Monday, February 22, 2021

Mon 22nd February 2021 Current Affairs

Editorial Mon 15th Feb

Former Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja had understood Machiavelli and knew a concept encapsulated by the Prince which many were getting wrong in the late 1990’s. So applying all her mental powers, she went on radio and told people how to get it right. Machiavelli, she declared, was pronounced ‘Match-i-ah-velli.’ The senator despaired at people misrepresenting the Prince. After all, Hitler had had the book on his bed side table for inspiration and late-night reading. He had needed to improve his mind. There are many examples, provided by Charles and Andrew to name two, of Princes who fail the bedside table test. 


It was with delight I happened on Delderfield’s story of a horseman, Paul Craddock, who purchased a farm. 


Dr Maureen O’Keefe talking to 14 yo Ikey (Delderfield’s Horseman riding by)

“Ikey,” she said, “There’s a word you wouldn’t have heard yet that just about describes you so remember it and you can recognise yourself later on! You’re Machiavellian! Remember that – Mack-i-ah-vellian”

“What does it mean?” he asked, and she said, gesticulating, “It’s having an instinctive understanding of people and how their minds work and it’s a priceless quality to possess, particularly if you are ever thinking of going into business.”

“I’ll not do that,” he said, scornfully, “I’m going to join the cavalry!”

“Ah,” she said, “Then I’m afraid it won’t be of much use to you. Still, it’s nice to have and I daresay it’ll help you get along with the ladies!”


The former senator never really explained her clarification. She is a left wing loony and the press would never have dared ask it. But, what was it her clarification addressed? Was the senator addressing a mid 90’s man drought after too many eligible bachelors had bought into a hipster form of feminism? Had she approved of Hitler’s late night reading? We could ask her, but we may never know. 


Editorial Sun 21st February Current Affairs

Sixteen days without internet access. Lockdown meant my zoom meetings were conducted, over 8 hours, using phone data which emptied my bandwidth for the month. What had happened was a storm on the 5th of February took out cable access but left the wifi running without carrying a connection We could see the router was active, but there was no internet access. We contacted the estate agent who said they had contacted the landlord after coming over to turn the router on and off to no affect. Not knowing which ISP held the actual account, I searched online (using phone data) and found that NBN was down and slated to be fixed after the weekend. 


During the weekend, I noticed the NBN fault had been fixed, but we still did not have internet, so I pointed out to the estate agent that no fault was reported for this address. They yelled at me, saying it was not their job to stay on the phone of an ISP and wait hours, but they had told the landlord who had promised to fix it. I pointed out the landlord might need to be told to report the issue to the ISP to fix it. They said they got my point, but had already told the landlord. “Have a good day sir!” they yelled before hanging up. 


I contacted radio 3AW to report the issue. Neil Mitchell had me waiting forty minutes before not listening to me, or following up. 


One other member of the household noticed our landlord had not collected their mail from Optus, an ISP, and opened it, discovering that our share house was due to have internet cancelled because NBN did not want to compete with Optus Cable. But the cancellation was for the 15th of February or later, and should not have happened yet. The information was relayed to the estate agent who passed it on to the landlord. I contacted 3AW to provide an update by email. Still no reply from 3AW. 


The estate agent tasked an employee to wait on premises until Optus sent a technician. But, Optus claimed they had sent a technician a day before and they had not got on premises when everyone in the household was here during lockdown. They claimed to have rung the bell and made commotion, but they had not noticed the Menulog and DoorDasher employees delivering food without issue. The estate agent spent all day on the premises and Optus did not show up. Finally, on 19th of February, two weeks after the internet had gone down, Optus showed, and an estate agent was on hand. The fault was fixed, it having been established that Cable provision would be ongoing until a planned changeover to NBN. 


My software upgraded and at 1am on 20th February while Melbourne had had an overnight 26 degree centigrade evening, the wifi router stopped working. I contacted the agent about 7:30 am and sent a picture of my WiFi reception showing our address router was not functioning. They did not even bother sending someone to turn it on and off. Maybe Monday? 


In Defence of Conservative Values via It’s a Wonderful Life (1946 Capra)

The scene has three conservatives talking over dinner. One conservative is the father who wants his son to follow him in business. Another conservative is the son who wants to make a name for himself in the world. Another conservative is the servant whose relationship to those she serves is positive for all of them. 


The three are not agreeing with each other, but there is none of the shaming, blaming and rancour one finds when arguing with a left winger. The father listens to his son, and argues on point, convincingly. The son hears his father’s arguments and lets him know he still loves him. The servant reinforces core conservative values. Note, these are not social conservative values, which judges and shames. These are values embraced by modern economic conservatives.


