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The MoA Week In Review - OT 2021-072
Last week's posts at Moon of Alabama:
- Sep 14 - What Was Biden's Diktat The Saudis Are So Furious About?
- Has Biden Now Lost Saudi Arabia? - F. William Engdahl / Journal-Neo
- Biden Doctrine appears in the Persian Gulf - MK Bhadrakumar / Asia Times
- Greece delivers Patriot battery to Saudi Arabia - Anadolu
- By Letting Saudi Arabia Off the Hook Over 9/11, the US Encouraged Violent Jihadism - Patrick Cockburn / Counterpunch
- Sep 16 - To Protect Itself From U.S. Hostility Australia Decides To Buy U.S. Submarines
- US-UK-Australia submarine deal is a dangerous joke which will only worsen geopolitical crisis with China - Scott Ritter / RT
- Trumpism and Bidenism have much in common when it comes to letting down allies - Patrick Cockburn / Independent
- This Issue Is Not Going Away. - Andrei Martyanov
Moon of Alabama @MoonofA - 7:07 UTC · Sep 18, 2021
Nuke boats will turn out to be too expensive and the Aussies will end up with German AIPs.
- Sep 17 - How Jake Sullivan Screwed Up U.S. Relations With France
- Is an Asian NATO imminent? - Le Monde diplomatique
- Jake Sullivan pushed Alfa Bank claim at center of Durham's possible indictment - Washington Examiner
- Clinton lawyer's indictment reveals 'bag of tricks' - The Hill
> Notably, another Clinton figure pushing the Alpha Bank conspiracy was Jake Sullivan, who now weighs intelligence reports for President Biden as his national security adviser. Sullivan, a senior policy adviser to Clinton, declared in an official campaign press statement that the Alpha Bank allegation "could be the most direct link yet between Donald Trump and Moscow" and portrayed it as the work of independent experts: "Computer scientists have apparently uncovered a covert server linking the Trump Organization to a Russian-based bank. <
Other issues:
- Vaccine nasal sprays aim to 'shut door' on virus - Japan Times
- Droplets with coronaviruses last longer than previously thought - Medical Express
- Bats in Laos caves found to carry coronaviruses that share key feature with Sars-CoV-2 - Straits Times
- In Panjshir, Few Signs of an Active Resistance, or Any Fight at All - New York Times
- In Rural Afghanistan, War Remnants Everywhere, but no Shooting or Checkpoints - New York Times
> In this now-sleepy valley, the main landmark is a hospital founded in 1989 by a German woman, Karla Schefter. Today, the hospital is supported by the Committee for Medical and Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan, which relies on private donations.
Faridullah Rahimi, a doctor at the facility, said that in his 22 years there, this was the first time there were no patients with conflict-related injuries. <
False Narratives:
- 20 Years On, the War on Terror Grinds Along, With No End in Sight - New York Times
The failures in Iraq and Afghanistan obscure what experts say is the striking success of a multilateral effort that extends to as many as 85 countries.
Stephanie Savell @stephsavell - 16:57 UTC · Sep 17, 2021
While I am glad that the New York Times used my research to show that the "War on Terror grinds on" in 85 countries, the argument that drives this article is misleading and is not based on evidence. Here's why. [THREAD] 1/
- To the Editor - Stephanie Savell / NYT
> U.S. counterterrorism operations, especially drone strikes, cause blowback. Worldwide, there are more Islamist militant groups, and more recruits to those groups, than there were before 9/11. Historical research shows that a military approach has hardly ever been effective in addressing terrorist violence.
It is alarming that this article gives the impression that the United States should engage in these counterterrorism operations in many countries, just as the U.S. is drawing down in Afghanistan. <
Use as open thread ...
Posted by b on September 19, 2021 at 14:02 UTC | Permalink« previous page
I see this Evergrande thing has shaken the Dow and the S&P.
Damn China. China causes us a lot of headaches.
Posted by: arby | Sep 20 2021 23:21 utc | 201
arby @201--
I posit it's the oncoming Debt Crisis that's the real cause. You've read my arguments that USA's GDP is less than half its stated figure, perhaps even less given the massive amounts of fraud. The linked article states total liabilities are "more than $85 trillion" which is likely 10x that of genuine GDP, while current federal debt is $29 Trillion, or 3-4x genuine GDP. That's the real crisis nobody's talking about that the Chinese issue's covering up.
Important news from NZ:
Posted by: Paul | Sep 21 2021 0:40 utc | 203
That is what I mean. If things stumble the THEY will blame China.
Posted by: arby | Sep 21 2021 0:44 utc | 204
@snake #183
I understand what you want to happen - what I see no path forward to is how it could ever happen. A 2nd government which is magically immune to corruption? How is this different than the principle of separation of powers: legislative, executive and judicial which we already have?
From my view: any and every system is going to be corrupted by those who want more: power, influence, money whatever.
Posted by: c1ue | Sep 21 2021 2:05 utc | 205
Paco | Sep 20 2021 19:13 utc | 189.. thanks paco.. i appreciate your insights.. i might not be able to figure all that out so easily..
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 2:14 utc | 206
Amazing scenes live in Melbourne watch onABC news i View:
Posted by: Paul | Sep 21 2021 2:32 utc | 207
@194 uncle tungsten - When setting out on vengeance, first dig two graves.
And as we know, these are not equivalents for the men lost, merely housekeeping that says not to let an assassin live. The true equivalence lies in the new paradigm that the article points out: that an eye for an eye is now the new standard between the former colonies and the former colonialists.
A paradigm has shifted without recognition, but also without any possibility of reversal. It was a new round of betting, and the stakes have increased. At the level of detail, the imperialist will be matched blow for blow, and eye to eye.
But even with the semblance of kill for kill, the true equivalence for the murder of the heroes as Iran stated it has not yet been met, and remains still in progress: the withdrawal from the Middle East of the United States in its military entirety. Only then will the red flag be lowered.
One could never imagine how such a thing could be achieved - just as one cannot see the mechanisms by which it is being achieved - and even so it is being achieved.
Posted by: Grieved | Sep 21 2021 2:42 utc | 208
Meanwhile what you won't read in NYT or Wapo as they are so busy blowing Elon Musk.
BEIJING, September 20. /TASS/. The Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft has successfully docked to the basic module of China's space station, the China Central Television broadcaster announced on Monday.
"The Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft successfully docked to the Tianhe core module of China's space station at 10:08 p.m. local time [5:08 p.m. Moscow time]," the broadcaster reported.
The Tianzhou-3 cargo spacecraft blasted off at 3:10 p.m. local time towards China's space station on Monday. The resupply ship has delivered food, propellant, spacesuits for spacewalks and other materials for the crew of the Shenzhou-13 manned spaceship scheduled to launch in October.
About the space station
In April, China orbited the core module of its national space station. Three crewmembers of the Shenzhou-12 manned spacecraft worked aboard the national space station from June 17 to September 16. Over this period, the taikonauts (the name of spaceflight participants accepted in China) made two spacewalks to assemble equipment.
Overall, the assembly of all of the space station's systems will require about twelve months and will be completed in 2022. The program envisages seven more launches to deliver another two Wentian and Mengtian laboratory modules, two cargo spaceships and three manned expeditions with taikonauts into orbit.
China's space station will have a mass of over 90 tonnes and accommodate three astronauts and up to six people upon a crew change. The space station will have a service life of about ten years.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Sep 21 2021 3:43 utc | 209
Grieved #208
YES, slowly but surely. Yesterday Iran shelled to oblivion four Kurdish bases that were facilitating the infiltration of terrorists into Northern Iran districts. One wonders if they were Israeli terrorists.
The nuclear tipped terrorist in the middle east is Israel. It is a simple as that and I expect that the SCO may need to address that provocation soon as well.
Posted by: uncle tungsten | Sep 21 2021 3:49 utc | 210
"The party is particularly bitter about certain Communist candidates that seemed certain to be winning. For example, in the city's District 196, outspoken communist politician Valery Rashkin was leading by 1.35%, with just 0.41% of the votes left to be counted. Once all ballots were totaled, he ended up losing by a whopping 13.87%.
"They would have won if that notorious e-voting system had not been introduced. We do not recognize the e-voting system. In Moscow, this system has only started to come together now since morning, although in other regions, all the results were known last night," Afonin said.
Party leader Gennady Zyuganov also decried the results, calling for experts to "investigate."
"This is unacceptable, especially as it is done directly in Moscow as the capital of our state," Zyuganov said, calling the online voting system "a hack job that could infect the whole country."
The city's officials have denied the party permission to protest the result, citing Covid-19 restrictions. One candidate, Mikhail Lebanon, however, said he would go through with the protest."
So it seems elections might be rigged in Russia, but against communists. Won't see this news in the West of course.
Why won't electronic voting go away?
Posted by: Smith | Sep 21 2021 4:08 utc | 211
Latin America
Lots happening south of the crumbling imperial border, lots of it good, lots of it treacherous.
First the good
Memorize this new acronym: CELAC (Comunidad de Estados Latinoamericanos y Caribeños). As resistance movements rise and take power CELAC looks to be a key vehicle which will coordinate and support their growth. Deep seated Latino values of sovereignty, respect for and re-integration of ancient cultures and languages, continue to emerge amidst constant threats and betrayals of the dying aristocratic caste as its feeble members are moving to Miami in record numbers.
CELAC is meeting in Mexico, hosted by president Lopez Obrador (AMLO) and his probable successor Marcelo Ebrand; AMLO and Maduro are leading the push to destroy OAS and finally make the hated imperial lackey Almagro go away. Eventually, CELAC will prevail and foster economic coupling with China's Belt and Road which is already happening. Latin America has a boat load of leaders with a spine and who can easily intimidate and expose any U.S. leader: Cuba's Diaz Canel, Mexico's AMLO, Nicaragua's Ortega, Venezuela's Maduro, Peru's Castillo, Bolivia's Arce along with some hardened leaders (Evo, Lula, Correa, Ebrard), many of whom have risked their lives in their fights with the aristocratic class. Latin America will continue to link with resistance countries worldwide.
