Wanted : A Better Quality of Fake News

[Viking01]

Afternoon,
I'm actually after a small favour from some of you here on KiwiBiker. And No, it won't cost you anything.
Other than a few minutes of your time. And Yes, it is a serious request.

While my background is Science / Engineering / IT, I've always had a keen interest in both politics and
history. So I have spent quite a bit of time over the past years reading in these areas. Yes, I know,
get a life ....

Anyway, my Earth was recently shaken after Donald told me that all news on the Web is fake news, and
that many of the current affairs news websites that I do read are probably full of Russian propaganda.

Admittedly, I'd didn't get that off his Twitter feed ... but maybe it's true. Maybe CNN isn't telling
the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

So I thought that I'd get in contact with my friends on KiwiBiker (of whom I have none), and try and
find out what news sites they read to get their fill of current affairs (both local and international news).


The sensible ones among you probably spare yourself the agony, avoid reading too much of what passes
for news these days, and spend your time on more important tasks (like building and riding motorcycles,
or spending time with the family).

However, if there are a few of you that do spend some time online browsing various websites for current
affairs news (mainly international news), I'd be interested in hearing of any news websites you might have
found to be fairly comprehensive and with some degree of balance (and possibly even truth).


I'm not interested in your politics (be it left / centre / right) as everyone is free to their opinion (even Cassina,
as long as he / she doesn't tell me how to ride a motorcycle).

I appreciate that reply might expose you to feedback from your fellow bikers (or the interest of the GCSB).
So if you're willing to take the risk, I'd be interested in your reply.

But if you're really shy, you can always just PM me.

Thanks in advance. And just to confirm, that's current affairs news sites, not porn sites ....

Cheers

[TheDemonLord]

pornhub.com/redtube.com

At least you can be sure about who they are screwing...



And they tend to be more factually accurate and with greater integrity...

[EJK]

Stuff.co.nz

Fairfax is unprejudical and unbiased. 100% reliable.

[gsxr]

Stuff.co.nz

Fairfax is unprejudical and unbiased. 100% reliable.

That should be on the joke thread

[Voltaire]

ADV CSM, they guy with the Putin avatar seems to know whats going on.

[EJK]

That should be on the joke thread

Don't forget Huffington Post.

[ellipsis]

...I make up my own, it suits me better and it is far more positive than the absolute shit that is fed to everyone, whatever shit they choose to read...or Beano...

[pritch]

The Guardian, The Independent, The Washington Post. The latter now has a paywall but it is not currently much of one.
The Times is apparently Britains biggest paper but I haven't used it much. There's also "The Scotsman" which will send a daily email with links to stories.

The Telegraph leans rather further to the right but has a better paywall so will limit the number of items you can read unless you cough up.

There is a Brit email called "The Spoon" which links to news items that the journos behind the email consider are worth reading.

The Intercept is an independent source of news. There is an associated podcast: "Intercepted" which is fairly new but interesting.

Another podcast worth a listen is The Drycleaner Cast which deals with terrorism related topics.

I use Twitter as a news source as there are often links to interesting magazine items in The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The Spectator, etc.

For marginally unhinged right wing views there is Brietbart. For the completely unhinged there is Info Wars. Both the latter are watched by Trump which explains a lot.

I stopped reading the Huffington Post, so many news sources, so little time.

[TheDemonLord]

Also, The Onion.

[jasonu]

...I make up my own, it suits me better and it is far more positive than the absolute shit that is fed to everyone, whatever shit they choose to read...or Beano...

Prolly more accurate than the mainstream media outlets too.

[caspernz]

The main reason why I can still tolerate fake news is for the amusement value. Same as when you hear some gullible hick still falling for the Microsoft support call from India or Pakistan...you have to wonder whether those who fall for this were born without a BS detector?!

In day to day life news comes at us from all sources, one learns to take it with a grain of salt. And when it's "breaking news" it usually means lots of errors, they just had to be the first to sling it at us. Maybe I'm getting slightly cynical in my middle aged years, but news is less interesting/important to me as I age. So fake or real, give it a day or two and the full story will come to the fore, and even then it only matters if it effects myself or those within my circle of concern.

The best fake news is probably that anything more than 4 km/h over the open road limit is criminal...:laugh::facepalm::innocent::shutup::bli nk::shit:

[pete376403]

truth-out.org , readersupportednews.org - both would be considered left-leaning

[GazzaH]

The Washington Post and NY Times have good journalism for my purposes. No idea whether they are entirely truthful and unbiased, though I doubt it.

The BBC is OKish, along with TVNZ.

Many years ago, I used to compare Radio Moscow and Voice of America's very different coverage of the same world events. Since then I've remained very cynical about news reporting in general.

But 7 Days beats the lot hands-down :yes:

[oldrider]

America and her Western associates are kindly injecting destabilisation programs and activities to help Venezuela not get ahead of themselves! :shifty: (Fake enough?)

Despite interference and biased international media reporting (fake news?) Venezuela still claims to be making progress in the governing of "their" country!

Is this what you are looking for? :scratch:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rk1qlKu_RJo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Hugo Nougo]

http://www.thecivilian.co.nz

[Berries]

There is only one source of the truth - Sunday Sport. (http://www.sundaysportonline.co.uk/)

[Ixion]

Daily, at the moment :

Stuff
NZHerald (though no longer if they continue with their new crappiness)
Al-jazeera
Sputnik
RT
BBC
Washington Times
The Register
Breitbart
Politico
PressTV
Haaretz
Palestine Chronicle

And an assorted bunch of blogs

Believe none of them. They all lie. The lies sometimes cancel out.

[mashman]

WTF!!!!!! Just read any headline and create your own story instead of reading it. Can't get any more fake than that.

[oldrider]

North Korea Provocation:

The Background and Context You’re Not Being Told http://freedom-articles.toolsforfreedom.com/north-korea-provocation-background/

The source I know nothing about, the content is much as I remember it. - you be the judge. - MSM only tells you about carefully selected details. :shutup:

It was China and the USSR that kept the USA (and it's allies) at bay much as Russia is doing in Syria today - the Korean war is officially still on! :corn:

[YellowDog]

Current and upto the minute news, is very improtant to me. I always start my day be reading the New Zealand Herald :)

If it's not in our Herald, it never happened! :no:

Honest, accurate, free of any political influence, and truly impartial :laugh:

[aws]

There is pretty good research out there that suggests that we all tend to place more trust in reporting that aligns with our predetermined views. And thus we tend to read more from sources that echo our own views.
This is always portrayed in a negative way as if we are unwilling to change our view even when presented with evidence to the contrary. However I believe that the reverse is just as true, and news media tend to report mostly on things which align with their own biases, and that also colors the way they present their stories. That is how two different media outlets can report the same thing with completely different results - and that's where alternative facts come from.
I don't think there is an answer to where you can get unbiased reporting - I don't think it exists.

Oh and as far as the US moaning about Russia interfering in their election - that's a bit rich coming from them. I'd be pretty confident that they have a whole agency dedicated to influencing elections all over the world.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Voltaire]

There is only one source of the truth - Sunday Sport. (http://www.sundaysportonline.co.uk/)

Is the Sunday Sport still going?

I got all the big stories from the late 80's early 90's there.

I'll always remember the day they found Elvis alive working in a chip shop in Dorset, and of course one of the greats the London Bus found on the moon.

More great investigative journalism was found on pages 3 5 and often 7

Edit:

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5226/5683785190_45962b83f9.jpg

Oh....it was a WW2 bomber found on moon, the bus was found at the South Pole

Apologies for spreading fake news.;)

[Swoop]

Current and upto the minute news, is very improtant to me. I always start my day be reading the New Zealand Herald :)
I would like to invite the Harold to decide what it wants to be.

