Of course, the protests are all about folks whining "What about MY pillage?!?"

It seems Medvedev and his free-market economic advisors have convinced Putin to do just that. It was not reported in the Western press, but a few months ago Putin announced that all inspections of companies will be suspended for at least three years and that company start-ups will be free of taxation for their first two years. Add to that the 13% flat tax, and there could be quite an effect. According to Medvedev's advisors, Russian GDP could improve by $200 billion per year by curbing corruption alone. Since the inspections were the main avenue of corruption, their suspension is a very significant step. Admittedly, the jury is still out on the success of these measures, but they have been taken, and it was in reaction to the sanctions. Also, the author is correct: industry surveys in Russia show that companies see import substitution as a huge growth area over the coming year and have accordingly already increased investment and production.

As if throwing you in the clink for it wasn't bad enough. They wanna silence that witness in a way that they can weasel out of quite badly.

Highway to the bunga zone

Is the US about to fall into the "Thyuclides trap" and go to war with the Chinese or Russians? Eventually.

Demographics is destiny. We've already got a huge population with intense antipathy to DC and the eastern establishment; trends do not seem to be reversing in that regard. It's why the feds seem to be having something of a policy of 'salutory neglect' when it comes to some things.

A sign of the sclerosis in the empire I'd say; where it isn't power tripping in an incredibly exaggerated manner, it's clear the feds actual control on things is close to nonexistant. If DC wants to be in the drivers' seat again, they'll have to use military force, which pretty much explains their current activities with the police. At that point, we're in the final stage of empire -- martial law junta.

That's like saying building a library is theft.

Yeah, just like the Iraq war, right?

As usual, it appears that using the THC and the CBD together produces the valuable effects.

A storied tradition for the windy city.

Turns out, they put only brand new agents on the investigation, then fed them all the lies they wanted to hear, while covering up all the relevant info. Surprised?

Considering the up-arming I'm seeing worldwide, it appears a large conflagration is a fait accompli at this point.

Strip down windows server to make it a good container visor. Could be a decent if executed well.

Pretty much what you'd expect it to be - I use that technique a lot in my longer form stuff.

Uhh, yeah! We're searching for stego inbetween these titties. Because terrorism.

See, that's how they know they are "Winning". It's a win for all the crony firms this is a bonanza for.

BONUS: Brennan also is in favor of an Iran deal. That must cause him some severe cognitive dissonance.

Will Grigg on how nothing is sacred to the coproaches.

That allergens are just a natural defense mechanism against toxins. Seems self-evident to me -- but the prevailing medical dogma is that it's all about parasitic worms (which is stupid, since getting them tends to cure not cause allergies). That could definitely be explained by this theory -- the body is too busy attacking worms to worry about hay fever (which is far lower on the threat matrix).

I guess Cody Wilson won't have to get elected to their board after all. Their poisonous activities have proven self-liquidating.

Definitely making the right move for the Russians' long term prosperity by shutting down the seignorage, and letting people keep the fruits of their labor.

Apparently they brought vault cracking tools. Schmucks, don't they know? Real central bankers don't have any gold!

The usual politics dance. Nothing substantive.

Turkey is playing a dangerous game with its alliances, as usual.