Have you ever wondered about missing time? I have. What was going on when you are unable to remember things? Like when you are in deep sleep, sedation, or completely “blacked out”.
Yeah.
I wrote about how I was surprised during my retirement, that compartmentalized personalities manifested during my retirement sequence at the ADC Pine Bluff. And of course, the DM explained to me what some of them were and what triggered them. Sigh.
I suppose that might make me dangerous if some evil, sadistic fuck wanted to mess with me. That’s why I am in the safety of China. It is darn difficult for someone to trigger this kind of personality encroachment upon myself. Phew!
Never the less. It is disturbing.
You know, I take this to mean that MKULTRA actually generated results and they have been utilized and applied to various members of the SAP organizational tier to include myself. From the 1980s onwards.
Makes you think.
I need a drink.
Have you ever been deeply insulted by someone?
There was one memorable attempt.
After my father died, my mom got increasingly difficult and frequently outright nasty to any convenient target.
At one point, I made a suggestion about a way to improve her quality of life — I think I was recommending a speakerphone.
Mom turned on me and said in her most acidic voice: “You’ll never be the man your father was!”
I was startled, but oddly, I went to a very calm, centered place, and said simply: “Nobody could.”
That stopped her in her tracks — a rare event. She looked at me for a moment, and just gave me a brief nod.
For that one moment, we had been fully connected in our memories, admiration, and mourning for someone we both loved.
And for that moment, we rose above all our differences.
She continued to be problematic, but she never used that line again.
The Slob Arrives at NATO Summit; 300,000 NATO Troops Placed on “Alert”
World Hal Turner 11 July 2023
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at the ongoing NATO Summit this morning about 10:45 AM EDT. Wearing his typical green army shirt as he exited his limo, spectators were overheard commenting “The Slob has arrived.”
Before Zelensky’s arrival, NATO bigshot Jens Stoltenberg told assembled media that NATO has agreed to put 300,000 troops on “Stand-by” alert. “This includes air and naval assets” he added.
On the Ukraine issue, NATO allies have agreed to simplify the process of Ukraine’s entry into the North Atlantic Alliance, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said. Nearby Observers remarked that this had to be done because Ukraine is so retarded, they cannot get through the normal 2-step process of entering NATO.
“We reiterated that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agreed to cancel the requirements for an action plan for membership in the alliance. This will change the path for Ukraine to join NATO, instead of a two-stage process, it will be a one-stage process,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Vilnius.
According to Stoltenberg, the NATO summit also agreed on the establishment of a Ukraine-NATO council, as well as a multi-year support program aimed at bringing the Ukrainian Armed Forces up to NATO standards.
As leaders covened above, The Bulgarian PM basically said that NATO is at war with Russia.
Nikolai Denkov told Sky News: “We are in a full-fledged war so when you have a war the treaties are important, but it’s even more important to have success on the battlefield”.
He said decisions made around cluster bombs are “politically sensitive”, but added that he did not want to go “deeper into the topic.” (HT Remark: Of course they don’t; Most NATO Countries are Signatories to the Oslo treaty banning Cluster Munitions. They say they don’t agree with the transfer (wink, wink).
In addition, Germany is to announce an aid package with a total cost of about 600 million euros after lunch at the NATO summit. The new package includes:
- Several Patriot launchers and other surface-to-air weapons from the Bundeswehr stockpile.
- Additional Marder BMPs
- Leopard 1 tanks
- Demining equipment
- About 20,000 artillery shells
- Shells for Leopard tanks
- Several drones for reconnaissance.
Macron confirms media reports saying that France has sent SCALP long-range missiles to Ukraine. They have a range of 300 km
What is an experience you had at a car dealership you’ll never forget?
I was returning from FL to IL on Labor Day weekend I was about 30 yo I had my wife and 2yo son with me in an old minivan. The transmission went out about 40 miles south of Nashville. I’m a construction worker and my wife was laid off so money was really tight. We found a dealership to tow the minivan to it was early afternoon on the Saturday before Labor Day and there was only the sales manager left at the dealership. This guy goes way above and beyond he get a mechanic to verify what we knew. The minivan is shot. Shows us great little cheap almost new car then gives me a ride to the Nashville airport to get a rental because I didn’t think I could get that car. On the way he invited us to his house Sunday for dinner after church since we were going to have to wait until Monday to do something about the minivan. After Sunday dinner we go back to the dealership and I buy the car but of course no paperwork can be processed he tells me it will be fine take the car and Tuesday the paperwork will go through. I let him know I’m gonna put a lot of miles on this car getting home what if I can’t get that loan? He says it’ll be ok. Go home and he is positive it will be fine. It was fine and I’ll never forget how that guy treated me and my family.
America is COMING TO AN END…
Absolutely SPOT ON. -MM
Chris Hedges has expressed deep concerns about the decline of America in various aspects.
He believes that the United States is facing a crisis on multiple fronts, including political, economic, social, and moral dimensions.
Here are some key points he has made regarding the decline of America: Political Dysfunction: Hedges criticizes the corrupting influence of money in politics, the rise of corporate power, and the erosion of democratic institutions.
He argues that political leaders prioritize corporate interests over the needs of the general population, leading to a loss of faith in the political system.
Economic Inequality: Hedges highlights the significant wealth disparity in the United States and its negative consequences for society.
He argues that the concentration of wealth among the elite has resulted in the impoverishment and marginalization of large segments of the population.
Cultural Decay: Hedges laments the decline of cultural values, intellectual depth, and the rise of a shallow consumerist culture.
He criticizes the prevalence of celebrity culture, the degradation of public discourse, and the erosion of critical thinking.
Imperialism and Endless Wars: Hedges is highly critical of American imperialism and its military interventions around the world.
He argues that these interventions drain the nation’s resources, cause immense suffering, and contribute to the decline of America’s moral standing.
Environmental Crisis: Hedges raises concerns about the environmental crisis, including climate change and ecological degradation.
He argues that the failure to address these issues adequately further accelerates America’s decline.
Hedges often calls for resistance, grassroots movements, and a reawakening of civic responsibility as potential remedies to address the decline of America.
