November 2: Today's Take
By last night, a variety of media reported that the Pentagon said Iran planned an attack on Saudi Arabia. Some reports suggest that the threat extends to attacks on U. S. troops in Iraq. Where did this story come from?
Below a video of a Pentagon press briefing held yesterday, the AP press urges readers to watch the video as if the video supports the AP headline. Other reports sounding an alarm on Iran show the same picture of Brigadier General Patrick S. Ryder, the new Pentagon press secretary, implying the Pentagon confirmed the Iranian threat.
An unidentified reporter asked for confirmation citing the Wall Street Journal as the source of the report. Ryder did not confirm the WSJ report or any report by Saudi Arabia at his press briefing yesterday.
An Internet search of the matter at about 10:00 pm EDT on November 1 showed the Wall Street Journal, Fox News, and the New York Post, all owned by Rupert Murdock being the first to report an Iranian threat to Saudi Arabia. The WSJ, however accurate in matters of financial reporting, can no longer be trusted by the media as a basis for political or international reporting, and must be assumed to be an extension of whatever Rupert Murdock wants to convince the America public.
The AP headline deliberately misleads and how it ended up below the PBS video on YouTube remains unclear. Is this an effort to reverse the sentiments of the American public, infuriated by Saudi Arabia who has repeatedly cut its oil supply sending gas prices soaring in the United States, helping Russia against Ukraine by threatening to freeze Europe all the while realizing billions in profits?
Should America ask whether Saudi Arabia is an ally of United States or just a friend of a former President of the United States and American oil companies? Should Americans or the media believe a word out of the mouth of MBS, the Crowned Prince of Saudi that the CIA believes ordered the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi? Should media use reports whose only source is Murdock publications?
•Dow Drops 500 Points After Powell Declares Fourth Jumbo 75 Bases Point (0.75%) Rate Hike
Please read the article from September 7 to find objections to Powell’s handling of the economy. The Fed will be revisited on tomorrow’s edition of Today’s Take.
Has the Federal Reserve sold one dollar of the $4.5 trillion in money it created by buying bonds? When if ever will Powell try something other than using blunt interest rate increases that alarm the financial markets and risk recession?
•Putin Changes Position on Reneging on Grain Shipment Deal in Black Sea
The AP reports that Putin changed his mind about reneging on an agreement to allow Ukraine to ship grain through the Black Sea. See the November 1 article of Today’s Take to understand Putin’s excuse for threatening to pull out of the deal. It reminds us of his numerous threats to use nuclear arms and then for no apparent reason changing his mind.
How can anyone expect Ukraine to negotiate with Putin he makes deals and threats and then just changes his mind?
Other News
•Phillies Up 2 - 1 Over Astros in World Series
•Will There Be a Winner in $1.2 Billion Power Ball?
•North Korea Fires Missiles - One Puts Japan on Alert
•Conservative Liz Cheney Give Unexpected Endorsements - Says Vote Democracy Over Party
Please select here to receive the latest version of November 2, 2022 version of Today’s Take