Wuhan Virus -
Chilean base in Antarctica hit with wuhan. 35 are reported to be infected.
According to the CDC, as of December 18, 2020, 3,150 people who were vaccinated against COVID-19 became “unable to perform normal daily activities”. That’s a percentage of 2.79% people who unable to perform normal daily activities after being vaccinated for COVID-19.
Economy -
President Trump turned the wuhan relief bill on its head yesterday by demanding a $2000/person payment, versus the $600. Pelosi almost immediately endorsed the call. On both sides of the political spectrum, criticism has erupted and there is still a threat that Trump will veto it.
2020 Election-
Key dates - House of Representatives officially counts electoral votes on Jan. 6. Inauguration is Jan 20.
CW2/Civil Disturbances -
In an interesting turn of events, Detroit has countersued Black Lives Matter umbrella group Detroit Will Breathe. This BLM shell organization sued Detroit, alleging police abuse of force during the George Floyd riots in the city this past summer. A judge granted a restraining order in September but the city responded with a countersuit, claiming that the Black Lives Matter group organized a “civil conspiracy” to riot, destroy property, and disturb the peace.
China -
See Russia below
Russia -
Russian and Chinese bombers flew a joint mission that also caused S Korean fighters to scramble when they encroached on SK’s air defense zone. Russia has sought to develop stronger ties with China as its relations with the West sank to post-Cold War lows over Moscow’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimea, accusations of Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election and other issues.
Israel -
Parliament has dissolved, Israelis bracing for the fourth election in two years.
Tomorrow is Christmas and I don’t plan to post an update unless something major happens. Merry Christmas
Wuhan Virus -
Over 1 million Americans have received vaccinations so far, the most in the world. Administration states US is on track to meet its 20 million goal by Jan 9.
Viruses mutate, we’ve known that all along with flu viruses and vaccines. The flu shot is more times than not, ineffective for the current version of the virus because it mutated from the form the vaccine was designed to combat. Recent mutations documented in Britain have raise concerns. But another new strain in S Africa is raising more red flags. The new mutant, called 501.V2, was announced in Cape Town last Friday and is believed to be a more extreme variant than Britain’s new Covid strain which has plunged millions into miserable Christmas lockdowns. 501.v2 is reported to be more easily caught by the younger population. Lethality is still being evaluated.
Israel is going to impose a 3d - 14 day lockdown to try to control the spread of the virus.
Rational Ground, a “clearinghouse of COVID-19 data trends run by a grassroots group of data analysts, computer scientists, and actuaries,” conducted an analysis on all 50 states, dividing them between those with mask mandates and those without. After studying the data from a 229-day period, the evidence is that mask mandates don’t work.
Some are demanding Trump receive the vaccine. However Fauci stated Monday that “There is a reason for him not to, Judy, because he received a passive transfer of monoclonal antibody when he was sick,” Fauci replied. “And that makes the level of antibody very high in your body, which can interfere with the efficacy of a vaccine.” SO LET ME GET THIS RIGHT - Even though you’ve had the disease you still have to be vaccinated because of why? The flies against the ‘science’ of the issue. If you can get the disease after first contracting and recovering from it - what good is a vaccination? So if natural immunity doesn’t work - what good is an ‘artificial’ immunity?
Dr. Deborah Birx, has resigned, reportedly after receiving blow back over her hypocrisy after declaring that anyone who traveled over the Thanksgiving weekend should assume they were infected with COVID-19 and should limit celebrations to “your immediate household,” traveled to her vacation home in Delaware during Thanksgiving, accompanied by three generations of her family from two households.
Economy -
The demand for $2000/person stimulus and the threat of vetoing the porkulus ‘relief’ bill - which has 3x as much money being spent in other countries than in the country (roughly 200 billion in direct stimulus vs 600 billion to countries and pork projects) - still causing ripples. The swamp seemed to think there would be no problem - well a majority of Americans see otherwise. Vetoing the Porkulus also could cause the govt to go into shutdown. The 2.3 Trillion dollar bill incorporates 892 Billion for wuhan stimulus. It must be signed by Monday to prevent govt shutdown.
