[WesternRifleShooters] By now, it should be obvious to the observant that the ‘scoundrels-looting-the-treasury’ phase of our economic arc is about played out, and before the entire rotten financial edifice collapses, there will be a war ignited across Europe and the Middle East which will serve as a distraction for the masses, while the very worst of the scoundrels take to ground to wait for the smoke to clear before they emerge.
The gangsters actually directing the national governments that publicly front for their activities have nearly finished siphoning the remaining liquidity from the global financial system, leaving a hollow shell behind. The prostitutes who pose as our political leaders have been complicit at every step of the looting process. Now we are hearing the last wheezing notes of the calliope as the economic merry-go-round grinds to a halt. To borrow the expression from financial author Michael Hudson, the parasites have killed the host.
The world’s central banks – an integral part of the current cabal of looters – are out of even pretend remedies. There is no more smoke behind the mirrors. The zero interest rate creation of digital money can increase paper valuations as assets are traded back and forth between patty-cake playing looters, but the injected thin-air money cannot boost actual increases in productivity or even spur meaningful consumer spending. A global contraction is underway, and neither tap-dancing television hacks nor phony Soviet-style statistical trickery can conceal the emerging reality. Slapping another layer of pretty wallpaper over rotten termite-infested walls with another round of debt creation will have no greater curative power than sticking smiley-face band-aids over cancerous lesions. Whether or not (and how) the bellwether Deutsche Bank goes Tango Uniform in the coming weeks will hold many clues.
Continued on Page 49
#1
Never attribute to malice that can be explained by sheer, unthinking stupidity arising from self-indulgence (kinda of ideological analog of Fisher's Runaway Selection).
#1
Reminds of SAC, "If you can't stop me I will. If you can't force me I won't."
Posted by: Sven the pelter ||
02/23/2016 0:39 Comments ||
Top||
#2
See also GUARDIAN.UK > BEIJING DEFENDS MISSLE DEPLOYMENTS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA AS NO DIFFERENT TO [Than] US DEFENCE OF HAWAII.
Hawaii is a US State outside of Mainland CONUS, while China's new "Sansha/Sasha Province" in SCS is China's new sovereign offshore or maritime province = offshore sovereign territory of China.
IOW, SCS = HAWAII = "CORE INTEREST" for their respective Govts-Nations.
No mention of GUAM-CNMI = EXPENDABLE???
* WORLD NEWS > US URGES REGIONAL CHALLENGE TO CHINA'S CLAIMS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA.
Nice, but AFAIK US Regional Allies want the US
to take the lead agz Beijing.
* SCOUT.COM > US [Army] MAY PUT WEAPONS IN SOUTH CHINA SEA, e.g. BMD-capable MT Mobile Arty.
* REUTERS > CHINA SIGNALS NO SOUTH CHINA SEA BACKDOWN AS FOREIGN MINSTER [FM Wang Yi] HEADS TO US.
* USNI.ORG > NEW POSSIBLE [high-frequency] CHINESE RADAR INSTALLATION ON ARTIFICIAL ISLAND [Cuarteron island] COULD PUT US STEALTH AIRCRAFT AT RISK.
* SAME > [Military. com] NAVY: US MAY SAIL MORE SHIPS IN SCS, NAVY COMMANDER SAYS. USPACOM Chief USN ADM. Scott Swift.
* STRAITS TIMES = ...
> BEIJING STILL USING "MIGHT-MAKES-RIGHT" APPROACH.
> CALLS FOR SOUTH KOREA TO TAKE NUCLEAR PATH. ROK CONSERVATIVES' CALL COMES AS MORE PEOPLE LOSE FAITH IN THE US TO DEFEND THEM FROM NORTH.
* XINHUA > CHINA URGES US NOT TO SEND WRONG MESSAGE TO TAIWAN [Pro-]"INDEPENDENCE" FORCES.
VERSUS
* AMERICAN INTEREST > BEIJING HURRIES TO CASH IN ON PERCEIVED US [POTUS Obama?] WEAKNESS. BEIJING PLANS YEAR 2016 TO BE A BIG YEAR IN STRENGTHENING ITS MILITARY POSITION.
* DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > [The Diplomat] NEW SUBS [Russian "KILOS"] MIGHT NOT BE ENOUGH FOR VIETNAM TO DEFEND ITS SOUTH CHINA SEA CLAIMS [agz China].
* SPUTNIK NEWS > CHINA MISSLES IN SOUTH CHINA SEA THREATENS US AIRCRAFT CARRIER DOMINANCE.
* PINOY TIMES > SCS DISPUTE: PHILIPPINES COULD BE STAGING AREA FOR CHINESE MISSLES + AIRPOWER, CENTRAL BATTLEGROUND IN US-CHINA WEST SEA WAR.
* INDIA TIMES > ECONOMIC TIMES: CHINA MILITARY PROVOCATION: IT IS ESSENTIAL FOR US TO KEEP SENDING SHIPS AND PLANES TO SOUTH CHINA SEA.
* RELATED DEFENCE.PK/FORUMS > JAPAN MARITIME [JMSDF] CHIEF TAKEI: US INDUSTRY, MILITARY KEY TO ADDRESSING WESTPAC SECURITY THREAT [pespec ala China].
JMSDF Chief ADM. Tomohisa Takei.
YUUUP.
Also good for helping to making sure the USA doesn't retreat or pullout of WESTPAC ergo the US won't have to sink Guam + other strategic Pacific Isloands in order to engage in "A2/AD" agz China + PLA.
Calais resident Simone Hericourt speaks out on recent demographic changes to her town:
It's heartfelt and distressing, but at 12.50 there is also a brilliantly dry and wicked joke, delivered in an off-hand manner that would be familiar to anyone who has spent even a brief time in France:
"... they tell us these [illegals] are a 'cultural enrichment' for us ... I ask myself where their cultural riches are. Because if it is to sack, to destroy, to steal, to rape and so on, the French were fully capable of doing it themselves, one only had to ask."
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
02/23/2016 9:53 Comments ||
Top||
#6
I personally think the open war between Islam and the West, currently covert, will start in Europe.
I think we are going to find ourselves in a war that will, for pure savagery, make the Angolan Civil War, and the Mahdi revolt in the Sudan in the 1870s look like a soccer match.
I believe we are on the verge of mass slaughter in Europe.
Posted by: Bill Clinton ||
02/23/2016 13:18 Comments ||
Top||
#7
The problem with all this is the Russian factor.
Russia is supporting the Shia and driving the Sunni population to Europe to divided and destroy the EU.
Then Iran takes over in the ME (see Yemen, Oman, Iraq, Syria, Leb). Who then takes over in Europe?
#9
That's a shame. I've had my fill of saving foreign ingrates. Sorry toots, but we already gave at Iraq and Afghanistan. Just assimilate with the new mob, you will be fine.
Posted by: regular joe ||
02/23/2016 16:54 Comments ||
Top||
#10
I believe we are on the verge of mass slaughter in Europe.
Let's hope the elites experience their share of butchery. Myself, I'm betting on Europeans going full berserker on the Muzz.
I'll go with Carson as VP, Marine Gen. James "Mad Dog" Mattis as Secretary of Defense, and [not listed] former Ambassador John Bolton as Secretary of State or Director CIA.
I believe that would be a mistake. The working class whites who're Trump's main support had affirmative action up to their mouths. Maybe not Carson's fault---but it'll be generations until they'll trust any African-American.
#2
Ted Cruz should be on the supreme court where he would have far larger impact for 30 to 40 years than as president. Rubio may make a deal so they two of them take down the clown Trump
#4
I believe that would be a mistake. The working class whites who're Trump's main support had affirmative action up to their mouths. Maybe not Carson's fault---but it'll be generations until they'll trust any African-American.
Posted by g(r)omgoru
Not so certain about that one g(r)om. There's an old saying in the South: "There are black folks, and then there are...the other ones." Bad apples fall on both sides of the colour fence. I think most American people are sophisticated enough to tell the difference. The odious reality of Affirmative Action, like it's failed South African cousin 'Black Economic Empowerment' (BEE) is that both programs were created by the guilt bound white man seeking to 'level the playing fields' and gain political leverage. Affirmative Action and BEE or symptoms of a greater problem.
