Managing the warmongers.

 SO FAR, TRUMP HAS KEPT U.S. OUT OF DIRECT INVOLVEMENT IN WAR

BUT HAS BEEN UNABLE TO END INDIRECT INVOLVEMENT

We see that the war in Ukraine continues and most everyone believes Iran 2.0 is inevitable. Yet, so far Trump has been able to avoid direct participation in these wars, other than the dropping of some bombs on Iran, another effort to satisfy those desiring war.

Yesterday, we witnessed a white house meeting where Trump agreed to sell lots of weapons to NATO that are expected to be gifted to Ukraine, weapons that are actually not available in numbers to be very consequential. An effort that may keep the warmonger's silent at least for the next 50 days when Trump may be pressured agree to massive tariffs on China and India, an idea that will damage the U.S. more than Russia and will drive more countries into the BRICS union.

Then there is Netanyahu and the Israel lobby who spent days in Washington without, at least visibly, any commitment for the U.S. to go to war with Iran. It seems pretty clear that Trump does not want to go to war with Iran, a likely drawn out affair that would distract from more pressing issues.

It is clear that the powers in Washington desire to run foreign policy and are willing to allow presidents to have their way on domestic issues. This was very clear during the Obama and Biden administrations which seemed to have a free hand at racial baiting and then just plain domestic chaos as long as they could engage in war around the world. 

It must be very dangerous to outright reject these powers, hence the attempts to manage them without directly rejecting their desire for more war. The Ukraine thing may be more in the hands of the Russians at this point, as no amount of weapons without direct involvement of NATO will change the outcome.

As for Iran/Israel. Israel will need to regroup and resupply to re engage with Iran, which without the direct involvement of the U.S., would be a risky bet. It may take some time to produce defensive weapons for Israel to feel comfortable to attack Iran.

The reality is without U.S. involvement, war becomes a very risky affair. That applies to most of the world, at least for now. 

Trump may have a couple of months without massive pressure for war, we will see, but it seems those desiring war are very persistent and very devious in ways to trap presidents into more war.

Not THE List, but an Epstein list.

 MULTIPLE HUNDREDS ASSOCIATED WITH EPSTEIN

MANY MAY BE INNOCENT OF WRONGDOING

Below is a list of prominent people who were involved with Jeffrey Epstein, this list was compiled from court records or other public documents. It no way indicates that they were in involved in wrongdoing, but they may be able to shed light on what was the motive of Epstein's massive operation. 

from Sonar21

This is only a small number of the actual people who were involved with Epstein. I suspect more names will be coming out in the days ahead. 

The major questions still unanswered are:

1. Where did the Hundreds of Millions of dollars come from that financed this operation?

2. What was the motive of this operation?

3. Was this a massive foreign or domestic intelligence operation?

4. Explain the contradiction that if there are tapes of individuals involved with children as the AJ claims, they are guilty of breaking the law. There is a question even about if there were, so called, children, or just some under 18 individuals who were paid for their services. 

It should be noted that the age of consent in most states in the USA is 16, some are 17 and only a handful are 18. There has not been any indication that anyone was forced or restrained in these operations. While we continually hear of underage women, does anyone believe that this was the motive of this operation?

Many of those attending were there on scientific and other meetings that most likely did not have to do with sex. Where they there in an attempt to gain information about cutting edge technology? 

Lots of questions, and if nothing actually happened, why is Maxwell sentenced to 20 years. 

At present the consensus is growing that Epstein and Maxwell were involved with Israeli intelligence, as was Maxwell's father many years ago.

There are many indications that Epstein was murdered, not a suicide. I actually question if it is even possible to die by the methods described.  

I suspect that this whole affair is not going to fade away and will become a major scandal in U.S. history.

Is Israel's plan to settle the "Gazan Question" a rehash of "Madagascar Plan"?

 WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

One of the top items on the list in Netanyahu's trip to Washington was approval for the Israeli plan to move the population of Gaza out of the area. It seems there was no definitive agreement, at least not publicly.

This plan is openly being talked about in Israel and is intended to move the population of Gaza into a "concentrated area" in Rafiah. It is ironically being called a humanitarian zone. It is expected that it will be the only area were food water and other resources will be available in Gaza. It is also proposed this will be a staging area for the "voluntary" migration of these people out of Gaza.

There is speculation that this plan is going to be put into motion with or without Washington's approval, but the funding will be difficult without that approval.

No one answers where these people will be going and what will happen when they have nowhere to go or funding or war makes it impossible.

