Running a little late today, sorry.
Globalism / Great Reset -
VDH commentary is essential reading. Rewriting/redefining of history is important to the global reset - removal of our history. Orwell’s 1984 redux
Wuhan Virus -
More evidence lockdowns don’t work. European Journal of Clinical Investigation, authored by Eran Bendavid, Christopher Oh, Jay Bhattacharya, and John P.A. Ioannidis. Titled “Assessing Mandatory Stay-at-Home and Business Closure Effects on the Spread of COVID-19. In it they conclude “We find no clear, significant beneficial effect of mrNPIs (ie lockdowns) on case growth in any country….In none of the 8 countries and in none out of the 16 comparisons (against Sweden or South Korea) were the effects of mrNPIs significantly negative (beneficial). The point estimates were positive (point in the direction of mrNPIs resulting in increased daily growth in cases).” Basically , the more restrictive lockdown measures pointed to worse outcomes.
Critics are pointing out that CA’s Newscum’s lifting of the state wide lock down was politically motivated due to the pending successful petition to recall him. 1.2 million signatures have been collected to date. To trigger a statewide vote on the issue, 1.5 million Californians must sign the petition by March 17.
Economy -
The Congressional Budget Office estimated biden’s proposal to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour could eliminate 3.7 million jobs.
S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller Index Shows Annual Home Price Gains Climbed to 9.5% in November. Again, I’m not an economist but can see clearly two big contributing factors. 1 - Incredibly low interest rates and 2 - massive migration out of urban areas and into more rural regions. In just my corner of the American Redoubt, sight unseen purchases of homes/property has caused the market to zoom out of reach of most locals. This correlates with Kalifornia and New York having so many people move out that they are losing seats in the House.
(CNBC) About 18% renters in America, or around 10 million people, were behind in their rent payments as of the beginning of the month. The typical delinquent renter now owes $5,600, being nearly four months behind on their monthly payment, according to a new analysis. This also includes utilities and late fees. In total, an astounding $57.3 billion is owed by just more than 10 million renters.
CW2/Domestic violence -
BLM/Antifa supporter Portland Democrat Mayor Ted Wheeler is having a lot of love directed to him by his favored class. According to a police report, Wheeler pepper-sprayed a person who accosted him while he was leaving a restaurant on Sunday night. This is the second time this month that Wheeler has been accosted while dining out.
Has been noted here on numerous occasions, but gun/ammo sales skyrocketed last year. According to “Gun Study” It’s not quite 40 million guns. The number is even higher. The FBI released its annual report of all recorded firearm transactions (not individual firearms sold) and the final tally stands at a whopping 39,695,315. The logistic of a biden administration plan to tax or remove guns from the country will crash on these rocks as many democrats are now among those numbers and unlikely to willingly support gun control efforts.
CYBER/CANCEL CULTURE FRONT -
My Pillow CEO Mike Lindell permanently suspended from Twitter.
Twitter has announced a new feature called “Birdwatch” which aims to encourage users to police and flag each other’s tweets if they believe they spread misinformation. The company claims it wants to “broaden the range of voices” fighting against misinformation, but the feature has the potential to devolve into flagging wars between different factions of users.
POLITICAL FRONT -
biden has now gone on record supporting an impeachment trial.
The constitutionality of the impending Senate impeachment proceedings/trial is undercut by the constitution itself. The relevant wording in the Constitution is at the very end of Article II, establishing that a constitutionally errant “President, . . . shall be removed from Office” if he first has been impeached by the House and convicted by the Senate for “high Crimes and Misdemeanors.” The constitution presupposes the President to be the President - pretty clear for any one with reasonable reading comprehension. One tactic that could be expected to be raised is that the Senate no longer as jurisdiction since the only president is biden. But the constitution means nothing to the left - given that the House bill of impeachment violated the constitution on at least six points.
