented here .
The clergy often have a knack for making the complex understandable , so we hope this helps elucidate our point of view .
This is largely a piece written by Father Stephen Freeman , an Orthodox Christian priest serving in the state of Tennessee in the United States .
The piece was originally found on Pravmir , the Russian Orthodox Church website .
We are very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the opposing worldviews of secularism ( a.k.a .
socialism ) and traditional ( Orthodox ) Christianity are made very clear in his writing .
We will offer further comment after the body of his text , which follows , with slight emphasis and reformatting added : The Secular Man has been the great threat to the Christian faith over the past two or more centuries .
Disguised as the person who is only doing the “ normal thing , ” he lives in a godless world , where others can be tempted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God .
Earlier I quoted Berdyaev , “ If God does not exist , then man does not exist.
” I would add to that that the God Who Exists must be everywhere present and filling all things , or He is no God and a false god .
Let us renounce the “ soft atheism ” of the secular man and live always and everywhere for God .
Many Orthodox writers have spoken about the nature of the secular world , the defining form of modernity .
I take here an opportunity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secular man and the Christian .
The secular man may believe that there is a God , but he also believes that the situation and outcome of the world are dependent upon the actions of human beings .
The Christian man believes that there is a God , and that all things are in His hands .
The secular man believes in Progress .
Life changes , and with good human direction , it changes for the better .
Every new discovery stands on the shoulders of every previous discovery .
In this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the better .
The Christian man believes that whatever man does may change his circumstances , but does not change man .
A modern man is in no way superior to those who came before him .
Goodness is not a result of progress .
The secular man believes in the power of human beings .
Reason , applied reasonably to any situation , will yield a better outcome .
The Christian man believes in God , but he doubts the goodness of man .
Human solutions are always questionable and capable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ultimately , in the smooth path of progress .
Even though there may be set-backs along the way , he believes that pursuing the path of progress will ultimately yield a better world – even a near perfect world .
Because the Christian man believes in God , he trusts that the outcome of history belongs to God and not to man .
Thus , even the good things done by man are judged by a good God whose goal for us is always beyond anything we could ask or think .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , always believes that the next good is only another plan away .
Compromise , negotiation , and a willingness to change will finally solve all problems .
The Christian understands the sinfulness of humanity .
He knows that without God things will always fail and dissipate .
Only through trust and obedience to God can the human situation improve – and such improvement always comes as a miracle from God .
The secular man does not believe in his own fallibility .
He does not learn from history , but yearns repeatedly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before .
What success he has known ( in medical treatment of disease , etc . )
is quickly translated into political terms .
What is wrong politically can be eradicated as easily as malaria .
The Christian man knows that problems do not lie so much in the world as within himself .
Unless man is changed by a good God , there will be a very limited goodness in the world .
The secular man knows how to cure malaria , but he can not manage to actually share that goodness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the third world ) dies as it has always died .
The secular man is powerless because he lacks true goodness .
The Christian man is largely marginalized in our modern world .
He is considered an artifact of the past .
However he is not a religious artifact – the truth he knows is eternal and is as applicable to the ills of the world as any part of the truth of God .
It is for this generation to understand what it means to be a Christian man and not to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is good and wills good for all people .
He is not a utilitarian , wishing the greatest good for the greatest number , but willing good for each and every soul .
May Christians be visible everywhere , and everywhere loyal to the Kingdom of God .
It is difficult , indeed , not to emphasize the entire body of Father Stephen ’ s writing here .
However , the points so emphasized are extremely applicable to our efforts to understand that there is indeed a sharp distinction and opposition between Christianity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , as we have noted earlier in our series , there still exist , and will exist , a large body of people who honestly believe that they are believers in God , but who ascribe to secularism when dealing with “ the real world.
” This is the kind or marginalization that is quite frankly being challenged at this very moment as the COVID-19 pandemic runs its inevitable course .
We can not possibly know what the outcome of this pandemic is going to be .
Despite all the best efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt the progress of the virus , it is moving through our population .
We can not see it , we can not stop it , we may only be able to slow its progress .
This , with Chinese communist centralized control ( and this government is ideologically in search of an economic Utopia that was dashed by the virus and the Chinese ’ own mishandling of it , and they know it ) .
The United States knows it , despite a remarkably versatile and flexible response on the part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The American response in the secular sense is arguably the best in the world , but still , the only thing that can be hoped for is a slowing of the advance of the virus .
The rest of the world is also involved .
Here , then is a perfect example of something that “ progress ” can not stop .
It may be able to help deal with some of the effects , but all of humanity ’ s great progress is being thwarted by something of microscopic size , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Indeed , the only thing capable of helping us with the unseen is Christianity , which itself preaches a God who is also usually unseen , though history has shown Him to be absolutely effective every time He acted .
It is evident that for the time being , socialism is receiving an unexpected comeuppance .
The secular man is challenged by something he can not control , and oftentimes , this is when the secular man comes to realize that maybe it is better to pray for Divine help and to stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Christianity and its humble reliance upon God as the true and only Source of all blessings , is a concept that is probably getting dusted off by many of us .
In Russia , this seems to be taking place .
Like other nations in the world , the Russian Federation is also progressively shutting down workplaces where people congregate , and advocating for telework and limited exposure to crowds of people .
But Christianity is also dominant , so the parish churches are functioning without the restrictions asked for in other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ services in steady numbers , perhaps a little more than usual .
They are praying without fear , and in fact , with determination , knowing that God will be the one to deliver them from this problem , the earthly facilities and tools only being aids to His purpose .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Despite the facts we are outlining in this Christianity versus Socialism series, we are faced with the fact that there are a great many people – even Orthodox Christians – who ascribe to a philosophical point of view that is not Christianity at all, but socialism. Telltale signs of this include the belief in the notion that rich people should not be so rich, that their ‘excessive wealth’ is sinful and that money ought to be distributed among the people who are not wealthy. Usually the concept manages to avoid the believer’s own personal participation in such activity, despite the fact that the people who often talk about redistribution of wealth only mean to redistribute other people’s wealth, whose monetary value always exceeds their own. Many of these socialist supporters are often very well off, too, certainly not living hand-to-mouth, or from paycheck to paycheck. But at the same time, they are not making “that much” so they are always exempt from having to do this amazing act of “Christian generosity.”
Most pro-socialist arguments go like this, and it ought to be noted that socialist thinking does not have to come from a book. In fact, usually, it doesn’t spring from the educated at all, but from the simple cry of children who didn’t have what they themselves wanted, though their friends seemed to. For all the great efforts spent by men and women far more educated than I, the basis of their ideology is that of a four-year-old crying “it’s not fair!!” when someone else has two pieces of candy and they have only one. All the book learning just amplified the sense of personal victimhood and set it in stone for many of these people. Christianity never makes the claim that life should be fair, but this is easy to ignore.
This attitude often persists even if the person becomes a Christian believer. “Christ was the first communist!” some people in the new Communist Party of the Russian Federation say. They limit Christ, and Christianity itself, to very narrow aspects of his teachings to people like the rich young ruler, to whom the Lord instructed to sell everything he owned, give the money to the poor and then to follow Him personally. The socialist-minded see the first instruction, blur over the second and completely miss the point of the third and therefore misunderstand the entire process.
Christ was not advocating for the poor here. He was prescribing the precise means of treatment for this young man’s soul, one who had found the external practice of all the commandments to be a relatively simple matter. This happens sometimes. Here, Christ was offering the rich young man the needed step he, and he alone, needed to take. We know that he went away sorrowful because of his own enslavement to his possessions, but that again is not about who gets the money. Christianity does not care who gets the money.
That instruction was not given as a directive to all believers, they ignore vigorously. Yet this is absolutely evident in the Gospels, because Christ never gave such a directive to anyone else. He commented on the fact that his Twelve disciples gave up everything they had to follow him, but he never directed them to do this. Neither, as we noted much earlier, is the common ownership of everything a requirement to being a Christian, though this practice is often helpful for people trying to remove possessions as a distraction to their personal efforts at salvation. Such groups exist to this day. In the Orthodox Christian world; they are largely called ‘monasteries.’
