Wednesday, March 08, 2017

No substance

Doesn't this just say it all?

  Retweeted
Study: "Clinton’s message was devoid of policy discussions in a way not seen in the previous four" elections



Her campaign was empty of everything.

"Like me!!!"

"Vote for me!!!"

She was so devoid of any ethics that I guess she failed to  note she had nothing to run on.

Ava and C.I. nailed it "So, uh, we weren't with her? (Ava and C.I.):"

Contrast her "For anyone who's ever been counted out . . ." of 2008 with "I'm With Her" of this go round.

Were we trying to get into a club?

I'm with her?

In 2008, she was going to do something to help we the people, she was going to be a fighter for we the people.

Eight years later, I'm with her?

She ran her campaign as though the country owed her the presidency and all she had to do was show up for the coronation.



Exactly, they wrote that the day after the election.

Exactly.

Hillary was the hollow candidate, the empty suit.

And then she wanted to whine -- and so did her followers.

She really needs to go away.

Here's C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"


Wednesday, March 8, 2017.  Chaos and violence continue, the State Dept finally holds a press briefing, and more.


US President Donald Trump, this week, signed a new executive order regarding immigration.

We'll note this from the State Dept press briefing.


QUESTION: All right, last thing. On the executive order that was signed yesterday but which we all had a preview of, the immigration and refugee executive order.

MR TONER: Yep.


QUESTION: Since you knew that this was coming, and everyone basically knew it was coming since the first one came out, it calls for a review of the vetting procedures for not just refugees, but also on the terms of visa issuance. I’m wondering, since that review must be well along now, what deficiencies the reviewers have uncovered in the previous, or prior, or even current vetting processes.


MR TONER: Sure. Well, I mean, look – and this is elaborated in section five of the executive order – but it does call for the development of a uniform baseline for screening and vetting standards and procedures. And it also, as you noted, calls for progress reporting to the President beginning 60 days after the implementation date, which is March 16th. That said, some of this work was already underway from the previous EO.

I can’t get into too many specific details about what this report has uncovered thus far. We spoke with – and frankly, Secretary Tillerson spoke in respect to some of the progress that Iraq has made with regard to meeting some of the questions or some of the disconnects, if you will, in terms of information sharing and other procedures, that they’ve met those requirements – one of the reasons why Iraq was removed from the list of seven countries.
But this is all part of the executive order’s purpose, which is to review and improve our national security-focused visitor screening and vetting procedures. And the process, as I said, is ongoing.

QUESTION: So there hasn’t been any specific improvement so far --

MR TONER: Well, again, I mean, we’re always seeking to improve what we’re doing. And this is an iterative process. I mean, even before the executive order, we can say that it’s not like we just began this January 27th. But I think it was a renewed commitment to look at the procedures with how we vet both refugees incoming as well as immigrants – or rather, traveling public – into this country to ensure that we’re doing the necessary to provide for the security of Americans.
QUESTION: That suggests that the necessary wasn’t being done prior. Is that correct?

MR TONER: Not at all. And I think the Secretary spoke to this yesterday, when he said that this is – it’s almost impossible – and I’m paraphrasing him – for this to be infallible, this process. But we always have to strive to do so. And I think past administrations have done so as well. But I think the President clearly identified this as a security issue when he came into office, and now we’ve reissued the executive order yesterday – or issued a new executive order yesterday. But I can assure you that this is an ongoing process.


That was Tuesday's US State Dept press briefing, moderated by spokesperson Mark C. Toner.

Also the first State Dept press briefing of the new administration.

March 7th.

The day of the first press briefing.

And currently it's being classified as "press briefing" -- not daily press briefing.


Let's appeal to vanity and self-interest.

Trouble getting your message across?

Press briefings can help there.

It also means you're injecting another voice into the news cycle.

In addition, you're reaching Americans who view it on CSPAN, who view it online.

You are getting your message out.

It's to the administration's benefit to hold these.

Is it to the American people's benefit?

Yes, transparency is always a good thing.

It's a good thing in other ways.

It lets the American people, for example, see how hollow the press corp is.

Iraq is not part of the new executive order.

So Iraq was not of interest to the press.

They didn't ask one question.

The US has spent billions on Iraq since August 2014.

But heaven forbid the press provide oversight of where and how tax dollars are being spent.

They forget their job so often, so repeatedly.

If Donald Trump wants to get across the message that the press is not a friend of the people, daily press briefings where Iraq is ignored can underscore that perfectly.

Elise Labott was at yesterday's press briefing -- self-congratulating as always.

Was it surprising that she didn't bring up Iraq?


