“The revelations that are coming for America possess the potential to reshape our entire notion of the relationship between citizen and state.” — El Gato Malo on Substack
The Stacey Abram’s grift will pale in comparison to the funding schemes soon to be exposed that made every member of congresss millionaires on paper ( probably billionaires in reality). An audit of Medicare Medicaid and the Fed will shine a bright light on the cockroaches that live among us.
More than merely a big mouth. She was the right color, the right size, the right political persuasion, the right (low) IQ, and had just the correct amount of animus towards the people she was chosen to lord over. Its not a mistake or a happy accident. People like her are chosen to wield power over you because they seek to demoralize legitimate citizens, and they want to offend your notions of what a politician should be and should do. These people stick their big black faces in the camera, uttering barely intelligible Ebonics, and you know, deep in your soul that your grandfather would righteously leap out of his grave and split her head in two with an axe, if he could.
Mark you are correct sir! What if we actually have very little debt? What if we actually ran a surplus and no deficit. 1/2 of congress should go to jail.
Geez, who would have guessed that Democratic legislation promoting Green would not be an environmental reference, but would actually be a reference to the cash being dumped into the trough for the grifting pigs 🐖 to slurp up at their convenience. Sure looks like that spigot is being turned off by DOGE, in which case the Democratic grifters will have to seek out another scam or, horror of horrors, get a real job!
On paper, you’re right…but how many of the grifters actually have skills that translate to the real world? Methinks there will be a noticeable bump in unemployment statistics by Q4 2025. Bummer.
Sanctuary cities were created to make more democrat voters by changing who gets more representation. The Republicans benefited from cheap labor, the rest of us lost.
Sanctuary cities are a wonderful, humanitarian idea gone wrong because good people can't get it through their stupid heads that there are some really bad people out there. I've just written a book about it. Yes, the migrant workers are victims of poverty and oppression. They are wonderful people who work hard and who are taken advantage of. MS-13 and their like (including their gringo supporters and money-launderers) are not just collateral damage. They are part of a planned invasion and child-trafficking racket. Just count: 400,000 unaccounted for children by now.
Did I write anything in support of Illegal workers? I live in a dairy farm community with the farms run by migrants, all legal. And vegetable farms with pickers from Jamaica, all legal.
As long as some government program says they're "legal," we can bring them here. Offshoring American jobs to a trillion Punjabs is "legal," right? No laws violated. Perfectly ethical. Why not bring in 50 million Indians? Hey, as long as its "legal."
Let them fight them. El Salvador has defeated them under a the aegis of a Great Leader who garnered the support of all the best elements of the nation.
Why do we need cowards who won't fight for their own land?
Sanctuary cities was a terrible idea. IT was to get democratic voters. The democrat kept packing them in because they are losing and now they know they are finished. I expect they will put up a fight. They didn't care that people were getting hurt. They wanted the illegal immigration. The republicans were guilty too. Texas and Florida and the precious red states wanted cheap labor. It's their fault most of all.
You don't eat migrant-picked food? No one you know uses Mexican roofing crews? You don't eat in restaurants or sleep in hotels? It is puerile to say that only neocon and progressive reprobates profit from one slave labor market over another.
There are migrant worker programs that allow for seasonal picking, and then they return to their shit-hole country. That's worked in the past; it can work again. They don't have to live here and be on welfare.
Friends of my parents owned a large farm in the Red River Valley. Every year they had several families of migrants come for the harvest. They housed them in shacks out of sight. Every year, when school started and the bus came to pick up the migrant children, she pitched a fit. She hated that even a penny of her tax dollars went to educate those kids, even if it was only for a few weeks.
Before the end of the good times, Quakers in the north enticed and pamphleteered Southern blacks to leave their plantations and come to the north to work for wages. The blacks worked the fields and gathered in the harvest. When the Fall came, the Quakers handed them their wages and said "we'll see you in the Spring." The blacks said "where do we go now?" Most went back to the South. Some died in the snow.
It's understandable. It's not taxpayers' responsibility to learn Spanish in order to teach migrant children, and if teachers don't speak Spanish, the children won't learn anything anyway.
I lived in this state for years. I was friends with migrant workers. The out-of-control immigration hurt the people that were here with the migrant program. Some of these people stayed. I know them. They became legal citizens. Their country was made unbearable by out-of-control drug cartels and out of control immigration. Texas and Florida benefited the most and only started to care in the last 8 years. They wanted it they egged it on for the almighty dollar. The country is paying the higher prices in tax, crime and the diminishment of quality of life.
I do. That's my neighborhood and I was here first. BTW the Californians that created that in California and moved, can move again. This is not a problem you can outrun. They are moving again. I hear they are headed to warmer weather. IT's been below zero here for a week. The Texans are building apartments in sanctuary cities. REmember they benefited the most from the cheap labor.
What do you think we been doing for the last 4 years? Donald Trump was not elected by magic. I hope the swarm of locusts move to your neighborhood and then you can see how it is. BTW Florida, the bastion of red states, has homeless encampments too. Rural Florida schools SUCK! Texas SUCKS! I don't forget how they benefited from the cheap labor and then only started to give a shit in the last 8 years.
Market is becoming bi-polar, tech jobs and “flipping burgers”. As the tech jobs become more intricate and AI takes away human jobs (forget learning to code) less people are needed. The Dems used the grift noted to put people into bullshit jobs, and DOGE is quickly finding them and eliminating them. A word of warning to the Trumpers, you better come up with a plan to re-hire them into meaningful jobs. Obama wanted a service economy and the Dems kept the public quiet by giving minimum wage scales at $20 and above. Been to a restaurant lately? That gift is over and we have equalized with $10 burgers and $16 breakfasts. That grift has run its course. Biden’s MOb’s gift was the NGOs as mentioned, paying people for doing nothing. Hmmm,, remember UBI? Andrew Yang’s contribution in 2020. What we are seeing is a nice preview of a UBI world. Biden promised the oil and pipeline workers that jobs would be created by renewable energy sources, in the sun belt. What happened? The border opened up, the Sun Belt job market became flooded and Mexico is much closer to Arizona, et al than North Dakota is. As usual, the Dems created an non-winnable situation which they hid with the bullshit situation JHK has brought out this morning.
The "service economy" Obama talked about was a real "head scratcher" for me. I thought he envisioned us becoming a country of lawyers, accountants, and waiters. It never made sense to me.
The book publishing grift JHK points out is a major "eye opener."
Where in AZ does one find a $10 burger? Not here in Prescott. Maybe the single at McDonalds, but a proper one at any sit down restaurant will set you back $20. The 2-egg breakfast is spot on at $16 and on up. What’s $5 for two little strips of bacon as an add on?
Other essentials: $10 for a 6-pack of any reasonable beer. Ammo? Hell, $1.50 a round for any magnum pistol and $0.50 for 5.56.
If you ain’t cooking at home and reloading yer shit, than you’re either pretty well off, or scraping to pay the rent.
Took my wife and daughter out for a Saturday morning breakfast at a local Denny's. I remember when a "grand slam" cost $4.50. You got two eggs, a sausage link, a slice of bacon, hashbrowns and two butter milk pancakes. Today? $16.50. Plus tip, breakfast at once affordable Denny's cost me over $64.00. What does this do to the economy? Well, for starters it means I don't go out to eat nearly as often as I used to. Going out to eat now has been limited to very special occasions.
Remember the $5 foot longs at Subway? Now a footlong chicken and bacon ranch on flat bread costs nearly $13.00 and the workers are always stingy on the addings. I always have to ask them to put more on the sammich.
A 60 pack of eggs now costs $34.00 at Winco Foods. The claim it is the ongoing bird flu. Personally, I think the chickens are striking and want double the salary. But that's just me.
People don’t get they are conditioning our behavior. They push us toward third world-type grocery stores where eggs are cheaper. The rich shop at Whole Foods.
Lost because I pointed out we are heading towards a war with Iran?
A war Iran seems to want?
A war not of the proxy variety since Iran has used 100's of billions given to it by the creepy Kenyan to prop up groups like Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.
A war Israel is building up to but I'm the lost cause.
You aren't up on the latest conditions in Iran. IDF bombed the bejesus out of Iran's infrastructure. Latest: enough electricity for either heat or lights, not both. They chose heat. Iran is in shambles and struggling. Has anybody heard a peep out of them lately? If would be on CNN (cyber news network). ONN? (Online News Network) (We need a damn acronym!)
My assessment is that the world should assume that the only groups that want war are Israel, the neocons, NATO, those that embrace the 2030 Agenda, and the Globalists. Did I leave anyone out?
NOTE: CTP-ISW will produce the update Monday through Friday beginning February 20, 2025, due to the decrease in military activity in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and the defeats of Hamas and Hezbollah. We will resume daily, seven-day coverage if circumstances change. CTP-ISW will notify our readers when we resume seven-day coverage. CTP-ISW will continue to produce daily Syria maps. We will publish weekend Syria maps on Mondays. We will cover and assess Axis of Resistance activities in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon at a less granular level moving forward. We will continue to publish analysis on other key US interests in the region, such as the defeat of ISIS and Syrian stability. We will also continue to adjust our Middle Eastern coverage and make those adjustments clear in response to regional dynamics and priorities, just as we did immediately after Hamas' October 7 attack into Israel and the fall of the Assad Regime.
Key Takeaways:
Iranian Rhetoric: Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari—adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander—threatened to attack "all [US] bases and ships in the region" during a speech at the Great Prophet 19 military exercise on February 20.
Hayat Tahrir al Sham and Syrian Democratic Forces Negotiations: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi said that he and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al Shara agreed on “general principles” but still disagree on “practical details,” which likely refers to the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army.
Syrian Constitution: The Syrian Preparatory Committee continued “dialogue sessions” for Raqqa, Hasakah, and Rif Dimashq provinces in Damascus on February 21.
Iraqi Politics: The United States reportedly threatened to sanction the Iraqi federal government if it prevents the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from resuming oil exports.
Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi said that he and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al Shara agreed on “general principles” but still disagreed on “practical details,” which likely refers to the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army.[1] Abdi told The Guardian on February 21 that he and Shara agreed to keep Syria unified during the leaders’ last meeting in early January.[2] Abdi said that he and Shara still disagree on the “practical details,” including “the tools for us to work together” and the “timeline.”[3] Abdi is likely referring to the specific mechanisms for SDF integration into the Syrian army. An SDF commander said on February 18 that the SDF and the governing body in northeast Syria agreed to merge their forces into the Syrian Defense Ministry.[4] Abdi has not yet publicly confirmed such an agreement. Abdi’s demand that the SDF integrate as a “bloc” was one of the main sticking points of negotiations in the past two months, and it is unclear if either side has moderated their demands on this issue. Abdi also told The Guardian that the “Turkish intervention” was hurting negotiations.[5] CTP-ISW has previously noted that Abdi is unlikely to give up the SDF‘s ability to defend Kurdish areas against active attacks by Turkey and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).[6]
Turkish aircraft struck the SDF along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River on February 21. Turkish aircraft struck SDF positions east of Jarabulus.[7] Turkey has repeatedly struck SDF positions across the Euphrates River from Jarabulus since February 12.[8]
Turkey continued to strike SDF positions near Qara Qozak Bridge on February 21. Turkish aircraft struck several SDF positions near Sarrin, likely to isolate SDF units at the bridgehead west of the Qara Qozak Bridge.[9]
Anti-SDF media claimed that Turkish drones struck an SDF checkpoint near al Kasrat, south of Raqqa, on February 21.[10]
The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on February 21 that it killed 8 “PKK” fighters in northwestern Syria.[11] Turkey routinely conducts strikes targeting the "PKK” in northern Iraq and Syria, but it commonly conflates the PKK and the SDF.
