Political ‘personality cults’ are bad for democracy and rule of law, Pope says, citing events of 2020

Pope Francis condemned political cults of personality and said mature democracies must ensure the rule of law prevails over political interests, in what was widely interpreted as a condemnation of populism.

“The development of a democratic consciousness demands that emphasis on individual personalities be overcome and that respect for the rule of law prevail,” the head of the Roman Catholic Church said on Monday, in an annual speech to ambassadors accredited to the Vatican.

Mature democracies should shun political personality cults, pope says https://t.co/Fo02hGa9uspic.twitter.com/KM8YPTxRtO

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 8, 2021

“Indeed, law is the indispensable prerequisite for the exercise of all power and must be guaranteed by the responsible governing bodies, regardless of dominant political interests,” he said, according to Reuters.

Events over the past year “in countries with a long democratic tradition” have shown that democracy demands “inclusive, peaceful, constructive and respectful dialogue among all the components of civil society in every city and nation,” he also said.

The pope’s remarks were quickly and widely interpreted as a condemnation of former US President Donald Trump and populism in general.

Strong condemnation of Trumpian politics from @pontifex. “The development of a democratic consciousness demands that emphasis on individual personalities be overcome and that respect for the rule of law prevail” #RuleOfLawhttps://t.co/bmQHixtjg7

— Joanna Cherry QC (@joannaccherry) February 8, 2021

One of them was from Reuters itself, which included a line about how recent years have seen the rise of populism “in the United States, Latin America and some European countries.”

However, the pope did not name any names or go into the specifics, leaving his words open to interpretation. Populists are hardly the only ones to bend the rules and laws to suit partisan ends or elevate political leaders to cult status rivaling the Vicar of Christ on Earth himself.

Pope Francis’s admonishment against personality cults may sound strange to some since it comes from the person whom Catholic doctrine regards as the supreme authority after God, infallible in matters of religious faith. However, he has not shied away from political pronouncements since ascending to the Holy See in 2013.

Over the past year, the pope has also declared sympathy for open borders, denounced capitalism, endorsed same-sex civil unions, praised Black Lives Matter and championed social justice causes. Most recently, he has condemned the refusal to get vaccinated against Covid-19 as “suicidal denial” – suicide is a sin in Catholicism – and blasted those traveling for the holidays as selfish and uncaring.

https://www.rt.com/news/514958-pope-cult-personality-democracy/

Tom Cotton: Joe Biden Will Keep Foreign Drug Dealers in U.S.

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) slammed President Joe Biden’s administration amid evidence that his deputies want to minimize the deportation of illegal migrants who are caught dealing deadly drugs.

“It’s the Biden administration policy to allow illegal aliens to stay in America even after they: -Deal fentanyl and heroin -Commit fraud -Commit assault -Drive drunk -Launder money,” Cotton tweeted February 8.

“More than 80,000 Americans died from drug overdoses last year. And the Biden administration just announced that deporting illegal alien cartel members who deal with fentanyl and heroin is no longer a priority for his administration,” he added.

For more than 20 years, many Americans have been killed by drunk-driving illegals, including many killed after federal and state officials decide not to deport illegals.

It's the Biden administration policy to allow illegal aliens to stay in America even after they:

-Deal fentanyl and heroin

-Commit fraud

-Commit assault

-Drive drunk

-Launder moneyhttps://t.co/Vr0RhYAJQV

— Tom Cotton (@TomCottonAR) February 8, 2021

The Washington Post reported February 7 how Biden’s deputies are changing deportation priorities for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency:

While ICE’s new operational plans are not yet final, interim instructions sent to senior officials point to a major shift in enforcement. Agents will no longer seek to deport immigrants for crimes such as driving under the influence and assault, and will focus instead on national security threats, recent border crossers and people completing prison and jail terms for aggravated felony convictions.

“Generally, these convictions would not include drug based crimes (less serious offenses), simple assault, DUI, money laundering, property crimes, fraud, tax crimes, solicitation, or charges without convictions,” acting director Tae Johnson told senior officials in a Thursday email advising them on how to operate while new guidelines are finalized.