Colombia is the number 1 U.S. imperial colony in Latin America and it is falling apart as its people are becoming radicalized. Narco president Duque has been exposed and "outed" so thoroughly he himself seems uncomfortable in his own skin. He boycotted the CELAC conference.
"Ivan Duque's increasingly isolated narco-regime has expressed contempt for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) following today's 6th Summit of Heads of State and Government."
"Colombia, notably absent from Saturday's meeting, had blocked the Summit's declaration in the latest sign of discord with the rest of the region."
Duque is in the U.S. and will meet with his sortof godfather Joe Biden. They're both baptized catholics, you know.
"The Colombian regime's tantrum over President Maduro's participation comes at a time when the OAS and Washington are encountering renewed opposition to the United States' attempts to subordinate countries of the region."
Imperial SouthCom's admiral Craig Faller is back in Colombia (while Duque is in the U.S.) meeting with top military thugs/leaders. Speculation is they are working on yet another false flag to justify an invasion of Venezuela which the U.S. would lose.
Peru is struggling but stabilizing a bit as the aristocrats have failed to marginalize or get rid of Pedro Castillo. He's another one who is very tough, doesn't talk much but doesn't back down a bit and he's pushing hard for a constitutional referendum. The street supports him and the street appears to be growing in numbers.
Cuba is being recognized as a heroic country in resisting 60 years of Yankee agression along with their covid vaccine which is getting out into more countries. AMLO featured Cuba at CELAC and directly challenged Joe Biden to lift the embargo-- strong words.
Bottom line-- South America is rising. The Empire is collapsing.
Posted by: migueljose | Sep 21 2021 4:09 utc | 212
Smith 211
You appeared on this whitey's blog (English language) to promote US/Angloshperes current attempt to fuck up Russia.
Do you spit on Zyuganov who says the original communist was jesus?
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 21 2021 4:17 utc | 213
@ Peter AU1
Why would a communist win fuck up Russia? Hell, it would revitalize Russia since it would mean the comeback of the USSR.
A communist victory would be the very last thing the anglos win.
And yes, I don't like Zyuganov's approaching christians, but I'd take him over Putin and the liberals.
Posted by: Smith | Sep 21 2021 4:20 utc | 214
Breaking. "Bombshell Testimony From FDA Vaccine Hearing Reveals Injections Killing More Than Saving, Driving Variants"
Thousands of lives were saved. Saints be praised.
b? You have to accept this. People's lives are in danger.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 21 2021 4:50 utc | 215
I wrote CSTO & SCO Summits Are Over; Time for UNGA Debates for those interested.
And vk? We both agree it's all about science but only one of us was doing his research on Covid.
Falling on "it's science" is a red flag like "people are naturally" or "it's common sense"
But if you are going to suggest I am being unscientific then I can only let the record eventually redeem my position.
Whatever. I really want to convince you about this. Both in good will and because you are an influencer.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 21 2021 4:58 utc | 217
by: karlof1 | Sep 21 2021 4:50 utc | 216
Awesome! Consider me a fan.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 21 2021 5:01 utc | 218
An observation from Lake Geneva the ex-pat center of Switzerland. Ex-pats here are either Governmental or International Corporate. My son's family has a number of Aussie friends of the corporate type that are leaving and returning home. I suspect decisions have been made at high Corporate levels that Aussie's are expendable as the Chinese market dwarfs the Australian. Now with the French row (The French Market starts on the other side of the Lake) it seems to me it can only get worse for the Aussie's. It makes me sad as a Texan I have always had an affinity for the Australians, I had a childhood friend who gave up his US citizenship in the early to 70's to become an Australian. I spent time in New Zealand in the early 70's when it was an anti-war beachhead. As an American we have no more control over our country than you do, we are in the same boat unfortunately.
Posted by: SwissArmyMan | Sep 21 2021 6:55 utc | 219
So I hear Trudeau won in Canada, but may have lost some seats.
And I agree with Smith, Russian elections looked "managed" a bit at the end, and the management seems more about keeping the commies out and maintaining United Russia legitimacy, than helping anybody else.
Not that United Russia actually looks threatened. It is probably a good thing to have the commies breathing down their neck, so they don't get fat, dumb, and happy.
Posted by: Bemildred | Sep 21 2021 7:30 utc | 220
@ Bemildred
Don't know what to think about Trudeau's victory, can't get a beat on the guy but at least Canada under him isn't as anti-China as the aussies.
Posted by: Smith | Sep 21 2021 7:44 utc | 221
@ Peter AU1
Your sh*tting on commenter Smith gets really tiresome.
And I agree with Smith in that the results of the latest elections in Russia look a little fishy. Professor Robinson is a little dubious (with link to his RT article).
Posted by: phiw13 | Sep 21 2021 7:46 utc | 222
Posted by: Smith | Sep 21 2021 7:44 utc | 2
Canada: Looks just like here. Nobody worth voting for (who is likely to change anything) gets anywhere near the main election. So after a while the voters stop paying much attention, and the government's legitimacy starts to slide, and various con men and hucksters start carving out little empires.
The last time I was familiar with Canada was before 1985, and much has changed since then, so I'll let the Canadians talk.
Posted by: Bemildred | Sep 21 2021 7:55 utc | 223
karlof1 | Sep 21 2021 4:50 utc | 216
Excellent. Thanks.
There is one point to add to yours about Fraudulent GDP, and that is MMT printing (Magic Money Tree printing). Which must now comprise most of the "$ money" in circulation, and is only held up by "belief, hope and habit".
This morning the Chinese and Japanese were reported to be helping the Treasury by buying its offerings. The US is sinking, but it is not clear that a rapid collapse would be in the interests of the SCO (to name just many), or the BRI. For a long time the ploy seems to have been to make a "slow puncture" in the US ego and military ambitions. (Hot air balloon?)
Even a rapid asssessment of the situation suggests that a collapse of the US could simultaneously cause a world wide collapse. Which is one of the stated aims of the Resetters (Gates, Schwab et al) or early Zionism. Which would in turn allow them to seize power and use brute force to consolidate it.
Are there people in the US that are aware of this? It is a possibility.
Posted by: Stonebird | Sep 21 2021 8:25 utc | 224
It will be interesting to see how far the pins China stuck into speculation a few months back travel. US dollar and western economy bubble rides on faith.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 21 2021 8:58 utc | 225
One of Australia's largest workers unions is protesting against the govt shutdowns/vax mandates.
Their union bosses sold them out, and they are pissed.
The radical left and right have always been closer than we want to think,
The political spectrum is more like a horseshoe
Nobody likes authoritarian, corrupted leadership.
Nobody supports police who beat up legitimately protesting workers.
Doesn't matter where your politics lie, wrong is wrong.
Shit is coming to a head in Oz
Posted by: Cadence calls | Sep 21 2021 9:13 utc | 226
Posted by: migueljose | Sep 21 2021 4:09 utc | 212
I listened to some of the speeches, AMLO is doing a fantastic job putting forth serious proposals for all Latin American countries to start working in unity projects, Maduro was passionate, Díaz Canel a bit more subdued but got into a heated verbal exchange with the imperial spoiler, the president of Uruguay.
The event was very depressing for me, I mean we have Xi Jinping addressing the conclave and my country Spain which should be heading a project that will take us out of irrelevance did not even bother to send a message of encouragement. Unfortunately we are a military and economic colony but what's even worse, a spiritual colony, this country despises its brothers and sisters just to please the master, our historical rival and enemy the anglo-saxon world.
Excellent summary of the unfolding events that will mark the rest of this century, maybe on the same scale than the Russian revolution marked the XXth century.
Posted by: Paco | Sep 21 2021 9:17 utc | 227
@ Paco
Cheer up Paco, the rest of the South American countries are carrying the torch for Spanish civilization.
Posted by: Smith | Sep 21 2021 9:51 utc | 228
Keeping it fresh
Can't let good propaganda just rot,
drag it into the headlines
again and again and again.
The third man: UK charges another Russian for nerve attack on double agent
Posted by: librul | Sep 21 2021 11:01 utc | 229
David G Horsman @193 re: Ideologies
The evidence that ideologies are taught (or programmed) is obvious. Christian families and communities do not give birth to Muslim or Jewish children and vice versa. It is well-understood that one of the primary functions of education is social reproduction (or social engineering, in the case of this "woke" baizuo shit in the West).
To be certain, some environments make it easier to propagate some ideologies. More specifically, the production process (industrial, agricultural) forms the interface between the natural world and human society, and so environments where whole communities are alienated from the production process are ones that allow those communities to more easily be programmed with "unnatural" ideologies. The more alienated a community is from production the more fantastical their ideologies can be, which is why "middle class" white collar communities, particularly in the US and Europe, are breeding grounds for crazy shit that doesn't track with how the natural world really works. The American empire's efforts to sell white middle class "wokeism" to populations that are predominantly working class or pre-industrial agrarian/craftsmen (Afghanistan?) hasn't been working very well.
As for blaming Marx and real social science for "managerialism" and Stalinism, that is no different from blaming Einstein and physics for atomic weapons or Darwin and biology for biological weapons. How science is applied can yield progress for humanity or devastation. In fact, there are arguments that posit that devastation (atom bombs, bioweapons) in the right hands and used with the right intentions can result in progress for humanity. While I very much disagree with such arguments, they are widely popular, particularly within those "middle class" white collar communities of managers and academicians mentioned above that have a tenuous and thready grasp on reality due to their conditions of existence alienating them from it.
