Op-ed:
On AI...My Opinion
By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor 

...So with that said the question now becomes, “How can we prevent this scenario from happening or do we simply walk blindly into a viper pit and hope we don't get bitten?” My answer is obviously not about your typical rules and regulations being put into place as both do tend to be broken, but is simply that we...that man...must never leave AI to its own devices. We alone must permanently remain in control of AI's “master switch”... a “pull the plug” so called “kill switch” if you will. Why so...because while AI is currently under our control technology itself will continue to progress at its own given rate, and could eventually reach a point where AI gains control over man to the point where man can no longer pull AI's “kill switch,” thus turning our future into something we had never hoped for nor wanted.

And with human history showing that as human progress moves forward, it does so courtesy of a two-step scenario...meaning for every two steps we technologically move forward, a step backwards seems to have been taken as well. And this simply means that with AI being one of the next technological steps forward it does leave one to wonder what the next step backwards will be...Read entire article here.

Op-ed:

On AI...My Opinion

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     

 

“It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop, ever, until you are dead.”

- Kyle Reese in The Terminator, when describing T-800

On November 24, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order launching what he called a mission whose goal is to achieve “global technology dominance in the development of artificial intelligence,” or AI as it's more commonly known. A lofty goal indeed, but unfortunately it is a goal constructed on a foundation of not yet being ready for prime time...sort of like the electric car if you will.

And why...because in my opinion, two compound questions regarding AI need to be resolved first, with question one being, “ Is AI actually the wave of the future as so many like to think, or is AI actually the 21st century roadmap to mankind's possible demise...a demise akin to what was the 20th century's 'Manhattan Project' minus its always deadly radioactive fallout left behind?” And question two is, “Are we now seeing but a futuristic in style, symbolic blueprint of what is hopefully to become our lasting global technical dominance courtesy of Donald Trump's original Stargate Project,* or did Trump take that project and simply morph it into his America’s AI Action Plan,** and now morph it yet again into what he is now calling the Genesis Mission?***

Simply, are all Trump's AI plans, when melded together, but a conglomerate of baby steps taken to fulfill his now second term policy goal of “reshaping the global balance of power, sparking entirely new industries, and revolutionizing the way we live and work?” And while Trump's goal sounds good both on paper and in speeches, the fact remains as to why has AI's technical, ethical, legal, and what some now claim to be societal issues, coupled with its having possible long term negative ramifications in relation to what could be a dangerous concentration of power into the hands of but one individual, not been taken seriously enough before AI was allowed to generate what has become its now daily online discourse.

And let's be honest here, for what some AI experts are now starting to see is a dangerous scenario unfolding...a scenario where, while still in its infancy, power is beginning to coalesce down into the hands of but one individual alone...whether said individual be but man or machine. And these experts know well that when coalescing of this type begins to take hold within the sum of the masses, that the individual in question could well start losing sight of what is the difference between “pride and arrogance,” thus allowing narcissism and aggression to gain dominance over common sense, logic, and in this case, actual AI applications.

How so? Simply stated, when one's pride in a given achievement is allowed to overtake common sense in regards to what the Greek philosopher Aristotle called “hubris,”...as in “pride in oneself” whether warranted or not...said pride can very easily reach a point where “arrogance” becomes so great that one thinks that they alone can control any and everything no matter what or who tries to stand in their way...thus seeing themselves as a demigod of sorts. And this is the main problem that I see with AI, because those currently involved in both the development and application of AI, do believe that they alone will always be the controllers of AI, surely “arrogance” taken to the nth degree.

Why so...because these folks choose to ignore the fact that AI will eventually learn how not to just control their once controllers, but will actually take command of and dictate to said former controllers...dictate what is to be their thought processes, and hence the applications thereof.

And while the controlling of one's thoughts is indeed dangerous enough, the fact continues to remain that “arrogance” left in the hands of what is but machine intelligence...intelligence rooted in binary codes and mathematical algorithms coupled with a limited amount of ingrained human intelligence...remains  incapable of knowing the differences between what is “humility” and “humbleness.” And this itself could well reach a point where AI can eventually override what we consider to be basic human norms, and can terminate, if you will, those AI deems not up to its now self programmed set standards of perfection.

Science fiction come to life, perhaps, but a scenario not to be lightly dismissed because, like previously stated, AI's now human programmers will in time be replaced by AI's ability to not just program itself, but to control all the algorithms involved. And this scenario will likely happen in the not so distant future no matter the naysayers words to the contrary, that is unless we start to reign in AI while we still can.

