Open Thread - 11-07-2025 - Shifting Sands

Good morning. What follows is a collection of stories on some of the changes happening. Ignored the big change in New your City politics. My bias is it is not sincere and part of the manipulation to make changes in this country. There are others on the site who have more experience in straight political matters.
Ukraine
It seems US is once again reliant on Ukraine and our own intelligence agencies for status of current events in Ukraine.
At the moment, Russia is not handing over the contact line maps to the USA, said Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson of the Russian President.
"At the moment we are not transferring. When there were contacts, of course, explanations were given about the maps," Peskov said, answering the question whether Russia is conveying its version of the contact line maps to Washington.
Euromedia24
(8:23 min)
The best summary I read this week was Andrei Martyanov on RT interview with Rick Sanchez beginning at 14.03.
China
China is adding another layer of financial alternatives available to countries experiencing economic control by Western Governments.
Breaking: Central Bank Chooses China for Gold-Vaulting Zerohedge Nov 5, 2025
London is not where central banks actually keep their gold. Most of it is held domestically. The reason London matters is because the BIS uses it as the hub for leasing and hedging. If countries begin placing their reserves in China—or more likely in the SGEI global vault network—that weakens the European supply pool available for leasing. Read full story
According to a report by Bloomberg News, the Southeast Asian country plans to store some of its reserves in a vault registered with the Shanghai Gold Exchange, located within Shenzhen’s bonded zone. The arrangement involves newly purchased bullion rather than the transfer of existing holdings, and several other nations are said to be evaluating similar arrangements as they consider diversifying from traditional storage centers such as London and Zurich.
BIS - Bank of International Settlements
Portland, Oregon has started enforcing homeless camping ban. First week 39 people sent to shelters and 40 arrested. News stories are all of a sudden discussing the complexity of dealing with the individuals and issues, instead of - nothing to see here. We maybe seeing a shift in perception of homelessness. Or less opportunity for bringing dollars to the state to take care of this population due to federal changes.
Man arrested in fire that damaged Portland city councilor’s home, vehicle The Oregonian Nov 4, 2025
Officers say Locust, 51, sneaked into a shed near Avalos’ home and tried to use an electric outlet, but it didn’t work. He allegedly set a small fire to stay warm, but later explained to investigators that it got out of control and he fled to a nearby church, according to a probable cause affidavit.
“He shared that it was very cold that night and his clothing was wet,” according to the affidavit. “Locust attempted to extinguish the fire with his foot
...
The councilor and her cat escaped the flames without suffering physical harm. But in a constituent newsletter published before the arrest, Avalos said she and her neighbors were still reeling in the fire’s wake, and questioned police statements that the attack was not targeted.“Whatever the cause, this didn’t happen in a vacuum,” she wrote Thursday. “In our current national context, it’s hard not to connect this moment to everything happening around us — the threats, the division, the way public service sometimes puts a target on your back.”
...
In a statement released Tuesday, Avalos changed her stance — pivoting from remarks last week that suggested police had overlooked the possibility of a political attack — and instead suggesting the case was about demonization of the homeless.
...
Police Chief Bob Day and recently appointed Fire Chief Lauren Johnson, as well as Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez, shared the stage at a press conference Tuesday afternoon. Vasquez said Avalos had been invited but preferred to provide the statement.In a joint statement, Day and Johnson highlighted their “sincere empathy” for Avalos and other residents of her community, but reiterated that the fire was not a political attack.
Lauren noted that of the roughly 6,200 fires reported within city limits last year, approximately 2,900 were associated with homelessness. Of those, 10 people were injured, one died and damages were reported at just over $3.1 million.
“We remain committed to following the evidence wherever it leads — for Councilor Avalos and for our entire community,” Day told the newspaper by email.
A top Portland political aide took in a homeless woman. He abandoned her at a state park days later MSN reprint from The Oregonian Nov 1, 2025
The episode, pieced together through interviews, incident reports, court documents and other public records, appears to represent a story of good intentions gone horribly awry and is a stark reminder of the remarkable challenges that can come with seeking to assist some of the Portland area’s most vulnerable residents.
...
Don Holden, one of the many outreach workers who spent hours with the woman, said Kelekele’s actions reflected a reckless lapse in judgment and undermined their coordinated efforts.“He left a person who can barely take care of or fend for themself miles away from any services or help,” said Holden, a homeless liaison with the group LoveOne. “I think it’s horrible abuse.”
Kelekele, who earns $131,000 annually, declined to speak with The Oregonian/OregonLive for this story or answer a detailed list of questions, referring a reporter to what he included in his Sept. 30 memo.
“This has caused a great deal of emotional distress,” he said in a separate statement. “I would like to clarify that I led with my heart in my sincere attempts to aid (the woman).
“However, if I could do it over, I would do it differently.”


Comments
Mamdani, best buds with billionaire George Soros’s son Alex?