We have written much about this already but a new piece, written by an Orthodox priest in the United States, does so much to show the differences inherent in the socialist / secularist and the Orthodox Christian that we thought it should be presented here. The clergy often have a knack for making the complex understandable, so we hope this helps elucidate our point of view.
This is largely a piece written by Father Stephen Freeman, an Orthodox Christian priest serving in the state of Tennessee in the United States. The piece was originally found on Pravmir, the Russian Orthodox Church website. We are very grateful to Father Stephen because his analysis of the opposing worldviews of secularism (a.k.a. socialism) and traditional (Orthodox) Christianity are made very clear in his writing. We will offer further comment after the body of his text, which follows, with slight emphasis and reformatting added:
The Secular Man has been the great threat to the Christian faith over the past two or more centuries. Disguised as the person who is only doing the “normal thing,” he lives in a godless world, where others can be tempted to live as though there were no God. Earlier I quoted Berdyaev, “If God does not exist, then man does not exist.” I would add to that that the God Who Exists must be everywhere present and filling all things, or He is no God and a false god. Let us renounce the “soft atheism” of the secular man and live always and everywhere for God. Many Orthodox writers have spoken about the nature of the secular world, the defining form of modernity. I take here an opportunity to make a small comparison between the secular man and the Christian. The secular man may believe that there is a God, but he also believes that the situation and outcome of the world are dependent upon the actions of human beings. The Christian man believes that there is a God, and that all things are in His hands. The secular man believes in Progress. Life changes, and with good human direction, it changes for the better. Every new discovery stands on the shoulders of every previous discovery. In this way, life improves and always improves for the better. The Christian man believes that whatever man does may change his circumstances, but does not change man. A modern man is in no way superior to those who came before him. Goodness is not a result of progress. The secular man believes in the power of human beings. Reason, applied reasonably to any situation, will yield a better outcome. The Christian man believes in God, but he doubts the goodness of man. Human solutions are always questionable and capable of failure. The secular man believes, ultimately, in the smooth path of progress. Even though there may be set-backs along the way, he believes that pursuing the path of progress will ultimately yield a better world – even a near perfect world. Because the Christian man believes in God, he trusts that the outcome of history belongs to God and not to man. Thus, even the good things done by man are judged by a good God whose goal for us is always beyond anything we could ask or think. The secular man, despite various failures, always believes that the next good is only another plan away. Compromise, negotiation, and a willingness to change will finally solve all problems. The Christian understands the sinfulness of humanity. He knows that without God things will always fail and dissipate. Only through trust and obedience to God can the human situation improve – and such improvement always comes as a miracle from God. The secular man does not believe in his own fallibility. He does not learn from history, but yearns repeatedly for a success where none has come before. What success he has known (in medical treatment of disease, etc.) is quickly translated into political terms. What is wrong politically can be eradicated as easily as malaria. The Christian man knows that problems do not lie so much in the world as within himself. Unless man is changed by a good God, there will be a very limited goodness in the world. The secular man knows how to cure malaria, but he cannot manage to actually share that goodness with the world. The world (the third world) dies as it has always died. The secular man is powerless because he lacks true goodness. The Christian man is largely marginalized in our modern world. He is considered an artifact of the past. However he is not a religious artifact – the truth he knows is eternal and is as applicable to the ills of the world as any part of the truth of God. It is for this generation to understand what it means to be a Christian man and not to compromise with the secular man. God is good and wills good for all people. He is not a utilitarian, wishing the greatest good for the greatest number, but willing good for each and every soul. May Christians be visible everywhere, and everywhere loyal to the Kingdom of God.
It is difficult, indeed, not to emphasize the entire body of Father Stephen’s writing here. However, the points so emphasized are extremely applicable to our efforts to understand that there is indeed a sharp distinction and opposition between Christianity and socialist world views. That being said, as we have noted earlier in our series, there still exist, and will exist, a large body of people who honestly believe that they are believers in God, but who ascribe to secularism when dealing with “the real world.”
This is the kind or marginalization that is quite frankly being challenged at this very moment as the COVID-19 pandemic runs its inevitable course. We cannot possibly know what the outcome of this pandemic is going to be. Despite all the best efforts of people all over the world to halt the progress of the virus, it is moving through our population. We cannot see it, we cannot stop it, we may only be able to slow its progress. This, with Chinese communist centralized control (and this government is ideologically in search of an economic Utopia that was dashed by the virus and the Chinese’ own mishandling of it, and they know it). The United States knows it, despite a remarkably versatile and flexible response on the part of the American President and his team. The American response in the secular sense is arguably the best in the world, but still, the only thing that can be hoped for is a slowing of the advance of the virus.
The rest of the world is also involved. Here, then is a perfect example of something that “progress” cannot stop. It may be able to help deal with some of the effects, but all of humanity’s great progress is being thwarted by something of microscopic size, that cannot be seen at all. Indeed, the only thing capable of helping us with the unseen is Christianity, which itself preaches a God who is also usually unseen, though history has shown Him to be absolutely effective every time He acted.
It is evident that for the time being, socialism is receiving an unexpected comeuppance. The secular man is challenged by something he cannot control, and oftentimes, this is when the secular man comes to realize that maybe it is better to pray for Divine help and to stop relying on oneself. In other words, Christianity and its humble reliance upon God as the true and only Source of all blessings, is a concept that is probably getting dusted off by many of us.
In Russia, this seems to be taking place. Like other nations in the world, the Russian Federation is also progressively shutting down workplaces where people congregate, and advocating for telework and limited exposure to crowds of people. But Christianity is also dominant, so the parish churches are functioning without the restrictions asked for in other places, and people are going to services in steady numbers, perhaps a little more than usual. They are praying without fear, and in fact, with determination, knowing that God will be the one to deliver them from this problem, the earthly facilities and tools only being aids to His purpose.
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theduran--2020-03-21--Triage Starts in Government Bailouts: Who will get the money?

Governments throughout the world are now facing heavy activity by lobbyists seeking a bailout by their government .
The activity is ferocious , and ferociously competitive , because some lobbies have bigger money backing them than others do , and different politicians owe their careers to different types of lobbies ; so , for example , if one politician is funded primarily by the oil industry , and another is funded primarily by the retail industry , those two politicians will probably be looking to save different special interests .
Since there now will be an enormous number of bankruptcies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for governments to redirect wealth , no matter how opposed to socialism a given government might be .
In normal times , the total society ’ s wealth is rising , and so any such governmental interventions , which result from the routine competitions between lobbyists , are usually for federal funds which are expected to come from the growth in governmental spending .
However , at a time like the present , when we are at the beginning of a depression , which means a period of declining wealth , this competition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because the companies ’ own economic survival is actually at stake .
The global coronavirus depression starts with the necessity to increase “ social distance , ” meaning the physical separation of individuals from each other and especially from strangers .
This means immediately that local durable good retailers will see less traffic and Amazon dot com and other online retailers will see more traffic ; and , so , absent the amount of government corruption that exists , taxation upon the latter group ( the online retailers ) would be soaring in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( brick-and-mortar stores ) not going bankrupt .
This would be an example of the type of socialism — democratic socialism — that would exist if the government were not corrupt ( i.e.
, if it were democratic , instead of aristocratic — otherwise known as “ oligarchic ” or “ kleptocratic ” — “ aristocracy ” here meaning controlled by a wealth-privileged group ) .
Also : restaurants , movie theaters , and other industries that depend upon crowds , will be going bankrupt , whereas delivery-services for competing goods and services @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , online providers ) will be experiencing increased patronage .
All types of travel and tourism services will be going bankrupt , and this also means that commercial aviation for passengers will be hit hard and produce bankruptcies , but air freight services will be little affected and therefore the latter would be taxed more and the former ( passenger airline services ) would be taxed less , if there were no corruption ; i.e.
, if the country were democratic , instead of aristocratic .
Fascism might be defined as corrupt government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government that values only certain groups , which are the holders of governmental power , and it devalues all other groups , which do not hold governmental power .
Consequently , under the present circumstances , the types of redistribution of wealth that have been described above for democracies would not occur , but , instead , the types of industries that are being crushed by the consequences of the coronavirus catastrophe will be allowed to sink and then drown , and the types of industry that are being boosted by the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for benefitting from it .
