Checkmate

It's important for every American to know:

Did Russia interfere in the 2016 US Presidential election?

How much interference took place?

These answers are domestically contentious when beneficiaries fear election results could be invalidated. Surely the undermining of democracy, which may be continuing, is far more significant than any individual's limited political life or personal embarrassment; party politics are less important than national sabotage. America's been outmaneuvered by Grandmasters in the global chess game. Enemy strategists rejoice in the USA battling itself.  

© Rob Rogers & Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

That's Rich

May Be Some Time...

Toz r Us

People laughed when Trump® talked of draining the Swamp, meaning to clear-out Washington's greasy slimy professional politicos.

But instead he'll cleanse the world of us. We're the swamp community: poor riff-raff swarming & wallowing in places unfit for the sculpted footwear of Melania, the pink fat feet of Barron, and the silk stockings of our Russian masters & Trump's billionaire friends.

Local slippah feet SHAME Trump® -- and he likes crunchin' toz.

Trump - Be Alarmed!

"At least 7 dead and 48 wounded in terror attack ... no reason to be alarmed!"
 - US President Donald Trump, June 4

Trump® is an asshole.

(see link here for full details)

Japan Welcome

I'm sad for people suffering from racism - maybe worse when not hate but unemotional exclusion (tough article on racial discrimination by Daisuke Kikuchi in today's Japan Times)

http://tinyurl.com/ycrjex9e

But exclusion is hateful. Worst in Japan is where Japanese people are treated badly because they look different (for example, when one parent came from elsewhere).

Japan is sure to receive much unwelcome attention in anticipation of Tokyo Olympics 2020. Systemic human rights violations will be analyzed & condemned. These include a range of abuses difficult to defend, for example, being banned from beaches, pools and hot springs if you've any tattoo (because some criminals are tattooed). And some people simply refuse to deal with foreigners, businesspeople holding up their hands in an X sign toward foreign devils.

The Japan Times article offers a final quote from Dr. Debito Arudou, a naturalized Japanese citizen: "After all, we shouldn’t allow racist behavior to be normalized through public signage. And if that doesn’t work, of course, I would never advocate that people pull the signs down quietly in the middle of the night. Never ever."

Marketing the EU

We need better EU marketing --
Throughout the EU, rotate a half-dozen national days as holidays each year !

PS- 2nd June is national Republic Day of Italy.    🇮🇹   Viva Italia!

Eurohobo.com

Liberal Delousing

Trump Plagiarism

Melania Trump was accused of blatant plagiarism (link) for adopting parts of a Michelle Obama speech. The words & ideas came from elsewhere, but perhaps the Trump clan sees our world as ancient royal personages, All is Ours.

Now Trump is accused of unjustly copying the Trump family crest, which is used on Trump properties, baubles, tchotchkes & trinkets throughout the world (see link here).

If Trump decides to change "his" family crest -- what unique characteristics should the new crest include?

Surely such creative design work is good endeavor for those of us celebrating or suffering under TRUMP  (if you're actually hired to do such work, get payment in advance).

What elements now distinguish Donald Trump & the Trump clan?

• Trump's orange hair 
• under obligation to Russia
• belligerent danger
• Twitter
• untrustworthy
• ??

American Democracy Sucks

Americans accept fool political parties dictating who runs the nation.

The Electoral College system is an outrage!

The voice of the people, and our millions of votes, are discounted and rejected. Once again, America's undemocratic Electoral College placed a LOSER in our White House.

538 Electors chosen by political bosses ...

100% UNREASONABLE

Let's be clear: we must grow beyond party-driven politics. Trump & Pence are bad, but the other side was a tool of Democrat machine politics, wholly in bed with major corporations & disconnected to common people's needs. Can you remember the name and face of Clinton's sorry running mate? He barely carried his own state, and 4 of 5 neighboring states went for Trump. Bullshit continues. Enslaved America is no democracy.

Wake Up Suckers! 

Soccer Ball Korea

Korea's unfortunately a pawn in wider games of geopolitical strategy & partisan US politics. It's all further confused this month as US President Donald Trump searches to distract from his poor leadership abilities.

Is it conceivable for the USA to launch a punitive attack on North Korea? Eliminating DPRK Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un (김정은, 金正恩) will surely shift attention from the "Comrade Trump" Russia investigations. Some will hope the most recent scandals with the FBI might be overlooked, and perhaps to shift the US Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem will be less noticed.

