Globalism / Great Reset –
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab on Tuesday delivered remarks at the G20 Summit and promoted the “Great Reset” to world leaders
“What we have to confront is a deep systemic and structural restructuring of our world. This will take some time and the world will look differently after we have gone through this transition process,” Schwab said.
Earlier this year Schwab warned of global cyberattacks and worldwide disruptions with food and energy systems. “History is truly at a turning point,” Schwab said at the 2022 World Government Summit in March.
“We do not yet know the full extent and the systemic structural changes which will happen, however, we do know the global energy systems, food systems, and supply chains will be deeply affected,” Schwab said speaking on the economic fallout from Covid-19, dangers of climate change and clashing world governments.
OBSERVATION - Lets ask the question – what country does Schwab represent as this is a meeting of govt leaders? WHY DID THEY LET HIM SPEAK?
His statement of change to “global energy systems, food systems, and supply chains” is particularly concerning – is he leading his punch? These areas have already been severely stressed by wuhan related nonsense and it wouldn’t take much to gum up the works once again. The reference to turning points and the overall context suggest that he intends that things happen soon.
MORE -
At the B20 (the Business 20 (B20) is an event that is part of the G20 Summit it is meant to express common views from the international business community) Health Minister of Indonesia Budi Gunadi Sadikin advocated for a global digital health certificate to track the movement of vaccinated individuals.
Speaking to the crowd, Sadikin said, “Let’s have a digital health certificate acknowledged by WHO. If you have been vaccinated or tested properly, then you can move around. So for the next pandemic, instead of stopping the movement of the people one hundred percent, which [collapse] the economy globally, you can still provide some movement of the people.”
Sadikin went on to say that an agreement to have this digital certificate using WHO standards had been reached between the G20 countries and Indonesia.
“Indonesia has achieved… G20 countries have agreed to have this digital certificate using WHO standards, and we will suck it into the next World Assembly in Geneva as the revision to international health regulations. So hopefully, for the next pandemic, we can still see some movement of the people, some movement of the goods, and some movement of the economy.”
OBSERVATION – The GGR is maneuvering and doing so quickly for this ‘digital passport’ effort, which will likely then be quickly merged into a digital monetary system and social credit system. If this really has been agreed at to at the G20, those who choose not to get vaccinated will be forced to give up their basic human rights.
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York began a simulated digital currency initiative on Tuesday alongside multiple major banks as the cryptocurrency sector descends into chaos.
The digital dollar simulation, which is slated to last for 12 weeks, will “experiment with the concept of a regulated liability network,” a concept for a financial market infrastructure that would facilitate “digital asset transactions that connect deposits held at regulated financial institutions using distributed ledger technology,” according to a press release from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Analysts will test the “feasibility of payments between financial institutions” using tokenized assets.
Among other financial institutions, Citi, Mastercard, BNY Mellon, and Wells Fargo will partake in the simulation, which will determine whether the project is feasible for broader rollout and lead to technical design insights.
OBSERVATION – The convergence of digital currency, digital vaccine and social credit data is set to be coming on even faster. When will they actually merge - most likely after they have all the components operating separately and a new global crisis hits to propel the merger.
Wuhan virus –
The CEOs of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association sent a letter to the White House and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) asking them to declare an emergency due to a surge in pediatric hospitalizations. The letter claims that 75% of pediatric hospital beds across the country are full and that increased hospitalizations are due to pediatric respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.
OBSERVATION – wuhan triggered an addiction to fed free money by the medical system. Wuhan also triggered lowering of natural immunity by closing off person to person contacts. The current ‘surge’ (questionable) is because those natural methods of enhanced immunity were denied for a better part of over a year.
Economy –
Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank President Esther George said in an interview that inflation is at risk of growing entrenched in the economy, making it difficult for the Federal Reserve to fight inflation without a recession. George said that labor is the driver of inflation now, rather than supply chain or production shortages, and the real challenge for policymakers is prematurely ending rate increases.(FO)
OBSERVATION - Fed being coy now about a recession being planned into the mix. Labor costs have increased as a result of shortages in labor and by labor demands to keep up with inflation. A vicious circle that has its external foundations on supply chain and production shortages. See PPI release below
The October read on producer inflation showed some of the highest numbers in months on key indicators of price increases. Month-over-month, headline PPI inflation advanced 0.2 percent in October — the same as in September — and prices upstream from consumers increased a full eight percent in the 12 months ending in October.
The core PPI number that excludes more volatile foods, energy, and trade services also saw prices increase 0.2 percent for an annual advance of 5.4 percent.
