Presidential debate: "You shall know them by their fruits".

FORGET THE DEBATE, JUST LOOK AROUND THE WORLD

IS THE COUNTRY IN A BETTER PLACE TODAY THAN 4 YEARS AGO

I watched the Presidential debate this morning, while it did shed some light on the condition of the candidates, I will say no more. If you can't make a decision on who was the most cognitive, my analysis will not matter.

We should all be making a decision based on who will  do their best to do what is in the best interest of the country. It is very simple, you have all lived in the USA under both presidents. Are you voting on the best interest of the country, or your own best interest? Are you a government worker or dependent on government contracts and believe that Biden will increase your wealth? Or can we all be objective and vote for the best interest of the country, not about some pet peeve or personal benefit?

The reality is the country is in dire straits, forget about whose fault it is, it will in fact affect everyone of us. 

Our foreign policy is a disaster, perpetual war, no diplomacy, just force and intimidation. we are on the verge of WW3 and that is not some idle speculation but the reality. Serious changes in direction need to made quickly, hopefully we can survive until the next election.

The world is changing rapidly and the question is will the U.S. adapt to the changes and co-exist with these changes or self destruct trying to live in the past.

Fiscal responsibility is non existent by both parties, we can not deficit spend our way into prosperity, only ruin.

The open border is creating a untenable situation that will erode all social services and not provide the kind of labor that this modern economy needs. This is not about the kind of immigration that this country has always embraced, it is an unarmed invasion.

This country is in the most divided condition since the civil war and it is in fact a product of political opportunism by the left. We can not survive nor address the serious problems of the country in this condition.

Whether you like or hate Trump, he has always attempted to be a problem solver, rather than a problem creator. He has survived the continuous efforts to destroy him since he came down that escalator 9 years ago. He was continually undermined in his efforts to make good long term decisions for the country.

In reality, I have questions whether this country can be saved, certainly not with one election. Only a coming together to make serious decisions that are in the best long range interest of the USA will began a rebuilding and healing process. We will see if this country can step up and begin that process.

U.S and Russia on precipice of direct confrontation.

 U.S. MISSILE WITH U.S. CLUSTER MUNITIONS HITS RUSSIAN BEACHGOERS

WAS U.S. GLOBAL HAWK DOWNED IN BLACK SEA?

While we have seen the escalation in provocative signalling between Russia and the U.S. it is now very close to direct warfare. We have seen the U.S. give Ukraine the OK to use U.S. missiles in Russia's interior. The reality is these missiles are manned by U.S. personnel, guided by U.S. satellites and surveillance drones and Russia is considering these attacks, U.S. attacks. The latest attack on a Crimea beach on a holiday left several dead and up to 100 wounded. Public opinion in Russia is demanding a response.

At the same time, Russia has given North Korea one of the latest advanced ICBM missiles that is mobile, can carry multiple individually targeting warheads and has the latest diversionary defenses. It is, in effect, invulnerable to U.S. defenses and can reach the mainland USA. 

We have seen Russian ships in Cuba and it is possible Russian bases are to be built in Cuba, Venezuela and other nearby places. This is in response to NATO expansion to the borders of Russia with U.S. missiles and bases.

It has been reported that Russia has downed a U.S. Global Hawk surveillance drone that is used for Ukrainian targeting over the Black Sea. Russia has not confirmed and the U.S. has denied that this has happened. If it is true, and become public, the U.S. will be pressured by domestic politics to respond.

It is also reported that the defense heads of the U.S. and Russia have talked in the last few days, after many months of no contact, hopefully they can assure each other of some de-escalation.

While the Ukrainian army is in a desperate situation the temptation to escalate U.S. direct involvement is growing, it will inevitably be matched by a Russian response. Once direct conflict commences it may then be out of the control of both sides and lead to an unnecessary disaster for everyone.

This situation is now imminent unless a conscious effort is made to come to some accomodation. The question will be, Is hubris and domestic politics going to override sound rational judgement?.

Julian Assange, free at last, message sent.

     REAL WHISTLEBLOWERS ARE PROSECUTED, FAKE OPERATIVES HONORED

ASSANGE WAS SEVERELY PUNISHED 

Julian Assange has finally been freed from 12 years of incarceration. Assange. founder of wikileaks, published videos of U.S. military machine gunning civilians in Afghanistan in 2010. Shortly after, in the same year, sexual assault charges were filed in Sweden. Assange was arrested in England and released on bail awaiting extradition to Sweden. In 2012 Assange entered the Ecuadorian embassy asking for asylum. He was then charged for jumping bail, a misdemeanor. 

In 2019 Assange was denied asylum by Ecuador and then arrested by British police. The accusations about sexual assault were eventually recanated, but he remained in jail in England after charges of espionage were filed in the U.S.. It was reported that CIA director Mike Pompeo had given instructions that Assange should be kidnapped and murdered. Extradition to the U. S. was considered by many as a death sentence.  

This week after over 4 years in prison awaiting extradition, Assange was offered a deal to plead guilty to espionage and sentenced to time served in British jail.

