#slovak president election result be like

[wandererbird]

someone wants to start a new state?

[minetteskvareninova]

The EU Parliament Elections Happened. There Were No Survivors.

So, good news everyone! Progressive Slovakia won the EU election by a relatively decent margin. SMER got the second place, no surprises there... The rest of the results were absolutely insane and honestly a little scary.

The Republic, a.k.a. the diet nazis, rebounded from their frankly embarassing parliamentary elections last year, probably stealing most of the voters from SNS and maybe Hlas (I'm guessing, as if I had any idea whatsoever why would anyone vote for fucking Hlas). Like, they don't have Marine Le Pen numbers, but still, 12% is by their standards a massive success bordering on some kind of twisted religious miracle. Hlas and KDH were around equal in their kinda sad numbers - but of course not nearly as sad as SaS and ESPECIALLY SNS and The Party Formerly Known As OĽANO. OĽANO in general hasn't been doing much except for refusing to join other opposition parties on antigovernment protests and having Matovič campaign for presidency, which noone, least of all the man himself, took seriously. Are they finished? Dunno, maybe Matovič's next shocking, unexpected move will win back hearts and minds and secures them place at the top of the charts next parliamentary election. Anything could happen with these bozos. I am not sure the results of SNS are indicative of their general support; more likely, it's because they nominated literally everyone, including actual government ministers and the leader of their party, which even their generally quite unintelligent electorate must've recognized as a stupid decision. The Democrats and Alliance, which is the current party of Slovak Hungarians, got about the same results as they did in the parliamentary elections - no surprises there, losers stay losing.

(In case you needed a primer on who all these losers are:

[mariacallous]

The election earlier this month of the Russia-friendly populist Peter Pellegrini to president of Slovakia over the pro-Western candidate, Ivan Korcok, has gifted Moscow another collaborator in the EU, and thus dealt faltering Ukraine a further blow as it struggles on the battlefield. The new president will solidify the power of his close political ally, Prime Minister Robert Fico, who opposes sending military aid to Ukraine, and hand Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban a more solid pro-Russia ally in EU and NATO decision-making processes.

The campaign’s shrill tone, dominated by anti-Ukrainian and pro-Russian disinformation posing Korcok as a U.S. lackey and “candidate of war,” is not just another case of dirty electioneering in Central Europe. It is also the result of Russia’s intervention in Slovakia’s media space and politics, which experts say ramped up significantly during the campaign’s final weeks. It was another stark warning ahead of European parliamentary elections in June that Russian digital propagandists and their proxies are intent upon—and capable of—swaying elections within the EU.

The contest for the Slovakian presidency might at first glance seem like a marginal spectacle. In the Central European country of just 5.4 million, the presidency has few powers, the most consequential being a veto over new legislation—and even that can be overridden by the parliament with a simple majority. Yet for the past five years this post has been held by the progressive-minded environmental and human rights advocate Zuzana Caputova, who, when elected in 2019, many saw as a bright spot in Central and Eastern Europe, a region where populists have thrived. Perhaps her most important work—and evidence of the enormity of the popular figure’s decision not to run for reelection—unfolded in the last six months. Despite her limited reach, Caputova acted as a check on Fico’s three-party coalition, for example by challenging the government’s overhaul of the criminal code.

Korcok, a retired diplomat who was foreign minister from 2020 to 2022, would have been an able successor, observers said. And he entered the race in pole position after winning the first round of voting in March with 42.5 percent of the votes, compared to Pellegrini’s 37 percent.

But a campaign featuring a barrage of pro-Russian disinformation could have been the lever that turned the result around so dramatically: Pellegrini captured around 53 percent, while Korcok trailed woefully with almost 47 percent. Russia’s footprint was all over the election campaign, said Slovak observers, and, as it did in last year’s parliamentary elections, Russia’s machinations may well have swung the vote to its favored candidate.

“Russia’s impact was immense and influential,” said Eva Mihockova of the Bratislava-based think tank Slovak Foreign Policy Association. “The lies and ridiculous falsehoods on dubious websites and social media blasted Korcok as the candidate of war and a dangerous free-market liberal,” she said. “The influence of Russia is obvious, even though there’s no evidence yet that these media are actually paid by Moscow, although there is big suspicion that they are. They certainly take a line that reflects Russia’s interests.” Mihockova said that much of the disinformation comes indirectly through Slovak proxies rather than directly from Russia, in contrast to last year, when Slovakia expelled a Russian diplomat for meddling in the parliamentary campaign.

“Since the pandemic, the pro-Russia, conspiracy-theorizing, so-called alternative media have been and are instrumental in changing the political landscape here, as well as the language and culture,” said Juliana Sokolova, a Slovak poet and philosopher. “They are listened to by lots of people and accepted as true.”

The pro-Russian internet platforms and social media channels, said Slovak experts such as Dominika Hajdu of the Bratislava think tank Globsec, threw their support demonstratively behind Pellegrini after the first round. The websites—such as Hlavne Spravy, ExtraPlus, InfoVojna, and others—reiterated the Kremlin line pretty much verbatim, she said. Hlavne Spravy’s Telegram account is rife with posts about LGBTQ perversion, Washington’s aggressive foreign policies, NATO’s expansionist aims, the NATO-U.S. bombing of Serbia in 1999, and of course the war in Ukraine itself: the oppression of the Russian minority in Ukraine, NATO hawkishness, and the far right in Ukrainian society and politics. Some of the Slovak websites’ news bulletins simply copied, translated, and pasted articles from NewsFront, Hajdu said, referring to a Crimea-based disinformation and propaganda outlet that works with Russia’s main security agency, the FSB.

According to Gerulata Technologies, a Slovak start-up specializing in hybrid threats, the thicket of pro-Russian media is complex and intransparent. There are far-right, far-left, and populist politicians who spread pro-Russian propaganda out of conviction, it said, as well as disinformation media outlets that are sometimes directly connected to Russian interests and others, like the Slovak branch of NewsFront, that are Russian state-controlled trolls and proxies.

The analyst Michaela Ruzickova said in the two weeks before the vote, the pro-Russian narratives reached a crescendo. Even more so than in July last year, Ruzickova, working for the think tank Warsaw Institute, found that “to achieve its goals, the Kremlin uses not only its own resources (embassies, spies, oligarchs), but also local actors who are willing to cooperate and spread Russian propaganda for various incentives.” Ruzickova argued that “the multiplication of Russian influence in Slovakia is facilitated by domestic sympathizers and disinformation actors who willingly adopt the content of pro-Kremlin channels, as well as the official positions of the Russian military and political establishment. Slovak disinformation actors are thus deliberately helping Russia to legitimize its policies and discredit Ukraine, the West, and democratic and international institutions.”

The most pronounced example of this was the way that, in the aftermath of the first-round vote, Slovakia’s pro-Russia media outlets and proxies energetically perpetuated the disinformation that Korcok was the candidate of war who would reinstate military conscription and send Slovak soldiers to Ukraine to fight for Kyiv. They charged that Korcok was a U.S. and NATO puppet who put the interests of the EU and the Atlantic alliance above those of ordinary Slovaks. In fact, Korcok never said this, nor does the Slovak president have the power to send anyone to war. Fico joined in the cacophony of Russian tropes, calling Korcok a “warmonger.”

There is evidence across Central Europe of Russia investing in disinformation channels much like the Slovak websites and illiberal right-wing parties. On March 27, the German magazine Der Spiegel and the Czech Deník N reported that politicians from Germany, France, Poland, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Hungary received payments from Voice of Europe, a portal owned by a pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarch, to spread Russian propaganda in advance of the European Parliament vote. The Czech government slapped sanctions on the platform for promoting Russian interests and covertly financing candidates for the European Parliament, which caused it to cease operations. Voice of Europe had more than 180,000 followers on Twitter/X, according to the BBC.

Matus Kostolny, chief editor of Dennik N, finds it hard to explain the Slovaks’ favorable opinion of Russia after the Soviet Union’s 40 years of postwar occupation of Slovakia and the invasion of Ukraine—in stark contrast to neighboring Czech Republic and Poland. But he underscored that the Russian propaganda in Slovakia has more voices than just “fake journalists” on the internet. “Slovakia’s politicians, particularly in the government parties, regularly mouth this language of Russia and repeat its topics and propaganda. This is more powerful than anything coming directly from Russia.”

“It’s not that Slovaks want to live in Russia, nor do these [pro-Russian] politicians want the Soviet Union back in Slovakia,” Kostolny told Foreign Policy. “But they use it to attack their liberal opponents who have cracked down on the corruption and put their allies behind bars.” The Slovak president, Kostolny noted, has the authority to appoint justices to the Constitutional Court and to issue pardons—two critical levers for reversing the fight against corruption. Kostolny said he wouldn’t be in the least bit surprised if Pellegrini begins pardoning some of the dozens of convicted figures from the ranks of the government parties.

But Slovakia’s new rulers have shown that they will practice what they preach. After the Fico government took office last year, Fico cut off Slovakian military aid to Ukraine and then claimed earlier this year that Ukraine stood “completely under the influence and control of the USA” and is therefore “not an independent and sovereign country.”

Sokolova said that another critical component to the wins by Fico’s party and Pellegrini was the long arm of Orban. The ethnic Hungarians living in Slovakia compose about 8 percent of the population and vote in both Slovak and Hungarian elections. They vote overwhelmingly for Orban’s Fidesz party and tend to chafe under the rule of Slovak nationalist politicos.

But Orban sees an alliance with Slovakia’s populist government, which includes the ultranationalist Slovak National Party, as a better payoff than fighting rhetorical battles over bygone injustices. “Orban mobilizing voters in southern Slovakia via his media for Pellegrini was absolutely decisive,” said Sokolova, an ethnic Hungarian living in southern Slovakia. “The voter turnout [for Pellegrini] was massive in [ethnic] Hungarian towns.”

Mihockova said the ethnic animosity between Slovaks and Hungarians has mostly evaporated in favor of other enmities. “Slovakia’s nationalists and autocrats found that you can win more voters with the hate figure favorites of the Orban regime—such as Brussels, the U.S., and immigrants—than with traditional ethnic nationalism,” she told Foreign Policy. “The Slovak populists see Orban and Fidesz Hungary as a role model.” And, as for Orban’s about-face, “he needs partners,” Mihockova said.

Now, with Slovakia’s populist president and government in place, he has one more partner in his crusade to flip the European Parliament and abandon Europe’s defense of Ukraine.

