Daily Archives: May 21, 2014

05/21/14

Hollywood celebrities caught on hidden camera accepting money from “Middle Eastern oil interests”

James O’Keefe Premieres “Expose: Hollywood’s War on US Energy” at Cannes Hollywood celebrities caught on hidden camera accepting money from “Middle Eastern oil interests”

CANNES — In a blockbuster new video, Project Veritas has exposed the truth about the dark funding behind Hollywood’s anti-fracking messaging machine.

New York Times Bestselling Author and Project Veritas founder and president James O’Keefe debuted the latest investigation at a “premiere” in Cannes, France on Wednesday.

In the investigation, an undercover journalist from Project Veritas posed as a member of a Middle Eastern oil dynasty and offered $9 million in funding to American filmmakers to fund an anti-fracking movie.

In video from a meeting with Ed Begley Jr., Mariel Hemingway and Josh Tickell, a Project Veritas investigator disguised as “Muhammed” offered $9 million for an anti-fracking film. “Muhammad” clearly states: “If Washington DC continues fracking, America will be energy efficient, and then they won’t need my oil anymore.”

In the same conversation, Begley and Hemingway accept the funding and agree to hide the source of funds for the anti-fracking movie. Hemingway agreeing that those who will know the source of the funding are “only at this table.”

Ed Begley Jr. is an outspoken environmental activist and current Governor on the board of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science (the organization that brings us the OSCARS every year.)

Mariel Hemingway is a Golden Globe- and Oscar-nominated actress.

Josh Tickell is a Sundance Film Festival Winner and the director of environmental message movies “Fuel”, “The Big Fix” and “PUMP”.

Team Begley even submitted a video of Oscar-nominated actor Mark Ruffalo offering his unwavering support for the fictitious anti-fracking film project.

The meeting came about after a series of discussions with Josh and Rebecca Tickell. A Project Veritas journalist posed as an ad executive seeking to broker a deal for his client (“Muhammed”) to fund an American-made anti-fracking film.

In a phone call to Tickell, the ad executive states: “My client’s interest is to end American energy independence; your interest is to end fracking. And you guys understand that?”

Tickell’s response: “Correct. Yes, super clear.”

Tickell makes it clear on the tape that revealing the source of funding for an activist film can undermine its credibility. Tickell notes that the movie “Promised Land” undermined its own message because it was labeled as being funded by Image Nation Abu Dhabi. His advice: “So rather than putting that [the source of funding] up front, don’t mention that.”

In a follow-up call with Josh and Rebecca Tickell, Rebecca Tickell assures our investigator: “We would never tell about where the funding is coming from. That would be really awkward for us.”

Josh Tickell: “We’re confident that we can keep this zip locked, you know tight, air-tight forever. If we don’t protect who is kind of funding this thing, if we have to disclose that or that becomes a necessary part of it, the whole enterprise will not work.”

Project Veritas founder and president James O’Keefe stated Wednesday:

“This latest investigation shows the dark side of Hollywood’s environmental movement. Hollywood is willing to take and conceal money from Middle Eastern oil interests in order to advance their cause of destroying American energy independence.”

The raw video can be found at http://Youtube.com/VeritasVisuals

Project Veritas is non-partisan and does not advocate for political candidates or parties. The purpose of Project Veritas’ investigations is to expose waste, fraud, dishonesty and self-dealing.

Stay up to date on who responds by following us on Facebook at http://Facebook.com/ProjectVeritas and on Twitter @Project_Veritas.

Support Project Veritas’ investigations at http://ProjectVeritas.com/donate

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Cannes: Video of Hollywood Environmentalists in Anti-Fracking Sting Operation to Debut (Exclusive Video)

James O’Keefe Dupes Hollywood with Fake Anti-Fracking Film

05/21/14

The Menace of Russia and China – A Strategic Alliance Of Our Enemies

By: Terresa Monroe-Hamilton

***Update: Bill Gertz/The Washington Free Beacon – Russia Shifts to China After Ukraine Crisis


Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping — ITAR-TASS/Mikhail Metsel

As Americans ponder gender issues, racism and collectivism… Russian battleships are in Shanghai for joint naval drills with the Chinese. The Russian anti-surface destroyer Bystry sailed into port ahead of the “Joint Sea-2014” naval drills, in Shanghai along with a host of other ships.

