The world...for real! 😉

The world...for real! 😉 - Around the world, we’re seeing the fault lines of capitalism: Monopolies and duopolies are killing competition, and the top 26 wealthiest people own as much ...

Responsibility... That is the only correct approach.

Responsibility... That is the only correct approach. - What Roger Stone’s indictment means for American democracyThe FBI’s predawn arrest of self-proclaimed “dirty trickster” and longtime Trump...

If you REALLY want to know how bad the people have been duped, how complicit many (mostly Republican) politicians as well as many Social (Zuckerberg) and traditional 'media' (Fox News) executives are and just how deep the Trump rabbit hole goes, you may want to follow this link to an award-winning Sundance Film Festival documentary made last year. After you watch, consider what happened to Art Wittick and then picture 'President' Trump as an even higher profile version, sitting in the Oval Office, using not only domestic sources but also International (including hostile foreign governments) 'dark money' to corrupt democracy in the United States and believing, with the help of uneducated supporters and the highest elected office, that he could shut down any investigation or suspicion against himself while continually undermining a centuries old system of government. If that doesn't scare the $#!+ out of you and motivate you to remove this Tangerine Tumor from office who has already caused far more misery for Americans and immigrants than any President in US history and you still think your country won't be taken over, bureaucratically, by a foreign hostile government, then I suppose you are a lost cause. In case people don't remember, it was the Rothschilds and others in Europe who corrupted our financial system by pulling us into their global Ponzi Scheme and disconnecting us from our mineral-backed system - and it is the same sort of 'corporate globalization' that is destroying American democracy. The question is - are you part of the corruption (knowingly or unknowingly) or are you part of the resistance?

If you REALLY want to know how bad the people have been duped, how complicit many (mostly Republican) politicians as well as many Social (Zuckerberg) and traditional 'media' (Fox News) executives are and just how deep the Trump rabbit hole goes, you may want to follow this link to an award-winning Sundance Film Festival documentary made last year. After you watch, consider what happened to Art Wittick and then picture 'President' Trump as an even higher profile version, sitting in the Oval Office, using not only domestic sources but also International (including hostile foreign governments) 'dark money' to corrupt democracy in the United States and believing, with the help of uneducated supporters and the highest elected office, that he could shut down any investigation or suspicion against himself while continually undermining a centuries old system of government. If that doesn't scare the $#!+ out of you and motivate you to remove this Tangerine Tumor from office who has already caused far more misery for Americans and immigrants than any President in US history and you still think your country won't be taken over, bureaucratically, by a foreign hostile government, then I suppose you are a lost cause. In case people don't remember, it was the Rothschilds and others in Europe who corrupted our financial system by pulling us into their global Ponzi Scheme and disconnecting us from our mineral-backed system - and it is the same sort of 'corporate globalization' that is destroying American democracy. The question is - are you part of the corruption (knowingly or unknowingly) or are you part of the resistance? -

Keep knocking 'em out of the park, stable genius! 😉👌

Keep knocking 'em out of the park, stable genius! 😉👌 -

True in 2016 and even more relevant now...

True in 2016 and even more relevant now... - The fact that so many Republicans are comfortable with the thought of Donald Trump in the Oval Office shows how warped the party has become, writes Paul Tho

In life, a class act... Rest In Peace, soldier!

In life, a class act... Rest In Peace, soldier! - “Today, Gunnery Sgt. R. Lee Ermey was laid to rest @ArlingtonNatl. Semper Fi, Gunny. https://t.co/brzplZMBne”

This should be the end of Trump (and some of his family, at the very least). Today will be an exciting news day... (grabbing popcorn) 🍿

This should be the end of Trump (and some of his family, at the very least). Today will be an exciting news day... (grabbing popcorn) 🍿 - Trump received 10 personal updates from Michael Cohen and encouraged a planned meeting with Vladimir Putin.

Is this the female version of Alex Jones or, maybe, Rush Limbaugh's illegitimate Oxycontin daughter. She needs to go. Her 15 minutes were up LONG ago...

