lewrockwell--2020-06-15--An Eye-Witness’s Shocking Account of What’s Really Happening During the Seattle Riots

A social media post by a member of the Washington National Guard has been shared more than 7000 times since it was written on June 12th .
It ’ s a true education in mob mentality .
As Toby Cowern says , “ Look how much ‘ othering ’ has been done already .
Once that ’ s happening there ’ s a big problem.
” He ’ s right – and here ’ s the shocking truth about what ’ s really going on in Seattle from a person who had a front-row ticket to the mayhem .
Extraordinary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : $ 8.00 Buy New $ 15.99 I previously said I had a lot to say regarding my experiences while in downtown Seattle [ Incoming VERY long post… ] .
When I came home , I was exhausted , angry , and saddened by what I had experienced .
I said I needed to share what happened , but I also said I needed some time to rest and reflect .
My unit was activated for 12 days .
We worked long hours but we continued to stay dedicated to the state and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop that now .
I ’ ve been up all night , trying my best to put into words what I experienced and observed .
This is too important to wait .
I rarely post on social media , but I ’ m making this post , hoping it reaches those that want to know the truth .
I can imagine , given the current environment , this post may cause some controversy .
That is not my intention what-so-ever .
I agree the excessive use of force in Minnesota was inexcusable but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the message of peace and change .
Either way , people need to know what ’ s actually happening behind the guise of this “ movement.
” Whether localized or nationalized , what I witnessed NEEDS TO STOP !
I was working nights and the day of my phone call , I had difficulties sleeping that morning .
I had a lot on my mind , and I decided I was going to stay up and do some yard work .
As I was preparing to go outside , I started receiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We ’ ve been activated !
Hit time at the armory is 1700 !
” I looked at my watch and I had maybe an hour before hit time .
“ Well , I ’ m going to be late… ” I thought .
I immediately responded to the text messages and phone calls , telling them I would be there as soon as possible .
Why was I going to be late ?
My unit is in Western Washington and I live in Southeastern Washington… to drive , at a pace much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ d be lucky to make it in three hours… Without hesitation , I grabbed all my staged military gear and threw it into the back of my vehicle .
I figured , “ Heck , if it ’ s an emergency , they ’ re not going to have time to put out a packing list… so , I mise well bring everything.
” As I was throwing military gear into my vehicle , I received text messages telling me to pack for at least a week .
“ Wow , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activated and expecting the mission to last a week or more , whatever the activation was for , it was going to be an uphill battle… I threw a few uniforms and a week ’ s worth of clothing in my rucksack and proceeded to drive to the armory .
I arrived at the armory in the evening and realized I had now been awake for over 24 hours .
I contacted my chain of command and determined we ’ d leave at zero dark hundred for Seattle .
I gathered my issued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sack , and tried to take a one-hour nap .
I awoke to people on the move and bright fluorescent lights .
It felt like I had just closed my eyes , but it was go-time .
I grabbed my bags and met my unit in the parking lot of the armory .
There was no time to waste !
We loaded every cot we had , all our personal bags , and whatever we could quickly think of that we might need .
We loaded our transportation and were off to Seattle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to Seattle , I had time to dwell and self-reflect .
What ’ s so out of control that the Guard would be called up ?
Who and/or what am I going to be protecting ?
Am I going to be protecting rights , life , property , or all the above ?
I told myself that no matter what happens , I will do my utmost to remain impartial , to uphold the Constitution , to protect the rights of the citizens of the United States , and to protect life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability .
As a Soldier , we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies , foreign and domestic .
Regardless of the political climate , a Soldier has the responsibility to remain impartial , to ensure all citizens ’ rights are protected and that the Constitution is adhered to .
As we approached Seattle , I did so with an open mind and a sympathetic heart .
I prayed that I may understand whoever needs our help , that I may do my job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that the rights of all those involved would be preserved .
Per order of the Governor of Washington State , Jay Inslee , the Washington Army National Guard went into Seattle COMPLETELY UNARMED .
We had NO way to defend ourselves and HAD TO rely upon the SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT to protect us… Not all of us had vests or plates that would stop rifle bullets .
In the beginning , most of us didn ’ t even have shin guards… A few Soldiers didn ’ t have batons… Shields were hit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sharing where we could… Oddly enough , my first day was one of the hardest days .
We touched ground and were immediately dispatched to the Seattle Police Department ( SPD ) East Precinct near the intersection of 11th St and Pine St ( Capitol Hill ) .
This location would become very familiar for me , due to all of the “ peaceful protesters ” rioting here almost every night… Only one other unit arrived the day before we did , and they were sent to Westlake Center due to it being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ talk about the first day , I have to admit that my squad was later sent to Westlake .
While I was there , I saw remnants of fire and broken glass everywhere I went .
Almost all glass areas were boarded up and the area was devoid of business .
What I , and most non-locals didn ’ t know , is that Westlake is a shopping center .
It ’ s blocks upon blocks of popular businesses in downtown Seattle .
It ’ s essentially an outdoor shopping mall… Due to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was open , I was curious about the extent of damage to the area the night before .
While I was looking through photos on Google while on break , one of the Seattle Police Department Police Officers pointed to an area down the street and said , “ The bastards torched my patrol car right there.
” As she said that , the newspaper headline photo lit my smartphone screen as I could see protesters celebrating around broken business windows and a couple vehicles that were aflame .
I thought to myself @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
” As I read through the headlines , I came to realize the businesses were broken into , looted , and then set ablaze… all in the name of “ Black Lives Matter.
” I tried my best to connect the dots… but how does social injustice relate to graffiti , theft , malicious mischief , and arson ?
If there was a specific political statement from these crimes , even the news media didn ’ t interpret or understand it… it was obviously a crime of opportunity… Returning back to my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was assigned as one of the squad leaders .
My squad , consisting of primarily Soldiers from my unit , were fairly distinct .
Like everyone else in my unit , we wore a black vest that distinguished us against every other Guardsman in Seattle .
I could explain why , but it ’ s not relevant .
If you want proof of where I was , find the Soldiers with black vests in Seattle… I was one of them .
On the first day , we were initially on the line behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Precinct .
The Officers weren ’ t carrying shields like us that day .
During the protests , I observed Officers shaking hands with those yelling at them .
I also saw one Officer approach a male crying in the crowd .
The Officer asked the male if he wanted a hug and the protester replied , “ Yes !
” I watched as the Officer embraced and comforted the crying protester .
Seeing these things , I thought to myself “ Why am I here ?
Seattle PD obviously has a connection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supposed to accomplish or prevent here ?
” It didn ’ t take long for that to change .
I took up position on our right flank , recognizing a weakness in our line .
A female quickly made eye contact with me , while recording me with her cell phone , and started yelling… “ HEY !
ARMY !
Where are you from ?
!
” I told her I was a Soldier with the Washington Army National Guard .
She asked if I lived in Washington State .
I told her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a citizen of Washington State , just like you.
” She then abruptly said , “ Why do you guys keep killing us ?
” I told her , “ Excuse me ?
!
I haven ’ t killed anyone… ” She looked at me , befuddled , and said… “ You guys keep killing us !
You know , your training… don ’ t you have some sort of limitation where you can ’ t kill people ?
!
You know , where you can only shoot us if we shoot at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I obviously knew she was referring to our Rules of Engagement ( RoE ) but it was obvious she was trying to provoke me .
I tried to explain to her that what she was saying wasn ’ t true , but she kept interrupting me .
Every time I ’ d try to speak , she ’ d raise her voice and interrupt me .
As she continued to escalate , I recognized she was trying to provoke an exaggerated reaction out of me .
I looked at her , shrugged , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scanned the crowd .
She grumbled and said , “ You don ’ t even know your own regulations ?
!
” I looked at her , shrugged again , and continued to ignore her… As I was scanning , I saw a male protester point out and move towards an African-American Police Officer .
The protester proceeded to yell , asking why the Officer was on the “ white-man ’ s side.
” He called the Officer an “ Uncle Tom , ” a “ pretender , ” a “ race traitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ d prefer not to use .
Every fiber of my being wanted to lash out .
How can you use racist terms and protest racism while using it in a derogatory manner towards someone else ?
How can you even find fault in someone that is remaining peaceful , that is protecting your rights , and is obviously concerned for the community ?
!
I was furious as the protester continued berating the Officer… We then got replaced by another squad for relief .