Some of the more alarming data points in the latest Producer Price Index report include the index for final demand goods, which advanced 0.6 percent in October — the largest advance since June when that metric increased 2.2 percent.
What’s more, 60 percent of October’s price increases for final demand goods are attributable to the index for gasoline which jumped 5.7 percent. At the same time, prices also increased for diesel fuel, fresh and dry vegetables, residential electric power, chicken eggs, and oil and gas field machinery.
OBSERVATION – These numbers are harbingers of continued high inflation rates and will likely be used by the Fed to justify continued large increases in the prime rate. Not good in the long run.
During a portion of an interview with NBC News on Monday aired on Tuesday’s edition of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stated that she thinks there are “good indications” that show inflation “is poised to come down,” but she doesn’t want to make predictions on a month-to-month basis and she believes that “over the next couple of years,” “inflation will come back down toward normal levels we’re accustomed to.”
OBSERVATION - A couple of YEARS, before the return to normal.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated that President Biden is considering a mandate requiring oil companies to store more fuel in the United States. Granholm also said fuel export curbs are still an option the administration is considering. A minimum storage mandate would require action from Congress, and a bill to expand the Northeast home heating oil reserve is pending. Oil industry representatives warned that a mandate or export curb would increase prices in the short term. (FO)
OBSERVATION – Right now petroleum companies are making more money selling offshore than here in the US. Oil companies don’t want to lose that profit – particularly when forced on a volaille US market. It will cost companies to store these reserves and that cost will be passed on.
Recently enacted Public Law 117-58 includes $125M to pilot a national mileage fee and state mileage tax programs. House Infrastructure and Infrastructure Committee Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) stated that the government must move away from fuel taxes and towards a sustainable way to fund the Highway Trust Fund. (FO)
OBSERVATION – The onset of EVs and hybreds will impact fuel taxes in theory as there is less fuel sold. However, don’t expect fed and state taxes to go away if a mileage tax is introduced – govt loves taxes.
Invasion of Illegals –
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reports a record number of encounters with illegal immigrants in October. CBP announced that 230,678 encounters with illegal immigrants took place during the month of October. That number is up 2% over September. The third highest in history.
Texas Gov Abbot invoked Texas and US constitutions to declare an invasion on the border.
“I invoked the Invasion Clauses of the U.S. & Texas Constitutions to fully authorize Texas to take unprecedented measures to defend our state against an invasion.
I’m using that constitutional authority, & other authorization & Executive Orders to keep our state & country safe:
⁃ Deploying national guard to repel ad turn back illegals.
⁃ Deploy Texas dept of public safety to arrest and return illegals and to arrest illegals for criminal activity
⁃ Build a border wall in multiple counties on the borde r.
⁃ Deploy gun boats to secure border
⁃ Designate Mexican cartels as foreign terrorist organizations
⁃ Enter into compact with other states to secure border
⁃ Enter into foreign powers to secure border
⁃ Provide resources to border counties to increase their effort to respond to the border invasion”
OBSERVATION - Expect the feds to immediately run this to courts to stop. This is a very aggressive response to the flood of illegals at the border. Will Texas guard/LEO face off against feds (I suspect the every day border patrol agent is supportive of Texas – so agitators will likely come from some other DHS source) Clearly a response to the continued record of illegals. Some may complain why it took him so long to invoke. Reality is he needed the precedent that the feds are not being effective in their assigned constitutional roles to justify this. Yeh, suckage, but necessary for a move of such magnitude.
A federal judge has just blocked the use of Title 42 at the border as a result of ACLU litigation. Title 42 allows the U.S. to immediately expel migrants on the basis of public health. It has been used millions of times under both Trump & Biden
OBSERVATION – To be appealed, to some extent. Uber-leftist Clinton appointed judge. Earlier this year the Biden administration attempted to end its use last May, saying the policy was no longer necessary to protect the country’s public health, but a federal court in Louisiana blocked the administration from winding it down completely.
Biden / Harris watch –
Biden didn’t attend a G20 dinner.
CW2/Domestic violence –
Texas invokes constitutions to stop illegals, read above
During last week’s election, Oregon voters passed Measure 114, which has been heralded as one of the most restrictive gun laws in the nation. According to The Oregonian, the law will require people to obtain a permit to purchase a firearm, after successfully completing a firearms safety course at their own expense and paying a $65 fee. It also bans the sale or transfer of magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition. State police will conduct a background check on permitted buyers prior to any gun sale. Purchasers will need to submit a photo ID and their fingerprints.
