Watch The X22 Report On Video 2 videos found Ep 3765b – Obama Prepping To Resist Trump,[FF] Countered,When All Exposed D Party Will Cease To Exist Ep 3765a – People Are Feeling The Effects Of Biden/[CB] Inflation, China Folds, Deal Made pt> Click On Picture To See Larger PictureUK, Germany and many other questions are struggling through the green new scam, this will not end well for them. People are experiencing Biden/Fed inflation from the past 4 years. Trump is countering this with low energy prices. Trump makes deal with China.  Obama now sending the message out to the infiltrators to get ready for the battles or we are finished. The [DS] will be moving from an information war to a physical war. Kash Patel countered and dismantles another [FF] . When the crimes are exposed the D party will cease to exist. They will fight to the very end because they do not want to go on trial. In the end this will all fail.   Economy Rooftop Solar Panel, Battery Installations Are Causing Fires in the UK The once-Great Britain has gone all-in on “green energy” as a matter of national policy, and it hasn’t worked out too well for them. There’s just one problem: They’re catching fire. A surge in house fires caused by solar panels and their batteries is sparking safety concerns over Ed Miliband’s plan for millions more rooftop installations. UK fire services faced a blaze involving a solar panel once every two days in 2024, according to data gathered by insurance company QBE, marking a 60pc increase in the past two years. That’s a lot of fires, presenting a deadly danger – and a 60 percent increase in two years is nothing short of alarming. There may be more to it than just the solar panels, but they are certainly a contributing factor:   Source: redstate.com NEW – Exploding electricity and gas prices: The "energy transition" is driving Germany towards deindustrialization — NZZ pic.twitter.com/xCj6KsODTn — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) November 1, 2025 Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney Confirms He Apologized to President Trump for Reagan Ad Effort   GYEONGJU, South Korea, Nov 1 (Reuters) – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday he had apologised to U.S. President Donald Trump over an anti-tariff political advertisement and had told Ontario Premier Doug Ford not to run it. Carney, speaking to reporters after attending an Asia-Pacific summit in South Korea, said he had made the apology privately to Trump when they both attended a dinner hosted by South Korea’s president on Wednesday. “I did apologise to the president,” Carney said, confirming comments by Trump made on Friday. Carney also confirmed that he had reviewed the ad with Ford before it aired but said he had opposed using it. “I told Ford I did not want to go forward with the ad,” he said. The ad, commissioned by Ford, an outspoken Conservative politician who is sometimes compared to Trump, uses a snippet of Republican icon and former President Ronald Reagan saying that tariffs cause trade wars and economic disaster.   Source: theconservativetreehouse.com Grocery prices are surging: US grocery prices have risen +5.3% YoY as of July 2025. To put this differently, if a family spends ~$1,000 a month or $12,000 a year on groceries, this marks an average annual increase of +$636. The sharpest YoY increases were seen in Pennsylvania… pic.twitter.com/7xInOJ2Lv2 — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) October 31, 2025   at +8.2%, Vermont at +7.0%, and Maryland at +7.0%. This was followed by West Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, with increases of +6.9%, +6.8%, and +6.6%, respectively. Concerningly, grocery prices in rural areas jumped +7.6% YoY compared to+5.6% for residents of large cities. US consumers are still drowning in inflation. People start feeling the effects of inflation almost immediately in tangible ways, but the “full effect”—meaning a sustained hit to their purchasing power and living standards—typically unfolds over several months to a couple of years. This depends on factors like how quickly prices rise in everyday essentials (e.g., groceries, gas, rent), whether wages or benefits adjust to compensate, and individual circumstances like income level or fixed expenses. Here’s a breakdown:Immediate Effects (Days to Weeks) siepr.stanford.edu Factor Typical Lag Time Why It Matters Price Increases 0–1 month Immediate budget strain on daily needs. Consumer Sentiment 1–3 months Broader awareness leads to reduced spending. Wage Adjustments 6–18 months Delays recovery of real income; full catch-up can take 2+ years for sudden spikes. Economic Policy Response 12–24 months Fed rate hikes take time to filter through (e.g., via loans/mortgages).   