Definitely not surprised ______

 On October 14th Spain’s Supreme Court sentenced nine politicians and activists to up to 13 years in jail over their role in Catalonia's failed 2017 independence bid.  You knew this was coming:
 Hundreds of thousands of pro-independence supporters from across Spain’s northeastern region of #Catalonia are expected to pour into #Barcelona today October 18th.
Will Spain's answer again be to seize control of the Catalan administration?

Oct 20: 

#BillMaher plea for Trump to go : "Just take my check for $1 million,"..... "Mr. President, it is really very simple. You love money. We hate you."  Hey Bill, Trump is having too much fun.

Oct 25

 #SnoopDogg  will promote Seedo’s small refrigerator-like machine that grows plants with the help of artificial intelligence.

oct 27

Fundraising slows down so Biden softens opposition to super PAC money

Nov 11

I'm not surprised #evomorales described a civic coup as the reason for his resignation as the President of #Bolivia . Don't forget that a few years ago he had the courts  overturn a two-term Presidential limit by arguing that it was a violation of his human rights

 November 12

 #Vox , which advocates tough stances against immigration and for the independence drive in the Catalonia region, increased its seats from 24 to 52. That's a mild surprise, but it's worth noting that Vox only received 0.2% of the vote in Spain  three years ago.

nov 28

  "The Dreadful Eight" , a report issued by Bellingcat and its' partners  Der Spiegel and The Insider, made the claim that eight Russian intelligence agents traveled to Bulgaria in 2015 and poisoned arms dealer #EmilianGebrev .

Dec 4

I'm not surprised that Iran's rulers are blaming us for it's internal problems, but am surprised  Iran’s President Rouhani called for the release of any unarmed and innocent people who were detained during protests.

dec 7

 #JohnKerry , the former US secretary of state and 2004 Democratic presidential nominee, is endorsing  Biden in 2020.  This should warms the hearts of the AOC wing of the Democrat party.

dec 13

 Former Bolivian Pres #EvoMorales  was granted political asylum by Argentina. Mexico was just too far away from Bolivia.

dec17

 Results of President #Obrador of Mexico "give peace a chance"  plan for dealing with cartels : 12 cops killed in one week in #Guanajuato

dec 19

  EU court ruled #Junqueras,  a jailed Catalan secessionist leader, has political immunity which is a huge victory for secessionist movement.

dec 30

  Traditional rivals,Greece and Turkey, are using Libya as diplomatic front in a battle over  Mediterranean maritime rights and energy exploration.

jan 2, 2020

Spain continues to step into messes.  Bolivia  expelled Mexico's ambassador and two Spanish diplomats, alleging they were part of a plot to aid the escape of former Interior Minister Juan Ramón Quintana, the most-wanted man in the country.

jan 4

While Ergodan has Turkey pursuing Libya's oil,  the top court in Turkey ruled that #wikipedia  be made available to Turkish users again. We'll see if Ergodan obeys the Constitutional Court. I doubt it.

jan 7

 35 mourners killed and 48 other others injured in stampede in Kerman, Iran,during #Soleimani 's burial ceremonies.

jan 12

I'm surprised Iran admitted to shooting down the Ukranian passenger  plane, but not surprised at how they've exacerbated the situation.  Iranian police used tear gas to disperse vigil attendees who were chanting against Khameini and arrested the British ambassador to Iran, #RobMacaire , who claims he went to honor the British victims and left when the chanting started.

Jan 13

I wonder if Argentina is glad they gave #evomorales political asylum. He confirmed his was the voice in a recording played on Bolivian radio calling for creation of armed militias “as in Venezuela”.

Jan 28

Is this quid pro quo?  #Cyprus is blocking EU sanctions against several officials from Russia-annexed Crimea in a bid to secure EU backing for tougher action against Turkey in a separate issue over drilling for hydrocarbons in or near Cyprus territorial waters.

Jan 30

I'm not surprised  that the Turkish Foreign Ministry  criticized a court decision in Belgium, which has blocked the prosecution of 36 suspects linked to the Kurdish #PKK , and doesn't want to understand that the Belgium Judiciary is independent of the Belgian Executive Branch which still lists PKK as a terrorist group.