Currently it is taking over the topic areas that The Woman's Weekly has based its publication on (gossip, fashion, who's shagging who, recipes). Then it attempts to compete with "social media" ("Send us your stories" "If you know anything more about this incident/topic get in touch").

The Harold. A very important source of "news"...:shifty:
However it IS better than "Stuff". That bunch of retards take journalism standards to a whole new level (low level, that is!).




There is pretty good research out there that suggests that we all tend to place more trust in reporting that aligns with our predetermined views. And thus we tend to read more from sources that echo our own views.
Conformational bias.
Exactly what we see from one of our regular posters, who excels at supplying links which back up his bizarre stance.

[EJK]

However it IS better than "Stuff". That bunch of retards take journalism standards to a whole new level (low level, that is!).


The Opinion: articles are a pure gem innit?

Ah, sometimes Stuff fucks it so bad the comments section provide better info.

[ellipsis]

Is the Sunday Sport still going?

I got all the big stories from the late 80's early 90's there.

I'll always remember the day they found Elvis alive working in a chip shop in Dorset, and of course one of the greats the London Bus found on the moon.

More great investigative journalism was found on pages 3 5 and often 7

Edit:



Oh....it was a WW2 bomber found on moon, the bus was found at the South Pole

Apologies for spreading fake news.;)


...the last time I was an avid reader of any publication, apart from the Beano, was when 16 year old Samantha Fox showed us her tits on page three of the Sun, regularly...



http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2091544/Sam-Fox-Former-Page-3-girl-shows-figure-bikini-Thailand-holiday.html

[Swoop]

The Opinion: articles are a pure gem innit?

Ah, sometimes Stuff fucks it so bad the comments section provide better info.
I note that the Harold has disabled its "reader's comments" section at the end of each bit of "news". At times it was becoming a cross between arsebook and Woman's Weekly...:shit:

[pritch]

Conformational bias.


That's it. Who knew that people would turn the 'Net into a giant echo chamber? Even though I'm aware of this, and would sometimes read the Telegraph in an effort to even things up, there's no way I'm going to turn into a regular reader of The Sun, The Mirror, or The Daily Mail. If I have developed a list to port so be it. :whistle:

[Banditbandit]

There is pretty good research out there that suggests that we all tend to place more trust in reporting that aligns with our predetermined views. And thus we tend to read more from sources that echo our own views.
This is always portrayed in a negative way as if we are unwilling to change our view even when presented with evidence to the contrary. However I believe that the reverse is just as true, and news media tend to report mostly on things which align with their own biases, and that also colors the way they present their stories. That is how two different media outlets can report the same thing with completely different results - and that's where alternative facts come from.
I don't think there is an answer to where you can get unbiased reporting - I don't think it exists.

Oh and as far as the US moaning about Russia interfering in their election - that's a bit rich coming from them. I'd be pretty confident that they have a whole agency dedicated to influencing elections all over the world.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

Yes. Everything that is ever said or written is said or written from one perspective ... and if it does not agree with the perspectives of the receiver it is "Fake News".

Fake News was news that was generated mainly from East European countries and had nothing to do with reality - but now "fake News" is anythign that does not agree with the receiver's perspective.

While you're trashing newspapers etc, would you consider this "fake news'?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/94602420/life-goals-man-who-rammed-police-car-achieves-longheld-dream

[oldrider]

Yes. Everything that is ever said or written is said or written from one perspective ... and if it does not agree with the perspectives of the receiver it is "Fake News".

Fake News was news that was generated mainly from East European countries and had nothing to do with reality - but now "fake News" is anythign that does not agree with the receiver's perspective.

While you're trashing newspapers etc, would you consider this "fake news'?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/94602420/life-goals-man-who-rammed-police-car-achieves-longheld-dream

That really says a lot about our school system when they turn out a product like that - his dream was to ram a police squad car! :rolleyes: Sheesh! :tugger:

[aws]

Yes. Everything that is ever said or written is said or written from one perspective ... and if it does not agree with the perspectives of the receiver it is "Fake News".

Fake News was news that was generated mainly from East European countries and had nothing to do with reality - but now "fake News" is anythign that does not agree with the receiver's perspective.

While you're trashing newspapers etc, would you consider this "fake news'?

https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/94602420/life-goals-man-who-rammed-police-car-achieves-longheld-dreamFake news seems to cover the whole spectrum from actual made up stories, to stories reproduced from social media feeds without proper editorial checking, to sensationalised stories about nothing important, to just plain biased reporting on issues.

"Alterative facts" was a buzz term coined during the US election which MSM seem to consider synonymous with fake news. But I think it is more related to personal biases influencing how the facts are interpreted. It is about which facts an outlet chooses to present. And that's where you'll find different news outlets presenting facts that reflect the beliefs of their organisation.

Don't be fooled by the rhetoric about journalists being there to present the news in an unbiased way. Maybe that was once the lofty goal, but these days media outlets are there to make money. And to make money, the news needs to be interesting - it needs to have an angle - an angle that will appeal to their target readership.

Many outlets also seem to think that it is their duty to make the news and influence public opinion - I recall one journalist at the last general election lamenting on how the polls hadn't changed "no matter what they said about the government".

The upshot of all this is you either read your favourite source safe in the belief that there are others who share your views, or you read widely and critically and try to understand the motivations behind the views being presented.

Best of luck to you!

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

[Viking01]

Morning,
It's a lovely fine day down here in the Capital this morning (more fake news).

But at least the power is back on again. I don't envy a linesman's job, so let
me say a general "Thanks" to those chaps.

And "Thanks" to those of you who replied with your thoughts on "fake news" and
"alternative facts", plus supply of names of a few new online news websites that
I hadn't yet come across. Appreciated.

AWS's post (#31) probably summed the situation up well for me, certainly better
than I could have expressed it.

Given that many of the main news organisations cannot simply relay information
to the public without imposing their own "spin", it's probably not that surprising
that we see Donald using Twitter to communicate (?) with his followers.

We live in interesting times.

Cheers,
Viking

[Banditbandit]

M
Given that many of the main news organisations cannot simply relay information
to the public without imposing their own "spin",


It is impossible to relay information to the public WITHOUT imposing spin - not even the Government can achieve that through their own information outlets.

[oldrider]

Try this for size - you have to decide for your self if it's true, fake or otherwise! https://www.henrymakow.com/ at least the choice is yours! :corn:

[flyingcrocodile46]

There are no one stop news sources. All should be viewed ..... with a healthy dose of scepticism until and even when you cross check and verify with multiple sources and/or links all the way back to originating sources. No source links = a higher probability of fake news. Ultimately you have to make your own assessment as to the possibility/probability of truth and you can't do that by spending just an hour or two a day catching up with MSM news. I spend about 4 to 6 hours a day sampling a broad spectrum of news sources including a lot of the MSM big names (all are slanted imo though RT less so than many incl al Jizzer) and literally dozens (maybe 100ish) of lesser well known alternative media sites. There is no hard truth to be gained, just probabilities.

I support a half a dozen to the tune of over $1k pa.

