Consequences of Biden's policies are now overwhelming.

AS THE HOLE GETS DEEPER, AT LEAST STOP DIGGING

2024 IS THE YEAR OF RECKONING

The Biden administration's policies have been a disaster since day one. Whether these are really the policies of Joe Biden or his team of amateurs and incompetents is beside the point, the reckoning is coming and it is not going to be pretty.

As soon as inaugurated this group reversed every policy put in place by Donald Trump, without any analysis if it was good or bad.  Because they had a void of vision, they just reversed everything. 

First they put restraints on energy production to appease their environmentalist supporters which triggered a rise in energy prices and inflation for everything.

Then rather than listen to concerns of Russia, they doubled down on the extreme rhetoric and hoped to damage Russia by a conflict in Ukraine. The result has been the decimation of the economies of Europe especially Germany. Then more inflation, shortages and economic decline. Now they want to decrease energy supplies to Europe, to again appease their supporters.

Then they orchestrated the sanctions on Russia, which left all those western business's losing their assets in Russia and western Europe losing their source of cheap energy and exports to Russia. 

They then proceeded to double down on the "you are either for us, or you are our enemy policy" Demanding cooperation from countries that wished to stay out of global political conflicts. Then they fostered internal divisions and more attempts at regime change in places like Pakistan, where the most popular leader has now been sentenced to 10 years in jail on trumped up charges. Where India has realized that this administration is targeting them for division and chaos and is alienating this democratic country.

Then Intentionally creating a conflict attitude with China that has China near ending diplomatic relations with this country and preparing for war. A war that the U.S. can not come out of with a win in any way.

And today we are on the verge of attacking Iran, the dream of the U.S. state department neocon's, that can only end in disaster. 

All these failed policies has driven much of the world to desire to separate themselves from involvement with the U.S. and form an alternative economic system.  A system were they are free from the U.S. high maintenance and mentally bi-polar  policies.

At home we have more division since the 1860's. an intentional open border, where the border patrols job is to move illegal immigrants into the country as fast as possible. Where fentanyl deaths are at all time high, where the justice system in every democrat controlled city is non-existent and protects felons instead of law-abiding citizens. Were American's see the cost of food increasing every week,  much of it from this administrations policies.

And, sadly, this is just a list of some of the problems, problems that are now overwhelming to them and will likely be overwhelming for America and much of the world for some time to come. Of course, we will see them blame congress, and if anything congress's blame is not putting the breaks on these people. Stopping them cold, so they can stop the damage. Congress's  refusal to just say no, and the media's overwhelming support for this mayhem are enablers of this disaster. 

Biden reneges on supplying gas to Europe.

 IS HE TRYING TO WEAKEN RUSSIA OR EUROPE?

OR IS THIS ECONOMIC WARFARE ON TEXAS?

The Biden administration has announced that it is pausing the completion of all new Liquified Gas terminals and exports to Europe and Asia. This will be a stunning reversal of U.S. policy and pledges to replace Russia gas with U.S. gas. It will put the European community in a box that will raise their inflation rate, create more shortages of energy, damage their economies, and may even cause the death of many Europeans.

It seems this action has been triggered to increase support from the environmental lobby, which has spent over $32 million in contributions to U.S. politicians, mostly democrats. Some also believe it is also an attempt to damage the economies of Texas and Louisiana were all these LNG terminals are located. 

It brings to mind 2 quotations from the late Henry Kissinger concerning U.S. policy, policies that have been made very clear with this administration.

"It may be dangerous to be America's enemy, but to be America's friend is fatal" and another is "America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests"

It looks the present election is the only interest that is in play today.

Europe was coerced and pressured to end their dependence on Russian energy with promises that these energy supplies would be replaced with U.S. LNG. This decision has resulted in the hobbling of European industry due to huge increases in the cost of energy, and now it may get much more severe. 

Besides the voluntary elimination of cheap Russian energy, with long term contracts, the Biden administration has likely engaged in economic terrorism by blowing up the Nord Stream pipelines in an attempt to give the Europeans no alternatives to U.S. LNG. This decision is overwhelming in its hypocrisy and deceit. 

One must also wonder if this is actually a cynical attempt at using gas as some sort of leverage to get something from the European community. We need to watch what the response will be to this decision. What new policies will soon be announced by the EU?

Proxy wars everywhere. Let others do the dying.

 WE NOW SEE PROXIES OR ALLEGED PROXIES FROM CANADA TO THE HOUTHIS

ANYTHING FOR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE

We, of course, have been watching Ukraine, a proxy army, paid for and organized by NATO and the U.S., fighting and dying for now 2 years. 

We watched as paid mercenaries became Syrian rebels in an attempt to overthrow the Syrian government. Much of it financed by the West.

We have seen Non government organizations, mostly paid for by the United States enter foreign countries with cash in hand, often in the name of democracy, stir up and organize resistance to the elected government. Even present activities in Hungary, Slovakia and Georgia. 

We have even similar methods of political resistance even here in the United 

States, paid and organized protesters and rioters. 

Now we hear that the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah are all proxies of Iran, organized by and paid for by Iran. They have indeed been financed and supported in some part by Iran, but it is also true that many of these proxy armies, once feeling the euphoria of power and influence, soon become self directed entities. 

A good example is ISIS which was mostly former mercenaries paid for by the West to overthrow the government of Syria, and when the money stopped, they became their own force, resorting to the primitive survival by conquest and plunder.

Then the Kurds became the next proxy to do away with ISIS, again financed by the West.

A lot of death and destruction.

Even today, we see Canada, of all places, engaged in a political proxy war with India, I suspect, paid for by the U.S. to pressure India to become part of their team, rather be just a neutral country. Stirring up division, by accusing India of assassinations, without any proof, and even accusing India of interfering in the elections of Canada. Wow, sounds kind of familiar.

The method of creating chaos and division by proxy is now the political play of the age. A play that is all too familiar, and now being recognized for what it is, deceit and false accusations in an attempt to gain political advantage and power without regard to the lives and future of all involved.  Despicable and lacking in any form of moral standard. 

 

All dissenters are now right wing extremists.

EU FARMERS ARE NOW LABELED AS DANGEROUS RADICALS

GLOBAL WAR ON FOOD PRODUCTION ESCALATES

We are now witnessing the shift of European governments into authoritarianism in an attempt to stifle any dissent to its policies. We have seen the Dutch farmers protests against the banning of the use of nitrogen fertilizer and even the destruction of their agriculture by the government buying up farms to end farming in their country. This trend started in 2019, but has now spread across much of the EU with more restrictions, taxes and regulations that is intentionally making farming impractical as a vocation.

The latest is the German government now removing the exemption from tax on agriculture fuel, much like in the U.S., were off road fuel for farming, mining and excavating is not taxed with road use taxes. Can we soon expect to see the same ideas here in the USA. The environmentalists claim such exemptions are now government subsidies, just like some in this country oppose property tax exemptions for farming. These protests are now spreading across the EU were these policies are often originating in Brussels. Rather than listen to the concerns of the farmers, they are now labeling such protests as right wing extremists.