Huevos Divorciados (Divorced Eggs)
The name derives from the way the dish is served. Traditionally half of them are served with green salsa and half are served with red salsa. This recipe is easy to adjust for only two servings.
Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 large eggs
- 8 (6 inch) corn tortillas
- 4 teaspoons butter, divided
- Salt and pepper
- 2 cups prepared refried pinto beans, warmed
- 1/2 cup tomatillo or green salsa
- 1/2 cup tomato or red salsa
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Bake tortillas in a single layer on a large baking sheet in preheated 400 degrees F oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until crispy.
- Heat half of the butter in large nonstick skillet set over medium-high heat until just melted. For sunny-side up, over-easy or over-hard eggs: Break 4 eggs and slip into skillet one at a time. Immediately reduce heat to low.
- Cook eggs for about 5 minutes or until whites are completely set and yolks begin to thicken but are not hard.
- Use as is or flip eggs carefully with spatula and cook second side to desired doneness. Sprinkle eggs lightly with salt and pepper. (Repeat method with remaining butter and 4 eggs, or prepare all 8 at once in two large nonstick skillets or on one large flat griddle.)
- Spread warm refried beans evenly over tortillas. Spoon tomatillo salsa over half the tortillas and tomato salsa over remaining tortillas. Top each tortilla with one fried egg. Transfer one of each salsa-topped tortilla to four plates and garnish with red onion and cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
Mix 1/4 cup sour cream with juice from one fresh lime and drizzle on top of eggs right before serving.
Garnish with chopped avocados and lime wedges.
Prepare recipe with refried black beans instead of pinto beans if desired.
This recipe is an excellent source of protein, vitamin A, folate and choline, and a good source of vitamin D.
Altered States: Unraveling The Enigma Of Steven Kubacki
The disappearance (and reappearance) of Steven Kubacki has become quite a lasting mystery. As is typical, there is more to the story than most people are aware of. I hope you enjoy it.
Here is Ellen Killoran’s substack for those wishing to learn a bit more.
NATO’s Big Climb Down
From the:
Vilnius Summit Communiqué
Issued by NATO Heads of State and Government participating in the meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Vilnius 11 July 2023:
11. We fully support Ukraine’s right to choose its own security arrangements. Ukraine’s future is in NATO. We reaffirm the commitment we made at the 2008 Summit in Bucharest that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and today we recognise that Ukraine’s path to full Euro-Atlantic integration has moved beyond the need for the Membership Action Plan. Ukraine has become increasingly interoperable and politically integrated with the Alliance, and has made substantial progress on its reform path. In line with the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership between NATO and Ukraine and the 2009 Complement, Allies will continue to support and review Ukraine’s progress on interoperability as well as additional democratic and security sector reforms that are required. NATO Foreign Ministers will regularly assess progress through the adapted Annual National Programme. The Alliance will support Ukraine in making these reforms on its path towards future membership. We will be in a position to extend an invitation to Ukraine to join the Alliance when Allies agree and conditions are met.
The statement ‘when Allies agree and conditions are met’ sets arguably a higher bar than the 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration had promised:
23. NATO welcomes Ukraine’s and Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations for membership in NATO. We agreed today that these countries will become members of NATO. Both nations have made valuable contributions to Alliance operations. We welcome the democratic reforms in Ukraine and Georgia and look forward to free and fair parliamentary elections in Georgia in May. The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is the next step for Ukraine and Georgia on their direct way to membership. Today we make clear that we support these countries’ applications for MAP. Therefore we will now begin a period of intensive engagement with both at a high political level to address the questions still outstanding pertaining to their MAP applications. We have asked Foreign Ministers to make a first assessment of progress at their December 2008 meeting. Foreign Ministers have the authority to decide on the MAP applications of Ukraine and Georgia.
Also note that the ‘conditions’, just like the rules in the ‘rules based order’, are undefined. It seems like any NATO member will be able to define its own ones.
Added:
Also note this from the:
Pre-Summit press conference
by Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of the NATO Summit in Vilnius
Iryna Somer, Interfax Ukraine
Thank you Oana. Iryna Somer, Ukrainian News Agency Interfax Ukraine. I have follow up question on Mindaugas, regarding declaration. I do understand you can’t comment on the language which will in decleration regarding membership. But can you tell us how far or how close Allies are regarding wording in the declaration regarding a possible membership for Ukraine, which also will be satisfactory for Kyiv? Thank you.NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg
[…]We will provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes. Because unless Ukraine wins this war, there’s no membership issue to be discussed at all.
Ukraine’s victory in the war, which is unachievable, is now a main condition for its admittance to NATO.
It wasn’t what the Ukrainian government had wanted to hear.
Via Strana.news (machine translation):
“Unprecedented and absurd.” Zelensky criticized the allies for the lack of an invitation to NATO – 13:59, Today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented on Western leaders’ plans not to include any specifics on Ukraine’s NATO membership in a forthcoming statement.
“Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that language without Ukraine is being discussed. And I want to emphasize that this wording is only by invitation, and not by Ukraine’s membership. It is unprecedented and absurd when there is no time frame for the invitation (! ), and for the membership of Ukraine; and when some strange wording about “conditions” is added even for inviting Ukraine …
It seems that there is no readiness either to invite Ukraine to NATO or to make it a member of the Alliance. Consequently, there remains the possibility of bargaining Ukraine’s membership in NATO – in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror. Uncertainty is weakness. And I will frankly discuss this at the summit,” Zelensky wrote.
Well. The little comedian seems disappointed. As if the whole play had not been obvious from the very beginning. Since 2008 the Ukraine was to be used as a tool to nag Russia. It is otherwise of little value. It will end up as a discarded rag while NATO will, in the end, again recognize the Russian Federation as the super power that that it is. NATO will have to relearn to listen to and negotiate with it.
Now lets wait and see what NATO’s climb down will do to the morale and motivations of the Ukrainian army and people.
Posted by b at 16:13 UTC | Comments (203)
TikTok Star Ends Her Career In One Night
She left her 3 year old alone while she went to meet someone a total of 22 miles away? Mother is completely out of her mind. You never consider much less perpetrate something like that. This woman is not a responsible mother at all. This is unbelievable.
