[History Net] It takes courage to be a spy. The women who volunteered to be spies and came to the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) unit attached to the 36th Infantry Division—with which I was serving in the Vosges Mountains of France in the fall of 1944—had plenty of courage.
As soon as our OSS unit debarked on the Riviera on August 16, it was apparent that the Seventh Army campaign in Southern France would be unusual. The army’s lightning advance in the first two days caused plan after neatly conceived plan to be scrapped. Two days after D-Day, it was evident that the Strategic Service Section’s (SSS) plan to work only at army level was ineffective, and on August 18 (D-plus-3), small SSS detachments were dispatched to the three divisions of the Seventh Army.
The experiences of the SSS detachment working with the 36th Division comprised two very different phases—the period prior to the crossing of the Moselle River on September 21 and the period of the advance from the Moselle to the Meurthe River.
Professional artist Johannes Stötter is known for his groundbreaking work in the realm of body painting and body art. His 2013 creation of a tropical frog using 5 models went viral, propelling his career into another stratosphere. As a world renowned phenomenon, Johannes has won numerous awards, reached various milestones and received several accolades from notable press. Based in northern Italy, he resides in a small town in the Alps; holding a deep connection with nature, he gains much of his inspiration. Guided by his life’s philosophy, and motivated by everyday life, his fascination with people of various cultures allows his ingenuity to flourish.
Rather than a static canvas, Johannes transfers his art onto live models, which enhances the connectivity between the artist, person and art-form. Bringing his artwork to life with each brush stroke, and creating detailed effects with his hands, he fuses the seen and unseen into one. Often blending his art into the backdrop of natural landscapes or indoor décor, he creates illusionary masterpieces, portraying the beauty of life forms within its very existence and vulnerability.
Mind-blowing, astounding, and inspirational, his ability to select the perfect shades of colour is as accurate as an "eyedropper tool". Making it seem effortless, his distinctive technique compliments his peculiar, yet driven and passionate persona; as he brilliantly paints his vision, transforming each model piece by piece. Born into a lifestyle that revolves around intertwining elements of creativity, spirituality and alternative living, music is also an integral part of his artistic expression.
With a high spirit and powerful creative sense, he teaches at bodypainting workshops, and exhibits his work all around the globe. His ability to touch the hearts of others and spark positivity through his art is by far one of Johannes’s utmost successes.
Be sure to 'full screen' this one.
[Jerusalem Post] The SonoMask displayed an ability to neutralize the novel coronavirus at an effectiveness of 99.34% within trials performed by the internationally accredited ATCC Testing laboratory, Ramat Gan-based Israeli fabric maker and developer Sonovia announced on Saturday.
Sonovia’s reusable anti-viral masks are coated in zinc oxide nanoparticles that destroy bacteria, fungi and viruses, which it says can help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
Results from the most recent round of testing showed that the mask has the ability to neutralize fallen traces of SARS-COV-2 within 30 minutes after making contact with the fabric. The SonoMask was also proven to maintain its protective properties throughout 55 wash cycles.
"Following this outstanding result — the product of several months of dedicated anti-viral sonochemistry formulation — we can now assure the public that our SonoMask is working continuously, permanently and rapidly to neutralize the spread of COVID-19," said Sonovia CEO Joshua Hershcovici.
"We are proud of our latest accomplishment that will help people feel safe and protect their loved ones, all the while remaining the most ecologically sound option upon the PPE market."
Sonovia also participated in trials with Adler Plastic in Italy earlier this year, working toward creating a solution for carpets and other types of fabrics. The company boasted a 99.999% efficiency rate against bacteria during the pilot testing round.
#3
Sonovia’s reusable anti-viral masks are coated in zinc oxide
You can buy non-polluting Sono Masks which contain no ZnO. They cost a little more, but you can breath through them much easier. Some reduction in protection may exist. Your results may vary.
#4
55 washes for a $30 mask is pretty decent compared to either a hospitalization from a cheapo chinese paper mask or useless bandana, or else a box of surgical masks which cost about that much but provide a lot less protection.
Fred put your amazon affiliate link of the Amazon lik. Help the Burg grab a bit of cash.
#5
Thanks g(r)om, I'm glad you asked. Yes, there is a Russian Sono variant with Velcro smoking ports. You must however specify L or R ports when ordering.
Posted by: Bobby ||
12/24/2020 11:00 Comments ||
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#11
while moslems seethe, jews get shit done.
