A great summary of the Horrific 21st century ...

... that was created by the US War on Terror:

https://www.juancole.com/2018/03/american-crusade-terror.html

Keep in mind the North American media outlets do not cover the deaths of non-North Americans.  We only hear about local events.  We cause far greater horrors overseas.

World Domination concepts, China's plan

Found this in a article reviewing the rise and fall of empires:

https://medium.com/@mikebyrne_16145/the-rise-or-decline-of-us-global-power-a-critical-look-at-alfred-mccoys-new-book-2ed9cdd437ff 

This paragraph is intriguing:

"China’s grand strategy certainly isn’t your typical imperial grand strategy, depending moreso on economic soft power than pure power projection through military might. Nevertheless the strategy, if implemented would clearly change the geopolitical power dynamics of the world, and that obviously has some policymakers concerned in Washington. One of the main post-World War II pillars of US empire is “The Washington Consensus”, a philosophical framework of global governance that emphasizes the primacy of western financial and governance institutions in conducting global politics. Institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and WTO are products of this framework, and these institutions, along with military alliances like NATO, have served to maintain a western-centric global supremacy with the US government at the helm. China’s strategy looks to reorient the entire landscape, shifting the epicenter of global governance from a “unipolar” model, which emphasizes the need for a single powerful hegemon, to a more “multipolar” model, which emphasizes regional hegemons. Halford Mackinder once wrote that “Trans-continental railways are now transmuting the conditions of land power,” and that “…the century will not be old before all Asia is covered with railways,”. He wrote this back in 1904, and due to the damage accumulated in the wake of two world wars, it wouldn’t be until the next century that his vision was realized. China by 2030 plans on linking all of their major cities by high speed rail, while simultaneously working with surrounding states to make the effort transcontinental. Plans on constructing a “Eurasian Land Bridge” or a high speed rail line that would go from Chongqing to Leipzig, Germany in 20 days is an example of one such ambitious project. Why is this significant? China being able to ship via high speed rail allows it to circumvent shipping lanes, most of which are patrolled by either the US navy or US allies. Circumventing these shipping lanes gives the Chinese ability to get around any obstacles that may arise if any diplomatic or geopolitical tensions arise between China and the US. Chinese grand strategy also involves the construction of a vast network of pipelines for the purpose of importing oil and gas. One of the most significant deals in this realm was between the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and Russian state owned Gazprom. The deal was worth $400 billion, and it came during a time where Russia was facing increased sanctions from the West due to its annexation of Crimea. Russia as a geostrategic partner is essential for China’s implementation of their grand strategy. As long as Russia is the primary boogeyman of the West, and keeping the West bogged down in a two front proxy war in Syria and Ukraine, China can simply step in strategically without getting their hands dirty while continuing to implement what some in the US media are beginning to refer to as China’s “manifest destiny”. China is also looking to end the monopoly on military alliances, security alliances, and international economic institutions through alliances such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations(SCO), functioning as a Asian security alliance, and the establishment of the Asia Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), built in the likeness and image of the IMF, and already has support from many countries, including US allies like the UK, Australia, and South Korea"

It is also interesting to note that China is not wasting trillions on war-based adventures.  It is now on a path to become free of all dependence on non-renewable energy sources.  Pursuit of petroleum-based resources is what has fuelled most of the wars in the last 100 years, and is still at the heart of US foreign policy.  China does not want to emulate this folly, when there is a better way achieve its security and wealth.

The real news about nuclear war, on any scale.

Just a reminder of the actual results of some bozo ordering a nuclear strike.

https://thebulletin.org/daniel-ellsberg-dismantling-doomsday-machine11539?platform=hootsuite

Secret Government spying comes to its logical conclusion ...

... by destroying the government that allowed it to happen.  Check out this guy's analysis:

http://www.stonekettle.com/2018/01/dirty-tricks.html?m=1

I really enjoyed the logic trail that was used to conclude that somebody is using all that collected spy data for his own personal gain.

We live in interesting times.  Will we survive?

An important essay on a failing democracy ...

This is a long read, but important concepts are discussed:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/03/america-is-not-a-democracy/550931/

Not exactly an optimistic view of the current world in which we live.

The effectivness of "trickle-down" economics ...

... has never been demonstrated in the real world.  Read on:

http://prospect.org/trickle-downers

Further examples of government slanted against the poor ...

... .. or subtle ways of stealing from the peasants:

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2017/12/how-the-rich-use-the-government-to-enrich-themselves.html

Why things were better back then ...

Check this out:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/12/21/1726664/-This-Accountant-s-Perspective-A-Short-History-Lesson-on-Tax-Policy-as-Social-Engineering

The "why" of empire

Global corporations have taken over as the excuse for empire-building.  Check this out:

https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/short-history-american-empire-stephen-kinzer-true-flag-review

It was, is, and always will be about rich guys trying to control all the world's wealth no matter what the cost in human lives.  How admirable is that?