A few of the lesser known media I visit are listed below in no particular order of preference (this is only a small sample). But the best imo is James Corbett. Fact checker extraordinaire.

https://www.financeandliberty.com/
http://caspianreport.info/
http://www.globalresearch.ca/
https://www.newsbud.com/
https://www.corbettreport.com/
https://wearechange.org/
http://www.suspicious0bservers.org/ Climate science, earthquake and weather forecast
https://news.vice.com/en_us
http://lionelmedia.com/
http://www.ronpaulnews.net/
https://pressfortruth.ca/
http://mediamonarchy.com/
http://web.randi.org/
http://www.internationalskeptics.com/forums/
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/

[pritch]

"Alterative facts" was a buzz term coined during the US election which MSM seem to consider synonymous with fake news

Close. It was post election and was first uttered by Kellyanne Conway who found herself in a tight spot during a live interview on TV. That's still probably on YouTube.

These days fake news seems to be anything Trump doesn't like, much of which is not fake at all. Not that there was a shortage of real fake news previously.

[Voltaire]

To be sure dere is only one paper ye need to be reading and its grand so.

No fecking fake feckin news here boi.

tanks a million.

Good enough for me farders farder and handy too.

http://www.tuamherald.ie/

[oldrider]

How dare Russia interfere in USA mock elections: https://www.sott.net/article/357499-US-interfered-in-elections-of-at-least-85-countries-worldwide-since-1945 Pure white as snow America! :innocent:

[DeklanM]

My usual sources are
BBC
Al Jazeera
Radio NZ

I actively avoid Stuff

Sent from my SM-J110M using Tapatalk

[rallyfreak]

Try reading zerohedge

Sent from my HUAWEI VNS-L22 using Tapatalk

[oldrider]

Have good look at this and listen to the video interview: http://www.bruceonpolitics.com/2017/07/14/secret-society-runs-great-britain/ :scratch:

[Voltaire]

Have good look at this and listen to the video interview: http://www.bruceonpolitics.com/2017/07/14/secret-society-runs-great-britain/ :scratch:

Googled Common Purpose and went to their web page http://commonpurpose.org/united-kingdom/

Do the Mafia and Freemasons have a web page?

The Mafia do http://www.mafa.com/s/Www-Mafia-Com-games

Freemasons NZ have one too http://freemasonsnz.org/:laugh:

[oldrider]

Funny how consistent "time" is in revealing the truth that has been buried by the past! - http://www.globalresearch.ca/false-flag-terrorism-isnt-a-theory-its-admitted-and-widespread/5601511?utm_campaign=magnet&utm_source=article_page& -utm_medium=related_articles - 9/11 anybody? :rolleyes:

[bogan]

It is impossible to relay information to the public WITHOUT imposing spin - not even the Government can achieve that through their own information outlets.

Sounds about right, may as well go with the entertainment news shows, good for a laugh at any rate.


Googled Common Purpose and went to their web page http://commonpurpose.org/united-kingdom/

Look at the pictures, all that diversity! No wonder the knuckle dragging bigots are coming up with conspiracy theories and fake news about it.

[oldrider]

NOT CNN :oi-grr:

Regime change may not be the main aim of US sanctions against Russia—but it certainly fits the pattern http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/real-reason-sanctions-stubborn-russia-wont-surrender-its-sovereignty/ri20521 :corn:

[Viking01]

Afternoon,
Since many of you have been kind enough to furnish me with some newsy
weblinks, thought it was probably time that I do the same in return.

As some have commented, the best approach seems to be to read a variety
of news sites and try and discern some concensus of statement or opinion.
Then balance that against your own political leaning, whether you accept
the result.

Regarding overseas news websites, given current circumstances overseas,
it's hard to find websites that have broad coverage yet don't just present
a consistent US perspective.

For that reason, I don't tend to read the main US newspapers very often.
Nor some of their European counterparts (like the BBC, The Times, Der
Spiegel etc) or their Asian counterparts.


New Zealand New Sites

It's difficult to find NZ based news websites apart from Stuff and NZ Herald.
Have to agree with a few that the refacing of the NZ Herald has not added to
either the quality of its content or its presentation.

The only other NZ based websites that I look at are:
Scoop : http://www.scoop.co.nz/
News Room : https://www.newsroom.co.nz/

and occasionally the blog
No Right Turn : https://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/ (only as a flag
to recent events)


Overseas Newspapers - Inventory by Geographic Area (if you're trying to
find online newspapers or magazines)

http://www.world-newspapers.com/
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/


Overseas News Sites - Europe

I offer a few that some might find of interest. Find that many of the
stories (and their telling) presented on these websites have tended to
"stand the test of time" a little better. You're welcome to disagree.

Russia Insider : http://russia-insider.com/en
Sputnik International : https://sputniknews.com/
Russia Today : https://www.rt.com/

Deutsche Welle : http://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097
France 24 : http://www.france24.com/en/
Guardian : https://www.theguardian.com/international
Euro News : http://www.euronews.com/
NSNBC International : https://nsnbc.me/

Overseas - Latin America

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/

Overseas - Asia

Asia Times : http://www.atimes.com/
The Diplomat : http://thediplomat.com/ (six free articles per month,
then subscription based)

China Global Times : http://www.globaltimes.cn/
China Daily European : http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/world/
China Peoples Daily Online : http://en.people.cn/
China Money Report : http://www.thechinamoneyreport.com/ (finance focus)

Japan NHK : https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/
Nikkei Asian Review : https://asia.nikkei.com/

Overseas - Middle East

Middle East Online : http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/
Al Monitor : http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/home.html
Middle East Eye : http://www.middleeasteye.net/
Al Jazeera : http://www.aljazeera.com/

Press TV (Iran) : http://www.presstv.com/
FARS News (Iran) : http://en.farsnews.com/

Israel and Palestine : http://mondoweiss.net/
Palestine Chronicle : http://www.palestinechronicle.com/

Caspian Report : http://caspianreport.info/


Overseas - Blogs

There are some many blogs to choose from, so I offer only a few. Quality
and political bias may vary, but interesting editorials or opinion pieces
are often present.

New Eastern Outlook (NEO): https://journal-neo.org/
Informed Comment : https://www.juancole.com/
Common Dreams : https://www.commondreams.org/
Strategic Culture : https://www.strategic-culture.org/
Global Research : http://www.globalresearch.ca/?context=home
ZCommunications ZNET : https://zcomm.org/all-types/
Consortium News : https://consortiumnews.com/
The Conversation : https://theconversation.com/global
Activist Post : http://www.activistpost.com/

Zero Hedge : http://www.zerohedge.com/
CounterPunch : https://www.counterpunch.org/
Truth Out : http://www.truth-out.org/
The Nation : https://www.thenation.com/
The Intercept : https://theintercept.com/
Dissident Voice : http://dissidentvoice.org/
The Peoples Voice : http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/index.php
Tom Dispatch : http://www.tomdispatch.com/
Anti-War : https://antiwar.com/

William Engdahl : http://www.williamengdahl.com/index.php
Ron Paul Institute : http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/
John Pilger (Investigative Journalist) : http://johnpilger.com/articles
Andre Vltchek (Investigative Journalist) : http://andrevltchek.weebly.com/
James Petras : http://petras.lahaine.org/

The 4th Media : http://www.4thmedia.org/
Mint Press : https://www.mintpressnews.com/
Voltaire Network : http://www.voltairenet.org/rubrique120359.html?lang=en
Foreign Policy in Focus : http://fpif.org/
The American Conservative : http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/

Inter Press Service : http://www.ipsnews.net/
True Publica : http://truepublica.org.uk/global/


Cheers,
Viking

[Voltaire]

Afternoon,
Since many of you have been kind enough to furnish me with some newsy
weblinks, thought it was probably time that I do the same in return.

As some have commented, the best approach seems to be to read a variety
of news sites and try and discern some concensus of statement or opinion.
Then balance that against your own political leaning, whether you accept
the result.

