Slow Supertrend of Change and Chaos

[harryg]

We once did part of the the 'Burgundy Wine Route' (Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne).

Stay in nice châteaux, sample huge gastronomic menus, each course with a different wine etc. Gevrey Chambertin, Puligny Montrachet and all that. I remember one place smoked their own duck, which was starter #2 of a 7-course menu.

There is a huge amount of snobbery in wine, particularly in France, but it was fun to try the good stuff in the 'correct' glasses and corresponding ambience.

We made wine from our own vines for some years, maybe wasn't up to much but it was ours! (and about as 'natural' as you can get).


PS: Can't help noticing that this thread is called Slow Supertrend of Change and Chaos...

[stefk]

Yes thats it, a lot of snobbery in France in the wine sector and also in the french cuisine. You dont find this snobbery in Alentejo, honnest people, their cuisine is the image of the portuguese people. a cuisine of countrymen and seamen.

[stefk]

Southern Portugal produces stunningly great wine at low cost.

I went many times in southern Portugal for 35 years, Alentejo, the planicie dourada, I made twice the road of the wine in Alentejo, and the place to be for the wine is Borba. A village in northern Alentejo, you find there the cooperativa. Very good memeries in Borba.

Before the wine Pastel de nata and before the Pastel de nata, Polvo à Lagareiro are great ways to start the evening or afternoon.

Depends of the region where you are. Polvo, fish, caldeirada and bacalhau (cod) when you are on the coast, porco alentejana when you are in the countryside. But everywhere in Portugal, to begin with the caldo verde, portuguese cabbage soup. And to finish the meal, a strong little cafe (bica), and after it, the bagaceira aguardente. Its all a lifestyle.

[nicolas]

PS: Can't help noticing that this thread is called Slow Supertrend of Change and Chaos...

Coming back to the original topic, this article https://www.contrepoints.org/2022/11/23 ... des-sectes was so on point that I thought many here would be interested in the English translation.

(For the French speakers in this group, the author who regularly publishes on Contrepoints under the pen name h16 is always a delight to read.)

Sectarian aberrations: don't forget the biggest of the sects

The State explains that it is fighting against sects, but it is only looking for one thing: by fighting against competitors, it wants to have a monopoly on its market.

The stupefaction is total: a few days ago, we learned that France, although it is a country of honey and milk, would be the fertile ground for the appearance of certain sects and other shady groupings of a sectarian nature. In any case, this is what the dedicated interministerial mission, the Miviludes, said in a recent report which was quickly mentioned in all the mainstream media.

Worse still: these sectarian aberrations are even on the rise in the country, to the point that between two additional restrictions on freedom for the people and one or other grotesque financial mismanagement, the government intends to firmly combat this new scourge by setting up "conferences on sectarian aberrations and conspiracy".

Yes, just like that and with a casualness that is characteristic of power without any restraint, you will have noticed the appearance of the word "conspiracy" at the same time as "sectarian aberrations", the Miviludes having seen its missions suddenly swollen with this new domain: France, led by the Mozart of Finance, is therefore going to launch a bitter (but necessary, of course!) fight against the sects and conspiracy theorists that are plaguing it.

A practical coincidence: this is also what other Western countries such as New Zealand or Canada will do, or all those who explain how "democracy is in danger" because of these sectarian aberrations and these conspiracy theorists, each more far-fetched than the last. In this picture, one will be surprised by the brevity of the American "Disinformation Governance Council" which did not survive more than six months. We can reassure ourselves by saying that this is only a postponement, given the insistence of other countries on setting up this kind of institution.

Of course, there is no doubt about it: by clearly and openly opening the hunt against cults, Western governments intend to fight against conspiracy theorists, i.e. non-conformists and all those slimy movements having the bad taste of not taking official information at face value.

It is in fact no coincidence that this renewed fight against cults also corresponds to the moment when the mainstream media doubles down on the "fight against disinformation" and when politicians start to think about strengthening their counter-offensives against the nasty misbelievers.

Don't doubt it, all this is part of a real mobilization of government and media troops against the crumbling of public opinion by deviants who refuse to fit into the mold. And the mixture of sectarianism and conspiracy is not a coincidence: if we think about it for two minutes, we notice that those who interpret commonly available facts in a different way from the official networks (sanctioned by the government and the mainstream media) can sometimes be considered interesting enough to attract followers, disciples who then take it upon themselves to relay their analyses and conclusions, which are seldom tuned in to the messages (and the goals) of the official information.

So renamed gurus, these nasty conspiracists or disinformers fall - in a very practical way - into the target of these anti-cult actions. Clever.

Of course, in order to legally define the case, governments have been quick to define what a cult is. A careful reading of the Wikipedia article dedicated to the question allows us to identify the main points of this definition: a cult is legally defined as a group with a pyramidal organization of centralized power in the hands of one person (a guru) or a small college of leaders, which practices mental manipulation of its followers, extortion of funds, seeks to exclude all different doctrines, breaks away from the original environment of the members, can affect their physical and psychological health, seeks to recruit children, quite often causes disturbances to public order and collects legal problems.