Bitcoin explained

Here's the article:

https://www.howtogeek.com/141374/htg-explains-what-is-bitcoin-and-how-does-it-work/

A discussion of the CIA's role in our chaotic, dangerous world

This is truly depressing:

http://original.antiwar.com/Nicolas_Davies/2017/10/31/america-spreads-global-chaos/

Osama bin Laden succeeded beyond his wildest hopes!

Here's the details of his massive victory, which is still being played out by our ridiculous leaders:

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176345/tomgram%3A_engelhardt%2C_doing_bin_laden%27s_bidding/

Jimmy Carter's reasons for dropping his religion

An important example of a human using his mind to think:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/10/20/1708600/-Jimmy-Carter-pens-op-ed-about-women-sure-to-stun-most-male-religious-leaders-around-the-world?salzillo=?detail=emaildkre

Propaganda used against you by your government

A great explanation of the way the Iraq War was foisted upon us:

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2015/05/22/1386781/-George-W-Bush-Did-Something-Much-Worse-Than-Lie-Us-Into-War?detail=emailclassic

Too true, and too likely to happen again.

BitCoin's unique usefullness

There is a lot to ponder in this essay:

http://original.antiwar.com/Nozomi_Hayase/2017/10/25/wikileaks-bitcoin-revolutionary-movement-peacemakers/

Money and the military

Here is a great breakdown of the waste inherent in military spending.  Imagine what other useful projects could have been completed with this money.

http://www.tomdispatch.com/post/176336/tomgram%3A_william_hartung%2C_how_the_military-industrial_complex_preys_on_the_troops/

An exposé of some myths about socialism, science and climate change

This is worth a read.

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/42062-climate-change-brings-socialism-and-science-together

How dictators stay in power

This detailed article explains who gets US foreign aid.  Apparently dictatorships are well supported:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/42020-us-provides-military-assistance-to-73-percent-of-world-s-dictatorships

Privacy redux

While we've been distracted by all the Trumpiness going on, the surveillance state has figured out how to get around all those annoying little laws about privacy rights. This article describes how it is being done:

http://original.antiwar.com/jwhitehead/2017/06/26/age-no-privacy-surveillance-state-shifts-high-gear/

Depraved-Heart Murder

This interesting concept is endorsed proudly by many of our politicians and governments.  This article explains it in the context of the current health care fight in the USA, but it is applicable to many of the actions our governments undertake in the name of austerity, fighting terror, creating jobs, etc.

https://www.dailykos.com/story/2017/6/24/1674954/-Well-Senator-Hatch-If-Not-Murder-Then-What-Would-You-Call-It?detail=emaildkre

How the right insinuates its policies into liberal/left leaning political parties.

This is very instructive and explains a lot about recent activities by Canada's 'Liberal' government as well as the US Democratic party's behaviour.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/39986-third-way-democrats-are-trying-to-push-the-party-rightward

Bye-bye privacy

It's official, you now have no expectation of privacy in the US:


http://original.antiwar.com/andrew-p-napolitano/2017/01/18/a-parting-shot-at-personal-freedom/


Can Canada be far behind?

Obama's failings ..

... are outlined in stark detail in this article.

http://original.antiwar.com/lucy/2017/01/13/the-foolish-optimism-of-hoping-for-chelsea-mannings-freedom/



His reputation is only good in comparison to the republican horrors that bracketed his term of office.  

A great source of new ideas ...

... to think about:

https://www.opendemocracy.net/uk/oliver-sylvester-bradley/disrupting-capitalist-democracy

A very new idea is that democracy has become 'corporatized' - ie it is being reshaped to serve only corporate goals, and 'we, the people' are now just in the way but necessary to fund the  activities that governments now undertake for the corporations.  A worthwhile read.

Secret Law explained.

This article show how secret interpretations of laws allow gov'ts to justify torturing prisoners, spying on all citizens, and starting wars without legislative approval.  It's the modern modus operandi, and avoids all that pesky public discussion that so often hinders dictators.

https://www.brennancenter.org/publication/new-era-secret-law

Posting New Secret Trade Docs, Wikileaks Further Exposes Corporate Plot

The ongoing effort to turn our democracy over to the control of corporations is clearly explained in this article:

Posting New Secret Trade Docs, Wikileaks Further Exposes Corporate Plot


Unfortunately, we place to much trust in the glib pretty faces of our politicians to be able to do much about it.  Our elections are never about the important ideas, they are always about trivial crap and red herrings placed into the corporate-controlled media to to make sure our attention never focuses on, indeed, never even notices, the behind the scenes deals that are in all these so-called trade deals.

Here are the values you espouse when you "support the troops"

A thoughtful dissertation on the implications of our worship of the military

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/37975-the-bullying-of-us-militarism-pervades-the-entire-society

The ubiquitous presence of the military does not speak well for our values.  It just indicates that we are violent bullies at heart.

