Closing Thought–14Jun17

Keep It Flyin’!

Today is the 242nd birthday of the US Army…….

On June 14, 1775, the Continental Congress passed the following resolution:
Resolved, That six companies of expert riflemen [sic], be immediately raised in Pennsylvania, two in Maryland, and two in Virginia; … [and] that each company, as soon as completed [sic], shall march and join the army near Boston, to be there employed as light infantry, under the command of the chief Officer in that army.
With this resolution, the Continental Congress adopted the New England Army of Observation, making it a “continental” army — a united colonial fighting force — that could represent all 13 colonies with the addition of the troops from the three middle colonies. The Continental Army thus became America’s first national institution.

Know the history of the US Army………

Source: The History Reader – A History Blog from St. Martins Press

Today is Flag Day and since none of the “patriotic” toads on the Right will acknowledge the day it falls to me, a no account lib, according to them…..and since most of the “patriots” that fly the flag do not do it properly….I thought I would help with a refresher course…..

The article below has a short vid on the proper display….maybe it would help if it is watched before attempting to show their “patriotism”…….

The first celebration of the U.S. Flag’s birthday was held in 1877 on the 100th anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777. However, it is believed that the first annual recognition of the flag’s birthday dates back to 1885 when school teacher, BJ Cigrand, first organized a group of Wisconsin school children to observe June 14 – the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes as the Flag’s Birthday. Cigrand, now known as the ‘Father of Flag Day,’ continued to publically advocate the observance of June 14 as the flag’s ‘birthday’, or ‘Flag Day’ for years.

Just a few years later the efforts of another school teacher, George Balch, led to the formal observance of ‘Flag Day’ on June 14 by the New York State Board of Education. Over the following years as many as 36 state and local governments began adopted the annual observance. For over 30 years Flag Day remained a state and local celebration.

In 1916, the anniversary of the Flag Resolution of 1777 became a nationally observed event by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson. However, it was not designated as National Flag Day until August 3rd, 1949, when an Act of Congress designated June 14th of each year as National Flag Day.

Source: Flag Day & Flag Etiquette | Military.com

For the full code please read……

Source: The U.S. Flag Code: Proper Flag Etiquette | Lifescript.com

Have a great day……tomorrow’s stuff is in the making….chuq

“I Do Not Recall”

The next big thing was yesterday…..AG Sessions testifies before the Senate Intel Committee on the ever present Russian thing.

His opening statement was a rambling mish mash about his place in the Trump admin and then he went on about a desire to prosecute medical marijuana shops….an AG that has little knowledge about state’s rights….he showed his ignorance. (but if he challenges that then other state’s rights issue should be challenged)

If one was having a drinking game during the testimony and “I do not recall” was the trigger term then you would have been hammered 30 minutes into his testimony. It will be is most famous quote from the Hearing.

He was questioned and he answered…….

Attorney General Jeff Sessions began his testimony before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday by claiming interference in the US’ democratic process “can never be tolerated and I encourage every effort to get to the bottom of any such allegations” in his opening remarks. He went on to deny ever meeting any Russian officials to discuss interference in the 2016 election or campaign. Furthermore, he says he has no knowledge of anyone involved in the Trump campaign who held such meetings. Sessions says any suggestion he was involved in collusion with Russia is an “appalling and detestable lie.” Here’s what else you need to know from Sessions’ testimony:

CNN reports Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Sen. Richard Burr had four things he wanted to learn from Sessions’ testimony, including: Sessions’ possible meetings with Russian officials, why he recused himself from the Russia investigation, and if he was involved in the removal of James Comey.

Sessions refused to discuss conversations he’s had with President Trump, according to the New York Times, saying: “I cannot and will not violate my duty to protect confidential communications with the president.”

The Daily Beast reports that led Democratic Sen. Martin Heinrich to accuse Sessions of “impeding” the Russian investigation, telling him: “Your silence … speaks volumes.”

Sessions argues that just because he recused himself from the Russian investigation, that didn’t preclude him from recommending the firing of James Comey, according to the Los Angeles Times. Sessions says he and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein agreed the FBI needed a “fresh start” long before meeting with Trump about it.

Sessions responded to questions about his honesty by suggesting there are “secret innuendos” out there about him.

This was a waste of time and energy….if there is a closed door session then maybe more will be learned.

Basically, he could have gone home after his opening statement. For he either has dementia or is lying.

As usual if you do not like what you read of my post then go to the transcript and make up your own…..or if you were smart and did not watch this circus but still want to know what was said……

Source: Transcript: Jeff Sessions’ testimony on Trump and Russia – POLITICO

My only question is…would the AG allow a witness to use the dodge ”
I do not recall” that many times without a suspicious eye? Selective amnesia as it were.

The Interview Of The Year?

First I would like to thank everyone who stopped by IST yesterday…..we had over 120 comments…one of my better days……thanx to my friends.

