NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT THURSDAY 11/21/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE THURSDAY)

BREAKING NEWS:

ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU INDICTED TODAY BY ISRAEL'S ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THREE SEPARATE CORRUPTION CASES.

HE IS CHARGED WITH BRIBERY, FRAUD AND BREACH OF TRUST.

NETANYAHU IS THE FIRST SITTING ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER TO BE INDICTED.

APPEARING BEFORE THE MEDIA THURSDAY EVENING ATTORNEY GENERAL AVICHAI  MANDELBLIT  SAID:    

"IT IS A SAD DAY FOR ME AND FOR ISRAEL"

THE STORY FROM 'HAARETZ'.....LINK

THE STORY FROM "ISRAEL NATIONAL NEWS".......LINK     FULL COVERAGE AT "INN" WEBSITE....LINK

(ANALYSIS)

The opponents of Mr. Netanyahu expected to seek a court ruling to force him from office over the indictments.

Supporters of the Prime Minister will push legislation to nullify any court ruling to force him out of office.

There is still a 20-day window for anyone who is able to form a government to do so in Israel but after that a third round of elections in less than a year is on the table.

The Russian Foreign Ministry has revealed that Israel used Jordanian airspace to launch air attacks on Syria in recent days.....LINK

Next month the Justice Department's Inspector General will release the results of an investigation into the FBI's use of the FISA law to begin spying on President Trump's associates in 2016.

That word from US Senator Lindsey Graham who appeared on "Hannity" on Fox News Wednesday night.

He said Monday December 9th is the date for the report to be released.

Supporters of the President have a wide range of emotions as they await the release of the report and await the outcome of a probe by the US Justice Department itself that has the potential to lead to criminal charges.

Here is commentary by former CIA employee Larry C. Johnson on the "Sic Semper Tyrannis" blog.....LINK

(COMMENT)

Senator Lindsey Graham planning hearings December 11th that will touch on the infamous "Steele Dossier" with Graham "pinning the tail on the donkey" as in the Democrats for its production and dissemination but he leaves out the participation of his close friend the late Republican Senator John McCain of Arizona.

In fact when Senator McCain was alive Graham's relationship with the President was strained.  Was Senator Graham himself aware of the "Steele Dossier" and a believer in it as his close friend Senator McCain was back in those days at the beginning of the Trump presidency?

The House ''impeachment inquiry" wrapped up a three day run this week Thursday.

No more hearings for now as the House goes on a Thanksgiving break.

Iran says it's conducted a Persian Gulf "war drill".   The Iranian announcement comes on the heels of a US aircraft carrier task force entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.

Will Israel broaden its attacks on Iranian related targets beyond Syria and Iraq to include the Houthi rebels in Yemen?

A Houthi leader says his forces are ready to respond to Israeli attack.

More from Iran's "Press TV"......LINK

IN COLOMBIA TODAY PROTESTS AIMED AT THE GOVERNMENT OF PRESIDENT IVAN DUQUE AMID FEARS HE WAS INTENDING TO IMPOSE AUSTERITY MEASURES ON THE COUNTRY WITH OTHERS PROTESTING WHAT THEY SAY ARE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES  AND CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY.

PROTESTS TURNING VIOLENT LATER IN THE DAY WITH TEAR GAS BEING EMPLOYED AND A CURFEW IMPOSED IN ONE CITY, CALI.

DETAILS ON THE DAY OF PROTEST IN COLOMBIA AS PUBLISHED BY "INDIA TODAY"......LINK

In Bolivia eight are dead in the latest protests against the Interim President Jeanine Anez and in support of the former President Evo Morales.

The pro-Morales protesters want Anez to step down and withdraw her decree exonerating security forces from any actions to impose security in the country.

More on the story from Qatar's "Al Jazeera".....LINK

While Naval leadership and Pentagon bureaucracy have committed themselves to kicking Chief Eddie Gallagher out of the SEALS, President Trump reaffirmed his support for Gallagher on Twitter this morning.

Trump tweeting:

"The Navy will NOT be taking away Warfighter and Navy Seal Eddie Gallagher's Trident Pin.   This case was handled very badly from the beginning.  Get back to business!"

President Trump restored Gallagher's rank last week after it was taken away following a war crime conviction for taking his picture with the corpse of an ISIS member killed in combat.

Catalan leaders elected to the European Parliament earlier this year want to take their seats but are being prevented from doing so.   

Carles Puigdemont and Antoni Comin want to be allowed in.     Both men are wanted by Spanish authorities for their participation in the 2017 independence referendum in Catalonia and the declaration of independence that followed.

More from "Politico"......LINK

And for now that's the way it really is Thursday November 21st, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT WEDNESDAY 11/20/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE WEDNESDAY)

An attempt to form a new government in Israel has failed with Blue and White Party leader former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz returning his mandate to form a new government to President Reuven Rivlin Wednesday evening.

    Late night talks Tuesday with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to achieve a breakthrough in forming a "unity government" embracing the two major parties that command a majority in the parliament.

