Welcome to Saturday's Potluck - May 6, 2023

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 6:46am

“Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
Pablo Picasso

Morning.

One of the books I have been reading is Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorto. A bit of American history hidden in the mist of time after official records had been destroyed. The original Dutch land claims originating from a search for a Northern Sea passage to Asia became the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut and included parts of Pennsylvania and Delaware.

The religious and political conflicts of the 1600's England was reflected in her North American colonies. Virginia territory supported the Anglican King, Maryland the Catholics and New England was settled by Puritans and Separatists. No English colony wanted the Quakers. Religious tolerance was part of the Dutch colony communities, including New Amsterdam on Manhattan Island.

________

In the middle of the video below, author Russell Shorto sums up the organizational structure of building English wealth extraction from global trade and military control.

Charles II is King and his brother, James the Duke of York. The two of them and a small group conceived the idea, they say, okay, now we're back in power. What are we doing about America? What are we doing about the future? They want to really build an empire. They conceived this grand strategy which is - we're gonna take over the slave courts in West Africa, we're gonna use ports in the Caribbean for slave basis, then we're gonna bring slaves into these North American colonies. And in North America we've got this problematic situation. The New England colonies were founded be essentially Puritans, so we don't really trust them. We're the monarchy and these are the people that beheaded the King's predecessor. So we got to deal with New England, we've got to deal with Virginia, and we've got this Dutch problem right in the middle.

So James the Duke of York is kind of the mastermind behind this idea to take over the Dutch colony and get the American colonies going on an English footing.

Russell Shorto: New Netherland, New Amsterdam (approx 55 min)

________

A past belief system our societies are still trying to remove the harmful effects.

A Theory You've Never Heard Of | Michael Robinson (17:41 min)

The Hamitic Hypothesis was a 19th century anthropological theory that claimed that humans originated in Asia and then migrated to other regions of the world. The theory was used to explain the discovery of so-called “white races” in Africa in the late 1800s. The Hamitic Hypothesis was not simply a curiosity of anthropological science. It was an idea that changed lives: from those European colonists who relied upon it to justify their presence in Africa, to the scientists who used it to explain away the accomplishments of African civilizations as a result of “white” influence. Ultimately, the Hamitic Hypothesis anchored a global theory of human origins and migration that, when combined with the Aryan race theory, shaped anthropology, colonial policy, and even the attitudes of Africans themselves for a hundred years.

________

Update on fast changing geopolitical shifts in world politics and economics.

New Rules Podcast: Pepe Escobar (49:09 min)

________

And we are back to the Northern Passage.

Clay Morris (8:17 min)

U.S. oil and gas companies are secretly meeting with Ukrainian energy officials to take over land and start drilling on Ukrainian land. Exxon, Halliburton, and Chevron are actively ready to deploy in this region. Meanwhile, we're learning more about Russia and China's massive Arctic trade expansion, which includes a considerable increase in natural gas and oil exports along with significant military protection through the northern Arctic passage.

________

Missiles & Drones in the Ukraine War - Ray McGovern (24:55 min)

The the other livestream videos this week by Judge Napolitano channel ongoing discussions regarding current Ukraine/Russia conflict and drone strike on the Kremlin from different perspectives. Additional shorts and interviews at this link. Since he asks similar questions to the various guests it is easier to identify the various viewpoints and spin when present.

________

Truth tellers come from various backgrounds the journey is not always easy.

Friends are saying goodbye and Dan is encouraging us to do more for peace.
Dan Ellsberg receives the Sam Adams Award April 11, 2023 (starts 10 minutes into the video for Dan's words)

-----

Gonzalo Lira, whom I have referenced a few time in various diaries, has been arrested and charged in Ukraine.
(Thanks for the link Humphrey)

I never ask people to retweet anything, but please retweet the quoted tweet.

Even if you hate Gonzalo for some of his other ideas, that isn't why he was arrested.

He was arrested for actually speaking the truth, speaking against Nazism, & against the shelling of the Donbass. https://t.co/avE7PxH6XI

— Brian Berletic (@BrianJBerletic) May 6, 2023

Brian Berletic@BrianJBerletic
9h
Gonzalo Lira, agree with him on anything else or not, was arrested by Ukraine SBU *specifically* for stating FACTS about Ukrainian Nazism & shelling civilians.

Please retweet, pressure/expose these hypocrites - > @USEmbassyKyiv @hrw @amnestyusa

Gonzalo today, you tomorrow.

________

What is on your mind today?