Remember Megyn Kelly?

She is that ex-FOX star that switched sides and went to work for the opposition, MSNBC and NBC.

She scored an interview with Putin for her first one for her new home…a coup for her.

Her second major interview has caused a bit of a row and caused a bit of turmoil……..

Megyn Kelly’s first interview for her new Sunday show on NBC News was none other than Vladimir Putin. But the guest coming up on her June 18 show may be generating even more attention: conspiracy theorist Alex Jones of Infowars. Given that Jones has suggested, among other things, that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax and that 9/11 was an “inside job,” the choice is generating a ton of criticism already. Coverage:

Teaser: NBC has released a teaser of the interview, in which Kelly challenges Jones on Sandy Hook in particular and accuses him of a “dodge” in his response. See it here.

Typical sentiment: A post at AV Club voices a common sentiment among those criticizing the choice. “She may be calling him out for his claims that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax, but she’s still giving him an opportunity to defend that repugnant argument,” writes Sam Barsanti.

Kelly’s defense: She notes that President Trump has praised Jones and wants to give him White House press credentials. “Many don’t know him; our job is 2 shine a light,” she tweets.

Mother’s response: “By making this choice, you grieve our hearts and the memory of our child,” tweets Nelba Marquez-Greene, whose daughter, Ana Grace, was killed in the school shooting. “You have a powerful platform. I encourage you to ‘shine light’ on affirming the losses suffered here- NOT on a person who mocks those losses…. Evil doesn’t need another platform.”

Much more:HuffPost rounds up the many critical tweets surfacing about the interview. One in particular catching attention: “My nephew survived Sandy Hook. I am not tolerating this. Will never watch @megynkelly or @NBCNews again if they choose to air this.”

Jones’ reaction: On Friday, Jones posted a video in which he goes after Kelly personally in the wake of their interview, notes Mediaite. “Not feminine. Cold. Robotic. Dead,” Jones said. “I felt zero attraction to Megyn Kelly. That’s not an insult to Megyn Kelly. I talked to a lot of other folks that know her. They say, ‘No. It’s the same.’ Because you’re dealing with…sociopath? A psychopath? I don’t know.”

‘Performance artist’: In his recent child custody case, Jones told the court that he is merely a “performance artist.” He lost the case.

Morning show: Kelly launches a morning show on NBC in the fall, and she just landed a big-name producer, reports Page Six.

Let the consequences begin…and there may be more…..

Megyn Kelly’s interview with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is set to air Sunday on NBC, and there’s been no shortage of outrage over her decision to give airtime to the man who says the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. The Wall Street Journal reports by way of a source that JP Morgan Chase is speaking with its wallet: It has reportedly pulled its local TV and digital ads from all NBC News slots, including Kelly’s show, from now through the Jones interview.

The Journal didn’t get a comment from NBC or confirmation from JP Morgan, but it did cite a tweet from JP Morgan CMO Kristin Lemkau that falls in line with the narrative: “As an advertiser, I’m repulsed that @megynkelly would give a second of airtime to someone who says Sandy Hook and Aurora are hoaxes.” Read Kelly’s defense of the Jones interview, and Jones’ unkind words for Kelly, here.

The chaos over this interview has caused the star to offer up and explanation…..

Megyn Kelly is under fire for her decision to sit down with Infowars host Alex Jones, who has peddled conspiracy theories, including the idea that the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was faked by the government. But on Tuesday she defended the interview, which will air on NBC News Sunday. “I find Alex Jones’s suggestion that Sandy Hook was ‘a hoax’ as personally revolting as every other rational person does,” Kelly said in a statement posted to Twitter. “It left me, and many other Americans, asking the very question that prompted this interview: how does Jones, who traffics in these outrageous conspiracy theories, have the respect of the president of the United States and a growing audience of millions?”

“President Trump, by praising and citing him, appearing on his show, and giving him White House press credentials, has helped elevate Jones, to the alarm of many,” Kelly continues. “Our goal in sitting down with him was to shine a light—as journalists are supposed to do—on this influential figure, and yes—to discuss the considerable falsehoods he has promoted with near impunity.” The statement came in response to the announcement that nonprofit Sandy Hook Promise has dumped her as the host of its gala in DC Wednesday night thanks to the Jones interview. Previews for Sunday’s interview show Jones appearing to change the subject when asked about his Sandy Hook comments, saying that what people should really be concerned about are “animal-human hybrids.”

This situation is all too much fun for junkies like me……where will this go?

How will the ratings play out?

Somewhere there is another shoe waiting to fall.

Qatar: The War Of Words

Most people know of the problems that are brewing on the Arabian Peninsula between the Saudis and Qatar…right now it is a war of words and diplomatic BS.

I read a horrible story the other day about the poisoning of some Iraqi refugees…..

