Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts
Showing posts with label European Union. Show all posts

Thursday, September 29, 2022

Misstepping, Lock stepping Rise to Power and Relentless Malice

A Curious Character


Rose” Albrecht Von der Leyen

She was reportedly known since childhood as Röschen (Rose) born of a German / European politician and civil servant who made a name for political scandals most famously one that in the late 1970s involved manufactured evidence (exposed in the 1980s as a West German government plot) against a group called the “Red Army Faction.”

 During 1992 through 1996, she was a California (USA) housewife.

A couple of decades later, daughter Ursula Gertrud Albrecht (Von der Leyen) was accused by German scholars and other reviewers of having plagiarized huge portions of her 1991 doctoral thesis and that the material she presented failed to prove her thesis. Some academics accused her publicly of “intended plagiarism.”

An investigation conducted by reviewers at her Alma meter, the Hannover Medical School (Hanover, Germany), concluded in March 2016 that the “thesis contains plagiarism.” However, despite critics’ opposition, an investigatory commission took no punitive measures and permitted the physician to retain her medical license.

A

lbrecht (Von der Leyen): a continued pattern

 World News February 2022

 European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announces supply of weapons to Ukraine, closure of European airspace to all Russian aircraft, and EU banning of Russian media outlets RT and Sputnik. She accused the latter of spreading “harmful disinformation.”

No news from the ground

Also in February 

  • “German regulators banned RT’s German-language channel.
  • Google-subsidiary “YouTube” and Meta parent company of Facebook “demonetized RT’s accounts.”
  • “Google blocked downloads of RT’s app on Ukrainian territory.” RT February 27, 2022 “EU to ban RT and Sputnik: European Commission president announces bloc-wide ban on Russian media outlets,” https://www.rt.com/russia/550778-rt-sputnik-ban-eu/

Von der Leyen’s EU press

European Commission: “Disinformation: Commission welcomes the new stronger and more comprehensive Code of Practice on disinformation” Press release June16, 2022-Brussels https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_3664

(Excerpt)

The established Task Force will …

  • Monitor, review and adapt the commitments in view of technological, societal, market and legislative developments.
  • Broaden participation… not just for big platforms but also (for) a variety of diverse players (tasked with) mitigating the spread of disinformation (emphasis added)
  • Cut financial incentives for spreading disinformation by ensuring that purveyors of disinformation do not benefit from advertising revenues
  • Cover new manipulative behaviors such as fake accounts, bots or malicious deep fakes spreading disinformation
  • Empower users with better tools to recognize, understand and flag disinformation
  • Expand fact-checking in all EU countries and all its languages (and ensure that) fact-checkers are fairly rewarded for their work
  • Evaluate its (Commission’s) own impact through a strong monitoring framework and regular reporting from platforms on how they’re implementing their commitments

 NOTE: In the United States, “ownership” is an open “lawful” secret.   

 

The content and slant of news coverage (or blackout) is determined by an incestuous, entrenched public-private partnering cabal revolving in and out of government, moving influence, reciprocity, money, contracts, retainers, and an array of favors (corruption incarnate!) to achieve selfish, narrow ends.

 World News September 2022

 All terms as stated and defined by the European Commission

 Von der Leyen’s Europe demands, under law, that media companies disclose their “ownership” and any “conflicts of interest” “that might influence” their reporting.

Von der Leyen’s EU press

European Commission

“European Media Freedom Act: Commission proposes rules to protect media pluralism and independence in the EU Press release September 16, 2022-Brussels https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_5504

Speaking in contradictory terms

The proposed Regulation includes… safeguards against political interference in editorial decisions,” focuses on “stable funding of public service media,” … probing “media ownership and … allocation of state advertising.”

Except from Russia, infers European Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton, “the European Media Freedom Act provides

“Common safeguards” (guaranteeing) “a plurality of voices”

(Enabling) “our media… to operate without any interference private or public

“A new European watchdog to promote the effective application of new (EU Commission- determined) media freedom rules and to screen (unwanted EU Commission determined) media concentrations.”

Yes and No Propaganda, Disinformation  

“The European Media Freedom Act will ensure that media – public and private – can operate more easily across borders (only EU (Collective West, USA) brainwashing, propaganda, disinformation allowed) in the EU internal market, … taking into account the digital transformation of the media space.”

An EU Commission “Board” will “coordinate national regulatory measures regarding non-EU media that” (as determined by the EU Commission) “present a risk to public security….”

