lewrockwell--2020-01-20--Heart Disease Roars Back: Why?

Heart Disease Roars Back: Why?

The Wall Street Journal published ( 1.15.20 ) a front-page article titled , “ Heart Disease Roars Back , Even in Healthy Places.
” ( 1 ) The article reports , “ Americans are dying of heart disease and stroke at a rising rate in middle age , normally considered the prime years of life.
” How can that be ?
We have spent untold trillions of dollars fighting this scourge .
Americans spend more on health care than any other people on the planet , yet these are the headlines we are faced with .
I am not surprised @ @ @ @ @ @ @ writing to you for over two decades about this issue .
Conventional medicine and the Big Pharma Cartel have worked hard to erroneously convince us that high cholesterol levels are the reason why we have so much heart disease .
Big Pharma would like you to believe that the lower your cholesterol level , the healthier you will be .
Additionally , the Powers-That-Be ( which includes conventional medicine ) have been pushing the idea that everyone needs to be treated with cholesterol-lowering medications in order to lower the rate of heart disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Price : $ 28.40 So , what has happened over the last few decades ?
Statins are the most profitable medications in the history of Big Pharma .
Over one-third of adult Americans are currently prescribed a statin medication .
That number has been steadily increasing over the last 25 years .
And , guess what ?
Over this time period , our cholesterol levels have been falling .
( 2 ) If statins were so great at preventing heart disease , you would think that studies would show a declining heart disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That has not happened !
Folks , I wrote to educate you about the failure of statin drugs .
Continuing to promote statin drugs reminds me of the continuing saga of Charlie Brown trying to kick the ball as Lucy is holding it .
Just as he approaches the football , Lucy pulls it away and Charlie falls to the ground .
You would think Charlie would get the idea of what is going to happen when Lucy is holding the ball .
Similarly , you would think cardiologists would finally get the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be scrapped .
Statins , in the best of the studies , have been shown to help about one percent who take them .
That means that approximately 99 % who take them receive no benefit .
When you factor in the side effects which include dementia , muscle aches and pains , ALS , and depression–along with their costs–I simply do not understand how they are still prescribed .
The Best of Dr. David Brownstein

The Wall Street Journal published (1.15.20) a front-page article titled, “Heart Disease Roars Back, Even in Healthy Places.” (1) The article reports, “Americans are dying of heart disease and stroke at a rising rate in middle age, normally considered the prime years of life.”
How can that be? We have spent untold trillions of dollars fighting this scourge. Americans spend more on health care than any other people on the planet, yet these are the headlines we are faced with.
I am not surprised by this article. I have been writing to you for over two decades about this issue. Conventional medicine and the Big Pharma Cartel have worked hard to erroneously convince us that high cholesterol levels are the reason why we have so much heart disease. Big Pharma would like you to believe that the lower your cholesterol level, the healthier you will be. Additionally, the Powers-That-Be (which includes conventional medicine) have been pushing the idea that everyone needs to be treated with cholesterol-lowering medications in order to lower the rate of heart disease.
The Statin Disaster David Brownstein Best Price: $24.83 (as of 06:30 UTC - Details) So, what has happened over the last few decades? Statins are the most profitable medications in the history of Big Pharma. Over one-third of adult Americans are currently prescribed a statin medication. That number has been steadily increasing over the last 25 years. And, guess what? Over this time period, our cholesterol levels have been falling. (2)
If statins were so great at preventing heart disease, you would think that studies would show a declining heart disease rate over the last 25 years.
That has not happened!
Folks, I wrote The Statin Disaster to educate you about the failure of statin drugs. Continuing to promote statin drugs reminds me of the continuing saga of Charlie Brown trying to kick the ball as Lucy is holding it. Just as he approaches the football, Lucy pulls it away and Charlie falls to the ground. You would think Charlie would get the idea of what is going to happen when Lucy is holding the ball.
Similarly, you would think cardiologists would finally get the idea that the cholesterol=heart diseases hypothesis should be scrapped.
Statins, in the best of the studies, have been shown to help about one percent who take them. That means that approximately 99% who take them receive no benefit. When you factor in the side effects which include dementia, muscle aches and pains, ALS, and depression–along with their costs–I simply do not understand how they are still prescribed.
Read the Whole Article
The Best of Dr. David Brownstein


Guaido’s Last Ride

Remember Juan Guaido ?
Just a year ago the Venezuelan politician , unknown even in his own country , was tapped by the US government to lead a coup against the elected government of Nicolas Maduro .
In a phone call with no less than Vice President Mike Pence himself , Guaido was told that if he declared himself president the US would back him .
So…he did .
Guaido hadn ’ t received a single vote to be president in Venezuela ’ s election – in fact he never even ran for the office – but such absurdity has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ military coups overseas .
All done in the name of “ democracy , ” to be sure .
News of US recognition of Guaido as the lawful president of Venezuela led to an avalanche of lies meant to bolster Washington ’ s claim that Maduro must be overthrown because he was making war on his own people .
The claim that the elections were invalid because of fraud were the product of the Foggy Bottom foghorn , amplified by US government funded entities like the Organization of American States instead of any actual @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : A Ro ... Llewellyn H Rockwell Jr Best Price : $ 13.57 Buy New $ 8.00 The US government staged several stunts on Venezuela ’ s border with Columbia in attempt to provoke the Maduro government into over-reaction .
Washington claimed that much-needed aid was sitting on the border but Maduro had closed it off – a lie easily debunked by the fact that the border crossing had never been open .
Washington ’ s tears over the suffering Venezuelans were more of the crocodile variety .
After all , an estimated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chokehold of increasingly crippling US sanctions and none of Washington ’ s regime changers has raised a whisper about the suffering .
Sadly , many libertarians also fell for the State Department lies about Venezuela .
This was all about the “ free market ” versus “ socialism , ” they chanted .
There was no logic in their mantra .
If all of Venezuela ’ s problems were the result of its “ socialism , ” how would the installation of a leader picked by the State Department set them on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since when has the US government given a damn about free markets and weakening the power of the state ?
If anything , US foreign policy strongly favors concentration of power in governments overseas .
A strong central government is easier to strong-arm in a direction favored by US elites .
Besides , if libertarians really hoped to weaken the power of Maduro over the Venezuelan economy they would have put their energy into opposing US sanctions rather than backing the hapless State Department stooge Guaido .
Like all sanctions , US sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the economy to the central government : rationing , price controls , more bureaucracy , etc .
are all the result of US sanctions .
So back to Guaido .
After several comically failed attempts to wrest power away from Nicolas Maduro , it became obvious that the State Department “ experts ” were once again believing their own propaganda and using it to drive policy : no one showed up in the street to back Guaido because he had no following inside Venezuela .
Swords Into Plowshares ... Ron Paul Best Price @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Because Washington loves nothing more than doubling down on bad policies – and because they will spend other people ’ s money with reckless abandon – the US government , realizing that their man in Caracas would never be king , settled for quietly paying the salaries of the corrupt circles around Guaido .
Earlier this month the year-long neocon fantasy of a Mike Pence-appointed president ensconced in Miraflores Palace finally came to an end .
The opposition-dominated National Assembly had split amidst in-fighting and that last scrap of hope that Guaido clung @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ripped from his fingers when the legislative body voted to oust him from his post .
Though opposed to Maduro , the National Assembly was even more opposed to Guaido , voting convincingly end the Guaido era and elect fellow oppositionist Luis Parra .
The US foreign policy establishment , being the hammer that only sees nails , reacted to the end of the Guaido era the only what it knows how : in addition to sanctions across the board on the government of Nicolas Maduro , Washington announced that it would also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maduro government !
This is US foreign policy in a nutshell…or should we say “ nuthouse ” ?
The Best of Daniel McAdams

Remember Juan Guaido? Just a year ago the Venezuelan politician, unknown even in his own country, was tapped by the US government to lead a coup against the elected government of Nicolas Maduro. In a phone call with no less than Vice President Mike Pence himself, Guaido was told that if he declared himself president the US would back him. So…he did.
Guaido hadn’t received a single vote to be president in Venezuela’s election – in fact he never even ran for the office – but such absurdity has never stopped the US government from backing military coups overseas. All done in the name of “democracy,” to be sure.
News of US recognition of Guaido as the lawful president of Venezuela led to an avalanche of lies meant to bolster Washington’s claim that Maduro must be overthrown because he was making war on his own people. The claim that the elections were invalid because of fraud were the product of the Foggy Bottom foghorn, amplified by US government funded entities like the Organization of American States instead of any actual evidence or investigation.
Against the Left: A Ro... Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn H Best Price: $2.85 Buy New $8.00 (as of 07:59 UTC - Details) The US government staged several stunts on Venezuela’s border with Columbia in attempt to provoke the Maduro government into over-reaction. Washington claimed that much-needed aid was sitting on the border but Maduro had closed it off – a lie easily debunked by the fact that the border crossing had never been open. Washington’s tears over the suffering Venezuelans were more of the crocodile variety. After all, an estimated 40,000 Venezuelan civilians have died in the chokehold of increasingly crippling US sanctions and none of Washington’s regime changers has raised a whisper about the suffering.
Sadly, many libertarians also fell for the State Department lies about Venezuela. This was all about the “free market” versus “socialism,” they chanted. There was no logic in their mantra. If all of Venezuela’s problems were the result of its “socialism,” how would the installation of a leader picked by the State Department set them on the path to freedom and free markets? Since when has the US government given a damn about free markets and weakening the power of the state? If anything, US foreign policy strongly favors concentration of power in governments overseas. A strong central government is easier to strong-arm in a direction favored by US elites.
Besides, if libertarians really hoped to weaken the power of Maduro over the Venezuelan economy they would have put their energy into opposing US sanctions rather than backing the hapless State Department stooge Guaido. Like all sanctions, US sanctions on Venezuela delivered far more power over the economy to the central government: rationing, price controls, more bureaucracy, etc. are all the result of US sanctions.
So back to Guaido. After several comically failed attempts to wrest power away from Nicolas Maduro, it became obvious that the State Department “experts” were once again believing their own propaganda and using it to drive policy: no one showed up in the street to back Guaido because he had no following inside Venezuela.
Swords Into Plowshares... Paul, Ron Best Price: $4.00 Buy New $15.99 (as of 11:36 UTC - Details) Because Washington loves nothing more than doubling down on bad policies – and because they will spend other people’s money with reckless abandon – the US government, realizing that their man in Caracas would never be king, settled for quietly paying the salaries of the corrupt circles around Guaido.
Earlier this month the year-long neocon fantasy of a Mike Pence-appointed president ensconced in Miraflores Palace finally came to an end. The opposition-dominated National Assembly had split amidst in-fighting and that last scrap of hope that Guaido clung to as leader of the Assembly was ripped from his fingers when the legislative body voted to oust him from his post. Though opposed to Maduro, the National Assembly was even more opposed to Guaido, voting convincingly end the Guaido era and elect fellow oppositionist Luis Parra.
The US foreign policy establishment, being the hammer that only sees nails, reacted to the end of the Guaido era the only what it knows how: in addition to sanctions across the board on the government of Nicolas Maduro, Washington announced that it would also slap sanctions on the opposition to the Maduro government!
This is US foreign policy in a nutshell…or should we say “nuthouse”?
The Best of Daniel McAdams