Yes, they fight back, sometimes effectively. As when they crushed the Israeli invasion of Lebanon a generation ago. What's happening this time? There's a news blackout, so I imagine the Israeli invasion has stalled out.
In Iraq, Iranian missiles destroyed various nests of anti-Iranian terrorists.
Another excellent essay by Mr. Kunstler this week which cites names of people and entities and money.
I like it, though I have lamented, and continue to lament, the lack of objectivity and facts regarding Palestine in CFN essays. Just think, if Mr. Kunstler lifted the carpet and shone his (still, at his age) formidable journalistic spotlight on the crimes of the Israeli state against Palestinians, and even the several ISRAELIS, military and civilian, which the IDF deliberately killed on OCT 07, to ensure they were not captured by Hamas. I repeat my request for JHK to host Max Blumenthal on a Kunstlercast.
I did not plan to bring the topic up, since EPA is not related to Palestine.
However, since Ben is going to loudly bray about the splinter in Iran's eye, vs the LOG in Israel's, I want to share a real story that the US media, mainstream and alternative, has quietly not reported.
All you CFNers can bet your a$$ that if two Jews or Israelis were gunned down in the US, Drudge and MSN, etc, would be all over it. Isn't that right?
Well, two Israelis were WERE gunned down, in Miami, on Feb 16, according to The Guardian (w..theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/17/miami-shooting-israeli-men). Seventeen shots fired at them. The Israelis survived! They took to Facebook to whine about anti-Semitism.
Yet I heard or read nothing, Why? Because the alleged perpetrator, one Mordechai Brafman, 27, is Jewish.
While in custody, Brafman spontaneously told detectives that while he was driving his truck, “he saw two Palestinians and shot and killed both”, arrest documents said.
A lot of people (correctly) point out media bias concerning crime-non-white defendants' race or ethnicity is painted out. Even though statistically black-on-white crime is far more common than white-on-black, wee you know.
That's how it is with the Middle East. Israel is perfect, even as Israelis slaughter tens of thousands of Palestinians, and displace millions, but Iran is the aggressor and threat to peace. according to the media and some here.
Nope they are fighting a war which includes killing people even sometimes people that should not have died but that is the problem with fighting wars good people die along with the badies.
That is how wars are fought or are you just stupid?
To my knowledge Israelis are not kidnapping and then strangling babies.
Nor are they having parties while returning dead babies.
Do we really think that China is just going to kowtow to USA demands? Maybe a while ago, but thanks to Biden’s Mob, primarily, China does not fear us at all anymore.
No war is "good." I would argue that some war is "necessary." We here in America have an enormous military sized group of people invading our borders. A necessary war would be to eliminate all of these people and send them packing, in defense of our homes and culture. An unnecessary war is like the one in Afghanistan. I don't give a fuck about Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Germany, Korea, and just about every other nation our army has planted itself.
The only time war is necessary is when it involves protecting and defending ourselves from an aggressive enemy. Most of the time, if not all of the time, the USA seems to be the aggressor.
Would you rather try to stop the constant incursions of other world powers at the border? Or over there? Biden did neither one and we are where we are now. The organization of the millions of illegal immigrants has just started. I hope Trump can send them home without much bloodshed. The Dems just about destroyed American autonomy.
Yes, there is a good war. A Cold War where blustering and bullshit on both sides cancel each other out. Would there ever be hot war if the politicians were silenced?
Why is it mother police state’s problem that crooked rent seekers jigs come up? That projection of some universal human right for everyone to be fully employed at the 95th income percentile is demented.
The AI coder myth is another propaganda ploy. It has similar intentions of claiming technology is out to get you. It isn’t. It ain’t that smart. But there are sinister beings that will use that idea to justify enslaving you in 15 min city hovels.
You are much more dangerously threatened by bureaucrats and their fanged sheeple than by skynet. As intrusive as government monitoring of consumer networks is now, those databases can’t kill. But your neighbor’s Maoist struggle sessions will.
Well said. Elon and Trump have no viable vision either, but Elon does have a horrific one. Destroying the Democrat grifters are making people forget this all important issue.
You are right. Musk has a vision all right. To make the government as grift free as possible. You should be worshipping his efforts as maybe you might find that benevolent government you have been looking for.
Great question. Honestly, I don’t know what kind of productive work these grifters can get. Retail? No. Manufacturing? No. Roofing, drywalling, or concrete work? No. Babysitting? No. Customer service? No. Farming? No? Nursing or caregiving? No. Seasonal crop picking? No. I also cannot think of anyone who would hire them. 🤷♀️
Nothing because lawyers are useless. Out of all the useless professions that exist, lawyers take the crown. They produce absolutely nothing. They take, take and then take some more. Once I received a settlement from a class action lawsuit involving a telecommunications company in my region. The settlement was for a billion or so dollars. Guess what I got? $2.54. In a check. They acted like I should roll out the red carpet and thank them for their efforts in getting me enough money to barely pay for a Snickers. The "loyas" probably took 3/4 of the billions and bought themselves beach houses in Costa Rica and divided up the rest among us poor schmucks, millions of us. Lawyers thrive on other's misfortune and misery and profit from failure and accident. The most utterly useless profession and one of the most destructive forces on our modern society. They can't do anything but argue and most can't even do that very well. So, they end up in politics. They end up as lawmakers corrupting the law to the point that we must have "loyas" to interpret the fucking law they just wrote.
There is so much wrong in this goddamned country and there is nobody there to fix it. Trump? Musk? I'm enjoying the show now but will it last? Who knows.
Supply and demand. Too damn many of the “locusts” around and they are in a position of control. Like their politician sect, when they do not have enough to do, they make stuff up. The TV ads are disgusting. Why does Congress et al make up new laws, or create investigations? Make work!!
I agree, these grifters are the worst!!! However, if you look at America in particular, and the West in general, many (most) people are not engaged in productive work. Many people make good money "pushing paper" -- that is creating or obtaining data, creating reports, to micromanage or help others micromanage the people who ARE engaged in constructive work, like essential workers or doctors or nurses. Many play with FIRE (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate).
We are in dire straits. Denying the White House to Biden/Harris, and electing Trump was an absolute prerequisite to slowing the rampant decline, but we are still headed toward an inevitable reckoning.
Seize their assets and all of the property. Put them on the street to fight it out with the druggies. Sell all that they own, every last dime, and refund it to the taxpayers from whom it was stolen. Let them see it. Let them feel it. Let them know it. But alas, tis a dream. Tis only a dream.
As a born and bred citizen of the Great State of Georgia, nothing would make me happier than Snaggletooth Stacey spending a few years in Federal Prison. . . Before her next failed attempt at running for Governor.
Richard J Daley ran a well-oiled machine in Chicago way back when.
Lyndon Johnson had something similar going down in Texas about the same time.
The Clintons in Arkansas, Pelosis in CA, all birds of a feather.
Biden & Family took their lessons to heart, raised the ante to the national level while dancing to the tune of 'Hope and Change' during the early part of this century, the Podestas quietly doing the choreography in the background since the '80's.
A multitude of grifters all, feeding off the bloat of a bureaucracy enabled by tax dollars redirected into the pockets of loyalists behind the doors of offices nation-wide.
Let's hope the lesson has been learned this time. We may not last long if it hasn't.
We do need to save some money,trials & incarceration is expensive. If the shoe was on the other foot does anyone really they would "let bygones be bygones"?
Don't pay your taxes and you end up losing everything you own or end up in prison. Not an option for most people, unfortunately. I wish it were but the Federal leviathan is still potent and powerful.
I can see the need for a branch of special prosecutors and a crack team of financial investigators to start climbing through those slush funds and Cayman island banks.
So are Republicans, Ben. The difference is the Republicans give lip service to good principles but when in power they do the same thing the Democrats do. Spend, print, spend, print, spent, print, spend, print. Oh, yeah, raise the idiotic debt ceiling.
No such thing as Republican any more. The bums are in process of being removed with MAGA arising. MAGA will destroy the Deep State, hopefully, as the DS is who you should be throwing stones at.
I heard a great quote from Kash yesterday. He wants to shut down the FBI building and re-open it as a Museum for the Deep State. This guy rocks!!!!
I like that. You sound like an isolationist today, Lugh! I like it a lot. Let's have open trade with our neighbors but tell them to go pound sand when it comes to treaties and money.
That does not work. Hopes have been dashed with the proponents of NAFTA and USMCA as China has economically undercut the good parts of both. Ask the question, do Canada and Mexico dislike the USA so much they are allowing the Chinese to undercut America? IMHO, absolutely.
Ben, I am not saying you are wrong, I would just add that I am sure that there is a whole host of corruption going on by people with an R behind their name. I wonder what the net worth of McConnell is as well as about 90% of the rest of the Rs and Independents. Does Susan Collins or her "sister" from Alaska look to you to be genius'? I would bet their stock picking gives them pretty amazing results and my guess is that their net worth is way more than what you can accumulate on the Senate salary-----probably the same for the majority of the Rs in the House as well as 95% of the Dem/Marxists.
Collins and Murkowsky are solid arguments for Lugh in his misogynist statements. I notice a direct correlation of logic between them and Kamala. Mc Connell is an old woman, anyway. Trump represents an Alpha male approach to running the country and history says that is the best. Unless you like the idea of Amerika.
By any name, “the Blob” or what have you, government in the “United States of America” is a “criminal enterprise” “organized crime,” “racketeering.” In sum, the parasitic infestation of the body politic (fully integrated web of political machines, state and federal and beyond) — existing solely for themselves: for plunder and profit.
Daley wasn't in it for the money but he liked being the "Boss". His elections were rigged and corruption was all around but he lived in the old hood and walked to church on Sunday. The skyline of the city and the runways at O'hare airport are his legacy. As the city was being rebuilt, from the Gold Coast to Sears Tower, it provided hundreds of thousands of life changing jobs for the people. His son however took some bank from a Japanese hotel chain or something. Now Chicago is in major decline with a school union boss in charge and people and companies are fleeing just like in NY or Cali. The average person in these places would be fine with corruption if garbage was picked up and fire hydrants had water and their kids got a okay education. The party is over and there is no 'New World' to run to. Ironically Trump and Elon like being the "Boss' to. They already made bank and just love the country. MAGA !!