Posted by: Bob Grorong1136 ||
12/24/2020 13:26 Comments ||
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#12
Even more interesting is the fact this article is dated October 20, some two weeks before our elections, yet a DDG search had two hits - the original article, and the Rantburg posting. And the sales sites.
Posted by: Bobby ||
12/24/2020 14:45 Comments ||
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[PostMillennial] The state of Texas has decided to give priority to the elderly and to people with health issues over essential workers in their strategy for coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague) ...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men... vaccination.
This move is considered unusual by some, as it goes against the guidelines set forth by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and by the federal government.
According to NBC News, people 65 years and older and those suffering from certain medical issues will be able to be fast-tracked for receiving the vaccine in Texas before any other groups.
Within the US, the policies for who gets the doses and in what order is set at the state level, so more than one state is expected to deviate from recommended norms and make their own decisions in the matter, as is their Constitutional right.
Imelda Garcia, the Associate Commissioner for Laboratory and Infectious Disease Services at the Texas Department of State Health Services, said:
"The focus on people who are age 65 and older or who have comorbidities will protect the most vulnerable populations. This approach ensures that Texans at the most severe risk from COVID-19 can be protected across races and ethnicities and regardless of where they work."
Florida's governor Ron DeSantis has already stated that Florida would adopt a model similar to that of Texas, prioritizing people of advanced age and those with comorbidities. DeSantis said during a presser recently:
"The vaccines are going to be targeted where the risk is going to be greatest, and that is in our elderly population. We are not going to put young, healthy workers ahead of our elderly, vulnerable population."
#1
Health care workers more likely to catch it; elderly more likely to die from it. There's some logic to that.
Posted by: Bobby ||
12/24/2020 8:05 Comments ||
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#2
The concern is how to reduce the impact on hospitals and thereby allow the sickets to recieve care. Its pretty simple.
The group with the highest risk of hospitalization and death is the one consuming the most resources. They should be first to get vaccinated.
Most healthcare workers, especially those in direct care like patient aides, lab techs, and most nurses, are under age 60 and in adequate health. So although they are more likely to contract the Rona due to repeated exposure, they are significantly less likely to need hospitalization, need an ICU bed, or die from it.
The most vulnerable, most often hospitalized, and most often dying are the elderly. Fact is that the median age of death remains 80 years or so.
Followed by those over 18 with the listed comorbidities, like diabetes, heart disease or heart failure, pulmonary issues, and extreme obesity.
Everyone else can wait because there is a 99.98% chance that if they get the disease they will not die from it, the majority of whom will have either no symptoms or only mild ones, and then be out and about after 10 days or so.
[Bloomberg] The U.S. has given 1.01 1.12 million doses of vaccine and Bloomberg has details from 47 states and territories.
Bloomberg’s numbers were updated at least twice yesterday, dear Reader, so you may want to check back and see if they have been updated since.
The first Covid-19 shots have been given to more than 2.6 million people in six countries, according to data collected by Bloomberg. It’s the start of the biggest vaccination campaign in history and one of the largest logistical challenges ever undertaken.
The six countries are US, China, UK, Russia, Israel, and Canada.
Vaccinations in the U.S. began Dec. 14 with health-care workers, and so far 1.01 million doses have been administered, according to a state-by-state tally by Bloomberg. Those numbers are accelerating as a second vaccine by Moderna Inc. is distributed.
GLOBAL EFFORT TO STOP COVID
The Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine has now been approved in countries across North America, Europa ...the land mass occupying the space between the English Channel and the Urals, also known as Moslem Lebensraum... and the Middle East, where vaccinations begin this week. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the shot from Moderna were both found to reduce coronavirus (aka COVID19 or Chinese Plague) ...the twenty first century equivalent of bubonic plague, only instead of killing off a third of the population of Europe it kills 3.4 percent of those who notice they have it. It seems to be fond of the elderly, especially Iranian politicians and holy men... infections by 95% in trials of tens of thousands of volunteers.
Other countries have gotten a head start on vaccinations. China and Russia authorized their own shots in July and August, before they’d been fully tested. Since then, they’ve vaccinated more than a million people.
Desperate for relief from the worst pandemic in a century, countries have struck deals to secure vaccine access. By our count, 8.30 billion doses have already been set aside.
[Washington Examiner] President Trump issued pardons to his former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and to his longtime friend Roger Stone just before Christmas Eve, with the 26 new pardons and three additional commutations on Wednesday also including a full pardon to son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father.