lewrockwell--2020-01-20--Key Architect of 2003 Iraq War Is Now a Key Architect of Trump Iran Policy

a longtime advocate of war with Iraq in the Bush administration .
Eventually , he got what he wanted , and it was a total disaster .
Now , Wurmser again has the ear of a president — this time , Donald Trump — and his sights are set firmly on Iran .
An influential neoconservative in President George W. Bush ’ s White House who became a significant force behind the push for war with Iraq in 2003 , Wurmser has recently been serving as an informal adviser to the Trump administration , according to new reporting from Bloomberg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ helped make the case for the recent drone strike that assassinated Iranian Gen. Qassim Suleimani .
Wurmser wrote several memos to then-national security adviser John Bolton in May and June of 2019 .
In the documents , according to Bloomberg , Wurmser argued that aggressive action by the U.S. — such as the killing of Suleimani — would , in Wurmser ’ s words , “ rattle the delicate internal balance of forces and the control over them upon which the [ Iranian ] regime depends for stability and survival.
” Against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Rockwell Jr Best Price : $ 13.57 Buy New $ 8.00 The significance of this is two-fold .
First , while it was already clear that the neoconservative movement has powerfully influenced the Trump administration , Wurmser ’ s role on Iran is further evidence of the sway that neoconservatism still holds on the U.S. right — despite the catastrophic invasion of Iraq and Trump ’ s disavowal of the war .
Second , it demonstrates that neoconservatives such as Wurmser still cherish a peculiar theory about Iranian society .
After Bush ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faction of his administration turned its attention to Iran .
These officials had always wanted regime change in the Islamic Republic , but now some of them believed that a full-scale invasion would not be necessary to bring this about .
A 2005 article in the New Yorker by Seymour Hersh quoted a government consultant who described the perspective of these officials as being that a bombing campaign against Iran ’ s nuclear facilities would spur a revolution led by “ secular nationalists and reformers.
” The consultant summarized their view : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mullahs enjoy is shattered , and with it the ability to hoodwink the West , the Iranian regime will collapse .
”

DAVID WURMSER WAS a longtime advocate of war with Iraq in the Bush administration. Eventually, he got what he wanted, and it was a total disaster. Now, Wurmser again has the ear of a president — this time, Donald Trump — and his sights are set firmly on Iran.
An influential neoconservative in President George W. Bush’s White House who became a significant force behind the push for war with Iraq in 2003, Wurmser has recently been serving as an informal adviser to the Trump administration, according to new reporting from Bloomberg News. In that capacity, Wurmser helped make the case for the recent drone strike that assassinated Iranian Gen. Qassim Suleimani.
Wurmser wrote several memos to then-national security adviser John Bolton in May and June of 2019. In the documents, according to Bloomberg, Wurmser argued that aggressive action by the U.S. — such as the killing of Suleimani — would, in Wurmser’s words, “rattle the delicate internal balance of forces and the control over them upon which the [Iranian] regime depends for stability and survival.” Against the Left: A Ro... Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn H Best Price: $2.85 Buy New $8.00 (as of 07:59 UTC - Details)
The significance of this is two-fold. First, while it was already clear that the neoconservative movement has powerfully influenced the Trump administration, Wurmser’s role on Iran is further evidence of the sway that neoconservatism still holds on the U.S. right — despite the catastrophic invasion of Iraq and Trump’s disavowal of the war. Second, it demonstrates that neoconservatives such as Wurmser still cherish a peculiar theory about Iranian society.
After Bush’s reelection in 2005, the hard-right faction of his administration turned its attention to Iran. These officials had always wanted regime change in the Islamic Republic, but now some of them believed that a full-scale invasion would not be necessary to bring this about. A 2005 article in the New Yorker by Seymour Hersh quoted a government consultant who described the perspective of these officials as being that a bombing campaign against Iran’s nuclear facilities would spur a revolution led by “secular nationalists and reformers.” The consultant summarized their view: “The minute the aura of invincibility which the mullahs enjoy is shattered, and with it the ability to hoodwink the West, the Iranian regime will collapse.”
Read the Whole Article


lewrockwell--2020-01-20--A Description of the Lost Land of Atlantis & the Reason For Its Downfall – According To Plato

Advanced ancient civilizations are a big topic of interest among researchers , historians , archaeologists , and scientists .
Every single year we are gifted with a mysterious find that has us questioning the origins of the human race and imagining the cultures which roamed the our planet before us .
We have found much evidence to suggest that there may have been civilizations in existence before us which were intellectually , and even technologically superior .
That being said , this theory is still thought to be quite fantastical ; despite all of the evidence which has been brought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this notion , it is still largely ignored by the mainstream .
If you are interested in looking at some of this evidence , a great place to start is with author Graham Hancock , in his book titled The Magicians of The Gods .
If you start talking about the lost , ancient city of Atlantis , most people will probably think that you ’ re living in ‘ la la ’ land .
Many people are unaware that this city has been seriously studied for hundreds of years .
For example @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a subject of significant importance for researchers at the Smithsonian Institution , as emphasized by their Annual Report of the Board of Regents of The Smithsonian Institution for the year ending June 30th , 1915 .
In the report , author M. Pierre Termeir , a member of the Academy of Sciences and Director of Service of the Geologic Chart of France , gives a lecture regarding the Atlantean civilization .
He makes a compelling case for further study of this lost city : After a long period of disdainful indifference , observe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is returning to the study of Atlantis .
How many naturalists , geologists , zoologists , or botanists are asking one another today whether Plato has not transmitted to us , with slight amplification , a page from the actual history of mankind .
No affirmation is yet permissible ; but it seems more and more evident that a vast region , continental or made up of great islands , has collapsed west of the Pillars of Hercules , otherwise called the Straight of Gibraltar , and that its collapse occurred in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ event , the question of Atlantis is placed anew before men of science ; and since I do not believe that it can ever be solved without the aid of oceanography , I have thought it natural to discuss it here , in this temple of maritime science , and to call to such a problem , long scorned but now being revived , the attention of oceanographers , as well as the attention of those who , though immersed in the tumult of cities , lend an ear to the distant murmur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this full report here , starting on page 219 .
In his lecture , M. Termeir goes on to present zoologic , geographic , and geologic data to support the existence of the lost Atlantean civilization.Not only that , archaeological discoveries on the ocean floor have also raised some questions… Plato , the ancient Greek philosopher , provides a description of Atlantis in his dialogue Critias , which was never completed .
The following is a summary of his depiction , these are a few of many points I am taking from Manly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All Ages • Atlantis was inhabited by ‘ earth-born ’ and ‘ primitive ’ human beings .
One of them was wooed by the god Poseidon , who interbred with the human beings , and they eventually bore five children .
This interbreeding between gods and humans is a common theme in many historical texts found throughout the world .
• The land was divided into concentric zones of land and water .
Two zones of land and three zones of water surrounded the central island , which had warm springs of water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Atlantis became an established country , with a wise government and an industry that sprung them to advanced technological heights — beyond even what we have reached today .
• Atlantis had limitless resources , wild animals , and precious metals , and was heavily populated .
• Atlantis was full of large and beautiful palaces , temples , docks , and a network of various bridges and canals that united different sections of the kingdom .
• White , black and red stones were used in the construction of public buildings .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ zones with a wall , the outer wall being covered with brass , the middle with tin , and the inner , which encompassed the citadel , with orichalch .
The citadel , on the central island , contained the palaces , temples , and other public buildings .
In its center , surrounded by a wall of gold , was a sanctuary dedicated to Cleito and Poseidon.
” ( source ) • Atlantis had a number of gardens , full of hot and cold springs .
There were countless temples , public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ man and animal .
• “ The part of Atlantis facing the sea was described as lofty and precipitous , but about the central city was a plain sheltered by mountains renowned for their size , number , and beauty .
The plain yielded two crops each year , in the winter being watered by rains and in the summer by immense irrigation canals , which were also used for transportation .
The plain was divided into sections and in time of war each section supplied its quota of fighting men and chariots.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ massive , ruled by multiple kings who all had control over their land .
Their relationships with the other kings were governed by an original code of ethics that was engraved by the first ten kings .
“ The chief laws of the Atlantean kings were that they should not take up arms against each other and that they should come to the assistance of any of their number who was attacked.
” ( source ) These are the essential points Plato makes about Atlantis .
He described it as a great and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that this was the same empire which attacked the Hellenic states .
He attributes the power and glory they tasted after this venture to their eventual demise , writing that the love for these ego-driven desires that soon developed among Atlantean kings “ lured ” them from “ the pathway of wisdom and virtue.
” “ Filled with false ambition , the rulers of Atlantis determined to conquer the gods into his holy habitation and addressed them .
Here Plato ’ s narrative comes to an abrupt end , for the Critias @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Plato also tackles the subject of Atlantis in his Timaeus , writing of a story told by Solon — who himself is said to have heard the story in Egypt , passed on to him by a priest via hieroglyphic inscriptions in a temple in Sais — in which a violent cataclysm sank the continent .
Thus , the Island of Atlantis completely disappeared .
( source ) “ A technologically sophisticated but morally bankrupt evil empire – Atlantis – attempts world domination by force .
The only thing standing it its way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pure , morally principled and incorruptible people – the ancient Athenians .
Overcoming overwhelming odds .
.
.
the Athenians are able to defeat their far more powerful adversary simply through the force of their spirit .
Sound familiar ?
Plato ’ s Atlantean dialogues are essentially an ancient greek version of ‘ Star Wars.
’ ” – Ken Feder , professor of archaeology , taken from his book “ Frauds , Myths and Mysteries : Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology.
” The Egyptian connection is also interesting to bring up here because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asserted that the Egyptian priests declared the story of Atlantis to be written upon pillars which were still preserved circa 300 B.C .
Magicians of the Gods : ... Graham Hancock Best Price : $ 11.09 Buy New $ 12.29 Manly P. Hall has noted that , before this cataclysm , a portion of the population left and did not succumb to the egoistic tendencies which apparently led to the downfall of Atlantis .
Was the philosophic , religious , and scientific knowledge of Atlantis passed on ?
There are many similarities between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of other cultures , such as the Mayas of Central America .
According to Manly P. Hall , from the Atlanteans , “ the world received not only the heritage of arts and crafts , philosophies , and sciences , ethics and religions , but also the heritage of hate , strife , and perversion .
The Atlanteans instigated the first war ; and it has been said that all subsequent wars were fought in a fruitless effort to justify the first one and right the wrong which it caused.
” ( source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ illuminated Initiates , who realized that their land was doomed because it had departed from the Path of Light , withdrew from the ill fated continent .
Carrying with them the sacred and secret doctrine , these Atlanteans established themselves in Egypt , where they became its first divine rulers .
Nearly all the great cosmologic myths forming the foundation of the various sacred books of the world are based upon the Atlantean Mystery Rituals.
” ( source ) One of the most interesting parts of this story , to me , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remembered as a place of glory , light , and abundance , which it was .
But they were not immune to the dangers of avarice , either , as H.P .
Blavatsky makes clear : “ Under the evil insinuations of their demon , Thevatat , the Atlantis race became a nation of wicked magicians .
In consequence of this , war was declared , the story of which would be too long to narrate ; its substance may be found in the disfigured allegories of the race of Cain , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his righteous family .
The conflict came to an end by the submersion of the Atlantis , which finds its imitation in the stories of the Babylonian and Mosaic flood.
” ( source )