OBSERVATION – Constitutional sheriffs – the growing battle line being drawn in the CW2 precursors. They will become one of the tips of the spear as tyrannical govts try to strip rights from citizens. Little wonder eastern Oregon wants to leave and join Idaho. Quite frankly I wish they’d create their own separate state.
CANCEL CULTURE FRONT
Facebook will not fact check comments made by former President Donald Trump now that he officially has announced a campaign for president in 2024, CNN reported.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Christy Smith concedes to Mike Garcia in CA27, Giving Republicans control of the House with 218 seats. There are still several other races out there pending that could go republican as well, giving the GOP a limited majority in the House.
Trump announced his bid for president in 2024.
Kevin McCarthy has apparently won the nomination for House Speaker.
McConnell is facing serious challenges to maintain his position as the minority leader.
China –
Overall observation is that Xi came out on top of the ‘discussions’ with biden.
Russia -
WAR WATCH - Russia is now in its ninth month of the “three days to conquer Ukraine” since fighting starting on Feb 24th.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Russian forces continue in a state of disarray following the defeats in the east and west
Russia is incapable of launching any significant offense against any of the fronts in Ukraine due to personnel issues (losses and untrained conscripts), severe logistical shortages and lack of armor/tanks. They are only capable of launching limited attacks – primarily in the east.
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Massive missile attack on Ukraine has Russia receiving a lot of push back – see Ukraine below. Almost the ‘mistake’ that could have caused a NATO article 5 response.
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Lots of rain and snow in the 10-day forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
Massive missile attack across Ukraine yesterday apparently attacking the power grid. About a hundred rockets were fired, most of the hits were recorded in the center and north of the country. This is the most massive shelling of the energy system since the beginning of the war, said Energy Minister Halushchenko. There are hits on civilian areas, air defense was working all over the country.
According to Ukraine general staff, Russian army launched over 90 Kh-101 and Kalibr missiles, and over 10 combat drones. Air Defense reportedly shot down 77 cruise missiles and 10 Shahed-136.
Emergency power outages have been applied in all regions, people are reporting communication disconnections.
Effects were not isolated to Ukraine, damages caused power outages in Moldova. Hungary MOL says received notification from Ukraine that power station near Druzhba pipeline in Ukraine near Belarussian border was hit by Russian rocket.
However the most serious incident was two stray rockets that fell in the town of Przewodów in Poland on the border with Ukraine. They hit the grain dryers. Two people died.
Polish PM Morawiecki convened the emergency meeting of the Committee of the Council of Ministers for National Security & Defense Affairs. Article 4 of NATO was initially called for by Poland, but later withdrawn (NOT Article 5). NATO ministers will discuss the situation at their already prescheduled meeting today.
Article 4 of the NATO treaty covers the case when a member state feels threatened by another country or a terrorist organization. The 30 member states then start formal consultations at the request of the threatened member. The talks look at whether a threat exists and how to counter it, with decisions arrived at unanimously.
Initial findings suggest that the missile that hit Poland was fired by Ukrainian forces at an incoming Russian missile – though investigation is ongoing.
Polish president Duda said the Russian side is responsible for what happened yesterday. “yesterday we watched Russia’s massive attack against Ukraine; areas near the border with Poland were also bombed. The Russian side is to blame for the situation. There is no indication of an intentional attack on Poland”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg – “The fact that the missile exploded in Poland results almost directly from Russia’s attack on Ukraine, and the more we will support and strengthen Ukraine in its natural right to self-defense. Russia must finally stop this war.”
It is pretty clear that this missile barrage was an intended response to the loss of Kherson.
Russian attacks in the southeast yesterday were all repelled, with fighting continuing to be the most intensive east of Bakhmut, Avdiivka, and Vuhledar
Russian shelling remained intensive yesterday north of Donetsk and around Bakhmut, but was mostly more sporadic in the other impacted regions.
Eastern (Kharkiv) front —— (This sector runs south from the LOC Russian border due east of Kharkiv city to the Kreminna area, inclusive of the Svatove – Kreminna line.)
Sporadic Russian artillery
Donetsk Oblast —— (This sector runs southwest from the Kreminna area to the Donetsk Oblast boundry east of Donetsk and is inclusive of Mariupol)
Main war effort of Russia refocusing on this region with continued ground and artillery attacks.
Zaporizhizhia Front ——— (NEW – Separated out from the general overlap of Donetsk and Crimean fronts. Consists of Zaporizhishia Oblast to the coast and is inclusive of Metropole)
Scattered Russian artillery attacks.
Crimean front ——— (Consists of the remaining occupied Kherson Oblast to the border of Crimea)
With the exception of a few Russian artillery strikes, activity in this sector has dropped way down.