No Way Out Balance sheet reduction has ended—not with a bang, but with a nervous clearing of the throat. The same central bank that insisted it could unwind trillions in emergency asset purchases now quietly concedes that those assets are not going anywhere. “Temporary” has matured into a permanent fixture of the Federal Reserve System, as I knew would happen 7 years ago ago when I wrote an article called “The Fed Is Gutless And By The Time We Realize, It’ll Be Too Late”. The Fed is trapped between inflation and insolvency. Raise rates further, and its portfolio losses deepen while financial markets buckle. Cut rates aggressively, and inflation revives before the public has forgotten the last round. The system has become dependent on cheap liquidity, and withdrawing that support risks revealing how fragile the structure beneath it truly is. The uncomfortable truth is that the Fed did not merely intervene in markets. It became the market. And once a central bank makes itself the indispensable buyer of last resort for an entire asset class, there is no clean exit. There is only the slow realization that the temporary measures were permanent commitments all along.  Source: zerohedge.com BREAKING: President Trump officially announces a "deal on economic and trade relations with China:" Chinese actions: 1. Suspend new rare earth export controls 2. Issue general licenses for exports of rare earths 3. Take "significant measures" to end flow of fentanyl to the US… pic.twitter.com/G5RRv2JRwb — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) November 2, 2025  4. Suspend ALL retaliatory tariffs since March 4th 5. Suspend all retaliatory non-tariff measures since March 4th 6. Purchase at least 12 million metric tons of US soybeans US actions: 1. Lower tariffs on China by 10 percentage points 2. Extend the expiration of certain Section 301 tariff exclusions until November 2026 This is a huge deal. This is the BIGGEST de-escalation yet. Under the new US-China trade deal, President Trump made a HUGE agreement with China: China will suspend ALL retaliatory tariffs announced since March 4th. And, China will suspend or remove ALL retaliatory non-tariff countermeasures taken… https://t.co/FSgVEF5mng pic.twitter.com/77ixjiyCOe — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) November 2, 2025   since March 4th. This is not getting nearly enough attention. Do we have the GOLD? Q was asked that question in Trump’s first term: Q drop2619Dec 12, 2018 7:01:15 PM EST Dec 12, 2018 6:57:57 PM ESTAnonymous Q: Do we have the GOLD? Yes.GOLD shall destroy FED.Q Q says that GOLD shall destroy FED. Notice that Q didn’t say, GOLD… — JoeLange (@JoeLang51440671) November 2, 2025 JUST IN: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says "17 years after the white paper, the Bitcoin network is still operational and more resilient than ever." "Bitcoin never shuts down." pic.twitter.com/jW0BFeF3dH — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) October 31, 2025   Political/Rights And then there’s the REAL story: The individual arrested in this video assaulted and kicked Border Patrol agents. As he was being arrested, here, he aggressively grabbed the agent’s genitals and wouldn’t let go. The agent delivered several defensive strikes to free his… https://t.co/VjSDAPcbTG — Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) November 1, 2025   genitals from the perp’s grasp. And now you know. Anti-ICE Rioters Assault Federal Agents During Arrests for PRIOR ATTACKS on Officers at California Marijuana Farm Child Rescue Operation   Federal law enforcement officers came under vicious attack from a raging mob on Wednesday while executing arrest warrants against two anti-ICE agitators accused of assaulting DHS agents during a July raid on a California marijuana facility. The chaos unfolded in Oxnard, California, as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles agents moved in to arrest siblings Isai Carrillo, 31, and Virginia Reyes, 32, both U.S. citizens and members of the radical anarchist group VC Defensa. The duo is charged with conspiracy to impede or injure federal officers after allegedly throwing rocks at agents and vehicles, organizing others to do the same, and damaging government property during a targeted operation to rescue migrant children from potential human trafficking, exploitation, and forced labor at a Camarillo pot farm on July 10. During the arrests, Reyes took to social media to broadcast ICE’s location, inciting a violent crowd to swarm the scene and hurl rocks at the officers. Carrillo was taken into custody on the spot, while Reyes initially fled before surrendering the next day. Source: thegatewaypundit.com NEW – Trump sets refugee admissions ceiling at 7,500 for fiscal year 2026, admitting mostly White South Africans — AP — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) October 30, 2025 DOGE Geopolitical MORE – The number of victims is rising year after year. In addition, over 500,000 non-Germans were victims of crimes committed by refugees in Germany. — Disclose.tv (@disclosetv) November 1, 2025 Today, at the direction of President Trump, the Department of War carried out a lethal kinetic strike on another narco-trafficking vessel operated by a Designated Terrorist Organization (DTO) in the Caribbean. This vessel—like EVERY OTHER—was known by our intelligence to be… pic.twitter.com/W7xqeMpSUi — Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) November 2, 2025    involved in illicit narcotics smuggling, was