Society's Child

Anti-US military base candidate wins Okinawa governor election

RT
Sun, 30 Sep 2018 18:07 UTC

A staunch opponent of the planned relocation of a US military base within Okinawa Island, where the issue sparked major public protests, has beaten a government-backed competitor in the local governor elections.

Denny Tamaki, a former opposition lawmaker and a son of the US marine, has got a win against Atsushi Sakima, the former mayor of a local city of Ginowan, who was backed by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's ruling Liberal Democratic Party. The vote was largely determined by the issue of the relocation of the US Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, which has been a source of controversy for the locals over the years.

Tamaki vowed to continue fighting against relocation of the US base from the crowded town of Ginowan to the less populated coastal region of Nago, which would put corals and dugongs, the endangered marine mammals, at risk, according to environmental activists. He also pledged to follow the steps of the former Okinawa governor Takeshi Onaga, who had been an outspoken opponent of the relocation until his death in August that prompted early gubernatorial elections.

Comment: The Japanese have been mass protesting for the removal of the US military base for decades.

Opinion: It seems #MeToo strengthens women with uncanny timing

Razor McCoy
Hard News
Fri, 28 Sep 2018 00:00 UTC

For those thinking that the Brett Kavanaugh hearings and the circus of allegations and histrionics they entail are far removed, all you have to do is peek into any random forum or interest group and the stench of ridiculous parallel universe revenge also known as social justice seeps through and ruins everything. No one of sound mind would claim that we live in a perfect reality where human society is cured of all inequality and corruption including discrimination against racial or other social groups. However the absolute obsession nowadays with airing out allegations and recriminations against people based on vendettas and personal whims is actually making it more difficult than ever to determine what are credible allegations of abuse, and if so how to respond to them. Then at the other extreme we must address today another group of people that are behaving as if they are not of sound mind: Those that demand instant retribution or fawning sympathy over claims of harassment that cannot be verified. I have witnessed this trend unfolding in the open over the past few days, and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the readers have too.

Comment: In the name of social justice: twisting common sense and reality into a platform and excuse for rage and revenge.

German police bust Chemnitz far-right terror cell plotting attacks on migrants & 'political enemies'

RT
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 19:38 UTC

German police have arrested several far-right extremists, foiling high-profile attacks on immigrants and "people of different political views" on the anniversary of 1990 German unification.

Just weeks after violence broke out in east German city of Chemnitz, police detained six young men, ranging from 20 to 30, Federal Prosecutor's Office (GBA) has said. The suspects are said to be members of a far-right terror cell called "Revolution Chemnitz."

Arrests were made by elite police counter-terrorism teams in different locations across Saxony and Bavaria. The men, prosecutors said, were planning to carry out "violent and armed attacks against foreigners and political enemies" in a bid to overthrow Germany's democracy.

The "Revolution Chemnitz" planned to unleash their attacks on the Day of German Unity on October 3.

Comment: Chemnistz has become a flash-point in the conflict between locals and migrants, due to the government's bungled handling of refugee immigration. A group like "Revolution Chemnitz" was bound to emerge.

Sanctions backfire again: Aluminum sanctions against Russia harm US Industry

Fort Russ
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 17:41 UTC

US President Donald Trump hoped that the introduction of import tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as the introduction of sanctions against the Russian aluminum giant Rusal would contribute to the growth of American producers' profits.

However, according to the Wall Street Journal, these measures did not work: the sanctions against Rusal caused a sharp rise in the price of alumina, the raw material, which affects the financial results of US companies.

The sanctions have pushed up prices for aluminum's key ingredient, alumina, eating into the profits of US producers, analysts and aluminum makers say.

Comment: This is just one more example of the US shooting itself in the foot with its ridiculous sanctions:

The dirtiest politics: USA Today edits Kavanaugh piece with 'pedophilia' hints, receives even more deserved backlash

RT
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 17:53 UTC

© Mike Blake / Reuters
Protest against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, in Los Angeles, California, US, September 28, 2018

USA Today has edited an article which added an implied 'pedophilia' angle to the saga of SCOTUS nominee Brett Kavanaugh after a massive outcry, clarifying that it was an opinion piece and deleting some controversial passages.

The article by Erik Brandy, which was published on USA Today's website on Friday, revolved around Kavanaugh's words during a Senate testimony on Thursday. He said that he may never be able to coach his daughters' basketball team anymore due to the sex assault accusations and broader scandal surrounding his Supreme Court nomination.

The author questioned whether the nominee should ever coach youngsters and alluded to the case of Larry Nassar, a US gymnastics team coach who was found guilty of multiple sexual assaults, despite this having no connection to the issue. Kavanaugh, 53, is accused by college professor Christine Blasey Ford, 52, of an incident which allegedly occurred 36 years ago, while they were both high-school students.

An unseen guiding hand: The 'algorithm' and the mysterious rules of social media

Simon Rite
RT
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:57 UTC

The Algorithm is mysterious a phrase you hear a lot in the online world. I admit I don't really understand what it is, or what it does, all I know is that I've heard brighter people than me use the term, so I started using it too.

I make my living online, where 'The Algorithm' is the essential tool that no one really knows how to use. In essence it's the ever changing set of rules the big online companies like Google programme into their systems to decide who sees what in their search results and timelines. If 'The Algorithm' is with you, your cat video will be seen by 5 million people on social media and if all goes well someone will send you a check in the post. If 'The Algorithm' is against you, you could make a video outlining a proven cure for cancer, and still no one would see it pop up Facebook.

