Groundhog Day, All Over Again!

Today is mid-winter, halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Round we go on the wheel of time. Domestically, the news this week focused on the hearings for Tulsi, RFK, and Kash Patel. All three are targeted by the deep dark state, which makes me pull for all of them. If confirmed will they be able to substantively effect their departments? I'm not holding my breath. Kash seems a sure bet for confirmation. The other two are touch and go, but there's always recess appointments. Globally, Europe is circling the drain as they scream democracy while canceling elections, censoring media outlets, and eliminating undesirable parties...all as businesses and industries go under. The Ukraine proxy war is going well for Russia, and they are in the catbird's seat. BRICS+ is finally getting some attention in the west. And China's new AI programs are causing a stir in the tech world. All that and more below the fold....

Let's start with the hearings of Tulsi, RFK and Kash...
These hearings take place at a very questionable level. They pick a quote, strip away all context, and Bob’s your uncle. RFK wants to ban the polio vaccine (no,really!), Tulsi is a traitor because she won’t call Ed Snowden a traitor, Kash is a cop killer for sympathizing with J6 prisoners. There’s nothing wrong with the nominees, but a lot with those that question them.

Tulsi Gabbard Attacked Over Edward Snowden Comments During Senate Hearing, with Glenn Greenwald

(13 min) Megyn Kelly is joined by Glenn Greenwald, host of Rumble's "System Update," to discuss the attacks on Tulsi Gabbard during her senate confirmation hearing, the non-stop focus on Edward Snowden, why Gabbard wouldn't say Snowden isn't a "traitor" when pressed on it, and more.

Larry Johnson agrees with Glenn in the first few minutes of this clip.

Tulsi Gabbard Throws Down with Dem and GOP Establishment at Hearing, with Glenn Greenwald. Megyn Kelly is joined by Glenn Greenwald, host of Rumble's “System Update," to discuss Tulsi Gabbard's fight against the bipartisan establishment, the hypocrisy about leaking classified documents, and more. (12 min)

Tulsi Slams Deep State At Confirmation Hearing: I Refuse To Be Their Puppet
During her confirmation hearing to become President Trump’s head of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard hit back at Democrats and RINO ‘conservatives’ who have spent months smearing her as a Russian asset or a threat to national security. During opening remarks, Gabbard cited examples of how the intelligence community agencies have been politicised against Trump and his supporters, asserting “this must end.” Gabbard urged that Trump’s massive victory serves as a mandate from Americans to overhaul the intelligence apparatus which has been infested and weaponised by deep state operatives. Gabbard emphasized that the reason she has been so vilified and even placed on a terror watchlist is because she refuses to act as just another puppet.

(9.5 min)

Gabbard
The former Hawaii Democrat spent much of her hearing before the Intelligence Committee playing defense as members of her former party raised concerns over her past foreign trips. An advocate for non-intervention and surveillance reform, Gabbard’s appointment to serve as director of national intelligence roiled some in the D.C. foreign policy establishment. Her 2017 trip to Syria after which she insisted that now-ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad was not an enemy of the United States. The trip also came under scrutiny in light of a reported call between a Hezbollah figure and another person indicating Gabbard had met with an unidentified “big guy.” Gabbard denied meeting with members of the Lebanon-based group and called the allegation “absurd” during an exchange with Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine.

Jimmy has several commentaries about Tulsi's hearing...
Tulsi BRUTALLY Exposes Intel Community In Confirmation Hearing! (22 min)
Tulsi Won’t Call Snowden A “Traitor” & Senators FREAK OUT! (10 min)
Senator Accuses Tulsi Of Spreading Russian Propaganda! (8 min)

THEY HAD BETTER CONFIRM RFK Jr. & TULSI GABBARD! Viva & Barnes Clip

(17 min)

RFK Jr. SHREDS Dem Senators in Confirmation Hearing! (20 min)

Not surprisingly, it has been primarily Democratic Senators asking tough questions of Robert Kennedy Jr. during his confirmation hearings to become Secretary of Health and Human Services under Trump. What may be surprising, however, is how poorly this questioning is going for the Senators, including Senator Lujan of New Mexico, who apparently didn’t understand that the HHS director has no control over Medicaid spending levels, and Nevada’s Senator Cortez Musto, who was lectured by RFK about the epidemic of childhood illness in this country. Jimmy breaks down some of the Dem Senators’ more glaring failures during the RFK Jr. confirmation hearing.

