Conspicuous consumption

https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2024/mar/06/anant-ambani-wedding-wealth-mark-zuckerberg-bill-gates?

Scott Ritter with Garland Nixon covering current international topics

Policing in Rafah

Two interesting books on China by Nicolas Tackett

The first is aboutchanges in the elite composition from Tang to Soong dynasties during which some culling if the elites seems to have taken place. The first is titled 'The destruction if the medieval Chinese aristocracy' https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674492059 it is based on author's thesis a ailable here https://history.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/tackett_dissertation.pdf The second is titled 'The origins of the Chinese nation': "The present book is concerned with a form of Chinese nationalism that materialized at the court of northern song (960–1127) China. it seeks to describe this phenomenon and to explain its emer- gence, largely on the basis of the new inter-state dynamics of eleventh- century northeast asia. " https://www.amazon.com/Origins-Chinese-Nation-China-Forging/dp/131664748X

About American Jews

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/04/us-anti-semitism-jewish-american-safety/677469/ An interview with the author https://edition.cnn.com/videos/us/2024/03/04/anti-semitism-in-the-us-franklin-foer-jake-tapper-the-lead.cnn

Super-elite mostly about USA

Probably applies to Western Europe too. https://darkfutura.substack.com/p/americas-super-elite-disconnect

Experiences of some Israeli captives in Gaza

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/03/we-were-constantly-in-terror-israeli-hostage-tells-of-captivity-in-gaza

Simplicius on the situation in Gaza

https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-342024-rifts-in-bibis-camp

Alastair Crooke on the overall situation in Gaza and Ukraine

Gilbert Doctorow on the German army plot

https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/03/02/german-officers-plot-taurus-missile-attack-on-the-crimea-bridge/

George Galloway wins

A new Indian film, Laapataa Ladies

https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-laapataa-ladies-box-office-kiran-raos-film-gets-a-decent-start-695880

Mahmoud Od on shooting displaced collecting food

He has a longer video later.

Talib has some interesting posts

here https://www.facebook.com/bookishvoyage

Two videos of S. Varalakshmi, one of my favourite singers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qA37rfo9JrA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=740Yr80BluY

Egypt in negotiations with IMF

https://www.eurasiareview.com/28022024-will-egypt-sell-out-palestinians-for-10-billion-loan-package-oped/

Max Bluementhal on Aaron Bushmell self immolation

https://twitter.com/MaxBlumenthal/status/1762196403969728851?s=20

Simplicius on Avdeevka and the current situation of SOM

https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/avdeevka-denouement-russian-momentum

Necrocide in Gaza

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/02/bmj-decries-necrocide-in-gaza-as-un-describes-shocking-desperate-conditions-john-hopkins-estimates-escalation-would-produce-85000-more-deaths-in-6-months.html

Glenn Diesen about his new book

Patrick Lancaster on Donetsk situation

Jack Matlock on the current US policies

Jon Stewart on the price of freedom around 11:45

He also mentions Novalny who was discussed by Brian Berletic in the previous video.

Brian Berletic on Novalny

Children collect flour from the ground in Gaza

https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/2/20/children-collect-spilled-flour-from-the-ground-after-gaza-aid-chaos

Scott Ritter discusses Novalny in this episode

An interview about Leo Szilard

Fatal mistakes says Alastair Crooke

see also https://strategic-culture.su/news/2024/02/19/resistance-has-plan-for-israel-but-on-other-side-fantastical-us-stratagems-ensure-cascading-failure/

Douglas Macgregor discusses Putin-Carlson interview

From Namit Arora, India through the eyes of visitors Alberuni (11th century) and Marco Polo

Seems similar to the current India

Two articles from Big Serge and John Helmer

https://bigserge.substack.com/p/the-age-of-zugzwang and https://johnhelmer.net/the-history-of-russian-sex/#more-89366

A wide ranging interview with Scott Ritter by Danny Haiphong

Mostly about Ukraine, Putin, Carlson interview. About 25 minutes about Gaza.