A key player in promoting a "unity government" Avigdor Lieberman of the Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) Party, said a clash of personalities prevents the formation of a new government and that both major parties are to blame....LINK

Israel appears headed for the its third election in a row since last spring.

There is still a 21-day period for any member of the parliament to find a government with support of a majority of members (61) to form a new government.

Israel's left-leaning "Haaretz" reported earlier this week that the plans of Israel's Attorney General's office in the coming days including the postponement of a prosecutor's meeting points to indictments against Prime Minister Netanyahu in three corruption cases this coming Sunday or Monday.

AT LEAST 11 ARE REPORTED DEAD IN SYRIA FOLLOWING DOZENS OF ISRAELI ATTACKS EARLY THIS MORNING.   ISRAEL SAID THOSE ATTACKS WERE IN RESPONSE TO FOUR MISSILES FIRED TOWARDS ISRAEL 24 HOURS EARLIER DURING AN ISRAELI STRIKE ON A TARGET IN DAMASCUS.

MORE FROM "YNET" IN ISRAEL.....LINK

(COMMENT-ANALYSIS)

Is someone trying to provoke a response from Iran with the two nights in a row of attacks on Iranian targets in Syria?

Its a very sensitive moment on the Israeli side with no permanent government, new elections and indictment of Prime Minister Netanyahu all in the cards.

On Tuesday the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln traveled through the Strait of Hormuz and entered the Persian Gulf just south of Iran.

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani has proclaimed victory over protests opposing last Friday's gasoline price hike in the country which he blamed on foreign forces.

Meanwhile, Iran is protesting to the United States over what it says is US interference in the country's internal affairs.

The Swiss Ambassador, who represents US  interests in the country, summoned to Iran's foreign ministry today.

More from Iran's "Press TV"......LINK

THE POLITICAL DRAMA IN WASHINGTON TODAY WITH US AMBASSADOR TO THE EU GORDON SONDLAND TESTIFYING USING THE WORD 'QUID PRO QUO' AT THE 'IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY'.

PRESIDENT TRUMP AGAIN PUBLICLY STATING THERE WAS NO 'QUID PRO QUO' IN REGARDS TO US MILITARY AID TO UKRAINE.

MEANWHILE THE HOUSE INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN DEMOCRAT ADAM SCHIFF ADDING THE WORD 'BRIBERY' TO HIS COMMENTS AGAINST THE PRESIDENT AT THE 'INQUIRY'.

ALSO, THE FBI WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THE 'WHISTLE BLOWER' WHOSE COMPLAINT SPARKED THE 'IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY'.    THE MAN IS NOT UNDER INVESTIGATION BUT THE FBI SAYS IT WANTS TO TALK WITH HIM.

In Zimbabwe, police using batons, tear gas and water cannon to break up a rally by the opposition Movement for Democratic Change.     Crowds had gathered outside MDC headquarters in the capital city of Harare to hear a speech from its leader Nelson Chamisa.

Chamisa says today's action proves the government is afraid of the people .   The MDC says the new government of President Emerson Mnangagwa is using the same tactics as predecessor, Robert Mugabe.

Reuters and Associated Press reports published by Canada's "Globe and Mail".......LINK

The timeline of Prince Andrew's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein has come into question.    The Duke of York traced it to the late 1990's in his BBC interview broadcast last weekend.

But a letter written by Buckingham Palace to the "Times" in 2011 points to the relationship starting earlier than that.

More from the BBC......LINK

Word later in the day today that Prince Andrew intends to step back from his royal duties.    More from the BBC.....LINK

And Google will restrict political advertising worldwide in terms of how people are targeted and also in terms of content if the ads are considered to be "misleading".

Twitter already banning political ads completely but Facebook saying it will not get involved in "fact checking" political ads.

And for now that's the way it really is Wednesday November 20th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT TUESDAY 11/19/2019

(LIMITED SERVICE WHEN ABLE UNTIL LATE TUESDAY)

THE FEDERAL PRISON GUARDS ON DUTY WHEN ACCUSED SEX TRAFFICKER JEFFREY EPSTEIN DIED AUGUST 10TH WERE ARRESTED TODAY.

TOVA NOEL AND MICHAEL THOMAS FACE CHARGES OF CONSPIRACY AND FALSIFICATION OF RECORDS.

THEY MAINTAIN THEY WERE ASLEEP.  VIDEO CAMERAS THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO MONITOR EPSTEIN'S CELL AND HALLWAY OUTSIDE ALSO MALFUNCTIONED AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH.

FORMER NEW YORK MEDICAL EXAMINER DR. MICHAEL BADEN, HIRED BY THE EPSTEIN FAMILY, SAYS HIS DEATH IS MORE CONSISTENT WITH HOMICIDE THAN SUICIDE.

The top rivals in Israeli politics meeting tonight to discuss the formation of a unity government, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Benny Gantz appear to be far apart.

Their meeting lasted for one hour without any word of progress.

Gantz, leader of the Blue and White Party, now has the mandate to form a government but it runs out tomorrow night.

BREAKING NEWS:  

  

EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING MULTIPLE ISRAELI AIR ATTACKS ON SYRIA SAID TO BE AIMED AT BOTH IRANIAN TARGETS AND SYRIAN ARMY TARGETS IN THE COUNTRY.

