Welcome to Sott.net
Wed, 27 Oct 2021
The World for People who Think

Puppet Masters
Map

Brick Wall

Canada: Trudeau announces mandatory testing, 3-day hotel quarantine for travellers

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
© Patrick Doyle /REUTERS
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attends a news conference held to discuss the country's coronavirus disease (COVID-19) response in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Nov. 6, 2020.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced all Canadian travellers returning from overseas will have to take a COVID-19 PCR test at the airport, and quarantine in a designated hotel for three days at their own expense while they await results.

Those with negative test results will be able to then isolate at home, while those with positive tests will be immediately required to quarantine in designated government facilities.

Comment: Did anyone have Canada on their "What-Country-Will-Throw-People-In-Concentration-Camps-First?" Bingo card?

Meanwhile, Italy is trying the opposite tactic. (from RT):
The Italian government is reportedly set to announce an easing of Covid-19 restrictions in certain regions despite warnings from health experts that it is too soon to relax measures designed to control the spread of the virus.

Veneto, near Venice, Calabria in the south, and Emilia-Romagna in the north of the country are all expected to be downgraded from 'orange' to 'yellow' zones, according to local reports. The move would allow bars and restaurants to reopen, as well giving residents more freedom to move around their areas.

The World Health Organization, however, has warned that it is "too early to ease up," as there is "still [a] very high" presence of the virus in the country.

A public health expert who advises the Italian health minister has echoed this note of caution, telling AFP that Italy was "bucking the trend," while other European nations remain in lockdown and some are even considering stricter measures.
Could this be because of the civil disobedience the fed up Italian population has been enacting as of late? WHO warnings mean little in the face of an angry mobilized populace.

And Russian Universities are going back to full-time teaching after deciding to relax restriction rules. From RT:
Students in Russia will soon be dusting off their travelcards as the country prepares for a return to traditional, in-person teaching at universities and colleges, with Covid-19 lockdown measures due to be relaxed.

The Ministry of Education and Science announced on Friday morning that it had ordered academic chiefs to organize the reopening of classrooms and lecture halls, taking into account both local laws and the opinions of an institution's students.

"At the same time," officials said, "universities will need to take preventative measures." Specifically, they will be expected to "create conditions for hygiene by providing antiseptic handwash, ensuring the temperature-checking of everyone present, enforcing mask-wearing and social distancing, and airing classrooms during breaks." They will open their doors from February 8.

...

The news comes as Russia begins to relax other pandemic-prevention measures amid a downturn in the number of positive tests. Earlier this week, students will be relieved to hear, the capital dropped its ban on nightclubs, bars, and restaurants opening past 11pm, paving the way for a resurgence of the city's nightlife.



Mr. Potato

Ocasio-Cortez: There are 'legitimate white supremacist sympathizers' in the core of House GOP

AOC Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said Wednesday on MSNBC's "All In" that in the "core of the Republican Caucus in the House of Representatives," there are "legitimate white supremacist sympathizers."

Ocasio-Cortez said, "I actually sense a profound difference between the Republican Caucus of last term, the 115th Congress, and the Republican Caucus of this term, that we are now, what, a few weeks into at this point. And that difference was that it really felt that last term, the Republican Caucus was one of extreme fealty to Donald Trump. There were some that were true believers. Others that simply remained quiet out of cowardice and out of fear of the president's retribution. This term, there are legitimate white supremacist sympathizers that sit at the heart and at the core of the Republican Caucus in the House of Representatives."

Comment: Ocasio-Cortez is a crazy person.

See also:


Eagle

Enemies of the Deep State: The government's war on domestic terrorism is a trap

surveillance
"This is an issue that all Democrats, Republicans, independents, Libertarians should be extremely concerned about, especially because we don't have to guess about where this goes or how this ends. What characteristics are we looking for as we are building this profile of a potential extremist, what are we talking about? Religious extremists, are we talking about Christians, evangelical Christians, what is a religious extremist? Is it somebody who is pro-life? [The proposed legislation could create] a very dangerous undermining of our civil liberties, our freedoms in our Constitution, and a targeting of almost half of the country." — Tulsi Gabbard, former Congresswoman
This is how it begins.

We are moving fast down that slippery slope to an authoritarian society in which the only opinions, ideas and speech expressed are the ones permitted by the government and its corporate cohorts.

In the wake of the Jan. 6 riots at the Capitol, "domestic terrorism" has become the new poster child for expanding the government's powers at the expense of civil liberties.

Comment: See also:


Radar

Dangerous escalation in the Middle East: The US and Israel go hand in glove for the next battle against Iran

map middle east
Iran is blaming the US for increasing tension in the Middle East. The Pentagon has shifted combat command responsibility for operations involving Israel from the US European Command (EUCOM) to the US Central Command (CENTCOM). This step has led Iranian officials to take a series of measures, including proceeding to more advanced stages in its nuclear development. This challenges the JCPOA nuclear deal, which provoked European leaders who, along with the US, have failed to honour their commitments since 2015. Furthermore, Iran has conducted missile, air and sea manoeuvres and has taken escalating steps with the "Axis of the Resistance" to confront the new US-Israeli joint military command. These steps make the Middle East more dangerous than ever and are a severe challenge for Joe Biden's new US administration policies and actions.

