Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Why Israel Agreed to a Truce and Why It's Not Over


Israel agreed to terms with Hamas, brokered by Egypt, for a cease-fire, ending the latest round of fighting between the two entities.  PM Netanyahu declared victory, as did Hamas, but the fighting is far from over and Israel knows it.

What's behind the hasty agreement and what's looming in the near future?

Sunday, August 24, 2014

The World is Coming Unglued: Open Your Damn EYES!

We're all guilty of self-satisfaction, keeping our self busy, minding our business, and generally keeping our head buried in the sand while the world burns--and it is burning, people.  It staggers my mind when we're all too busy to grasp how fooked-up the world is and how much damage has been done.


Using headlines from Google News, I want to show you a collection of world events which demonstrate what I'm saying.  Don't dismiss it.  "The world is crazy," is a poor, poor understatement and a pathetic attempt to soothe yourself.

Buckle up and leave your skepticism at the door.

Friday, August 22, 2014

How Your U.S. Tax Dollars are Funding the Islamic State!

A few stories have surfaced recently about how the Islamic State (IS) funds its rather sophisticated and technologically-savvy operation.  This tactic was used by Al-Qaeda (and many other terrorist organizations not even related to a jihad) and it involves a simple, effective principle: hostages.


European governments are likely to pay seven-figure ransom sums to terrorists.

Monday, August 18, 2014

SkyNet Ancestry: It's Baby Steps to Robot Terrorism

Harvard is synonymous with the best, brightest, and upcoming minds--right?  Well, those eggheads have cooked up something easily construed as a precursor to the Hollywood famous "Terminator" franchise.

In the words of scientists working on the project: "The breakthrough could lay the framework for future robot brigades that collaborate to execute large tasks..."



Self-organizing, semi-autonomous robots.  Sounds like the beginnings of true artificial intelligence; it seems "Terminator", "The Matrix", and "I, Robot" weren't clear enough to warn away from this madness.

Am I over-reacting?  Is it possible that we might see artificial intelligence in our lifetime?

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Russian Aid to Ukraine: Trojan Horse or Goodwill Offering?

Russia dispatched a massive convoy of trucks towards Ukraine recently.  According to Moscow, these trucks are jam-packed with humanitarian aid and supplies.  Western countries have warned against using such tactics as a cover for invasion, and Ukraine is concerned about letting these trucks cross the border.

There is a lot of distrust brewing on both sides and the concern over this action, particularly with Russian military forces on the border, is understandable.  What if Russia is sending aid, just as they said?

Will this spark another incident?  Are Russian motives clean?

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Apocalypse Watch: Three Steps to Doom

Welcome to the Apocalypse Watch.

 Periodically I will choose several headlines from the news that have one thing in common: apocalypse. If all stories take a turn for the worst, you can damn well bet we're doomed.

That's my opinion, of course.

In this report: War in Ukraine, Coming Storm in Gaza, and Economic Ruin.

Saturday, August 2, 2014

For Israel and Gaza, Peace is Always Impossible

Another cease-fire broken between Gaza and Israel; are you surprised? This is the story, the way it happens, how it works, and (most importantly) it's all part of the plan. When someone in your group throws away a chance to get some humanitarian aid into Gaza, someone has to think about the consequences.

Are you spotting the pattern? I've got a few more things to say about this catastrophe.