THE AIR ATTACKS FOCUSED ON THE SOUTHERN PART OF SYRIA.

ISRAEL SAID IT WAS RESPONDING TO IRANIAN MISSILE FIRE DURING LAST NIGHT'S ATTACK IN THE DAMASCUS AREA.

SYRIA SAYING TWO ARE DEAD AND TWO INJURED AND THAT MOST OF THE ISRAELI MISSILES WERE DESTROYED BY AI DEFENSE SYSTEMS.

MORE FROM "HAARETZ"......LINK

MORE FROM THE SYRIAN ARAB NEWS AGENCY.....LINK

A prisoner swap in Afghanistan with an American and Australian kidnapped three years ago freed.  In exchange three Taliban leaders freed from captivity and flown to Qatar.

The exchange of prisoners is said to be linked to restarting the peace talks between the US and the Taliban.

The BBC is reporting on this story......LINK

SWEDISH AUTHORITIES DROPPING THE RAPE INVESTIGATION AGAINST WIKILEAKS FOUNDER JULIAN ASSANGE.     

ASSANGE DENIED THE ALLEGATION SAYING THE SWEDISH RAPE CHARGE WAS DESIGNED TO SET HIM UP FOR EXTRADITION TO THE UNITED STATES.    THE US WANTS ASSANGE TO FACE CHARGES RELATED TO HIS WORK REVEALING INFORMATION ABOUT VIOLATIONS OF HUMAN RIGHTS BY US MILITARY FORCES OVERSEAS.

ASSANGE NOW IN THE BRITISH GITMO, BELMARSH PRISON, AWAITING EXTRADITION TO THE US.

MORE FROM "I NEWS' IN THE UK......LINK

The group Amnesty International says it has information that some 106 people have been killed in protests against the gasoline price increases imposed in Iran Friday and that the dead toll may be higher.

In Bolivia Interim President Jeanine Anez suspended a planned trip outside of the capital city of La Paz Monday because of a "credible threat" to her life coming from Colombian, Cuban and Venezuelan nationals.

There was a violent protest in Cochabamba which is the stronghold of the former left-wing President Evo Morales.    Morales resigned and left the country just over a week ago following protests against electoral fraud in the October 20th presidential election......VIDEO LINK

A smaller more peaceful protest supporting Morales La Paz Monday.

The left-wing government in Nicaragua accusing opposition protesters of planning terrorist attacks.

16 individuals accused by the government of President Daniel Ortega, people prominent in protests against the government.

Some 151 opponents of the government have been arrested and jailed since March of this year.

The Archdiocese of Managua said that violent groups supporting the government took over a cathedral.   They then beat a priest and vandalized the interior of the house of worship.

A senior US official is threatening Egypt with sanctions.    That's because is planning to buy Russian military aircraft.   More from "Southfront".....LINK

And for now that's the way it really is Tuesday November 19th, 2019/

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT MONDAY 11/18/2019

(SERVICE WHEN ABLE THROUGH LATE MONDAY)

BREAKING NEWS:

EXPLOSIONS REPORTED TUESDAY MORNING  IN THE AREA OF THE DAMASCUS AIRPORT IN SYRIA IN WHAT APPEARS TO BE AN ISRAELI ATTACK.

SYRIAN AIR DEFENSES ACTIVATED AND FOUR MISSILES FIRED IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GOLAN HEIGHTS WITH ISRAELI WARNING SIRENS ACTIVATED.

TWO REPORTED DEAD AND TEN INJURED IN THE ATTACK.

MORE FROM THE SANA NEWS AGENCY OF SYRIA......LINK

THE STORY AS REPORTED BY ISRAEL'S "HAARETZ".....LINK

From the political drama in Washington, President Trump says he is considering testifying before the Democrat-led "impeachment inquiry".     No firm thumbs up or down from the President yet.

Also Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts staying a US Appeals Court ruling that President Trump's financial records have to be turned over to Democrats in Congress.

The stay will allow the Supreme Court to consider the case and make a ruling.

The Hong Kong protests with police laying siege to as many as one-thousand protesters at a college campus in the city Monday and arresting some who tried to leave.

More protesters coming onto the streets as nightfall arrived in the city and here is a live feed at 655 am Eastern time US, 755 pm Hong Kong time.....LINK

The fight in the streets continuing past Midnight and into Tuesday.

Some of the student protesters trapped in the university escaped on the back of motorcyles and others climbed a rope onto a bridge.

Latest word is that those under the age of 18 allowed to leave the campus with those over 18 arrested if they tried to leave and some 100 protesters still on the campus as of mid-day Tuesday in Hong Kong.

A sharp reaction from Iran's Parliament Speaker to comments from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about gasoline price riots in Iran over the weekend.

Ali Larijani says this regarding Pompeo:  

He openly supports immolation of the Iranian people's properties through foolish shamelessness and opportunism, while calling it defending the Iranian people."

Iran, operating under the pressure of intense 1941 Japan style sanctions from the United States, raised gasoline prices Friday in a bid to cut consumption and raise revenue.