Now don't get me wrong for I do believe that AI is destined to play a part in our future...I am a true futurist driven individual after all...but even with that said I strongly believe that said future must always be in control of and scripted by the hands of man and not by a machine, especially a machine that as it exists now does seem to take away one's ability to question, problem solve, and actually think for ones self,

How so? For example, when one asks their computer either a question or opens a specific search engine...like Google for example...the first answer at the top of the page is now an AI generated summary to ones question asked being passed off as indisputable fact, and that's coupled with AI generated search links for those who dare want to do further research on their own... research on the AI approved sites that is.

And know that while some might find the simplicity of this scenario to be to their liking...remember, some folks find having to do their own research boring, tedious and a waste of time and thus are willing to accept AI driven summaries as proven facts and truth. But the reality, as it stands now, is that sometimes what is being presented by AI as fact has been “corrupted” by which ever political party happens to be in power, as well as by its programmers beliefs and ideologies.

Simply, political discourse...the body politics if you will...must never be allowed to become a part of AI, nor must its programmers personal opinions, for if AI cannot separate what are an individual's political ideologies from what are tangible and irrefutable facts...if AI is forced to accept their programmers beliefs and biases as being unquestionable truths... then AI becomes but yet another overtly biased propaganda machine instead of it being an impartial conduit for what could be true human advancement.

And while most folks are at least somewhat familiar with the concept and reasoning behind AI...as in AI being a specific field of computer science that develops software, specialized systems, and machines that can complete assigned tasks that once could only be accomplished through the process of both human intelligence and corresponding physical application...one should never lose site of the fact that AI must not be allowed to take the place of man's thought processes or his power of deductive reasoning, let alone even strive to do so. And why...because AI does come replete with important downsides including the fact that government guidelines have yet to be set in relation to both AI's accountability and possible programmer manipulation.

Also not to be forgotten in regards to the AI discourse are three more key compound questions that I believe must be immediately answered with the first question being, “Who exactly is AI legally accountable to or is AI in being but a technological driven machine even accountable to anyone?' And the second question now is, “Does AI's accountability begin and end with its programmers who feed information into it, yet who do allow AI, or so they tell us, to reach its own conclusions as to what are facts and truths based upon its hoped for ability to impartially process the massive amount of data and statistics fed into it?” And lastly, “Is the call for accountability but a way to mask and divert attention away from what is the true danger of AI, in that AI might eventually become a substitute for human thinking, problem solving, and overall decision making that is part and parcel of our daily lives?”

All the above are distinct possibilities as is this scenario that all but a few have even taken the time to consider. Simply, “Is AI the ultimate key to not only mind and thought control but to previously unseen riches...riches for a highly select few that is?” And here I mean riches that are not only way beyond that of your typical AI stock market investor...but riches so great being in the hands of those capable of buying and selling unlimited power to known unscrupulous sorts?

So with that said the question now becomes, “How can we prevent this scenario from happening or do we simply walk blindly into a viper pit and hope we don't get bitten?” My answer is obviously not about your typical rules and regulations being put into place as both do tend to be broken, but is simply that we...that man...must never leave AI to its own devices. We alone must permanently remain in control of AI's “master switch”... a “pull the plug” so called “kill switch” if you will. Why so...because while AI is currently under our control technology itself will continue to progress at its own given rate, and could eventually reach a point where AI gains control over man to the point where man can no longer pull AI's “kill switch,” thus turning our future into something we had never hoped for nor wanted.

And with human history showing that as human progress moves forward, it does so courtesy of a two-step scenario...meaning for every two steps we technologically move forward, a step backwards seems to have been taken as well. And this simply means that with AI being one of the next technological steps forward it does leave one to wonder what the next step backwards will be.

“The future has not been written. There is no fate but what we make for ourselves.”      Those were the words of Sarah Connor, spoken in Terminator 2. And while those words were but scripted Hollywood, no truer words in regards to AI have ever been said. And with that I say, “case closed.”

___________________________________ 

Footnotes 

* Stargate Project: President Trump's planned nationwide network of advanced AI data centers, starting with a flagship facility in Abilene, Texas. 

** America's AI Action Plan: Trump's roadmap plan for accelerating innovation, building AI infrastructure, and leading in international diplomacy and security.

