Turkey War with Russia? - Joaquin

I don't think Russia is going to be as cautious about how it responds as this analysis suggests, but we'll see. I get the sense that the Turkish government sees itself as being more important than NATO thinks it is, but could be wrong. One thing I suspect: A country can't openly shoot down a Russian jet and think that is the end of it.

Russia, US, Syria via Russia Insider

Really good analysis from Russian political talk show.

MI5 Spying on Ken Livingstone & Corbyn - Going Underground

Except I think Livingstone understates what goes on in the west

Paris, France post two

One other note about the coverage and analysis of the meaning of the attacks in France the other day. People are already predicting how the future will unfold based upon this factoid or that, this theory or the other. The truth is nobody yet knows how the future will unfold, or if they do, they don't know what the masses will come to think of this future. I would say that the analysts, critics, and conspiracy theorists are way ahead of the curve this time, but also very pessimistic in their outlook.

It is too soon to tell whether this will mean greater suffering for the people of the Middle-East, not to mention the world. It could mobilize the western countries to double down with a policy of trying to remove Assad from power, while at the same time purportedly taking on ISIS. Or, the Russians might have more to say about that than some of the analysts might believe currently, and the focus could shift towards ISIS alone. Or, if we are very lucky, reason could prevail, and peace could be made. But don't hold out on that last one.

Finally, for tonight at least, nothing is really clear yet about what happened in France, except it was terrible and violent. In other words, we don't know what it means yet, and only time will tell if we ever find a reason that makes sense for not only what happened in France, but also what has happened in Libya, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Ukraine......

The bottom line is really no explanation could be ruled out at this point, based on the history of the 21st century thus far. Let me pose this as a question then: Does it not seem as though some of the people who claim to oppose ISIS have had a little something to do with the rise of ISIS? Just a question. Just wondering. Don't get too upset about it please.

Paris, France

There is a lot I, like many others, would like to say about the Paris attack. But now is not the time to say it. Some people are, and their analysis is spot on. But for me, I'll wait until it seems like, to the extent I'm paid attention to at all, any analysis or criticism would seem appropriate rather than callous.

Classic Press Briefing on Russia and NATO

This is classic. I'm told this is from some time ago, but it makes the point clearly. I felt like I was watching a parody of some old 1960s movie, like "Dr. Strangelove" or something. The general (I believe he is a general) was like some stereotype of a fictitious general from some story book. He reminded me of something out of the book, The Little Prince , like when the Little Prince visits the planet where the militaristic leader is plotting out his territory.

Is Russia getting closer to NATO? Unbelievable. And this is how too many of our leaders think. No, the obvious answer is that NATO is getting closer to Russia. 

Media, RT, and Suspicious Minds.

Of course we should be suspicious when we hear one of the main innovators that created Russia Today is suddenly found in his American hotel room no longer among the living.   We know, as the article covers, that many in the American establishment are unhappy with the reporting RT does about them. We also know that many are unhappy with Russia, and Russian war policy in Syria. Odd, since ostensibly the US and Russia share a common enemy in ISIS. Of course, the real goal of US policy in Syria has been to remove Assad from power all along, but I digress....slightly.

So, we sometimes ponder the possibility, as I have titled this blog with belief in this very concept, that politics is something that is done in the darkness. What we get from NPR and the rest is just fragmentary trivia, not anything close to happenings in the vast darkness of the deep state.

So, yes I'm suspicious. I wouldn't put anything past the people who hold real power in this world, and it wouldn't surprise me if someday we learn that our most frightening suspicions about power were true all along. (Article about RT from The Free Thought Project.com)

Why is this congressperson saying things that seem true?

Hmm...Congressperson, Dana Rohrabacher, is saying some odd things for a congressman. He seems to be speaking the truth about Syria and Russia. Why would he do that so openly? Is US policy about to change? Difficult to know, but fascinating nonetheless. If it isn't what the ruling elite want from him, and they perceive this becoming a problem for their policies, then it could become difficult for this congressperson to keep telling so much truth. (note: For any who come across my blog, I am trying to use html code more when posting video - not to mention in general. So, be patient with my mistakes please.)source: Russia Insider YT.

Kerry, Lavrov, and the Turkish Border with Syria.

Here is how Mike Whitney concludes this article from CounterPunch about the prospects for peace in Syria, and the duplicity being exercised by Mr. Kerry and company regarding the war in Syria: "Putin sees terrorism as a direct threat to Russia’s national security. He’s going to do whatever it takes to defeat the enemy and win the war. If that means he’s got to put Russian boots on the ground to get the job done, then that’s what he’ll do."

RI Founder Charles Bausman Crushes Neocons on Russian Top Political Talk...

Reflections on Democracy, Taboo Ideas, and the Human Spirit - Joaquin

Joquin and Morris108 in a philosophical conversation. Quite good with many points made.