lewrockwell--2020-03-10--Abortion and Title X Funding

Abortion and Title X Funding

The 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco recently ruled that the Trump administration can deny Title X federal funding to family planning clinics that make abortion referrals or perform abortions .
The Office of Population Affairs ( OPA ) —part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) —administers the Title X Family Planning program as well as “ the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program , the Pregnancy Assistance Fund program , and the embryo adoption program.
” The OPA also “ advises the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health , family planning , sterilization , and other population issues.
” The Title X Family Planning program [ “ Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs ” ( Public Law 91-572 ) ] was enacted in 1970 as Title X of the Public Health Service Act .
According to the OPA : “ For more than 40 years , Title X family planning clinics have played a critical role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and related preventive health services for millions of low-income or uninsured individuals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services.
” For fiscal year 2019 , which ended on September 30 , 2019 , Title X appropriated funds were $ 286.479 billion .
According to the Title X Family Planning Annual Report , Title X-funded services were implemented through grants to 49 state and local health departments and 50 nonprofit family planning and community health agencies that supported a network of 3,954 service sites operated either by grantees or 1,128 sub-recipients in the fifty states and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clients through 6.5 million family planning encounters .
Gun Control and the Se ... Laurence M. Vance Best Price : null Buy New $ 5.95 Although section 1008 of Title X states that “ none of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning , ” for years organizations like Planned Parenthood received millions in Title X funding even though they made abortion referrals and performed abortions .
In February of last year , the Trump administration issued its final draft of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The proposed rule was initially published in the Federal Register in June of 2018 .
After a sixty-day comment period , more than 500,000 comments were “ received and carefully reviewed ” and “ certain changes ” were made .
The final draft of the rule requires “ clear financial and physical separation between Title X funded projects and programs or facilities where abortion is a method of family planning ” and prohibits “ referral for abortion as a method of family planning.
” Any organization not in compliance is ineligible for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reproductive rights groups ” challenged the regulations in court .
But after judges in Washington , Oregon , and California issued preliminary injunctions against the rule , a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals voted unanimously to lift the injunctions last June , allowing the rule to be implemented while the case proceeds through the court system .
“ The Trump-Pence administration ’ s gag rule is unethical , illegal , and harmful to public health—and Planned Parenthood will not stand for this attack on millions of people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Planned Parenthood , Leana Wen .
“ We will immediately seek emergency relief from the Court of Appeals.
” The ACLU was likewise distressed : “ If this new rule takes effect , it will devastate the only federal family planning program and the people who rely on it .
“ We ’ re considering all options in response to today ’ s ruling , to ensure people are able to get the care they need.
” In July of last year , HHS alerted clinics that they it be enforcing the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deny federal funding to clinics that failed to comply with the new Title X regulations .
“ We thank President Trump and Secretary Azar for acting decisively to stop taxpayer funding of the abortion industry , as willed by the American people , ” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser .
Then in August , Planned Parenthood—the nation ’ s largest abortion provider , which performed 345,672 abortions in its fiscal year 2018—announced that it was withdrawing from the Title X family planning program and would forgo millions of dollars in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump administration ’ s new regulations .
On February 28 on this year , the 9th U.S .
Circuit Court of Appeals , sitting en banc , in the case of State of California v. Azar , ruled , by a vote of 7-4 , that the Trump administration ’ s final rule was “ not arbitrary and capricious because HHS properly examined the relevant considerations and gave reasonable explanations.
” The aforementioned Marjorie Dannenfelser reiterated that abortion is not family planning and that “ a strong majority of Americans ” oppose taxpayer-funded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vindication of President Trump ’ s pro-life policies and a victory for the American people.
” But as expected , Planned Parenthood called the ruling “ devastating , ” and claimed that it endangers “ birth control , cancer screenings , and other essential care for millions.
” The ACLU announced that it was “ deeply disappointed ” at the decision .
The Free Society Laurence M. Vance Best Price : $ 13.55 Buy New $ 17.54 Yes , President Trump should be congratulated for doing what Republicans never had the will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parenthood .
However , there is still a glaring problem with the Title X Family Planning Program : It should not exist .
Since when is it the job of government to fund family planning programs ?
If it is a legitimate purpose of government to fund family planning programs , then it is a legitimate purpose of government to fund just about anything .
The issue here is the proper role of government , not abortion .
Title X funding would be just as illegitimate even if the practice of abortion was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not just Title X funding .
Planned Parenthood is still funded by the federal government , mainly via Medicaid reimbursements .
According to Planned Parenthood ’ s 2018-2019 annual report , the organization had revenue of $ 1.638 billion , of which $ 616.8 million came from “ government health services reimbursements & grants.
” Since when it is the job of government to fund private organizations or businesses that provide certain services ?
If it is a legitimate function of government to take money from individuals and corporations through taxation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses that provide certain services , then it is a legitimate function of government to transfer money to entities that provide just about any services .
Again , the issue here is the proper role of government , not which services are good , important , or necessary and worthy of government support .
The Best of Laurence M. Vance

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco recently ruled that the Trump administration can deny Title X federal funding to family planning clinics that make abortion referrals or perform abortions.
The Office of Population Affairs (OPA)—part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)—administers the Title X Family Planning program as well as “the Teen Pregnancy Prevention program, the Pregnancy Assistance Fund program, and the embryo adoption program.” The OPA also “advises the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health on a wide range of topics, including adolescent health, family planning, sterilization, and other population issues.”
The Title X Family Planning program [“Population Research and Voluntary Family Planning Programs” (Public Law 91-572)] was enacted in 1970 as Title X of the Public Health Service Act. According to the OPA: “For more than 40 years, Title X family planning clinics have played a critical role in ensuring access to a broad range of family planning and related preventive health services for millions of low-income or uninsured individuals and others. Title X is the only federal grant program dedicated solely to providing individuals with comprehensive family planning and related preventive health services.”
For fiscal year 2019, which ended on September 30, 2019, Title X appropriated funds were $286.479 billion. According to the Title X Family Planning Annual Report, Title X-funded services were implemented through grants to 49 state and local health departments and 50 nonprofit family planning and community health agencies that supported a network of 3,954 service sites operated either by grantees or 1,128 sub-recipients in the fifty states and U.S. territories that served over 3.9 million clients through 6.5 million family planning encounters. Gun Control and the Se... Laurence M. Vance Buy New $5.95 (as of 11:36 UTC - Details)
Although section 1008 of Title X states that “none of the funds appropriated under this title shall be used in programs where abortion is a method of family planning,” for years organizations like Planned Parenthood received millions in Title X funding even though they made abortion referrals and performed abortions.
In February of last year, the Trump administration issued its final draft of a rule change to Title X funding. The proposed rule was initially published in the Federal Register in June of 2018. After a sixty-day comment period, more than 500,000 comments were “received and carefully reviewed” and “certain changes” were made. The final draft of the rule requires “clear financial and physical separation between Title X funded projects and programs or facilities where abortion is a method of family planning” and prohibits “referral for abortion as a method of family planning.” Any organization not in compliance is ineligible for Title X funding.
Naturally, “reproductive rights groups” challenged the regulations in court. But after judges in Washington, Oregon, and California issued preliminary injunctions against the rule, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted unanimously to lift the injunctions last June, allowing the rule to be implemented while the case proceeds through the court system. “The Trump-Pence administration’s gag rule is unethical, illegal, and harmful to public health—and Planned Parenthood will not stand for this attack on millions of people across the country,” tweeted then-president of Planned Parenthood, Leana Wen. “We will immediately seek emergency relief from the Court of Appeals.” The ACLU was likewise distressed: “If this new rule takes effect, it will devastate the only federal family planning program and the people who rely on it. “We’re considering all options in response to today’s ruling, to ensure people are able to get the care they need.”
In July of last year, HHS alerted clinics that they it be enforcing the Trump administration’s new rule and deny federal funding to clinics that failed to comply with the new Title X regulations. “We thank President Trump and Secretary Azar for acting decisively to stop taxpayer funding of the abortion industry, as willed by the American people,” said Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser. Then in August, Planned Parenthood—the nation’s largest abortion provider, which performed 345,672 abortions in its fiscal year 2018—announced that it was withdrawing from the Title X family planning program and would forgo millions of dollars in federal funding rather than comply with the Trump administration’s new regulations.
On February 28 on this year, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, sitting en banc, in the case of State of California v. Azar, ruled, by a vote of 7-4, that the Trump administration’s final rule was “not arbitrary and capricious because HHS properly examined the relevant considerations and gave reasonable explanations.”
The aforementioned Marjorie Dannenfelser reiterated that abortion is not family planning and that “a strong majority of Americans” oppose taxpayer-funded abortions. She termed the ruling “a vindication of President Trump’s pro-life policies and a victory for the American people.” But as expected, Planned Parenthood called the ruling “devastating,” and claimed that it endangers “birth control, cancer screenings, and other essential care for millions.” The ACLU announced that it was “deeply disappointed” at the decision. The Free Society Laurence M. Vance Best Price: $13.55 Buy New $17.54 (as of 04:55 UTC - Details)
Yes, President Trump should be congratulated for doing what Republicans never had the will to do—strip Title X funding from Planned Parenthood. However, there is still a glaring problem with the Title X Family Planning Program: It should not exist.
Since when is it the job of government to fund family planning programs? If it is a legitimate purpose of government to fund family planning programs, then it is a legitimate purpose of government to fund just about anything. The issue here is the proper role of government, not abortion. Title X funding would be just as illegitimate even if the practice of abortion was ended throughout the country.
And it’s not just Title X funding. Planned Parenthood is still funded by the federal government, mainly via Medicaid reimbursements. According to Planned Parenthood’s 2018-2019 annual report, the organization had revenue of $1.638 billion, of which $616.8 million came from “government health services reimbursements & grants.”
Since when it is the job of government to fund private organizations or businesses that provide certain services? If it is a legitimate function of government to take money from individuals and corporations through taxation and transfer that money to organizations or businesses that provide certain services, then it is a legitimate function of government to transfer money to entities that provide just about any services. Again, the issue here is the proper role of government, not which services are good, important, or necessary and worthy of government support.
The Best of Laurence M. Vance


