Here is a list of News Blogs ordered by Most Commented, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
Trump team had over 100 contacts with Kremlin.
This doesn't even include the contacts with intermediaries.
The 101 contacts is likely a very conservative number.
That's WAY more than collusion.
It provides more evidence for an active conspiracy involving multiple Trump team members with the Kremlin.
From USA Today;
The 101 contacts is likely a very conservative number.
That's WAY more than collusion.
It provides more evidence for an active conspiracy involving multiple Trump team members with the Kremlin.
From USA Today;
In response to:
Trump's team had over 100 contacts with Russian-linked officials, report shows
USA TODAY Christal Hayes
WASHINGTON – Members of President Donald Trump's campaign and transition team had more than 100 contacts with Russian-linked officials, according to a new report.
The milestone illustrates the deep ties between members of Trump's circle and the Kremlin. The findings, tracked by the Center for American Progress and its Moscow Project, come amid reports that special counsel Robert Mueller is nearing the conclusion of the two-year investigation into Russian collusion in the 2016 election and possible obstruction of justice by the president.
"This wasn't just one email or call, or one this or that," said Talia Dessel, a research analyst for the left-leaning organization. "Over 100 contacts is really significant because you don't just have 100 contacts with a foreign power if there's nothing going on there."
The number of contacts was raised to 101 this week after it was reported that Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, a former campaign aide, shared polling data with Manafort's former Russian business partner Konstantin Kilimnik.
Dessel noted the group's list of contacts is on the "conservative" end and the "very minimum amount of contacts" between Russian-linked officials and those within the Trump campaign and transition.
Those within Trump's team who had contacts with Russian-linked officials include Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, former Trump adviser Roger Stone, the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, Trump's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, and Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump.
Trump has consistently denied all allegations of colluding with Russia and has repeatedly called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt".
Dessel said the group omitted many contacts that were seen as "intermediaries" between the members of Trump's team and Russian-linked officials, which would include the messages between Roger Stone and WikiLeaks, which is noted as being described by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a "hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia."
Russia's role in the 2016 election and ties between the president and the Kremlin are all but certain to remain constant themes of 2019 with a new Democratic-led House that now has subpoena and investigative powers.
Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for the Center for American Progress and the Moscow Project, said the organization has hosted discussions with lawmakers about the Russia investigation and what areas they can focus on in the next two years.
"The fact is there is so much low-hanging fruit that Republicans simply ignored or didn't flesh out when they had power," Finkelstein said, noting a major area that could provide new insights is the money and financial aspect between Russia and Trump's team. "There's so much to explore but we've identified a pretty clear roadmap."
Trump's team had over 100 contacts with Russian-linked officials, report shows
USA TODAY Christal Hayes
WASHINGTON – Members of President Donald Trump's campaign and transition team had more than 100 contacts with Russian-linked officials, according to a new report.
The milestone illustrates the deep ties between members of Trump's circle and the Kremlin. The findings, tracked by the Center for American Progress and its Moscow Project, come amid reports that special counsel Robert Mueller is nearing the conclusion of the two-year investigation into Russian collusion in the 2016 election and possible obstruction of justice by the president.
"This wasn't just one email or call, or one this or that," said Talia Dessel, a research analyst for the left-leaning organization. "Over 100 contacts is really significant because you don't just have 100 contacts with a foreign power if there's nothing going on there."
The number of contacts was raised to 101 this week after it was reported that Trump's former campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Rick Gates, a former campaign aide, shared polling data with Manafort's former Russian business partner Konstantin Kilimnik.
Dessel noted the group's list of contacts is on the "conservative" end and the "very minimum amount of contacts" between Russian-linked officials and those within the Trump campaign and transition.
Those within Trump's team who had contacts with Russian-linked officials include Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, former Trump adviser Roger Stone, the president's son, Donald Trump Jr., former Attorney General Jeff Sessions, former Trump campaign adviser Carter Page, Trump's former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn, former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci, and Trump's daughter, Ivanka Trump.
Trump has consistently denied all allegations of colluding with Russia and has repeatedly called the Mueller investigation a "witch hunt".
Dessel said the group omitted many contacts that were seen as "intermediaries" between the members of Trump's team and Russian-linked officials, which would include the messages between Roger Stone and WikiLeaks, which is noted as being described by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a "hostile intelligence service often abetted by state actors like Russia."
Russia's role in the 2016 election and ties between the president and the Kremlin are all but certain to remain constant themes of 2019 with a new Democratic-led House that now has subpoena and investigative powers.