The conservatism is not from a lost time in America. President Donald Trump is not a conservative, neither is he known for conservatism, but his Vice President, Mike Pence is. The greatness of Trump’s Presidency was enhanced by the demeanour and prosecution of Pence as Vice President. One hopes Trump runs and wins again in 2024. Not only will Trump be the first President acquitted of an impeachment twice, he could be the first President elected three times without resorting to corruption. 

=== 

https://honestreporting.com/ibn-20202102-iran-deal-covid-19-unhra-palestinian-authority/

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=== Bongino Headlines ===

YouTube Censors New Interview With Donald Trump


Capitol Hill
Rep. Grothman Moves to Bar All Noncitizens From Federal Assistance programs
Arizona Sheriff Cites Fivefold Increase in Illegal Border Crossings
Biden and Big Tech Team Up to Fight “Coronavirus Misinformation” and “Vaccine Hesitancy”
Texas Democrats Warn Biden About Backlash His Immigration Policies Will Cause
Dem Assemblyman Says NY Legislature Is Inching Toward Impeachment Probe of Gov. Cuomo
Trump Plots War With Establishment GOP for 2022 Midterms
Trump to Slam Biden’s Immigration Policies During CPAC Speech
Former Impeachment Manager Floats Using 14th Amendment to Bar Trump From Office


Culture War
“Fourteen Days to Slow the Spread” Turns Into Two Years
Armed Citizens End Shooting Spree in Louisiana
Bronx Superintendent Fired for Not Doing “Wakanda” Salute
LA DA Drops Death Penalty for Gang Member Charged With Killing Cop
Tucker Carlson Rips Oregon’s New “Ethnomathematics” Curriculum
Gina Carano Says She Faced “Toxic Work Environment” Before Firing
Most Favor More Regulation of Big Tech
Tennessee Bill Would Give Fathers Veto Power Over Abortion
While Pushing “Defund” Rhetoric, Chicago Mayor Redirected Coronavirus Relief Spending to Police Due to Crime Surge
Fake Ted Cruz Tweet Goes Viral Due to Liberals’ Inability to Fact Check
Entire California School Board Resigns After Video of Them Mocking Parents Goes Viral


Economy
Dem Rep. Admits They Don’t Care About Small Business
Senator Seeks Investigation of Surge in Natural Gas Prices During Storm
Facebook Back to Negotiating With Australia After Site Blocked News on Its Site There
Europe’s Bond Market Signals More Pain Ahead
Canada’s First Bitcoin ETF Attracts $421.8 Million in Assets Under Management in First Two Days
Insurers to Suffer Record Q1 Losses Due to Texas Storm
“Meme Stock” Mania Continues After GameStop Saga
What New Gig Workers Should Know About Taxes
Small Businesses Lead Opposition to $15 Minimum Wage
Carnival Says Most of Its Fleet Will Begin Sailing Again This Year


Swamp Watch
Mike Pence Declines CPAC Invitation
Arizona Sheriff Cites Fivefold Spike in Illegal Immigration After Biden’s “Hasty” Border Easing
Alexei Navalny Quotes Rick and Morty, Harry Potter, and the Bible After Court Rejects His Appeal
PolitiFact Upset to Have Their “Fact Check” Fact Checked
New Mexico Dem Governor Spent Taxpayer Money on Booze, Groceries
Poll Shows Generation Z Has Godawful Politics
Kentucky Police Officer Fired After Allegedly Providing BLM Organizer With Info About Other Cops
DOJ and FBI Now Investigating Possible Ties Between Roger Stone, Alex Jones, and Capitol Rioters
Stanford Researcher With Ties to China’s People’s Liberation Army Accused of Obstructing Investigation Into Visa Fraud


Coronavirus
Almost 100,000 People in U.S. Died From Coronavirus During Biden’s First Month in Office
Israeli Health Ministry Reports Coronavirus Infections Dropped 95.8% After Both Prizer Shots
California to Set Aside 10 Percent of Coronavirus Vaccine Doses for Teachers
Dem’s $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill Filled With Items Unrelated to Coronavirus
Fauci Says Its “Very Likely” Safe For Vaccinated Family Members to Hug
Denmark Closes Border With Germany Amid New Coronavirus Outbreak
CA Gov Newsom’s Terrible Handling of Coronavirus Crisis Causing Massive Delays In Shipping, Could Have Impact Across America
Russia Reports First Case of New Strain of Avian Flu in Humans
FEMA to Mass Open Vaccination Sites Nationwide