lewrockwell--2020-03-10--The Narc in Your Next New Car

The Narc in Your Next New Car

For years , the insurance mafia has been trying to get people to voluntarily plug a driving monitor into their car , using the prospect of a “ discount ” as an inducement .
Most people don ’ t fall for this because they understand that the “ discount ” is of a piece with advertising that promises you ’ ll save “ up to 20 percent ” but actually save you nothing or very little – while always paying more .
Well , your next new car may come standard with the driver monitor already plugged in .
Embedded @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t remove it .
Or say no thanks to it .
If you buy the car , you buy the embedded narc .
Allstate and Nationwide just announced they ’ ve “ partnered ” with Ford to pre-wire most 2020 ( and likely all 2021 ) model Ford and Lincoln vehicles with the embedded tech to “ participate ” in what is styled the Milewise program , which uses the vehicle ’ s in-car WiFi to transmit to the mafia data about your driving habits .
Elena Ford , chief customer experience @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ This is the latest way we ’ re improving the customer experience .
.
.
( it ) makes getting insurance easier for connected-vehicle customers to cover one of their biggest investments – their vehicle – while saving money.
” Amazon.com Gift Card i ... Best Price : null Buy New $ 25.00 The spiel goes on to promise “ savings ” of ( here it comes ) “ up to 40 percent.
” Ostensibly , the monitoring is merely of the mileage driven – you pay less if you drive less @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being told is that the vehicles so equipped are fully capable of transmitting data about everything .
And not just your driving , either .
But let ’ s start there .
How far you drive and where – as well as how fast .
Anything faster than the posted speed limit being , of course , synonymous with “ unsafe ” driving – and we all know what that means .
Bye-bye “ up to 40 percent ” savings .
More like 40 percent surcharge .
It will be like taking a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drive .
Or rather , being unable to drive without running afoul of a radar trap .
And it won ’ t be just “ speeding , ” either .
These in-car narcs also monitor how quickly you accelerate .
Even if you never actually break the speed limit , if you accelerate too quickly – for saaaaaaaaaaaaafety !
– then you can expect to not get that discount .
Same goes for braking “ too abruptly ” – another indicator ( according to the mafia ’ s metrics ) of “ unsaaaaaaafe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peters

For years, the insurance mafia has been trying to get people to voluntarily plug a driving monitor into their car, using the prospect of a “discount” as an inducement. Most people don’t fall for this because they understand that the “discount” is of a piece with advertising that promises you’ll save “up to 20 percent” but actually save you nothing or very little – while always paying more.
Well, your next new car may come standard with the driver monitor already plugged in. Embedded, actually – which means you can’t remove it. Or say no thanks to it. If you buy the car, you buy the embedded narc.
Allstate and Nationwide just announced they’ve “partnered” with Ford to pre-wire most 2020 (and likely all 2021) model Ford and Lincoln vehicles with the embedded tech to “participate” in what is styled the Milewise program, which uses the vehicle’s in-car WiFi to transmit to the mafia data about your driving habits.
Elena Ford, chief customer experience officer at Ford Motor Company say: “This is the latest way we’re improving the customer experience . . . (it) makes getting insurance easier for connected-vehicle customers to cover one of their biggest investments – their vehicle – while saving money.” Amazon.com Gift Card i... Buy New $25.00 (as of 11:14 UTC - Details)
The spiel goes on to promise “savings” of (here it comes) “up to 40 percent.”
Ostensibly, the monitoring is merely of the mileage driven – you pay less if you drive less – but what people aren’t being told is that the vehicles so equipped are fully capable of transmitting data about everything.
And not just your driving, either. But let’s start there.
How far you drive and where – as well as how fast. Anything faster than the posted speed limit being, of course, synonymous with “unsafe” driving – and we all know what that means.
Bye-bye “up to 40 percent” savings. More like 40 percent surcharge.
It will be like taking a radar trap with you every time you drive. Or rather, being unable to drive without running afoul of a radar trap.
And it won’t be just “speeding,” either. These in-car narcs also monitor how quickly you accelerate. Even if you never actually break the speed limit, if you accelerate too quickly – for saaaaaaaaaaaaafety! – then you can expect to not get that discount. Same goes for braking “too abruptly” – another indicator (according to the mafia’s metrics) of “unsaaaaaaafe” driving.
Read the Whole Article
The Best of Eric Peters


lewrockwell--2020-03-10--Leftist Cheers Coronavirus as a Means of Getting Rid of Old Climate Skeptics

Less than a week after Denver city councilwoman Candi CdeBaca touted spreading coronavirus at Trump rallies to kill them all off , another leftist has stepped up to the plate , calling for the spread of coronavirus to kill off old people , who are statistically more likely to be climate skeptics .
In a column headlined “ Coronavirus can trigger a new industrial revolution , ” writer Ed Conway sounds positively ghoulish .
Against the Left : A Ro ... Llewellyn H Rockwell Jr Best Price : $ 13.57 Buy New $ 8.00 “ Don ’ t take this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a young , hardline environmentalist looking for the ultimate weapon against climate change , you could hardly design anything better than coronavirus , ” the sicko wrote .
“ Unlike most other such diseases , it kills mostly the old who , let ’ s face it , are more likely to be climate sceptics , ” he added .
Conway also touted the economy being on lock down , which he said would reduce the amount of “ greenhouse gases ” released into the atmosphere .
Of course , human emissions of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 percent of all the “ greenhouse gases ” present naturally in the atmosphere .
Conway is an “ Economics Editor ” for Sky News , a British broadcaster owned by Rupert Murdoch ’ s News Corp. , the owner of Fox News and the Wall Street Journal .
The parent company is a corporate member of the subversive globalist group known as the Council on Foreign Relations .

Less than a week after Denver city councilwoman Candi CdeBaca touted spreading coronavirus at Trump rallies to kill them all off, another leftist has stepped up to the plate, calling for the spread of coronavirus to kill off old people, who are statistically more likely to be climate skeptics.
According to Marc Morano’s Climate Depot, citing a Liberty Sentinel staff report:
In a column headlined “Coronavirus can trigger a new industrial revolution,” writer Ed Conway sounds positively ghoulish.
Against the Left: A Ro... Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn H Best Price: $2.85 Buy New $8.00 (as of 07:59 UTC - Details) “Don’t take this the wrong way but if you were a young, hardline environmentalist looking for the ultimate weapon against climate change, you could hardly design anything better than coronavirus,” the sicko wrote.
“Unlike most other such diseases, it kills mostly the old who, let’s face it, are more likely to be climate sceptics,” he added.
Conway also touted the economy being on lock down, which he said would reduce the amount of “greenhouse gases” released into the atmosphere.
Of course, human emissions of CO2 make up just a fraction of 1 percent of all the “greenhouse gases” present naturally in the atmosphere.
Conway is an “Economics Editor” for Sky News, a British broadcaster owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp., the owner of Fox News and the Wall Street Journal. The parent company is a corporate member of the subversive globalist group known as the Council on Foreign Relations.