I believe the 'mistrust' felt most is being directed toward the Washington elite, precisely where it belongs. In the final analysis, Jeb, Christie, and the growing list of Republican drop-out presidential candidates might prove this out.
#7
Although I like Carson, a VP pick has, up until recent time, been the "Plan B" if the President was incapacitated (Biden excepted, who has backstopped as, per Michelle Malkin, "assassination insurance.").
Recent history would, imho, preclude Mr. Carson and his superior skill-set, as unfair as this may be.
#8
Turn him loose on the VA.
Posted by Vast Right Wing Conspiracy
Trump's genius... if he has one, appears to be his ability to surround himself with smart people. I believe he long ago, recognized Carson as a 'go to' quiet professional whom he could 'turn loose' on a variety of issues, to include the VA.
#11
He's right, grom. There is no problem with a black man in office as long as he is the right black man. I like Carson for Secretary of State.
Posted by: Bill Lumplump1529 ||
02/23/2016 12:47 Comments ||
Top||
#12
I don't think Trump is stupid. He has flaws but that ain't one of them.
My best hope for him is that he truly does love the USoA and will set a vision that includes a direction to the republic as defined by the founders. This would be highlighted by picking people who can push things in that direction.
I most certainly don't have the feeling that he will do that based on his statements but I also don't believe what he has said on any particular topic.
Hillary or Bernie would be the death of the republic. Ted is probably the best out there now, BUT, Donald might be the best to stop the implosion that we are undergoing right now.
#13
A person's race is such a tiny part of thier DNA as to be insignificant; similar to eye color. Ben Carson would do his country proud in any of the mentioned capacities.
A VP needs to unify the country and deliver states. Could Dr. Carson deliver Michigan?
Who could deliver Florida and Ohio?
Posted by: Sven the pelter ||
02/23/2016 14:01 Comments ||
Top||
#14
Cruz has already said he would appoint John Bolton to Sec State.
#15
There's got to be a position for Gen. Russell L Honare of Katrina fame.
On September 20, 2005, at a press conference with Nagin on Hurricane Rita, Honoré made headlines nationwide when he told a reporter not to get "stuck on stupid" in reference to a question about the government response to Hurricane Katrina.
Posted by: Alaska Paul ||
02/23/2016 19:23 Comments ||
Top||
[LI] Poll: Majority of Democrats say socialism has 'positive impact' With a two term communist sitting in the WH, a Clinton redux on the horizon, and Bernie Sanders in the race, a poll was needed ?
The term 'socialist' once was used as an epithet in American politics. Perhaps no more.
In a year in which Bernie Sanders, a self-described 'Democratic Socialist,' is running a competitive primary campaign for the White House, a new survey finds that a healthy portion of Democratic primary voters are favorably inclined toward socialism.
Nearly six-in-ten Democratic primary voters believe socialism has a 'positive impact on society,' according to polling conducted this month for the right-leaning issue advocacy group American Action Network and provided to POLITICO.
Democratic voters in every age group, every gender, and every race view socialism favorably, according to the early February telephone poll of 1,000 likely Democratic primary voters fielded by Republican firm OnMessage Inc. and commissioned by AAN, which is tied to the Congressional Leadership Fund super PAC dedicated to House Republicans. And among people 45 and under -- a group that has helped power Sanders' primary performances -- the ideology is preferred to capitalism by a margin of 46 percent to 19 percent.
#1
Excuse me, but whilst you're at it, please 'poll' republicans as well. Dependent upon the definition of 'socialism,' with nearly 50% feeding at the public trough, I'll wager the difference between the results will not be significant.
#4
The Socialist took over the old Donk party a while ago. The old Donks took over the Trunk Party as compensation. Kasich and Jeb et al should have been in the other primary in eariler times.
When the Wall came down there should have been a reckoning of all the apologists and agents in our society for Moscow et al. Just like all the royalists chased out of the newly minted United States, adapt or depart. Instead the snake was allowed two more decades to indoctrinate your youth and subvert your institutions.
#5
I think it is instructive that Republicans rejected another Bush this year, even though he spent $120m on his campaign. While at the same time the Democrats are going all in for another Clinton regardless of her reputation for corruption and pending federal indictments.