Protests broke out in the country afterwards with the torching of banks and gasoline stations reported along with casualties.

More on the Iranian parliament speaker's comments from Iran's "Press TV".....LINK

Iran's  Islamic Revolution Guard Corps issued a statement Monday reading in part:

"...Continuation of any measure, which would foment insecurity, and all actions targeting the calm and tranquility in the society will be dealt with decisively..."

At a brief court hearing in London today Wikileaks founder Julian Assange appeared by video link from Belmarsh Prison, the British Gitmo, where he is being held awaiting extradition to the United States.

Assange gave his name and date of birth via video while his lawyer argued that Assange does have an adequate computer to prepare for his full extradition hearing in February.

Another status hearing in the case set for December 19th.

More on Julian Assange's case on Wikileaks Twitter......LINK

THE US CHANGING POLICY REGARDING JEWISH SETTLEMENTS IN JUDEA AND SAMARIA (THE WEST BANK).    THE US BACKING AWAY FROM A PREVIOUS POLICY THAT DECLARED THOSE SETTLEMENTS A VIOLATION OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.

As the deadline for forming a new government approaches in Israel this Wednesday, there's a report that the postponement of an Israeli prosecutors conference planned for later this week points to the impending indictment of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.     

 Netanyahu under investigation in three separate corruption cases.    The report says the indictment of Netanyahu is just days away probably this coming Sunday or next Monday.

More from "Haaretz" in Israel........LINK 

Authorities in Ukraine have submitted proposed charges against the country's former president Petro Poroshenko.    The Prosecutor-General's office also proposing a request to the country's parliament (Rada) to approve the lifting of immunity from Poroshenko.

A list of likely charges could put the former president in prison for eight years.

The Russian News Agency Tass reports.......LINK

Russia returning three Ukrainian naval ships seized when they entered Russian waters in the Kerch Strait last November.

The Russian Aerospace Forces in action Sunday in northwestern Syria with up to 29 airstrikes on jihadist opposition forces in Idlib province.    Two jihadists reported killed and others wounded according to the pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

In Libya today seven reported dead in an airstrike in Tripoli.    The target said to have been a biscuit factory.   33 also reported wounded.    Tripoli is controlled by the Government of National Accord which is fighting the Libyan National Army based in the eastern part of the country.

"Arab News" has published an Associated Press story about the attack......LINK

From the British election campaign where the Labor Party and its leader Jeremy Corbyn are constantly associated with Anti-Semitism, a story about the Conservative Party and what one of its candidates has to say about Jews and Israel.

Amjad Bashir, running for a seat in Leeds for the Conservative Party, told the European Parliament that local Jews who go to Israel:

"have come back as extremists....as people that are brainwashed"

"Israel National News" has more......LINK

President Trump meeting with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin at the White House today.

The President wants Powell to be more decisive in lowering interest rates but Powell said by the Fed to be waiting to see more economic data before making any moves.    Powell told Congress recently that interest rates will not be lowered unless there is concrete evidence of damage to the economy.

And for now that's the way it really is for Monday November 18th, 2019.

NEWS SUMMARY-INTELLIGENCE REPORT SUNDAY 11/17/2019

Israel's President Reuven Rivlin says there's still a chance for a unity government.    The disagreements between the Blue and White leader Benny Gantz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud over who should lead such a government have been prominent in the wrangling following Israel's second election this year.

Rivlin urging the leaders to come together ahead of this week's deadline for Mr. Gantz to form a government.   Mr. Netanyahu earlier failed to establish one.

Rivlin saying in part:

"I believe its possible to form a government.   The gaps are more personal than they are ideological, conceptual, political or to do with the needs of the state.  Israel's leaders must understand that the people of Israel come first."

A story from "Israel National News".....LINK

The deadline for Gantz to form a new government is Wednesday.

President Trump tweeting a message to North Korea's ruler Kim Jong-un today starting with an allusion to recent propaganda but ending with a call for a deal on North Korea's nuclear program:

"Mr. Chairman, Joe Biden may be Sleepy and Very Slow, but he is not a "rabid dog",    He is actually somewhat better than that, but I am the only one who can get you where you have to be.  You should act quickly, get the deal done.    See you soon!"-LINK

Earlier Sunday the United States and South Korea announced that they were postponing a joint military exercise criticized by North Korea as provocative.

US Defense Secretary Mark Esper and his South Korean counterpart announcing the decision in Thailand Sunday.   Esper called the move a "good faith effort" to "enable peace".

North Korea recently rejected going back to talks on de-nuclearization until the US changes its approach.

More from the "Voice of America".....LINK

PROTEST CONTINUING IN HONG KONG  OVER THE WEEKEND AND INTO MONDAY.    ON SUNDAY A BIG FIGHT AROUND A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS WHERE PROTESTERS ARE BASED THAT INCLUDED A NEARBY HIGHWAY TUNNEL.

TEAR GAS AND WATER CANNON USED BY THE POLICE.   THE WATER CANNON FIRING A CORROSIVE BLUE DYE.   AN ARROW BECAME EMBEDDED IN A POLICE OFFICER'S LEG DURING THE CLASHES.