Western / Central Ukraine ——
Russian missile attacks discussed above.
Russian Territory -—
NSR
Partisan Resistance ——
NSR - but don’t let that fool you, there are plenty of unconfirmed reports of rear area attacks crossed Russian occupied territory.
OUTLOOK ——
Russia expended a lot of its increasingly scarce guided missiles yesterday. And even though it is currently looking like it was a stray Ukraine ADA missile fired in self defense that hit Poland, Russia is going to be held accountable for starting it.
Analysts keep saying that Russia has run out or is running out of its high-tech missiles – the big question is just how many do they have left? Russia’s increasing reliance on Iranian made systems suggests that Russian made stocks are really getting low. Russia has the capability to conduct surges in this kind of missile warfare, but it is no longer sustainable like it was in the early months of the war.
I expect Russia to continue to attempt to destroy the Ukraine power grid as winter approaches.
On the ground, well its still Russia attacking across a generally broad front in the east. They have unlearned the lessons of the first months of the war, returning to scattered, small unit attacks that are not coordinated with adjacent units against objectives of little tactical advantage. In short – the meat grinder. Russian attack intensity is expected to increase with the transfer of forces from Kherson and back fill of mobilized conscripts. APC, tank and artillery shortages will be acute given the losses in Kherson alone, and Russia is relying heavier and heavier on older, Soviet equipment like the T-62.
Russian generals and senior staff are short handed and are trying to weld together the fragments of these remaining units to create a functioning army. Suggests more ineffective attacks and continued high losses.
The onset of winter will favor the better motivated and equipped Ukrainian army, enabling it to pursue the offense and keep the Russians disorganized. But at this stage things are slowing down to a slog as the weather turns to hard rain and snow.
Moldova/Transnistria -
Power interrupted by Russian missile attacks see above
Poland -
Stray S300 killed two, see above in Ukraine
NATO action readiness increased due to collateral missile damage/deaths in Poland see above.
“Italy believes it does not make much difference if the missile that caused a deadly explosion in Poland was not Russian, because Moscow is still to blame for attacking infrastructure in Ukraine, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Wednesday.”
OBSERVATION – this is reflecting a lot of European opinion.
Israel –
Israeli official – “Targeting a ship in the Sea of Oman is an Iranian provocation”
OBSERVATION – Not the first time Iran has targeted a ship owned by an Israeli firm and particularly Ofer (see Iran below).
Iran -
Oil tanker associated with Israeli billionaire Idan Ofer was struck by an Iranian drone off the coast of Oman last night. The vessel is the Liberian-flagged Pacific Zircon, operated by Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping. Ship’s stern slightly damaged and crew is ok.
Protests continue throughout much of Iran.
ping the above - oops
Globalism / Great Reset –
Biden and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday announced a climate deal that will send Indonesia $20 billion over the next three-to-five years to push the country to shut down its coal plants.
The initiative is intended to help Indonesia, the world’s chief coal exporter, phase out coal production and switch to green energy in order to reach global targets for reducing carbon emissions, according to a White House fact sheet. Half of the money will be spent by countries that are part of the International Partners Group, including the U.S., Japan and Canada, while the other half will be provided by private financial institutions led by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero to accelerate Indonesia’s green transition over the three-to-five-year period.
Indonesia will work to ensure that its power sector emissions will peak by 2030 and reach carbon neutrality by 2050, bringing its net zero targets forward by ten years, according to the fact sheet. The nation will also aim to make sure that renewable energy accounts for at least 34% of all power generation by 2030.
OBSERVATION – 3-5 year transition to what source of ‘green’ energy are we talking here? Another dumpster fire in the making. Meanwhile, this action also hurts American coal producers by taking away another customer.
Biden’s climate envoy John Kerry announced on Nov. 9 that the Biden administration was partnering with the Bezos Earth Fund and the Rockefeller Foundation to reward developing countries with “marketable carbon credits” if they reduce CO2 emissions from their power sector or make investments in green energy.
OBSERVATION – What ever the heck “marketable carbon credits” are. Biden administration refused to provide details.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday cleared meat grown in a laboratory for human consumption, marking the first time the agency has done so.
The decision means that Berkeley, California-headquartered UPSIDE Foods, formerly known as Memphis Meats, will be able to bring its “cultivated chicken” products to the market once it has been inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to its website, UPSIDE Foods is a food technology company founded in 2015 that aims to grow “sustainable cultured meat.” It cites investors including Bill Gates and Sir Richard Branson.