Is this the female version of Alex Jones or, maybe, Rush Limbaugh's illegitimate Oxycontin daughter. She needs to go. Her 15 minutes were up LONG ago... - “No, this isn’t creepy at all. https://t.co/0g3CtmclVb”

I guess some people are just too preoccupied (or slow). 🤔

I guess some people are just too preoccupied (or slow). 🤔 - During the longest shutdown in history, key parts of Trump's base — from suburban men to white evangelicals to white men without a college degree — have slipped in their support for the president.

This is a revealing and fairly accurate perspective - IMHO, after living there for many years - of contemporary China with respect to the government but not necessarily the people (perhaps, only those still susceptible to Chinese propaganda). I would liken it, very closely, to the situation in the United States where the government has recently appeared to follow a similar path, where most Americans who are aware reject it and where those who are clearly unaware seem to support it; The latter seeming to be uneducated or intentionally participating Republican supporters who are trying to sustain a wholly unacceptable past-tense version of America. It is a very dangerous, regressive (rather than progressive) path to follow.

This is a revealing and fairly accurate perspective - IMHO, after living there for many years - of contemporary China with respect to the government but not necessarily the people (perhaps, only those still susceptible to Chinese propaganda). I would liken it, very closely, to the situation in the United States where the government has recently appeared to follow a similar path, where most Americans who are aware reject it and where those who are clearly unaware seem to support it; The latter seeming to be uneducated or intentionally participating Republican supporters who are trying to sustain a wholly unacceptable past-tense version of America. It is a very dangerous, regressive (rather than progressive) path to follow. - Regular Sinocism readers are no doubt familiar with John Garnaut, one of the top journalists covering China before he joined the Australian government, first as a speech writer for Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and then as a China policy advisor. John led the Australian government’s analysis of ...

I must have traveled all over China blastin' this tune on my iPhone while I was there (and I bet a lot of folks can't imagine how eclectic an ear I have - except for my closest friends). It's an awesome piece of work. Technically stupefying and lyrically profound. I sure do miss these Prog Metal Monsters... ✊😎

I must have traveled all over China blastin' this tune on my iPhone while I was there (and I bet a lot of folks can't imagine how eclectic an ear I have - except for my closest friends). It's an awesome piece of work. Technically stupefying and lyrically profound. I sure do miss these Prog Metal Monsters... ✊😎 - Dream Theater's new self-titled album is out now on Roadrunner Records! Order now from http://bit.ly/16NvyNg! iTunes: http://bit.ly/15pCthN Subscr...

Totally missed this one a couple months ago... 🤔 I thought a few others might like to see it too! That's a lotta' notorious 🎸 on-stage! Tribute - Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen Cover) Ft. Steve Vai, Yngwie J Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde & Nuno Bettencourt Sands Casino Event Center, Bethlehem, PA November 27th, 2018 'Generation Axe - A Night of Guitars'

Totally missed this one a couple months ago... 🤔 I thought a few others might like to see it too! That's a lotta' notorious 🎸 on-stage! Tribute - Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen Cover) Ft. Steve Vai, Yngwie J Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde & Nuno Bettencourt Sands Casino Event Center, Bethlehem, PA November 27th, 2018 'Generation Axe - A Night of Guitars' - Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen Cover), Steve Vai & Yngwie Malmsteen & Zakk Wylde & Nuno Bettencourt, Sands Casino Event Center, Bethlehem, PA; November 27th, 2018;...

It's always been 'only a matter of time' since way back when Comey was fired... In the meantime, the feckless US leader has persistently ruined his own reputation, lied, cheated, stole and broke Constitutional law, among many others, as well as Tweet himself into so many corners that he will never see the clear path again. These realities, coupled with breaking not only the lives of many Americans over his pettiness but breaking the all-time record for the longest government shutdown in US history fairly well ensures that his time is very, very short - and his future is bleak (as it will be for all those who 'conspired' with him). I doubt those 17 new lawyers are going to be of much help...