[arsonchaoschild]

mutuals and all

i'd like to cast upon you the utter horror that these presidential elections have been

we got through the first round which lets people pick the two candidates to end up in the second round and actually be voted into presidency

and like

the second round

we have him

who's an oligarch billionaire (in czech currency at least i can't be bothered to do the math) who was just tried for misusing eu donations among other things and then cleared of all charges all while running for president, his party has had the majority in parliament for years up until the last elections (where his party was just barely surpassed by a more conservative one), huge populist, has rolled out outdated surveys about queer people's rights (which never accounted for you being a queer person and had questions like "should gay people have equal rights" you get the picture). he's also overall insanely rude, avoids debates and decided to go into a classrooms to let kids ask him questions, got questions such as "name the planets of the solar system" not by not being able to remember all of them, but by including the sun and the moon and then he proceeded to be rude as hell to the kids and treat them like he treats journalists (not good). not to mention, used to be an active member of the state police during the communist era (denies it. the wikipedia article on state police uses his file as the example photo. honestly incredible). dude's not even czech either, he's from slovakia. he's mostly known in the outside world cause he was included in pandora papers. being this bad of a human being is near impressive but his marketing team somehow makes it all work.

the other one's this. lead NATO for a while, also entangled with state police but from my understanding it was much less horrendous, definitely right/center-right but honestly when the president's most important authority is over naming members of the national bank committee (most likely not the official translation again i can't be bothered) then fucking anyone's better than an oligarch billionaire looking to rule the country like its a company. also just much more pleasant to listen to, since he has common decency and can put together a cohesive sentence. also he's a general. he really wants you to know that he's a general. he replaced his first name, "mr" or "president" with general. everywhere. every bit of the campaign. opposition really wants you to think he'll send the country to war. the president does not have the power to do that. he also really wants you to know he won't be like the current president (which. fair. he sucks) for example by constantly stating that his health will be public knowledge (cause the current president had a whole thing where he's been slowly disintegrating over over the last 10 years and the people knowing nothing last year he nearly died it was a whole thing) but he didn't go as hard as the third biggest candidate who had a full medical checkup done and then put her results on her website and instagram. she was real active on instagram and real proud of the fact she'd always voted right wing. she's her own can of worms.

he's the obvious choice. people are always thirsting for him, this includes my friend's mom and would most definitely include my mom if she wasn't dead. i'm sorry but it's true. i've seen a random polish person on reddit post a picture of him saying he could "annect their polish body". he's really into flannels.

whatever the fuck this is. all that's left is fanfiction. we have copious amounts of fanfiction of this one specific pair of politicians already to the point i've had to block several people because of it cause it didn't seem like they were joking anymore. a lot of the fanfiction is written by slovaks too. so it's not at all a stretch that the fanfiction will come. i'm terrified. i'm purposefully posting this on main instead of my czech blog cause the people of čumblr have had enough already. we're oversaturated. i need to bang my fists on a new table. i've been sick with fever this past week and any amount of the election events may have been a fever dream. goodbye.

[error-dream-was-found]

10 🤬 and 21🚀

10. hmmm I can't really pinpoint once but it's usually between kurva, do piči and jebať (na to) and all their variations. The diversity of curses is one of the things I like about slovak language, in english you would say those as fuck, fuck and fuck (it) so ... you know much less fun.

21. ... the new president and prime minister and may they please stay up there ... in fact I would probably send the whole building of parlament (when it's full) there. Yeah ... the results of elections were rather upsetting ...

[econoenigma]

His Dad packed hashish into his favorite pipe. “Well, son, it’s like this. Back when I was your age, in 1989, I pulled on my backpack, and I hitch-hiked to Prague. No money, and no passport, with Communist troops and cops all over the place. For sure, I got into some jams. But I wouldn’t have missed that for anything! That was the only Revolution that us hippies ever won.”

The Velvet Revolution (Czech: Sametová revoluce) or Gentle Revolution (Slovak: Nežná revolúcia) was a non-violent transition of power in what was then Czechoslovakia, occurring from 17 November to 28 November 1989. Popular demonstrations against the one-party government of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia included students and older dissidents. The result was the end of 41 years of one-party rule in Czechoslovakia, and the subsequent dismantling of the command economy and conversion to a parliamentary republic.[2]

On 17 November 1989 (International Students' Day), riot police suppressed a student demonstration in Prague.[3] The event marked the 50th anniversary of a violently suppressed demonstration against the Nazi storming of Prague University in 1939 where 1,200 students were arrested and 9 killed (see Origin of International Students' Day). The 1989 event sparked a series of demonstrations from 17 November to late December and turned into an anti-communist demonstration. On 20 November, the number of protesters assembled in Prague grew from 200,000 the previous day to an estimated 500,000. The entire top leadership of the Communist Party, including General Secretary Miloš Jakeš, resigned on 24 November. On 27 November, a two-hour general strike involving all citizens of Czechoslovakia was held.

In response to the collapse of other Warsaw Pact governments and the increasing street protests, the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia announced on 28 November that it would relinquish power and end the one-party state. Two days later, the federal parliament formally deleted the sections of the Constitution giving the Communist Party a monopoly of power. Barbed wire and other obstructions were removed from the border with West Germany and Austria in early December. On 10 December, President Gustáv Husák appointed the first largely non-communist government in Czechoslovakia since 1948, and resigned. Alexander Dubček was elected speaker of the federal parliament on 28 December and Václav Havel the President of Czechoslovakia on 29 December 1989.

In June 1990, Czechoslovakia held its first democratic elections[4] since 1946. On 1 January 1993, Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two countries, the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic.

The dissolution of Czechoslovakia occurred mainly due to national governance issues between the Slovaks and Czechs (the two major ethnicities comprising the former Czechoslovakia).

[irvinenewshq]

EU gathering intelligence on right-wing extremist threats

The EU is gathering intelligence on proper wing extremist threats for a wider evaluation, stated the European Fee. The remark by EU transparency and values commissioner Vera Jourova on Wednesday (19 October) in Strasbourg comes amid the latest taking pictures deaths exterior an LGBT bar in Slovakia. Slovak media recognized the shooter because the homophobe son of a former candidate for a far-right political celebration. Jourova stated the fee, together with EU states and the EU’s police company Europol, are gathering “inner intelligence to attract up assessments of the terrorist and proper wing extremists threats.” It additionally follows a latest US intelligence transient that Russia gave far-right politicians money, costly presents, digital funds, and cryptocurrency. A few of these recipients embrace European assume tanks and foundations in assist of far-right nationalist events. The fee had introduced at an earlier debate in Strasbourg it needs to see the US intelligence report. That willpower has solid an extended shadow over extra mainstream political groupings just like the centre-right European Individuals’s Occasion, the place some far-right politicians had previously discovered refuge. Amongst them is Italian politician and centre-right MEP Silvio Berlusconi whose shut ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin has come beneath elevated scrutiny. In a leaked audio clip revealed by Italian media outlet LaPress, the three-time prime minister might be heard saying he had rekindled his relationship Putin. “For my birthday he despatched me 20 bottles of vodka and a really candy letter,” Berlusconi stated within the audio clip. “I replied with bottles of Lambrusco and an equally very candy letter,” he stated. “Russian ministers have stated on many events that we’re at conflict with them as a result of we’re offering weapons and funding to Ukraine,” he added. Following the publication of the audio, Forza Italia stated the statements have been in reality referring to earlier contacts with the Kremlin. EU sanctions have additionally been slapped on the import of Russian vodka, posing questions on whether or not the present might have fallen foul of the foundations. “Implementation of the sanctions is the accountability of the member states,” a European Fee spokesperson informed reporters in Brussels when queried about vodka. However Berlusconi and his Forza Italia celebration are additionally presently forming a authorities with the far-right Brothers of Italy beneath the possible premiership of Georgia Meloni. The alliance between conservatives and the far-right has since riled different political events within the European Parliament. Iratxe García Pérez, who leads the centre-left Socialists, described such alliances as “whitewashing.” “The issue is that excessive proper wing populism undermines establishments,” she stated. “A parliamentary majority doesn’t justify legal guidelines that persecute minorities, violate their rights, and undermines the authorized framework,” she stated. The remarks have been additionally geared in the direction of Sweden, whose new three-party authorities agreed to calls for in opposition to migration made by the far-right election winner Sweden Democrats. This contains chopping the UN quota to resettle recognised refugees from 5,000 a 12 months to 900. Tomas Tobe, a centre-right Swedish MEP, stated that criticism in opposition to the brand new authorities have been unjustified. “It’s good to settle for the result of the elections in Sweden,” he stated. Tobe heads the European Parliament’s committee on improvement. He’s additionally spearheading key coverage on EU-wide asylum and migration reform. Sweden is about to take over the six-month rotating EU presidency in January. Originally published at Irvine News HQ

[spicynbachili1]

What happens if Julian Assange is tried in the US? | WikiLeaks

Final week it turned clear that what WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and his legal professionals have been warning for seven years has already occurred: He has been charged in a legal case in the US. The worry of being extradited and tried within the US has compelled him to hunt refuge on the Ecuadorian embassy in London since 2012. 

This information hardly got here as a shock to these of us who’ve been following his case or have been satisfied that Assange’s destiny is of profound and historic significance and will outline the way forward for the liberty of the press.

What occurs if Assange is tried in US

There are some within the West who’re totally satisfied that Assange deserves to be tried and thrown in jail for “threatening” US nationwide safety and “undermining” its democratic processes. Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former Vice President Joe Biden have referred to as him a “terrorist”, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, then the director of the CIA, has described WikiLeaks as a “non-state hostile intelligence service” and US Legal professional Normal Jeff Periods has mentioned prosecuting Assange is a “precedence” for him. 

Many have additionally come to see him as a political participant who purposefully sought to affect the result of the 2016 US presidential elections, whereas others take into account him a stooge of Russian President Vladimir Putin, though no proof for this was ever discovered. It’s extra seemingly that Assange’s indictment is coming not as a part of Particular Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia’s position within the 2016 US election, however in response to WikiLeaks publishing the most important leak within the historical past of the CIA referred to as #Vault7. 

No matter Assange’s political leanings or views, his case just isn’t about whether or not you want him or not, however about freedom of the press. As Edward Snowden rightly mentioned: “You can despise WikiLeaks and every thing it stands for. You may suppose Assange is an evil spirit reanimated by Putin himself, however you can’t assist the prosecution of a writer for publishing with out narrowing the fundamental rights each newspaper depends on.”

If Assange is ultimately arrested, extradited to the US and stands trial there, he’s virtually actually going to be discovered responsible – simply as Chelsea Manning was – and he would in all probability find yourself in a Guantanamo-like jail. His prosecution and jailing would have international repercussions for whistle-blowers, publishers and journalists.

In response to US lawyer and civil liberties advocate Ben Wizner on the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU): “Any prosecution of Mr Assange for WikiLeaks’ publishing operations can be unprecedented and unconstitutional, and would open the door to legal investigations of different information organizations”. 

In different phrases, a lawsuit that tries to make it unlawful or a type of “espionage” to publish paperwork would set a harmful precedent for publishers and journalists who routinely violate international secrecy legal guidelines to ship data important to the general public’s curiosity. It might endanger the very basis of free press. 

Why that is vital for all of us

We already dwell in a world during which politics and distribution of data are being profoundly remodeled. Not solely do harmful populists and authoritarian leaders come to energy by “manufacturing consent”, backed by way of “notion administration” strategies by tech corporations or organised pretend information campaigns, however additionally they come to energy by brazenly spreading misinformation and concealing data of public curiosity. 

Whereas it turned “pure” for politicians to make use of such questionable strategies to achieve energy, it’s the job of journalists, the media and whistle-blowers to maintain such behaviour in examine. Punishing them for doing their job – uncovering uncomfortable truths that these in energy wish to avoid the general public – means eradicating one of the vital checks on government political energy.  

How would we all know at the moment of the wiretapping of the Democratic Celebration headquarters if it hadn’t been for the laborious work of American investigative reporters uncovering data the Nixon administration wished to cover? How would we find out about all of the offshore accounts and cash laundering actions of politicians the world over if a whistle-blower hadn’t leaked the Panama papers? How would we all know what number of Reuters journalists have been killed by the US military in Iraq, as revealed by the “Collateral Homicide” video leaked by Chelsea Manning and revealed by WikiLeaks? And the way would we all know how the Democratic Celebration treats a few of its most progressive members, akin to Bernie Sanders, if WikiLeaks hadn’t launched the information from the hacked Democratic Nationwide Committee e-mail server?

Assange had in his palms data of immoral political behaviour by a celebration and he revealed it. One can argue about timing and political penalties, however it’s laborious to disclaim that it was within the curiosity of the American public to know these details. The knowledge was not pretend or fabricated; it was the reality.

