As opposed to the monetary war.Thanks for reading Meaning In History! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. The big story today is in Syria, where forces presumably supporting the Syrian government have launched strikes against US forces engaged in looting Syria’s oil fields. Remember how this all started? Something about an “Arab Spring”, I think. It turned out that meant something like, the US armed and trained some pretty nasty terrorists to overthrow governments that we didn’t like. Spreading “peace”, which means something very like “humanitarian crises”. The Syrian government had different ideas and, with a little help from some friends (Iran, Hezbollah, Russia), gamely fought back. And won. The US coalition has largely collapsed and has mostly come to terms with the Assad government—Turkey is the last holdout, but is coming to terms through talks mediated by Russia. US forces entered Syria to prevent the complete collapse of that coalition, but that position is increasingly isolated with Iran and Saudi Arabia reconciling, while Russian diplomacy goes from strength to strength in the region.
Throughout the last autumn I got growing impression that both sides in Ukraine tried to seduce / force each other into a massive offensive (and both sides didn't have enough resources for that, which promised huge losses for the attackers). Conveniently appeared reports about western plans to divide Russia might have served the same aim, as well as various actions aimed at provoking nationalist unrest inside its borders. Now the situation has changed, and people in Russian trenches take the promise of general Ukrainian offensive very seriously (judging by what they write, not celebrities but those not centered on self-promotion). Time is acting against Ukrainian government, pressing it to demonstrate something at least partially successful. There were notes about Ukrainian plan to compensate shortage of aviation and artillery with massive drone strikes. The general mood is tension and concentration. We'll see.
Prigozin exemplifies a common type of elderly (ex)criminals - polite, eloquent and dangerous. I agree that he tends to exaggerate, especially his role (like many of them), but he means business.
US Central Command said, "Our troops remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, which benefits the security and stability of not only Syria, but the entire region."
But keeping 250 troops in Afghanistan with no casualties in a year would serve no purpose? Yeah, sure.
Very disturbing report on the developments in Syria, Mark. Since our misguided foray into that country (don’t we have wheat and oil aplenty in America?…), the central Asian planets have realigned, much like the sight we can soon see in the night sky: China-Russia rapprochement, along with Saudi-Iran, and others seizing the moment of our ever-more probable demise in Ukraine…And we are led by a mealy-mouthed, flailing puppet on a string. A big mistake not to bring the boys home.
After President Donald Trump said on Monday the U.S. will be "keeping the oil" in northeastern Syria, his administration is looking into the "specifics," according to a senior State Department official -- but it's prompted renewed cries that doing so is a war crime.
Trump has a long history of calling for the U.S. to "take the oil" in the Middle East, in Iraq and Syria in particular. But any oil in both countries belongs to their governments, and according to U.S. law and treaties it has ratified, seizing it would be pillaging, a technical term for theft during wartime that is illegal under U.S. and international law.
"We're keeping the oil," Trump said Monday to a conference of police chiefs in Chicago. "I've always said that -- keep the oil. We want to keep the oil, $45 million a month. Keep the oil. We've secured the oil."
The fact that the Military brass deliberately and purposefully LIED to the POTUS, and then blatantly admitted it speaks of serious problems within the military.
Milley's treatment of Trump was outrageous and he should have been court-martialed. Notice now that Biden really is ramping up pressure against China, he's saying nothing.
From the two pictures of arrayed military vehicles, one taken in Poland, the other in Afghanistan, it looked more like preparations for a peacekeeping force, than invasion or defensive units. With all the sudden “RAPPROCHEMENT” moves with Iran, are the mullahs about to get retirement packages for peaceful departures? Polish peacekeepers makes tons more sense for Ukraine, but the pesky Azovs/Banderists and NATO protected BTRA labs need definitive erasing. I have hope with the occasional surprise prisoner exchanges, because something besides “atrocity, atrocity, atrocity” all the time has to be going on. Who built all those Mariupol apartment buildings? Chinese hospital contractors?
I have no idea, but I KNOW I’m getting lied to by MFM.