It's always been 'only a matter of time' since way back when Comey was fired... In the meantime, the feckless US leader has persistently ruined his own reputation, lied, cheated, stole and broke Constitutional law, among many others, as well as Tweet himself into so many corners that he will never see the clear path again. These realities, coupled with breaking not only the lives of many Americans over his pettiness but breaking the all-time record for the longest government shutdown in US history fairly well ensures that his time is very, very short - and his future is bleak (as it will be for all those who 'conspired' with him). I doubt those 17 new lawyers are going to be of much help... - The investigation, whose fate is unclear, led counterintelligence investigators to consider an explosive question: whether the president’s actions constituted a possible threat to national security.

"Where democracy is rising and falling" Two years of democratic erosion around the world came to an end in 2018, according to the annual index from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). However, gains in countries like Costa Rica were canceled out by declines in places like Nicaragua, and globally we ended 2018 right about where we started it. • Just 4.5% of the world's population lives in countries EIU considers "full democracies." Another 43.2% live in "flawed democracies." The remaining 52.3% live in "hybrid" (think Turkey) or "authoritarian" regimes. • The most robust democracies are in Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark, Canada and Ireland. The U.S. ranks #25, falling from #21 in 2017. • While Europe is home to the world's strongest democracies, it's also where "the democratic malaise of the past decade has been felt most keenly." • Gold stars: Armenia, Macedonia, Ecuador, Haiti and Tunisia all strengthened their democracies in 2018, per the index. Mauritius, a small island nation, is Africa's only full democracy. Takeaways: • “Identity politics” and “strongman leaders” are on the rise globally and undermining “the institutions of representative democracy.” • Liberalization is not risk-free. Ethiopia's democratic opening has been accompanied by "an increase in violence." • "Even in the Middle East and North Africa, where the population is increasingly disillusioned with electoral politics ... there has been a noticeable increase over the past year in public willingness to engage in public protest." The bottom line: Political participation is on the rise, which indicates voters are "not disengaged from democracy. They are clearly disillusioned with formal political institutions but have been spurred into action," per the report. The Report:

"Where democracy is rising and falling" Two years of democratic erosion around the world came to an end in 2018, according to the annual index from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). However, gains in countries like Costa Rica were canceled out by declines in places like Nicaragua, and globally we ended 2018 right about where we started it. • Just 4.5% of the world's population lives in countries EIU considers "full democracies." Another 43.2% live in "flawed democracies." The remaining 52.3% live in "hybrid" (think Turkey) or "authoritarian" regimes. • The most robust democracies are in Norway, Iceland, Sweden, New Zealand, Denmark, Canada and Ireland. The U.S. ranks #25, falling from #21 in 2017. • While Europe is home to the world's strongest democracies, it's also where "the democratic malaise of the past decade has been felt most keenly." • Gold stars: Armenia, Macedonia, Ecuador, Haiti and Tunisia all strengthened their democracies in 2018, per the index. Mauritius, a small island nation, is Africa's only full democracy. Takeaways: • “Identity politics” and “strongman leaders” are on the rise globally and undermining “the institutions of representative democracy.” • Liberalization is not risk-free. Ethiopia's democratic opening has been accompanied by "an increase in violence." • "Even in the Middle East and North Africa, where the population is increasingly disillusioned with electoral politics ... there has been a noticeable increase over the past year in public willingness to engage in public protest." The bottom line: Political participation is on the rise, which indicates voters are "not disengaged from democracy. They are clearly disillusioned with formal political institutions but have been spurred into action," per the report. The Report: - The Democracy Index 2018 measures the state of democracy in 167 countries. Download our free world democracy report to learn more about your country.

It's a tragic thing to see this kind of unethical, borderline criminal activity going on in America - especially from people who persistently claim they love the country and are so patriotic. Patriots don't behave this way. Patriots follow laws, are ethical and don't take a huge dump all over the 'Spirit of American Democracy'. This will not #MAGA and is precisely what needs to be forbidden.

