As Muscovites suffer record high temperatures this summer, a Russian political scientist has claimed the United States may be using climate-change weapons to alter the temperatures and crop yields of Russia and other Central Asian countries.
In a recent article, Andrei Areshev, deputy director of the Strategic Culture Foundation, wrote, "At the moment, climate weapons may be reaching their target capacity and may be used to provoke droughts, erase crops, and induce various anomalous phenomena in certain countries."
The article has been carried by publications throughout Russia, including "International Affairs," a journal published by the Foreign Ministry and by the state-owned news agency RIA Novosti.
In an telephone interview with RFE/RL, Areshev appeared to back off from claims he made in the article, saying that he was merely positing a theory.
"First of all, I would like to say that what I wrote in that article, even the citations, does not in any way claim to a be final truth. It is, if you will, speculation, in other words, the definition of an hypothesis," Areshev said.
Moscow is currently sweltering under record temperatures. On July 29 Moscow suffered its hottest day ever, with temperatures hitting 39 degrees.
But Russia isn't the only country suffering form a heat wave this summer. Indeed, the United States is also experiencing record temperatures. On July 24, temperatures in Washington, D.C., hit 37.7 degrees, and local weather services issued heat warnings for the first time this summer.
Areshev agrees that it is also hot in the United States, but notes that the United States is significantly farther south than Russia, meaning that such high temperatures are not so surprising there.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, however, announced in July that land and ocean temperatures throughout the world were the highest ever, since they began tracking global temperatures in 1880.
Conspiracy Theories
In the article, Areshev voiced suspicions about the High-Frequency Active Aural Research Program (HAARP), funded by the U.S. Defense Department and the University of Alaska.
HAARP, which has long been the target of conspiracy theorists, analyzes the ionosphere and seeks to develop technologies to improve radio communications, surveillance, and missile detection.
Areshev writes, however, that its true aim is to create new weapons of mass destruction "in order to destabilize environmental and agricultural systems in local countries."
Areshev's article also references an unmanned spacecraft X-37B, an orbital test vehicle the Pentagon launched in April 2010. The Pentagon calls X-37B a prototype for a new "space plane" that could take people and equipment to and from space stations. Areshev, however, alleges that the X-378 carries "laser weaponry" and could be a key component in the Pentagon's climate-change arsenal.
The Pentagon was not immediately reachable for comment.
Areshev also cites the U.S. government's effort to use rain and cloud coverage to block the Vietnam Army's supply routes during the Vietnam War. He insisted, however, that he was not a conspiracy theorist.
"My comments were not made in order to accuse the U.S., or any other country, of consciously influencing Russia," Areshev said. "That would be quite ridiculous."
Asked whether or not Russia was also experimenting with climate-control methods, Areshev said since he was not a member of the government, he did not have information about such projects.
#4
See also PRAVDA > RUSSIA TODAY > RUSSIAN HEAT WAVE DUE TO DRAMATIC CHANGES IN SOLAR ACTIVITY - FORECASTER [Weather Forecaster PIERS CORBYN].
* Also from PRAVDA > BRITAIN MAY LOSE GREEN CONTINENT [Australia] AFTER QUEEN'S DEATH [Queen Liz].
ARTIC = The Zussies/Ozzies are NOT thrilled at the prospect of PRINCE CHARLES becomng their Head-of-State after Queen Liz passes on. The Artic also denotes or infers that, besides the Aussie NATIONAL GOVT, their SEVEN STATE GOVTS = STATE(S) GOVERNORS have the authority to null/remove Any + All Legislative + Executive Officials [times of crisis], + that State Officials can represent the interests of THIRD-PARTY FOREIGN GOVTS???
IOW, ARTIC is trying hard NOT to say that AUSTRALIA MAY DESTABILZ, PERHAPS EVEN BREAK UP INTO INDEPENDNET ENTITIES, AFTER QUEEN ELIZABETH PASSES = CHARLES-IN-CHARGE???
[Asharq al-Aswat] A campaign to nominate the son of Egypt's aging President Hosni Mubarak to succeed him has long intrigued palace watchers in this country, which faces an uncertain political future amid growing dissent.
Gamal Mubarak, 46, who holds a senior position in the ruling National Democratic Party, has long been rumoured to be the heir apparent to his octogenarian father. But he has never indicated whether he would like to take over what some fear could become a family dynasty.