National Security
Veterans Say Ex-Military Are Being Miscast as Dangerous in Wake of the Capitol Riot
A Look at Russia’s Modernization of Its Nuclear and Military Forces in 2021
U.S. Air Force’s Replacement Plan for the F-16 Fighter Jet Is Taking Shape
Pentagon Reevaluating How To Split Military Budget Between the Services
Defense Department’s Inspector General To Investigate Decision to Move Headquarters of U.S. Space Command to Alabama
Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Begins Its Second Deployment in a Year
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SecDef Austin Calls for More Help From NATO in Countering China
“Operation Broken Hearts” Leads to Arrest of 37 for Child Sex Crimes, Human Trafficking


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French Govt Launches Investigation Into American “Islamo-Leftist” Influence in Its Universities
Europe Giddy Over Biden’s Surrender of America First Policies
Iraqi Base Housing U.S. Contractors Hit By Rocket Fire, One Iraqi Injured
Russian Court Rejects Kremlin Critic Navalny Jail Appeal, Fine Him for Slander
Poll Shows That Less Than Half of Chinese Health Workers Want Chinese Coronavirus Vaccine
Italian Authorities Rescue 45 Migrants After Their Ship Capsizes
Turkey’s Ergodan Says Common Interests Outweigh Differences With U.S.
Illegal Migrants at UK Camp Complain They Are “Treated Like Criminals”


Opinion
Newt Gingrich: Can a “Woke” American Military Protect the United States?
Gregg Jarrett: Cuomo’s Nursing Home Scandal — What Are the Crimes That May Have Been Committed?
Humberto Fontova: One of Rush Limbaugh’s Finest Hours
Kathryn Lopez: The Worst Are Full of Passionate Intensity
Duggan Flanakin: The Myth And Phony Math of ‘Green’ Jobs
Adonis Hoffman: President Biden, Oil and Gas Power America. Now Is Not the Time to Bite the Hand of Big Oil
Y.G. Nyghtstorm: Joe Biden Is Following the BLM Playbook – And Here’s What Could Be Next
Daniel Kim: Elizabeth Warren’s Call for More SEC Regulations Will Harm Individual Investors
Patrick Buchanan: Is Biden Prepared to Lose Afghanistan?


Science/Entertainment/Sports
Nuclear Power Mostly Stayed Online in Texas During Blackouts
Rosanna Arquette Throws Tantrum Over Ron Desantis Honoring “Antisemitic” Rush Limbaugh With Half-Staff Flags
Kate Hudson Faces Backlash Over Her Representation of Autism in New Movie “Music”
It Looks Like Allen Robinson is Ruling Out Jets, Giants in Free Agency
Alexis Lafreniere Makes Good as Rangers Put Away Washington Capitals
FAA Completes Investigation Into SpaceX Starship SN9 Crash, Paving Way for SN10 Flight
Ex-NFL Player Kellen Winslow Facing 14 Years in Prison For Rape, Assaults
Broad Political Support For Mars Perseverance Landing
NASA Eyes First Flight of Space Launch System This Year

===

Here is a video I made Good Luck Mr Gorsky 


Neil Armstrong's famous "One Small step for (a) man .." was preceded by ..

sarah jones2 years ago
At its most basic level, this tale is a humorous anecdote that plays on the stereotypical portrayal of Jewish wives as reluctant to engage in recreational (and especially oral) sex. Well done you can read.