lewrockwell--2020-03-10--Things Take a Turn, And Not for the Better

Around the same time that most Americans set their clocks ahead this weekend , something more momentous shoved the world into an epic phase-change , and the modern era , with all its mighty baggage , was finally swept away , along with that single lost hour of darkness .
We ’ re in a new world , and one night later , out on the freeway of history , the engine of the global economy threw a rod .
The chauffeur is still standing alongside the stricken vehicle in the breakdown lane , scratching his head while sour-smelling smoke @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d think that truly earthshaking events like that might change the so-called narrative , but The New York Times was at it again this morning with this front-page op-ed purporting to explain all the sorrows of our times : That ’ s how out-of-it the narrators are , even while a thuggish reality whapped them repeatedly upside the head with a two-by-four for weeks leading up to this .
No , Dean Baquet ( NYT ed-in-chief ) , transphobia does not explain the quandaries of our time , any more than sorcery @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the plagues of the 1300s that put a chapter of the human story to rest and started a new one .
That elaborate machine of globalism just never figured on a situation when so many people in all corners of the world would have to hunker down in place to wait out one of Gaia ’ s super-weapons — though it is still not known if corona virus was actually created by Gaia ’ s wards , Homo sapiens , themselves , who are suddenly feeling the blowback .
Living in the Long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 24.95 Lots of things are blowing back on us now , especially from the patches , tweaks , and work-arounds we applied to the shuddering system while the “ check engine ” light was flashing the past twelve years .
After the awesome skid of 2008 , you ’ d think the world ’ s money managers might have learned something about the hazards of stepping on the gas when those lights were flashing .
Sadly , the tens of thousands of PhD economists in the back seat couldn ’ t think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history will regard them as no better than the hooded priests of the 1300s who swung their smoking censers in the dark streets while the stricken town folk bundled their dead .
The new disposition of things is upon us , and the sooner we get with the program , the better .
Welcome to The Long Emergency and its aftermath , a world made by hand .
Expect that a lot of things crashing , grinding to a halt , and falling to pieces will not get patched back together and restarted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , we ’ ll discover one of the primary conditions of the new era : we ’ re poorer — a lot of what we took to be money , or things that represented money , were figments .
“ Money ” itself , as manifested in currencies , may become a slippery concept , with low credibility .
If that ’ s the case , people ought to ask themselves : how can I be useful or helpful to the others around me in a way that will raise my own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the good will of these other people , and perhaps some of their help or service in return for mine ?
That is the beginning of building a local community — people bound together by mutual obligations , responsibilities , duties , and rewards .
We ’ re lucky for one thing : this crisis of advanced civilization is striking at the very start of the planting season .
If you ’ re prudent , you can begin at once to organize serious gardening efforts , if you live in a part @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I ’ d go heavy on the potatoes , cabbages , winter squashes , and beans , because they ’ re all keepers over winter .
Baby chicks sell at the local ag stores for a few bucks each now and you ’ ll be very grateful for the eggs .
Get a rooster — even though they can be a pain-in-the-ass — and you won ’ t have to buy any more chicks .
If you live in a part of the country where the terrain is rugged and well-watered — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local hydro sites that might potentially generate electricity or drive machinery directly from water power .
We will probably need more of that .
Around here many of those sites are signified by the ruins of decommissioned factories and hydro-stations from not much more than a century ago .
They were originally built with a lot less machine power than we would use today , and a lot more power of men working in groups .
We ’ ve forgotten how effective men can be working together with pretty simple tools .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decades for the sake of a moral crusade to erase “ gender ” differences .
Well , that will be bygone so fast your head will spin .
The big cities won ’ t do well if supply chains stay down for a month or longer .
This ought to be self-evident .
If you have friends or relatives in places where food can be grown , or in the small towns favorably located near productive land and running water , maybe this is a good time to start negotiating some new arrangements @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can .
Nobody knows yet just how deeply the effects of corona virus will cut through daily life in the weeks ahead .
The potential for disorder isn ’ t tiny , looking at the current situation , at least in terms of broken business relationships and the flow of vital goods .
We ’ ve apparently entered the hunkering-in-place stage of the crisis .
Be prepared for plenty of action when the hunkering ends and the hungering begins .
The Best of James Howard Kunstler

Around the same time that most Americans set their clocks ahead this weekend, something more momentous shoved the world into an epic phase-change, and the modern era, with all its mighty baggage, was finally swept away, along with that single lost hour of darkness. We’re in a new world, and one night later, out on the freeway of history, the engine of the global economy threw a rod. The chauffeur is still standing alongside the stricken vehicle in the breakdown lane, scratching his head while sour-smelling smoke wafts up from the hood.
You’d think that truly earthshaking events like that might change the so-called narrative, but The New York Times was at it again this morning with this front-page op-ed purporting to explain all the sorrows of our times:
That’s how out-of-it the narrators are, even while a thuggish reality whapped them repeatedly upside the head with a two-by-four for weeks leading up to this. No, Dean Baquet (NYT ed-in-chief), transphobia does not explain the quandaries of our time, any more than sorcery or the wickedness of black cats explained the plagues of the 1300s that put a chapter of the human story to rest and started a new one. That elaborate machine of globalism just never figured on a situation when so many people in all corners of the world would have to hunker down in place to wait out one of Gaia’s super-weapons — though it is still not known if corona virus was actually created by Gaia’s wards, Homo sapiens, themselves, who are suddenly feeling the blowback. Living in the Long Eme... James Howard Kunstler Buy New $24.95 (as of 10:56 UTC - Details)
Lots of things are blowing back on us now, especially from the patches, tweaks, and work-arounds we applied to the shuddering system while the “check engine” light was flashing the past twelve years. After the awesome skid of 2008, you’d think the world’s money managers might have learned something about the hazards of stepping on the gas when those lights were flashing. Sadly, the tens of thousands of PhD economists in the back seat couldn’t think of anything else to do. And history will regard them as no better than the hooded priests of the 1300s who swung their smoking censers in the dark streets while the stricken town folk bundled their dead.
The new disposition of things is upon us, and the sooner we get with the program, the better. Welcome to The Long Emergency and its aftermath, a world made by hand. Expect that a lot of things crashing, grinding to a halt, and falling to pieces will not get patched back together and restarted. When the dust settles from all that, we’ll discover one of the primary conditions of the new era: we’re poorer — a lot of what we took to be money, or things that represented money, were figments. “Money” itself, as manifested in currencies, may become a slippery concept, with low credibility. If that’s the case, people ought to ask themselves: how can I be useful or helpful to the others around me in a way that will raise my own social capital and accumulate, at least, the good will of these other people, and perhaps some of their help or service in return for mine? That is the beginning of building a local community — people bound together by mutual obligations, responsibilities, duties, and rewards.
We’re lucky for one thing: this crisis of advanced civilization is striking at the very start of the planting season. If you’re prudent, you can begin at once to organize serious gardening efforts, if you live in a part of the country where that is possible. I’d go heavy on the potatoes, cabbages, winter squashes, and beans, because they’re all keepers over winter. Baby chicks sell at the local ag stores for a few bucks each now and you’ll be very grateful for the eggs. Get a rooster — even though they can be a pain-in-the-ass — and you won’t have to buy any more chicks.
If you live in a part of the country where the terrain is rugged and well-watered — as I do — start scoping out local hydro sites that might potentially generate electricity or drive machinery directly from water power. We will probably need more of that. Around here many of those sites are signified by the ruins of decommissioned factories and hydro-stations from not much more than a century ago. They were originally built with a lot less machine power than we would use today, and a lot more power of men working in groups. We’ve forgotten how effective men can be working together with pretty simple tools. We were too busy devaluing men in recent decades for the sake of a moral crusade to erase “gender” differences. Well, that will be bygone so fast your head will spin.
The big cities won’t do well if supply chains stay down for a month or longer. This ought to be self-evident. If you have friends or relatives in places where food can be grown, or in the small towns favorably located near productive land and running water, maybe this is a good time to start negotiating some new arrangements and making a move, if you can. Nobody knows yet just how deeply the effects of corona virus will cut through daily life in the weeks ahead. The potential for disorder isn’t tiny, looking at the current situation, at least in terms of broken business relationships and the flow of vital goods. We’ve apparently entered the hunkering-in-place stage of the crisis. Be prepared for plenty of action when the hunkering ends and the hungering begins.
Reprinted with permission from Kunstler.com.
The Best of James Howard Kunstler


lewrockwell--2020-03-10--Obeisance to the ‘Greater Good’

Obeisance to the ‘Greater Good’