Civil War Surprise as Kentucky Farmer Unearths Valuable Coin Hoard
A Kentucky farmer was digging in his corn field earlier this year when he discovered over 700 coins. About 95% of the unexpected stash dated back to the American Civil War. This chance finding of a Civil War hoard included rare, minted coins and has now been branded “the Great Kentucky Hoard.”
According to the Numismatic Guaranty Company ( NGC), who certified the coins’ authenticity, the rare Civil War hoard of coins includes the “finest-known 1863 Double Eagles, as well as several interesting varieties and errors.” The lucky farmer from the Bluegrass State told Live Science that the discovery was “the most insane thing ever.”
Pulling Riches from the Earth: The Civil War Hoard
The finder of the hoard, which includes hundreds of gold coins dating to between 1840 and 1863, in addition to a handful of silver coins, decided to remain anonymous. “Those are all $1 gold coins, $20 gold coins, $10 gold coins,” stated the discoverer on GovMint.com as he pulled the coins from the Civil War hoard from his corn field.
NGC stated that around 95% of the hoard is composed of gold dollars, and that it included “about 20 $10 Liberty coins and eight $20 Liberty coins.” A report in Live Science highlighted that “one of these coins can go for six figures at auction.” The Great Kentucky Hoard boasts 18 of them!
The rarest coin within the Civil War hoard is a 1863-P $20 1-ounce gold Liberty coin, which circulated from 1850 to 1907. What makes this coin particularly rare is that its face was not stamped with the words “In God We Trust.” These were added in 1866 after the end of the Civil War .
The Civil War hoard was made up of over 700 Civil War-era coins. ( Numismatic Guaranty Co. )
Bury the Stash Quickly, Here Comes Morgan
Professor McNutt, a conflict archaeologist at the Georgia Southern University’s Archaeological Laboratory , told Live Science that the fact the coins were unearthed in Kentucky, which was neutral at the time, means that the hoard was most probably “buried in advance of Confederate John Hunt Morgan’s daring raid in June and July 1863.
Leading a force of 2,400 cavalrymen, Confederate General John Hunt Morgan’s raid from June to July 1863 left an indelible mark on the American Civil War . Over 46 days the raid covered more than 1,000 miles through Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio, destroying supply lines and causing panic among civilians.
Morgan’s guerrilla tactics confounded Union forces , allowing him to evade capture multiple times. While Morgan was ultimately arrested, his legendary raid cemented his reputation as one of the most daring and resourceful Confederate commanders of the American Civil War.
Panic in Louisville, Kentucky, as the troops of John Hunt Morgan near the city. One archaeologist has argued that the Civil War hoard was buried in advance of Morgan’s raid. ( Public domain )
The Lost Legacy of Kentuckian Plunder
Because this coin hoard represents federal currency, McNutt suspects it may have been left by “Kentuckian’s dealings with the federal government.” The archaeologist explained that many Americans affected by the Civil War became experienced with hiding goods and valuables from Confederate raiding parties.
Another example given of a Kentuckian stashing treasure was James Langstaff, who wrote a letter declaring he had buried “$20,000 in coins on his property in Paducah.” Furthermore, Live Science reported on a William Pettit, who buried “$80,000 worth of gold coins near Lexington.”
Because neither of these Civil war-era coin caches have been discovered to date, so much value is being associated with the recently discovered Civil War hoard, both financially and historically.
Are Federal Laws Damaging U.S. Archaeology?
American laws state that any historical finds made on private land “do not need to be reported.” Professor McNutt stressed that as a result the vast majority of ancient artifacts found on private land go straight to auction without ever being studied by archaeologists; a situation which he finds “frustrating.”
In this instance however, McNutt’s efforts investing time into developing close relationships with landowners through education and outreach have paid off. Thanks to the finder reporting the Civil War hoard discovered on his land, this particular “snapshot of the past” won’t be lost forever.
America’s archaeology laws have faced harsh criticism for their perceived shortcomings, with critics arguing that fragmented legislation, insufficient funding and limited enforcement hinder the protection and preservation of archaeological sites and artifacts.
The U.S. Antiquities Act protects any “object of antiquity” even though it fails to define this term. The Archaeological Resources Protection Act ( ARPA) addresses the ambiguity over this term claiming it means “any material remains of archaeological interest.” However, ARPA does not consider items under 100 years old, or paleontological items such as fossils, to be “archaeological.”
By Ashley Cowie
Major Earthquake Strikes in Atlantic Ocean Near Antigua, Barbuda, Puerto Rico
World Hal Turner 10 July 2023
A Magnitude 6.6 earthquake has struck in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coasts of Antigua, Barbuda, Puerto Rico, etc. The quake took place at a shallow depth of only 10km. Tsunami computers are crunching the data to see if a Tsunami Warning may be needed . . .
Developing fast, check back for updates.
UPDATE: NO TSUNAMI
WEXX32 PAAQ 102035
TIBATE
Tsunami Information Statement Number 1
NWS National Tsunami Warning Center Palmer AK
435 PM AST Mon Jul 10 2023
...THIS IS A TSUNAMI INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR THE U.S. EAST COAST,
GULF OF MEXICO STATES, AND EASTERN CANADA...
EVALUATION
----------
* There is no tsunami danger for the U.S. east coast, the Gulf of
Mexico states, or the eastern coast of Canada.
* Based on earthquake information and historic tsunami records,
the earthquake is not expected to generate a tsunami.
* An earthquake has occurred with parameters listed below.
PRELIMINARY EARTHQUAKE PARAMETERS
---------------------------------
* The following parameters are based on a rapid preliminary
assessment of the earthquake and changes may occur.
* Magnitude 6.4
* Origin Time 1629 EDT Jul 10 2023
0429 AST Jul 10 2023
1529 CDT Jul 10 2023
2029 UTC Jul 10 2023
* Coordinates 20.1 North 61.1 West
* Depth 6 miles
* Location in the North Atlantic Ocean
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND NEXT UPDATE
--------------------------------------
* Refer to the internet site tsunami.gov for more information.