A legal trial for Assange within the US can be one other blow to journalists, the media and publishers who’re already affected by rising strain the world over. Up to now this 12 months, 45 journalists have been killed the world over. 

In March, Slovak investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee have been shot of their dwelling. In April, 9 Afghan journalists have been killed in a bombing in Kabul: Abadullah Hananzai, Ali Saleemi, Ghazi Rasooli, Maharram Durrani, Nowroz Ali Rajabi, Sabawoon Kakar, Saleem Talash, Shah Marai and Yar Mohammad Tokhi. In July, three Russian journalists have been shot useless within the Central African Republic whereas investigating the presence of Russian mercenaries: Aleksandr Rastorguyev, Orkhan Dzhemal and Kirill Radchenko. And simply over a month in the past, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed and dismembered within the consulate of his personal nation in Istanbul. 

Clear alerts are being despatched to media professionals the world over that doing their jobs might value them their freedom or their lives. Feeding this hostile atmosphere as a substitute of standing as much as it might be harmful not just for journalists and whistle-blowers but in addition for all of us.

Walter Lippmann, the daddy of recent journalism who coined the phrase “manufacturing consent” (which Noam Chomsky made well-known in his 1988 e-book) wrote again in 1919 in a skinny quantity referred to as Liberty and the Information that “there could be no liberty for a neighborhood which lacks the means by which to detect lies”.

Combating the extradition of Assange to the US is not only about defending his particular person rights, however it’s also about defending the very means by which we’re capable of detect lies. It’s about defending freedom of the press and our capacity to maintain checks on political energy.

No matter you may consider WikiLeaks, it’s a incontrovertible fact that as a writer who protects its sources it has at all times been detecting and revealing lies. 

And as Lippman wrote in Liberty and the Information 100 years in the past: “Not what any individual says or any individual needs to be true, however what’s so past all opinions, constitutes, the touchstone of our sanity.”  

With out WikiLeaks and Julian Assange, with out the brave whistle-blowers and journalists who’re revealing the soiled secrets and techniques and immoral acts of highly effective regimes, who’re opposing or criticising authority, reality would shortly lose worth. And it might be then that we’d additionally lose the touchstone of our sanity. 

The views expressed on this article are the writer’s personal and don’t essentially replicate Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.

!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)(window, document,'script','//connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js');

fbq('init', '968100353246427'); fbq('track', 'PageView');

from SpicyNBAChili.com http://spicymoviechili.spicynbachili.com/what-happens-if-julian-assange-is-tried-in-the-us-wikileaks/

[mariacallous]

Fico is back in Slovakia, and that's not good news for anyone but Russia and Putin.

A party headed by a pro-Kremlin figure came out top after securing more votes than expected in an election in Slovakia, preliminary results show, in what could pose a challenge to NATO and EU unity on Ukraine.

According to preliminary results released by Slovakia’s Statistical Office at 9 a.m. local time, Robert Fico’s populist SMER party won 22.9% of the vote.

Progressive Slovakia (PS), a liberal and pro-Ukrainian party won 17.9%.

Fico, a two-time former prime minister, now has a chance to regain the job but must first seek coalition partners as his party did not secure a big enough share of the vote to govern on its own.

Speaking after his victory, Fico said he “will do everything” in his power to kickstart Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

“More killing is not going to help anyone,” Fico said.

Negotiations are unlikely to be welcomed in Ukraine, as for now they would likely involve proposals in which territory is ceded to Russia – a non-starter for Kyiv.

The moderate-left Hlas party, led by a former SMER member and formed as an offshoot of SMER following internal disputes, came third with 14.7% of the vote,andcould play kingmaker.

With seven political parties reaching the 5% threshold needed to enter the parliament, coalition negotiations will almost certainly include multiple players and could be long and messy.

While not a landslide, SMER’s result is better than expected – last opinion polls published earlier this week showed SMER and PS neck and neck.

Fico has pledged an immediate end to Slovak military support for Ukraine and promised to block Ukraine’s NATO ambitions in what would upend Slovakia’s staunch support for Ukraine.

Michal Šimečka, the leader of PS, said the result was “bad news for the country.”

“The fact of the matter is that SMER is the winner. And we of course respect that although we think it’s bad news for the country. And it will be even worse news if Mr Fico forms the government,” he said at a news conference early on Sunday.

Slovakia’s President Zuzana Čaputová said before the election that she would ask the leader of the strongest party to form the government, meaning Fico will get the first stab at forming a government.

Fico and SMER have not yet commented on the results.

Šimečka said his party will do “everything it could” to prevent Fico from governing.

“I will be in touch with other political leaders of parties that were elected to parliament — on an informal basis — to discuss ways of preventing that,” he said. “We think it will be really bad news for the country, for our democracy, for our rule of law, and for our international standing and for our finances and for our economy if Mr Fico forms the government.”

Peter Pellegrini, the leader of Hlas, said his party was “very pleased with the result.”

“The results so far show that Hlas will be a party without which it will be impossible to form any kind of normal, functioning coalition government,” he said, adding that the party will “make the right decision” to become part of a government that will lead Slovakia out of the “decay and crisis that (the country’s previous leaders) got us into.”

Hlas has been vague about its position on Ukraine in the election campaign. Pellegrini has previously suggested Slovakia “had nothing left to donate” to Kyiv, but also said that the country should continue to manufacture ammunition that is shipped to Ukraine.

Serious consequences for the region

Slovakia, an eastern European nation of about 5.5 million people, was going to the polls to choose its fifth prime minister in four years after seeing a series of shaky coalition governments.

A SMER-led government could have serious consequences for the region. Slovakia is a member of both NATO and the European Union, was among the handful of European countries pushing for tough EU sanctions against Russia and has donated a large amount of military equipment to Ukraine.

But this will likely change under Fico, who has blamed “Ukrainian Nazis and fascists” for provoking Russia’s President Vladimir Putin into launching the invasion, repeating the false narrative Putin has used to justify his invasion.

While in opposition, Fico became a close ally of Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban, especially when it came to criticism of the European Union. There is speculation that, if he returns to power, Fico and Orban could gang up together and create obstacles for Brussels. If Poland’s governing Law and Justice party manages to win a third term in Polish parliamentary elections next month, this bloc of EU troublemakers could become even stronger.

Meanwhile, the liberal PS party had been pushing for a completely different future for Slovakia – including a continued strong support for Kyiv and strong links with the West.

Fico previously served as Slovakia’s prime minister for more than a decade, first between 2006 and 2010 and then again from 2012 to 2018.

He was forced to resign in March 2018 after weeks of mass protests over the murder of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová. Kuciak reported on corruption among the country’s elite, including people directly connected to Fico and his party SMER.

The campaign was marked by concerns over disinformation, with Věra Jourová, the European Commission’s top digital affairs official, saying in advance the vote would be a “test case” of how effective social media companies have been in countering Russian propaganda in Slovakia.

Polls suggest Fico’s pro-Russia sentiments are shared by many Slovaks.

According to a survey by GlobSec, a Bratislava-based security think tank, only 40% of Slovaks believed Russia was responsible for the war in Ukraine, the lowest proportion among the eight central and eastern European and Baltic states GlobSec focused on. In the Czech Republic, which used to form one country with Slovakia, 71% of people blame Russia for the war.

The same research found that 50% of Slovaks perceive the United States – the country’s long-term ally – as a security threat.

[engnews24h]

Ivan Štampach: Nostalgia for the Nobility

Eng News 24h Ivan Štampach: Nostalgia for the Nobility

In the complete translations of Cervantes' novel The Ingenious Knight Don Quixote de la Mancha, we find a detailed account of the properties of hidalgo, a noble, a noble man who corrects injustices, helps widows and orphans, and protects virgins. A member of the impoverished knightly family will improve his name in this Renaissance prose and undertake three expeditions with his armor-bearer. She turns a simple country girl into a lady of her heart and devises the title Dulcinea of ​​Tobos for her.

There are many similar nostalgics in the Czech Republic today. Their return to the traditions of the first Czechoslovak Republic is not sufficient. Masaryk's humanism, which for him was identical to socialism and was the program of the socialist nation according to the banner carried by the parade on October 28, 1918, is somewhat red. They are embarking on a fierce battle with windmills, and it is desirable for them to at least step back before secular and plebeian democracy towards an aristocratic system.

Miroslav Kalousek, the man behind TOP 09 regardless of the internal election results, published on his Twitter a short summary of conservative politics: “Degradation of the nobility was the first liquidation of natural elites in society. The second was carried out by the Nazis, the third and fourth communists. This is a terrifying decimation during the 100-year period. I'm afraid we'll be licking for generations. ”

We ignore Kalousk's clumsy expression. Apparently he did not want to say that the nobility had devalued, that it had lost its quality. It responds rather to the Czechoslovak laws from 1918 to 1920. Just a few weeks after the declaration of independence, the nobility was abolished as a state, and since 1920 the use of peerages was punishable, although it is not known that this law applies. In 1919, a land reform took place, which took away the property of the Church and the nobility. The most affected were the Schwarzenbergs, the Liechtenstein, the Saxon-Coburg family (a relative of today's British royal dynasty) and the Kinsky.

For Miroslav Kalousek, the decision of the Democratic Republic is in line with the liquidation measures of totalitarian regimes. It is all for him “the elimination of natural elites”. The elite is elected, and we can only speak of elites with embarrassment. It is primarily the power elite, ie the economically and politically ruling minority. It rules regardless of a formal democratic organization of public affairs. It maintains its dominant position by a combination of coercion and handling.

“Degradation of the nobility was the first liquidation of natural elites in society. The second was carried out by the Nazis, the third and fourth communists. This is a terrifying decimation during the 100-year period. I am afraid we will lick many generations of it, ”wrote Miroslav Kalousek. We can find more similar nostalgics after the nobility. Repro DR The system, which itself described itself as aristocratic, that is to say, the best government, even at a time when it had to retreat and allow for partial implementation of democratic practices (in the last half century of the Habsburg monarchy), provided a position of power elite to the population. The history of the ruling dynasties and genera of the higher and lower nobility is also a history of corruption, power brutality, deceit, betrayal and petty bickering. The idea that aristocratic generations make an exception to the usual human qualities is at least naive, rather simple.

Maybe there is something like a moral and intellectual elite, people really noble, but also educated. They are people of cultivated heart and mind. Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk, the son of poor villagers, the father of a coachman of Slovak origin from Hungary and his mother, a farm employee from Haná, is considered an example of an exceptional man with natural authority. There are no dukes, princes, counts, barons or single lords in his family tree. If Masaryk, as president, became a liberator a part, even a head of the power elite, he was for her qualities, abilities and diligence, not because he was destined for such a position by origin.

According to one alternative concept of social order, called the social three-person, the aristocratic principle has its rightful place in society. In intellectual work and artistic creation, it is appropriate to promote the best performances and criticize kitsch and tastes. Yet even in this sphere of spiritual freedom, the Plebeian stimulus can help – art that is too noble tends to degenerate.

Moreover, the social triad includes political and legal equality, ie no privileges, and the socially weakest take precedence in the social sphere. They are not just the goal of the kindly care of the rich who will wipe off the crumbs from their table. Their right to a dignified existence is justly supported. If anything is based on soil and blood, it is not privileges but, on the contrary, this solidarity of oneself.

If someone in the dark twentieth century really decimated, thus reduced to a tenth of the original numerical state, it was not Czech and Moravian land nobility (and the nobility of the Reich). It remained physically preserved and nothing and no one prevents today's descendants of these families from participating in public power, if such power is a public service. In the countries dominated by the once Nazi regime, ninety percent of Jews, physically rescued after the Systemic Patent of Emperor Franz II, were physically destroyed. from 1797, but they continued to experience restrictions, suspicion, and eventually experienced drastic genocide.