During their “ protest ” I observed multiple people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of their “ white privilege.
” I also saw two protesters almost get into a fight because one wasn ’ t “ letting the black man speak.
” Another protester , when a male had a megaphone , yelled “ Listen to him !
He ’ s black !
” I was raised , under the impression , that equality means treating everyone equally… Race won ’ t cease to be an issue until we stop talking about it .
All my brothers and sisters are one color : green .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but no one gets special anything due to their skin tone… Everyone is treated the same and everything is equal .
How is this ( equality ) a hard concept ?
The Discovery of Freed ... Rose Wilder Lane Best Price : $ 18.00 Buy New $ 13.95 I talked to my Soldiers during our downtime .
I had a few African-American Soldiers in my squad .
I pointed out and talked to them about what I had just observed .
I told them they may be focused upon , that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out because they ’ re African-American .
It wasn ’ t long before we returned to the protest line .
I should start gambling because it didn ’ t take long for the African-American Soldiers to get singled out .
I ’ m not going to repeat the hate , racism , and discontent directed at my Soldiers .
If they feel the need to share what was directed at them by the hypocritical “ protesters , ” they ’ ll do so .
Either way , every single Soldier in my unit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost their military bearing or professionalism .
Not a single protester got anyone in my squad to break their military bearing… Not a single Soldier lashed out at the complete and utter stupidity of the racism coming from the hypocrites… After each one of my Soldiers was focused upon , I pulled them aside and later commended them on their military bearing and discipline .
I reiterated to each one of them that the rioters were trying to provoke them to react .
I told my Soldiers to maintain their discipline and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I told them I ’ d be right there , to address any protesters touching them or pushing the boundaries .
I have to say… I ’ m a prior Active Duty Soldier and these Guard Soldiers were on point !
They must have had some hard charging Drill Sergeants because all of them maintained their military bearing through this whole ordeal and I ’ m proud as hell to call them brothers and sisters !
“ All of you Soldiers should have died in Iraq !
” “ You ’ re nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” “ The only thing you know what to do is murder people !
” “ All people should be afraid of you , you ’ re nothing but killers !
” “ You guys must be ready to kill people with your kung-fu gloves.
” “ I ’ m legitimately afraid of you guys because all you know what to do is kill.
” “ Who exactly are you here to protect ?
” “ You ’ d rather protect property than people !
” “ You should be pointing weapons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ re on the wrong side , racists !
” “ Stop following orders and join us !
” “ You ’ re too dumb to form your own opinion.
” “ What Matters ?
Black Lives Matter… Are you too stupid to get that ?
” “ You guys need to stop shooting people.
” “ You guys need to stop gassing us.
” ( We NEVER had firearms , Oleoresin Capsicum [ OC ] , CS “ tear ” gas , or any other “ weapons ” ) -Some of these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were just standing in an area , away from any “ protest line ” without a riot shield… On that first day , they continued to try to provoke a response from the Officers and the Guardsman .
NO ONE PROVIDED A RESPONSE .
I was on the line , near the center right .
I remember a plastic water bottle being thrown across the line by the “ protesters ” on my right side towards a Police Officer .
Soon after , a bottle landed on the left side , right behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SHIELDS UP !
” Without hesitation , our ENTIRE LINE of Guardsman moved forward , and placed ourselves between the rioters and the Police Officers .
The “ protesters ” began throwing rocks , glass bottles , and chunks of concrete .
I was out there ALL day .
There wasn ’ t any construction going on .
There wasn ’ t a pile of concrete or bricks anywhere to be seen .
All I saw were younger people with heavy backpacks .
THEY WERE GRABBING CHUNKS OF CONCRETE FROM THEIR BACKPACKS TO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important ?
Why would you carry chunks of concrete to a protest ?
Because you PLAN on using/throwing the concrete… When the concrete began to rain down on us , it came from ALL directions .
What does that mean ?
It was COORDINATED .
THEY PLANNED TO ASSAULT US WITH CONCRETE .
I didn ’ t realize until later , but I have to tell you… it really pissed me off when I thought about the situation I had just experienced .
As they were throwing these items , the Officers tried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( OC/CS/etc ) .
NO LETHAL FORCE WAS USED .
Could the Seattle Police Department use lethal force in that situation ?
Absolutely… a chunk of concrete to the head can KILL someone… What NO ONE realizes , because the media is bias as hell , at least three police officers were injured that day before SPD used less-lethal means to de-escalate the situation .
One Officer took a chunk of concrete to his right eye… last I heard , he ’ s expected to LOSE his eye .
I retrieved a video @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” You can see items flying towards us as SPD deploys OC ( pepper spray ) .
Notice the second use of OC , the long burst ?
That was over my right shoulder next to my head .
I got some OC contamination from that , which was okay because I was trained for it… The crowd continued to throw concrete .
At least two pieces of concrete hit my shield .
I later took a picture of my shield , WHICH WAS BRAND NEW , to show the extent of crap @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deployed CS gas .
We had planned for this possibility , telling the squad on deck to come relieve us after they put their mask on .
Unfortunately , that didn ’ t happen .
As CS was deployed , the crowd began to throw the CS canisters back towards us along with more concrete .
I couldn ’ t put my mask on since I would have had to drop my shield to do so .
I was currently protecting SPD Officers and I wasn ’ t going to allow the Officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as Guardsman were pulled off the line by other Guardsman and SPD , I HELD MY GROUND .
I ’ ve been through the CS gas chamber with the U.S. Army , but this was so much worse .
I stood there , trying to breathe for as long as I could .
At one point , I looked forward , and saw a female pointing a black pipe towards me .
My thought in that moment : “ You ’ ve got to be kidding me… they ’ re using potato @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turned to her right , I noticed it was a leaf blower .
A “ PROTESTER ” brought a leaf blower to blow CS gas towards us… ( It ’ s not like they were anticipating that , right ?
! )
As the clouds of CS were parting due to her efforts , I saw a male… wearing a black hoodie , with the hoodie up , a bandanna , black pants , and a black backpack , in a throwing position .
I watched as he threw a large piece of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5 ” ) , that was shaped in a triangle , directly at me .
As it hit my shield ( notice the white impact mark on the picture ) , I thought to myself… if I was armed , I would have shot him… The cloud of CS overtook me .
As I struggled to breathe , I looked to my left and NO ONE was there .
I looked to my right and saw only ONE OTHER SOLDIER .
I began to fall back as a sea of navy blue rushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Patrol to the rescue !
I returned to a rally point , dropped my shield , put on my gas mask , and began helping other soldiers that had been out on the line .
As the smoke began to clear , I took a couple photos to remember this moment and the anger that flooded my emotions .
The week continued and we were sent where SPD needed us .
We were told we had begun to get a reputation with SPD .
Our actions , while at East Precinct , showed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were there to help .
The Guard had arrived , and we ’ d be there , standing shoulder to shoulder with SPD , against these anarchist/communist rioters in Seattle .
We saw through the protester ’ s “ cause.
” They were using the horrible situation that occurred in Minnesota as an opportunity to cause chaos , to loot and steal , and to destroy everything in their way to gain momentum for their “ revolution.
” The group was quickly identified as Antifa , a communist action group that was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terrorist organization by the Commander-in-Chief .
I don ’ t like politics and I ’ m not going to talk about politics .
When you ’ re in the military , you give up that luxury .
It ’ s something I don ’ t mind giving up , since discussing politics is as pointless as convincing a stubborn person they ’ re wrong .
It ’ s all opinion and people typically already have their mind made up .
Getting into an argument over politics usually ends in an escalation and personal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people that have already passionately made up their mind .
Needless to say , I was very angry .
I ’ m a protector by nature .
When someone tries to hurt another person , and they do so when that person can ’ t defend themselves , I become very upset .
People that do that are criminals .
They ’ re the scum of society .
They prey on the weak and defenseless for their own personal gain .
These are the so-called “ peaceful protesters ” of Seattle .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest , but the moment they try to assault someone , that ’ s when EVERYONE should have a problem with their actions .
Why the media has continued to defend them , it just shows how biased and out of touch the media is and it irritates me .
After only a few days , the majority of my unit was sent home .
Why ?
The Guard wanted to re-staff COVID-19 food banks , testing centers , and send the full-time soldiers back to their normal jobs… So , a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and we were left with a little more than a dozen soldiers .