The company grows meat, poultry, and seafood by harvesting the cells from live animals and using them to grow the meat inside a cultivator. The cells are constantly nourished with an “optimized” feed that consists of “common compounds found in animal feed and human food, including amino acids, fatty acids, sugars, trace elements, salts, and vitamins.”
OBSERVATION – Something like out of science fiction. However, I’ll bet my bars that the whole process is far less efficient and way more costly than our current agricultural practices. Cattle do a pretty darn good job of converting plants into protein and without all the high tech necessary for fake meat.
Wuhan virus –
Biden is embarking on yet another battle over the COVID-19 pandemic, this time facing off with more than 60 senators who seek to end the national state of emergency over the virus.
In place since March 2020, the state of emergency grants Biden expanded powers, which he has used to push a host of policies. Tuesday night, the Senate voted 62-36 to end those emergency powers, with 13 senators who caucus with the Democrats joining all Republicans in support.
OBSERVATION – The state of emergency has given biden considerable extraconstitutional powers (that are currently being eroded away by court decisions BTW). Democrat powers in congress want some of that power back from biden..
Economy –
Turkey day is set to gobble gobble up your savings this year. A 2022 survey by the Farm Bureau shows that the average cost to feed 10 people for the holiday is up 20%.
If you have an aunt you can’t stand, now would be a good time to uninvite her to dinner next week. Desperate times call for desperate measures.
“The centerpiece on most Thanksgiving tables – the turkey – costs more than last year, at $28.96 for a 16-pound bird. That’s $1.81 per pound, up 21% from last year, due to several factors beyond general inflation,” the Farm Bureau said.
OBSERVATION - General inflation on all the food components for a traditional thanksgiving have been made worse by the ongoing bird flu epidemic that has forced another massive cull of poultry just prior to the holiday season. This is also why you can hardly find a turkey greater than 20 lbs in your local supermarket. I bought my 30+ pounder earlier this summer at lower prices. It pays to plan ahead.
Reading the tea leaves. Recent assessments from the likes of Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley suggest that they are expecting the much announced ‘soft landing’ for the economy created by the Fed prime rate increases and the resulting drop in the inflation rate in 2023. However, that is still a ways off and much can happen between now and then. PPI shows inflation pressures are still there and increasing as well as there being global factors that could blow this ‘soft landing’ scenario sky high. Remember too, much was said about inflation being “transitory” this time last year – how well has that worked out for us. Not being a financial guru, my gut feeling from life experience is that the big investment corporations are trying to calm fears of their investors by saying this scenario is one that can be ridden out and not to panic. We won’t know much for sure for the next several months yet – particularly now that we are through the midterm election cycle.
Oil executives and trade groups met with Biden administration officials and Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) to discuss diesel stockpiles and the potential for a shortage this winter. Following the meeting, the American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers and American Petroleum Institute trade groups released a joint statement saying that U.S. refineries are running at full capacity but that regulatory limitations and lack of pipeline connectivity are obstacles to getting diesel to the Northeast. (FO)
OBSERVATION – Huge leftist/greenie hurdle to overcome in getting new pipelines of any kind past environmental review in any short order. This is a structural defect that past environmental and govt road blocks have erected over the years and if the restrictions would be lifted still take many, many years to construct the needed pipelines. Biden et al wont clear regulatory restrictions as his view is that since he is killing fossil fuels there is no need for construction - but will pay lip service so as not to spill the beans on his goals.
Watching the oncoming train crash as the national leaders of SMART Transportation Division and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen stated at a joint press conference that they expect Congress to step in if the vote fails. A strike would involve more than 30 railroads, and the major railroads will likely throttle traffic a week ahead of the strike date.
OBSERVATION - How quickly congress will act is another question. The lame duck house may differ to the incoming republicans to deal with it. Now that the elections are past all bets are off.
Decreasing stock has driven the price of diesel up 50% this year, with gasoline seeing a 14% increase in price. Wholesale diesel traded at a record premium in October.
OBSERVATION – This is killing our economy – diesel is the life blood even more than gasoline. Personally, its killing me having to spend so much to fill up my diesel Jetta (35 mpg) at these exorbitant prices.
Leftists are very poor engineers. A study conducted by National Grid Plc. found that electrifying a typical highway gas station for passenger EVs would require as much power as a professional sports stadium. The study also found the projected power needs for a Truckstop servicing electric Semi trucks would be the same as a small town. (FO)
OBSERVATION - It is virtually impossible to construct enough solar/wind generators to replace the fossil fuel plants to necessary to produce this much energy. Secondly, transmission lines would need a significant upgrade to handle the increased current demands.