So, Ukraine is allegedly the most corrupt nation on earth. May I proudly offer the U.S. as potentially the most corrupt, immoral, and decadent. Lots of good and even great people, but the problem is the overwhelming blob of miscreants and outright thieves that plague our country. Under the Demoncraps, the quality of everything has markedly decreased, including food, medicine, and just about everything we depend on for our survival and sustenance. The Trump Presidency may be the last chance we have to save this once-great nation. If not, there are many out there who would take us over in a heart beat, survival of American citizens optional.
Yes. American deep state, Nuland and Obama, manipulated Ukraine and pressured Russia to react. Putin was quite measured and diplomatic. We lied about the Maidan treaty, NATO on his haunches, biolabs on the border.
Really, doesn't the "most corrupt" migrate from one nation to another, as Satan attacks one people, then moves on to another? Before this USA, it was the USSR. That government gave new meaning to the word "corruption" in its day. It's all the same. There is nothing new under the Sun.
Let's see, John Galt. US National debt at $36 trillion or more. Any other nation with that kind of debt? I know Japan is in a bad way but nowhere near this number. Yeah, I say the evidence is clear. The USA is by far the most corrupt and debauched nation on this planet right now. It has been for a long time, longer than I have been alive and I am 50.
However, from 1946 to 1963 (with SEVERAL caveats), the USA was the greatest nation, with the most opportunity, ever, for ordinary people of modest means willing to work to get ahead.
Even though that's before I was born, the optimism of that era (not just in movies) is what US politicians have been selling since 1972.
As you observe, I agree, America was corrupt then. However, a confluence of historical factors and economic realities made America great. The interests of the US ELITE ALIGNED WITH THE INTERESTS OF THE US MIDDLE, UPPER MIDDLE, AND WORKING CLASS.
These historical factors started to shift in the mid-60s, were shaken by 1973. as the pie stopped growing enough (nothing grows forever), for both the powerful and the masses to have more. That climate was totally gone by 1980, when the clouds were forming that created conditions where the elites' interests are OPPOSED to those of middle and working Americans. That is where we have been my entire adult life (60) (and yours).
I must say that I'm totally down with rooting out these traitors in congress, but wonder what Trump has on all those never Trump RINOS that has caused them to back all of his nominees. Both parties need to clean house and take out the trash. Mitch stepping down is a good start.
I think Mitch does more "falling down" than "stepping down." The "walker brigade" seems afraid to leave... and have for quite awhile. Case in point: Diane Feinstein. Kamala appears to be another. Some people say they cling to power. I disagree. It's fear.
Mitch McConnell is a walking corpse. The fact that that man is still in office is pathetically sad. Retire. Enjoy the end of years. So addicted to power and grift that he can't get away to enjoy what few years he has left.
Once he does retire he'll be like Utah's Orrin Hatch. He retired after decades in the Senate and was dead a year of two later. Evil greed and grift keep these old suckers going. They can't live without it.
As previously mentioned, the “old” party system is dying, Dem and GOP is passé. New parties , the American (MAGA) center right and the Dems at Far Left for now. One note, if the Dems do not create a new appeal and locate at center Left, they are finished. The Trinamic Trio on the blog will have no home to cry in.
As ever you can only see two, one good, one evil. But your good is not good and your evil is not evil. Think of driving: Is right good and left evil? You'll go right off the road and into the gully or sidewalk.
You are wrong. The Left is evil and personifies it very well. The big difference is that the Left wants to destroy what America is and the MAGA folks want to preserve it. We just went through four years of government of the Mob, by the Mob and for the Mob. That is damned enough.
I’ve wondered the same thing. The Stacy Abrams don’t only exist on the left. I wonder if there’s a promise not to “find” certain someones’ grift. I hope not. I want them all exposed. But Trump is the great negotiator. You can be sure he’s made some sort of a deal.
Politicians are. Tony Fauci is. Hillary Clinton is. Oh, yes, there are many who are above the law. They are called the elites.
I hate and despise elitism in all of its forms. No human is better than another. They all shove food into their pieholes the same way and they all take a shit the same way, regardless of their wealth and prestige.
The exposure of the misdeeds over the past 4 years has shed light on what many knew but could never prove...even today...nothing has been "proven"...until people are held accountable and, if guilty, put in jail...all of these DOGE Headlines are just that, Headlines...Ys, Americans are tired of the waste...tired of the corruption...just fucking tired of being fucked...So, when those who are accountable go to jail...many will feel some form of justice...until then these DOGE headlines will flourish in the headlines and, once challenged, will spend years in court...and by the next Administration, they will reverse all said regulations...Vicious Circle of nothing more than Headlines...
I disagree, JohnAZ. Government should not be involved in job creation. Government needs to de-regulate everything and stay the fuck out of businesses. Let the private market prevail. Competition will encourage innovation and discourage high prices. More than anything, I just want government to just go away. Just disappear. I'm so sick of other flawed human beings standing on a made up pedestal and making themselves the rulers of me and mine because......welll because the said so. Or, the won a popularity contest. Either way, I'm sick of all government and I just want it to disappear.
We do not disagree. Note “legitimate job creation” as in return manufacturing, policies need to be set in the Feds for a good economic environment, including dealing with labor. The federal government has not created a job ever that was not an economic liability. They are a sink, not a source. $36 trillion worth.
"A Nation's wealth is its people.", but as you imply, it's people need to be appraised and managed.
"The early bird gets the worm." "Birds of a feather flock together."
We all come preprogrammed to "game the system", otherwise we would not come into being. Capitalism equates to freedom and appeals to our human nature. The man made format for life, as with most any game, comes to an end. Don't you think that the current date with "suicide" could be put off if "The System" had been managed better? Is it possible that a new AI efficient format for life, coupled with a return to morality, could put off the day of reckoning; or will a lifetime of conditioning require a War and/or a Great Depression, before US citizens will embrace a new format for life?
As a fan of Star Trek there was a movie where the Enterprise encountered a race of people who had eschewed technology in favor of a more simple life. Turns out the race of people were sophisticated enough to have warp drive but they chose not to have it. Instead they focused on being master gardeners, artisans, black smiths, and developing skills with their hands and doing the work themselves. It was an interesting show. Almost like finding a galactic enclave of the Amish!
I prefer the one where the beings assumed physical form to teach the humans and the Klingons. They seemed to be simple folk, but they were evolved far beyond us. The leader forbade them to make war saying, As I stand here, I stand upon the home world of the Klingon Empire. Your weapons will not work.
Lugh----this was tried in India many years ago. Their leaders banned quite a few modern machines with the object to make jobs. Failed miserably. I believe it was Milton Friedman that said, why ban motorized equipment for building dams and moving earth, why not just make using spoons the tool of choice for moving earth. Takes a lot more people to move a ton of dirt with spoons than with a dozer. Of course each employee is not very productive so you cannot pay them much. India learned this the hard way and a lot of the people there starved in the 50s and 60s.
Uncle Milty didn't believe in the border with Mexico. Borders get in the way of the free flow of good and services - and money! Elon likes Milty. Elon is a globalist too I imagine.
Capitalism per se is anti-nation in its mature or final form. National Socialism has to step in before this stage is reached if the nation is to survive. We missed our stop.
You are going to be proven right if we stay with this current herd of judges and the billable hours lawyers that cling to their current mode of "process" (not the institution/stucture). Look at the mess they made with the J6ers. It is sickening.
Excellent analysis. Also keep in mind that some of these organizations were fronts for censorship that the Biden administration and the blob couldn’t legally do themselves. They were censorship proxies. USAID monies show that media companies in and outside the U.S. were granted money to censor and blacklist disfavored media.
Stacey isn't the only problem in Georgia (and several other states). ICE raided a Hyundai plant the other day - illegals scattered like the cockroaches they are. Probably more to come. Plenty of corruption to uncover all the way to the Governor.
Cutoff their welfare, prohibit them from working, they go home. Problem solved. No deportations. No arrests. Eliminate their reason for being here they leave. It's not rocket science. That's why it will never be done.
Is it not time to stop pretending that Mr Biden has been compos enough for years to have had anything to do with it? I guess ya gotta have a name but there's gotta be ACTUAL names -- and crimes -- out there!
Biden’s Grifting started with his Senatorial campaign. He fit right in and kept going, his Families Grift made him the perfect Mark to keep quiet and to help furthering the payola schemes!
Our Representatives and our Government Leaders got greedier and greedier as the years passed, thousands turned into billions and trillions.
It was great for the participants but a fiscal disaster for the victims taxpayers and their country.
The fix will require how we monitor our Government and Representatives going forward!
Our mainstream press is finished too, hiding behind their cut, they willfully committed Journalistic Treason against their fellow countrymen and their Constitutionally protected profession.
Praise GOD and thank HIM for HIS mercy. We have been given a 2nd chance. Keep cleaning house and exposing all their evil intent. We don't want it. Our eyes are opening. GOD is keeping HIS promise. Letter agencies gone. Transparency everywhere. Expose, expose, expose. No more excuses. None. No national security BS. After what Biden, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Johnson, Carter have done. There is no such thing. Protect us by telling the TRUTH.
But, the MAGA revolution will have to come up with jobs of some sort after decimating the Deep State. The lying jobs reports, especially unemployment, will be used by a still Liberal Deep State to undermine Trump. Job destruction is easy, job creation, not so much.
Don't be disheartened. It is going to take a long time. Right now I am trying to install a coffee station in an office building. Putting together a small army of vendors willing to do a small job is exasperating. I need a plumber, drywall team, electrician, casework crew and me the paint touch-up-sink/faucet orderer-hardware (pulls and knobs). The structure of running a business has become too heavy for people to just work and profit. Please wish me luck & patience.
There are some really kind and talented workmen. I have been lucky enough to have worked with a few through the course of "The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction". I work hard to keep them as efficient as possible and they appreciate it.
Astera, you visit Europe and find that the majority of the economies are small business based. IMHO, the two biggest enemies of the American scene over the years was Sam Walton and William Gates, the Big Box boys.
I am worried about every job lost without replacement. Jobs mean independence, they are a positive to the economy, unlike welfare a negative.
Do you think that a uniparty system is best? Uh huh, you are an autocrat at heart. Once the evil is wrung out of the Dems, they will re-formulate to balance the political sphere. No more Deep State uniparty, either side. Right now, the Dems are trash.
Thanks! They have their opinions and I have mine. I just believe everyone has a right to their opinion. They do not. I try to give out info as I see it presented.
"Job destruction is easy, job creation, not so much."
Yes, and continuing down the AI and technology path, as it appears Trump is intent on, will just cost millions more jobs. "Efficiency" is the toothpaste that can't be put back in the tube. Its a race to the bottom where the end result is an empty world with one robot simultaneously jacking off and dumping Cheetos into its mouth. What is more "efficient" than nothing at all?
You could hope to be ruled by people who care a little bit about the wellbeing of their subjects, but in a proposition nation, a "nation of immigrants," a polyglot boarding house for the world, their only concerns are cheap (or no) labor and the almighty dollar. There was another way, or several other ways, but our leaders were so selfish, and so avaricious, that they sold their posterity for mega yachts, Guatemalan housekeepers and Punjab customer service.