transiting along a known narco-trafficking route, and carrying narcotics. Three male narco-terrorists were aboard the vessel during the strike, which was conducted in international waters. All three terrorists were killed, and no U.S. forces were harmed in this strike. These narco-terrorists are bringing drugs to our shores to poison Americans at home—and they will not succeed. The Department will treat them EXACTLY how we treated Al-Qaeda. We will continue to track them, map them, hunt them, and kill them. Satellite Images Show USS Iwo Jima and USS Gravely at Striking Distance of Venezuela, as Poll Reveals Majority in Latin America Supports Military Intervention Against Maduro Poll by Atlas Intel and Bloomberg shows support in all Latin America for US military action in the Caribbean. ‘The board is set, the pieces are moving’ – and the crowd is cheering. In the last few days, the White House has consistently denied reports that the decision to strike Venezuelan targets connected to drug trafficking has been made. Newsweek reported: “The United States has intensified its naval presence in the Caribbean, with satellite imagery confirming the deployment of the USS Iwo Jima and USS Gravely, now stationed within striking distance of Venezuela. […] The positioning of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the guided-missile destroyer Gravely represents a dramatic escalation in the region, underscoring the Pentagon’s growing readiness for possible military action.”   Other highlights of the Atlas Poll: 73% in Latin America believe Venezuela to be a dictatorship.  And the same 73% of Latin Americans believe Venezuela will be better off once Maduro is gone. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Trump says he’s not considering strikes within Venezuela President Trump   said he was not considering strikes within Venezuela following reports his administration had identified potential military targets within the country. Trump was asked aboard Air Force One while en route to Florida about those reports and whether he had made up his mind about potential strikes. “No. It’s not true,” Trump responded. Source: thehill.com Yes, Donald Trump stated on October 31, 2025, that he is not considering strikes within Venezuela, addressing earlier media reports about potential U.S. military actions amid escalating tensions in the region.  This came after satellite imagery showed U.S. military assets moving closer to the area, prompting speculation, but Trump denied any imminent plans for strikes.   The White House and Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed this position. It feels like the [DS]/Fake news really wants war to breakout. Maduro as an “imminent threat of war”—Venezuela has formally appealed for military support from Russia, China, and Iran via diplomatic letters and coordination efforts. These requests focus on bolstering air defenses and deterrence, emphasizing shared anti-US ideology. War/Peace   Committee, to immediately look into this matter, and report back to me. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other Countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our Great Christian population around the World! DONALD J. TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA  The Ukrainian Armed Forces have launched a massive drone attack against Russia, with “hundreds” of drones reported to be flying north towards the Russian capital of Moscow. pic.twitter.com/zNLodlNYOz — OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) October 31, 2025   Medical/False Flags Fauci secretly funded the creation of Covid. Then Covid was released during Trump’s re-election year so they could steal it. He must be arrested and imprisoned. https://t.co/MwLxeLWe2c — DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) October 31, 2025 [DS] Agenda  Unearthed FEC Records Reveal a “Bizarre Inconsistency” in Rep. Eric Swalwell’s Payments to a Male Haitian-American Campaign Staffer – Swalwell Responds    Rep. Eric “Fang Fang” Swalwell’s (D-China) campaign has raised alarm bells after offering several different explanations for the payments, which totaled roughly $360,000 and go back to 2021. From Fox News: FEC filings from Swalwell for Congress and his Remedy PAC, dating back to 2021 and as recently as last month, show over 75 payments to an individual named Darly Meyer, with various reasons given for the disbursements. Individual payments vary from as little as $53 to over $12,000. Based on the payments, Meyer has earned varying amounts each year, including over 27 payments last year that added up to over $120,000. He is also on pace to make over $120,000 in 2025. The FEC filings list several different reasons for the payments, ranging from travel expenses, car service, security services, and salary. There are also several payments to Meyer for things like “personal travel expense reimbursement,” “event flowers reimbursement” and postage.   “LOL get this — @Pete_Pinedo of Faux News emailed and asked why I’ve spent $350,000 on security,” Swalwell wrote. “I responded, ‘because there’s a direct correlation between the lies Fox tells about me and the death threats that follow aimed at me and my kids.’”   