Taylor Caldwell was right ...

in her novel "Captains and the Kings".  This article describes our plight quite well:

http://original.antiwar.com/William_Astore/2016/10/10/greed-war-power-danger-military-industrial-complex/

The Deep State explained

Here is a good explanation of the real governing force in our so-called democracy.

http://www.unz.com/article/deep-state-america-2/

If your vote is important, why don't we ever get to vote on the important stuff? 

The Whistleblower's Ethic

Here is a good discussion of  secrecy, information leaks, government suppression and persecution, rule by the elite few, and the duty of citizens to their democracy.



http://original.antiwar.com/Nozomi_Hayase/2016/09/20/assange-manning-snowden-standing-conscience-truthtellers/

This really captures what life has become in our North America since 9/11

Truly worth a read:

http://reverbpress.com/features/morning-thoughts-countrys-wounds/

The definition of self-serving hypocrisy

The one thing that the US really fears is LAWFARE.  The double standard at work again.



http://news.antiwar.com/2016/09/12/white-house-to-veto-911-lawsuit-bill/



Would that the congress had the balls to override a presidential veto.  The world just might improve.

A fascinating list to consider

A great compendium of the US's efforts to install the 'right' government in various countries can be found here:
https://williamblum.org/essays/read/overthrowing-other-peoples-governments-the-master-list

I didn't realize that there were so many governments that needed to be replaced.

Yet another 9/11 inspired summary of our descent into tryanny

http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2016/09/11/911-treason-empire/

Some 9/11 consequences that are worth considering

This article reminds us how far from freedom our society has been taken by the savages conducting the war on terror.  



http://original.antiwar.com/jwhitehead/2016/09/11/the-tyranny-of-911/

Here is one way people can regain control over their country's money

This could be the start of a great trend for the world's people (not corporations)

http://www.wakingtimes.com/2015/12/30/switzerland-follows-iceland-in-declaring-war-against-banksters/

Canada could also do the same, particularly if the lawsuit described in my posting  of Apr 9, 2015 is successful.  Check this out:

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/02/05/canadians-sued-the-bank-of-canada-won-mainstream-media-government-blacks-out-story/

The 'Free Trade' deals actually will not grow the economy ...

.... but they will benefit corporations rather than people.  Read this little exposé of crony capitalism:

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/36958-is-the-trans-pacific-partnership-president-obama-s-vietnam

What has become of our values and the rule of law?

This article discusses how our governments are regularly engaging in murder, with predictable and horrible consequences domestically:



http://original.antiwar.com/engelhardt/2016/07/17/extrajudicial-executions-became-war-policy-washington/

The war crime that still is in progress

Everything that the US has done in the middle east following 9/11 has been a war crime and no legal entity in the US will do anything about it. 



http://original.antiwar.com/Kristen_Breitweiser/2016/07/17/29-pages-revealed-corruption-crime-cover-911/



There has never been, nor is there now, any justifiable reason for the Iraq/Syria/Libya/ISIS wars.

Why does Canada support these criminals?  Why will our government not indict the perpetrators for the war crimes they have committed?

NAFTA allows corporations to sue for potential profit

A Canadian company feels that the US denial of the Keystone pipeline might cause it to be less profitable.  It is therefore suing the US for $billions.  Here's the what, why and how:

http://www.occupy.com/article/transcanadas-15-billion-suit-against-us-corporate-nationhood-its-worst

The ability to sue for the loss of potential profits is at the heart of ALL of the so-called free trade agreements.  Effectively foreign companies can override the wishes of governments, which can have immense negative effects on environmental, health and safety regulations.  The TPP et al turns over to the corporations the traditional powers of governments, but saddles them with none of the responsibilities of government towards the citizenry.  Cute.

A good look at "us"

Sometimes it is worth thinking about how others perceive us:

http://original.antiwar.com/engelhardt/2016/07/12/met-alien-us/



Makes you wonder who the bad guys really are, doesn't it? 

The war on terrorism has been a war against freedoms

Here's what has actually happened since 9/11:

http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2016/07/12/myth-war-terrorism/

Net result?  More terrorism everywhere, more authoritarianism at home and no privacy.

It's been BS from square one ...

The "war on terror" that is.
http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2016/07/12/myth-war-terrorism/


It really is time to stop our governments and get back to reality.  We are not in danger from external threats!  The military/industrial/corporate crap is what we need to fear.

NATO is a threat to Canada's security

NATO no longer serves any valid defensive purpose for Canada.  It 's time to extricate our country from this expensive messy contract which only serves to keep generals busy inventing imaginary 'enemies', like Syria.  The UN could serve the our defensive treaty needs just as well.

Here's a detailed summary of the situation:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/07/04/nato-necessary/DwE0YzPb8qr70oIT9NVyAK/story.html

Sen. Elizabeth Warren on why we need to stop the TPP

'Brexit'!!?? So what?