Decision-makers in Iran explained that "integrating Israel under the Central Operations Command constitutes a direct threat to Iran. It means that Israel will operate within the entire Middle Eastern combat command and "area of ​​responsibility" under the control of US Central Command. Consequently, the theatre of combat operations and espionage will be shared with all countries that fall under this umbrella (Israel, Saudi Arabia, Emirates, Bahrein, Jordan, Iraq, Egypt, Iran, Yemen, Sudan, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Pakistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia and Seychelles). This will give Israel the ability and authority to use and be present in all airports operated by American forces and to shelter under their umbrella at the largest US bases in countries where Iran is considered an enemy - mainly Saudi Arabia."

Comment: A Big and nasty war in the Middle East could be just the event that the Biden administration uses to further distract and keep the US populace preoccupied as the pseudo reality of "domestic terrorism", the tanking economy, the Covid hysteria and related policies - and a whole raft of major issues - threaten to make the land of "freedom and democracy" implode.

And of course Israel's pressure to induce the US into taking a more aggressive stance towards Iran isn't helping:

Mossad chief to outline Israeli 'demands' to Biden for rejoining Iran nuclear deal


Snakes in Suits

Political Ponerology: A Psychological Anatomy of Evil, Politics And Public Trauma

Netanyahu

‘The biological, psychological, moral and economic destruction of the majority of normal people becomes, for the pathocrats, a biological necessity.’ — Dr. Andrew Łobaczewski (1921 – 2008)
Political psychologist Dr. Andrew M. Lobaczewski wrote a masterpiece on psychopathy and pathocracy, which he melded into the term "political ponerology." He describes political ponerology as science of the nature of evil adjusted for political purposes. We have used the terms "kakistocracy" and "Crime Syndicate" to express the same essential concept.

A more concise and abridged look at this work comes from commentary and additional quoted material by Laura Knight-Jadczyk, who cuts through some of the denseness in Lobaczewski's book. She also pulls in the work of other researchers on the topic. I have extracted key takeaways and points, and the in-depth and highly recommended write up can be read here in two parts.

How to Understand Macrosocial Evil
pathocracy
Derived from poneros in New Testament Greek, the word ponerology suggests an inborn evil with a corrupting influence, a fitting description of psychopathy and its social effects.

Kazimierz Dąbrowski (1902-1980) indicated that extreme ambition and lust for power and financial gain "is particularly evident in criminal or political psychopathy." Politics by its very nature, would tend to attract more of the pathological "dominator types" than other fields. The MO is to infiltrate, contaminate, appropriate, and eliminate. (ICAE)

But little has been said about the nature, causes and genesis of evil. Materialist scientific culture does not readily admit that evil actually exists, per se. Yes, "evil" plays a part in religious discourse; but even there, it's given short shrift as an "error" or a "rebellion" that will be corrected at some point in the future.

Bad Guys

Covid tyranny: Hong Kong's Carrie Lam defends 'ambush' lockdown despite no cases being detected

hong kong lockdown
© Benjamin Yuen/United Social Press
North Point lockdown.
Chief Executive Carrie Lam on Friday defended a sudden coronavirus lockdown imposed overnight on a North Point building as "necessary" even after the 12-hour operation detected zero cases.

The sudden lockdown of blocks A, B, C, and D of Tung Fat Building was officially lifted at 11.30am on Friday. Around 475 residents were tested, but 190 households did not respond when officials notified them to take a test.

Lam said in a Facebook post the lockdown was "necessary" despite the lack of infections.

"Considering the number of cases [in Hong Kong], the condition of the buildings and the capability to carry out the operation, we think that the restriction was still necessary," she said.

Lam said the exercise showed that lockdowns should be "quicker and more accurate" in order to minimise inconvenience to residents.

Comment: The new normal. Roving lockdowns. Justified, even when they're not.


Chalkboard

Is the best way to repair the Russia-America relationship for both sides to minimize contacts and keep out of each other's way?

Putin
© AFP PHOTO / RIA-NOVOSTI POOL / ALEXEY DRUZHININ
FILE PHOTO: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with US Vice President Joe Biden (L) on March 10, 2011 during their meeting in Moscow.
Presidents Joe Biden and Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone this week, and the issue of extending the vital New START nuclear treaty is now as good as settled.

The presidents gave their orders, setting the cogs of the bureaucratic behemoths in motion. And it seems like they'll make it in time - by February 5, when the treaty is officially set to expire. So, what's next? Nothing, really. Any excitement or hopes one might have for better relations between Russia and the US would be misplaced.