Day 142 of The Mosul Slog.

And what's Elise's 'big' contribution to the Mosul story?


Back in an October State Dept press briefing, Elise Labott screamed "NO!" in the middle of a press conference  when a reporter referred to the Mosul operation as a slog.


Of course, it was a slog then.

It's a slog now.

So Elise plays dumb.

Well, she stays silent.

You can't play dumb if you are dumb, so let's just say she stays silent.


So many do.

Then there are those who don't but should.





U.S. & Iraqi sources believe ISIL leader Baghdadi left Mosul fight to field commanders; is hiding in rural villages
 
 




Did he leave Mosul?

Or did his ghost?

"US & Iraqi sources" have repeatedly told the press that he's been killed multiple times.

That's the problem with doing stenography of whispers.


Iraq hasn't been covered by the western media in some time.

Elections are around the corner in Iraq.

How many western outlets have covered the political landscape?

Ammar Alsawad (AL-MONITOR) offers a look at the landscape:


On Feb. 28, hundreds of pro-Sadrist university students in Kut attacked Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's procession with stones and water bottles. Abadi's security forces fired tear gas and live bullets at the protesters, injuring three. Subsequently, Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr apologized to Abadi for the breaches. Though he called on his followers to stop the protests in Kut until further notice, he accused former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of being behind the breaches to try to distort the Sadrist movement's image.
 The incident reflects the intense competition among Iraq's Shiite leaders. There are currently three main Shiite figures competing for power: head of the Islamic Supreme Council Ammar al-Hakim, head of the State of Law Coalition Maliki, and Sadr himself. Each has his own plan to remain in power and remove the others or limit their influence. 
On Feb. 20, Sadr announced a 29-point initiativeInitial Solutions — his vision for the future of Iraq once the Islamic State (IS) is forced out. Holding local primary elections was among the points. Sadr’s keenness on holding elections is likely to further deepen the Shiite split as the leaders fight for a majority position.
About a month ago, the Sadrist movement started calling for electoral reforms, seeking to reduce Maliki’s strong chances of winning the election as long as no radical changes are made to the electoral law and commission.
 
Today is International Women's Day.
On we are happy that more than 550 women delivered safely in maternity clinic in Tal Maraq since Oct
 
 




Celebrate women today.

Let's note the great Chaka Khan -- not once but three times.

Here she is performing "Tight Fit" on Joan Rivers' late night FOX talk show (the same episode where Chaka offered romantic advice to a not present Donna Mills).





And here's the studio version.



Lastly, Chaka doing "My Funny Valentine."







We'll again note NOW is striking today:

NOW is Going on Strike

Statement by NOW President Terry O'Neill

03.06.2017

On March 8, International Women’s Day, women around the country will strike to demand gender equality. The National Organization for Women will proudly take action for human rights alongside them.
Women do work of enormous economic value–for unequal or insufficient compensation, and while routinely grappling with gender-based discrimination. A Day Without a Woman and the International Women’s Strike will demonstrate this enormous economic power–and we will use our financial strength to demand more for women workers everywhere.
NOW will be closing our offices on this powerful day of action, and encouraging our staff to take to the streets in support of women’s economic equality. We hope that you will get out and take action in your community, too.
Here’s where I’ll be:
  • Resist Trump: Stop the Gag, Freedom Plaza, 11 a.m.: Marching to the White House with the Feminist Majority in fierce opposition to Donald Trump’s dangerous global gag rule–which restricts abortion access and endangers women’s lives worldwide.
  • Women Workers Rising Rally, Department of Labor, 3:30p p.m.: Standing with Restaurant Opportunities Centers (ROC) United and One Billion Rising to demand that the Department of Labor affirm fair treatment of women workers.
Here’s what activists can do, from A Day Without a Woman organizers:
  • Take the day off from paid and unpaid labor
  • Shop only at small, women-, and minority-owned business
  • Wear RED in solidarity with A Day Without a Woman
Women’s wallets are powerful weapons. On Wednesday we will rise in support of economic justice–because the voices of women workers will not be silenced.

Contact

M.E. Ficarra , press@now.org , 951-547-1241
, ,
###





The following community sites -- plus BLACK AGENDA REPORT -- updated:



  •  















  • Tuesday, March 07, 2017

    Another victory for WikiLeaks

    WikiLeaks is setting the news cycle yet again with more exposures.

    1.   Retweeted
      CIA steals other groups virus and malware facilitating false flag attacks
    2.   Retweeted
      RELEASE: Vault 7 Part 1 "Year Zero": Inside the CIA's global hacking force





    The CIA got a little exposure.

    Not from the lazy American media.