Keep an eye on this story. Azerbaijan is run by MI6, so this is an attempt to pit Turks/Azeris against Iran/Armenia/Russia.
Neil HauerNeil Hauer
@NeilPHauer
Azerbaijan has launched a new military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, violating the ceasefire regime. Reports that Azerbaijani forces have advanced on the ground.
Cavid Ağa (Pronounced with J)
@cavidaga
BREAKING: AzMOD says they have started a "necessary local operations" in Karabakh.
The_Real_Fly
@The_Real_Fly
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The_Real_Fly
@The_Real_Fly
CHINA HAS REBUFFED US REQUESTS TO ARRANGE A CALL BETWEEN XI AND BIDEN - BBG
Apparently Putin got on the phone with Erdogan. The politics in the Caucasus are complicated, with Iran siding with the Christian Armenians, for example. However, Turkey's troubled economy doesn't need getting into a conflict with Russia and Iran when Erdogan is hoping to be a major energy hub--courtesy of Putin.
Also, Putin and Iran saved Erdogan from a CIA sponsored coup attempt, so he owes them. Obviously there's kinship for the Azeri Turks, but there are other considerations as well.
G'day all! Mark, I hope your household's bug has left. Seems bugs are more persistent since 'Covid War' failures.
I hope folks take the time to review Simplicius' posting. Sadly, I find it to be more trustworthy than Western-specific reporting. I'd note he reports actions which support the 'Spring Offensive' not happening due to. Unreported anywhere else yet Ukraine leadership is blaming - the weather - which probably won't cut it regarding the US President's recent visit and apparent demanding of results.
As I considered replying today, I am struck by how I am for the NATO/US proxy war to fail which means I am supporting Russia. How did I get here? I don't like the Marxist/Democrat leadership of my country today, but I love this Country. I confess, I can not reconcile my feelings here. Being called fascist by my President has some significant influence, I think. My family members have given their lives fighting in our military and it's endeavors. I would have as well, swearing an oath to Support and Defend our Constitution during the Nam conflict. Yet the very leadership of this country I swore to support, took a similar oath. How can they and I be at such odds today? Blessings to you and all your readers Mark. (WrH)
Since 1965 our country has admitted legally and illegally many people who do not share the same principals and have been allowed, even encouraged, to abandon the notion of assimilation to the American way of life which has been denigrated as systemically racist. Many of those who immigrated since 1965 bring their culture here which is often antithetical to our way of life or the culture we have established and codified in the American Creed. This Multiculturalism does not work. We are now a land of squabbling ethnicities, ideologies, and meaningless values all driven by a small cabal NEOCON hucksters who seek to rule over a world they believe is their god-given right. I use the small 'g' as the god of these people has never been the God that granted me my self evident rights to pursue my happiness guided by my beliefs and principals as enumerated in our constitution and bill of rights.
Thank you for your comment. It reveals much about when the foundation of this country's Constitution - God Given Inalienable Rights - are set aside we lose what provided for our world-leadership - that in my opinion, is God's Blessing. Assimilation has been key in this country comprised of mostly immigrants. Melting Pot once described how so diverse a set of cultures could become the United part of the United States of America. This Republic was deemed an experiment and presciently noted then, "if we can keep it". Lots of steps to the loss: with the socialist agenda flowing into the cracks of human-nature having made great strides. To the detriment of not just our country's citizenry, but to the World. And, unsurprisingly, I'll state it is the love of 'World' rather than God that is at root. Original Sin with variations in deceit. Not new-just heartbreaking. Bless you Cosmo, I hope for you the best possible! (WrH) Ps., I sorta want to apologize in tending to get personal in my comments. Best I can offer as explanation is you get me as I am. Never intending to offend I appreciate the forum Mark provides (and that he puts up with in my participation).
It is so very kind of you to show your support! I'd blush but got older enough not to somehow. I re-read my writing sometimes and worry I've offended folks. But I do try to be as honest as I can and have no shame of my Faith in Christ. My best regards for you! (WrH)
You can count me as another who appreciates your comments, and your honesty and unashamed faith in Christ are good things to hold onto. Especially now.