I do not know if Miroslav Kalousek will “lick” in decades, which still gives him life. What is certain, however, is that we desperately need to fill democratic forms with democratic content. We do not need the return of historical families to the position of power elite, but the promotion of democratic culture. It is highly desirable not only to declare, but also to claim in fact that being a citizen is a position far more dignified than the position of the former nobility.

Source: denikreferendum.cz

Eng News 24h Ivan Štampach: Nostalgia for the Nobility

from WordPress https://ift.tt/36CCLTR via IFTTT

[thesupernaturaluniversity]

CIA Has Interfered With Over 81 Foreign Elections in the Past Century

This number doesn’t include military coups and regime change efforts following the election of candidates the U.S. didn’t like, notably those in Iran, Guatemala and Chile (and now Bolivia). The CIA has accused Russia of interfering in the 2016 presidential election (with absolutely zero evidence) by hacking into Democratic and Republican computer networks and selectively releasing emails. But critics might point out the U.S. has done similar things. The U.S. has a long history of attempting to influence presidential elections in other countries – it’s done so as many as 81 times between 1946 and 2000, according to a database amassed by political scientist Dov Levin of Carnegie Mellon University.

That number doesn’t include military coups and regime change efforts following the election of candidates the U.S. didn’t like, notably those in Iran, Guatemala and Chile. Nor does it include general assistance with the electoral process, such as election monitoring. Levin defines intervention as “a costly act which is designed to determine the election results [in favor of] one of the two sides.” These acts, carried out in secret two-thirds of the time, include funding the election campaigns of specific parties, disseminating misinformation or propaganda, training locals of only one side in various campaigning or get-out-the-vote techniques, helping one side design their campaign materials, making public pronouncements or threats in favor of or against a candidate, and providing or withdrawing foreign aid. In 59% of these cases, the side that received assistance came to power, although Levin estimates the average effect of “partisan electoral interventions” to be only about a 3% increase in vote share. The U.S. hasn’t been the only one trying to interfere in other countries’ elections, according to Levin’s data. Russia attempted to sway 36 foreign elections from the end of World War II to the turn of the century – meaning that, in total, at least one of the two great powers of the 20th century intervened in about 1 of every 9 competitive, national-level executive elections in that time period. Italy’s 1948 general election is an early example of a race where U.S. actions probably influenced the outcome. “We threw everything, including the kitchen sink” at helping the Christian Democrats beat the Communists in Italy, said Levin, including covertly delivering “bags of money” to cover campaign expenses, sending experts to help run the campaign, subsidizing “pork” projects like land reclamation, and threatening publicly to end U.S. aid to Italy if the Communists were elected. Levin said that U.S. intervention probably played an important role in preventing a Communist Party victory, not just in 1948, but in seven subsequent Italian elections. Throughout the Cold War, U.S. involvement in foreign elections was mainly motivated by the goal of containing communism, said Thomas Carothers, a foreign policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. “The U.S. didn’t want to see left-wing governments elected, and so it did engage fairly often in trying to influence elections in other countries,” Carothers said. This approach carried over into the immediate post-Soviet period. In the 1990 Nicaragua elections, the CIA leaked damaging information on alleged corruption by the Marxist Sandinistas to German newspapers, according to Levin. The opposition used those reports against the Sandinista candidate, Daniel Ortega. He lost to opposition candidate Violeta Chamorro. In Czechoslovakia that same year, the U.S. provided training and campaign funding to Vaclav Havel’s party and its Slovak affiliate as they planned for the country’s first democratic election after its transition away from communism. “The thinking was that we wanted to make sure communism was dead and buried,” said Levin. Even after that, the U.S. continued trying to influence elections in its favor. In Haiti after the 1986 overthrow of dictator and U.S. ally Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier, the CIA sought to support particular candidates and undermine Jean-Bertrande Aristide, a Roman Catholic priest and proponent of liberation theology. The New York Times reported in the 1990s that the CIA had on its payroll members of the military junta that would ultimately unseat Aristide after he was democratically elected in a landslide over Marc Bazin, a former World Bank official and finance minister favored by the U.S. The U.S. also attempted to sway Russian elections. In 1996, with the presidency of Boris Yeltsin and the Russian economy flailing, President Clinton endorsed a $10.2-billion loan from the International Monetary Fund linked to privatization, trade liberalization and other measures that would move Russia toward a capitalist economy. Yeltsin used the loan to bolster his popular support, telling voters that only he had the reformist credentials to secure such loans, according to media reports at the time. He used the money, in part, for social spending before the election, including payment of back wages and pensions. In the Middle East, the U.S. has aimed to bolster candidates who could further the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In 1996, seeking to fulfill the legacy of assassinated Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and the peace accords the U.S. brokered, Clinton openly supported Shimon Peres, convening a peace summit in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el Sheik to boost his popular support and inviting him to a meeting at the White House a month before the election. “We were persuaded that if [Likud candidate Benjamin] Netanyahu were elected, the peace process would be closed for the season,” said Aaron David Miller, who worked at the State Department at the time. In 1999, in a more subtle effort to sway the election, top Clinton strategists, including James Carville, were sent to advise Labor candidate Ehud Barak in the election against Netanyahu. In Yugoslavia, the U.S. and NATO had long sought to cut off Serbian nationalist and Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic from the international system through economic sanctions and military action. In 2000, the U.S. spent millions of dollars in aid for political parties, campaign costs and independent media. Funding and broadcast equipment provided to the media arms of the opposition were a decisive factor in electing opposition candidate Vojislav Kostunica as Yugoslav president, according to Levin. “If it wouldn’t have been for overt intervention… Milosevic would have been very likely to have won another term,” he said. By Nina Agrawal, Los Angeles Times

[wetrumpfeed]

Afternoon MAGAthread: YOUR WEEKLY PRESIDENTIAL RECAP!

HAPPPPY SATURDAY DEPLORABLES!!

I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend so far! This is u/Ivaginaryfriend and I'm here to deliver everything spicy & dank from the past week! If you happened to miss any past recaps you can catch those here!

Sunday, May 5th:

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

I am pleased to inform all of those that believe in a strong, fair and sound Immigration Policy that Mark Morgan will be joining the Trump Administration as the head of our hard working men and women of ICE. Mark is a true believer and American Patriot. He will do a great job!

The Kentucky Derby decision was not a good one. It was a rough & tumble race on a wet and sloppy track, actually, a beautiful thing to watch. Only in these days of political correctness could such an overturn occur. The best horse did NOT win the Kentucky Derby - not even close!

For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars.... ... ....of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!

After spending more than $35,000,000 over a two year period, interviewing 500 people, using 18 Trump Hating Angry Democrats & 49 FBI Agents - all culminating in a more than 400 page Report showing NO COLLUSION - why would the Democrats in Congress now need Robert Mueller....... ... ....to testify. Are they looking for a redo because they hated seeing the strong NO COLLUSION conclusion? There was no crime, except on the other side (incredibly not covered in the Report), and NO OBSTRUCTION. Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!

“The Report sounded an awful lot as being Comeyesque, in other words, I’m not going to charge this person (there wasn’t even close to being a crime), but I’m going to criticize him on the way out the door. That’s unfortunate because it’s stepping outside of the role.” Robert Ray

“This is not Congressional Oversight, this is bullying.” Jason Riley, The Wall Street Journal

Pending the confirmation of Mark Morgan as our Nation’s new ICE Director, Matt Albence will serve in the role of Acting Director. Matt is tough and dedicated and has my full support to deploy ICE to the maximum extent of the law! #MAGA

Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens.... ... ....To the Gazan people — these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace - it can happen!

Despite the tremendous success that I have had as President, including perhaps the greatest ECONOMY and most successful first two years of any President in history, they have stolen two years of my (our) Presidency (Collusion Delusion) that we will never be able to get back..... ... .....The Witch Hunt is over but we will never forget. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Urban Dictionary is a treasure trove

Well that poll is backfiring. Let’s keep it up pedes!!

YouTube bans Tommy Robinson for talking about Muslim gangs sexually exploiting white girls, but I can go to YouTube and watch Muslims rapping about sexually exploiting white girls, and it was played by the BBC.

Just going to leave this handy chart here.

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Is it acceptable for the attorney general to say this?

When Democrats Are In Power...

Happy Cinco De Mayo Pedes!

Trump for 2020

Who would TRADE creepy non-human ZUCK for TOM? I hate reptilians.

Monday, May 6th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Three Nominations Sent to the Senate

President Trump Welcomes Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini of the Slovak Republic to the White House

President Trump Presents the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the U.S. Military Academy Football Team

President Trump Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

“Democrat Texas Congressman Al Green says impeachment is the only thing that can prevent President Trump from re-election in 2020.” @OANN In other words, Dems can’t win the election fairly. You can’t impeach a president for creating the best economy in our country’s history..... ... Also, there are “No High Crimes & Misdemeanors,” No Collusion, No Conspiracy, No Obstruction. ALL THE CRIMES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE, and that’s what the Dems should be looking at, but they won’t. Nevertheless, the tables are turning!

The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we’re not going to be doing that anymore!

Scott Walker is 100% correct when he says that the Republicans must WAKE UP to the Democrats State by State power grab. They play very dirty, actually, like never before. Don’t allow them to get away with what they are doing!

Just spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan concerning North Korea and Trade. Very good conversation!

Congratulations @ArmyWP_Football!

Today, it was my true honor to present the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy—for the second year in a row, to the @ArmyWP_Football Black Knights. Congratulations once again on your historic victories, and keep on making us proud!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Finally, some support for POTUS!

imagine if the parties were swapped

Pres. Trump Pardons Army Lt. Michael Behanna, Convicted Of Murdering Al-Qaeda Detainee

This 👇🏻

TRUMP: I WILL NEVER FORGIVE OBAMA FOR WHAT HE DID TO OUR MILITARY... AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IN THE FUTURE 😁

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Is it just me, or are things getting crazier out there?

Today on “They Asked, So I Answered”:

He’s still standing on the graves of his classmates for his own self serving purposes

Free Speech Cafe (No Conservatives Allowed)

I was asleep in 2016; this time I'm signing up for the meme war.

Tuesday, May 7th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration Posts

First Lady Melania Trump's Be Best Anniversary Celebration

Vice President Pence Delivers Remarks at the 49th Annual Washington Conference on the Americas

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Democrats in Congress must vote to close the terrible loopholes at the Southern Border. If not, harsh measures will have to be taken!

(Retweeting The White House) On the one year anniversary of @FLOTUS' initiative, Be Best, take a look back at some of the highlights! #BeBest

Congratulations @TigerWoods - you are truly one of a kind!

'Forgotten Man' Story: Under Trump, Red Counties Economically Thrive http://bit.ly/2VKPFNq via @BreitbartNews

He wants to impeach because they can’t win election. Sad!

I am pleased to inform you that THE BIG FIREWORKS, after many years of not having any, are coming back to beautiful Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Great work @GovKristiNoem and @SecBernhardt! #MAGA

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

CNN Contributor: ‘When a Woman Is Pregnant, That Is Not a Human Being inside of Her’

Steele's stunning pre-FISA confession: Informant needed to air Trump dirt before election 🤬

Over 35.4k upvotes and climbing on r/all. Good job pedes!

TWITTER Bans Account that Tracks and Reports on Epidemic of Violence Against Trump Supporters

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

This is serious

Looking forward to warmer weather. How about you?