#11
An awful lot of people think that Socialism means an imaginary Sweden, rather than Stalin and Mai Tse Tung. Describe how capitalism and socialism actually work, and you'll get a very different answer.
#13
Iff one believes that "things will get worse before they get better", espec come Year 2025 or shortly after iff the US is still not under OWG + Marxist-Commie-Soc World Order + the Commies make good on their pledge to resort to Armed Militancy, War + Revolution, to force the US to be so, THEN IMO ANY POTUS BERNIE SANDERS IS JUST THE NICE BEGINNING TO THE CHAOS, VIOLENCE, + BLOODY HORRORS, THAT WILL BE FORTHCOMING IN ANOTHER TEN YEARS.
Come Year 2025 or ASAP after I duly expect the Commies = Hardline Marxists-Stalinists + similar to be coming out in the open, + both legitimately running for political office as well as supporting or threatening armed domestic insurrection inside Amerika.
[Breitbart] Columnist Charles Krauthammer reacted Saturday on Fox News Channel to GOP front-runner Donald Trump winning the South Carolina primary.
According to Krauthammer, Trump cannot be stopped until the bottom three candidates drop out of the race.
"Look, the panic ought to be there right now. If you don't have the field winnowing to three, then I don't see how Trump is stopped."
"In a three-way race, that's a dead heat with the other two," he continued.
Krauthammer added, "The losing candidates are going to be the ones who have the decisive effect on the trajectory of the campaign." If Krauthammer's assessment is correct, the fellow in the photo is helping divide the conservative vote and will likely be Trump's Vice Presidential running mate.
#1
"If Krauthammer's assessment is correct, the fellow in the photo is helping divide the conservative vote and will likely be Trump's Vice Presidential running mate."
From your lips to God's ears, but only if He can enlighten people to 0 being unrepresentative. There's a lot of anger out here, much of which is misdirected.
#3
...when it comes to the Beltway Party, you need a wider spread, something bigger. See - why elect a Trunk controlled Congress only to continue the Pelosi-Reid agenda?
[Daily Excelsior] ISI is going ahead with its policy and plans in Kashmire. Infiltration from other side, though controlled to a large extent, is not totally stopped. Maybe with the help of their local conduits, the jihadis have explored new and maiden routes for infiltration and subsequent acts of violence and subversion in the valley. In the encounter in Pampore, which came to an end today following killing of all the three bully boyz holed up in the building of Jammu and Kashmire Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI), we lost six persons including two gallant Captains of 22 and 26 years of age, one Lance Naik and two Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel. They sacrificed their lives to protect the nation and its assets. This is precisely what the terrorist outfits based in Pakistain plan and execute. And yet Islamabad Government calls them non-state actors and thus absolves itself of the responsibility of taking punitive action against them.
The point is that Pakistain army and Pakistain Government very well know what their loud-mouthed jihadist are worth. Therefore, they deploy them for the fatal task of suicide kabooms. After attacking a CRPF convoy, the holy warriors fled the spot and took shelter in J&K Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) building in Pampore area of Pulwama district in the outskirts of Srinagar. The holy warriors appear to have made very good surveillance before planning their attack. They chose a strategically conducive place for their attack. From a vantage point in an upper storey of the building they could easily target the brave and gallant Captains Pawan Kumar and Tushar Mahajan and Lance Naik Om Parkash, who had taken the lead and tried to storm the building.
We salute the brave officers and commandos and jawans of Indian army and CRPF who have laid down their lives in the service of the country. The grateful nation will remember them for they have done us honour. They are among a long list of our brave soldiers who have laid down their lives ever since the proxy war began way back in 1990. This and other attacks that have happened in the past, all indicate that not to speak of relenting in Kashmire, the ISI is intensifying its terrorist and subversive activities in Kashmire.
The people of India understand very well how subversion is working in the country and how all opponents and dissenters are ganging up. This is a mature nation and it will not succumb to any intimidation from whichever quarter it comes. We know very well the forces within and outside the country who have established clandestine liaison with the arch enemies within and outside the country. Two days back hundreds of thousands of ex-servicemen of India brought out a massive rally in Delhi condemning subversion in subtle manner. This is an indicator of how patriotic forces look at the entire security scenario.