You might be interested in this very emotional clip. A young meteorologist covering the deadly tornados that struck Amory and Rolling Fork MS last night.
RNo, hello and hoping you're enjoying the weekend! I hate it that you're right on here. I've contended Marxist agenda socialism is part and parcel to where we find ourselves shaking our heads. God can't be allowed in a Marxist community: God's design for Family is therefore a big target: kids courtesy of our lack of responsible parenting are successfully preyed upon by the very people trusted as 'loving our kids' who then boast of how good a job they're doing sexualizing 11 year-olds. Ugh. Very best regards sir! (WrH)
France is having their 'revolution': when might the sensible (ordinary, if you will) of the world hold ours? What might it take? The nuke threat should stir reasonable folks... Socialism is what's resisting France's tyrannical leadership behavior: so I don't know that would translate against the Ukraine proxy war as I'll suggest we need. I'll just continue to hope. Most of we ordinary folk do value life enough to push-back on ongoing spiraling craziness, but somehow I don't sense it's happening - yet.
Unfortunately, Wayne, the French example isn't a good one. Sure, I'll be happy if they get rid of Macron - he's just another authoritarian Davos stooge. However, the French aren't really demonstrating for democracy. If they were so worried about democracy, they would have on the streets over the last two years. What they are mainly angry about is having to work till 64. Ironically, Macron is right on this one: you can't expect the sort of welfare system and public services that the French do and then retire at 62.
You are so right: massive protests against a wrongful act (unilateral retirement age change); an act that actually will help their socialist economy survive a bit longer. Ironic. It kind of is a microcosm of the world these days: doing stuff for the wrong reasons. Eventually, unintentional good may be accomplished amongst the myriad of stupid. Is it 'Affluence-disease'? I suggest thinking of how enjoyable the time sitting around a campfire can be: use it to cook boil water for coffee, get warm and soak in it's light. Pretty basic living and yet, most satisfying! Best always to you sir! (WrH)
I much prefer reading your comments and others like you, and of course Mark, but in this case the years I lived in France prompt me to reply. The French are not pragmatic. Americans are. Their problem will not be solved. Ours is already resolved. It could be we have arrived at "1984" but Big Brother Biden is a joke. To quote Dangerfield, he don't get no respect. Our government may have a failproof system for winning elections, but they can't seem to be able to do anything else. Maybe that is all that interests them. We the proles have lives to live. After J6, Americans are not interested in Washington, not even to visit. It may be that if they work hard at it our guv'mint might regain our trust. Why bother pushing back? It's up to them. Meantime I see them ruining the country and failing in all their endeavors, foreign and domestic. We as individuals have a responsibility to preserve the American way of life, at least on Main Street. Don't let them ruin us.
France is doomed because there are no viable political choices. Le Pen is not the "far-right extremist" the press labels here, but she has no ideas that will bring back France to greatness. As for the left, I was listening to an interview the other day with a communist politician. Yes, France is one of the few nations on Earth with openly communist pols! There is no sane centrist party - just two crazy wings.
G'evening perle, I appreciate being a part of Mark's readership - there is much experience, thought and wisdom brought to bear in his postings and the comments that follow. I'm just a bit younger than you but truly respect your thoughts as well.
My simple understanding of 'the world' has always been slanted towards the American way being the absolute best; Europe was evolving poorly as socialism worked it's way through (Canada as well), the communist Russia and a dissimilar yet communist China were representative of a horror to be fought. My naivete was tainted (fortunately) with Patriotism: my U S History teachers loved this country and taught me that our Liberty and Freedom required safeguarding and to remain vigilant. My family bled and some died in battles for this worthy cause of Liberty: WWII through Viet Nam. I enlisted in 1972, as a 17 year-old, knowing full well what I was doing, if blind to what was corrupting all those beliefs I held. After seeing my brothers fight in VN so valiantly and successfully just be destroyed by 'diplomacy', [or rather our Government's idiocy] I was changed - if uninformed and without understanding- into a political being. I never had viewed my patriotism as political until the truth of LBJ's great society being a socialist agenda hit me - and was by democrats. That it was their 'politics' that turned nearly 59,000 men's lives into meaningless loss. The very same ilk of people - that I'd have died fighting for their rights to have spit at me, protest war blaming me and 'my kind' and that gave them the very freedom to be the stupid they were acting like - were perpetrating that very evil 'socialism' here.