As a contingent of Russia’s Navy Pacific Fleet glided into the waters of Shanghai to participate in a show of solidarity with the Chinese military, no one seemed to notice or care that two super powers are joining forces in preparation for war and conquest. The Russian-Chinese naval training was dubbed ‘Joint Sea-2014.’ The military drills will take place in the northern part of the East China Sea. They start today and go thru May 26th.

The Russian contingent is composed of six battleships and support vessels which include the following: the flagship of the Pacific Fleet, the missile cruiser Varyag, the anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Panteleyev, the large landing ship Admiral Nevelskoy, the anti-surface destroyer Bystry, the tanker Ilim and the ocean tug Kalar.


A Russian naval vessel arrives in Shanghai. It will join the Chinese navy in a joint military exercise to be staged in the waters and air space near Shanghai, in the East China Sea. (Xinhua)

The “Joint Sea” naval drills are being held for the third time. Last year, training took place in the Sea of Japan with about 20 ships taking part, during what was widely seen as Russia and China flexing their muscles amid the territorial dispute between China and a number of its neighbors, including the Philippines and Vietnam.

This year’s exercises hold particular importance for China, as they are taking place amid the persisting tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, not far from the disputed Senkaku Islands known as the Diaoyu Islands in China. Tensions are rising with countries taking sides, but it is obvious to the world and anyone paying attention that Russia and China have superior might and forces. A ‘red’ alliance has formed that could shake the world and topple governments, realigning world powers and eradicating freedom. It’s a Progressive/Marxist dream come true. Russia and China share a common enemy in the US and would love to rid the world of the United States.


As the flags of Russia and China hung majestically and territorially together, sailors from both countries stood at attention and in solidarity for their tyrannical leaders. Their presence hails the drills that will take place between the two monoliths, where the Chinese will have six battleships doing maneuvers along side their Russian counterparts.

The drill will entail 14 ships, two submarines, nine warplanes, six shipboard helicopters and two operational detachments of marines from both sides. This will be done from the Usun naval military base in Shanghai. Notes and battle plans will be compared and brainstormed by both powers. I have no doubt that divvying up the geopolitical landscape of the planet will be discussed at length, while many laughs will be had over the United States, their leadership or lack thereof and their weakened stance on the world stage.


Chinese and Russian military forces have gathered in Shanghai ahead of a “Naval Interaction” drill in the East China Sea. (Xinhua)

This is the first time in history that Russian and Chinese sailors will work together on battleships in common drills. They will hold joint missile and artillery strikes against sea targets at different ranges and they will perform anti-submarine activities.

“Accumulated experience of interaction will allow us to increase the possibility of conducting joint actions of the two fleets to perform a wide range of tasks,” the top brass Chinese naval officer said. I bet and those tasks will have world dominance on the menu. You would think that these drills would have the US on heightened alert militarily, but no… our military seems to be too busy with gay rights currently. In the timeless words of Lady Gaga, their answer is: “I’m kinda busy…” They might want to watch Russia as they successfully test ICBMs with ‘Death to America’ potentially stamped on their casings:

Russia today carried out a successful test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile, news agencies reported citing the defence ministry, amid a standoff between Moscow and the West over Ukraine.

Interfax and ITAR-TASS quoted the defence ministry as saying a successful test of the RS-12M Topol ICBM had been carried out from Russia’s Kapustin Yar rocket launch site near the Caspian Sea at 2238 IST (1708 GMT).

The missile hit its target in the Sary Shagan ballistic missile test range that Russia leases in Kazakhstan, it said.

“The purpose of the launch was to test a prospective warhead of intercontinental ballistic missiles,” Interfax quoted defence ministry spokesman Igor Yegorov as saying, without providing further details.

Russia reportedly carried out previous tests in December and March of the RS-12M Topol, a road-mobile missile first put into service in the 1980s and then repeatedly modified.

It is referred to as the SS-25 Sickle by NATO and has a reported maximum range of 10,000 kilometres.

And military exercises are not the only thing the Russians and Chinese are conspiring on:

SHANGHAI, May 20 (RIA Novosti) – Russia and China are planning to increase the volume of direct payments in mutual trade in their national currencies, according to a joint statement on a new stage of comprehensive partnership and strategic cooperation signed during high-level talks in Shanghai on Tuesday.

