wearechange--2020-09-14--Russia Sends Elite Airborne Troops to Belarus for Drills as Putin Hosts Embattled Lukashenko

Russian state media reports that the country ’ s airborne forces will be deployed to Belarus for joint military drills from Monday through September 25 .
Despite the ‘ Slavic Fraternity ’ drills being an annual pre-planned event hosted by Belarusian armed forces , the deployment comes at an intensifying moment of continued mass anti-Lukashenko protests after denunciations by the opposition that the Aug.9 national election was “ rigged ” .
“ In accordance with the schedule of international events for 2020 , the planned joint Belarusian-Russian tactical exercise Slavic Fraternity , which has been held annually since 2015 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September at the Brestsky training ground in Belarus ” , the Russian defense ministry said over the weekend .
It total Russia is expected to send about 300 troops among its elite Pskov division along with military hardware for the joint drills .
Crucially it comes after Minsk has again charged that “ NATO is at the gates ” in neighboring Lithuania , where it ’ s been confirmed that American tanks are participating in pre-scheduled exercises there .
Viktor Khrenin , the Belarusian minister of defense , said on Saturday : The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that about 500 people , 29 tanks , and 43 Bradley Fighting Vehicles will be in such close proximity to our border can not do anything but worry us.
” Meanwhile , opposition activists – of which 250 were reportedly arrested in the Belarusian capital Sunday amid more mass protests – have charged that Putin is treating the country as a “ Russian province ” akin to Soviet times .
The Guardian and others reported numbers of up to 100,000 protesters in Minsk on Sunday , on the eve of a much-anticipated meeting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Sochi .
The embattled Belarusian president , now in his sixth term , will seek greater public backing by Putin .
Interestingly , Serbia was expected to take part in this week ’ s military games in Belarus , but has backed out based on its policy of wanting to display greater neutrality , but also under intense pressure from the EU .

Russian state media reports that the country’s airborne forces will be deployed to Belarus for joint military drills from Monday through September 25.
Despite the ‘Slavic Fraternity’ drills being an annual pre-planned event hosted by Belarusian armed forces, the deployment comes at an intensifying moment of continued mass anti-Lukashenko protests after denunciations by the opposition that the Aug.9 national election was “rigged”.
“In accordance with the schedule of international events for 2020, the planned joint Belarusian-Russian tactical exercise Slavic Fraternity, which has been held annually since 2015, will be held from 14 to 25 September at the Brestsky training ground in Belarus”, the Russian defense ministry said over the weekend.
It total Russia is expected to send about 300 troops among its elite Pskov division along with military hardware for the joint drills.
Crucially it comes after Minsk has again charged that “NATO is at the gates” in neighboring Lithuania, where it’s been confirmed that American tanks are participating in pre-scheduled exercises there.
Viktor Khrenin, the Belarusian minister of defense, said on Saturday:
“The movement of NATO troops is taking place in territory adjacent to us, within the framework of the Enhanced Forward Presence and Atlantic Resolve operations. In particular, the 2nd Battalion of the 69th Armor Regiment is being deployed to the Pabrade training ground [in Lithuania], 15 kilometers from our border.”
The defense minister added, “The fact that about 500 people, 29 tanks, and 43 Bradley Fighting Vehicles will be in such close proximity to our border cannot do anything but worry us.”
Several huge columns like this marching Minsk streets in the direction of Drazdy where Lukashenka resides. pic.twitter.com/tRvxFi6o7f — Franak Via?orka (@franakviacorka) September 13, 2020
Meanwhile, opposition activists – of which 250 were reportedly arrested in the Belarusian capital Sunday amid more mass protests – have charged that Putin is treating the country as a “Russian province” akin to Soviet times.
The Guardian and others reported numbers of up to 100,000 protesters in Minsk on Sunday, on the eve of a much-anticipated meeting between Presidents Lukashenko and Putin on Monday in Sochi. The embattled Belarusian president, now in his sixth term, will seek greater public backing by Putin.
Belarus saw one of its biggest demonstrations yet against President Alexander Lukashenko as at least 100,000 protesters took to the streets of Minsk https://t.co/6Zz1icTHS5 pic.twitter.com/QJ51Ku8WzU — Reuters (@Reuters) September 13, 2020
Interestingly, Serbia was expected to take part in this week’s military games in Belarus, but has backed out based on its policy of wanting to display greater neutrality, but also under intense pressure from the EU.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-11--New Important Evidence And Updates Prove Official Story Totally Wrong!

On this anniversary , we have a special guest discussing new very important evidence and a lawsuit that could bring @ @ @ @ @ .
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On this anniversary, we have a special guest discussing new very important evidence and a lawsuit that could bring justice to victims’ families.
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wearechange--2020-09-14--Trump Say YES. Can A Joe Rogan Trump-Biden Debate End The Civil Unrest?

In this video , we delve into the possibility of a Donald Trump-Joe Biden debate on Joe Rogan ’ s @ @ @ @ @ mean for the country .
OH YEAH , since we are not corporate or government @ @ @ @ @ .
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In this video, we delve into the possibility of a Donald Trump-Joe Biden debate on Joe Rogan’s podcast and what that could mean for the country.
Could this work?


wearechange--2020-09-15--‘Rogue’ Chinese Virologist Joins Twitter, Publishes “Smoking Gun” Evidence COVID-19 Created in Lab