Tags:

Open Thread

Saturday

Vote

Comments

Submitted by QMS on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 7:30am

Good morning C99'ers

Interesting how the flawed thinking of global colonization has persisted over time.
What a mess the 'ones-in-charge' have made of this planet.

A couple headliners today:

THE GOVERNMENT CREATED A NEW DISINFORMATION OFFICE TO OVERSEE ALL THE OTHER ONES

The new Foreign Malign Influence Center oversees efforts that span U.S. military, law enforcement, intelligence, and diplomatic agencies.

Just what we need, more 'intelligence' management. /s

https://theintercept.com/2023/05/05/foreign-malign-influence-center-disi...

and ~

'Nearly A Third Of The World Economy Is Now Subject To Sanctions'

Most all of which are illegal, btw.

https://www.moonofalabama.org/2023/05/nearly-a-third-of-the-world-econom...

The Human Consequences of Economic Sanctions

Cross-national studies decisively find severe negative effects of sanctions on people in target countries.

https://cepr.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/FINAL-The-Human-Consequences...

Enjoy the spring-like conditions. Our catbird is singing up a symphony today.

Thanks for the open thread!

—

question everything

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 11:05am

Good morning QMS. Thanks for the links. The sanctions

@QMS

info is no surprise but it is nice to have some specifics and confirmation. The fookin' FMIC is, of course, redundant and part of the machinery to propagandize the US population and to keep it propagandized. "Disinformation" is simply facts and truths that TPTB don't want you knowing, back in the day it was that the Bay of Pigs was a US operation, and, more recently, that Russiagate was a bullshit Democratic Party+Government operation/conspiracy or that Hunter Bidens' laptop had turned up with some hot info on it.

I figure that if they block everything else, then there will be no sources of information at all, because nothing they put out is credible.

be well and have a good one

—

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by ggersh on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 12:57pm

Gotta totally agree w/your sentiment

@QMS @QMS and so does the Automatic Earth

and this is only since Covid

Interesting how the flawed thinking of global colonization has persisted over time.
What a mess the 'ones-in-charge' have made of this planet

https://www.theautomaticearth.com/2023/05/debt-rattle-may-6-2023/

—

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Submitted by usefewersyllables on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 5:04pm

I love that

@ggersh

cartoon. Collateral damage, indeed…

—

Twice bitten, permanently shy.

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:01pm

US is self sanctioning itself from a growing part of the world

@QMS economy. Is it time to consider if the US population will suffer the same consequences as other nations?

from the The Human Consequences of Economic Sanctions report (pg 87 in the pdf)

5. Rethinking Economic Sanctions
This paper has reviewed the state of the evidence regarding the consequences of economic sanctions on living conditions in target countries. There is a remarkable consensus among all the cross-national studies surveyed that economic sanctions generate significant levels of distress in target economies. These are reflected in lower growth, higher likelihood of economic collapse, increases in poverty and inequality, worsening health conditions, excess deaths, and deteriorations in human rights and democracy. The case studies highlight how reductions in export revenues and the blocking of state institutions’ access to international payments systems severely impair governments’ capacity to provide basic services and restrict the ability of nongovernment actors to mobilize assistance to vulnerable populations.

It is hard to think of other policy interventions that continue to be pursued amid so much evidence of their adverse and often deadly effects on vulnerable populations.

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by ggersh on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 3:38pm

It's the WEF @ work

@studentofearth

US is self sanctioning itself from a growing part of the world

—

I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 5:34pm

A great day to reflect on the 2020 WEF presentation

@ggersh by Charles. Especially in light of his promotion in status today and United Kingdom's intense support of continuing the conflict in Ukraine. Some have called the speech the formal public launch of The Great Reset.

Davos: Prince Charles launches Sustainable Market Council at 50th World Economic Forum - watch live (3:18 to 30:57 less than 28 min) - a recap below.

-
Prince Charles at the World Economic Forum: “the only limit is our willingness to act” Royal Central 22nd January 2020

The World Economic Forum is held every year in Davos, Switzerland, attended by leaders in government, business, tech and other industries who come together to help create solutions to the world’s problems.
...
“Changing our current trajectory will require bold and imaginative action, together with determination and decisive leadership.”