Nobody has to "come up with jobs" for anybody. Adults have self-will. If they want a job, they'll find one, or learn a new one, or start a biz. Fed employees who take the buyout will have a LOT of time & free money on their hands to do something useful. If they can't figure it out, well, stupid is tough 🤷
Trying to find a job going into a recession is tough. The DC area, for example, is going to be flooded with resumes in the near future making it hard to get a job equal to the inflated wages the government was paying. The economy breeds jobs, real jobs. Not the government. The government needs to be concerned with setting an environment that is entrepreneurial in nature,, continuously creating new opportunities. Obama sending all the jobs overseas, did not help much. The Dems have concentrated on reducing the job market to make people more dependent on the government.
Give the American Citizen the opportunity to be productive and rewarded for their efforts and not taxed and regulated to the teeth. This plus affordable capital will increase our GDP and the velocity of money that will drive our economy forward creating jobs we need and in industries that don’t yet exist.
We have done it before and been at these types of depths and recovered, we are Americans!
Technology takes jobs. That's the whole point: To save money. Capitalism is despicable in and of itself. It has good points, but they will be paramount only if guided by a strong hand. You can't have Baseball without an Umpire.
No argument, Lugh. The real world question though is who should be the “Umpire”. Certainly not any form of government, the source of all Babylonian evil. So who? Another way of looking at it, who is the Umpire for the three groups running the US government? Who has the final say?
Answers? The free market of pure capitalism and God. IMHO.
No, they do not. Like the supposedly dirt-poor illegal aliens who are self-deporting, they can use their millions to fly off to and resettle themselves in another country.
Which just subtracts from the civilian job market.
I was stationed in Newport, RI while in the Navy. I saw the resentment there as the Navy provided competition for the locals in the job market. Eventually, the base was shut down as the locals won the contest.
Rebuilt the Temple! The false Christ will soon reveal Himself. Countless "Christians" and Jews will worship him there and at his other seat, the Vatican.
The only way to restrain government is to cut off the money stream. And it will needs be done severely, quickly and brutally. Eradicating the Income Tax is the first step in that direction. The US must once again, and per the Constitution, be dependent solely on tariffs to sustain itself.
Congress doesn’t have the first idea how to be fiscally responsible. They’ve been feeding at the trough for too long.
Massive, and even painful cuts must be forced upon them, aligned with mechanisms of automatic, instantaneous, and the harshest of consequences and accountability whenever they even begin to remotely drift from the ledger.
Serving in government should become a fearsome place one could ever contemplate serving who lacks conscience or backbone or a brain.
The money spigot needs to be shut down, and the cuts severe.
"Serving in government should become a fearsome place one could ever contemplate serving who lacks conscience or backbone or a brain." Agreed! I seethe every time I see pictures of people out protesting their being laid-off from their government "job". People who felt/feel entitled to do (usually) super easy work, have no accountability, get paid a decent salary and a benefits package that would make most CEOs int he private sector envious... all of it provided by money that is stolen out of our paychecks and/or tax money that we must pay under penalty of prison, fines, etc. I mean, come on! I'm not envious of anyone with a government job. Not at all. A good dose of reality has been a long time coming. Government was *never* intended to be a career. It was supposed to be a sacrifice. Civil service... something that most don't even have a clue what the definition of that is anymore. Sorry for the rant. Loved your comment. :)
The Stacey Abram’s grift will pale in comparison to the funding schemes soon to be exposed that made every member of congresss millionaires on paper ( probably billionaires in reality). An audit of Medicare Medicaid and the Fed will shine a bright light on the cockroaches that live among us.
Ms Abrams was merely a big mouth in the right place. Her enabler(s) really need to be in the dock.
More than merely a big mouth. She was the right color, the right size, the right political persuasion, the right (low) IQ, and had just the correct amount of animus towards the people she was chosen to lord over. Its not a mistake or a happy accident. People like her are chosen to wield power over you because they seek to demoralize legitimate citizens, and they want to offend your notions of what a politician should be and should do. These people stick their big black faces in the camera, uttering barely intelligible Ebonics, and you know, deep in your soul that your grandfather would righteously leap out of his grave and split her head in two with an axe, if he could.
Jacobins, Bolsheviks, this Grift DEI era's Useful Idiots.
You took the words right out of my mouth. Kudos.
The brightest light at the of the tunnel is this should cripple the leftist and globalist cabal going forward.
These thiefs must be tracked down to the ends of the earth & be given a fair trial.
If found gulity, setenced to life at hard labor.
Some pushed endless war including nuculear.
These people must be rooted out of hiding and annihilated as a warning to all.
You had me at "These people must be rooted out of hiding and annihilated"
Certainly tried and if convicted serve lengthy sentences so all their connections are obsoleted.
Mark you are correct sir! What if we actually have very little debt? What if we actually ran a surplus and no deficit. 1/2 of congress should go to jail.
Geez, who would have guessed that Democratic legislation promoting Green would not be an environmental reference, but would actually be a reference to the cash being dumped into the trough for the grifting pigs 🐖 to slurp up at their convenience. Sure looks like that spigot is being turned off by DOGE, in which case the Democratic grifters will have to seek out another scam or, horror of horrors, get a real job!
On paper, you’re right…but how many of the grifters actually have skills that translate to the real world? Methinks there will be a noticeable bump in unemployment statistics by Q4 2025. Bummer.
Who cares what sanctuary city alleys the communist traitors starve in?
Maybe the sanctuary cities weren't really created for illegal migrants, but for a Trump administration coming into power.
Sanctuary cities were created to make more democrat voters by changing who gets more representation. The Republicans benefited from cheap labor, the rest of us lost.
Sanctuary cities are a wonderful, humanitarian idea gone wrong because good people can't get it through their stupid heads that there are some really bad people out there. I've just written a book about it. Yes, the migrant workers are victims of poverty and oppression. They are wonderful people who work hard and who are taken advantage of. MS-13 and their like (including their gringo supporters and money-launderers) are not just collateral damage. They are part of a planned invasion and child-trafficking racket. Just count: 400,000 unaccounted for children by now.
Bullcrap. Illegal is illegal, Karen... those poor migrant workers can come in legally or GTFO.
Their handlers should be prosecuted, better yet, lose their citizenship.
Karens like YOU are partially responsible for those missing and abused kids.
Did I write anything in support of Illegal workers? I live in a dairy farm community with the farms run by migrants, all legal. And vegetable farms with pickers from Jamaica, all legal.
As long as some government program says they're "legal," we can bring them here. Offshoring American jobs to a trillion Punjabs is "legal," right? No laws violated. Perfectly ethical. Why not bring in 50 million Indians? Hey, as long as its "legal."
Yes, you did, you slimy skidmark... "Sanctuary cities are a wonderful, humanitarian idea..."
'Sanctuary' cities do not protect LEGAL citizens or green card holders, ahole... only ILLEGALS.
Stop being a slimy lying libturd.
Good point. I was thinking of the good ol' days when Guatemalans, El Salvadorans, and Nicaraguans were gunned down by death squads.
Let them fight them. El Salvador has defeated them under a the aegis of a Great Leader who garnered the support of all the best elements of the nation.
Why do we need cowards who won't fight for their own land?
Sanctuary cities was a terrible idea. IT was to get democratic voters. The democrat kept packing them in because they are losing and now they know they are finished. I expect they will put up a fight. They didn't care that people were getting hurt. They wanted the illegal immigration. The republicans were guilty too. Texas and Florida and the precious red states wanted cheap labor. It's their fault most of all.
You don't eat migrant-picked food? No one you know uses Mexican roofing crews? You don't eat in restaurants or sleep in hotels? It is puerile to say that only neocon and progressive reprobates profit from one slave labor market over another.
There are migrant worker programs that allow for seasonal picking, and then they return to their shit-hole country. That's worked in the past; it can work again. They don't have to live here and be on welfare.
Friends of my parents owned a large farm in the Red River Valley. Every year they had several families of migrants come for the harvest. They housed them in shacks out of sight. Every year, when school started and the bus came to pick up the migrant children, she pitched a fit. She hated that even a penny of her tax dollars went to educate those kids, even if it was only for a few weeks.
Sounds like a very selfish person
It's not selfish.
No,
it's inhumane.
Before the end of the good times, Quakers in the north enticed and pamphleteered Southern blacks to leave their plantations and come to the north to work for wages. The blacks worked the fields and gathered in the harvest. When the Fall came, the Quakers handed them their wages and said "we'll see you in the Spring." The blacks said "where do we go now?" Most went back to the South. Some died in the snow.
Giving someone a seasonal job doesn't require the employer to be a permanent caretaker.
You're correct. We should just let them die in the snow. There will be a new crop of workers next year!
It's understandable. It's not taxpayers' responsibility to learn Spanish in order to teach migrant children, and if teachers don't speak Spanish, the children won't learn anything anyway.
I wonder what you'll say when
you and all the other displaced non-aliens
of this country are part of the coming
New American Diaspora as you/they spread
around the world and are treated as you
would treat these powerless kids you
treat like trash under your feet.
I lived in this state for years. I was friends with migrant workers. The out-of-control immigration hurt the people that were here with the migrant program. Some of these people stayed. I know them. They became legal citizens. Their country was made unbearable by out-of-control drug cartels and out of control immigration. Texas and Florida benefited the most and only started to care in the last 8 years. They wanted it they egged it on for the almighty dollar. The country is paying the higher prices in tax, crime and the diminishment of quality of life.
Astonishing chronology.
I do. That's my neighborhood and I was here first. BTW the Californians that created that in California and moved, can move again. This is not a problem you can outrun. They are moving again. I hear they are headed to warmer weather. IT's been below zero here for a week. The Texans are building apartments in sanctuary cities. REmember they benefited the most from the cheap labor.
Then you have made it your problem! You should have taken care of it long before it became the problem that it is. Stop making excuses.
Sorry about the global warming, BTW.
What do you think we been doing for the last 4 years? Donald Trump was not elected by magic. I hope the swarm of locusts move to your neighborhood and then you can see how it is. BTW Florida, the bastion of red states, has homeless encampments too. Rural Florida schools SUCK! Texas SUCKS! I don't forget how they benefited from the cheap labor and then only started to give a shit in the last 8 years.
Market is becoming bi-polar, tech jobs and “flipping burgers”. As the tech jobs become more intricate and AI takes away human jobs (forget learning to code) less people are needed. The Dems used the grift noted to put people into bullshit jobs, and DOGE is quickly finding them and eliminating them. A word of warning to the Trumpers, you better come up with a plan to re-hire them into meaningful jobs. Obama wanted a service economy and the Dems kept the public quiet by giving minimum wage scales at $20 and above. Been to a restaurant lately? That gift is over and we have equalized with $10 burgers and $16 breakfasts. That grift has run its course. Biden’s MOb’s gift was the NGOs as mentioned, paying people for doing nothing. Hmmm,, remember UBI? Andrew Yang’s contribution in 2020. What we are seeing is a nice preview of a UBI world. Biden promised the oil and pipeline workers that jobs would be created by renewable energy sources, in the sun belt. What happened? The border opened up, the Sun Belt job market became flooded and Mexico is much closer to Arizona, et al than North Dakota is. As usual, the Dems created an non-winnable situation which they hid with the bullshit situation JHK has brought out this morning.