Over the past month, posters of Gamal, a former investment banker, have been plastered around Cairo neighbourhoods by a previously unknown group called the "Popular Campaign to Support Gamal Mubarak."
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/22/2010 00:00 ||
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#2
/sarc on = So one day, she was talking with her sister/mother and brother/uncle/father about this grandmother/cousin problem and decided to write a health piece on it. * /sarc off
#3
My mum has always had a special place in her family because she was the first girl to live beyond childhood. Five of her sisters died as babies or toddlers. It was not until many years later that anyone worked out why so many children died and three boys were born deaf.
Today there is no doubt among us that this tragedy occurred because my grandparents were first cousins.
#5
I seemed to remember I'd read somewhere that Louisiana prohibited first cousin marriage, so I looked it up. Half our states prohibit first cousin marriage, and five more allow it only if the couple is at least over 50 (most older) AND one of them is unable to reproduce. cite
So 30 of our states are smarter than these people. AND these laws were on the books long before genetic counselling became available, or even known of.
Doesn't say much for their intelligence. The Saudis have the same close-cousin-marrying = lots-of-damaged-children problem.
Here's a free clue: FIRST COUSINS SHOULDN'T MARRY. If you want to live in a modern society, get over your tribal ignorance.
As for the clowns complaining that talking against first cousin marriage is an attack on their religion, sounds like their insularity and desire to keep the money in the family is more important than their children's health. I doubt genetic counselling before cousin marriage would change their minds. I'm surprised the Brits don't flat-out prohibit first cousin marriage - maybe afraid such a law would affect their royals? :-(
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/22/2010 9:50 Comments ||
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#6
Barbara, the royals of all of Europe have been interbreeding since for hundreds of years. If you want to see an example of the consequences, look up Charles II of Spain.
Posted by: Rambler in Virginia ||
08/22/2010 13:15 Comments ||
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#9
"That's not a family tree, it's a family VINE!" - said to my daughter.
You might be a redneck if ... your family tree don't branch." - Jeff Foxworthy
#6
#5 Right on!.
Cons being coned. O is at the top of this con game.
I am convinced that is the reason for his support.
How are people coned out of their things of value?. Remember PTL club the poorest gave.
Blind faith, blind trust and blind emotion. Logic will not drive people but emotion will.
After a lengthy attempt to bail out his pet bank, ShoreBank Chicago, Illinois, which included several alleged armtwisting episodes by the administration, the president has finally let the bank die (with its assets valued at about 50% of face). Yet instead of going to hell, it was immediately resurrected with a bevy of new owners, among them Goldman, Morgan Stanley, and BofA, all of whom received nearly $400 million in taxpayer money for their "generosity" to keep the bank zombified even in the afterlife.
Some details on the bank from the FDIC press release:
"As of June 30, 2010, ShoreBank had approximately $2.16 billion in total assets and $1.54 billion in total deposits."
In other words, the value of ShoreBank's assets was well below 70% of face, if the bank was undercapitalized at its current deposit level.
"The FDIC and Urban Partnership Bank entered into a loss-share transaction on $1.41 billion of ShoreBank's assets. Urban Partnership Bank will share in the losses on the asset pools covered under the loss-share agreement. The loss-share transaction is projected to maximize returns on the assets covered by keeping them in the private sector. The FDIC estimates that the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $367.7 million."
Netting the incremental cost of taxpayer DIF subsidies, means that the real value of assets was ($1.54 billion - $367.7 million)/$2.16 billion or 54% of face. And this is a bank that Obama wanted to keep alive at all costs? And just who is this "Urban Partnership Bank" that is receiving a taxpayer subsidy of $368 million? Why all the usual suspects of course:
"The significant investors in Urban Partnership Bank are American Express Company, Bank of America, Citigroup, Ford Foundation, GE Capital Equity Investments, Inc., Harris Bank, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Key Community Development Corp., Morgan Stanley, Northern Trust Corporation, PNC Investment Corp., State Farm Mutual Automobile, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., and Wells Fargo & Company."
And so the old "out-of-one-taxpayer-pocket-and-into-another-Wall-Street-pocket" game continues, only this time it includes administration darling banks that should have been liquidated long ago. The writer acts surprised ...
#1
Bail out his pet bank, ShoreBank Chicago with an international currency that has value, like the Zimbawe dollars. That way the entire country will understand what this bank is worth.... next to nothing.