Invasion of Illegals –
Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) on Wednesday called for all “11 million” or “however many” illegal aliens there are in the US to be given amnesty because the American population “is not reproducing on its own at the same level that it used to.”
Previously, democrats bleated - “Proponents of this white nationalist, far-right conspiracy theory believe that a complicit or cooperative class of elites are advancing a plot designed to undermine the political power and culture of white Americans,” Schumer wrote in a letter for Fox News CEO Rupert Murdoch. “For years, these types of beliefs have existed at the fringes of American life. However, this pernicious theory, which has no basis in fact, has been injected into the mainstream thanks in large part to a dangerous level of amplification by your network and its anchors.”
OBSERVATION – Is the “replacement” conspiracy theory coming to pass? Clearly Schumer et al view these illegals as probable democrat voters – to maintain their power in govt. But if democrats didn’t have double standards, they’d have no standards at all. If this gets pushed, hopefully the new republican house will stop it – but then that isn’t even guaranteed any more.
Biden / Harris watch –
Recalibrating previous thoughts on democrats removing/replacing Biden and Harris. Now McCarthy is next in the succession to the presidency, so the deep state handlers most likely have to recalibrate.
CW2/Domestic violence –
Appropriate under cancel culture below – but has bigger play in the growing CW2 scenario developing here in the US. That being what’s called “stochastic terrorism” by the left. The article linked below does a far better job of describing this tactic than I can in this space.
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2022/11/the_lefts_newest_stealth_attack_on_free_speech.html
The ultimate goal is presented - “In other words, your opinions are terrorist threats that, ideally, should lead you to a long stint in a federal prison, while my opinions (leftist democrats), which may be considerably more violent and imminent than yours, are nevertheless the beneficiary of First Amendment protections.”
We are seeing the move from attempted marginalization of opposing views to criminalization very quickly. My concerns as the now fast approaching 2024 presidential election comes down is to what extent biden et al will further weaponize the alphabet agencies (lead by DoJ and FBI) against citizens? With Trump officially in the race I fully expect to see a lot more of this.
Double file also under Cancel Culture but the Senate advancing the “Respect for Marriage Act” on Wednesday poses a threat to traditional America values and beliefs to the extent that criminal/civil assaults on organizations like churches can and likely will occur. Among the many threats –
1. The amendment offers no such protection for private businesses, such as wedding vendors, nor for individuals, and would create a “right to private action” for anyone who feels they were discriminated against.
2. The bill “equates belief in natural marriage with racism” and subjects adoption agencies, women’s shelters, and other nonprofits that serve their communities to further risk of lawsuits. And the right of private action in the bill “supercharges” the danger of lengthy, expensive lawsuits
3. There are no protections for religious based opinions or actions.
Bill was already passed by the House and was sidelined in the senate until after the elections. 12 Republicans voted with Democrats on Wednesday, passing the filibuster standard with 62 yes votes.
OBSERVATION – Courts will be filled with extensive lawsuits by LGBT et al groups, who’s sole purpose will be to silence conservative Christian viewpoints.
On another CW2/Domestic violence front, Target said its stores are getting looted at a massive scale. The damage to the bottom line has amounted to $400 million so far this year, the company said on a call with reporters on Wednesday. The company is not the only retailer to point to a rise in theft recently. A spokesman for CVS said earlier this year that it has experienced a 300 percent increase in theft. Rite Aid said in October it suffered $5 million in losses due to theft in NYC in the most recent quarter alone. Home Depot said it has been locking up more products during the past 12 months in an attempt to stem theft.
OBSERVATION – All fallout from the deliberate (and soros sponsored) efforts to neuter the police and prosecution of criminals. Purpose is to continue to spread panic and concerns in the population to eventually condition them to accept the ‘solution’ with open arms. Such levels of theft are also driving up prices as stores try to recoup their losses.
On a personal basis – A few months back visited family in Kalifornia. The vast majority of items at the local WalMart were locked up and it took a while to find an employee to unlock for us to get an iterm (personnel shortages). Here in the Redoubt very little is locked up – only guns/ammo and electronics.
An FBI official will be deposed in a lawsuit over alleged collusion between the Biden administration and social-media companies to censor speech on topics ranging from Hunter Biden’s laptop to Covid-19, a judge ruled Monday.
The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit by Missouri attorney general Eric Schmitt and Louisiana attorney general Jeff Landry accusing the federal government of working “hand-in-hand with social media companies to censor freedom of speech on their platforms.” The lawsuit has grown to include 67 defendants, including top officials at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the White House, and others.