“The priority for the enforcement of immigration laws will be on those who are imposing a national security threat, of course, a public safety threat, and on recent arrivals,” Biden spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in the February 8 White House press briefing:

Nobody is saying that DUIs or assaults are acceptable behavior, and those arrested for such activities should be tried and sentenced as appropriate by local law enforcement. But we’re talking about the prioritization of who is going to be deported from the country.

The priority list for deportations also excludes migrants who take American’ jobs and wages. This policy will largely abandon the task of protecting Americans’ right to a national labor market.

Biden has repeatedly declared he wants to make the nation’s immigration system more “fair” to migrants. Since January 20, he has minimized deportations, stopped construction of the border wall, offered an amnesty to migrants, broken anti-migration deals with three counties, and has lowered legal barriers to migration.

However, he has said little or nothing about how he will protect Americans’ rights, wages, safe streets, and reasonable housing from foreign criminals or job seekers. A February 2 statement said:

President Biden’s strategy is centered on the basic premise that our country is safer, stronger, and more prosperous with a fair, safe and orderly immigration system that welcomes immigrants, keeps families together, and allows people—both newly arrived immigrants and people who have lived here for generations—to more fully contribute to our country.

Amid Biden’s inrush of migrants and shutdown of deportations, more than 20 million Americans are unemployed or are stuck in part-time jobs.

Biden is also rolling back protections for American graduates, who have lost at least one million jobs because Fortune 500 CEOs and their subcontractors have hired more than 1 million foreign graduates for jobs sought by Americans.

In a separate tweet, Cotton lambasted Biden’s team for dropping a rule that would protect American graduate from losing jobs to H-1B graduate visa-workers who are willing to work for low wages in the hope of getting green cards:

Big Tech abuses the H-1B visa program to hire cheap foreign labor instead of Americans. That isn’t good for American workers, but the Biden administration is letting companies get away with it.https://t.co/YIolIoyqJl

— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) February 5, 2021

China To "Seriously Sanction" Any Boycotters Of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics

Chinese state media is threatening Western officials and nations with "serious sanctions" should there be any largescale attempt to boycott the China-hosted Winter Olympic games scheduled for 2022.

It comes amid a growing and increasingly growing movement, centered especially out of Canada, which is seeking to do just that. A number of Canadian MPs are currently calling for a boycott based on widespread and persistent reports that Communist authorities in China are carrying out systematic persecution of ethnic Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang region.

The movement to hold China to account was picked up in The Guardian late last week, which highlighted the well-organized efforts of over 180 human rights groups that have called for the boycott.

"The coalition of groups – primarily regional associations in support of Tibet, Taiwan, the Uighur community and Hong Kong – said the hopes in 2015 that awarding Beijing the Games would be a catalyst for progress, had faded," The Guardian wrote while citing an 'open letter'.

Advocates of a boycott are angry that China was awarded the 2022 games in the first place. They write in the open letter which is now gaining global traction:

"The IOC [ International Olympic Committee] refused to listen in 2008, defending its decision with claims that they would prove to be a catalyst for improved human rights. As human rights experts predicted, this decision proved to be hugely misplaced; not only did China’s human rights record not improve but violations increased substantially without rebuke."

"Now, in 2021, we find ourselves back in the same position with the IOC who are refusing to act despite the clear evidence of genocide and widespread and worsening human rights failures."

Calls for a boycott prompted a reaction out of the White House, with spokeswoman Jen Psaki days ago saying, "We’re not currently talking about changing our posture or our plans as it relates to the Beijing Olympics."

However, this didn't satisfy Chinese state media, which is now issuing preemptive threats over the matter.

https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/china-seriously-sanction-any-boycotters-2022-beijing-winter-olympics

New Zealand Suspends All High-Level Political Contact With Myanmar

Last week, Myanmar military overthrew the country's government and declared a state of emergency for one year after accusing the ruling party of election fraud.

Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern announced on Monday that the country is to suspend all high-level political and military contacts with Myanmar after the Asian nation saw military coup last week.