In any case, socialism is inevitable. The course of human development in the West just might take a detour through a new Dark Ages if societal development continues to lag so far behind development of the productive forces.
Posted by: William Gruff | Sep 21 2021 11:24 utc | 230
It seems I have irked some senior bar flies by my comment on Beeley.
I have no intention of provoking a bar fight but state only my opinion based on my own research.
I didn't mention the Bartlett siblings (yes they are a pair!) as I have no knowledge that indicates they are any more than what they declare.
On the former though ... I ask how far has the fruit fallen away from the tree?
My sensors always fire up a warning when anyone is in anyway linked with the various Old DS agit prop setups in the U.K. - there are many going back well over a hundred years - the recommend a Man Called Thursday for example or even the tales of the Scarlet Pimpernel and going all the way back to the Elizabethan era intrigues and Masters.
Anyway anything connected to Revolutionary Communists/ Trotskeyites/ Marxists - Leninist and their bridging partners on the Libertarian Wings that happily bring the extremes together to demand and deliver by hook or crook the Top down orders of restoring Order by appeal to a fantasy historic Divine Law and ancient Rights won by Barons against their foreign Monarch ...
Her daddy was a Big Wheel (you do not do Chatham House and Empire Management, without your progeny being guaranteed the gains of your efforts). He was also a partner in running the show with Morrison - the unelected 'deputy PM' whose nephew managed the Blairism that followed Thatcherism.
Like others who dallied with the 'extreme' agit prop groups and have since revealed their deep reactionary and aristo links and rewards - most notably LADY Clare Fox of the RCP - elevated to the Lords by Johnson for her part in delivering BrexShit... the agents of the Empire are many and they are hothoused from childhood.
Yes I will admit that I could be proved wrong about my suspicions about Vanessa, I await the judgement of time - but anyone who dived into bed with Off-Guardian and so publicly embraced Covid denialism and is publicised by the MSM as 'other', as a means of cover, there is nothing better, and from that type of background just lights up my warning screens as I say. I doubt Putin or Assad are fooled. As they aren't by Gorgeous George. Any true speakers of Truth to Power here are attacked and imprisoned like Assange and Murray and many others - they don't get to travel where and when they like!
For info on Syria, White Helmets, Fake Chemical attacks and day to day on the ground news - I never have had a need to turn to her as there are many other reliable sources.
As I say it is just my opinion and mean no offence to the great barflies of MoA or the host.
Posted by: D.G. | Sep 21 2021 11:42 utc | 231
@Posted by: D.G. | Sep 21 2021 11:42 utc | 231
Your post reads like it was generated by an
auto text generator.
He laughed heartily, shaking his head.
You're right on both accounts.
So I'm assuming you knew that Lourdes and Aaliyah were having the family dinner at Charlie's?"
He laughed even harder.
"Of course I knew!
We've been expecting this all evening.
I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea.
Besides, Lourdes really wanted to invite you, and I know Aaliyah would have gotten along great with your wife, if she had met her.
They were roommates for a bit back in College."
"Why was a woman from the future all of a sudden pinging my phone and showing up in my
- autogenerated
Posted by: librul | Sep 21 2021 12:13 utc | 232
karlof1 @ 202
I agree. It seems that the US had a chance to take the 'evergrande challenge' back around 2008 when the dow was around 10,000. Instead it used its resources to prop up the stock market and real estate rather than let things re- equilibrate to a more normal level which would make housing more affordable.
The re-equilibration is now starting to be forced with a bigger bubble.
Posted by: financial matters | Sep 21 2021 13:37 utc | 233
Below is a current posting title at Reuters that is the pot calling the kettle black
Evergrande wooed retail investors with Gucci bags and Dyson appliances
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 21 2021 14:59 utc | 234
Posted by: Paco | Sep 21 2021 9:17 utc | 227
Re:Latin America
"The event was very depressing for me"...
CELAC will prevail and will help members link up with China's BRI. You are right about Mexico's AMLO-- he's been around a long time and is very aware and informed about his enemies. I hope Lula learns from him. AMLO is patient but he knows the game, he knows when to "run" and he's running now. The peons have a very strong hand.
Whoever knew Kenny Rogers would sing a song that describes what's going on now? Watch AMLO.
Posted by: migueljose | Sep 21 2021 15:11 utc | 235
smith / bemildred regarding canada election..
my take... canada is run by blackrock and corps like this... it doesn't matter who wins in canada on a fundamental level.. the only difference in the 2 leading parties is the degree of political correctness being pursued.. vancouver island has gone mostly ndp - the 3rd party of note federally speaking... we do our own version of bloc quebecios here on the island by always generally staying away from voting the 2 main parties! but this is changing as vancouver island as a lot of transplants from other parts of canada, in particular alberta.. alberta, in spite of all the bullshit continue to support the federal conservatives... it defies logic - my logic anyway, lol...
@ dg... i missed your earlier comments... i thought gordogs article from beeley was worth reading and relevant... so, what sources to you read to stay on top of what is going on in syria? i am truly curious...
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 16:19 utc | 236
indian punchline - Iran's SCO membership is a big deal
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 16:24 utc | 237
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 16:19 utc | 236
Thanks for your comment. I think it is just like here, politics is a kind of game show that doesn't have any important effects on what the government does or how it is run. Nobody of any substance would have anything to do with it.
What I don't understand is why Justin called an election? Is he dumb? He doesn't seem to be very quick, if you know what I mean. He reminds me of Newsome here now I think about it. And Obama. Full of himself and yet easily controlled.
It's a bummer that we have such mediocre choices these days.
Posted by: Bemildred | Sep 21 2021 16:54 utc | 238
Thanks for the feedback from those brave enough to read my humble article. Biden kicked off the UNGA with the usual bundle of lies about the Outlaw US Empire's benevolence. And as usual with Biden, he unknowingly utters an unwelcome truth to the US public and the world:
"Addressing the UN General Assembly on Tuesday, Biden characterised military power as a 'tool of last resort,' and suggested that any mission involving the US military in the future 'must be clear and achievable, undertaken with informed consent of the American people and whenever possible in partnership with our allies.'" [My Emphasis]
So, all previous wars since WW2 were illegal from a Constitutional standpoint since they were never "undertaken with the informed consent of the American people" and certainly outside the very limited legal grounds stated by the UN Charter and thus the US Constitution. Note how he studiously avoided saying at the end "in partnership with our allies" and always with the approval of the UNSC.
At least there was one big howler--Biden's "opening a new era of relentless diplomacy"--with the absolutely inept crew he has on board, which was initiated by two attacks by its vassals aimed at Russia: Charging another suspect in the completely unproven Skripal case, and the ECHR's charging Russia with being behind the Litvinenko poisoning. Biden also said there's no new cold war, but the Outlaw US Empire only knows that way of behaving--peace and cooperation with the rest of the world isn't in its lexicon.
And I'm sure there's much more as I've only scanned this morning's news reports. Oh, I almost forgot. China's not buying Biden's line that he doesn't seek a new cold war as this Global Times editorial headline shouts, "Biden should be held accountable with Trump for the 'new cold war'":
"More and more facts have proven that Washington always fails to keep its promises. As the US withdrew its troops from Afghanistan and formed a security alliance with the UK and Australia, Washington has twice sacrificed Europe's interests. This has made Europeans realize that Biden's approach and Donald Trump's 'America First' policy are basically the same thing. The so-called strengthening of the alliance is just an honorific plaque that the US has built for itself.
"The whole world now is talking about a 'new cold war,' and even UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed his concerns. However, it is the US that has caused all the changes and conflicts that give the global community such a strong impression. And it is US officials that have made all sorts of excuses when they are doubted and questioned by the general public. To use a Chinese saying, Washington's declaration of 'no new Cold War' is like writing a sign that reads 'No 300 taels of silver buried here' after literally burying them there. It just reveals what the US intends to hide."
It will be interesting to listen to Xi's speech later today to see if he amends his planned speech to deal with Biden's words. Regardless, as the editor notes, the Outlaw US Empire has only itself to blame for the lack of credibility it now enjoys with the global community, which now demands proof in deeds, not words promoting empty promises.
Posted by: librul | Sep 21 2021 12:13 utc | 232
"Your post reads like it was generated by an
auto text generator."
lol good try. No cigar. I thumb type on my phone. No edits.
It may be auto didactic but I certainly plead guilty to generating the text you read.
Sorry if it sounds mechanical. It is all generated on the fly from feeling.
That probably sounds mechanical as well
Posted by: D.G. | Sep 21 2021 17:37 utc | 240
@ Bemildred | Sep 21 2021 16:54 utc | 238... yes - there is not much difference between the usa and canada in terms of these once every 4 year shows.. canada has more options to choose from it seems and we aren't completely a 2 party system like how i see the usa, but for all intensive purposes it does feel much the same..
trudeau called the election for political expediency... it was a complete waste of money, but he felt he better call it now, as opposed to later when canucks realize how much we are indebted to blackrock, pfizer and etc. for... there is no fiscal responsibility under trudeau unfortunately.. no accountability either... it seems it wouldn't be much different, regardless who won.. this is one advantage of the american system - fixed elections... this canuck election was complete political opportunism on trudeaus part.. he will pay for it at some point, but the conservative leader was weak and canucks are too chicken little to vote for alternatives to these 2 horrible parties - liberals and cons... maybe i am wrong and many canucks like the direction we are going on.. a liberal win is certainly better then a conservative win.. harper - our last conservative pm - was very horrible in so many ways... trudeau has almost caught up to him in the deplorable dept. though..
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 18:27 utc | 241
Pretty good description of why America is richer by Gowans.