Most people in the West are familiar with the biblical story of Moses .
In this tale , a spiritual leader , chosen by God , leads his people out of Egypt to the promised land .
The Israelites are saved .
God provides Moses with a list of commandments that they are to live by – pretty basic stuff : Don ’ t kill people , don ’ t steal or lie , don ’ t cheat on your spouse , etc .
But interestingly , the second commandment exhorts the Israelites not to create false gods , nor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Unfortunately , when Moses was away , the Israelites did create a false god .
They couldn ’ t resist the very human urge to have a visible deity that would hopefully provide them with good times , as long as they were willing to prostrate themselves before it .
And past eras are filled with such stories – naïve pagans sacrificing animals and humans to the deities in the hopes that they would provide rain , a good crop , healthy babies , freedom from inter-tribal aggression , etc .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Egyptians , the Romans , the Aztecs , etc.
, and shake our heads at their naivete .
All of them created great ceremonies that involved blood sacrifices , in order to appease the deities .
Against the Left : A Ro ... Llewellyn H Rockwell Jr Best Price : $ 13.57 Buy New $ 8.00 So , how are we doing ?
Have we banished paganism from the modern world ?
Well , unfortunately , no .
We may live in a more technological age , yet human nature remains the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focused within themselves have the perennial tendency to want to put their faith in some magical entity out there who will smile upon them and make all the bad things go away .
But even more astonishing is the fact that , just as in days of yore , a majority of people are quite prepared to suspend logic in order to believe in such pagan deities .
A quick peek at the current religion of Climate Change reminds us of this .
It began as “ Global Cooling ” but fell flat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ occur just when the concept was introduced .
It took the Global Cooling scammers over a decade to decide that they were on the wrong track , but when they did , they changed the name of the conceptual deity to “ Global Warming , ” to match the existing weather conditions .
But unfortunately , a cyclical solar cooling period was due to arrive and Global Warming failed to match the new weather conditions .
Time to give up and admit that a false deity had been imagined ?
Not at all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the deity – Climate Change – that would encompass literally anything that happened in the weather .
From that day forward , the prophets attributed every earthquake , every typhoon , every drought to the Climate Change deity .
Every meteorological event therefore provided “ proof ” of man-made Climate Change .
And like the Pharisees of old , the Climate Change prophets proclaimed that the natural disasters were due to the sins of the population – that they were being punished by the deity… for driving SUVs and relying on coal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as they always do .
“ The end of the world is nigh ” has sold well for millennia .
Paganism works every time .
And as any Climate Change activist will proclaim , “ We must make sacrifices.
” The gods must be appeased and the prophets will always assure the tribe that a sacrificial offering is necessary to accomplish this .
Thankfully , in this particular case , all that ’ s required to appease the god is to pay a carbon tax .
It ’ s not clear how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have faith and pay .
But Climate Change is a mere carnival sideshow in comparison to the main event .
Mankind has always had amongst its number those individuals ( roughly four percent , according to studies ) who are sociopathic , who are obsessive in their desire to control others , whilst having little or no emotional capacity to be concerned about the genuine welfare of the populace .
In tribes , these individuals strive to rise to the top .
In larger communities , they tend to form groups to provide @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large enough , sociopaths rise in prominence , to form and expand governments to rule their minions .
In every case , the larger a population becomes , the greater the opportunity to have power over them , since they can be taxed in order to fund the government .
The greater their numbers , the greater the tax revenue .
The greater the revenue , the greater the power of leaders to dominate the lesser mortals .
But along the way , some members of the hoi polloi may at times say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why should we let the leaders dictate to us whilst they live off the fruits of our labour ?
” And invariably , neo-paganism is trotted out to fill its perennial role .
The populace is reminded that , without obeisance on their part , there would be chaos and all would suffer .
Therefore , all must sacrifice for the sake of “ the common good.
” The reader might recall Hillary Clinton commenting in 2004 , “ We ’ re going to take things away from you on behalf of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up-front about the intention of the State , echoing predecessors such as Karl Marx , Adolf Hitler , Josef Stalin and a host of Caesars .
Most all political leaders have the same intent , although they ’ re generally a bit more subtle in their language .
( A veiled intent attracts a greater number of willing followers . )
The result is also perennial : The tribe accepts a condition of increased taxation and regulation and thereby becomes increasingly enslaved and subservient to the leaders .
After all – to refuse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ good – to invite chaos .
Conceived in Liberty , ... Murray N Rothbard Best Price : $ 9.00 Buy New $ 15.39 But how are we to know when we ’ ve reached this point of subjugation ?
At what point do we go beyond “ willing contributors ” and degenerate into “ servants of the rulers ?
” Thomas Jefferson made this distinction , circa 1800 .
He said , “ When the people fear their government , there is tyranny ; when the government fears the people , there is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ formed the United States , their primary goal was to do away with obeisance to any government .
At the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 , Benjamin Franklin was asked by a delegate , “ What have we got ?
” Mister Franklin replied , “ A republic… if you can keep it.
” But the republic , as anticipated , devolved into a mere democracy , which then further eroded into a plutocracy/bureaucracy – rule by the very rich in the form of a central banking cartel , enforced through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greater being ” is regressive , whether that greater being is a deity or a government .
Liberty is , by definition , the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one ’ s behavior , views , or way of life .

Most people in the West are familiar with the biblical story of Moses. In this tale, a spiritual leader, chosen by God, leads his people out of Egypt to the promised land.
The Israelites are saved. God provides Moses with a list of commandments that they are to live by – pretty basic stuff: Don’t kill people, don’t steal or lie, don’t cheat on your spouse, etc.
But interestingly, the second commandment exhorts the Israelites not to create false gods, nor to bow down to nor serve them.
Unfortunately, when Moses was away, the Israelites did create a false god. They couldn’t resist the very human urge to have a visible deity that would hopefully provide them with good times, as long as they were willing to prostrate themselves before it.
And past eras are filled with such stories – naïve pagans sacrificing animals and humans to the deities in the hopes that they would provide rain, a good crop, healthy babies, freedom from inter-tribal aggression, etc.
We can look upon otherwise-advanced cultures such as the Egyptians, the Romans, the Aztecs, etc., and shake our heads at their naivete. All of them created great ceremonies that involved blood sacrifices, in order to appease the deities. Against the Left: A Ro... Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn H Best Price: $2.85 Buy New $8.00 (as of 07:59 UTC - Details)
So, how are we doing? Have we banished paganism from the modern world?
Well, unfortunately, no. We may live in a more technological age, yet human nature remains the same. Those who are not highly focused within themselves have the perennial tendency to want to put their faith in some magical entity out there who will smile upon them and make all the bad things go away.
But even more astonishing is the fact that, just as in days of yore, a majority of people are quite prepared to suspend logic in order to believe in such pagan deities.
A quick peek at the current religion of Climate Change reminds us of this.
It began as “Global Cooling” but fell flat since a solar warm spell happened to occur just when the concept was introduced. It took the Global Cooling scammers over a decade to decide that they were on the wrong track, but when they did, they changed the name of the conceptual deity to “Global Warming,” to match the existing weather conditions. But unfortunately, a cyclical solar cooling period was due to arrive and Global Warming failed to match the new weather conditions.
Time to give up and admit that a false deity had been imagined? Not at all. A further new name was given to the deity – Climate Change – that would encompass literally anything that happened in the weather. From that day forward, the prophets attributed every earthquake, every typhoon, every drought to the Climate Change deity. Every meteorological event therefore provided “proof” of man-made Climate Change.
And like the Pharisees of old, the Climate Change prophets proclaimed that the natural disasters were due to the sins of the population – that they were being punished by the deity… for driving SUVs and relying on coal for heating.
And people bought it, as they always do. “The end of the world is nigh” has sold well for millennia. Paganism works every time.
And as any Climate Change activist will proclaim, “We must make sacrifices.”
The gods must be appeased and the prophets will always assure the tribe that a sacrificial offering is necessary to accomplish this.
Thankfully, in this particular case, all that’s required to appease the god is to pay a carbon tax. It’s not clear how this will end Climate Change, but… have faith and pay.
But Climate Change is a mere carnival sideshow in comparison to the main event.
Mankind has always had amongst its number those individuals (roughly four percent, according to studies) who are sociopathic, who are obsessive in their desire to control others, whilst having little or no emotional capacity to be concerned about the genuine welfare of the populace.
In tribes, these individuals strive to rise to the top. In larger communities, they tend to form groups to provide leadership, and as any community grows large enough, sociopaths rise in prominence, to form and expand governments to rule their minions.
In every case, the larger a population becomes, the greater the opportunity to have power over them, since they can be taxed in order to fund the government. The greater their numbers, the greater the tax revenue. The greater the revenue, the greater the power of leaders to dominate the lesser mortals.
But along the way, some members of the hoi polloi may at times say, “Hang on a minute – why should we let the leaders dictate to us whilst they live off the fruits of our labour?”
And invariably, neo-paganism is trotted out to fill its perennial role.
The populace is reminded that, without obeisance on their part, there would be chaos and all would suffer. Therefore, all must sacrifice for the sake of “the common good.”
The reader might recall Hillary Clinton commenting in 2004, “We’re going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good.”
Mrs. Clinton was very up-front about the intention of the State, echoing predecessors such as Karl Marx, Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin and a host of Caesars.
Most all political leaders have the same intent, although they’re generally a bit more subtle in their language. (A veiled intent attracts a greater number of willing followers.)
The result is also perennial: The tribe accepts a condition of increased taxation and regulation and thereby becomes increasingly enslaved and subservient to the leaders.
After all – to refuse obeisance would be to endanger the common good – to invite chaos. Conceived in Liberty, ... Murray N Rothbard Best Price: $9.00 Buy New $15.39 (as of 08:05 UTC - Details)
But how are we to know when we’ve reached this point of subjugation? At what point do we go beyond “willing contributors” and degenerate into “servants of the rulers?”
Thomas Jefferson made this distinction, circa 1800. He said, “When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.”
When he and his cohorts formed the United States, their primary goal was to do away with obeisance to any government. At the close of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, Benjamin Franklin was asked by a delegate, “What have we got?”
Mister Franklin replied, “A republic… if you can keep it.”
But the republic, as anticipated, devolved into a mere democracy, which then further eroded into a plutocracy/bureaucracy – rule by the very rich in the form of a central banking cartel, enforced through non-elected officialdom.
Obeisance to any “greater being” is regressive, whether that greater being is a deity or a government. Liberty is, by definition, the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s behavior, views, or way of life.
Reprinted with permission from International Man.


lewrockwell--2020-03-10--Sugar and Spice and Everything Vice: the Empire’s Sin City of London