However , the situation in fascist countries will be even worse than what has just been described here .
The more deeply systemic wealth-redistributions will be occurring at the financial level , where the options that were faced by governments during the 2008 financial crash will re-appear but with an even greater intensity : whether to direct the bailouts to the giant financial institutions , which had ripped off the public and thus produced the crash , or instead to the public who had been ripped off by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left whole the fraudsters who had enormously increased their personal wealth by deceiving investors and home-purchasers .
Virtually all of the damage they did to their victims remained uncompensated , and received from those fraudsters zero in the way of restitution to their victims .
In other words : virtually all governments were actually fascist .
They were aristocratic , not democratic .
They favored the top-level fraudsters , not the public .
This is fascism .
For an example of how this would work in the present circumstances , American billionaire Bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve been aggressively buying stocks including Hilton today .
And I ’ ve been buying all the way down — Hilton , Restaurant brands and Starbucks , ” and he said “ No business can survive a period of 18 months [ which is the minimum the Department of Health and Human Services expects ] without revenue , ” so he is expecting the U.S. federal Government ( via the Fed and ultimately the U.S. Treasury ) to bail out these giant corporations before then : CNBC reported that “ Ackman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ go to zero ’ soon if no action is taken .
He is a major shareholder in Hilton.
” Obviously , since he ’ s “ buying all the way down , ” he is betting that the U.S. Government will again be a socialism for the rich — such as for people like himself .
So , he wants the U.S. Government to bail out large corporations such as Hilton , which he is “ aggressively buying ” on the expectation that socialism for the rich will again happen , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued under Obama in 2009 and afterwards .
At 11:55 in CNBC ’ s accompanying video interview of him , he said “ Boeing will not survive without a government bailout , ” and he said this there arguing that , for the next 30 days , government should be bailing out everything , which , of course , will not happen .
( He knows it , too , but some billionaires try to be respectable to liberals — not only to conservatives — so as to keep the con going .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ firms , which virtually write our laws .
Basically , the lobbying firms represent America ’ s billionaires , who control the nation ’ s largest corporations and all of its international corporations .
America ’ s billionaires expect to be bailed out again , and they actually oppose and prevent socialism for anybody else ( which would be a democracy ) .
( For example , how did Joe Biden beat Bernie Sanders ?
Biden represents the DNC , which represents the Party ’ s mega-donors , all of whom were terrified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the country is so corrupt that it will happen again — bailing out the top while letting everyone else flop .
This is fascism .
It ’ s what billionaires expect , and , actually , demand .
For example : who can doubt that Donald Trump will want the Trump Organization ( all those hotels and resorts ) to be bailed out by the federal Government ?
America is a gravy train for its billionaires ; that ’ s what they expect , and what the American public tolerate ( such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Biden won his first Presidential state primary in all of his long career ’ s three separate attempts to win the Democratic Presidential nomination ) .
And there is sound evidence that , this time around , just like after the 2008 crash , it will be the billionaires who get the bailouts .
For example , on March 20th , Zero Hedge headlined “ Confirmed : Fed Bailed Out Hedge Funds Facing Basis Trade Disaster ” , and closed with “ the Fed launched the repo bazooka , allowing all those who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exit stage left , bailed out by a deceiving Fed that told the world its mission was to rescue main street when in reality it was just making sure the billionaires had someone to dump their money-losing positions to.
” ( And that “ someone ” isn ’ t even nearly as much Wall Street as it is Main Street . )
This is fascism .
Some would call it , instead , “ Robin Hood in reverse.
” It ’ s the American reality — and has been , ever since at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Robin Hood in reverse ” Government fits with President Trump ’ s priorities .
On February 10th , USA Today reported that , in his new budget proposal , “ Trump is proposing $ 740.5 billion , a 0.3 % increase , in military spending for the fiscal year that begins in October .
Non-defense programs would be cut by 5 % to $ 590 billion.
” And “ The Wall Street Journal reported that the budget will seek $ 4.4 trillion in savings over a decade – and $ 2 trillion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ [ Social Security , Medicare , and Medicaid ] .
” Of course , if America were a democracy , then a person such as this wouldn ’ t have become President , at all , and also his opponent wouldn ’ t have been Hillary Clinton ; it would have been very different types of leaders , not leaders whom the billionaires have selected ; but it ’ s not a democracy ; so , it produces leaders such as these .
Consequently , anyone who is in an economic category which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plague ( such as small businesses ) can reasonably expect not to be salvaged by the politicians who nominally represent them but who actually represent those politicians ’ mega-donors ; and anyone such as Jeff Bezos who is in an economic category which will be particularly benefitted by this plague can reasonably expect to keep all , or almost all , of his extra winnings from it .
This is how fascism is supposed to function .
Also on March 18th , Trump ’ s chief economic advisor , Larry Kudlow , publicly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might take an equity position ” ( buy stock ) in some corporations that would otherwise be bankrupted by coronavirus .
Doing that would not necessarily be bad for the American public , because it would not only prevent layoffs by those firms , but it might also produce profits for the Government selling the stock after the crisis had passed .
However , it would be especially good for the other stockholders in the given corporation , by preventing it from going bankrupt — this would rescue the firm ’ s other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only for corporations that are controlled by billionaires ( and that therefore possess political clout ) .
Small locally-controlled firms would be ignored .
In an authentic democracy , the billionaire-controlled firms would be ignored , and the locally controlled firms would be salvaged .
Whatever society emerges from this , after the plague has subsided and gone , will therefore probably be even more unequal in wealth than now exists .
Fascism tends to concentrate wealth , and the recent history of the U.S. is fascist .
Although there has been a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War II , that was only on the military level .
Fascism as an ideology continued , and , by its gradually taking over completely in the United States ( euphemistically renamed there as “ libertarianism ” ) and then being spread by this country throughout the world ( euphemistically renamed there as “ neoliberalism ” ) , the ideology has won , despite the fascist nations having lost militarily in 1945 .
It ’ s a lesson for history .
America wasn ’ t fascist then , but it is now .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ plague , this reality will become even more entrenched as being part of history — a post-WW-II ideological victory for fascism ( “ libertarianism , ” or “ neoliberalism ” ) .
Every government now faces a triage of bailouts .
All indications , if the present is anything like the past , are that no bailouts would be better than the bailouts that are likely to come , and that bailouts which take from the richest and give to the poorest , such as would occur in an authentic democracy ( socialism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be the best solution for the problems that are ahead of us today .
That outcome would constitute an authentic democratic revolution .
However , given the extreme wealth-inequality which already exists in America , it is extremely unlikely that this fascist country will become a democracy .
Far likelier , it will only become yet more fascist .
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author , most recently , of They ’ re Not Even Close : The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records , 1910-2010 , and of CHRIST ’ S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Eric Zuesse, originally posted at Strategic Culture
Governments throughout the world are now facing heavy activity by lobbyists seeking a bailout by their government. The activity is ferocious, and ferociously competitive, because some lobbies have bigger money backing them than others do, and different politicians owe their careers to different types of lobbies; so, for example, if one politician is funded primarily by the oil industry, and another is funded primarily by the retail industry, those two politicians will probably be looking to save different special interests. Since there now will be an enormous number of bankruptcies, there will be an enormous need for governments to redirect wealth, no matter how opposed to socialism a given government might be.
In normal times, the total society’s wealth is rising, and so any such governmental interventions, which result from the routine competitions between lobbyists, are usually for federal funds which are expected to come from the growth in governmental spending. However, at a time like the present, when we are at the beginning of a depression, which means a period of declining wealth, this competition between lobbies is vastly more intense, because the companies’ own economic survival is actually at stake.
The global coronavirus depression starts with the necessity to increase “social distance,” meaning the physical separation of individuals from each other and especially from strangers. This means immediately that local durable good retailers will see less traffic and Amazon dot com and other online retailers will see more traffic; and, so, absent the amount of government corruption that exists, taxation upon the latter group (the online retailers) would be soaring in order to fund the former’s (brick-and-mortar stores) not going bankrupt. This would be an example of the type of socialism — democratic socialism — that would exist if the government were not corrupt (i.e., if it were democratic, instead of aristocratic — otherwise known as “oligarchic” or “kleptocratic” — “aristocracy” here meaning controlled by a wealth-privileged group).