What Makes the United States Richer than its G7 Partners? Imperialism, not Lower Taxes
Posted by: arby | Sep 21 2021 18:46 utc | 242
Thought I'd add my perspective on the Canadian election. I believe Canada is much better off after the election than prior even with a parliament which looks about the same. Why? Fifteen percent less popular vote for the Conservatives in Alberta, with a Liberal elected in Calgary, possibly one in Edmonton and 2 NDP candidates elected in the province. This is bad news for those who'd like to use Alberta alienation, and alienation of the Prairies, as a weapon against the central government. In BC, some progressive candidates won in the areas outside Vancouver city, breaking a potential rural vs. urban political wedge there. And in Quebec, the Bloc Québécois did not gain the hoped-for 40 seat provincial majority, thereby mitigating some threat of separatism rising in this province, while still ensuring strong Francophone & Quebecer political representation in the House of Commons. FWIW, I voted Liberal because I liked the candidate in my riding (it wasn't Trudeau) who won easily! As Canadians, we are in a much more secure political situation now then before the election - in my opinion.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Sep 21 2021 20:03 utc | 243
And we cannot accuse Baerbock of naivety: the nuance of her position on Ukraine is too sophisticated for a local, provincial German politician.
vk @ 159
Re the Greens of Germany.
You have to admit that tieing protecting the environment to cold war xenophobia is a brilliant tactic and accomplishment.
Except that it's completely incoherent. Are these folks crazy?
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 21 2021 22:05 utc | 244
"the DoD spending does infuse billions of dollars every year into US jobs - both directly in the military (1.38M strong) and via the defense industries."
c1ue | Sep 20 2021 15:01 utc | 160
Yes I completely agree with your point.
Our joke in Canada is that we have welfare. Say what you like it doesn't involve murdering people.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 21 2021 22:10 utc | 245
@ Bruised Northerner | Sep 21 2021 20:03 utc | 243..
thanks for sharing your perspective... i don't see it the same way.... the ppc have also reared their head - this is an anti vaccine / passport and possible anti- immigration vote, all rolled into 1... as for b.c. and progressives - b.c. typically votes this way - interior is conservative and coast is ndp /liberal... nothing much has changed as i see it for b.c. this was a waste of money and time and it is all on trudeau... and, for the record - i don't hate trudeau.. i just don't think he is that bright... his motives here were all wrong.. as for alberta - we'll see... alberta voted ndp provincially prior to kenney... kenney promised the trans pipeline and jobs in the oil sector, etc. etc.. that horse left the barn some time ago, not to return... if alberta was smart they would have adopted the approach norway, or even peter lougheed had taken, of not giving the corporations everything.. unfortuntely ralph klien didn't see it the same way... i am sure those who haven't voted with their feet by moving to b.c., are reconsidering their options and it doesn't have much to do with federal conservatives...
in fact, i wish canucks would wake up and see how disastrous it is to continue to vote for liberals or conservatives... it is a totally losing game.. the reason they don't want a different system, like proportional representation or some other better form of democracy, as they would be on the short end of the stick... of course the corporations can't have that... they need to milk the libs and cons for as long as possible... i am always disappointed in this election exercises and this one is no different..
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 22:11 utc | 246
Hi james, when I lived in BC, I voted for proportional representation, the rural/urban option which I thought was the perfect choice! I do find that the Liberal party is very good at getting candidates with strong local appeal. That affected my choice this time. On the macro level, what you say is very true. Alberta is Alberta, Naheed Nenshi gave some comments on that, but it's definitely better for the country to have more diversity in elected reps from that province. Having lived in Vancouver, I do think it matters that at least the political divide between those living in the city and those in the areas immediately surrounding it was lessened. After living many years in Vancouver, I finally learned about colour revolutions and such, and I was convinced it was taking place there. It was my view that the city was subject to outside political influence, causing potential upheaval, which could result in Vancouver becoming like Hong Kong or the city-state of Monaco! (Per mayor Kennedy Stewart) So I'm glad to see some stabilizing there. I read today that less than 60 percent of voters cast a ballot. That is regrettable. It will be difficult to make any kind of major reform, I think, without more voter engagement?
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Sep 21 2021 22:41 utc | 247
The quote below from an "exclusive" (grin) Reuters story
The Taliban have asked to address world leaders at the United Nations in New York this week and nominated their Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan's U.N. ambassador, according to a letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday.
I like the concept but not sure of the chances...Shaheen might call Empire a shit show
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 21 2021 23:04 utc | 248
Many have requested I provide further excerpts and interpretation. Instead, what follows is a machine translation of the interview between Argumenty i Fakty and the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev. As in the original, questions are in bold text. I've made no attempt to provide contextual clarity, so beware as it's possible for the machine to err. It's here on the open thread to allow for discussion of Patrushev's views.
Vitaly Tseplyaev, AiF.ru: — Nikolai Platonovich, most readers of the abbreviation BRICS, SCO, CSTO do not say much. Could you tell us what is the real contribution of these structures: they contribute to the maintenance of peace and stability?
Nikolai Patrushev:— The role of these organizations in the modern world is growing. This is an objective trend. For example, BRICS is more than 40% of the world's population, 25% of world GDP, 22% of global trade. If we consider, for example, purchasing power parity, the BRICS have already surpassed the Group of Seven in terms of gross domestic product: 33% against 30%.
Within the framework of the SCO, BRICS and the CSTO, practical steps are being taken to strengthen global stability, regional security, trade and economic ties. On an ongoing basis, we cooperate on the fight against terrorism, transnational crime, drug production and distribution, illegal migration, piracy, and the use of information and communication technologies for criminal purposes. And in the context of the ongoing pandemic, we are paying attention to the joint fight against the spread of infections.
I will not list all the areas in which our countries are working together. It is important that these actions are aimed at the benefit of all people. Being friends against someone is not our principle.
At the summits, special attention is paid to the latest events in Afghanistan. Do you have a feeling that by withdrawing from this country, the Americans simply shifted the responsibility to Russia and its regional partners?
Indeed, the irresponsible withdrawal of American troops has led to the fact that the states of the region have to face increasing problems that the Westerners not only did not solve, but also aggravated. Under these conditions, the SCO and CSTO countries become the main guarantors of stability in Central Asia. In fact, Afghanistan has become a litmus test, once again confirming that for Washington in the world there are no friends, but only its own selfish interests. Having spent trillions of dollars on military operations, the U.S. and its allies everywhere left behind chaos and destruction. Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Syria, now Ukraine, and even earlier Yugoslavia, dozens of Asian, African, Latin American states are all examples of the destructive American strategy of global domination.
Where Washington cannot achieve its goals through open military intervention, it aggressively interferes in the internal affairs of sovereign states. Washington is trying to isolate undesirable countries from the outside world, to cut off even from the supply of basic means of survival to them. Look at Venezuela or Cuba, for example, where the situation has escalated this summer. From Moscow to Havana almost immediately flew planes with food, medicines, medical equipment. From Washington, there were calls for Cubans to take to the streets and overthrow the legitimate government. This is American democracy.
But in each of its next bills, Washington cynically calls Russia, China, Iran and a number of other states "bad" countries, troublemakers, revanchists, malicious players.
Apparently, according to American lawmakers, only the United States can be a "good" country.
It is the United States that is the main instigator of the disorder in the world. Moreover, from each next geopolitical experiment of Washington, not only a single state and its people suffer, but also a chain reaction is launched, destabilizing entire regions, including the West itself.
After the American fiasco in Afghanistan, the conditions are forming for a new migration crisis, even more severe than in 2015. Then, from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa defeated by the Americans and Europeans, so many refugees poured through the Mediterranean Sea that no one can count it until now.
I believe that the United States and its allies should be held accountable for the destruction of the economies of sovereign states, the aggravation of inter-ethnic and political problems, and the intensification of terrorist, extremist and other threats. This includes providing compensation that far exceeds the multi-trillion dollar sums they spent on undermining stability around the world.
The Afghan crisis has become an occasion for the G7 to recognize the role of Russia and China in solving global and regional problems. Do you think that the "Big Seven" can again become "Eight", and even "Nine"?
The countries of the "Big Seven" with their proposal to involve China and Russia in solving security issues in Central Asia confirmed the fact that this association is only a discussion club. Moreover, discussions there are conducted under the strict control of Washington.
The format you mentioned has lost its relevance today. Russia participates only in those international structures and clubs where real problems are solved and the principle of equality prevails, where alien standards and rules of behavior are not imposed on anyone.
Not so long ago, President Biden, speaking in connection with the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, said that the era of the military restructuring of sovereign states is ending.
Let me remind you that almost every American president has been making such statements for the past hundred years. Perhaps you know the expression "a war that will end all wars"? So, this formulation belongs to Woodrow Wilson [Emphasis original], he used it when he urged his fellow citizens to support their decision to enter the First World War. And after that, the Americans started more wars than any other country. Another loud revelation of the White House is just words spoken rather out of despair. The authorities of the United States and Western states in general are aware that their ability to influence the global situation and maintain their hegemony is decreasing every year. Internal problems in the West are rapidly accumulating and are already close to critical mass. This was especially evident in the United States last year in the example of the storming of the Capitol and internally inspired racial protests, which escalated into real street fights.
For these reasons, it is becoming increasingly difficult for Americans and their allies to dictate their will to the world today. But this does not mean that they will abandon such an imperial strategy. Rather, on the contrary, their actions will become more aggressive and unpredictable in order to divert the attention of their societies from internal turmoil at the expense of external adventures. This is how all the crumbling empires operated, from ancient Rome to Britain.
But modern England never tires of demonstrating its own exclusivity and imperial ambitions, including sharply criticizing Russia and demanding that it change its line on the world stage.