The over 1000 point plunge of the stock market on Feb 27th and broader ruptures of the financial system last week have been yet another wake up call for those who have been contented so far to “ live in the moment ” of fast money .
Since the 2008 financial crisis , which is considered the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s , many have not been able to go back to sleep after such a lucid nightmare .
Some have chosen the path of stocking up on cans of beans , distilling their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as Bear Grylls hoping to absorb his skills through television osmosis .
The 2008 crisis put in the spotlight the psychopathic level of greed , vice , apathy and short-sightedness from those who wanted to play into the City of London and Wall Street casino houses .
Get rich quick and don ’ t care who you screw in the process , after all , at the end of the day you ’ re either a winner or a loser .
Since the general public tends to consist of decent people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how entire economies of countries have been hijacked by these piranhas .
That we have hit such a level of crime that even people ’ s hard earned pensions , education , health-care , housing etc .
are all being gambled away… LEGALLY .
Conceived in Liberty , ... Murray N Rothbard Best Price : $ 9.00 Buy New $ 15.39 Looking upon investment bankers today , one is reminded of those sad addicts in the casino who are ruined and lose everything , except the difference is , they are given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family into slavery to pay off their debt .
It is no secret that much of the “ finance ” that goes through the City of London and Wall Street is dirty and yet despite this recognition , there appears to be an inability to address it and that at this point we are told that if we tried to address it by breaking up and regulating the “ Too Big to Fail ” banks , then the whole economy would come tumbling down .
That is , the world is so evidently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point we have become dependent on its dirty money to keep afloat the world economy .
Faced with the onrushing collapse of the financial system , the greatest Ivy League trained minds of the world have run into a dead end : the bailouts into the banking system that began this past September have prevented a chain reaction meltdown for a few months , but as the liquidity runs out so too will the ideas on where the money justifying bank bailouts will come from .
With these dead ends , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minds of a large strata of economists who have been making the case in recent years that valuable revenue can yet be generated from one more untapped stream : the decriminalisation and legalisation of vice .
Hell , the major banks have already been doing this covertly as a matter of practice for generations… so why not just come out of the closet and make it official ?
This is where the money is at .
This is where the job market is at .
So let us not “ bite the hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this truly the case ?
Is there really no qualitative difference how the money is generated and how it is spent as long as there is an adequate money flow ?
Well it is never a good sign when beside the richest you can also find the poorest just a stone ’ s throw away .
And right beside the largest financial center in the world , the City of London , there lies the poorest borough in all of London : Tower Hamlets with a 39 % poverty rate and an family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 000/year .
“ Hell is a city much like London ” Although Wall Street has contributed greatly to this sad situation , this banking hub of America is best understood as the spawn of the City of London .
The City of London is over 800 years old , it is arguably older than England herself , and for over 400 years it has been the financial center of the world .
During the medieval period the City of London , otherwise known as the Square Mile or simply the City , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ each by an alderman .
This continues today .
In addition , there existed the ominously titled City of London Corporation , or simply the Corporation , which is the municipal governing body of the City .
This also still continues today .
Though the Corporation ’ s origins can not be specifically dated , since there was never a “ surviving ” charter found establishing its “ legal ” basis , it has kept its functions to this day based on the Magna Carta .
The Magna Carta is a charter of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1215 , which states that “ the City of London shall have/enjoy its ancient liberties ” .
In other words , the legal function of the Corporation has never been questioned , reviewed , re-evaluated EVER but rather it has been left to legally function as in accordance with their “ ancient liberties ” , which is a very grey description of function if you ask me .
In other words , they are free to do as they deem fit .
And it gets worst .
The Corporation is not actually under @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That is , the British government presently does not have the authority to undermine how the Corporation of the City chooses to govern the largest financial center in the world .
The City has a separate voting system that allows for , well , corporations to vote in how their separate “ government ” should run .
It also has its own private police force and system of private courts .
The Martyrdom of Thoma ... Martin , David Best Price : $ 12.95 Buy New $ 17.99 The Corporation is not just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The City Remembrancer , which sounds more like a warped version of the ghost of Christmas past , has the role of acting as a channel of communication between the Corporation and the Sovereign ( the Queen ) , the Royal Household and Parliament .
The Remembrancer thus acts as a “ reminder ” , some would even say “ enforcer ” , of the will of the Corporation .
This position has been held by Paul Double since 2003 , it is not clear who bestows this non-elected position .
Mr .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ an official lobbyist in the House of Commons , and sits to the right of the Speaker ’ s chair , with the purpose of scrutinising and influencing any legislation he deems affects the interests of the Corporation .
He also appears to have the right to review any piece of legislation as it is being drafted and can even comment on it affecting its final outcome .
He is the only non-elected person allowed into the House of Commons .
According to the official City of London website , the reason why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is because : However , the workers have absolutely no say .
The City ’ s organisations they work for have a certain size vote based on the number of workers they employ , but they do not consult these workers , and many of them are not even aware that such elections take place .
If you feel like you have just walked through Alice ’ s Looking Glass , you ’ re not alone , but what appears to be an absurd level of madness is what has been running the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 1600s , under the machinations of the British Empire .
Therefore the question is , if the City of London has kept its “ ancient liberties ” and has upheld its global financial power , is the British Empire truly gone ?
Contrary to popular naïve belief , the empire on which the sun never sets ( some say “ because God wouldn ’ t trust them in the dark ” ) never went away .
After WWII , colonisation was meant to be done away with , and many thought , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Countries were reclaiming their sovereignty , governments were being set up by the people , the system of looting and pillaging had come to an end .
It is a nice story , but could not be further from the truth .
In the 1950s , to “ adapt ” to the changing global financial climate , the City of London set up what are called “ secrecy jurisdictions ” .
These were to operate within the last remnants of Britain ’ s small territories/colonies .
Of Britain ’ s 14 oversea territories @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or “ secrecy jurisdictions ” .
A separate international financial market was also created to facilitate the flow of this offshore money , the Eurodollar market .
Since this market has its banks outside of the UK and U.S. , they are not under the jurisdiction of either country .
By 1997 , nearly 90 % of all international loans were made through this market .
What is often misunderstood is that the City of London ’ s offshore finances are not contained in a system of banking secrecy but rather of trusts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately plays with the concept of ownership .
The idea is that you hand over your assets to a trustee and at that point , legally those assets are no longer yours anymore and you are not responsible for accounting for them .
Your connection to said assets is completely hidden .
In addition , within Britain ’ s offshore jurisdictions , there is no qualification required for who can become a trustee : anyone can set up a trust and anyone can become a trustee .
There is also no registry of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the only ones who know about this arrangement are the trustee and the settler .
John Christensen , an investigative economist , estimates that this capital that legally belongs to nobody could amount to as high as $ 50 trillion within these British territories .
Not only is this not being taxed , but a significant portion of it has been stolen from sectors of the real economy .
So how does this affect “ formerly ” colonised countries ?
Recarving Rushmore : Ra ... Ivan Eland Best Price : $ 9.00 Buy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for most developing nations .
According to John Christensen , the combined external debts of Sub-Saharan African countries was $ 177 billion in 2008 .
However , the wealth that these countries ’ elites moved offshore , between 1970-2008 , is estimated at $ 944 billion , 5X their foreign debt .
This is not only dirty money , this is also STOLEN money from the resources and productivity of these economies .
Thus , as Christensen states , “ Far from being a net debtor to the world , Sub-Saharan Africa is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Put in this context , the so-called “ backwardness ” of Africa is not due to its incapability to produce , but rather that it has been experiencing uninterrupted looting since these regions were first colonised .
These African countries then need to borrow money , which is happily given to them at high interest rates , and accrues a level of debt that could never be repaid .
These countries are thus looted twice over , leaving no money left to invest in their future , let alone to put food @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what make this sort of activity “ legal ” and rampant .
And it doesn ’ t stop there .
Worldwide , it is estimated that developing countries lose $ 1 trillion every year in capital flight and tax evasion .
Most of this wealth goes back into the UK and U.S. through these offshore havens , and allows their currencies to stay strong whilst developing nations ’ currencies are kept weak .
However , developing nations are not the only ones to have suffered from this system of looting .
The very @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also been gutted .
In the 1960s and onward , the UK and U.S. , to compensate for the increase in money flow out of their countries decided that it was a good idea to open their domestic markets to the trillions of dollars passing through its offshore havens .
However , such banks are not interested in putting their money into industry and manufacturing , they put their money into real estate speculation , financial speculation and foreign currency trade .
And thus the financialization of British and American economies resulted , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ real economy decreased or disappeared .
Although many economists try to claim differently , the desperation has boiled over and movements like the yellow vests are reflections of the true consequences of these economic policies .
We have reached a point now where every western first world country is struggling with a much higher unemployment rate and a lower standard of living than 40 years ago .
Along with increased poverty has followed increased drug use , increased suicide and increased crime .
According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the UK has by far the highest rate of drug overdose in all of Europe at 31 % followed by Germany at 15 % .
That is , the UK consists of 1/3 drug overdoses that occur in all of Europe .
The average family income in the UK is presently £28 , 400 .
The poverty rate within the UK is ~20 % .
The average family income of what was once the epicentre of world industrialisation , Detroit , has an average family income of $ 26 , 249 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ % .
What is the solution ?
Reverse Margaret Thatcher ’ s 1986 Big Bang deregulation of the banking system that destroyed the separation of commercial banking , investment banking , trusts and insurance for starters .
A similar restoration of Glass-Steagall in the USA should follow suit , not only to break up the “ Too Big to Fail ” banking system but to restore the authority of nation states over private finance once more .
IF these emergency measures were done before the markets collapse ( and they will collapse ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nations can still occur .
Let us end here by hearkening to the words of Clement Attlee , UK Prime Minister from 1945-1951 : “ Over and over again we have seen that there is another power than that which has its seat at Westminster .
The City of London , a convenient term for a collection of financial interests , is able to assert itself against the government of the country .
Those who control money can pursue a policy at home and abroad contrary to that which is being decided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributors do not necessarily represent those of the Strategic Culture Foundation .