The platoon was condensed , and other units were added to our ranks to fill in for those pulled from our platoon .
We worked very well together and continued to push forward , making the best of the situation , as we were constantly tasked out by SPD .
The Road to Serfdom : T ... F. A. Hayek , Bruce Cal ... Best Price : $ 3.06 Buy New $ 1.99 Additional units began to arrive , due @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Washington National Guard ( Army and Air Force ) .
We soon realized that the majority of our “ reinforcements ” weren ’ t trained , were undisciplined , and were useless for the current mission in Seattle .
Additionally , they were an embarrassment… Those units were quickly sent home by the Commanding General and we realized our platoon would be stuck in Seattle , battling Antifa , until the situation was resolved one way or another .
I asked my chain of command a few times about arming us , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Governor Inslee wouldn ’ t allow the Guard to defend ourselves or take the fight to the enemy ( Antifa ) .
The Governor made us rely on SPD to “ protect us.
” That limited the scope of our response , limiting our role as “ shields ” and “ bodies ” on the line for SPD… As SPD Officers and Guardsman continued to get injured at East Precinct , it became increasingly frustrating… Arming the National Guard is a risk , and some Antifa members probably would have been shot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quickly with a VERY different outcome .
So , the same escalating confrontations with Antifa continued for almost two weeks… The “ protesters ” would assault SPD Officers and Guardsman and SPD would use LESS-LETHAL means to disperse the riot .
The rioters then used politics to their advantage .
They began petitioning the Mayor of Seattle , Jenny Durkan .
Durkan , in all her wisdom , caved to all demands… the curfew was lifted , and she BANNED the use of CS gas , the ONE thing that quickly de-escalated the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to view CS gas as a last resort , to only be deployed by SWAT .
Fast forward to the day before the most HUMILIATING and DEMORALIZING thing Durkan could have done… SPD must have had some really good intelligence , or they were anticipating Antifa ’ s response from Durkan ’ s concessions .
They installed permanent metal barriers at the intersection of 11th St and Pine St. A second line of barriers was also in place in between us and the initial barriers at the intersection .
Everything kicked off per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trying to provoke us with their words , umbrellas , and signs .
This time , though , we didn ’ t give them an audience .
We all stayed inside the East Precinct , as they did their normal agitation methods at the first barrier .
Suddenly , we were told the “ protesters ” began jumping the first barrier , heading towards us .
We rushed out to the road and staged roughly 1/3 of the way up the block from the intersection of 11th St and Pine St , creating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ protesters ” who had jumped the fencing .
They were warned to return over the barrier , which they didn ’ t .
They then began disassembling the barrier .
They were warned not to disassemble the barrier , but they continued .
They then walked towards us .
They were warned to stop , but they didn ’ t .
They continued walking towards us .
They were warned again , but they continued .
They reached the second barrier .
We later found out they brought a plasma cutter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the barriers… ( not that they are the provocateurs , or are planning to escalate , right ?
! )
They began cutting barriers so they could be used as weapons against us .
They were warned about cutting the barriers , but they continued .
They then picked up the second barriers and began walking towards us .
They were warned again not to move the barriers , but they continued .
They then jumped the last barrier .
They were warned again to turn back , but they continued towards us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were continuously warned .
HOW MANY WARNINGS DOES IT TAKE ?
!
It started to get dark… The portable lights were turned on .
The “ protesters ” then produced foil covered signs and were trying to blind the Officers and Guardsman .
They were warned again , but they continued .
They then threw a glass bottle at a Guardsman , the glass bottle shattering on a riot shield .
They were warned again , but they just booed at us .
They continued to walk slowly towards the Officers until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then started using their umbrella ’ s and other objects , putting them in the face of the Officers .
They were warned again to not do that .
As expected , objects were then thrown at us .
They amplified things , this time .
Instead of throwing glass bottles containing urine and other bodily fluids , they began throwing glass bottles full of gasoline .
They then lit and threw fireworks at us , trying to light us on fire .
FINALLY the SPD Administration gave the green light and LESS @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As objects were continued to be thrown at us , SWAT finally deployed CS gas .
The “ protesters ” proceeded to start vandalizing everything in the area .
They smashed business windows , burned U.S. flags , lit dumpsters and other items on fire , and threw things on fire at us .
We pushed them back in all directions about half a block but for some reason , we stopped pushing them back .
They then regrouped and continued to vandalize the area with spray paint , breaking windows , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that time , the Guard was pulled back and we left East Precinct .
I returned the very next day at East Precinct , ready to continue the daily fight with these anarchists and communists .
When I arrived , they were boarding up East Precinct .
City employees were removing all the barriers and taking everything they could out of the precinct .
We were ordered to about-face and leave .
We went to a different precinct where it was announced that Durkan had decided to abandon East Precinct and to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we watched , Antifa took over the East Precinct and they erected walls at the adjacent intersections with the barricades we had used .
They armed themselves , proceeded to vandalize the East Precinct with spray paint , and they declared Capitol Hill a Cop-Free , Autonomous Zone ( CHAZ ) .
It was hard enough for me to watch , but I saw Officers that were assigned to the East Precinct for decades , shield their faces , and walk out of the room in tears .
The Capitol Hill area of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ East Precinct , was surrendered by its elected officials to the terrorists… I spent the next couple days stewing in Seattle… just waiting for any elected official to grow some balls and tell us to move back in… to take over the ground they surrendered… but it never happened .
We were then told the Guard was losing its support from SPD .
CHAZ was the new norm of Seattle .
The terrorists won and it was time to go home .
We expressed our frustration among ourselves , lowered our heads , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our rucksacks , and went home angry .
( source ) You may be completely on your own .
As you can see , you can ’ t depend on anyone to come and save you when unrest shows up in your neighborhood .
The people who were there , willing , and able to defend Seattle were forced to stand down .
You have to expect to be completely on your own .
Learn more about how to stay safe during civil unrest scenarios here .
Can you imagine how the members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must have felt , facing this mob scene without the support of the state and local officials ?
Of course , there are two sides to every story and it ’ s important to see both .
Here ’ s an on-the-ground video of the CHAZ area .
You do not have to be logged in to watch it .
One has to question how an elected governor could be so poor a leader as to let blocks of the largest city in his state be taken over by rioters .
It honestly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leadership.
” What we ’ re wondering is whether Governor Inslee is truly this spineless , whether it ’ s a deliberate attempt to undermine law and order , or if he ’ s just another “ useless idiot ” progressing an agenda .
Reprinted with permission from The Organic Prepper .
The Best of Daisy Luther

A social media post by a member of the Washington National Guard has been shared more than 7000 times since it was written on June 12th. It’s a true education in mob mentality.
As Toby Cowern says, “Look how much ‘othering’ has been done already. Once that’s happening there’s a big problem.”
He’s right – and here’s the shocking truth about what’s really going on in Seattle from a person who had a front-row ticket to the mayhem.
An eye-witness account
Extraordinary Popular ... MacKay, Charles Best Price: $8.00 Buy New $15.99 (as of 04:15 UTC - Details) I previously said I had a lot to say regarding my experiences while in downtown Seattle [Incoming VERY long post…]. When I came home, I was exhausted, angry, and saddened by what I had experienced. I said I needed to share what happened, but I also said I needed some time to rest and reflect. My unit was activated for 12 days. We worked long hours but we continued to stay dedicated to the state and the mission. I can’t stop that now. I’ve been up all night, trying my best to put into words what I experienced and observed. This is too important to wait. I rarely post on social media, but I’m making this post, hoping it reaches those that want to know the truth. I can imagine, given the current environment, this post may cause some controversy. That is not my intention what-so-ever. I agree the excessive use of force in Minnesota was inexcusable but reacting with hatred and violence is contradictory to the message of peace and change. Either way, people need to know what’s actually happening behind the guise of this “movement.” Whether localized or nationalized, what I witnessed NEEDS TO STOP!
Activation:
I was working nights and the day of my phone call, I had difficulties sleeping that morning. I had a lot on my mind, and I decided I was going to stay up and do some yard work. As I was preparing to go outside, I started receiving text messages and phone calls. “We’ve been activated! Hit time at the armory is 1700!” I looked at my watch and I had maybe an hour before hit time. “Well, I’m going to be late…” I thought. I immediately responded to the text messages and phone calls, telling them I would be there as soon as possible. Why was I going to be late?