I agree with you, sir, that we must continue the fight to maintain that very real American way of life. I'm resolved to do so in my neighborhood, community and local region for exactly the reasons you list: the Federal level of Gov't is, well, 'off the rails' of our Constitutional founding. Tho' I believe we must not surrender and that there may be a time to push-back coming.
Right now, with our 3-letter agencies acting as Stasi-like agents of the democrat/socialist/progressive party, local work is where we must focus. Schools need to be taken back. Big cities may have to be conceded. I'd note when the SHTF - be it a super-solar storm or a EMP nuke from N. Korea, those folks will not last long, likely trying to invade the rural, self-sufficient populace.
My Gloom and Dooms-day thinking is now done for the night. I really just wanted to share my appreciation for you, as well as all the community that's found here. I've genuine respect and regard for Mark's work; while he might state he does this because he enjoys writing, I'll say he providing a lot of research, thought, experience and effort for our benefit and thank him as often as I can for doing so. I wish Blessings for you, Perle, as we enter Sunday. None of my business but if you believe, I'll suggest we can truly Trust in His Truth and honor Him with that Faith. And again, thank you for your service to this Country; like mine, it was NOT in vain. G'night! (WrH) Ps., I'm glad I don't have to pay by the word here... I'd go broke!
Throughout the last autumn I got growing impression that both sides in Ukraine tried to seduce / force each other into a massive offensive (and both sides didn't have enough resources for that, which promised huge losses for the attackers). Conveniently appeared reports about western plans to divide Russia might have served the same aim, as well as various actions aimed at provoking nationalist unrest inside its borders. Now the situation has changed, and people in Russian trenches take the promise of general Ukrainian offensive very seriously (judging by what they write, not celebrities but those not centered on self-promotion). Time is acting against Ukrainian government, pressing it to demonstrate something at least partially successful. There were notes about Ukrainian plan to compensate shortage of aviation and artillery with massive drone strikes. The general mood is tension and concentration. We'll see.
Prigozin exemplifies a common type of elderly (ex)criminals - polite, eloquent and dangerous. I agree that he tends to exaggerate, especially his role (like many of them), but he means business.
US Central Command said, "Our troops remain in Syria to ensure the enduring defeat of ISIS, which benefits the security and stability of not only Syria, but the entire region."
But keeping 250 troops in Afghanistan with no casualties in a year would serve no purpose? Yeah, sure.
DEI training conflicted with air defense management
I have become cynical enough to actually wonder if maybe the Air Defense was working for a reason. Okay maybe too tin foil hat.
Very disturbing report on the developments in Syria, Mark. Since our misguided foray into that country (don’t we have wheat and oil aplenty in America?…), the central Asian planets have realigned, much like the sight we can soon see in the night sky: China-Russia rapprochement, along with Saudi-Iran, and others seizing the moment of our ever-more probable demise in Ukraine…And we are led by a mealy-mouthed, flailing puppet on a string. A big mistake not to bring the boys home.
Great point - just another (!) reason he had to go. MAGA doesn’t mean going through the battlefield.
However, Trump was a mixed bag:
https://twitter.com/witte_sergei/status/1639479057950842884
https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Politics/keeping-oil-syria-trump-considered-war-crime/story
After President Donald Trump said on Monday the U.S. will be "keeping the oil" in northeastern Syria, his administration is looking into the "specifics," according to a senior State Department official -- but it's prompted renewed cries that doing so is a war crime.
Trump has a long history of calling for the U.S. to "take the oil" in the Middle East, in Iraq and Syria in particular. But any oil in both countries belongs to their governments, and according to U.S. law and treaties it has ratified, seizing it would be pillaging, a technical term for theft during wartime that is illegal under U.S. and international law.