Recent episode from ‘Ask the Inspector’ series

Election politics from The Duran

Scott Ritter at JudgingFreedom

ends with a note of desperation about Palestinians.

Tucker Carlson first discussion after the Putin interview

More about Gaza from Ray McGovern

Latest from Alastair Crooke

Still a lot about Putin-Carlson interview from Scott Ritter Extra, Episode 134

Tucker Carlson gets another lesson

this time from Colonel Douglas Macgregor confirming some of the things that Putin said; first fifty minutes.

A discussion of the Putin-Carlson interview from The Duran

Slightly more negative discussions from Yves Smith nd Gilbert Doctorow https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/02/tucker-carlson-interview-of-vladimir-putin.html and https://gilbertdoctorow.com

Tucker Carlson interview of Putin

https://tuckercarlson.com/the-vladimir-putin-interview/

Jeffrey Sachs on US foreign policy

More about starving Palestians from Aaron Mate

Phil Giraldi on starving Palestians

‘Swarming of Biden’ by Alastair Crooke

https://www.unz.com/article/the-three-strands-to-the-swarming-of-biden/

Latest from Larry Johnson

Latest from Alastair Crooke

First uses of accordion in Indian film songs

https://amvaishnav.wordpress.com/2024/01/31/the-sculptors-of-film-songs-11-goody-seervai/

More talk of peace in Mideast

"It’s difficult not to be somewhat impressed by these developments. For all the corruption and evil of the US regime, we can almost give them credit for coming to reason—under great duress and social pressure, of course—and for once doing the just and honorable thing. What it further means is that the US realizes it has no choice remaining but to hardball an ‘end game’ against Israel, otherwise US risks being dragged into an Empire-ending war with Iran." From https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-2224-biden-launches-attacks

Update on US response to Jordan attack, suggests routine response

Scott Ritter with Garland Nixon discusses both Mideast and Ukraine

ICJ Rules Against Ukraine on Terrorism, MH17

https://consortiumnews.com/2024/02/01/icj-rules-against-ukraine-v-russia-on-terrorism-mh17/

Phil Giraldi at Judging Freedom

John Helmer on the progress of the Russian offensive

https://johnhelmer.net/breakthrough-on-all-fronts-ahead-of-schedule/#more-89289

Douglas Macgregor on the developments in Israel

Scott Ritter’s travels in Russia and some war regions in Ukraine(after 50 minutes)

The Duran on possibilities of war with Iran

Latest from Alastair Crooke

see also https://thealtworld.com/alastair_crooke/the-tragic-self-destruction-of-an-enraged-israel

An update from Simplicius the thinker

on Middle East and Ukraine https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-12824-us-troops-suffer-fatalities

Namit Arora videos on Indians, part 4

Russia Iran deal

https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/01/russia-and-iran-finalize-20-year-deal-that-will-change-the-middle-east-forever.html

Simplicius the thinker on the American border problems

https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/border-crisis-heats-up-as-biden-admin

Democracy Now on ICJ interim ruling

ICJ speaks on South African complaint against Israel

Review of two books on free will

https://inquisitivebiologist.com/2024/01/23/book-review-free-agents-how-evolution-gave-us-free-will/ A discussion by the authors

Gilbert Doctorow on Putin’s decency

https://gilbertdoctorow.com/2024/01/24/is-putins-decency-inviting-a-world-war-comments-on-a-new-article-by-paul-craig-roberts/ "Is Putin’s decency inviting a world war? Comments on a new article by Paul Craig Roberts" see also https://original.antiwar.com/gilbert_doctorow/2019/02/01/vladimir-putin-to-the-west-we-will-bury-you/ https://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2024/01/22/will-war-result-from-the-ever-hesitant-putin/

Two classical songs from Hindi films

Without comment

https://www.oneindia.com/entertainment/revathis-heartfelt-letter-on-ram-mandir-goes-viral-3734001.html