My unit is in Western Washington and I live in Southeastern Washington… to drive, at a pace much faster than the speed limit, I’d be lucky to make it in three hours… Without hesitation, I grabbed all my staged military gear and threw it into the back of my vehicle. I figured, “Heck, if it’s an emergency, they’re not going to have time to put out a packing list… so, I mise well bring everything.” As I was throwing military gear into my vehicle, I received text messages telling me to pack for at least a week. “Wow, this is serious…” I thought. Being activated and expecting the mission to last a week or more, whatever the activation was for, it was going to be an uphill battle… I threw a few uniforms and a week’s worth of clothing in my rucksack and proceeded to drive to the armory.
Preparation:
I arrived at the armory in the evening and realized I had now been awake for over 24 hours. I contacted my chain of command and determined we’d leave at zero dark hundred for Seattle. I gathered my issued equipment, added it to my ruck sack, and tried to take a one-hour nap. I awoke to people on the move and bright fluorescent lights. It felt like I had just closed my eyes, but it was go-time. I grabbed my bags and met my unit in the parking lot of the armory. There was no time to waste! We loaded every cot we had, all our personal bags, and whatever we could quickly think of that we might need. We loaded our transportation and were off to Seattle in what seemed like minutes…
The Build Up:
On our way to Seattle, I had time to dwell and self-reflect. What’s so out of control that the Guard would be called up? Who and/or what am I going to be protecting? Am I going to be protecting rights, life, property, or all the above? I told myself that no matter what happens, I will do my utmost to remain impartial, to uphold the Constitution, to protect the rights of the citizens of the United States, and to protect life and property to the best of my ability. As a Soldier, we take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. Regardless of the political climate, a Soldier has the responsibility to remain impartial, to ensure all citizens’ rights are protected and that the Constitution is adhered to. As we approached Seattle, I did so with an open mind and a sympathetic heart. I prayed that I may understand whoever needs our help, that I may do my job to the utmost of my ability, and that the rights of all those involved would be preserved.
The Gear:
Per order of the Governor of Washington State, Jay Inslee, the Washington Army National Guard went into Seattle COMPLETELY UNARMED. We had NO way to defend ourselves and HAD TO rely upon the SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT to protect us… Not all of us had vests or plates that would stop rifle bullets. In the beginning, most of us didn’t even have shin guards… A few Soldiers didn’t have batons… Shields were hit or miss, but we ended up sharing where we could…
The Riots:
Oddly enough, my first day was one of the hardest days. We touched ground and were immediately dispatched to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) East Precinct near the intersection of 11th St and Pine St (Capitol Hill). This location would become very familiar for me, due to all of the “peaceful protesters” rioting here almost every night… Only one other unit arrived the day before we did, and they were sent to Westlake Center due to it being actively vandalized and destroyed.
Before I talk about the first day, I have to admit that my squad was later sent to Westlake. While I was there, I saw remnants of fire and broken glass everywhere I went. Almost all glass areas were boarded up and the area was devoid of business. What I, and most non-locals didn’t know, is that Westlake is a shopping center. It’s blocks upon blocks of popular businesses in downtown Seattle. It’s essentially an outdoor shopping mall… Due to the fact that not a single store was open, I was curious about the extent of damage to the area the night before. While I was looking through photos on Google while on break, one of the Seattle Police Department Police Officers pointed to an area down the street and said, “The bastards torched my patrol car right there.” As she said that, the newspaper headline photo lit my smartphone screen as I could see protesters celebrating around broken business windows and a couple vehicles that were aflame. I thought to myself, “Why would someone do this?” As I read through the headlines, I came to realize the businesses were broken into, looted, and then set ablaze… all in the name of “Black Lives Matter.” I tried my best to connect the dots… but how does social injustice relate to graffiti, theft, malicious mischief, and arson? If there was a specific political statement from these crimes, even the news media didn’t interpret or understand it… it was obviously a crime of opportunity…
Returning back to my first day at East Precinct, I was assigned as one of the squad leaders. My squad, consisting of primarily Soldiers from my unit, were fairly distinct. Like everyone else in my unit, we wore a black vest that distinguished us against every other Guardsman in Seattle. I could explain why, but it’s not relevant. If you want proof of where I was, find the Soldiers with black vests in Seattle… I was one of them.
Anyways…
On the first day, we were initially on the line behind the Seattle Police Officers at the East Precinct. The Officers weren’t carrying shields like us that day. During the protests, I observed Officers shaking hands with those yelling at them. I also saw one Officer approach a male crying in the crowd. The Officer asked the male if he wanted a hug and the protester replied, “Yes!” I watched as the Officer embraced and comforted the crying protester. Seeing these things, I thought to myself “Why am I here? Seattle PD obviously has a connection with the population, what am I supposed to accomplish or prevent here?” It didn’t take long for that to change.
I took up position on our right flank, recognizing a weakness in our line. A female quickly made eye contact with me, while recording me with her cell phone, and started yelling… “HEY! ARMY! Where are you from?!” I told her I was a Soldier with the Washington Army National Guard. She asked if I lived in Washington State. I told her, “Yes, I’m a citizen of Washington State, just like you.” She then abruptly said, “Why do you guys keep killing us?” I told her, “Excuse me?! I haven’t killed anyone…” She looked at me, befuddled, and said… “You guys keep killing us! You know, your training… don’t you have some sort of limitation where you can’t kill people?! You know, where you can only shoot us if we shoot at you?” At this point, I obviously knew she was referring to our Rules of Engagement (RoE) but it was obvious she was trying to provoke me. I tried to explain to her that what she was saying wasn’t true, but she kept interrupting me. Every time I’d try to speak, she’d raise her voice and interrupt me. As she continued to escalate, I recognized she was trying to provoke an exaggerated reaction out of me. I looked at her, shrugged, and proceeded to ignore her as I scanned the crowd. She grumbled and said, “You don’t even know your own regulations?!” I looked at her, shrugged again, and continued to ignore her… As I was scanning, I saw a male protester point out and move towards an African-American Police Officer.
The protester proceeded to yell, asking why the Officer was on the “white-man’s side.” He called the Officer an “Uncle Tom,” a “pretender,” a “race traitor,” and a N-word I’d prefer not to use. Every fiber of my being wanted to lash out. How can you use racist terms and protest racism while using it in a derogatory manner towards someone else? How can you even find fault in someone that is remaining peaceful, that is protecting your rights, and is obviously concerned for the community?! I was furious as the protester continued berating the Officer… We then got replaced by another squad for relief.
During their “protest” I observed multiple people tell others to “shut up” because of their “white privilege.” I also saw two protesters almost get into a fight because one wasn’t “letting the black man speak.” Another protester, when a male had a megaphone, yelled “Listen to him! He’s black!” I was raised, under the impression, that equality means treating everyone equally… Race won’t cease to be an issue until we stop talking about it. All my brothers and sisters are one color: green. It’s cool to honor your heritage, but no one gets special anything due to their skin tone… Everyone is treated the same and everything is equal. How is this (equality) a hard concept? The Discovery of Freed... Rose Wilder Lane Best Price: $18.00 Buy New $13.95 (as of 04:30 UTC - Details)
I talked to my Soldiers during our downtime. I had a few African-American Soldiers in my squad. I pointed out and talked to them about what I had just observed. I told them they may be focused upon, that the racists in the crowd might single them out because they’re African-American. It wasn’t long before we returned to the protest line.
I should start gambling because it didn’t take long for the African-American Soldiers to get singled out. I’m not going to repeat the hate, racism, and discontent directed at my Soldiers. If they feel the need to share what was directed at them by the hypocritical “protesters,” they’ll do so. Either way, every single Soldier in my unit was phenomenal. Not a single Soldier lost their military bearing or professionalism. Not a single protester got anyone in my squad to break their military bearing… Not a single Soldier lashed out at the complete and utter stupidity of the racism coming from the hypocrites… After each one of my Soldiers was focused upon, I pulled them aside and later commended them on their military bearing and discipline. I reiterated to each one of them that the rioters were trying to provoke them to react. I told my Soldiers to maintain their discipline and to not worry about the protesters overstepping. I told them I’d be right there, to address any protesters touching them or pushing the boundaries.
I have to say… I’m a prior Active Duty Soldier and these Guard Soldiers were on point! They must have had some hard charging Drill Sergeants because all of them maintained their military bearing through this whole ordeal and I’m proud as hell to call them brothers and sisters!