“Science Gets Things Wrong So Stop Questioning It!” – Sen. Maggie Hassan (10 min)
Democratic Senator Maggie Hassan hails from the Granite State of New Hampshire, so it’s perhaps fitting that her line of questioning of Health & Human Services nominee Robert Kennedy Jr. strongly suggests she has rocks where her brains are supposed to be. Specifically, she excoriated RFK for “questioning science” right after pointing out that “science gets things wrong.” Clearly, New Hampshire is not sending their best to the Senate. Jimmy and Kurt Metzger discuss Hassan’s brain-dead questions during the HHS nominee’s confirmation hearing

RFK Getting Smeared For Daring to Question Public Health Establishment, with Charlie Kirk
Megyn Kelly is joined by Turning Point USA's Charlie Kirk, host of The Charlie Kirk Show, to talk about RFK Jr. getting smeared for daring to question the public health establishment, attacks from the left and right, Sen. Bill Cassidy's crucial vote on RFK's nomination, and more. (16 min)

Calley Means Makes a Direct Plea to GOP Senator Bill Cassidy About Why He Should Vote Yes on RFK Jr. Megyn Kelly is joined by Calley Means to make a direct plea to GOP Senator Bill Cassidy to vote yes on RFK Jr., the truth about toxins and children's health, how to restore trust in science, and more. (11 min)

Kennedy
The former independent presidential candidate was back for round two of confirmation hearings in his bid to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. He appeared before the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday and subsequently fielded questions from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Thursday. Kennedy faced questions related to his past statements on vaccine efficacy, especially the measles vaccine. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., offered some of the most contentious questioning during the process. Cassidy took exception to Kennedy’s remarks linking the measles vaccine to autism and urged him to use his influence to foster trust in vaccines.
The would-be HHS secretary indicated he would be happy to correct his statements and apologize should the science prove him to be in the wrong. “I want the best science,” he said. “I can guarantee you on my word of honor, if you show me science that says that I’m wrong, I’m going to say I was wrong. I don’t have any problem. There’s nothing that would make me happier.” Kennedy’s is one of the few positions that requires a would-be officeholder to testify before two committees. Both panels will need to recommend him for the office before his confirmation proceeds to a floor vote.

Insiders have revealed that President Trump is prepared to go scorched-earth against any Republican Senators who vote against the confirmations of Tulsi Gabbard and RFK Jr.

Trump is not alone with his threats...

RFK's running mate.

Massive J6 Bombshell: Kash Patel Just Told The World That Democrats Pelosi, Schumer and DC Mayor Bowser All Refused 20K National Guard Troops Mobilized By Trump Days Before The Capitol Riot

1 min clip

Patel
The FBI Director-designate’s hearing before the Judiciary Committee was far and away the most tense. The bureau has faced scandal after scandal in recent years, including widespread allegations of politicization. While much of the hearing saw lawmakers agree on the need for a non-partisan and independent FBI, Democrats worked to paint Patel as a Trump loyalist who would invariably comply with the president’s, possibly unlawful demands. Several Democrats, including Sens. Amy Klobuchar, Minn.; Dick Durbin, D-Ill., and Adam Schiff, D-Calif.; took exception to Patel’s work related to a recording by Jan. 6 prisoners that he had worked to promote. The trio largely pressed him on his efforts to promote the single and raise funds for the families of those incarcerated.
One exchange grew particularly heated as Schiff accused Patel of profiting off of people who attacked law enforcement and urged him to look at the Capitol Police guarding the hearing. “That’s an abject lie and you know it!” Patel fumed. “I’ve never, never, ever accepted violence against law enforcement. I’ve worked with these men and women as you know you go and I did not make a single dime out of it.” Democrats also attempted to coax Patel into detailing his testimony to special counsel Jack Smith about Trump’s Mar-a-Lago case, though Patel insisted he was not permitted to discuss his testimony and that the panel would have to seek its release from the court.