* Caribbean coastal regions should refer to the Pacific
Tsunami Warning Center messages at tsunami.gov.
* This will be the only U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center
message issued for this event unless additional information
becomes available.
Have you ever checked into a hotel room and found something unexpected?
I live in Las Vegas and I will take random staycations at several hotels during the year with myself or with friends. I checked into one resort in town for a couple of days after the Fourth of July to just relax. As I was putting my stuff away in the closet, a bag fell to the floor where the extra pillows are kept. Inside the bag, an unmarked bank deposit bag with almost $45,000 of cash. Money was in bands of $5000 and $10,000.
I called security. They made a report and police were called. I was told by law, the hotel needs to hold it for 30 days and see if the owner claims it, afterwards it can be claimed by me. Per the hotel and police efforts were made to contact the previous people in the room. No one made a claim for it, so I claimed it.
When A Killer Realizes His Victim Tricked Him
When a car dealership will not negotiate price, should you walk away at that point?
In Providence, Rhode Island, there was a Ford dealer named Robert “Bob” Tasca. It was his policy to have a fixed price for every car on his lot. He wouldn’t haggle.
He was the second largest Ford dealer in the United States based on volume of vehicles sold, even though the footprint of his dealership was about 20% of the size of the largest one, which was in Texas.
That’s because he led the region in after-sales service. Even on used cars. Ford once ran a test where they loosened the alternator wire and took it into Ford dealers in the area for service. Tasca Ford was the only one that correctly diagnosed the problem. The others just replaced the alternator. Tasca also fixed it for free. It wasn’t even one of their vehicles.
Tasca was legendary. Once Edsel Ford himself came into Tasca Ford on a Saturday with an experimental Ford vehicle Tasca couldn’t possibly have the parts for. Edsel was in a hurry, so Tasca loaned him his own car, then phoned Detroit for the part. By Monday afternoon the car was fixed and he gave it back to Edsel. Edsel wrote a personal thank you note.
If a dealer is willing to negotiate price, they are probably going to screw you in other ways. Margins on new cars are thin, so dealerships make it back in financing and service. Tasca instead developed the two-year lease so you could essentially get a new car every two years for the cost of the lease payments. Then when a customer came in looking for a particular used car, he would call a customer to trade in their car for a new one and sell the formerly leased car to the customer who wanted it. No extra charge.
Bad dealers want to squeeze you for every penny they can right away. Good dealers want you to keep coming back to them, so they charge you more money, but cost you less in the long run.
The Insane Arctic Balloon Expedition of 1897
An important detail is that they were extremely unprepared for the arctic and brought a lot of unnecessary shit. Like, their clothes were too cold for a start, and instead of bringing you know, useful stuff, they brought champagne and chandeliers and silverware and whatnot because they were only preparing for the fancy reception they’d get when they landed. Andrée ignored all the red flags because all he could think about was the honour and glory he’d receive. He even noticed that the balloon was leaking while they were setting it up and went and filled it up in secret so people wouldn’t notice! They also seemed like, totally unafraid of the polar bears and didn’t realise that they’re vicious killers. We don’t know exactly how they died, but it was probably a combination of bear attacks, malnutrition, disease, hypothermia and too much morphine (which can cause you to not realise you’re freezing). A swedish doctor and writer named Bea uusma have Ben pouring over this case for the last ??? 20 years or something, her book about it is fantastic and I highly recommend it to anyone who understands swedish.
Why do people want to move to China even when it is communist?
You need to get over your obsession with the word “Communist”.
China has a lot to offer: friendly people, good food, great infrastructure, modern technology.
Chinese have a very different relationship with government from Americans: Chinese look to their government as the final defense against foreign oppressors and invaders, and against domestic chaos. This is because of China’s history.
Americans have a tendency to distrust a strong government, and believe that it will take away their freedoms. This is because of Americans’ historical experience.
Americans tend to think that because Chinese tend to obey their government and follow the rules that Chinese are brainwashed people who have no concept of freedom and democracy and that given a free choice, Chinese would choose to live like Americans.
Actually that is not true. It is just that Chinese have a different history and experience.
If you can be open-minded about China and are interested in it, my suggestion would be that you go there for a visit and decide for yourself what you think about it.
12 YO Escapes Death Cult Minutes Before Massacre | The Case of Tracy Parks
What are some things that literally make no sense?
American Schools punishing students who fight back in self-defense.
Back in grade-school, teachers and administrators always told us to “never fight back” because then we would be liable to the same punishment that our aggressor would receive. Instead, they told us to simply “call out for help” and wait until someone arrived.
Are you kidding me?
So even if we’re getting pummeled,
And even if the other person has a weapon like a knife,
And even if there were multiple aggressors,
And even if we felt as if our life was in danger,
We’re just supposed to “sit there and take it?”
F**k that. What a load of bull.
The schools further told me that if I even threw a single punch back to protect myself, I could be, at worst, expelled.
But what if there are no witnesses?
What if the aggressor said I fought back even though I didn’t?
What if no one actually comes to help?
Imagine the societal outrage if victims of assault received the same sentence as their aggressors simply because they “fought back in self-defense.”
It just doesn’t make any sense.
It doesn’t matter whether or not you “followed the rules” if your life is at risk, because by the time help does come, you might already be dead or disabled.
What is the most epic thing anyone has ever done?
Originally Answered: What is the most badass thing anyone has ever done?
September 2010.
Bishnu Shrestha, a 35-year-old Gurkha soldier, was on his way to home after retiring from his position as Naik in Gurkha Infantry . He was travelling via the Maurya Express . About forty armed robbers attacked the train while it was passing through dense jungle and robbed valuables of passengers.
He was asleep when the looters reached him. He was quiet and prepared to give up his valuables, but the 18-year-old girl next to him was grabbed by the robbers who intended to rape her in front of her parents . The girl called for help. He could not sit back and witness all happenings . He pulled out his khukuri, used one of the attackers as shield and attacked other robbers. He succeeded in killing three robbers and injuring eight other robbers.
By then, passengers also started fighting back.
The robbers that were left ran away.
