Politics

Last week, Donald Trump was delighted to learn that Russian President Vladimir Putin is apparently a fan. 

Speaking to reporters after his annual press conference, Putin called trump “a talented man” before saying he’s the “absolute leader” of the US presidential race. Here’s the clip:

http://embed.theguardian.com/embed/video/world/video/2015/dec/17/vladimir-putin-praises-bright-talented-donald-trump-video

It has been over a month since the November 13 Paris terrorist suicide bombings and mass shootings and the subsequent warzone-like shutdown of Brussels, and Europe was just starting to emerge from its terrorized shell.

However, for a continent which wants to "use global issues as excuses to extend its power", issues such as terrorism in the words of the infamous 2008 AIG presentation, which serve as an "excuse for greater control over police and judicial issues; increase extent of surveillance" a return to normalcy is unacceptable.

The spectacle of clueless U.S. media personalities, like George Stephanopoulos, chastising Donald Trump for getting facts wrong would be funny if it weren't indicative of a political-media system failing the American people and what's left of the democratic Republic, writes Robert Parry.

Submitted by Mike Krieger via Liberty Blitzkrieg blog,

The deliberations of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 were held in strict secrecy. Consequently, anxious citizens gathered outside Independence Hall when the proceedings ended in order to learn what had been produced behind closed doors. The answer was provided immediately. A Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?”

 

If one were asked to name the top five issues on America’s collective mind as we head into 2016, gun violence would almost certainly make the list. 

A string of incidents that culminated in the massacre in San Bernardino earlier this month has put gun control back in the limelight as the nation debates the best way to prevent mass shootings.