    But from WikiLeaks.

    They do a public service.

    They are a public good.


    RELEASE: Vault 7 Part 1 "Year Zero": Inside the CIA's global hacking force




    Meanwhile, did you see this?


      Retweeted
    legend & creator of its mass surveillance program: "Trump Is Absolutely Right, Everything Was Being Monitored"




    I wouldn't be at all surprised.

    At THIRD, we wrote "The assholes have spoken" about this.


    I also need to note Isaiah's THE WORLD TODAY JUST NUTS "Everyone gets a car!"

    1everyonegetsacar


    Here's C.I.'s "Iraq snapshot:"



    Tuesday, March 7, 2017.  Chaos and violence continue, Hayder al-Abadi plays dress up, the so-called 'resistance' reveals how hollow they really are . . .


    Day 141 of The Mosul Slog.


    Iraqi, Kurdish, and ISIL forces in battle for control of Mosul. The map below shows who controls what for now:
     
     



    Note the results above.


    It took US forces how long to get to Baghdad in 2003?

    And they were foreign forces.

    140 days later and Mosul's still not liberated.


    But propaganda requires that Hayder al-Abadi parade around.



    PM Has arrived to city, Historic visit because his NEXT visit will be to announce the city completely liberated.
     
     





    Short, squat, rolly-polly Hayder dresses up and plays soldier.


    What does the prime minister have to be proud of?

    The Islamic State still controls portions of the area (see map above) and all Hayder's done is make clear he didn't prepare for refugees.

    He told the civilians to stay in Mosul, remember?

    Here's what they saw.

    Many Mosul residents like this grandma have been displaced by the fighting between ISIS and the Iraqi military.
     
     



    Not since Bully Boy Bush played dress up under a banner reading MISSION ACCOMPLISHED has a leader



    Iraqi PM arrived in this morning to check up on the troops fighting , great gains this morning
     
     



    Moving over to US President Donald Trump and immigration.  He's released a new executive order putting immigration on hold for a variety of countries.

    Unlike the previous list, Iraq isn't on this one.

    So you'd think a number of Americans would be happy.

    We've had to endure laughable stories about how this was a slap in the face to the Iraqi forces (who have no need to come to the United States -- but let's not point out the obvious apparently), we've had to endure chest beating about how this translator or that translator walked on water (without ever noting that all of those cases were supposed to be decided years ago), we've had whining about optics.

    And now that the new list doesn't include Iraq?


    Oh look, it's bed wetter Domenico Montanaro from NPR:


    But... Iraq... isn't... one... of... the six... countries...
     
     




    He apparently missed all of NPR's stories previously where they insisted Iraq shouldn't be on the ban.




    Before the next Tweet is shared below, WARNING: KEEP YOUR CHILDREN AWAY FROM THIS PERV.  NEWSWEEK's Kurt Eichenwald is known for giving kiddie porn performers thousands of dollars and then calling them liars when they reveal that face.


    Travel ban is stupid & counterproductive. But ISIS is mostly in Syria & Iraq. And the new one Trump just issued excludes Iraq. Super-genius.
     
     



    All of that whining -- yes, whining -- about Iraq being on the original order and now this?


    Certainly suggests that the issue was not Iraq but, in fact, their daily outrage against Donald Trump.


    And then there's the increasingly unhinged Kenneth Roth of Human Rights Watch.


    Wrong! 113 were released by Bush, only 9 by Obama, according to US Director of Naitonal Intelligence.
     
     



    "Wrong!"

    That Barack only released X?


    That's really not what we've been fighting with our opposition to the gulag.

    But then you've always been fighting for Barack Obama and not human rights.

    You've just made that more obvious over the last few months.

    Long before The Debra Messings began humiliating themselves daily, I was on record noting that a number of people should not have Twitter.

    I only stand by that remark even more so today.



    There are many things to protest under Donald Trump's leadership.

    This getting your panties in a twist multiple times a day about everything?

    It's not helping anyone.

    Not only do you look dangerously unhinged, you make the real issues we should be protesting seem unimportant and trivial.

    You also reveal yourself to not be about human rights but instead just a partisan activist who will protest anything Donald Trump says.

    That's what the new executive order reveals.

    Partisans had a fit about Iraq being on the first one.

    Did they mean it?

    Some apparently did not because now they're whining about Iraq not being on this one.

    A message is being absorbed by most Americans right now: A nutty group will protest anything Donald Trump does.

    That makes it that much harder for real activists to sway opinion when it's needed.


    The following community sites -- plus Jody Watley, Z ON TV, Tavis Smiley



  • Exposed
    41 minutes ago

  •