Digital West2 years ago
I remember when Armstrong says it in watchmen. He was with dr manhattan on the moon. 
MsPandaRosa2 years ago
This is the kind of thing that SHOULD be true! Neil Armstrong was a pretty down-to-earth (no pun intended) kind of guy, probably couldn't resist a quiet smile over this.
Sukria Hassan2 years ago
Goodluck goraski
MsPandaRosa3 years ago
Oh, why oh why should this not be true? Such a sad world if it's not.
JWJSSIFII3 years ago
Reddit is just as circlejerk-y and celebrity focused as 9gag imo
KÅ«rushi3 years ago
Hey, it's something. Besides, ANYTHING is better than 9gag.
JWJSSIFII3 years ago
as if reddit is even good
locaman6924 years ago
1:01 "Oral sex? Oral Sex you want?" Why the fuck is Mr. Gorsky trying to get a BJ from Yoda?
Neftali Watkinson4 years ago
yeah saw it with my cellular couldn't see any details XD
David Ball4 years ago
Which is why it is listed under Comedy
Neftali Watkinson4 years ago
This incidt never happenned it is a joke made up by some comedian back in 1995
Watermilk Josh4 years ago
And that is something to be happy about?
Peyton Burt4 years ago
reddit is so much better 
mannymanano4 years ago
Comedy is what I'm looking for. Thanks.
David Ball4 years ago
You mean comedy, like Pachydermic Personnel Predictor, or Fat Old Hugh Grant or School Musical Parent or if I could Talk to the dinosaurs or The end of despair or You must remember this or .. songs for the lyrically challenged series etc etc ?
mannymanano4 years ago
You're welcome. If you have any other video postings, I would like to view them.
David Ball4 years ago
Aye, this is a joke. And Neil was a remarkable, humble, man. Thank you for providing detail I like the detail. To put his achievement, built on the shoulders of others, into perspective .. there are more presidents of the US than there are people who have walked on the moon. 
mannymanano4 years ago
Hi ddball1. I'm sure you had a lot of people believing this was true when they saw your video post. Of course as you say, it is not true as November 1995, this story was widely circulated on the Internet that he made that statement during Apollo 11. On November 28, 1995, Neil wrote for the ALSJ, "I understand that the joke is a year old. I first heard it in California delivered by (comedian) Buddy Hackett
kk5wk4 years ago
Well, I did!
PvtMcDerp4 years ago
And thats why we went to the moon!
David Ball4 years ago
You have the power
InsomniacMatt4 years ago
i can make this a positive or negative video with a click of a button
Lynda Murphy4 years ago
what the fuck. seriously. KILL YOURSELF. ...fucking 9fags everywhere.
David Ball4 years ago
True, which is why I posted this video under comedy .. I made it as a joke having read the joke I wanted to make the video .. He was a great and humble man. 
Pete H4 years ago
Goodonya, Mr Armstrong... Thankyou for bringing the future a little closer...
Michael Casey4 years ago
State Funeral is in Order
David Ball4 years ago
Thank you Neil. A great and humble man. I'll wink on those nights that I see the moon, and remember your gift. 
MsSilentCritic4 years ago
RIP Neil Armstrong
sparpunk4 years ago
Capricorn One 
Silver Pill4 years ago
Very well told. However, in our enthusiasm for a really funny joke let's not forget Armstrong never said this lol However, if I am ever put on TV or radio I'll include "And good luck, Mr. Gorsky"
David Ball4 years ago
I get it .. he is an actor! Excellent. 
The Reading Railfan4 years ago
No he plays Neil as a kid in this movie
David Ball4 years ago
I think everyone is like Neil, when they are young. 
The Reading Railfan4 years ago
in this movie young neil armstrong is my friend sebastian
David Ball4 years ago
Yes it is so hard to find the right images for comedy .. 
David Ball5 years ago
@Simba7032 Spot on .. this is a joke listed under comedy ;)
Joseph Fleming5 years ago
Im here from trued
Marvin Valenciano5 years ago
@DustinPivots try to type it in the google search bar see for yourself
Remy David5 years ago
@mastermobstah Funnyjunk all day.
ustin Pivots5 years ago
@mastermobstah what the fuck is a 9gag?
Mindraker15 years ago
@mastermobstah LOL
Marvin Valenciano5 years ago
9GAG brought me here :)))
akatobi20025 years ago
awesome graphics
svenlittlecross5 years ago
i guess this clip would be interesting when you walk.. get tha fuck out of here
j lin5 years ago
he a sheep shager amate bugger off i hope the us bomb them soon 
David Ball5 years ago
@digitalvideoguy Which is why it is posted under comedy .. 
Stuart Gorsky5 years ago
This story is a Myth! This guy is pushing a suckers joke....
gaaranarutoman5 years ago
I thought he wanted pie! At least, in the earlier version I heard
anarkia berserek5 years ago
To bad it isn't true
joemanYT5 years ago
That IS actually true
David Ball6 years ago
@Agoka47 Thank you.
CarKiller476 years ago
@ddball1 I can understand this more than the american english, it's more better.
Scuba09256 years ago
dude,, your voice makes me want to jump off a bridge
David Ball6 years ago
@Husarzzz I bow to your knowledge.
Andrei Ven6 years ago
One Small Step For A Man(mr. gorsky) One Big Step For Mankind
Gunta Barina7 years ago
LOL, i love Australia. :))
David Ball7 years ago
Lol. I was born in NYC to Australian parents. I've lived in Sydney for over thirty years. It's all just confusing.
Gunta Barina7 years ago
What the HELL is wrong with your accent? :D
evilbunnyslipper7 years ago
Dude Please don't speak on any of you video's again
David Ball7 years ago
Not true. It is posted under comedy.
David Ball7 years ago
It is a joke. I posted it under comedy. When I first heard it, I liked that it almost sounded true ..
David Ball8 years ago
Even so, it is a joke and I posted it under comedy. I think it a benign joke .. funny too.
Ward Frazier8 years ago
I have talked to older people who watched it live back in 1969 who said that yes he did say it, but the 1 second or so statment was edited out, which is why it can't be found now to prove it, n the master tapes have disappeared.
David Ball8 years ago
I posted the joke on the internet in the late 90's. I don't know where it came from .. it might have come from SNL, Comedy central or some such.
David Ball8 years ago
Nope I found it about a decade ago searching the net for jokes. Don't know where. Sorry for taking so long to reply.
crocetti19849 years ago
Lol! Did you read that from Snopes?
EmoKillla10 years ago
Lmao, that was good...
David Ball10 years ago
I agree. I would have loved it to be a true story. However, it didn't have to be to be funny ;)
mjanovec10 years ago
It would be a good story if there was any truth to it.

