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Evil Rays

SOTT Focus: Syria - A Case Study in Western Propaganda

Cover of The Economist, August 31st, 2013
Cover of The Economist, August 31st, 2013
Dear diary, many of my colleagues are unhappy about the recent events in Syria. They are unhappy that Assad is still in power. However, I see the metaphorical glass as being half full. In a recent poll, 58% of Americans support the bombing of Syria and 19% have "no opinion." This is wonderful news, since it shows how the vast majority of people are easily manipulated and are simply apathetic. In a democracy, the most important but least understood tool is propaganda. Let me share with you the fundamentals of a successful propaganda campaign.

Dollar

SOTT Focus: Joe Quinn on PressTV: Merkel Washington Visit Underscores US-EU 'Parting of Ways'

Merkel Trump Washington
Joe Quinn spoke with PressTV today about German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Washington, DC. Distinctly low-key compared with French president Emmanuel Macron's 3-day love-fest with US president Donald Trump, the US-German summit merely underscored the isolationist approach Trump has taken with respect to its 'closest partners'.

The US government imposed import tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum in March, but it provided a temporary exemption until May 1 for the EU. Judging by both Merkel and Trump's statements to the media following their meeting, Trump is probably not going to make the exemption permanent. In short, 'Europe must pay!

Coupled with the EU leaders' failure to turn Trump back from reneging on the JCPOA Iran deal, this week's meeting with the leaders of Europe's two biggest countries serves to underscore a 'parting of ways' within the Atlantic alliance.


Network

SOTT Focus: Despite all Efforts by Warmongers in Washington, Peace has Broken out on the Korean Peninsula

kim jong un moon jae in cross border
The leaders of North and South Korea stunned the world on Friday by declaring a new age of peace between their long-divided states. But to credit Washington for this remarkable turnaround would be sending a dangerous message.

To say that the situation on the Korean peninsula has been moving ahead at breakneck, roller-coaster speed would be a great understatement. Just a few months ago, the world held its breath as Pyongyang slammed yet another round of US-backed sanctions as an "act of war." In the background of the breakdown was Donald Trump, armed with an insurmountable ego and a very active Twitter account, helping to drive up tensions to the boiling point.

This week, the mood could not have been any more different had white doves and rainbow-colored unicorns descended upon the Korean peninsula from the heavens and broke out in song and dance.

Few could have imagined the historic event that was playing out before them: Kim Jong-un strolled hand-in-hand with South Korean President Moon Jae-in across the forbidden Militarized Zone, thus becoming the first North Korean leader in 65 years to enter South Korean territory. But that was just the beginning of April's shower of political surprises. Kim and Moon went on to commit themselves to eliminating nuclear weapons on the peninsula, and pledging to sign a formal peace treaty later this year.

Better Earth

SOTT Focus: After 65 years, Korean Leaders Agree to End War in Historic Peace Summit

korea peace summit
© Reuters TVNorth Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in raise their hands in unity after signing agreements during the inter-Korean summit at Panmunjom on April 27, 2018
After a day of upbeat optics and good vibes, the Koreas agreed to cooperate and reduce tension, but details on denuclearization must await the North Korea-US summit in May or June

After a day-long summit, leaders of the two Koreas hugged one another, opening "a new era of peace". They pledged that there would be no further conflict on the peninsula and vowed to upgrade relations in multiple spheres.

But while they agreed on "total denuclearization," no details of steps to achieve this were included, suggesting the issue has been deferred to the upcoming North Korea-US summit, expected in May or June.

After a day of talks between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in and their entourages at the truce village of Panmunjom in the Demilitarized Zone, the two sides released the "Panmunjom Declaration for Peace, Prosperity and Unification of the Korean Peninsula."

Comment: South Korea's Foreign Minister told CNN's Christiane Amanpour something that likely made her throw up a bit in her mouth... that Donald Trump deserves a lot of credit for making this historic meeting happen...


Trump in turn gave a shout out to Xi Jinping, who was no doubt also instrumental:


In summary, the two Koreas have agreed to:
  • completely denuclearize Korean peninsula
  • hold multi-party talks involving the US and China
  • have high-level military talks in May
  • have Moon visit North Korea in the autumn
  • establish a 'firm peace regime'
  • Kim said he hopes two Koreas will reunite



SOTT Logo Radio

SOTT Focus: The Health & Wellness Show: Extreme Biohacking, Transhumanism and the Singularity

Image
© unknown
Who doesn't love a good biohack? Seeking longevity, convenience, uber-intelligence, super human strength and optimal functioning is something that health conscious people science nerds have in common. But what happens when it's taken too far? When does dreaming of immortality, human-machine interfaces and implants, consciousness uploading and artificial intelligence cross the line from geeky speculation into being anti-life and anti-human? In a free will universe personal experimentation is a valid choice but there is the very real fear that a large portion of humanity will be dragged, kicking and screaming, into a world where technology and materialism rules.

Join us for this episode of The Health and Wellness show where we'll discuss the sometimes strange world of obsessive biohackers, the always creepy transhumanist agenda and whether or not The Singularity will come to fruition.