Florida Democratic congresswoman Stephanie Murphy Murphy, has recently proposed a bill that would prevent members of the ‘Stop the Steal’ movement along with subscribers to ‘QAnon’ from being able to obtain security clearances. Security clearances are a necessity for Americans who wish to join the US Military and also a requirement to obtain a number of federal jobs. This bill would essentially bar any American that has rallied in support of President Trump post-election or publicly voiced concern about election fraud from being able to hold a job in the Armed Forces or any federal law enforcement agency. This is nothing less than a huge raft of thought crimes that Americans could be punished for without ever having broken the law.
China -
Still monitoring its recent wuhan virus lockdowns
Israel -
See Syria for Golan Heights update
Israel is beginning to express concerns that biden will allow International Criminal Court actions against it and its leaders. If successful, a case, brought by the PLO, would call for European countries to arrest Israeli officials who travel outside the Holy Land. Israel is not a signature of the treaty that created the ICC. ICC investigations have been rejected as illegitimate by former Obama Administration officials in charge of ICC and detainee issues and by over 330 Members of Congress from both parties, as well as by the Trump Administration.
The Trump administration sanctioned several court officials including Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda over ICC allegations of war crimes committed by US troops in Afghanistan as well as the pending case against Israel.
Iran -
Bloomberg reports U.S. is trying to seize around 2 million barrels of Iranian oil from the Liberia-flagged Achilleas. Order came during Trump administration, but appears to be still in motion under Biden.
Syria -
Pro Assad forces upped their bombardment of southeastern portions of Idlib Provence in probable preparation for ground operations.
Syrian army units were spotted on the Lebanese side of Mount Hermon in the north of Israel on Monday night, Syrian state-media reported. The cluster of mountains that is Mount Hermon, or Jabal al-Shaykh, is the apex of the Golan Heights, and splits between Israel and Lebanon at its summit. The very top of the mountain is controlled by UN forces. This border region has seen both Israeli and Syrian airstrikes in areas close to the border.
MY OBSERVATION - The Golan Heights is the most strategic piece of terrain Israel controls. Syria and in some respects operating with Hezbollah, are trying to establish a ground presence in the area in probable preparation for the inevitable time when Iran/Hezbollah/Hamas et al finally pull the trigger and launch their offensive against Israel. Israel for its part has almost routinely hammered logistical facilities in the region, stalling build up. But Israel has also been actively helping the Syrian civilians in the area, suffering from the decades of civil war, a depression level economy and poor medical conditions. Some suggest that that aid has enhanced Israeli intelligence operations against Syrian/Hezbollah operations.
Turkey -
For the first time in five years Greece and Turkey began a round of “exploratory talks” yesterday. The talks are termed exploratory because they are non-binding, but the issues on the table are serious. From 2002 to 2016 Greece and Turkey held 60 rounds of these bi-lateral talks. This round, the 61st, is especially critical. Over the last three years Turkey and Greece have had several dangerous incidents that went far beyond their usual diplomatic posturing and rhetorical threats. The issues confronting the 61st round include air space control, the extent and division of continental shelf rights in the Mediterranean Sea and the status of several islands in the Aegean.
MY OBSERVATIONS - Turkey has stretched itself pretty thin over the past several years with its aggressive policy attempting to essentially to corner the oil/gas exploration in the Mediterranean and establish a new caliphate has had its cost. Sanctions and rejection by european countries have stressed its ability to support military (by proxy) operations in Libya, Iran, Syria, and Azerbaijan have hurt its economy. Efforts to ‘play nice’ may be an attempt to gain PR edge.
Globalism / Great Reset -
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called on President Biden to declare a climate emergency to take immediate action on climate change, similar to former President Trump’s border emergency that enabled the administration to build a border wall. Schumer has called for drastic legislative and regulatory action, including a ban on the manufacture of gas-powered vehicles by 2040. Schumer also supports “decarbonization” of electricity production by 2035 and net zero emissions by 2050.
NOTE - This is a natural leftist progression, utilization of special ‘powers’ to bypass congressional approval. This was started by 0bama (I have a pen and a phone) The massive economic changes that would be forced by the Green New Deal are hand in hand with the goals of the great reset - a complete restructure of the economy. How well is this going? Well in Germany, they are facing rationing electricity because all the green power is not reliable.