Here is a rarely heard explanation of why the 'Brexit" was approved:


http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2016/06/26/brexit-glorious-victory/

We should close down NATO before it kills us

Here is a reasoned discussion of NATO's latest ploys.  It is scary.


http://davidstockmanscontracorner.com/whats-wrong-with-these-people/

There is no reason for NATO to exist anymore.  All it does is start stupid wars which Canada is expected to jump into and waste our scant military resources for nothing but dead soldiers and wasted weapons in return.

Another attempt to destroy an idea with bombs

Once again, stupid American congressmen attempt to deal with the problems created by their wars, by starting another war.

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/declaring-war-islamist-extremism-nonsense-16652

The definition of insanity involves expecting a different result when one repeats the same actions.  I think this could be the real meaning of American Exceptionalism.

Ron Paul still knows what's happening

Here he points out that the only gov't response to the Orlando shootings has been to allow more warrant-less spying on the population based upon prejudice, racism and mindless fear.


http://original.antiwar.com/paul/2016/06/20/orlando-new-911/


Every disaster is used as an excuse to turn the country into an Orwellian dictatorship.   Oh ... wait ... that's already happened.

How the primary system works to defeat democracy

Here is a text book on how to avoid responding to the will of the majority of voters:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/36408-was-the-democratic-primary-just-manipulated-or-was-it-stolen

The expediency offered by political parties seems to have given us a system wherein the individual voter's preferences are subservient to those of the party.

This is not a good system.

Some truth about the terrorism prevention industry

Vested interests created by governments are often the primary/root cause of terrorist incidents.  Check out this summary of recent events:



http://original.antiwar.com/AntiMedia_org/2016/06/14/fbi-instead-catching-orlando-shooter/



I don't understand why the agents who controls these informants and provide them with arms, explosives, technical training, transport, support, etc. are not charged with aiding and abetting terrorism.  

Here the real scoop about the bank of Canada

The people of Canada own this bank, and are entitled to share in its profits.  The government of Canada is supposed to borrow money from the Bank of Canada.  Thus, a federal deficit becomes an investment, not a liability for the people of Canada.

Given the availability of the Bank Of Canada as a source of funds, would someone please explain why Canada borrows from charter banks?

Here's and detailed description of the issues:

http://www.watershedsentinel.ca/content/canada-infrastructure-bank-21st-century-trojan-horse

We need to Redefine the Middle East wars

Every so often someone comes up with a good suggestion;



http://original.antiwar.com/engelhardt/2016/05/31/americas-sinkhole-wars/



Why are all the political leaders so afraid of re-justifying the fighting in the Middle  East?  What really do they expect from all of the blood, guts, and hardware being destroyed over there?  Is it really only about continuing to produce weapons so that corporations can get rich?  I think that must be the answer.



If it was just oil, we could simply buy it for much less than is being spent on munitions.  Hence, the main purpose seems to be keeping the gunmakers happy.  Nothing else makes sense.

The EU – A CIA Covert Operation

This is an interesting take on things European.  Certainly worth a read.



. The EU – A CIA Covert Operation - Antiwar.com Original by -- Antiwar.com

Some Guiness collected facts about our neighbour and 'friend'

Check out this list of war and death related stuff:



http://davidswanson.org/node/5123

Israeli Chief Rabbi to Troops: Ignore Courts, Commander, Just Kill Armed Palestinians -- News from Antiwar.com

Israeli Chief Rabbi to Troops: Ignore Courts, Commander, Just Kill Armed Palestinians -- News from Antiwar.com



Ain't religion grand?

"Terror" is a phony problem

A useful analysis of how propaganda has stilted the ability of people to see the truth in their own world.  BS is accepted as the norm.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/35030-blowback-donald-trump-is-the-price-we-pay-for-the-war-on-terror

Why they hate us - Mideast version

A good summary of the actions of western corporations and governments in the Mideast over the last bunch of years.

http://www.politico.eu/article/why-the-arabs-dont-want-us-in-syria-mideast-conflict-oil-intervention/

No wonder they do not like the west.

How can anyone like these actions?

The Euripean Trade deal has been accepted by the gov"t

So just what are they details of the European Trade deal that the Liberal gov't just approved?

I look forward to seeing the text.

The TPP would be the final death blow to American manufacturing

This is equally applicable to Canada.

The TPP would be the final death blow to American manufacturing

The pot calling the kettle black, or

...Hypocrisy???  What Hypocrisy???

http://mattpeppe.blogspot.ca/2016/01/media-more-outraged-by-possible-murder.html

I am forced to suggest that ours stinks as bad as theirs.

How conservative policies bankrupted a province

All the Conservative party supporters should be forced to come up with answers to rebut the FACTS presented in this little article about Alberta's woes:

http://www.pressprogress.ca/how_decades_of_conservative_mismanagement_made_a_mess_of_alberta_finances?utm_campaign=jan23_16ppwkc&utm_medium=email&utm_source=broadbent

One of the hallmarks of intelligent people is their ability to recognize when they are wrong when faced with facts. 