He was heavily bleeding from his left hand.
At next station, police and emergency were waiting for them. They took him to the hospital immediately.
After two months, he was fully recovered.
Also, robbers were arrested with money and other valuable things.
He received Sena medal and Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak medal for this bravery.
Also the family of the girl on the train offered him large cash reward but he refused saying ,”Fighting the enemy in battle is my duty as a soldier. Taking on the thugs on the train was my duty as a human being.”
Jay Gurkha
What role did government policies play in Foxconn’s decision to withdraw from the joint venture with Vedanta?
Two Key Policies
First is INDIAN SUBCONTRACTORS
This is a mess endured by most manufacturers
Only two companies got exemptions — Bosch (2007–2017) and Toyota (2010–2020)
When these exemption periods ended both companies cut down their expansion plans immediately
That was under the INC when I think Kamal Nath was the Minister
In this case it’s about Machine Assembly
The SUBCONTRACTORS cannot be Indian because Indians don’t have the expertise
In this case the three top companies are Chinese and the fourth is Singaporean which is also 15% more expensive
So usually the Indian Sub Contractor himself contracts the work to the same Singaporean or Chinese firm and gets a lion’s share of money for doing zero work
Instead of Foxconn →Singaporean Subcontractor
It becomes Foxconn →Indian Intermediary →Singaporean Subcontractor
The Cost rises almost 300% ($ 2.5 to $ 7)
It was happening under the INC as well but it was more open literally saying “Transfer so much to this account as commission”
This is called Indian Intermediary
In China the same thing happened but FROM 2013 after China had the world’s finest workforce and excellent quality of manufacture
India wants it today when Indian manufacturing is near Zero
They promised an exemption to many companies but sadly the exemption is impossible
Why?
Politics
The Indian Subcontractors are amongst those who fund elections and need to get back the money they pay for MLAs and MPs to contest elections
Indian Subcontractors are so incompetent that most manufacturers just pay them money to contract someone else from Korea or China and end up spending ₹8 instead of ₹4–5 which affects their competitiveness
Vedanta had assurances that this policy would be exempted
However now GOI rolled back and demanded only Indian Subcontractors
The Reason given is:—.
If you give exemption to one, another fifty will ask why and will stop funding elections or worse will fund Rahul Gandhi instead
Second is Pre Operational Period
Again the biggest headache for manufacturers
Establishing a facility in India could take 3 years
Then there are teething problems
That could take a year
Who funds the operation for these four years ???
Under the Law — It is the Indian partner who is responsible for all the initial operations and the pre operation costs
No Issues
Maybe in 2010 or 2011 it was fine
Today?
Vedanta could end up spending ₹6000 Crore and at the end of 4 years of things suddenly collapsed , they could be facing NPAs, CBI and ED investigations
So the Indian partner resolutely said NOTHING DOING
They wouldn’t spend and take so much risk because the BJP Climate of Police State and Russian Mafia is so strong that anybody can end up facing Jail time
So Vedanta wanted to share the liability with Foxconn
Foxconn said sure
Then Vedanta likely must have asked Foxconn to deposit their 50% in an account as guarantee because Foxconn could simply leave India in 10 seconds and tell Vedanta “Sorry”
My guess is Foxconn said Nothing Doing because they saw Bangalore and Chennai and they know how India is all about when it comes to delays and drags
It’s why many Indian partners are very reluctant to begin JVs
They could be holding huge liabilities and that could tank their shares and leave them with crores and crores of Debt
There is a third reason — TAX TARIFFS
This is also a promise made
Foxconn wanted exemption of 113 items from Tariffs
The Normal Tariffs are 20% to 60%
This would cause a loss of revenue to GOI
In Short term the Foxconn project may take 10 years to start paying off but the revenue loss could be seen as early as 2024
Our PM may be dead or retired by 2034 when Foxconn pays off but he has two elections to contest before then
If India sees a drop in revenue ,that would be a problem for him and his Government
Always the Short term
China is a One Party System
They provide the cuts in tariffs because THERE ARE NO ELECTIONS so the long term plan of 15–20 years always works
India has elections and that means everything is based on 3–4 years and that always causes SHORT TERM THINKING .
Now there is a fourth reason and that is related to water but that is nonsense
Its possible India may finally break and concede and give the terms to Foxconn or that Maharashtra State Govt could step in and GOI can make the concessions
Maybe by March 2024 or even before the MAHA Elections
That needs to be watched
What are the chances that mainland China could successfully retake control of Taiwan through military force after Taiwanese independence?
100%, and 0%.
We can most definitely liberate Taiwan by military force, you can actually find a retired general from Taiwan talking about this, he knew exactly how the Mainland military will act, and he acknowledged that Taiwan has no way, absolutely no way to defend against it.
But it won’t come to that, because those are our families, brothers and sisters over there. We share the same ancestors, traditions, languages, cultures, and blood. You don’t raise your hand to your family, even if they are acting like an ass.
Unless of course, they try to declare “independence”, which would be an act of treason, also a full-on insult toward our ancestors and their legacy, then we will strike down upon them with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers.
Zelensky HUMILIATED At NATO Summit
Easy Beef Stroganoff Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 pound round steak, cubed
- 1 large onion, cut into rings
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- 1 can mushroom soup
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 (8 ounce) package macaroni, cooked
Instructions
- Brown meat and onions; add seasonings. Add mushroom soup; simmer for 10 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Mix in sour cream. Combine meat mixture with macaroni. Bake in a greased casserole dish for 45 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Why are so many people avoiding casual chains like Applebee’s now?
Because of Yelp.
Don’t get me wrong, Yelp didn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know about Applebee’s. Everyone has always known that Applebee’s (and Chili’s, Outback Steakhouse, Olive Garden, and the rest) serve OK food at a moderate price.
The value of these places is and was in their consistency. You can walk into an Applebee’s in Colorado and you’ll get the same food you’d get at one in Massachusetts. Also you *won’t* get food poisoning, there are decent options for picky eaters, and they can usually handle large groups even without reservations.