The governments in the EU are openly now banning political parties and speech, that do not share EU values, especially concerning out of control immigration. The European Union began as a free trade agreement in Europe, the European common market, actually a good idea, it has now morphed into a central government overseeing  and deciding on the social, cultural and economics of the entire union, all from EU central government in Brussels. 

We see these polices growing in all the western world and any dissent is quickly labeled as extreme. Of course protests by environmentalists and others who favor more government control are praised for their courage.

The reality is that western governments have actually taken control of most of the means of production by regulations and government penalties for nonconformance. The twin areas of food and energy, the essentials of human life, are indeed the present target. Complete control of food and energy is the key to ultimate power. Everyone needs it, and if they need to depend on government to provide it, it is the ultimate leverage of any authoritarian government. Make it expensive and scarce and only government can insure you will get a portion. 

The result of these policies can only decrease the production of food and increase its unavailability and increase its price. Just that reality will bring a new and larger segment of the population into unrest. We can expect they will soon all be labeled right wing extremists who need to be silenced or even eliminated.

Are Post Ukraine conflict plans being made?

 U.S. IS ADMITTING THAT KYIV TO BE REPLACED BY LVIV AS UKRAINE CAPITAL

ENDING CONFLICT IS BECOMING CLEAR

While we continue to hear the U.S. and NATO proclaiming their unwavering support to Ukraine it now appears that they do anticipate an end to this conflict. The latest revelation is that it is anticipated that Kyiv will be replaced by Lviv as the new post conflict capital of Ukraine. This can only mean that they are anticipating that Kyiv will then be part of Russia. 

Russia has now made it clear that they will not cede any of the oblasts that have voted to become part of Russia and also that they anticipate controlling Odessa and Kharkiv, both traditionally Russian cities with predominantly Russian populations. Looking at a map of Ukraine the Dnieper river is a natural boundary between the west and the east. This appears to be what is now being negotiated by NATO, the U.S. and Russia.

It appears that the goal is to preserve the Zelensky government which is coming under assault from within the country.  To provide Ukraine with assurances of protecting western Ukraine in an effort to sell the plan to the Ukrainians. The UK, France, Canada and Poland have all been negotiating some sort of future protection. Russia has voiced its approval by stating it has no concern for the future of western Ukraine as it is not comprised of a Russian population.

Most objective analysts agree that Ukraine cannot regain its lost territory, that NATO cannot at this time provide enough materials to continue and is now concerned for their own security in other areas around the world.

Whether anyone wants to believe it or not, Russia does not want to destroy anymore of Ukraines infrastructure or needlessly destroy more lives both Ukrainian and Russian. Even so, they are still demanding no NATO on their borders. One could assume that western Ukraine, which is mostly intact, could be a member of the EU. Russia would be responsible for the rebuilding of the territory under its control which has been the most destroyed.

Europe and Russia are both ready to end this conflict. Europe is under growing pressure and unrest due to the challenges to its economy from this conflict. The people of Ukraine are now openly resisting any more conscripts being sent to their death. The United States is divided between those that want to damage Russia at any cost and those who admit that the country is now under pressure from multiple fronts and its resources are limited and spread thin. An end to this conflict would be in the best interest of all involved. This conflict could have been avoided with just some empathy for the concerns of Russia concerning NATO expansion and some realistic diplomacy. 

We will see who prevails at this now pivotal time in this conflict.

Immigration and student loan scams begin.

 BIDEN BUNCH DRAG OUT STUDENT LOAN FORGIVENESS AGAIN

NOW SAY THEY WANT TO CONTROL BORDER

It is now election season and the Biden 's are again promising student loan forgiveness. I guess after 4 years there is a new batch of gullible debt ridden students who will believe this lame attempt to get their votes. Last time, Biden's executive order was struck down by the court, something that any college graduate who has learned anything would have anticipated and understood. But what the hell, it worked last time, why not try it again?  Then its failure can be blamed on a Trump court or the Republicans.

Then there is the election season ritual of proclaiming the immigration system is broken and now, after 3 years of inviting the world, "To come on In" a new attempt to pass some kind of immigration plan, that undoubtedly will legalize half the world's population, give them the right to vote and qualify for multiple benefits, including sex change surgery. Of course, when they just can't seem to get any Republican votes for their sham plan they can pronounce that the Republicans are at fault and do not want to fix the problems.

Of course, we can expect the complicit media to fall all over themselves pontificating on what a great job these guys are doing and it's just those obstructionists who are the problem. 

Its just beginning, we will likely see a long list of new plans that will appeal to either the fear of the other guy or awaken the lust for more free stuff. We can also predict that there will not be anything that in the end will "Make America Great Again".

"

Neo-feudalists meet in Davos to shape the world.

 TALK OF DEMOCRACY AND EQUALITY BUT PLAN NEW SOCIETY

SUFFER FROM MARIE ANTOINETTE SYNDROME, WITHOUT THE CAKE

Last week we watched as about 1500 invited guests converged on their annual gathering to plan the future of the world. A world that they sincerely believe their control of, will be in the best interest of the planet. It is reminiscent of a time before Democracy and self rule became the trend in the world. They envision a world with far less humans, maybe as few as 10 % of the present number. A world were you will not need to travel, will not need an automobile and god forbid that the lower classes should fly rather than walk.

In their infinite wisdom they believe they need to plan and decide the direction of society to the smallest detail. Their exuberance overflows as they listen to each other discuss their view of the future. They promise a sustainable society, that will no longer need human labor, were the planet will be as pristine as it was at creation, or opps, after the accidental big bang. They envision the end of farming as we know it and a much simpler existence, all the while struggling to land all their private jets in this small isolated  airport.   

The invited guests are those who they believe will help them attain their goals, those who are willing to get on board in the hope that they can become one of the planners rather than one of the surplus unneeded. In the new age, those jets and nice things will be made by robots and engineered by artificial intelligence and all those commoners will no longer be needed to satisfy their desires. 

It seems they entice the Marxist revolutionaries to assist with promises of global equality and the fascist corporate and state alliances with a clear and unobstructed path to their success. Enticing anyone who believes they can be in a position of authority and stature in the new world to grovel in praise and cooperation. I suspect that many will also be viewed as too corrupt and too unnecessary if these bloated egos ever fulfill their dreams.

It is clearly a gathering of the isolated and out of touch, who never have been hungry or exhausted from hard work, all those things are just too remote to invade their consciousness. They are above all that. The fact is the world will go on without any of them, they are the drone surplus. Like the kings and dictators of past history, their wealth or fame or possibility of  position or influence has self created their stature in the world.  

Their hubris has become clear to much of the world and they understand that they need to improve their image in the world, mostly be eliminating misinformation and disinformation about them. Particularly, when some of invited guests, who will not be invited in the future, expressed the idea that these very people are the cause, not the cure, for the worlds ills.

Shocking that anyone would have such an opinion, just as poor Marie was shocked, when she came face to face with the unnecessary masses.

 

Vivek, out, Ron says no more, Nikki next.

 WILL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY BE OVER TOMORROW?