How U.S. Interventions Dismembered the Middle East

Just a summary of US and friends' great moments in the Middle East.

How U.S. Interventions Dismembered the Middle East

The truth about western nations' interventions "in support of democracy"

Read this and decide if the west can still be considered the good guys in geopolitical discussions:

http://www.salon.com/2015/11/18/this_is_why_they_hate_us_the_real_american_history_neither_ted_cruz_nor_the_new_york_times_will_tell_you/?source=newsletter

 For many parts of the world, the US and its supporters are the terrorists, and have been since the WWII fire- and atomic- bombing of major cities that did nothing but kill and incinerate civilians.

An alternate approach to dealing with ISIS

This article examines another way of dealing with the mess in the middle east that has been created by western interventions:

http://original.antiwar.com/justin/2015/11/15/how-to-beat-isis-quarantine-them/

I am starting to think that the real purpose of the suicide bombings and terrorist attacks launched by ISIS types is to demonstrate to western populations the conditions under which millions of Iraqis, Afghans, Syrians, Yemenis and assorted other arab people live on a daily basis.  These are conditions which have resulted from western interventions, regime changes, and anti-terrorist drone bombings over the last 15 years or so.  To the best of their ability they are exporting shock and awe back to the western states that have been interfering in the middle east for decades.

The truth about the US drone assassination program ...

... is not to be found in major American newspapers.

http://original.antiwar.com/John_Hanrahan/2015/11/04/ny-times-buries-intercept-whistleblowers-shocking-drone-war-disclosures/

About 90% of the people murdered by US drones are not the intended target.

Even the US military acknowledges that the program undoubtedly creates more new terrorists than it kills.  IE., the US is the source or the new terrorists in the war on terror. How stupid is that!!??

Here's what's wrong with the Trans-Pacific Trade Partnership

This article sums it up very well, and exposes the unmentioned real purpose of this agreement:
to ensure corporate profits supersede the will of a state's citizens.

http://www.thenation.com/article/the-tpp-will-finish-what-chiles-dictatorship-started/

Not one politician has dared argue these provisions of the agreement in a public forum.  The news media never question the implications of surrendering sovereignty to corporate profits.

Remember when you used to yell "You stink!" to your childhood 'enemies'?

Apparently, this is becoming a technical reality among crowd control officials.

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34227609

Geez, we live in a sick world!

The difference between the US and China

This article shows that exactly the same sort of people are running both the US and China.

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/32761-china-s-political-elite-take-the-money-and-run-abroad

It's interesting that the masses still think that the terms communism and democracy still mean something to those in power.  It's striking how similar is the behaviour of the powerful in both countries.

9/11 and the road not taken ...

This article really points out the horrible mindset that has pervaded western governments for years, and suggests that maybe we are to blame for the terrorism created on our behalf.

http://original.antiwar.com/lucy/2015/09/11/the-lesson-of-blowback-and-911/

The Harper gov't still thinks war can accomplish good things.  He is a murderous fool.

A summary of freedoms lost ...

... in the USA:

http://fff.org/2015/09/09/americas-police-state-is-rooted-in-four-federal-wars/

Canada is now much  the same.

Despite these wars on drugs, terrorism, immigration and wealth, the governments involved continue to say they are necessary.  But wait, doesn't that mean that these policies have been a failure wrt their original stated intent?  What do you do with someone who cannot accomplish what they set out to do?  You fire them, or at least admit that what you wanted done cannot be accomplished by that method.

The Euro's evil explained

Greg Palast has some very incisive comments regarding the Euro's true purpose:

"
Not a coin, a virus

Tsipras’ claim that Greece can keep the euro while rejecting austerity is crazy-talk. The fact is that German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Cruella De Vil of the Eurozone, will ignore the cries of the bleeding Greeks and demand we swallow austerity--or lose the euro.
But, so what if we lose the euro? The best thing that can happen to Greece, and should have happened long, long ago, is that Greece flee the Eurozone.

That’s because it is the euro itself that is the virus responsible for Greece’s economic ills.
Indeed, the sadistic commitment to “austerity” was minted into the coin’s very metal. We’re not guessing. One of us (Palast, an economist by training) has had long talks with the acknowledged “father” of the euro, Professor Robert Mundell. It’s important to mention the other little bastard spawned by the late Prof. Mundell: “supply-side” economics, otherwise known as “Reaganomics,” “Thatcherism” – or, simply “voodoo” economics.

The imposition of the euro had one true goal: To end the European welfare state.

For Mundell and the politicians who seized on his currency concept, the euro itself would be the vector infecting the European body politic with supply-side Reaganomics. Mundell saw a euro’d Europe as free of trade unions and government regulations; a Europe in which the votes of parliaments were meaningless. Each Eurozone nation, unable to control neither the value of its own currency, nor its own budget, nor its own fiscal policy, could only compete for business by slashing regulations and taxes. Mundell said, "[The euro] puts monetary policy out of the reach of politicians… Without fiscal policy, the only way nations can keep jobs is by the competitive reduction of rules on business."