Running Time: 01:16:13

Download: MP3


Black Cat

SOTT Focus: A Question for Mrs May: Did Britain Really Drop Bombs on a Chemical Weapons Facility?

bombed out building
© Hassan Ammar/Agence France-PresseA Syrian soldier films the damage to the Syrian Scientific Research Centre which was attacked by US., British and French military strikes in Barzeh, near Damascus, Syria.
On April 14th, shortly after the United Kingdom, United States and France bombed the sovereign country of Syria, on the basis of unproven allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Douma on 7th April, the British Prime Minister, Theresa May made the following comment in her official statement:
"Together we have hit a specific and limited set of targets. They were a chemical weapons storage and production facility, a key chemical weapons research centre and a military bunker involved in chemical weapons attacks. Hitting these targets with the force that we have deployed will significantly degrade the Syrian Regime's ability to research, develop and deploy chemical weapons" [my emphasis].
It seemed to me when I heard these words - and the passage of time has not altered this impression - that Mrs May was admitting to one of two actions, either of which ought to see her removed from office.

Comment: The same questions needs to be asked of Presidents Trump and Macron.


Star of David

SOTT Focus: March of Return: Israel's Officially Sanctioned Use of Deadly Force Against Palestinians Delivers Deadly Blow to Its Credibility

protest gaza snipers
© ReutersMassacre in Gaza
In early 2018 a Palestinian by the name of Ahmad Abu Artema reportedly posted on his Facebook page his personal vision for thousands of Palestinians to march in honor of the 42nd anniversary of Land Day, which commemorates the first time a mass movement of Palestinians protested peacefully for their right to return to their ancestral homes. The original march was shrouded in violence, but Artema had a vision of a different way that Gazans could air their legitimate grievances, and many Gaza shared it.

Artema's vision was simple: that Israelis and Palestinians could live together, as one people. Artema stated:
"If you want my personal opinion, I don't believe in liberation [of land in Israel]. I believe in ending the apartheid system in Israel like the end of the apartheid system in South Africa, and we live all in one democratic state," Artema said in an interview in Gaza City. "I want to live with Israelis."
As the Facebook post went viral and organizers began to work towards making it a reality, a decision was made to decrease tensions by camping out hundreds of meters from the Israeli border, celebrating, marching, and 'creating a new culture'.

Artema's noble ideals however were not viewed as such by the Israeli government and military. Since March 20th, nearly 3,000 Palestinians have been injured and - at the time of writing - 39 have been killed as the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) turned Palestinians peaceful protests into a bloody shooting gallery. Let's not kid ourselves - the 'March of Return' has been yet another macabre step in the slow eradication of Palestine and its people. Perhaps what differentiates it from others before it is that the world is watching as the IDF picks off protesters (and members of the media) in broad daylight. On this occasion, there were no 'military targets' that later 'turned out to be schools, or farms, or factories'. The Israeli authorities have provided little justification for their use of deadly force against transparently civilian targets.

Sheriff

SOTT Focus: Candace Owens Unlocks New Reality, Makes 'Victor Mentality' the New Black

Candace Owens
© Candace Owens, TPUSA. Image Via Twitter
In recent years, many people around the world - but particularly in 'Western' societies - have become quite adept at the art of 'being oppressed' and letting everyone know about it. The victimhood narrative is part of a mindset that draws quick conclusions and assumes the worst in people. It leaves little room for such adepts to grow beyond the challenges we all face because it foists the responsibility needed to face the world onto others. It moves them away from any thought of a charitable society and draws them deeper into the victim culture.

We see this in many of liberals' pet projects: from gay rights, to the ideology behind transgender activism, to Black Lives Matter. Oppression has been used an as excuse to demand power from others. Power is sought not as a result of efforts made that earn greater responsibility, but by way of self-proclaimed victim status. Characteristics that makes us strong, such as effective communication, thinking deeply about our problems, and conscientiousness have been tossed aside in favor of elevating victimhood in order to exploit the good nature of others. That said, not everyone is buying this victim mentality. It is being challenged in big ways. One such challenger is Candace Owens, a conservative commentator and communications director for Turning Point USA.

Rose

SOTT Focus: Flemish Priest Father Daniël Maes Living In Syria Exposes The Truth The Western Press Ignores

father daniel maes
Father Daniël Maes
Living in Syria in the sixth-century-old Mar Yakub monastery in the city of Qara, 90 kilometers north of the capital Damascus, Flemish Father Daniël Maes has been a witness to the invasion of western-backed terrorists since the very beginning. To this day, he and his friends continue to help the Syrian people by not only helping them directly, but also by spreading the truth about what is truly going on in the country.

Die

SOTT Focus: Joe Quinn on PressTV: 'Macron in Washington to Convince Trump Not to Break Iran Deal'

joe quinn presstv
Behind all the cuddles and bisoux for the cameras, what was French boy-president Macron's grande visite to the US of A all about? What the US and France can do to retain Western dominance of the Middle East, of course!

Trump is warning Iran not to "restart its nuclear program" while (again) yammering on about the 2015 JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) multinational agreement on Iranian nuclear development being "an insane, terrible deal that should have never been made."

Europe's very own 'stable genius' meanwhile spoke out of both sides of his mouth in an attempt to tame Trump's tantrum while not aggravating the Iranians, telling US officials the Iran deal can be "revisited" but should not be torn up. Iranian president Rouhani is meanwhile warning both of them about "grave consequences" if the 2015 deal is torpedoed.

What does all this bluff-and-bluster mean? And what is Trump's beef with the JCPOA anyway? Needless to say, it has almost nothing to do with the 'proliferation of nuclear weapons'...