POLICE AND PROTESTERS ENGAGED IN A FIGHT INTO EARLY MONDAY MORNING AT THE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS.     THIS IS LIVE VIDEO AS OF 115 PM EASTERN TIME....LINK

AS OF MONDAY MORNING HONG KONG TIME POLICE LAYING SIEGE TO THE COLLEGE CAMPUS WHERE STUDENT PROTESTERS ARE HOLED UP INSIDE WITH MAKESHIFT WEAPONS PREPARED TO RESIST.   THE LATEST LIVE VIDEO FROM THE AREA AT 1130 PM EASTERN US TIME SUNDAY, 1230 PM MONDAY HONG KONG TIME....LINK

In Iran the internet reported shut down amid protests against higher gasoline prices and rationing imposed Friday that have included the torching of banks in the country.

Iran under pressure from the United States massive sanctions regime, a regime comparable if not worse than the sanctions imposed on Japan prior to the opening of World War 2 hostilities in December of 1941.

Iran under condemnation from US officials over how its  handling the protests.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei appearing live for a speech Sunday blaming foreign forces to instigating the protests.

He said in the speech that "sabotage and arson is done by hooligans not our people".

The Iranian President Hassan Rouhani also addressing the situation Sunday as reported by Iran's "Press TV"....LINK

A southern Iranian border crossing with Iraq reported shut down after the protests began.

From Iraq, protesters taking over a third bridge in the center of Baghdad Sunday with additional protests blocking highways in the central and southern parts of the country.

More details from the Associated Press published by "Stars and Stripes".....LINK 

"Macron destroys France and your rights.  We're here for you"

That's the translation of a protest sign held in Paris today as a peaceful gathering of hundreds of people commemorated the first anniversary of the Yellow Vests protest movement in Paris.

In Sri Lanka the younger brother of a former president who spearheaded military operations against the extremist Tamil Tigers a decade ago is the winner of the presidential election.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa expected to win an outright majority of the popular vote over his main rival Sajith Premadasa.

The victory of Mr. Rajapaksa who is called "Terminator" comes seven months after the Islamic terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka that killed 269 people.

The lawyer for a woman who says she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew three times when she was underage says he should be talking to the police and be interviewed under oath instead of the media.

Those comments from Jack Scarola who represents Virginia Roberts Guiffre.

In a BBC interview this weekend the Duke of York categorically denied any relationship with Guiffre and said it can't be proven that the picture of him with  his arms around her waist is real.    He said he has '"no recollection" of meeting her.

The prince said he should have broken off his relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein in the interview.

The "Daily Mail" has more......LINK

And that's the way it really is for this Sunday November 17th, 2019.

NEXTRUSH UNPLUGGED:  SATURDAY NIGHT VERSION NEUTERING NIGEL FARAGE FOR THE SAKE OF ISRAEL? ISRAELI POLITICS, LETS TALK A BIT ABOUT SEX AND THE PRINCELY FRIEND OF JEFFREY EPSTEIN

Music Links:

"LOVE AND MARRIAGE"-FRANK SINATRA

"JUST YOU N' ME"-CHICAGO

"NEXT TIME I FALL IN LOVE"-PETER CETERA AND AMY GRANT

"FOOLED BY A FEELING"-JAMIE OWENS-COLLINS

Back again for the weekend and its time I guess to respond to or consider the BBC interview being rolled out in the Newsdump Friday-Saturday window with Prince Andrew (aka "The Duke of York").

"There was the Duke of York he had ten thousand men.  He marched them up to the top of the hill and he marched them down again.   When you're up you're up and when you're down you're down and when you're only half way up you're neither up nor down"

Jeffrey Epstein was a mistake we are being told, staying at his home was a mistake but what's involved in this whole story goes much deeper than that and there are legal consequences on the table based on Virginia Guiffre's accusation against Prince Andrew of three sexual encounters when she was underage.

And from the Duke of York tonight "no recollection" of meeting Guiffre or as Hillary Clinton might put it "I don't recall".

Here is what the BBC has to offer tonight about its interview....LINK

When it comes to sex my experience is that the wrongdoing is in thought, word and deed or some combination of the three.    Jimmy Carter told "Playboy" he committed adultery in his heart with women which is saying he has sex in his mind with women.

I recall a girl saying to me when I was 17 and she was 15:

"You're sizing me up.   You're looking at me like I'm a piece of meat"

I denied I was doing that to her face and I was of course lying through my teeth.

Not able to admit the truth.    Had to look good.

When it comes to sexual wrongdoing we always seem to end up having to appear to be looking good.

For the sake of the children in situations adults find themselves in.

I do recall Amy Grant back in the 1990's saying the children liked her being with Vince Gill, her second husband, after she left her first one.

And I have wrestled with the historical record of the sexual activities of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. which most people don't care about or want to sweep under the rug or want to exploit for the sake of their own hatred or resentment of Dr. King and what they think he stood for.

So Prince Andrew what would I have brought to that interview?

I go into the literature of my experience to page 69, no kidding.