Both Manafort and Stone had been swept up in special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, and both were found guilty of crimes not directly connected to allegations of Russian collusion against them. Trump had pardoned 15 other individuals, including former Trump campaign foreign policy adviser George Papadopoulos, on Tuesday.
The Wednesday pardons came after Attorney General William Barr’s final day as attorney general, and Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen will be taking over in an acting capacity
"Today, President Trump has issued a full and complete pardon to Paul Manafort, stemming from convictions prosecuted in the course of Special Counsel Mueller’s investigation, which was premised on the Russian collusion hoax," the White House said. "Mr. Manafort has already spent two years in prison, including a stretch of time in solitary confinement — treatment worse than what many of the most violent criminals receive. As a result of blatant prosecutorial overreach, Mr. Manafort has endured years of unfair treatment and is one of the most prominent victims of what has been revealed to be perhaps the greatest witch hunt in American history."
President Donald Trump ...the Nailer of NAFTA... issued 26 pardons on Wednesday night, including ones to his son-in-law Jared Kushner’s father, real estate mogul Charles Kushner, and to his 2016 campaign manager Paul Manafort and Republican wardheeler Roger Stone.
The latest grants of executive clemency by Trump came a day after the president issued a first wave of 15 pardons, a week after the Electoral College confirmed he had lost the presidential election to Joe Foreign Policy Whiz Kid Biden ...Candidate for president in 2020. Old, boring, a plagiarist, fond of hair sniffing and grabbing the protruding parts of women, and not whatcha call brilliant... Trump also pardoned Margaret Hunter, the estranged wife of former Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Calif., who pled guilty to charges of misusing campaign funds for personal expenses.
Duncan Hunter, who was convicted in the same case of the same crimes, had been pardoned the night before by Trump in a first wave of pardons by the president, who refuses to concede he lost the presidential election to Biden.
Trump also commuted all or part of the criminal sentences of three people.
Two of them were Mark Shapiro and Irving Stitsky, who were each serving sentences of 85 years in prison for their key roles in a real-estate-related Ponzi scheme that defrauded more than 250 people out of $23 million.
Before Tuesday, Trump had issued just 28 pardons — 13 fewer than his total from Tuesday and Wednesday — making him the stingiest of U.S. presidents in the modern era in terms of granting executive clemency.
Trump’s previous pardons have included ones to financial fraudster Michael Milken; press baron Conrad Black; former Arizona sheriff Joe Arapaio, who was convicted of contempt of court; Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former advisor to ex-Vice President Dick Cheney for obstruction of justice; conservative gadfly Dinesh D’Souza, for campaign contribution fraud; and ex-New York Police Commissioner Bernie Kerik, for tax and other crimes.
[Breitbart] At this point in December it is already apparent Americans bought approximately 21 million guns this year, an increase of 73 percent over the number purchased in 2019.
ABC News quotes figures from The Trace to report the estimated 21 million guns sold and claims the buying surge is the result of a "perfect storm" consisting of "the pandemic, economic recession, civil unrest and a divisive ...politicians call things divisive when when the other side sez something they don't like. Their own statements are never divisive, they're principled... presidential election."
November 2020 was the 11th consecutive month of record background checks for gun sales. FBI figures showed there were 3,626,335 National Instant Criminal Background System (NICS) checks performed in November 2020, which represented more checks than were performed in any November since NICS was established.
This same scenario was true of January 2020, which witnessed more NICS checks than any January on record, and February 2020, which witnessed more NICS than any February on record, and so on, all the way through November.
TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — About 20 African migrants were found dead Thursday after their smuggling boat, which was trying to reach Europe, sank in the Mediterranean Sea, Tunisian authorities said. Five survivors were rescued and the Tunisian navy is searching for up to 20 others still believed missing.
Tunisian coast guard boats and local fishermen found the bodies off the coastal city of Sfax in central Tunisia, Defense Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ben Zekri told The Associated Press.
According to the survivors, the migrant smuggling boat was carrying about 40 or 50 people heading toward Italy, Ben Zekri said.
The boat was overloaded and in poor condition, and faced strong winds Thursday morning that may have contributed to the sinking, said National Guard spokesman Ali Ayari. It was carrying migrants from sub-Saharan Africa, he told The AP.
Tunisian navy units were on the scene to search for any more survivors.
