Michael Krieger ■ Leon Panetta is pretty much the epitome of a status quo insider. Someone, who due to his influence and mainstream veneer of respectability, is capable of inflicting an almost inconceivable amount of damage to freedom and prosperity in America. In fact, you could say that Mr. Panetta is as responsible as almost anyone else for the banana republic laughing stock that this nation has been transformed into over the past several decades. Why? Because he served in top positions for several of America’s Presidents over that time.

USA Today reports that: “I think we’re looking at kind of a 30-year war,” he says, one that will have to extend beyond Islamic State to include emerging threats in Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen, Libya and elsewhere. In the book’s final chapter, however, he writes that Obama’s “most conspicuous weakness” is “a frustrating reticence to engage his opponents and rally support for his cause.” Too often, he “relies on the logic of a law professor rather than the passion of a leader.” On occasion, he “avoids the battle, complains, and misses opportunities.”

There is much that we are unaware of, and little do we know of our own ignorance. I read Hawking’s second work, “The Universe in a Nutshell,” written, according to him, in a more comprehensible language for those unfamiliar with the topic, and I highlighted many of the ideas which most interested me. Throughout its evolution mankind has never had, nor ever could have had, a clear idea of its own existence, because it simply did not exist, it simply evolved at the same rate as everything else that existed. This is a reality which is not intended to antagonize or offend anyone. Everyday we can learn something new. Help others and wherever possible, help ourselves.

Yesterday I listed to a speech by the new Secretary General of NATO, the former Prime Minister of Norway, who assumed the position on October 1, only six days ago. How much hate in his face! What an incredible effort to promote a war of extermination against the Russian Federation! Who are more extreme than the Islamic State fanatics themselves? What religion do they practice? After this, will it be possible to enjoy eternal life at the right hand of the Lord?

In terms of purchasing power, China now has the largest economy on the entire planet, but that is not the only area where China has surpassed the United States. China also accounts for more total global trade than the U.S. does, China consumes more energy than the U.S. does, and China now manufactures more goods than the U.S. does. In other words, the era of American economic dominance is rapidly ending. Global economic power is making a dramatic shift to the east, and that is going to have huge implications for our future. We already owe the Chinese well over a trillion dollars, and as our economic infrastructure crumbles we are feverishly borrowing even more money in a desperate attempt to prop up our falling standard of living. We can’t seem to match the work ethic, inventiveness and determination of China and other Asian nations and it is showing. If we continue down this path, what will the future look like for future generations of Americans?

Nick Beams ■ IMF report records global economic breakdown

The situation in the Ukraine and Novorussia is a very tense and could lead to a major resumption of hostilities. The Junta Repression Forces (JRF) have used the ceasefire to lick their wounds, get reorganized, concentrate their forces, bring in much needed reinforcements, prepare defensive fortifications and bring in new units. The Novorussian Armed Forces (NAF) have done the same but, unlike the JRF, the NAF suffer from a lack of equipment, possibly made worse by a reduction of the flow of weapons, in particular heavy ones, from Russia (the so-called voentorg). In terms of personnel, the influx of volunteers to the NDF has remained steady and strong.

A video was released Tuesday of a New York City teen who was rendered unconscious after an NYPD officer restrained him.A screenshot from the video taken of a NYPD officer restraining Marcel Hamer, and eventually knocking him out. According to New York Magazine, the family of Marcel Hamer, 17, posted a video to YouTube showing a plainclothes officer using force on the teen. Lawyers representing Hamer say the boy was suspected of smoking marijuana, but was charged for disorderly conduct, New York Magazine adds. In the video, you can hear Hamer say, "Mister, it was just a cigarette, sir," before the officer strikes the restrained teen.

Sahra Wagenknecht von der Links-Partei geht mit der extrem an die USA angebundenen deutschen Außenpolitik hart ins Gericht: Merkel und Steinmeier hätten einen Wirtschaftskrieg gegen Russland mitgetragen, der vor allem der europäischen und deutschen Wirtschaft schadet. Sie fordert das sofortige Ende der Sanktionen gegen Russland, das Ende der Unterstützung einer Regierung in Kiew, in der bis heute Faschisten sitzen, und eine restlose Aufklärung des Abschusses von Flug MH17.