Here’s how it works. To join the Eurozone, nations must agree to keep their deficits to no more than 3% of GDP and total debt to no more than 60% of GDP. In a recession, that’s plain insane. By contrast, President Obama pulled the USA out of recession by increasing deficit spending to a staggering 9.8% of GDP, and he raised the nation’s debt to 101% from a pre-recession 62%. Republicans screamed, but it worked. The US has lower unemployment than any Eurozone nation.
As Obama scolded the European tormentors of Greece: “You cannot keep on squeezing countries that are in the midst of depression.” Cutting spending power only leads to less spending which leads to further cuts in spending power – a death spiral we see today in the Eurozone from Greece to Italy to Spain—but not in Germany.

“Not in Germany.” There’s the rub. Normally, a nation such as Greece can quickly recover from debt-induced recession by devaluing its currency. Greece would become a dirt cheap tourist destination once more and its lower-cost exports would zoom, instantly increasing competitiveness. And that’s what Germany can’t allow. Germany lured other European nations into the euro in order to keep them from undercutting Germany’s prices in export markets.
Restricted by the 3% deficit rule, the only recourse left for Eurozone debtors: pay the piper with “austerity” measures.

Tsipras in Wonderland

So therein lies the lie. Tsipras tells his fellow Greeks that we can live in a Looking Glass world, where we can have our euro and eat it too; that we can stay handcuffed to the euro but run free without austerity.

The nonsense continues: Following the announcement of the official results of the referendum on Sunday night, Tsipras tweeted that the Greek electorate voted for a "Europe of solidarity and democracy," while the now-resigned finance minister Varoufakis tweeted that "Greece's place in the Eurozone is non-negotiable," claiming that he would not allow the "only alternative," the old drachma trading alongside the euro.

SYRIZA's euro-fetish was already evident in its pre-referendum proposals to the IMF and European Bank, a 47-page document which included 8 billion euros in new austerity measures plus a new round of sell-offs of state industries, the maintenance of a primary surplus of 1% this year which would increase in the coming years, the increase of the retirement age to 67, and making permanent the previously "temporary" taxes upon an already overtaxed populace. In Tsipras’ own proposal, there was no word of a debt write-down or stoppage of payments, despite the fact that the government's own Debt Audit Commission announced on June 17 that the bulk of Greece's debt is illegal, “odious,” and should not be paid.

Instead, Tsipras has come out in support of the IMF's proposal for a mere 30% "debt haircut" and a 20-year grace period, effectively sweeping the problem under the rug. Greece is currently running a deficit, meaning that in order for the 1% surplus to be achieved, SYRIZA must cut, cut, cut. Exactly as Mundell and the supply-siders intended.

Death by “Reform”

Like Obama, Tsipras knows that cutting pensions, privatizing and closing industries, slashing wages – in other words, “austerity” -- or, to use the latest jargon, “reform” – is not just cruel, it’s plain stupid: it can only push a nation in recession into depression.

That’s not just theory. The Troika (the European Central Bank, IMF and European Commission) first imposed their vicious austerity measures on Greece in 2010. Greeks watched their annual salaries plummet to half of a German’s paycheck. Greece's supposedly generous pensions have been cut eight times during the crisis, while two-thirds of pensioners live below the poverty line. Everything from Greece's airports to harbors, the national lottery to prime publicly-owned real estate was sold off, while schools and hospitals were shuttered.

And, for the first time since World War II, widespread starvation had returned. 500,000 children in Greece are said to be malnourished. Students fainting from hunger in frigid schools which cannot afford heating oil is now a common phenomenon.

This cruel “belt tightening,” the Troika promised, would restore Greece’s economy by 2012 (and then 2013, 2014, and 2015). In reality, unemployment went from a terrible 12.5% in 2010 to a horrendous 25.6% today."
Now, the Troika demands more of the same, a continuation of this disastrous policy.

The Euro, Greece, theft etc.

Greg Palast has a lot to say about the Greek crisis and the Euro as a tool of theft:

http://www.gregpalast.com/euro-krieg-greece-surrenders-to-germany-2013-greek-radio-interviews-greg-palast/

Privatization rears its ugly head again.  Corporations gain control of a country's assets, pocket the profits, and leave the people to starve.

The Greek financial story we were never told ..

... but Greg Palast has the info:

http://www.gregpalast.com/lazy-ouzo-swilling-olive-pit-spitting-greeksor-how-goldman-sacked-greece/

Once again, the big banks/financial institutions prove that they care for nothing except their own bottom line, ... ... ... and they will break every law and ethical canon to get more profit regardless of who suffers from their profit-taking machinations.

Ain't capitalism grand, particularly when it gets to write and enforce the rules under which corporations operate?

Our governments are wasting their time and our money fighting terrorism!