In the days before Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc, all this had huge value. Are you a hungry business traveler who just arrived in an unfamiliar town? Good news, there’s an Outback Steakhouse near the motel. Exhausted couple on a road trip? The billboard says there’s a Chili’s at the next exit. Suburban parents who want to take the whole soccer team out after the big away game? Fuddrucker’s has you covered.
These days, if I’m in Texas for business I can pull out my smartphone and find out instantly whether T-Bone’s Grill outside town is a gem of a local BBQ joint or an unsanitary mistake that will keep me on the toilet for the rest of the trip. So there’s really no reason to play it safe and go to Texas Roadhouse instead.
The value of chain dining has always been that people know what to expect. Now that we have Internet reviews, we know more or less what to expect from any restaurant.
This Fell From the Sky But No One Knows What It Is
“EVERYONE. This man came into my yard a couple hours ago and offered to cut my grass for a certain price. I didn’t have enough money today to afford that on top of everything else, and I told him to come back in a week.
A few minutes ago, I hear a loud noise outside of my house. I opened the door and noticed that he was cutting my grass.
I went running out to him and yelled for him to stop… he shook his head no.
He told me that he saw my kids playing in the yard and was worried about snakes being in the grass and biting them because the grass was too tall.
I again told him to stop because I couldn’t pay him. He said that he didn’t need to be paid, he had grandchildren and that he hoped someone would look after them in the same way.
I was brought to tears. I hugged him. We talked about different struggles we’ve had in life and he told me that this is what the news doesn’t report. He told me the news doesn’t report the black neighbor helping out the white neighbor because it isn’t good for the network to make money.
I told him that he has a good heart. I told him I wish more people on earth were like him.
We hugged again. He is still outside cutting my grass and it’s dark now. I am so grateful to have him as a new friend. His name is Johnny and he lives in Taylors, South Carolina.
He cut my grass for free tonight because he was worried about my children playing outside in the tall grass. I hope he gets the recognition he deserves.””
Trail Cam Captures What No One Was Supposed To See
Fun stuff. Do not take too seriously.
What are the major cultural differences between China and Taiwan?
I live in Taiwan and I was in mainland China for several months this summer. I spent most of my time in Yunnan but also visited Beijing, Shanghai and Fujian.
*Major subjective generalizations ahead*
- The first thing I noticed in China was that the frequency of ”不好意思“ dropped tremendously. 不好意思(bù hǎo yì si) is a Mandarin phrase that can be loosely translated to mean “excuse me”, “pardon me” or “I’m sorry”. Taiwanese use it when they bump into someone on the street, when they ask for a favor, when they are late, when they offend you, when they interrupt someone or any other time to express shyness, shame, politeness or a mild apology. Chinese seem to reserve this word for more severe offenses such as being very late to a formal meeting or bumping into someone so hard they actually stumble over and fall to the ground.
- Chinese tend to be more nationalistic, patriotic and proud of their country. There is something of an identity crisis going on among young Taiwanese. Many young Taiwanese think Taiwan is a poor economic backwater that is not a “cool place to live”. This is very unfortunate because the quality of life here is really quite high and they take things for granted such as the high level of safety(particularly for women) and the affordable national healthcare system. When I told Chinese that I was leading a language immersion course for American high school students to learn Chinese, people were delighted and proud that people wanted to learn their language. When I told Taiwanese, they just asked why would anyone want to learn such a useless language when they already speak the ‘all-powerful’ English.
- Chinese people are more likely to boast about China and compare it to other countries. Taiwanese love to complain about Taiwan and praise other countries. Chinese will proudly tell me that China is a very safe country and even make jabs about how America is dangerous with all the mass shootings and gun violence. Meanwhile, my Taiwanese relatives complain to me about how “dangerous” Taiwan is and that they live in debilitating fear riding the subways of Taipei. That is 100% insane because Taiwan is literally one of the safest countries on earth -definitely the safest country I’ve ever lived in. And no, not a single one of my relatives has experienced a single crime, not even a minor one, in the last three decades. (Crime was higher in the 1980s).
- Many Chinese are highly critical of Japan, the US and South Korea; Taiwanese love fantasizing about moving to Japan, South Korea or the US. Even Chinese who do want to live abroad are still more critical.
- Chinese are much more optimistic about the future of their country and sincerely believe living standards will continue to improve. Taiwanese are much more pessimistic, in fact, they are too pessimistic, saying things like “Taiwan is becoming a third-world country” or “there is absolutely no future here” or “we have the most corrupt government in the history of the human race”. There is indeed corruption in the Taiwanese government, especially during the time of former president Chen Shui-bian, but it is relatively mild by global and historical standards.
- Older Chinese men love to pressure and coerce other young men into drinking hard liquor. If your glass if empty, they will pour you another drink and then you are obligated to 乾杯 with them. I’ve never experienced this in Taiwan except in aboriginal villages and even then the pressure was mild compared to rural China. Chinese also drink considerably more than Taiwanese.
- Many Chinese men are heavy smokers. They smoke at home and they smoke in public. They smoke in restaurants, bars and markets. I was offered many cigarettes by strangers in China. I’ve never been offered cigarettes in Taiwan and there is less smoking in Taiwan(thank god).
- Chinese have less respect for food preferences, diets, vegetarians or food allergies. I have G6PDD which means I could die if I ate fava beans but folks in Yunnan still insisted I eat their home-cooked fava bean meal. They seemed to just think I was being picky. In Taiwan, people understand allergies and will go out of their way to accommodate most food preferences.
- I don’t know why this annoyed me but cafes in China always listed green and oolong tea under no-caffeine beverages which is incorrect. In Taiwan, a no-caffeine beverage is an herbal tea like rooibos or lemon ginger.
- Chinese, especially in the Yunnan, are okay with eating just about anything. I ate all sorts of bugs and strange meats and fungi in China. I was told that people who are picky or do not eat certain foods, including crickets and worms, are just privileged. Young Taiwanese are appalled at the prospect of eating dog, insects, donkey or larva.
- There is a higher percentage of Chinese who are rugged, tough and aggressive. Taiwanese tend to be more sheltered, non-confrontational and ‘nerdy’. I certainly met people in China that I wouldn’t want to mess with. I rarely meet such people in Taiwan.