"We're keeping the oil," Trump said Monday to a conference of police chiefs in Chicago. "I've always said that -- keep the oil. We want to keep the oil, $45 million a month. Keep the oil. We've secured the oil."
The fact that the Military brass deliberately and purposefully LIED to the POTUS, and then blatantly admitted it speaks of serious problems within the military.
Milley's treatment of Trump was outrageous and he should have been court-martialed. Notice now that Biden really is ramping up pressure against China, he's saying nothing.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-court-rejects-biden-vaccine-mandate-federal-workers
This is a significant win. It's from the 5th circuit and the full circuit overturned the earlier ruling of a three judge panel.
From the two pictures of arrayed military vehicles, one taken in Poland, the other in Afghanistan, it looked more like preparations for a peacekeeping force, than invasion or defensive units. With all the sudden “RAPPROCHEMENT” moves with Iran, are the mullahs about to get retirement packages for peaceful departures? Polish peacekeepers makes tons more sense for Ukraine, but the pesky Azovs/Banderists and NATO protected BTRA labs need definitive erasing. I have hope with the occasional surprise prisoner exchanges, because something besides “atrocity, atrocity, atrocity” all the time has to be going on. Who built all those Mariupol apartment buildings? Chinese hospital contractors?
I have no idea, but I KNOW I’m getting lied to by MFM.
Keep an eye on this story. Azerbaijan is run by MI6, so this is an attempt to pit Turks/Azeris against Iran/Armenia/Russia.
Neil HauerNeil Hauer
@NeilPHauer
Azerbaijan has launched a new military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh, violating the ceasefire regime. Reports that Azerbaijani forces have advanced on the ground.
Cavid Ağa (Pronounced with J)
@cavidaga
BREAKING: AzMOD says they have started a "necessary local operations" in Karabakh.
The_Real_Fly
@The_Real_Fly
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan, the RIA Novosti news agency reported, citing Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.
The_Real_Fly
@The_Real_Fly
CHINA HAS REBUFFED US REQUESTS TO ARRANGE A CALL BETWEEN XI AND BIDEN - BBG
Read recently where Russian peacekeepers troops told the Azeris to run along back home.
Apparently Putin got on the phone with Erdogan. The politics in the Caucasus are complicated, with Iran siding with the Christian Armenians, for example. However, Turkey's troubled economy doesn't need getting into a conflict with Russia and Iran when Erdogan is hoping to be a major energy hub--courtesy of Putin.
Also, Putin and Iran saved Erdogan from a CIA sponsored coup attempt, so he owes them. Obviously there's kinship for the Azeri Turks, but there are other considerations as well.
Another uk escalation…
Odd that the US and UK are fighting so hard for Bronze-Place honors.... - :^)
Seems Musk's noted "Bronze-Level diplomacy" in action. How many (mostly innocent) lives sacrificed before this madness is stopped?
G'day all! Mark, I hope your household's bug has left. Seems bugs are more persistent since 'Covid War' failures.
I hope folks take the time to review Simplicius' posting. Sadly, I find it to be more trustworthy than Western-specific reporting. I'd note he reports actions which support the 'Spring Offensive' not happening due to. Unreported anywhere else yet Ukraine leadership is blaming - the weather - which probably won't cut it regarding the US President's recent visit and apparent demanding of results.
As I considered replying today, I am struck by how I am for the NATO/US proxy war to fail which means I am supporting Russia. How did I get here? I don't like the Marxist/Democrat leadership of my country today, but I love this Country. I confess, I can not reconcile my feelings here. Being called fascist by my President has some significant influence, I think. My family members have given their lives fighting in our military and it's endeavors. I would have as well, swearing an oath to Support and Defend our Constitution during the Nam conflict. Yet the very leadership of this country I swore to support, took a similar oath. How can they and I be at such odds today? Blessings to you and all your readers Mark. (WrH)
Since 1965 our country has admitted legally and illegally many people who do not share the same principals and have been allowed, even encouraged, to abandon the notion of assimilation to the American way of life which has been denigrated as systemically racist. Many of those who immigrated since 1965 bring their culture here which is often antithetical to our way of life or the culture we have established and codified in the American Creed. This Multiculturalism does not work. We are now a land of squabbling ethnicities, ideologies, and meaningless values all driven by a small cabal NEOCON hucksters who seek to rule over a world they believe is their god-given right. I use the small 'g' as the god of these people has never been the God that granted me my self evident rights to pursue my happiness guided by my beliefs and principals as enumerated in our constitution and bill of rights.