Also: restaurants, movie theaters, and other industries that depend upon crowds, will be going bankrupt, whereas delivery-services for competing goods and services (such as home-delivery and, again, online providers) will be experiencing increased patronage.
All types of travel and tourism services will be going bankrupt, and this also means that commercial aviation for passengers will be hit hard and produce bankruptcies, but air freight services will be little affected and therefore the latter would be taxed more and the former (passenger airline services) would be taxed less, if there were no corruption; i.e., if the country were democratic, instead of aristocratic.
Fascism might be defined as corrupt government, since it is a form of government that values only certain groups, which are the holders of governmental power, and it devalues all other groups, which do not hold governmental power. Consequently, under the present circumstances, the types of redistribution of wealth that have been described above for democracies would not occur, but, instead, the types of industries that are being crushed by the consequences of the coronavirus catastrophe will be allowed to sink and then drown, and the types of industry that are being boosted by the coronavirus catastrophe won’t be taxed extra for benefitting from it.
However, the situation in fascist countries will be even worse than what has just been described here. The more deeply systemic wealth-redistributions will be occurring at the financial level, where the options that were faced by governments during the 2008 financial crash will re-appear but with an even greater intensity: whether to direct the bailouts to the giant financial institutions, which had ripped off the public and thus produced the crash, or instead to the public who had been ripped off by them. Virtually all of the bailouts left whole the fraudsters who had enormously increased their personal wealth by deceiving investors and home-purchasers. Virtually all of the damage they did to their victims remained uncompensated, and received from those fraudsters zero in the way of restitution to their victims. In other words: virtually all governments were actually fascist. They were aristocratic, not democratic. They favored the top-level fraudsters, not the public. This is fascism.
For an example of how this would work in the present circumstances, American billionaire Bill Ackman said on March 18th that “I’ve been aggressively buying stocks including Hilton today. And I’ve been buying all the way down — Hilton, Restaurant brands and Starbucks,” and he said “No business can survive a period of 18 months [which is the minimum the Department of Health and Human Services expects] without revenue,” so he is expecting the U.S. federal Government (via the Fed and ultimately the U.S. Treasury) to bail out these giant corporations before then: CNBC reported that “Ackman predicted that hotel stocks including Hilton could ‘go to zero’ soon if no action is taken. He is a major shareholder in Hilton.” Obviously, since he’s “buying all the way down,” he is betting that the U.S. Government will again be a socialism for the rich — such as for people like himself. So, he wants the U.S. Government to bail out large corporations such as Hilton, which he is “aggressively buying” on the expectation that socialism for the rich will again happen, as it did with Bush in 2008 and continued under Obama in 2009 and afterwards. At 11:55 in CNBC’s accompanying video interview of him, he said “Boeing will not survive without a government bailout,” and he said this there arguing that, for the next 30 days, government should be bailing out everything, which, of course, will not happen. (He knows it, too, but some billionaires try to be respectable to liberals — not only to conservatives — so as to keep the con going.)
The megacorporations all hire huge lobbying firms, which virtually write our laws. Basically, the lobbying firms represent America’s billionaires, who control the nation’s largest corporations and all of its international corporations. America’s billionaires expect to be bailed out again, and they actually oppose and prevent socialism for anybody else (which would be a democracy). (For example, how did Joe Biden beat Bernie Sanders? Biden represents the DNC, which represents the Party’s mega-donors, all of whom were terrified of Sanders.) And they think that the country is so corrupt that it will happen again — bailing out the top while letting everyone else flop.
This is fascism. It’s what billionaires expect, and, actually, demand. For example: who can doubt that Donald Trump will want the Trump Organization (all those hotels and resorts) to be bailed out by the federal Government? America is a gravy train for its billionaires; that’s what they expect, and what the American public tolerate (such as when, on February 29th, Biden won his first Presidential state primary in all of his long career’s three separate attempts to win the Democratic Presidential nomination).
And there is sound evidence that, this time around, just like after the 2008 crash, it will be the billionaires who get the bailouts. For example, on March 20th, Zero Hedge headlined “Confirmed: Fed Bailed Out Hedge Funds Facing Basis Trade Disaster”, and closed with “the Fed launched the repo bazooka, allowing all those who had the basis trade on to quietly exit stage left, bailed out by a deceiving Fed that told the world its mission was to rescue main street when in reality it was just making sure the billionaires had someone to dump their money-losing positions to.” (And that “someone” isn’t even nearly as much Wall Street as it is Main Street.) This is fascism. Some would call it, instead, “Robin Hood in reverse.” It’s the American reality — and has been, ever since at least around 1980.
All of the “Robin Hood in reverse” Government fits with President Trump’s priorities. On February 10th, USA Today reported that, in his new budget proposal, “Trump is proposing $740.5 billion, a 0.3% increase, in military spending for the fiscal year that begins in October. Non-defense programs would be cut by 5% to $590 billion.” And “The Wall Street Journal reported that the budget will seek $4.4 trillion in savings over a decade – and $2 trillion of that come from savings from entitlements [Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid].” Of course, if America were a democracy, then a person such as this wouldn’t have become President, at all, and also his opponent wouldn’t have been Hillary Clinton; it would have been very different types of leaders, not leaders whom the billionaires have selected; but it’s not a democracy; so, it produces leaders such as these.
Consequently, anyone who is in an economic category which will be particularly harmed by the coronavirus-19 plague (such as small businesses) can reasonably expect not to be salvaged by the politicians who nominally represent them but who actually represent those politicians’ mega-donors; and anyone such as Jeff Bezos who is in an economic category which will be particularly benefitted by this plague can reasonably expect to keep all, or almost all, of his extra winnings from it. This is how fascism is supposed to function.
Also on March 18th, Trump’s chief economic advisor, Larry Kudlow, publicly raised the possibility that the Government “might take an equity position” (buy stock) in some corporations that would otherwise be bankrupted by coronavirus. Doing that would not necessarily be bad for the American public, because it would not only prevent layoffs by those firms, but it might also produce profits for the Government selling the stock after the crisis had passed. However, it would be especially good for the other stockholders in the given corporation, by preventing it from going bankrupt — this would rescue the firm’s other stockholders. It would probably be done only for corporations that are controlled by billionaires (and that therefore possess political clout). Small locally-controlled firms would be ignored. In an authentic democracy, the billionaire-controlled firms would be ignored, and the locally controlled firms would be salvaged.
Whatever society emerges from this, after the plague has subsided and gone, will therefore probably be even more unequal in wealth than now exists. Fascism tends to concentrate wealth, and the recent history of the U.S. is fascist.
Although there has been a widespread belief that fascism lost in World War II, that was only on the military level. Fascism as an ideology continued, and, by its gradually taking over completely in the United States (euphemistically renamed there as “libertarianism”) and then being spread by this country throughout the world (euphemistically renamed there as “neoliberalism”), the ideology has won, despite the fascist nations having lost militarily in 1945. It’s a lesson for history. America wasn’t fascist then, but it is now. All indications are that with the coronavirus plague, this reality will become even more entrenched as being part of history — a post-WW-II ideological victory for fascism (“libertarianism,” or “neoliberalism”).
Every government now faces a triage of bailouts. All indications, if the present is anything like the past, are that no bailouts would be better than the bailouts that are likely to come, and that bailouts which take from the richest and give to the poorest, such as would occur in an authentic democracy (socialism for everyone but the rich), would be the best solution for the problems that are ahead of us today. That outcome would constitute an authentic democratic revolution. However, given the extreme wealth-inequality which already exists in America, it is extremely unlikely that this fascist country will become a democracy. Far likelier, it will only become yet more fascist.
—————
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
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theduran--2020-03-21--COVID-19’s Black Swan Timeline

COVID-19’s Black Swan Timeline

According to Investopedia a Black Swan event “ is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences .
Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity , their severe impact , and the widespread insistence that they were obvious in hindsight.
” In the twentieth century , the financial market crash of 1929 was a black swan event .