- Southeast Asian cuisines, and foreign food in general, is a lot more popular in Taiwan. There are several dozen pho restaurants in Tainan alone. I could not find a single pho restaurant in Kunming even though Yunnan literally borders Vietnam.
- As a half-Asian, half-White person, I was much more likely to be seen as a Chinese or some other Asian in China. Taiwanese usually think I am a non-Asian foreigner – either American, Brazilian or Turkish. People I chatted with on the train in China were surprised I was half-White. Taiwanese, on the other hand, are surprised I am even half-Taiwanese and are often shocked I speak Chinese. My theory for this is that there is a broader spectrum of phenotypes and ‘faces’ in China that are considered Chinese whereas Taiwan essentially has two faces – Han and aboriginal(Austronesian). You can refer to my answer about Chinese minorities to learn more.
- Chinese will openly and bluntly talk about people’s physical features. I chatted with two people on the train who began discussing with each other why my “nose was not right” or how my “eyes were abnormal”. Another time, I chatted for a while with an old man. When I mentioned that I was mixed, he looked at me with surprise and said ”你長得像中國人，真的是混血失敗“ which means “your mix was a failure because you look totally Chinese.” LMAO! Taiwanese are generally more polite about this.
- Most Chinese do not value democracy, freedom of speech or freedom of the press. While many people I met used VPNs and complained about the censorship, most people still thought the Great Firewall was for the greater good. Taiwanese love their freedom of speech and freedom to demonstrate. Neither really care about privacy or surveillance however.
- Despite the censorship and propaganda, I found Chinese to be generally more aware of geopolitics than Taiwanese. Many young Taiwanese are completely apolitical. Taiwanese media often focuses on bizarre things such as how handsome an interpreter is rather than the conference itself.
- Blue collar and service jobs are filled by domestic migrant labor from poorer provinces in China. The same jobs are filled by Southeast Asian workers in Taiwan. Consequently, the “dirt cheap but delicious food” throughout China is Sichuanese hot pot whereas the equivalent in Taiwan is Vietnamese pho.
- Taiwanese are more open-minded and tolerant of LGBT people compared with Chinese. Taiwanese are also less overtly racist towards Black people and South Asians. Outside the big cities, Chinese will stare shamelessly at foreigners – especially foreigners they see less often such as Black or Indian people. Taiwanese are curious to see foreigners too but will at least try and pretend they aren’t looking. Taiwanese will also smile to be polite whereas Chinese will often just stare blankly and say something like “Look! She’s black.” or “What is an Indian doing here?” or “Why is that guy so fat?”.
- Taiwanese are slightly friendlier on average but the margin is not as great as I previously thought. I was told that mainland Chinese are rude and unfriendly but that was not my experience. If Taiwan gets a 9/10 rating for friendliness, then Yunnan and Fujian both get 8/10, Beijing, Singapore and Penang get a 7.5/10 and Shanghai a 6/10 while Hong Kong, Seoul and Kuala Lumpur all get a mere 5/10 – 不好意思!
- Chinese have a more positive view of Taiwan than vice versa. I was genuinely surprised by the number of Chinese who had visited Taiwan or were planning to. People liked my Taiwanese accent and thought Taiwanese were cool. They also do not hate the pro-independence Taiwanese politicians but rather just think they are ‘silly’. China is a much more polarizing topic in Taiwan. For obvious reasons, Chinese do not see Taiwan as a threat whereas many Taiwanese see China as their greatest threat.
- Finally, Chinese tend to be early-adopters of technology. Everyone from rural fruit vendors to beggars took payment via WeChat or Alipay. Almost every business in Taiwan is cash only, even the higher end places that take card only take certain types of cards and often the machine doesn’t even work. There is an app for everything in China and businesses are more integrated with the internet whereas many businesses in Taiwan are still off line.
The beggar Yellen is going to beg China to buy the US treasury securities to save the US economy and military tomorrow. Will the beggar Yellen be able to be successful?
Some people say one of Yellen’s goals this time is to persuade China to buy more U.S. dollar bonds.
The question is why should China do that when it is already one of the biggest foreign holders of US bonds and the US has adopted a hostile approach towards China in nearly all fields including the financial sector?
Actually people in China don’t have very high expectations about Yellen’s trip to China this time.
They know that it’s very likely that US officials will break their promises when they return to their country.
The US is treating China as an enemy and has imposed sanctions towards China’s economy and Chinese companies.
Under such circumstances, how can we expect that the United States is serious in stabilizing and developing ties with China?
The world is facing so many challenges at present such as climate change, food crisis, supply chain disorder and regional conflicts.
Just take a look at the violent riots that have been taking place in France and the unceasing mass shootings in the US.
The world would reap tremendous benefits if the US disabused itself of the unnecessary hubris and disregard of others in its international relations policy.
Mutual respect and trust must be restored in the relationship between the US and China, and the first step has to a change in attitude on the part of American leaders.
When Suspects Try To Seduce Cops
CLAIM: UKRAINE USES CLUSTER BOMBS ON TOKAMAK – Russia to Respond in-kind; “Third World War is Approaching”
World Hal Turner 11 July 2023
The Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, warned that “the Third World War is approaching,” stressing that Russia will respond to a bombing carried out by Ukraine with cluster munitions.
Medvedev wrote via “Telegram” that the preliminary results of today’s “NATO” summit were identical to Russia’s prior expectations, pointing out that the special military operation will continue with the same goals, and that the most important of these goals is to reject Kiev’s efforts to join NATO.
Commenting on the results of the preliminary NATO summit today in Vilnius, Medvedev paid special attention to the decision to invite Ukraine to join NATO, although the date of its accession was left open, and no conditions were set for that.
He also pointed to the decision to raise the amount of military aid provided to Kiev regime.
Medvedev also said that all Western aid to the Kiev regime with various weapons, the latest of which is cluster munitions, is doomed to a dead end, adding that “the Third World War is approaching.”
He added, “What does all this mean for us? Everything is clear. The special military operation will continue with the same goals, and one of those goals is the refusal of the Kiev Nazis’ group to join NATO, which we insisted on from the beginning, and it is considered impossible for us.”
