Senator Mark Warner’s (D-VA) office has drawn up a proposal for the US government to become much more involved in the Internet and particularly social media. They tell us for our own good they must protect us from “disinformation” and be able to determine the identity of each social media account as well as the user’s location. Ironically – or not – this is pretty much what the Chinese government is doing with its social media and search engines. Is this the direction we should be heading? Is there a better solution? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
The Liberty Report
Shocker: AP Reports On US/Al-Qaeda Coalition In Yemen
The independent press has long reported the seeming collusion between the US and al-Qaeda in the war on the Houthis in Yemen. Now the most mainstream of mainstream media outlets – AP – has concluded a blockbuster report that reaches the same findings. The US and its allies in the war on Yemen are so focused on curbing “expansionist” Iran that they are actually looking the other way – and even in some cases funding – al-Qaeda. More on this in today’s Liberty Report:
New Sanctions Kick In: Trump Declares (Trade) War On Iran…And EU!
Starting tonight, US sanctions on Iran and anyone who does business will kick in. Did Iran attack someone? Threaten someone? No. President Trump has unilaterally pulled the US out of the nuclear agreement and now demands that all US allies follow suit and, de facto, abrogate the treaty. The Europeans are making a lot of noise, claiming that they will back up any EU businesses that remain in Iran. That won’t hold. Brussels will cave. But no one seems to be thinking about unintended consequences. Who stands to benefit the most from Washington’s obsession with regime change in Iran? China, which is already rapidly expanding its economic presence in Iran. More on this colossal Trump blunder in today’s Liberty Report:
Neocons Demand ‘Crushing’ Sanctions on Russia
You can always count on the neocons in Congress to ignore reality, ignore evidence, and ignore common sense in their endless drive to get us involved in another war. Last week, for example, Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-NC), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and others joined up to introduce what Senator Graham called “the sanctions bill from hell,” aimed at applying “crushing” sanctions on Russia.
Senator Graham bragged that the bill would include “everything but the kitchen sink” in its attempt to ratchet up tensions with Russia.
Sen Cory Gardner (R-CO) bragged that the new sanctions bill “includes my language requiring the State Department to determine whether Russia merits the designation of a State Sponsor of Terror.”
Does he even know what the word “terrorism” means?
Sen Ben Cardin (D-MD) warns that the bill must be passed to strengthen our resolve against “Vladimir Putin’s pattern of corroding democratic institutions and values around the world, a direct and growing threat to US national security.”
What has Russia done that warrants “kitchen sink” sanctions that will “crush” the country and possibly designate it as a sponsor of terrorism? Sen. Menendez tells us: “The Kremlin continues to attack our democracy, support a war criminal in Syria, and violate Ukraine’s sovereignty.”
There is a big problem with these accusations on Russia: they’re based on outright lies and unproven accusations that continue to get more bizarre with each re-telling. How strange that when US Senators like Menendez demand that we stand by our NATO allies even if it means war, they attack Russia for doing the same in Syria. Is the Syrian president a “war criminal,” as he claims? We do know that his army is finally, with Russian and Iranian help, about to defeat ISIS and al-Qaeda, which with US backing for seven years have turned Syria into a smoking ruin. Does Menendez and his allies prefer ISIS in charge of Syria?
And how hypocritical for Menendez to talk about Russia violating Ukraine’s sovereignty. The unrest in Ukraine was started by the 2014 US-backed coup against an elected leader. We have that all on tape!
How is Russia “attacking our democracy”? We’re still waiting for any real evidence that Russia was involved in our 2016 elections and intends to become involved in our 2018 elections. But that doesn’t stop the propagandists, who claim with no proof that Russia was behind the election of Donald Trump.
These Senators claim that sanctions will bring the Russians to heel, but they are wrong. Sanctions are good at two things only: destroying the lives of innocent civilians and leading to war.
As I mentioned in an episode of my Liberty Report last week, even our own history shows that sanctions do lead to war and should not be taken lightly. In the run-up to US involvement in the War of 1812, the US was doing business with both France and the UK, which were at war with each other. When the UK decided that the US was favoring France in its commerce, it imposed sanctions on the US. What did Washington do in response? Declared war. Hence the War of 1812, which most Americans remember as that time when the British burned down the White House.