“The sides intend to take new steps to increase the level and expansion of spheres of Russian-Chinese practical cooperation, in particular to establish close cooperation in the financial sphere, including an increase in direct payments in the Russian and Chinese national currencies in trade, investments and loan services,” the statement said.

The two countries are also set to deepen dialogue on macroeconomic policy issues, as well as boost growth in mutual investment, including in transportation infrastructure, the development of mineral deposits, and the construction of budget housing within Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in China on Tuesday for high-level talks with President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. A large package of documents, including bilateral, intergovernmental, inter-departmental and corporate agreements are expected to be signed during the two-day visit, aimed at cementing Russian-Chinese relations.

The decision to switch to the national currencies, thus reducing dependence on the US dollar was first announced in 2010 by then-Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao. The announcement was followed by a deal struck by the central banks of the two countries that allowed bilateral trade in the ruble and renminbi, as well as in freely convertible currency.

Military collaboration — check… Financial collaboration — check… Collaborative aggression and war pacts — check and double-check. It would appear these two Communist regimes are just not ‘into’ the US any more. I can’t help but think under any half decent Presidency, the US would now be on a war footing. Instead we are watching Pinky and the Brain plan on taking over the world, while an evil version of the Keystone Cops and the Three Stooges play at totalitarianism here in the States.

The menace of Russia and China forming a strategic alliance is growing. Let’s hope their rising red sun does not foretell of a coming red dawn.

More pics from the drills:


Russian anti-surface destroyer Bystry arrives at a port ahead of the “Joint Sea-2014” naval drill, in Shanghai, May 18, 2014.(Reuters / China Daily)


Chinese sailors stand in formation in front of national flags of Russia (L) and China, as they get ready for a welcoming ceremony for Russian naval vessels ahead of the “Joint Sea-2014” naval drill, at a port in Shanghai, May 18, 2014.(Reuters / China Daily)


Russian anti-submarine destroyer Admiral Panteleyev (R) arrives at a port ahead of the “Joint Sea-2014” naval drill, in Shanghai, May 18, 2014.(Reuters / China Daily)


Tian Zhong (R), deputy commander of the Chinese Navy and Alexander Fedotenkov, deputy commander-in-chief of Russian Navy, attend a news conference as directors of the upcoming “Joint Sea-2014” naval drill, at a port in Shanghai, May 18, 2014.(Reuters / China Daily)


Russian sailors (L) salute to Chinese sailors as they visit Russian guided missile cruiser Varyag ahead of the “Joint Sea-2014” naval drill, at a port in Shanghai, May 19, 2014.(Reuters / China Daily)

05/21/14

New Film Exposes Progressivism

By: Cliff Kincaid
Accuracy in Media

The filmmaker who exposed Barack Obama’s Marxist background, and debt to a pro-Soviet Communist Party operative, is trying once again to wake up America. This time, Joel Gilbert is using Michael Moore-style cinematic tactics to expose President Obama, the progressives, and their destructive Marxist schemes.

His new film, “There’s No Place Like Utopia,” is due in theaters this summer. The world premiere will be in Denver.

The theme is that socialism’s false promise is comparable to the fraudulent wizard behind the curtain in “The Wizard of Oz.”

Obama is portrayed as the new wizard, in the tradition of Lenin, Mao and Castro. A poster for the film shows Obama waving the American flag while holding a hammer and sickle behind his back.

Like Michael Moore, who revolutionized filmmaking by conducting personal investigations and confrontations, Gilbert highlights Obama’s “transformation” of America into a socialist state through personal visits to such cities as Chicago, Detroit and Denver, and interviews with the perpetrators and victims of Obama’s schemes.

Gilbert highlights modern-day progressive strategies, including welfare giveaways, illegal immigration, Muslim infiltration and even marijuana legalization.

This film has a much different tone and quality than his 2012 documentary, “Dreams from My Real Father,” which examined the hidden history of America’s first black president in a serious and matter-of-fact manner. In that film, Gilbert cited evidence that Obama’s mentor, Communist Party operative Frank Marshall Davis, was his biological father, and that the media conspired with Obama to conceal the truth.

For his efforts, Gilbert’s personal financial affairs were investigated by a George Soros-linked journalist.