On Saturday Zero Hedge reported that Dr. Li-Meng Yan – a Chinese virologist ( MD , PhD ) who fled the country , leaving her job at a prestigious Hong Kong university – appeared last week on British television where she claimed SARS-CoV-2 , the virus which causes COVID-19 , was created by Chinese scientists in a lab .
On Sunday , Li-Meng joined Twitter – and on Monday , just hours ago , she tweeted a link to a paper she co-authored with three other Chinese scientists titled : She also posted a link to her credentials on ResearchGate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affiliation with The University of Hong Kong and 13 publications which have been cited 557 times Here is the extended punchline : The receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 Spike can not be born from nature and should have been created through genetic engineering .
The Spike proteins decorate the exterior of the coronavirus particles .
They play an important role in infection as they mediate the interaction with host cell receptors and thereby help determine the host range and tissue tropism of the virus .
The Spike protein is split into two halves ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ N-terminal half is named S1 , which is fully responsible for binding the host receptor .
In both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infections , the host cell receptor is hACE2 .
Within S1 , a segment of around 70 amino acids makes direct contacts with hACE2 and is correspondingly named the receptor-binding motif ( RBM ) ( Figure 3C ) .
In SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 , the RBM fully determines the interaction with hACE2 .
The C-terminal half of the Spike protein is named S2 .
The main function of S2 includes maintaining trimer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the S1/S2 junction and a downstream S2 ’ position , mediating membrane fusion to enable cellular entry of the virus .
Similar to what is observed for other viral proteins , S2 of SARS-CoV-2 shares a high sequence identity ( 95 % ) with S2 of ZC45/ZXC21 .
In stark contrast , between SARS-CoV-2 and ZC45/ZXC21 , the S1 protein , which dictates which host ( human or bat ) the virus can infect , is much less conserved with the amino acid sequence identity being only 69 % .
Figure 4 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proteins from six ?
coronaviruses .
Two are viruses isolated from the current pandemic ( Wuhan-Hu-1 , 2019-nCoV_USA-AZ1 ) ; two are the suspected template viruses ( Bat_CoV_ZC45 , Bat_CoV_ZXC21 ) ; two are SARS coronaviruses ( SARS_GZ02 , SARS ) .
The RBM is highlighted in between two orange lines .
Clearly , despite the high sequence identity for the overall genomes , the RBM of SARS-CoV-2 differs significantly from those of ZC45 and ZXC21 .
Intriguingly , the RBM of SARS-CoV-2 resembles , on a great deal , the RBM of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an exact “ copy and paste ” , careful examination of the Spike-hACE2 structures37,38 reveals that all residues essential for either hACE2 binding or protein folding ( orange sticks in Figure 3C and what is highlighted by red short lines in Figure 4 ) are “ kept ” .
Most of these essential residues are precisely preserved , including those involved in disulfide bond formation ( C467 , C474 ) and electrostatic interactions ( R444 , E452 , R453 , D454 ) , which are pivotal for the structural integrity of the RBM @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The few changes within the group of essential residues are almost exclusively hydrophobic “ substitutions ” ( I428àL , L443àF , F460àY , L472àF , Y484àQ ) , which should not affect either protein folding or the hACE2-interaction .
At the same time , majority of the amino acid residues that are non-essential have “ mutated ” ( Figure 4 , RBM residues not labeled with short red lines ) .
Judging from this sequence analysis alone , we were convinced early on that not only would the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein bind hACE2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precisely , that between the original SARS Spike protein and hACE223 .
Recent structural work has confirmed our prediction .
As elaborated below , the way that SARS-CoV-2 RBM resembles SARS-CoV RBM and the overall sequence conservation pattern between SARS-CoV-2 and ZC45/ZXC21 are highly unusual .
Collectively , this suggests that portions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome have not been derived from natural quasi-species viral particle evolution .
The paper then makes two critical observations for those who claim that SARS-CoV-2 has a natural origin : its RBM could have only been acquired in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 ) an ancient recombination event followed by convergent evolution or 2 ) a natural recombination event that occurred fairly recently .
In the second scenario , the ZC45/ZXC21-like coronavirus would have to have recently recombined and swapped its RBM with another coronavirus that had successfully adapted to bind an animal ACE2 highly homologous to hACE2 .
The likelihood of such an event depends , in part , on the general requirements of natural recombination : 1 ) that the two different viruses share significant sequence similarity ; 2 ) that they must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell of the same animal ; 3 ) that the recombinant virus would not be cleared by the host or make the host extinct ; 4 ) that the recombinant virus eventually would have to become stable and transmissible within the host species .
In regard to this recent recombination scenario , the animal reservoir could not be bats because the ACE2 proteins in bats are not homologous enough to hACE2 and therefore the adaption would not be able to yield an RBM sequence as seen in SARS-CoV-2 .
This animal reservoir also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coronavirus would not be able to infect humans .
In addition , there has been no evidence of any SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2-like virus circulating in the human population prior to late 2019 .
Intriguingly , according to a recent bioinformatics study , SARS-CoV-2 was well-adapted for humans since the start of the outbreak .
Which leaves just one option : Only one other possibility of natural evolution remains , which is that the ZC45/ZXC21-like virus and a coronavirus containing a SARS-like RBM could have recombined in an intermediate host where the ACE2 protein @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have reported that some of the Sunda pangolins smuggled into China from Malaysia carried coronaviruses , the receptor-binding domain ( RBD ) of which is almost identical to that of SARS-CoV-227-29,31 .
They then went on to suggest that pangolins are the likely intermediate host for SARS-CoV-227-29,31 .
However , recent independent reports have found significant flaws in this data40-42 .
Furthermore , contrary to these reports27-29,31 , no coronaviruses have been detected in Sunda pangolin samples collected for over a decade in Malaysia and Sabah between 2009 and 201943 .
A recent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is shared between SARS-CoV-2 and the reported pangolin coronaviruses , binds to hACE2 ten times stronger than to the pangolin ACE22 , further dismissing pangolins as the possible intermediate host .
Finally , an in silico study , while echoing the notion that pangolins are not likely an intermediate host , also indicated that none of the animal ACE2 proteins examined in their study exhibited more favorable binding potential to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein than hACE2 did .
This last study virtually exempted all animals from their suspected roles as an intermediate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ observation that SARS-CoV-2 was well-adapted for humans from the start of the outbreak .
This is significant because these findings collectively suggest that no intermediate host seems to exist for SARS-CoV-2 , which at the very least diminishes the possibility of a recombinant event occurring in an intermediate host .
Given that RBM fully dictates hACE2-binding and that the SARS RBM-hACE2 binding was fully characterized by high-resolution structures ( Figure 3 ) 37,38 , this RBM-only swap would not be any riskier than the full Spike swap .
In fact , the feasibility @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In 2008 , Dr. Zhengli Shi ’ s group swapped a SARS RBM into the Spike proteins of several SARS-like bat coronaviruses after introducing a restriction site into a codon-optimized spike gene ( Figure 5C ) .
They then validated the binding of the resulted chimeric Spike proteins with hACE2 .
Furthermore , in a recent publication , the RBM of SARS-CoV-2 was swapped into the receptor-binding domain ( RBD ) of SARSCoV , resulting in a chimeric RBD fully functional in binding hACE2 ( Figure 5C ) 39 .
Strikingly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ segments resemble almost exactly the RBM defined by the positions of the EcoRI and BstEII sites ( Figure 5C ) .
Although cloning details are lacking in both publications39,47 , it is conceivable that the actual restriction sites may vary depending on the spike gene receiving the RBM insertion as well as the convenience in introducing unique restriction site ( s ) in regions of interest .
It is noteworthy that the corresponding author of this recent publication , Dr. Fang Li , has been an active collaborator of Dr. Zhengli Shi since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person in the world to have structurally elucidated the binding between SARS-CoV RBD and hACE238 and has been the leading expert in the structural understanding of Spike-ACE2 interactions .
The striking finding of EcoRI and BstEII restriction sites at either end of the SARS-CoV-2 RBM , respectively , and the fact that the same RBM region has been swapped both by Dr. Shi and by her long-term collaborator , respectively , using restriction enzyme digestion methods are unlikely a coincidence .
Rather , it is the smoking gun proving that the RBM/Spike of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It gets better , because the Chinese scientists then presciently tried to cover their tracks : Although it may be convenient to copy the exact sequence of SARS RBM , it would be too clear a sign of artificial design and manipulation .
The more deceiving approach would be to change a few nonessential residues , while preserving the ones critical for binding .
This design could be well-guided by the high-resolution structures ( Figure 3 ) 37,38 .
This way , when the overall sequence of the RBM would appear to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ SARS RBM , the hACE2-binding ability would be well-preserved .
We believe that all of the crucial residues ( residues labeled with red sticks in Figure 4 , which are the same residues shown in sticks in Figure 3C ) should have been “ kept ” .
As described earlier , while some should be direct preservation , some should have been switched to residues with similar properties , which would not disrupt hACE2-binding and may even strengthen the association further [ ZH : i.e.
, the virus was weaponized enchanced ] .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ intentionally at non-essential sites , making it less like a “ copy and paste ” of the SARS RBM .
… a close examination of the nucleotide sequence of the furin-cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike has revealed that the two consecutive Arg residues within the inserted sequence ( - PRRA- ) are both coded by the rare codon CGG ( least used codon for Arg in SARS-CoV-2 ) ( Figure 7 ) .
In fact , this CGGCGG arrangement is the only instance found in the SARS-CoV-2 genome where this rare codon is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suggests that this furin-cleavage site should be a result of genetic engineering .
Adding to the suspicion , a FauI restriction site is formulated by the codon choices here , suggesting the possibility that the restriction fragment length polymorphism , a technique that a WIV lab is proficient at , could have been involved .
There , the fragmentation pattern resulted from FauI digestion could be used to monitor the preservation of the furin-cleavage site in Spike as this furin-cleavage site is prone to deletions in vitro .
Specifically , RT-PCR on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cell cultures or laboratory animals could be carried out , the product of which would be subjected to FauI digestion .
Viruses retaining or losing the furin-cleavage site would then yield distinct patterns , allowing convenient tracking of the virus ( es ) of interest .
And another critical allegation : once again , the Wuhan Researchers were doing everything in their power to weaponize and boost the “ enhancement of the infectivity and pathogenicity of the laboratory-made coronavirus ” : Evidence presented in this part reveals that certain aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being a result of natural evolution .
The alternative theory we suggest is that the virus may have been created by using ZC45/ZXC21 bat coronavirus ( es ) as the backbone and/or template .
The Spike protein , especially the RBM within it , should have been artificially manipulated , upon which the virus has acquired the ability to bind hACE2 and infect humans .
This is supported by the finding of a unique restriction enzyme digestion site at either end of the RBM .
An unusual furin-cleavage site may have been introduced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Spike protein , which contributes to the increased virulence and pathogenicity of the virus .
These transformations have then staged the SARS CoV-2 virus to eventually become a highly-transmissible , onset-hidden , lethal , sequelae-unclear , and massively disruptive pathogen .
Evidently , the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could have been created through gain-of-function manipulations at the WIV is significant and should be investigated thoroughly and independently .
Finally , those curious how the virus could have been created synthetically in Wuhan , here is a diagram proposed by Dr. Yan explaining all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is here .
And for those who missed it , here ’ s Li-Meng ’ s interview on UK television : As a reminder , Zero Hedge was banned from Twitter on Jan 31 for making just this allegation , following a hit-piece written by an alleged pedophile ( who was later fired for plagiarism ) and countless so-called “ scientists ” screaming that our take was fake news and nothing but propaganda .
Five months later Twitter admitted it had made a mistake , stating “ we made an error in our @ @ @ @ @ @ @