That would seem to be a bad sign … here highlighted by Jimmy Dore:
from NY post
"Despite Mamdani’s rhetoric against billionaires, progressive billionaire George Soros indirectly donated $37 million to the Working Families Party and nine other leftwing groups that backed Mamdani’s campaign.
Since 2016, the party has pocketed $23.7 million from Soros through its nonprofit fundraising arm, Working Families Organization Inc."
The above is designed to deceive as I'll cover after noting: WFO supported Mamdani and other candidates in the primary. Specifically stated that if Cuomo won the nomination that they would look elsewhere for the general. Outside donors dumped more than double that $23.7 million into Cuomo's mayoral race. $16 million in the primary alone. While the general election spending isn't yet available, outside pro-Mamdani spending in the primary was only $1 million which was dwarfed by the $7 million in anti-Mamdani outside spending. No endorsement from any Soros family member or the Open Society in either the primary or general election. Bill Clinton endorsed Cuomo in the primary, but even he refrained from endorsing the sore loserman in the general. (The primary endorsements in the race are more telling than the general election endorsements as many in the latter were party more than candidate based.)
Fully understand what Soros/Open Society promulgates, but their money hasn't captured all left of center politicians. And Soros/Open Society actively works against those that aren't on board with demonizing Russia and communism and supporting Israel.
Throwing up a photo of Mamdani with Alex Soros may be 1) neoliberal propaganda to demoralize and discourage those on the left 2) adding Soros to the conversation in an effort to capture Mamdani 3) propaganda to keep the GOP and MAGA engaged because they're obsessed about Soros money while Adelman and others are dumping far more into the GOP coffers. Big money talks in US politics, particularly when the left allows it to silence them. Evidence that big money can be defeated couldn't be clearer than in the 2025 NYC mayoral race.
Dore did a good job of collecting voices of
those with a overview perspective such as Greenwald and local perspective by Russell Dobular with nuances of New York specific opportunities to fulfill promises
Regarding Soros, he wants to be a king maker and Mamdani is his horse in the race. Peter Thiel horse in the race is JD Vance. Adelson was able to see his investment in Trump reach the gold ring of power. They belong to the same peer group, want bragging rights for WINS without owning a sports team franchise.
The challenge for the rest of the popullation is to learn to provide and remove calculated support to reach specific goals for society instead of being loyal cheerleaders even when deeply disappointed. At the same time build a quality life environment for ourselves and those close to us.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Our leaders work for interests other than those who elected them
https://www.reddit.com/r/WayOfTheBern/comments/1oqyccr/its_simple_israel...
https://x.com/martyrmade/status/1986494006029930586
Change is good in an imperfect world
.
.
If it goes against the entrenched establishment
which seems unable to improve our lot.
Hope life is good on the ranch.
Thanks for the OT!
Zionism is a social disease
Life is good here
Looking forward to tackling some indoor projects this winter. Hope it is going better in your part of the world.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.
Happy Birthday Joni Mitchell
.
Born on this day in 1943.
Zionism is a social disease
Good morning, soe, et. al. On November 6, a tanker
was attacked and seized by Pirates, following by a few days a previous pirate attack on a tanker which evaded being boarded and seized. In a welcome change of criminals, the perps were not the US Navy or Coast Guard, nor any EU or NATO navy or coast guard, but good old everyday Somali Pirates.
Also, for any of those who haven't yet found out about it, there are Russian Warships in Venezuela now and the Rus have allegedly delivered some high end air defense weapons to Venezuela as well. This makes it likely that our next decapitation strike attempt .will be, as before, on the ground. Maybe the next time they capture some would be assassins they will load them on a remotely piloted cigarette boat and send it off toward Trinidad.
Dunno what to think, but the Rus strongly suspect that the Natoids are planning some horrible false-flag attack on a civilian population. It would certainly not be far fetched, Ukiestan and its backer have done this shit before, the only thing new is that the Rus anticipate something huge rather than the kind of stuff they normally indulge in.
Also, minor puzzle. The Turks have some Russian S-400 air defense systems and the US wants them to give them up. Any guesses as to what's up with that, like why might they do so, and why we might want them to?
be well and have a good oner
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 --
Puzzles puzzles
US is probably attempting to support the usual player in international politics. There has been a trend of growing distrust between the players who overthrew Assad in Syria. This progression of articles is interesting and shows a path to events where a S-400 could be disruptive to plans.
Sept 11 - From rival to foe: Why Turkey now views Israel as a threat The New Arab
Oct 21 - Turkey boosts status with role in Gaza deal, ruffling Israeli and Arab feathers The Times of Israel
Today - Turkey issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu, 36 Israelis over Gaza war Israel National News
Who thought there would be a day I would be glad Somalia Pirates are once again a major hazard to shipping.
Ukraine and its supporters do seem to becoming desperate. A false flag at Zaporizhzhia Reactor as an option has popped up again to turn world opinion against Russia.
Thanks for the news round up this am.
Still yourself, deep water can absorb many disturbances with minimal reaction.
--When the opening appears release yourself.