However, when reading this definition, something becomes quite clear: the biggest sect currently operating in France is certainly not the one that is the most fought against, on the contrary. However, there can be no doubt: almost by definition, the French State meets all the criteria, and the abuses of the last two years further increase the feeling that the increase in sectarian aberrations observed is primarily due to it.

Indeed, is it useful to go back to the current centralization of power in the hands of an enarque [note: a graduate from the School of Public Administration] who is increasingly difficult to control? Is it necessary to evoke the (artificial) multiplication of the colleges of apparat for the most iniquitous and zany decisions which have followed one another these last years?

Is it really necessary to go back over the mental manipulations that have taken place during this period, the multiplication of paradoxical injunctions, the visible alternation of periods of relaxation and those of deprivation, the contradictory messages and the completely crazy prohibitions or obligations whose birth can, for the most part, be traced back to the little papers of consulting firms paid (by the taxpayer) to manipulate public opinion in the desired direction?

Is it useful to recall that the Head of State has been intending for more than two years to make the French people enter (willingly or by force) into a "world of after" in real rupture with the "world of before"? How can we not see there this project of rupture that any sect would set up to durably sever the links of the members with the reality of the outside world?

The extortion of funds has never been as visible as it is now when the finances of the French State are catastrophic. From taxes (remember that they represent more than half of the price of gasoline at the pump, for example) to billions distributed for various causes that all violate common sense or the basic needs of the French people, is it anything other than a real racket currently being set up by the Macronie?

The exclusion of any different doctrine is precisely the action currently being taken to silence the "conspiracists": Truth cannot be shared, it can only come from the official bearers of governmental light.

As for the attacks on the physical or psychic health of the French people, there is no need to detail them. Everyone has paid, is paying and will pay heavily in his flesh and soul this period which began with the arrival of Macron to power - the Yellow Vests still remember it - continued with the distribution of miracle injections and continues currently with the permanent mantras of energy crisis or inescapable climatic catastrophe.

This state sect, an evil octopus that now infuses all of French society, has also set out, like any sect, to educate the children it claims to educate. We see the calamitous result every day.

Not surprisingly, by the decisions that have been taken and that continue to follow one another with a disturbing rhythm, this sect causes a lot of public order problems (think about it when the power is interrupted in the middle of winter) and collects legal problems that it has no difficulty in crushing since it is the Justice.

In short, when the State explains that it is fighting against sects, it is only looking for one thing: by fighting against competitors, it is only looking for a monopoly on its market, by force if necessary.

However, rest assured that no one will draw any conclusions from this. No action will be taken, no questioning will be considered. And just as in other sects, the current members of the Church of the Macronian Millenarian and Catastrophic State will go on to the end. There can be no other way, the one chosen by the Guru being the only right and good one.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

By the way, how great is DeepL? I only had a couple of minor edits to do to accommodate crafty sentences otherwise impossible to translate. So much progress since the early days of Google Translate spitting out nonsense!

[LoriPrecisely]

Thank you, Nicolas for this very insightful article.
Interesting that this is happening in so many different countries.

I just watched this last night.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCxvWSipIXo
You can start at 9:10.
The evil man Klaus Schwab is still busy trying to control the world.

[DOCLUC]

PS: Can't help noticing that this thread is called Slow Supertrend of Change and Chaos...

By the way, how great is DeepL? I only had a couple of minor edits to do to accommodate crafty sentences otherwise impossible to translate. So much progress since the early days of Google Translate spitting out nonsense!

DeepL is impressive.
your post interesting

[outof thebox]

Russia blasts US over LGBTQ law 'interference'

By criticizing Russian legislation banning LGBTQ, pedophilia, and sex-change propaganda, US officials are interfering in the nation's internal affairs, Moscow's embassy in Washington said on Friday. It also urged the US to respect the views of the Russian people. In a statement, the embassy said it had noted “the statements of numerous of US officials” criticizing the bill, which was approved by Russia's parliament on Thursday. “We consider such statements as gross interference in our internal affairs,” the diplomatic mission said, adding that “Russia consistently stands for the protection of traditional family values” and rejects“attempts by Western states, led by the United States, to impose pseudo-liberal and perverted ideas about human rights on other countries.” The embassy asked the US to respect the decision of Russian citizens “to adhere to moral guidelines” that have been embraced by many generations and are “the basis of Russian civic identity.”

https://www.rt.com/news/567215-russia-u ... lgbtq-ban/

While RT contains a lot of propaganda, this article reminds of the values we used to have. I am not against any group, but if the minority suddenly start to dictate the rules, then that does not make for a happy setting

[bpcw]

Russia blasts US over LGBTQ law 'interference'

