--in attacks on Speaker Pelosi, our Dear Tweeter finally discovers the limits of Twitter rules, as Facebook, Instagram censor posts ….---Trump uses tropes about loyalty and patriotism along with other GOP leaders, Rep. Doug Collins actually apologized
--at ConsortiumNews, Caitlin Johnstone deplores the memes of both parties
Speaker Pelosi informs Democrats she will send impeachment articles to Senate next week, triggering trial with no agreement on witnesses…--report by Italian journalist mentioned here yesterday deserves investigation, with far more serious abuse of power than Ukraine scheme
Unnamed intelligence sources are cited in reports that Iran “accidentally” shot down the airliner minutes after takeoff, killing all aboard….--disturbing details of Trump’s threats to Iraqi prime minister are reported in international media outlet, Strategic Culture Foundation
We open the podcast with Trump’s brief address on Iran’s counterattack, and call out the lies and blame shifting…--Iran telegraphed its impending missile launches via Iraq, and appears to have intentionally avoided hitting Americans and Iraqis
--before Trump’s speech, Pepe Escobar’s sources tipped him that Trump would move to de-escalate
Iran has 13 US targets, Trump has 52 Iranian targets, and MSM slams Trump as it approves of Suleimani’s assassination…..--Trump stages photo op with 52 F-35 bombers, says timing is coincidental, as survivors of the 1979 hostage crisis say “leave us out of this”
--Pompeo derides reports that Suleimani was on diplomatic mission supported by Trump
--at ConsortiumNews, Pepe Escobar adds details to the “peace mission” angle, which has been buried by corporate media
Surprise! John Bolton now ready to testify at Trump impeachment trial, shortly after tweeting his strong support for Suleimani’s assassination…--Bolton’s shift is challenge to McConnell’s effort to block witnesses, but Johnny Moustache is a wily, unpredictable partisan
--Venezuela’s Maduro blocks rival Juan Guaido from re-election as Assembly leader, and yellow journalism distorts the events
--under cruel, bizarre Trump policy, Mexicans who seek asylum will be deported to Guatemala, an even more dangerous country
Drone strike in Baghdad kills Gen. Qassim Suleimani, Ayatollah vows “forceful revenge” as Iraq, Russia and Democrats call it illegal…--US claims retaliation for death of American contractor and the recent assault on our Green Zone embassy: excuses for the Iran war wanted by Trump and Netanyahu
--Russia calls the assassination illegal under United Nations
--as with the killing of al-Baghdadi, Trump refused to notify Congressional leaders and allies of the operation
--Demprez candidates oppose Trump’s decision, for various reasons
Trump has re-tweeted name of “whistleblower” while Yasha Levine is suspended for sarcastic tweet about killing Russians “over there”….--Trump breaks rules with impunity, as “Surveillance Valley” author Yasha Levine battles censorship by robots and unidentified human
--Trump’s tweets and other public comments about disgraced SEAL Eddie Gallagher are contradicted by other SEALs
--Trump trades taunts with Ayatollah Khamenei after US blames Iran for attack on Green Zone embassy in Baghdad
With 7 candidates onstage, each got enough time to explain agendas, and Andrew Yang set himself apart on many issues…..--PBS/Politico moderators did decent job, let candidates talk and debate
--moderates Biden and Klobuchar were strong and avoided mistakes
--Warren and Klobuchar ganged up on Buttigieg
--Sanders and Warren were strong on progressive issues, Bernie shouts too much
--Bernie had the best answer on beating Trump—with high turnout
--all of the candidates ignored the threat to Obamacare from court ruling
In shrewd move, Pelosi holds the football, and won’t pass it to McConnell before rules of the game are clear….--the unexpected move shows Pelosi has mastery of procedure, and it also upstaged the impeachment votes
--Trump counter-programmed with a mob rally in Battle Creek, delivering 2-hour ramble with snap, crackle, pop and defaming the late John Dingell
--in his annual marathon news conference Vladimir Putin says the Trump impeachment charges are “absolutely made up”
--in curious attempt to “unify”, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard voted “present”
