Puppet MastersS


Vader

US using destabilization to manipulate energy markets

Mahdi Darius Nazemroaya
RT
Wed, 08 Oct 2014 20:42 UTC
gas pipelines
© Reuters/David Alire
The US is doing its best to estrange the EU from Russia to get the upper hand in a free trade deal, and also, to manipulate European countries into buying America's relatively more expensive natural gas.

TTIP and Ukraine

The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a Euro-Atlantic free trade agreement that is the subject of ongoing negotiations between the US and the EU. The deadline for finalizing the TTIP free trade agreement is in 2015. Its goal is to create what is referred to as the Trans-Atlantic Free Trade Area (TAFTA) and to cement the European Union with the United States as one supranational trading bloc.

These trade negations have been passing under the public's radar, because they have been taking place very discreetly behind closed doors. The very TTIP's name is designed to conceal, and was selected by policy and trade mandarins, because of their fears a public backlash could erupt against the negotiations, as it did in the case of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) talks in 2001. Like the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which was signed in Ottawa between Canada and the EU on September 26, wordsmiths calculatingly picked the name TTIP to try to hide the fact that it is a free trade agreement.

Comment: See also:

Behind the anti-terror campaign: Gas war and plans for remodeling of the Middle East

Video: The geopolitics of World War III or the real reason Russia and Syria are being targeted right now

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Attention

The FBI's plan to destroy privacy


Privacy SOS Org
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 19:34 UTC
Privacy
© Privacy SOS Org
You've probably heard privacy advocates talk about how it isn't just one set of data, or one surveillance technology, that we need to worry about, but rather the combination of them. When corporations and the government figure out how to seamlessly integrate our license plate records, cell phone location histories, education and health data, and biometric identifiers into one easily mapped dossier, the surveillance state will have reached its apotheosis - and privacy will be a relic of the pre-digital age.

The real-world application of a fully integrated surveillance state isn't hard to conjure. If you think of the data we leave behind and that is created about us as a 3D puzzle with thousands of pieces of different shapes and materials, the integration of all of that data would be a 3D recreation of our lives. The result is a digital hologram of our person, mapping out everything we do, everywhere we go, and everything we are from the moment we are born until the moment we die.

That sounds awfully futuristic and maybe even paranoid, but the basic puzzle pieces are already here, and many of them are already being assembled. The FBI isn't afraid to publicly admit that "data aggregation" is a central goal at the bureau's IT department. They have so much data, and they are daily acquiring more and more kinds, but they don't yet know exactly how to process it. Enter "identity resolution" and "record linkage."
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Light Saber

Czech Republic: EU should consider easing sanctions on Russia if gas negotiations succeed


RiaNovosti
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 00:35 UTC
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said that EU should consider easing its economic sanctions against Russia if it succeeds to negotiate natural gas deliveries with Ukraine
The European Union should consider easing its economic sanctions against Russia if it succeeds to negotiate natural gas deliveries with Ukraine, Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka said in an interview published Wednesday by the Mlada fronta Dnes daily.

"In my opinion, it is absolutely legitimate - if Russia continues to show its good will, and the tension [in Ukraine] subsides, and both parties deliver on their promises - that the European Union should consider easing or winding down sanctions," Bohuslav Sobotka said.

He added that the restart of Russian gas deliveries to Ukraine ahead of the winter season was a crucial aspect of the plan.

"Russia could also show its good will in the handling of this issue. And if it does, this could be a good opportunity for a certain gesture of good will on the part of the EU," the Czech prime minister added.

Comment: The Prime Ministers' suggestion is a good idea, but since the Ukraine is being rather hardheaded in its negotiations with Gazprom, and is also disregarding the cease-fire agreement in eastern Ukraine, this may be a long process, unless a very cold winter brings the EU and Ukraine governments to their senses.

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Red Flag

China has the largest economy on the planet, and surpasses the USA in at least 26 other ways

Michael Snyder
The Daily Sheeple
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 00:00 UTC
china
In terms of purchasing power, China now has the largest economy on the entire planet, but that is not the only area where China has surpassed the United States. China also accounts for more total global trade than the U.S. does,

China consumes more energy than the U.S. does, and China now manufactures more goods than the U.S. does. In other words, the era of American economic dominance is rapidly ending. Global economic power is making a dramatic shift to the east, and that is going to have huge implications for our future.