Unfortunately, US military intervention seriously threatens the lives of tens of millions of people on both sides of the DMZ -- Korea's demilitarized zone.

Sadly for new South Korean President Moon Jae-in (who's now been in office just 7 days), his people's lives mean little to Trump.

North Korean DPRK casualties are of little importance to Washington militarists. And to a billionaire like Trump, numbers in the millions are insignificant "chump change" ...

Please note that on Saturday 20 May, the FIFA U-20 World Cup begins, and continues for 23 days. Watch that USA team carefully! There'll be serious blowback when Trump's actions kill a few dozen American soccer-playing teenagers. Weeping American soccer-Moms on TV will hasten the end of Trump.

Enjoy the football.  But if the US team heads home early, anything might happen.

Preserve Peace in Korea.
When America Wins, We All Win!  USA  USA !
< Link to all U-20 World Cup action here >

Koreans : Congratulations !

The peaceful democratic transition of South Korea's Presidency is a huge achievement.

Sadly, last week the overseas media largely ignored details of power transfer from the corrupt & militaristic American puppet regime to a new government pledging to better serve the people. But surely this news is a genuine beacon of hope -- and a major opportunity for peace in the troubled region.

Here's last Wednesday's remarkable inaugural address of Korea's new President Moon Jae-in (10 May 2017; Yonhap news agency, unofficial translation - link):

[ from the original in Korean ]

I am deeply grateful to all of you, the people, for your great choice. As the 19th President of the Republic of Korea, I take the first step today toward a new Republic of Korea. I sense a heavy responsibility endowed by the people. My heart is full of passion for building a country that we have never had. And my head is full of a blueprint to open a new world of unity and coexistence.

The new Republic of Korea that we are trying to build is a country which our predecessors consistently pursued despite a lot of frustrations and defeats. It is also a country in which our youth have wanted to achieve so much through sacrifices and dedication. In order to make that Republic of Korea, I declare before history and the people that I will fulfill my responsibilities and calling as the 19th President of the Republic of Korea with a fearful but humble heart. The greatness of the Republic of Korea is the greatness of the people. And in this presidential election, our people have made history again.

You chose a new president with even support from across the nation. From today, I will become a president of all people. Each person who did not support me will still be my people and I will serve them as such. I dare to promise: Today, May 10, 2017, will be recorded in history as the date of the beginning of genuine national integration. In recent tough times, the people asked whether this is a country. President Moon Jae-in will start anew from this very question. From today, I will be a president who makes this nation worthy of being called a nation. I will boldly break away from the erroneous practices of the old era. I will be among the first to change.

First of all, I will end the authoritarian culture of the presidency. As soon as preparations are done, I will come out of Cheong Wa Dae and begin the era of the Gwanghwamun presidency. I will hold head-to-head discussions with my staff. I will be a president who communicates with the people frequently. I will directly brief the press on major issues. On the way home, I will meet and converse with citizens in the markets. At times, I will hold large debates in Gwanghwamun Square.

I will disperse the president’s imperial powers as much as possible. Law enforcement authorities will become fully independent from politics. I will establish systems to put all power organizations in check so that no such body can exercise infinite powers. I will work in a humble manner. I will be a president who shares his viewpoints with the people. I will solve the security crisis promptly. I will go anywhere for the peace of the Korean Peninsula. If necessary, I will fly straight to Washington. I will go to Beijing and Tokyo and under the right circumstances go to Pyongyang as well. I will do whatever I can to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. I will further strengthen the ROK-U.S. alliance. Meanwhile, I will negotiate earnestly with the U.S. and China to solve the THAAD problem. Strong security depends on robust defense capabilities. I will try hard to strengthen our independent defense power. I will also lay the foundation for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue. I will provide a turning point to lower tensions on the peninsula by firmly establishing a Northeast Asia peace regime.

I would like to express my gratitude and deep consolation to the other presidential candidates. There are no winners or losers in this election. We are companions to lead the new Republic of Korea together. Now we have to move forward hand in hand, leaving behind the moments of intense competition. We have undergone unprecedented political upheavals over the past several months. Politics was confused, but the people were great. In spite of the impeachment and arrest of an incumbent president, the people helped open a new era for the Republic of Korea.