It can be assumed that the message was sent to Assange and other journalists that leaking state illegal secrets will be very costly. It can also be assumed that there was never an intention to hold a trial for Assange, because of the risk of what else could be revealed in such a trial. I would also expect that Assange was warned that if he wants to live, he should stay out of political revelations.

We always hear slogans about democracy and the rule of law. Assange was never tried but in reality was imprisoned for 12 years, at the same time we also witnessed a true whistleblower, Edward Snowden, forced to flee the country for his life, after he revealed the fact that the NSA was illegally collecting conversations and communications by all Americans. It can be assumed that they are in the process of developing some sort of profiling of every American citizen.

We have seen FBI agents who have reported abuse being actually arrested for revealing those illegal acts.

Then we see the likes of Eric Ciaramella and Alexander Vindman who leaked recorded conversations of the President of the United States and were then called hero's by the bureaucracy and the media. 

So, hopefully Julian Assange can have a peaceful and happy life with his wife and children. We can also assume that the corruption and unlawful behaviour will also continue until a wholesale flushing of many in this government is accomplished.

 

In search of LGBTQ+ free entertainment programming?

 EVERY U.S. AND CANADIAN PRODUCTION HAS OBLIGATORY GAY MESSAGE

YOU NEED TO GO EAST TO FIND NORMAL CONTENT

While I do spend much time listening to and watching political and historical debates and documentaries, I do often become burned out and seek out some other forms of entertainment. Sadly it is now apparent there is no entertainment produced in the U.S. or Canada and I suspect western Europe that is without social or political messaging and propaganda.

I watched a historical drama about Nassau in the Bahamas in the early 1700's, which overall was well done and entertaining, It was soon apparent that the Pirate main character and the female lead were both engaged in open homosexual conduct. I doubt that there was any historical accuracy about these characters, but a blatant attempt to insert these characters  as some sort of message.

Then I watched a Canadian production concerning the Hudson bay company in 18th century Canada, low and behold one of the main characters was of course engaged in a relationship with his adviser.

I could go, but it appears there is not one production without some sort of gay character, I would not doubt this applies to cartoons and children programs as well.

I have a subscription to NETFLIX and at first assumed this was a NETFLIX decision, but then I watched a Turkish production, which was also well done that was LGBQT free, then a Polish production, ditto, and then a Japanese production just a good well done story as well, without the social programming that now permeates all productions in the west.

I must add that there is really well done stories and productions with great cinemaphotography and good actors in these parts of the world. Many have them available in english and being slightly hard of hearing, they all have english subtitles available. They remind me of the movies of old with depictions of human emotions and plots, much like our movies in the golden age of theater.

Paid advertising to coerce court decisions?

 HOW ABOUT DECISIONS BASED ON CONSTITUTION

ARE THEY REALLY DEFENDING DEMOCRACY?

In recent weeks we have seen paid advertisements from a group called, "Defending democracy together" They are supposedly Republicans who want to disqualify Donald Trump for being a candidate for president. If you look at a list of members they are all former or present government employees, bureaucrats that possibly want to insure that the gravy train of present government power and corruption continues.

As for preserving democracy, they argue that the separation of powers that provides immunity from prosecution for Presidents, should be eliminated. This and Presidential privilege concerning decisions are very important to actually preserving a democratic process. They are willing to scrape these protections in a blatant attempt to get Trump, a precedent that will have lasting ramifications for as long as the country exists. Such maneuvering will most likely shorten the existence of this form of government and lead to continual attempts to prosecute future presidents. 

These attempts started during the Nixon presidency, then continued with a quid pro quo on Bill Clinton. They have again escalated with Donald Trump, with all kinds of illegal attempts to have him removed from office, disqualified and embarrassed.  These attempts have routinely been orchestrated by former or serving government employees who have recorded and leaked presidential conversations and attempted to make illegal a whole list of actions in an attempt to discredit Trump.

None of them, who in effect have engaged in Treason, have been prosecuted for their actions. It has resulted in half the country no longer believing in the credibility of most of the government and it is continuing to become worse, a very real and serious attack on democracy. 

The reality is, these groups and other government employees are the most serious threat to democracy in the history of this country. 

NATO is now the hammer for global government.

 FORGET UN, IT DOES NOT HAVE THE POWER TO ENFORCE ITS DECISIONS

NATO IS NOW JUST AN EXTENSION OF U.S. POLICY

We are about to see the results of U.S. policy on the world. While we are portrayed by the media as the good guys, out saving the world from potential political enemies, the effects on the world stability have been devastating. In the last 30 years we have seen the U.S. backed regime change agenda effect crisis in Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Yemen and others. We have interfered in the elections of Israel and Russia. We now have US. troops in over 150 countries around the world. While China's economic might is a creation of U.S. policy both at home and abroad, it is now considered a threat to be controlled by threats and intimidation. It seems the U.S. believes it is omnipotent and can, in effect, rule the world. Maybe, but it looks like a lot suffering is about to escalate, particularly in Western Europe.

It seems that diplomacy has been replaced by the threat of brute force, eventually it was inevitable that some of these large countries were going to say no. We do not have the economic or military power to intimidate China. We are in fact addicted to Chinese goods and materials, and if cut off, we would face economic collapse. Much talk about bringing all those jobs home, is just talk, with our regulation and now limits placed on energy, it will not happen.