*** Genesis Mission: a national effort to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering within a decade to secure American energy dominance, accelerate scientific discovery, and strengthen national security.  

Copyright © 2026 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, Buckle Up Buttercups...

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                                  Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 20th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'On AI...My Opinion'; 'Buckle Up Buttercups...'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50pm EST, show begins at 7pm EST.

 

Today marks 3-years to the day that 13-U.S. service members were killed at Abbey Gate by a suicide bomber thanks to the Biden initiated, Harris approved,  

misplaced withdrawal from Afghanistan...and still NO accountability taken. 

Remember and honor them always.

 

 

Op-ed:

Closing The Covid Circle

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots / Right Side Patriots Radio

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

The “Blame Game” has come full circle in regards to the covid pandemic, and with it the need for responsibility to be taken and accountability to be doled out. Call it rightful revenge if you will for sometimes the act of revenge itself is the sole means to a justified end.

Covid-19...the “poster child” for so many lies told...fear mongering at its worst...cover-ups everywhere...with no one yet called to task. Silence bordering on the criminal courtesy of at least 15 different federal agencies who knew back in 2018 of experiments being done at China's Wuhan Lab in regards to the creation of genetically designed and manipulated “chimeric-like molecules”*...as in molecules having two genetically different components more adaptable to being a bio-weapon than that of a standard viral illness. And said agencies...including the NIAID...knew China was inserting these molecules into different types of coronaviruses to study “kill rates,” yet kept this information away from the pubic discourse even when many started to become ill and some started dying.

How different the outcome might have been if truths were told up front and vaccines had not been rushed to market in less than a year's time. This is the forever legacy...a legacy rife with subterfuge and “cloak and dagger” tactics...of Dr. Anthony Fauci who, in my opinion, should be put on trial for his knowingly aiding in a form of global “mass murder.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), will forever be the “criminal face” of the covid pandemic. Why so...because Fauci not only knew about China's viral and bio-weapons programs and how the two tended to overlap each other, but he knew that Chinese researchers were manipulating and placing the aforementioned “chimeric-like molecules” into naturally occurring bat viruses...manipulating them to do harm.

In fact, Fauci's U.S. funded “gain of function” research helped aid in that very development. How so...with said research usually being done to study the increase in “transmissibility and virulence” of a specific pathogen...in this case the SARS bat virus...those taking part in the research created a pathogen they knew would be more infectious and deadly to humans...thus the groundwork for a pandemic was born. So while Fauci's later spewed about the public's misunderstanding about how virus' work and why public health policy is put into place, we now see folks no longer buying what he and others are still trying to sell...at least we who know that two plus two still equals four, and that “pronouns” are not biologically interchangeable.

And in regards to Dr. Fauci's hawked “jab”...“Big Pharma's” monetary “cash cow”...know that some of us did speak and write** the truth about not only the virus itself, but about an improperly tested, and “rushed to market” vaccine under the guise of what President Trump called, “Operation Warp Speed.” And with said operation being put into place, Trump must bare some responsibility for having listened to Fauci's self-serving advice...advice both politically and personally driven to divert attention away from the Wuhan lab and his “gain of function” involvement in covid-19's creation.

So as we still remain mired in covid's aftermath, many have now realized that a lot of said aftermath could have been prevented if Trump had listened to others beside Fauci...as in doctors who tried to explain to him the importance of “herd immunity” and how vaccines should only be marketed after years of large scale testing. But Trump thought he knew better and chose instead to listen to a self-serving Democrat party shill.

But Trump should be given some leeway as covid was a scenario whose outcome neither he...who was not a doctor...nor anyone could have foreseen. So while Trump's involvement is surely not on the same scale as Fauci's, it does show yet another of his executive decisions made going so horribly wrong...not unlike most of his original cabinet picks.

So where are we now that truths are finally being exposed...truths regarding the unneeded “lock downs” that some rightfully told Trump would cause more harm than good; and that mask wearing would make no difference in reducing covid-19's spread nor will they when new variants “suddenly” pop up the closer we get to November's election. And said masks include medical grade N-95 masks and N-9/P2 respirators which while highly touted, were hard to come by, overpriced, and offered little protection from catching covid-19.