Last month, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana granted the two states’ request for depositions from several top-ranking governmental officials.
OBSERVATION – More of the weaponization of FBI against citizens rights and blatant, unconstitutional interference in elections.
POLITICAL FRONT –
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Wednesday won re-election as Senate GOP leader, fending off a challenge from Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and setting himself up to become the longest-serving party leader in the history of the Senate. McConnell won a vote that broke 37-10 and saw one senator abstain, according to Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Tex.
OBSERVATION – Status quo in the senate for republicans. This could increase the chance of internal fighting as the next session of congress moves forward. The 12 republicans who supported the “Respect for Marriage Act” on Wednesday show a great deal of softness in a Senate that the republicans are actually poised to lose an additional seat in. The 50+ who voted for the same act in the house the same – willing to sell out the the democrats.
China –
Chinese aircraft and naval vessels continue to enter the Taiwan Strait, crossing into Taiwan’s Air Defense Identification Zone, its government announced early Wednesday morning. Activity has remained high following pelsoi’s visit a few months ago.
OBSERVATION – Typical tactic to wear down the readiness of an opponent. However, Taiwan is recognizing patterns that suggest Chinese plans of attack by air and sea, and structuring its defense to counter them. While I don’t see direct conflict as being imminent, I do believe there is an increasing chance of something significant happening before the 2024 elections.
North/South Korea –
Reports now via @YonhapNews that a NK short-range ballistic missile was launched from the Wonsan region.
Also noting more rumors about an impending nuke test. NK has had that capability for many months now having constructed a new adit at the underground test site and upgrading surface facilities. It seems Kim is taking his time and will likely run a new test, but timeline wise its anyone’s guess at this time.
CURRENT ASSESSMENT - Russian forces continue in a state of disarray following the defeats in the east and west
Russia is incapable of launching any significant offense against any of the fronts in Ukraine due to personnel issues (losses and untrained conscripts), severe logistical shortages and lack of armor/tanks. They are only capable of launching limited attacks – primarily in the east.
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Trial of the MH17 shoot down culprits is winding down, not looking good for Russian PR. Court statement - “The court has ascertained that the Russian Federation coordinated military actions in the DPR, financed and provided weapons to the militants, but also undertook military actions on its own. Russia was in full control of the DPR”
Kerch Bridge update –
A Russian source reported that Russian officials elected to delay repairing the Kerch Strait rail bridge until summer or autumn 2023 as weather conditions are too dangerous to conduct the repairs.
Logistics –
- Russia is having problems mobilizing its economy to support the war effort in Ukraine. This mobilization is complicated by the fact that Russia no longer has a market economy. Over the last two decades the government has taken control of most of the major industries. Production problems were found not the fault of inept management or a shortage of qualified workers, but the lack of key components. It made sense that this parts problem would cripple efforts to produce more guided missiles, but now it was clear that even the program to upgrade 800 1960s vintage T-62 tanks was quickly stalled because of the shortage of imported components and problems with finding any local substitutes.
Economic Impact –
- Russia enters recession as GDP falls by 4% in third quarter
Ukraine -
WEATHER FORECAST – Lots of rain and snow in the 10-day forecast period.
24 HOUR ROUND UP –
More Russian missile attacks overnight targeted electrical generation plants and civilian structures. Dozens of civilians reported dead. Size and scope of this latest barrage far lower than yesterday’s. Mostly southern and eastern Ukraine targeted with some directed at Kyiv as well.
Russian localized offensives on Bakhmut yesterday were repelled and Russia launched a large offensive near Avdiivka, also repelled.
Russian shelling continued to be intensive yesterday around Bakhmut, north and west of Donetsk with significant shelling exchanges near Polohy and Hulyaipole. In most of the other impacted regions shelling was mostly more sporadic.
Eastern (Kharkiv) front ——
Continued attacks in the Bakhmut region.
Donetsk Oblast ——
Main war effort of Russia refocusing on this region with continued ground and artillery attacks.
Zaporizhizhia Front ———
Scattered Russian artillery attacks.
Crimean front ———
Kherson city was targeted by Russian artillery.
There were reports of explosions in Dzhankoy, Crimea overnight, with some reports ADS was active at the Dzhankoy Airbase. This base has been increasingly active recently with Russian VKS Su-25s returning to the base along with a number of weapons resupply aircraft.
Western / Central Ukraine ——
Russian missile attacks discussed above.
Russian Territory -—
NSR
Partisan Resistance ——
NSR - but don’t let that fool you, there are plenty of unconfirmed reports of rear area attacks crossed Russian occupied territory.