Europe made a fateful decision to adopt the U.S. policy of NATO expansion and is now locked into their own destruction. Not by militarily destruction hopefully, but just economic decline. It is going to start now. While the U.S. has railed against their dependence on Russian energy, they are now about to find out that there is no replacement for that energy. Europe should not have become dependent on any one source of energy. They could have had multiple sources, if they had the foresight, now they are going to be dependent on much more expensive energy that will devastate them economically. Remember, Russia did not cut off their energy, they made the decision to reject Russian energy. This, coupled with destruction of the pipelines to Europe, has placed them in a very dangerous situation. Most of Europe knows who destroyed the pipeline and the political costs will soon take a toll.

It seems now that there will not be any negotiated settlement in Ukraine and likely no winners either. Ukraine may be just another failed state caught up in the power plays of large powers. A dependent country on western aid, until they tire of it and let them fend for themselves. Russia will continue to protect their annexed territories and Europe will decline into a much weaker alliance.

It now appears that the division of the world into two separate economic realities is materializing at a fast pace. The BRICS countries led by  Russia, China, India, Brazil and South Africa and now soon to expand to 15 countries, including Middle eastern countries and possibly some EU and NATO members.

There is also the Shanghai Cooperative alliance composed of some of the same countries and most of Asia, that may be interested in these alliances. It would be the biggest trading block in the world, composed of over half of the worlds population, rich in natural resources and energy, and a younger population desiring to reap the benefits of such an alliance. They are going to replace the U.S. dollar as the reserve currency and it will lead to serious economic consequences for the western world.

It is doubtful that these trends can now be reversed. While the west is obsessed with self deprecation and self examination, coupled with a foreign policy that believes its own spin, without a single serious diplomat willing to break the headlong rush to their own decline, the inevitable history making schism is almost assured.

 Originally published 11/30/2022,     

12/29/2023. 

We now see that NATO expansion is being proposed to include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea, truly a global military power. Will this bring peace? Or will it just incentivise those who feel threatened to build their armaments and make their own alliances? Will it encourage those nations to share nuclear weapons and delivery systems?  

This idea of NATO expansion is, in reality an extension of United States power, the other NATO members are in effect a group of bobble heads who acquiesces to the demands of the United States. Much of the incentive is the Trillions of debt based dollars that is spread among the members. 

BRICS has now expanded to 10 countries with more interested, the world is on a course to 2 unified groups, a collision may be inevitable.

6/21/2024 

BRICS now has 59 new interested members, Russia is signing up allies in the East in Central Asia and in opposition to NATO expansion. Without serious diplomacy we are quickly heading for an ultimate confrontation.

Russia preparing for war with NATO.

 IS NATO PREPARED FOR MODERN GROUND WAR?

HOPING TO LIMIT WAR TO CONVENTIONAL WEAPONS

It appears that there is no resolution to the Ukraine conflict, without a winner and loser. NATO is determined that Russia will be the loser and Russia is never going to accept NATO expansion in Ukraine. There is tremendous internal pressure in Russia to up the ante and finish this war in Ukraine. When this happens, NATO will only be able to save Ukraine by NATO direct intervention. It seems that Russia understands this and is making preparations for a direct all out war with NATO. The question is whoever the loser will be in such a conventional war, will they resort to nuclear weapons? Russia, viewing this conflict as an existential threat, will. Will the west also believe that this is an existential threat to their global dominance and consider nuclear war acceptable? Once this war starts, no one may be able to stop it.

On the NATO side we see Hungary making it clear they will not participate in a war with Russia, nor will they allow their land to be used for a staging area. One can bet that, while they have made no declarations, Turkey will also opt out of war with Russia. There may be others that will also opt out of such an undertaking.

We see Russia now making agreements with North Korea, and also indicating that some other Asian and central Asian countries also will ally with Russia, I will not venture to name those other countries. Iran must understand that they will also be targeted if Russia is defeated, as will China. The situation is shaping up that these other countries may also see this conflict developing into an existential threat to their future.

Much of the world wants to be independent of western dominance both economically and politically, they are making steady progress in that direction, with 59 new countries interested in joining the BRICS economic alliance. This is a direct threat to western world dominance, which is coming to an end, either peacefully or with a devastating war.

Peaceful co-existence can be possible, but not with the curent crop of amatuer diplomats who only understand force, extortion and intimidation as a negotiating tool and are deluded in thinking that they can rule the world.

Executive order abuse escalates.

 EXECUTIVE ORDERS ARE ONLY TO ENFORCE EXISTING LAW

ANTI-DEMOCRATIC MOVE CONTINUES

President Biden seems to believe that executive orders are his path to buying more votes. First he continues to tell students that he will cancel their student debt by executive order, something that has already been ruled as unconstitutional. Yesterday he proclaimed that certain illegal immigrants can remain in the country. His policies on immigration are mostly in contradiction of existing law. 

Legally, executive orders are used to enforce existing law and they are enforceable on executive branch employees, not on individuals or states. The move to authoritarianism continues by this abuse of executive orders. We do not legally have an imperial presidency. Interestingly many of the existing laws are ignored or diluted by these executive orders.