The "service economy" Obama talked about was a real "head scratcher" for me. I thought he envisioned us becoming a country of lawyers, accountants, and waiters. It never made sense to me.
The book publishing grift JHK points out is a major "eye opener."
Where in AZ does one find a $10 burger? Not here in Prescott. Maybe the single at McDonalds, but a proper one at any sit down restaurant will set you back $20. The 2-egg breakfast is spot on at $16 and on up. What’s $5 for two little strips of bacon as an add on?
Other essentials: $10 for a 6-pack of any reasonable beer. Ammo? Hell, $1.50 a round for any magnum pistol and $0.50 for 5.56.
If you ain’t cooking at home and reloading yer shit, than you’re either pretty well off, or scraping to pay the rent.
Biden’s legacy…
Took my wife and daughter out for a Saturday morning breakfast at a local Denny's. I remember when a "grand slam" cost $4.50. You got two eggs, a sausage link, a slice of bacon, hashbrowns and two butter milk pancakes. Today? $16.50. Plus tip, breakfast at once affordable Denny's cost me over $64.00. What does this do to the economy? Well, for starters it means I don't go out to eat nearly as often as I used to. Going out to eat now has been limited to very special occasions.
Remember the $5 foot longs at Subway? Now a footlong chicken and bacon ranch on flat bread costs nearly $13.00 and the workers are always stingy on the addings. I always have to ask them to put more on the sammich.
Thank God I stopped drinking a long time ago.
2 eggs for twenty dollars is los angeles price.
Bottle of Jim Beam 1.7 L still 2999
I spent $30 the other day for 3 eggs, 4 pieces of bacon, Sausage patty, hashbrowns, coffee and half a waffle.
I pigged out and took some home.
With tip $35 out the door.
Egg breakfast for two pushing $100. Ahhhh, what wonderful times we are living in. FJB.
Bird flu?
A 60 pack of eggs now costs $34.00 at Winco Foods. The claim it is the ongoing bird flu. Personally, I think the chickens are striking and want double the salary. But that's just me.
I just picked up 2 dozen at Aldi for $5.99. So weird.
People don’t get they are conditioning our behavior. They push us toward third world-type grocery stores where eggs are cheaper. The rich shop at Whole Foods.
Same high prices long before bird flu arrived.
I'm a Luddite...I haven't been out to eat in awhile.
Minnetonkan.
Did you mean "killing off laying hens for a failed ag system"?
Generally when a country is drowning in economic stagnation and political angst, the answer is always a good war.
Yes, we are on that course you can see it building.
Target Iran or North Korea or even both.
It won't be China or Russia not, yet they are down the road we need to get some more drone weapons systems online.
Just head on over to MSN and look at all the war footing preparation.
Yes! More war! Bomb the shit out of women and children half a world away!
Ben's a lost cause.
Lost because I pointed out we are heading towards a war with Iran?
A war Iran seems to want?
A war not of the proxy variety since Iran has used 100's of billions given to it by the creepy Kenyan to prop up groups like Houthis, Hezbollah and Hamas.
A war Israel is building up to but I'm the lost cause.
/rolls eyes
Iran wants a war? My God, but you are unhinged.
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95744459
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95773959
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95776810
You don't pay attention, do you?
Tell us, Ben. How is Iran threatening the USA?
You aren't up on the latest conditions in Iran. IDF bombed the bejesus out of Iran's infrastructure. Latest: enough electricity for either heat or lights, not both. They chose heat. Iran is in shambles and struggling. Has anybody heard a peep out of them lately? If would be on CNN (cyber news network). ONN? (Online News Network) (We need a damn acronym!)
The following substantiates your claim as well:
Why the Fall of Syria Checkmates Russia & Iran
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oytfhLUy0Fg
... so, what is the objective assessment?
My assessment is that the world should assume that the only groups that want war are Israel, the neocons, NATO, those that embrace the 2030 Agenda, and the Globalists. Did I leave anyone out?
The ayatollahs are selling it as a form of “suffering” for Allah? Purely human power complex.
Iran Update, February 21, 2025
NOTE: CTP-ISW will produce the update Monday through Friday beginning February 20, 2025, due to the decrease in military activity in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon and the defeats of Hamas and Hezbollah. We will resume daily, seven-day coverage if circumstances change. CTP-ISW will notify our readers when we resume seven-day coverage. CTP-ISW will continue to produce daily Syria maps. We will publish weekend Syria maps on Mondays. We will cover and assess Axis of Resistance activities in the Palestinian territories and Lebanon at a less granular level moving forward. We will continue to publish analysis on other key US interests in the region, such as the defeat of ISIS and Syrian stability. We will also continue to adjust our Middle Eastern coverage and make those adjustments clear in response to regional dynamics and priorities, just as we did immediately after Hamas' October 7 attack into Israel and the fall of the Assad Regime.
Key Takeaways:
Iranian Rhetoric: Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari—adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) commander—threatened to attack "all [US] bases and ships in the region" during a speech at the Great Prophet 19 military exercise on February 20.
Hayat Tahrir al Sham and Syrian Democratic Forces Negotiations: Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi said that he and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al Shara agreed on “general principles” but still disagree on “practical details,” which likely refers to the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army.
Syrian Constitution: The Syrian Preparatory Committee continued “dialogue sessions” for Raqqa, Hasakah, and Rif Dimashq provinces in Damascus on February 21.
Iraqi Politics: The United States reportedly threatened to sanction the Iraqi federal government if it prevents the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) from resuming oil exports.
Syria
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) commander Mazloum Abdi said that he and Syrian Interim President Ahmed al Shara agreed on “general principles” but still disagreed on “practical details,” which likely refers to the integration of the SDF into the Syrian army.[1] Abdi told The Guardian on February 21 that he and Shara agreed to keep Syria unified during the leaders’ last meeting in early January.[2] Abdi said that he and Shara still disagree on the “practical details,” including “the tools for us to work together” and the “timeline.”[3] Abdi is likely referring to the specific mechanisms for SDF integration into the Syrian army. An SDF commander said on February 18 that the SDF and the governing body in northeast Syria agreed to merge their forces into the Syrian Defense Ministry.[4] Abdi has not yet publicly confirmed such an agreement. Abdi’s demand that the SDF integrate as a “bloc” was one of the main sticking points of negotiations in the past two months, and it is unclear if either side has moderated their demands on this issue. Abdi also told The Guardian that the “Turkish intervention” was hurting negotiations.[5] CTP-ISW has previously noted that Abdi is unlikely to give up the SDF‘s ability to defend Kurdish areas against active attacks by Turkey and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).[6]
Turkish aircraft struck the SDF along the eastern bank of the Euphrates River on February 21. Turkish aircraft struck SDF positions east of Jarabulus.[7] Turkey has repeatedly struck SDF positions across the Euphrates River from Jarabulus since February 12.[8]
Turkey continued to strike SDF positions near Qara Qozak Bridge on February 21. Turkish aircraft struck several SDF positions near Sarrin, likely to isolate SDF units at the bridgehead west of the Qara Qozak Bridge.[9]
Anti-SDF media claimed that Turkish drones struck an SDF checkpoint near al Kasrat, south of Raqqa, on February 21.[10]
The Turkish Defense Ministry announced on February 21 that it killed 8 “PKK” fighters in northwestern Syria.[11] Turkey routinely conducts strikes targeting the "PKK” in northern Iraq and Syria, but it commonly conflates the PKK and the SDF.
I understand the path that led you to these conclusions. Most of the posters here don’t. They are not as well informed.
Excellent write up on the complexities leading up to escalation of war in the region.
https://mwi.westpoint.edu/keeping-the-middle-east-on-edge-why-iran-threatens-to-retaliate-against-israel-and-why-it-has-not-yet-done-so/
https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/04/19/israel-iran-war/
And Lebanon just told Iran that it can take its war with Israel somewhere else.
https://news.northeastern.edu/2024/04/19/israel-iran-war/
Good on Lebanon!
Your meaning, please?
I replied to your comment before you edited it. Would like to hear further input from you.
Look at that Phil got a like.
Good for you some idiot clicked your likey button glow in the dopemine hit.
Hey Phil in order for a war to happen the other side needs to give cause.
Manufactured cause could happen, but many people have finally caught onto those kinds of dirty tricks.
Iran has also directly engaged in bombing the shit out of women and Children twice now but again this clod ignores this simple fact.
Never mind technology rendered their attack toothless they tried and their best effort was pretty pathetic.
As has Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen and just yesterday Hamas in Israel.
War happens, murder happens, kidnappings happen the other side engages in all this is it to just be ignored and for how long?
You really are a special kind of stupid.
I have had Iranian tech shot at the ship I was riding last August and again in November by the Iran backed Houthis.
Never mind their tech is so bad the actual missile landed in the next time zone we still got painted with Infrared and launched at.
Their pathetic drones got shot down at least five miles out.
Iran arms and funds them.
Iran is directly involved in proxy wars and is threatening all-out war if anyone targets their efforts to build nuclear devices.
Yes, they fight back, sometimes effectively. As when they crushed the Israeli invasion of Lebanon a generation ago. What's happening this time? There's a news blackout, so I imagine the Israeli invasion has stalled out.
In Iraq, Iranian missiles destroyed various nests of anti-Iranian terrorists.
Another excellent essay by Mr. Kunstler this week which cites names of people and entities and money.
I like it, though I have lamented, and continue to lament, the lack of objectivity and facts regarding Palestine in CFN essays. Just think, if Mr. Kunstler lifted the carpet and shone his (still, at his age) formidable journalistic spotlight on the crimes of the Israeli state against Palestinians, and even the several ISRAELIS, military and civilian, which the IDF deliberately killed on OCT 07, to ensure they were not captured by Hamas. I repeat my request for JHK to host Max Blumenthal on a Kunstlercast.
I did not plan to bring the topic up, since EPA is not related to Palestine.
However, since Ben is going to loudly bray about the splinter in Iran's eye, vs the LOG in Israel's, I want to share a real story that the US media, mainstream and alternative, has quietly not reported.
All you CFNers can bet your a$$ that if two Jews or Israelis were gunned down in the US, Drudge and MSN, etc, would be all over it. Isn't that right?
Well, two Israelis were WERE gunned down, in Miami, on Feb 16, according to The Guardian (w..theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/17/miami-shooting-israeli-men). Seventeen shots fired at them. The Israelis survived! They took to Facebook to whine about anti-Semitism.
Yet I heard or read nothing, Why? Because the alleged perpetrator, one Mordechai Brafman, 27, is Jewish.
While in custody, Brafman spontaneously told detectives that while he was driving his truck, “he saw two Palestinians and shot and killed both”, arrest documents said.
A lot of people (correctly) point out media bias concerning crime-non-white defendants' race or ethnicity is painted out. Even though statistically black-on-white crime is far more common than white-on-black, wee you know.