While Germany ’ s invasion of Poland in 1939 is sometimes attributed the same , World War 2 was partly the result of an existential power vacuum subsequent to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
911 looked like such an unpredictable surprise event but the imperial arrogance and hubris that afflicted the West for at least fifty years prior rendered the potential for 911 Blowback predictable and foretold .
* The “ Great Recession ” of 2008-2009 was spawned with reckless abandon by corrupt banks criminally endorsed by Congressional legislation .
Pillars of financial debauchery like Goldman Sachs were shorting their own subprime products anticipating the crash .
Based on such engineered systemic financial fraud the crash of ten years ago does not qualify as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial collapse of 1929 , all the foregoing resulted in some immediate plan of action to confront the particular crisis .
This time the magnitude is exponentially greater when authorities have scant idea about how to respond and media scare tactics rule the day .
The result is to place the global economy in a self-induced coma .
Searching for answers , the New World Order has none .
The great philosophers Epictetus , Socrates , and Aristotle viewed logic and science as the foundation for civilization in opposition to irrational belief systems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great philosophers believed that learning from humanity ’ s past mistakes and anticipating future events – with intent to avoid mistakes of the past — would greatly advance prospects for civilized societies .
One highly advanced civilization of the ancient world , the Etruscans , considered past cycles as indicative of future events .
Recognizing a singular relationship in years with regard to life and death , Etruscans defined their theory of Saeculum .
Saeculum posited that major cataclysmic events engendered by humans will follow a pattern of ninety-year cycles .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ age will have fully died out by the next .
For example we have the crash of 1929 and the advent of Covid-19 in 2019… .
precisely ninety years apart .
The Etruscan ’ s 90-year black swan cycle may be a bizarre coincidence , but defining COVID19 as such an event helps when confronting its ramifications .
We previously identified a unique confluence of geopolitical events threatening the western-led Warfare State .
And now a severe global health crisis – which promises to shut down the world economy — leverages this geopolitical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , in what context may this current COVID cataclysm be viewed ?
Putting aside the health factor for one moment this pandemic provides enormous cover for the far less than one percent along very broad lines : Essentially the political class now has carte blanche for : As in 911 , the Empire ’ s excuse is fear .
Perhaps not duct tape this time .
But if Elites view this pandemic as an opportunity for draconian population control then the policy carries incredible risk… and not just for the people .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain , an already highly stressed populace may lash out .
Note that in the financial sector some passive investment firms have already failed .
If oil markets can not be stabilized then the world economy is at risk .
Meanwhile , it ’ s likely that $ 1200 monthly payments to the US populace will keep folks quiet .
But what if the Fed , International Monetary Fund , and Bank of International Settlements can ’ t pay for the ponzi ?
Perhaps China will bail – indications are that China already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but not purchasing US Treasury debt .
That ’ s a big problem and a Big Risk for the US money masters .
Now there is no intent to make light of the serious health hazard posed by COVID19 .
Or to disrespect anyone who has become ill or died from the disease .
COVID19 is a deadly and serious illness .
Of that there is no doubt .
The intent here is to heighten awareness that there may be a bigger picture for the too big to jail to exploit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ World Order mired in its own criminal system of usury and theft which hopes for a way out of the pickle it created ( since 2009 ) at the expense of working people .
It ’ s just possible that those who wish to enslave us will attempt to do so using the prospect of their own demise to create an environment of escalating fear .
As this author has written for many years , when this system fails it will fail by its own hand and not by any fifth column or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may yet accomplish what Huxley and Orwell could not quite agree upon : that their vision of the future might ultimately coalesce and coexist .
So will this monetary system fail ?
Probably not .
But if the pain is deep enough , it must reinvent itself .
Contrarily , in this crisis the law of unintended consequences may yet backfire on Elites .
For now , they seem very confident .
But any hole in the COVID major media narrative or tear in the Elite ’ s agitprop universe will be carefully @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ‘ Building 7 ’ scenario arises it will not be ignored this time .
That ’ s because we ’ ve known for far more than twenty years that those who rule us in the west are largely debauched liars , perverts , and thieves .
Under their control , we should expect nothing less .
*John O ’ Neill ’ s career history and death is a remarkable indictment of all US intelligence services .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Submitted by Steve Brown…
According to Investopedia a Black Swan event “is an unpredictable event that is beyond what is normally expected of a situation and has potentially severe consequences. Black swan events are characterized by their extreme rarity, their severe impact, and the widespread insistence that they were obvious in hindsight.”
In the twentieth century, the financial market crash of 1929 was a black swan event. While Germany’s invasion of Poland in 1939 is sometimes attributed the same, World War 2 was partly the result of an existential power vacuum subsequent to the Great War and thus an extension of it. 911 looked like such an unpredictable surprise event but the imperial arrogance and hubris that afflicted the West for at least fifty years prior rendered the potential for 911 Blowback predictable and foretold.*
The “Great Recession” of 2008-2009 was spawned with reckless abandon by corrupt banks criminally endorsed by Congressional legislation. Pillars of financial debauchery like Goldman Sachs were shorting their own subprime products anticipating the crash. Based on such engineered systemic financial fraud the crash of ten years ago does not qualify as a black swan event.
Except for the financial collapse of 1929, all the foregoing resulted in some immediate plan of action to confront the particular crisis. This time the magnitude is exponentially greater when authorities have scant idea about how to respond and media scare tactics rule the day. The result is to place the global economy in a self-induced coma. Searching for answers, the New World Order has none.
The great philosophers Epictetus, Socrates, and Aristotle viewed logic and science as the foundation for civilization in opposition to irrational belief systems, superstition, and religion. The great philosophers believed that learning from humanity’s past mistakes and anticipating future events – with intent to avoid mistakes of the past — would greatly advance prospects for civilized societies. One highly advanced civilization of the ancient world, the Etruscans, considered past cycles as indicative of future events.
Recognizing a singular relationship in years with regard to life and death, Etruscans defined their theory of Saeculum. Saeculum posited that major cataclysmic events engendered by humans will follow a pattern of ninety-year cycles. So, people living through a catastrophe in one age will have fully died out by the next. For example we have the crash of 1929 and the advent of Covid-19 in 2019…. precisely ninety years apart.
The Etruscan’s 90-year black swan cycle may be a bizarre coincidence, but defining COVID19 as such an event helps when confronting its ramifications. We previously identified a unique confluence of geopolitical events threatening the western-led Warfare State. And now a severe global health crisis – which promises to shut down the world economy — leverages this geopolitical mix to an even greater extent. So, in what context may this current COVID cataclysm be viewed?
Putting aside the health factor for one moment this pandemic provides enormous cover for the far less than one percent along very broad lines:
Financial
Military
Socially
Politically
Essentially the political class now has carte blanche for:
Government bail-outs
Corporate bail-outs
Wall Street bail-outs
Control of a growing restive populace
Suppression of individual liberty
Increased militarization / powers for law enforcement
Political cover
As in 911, the Empire’s excuse is fear. Perhaps not duct tape this time. But if Elites view this pandemic as an opportunity for draconian population control then the policy carries incredible risk… and not just for the people. Should this disease ease and the controls remain, an already highly stressed populace may lash out. Note that in the financial sector some passive investment firms have already failed. If oil markets cannot be stabilized then the world economy is at risk.
Meanwhile, it’s likely that $1200 monthly payments to the US populace will keep folks quiet. But what if the Fed, International Monetary Fund, and Bank of International Settlements can’t pay for the ponzi? Perhaps China will bail – indications are that China already has. China is swapping for dollars, but not purchasing US Treasury debt. That’s a big problem and a Big Risk for the US money masters.
Now there is no intent to make light of the serious health hazard posed by COVID19. Or to disrespect anyone who has become ill or died from the disease. COVID19 is a deadly and serious illness. Of that there is no doubt. The intent here is to heighten awareness that there may be a bigger picture for the too big to jail to exploit. That picture is of a teetering New World Order mired in its own criminal system of usury and theft which hopes for a way out of the pickle it created (since 2009) at the expense of working people. It’s just possible that those who wish to enslave us will attempt to do so using the prospect of their own demise to create an environment of escalating fear.