Again, where is the senate and congress to point out these abuses, and take action to cancel this abuse?

The United States has the best system of self government in human history, but sadly, it is slowly being diluted and transformed into a system of privilege and authoritarianism.

War powers situation is another example. The United states has not declared war since WW2, yet we have been in almost perpetual war for the last 30 years. Only congress has the legal authority to engage in war and they have been delinquent in their responsibility. Much of this abuse is covered by some illegal congressional action to give the president blanket power to go to war.

It is a time, as we are on the precipice of WW3, a war that once started, no one will control, congress needs to be more interested in actually engaging in the rule of law rather than a lot of narrative about their concern for democracy and that law. Real action counts more than nice sounding distractions.

Russian peace plan rejected: Again.

 NO SIGN OF SETTLEMENT ANYTIME SOON

MILITARY DEFEAT IS ONLY OPTION

While the much celebrated, but mostly media event, for peace was held in Switzerland, Russia thought it appropriated to revoice their positions on Ukraine. It was, as expected, immediately rejected, as only Russian defeat is still the hope of NATO and Ukraine.

This proposal was the third time that Russia has put forth a plan to insure its security concerns and also peacefully co-exist with Ukraine.

The 1st proposal was offered in Dec. 2021, when Russia put forth a plan to Ukraine and NATO and the U.S. that would have addressed the most pressing issues.

1. Ukraine would be considered a neutral non aligned country, not part of the NATO military alliance.

2. The Russian population in eastern Ukraine would be assured their civil rights concerning language, culture and religion.

3. Ukraine would have defensive military numbers, not an ability to engage in offensive operations.

4. Ukraine would have guarantees for border security and national sovereignty.

This was considered a framework for negotiations, it was rejected by the United states, NATO and Ukraine, without any consideration for a negotiated settlement.

The second peace proposal was made during serious negotiations in Turkey in March 2022 several weeks after the beginning of hostilities. It is reported and verified by outside participants as agreed upon by Ukraine and Russia.

It again would have resulted in a neutral Ukraine, no NATO membership, civil rights for Russian population in Ukraine and security and border guarantees for Ukraine. Russia would withdraw from Ukraine and to show good faith, they did withdraw from the Kiev area. This agreement was stopped by the UK and the U.S. who pledged to support Ukraine in victory over Russia.

This latest proposal was similar except Russia is not going to withdraw or reintegrate those 4 oblasts that have voted to become part of the Russian Federation. 

We can expect that Russia made this proposal in an effort to be put on the record, before the next phase of escalation in Ukraine. It is unlikely that there will be any more offers from Russia.

NATO is individually pledging support for Ukraine for the next 10 years, planning on erecting NATO bases in Poland, Romania and Slovakia to adequately supply Ukraine with weapons and supplies. Hungary has made it clear they are opting out of using their territory for hostilities in this conflict.

At present, Russia has escalated by attacking the electrical generation of Ukraine to the point that much of the country has only intermittent power. They may soon begin taking out the road and rail bridges across the country to make commerce and supplies very hard to get into Ukraine.

Ukraine is running out of willing military personnel and has even begun to mine its border with Romania to keep young men from leaving the country. While weapons and supplies can be supplied from the west, men are not that easy to provide.

So it seems that Russia believes that NATO membership for Ukraine on their front porch is an existential threat to their security and is willing to go to great lengths for this to never happen.

NATO and the West believe that any victory for Russia is an existential threat to their pride and standing in the world community and is willing to encourage this war until Ukraine has expended all its abilities.

Biden signs illegal agreement with Ukraine.

 TREATIES NEED A VOTE BY THE SENATE TO BE CONSTITUTIONAL

JUST ANOTHER INDICATION OF CORRUPTION

This weekend in a much publicized event, the President of the United States signed a 10 year security agreement with Ukraine. A blatant unconstitutional act that needed to be approved by 2/3 of the Senate to be legal. Of course, that is no longer how things are done in this country and thankfully it is a non binding agreement that can be discarded at any time, much like the Iranian nuclear deal that was never entered into in a legal way.

Much of the fault is the Senate itself, which is led by a bunch of geriatric bureaucrats that do not appreciate or actually believe in a constitutional process. It is like most everything in this country a narrative, appearances and good feelings on the road to perdition.

So far, I have not heard one word of opposition from even 1 Senator. We may hear from Rand Paul eventually, but he will be discounted as a malcontent and maybe even a Putin apologist. 

I suspect in todays atmosphere, if this was brought to a vote in the Senate, they would pass it, but they would rather just let it go rather than go on the record. Secondly they can all disavow this agreement when they find it to be more appropriate politically.

We continually hear about democracy and the rule of law, but it is increasingly apparent that it is again just a narrative, not a reality.

Lindsey Graham: Ukraine war about $14 trillion in Resources.

 WHICH WILL BE EXCHANGED FOR UKRAINES WAR DEBT

NOT TO MENTION RUSSIA'S RESOURCES

Lindsey Graham has again slipped up and told the truth. In a TV interview he admitted that the west needed to win this war so that it could deny $14 Trillion in resources to Russia and China. Russia, which is the most resource rich country on the planet, does need the resources in Ukraine. He did not talk about coveting the resources of Russia.