On Saturday Zero Hedge reported that Dr. Li-Meng Yan – a Chinese virologist (MD, PhD) who fled the country, leaving her job at a prestigious Hong Kong university – appeared last week on British television where she claimed SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, was created by Chinese scientists in a lab.
On Sunday, Li-Meng joined Twitter – and on Monday, just hours ago, she tweeted a link to a paper she co-authored with three other Chinese scientists titled:
Unusual Features of the SARS-CoV-2 Genome Suggesting Sophisticated Laboratory Modification Rather Than Natural Evolution and Delineation of Its Probable Synthetic Route
She also posted a link to her credentials on ResearchGate, revealing her (prior?) affiliation with The University of Hong Kong and 13 publications which have been cited 557 times
Cutting to the chase:
“The evidence shows that SARS-CoV-2 should be a laboratory product created by using bat coronaviruses ZC45 and/or ZXC21 as a template and/or backbone. Building upon the evidence, we further postulate a synthetic route for SARS-CoV-2, demonstrating that the laboratory-creation of this coronavirus is convenient and can be accomplished in approximately six months.
Here is the extended punchline:
The receptor-binding motif of SARS-CoV-2 Spike cannot be born from nature and should have been created through genetic engineering. The Spike proteins decorate the exterior of the coronavirus particles. They play an important role in infection as they mediate the interaction with host cell receptors and thereby help determine the host range and tissue tropism of the virus. The Spike protein is split into two halves (Figure 3). The front or N-terminal half is named S1, which is fully responsible for binding the host receptor. In both SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 infections, the host cell receptor is hACE2. Within S1, a segment of around 70 amino acids makes direct contacts with hACE2 and is correspondingly named the receptor-binding motif (RBM) (Figure 3C). In SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2, the RBM fully determines the interaction with hACE2. The C-terminal half of the Spike protein is named S2. The main function of S2 includes maintaining trimer formation and, upon successive protease cleavages at the S1/S2 junction and a downstream S2’ position, mediating membrane fusion to enable cellular entry of the virus.
Similar to what is observed for other viral proteins, S2 of SARS-CoV-2 shares a high sequence identity (95%) with S2 of ZC45/ZXC21. In stark contrast, between SARS-CoV-2 and ZC45/ZXC21, the S1 protein, which dictates which host (human or bat) the virus can infect, is much less conserved with the amino acid sequence identity being only 69%.
Figure 4 shows the sequence alignment of the Spike proteins from six ? coronaviruses. Two are viruses isolated from the current pandemic (Wuhan-Hu-1, 2019-nCoV_USA-AZ1); two are the suspected template viruses (Bat_CoV_ZC45, Bat_CoV_ZXC21); two are SARS coronaviruses (SARS_GZ02, SARS). The RBM is highlighted in between two orange lines. Clearly, despite the high sequence identity for the overall genomes, the RBM of SARS-CoV-2 differs significantly from those of ZC45 and ZXC21. Intriguingly, the RBM of SARS-CoV-2 resembles, on a great deal, the RBM of SARS Spike. Although this is not an exact “copy and paste”, careful examination of the Spike-hACE2 structures37,38 reveals that all residues essential for either hACE2 binding or protein folding (orange sticks in Figure 3C and what is highlighted by red short lines in Figure 4) are “kept”.
Most of these essential residues are precisely preserved, including those involved in disulfide bond formation (C467, C474) and electrostatic interactions (R444, E452, R453, D454), which are pivotal for the structural integrity of the RBM (Figure 3C and 4). The few changes within the group of essential residues are almost exclusively hydrophobic “substitutions” (I428àL, L443àF, F460àY, L472àF, Y484àQ), which should not affect either protein folding or the hACE2-interaction. At the same time, majority of the amino acid residues that are non-essential have “mutated” (Figure 4, RBM residues not labeled with short red lines). Judging from this sequence analysis alone, we were convinced early on that not only would the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein bind hACE2 but also the binding would resemble, precisely, that between the original SARS Spike protein and hACE223. Recent structural work has confirmed our prediction.
As elaborated below, the way that SARS-CoV-2 RBM resembles SARS-CoV RBM and the overall sequence conservation pattern between SARS-CoV-2 and ZC45/ZXC21 are highly unusual. Collectively, this suggests that portions of the SARS-CoV-2 genome have not been derived from natural quasi-species viral particle evolution.
The paper then makes two critical observations for those who claim that SARS-CoV-2 has a natural origin: its RBM could have only been acquired in one of the two possible routes: 1) an ancient recombination event followed by convergent evolution or 2) a natural recombination event that occurred fairly recently.
She first dismisses option 1:
“this convergent evolution process would also result in the accumulation of a large amount of mutations in other parts of the genome, rendering the overall sequence identity relatively low. The high sequence identity between SARS-CoV-2 and ZC45/ZXC21 on various proteins (94-100% identity) do not support this scenario and, therefore, clearly indicates that SARS-CoV- 2 carrying such an RBM cannot come from a ZC45/ZXC21-like bat coronavirus through this convergent evolutionary route.”
She then dismisses option 2:
In the second scenario, the ZC45/ZXC21-like coronavirus would have to have recently recombined and swapped its RBM with another coronavirus that had successfully adapted to bind an animal ACE2 highly homologous to hACE2. The likelihood of such an event depends, in part, on the general requirements of natural recombination: 1) that the two different viruses share significant sequence similarity; 2) that they must co-infect and be present in the same cell of the same animal; 3) that the recombinant virus would not be cleared by the host or make the host extinct; 4) that the recombinant virus eventually would have to become stable and transmissible within the host species. In regard to this recent recombination scenario, the animal reservoir could not be bats because the ACE2 proteins in bats are not homologous enough to hACE2 and therefore the adaption would not be able to yield an RBM sequence as seen in SARS-CoV-2. This animal reservoir also could not be humans as the ZC45/ZXC21-like coronavirus would not be able to infect humans. In addition, there has been no evidence of any SARS-CoV-2 or SARS-CoV-2-like virus circulating in the human population prior to late 2019. Intriguingly, according to a recent bioinformatics study, SARS-CoV-2 was well-adapted for humans since the start of the outbreak.
Which leaves just one option:
Only one other possibility of natural evolution remains, which is that the ZC45/ZXC21-like virus and a coronavirus containing a SARS-like RBM could have recombined in an intermediate host where the ACE2 protein is homologous to hACE2. Several laboratories have reported that some of the Sunda pangolins smuggled into China from Malaysia carried coronaviruses, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of which is almost identical to that of SARS-CoV-227-29,31. They then went on to suggest that pangolins are the likely intermediate host for SARS-CoV-227-29,31. However, recent independent reports have found significant flaws in this data40-42. Furthermore, contrary to these reports27-29,31, no coronaviruses have been detected in Sunda pangolin samples collected for over a decade in Malaysia and Sabah between 2009 and 201943. A recent study also showed that the RBD, which is shared between SARS-CoV-2 and the reported pangolin coronaviruses, binds to hACE2 ten times stronger than to the pangolin ACE22, further dismissing pangolins as the possible intermediate host. Finally, an in silico study, while echoing the notion that pangolins are not likely an intermediate host, also indicated that none of the animal ACE2 proteins examined in their study exhibited more favorable binding potential to the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein than hACE2 did. This last study virtually exempted all animals from their suspected roles as an intermediate host, which is consistent with the observation that SARS-CoV-2 was well-adapted for humans from the start of the outbreak. This is significant because these findings collectively suggest that no intermediate host seems to exist for SARS-CoV-2, which at the very least diminishes the possibility of a recombinant event occurring in an intermediate host.
Fast-forwarding to the smoking gun:
Given that RBM fully dictates hACE2-binding and that the SARS RBM-hACE2 binding was fully characterized by high-resolution structures (Figure 3)37,38, this RBM-only swap would not be any riskier than the full Spike swap. In fact, the feasibility of this RBM-swap strategy has been proven. In 2008, Dr. Zhengli Shi’s group swapped a SARS RBM into the Spike proteins of several SARS-like bat coronaviruses after introducing a restriction site into a codon-optimized spike gene (Figure 5C). They then validated the binding of the resulted chimeric Spike proteins with hACE2. Furthermore, in a recent publication, the RBM of SARS-CoV-2 was swapped into the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of SARSCoV, resulting in a chimeric RBD fully functional in binding hACE2 (Figure 5C)39. Strikingly, in both cases, the manipulated RBM segments resemble almost exactly the RBM defined by the positions of the EcoRI and BstEII sites (Figure 5C). Although cloning details are lacking in both publications39,47, it is conceivable that the actual restriction sites may vary depending on the spike gene receiving the RBM insertion as well as the convenience in introducing unique restriction site(s) in regions of interest. It is noteworthy that the corresponding author of this recent publication, Dr. Fang Li, has been an active collaborator of Dr. Zhengli Shi since 201049-53. Dr. Li was the first person in the world to have structurally elucidated the binding between SARS-CoV RBD and hACE238 and has been the leading expert in the structural understanding of Spike-ACE2 interactions. The striking finding of EcoRI and BstEII restriction sites at either end of the SARS-CoV-2 RBM, respectively, and the fact that the same RBM region has been swapped both by Dr. Shi and by her long-term collaborator, respectively, using restriction enzyme digestion methods are unlikely a coincidence. Rather, it is the smoking gun proving that the RBM/Spike of SARS-CoV-2 is a product of genetic manipulation.”
It gets better, because the Chinese scientists then presciently tried to cover their tracks:
Although it may be convenient to copy the exact sequence of SARS RBM, it would be too clear a sign of artificial design and manipulation. The more deceiving approach would be to change a few nonessential residues, while preserving the ones critical for binding. This design could be well-guided by the high-resolution structures (Figure 3)37,38. This way, when the overall sequence of the RBM would appear to be more distinct from that of the SARS RBM, the hACE2-binding ability would be well-preserved. We believe that all of the crucial residues (residues labeled with red sticks in Figure 4, which are the same residues shown in sticks in Figure 3C) should have been “kept”. As described earlier, while some should be direct preservation, some should have been switched to residues with similar properties, which would not disrupt hACE2-binding and may even strengthen the association further [ZH: i.e., the virus was weaponized and enchanced]. Importantly, changes might have been made intentionally at non-essential sites, making it less like a “copy and paste” of the SARS RBM.
Yan also discusses the infamous furin-cleavage site:
… a close examination of the nucleotide sequence of the furin-cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 spike has revealed that the two consecutive Arg residues within the inserted sequence (- PRRA-) are both coded by the rare codon CGG (least used codon for Arg in SARS-CoV-2) (Figure 7). In fact, this CGGCGG arrangement is the only instance found in the SARS-CoV-2 genome where this rare codon is used in tandem. This observation strongly suggests that this furin-cleavage site should be a result of genetic engineering. Adding to the suspicion, a FauI restriction site is formulated by the codon choices here, suggesting the possibility that the restriction fragment length polymorphism, a technique that a WIV lab is proficient at, could have been involved. There, the fragmentation pattern resulted from FauI digestion could be used to monitor the preservation of the furin-cleavage site in Spike as this furin-cleavage site is prone to deletions in vitro. Specifically, RT-PCR on the spike gene of the recovered viruses from cell cultures or laboratory animals could be carried out, the product of which would be subjected to FauI digestion. Viruses retaining or losing the furin-cleavage site would then yield distinct patterns, allowing convenient tracking of the virus(es) of interest.
And another critical allegation: once again, the Wuhan Researchers were doing everything in their power to weaponize and boost the “enhancement of the infectivity and pathogenicity of the laboratory-made coronavirus”:
The evidence collectively suggests that the furin-cleavage site in the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein may not have come from nature and could be the result of genetic manipulation. The purpose of this manipulation could have been to assess any potential enhancement of the infectivity and pathogenicity of the laboratory-made coronavirus.
Summarizing the above:
Evidence presented in this part reveals that certain aspects of the SARS-CoV-2 genome are extremely difficult to reconcile to being a result of natural evolution. The alternative theory we suggest is that the virus may have been created by using ZC45/ZXC21 bat coronavirus(es) as the backbone and/or template. The Spike protein, especially the RBM within it, should have been artificially manipulated, upon which the virus has acquired the ability to bind hACE2 and infect humans. This is supported by the finding of a unique restriction enzyme digestion site at either end of the RBM. An unusual furin-cleavage site may have been introduced and inserted at the S1/S2 junction of the Spike protein, which contributes to the increased virulence and pathogenicity of the virus. These transformations have then staged the SARS CoV-2 virus to eventually become a highly-transmissible, onset-hidden, lethal, sequelae-unclear, and massively disruptive pathogen. Evidently, the possibility that SARS-CoV-2 could have been created through gain-of-function manipulations at the WIV is significant and should be investigated thoroughly and independently.
Finally, those curious how the virus could have been created synthetically in Wuhan, here is a diagram proposed by Dr. Yan explaining all the required steps:
Her full paper is here.
And for those who missed it, here’s Li-Meng’s interview on UK television:
As a reminder, Zero Hedge was banned from Twitter on Jan 31 for making just this allegation, following a hit-piece written by an alleged pedophile (who was later fired for plagiarism) and countless so-called “scientists” screaming that our take was fake news and nothing but propaganda. Five months later Twitter admitted it had made a mistake, stating “we made an error in our enforcement action in this case.”
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-15--Massive Lines Form Outside Virginia Food Bank as Demand Hits One Million Meals Per Month