Here's what has been accomplished in the 'terrorism' war recently:


http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/the-true-cost-of-the-war-on-terror/

All that seems to emerge is the fact that your death matters a lot more if it happens in a 'terrorist' incident, than if your messy death happens in a more mundane way (ie shot while being mugged, for instance).  Also 'terrorists' don't really kill all that many of us, while we seem to be collaterally killing a lot of 'them'

The real obscenity emerges when you consider what could have been accomplished if the money wasted on the 'terrorism' shenanigans (in excess of $2,000,000,000,000 since 9/11/2001) had been spent on something useful, eg:
       leprosy treatment
       malaria vaccinations
       safe drinking water provision
       alternate/renewable energy sources
       eliminating tax havens for corporations
       expanding medical care
       medical research
       education
       transit infrastructure
       etc., etc.,

All of these alternative uses of funds would have been of more benefit to the people of the world than the paltry results of the failed 'war on terror'.

But notice that the banks, corporations, mercenaries and Wall St. types would not have benefited as much as they have in the last 15 years.

There is a lesson to be learned in all of this ...

Some religious comedy

Here's a pretty good exposé of the hypocrisy related to the concept of marriage:


http://www.juancole.com/2015/06/biblical-marriage-between.html

The bible really is not where one should go looking for advice.

The Americam psyche ...

... is hard-wired to a war worldview.  Consider this article's insights:

http://truth-out.org/buzzflash/commentary/war-murder-and-the-american-way

It seems that the war propaganda and military-think are having some serious blowback effects upon the US population at home.  Who would'a thunk it?

Animals are dangerous when they realize they are dying ...

... So is the American empire.  Here a neat little summary of what is happening out there that you won't hear on the evening news:

http://www.lobelog.com/dangers-of-a-declining-global-power/

Canada needs to elect a government that will do more than cozy up to the belly of the dying beast.  Might even be time to distance ourselves from the soon-to-be corpse.

Welcome to Northern New York state ...

... police state, that is.

Watch this little video:

https://youtu.be/Cb8vOHExCYw

The 'officials' involved were US immigration agents, who are allowed to stop anyone they like within 100 miles of the border.  Can anyone discern what the suspicious 'crime' was that caused this stop?  Did it have anything to do with immigration?  Why did the 'officials' refuse to tell the detainee the reason for the stop?  Why was waiting beside her car such an affront to the 'official' that he had to taser the detainee?

From what I heard, the nervous behaviour of the detainee was the reason she was pulled over.  Who in their right mind would not be nervous when pulled over, given the way these 'officials' behaved toward their victim?

I'm sure that the citizens of East Germany, North Korea and hundreds of other despotic police states  fully understand the nervousness of citizens when faced with anyone in uniform.  I guess we North Americans will just have to learn how to deal with the rampaging mobs of  'officials' who are out there to protect us.

The measured effects of Free Trade agreements ...

 ... are not all that great for most of the people in the countries that have entered into them.  But - SURPRISE!! - the top 1% have made out like the bandits they are.  Here's and analysis to consider:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/31244-don-t-believe-the-hype-about-the-benefits-of-free-trade

Corporations uber alles!

Crime pays, exhorbitantly and without penalty!

Read this little explanation of things:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/stevedenning/2015/05/31/wall-street-costs-the-economy-2-of-gdp-each-year/

Money for nothing!  At least Dire Straits had to sing a few tunes to get their $.  Banks & Wall Street just steal straight from us and give nothing in return.

Who's a hero?

Here is an interesting argument regarding the ritual fawning over military folks that you see at the start of every NFL, NASCAR, NHL, NBA and most other public gatherings in North America:

http://blog.independent.org/2015/05/20/the-militarys-heroes-and-the-scourge-of-nationalism/

The statistic that astounded me was the death rates for fishermen and for loggers when compared to military types.  It seems we should be saying a prayer every time we walk on a hardwood floor or inhale a fish stick, if we do indeed wish to show respect for those who have died to allow us to maintain our way of life.

It just shows that the way you die determines your value to our society.  Splash your brains and guts across the interior of your car while on your way to the cottage, and nobody cares.  Do it while interfering in the affairs of a foreign country, and you are automatically a hero. 

It is a strange calculus that our culture has adopted.

Krugman on the TPP ...

... can be found here:

http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/05/19/the-mis-selling-of-tpp/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Opinion&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body

Notice that the red herring put forth by the supporters of TPP always touts the low tariff BS, never the real problem, which is the surrender of sovereignty to corporate dispute panels.

Oh! Look! The US Gov't hasn't been truthful, ...

... for the nth time.

original.antiwar.com/justin/2015/05/12/bin-ladens-end-the-truth-comes-out/

Obscene ...

... is the only way to describe this practice:

http://www.commondreams.org/news/2015/05/08/patriotism-price-us-military-paid-nfl-teams-honor-soldiers-games

A frightening, but illuminating, insight into why things are deteriorating

In the game of life, it seems, we peasants are not even playing by the same rules as the rich.  In fact, we aren't even aware of the actual rules.  We're still operating on the myths from the post-WWII boom when prosperity became a expectation for the average Joe.


http://prospect.org/article/political-roots-widening-inequality

Corporations uber alles!!