First it was about killing Russian's and now Ukrainian resources, Graham would be better off staying off the air.

The west also seems to be going to loan Ukraine seized Russian assets to rebuild the country. How will the Ukrainians pay back this loan? and how will they pay back all the "Lend lease" money that has been conveyed to Ukraine. I am sure this, "Gold Mine," as he portrayed them of resources will go a long way to pay back these loans, that is if Ukraine still exists in the future.

So, Ukraine gets to engage in a war with Russia over NATO expansion, lose 2 generations of its young men and if successful it will owe loans for decades and its resources will be conveyed to the west, sounds, like a sweet deal for someone, but not Ukraine. 

I suspect the real reasons have more to do with the vast resources of Russia, which Putin has been able to keep secure from plundering from outside and made available for the prosperity of the Russian people. 

I see no positive result for Ukraine, which, if a neutral country, could have been the most prosperous country in Europe.

Focusing on effects not causes.

 THE U.S. NEEDS TO FOCUS ON HOME 

NEEDS FISCAL DIET AND EXERCISE REAL DEMOCRACY

As the number of crisis multiply around the world, it is time to rehabilitate America or witness its death.  A constant attempt to deal with self imposed problems is destroying the future of this country. These problems will not be corrected by threatening and intimidation both at home and around the world.

The dollar is in trouble, not because of competitors, but because of fiscal irresponsibility by both parties. It will not be corrected by attempting to force other countries to accept a continually declining value of the dollar.

We cannot have credible positive relations with diverse cultures and religions around the world, if we continue to attempt to force social policies that many find aborhorent. 

We no longer can engage in hypocritical foreign policy that is willing to abandon international law when it suits our desires.

While many still understand the military power of the United States, it can not be the only tool in an attempt to control the world. Our leaders better face reality that we are not the only superpower in the world, as it was in 1991.

This country is weak in so many areas, because this country is weak at home. Intentional division to increase or maintain political power, fiscal spending that is unsustainable in an attempt to hold on to political power. Debasing the legal system to punish and suppress descent. Cooperative efforts to censor free speech. All the hallmarks of an empire in the process of expiring.

This country was never meant to be an empire, one of the reasons for its success was because it refrained from that lust. As all empires before, they all collapse when they lose their moral authority and disintegrate from within. Only a serious reformation will save this country, it may be decided in the very near future.

After 50 years, end of petrodollar agreement.

 ANOTHER SHIFT IN GLOBAL ECONOMY

MAY REQUIRE FISCAL RESTRAINT IN UNITED STATES

The last balanced budget in the United States was 1969, just a few years after the introduction of the Great Society social programs introduction.  The U.S. then ended its policy of the dollar being anchored to gold and that dollars were no longer redeemable for gold in 1971.This resulted in the increase in inflation to double digits in the 1970's. The Oil exporting countries were then receiving $3.25 for a barrel of oil. With the increase in inflation OPEC became more aggressive in controlling the value of oil and in several years the price increased to over $11.00.

In 1974 Saudi Arabia, the leading OPEC member, agreed to a 50 year deal to price all oil in dollars, thus creating the petrodollar system. This agreement has come to an end on June 9. 2024.

Saudi Arabia now a member of the BRICS economic group is now selling oil in members currencies and the BRICS is developing a payment system that will not be dollar dominated. Oil is still traded in dollars, but now also in other currencies. BRICS is developing a system that will not have a dominating national currency, but a yet to be developed currency backed by gold or other commodities. 

The United Sates has enjoyed the status of the dollar being the international reserve currency since the end of WW2. This coupled with the petrodollar status has allowed the government to abuse that privilege by engaging in deficit spending for over 50 years. It has in effect been able to enjoy the increase in dollar creation and to export the inflation or devaluation of the currency to the rest of the world. The reserve currency and petrodollar have forced anyone desiring to engage in international trade to hold dollars, engage in purchasing the exploding U.S. debt and is in effect an ability to buy resources and goods with continually declining in value dollars. While that system has not ended completely, it is in the process of ending.

The fact that the United States has, in effect, been sort of commiting fraud and engaging in a ponzi scheme with this arrangement and then the use of this dollar system to sanction, punish, threaten and extort others has now resulted in much of the world seeking an alternative system not controlled by the United States. That is a developing reality that will unlikely be reversed.

The question is, will the U.S. policy makers adjust to this new reality or do they believe that they can enforce is continued existence by economic force or even war? Fiscal responsibility and sound economic policy would be a better alternative for both the United States and the rest of the world.

AI and Genetic engineering: Beware of the Brave new world.

NOT YET REALITY, BUT NOT FICTION

ARE WE ABOUT TO NEED TO DEFINE WHAT IS HUMAN?

There is much talk about the possibilities of Artificial Intelligence. The advances have been moving at a lightning pace. We now see robots that are beginning to look and act human. There is talk of them having the ability to LEARN, to express emotions, talk and adapt to new challenges. There is talk of them replacing humans for many menial tasks and maybe eventually not so menial.  It seems there is much interest and financial investment going into this research.  Without a doubt there are plans to substitute humans with these new entities for some occupations and some tasks.