That's how it is with the Middle East. Israel is perfect, even as Israelis slaughter tens of thousands of Palestinians, and displace millions, but Iran is the aggressor and threat to peace. according to the media and some here.
Another one to busy covering for the mullahs.
Do they cut you a check or are you just a shite ass licker?
May God bless you with wisdom.
Lugh are you stupid enough to believe Iran is the good guy in all this?
There are no good guys engaged in the Middle East right now everyone over there is doing something bad.
At last you admit Israel is committing atrocities?
Nope they are fighting a war which includes killing people even sometimes people that should not have died but that is the problem with fighting wars good people die along with the badies.
That is how wars are fought or are you just stupid?
To my knowledge Israelis are not kidnapping and then strangling babies.
Nor are they having parties while returning dead babies.
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95744459
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95773959
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95776810
____
"There are no good guys engaged in the Middle East right now everyone over there is doing something bad." ~ Ben
What about in 1948?
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95744459
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95773959
https://www.kunstler.com/p/funny-money/comment/95776810
We may see kinetic action in Panama. China is not backing off as willingly as we're being told.
Do we really think that China is just going to kowtow to USA demands? Maybe a while ago, but thanks to Biden’s Mob, primarily, China does not fear us at all anymore.
Is there a good war?
No war is "good." I would argue that some war is "necessary." We here in America have an enormous military sized group of people invading our borders. A necessary war would be to eliminate all of these people and send them packing, in defense of our homes and culture. An unnecessary war is like the one in Afghanistan. I don't give a fuck about Afghanistan, Iraq, Gaza, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Germany, Korea, and just about every other nation our army has planted itself.
The only time war is necessary is when it involves protecting and defending ourselves from an aggressive enemy. Most of the time, if not all of the time, the USA seems to be the aggressor.
Would you rather try to stop the constant incursions of other world powers at the border? Or over there? Biden did neither one and we are where we are now. The organization of the millions of illegal immigrants has just started. I hope Trump can send them home without much bloodshed. The Dems just about destroyed American autonomy.
In other words, you don't believe America should exist or any other nation since all are created and maintained by force or the threat thereof.
Putting words in my mouth?
Yes, there is a good war. A Cold War where blustering and bullshit on both sides cancel each other out. Would there ever be hot war if the politicians were silenced?
Just showing you the implications of your words. You say 2+3 and I say 5. You get offended......
It all depends on your perspective.
The winners think it's great, the losers not so much.
As was the case w/ WW2, but first we have to go through Great Depression 2.
WW2 was a good war?
No war is a good war, Tony.
You're a good little guy. I'm glad you've found a friend.
Yup, Jarek...I like all my computer buddies, even you.
LOL!
Jarek, is that you? Why did you change your name?
Because he keeps pissing Jim off who then bans him but he keeps coming back.
Just like Majella who is now busy posting here and there but apparently has learned to tone it down a bit.
Wait, what? Who are you? Where are we? What is this?
Whose wine? What wine?
Where the hell did I dine?
Must have been a dream
I don't believe where I've been
Come on, let's do it again
Why is it mother police state’s problem that crooked rent seekers jigs come up? That projection of some universal human right for everyone to be fully employed at the 95th income percentile is demented.
The AI coder myth is another propaganda ploy. It has similar intentions of claiming technology is out to get you. It isn’t. It ain’t that smart. But there are sinister beings that will use that idea to justify enslaving you in 15 min city hovels.
You are much more dangerously threatened by bureaucrats and their fanged sheeple than by skynet. As intrusive as government monitoring of consumer networks is now, those databases can’t kill. But your neighbor’s Maoist struggle sessions will.
Well said. Elon and Trump have no viable vision either, but Elon does have a horrific one. Destroying the Democrat grifters are making people forget this all important issue.
You are right. Musk has a vision all right. To make the government as grift free as possible. You should be worshipping his efforts as maybe you might find that benevolent government you have been looking for.
Ha!
Great question. Honestly, I don’t know what kind of productive work these grifters can get. Retail? No. Manufacturing? No. Roofing, drywalling, or concrete work? No. Babysitting? No. Customer service? No. Farming? No? Nursing or caregiving? No. Seasonal crop picking? No. I also cannot think of anyone who would hire them. 🤷♀️
I understand there’s coming a real shortage of blueberry and lettuce pickers.
Massage with happy ending or Starbucks barrista.
The other option is the universal income some people were just designed to sit on the couch all day and watch TEEVEE.
Sell them in Hillary's Libyan slave markets...
A bit harsh, but they WILL be of some use to someone.
All profits to the Border Patrol.
Indeed it will be hard to find these grifters productive work. What does one do with hundreds and thousands of unemployed lawyers?
Nothing because lawyers are useless. Out of all the useless professions that exist, lawyers take the crown. They produce absolutely nothing. They take, take and then take some more. Once I received a settlement from a class action lawsuit involving a telecommunications company in my region. The settlement was for a billion or so dollars. Guess what I got? $2.54. In a check. They acted like I should roll out the red carpet and thank them for their efforts in getting me enough money to barely pay for a Snickers. The "loyas" probably took 3/4 of the billions and bought themselves beach houses in Costa Rica and divided up the rest among us poor schmucks, millions of us. Lawyers thrive on other's misfortune and misery and profit from failure and accident. The most utterly useless profession and one of the most destructive forces on our modern society. They can't do anything but argue and most can't even do that very well. So, they end up in politics. They end up as lawmakers corrupting the law to the point that we must have "loyas" to interpret the fucking law they just wrote.
There is so much wrong in this goddamned country and there is nobody there to fix it. Trump? Musk? I'm enjoying the show now but will it last? Who knows.
Supply and demand. Too damn many of the “locusts” around and they are in a position of control. Like their politician sect, when they do not have enough to do, they make stuff up. The TV ads are disgusting. Why does Congress et al make up new laws, or create investigations? Make work!!
The answer? A good start!
Cannon fodder in a good war?
I agree, these grifters are the worst!!! However, if you look at America in particular, and the West in general, many (most) people are not engaged in productive work. Many people make good money "pushing paper" -- that is creating or obtaining data, creating reports, to micromanage or help others micromanage the people who ARE engaged in constructive work, like essential workers or doctors or nurses. Many play with FIRE (Finance, Insurance, Real Estate).
We are in dire straits. Denying the White House to Biden/Harris, and electing Trump was an absolute prerequisite to slowing the rampant decline, but we are still headed toward an inevitable reckoning.
Pity the poor sucker that does hire them!
What do you mean that I have to do actual work! My last job didn’t require it. I am applying for the No Show Position!
They can learn new skills while making small rocks out of big rocks. Cleaning sewers by hand etc..
Unfortunately much of that green has already left the building. The grifters are rolling in it
Thats what the clawback option is all about.
Or their assets can be seized since they all knew what they were doing was wrong and illegal.
Seize their assets and all of the property. Put them on the street to fight it out with the druggies. Sell all that they own, every last dime, and refund it to the taxpayers from whom it was stolen. Let them see it. Let them feel it. Let them know it. But alas, tis a dream. Tis only a dream.
Claw it back!
Job, ja. Preferably making license plates.
Bring back gladiator fights to the death on pay-per-view??
Perhaps against lions or bears?
They can learn how to code!
🤣🤣🤣
They won't need jobs when they will all hopefully be in prison.
We can only hope 👍👍
They can get a prison job. The pay sucks, but they get three hots and a cot.
I believe Leavenworth has a prison garden. The pay sucks, but it’s good, honest work. Plus, they already got their pay.
It's my understanding that there will be plenty of opportunities in the fruit and vegetable picking space.
Sadly they won't need real jobs if they avoid jail time they have enough millions to "retire" early.
They won't if they get identified they will lose them millions really quick and probably everything else.
Lol, do you think these “people” don’t have offshore accounts under multiple shell companies?
Well, when they went after Joe Biden and family he had 24 different shell companies.
It can be figured out if someone chooses to do so.
Remember it's all electronic now.
All banks report even foreign ones.
FinCen knows all its just really slow and clunky.
https://fincen.gov/
At (criminal) law, the redress is forfeiture.
“green” good deeds,” like greenbacks being deposited for the benefit of the ‘do-gooder’
As a born and bred citizen of the Great State of Georgia, nothing would make me happier than Snaggletooth Stacey spending a few years in Federal Prison. . . Before her next failed attempt at running for Governor.
Get on a seesaw with her and you'll stay high forever.
Remember good ol' Marion Barry that ran DC from his fed prison cell? Surely, Stacey is more strongherly situated for a jail cell victory this time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Barry
Forgot that affirmative action game that no one could question…
And she won't mind the bologna sandwich diet...
She might lose that girlish figure tho...
OMG! How many would lose their essential jobs from that?!?
Richard J Daley ran a well-oiled machine in Chicago way back when.
Lyndon Johnson had something similar going down in Texas about the same time.
The Clintons in Arkansas, Pelosis in CA, all birds of a feather.
Biden & Family took their lessons to heart, raised the ante to the national level while dancing to the tune of 'Hope and Change' during the early part of this century, the Podestas quietly doing the choreography in the background since the '80's.
A multitude of grifters all, feeding off the bloat of a bureaucracy enabled by tax dollars redirected into the pockets of loyalists behind the doors of offices nation-wide.
Let's hope the lesson has been learned this time. We may not last long if it hasn't.
Only way for lessons to be learned is the DETERRENCE of jail time and all assets seized for taxpayers reparations.
We want our money back and or not pay Federal Taxes at these rates going forward our Government can’t be trusted.
Something has to give.
Not fun having your pocket picked by your Representatives for their benefit.
We do need to save some money,trials & incarceration is expensive. If the shoe was on the other foot does anyone really they would "let bygones be bygones"?
Don't pay your taxes and you end up losing everything you own or end up in prison. Not an option for most people, unfortunately. I wish it were but the Federal leviathan is still potent and powerful.
Yes you are right the Leviathan can and will crush anybody... just try 'em.
I can see the need for a branch of special prosecutors and a crack team of financial investigators to start climbing through those slush funds and Cayman island banks.
FinCen is hardly enough to deal with this job.
Exactly. And every other place where people can squeeze in some grift.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Which is why people so loudly complaining about the US cutting expenses and waste are so disingenuous.
Don't say "disingenuous". Say "dishonest hypocritical thieves". Let's use honest words to bring back honest times.
Democrats all rotten all corrupt as hell.
So are Republicans, Ben. The difference is the Republicans give lip service to good principles but when in power they do the same thing the Democrats do. Spend, print, spend, print, spent, print, spend, print. Oh, yeah, raise the idiotic debt ceiling.
No such thing as Republican any more. The bums are in process of being removed with MAGA arising. MAGA will destroy the Deep State, hopefully, as the DS is who you should be throwing stones at.
I heard a great quote from Kash yesterday. He wants to shut down the FBI building and re-open it as a Museum for the Deep State. This guy rocks!!!!
No more foreign aid either. That includes Is-Ra-El.
Want to make a wager Israel gets billions a year to stamp out Hamas and Hezbollah while being a major thorn in the side to Iran.