The economic recovery has stalled , and in some cases , reversed .
The $ 600 unemployment benefits that some Americans received following the virus pandemic that crashed the economy in March-April expired on July 31 , which means a fiscal cliff has been underway for 44 days ( as of Sept. 14 ) .
Millions of people are still out of work , their emergency savings wiped out , and insurmountable debts are increasing .
As former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen warned in August , Congress ’ inability to pass another round of stimulus checks could weigh on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about a quarter of all personal income is derived from the government – so when a lapse in stimulus checks extends for well over one month – that could lead to new consumer stress .
In Richmond , Virginia , about 125 miles south of Washington , D.C. , a food bank has been shelling out more than one million meals per month as the metro area battles deep economic scarring sustained by the virus-induced recession .
Kim Hill , the Chesterfield Food Bank CEO , told ABC 8News , “ a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get food would be an understatement — they ’ ve been averaging over a million meals a month.
” She said the volume of people her food bank is feeding is more than triple the levels versus last year .
With increased demand , Hill said more volunteers are needed to handle the greater volumes .
She said the “ Spanish-speaking population accounts for nearly half of all donations from their distribution sites.
” ABC 8News published a drone video outside the food bank on Friday ( Sept. 11 ) , revealing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting to pick up food .
A ground-based video of the traffic jam of cars went viral over the weekend , recording , so far , nearly 1.8 million views .
We recently noted low-income households had experienced the most financial hardships , which makes sense when Hill said many of the food donations are distributed to the “ Spanish-speaking population.
” For some context here , food banks are slated to become the norm for the working poor .
The pandemic has exposed the government ’ s intent to bail out corporate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everyone else .
Whatever the assistance the government did provide was a taste of socialism for many .
Wealth inequality has been supercharged in 2020 , food banks will continue to see elevated demand as the recovery could take a couple of years to return to 2019 activity levels .
Want to leave the city and gain your freedom ?
Check out Luke Rudkowski ’ s new project !
Depending on your contribution , you may receive help with your relocation needs from our team or even one-on-one assistance from Luke Rudkowski .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible who participate in this campaign to get out of dodge and relocate effectively .
Joining this campaign guarantees you will be part of our tribe and among the first to receive our services .

The economic recovery has stalled, and in some cases, reversed. The $600 unemployment benefits that some Americans received following the virus pandemic that crashed the economy in March-April expired on July 31, which means a fiscal cliff has been underway for 44 days (as of Sept. 14).
Millions of people are still out of work, their emergency savings wiped out, and insurmountable debts are increasing. As former Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen warned in August, Congress’ inability to pass another round of stimulus checks could weigh on the economic recovery.
Readers may recall about a quarter of all personal income is derived from the government – so when a lapse in stimulus checks extends for well over one month – that could lead to new consumer stress.
In Richmond, Virginia, about 125 miles south of Washington, D.C., a food bank has been shelling out more than one million meals per month as the metro area battles deep economic scarring sustained by the virus-induced recession.
Kim Hill, the Chesterfield Food Bank CEO, told ABC 8News, “a lot of Chesterfield residents are showing up to get food would be an understatement — they’ve been averaging over a million meals a month.”
“You roll down that window, and you see the tears in that person’s eyes who never thought they would need the help of a food bank,” Hill said. “It breaks your heart.”
She said the volume of people her food bank is feeding is more than triple the levels versus last year. With increased demand, Hill said more volunteers are needed to handle the greater volumes.
“The life at the food bank here, we think it has changed forever,” Hill said. “Hunger should not exist in our country. We are one of the richest countries in the world, we need to be able to take care of our own people.”
She said the “Spanish-speaking population accounts for nearly half of all donations from their distribution sites.”
ABC 8News published a drone video outside the food bank on Friday (Sept. 11), revealing a massive line of cars of hungry people waiting to pick up food.
A ground-based video of the traffic jam of cars went viral over the weekend, recording, so far, nearly 1.8 million views.
The line on Route 10 for the Chesterfield food bank is currently a double wide line that stretches nearly half of a mile pic.twitter.com/785yt75KT7 — Brandon Jarvis (@Jaaavis) September 11, 2020
We recently noted low-income households had experienced the most financial hardships, which makes sense when Hill said many of the food donations are distributed to the “Spanish-speaking population.”
For some context here, food banks are slated to become the norm for the working poor. The pandemic has exposed the government’s intent to bail out corporate America while providing very little assistance to everyone else. Whatever the assistance the government did provide was a taste of socialism for many. Wealth inequality has been supercharged in 2020, food banks will continue to see elevated demand as the recovery could take a couple of years to return to 2019 activity levels.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission
Want to leave the city and gain your freedom? Check out Luke Rudkowski’s new project!
Depending on your contribution, you may receive help with your relocation needs from our team or even one-on-one assistance from Luke Rudkowski. We plan to help as many people as possible who participate in this campaign to get out of dodge and relocate effectively.
Joining this campaign guarantees you will be part of our tribe and among the first to receive our services.


wearechange--2020-09-17--Facebook Moves to Censor Internal Debate as More Employees Quit in Protest

After a handful of employees quit so they could speak out about Facebook ’ s insufficient internal ‘ woke ’ -ness , Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has finally decided how he ’ s going to handle what has been described as an internal rebellion .
The surge of anti-management sentiment within the company was likely provoked by accusations , spread by the mainstream press , about Facebook ’ s alleged role in spreading “ Russian ” disinformation to help sway the election to President Trump , a narrative that the New Yorker – a publication that ’ s almost revered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ b***s*** just a few days ago .
Though Facebook has , like other social media companies , picked on conservatives , there ’ s little question that conservative voices are given more space on the company ’ s platform .
That ’ s not wrong ; it ’ s simply in keeping with American principles about freedom of the press .
Zuck showed surprising resoluteness in handling these accusations , until recently , when he finally caved , ordering a so ineffective-it ’ s-almost-humorous “ ban ” on new political ads during the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now , the company has informed employees in a memo that was also promptly leaked to the press , that it has decided on a new strategy for handling internal dissent .
Because while the US is governed by the Constitution , inside Facebook , Zuck calls the shots .
And he ’ s decided that he will essentially silence all discussion about “ sensitive ” topics on the company ’ s internal messaging system , CNBC reports .
Ironically , Zuckerberg reportedly described these new rules , which will explicitly identify where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as giving the company ’ s employees more freedom , not less .
Facebook is couching this as giving employees “ the option ” of joining certain debates , rather than have them thrust into their feeds .
Even when these conversations are held , they will be “ carefully monitored ” .
“ We deeply value expression and open discussion .
What we ’ ve heard from our employees is that they want the option to join debates on social and political issues rather than see them unexpectedly in their work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Osborne to CNBC .
“ We ’ re updating our employee policies and work tools to ensure our culture remains respectful and inclusive.
” From now on , inside Facebook so-called “ tense conversations ” – as Zuckerberg himself described them – will simply not be held .
Then , employees won ’ t have anything to get angry about .
Because that ’ s how we do things in contemporary America .
The news comes as Bloomberg ’ s Businessweek publishes a profile of Zuckerberg essentially lampooning him for Facebook ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ”

After a handful of employees quit so they could speak out about Facebook’s insufficient internal ‘woke’-ness, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has finally decided how he’s going to handle what has been described as an internal rebellion.
The surge of anti-management sentiment within the company was likely provoked by accusations, spread by the mainstream press, about Facebook’s alleged role in spreading “Russian” disinformation to help sway the election to President Trump, a narrative that the New Yorker – a publication that’s almost revered by American intellectuals – quietly admitted was b***s*** just a few days ago.
After hyping the Russia threat for four years, the New Yorker quietly wonders if the story might have been exaggerated:https://t.co/j40JLJNGHD — Matt Taibbi (@mtaibbi) September 16, 2020
Though Facebook has, like other social media companies, picked on conservatives, there’s little question that conservative voices are given more space on the company’s platform. That’s not wrong; it’s simply in keeping with American principles about freedom of the press.
Zuck showed surprising resoluteness in handling these accusations, until recently, when he finally caved, ordering a so ineffective-it’s-almost-humorous “ban” on new political ads during the final week of campaign season.
And now, the company has informed employees in a memo that was also promptly leaked to the press, that it has decided on a new strategy for handling internal dissent. Because while the US is governed by the Constitution, inside Facebook, Zuck calls the shots. And he’s decided that he will essentially silence all discussion about “sensitive” topics on the company’s internal messaging system, CNBC reports.
Ironically, Zuckerberg reportedly described these new rules, which will explicitly identify where conversations about certain topics can be held, as giving the company’s employees more freedom, not less. Facebook is couching this as giving employees “the option” of joining certain debates, rather than have them thrust into their feeds.
Even when these conversations are held, they will be “carefully monitored”.
“We deeply value expression and open discussion. What we’ve heard from our employees is that they want the option to join debates on social and political issues rather than see them unexpectedly in their work feed,” said Facebook Spokesman Joe Osborne to CNBC. “We’re updating our employee policies and work tools to ensure our culture remains respectful and inclusive.”
From now on, inside Facebook so-called “tense conversations” – as Zuckerberg himself described them – will simply not be held. Then, employees won’t have anything to get angry about.
Because that’s how we do things in contemporary America.
The news comes as Bloomberg’s Businessweek publishes a profile of Zuckerberg essentially lampooning him for Facebook’s alleged role in spreading “disinformation.”
what's that saying about glass houses? https://t.co/sEgdAPBBAQ — Oliver Renick (@OJRenick) September 17, 2020
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-17--The Media Won’t Show You What’s Really Happening With China And The World Order!

