Based on the evidence, Maassen’s assertions that the video was “deliberate misinformation” do not stack up. The timing, location and perpetrators all indicate that the incident did take place in Chemnitz on August 26, as the right-wing demonstrations began to break out. After Maassen’s interview with Bild was published Friday, the premier of the state of Lower Saxony, Stephan Weil of the center-left Social Democrats, said “question marks were starting to mount up” with him as to whether the BfV chief was up to his job. Several lawmakers have also denounced Maassen’s comments, while journalist Lars Wienand, who has led efforts to verify the footage, described Maassen’s assertion as “absurd” and “gaga.”
Category Archives: Just strange
America last: Trump has brought US to irrelevance in Syria | World news | The Guardian
Yet Trump has furthered weakened the US position through his kowtowing to Russia. Attention in Washington is focused on Russian subversion of the 2016 presidential election and possible collusion. The furore has obscured Russia’s many malign activities elsewhere, notably in Syria. Trump’s irrelevance will be highlighted on Friday when Iran hosts a summit in Tehran with Russia and Turkey to discuss a “phased” Idlib offensive and what Moscow calls “long-term normalisation” in postwar Syria. The US is not at the table. Its views on Idlib or the country’s future will not be heard.
Source: America last: Trump has brought US to irrelevance in Syria | World news | The Guardian
Trump to chair UN security council meeting on Iran | World news | The Guardian – it will be the height of clownishness
President will highlight Iran’s ‘violations of international law’ during gathering this month, US ambassador Nikki Haley said
Source: Trump to chair UN security council meeting on Iran | World news | The Guardian
The New Yorker has dropped Steve Bannon from its festival – and played right into his hands | Arwa Mahdawi | Opinion | The Guardian
The New Yorker’s decision to give Bannon a platform was irresponsible and immoral. While it has rescinded the invitation, harm has already been done. Indeed, I imagine that getting invited and then uninvited from the festival was Bannon’s dream scenario. First he gained intellectual legitimacy by having the New Yorker announce him as a headliner. Then he got to do what the far right seems to enjoy doing the most: play the victim. No doubt extremists everywhere are dashing off opinion pieces about how conservative views are being censored by the liberal media.
Microwave Weapons Are Prime Suspect in Ills of U.S. Embassy Workers – What if? What if American secret microwave devices are “attacking” our workers?
EU ′can no longer rely on US,′ says France′s Macron | News | DW | 27.08.2018
“Europe can no longer rely on the United States for its security,” Macron said during a speech to French diplomats and lawmakers. “It is up to us to guarantee European security.” Macron said the EU needed to “take new initiatives, build new alliances” to ensure its preservation. “I want us to launch an exhaustive review of our security with all Europe’s partners, which includes Russia,” he added.
Source: EU ′can no longer rely on US,′ says France′s Macron | News | DW | 27.08.2018
White House wobbles on U.S. flag after McCain death | Reuters
Trump’s White House lowered its flag on Saturday, then raised it back following the minimum period under law. Trump also delayed issuing the customary proclamation for flags to remain at half-staff for longer than the two-day minimum. Finally, under pressure from veterans and members of Congress, Trump said in a statement later on Monday that he respected McCain’s service to the nation and ordered flags to half-staff. “Despite our differences on policy and politics, I respect Senator John McCain’s service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff until the day of his interment,” Trump said. In the interim, through most of Monday, confusion reigned across the federal government, with flags flying at half-staff over the U.S. Capitol and at hundreds of national parks, but at full-staff over the Pentagon and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Source: White House wobbles on U.S. flag after McCain death | Reuters
Violence, Crime, Drugs: These G.O.P. Messages Go Grim – The New York Times
In this ad produced by the Congressional Leadership Fund for Troy Balderson, the Ohio Republican who appears to have just edged out his Democratic opponent in a special election, the viewer sees a succession of images: someone in a hooded sweatshirt pulled over the face, a syringe dropping into white powder, a mob waving signs that say “Crush ICE.” And the kicker: Danny O’Connor, the Democratic candidate, is a sympathizer, the ad says.
In Israel, American Jews can kiss their privilege goodbye | +972 Magazine
The latest harassment and deportation of Jewish American activists is significant for one reason: it sends a message to liberal and left-wing Jews around the world that they are unwelcome here, and that they should be ready to face the consequences if they try to enter. The irony of Israel recently crowning itself as the “Jewish Nation-State” at the same time as it is turning away increasing numbers of Jews due to their political views should not be lost on anyone. Yet despite all the fear mongering, harassment and intimidation, Jews will remain a central part of the struggle against the occupation and for justice in Israel-Palestine. That will likely mean more interrogations, more deportations, more blacklists, and more silencing of dissent. That means that for American Jews, like it has always meant for Palestinians in the diaspora, the fight for justice in Israel-Palestine may soon only be possible from afar.
Source: In Israel, American Jews can kiss their privilege goodbye | +972 Magazine
The Shadow Rulers of the VA — ProPublica
How Marvel Entertainment chairman Ike Perlmutter and two other Mar-a-Lago cronies are secretly shaping the Trump administration’s veterans policies.

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