Hard wired for corruption

Ravisastri writings

https://lookaside.fbsbx.com/file/రావి_శాస్త్రి_రచనా_సాగరం.pdf?token=AWzY7LeIL3RYbQFZNxJK2OALMHVliGjylGb4l4OOwXbK_EZOr5Oxz8rHZeotzK877nS5UMZzlvZz7LbM-YLWK37ixV_XCwnUlh2zu9AYMupJTOjpncsALYZtzjhF2SOeN_AfySKrLJWuQ27nWu3j0vh1tc8eZCsh8HCgJzQe3iz0jmTHGlEZJIVTdesGN-j_n_BSzBA8ULTdUklvZE6PXHs4dseMlGNrhxJpRvjZ11Clxs7b0GLuHi3mq7BDq4xROaRRYA4ADB_wCj7XdF6K10eUJCU0Ls7lWTfUsYXsiAzrKLvDf5UCoo9jjPnRo8cNkWqaZjxGndBeG46sydpDUbQjZDNBsPQqCLzGD5uVqpV5CC1LU8Tvgtt56F6z1YibvULTu_4GdHcEjhgVTTS4lIBZ95lZkDq_i2nIEVNZHmESEyVrD5wrdnQPG4WGFcSDYrzv9JmsIzpy89EbdIlGf_1_Xx4f6l1KfiObJ3rcXdYGjg

Scott Ritter pins hopes on China

Michael Hudson interview with Danny Haiphong

"...—and America is willing to fight to the last Israeli, just as it’s willing—it’s trying to fight to the last Ukrainian in order to make this final grab of the Near East in fighting Iran." https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2024/01/michael-hudson-on-russia-iran-and-the-red-sea-natos-war-economy-collapses.html

An update from Simplicious

https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/sitrep-12024-russian-gains-resume

New Rules podcast of Alastair crooke

https://rumble.com/v47q2wr-live-new-rules-podcast-w-alastair-crooke.html

Erdogan’s double game?

https://new.thecradle.co/articles/erdogans-double-game-praising-palestine-aiding-israel

Pepe Escobar reviews Emmanuel Todd’s new book

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240118/how-the-west-was-defeated-1116245840.html

Meta Joota hai Japan I, Lata version

Lakshmi vadina

Lakshmi ( I do not the full name, wife of cousin Mammaneni Ramamohanarao Rao ) passed away a few days ago at the age of 90. I think that she has ph.d in economics but I am not sure. She taught in an institute in Delhi and had three daughters all ph.d I think. I interacted with her in Delhi during the 1980s and met her several times later and talked to her on the phone too. She was a treasure of stories about Andhra villages and farming families from around 1940s. Many of us wanted to record her stories but never did. Her brother in law K.L.Krishna is an economist and worked in Delhi School of Economics for a long time. Like Krishna she was a gentle and kind person. But I always felt that like many women of her generation, she did not realise her intellectual potential but enlightened many people during her life. One of Lakskmi's stories: This is about a Brahmin lady in her village in Krishna district. As a child she is used to hear her father recite vedas and remember them. later on she was considered an expert on Hinduism and the villagers to go to her for interpretation of Hinduism. This became useful to another poor brahmin girl in the village. The girl came from large family and was married off to an old brahmin in a nearby village. The old man was already living with a Dommara woman and the girl was abused and made to serve both of them. The girl could not take it and after a while came back home and said that she would commit suicide if she was sent back. The parents let her stay and the girl who was musically talented started teaching music. one of her students was a landowner with a sick wife and three dughters. Soon after she shifted to nearby town Masulipatam where it was more lucrative to teach music. The landowner too often visited Masulipatam to continue the lessons. A liason developed between the two and continued for years. one day, the girl now a woman heard that her lover was seriously sick. She came to the village, walked through the main street and went to his house. There was an uproar in the village and the landowners wanted to kill her. Lakshmi's father protested saying that it was the fault of both and if she is killed, he should be killed too. The matters stood there when the villagers went to the old brahmin lady for her opinion. There was also simultaneous talk of banishing her family from the village. The old lady came up with a compromise formula, which was that nobody would be killed or banished but from then on the young lady should be barred from visiting her parents. This formula was finally adopted and the young lady was allowed to live in her lover's house looking after his sick wife and daughters.They more or less lived happily afterwards but problems developed during the marriages of the daughters. Prospective groom's parents did not want to have such a lady in the marriage arrangements. it seems that one of the girls refused to have such martiages if her new mother was not accepted as part of the family. There were other problems too when the lady wanted to visit her sick mother. Lakshmi who was a young girl at that time used to open their door open so that the lady could enter their house and could go through the backdoor to visit her mother. That is what Invaguely remember of one of her stories, probably very distorted since I listened to her about thirty years ago.