The over 1000 point plunge of the stock market on Feb 27th and broader ruptures of the financial system last week have been yet another wake up call for those who have been contented so far to “live in the moment” of fast money.
Since the 2008 financial crisis, which is considered the most serious financial crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, many have not been able to go back to sleep after such a lucid nightmare. Some have chosen the path of stocking up on cans of beans, distilling their urine into water and binge watching survivalists such as Bear Grylls hoping to absorb his skills through television osmosis.
The 2008 crisis put in the spotlight the psychopathic level of greed, vice, apathy and short-sightedness from those who wanted to play into the City of London and Wall Street casino houses. Get rich quick and don’t care who you screw in the process, after all, at the end of the day you’re either a winner or a loser.
Since the general public tends to consist of decent people, there is a widespread difficulty in comprehending how entire economies of countries have been hijacked by these piranhas. That we have hit such a level of crime that even people’s hard earned pensions, education, health-care, housing etc. are all being gambled away… LEGALLY. Conceived in Liberty, ... Murray N Rothbard Best Price: $9.00 Buy New $15.39 (as of 08:05 UTC - Details)
Looking upon investment bankers today, one is reminded of those sad addicts in the casino who are ruined and lose everything, except the difference is, they are given the option to sell their neighbour’s family into slavery to pay off their debt.
It is no secret that much of the “finance” that goes through the City of London and Wall Street is dirty and yet despite this recognition, there appears to be an inability to address it and that at this point we are told that if we tried to address it by breaking up and regulating the “Too Big to Fail” banks, then the whole economy would come tumbling down.
That is, the world is so evidently run by criminal activity that at this point we have become dependent on its dirty money to keep afloat the world economy.
Faced with the onrushing collapse of the financial system, the greatest Ivy League trained minds of the world have run into a dead end: the bailouts into the banking system that began this past September have prevented a chain reaction meltdown for a few months, but as the liquidity runs out so too will the ideas on where the money justifying bank bailouts will come from.
With these dead ends, we have seen the lightbulb go off in the minds of a large strata of economists who have been making the case in recent years that valuable revenue can yet be generated from one more untapped stream: the decriminalisation and legalisation of vice.
Hell, the major banks have already been doing this covertly as a matter of practice for generations… so why not just come out of the closet and make it official? This is where the money is at. This is where the job market is at. So let us not “bite the hand that feeds us”!
But is this truly the case? Is there really no qualitative difference how the money is generated and how it is spent as long as there is an adequate money flow?
Well it is never a good sign when beside the richest you can also find the poorest just a stone’s throw away. And right beside the largest financial center in the world, the City of London, there lies the poorest borough in all of London: Tower Hamlets with a 39% poverty rate and an average family income amounting to less than £ 13, 000/year.
A City within a City
“Hell is a city much like London”
– Percy Bysshe Shelley
Although Wall Street has contributed greatly to this sad situation, this banking hub of America is best understood as the spawn of the City of London.
The City of London is over 800 years old, it is arguably older than England herself, and for over 400 years it has been the financial center of the world.
During the medieval period the City of London, otherwise known as the Square Mile or simply the City, was divided into 25 ancient wards headed each by an alderman. This continues today. In addition, there existed the ominously titled City of London Corporation, or simply the Corporation, which is the municipal governing body of the City. This also still continues today.
Though the Corporation’s origins cannot be specifically dated, since there was never a “surviving” charter found establishing its “legal” basis, it has kept its functions to this day based on the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta is a charter of rights agreed to by King John in 1215, which states that “the City of London shall have/enjoy its ancient liberties”. In other words, the legal function of the Corporation has never been questioned, reviewed, re-evaluated EVER but rather it has been left to legally function as in accordance with their “ancient liberties”, which is a very grey description of function if you ask me. In other words, they are free to do as they deem fit.
And it gets worst. The Corporation is not actually under the jurisdiction of the British government. That is, the British government presently does not have the authority to undermine how the Corporation of the City chooses to govern the largest financial center in the world. The City has a separate voting system that allows for, well, corporations to vote in how their separate “government” should run. It also has its own private police force and system of private courts. The Martyrdom of Thoma... Martin, David Best Price: $12.95 Buy New $17.99 (as of 01:05 UTC - Details)
The Corporation is not just limited to functioning within the City. The City Remembrancer, which sounds more like a warped version of the ghost of Christmas past, has the role of acting as a channel of communication between the Corporation and the Sovereign (the Queen), the Royal Household and Parliament. The Remembrancer thus acts as a “reminder”, some would even say “enforcer”, of the will of the Corporation. This position has been held by Paul Double since 2003, it is not clear who bestows this non-elected position.
Mr. Double has the right to act as an official lobbyist in the House of Commons, and sits to the right of the Speaker’s chair, with the purpose of scrutinising and influencing any legislation he deems affects the interests of the Corporation. He also appears to have the right to review any piece of legislation as it is being drafted and can even comment on it affecting its final outcome. He is the only non-elected person allowed into the House of Commons.
According to the official City of London website, the reason why the City has a separate voting system is because:
“The City is the only area in the country in which the number of workers significantly outnumbers the residents and therefore, to be truly representative of its population, offers a vote to City organisations so they can have their say on the way the City is run.”
However, the workers have absolutely no say. The City’s organisations they work for have a certain size vote based on the number of workers they employ, but they do not consult these workers, and many of them are not even aware that such elections take place.
If you feel like you have just walked through Alice’s Looking Glass, you’re not alone, but what appears to be an absurd level of madness is what has been running the largest financial center in the world since the 1600s, under the machinations of the British Empire.
Therefore the question is, if the City of London has kept its “ancient liberties” and has upheld its global financial power, is the British Empire truly gone?
Offshore Banking: Adam Smith’s Invisible Hand?
Contrary to popular naïve belief, the empire on which the sun never sets (some say “because God wouldn’t trust them in the dark”) never went away.
After WWII, colonisation was meant to be done away with, and many thought, so too with the British Empire. Countries were reclaiming their sovereignty, governments were being set up by the people, the system of looting and pillaging had come to an end.
It is a nice story, but could not be further from the truth.
In the 1950s, to “adapt” to the changing global financial climate, the City of London set up what are called “secrecy jurisdictions”. These were to operate within the last remnants of Britain’s small territories/colonies. Of Britain’s 14 oversea territories, 7 are bona fide tax havens or “secrecy jurisdictions”. A separate international financial market was also created to facilitate the flow of this offshore money, the Eurodollar market. Since this market has its banks outside of the UK and U.S., they are not under the jurisdiction of either country.
By 1997, nearly 90% of all international loans were made through this market.
What is often misunderstood is that the City of London’s offshore finances are not contained in a system of banking secrecy but rather of trusts. The difference being that a trust ultimately plays with the concept of ownership. The idea is that you hand over your assets to a trustee and at that point, legally those assets are no longer yours anymore and you are not responsible for accounting for them. Your connection to said assets is completely hidden.
In addition, within Britain’s offshore jurisdictions, there is no qualification required for who can become a trustee: anyone can set up a trust and anyone can become a trustee. There is also no registry of trusts in these territories. Thus, the only ones who know about this arrangement are the trustee and the settler.
John Christensen, an investigative economist, estimates that this capital that legally belongs to nobody could amount to as high as $50 trillion within these British territories. Not only is this not being taxed, but a significant portion of it has been stolen from sectors of the real economy.
So how does this affect “formerly” colonised countries? Recarving Rushmore: Ra... Ivan Eland Best Price: $9.00 Buy New $11.50 (as of 05:25 UTC - Details)
There lies the rub for most developing nations. According to John Christensen, the combined external debts of Sub-Saharan African countries was $177 billion in 2008. However, the wealth that these countries’ elites moved offshore, between 1970-2008, is estimated at $944 billion, 5X their foreign debt. This is not only dirty money, this is also STOLEN money from the resources and productivity of these economies. Thus, as Christensen states, “Far from being a net debtor to the world, Sub-Saharan Africa is a net creditor” to offshore finance.
Put in this context, the so-called “backwardness” of Africa is not due to its incapability to produce, but rather that it has been experiencing uninterrupted looting since these regions were first colonised.
These African countries then need to borrow money, which is happily given to them at high interest rates, and accrues a level of debt that could never be repaid. These countries are thus looted twice over, leaving no money left to invest in their future, let alone to put food on the table.
Offshore havens are what make this sort of activity “legal” and rampant.
And it doesn’t stop there. Worldwide, it is estimated that developing countries lose $1 trillion every year in capital flight and tax evasion. Most of this wealth goes back into the UK and U.S. through these offshore havens, and allows their currencies to stay strong whilst developing nations’ currencies are kept weak.
However, developing nations are not the only ones to have suffered from this system of looting. The very economies of the UK and U.S. have also been gutted. In the 1960s and onward, the UK and U.S., to compensate for the increase in money flow out of their countries decided that it was a good idea to open their domestic markets to the trillions of dollars passing through its offshore havens.
However, such banks are not interested in putting their money into industry and manufacturing, they put their money into real estate speculation, financial speculation and foreign currency trade. And thus the financialization of British and American economies resulted, and the real jobs coming from the real economy decreased or disappeared.
Although many economists try to claim differently, the desperation has boiled over and movements like the yellow vests are reflections of the true consequences of these economic policies.
We have reached a point now where every western first world country is struggling with a much higher unemployment rate and a lower standard of living than 40 years ago. Along with increased poverty has followed increased drug use, increased suicide and increased crime.
A Stable Economy based on Freedom or Slavery?
According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) report in 2017, the UK has by far the highest rate of drug overdose in all of Europe at 31% followed by Germany at 15%. That is, the UK consists of 1/3 drug overdoses that occur in all of Europe.
The average family income in the UK is presently £28, 400. The poverty rate within the UK is ~20%.
The average family income of what was once the epicentre of world industrialisation, Detroit, has an average family income of $26, 249. The poverty rate of Detroit is ~34.5%.
What is the solution?
Reverse Margaret Thatcher’s 1986 Big Bang deregulation of the banking system that destroyed the separation of commercial banking, investment banking, trusts and insurance for starters. A similar restoration of Glass-Steagall in the USA should follow suit, not only to break up the “Too Big to Fail” banking system but to restore the authority of nation states over private finance once more. IF these emergency measures were done before the markets collapse (and they will collapse), then the industrial-infrastructure revival throughout trans-Atlantic nations can still occur.
Let us end here by hearkening to the words of Clement Attlee, UK Prime Minister from 1945-1951:
“Over and over again we have seen that there is another power than that which has its seat at Westminster. The City of London, a convenient term for a collection of financial interests, is able to assert itself against the government of the country. Those who control money can pursue a policy at home and abroad contrary to that which is being decided by the people.”
The views of individual contributors do not necessarily represent those of the Strategic Culture Foundation.