We should thank the new US administration for being so open and frank - when it comes to Russia, at least. Right after Biden's inauguration, his team announced that the US would seek to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) for five years, as set out in the initial document. And that will be the extent of any positive developments. Renewing this treaty will be an isolated case that will have no real impact on the generally antagonistic atmosphere. There are no plans for any kind of common agenda.


Comment: No, there are no plans for a common agenda, despite Russia's best efforts, because it's quite clear that the US deep state is determined to keep the US and Russia from forming any constructive relations that would not only benefit both nations but, ultimately, the world.


Comment: Despite the multipolar world's best efforts, it's unlikely the US will leave them alone to work towards common goals in peace. Instead, the US and the Deep State that plagues it seems to be determined to drag everyone else down with them. And, with Biden and his ilk at the helm, it's likely that the US' demise is quickening:


Star of David

Foundation linked to Biden pick for cybersecurity gave $500K to pro-Israel lobby AIPAC

AIPAC/Neuberger
© Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images/NSA/KJN
AIPAC • Cyberwar Advisor Anne Neuberger
A family foundation linked to President Joe Biden's senior director for cyber policy on the White House National Security Council donated more than half a million dollars in recent years to the main pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington, according to public records.

The donations, first reported by David Corn of Mother Jones magazine, do not appear to pose a legal issue, but some current and former national security officials told NBC News they risk creating the possible appearance of bias in favor of Israel by a top American official. While Israel is a close American ally, it operates in its own interest and aggressively spies on the U.S., including using cyber capabilities, current and former officials say.

Other current and former officials disagreed, saying they do not think the donations pose a problem.

The lobbying group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, describes itself as a "bipartisan American organization that advocates for a strong U.S.-Israeli relationship." Most Republicans and many Democrats are closely allied with the group, while other Democrats are not.

The official, Anne Neuberger, recently was named senior director for cyber policy on the National Security Council. She spent the last decade at the National Security Agency, the Pentagon's digital spying arm, where she worked her way up the ranks to become head of a newly created cybersecurity directorate. Neuberger did not immediately respond to email and phone messages.

Comment: Under fire for anti-Semitism, David Corn and Ken Dilanian insist it is a question about policy:



Arrow Up

Donald Trump just issued a statement that should give Republicans a lot of hope

Trump McCarthy
© Save America PAC
Former US President Donald Trump • House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Former President Donald Trump met with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and issued a statement that should provide a lot of hope to Republicans who are watching in horror and disbelief as the Biden administration issues executive order after executive order that attacks the very institutional foundations of this country.

The statement on Donald Trump's meeting reads as follows:
"The meeting between President Donald J. Trump and House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, was a very good and cordial one. They discussed many topics, number one of which was taking back the House in 2022. President Trump's popularity has never been stronger than it is today, and his endorsement means more than perhaps any endorsement at any time."

"President Trump has agreed to work with Leader McCarthy on helping the Republican Party to become a majority in the House. They worked very well together in the last election and picked up at least 15 seats when most predicted it would be the opposite. They will do so again, and the work has already started." - January 28, 2021
Notably, the press release, as reported by CBS News, refers to Donald Trump as the "President." Recently, Donald Trump opened up the Office of the Former President. As stated in that release:
"Today, the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, formally opened the Office of the Former President. The Office will be responsible for managing President Trump's correspondence, public statements, appearance, and official activities to advance the interests of the United States and to carry on the agenda of the Trump administration through advocacy organizing and public activism. President Trump will always and forever be a champion for the American People."

Comment: Where there is will, there comes the way.


Arrow Down

Joe Biden's presidency is tanking faster with Americans than expected

BidenEagle
© Reuters/Mark Makela/Unknown/KJN
President Joe Biden • American Eagle
The latest presidential approval ratings show that Americans are already tired of Biden's broken promises on fighting the pandemic, the sagging economy and radical pipedreams.

Now, that Gallup has wisely bailed from the presidential polling business ahead of the Biden administration, the only game left in town is Rasmussen. The polling firm reports that the Biden presidency is already trending back downwards after a blip of a "honeymoon period" that was shorter than Rock Hudson's.

The polling firm Rasmussen reports:
The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, Sponsored by SLANTED from Sharyl Attkisson, for Wednesday shows that 48% of Likely U.S. Voters approve of President Biden's job performance. Forty-eight percent (48%) disapprove.

The latest figures include 34% who Strongly Approve of the job Biden is doing and 41% who Strongly Disapprove. This gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -7.
Just for context, Biden briefly was gaining traction and actually moving upwards from his extremely low entry approvals (lower than Trump's and much lower than Obama's), but a slew of executive orders, many of them controversial and quite radical, have begun to sink the Biden presidency's approval with Americans faster than even many analysts expected.

Comment: Well, that was quick. Buyers' remorse was evident on Day 1 - perhaps the fastest 'thumbs down' in US presidential history.