In this video , we give you a geopolitical update and break down the clash between China and the World @ @ @ @ @ since we are not corporate or government owned help us out here .
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In this video, we give you a geopolitical update and break down the clash between China and the World Order.
Sign up on lukeunfiltered.com or to check out our store on thebestpoliticalshirts.com.


wearechange--2020-09-17--Journalists Who Ignore Assange’s Trial Are Admitting They Don’t Care About Journalism

The Sydney Morning Herald just published an article titled “ Julian Assange interrupts extradition hearing again ” about the WikiLeaks founder ’ s correct interjection that he never put anyone ’ s lives in danger with the publication of the Manning leaks a decade ago .
It ’ s actually a rather shocking smear piece for the SMH , who has been one of the better Australian publications at giving Assange a fair hearing over the years .
The article ’ s author Latika Bourke spends an inordinate amount of time waxing on about Assange ’ s naughty “ outburst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it by the judge , telling readers that the prosecution “ separates Assange from the press which also published information revealed by WikiLeaks but without naming journalists , human rights advocates and dissidents who were informing on their governments and repressive regimes ” , and bringing up Osama bin Laden ’ s possession of WikiLeaks documents apropos of precisely nothing .
At no time does Bourke ( who has been a regular smearer of Assange ) bother to provide the reader with any of the readily available information showing that Assange never caused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the unredacted documents being made public .
She weaves a narrative about Assange being badly behaved in the courtroom , insinuates that the accusations he objected to could be true to the furthest extent possible without actually making a claim that would need to be retracted , and gets out .
And unfortunately this drivel is more or less typical of the coverage Assange ’ s historic , world-shaping extradition trial has been receiving from the mass media since it resumed this month .
To the extent that they report on the trial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly limited their coverage to trivialities like trouble with courtroom audio equipment or postponement due to a coronavirus scare .
No mainstream outlet has been covering this immensely important trial in-depth to anywhere near the extent that former UK ambassador Craig Murray has been doing every night , or explaining to their audience the significance of a precedent which will allow journalists all over the world to be extradited and jailed for exposing embarrassing truths about the US government .
This dereliction of journalistic responsibility was damning enough back when the prosecution was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t have First Amendment protections because he was engaged in espionage and not journalistic behavior .
But now that the prosecution has pivoted to arguing that it doesn ’ t matter that Assange is a journalist because the US government is allowed to imprison people for journalism , this dereliction of duty has become far more pronounced .
Murray writes the following in his latest update : The prosecution ’ s line represented a radical departure from their earlier approach which was to claim that Julian Assange is not a journalist and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that of newspapers .
In the first three days of evidence , legal experts had stated that this gloss on the prosecution did not stand up to investigation of the actual charges in the indictment .
Experts in journalism also testified that Assange ’ s relationship with Manning was not materially different from cultivation and encouragement by other journalists of official sources to leak .
By general consent , those first evidence days had gone badly for the prosecution .
There was then a timeout for ( ahem ) suspected Covid among the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changed and on Tuesday a radically more aggressive approach was adopted by the prosecution asserting the right to prosecute all journalists and all media who publish classified information under the Espionage Act ( 1917 ) .
The purpose of the earlier approach was plainly to reduce media support for Assange by differentiating him from other journalists .
It had become obvious such an approach ran a real risk of failure , if it could be proved that Assange is a journalist , which line was going well for the defence .
So now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prosecuted for publishing classified information ” as the US government line .
I strongly suspect that they have decided they do not have to mitigate against media reaction , as the media is paying no attention to this hearing anyway .
Murray ’ s subsequent breakdown of the prosecution ’ s arguments makes it clear that he was not over-selling this change in strategy .
His notes on attorney for the prosecution James Lewis ’ arguments contain lines as blatant as “ There are Supreme Court judgements that make it clear that at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ national security must override the First Amendment ” and “ serial , continuing disclosure of secrets which harm the national interest can not be justified .
It therefore follows that journalists can be prosecuted ” in arguing against witness testimony that Assange ’ s publishing behavior should be protected by the First Amendment .
“ The United States Supreme Court has never held that a journalist can not be prosecuted for publishing national defence information , ” Murray reports Lewis argued .
So that ’ s the precedent the prosecution is setting now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and imprison Assange because he isn ’ t a journalist ” , but “ We can extradite and imprison Assange because we ’ re allowed to extradite and imprison journalists.
” The argument that Assange isn ’ t a journalist has always been transparently false , whether made in the courtroom or in the court of public opinion .
Publishing important information so that the public can understand what ’ s going on in their world is exactly the thing that journalism is .
All WikiLeaks publications have included extensive written analyses of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ received many esteemed awards for journalism .
But the fact that the prosecution is no longer even attempting to argue against the journalistic nature of the actions they are attempting to criminalize means they have ceased trying to pretend that they are not waging a war against worldwide press freedoms .
Which means that all journalists and news media outlets have lost their last excuse for not condemning Assange ’ s persecution with great force and urgency .
Now that it is out in the open that the US government plans to prosecute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it deems to have committed “ disclosure of secrets which harm the national interest ” ( which in Assange ’ s case means exposing US war crimes ) , anyone on earth who actually plans on doing real journalism which holds real power to account is at risk .
If someone isn ’ t using whatever platform they can to denounce Assange ’ s persecution , they are showing the world that they have no interest in ever doing real journalism which holds real power to account .
News reporters and news outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at this moment .
If they are not speaking out for Assange ’ s freedom right now they are telling you that his persecution poses no threat to them .
They are telling you that they never plan on doing anything that might hold power to account with the light of truth .
They are telling you that they will side with power every time .
They are telling you they are propagandists .
The prosecution ’ s new line of argumentation should have drawn massive headlines from all the major news outlets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangers posed by Trump ’ s war on the press with flamboyant preening and self-aggrandizement .
Instead they are silent , because they do not care .
To quote Maya Angelou , when someone shows you who they are , believe them .