Source: thegatewaypundit.com   MYSTERY: No one can explain what a Haitian driver and community organizer does for Rep Eric Swalwell but his campaign sends him hundreds of thousands of dollars contributed by Swalwell's constituents. Daryl Meyer runs a secretive group called 'CaliHaitians – Haitians in Az, Ca,… pic.twitter.com/5ekOrgtx4C — @amuse (@amuse) November 1, 2025 Nv, Hi, Or, & Wa’. The NGO is selective about who is accepted but touts a membership of 3,000+ Haitians living here in the United States. The website explains the membership is limited to “head members of groups/organizations that are able to provide professional services to strengthen the community.” BREAKING: DOJ investigates BLM leadership over misuse of $90 MILLION in donations Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into senior leaders of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation over allegations that tens of millions of dollars raised during the 2020 protests were mishandled. Federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into senior leaders of the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation over allegations that tens of millions of dollars raised during the 2020 protests were mishandled  Investigators have already issued subpoenas and executed at least one search warrant as part of the ongoing inquiry, though no criminal charges have been filed., the controversy surrounding BLM’s finances deepened when it was revealed that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had issued a $24.7 million grant to the George Soros–funded Tides Center, which later funneled more than $12.6 million to BLM Grassroots. The funds were distributed at the height of the 2020 riots, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Source: postmillenial.com REPORT: Obama Preparing to Step Up Efforts to Resist Trump — ‘Not So Sure’ Country Will Survive His Presidency Barack Obama  is “not so sure” that the country will survive Donald Trump’s presidency and is preparing to step up his campaigning efforts in support of the Democratic Party. “If we are focused, if we’re willing to engage, if we are willing to do the work, the nation and our democracy can survive this,” he explained. “There will be damage done along the way — there’s no question about that. We won’t win every battle.” Source: thegatewaypundit.com   President Trump’s Plan Washington, D.C. (Oct. 31) — The National Guard helped local police respond to youths rioting at the Navy Yard on Halloween night. pic.twitter.com/IBMeHX4eVC — Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) November 1, 2025 DC Mayor Announces City-Wide Curfew After Teenagers Create Mayhem  On Saturday, Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced an emergency order, with a city-wide curfew for anyone under 18, beginning Saturday night. The curfew will go into effect at 11pm Nov. 1, through 6am the next morning, and will continue nightly until Nov. 5. The order gives Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith the power to identify “high risk” areas in the city, where she can begin the curfew as early as 6pm. [source] The emergency action by the DC Mayor is in response to chaos in the streets in/around the Navy Yard area where five teens were arrested and the National Guard were forced to break up several fights and try to restore law and order.   Source: theconservativetreehouse.com Deep State DOJ, FBI Officials Leak Info on Kash Patel’s Decision to Thwart Michigan Halloween Terror Plot  Deep State FBI and DOJ officials are already starting to leak information on Kash Patel’s decision to conduct a predawn raid and arrest multiple people planning a terror attack over the Halloween weekend. “This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend,” Patel said. “More details to come. Thanks to the men and women of FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7 and crushing our mission to defend the homeland,” Kash Patel said. This morning the FBI thwarted a potential terrorist attack and arrested multiple subjects in Michigan who were allegedly plotting a violent attack over Halloween weekend. More details to come. Thanks to the men and women of FBI and law enforcement everywhere standing guard 24/7… — FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) October 31, 2025  and crushing our mission to defend the homeland. Source: thegatewaypundit.com Top Trump Officials Are Moving Into Military Bases Over Assassination Fears  Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Stephen Miller are just three Trump officials who have moved into military housing due to increased assassination threats. Top Trump officials are moving into military bases near Washington DC over escalating assassination fears. The move comes amid heightened security fears after the September assassination of Charlie Kirk. In September TPUSA founder and top conservative Charlie Kirk was assassinated in Utah at a public event. Source: thegatewaypundit.com  Brennan knew what was going on. He is a traitor———Tick-Tock… https://t.co/No5PLyIbj0 — Dan Scavino Jr. (@DanScavino) November 2, 2025 Judge Boasberg isn’t impartial. He’s the regime’s gatekeeper. → Authorized FISA spying on Trump’s team→ Hired Mary McCord to “review” her own misconduct→ Gave FBI liar Kevin Clinesmith probation→ Let Ray Epps walk→ Blocked deportations of cartel members→ Now shields… — Revolver News (@RevolverNewsUSA) October 31, 2025   Jack Smith Same judge. Same outcome. Same swamp.   