lewrockwell--2020-03-10--Gaffelighting: Notes From the Edge of the Narrative Matrix

Gaffelighting¹ , noun .
Meaning : When narrative managers insist that obvious signs of serious mental deterioration are just innocuous “ gaffes ” .
E.g .
“ I know what dementia symptoms look like , stop gaffelighting me.
” “ God that was so awful.
” “ I know !
I never want to think about 2016 again !
” “ Well the good news is the 2020 election can ’ t possibly go any worse.
” “ I mean , the Democrats would have to literally run an actual , clinically diagnosable dementia victim to do any worse in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Best Price : null Buy New $ 15.00 Dismissing Biden ’ s neurological misfires as “ gaffes ” is so gross .
“ Oh , he ’ s always had gaffes.
” Yes , he ’ s often said dumb/gross things .
He ’ s never previously been incapable of remembering elementary facts and stringing words into coherent thoughts , as we are seeing now .
Those aren ’ t “ gaffes ” .
If Biden had been exhibiting these neurological misfirings his entire life , some Media Matters hack would long ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most egregious highlights from his long career .
The footage doesn ’ t exist .
There ’ s footage of Biden saying things that are politically embarrassing in retrospect , there ’ s footage of him saying things he should have thought through more , and there ’ s some slight , occasional stuttering that never stood out as abnormal .
Nothing like the mess we see today .
The entire 2020 US election may have come down to a race between time and the progression of Joe Biden ’ s dementia .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sincere and honest with themselves can truly believe that Biden beats Trump .
I know the Democratic establishment doesn ’ t believe it , and I ’ m pretty sure rank-and-file Democrats don ’ t actually believe it deep down in their guts either .
It ’ s fascinating how much mainstream argumentation amounts to nothing more than screaming DON ’ T TALK ABOUT THAT at people .
I am going to keep saying Joe Biden has dementia , thank you very much .
I don ’ t care how much you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ageist monster .
I don ’ t care how much you tell me I ’ m not seeing what I ’ m seeing .
I am going to keep saying Joe Biden has dementia .
Because he has dementia .
You don ’ t get to run for the most powerful elected office in the world while exhibiting clear and undeniable symptoms of dementia and just have people not talk about it .
That is not a thing .
Everyone should be talking about this .
It ’ s so dumb how many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This isn ’ t mocking some elderly celebrity for developing Alzheimer ’ s symptoms , this is footage of someone being pushed toward the most powerful elected office in the world while clearly losing his mental faculties .
Take control of this story now , or Trump will later .
It ’ s not wrong to point out that the man the DNC are pushing into a train wreck campaign against Trump has undeniable dementia symptoms .
It ’ s not ableist to say someone running to command the most powerful military in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Seize control of this narrative before it ’ s too late .
Rank-and-file Democrats have exactly two choices : 1 – Break the mainstream silence on Biden ’ s obvious neurological decline and start an honest , open conversation about it on mainstream platforms , 2 – Wait for Trump to do it .
And you know damn well he ’ ll make it dominate news headlines .
Keep making noise about Biden ’ s dementia until he either disappears or takes an Alzheimer ’ s test on live television .
By @ @ @ @ @ @ @ US politician gets the most credit for implementing universal healthcare and which of the green energy systems they implemented have been the most successful .
Instead we ’ re arguing about which politician has the worse dementia symptoms .
That ’ s kinda fucked .
My husband did nursing care for dementia patients for 15 years .
He ’ s followed Biden ’ s career ( he ’ s American ) and his jaw keeps dropping at the ridiculous , gaslighting comments I ’ ve been getting from Dems saying I ’ m @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe is not fine .
Stop lying .
Liberals : The “ deep state ” is a crazy right wing Alex Jones conspiracy theory .
Also liberals : Oh just quit your fussing and vote for Joe .
So what if he ’ s a bit forgetful ?
You know it ’ s not like presidents really make the decisions anyway .
Democrats : All that matters is defeating Trump , because he ’ s a horrifying unprecedented dangerous threat and he ’ s going to get us all killed .
Those exact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Biden ’ s cognitive decline , it ’ s not like it actually matters who the president is anyway .
I actually like Dementia Joe a lot more than I liked Aggressive , Racist , Jingoistic Joe .
His befuddlement gives him a softness that wasn ’ t there before .
I imagine Dementia Joe would be much more pleasant to spend time with .
It ’ s not fine or normal for one of a nation ’ s only two political parties to pretend it lets the people choose their candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deliberately undermine the candidate with the most public support .
Anyone who tells you this is okay is lying .
Coordinating to undermine the campaign with the most support is coordinating to undermine the will of the people .
That ’ s never okay , under any circumstances .
Ignore all attempts to spin this to the contrary .
Amazon.com Gift Card i ... Best Price : null Buy New $ 25.00 The only people who hate the media are Trumpsters , Bernie Bros , and people who research facts .
Progressives : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compromise candidate in Bernie Sanders .
He ’ s still too establishment for many of us given our dire circumstances , but we understand it ’ s important to be pragmatic and– I ’ ve been harshly critical of Biden , and as a result I ’ ve received aggressive online pushback from his supporters , but I ’ m not going to cry and claim this invalidates Biden ’ s campaign because that would be manipulative , intellectually dishonest , and breathtakingly stupid .
“ And then they ran an actual , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a landslide .
And that ’ s why there ’ s an ice-free Arctic this summer.
” “ Why did you let them do that , mommy ?
” “ Well darling they kept saying we were being very rude , and we didn ’ t want to offend anyone.
” Calls for civility and politeness are always anti-populist in nature and always arise from the the fear of the ruling class that the commoners can wake up at any moment to their strength of numbers and overthrow them .
The sane @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party ’ s base becoming angry is to get curious about what ’ s angering them , come up with a plan of action , and fix it .
It ’ s not to give them a derisive nickname , declare their grievances imaginary , and say their anger is the problem .
Elizabeth Warren is waiting to see which way the wind blows so she can endorse whichever candidate will give her the biggest career boost .
She ’ s just waiting there , biding her time , tasting the wind to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with her forked tongue .
Most adults are aware that their government has lied about things .
It ’ s only propaganda , and the human tendency to compartmentalize away from uncomfortable facts , which keeps them from connecting that dot to the possibility that their government is lying to them currently .
Activists , alternative media , and oppositional journalists have a duty to be interesting .
If you want to wake people up , you ’ ve got to get them looking at you .
It ’ s not enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
You ’ ve also got to be catchy , funny , entertaining , and enjoyable .
Not everything the US establishment does is a considered strategic maneuver ; often it ’ s just the frantic , confused flailings of a dying empire .
The neocons sold the idea of a last-ditch gambit to shore up unipolarity , and it failed .
And now it ’ s all unraveling in some crazy ways .
If an individual has been caught using a weapon to harm members of society , then society is justified @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is true whether the individual ’ s weapon is a knife , a gun , or billions of dollars .
Russian , adjective Meaning : Accurate , in accordance with known facts about reality .
E.g .
“ Saying the US armed terrorists in Syria is a Russian talking point.
” “ There ’ s Russian online chatter saying the Democratic primary is rigged.
” “ WikiLeaks is a Russian asset.
” Synonyms : true , factual , correct Thanks for reading !
The best way to get around the internet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuff I publish is to subscribe to the mailing list for my website , which will get you an email notification for everything I publish .
My work is entirely reader-supported , so if you enjoyed this piece please consider sharing it around , liking me on Facebook , following my antics on Twitter , checking out my podcast on either Youtube , soundcloud , Apple podcasts or Spotify , following me on Steemit , throwing some money into my hat on Patreon or Paypal , purchasing some of my sweet merchandise , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Adventures With Caitlin Johnstone and Woke : A Field Guide for Utopia Preppers .
For more info on who I am , where I stand , and what I ’ m trying to do with this platform , click here .
Everyone , racist platforms excluded , has my permission to republish , use or translate any part of this work ( or anything else I ’ ve written ) in any way they like free of charge .