The Sydney Morning Herald just published an article titled “Julian Assange interrupts extradition hearing again” about the WikiLeaks founder’s correct interjection that he never put anyone’s lives in danger with the publication of the Manning leaks a decade ago.
It’s actually a rather shocking smear piece for the SMH, who has been one of the better Australian publications at giving Assange a fair hearing over the years. The article’s author Latika Bourke spends an inordinate amount of time waxing on about Assange’s naughty “outburst” and how he was reprimanded for it by the judge, telling readers that the prosecution “separates Assange from the press which also published information revealed by WikiLeaks but without naming journalists, human rights advocates and dissidents who were informing on their governments and repressive regimes”, and bringing up Osama bin Laden’s possession of WikiLeaks documents apropos of precisely nothing.
At no time does Bourke (who has been a regular smearer of Assange) bother to provide the reader with any of the readily available information showing that Assange never caused anyone harm and was not responsible for the unredacted documents being made public. She weaves a narrative about Assange being badly behaved in the courtroom, insinuates that the accusations he objected to could be true to the furthest extent possible without actually making a claim that would need to be retracted, and gets out.
Your headline writers misspelled "Julian Assange being prosecuted for journalism in historic case that threatens press freedoms worldwide", @smh.https://t.co/xQ1O0z8BUh — Caitlin Johnstone ? (@caitoz) September 17, 2020
And unfortunately this drivel is more or less typical of the coverage Assange’s historic, world-shaping extradition trial has been receiving from the mass media since it resumed this month. To the extent that they report on the trial at all, mainstream news outlets have mostly limited their coverage to trivialities like trouble with courtroom audio equipment or postponement due to a coronavirus scare. No mainstream outlet has been covering this immensely important trial in-depth to anywhere near the extent that former UK ambassador Craig Murray has been doing every night, or explaining to their audience the significance of a precedent which will allow journalists all over the world to be extradited and jailed for exposing embarrassing truths about the US government.
This dereliction of journalistic responsibility was damning enough back when the prosecution was trying to argue that Assange doesn’t have First Amendment protections because he was engaged in espionage and not journalistic behavior. But now that the prosecution has pivoted to arguing that it doesn’t matter that Assange is a journalist because the US government is allowed to imprison people for journalism, this dereliction of duty has become far more pronounced.
Murray writes the following in his latest update:
The prosecution’s line represented a radical departure from their earlier approach which was to claim that Julian Assange is not a journalist and to try and distinguish between his behaviour and that of newspapers. In the first three days of evidence, legal experts had stated that this gloss on the prosecution did not stand up to investigation of the actual charges in the indictment. Experts in journalism also testified that Assange’s relationship with Manning was not materially different from cultivation and encouragement by other journalists of official sources to leak. By general consent, those first evidence days had gone badly for the prosecution. There was then a timeout for (ahem) suspected Covid among the prosecution team. The approach has now changed and on Tuesday a radically more aggressive approach was adopted by the prosecution asserting the right to prosecute all journalists and all media who publish classified information under the Espionage Act (1917). The purpose of the earlier approach was plainly to reduce media support for Assange by differentiating him from other journalists. It had become obvious such an approach ran a real risk of failure, if it could be proved that Assange is a journalist, which line was going well for the defence. So now we have “any journalist can be prosecuted for publishing classified information” as the US government line. I strongly suspect that they have decided they do not have to mitigate against media reaction, as the media is paying no attention to this hearing anyway.
Corporate journalists have barely bothered to cover Assange's trial. But while they doze, the US has changed its argument, as ex-ambassador Craig Murray reports. Now the US is threatening to lock up other journalists for espionage if they expose its crimes https://t.co/4dpYUQ0EAZ — Jonathan Cook (@Jonathan_K_Cook) September 16, 2020
Murray’s subsequent breakdown of the prosecution’s arguments makes it clear that he was not over-selling this change in strategy. His notes on attorney for the prosecution James Lewis’ arguments contain lines as blatant as “There are Supreme Court judgements that make it clear that at times the government’s interest in national security must override the First Amendment” and “serial, continuing disclosure of secrets which harm the national interest cannot be justified. It therefore follows that journalists can be prosecuted” in arguing against witness testimony that Assange’s publishing behavior should be protected by the First Amendment.
“The United States Supreme Court has never held that a journalist cannot be prosecuted for publishing national defence information,” Murray reports Lewis argued.
So that’s the precedent the prosecution is setting now. No longer “We can extradite and imprison Assange because he isn’t a journalist”, but “We can extradite and imprison Assange because we’re allowed to extradite and imprison journalists.”
The argument that Assange isn’t a journalist has always been transparently false, whether made in the courtroom or in the court of public opinion. Publishing important information so that the public can understand what’s going on in their world is exactly the thing that journalism is. All WikiLeaks publications have included extensive written analyses of their contents, and its staff have received many esteemed awards for journalism.
WikiLeaks’ publisher Julian Assange has been awarded the 2019 GUE/NGL Award for Journalists, Whistleblowers & Defenders of the Right to Information.
The award, sponsored by European parliamentarians, was established in honour of assassinated Maltese journalist, Daphne Galizia. pic.twitter.com/5DaMWcMFM9 — WikiLeaks (@wikileaks) April 16, 2019
But the fact that the prosecution is no longer even attempting to argue against the journalistic nature of the actions they are attempting to criminalize means they have ceased trying to pretend that they are not waging a war against worldwide press freedoms. Which means that all journalists and news media outlets have lost their last excuse for not condemning Assange’s persecution with great force and urgency.
Now that it is out in the open that the US government plans to prosecute any journalist anywhere in the world who it deems to have committed “disclosure of secrets which harm the national interest” (which in Assange’s case means exposing US war crimes), anyone on earth who actually plans on doing real journalism which holds real power to account is at risk. If someone isn’t using whatever platform they can to denounce Assange’s persecution, they are showing the world that they have no interest in ever doing real journalism which holds real power to account.
News reporters and news outlets are showing us what they are right at this moment. If they are not speaking out for Assange’s freedom right now they are telling you that his persecution poses no threat to them. They are telling you that they never plan on doing anything that might hold power to account with the light of truth. They are telling you that they will side with power every time. They are telling you they are propagandists.
The prosecution’s new line of argumentation should have drawn massive headlines from all the major news outlets who’ve been bloviating about the dangers posed by Trump’s war on the press with flamboyant preening and self-aggrandizement. Instead they are silent, because they do not care.
To quote Maya Angelou, when someone shows you who they are, believe them.
Republished from CaitlinJohnstone.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-17--Leaked Emails Show Nashville Officials Concealed Low COVID-19 Numbers Coming From Bars, Restaurants

Leaked emails between the senior adviser to Nashville ’ s Mayor and a health department official reveal a disturbing effort to conceal extremely low coronavirus cases emanating from bars and restaurants , while the lion ’ s share of infections occurred in nursing homes and construction workers , according to WZTV Nashville .
On June 30th , contact tracing was giving a small view of coronavirus clusters .
Construction and nursing homes causing problems more than a thousand cases traced to each category , but bars and restaurants reported just 22 cases .
Leslie Waller from the health department asks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be publicly released , right ?
Just info for Mayor ’ s Office ?
” Four weeks later , Tennessean reporter Nate Rau asked the health department : “ the figure you gave of “ more than 80 ” does lead to a natural question : If there have been over 20,000 positive cases of COVID-19 in Davidson and only 80 or so are traced to restaurants and bars , doesn ’ t that mean restaurants and bars aren ’ t a very big problem ?
” To which health department official Brian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ five health department officials : “ Please advise how you respond .
BT.
” The response – from an official whose name was omitted from the leaked email : “ My two cents .
We have certainly refused to give counts per bar because those numbers are low per site , ” adding “ We could still release the total though , and then a response to the over 80 could be “ because that number is increasing all the time and we don ’ t want to say a specific number.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked by city councilmember Steve Glover to verify the authenticity of the emails , “ I was able to get verification from the Mayor ’ s Office and the Department of Health that these emails are real.
” Glover told WZTV : “ They are fabricating information .
They ’ ve blown there entire credibility Dennis .
Its gone i don ’ t trust a thing they say going forward …nothing.
” Glover says he has been contacted by an endless stream of downtown bartenders , waitresses , and restaurant owners .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We raised taxes 34 percent and put hundreds literally thousands of people out of work that are now worried about losing their homes their apartments etcetera and we did it on bogus data .
That should be illegal !
” he says .
Again , we weren ’ t told by the mayor ’ s office this wasn ’ t true .
We were told to file a freedom of information act request .
–WZTV

Leaked emails between the senior adviser to Nashville’s Mayor and a health department official reveal a disturbing effort to conceal extremely low coronavirus cases emanating from bars and restaurants, while the lion’s share of infections occurred in nursing homes and construction workers, according to WZTV Nashville.
On June 30th, contact tracing was giving a small view of coronavirus clusters. Construction and nursing homes causing problems more than a thousand cases traced to each category, but bars and restaurants reported just 22 cases. Leslie Waller from the health department asks “This isn’t going to be publicly released, right? Just info for Mayor’s Office?” “Correct, not for public consumption.” Writes senior advisor Benjamin Eagles. –WZTV
Four weeks later, Tennessean reporter Nate Rau asked the health department: “the figure you gave of “more than 80” does lead to a natural question: If there have been over 20,000 positive cases of COVID-19 in Davidson and only 80 or so are traced to restaurants and bars, doesn’t that mean restaurants and bars aren’t a very big problem?”
To which health department official Brian Todd scrambled for an answer – asking five health department officials: “Please advise how you respond. BT.”
The response – from an official whose name was omitted from the leaked email: “My two cents. We have certainly refused to give counts per bar because those numbers are low per site,” adding “We could still release the total though, and then a response to the over 80 could be “because that number is increasing all the time and we don’t want to say a specific number.””
According to a metro staff attorney asked by city councilmember Steve Glover to verify the authenticity of the emails, “I was able to get verification from the Mayor’s Office and the Department of Health that these emails are real.”
Glover told WZTV: “They are fabricating information. They’ve blown there entire credibility Dennis. Its gone i don’t trust a thing they say going forward …nothing.”
Glover says he has been contacted by an endless stream of downtown bartenders, waitresses, and restaurant owners. Why would they not release these numbers? “We raised taxes 34 percent and put hundreds literally thousands of people out of work that are now worried about losing their homes their apartments etcetera and we did it on bogus data. That should be illegal!” he says. Again, we weren’t told by the mayor’s office this wasn’t true. We were told to file a freedom of information act request. –WZTV
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-16--Wow! Bill Gates Shocks Again! He Doesn’t Even Trust The Vaccine

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In this video, we explain Bill Gates’ new shocking admission and why you cannot trust government and public health “experts.”
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wearechange--2020-09-16--“Tens of Thousands” Received China Mystery Seeds in the Mail, and Many People Planted Them