It's a tragic thing to see this kind of unethical, borderline criminal activity going on in America - especially from people who persistently claim they love the country and are so patriotic. Patriots don't behave this way. Patriots follow laws, are ethical and don't take a huge dump all over the 'Spirit of American Democracy'. This will not #MAGA and is precisely what needs to be forbidden. - Brian Kolfage, a triple-amputee Air Force veteran, has operated fake news websites and fundraisers to build a lucrative email list.

I really enjoy articles like these. We're sharing this one and hoping others will enjoy it too... ☺️

I really enjoy articles like these. We're sharing this one and hoping others will enjoy it too... ☺️ - Brilliant leader, kind horseman and friend of Socrates: Xenophon’s writings inspire a humane, practical approach to life

Beyond awesome! Check out this Mongolian metal band playing traditional instruments. The guy playing the 'ma tou qin' (horse head instrument / guitar) actually makes it whinny like a real horse. Even the throat singing, a traditional Mongolian method, fits right in. This is the kind of cultural fusion I live for! 😎👍 ...and the scenery is breathtaking!

Beyond awesome! Check out this Mongolian metal band playing traditional instruments. The guy playing the 'ma tou qin' (horse head instrument / guitar) actually makes it whinny like a real horse. Even the throat singing, a traditional Mongolian method, fits right in. This is the kind of cultural fusion I live for! 😎👍 ...and the scenery is breathtaking! - The official music video for The HU's "Yuve Yuve Yu" Available on http://bit.ly/2M9OFeF Nature Sound Records Tengeriin Gadas Film C...

- Image by J. F. Horrabin, via Wikimedia Commons Bertrand Russell saw the history of civilization as being shaped by an unfortunate oscillation between two opposing evils: tyranny and anarchy, each of which contain the seed of the other.

- This election season has seen a lot of political posturing over the Texas-Mexico border. One border sheriff wishes they’d just shut up about it.

- If we are serious about tackling climate change, this is precisely the kind of policy we need to see

Now THIS...is a real celebrity: (One person - and actor - I've always admired)

Now THIS...is a real celebrity: (One person - and actor - I've always admired) - The Hong Kong movie legend had used the same Nokia flip phone for 17 years until it stopped working recently.

At least, 'the virtuous, socially responsible people with integrity who understand the importance of the President's effect on public character' vs. Donald J. Trump. The hedonistic, self-important folks who don't respect the system that got them here, well...that system will soon dispense of them, one way or another. They're pretty easy to tell apart now, thanks to Trump.

At least, 'the virtuous, socially responsible people with integrity who understand the importance of the President's effect on public character' vs. Donald J. Trump. The hedonistic, self-important folks who don't respect the system that got them here, well...that system will soon dispense of them, one way or another. They're pretty easy to tell apart now, thanks to Trump. - He is demonstrably unfit for office. What are we waiting for?

One less psychotic snake-oil salesman to worry about... 🤠

One less psychotic snake-oil salesman to worry about... 🤠 - Our Bum Steer of the Year, the radio host dragged our democracy into the same sewer he crawled out of so many years ago.

- A lot of people think happiness is about saying “yes” to the right stuff. Well, that’s one side of a coin. There are many things we say…

Well worth reading... 😊

Well worth reading... 😊 - This is a story about two roads — Should and Must. It’s a pep talk for anyone who’s chosen Should for far too long — months, years, maybe a

Disturbing, to say the least. This should not be happening in a State as Prosperous as Texas, but it is. Imagine how bad it is elsewhere. That's what happens when people put health care on the back burner. - 35 counties have no physician. - 80 counties have five or fewer physicians. - 58 Texas counties are without a general surgeon. - 147 Texas counties have no obstetrician/gynecologist. - 185 Texas counties have no psychiatrist. Exacerbating the issue, more than 20 hospitals in Texas' rural areas have closed in recent years, while 60 percent of the 164 remaining hospitals are at risk of closing, according to the A&M Rural and Community Health Institute. Financial issues, a lack of patients and a lack of leadership are noted in the report as factors leading to the demise of these hospitals. A modern health care investigation also found that some rural hospitals were closed due to fraudulently "billing insurers for extremely high volumes of lab tests that may not have been performed for their patients or even in their facilities. While we all argue about minor, manufactured issues, health care doesn't get fixed and we move closer to our last days. It might be a good idea to start prioritizing... 😊