#2
I Have, and have framed one of those ten million dollar zimbob notes (In New Condition), I paid ten bucks for it (Yes I know) But I wanted it for a curiosity, and besides, now I'm a multi Millionaire I can afford to throw away ten bucks.
:-)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/22/2010 11:25 Comments ||
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And there have never been more who identify as Republican or Independent/Republican-leaning. What hath that brilliant president of ours wrought that hath'd (take that, all you serious grammarian types!) never been wrought before, so effectively that even the New York Times itself must take notice? I am truly ashamed at the level of Schadenfreude every sentence of this piece drove into the depths of my soul.
Posted by: Frozen Al ||
08/22/2010 00:00 ||
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#1
"I am truly ashamed at the level of Schadenfreude every sentence of this piece drove into the depths of my soul."
I'm not, tw. Schadenfreud away. ;-p
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/22/2010 0:07 Comments ||
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#2
I kind of enjoy Schadenfreude, or as we used to say as kids, 'told you so'.
#3
S-freude is, You screwed yourself up despite what I told you, moron.
This--voting for zero--is you screwed me up, despite what I told you, you son of a bitch.
Posted by: Richard Aubrey ||
08/22/2010 8:48 Comments ||
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#4
I like my schadenfreude with whipped cream and some toasted almonds on top, and the chocolate sauce on the side.
#5
Frankly, O and Company have lost every vote of anyone, whose brain is functioning and not under the influence of "Oy Vey-aid"@tm (Cool-aid to the rest of you)
#6
Actually I find it depressing that after nearly 2 years of Obama's admin Dems outnumber Reps by 2-1 among Jewish voters.
What is more important is what is taking place among the Jewish political donation community. I don't have a handle on this but it is no secret that a lot of the funding the Dems use comes from Jewish donors.
Posted by: lord garth ||
08/22/2010 10:25 Comments ||
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#7
Hmmm, seems they are staunch Democrats and against Obama, but NOT the Party, Odd, perhaps they should do a recheck, they're supposed to be outstanding bankers and financiers, but can't add up a balance sheet concerning MORALS?
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/22/2010 11:32 Comments ||
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#8
Heh! I had the word "Schadenfreude" as the screen-saver when I worked at the auto-insurance company, now there's a bunch of guys who delight in the misfortune of others.
#10
#6, #7, I agree with you both. In 1933 Jewish vote for AH was over 90%. O got high percentage as well. Older active Jewish friends that I talk to still think he is the greatest. Left leanings are ever apparent. The money will still go to Dems. Could you see Babs donate to a Republican. What will happen in November is as follows. We will vote for whoever we chose. Rinos or Demos will still take the easy route. President Bush said it best "they will look at the same information I get and will have no choice"(or words similar). More printed money, unemployment benefits extended, more taxes, because they don't have the will to do the right thing. Germany has. Default looms nearer. O will not adapt but simply follows his cook book recipe. I still say he is not an original thinker. He is parroting what he has been taught.
#11
#6, #7, I agree with you both. In 1933 Jewish vote for AH was over 90%. O got high percentage as well. Older active Jewish friends that I talk to still think he is the greatest. Left leanings are ever apparent. The money will still go to Dems. Could you see Babs donate to a Republican. What will happen in November is as follows. We will vote for whoever we chose. Rinos or Demos will still take the easy route. President Bush said it best "they will look at the same information I get and will have no choice"(or words similar). More printed money, unemployment benefits extended, more taxes, because they don't have the will to do the right thing. Germany has. Default looms nearer. O will not adapt but simply follows his cook book recipe. I still say he is not an original thinker. He is parroting what he has been taught.
That's not accurate. First of all, there is no accurate demographic breakdown of the German federal election of March 1933 that I am aware of. Secondly, Hitler never got more than 44% of the German vote, even when the elections were pretty much rigged (and when they had them). AND in the 1933 elections much of Hitler's support came from east Germany. There were I believe more Jews in the south and west of the country.
So, to summarize: Jews did not vote in vast numbers for Hitler in 1933. In fact, I would guess based on the evidence that very few did.
If you wish to read a very accurate and well-written book on Hitler's rise to power, please consult Conred Heiden's Der Furher. There is a very good edition available in English.