Our people were not disheartened but rather turned it into an opportunity to open the new world we see today. I will also change the politics of division and conflict. The conflict between conservatives and liberals should end. I will talk directly with you. Opposition parties are my companions in the administration of state affairs. I will regularly talk and frequently meet with them.

I will appoint figures selected evenly from across the country. Ability and suitability will be the broad principles of my personnel appointments. Regardless of whether they supported me in the election, I will plead with all who are competent to work with me. We are facing tough economic conditions at home and abroad. The people’s livelihoods are in a difficult state. As promised during the election process, I will prioritize job creation. At the same time, I will take the lead in chaebol reform. Under the Moon Jae-in government, the term “politics-business collusion” will disappear completely. I will resolve the conflicts between regions, classes and generations, and seek ways to resolve the problems facing irregular workers.

I will create a world without discrimination. I repeat. In the government of Moon Jae-in and the Democratic Party, opportunity will be equal. The process will be fair. The result will be righteous.

This presidential election was triggered by the impeachment of the preceding president. The history of troubled presidents continues to repeat itself. With this election, this unfortunate history must come to an end. I will become a role model president for the Republic of Korea. I will do my best to become a successful president in the eyes of the people and history. By doing so, I will repay your support and backing. I will be a clean president. I will be a president who takes office empty-handed and leaves the same way. I will be a president who will someday return to my hometown, become an ordinary citizen and share warmth with my neighbors. I will be remembered as the pride of the people.

I will be an honest president who keeps his promises. I will closely follow up on the promises I made during the election process. I believe true political development is possible only when the president sets an example for politics of trust. I will not make loud promises to do what is impossible. I will tell you when I have done something wrong. I will not cover up unfavorable public opinion with falsehood. I will be a fair president. I will create a world without privileges and fouls. I will create a world that benefits those who act with common sense. I will not turn away from the pain of my neighbors. I will always pay extra attention to ensure that not a single member of the nation is alienated.

I will be a president who wipes away the tears of the people. I will be a president who communicates.

I will build the strongest nation by being a low and humble man of power. I will not become a dominant and reigning president but a president who converses and communicates with the people. I will be a president of the Gwanghwamun era and stay close to the people. I will be remembered as a warm president and a friend-like president.

The Republic of Korea makes a new start today on May 10, 2017. You are witnessing the start of a great history to make this nation worthy of a nation. Come along on this road. I will dedicate my body and life to serve you.

Them Dum Яussians

Trump Fully Exonerated? 
Highly-experienced diplomats in America's Oval Office expect to be overheard or recorded. Did banter in Russian clear Trump? We suspect Trump was poorly-prepared and far too arrogant. He won't recognize his own managerial weaknesses & personal shortcomings. Miserable times await us all under this American President Bluster !

USA Soap Opera Security

The Right to Health Care

America is horrible in controlling the markets for health care and human services, allowing favored vendors to gouge susceptible patients: the injured, the sick & the elderly.

The number of doctors is artificially limited.

Medical professionals monopolize access to lifesaving medicines, medical technology, and pain-killing drugs. We're regularly required to consult with them, and their expensive services add substantially to already high prescription costs.

Costs are astronomical, often wholly unreasonable.

We're unable to control costs.

Trumpcare

Ode to Trumpcare
   by Genki


Baby's cough & Grammy's groan
The house is now corrupt
A second job, another loan
Our loss of dreams abrupt.

Procurement spending can't be theft
If killing peasant scum
But now we're told "No money's left."
To care for stricken Mum.

The swelling invoice hurts as much
As dad's infected feet
Our savings bought one single crutch
Such health care's bittersweet.

The waiting room's a dreadful place
As bank accounts get shorn
Great doctors must review each case
While patient patients mourn

Our armies billet round the earth
For despots & their thrones
Charity clinic childbirth
Lost newborn niece - such moans!

Oh somewhere in this favored land
Our bosses bosses dance
While we learn economics and
American finance.

Who Cares?

Profits from our PAIN

.
Ready to Feed off the sick & dying... 

American Care ?

Americans who believe their healthcare system is "Best in the World" are pitifully ill. Corrupt market limitations combine with unscrupulous profiteering so sickness, accident, end-of-life & human suffering generate windfall revenues. Sad

Learn or Burn -- Korea

America grip on military empire is unsustainable.