Wuhan Virus -
The American Journal of Medicine now (Jan. 2021) now recommends Hydroxychloroquine, Azithromycin, and Zinc for the treatment of Covid 19 outpatients. The irony is this is the treatment that former US President, Donald Trump promoted last year. The timing, right after the election, is interesting.
https://principia-scientific.com/the-american-journal-of-medicine-now-recommends-hcq-for-covid19/
China is reverting to an old tactic - blaming Christians for the spread of wuhan in and near Beijing. Currently, 22 million inhabitants of China’s Hebei Province have been placed on severe lockdown, with everybody ordered to remain in their homes, thanks to “a recent uptick in positive cases.” The chinese vice premier blamed the out break on catholic ‘religious gatherings’.
Things aren’t going well with the lockdowns in other countries. Anti-lockdown protesters in the Netherlands set fires, looted stores and fought with cops for a third consecutive night of rioting after a strict curfew was imposed — with a mayor warning the nation was “on our way to civil war.” At least 184 people were arrested during Monday night’s ongoing riots as at least 10 cops were injured as police in some cities fought back with water cannon and tear gas, officials said.
So far, rioters have struck in at least 20 cities and towns across the Netherlands since Saturday, when the nation was forced into its first curfew since World War II. (NYP)
In Israel, hundreds of ultra-Orthodox Jews took to the streets of Jerusalem, clashing with police and setting fires after authorities moved to shutter religious schools that opened in defiance of the restrictions, Al Jazeera reported this week.
In Denmark, demonstrators hurled rocks and fireworks at police, with five people arrested over the weekend in Copenhagen — with marchers chanting, “we have had enough,” The Indian Express reported.
In Spain, more than 1,000 protesters gathered in Madrid, prompting police to issue more than 200 citations, the Indian Express said.
NOTE - Europe has had severe lockdowns in place since early December.
Economy -
The poverty rate increased 2.5 percentage points from 9.3% in June to 11.8% in December, according to the study released Monday by economists Bruce Meyer, of the University of Chicago, and James Sullivan, of the University of Notre Dame, Bloomberg reported. In total, 8.1 million Americans were added to ranks of the poor, according to the researchers. The sharp rise in the poverty rate is directly correlated with the economic shutdown caused by wuhan.
Commerce Secretary-nominee Gina Raimondo is open to raising taxes on the middle class, saying we “need funds” for President Joe Biden’s climate agenda. “We do need to meet the climate change challenge, and we need funds for improved infrastructure, better roads, safer roads, safer bridges, which also creates jobs,” Raimondo told Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., when asked about Transportation Secretary-nominee Peter Buttigieg’s proposal of a gas tax to raise money for Biden administration spending initiatives.
NOTE - Anyone with common sense should realize that tax (and equivalent - think $15/hr min wage) increases take money out of the economy and into the most wasteful system - the federal govt - is like tying an iron ball to a long distance runner.
Invasion of Illegals -
A federal judge blocked Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing the new president’s Executive Order that initiated a 100-day deportation freeze, following a lawsuit from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton alleging the pause was unconstitutional. Judge Drew Tipton from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, a former President Donald Trump appointee, issued a temporary restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security, a move that will apply across the United States for 14 days.
Construction workers on the U.S.-Mexico border were notified to stop all border wall projects by the end of Tuesday, according to a congressman whose district sits on the international boundary. Rep. Henry Cuellar, a Texas Democrat, said…federal contractors working with U.S. Customs and Border Protection were notified…to stop installing the 18- to 30-foot-tall portion of slatted steel wall.
NOTE - since this work is being done under federal contracts, expect a lot of costly claims if the construction is stopped before those contracts are played out.
CW2/Domestic violence -
Seattle and Portland leaders are pledging to end the nightly riots and chaos created by BLM/Antifa now that biden is president. However, the liberal catch and release bail and prosecution policies passed by those same leftist democrats have now resulted in the democrats being hoisted by their own petard. The democrat leaders are finding it increasingly difficult to put the genie back into the bottle.