Besides, New Zealand will impose travel bans on Myanmar military leaders in the coming weeks, while also restricting all aid programs that are delivered through military or benefit it.

“Our strong message is we will do what we can from here in New Zealand,” Ardern said during a post-Cabinet press conference, adding that New Zealand is “joining with other countries calling for a special session at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Myanmar to raise concerns regarding the military coup and the impact on human rights”.

https://sputniknews.com/asia/202102091082023592-new-zealand-suspends-all-political-contact-with-myanmar/

Substitute teacher accused of filming herself masturbating in front of class

Police have charged a 30-year-old woman, accusing her of filming herself masturbating in a second-grade classroom where she was a substitute teacher.

A substitute teacher has been accused of filming herself masturbating in front of a class of second-graders, police say.

Amelia Ressler, 30, was arrested on Friday and charged with 19 counts of child molestation, which allegedly took place atMt Zion Elementary School, according to local police.

The school is near Carrollton, about 90km west of Atlanta, Georgia,The Sun reports.

School officials notified investigators of “allegations of misconduct” by the teacher.

The Carroll County Sheriff’s Office’s subsequent investigation found that Ms Ressler had “engaged in indecent and immoral acts while in the presence of school-aged children”.

“It appears she was masturbating while the classroom was full of kids,” Ashley Hulsey, with the Carroll County Sheriff’s Office, told WAGA.

The 19 counts represent one for each child in the second grade class, police said.

https://www.news.com.au/world/north-america/substitute-teacher-accused-of-filming-herself-masturbating-in-front-of-class/news-story/06a0c98d810e6a18944638a9cf267873

New York Times Meltdown Plays Out in Private Facebook Group

“‘We do not tolerate racist language regardless of intent’ might be the most racist statement I’ve ever read”

The "resignation" of star New York Times science writer Donald McNeil Jr. has sparked a furious back-and-forth among Times staffers, many of whom are outraged over the Gray Lady’s handling of his departure.

The Washington Free Beacon reviewed a series of postings to a Facebook group for current and former Times staffers, where a tense debate is unfolding over McNeil's exit. One camp argues that his dismissal was justified and another asserts it set a troubling precedent, which the New York Times union should have done more to prevent.

"What ever happened to the notion of worker solidarity … to giving a fellow worker the benefit of the doubt," asked Steven Greenhouse, who spent three decades covering labor issues for the Times. "And why didn’t the NewsGuild do far more to defend and protect the job of a long-time Times employee, one who at times did tireless, heroic work on behalf of the Guild to help improve pay and conditions for all NYT employees?" McNeil had excoriated management’s attempts to freeze pension plans in 2012, calling those involved "belligerent idiots."

Times crossword columnist Deb Amlen accused Greenhouse of an excessive focus on the "perpetrator," arguing that he and others should shift their attention to the people McNeil had "harmed."

"Why is it that the focus in discussions like this almost always [is] on ruining the perpetrator’s life, and not those who were harmed by [his actions]," she asked. Reached for comment, Amlen told the Free Beacon this is a "private group" and that she would "appreciate it if you do not use anything I said or wrote."

The back-and-forth provides a window into the latest racial controversy roiling the paper, which saw a revolt among minority staffers over the summer after publishing an op-ed by Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.). Opinion editor James Bennet ultimately lost his job.

McNeil’s ouster came nearly two years after the incident that precipitated it. While chaperoning high school students on a pricey trip to Peru, the science reporter responded to a question from a student about whether one of her classmates should have been suspended for using the n-word. In the process, he uttered the offending syllables himself. An internal Times investigation found his judgment wanting but stopped short of firing him.

Only after the Daily Beast published an account of the incident, thrusting it into the public realm for the first time, was McNeil pushed out. "We do not tolerate racist language regardless of intent," Dean Baquet, the paper’s executive editor, told staff in an email.

McNeil's resignation on Friday—and Baquet's post hoc explanation that intent doesn’t matter—renewed the bitter debate among staff, with reporters warring with each other in public and private.

https://freebeacon.com/issues/inside-the-grey-ladys-meltdown-over-donald-mcneils-resignation/

Rothschilds Plan to Scapegoat Wall Street?

