Europe afraid of its 15 times bigger trade with Russia, than USA

Link to article

     While Obama is trying to "warn" and scare Russia with sanctions, European companies from Germany, France and Poland are afraid of their businesses. European banks and corporations are far more exposed to Russian economy and its condition than Americans one are. Europeans are afraid of international sanctions that Russia can be treated with today more than ever before in history. Trade between USA and Russia in estimated for $26 billion yearly, while trade between European Union and Russia it's even more than $370 billion yearly (sic!). As a result, they have lobbied energetically to head off or at least dilute any sanctions, making it hard for American and European political leaders to come up with a package of measures with enough bite to influence Moscow’s behavior in Ukraine.Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea, energy companies, exporters, big users of Russian natural gas and investors with stakes in Russia have counseled caution. “Neither in energy terms, nor politically, should we turn away from Russia,” said Rainer Seele, the chairman of Wintershall, a subsidiary of the large German-based chemical company BASF that is deeply entwined in Russia’s oil and natural gas trade. In a statement on Friday, the White House said Mr. Obama had discussed Ukraine with Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany, Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, President François Hollande of France and Prime Minister Matteo Renzi of Italy. Mr. Obama said only that the leaders had “agreed to work closely together, and through the G-7 and European Union, to coordinate additional steps to impose costs on Russia,” and European governments, without being specific, signaled that they were ready to take some kind of action.

Canonization - another big day in Catholic Church

Link to article

     At Sunday, April 27th, Pope Francis made history by adding Popes John XXIII and John Paul II to sainthood. With crowds filling St. Peter’s Square and spilling out across Rome, Francis presided over an elaborate Mass beneath drizzly skies, canonizing the two towering figures of 20th-century Catholicism, men who also hold very different legacies in the church. His excellency Pope Francis made decision of canonization himself, describing two new saints as a "men of courage". Many people also came from John Paul’s native Poland, where he is a hero for his fight against Communism. “It’s a very special day for every Pole, in particular for young people for whom John Paul II meant a new history, for our country and for Europe, as well,” said Lucasz Novak, 38, who came from northeastern Poland on a seven-day tour of holy sites in Italy. “For Poland, it’s a holy moment,” he said from St. Peter’s Square, as he used his smartphone to listen to a live broadcast of the celebration on Vatican Radio’s Polish channel. “For Catholics all over the world, it’s a holy moment. We could not not be here. It might sound strange for every American, that majority of citizens of some country are so vulnerable for impact of religion, but it's only because USA does not have national religion or culture. 

U.S.' and the Philippines' Military Agreement

Link to article

     United States of America and Republic of Philippines reached agreement where us agreed to deliver for Filipinos,  American warships, planes and troops greater access to bases in the archipelago. Pact was centerpiece of President Obama's visit in Malysia on Monday. “We’re not doing this because of China,” assured Evan Madeiros, senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council. “We’re doing this because we have a longstanding alliance partner.” USA comes to presence in the country first time since giving up naval and air force bases in Philippines since 1992. This movement is criticized by specialists of international relationships because it can be understood by China as an provocation. Others, say that's it's one of the greatest Obama's achievements. 

Mobilization in Eastern Europe

Link to article
    

Military training is about to start in Eastern European countries like Poland, Lithuania and Estonia. USA already sent support to Poland in dozen of jet planes F-16 and 200 infantry units.The Russian incursion into Ukraine, including the seizure of Crimea and moves by Russian-backed separatists in the eastern part of the country, has fanned fears in the former eastern bloc, where memories of decades of Russian domination run deep.The Crimean Crisis was test for NATO and so far, Western Civilization failed this test. Russia annexed new territory and NATO couldn't do nothing about this. Poland has been among the most bullish of the countries in the region clamoring for a tough Western response to Russia. Earlier this month the Polish foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, said that he wanted the alliance to deploy two combat brigades in Poland, with as many as 5,000 troops each. Estonia, meanwhile, has called for NATO to reinforce its commitment to the region’s security in the form of ground troops. Next days will show if NATO is going to have chance to "retake this test" and not allow Russia to break more international laws.

US became oligarchy, democracy is DEAD

Link to article

 Theory is extremely controversial but studies show that USA is more oligarchy, ruled buy several powerful people, than democracy, ruled by citizens. The USA is dominated by rich elite but question is how exactly power do these people have?  Answer is: more than we can expect. The wealthy few move policy, when regular American has just a little power, or almost no at all. It's up to level of intelligence and education. The major believe is that policy making is only huge corporations and powerful business organizations and really small number of affluent Americans. They obviously work in their own favor and turn policy of the country on their own. Americans enjoy many features of democratic governance like freedom of speech and regular elections but usually majority of them do not even understand policies of US government and changes in general policy. United States of America are in several words, really similar to Russia: country ruled by just few powerful and rich people who need to make their businesses easier by affecting policies of government. The USA certainly never was oligarchy, but now - obviously is.