As this author has written for many years, when this system fails it will fail by its own hand and not by any fifth column or external enemy. Until then, Elites may yet accomplish what Huxley and Orwell could not quite agree upon: that their vision of the future might ultimately coalesce and coexist. So will this monetary system fail? Probably not. But if the pain is deep enough, it must reinvent itself.
Contrarily, in this crisis the law of unintended consequences may yet backfire on Elites. For now, they seem very confident. But any hole in the COVID major media narrative or tear in the Elite’s agitprop universe will be carefully examined and amplified. If a COVID-analogous ‘Building 7’ scenario arises it will not be ignored this time. That’s because we’ve known for far more than twenty years that those who rule us in the west are largely debauched liars, perverts, and thieves. Under their control, we should expect nothing less.
*John O’Neill’s career history and death is a remarkable indictment of all US intelligence services.
Follow Steve Brown on twitter: @newsypaperz
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theduran--2020-03-21--EU’s Lack of Coronavirus Solidarity Pushes Serbia Further Towards China

Submitted by InfoBrics , authored by Paul Antonopoulos , Research Fellow at the Center for Syncretic Studies… The President of the European Commission , Ursula von der Leyen , announced in a Twitter video message that the European Union ( EU ) is restricting the export of medical devices and stressed that the ban on exports of these goods applies throughout the entire EU and is linked to the need to maintain sufficient supplies of medical supplies within the alliance .
Other European countries outside of the EU where the coronavirus has spread can not rely on medical masks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Union .
Effectively the EU has demonstrated that it does not care for humanity and solidarity outside of its borders by isolating itself from other countries and refusing to help them fight the coronavirus pandemic .
After the statement by Von der Leyen , it showed to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that the EU had not passed the test of humanity and solidarity .
Knowing he could not rely on EU assistance , the Serbian president then instead asked for help from China .
Chinese social media immediately became inundated with messages @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s help Serbia , ” “ we have to help them , ” “ of course we will help you , ” and “ we are friends.
” China thus far has assisted every country facing the coronavirus pandemic who have requested assistance – from the U.S. to African states .
However , Serbia and China share a close bond after the U.S. murdered three Chinese journalists when they destroyed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 .
And unsurprisingly , the next day on Monday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China .
Vučić then remarked that European solidarity is just a “ fairy tale on paper ” and that China was the only country who could help them .
Brussels ’ inaction or lack of interest in helping Serbia during this coronavirus pandemic , in the same way it was during the 2015 migration crisis , could finally allow some Serbians who want to join the EU to realize that Serbia has only a few international partners that it can rely on .
Although the majority of Serbs have long understood this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the so-called EU solidarity , it has been proven to be false .
Rather this pandemic has proven that once a severe crisis has been reached , the fabled liberal globalized order starts collapsing under pressure .
More powerful states have used liberalism as a hidden face to protect their own dominance and dominate the regional order , and the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated how quickly liberalism is abandoned to protect state interests as soon as it is no longer useful .
Germany as the main state influencer over the EU quickly contracted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of control in the EU and the so-called common values of the EU were no longer respected and all its solidarity disintegrated .
If we recall how German Chancellor Angela Merkel to open the borders and decided to accept illegal immigrants in 2015 , she did not think much about how this would impact other countries , especially in southern Europe , and was not interested in other views but just her own liberal agenda .
However , now that the coronavirus crisis is much worse than illegal immigration and is affecting Germany @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is in fact no solidarity and that selfish state interests always prevail in tough times .
A positive aspect of this crisis is that it is forcing in Serbian politics the real observation of liberal hegemony and agenda .
It should end any Serbian ambition of joining the EU and accelerate its embracement of the multipolar world order .
Serbia ’ s abandonment during this pandemic will make policymakers in Belgrade also realize that during the next crisis , which very well could be an economic one in the aftermath of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to look towards traditional partner like China and/or Russia , as there is no other true alternative for the Balkan country .
This is especially crucial because when we finally reach a post-coronavirus pandemic world later this year , the geopolitics and global economics will shift even more strongly towards China as the Asian country is at the beginning of the end of this crisis while Europe and the U.S. is still well within the midst of it .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Submitted by InfoBrics, authored by Paul Antonopoulos, Research Fellow at the Center for Syncretic Studies…
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, announced in a Twitter video message that the European Union (EU) is restricting the export of medical devices and stressed that the ban on exports of these goods applies throughout the entire EU and is linked to the need to maintain sufficient supplies of medical supplies within the alliance. Other European countries outside of the EU where the coronavirus has spread cannot rely on medical masks, gloves, protective clothing and respirators from the Union. Effectively the EU has demonstrated that it does not care for humanity and solidarity outside of its borders by isolating itself from other countries and refusing to help them fight the coronavirus pandemic.
After the statement by Von der Leyen, it showed to Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić that the EU had not passed the test of humanity and solidarity. Knowing he could not rely on EU assistance, the Serbian president then instead asked for help from China. Chinese social media immediately became inundated with messages of solidarity and calls of “let’s help Serbia,” “we have to help them,” “of course we will help you,” and “we are friends.”
China thus far has assisted every country facing the coronavirus pandemic who have requested assistance – from the U.S. to African states. However, Serbia and China share a close bond after the U.S. murdered three Chinese journalists when they destroyed the Chinese embassy in Belgrade during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999. And unsurprisingly, the next day on Monday, coronavirus testing kits arrived in Serbia from China. Vučić then remarked that European solidarity is just a “fairy tale on paper” and that China was the only country who could help them. Brussels’ inaction or lack of interest in helping Serbia during this coronavirus pandemic, in the same way it was during the 2015 migration crisis, could finally allow some Serbians who want to join the EU to realize that Serbia has only a few international partners that it can rely on.
Although the majority of Serbs have long understood this reality and the whole mythological story of the so-called EU solidarity, it has been proven to be false. Rather this pandemic has proven that once a severe crisis has been reached, the fabled liberal globalized order starts collapsing under pressure. More powerful states have used liberalism as a hidden face to protect their own dominance and dominate the regional order, and the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated how quickly liberalism is abandoned to protect state interests as soon as it is no longer useful.
Germany as the main state influencer over the EU quickly contracted now that the coronavirus has gotten out of control in the EU and the so-called common values of the EU were no longer respected and all its solidarity disintegrated. If we recall how German Chancellor Angela Merkel to open the borders and decided to accept illegal immigrants in 2015, she did not think much about how this would impact other countries, especially in southern Europe, and was not interested in other views but just her own liberal agenda. However, now that the coronavirus crisis is much worse than illegal immigration and is affecting Germany directly, it has become clear that there is in fact no solidarity and that selfish state interests always prevail in tough times.
A positive aspect of this crisis is that it is forcing in Serbian politics the real observation of liberal hegemony and agenda. It should end any Serbian ambition of joining the EU and accelerate its embracement of the multipolar world order. Serbia’s abandonment during this pandemic will make policymakers in Belgrade also realize that during the next crisis, which very well could be an economic one in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, they will once again have to look towards traditional partner like China and/or Russia, as there is no other true alternative for the Balkan country.
This is especially crucial because when we finally reach a post-coronavirus pandemic world later this year, the geopolitics and global economics will shift even more strongly towards China as the Asian country is at the beginning of the end of this crisis while Europe and the U.S. is still well within the midst of it.
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theduran--2020-03-21--Varoufakis drops EUROLEAKS, exposes authoritarian EU (Video)

The Duran ’ s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Greek former Minister of Finance and Secretary-General of left-wing political party MeRA25 , Yanis Varoufakis ’ Euroleaks audio file release .
Varoufakis leaked audio recordings of secretive Eurogroup talks with Greece during a tense negotiation for debt relief and restructuring .
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The former finance minister of Greece , Yanis Varoufakis , has released a cache of audio files , secretly recorded in 2015 during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a powerful group of eurozone ’ s finance chiefs .
The recordings and their transcripts were released by Varoufakis on the website of his ‘ pan-European ’ DiEM25 party on Saturday .
The files –dubbed ‘ Euroleaks ’ – were recorded between February and July 2015 , when cash-strapped Athens was entangled in painful talks with its creditors .