Morgan Finkelstein, a spokeswoman for the Center for American Progress and the Moscow Project, said the organization has hosted discussions with lawmakers about the Russia investigation and what areas they can focus on in the next two years.
"The fact is there is so much low-hanging fruit that Republicans simply ignored or didn't flesh out when they had power," Finkelstein said, noting a major area that could provide new insights is the money and financial aspect between Russia and Trump's team. "There's so much to explore but we've identified a pretty clear roadmap."
Disinformation, who is the great master?
Excellent short video on how Disinformation creates the most powerful propaganda of our time. Where it came from, how it is used, and the role of social media.
The social media has created a false sense of community where we choose to believe and defend almost anything to feel loved and accepted by our "group". The deepest need of most individuals is to feel cared for and caring.
The social media has created a false sense of community where we choose to believe and defend almost anything to feel loved and accepted by our "group". The deepest need of most individuals is to feel cared for and caring.
The Kremlin reports their 1st quarter income is only down by 20.8% over last years
Although some would argue it is a little more than Putin's speech in February predicted of only 3% but still a little better than some Asian analysts had forecast. Income tax revenue fell by 21.9% over last year's 1st quarter.
Russia spent just over 8 Trillion Rubles (99 Billion US Dollars) this last quarter.
The 2023 Russian budget (released last August) allows Russia to spend only 29 Trillion Rubles (about 350 Billion US dollars) for the entire year. In short Russia has significantly overspent what it's 2023 budget forecast their spending.
Russia's spending on state procurements (2.5 Trillion Rubles or about 52 Billion US dollars) in the 1st quarter was over 50% higher than it's procurements in 2022. The 2023 budget allocated only about 5 Trillion Rubles (61 Billion US Dollars) for all of 2023.
The Net deficit for the 1st Quarter of 023 is about 2.4 Trillion Rubles (about 29.3 Billion US dollars (more than the 24 Billion dollars the US spent on the Apollo moon program)).
The 2023 Russian budget was a little controversial in some domestic quarters when it was released, because in order to raise government procurement and increase the number of state security personnel the Duma agreed to a budget that greatly deduced things like medicine, hospital outlays, road improvements, maintenance, education, etc.
The Russian budget called for a total deficit in 2023 of 2.9 Trillion Rubles (36 Billion US dollars) or about 3.5% for all of 2023. The actual loss of 2.4 Trillion Rubles just in the 1st quarter of the year is about 83% of all of the anticipated loss. It is very probable much more financial loss is oncoming to Russia.
Last summer on RT.com in a text there I pointed out the Russian 2023 budget was essentially worthless toilet paper as it totally ignored the upcoming Oil and oil product sanctions. Naturally all on that site who worship Putin says disagreed with me and claimed I listened to too much CNN and the EU & NATO would back down and not implement any sanctions or lift them once the cold weather arrived. Sigh.
The War between Russia and Ukraine will probably continue another 2 or 3 years. Contrary to Russian myth the West is not even close to financial collapse. Russia's cash reserves(the well fund) are currently expected to totally run out sometime this September or October). The obvious short term solution will be to just print more Rubles. Of course that will immediately result in further devaluation of the Russian Ruble which has already fallen to about 1 Ruble = (about) US $0.01 per dollar. Just over a US penny a Ruble today, 81 to the dollar (and falling). It is very obvious the longer Putin and his supporters continue their illegal war the more the other people of Russia will become unemployed, suffer or just vanish from their Census..
In WWI when it's economy reached a similar state the Kaiser's Germany was smart enough to simply surrender. Putin and his supporters are not that smart and has no desire to dance at the end of a hangman's noose which the War Crimes they allowed ensure they will. So it continues.
Figures supplied by Russia's Ministry of Finance
minfin.gov.ru/press-center
Russia spent just over 8 Trillion Rubles (99 Billion US Dollars) this last quarter.
The 2023 Russian budget (released last August) allows Russia to spend only 29 Trillion Rubles (about 350 Billion US dollars) for the entire year. In short Russia has significantly overspent what it's 2023 budget forecast their spending.
Russia's spending on state procurements (2.5 Trillion Rubles or about 52 Billion US dollars) in the 1st quarter was over 50% higher than it's procurements in 2022. The 2023 budget allocated only about 5 Trillion Rubles (61 Billion US Dollars) for all of 2023.