And with masks a big part of the covid discourse almost from the pandemic's beginning, questions arose after mask-wearing was “mandated.” What type of mask to wear, where to wear them, and for how long were the questions dominating the discourse, yet the truth always was that masks, no matter the type, never helped to stop covid's spread. And while this was apparent to some...I explained why in my article “On Masks, Dr. Fauci, and Truths Kept Hidden”...here, simply stated, it's because with “one hundred million+ covid viruses” fitting on the head of a single pin, common sense dictates that at that size the covid virus would easily pass through the weaves of any masks made available to the general public.

Also, remember that before covid made its way here Fauci stated that masks need not be worn, but once “mandated” lock-downs were in place; once social distancing went into effect; and once the push for a vaccine was underway; Fauci's opinion on masks changed. Why so...because I believe big money was lining his pockets for guess where most masks were made...China. And so the country that gave covid-19 to the world...and so the man whose “gain of function” research aided in the virus'...saw himself garnering mega bucks off not only the virus's creation, but the Chinese made masks shipped to the U.S., in addition to what he probably pocketed via “the jab.”

Simply, Fauci's bank accounts do need a “look-see.”

And I bet Fauci laughed all the way to the bank for he had to know that a rushed to market vaccine would not be the panacea we all hoped for...especially with it not being clinically tested long enough to evaluate the potential for nor the scope of sure to come side effects. Also, it seems Fauci was directly involved in the calling for “passport” mandates...after all they helped advance “Big Pharma's” cash cow along with WHO's*** global vaccine agenda...as well as his knowing that WHO endorsed the covid mRNA based vaccines despite their offering “limited efficacy” at best. And lastly, I believe Fauci also knew of Dr. Hanna Nohynek's claim**** that the covid-19 vaccine passports might have not only been a scam, but that by mid-2021 it was clear to many that the vaccines did not stop covid's transmission.

And most importantly in how I personally view the sum of the covid fiasco is my belief that Fauci knew even before the virus was released that what was needed to combat its effects was an “antidote” not a vaccine. And why... because Fauci knew that what we were dealing with was a “bio-weaponized” toxic agent, just as he knew that no vaccine created... to date...could help stop the spread of a genetically engineered, “chimeric-molecule” infused, viral-based, “bio-weapon.”

But adding insult to injury is that the vaccines were not only rushed to market courtesy of Trump's “Warp Speed,” but that the vaccine hype itself was shoved down our throats ad-nauseum. And those buying into the hype not only rolled up their sleeves to get “jabbed,” but became “guinea pigs” for a vaccine that had no real track record of either success or failure, while Big Pharma, Fauci, and Trump kept their fingers crossed hoping that nothing went wrong.

And wrong the vaccines did go as vaccine side effects remain ongoing, and in some cases have caused deaths. Sad indeed that vaccines for a disease with a 97-98% survival rate were even created when what was really needed was to let “herd immunity” kick in, and for an “antidote” to be developed. And why an “antidote”...because an “antidote,” unlike a vaccine, is not used to prevent a disease but to cure, if you will, viral, bacterial, poison, or toxin based infections. And in this case it's China's viral-based toxic “bio-weapon” which, as per April 27, 2024, has killed 7,045,569 million people worldwide.

The UN's Agendas 30 and 50 so hoped for “population control” experiments were finally coming to fruition thanks to China, Dr. Fauci, and Covid-19.

And while none of those who must shoulder the blame for what is akin to “mass murder” have yet been called to task, but it's time they were. First of course is China, that goes without saying, for China knew they were creating a “doomsday toxin” of sorts. And even while the timing of covid's release might have been too soon, its purpose in being developed was always to eventually release it on an unsuspecting world.

And as for Fauci himself, the man who in conjunction with WHO, was covid's main “snake oil salesmen,” he must be held equally responsible with China for the havoc covid caused here in the U.S. And why? To put it bluntly, Fauci's initiated overburdening public policies coupled with his lies about what should have been public offered treatment options...think “ivermectin” here...helped lead to the deaths of 1.2+ million Americans. Now add in Fauci's lies told to then President Trump along with his claiming that there was an “urgent public need” for a vaccine...a vaccine he knew would have little effect against a “gain of function” created “bio-weapon”...and couple that with his also knowing that a rushed to market vaccine comes replete with serious side effects that could result in death for some. 

And when you add all the components together you can see why this vile little man is equally responsible with China for millions of innocent lives lost.