We salute gallant soldiers Captain Pawan Kumar, Capt. Tushar Mahajan and Lance Naik Om Prakash, the national heroes and deaders who laid their lives fighting the enemy. We solemnly bow our head in recognition of the sacrifices they have made and our heart goes to the bereaved family members who have been called upon to bear the tragedy with patience and fortitude.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2016 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[2 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Pakistain Proxies
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] I don't think Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... decided to halt its support to the Lebanese army, security forces and other institutions because it is angry about what some Lebanese media outlets are saying against it. The involvement of some newspapers and television stations in the campaign to promote hostile Iranian rhetoric -- which opposes Saudi Arabia and incites against it and against other Arab moderate countries -- is not pressing. I think Saudi Arabia halted its support for more dangerous and more significant reasons.
Saudi Arabia had allocated $3 billion to the Lebanese army and $1 billion to the Lebanese security forces to develop their capabilities and train them. It did not set conditions for Leb to get involved in foreign wars or join regional alliances. The aim was to strengthen the central authority in the country by supporting state institutions against militias' intimidating acts and helping them fight holy warrior organizations. The whole idea was to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Syrian troops following a decision taken by the U.N. Security Council after the Assad regime was found involved in the liquidation of former prime minister Rafiq Hariri.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2016 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[5 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
Iff the KSA + TURKEY + PAKISTAN, ETAL. are OWG CO-SUPERPOWER WANNABES, FROM WHERE OR FROM WHOM'S SOVEREIGN TERRITORY(S) WILL THEY EXPAND THEIR RESPECTIVE SPHERE OF INFLUENCE???
#3
The Saudis have been subsidizing the Leb Army. Hezbollah has taken over the Leb state and army. Saudis are now seeing the aid they've given being used by the Houthi-Saleh alliance against them in Yemen. Foolishness therefore ceases.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2016 10:17 Comments ||
Top||
#4
IMO, if Iranians want to manage Lebanon, they're welcome to it.
#5
Unfortunately, Anti-US US POTUS Obama will let IRAN do it, as well as PUTIN/VLADVEDEV-LED RUSSIA, CHINA, + OTHER? ala their respective Sphere of Influence or Interest, in the name of Anti-US OWG-NWO where the US is suborned under OWG NAU + realted, + mostly restricted to CONUS-NORAM + peripherals.
The Bammer has put the US on the path or track to unilateral or "asymmetric" MilPol-Geopol retreat so that Iran Russia, + China, Etal. to come can rise to OWG Co-Superpower-hood. IN [rough] PARITY WID THE US, N-O-T INFERIORITY = "VASSAL-AGE".
THE MAHA-RUSHIAN QUESTIONNE' DU JOUR, AMONG OTHERS, REMAINS "WHAT TO DO ABOUT ISRAEL + US' REGIONAL MUSLIM ALLIES"?
As things atand, we have all of these OWG Co-Superpowers + Regional Wannabes, i.e. Milpol-aggressive, "Mahanist"?, Nuclear andor Pro-Nuclear, Superpower or Co-Superpower "Young Turk(s)" Nations pushing for specific sphere of influence in Syria-Iraq = so-called "SYRAQ", WID SEEMINGLY LITTLE TO NO HELP OR GUIDANCE, ETC. FROM THE BAMMER + ALIGNED OWG GLOBALISTS WHERE SOCIALISM + ANARCHY ARE NOT JUST PURDY WORDS.
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] The Arab-Russian Forum will convene at the ministerial level in Moscow next week, in the midst of the battle for Syria amid growing Russian-Turkish tensions and increasing talk of Saudi and Gulf ground intervention in Syria. The Russian foreign minister will be very clear in drawing the strategic frameworks for Russian policies in the Middle East, and will insist on an agenda that Arab ministers are unlikely to find compatible with Arab priorities.
Sergei Lavrov will not soften his rhetoric just because he will be playing host, because the broad features of Russia's Middle Eastern policy, as drafted by President Putin, are not subject to negotiations from Moscow's viewpoint. If the Arab ministers still believe it will be possible to induce a radical change in Russian policy, then they will hit a solid wall and perhaps even condemnation because this will be seen as tampering with Russian national interests.