In 2015 , Varoufakis was the chief negotiator for then-ruling Syriza party , dealing with the Eurogroup and those behind it – the so-called ‘ troika.
’ It comprises the three main lenders of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund .
While the Eurogroup is de-jure an informal group , it is actually a powerful decision-making institute that lacks accountability and transparency – and does not keep any records .
The main goal in releasing the recordings is to shed light on its secretive activities , Varoufakis said in a video announcing the Euroleaks .
The lenders took a tough , ‘ take it or leave it ’ stance on Greece , effectively presenting it with an ultimatum .
At the same time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talks – and no records were available to prove them wrong .
“ You will hear the [ then- ] president of the Eurogroup [ Jeroen Dijsselbloem ] and other ministers warn me that if I dare table written proposals within the Eurogroup meetings , that would be the end of the negotiations , ” Varoufakis said .
“ At the very same time they were leaking to the press that I was arriving at Eurogroup meetings without any proposals.
” Apart from bringing into the limelight the “ intransparent action by an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our lives , ” the leaks also serve another purpose .
The putting in the public domain of the secret recordings is aimed at fighting attempts by the incumbent Greek government to “ weaponize fake news , ” produced by the Eurogroup back in 2015 to justify new austerity measures for the country , Varoufakis said .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and Editor-in-Chief Alexander Mercouris discuss Greek former Minister of Finance and Secretary-General of left-wing political party MeRA25, Yanis Varoufakis’ Euroleaks audio file release.
Varoufakis leaked audio recordings of secretive Eurogroup talks with Greece during a tense negotiation for debt relief and restructuring.
Support Free Speech:
Subscribe to The Duran on YouTube – Find us on BitChute.
The Duran Audio Podcast:
Follow on Soundcloud – Subscribe on iTunes.
Via RT…
The former finance minister of Greece, Yanis Varoufakis, has released a cache of audio files, secretly recorded in 2015 during the bailout talks with the Eurogroup – a powerful group of eurozone’s finance chiefs.
The recordings and their transcripts were released by Varoufakis on the website of his ‘pan-European’ DiEM25 party on Saturday. The files –dubbed ‘Euroleaks’– were recorded between February and July 2015, when cash-strapped Athens was entangled in painful talks with its creditors.
In 2015, Varoufakis was the chief negotiator for then-ruling Syriza party, dealing with the Eurogroup and those behind it – the so-called ‘troika.’ It comprises the three main lenders of the eurozone nations – the European Commission, the European Central Bank and the International Monetary Fund.
While the Eurogroup is de-jure an informal group, it is actually a powerful decision-making institute that lacks accountability and transparency – and does not keep any records. The main goal in releasing the recordings is to shed light on its secretive activities, Varoufakis said in a video announcing the Euroleaks.
The Eurogroup’s three does not keep minutes, the European Union Council is still shrouded in total opacity. It’s about time we change that.
The lenders took a tough, ‘take it or leave it’ stance on Greece, effectively presenting it with an ultimatum. At the same time, they blamed Greek negotiators for stalled talks – and no records were available to prove them wrong.
“You will hear the [then-]president of the Eurogroup [Jeroen Dijsselbloem] and other ministers warn me that if I dare table written proposals within the Eurogroup meetings, that would be the end of the negotiations,” Varoufakis said. “At the very same time they were leaking to the press that I was arriving at Eurogroup meetings without any proposals.”
Apart from bringing into the limelight the “intransparent action by an unelected group of politicians who influence all our lives,” the leaks also serve another purpose. The putting in the public domain of the secret recordings is aimed at fighting attempts by the incumbent Greek government to “weaponize fake news,” produced by the Eurogroup back in 2015 to justify new austerity measures for the country, Varoufakis said.
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theduran--2020-03-22--Coronavirus Cases Soaring Much Faster in U.S. Than in Other Countries

At present , coronavirus cases in U.S. are approximately doubling every 2 days , whereas in other countries the doubling rate is more like every 3 or 4 days .
However , the coronavirus situation has been successfully stabilized in China , where there is now actually more concern about Chinese citizens catching the disease abroad than about their catching it in their own country .
Here are U.S. figures : Here are figures in other countries : And here are a few other countries : The countries where the new cases on March 22nd were the highest ratio to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with that ratio being indicated here in parentheses , and the current total # of cases then being shown after that , are So , right now , those are the countries with the most dangerous rates of increase in coronavirus-19 cases .
The situation is currently the worst in three countries : Turkey , Luxembourg , and U.S .
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author , most recently , of They ’ re Not Even Close : The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records , 1910-2010 , and of CHRIST ’ S @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Eric Zuesse
At present, coronavirus cases in U.S. are approximately doubling every 2 days, whereas in other countries the doubling rate is more like every 3 or 4 days. However, the coronavirus situation has been successfully stabilized in China, where there is now actually more concern about Chinese citizens catching the disease abroad than about their catching it in their own country.
Here are U.S. figures:
March 17 = 6,411
March 18 = 9,259
March 19 = 13,789
March 20 = 19,383
Here are figures in other countries:
Spain
March 17 = 11,409
March 18 = 13,716
March 19 = 17,147
March 20 = 19,980
Germany
March 17 = 8,061
March 18 = 11,333
March 19 = 12,307
March 20 = 18,608
Italy
March 17 = 31,506
March 18 = 35,713
March 19 = 41,035
March 20 = 47,021
UK
March 17 = 1,950
March 18 = 2,689
March 19 = 3,268
March 20 = 3,983
France
March 17 = 7,730
March 18 = 9,134
March 19 = 10,995
March 20 = 12,612
And here are a few other countries:
China
March 17 = 80,894
March 18 = 80,928
March 19 = 80,967
March 20 = 81,008
Iran
March 17 = 16,169
March 18 = 17,361
March 19 = 18,407
March 20 = 19,644
S. Korea
March 17 = 8,320
March 18 = 8,413
March 19 = 8,565
March 20 = 8,652
Switzerland
March 17 = 2,742
March 18 = 3,115
March 19 = 4,222
March 20 = 5,615
The countries where the new cases on March 22nd were the highest ratio to all existing cases were as follows, with that ratio being indicated here in parentheses, and the current total # of cases then being shown after that, are
Turkey (30%) 947
Luxembourg (28%) 484
U.S. (27%) 26,685
Pakistan (22%) 645
UK (21%) 5,018
Poland (21%) 536
Portugal (20%) 1,280
Israel (20%) 883
Chile (19%) 537
Switzerland (18%) 6,863
Netherlands (18%) 3,631
So, right now, those are the countries with the most dangerous rates of increase in coronavirus-19 cases. The situation is currently the worst in three countries: Turkey, Luxembourg, and U.S.
—————
Investigative historian Eric Zuesse is the author, most recently, of They’re Not Even Close: The Democratic vs. Republican Economic Records, 1910-2010, and of CHRIST’S VENTRILOQUISTS: The Event that Created Christianity.
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theduran--2020-03-23--Patriarch Kirill: We must realize the fragility of our civilization

Our faith has not been in God , but in ourselves and our supposedly mighty civilization .
But now , COVID-19 is showing us how mighty that civilization really is .
Patriarch Kirill spoke on this topic today in his sermon in Moscow .
This is translated from patriarchia.ru for our English-speaking readers .
On March 22 , 2020 , on the 3rd Holy Lent Week , The Sunday of the Holy Cross , His Holiness Kirill , Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia , celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St .
Basil the Great in the church of Prince @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At the end of the service , the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the faithful with a sermon .
Your Eminences and Graces !
Dear masters , fathers , brothers and sisters !
I am glad that the Lord brought me to this temple today to share the Sunday prayer with you on the day when we remember the sufferings of the Lord and Savior and worship His Life-giving Cross .
In today ’ s reading of the book of Hebrews ( 4 : 14-5 : 6 ) , the apostle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Throne of God in order to receive mercy and gain grace for timely help .
This call seems to be specifically addressed to us today .
Naturally , in a difficult time , when an epidemic has begun in the country and in the world , a person first of all thinks about his own salvation .
This is inherent in the nature of man , and , of course , everything must be done in order to protect yourself , family , friends , your environment from the spread of infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ common danger arises , human connections are often destroyed and everyone begins to think only about themselves .