"One set of voices cry that sex is a lust of our lower nature, a base necessity of procreation.   Then we have the voices who cry for sex and more sex; who bewail the institution of marriage; who think that most of the troubles of the race are traceable to sex causes.    They think we do not have enough of it or that it isn't the right kind....

We all have sex problems.  We'd hardly be human if we didn't.  What can we do about them?  We reviewed our own conduct over the years past.   Where had we been selfish, dishonest, or inconsiderate?  Whom had we hurt?   Did we unjustifiably arouse jealousy, suspicion or bitterness?  Where were we at fault, what should we have done instead?"

This is my experience of how I have had to deal with sex and my life.    Its from pages 68 and 69 of "Alcoholics Anonymous" written 80 years ago in 1939.

There's more to read there in "Chapter 5-How It Works"-LINK

Whoa, something else from 1939, 80 years ago tonight on NBC late in the evening.    Radio the medium of mass communication and the bands broadcast live from where they played.    Its November 16th, 1939 and the newly emerging music star Glenn Miller is live.....

GLENN MILLER-NOVEMBER 16TH, 1939



Music Links:




"BORN TOO LATE"-THE PONI-TAILS




"LIPSTICK ON YOUR COLLAR"-CONNIE FRANCIS




"YOU'VE GOT YOUR TROUBLES"-THE FORTUNES




"HATIKVAH (THE HOPE)"-ISRAEL'S NATIONAL ANTHEM



When I was a kid I saw the "testosterone packed" story of Israel's founding on TV.    Kirk Douglas starring with John Wayne and Frank Sinatra in "Cast A Giant Shadow".     The movie a Hollywooding of the work of Colonel David Marcus portrayed by Kirk Douglas with lots of sex included in the mix, too thick for me at times.   Here's the "Wikipedia" account for some of the facts that did make it into the movie.....COLONEL DAVID MARCUS     Known by his nickname "Mickey" he was rule a breaker.


Here's a scene in that movie recreating the proclamation of Israeli independence in 1948 starting as the national anthem is being sung.....LINK


Well here we are and the news from Israel this week about Gaza and rockets.    Some rockets came fired and intercepted early Saturday morning aimed at Beersheba in southern Israel.   Hamas believed to have been involved a change from the Islamic Jihad rockets earlier.

This story from "Ynet"...."ISRAEL ESTIMATES HAMAS BEHIND ROCKETS FIRED AT BEERSHEVA


There's been a lot of anger towards Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the way he's dealt with Gaza and last weekend one who has criticized him in the past, Naftali Bennett, suddently appointed Defense Minister.

Then Monday night the hits on Islamic Jihad leaders in Gaza and Damascus followed by the massive rocket barrage with 90 percent intercepted by Iron Dome.  Israel's retaliatory strikes followed by a cease-fire that's well, shaky.

The critique of Mr. Netanyahu is that he enables Hamas in Gaza by allowing the Gulf Arabs in Qatar to ship in tens of millions of dollars of cash and then they return the favor with rockets.

Of course the story of Hamas taking over Gaza is the story of how Israel has always fought for its survival by creating divisions among its enemies.    The Palestinian Authority's sudden unseating from power in Gaza in the first place was though it will never publicly be admitted an Israeli move to keep Palestinians divided so the pressure for a Palestinian state would be interdicted.

And now following the second elections this year in Israel the fight for political power with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu trying to hold on in the face of those indictments on the way from Israel's Attorney General.

ISRAEL  POLITICAL UPDATE

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu raising fears of a minority government in Israel led by the Blue and White Party of Benny Gantz that will rely on support from the Joint Arab List.    Gantz, who now has the mandate to form a government, meeting with Israel's President Reuven Rivlin Saturday night for consultations.

The headlines of this "Haaretz" story (the rest behind a paywall) gives the Left version of events:

"Netanyahu Warns of 'Unprecedented Emergency' if Gantz Forms Government Backed by Arab Party"

PM claims Kahol Lavan is trying to establish coalition backed by Joint List, which would pose 'historic danger' to Israel's security....."-"HAARETZ" LINK

On the right from "Israel National News" this story tonight points to Blue and White having the backing of Avigdor Lieberman and his Yisrael Beitenu (Israel Our Home) Party for the minority government as a means of pressuring Netanyahu to abandon other parties to his Right in Israel politics and join Gantz in a 'national unity government' that would sideline Netanyahu as Prime Minister.

LIEBERMAN GIVES GREEN LIGHT TO MINORITY GOVERNMENT

The original source for the story "Israel Hayom"  owned by Sheldon Adelson with his wife Miriam Adelson as publisher.   Both long-time Netanyahu supporters.



Music Links:



"POWDER ROOM POLITICS"-SAM (LESLIE) PHILLIPS



"THERE'S A KIND OF HUSH"-HERMAN'S HERMITS



"SUNDAY WILL NEVER BE THE SAME"-SPANKY AND OUR GANG



"BENNIE AND THE JETS"-ELTON JOHN

NIGEL FARAGE FALLS ON HIS SWORD FOR ISRAEL, FOR TRUMP, FOR A TITLE?