The European Media Freedom Act announced by President von der Leyen in her 2021 State of the Union Address… builds on the Commission’s ‘rule of law’ reports” that provide “for EU-wide coordination of national legislation for audiovisual media…;” and build on the “new Code of Practice on Disinformation” set out in the “European Democracy Action Plan” and the “EU’s efforts in (contradictory yes no fashion)

promoting democratic participation… and supporting media freedom….”

 

A source calling itself “The Deep Dive” terms the situation “A Shrinking Propaganda Machine” wherein only the Collective West is permitted to spread fairytales, falsehoods, farfetched slants, and propaganda.

CNN reports that TV carriers around the world are removing Russia Today from their channel lineup. Social media companies TikTok and the parent company of Facebook and Instagram (Meta) locking step by blocking Russia Today in Europe.

Reuters reports staff of Ruptly forced to leave their posts. The Deep Dive March 1, 2022, “Max Keiser Deletes Pro-Russia Tweets, Quits Russia Today,” https://thedeepdive.ca/max-keiser-deletes-pro-russia-tweets-quits-russia-today/

The Deep Dive describes itself as a source of stock analysis “for young investors on the Canadian junior markets” https://thedeepdive.ca/about/

 

At its website, Ruptly defines itself (differently from the Deep Dive’s definition of it) as “an award-winning international news agency” founded in 2013 by ANO TV Novosti “as an independent commercially-funded organization and sister agency to RT” and “a competitive alternative to the status quo news agencies.” The agency delivers “exclusive high impact and viral video, a varied selection of daily live feeds, and a full range of broadcast services and a customized personal service.” About Ruptly https://www.ruptly.tv/en/about-ruptly

 

P

ress is Free and Speech is Free except “Your” Press and “Your” Speech

Propagandists ban professional and well-sourced and prepared reporting. Capriciously and maliciously, they would ban media programming and content that does not salute and bow to their slants, their misinformation, their propaganda.

Any vulgarity and demonization and assassination, any mass killing and displacement of multi millions by the Collective West is praised by public figures and personalities; praised, promoted and applauded by the West’s major media. 

But serious news and reporting, analysis and commentary, any attempt by "the East" (of any alternative branded with some made-out-to-be disparaging label) to enhance public understanding, lend serious balance (not merely left-right, either-or), invite civil and intelligent debate is subjected to censorship, outright banning, and the imposition of violent aggression commonly known as sanctions.

It begs the question “what are they afraid of?” Why does the Collective West not want the masses of people of read (and reflect on) views, current events and historic context other than their own propaganda, misinformation, toxicity, and divide, conquer and maintain inordinate disinformation machines

Von der Leyen’s

R

uthless, Relentless, see-through Veiled Malice

 “The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed fresh anti-Russia sanctions on Wednesday. These included tighter trade restrictions, blacklisting of more individuals (Joe McCarthy style) and an oil price cap for third countries.”

“Under the proposal, European companies would be barred from providing more services to Russia, and European citizens would be prohibited from sitting on boards of Russian state companies.”

In its earlier actions the European Union “adopted seven packages of sanctions against Russia, targeting the country’s financial sector, individuals and entities, as well as Russian coal and gold, among other items.” RT September 28, 2022 “EU proposes new ‘biting’ sanctions against Russia: Oil price cap was among suggested measures aimed at hitting Moscow even more, Ursula von der Leyen says” https://www.rt.com/business/563674-eu-proposes-new-russia-sanctions/

“The European Commission has unveiled sweeping new regulations it claims will protect independent media against political interference and surveillance.

“The ‘Media Freedom Act,’ published on Friday, will ban the use of spyware and other surveillance tactics against journalists and their family members, and forbid the search and seizure of media offices – except ‘on the grounds of national security,’ in which case law enforcement must meet a high burden of proof.” RT September 17, 2022 “EU takes aim at ‘press freedom’ with new law: The regulations purport to safeguard against political interference in editorial decisions,” https://www.rt.com/news/563015-europe-press-freedom-law-disinformation/

 

Mrs. Von der Leyen’s lock stepping, despite hiccups and short stints, has permitted her rise to power, and its abuse.