Regarding overseas news websites, given current circumstances overseas,
it's hard to find websites that have broad coverage yet don't just present
a consistent US perspective.

For that reason, I don't tend to read the main US newspapers very often.
Nor some of their European counterparts (like the BBC, The Times, Der
Spiegel etc) or their Asian counterparts.


New Zealand New Sites

It's difficult to find NZ based news websites apart from Stuff and NZ Herald.
Have to agree with a few that the refacing of the NZ Herald has not added to
either the quality of its content or its presentation.

The only other NZ based websites that I look at are:
Scoop : http://www.scoop.co.nz/
News Room : https://www.newsroom.co.nz/

and occasionally the blog
No Right Turn : https://norightturn.blogspot.co.nz/ (only as a flag
to recent events)


Overseas Newspapers - Inventory by Geographic Area (if you're trying to
find online newspapers or magazines)

http://www.world-newspapers.com/
http://www.onlinenewspapers.com/


Overseas News Sites - Europe

I offer a few that some might find of interest. Find that many of the
stories (and their telling) presented on these websites have tended to
"stand the test of time" a little better. You're welcome to disagree.

Russia Insider : http://russia-insider.com/en
Sputnik International : https://sputniknews.com/
Russia Today : https://www.rt.com/

Deutsche Welle : http://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097
France 24 : http://www.france24.com/en/
Guardian : https://www.theguardian.com/international
Euro News : http://www.euronews.com/
NSNBC International : https://nsnbc.me/

Overseas - Latin America

http://www.telesurtv.net/english/

Overseas - Asia

Asia Times : http://www.atimes.com/
The Diplomat : http://thediplomat.com/ (six free articles per month,
then subscription based)

China Global Times : http://www.globaltimes.cn/
China Daily European : http://europe.chinadaily.com.cn/world/
China Peoples Daily Online : http://en.people.cn/
China Money Report : http://www.thechinamoneyreport.com/ (finance focus)

Japan NHK : https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/
Nikkei Asian Review : https://asia.nikkei.com/

Overseas - Middle East

Middle East Online : http://www.middle-east-online.com/english/
Al Monitor : http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/home.html
Middle East Eye : http://www.middleeasteye.net/
Al Jazeera : http://www.aljazeera.com/

Press TV (Iran) : http://www.presstv.com/
FARS News (Iran) : http://en.farsnews.com/

Israel and Palestine : http://mondoweiss.net/
Palestine Chronicle : http://www.palestinechronicle.com/

Caspian Report : http://caspianreport.info/


Overseas - Blogs

There are some many blogs to choose from, so I offer only a few. Quality
and political bias may vary, but interesting editorials or opinion pieces
are often present.

New Eastern Outlook (NEO): https://journal-neo.org/
Informed Comment : https://www.juancole.com/
Common Dreams : https://www.commondreams.org/
Strategic Culture : https://www.strategic-culture.org/
Global Research : http://www.globalresearch.ca/?context=home
ZCommunications ZNET : https://zcomm.org/all-types/
Consortium News : https://consortiumnews.com/
The Conversation : https://theconversation.com/global
Activist Post : http://www.activistpost.com/

Zero Hedge : http://www.zerohedge.com/
CounterPunch : https://www.counterpunch.org/
Truth Out : http://www.truth-out.org/
The Nation : https://www.thenation.com/
The Intercept : https://theintercept.com/
Dissident Voice : http://dissidentvoice.org/
The Peoples Voice : http://www.thepeoplesvoice.org/TPV3/index.php
Tom Dispatch : http://www.tomdispatch.com/
Anti-War : https://antiwar.com/

William Engdahl : http://www.williamengdahl.com/index.php
Ron Paul Institute : http://ronpaulinstitute.org/archives/featured-articles/
John Pilger (Investigative Journalist) : http://johnpilger.com/articles
Andre Vltchek (Investigative Journalist) : http://andrevltchek.weebly.com/
James Petras : http://petras.lahaine.org/

The 4th Media : http://www.4thmedia.org/
Mint Press : https://www.mintpressnews.com/
Voltaire Network : http://www.voltairenet.org/rubrique120359.html?lang=en
Foreign Policy in Focus : http://fpif.org/
The American Conservative : http://www.theamericanconservative.com/articles/

Inter Press Service : http://www.ipsnews.net/
True Publica : http://truepublica.org.uk/global/


Cheers,
Viking

Do you not get " News Fatigue" ?

I miss the crackly sound of the Big Ben chiming and ' Your listening to the BBC World Service" on the wireless

[Viking01]

Do you not get " News Fatigue" ?

I miss the crackly sound of the Big Ben chiming and ' Your listening to the BBC World Service" on the wireless

Hi,
Well, only a proportion of them are daily publications, while a number are weekly
(or only when the authors has new content to publish). Probably only 10-15 sites
that I read regularly. KB is of course one of those sites .... 8-)

And Yes, you're right, a certain degree of "news fatigue" sometimes occurs. Mind you,
I sometimes skip over certain topics (e.g. Trump and Russian threat / US healthcare)
as there is little real news value .

Cheers,
Viking

[oldrider]

Evidence of Donald draining the swamp? http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-07-31/trump-saw-disturbing-video-then-he-shut-down-cias-covert-syria-program

[Viking01]

Evidence of Donald draining the swamp? http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2017-07-31/trump-saw-disturbing-video-then-he-shut-down-cias-covert-syria-program

Can't say that I think that Trump's actions in this respect will make much difference.

Think that the Pentagon will still be making delivery of arms to the required parties
behind the scenes, even though the CIA might supposedly be being reined in. So his
action is probably more "window dressing" (than being an action of substance).

Follow-up article:
https://journal-neo.org/2017/07/31/don-t-be-fooled-the-cia-was-only-half-the-problem-in-syria/

[oldrider]

How credible is the material in this post then? https://jamesperloff.com/2017/05/19/whistle-blowers-not-tin-foil-hat-conspiracy-theorists/ :scratch:

[Viking01]

How credible is the material in this post then? https://jamesperloff.com/2017/05/19/whistle-blowers-not-tin-foil-hat-conspiracy-theorists/ :scratch:


Well, let me start by saying that I'm not quite sure what questions(s) you are
actually asking (e.g. whether I personally believe the snippets within the attached
web link, or whether there is sufficient third party information available within the
public domain to substantiate some of them).

I haven't watched the embedded video clips. Nor have I read the author's book
("Truth is a Lonely Warrior").

However, having read about many of the events listed, I'm happy to make some
comment on some of them as to whether they seem feasible (to me at least).
This reply might be a little on the long side - I apologise in advance.

Following the order of the events as presented within the weblink:

Oligarchy / Democracy
All I'll say is that a robust functioning democracy might consist of more than just
the opportunity to cast a vote for a political party once every three years, and
sit quietly in-between.

Electronic Voting in the USA
This has been a topic of debate for a number of US elections, especially since
GW Bush won the 2000 election. The fact is that many of the electronic voting
machine types have not had their software certified, and lack some basic audit
controls.

Not only have they been accused in the past of being easy to hack, they lack
basic mechanisms to verify counts. The latest Defcon gathering in Las Vegas
this last week showed hackers were able to easily penetrate machines from
three main suppliers (Diebold, Sequoia, Winvote) in 30 minutes. Saw a recent
article in "The Register", dated 30/07/2017.