He also set out ten practical points to achieve sustainable markets:

Shifting our default setting to ‘sustainable’

Outlining responsible transition pathways to decarbonize and move to net zero

Reimaging industries through the lens of sustainable markets

Identifying game-changers and barriers to transition

Reversing perverse subsidies and improving incentives for sustainable alternatives

Investing in STEM, innovation and R&D

Investing in nature as the true engine of our economy

Adopting common metrics and standards

Making the sustainable options the trusted and attainable options for consumers

Collecting investments to investables using platforms that can rapidly scale solutions

The Prince said that he thought “that we are, in fact, far further ahead than we might think, making it critical that we leverage the vital work already underway,” and said that Sustainable Markets will be his chief focus in 2020.

“Beginning here at Davos, and throughout the year – and in order to identify game-changers, investments and barriers to transition – I will be convening a broad range of industry and issue roundtables including, but not limited to: aviation; water; carbon capture and storage; shipping; forestry; plastics; financing; digital technology; the bioeconomy; nature-based solutions; renewable energy; batteries, storage and electric vehicles; fisheries; integrated healthcare; cement; steel; traceability and labelling; and agriculture – at the end of which I shall probably be dead.

“So Ladies and Gentlemen, as we look to design and create sustainable markets and industries, these roundtables will bring together system innovators, investors and decision-makers to start designing and charting the course.”

Prince Charles said, “If there is one critical lesson we have to learn from this crisis it is that Nature, Ladies and Gentlemen, is not a separate asset class. Nature is, in fact, the life blood of our financial markets and, as such, we must – rapidly – re-align our own economy to mimic Nature’s economy and work in harmony with it.”

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by enhydra lutris on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 10:57am

Good morning soe. Still haven't had a chance to check out

any of the vids, but have to run down to farmers' market before the rain resumes. Thanks for the OT (and the vids).

be well and have a good one

—

That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:17pm

have a good market run

@enhydra lutris My very local market (just outside the backdoor) is starting to have a wider selection. Rhubarb, Egyptian Onions and various early greens are adding variety to fresh cooked meals.

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by Granma on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 11:05am

Spring has finally arrived

Dogwood tree is blooming. The pink and purple little flowers I had given up on are blooming now. And dozens of dandelions have appeared. The dandelions are a pretty yellow, but I don't want them.

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:23pm

Plum blossoms opened Tuesday, several other fruit trees

@Granma are in early stages. A little late this year, but hoping we are past any spring hard freezes which caught last years fruit tree crops.

The spring I have been planting the past few years are providing a good show. Not even missing the annual trip to over the mountains to see the spring bloom.

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 11:19am

Blinken and Biden are silent on Lira’s arrest unlike the WSJ guy

America hypocrisy at its finest!

Dual American-Chilean national Gonzalo Lira was recently arrested by Ukraine’s secret police on charges pertaining to “wartime propaganda”, for which he faces the possibility of 5-8 years in jail. The US Government’s (USG) silence on this incident completely contrasts with its hysteria over Wall Street Journal (WSJ) employee Evan Gershkovich’s arrest in Russia last month on charges of espionage after he was caught red-handed soliciting classified military-industrial information from a regional lawmaker.

This is a betrayal of American principles since the freedom of speech is regarded as a sacred right of all its citizens no matter where they might be at any given time. Regardless of whatever one might think about Lira’s views and the particular piece of Ukrainian legislation that was cited as the basis for arresting him, the USG is supposed to support the rights of its nationals abroad. This is especially so whenever they’re arrested for expressing an opinion and/or practicing journalism like he was.

Its silence in the face of this scandalous incident suggests a degree of complicity in, or at the very least tacit approval of, Lira’s arrest since nothing else cogently explains the conspicuous lack of any response. These suspicions are further reinforced by the fact that one of the USG’s leading information warfare assets in Ukraine, transgender mercenary Michael John Cirillo, admitted to the Daily Beast that he colluded with the SBU on its case against Lira and even plans to testify against him.

In his exact words, “I’ve already given my sworn statement to SBU about Gonzalo Lira several months ago and expect to be called as a witness in his prosecution.” Cirillo also added on Twitter that “When I’m on Capitol Hill in 10 days, no doubt the arrest of Gonzalo Lira will be a prime topic of conversation.” Instead of seeking his release, the USG is relying on one of its top propagandists in that country to pursue Lira’s conviction, prior to which their proxy brazenly plans to boast about this to Congress

He goes on to say that America is complicit in his arrest and proud to use his persecution to get other journalists who are critical of the Ukraine war to self censor. With Neera, Neera back in charge of domestic policy I expect this to get worse.