Advanced ancient civilizations are a big topic of interest among researchers, historians, archaeologists, and scientists. Every single year we are gifted with a mysterious find that has us questioning the origins of the human race and imagining the cultures which roamed the our planet before us. We have found much evidence to suggest that there may have been civilizations in existence before us which were intellectually, and even technologically superior. That being said, this theory is still thought to be quite fantastical; despite all of the evidence which has been brought to light in recent years to support this notion, it is still largely ignored by the mainstream. If you are interested in looking at some of this evidence, a great place to start is with author Graham Hancock, in his book titled The Magicians of The Gods.
Atlantis
If you start talking about the lost, ancient city of Atlantis, most people will probably think that you’re living in ‘la la’ land. Many people are unaware that this city has been seriously studied for hundreds of years. For example, we can see that it was a subject of significant importance for researchers at the Smithsonian Institution, as emphasized by their Annual Report of the Board of Regents of The Smithsonian Institution for the year ending June 30th, 1915.
In the report, author M. Pierre Termeir, a member of the Academy of Sciences and Director of Service of the Geologic Chart of France, gives a lecture regarding the Atlantean civilization. He makes a compelling case for further study of this lost city: Magicians of the Gods:... Hancock, Graham Best Price: $9.00 Buy New $14.89 (as of 07:17 UTC - Details)
After a long period of disdainful indifference, observe how in the last few years science is returning to the study of Atlantis. How many naturalists, geologists, zoologists, or botanists are asking one another today whether Plato has not transmitted to us, with slight amplification, a page from the actual history of mankind. No affirmation is yet permissible; but it seems more and more evident that a vast region, continental or made up of great islands, has collapsed west of the Pillars of Hercules, otherwise called the Straight of Gibraltar, and that its collapse occurred in the not far distant past. In any event, the question of Atlantis is placed anew before men of science; and since I do not believe that it can ever be solved without the aid of oceanography, I have thought it natural to discuss it here, in this temple of maritime science, and to call to such a problem, long scorned but now being revived, the attention of oceanographers, as well as the attention of those who, though immersed in the tumult of cities, lend an ear to the distant murmur of the sea.
You can read this full report here, starting on page 219.
In his lecture, M. Termeir goes on to present zoologic, geographic, and geologic data to support the existence of the lost Atlantean civilization.Not only that, archaeological discoveries on the ocean floor have also raised some questions…
Plato’s Description of Atlantis
Plato, the ancient Greek philosopher, provides a description of Atlantis in his dialogue Critias, which was never completed. The following is a summary of his depiction, these are a few of many points I am taking from Manly P. Halls, The Secret Teachings of All Ages
Atlantis was inhabited by ‘earth-born’ and ‘primitive’ human beings. One of them was wooed by the god Poseidon, who interbred with the human beings, and they eventually bore five children. This interbreeding between gods and humans is a common theme in many historical texts found throughout the world.
The land was divided into concentric zones of land and water. Two zones of land and three zones of water surrounded the central island, which had warm springs of water and cold springs of water.
Atlantis became an established country, with a wise government and an industry that sprung them to advanced technological heights — beyond even what we have reached today.
Atlantis had limitless resources, wild animals, and precious metals, and was heavily populated.
Atlantis was full of large and beautiful palaces, temples, docks, and a network of various bridges and canals that united different sections of the kingdom.
White, black and red stones were used in the construction of public buildings. “They circumscribed each of the land zones with a wall, the outer wall being covered with brass, the middle with tin, and the inner, which encompassed the citadel, with orichalch. The citadel, on the central island, contained the palaces, temples, and other public buildings. In its center, surrounded by a wall of gold, was a sanctuary dedicated to Cleito and Poseidon.” (source)
Atlantis had a number of gardens, full of hot and cold springs. There were countless temples, public baths, and exercise facilities for both man and animal.
“The part of Atlantis facing the sea was described as lofty and precipitous, but about the central city was a plain sheltered by mountains renowned for their size, number, and beauty. The plain yielded two crops each year, in the winter being watered by rains and in the summer by immense irrigation canals, which were also used for transportation. The plain was divided into sections and in time of war each section supplied its quota of fighting men and chariots.” (source)
Atlantis was massive, ruled by multiple kings who all had control over their land. Their relationships with the other kings were governed by an original code of ethics that was engraved by the first ten kings. “The chief laws of the Atlantean kings were that they should not take up arms against each other and that they should come to the assistance of any of their number who was attacked.” (source)
The Downfall of Atlantis
These are the essential points Plato makes about Atlantis. He described it as a great and powerful empire, almost magical, and said that this was the same empire which attacked the Hellenic states. He attributes the power and glory they tasted after this venture to their eventual demise, writing that the love for these ego-driven desires that soon developed among Atlantean kings “lured” them from “the pathway of wisdom and virtue.”
“Filled with false ambition, the rulers of Atlantis determined to conquer the gods into his holy habitation and addressed them. Here Plato’s narrative comes to an abrupt end, for the Critias was never finished.” (source)
Plato also tackles the subject of Atlantis in his Timaeus, writing of a story told by Solon — who himself is said to have heard the story in Egypt, passed on to him by a priest via hieroglyphic inscriptions in a temple in Sais — in which a violent cataclysm sank the continent. Thus, the Island of Atlantis completely disappeared. (source)
“A technologically sophisticated but morally bankrupt evil empire – Atlantis – attempts world domination by force. The only thing standing it its way is a relatively small group of spiritually pure, morally principled and incorruptible people – the ancient Athenians. Overcoming overwhelming odds . . . the Athenians are able to defeat their far more powerful adversary simply through the force of their spirit. Sound familiar? Plato’s Atlantean dialogues are essentially an ancient greek version of ‘Star Wars.’ ” – Ken Feder, professor of archaeology, taken from his book “Frauds, Myths and Mysteries: Science and Pseudoscience in Archaeology.”
The Egyptian connection is also interesting to bring up here because Crantor, another ancient Greek philosopher, asserted that the Egyptian priests declared the story of Atlantis to be written upon pillars which were still preserved circa 300 B.C. Magicians of the Gods:... Graham Hancock Best Price: $12.85 Buy New $12.42 (as of 02:35 UTC - Details)
Manly P. Hall has noted that, before this cataclysm, a portion of the population left and did not succumb to the egoistic tendencies which apparently led to the downfall of Atlantis. Was the philosophic, religious, and scientific knowledge of Atlantis passed on? There are many similarities between the reported teachings of Atlantis and those of other cultures, such as the Mayas of Central America.
According to Manly P. Hall, from the Atlanteans, “the world received not only the heritage of arts and crafts, philosophies, and sciences, ethics and religions, but also the heritage of hate, strife, and perversion. The Atlanteans instigated the first war; and it has been said that all subsequent wars were fought in a fruitless effort to justify the first one and right the wrong which it caused.” (source)
Before Atlantis sank, its spiritually illuminated Initiates, who realized that their land was doomed because it had departed from the Path of Light, withdrew from the ill fated continent. Carrying with them the sacred and secret doctrine, these Atlanteans established themselves in Egypt, where they became its first divine rulers. Nearly all the great cosmologic myths forming the foundation of the various sacred books of the world are based upon the Atlantean Mystery Rituals.” (source)
One of the most interesting parts of this story, to me, is the fact that this place is often remembered as a place of glory, light, and abundance, which it was. But they were not immune to the dangers of avarice, either, as H.P. Blavatsky makes clear: “Under the evil insinuations of their demon, Thevatat, the Atlantis race became a nation of wicked magicians. In consequence of this, war was declared, the story of which would be too long to narrate; its substance may be found in the disfigured allegories of the race of Cain, the giants, and that of Noah and his righteous family. The conflict came to an end by the submersion of the Atlantis, which finds its imitation in the stories of the Babylonian and Mosaic flood.” (source)