In my luddite professional experience, you spend your time second guessing what the rules may be, and it ends up being a waste of effort because it changes so often you may as well try to second guess an election result in the era of Trump and Corbyn.

Where The Algorithm has become essential is as a professional excuse. When an article doesn't do well, or your latest social media content offering gets just 10 views, all from you admiring your own work, you can breezily tell your boss "Google/Facebook/Youtube must have changed The Algorithm" and think no more of it. Boss is happy, you're employed for one more week, and you can be absolutely certain that the next time the internet fails to take notice of your genius, The Algorithm will have changed again.

Comment: See also:

Tesla shares surge 16% following news of Musk's ouster as chairman

RT
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 13:58 UTC

Since the whole affair started over a tweet, Musk is required to receive pre-approval for anything he says or posts about Tesla.

Investors in electric car maker Tesla were buoyed by news that Elon Musk will have to step down as chairman of the firm. The company's shares surged 16 percent in Monday's trading following the decision.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged Tesla with fraud, alleging that CEO Elon Musk issued "false and misleading" statements. It was found guilty of disseminating such misleading information in connection with a tweet posted by Musk in August, saying he was considering taking the electric carmaker public at $420 a share.

On August 7, Musk told his 22 million Twitter followers that he might take Tesla private at $420 per share, with "funding secured." The regulator decided that Musk "knew or was reckless in not knowing" about false information contained in his posts.

On Saturday, Musk settled the charges with the SEC, agreeing to pay a fine of $20 million and step down as chairman of the board for at least three years. He has retained his post as CEO.

Comment: Elon Musk to step down as chairman, must get pre-approval before saying anything about Tesla as part of SEC fraud settlement

Mother sues police after seeing hideous picture of cop smiling, giving thumbs up holding her dead son's arm

Matt Agorist
The Free Thought Project
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 00:00 UTC

A grieving mother is suing a police department whose officer was seen in a leaked photo smiling and giving a thumbs up as he held her dead son's arm.

A mother is still asking for answers two years after her son's death and wants to know why a photo exists of a cop posing with her son's dead body. The man's mother has since announced a lawsuit demanding to know why a police officer felt it necessary to degrade her poor son in such a disgusting manner.

"My heart hurts every day. That was my only son," said Kim Staton.

On August 8, 2016, Staton's son, Omar Rahman, 28, was found dead in his home in Pine Lawn. The North County Police Cooperative responded to conduct an investigation, during which time the photo was taken. Since this photo, the county medical examiner ruled the Rahman's death an accidental overdose.

Comment: Though there's no reason to think that former officer Swope was responsible for the death of Staton, his psychopathic thumbs up is eerily reminiscent of some of the most outrageous and horrific offenses to be seen from US soldiers in Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq, more than a decade ago:

India to present Russia with vintage MiG-21 jets as symbol of 'deep friendship and strategic partnership'

RT
Mon, 01 Oct 2018 09:12 UTC

India will reportedly give Russia three vintage MiG-21 supersonic fighter jets as a reminder of a breakthrough agreement on military cooperation reached in the 1960s, an Indian newspaper reported.

The MiG-21 was the first non-Western warplane purchased by India. The country first bought the planes and received pilot training from the Soviet Union, before later producing them under license. The Indian Air Force (IAF) still has around 120 MiG-21s in service, but the veteran war machines will all be phased out in the coming years.

According to The Hindu, three of the aircraft are to be given to Russia during this week's annual meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in New Delhi. Citing an official source, the newspaper said that the gift comprises one "Type 75" (MiG-21bis izdeliye 75A) aircraft and two "Type 77" (MiG 21-FL) aircraft. All three jets are flightworthy.

Comment: By choosing to align with Russia, India can be assured of more 'win-win' projects. Russia negotiates equitably, the US simply threatens.

Paradigm shift? After arresting thousands for it, Canadian police dept. now says its officers can smoke marijuana

Rachel Blevins
The Free Thought Project
Sun, 30 Sep 2018 00:00 UTC

One local police department has decided to treat cannabis like alcohol or prescription drugs by allowing officers to use it outside of work.

The same substance that was once demonized as a "dangerous drug" is now being accepted in a police department where officials have decided to treat cannabis like alcohol, and they are now allowing their officers to use the plant - as long as they are off-duty.

As the city of Vancouver, Canada prepares to legalize cannabis for recreational use in the coming weeks, the Vancouver Police Board has announced that its officers will be free to use cannabis, as long they arrive to work "fit for duty."

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Society's Child

Anti-US military base candidate wins Okinawa governor election

Opinion: It seems #MeToo strengthens women with uncanny timing

German police bust Chemnitz far-right terror cell plotting attacks on migrants & 'political enemies'

Sanctions backfire again: Aluminum sanctions against Russia harm US Industry

The dirtiest politics: USA Today edits Kavanaugh piece with 'pedophilia' hints, receives even more deserved backlash

An unseen guiding hand: The 'algorithm' and the mysterious rules of social media

Tesla shares surge 16% following news of Musk's ouster as chairman

Mother sues police after seeing hideous picture of cop smiling, giving thumbs up holding her dead son's arm

India to present Russia with vintage MiG-21 jets as symbol of 'deep friendship and strategic partnership'

Paradigm shift? After arresting thousands for it, Canadian police dept. now says its officers can smoke marijuana

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