It is all reminiscent of the "Madagascar plan" proposed by some in Britain, Netherlands and Poland in 1937 as a solution to the "Jewish Question" going on in Europe at the time. The Germans sent teams to Madagascar to study the feasibility of the idea in 1940, but all efforts were scraped with outbreak of war.

That brought about the "final solution" and the rhetoric and the polices evolving in this situation are eerily reminiscent of the past.   

Azerbaijan's dangerous gamble.

 QUESTIONING AZERBAIJAN'S NATIONAL INTEREST

LIVING IN A DANGEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD

Recently Azerbaijan has been in the news. It seems there are indications that they have been complicit in the recent attack by Israel on Iran. At the same time, it seems they have been looking to magnify its disputes with Russia and neighbor Armenia. Azerbaijan is in the process of selling gas and oil to the EU with pipelines through Turkey, a good thing for the EU and Azerbaijan. At the same time it seems that foreign intelligence operatives are present in massive numbers and has decided that Azerbaijan can be a pivotal player in the ongoing global gamesmanship.

Since the first choice for a southern front, Georgia, has decided that it's best interest is to stay a neutral party and cultivate good relations with its northern neighbor Russia and the west. The older citizens of Georgia decided they did not want to become a southern version of Ukraine.

Azerbaijan is a majority Shia nation, same as Iran. This in itself makes allying with Israel by its leaders as a very risky proposition. Then to its north is Russia who is very sensitive to any of its neighbors deciding to be a military ally of the west, another risky proposition.

It seems it is also putting a lot of faith in Turkey, who has its own designs for the region and has proved to be a notorious double dealer. One has to wonder what promises the leaders of Azerbaijan have been sold in exchange for this desire to enter the global chess game in this very dangerous neighborhood.

Since the conflict in Ukraine is not going well, it has been the desire of the western powers to open a southern front against Russia and at the same time a northern front against Iran. Azerbaijan is positioned geographically to serve as that conduit for both conflicts. A very dangerous proposition for the citizens of Azerbaijan, one has to wonder where it views the positive in a reward/risk analysis. 

I suspect we will soon find out as the Ukrainian situation is dire and the next round with Iran will be sooner rather than later.

Punishing BRICS validates its existence.

 ALTERNATIVE ECONOMIC SYSTEM INEVITABLE

TRADE IS BEING CONDUCTED IN NATIONAL CURRENCIES

We hear that Trump threatens to impose a 10% tariff on any country that is part of the BRICS economic group. This is just one more move added to sanctions and asset freezes that will encourage more countries to join the alternative to the present global trading system. While some call it an attempt to attack the dollar as the global reserve currency, it is alternative not a replacement. In fact the BRICS members are unanimous, at this point, that they do not want to replace the dollar with another national currency, as they fear it will just lead to same abuses that are plaguing the current system.

As for the dollar, the dollar is being threatened by the United States out of control and unsustainable deficits and debt. Producing countries are balking at taking, keeping or investing in a currency that is continually losing buying power. The dollar is no longer "As good as Gold". The move is to conduct cross border transactions in each nations own currencies in a new trading platform that is gaining acceptance. It is quicker and less costly that he current SWIFT system.

When the dollar became the global reserve currency, the United States was the undisputed manufacturing leader, the dollar could buy almost any item produced in the United States, that is no longer the reality. At the same time, keeping or buying U.S. treasury bonds is viewed as a  risky and losing investment. Any attempt to force or intimidate others to hold or use dollars will just validate the need for an alternative.

The latest U.S. budget with its continuing massive deficits sent a message to the world that there is no effort for the U.S. to address its financial irresponsibility. The bond market declined, interest on those bonds increased, and it will add to future deficits and debt. It also makes it unlikely that domestic interest rates can be lowered and in fact may be forced to rise. It also will likely result in increased inflation.

The United States can not force or intimidate others to accept the dollar, only by making the dollar a sound means of financial stability will encourage others to desire to hold that currency. 

Sex trafficking was not Epstein's motive, just a tool.

 

 NO ONE IS ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

WHO WAS EPSTEIN'S EMPLOYER?

We again hear all the talk about who was on Epstein's airplane? Who visited his island in the Caribbean? Who attended his parties in New York or Who spent time in his New Mexico ranch? It is all a frivolous distraction from the real issues involved with the affairs of Epstein and Giselle Maxwell. Everyone wants to focus on sex and sex trafficking to important people. Every name that is listed is now called a client, an intentional distraction from what the real questions should be.