Feb 3

Is Ergodan on a Crusade? Greece has boosted its troop level at the Greek/Turkish border, and the Turks shelled Syrian troops in Idlib, Syria, yesterday.

feb 11

 Baghdad woke up to snow for first time since 2008 but will it chill the protests.

feb 14

 #JoeManchin, who voted to oust Trump,  may endorse his re-election

feb 25

News that makes me feel old:  The Brazilian Football Confederation unveiled a statue of #Pele at its headquarters  to commemorate June’s 50th anniversary of the team’s third World Cup triumph in 1970. The 79 year-old Pele has difficulty walking  and did not attend  the ceremony.

feb 26

  Professional baseball teams in Japan will hold games without spectators until March 15 due to concerns over #coronavirus.

march 2

 I'm not surprised at the Left's growing intolerance for free speech. #AmyKlobuchar canceled a rally in her home state yesterday after protesters took over the stage shouting for her to drop out of the presidential race over the Myon Burrell case she prosecuted in 2002.

march 8

Will #ergodan's errors in Libya, Syria, and now the Greek border catch up with him domestically. Yesterday, he shut down social media access again. The EU is telling him we gave you $$$ to deal with the migrant problem so deal with it.

March 10

Meanwhile armed Greek civilians have begun patrolling the Greek-Turkish border region and claim they are keeping villages safe.

March 11

 'My kids exhaust me more than COVID-19,' #JonathanPeterschmitt, a French doctor in  self-imposed quarantine with his family.

March 30

I'm not surprised missiles are still flying in the Middle East . Saudi forces intercepted ballistic missiles  over the capital Riyadh and the southern city of Jazan. The Iran-backed  Houthi rebels of Yemen are the likely suspect.

April 5

I'm not surprised that Peru has a lockdown by gender. Men can go out: MWF, Women: Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. No one on Sunday. I guess they missed the memo about the other 100 genders

April 7

Twists and turns: The Sindh government in Pakistan used the Maintenance of Public Order law to keep Omar Saeed Sheikh and three others behind bars for another 90 days while prosecutors appeal the court ruling to release those involved in Daniel Pearl's death on 2002.

april 12, 2020

Documents from the Iran Nuclear Archive that were seized by Israel two years ago state that Iran created the Shahid Mahallati Uranium Metals Workshop, near Tehran, to research and develop uranium metallurgy related to building nuclear weapons. Meanwhile Congresswoman #Omar thinks the USA shouldn't block an IMF plan to give Iran Coronavirus aid. Here's a novel idea: Iran shifts money from its nuclear arms plan to fighting the virus. 

april 23

Haircuts  are all the rage among younger folks in Denmark as lockdown eases. Old folks aren't so enthused.

May 5

This is not a multi gender story:  "trans-Tasman bubble", quarantine free travel between Australia and New Zealand freely, is a hot topic of discussion

May 18

I guess there was enough social distancing.  Stolt Apal, a UK flagged tanker, repulsed  an attack by six armed pirates  in two speedboats 75 nautical miles off Yemen’s coast in the Gulf of Aden.

May 19

  FC Seoul, a South Korean soccer team, apologized Sunday after fans watching a televised game noticed the "mannequins" in the stands.  It appears to be  harmless even amusing, but some have alleged these  are sex dolls.

May 26

Michigan Gov. #Whitmer acknowledged  that her husband dropped her name while requesting to get their boat in the water ahead of the Memorial Day weekend, but claimed her husband’s comments were a “failed attempt at humor.” The acknowledgement arrives after she got Michigan GOP state Sen. Tom Barrett  to take down  an FB post about her hubby by insisting the story was untrue.  Now for something sadder. Red Wings didn't quality for the 24 team NHL playoffs.

May 29, 2020

No surprise that folks in Hong Kong are lining up to exit. An agency that facilitates emigration from Hong Kong to Taiwan received over 200 requests last weekend. Canada and Australia are other destinations drawing interest.

June 3, 2020

Some well preserved cannabis, including its psychoactive compound THC was found in a 2,700-year-old temple in Tel Arad , about 59 miles south of Tel Aviv. The remains of burnt offerings were preserved on top of  altars.

