© News Forensics
As an analyst I have to be self-critical.
Yesterday, as I was proofreading my last post, rather late at night, I started to ask myself what bothered me so much about recent discussions among prominent figures in the Internet commentariat about peace negotiations with Russia, focusing on the future of Ukraine.
In Western-centric MSM and its derivative "MadM "(Mainstream Additional Media), the assumption seems to be that the Hegemon is still the Hegemon, when it is more like Rome in 400 AD after the center of power had shifted to the East.
In 400 AD, the Roman elites still thought themselves able to call the shots.
Today, the West thinks the same, assuming they can bend Russia to its will and force it to reverse itself on Ukraine - to leave an undemocratic, neo-Nazi regime in place in the Ukraine as an extension of Western control - to "win the peace", as Mercouris says, using Robert Orr's phrase.
But power has shifted once again...to... the East!
Most of the people still genuflecting before America seemed not to have read - or at least not to have understood Putin's Valdai Speech, not as I did anyway. Granted -the speech is long - four hours or more. But is one of the most important and articulate statements made by a world leader in a hundred years. IMO.
Putin's speech, while lengthy, is straightforward: the "world order" has changed -and that unstable, warmongering Hegemon sits on an increasingly shaky throne.
© News Forensics
The tide is BRICS. The ocean is humanity. Putin explains all this.
From this speech, you can easily infer that the US has no concept of "peace" .
"Peace", as the Putin made clear at Valdai, depends on equality and respect and honesty and trust validated by keeping your word. These are things that the US has not demonstrated — nor its quasi-colonial vassal states in the G7 either.
Putin made all this clear to Scholz - who, of course, wasn't listening because his call was just to try to shore up support in an election he will hopefully lose.
An emotional reaction
If I think critically about myself , I think I reacted a little emotionally to hear people that I look up to — like Mercouris — talking nonsense and parroting things published in propaganda mills like the FT, the Economist, the New York Times and the Guardian — as though these media were worthy of trust.
It's hard to express. Maybe, it's like finding out an idealized girlfriend is hanging out with her ex-boyfriend who she claims to have broken off with "absolutely".
Say it aint so Alex!
My point of view is that the "war" is not with Ukraine - that is more of quasi -civil conflict in which Russian has taken a side.
The real war is with the Empire, what I call "the American Collective" — a war which started as soon as Russia showed signs of recovery and independence after Yeltsin and following the resolution of the CIA-supported Chechen wars.
"Cold war"? "Hot war"?
How about "Lukewarm war"?
War is like water - it has different temperatures and its shape depends on its container. In the case of Russia, the war has been heating up gradually for years. And the shape? All over the place.
Empires do not know "peace". They know only conquest and domination.
The US's geopolitical goal is to maintain its exceptionalist status - as God's "chosen" nation. "Negotiations" could only be a tactic to that end.
These arguments notwithstanding I thought I overdid my criticism of the Duran in those two articles, a teeny weeny itsy bitsy bikini bit.
But maybe not....
Today I saw that Biden has (reportedly) authorized the use of ATACMs missiles to attack "North Korean" forces in Kursk, despite Putin's warning that explicit authorization makes the US and NATO co-belligerents and will be replied to "in kind". I say, "reportedly" because there is no official statement . The NYT report is based on "anonymous" sources (as usual). The Whitehouse janitor. Or someone's mother-in-law .
But let's assume it is true.
© News Forensics
US President Joe Biden did not just give the Kiev regime the go-ahead to use long-range ATACMS missiles on the internationally recognized territory of Russia. In fact, he ordered the Armed Forces of Ukraine to use these shells against our country, Valentin Bogdanov, head of the VGTRK bureau in New York.
How can Russia reply?
Three weeks ago, Putin said official legitimization of ATACMS strikes on Russian territory would necessarily involve American support and make NATO complicit. It would be regarded as a declaration of war and Russia was prepared to respond appropriately. International law is on Russia's side — not that the West has ever cared about that.
Russia could of course strike US and NATO bases in Europe where ATACM missiles are housed. It could target NATO AWACS aircraft — or even satellites in the air and near space. The S400 has extensive coverage. And the Russians have other weapons, too.
© News Forensics
The Houthis Option
Option 1:
Simple missile and targeting system upgrades using Russian satellite data. That would do some damage although it might not actually sink, say, a carrier. But the US fleet would have to withdraw because of the threat ,
Option 2.
This would involve Russian targeting systems, EW, missiles, and operators in Yemen protected by multi-layered air defense. It would be expensive and take time to install. Oddly enough,.the Saudis would prefer this to Option 1 because the Russians would be fully in control.
Diplomatic Options
Russia can also let Trump know the consequences of them escalating exponentially - IF Trump does not repudiate Biden's decision — protecting the Donald's image as the "Peace President".
After all, when (if) Biden authorized ATACM missiles for use against Russia it was more of an attack on Trump than on Russia, which knows now how to counter the threat and has very effective countermeasures.
Many in the Trump camp - like Elon Musk and Trump Jr have criticized Biden's obvious attempt "to set up" Trump as Obama did in 2016, with provocative anti-Russia moves.