We already owe the Chinese well over a trillion dollars, and as our economic infrastructure crumbles we are feverishly borrowing even more money in a desperate attempt to prop up our falling standard of living. We can't seem to match the work ethic, inventiveness and determination of China and other Asian nations and it is showing. If we continue down this path, what will the future look like for future generations of Americans?

Comment: China is increasingly cementing relationships with other BRICS countries, and even Germany, while the US is spending billions to destroy the Middle East and the global economy by forcing sanctions on Russia. The pathocrats in charge of the US have nothing but words for the US economy or infrastructure, so their only response is to foment rebellion in Hong Kong as part of an ongoing campaign to contain and co-opt China.

US-sponsored terrorism and subversion in China, 'The battle for Chinese sovereignty'

Continuing without interruption: China, Russia to Strengthen Ties with 30 New Agreements

China and India: Dragon and Elephant tiptoe a tango, iron out critical agreements

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USA

Dirty wars: al-CIA-da detonates series of bombs against both government and opposition in Yemen


The Guardian
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 16:10 UTC
Bomber targets checkpoint operated by Shia Houthi rebels in centre of capital Sana'a, near where rally was about to be held
Image
Members of the Iran-backed Houthi movement, who recently took control of Sana'a, Yemen's capital, link arms to barricade the crimescene.

A suicide bomber has killed at least 42 people, including several children, in the Yemeni capital Sana'a, medics and witnesses said.

A Reuters witness in Sana'a counted at least 20 bodies immediately after the attack on a checkpoint held by the Houthis, whose forces seized the capital last month following weeks of anti-government demonstrations. The Shia movement had planned to hold a rally near the checkpoint later on Thursday.

Medical sources later said the death toll had risen to at least 42, including several children. The death toll was expected to climb further, with many of those wounded in serious or critical condition, they said.

In a separate incident, at least 20 government soldiers were killed in a suicide car bombing and gun attack in the east of the country, the state news agency Saba reported.


Comment: See that? They simultaneously hit both rebels and government troops, then hope all they have to do is stand back and watch them tear each other apart.

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Airplane

Dutch FM lets slip more evidence MH17 not downed by missile - Reveals passenger found wearing oxygen mask


ITAR-TASS
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 12:32 UTC
Image
© EPA/Jerry Lampen
The latest finding questions the earlier theory that the 298 victims on board the tragic flight had been killed instantly

One of those killed in the downed Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine had an oxygen mask on when the body was recovered, Dutch Foreign Minister Frans Timmermans said on Thursday.

The latest finding questions the earlier theory that the 298 victims on board the tragic flight had been killed instantly and indicates that they may have remained conscious after the Boeing aircraft was shot down.

"People hardly had time to notice the missile coming, but do you know that one of the victims was found with an oxygen mask over the mouth?" the HOC TV channel quoted the minister as saying. "This means that someone had time to do that. At least, we cannot rule out this possibility," Timmermans said.


Comment: The obvious conclusion is that MH17 was not downed by a missile.


Comment: Well, well, well. Yet more evidence that MH17 was not blown up by a 'BUK missile' from/via Russia.

Can there be any doubt where the real Evil Empire lies?

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Quenelle - Golden

SOTT Exclusive: Novorossian Commander Givi shows why the U.S. could never take Russia on directly

Niall Bradley
Sott.net
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 11:25 UTC
Image
'This is how much your proxy army frightens me'
As Kiev's fascist forces continue routinely flouting the 'cease-fire' in eastern Ukraine, heavy shelling has become the norm, judging by the reaction of this Novorossian commander being bombarded by Kiev forces as it attempts to take control of Donetsk airport.

He stands by completely unfazed, smoking a cigarette, as heavy shelling starts nearby. He doesn't move, even when fighters around him run for cover.

He then goes on to show pieces of shrapnel which have landed just feet away from him.

"Here are fragments ... still hot fragments."