—

Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 12:02pm

Maybe He? She? It? could be in the next Bud Light commercial

@snoopydawg

This is kind of sick, laughing at someone who was arrested for their opinion. I’m sure the suppressors were super necessary for this extremely dangerous chain smoker. This is once again another distraction being presented as a win by the propaganda arm of the Ukrainian… https://t.co/eVV99qqUmP

— ayden (@squatsons) May 6, 2023

. America hypocrisy at its finest! Dual American-Chilean national Gonzalo Lira was recently arrested by Ukraine’s secret police on charges pertaining to “wartime propaganda”, for which he faces the possibility of 5-8 years in jail. The US Government’s (USG) silence on this incident completely contrasts with its hysteria over Wall Street Journal (WSJ) employee Evan Gershkovich’s arrest in Russia last month on charges of espionage after he was caught red-handed soliciting classified military-industrial information from a regional lawmaker. This is a betrayal of American principles since the freedom of speech is regarded as a sacred right of all its citizens no matter where they might be at any given time. Regardless of whatever one might think about Lira’s views and the particular piece of Ukrainian legislation that was cited as the basis for arresting him, the USG is supposed to support the rights of its nationals abroad. This is especially so whenever they’re arrested for expressing an opinion and/or practicing journalism like he was. Its silence in the face of this scandalous incident suggests a degree of complicity in, or at the very least tacit approval of, Lira’s arrest since nothing else cogently explains the conspicuous lack of any response. These suspicions are further reinforced by the fact that one of the USG’s leading information warfare assets in Ukraine, transgender mercenary Michael John Cirillo, admitted to the Daily Beast that he colluded with the SBU on its case against Lira and even plans to testify against him. In his exact words, “I’ve already given my sworn statement to SBU about Gonzalo Lira several months ago and expect to be called as a witness in his prosecution.” Cirillo also added on Twitter that “When I’m on Capitol Hill in 10 days, no doubt the arrest of Gonzalo Lira will be a prime topic of conversation.” Instead of seeking his release, the USG is relying on one of its top propagandists in that country to pursue Lira’s conviction, prior to which their proxy brazenly plans to boast about this to Congress He goes on to say that America is complicit in his arrest and proud to use his persecution to get other journalists who are critical of the Ukraine war to self censor. With Neera, Neera back in charge of domestic policy I expect this to get worse.

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:43pm

Taking out individual journalists seems to be part of the

@snoopydawg strategy of the puppet masters on one side of the Ukraine conflict. Imprisonment, wound or kill to silence them and enourage self censorship in others.

Another car bomb on a Russian journalist's car.

Novelist and political activist Zakhar Prilepin, who has participated in Russia’s military operation in Ukraine, was rushed to a hospital after being injured in a car bombing on Saturday. The news agency Interfax cited emergency services as saying that he remains in critical condition.

Scott Ritter and his daughter are currently on a book tour in Russia. I am am looking forward to them return home safely.

Thanks for adding the additional info on the arrest. I read The Daily Beast article last night and did not have the fortitude to include. Needed time to process my thoughts.

. America hypocrisy at its finest! Dual American-Chilean national Gonzalo Lira was recently arrested by Ukraine’s secret police on charges pertaining to “wartime propaganda”, for which he faces the possibility of 5-8 years in jail. The US Government’s (USG) silence on this incident completely contrasts with its hysteria over Wall Street Journal (WSJ) employee Evan Gershkovich’s arrest in Russia last month on charges of espionage after he was caught red-handed soliciting classified military-industrial information from a regional lawmaker. This is a betrayal of American principles since the freedom of speech is regarded as a sacred right of all its citizens no matter where they might be at any given time. Regardless of whatever one might think about Lira’s views and the particular piece of Ukrainian legislation that was cited as the basis for arresting him, the USG is supposed to support the rights of its nationals abroad. This is especially so whenever they’re arrested for expressing an opinion and/or practicing journalism like he was. Its silence in the face of this scandalous incident suggests a degree of complicity in, or at the very least tacit approval of, Lira’s arrest since nothing else cogently explains the conspicuous lack of any response. These suspicions are further reinforced by the fact that one of the USG’s leading information warfare assets in Ukraine, transgender mercenary Michael John Cirillo, admitted to the Daily Beast that he colluded with the SBU on its case against Lira and even plans to testify against him. In his exact words, “I’ve already given my sworn statement to SBU about Gonzalo Lira several months ago and expect to be called as a witness in his prosecution.” Cirillo also added on Twitter that “When I’m on Capitol Hill in 10 days, no doubt the arrest of Gonzalo Lira will be a prime topic of conversation.” Instead of seeking his release, the USG is relying on one of its top propagandists in that country to pursue Lira’s conviction, prior to which their proxy brazenly plans to boast about this to Congress He goes on to say that America is complicit in his arrest and proud to use his persecution to get other journalists who are critical of the Ukraine war to self censor. With Neera, Neera back in charge of domestic policy I expect this to get worse.