https://rumble.com/ve7vcl-good-luck-mr-gorsky.html


===

=== From 2018 ===
Don't give up on hope. Tim Blair writes of the full terrifying revelation of what Russia did to influence the US presidential election. They allegedly organised marches. Is Mueller equipped to investigate further, to dig deeper to the truth? What will Mueller do when he discovers the contributions of Turnbull and Bishop? Is Turnbull in fact Russian? We may never know. 

Reading Delderfield is a joy for me. I am rereading To Serve Them All My Days, which is a tale set from WW1 to the beginning of WW2 in a small English school in the countryside. I don't subscribe to Delderfield's characters, none of whom know God, and all of whom are way too close to a centre left position on politics I'll never subscribe. But the brilliant writing illustrates in sketches public discovery of historical events. Spanish civil war, Japanese invasion of China, Hitler taking government, and Czechoslovakia, and Dunkirk are all viewed through the prism of an English boarding college. And today we have forgotten, or censored, the gains we made by fighting oppression. There was a time when the centre left had muscle and did not fall for lies told of a stolen generation, myths of an invasion, guilt for people trying to help others in the past. It is ok to fight for what you believe in. It is ok to debate with those who disagree, and continue to disagree, but on civil terms. I am reminded of this as Tony Abbott is attacked for speaking a simple truth by Liberal Government Ministers who will not debate the issue raised, or explain their viewpoint. 
=== from 2017 ===
Today in Melbourne it was warm. The sustained cold had produced snow in Mt Hotham in the middle of summer. Both ALP and Liberal parties are arguing for insane policies regarding energy production which will make power more expensive and unreliable. Liberals are arguing carbon capture for coal power stations. Yet they can't explain why plant food needs to be restricted. Meanwhile, the wife of dictator Mugabe has said that girls are more likely to get pregnant than boys. If there is a boy anywhere in the world who doesn't wish to get pregnant I can make for them a food additive for $40 a day. It is guaranteed to work, or their money back. Malcolm Turnbull has said that he supports a two state solution for Israel. He says it takes two to tango. I am reminded of Solomon's determination in a matter. Cut Turnbull in half and let him tango. I will never endorse the creation of a terrorist state. 

I am reading a research article by Matthew C. MacWilliams , University of Massachusetts Amherst, a PhD student. The article was popular among #FakeNewsMedia. Matthew writes 
"Finally, authoritarianism was recently identified as an important determinant of partisan polarization. Hetherington and Weiler argue that “consistent with the issues evolution framework (Carmines and Stimson 1986; 1990), a coalitional reconfiguration of the parties is in the works, with authoritarians increasingly gravitating toward the Republican Party and nonauthoritarians increasingly gravitating toward the Democratic” (Hetherington and Weiler 2009, 158). Their theory is based on cross-sectional data from four ANES surveys spanning 14 years." 
Fascinating that Matthew admits the Democrats used to be more Authoritarian. When was that? When they campaigned to kill children before they were born? When they decided that it was a good idea to define people by race? When they argued that it was more compassionate to kill people than let them live humbly? When they declared that soldiers should not go to war, but instead the US needed to bomb people? If the Democrats are losing their authoritarians, why are many still rioting and law breaking rather than peacefully protesting? Why do Democrats stand for entrenched corruption and not social justice as with the death of school boy Hamidur Rahman? Maybe the coalition reconfiguration is still in the works? 
=== from 2016 ===
Not written as I was working to secure accommodation. 
=== from 2015 ===
Galileo was a genius and an experimental scientist and a fool. His discovery that weight was independent of acceleration was counter intuitive and brilliantly illustrated. Also, his criticism of those who believed the universe revolved around the Earth was brilliant. Part of Galileo's problem was what also made up his genius. He was abrasive and rude and refused to accept simple graces which allow friendship to grow. One of his patrons who gave him much he indulged in, to pursue his study, he humiliated in print. As a result he lost a patron and one who might have defended him against the heresy charge he faced. On this day in 1632, Galileo published his dialog on two chief world systems. 