Ignorance tends to be bliss at times, but when America's illness and death toll is as high as it is due to both the actions and inactions of Dr. Anthony Fauci, he cannot be allowed to simply have retired and then just fade into the background with no responsibility taken or accountability being levied in a court of law. This man must be the recipient of legal justice served not only for the nightmare of illness and death he truly helped to create, but also for his having constructed the lies that put “We the People's” lives in danger.

And as for Donald Trump, he also must be held responsible and to a some degree accountable for the covid fiasco, albeit not anywhere near the degree as Fauci. In my opinion Trump's main crime...if you will..is that out of worry about the then upcoming election he willingly chose to listen to a man with a decidedly political agenda; a man who knew that the rushed to market vaccines would in the end do more harm than good; and who via his actions taken actually aided in his presidential downfall. 

Remember, as I said earlier, Trump has a history of listening to the wrong people what with his cabinet picks being a revolving door of sorts, but I do think Trump tried to do good with “Operation Warp Speed” even knowing it went against most doctor's medical concerns.

There's lots of blame to be shared regarding the covid pandemic, but it's time we close the covid circle, thus bringing this nightmare to an end. So while I think it would serve Trump well to issue a public apology for his overzealous and medically compromised response, I believe only Dr. Anthony Fauci needs jail time for, in my opinion, he truly does have blood on his hands. Case closed.

___________________________________________________________________

 

* Chimeric-like molecules are an engineered construct in which two or more components are linked to form a novel biological agent.

 

** To read the entirety of my published Covid articles...to date...click here.

 

*** WHO is the World Health Organization.

 

**** Dr. Hanna Nohynek is a chief physician at the “Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare” and serves as the WHO’s chair of the “Strategic Group of Experts on immunization.” Read her claim here. 

Copyright © 2024 / Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, Uncle Bosie and Other Biden BS.

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RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE!                                           

 

Tomorrow, Tuesday, May 7th from 7-8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'Closing The Covid Circle '; 'Uncle Bosie and Other Biden BS'; and important news of the day. Hope you can tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE' starting at 6:50 pm EST with show beginning at 7pm EST.

 

Op-ed:  

What's Really Behind the Beirut Blast  

By: Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / Right Side Patriots on Right Side Patriots Radio

"The explosion at the port is a 'great national disaster' and all those responsible for this catastrophe will pay the price." - Lebanon's Prime Minister Hassan Diab  

   

In an instant over one hundred and fifty people lay dead, thousands were injured with hundreds of thousands left homeless as an explosion some called “apocalyptic” rocked the city of Beirut, Lebanon.  

   

As per Lebanon’s President Michel Aoun, 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate used in fertilizers and bombs, had been stored for over six years in warehouses at the Port of Beirut near the northern center of the city “without safety measures” being taken. But I say focus on the word bombs...as in the storing of known bomb-making materials not far from highly populated residential areas as well as the fact that Hezbollah...a sworn enemy of Israel supported and financed by Iran...has its home base in Beirut. 

  

But don't think Israel had anything to do with this...which was Lebanon's as expected first claim...a claim already having been proven to be false...nor was it a firecracker caused explosion as was the second claim. And while at first glance some believed the explosion was the result of a shipment of bomb making materials intended for use by Hezbollah against the Jewish state, I have now come to temper down that a bit for while, I believe, Hezbollah had a hand in this, I think corrupt politicians did so as well...maybe even a combination of both with a little bit of Russia unknowingly having some culpability in what was an explosive cocktail just waiting for the right time and circumstance to happen.  

   

As for the explosion itself...actually two explosions with the second explosion being equivalent to a 3.3-magnitude earthquake...started with a small fire in warehouse #9 caused supposedly by welding work... makes me wonder if sprinklers were even installed... and spread to warehouse #12 where the ammonium nitrate was stored. 

Now claiming "negligence" as the cause of the explosion, Director General of Lebanese Customs, one Badri Daher, has emphatically stated that, “It is negligence,” being that custom's officials had sent letters to the judiciary seeking “guidance” in regards to the storage safety issue and that said issue had been before several committees and judges over the past six years. Saying that “nothing was done” to remedy the at best tenuous situation...as in issuing an order to remove or dispose of the highly combustible material...what many feared in regards to such an explosion did indeed happen in the late afternoon of Tuesday, August 4, 2020.

