Author Archives: L

On This Day — Black Monday (October 19 1987) [From the Iran-Contra scandal (November 3 1986) to the shoot down of Iran Airbus 655 (July 3 1988)]

Posted on October 19, 2021 by L

“Many people remember the events leading up to October 19, 1987. Unfortunately, very few of them recall the specifics. When many people talk about the dramatic drop in the overall stock market, they either blame a single cause (portfolio insurance) … Continue reading →

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Spy Quotes — Remembering CIA Whistleblower Victor Marchetti (December 23, 1929 – October 19, 2018) [The Lockerbie X file & The Two No-Go Areas]

Posted on October 19, 2021 by L

“The real reason for the official secrecy, in most instances, is not to keep the opposition (the CIA’s euphemistic term for the enemy) from knowing what is going on; the enemy usually does know. The basic reason for governmental secrecy … Continue reading →

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80 Years Ago — Richard Sorge is arrested in Tokyo (October 18, 1941) [“The spy who changed the world”]

Posted on October 18, 2021 by L

“Richard Sorge’s brilliant espionage work saved Stalin and the Soviet Union from defeat in the fall of 1941, probably prevented a Nazi victory in World War II and thereby assured the dimensions of the world we live in today.” American … Continue reading →

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90 Years Ago — Al Capone Convicted of Income Tax Evasion (October 17 1931) [UPDATE : Al Capone’s Favorite Gun Sells for $860K at Auction]

Posted on October 17, 2021 by L

“Capitalism gives all of us a great opportunity if we seize it with both hands and hang on to it.” Chicago gangster Al Capone October 17 2020 — On October 17, 1931, Chicago gangster Al Capone was convicted of income … Continue reading →

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Four Years Ago — Maltese Investigative Blogger Killed in Car Bomb [UPDATE : Pegasus Project awarded the 2021 Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism]

Posted on October 16, 2021 by L

“Another year has passed, and there is still no truth or justice for Daphne Caruana Galizia in sight. Three years after her murder, it has still not been established who ordered it and what the motives behind her brutal assassination … Continue reading →

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On this Day — Mata Hari Is Executed (October 15 1917) [Was she really guilty?]

Posted on October 15, 2021 by L

“A harlot? Yes, but a traitor, never!” Mata Hari (during the trial) July 25 2020 — Margaretha Geertruida “Margreet” MacLeod (Born Zelle; 7 August 1876 – 15 October 1917), better known by the stage name Mata Hari, was a Dutch … Continue reading →

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Lockerbie — FAA investigating Boeing 787 manufacturing flaws. Coincidence? [UPDATE VII : Boeing pilot indicted for giving false information to FAA over 737 Max]

Posted on October 15, 2021 by L

“The plane maker has told U.S. aviation regulators that it produced certain parts at its South Carolina facilities that failed to meet its own design and manufacturing standards, according to an Aug. 31 internal Federal Aviation Administration memo reviewed by … Continue reading →

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Deadly Floods in Belgium & Germany — A Monumental Intelligence Failure? [UPDATE : “He who pays the piper calls the tune.”]

Posted on October 14, 2021 by L

“The fact that people didn’t evacuate or get the warnings suggests that something is going wrong. If you’ve got some information about what risk you’re at and you can understand it, you can take action to protect yourself. These floods … Continue reading →

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Havana Syndrome — Two new cases in Vietnam delay Vice President Harris’ visit [UPDATE : More than a dozen Havana Syndrome cases reported in Colombia]

Posted on October 13, 2021 by L

“It’s real. It’s affecting our officers. It’s affecting others around the community, in government, and we’re going to figure it out.” CIA Deputy Director David Cohen Annual Intelligence and National Security Summit (Sept. 14 2021) August 3 2021 — Judy … Continue reading →

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On This Day — The Brighton Bombing (October 12 1984)  [UPDATE — Brighton Bomber : “Ireland will soon be reunited.”]

Posted on October 12, 2021 by L

“Mrs. Thatcher will now realise that Britain cannot occupy our country and torture our prisoners and shoot our people in their own streets and get away with it. Today we were unlucky, but remember we only have to be lucky … Continue reading →

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