Galileo knew what he was doing. Bill Shorten does not. And it is obvious. Shorten does not have a policy on any issue. If Shorten had a policy then he would pass items through the senate in line with that policy. Instead, Shorten, the ALP Leader, opposes everything. When Mr Abbott was in opposition, he passed the majority of bills which allowed the government of the day to function, opposing only bills that were not worthy. However Shorten is harming Australia by opposing needed legislation. And Shorten has lied when asked to say what his position is on things. He lies about what the government is attempting, and Shorten is given too much credit by journalists who refuse to challenge his lies. Shorten is not Galileo, but he is rude and abrasive. The result has been the mediocre politician that is former treasurer, Bowen, does not even look competent in interview. Bowen could not name the bottom tax threshold for individuals and missed other detail that is simply expected of a competent politician with that portfolio. But as bad as Bowen is, there is an obvious explanation for his inability, and it isn't his follow up lie the next day saying that he really knew but hadn't said. The problem for Bowen is that he can't discuss policy because at the moment there is none for the ALP. Bowen wants to look stupid rather than break ranks with the ALP. 

The ALP have another problem that is policy related. Too many ALP members are anti semitic bigots. They hate Israel and have no problem with Jew killing. So that Jews do not feel safe in states run by the ALP. The reason for the problem is that the ALP are courting jihadists. Not Islamic peoples, but jihadists bent on killing others. Offending ALP members speak in a code of 'anti zionism' or 'peace in the middle East,' but the result of their statements is death to Jewish peoples and promotion of jihadism. It is that disease which saw former NSW ALP Leader Robertson fall after surviving corruption allegations and even a failure to report an attempted bribery by an assassinated businessman, when Robertson discovered he had given a jihadist killer a reference. Bob Carr apparently split with Gillard over Israel and, so called, Palestine. 

It is a problem for the ALP (and Greens) but it isn't limited to them. There is a culture of anti Semitism pre dating WW2, but flowering under Nazis. The political left are using words and just as with Galileo, these words hurt and scar. There are jihadists in the world who are recruiting the same way Communists did in the past. By poisoning the minds of the young. It is not normal to be a bigot. Being a bigot who hates Jews is not a small character flaw. Impotent Islamic leaders are defending jihadis just as left wing political ones are. Sometimes excusing the activity and sometimes supporting it. And so Danish Muslims mourn a jihadist terrorist and not the victims. 

Global Warming or ABC propaganda? On the mostly cool evenings, it feels like propaganda. Yet it is propaganda which celebrities like Caton support. Caton opposes gas drilling, and he raises the issue of it by having a large gas BBQ. 

Liberal party leakers are hurting the party, not helping Turnbull. The leaks are intolerable. Bishop and Turnbull must step aside. 
From 2014
The upcoming movie Noah is attracting criticism. It stars Russell Crowe and some critics are saying that his performance is too dark for a depiction of the end of the world. The producers are still road testing the endings before test audiences. Different Christian authorities are disputing aspects of the film. The text that the story is based on is bare, and leaves much to be imagined. For mine, the most objectionable aspect is the emphasis on climate change and overpopulation. Neither of which were biblical issues in the event. The wrong religion has been sourced. But Hollywood won't admit that, instead they have to claim that there wasn't enough singing and dancing. And another biblical text is seen being repeated, with Sodom and Gomorrah. 

Today is an anniversary of a powerful act of God, in a legal sense. The NZ city of Christchurch, home to friends of mine, was humbled by an earthquake on this day in 2011. Three years on and she is rebuilding, but there is still pain. One friend of mine recounted how their parents had a collection of crystal glass figurines. An earlier earthquake had damaged much, but the figurines were ok. But on this day, in 2011, the figurines were no more. Landmarks over a hundred years old were taken. It is a reminder that nothing is owned by anyone forever. Do not build your homes on sand. 

Some will argue about the existence of religious stories, including biblical accounts. Personally, I can think of few things more stupid than hoping to find Noah's Ark. I am a fundamentalist Christian, I believe in the word of God. But I respectfully point out the Bible is not a science textbook, but a text from many authors, inspired by God, writing of man's relationship with God. The Mosaic stories are not first hand accounts of events, but based on older stories illustrating how God revealed himself to his chosen people. The precise meaning of Noah's flood is not the archaeological event of a flood, but the salient point that God tired of people rejecting Him and took his anger out on creation .. and promised his faithful not to do so again. The correlation with Christchurch 2011 called an act of God is a legal definition for insurers, not a religious statement for her people. Which isn't to say God wasn't present. I believe he was. And although my friends lost their crystal glass, and have much to rebuild, they kept everything they will value for eternity.
Historical perspective on this day
In 705, Empress Wu Zetian abdicated the throne, restoring the Tang Dynasty. 1316, Battle of Picotin between Ferdinand of Majorca and the forces of Matilda of Hainaut 1371, Robert IIbecomes King of Scotland, beginning the Stuart dynasty. 1495, King Charles VIII of Franceentered Naples to claim the city's throne. 1632, Galileo's Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems was published. 1651, St. Peter's Flood: A storm surge flooded the Frisian coast, drowning 15,000 people. 1744, War of the Austrian Succession: The Battle of Toulonbegan. 1797, the Last Invasion of Britain began near Fishguard, Wales.