The Net deficit for the 1st Quarter of 023 is about 2.4 Trillion Rubles (about 29.3 Billion US dollars (more than the 24 Billion dollars the US spent on the Apollo moon program)).
The 2023 Russian budget was a little controversial in some domestic quarters when it was released, because in order to raise government procurement and increase the number of state security personnel the Duma agreed to a budget that greatly deduced things like medicine, hospital outlays, road improvements, maintenance, education, etc.
The Russian budget called for a total deficit in 2023 of 2.9 Trillion Rubles (36 Billion US dollars) or about 3.5% for all of 2023. The actual loss of 2.4 Trillion Rubles just in the 1st quarter of the year is about 83% of all of the anticipated loss. It is very probable much more financial loss is oncoming to Russia.
Last summer on RT.com in a text there I pointed out the Russian 2023 budget was essentially worthless toilet paper as it totally ignored the upcoming Oil and oil product sanctions. Naturally all on that site who worship Putin says disagreed with me and claimed I listened to too much CNN and the EU & NATO would back down and not implement any sanctions or lift them once the cold weather arrived. Sigh.
The War between Russia and Ukraine will probably continue another 2 or 3 years. Contrary to Russian myth the West is not even close to financial collapse. Russia's cash reserves(the well fund) are currently expected to totally run out sometime this September or October). The obvious short term solution will be to just print more Rubles. Of course that will immediately result in further devaluation of the Russian Ruble which has already fallen to about 1 Ruble = (about) US $0.01 per dollar. Just over a US penny a Ruble today, 81 to the dollar (and falling). It is very obvious the longer Putin and his supporters continue their illegal war the more the other people of Russia will become unemployed, suffer or just vanish from their Census..
In WWI when it's economy reached a similar state the Kaiser's Germany was smart enough to simply surrender. Putin and his supporters are not that smart and has no desire to dance at the end of a hangman's noose which the War Crimes they allowed ensure they will. So it continues.
Figures supplied by Russia's Ministry of Finance
minfin.gov.ru/press-center
Somebody flew a plane under the Mackinac Bridge.
The U.S. Coast Guard is looking for a pilot who pulled off a dangerous stunt under the Mackinac Bridge in late June when they flew a plane underneath it.
In a video captured by a Coast Guard small boat crew floating on the water at the time, a camera pans from left to right as a single-propeller plane skirts above the water descends low enough to fly under the bridge before it continued to fly.
A press release from the Coast Guard's Great Lakes district said detectives from the authority were looking for any photos, video, or any other information that would help them identify the aircraft.
A Michigan State Police detective noted that hundreds of cars were on the bridge at the time of flight, which was around 2:50 p.m. on June 28. Many drivers were likely on their way up for the Fourth of the July weekend.
"This was extremely reckless behavior on the part of the pilot, and it imperiled the safety of everyone on the bridge that day," said Detective Sgt. Gary Demers. "We hope that someone can come forward with information to help us make sure it doesn't happen again."
In a video captured by a Coast Guard small boat crew floating on the water at the time, a camera pans from left to right as a single-propeller plane skirts above the water descends low enough to fly under the bridge before it continued to fly.
A press release from the Coast Guard's Great Lakes district said detectives from the authority were looking for any photos, video, or any other information that would help them identify the aircraft.
A Michigan State Police detective noted that hundreds of cars were on the bridge at the time of flight, which was around 2:50 p.m. on June 28. Many drivers were likely on their way up for the Fourth of the July weekend.
"This was extremely reckless behavior on the part of the pilot, and it imperiled the safety of everyone on the bridge that day," said Detective Sgt. Gary Demers. "We hope that someone can come forward with information to help us make sure it doesn't happen again."
Apparently, Trump doesn't care, if he kills MORE people.
Today from CBS in Austin TX
I'm certain, that Don White is not the only one affected by this. A lot of the elderly depend upon the mail for timely medication deliveries. Indeed, some younger people with chronic disorders likely do
also. The narcissistic tyrant wannabe in the White House should be removed from office before he kills more people with his lunacy. He keeps confirming that he deserves his Official Worst US President Ever title in so many ways.
In response to:
82-year-old Houston-area man left without heart medicine for a week due to USPS delays
by CBS AustinMonday, August 17th 2020
HUMBLE, Texas — An elderly man in the Houston area says his heart medicine was delayed over a week due to delays in from the U.S. Postal Service.
82-year-old Don White of Humble told KHOU that he has been tracking the package, which shows it has remained at a north Houston mail processing facility for the last 10 days.