US Federal Reserve
Having read at least two books on the background of the activities leading up to
the creation of the Federal Reserve, the process was governed by several large
banks (not only US) and much was done in secret. There was plenty of interest
in having a government controlled banking entity and dollar, where money would be
created under government control; however the large private banks wished to kill
off that proposal, and to implement a body (Federal Reserve) under private control.

Recovery from the 1907 recession in the US was partly influenced by actions taken
by the private banks, and it was used as justification for the need of the Fed. The
time period from 1910 - 1913, leading up to the Fed being instantiated in 1913 after
the banks meeting at Jekyll Island, makes for interesting reading. Transparency and
honesty might not be words that immediately came to mind.

I have also had interest in reading about the Bank of International Settlements (BIS)
headquartered in Switzerland, but have not been able to find much information about
this body over the years (probably for very good reason).

Smedley Butler (Major General)
Can recall reading an autobiography about Smedley Butler several years ago, and it
ws very interesting reading. Started his fighting career in the Philippines around about
1901-02 (when the US took over the Philippines), and then had subsequent postings
in China, Central America and the Caribbean.

He led some of the US forces in France in WW1, and was quite critical of the US
industrialists who profited handsomely from supplying provisions (in some case
sub-standard) to American troops in WW1.

With the fascist powers in ascendancy during the 1930's (and the Great Depression
underway), he was notable in that a group of industrialists approached him in the
early 1930's (about 1933) to front up a "coup" against FDR, but which he strongly
rejected. Think that the US authorities held a series of House of Reps meetings
later in the 1930's which verified his statements.

When he retired, he made comments that many of his actions in the Marines (in both
the Caribbean and Central America in the period 1910-1930) had been made at the
"request" of the banks and the industrialists in order to protect their various interests.
You can find a book by Smedley Butler on the web entitled "War is a Racket". There
is also quite a good Wikipedia article on him as well.

Lusitania
This has been a source of discussion ever since its sinking in 1915 off the south coast
of Ireland. While UK and US Government sources denied that the vessel carried weapons
and ammunition, it has been separately verified that it was indeed carrying supplies for
the British forces.

There was a release of official UK docs by UK Ministry of Defence back in 1982 warning
divers on the wreck site of the presence of munitions.

While the Germans had given both UK and US governments fair warning of what would
happen to vessels carrying munitions that tried to break the U-boat blockade of the UK
during WW1, there were elements within both UK and US circles that wished to get the
US involved in WW1 on the Allied side. Major bank loans had been made to the UK and
European countries for war materials, and it was by no means clear that the Allies would
prevail (and the loans be repaid). I have read that Churchill was heavily involved in trying
to influence US politicians.

US politicians and banking interests were also at the same time interested in displacing
England as the main imperial power in the world.

Woodrow Wilson knew that the US public had little appetite for war, so they needed
a triggering event (and the sinking of the Lusitania was one event that helped lead
to that outcome). However, they had to wait until the Zimmerman Telegraph in early
1917 to seal the deal, so to speak.

Pearl Harbour Attack
In the early 1930's, Japan had already invaded China / Manchuria and was trying to
establish its own Zone of Prosperity in Asia. The US military and industrialists saw
that as a challenge to their power and to their financial interests. In the late 1930's,
the US had effectively pushed Japan into a corner (via sanctions on steel and oil
supplies).

By 1939, the US military had managed to "crack" the cipher system (Purple Cipher,
or Enigma) used by the Japanese military and embassies, and was able to read their
communiques and to track the movement of Japanese military forces.

When the naval force due to attack Pearl harbour left Japan in Nov 1941, the US
authorities were aware this had occurred and its likely destination. However, they
were unwilling to take countering action for fear of revealing their knowledge of
the Japanese cipher system. The local military leaders at Pearl Harbour (both Kimmel
and Short) were not kept fully in the loop, and were effectively left to take all the
responsibility for lack of preparedness at Pearl Harbour. Believe that they were both
removed from active service as a result.

It is interesting that action by the families of both these men within the last 5 years
has led to a "formal government restatement" of what transpired, with a formal military
apology being issued to their families and some financial compensation being paid.

Gulf of Tonkin Incident 1964
Again, another "false flag" incident (this time to justify US troops being sent to
Vietnam).

Incidentally, James Stockdale has published another article on this event within
the last few days. Being a US pilot - and overflying the area within an hour of its
supposed occurrence, there were no North Vietnamese torpedo boats observed,
and no evidence of an engagement having occurred.

USS Liberty Attack by Israel 1967
This unprovoked attack of a US naval ship by Israeli forces has been quite well
documented, and there are audio recordings available online taken at the time of
the action. Not only did Israeli forces know it was a US ship (ally), they continued
to attack it for at least a further hour after being advised of its identity.

It is understood that Israel did not want a US vessel with capability for interception
of communications in the area prior to the Six Day War in 1967 being commenced
(where Israel was deemed to be the aggressor, initiating attacks against Egypt,
Syria and Jordan).

911 and the Twin Towers
I'll leave you to make your own mind about this event. However, from what I've read,
I'd be inclined to say that all three buildings (the Twin Towers and Building 7) were
ultimately brought down by controlled demolition. The video of the individual building
collapses defy conventional physics (i.e. floors effectively being in "free fall").

Even though the Twin Towers were both struck by aircraft, both of the buildings were
sufficiently over-engineered to be able to resist both a collision and the subsequent
fires. In contrast, Building 7 was not even hit by an aircraft, and the internal fire within
that building was extremely localised (nowhere near enough to cause a collapse).

I would also support a "controlled demolition" scenario by:
-The presence of military grade nano-thermite on some of the steel beams (University
of Copenhagen analysis)
-The presence of molten metal around some of the beams within the building basements
(conventional fires would not burn hot enough)
-The presence of angled cuts on main support beams within the basement areas (from
controlled demolition
-Fire crews hearing and being caught in small explosions consistent with a controlled
demolition.

I am also cynical about both the Pentagon building explosion as well as of Flight 93
which crashed in Pennsylvania. The damage done at the Pentagon was far too small for
a conventional aircraft, and was more consistent with either a small missile or a bomb.
How an aircraft managed to approach at such a low angle and to cause so little damage
in and around the Pentagon building is not believable. Similarly, the footprint of the crash
site for Flight 93 was much too small for an aircraft of that size (Boeing 757).

Add to the above (i) the supposed flying ability of the "perpetrators" and (ii) the lack
of airforce fighter cover in the vicinity (apparently out of state on training that day),
the whole story just gets more and more unbelievable.

Having read the final report from the 911 Commission (as well as the findings from NIST,
(who supposedly conducted metallurgical and building analysis), I have no confidence
whatsoever that any robust analysis and investigation was conducted by the authorities.

Middle East Wars
Yes, I had also seen the video clip and read evidence from Wesley Clark, and his being
unofficially advised around 2001 that the neo-cons intended to effect regime change in
seven Middle Eastern countries within 5 years (including Iraq, Libya, Syria and Iran).

This was in the period after the USSR had "self destructed" (1990-2000) and the US was
effectively the single world super-power, so there was a definite "window of opportunity"
for the US to do so.

Given the subsequent exposure of the US neo-con agenda - and subsequent invasions of
both Iraq and Libya (not to mention Syrian "civil war"), then Wesley Clarks comments sound
quite believable to me.