Hey and G'day CTK,
Thank you for your comment. It reveals much about when the foundation of this country's Constitution - God Given Inalienable Rights - are set aside we lose what provided for our world-leadership - that in my opinion, is God's Blessing. Assimilation has been key in this country comprised of mostly immigrants. Melting Pot once described how so diverse a set of cultures could become the United part of the United States of America. This Republic was deemed an experiment and presciently noted then, "if we can keep it". Lots of steps to the loss: with the socialist agenda flowing into the cracks of human-nature having made great strides. To the detriment of not just our country's citizenry, but to the World. And, unsurprisingly, I'll state it is the love of 'World' rather than God that is at root. Original Sin with variations in deceit. Not new-just heartbreaking. Bless you Cosmo, I hope for you the best possible! (WrH) Ps., I sorta want to apologize in tending to get personal in my comments. Best I can offer as explanation is you get me as I am. Never intending to offend I appreciate the forum Mark provides (and that he puts up with in my participation).
Wayne, We are very glad you are here! I for one always enjoy your comments and insights.
Seconded.
Y'all are flattering and very much appreciated!
It is so very kind of you to show your support! I'd blush but got older enough not to somehow. I re-read my writing sometimes and worry I've offended folks. But I do try to be as honest as I can and have no shame of my Faith in Christ. My best regards for you! (WrH)
You can count me as another who appreciates your comments, and your honesty and unashamed faith in Christ are good things to hold onto. Especially now.
You are very kind and I am genuinely encouraged. Thank you!
You might be interested in this very emotional clip. A young meteorologist covering the deadly tornados that struck Amory and Rolling Fork MS last night.
https://twitter.com/BNODesk/status/1639490172952936448/mediaviewer
Oh, to be so ready. Thanks for sharing that HL.
RNo, hello and hoping you're enjoying the weekend! I hate it that you're right on here. I've contended Marxist agenda socialism is part and parcel to where we find ourselves shaking our heads. God can't be allowed in a Marxist community: God's design for Family is therefore a big target: kids courtesy of our lack of responsible parenting are successfully preyed upon by the very people trusted as 'loving our kids' who then boast of how good a job they're doing sexualizing 11 year-olds. Ugh. Very best regards sir! (WrH)
Yep. The Leftists cannot abide any competing ideologies, whether religion, families or even the private life of the individual.
Ordinary Poles will no doubt be grateful to the UK for that.
France is having their 'revolution': when might the sensible (ordinary, if you will) of the world hold ours? What might it take? The nuke threat should stir reasonable folks... Socialism is what's resisting France's tyrannical leadership behavior: so I don't know that would translate against the Ukraine proxy war as I'll suggest we need. I'll just continue to hope. Most of we ordinary folk do value life enough to push-back on ongoing spiraling craziness, but somehow I don't sense it's happening - yet.
Unfortunately, Wayne, the French example isn't a good one. Sure, I'll be happy if they get rid of Macron - he's just another authoritarian Davos stooge. However, the French aren't really demonstrating for democracy. If they were so worried about democracy, they would have on the streets over the last two years. What they are mainly angry about is having to work till 64. Ironically, Macron is right on this one: you can't expect the sort of welfare system and public services that the French do and then retire at 62.
Hey and G'Sunday S'21!