LOYALTY TO TRUMP WILL NOT BE SHAKEN

It is becoming clear, that Donald Trump is very likely to be the Republican candidate for president in 2024. In fact, it may be essentially decided in days or at longest, after the South Carolina primary. Both Vivek Ramaswamy and Ron DeSantis have called it quits after only 1 primary contest, both have endorsed Donald Trump. Nikki Haley will need to make a tough decision after tomorrow's primary in New Hampshire, were she may be able to win this contest, being it is an open primary and Democrats instructing their voters to vote for Haley. Will a win for Haley achieved with Democrat votes be the death of her future political life, especially if she receives more democrat than republican votes.

A win for Haley with democrat votes will most likely seal her fate in her home state of South Carolina, it may be in her long term best interest to follow the others in quitting and endorsing Trump. While her big supporters will encourage her to trudge on in the hope of damaging Trump. We will see if she is willing to join the ranks of Mitt Romney and some others will remain to be seen. The fact is no one in the republican party is going to overcome Trumps now martyr status.  

The Un-democratic democrats have cancelled their primary and have crowned Joe Biden as their best and brightest. While the majority of democrats would love to see a better choice, the powers that be have not figured out how to jettison old Joe, and maybe even more difficult, Kamala Harris. Could you imagine the fallout if Joe quit and they sidestepped the first African american women with varied sexual preferences as a candidate for president. Their only hope would be that they both succumbed to some unforeseen health problems, another risky plan indeed.

So 2024 is going to be a very interesting year indeed, with the country on the verge of economic meltdown, diplomatic fires all over the globe and the possibility of WW3 breaking out at any moment. If any of this happens, I do not believe that the old stand by of riding the existing horse in difficult times will play this time. Especially when all these difficulties can be layed at the incumbents feet.

Being that the future of America has already been placed on life support, it might as well be Joe Biden that is riding this soon dead horse. At least then no one will be able to blame the coming disaster on Trump and he will be able to say, "I told you so" and I put all I had into, "Making America great again".

Trump hysteria, here we go again.

 TRUMPS VERY PRESENCE IS AGAIN EXPOSING MASSIVE CORRUPTION

NO RESTRAINT, NO LIMITS FROM TRUMP HATERS

It is indeed a marvel to watch as the ruling elite not only in the U.S. but around the world have now responded to Trumps win in Iowa with renewed hysteria and fear mongering. Trump is being portrayed as the reincarnation of Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini rolled into one. The great duel pronged political strategy of stoking fear and greed is off the charts. At present it is mostly focused on fear, I suspect we will see the greed later.

It is truly remarkable to watch that the predictions of the end of democracy, elections, a revenge based judiciary and the imprisonment and even execution of adversaries and members of the press all appeared in the major media within hours. There is indeed unhinged and unrestrained hatred and fear of Trump. Just the extremes that they are willing to go to raises the question of what is it they are so afraid of. During Trumps 4 years I don't recall any group, other than illegal immigrants negatively harmed by his policies. I have always suspected it is the fear of the exposure of their own corruption that is at the root of their fear. There must be thousands with very guilty consciences and fear that their corruption will be exposed.

Ironically most of things they predict that Trump will abuse as president is like a list of the things they are already doing, particularly to Trump and his supporters. I suspect they actually do fear that Trump may treat them as they have treated him. The reality is that even after all the "Lock her up" chants at his previous campaigns, as soon as inaugurated, Trump stated, we don't do those things in America and dismissed the idea. It appears they have certainly not given up on the idea for Trump.

It is pretty transparent that the plan of Trump's enemies and opposition has been to not make him a martyr by doing away with him, but adopting the Machiavellian policy of discrediting and disgracing him. It continues to this day, is more outrageous and more transparent in revealing their out of control hatred and fear.

Trumps mere existence has exposed the corruption and evil of the ruling elite, the American people, in growing numbers, are conceding that these people are indeed evil and out of control. They have done more damage to this country, by their extreme reactions, than Trump would or could do to this country.

U.S. dangerously weak on many fronts.

 STRONG NARRATIVE IS NOT REALITY

WHAT MAKES A COUNTRY STRONG?

We see the United States floundering around the world, involved in every dispute and every crisis, expressing the opinion of our leaders that we are the greatest economic and military power in the world and that everyone should fear and respect that imagined reality, the true reality is something else indeed. 

First of all, a strong country would not feel it has to demonstrate to the world that strength. It is in effect a sign of weakness. The United States citizens are now the most divided in its history and we now see a new escalation of hysteria and misinformation with Trump's candidacy. The present power structure is already accusing Trump of all the potential abuses that they are already engaged in, using the judicial system as a weapon, the politicization of every federal agency, even excessive prison terms for their opponents.  

After WW2 the United States was the undisputed greatest manufacturing nation in world history, it produced the wealth and the ability to provide the materials to defeat the enemy in the war. At present, manufacturing is only 11% of our gross domestic product. Our great economy is in fact a lot of smoke and mirrors of wealth, mostly in things that do not create wealth or sustain life. A lot of financial paper shuffling and bloated values. With a$34 trillion debt and deficits ballooning out of control this country may in fact have a lot smaller net worth any one wants to admit. Just keep bellowing how we are the greatest, and all will be well.

Then there is the continual boast that we are greatest and most powerful military in the world. With an $880 billion defense budget, bigger than the next 10 nations combined, including Russia and China we should indeed be the greatest. The reality is we are now behind in recruiting by 25%, our politics has discouraged the traditional backbone of this nations recruits from joining the military. Out of 11 Aircraft carriers only 4 are in serviceable condition. We see that we cannot even produce enough ammunition to maintain an essentially minor conflict in Europe. It is also becoming clear we have invested in very expensive and complicated equipment that requires long training times and a huge maintenance team, something that is usually not available in an actual war, even if you could muster the competent recruits to operate this equipment. A bloated defense budget that refuses to undergo a serious audit and reevaluation of its priorities. No one in Washington wants to really know where all the money has gone.

Our foreign policy is a policy of threats, intimidation, insults and bluster, not the indication of a strong nation. We have intentionally transformed China and Russia from competitors to enemies for political and economic purposes, a reality that may never be corrected. We are stumbling into WW3, and the reality is it may be a conflict that we will be unable to win. The rest of world is viewing this once great country as a tragic display of a lost direction, a lost morality and ongoing slide into irrelevance. Much of the world is based in a more clear view of this country and they realize it is in great trouble and they hope to not be caught up in its coming disaster.

This nation is running out of time, the warning signs have been flashing for years and only a serious effort in restoring this nation to a economic, legal and political responsibility based on sound principles of moral, financial and legal integrity with a real effort to unite in common goals rather division for political advantage. The nation will be changed either by willful repentance and restoration or by the realities brought about by its collapse.

 

Is their still hope, 

Maybe hysterical fear of Russia will help?

 INTELLIGENCE? NOW PREDICTS RUSSIAN ATTACKS ON SWEDEN AND GERMANY

EVEN REVEALING DETAILED PLANS OF ATTACKS

"Oh what a web they weave when they first desire to deceive". It is almost humorous to watch as Sweden has issued warnings to its population that they are now vulnerable to an imminent attack from Russia. They are actually taking steps to prepare for such an event. Meanwhile Germany has leaked documents revealing plans of the details of a Russian attack on Germany. Who is next, Poland, Romania, ot better yet, France. I expect it will be any country that may still have resources that could be provided to Ukraine. It sure seems to be a sign of desperation to gather public support to continue the Ukraine project.