#14
#13 Hello!, Thank you for the follow up. The source of my information has long been forgotten. I do recall that the percentage was higher but could not remember exactly(I found the information on the internet trying to secure the percentage after O's election). One thought given for the high voter count was that AH had a Jewish mother. I have talked to several who were from that time. I have talked with one who hid people in her home. My sources are varied but the fact remains that it was a troubled time that has past. Currently the vote is plain to see. The left liberal American activity as well. These are a gifted people for whom I have the highest regard. I remember an MD on his knees with hands prayerfully clasped begging for medication for a terminal patient. With branded arm he begged facetiously(?) for pain medication. The Medical directors response was(" get up you little ass").
I do not recall if he was successful. I loved his resolve.I only try to understand why people think as they do and in mass which I call the flocking effect. One horse bolts and the others follow.
#1
When Afghans see that their holy book is being burned, it will cause riots and attacks that will put U.S. troops further at risk. There will be similar riots and attacks in neighboring Pakistan and Iran. It will inflame the entire Muslim world and fuel acts of terrorism.
When Afghans see that their holy book is being burned, it will cause riots and attacks.
It could also inflame anti-Muslim sentiment in the United States, especially in the context of the anger over the proposed Islamic center near ground zero in Lower Manhattan.
Many American Muslims will feel as if they are second-class citizens and it could push some angry young men toward violence.
In other words, "Don't burn that book or we will kill you."
#3
Well, at least this time they would be rioting and attacking over something that had really happened, instead of something completely imaginary ... like the 'flushed koran' story.
#4
* Muslims fly commercial airliners into buildings in New York City. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslim officials block the exit where school girls are trying to escape a burning building because their faces were exposed. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims cut off the heads of three teenaged girls on their way to school in Indonesia. A Christian school. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims murder teachers trying to teach Muslim children in Iraq. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims murder over 80 tourists with car bombs outside cafes and hotels in Egypt. No Muslim outrage.
* A Muslim attacks a missionary children's school in India. Kills six. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims slaughter hundreds of children and teachers in Beslan, Russia. Muslims shoot children in the back. No Muslim outrage.
* Let's go way back. Muslims kidnap and kill athletes at the Munich Summer Olympics. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims fire rocket-propelled grenades into schools full of children in Israel. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims murder more than 50 commuters in attacks on London subways and busses. Over 700 are injured. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims massacre dozens of innocents at a Passover Seder. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims murder innocent vacationers in Bali. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslim newspapers publish anti-Semitic cartoons. No Muslim outrage
* Muslims are involved, on one side or the other, in almost every one of the 125+ shooting wars around the world. No Muslim outrage.
* Muslims beat the charred bodies of Western civilians with their shoes, then hang them from a bridge. No Muslim outrage.
Dead children. Dead tourists. Dead teachers. Dead doctors and nurses. Death, destruction and mayhem around the world at the hands of Muslims .. no Muslim outrage
from 2006
Posted by: Titus Clolurong9909 ||
08/22/2010 9:53 Comments ||
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#5
"Many American Muslims will feel as if they are second-class citizens and it could push some angry young men toward violence."
So their violence is everybody else's fault, Perfesser?
"Many American Muslims willpeople who have lost their livelihoods due to the present Administration's anti-business, anti-American policies feel as if they are second-class citizens and it could push some angry young men toward violence."
Guess you think that would be OK, too, Perfessor?
Stuff your faux "outrage" where the sun don't shine.
Spot on, #4.
Posted by: Barbara Skolaut ||
08/22/2010 9:59 Comments ||
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#6
Burning Korans is insensitive, an unnecessary provocation, and though perfectly legal, should not be done. Gee, that argument kind of sounds familiar ... can't quite place it though ...
#7
Potentially harmful and dangerous ideas can be tolerated in a free and open society precisely because everyone has free speech rights.
Every idea, ideology, political movement and yes, religion can and will be challenged in the free marketplace of ideas. This includes robust criticism and mockery. Unwarranted criticism and mockery can be refuted with good arguments, provided there are any.
A movement or religion however that manages to destroy this mechanism by threats (and the application) of violence will however become truly dangerous.
To put it bluntly, a religion that can't be robustly mocked on South Park and elsewhere should not be tolerated at all.
#8
I don't think Burning Korans is a good ide, too many NAZI connotations.
Simply (Accidentally) drop it in a toilet, then throw it away where some Moslem can "Find" it.
I think the idea of pouring pig offal on the ground Zero site would end all this crap.