White told KHOU he hopes to get the package on Monday, and says his mail-order prescription has never been this late before.
"There have been a few times in which it’s taken a week, week and a half, two weeks, but this is the first time I actually ran out and checking with the post office didn't do much good, even though I had a tracking number on it,” White told KHOU.
Delays plaguing the USPS have come under close scrutiny recently after President Donald Trump acknowledged last week that he's withholding funding for the postal service to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots.
82-year-old Houston-area man left without heart medicine for a week due to USPS delays
by CBS AustinMonday, August 17th 2020
HUMBLE, Texas — An elderly man in the Houston area says his heart medicine was delayed over a week due to delays in from the U.S. Postal Service.
82-year-old Don White of Humble told KHOU that he has been tracking the package, which shows it has remained at a north Houston mail processing facility for the last 10 days.
White told KHOU he hopes to get the package on Monday, and says his mail-order prescription has never been this late before.
"There have been a few times in which it’s taken a week, week and a half, two weeks, but this is the first time I actually ran out and checking with the post office didn't do much good, even though I had a tracking number on it,” White told KHOU.
Delays plaguing the USPS have come under close scrutiny recently after President Donald Trump acknowledged last week that he's withholding funding for the postal service to make it harder to process an expected surge of mail-in ballots.
I'm certain, that Don White is not the only one affected by this. A lot of the elderly depend upon the mail for timely medication deliveries. Indeed, some younger people with chronic disorders likely do
also. The narcissistic tyrant wannabe in the White House should be removed from office before he kills more people with his lunacy. He keeps confirming that he deserves his Official Worst US President Ever title in so many ways.
Ready to get mooned ?
No, it's not that kind of blog. 
Or is it ?
Anyway, a week from today, April 7th you will get mooned.
And I mean SUPER mooned.
That is because the next full moon will be at it's closest orbit to the earth.
It will appear 7% larger and 16% brighter than the average full moon viewing.
So, you have a week to prepare to get your howling in order.
Kenny Neil is someone I've met in person a few times.
He is an excellent guitarist and an excellent mouth harpist (a.k.a. harmonica player).
This is definitely one of my least favorite tunes of his, but quite appropriate for this blog;
Or is it ?
Anyway, a week from today, April 7th you will get mooned.
And I mean SUPER mooned.
That is because the next full moon will be at it's closest orbit to the earth.
It will appear 7% larger and 16% brighter than the average full moon viewing.
So, you have a week to prepare to get your howling in order.
Kenny Neil is someone I've met in person a few times.
He is an excellent guitarist and an excellent mouth harpist (a.k.a. harmonica player).
This is definitely one of my least favorite tunes of his, but quite appropriate for this blog;
Anyone ever heard
of Freddie Pargetter? He got arrested at a friend of the family's stag party for the possession of drugs. In an added twist, it was the friend of the family who arrested him, he's a police officer. Now, 19 year old Freddie is waiting to find out if he'll be going to prison.
Just a few months ago young Freddie was a carefree college student from a respectable, some would say privileged, family who thought it would be a lark to make a bit of extra cash by selling a few tablets on the campus. His advantaged background more or less assured him of a bright and prosperous future, but now, that future is looking increasingly darker. You phucking idiot, Freddie.
Just a few months ago young Freddie was a carefree college student from a respectable, some would say privileged, family who thought it would be a lark to make a bit of extra cash by selling a few tablets on the campus. His advantaged background more or less assured him of a bright and prosperous future, but now, that future is looking increasingly darker. You phucking idiot, Freddie.
Guilty, guilty, 8 times over. Jailbirds of a feather, might be imprisoned together.
It is a big day in the world of court news.
The verdicts are in. Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort thus far, is found guilty
on 8 counts of hiding foreign accounts & bank fraud. More might come.
The 69 year old man can face up to 80 years in prison, just from these verdicts.
And this is just from the first trial. There are more charges against him.
In other news Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen has plead guilty on 2 charges involved with secret shell companies used to pay 2 adult entertainment actresses.
Cohen, Trumps former "fixer" stated that he did these things upon direction of a presidential candidate.
Hmmm. I wonder which one. 
The verdicts are in. Donald Trump's former campaign manager, Paul Manafort thus far, is found guilty
on 8 counts of hiding foreign accounts & bank fraud. More might come.
The 69 year old man can face up to 80 years in prison, just from these verdicts.
And this is just from the first trial. There are more charges against him.