We also see individual countries now arrive in Kiev with a checkbook in hand to pledge a security "guarantee " to provide support to Ukraine in case they are attacked. I thought they were already being attacked. First it was the UK, whose military is a midget compared to Ukraines, next came Canada, and next is supposed to be France. It is still not clear what such a "guarantee" really means and maybe that is the idea. Does anyone really believe that these gestures will intimidate Russia after 2 years of conflict. A conflict that has left the EU countries scrambling to maintain their economies while Russia has been strengthened both economically and militarily.

Will Biden attempt to be next, will he believe he can engage in a treaty of security with Ukraine without Senate approval, by an actual vote to approve such a treaty. Or will this just be another game to blame on Republicans for not granting Ukraine such a guarantee. We can expect the ultimate end of Ukraine will be blamed on others rather on those who gambled it all on Ukraine.

Yesterday there was an interview with a former aid to Zelensky, Oleksiy Arestovych, on UnHerd that is running for the presidency of Ukraine in the next presidential election. If there should be a next election, since all elections have been canceled. Of course, he is now in the United States, since if he actually went to Ukraine he would be arrested for treason. He also better watch his back right here in the USA. His platform will look to enable Ukraine to be a neutral country that will be able to end the war and allow Ukraine a prosperous existence in the future. Something that would have been possible without the outside interference that has caused this disaster.

As the world inches toward WW3, bizarre narratives escalate.

 UK PLEDGES SECURITY GUARANTEE FOR UKRAINE

WHILE UNABLE TO FIND CREW MEMBERS FOR ITS AIRCRAFT CARRIER

Overnight we have seen Iran engaged in missile attacks on U.S. and Israeli bases in Iraq. We also see increased attacks on Yemen by the U.S. and UK. Concern  is growing that it will now take only one major misstep and we will see escalation in Ukraine and the middle east. It appears we are not far from events soon taking over any attempt to cool down this crisis. A destroyed U.S. ship or multiple deaths of U.S. service members in Iraq will demand retaliation and possibly a call for ground troops in Yemen and attacks on Iran. Such an escalation will likely lead to war, disruption of oil from the gulf and world economic depression in short order. 

In Ukraine, security guarantees by Uk and now Canada are bizarre developments. What does this mean for the UK whose entire military is less than 100,000. It has been unable to send an aircraft carrier to the Red sea because it has a severe enlistment shortage and not enough sailors to send these vessels to sea. Do they really believe that making such a commitment to Ukraine will discourage further offensive action from Russia? 

At the same time, it appears the U.S. with its own enlistment crisis is verging on a wider mideast war, that once started, will be very hard to extinguish. A war that will require conscription and resources that actually do not exist. 

Present political leaders seem to believe that their manufactured narratives can create perceptions that will lead to some reality of success, even when such results are impossible, borders on insanity. The kind of insanity that is on the verge of igniting a global war. 

It is past time for members of the U.S. Congress and Uk parliament to intervene and demand these leaders are accountable and restrained in their thoughtless zeal. It appears these leaders have moved the world into a very dangerous place and they have no idea how to exit. 

  

Taiwan, similarities to Ukraine.

 ELECTION OF PRO-INDEPENDENCE LEADER

NO END TO DANGEROUS DILEMMA

The election in Taiwan has now been concluded with the pro-independence candidate winning this election. While winning with a plurality among several candidates, he won without a clear majority with 40% of the vote. This election has done little to solidify the future of Taiwan. 

The People's Republic of China has been recognized as the legitimate government of China. This decision was made by the international community, led by the United States, in 1979. It concluded that the PRC was the only legitimate government in China and that Taiwan was part of China. It was assumed and recognized that Taiwan would eventually be reunited with the mainland.

While this may have been the  missed opportunity to declare independence of Taiwan, if that was a goal, it was a decision that is still verbally recognized by the United States and the international community. Verbally, but in effect, the United States has been encouraging Taiwan to not be incorporated into mainland China and has preceded to sell military equipment and pledged to assist Taiwan in defending itself from any incorporation into China.

Taiwan and China engage in over $200 billion in trade. Taiwan has over $200 billion in investments in China and this arrangement has allowed for great prosperity for Taiwan. China is its greatest trading partner. 

Neither China or Taiwan wishes for this to rise to armed combat, but China is never going to agree to Taiwan's independence and further antagonism and meddling by outside powers will inevitably lead to fewer positive choices for Taiwan. If Taiwan becomes some sort of proxy for global rivalieries, Taiwan will be the first and greatest loser in such a struggle.

The best hope for Taiwan is some sort of local self government while still being part of China, similar to a U.S. states status. Independence would result in immediate war and Taiwan could not, and the U.S. could not, prevail in such a conflict.

While it seems Taiwan is in a serious situation, there have generally good relations, so far, with the mainland, they are the same people and neither would benefit from a war. If left to their own devices and without outside meddling they could come to some workable solution. If they become some sort of proxy for western powers in the region, their future will be catastrophic.

Yemen war begins, Chaos, Germany, Ukraine, What next?

 U.S. STRIKES YEMEN, U.S. SHIPS WILL BE TARGET

GERMANY IDLED, UKRAINE DESPERATE FOR MONEY

Yesterday the Biden administration began the war with Yemen. Numerous targets were bombed by aircraft and cruise missiles. While the Houthis may have it coming, it is another example of an out of control executive branch that wages war without congressional approval. This policy has been in place for over 2 decades and now appears to be a permanent usurpation of the constitutional process. We can now expect the Houthis to consider the destruction of a U.S. warship their main target, if they are successful, the Biden administration will be in a very difficult political situation, it will require further escalation.

Interesting hypocrisy, the EU and U.S. condemned Saudi Arabia for the same kind of retaliation when the Houthis were launching missiles against them.

Ukraine is touring the Baltic region with hat in hand, so far a measly 200 million Euros has been contributed. Ukraine needs $5 billion a month to keep the government running, salaries, pensions, police and bureaucrats. When that becomes impossible it will be the end of the Zelensky government. NATO has adopted Ukraine as its own stepchild and it is becoming clear that it is indeed a high maintenance adoption.

It is expected that the U.S. is bent on confiscating $300 billion in Russian assets in western banks and using to aid Ukraine. This is an unprecedented action. It will not be without cost to any western companies with assets in Russia, they can be expected to write them off as a total loss. We can also expect many other countries to begin to withdraw their assets from western banks in fear that they could be in jeopardy. The repercussions may be far beyond imagination.

Germany is in fact at a standstill, The rail system is 90 % idled by a strike, the highways are blocked by farm equipment, after the Government proposed removing the tax exemption for diesel fuel, the lifeblood of all farm equipment. The environmentalists declare this a subsidy, soon Germans are going to recognize what real problems are and fossil fuel elimination will be a memory. Many believe the Scholz government will not last the year.

With the demand for ammunition and weapons being strained by Ukraine, Gaza and now Yemen and a soaring debt and deficits, it is becoming indeed a major crisis. One must ask are we soon to witness new crisis in the far east and South America. Are we now on the precipice of WW3.