Tunisian authorities say they have intercepted several migrant smuggling boats recently but that the number of attempts has been growing, notably between the Sfax region and the Italian island of Lampedusa.
Migrant smuggling boats frequently leave from the coast of Tunisia and neighboring Libya carrying people from across Africa, including a growing number of Tunisians fleeing prolonged economic difficulties in their country.
Tunisians have made up the vast majority of migrants arriving in Italy this year, despite efforts by Rome to negotiate with Tunis to put a stop to the crossings. Of the 34,001 migrants who had arrived in Italy so far this year, 12,847 were Tunisian, or 38%. Bangladeshis were the next biggest group, followed by those from Ivory Coast, Algeria, Pakistan and Egypt.
The #UAE’ Fatwa Council, the country’s highest Islamic authority, issued a ruling allowing Muslims to receive coronavirus #vaccines even if they contain “non-halal ingredients” such as pork gelatin.https://t.co/g7mtcZQ90L
[IsraelTimes] With less than a month before Joe Foreign Policy Whiz Kid Biden ...Candidate for president in 2020. Poor kids are just as bright and just as talented as white kids.... moves into the White House, Moscow accuses the incoming US administration of "Russophobia" after the president-elect promised to punish Russia for a major cyber attack.
Biden is expected to take a tougher stance against Russia than Donald Trump ...The man who was so stupid he beat fourteen professional politicians, a former tech CEO, and a brain surgeon for the Republican nomination in 2016, then beat The Smartest Woman in the World in the general election... , whose ascent to the US presidency in 2016 was plagued by accusations of Russian interference to boost his campaign.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ...President-for-Life of Russia. He gets along well with other presidents for life. He is credited with bringing political stability and re-establishing something like the rule of law, which occasionally results in somebody dropping dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substance. Under Putin, a new group of business magnates controlling significant swathes of Russia's economy has emerged, all of whom have close personal ties to him. The old bunch, without close personal ties to Putin, are in jail or in exile or dead from poisoning by polonium or other interesting substances... was one of the last leaders to congratulate Biden on his election victory, sending his congratulatory message six weeks after the November 3 vote and saying he was ready for "collaboration."
Putin’s front man Dmitry Peskov, speaking to news hounds, says the Kremlin was expecting "nothing positive" in ties with Washington.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov strikes a similar note, speaking about Moscow’s expectations from the future US administration.
"We are definitely not expecting anything good," Ryabkov says in an interview with Interfax news agency.
"And it would be strange to expect good things from people, many of whom made their careers on Russophobia and throwing mud at my country," he adds.
Washington has recently accused Russia of a major cyber attack on government agencies — a claim Moscow has denied.
Biden on Tuesday said the attack cannot go "unanswered," promising to retaliate once he steps into office on January 20.
The US president-elect also accused Trump of downplaying the gravity of the attack.
#7
Russia says it expects ‘nothing good’ from Biden
Welcome to the party, pal.
Mike
Posted by: Mike Kozlowski ||
12/24/2020 11:57 Comments ||
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#8
That's ridiculous. Donald Trump was the one who crippled Russia's oil-dependent economy with deregulation. Joe Biden will slowly strangle the US fracking industry, lowering oil supply and thereby increasing prices, which will benefit the Russian economy.
Posted by: Tom ||
12/24/2020 12:11 Comments ||
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#9
#8 Biden won't stop fracking because China needs this oil.
#10
Donald Trump was the one who crippled Russia's oil-dependent economy with deregulation.
Donald Trump was the one who neutralized Russia's first-strike nuclear capability by withdrawing from INF and by selling missile defense to the Poles (and to the Japanese and even the Swedes)
Donald Trump was the one who sold lethal weapons to Russia's enemy, Ukraine
Donald Trump was the one who pushed the NATO allies to vastly increase defense spending against Russia
Donald Trump was the one who expanded and extended sanctions on Russia's leader's and wealthiest individuals
Donald Trump was the one who closed down Russia's consulates around the US
Donald Trump was the one who ordered US Special Forces into ground positions inside Syria where they engaged and killed about 100 Russian irregulars in the first direct skirmish between American and Russian forces in our and Russia's history
... but Trump is an agent of the Kremlin. Right.
Good G-d, even Joseph Goebbels' fibs about the Reichstag fire had more truth in them than this outlandish and idiotic Big Lie.
Fuck them. Fuck these ridiculous, disgusting liars with a pogo-stick
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.