In each of the four countries listed above, there are good geo-strategic or political reasons
for the US wanting to do so:

-Iraq - Access oil resources plus also block possible Russian oil/gas pipelines
-Libya - Access oil resources plus prevent Gaddafi implementing golden dinar as separate
currency for settling oil payments (instead of USD)
-Syria - Block possible Russian oil/gas pipelines plus support Saudi Sunni Wahhabism plus
Israeli interests (oil and water in the Golan)
-Iran - Payback time plus support Saudi Sunni Wahhabism plus Israeli security interests

Iran and WMD
Have to agree with Scott Ritter (UN Weapons Inspector) that Iraq did not have any weapons
of mass destruction. Not only had that been verified by UN weapons inspectorate, but Saddam's
own son-in-law (who had been in charge of weapons programs) had escaped Iraq around 2001
and been interrogated to the extent that he verified Iraq had no WMD. Still that didn't stop GWB
and the neo-cons for invading Iraq in 2003.

Interesting to see recent attempts within the UK to indict Tony Blair for war crimes relating
to Iraq.

Zionist and AIPAC Influence on US Politics
Think that this has just been getting stronger and stronger ever since the time of Truman
(elected in 1948).

Reading a good book on this topic at the moment ("The Israeli Lobby and US Foreign Policy"
by John Mearsheimer and Stephen Walt).

Al Qaeda and ISIS
Not able to comment much at this stage, other than to say there appears to be financial groups
willing to finance civil unrest and uprisings around the world (be they Middle Eastern regimes,
the US Government, or individuals like George Soros). And there seem to be plenty of "religious
warriors" willing to travel to other countries and wage jihad (whether for money or religion sake).

The US Press
I have plenty of skepticism over what passes for news in the US newspapers. Given that the
majority of "news" is controlled in the US by one of five main organisations (i.e. Viacom, AOL,
Disney, Clear, NewsCorp) - and this concerns Radio / TV / Internet / News Content, it would
not be difficult to control what stories are being told and how. Or not being told, as the case
may be.

Having also just finished a book on the CFR = Council of Foreign Relations ("Wall Streets Think
Tank - The CFR and the Empire of NeoLiberal GeoPolitics 1976-2014"). This has helped fill in a
few gaps in understanding, and whose interests might be being served. So it is no surprise to
see names of individuals like Rockefeller (or corporates like Monsanto) mentioned centre-front.



Conclusion
Not having looked at the individual video clips (and looked at the telling of each story), I still
think the majority of events mentioned within the weblink probably had some substance behind
them.

Hope that answers your question(s).

Cheers,
Viking

[Voltaire]

Pearl Harbour.

It was the first time a major aircraft carrier attack was carried out, and it was a long way from Japan.

If the Americans knew in advance they could have been in position to intercept them and still brought the US into the war.

They gave the Japanese a sound beating six months later at Midway and the carriers never even were in sight of each other.

( remember seeing the movie in Sensorround in the 70's)

911...find it hard to believe such an elaborate conspiracy could be carried out and kept quiet....and for what gain...to invade

Iraq and Afghanistan....really, they could have " sent advisers"

[YellowDog]

Historical fake news:

<iframe width="850" height="485" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b4meFC1ee7Q" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[oldrider]

Well, let me start by saying that I'm not quite sure what questions(s) you are
actually asking (e.g. whether I personally believe the snippets within the attached
web link, or whether there is sufficient third party information available within the
public domain to substantiate some of them).

Conclusion
Not having looked at the individual video clips (and looked at the telling of each story), I still
think the majority of events mentioned within the weblink probably had some substance behind
them.

Hope that answers your question(s).

Cheers,
Viking

I am impressed with your reply - thank you. (currently under pressure from her indoors to get moving and do a job for her)

[Laava]

Not sure if this is fake or not?

[Viking01]

Pearl Harbour.

It was the first time a major aircraft carrier attack was carried out, and it was a long way from Japan.

If the Americans knew in advance they could have been in position to intercept them and still brought the US into the war.

They gave the Japanese a sound beating six months later at Midway and the carriers never even were in sight of each other.

( remember seeing the movie in Sensorround in the 70's)

911...find it hard to believe such an elaborate conspiracy could be carried out and kept quiet....and for what gain...to invade

Iraq and Afghanistan....really, they could have " sent advisers"



Morning. Interested to see your comments. Thanks.

Pearl Harbour
Yes, you are right in that the Americans knew that the Japanese naval fleet
had left port, but they could not determine its exact path (and so set up an
intercept). They were very dependent upon spotting from other vessels or
from islands in the vicinity (no spy satellites in those days).

Due to the Great Depression - plus the US's recent involvement with the
League of Nations (pacifist role), again the US public would have been
very reluctant to be involved in another European war. That's not to say
that some of its politicians felt the same way (like Sec of State Henry
Stimson - he is one US politician worth reading about further).

The US was also not on a war footing in 1941, despite the fact that some
of their industries had been manufacturing and supplying Allied forces in
Europe earlier. For those US politicians arguing for US entry to WW2, they
again needed a triggering event.

Think the political assessment was that an attack on Pearl Harbour would be
limited in scope, and that some loss was acceptable. However, they probably
under-estimated how thorough the Japanese dive and torpedo bombers could be.

Even on the morning of Dec 7 1941, radar stations on the north of Oahu did
report inbound aircraft, but they were also expecting a squadron of US B29's
around the same date. Surprise !

Midway
That battle is a very interesting naval battle as well, and one (along with
the battle of the Coral Sea) which is credited with being the turning point
of the Pacific war for the US.

Again, neither fleet knew the whereabouts of the other exactly, but because
of Enigma (the US being able to intercept naval communiques) plus Japanese
ships breaking radio silence on one or two occasions, the US forces had a
much better idea where the Japanese fleet was.

Again, the battle was one which hinged around timing, and Japanese carriers
were unlucky to be caught out with their defensive fighter screen away while
its own bomber aircraft were on the deck being refuelled and re-armed.

I too can recall the movie about the battle of Midway in the 70's. However,
one must remember that a US military "loss" will not necessarily stop the US
movie industry from producing a movie. "Black Hawk Down" about Mogadishu
in Somalia comes to mind .... 8-)

911
Well, I accept your comment that "it is hard to believe such an elaborate
conspiracy could be carried out and kept quiet". But then, how many of us
who turned on the TV on Sept 11 2001 could quite believe the sight of two
aircraft hitting the Twin Towers, and then the collapse of those buildings.
I mean, we all saw it happen with our own eyes. The aircraft must have
caused their collapse.

But it did not take very long for all sorts of professional people (e.g.
engineers and scientists) to start questioning the official 911 narrative.
And for good physical reason.

The Twin Towers were over-engineered to be able to withstand damage
estimated at 5x more than that likely suffered, and still remain structurally
intact. And the plane fuel loads (plus internal building flammable material)
would not have been sufficient to generate temperatures needed to weaken
or melt main structural beams. Not even close.

And then video clips show the Twin Towers collapsing in "near free fall", as
if the main supporting beams on lower floors did not exist. Plus some "puffs
of dust" from the corners of the buildings (akin to a controlled demolition)
immediately preceding their collapse.

I'm not a "conspiracy theorist" per se. Its just I don't believe the official 911
narrative - because the science and the video evidence just doesn't support it.
Maybe years spent studying science and engineering has something to do with
it .... 8-) Let me ask you: Do you think that building structural codes for the
construction of skyscrapers in the US has been amended post 911 (because they
were seen as being deficient) ?

And then when we see news clips like Wesley Clark ("7 countries within 5 years")
and hear US politicians like Dick Cheney being reported ("we need a Pearl Harbour
event"), maybe then it's time to question whether there is some neo-con politicial
agenda in play.

The following website makes interesting reading:
http://www.consensus911.org/the-911-consensus-points/#TT1


Afghanistan and Iraq
Well, I think the reason why they didn't just "send advisors" is that they wanted
to effect regime change, and that they realised that "US boots on the ground"
in large numbers was required. However, even the best laid of plans sometimes
go astray .....