Of course the narrative will be this is all an accident or the machinations of America's enemies. The reality is many predicted, including this observer, that this administration, full of Hubris and ideological fever was going to blunder into this kind of catastrophe. It will likely get much worse.

Marxists still believe it can work.

 IS MARXISM AND SOCIALISM THE REMEDY FOR TODAY'S ECONOMIC PROBLEMS.

THE SWAN SONG STILL FINDS BELIEVERS

The attacks on Capitalism seem to be increasing every day. Interesting that the advocates for Marxism still offer no solutions to their critic of capitalism. Marx was in fact a critic of all the ills of inequality of capitalism. His analysis of the problems was often accurate, but he never offered, as does today's advocates, ever offer a solid transparent alternative. I suspect that is because the reality of such an alternative would be, as history has shown, aborhorent.

The real alternative to the present, so called capitalism, which is now a blend of fascism and statism, should be, just as this nation's founders envisioned, freedom. Freedom to make decisions about how you navigate through life in your own best interest. While government is a necessary evil, it is required to restrain the lawless, and those who would deceive, steal or take advantage of that freedom.

Socialism, like Fascism, which historically was the definition of a collaboration between big business and the state to control the population, usually for ideological or economic advantage and power.

Today's Marxists, like Professor Richard Wolfe, continue to offer their criticism of capitalism, but only offer vague and undefined alternatives. The reality is that Marxism will never be incorporated without a big powerful state and force.

They contend that the means of production should be controlled and shared by the workers. That decisions should be made about wages or a shared return of revenue with the workers, in a democratic process.

After nearly a century with the possibility of workers organizing and engaging in such a company, why have they still not attempted do so. I don't know of any law or regulation that denies such a group that right or freedom. The reality is that it does takes someone with the incentive, vision and endurance to actually accomplish organizing a successful company. It is unlikely that any group could agree on a course of action and would spend most of their time in negotiations and debate. The loved activity of all true Marxists.

The Obama administration actually gave the United Auto Workers the controlling interest in General Motors, which had gone bankrupt. Has anyone ever wondered why they proceeded to sell their stock as soon as it had recovered. This was a golden opportunity to put their ideology to work. It seemed they really just decided they would rather have the money.

It also takes capital, which to simplify, is acquired by sacrifice in the use of the money you earn, to either spend it all or save some for a future investment. In effect, most Marxists do not believe in people actually having capital, or more money than they actually need to survive. It is interesting that the Big state, which Marxists need to enforce their utopian dream, will be very accommodating in attempting to make that idea a reality.

The reality is that Marxism or socialism has not yet been really successful as a sustainable economic model, while it has had it seemingly positive results in the Soviet Union and now in western Europe and the U.S. it seems to have inevitable evolution until it all collapses. 

Freedom of opportunity, freedom of using your mind and imitative will never go out of fashion and will not collapse by its weight. It also does not need a big oppressive state to enforce that way of life.

I suspect the U.S. ,in the not too distant future, will be offered a solution to the collapsing present system, we hope we can choose Freedom over a utopian dream.

Why U.S. dollar is destined to lose its dominance.

 DEBT, DEFICITS AND DECLINING MANUFACTURING CAPACITY

FINANCIAL IRRESPONSIBILITY HAS ITS LIMITS

We are continually hearing about the end of dollar hegemony, or the end of the dollar's reserve currency status and the end of the petrodollar. We also hear defenses that the preeminence of the dollar will continue for a very long time. 

I suspect that many do not understand what all this means and how it will effect them if the dollar should lose its predominant position in world trade.

At the end of WW2 the United States was in effect the only untouched economic world power. All of Europe, Russia, Japan and much of the industrialized world were either devastated by the damage caused by the war or were in a period of revolution and economic and political chaos. The United States was the unparalleled economic, political, military and industrial power. It had a reputation as being a nation with a legal system that guaranteed the possibility of opportunity and an economic system undamaged and based on the dollar, with a reputation of "As good as Gold" This position was destined to be unchallenged for at least some time.

It took the other  major industrial powers at least 2 decades to recover from this situation and to be able to experience a normal economic situation and see prosperity in their future.

The United States had an industrial base that was unchallenged and could produce an abundance of necessities to satisfy domestic demand which was strong due to the pent-up demand and savings that had increased due to a shortage of domestic goods due to the war. It also could furnish these products to the rest of the world.

I remember the debates that were going on the middle of 1960's about the virtues of deficit spending, some had experienced the opportunity for amassing great wealth due to the government's spending in a mobilized war economy. The opposite side believed in a sound and strong dollar policy.

At the same time the country engaged in the Vietnam war, 10 years of accelerated government spending and also the introduction of government programs like Medicare, Medicaid and other expensive programs that required increased government spending. The government and elected official realized that to finance these things it would need to raise taxes significantly and that would cause some to experience political consequences.

We must remember that way before this the western powers embraced Keynesian economic theory with the premise that the government could regulate the economy by engaging in deficit spending when there is economic slowing and then recoup this spending or debt in economic good times. Deficit spending is in effect government debt. With this in mind we must take note that the last balanced federal budget was in 1969, just 24 years after WW2. These deficits and debt also began to destroy the buying power of the U.S. dollar and when foreign counties began to demand they exchange their paper dollars for gold, the government responded by denying that ability. The U.S. ended this convertibility in 1971. It was the beginning of the real decline in the U.S. position as the greatest economy in world history.

So here we are now 50 years later and the U.S. is still trudging along, some say the ride will last forever, but sadly this ride is approaching its end. The U.S. debt is now $34 Trillion, its annual deficit is approaching 30% of the budget, the U.S. manufacturing  capacity is only 30% of its nearest competitor, China. 

This ability to engage in these deficits and debt has been due to the reputation of this country earned in prior decades, but now we have reached the limits of these policies.

These deficits and debt have been possible due to the fact that the United States has been able to spend way above its real wealth by buying energy, materials and manufactured goods from around the world with constantly declining in value dollars. We receive huge container ships of goods and send them home with ships of paper dollars. If the United States had goods that were needed and competitive with its trading partners they could send those dollars back in exchange for goods made in the USA. The reality is that these countries have placed those surplus dollars in U.S. debt with an interest return below the rate of the dollar's decline in buying power or inflation. We have in effect been playing a winning scheme were our partners have been on the losing side of this scheme.

So contrary to the narrative that these countries are conspiring against us, we have really mortgaged our future and they are about to end their part of this schemc. The move now is for these counties to do transactions with each other in their own currencies and eventually to a common currency that they can all support. If Brazil receives Chinese currency for its agricultural products they can spend them in China for most anything they would want at very competitive prices. China can take Brazilian currency for its goods and buy grain or beef or raw materials from Brazil.

The United States has fewer and fewer goods that out trading partners can economically spend those dollar on and they are now disengaging in buying U.S. debt that has been a loser for them. While I use China, it applies also to Japan and Saudi Arabia, large holders of U.S. debt that are in the process of liquidating those holdings and buying gold or other solid investments.