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 11:55am

Can't say that I am a fan of Erdogan as he tries to play both

sides at the same time.

Look what it gets him.

The entire European press is discrediting Erdogan on the eve of the presidential elections in Turkey.

The West is desperate to control Turkey. pic.twitter.com/Z060P5xcpd

— dana (@dana916) May 6, 2023

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:54pm

The last US coup failed, elections provide a fresh opportunity

@humphrey to try again. The pre-violence warnings are prepping the public for public demonstrations if the voting process can't deliver the desired results.

Yahoo News May 5, 2023

Turkish Opposition Warns on Risk of Violence If It Wins Election

(Bloomberg) -- The presidential candidate of a six-party Turkish opposition alliance urged citizens to stay indoors if he wins next week’s elections to avoid the risk of confrontation with “armed elements” loyal to the government of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
...
Kemal Kilicdaroglu delivered the stark warning during an interview with KRT television late Thursday. It reflects the extent of polarization in Turkey’s society that’s only grown worse as the country’s broadest-ever alliance of opposition parties gears up for the tightly contested vote on May 14.

Kilicdaroglu, backed by the opposition bloc alongside the country’s main pro-Kurdish political movement, is facing a neck-to-neck race against Erdogan, Turkey’s longest-serving ruler who wants to extend his power into a third decade.

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by snoopydawg on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:02pm

Corporate media journalists don’t even try to hide the fact

.
anymore that they are just stenographers for the deep state.

“The Central Intelligence Agency owns everyone of any significance in the major media.”
—William Colby, Former CIA Director pic.twitter.com/2k485FVb8l

— TexasLindsay™ (@TexasLindsay_) May 1, 2023

And let’s not forget how many ex intelligence agents were elected to congress on the dem ticket.
It’s easier to get the agendas passed if you can bypass the middle man.

—

Scientists are concerned that conspiracy theories may die out if they keep coming true at the current alarming rate.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:19pm

If the witness

@snoopydawg is asked a question, responds that it should be dealt with in executive session, then the answer is "yes".
We treat our pets better than our government treats us.

—

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by humphrey on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 1:40pm

The top video is a condensed version.

Full video here, including my interview with economist Michael Hudson, who provides further analysis: https://t.co/rt2lIRo4Dx

— Ben Norton (@BenjaminNorton) May 6, 2023

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 4:42pm

You have some very good videos up

soe. Pepe and Dmitri were great. I am glad the myth that US weapons are superior to everybody's is getting some notice.
I am off the hook to cook, so will keep digging. throughout the evening
It is hot. Summer is upon us. At least it has rained and gardens aren't burning up like last year.
Great OT. Thanks!

—

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981

Submitted by studentofearth on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 6:21pm

Experiencing a major hard rain/hail at the moment.

@on the cusp It has ended the plan to do some digging this evening. A little worried about the fruit tree blooms.

Still have a few videos to watch from the comments section today.

Enjoyed the diary yesterday. Thanks for dropping in today.

—

Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.

Submitted by on the cusp on Sat, 05/06/2023 - 7:28pm

I enjoyed writing and replying

@studentofearth @studentofearth in yesterdays OT. Some of the comments were extremely thought provoking. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Several years ago, I took a river cruise from Basel (Or Zurich?) to Amsterdam. An Amawaterways tour. It was the worst tour I have ever been on, insofar as the tour company. Awful in every way. They could not re-configure the tour due to low river water. You'd think they would have a Plan B in place at all times. They do not.
However, the local guides they had hired were pretty good. My tour of The Netherlands was so interesting. While I was aware that the land was basically captured to become livable real estate, I didn't have any guide connect the development of the country and culture as that initial departure from "to the manor born" system of land use and ownership. That is of MAJOR historical import! I had no idea of their historical religious tolerance, which is typically a focus on all tours, in terms of historical tolerance or intolerance. In fact, I got the general impression as we floated by the home where Anne Frank had hidden, to be an uncommon tolerance of Jews.
The video you shared brought back memories, and gave me something to think about. No Dutch intolerance in New Amsterdam, no religious intolerance in our Constitution. Remarkable history.