Are we about to begin to debate what is the definition of a human. Is it an entity that is flesh and blood that stands erect, that has all the features of what we recognize today. Or is the definition of human far more complex, the ability to reason, adapt to changes, engage in abstract thought and put those thoughts into material creations. To have emotions, human instinct like survival and fear and hope, maternal instincts, family instincts and such traits are far more complicated .

Now consider, why spend vast sums on artificial intelligence that will need to be built, repaired and maintained. When we are now about to enter an era where it may be possible to engineer a living being or entity that will be self maintaining and reproducible.  Since the breakthrough of CRISPR in genetic engineering or gene editing it is becoming possible to modify embryos with a specific purpose or result in mind. In fact, it is reported that China has already had twin girls born that have been genetically modified. While this example has been condemned by China and others as unethical, if it can be done, it will be done. 

Now this example supposedly had to do with attempting to suppress the ability to contract HIV, but it is going to be possible to do much more. So imagine what can be possible. What if it should be decided that if scientists take unfertilized embryos and alter them that they no longer have the characteristics of humans that would fit into the accepted definition of what is human. Would some society accept that such entities, while they may have the physical appearance of humans, actually are not, but are now a new entity that could possibly even be patented. If all the emotions, instincts and behavioral characteristics of human are stripped out, then science could eventually make many special purpose entities that would easily replace humans to do much of the labor needed to keep society going.

There could be entities for the purpose of combat or police work. Household entities that could maintain all the needed choirs in every home. There could be entities that could act as surrogates if impregnated  in vitro with human fertilized embryos. The possibilities are endless.

These entities would also provide a endless source for organs and fetal tissue now hoped to be able extend life.

The maturing process could be shortened to become useful in a quicker time and they could be fully reproducible, no manufacturing, no maintenance. They could be engineered to have a specific length of useful time to function.

Such advancements would fulfill all the requirements of a sustainable planet. Many are already accepting the idea that the planets population should be downsized by between 1/2 and 1/10 of the current population. These new entities could replace much of the population and would not require or need near the resources that humans now use. The possibilities are soon to be endless.

So, while all this is now not reality, it is not science fiction, because it is going to be possible. This research IS going on now and the interest in downsizing the population is now an open topic of discussion.

We must believe that being as a god is enough enticement for such research to become an obsession for some that will not be controlled.

Originally published 11/15/22

European parliament turns right.

 MACRON CALLS FOR SNAP ELECTIONS

BELGIUM PRIME MINISTER RESIGNS

Yesterday the European Union voted for 720 representatives for the EU parliament. 27 countries voted for new members for a 5 year term. It appears conservatives or right leaning parties have gained 24 seats and green and left parties have lost 43 seats. While this is a shift to the right it is not dramatic enough  to make major changes to the EU policy. The big changes are coming to the national political scene.

In France, Macron's party only garnered 15 % of the vote while the Le Pen party won 31%. This forced Macron to call for snap elections that may very well be the end of Macron's presidency.

Scholtz in Germany also looks much weaker. His party lost votes and the right wing gained.

In Belgium the Prime Minster resigned and there will be new elections.

The EU economy is struggling from high energy prices, high inflation, and a dismal economic forecast, much of it directly related to the Ukraine war and sanctions that have damaged their economic prospects.  Green parties were also big losers with 18 less seats than last election. There is lots of pushback on environmental policies that have destroyed jobs, and restrained farmers from making a living.

We can expect to see changes in France, Belgium and possibly Germany. The outlook for the governing party in England is also looking dismal.

Immigration is a big item in all these elections, especially in western Europe were the populations of non native born are around 40% of the population. Former Soviet eastern Europe is much less as they have not fully embraced massive immigration. Environment is also controversial with high energy on both sides of the debate.

These election mostly signify a continued era of unrest and controversy in the near future.

Russia may supply weapons to U.S. enemies.

 HOUTHIS AND OTHERS WOULD SURELY USE THEM

TIME WILL TELL IF THIS BECOMES REALITY

Putin hinted yesterday that in retaliation for the U.S. giving the OK for Ukraine to use U.S. long range missiles to attack Russia, it may supply equivalent weapons to U.S. enemies. While the Houthis in Yemen and other middle east actors could use these against U.S. troops and assets in that region, it may be an empty threat. Historically Russia has not given sophisticated weapons to actors that it could not control. It is still more likely that Ukraine will suffer if any such weapons are used against Russia.

Russia has responded to attacks inside Russia by destroying the electric generation of Ukraine, they still have the options of taking down all the bridges over the Dnieper river and targeting government buildings and personnel in Kiev. Russia still has the ability to destroy the economic viability of Ukraine and then cause the west to need to increase financial support to maintain the country. Such a strategy will increase the bleeding of the U.S. and NATO in maintaining Ukraine.

Russian war ships are expected to arrive in Cuba this week, such a presence does not really offer much of a threat to the U.S.. While the Russian submarine fleet is a sophisticated and serious threat, Russia's surface fleet is no match for the U.S. navy. 