The foolishness of Yankee's THAAD missile defense in South Korea is evident for all to see: Major Boondoggle targeted by China, North Korea, and the South Korean people.

Estimated cost for deployment & maintenance: US$1,300,000,000. ($1.3 billion)

Distance from Pyongyang to Seoul is 120 miles (195 km).

It's a similar distance from NYC Manhattan to Montauk NY at end of Long Island. Or Tampa to Cocoa Beach, the width of the Florida peninsula. Very Near.

THAAD battery deployment is the wrong side of Seoul: the Seongju site is over 200 km further away near Daegu, doubling the distance from North Korean launch sites (and making that district a potential target).

If a nuclear weapon explodes in South Korea, the whole region around the Korean peninsula including Japan will quickly suffer from fallout.

Technically, there's no reason for a "high lob" attack. We can assume the DPRK will choose a direction and then shoot low, over the horizon, perhaps timing detonation, where THAAD provides little or no defense. Recent "failed" launches show such capability... hopefully military experts are frightened.

Mistreated Pets Know Where to Bite

Leadership in both Japan & South Korea are in trouble.

The case of Korea's former President Park Geun-hye seems the worse: she was impeached, suspended as President, and forced out of office. After serving over four years as the 11th President of the Republic of Korea, Park, aged 65, is now under arrest and being held in pre-trial detention as inmate 503, living in a relatively-luxurious cell (link) barely bigger than a closet. She's reportedly miserable.

But as President for over four years & from a wealthy political family, Park should know a lot of dirt, and must have hidden assets. Taunting & total humiliation are dangerous -- she can damage former allies....

Japan's Prime Minister Abe & his wife Akie are similarly at risk. They now claim minimal support for right-wing militaristic Moritomo Gakuen, but Yasunori Kagoike, ultranationalist operator of the children's educational foundation, claims otherwise. He's personally been backed against the wall, and his organization is facing bankruptcy. It's a formulae for trouble.

Nuke Pullback by USA?

"The United States seeks stability and the peaceful denuclearization of the Korean peninsula. We remain open to negotiations towards that goal."

-- (26 April 2017, Washington DC) US Secretary of State, Defense Secretary & Director of National Intelligence joint statement

This above stance may be a major change in US posture, and surely is of huge interest to China and to US allies Japan and South Korea.

US Armed Forces typically do not confirm or deny the presence of nuclear arms among the armaments of specific units or multi-service strike forces. US warships were effectively banned from nuclear-free New Zealand for 33 years until the destroyer USS Sampson was allowed to call in November 2016 for the NZ Navy's 75th anniversary celebrations. 

Japan's "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" (not to manufacture, own, or allow entry of nuclear weapons into Japan: 非核三原則) are skirted by mutual pragmatism, with America refusing to acknowledge the presence of nuclear weapons on US ships, bombers or submarines on military business in Japan (link).

"Secret Agreements" allowing ambiguity have been (partly) revealed in Tokyo, but the dynamic interaction of the US government with client-states Japan & South Korea remains obscure.

These officially are not occupied nations. But the USA has built huge forward bases, and garrisons tens of thousands of troops throughout these territories. South Korea's now comprehensively disgraced former President controversially collaborated with American military strategists to deploy THAAD missiles & associated radar systems in Korea (deployment vigorously denounced by China, which organized painful consumer & tourism boycotts of South Korea). One Japanese report claims the AN/TPY-2 radar can see a baseball 790km away, and an oil drum 2300km distant; such range covers much of China, perhaps limited by curvature of the earth. Whatever the case, THAAD only just arrived in Korea this week, and requires time for local delivery & setup.

Understanding of what's happening should recognize the critical Korean presidential election is only days away. Meanwhile, Japan's Prime Minister is just now in Moscow -- What's America doing to protect it's vital interests?

Yokosuka, Japan, is home port to the mighty American aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Other potential nuclear-armed submarines, ships, and units are scattered throughout the region, perhaps including CNFK operations recently relocated to Jinhae near Busan, Korea (CFAC, 진해함대지원부대). These forces are of major concern to Russia, China, and the people of Northeast Asia.

Is America seriously considering any form of regional denuclearization?