"Someone will have to be sacrificed to the incredibly angry mob that is brewing due to the planned destruction of the middle class.

This week that mob attacked Wall St. at its heart. Going after the hedge funds who are nothing but fronts for the big banks."

If you are unclear what's happening, frankly, you aren't paying attention. The central banks, at the urging of the World Economic Forum, have come from behind the shadows to assert their will over the world.

In order to create the imprimatur of depth and sincerity, Fungal President Joe Biden tapped former FOMC Chair Janet Yellen as his Treasury Secretary.

It doesn't matter that Yellen was the architect of the worst recovery in history or that her incessant dithering on ending QE and raising rates. She's a woman. Right?

The only good thing about Yellen at Treasury is that Steve "Mr. Goldman" Mnuchin is gone. All Mnuchin did at Treasury was ensure the outsourcing of monetary policy to Blackrock through the loan programs of the CARES Act and sanction anyone who didn't pay Goldman enough Tribute.

So, from that perspective, I guess, Yellen is an upgrade. Because she's just an incompetent career bureaucrat. But what this means is that since personnel is policy in D.C. the central banks will become the center of policy.

And that means full international coordination by them to implement not only MMT Modern Monetary Theory but also accelerate the adoption of digital-only versions of national currencies, CBDCs, to support the full takeover of the economy by central planners.

Given Biden's first foreign policy speech last night and the very real smackdown issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin at this year's Virtual Davos, expect nothing but more of what ailed us under Trump taken up another notch.

putin999.jpg

PUTIN

Putin's speech was one for the ages, to be honest, and everyone should read it.

Why?

Because Putin openly declared his opposition to the brave new world of Klaws Swab and his Davos Crowd. And that means he incurred the wrath of the policy-wonks in D.C, Brussels and London.

Not that he didn't have that already, but again, I believe we ain't seen nothin' yet when it comes to aggression. The problem with that however is that it openly risks open military conflict not only in Syria where Biden immediately sent troops across the Iraqi border but also in the Black Sea

https://henrymakow.com/2021/02/rothschilds-plan-to-scapegoat-wall-street.html

Q you owe me a beer when we are done!

US Criminal ‘Justice’ System Is Operated for the Benefit of Those Who Operate It, Not for Justice

The justice system, especially the use of the grand jury, isn’t going to change. I would love for the grand jury system to go away. I wish most people understood how meaningless and manipulated a grand jury is.

The grand jury is bullshit, political cover that prosecutors use as a weapon to avoid blame while very much dictating exactly how the case will go forward.

Most people have no clue that a grand jury is the puppet of the prosecutor, that the prosecutor has absolute control over everything they see, hear, read, or do about a case. A grand jury actually has a great deal of power, they could force the prosecutor to either dissolve them or be their puppet, but they do not know this because the prosecutor needs their ignorance to puppet them instead.

That is just grand juries.

Not even getting into the boon that cases can bring to those with political aspirations. Or, if get into the huge amount of money that moves around to politicians, prosecutors, and judges via the privatization of jails. These jails make money by headcount.

Basically, think of it as C number of people times $D amount – cost of watching those people = profit.

Those jails make the most money when two conditions are met –

(1) when the jail is filled beyond capacity and

(2) most, if not all the inmates, are non-violent.

The money flow literally benefits the system to go after low-level drug dealers, marijuana users, and other minor offenses.

Violent offenders need more guards, more fights, and more medical treatment. Every dollar that goes to those is money taken away from the profit margins. It’s why you keep hearing of bad medical conditions, refusal to act on COVID, and more.

Because all those actions hurt the profit margins.

https://frankreport.com/2021/02/08/us-criminal-justice-system-is-operated-for-the-benefit-of-those-who-operate-it-not-for-justice/

https://t.me/s/linwoodspeakstruth

PRAY FOR EACH OTHER

Some really heavy negative energy all over today/night.

Stay in the fight.