June 10, 2020

Judge #Cavedo temporarily blocked a plan by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam's administration to remove a Confederate statue of General Robert E Lee from a local monument for 10 days. Unless this has changed in VA code section 15.2: Confederate or Union monuments or memorials of the War Between the States (1861-1865) are protected.  Maybe Northam needs new legislation , maybe not.

June 12, 2020

 Peru claims exports of ginger have nearly tripled during the  pandemic because the root is seen as a natural immune system booster. Spain, the Netherlands, and the United States were the biggest recipients of the exports.

June 15, 2020

Pastors dressed as waiters and carried Bibles on trays to bar tables set up inside the Comunidad Redentor church in San Lorenzo, Argentina protesting Gov.Perotti's ban on church gatherings of 10 people or more. Whatever it takes!

June 16, 2020

 #ergodan will be whining shortly. Greek PM Mitsotakis said the Greek-Israeli-Cypriot energy explorations arrangement “is not directed against nor exclusive of anyone”, but accused Turkey of  being a bully in the region. France claimed Turkey's violation of an arms embargo was thwarting efforts to secure a ceasefire in Libya.

June 19, 2020

 Judge #Cavedo extends injunction preventing removal of Lee statue, and Virginia has put up concrete barriers around it. It appears Northam's pen isn't as strong as he thinks, for now.

June 20, 2020

More statue news: MLPD(Marxist-Leninist Party of Germany) chairwoman Gabi Fechtner on the unveiling of a statue of Lenin in the western German city of Gelsenkirchen.

"Lenin was an ahead-of-his-time thinker of world-historical importance, an early fighter for freedom and democracy"

June 23, 2020

#Bolton wrote in his book that he relayed Trump’s request to a senior Japanese government official for more money to host USA troops. Japan's Defense Minister Taro Kono said he hasn't received that request. The current troop agreement expires in March , 2021.

July 4

Mildly surprised that Macron replaced Philippe with #Castex , a right-leaning politician, as Prime Minister of France, but he may have calculated that there would be little to gain from trying to appease his leftist detractors. Who knows, maybe this is a lesson for some GOP members of the USA Senate. etc?

July 10

It's about the number of guests : "Big fat British Asian weddings' forced to slim down"

July 20 , 2020

I ain't surprised that Iran launched missiles at a mock-up of a US aircraft carrier in the strategic Strait of Hormuz. And you'll love the name for the drills, Prophet Mohammed 14th.

Aug, 8, 2020

Not surprised Macron is offering French assistance to Lebanon since France's ties with Lebanon go back to a League of Nations mandate to administer the infrastructure of Lebanon. My first reaction was to ponder a line from John Cale's song 'Russian Roulette': "The French are dizzy from turning their back on everyone."

Aug 15, 2020

A history lesson on politicians: Since it was losing two-thirds of its territory with more than 3 million Hungarians , Hungary sent politicians with no future ambitions to sign the treaty that ended WW1.

Sept 9, 2020

Ain't surprised: Red hats outnumbered masks 100-to-1 at Trump rally in Winston-Salem, NC.

oct 17

Sadly, I'm not surprised that some folks don't appreciate freedom. An 18-year-old of Chechen origin was shot dead by the French police after he murdered 47-year-old history teacher Samuel Paty, who earlier this month shown his pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammad in a civics class on freedom of expression.

oct 27

Iranian FM #Zarif tweeted that insulting Muslims is an “opportunistic abuse of freedom of speech. It only fuels extremism.” Typical BS response to images being displayed in France of prophet Mohammad, which some Muslims consider blasphemous.

Nov 13, 2020

 I ain't surprised that #Duerte, the Philippines President, has decided to postpone the termination the VFA with the USA, since tensions with mainland China remain unresolved in the South China Sea.

Nov 25, 2020

Hunter Thompson would've loved this story.  Eastern European authorities have arrested two New Zealanders in Romania accused for involvement in a global Hells Angels cocaine and methamphetamine drug trafficking ring. They also arrested the  leader of the Hells Angels Bucharest motorcycle club after raids on eight properties last week.