Antifa death threats have caused ground breaking internet journalist Andy Ngo to flee the country. He is now reported to be in London. US law enforcement did essentially nothing to address the threats according to Ngo.
POLITICAL FRONT -
Five republican senators proved themselves to be the quislings for the democrats, voting with them to put down Sen Paul’s constitutional challenge to the impeachment. Even McConnell voted to support Paul’s motion. For the hall of shame they were
Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania,
Mitt Romney of Utah,
Lisa Murkowski of Alaska,
Ben Sasse of Nebraska
Susan Collins of Maine
The vote does indicate that there are not enough republican votes to convict Trump and that this sham ‘trial’ is nothing but a political soap opera
biden has signed a record 33 EOs in one week, more than Trump, 0bama, Bush or Clinton combined. Take note - @JoeBiden in October: “I have this strange notion, we are a democracy … if you can’t get the votes … you can’t [legislate] by executive order unless you’re a dictator. We’re a democracy. We need consensus.” pic.twitter.com/7UotJCXSm3
Strategic Developments /Deployments -
Another pair of B52s should be passing through the Persian Gulf region today, serving as another warning to Iran. No clue from biden if he is going to continue the practice.
Japan -
In response to increasing regional threats from China and N. Korea, Japan defense budgets have seen continuous annual increases. A record $51.5 billion will be spent during 2021. That’s an increase of three percent over 2020 and the ninth year in a row of increased spending.
Israel -
Israeli officials warned they will attack Iran if biden eases U.S. sanctions on Iran and rejoins the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal. Two weeks ago, Tzachi Hanegbi, a cabinet member and top advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, threatened that Israel will take action, as it did against Iraq in the 1980s and against Syria in 2007, to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear program.
PA President Abbas announced that there will be presidential elections in May-June of 2021. Many view this as a maneuver to gain favor from the biden administration, showing that they are serious about implementing major reforms and ending financial and administrative corruption. Abbas is 17 years into his 4 year term as president.
Iran -
UAE and Bahrain yesterday (Tuesday) urged Israel to join their ranks in forging an outreach effort to the US against the Iranian threat in the region. ”A common regional position on these issues will allow us to have greater influence over the US. Any future agreement with Iran must reflect the new reality in the region and be acceptable to all states in the region”
- Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif ben Rashid Al Zayani. At the same event, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Aviv Kochavi noted that Iran’s recent advancements (purifying uranium to 20% for example) put it closer to acquiring nuclear weapons in a shorter period of time.
NOTE - The importance of the agreements between Israel and Arab states arranged under Trump is playing out now.
Afghanistan -
A Treasury department Jan 4th report on funding for terrorism suggests that Al Queda is gaining strength in the country in coordination with the Taliban. Some aspects of the report are currently unverifiable, but the association between the two organizations is well established.
Black Swans -
For years, researchers have been wondering, what’s the worst the sun could do? In 2014, Bruce Tsurutani (JPL) and Gurbax Lakhina (Indian Institute of Geomagnetism) introduced the “Perfect CME.” It would be fast, leaving the sun around 3,000 km/s, and aimed directly at Earth. Moreover, it would follow another CME, which would clear the path in front of it, allowing the storm cloud to hit Earth with maximum force.
None of this is fantasy. The Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) has observed CMEs leaving the sun at speeds up to 3,000 km/s. And there are many documented cases of one CME clearing the way for another. Perfect CMEs are real.
The Carrington event of the 1800s and the more recent CME that took out the Quebec grid in the 1980s are historical facts. This is about the only thing that will screw the world up worse than leftists.
Massive locust swarms have invaded Saudi Arabia while a bigger and deadlier attack is ongoing in the Horn of Africa, which is set to descend on large parts of Ethiopia and Kenya, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned Sunday, January 24, 2021.
NOTE - I follow this to identify pending food shortages and likely famine in this region. Famines are commonly used by radical insurgents to gain follower who are dissatisfied with the response from the government in exchange for food. Often these groups intercept/hijack food relief from other countries and divert it to their own ranks - using it as weapon. Global impact are often seen as higher prices for food because of the demand in famine regions, contributing to the destabilizing of other nation’s economies .