Some highlights:
“All of you Soldiers should have died in Iraq!”
“You’re nothing but a bunch of Vietnam baby killers!”
“The only thing you know what to do is murder people!”
“All people should be afraid of you, you’re nothing but killers!”
“You guys must be ready to kill people with your kung-fu gloves.”
“I’m legitimately afraid of you guys because all you know what to do is kill.”
“Who exactly are you here to protect?”
“You’d rather protect property than people!”
“You should be pointing weapons at the police!”
“You’re on the wrong side, racists!”
“Stop following orders and join us!”
“You’re too dumb to form your own opinion.”
“What Matters? Black Lives Matter… Are you too stupid to get that?”
“You guys need to stop shooting people.”
“You guys need to stop gassing us.”
(We NEVER had firearms, Oleoresin Capsicum [OC], CS “tear” gas, or any other “weapons”)
-Some of these comments were made towards us while we were just standing in an area, away from any “protest line” without a riot shield…
On that first day, they continued to try to provoke a response from the Officers and the Guardsman. NO ONE PROVIDED A RESPONSE. I was on the line, near the center right. I remember a plastic water bottle being thrown across the line by the “protesters” on my right side towards a Police Officer. Soon after, a bottle landed on the left side, right behind our line. I yelled out “SHIELDS UP!” Without hesitation, our ENTIRE LINE of Guardsman moved forward, and placed ourselves between the rioters and the Police Officers.
The “protesters” began throwing rocks, glass bottles, and chunks of concrete. I was out there ALL day. There wasn’t any construction going on. There wasn’t a pile of concrete or bricks anywhere to be seen. All I saw were younger people with heavy backpacks. THEY WERE GRABBING CHUNKS OF CONCRETE FROM THEIR BACKPACKS TO THROW AT US. Why is that important? Why would you carry chunks of concrete to a protest? Because you PLAN on using/throwing the concrete… When the concrete began to rain down on us, it came from ALL directions. What does that mean? It was COORDINATED. THEY PLANNED TO ASSAULT US WITH CONCRETE. I didn’t realize until later, but I have to tell you… it really pissed me off when I thought about the situation I had just experienced. As they were throwing these items, the Officers tried to protect us by using less-lethal means (OC/CS/etc). NO LETHAL FORCE WAS USED. Could the Seattle Police Department use lethal force in that situation? Absolutely… a chunk of concrete to the head can KILL someone…
What NO ONE realizes, because the media is bias as hell, at least three police officers were injured that day before SPD used less-lethal means to de-escalate the situation. One Officer took a chunk of concrete to his right eye… last I heard, he’s expected to LOSE his eye. I retrieved a video from that confrontation with the “protesters.” You can see items flying towards us as SPD deploys OC (pepper spray). Notice the second use of OC, the long burst? That was over my right shoulder next to my head. I got some OC contamination from that, which was okay because I was trained for it… The crowd continued to throw concrete. At least two pieces of concrete hit my shield. I later took a picture of my shield, WHICH WAS BRAND NEW, to show the extent of crap being thrown at us.
SPD then deployed CS gas. We had planned for this possibility, telling the squad on deck to come relieve us after they put their mask on. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. As CS was deployed, the crowd began to throw the CS canisters back towards us along with more concrete. I couldn’t put my mask on since I would have had to drop my shield to do so. I was currently protecting SPD Officers and I wasn’t going to allow the Officers behind me to get hurt. So, as Guardsman were pulled off the line by other Guardsman and SPD, I HELD MY GROUND. I’ve been through the CS gas chamber with the U.S. Army, but this was so much worse. I stood there, trying to breathe for as long as I could.
At one point, I looked forward, and saw a female pointing a black pipe towards me. My thought in that moment: “You’ve got to be kidding me… they’re using potato guns too?!” As she turned to her right, I noticed it was a leaf blower. A “PROTESTER” brought a leaf blower to blow CS gas towards us… (It’s not like they were anticipating that, right?!) As the clouds of CS were parting due to her efforts, I saw a male… wearing a black hoodie, with the hoodie up, a bandanna, black pants, and a black backpack, in a throwing position. I watched as he threw a large piece of concrete (at least 5” x 5”), that was shaped in a triangle, directly at me. As it hit my shield (notice the white impact mark on the picture), I thought to myself… if I was armed, I would have shot him… The cloud of CS overtook me. As I struggled to breathe, I looked to my left and NO ONE was there. I looked to my right and saw only ONE OTHER SOLDIER. I began to fall back as a sea of navy blue rushed forward. SPD and the Washington State Patrol to the rescue! I returned to a rally point, dropped my shield, put on my gas mask, and began helping other soldiers that had been out on the line. As the smoke began to clear, I took a couple photos to remember this moment and the anger that flooded my emotions.
The week continued and we were sent where SPD needed us. We were told we had begun to get a reputation with SPD. Our actions, while at East Precinct, showed we could be depended upon and we were there to help. The Guard had arrived, and we’d be there, standing shoulder to shoulder with SPD, against these anarchist/communist rioters in Seattle. We saw through the protester’s “cause.” They were using the horrible situation that occurred in Minnesota as an opportunity to cause chaos, to loot and steal, and to destroy everything in their way to gain momentum for their “revolution.” The group was quickly identified as Antifa, a communist action group that was in the process of being labeled as a terrorist organization by the Commander-in-Chief.
I don’t like politics and I’m not going to talk about politics. When you’re in the military, you give up that luxury. It’s something I don’t mind giving up, since discussing politics is as pointless as convincing a stubborn person they’re wrong. It’s all opinion and people typically already have their mind made up. Getting into an argument over politics usually ends in an escalation and personal attacks, especially when discussed between two people that have already passionately made up their mind.
Needless to say, I was very angry. I’m a protector by nature. When someone tries to hurt another person, and they do so when that person can’t defend themselves, I become very upset. People that do that are criminals. They’re the scum of society. They prey on the weak and defenseless for their own personal gain. These are the so-called “peaceful protesters” of Seattle. I agree with everyone’s right to protest, but the moment they try to assault someone, that’s when EVERYONE should have a problem with their actions. Why the media has continued to defend them, it just shows how biased and out of touch the media is and it irritates me.
After only a few days, the majority of my unit was sent home. Why? The Guard wanted to re-staff COVID-19 food banks, testing centers, and send the full-time soldiers back to their normal jobs… So, a large portion of our unit was pulled, and we were left with a little more than a dozen soldiers. The platoon was condensed, and other units were added to our ranks to fill in for those pulled from our platoon. We worked very well together and continued to push forward, making the best of the situation, as we were constantly tasked out by SPD. The Road to Serfdom: T... F. A. Hayek, Bruce Cal... Best Price: $3.06 Buy New $1.99 (as of 03:40 UTC - Details)
Additional units began to arrive, due to Governor Jay Inslee activating the entire Washington National Guard (Army and Air Force). We soon realized that the majority of our “reinforcements” weren’t trained, were undisciplined, and were useless for the current mission in Seattle. Additionally, they were an embarrassment… Those units were quickly sent home by the Commanding General and we realized our platoon would be stuck in Seattle, battling Antifa, until the situation was resolved one way or another.
I asked my chain of command a few times about arming us, but it was relayed over and over that Governor Inslee wouldn’t allow the Guard to defend ourselves or take the fight to the enemy (Antifa). The Governor made us rely on SPD to “protect us.” That limited the scope of our response, limiting our role as “shields” and “bodies” on the line for SPD… As SPD Officers and Guardsman continued to get injured at East Precinct, it became increasingly frustrating… Arming the National Guard is a risk, and some Antifa members probably would have been shot, but the situation would have been resolved quickly with a VERY different outcome.
So, the same escalating confrontations with Antifa continued for almost two weeks… The “protesters” would assault SPD Officers and Guardsman and SPD would use LESS-LETHAL means to disperse the riot. The rioters then used politics to their advantage. They began petitioning the Mayor of Seattle, Jenny Durkan. Durkan, in all her wisdom, caved to all demands… the curfew was lifted, and she BANNED the use of CS gas, the ONE thing that quickly de-escalated the violent confrontations… SPD had no choice but to view CS gas as a last resort, to only be deployed by SWAT.