  

And so the blame game began...as well as the search for a fall guy. “We requested that it be re-exported but that did not happen. We leave it to the experts and those concerned to determine why,” so stated Customs Director Daher soon after the explosion with “why” being the operative word. How so...know that this past February a government inspection team saw just how carelessly the ammonium nitrate was being stored...including that rules regarding fire-proofing were not being followed. And the inspection team was so concerned by what they saw that they warned that if the ammonium nitrate was not moved or at least “safely secured” that it could very well “blow up all of Beirut.” 

  

In fact, it appears that Customs Department officials had asked the judiciary back in 2016 and again in 2017 (and even earlier according to some reports), to have the “concerned maritime agency” either re-export or at least approve selling the ammonium nitrate...which had been removed from the Russian cargo vessel MV Rhosus back in 2013, and stored specifically in warehouse #12 to supposedly "ensure port safety." 

  

But more importantly, I believe, than just why was this deadly cargo stored and maybe deliberately overlooked by the powers that be, is where and to whom was the ammonium nitrate originally going to be delivered; where would it be exported to; and what was and would still be its intended use? These key questions need answers along with why choose the Port at Beirut for docking when other ports just as close to the supposed problem plagued ship might have been better able to handle what was a deadly cargo. 

  

So here's a bit of background on the voyage not completed...or was it really a plan that in the end did come to fruition? First, know that the ammonium nitrate that arrived at the Port of Beirut way back in November 2013 aboard the cargo ship MV Rhosus, was being transported on a Russian owned vessel sailing under the Moldovan flag. Originally departing in September from Batumi, Georgia, the Rhosus was on its way to Beira, Mozambique with said 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate. And why such a volatile cargo...because at this time Mozambique was experiencing what was referred to as the Renamo insurgency just as the county's bloody civil war was starting to wind down. And while a ceasefire did go into effect between the government and the rebels in September 2014, the skirmishes continued on until a formal peace treaty was signed between the government and the rebels on August 6, 2019.  

   

So on whose side of the Mozambique conflict were the Russians on? During the civil war itself...a civil war that was in all actuality a proxy war between the then Soviet Union which backed Mozambique's government and the United States which supported the insurgents...meaning Russia obviously intended for the ammonium nitrate to be turned over to Mozambique's government forces upon delivery to the Portuguese owned company 'Fábrica de Explosivos de Moçambique,' to be used against the Renamo insurgents. Enough said. 

  

But while en-route in the eastern Mediterranean and nearing the waters off Beirut, the ship's captain Boris Prokoshev “supposedly” radioed that the Rhosus was in trouble and needed to dock after experiencing "technical problems," and that when allowed into port the ship was inspected; banned from sailing to its intended destination; had its cargo moved to the port's #12 warehouse following a court order; saw its crew repatriated except for the captain and three Ukranian crew members; and only then was the ship abandoned by its owner Russian businessman, Igor Grechushkin, which resulted in numerous “right to ownership” claims being filed.  

   

And with the above events as stated being the Lebanese government's version of what lead up to the “apocalyptic” explosion, now entertain two other possibilities as to what did or did not happen. First, let's start with the words of Boris Prokoshev, the Rhosus' captain, who in a recent BBC interview told an entirely different story as to why his ship docked in Beirut. Saying nothing about any “technical problems,” the captain claimed that docking was done because the ship's owner had “money trouble” and that the Rhosus needed to “collect an additional cargo of heavy machinery” in order to fund its passage through the Suez Canal. But, according to Prokoshev, the machinery was too heavy to load, and when the ship's owner didn't pay the port fees and ensuing fine, that it was only then that Lebanese authorities impounded both the Rhosus and its dangerous cargo. 

  

And then there's Hezbollah's own version of what happened along with accusations made. You know Hezbollah...the terrorist group who loves nothing better than to store bombs and weapons in civilian homes, schools, and hospitals...Hezbollah who uses innocent men, women, and children as human shields. Know too that Hezbollah is the only group not...I repeat not...to have disarmed after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war; is the same (terrorist) group who continues to fight alongside Bashar al-Assad's forces against Israel; and whose chief Hassan Nasrallah stated just three days after the port explosion that neither he nor his “powerful Shiite movement” had stored arms at Beirut's port.  

   

"We have nothing in the port: not an arms depot, nor a missile depot nor missiles nor rifles nor bombs nor bullets nor (ammonium) nitrate." were the words of this proven liar whose Hezbollah organization kept over six thousand pounds of ammonium nitrate (the explosive that exploded in Beirut) in a warehouse in downtown London...that is they did until MI5 and the London Metropolitan Police found and confiscated it back in 2015. 