The United States has now accelerated this problem by denying China the purchase of certain products that China bought from us, not necessarily because they could not produce these things, but because it was a place to spend their surplus U.S. dollars. China has now replaced these products with their own manufacture or from some more friendly partner. In the end the U.S. will be the loser as has been demonstrated by the policy of not selling computer chips to China, so they now make chips themselves and have made them more competitive priced than U.S. chips. China did not purchase U.S. farmland to damage the United States, but just an economic decision to hedge against the declining buying power of the dollar. The U.S seems to believe that the rest of world owes the U.S. by financing its debt.

The other example is sanctions, the United States has escalated a policy of economic sanctions that have all backfired and damaged the U.S. more than the sanctioned countries. The U.S. and European sanctions on Russia have in effect begun the deindustrialization of Europe. They may, even this winter, experience a lack of heat and food for their populations. The confiscation of Russian assets in U.S. and EU denominated currencies has sent alarm bells off  around the world that it is time to shift to another means of currency transactions. These realities are happening now and it appears that it is irreversible, no matter the political direction of the United States.

So what does it mean to average U.S. citizen not engaged in world trade or currency speculation. First off it will demand an end to the growing U.S. debt. which would mean an end to deficit spending. If the Federal government balanced its budget, now near an impossibility, it would result in an economic crash of historic proportions, possibly the worst economic crisis in human history. If they would raise taxes to create a balance it would decimate the economy by removing all that money from  the real private economy, the economy that produces wealth, not just redistributes it. If they would cut government spending it would also create a collapse, because now near 50% of the economy is government generated. The United States and western Europe will likely have the same fate. It is, in effect, the paying of a long overdue bill, that will take decades to manage.

This is of course if our leaders decide to bite the bullet and take the medicine for a self created financial debacle. It appears they are groping for some easy out, confiscate the savings of everyone? replace the dollar with a digital currency that they can further control and debase? Or the time tested policy of global war? What is needed is repentance for breaking the laws of finance and a good faith effort to mend their ways. Either way, it will be very painful in the least or a global disaster at its worst. It is time for leaders with wisdom and the talent for diplomacy, something that at present, is not a reality.

Trump campaign is looking strong.

TRUMP PRESIDENCY IS LOOKING BETTER EVERY DAY

6 DAYS TO FIRST PRIMARY

I finally decided it was time to watch some presidential campaigning. The Iowa primary or caucus is Jan. 16 and Trump is campaigning hard in Iowa. Watching some of his events, it appears he is recapturing his former ability to give speeches and rouse a crowd. Early on, he seemed a little off his usual enthusiasm, but it now appear he is fired up and ready to engage in these coming months.

While he is still touting his basic campaign of border control and making America great again, it is a fact that he has been gifted an enormous amount of ammunition by the current administration. Would anyone like to do a comparison of the results of these 3 years of the Biden administration, a disaster in every way by any objective comparison. Even if Biden should be jettisoned by the democrats, their platform could be labeled the destruction of America in favor of some vague mixture of Marxism and Fascism, division at home, death and destruction abroad. 

It is questionable, if anyone can save America from the fundamental transformation that the democrats have successfully inflicted on this once great nation. Their tenure has not spared any part of what has made America a great country. They have destroyed the rule of law for political prosecutions, they have destroyed the standing of the nation around the world, we are no longer admired but repulsed by our behaviour and our policies with the rest of the world. No more persuasion by our good example and  mutual benefit and prosperity, but threats, intimidation and naked aggression.

Our financial house is on the verge of collapse, due to unrestrained deficit spending and an unrivaled debt in world history. It is unlikely it can be repaired.  

The present changes to the elections system are not trusted by the American people and many third world countries have simpler and more secure elections.

So, it does look like Trump will most likely be the republican candidate. The democrats who are the most undemocratic, have cancelled their primaries, barred opponents from their ballots and have in effect reenaugerated Biden as their candidate. I guess they figure it worked last time and it can work again, particularly with their ability to control and dictate the major media narrative. It doesn't seem to matter, almost no one really believes that Biden and Harris have much to do with the decisions made in this present government. I suspect it would not be any different with any other democrat candidate. 

It seems the entrenched bureaucracy has hoped to jettison Trump for their new puppet, Nikki Haley, someone who advocates war with almost anyone, particularly if they should refuse to bow to U.S. demands. She would satisfy their dream of a pliable candidate on both sides of the election. 

Anyway, the election season is now officially underway, it can be expected to be an everyday revelation of some Trump misstep or scandal. I suspect his supporters are now more entrenched than ever, he is their martyr, he has stood up to every lame investigation and prosecution and the major media has no revelation that will now change their minds.  

America has forever been changed in many ways, this election may decide if its very survival will be ensured.

Russia still self restrained in Ukraine.

THIS HAS NEVER BEEN ALL OUT WAR

STILL HOPES FOR FUTURE RELATIONS

There has been a continuing narrative that Russia has been stalled in its all out war with Ukraine. An objective view could only conclude that Russia has been restrained in this conflict. It could have fought a much more aggressive war, if it really wanted to. 

For one, Russia has still not taken out the bridges and railways that cross the Dnieper river. It has not destroyed the government buildings in Kiev. It has not targeted Ukrainian political leaders. While Ukraine is constantly complaining that Russia has been targeting civilians, most of the civilian casualties have been incurred by spent defensive missiles. Israel has inflicted more civilian casualties in 3 months than Russia in 2 years. 

It is clear that Russia's goal is to attain its strategic goals, without completely destroying Ukraine. While in the end that may be the result, it is not the objective.

One must wonder, if the United States and NATO ever believed that Ukraine could prevail in this conflict. In the beginning of this conflict Russia had a very small military, invaded with a small force and hoped for negotiations. The west seemed to supply weapons to Ukraine incrementally, never giving them the power to be dominant. Just supplying enough to keep them from being overrun, just enough to keep them hoping that they could prevail. 

It has been more tanks, Himar missiles, Patriot missiles, Storm-shadows, the hope of F-16 jets and the latest is long range missiles, in the hope of striking into Russia.

At this point, none of this will save Ukraine, Russia has now become much stronger than 2 years ago, both militarily and economically, they will not lose this conflict. Ukraine can only incur more death and destruction.

While many political leaders in Washington still believe that the death and destruction in Ukraine is worth it, if Russian's are dieing, it is a cynical and a horror of foreign policy and it is becoming transparent to the rest of the world.

While Russia has been restrained, strikes inside Russia will not promote Ukrainian victory, but may very well unleash the need for Russia to end this through all out war. Russia has been degrading Ukraine's air defenses. It has been mostly fighting with long range artillery and stand off missiles and seems to have unlimited amounts of ammunition, probably still using it old cold war hoard. 

I suspect that it still has a massive hoard of cold war aerial bombs and with its air force intact and Ukraines air defenses dwindling, one can only imagine what an all out bombing campaign of Ukraine would entail. Is it necessary for every last Ukrainian to die before the west admits that it has embarked on a misguided and foolish adventure that may be the worst foreign policy decision since WW2.

 

Brief, modern history of Iran and will it be war?