Fast forward to the day before the most HUMILIATING and DEMORALIZING thing Durkan could have done…
SPD must have had some really good intelligence, or they were anticipating Antifa’s response from Durkan’s concessions. They installed permanent metal barriers at the intersection of 11th St and Pine St. A second line of barriers was also in place in between us and the initial barriers at the intersection. Everything kicked off per usual, with the “protesters” trying to provoke us with their words, umbrellas, and signs. This time, though, we didn’t give them an audience. We all stayed inside the East Precinct, as they did their normal agitation methods at the first barrier.
Suddenly, we were told the “protesters” began jumping the first barrier, heading towards us. We rushed out to the road and staged roughly 1/3 of the way up the block from the intersection of 11th St and Pine St, creating a large safety buffer between us and the “protesters” who had jumped the fencing. They were warned to return over the barrier, which they didn’t. They then began disassembling the barrier. They were warned not to disassemble the barrier, but they continued. They then walked towards us. They were warned to stop, but they didn’t. They continued walking towards us. They were warned again, but they continued. They reached the second barrier.
We later found out they brought a plasma cutter (blow torch) to cut through the barriers… (not that they are the provocateurs, or are planning to escalate, right?!)
They began cutting barriers so they could be used as weapons against us. They were warned about cutting the barriers, but they continued. They then picked up the second barriers and began walking towards us. They were warned again not to move the barriers, but they continued. They then jumped the last barrier. They were warned again to turn back, but they continued towards us. As they continued to approach, they were continuously warned. HOW MANY WARNINGS DOES IT TAKE?!
It started to get dark… The portable lights were turned on. The “protesters” then produced foil covered signs and were trying to blind the Officers and Guardsman. They were warned again, but they continued. They then threw a glass bottle at a Guardsman, the glass bottle shattering on a riot shield. They were warned again, but they just booed at us. They continued to walk slowly towards the Officers until they were within 2-3 feet. They then started using their umbrella’s and other objects, putting them in the face of the Officers. They were warned again to not do that.
As expected, objects were then thrown at us. They amplified things, this time. Instead of throwing glass bottles containing urine and other bodily fluids, they began throwing glass bottles full of gasoline. They then lit and threw fireworks at us, trying to light us on fire.
FINALLY the SPD Administration gave the green light and LESS LETHAL forms of riot control were deployed. As objects were continued to be thrown at us, SWAT finally deployed CS gas. The “protesters” proceeded to start vandalizing everything in the area. They smashed business windows, burned U.S. flags, lit dumpsters and other items on fire, and threw things on fire at us. We pushed them back in all directions about half a block but for some reason, we stopped pushing them back. They then regrouped and continued to vandalize the area with spray paint, breaking windows, and lighting things on fire. Around that time, the Guard was pulled back and we left East Precinct.
I returned the very next day at East Precinct, ready to continue the daily fight with these anarchists and communists. When I arrived, they were boarding up East Precinct. City employees were removing all the barriers and taking everything they could out of the precinct. We were ordered to about-face and leave. We went to a different precinct where it was announced that Durkan had decided to abandon East Precinct and to give it to the “protesters.” As we watched, Antifa took over the East Precinct and they erected walls at the adjacent intersections with the barricades we had used. They armed themselves, proceeded to vandalize the East Precinct with spray paint, and they declared Capitol Hill a Cop-Free, Autonomous Zone (CHAZ). It was hard enough for me to watch, but I saw Officers that were assigned to the East Precinct for decades, shield their faces, and walk out of the room in tears. The Capitol Hill area of the City of Seattle, to include East Precinct, was surrendered by its elected officials to the terrorists…
I spent the next couple days stewing in Seattle… just waiting for any elected official to grow some balls and tell us to move back in… to take over the ground they surrendered… but it never happened. We were then told the Guard was losing its support from SPD. CHAZ was the new norm of Seattle. The terrorists won and it was time to go home. We expressed our frustration among ourselves, lowered our heads, sympathized for the SPD Officers, packed our rucksacks, and went home angry. (source)
You may be completely on your own.
As you can see, you can’t depend on anyone to come and save you when unrest shows up in your neighborhood. The people who were there, willing, and able to defend Seattle were forced to stand down. You have to expect to be completely on your own. Learn more about how to stay safe during civil unrest scenarios here.
Can you imagine how the members of the National Guard and the police must have felt, facing this mob scene without the support of the state and local officials?
Of course, there are two sides to every story and it’s important to see both. Here’s an on-the-ground video of the CHAZ area. You do not have to be logged in to watch it.
One has to question how an elected governor could be so poor a leader as to let blocks of the largest city in his state be taken over by rioters. It honestly seems to be somewhat beyond “poor leadership.” What we’re wondering is whether Governor Inslee is truly this spineless, whether it’s a deliberate attempt to undermine law and order, or if he’s just another “useless idiot” progressing an agenda.
Reprinted with permission from The Organic Prepper.
The Best of Daisy Luther


lewrockwell--2020-06-15--Scott Adams Has Had a Brilliant Insight About the Demand for Reparations

Whenever Democrats push race to the forefront of the news , reparations pop up .
The theory is that , because their forebearers were kidnapped from Africa and enslaved in America , blacks will never catch up economically to whites .
It doesn ’ t matter that there are no slaves or slaveowners today ; that most whites are not descended from slaveowners ; or that racism impoverished , rather than enriched the South .
Scott Adams ’ brilliant insight cuts through all this : The comparison isn ’ t between black wealth and white wealth in America .
Instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between black ’ s average net worth in America versus black ’ s average net worth in Africa .
After all , the act of stealing blacks from Africa is the “ but for cause ” of all wrongs done to blacks .
Adams imagines a neutral space alien calculating reparations .
He informs earthlings that black versus white net worth in America isn ’ t the correct calculation : How to Fail at Almost ... Scott Adams Best Price : $ 7.66 Buy New $ 10.79 “ If I ’ m going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say , the theft from the black community , if you were to measure the theft — let ’ s say just theft – that this slavery was .
In other words , you stole the productive part of their lives , etc.
, and you used it for yourself .
So here ’ s the number I need : I need how does the average economic situation for the average black person in this country and then , to compare it , I want to compare it to the average life of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ space alien says , “ Yeah that ’ s the comparison .
So , you want to compare what would happen to the average black person if they had stayed unmolested in Africa and there had never been a slave trade .
Because that ’ s what you ’ re comparing to .
Because if the people who were brought to America as slaves , and then their descendants , are doing much worse than if they ’ ve never been brought with slavery , then that ’ s the amount of reparations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lost is all the money they would have made if they just stay in Africa .
You know what the problem is , right ?
They would owe money to white people .
Win Bigly : Persuasion ... Adams , Scott Best Price : $ 12.48 Buy New $ 10.90 Loserthink : How Untrai ... Adams , Scott Best Price : $ 11.93 Buy New $ 17.27

Whenever Democrats push race to the forefront of the news, reparations pop up. The theory is that, because their forebearers were kidnapped from Africa and enslaved in America, blacks will never catch up economically to whites. It doesn’t matter that there are no slaves or slaveowners today; that most whites are not descended from slaveowners; or that racism impoverished, rather than enriched the South.
Scott Adams’ brilliant insight cuts through all this: The comparison isn’t between black wealth and white wealth in America. Instead, the comparison must be the difference between black’s average net worth in America versus black’s average net worth in Africa. After all, the act of stealing blacks from Africa is the “but for cause” of all wrongs done to blacks.
Adams imagines a neutral space alien calculating reparations. He informs earthlings that black versus white net worth in America isn’t the correct calculation: How to Fail at Almost ... Scott Adams Best Price: $7.66 Buy New $10.79 (as of 10:20 UTC - Details)
“If I’m going to calculate the, let’s say, the theft from the black community, if you were to measure the theft — let’s say just theft – that this slavery was. In other words, you stole the productive part of their lives, etc., and you used it for yourself. So here’s the number I need: I need how does the average economic situation for the average black person in this country and then, to compare it, I want to compare it to the average life of a black African.: And you say, “What?” And the space alien says, “Yeah that’s the comparison. So, you want to compare what would happen to the average black person if they had stayed unmolested in Africa and there had never been a slave trade. Because that’s what you’re comparing to. Because if the people who were brought to America as slaves, and then their descendants, are doing much worse than if they’ve never been brought with slavery, then that’s the amount of reparations. That’s how much they lost is all the money they would have made if they just stay in Africa. You know what the problem is, right? They would owe money to white people.