Sometimes this leads to the loss of a human face , to internecine warfare , to clashes , to public collapses .
Today ’ s apostolic reading calls us to maintain our ability to do good deeds and to do good deeds .
Despite the infection , which provokes the alienation of one person from another , we must not forget our neighbors and to the best of our ability and ability to help them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary instructions so as not to be carriers of infection .
Today , our support is especially needed by elderly people , lonely people , deprived of the opportunity to even go for groceries – there are probably such people among our neighbors , relatives and friends .
Therefore , in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors from the spread of infection , we must remember that no one canceled the performance of good deeds , and it is no coincidence that the words of the Apostle from Hebrews were read for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lord strengthen us all .
Let us pray for our country , for our people , for the whole world .
Unlike secular specialists who have their own explanations for the causes of this almost global epidemic , we must look at the situation through the prism of our spiritual knowledge and think : what does all this mean ?
Why does the Lord let an ulcer infect many people ?
And the opportunity arises to think not only about the wrath of God , as happened in history , but rather about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calls on our self-confident technological civilization , which believes that everything is available to it and everything is possible , to assess the limits of its capabilities and realize its fragility .
Indeed , we have amazing scientific research and its results that are being realized .
But the Lord seems to tell us : “ with all your might , you are very fragile , you are really weak , you must rely – not only in times of cataclysm , but also in every day of your life – on My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all human force.
” Yes , we are obliged to observe all necessary sanitary rules , in no case ignoring them , as malicious people do , but calling themselves believers who declare : “ where is our faith if we are afraid of infection ?
” Some wise man , responding to this absurdity , said : “ But you cross yourself and jump from the fifth floor !
But you won ’ t do it , trusting in your faith !
Then why are you pushing people to break the rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Faith must give us strength in order to overcome ailments , to support our loved ones , so that , despite the restriction of movement and other restrictions that are introduced today in human society , we should in no case lose the ability to do good , as this is taught by us today ’ s apostolic reading .
We must remain people who are able to love and help others , and at the same time conscious and disciplined enough to carry out everything that needs to be done from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to certain sanitary rules .
I want to say once again : the appearance of this disease should help us understand the crisis of self-confidence and pride that human civilization is today .
The Lord admonishes us in different ways .
He shows today the limitations of our capabilities not for us to give up , not for us to fall into confusion , not for us to lose our ability to resist , but for us to realize our own fragility and fragility of modern human civilization .
And so that while @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no case lose spiritual optimism , we nonetheless understand that God is above everything and His omnipotent right hand is above everything .
The current circumstances should further strengthen our faith .
And those who doubt will , perhaps , go through these trials and , with the right attitude towards them , from those who doubt , will become believers .
Let us hope that one of the unbelievers will see the hand of God and His mercy in trials , and the hearts of people who were stone yesterday will open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Abraham , as the Word of God tells us about this .
Therefore , with faith and hope in the Lord , we must go through these test days .
Once again I want to say : not neglecting any sanitary rules and medical instructions , but at the same time maintaining a strong faith .
May these trials help us look at ourselves from a critical point of view , ask ourselves the questions of our own life : are we all right ?
are we all good ?
or are we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( but still very different from former times ) to well-being ?
May the Lord help us to maintain health .
May the Lord keep our people , our Fatherland and the whole world in health and prosperity , and may the Lord strengthen through this test our faith and hope in His almighty right hand .
Amen .
– Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Our faith has not been in God, but in ourselves and our supposedly mighty civilization. But now, COVID-19 is showing us how mighty that civilization really is. Patriarch Kirill spoke on this topic today in his sermon in Moscow.
This is translated from patriarchia.ru for our English-speaking readers.
——
On March 22, 2020, on the 3rd Holy Lent Week, The Sunday of the Holy Cross, His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, celebrated the Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great in the church of Prince Igor Chernigovsky in Peredelkino, Moscow. At the end of the service, the Primate of the Russian Orthodox Church addressed the faithful with a sermon.
Your Eminences and Graces! Dear masters, fathers, brothers and sisters!
I am glad that the Lord brought me to this temple today to share the Sunday prayer with you on the day when we remember the sufferings of the Lord and Savior and worship His Life-giving Cross. In today’s reading of the book of Hebrews (4: 14-5: 6), the apostle calls on us to draw near to the Throne of God in order to receive mercy and gain grace for timely help.
This call seems to be specifically addressed to us today. Naturally, in a difficult time, when an epidemic has begun in the country and in the world, a person first of all thinks about his own salvation. This is inherent in the nature of man, and, of course, everything must be done in order to protect yourself, family, friends, your environment from the spread of infection.
But we know: when a common danger arises, human connections are often destroyed and everyone begins to think only about themselves. Sometimes this leads to the loss of a human face, to internecine warfare, to clashes, to public collapses. Today’s apostolic reading calls us to maintain our ability to do good deeds and to do good deeds. Despite the infection, which provokes the alienation of one person from another, we must not forget our neighbors and to the best of our ability and ability to help them – of course, following all the necessary instructions so as not to be carriers of infection. Today, our support is especially needed by elderly people, lonely people, deprived of the opportunity to even go for groceries – there are probably such people among our neighbors, relatives and friends. Therefore, in order to protect ourselves and our neighbors from the spread of infection, we must remember that no one canceled the performance of good deeds, and it is no coincidence that the words of the Apostle from Hebrews were read for all of us today.
May the Lord strengthen us all. Let us pray for our country, for our people, for the whole world. Unlike secular specialists who have their own explanations for the causes of this almost global epidemic, we must look at the situation through the prism of our spiritual knowledge and think: what does all this mean? Why does the Lord let an ulcer infect many people? And the opportunity arises to think not only about the wrath of God, as happened in history, but rather about the mercy of God. The Lord calls on our self-confident technological civilization, which believes that everything is available to it and everything is possible, to assess the limits of its capabilities and realize its fragility.
Indeed, we have amazing scientific research and its results that are being realized. But the Lord seems to tell us: “with all your might, you are very fragile, you are really weak, you must rely – not only in times of cataclysm, but also in every day of your life – on My help, on a force that exceeds all human force.”
Yes, we are obliged to observe all necessary sanitary rules, in no case ignoring them, as malicious people do, but calling themselves believers who declare: “where is our faith if we are afraid of infection?” Some wise man, responding to this absurdity, said: “But you cross yourself and jump from the fifth floor! But you won’t do it, trusting in your faith! Then why are you pushing people to break the rules that must be followed by faith?”
Faith must give us strength in order to overcome ailments, to support our loved ones, so that, despite the restriction of movement and other restrictions that are introduced today in human society, we should in no case lose the ability to do good, as this is taught by us today’s apostolic reading. We must remain people who are able to love and help others, and at the same time conscious and disciplined enough to carry out everything that needs to be done from a medical point of view, subject to certain sanitary rules.
I want to say once again: the appearance of this disease should help us understand the crisis of self-confidence and pride that human civilization is today. The Lord admonishes us in different ways. He shows today the limitations of our capabilities not for us to give up, not for us to fall into confusion, not for us to lose our ability to resist, but for us to realize our own fragility and fragility of modern human civilization. And so that while we continue to work, and in no case lose spiritual optimism, we nonetheless understand that God is above everything and His omnipotent right hand is above everything.
The current circumstances should further strengthen our faith. And those who doubt will, perhaps, go through these trials and, with the right attitude towards them, from those who doubt, will become believers. Let us hope that one of the unbelievers will see the hand of God and His mercy in trials, and the hearts of people who were stone yesterday will open, and they will become children of Abraham, as the Word of God tells us about this.
Therefore, with faith and hope in the Lord, we must go through these test days. Once again I want to say: not neglecting any sanitary rules and medical instructions, but at the same time maintaining a strong faith. May these trials help us look at ourselves from a critical point of view, ask ourselves the questions of our own life: are we all right? are we all good? or are we too used to at least relative, (but still very different from former times) to well-being?
May the Lord help us to maintain health. May the Lord keep our people, our Fatherland and the whole world in health and prosperity, and may the Lord strengthen through this test our faith and hope in His almighty right hand. Amen.
– Press Service of the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia
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