Europe is giving indications that they are preparing their populations for war. The continuous narrative that Russia wishes to invade NATO is certainly not reality, but it is using this propaganda to increase defense spending, initiate conscription and to use this threat for political opportunism. European elections begin this weekend and fear is an age old political tool. It is a dangerous gamble that may end in increasing the actual threat of European war.

It seems there is no peaceful end to this Ukraine project as both sides are determined to prevail, it is usually a formula for an increase in death and destruction.

Turkey to apply for BRICS membership.

 FIRST NATO COUNTRY TO SHOW INTEREST IN BRICS

SEVERAL NEW APPLICATIONS EXPECTED

Turkey has publicly announced that they are interested in joining the BRICS economic group. Also showing interest is Malaysia, Nigeria and South Korea.

Turkey would be an important addition to the group.

Turkey has population of over 86 million. it is located as a strategic bridge between Europe, Asia and the middle east. It has access to the Black sea, the Mediterranean and Aegean sea. It actually controls access to the Black sea by its control of the narrow straits between the Mediterranean and Black sea.

Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952 and has the second largest military in NATO after the U.S. Turkey had sought membership into the EU over 20 years ago, but has been passed over by many smaller and less prosperous new members. That rejection may have to do with Turkey being a predominantly Muslim nation and not willing to adopt some of the EU social mandates. 

The BRICS group is openly advocating for members who have economic cooperation as their priority and do not look to force social, cultural or other interference into member countries.  At present, BRICS represents about 35% of the world economic activity, a larger share than the G7. If their expansion continues they will soon be the majority economic power on the globe.

Turkey has sought to be able to keep on good relations with the west and also the rest of the world, they have had some conflict with the U.S. for purchasing S400 air defense weapons from Russia. They do have substantial leverage by being a major member of NATO in a strategic part of the world. 

Turkey's geographical position will make joining BRICS a positive development for the economic prosperity of Turkey and BRICS.  Most of the BRICS group are advocating neutrality in the ongoing geopolitical conflicts. It can be expected that the EU and the U.S. will wish to lure Turkey away from joining BRICS, it will be a very delicate endeavor that seems often beyond the grasp of most western diplomats today.

 

Will democrats seek to end Trump candidacy?

WILL TRUMP BE IN JAIL DURING REPUBLICAN CONVENTION? 

EXTRAORDINARY PREPARATION FOR THIS MOMENT

Donald Trump is scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, 2024. The Republican convention runs from July 15, to July 18, 2024. Does anyone believe this is just a coincidence?

This whole affair has had a lot of extraordinary planning. First the N.Y. legislature had to extend the statute of limitations to bring this case. Then they had to raise this supposed offense from a misdemeanor to a felony, only a felony will result in jail time. The prosecutions of Trump have been coordinated by the present Biden administration, just as the Russian collusion hoax was orchestrated by the same people, mostly members of the Obama administration. Does anyone really believe that all this preparation will end with a suspended sentence, a fine, or some other minimal sentence?

You can expect that Trump will be handcuffed and taken to jail on July 11. That his appeals to the court will be delayed until at least after the Republican convention. do not assume he will have a positive response from the appeals court, he may very well be staying in Jail until after the November election.

This will also give the Never Trumpers like Cheney, Bush, Romney and others to orchestrate a last ditch attempt to put up another candidate, probably Nikki Haley. I doubt that they will be successful, but it will begin open political warfare inside the Republican party a win, win for the democrats.

It is very unlikely that the democrats can pass up on an opportunity like this, an opportunity that has been in the making for years. It will just be another step downhill for the country, a sad example for the rest of world to view. It seems this country is destined to self implode before the year is over.

The real fascists are now very visible.

 

FASCISTS USE FASCIST LABEL TO DISCREDIT OPPOSITION

We continually hear groups labeled as fascists. This label has been applied to Trump and his supporters relentlessly. Many really don't know what the term fascist means. They relate it to the socialist governments of Germany and Italy in the 1930's and 40's. It is true that these governments did fit the definition of fascist and were likely the first to be so labeled.

The American Heritage dictionary definition 1982. "A system of government that exercises a dictatorship of the extreme right, through the merging of state and business leadership, together with a belligerent nationalism".

Websters Collegiate Dictionary 1987."Political Philosophy, movement, or regime that exalts nation and often race above the individual and stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe social and economic regimentation and forcible suppression of opposition".

It seems the definition has changed over time, but basically we could say that it is a government that has dictatorial and almost absolute power, or a movement that advocates a government with absolute power. It is in cooperation with business or business leaders to use their power to enhance the power of the state with a reciprocal blessing from the state. Also that the government and business use their power to silence or oppress opposition.

Can a fascist government be a government of the left, if  the above principles are in play? Also is fascist behavior or tactics limited to nationalist governments. 

While Nazi Germany is considered fascist, what is the difference in the behavior of Stalinist USSR , China's Mao or communist China today, North Korea, Cuba  or Venezuela. The common denominator of all these countries is Socialism. That is when the state is exalted over individual rights, economic freedom and liberty in general. Most socialist governments are more internationalist or global in their view.