After leaving the European Union, London with a vengeance began to implement the project "Global Britain". However, before taking on the revival of former imperial greatness, the British would do well to deal with the problems at home. A significant number of residents of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland still do not consider themselves British. The English for centuries drove the Scots into the mountains, the Welsh were used as cheap labor, the Irish were taken out to work in the colonies as slaves. These peoples have faced no less neglect for centuries than the Africans and Asians conquered by England.
London's anti-Russian policy also has a long history. Since the end of the XIX century, England tried to incite Japan against Russia, provoking the war of 1904-1905, as a result of which our country was forced to make significant territorial concessions. They tried to repeat this with Nazi Germany, preparing the Munich agreement.
Today, the British want to build their empire under the new sign of "global Britain" with the old methods. This is an occasion to think both of England itself and of the countries and peoples who once experienced British colonial oppression.
You mentioned Japan. Should she also take into account the lessons of history?
Sure. In August 1945, the Soviet Union, having defeated the Kwantung Army at lightning fast, regained everything that the Japanese militarists tried to take away from our country. Now, some politicians in Tokyo are trying to stir up the past and present some old accounts to Russia, continue to blindly follow American instructions and willingly get involved in anti-China and anti-Russian schemes like the Indo-Pacific formats.
Do you mean the QUAD association, which includes the United States, India, Australia and Japan?
We are actually talking about a new military-political bloc with a pronounced pro-American character. In fact, quad is the prototype of the Asian analogue of NATO. Washington will try to draw other countries into this organization, mainly for anti-Kita and anti-Russian policies.
Just the other day, another military bloc took shape in the region - the American-British-Australian AUKUS, which pursues the same goals. It is characteristic that when it was created, the Americans also squeezed out their French partners, intercepting a profitable deal for the construction of nuclear submarines for Canberra. Apparently, Atlantic solidarity also has a price. I think in Paris now many people remember the story of the Mistrals.
For the sake of implementing another adventure of the White House in order to strengthen control over such a promising region as the Asia-Pacific region today, the entire security architecture in Asia is being jeopardised, and prerequisites are being created for undermining the authority of ASEAN and other regional associations.
Today, in principle, the interest of the whole world is shifting from the countries of the West to the Asia-Pacific region, where half of the world's population lives and a significant part of its economy is concentrated. Is this an objective process or the result of miscalculations of the Europeans?
Asia today is acquiring the same geopolitical and economic importance for the whole world as Europe once had. This is largely facilitated by the Europeans themselves, who allowed a significant part of the sovereignty of their states to Be delegated to Brussels within the framework of the so-called European project. And who rules the ball in the authorities of the European Union? Not representatives of European peoples, but bureaucrats serving the interests of transnational corporations.
Trying to declare its ambitions in international politics, the European Union only discredits itself. Last week's report on EU relations with Russia confirms this. Continuing the anti-Russian policy, the European Parliament, even before the elections to the State Duma, declared its readiness for non-recognition of their results.
Today, more and more countries understand that nothing can be expected from the European Union except for mentoring lectures on human rights and the imposition of pseudo-liberal values.
At the same time, some European states have a good foreign policy reserve, including a huge, numbering more than one hundred years of experience in building diplomacy in all regions of the world. I am referring primarily to Germany, France and Italy. We hope that over time these powers will get rid of external influence, returning to their once characteristic pragmatic and independent policy.
Only will Washington allow the withdrawal of these countries from the associations under its control?
The United States is not interested in independent European states, so today they are trying to create local formats that are beneficial to them even within the framework of the European Union. For example, the "Three Seas Initiative", consolidating the countries of Eastern Europe. It is presented as a constructive integration format, but in fact we are talking about a new anti-Russian association of states. In fact, this is a revival of the idea of a hundred years ago about the creation of the so-called "sanitary cordon" along the western border of our country.
Of the newly created similar associations in recent days, special attention of a number of countries has been focused on the so-called "Crimean Platform".
The "Crimean Platform" was created by Washington for the appearance of concern for the interests of Ukraine. Its declared goals are doomed to failure. Plans to violate the territorial integrity of Russia will remain in the offices in which they appeared. To play along with the unrealistic territorial ambitions of Ukraine is unreasonable and dangerous. The Crimean Platform has become a gathering of representatives of countries supporting the official government in Kiev, which nurtures nationalists, panders to radicals and openly declares its readiness for large-scale military action against Russia.
Zelensky's [Emphasis original] visit to Washington showed the real face of 100 people who are supposedly concerned for the well-being of Ukraine. The agreements reached will benefit only American business, which is once again allowed to profit from Ukrainian projects outside of competition. This is nothing but veiled colonialism. The population of Ukraine itself is actively presented with this anti-national policy as a movement towards the so-called progressive West. And there are many who believe in this propaganda.
Americans and Europeans claim to be protecting human rights...
What are human rights? Freedom, protection of life, health, equality before the law and the courts, dignity of the individual and much more. The West cares about human rights, but in fact violates them en masse. The same biological laboratories created by Washington around the world pose a threat to the health of tens of millions of people, thereby violating their rights. In the United States itself, dissent is persecuted, many people are deprived of the opportunity to receive normal medical care, representatives of not all races and nationalities can count on fair decisions of judges and the police.
A similar thing is happening in Europe. In the Baltics, for example, a real policy of apartheid is being pursued against the Russian-speaking population. People have been living stateless for years, that is, in fact, outside the legal field, and their use of the Russian language is considered an offense. In Ukraine, the authorities pass discriminatory laws on Russian language and on indigenous peoples, and the United States and Europe either do not want to notice or directly condone it.
Under the hypocritical slogans of the struggle for equality in the West, blatant discrimination of citizens adhering to traditional values is organized. What is the only systematic undermining of normal gender relations, when the father and mother are renamed parents number one and two, children want to be given the right to choose their own sex, and in some places it comes to the legalization of marriages with animals.
It is unlikely that countries with rich centuries-old traditions will want to have something in common with such values. The imposition of alien norms on society will further split the world on the principle of "one's own - another's", will become an occasion for provoking hostility between states, will lead to polarization of society in those countries where they will try to artificially impose such stereotypes.
What agenda in this regard does Russia offer to the modern world?
Our country stands for the expansion of equal multilateral cooperation, the development of universal international institutions, joint work to reduce global tensions and strengthen international security.
If the West creates associations of states to solve short-term tasks, contain unwanted countries and suppress its own allies, then Russia and our partners in the SCO, BRICS, EAEU, CSTO and CIS do not have a shadow agenda. Our countries are united by a common contribution to ensuring national security and global stability, recognition of the primacy of international law and the coordinating role of the UN, rejection of interference in the internal affairs of independent states, readiness to uncompromisingly defend their national interests and treat the sovereignty of other countries with understanding.
karlof1 249
Thanks for putting that up. A little bit of sanity in the world. Come to think of it, there might be an opening for a tour operator. Take people on a tours of sanity. Something that cannot be seen in the west.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 21 2021 23:30 utc | 250
Peter AU1 @250--
Thanks, but it was a chore. The Beatles promoted their version of "sanity tours"--Yellow Submarine and Magical Mystery Tour, as did The Who and Roger Waters/Pink Floyd. Even Winton Marsalis's Ever Fonkey Lowdown could be called one. Time now for a brew and some sun!
@ Bruised Northerner | Sep 21 2021 22:41 utc | 247
thanks for your additional commentary... i think b.c. politics, especially under gordon campbell and christy clark were definitely subject to outside influences and not in a good way... the casinos became a laundry for all the funny money - both from the chinese and biker gangs, and that is just the tip of it all..
i am sorry, but perhaps i have been around too long and have become rather disillusioned with federal politics... even in b.c. they made the threshold 60% the first time they ran to question on proportional rep and then campaigned against it as i recall... this is much like a tin pot dictatorship with media serving these same private interests.. the diversity i am looking for is not happening.. take the riding i am in - 29% ndp, 28% conservatives, 25% greens, 16% liberal and 5 % ppc.. it all goes to the first past the post system.. that is no diversity.. that is a system that has remained the same, in spite of the diversity of the vote in the riding i am in... we need a change in the design and concept of democracy... it really shouldn't be winner take all, which is what it is right now..
Posted by: james | Sep 21 2021 23:56 utc | 252
Two other items I wanted to share. "Russia's Kurchatov Institute, Rosatom raise civilian nuclear research to new heights" and "Tokamak reactors to facilitate transition to green nuclear energy".
@ karlof1 | Sep 21 2021 23:06 utc | 249
thanks for all your posts and commentary karlof1.... the usa has been referring to the ''''''''''axis of evil'''''''''''''' (trademark - hollywood, or madison avenue) for a very long time... we all know who is on the list and who ought to be on the list... unfortunately this bullshit seems to work on some, but even then i am becoming less and less convinced... it is like the review i read of the latest clint eastwood movie.. the guy is 90 and he is still the baddest dude on the scene picking up chicks half his age... may as well have gotten biden into a similar role... this is all that usa-hollywood is good for - bullshit for jelly brains to wallow in..
Posted by: james | Sep 22 2021 0:07 utc | 254
Quite some time ago I gave up on this thing we call democracy as it is totally reliant on the media. Perhaps not so in the localized areas, but once it gets to state and particularly national level then media rules.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 22 2021 0:39 utc | 255
yes.. media has undue influence on the masses... and no one wants to censor it either, as that would be undemocratic, lol... so, instead we have oligarchs who own the media and dictate what can and can't be said about any number of relevant topics... i agree with you... not sure how anything changes here.. people are gullible and easily deceived.. that much i know..