Some people just can’t comprehend this

Careful lads, he's high on truth.

Wednesday, May 8th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to a Key Administration Post

Proclamation on Addressing Mass Migration Through the Southern Border of the United States

Executive Order on Imposing Sanctions with Respect to the Iron, Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Sectors of Iran

Vice President Pence Visits Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in Louisiana

President Trump Departs the White House in Marine One

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

McConnell Backs Trump: Mueller Report Is 'Case Closed' | Breitbart http://bit.ly/2VNaqIl via @BreitbartNews

The reason for the China pullback & attempted renegotiation of the Trade Deal is the sincere HOPE that they will be able to “negotiate” with Joe Biden or one of the very weak Democrats, and thereby continue to ripoff the United States (($500 Billion a year)) for years to come.... ... ...Guess what, that’s not going to happen! China has just informed us that they (Vice-Premier) are now coming to the U.S. to make a deal. We’ll see, but I am very happy with over $100 Billion a year in Tariffs filling U.S. coffers...great for U.S., not good for China!

“The real “Obstruction of Justice” is what the Democrats are trying to do to this Attorney General.” Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). @MariaBartiromo

“Shouldn’t 2015 and 2016 be revealed, how Intelligence Agencies, FBI, tried to sabotage a particular campaign - never been done before?” @SteveForbesCEO @MariaBartiromo

Big Court win at our Southern Border! We are getting there - and Wall is being built!

“Everyone wants to know who needs to be accountable, because it took up two years of our lives talking about this Russian involvement. It proved No Collusion, & people want to trace it back to see how this all happened?” @ainsleyearhardt @foxandfriends TREASONOUS HOAX!

“This British Spy, Christopher Steele, tried so hard to get this (the Fake Dossier) out before the Election. Why?” @kilmeade @foxandfriends

“CASE CLOSED!” @SenateMajLDR

Real estate developers in the 1980’s & 1990’s, more than 30 years ago, were entitled to massive write offs and depreciation which would, if one was actively building, show losses and tax losses in almost all cases. Much was non monetary. Sometimes considered “tax shelter,” ...... ... ....you would get it by building, or even buying. You always wanted to show losses for tax purposes....almost all real estate developers did - and often re-negotiate with banks, it was sport. Additionally, the very old information put out is a highly inaccurate Fake News hit job!

GREAT NEWS FOR OHIO! Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, who informed me that, subject to a UAW agreement etc., GM will be selling their beautiful Lordstown Plant to Workhorse, where they plan to build Electric Trucks. GM will also be spending $700,000,000 in Ohio... ... ....in 3 separate locations, creating another 450 jobs. I have been working nicely with GM to get this done. Thank you to Mary B, your GREAT Governor, and Senator Rob Portman. With all the car companies coming back, and much more, THE USA IS BOOMING!

Republicans shouldn’t vote for H.R. 312, a special interest casino Bill, backed by Elizabeth (Pocahontas) Warren. It is unfair and doesn’t treat Native Americans equally! 14,996 replies 18,369 retweets 69,053 likes

Our Nation grieves at the unspeakable violence that took a precious young life and badly injured others in Colorado. God be with the families and thank you to the First Responders for bravely intervening. We are in close contact with Law Enforcement.

Thank you @NewtGingrich & @FoxandFriends!

Getting ready to leave for one of my favorite places, the Florida Panhandle, where we’ve given, and are giving, billions of $$$ for the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael. Even though the Dems are totally in our way (they don’t want money to go there) we’re getting it done!

“The reality is, with the Tariffs, the economy has grown more rapidly in the United States and much more slowly in China.” Peter Morici, Former Chief Economist, USITC

Big announcement today: Drug companies have to come clean about their prices in TV ads. Historic transparency for American patients is here. If drug companies are ashamed of those prices—lower them!

Just landed in Panama City Beach, Florida for a rally beginning at 8:00 P.M. Eastern. Will be live on @FoxNews! #MAGA @tuckercarlson @seanhannity

Big crowds in Panama City Beach, Florida. See everyone in 30 minutes! @FoxNews @TuckerCarlson @SeanHannity

Beautiful evening in Panama City Beach, Florida. Thank you! #MAGA

MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

After a great rally in Panama City Beach, Florida - I am returning to Washington, D.C. with @SenRickScott and Senator @MarcoRubio, discussing the terrible abuses by Maduro. America stands with the GREAT PEOPLE of Venezuela for however long it takes!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

This young patriot bravely sacrificed his life to tackle a deranged school shooter yesterday. He stopped the gunfire, saving lives. Kendrick Castillo is a hero. You won’t see this on redacted because WE are the side that honors selflessness

BREAKING: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Warned UK PM Theresa May that if she allows Huawei Technologies into Britain's 5G, "U.S. will not share America’s national security secrets in a network we don’t have confidence in and is controlled by China"

FBI opened obstruction case against Trump before Mueller was appointed, court files show

Two young men, who did what was right. No matter what it took.

PRESS BRIEFINGS, INTERVIEWS, RALLIES:

Watch Party: President Donald J. Trump MAGA Rally Panama City Beach, FL 5/8/19

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Word of the day: "Baizuo"

Backfired

OMFG DED 😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀

Yes

Line for the Trump rally in Panama City Beach. Three and a half hours before the rally begins

Thursday, May 9th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

Proclamation on Military Spouse Day, 2019

President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individual to a Key Administration Post

President Trump Delivers Remarks on Ending Surprise Medical Billing

President Trump Welcomes the 2018 World Series Champions The Boston Red Sox to the White House

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost Testifies About the Border Crisis

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Great news today: My Administration just secured a historic donation of HIV prevention drugs from Gilead to help expand access to PrEP for the uninsured and those at risk. Will help us achieve our goal of ending the HIV epidemic in America!

Today, it was my honor to welcome the 2018 World Series Champion Boston @RedSox to the @WhiteHouse!

House Republicans should not vote for the BAD DEMOCRAT Disaster Supplemental Bill which hurts our States, Farmers & Border Security. Up for vote tomorrow. We want to do much better than this. All sides keep working and send a good BILL for immediate signing!

(Retweeting VP Mike Pence) Great to be at R&J Johnson Farms in Glyndon, Minnesota today! Since the earliest days of our administration, @POTUS has promised to keep fighting for our farmers - & that’s exactly what we’ve done!

(Retweeting The White House) President @realDonaldTrump hosted the 2018 World Series Champions, the Boston @RedSox, at the White House!

James Comey is a disgrace to the FBI & will go down as the worst Director in its long and once proud history. He brought the FBI down, almost all Republicans & Democrats thought he should be FIRED, but the FBI will regain greatness because of the great men & women who work there!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

BREAKING: Hillary Clinton’s campaign accepted large and illegal donation from the sex slave cult NXIVM

THE HILL: FBI's Steele story (completely) falls apart: False intel and media contacts were flagged before FISA

President Trump and his admin distributing AIDs preventing medicine to hundreds of thousands of people - why do I feel like Democrats will still find something to bitch about?

Senate Panel Approves Trump Nominee Jeffrey Rosen as Deputy AG

Trump to Nominate Patrick Shanahan as Defense Secretary

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

Yup.

One important takeaway from Google unpersoning us

Another nugget of gold from twitter:

Rosenstein's last day at DOJ is tomorrow. I got him a card. Who wants to sign it?

Got 'Em 👌

Friday, May 10th:

TODAY'S ACTION:

President Trump and The First Lady Participate in the Celebration of Military Mothers

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

We have lost 500 Billion Dollars a year, for many years, on Crazy Trade with China. NO MORE!

V.P. Mike Pence will be interviewed on @foxandfriends at 7:30 A.M. Enjoy!

Talks with China continue in a very congenial manner - there is absolutely no need to rush - as Tariffs are NOW being paid to the United States by China of 25% on 250 Billion Dollars worth of goods & products. These massive payments go directly to the Treasury of the U.S.... ... ....The process has begun to place additional Tariffs at 25% on the remaining 325 Billion Dollars. The U.S. only sells China approximately 100 Billion Dollars of goods & products, a very big imbalance. With the over 100 Billion Dollars in Tariffs that we take in, we will buy..... ... ....agricultural products from our Great Farmers, in larger amounts than China ever did, and ship it to poor & starving countries in the form of humanitarian assistance. In the meantime we will continue to negotiate with China in the hopes that they do not again try to redo deal!

Tariffs will bring in FAR MORE wealth to our Country than even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind. Also, much easier & quicker to do. Our Farmers will do better, faster, and starving nations can now be helped. Waivers on some products will be granted, or go to new source!

Tariffs will make our Country MUCH STRONGER, not weaker. Just sit back and watch! In the meantime, China should not renegotiate deals with the U.S. at the last minute. This is not the Obama Administration, or the Administration of Sleepy Joe, who let China get away with “murder!”

The average 401(k) balance has SOARED since the bottom of the market - 466%. Wow!

....If we bought 15 Billion Dollars of Agriculture from our Farmers, far more than China buys now, we would have more than 85 Billion Dollars left over for new Infrastructure, Healthcare, or anything else. China would greatly slow down, and we would automatically speed up!

Build your products in the United States and there are NO TARIFFS!

Your all time favorite President got tired of waiting for China to help out and start buying from our FARMERS, the greatest anywhere in the World!

Great Consumer Price Index just out. Really good, very low inflation! We have a great chance to “really rock!” Good numbers all around.

Looks to me like it’s going to be SleepyCreepy Joe over Crazy Bernie. Everyone else is fading fast!

“We have been engaged in an unfair relationship with China for a long time. They have reneged on the commitments they made to the WTO, particularly around intellectual property.” Carly Fiorina @MariaBartiromo

Great Republican vote today on Disaster Relief Bill. We will now work out a bipartisan solution that gets relief for our great States and Farmers. Thank you to all. Get me a Bill that I can quickly sign!

Over the course of the past two days, the United States and China have held candid and constructive conversations on the status of the trade relationship between both countries. The relationship between President Xi and myself remains a very strong one, and conversations.... ... ....into the future will continue. In the meantime, the United States has imposed Tariffs on China, which may or may not be removed depending on what happens with respect to future negotiations!

Military spouses share an admirable legacy of unwavering devotion to their loved ones in uniform and to the cause of freedom. On Military Spouse Day, we honor our Nation’s military spouses and express our deep appreciation for all that they do!

Build your products in the United States and there are NO TARIFFS!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

He did it..Name change

This is the funniest damn thing I’ve read today! The left is so triggered over this!

Giuliani will travel to Ukraine, saying country's probes may be 'very, very helpful' for Trump

Biden goes crazy. Backs health care for illegal immigrants, says 'we have an obligation' to provide it

JUDICIAL WATCH: New Records Reveal Obama White House Paranoid, Tracking FOIA Request For Hillary Clinton Emails

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

"SSSHHHH....just keep playing..."

HA

Babylon Bee with the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Lock. Him. Up.

Movie posters we really want to see..

Saturday, May 11th:

🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:

Such an easy way to avoid Tariffs? Make or produce your goods and products in the good old USA. It’s very simple!

SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:

Another false #metoo, but this time it ends in death.

President Trump: It would be 'appropriate' for me to talk to DOJ about investigating Biden

Comey: It’s ‘Totally Normal’ To Plant People Near Political Campaigns

Red Sox fans hanged a "Trump 2020" banner over Fenway Park tonight

Trump’s ‘Uplifting’ Letter To Cancer Patient Meets With Hateful Response From Libtards On Twitter

🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:

It's Now A Neck and Neck Race

The Ultimate Red-Pilling

OVER TARGET! Dems and fake news are shitting themselves over Guliani going to the Ukraine. They're calling for investigation into Guliani, and ignoring the the Ukrainian investigation into Bidens. Even Fox cut off Guliani when he tried talking about Biden. Guliani connecting Steele with Ukraine now.