Iran is the cat turd left moldering in the corner for far too long.
Depending on one's outlook either a dismal failure or great success in American foreign policy.
I like that. You sound like an isolationist today, Lugh! I like it a lot. Let's have open trade with our neighbors but tell them to go pound sand when it comes to treaties and money.
That does not work. Hopes have been dashed with the proponents of NAFTA and USMCA as China has economically undercut the good parts of both. Ask the question, do Canada and Mexico dislike the USA so much they are allowing the Chinese to undercut America? IMHO, absolutely.
Ever play King of the Mountain?
Open trade should be for stuff we cannot manufacture ourselves. As with everything, America First. Screw those that want to knock us off the mountain.
Ben, I am not saying you are wrong, I would just add that I am sure that there is a whole host of corruption going on by people with an R behind their name. I wonder what the net worth of McConnell is as well as about 90% of the rest of the Rs and Independents. Does Susan Collins or her "sister" from Alaska look to you to be genius'? I would bet their stock picking gives them pretty amazing results and my guess is that their net worth is way more than what you can accumulate on the Senate salary-----probably the same for the majority of the Rs in the House as well as 95% of the Dem/Marxists.
No arguments from me but got to start somewhere.
Democrats are the most openly corrupt group.
I know of two people prosecuted for having their beak in the trough.
A war hero Duke Cunningham and some low level Democrat.
Collins and Murkowsky are solid arguments for Lugh in his misogynist statements. I notice a direct correlation of logic between them and Kamala. Mc Connell is an old woman, anyway. Trump represents an Alpha male approach to running the country and history says that is the best. Unless you like the idea of Amerika.
Nice recap!
By any name, “the Blob” or what have you, government in the “United States of America” is a “criminal enterprise” “organized crime,” “racketeering.” In sum, the parasitic infestation of the body politic (fully integrated web of political machines, state and federal and beyond) — existing solely for themselves: for plunder and profit.
Daley wasn't in it for the money but he liked being the "Boss". His elections were rigged and corruption was all around but he lived in the old hood and walked to church on Sunday. The skyline of the city and the runways at O'hare airport are his legacy. As the city was being rebuilt, from the Gold Coast to Sears Tower, it provided hundreds of thousands of life changing jobs for the people. His son however took some bank from a Japanese hotel chain or something. Now Chicago is in major decline with a school union boss in charge and people and companies are fleeing just like in NY or Cali. The average person in these places would be fine with corruption if garbage was picked up and fire hydrants had water and their kids got a okay education. The party is over and there is no 'New World' to run to. Ironically Trump and Elon like being the "Boss' to. They already made bank and just love the country. MAGA !!
So, Ukraine is allegedly the most corrupt nation on earth. May I proudly offer the U.S. as potentially the most corrupt, immoral, and decadent. Lots of good and even great people, but the problem is the overwhelming blob of miscreants and outright thieves that plague our country. Under the Demoncraps, the quality of everything has markedly decreased, including food, medicine, and just about everything we depend on for our survival and sustenance. The Trump Presidency may be the last chance we have to save this once-great nation. If not, there are many out there who would take us over in a heart beat, survival of American citizens optional.
Yes. American deep state, Nuland and Obama, manipulated Ukraine and pressured Russia to react. Putin was quite measured and diplomatic. We lied about the Maidan treaty, NATO on his haunches, biolabs on the border.
Really, doesn't the "most corrupt" migrate from one nation to another, as Satan attacks one people, then moves on to another? Before this USA, it was the USSR. That government gave new meaning to the word "corruption" in its day. It's all the same. There is nothing new under the Sun.
Please send this message to Lugh, who honestly believes that governments are the key to societal success. Ugh!!!
This country hid its corruption.
Trump brought it out into the light.
Going to say all nations have their fair share some just let it sit out in the open.
Society can have equality or quality, but it can't have both.
Let's see, John Galt. US National debt at $36 trillion or more. Any other nation with that kind of debt? I know Japan is in a bad way but nowhere near this number. Yeah, I say the evidence is clear. The USA is by far the most corrupt and debauched nation on this planet right now. It has been for a long time, longer than I have been alive and I am 50.
Re: Debt… it’s all the Pentagons debt
https://x.com/SenseReceptor/status/1893430408043257919
Totally agree!
However, from 1946 to 1963 (with SEVERAL caveats), the USA was the greatest nation, with the most opportunity, ever, for ordinary people of modest means willing to work to get ahead.
Even though that's before I was born, the optimism of that era (not just in movies) is what US politicians have been selling since 1972.
As you observe, I agree, America was corrupt then. However, a confluence of historical factors and economic realities made America great. The interests of the US ELITE ALIGNED WITH THE INTERESTS OF THE US MIDDLE, UPPER MIDDLE, AND WORKING CLASS.
These historical factors started to shift in the mid-60s, were shaken by 1973. as the pie stopped growing enough (nothing grows forever), for both the powerful and the masses to have more. That climate was totally gone by 1980, when the clouds were forming that created conditions where the elites' interests are OPPOSED to those of middle and working Americans. That is where we have been my entire adult life (60) (and yours).
I must say that I'm totally down with rooting out these traitors in congress, but wonder what Trump has on all those never Trump RINOS that has caused them to back all of his nominees. Both parties need to clean house and take out the trash. Mitch stepping down is a good start.
I think Mitch does more "falling down" than "stepping down." The "walker brigade" seems afraid to leave... and have for quite awhile. Case in point: Diane Feinstein. Kamala appears to be another. Some people say they cling to power. I disagree. It's fear.
Yes, Mitch McConnell and his good buddy Mike Pence. Pence in the news yesterday with TDS. Still stabbing Trump in the back after all this time.
Mitch McConnell is a walking corpse. The fact that that man is still in office is pathetically sad. Retire. Enjoy the end of years. So addicted to power and grift that he can't get away to enjoy what few years he has left.
Once he does retire he'll be like Utah's Orrin Hatch. He retired after decades in the Senate and was dead a year of two later. Evil greed and grift keep these old suckers going. They can't live without it.
He backed the wrong horse! A Christian without any principles just "beliefs".
As previously mentioned, the “old” party system is dying, Dem and GOP is passé. New parties , the American (MAGA) center right and the Dems at Far Left for now. One note, if the Dems do not create a new appeal and locate at center Left, they are finished. The Trinamic Trio on the blog will have no home to cry in.
As ever you can only see two, one good, one evil. But your good is not good and your evil is not evil. Think of driving: Is right good and left evil? You'll go right off the road and into the gully or sidewalk.
You are wrong. The Left is evil and personifies it very well. The big difference is that the Left wants to destroy what America is and the MAGA folks want to preserve it. We just went through four years of government of the Mob, by the Mob and for the Mob. That is damned enough.
Fascists and Socialist two left hands that hate each other.
I’ve wondered the same thing. The Stacy Abrams don’t only exist on the left. I wonder if there’s a promise not to “find” certain someones’ grift. I hope not. I want them all exposed. But Trump is the great negotiator. You can be sure he’s made some sort of a deal.
Claw it all back! Once they are all convicted! Seems as if I heard somewhere that “no one is above the law”.
Politicians are. Tony Fauci is. Hillary Clinton is. Oh, yes, there are many who are above the law. They are called the elites.
I hate and despise elitism in all of its forms. No human is better than another. They all shove food into their pieholes the same way and they all take a shit the same way, regardless of their wealth and prestige.
The exposure of the misdeeds over the past 4 years has shed light on what many knew but could never prove...even today...nothing has been "proven"...until people are held accountable and, if guilty, put in jail...all of these DOGE Headlines are just that, Headlines...Ys, Americans are tired of the waste...tired of the corruption...just fucking tired of being fucked...So, when those who are accountable go to jail...many will feel some form of justice...until then these DOGE headlines will flourish in the headlines and, once challenged, will spend years in court...and by the next Administration, they will reverse all said regulations...Vicious Circle of nothing more than Headlines...
Trump needs to create a sub-cabinet under Labor to deal with job creation, legitimate job creation. Hint, return manufacturing to the USA.
I disagree, JohnAZ. Government should not be involved in job creation. Government needs to de-regulate everything and stay the fuck out of businesses. Let the private market prevail. Competition will encourage innovation and discourage high prices. More than anything, I just want government to just go away. Just disappear. I'm so sick of other flawed human beings standing on a made up pedestal and making themselves the rulers of me and mine because......welll because the said so. Or, the won a popularity contest. Either way, I'm sick of all government and I just want it to disappear.
We do not disagree. Note “legitimate job creation” as in return manufacturing, policies need to be set in the Feds for a good economic environment, including dealing with labor. The federal government has not created a job ever that was not an economic liability. They are a sink, not a source. $36 trillion worth.
AI=UBI. And that's the best scenario. The others is just to kill all of us by "letting" us die.
So? Therefore? Is it not obvious?
Forbid the development of AI if you are against UBI or an engineered mass die off.
Forbid the development of AI, and any nation that pursues it will eat US for lunch.
Those that do will have embraced suicide. A Nation's wealth is its people.
"A Nation's wealth is its people.", but as you imply, it's people need to be appraised and managed.
"The early bird gets the worm." "Birds of a feather flock together."
We all come preprogrammed to "game the system", otherwise we would not come into being. Capitalism equates to freedom and appeals to our human nature. The man made format for life, as with most any game, comes to an end. Don't you think that the current date with "suicide" could be put off if "The System" had been managed better? Is it possible that a new AI efficient format for life, coupled with a return to morality, could put off the day of reckoning; or will a lifetime of conditioning require a War and/or a Great Depression, before US citizens will embrace a new format for life?
Ban robots that replace humans. Computers too. Bring back the abacus and mechanical cash register with real cash and coin.
Lugh - Think Mayberry RFD, where each family had a function to fill to serve the community. No damn computers, just people interfacing.
The Butlerian Jihad!
As a fan of Star Trek there was a movie where the Enterprise encountered a race of people who had eschewed technology in favor of a more simple life. Turns out the race of people were sophisticated enough to have warp drive but they chose not to have it. Instead they focused on being master gardeners, artisans, black smiths, and developing skills with their hands and doing the work themselves. It was an interesting show. Almost like finding a galactic enclave of the Amish!
I prefer the one where the beings assumed physical form to teach the humans and the Klingons. They seemed to be simple folk, but they were evolved far beyond us. The leader forbade them to make war saying, As I stand here, I stand upon the home world of the Klingon Empire. Your weapons will not work.
“Insurrection”
Lugh----this was tried in India many years ago. Their leaders banned quite a few modern machines with the object to make jobs. Failed miserably. I believe it was Milton Friedman that said, why ban motorized equipment for building dams and moving earth, why not just make using spoons the tool of choice for moving earth. Takes a lot more people to move a ton of dirt with spoons than with a dozer. Of course each employee is not very productive so you cannot pay them much. India learned this the hard way and a lot of the people there starved in the 50s and 60s.
Uncle Milty didn't believe in the border with Mexico. Borders get in the way of the free flow of good and services - and money! Elon likes Milty. Elon is a globalist too I imagine.