Hillary Clinton once talked about the “vast right-wing conspiracy,” but Gilbert documents in an entertaining way in the new film how a socialist state is being built on the wreckage of the deliberate destruction of capitalism in the U.S. It’s a process that’s been underway for decades, with Obama presiding over the crowning achievement—a socialist state.

Indeed, a new book, Imagine: Living in a Socialist USA, captures the mood of the political left these days. They believe their time has come.

One chapter of the book, believe it or not, is called “Teach Freedom,” and it is written by former communist terrorist Bill Ayers. A chapter on the news media promises “first class news” under socialism.

If Marxism has been discredited, as many conservatives would like to believe, then how do we explain the recent column, “Christianity Is Communism! Jesus Was a Communist!,” by Mike Rivage-Seul, a former “professor of peace and social justice” at Berea College in Kentucky.

“My wife, Peggy, and I are going to Cuba again,” he writes. “A week from tomorrow, we’ll be leading a group of Berea College students on a three-week study tour of the island. We’ll be especially interested in having students come to grips with its history, political economy, sustainable agricultural practices, and its form of democracy, its education and health care systems.”

Perhaps Gilbert’s film can make a dent in this decadent mentality.

On the other hand, former KGB officer Konstantin Preobrazensky poses this question in the film: “Don’t these people know about our awful Soviet experience?”

Apparently not. As Russian leader and former Soviet KGB spy Vladimir Putin consolidates and expands his power, while openly acknowledging his debt to Soviet Russia, one has to wonder if the lessons of the past will be understood or even acknowledged.

This foreign policy challenge is something, unfortunately, that is not addressed in the Gilbert film.

It is worth noting, however, that the Ukrainian government is asking for anti-aircraft and anti-tank weaponry, in the face of the Russian invasion, and Obama is sending packaged meals-ready-to-eat, sleeping mats, water purification units, shelters, generators, fuel pumps and some medical supplies.

Ignoring the damage caused by their own policies, here and abroad, the progressives are holding a “New Populism” conference of their own on May 22nd in Washington, D.C.

Featured speakers include Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). Sessions are promised throughout the day that “will be sharpening the progressive principles that will unite and galvanize America’s new populist majority.” They think they have a majority of people on their side.

These progressives have no desire to confront Vladimir Putin over his aggression. Their enemies are the Republican Party, the Koch brothers, the Supreme Court and big corporations.

The irony, of course, is that billionaire hedge fund operator George Soros is a funder of the Campaign for America’s Future, the group sponsoring the conference. Soros also contributed to Senator Warren’s campaign for the Senate and co-hosted a fundraiser for her.

The title of Sen. Sanders’ prepared speech is “Fight Back Against the Oligarchs,” but you can assume he will not target Soros.

Perhaps Soros, not Obama, is the man behind the curtain.

Cliff Kincaid is the Director of the AIM Center for Investigative Journalism and can be contacted at [email protected]. View the complete archives from Cliff Kincaid.

05/21/14

Watcher’s Council Nominations – VA Blues Edition

The Watcher’s Council

Welcome to the Watcher’s Council, a blogging group consisting of some of the most incisive blogs in the ‘sphere and the longest running group of its kind in existence. Every week, the members nominate two posts each, one written by themselves and one written by someone from outside the group for consideration by the whole Council. Then we vote on the best two posts, with the results appearing on Friday morning.

Council News:

The Council In Action

This week, Yourish.com, The Pirate’s Cove, Maggie’s Notebook and Jewish American Patriots earned honorable mention status with some great articles.

You can, too! Want to see your work appear on the Watcher’s Council homepage in our weekly contest listing? Didn’t get nominated by a Council member? No worries.

To bring something to my attention, simply head over to Joshuapundit and post the title and a link to the piece you want considered along with an email address (which won’t be published) in the comments section no later than Monday 6 PM PST in order to be considered for our honorable mention category. Then return the favor by creating a post on your site linking to the Watcher’s Council contest for the week when it comes out Wednesday morning

Simple, no?

It’s a great way of exposing your best work to Watcher’s Council readers and Council members, while grabbing the increased traffic and notoriety. And how good is that, eh?

So, let’s see what we have this week..

Council Submissions

Honorable Mentions

Non-Council Submissions

Enjoy! And don’t forget to like us on Facebook and follow us Twitter… ’cause we’re cool like that!