These days, the Russian mood is stubborn and rigid, yet Russian diplomacy believes there are ways to soften relations with the Gulf countries despite the rift over Syria. Russia also believes that having special relations with Egypt is a crucial part of its goals in the Middle East, with one eye on The Sick Man of Europe Turkey ...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire.... . Meanwhile, ...back at the wrecked scow, Agent 49 felt gingerly for his head. It was still there. He had been hoping differently... Moscow is determined to win the battle for Aleppo at any cost. It does not take seriously the international anti-ISIS coalition in Syria, which it sees as futile.
Russia also wants to let everyone know that its relations with Iran are not affected by anything. So, faced with all this Russian clarity, what will the GCC foreign ministers take with them to Moscow? Is there a single Arab agenda in the Arab-Russian forum? Or will Arab foreign ministers take their differences with them to the Russian capital and leave without making any achievement? Perhaps it is worthwhile for Arab ministers to understand Russia's military and political thinking before the meeting.
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2016 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[4 views]
Top|| File under: Govt of Iran
#1
Beware, Vlad, beware ...
* BHARAT RAKSHAK > [Newsroom] CIA [Source]CONFIRMS: SAUDI ARABIA HAS 4-7 NUCLEAR BOMBS, DELIVERABLE BY MISSLE OR AIRCRAFT.
Hal Turner, Founding Director of CIA's CT Operations unit.
#3
This doesn't make sense to me. As far as I know, Persians and Arabs have never gotten along. Major cultural differences. Russia is basically saying they choose Persia to rule Arabia.
Posted by: Whiskey Mike ||
02/23/2016 9:58 Comments ||
Top||
#4
Iran without the mullahs: Economic powerhouse of the Middle East
Saudi Arabia without the Sauds: IS territory.
Posted by: European Conservative ||
02/23/2016 11:44 Comments ||
Top||
[ENGLISH.ALARABIYA.NET] Much has been said about the tension between Soddy Arabia ...a kingdom taking up the bulk of the Arabian peninsula. Its primary economic activity involves exporting oil and soaking Islamic rubes on the annual hajj pilgrimage. The country supports a large number of princes in whatcha might call princely splendor. When the oil runs out the rest of the world is going to kick sand in the Soddy national face... and Leb, however, it was HRH Prince Turki al-Faisal who seems to have hit the nail on the head in describing the situation.
Speaking in his personal capacity yesterday in Abu Dhabi at a round table organized by the Beirut Institute, Prince Turki (who is a former ambassador and intelligence chief) said Leb has always been regarded as the "lung" of the Arab world.
"The problem is that this lung is now suffering from pneumonia," he elaborated.
Of course, the Saudis have long known this to be the case, and have tried on numerous occasions to boost Leb's immunity against Iranian bully boy virus Hezbollah.
In fact, the $3 billion in military and security aid (which Riyadh has just announced halting) was the last in a series of attempts to help strengthen the formal Lebanese army and police force.
However, it's easy to be generous with someone else's money... ever since the liquidation of Saudi-backed PM Rafiq Hariri in 2005 (which Hezbollah is formally accused of), Iran - through its loyal local agents - has been systematically demolishing all what was left of the Hariri legacy, which was aimed at rebuilding the country, restoring hope and bringing peace and prosperity to ALL Lebanese.
The last straw was when Leb's pro-Hezbollah Foreign Minister, Gebran Bassil, recently refused to support an Arab League ...an organization of Arabic-speaking states with 22 member countries and four observers. The League tries to achieve Arab consensus on issues, which usually leaves them doing nothing but a bit of grimacing and mustache cursing... statement denouncing Iranian meddling in the region following the attack on the Saudi embassy in Tehran.
Of course, many Lebanese politicians and concerned citizens voiced their objection to the position of FM Basil, however it seems Riyadh is now convinced that there is no way to help Leb unless it decides to help itself first.
Indeed, Leb - once dubbed the Switzerland ...home of the Helvetians, famous for cheese, watches, yodeling, and William Tell... of the Orient - is now a shadow of its former self. Thanks to Iranian meddling, it has failed to agree on a president since 2014, and continues to have a defunct parliament and a crippled Prime Minster.