This is not 2016 whenTrump's mandate was qualified by losing to the popular vote to Hillary .
This time it was Trump who won the popular vote: no one can contest the legitimacy of his election. He need not fear Russiagate 2.0. He could easily turn this against the Democrats as the "Peace President" labeling them warmongers — which they certainly are.
I certainly agree with Larry Johnson and Alex Mercouris and most reputable military commenters on this changed situation!
The MSM (Mainstream Morons) of course, added in the unlikely presence of North Korean combat troops (LOL). The Alien Army More propaganda.
(Anonymous) official sources have told me the real story as the photo below shows...
© News Forensics
Joking aside.
The US has a long history of this making up stories. Remember the lies that led to the Iraq War. The NYT and MSM played their part in all of that. Then there was Afghanistan, Libya, Syria- it's a long list.
Trump and the Swamp
Trump's advisors unfortunately are all not of one mind.
First and foremost, you would enforce the actual energy sanctions on Russia. Russia is essentially a gas station with nukes. Putin is selling more oil and gas now than he did prewar through China and Russia. And you couple that with unleashing our energy, lifting our LNG ban, and his economy and his war machine will dry up very quickly,,In his first term, Trump's "team" was mostly Swamp Critters. Sadly, it still is.
So I think that will get Putin to the table. We have leverage, like taking the handcuffs off of the long-range weapons we provided Ukraine as well. And then, of course, I think we have plenty of leverage with Zelenskyy to get them to the table.
Mike Walz - Trump nominee for National Security Advisor NPR
Lizards, snakes,and frogs. That's how my cat Chappy got his tape worm. Governments get worms the same way — who go on to infest academic and the media and the bureaucracy.
Let us hope that Trump has learned. He has a choice. Chappy didn't. He ate snakes and frogs to survive.
Nothing will change
Let us also hope that Biden's "decision" is just media hype and hooplah.
The MSM says that Joe is "greenlighting " limited use of ATACMs. A lot depends on the what "limited" means. There is a huge fudge factor.
In any case....
Nothing new has happened. Strikes with the same missiles have been carried out before. Crimea, Novorossiya, Lugansk, attempts to strike the Crimean bridge.If it is real — "authorizing" these missiles which are already being used, less and less effectively, will not affect the outcome of the conflict in Ukraine.
The situation differs from the previous one only in the direction of missile strikes.
Our air defense forces are familiar with these types of weapons. Remember how at first the enemy managed to break through the air defenses, and how, the further away, the more often the enemy failed to do anything.
Andrey Medvedev. News Pravda
It will only harden Russian resolve to destroy the Ukrainian military completely and de-Nazify Ukraine — which will cease to exist as an independent state.
After all, with the incorporation of southern Ukraine and soon Eastern and South Western Ukraine in the RF, there will be nothing much left of what is now called "Western Ukraine".
Russian victory will also give BRICS a boost in expanding the multipolar order already developing.
People the world over love winners.
The rarest cat in the world — and its natural!
The Sokoke
© News Forensics
Ichi points out that HE is "rare" too. There is only one of him in the world. That is why he is called "Ichi" ("One", in Japanese).
Please buy Ichi a coffee in recognition of his rarity. Also it's cold in Japan and I need to buy him something to keep him warm.
Reader Comments
Time is up for Mr/Mrs Pompous & Stupid.
Nuclear is in. As in AI.
I'm lower than a grunt and I know these things.
I don't think these men in suits are as smart as they think themselves to be.
But I already knew that from school. I sometimes wish the families like mine long ago who had knowledge and decided to teach everyone, would have just reconsidered and said no!
A lot of us don't think they are.
thanks all for the making this such a great like minded area.
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Then any aircraft carrier anywhere in the world on the open seas gets sunk - then any one in port gets sunk as well.....and then maybe a "pause" - to see who thinks they have the "initiative".
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Meanwhile - a volley of missiles comes into Tel Aviv - and then - that is that.
Upon hearing the recent announcement by President Putin regarding the potential conflict with the USA if American weapons are launched from Ukraine into Russian territory, it is deeply troubling to see how quickly President Biden has decided to authorize such a course of action. It is now clear that the Biden administration is disregarding the safety and well-being of both innocent lives in foreign nations and the citizens of America. This decision highlights a stark reality that under this leadership, there is a blatant disregard for the value of human lives. The administration's readiness to engage in such actions raises serious concerns about their priorities and commitment to peaceful resolutions. It is disheartening to witness how the party in power is willing to escalate tensions and resort to war, betraying the very principles they claim to uphold.
Just last week the propaganda press claimed Musk met with the Iranian UN ambassador. Shortly thereafter Iran claimed this did not occur.
I am not sure what the truth is in either case, but I'm not believing the corporate media without corroboration.
I hate seeing my "enemy" (Russia/Putin) appear so rational and agreeable. I just can't get behind a war with a people I appear to have more in common with than half of my own countrymen.
Also, it's very despicable for Biden to light our government on fire on his way out like this. Worst president ever. FJB.
PS: cute cat, but "rare?" OK. If you say so.