Reprinted with permission from Collective Evolution.


lewrockwell--2020-01-21--The Second Amendment Works

The Second Amendment Works

When I was a teenager , I supported gun control .
I had no real understanding of the issue , having never been taught about the history , purpose or efficacy of the right to bear arms in school .
I read Robert Sherrill ’ s book , The Saturday Night Special , and supported candidates who were anti-gun such as Ramsey Clark and Morris Udall .
I was on all other issues strongly in favor of civil liberties , but I did not make the connection at a young age .
In 1979 , I joined the libertarian movement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the individual to life , liberty and property , so the right to bear arms was an obvious part of the package .
Occasionally over the years , I would discuss the Second Amendment in my writings .
In 1994 , I wrote a column for the Mises Institute called “ Guns and Drugs , ” [ 1 ] in which I predicted , correctly , that the violence caused by the war on drugs would lead to an intensification of the war on guns , ironically since most gun owners favored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ urged , to no avail so far , advocates of the right to bear arms to join forces with advocates of the right to bear drugs , both being private property .
In the same article , published fourteen years before Heller v. District of Columbia , I argued that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms to deter government tyranny .
In 2001 , the Journal of Libertarian Studies published my article on “ The Rise and Fall of Jury Nullification , ” in which I drew an analogy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the right to bear arms , as instances of the Founders preserving liberty by allowing the people to retain certain fundamental rights lest the government get out of control .
That article , heavily reproduced herein , reiterates that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms , not merely the right of states to maintain militias .
Although a long-time Second Amendment advocate , I only got involved with gun litigation in recent years .
In 2015 , I filed a lawsuit to overturn the New York Pistol Permit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Erie County v. Cuomo , is pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit .
At oral argument last year , the Court indicated it would hold the case until the Supreme Court issued a ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association , Inc. v. City of New York , argued on December 2 , 2019 .
In the lower courts , I have won some gun cases and lost some gun cases .
My biggest win so far was overturning the first SAFE Act conviction @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Slip Op 03187 ( 4th Dept .
2019 ) .
However , overall , New York State courts continue to operate as if Heller and McDonald had never been decided .
Frustrated with lower court rulings ignoring Heller and noting that public opinion appeared to be swinging against the right to bear arms , I helped organize a forum on Second Amendment strategy in Batavia , New York on April 15 , 2018 .
As a result of that meeting , it was decided that the movement needed a short , readable primer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made freely available to all those interested in learning the history and purpose of the Second Amendment .
I hope this book fulfills that mission .
Political Class Dismis ... Mr. James Ostrowski Best Price : $ 2.00 Buy New $ 10.00 There was no foundation or deep pocket behind this book .
It is the product of a genuine grassroots movement .
It effectively responds to and rebuts a gun confiscation movement funded by billionaires who have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to take your guns away by force .
These @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them 24 hours a day .
They have the most sophisticated security systems money can buy protecting their many mansions .
They are driven around in limousines .
They are shielded from the mean streets that most of us must navigate daily .
Despite being outspent by hundreds of millions of dollars , I have the advantage of having truth and justice on my side .
With all their billions , the sponsors of gun confiscation can not make a silk purse out of a sow ’ s ear .
If you like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work on behalf of American liberty by buying my other books : Political Class Dismissed ( 2004 ) , Government Schools Are Bad for Your Kids ( 2009 ) , Direct Citizen Action ( 2010 ) and Progressivism : A Primer ( 2014 ) .
These books form a quadrilogy that , together , provides the education about politics and liberty you did not receive in any school .
Though I make much of my living selling books , I decided this cause was so important that I would make this book available @ @ @ @ @ @ @ libertymovement.org ( forthcoming ) .
We will also be making print copies available at cost .
To take advantage of the world ’ s best distribution system , the book will also be available for sale at Amazon.com for a nominal cost since Amazon has to make a living too .
Please spread the word far and wide because the Gun Grabbers are coming !
The Gun Grabbers are coming !
The Best of James Ostrowski

Note: This is an excerpt from The Second Amendment Works: A Primer on How to Defend Our Most Important Right.
When I was a teenager, I supported gun control. I had no real understanding of the issue, having never been taught about the history, purpose or efficacy of the right to bear arms in school. I read Robert Sherrill’s book, The Saturday Night Special, and supported candidates who were anti-gun such as Ramsey Clark and Morris Udall. I was on all other issues strongly in favor of civil liberties, but I did not make the connection at a young age.
In 1979, I joined the libertarian movement which is based on the natural rights of the individual to life, liberty and property, so the right to bear arms was an obvious part of the package. Occasionally over the years, I would discuss the Second Amendment in my writings. In 1994, I wrote a column for the Mises Institute called “Guns and Drugs,”[1] in which I predicted, correctly, that the violence caused by the war on drugs would lead to an intensification of the war on guns, ironically since most gun owners favored the war on drugs. I have urged, to no avail so far, advocates of the right to bear arms to join forces with advocates of the right to bear drugs, both being private property. In the same article, published fourteen years before Heller v. District of Columbia, I argued that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms to deter government tyranny.
In 2001, the Journal of Libertarian Studies published my article on “The Rise and Fall of Jury Nullification,” in which I drew an analogy between the right to trial by jury and the right to bear arms, as instances of the Founders preserving liberty by allowing the people to retain certain fundamental rights lest the government get out of control. That article, heavily reproduced herein, reiterates that the Second Amendment protects an individual right to bear arms, not merely the right of states to maintain militias.
Although a long-time Second Amendment advocate, I only got involved with gun litigation in recent years. In 2015, I filed a lawsuit to overturn the New York Pistol Permit Law. That case, Libertarian Party of Erie County v. Cuomo, is pending in the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. At oral argument last year, the Court indicated it would hold the case until the Supreme Court issued a ruling in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. City of New York, argued on December 2, 2019.
In the lower courts, I have won some gun cases and lost some gun cases. My biggest win so far was overturning the first SAFE Act conviction in People v. Wassell, 2019 NY Slip Op 03187 (4th Dept. 2019). However, overall, New York State courts continue to operate as if Heller and McDonald had never been decided.
Frustrated with lower court rulings ignoring Heller and noting that public opinion appeared to be swinging against the right to bear arms, I helped organize a forum on Second Amendment strategy in Batavia, New York on April 15, 2018. As a result of that meeting, it was decided that the movement needed a short, readable primer on the Second Amendment that would be made freely available to all those interested in learning the history and purpose of the Second Amendment. I hope this book fulfills that mission.
Political Class Dismis... Ostrowski, Mr. James Best Price: $4.00 Buy New $9.50 (as of 09:20 UTC - Details) There was no foundation or deep pocket behind this book. It is the product of a genuine grassroots movement. It effectively responds to and rebuts a gun confiscation movement funded by billionaires who have spent hundreds of millions of dollars to take your guns away by force. These men and women have armed bodyguards protecting them 24 hours a day. They have the most sophisticated security systems money can buy protecting their many mansions. They are driven around in limousines. They are shielded from the mean streets that most of us must navigate daily. Despite being outspent by hundreds of millions of dollars, I have the advantage of having truth and justice on my side. With all their billions, the sponsors of gun confiscation cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.
If you like this book, you can support my work on behalf of American liberty by buying my other books: Political Class Dismissed (2004), Government Schools Are Bad for Your Kids (2009), Direct Citizen Action (2010) and Progressivism: A Primer (2014). These books form a quadrilogy that, together, provides the education about politics and liberty you did not receive in any school.
Though I make much of my living selling books, I decided this cause was so important that I would make this book available for free online at 2awny.com and at libertymovement.org (forthcoming). We will also be making print copies available at cost. To take advantage of the world’s best distribution system, the book will also be available for sale at Amazon.com for a nominal cost since Amazon has to make a living too. Please spread the word far and wide because the Gun Grabbers are coming! The Gun Grabbers are coming!
[1] See, Appendix.
The Best of James Ostrowski


lewrockwell--2020-01-21--How Expansive Is FBI Spying?

How Expansive Is FBI Spying?

