The Mooch?

Behold the new White House Communications Director & Senior Advisor to the President of the United States, Anthony Scaramucci a.k.a. The Mooch. Our bosses brought quality entertainment and brassy vanity to the White House podium.

"Scaramucci is a used car salesman trying to sell us all a Ferrari with no VIN [Vehicle Identification Number] and a weird stain in the trunk."
  -- Common Dreams

Read more here ...

America's Owners: Selecting a Leader

A small set of people control America. They're mostly Republicans, but their defining characteristic is great wealth. Their predominant ideology is protecting their own wealth & power.

These people live wholly different lives from worker people.

Their challenge is to keep the rabble away from their wealth.

They've successfully found & developed a ruling bourgeoisie of minor capitalists and people such as US House Speaker Congressman Paul Ryan, along with other up-and-coming Republicans and hired thugs.

But how to create a leader palatable to America's hungry dumfux masses? 

They chose foolishness.

Look carefully at the last two Republican rulers: George W. Bush and Donald J. Trump.

Each is often pictured as a buffoon. 

But we are the fools ... Under the manipulative greed of America's owners, we are literally fighting for our lives. American criminality runs deep, with many aggressive continuing wars & overseas occupation serving our rulers (not needy foreign masses, and certainly not our soldiers). Don't wait till the shower-room doors close upon you, your family and friends -- you're not scheduled to return from their delousing process.

Firmly & peacefully resist their lies. NOW

Won More Weasel

Bold brash Korea has struggled with many dirty elements, some described here before (link).

Won Sei-hoon 원세훈 headed South Korea's feared National Intelligence Agency. Convicted of undermining Korea's 2012 Presidential election (where Park Geun-hye attained power), his crimes & punishment have slithered half-hidden through Korea's justice system -- probably in part because he helped the candidate who subsequently became President.

New evidence (link) includes an audio tape purportedly of National Intelligence Agency boss Won instructing his subordinates to wage "psychological warfare on the public"...

Now Won, Park and her cronies are disgraced, and some justice is promised. But in fact, surely Won was doing dirty work for other more powerful people ("helping" far beyond mere politicians, and possibly beyond the borders of the ROK). His stories are valuable, but seem likely to remain hidden.

Implosion

Soap opera star Donald J Trump has begun whinging petulantly & attacking those he's cast in supporting roles.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is the latest victim of our prima donna's wrath. AG Sessions now must step carefully to avoid the fate of his völkisch predecessor Ernst Röhm.

US National Security Advisor H.R. McMaster reportedly seeks more caution with Russia (link), but our volatile Führer Trump claims better foresight & supreme abilities.

How long can the Republican establishment continue kissing Trump rump? This bloated "Republican" bully is increasingly costly & dangerous to the world.

Trump® Sells-Out America

"Made in America Week" began Monday -- the same day 15,000 more foreigners grabbed American jobs under the H-2B temporary guest worker program thanks to Pres. Trump. Their cheaper labor undercuts the wages for US domestic workers, and raises the H-2B foreign workforce to 81,000 total fresh visas for 2017.

This is not at all to say H-2B workers are bad people. They love their families, they work hard, and they serve the employer well - as do scabs who break workers unions.

The President, Ivanka, and the Trump® organization continue to buy cheap and sell high... maybe it's The American Way.... But they counsel BUY AMERICAN when they don't...

Where I come from, we sniff out & avoid a lyin' sack of shit.

Swamp Baron

US President Donald J Trump has given-up America.

"Drain the Swamp" he pledged (link)...

Trump words = Bullshit. 

Trump promises are swamp farts.
SWAMP critters control our world... more than ever.

The deadly hippo ...

Save American Brains

The Battle for Net Neutrality is severe. Most of the USA is already a captive audience sewn-up by cable / communications companies charging monopoly prices. Much of America, regrettably, is already a dumbed-down market of deeply frustrated sheeple.

But until now, public access to internet was open.