 

SOME WANT WAR WITH IRAN, NOW

IRAN HAS BEEN ADVISED TO NOT TAKE THE BAIT

The Middle East, while an area of unrest for decades, has reached an unprecedented time of violence and instability. This did not just come about by bad luck, but by a series of poor diplomatic decisions and interventions by Western powers and the desire by Islamic leaders for an Islamic Government or Caliphate.

We will try to be as brief as possible and still provide an objective background for this subject.

We must keep in mind that 85% of the Muslim world population is Sunni (mostly in southeast Asia) and 15% is Shia. This split can be traced back to the death of the Prophet. It was a dispute over who the successor should be...the Sunnis believed Abu Bakr was the most qualified to succeed as caliph by consensus of the community.  The Shias believed succession should go to the closest blood relative Ali Ibn Abi Talib. This was the beginning of the divide that has led to wars and disputes for  over 1300 years. While Sunni and Shia Muslims have lived side by side, intermarried, and fought along side each other for long periods of time, there often comes a period when a fight for supremacy erupts. The desire for a Caliphate or Islamic government is espoused by both sects of Islam, neither side would be happy with the rule of the other.

Iran is approximately 95% Shia, Azerbaijan 90%, Iraq 75%, Bahrain 70%,  also large minorities in Yemen, Syria, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Lebanon. The rest of the Middle East and North Africa, as well as Asia, are Sunni. The population of Shias could be 30% in the Middle East. While their differences started over succession, there are also other differences in their beliefs. We are giving this information as it is important background for understanding the Middle East situation, but this could be a very long subject in itself.

While Iran has been able to remain an independent country for over 2 millennium,  it has had a continuing interaction with both Britain and Russia, sometimes in conflict and sometimes in cooperation. Georgia, Armenia  and Azerbaijan were once part of Persia, but were ceded to Russia in the 19th Century. Much of the early trade in Iran was controlled by Britain. During WW2 Iran tried to remain independent, but eventually was occupied by British, Russian and American troops.

Mohamed Reza Shah Pahlavi ascended to the throne in 1941.The British owned Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. and extracted and marketed Iranian oil. When WW2 ended, Iran set out to modernize the country. While the Shah vowed to act as a constitutional monarchy, he increasingly involved himself in governmental affairs and engaged in manipulation of the political process and opposed or thwarted the Prime Ministers.  In 1951 the Iranian Parliament voted to nationalize the oil industry, controlled by Britain. Dr. Muhammad Mosaddeq was elected prime minister after the assassination of his predecessor. Britain responded with threats and sanctions and tried unsuccessfully to move the US under Truman to take action against Mosaddeq.  By 1952 Mosaddeq was becoming more dictatorial and demanded control of the military. The Shah refused and Mosaddeq resigned. He was reinstated after riots demanded he return. He then conducted a national referendum to dissolve parliament. The Shah fled to Baghdad.

Mosaddeg, an aging, eccentric academic, was immensely popular with people. He was a nationalist, not a communist, although he had some support of the communists. In 1953 when Eisenhower became president, the British and others were able to convince Washington that Mosaddeg was about to align Iran with the USSR. The Army, loyal to the Shah,  with help from the CIA and Britain overthrew and arrested Mosaddeq. This coup earned the USA and Britain the lasting hatred of large sectors of the Iranian public. Mosaddeq remains a folk hero of Iranian Nationalism.

The Shah took advantage of the politics of the cold war. He was a ally of the west, and friendly to Israel. He initiated reforms including land reform, extending voting rights to women and eliminating illiteracy. There was opposition to these reforms by Shia clerics and supporters of the status quo. The Shah responded by suppressing and persecuting his opposition through his security and intelligence organization, SAVAK, which used tactics including arbitrary arrest, imprisonment, exile and torture. Israel was accused of helping the Shah organize SAVAK.

The Ayatollah Khomeini was exiled to Iraq from Iran in 1965. He moved to France in 1978. He was an opponent of the Shah and preached an absolutist theocratic rule.  His ideas where propagated into Iran by books and cassettes smuggled into Iran. The Shah, suffering from cancer left Iran on Jan. 16. 1979. He appointed Shapour Baktiar as Prime Minister. Baktiar was unable to keep order, and invited Khomeini back to Iran. Khomeini returned on February 1, 1979. Mass purges began, with many executions, including four military generals. In March a referendum was held, with only one form of government on the ballot, an Islamic Republic, and was approved by 98% of voters in non-secret elections.

Executions were expanded, Kurds, Arabs, Turkomans and other minorities demanded autonomy. Suppression of most rights was the rule and a free press and expression were forbidden. The Sunni neighbors were fearful of a spread of this ideology. The new government allowed the American embassy to be overrun and hostages to be taken. Boycotts and sanctions were imposed by the west. Neighboring countries were being subverted by propaganda from Iran. Economic conditions were deteriorating in Iran. This was the beginning of the chaos that was to follow.

Iranians that I knew in the early 1980's could not return home and their families could not leave.  They detested the reign of the Shah and the excesses of SAVAK, but feared that their lives would be short if they attempted to return home.

THIS HSITORY WAS PUBLISHED 12/8/2015

1/5/2024

We see the war drums now beating concerning Iran. We hear calls for attacks on Iran by John Bolton and Nikki Haley. We see that Israel would like to instigate a war with the U.S. and Iran. It has openly called for the U.S. to strike targets in Iran and in the last few days we have strikes, although they have been denied by the U.S. and Israel.

While Iran has been called the biggest supporter of terrorism, it may be true if you limit it to the middle east region, but sunni sects have mostly been responsible for international terrorism, in the U.S. and Europe. Much of the Sunni terrorism has been halted by a crackdown by the new leader in Saudi Arabia who prosecuted those in the country who supported terrorist groups. 

Iran without a doubt wants to spread its style of Islam in the region, it has supported groups like the Houthis in Yemen and has supported Syria in its ongoing conflict. It also has supported Hezbollah in Lebanon. Accusations of Iran masterminding the Hamas attack in Israel is probably not a fact. Contrary to much of the hype, Hamas is not beloved by these other factions.

It is true that Iran has been vocally calling for the destruction of Israel and is an avowed enemy of the United States, but at the same time there are indications that Iran has been moving to more moderate position. It has made progress with relations with saudi arabia and that would put pressure on Iran to relinquish support for the Houthis who are committing acts of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. Israel and Saudi Arabia were in the process of normalizing relations when Hamas attacked Israel. This may have been an act of desperation as Hamas watched as the political environment in the region was changing. This could also apply to the Houthis.

The major countries in the region do not want a war, this includes Iran. They can assume any war in the region would stifle their plans for a new economic and political environment in their being now members of the BRICS union. Egypt, Iran Saudi Arabia and the UAE became members on Jan.1, 2024. They all feel this too important for them to get dragged into a war in this local dispute.

You can be sure that Russia and China have been counselling Iran and other major countries to be restrained and not take the bait to go to war. A baiting that will likely be intensified, because Israel wants such a war and some in the U.S. may believe that such a war will have positive political results for them. They may also believe that such a war can short circuit the growing movement to a economic system independent of U.S. control. 

That may be a real roll of the dice as it could very well hasten rather short circuit that coming reality and could also have devastating consequences on the entire world. We can only hope that some better diplomatic decisions can be made. 