Nov 27

Same old Cuba: The headquarters of  San Isidro Movement , a group comprised of artists, musicians, journalists and academics who oppose the oppressive measures used by Cuba's communist government, was raided yesterday by Cuban officials under the pretext of Covid violations. The Cuban government  temporarily shut down social media to stop images of the raid being shared online.

dec 4

I'm no longer surprised at how much Macron is going after the Muslims. Man has he shifted gears . 76 of about 2,600 Muslim places of worship in France will be inspected for links to Islamist extremism.

Jan 1, 2021

Yep, not surprised by this: Banned from setting off fireworks in much of their city, some Berliners launched them from their homes on New Year’s Eve which led to dozens of fires across the German capital.

Jan 2, 2021

More than 2,500 break virus restrictions at illegal rave in #Lieuron near Rennes in Brittany. I ain't surprised and sense the level of frustration across the political spectrum against clampdowns will grow.

Jan 10, 2021

 No surprise here: WHO team probing pandemic's origins blocked from entering China

Feb 4, 2021

I knew the Burma military would find a sketchy reason for putting #SuuKyi under house arrest. Here's what the coup boys found: Illegally Imported Walkie Talkies

Feb 12, 2020

It's going to get uglier in Myanmar: Protesters returned to the streets  Despite Gunshots and Water Cannons. The coup, military chief Min Aung Hlaing, made hollow promises to build a “genuine and disciplined democratic system.” 

Feb 21, 2020

It took a few years, but I'm not surprised that Pope Francis removed Robert Sarah, a conservative African Cardinal, from his Vatican post. You can safely bet Sarah's 2015 statement was one of many reasons.

“What Nazi-fascism and communism were in the 20th century, Western homosexual and abortion ideologies and Islamic fanaticism are today,” 

Feb 28, 2021

While I'm not surprised that military junta in Burma is getting nastier in its crackdown of the pro-Kyi protesters, I'm surprised at the protesters staying power. Will government workers  continue to not work? That remains an interesting factor in this brutal power play.

March 7, 2021

I'm not surprised that #FaniWillis , the Fulton County DA, is preparing subpoenas for evidence on whether Trump and his allies broke the law in their campaign to pressure state officials to reverse his Georgia election loss, but she may be surprised  if it starts appearing that voter fraud occurred in Georgia against Trump.  This could be like dancing on hot coals.

March 16, 2021

 Myanmar’s first satellite was built by Japan’s Hokkaido University in a joint project with Myanmar’s government-funded(MAEU),  and it's being held on board the International Space Station following the Myanmar coup, while Japan’s space agency and a Japanese university decide what to do with it. I don't know if Japan will use its influence to keep the Junta from using satellite data for military goals.

May 7, 2021

Aung Zay Ya, a sergeant who left the military to joint the opposition Civil Disobedience Movement in Myanmar, said about 80 air force officers have defected in protest since the military coup Feb. 1,  Is the a sign the Junta is getting weaker?

June 16, 2021

I'm not surprised that Israel carried through on its promise to hit Hamas whenever they  launch incendiary balloons, which ignited 20 wildfires in southern Israel yesterday.  It's an early test for new Israeli PM Naftali Bennett .

July 21, 2021

I'm definitely not surprised that the Biden administration is telling the Ukraine to not criticize the Russian pipeline publicly.

Sept 7, 2021

I'm not surprised that the Czech Republic has become the first EU member state to contribute funds for Lithuania to build a barrier along its border with Belarus because of  a migration surge. 

Nov 28, 2022

I ain't surprised Ghislaine Maxwell's ex-husband refuses to help her pay $1 Million in legal fees for her conviction appeal.

Jan 19, 2023

I'm not surprised that Ardern is stepping down as PM in New Zealand. The Covid clampdown queen was facing tough re-election prospects. 

March 16, 2023

"Nobody can ignore us any longer," BBB leader Caroline van der Plas on her party's scoring a big election win and shaking up the Dutch Senate which may slow down drastic cuts to nitrogen "pollution" on farms.

Aug 30, 2023

I guess Pelosi is advising Pope Francis, who calls the US Catholic Church reactionary, backward, etc.

 

 

.