Posted by: james | Sep 22 2021 0:44 utc | 256
That quote of Goering's and how easy it is to take people to really hits the basis of human nature. It is only a small minority that thinks they are being fed bullshit, start digging deeper and end up at blogs like this. I get angry at times with everyone around me just going along with the propaganda that's all around them but that is just human nature. Everyone wants to fit in. Very much a herd animal.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 22 2021 1:25 utc | 257
Karlof, thanks for your article! Here is an excerpt that puts the zeitgeist into perspective.
In many respects, the world is going Back to the Future as it embraces FDR's initial vision for the Post WW2 World, not the Cold War that Truman, Churchill and their minions were able to foist onto a war-weary world that was all about keeping Imperialist Capitalism atop everyone's necks.
The Anglo-Imperialists are no longer in the Industrial Capitalism world as they now embrace the Zero-sum, parasitic outcomes of Neoliberalism, which in its essence is a Rentier Political-Economy as Dr. Michael Hudson explains in one of his many essays on the topic.
Having experienced some facets of that political-economy, the vast majority of the world's nations reject it and the Anti-International Law tenets upon which it's based.
Yes, people tend to forget this [if they ever knew], but FDR's vision for the postwar world was entirely different from what we got!
The most forgotten and suppressed part of that era was the budding partnership between FDR and Uncle Joe, which was going to underpin the whole thing. The two were much closer in their worldview than many would suspect.
Churchill's imperialism was FDR's real enemy, and no honest historian will deny that. Unfortunately, FDR was being constantly undermined. Truman, representing Deep Capital, turned 180 degrees from that, to simply absorb the British Empire into a much bigger and badder US empire.
This is why we have such strong anti-FDR hate among the ridiculously brainwashed hoi polloi of today.
Perhaps that better and brighter world we have been denied all this time is finally shaping up, under the China-Russia leadership?
Posted by: Gordog | Sep 22 2021 1:28 utc | 258
Gordog 258
Ehret at Strategic Culture wrote about that. The american loyalists vs FDR the American. Stalin, the good and the bad, the ultimate evil in our propaganda, perhaps a man for his times, soviet union and its successor the Russian federation may not now have existed after operation Barbarossa. Totally ruthless but when he said not a step back he did not leave Moscow.
Posted by: Peter AU1 | Sep 22 2021 1:46 utc | 259
Peter, yes I have read a lot of Ehret's first-rate writings on FDR! 👍
Obviously the Stalin propaganda is cartoonish. The little people happened to love him!
I had somewhere weeks ago posted a trenchant comment by Alexander Zinoviev, Soviet intellectual who eventually became a dissident in the seventies and emigrated...then returned to Russia in 1999.
I am only going to paraphrase here because I don't have the full quote handy:
Why did my mother keep a picture of Stalin on the wall?
She was a peasant woman with 11 children. They had a decent life, but hard. Her children could become peasants, or artisans at best.
Then came collectivization. The move to the cities. And what was the result of all that upheaval? Three of her children became engineers, another a military officer, another a professor, a writer and a doctor.
And this happened to millions of such peasant families [including Yuri Gagarin--G]. It was an unprecdented in humanity uplifting of ordinary people.
That's why ordinary Russian folks still revere Stalin, including Putin, who has scorned the previous Bolshevik regime---which was a completely different thing.
Posted by: Gordog | Sep 22 2021 2:14 utc | 260
ZH posting titles only and a take away quote
India Seizes 3 Tons Of Heroin Allegedly Originating From Afghanistan
This will give the Taliban a leg up on crashing the opium market and flushing out the perps behind the scenes, IMO
JPMorgan Makes An Unexpected Discovery: Delta Variant Only "Half As Infectious As Assumed"
Take away quote
Of course by even getting this far, the JPMorgan analyst may have broken most of the most cardinal of taboos of delta variant discussion in "polite society", so we are not surprised that he did not even dare breathe the word "ivermectin" and its use in Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Ecuador, Thailand and Mexico.
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 22 2021 4:07 utc | 261
I got the link and story below in my inbox and am wondering if any MoA barflies from India can back it up?
The "Pandemic" Has Ended for Much of India, How Did They Do It? – Not With Covid Injections but a Drug That Costs Less Than £2 Per Person: Ivermectin
Another question is whether it is becoming common knowledge in India that they have been lied to and manipulated by the West?
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 22 2021 4:39 utc | 262
Below is a link to a comprehensive posting at Xinhuanet that I suggest MoA barflies read
New trends tell where China-U.S. cooperation is heading
Read it and you will understand why the chest beating about a Cold War with China is BS.....exports to US is up, foreign investment is up, R&D is up and the globalization genie will not go back into anyones bottle.
I believe the global financial elite see the writing on the wall but still see themselves and the "institution" of global private finance continuing for the near term future. I think that we are still in the early stages of the Evergrande financial event and haven't seen much of who and what of the financial exposure.
I really do believe that China wants to make a statement both domestically and internationally with their handling of the Evergrande situation....and that will potentially confront global private finance directly, IMO
The shit show continues until it doesn't
Posted by: psychohistorian | Sep 22 2021 5:32 utc | 263
Hi james, yes I do think the previous governments, particularly Christy Clark in the interior of BC for example were culpable for some outside interference. The interference does not rely on whoever is in power in BC though. I may not have been around as long as you, but I do think it is unrealistic to expect that Canada can have a pure grassroots democracy while sharing a border with the US. Political stability is very important in protecting our country from American predation and expansionism. And the entire globe struggles with the corporate-capitalist system, that's not something we can defeat in isolation!! This is not Cuba. If you believe diversity matters, then you should welcome the outcome in Alberta if nowhere else. Proportional representation can result in power-sharing between the same political reps with no simple way to defeat an entire political group, which would be less democratic. Also, fringe extreme minority parties can hold the balance of power. That would be deadly in a country with all its major cities on the US border. It has to be implemented carefully.
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Sep 22 2021 7:19 utc | 264
Ok, Reuters is free political propaganda, and you knew this.
But this one seems over the top even for Deep State Reuters.
Their current Big Bold main headline is:
Special Report: Backers of Trump's false fraud claims seek to control next elections
Posted by: librul | Sep 22 2021 12:00 utc | 265
Holy Heck! This is a thing?
Skin-penetrating nanoparticles in aerosols that act as delivery systems for viruses
are for real ?!
Sounds like a silent assassin's dream tool.
New documents show that just 18 months before the first Covid-19 cases appeared, researchers had submitted plans to release skin-penetrating nanoparticles and aerosols containing "novel chimeric spike proteins" of bat coronaviruses into cave bats in Yunnan, China.
And that's not the worst of it! Read it.
Wuhan and US scientists were planning to release enhanced airborne coronavirus particles into Chinese bat populations to inoculate them against diseases that could jump to humans, leaked grant proposals dating from 2018 show.
New documents show that just 18 months before the first Covid-19 cases appeared, researchers had submitted plans to release skin-penetrating nanoparticles and aerosols containing "novel chimeric spike proteins" of bat coronaviruses into cave bats in Yunnan, China.
They also planned to create chimeric viruses, genetically enhanced to infect humans more easily, and requested $14million from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (Darpa) to fund the work.
Are they insane ?!!
Their plan was "to inoculate them [bats] against diseases that could jump to humans".
What could possibly go wrong?
Posted by: librul | Sep 22 2021 12:45 utc | 266
james | Sep 21 2021 2:14 utc | Xxx?
I would love to hear you play!
Awesome. And I love all the music links folks. More on that later.
James that multidimensional view of reality and the universe?
That's the technology I have been engineering for five years while educating myself. Rehabilitating myself really.
Interestingly, my biggest help has been from "The Priest" and "The Moral Realist". It's a narrative.
Cool huh?
And in this story I am "The Mad Scientist". I am going to kill us all and my advice is that you hang the lot of us.
(Mad laughter follows)
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 22 2021 16:25 utc | 267
A little late for the last 911 but never too late for the First one,
terror attack and coup by the Empire.
"On 11 September 1973, a military coup was successfully launched against Chilean President Salvador Allende. British-made Hawker Hunter jets were used to attack the Chilean presidential palace, and the British government's swift recognition of Augusto Pinochet caused outrage across the country. A solidarity campaign was launched to oppose the junta, and industrial action was taken to limit the sale of arms to Chile. While Britain's support of Pinochet is well known, British covert action in Chile prior to the coup is not. "
'Before the rubble: Britain's secret propaganda offensive in Chile (1960-1973)
Kevin John McEvoy
This is the clearest instance of British interference in Chile's 1970 election.'
Posted by: D.G. | Sep 22 2021 16:28 utc | 268
psychohistorian @262--
Pepe Escobar at his VK space expects Hudson to make an additional statement beyond what he said in the Keiser report interview about Evergrande. Xi made no mention of it in his UNGA speech, but he did talk of the macro points it's related to. Also, China's decision to abandon construction of coal-fired thermal power plants in developing nations will change the direction of capital flows and put a big dent in coal mining companies and bulk carrier shipping. The "green nuclear" items I linked @253 will become the likely replacements that will effectively shut the Anglos out.
Karloff @253 @268 Thanks I have been looking for this info. Nuclear will save us... Super ironically.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 22 2021 16:51 utc | 270
@ Bruised Northerner | Sep 22 2021 7:19 utc | 263.. thanks.. you probably have a point.. the present system though is fucked... so, i am for something different!