Last month we highlighted a mysterious trend that was sweeping the U.S. : citizens were receiving unsolicited packages of seeds , with return addresses from China , for apparently no reason at all .
Official word from various government agencies , including the USDA , was to not plant the seeds and instead alert their local authorities .
But plant the seeds is exactly what many people did , according to a new follow up report from Vice .
They found that hundreds , if not thousands of people planted the seeds .
Vice filed 52 FOIA requests to obtain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of pages ” of e-mails , spreadsheets and documents to try and figure out what , exactly , what going on .
They estimate from their finding that “ tens of thousands ” of Americans received these seeds .
States like North Carolina had more than 1,000 people contact its Department of Agriculture about the problem .
About 60 people in the state planted the seeds .
One New Mexico resident left a voicemail to her local state Department of Agriculture that said : “ About a month ago , I did receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because it looks like Chinese writing .
I thought , ‘ Oh cool , maybe Burgess seeds or one of the seed companies sent me some seeds.
’ And , umm , like a dumbass , I planted them , not knowing there was a problem.
” It continues : “ And now , I ’ ve been battling this for a couple weeks .
Now , where I planted them , and I remember where I planted them , everything that ’ s in the garden where I planted them are having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ die … I really don ’ t know what to do at this point , so could somebody call me back and give me a little bit of direction about this ?
I know I ’ m a dumbass.
” One report from North Carolina said : “ Received many shipments .
Planted some and clover came up .
She indicated that she planted the bulbs .
Planted one pack and ate the oregano that grew .
Has some left.
” A New Hampshire resident said : “ I received this package from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away .
It said they were stud earrings .
I had ordered onions from amazon and thought they got them from China .
The more I looked at them they don ’ t even come close to onions I just figured they sent the wrong thing .
No I didn ’ t plant or open the package .
What should I do with them.
” A spokesman for the USDA ’ s Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance said complaints were “ starting to explode ” .
“ Look ’ s like it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stated an Indiana resident who also received seeds in the mail unsolicited .
We had followed up on the initial report of these seeds last month , noting that the U.S. had started to identify “ 14 types of plants ” that the seeds belonged to , revealing a “ mix of ornamental , fruit and vegetable , herb and weed species , ” according to the NY Times .
Cabbage , hibiscus , lavender , mint , morning glory , mustard , rose , rosemary and sage have all been identified .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seeds were found to be “ noxious weeds ” that exist in huge numbers in the U.S. , such as oxeye daisy , and hedge bindweed .
Osama El-Lissy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said : “ This is just a subset of the samples we ’ ve collected so far.
” Art Gover , a plant science researcher at Penn State University had previously the “ risk is low ” of the plants being involved in biological warfare , but that the seeds “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problematic weeds and diseases ” .
Lisa Delissio , a professor of biology at Salem State University in Massachusetts , said : “ If any of the unidentified seeds turned out to be invasive species , they could displace native plants and compete for resources and cause harm to the environment , agriculture or human health.
” Bernd Blossey , a professor in the department of natural resources at Cornell University commented : “ Obviously planting rosemary or thyme in your garden isn ’ t something that will endanger our environment .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that have not been identified yet .
Any time you gain something unknown , my suggestion is burning them , not even throwing them in the trash.
” In our initial report on the seeds , we suggested the mailings could be some sort of agricultural warfare brewing between the U.S. and China – where agriculture remains a key point of trade tensions – and where a cold war of sorts appears to be bubbling up under the surface .
After multiple reports in the U.S. media regarding the seeds , China ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ saying that China Post ( the country ’ s state owned mail service ) “ has strictly followed regulations that ban the sending and receiving of seeds , ” according to Bloomberg .
Further , Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin says that the parcels were “ forged ” and “ not from China ” .
China has supposedly requested that the U.S. mail the seeds back to China so they could investigate further .
We noted last month that the response is anything but re-assuring .
We ’ re not postmaster generals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to forge mailing labels – and get products to their final destination – in this day and age where even the decrepit U.S. postal service is mostly digital , as a difficult one .
Amazon has also since said it is banning the sale of seeds on its platform .
Anyone who has received seeds in the mail can report them to the United States Department of Agriculture by visiting their website here .
The site says :

Last month we highlighted a mysterious trend that was sweeping the U.S.: citizens were receiving unsolicited packages of seeds, with return addresses from China, for apparently no reason at all.
Official word from various government agencies, including the USDA, was to not plant the seeds and instead alert their local authorities. But plant the seeds is exactly what many people did, according to a new follow up report from Vice. They found that hundreds, if not thousands of people planted the seeds.
Vice filed 52 FOIA requests to obtain the information and pored through “thousands of pages” of e-mails, spreadsheets and documents to try and figure out what, exactly, what going on. They estimate from their finding that “tens of thousands” of Americans received these seeds.
States like North Carolina had more than 1,000 people contact its Department of Agriculture about the problem. About 60 people in the state planted the seeds.
One New Mexico resident left a voicemail to her local state Department of Agriculture that said: “About a month ago, I did receive seeds from China. I guess China because it looks like Chinese writing. I thought, ‘Oh cool, maybe Burgess seeds or one of the seed companies sent me some seeds.’ And, umm, like a dumbass, I planted them, not knowing there was a problem.”
It continues: “And now, I’ve been battling this for a couple weeks. Now, where I planted them, and I remember where I planted them, everything that’s in the garden where I planted them are having a hard time and are starting to die … I really don’t know what to do at this point, so could somebody call me back and give me a little bit of direction about this? I know I’m a dumbass.”
One report from North Carolina said: “Received many shipments. Planted some and clover came up. She indicated that she planted the bulbs. Planted one pack and ate the oregano that grew. Has some left.”
A New Hampshire resident said: “I received this package from China. Unfortunately I through the envelope away. It said they were stud earrings. I had ordered onions from amazon and thought they got them from China. The more I looked at them they don’t even come close to onions I just figured they sent the wrong thing. No I didn’t plant or open the package. What should I do with them.”
A spokesman for the USDA’s Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance said complaints were “starting to explode”.
“Look’s like it’s all across the country,” stated an Indiana resident who also received seeds in the mail unsolicited.
We had followed up on the initial report of these seeds last month, noting that the U.S. had started to identify “14 types of plants” that the seeds belonged to, revealing a “mix of ornamental, fruit and vegetable, herb and weed species,” according to the NY Times. Cabbage, hibiscus, lavender, mint, morning glory, mustard, rose, rosemary and sage have all been identified.
The Vice report confirmed that some of the seeds were found to be “noxious weeds” that exist in huge numbers in the U.S., such as oxeye daisy, and hedge bindweed.
Osama El-Lissy of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service said: “This is just a subset of the samples we’ve collected so far.”
Art Gover, a plant science researcher at Penn State University had previously the “risk is low” of the plants being involved in biological warfare, but that the seeds “can be troublesome because they can introduce problematic weeds and diseases”.
Lisa Delissio, a professor of biology at Salem State University in Massachusetts, said: “If any of the unidentified seeds turned out to be invasive species, they could displace native plants and compete for resources and cause harm to the environment, agriculture or human health.”
Bernd Blossey, a professor in the department of natural resources at Cornell University commented: “Obviously planting rosemary or thyme in your garden isn’t something that will endanger our environment. But there may be other things in there that have not been identified yet. Any time you gain something unknown, my suggestion is burning them, not even throwing them in the trash.”
In our initial report on the seeds, we suggested the mailings could be some sort of agricultural warfare brewing between the U.S. and China – where agriculture remains a key point of trade tensions – and where a cold war of sorts appears to be bubbling up under the surface.
After multiple reports in the U.S. media regarding the seeds, China’s Foreign Ministry responded last month by saying that China Post (the country’s state owned mail service) “has strictly followed regulations that ban the sending and receiving of seeds,” according to Bloomberg.
Further, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin says that the parcels were “forged” and “not from China”. China has supposedly requested that the U.S. mail the seeds back to China so they could investigate further.
We noted last month that the response is anything but re-assuring. We’re not postmaster generals but we find the idea of being able to forge mailing labels – and get products to their final destination – in this day and age where even the decrepit U.S. postal service is mostly digital, as a difficult one.
Amazon has also since said it is banning the sale of seeds on its platform.
Anyone who has received seeds in the mail can report them to the United States Department of Agriculture by visiting their website here. The site says:
If individuals are aware of the potential smuggling of prohibited exotic fruits, vegetables, or meat products into or through the USA, they can help APHIS by contacting the confidential Antismuggling Hotline number at 800-877-3835 or by sending an Email to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov. USDA will make every attempt to protect the confidentiality of any information sources during an investigation within the extent of the law.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-16--“I Am The Target”: Silenced Chinese Virologist Tells Tucker Carlson What She Knows

Hours after her unceremonious Twitter ban for , we assume , presenting evidence that SARS-CoV-2 was created in a Wuhan lab , Chinese virologist Dr. Li-Meng Yan appeared on “ Tucker Carlson Tonight , ” where she told the Fox News host that the virus is a “ Frankenstein ” which was designed to target humans which was intentionally released .
“ It could never come from nature , ” she Yan – an MD/PhD who worked with coronavirus at the University of Hong Kong “ There is evidence left in the genome ” – which Yan detailed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chinese scientists .
“ They don ’ t want people to know this truth .
Also , that ’ s why I get suspended [ from Twitter ] , I get suppression .
I am the target that the Chinese Communist Party wants disappeared.
” When Carlson asked her why she believes the virus made it ’ s way out of the Wuhan lab , Dr. Yan said “ I worked in the WHO reference lab , which is the top coronavirus lab in the world at the university of Hong Kong .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such investigation in secret from the early beginning of this outbreak – I had my intelligence through my network in China , involved in the hospitals , institutes and also government.
” “ Together with my experience , I can tell you – this is created in a lab.
” Dr. Yan fled Hong Kong on April 28 on a Cathay Pacific flight to the United States .
She believes her life is in danger , and that she can never go back home .
“ The reason I came to the U.S. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth of COVID , ” Yan told Fox News in July .
As we reported at the time : Yan said that discussion between colleagues in China about the disease took a sharp turn after “ doctors and researchers who had been openly discussing the virus suddenly clammed up.
” Contacts in Wuhan went completely dark and others warned not to ask them about the virus – telling Yan “ We can ’ t talk about it , but we need to wear masks.
” “ There are many , many patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time and diagnosis on time , ” said Yan , adding “ Hospital doctors are scared , but they can not talk .
CDC staff are scared.
” She said she reported her findings to her supervisor again on Jan. 16 but that ’ s when he allegedly told her “ to keep silent , and be careful.
” “ As he warned me before , ‘ Don ’ t touch the red line , ' ” Yan said referring to the government .
“ We will get in trouble and we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the co-director of a WHO-affiliated lab , Professor Malik Peiris , knew but didn ’ t do anything about it .
Peiris also did not respond to requests for comment .
The WHO website lists Peiris as an “ adviser ” on the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for Pneumonia due to the Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV .
Yan was frustrated , but not surprised –Fox News “ I already know that would happen because I know the corruption among this kind of international organization like the WHO to China government , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yan .
“ So basically… I accept it but I don ’ t want this misleading information to spread to the world.
” WHO denies that Professor Malik Peiris directly works for the organization , telling Fox in a statement “ Professor Malik Peiris is an infectious disease expert who has been on WHO missions and expert groups – as are many people eminent in their fields , ” adding “ That does not make him a WHO staff member , nor does he represent WHO.
” Read the rest of the report @ @