By criticizing Russian legislation banning LGBTQ, pedophilia, and sex-change propaganda, US officials are interfering in the nation's internal affairs, Moscow's embassy in Washington said on Friday. It also urged the US to respect the views of the Russian people. In a statement, the embassy said it had noted “the statements of numerous of US officials” criticizing the bill, which was approved by Russia's parliament on Thursday. “We consider such statements as gross interference in our internal affairs,” the diplomatic mission said, adding that “Russia consistently stands for the protection of traditional family values” and rejects“attempts by Western states, led by the United States, to impose pseudo-liberal and perverted ideas about human rights on other countries.” The embassy asked the US to respect the decision of Russian citizens “to adhere to moral guidelines” that have been embraced by many generations and are “the basis of Russian civic identity.”

https://www.rt.com/news/567215-russia-u ... lgbtq-ban/

While RT contains a lot of propaganda, this article reminds of the values we used to have. I am not against any group, but if the minority suddenly start to dictate the rules, then that does not make for a happy setting

The key word in this is propaganda, it's one thing being accepting of minority groups but when they push an agenda onto people, especially the young it is dangerous, I mean so many teenagers are coming out as being bi, and I just don't believe it.

[bpcw]

This says it all about the mainstream media:

https://youtu.be/RSZFBMzyAXY

[gnosis12]

former Belgian Foreign Minister Mark Eyskens that the EU is “an economic giant, a political dwarf, and a military worm.

” Worms are by nature both invertebrate and brainless, and the European dwarf suffers not just from height issues but multiple personality disorder. The giant however has a mind and body of its own.

https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/ ... -it-looks/

Looks like the Belgian Foreign minster was onto something

[SOL]

The U.S. consumer price index rose 7.7% in October from a year ago — down from a 40-year high of 9.1% in June. But hot inflation continues to hit consumers hard.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), roughly 20 million households in the U.S. — one out of six homes — are behind on their utility bills.

As of August, these families owe about $16.1 billion in total, with an average amount owed of $788 — and the consequences of this could be dire, especially as home heat costs are expected to reach their highest level in over 10 years.

“I expect a tsunami of shutoffs,” Jean Su, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, told Bloomberg.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that October prices for electricity jumped 14.1% from a year ago. And just a few months before in August, this marker recorded its biggest 12-month increase since August 1981.

According to Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA, the country is “heading towards a period of unaffordable energy prices.” Wolfe called on Congress to act to increase funding to offset increasing prices.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/expect-t ... 00860.html

[Triplethought]

The U.S. consumer price index rose 7.7% in October from a year ago — down from a 40-year high of 9.1% in June. But hot inflation continues to hit consumers hard.

According to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA), roughly 20 million households in the U.S. — one out of six homes — are behind on their utility bills.

As of August, these families owe about $16.1 billion in total, with an average amount owed of $788 — and the consequences of this could be dire, especially as home heat costs are expected to reach their highest level in over 10 years.

“I expect a tsunami of shutoffs,” Jean Su, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity, told Bloomberg.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that October prices for electricity jumped 14.1% from a year ago. And just a few months before in August, this marker recorded its biggest 12-month increase since August 1981.

According to Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA, the country is “heading towards a period of unaffordable energy prices.” Wolfe called on Congress to act to increase funding to offset increasing prices.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/expect-t ... 00860.html

That is so weird. if you go look at crude oil (CL=F) on yahoo it's the lowest it's been since June. same for NG=F (natural gas).

[SOL]

That is so weird. if you go look at crude oil (CL=F) on yahoo it's the lowest it's been since June. same for NG=F (natural gas).

What's even stranger is if so many people can't afford to pay their utility bills, why does the data indicate that consumers are still spending strongly? Unless the data is being manipulated or they are massaging it to hide the fact that consumers have to spend more because everything has risen in price, primarily because of supply-side issues.

[Budge]

That is so weird. if you go look at crude oil (CL=F) on yahoo it's the lowest it's been since June. same for NG=F (natural gas).

FJB is emptying the strategic oil reserve while relaxing oil sanctions on Venezuela, going cap in hand to Saudi, gouging the hell out of Europe on the price of LNG, getting G20 to install price caps on Russian oil (cos price controls have worked every time they been used throughout history - ROTFLMFAO) all the while screwing down the regs on US exploration and production. I know if I look really hard, I might spot a pattern here.

[chippermon]

That is so weird. if you go look at crude oil (CL=F) on yahoo it's the lowest it's been since June. same for NG=F (natural gas).

What's even stranger is if so many people can't afford to pay their utility bills, why does the data indicate that consumers are still spending strongly? Unless the data is being manipulated or they are massaging it to hide the fact that consumers have to spend more because everything has risen in price, primarily because of supply-side issues.

Well, keep in mind the CPI data you reference is from October and oil averaged around 87 per barrel at that time. OIL is not looking strong here. When it breaks 70 it's heading to 62 possibly 58. I guess we'll see what that does to CPI but like Sol says, manipulation is afoot.