Imagine if web surfing were only possible with Verizon's permission, or through AOL's homepage, Comcast's interface, or within Yahoo. Manipulative & Terrible!

Don't allow corporate power to control access: to charge extra for those sites they do not recommend. Dear slaves: your masters plan to disallow access to content which doesn't pay them.

Americans are already lame from decades of poor leadership and substandard general education.

Save Net Neutrality!

(descriptive video on this link)

BattlefortheNet.com

Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons

The draft Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons has been agreed at the United Nations, and 122 nations voted positively in support (more detail here). The Treaty will open for signatures 20 Sept 2017 and will enter into force 90 days after the fiftieth nation deposits ratification or acceptance - so possibly operational by end 2017.

What's promised?

The Treaty prohibits nations to "Develop, test, produce, manufacture, otherwise acquire, possess or stockpile nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices."

Nations must "declare whether there are any nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices in its territory or in any place under its jurisdiction or control that are owned, possessed or controlled by another State."

The nuclear weapons states have criticized the Treaty, joined by satellite governments (such as Japan) that tacitly allow nuclear weapons of military allies to be based on their territory.

Remember that Nuclear Non-Proliferation has been based on a fundamental agreement -- that the nuclear states would cut-down and eventually eliminate their nuclear arsenals. In exchange, other states agreed not to seek nuclear weaponry. But little has been done to cut nuclear stockpiles. Nuclear-armed states have refused to disarm. Perhaps the new treaty will help draw attention to nuclear bullying and make our world safer.

https://www.un.org/disarmament/ptnw/index.html

http://www.undocs.org/en/a/conf.229/2017/L.3/Rev.1

Seven US sailors missing off Japan

Seven US naval personnel are missing & many injured in a major shipping collision that happened in clear & calm weather conditions off Japan at about 2AM local time this morning.

[ Update: the seven Americans were found dead in a flooded segment of the warship. Tragedy; Rest In Peace ]

Collision was 10 nautical miles SE of Shimoda, Japan (vicinity 34 32N, 139 05E) involving United States Navy guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (154m / 505ft) vs. ACX Crystal  (222m / 730ft) - an NYK / Nippon Yusen-operated Filipino-flagged container ship traveling between Nagoya & Tokyo. Tonnage reports estimate the USS Fitzgerald at approx. 9000 tons, less than one-quarter the dwt 39,565 ton ACX Crystal.

The USS Fitzgerald, with its highly-advanced navigation, warfare & defense systems valued upward of US$1.5 billion, has a normal complement of 281 naval personnel. The ACX Crystal crew of 20 reportedly escaped injury, and their ship was comparatively lightly damaged.

Top-level liaison is said to be complicated (as the Trump administration hits its half-year mark) by continuing lack of a US Ambassador to Japan, nor is the Secretary of the Navy job finalized. Reports now claim the container ship was 'doing doughnuts' in the hour before the crash. But such a ship turns very slowly due to huge mass and length (730 feet), with limited visibility. Bullshit story? Is it even relevant? 

The USS Fitzgerald was hit in the quadrant termed "the danger zone" where oncoming shipping typically has the right-of-way. (Specifics of this accident, however, remain to be determined).

Cause unknown, but basic seamanship rules don't favor the Fitz.

Lessons? London Broil 2017

This week's Grenfell Tower tragedy was HORRIBLE.

British Prime Minister Theresa May states (video) ... "An investigation will take place into the cause of the fire, and if there are any lessons to be learnt."  Of course there are lessons Madame Prime Minister. For example, reportedly:

- the building required no sprinkler system
- there was only a single stairwell
- new cladding was not fireproof
- cheap cladding nonetheless made the building "look good"

There's no "IF" in the need PM Theresa May learn a few lessons. How about understanding that even with poor safety standards, rich toffs push the limits of minimal investment, unwilling to recognize critical safety requirements protecting poor folk. Midnight London Broil among the working class ... tragic & unnecessary.

©photo by Jeremy Selwyn

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.