Here are 3 criminal charges Pam Bondi could immediately arrest Judge Boasberg for over the Arctic Frost scandal. The third criminal charge would arrest Jack Smith as co-conspirator with Judge Boasberg. https://t.co/n1BX86FPv8 pic.twitter.com/5tNu2wfKhV — Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) November 1, 2025 We’ve caught reporters with their ear to @PressSec’s door while she was having sensitive conversations with Cabinet members. We’ve had to chase reporters down who started strolling into restricted areas towards the Oval. Total absence of boundaries. https://t.co/LgWTWI9Wiz — Anna Kelly (@AnnaKelly47) November 1, 2025     Update: this has been 100% confirmed by the North Carolina GOP. There will be investigations and people will be held accountable. This is election bribery / vote buying and is a CLASS 1 FELONY crime. pic.twitter.com/nXmdet1y5r — Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) October 31, 2025 Buckle up for this one. Based on our initial set of audits, more than $1B of federal taxpayer dollars were being spent on funding Medicaid for illegal immigrants. And my team is getting it back. Some want to deny that illegal immigrants are receiving Medicaid. Others insist… pic.twitter.com/aF45ttsofF — DrOzCMS (@DrOzCMS) October 31, 2025  it’s illegal for Medicaid to cover illegal immigrants. And others accurately point out that hospitals can provide emergency services to illegal immigrants under the program. We can all agree on this: rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse is essential to protecting this program for the most vulnerable. It’s also one of the Trump Administration’s top priorities. Let me lay down the facts: The truth is that federal law is supposed to prohibit federal Medicaid dollars broadly from being used to cover illegal immigrants. It does permit states to use Medicaid dollars for emergency treatment, regardless of patients’ citizenship or immigration status. States can also legally build Medicaid programs for illegal immigrants using their own state tax dollars, so long as no federal tax dollars are used. But that didn’t stop Democrats from going even further by breaking federal law to give illegal immigrants federal Medicaid dollars meant for American citizens. Earlier this year, the CMS team began auditing state Medicaid programs to ensure they were following the law and not spending any federal tax dollars on illegal immigrants outside of emergency Medicaid. What we found was shocking. In a preliminary review of 6 states, we found those states improperly using federal tax dollars for their allegedly state-funded program and providing coverage to individuals, including some with criminal records of murder and assault. Those states are: CA – $1,310,032,549 DC – $2,114,628 IL – $29,778,645 WA – $2,367,194 CO – $1,506,743 OR – $5,404,368 We notified the states, and many have begun refunding the money. But what if we had never asked? Whether willful or not, the states’ conduct highlights a terrifying reality: American taxpayers have been footing the bill for illegal immigrants’ Medicaid coverage, despite many Democrats and the media insisting otherwise. Democrats are demanding the repeal of the President’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation in order for their votes to reopen the government. This law wisely strengthened our ability to limit federal dollars from being spent on health care for illegal immigrants. Until Democrats explicitly drop that demand, they’re blatantly holding the government hostage over giving Medicaid to illegal immigrants.   Democrats keeping the Government closed through the monthly payment date and, even if we get immediate guidance, it will unfortunately be delayed while States get the money out. If we are given the appropriate legal direction by the Court, it will BE MY HONOR to provide the funding, just like I did with Military and Law Enforcement Pay. The Democrats should quit this charade where they hurt people for their own political reasons, and immediately REOPEN THE GOVERNMENT. If you use SNAP benefits, call the Senate Democrats, and tell them to reopen the Government, NOW! Here is Cryin’ Chuck Schumer’s Office Number: (202) 224-6542 https://twitter.com/CynicalPublius/status/1984759616602034265 is because Democrat senators refused THIRTEEN TIMES to approve a continuing resolution. 2. The reason the military is not getting paid normally is because Democrat senators refused THIRTEEN TIMES to approve a continuing resolution. 