You are so right: massive protests against a wrongful act (unilateral retirement age change); an act that actually will help their socialist economy survive a bit longer. Ironic. It kind of is a microcosm of the world these days: doing stuff for the wrong reasons. Eventually, unintentional good may be accomplished amongst the myriad of stupid. Is it 'Affluence-disease'? I suggest thinking of how enjoyable the time sitting around a campfire can be: use it to cook boil water for coffee, get warm and soak in it's light. Pretty basic living and yet, most satisfying! Best always to you sir! (WrH)
I much prefer reading your comments and others like you, and of course Mark, but in this case the years I lived in France prompt me to reply. The French are not pragmatic. Americans are. Their problem will not be solved. Ours is already resolved. It could be we have arrived at "1984" but Big Brother Biden is a joke. To quote Dangerfield, he don't get no respect. Our government may have a failproof system for winning elections, but they can't seem to be able to do anything else. Maybe that is all that interests them. We the proles have lives to live. After J6, Americans are not interested in Washington, not even to visit. It may be that if they work hard at it our guv'mint might regain our trust. Why bother pushing back? It's up to them. Meantime I see them ruining the country and failing in all their endeavors, foreign and domestic. We as individuals have a responsibility to preserve the American way of life, at least on Main Street. Don't let them ruin us.
France is doomed because there are no viable political choices. Le Pen is not the "far-right extremist" the press labels here, but she has no ideas that will bring back France to greatness. As for the left, I was listening to an interview the other day with a communist politician. Yes, France is one of the few nations on Earth with openly communist pols! There is no sane centrist party - just two crazy wings.
G'evening perle, I appreciate being a part of Mark's readership - there is much experience, thought and wisdom brought to bear in his postings and the comments that follow. I'm just a bit younger than you but truly respect your thoughts as well.
My simple understanding of 'the world' has always been slanted towards the American way being the absolute best; Europe was evolving poorly as socialism worked it's way through (Canada as well), the communist Russia and a dissimilar yet communist China were representative of a horror to be fought. My naivete was tainted (fortunately) with Patriotism: my U S History teachers loved this country and taught me that our Liberty and Freedom required safeguarding and to remain vigilant. My family bled and some died in battles for this worthy cause of Liberty: WWII through Viet Nam. I enlisted in 1972, as a 17 year-old, knowing full well what I was doing, if blind to what was corrupting all those beliefs I held. After seeing my brothers fight in VN so valiantly and successfully just be destroyed by 'diplomacy', [or rather our Government's idiocy] I was changed - if uninformed and without understanding- into a political being. I never had viewed my patriotism as political until the truth of LBJ's great society being a socialist agenda hit me - and was by democrats. That it was their 'politics' that turned nearly 59,000 men's lives into meaningless loss. The very same ilk of people - that I'd have died fighting for their rights to have spit at me, protest war blaming me and 'my kind' and that gave them the very freedom to be the stupid they were acting like - were perpetrating that very evil 'socialism' here.
I agree with you, sir, that we must continue the fight to maintain that very real American way of life. I'm resolved to do so in my neighborhood, community and local region for exactly the reasons you list: the Federal level of Gov't is, well, 'off the rails' of our Constitutional founding. Tho' I believe we must not surrender and that there may be a time to push-back coming.
Right now, with our 3-letter agencies acting as Stasi-like agents of the democrat/socialist/progressive party, local work is where we must focus. Schools need to be taken back. Big cities may have to be conceded. I'd note when the SHTF - be it a super-solar storm or a EMP nuke from N. Korea, those folks will not last long, likely trying to invade the rural, self-sufficient populace.
My Gloom and Dooms-day thinking is now done for the night. I really just wanted to share my appreciation for you, as well as all the community that's found here. I've genuine respect and regard for Mark's work; while he might state he does this because he enjoys writing, I'll say he providing a lot of research, thought, experience and effort for our benefit and thank him as often as I can for doing so. I wish Blessings for you, Perle, as we enter Sunday. None of my business but if you believe, I'll suggest we can truly Trust in His Truth and honor Him with that Faith. And again, thank you for your service to this Country; like mine, it was NOT in vain. G'night! (WrH) Ps., I'm glad I don't have to pay by the word here... I'd go broke!