The hard truths of British politics and the quest of Nigel Farage to get the UK out of the European Union 100 percent in the face of pretend Brexits from the Conservative Party including the latest highly touted "great deal" from Boris Johnson.

Farage has tied the Brexit Party's hands behind its back for the December 12th General Election by pulling out of the fight in 317 House of Commons seats won by the Conservative Party in the last election.

Is there a deal between Johnson and Farage?    Donald Trump has publicly said he hopes Boris and Nigel come together......VIDEO LINK

Then there's this notion of the deal to give Farage something in exchange for helping the Conservative Party.   The "Independent" reports on how this allegation is being spread about...LINK

But then we the barrage of attacks on the Labor Party leader Jeremy Corbyn from Trump, from the Conservatives, from everywhere and anywhere it seems including the notion that he is or leads a party that is:

"Anti-Semitic"

Muslims are big supporters of the Labor Party and to the extent that Muslims are a part of the UK and Western Europe they change public opinion about Israel and maybe vote for governments that won't be so friendly to Israel.

Consider people who prefer Boris to Nigel like Tommy Robinson and by Tommy's side is Avi Yemeni, a dual Israeli-Australian citizen.

Israel needs to keep its enemies from getting a foothold anywhere and the tactics like we mentioned earlier getting Hamas into power in Gaza to keep rule in Palestinian territory divided.

And who's behind the propaganda barrage against the "Anti-Semite Corbyn"?

A cabinet minister fired for having meetings in Israel without telling the Foreign Office by the former Prime Minister Theresa May, Priti Patel, came back into Boris Johnson government.

Nigel Farage's move to limit his party's campaign coming amidst intense pressure and were the pro-Israel forces behind that?    I say yes to some extent.

Farage sees a deadlocked Parliament after December 12th and I sense that will be the outcome of this election, too.

915 PM EASTERN UPDATE


A long day with important business at home and limited posting time on this first anniversary protest day for France's Yellow Vests.    I will attempt to put that piece of news to bed in the minutes ahead.


But for now......

LOUISIANA ELECTION UPDATE

The polls are closed and will President Trump get his wish of a Republican governor in Louisiana and the defeat of incumbent Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards?

You can see the vote totals direct from the Secretary of State's website in Louisiana.....

LOUISIANA ELECTION RESULTS

Early returns include many absentees plus a few actual precincts voting today.


Music Links:




SAM PHILLIPS-"TELL HER WHAT SHE WANTS TO KNOW"



"VICTIMS OF THE AGE"-MARK HEARD



"IT HURTS TO BE IN LOVE"-GENE PITNEY



'KUNG FU FIGHTING"-CARL DOUGLAS


Its coming up 1045 pm here in the Eastern USA  92 percent of the vote counted in Louisiana and John Bel Edwards, Democrat, leads by 9,000 votes.  As I look closer at the parishes (counties) of Louisiana its worth noting that only 68 percent reporting in from heavily Democrat Orleans Parish.

Still plenty of votes to be piled on for Edwards from there.  But is there enough out in the other places to counter that?

Richard Nixon said that:

"we can't run the world without China"

and the man who ran Nixon's foreign policy is still with us,  Dr. Henry Kissinger.

Kissinger saying this week that the US and China must get along or:

"It will be worse than the world wars that ruined European civilization"

Kissinger's comments Thursday in New York picked up by the "South China Morning Post" in Hong Kong......LINK

Now moving forward a video interview with Peter Hitchens billed as "The Key To Happiness" for your consideration......LINK

Music Links:

"I WAS COUNTRY WHEN COUNTRY WASN'T COOL"-BARBARA MANDRELL

"HOW CAN I UNLOVE YOU"-LYNN ANDERSON

"BRANDED MAN"-MERLE HAGGARD

"MEMORY MAKER"-MEL TILLIS

THE REAL NEWS SUMMARY

In Louisiana incumbent Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards declared the winner over Republican challenger Eddie Rispone.   President Trump had campaigned in the state for Rispone and with 99 percent of the vote counted statewide Edwards has 51 percent to Rispone's 49 percent  (773,094 votes to 733,151 votes)

In Iowa a new poll of the Democrats showing South Bend, Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg leading with 25 percent support with Senator Elizabeth Warren at 16 percent, former Vice-President Joe Biden at 15 percent and Senator Bernie Sanders also at 15 percent.

Iowa holds its presidential caucus in February of next year.

WITH THE TURMOIL IN THE DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL FIELD AND THE ANNOINTED CANDIDATE FORMER VP JOE BIDEN LAGGING,  FORMER PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA HAS MADE HIS MOST POINTED COMMENTS YET ABOUT THE CONTEST AMONG DEMOCRAT PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES.

OBAMA SAID FRIDAY THAT THE COUNTRY IS "LESS REVOLUTIONARY THAN IT IS INTERESTED IN IMPROVEMENT"   HE ALSO WARNED AGAINST POLICIES THAT ARE NOT "ROOTED IN REALITY".

MORE FROM THE BBC.....LINK

In Iran the government warning that security forces could get involved after two days of protest in the country against higher gasoline prices and rationing imposed on Friday.  At least one person reported dead in the protest.