“They Ended My Career To Hide The Truth About 9/11!” - Fmr Congressman Curt Weldon

(31 min) Perhaps Trump will release the 9/11 report too?

The US is Turning Into a Crybaby Empire
Washington seems to have developed a new habit — throwing tantrums whenever it falls behind. When did “American greatness” turn into nonstop whining?
‘Hostile’ BRICS dares to challenge ‘mighty US dollar’ US President Donald Trump has once again threatened BRICS countries with 100% tariffs if they dare to create a new currency — despite Russian President Vladimir Putin already clarifying that a unified BRICS currency isn’t even on the table.
DeepSeek: the latest ‘stolen’ US tech scandal Trump declared that the Chinese DeepSeek platform’s market success “should be a wake-up call for our industries that we need to be laser-focused on competing to win.” (Jan 28). His commerce secretary nominee, Howard Lutnick, immediately jumped in to claim that China’s powerful AI model was built on “stolen” US technology and advanced semiconductors. (Jan 29)
Hypersonic weapons: Russia ‘stole’ those too? Trump alleged — without evidence — that Russia “stole” US hypersonic missile designs during the Obama administration. (Jan 23) He made the same claim in 2020, again in 2023, and now, yet again in 2024. Moscow has consistently shredded and mocked these accusations.
China ‘stole’ American jobs Trump has repeatedly blamed China for “stealing” American manufacturing jobs. However, it was American companies that eagerly rushed to China in the 1980s after its economic reforms under Deng Xiaoping.
TikTok is bad… because it calls the shots “Essentially, with TikTok, I have the right to sell it or close it,” Trump declared on Jan 20. Washington has repeatedly tried to ban the popular Chinese social media app — which is used by at least one-third of US adults — and twist China’s arm to force the sale of TikTok’s US operations.

It's the Economy, Stupid

"Plunder" Within Unfolds: Brace for Wild Moves in Gold & Bitcoin (29 min)

The U.S. empire is entering its final inning, warns Willem Middelkoop, CEO of the Commodity Discovery Fund and author of The Big Reset: War on Gold and the Financial Endgame. In this interview with Daniela Cambone, Middelkoop highlights President Donald Trump’s controversial proposals—such as taking over the Panama Canal—as indicators of a desperate phase in American history. “When you reach the end of an empire, that's what you're going to see,” he explains. Middelkoop also forecasts a sharp rise in gold prices, suggesting it could exceed $4,000 per ounce, and shares his perspective on Trump’s likely economic approach: delaying crises by printing more money.
00:00 - Observations on Trump’s Inauguration
9:15 - The Rise of Censorship
11:48 - Inflation Concerns
13:48 - Understanding the Big Reset
16:55 - The Role of BRICS
19:54 - Tariffs and Their Impact
21:54 - Canada’s Political Direction
24:30 - Embracing the crypto
28:30 - Concluding words

Well, well, well – DOGE moves into the Treasury, triggering their longest-serving, highest-ranked career official to quit in a huff, and they find that department has essentially been auto-paying everyone, according to Elon Musk. “The @DOGE team discovered, among other things, that payment approval officers at Treasury were instructed always to approve payments, even to known fraudulent or terrorist groups,” said Musk in a Friday night tweet. “They literally never denied a payment in their entire career.”

... February 1, the Trump administration will slap 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and a 10% tariff on China, as announced during Friday’s press briefing by White House spox Karoline Leavitt, who denied reports of a delay to March 1. There will be no delay, selective targeting, or slow roll-out of phased-in tariffs as speculated by Goldman Sachs and Deutsche Bank.