Epstein sex trafficking, just big distraction.

 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 Clintons 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.

Chronology of Ukraine conflict.

 

NATO EXPANSION IS AT ROOT OF DISPUTE

BAD DECISION WITH HISTORIC CONSEQUENCES

While we hear lots of narratives about the desire of Putin to reestablish the old Soviet Union, it is in fact just a false narrative. The real cause of this conflict is NATO expansion to the borders of the Russian federation and Russia's refusal to submit to this threat to their security. It is not different than a Chinese or Russian alliance with Canada or Mexico that would put weapons and bases on the United States border. That would be unacceptable to the United States and to every administration in history.

NATO, the north Atlantic Treaty organization, was a cold war arrangement to counter the Soviet Union and its satellite countries, "The Warsaw Pact". The Warsaw pact was dissolved in 1991.

When the Soviet Union allowed independence of its eastern European satellites and the reunification of Germany the United states pledged that NATO would not expand any further east and that reunified Germany would be a NATO member. This was in 1991. Total of 16 members.

1999, NATO expanded east with Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland. Russia complained, but took no action.

2004, NATO expanded with the addition of Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia And Slovenia. Russia again complained but took no action.

2008, The U.S. in a speech by  George Bush 11, invited Ukraine and Georgia to join NATO. This was responded to with warnings from Russia that it was unacceptable and that Russia would not allow NATO on their borders. It was followed by a Russian intervention in Georgia.

2009, NATO expanded with Albania and Croatia.

2014, the United States and Western European nations engineered and assisted in the overthrow of the elected government in Ukraine. The country was divided politically with the western region wanting to join NATO and the eastern region wanting to be a neutral country. The eastern region declared independence and an internal war broke out between the separatists in the east and the Kiev government. The deposed leader Victor Yanukovych had pledged to reach a peaceful arrangement with Russia. He was labeled as a Russian puppet by the west. The United States led by Victoria Nuland and Joe Biden spend $5 billion to help with the ouster of Yanukovych and picked the next leader of Ukraine.

Russia responded by helping to have Crimea declare independence from Ukraine and had elections with the Crimeans overwhelming voting to be reunited with Russia.  

The Eastern Ukrainian revolt continued with over 14,000 civilians dying in the Donbass region from shelling and attempts to retake the area. 

Russian, France, Germany and Ukraine reached an agreement called the Minx accords with the hope of protected rights for the Russian population in eastern Ukraine. There was the Minx 1 and Minx 2 agreements which the west never held up their side of the bargain. The leaders of both Germany and France later admitted it was just a stalling strategy to arm Ukraine for war with Russia.

2019, Volodymyr Zelensky elected on anti corruption and making peace with Russia platform. On March 11, 2021 Zelensky made the following statements.

"The document defines a set of measures of a diplomatic, military, economic, information, humanitarian and other nature, aimed at restoring territorial integrity and state sovereignty of Ukraine within the internationally recognized borders through the deoccupation and reintegration of Crimea".

This was followed by Ukraine increasing the troops in the Donbass and this followed by Russia massing troops on the Ukraine border.

The situation escalated with NATO pledging support and Putin offering a new security arrangement for Europe, with Ukraine being a neutral non aligned country. This was dismissed by the West with disdain, claiming Russia had no vote in the matter. 

Eventually on Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine with a force of 190,000 troops. This force was far too few to actually occupy Ukraine and it has been revealed this was an attempt to trigger serious negotiations.

It has also been revealed that a tentative agreement was reached in Ankara in March 2022, just 1 month after the onset. Russia withdrew its forces from Kiev in a sign of good faith. It has also been revealed by those independent negotiators that the UK and the U.S. insisted that Ukraine could win this conflict and not to negotiate a settlement.

Russia then withdrew it forces into a defensive position and held elections in 4 oblasts of eastern Ukraine with a referendum that agreed to be annexed into Russia. Russia then mobilized its reserves and went on a war footing, increasing production of weapons' and materials.

The west responded by levying 10 rounds of economic sanctions and in effect estranged Russia from western commerce. So far, Russia has prospered while western Europe is beset with energy shortages and the prospect of economic decline.

Massive amounts of western equipment, training ads supplies have not yielded any serious results in pushing back Russia's defensive lines. Ukraines much heralded counteroffensive is over and now Russia is incrementally destroying Ukraines army and equipment.

While Russia wanted a neutral non aligned Ukraine, Ukraine has now lost 25% of its country. It now appears that Russia is anticipating to move west to the Dnieper river and to include Odessa before it will be ready for any negotiations. Russia no longer has any credible counterpart for negotiation and it appears this conflict will be decided on the battlefield.

This Ukraine conflict has become a pivotal moment in world history. It appears that it has triggered the creation of a multipolar political and economic world. Irreconcilable lines have been crossed and the narrative has been juvenile and counter productive. The best hope is that it will soon end and the west will accept failure. Hopefully, Ukraine can salvage some of its country and the world can transition into a future reality, peacefully.

Ukraine: obsolete weapons disposal and expo.

 ONLY WINNER IN UKRAINE IS WEAPONS MANUFACTURERS

NATO TO NOW STANDARDIZE WITH U.S. WEAPONS

After 2 years of conflict in Ukraine the supply of Soviet era weapons, which was the mainstay of eastern European countries, is now almost expended. The U.S. incentivised the transfer of all these T-72 tanks and Mig fighters to be given to Ukraine by promising to sell them all more modern advanced and standardized weapons in the future. 

We can expect that the major talking point for the future is that all NATO weapons will need to be standardized so that all of the NATO military can easily operate these weapons. This may very well now end the manufacture of German Leopard tanks and other European designs to be replaced by U.S. manufactured or licensed weapons. 

The huge stockpile of Soviet era weapons has been very quickly dispatched and will now need to be be replaced with more modern and standardized weapons. It will be likely the biggest boom in the weapons industry in half a century. It has been reported that the industries backlog is now up to near $800 billion in orders. Then there is the impetus for $ Trillions in new advanced weapons that have been showcased or found to be needed after the failure of many of the present weapons.

While this may be a mother load of business for western countries, it is only part of the worlds weapons business. While HyMars and storm shadow missiles have proved effective, patriot air defense, and armored vehicles may now soon need to be rethought. 

On the Russian side, the second biggest manufacturer of weapons with a very large possible clientele, their air defense systems seem to be doing very well as is their fast learning curve in electronic counter measures and now drones. Their Hypersonic cruise missiles seem to have no defense. As Ukraines air defenses are being eliminated we may also see the use of some other not as yet used Russian weapons. It is reported that Russia has been steadily increasing their research and development into many space age weapons systems. 

While China has engaged in some arms business, if it decides to enter the competition, you can expect they will be very competitive.

We can expect that in next few years we will hear of the weapons gap and the need to spend $ Trillions on new and improved weapons. It will be interesting how more can be added to the already $880 billion defense budget while now running a $2 trillion a year budget deficit and servicing a $34 Trillion debt. Maybe the first order of business should be a serious audit of the defense budget and eliminating the $ billions of graft and over pricing. It is a fact, that Russia and China, with defense budgets a fraction of the United States, are getting a lot more bang for their rubles an yuan.