@ David G Horsman | Sep 22 2021 16:25 utc | 266... nov 1st port theatre - 'impressions of lightfoot'... come if you can! it hasn't been advertised yet.. i don't know those references you cite... cheers james
Posted by: james | Sep 22 2021 17:12 utc | 271
Gordog @258--
My initial academic pursuit as an historian was the study of the US Empire and ALL things related to its development, the ALL encompassing a great many fields of study. That began in 1968 as many cities burned and the cops rioted at Mayor Daley's request in Chicago after MLK & RFK were assassinated. One sub-area of deep focus was the Great Depression and the great efforts made by the public to stop US involvement in wars via the three Neutrality Acts that were given very shallow treatment by history texts. Why was that I wondered. In 1973, I wasn't out of high school yet, but the lottery was ended, and the Watergate Hearings were both great entertainment and educational. That part of my bio I've written here before, but you're too new to have read any of that. When you read Ehret, you must also read Cynthia Chung--they're partners working on the same thesis, which mirrors one I developed once I returned to college fulltime in 1996 with the goal of becoming accredited as a teacher. FDR's big mistake was his belief that he'd live to initially guide the direction of his postwar creation that resulted in his agreement to add Truman and drop Wallace. There're other questions too, but those with the answers are all dead, so we investigate the best we can. The new story's currently being written in real time, while historical perspective makes it comprehensible.
Sorry james that was Max | Sep 19 2021 18:52 utc | 47 that was discussing people having dimensions where a fractal was a given shared pattern.
Not the same thing but almost and describing the same thing.
Posted by: David G Horsman | Sep 23 2021 15:39 utc | 273
thanks david.. no problem!
Posted by: james | Sep 23 2021 16:49 utc | 274
Hi james - you definitely have very, very good points! I felt like I became too pushy in my comments. You are always so considerate when you post. I think I just have to see a silver lining somewhere!! (ps did you think the events is Afghanistan really influenced the election? I don't. Defence minister Sajjan won his seat with 50 percent of the votes, although he grew up in that riding apparently.)
Posted by: Bruised Northerner | Sep 23 2021 20:12 utc | 275
The comments to this entry are closed.


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Be afraid. Be very afraid. 5/4/17 Los Angeles Times:
[Jaffee] hopes to knock off Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, the current Democratic minority leader and a political fixture in San Francisco for nigh on 50 years.
Not by portraying her the way a succession of failed Republican challengers have, as the lipsticked embodiment of the ludicrous left.
Rather, Jaffe suggests Pelosi is not liberal enough or, for that matter, even a true liberal, a proposition that would be dismissed as outlandish anywhere other than San Francisco.
Here, the political spectrum pretty much runs along a sliver of bandwidth from left to far left to kerplop!, off the continent's edge into the Pacific Ocean.Indeed. Anywhere but San Francisco, this would be laughable. But Babylon-by-the-Sea is proof that Californians have a constitutional right to be untethered from reality.

subset: commoncrawl


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THN.com Blog: Maple Leafs for sale, GMs meetings and an exceptional player
Some Monday musings for your dining and dancing pleasure:
• The National Football League's collective bargaining agreement expires, it locks its players out Friday and word leaks out Saturday that controlling interest in the Toronto Maple Leafs is for sale.
Coincidence? We think not. And neither do other people.
There is a notion floating about that the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan made the decision to divest itself of the Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment empire because of the possibility of work stoppages in both the NHL and the National Basketball Association.
Pension plans have what are called "risk management" people who constantly monitor the risks involved in the plan's investments. There is speculation these people concluded the risk of having one or both of its NHL or NBA properties shut down for a season made it the right time to sell.
The NBA deal expires in June and the NHL deal is up the year after. If the Leafs were to shut down because of a lockout, Teachers would risk losing about $50 million in revenues and face the prospect of the value of the franchise going down. It's true franchise values skyrocketed after the last CBA, but that was because it was a landscape-altering deal. This one would be more of an adjustment to the current system in place.
So these risk managers likely saw they could get $1.3 billion for a pension plan that is facing a future shortfall and came to the conclusion that now is the best time to sell.
• As the NHL GMs gather in Boca Raton, Fla., this week for their annual meetings, all indications are we shouldn't expect any "knee-jerk" reactions from them when it comes to head shots and concussions in light of the Zdeno Chara hit on Max Pacioretty.
Fair enough. Regardless of whether you agree or disagree with the 30 men who run NHL hockey departments, there is absolutely no doubt they believe they are doing the right thing for the game. You might not agree with it, but you can at least appreciate the logic behind their thinking.
But you have to wonder sometimes about the guys who have the keys to the executive washrooms. It was certainly not the finest moments for either commissioner Gary Bettman or VP of hockey operations Mike Murphy when it came to logical thought last week.
Consider what Bettman had to say when defending the league's decision to not further punish Chara for an act many saw as dangerously careless.
"I don't think whether or not supplemental discipline was imposed would change what happened," Bettman said.
Yeah, he really said that. That would be tantamount to a sentencing judge saying to a convicted criminal, "Yes, I'm aware that you murdered that man. But throwing you in prison for 25 years isn't going to bring him back, so, off you go."
Of course it wouldn't have changed what happened. But by suspending Chara, the league would have provided a deterrent to those who might have found themselves in the same situation in the future.
And there was Murphy's justification for not imposing a suspension, which was rife with illogical thought.
In his statement after his decision, he pointed out he had a hearing with Chara, then stated, "After a thorough review of the video, I can find no basis to impose supplemental discipline."
So why exactly have a hearing, then? If Murphy's thorough review of the video had already led him to that determination, there was no reason to get Chara's side of the story. Did he think Chara was going to say something that would make him guilty? Murphy's comments make it clear the hearing was nothing but a sham to make it look as though the league was interested in having some balance in this matter. And you can bet they didn't speak with Pacioretty about it, largely because both the league and the NHLPA have an almost total disregard for the player at the receiving end of these things.
Murphy went on to say, "I could not find any evidence to suggest that, beyond this being a correct call for interference, that Chara targeted the head of his opponent, left his feet or delivered the check in any manner that could be deemed to be dangerous. This was a hockey play that resulted in an injury…"
With that, the league should have said it would immediately rescind the major penalty and game misconduct Chara received for hitting Pacioretty. If it was a hockey play, as Murphy said it was, then why exactly was interference the correct call and why would it have merited a major penalty?
• The latest player to apply for exceptional player status in the Ontario League is 15-year-old defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who is playing this season for the Sun County Panthers minor midget team.
Ekblad, who turned 15 in February, must receive the approval of the Canadian League and Hockey Canada in order to be eligible for this year's OHL draft. If he is available, there is every indication the Barrie Colts, who hold the first overall pick this year, will take him.
At 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, he is certainly physically ready to play major junior hockey and those who have seen him play say he was probably good enough from a skill point of view to be in the OHL this season. Ekblad scored four goals and 34 points in 30 regular season games and added five goals and 21 points in 17 playoff games.
If approved, he would be the first player since John Tavares in 2005, and just the second ever, to receive exceptional player status since Hockey Canada introduced its arcane rule that prohibits minor midget players from playing at any junior hockey level unless they receive the exceptional player designation.
Ken Campbell, author of the book Habs Heroes, is a senior writer for The Hockey News and a regular contributor to THN.com. His blog will appear every Monday throughout the season.


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A service specialized for reservations and introduced to businesses from major industry players, to small and medium enterprises
What kind of service is ChoiceRESERVE?
It's a system through which one can manage reservations in just about every kind of industry, ranging from wedding venues to insurance, to lectures to athletic clubs.
It's the kind of service you use very frequently without even realizing it.
Many of our clients already had their clients list, but there are several cases where companies have been able to attract new clientele to their own sites and have adopted the reservation functionality as an added value to that.
We have over fifteen years of experience as a cloud service aimed at solving the challenges associated with reservation management.
Reserve LINK partnered WOVN.io to meet their customers' needs
What prompted your partnership with WOVN.io?
Initially, we developed ChoiceRESERVE based solely on the assumption that we would serve a domestic market, and therefore didn't consider any multilingual compatibility.
One day, we had a client who provided experiential programming to tourists come to us and say that they wanted to be able to accept reservations in English and Chinese. We looked over a variety of multilingual services and discovered WOVN.io.
Many non-Japanese will give up on attempting to make a reservation altogether if the reservation page is only in Japanese. Some non-Japanese potential customers will make inquiries by phone, meaning our clients have had to maintain a regular bilingual staff to handle those calls.
This double need of labor resulted in a feeling for those of us who provided reservation management systems that the value we offered was essentially halved.
That WOVN.io offered an immediate solution to this problem was a major help to us.
WOVN.io offered a smart solution to the added expense and effort needed to develop an additional multilingual functionality
How would you have handled this issue without using WOVN.io?
It would have been impossible to develop the system in multiple languages from scratch. That alone would have meant great effort and expense. When we introduce clients to WOVN.io, they're so happy they don't have to go through all that. I can't imagine going with anything other than WOVN.io for our multilingualization. And I think there are other companies out there who would say, "if only we had known about that before we'd developed a multilingual service as well!"
A+ compatibility with our service; change between languages instantaneously
How is using WOVN.io in practice?
To verify whether our clients would use it or not, we first got our own WOVN.io account. We went to the ChoiceRESERVE management screen and placed a WOVN.io tag and—bam!—there was a language switching widget right there. And we said, "Oh wow, this is going to work!" Ha ha!
Because the ChoiceRESERVE management screen was structured in such a way that it could be played with and we could incorporate tags from external tools, the integration went very smoothly. The compatibility was excellent.
We can feel at ease guiding clients to WOVN.io because it supports them closely
How did your clients respond to the introduction of WOVN.io in practice?
Simply introducing the WOVN.io service to our clients—the introductory guidance and explanations and the support we received during and after the introduction from WOVN.io was incredibly thorough, and our clients are using it with real peace of mind.
Our clients can now accept reservations from non-Japanese through multilingual reservation pages, and we've heard that multilingual staffers are no longer pressed by the duties of having to handle reservation phone calls.