Just spit out my coffee from laughing so hard.

WEEEEW LAD!

Without further ado, some tunes to get you jamming through all this winning:

Feels

My Song

Promises

American Girl

You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth

MAGA ON PATRIOTS!

submitted by /u/Ivaginaryfriend [link] [comments]

[robgrayofficial]

HAPPPPY SATURDAY DEPLORABLES!!I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend so far! This is u/Ivaginaryfriend and I'm here to deliver everything spicy & dank from the past week! If you happened to miss any past recaps you can catch those here!Sunday, May 5th:🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:I am pleased to inform all of those that believe in a strong, fair and sound Immigration Policy that Mark Morgan will be joining the Trump Administration as the head of our hard working men and women of ICE. Mark is a true believer and American Patriot. He will do a great job!The Kentucky Derby decision was not a good one. It was a rough & tumble race on a wet and sloppy track, actually, a beautiful thing to watch. Only in these days of political correctness could such an overturn occur. The best horse did NOT win the Kentucky Derby - not even close!For 10 months, China has been paying Tariffs to the USA of 25% on 50 Billion Dollars of High Tech, and 10% on 200 Billion Dollars of other goods. These payments are partially responsible for our great economic results. The 10% will go up to 25% on Friday. 325 Billions Dollars.... ... ....of additional goods sent to us by China remain untaxed, but will be shortly, at a rate of 25%. The Tariffs paid to the USA have had little impact on product cost, mostly borne by China. The Trade Deal with China continues, but too slowly, as they attempt to renegotiate. No!After spending more than $35,000,000 over a two year period, interviewing 500 people, using 18 Trump Hating Angry Democrats & 49 FBI Agents - all culminating in a more than 400 page Report showing NO COLLUSION - why would the Democrats in Congress now need Robert Mueller....... ... ....to testify. Are they looking for a redo because they hated seeing the strong NO COLLUSION conclusion? There was no crime, except on the other side (incredibly not covered in the Report), and NO OBSTRUCTION. Bob Mueller should not testify. No redos for the Dems!“The Report sounded an awful lot as being Comeyesque, in other words, I’m not going to charge this person (there wasn’t even close to being a crime), but I’m going to criticize him on the way out the door. That’s unfortunate because it’s stepping outside of the role.” Robert Ray“This is not Congressional Oversight, this is bullying.” Jason Riley, The Wall Street JournalPending the confirmation of Mark Morgan as our Nation’s new ICE Director, Matt Albence will serve in the role of Acting Director. Matt is tough and dedicated and has my full support to deploy ICE to the maximum extent of the law! #MAGAOnce again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens.... ... ....To the Gazan people — these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace - it can happen!Despite the tremendous success that I have had as President, including perhaps the greatest ECONOMY and most successful first two years of any President in history, they have stolen two years of my (our) Presidency (Collusion Delusion) that we will never be able to get back..... ... .....The Witch Hunt is over but we will never forget. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Urban Dictionary is a treasure troveWell that poll is backfiring. Let’s keep it up pedes!!YouTube bans Tommy Robinson for talking about Muslim gangs sexually exploiting white girls, but I can go to YouTube and watch Muslims rapping about sexually exploiting white girls, and it was played by the BBC.Just going to leave this handy chart here.🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Is it acceptable for the attorney general to say this?When Democrats Are In Power...Happy Cinco De Mayo Pedes!Trump for 2020Who would TRADE creepy non-human ZUCK for TOM? I hate reptilians.Monday, May 6th:TODAY'S ACTION:Three Nominations Sent to the SenatePresident Trump Welcomes Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini of the Slovak Republic to the White HousePresident Trump Presents the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the U.S. Military Academy Football TeamPresident Trump Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Tiger Woods🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:“Democrat Texas Congressman Al Green says impeachment is the only thing that can prevent President Trump from re-election in 2020.” @OANN In other words, Dems can’t win the election fairly. You can’t impeach a president for creating the best economy in our country’s history..... ... Also, there are “No High Crimes & Misdemeanors,” No Collusion, No Conspiracy, No Obstruction. ALL THE CRIMES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE, and that’s what the Dems should be looking at, but they won’t. Nevertheless, the tables are turning!The United States has been losing, for many years, 600 to 800 Billion Dollars a year on Trade. With China we lose 500 Billion Dollars. Sorry, we’re not going to be doing that anymore!Scott Walker is 100% correct when he says that the Republicans must WAKE UP to the Democrats State by State power grab. They play very dirty, actually, like never before. Don’t allow them to get away with what they are doing!Just spoke to Prime Minister Abe of Japan concerning North Korea and Trade. Very good conversation!Congratulations @ArmyWP_Football!Today, it was my true honor to present the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy—for the second year in a row, to the @ArmyWP_Football Black Knights. Congratulations once again on your historic victories, and keep on making us proud!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Finally, some support for POTUS!imagine if the parties were swappedPres. Trump Pardons Army Lt. Michael Behanna, Convicted Of Murdering Al-Qaeda DetaineeThis 👇🏻TRUMP: I WILL NEVER FORGIVE OBAMA FOR WHAT HE DID TO OUR MILITARY... AND MANY OTHER THINGS THAT I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT IN THE FUTURE 😁🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Is it just me, or are things getting crazier out there?Today on “They Asked, So I Answered”:He’s still standing on the graves of his classmates for his own self serving purposesFree Speech Cafe (No Conservatives Allowed)I was asleep in 2016; this time I'm signing up for the meme war.Tuesday, May 7th:TODAY'S ACTION:President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate and Appoint Personnel to Key Administration PostsFirst Lady Melania Trump's Be Best Anniversary CelebrationVice President Pence Delivers Remarks at the 49th Annual Washington Conference on the Americas🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Democrats in Congress must vote to close the terrible loopholes at the Southern Border. If not, harsh measures will have to be taken!(Retweeting The White House) On the one year anniversary of @FLOTUS' initiative, Be Best, take a look back at some of the highlights! #BeBestCongratulations @TigerWoods - you are truly one of a kind!'Forgotten Man' Story: Under Trump, Red Counties Economically Thrive http://bit.ly/2VKPFNq via @BreitbartNewsHe wants to impeach because they can’t win election. Sad!I am pleased to inform you that THE BIG FIREWORKS, after many years of not having any, are coming back to beautiful Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. Great work @GovKristiNoem and @SecBernhardt! #MAGASIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:CNN Contributor: ‘When a Woman Is Pregnant, That Is Not a Human Being inside of Her’Steele's stunning pre-FISA confession: Informant needed to air Trump dirt before election 🤬Over 35.4k upvotes and climbing on r/all. Good job pedes!TWITTER Bans Account that Tracks and Reports on Epidemic of Violence Against Trump Supporters🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:This is seriousLooking forward to warmer weather. How about you?Some people just can’t comprehend thisCareful lads, he's high on truth.Wednesday, May 8th:TODAY'S ACTION:President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Nominate Individual to a Key Administration PostProclamation on Addressing Mass Migration Through the Southern Border of the United StatesExecutive Order on Imposing Sanctions with Respect to the Iron, Steel, Aluminum, and Copper Sectors of IranVice President Pence Visits Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in LouisianaPresident Trump Departs the White House in Marine One🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:McConnell Backs Trump: Mueller Report Is 'Case Closed' | Breitbart http://bit.ly/2VNaqIl via @BreitbartNewsThe reason for the China pullback & attempted renegotiation of the Trade Deal is the sincere HOPE that they will be able to “negotiate” with Joe Biden or one of the very weak Democrats, and thereby continue to ripoff the United States (($500 Billion a year)) for years to come.... ... ...Guess what, that’s not going to happen! China has just informed us that they (Vice-Premier) are now coming to the U.S. to make a deal. We’ll see, but I am very happy with over $100 Billion a year in Tariffs filling U.S. coffers...great for U.S., not good for China!“The real “Obstruction of Justice” is what the Democrats are trying to do to this Attorney General.” Congressman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). @MariaBartiromo“Shouldn’t 2015 and 2016 be revealed, how Intelligence Agencies, FBI, tried to sabotage a particular campaign - never been done before?” @SteveForbesCEO @MariaBartiromoBig Court win at our Southern Border! We are getting there - and Wall is being built!“Everyone wants to know who needs to be accountable, because it took up two years of our lives talking about this Russian involvement. It proved No Collusion, & people want to trace it back to see how this all happened?” @ainsleyearhardt @foxandfriends TREASONOUS HOAX!“This British Spy, Christopher Steele, tried so hard to get this (the Fake Dossier) out before the Election. Why?” @kilmeade @foxandfriends“CASE CLOSED!” @SenateMajLDRReal estate developers in the 1980’s & 1990’s, more than 30 years ago, were entitled to massive write offs and depreciation which would, if one was actively building, show losses and tax losses in almost all cases. Much was non monetary. Sometimes considered “tax shelter,” ...... ... ....you would get it by building, or even buying. You always wanted to show losses for tax purposes....almost all real estate developers did - and often re-negotiate with banks, it was sport. Additionally, the very old information put out is a highly inaccurate Fake News hit job!GREAT NEWS FOR OHIO! Just spoke to Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors, who informed me that, subject to a UAW agreement etc., GM will be selling their beautiful Lordstown Plant to Workhorse, where they plan to build Electric Trucks. GM will also be spending $700,000,000 in Ohio... ... ....in 3 separate locations, creating another 450 jobs. I have been working nicely with GM to get this done. Thank you to Mary B, your GREAT Governor, and Senator Rob Portman. With all the car companies coming back, and much more, THE USA IS BOOMING!Republicans shouldn’t vote for H.R. 312, a special interest casino Bill, backed by Elizabeth (Pocahontas) Warren. It is unfair and doesn’t treat Native Americans equally! 14,996 replies 18,369 retweets 69,053 likesOur Nation grieves at the unspeakable violence that took a precious young life and badly injured others in Colorado. God be with the families and thank you to the First Responders for bravely intervening. We are in close contact with Law Enforcement.Thank you @NewtGingrich & @FoxandFriends!Getting ready to leave for one of my favorite places, the Florida Panhandle, where we’ve given, and are giving, billions of $$$ for the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael. Even though the Dems are totally in our way (they don’t want money to go there) we’re getting it done!“The reality is, with the Tariffs, the economy has grown more rapidly in the United States and much more slowly in China.” Peter Morici, Former Chief Economist, USITCBig announcement today: Drug companies have to come clean about their prices in TV ads. Historic transparency for American patients is here. If drug companies are ashamed of those prices—lower them!Just landed in Panama City Beach, Florida for a rally beginning at 8:00 P.M. Eastern. Will be live on @FoxNews! #MAGA @tuckercarlson @seanhannityBig crowds in Panama City Beach, Florida. See everyone in 30 minutes! @FoxNews @TuckerCarlson @SeanHannityBeautiful evening in Panama City Beach, Florida. Thank you! #MAGAMAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!After a great rally in Panama City Beach, Florida - I am returning to Washington, D.C. with @SenRickScott and Senator @MarcoRubio, discussing the terrible abuses by Maduro. America stands with the GREAT PEOPLE of Venezuela for however long it takes!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:This young patriot bravely sacrificed his life to tackle a deranged school shooter yesterday. He stopped the gunfire, saving lives. Kendrick Castillo is a hero. You won’t see this on redacted because WE are the side that honors selflessnessBREAKING: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Warned UK PM Theresa May that if she allows Huawei Technologies into Britain's 5G, "U.S. will not share America’s national security secrets in a network we don’t have confidence in and is controlled by China"FBI opened obstruction case against Trump before Mueller was appointed, court files showTwo young men, who did what was right. No matter what it took.PRESS BRIEFINGS, INTERVIEWS, RALLIES:Watch Party: President Donald J. Trump MAGA Rally Panama City Beach, FL 5/8/19🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Word of the day: "Baizuo"BackfiredOMFG DED 😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀YesLine for the Trump rally in Panama City Beach. Three and a half hours before the rally beginsThursday, May 9th:TODAY'S ACTION:Proclamation on Military Spouse Day, 2019President Donald J. Trump Announces Intent to Appoint Individual to a Key Administration PostPresident Trump Delivers Remarks on Ending Surprise Medical BillingPresident Trump Welcomes the 2018 World Series Champions The Boston Red Sox to the White HouseU.S. Border Patrol Chief Carla Provost Testifies About the Border Crisis🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Great news today: My Administration just secured a historic donation of HIV prevention drugs from Gilead to help expand access to PrEP for the uninsured and those at risk. Will help us achieve our goal of ending the HIV epidemic in America!Today, it was my honor to welcome the 2018 World Series Champion Boston @RedSox to the @WhiteHouse!House Republicans should not vote for the BAD DEMOCRAT Disaster Supplemental Bill which hurts our States, Farmers & Border Security. Up for vote tomorrow. We want to do much better than this. All sides keep working and send a good BILL for immediate signing!(Retweeting VP Mike Pence) Great to be at R&J Johnson Farms in Glyndon, Minnesota today! Since the earliest days of our administration, @POTUS has promised to keep fighting for our farmers - & that’s exactly what we’ve done!(Retweeting The White House) President @realDonaldTrump hosted the 2018 World Series Champions, the Boston @RedSox, at the White House!James Comey is a disgrace to the FBI & will go down as the worst Director in its long and once proud history. He brought the FBI down, almost all Republicans & Democrats thought he should be FIRED, but the FBI will regain greatness because of the great men & women who work there!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:BREAKING: Hillary Clinton’s campaign accepted large and illegal donation from the sex slave cult NXIVMTHE HILL: FBI's Steele story (completely) falls apart: False intel and media contacts were flagged before FISAPresident Trump and his admin distributing AIDs preventing medicine to hundreds of thousands of people - why do I feel like Democrats will still find something to bitch about?Senate Panel Approves Trump Nominee Jeffrey Rosen as Deputy AGTrump to Nominate Patrick Shanahan as Defense Secretary🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:Yup.One important takeaway from Google unpersoning usAnother nugget of gold from twitter:Rosenstein's last day at DOJ is tomorrow. I got him a card. Who wants to sign it?Got 'Em 👌Friday, May 10th:TODAY'S ACTION:President Trump and The First Lady Participate in the Celebration of Military Mothers🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:We have lost 500 Billion Dollars a year, for many years, on Crazy Trade with China. NO MORE!V.P. Mike Pence will be interviewed on @foxandfriends at 7:30 A.M. Enjoy!Talks with China continue in a very congenial manner - there is absolutely no need to rush - as Tariffs are NOW being paid to the United States by China of 25% on 250 Billion Dollars worth of goods & products. These massive payments go directly to the Treasury of the U.S.... ... ....The process has begun to place additional Tariffs at 25% on the remaining 325 Billion Dollars. The U.S. only sells China approximately 100 Billion Dollars of goods & products, a very big imbalance. With the over 100 Billion Dollars in Tariffs that we take in, we will buy..... ... ....agricultural products from our Great Farmers, in larger amounts than China ever did, and ship it to poor & starving countries in the form of humanitarian assistance. In the meantime we will continue to negotiate with China in the hopes that they do not again try to redo deal!Tariffs will bring in FAR MORE wealth to our Country than even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind. Also, much easier & quicker to do. Our Farmers will do better, faster, and starving nations can now be helped. Waivers on some products will be granted, or go to new source!Tariffs will make our Country MUCH STRONGER, not weaker. Just sit back and watch! In the meantime, China should not renegotiate deals with the U.S. at the last minute. This is not the Obama Administration, or the Administration of Sleepy Joe, who let China get away with “murder!”The average 401(k) balance has SOARED since the bottom of the market - 466%. Wow!....If we bought 15 Billion Dollars of Agriculture from our Farmers, far more than China buys now, we would have more than 85 Billion Dollars left over for new Infrastructure, Healthcare, or anything else. China would greatly slow down, and we would automatically speed up!Build your products in the United States and there are NO TARIFFS!Your all time favorite President got tired of waiting for China to help out and start buying from our FARMERS, the greatest anywhere in the World!Great Consumer Price Index just out. Really good, very low inflation! We have a great chance to “really rock!” Good numbers all around.Looks to me like it’s going to be SleepyCreepy Joe over Crazy Bernie. Everyone else is fading fast!“We have been engaged in an unfair relationship with China for a long time. They have reneged on the commitments they made to the WTO, particularly around intellectual property.” Carly Fiorina @MariaBartiromoGreat Republican vote today on Disaster Relief Bill. We will now work out a bipartisan solution that gets relief for our great States and Farmers. Thank you to all. Get me a Bill that I can quickly sign!Over the course of the past two days, the United States and China have held candid and constructive conversations on the status of the trade relationship between both countries. The relationship between President Xi and myself remains a very strong one, and conversations.... ... ....into the future will continue. In the meantime, the United States has imposed Tariffs on China, which may or may not be removed depending on what happens with respect to future negotiations!Military spouses share an admirable legacy of unwavering devotion to their loved ones in uniform and to the cause of freedom. On Military Spouse Day, we honor our Nation’s military spouses and express our deep appreciation for all that they do!Build your products in the United States and there are NO TARIFFS!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:He did it..Name changeThis is the funniest damn thing I’ve read today! The left is so triggered over this!Giuliani will travel to Ukraine, saying country's probes may be 'very, very helpful' for TrumpBiden goes crazy. Backs health care for illegal immigrants, says 'we have an obligation' to provide itJUDICIAL WATCH: New Records Reveal Obama White House Paranoid, Tracking FOIA Request For Hillary Clinton Emails🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:"SSSHHHH....just keep playing..."HABabylon Bee with the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️Lock. Him. Up.Movie posters we really want to see..Saturday, May 11th:🔥🔥TRUMP TWEETS🔥🔥:Such an easy way to avoid Tariffs? Make or produce your goods and products in the good old USA. It’s very simple!SIGNIFICANT TWEETS AND NEWS:Another false #metoo, but this time it ends in death.President Trump: It would be 'appropriate' for me to talk to DOJ about investigating BidenComey: It’s ‘Totally Normal’ To Plant People Near Political CampaignsRed Sox fans hanged a "Trump 2020" banner over Fenway Park tonightTrump’s ‘Uplifting’ Letter To Cancer Patient Meets With Hateful Response From Libtards On Twitter🐸 TOP SPICE OF THE DAY 🐸:It's Now A Neck and Neck RaceThe Ultimate Red-PillingOVER TARGET! Dems and fake news are shitting themselves over Guliani going to the Ukraine. They're calling for investigation into Guliani, and ignoring the the Ukrainian investigation into Bidens. Even Fox cut off Guliani when he tried talking about Biden. Guliani connecting Steele with Ukraine now.Just spit out my coffee from laughing so hard.WEEEEW LAD!Without further ado, some tunes to get you jamming through all this winning:FeelsMy SongPromisesAmerican GirlYou Took the Words Right Out of My MouthMAGA ON PATRIOTS! #robgray