One plan I agree with came from Rep Omar - pass a clean $2000/person bill. Works for me - sign that bill, veto the other. However, the leftists are going to maneuver that effort to fuel their push for recurring monthly payments — essentially universal basic income (UBI)
2020 Election-
Key dates - House of Representatives officially counts electoral votes on Jan. 6. Inauguration is Jan 20.
CW2/Civil Disturbances -
American’s purchased approximately 21 million firearms in 2020, up about 73% from 2019. Sales cross party lines with many democrats buying to protect themselves from the BLM/Antifa violence. November 2020 was the 11th consecutive month of record background checks for gun sales.
BLM/Antifa are fundraising to support travel to DC for the inauguration on Jan 20th. These groups are also calling for practice “rapid response” for actions on that day elsewhere. No announced plans for the Right on that day, however, a flyer calling for armed march a few days earlier is floating around and may be a false flag propaganda effort, monitoring that.
Strategic Developments -
President Trump veto’d the defense authorization bill yesterday, objecting to numerous provisions in the bill. Based on votes, congress currently appears to have enough to override it. The congress is planning to return on Dec 28th if the defense bill is veto’d. That is the same day govt funding is currently due to end if he vetos the Porkulus bill.
Cyber Warfare -
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an advisory to American businesses concerning the use of Chinese data services and systems. Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf warned, “For far too long, U.S. networks and data have been exposed to cyber threats based in China which are using that data to give Chinese firms an unfair competitive advantage in the global marketplace.”
China -
National congress has introduced a bill (rubber stamped to pass) to reduce food waste and ‘over eating’. As I’ve noted here, China’s food supplies have been hammered this year - wuhan virus, record flooding, swine diseases and locust infestations. Earlier this year China has been trying to corner all rice markets as well as soy. The success has been limited due to sanctions put in place by many countries. China’s efforts have already had an impact by increasing the cost of these and other food items in the US and rest of the world. While not at official famine levels, the introduction of this bill indicates sufficient concern at the leadership level of the need to start imposing sanctions/personal behavior changes now versus later.
Israel -
The forcing of another election, plus US election turmoil, may put the brakes on any further movement of peace accords between Israel and other arab nations.
Brexit Turmoil -
New optimism as both sides pushed through finishing touches on a trade deal to advert an economic meltdown between UK and EU on New Years Day.
Iran -
“Dud” rockets from the recent attack on the Green Zone have Iranian markings on them - indicating the source. President Trump gave “Some friendly health advice to Iran: If one American is killed, I will hold Iran responsible. Think it over.” He also tweeted photos of the rockets. The US has already removed non essential personnel from the Embassy and is now considering closing it around the anniversary of the Soleimani killing (Jan 3d).
According to reports IRGC Quds Forces Commander Esmail Ghaani was in Baghdad, yesterday “for several hours”. No word on what was discussed but likely either trying to put a lid on actions against the US, or cranking them up.
MY OBSERVATIONS - There are no real significant military movements on our part into the region other than the openly announced arrival of the nuclear submarine. The Nimitz is still very close off the horn of Africa and can respond quickly. There are still bombers in the region as well. This appears to be a clear warning not to get froggy, but is one notch down from getting ready to hit. But then, with the great flexibility the submarine gives (cruse missiles) and both local based and US based bombers grant, as well as other assets in the region, there is plenty of big stick if necessary.
Iraq -
See Iran above.
Turkey -
Greece could overtake Turkey as the leading NATO air power in the eastern Mediterranean. Greece is receiving F35 jets that were initially scheduled for Turkey until they bought the S-400 SAM system from Russia. Greece also has over 100 F16 fighters, and its pilots are reportedly far better trained than their Turkish counterparts. US is also considering moving its assets from Incirlik Turkey to Iraklion Air Base in Crete - one of the largest in the region. This switch will increasingly place Turkey on the periphery of NATO and European favor, challenging Turkey’s goals of reestablishment of the Ottoman Empire and control of resources in the eastern Med.