3. The reason why health insurance premiums appear to be spiking is because Democrat senators refused THIRTEEN TIMES to approve a continuing resolution, but also because the insured are now being asked to cover the taxpayer-funded Obamacare subsidies that are usually invisible in normal budget ops. Obamacare (the legislation for which was authored by the health insurance cartel) created subsidies to fund health insurance. Naturally, the premiums rose to match the subsidies. Now, without taxpayer dollars, somebody needs to pay those subsidies that the Democrats have hidden for so long, and that somebody is YOU. Democrats and the health insurance cartel are in an unholy alliance of riches and vote-buying, and it is YOU, average American taxpayer, who suffers. 4. Trump and private donors paid for all of the cost of the Donald J. Trump Ballroom. 5. Trump’s Great Gatsby Halloween Party? He paid for it 100% himself. 6. The reason why Democrats refuse to fund the government is that they will only do so if taxpaying citizens are forced to fund healthcare for illegal aliens. 7. ICE is doing its job precisely as intended, enforcing all of the immigration laws that have lawfully been on the books for decades. The only criminals involved with ICE are the illegal aliens they are apprehending and the felonious Democrats committing crimes to stop ICE from enforcing the law of the land. 8. ~42,000,000 Americans are on SNAP. The reason for this is not because they are incapable of earning money and buying food (or, in the case of children, “they” means their parents). The reason for this is instead because Democrats have deliberately created a neo-Marxist culture of dependency so they can buy votes. The very best thing we could for America regarding SNAP would be to limit it to only people who are genuinely unable to care for themselves. 9. Roughly 50% of Americans pay no federal income tax whatsoever. Which means it’s us—the taxpaying 50%—that pays for everything for these people who have no skin in the game. 10. Most Americans are not on X. Which means most Americans do not have the first clue who Nick Fuentes is. It’s all just a manufactured information campaign designed to disable MAGA. Don’t fall into the trap.     never again have the chance to DESTROY AMERICA! Republicans, you will rue the day that you didn’t TERMINATE THE FILIBUSTER!!! BE TOUGH, BE SMART, AND WIN!!! This is much bigger than the Shutdown, this is the survival of our Country! POTUS is 100% right and the RINOs in the Senate who are against the nuclear option know this. Also, ANY "influencer" pushing the "if we do this, the Dems will do it" bullsh*t also knows this. Dems will NEVER be back in control if we play the Trump Card, deport their illegal… https://t.co/LorqWunrls pic.twitter.com/Z7bzChslKI — Lisa Mei (@TheNotoriousLMC) November 1, 2025  voter base, expose their crimes & hold them accountable, and tighten up our elections. I see a lot of spineless Trump supporters saying “we can’t get rid of the filibuster because the Dems will abuse it when they are in power”. You fools don’t get it. We are already in all-out irregular warfare. We are already under attack. The Dems have already weaponized every… pic.twitter.com/zORZWquuZ2 — Clandestine (@WarClandestine) October 31, 2025   lever of government and the private sector against Trump and the American People. They already brainwashed the planet, flooded the country with illegals, released a man-made biological weapon, and are trying to overthrow Trump, AGAIN! If the Dems gain control again, it doesn’t matter how nice we were to them. They will destroy us and our way of life regardless. This is already their mission even if we don’t get rid of the filibuster. And if Trump succeeds in his mission of deporting the tens of millions of illegals, securing elections, draining the swamp, and arresting the traitors, the Dems will never win an election again. Many don’t seem to grasp the magnitude of the situation. This is the final battle for the Republic. If we don’t win decisively here and now during Trump’s term, it’s over. We must completely obliterate the Deep State, deport the Dems’ illegal voters, and safeguard future elections. Once this happens, the Dems will never win again, and we can begin rebuilding this nation. Those of you afraid of what the Dems might do… where have you been the last 10 years? They already crossed every line. They already unleashed war upon us. We either win now, or we become a one-party Left-wing state, and the nation, and therefore the world, will be lost forever. The plan to save the Republic: -Deploy NG/USMIL/ICE nationwide to safeguard the public and deport illegals (this is already happening) -Nuke the Senate filibuster, Dems become completely irrelevant, pass election security/voter ID laws, along with the entirety of the MAGA… pic.twitter.com/Xb5GaiZu7J — ULTRA Pepe Lives Matter (@ultrapepemqtter) November 2, 2025   agenda (Trump just said he wants to do this) -Arrest the traitors who staged a coup against Trump and cleanse the US government of bad actors (this process is already underway) -Without their illegals and election fraud schemes, the Dems will never win an election again and will eventually cease to exist This is what must be done, and Trump is already putting the pieces into place to make this happen. 