Clearly sick of Kiev's bullshit, Commander Givi dismisses and mocks media claims that Kiev forces have control of Donetsk airport saying, "[if] it was their territory, would they shell it?"
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Whistle

Russian Foreign Ministry blasts Western organizations for suppressing death of Red Cross worker in east Ukraine

Harrison Koehli
Sott.net
Tue, 07 Oct 2014 19:08 UTC
red cross
© ReutersThe body of a victim killed by recent shelling lies near the Red Cross office in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, Oct. 2, 2014.
On October 2, a Swiss foreign national working for the Red Cross in Donetsk, Laurent DuPasquier, was killed by a shell fired by Kiev forces at the ICRC's headquarters in Donetsk, prompting outrage in Russia, but barely a whisper in the West. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded, saying:
Yet, although it has been five days, we have not heard any official explanations from Kiev concerning the circumstances of his death. The killing of a member of an influential international humanitarian organisation is being suppressed. We do not see any real action being taken to find and punish the culprits.
Noting that "several international organisations", including the EU, have ignored the fact that the ICRC office was located in self-defence territory, and "therefore shelled by the Ukrainian army", the ministry rightly questions the objectivity and nature of these organizations. The ministry concluded by saying "We insist on a thorough independent investigation of the tragedy."

The U.S. White House has issued a lame statement calling on "all parties" in Ukraine's conflict "to protect the civilians in their midst and hold accountable those who engage in the indiscriminate use of force." No mention of the fact that they only ones using indiscriminate force are Kiev's forces, who bomb residential areas daily.
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Black Cat 2

Professor of Sociology: Nuland is particularly anxious to shift Kiev from diplomacy to warfare


RIA Novosti
Tue, 07 Oct 2014 08:55 UTC
Image
© Desconocido
US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland's visit to the Ukrainian capital Kiev indicates that Washington is worried that the Ukrainian government is hesitating to gain control over the country's East militarily, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Binghamton University in New York James Petras has told RIA Novosti.

"Nuland, who is considered by most experts in the United States a neo-conservative extremist, was the architect of the coup [in Ukraine]. Since the stalemate has taken place, Washington has increased its flow of advisors to western Ukraine and I think that Nuland is particularly anxious to shift Kiev from diplomacy to warfare", Petras said Monday.

He also noted that Nuland's main goal in Kiev is "to take [Ukrainian President] Mr. [Petro] Poroshenko to task for spending so much time talking and not as much time planning and strategizing for a new phase in the military dimensions of the conflict."

The expert went further by arguing that the militarization of foreign policy has become the principle strategy of Washington.

In addition, Professor Petras stated that the United States is offering Kiev very limited economic aid and is particularly interested in privatization of the Ukrainian economy.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and US Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland have discussed the implementation of the Minsk agreements, aimed at resolving the situation in southeastern Ukraine, the Ukrainian president's official website reported Monday.

Comment: See: Escalation of war in Ukraine? Victoria Nuland arrives in Kiev

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Vader

White House exempts ISIS strikes from civilian casualty guidelines

Jim Acosta and Kevin Liptak
CNN
Thu, 02 Oct 2014 04:45 UTC
  • White House says new rules to reduce civilian deaths from drone strikes don't apply to ISIS battle
  • Officials say U.S. is taking steps to prevent civilian casualties in Iraq and Syria
  • Obama has said that civilian deaths are a part of every war
  • New rules meant to temper the civilian death toll from unmanned U.S. drones won't apply in the fight against terrorists in Iraq and Syria, the White House says.

The standards, which Obama spelled out during a high profile address last year, were meant partly to allay concerns many Americans felt toward lethal drones. President Obama said at the time the drone strikes were used with far greater frequency than his predecessor in going after militants -- including in his fight against ISIS.

But while officials in Washington insist there are strict standards to prevent civilians from dying in Iraq and Syria, the rules Obama said last year would stem civilian deaths aren't being applied in the new war against ISIS.

"The specific standards at issue in the NDU speech apply only when we take direct action 'outside areas of active hostilities,' as was noted at the time," said Caitlin Hayden, the spokeswoman for Obama's National Security Council, referring to Obama's address at the National Defense University in the spring of 2013. "That description - outside areas of active hostilities - simply does not fit what we are seeing on the ground in Iraq and Syria right now."

In addition, the strikes in Syria and Iraq are being conducted by manned aircraft in addition to unmanned vehicles, although that distinction might not be apparent from the ground.
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