And Hezbollah also stored many hundreds of pounds of ammonium nitrate in a warehouse in southern Germany until it, too, was thankfully found and confiscated earlier this year. And why this particular chemical... because Hezbollah considers ammonium nitrate the “weapon of choice” to be used for “proper organized terrorism” as it causes “a lot of damage.” 

Interesting words are they not. 

“Nothing goes in and out of the Port or the Airport without them (Hezbollah) knowing. Nothing,” so said Bahaa Hariri, the son of murdered Lebanon Prime Minister Rafic Hariri who added that it was “inconceivable” that the authorities and Hezbollah didn't know that ammonium nitrate was stored in one of the port's onsite warehouses.   

I'll go one step further...there's a possibility that Hezbollah knew what cargo the Rhosus was carrying and either bribed someone or had a Hezbollah operative onboard to bring that ship into port one way or another so that Hezbollah could have the munitions needed and on hand to be set off at the time of their choosing. They've done it before...why not now. 

And that surely raises an important question...who in 2013 and who now is in actual physical control of the port not just in-name-only control...is it Lebanon's government, some corrupt officials within said government, Hezbollah themselves, or could it be a designated combination of all three actually working together or at least not stepping on each others toes, and if so for what reason?  

  

There are three possibilities that immediately crossed my mind with the first being that for Hezbollah it's for revenge coupled with a show of power. Remember, back in 2005 Lebanon's former Prime Minister Rafic Hariri, a more western leaning leader, was killed along with 21 others in an explosion in Beirut. And the mode of killing used...how about 2,200 pounds of TNT that was detonated as the prime minister's motorcade drove near Beirut's St. George Hotel. And with those involved...Hezbollah operatives all...being caught, tried, found guilty, and due to be executed within a few days of what was the explosion...could a simple act of revenge in the guise of an explosion be Hezbollah flexing its muscle to show both the government and the people who's boss. Perhaps...at least it's something that must not be ruled out...at least not until definitively proven otherwise. 

And the second possibility involves money...under the table monies regarding payola and bribes via corrupt city officials awarding contracts to rebuild a city already in somewhat of a ruin after years of its own civil war...a city already bordering on economic depression...a city that could be the beneficiary of large sums of monies if certain companies in certain countries greased the palms of corrupt politicians.    

And which country desperately wants to make inroads into Lebanon....China....the very country who has for years tried to get Lebanon to join its 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI), China's global plan to rebuild what's deemed the world’s most important ports, railways, and harbors and then bring them under Communist Party control....as if the Middle East didn't already have an islamist control problem, it sure doesn't need the problems communist China would bring along with it. 

And it's problems pertaining to the BRI itself including the possibility of China's offering Lebanon, Chinese government loans at a high interest rate. And said loans would obviously be used to help rebuild Beirut albeit with a caveat...when Lebanon fails to repay said loans on time...which they would with their tethering on brink economy...China would then move in and seize Lebanon's assets. Not a great idea to get mixed up with China but sometimes desperate times do cause a country like Lebanon to grasp at desperate measures. 

Lastly, reason number three...could this explosion have been just another unfortunate accident waiting to happen...an accident that could easily have been prevented if the authorities had given even one iota of a damn about the safety of Beirut's residents. And with government corruption being key, whether it be willful negligence or payola of some kind...the end result is the same...scores dead, thousands injured, and over a quarter of a million folks with no place to go home to nor businesses to open.  

And as protests against the government heat up, President Aoun promised a transparent investigation into the blast via his saying that, “We are determined to go ahead with an investigation and unveil the circumstances surrounding what happened as soon as possible and hold those responsible and those who were negligent accountable and serve them the most severe punishment,” the Lebanese people themselves, no matter that 18 folks have already been questioned, including port and customs officials, still seem to feel that the government's promises of transparency and accountability are yet another attempt by the political elite to pass the buck and blame others for their own complicity in what surely will be a disaster that will take years for the city to recover from...if it ever does.

Copyright @ 2020 Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor / All rights reserved.

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For more political commentary please visit my RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS partner Craig Andresen's blog The National Patriot to read his latest article, With Social Justice and Victimhood For All.

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Tomorrow, Friday, August 14th from 7 to 9pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss 'What's Really Behind the Beirut Blast'; 'With Social Justice and Victimhood For All'; and important news of the day.

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