Read the Whole Article
Win Bigly: Persuasion ... Adams, Scott Best Price: $12.48 Buy New $10.90 (as of 04:16 UTC - Details) Loserthink: How Untrai... Adams, Scott Best Price: $11.93 Buy New $17.27 (as of 04:39 UTC - Details)


Waltzing With Taki

VIENNA—Somebody once described Vienna as a top opera performed by understudies .
The remark was unquestionably witty , but utterly false back when it was made .
It is perfectly true for today , however .
During the 650-year rule of the Habsburgs , Vienna reigned supreme , an opera sung by its greatest stars .
It is the present Vienna , having lost its empire , its imperial family , and its power , that is sung by the understudies .
I ’ ve just spent three days there , in Harry Lime time .
Okay , close your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only a few gondolas and no floating-behemoth horrors , the Bridge of Sighs without the Chinese hordes below , the Spanish Steps with only Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck , and Vienna with no tourists but a sole Harry Lime lurking in the shadows .
This was Vienna last week , the only thing missing The Third Man ’ s theme , played on a zither by Anton Karas .
It was the first day of freedom and the invading hordes were still behind the Great Wall of China .
Helmut Sachers Viennes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 24.98 / Count ) With its baroque streetscapes and rambling imperial palaces , its winding cobbled lanes and art-filled museums , the Austrian capital is a natural for invading tourists .
What the Turks failed to accomplish—they were stopped at the gates—our Chinese , American , and Latin cousins have managed : Vienna ’ s Ring is permanently under siege by the 21st century ’ s most lethal virus , mass tourism .
Last week , though , I had the whole place to myself , walking up and down the pedestrians-only Karntner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some normally unfriendly Viennese .
Saying that Vienna is steeped in history is a boring cliché , like calling Emily Maitlis a left-wing publicity hound .
The capital ’ s music heritage alone makes the city unique .
Next to the Sacher I noticed a plaque : Vivaldi lived there ; add Mozart , Beethoven , Schubert , Brahms , and Mahler , and do not forget the Strausses , Johan and Richard .
There were also a few pretty good sketchers like Durer , Velazquez , Titian , and Rubens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As the hub of the Holy Roman Empire and the last bastion of the West against the brutal Turks , Vienna ruled from Portugal and Spain all the way to Bratislava and beyond , 650 years of benevolent Christian rule and high culture .
The Austro-Hungarian empire made the E.U .
look like the midgets they are , although some twenty years ago the dwarfs forced Jorg Haider and his Freedom Party to step down or else .
DA CHOCOLATE Candy Sou ... Buy New $ 8.99 ( $ 8.99 / Count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead Habsburgs must have jumped out of their royal graves after such a humiliation .
Belgian dwarfs forcing Austrians to capitulate .
Gott in Himmel !
Never mind , the place is a socialist republic and there ’ s no room for brave men to tell the bureaucrooks to get stuffed .
The longest period of peace in Europe—99 years—was conceived in the Congress of Vienna in 1815 , Metternich and the Prussians treating the recently defeated French with magnanimity , thus ensuring peace .
Compare that with the greatest jerk ever , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America into the war for no reason , but then punished Germany unnecessarily in order to play tough guy .
His peace lasted twenty years .
The Best of Taki Theodoracopulos

VIENNA—Somebody once described Vienna as a top opera performed by understudies. The remark was unquestionably witty, but utterly false back when it was made. It is perfectly true for today, however. During the 650-year rule of the Habsburgs, Vienna reigned supreme, an opera sung by its greatest stars. It is the present Vienna, having lost its empire, its imperial family, and its power, that is sung by the understudies. I’ve just spent three days there, in Harry Lime time.
Okay, close your eyes and imagine the Grand Canal with only a few gondolas and no floating-behemoth horrors, the Bridge of Sighs without the Chinese hordes below, the Spanish Steps with only Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, and Vienna with no tourists but a sole Harry Lime lurking in the shadows. This was Vienna last week, the only thing missing The Third Man’s theme, played on a zither by Anton Karas. It was the first day of freedom and the invading hordes were still behind the Great Wall of China. Helmut Sachers Viennes... Buy New $24.98 ($24.98 / Count) (as of 04:17 UTC - Details)
With its baroque streetscapes and rambling imperial palaces, its winding cobbled lanes and art-filled museums, the Austrian capital is a natural for invading tourists. What the Turks failed to accomplish—they were stopped at the gates—our Chinese, American, and Latin cousins have managed: Vienna’s Ring is permanently under siege by the 21st century’s most lethal virus, mass tourism. Last week, though, I had the whole place to myself, walking up and down the pedestrians-only Karntner Strasse, along with a few bikers and some normally unfriendly Viennese.
Saying that Vienna is steeped in history is a boring cliché, like calling Emily Maitlis a left-wing publicity hound. The capital’s music heritage alone makes the city unique. Next to the Sacher I noticed a plaque: Vivaldi lived there; add Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Brahms, and Mahler, and do not forget the Strausses, Johan and Richard. There were also a few pretty good sketchers like Durer, Velazquez, Titian, and Rubens, not to mention a guy called Klimt. As the hub of the Holy Roman Empire and the last bastion of the West against the brutal Turks, Vienna ruled from Portugal and Spain all the way to Bratislava and beyond, 650 years of benevolent Christian rule and high culture. The Austro-Hungarian empire made the E.U. look like the midgets they are, although some twenty years ago the dwarfs forced Jorg Haider and his Freedom Party to step down or else. DA CHOCOLATE Candy Sou... Buy New $8.99 ($8.99 / Count) (as of 04:17 UTC - Details)
Six hundred and fifty years of dead Habsburgs must have jumped out of their royal graves after such a humiliation. Belgian dwarfs forcing Austrians to capitulate. Gott in Himmel! Never mind, the place is a socialist republic and there’s no room for brave men to tell the bureaucrooks to get stuffed. The longest period of peace in Europe—99 years—was conceived in the Congress of Vienna in 1815, Metternich and the Prussians treating the recently defeated French with magnanimity, thus ensuring peace. Compare that with the greatest jerk ever, Woodrow Wilson, who not only brought America into the war for no reason, but then punished Germany unnecessarily in order to play tough guy. His peace lasted twenty years.
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lewrockwell--2020-06-15--Russia Aiming To Realize Greater Eurasia Dream

Professor Sergey Karaganov is informally known in influential foreign policy circles as the “ Russian Kissinger ” – with the extra bonus of not having to carry a “ war criminal ” tag from Vietnam and Cambodia to Chile and beyond .
Karaganov is the dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at the National Research University Higher School of Economics .
He ’ s also the honorary chairman of Russia ’ s Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy .
In December 2018 , I had the pleasure of being received at Karaganov ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation essentially about Greater Eurasia – the Russian path for Eurasia integration .
Now Karaganov has expanded his main insights for an Atlanticist made in Italy vehicle usually more distinguished for its maps than its predictable “ analyses ” straight from a NATO press release .
The Mongol Conquests : ... History , Captivating Best Price : $ 15.76 Buy New $ 13.34 Even noting , correctly , that the EU is a “ profoundly inefficient institution ” on a slow path towards dissolution – and that ’ s a massive understatement – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their way to a relative normalization .
This is something that has been actively discussed in Brussels corridors for months now .
Not exactly the agenda envisaged by the US Deep State – or the Trump administration , for that matter .
The degree of exasperation with Team Trump ’ s antics is unprecedented .
Still , as Karaganov recognizes : “ Western democracies don ’ t know how to exist without an enemy.
” Enter NATO ’ s routine secretary-general Stoltenberg ’ s platitudes on the Russian “ threat.
” Even as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now equivalent to trade with the EU , a new “ threat ” emerged in Europe : China .
An Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China was just invented last week as a new demonization platform , congregating representatives from Japan , Canada , Australia , Germany , the UK , Norway and Sweden as well as members of the European Parliament .
China “ as led by the Chinese Communist Party , ” is to be faced as a “ threat ” to “ Western values ” – the same old triad of democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paranoia embodied in the dual Russia-China “ threat ” is nothing but a graphic illustration of the prime Grand Chessboard clash : NATO vs Eurasia integration .
Russia ’ s Geoecon ... Diesen , Glenn Buy New $ 36.87 Karaganov breaks down the crucial Russia-China strategic partnership to an easily absorbed formula : As much as Beijing finds strong support on Russia ’ s strategic power as a counterpunch to the US , Moscow can count on China ’ s economic might .