(Pun intended)
Posted by: Redneck Jim ||
08/22/2010 11:38 Comments ||
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#11
This sounds like an excellent opportunity to create a "Koran Desecration Society" web page, that would show all sorts of images of Korans being desecrated. Used as TP, fed to pigs, torn apart by dogs, etc.
Then ask the Swedish Pirate Party to host it. Of course they would refuse, but it would hurt their cred.
Lots of twists to this one. For example, it could be sneaked onto Muslim country servers as something else, hacked onto various nations government and corporate websites, etc.
Just the suggestion that it was being hosted by some smarmy organization would be enough to get them upset.
Lots of mischievous possibilities, here, but with the same goal of having fanatics threatening everybody.
#12
On my recent fieldwork trip to 100 mosques in 75 American cities with a team of American researchers for the book "Journey into America: The Challenge of Islam," we documented that many mosques had been attacked, sometimes bombed.
He's a fucking liar and shit-stirrer. There are 130 mosques in NYC and 2300 nation wide. Using the word 'many' is straight up hyperbole.
#17
True enough Glenmore, but when the 'artist' put a crucifix in a jug of urine, I was supposed to understand that the purpose of the 'art' was to 'make me think' -- the implication being, of course, that as a Christian, I didn't.
Quran burning shouldn't be done, but apparently the Muslims aren't 'thinking' about it either. And apparently they're not as restrained in demonstrating their displeasure as the average western Christian.
Posted by: Steve White ||
08/22/2010 16:50 Comments ||
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#18
I have a very simple question here: why?
I mean, I understand the whole desire to get Andres Serrano on the Muslims. What's good enough for us is good enough for them. But is this kind of thing really productive? Aren't wee supposed to be the cultural adults here?
You grow the beast you feed. I would rather spend my energy challenging the Islamic world on things I disagree with them on: their terrible treatment of women, religious minorities, and their militant aggressiveness. To offend them all with a bunch of "From the heart of Hell I stab at thee/ For hate's sake." activities seems juvenile. For example, I agree with the Muslims on certain things: abortion is bad, there is only one God, and prayer is a good thing to do.
Many American and British bands as well as other entertainers have been waging an ongoing cultural-boycott-war against Israel. Grammy award winner Carlos Santana pulled the plug earlier this year on his Israel concert. And in the aftermath of Israel's May interception of the jihadist-controlled ship Mavi Marmara, which attempted to break a legal naval blockade of Gaza, the alternative band the Pixies canceled their Tel Aviv concert. The British musician Elvis Costello, too, several weeks before the Gaza Flotilla conflict, walked away from two planned concerts in Israel.
Johnny Rotten, who is widely considered to embody the zenith of punk music and a former singer of the British band the Sex Pistols, issued the following statement to the Independent newspaper about his planned concert in Tel Aviv:
I really resent the presumption that I'm going there to play to right-wing Nazi jews [sic]. If Elvis-f-ing-Costello wants to pull out of a gig in Israel because he's suddenly got this compassion for Palestinians, then good on him. But I have absolutely one rule, right? Until I see an Arab country, a Muslim country, with a democracy, I won't understand how anyone can have a problem with how they're treated.
The British blogosphere and commentaries in the Guardian are packed full of hysterical tirades against Rotten, who now goes by his birth name John Lydon and sings for his own band, Public Image Limited (PiL). Leftists in the UK are in a state of panic, largely because Lydon rejects their crude and grossly oversimplified views on the Middle East. Lydon, who lives in Venice, California, has breathed real democratic life and fire into a dull and misguided cultural war against Israel.
#3
Add him to the list, along with Johnny Ramone, who called out "God bless President Bush," at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, and the late Joey Ramone, the capitalist, who pestered CNBC's Maria Bartiromo for financial advice and then wrote a love song to her.
Posted by: Eric Jablow ||
08/22/2010 22:56 Comments ||
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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.
After a lengthy attempt to bail out his pet bank, ShoreBank Chicago, Illinois, which included several alleged armtwisting episodes by the administration, the president has finally let the bank die (with its assets valued at about 50% of face). Yet instead of going to hell, it was immediately resurrected with a bevy of new owners, among them Goldman, Morgan Stanley, and BofA, all of whom received nearly $400 million in taxpayer money for their "generosity" to keep the bank zombified even in the afterlife.