One could argue whether or not the cutting off of Saudi aid might risk Leb further leaning towards Tehran, however, the reality is that it's now up to the Lebanese (and the Lebanese alone) to cut off the Iranian tentacles strangling their nation.
However, it's easy to be generous with someone else's money... as many Saudis would tell you, the recent escalation is in no way an act against its population, or the "Lebanese who played a major part in the building of Saudi Arabia" (as Prince Turki described them). This was further evident in today's Saudi cabinet statement which stressed that the kingdom will continue to support the Lebanese people.
Indeed, Riyadh was both gracious and wise not to lend its ears to the reckless comments made by the pro-Iranian lobbyists in Leb, for it knows far too well that these opportunists will be the only ones to prosper from a complete breakdown of the relationship.
As for the cutting of military aid, it most definitely should be understood the way it was intended: "You can't have the cake, and eat it too!"
Posted by: Fred ||
02/23/2016 00:00 ||
Comments ||
Link ||
[7 views]
Top|| File under:
#1
For some reason I'm reminded of the old Soviet joke.
Q. Is it possible to build Communism in Paris?
A. It is possible, but why would somebody want to?
2016 is a pivotal year in which accustomed referents of a stable West are now disappearing. We seem to be living in a chaotic age, akin to the mid-1930s, of cynicism and skepticism. Government, religion, and popular culture are corrupt and irrelevant--and the world order of the last 70 years has all but collapsed.
Neither the president nor his would-be successors talk much about the fact that we are now nearing $20 trillion in debt--in an ossified economy of near-zero interest rates, little if any GDP growth, and record numbers of able-bodied but non-working adults. (The most frequent complaint I hear in my hometown is that the government lags behind in their cost-of-living raises in Social Security disability payments.)
No one can figure out how and why America's youth have borrowed a collective $1 trillion for college tuition, and yet received so little education and skills in the bargain. Today's campuses have become as foreign to American traditions of tolerance and free expression as what followed the Weimar Republic. To appreciate cry-bully censorship, visit a campus "free-speech" area. To witness segregation, walk into a college "safe space." To hear unapologetic anti-Semitism, attend a university lecture. To learn of the absence of due process, read of a campus hearing on alleged sexual assault. To see a brown shirt in action, watch faculty call for muscle at a campus demonstration. To relearn the mentality of a Chamberlain or Daladier, listen to the contextualizations of a college president. 2016 is a pivotal year in which accustomed referents of a stable West are now disappearing. We seem to be living in a chaotic age, akin to the mid-1930s, of cynicism and skepticism. Government, religion, and popular culture are corrupt and irrelevant--and the world order of the last 70 years has all but collapsed.
Neither the president nor his would-be successors talk much about the fact that we are now nearing $20 trillion in debt--in an ossified economy of near-zero interest rates, little if any GDP growth, and record numbers of able-bodied but non-working adults. (The most frequent complaint I hear in my hometown is that the government lags behind in their cost-of-living raises in Social Security disability payments.)
No one can figure out how and why America's youth have borrowed a collective $1 trillion for college tuition, and yet received so little education and skills in the bargain. Today's campuses have become as foreign to American traditions of tolerance and free expression as what followed the Weimar Republic. To appreciate cry-bully censorship, visit a campus "free-speech" area. To witness segregation, walk into a college "safe space." To hear unapologetic anti-Semitism, attend a university lecture. To learn of the absence of due process, read of a campus hearing on alleged sexual assault. To see a brown shirt in action, watch faculty call for muscle at a campus demonstration. To relearn the mentality of a Chamberlain or Daladier, listen to the contextualizations of a college president. And to talk to an uneducated person, approach a recent college graduate.
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
[WesternRifleShooters] By now, it should be obvious to the observant that the ‘scoundrels-looting-the-treasury’ phase of our economic arc is about played out, and before the entire rotten financial edifice collapses, there will be a war ignited across Europe and the Middle East which will serve as a distraction for the masses, while the very worst of the scoundrels take to ground to wait for the smoke to clear before they emerge.
[LI] Poll: Majority of Democrats say socialism has 'positive impact'
[Daily Excelsior] ISI is going ahead with its policy and plans in 