Slicing and Dicing videos, below both have David Thunder.

Bhadrakumar on the end of the siege of Leningrad

https://www.indianpunchline.com/an-anniversary-west-would-rather-forget/

Douglas Macgregor at Judging Freedom on regional war in the Mideast

Alastair Crooke on the ICJ presentations

Simplicius on Yemen

Simplicius in his latest substack post says”Russia launched over 7500 missiles at Ukraine—a country that has most of its infrastructure out ‘in the open’, and many people regard Ukraine as hardly having been industrially attrited after 2 years of such continued bombardment. Now imagine what a measly pittance of 70-100 aging Tomahawk missiles is going to do to a country with highly decentralized military structures spread across the deserts. In short: nothing.” https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/us-launches-strikes-on-yemen-and

Pope on gluttony

https://www.usccb.org/news/2024/gluttony-turns-people-mere-consumers-exploiters-planet-pope-says#:~:text=%22We%20are%20realizing%20that%20this,not%20take%20over%20our%20lives.%22 From a "social point of view," he said, "gluttony is perhaps the most dangerous vice, which is killing the planet."

‘Something Lost, Never to be Found Again’ by Alastair Crooke

https://thealtworld.com/alastair_crooke/something-lost-never-to-be-found-again https://darkfutura.substack.com/p/bones-of-tomorrow?

Megh Santoor

https://beastoftraal.com/2023/10/13/what-does-taj-mahal-teas-megh-santoor-billboard-really-sound-like/

Judging Freedom with Matt Hoh

Larry Johnson seems to agree with Alastair Crooke

From Plato to NATO

Bismarck’s influence on Stalin and Putin

The Duran discussion with historian Geoffrey Roberts.

Cole’s Express becomes Reddy Express

The name ‘Reddy’ brings back some interesting memories. Around 1974 we had visitor from Andhra with his daughter in law and two month old grandchild. He wanted to send them to her husband in West Indies. After few days in Bombay, the trip was arranged and she got in to the flight. I panicked since she did not know any English and the flight had a long stop over in London. During my stay in Liverpool, I knew there were a number of Telugu doctors in the infirmary there and I decided there must be also a Reddy among them. So I phoned in the Infirmary asking for Dr.Reddy. There was one and he was very helpful. Ha said that he could not go to London but will arrange with friends in London to meet her and facilitate the travel. After a few weeks I heard from one of her relatives that she reached West Indies safely. That is Reddy for you. Today I saw this on what used to be Coles Express. Apparently, they wanted to change it to Ready Express but found that the name is already taken. So this is the result.

Ohm Kalthoum

Seems to be from 1935, the tune that inspired 'Awara Hoon'. a similar tune appears around 1:25 in the movie Wedad Her biography https://www.encyclopedia.com/international/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/umm-kulthum-c-1904-1975

Alistair crooke: US drawn onto Israel path

https://english.almayadeen.net/articles/analysis/us-drawn-onto-israeli-path----one-difficult-to-exit-without

Some old news about wheat blast

Ghost riders in the sky

SPB explains a film song

Brian Berletic on Gaza war

The account is less optimistic for Hamas than the accounts by Scott Ritter and others.

Suppressing information

Alaistair Crooke on sunken cost fallacy