Recent polls show that the majority of Americans approve of President Trump’s recent meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Among Republicans, a vast majority support the meeting. Perhaps a good defeat in November will wake these neocon warmongers up. Let’s hope so!
Assad Wins: Voting With Their Feet, Syrians Come Home
With the Syrian army’s liberation of the southwest complete, there remains just a single province in control of ISIS and al-Qaeda in the country. The “bloodbath” that the “experts” warned about if Assad regained control not only did not come to pass, but tens and hundreds of thousands of Syrians are returning home. Once the neocons got it all wrong. So what’s next? Join today’s Liberty Report:
‘President’ Pompeo? Neocons Nix Trump/Rouhani Meeting
After a firey, all-caps Tweet warning Iran, President Trump did a 180 and said he’d meet with Iranian president Rouhani with no pre-conditions. Then his neocon Secretary of State Pompeo got wind of it and added a list of conditions to the meeting. Unsurprisingly, the Iranians balked at the offer. Is Trump in a box of his own making when it comes to his options on Iran? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
War Is A Racket: After 17 Years and Billions Wasted, US Seeks Peace With Taliban
Last week, US State Department officials met with Taliban leaders in Qatar. At the request of the Taliban, the US-backed Afghan government was not invited. The officials discussed ceasefires and an end to the war. Meanwhile, the US inspector general charged with monitoring US spending on Afghanistan reconstruction has reported that since 2008, the US has completely wasted at the least $15.5 billion. He believes that’s just the tip of the iceberg, though. Will President Trump do the smart thing and negotiate peace and leave? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
Perpetual War For Perpetual Greed – US Threatens Iran (Again)
Over the weekend, several news report have suggested that the US is planning an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities. Other reports suggest that the US is going to unleash the Saudis to do the fighting. What’s behind the relentless — going back 60 years — US drive to intervene in Iran’s internal affairs? Oil is a big factor…but not the only one. Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
Who Killed The Tea Party – How, Why, When?
Most in the liberty movement trace the birth of the “tea party” to the December, 2007 “money bomb” for Ron Paul’s presidential campaign, where that commemoration of the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party raised $6 million for Paul and broke online fundraising records. But a more institutionalized “Tea Party” followed, with plenty of groups and politicians eager to jump on board with a movement combining grassroots excitement with fundraising prowess. But, as today’s Liberty Report guest Matt Kibbe has written, the Tea Party is not totally dead. So what happened? Where to in the future? Is something new emerging? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
‘Shock’ Poll: Most Americans Support Another Trump/Putin Summit…But Congress Says ‘No!’
According to a new poll by HarrisX Polling Company and The Hill newspaper, more than half of all Americans – and nearly 90 percent of Trump voters – support President Trump’s invitation to his Russian counterpart to the US for another meeting. Meanwhile, House Speaker Paul Ryan and his colleagues in Republican leadership are steadfastly opposed. What does it mean for Congressional leaders to be so out of step with Americans – and their president – on this issue? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
Free Speech Attack? Trump Eyes Pulling Obama-Era Security Clearances
President Trump is considering canceling the security clearances of certain senior intelligence officials extended as a courtesy when they retired. Former CIA chief John Brennan, who called Trump a traitor for meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin is reportedly top on the list, are highly political former officials like James Clapper and Susan Rice. Opponents of the move claim it is an attack on these officials’ “free speech” rights. Are they missing the point? Also, was the FISA process abused by FBI officers when they made the case to spy on Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
‘Russiagate’ – Attack On Our Values Or Power Of War Propaganda?
Does it seem a bit surprising that just as the US intelligence agencies – including the FBI – seemed to be on the ropes over their role in the 2016 presidential campaign, 12 indictments were dropped on Russian intelligence agents and a Trump-Putin meeting was decried as an act of treason by Obama intelligence appointees? Does it seem almost as if the US intelligence agencies – or at least some elements of them – are fighting back with a disinfo and propaganda campaign of their own to divert attention from the ignoble role played by some of the most political of appointees like Comey, Brennan, Clapper, Mike Morrell, Mueller, and others? Even Trump had to do a 180 degree turn and bow down to the “intelligence community.” Who runs things? Tune in to today’s Liberty Report:
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