Capitalism per se is anti-nation in its mature or final form. National Socialism has to step in before this stage is reached if the nation is to survive. We missed our stop.
Yeah they tried to build Pyramids without machinery and ended up using mind power to levitate the stones until they got Jewish slaves!
A race of Jedi Knights?
You are going to be proven right if we stay with this current herd of judges and the billable hours lawyers that cling to their current mode of "process" (not the institution/stucture). Look at the mess they made with the J6ers. It is sickening.
Sad, but accurate 😥
Yes. Like my husband always says “Show me the money Jerry”.
Great yet infuriating piece, James.
As @MikeBenzCyber showed us: usaspending.gov
Infuriating.
Excellent analysis. Also keep in mind that some of these organizations were fronts for censorship that the Biden administration and the blob couldn’t legally do themselves. They were censorship proxies. USAID monies show that media companies in and outside the U.S. were granted money to censor and blacklist disfavored media.
See aye hay has done this for decades
Stacey isn't the only problem in Georgia (and several other states). ICE raided a Hyundai plant the other day - illegals scattered like the cockroaches they are. Probably more to come. Plenty of corruption to uncover all the way to the Governor.
Why not go after the employers who are obviously not making sure their employees are legal with legal SS cards?
Shhh! Don't spill the beans. Don't disturb the Trumpster fan boys and girls.
Trump is "angry" at the slow rate of deportation. They'd all go home in a month if you start crushing the people who give them jobs.
Cutoff their welfare, prohibit them from working, they go home. Problem solved. No deportations. No arrests. Eliminate their reason for being here they leave. It's not rocket science. That's why it will never be done.
Hmmm. If their path to the border was paid for by the PTB that are trying to destroy the USA, who is going to pay for their trip home?
How about free rides by the US government back home for all and not just deportees?
There is no equality. The Hispanics are much better workers than the Blacks.
That's not saying much.
Abrams is a FAKE, phony, liar, racist pig!!!
Jabba-the-Hut Abrams - I’d almost forgotten about HER. Just wait until they go after more prominent faces like Clintons, NObummers, et al. 🍿🍿🍿
Abrams aka Queen Milkdud
Interesting she is milk dud shaped but not as nice looking.
We're waiting...
Stacey is talented. She can whistle and lie without opening her mouth.
Refreshing…we can now call a spade a spade.
Pun intended, Miriamnae?
Lerville----you are correct but....unfortunately these words do not properly explain how evil and horrible she really is.
Share some more choice words about Stacy the Abrams Tank
The democrats really tried to push her into office, but she got torched by Governor Kemp.
Is it not time to stop pretending that Mr Biden has been compos enough for years to have had anything to do with it? I guess ya gotta have a name but there's gotta be ACTUAL names -- and crimes -- out there!
He’s always been a criminal, long before his dementia. Those who put him in ‘power’ should be accountable.
Biden’s Grifting started with his Senatorial campaign. He fit right in and kept going, his Families Grift made him the perfect Mark to keep quiet and to help furthering the payola schemes!
Our Representatives and our Government Leaders got greedier and greedier as the years passed, thousands turned into billions and trillions.
It was great for the participants but a fiscal disaster for the victims taxpayers and their country.
The fix will require how we monitor our Government and Representatives going forward!
Our mainstream press is finished too, hiding behind their cut, they willfully committed Journalistic Treason against their fellow countrymen and their Constitutionally protected profession.
Praise GOD and thank HIM for HIS mercy. We have been given a 2nd chance. Keep cleaning house and exposing all their evil intent. We don't want it. Our eyes are opening. GOD is keeping HIS promise. Letter agencies gone. Transparency everywhere. Expose, expose, expose. No more excuses. None. No national security BS. After what Biden, Obama, Bush, Clinton, Johnson, Carter have done. There is no such thing. Protect us by telling the TRUTH.
But, the MAGA revolution will have to come up with jobs of some sort after decimating the Deep State. The lying jobs reports, especially unemployment, will be used by a still Liberal Deep State to undermine Trump. Job destruction is easy, job creation, not so much.
Don't be disheartened. It is going to take a long time. Right now I am trying to install a coffee station in an office building. Putting together a small army of vendors willing to do a small job is exasperating. I need a plumber, drywall team, electrician, casework crew and me the paint touch-up-sink/faucet orderer-hardware (pulls and knobs). The structure of running a business has become too heavy for people to just work and profit. Please wish me luck & patience.
Good luck & success!
You are so brave. I hope you succeed.
There are some really kind and talented workmen. I have been lucky enough to have worked with a few through the course of "The Road to Happiness Is Always Under Construction". I work hard to keep them as efficient as possible and they appreciate it.
God bless you!
Astera, you visit Europe and find that the majority of the economies are small business based. IMHO, the two biggest enemies of the American scene over the years was Sam Walton and William Gates, the Big Box boys.
JAZ is worried about unemployed ex-Swamp losers, LOL.
Between that and constantly worrying about the Democrat party's fate, whose camp are you really in?
You've got issues, dude.
I am worried about every job lost without replacement. Jobs mean independence, they are a positive to the economy, unlike welfare a negative.
Do you think that a uniparty system is best? Uh huh, you are an autocrat at heart. Once the evil is wrung out of the Dems, they will re-formulate to balance the political sphere. No more Deep State uniparty, either side. Right now, the Dems are trash.
Have you joined the Trinamic Trio? Name caller!
Why do people pick on you John? I've never been able to figure it out. Maybe your sincerity is taken for weakness. I always enjoy your comments.
Thanks! They have their opinions and I have mine. I just believe everyone has a right to their opinion. They do not. I try to give out info as I see it presented.
My god, but you're hopeless. Have a nice day.
You can't have a conversation with Astera. She'll just start screaming about kicking you in the balls and punching you in the throat.
Everything is a slam dunk with her. Black and White. No nuance. She a meaner version of you in this respect.
"Everything is a slam dunk with her. Black and White. No nuance. She a meaner version of you in this respect."
LOL! Jaros giveth and Jaros taketh away in the space of a single sentence.
Blessed be the name of Jaros.
She is just nasty. She presents very little to think about.
"Job destruction is easy, job creation, not so much."
Yes, and continuing down the AI and technology path, as it appears Trump is intent on, will just cost millions more jobs. "Efficiency" is the toothpaste that can't be put back in the tube. Its a race to the bottom where the end result is an empty world with one robot simultaneously jacking off and dumping Cheetos into its mouth. What is more "efficient" than nothing at all?
Everything changes all the time, on &on, forever! Nuttin we can do!
Just go with the flow over the falls. Just lay back and think of England. What an inspiring message from Nanette.
You could hope to be ruled by people who care a little bit about the wellbeing of their subjects, but in a proposition nation, a "nation of immigrants," a polyglot boarding house for the world, their only concerns are cheap (or no) labor and the almighty dollar. There was another way, or several other ways, but our leaders were so selfish, and so avaricious, that they sold their posterity for mega yachts, Guatemalan housekeepers and Punjab customer service.
I agree with you. Trump is “fascinated” by Big science, Big pharma and Big AI. I hope he realizes what a downer the combination of the three could be.
Nobody has to "come up with jobs" for anybody. Adults have self-will. If they want a job, they'll find one, or learn a new one, or start a biz. Fed employees who take the buyout will have a LOT of time & free money on their hands to do something useful. If they can't figure it out, well, stupid is tough 🤷
Trying to find a job going into a recession is tough. The DC area, for example, is going to be flooded with resumes in the near future making it hard to get a job equal to the inflated wages the government was paying. The economy breeds jobs, real jobs. Not the government. The government needs to be concerned with setting an environment that is entrepreneurial in nature,, continuously creating new opportunities. Obama sending all the jobs overseas, did not help much. The Dems have concentrated on reducing the job market to make people more dependent on the government.
Give the American Citizen the opportunity to be productive and rewarded for their efforts and not taxed and regulated to the teeth. This plus affordable capital will increase our GDP and the velocity of money that will drive our economy forward creating jobs we need and in industries that don’t yet exist.
We have done it before and been at these types of depths and recovered, we are Americans!
Let’s Roll!
Technology takes jobs. That's the whole point: To save money. Capitalism is despicable in and of itself. It has good points, but they will be paramount only if guided by a strong hand. You can't have Baseball without an Umpire.
No argument, Lugh. The real world question though is who should be the “Umpire”. Certainly not any form of government, the source of all Babylonian evil. So who? Another way of looking at it, who is the Umpire for the three groups running the US government? Who has the final say?
Answers? The free market of pure capitalism and God. IMHO.
Ridiculous. God will sit back and let us destroy ourselves. He works through Men willing to take on the Plutocrats.
The Founders utterly rejected the Libertarian vision. As does Ron Paul.
No, they do not. Like the supposedly dirt-poor illegal aliens who are self-deporting, they can use their millions to fly off to and resettle themselves in another country.
Rebuilding LA is going to take a lot of people. That might be a start.
Tithing decimates my income. Decimation is insufficient. I’m not starving.
Plenty of work programs in jail.
Which just subtracts from the civilian job market.
I was stationed in Newport, RI while in the Navy. I saw the resentment there as the Navy provided competition for the locals in the job market. Eventually, the base was shut down as the locals won the contest.
Rebuilt the Temple! The false Christ will soon reveal Himself. Countless "Christians" and Jews will worship him there and at his other seat, the Vatican.
I think the evil will rise from Rome.
? what do u mean?
Janos --good to see u are alive. what happened to heckler?
Protect us from criminals by doing what El Salvador has done to stop their gangs. Every single one behind bars!
The corruption of the democrat party and it’s parade of parasites, perverts, and buffoons knows no bounds
The only way to restrain government is to cut off the money stream. And it will needs be done severely, quickly and brutally. Eradicating the Income Tax is the first step in that direction. The US must once again, and per the Constitution, be dependent solely on tariffs to sustain itself.
Congress doesn’t have the first idea how to be fiscally responsible. They’ve been feeding at the trough for too long.
Massive, and even painful cuts must be forced upon them, aligned with mechanisms of automatic, instantaneous, and the harshest of consequences and accountability whenever they even begin to remotely drift from the ledger.
Serving in government should become a fearsome place one could ever contemplate serving who lacks conscience or backbone or a brain.
The money spigot needs to be shut down, and the cuts severe.
This is just reality.
And terms must be limited. No more lifetime “service.”
"Serving in government should become a fearsome place one could ever contemplate serving who lacks conscience or backbone or a brain." Agreed! I seethe every time I see pictures of people out protesting their being laid-off from their government "job". People who felt/feel entitled to do (usually) super easy work, have no accountability, get paid a decent salary and a benefits package that would make most CEOs int he private sector envious... all of it provided by money that is stolen out of our paychecks and/or tax money that we must pay under penalty of prison, fines, etc. I mean, come on! I'm not envious of anyone with a government job. Not at all. A good dose of reality has been a long time coming. Government was *never* intended to be a career. It was supposed to be a sacrifice. Civil service... something that most don't even have a clue what the definition of that is anymore. Sorry for the rant. Loved your comment. :)
Well said!👍👍👍
👍😉