Disturbing, to say the least. This should not be happening in a State as Prosperous as Texas, but it is. Imagine how bad it is elsewhere. That's what happens when people put health care on the back burner. - 35 counties have no physician. - 80 counties have five or fewer physicians. - 58 Texas counties are without a general surgeon. - 147 Texas counties have no obstetrician/gynecologist. - 185 Texas counties have no psychiatrist. Exacerbating the issue, more than 20 hospitals in Texas' rural areas have closed in recent years, while 60 percent of the 164 remaining hospitals are at risk of closing, according to the A&M Rural and Community Health Institute. Financial issues, a lack of patients and a lack of leadership are noted in the report as factors leading to the demise of these hospitals. A modern health care investigation also found that some rural hospitals were closed due to fraudulently "billing insurers for extremely high volumes of lab tests that may not have been performed for their patients or even in their facilities. While we all argue about minor, manufactured issues, health care doesn't get fixed and we move closer to our last days. It might be a good idea to start prioritizing... 😊 - In many rural communities across Texas, the healthcare delivery systems are on life-support or nonexistent, leaving too many Texans vulnerable with...

Maybe Donald Trump just wants to charge China more so he can spend more on himself and foolish, deficit-amassing ideas like a wall that is pointless and low-tech or alienating allies which took decades to make while, financially, in no position to increase the defense budget...which is far too big already. We should be paying teachers, doctors and farmers, people who build worlds - not those who destroy them for profit. Besides, whatever happened to the Republican Party being the ‘small government party’? Doesn’t happen anymore. We should rebuild the government to allow less control by those serving us to affect their own futures (like salaries, pay raises, promotions and elections) and give that power back to the people that put them there - who should still have it regardless of whether they hired a representative. The government we have now is more like ‘SkyNet’ - the robots we built taking over. This will never end well, but it is what happens when you get too comfortable letting others do the work for you and too careless to keep an eye on the machine you helped to build. Let us hope wiser, more ethical and diligent minds will prevail in the future. Those are certainly not what got us to where we are now and there may not be one if we don’t start paying closer attention. For such a good businessman (or President, father, husband, leader, negotiator or other role he seems to incessantly brag about but is unable to demonstrate), Trump sure hasn’t been doing a very good job.

Maybe Donald Trump just wants to charge China more so he can spend more on himself and foolish, deficit-amassing ideas like a wall that is pointless and low-tech or alienating allies which took decades to make while, financially, in no position to increase the defense budget...which is far too big already. We should be paying teachers, doctors and farmers, people who build worlds - not those who destroy them for profit. Besides, whatever happened to the Republican Party being the ‘small government party’? Doesn’t happen anymore. We should rebuild the government to allow less control by those serving us to affect their own futures (like salaries, pay raises, promotions and elections) and give that power back to the people that put them there - who should still have it regardless of whether they hired a representative. The government we have now is more like ‘SkyNet’ - the robots we built taking over. This will never end well, but it is what happens when you get too comfortable letting others do the work for you and too careless to keep an eye on the machine you helped to build. Let us hope wiser, more ethical and diligent minds will prevail in the future. Those are certainly not what got us to where we are now and there may not be one if we don’t start paying closer attention. For such a good businessman (or President, father, husband, leader, negotiator or other role he seems to incessantly brag about but is unable to demonstrate), Trump sure hasn’t been doing a very good job. - In light of current Trump trade policy, it is perhaps worthwhile to review some common sense principles about international trade.The most basic...

Good article!

Good article! - Western and Chinese political, military and intellectual elites alike frame the United States relationship with China in terms of a Thucydides'...