In 1819, by the Adams–Onís Treaty, Spain sold Florida to the United States for five million U.S. dollars. 1821, Greek War of IndependenceAlexander Ypsilantis crossed the Prut river at Sculeni into the Danubian Principalities. 1847, Mexican–American War: The Battle of Buena Vista – 5,000 American troops defeated 15,000 Mexicans. 1848, the French Revolution of 1848, which would lead to the establishment of the French Second Republic, began. 1853, Washington University in St. Louis was founded as Eliot Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri. 1855, the Pennsylvania State University was founded in State College, Pennsylvania (as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania) 1856, the Republican Party opened its first national meeting in Pittsburgh.

In 1862, Jefferson Davis was officially inaugurated for a six-year term as the President of the Confederate States of America in Richmond, Virginia. He was previously inaugurated as a provisional president on February 18, 1861. 1872 the Prohibition Party held its first national convention in Columbus, Ohio, nominating James Black as its presidential nominee. 1879, in Utica, New YorkFrank Woolworth opened the first of many of 5 and dime Woolworth stores. 1889, United States President Grover Cleveland signed a bill admitting North DakotaSouth DakotaMontana and Washington as U.S. states. 1899, Filipino forces led by General Antonio Luna launched counterattacks for the first time against the American forces during the Philippine–American War. The Filipinos failed to regain Manila from the Americans.

In 1904, the United Kingdom sold a meteorological station on the South Orkney Islands to Argentina, the islands are subsequently claimed by the United Kingdom in 1908. 1909, the sixteen battleships of the Great White Fleet, led by USS Connecticut, returned to the United States after a voyage around the world. 1915, World War I: Germany instituted unrestricted submarine warfare. 1921, after Russian forces under Baron Roman von Ungern-Sternbergdrove the Chinese out, the Bogd Khan was reinstalled as the emperor of Mongolia. 1924, U.S. President Calvin Coolidge became the first President to deliver a radio broadcast from the White House.

In 1942, World War II: President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered General Douglas MacArthur out of the Philippines as the Japanese victory became inevitable. 1943, World War II: Members of the White Rose resistance, Sophie SchollHans Scholl, and Christoph Probst were executed in Nazi Germany. 1944, World War II: American aircraft mistakenly bombed the Dutch towns of NijmegenArnhemEnschede and Deventer, resulting in 800 dead in Nijmegen alone. Also 1944, World War II: The Soviet Red Army recaptured Krivoi Rog. 1948,  Communist revolution in Czechoslovakia. 1957, Ngo Dinh Diem of South Vietnam survived a communist shooting assassination attempt in Ban Me Thuot. 1958, Egypt and Syria joined to form the United Arab Republic. 1959, Lee Petty won the first Daytona 500.

In 1972, the Official Irish Republican Army detonated a car bomb at Aldershot barracks, killing seven and injuring nineteen others. 1973, Cold War: Following President Richard Nixon's visitto the People's Republic of China, the two countries agreed to establish liaison offices. 1974, the Organisation of the Islamic Conference summit began in Lahore, Pakistan. Thirty-seven countries attend and twenty-two heads of state and government participate. It also recognised Bangladesh. 1974, Samuel Byck tried and failed to assassinate U.S. President Richard Nixon. 1979, independence of Saint Lucia from the United Kingdom. 1980, Miracle on Ice: In Lake Placid, New York, the United States hockey team defeated the Soviet Unionhockey team 4–3. 1983, the notorious Broadway flop Moose Murders opened and closed on the same night at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. 1986, start of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines.

In 1994, Aldrich Ames and his wife were charged by the United States Department of Justicewith spying for the Soviet Union. 1995, the Corona reconnaissance satellite program, in existence from 1959 to 1972, was declassified. 1997, in Roslin, Scotland, scientists announce that an adult sheep named Dolly had been successfully cloned. 2002, Angolan political and rebel leader Jonas Savimbi was killed in a military ambush. 2006, at least six men staged Britain's biggest robbery, stealing £53m (about $92.5 million or €78 million) from a Securitas depot in TonbridgeKent. 2011, New Zealand's second deadliest earthquakestruck Christchurch, killing 185 people. Also 2011, Bahraini uprising: Tens of thousands of people marched in protest against the deaths of seven victims killed by police and army forces during previous protests. 2012, a train crash in Buenos AiresArgentina, killed 51 people and injured 700 others. 2014, President Viktor Yanukovych of Ukraine was impeached by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine by a vote of 328-0, fulfilling a major goal of the Euromaidan rebellion.
=== Bible Reading ===



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Today's reading: Numbers 1-2, Mark 3:1-19 (NIV)

View today's reading on Bible Gateway

Today's Old Testament reading: Numbers 1-2

The Census

1 The LORD spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting in the Desert of Sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites came out of Egypt. He said: 2"Take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. 3 You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army...."