[global-news-station]

BRATISLAVA: The election of Zuzana Caputova as Slovakia’s first woman president was hailed Sunday as a vote for change, with the anti-graft activist expected to provide a check on a government tarnished after last year’s murder of a journalist.

The 45-year-old environmental lawyer’s clear victory Saturday over the ruling party’s candidate was a blow to the populist-left Smer-SD — the largest grouping in parliament — and could spell trouble for them in the EU elections and next year’s general vote.

She is a relative political newcomer known for taking part in mass anti-government protests last year after the shootings of investigative journalist Jan Kuciak and his fiancee. The uproar toppled the then-premier.

Caputova won 58.4 percent of the vote according to a final tally of results released Sunday, compared with 41.6 percent for her ruling party rival, EU energy commissioner Maros Sefcovic.

“A candidate embodying democratic forces has won, and Sefcovic, who was a symbol of continuity, has lost,” analyst Grigorij Meseznikov told AFP.

Headlines from the country’s newspapers on Sunday suggested the vote was a fresh start for the central European nation of 5.4 million.

“Zuzana Caputova gives us hope but the real fight will only come now,” said Dennik N, a leading opposition daily.

European Council President Donald Tusk congratulated Caputova Sunday, tweeting: “A strong vote, at the heart of Europe, for decency in politics, rule of law and tolerance.”

Caputova ran on the slogan of “Stand up to evil” but made a point of keeping her rhetoric measured.

“Let us look for what connects us. Let us promote cooperation above personal interests,” she said as the results rolled in.

The office of president is largely ceremonial, but the role does involve ratifying international treaties, appointing top judges. The president is commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can veto laws passed by parliament.

Analyst Aneta Vilagi predicted Caputova would “engage in a purposeful confrontation with the government… rather than become an opposition president criticising everything the ruling coalition does”.

Yet “she will represent a stronger system of checks and balances in relation to the government than Sefcovic would have”.

‘Justice for all’

Caputova, who will be sworn in on June 15, is no stranger to tough battles. She is known for having successfully blocked a planned landfill in her hometown of Pezinok after a decade-long grassroots campaign.

She was also one of the tens of thousands of protesters who took to the streets after Kuciak’s death in February 2018.

The journalist had been preparing to publish a story on alleged ties between Slovak politicians and the Italian mafia.

The killings forced then prime minister Robert Fico to resign but he remains the Smer-SD’s leader and is a close ally of the current premier.

Five people have been charged, including a millionaire businessman with alleged Smer-SD ties who is suspected of ordering the murders over Kuciak’s investigation into his activity.

Speaking to AFP on the campaign trail, Caputova said she would “initiate systematic changes that would deprive prosecutors and the police of political influence.”

In addition to fighting for justice for all, Caputova had promised better care for the elderly and environmental protection.

Fresh approach

Teacher Iveta Rabelyova stated that “Caputova has challenged the typical image of a top politician: she is a woman, divorced, a political novice.”

“It is a good feeling that our citizens chose someone who breaks all these stereotypes,” the 34-year-old told AFP.

“Women are under-represented at top-level posts, this might begin to change now,” added the resident of the southern town of Komarno.

Many Slovaks who voted for Sefcovic had said the important position necessitated a man, yet “Caputova won despite her sex” according to analyst Vilagi.

She had been “a strong opponent to Sefcovic more because of her story, her personality, values,” Vilagi told AFP.

Caputova also won in conservative, Catholic Slovakia despite being openly pro-choice and promoting greater rights for same-sex couples.

Sefcovic had tried to use that liberal stance to his advantage by stressing traditional family values on the campaign trail, appealing to voters “who insist that Slovakia remain a Christian country.”

But according to official statistics, Caputova not only won over big-city voters but she also took the lead for the more conservative rural electorate, if by a slim margin.

Yet fewer than 42 percent of eligible voters chose to cast a ballot — compared to 50 percent at the last presidential run-off — suggesting that Caputova’s idea of change was not to the liking of everyone fed up with the main political players.