Where did Jeffrey Epstein's money come from? No one asks and no one has yet to unravel where all the money came from. It does not appear that Epstein or Maxwell received any money from his supposed clients. So we are to assume he just arranged all these meetings and extravagant parties just to rub shoulders with the rich and famous? A distraction from the real motives for sure.

Then we are to believe that every person that was involved with Epstein was interested in underage women. This is just a distraction from Epstein's far bigger operation. He was able to arrange funds for charitable groups, He was able to find funds for research into medical and other endeavors. He was instrumental in getting the Clinton foundation off the ground. In defense of Clinton he was involved with Epstein in his fundraising and political issues, no one knows if sex had anything to do with Clinton's association. 

The intentional attempt to tie Donald Trump to Epstein has been obvious, a couple of pictures from some gatherings, but no mention of Trump's barring Epstein from Mar-a-logo. Many people knew Epstein, many people attended functions with Epstein, but no one has yet testified as to what these connections entailed.

It has been reported that in Epstein's New York mansion, every room in the house was wired for video and sound with a control room maintained by a permanent staff. Has anyone ever interviewed this staff? Has anyone ever seen these recordings? It is also claimed this same situation was conducted on the island and the ranch. Are we to suppose that Epstein was blackmailing these people for money? It is unlikely that such a thing would have not gotten around in those circles.

If you see the list of contacts, we see judges, we see renowned professors, we see leaders in industry, elected officials, all people with recognition and possible influence. I would expect that many of them are very carful people who knew better than be placed in a compromising position, but if only a small percentage took the bait, whatever that bait was, girls, boys, money, drugs or bribery this information could be stored, maybe for years, until a favorable ruling was needed, or a treatise from some professor on some issue or a close vote in some parliament or senate. The question is, who was behind Epstein's compromise business? A very big business.

Intelligence agencies have been known to target people who may be successful in the future as early as college years. Time when many engage in youthful activities that they would refrain from later in life. Many are also recruited in college for different roles. They are always looking to who may be an important person in the future. Most of these files and information may be worthless, but a few may be very valuable in the future. 

Again, no one is asking what was Epstein and Maxwell's motives? Who was their employer and where did they get all that money? Where are all the tapes and recordings? Where are all the files? Was their employer a government agency like the CIA or Mi6 or both, or a private group with a more sinister motive? Again, it is easier to chase stories of innuendo concerning sex and moral failings of the rich and famous rather than even ask the real questions that should be answered.

Originally published 1/4/24

U.S. experiment in self government changed the world.

 SIGNALED THE END OF FEUDALISM

BECAME AN EXAMPLE FOR THE WORLD

While we have again celebrated the July 4th Declaration of Independence, I suspect many no longer realize the impact that event had on the world. "The shot heard around the world" from Waldo Emerson's poem that was a reference to the first battles of revolution and the beginning worldwide battle against colonialism. While the United States experiment provided opportunity and a huge increase in wealth, the nation grew from internal production and hard work, rather than the exploitation of foreign lands. It was an example to be envied by much of the world. 

While an example to be copied, the bad habit of colonialism continued and many countries were still fighting for independence in the middle of the 20th century and even today. George Washington's farewell address made note that the new country should avoid becoming entangled in European affairs, avoid permanent alliances and seek a neutral position and emphasized the importance of maintaining good faith and fairness in dealing with other nations. Such sound advice served the new nation well and was rewarded for embracing that policy and made the nation, " The light upon the hill"

While the country has always had its failures and flaws it was not until after WW2 that it began a policy of interventionism and an effort to control the rest of the world. Often influenced by the still colonial seeking countries of Europe, the country soon became the hammer to force submission or face the consequences. Then in the 1990's we hear the phrase the "only remaining Superpower" and the doubling down on exercising that power to fashion the world in some desired image, but not in the image of that new nation of 1776.

Many of the crisis existing today bagan by the policy of the English and French, in the  aftermath of WW1, in drawing countries boundaries and even creating countries to be exploited for their gain. This was done in Europe, the middle east Africa and Asia. The consequences of this arrogance is still being felt today.

We still see those that covet the resources of others and the power that wealth brings, but gained by war and taking, rather than work, perseverance and fair dealings with others. It has always historically been a path to destruction. 

The United States has been blessed with the protection of oceans on either side and an abundance of resources that allowed centuries of safety and prosperity. What we don't have we can buy and by hard work and ingenuity we can insure that safety and prosperity continues. 

We need to recognize that we have been led down a path that can only result in the end of this experiment. Nations need to abide by same rules as individuals. Fair and honest dealings do work in the long run. Might does not make right and it will end in the expected consequences.