I gave some very short reasons why I thought Iraq was of interest to the US in
my earlier reply.

And despite their military "withdrawal" back in 2011, the US still has military forces
in-country in 2017 (supposedly assisting the Iraqis to fight ISIS). It's just as well
they didn't decommission and close all those US military bases after all ..... 8-)

In the case of Afghanistan, there are several good reasons why Afghanistan was of
interest to the US:

-Forget about 911 and Osama Bin Laden (and "promotion of democracy" or "womens
rights"). Instead, think:

-To deny the Chinese the opportunity of a oil / gas pipeline (from Iran). Instead read
about the US oil company UnoCal and the proposed TAPI pipeline
-To be able to stir up the Muslim populations in the Stans (using US military bases
in-country) in order to give the Russia Federation an ongoing political and military
headache
-US geological surveys back in the 1980's and 90's had also determined that Afghanistan
has some quite significant mineral wealth (e.g. deposits of vanadium, copper, rare earths,
lithium, tungsten) which US corporations would have liked to acquire
-The drug related income from the poppy crops was also useful in quietly funding other
US military activity not authorised or funded by the US Congress (similar to the method
used for funding of weapons for the Contras in Nicaragua in the 1980's and early 90's)

And some of those reasons are just as equally valid today more than 15 years after 911.

Ask yourself: Why does the US - now in 2017 - not just "cut its losses" and get out of
Afghanistan ?

Cheers,
Viking

[Viking01]

Not sure if this is fake or not?

I'm not sure that I can help you there. The face does look familiar.

Mind you, the press secretaries at the White House keep changing
so often (even when Donald doesn't fire them) that it's hard to keep
up with the latest face.

If I find out, I'll be sure to let you know.

Cheers,
Viking

[bogan]

Maybe years spent studying science and engineering has something to do with
it .... 8-) Let me ask you: Do you think that building structural codes for the
construction of skyscrapers in the US has been amended post 911 (because they
were seen as being deficient) ?

I disagree, the science and engineering offer an improbable but plausible explanations for all physical evidence seen from the event. The unquantifiable improbability does not make it an impossibility, any more than an incompletely proven chain of evolution means god did it.

The question as to structural codes is one of complete irrelevance if you think the physical evidence of the event shows conspiracy fact, it is however, very relevant to conspiracy theory.

[Katman]

I disagree, the science and engineering offer an improbable but plausible explanations for all physical evidence seen from the event. The unquantifiable improbability does not make it an impossibility, any more than an incompletely proven chain of evolution means god did it.

And we all know how you just love to cling to improbabilities.

[Viking01]

I disagree, the science and engineering offer an improbable but plausible explanations for all physical evidence seen from the event. The unquantifiable improbability does not make it an impossibility, any more than an incompletely proven chain of evolution means god did it.

The question as to structural codes is one of complete irrelevance if you think the physical evidence of the event shows conspiracy fact, it is however, very relevant to conspiracy theory.


Afternoon.

Thanks for the clarification on conspiracy theory and conspiracy fact.
Point understood and duly noted. Please excuse my laziness with terminology.
I'll take more care in future.

Cheers,
Viking




Note to Self: If I'd known that the audience would be that picky .....
just as well that he didn't pick me up on the absence of footnotes and
references (especially after all the lies, er fake truths that I've told on
this thread so far).

Still, as I've always said, tell them a convincing story with confidence
and they'll believe you every time.


Note to Self: Avoid getting involved in an online philosophical discussion
with Bogan - and Katman ..... 8-)

[bogan]

Afternoon.

Thanks for the clarification on conspiracy theory and conspiracy fact.
Point understood and duly noted. Please excuse my laziness with terminology.
I'll take more care in future.

Cheers,
Viking




Note to Self: If I'd known that the audience would be that picky .....
just as well that he didn't pick me up on the absence of footnotes and
references (especially after all the lies, er fake truths that I've told on
this thread so far).

Still, as I've always said, tell them a convincing story with confidence
and they'll believe you every time.


Note to Self: Avoid getting involved in an online philosophical discussion
with Bogan - and Katman ..... 8-)

It seems I did not explain that very well, the picky terminology is used to highlight the focus of the debate. For a conspiracy theory to be proven real, you would rely on and validate the basest evidence underpinning the theory; in this case it would be the physical evidence at ground zero, as this could show the conspiracy to be true or false. However, all too often such discussion is derailed by avoiding such evidence in favor of shotgunning theories about motivation, and behaviors after the fact; it does not matter at all if building standards were changed, because no outcome from that discussion would have any meaningful bearing on whether 911 was a conspiracy or not.

[Viking01]

It seems I did not explain that very well, the picky terminology is used to highlight the focus of the debate. For a conspiracy theory to be proven real, you would rely on and validate the basest evidence underpinning the theory; in this case it would be the physical evidence at ground zero, as this could show the conspiracy to be true or false. However, all too often such discussion is derailed by avoiding such evidence in favor of shotgunning theories about motivation, and behaviors after the fact; it does not matter at all if building standards were changed, because no outcome from that discussion would have any meaningful bearing on whether 911 was a conspiracy or not.

Hi,
Yes, you did explain yourself quite clearly the first time around, and I understood
and fully accepted your comments. No issue. It was just lazy use of terminology
on my part earlier.

I was just "pulling your chain" with the 'Notes to Self ' ..... 8-)

As you quite rightfully said, the comment about (lack of) change to building codes
post 911 is simply an interesting aside, and not relevant to the identification of
conspiracy.

Cheers,
Viking

[Voltaire]

Morning. Interested to see your comments. Thanks.

Pearl Harbour


Ask yourself: Why does the US - now in 2017 - not just "cut its losses" and get out of
Afghanistan ?

Cheers,
Viking

The question I have been asking myself all day is " where did I put the breather reed valve for my Norton Commando.... I suspect foul play sir";)

[Viking01]

The question I have been asking myself all day is " where did I put the breather reed valve for my Norton Commando.... I suspect foul play sir";)

I share your sentiment. I suspect that once you have completed all your allotted
tasks for the day, it will magically become visible (or will be returned to the work
bench awaiting your discovery). Well, that's how things sometimes work in our
household ..... 8-)

Cheers,
Viking

[AllanB]

That Labour leaders choppers are fake.

Mind you this is the first time in memory that a female leader of labour billboard's teeth actually match her real ones.

[oldrider]

That Labour leaders choppers are fake.

Mind you this is the first time in memory that a female leader of labour billboard's teeth actually match her real ones.

The media can use those choppers and the lack of any outstanding alternatives to the status quo to promote a modest change in the political mix! :facepalm:

Consequentially it could mean a reshuffle of the (lucky dip) organisation that emerges and declares itself the (elected?) Government! :nya: Elected by themselves! :confused:

[oldrider]

THE DEEP STATE - 50 Year Old Recording Explains Why The World Is Going Crazy :corn: Interesting and plausible explanation? - judge for yourself.

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[Viking01]

Afternoon,
I was just browsing the Scientific American website this morning
when I noted that it made reference to an article and a video
clip on the NY Times website regarding the latest Climate Change
report (Climate Change Assessment) that was supposedly "leaked"
by concerned scientists:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/07/climate/climate-change-drastic-warming-trump.html

What ? Fake news, surely ?. This couldn't be right, but indeed
strange things have happened.

On the NY Times website, indeed on the front page (though quite
well down), there was a short video clip. And it even knocked the
Russian meddling in the US election scandal off the front page.

