The Post-Partisan Emporium

 Thanks to Who D. Who for recommending this article... Patrick Lawrence: Putin—Behind the Shoji Russian President Vladimir Putin arriving in the North Korean capital Pyongyang on June 18. (President of Russia) By Patrick Lawrence /  Consortium News I t is never a good idea to turn to corporate media for an understanding of Vladimir Putin — his thoughts, his intentions, what he does and the outcome of what he does. Whenever the Russian president is the topic, you are always going to get reports so distorted as to obscure vastly more than they reveal.  This pervasively Western–centric work makes it impossible, for anyone who relies solely on it, to see either the Russian leader or the nation he represents with any clarity, just as they are. One is invited to think Putin never acts but for the damage his chosen course will inflict on the U.S., the rest of the Atlantic world, and by extension the non–Western allies of this world. The net effect of this unceasing exercise...

  Ready for War LINH DINH [Vung Tau, 3/18/24] For several days, I couldn’t get out before six, but today, I was refreshed enough to have my first cup of coffee just after 5AM, at the cafe on General Uprising. Claiming my usual table, front, center and looking out, I was promptly served without ordering. Most of the other patrons were outside on the sidewalk. I recognized nearly all. Past 50, they were going on about high blood pressure and, with much amusement, cosmetic surgery. In auburn pajamas with black polka dots, that chubby seller of lottery tickets laughingly said, “They say suction, but it’s really cutting out fat!” Wrinkled thin man, “That’s right. It’s just like trimming fat from pork.” Grave man, “Some need to have fat pumped in. Others to have it sucked out.” Polka dots, “When I went back to my village, they asked if I had a face lift. Ha! Who has the money for that?!” Wrinkles, “It’s good to have fat. The body needs fat.” Polka dots, “Take whatever god gives you. The ...