  The post Slovakia gets first woman president appeared first on ARYNEWS.

https://ift.tt/2K45la2

[mariacallous]

Tens of thousands of people filled Prague’s iconic Wenceslas Square on Sept. 28 to demand help from the government amid an energy crisis that has sent household bills skyrocketing beyond the pale for many. Their fears are being exploited by extremist fringe political forces that called for an end to the Czech Republic’s support for Ukraine and for talks with Russia to resume gas deliveries.

Senior Czech officials, such as Parliament Speaker Marketa Pekarova Adamova, who suggested that people facing high energy bills turn their heat down and put on a sweater this winter, are warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin is using his leverage over Europe’s energy supply to create panic and test the resolve of the population.

The protests are a sign that, in Central Europe, the Kremlin’s strategy is working.

Moscow has been waging an energy war against Europe for months, allegedly in response to the West’s sanctions regime. Putin suggested that he could halt all supplies to leave Europe to “freeze” through the winter. “We will not supply anything at all if it contradicts our interests,” he said.

It’s a palpable pressure point—and one that the Kremlin is likely to try to press on harder as Kyiv calls for allies to accelerate arms deliveries in a bid to extend its military advances. So far, the Kremlin’s energy war has failed to get Western countries to walk back their support for Ukraine, and Central and Eastern European states are among Ukraine’s staunchest supporters.

But the Czech Republic and Slovakia are on the front lines of the energy war, and the risk of domestic political instability is growing as prices and fears of winter shortages soar. Despite remaining firm for now, there is a risk that this could weaken their support for Ukraine.

Provoking political instability in the West is one of the Kremlin’s favorite interests. U.S. reports claim Moscow has pumped $300 million into the effort since 2014. Alongside disinformation campaigns and election interference, Putin now has a new tactic for sowing political discord: energy warfare.

As a means of causing political turmoil, energy warfare is working. It has helped send inflation skyrocketing across Europe. Governments are scrambling to secure alternative supplies, and the worst-case scenario—that Russia will shut off the gas taps completely during the winter heating season—threatens severe disruption.

Central and Eastern Europe are the most vulnerable of Europe’s regions to Putin’s tactics due to their lower economic development and high dependence on Russian energy. Last year, Russian gas accounted for 55 percent of Czech gas consumption, 68 percent of Slovak gas consumption, and 79 percent of Bulgarian gas consumption.

In an effort to depend less on Russia, these countries have attempted to outsource their gas suppliers. The Czechs recently bought into a new liquified natural gas platform in the Netherlands and are hoping that fuel from Norway and Belgium will help make up for shortages from the East. Slovakia has also expanded its network of suppliers and, having opened a new link to Poland, should be able to tap some gas, which is set to start arriving via a new Polish link to Norway.

Yet even as the Baltic Pipe opened on Sept. 27, Russia’s giant Nord Stream 1 and 2 pipelines were attacked, raising the likelihood that most European Union states will receive no Russian gas at all this winter. Central Europe’s rerouting efforts may not be enough.

As a result, predictions of rationing, industrial shutdowns, and deep recession stalk the region. Vulnerable households facing energy bills that have virtually doubled over the past 12 months and amid double-digit inflation increasingly fear that they’ll struggle to keep the heat on, and doubt is growing over the readiness of governments to help.

Bulgaria’s pro-Western government has already fallen victim to these domestic worries, which resulted in a no-confidence vote that removed Prime Minister Kiril Petkov from office—leaving the door open for illiberal, pro-Russia parties to potentially fill the vacuum.

Weaponizing its leverage over the country’s gas supplies, Russia cut Bulgaria off completely in April. In line with the Kremlin’s playbook, Sofia now looks to be slipping back under the influence of Russian gas giant Gazprom.

Similar instability now threatens the Czech and Slovak governments, as anti-establishment, pro-Russian parties seek to take advantage of voters who fear they could soon be priced out of heating their homes.

Slovakia’s governing coalition collapsed at the start of September following months of vicious infighting sparked by a row over a scheme of state support for households facing prices that, in August, helped push inflation to 14 percent in annual terms. That leaves the government looking precarious as it limps on shorn of a majority in parliament, and a collapse is not unlikely as the pressure persists.

Illiberal forces are doing their best to raise the stakes in Bratislava. Former Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, a populist strongman who dominated Slovak politics until he lost power two years ago in the wake of the assassination of a journalist, and who has been accused of running an organized crime group from the premier’s office, is pushing to tip what remains of the government over the edge. He launched a petition calling for a snap election, which has been referred to the country’s Constitutional Court.

Should Fico manage to force early elections and push the country’s leading opposition party, the Democracy-Slovak Social Democracy (Smer) party, into power, he will have a chance to bury charges that he used police and tax authorities to attack political rivals. Neo-Nazi parties, such as Republika, are supporting Fico’s call for a snap vote.

The threat that Fico poses to Slovakia’s democracy and the country’s pro-Western credentials is palpable. Fresh from leading anti-vaccine protests during the pandemic, he has demanded an end to Bratislava’s support for Ukraine and compared the stationing of NATO troops in the country with its occupation during World War II.

He’s been blacklisted by Ukraine for his pro-Kremlin stance, but many Slovaks, half of whom are reportedly rooting for Russia, enjoy his anti-Western rants. That has the nominally center-left Smer maintaining support significantly higher than that of its center-right rivals in the coalition.

“The effects of the war in Ukraine and the energy and inflation crisis are helping to weaken the liberal bloc,” Grigorij Meseznikov at the Bratislava-based Institute for Public Affairs told Foreign Policy. “And that is encouraging Fico to try to trigger an election.”

In the Czech Republic, the five-party coalition government has also started to feel the heat from vulnerable demographics of society who fear they could end up freezing this winter. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala was surprised by a crowd of 70,000 people who gathered in Prague on Sept. 3 to protest his center-right government’s sluggish response to the energy crisis. The premier criticized the leaders of the protest even as he continues to struggle to reassure worried householders that the state will catch them if they fall.

To little avail, the governing parties—whose outspoken support for Ukraine has helped reassert Prague’s credentials among NATO and EU partners—have been headed south in the polls since inflation began to bite in the spring.

Data suggests that the percentage of Czechs living below the poverty line is rising dramatically, with eye-watering energy prices helping to push inflation above 17 percent in August. Combined with state aid for 350,000 Ukrainian refugees and widespread disinformation, Lenka Bustikova, an associate professor at the University of Oxford and analyst for the Center for European Policy Analysis, cautions that these conditions have “created an ideal breeding ground for the politics of resentment.”

Support for Russia appears to be less widespread in the Czech Republic than in Slovakia. Most people attending the Prague protests are unlikely to agree with the pro-Kremlin agenda put forward by organizers due to historical reasons. “Support for Ukraine and the refugees remains strong despite the lengthening time of war,” said Ondrej Kopecny, a sociologist and head of Transparency International Czech Republic. “The invasion by Warsaw Pact troops in 1968 plays a role in that, and the data suggests that those opposed to helping Ukraine is 10 to 15 percent at most.”

Many have a wary eye on January’s presidential vote, for which populist Andrej Babis—a former prime minister currently on trial for fraud—is a front-runner.

But it’s not only populism waiting in the wings: Extremist anti-establishment parties also lurk, hoping to ride Putin’s coattails to secure parliamentary seats and plug their far-right, illiberal, and pro-Russian agendas into policy. A double-dip recession under a center-right government’s austerity measures “led directly to the rise of Babis and [departing pro-Russian Czech President] Milos Zeman,” said Ondrej Houska, an editor at the Hospodarske noviny newspaper.

“The health of Czech liberal democracy—and its historic role as a bulwark against the onslaught of illiberalism in Central and Eastern Europe—depends on the ability of the government to address economic fears and anger over political exclusion,” said Petra Guasti, an associate professor at Prague’s Charles University. “It will take more than a sweater.”

[usnewsaggregator-blog]

Second-Richest Man in Czech Republic Sweeps To Poll Victory

New Post has been published on http://usnewsaggregator.com/second-richest-man-in-czech-republic-sweeps-to-poll-victory/

Second-Richest Man in Czech Republic Sweeps To Poll Victory

PRAGUE — A centrist movement led by populist Andrej Babis decisively won the Czech Republic’s parliamentary election Saturday in a vote that shifted the country to the right and paved the way for the billionaire to become its next prime minister.

Babis — who is the country’s second-richest man, with a media empire including two major newspapers and a popular radio station — won in a landslide.

With all votes counted, the Czech Statistics Office said his ANO party had won 29.6 percent of the vote, or 78 of the 200 seats in the lower house of Parliament.

Andrej Babis, Slovak-born billionaire and leader of the ANO movement, speaks next to his wife Monika, after the first results prognosis of Czech parliamentary elections in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday. FILIP SINGER / EPA

“It’s a huge success,” the 63-year-old Babis told supporters and journalists at his headquarters in Prague.

Although he was a finance minister in the outgoing government until May, many Czechs see him as a maverick outsider with the business acumen to shake up the system. With slogans claiming he can easily fix the country’s problems, he is, for some, the Czech answer to U.S. President Donald Trump.

Since the leader of the strongest party usually gets to form a new government, Babis could be the country’s next leader despite being linked to several scandals — including being charged by police with fraud linked to European Union subsidies.

The charges will likely make it difficult for Babis to find the coalition partners he needs to build a parliamentary majority. He didn’t immediately say which parties he preferred but has invited all parties that won seats in parliament for talks.

In a blow to the country’s political elite, four of the top five vote-getting parties Saturday had challenged the traditional political mainstream.

The Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party, whose leader wants to quit the EU and urged Czechs to walk pigs near mosques and stop eating kebabs, won just under 10.7 percent of the vote, potentially giving it a chance to influence how the next government is formed.

The far-right party was set up in 2015 by Tomio Okamura, a half-Japanese entrepreneur who made his name by creating an off-beat travel agency for cuddly toys before entering politics.

“We want to stop any Islamization of the Czech Republic, we push for zero tolerance of migration,” Okamura told reporters after the results were called, bringing the SPD almost neck-and-neck with two other parties who were runners-up to Babis’s ANO party.

Okamura was first elected to the lower house for the Dawn party in 2013 but was later ousted in a spat over irregularities in party finances.

The leader of Freedom and Direct Democracy (SPD) party Tomio Okamura speaks during a press conference at the party’s election headquarters after the country’s parliamentary elections in Prague, Czech Republic, on Saturday. STRINGER / Reuters

This time around, the entrepreneur pounced on anti-foreigner feeling that has soared in the nation of 10.6 million, despite record-low unemployment, growing wages and relatively little immigration.

Other outside parties also did well squeezing the traditional political mainstream. The Social Democrats, the senior party in the outgoing government, captured only 7.3 percent — 15 seats — while the Christian Democrats, part of the ruling coalition, won only 5.8 percent support or 10 seats.

“It’s a voting hurricane,” analyst Michal Klima told the Czech television, referring to the poor results for the mainstream parties.

Babis’ centrist movement stormed Czech politics four years ago, finishing a surprising second with an anti-corruption message. Babis has also been critical of the EU and opposes setting a date for when his country would adopt the shared euro currency.

Like most Czech parties, ANO also rejects accepting refugees under the EU’s quota system.

But Babis played down his euroskeptic views after his victory.

“We’re oriented on Europe,” he said. “We’re not a threat for democracy. I’m ready to fight for our interests in Brussels. We’re a firm part of the European Union. We’re a firm part of NATO.”

Still, some experts saw a strong shift to the right for the Czech Republic if Babis works out a coalition government with the SPD.

“Should [Babis] join forces with Okamura, the Czech Republic would be facing difficult times,” Klima said.

Original Article:

Click here