And in the link shown above, there is even a window for online
display of the Climate Change Assessment report itself. How
helpful can you be ?


But just forget Climate Change for a moment, and concentrate on
more important things.

What is happening in the world ?

Has the NY Times been having problems with circulation volumes,
to the extent that it had to start mentioning forbidden subjects
such as CC ? Or have the Russians somehow managed to gain some
significant ownership share in the NY Times, and so change the
subject ?

It's noteworthy enough that the NY Times displays comment on CC
on their front page. Next, they'll be doing some follow-up articles
with easy digested interpretation for their US readership.


Update:

When I happened to check the Scientific American website again
a little later, there was a "correction", indicating that the report
had not been "leaked", but was being made available during a
"public comment" period - and that the White House had an
August 18 deadline for the issue of its review of the report.

That'll be interesting. But even so, given that the CC report is
some 650 pages, I'm not sure how Donald is going to manage
"tweeting" much of a reply.


The NY Times ? Who would have thought ?

I think that is enough "news" for me for the day. I think that
I'll take the afternoon off and read a book instead.

Cheers,
Viking

[oldrider]

Interesting :confused: - But why? :shifty: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/47573.htm (Congress gave26 standing ovations for Netanyahu - how did that happen?)

Is this the kind of behaviour that curries suggestion that America is little more than de facto Israeli occupied territory? :scratch:

[Viking01]

Would be interesting to know how they are classifying content before purging
(or de-monetising) items :

http://www.activistpost.com/2017/08/youtube-begins-purging-alternative-media-deep-state-marches-toward-ww3.html

A short video clip plus a couple of links at the end of the article might also be
of interest.

Cheers,
Viking

[oldrider]

A little bit of sketchy (fake/alternative? take your pick) news: http://snippits-and-slappits.blogspot.co.nz/2017/08/saturday-alternative-cartoons-august-12.html :corn:

[oldrider]

The History Google Doesn’t Want You To Know
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[oldrider]

Charlottesville? :scratch:

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[oldrider]

John Hamer selection :- https://twitter.com/johnhamerauthor :corn:

[Viking01]

A decided improvement in the quality of international news reporting.

https://youtu.be/J-MRN2NGft0

[oldrider]

As usual brother Nathaniel gets it right on the money:-

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[oldrider]

We never get this history shoved constantly down our necks - we were with the good guy's - weren't we? :scratch:

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[oldrider]

Did Ringo Starr Admit Paul McCartney Died In 1966, Replaced With Look-Alike? http://stateofthenation2012.com/?p=12355 Interesting? :corn:

Well, for those who may (or may not) be interested! :rolleyes:

[oldrider]

Sandy Hook hoax: 6 signs that school was closed before massacre https://fellowshipoftheminds.com/2015/09/09/sandy-hook-hoax-6-signs-that-school-was-closed-before-massacre/ :corn:

[oldrider]

Thomas Jefferson said:

Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle. The real extent of this state of misinformation is known only to those who are in situations to confront facts within their knowledge with the lies of the day. I really look with commiseration over the great body of my fellow citizens, who, reading newspapers, live and die in the belief that they have known something of what has been passing in the world.

(Letter to John Norvell, June 14, 1807)

Today, of course, mass media takes many forms besides newspapers. But the standards Jefferson spoke of haven’t changed. “Television network newscast” might be substituted for “newspaper” in the above paragraph. Jefferson further said:

I will add, that the man who never looks into a newspaper is better informed than he who reads them; inasmuch as he who knows nothing is nearer to truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

Quoted from: https://jamesperloff.com/

[Viking01]

In case you're interested. A fairly comprehensive summary without having to watch the multi-hour session:

https://www.sott.net/article/371298-Putin-Schools-Journalists-and-Western-Politicians-in-Annual-Q-A-Marathon

[oldrider]

Propaganda by omission: 7 news stories conveniently left out of the headlines http://theduran.com/propaganda-by-omission-7-news-stories-conveniently-left-out-of-the-headlines/ :rolleyes:

[oldrider]

True fake or otherwise - 1% truth of this is 100% too much:- https://twitter.com/crimesofbrits It appears agenda driven news theatre and education may have made it's mark. :facepalm:

[oldrider]

WikiLeaks Exposes How Council on Foreign Relations Controls Most All Mainstream Media http://thefreethoughtproject.com/wikileaks-exposes-cfr-media-control/ MSM? - simply a brainwashing tool? :bash:

[A single organization controls almost everything you see, hear, and read in the media and they've been handpicking your leaders for decades.] :corn:

[Viking01]

I've always liked data. And even better when you can select and present it in various ways.

Over the years, new tools have been emerging that can make the latter task both easier and
better. But sometimes you want to present both data and text (i.e. produce an infographic).

Infographics are illustrations that combine text, charts, signs and images to turn data into
visual information, making it easier to understand.

I was going through some of my saved links under 'Data' this morning, and thought that there
were a few that might perhaps be of interest to some of you.

The first three links are to websites that display a variety of infographics:
-Visual Capitalist
-The Sounding Line
-Valdai Club

The fourth link is simply in recognition of a man (Hans Rosling) who was interested in both
healthcare and in data presentation.

Hope you find something of interest.

Cheers,
Viking


1. Visual Capitalist
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/

This website tends to produce infographics that relate to emerging trends in business and investment.
Admittedly a slight US bias, but some interesting data nonetheless.

There is a bar near the top of the page with a number of categories (e.g. Home, Markets, ..., Politics)
which groups images by category.

You'll also see a web page number at the bottom of each page which allows you to page through and see
further infographics within each category.


2. The Sounding Line
http://thesoundingline.com/

I visit this website occasionally as it presents a list / mixture of various 'Top News Stories'. But it
is also interesting because of some of the infographics it also displays.

Main web page is split into two panes:

a. Categories: Towards the bottom of the left hand pane. If you choose a particular category from the
dropdown list, it will filter and display a corresponding set of infographics within the right hand pane.

b. Infographics : Displayed within the right hand pane (a web page number at the bottom of each page
allows you to page through).


3. Valdai Club
http://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/

I visit this website occasionally because of the variety of commentators posting articles on current events.

On the 'Highlights' webpage, it has tabs for 'Analytics' and 'Multimedia'. Under the 'Multimedia' tab, you'll
find a selection of infographics. [ URL: http://valdaiclub.com/multimedia/infographics/ ]


4. Hans Rosling

Hans Rosling was a Swedish academic and statistician (sadly dying in 2017) who became involved with healthcare
in Africa, and who became a health advisor to WHO and UNICEF. He and his son subsequently developed software
for graphical presentation of data (Trendalyzer and Gapminder). Trendalyzer was later bought by Google.

His Wiki entry says it far better than me. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_Rosling


Anyway, he has created and posted a number of YouTube videos. I chose a few that might be interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVimVzgtD6w <-- The Best Stats You've Ever Seen (20 minutes long)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkSRLYSojo <-- 200 Countries over 200 Years in 4 Minutes (nearer 5 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LyzBoHo5EI <-- Why the World Population Will Never Exceed 11 Billion (16 minutes)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grZSxoLPqXI <-- 200 Years of Global Change (19 minutes long)

[oldrider]

https://twitter.com/twitter/statuses/980271401138520064

[oldrider]

Western media don't report much on Yemeni conflict (read war!) - Could this be why? https://english.almanar.com.lb/512741 - No news is good news when you are losing? :Oops:

[oldrider]

"We're Now A Nation Consumed By Make-Believe" https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-10-15/jim-kunstler-were-now-nation-consumer-make-believe