Gaffelighting¹, noun.
Meaning: When narrative managers insist that obvious signs of serious mental deterioration are just innocuous “gaffes”.
E.g. “I know what dementia symptoms look like, stop gaffelighting me.”
~
“God that was so awful.”
“I know! I never want to think about 2016 again!”
“Well the good news is the 2020 election can’t possibly go any worse.”
“True.”
“I mean, the Democrats would have to literally run an actual, clinically diagnosable dementia victim to do any worse in 2020.” Amazon.com Gift Card i... Buy New $15.00 (as of 12:45 UTC - Details)
~
Dismissing Biden’s neurological misfires as “gaffes” is so gross. “Oh, he’s always had gaffes.” Yes, he’s often said dumb/gross things. He’s never previously been incapable of remembering elementary facts and stringing words into coherent thoughts, as we are seeing now. Those aren’t “gaffes”.
If Biden had been exhibiting these neurological misfirings his entire life, some Media Matters hack would long ago have published a compilation video of the most egregious highlights from his long career. The footage doesn’t exist. There’s footage of Biden saying things that are politically embarrassing in retrospect, there’s footage of him saying things he should have thought through more, and there’s some slight, occasional stuttering that never stood out as abnormal. Nothing like the mess we see today.
~
The entire 2020 US election may have come down to a race between time and the progression of Joe Biden’s dementia.
~
I don’t think anyone who is sincere and honest with themselves can truly believe that Biden beats Trump. I know the Democratic establishment doesn’t believe it, and I’m pretty sure rank-and-file Democrats don’t actually believe it deep down in their guts either.
~
It’s fascinating how much mainstream argumentation amounts to nothing more than screaming DON’T TALK ABOUT THAT at people.
I am going to keep saying Joe Biden has dementia, thank you very much. I don’t care how much you tell me I’m an ableist ageist monster. I don’t care how much you tell me I’m not seeing what I’m seeing. I am going to keep saying Joe Biden has dementia. Because he has dementia.
You don’t get to run for the most powerful elected office in the world while exhibiting clear and undeniable symptoms of dementia and just have people not talk about it. That is not a thing. Everyone should be talking about this.
It’s so dumb how many lefties are reluctant to push this. This isn’t mocking some elderly celebrity for developing Alzheimer’s symptoms, this is footage of someone being pushed toward the most powerful elected office in the world while clearly losing his mental faculties. Take control of this story now, or Trump will later.
It’s not wrong to point out that the man the DNC are pushing into a train wreck campaign against Trump has undeniable dementia symptoms. It’s not ableist to say someone running to command the most powerful military in the history of civilization exhibits cognitive decline. Seize control of this narrative before it’s too late.
Rank-and-file Democrats have exactly two choices:
1 – Break the mainstream silence on Biden’s obvious neurological decline and start an honest, open conversation about it on mainstream platforms,
OR
2 – Wait for Trump to do it. And you know damn well he’ll make it dominate news headlines.
Keep making noise about Biden’s dementia until he either disappears or takes an Alzheimer’s test on live television.
~
By 2020 we should have been debating which US politician gets the most credit for implementing universal healthcare and which of the green energy systems they implemented have been the most successful. Instead we’re arguing about which politician has the worse dementia symptoms. That’s kinda fucked.
~
My husband did nursing care for dementia patients for 15 years. He’s followed Biden’s career (he’s American) and his jaw keeps dropping at the ridiculous, gaslighting comments I’ve been getting from Dems saying I’m crazy and Joe is perfectly fine. Joe is not fine. Stop lying.
Some insights into Biden’s cognitive decline from my husband Tim, who cared for dementia patients for 15 years. pic.twitter.com/c4xacVybHP — Caitlin Johnstone ⏳ (@caitoz) March 9, 2020
~
Liberals: The “deep state” is a crazy right wing Alex Jones conspiracy theory.
Also liberals: Oh just quit your fussing and vote for Joe. So what if he’s a bit forgetful? You know it’s not like presidents really make the decisions anyway.
~
Democrats: All that matters is defeating Trump, because he’s a horrifying unprecedented dangerous threat and he’s going to get us all killed.
Those exact same Democrats: Don’t worry about Biden’s cognitive decline, it’s not like it actually matters who the president is anyway.
~
I actually like Dementia Joe a lot more than I liked Aggressive, Racist, Jingoistic Joe.
His befuddlement gives him a softness that wasn’t there before.
I imagine Dementia Joe would be much more pleasant to spend time with.
At the assisted living facility.
Where he belongs.
~
It’s not fine or normal for one of a nation’s only two political parties to pretend it lets the people choose their candidate and then turn around and coordinate to deliberately undermine the candidate with the most public support. Anyone who tells you this is okay is lying.
Coordinating to undermine the campaign with the most support is coordinating to undermine the will of the people. That’s never okay, under any circumstances. Ignore all attempts to spin this to the contrary. Amazon.com Gift Card i... Buy New $25.00 (as of 11:14 UTC - Details)
~
The only people who hate the media are Trumpsters, Bernie Bros, and people who research facts.
~
Progressives: Okay, we’ve found a compromise candidate in Bernie Sanders. He’s still too establishment for many of us given our dire circumstances, but we understand it’s important to be pragmatic and–
Establishment: Here’s Joe Biden and a dick pic.
Progressives: …compromise.
~
I’ve been harshly critical of Biden, and as a result I’ve received aggressive online pushback from his supporters, but I’m not going to cry and claim this invalidates Biden’s campaign because that would be manipulative, intellectually dishonest, and breathtakingly stupid.
~
“And then they ran an actual, literal dementia victim against Trump, losing in a landslide. And that’s why there’s an ice-free Arctic this summer.”
“Why did you let them do that, mommy?”
“Well darling they kept saying we were being very rude, and we didn’t want to offend anyone.”
~
Calls for civility and politeness are always anti-populist in nature and always arise from the the fear of the ruling class that the commoners can wake up at any moment to their strength of numbers and overthrow them.
~
The sane response to a large faction of your party’s base becoming angry is to get curious about what’s angering them, come up with a plan of action, and fix it. It’s not to give them a derisive nickname, declare their grievances imaginary, and say their anger is the problem.
~
Elizabeth Warren is waiting to see which way the wind blows so she can endorse whichever candidate will give her the biggest career boost. She’s just waiting there, biding her time, tasting the wind to see where it’s blowing, with her forked tongue.
~
Most adults are aware that their government has lied about things. It’s only propaganda, and the human tendency to compartmentalize away from uncomfortable facts, which keeps them from connecting that dot to the possibility that their government is lying to them currently.
~
Activists, alternative media, and oppositional journalists have a duty to be interesting. If you want to wake people up, you’ve got to get them looking at you. It’s not enough to be smart, informative, and correct. You’ve also got to be catchy, funny, entertaining, and enjoyable.
~
Not everything the US establishment does is a considered strategic maneuver; often it’s just the frantic, confused flailings of a dying empire. The neocons sold the idea of a last-ditch gambit to shore up unipolarity, and it failed. And now it’s all unraveling in some crazy ways.
~
If an individual has been caught using a weapon to harm members of society, then society is justified in forcibly disarming that individual in self-defense. This is true whether the individual’s weapon is a knife, a gun, or billions of dollars.
~
Russian, adjective
Meaning: Accurate, in accordance with known facts about reality.
E.g. “Saying the US armed terrorists in Syria is a Russian talking point.”
“There’s Russian online chatter saying the Democratic primary is rigged.”
“WikiLeaks is a Russian asset.”
Synonyms: true, factual, correct
_________________________________
¹ “gaffelighting” courtesy of @kellanimcnally on Twitter.
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