Cato Institute Research Fellow Patrick Eddington recently filed several Freedom of Information Act ( FOIA ) requests to find out if the Federal Bureau of Investigation ever conducted surveillance of several organizations dealing with government policy , including my Campaign for Liberty .
Based on the FBI ’ s response , Campaign for Liberty and other organizations , including the Cato institute and the Reason Foundation , may have been subjected to FBI surveillance or other data collection .
I say “ may have been ” because the FBI gave Mr. Eddington a “ Glomar response ” to his FOIA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Glomar response is where an agency says it can “ neither confirm nor deny ” involvement in a particular activity .
Glomar was a salvage ship the Central Intelligence Agency used to recover a sunken Soviet submarine in the 1970s .
In response to a FOIA request by Rolling Stone magazine , the CIA claimed that just confirming or denying the Glomar ’ s involvement in the salvage operation would somehow damage national security .
A federal court agreed with the agency , giving federal bureaucrats , and even local police departments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answers .
Swords Into Plowshares ... Ron Paul Best Price : $ 2.70 Buy New $ 9.27 The Glomar response means these organizations may have been , and may still be , subjected to federal surveillance .
As Mr. Eddington told Reason magazine , “ We know for a fact that Glomar invocations have been used to conceal actual , ongoing activities , and we also know that they ’ re not passing out Glomars like candy.
” Protecting the right of individuals to join together in groups to influence government policy is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amendment .
Therefore , the FBI subjecting such groups to surveillance can violate the constitutional rights of everyone involved with the groups .
The FBI has a long history of targeting Americans whose political beliefs and activities threaten the FBI ’ s power or the power of influential politicians .
The then-named Bureau of Investigation participated in the crackdown on people suspected of being communists in the post-World War I “ Red Scare.
” The anti-communist crackdown was headed by a young agent named J. Edgar Hoover who went on to become FBI @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his death .
Hoover kept and expanded his power by using the FBI to collect blackmail material on people including politicians .
In the 1930s and 1940s , the FBI spied on supporters of the America First movement , including several Congress members .
Two of the most famous examples of FBI targeting individuals based on their political activities are the harassment of Martin Luther King Jr. and the COINTELPRO program .
COINTELPRO was an organized effort to spy on and actively disrupt “ subversive ” organizations , including antiwar groups COINTELPRO officially @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI still targets individuals and organizations it considers “ subversive , ” including antiwar groups and citizen militias .
Congress must hold hearings to determine if the FBI is currently using unconstitutional methods to “ monitor ” any organizations based on their beliefs .
Congress must then take whatever steps necessary to ensure that no Americans are ever again targeted for surveillance because of their political beliefs and activities .
The Best of Ron Paul

Cato Institute Research Fellow Patrick Eddington recently filed several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests to find out if the Federal Bureau of Investigation ever conducted surveillance of several organizations dealing with government policy, including my Campaign for Liberty. Based on the FBI’s response, Campaign for Liberty and other organizations, including the Cato institute and the Reason Foundation, may have been subjected to FBI surveillance or other data collection.
I say “may have been” because the FBI gave Mr. Eddington a “Glomar response” to his FOIA requests pertaining to these organizations. A Glomar response is where an agency says it can “neither confirm nor deny” involvement in a particular activity. Glomar was a salvage ship the Central Intelligence Agency used to recover a sunken Soviet submarine in the 1970s. In response to a FOIA request by Rolling Stone magazine, the CIA claimed that just confirming or denying the Glomar’s involvement in the salvage operation would somehow damage national security. A federal court agreed with the agency, giving federal bureaucrats, and even local police departments, a new way to avoid giving direct answers.
Swords Into Plowshares... Paul, Ron Best Price: $4.00 Buy New $15.99 (as of 11:36 UTC - Details) The Glomar response means these organizations may have been, and may still be, subjected to federal surveillance. As Mr. Eddington told Reason magazine, “We know for a fact that Glomar invocations have been used to conceal actual, ongoing activities, and we also know that they’re not passing out Glomars like candy.”
Protecting the right of individuals to join together in groups to influence government policy is at the very heart of the First Amendment. Therefore, the FBI subjecting such groups to surveillance can violate the constitutional rights of everyone involved with the groups.
The FBI has a long history of targeting Americans whose political beliefs and activities threaten the FBI’s power or the power of influential politicians. The then-named Bureau of Investigation participated in the crackdown on people suspected of being communists in the post-World War I “Red Scare.” The anti-communist crackdown was headed by a young agent named J. Edgar Hoover who went on to become FBI director, a position he held until his death. Hoover kept and expanded his power by using the FBI to collect blackmail material on people including politicians.
In the 1930s and 1940s, the FBI spied on supporters of the America First movement, including several Congress members. Two of the most famous examples of FBI targeting individuals based on their political activities are the harassment of Martin Luther King Jr. and the COINTELPRO program. COINTELPRO was an organized effort to spy on and actively disrupt “subversive” organizations, including antiwar groups
COINTELPRO officially ended in the 1970s. However, the FBI still targets individuals and organizations it considers “subversive,” including antiwar groups and citizen militias.
Congress must hold hearings to determine if the FBI is currently using unconstitutional methods to “monitor” any organizations based on their beliefs. Congress must then take whatever steps necessary to ensure that no Americans are ever again targeted for surveillance because of their political beliefs and activities.
The Best of Ron Paul, MD


Slow Going

If speed kills , why are people always in such a hurry to get to the hospital ?
It seems to be the only time they ’ re in a hurry .
American drivers are marinated in the doctrine that any motorized movement – not just acceleration – that doesn ’ t emulate the movements of a Galapagos tortoise is necessarily dangerous .
This is based on the belief that most American drivers are so inept that allowing them to drive at all is dangerous .
Hence the push to get them into driverless cars .
The guy behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ puts on his car ’ s turn signal .
After awhile , he begins to mosey over to the right .
It is more like a senile drift than a turn .
You could almost read at least the preamble to the Declaration of Independence in the time it takes for the lane change to eventually be completed .
Amazon.com Gift Card i ... Buy New $ 10.00 As unbelievable as it may sound to the youth – to anyone under 30 today – it was once considered good form to signal and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete the lane change in moments rather than minutes .
Even the signaling was quicker .
The driver controlled how many times they flashed .
Once , twice – it was enough .
Most cars built since the early 2000s have taken even that freedom of action away from the driver .
They automatically signal at least three and sometimes more times whenever activated – to provide a kind of visual goad to go slow .
Meanwhile , the driver waits for a space to open sesame .
The blinking signal serving as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a statement of intent .
It is common for a driver – the term is used loosely – to just sit there , signaling .
Neither increasing or decreasing his speed to make use of any openings which exist .
Turning off the road is performed with similar palsy .
The driver ahead engages the turn signal a quarter-mile prior to the place where he will eventually depart from the main road .
You wait – and wonder .
He begins to brake .
.
.
slowly .
His speed gradually decreases – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Only then does he begin to actually begin to turn off the road .
It is not uncommon for “ turning ” drivers to actually stop in the middle of the road before beginning the laborious process of turning the steering wheel in the desired new direction .
And then – after a suitable pause – gradually ambling off in the desired new direction .
People also take forever to stop .
The Best of Eric Peters

If speed kills, why are people always in such a hurry to get to the hospital? It seems to be the only time they’re in a hurry.
American drivers are marinated in the doctrine that any motorized movement – not just acceleration – that doesn’t emulate the movements of a Galapagos tortoise is necessarily dangerous. This is based on the belief that most American drivers are so inept that allowing them to drive at all is dangerous. Hence the push to get them into driverless cars.
Meanwhile, they glaciate.
The guy behind the wheel of the car ahead of you puts on his car’s turn signal. After awhile, he begins to mosey over to the right. It is more like a senile drift than a turn. You could almost read at least the preamble to the Declaration of Independence in the time it takes for the lane change to eventually be completed. Amazon.com Gift Card i... Buy New $10.00 (as of 08:25 UTC - Details)
As unbelievable as it may sound to the youth – to anyone under 30 today – it was once considered good form to signal and move at the same time. To complete the lane change in moments rather than minutes.
Even the signaling was quicker.
The driver controlled how many times they flashed. Once, twice – it was enough.
Most cars built since the early 2000s have taken even that freedom of action away from the driver. They automatically signal at least three and sometimes more times whenever activated – to provide a kind of visual goad to go slow.
Meanwhile, the driver waits for a space to open sesame.
The blinking signal serving as a kind of pathetic plea rather than a statement of intent. It is common for a driver – the term is used loosely – to just sit there, signaling. Neither increasing or decreasing his speed to make use of any openings which exist.
Turning off the road is performed with similar palsy. The driver ahead engages the turn signal a quarter-mile prior to the place where he will eventually depart from the main road. You wait – and wonder. He begins to brake . . . slowly. His speed gradually decreases – until his car is almost stationary.
Only then does he begin to actually begin to turn off the road.
It is not uncommon for “turning” drivers to actually stop in the middle of the road before beginning the laborious process of turning the steering wheel in the desired new direction. And then – after a suitable pause – gradually ambling off in the desired new direction.
People also take forever to stop.
Read the Whole Article
The Best of Eric Peters