Medvedev indicated that this goal “means that Russia will have to get rid of this group,” stressing the need to complete this plan to end the conflict and bring peace to Ukraine.
Medvedev concluded by saying: “Note: It was reported that the city of Tokmak was bombed with cluster munitions. This means that it is time to reveal our arsenals of this inhumane weapon.”
Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov publicly stated “The confrontation in Ukraine will not end unless the West backs down from the idea of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.
On top of that, Russian Defense Minister Shoigu, while visiting military factories in Tartarstan, said “If Washington makes good on its promise to send cluster munitions to Kiev, the Russian military will use its own diverse arsenal on the battlefield.”
He then went further with a rather ominous remark “It should be noted that Russia has cluster munitions, as they say, for all occasions. They are much more effective than American ones, their range is broader and more diverse.”
Chris Hedges: The Absurdity of American Empire
What happens when you force communities, families and entire ecosystems to kneel before the dictates of the marketplace? You get what Chris Hedges, co-author with Joe Sacco of Days of Destruction, Days of Revolt, calls “sacrifice zones.” From Appalachia to North Dakota to Camden, New Jersey, these zones, ravaged by the excesses of capitalism, prefigure our collective future.
I am likely to move to Australia in the near future. What are your recommendations?
- Buy a hat. The sun is fierce.
- Don’t shoot people. We really don’t like that sort of thing.
- Rent, do not buy, a kangaroo for transport. Kangaroo registration is expensive.
- Don’t swim where signs say, “Do not swim here.” The signs are there for a purpose.
- Don’t try to find a Starbucks. They died a dog’s death years ago.
- Don’t try to imitate an Australian accent to be cute. People will hate you.
- Don’t carry on about how better/different things were where you used to live. No one cares.
- Keep your politics and religion to yourself.
- Go barefoot if you want. It’s perfectly OK.
- Vote in state & federal elections. It’s compulsory.
- Accept basic scientific facts: the earth is spherical; vaccines save lives; humans landed on the moon; Donald Trump is a dangerous cartoon character.
- No, you can’t have a bloody gun just because you want to. Get over it.
- Any distance between point A and point B in Australia will probably be large. And in the outback, it can also be deadly.
- Never stick your hand into dark places. We have spiders. Yes, some of them could kill you.
- Drive in the left lane. Wear your seatbelt. Do not touch a phone while driving.
- Australians swear. Don’t be precious and get your tender tiny little fragile Christian feelings hurt if a friend calls you a stupid bloody wanker. He’s your mate: that’s what mates must do when you insist on being a stupid bloody wanker.
- Spread Vegemite thinly.
- When walking, if you lock eyes with someone for half a second, you are obliged to say, “G’day.” If you repeat this with the same person within a week, you need to add a nod. On the third occasion, you should raise your hand in a weak sort of wave. On the fourth instance, you need to tear off each other’s clothes and make sweet sweet love on the footpath… if they are of legal age.
- I repeat: Spread Vegemite thinly.
- Don’t believe weather forecasts in Melbourne. Google Assistant, ABC news, and the Bureau of Meteorology have been at war for years and none of them can be trusted. The North has two seasons: the wet and the dry. The South has four seasons in any given day. Always carry sunscreen and an umbrella.
- Work your allotted hours, then go home. You do not have to live your life based on your employer’s whims. Work/life balance is sacred here. The accepted response to being asked to do unpaid overtime is, “Fuck the hell off. I’m out of here, you creamy wanker.” If you are further pressured, you have copious legal protections.
- Did I mention Vegemite distribution?
- In Australia, we do not have lederhosen, stoats, Steiegl beer, or birthplaces of Mozart. Nor do we have shrimps on barbies.
- Our magpies sing sweetly, but will dive-bomb you ferociously and peck your head or eyes in Spring. You have been warned. Ignore the fear of spiders and snakes: only maggies truly scare Australians.
- The American season “Fall” is “Spring” here. Don’t whine. Just accept it. Yeah, and summer is in November to February. We have a hot and sweaty Christmas and find it hilarious about the snow and shit that American/European Christmases feature.
- Stuff tends to be expensive. Shipping a microwave oven from 10,000km away is not cheap.
- We’re pretty tolerant of different races and cultures. We’re not perfect, but most of us do try.
- The turntables of our microwave ovens turn clockwise. This has nothing to do with the Coliolis effect, or our drains.
- In Australia, we see a different side of the moon than people in the northern hemisphere. In Oz, the man in the moon has a moustache.
- Because of our proximity to Antarctica, the southern states of Australia smell distinctly of Emperor Penguin poo. But you quickly get used to it.
- The King/Queen of England has no power here. Except during Royal Arm-Wrestling Championship Tournaments. In the 1960s, Liz was a beast.
- Because we are in the Southern hemisphere, many things – like the seasons – are reversed. So, 90% of Australians are left-handed and homosexual. Believe it or not.
- Don’t.
- Australia has no volcanoes and very rare earthquakes. This means that our continent has suffered little disruption in billions of years: mountains have not been forming, and volcanoes have not been terraforming the landscape. This means that the continent has been continually eroded by winds for millennia without any upheavals of hills, so it is pretty flat. Australia is a VERY old, unmolested continent.
- Get used to a British sense of humour and spelling. The Dutch might have reached Terra Australis before the Brits did, but even now we tend to favour British political traditions, spelling, and comedy. We like sarcasm, wordplay, understatement, and irony – like our British forefathers. The British are our parents, New Zealanders are our brothers, Canadians are our cousins. South Africans are the annoying distant relatives we desperately try to avoid at Christmas.
- Sicut mala cadunt ursi – “Bears, like apples, drop”. Isaac Newton 1725, from Principes Cadens Ursi (Principles of the Dropping Bear).
Hope that helps.
DESTINATION MOON (1950) | FULL MOVIE | CULT | SCI-F
Big surprise! A great old science fiction movie presented in full. Enjoy it. Carve out some time. You’ll enjoy it.
It’s Robert Heinlein’s only film.