We see many today who have been convinced that Socialism is the route to equality. In effect it has been historically proven to be just the opposite. It only comes close to equality in poverty and misery.

We have seen government continually grow and assume more power. It has exercised increasing more power and regulation of business, until possibly the biggest determining factor of success for a business is government regulation. This requires business's who attempt to protect their livelihood to continually lobby government officials, either to enact legislation to allow or protect their business from government regulation or competition. Much of this requires contributions to political candidates or parties. The politicians on both sides of these questions, just love it. They are, as long as they are in power the ultimate Alpha Dog.

While most of these activities are also regulated and legal, the crossing of the line into fascist behavior is when these businesses use their power to enhance the power of the state or suppress opposition. 

In the 2008 and 2012 election, the Obama campaign was praised as brilliant for using social media to enhance it messaging. In 2016 the Trump campaign was considered criminal for doing the same. In the 2020 campaign, and for months before, we saw social media, block, suppress and take down messaging from the conservative side. They stepped over the line into a fascist co-existence with the state.

We have seen a media that has become part of political campaigns, what would be the value of their in kind contributions? 

We have seen big Tech expend millions on election programs to enhance their agenda. This is again a fascist relationship with the state.

We have witnessed Universities that are financed by the Government, suppress opposing voices, even their administration members encouraging violence. 

It does seem that they perceive that they are losing the debate and have to go to extraordinary and repressive practices to sustain their hold on power. Is the debate on policy over, when they perceive they are losing?

We have seen Black Lives matter and Antifa, destroy cities, assault the police and opposing protesters, but they are labeled by the state and media as peaceful protesters. While anyone who should defend themselves or counter protest are white supremacists and domestic terrorists. This is all repeated and advocated for by the fascist media.

Trump and his supporters have continually been labeled fascists, but they do not have a fascist relationship with social and big media. They do not advocate more government regulation and control. They do not advocate for expanding government power over individual liberty. They do advocate obeying and enforcing the existing law and even this is labeled fascist by the true fascists.

Even in the Pandemic, Trump was careful not to tread on states rights to deal with the virus. While providing everything that was needed, he allowed the states to do as they saw appropriate for their state. Does anyone doubt that many would have loved to have expanded the power of the federal government in this crisis.  

As far as a belligerent nationalism, while Trump advocated an America first policy, he stepped back from international intervention in the affairs of other countries. While his opponents have been intervening and using belligerent American power for decades.

We see the use of language being distorted every day. We see new definitions of words, even by the dictionaries.  It is all in the quest of maintaining and expanding power of the socialist state.  A state that has increasingly become separated from the people, not representative of the people, but the ruler and arbitrator of right and wrong with ultimate power as the goal. 

We now see a rush of establishment government to endorse suppressing of dissent and freedom of speech by the private sector. A private sector that is in a fascist relationship with the existing government power. A private sector that has been reaping the benefits of its relationship through trade and regulation benefits. A sector that has helped finance voting changes that have tipped the balance toward their benefactors. Fascism plain and simple.

Now we hear threats of policy's to diminish the incomes of everyone who supports a different view. Are we now going to embark on not only a political war but an economic war. Such a war is a two way street, particularly when the base of the existing power is in areas that are not self sufficient, but dependent on the very people they wish to oppress. This idea should be dismissed quickly, or the whole nation is going to descend into an escalating decline.

We hear the coming president claim that BLM protesters would have been treated differently than those that breached the capital. We hear him label Trump supporters as white supremacists and racists. I see no effort of unity and addressing the concerns of all the people. If those who are coming to power believe that they can dismiss and attack all those who supported the policies of Trump it very likely will be the end of this experiment in self government.

This article was originally published 12/15/20, it is now updated in view of current events.

The fascist label along with white supremacy is the 2022 and 2024 talking point of the democrats. They know that they cannot win on their policies, but only in instilling fear of those who oppose their destructive policies. 7/6/2022

We now see the FBI and DOJ increasingly being used to intimidate those that oppose the agenda of this government. More fascism at work.

9/27/2022

6/4/2024  

We now see the use of the legal system and again the fascist media to attempt to eliminate the existing powers opposition, another hallmark of fascism.  The real fascists do indeed become more obvious every day.

International Monetary Fund Projections 2024, 2025

 BRICS AND ASIA CONTINUE EXPANSION

EURO AREA WEAKEST REGION

The International monetary fund issued its revised guidelines for the years 2024, 2025 in April. The history of these predictions seem to have been pretty accurate, barring any major disruptions in a region. 

                                     2024                  2025

India                              6.8%                  6.5

China                             4.6                     4.1

Russia                            3.2                     1.8

U.S.                                2.7                     1.9

Germany                          .2                     1.3

Japan                                .9                     1.0

Euro area                         .8                      1.5

Emerging Asia               5.2                      4.9

Sub Saharan Africa        3.8                      4.0

World projections are pretty good, except for the Euro region. Asia and Africa could actually be much better and the Euro and U.S. could be less than expected due to energy shortages and costs of Ukraine war. Increasing sanctions can be expected to cause disruptions that are not always predictable.