Replace the Income Tax With Tariffs?
Trump has explained that the income tax came along in 1913 as a replacement for the tariff. That is correct in design but the historical reality was slightly different.
Tariffs were not abolished entirely. The income tax just became a second and additional source of revenue. Then the Great War came, financed in large part by the central bank (the Federal Reserve) that was created the same year. The income tax and the Fed became the financial source of Leviathan power. Both came about in 1913, along with the direct election of Senators that blew up the bicameral structure of Congress and put the big cities in charge of America’s equivalent of the House of Lords. Trump’s history lesson opens up the opportunity to examine all of this more closely. In 19th-century terms, he seems to be siding with the Hamilton faction inherited by Henry Clay, the Senator from Virginia who advocated what came to be called “the American System.”
This was a policy of protective tariffs, a national bank, and federal subsidies for internal improvements to promote economic growth and national cohesion. That’s a pretty good summary of what seems to be Trump’s position.

US President Donald Trump has announced his intention to impose tariffs on the European Union, citing unfair treatment in trade practices.

More tariffs are on the horizon...

(40 sec clip)

The Road to Chaos – A Global Balance of Payments War

Germany and Europe as a whole will become sacrificial offerings in our desperate but futile effort to save the US Empire. While Germany may not immediately end up with an emigrating and shrinking population like Ukraine, its industrial destruction is well under way.
Trump told the Davos Economic Forum January 23: “My message to every business in the world is very simple: Come make your product in America and we will give you among the lowest taxes of any nation on earth.” Otherwise, if they continue to try and produce at home or in other countries, their products will be charged tariff rates at Trump’s threatened 20%.

Worth a full read...

Is The EU Finally Coming To Its Senses On Russian Energy?
Relentless obedience to Washington has always been self-damaging, but now a reckoning is at hand with accumulating self-harm reaching a tipping point into self-destruction. It is true, on the surface, that EU-NATO Europe is still digging in its heels. The EU has just produced its umpteenth renewal of sweeping – and constantly increasing – sanctions against Russia. A faction of ten among its member countries are shouting for even more. A top energy official of the European Commission is in Washington to explore ways in which the Europeans can give in, again, to ever-increasing US pressure and buy even more ruinously expensive liquefied natural gas (LNG) from their great insatiable “ally.” Yet some, even among Europe’s current elites, are still capable of intuiting that things are so desperate that they must, finally, question even apparent axioms.
As the Financial Times has just reported, there are voices, including from EU heavyweight countries such as Germany, that dare think about the unthinkable, namely returning to openly buying inexpensive fossil fuel energy from Russia. In a less topsy-turvy world, the EU should, of course, never have stopped doing so.

EU Energy Policy Row Triggers Norway Government Collapse
Norway’s coalition government collapsed on Thursday after the Euroskeptic Center Party rejected EU energy policy regulations advocated by Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store. The move would subject people to an electricity price hike, the party leader and finance minister, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, warned. It leaves Store heading a minority Labor Party government. The cabinet can govern until the next elections, which are scheduled for September, but has lost its majority in the parliament and could struggle to pass legislation. At the heart of the dispute is the fourth EU energy package, which is also known as “clean energy for all Europeans.” Adopted in 2019, it introduced a set of policies with a focus on renewables and “energy efficiency,” including reduced CO2 emissions, as well as a “robust governance system” for energy in the bloc.

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Geopolitical News
Finally there's some mention of BRICS+ in the US. Of course Trump gets it wrong thinking Spain is part of the organization rather than South Africa. At least he recognizes that there is a new global collective power.

Pepe Escobar: Trump's Strategic Blunder: Is He Dangerously Underestimating the Power of BRICS?