"The accessibility of printed texts helped ignite the Renaissance, a period of genuine interest in the literature, art, and philosophy of the classical world. Renaissance scholars, known as humanists, were now able to disseminate and scrutinize classical texts widely. This fostered a critical reassessment of knowledge and inspired a new wave of scientific and cultural advancements.
Similarly, the printing press largely enabled the Reformation, a schism within Western Christianity initiated by Martin Luther in the 16th century. Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, which criticized the Catholic Church’s practices, were quickly printed and circulated, triggering widespread debate and leading to the Protestant Reformation" [Link]
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PBS said of Martin Luther; "He discovered the power of the press in ways that no one else had used it up to that point: everything from woodcuts being used in a polemical way, ditties and rhymes. He mastered this new medium; he used it to spread and turn what would have been a local affair into an international movement.”
[Link]
The Printing Press is an agent of power. [Link] , [Link]
Is the Internet any less of a transformation in communication than the printing press was in its day?
I think the problem with the internet is that BS is cheap and abundant now. It used to require more dedication to spread BS, and I'm not sure you could get it as thick as it is nowadays, without being much more clever. It required artists. Now anybody can do it.
I heard it said that one of the problems with modern technology is that it has put a lot of power in the hands of idiots that otherwise could not have managed it themselves, and are unqualified to handle it.
The potential for that dynamic to backfire spectacularly on the elite one day is there, but it'd probably take an act of God to get that into play; wherefore the elite suddenly lost access to their fancy BS, like the power grid failed or their satellites fell from the sky.
Anyway...not trying to diminish the point you made. It's a good one. I just needed to shake my fist at that "transformation," because it ruined my life.
I wish I could have been Martin Luthor's printer. Haha, that would have suited me fine. I could have died happy...or on a stake, burnt like a witch. Who knows?
Luddite typists. I am one as well, except my career options were diminished by the 'green' agenda. I know a lot about high temperature chemical reactions but you can't have those if CO2 is going to be released.
The only way we are going to advance beyond the internet is mental telepathy (without chips in the brain). That being said, the ability to focus enough to manifest telepathy requires one to disconnect from the internet...
Peace!!
that is ironic and I partly agree!
As you point out the internet, along with smartphones, movies, TV, and many others, are all impediments to recovering these abilities
Or at least they did that to me when I was young.
I could prove it - but why should I!
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So - this could be fun in the future - we could have a sort of "typing contest" - it will be setup in advance - and then the "gun" will go off - and it will be a test of typing proficiency.
Are you up for the challenge?
If so - I'll make that happen - somewhere off the beaten path.....
it would be fun.
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I should say before this happens - not ringing my own "bell" here, but in 11th grade I think it was I took a typing class and the teacher was the leader of the cheerleaders at East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC and I think she was fond of my typing prowess!
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She was to put it frankly a wonderful typing teacher!
And by the way - the cheerleaders at East Meck - back then - along with the other dancing troupe of ladies - oh me oh my......unbelievable southern bells of beauty they were - untouchable in my mind.
Ken
i preferred notes and writing in cursive. Nobody ever believes it's my writing
just wanted to add to the discussion.
and I want no part of typing test.
in sports and in working on anything, I can use either hand. Actually had a better average batting left even tho I'm righty.
it runs in the family. Ambidextrous that is.
But I suppose I lean to the left....
She would walk the rows of desks with a small, wooden baton held behind her back while the class was typing, and if she saw someone doing something she didn't like, she would smack them in the knuckles with her baton.
It fukin hurt.
My typing remains proficient to this day.
My Calculus teacher ascribed to that ideology - I don't really support it, but damn I learned calculus in high school thanks to Ms. Puitt - she was fearsome! Calculus and math contests were literally "her life" - she had some contest winners in her classes - I was one of them....but I didn't win the overall "State Contest" - but one of my mates in our classes there at East Mecklenburg did - he went on to teach math at the college level after getting a full scholarship to Duke University I think it was - by virtue of winning the contest.....
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Me - I was just a rambunctious student - fish out of water from Buffalo in effing Charlotte, NC.
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On the other hand, the typing teacher - coach of the cheerleaders - was a fine looking lady - dark in complexion and NOT to be trifled with. She was a good women and I respect her to this day. I think I must of had a crush on her - and that improved my typing.
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So morale of the story?
But she literally was NOT to be trifled with.....I suppose that is why I married somebody sort of similar in spirit to her....only thought of that now.....it must be.....
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My wife teaches 2nd Grade - she has been at her place as a teacher for going on 20 years now - she is NOT to be trifled with either!
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Damn - I better go to bed.....
Ken
ps - I got a feeling sometimes my wife takes some of the energy from our home - and shares it with her students......(in a loving way of course.....
If it is the narrative, what is the intent? It creates discussion, anxiety or other emotions, and perhaps preparation for action. It also creates the possibility of a false flag even involving nuclear material, though probably a dirty bomb. Let's keep in mind that globalists are panicking and looking for a way to protect themselves.
pluto rocks
PlUTo RoCkS
3:33 pm
Age of Aquarius 🥳
2 hours and 45 minutes to go....oh tis 1249 now - 2 hours and 44 minutes to go!
Good - lets cross the threshold - better times beckon.
Ken