Dictator's declaration

Toppled Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro declares himself ‘prisoner of war,’ claims he was ‘kidnapped’ by US forces as he pleads not guilty in NYC

Defiant Maduro claims he was ‘kidnapped’ by US forces in shocking court outburst, pleads not guilty

Kyle Schnitzer, Chris Nesi, Ben Kochman / NEW YORK POST

 

Toppled Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, shackled at his feet and wearing orange prison garb, defiantly claimed he had been “kidnapped’’ during his historic first appearance in Manhattan court Monday on narco-terrorism charges — and then declared himself a “prisoner of war.”

Upon entering the courtroom, Maduro said, “Happy New Year” in English to the audience before greeting his lawyers.

He then almost immediately interrupted  his court appearance with a proclamation of his innocence.

“I’m the president of the republic of Venezuela. … I am here kidnapped … I was captured at my home in Caracas, Venezuela,” the 63-year-old fallen despot proclaimed in Spanish before Judge Alvin Hellerstein stopped him.

The judge shot back, “Let me interfere — there will be a time and a place to go into all of this.

“Your counsel will be able to make motions. … At this time, I just want to know one thing: Are you Nicolás Maduro Moros?” the judge asked.

Op-ed: 

A 2.8% COLA Is Simply Not Enough 

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor

The article posted here is the authors opinion alone, and does not necessarily represent the views of blogspot.com or Google     

 

....Now add in the fact that the value of the U.S. dollar against major foreign currencies dropped about 11% in the first half of this year...the biggest decline in more than 50 years...which now has some economists saying that the U.S. dollar could well lose, despite this past July's recovery of 3.2%, yet another 10% by the end of 2026. And if that be the case, the 2.8% COLA increase Social Security beneficiaries will soon be receiving will basically be negated as it does little to nothing to address the still rising grocery prices or the previous stated fact that Medicare has raised its Part B monthly premiums across the board, and they can do so again next year.

And here is where a major portion of the problem arises because Medicare can and does raise its premiums no matter that a COLA is in effect, And while what's known as a “hold harmless” rule does protect most Medicare beneficiaries by ensuring the premium hike does not reduce their net Social Security check below the previous year's amount, that in no way negates the fact that ones COLA might still be negated by the now higher Medicare monthly premiums,thus meaning monies available for groceries, etc., might still come up short...Read entire article here.

Iran protests prompt new Trump warning over deadly government crackdown

Iran expert says president's credible threat has emboldened protesters across Iran

Benjamin Weinthal / Fox News  

President Donald Trump vowed Sunday evening that the Islamic Republic of Iran will "get hit very hard,"
if Tehran repeats the killing of protesters, as it has during previous citizen-led revolts against the regime.

When asked about his initial comments on protecting Iranian demonstrators during a press gaggle on board Air Force One, Trump said that "We're watching it very closely. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they're going to get hit very hard by the United States."

Anti-regime protests have engulfed Iran for the last nine days amid Trump’s second threat to intervene on the side of the demonstrators in Iran.

According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRAI), the intensity of the protests has reached at least 78 cities and 222 locations, with protesters demanding the end of the regime controlled by the 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

The group said the regime has killed at least 20 people, including three children, and arrested 990 people. Khamenei’s security forces have detained more than 40 children, HRAI noted. Read more and see videos here.

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                                              Today, Tuesday, January 6th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'A 2,8% COLA Is Simply Not Enough'; 'Liberalism-The Definition of Gaslighting'; the Maduro take-down/capture, and the Iranian protests continue. On https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.