OUTLOOK ——
More of the same, with unpredictable Russian missile attacks, which I suspect will go farther and farther apart and with fewer missiles (this could change with the resupply by Iran of ballistic missiles)
Looking at the Russian efforts to recapture the Donbas a better trend is developing. But this trend is on the hurt side because Russia doesn’t have the capability to fully execute the plan with the loss of the Kharkiv territory. Two lines of attacks are clarifying.
The first and most tactically and strategically sound are the attacks headed northwest out of the Donetsk region. The attacks are trying to exploit two major roads towards the northwest that eventually lead to the Dnipro city region. This attack could secure the southwestern corner of Ukrainian controlled Donetsk Oblast and push solidly into the Donbas.
The second is the Bakhmut zone attacks. These are much more problematical and more likely propaganda oriented (attacks primarily lead by Wagner Group mercenaries). Due to the more north-northwest orientation of the road network, this attack would have been part of the southern pincer going northward toward Izyum and Kreminna – the only problem being that Russia lost that territory and now has no supporting attacks available from the north. So even if Russia is able to capture Bakhmut (and they’ve been trying for close to four months now) they really have no strategic / tactical objects to follow on towards. Road network to the southwest towards the axis coming out of Donebas is poor and the terrain continues to favor Ukrainian defense.
At least the Donetsk axis has the potential to pivot northward around Pokrovsk and run up along the Oblast border – partially obtaining a stated Russian objective. However, that would expose the left flank of the offensive – necessitating additional forces to hold the flank while pursuing the attack further north.
Russia is in a poor position to move on the ground - Ukraine holds the best ground. Quite simply, Russia is currently incapable of mounting any kind of a complex operation as this. It lacks the necessary numbers of sufficiently trained, equipped, and motivated soldiers. It lacks the armor and tanks to press forward. It lacks the logistics tail necessary to fuel and rearm the attack. Those resources that are available will become part of a power struggle between the regular army and its competitors being the Wagner Group. This resource conflict hurt the Russian attack very early in the war, only to have it partially addressed during the second phase of the Donbas campaign – until Ukraine was able to start targeting Russian logistic centers with HIMARS. It lacks air power willingness to provide necessary direct support. And finally, Russia has continually displayed an inability to operate in a combined arms manner – especially as the mud season fully kicks in. The tend to fight along road networks – creating numerous choke points Ukraine time and again exploits.
All other sectors are digging in to stall any Ukrainian offensive actions.
This is how things appear to be shaping out on the Russian side. Not the brightest picture but the one that is current. Russia has to do something to regain the initiative and momentum. IMHO it is doomed trying.
Reuters reports citing four sources, German authorities have stepped up preparations for emergency cash deliveries in case of a blackout (or rather blackouts) to keep the economy running, as the nation braces for possible power cuts arising from the war in Ukraine. The plans include the Bundesbank hoarding extra billions to cope with a surge in demand, as well as “possible limits on withdrawals”, one of the people said. And if you think crypto investors are angry when they can’t access their digital tokens in a bankrupt exchange, just wait until you see a German whose cash has just been locked out.
Officials and banks are looking not only at origination (i.e., money-printing) but also at distribution, discussing for example priority fuel access for cash transporters, according to other sources commenting on preparations that accelerated in recent weeks after Russia throttled gas supplies.
OBSERVATION – Similar preparations occurring in many other European nations. The next several months will be critical and highly dependent one on the weather and two on the regional political/war situation.
Israel –
Israel gave NATO members, including UK, permission to deliver to Ukraine weapons systems, including fire-control and electro-optic, that include Israeli components. It also agreed to purchase ‘strategic materials’ for Ukraine’s armed forces
Iran -
Protests expanded yesterday with the anniversary of previous protests being remembered. Violence is also increasing with reports of a number of citizens and policemen were killed in a shooting in the city of “Aiza” in southwestern Iran. Videos on posted on social media show IRGC/Basji enforcers singling out women for beatings with batons and clubs.
Speaking to media outlets, the President of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), Mohammad Eslami, said a draft resolution being prepared by the United Nation’s International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) would be “rejected.” The resolution comes as western countries have expressed concern over the IAEA’s discovery of uranium traces at three “undeclared” sites. Eslami denounced the claims saying the resolution “lacks validity” as Iran had responded to all IAEA allegations before announcing that Iran would continue its nuclear activities within the framework of its “approved, written, and announced” nuclear program. (FO)
OBSERVATION – There is nothing currently on the table to force Iranian compliance as biden’s foreign policy towards Iran shifted from one of strong deterrence and sanctions to one of appeasement (followed merrily along by the EU).