Funeral Arrangements

As they like to say in the horror movie trailers : It… begins… !
( Cue bassoons and waterphones . )
If last Wednesday ’ s solemn and prayerful parade through the Capitol rotunda was the Democratic Party ’ s funeral march , then impeachment starting this week may be the burial service .
Central casting couldn ’ t have found a more perfect funeral director than the grave and genteel Mitch McConnell .
Of course , the Democrats have been screeching for new witnesses because Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) muffed his due diligence on the House side .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is to provoke a legal pissing match over executive privilege , which they hope to turn into a campaign ploy in the months ahead : Trump concealed the truth !
This time , though , I doubt the Senate rules will give them a chance to run option plays from the Brett Kavanaugh playbook , flooding the end zone with obvious geeks and bottom-feeders of the Michael Avenatti species .
Living in the Long Eme ... James Howard Kunstler Buy New $ 24.95 And , naturally , the witness question beats a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that door and there is really nothing on God ’ s green earth that will keep Hunter B out of the witness chair .
In which case he will have to reiterate what he said in a TV interview a few months back — they ’ ll play the recording in-session — which is that he got the $ 83-K-a-month do-nothing gig on the Burisma board-of-directors because he was the Vice-president ’ s son .
Or he can change his story and cast himself as a liar .
It would not be necessary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in evidence that recording of him bragging on how he strong-armed the Ukrainians to shut down their Burisma investigation by threatening to withhold a billion-dollar aid-and-loan package .
Hmmmm .
Sounds suspiciously like what Mr. Trump is accused of , absent evidence .
Was Jerrold Nadler ( D-NY ) playing dumb on Face the Nation Sunday when he said Hunter Biden shouldn ’ t testify because he has no knowledge of the accusation ?
Or , is Mr. Nadler just dumb enough to forget that in a trial , the person accused of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s entitled to defend himself ?
The corruption in the Hunter B matter is not just obvious , it ’ s confessed .
Everyone seems to have forgotten that the US has a treaty with Ukraine on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters signed at Kiev on July 22 , 1998 .
How , exactly , does that not apply to Mr. Trump ’ s conversation with Mr. Zelensky ?
Well , all this tends , naturally , to questions around the 2020 election .
Though the polls cast Joe B as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he survives the Ukraine payola scheme as a viable candidate .
On top of which is his pretty obvious mental deterioration .
Half the time , he doesn ’ t seem to know what state he ’ s in , and the most amazing things come out of his pie-hole — the latest being his gaffe about Beto O ’ Rourke being a Latino .
Did Uncle Joe not meet the man half a dozen times at debate venues ?
Bernie Sanders looked to be coming on strong in recent weeks , until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managers threatening to burn down Milwaukee if he was deprived of the nomination and then proceed with a national insurrection .
Was that a true colors moment ?
Voters have a right to wonder if Bernie is piloting a garbage barge of old-time Bolshevism , complete with the requisite reign of terror .
The Geography of Nowhe ... James Howard Kunstler Check Amazon for Pricing .
Just today The New York Times endorsed Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar for president .
Yes , you probably thought what I thought initially : one for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , no , it was both for Prez .
How ’ s that supposed to work ?
Well , it ’ s just a ruse , of course , because both are foundering in the polls , and poor Ms. Warren is on tape lying about herself so many times that you ’ d see more of that on TV than Seinfeld reruns before next November .
The New York Times is actually holding out for the resurrection of Hillary Clinton .
Isn ’ t this the perfect set-up for old Hillary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fire , like the fearsome Wendigo of Potawatomi legend , and gobble up the delegates ?
It would be much like the Whigs nominating the old warhorse General Winfield Scott in the election of 1852 .
That election marked the death of the Whig Party , and with Hillary leading the charge , 2020 would be the end of the Democrats , such as they were known .
The impeachment witness question also redounds upon the fabled “ whistleblower , ” that Jacob Marley of the impeachment Christmas story , rattling his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the poor Ukrainians .
There is no witness more pertinent to this enormous fiasco than that pimpernel of perfidy — and , of course , the long choo-choo train of persons he conspired with , including Adam Schiff and the Lawfare gang .
I would love to see him unmasked in the ‘ splainin ’ seat , spilling the beans on the predication of this whole sordid affair .
But it might be better to wait and hear from him in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to follow this impeachment circus , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attention they deserve , with indictments to follow .
The Best of James Howard Kunstler

As they like to say in the horror movie trailers: It… begins…! (Cue bassoons and waterphones.)
If last Wednesday’s solemn and prayerful parade through the Capitol rotunda was the Democratic Party’s funeral march, then impeachment starting this week may be the burial service. Central casting couldn’t have found a more perfect funeral director than the grave and genteel Mitch McConnell.
Of course, the Democrats have been screeching for new witnesses because Adam Schiff (D-CA) muffed his due diligence on the House side. The tactical fallback, courtesy of Lawfare, is to provoke a legal pissing match over executive privilege, which they hope to turn into a campaign ploy in the months ahead: Trump concealed the truth! This time, though, I doubt the Senate rules will give them a chance to run option plays from the Brett Kavanaugh playbook, flooding the end zone with obvious geeks and bottom-feeders of the Michael Avenatti species.
Living in the Long Eme... James Howard Kunstler Buy New $24.95 (as of 10:56 UTC - Details) And, naturally, the witness question beats a path directly to the Bidens. Open that door and there is really nothing on God’s green earth that will keep Hunter B out of the witness chair. In which case he will have to reiterate what he said in a TV interview a few months back — they’ll play the recording in-session — which is that he got the $83-K-a-month do-nothing gig on the Burisma board-of-directors because he was the Vice-president’s son. Or he can change his story and cast himself as a liar. It would not be necessary to call Joe Biden, just submit in evidence that recording of him bragging on how he strong-armed the Ukrainians to shut down their Burisma investigation by threatening to withhold a billion-dollar aid-and-loan package. Hmmmm. Sounds suspiciously like what Mr. Trump is accused of, absent evidence.
Was Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) playing dumb on Face the Nation Sunday when he said Hunter Biden shouldn’t testify because he has no knowledge of the accusation? Or, is Mr. Nadler just dumb enough to forget that in a trial, the person accused of something is called the defendant because he’s entitled to defend himself? The corruption in the Hunter B matter is not just obvious, it’s confessed. Everyone seems to have forgotten that the US has a treaty with Ukraine on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters signed at Kiev on July 22, 1998. How, exactly, does that not apply to Mr. Trump’s conversation with Mr. Zelensky?
Well, all this tends, naturally, to questions around the 2020 election. Though the polls cast Joe B as front-runner, I fail to see how he survives the Ukraine payola scheme as a viable candidate. On top of which is his pretty obvious mental deterioration. Half the time, he doesn’t seem to know what state he’s in, and the most amazing things come out of his pie-hole — the latest being his gaffe about Beto O’Rourke being a Latino. Did Uncle Joe not meet the man half a dozen times at debate venues?
Bernie Sanders looked to be coming on strong in recent weeks, until Project Veritas caught some of his field managers threatening to burn down Milwaukee if he was deprived of the nomination and then proceed with a national insurrection. Was that a true colors moment? Voters have a right to wonder if Bernie is piloting a garbage barge of old-time Bolshevism, complete with the requisite reign of terror.
The Geography of Nowhe... Kunstler, James Howard Buy New $4.99 (as of 07:20 UTC - Details) Just today The New York Times endorsed Elizabeth Warren and Amy Klobuchar for president. Yes, you probably thought what I thought initially: one for Prez, one for Veep. Actually, no, it was both for Prez. How’s that supposed to work? Well, it’s just a ruse, of course, because both are foundering in the polls, and poor Ms. Warren is on tape lying about herself so many times that you’d see more of that on TV than Seinfeld reruns before next November. The New York Times is actually holding out for the resurrection of Hillary Clinton. Isn’t this the perfect set-up for old Hillary to swoop into Milwaukee on her leathery wings of fire, like the fearsome Wendigo of Potawatomi legend, and gobble up the delegates? It would be much like the Whigs nominating the old warhorse General Winfield Scott in the election of 1852. That election marked the death of the Whig Party, and with Hillary leading the charge, 2020 would be the end of the Democrats, such as they were known.
The impeachment witness question also redounds upon the fabled “whistleblower,” that Jacob Marley of the impeachment Christmas story, rattling his chains off-stage and wailing of cosmic injustice against the poor Ukrainians. There is no witness more pertinent to this enormous fiasco than that pimpernel of perfidy — and, of course, the long choo-choo train of persons he conspired with, including Adam Schiff and the Lawfare gang. I would love to see him unmasked in the ‘splainin’ seat, spilling the beans on the predication of this whole sordid affair. But it might be better to wait and hear from him in the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings to follow this impeachment circus, where his turpitudes can get the full attention they deserve, with indictments to follow.
Reprinted with permission from Kunstler.com.
The Best of James Howard Kunstler


lewrockwell--2020-01-21--Climate Change Hoax Collapsed as New Science Finds Human Activity Has Virtually Zero Impact on Globa

Climate Change Hoax Collapsed as New Science Finds Human Activity Has Virtually Zero Impact on Global Temperatures

The climate change hoax has collapsed .
A devastating series of research papers has just been published , revealing that human activity can account for no more than a .01°C rise in global temperatures , meaning that all the human activity targeted by radical climate change alarmists — combustion engines , airplane flights , diesel tractors — has virtually no measurable impact on the temperature of the planet .
Finnish scientists spearheaded the research , releasing a paper entitled , “ No Experimental Evidence for the Significant Anthropogenic Climate Change.
” The paper explains that IPCC analysis of global temperatures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , failure to account for “ influences of low cloud cover ” and how it impacts global temperatures .
Natural variations in low cloud cover , which are strongly influenced by cosmic radiation ’ s ability to penetrate Earth ’ s atmosphere due to variations in the strength of our planet ’ s magnetosphere , account for nearly all changes in global temperature , the researchers explain .
As this chart reveals , more cloud cover is inversely related to temperature .
In other words , clouds shield the surface of the Earth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cooling , while a lack of clouds results in more warming : Human Caused Global Wa ... Tim Ball PhD Check Amazon for Pricing .
The Deliberate Corrupt ... Tim Ball Check Amazon for Pricing .
Not by Fire but by Ice ... Robert W. Felix Best Price : $ 15.49 Buy New $ 19.95 Amazon.com Gift Card i ... Buy New $ 50.00

The climate change hoax has collapsed. A devastating series of research papers has just been published, revealing that human activity can account for no more than a .01°C rise in global temperatures, meaning that all the human activity targeted by radical climate change alarmists — combustion engines, airplane flights, diesel tractors — has virtually no measurable impact on the temperature of the planet.
Finnish scientists spearheaded the research, releasing a paper entitled, “No Experimental Evidence for the Significant Anthropogenic Climate Change.”
The paper explains that IPCC analysis of global temperatures suffers from a glaring error — namely, failure to account for “influences of low cloud cover” and how it impacts global temperatures. Natural variations in low cloud cover, which are strongly influenced by cosmic radiation’s ability to penetrate Earth’s atmosphere due to variations in the strength of our planet’s magnetosphere, account for nearly all changes in global temperature, the researchers explain.
As this chart reveals, more cloud cover is inversely related to temperature. In other words, clouds shield the surface of the Earth from the sun, providing shade cover cooling, while a lack of clouds results in more warming:
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The Deliberate Corrupt... Ball, Tim Buy New $9.95 (as of 12:25 UTC - Details) Not by Fire but by Ice... Felix, Robert W. Best Price: $18.37 Buy New $19.95 (as of 01:30 UTC - Details) Amazon.com Gift Card i... Check Amazon for Pricing.