WOVN.io brings the merits and added value of multilingualism
How is the fee rate structure for WOVN.io?
Some of our clients are concerned that they have to pay fees for both ChoiceRESERVE and WOVN.io, but once we explain the difficulties in creating a multilingual system and the merits of having the system be multilingual, they respond positively—they certainly want to use it. Many companies have launched multilingual reservation pages using our reservation system along with WOVN.io in practice. We feel that WOVN.io brings added value to our clients.
We can control the content of the translation and clearly communicate our meaning
Which features of WOVN.io please your clients?
Clients in the tourism industry take proper nouns such as place names and the names of their special plans seriously. You can't have a reservation site that doesn't accurately communicate the names of services to customers who visit their website.
With WOVN.io, you can edit the results of machine translation and enter in your preferred terminology using the dictionary function ahead of time. Our clients have perceived the benefits of introducing WOVN.io because it doesn't just translate, it also allows them to accurately communicate what services they offer.
WOVN.io is a multilingual interaction specialist that helps us to solve our clients' challenges
What do you expect from WOVN.io from now on?
We don't want to merely offer WOVN.io multilingualization tools to our clients, we want to work with our clients and solve their issues.
Just because you put up a reservation system doesn't mean the customers will come; you also have to set up multilingual support on the site you use to attract customers. I think it's not enough that our system is multilingual—the sites that are associated with it also need to be multilingual.
Judging from the results of introducing WOVN.io, their expertise and know-how regarding website multilingualization is clear. It encourages me to continue solving our clients' issues together with them as a reassuring partner.
Usability for foreigners visiting Japan to seamlessly book reservations for any kind of services
Please tell us what you think about the outlook for multilingualization from here on out?
Recent trends in tourism from overseas to Japan have showed that, rather than simply going on excursions or sightseeing around cities, visitors want experiential services. They use the lodging facilities they stay at as base points for visits to museums or factories and they participate in activities and tours that allow them to get into contact with Japanese history or culture.
For these experiential services, we think this will inevitably lead to a need for the handling inbound traffic on reservation sites. People are more comfortable when they can conduct transactions in the language they're most familiar with, whether they're buying goods or services or whether they're making their purchases in a brick-and-mortar store or on the web.
We're grateful that visitors to Japan have taken such an interest and we want to meet their interest halfway by facilitating more enjoyable travels and cultural experiences by reducing the stresses and miscommunications caused by the language barrier.


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Researchers Move Closer to Alzheimer's Blood Test
Researchers from the Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine are nearing development of a blood test that can accurately detect the presence of Alzheimer's disease, which would give physicians an opportunity to intervene at the earliest, most treatable stage. The test has an accuracy rate of above 95 percent, they said.
Robert Nagele, PhD, presented his team's most recent findings October 18 at OMED 15 in Orlando. Dr. Nagele's work focuses on utilizing autoantibodies as blood-based biomarkers to accurately detect the presence of myriad diseases and pinpoint the stage to which a disease has progressed. An individual's autoantibody profile is strongly influenced by age, gender and the presence of specific diseases or injuries. Diseases cause characteristic changes in autoantibody profiles that, when detected, can serve as biomarkers that reveal the presence of the disease. The blood test developed by Dr. Nagele has also shown promise in detecting other diseases, including Parkinsons's, multiple sclerosis and breast cancer.
Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, a term for memory loss and problems with thinking that affects daily life. About 5.3 million Americans are affected by the disease, and that number is expected to swell by 40 percent over the next decade. Even worse, according to the Alzheimer's Association, it is the country's only leading killer that cannot be prevented.
Detecting Alzheimer's antibodies 8 to 10 years before symptoms appear would give patients an opportunity to work with their physician to make lifestyle changes or receive available treatments before they become symptomatic. Potentially, this early intervention could help those with preclinical Alzheimer's avoid or delay the most devastating symptoms.


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This month's first Read-A-Thon I'm joining is #AYearAThon (02-08 until 09-08) and the theme is TV and movie adaptations.
The second one is the bout of books Read-A-Thon. There's no theme there so I'll probably read whatever is left after the first one. (16-08 until 23-08)
Here's my TBR of this month:
- City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
- Paper Towns by John Green
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
- Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard
- 1984 by George Orwell (which isn't a movie of TV adaptation)
My TBR may change or I may not read all of them, it depends on my mood and the money I have to spend on books.
Much love,


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Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Virtual Assistant Podcast
Tech Tools To Help You Collaborate With Your VA Part 1
In this episode, I share some voice feedback from Jay Carter. He shared some thoughts on how having a virtual assistant could be beneficial to those who have been diagnosed with ADHD. He also had a though that becoming a virtual assistant could be a great choice for those who have disabilities that have stood in the way of them obtaining a traditional job.
The main focus of this episode has been for me to share tech tools that can be useful in collaborating with your virtual assistant. It appears that this will be a bit of a series of episodes on this topic as I have a lot of tech tools to discuss and how I use them with my own virtual assistant.
The tools I shared in this episode:
* Google Calendar
* Google Docs & Spreadsheets
* Google Mail / Gmail
* Google Apps For Businesses
Also, in this episode, I share the failed attempt to use my virtual assistant to delegate a task that should have been pretty simple. However, I also share what happened and why I feel this attempt failed. I believe with this evaluation, I'd be able to approach a similar task in the future and would be able to effectively delegate this task to my virtual assistant.
For those of you who are still in the process of trying to figure out what to delegate, I suggest taking a notebook and logging every single task that you do over the course of a few days. Then, review that list and highlight anything you believe that someone else could be trained to do for you.
Special thanks to Contemporary VA for sponsoring this podcast. This is the firm I, personally, use for my own business. I would not have had the time to produce this show without it making financial sense for me to do so. Their sponsorship has made this show possible. If you get a chance, thank them in any creative way you can think of. If you desire, this is the link to their contact page.
Please call TODAY with your questions on our voicemail hotline at 859-795-4067. Or use your voice memo application on your iPhone to record feedback or questions. Simply email it to [email protected].
Know someone else who needs to hire a VA? Send them an note with a link to http://VirtualAssistantPodcast.com.


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What Rain Jacket Should I Buy This Spring?
How to stay warm and dry when the skies open up
Outside's long reads email newsletter features our strongest writing, most ambitious reporting, and award-winning storytelling about the outdoors. Sign up today.
You don't hike in spring without a rain jacket in your pack. But with so many options, it's hard to know which one to buy. So we put together this quick-and-dirty guide—organized by jacket weights—to walk you through spring shell shopping.
Lightweight Jackets
Pros: The best jackets in the category weigh only a few ounces and will disappear in your pack. They also compress to about the size of a tangerine. Their breathability makes them ideal for high-output activities like running and biking in the cold.
Cons: Many rain jackets in this category are water-resistant, not waterproof, so you'll get wet in a downpour. And it'll be pricey if the jacket is both super light and fully waterproof and breathable. Lightweight jackets also tend to eschew nice features like pockets and pit zips.
Buying Advice: If you want to move fast and light (think long thru-hikes) or you live in a relatively dry region like the Southwest, you can get away with this kind of airy shell.
Patagonia Houdini ($100): This shell weighs just 3.6 ounces and costs just $100, but it'll keep you dry in light rain (it's water-resistant, not waterproof), add warmth on a windy ridge, and dump heat nicely when you're moving up the trail.
Mountain Hardwear Supercharger ($225): The Supercharger costs twice as much as the Houdini because it's fully waterproof with seam tape and a 2.5-layer waterproof-breathable face fabric. It's heavier, at 6.1 ounces, but it'll give you a fair bit more protection in the wet and the cold.
Midweight Jackets
Pros: For casual weekend warriors. These jackets are usually waterproof, breathable, and less costly than their super-svelte relatives. They also have more features, like extra pockets and pit zips.
Cons: Midweight jackets are heavier and don't pack down as well as lightweight shells. They're also not breathable enough for aerobic activities like trail running.
Buying Advice: If you're day hiking or heading out for a short weekend backpacking trip, this is the type of jacket you want.
Columbia's Evapouration ($129): There are a lot of rain shells near this price point, but we've tested this one extensively and love how it keeps us dry in a downpour yet dumps heat on the trail. It earns bonus points for the giant selection of colors.
REI Talusphere ($149): We'd pay a bit more for this 19-ounce, fully waterproof-breathable shell because it's built from a 2.5-layer stretch polyester fabric that's great for mobility. It also has pit zips, massive chest pockets that sit above a hipbelt, and a pocket big enough for an iPhone.
3-Layer Jackets
Pros: The most protection you can get for the money. Jackets in this category are made to last multiple seasons even with lots of hard abuse. Drag them across rocks or through the trees, and they'll hold up just fine. They'll also keep you bone-dry.
Cons: Expect to pay a premium. Most jackets in the category breathe well enough but are too heavy for high-output activities in everything except the coldest weather.
Buying Advice: If you plan to climb a bunch of Colorado's 14ers this summer, invest in a three-layer shell. This kind of jacket is great for scrambling up rocks. It'll also shrug off snow just as well as rain (many of these jackets can pull double-duty as ski shells in the winter) and add lots of warmth when temps drop.
Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket ($549): The Beta weighs a hair over a pound, but it's built from bombproof Gore-Tex Pro (the stuff many high-end ski jackets are made from). Like all Arc'teryx jackets, the Beta is packed with nice features, like a helmet-compatible hood (for technical routes), and has a roomy fit to facilitate lots of layering.
Outdoor Research Realm Jacket ($280): The Realm uses waterproof, breathable and air permeable AscentShell stretch fabric instead of Gore-Tex so it's less expensive than the Beta, but still plenty durable. We also like that it's slightly stretchy and packs down to the size of a grapefruit.