In response to:
On the fourth day of deliberations following a two week trial in Alexandria, Va., the jury notified judge T.S. Ellis shortly before 4:30 p.m. ET that it had reached a verdict on 8 of the 18 counts. Ellis then polled the jury on the likelihood of reaching a verdict on the remaining 10 counts against Manafort, and ruled a mistrial on the remaining counts.
Prosecutors now have until Aug. 29 to decide whether they will seek a retrial for the charges on which the jury deadlocked. Manafort will remain in custody and faces another trial on Sept. 17 in a Washington courtroom, where he will be tried on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent, money laundering and obstruction of justice.
On the fourth day of deliberations following a two week trial in Alexandria, Va., the jury notified judge T.S. Ellis shortly before 4:30 p.m. ET that it had reached a verdict on 8 of the 18 counts. Ellis then polled the jury on the likelihood of reaching a verdict on the remaining 10 counts against Manafort, and ruled a mistrial on the remaining counts.
Prosecutors now have until Aug. 29 to decide whether they will seek a retrial for the charges on which the jury deadlocked. Manafort will remain in custody and faces another trial on Sept. 17 in a Washington courtroom, where he will be tried on charges of failing to register as a foreign agent, money laundering and obstruction of justice.
In other news Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen has plead guilty on 2 charges involved with secret shell companies used to pay 2 adult entertainment actresses.
In response to: Michael Cohen, the former personal attorney for President Donald Trump, plead guilty on Tuesday to charges of tax fraud, bank fraud, and campaign finance violation in a New York federal court.
He could face 3 to 5 years in jail as part of his plea deal and a substantial fine as part of his plea deal in the Southern District of New York, Fox News reported.
He could face 3 to 5 years in jail as part of his plea deal and a substantial fine as part of his plea deal in the Southern District of New York, Fox News reported.
Cohen, Trumps former "fixer" stated that he did these things upon direction of a presidential candidate.
Hmmm. I wonder which one.
online today!
Troubles With Iran?
Is The Timing Of Certain Current Events Purely Coincidental - specifically...
1) Israeli F-35s overflew locations in Syria & Iran undetected, including the site of Iran's alleged nuclear goings on.
2) Netanyahu spoke about Iran's alleged nuclear aspirations - (Casus Belli )
3) The U.S. backed out of the Iran nuke deal & announces strict sanctions.
4) Iranian missiles were allegedly launched into Israel from Syria.
5) Israel launched the largest air strike in Syria since the '73 war.
6) Israel will celebrate its 70th anniversary of becoming a nation on Monday.
7) And the U.S. will open it's embassy in Jerusalem.
8) Ramadan (and presumably the attendant annual spike in terrorist attacks) begins on Wednesday.
...or is it just me?
Does anyone else see any potential problems here?
...
1) Israeli F-35s overflew locations in Syria & Iran undetected, including the site of Iran's alleged nuclear goings on.
2) Netanyahu spoke about Iran's alleged nuclear aspirations - (Casus Belli )
3) The U.S. backed out of the Iran nuke deal & announces strict sanctions.
4) Iranian missiles were allegedly launched into Israel from Syria.
5) Israel launched the largest air strike in Syria since the '73 war.
6) Israel will celebrate its 70th anniversary of becoming a nation on Monday.
7) And the U.S. will open it's embassy in Jerusalem.
8) Ramadan (and presumably the attendant annual spike in terrorist attacks) begins on Wednesday.
...or is it just me?
Does anyone else see any potential problems here?
...Doomsday clock resets
With the recent rhetoric the doomsday clock has been set to 2 minutes 30 seconds from doomsday.
Which side will fire first?
Will they back down?
Does FEMA have plans to feed the surviving residents of Guam or Hawaii?
If San Francisco goes up in a mushroom cloud, will anyone in the East of the US miss it?
If a North Korean missile hits Los Angeles, where will the new Hollywood be? Detroit perhaps?
Does anyone on the East Coast of the US even care, or will it just be another collection of cell phone videos of the destruction bundled into a youtube documentary then forgotten by the time of the next Superbowl?
Which side will fire first?
Will they back down?
Does FEMA have plans to feed the surviving residents of Guam or Hawaii?
If San Francisco goes up in a mushroom cloud, will anyone in the East of the US miss it?
If a North Korean missile hits Los Angeles, where will the new Hollywood be? Detroit perhaps?
Does anyone on the East Coast of the US even care, or will it just be another collection of cell phone videos of the destruction bundled into a youtube documentary then forgotten by the time of the next Superbowl?
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