lewrockwell--2020-01-21--Let’s Add the Return of Salvini To the Growing List of EU Problems

When Matteo Salvini ’ s Lega won the state elections in Umbria in late October few , if any , noticed .
Lega and the Brothers of Italy and Forza Italia took at whopping 53 % of the vote , with Lega taking 37 % .
It was this result that should have had everyone in Brussels worried .
But since they had just gotten finished patting themselves on the back for maneuvering around Salvini ’ s attempt to force an election the month before , the news quickly moved to the back burner amongst all of the Brexit drama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was important because it showed Lega ’ s ability to turn a center-Left stronghold against history .
The Democrats ( PD ) had held sway there for over fifty years .
But no longer .
The result showed that even though Salvini was no longer in a governmental office in Rome , his popularity hadn ’ t waned .
It ’ s clear that polling since then has seen Lega hold its position as the dominant party in Italy , which has Lega commanding 31-33 % of the vote .
The real story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Brothers of Italy ( FdL ) who are picking up disaffected Forza Italia voters and held them for months now , continuing to hold a solid 10 % .
Against the Left : A Ro ... Llewellyn H Rockwell Jr Best Price : $ 13.57 Buy New $ 8.00 In short , Italian polls haven ’ t moved much in months despite Salvini and Lega being ousted from the ruling coalition when coalition partner Five Star Movement ( M5S ) made a backroom deal with PD which has only accelerated M5S ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , M5S was formed to stop PD from holding onto power and challenging them on EU membership and continued adoption of the euro as Italy ’ s currency .
Making that deal with the establishment like that has alienated a lot of M5S ’ s base and it ’ s support is now threatening to collapse below the all-important 16 % level , which once breached to the downside opens the door for someone else to gain dramatically .
And that is the backdrop against which the PD/Five Star Movement ( M5S ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ polls close to or better than PD/M5S together nationally .
And it is the upcoming state election in Emilia-Romagna on January 26th that is their next headache .
As the Financial Times pointed out in a recent article , Salvini and Lega have made serious inroads in what is a traditionally heavily left-leaning area .
Giorgio Bennetti , a 35-year-old sweets seller with a stall in Ferrara ’ s centre , believes that many voters are willing to switch to the right to express a general political dissatisfaction .
Local issues , such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bank — 130,000 investors lost their savings — have also given voters reason to want to punish the PD , which was in charge both locally and nationally when the rescue happened in 2015 .
“ This is a protest vote ; people don ’ t believe that the left is working for them any more , ” Mr Bennetti says .
“ My grandmother used to say that people have no problem changing their shirts from red to black if they need to.
” But similar to what Donald Trump did in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the U.K. these nominally right-wing candidates became the champions of domestic working middle class .
In Italian political terms , the former Communists in Emilia-Romagna now firmly trust Salvini to protect their futures and the jobs rather than the traditional left parties .
Current polling there has Lega with 31 % of the vote , a massive 12-point rise over the last election while PD has lost even more down 20 points .
Since parties can campaign in coalitions in Italy the current center-left versus center-right numbers in Emilia-Romagna are within a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s guys are rising fast and it ’ s very possible that the polls haven ’ t quite caught up to the shift in sentiment leading into the election .
This happened in 2018 where Lega was polling behind Forza Italia by a couple of points and would up coming out of the election four points up and the dominant player in the center-right coalition .
That paved the way for the scenario that led to the short-lived Euroskeptic coalition between Lega and M5S .
So , the probability of a center-right government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the day .
And that puts the national coalition at serious risk .
This fear is well-founded and no matter how hard they try and hold it together political forces within Italy will ultimately tear it apart .
Losing Emilia-Romagna would create serious panic in the ranks of both ruling parties .
But the political establishment in Rome is dead set on keeping Salvini out of power for as long as possible .
And that goes double for the traditional EU leadership in Brussels .
But one thing working in Salvini ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been German Chancellor Angela Merkel pulling the strings in Rome to keep the Italians in sync with German fiscal and monetary demands .
Against the State : An ... Llewellyn H. Rockwell Jr. Best Price : $ 2.11 Buy New $ 8.56 But Merkel is on the way out and there is a concerted challenge to German rule coming from French President ( for now ) Emmanuel Macron .
Macron wants fiscal integration and the euro-zone is suffering from Merkel ’ s insistence on punitive austerity .
I expect the next leadership challenge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hard as in the past by the EU .
Salvini either wants a stronger seat at the decision-making table for EU fiscal policy for Italy or be let out of the monetary union .
In that sense Salvini is a future ally for Macron against Merkel and her successor .
I can see Macron and new ECB President Christine Lagarde not fighting Salvini ’ s rise to power to help them remake the EU ’ s fiscal structure , prevailing upon the Italian old guard like President Sergio Mattarella to allow the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elections , which Salvini will win in a walk , likely with just the Brothers of Italy as his coalition partner depending on how the vote lays out .
At that point things get really hairy for Merkel as a Salvini as Prime Minister will be in the position to dictate terms to Germany having Lagarde and Macron on his side , tacitly .
Because , remember folks , when you owe the bank a thousand dollars it ’ s your problem .
When you owe the bank a few hundred billion dollars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem , in this case , specifically German banks .
That ’ s where Salvini ’ s leverage lies and he knows it .
But with the changing of the guard in Brussels and Strassbourg , he would finally be in a position to use it .
The views of individual contributors do not necessarily represent those of the Strategic Culture Foundation .
The Best of Thomas Luongo

When Matteo Salvini’s Lega won the state elections in Umbria in late October few, if any, noticed. Lega and the Brothers of Italy and Forza Italia took at whopping 53% of the vote, with Lega taking 37%.
It was this result that should have had everyone in Brussels worried. But since they had just gotten finished patting themselves on the back for maneuvering around Salvini’s attempt to force an election the month before, the news quickly moved to the back burner amongst all of the Brexit drama.
But, the result in Umbria was important because it showed Lega’s ability to turn a center-Left stronghold against history. The Democrats (PD) had held sway there for over fifty years. But no longer.
The result showed that even though Salvini was no longer in a governmental office in Rome, his popularity hadn’t waned. It’s clear that polling since then has seen Lega hold its position as the dominant party in Italy, which has Lega commanding 31-33% of the vote.
The real story, however, is the surge of the Brothers of Italy (FdL) who are picking up disaffected Forza Italia voters and held them for months now, continuing to hold a solid 10%. Against the Left: A Ro... Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn H Best Price: $2.85 Buy New $8.00 (as of 07:59 UTC - Details)
In short, Italian polls haven’t moved much in months despite Salvini and Lega being ousted from the ruling coalition when coalition partner Five Star Movement (M5S) made a backroom deal with PD which has only accelerated M5S’s slide in the polls. Remember, M5S was formed to stop PD from holding onto power and challenging them on EU membership and continued adoption of the euro as Italy’s currency.
Making that deal with the establishment like that has alienated a lot of M5S’s base and it’s support is now threatening to collapse below the all-important 16% level, which once breached to the downside opens the door for someone else to gain dramatically.
And that is the backdrop against which the PD/Five Star Movement (M5S) government is dealing with.
Lega alone polls close to or better than PD/M5S together nationally. And it is the upcoming state election in Emilia-Romagna on January 26th that is their next headache. As the Financial Times pointed out in a recent article, Salvini and Lega have made serious inroads in what is a traditionally heavily left-leaning area.
Giorgio Bennetti, a 35-year-old sweets seller with a stall in Ferrara’s centre, believes that many voters are willing to switch to the right to express a general political dissatisfaction. Local issues, such as the collapse of the Ferrara savings bank — 130,000 investors lost their savings — have also given voters reason to want to punish the PD, which was in charge both locally and nationally when the rescue happened in 2015.
“This is a protest vote; people don’t believe that the left is working for them any more,” Mr Bennetti says. “My grandmother used to say that people have no problem changing their shirts from red to black if they need to.”
But similar to what Donald Trump did in 2016 and Boris Johnson just pulled off in the U.K. these nominally right-wing candidates became the champions of domestic working middle class. In Italian political terms, the former Communists in Emilia-Romagna now firmly trust Salvini to protect their futures and the jobs rather than the traditional left parties.
Current polling there has Lega with 31% of the vote, a massive 12-point rise over the last election while PD has lost even more down 20 points.
Italy (Emilia-Romagna regional election), SWG poll: LEGA-ID: 31% (+12)
PD-S&D: 25% (-20)
BP-S&D|RE|G/EFA: 13% (new)
FdI-ECR: 8% (+4)
M5s-NI: 6% (-7)
FI-EPP: 4% (-4)
… +/- vs. 2014 election Fieldwork: 7-9 January 2020
Sample size: 1,000 Election: 26 January 2020 pic.twitter.com/H3kgkfMYmk — Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) January 10, 2020
Since parties can campaign in coalitions in Italy the current center-left versus center-right numbers in Emilia-Romagna are within a couple of points. But Salvini’s guys are rising fast and it’s very possible that the polls haven’t quite caught up to the shift in sentiment leading into the election.
This happened in 2018 where Lega was polling behind Forza Italia by a couple of points and would up coming out of the election four points up and the dominant player in the center-right coalition. That paved the way for the scenario that led to the short-lived Euroskeptic coalition between Lega and M5S.
So, the probability of a center-right government coming into being in Emilia-Romagna is growing by the day. And that puts the national coalition at serious risk.
“This coalition is already so fragile that the only thing gluing it together is their fear of Salvini,” says Erik Jones, professor of European studies and international political economy at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Bologna. “If they lose it is hard to see how they make it through the spring.”
This fear is well-founded and no matter how hard they try and hold it together political forces within Italy will ultimately tear it apart. Losing Emilia-Romagna would create serious panic in the ranks of both ruling parties.
But the political establishment in Rome is dead set on keeping Salvini out of power for as long as possible. And that goes double for the traditional EU leadership in Brussels. But one thing working in Salvini’s favor here is that it has been German Chancellor Angela Merkel pulling the strings in Rome to keep the Italians in sync with German fiscal and monetary demands. Against the State: An ... Rockwell Jr., Llewelly... Best Price: $5.02 Buy New $5.52 (as of 11:35 UTC - Details)
But Merkel is on the way out and there is a concerted challenge to German rule coming from French President (for now) Emmanuel Macron. Macron wants fiscal integration and the euro-zone is suffering from Merkel’s insistence on punitive austerity.
I expect the next leadership challenge in Italy will not be fought nearly as hard as in the past by the EU. Salvini either wants a stronger seat at the decision-making table for EU fiscal policy for Italy or be let out of the monetary union. In that sense Salvini is a future ally for Macron against Merkel and her successor.
I can see Macron and new ECB President Christine Lagarde not fighting Salvini’s rise to power to help them remake the EU’s fiscal structure, prevailing upon the Italian old guard like President Sergio Mattarella to allow the government to collapse and not fight new elections, which Salvini will win in a walk, likely with just the Brothers of Italy as his coalition partner depending on how the vote lays out.
At that point things get really hairy for Merkel as a Salvini as Prime Minister will be in the position to dictate terms to Germany having Lagarde and Macron on his side, tacitly.
Because, remember folks, when you owe the bank a thousand dollars it’s your problem. When you owe the bank a few hundred billion dollars it’s the bank’s problem, in this case, specifically German banks.
That’s where Salvini’s leverage lies and he knows it. But with the changing of the guard in Brussels and Strassbourg, he would finally be in a position to use it.
The views of individual contributors do not necessarily represent those of the Strategic Culture Foundation.
The Best of Tom Luongo