He recalls the crucial fact that when Western pressure on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Crimea referendum , “ Beijing offered Moscow virtually unlimited credit , but Russia decided to brave the situation on its own.
” One of the subsequent benefits is that Russia-China abandoned their competition in Central Asia – something I saw for myself in my travels late last year .
That does not mean competition has been erased .
Conversations with other Russian analysts reveal that fear of excessive Chinese power is still on , especially when it comes to China ’ s relations with weaker and non-sovereign states .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ realpolitik practitioner as Karaganov , is that the “ pivot to the East ” and the strategic entente with China favored Russia in the Grand Chessboard .
Karaganov totally understands the Russian DNA as a great Asian power – taking into consideration everything from authoritarian politics to the natural resource wealth of Siberia .
Russia , he says , is “ close to China in terms of common history despite the enormous cultural distance separating them .
Up to the 15th century , both were under Genghis Khan ’ s empire , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mongols , Russia ended up expelling them , but in two and a half centuries of submission it incorporated many Asian traits.
” Globalistan : How the G ... Pepe Escobar Best Price : $ 17.22 Buy New $ 20.83 Karaganov considers Kissinger and Brzezinski “ lucid strategists , ” and laments that even if they suggested otherwise “ the American political class ” inaugurated a “ new Cold War ” against China .
He breaks down Washington ’ s objective as playing a “ Last Battle ” profiting from the forward @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wallerstein would define as our collapsing world-system .
Karaganov is very sharp on Russia ’ s independent streak – always fiercely countering “ whoever pointed at a global or regional hegemony : from the descendants of Genghis Khan to Charles XII of Sweden , from Napoleon to Hitler .
In the military and political spheres , Russia is self-sufficient .
Not in the economic , technological and cyber spheres , where it needs markets and external partners , which it will search and find.
” The result is that the Russia-EU rapprochement dream @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Eurasian optics.
” That ’ s where the concept of Greater Eurasia comes in , as I discussed with Karaganov in our meeting : “ a multilateral , integrated partnership , officially supported by Beijing , based on an egalitarian system of economic , political and cultural links between diverse states , ” with China playing the role of primus inter pares .
And that includes a “ significative part of the Western extremity of the Eurasian continent , that is , Europe.
” Empire of Chaos Pepe Escobar Best Price : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what the evolution in the Grand Chessboard seems to point at .
Karaganov – correctly – identifies western and northern Europe as attracted to the “ American pole , ” while southern and eastern Europe are “ inclined towards the Eurasian project.
” The Russian role , under this framework , will be to “ balance the two possible hegemonic powers , ” as a “ guarantor of a new union of non-aligned nations.
” That hints at a very interesting new configuration of the Non-Aligned Movement .
So meet Russia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new multilateral , multi-vector partnership , finally moving from a status of “ periphery of Europe or Asia ” to “ one of the fundamental centers of northern Eurasia.
” A work in – steady – progress .

Professor Sergey Karaganov is informally known in influential foreign policy circles as the “Russian Kissinger” – with the extra bonus of not having to carry a “war criminal” tag from Vietnam and Cambodia to Chile and beyond.
Karaganov is the dean of the Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs at the National Research University Higher School of Economics. He’s also the honorary chairman of Russia’s Presidium of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.
In December 2018, I had the pleasure of being received at Karaganov’s office in Moscow for a one-on-one conversation essentially about Greater Eurasia – the Russian path for Eurasia integration.
Now Karaganov has expanded his main insights for an Atlanticist made in Italy vehicle usually more distinguished for its maps than its predictable “analyses” straight from a NATO press release. The Mongol Conquests: ... History, Captivating Best Price: $15.76 Buy New $13.34 (as of 04:18 UTC - Details)
Even noting, correctly, that the EU is a “profoundly inefficient institution” on a slow path towards dissolution – and that’s a massive understatement – Karaganov observes that Russia-EU relations are on their way to a relative normalization.
This is something that has been actively discussed in Brussels corridors for months now. Not exactly the agenda envisaged by the US Deep State – or the Trump administration, for that matter. The degree of exasperation with Team Trump’s antics is unprecedented.
Still, as Karaganov recognizes: “Western democracies don’t know how to exist without an enemy.” Enter NATO’s routine secretary-general Stoltenberg’s platitudes on the Russian “threat.”
Even as Russia’s trade with Asia is now equivalent to trade with the EU, a new “threat” emerged in Europe: China.
An Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China was just invented last week as a new demonization platform, congregating representatives from Japan, Canada, Australia, Germany, the UK, Norway and Sweden as well as members of the European Parliament.
China “as led by the Chinese Communist Party,” is to be faced as a “threat” to “Western values” – the same old triad of democracy, human rights and neoliberalism. The paranoia embodied in the dual Russia-China “threat” is nothing but a graphic illustration of the prime Grand Chessboard clash: NATO vs Eurasia integration. Russia’s Geoecon... Diesen, Glenn Buy New $36.87 (as of 04:18 UTC - Details)
A great Asian power
Karaganov breaks down the crucial Russia-China strategic partnership to an easily absorbed formula: As much as Beijing finds strong support on Russia’s strategic power as a counterpunch to the US, Moscow can count on China’s economic might.
He recalls the crucial fact that when Western pressure on Russia was at its peak after Maidan and the Crimea referendum, “Beijing offered Moscow virtually unlimited credit, but Russia decided to brave the situation on its own.”
One of the subsequent benefits is that Russia-China abandoned their competition in Central Asia – something I saw for myself in my travels late last year.
That does not mean competition has been erased. Conversations with other Russian analysts reveal that fear of excessive Chinese power is still on, especially when it comes to China’s relations with weaker and non-sovereign states. But the bottom line, for such a sterling realpolitik practitioner as Karaganov, is that the “pivot to the East” and the strategic entente with China favored Russia in the Grand Chessboard.
Karaganov totally understands the Russian DNA as a great Asian power – taking into consideration everything from authoritarian politics to the natural resource wealth of Siberia.
Russia, he says, is “close to China in terms of common history despite the enormous cultural distance separating them. Up to the 15th century, both were under Genghis Khan’s empire, the largest in history. If China assimilated the Mongols, Russia ended up expelling them, but in two and a half centuries of submission it incorporated many Asian traits.” Globalistan: How the G... Pepe Escobar Best Price: $17.22 Buy New $20.83 (as of 07:20 UTC - Details)
Karaganov considers Kissinger and Brzezinski “lucid strategists,” and laments that even if they suggested otherwise “the American political class” inaugurated a “new Cold War” against China. He breaks down Washington’s objective as playing a “Last Battle” profiting from the forward bases the US still dominates in what Wallerstein would define as our collapsing world-system.
New Non-Aligned Movement
Karaganov is very sharp on Russia’s independent streak – always fiercely countering “whoever pointed at a global or regional hegemony: from the descendants of Genghis Khan to Charles XII of Sweden, from Napoleon to Hitler. In the military and political spheres, Russia is self-sufficient. Not in the economic, technological and cyber spheres, where it needs markets and external partners, which it will search and find.”
The result is that the Russia-EU rapprochement dream remains very much alive, but under “Eurasian optics.”
That’s where the concept of Greater Eurasia comes in, as I discussed with Karaganov in our meeting: “a multilateral, integrated partnership, officially supported by Beijing, based on an egalitarian system of economic, political and cultural links between diverse states,” with China playing the role of primus inter pares. And that includes a “significative part of the Western extremity of the Eurasian continent, that is, Europe.” Empire of Chaos Pepe Escobar Best Price: $24.50 Buy New $36.65 (as of 05:45 UTC - Details)
That’s what the evolution in the Grand Chessboard seems to point at. Karaganov – correctly – identifies western and northern Europe as attracted to the “American pole,” while southern and eastern Europe are “inclined towards the Eurasian project.”
The Russian role, under this framework, will be to “balance the two possible hegemonic powers,” as a “guarantor of a new union of non-aligned nations.” That hints at a very interesting new configuration of the Non-Aligned Movement.
So meet Russia as one of the supporters of a new multilateral, multi-vector partnership, finally moving from a status of “periphery of Europe or Asia” to “one of the fundamental centers of northern Eurasia.” A work in – steady – progress.
Reprinted with the author’s permission.