The USA has thus far blatantly (link) refused to participate in United Nations discussions on the Legally Binding Instrument to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons, Leading Towards their Total Elimination. Will the USA now pledge to potentially create nuclear-free regions?

Those troubled by America's nuclear weaponry will most likely analyze yesterday's joint statement with reaffirmed understanding that Yankee is a lyin' sack of shit.

강경에는... 초강경으로!  Hard ... SUPER HARD!

Oligarchs & Plutocrats Handicap America

America's mega-rich are well compensated for their contributions.

But the oligarchs & plutocrats seek to control us. They're too often successful in stifling democracy and opportunity.

It seems trouble is ahead.

Before Korea is Vaporized ...

During Korea's last presidential election, it was proven that Korea's National Intelligence Service (국가정보원), the Korean Armed Force's Cyber Command (국군사이버사령부), and an organized section of the Ministry of Patriots & Veterans Affairs (국가보훈처) reportedly operated to swing the election to Park Geun-hye. Scores of secret operatives planted false messages & fake news, while others infiltrated social media with over a million corrupt messages.

Here are some links:

• Manipulating Korea's 2012 Presidential Election (link)
• Official interference & corruption (link)
• Dirty Won Sei-hoon? (link)
• National Intelligence Scandal: Korea's Corrupt NIS (link)
• http://news1.kr/articles/1363216

This extreme political intervention was blatantly illegal, circumventing the neutrality required of government officials & public employees in supposedly democratic South Korea.

Favored candidate Park Geun-hye was elected but now is impeached and detained. She's being charged with other crimes.

The darker side can now be confronted as Korea's again held hostage:
--- Where were the Americans?

Was the USA ignorant of these anti-democratic maneuvers?

Did America orchestrate or support the cyber warfare favoring Park Geun-hye for President? Certainly America was a close "friend" of her father, General Park Chung-hee -- Korea's President & dictator from the early 1960s to 1979. He'd backed-up America in Vietnam, and his KCIA had little regard for democracy or domestic human rights.

Now Korea seems on the brink of war -- during this key presidential campaign. Just a coincidence?

Yankee lives in the heart of Seoul. How much do American officials in Korea know of Korean government corruption? How much does America pull the strings?

I've many Korean friends. Sadly, they're now pawns in a much larger game -- their lives being gambled and threatened by Washington D.C. and other dark & hidden forces. That's terrible!

Playing Nuclear Games in Korea

Western media is quick to label the DPRK (North Korea) as acting badly. Why would pesky Pyongyang cause trouble now?

Partly it's provoked by war games now being staged around & very near their nation. For about seven weeks, the USA, ROK (South Korea), Japan, and assorted minor allies are now holding huge military exercises around North Korea.

South Korea's Yonhap News Agency explains (link) this is the largest ever such peacetime military maneuver, going under the "exercise" names Key Resolve (키 리졸브),  OPLAN 5015 and Foal Eagle (독수리 연습). Over a quarter million Allied troops are mobilizing for these "games"...

South Korea's main military website is spooky - defensive or offensive? - with what first seems an ominous countdown clock...
http://www.jcs.mil.kr/mbshome/mbs/jcs2/

Many criticize OPLAN 5015, our plan to Keep America in Korea:
OPLAN 5015 (Start World War III?)

(some OPLAN 5015 background here - link)

If America's enemies were gathering in Chesapeake Bay, or within a hundred miles of our nation's capital, we'd certainly be upset.

Why trigger war?  Who benefits?
Arms merchants & failed politicos rejoice. 
But common folk are killed, poisoned & maimed.

Take yo' Yankee Ass Elsewhere

US Attorney General, Jefferson Beauregard "Jeff" Sessions III, attacked Hawai'i (audio mp3 link) for participating in American government: "I really am amazed that a judge sitting on an island in the Pacific can issue an order that stops the President of the United States ..."

Native Hawaiians did not invite Yankee occupation.

It's Simple Jeff: "Let My People Go!"

Aggression & violence in Hawai'i -- then very far from America's borders

Bicycle Day .. 19th April

Enjoy 19 April "Bicycle Day" but be sure to take care. Those out-of-practice can easily injure themselves or lose their way... Learning Simple Dismounts can hurt. Offroad walks are safer - explore wisely.