(73 min) Pepe gives a master class on BRICS+ and discusses the challenge of the west to adapt to this rising power. He mentions Micheal Hudson's piece, Weaponizing the US Dollar

Amb. Chas Freeman: Unveiling the Flaws: How U.S. Foreign Policy Became Its Own Worst Enemy (48 min)

Israel/Palestine...

(60 min) Israel Lost the War -
What are the Consequences Alastair Crooke, Alexander Mercouris & Glenn Diesen

The Judge had several good interviews exploring the evolving situation in the ME.
Phil Giraldi : A Ceasefire or a Fraud? (22 min)

MAX Blumenthal : IDF Murders on October 7th. (28 min)

Prof. Jeffrey Sachs : Trump and Palestinian Freedom. (25 min)

The Ukraine Proxy War...
LtCOL. Karen Kwiatkowski : Trump and Ukraine. (22 min)
My guess is that Trump walks away and leaves the Ukraine mess in Europe's lap.

Col Doug Macgregor: Ukraine Russia War-Trump's Limited Options for Peace (44 min)
Uncertainty in Trump's Strategy:
Trump has hinted at wanting to negotiate peace in Ukraine but has not clearly articulated what a deal would entail.
There is skepticism about whether he has a solid plan or leverage to shape outcomes in the region.
Criticism of Trump’s Advisers:
Analysts, particularly Colonel Douglas McGregor, believe Trump is surrounded by advisers providing unrealistic or misguided advice.
These advisers might be pushing for confrontation with Russia, Iran, and other nations, which could lead to unnecessary conflicts.
Misconceptions About Russia:
Trump and his team reportedly view Russia as economically and militarily weakened, which MacGregor and others argue is inaccurate.
The Russian economy and military remain robust, and Moscow holds the decisive power in the Ukraine conflict.
Zelensky and European Dynamics:
Ukrainian President Zelensky continues to request strong security guarantees and NATO involvement, fearing a larger Russian offensive if peace is not achieved.
European nations, while rhetorically supporting Ukraine, are unlikely to engage militarily against Russia.
Historical Lessons and Russian Resilience:
Historical parallels were drawn to World War II, highlighting Russia's ability to recover from significant losses and launch effective counteroffensives.
Russia's military capability and resilience are underestimated by some Western analysts.
Economic and Diplomatic Solutions:
Trump's team suggests using economic tools, such as lowering global oil prices, to weaken Russia. McGregor dismisses this as impractical and harmful to the U.S. domestic energy sector.
Broader Implications:
McGregor warns against the U.S. continuing to escalate involvement in Ukraine, suggesting that Trump should prioritize domestic policy over foreign interventions.
He advocates for an immediate de-escalation of U.S. involvement, emphasizing that Ukraine’s fate will ultimately be decided by Russia.
In conclusion, the presentation critiques Trump’s approach to the Ukraine conflict, challenges common misconceptions about Russia’s position, and stresses the need for realism and restraint in U.S. foreign policy.

The only ones not invited to the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation were the ones who liberated it. Russians...

(2.3 min)

Just for kicks...
The Theory of STUPIDITY | Dietrich Bonhoeffer (10 min)

In this video, we explore Dietrich Bonhoeffer's thought-provoking Theory of Stupidity, a fascinating concept that delves into human behavior, intelligence, and the nature of societal dynamics. From the origins of Bonhoeffer's ideas during World War II to their relevance in today's world, this video covers everything you need to know about his profound insights into how ignorance and thoughtlessness impact individuals and communities. Discover the subtle differences between intelligence and wisdom, the surprising power of influence in shaping actions, and why Bonhoeffer believed stupidity to be more dangerous than malice.

There were other interesting stories this week. Did the helicopter purposefully crash into the airliner trying to land in DC? Some think so. Germany is in flux as their election nears. Richard Grenell had a successful trip to Venezuela securing several Americans and getting Maduro to accept many illegals from the US. Illegal crossings into the US have plummeted 94% since Trump took office.

I hope you will include other stories not covered and provide insight on any or all stories. Have a great Sunday. The thread is open...