Iraq’s Health Minister and the UN refugee agency have confirmed that there was a mass food poisoning at the Hasansham U2 camp, located between Mosul and Irbil, and at least one person has died. Health Minister Adila Hamoud said the meal that was served as Iftar affected around 800 people, with at least 300 in critical conditions.

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) said it was “really concerned” by the events at the camp. Its staff are coordinating with other agencies and authorities to provide swift medical treatment and transport the seriously sick to nearby hospitals.

Source: Iraq: Around 800 people poisoned at refugee camp | Myinforms

I know…what has this got to do with the back and forth between the Saudis and Qatar?

Easy peasy.

Food poisoning at a camp for displaced residents of Mosul has made more than 700 people sick, with hundreds hospitalized, Iraqi officials said Tuesday. The incident at the Hassan Sham U2 camp, about 13 miles east of Mosul, has become part of the ongoing dispute between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Saudi media accused a Qatari charity of supplying tainted food to the residents of the desert camp. Iraqi Health Minister Adila Hamoud told the AP that 752 people in the camp became ill following a Monday night iftar—the meal breaking the dawn-to-dusk fast by Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. At least 300 people remain in serious condition, he said. Various reports have put the number of related deaths between zero and three.

Amira Abdulhaliq of the UNHCR said it was unclear when the meals had become contaminated, whether it was during preparation, packaging, transportation, or distribution. “So far, we have received around 800 cases. Around 200 have been transported to the hospitals in Irbil,” she said. Irbil Gov. Nawzad Hadi said the food was prepared in an Irbil restaurant by a local NGO, Ain el Muhtajeen, and funded by a Qatari charity known as RAF. In Saudi Arabia, which has been leading a recent campaign to isolate Qatar, state media quickly seized on the issue with coverage that implied Qatar was poisoning refugees deliberately. The Hassan Sham U2 camp houses thousands who have fled their homes in and around Mosul after a US-backed Iraqi offensive was launched in October to dislodge the Islamic State group.

I see the usual tactic…..grab onto something in the news and turn it into a justification for action…..(and that Irene is how propaganda works)…it was successful in the first Gulf War as well as the return trip to Iraq.

And now more weapons will flow into Saudi Arabia…..

The Senate on Tuesday narrowly turned back a bipartisan bid to rebuke Saudi Arabia and reject President Donald Trump’s plan to sell the kingdom more than $500 million in precision-guided munitions, sparing the new Republican administration an embarrassing defeat.

The vote Tuesday was 53-47, clearing the way for the sale to be finalised. The precision munitions are part of Trump’s proposed $110 billion arms package to Riyadh, which the administration said would create US jobs while also improving a key ally’s military capability.

(alArabya.co.uk)

Where will these weapons be used? Yemen….Qatar? This is what happens when your ambassador takes a hike…..no one there to try and end the posturing.

Maybe this is what was wanted all along……I mean would not be the first time.

Who Or What Killed The Middle Class?

The Middle Class has been disappearing for decades but what or who is to blame?

Easy answer….Reagan or better yet Reaganomics…..

It death spiral began with Reagan’s dash to slice taxes on the rich and it has continued ever since……

There’s nothing “normal” about having a middle class. Having a middle class is a choice that a society has to make, and it’s a choice we need to make again in this generation, if we want to stop the destruction of the remnants of the last generation’s middle class.

Despite what you might read in the Wall Street Journal or see on Fox News, capitalism is not an economic system that produces a middle class. In fact, if left to its own devices, capitalism tends towards vast levels of inequality and monopoly. The natural and most stable state of capitalism actually looks a lot like the Victorian England depicted in Charles Dickens’ novels.

At the top there is a very small class of superrich. Below them, there is a slightly larger, but still very small, “middle” class of professionals and mercantilists – doctor, lawyers, shop-owners – who help keep things running for the superrich and supply the working poor with their needs. And at the very bottom there is the great mass of people – typically over 90 percent of the population – who make up the working poor. They have no wealth – in fact they’re typically in debt most of their lives – and can barely survive on what little money they make.

Source: Reaganomics killed America’s middle class – Salon.com

The Dems have taken up the mantle of the Middle Class and so far they have failed miserably……but yet they keep trying the same failed policies that they have come to champion…..and there is NO end in sight…..

The Democrats don’t have a “white working-class problem.” They have a “working-class problem,” which progressives have been reluctant to address honestly or boldly. The fact is that Democrats have lost support with all working-class voters across the electorate, including the Rising American Electorate of minorities, unmarried women, and millennials. This decline contributed mightily to the Democrats’ losses in the states and Congress and to the election of Donald Trump.

Source: The Democrats’ ‘Working-Class Problem’ Is Worse Than We Think | Alternet

There is a slight chance that this situation can be reversed…..but the Dems are playing the same cards as they always play…..and they lose.

Sadly we are seeing the final days of the Middle Class….and few seem to care.

In Saner Thought

"It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error"..Thomas Paine

Day: June 14, 2017