Hours after her unceremonious Twitter ban for, we assume, presenting evidence that SARS-CoV-2 was created in a Wuhan lab, Chinese virologist Dr. Li-Meng Yan appeared on “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” where she told the Fox News host that the virus is a “Frankenstein” which was designed to target humans which was intentionally released.
“It could never come from nature,” she Yan – an MD/PhD who worked with coronavirus at the University of Hong Kong
“There is evidence left in the genome” – which Yan detailed in a 26-page scientific paper co-written with three other Chinese scientists. “They don’t want people to know this truth. Also, that’s why I get suspended [from Twitter], I get suppression. I am the target that the Chinese Communist Party wants disappeared.”
When Carlson asked her why she believes the virus made it’s way out of the Wuhan lab, Dr. Yan said “I worked in the WHO reference lab, which is the top coronavirus lab in the world at the university of Hong Kong. And the things I got deeply into such investigation in secret from the early beginning of this outbreak – I had my intelligence through my network in China, involved in the hospitals, institutes and also government.”
“Together with my experience, I can tell you – this is created in a lab.”
Watch:
Dr. Yan fled Hong Kong on April 28 on a Cathay Pacific flight to the United States. She believes her life is in danger, and that she can never go back home.
“The reason I came to the U.S. is because I deliver the message of the truth of COVID,” Yan told Fox News in July.
As we reported at the time:
Yan said that discussion between colleagues in China about the disease took a sharp turn after “doctors and researchers who had been openly discussing the virus suddenly clammed up.” Contacts in Wuhan went completely dark and others warned not to ask them about the virus – telling Yan “We can’t talk about it, but we need to wear masks.”
“There are many, many patients who don’t get treatment on time and diagnosis on time,” said Yan, adding “Hospital doctors are scared, but they cannot talk. CDC staff are scared.”
She said she reported her findings to her supervisor again on Jan. 16 but that’s when he allegedly told her “to keep silent, and be careful.” “As he warned me before, ‘Don’t touch the red line,'” Yan said referring to the government. “We will get in trouble and we’ll be disappeared.” She also claims the co-director of a WHO-affiliated lab, Professor Malik Peiris, knew but didn’t do anything about it. Peiris also did not respond to requests for comment. The WHO website lists Peiris as an “adviser” on the WHO International Health Regulations Emergency Committee for Pneumonia due to the Novel Coronavirus 2019-nCoV. Yan was frustrated, but not surprised –Fox News
“I already know that would happen because I know the corruption among this kind of international organization like the WHO to China government, and to China Communist Party,” said Yan. “So basically… I accept it but I don’t want this misleading information to spread to the world.”
WHO denies that Professor Malik Peiris directly works for the organization, telling Fox in a statement “Professor Malik Peiris is an infectious disease expert who has been on WHO missions and expert groups – as are many people eminent in their fields,” adding “That does not make him a WHO staff member, nor does he represent WHO.”
Read the rest of the report here.
Republished from ZeroHedge.com with permission


wearechange--2020-09-15--Trump Just Made a Shocking Admission About Wanting to “Take Out” Assad

In this video, we break down Donald Trump’s shocking admission about wanting to take out Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Sign up on lukeunfiltered.com or to check out our store on thebestpoliticalshirts.com.


wearechange--2020-09-15--Bezos Doubles Wealth as Amazon Essential Product Prices Rise 1000% Amid Pandemic

A new report from advocacy group Public Citizen details how retail giant Amazon “ misled the public , law enforcement , and policymakers about price increases during the pandemic , ” raising their prices on essential products “ to levels that would be considered violations of price gouging laws in many states.
” The prices of many products in high demand during the pandemic jumped by over 1,000 percent when compared to this time last year .
As accusations of price gouging began , Amazon blamed “ bad actors , ” declaring in an official statement that , “ there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon , ” committing itself to “ working vigorously ” to ensure fair pricing , and “ collaborating with federal , state , and local law enforcement agencies ” to “ hold price gougers accountable ” and to protect the interests of their customers .
Yet Public Citizen ’ s report found that “ Amazon is engaged in price gouging on products it sells directly ” itself , through its Amazon Essentials line .
Disposable face masks and corn starch were the most inflated prices , jumping elevenfold from earlier in the year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Amazon Essential products tracked , including the percentage the items increased in cost .
Similar price rises were tracked among third party sellers on the platform as well .
While there is no federal law protecting the public from the practice , price gouging is illegal in 35 states , with some states deeming that increasing prices by just 10 percent constitutes breaking the law .
Thanks in no small part to increased profits from sales , Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has seen his wealth almost double during the pandemic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 206 billion today , according to the Institute for Policy Studies , who calculated that America ’ s billionaire class of 467 plutocrats have seen their wealth spike by nearly a trillion dollars since lockdown began on March 18 .
Much of this has been down to an enormous tax break for the ultra-wealthy that the Trump administration snuck into its first coronavirus relief bill .
Bezos , who retook the title of the world ’ s richest individual from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates late last year , has said that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imagine spending his wealth by plowing it into space travel .
Yet even as he becomes the world ’ s first individual to reach a net worth of $ 200 billion , Bezos ’ employees are struggling just to eat or avoid homelessness .
According to the company ’ s own data , a great number of Amazon employees rely on SNAP ( food stamps ) just to eat .
That number is as high as one third of all Amazon workers in Arizona , with company employees nationwide far more likely than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Instead of giving his employees a pay rise , “ arch-philanthropist ” Bezos decided to start a charitable foundation for them , asking the public to donate money to help them pay for basic necessities .
And when staff at Bezos-owned Whole Foods Market asked for higher pay and better working conditions , the company instead gave them a free t-shirt that called them “ hardcore ” “ heroes ” for working through the pandemic .
Price gouging is widely considered a highly immoral practice , akin to profiting off the desperation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the only people willing to publicly defend it being economics professors and highly-paid columnists in corporate media .
Professor Lili Carneglia of Valencia College , Florida , for instance , writing in libertarian think tank FEE , argued that neighborhood 7-Elevens charging $ 20 for a case of water after a hurricane is a good thing , claiming without them there would be shortages in supply ( although , she admits , she is unable to convince most of her students ) .
Likewise , the Boston Globe ’ s Jeff Jacoby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ problem , but a solution to a problem , suggesting that it actually helps consumers .
Public Citizen did not agree .
“ During emergencies , people are scared , desperate , and in need .
Price gouging is an insidious exploitation of the most vulnerable .
There is no excuse for the most successful corporations preying on vulnerable consumers , ” it concluded .

A new report from advocacy group Public Citizen details how retail giant Amazon “misled the public, law enforcement, and policymakers about price increases during the pandemic,” raising their prices on essential products “to levels that would be considered violations of price gouging laws in many states.” The prices of many products in high demand during the pandemic jumped by over 1,000 percent when compared to this time last year.
As accusations of price gouging began, Amazon blamed “bad actors,” declaring in an official statement that, “there is no place for price gouging on Amazon,” committing itself to “working vigorously” to ensure fair pricing, and “collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies” to “hold price gougers accountable” and to protect the interests of their customers.
Price gouging has no place in Amazon's stores. Read about our efforts here to protect our customers. https://t.co/oDDcya4R6J — Brian Huseman (@b_huseman) March 23, 2020
Yet Public Citizen’s report found that “Amazon is engaged in price gouging on products it sells directly” itself, through its Amazon Essentials line. Disposable face masks and corn starch were the most inflated prices, jumping elevenfold from earlier in the year. Below is a list of ten Amazon Essential products tracked, including the percentage the items increased in cost. Similar price rises were tracked among third party sellers on the platform as well.
Disposable face masks — 1,000%
Hand sanitizer — 48%
Disinfectant spray — 87%
Antibacterial soap — 470%
Disposable nitrile gloves — 336%
Toilet paper — 528%
Paper towels — 303%
Flour — 425%
Sugar — 520%
Corn starch — 1,010%
While there is no federal law protecting the public from the practice, price gouging is illegal in 35 states, with some states deeming that increasing prices by just 10 percent constitutes breaking the law.
Thanks in no small part to increased profits from sales, Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos has seen his wealth almost double during the pandemic, from $113 billion in March to $206 billion today, according to the Institute for Policy Studies, who calculated that America’s billionaire class of 467 plutocrats have seen their wealth spike by nearly a trillion dollars since lockdown began on March 18. Much of this has been down to an enormous tax break for the ultra-wealthy that the Trump administration snuck into its first coronavirus relief bill. Bezos, who retook the title of the world’s richest individual from Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates late last year, has said that he is so rich that he can only imagine spending his wealth by plowing it into space travel.
Yet even as he becomes the world’s first individual to reach a net worth of $200 billion, Bezos’ employees are struggling just to eat or avoid homelessness. According to the company’s own data, a great number of Amazon employees rely on SNAP (food stamps) just to eat. That number is as high as one third of all Amazon workers in Arizona, with company employees nationwide far more likely than most to need to use food stamps. Instead of giving his employees a pay rise, “arch-philanthropist” Bezos decided to start a charitable foundation for them, asking the public to donate money to help them pay for basic necessities. And when staff at Bezos-owned Whole Foods Market asked for higher pay and better working conditions, the company instead gave them a free t-shirt that called them “hardcore” “heroes” for working through the pandemic.
Price gouging is widely considered a highly immoral practice, akin to profiting off the desperation and suffering of others, with some of the only people willing to publicly defend it being economics professors and highly-paid columnists in corporate media. Professor Lili Carneglia of Valencia College, Florida, for instance, writing in libertarian think tank FEE, argued that neighborhood 7-Elevens charging $20 for a case of water after a hurricane is a good thing, claiming without them there would be shortages in supply (although, she admits, she is unable to convince most of her students). Likewise, the Boston Globe’s Jeff Jacoby claims that price gouging is not a problem, but a solution to a problem, suggesting that it actually helps consumers.
Public Citizen did not agree. “During emergencies, people are scared, desperate, and in need. Price gouging is an insidious exploitation of the most vulnerable. There is no excuse for the most successful corporations preying on vulnerable consumers,” it concluded.
Republished from MintPressNews.com under Creative Commons