lewrockwell--2020-01-21--Is Mass Civil Disobedience Our Future?

Is Mass Civil Disobedience Our Future?

On the holiday set aside in 2020 to honor Martin Luther King , the premier advocate of nonviolent Gandhian civil disobedience , thousands of gun owners gathered in Richmond to petition peacefully for their rights .
King had preached that there was a higher law that justified breaking existing laws that mandated racial segregation .
When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus in Montgomery , when Freedom Riders integrated bus terminals , when black students sat at segregated lunch counters in North Carolina , they challenged state law in the name of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And Virginia gun owners believe their moral obligation to protect families , friends and themselves in a violent society justifies their right to keep and carry firearms , no matter what the Virginia legislature says .
The Death of the West : ... Patrick J. Buchanan Check Amazon for Pricing .
Americans have a long history of breaching laws in the name of a higher law or God-given rights .
The patriots of Boston gathered an arsenal at Concord in defiance of the British .
To protest a tea tax imposed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and threw shiploads of imported tea into Boston Harbor .
Shays ’ Rebellion in Massachusetts , to protest debt collections in 1786-87 , and the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania , to protest a tax , both had to be crushed with force .
Abolitionists supported the violation of fugitive slave laws , the enforcement of which Lincoln endorsed in his first inaugural as a national necessity to restore and preserve the Union .
A constitutional prohibition of the sale of beer , wine and liquor in the U.S. , following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to massive civil disobedience in the Roaring ’ 20s , before it was repealed in 1933 by the 21st Amendment .
During Vietnam , burning draft cards was a regular feature of anti-war rallies .
Historians may describe the racial riots of the 1960s — Harlem , Watts , Newark , Detroit , and 100 U.S. cities including Washington , D.C. , after King ’ s assassination — as popular uprisings , but many required National Guard and federal troops to stop the looting , shooting and arson .
By the late 1960s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 , could not visit a college campus without a violent demonstration .
This week , Washington hosts the 46th annual March for Life to commemorate the 60 million unborn killed in the abortion mills of America since Roe v. Wade in 1973 .
In conservative states , restrictions imposed on abortion facilities have put some out of business .
The legislators and governors who have done so believe the right to life trumps the Warren Court ruling in Roe v. Wade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disobedience today is the illegal presence of between 12 million and 20 million immigrants who broke into our country or are breaking the law by being here after their visas expired .
Their collaborators are the business owners who hire them and the public officials who refuse to treat them as lawbreakers .
“ Sanctuary cities ” have been created where local and state authorities refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement .
Now , towns , cities and counties are creating “ Second Amendment sanctuaries , ” where laws restricting gun rights will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and ... Patrick J. Buchanan Best Price : $ 9.48 Buy New $ 14.00 If state and local police , themselves gun owners , stand with those who defy the new state laws on guns , who enforces the new laws ?
The Virginia Senate has begun to move bills requiring background checks for gun purchasers including red flag laws to disarm individuals deemed at risk to themselves or others , and bills granting permission for locales to restrict the carrying of arms in government buildings and confining the purchases of handguns @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other restrictions the Democratic legislature in Richmond and governor are ready to move , including restricting the number of bullets in clips and magazines and halting sales of rifles like the AR-15 .
Gun owners see these as the onset of an all-out assault on gun rights .
For a republic to endure , there has to be a common consent on the rule of law and what constitutes a good society .
But these seem to be at issue again in America .
Is abortion the killing of an innocent human being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human right to keep and carry firearms to protect themselves and their loved ones ?
Who is and who is not a rightful resident of our national home ?
Do illegal migrants have a right to come here and stay here ?
Or do their numbers imperil our national identity and existence as “ one nation and one people ” ?
Violent crime was greater in America in the early 1990s .
Urban riots were far more common in the 1960s .
And there is nothing today comparable to the bloodletting of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Americans seem to disagree with each other more and to dislike each other more than they have in the lifetime of most of us .
One wonders : How does it all stay together ?
And for how long ?
The Best of Patrick J. Buchanan

Shop all books by Pat Buchanan
On the holiday set aside in 2020 to honor Martin Luther King, the premier advocate of nonviolent Gandhian civil disobedience, thousands of gun owners gathered in Richmond to petition peacefully for their rights.
King had preached that there was a higher law that justified breaking existing laws that mandated racial segregation.
When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the front of the bus in Montgomery, when Freedom Riders integrated bus terminals, when black students sat at segregated lunch counters in North Carolina, they challenged state law in the name of what they said was a higher law.
And Virginia gun owners believe their moral obligation to protect families, friends and themselves in a violent society justifies their right to keep and carry firearms, no matter what the Virginia legislature says.
Americans have a long history of breaching laws in the name of a higher law or God-given rights.
The patriots of Boston gathered an arsenal at Concord in defiance of the British. To protest a tea tax imposed by parliament, they dressed as American Indians and threw shiploads of imported tea into Boston Harbor.
Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts, to protest debt collections in 1786-87, and the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion in western Pennsylvania, to protest a tax, both had to be crushed with force.
Abolitionists supported the violation of fugitive slave laws, the enforcement of which Lincoln endorsed in his first inaugural as a national necessity to restore and preserve the Union.
A constitutional prohibition of the sale of beer, wine and liquor in the U.S., following the enactment of the 18th Amendment, led to massive civil disobedience in the Roaring ’20s, before it was repealed in 1933 by the 21st Amendment.
During Vietnam, burning draft cards was a regular feature of anti-war rallies.
Historians may describe the racial riots of the 1960s — Harlem, Watts, Newark, Detroit, and 100 U.S. cities including Washington, D.C., after King’s assassination — as popular uprisings, but many required National Guard and federal troops to stop the looting, shooting and arson.
By the late 1960s, LBJ, who had passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, could not visit a college campus without a violent demonstration.
This week, Washington hosts the 46th annual March for Life to commemorate the 60 million unborn killed in the abortion mills of America since Roe v. Wade in 1973.
In conservative states, restrictions imposed on abortion facilities have put some out of business. The legislators and governors who have done so believe the right to life trumps the Warren Court ruling in Roe v. Wade.
Perhaps the greatest manifestation of civil disobedience today is the illegal presence of between 12 million and 20 million immigrants who broke into our country or are breaking the law by being here after their visas expired.
Their collaborators are the business owners who hire them and the public officials who refuse to treat them as lawbreakers.
“Sanctuary cities” have been created where local and state authorities refuse to cooperate with immigration enforcement.
Now, towns, cities and counties are creating “Second Amendment sanctuaries,” where laws restricting gun rights will not be enforced. Churchill, Hitler, and... Patrick J. Buchanan Best Price: $9.48 Buy New $14.00 (as of 08:25 UTC - Details)
If state and local police, themselves gun owners, stand with those who defy the new state laws on guns, who enforces the new laws?
The Virginia Senate has begun to move bills requiring background checks for gun purchasers including red flag laws to disarm individuals deemed at risk to themselves or others, and bills granting permission for locales to restrict the carrying of arms in government buildings and confining the purchases of handguns to one a month.
There are other restrictions the Democratic legislature in Richmond and governor are ready to move, including restricting the number of bullets in clips and magazines and halting sales of rifles like the AR-15.
Gun owners see these as the onset of an all-out assault on gun rights.
For a republic to endure, there has to be a common consent on the rule of law and what constitutes a good society. But these seem to be at issue again in America.
Is abortion the killing of an innocent human being? Do Americans have a constitutional and human right to keep and carry firearms to protect themselves and their loved ones?
Who is and who is not a rightful resident of our national home?
Do illegal migrants have a right to come here and stay here? Or do their numbers imperil our national identity and existence as “one nation and one people”?
Violent crime was greater in America in the early 1990s. Urban riots were far more common in the 1960s. And there is nothing today comparable to the bloodletting of the 1861-65 War Between the States.
Still, Americans seem to disagree with each other more and to dislike each other more than they have in the lifetime of most of us.
One wonders: How does it all stay together? And for how long?
The Best of Patrick J. Buchanan