The government saying the hike in fuel prices will help support the poor in the country.    It comes amidst tightening US sanctions.

In Lebanon the former finance minister Mohammed Safadi pulling out of consideration to be the country's next prime minister.    He said it would be difficult to form a "harmonious" government.

Lebanon looking for a new prime minister after weeks of protests led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Saad Hariri.

More from "Israel National News"......LINK

In France Saturday the first anniversary of the "Yellow Vests" protests commemorated with tens of thousands in the streets, 28-thousand according to the government and some 44-thousand in a preliminary estimate posted on Facebook.

More details in this special post.....LINK

And for now that's the way it really is on this Saturday night November 16th, 2019...

Good Night to all and God Bless......

More music into the night.....

Music Links:

"STRENGTH OF MY LIFE"-LESLIE PHILLIPS

"SPIRIT WINGS"-JONI EARECKSON TADA

"DON'T LET THE GOOD TIMES FOOL YOU"-MELBA MONTGOMERY

"WILLING HEART"-KELLI WILLARD

FRANCE YELLOW VESTS WEEK 53:  ANNIVERSARY WEEKEND PROTEST, GOVERNMENT SAYS 28-THOUSAND INVOLVED, 44-THOUSAND ACCORDING TO YELLOW VESTS, MARINE LE PEN SAYS GOVERNMENT "USEFUL" TO ANARCHISTS

This weekend designated as an anniversary protest for the Yellow Vests.

Earlier in the week BFM-TV rolled out a poll saying that 63 percent of those polled did not want to see the Yellow Vests protests regenerate in France.

A call for a protest on the Champs-Elysees in Paris today but police imposing a protest ban there on Friday.

Also talk from activist Eric Drouet for a protest on the ring road around Paris.

Plus an event involving a march in the streets today and another street march planned tomorrow in the capital city.

Plenty of other issues on the table in France nowadays that move beyond the "green" taxes on gasoline.

President Emmanuel Macron determined to roll through pension reform in another sign of cost cutting austerity that will impact the average person in France.

Railroad workers already taking limited strike actions leading up to a major strike planned for December 5th.

Macron also insistent on having his way with the restoration of the fire gutted Notre Dame Cathedral.
Both he and the man he's put in charge, General  Jean-Louis Georgelin insisting on the new spire of  the cathedral being "contemporary" instead of ancient.

Georgelin saying that the architect Philippe Villeneuve, who's publicly expressed his disagreement with a modern spire,   should "shut his mouth".

More on this as published by the BBC.......LINK


Protests called for across France including a toll station blockage in Bordeaux and a join march with environmentalists in Lille.

At the Place d'Italie in Paris Yellow Vests already gathered and RT is broadcasting in French.....LINK

A live stream multiplex  video...... LINK....also available.....

The Sputnik video stream from Paris is also operating......LINK

The black uniforms of the anarchists, the "black blocs",  prominent in Paris in the video being streamed mid-day.  Rocks being thrown at a shopping area.

As of 8 pm Paris time some 147 arrests reported as the black blocs and police tangled in the Place D'Italie.     This one minute video shows the chaos as the fight was underway...LINK

Later in the evening a police car overturned outside the Paris police headquarters and earlier in the day the vandalism of the Marshal Juin monument at the Place D'Italie.   Juin commanded French troops who fought with the Allies in Italy during World War II

Video from BFM-TV of the protest on the ring road around Paris today....LINK

Yellow Vests gathering in other places outside Paris today like this traffic circle in Mans....LINK

Also in Brest today a gathering alongside a highway and this two hour video shows a participant traveling to the protest and then he actual protest itself along a highway....LINK

Video of the Yellow Vests in Bordeaux today albeit sideways via phone.....LINK  A longer 15 minute video at this link with Yellow Vests motorcyles visible early in the video....LINK  The police saying some 1800 protested there today.

Another traffic circle (roundabout) protest in the southwest of France at Angouleme today...LINK

This video from Normandy at Mondeville near Caen police making an arrest with someone down on the ground......LINK

Nearly one thousand Yellow Vests reported by the police in Nantes today with clashes as the protest moved towards its conclusion.  The police using tear gas.

This video from Montpellier showing a protest in the area of a traffic circle.    There are reports of five arrests today and vandalism at the home of a ruling party politician in Montpellier......LINK

In Toulouse hundred said to have been involved in the Yellow Vests protest with tear gas employed as seen in this RT video......LINK

The official government estimate is that some 28-thousand participated nationwide.

Meanwhile National Rally leader Marine Le Pen tweeted that the government's management of the protests "left the idiots useful" enabling the "black blocs" of anarchists.

She described Interior Minister Christophe Castaner as "incompetent and.....accomplice!" in her post.

Le Pen also noting that the government's failure to preempt the anarchists and enabling their rampages leads to a point where:

"The claims of #GiletsJaunes (Yellow Vests) are thus soiled"

And in conclusion an estimate published by the "Yellow Number" Facebook tonight says some 44-thousand protested across France today.   The Yellow Vests first anniversary includes activity tomorrow and that will be covered in later news posts as information is available.