More horror stories about so-called free trade deals ...

Check out this description of recent events:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/04/26/1380441/-Another-Reason-To-Say-No-To-TPP?detail=email

The real purpose of these agreements is to gut the powers of nations to control their own resources and laws.  Corporations are to be allowed to do anything they want, anywhere, as long as their potential profits are not affected.  Countries are not allowed to do anything that could potentially lower these profits.

Only corporations are to be allowed to reap profits.  Nations will not be allowed to do anything profitable; any such activities must be turned over to corporations.  Examples include the privatization of highways, water supplies, airports, education and health care and the concept of mineral rights that allows corporations to develop mines and 'frack' under land that they do not even own.  The hapless land owner (local government, for instance) is always left to clean up the mess after the extraction process is finished and the corporate shareholders have pocketed their profits.

The TPP is not a trade deal ...

..., it is a means of giving corporations the power to overturn or avoid any laws that limit their ability to make profits:

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/30441-the-battle-over-the-trans-pacific-partnership-and-fast-track-gets-hot

Safety, environmental, health and even tax laws could be repealed if businesses don't like them.  The citizens of the country don't get to have a say in how their country will be run.

Why the TPP (TransPacific Partnership) trade deal should be rejected absolutely

More explanation of why this agreement will be horrible for people, but excellent for corporations:

http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2015/04/bill-black-obama-tpp-every-one-doeth-evil-hateth-light.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NakedCapitalism+%28naked+capitalism%29

All the really successful thieves wear suits, and act strictly in accordance with the laws that they created that allow them to control the game.  You have more chances of winning at a casino than you do when dealing with corporations.

There is no longer any hope that any government will act in the best interests of its populace.

Why Bill C-51 should be rejected absolutely

This article explains the real purpose of Harper's Bill C-51, in a broad context.  It is worth reading, if only so that we can look back on it when the hammer falls.

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/30270-the-canadian-ministry-of-truth-reality-is-whatever-we-say-it-is

Only masochistic ignoramuses could vote for this bill.

Canadian lawsuit attempts to restore the Bank Of Canada

Here is an interesting development:

http://www.collective-evolution.com/2015/02/05/canadians-sued-the-bank-of-canada-won-mainstream-media-government-blacks-out-story/

This case could be monumental if it succeeds.

Banks usurp democracy ...

... by controlling the money supply.

Read this article:

http://www.truth-out.org/news/item/30093-how-america-became-an-oligarchy#

It seems that all the votes in the world do not matter since all governments are indebted to private banks, most of which are multinationals.

Wikileaks exposes the TPP draft. This is important.

Here are the details about the Transpacific Trade Partnership that our governments are now secretly negotiating.  Thanks to Wikileaks, we finally get a glimpse into the horrors of these trade agreements:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/03/25/1373335/-BREAKING-WikiLeaks-Leaks-TPP-Draft#

Here is a look at the effect such agreements could have on our food supply:

http://www.truth-out.org/opinion/item/29861-this-trade-deal-will-make-you-sick

So much for governments working for the people.  It's all about corporate greed.

Welcome the totalitarian state ...

... that's on its way to your neighbourhood!

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/03/17/whats-scarier-terrorism-governments-unilaterally-blocking-websites-name/

There is a good look at Harper's new plan to ban thoughts and dissent in Canada in the article above.

Corporate America fights back against dissent from the party line

Google has leapt to the defense of the US military's new lust for war in the middle east by censoring all ads on Antiwar.com:

http://antiwar.com/blog/2015/03/18/google-disables-all-ads-on-antiwar-com/

...

...

...

Why they hate us ...

... is quite obvious from the pictures at this site:

http://www.antiwar.com/news/?articleid=8560

The 'values' demonstrated by the captors in these recently released photos are certainly worth fighting against.

An insight into the miserable flying process ...

... to which we are now routinely subjected:


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/01/1355081/-Why-Airlines-Collude-To-Make-Flying-As-Miserable-As-Possible

Of particular interest is the comment that industry 'deregulation' has not resulted in any of the benefits that were promised when the old regs were abandoned.  The same applies in every case where deregulation has occurred, particularly wrt banking and infrastructure like highways and water systems.

A great source for Documentaries

Here's some good stuff that you will not see on TV:

http://thoughtmaybe.com/

A huge vault of documentaries about all sorts of important topics is found in this website,

US government recruits, trains, funds, supplies and actively assists terrorists ...

... so that it can arrest them and put on a show trial to convince the masses that it is doing something to keep us safe.

I do not invent this stuff:

https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/01/16/latest-fbi-boast-disrupting-terror-u-s-plot-deserves-scrutiny-skepticism/

Talk about propagandizing you own population.

An old friend said goodbye today . ..

We'll miss him.