  • Minister of Social Affairs, Women and Families and Health of Lower Saxony
  • March 4, 2003 –November 22, 2005 
  • Minister of Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth
  • November 22, 2005 –November 30, 2009 
  • Minister of Labour and Social Affairs
  • November 30, 2009 –December 17, 2013
  • Minister of Defense
  • December 17, 2013 –July17, 2019
  • President of the European Commission
  • December 1, 2019 - present

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ursula_von_der_Leyen

 

 

World and National Sources
Collage composed of individual Internet images
Composition, Commentary excluding quoted material and individual images

Copyright © Carolyn LaDelle Bennett

Author’s links

www.BennettsAmericanEpitaph.com

https://www.facebook.com/carolynladelle.bennett

https://insightbeyondtodaysnews.blogspot.com/

nolandanisland@hotmail.com

 

Monday, July 23, 2018

Consider the Source


Bannon - Kassam Bona Fides

Three times married and divorced private Catholic military high school and technical college graduate member of the U.S. military Stephen Kevin Bannon ventures into media and entertainment including the pageantry of rabid partisan politics. 

In 2006, Bannon reportedly “persuaded Goldman Sachs to invest in a company known as Internet Gaming Entertainment.” After a lawsuit against the company, the principals “rebranded” it as “Affinity Media” with Bannon as its CEO and later (2007-2011) chairman and CEO of Affinity Media.

B
annon has been in and out of an organization called “Breitbart News”: first, as a founding board member; then executive chair (2012) of Breitbart News’ parent company, Breitbart News LLC; and, after a brief stint on the White House staff, the parent company’s returning executive chairman. The presumably American Stephen Bannon has reportedly cozied up to “the British National Party (BNP), the English Defence League (EDL-UK), and the UK Independence Party (UKIP)”; and has on occasion urged former UKIP leader, Nigel Farage—who once “presented Bannon with a portrait of Bannon dressed as Napoleon Bonaparte”—to return as the group’s leader.
Born of Tanzanian (Eastern African) immigrants originating in Western India and raised Ismaili Muslim (Ismāʿīlism tracing its theological origins “to the lifetime of Muhammad” and at one point in history “the largest branch of Shī‘ism”), graduate of comprehensive and technical secondary and post-secondary schools, Raheem Kassam fancies himself an “atheist” who authored “No Go Zones: How Sharia Law Is Coming to a Neighborhood Near.”

I
n his current incarnation, the 32-year-old Kassam, half the age of his senior partner,  still profiles thinly as “a former chief advisor to UK Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage,” and a has-been editor-in-chief of Breitbart News (London).


Today’s News  

Steve Bannon and sidekick Raheem Kassam have reportedly announced their creation of “a Brussels-based political organization intended to undermine and ultimately paralyze the European Union.” 

A tall order for small fry!

Something they call “The Movement” and further describe as a “clearing house for the populist, nationalist movement in Europe…, focusing attention on assisting individuals or groups concerned with the matters of sovereignty, border control, jobs, amongst other things,” is said to be “operating and hiring” (Kassam to Reuters).

Not surprising

“Kassam declined to give further details about [their] foundation.”  

Loudmouthed Kassam and Bannon are a source without distinction or credential.


Consider Character, Content of a Union

T
he European Union began with six founding states (Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands) and has grown to 28 member states.

Countries seeking membership in the EU “must meet the Copenhagen criteria, defined at the 1993 meeting of the European Council in Copenhagen”; namely,
A stable democracy that respects human rights and the rule of law;
A functioning market economy; and
Acceptance of the obligations of membership, including EU law
The Council of Europe (CoE) is a wider international organization, beyond the EU institutions, composed of 47 member states whose stated aim is to uphold human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Europe.


T
he European Union (EU) has no official capital; however, as Brussels has a long history of hosting institutions of the European Union within its European Quarter, “Brussels is considered the de facto capital of the European Union.” 

Belgium hosts the official seats of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, and the European Council; as well as a seat of the European Parliament in the country’s capital, Brussels.

Reports showed in 2010 that the EU was headquarters to 161 of the world’s “top 500 largest corporations” as measured by revenue. In 2015, average annual net earnings in the EU was estimated at “€24,000(US$30,000)”, “about 70 percent” of average annual net earnings in the United States.



Sources

PressTV “Former Trump aide Bannon sets up political group to ‘paralyze’ EU: Report” July 23, 2018 https://www.presstv.com/Detail/2018/07/23/569048/Steve-Bannon-political-group-EU

Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Bannon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raheem_Kassam
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brussels_and_the_European_Union
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belgium



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