Today's New Testament reading: Mark 3:1-19

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
1 Another time Jesus went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. 2 Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, "Stand up in front of everyone."
4 Then Jesus asked them, "Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?" But they remained silent....

=== Morning and Evening ===


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February 21: Morning
"He hath said." - Hebrews 13:5
If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly wound before this arrow from the bow of God's covenant? Will not the distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of "He hath said"? Yes; whether for delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, "He hath said" must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to discover what "He hath said." Should you not, besides reading the Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since "He hath said" is the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell in you richly, as "A well of water, springing up unto everlasting life." So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.
Evening
"Understandest thou what thou readest?" - Acts 8:30

We should be abler teachers of others, and less liable to be carried about by every wind of doctrine, if we sought to have a more intelligent understanding of the Word of God. As the Holy Ghost, the Author of the Scriptures is he who alone can enlighten us rightly to understand them, we should constantly ask his teaching, and his guidance into all truth. When the prophet Daniel would interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream, what did he do? He set himself to earnest prayer that God would open up the vision. The apostle John, in his vision at Patmos, saw a book sealed with seven seals which none was found worthy to open, or so much as to look upon. The book was afterwards opened by the Lion of the tribe of Judah, who had prevailed to open it; but it is written first--"I wept much." The tears of John, which were his liquid prayers, were, so far as he was concerned, the sacred keys by which the folded book was opened. Therefore, if, for your own and others' profiting, you desire to be "filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding," remember that prayer is your best means of study: like Daniel, you shall understand the dream, and the interpretation thereof, when you have sought unto God; and like John you shall see the seven seals of precious truth unloosed, after you have wept much. Stones are not broken, except by an earnest use of the hammer; and the stone-breaker must go down on his knees. Use the hammer of diligence, and let the knee of prayer be exercised, and there is not a stony doctrine in revelation which is useful for you to understand, which will not fly into shivers under the exercise of prayer and faith. You may force your way through anything with the leverage of prayer. Thoughts and reasonings are like the steel wedges which give a hold upon truth; but prayer is the lever, the prise which forces open the iron chest of sacred mystery, that we may get the treasure hidden within.

=== Bible Quote ===

=== Message ===

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I am a decent man and don't care for the abuse given me. I created a video raising awareness of anti police feeling among western communities. I chose the senseless killing of Nicola Cotton, a Louisiana policewoman who joined post Katrina, to highlight the issue. I did this in order to get an income after having been illegally blacklisted from work in NSW for being a whistleblower. I have not done anything wrong. Local council appointees refused to endorse my work, so I did it for free. Youtube's Adsence refused to allow me to profit from their marketing it. Meanwhile, I am hostage to abysmal political leadership and hopeless journalists. My shopfront has opened on Facebook.

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I am publishing a book called Bread of Life: January.

Bread of Life is a daily bible quote with a layman's understanding of the meaning. I give one quote for each day, and also a series of personal stories illustrating key concepts eg Who is God? What is a miracle? Why is there tragedy?


January is the first of the anticipated year-long work of thirteen books. One for each month and the whole year. It costs to publish. It (Kindle version) should retail at about $2US online, but the paperback version would cost more, according to production cost.If you have a heart for giving, I fundraise at gofund.me/27tkwuc (Gofundme finished the fund raiser, 2017)

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Editorials will appear in the "History in a Year by the Conservative Voice" series, starting with August, September, October, or at Amazon http://www.amazon.com/dp/1482020262/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_dVHPub0MQKDZ4 The kindle version is cheaper, but the soft back version allows a free kindle version.


The Amazon Author Page for David Ball

UK .. http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B01683ZOWG

French .. http://www.amazon.fr/-/e/B01683ZOWG

Japan .. http://www.amazon.co.jp/-/e/B01683ZOWG

German .. http://www.amazon.de/-/e/B01683ZOWG

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Other Stuff

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I'm now on MAGAbook to sidestep FB censorship

https://www.magabook.com/register?invite=11673951025fadd3f055eca4.00045664

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I'm looking for former students to endorse me

https://www.superprof.com.au/write-recommendation-13371374-1cc2cf0f56166c9b04ad4097fc7d0b67.html

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