The noticing continues…vaccinated children are the sickest. The data confirms this mom's experiences and observations. https://t.co/sYvc6Zguvt — Chris Martenson (@chrismartenson) November 1, 2025

by Dimitri Speck, Silver Seek: Most recently, in October 2025, the silver price rose above $50 per troy ounce. Silver had already reached this level in 1980 and then again in 2011. On both occasions, this was followed by a prolonged decline in prices. Some investors are therefore wondering whether such a decline is looming […]

from World Alternative Media: TRUTH LIVES on at https://sgtreport.tv/

It’s easy to remember and oh so impactful. READ MORE...

Busts of four ancient Greek philosophers, left to right; Socrates, Antisthenes, Chrysippos, and Epicurus   Much has been made of Greek philosophers. In various media, their quotes are frequently used. What made this all possible came from the early shift from myth to reason, using writing enabled the sharing of ideas, and the open spread of ideas. And some of these quotes to wrestle with are head-spinning. Please read on.    “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” – Heraclitus Heraclitus by Hendrick ter Brugghen, 1628. Source: The Rijksmuseum.   Nicknamed “The Obscure” for his inscrutable writing, Heraclitus of Ephesus (c. 475-535) in Asia Minor believed as shown in his quotes. Heraclitus believed in panta rhei, or “everything flows.” So, what makes his quote so mind-bending? The quote sticks to his philosophy of constant flux. Once one steps into the river, the water one touches swirls away. As for man, his awareness, thoughts, and feelings change constantly. Time can’t be stopped or returned to.   “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.” – Socrates The Death of Socrates by Jacques Louis David, 1787. Source: Met Museum   Creator of the aptly named Socratic method, Socrates developed this disciplined questioning to explore ideas, spark serious thinking, and discover fundamental assumptions. Socrates lived a life of poverty. Many considered him eccentric or offensive, in opposition to Athenian standards. Put on trial for corrupting Athenian youth and impieties, city officials executed Socrates in 399 BCE.   Given Socrates’ life, why is this quote considered baffling? First, this quote is viewed as a paradox: someone knows they know nothing. This turns wisdom on its head. Despite being a challenge to one’s pride, knowing nothing opens up experiences or events as opportunities to learn.   “If there were no absurdity, there would be no wisdom.” – Antisthenes Bust of Antisthenes. Source: World History Encyclopedia   Antisthenes (c. 445-365 BCE), an Athenian like Socrates and his student, too, later founded the Cynic philosophy movement. Sadly, he also witnessed his mentor’s execution. He, too, earned a reputation for provocation, plainness, and wit. Antishenes pushed for a simple life; he prized deeds over words and disliked luxury.    So why is this quote perplexing? Simply because the quote flips logic around. Opposite to wisdom is absurdity-“the state or quality of being ridiculous or wildly unreasonable” (Oxford Dictionary). To Antisthenes, wisdom isn’t always apparent; nonsense is needed to expose absurdity to arrive at the truth.   “Nothing exists except atoms and space; everything else is opinion.” – Democritus Ancient Greek pre-Socratic philosopher Democritus (460 BC – 370 BC) from Abdera. Line engraving by L. Vorsterman after P. P. Rubens. Source: The Wellcome collection.   A pre-Socratic scholar with a large body of work, Democritus is best remembered for his atomic theory of the universe. Born in Abdera, Democritus (c. 460 BCE to 370 BCE) wrote on various topics such as farming, philosophy, and painting. Known as the “Laughing Philosopher” due to his cheerful nature. He laughed as wisdom involved joy. So how does Democritus’s quote throw a philosophical curveball? Democritus considered only atoms and empty space to be real. Things like morality, color, taste, emotion, and more are just interpretations—one’s senses how they interpret their reaction to atoms, not the actual thing. One is forced to tackle what’s true and not perception.    “First say to yourself what would you be; and then do what you have to do.” – Epictetus Epictetus by William Sonmans, engraved by Michael Burghers in 1715. Source: Wikimedia commons   Unlike other Greek philosophers, Epictetus’s life began in slavery. He gained permission to study philosophy with Stoic thinkers, who profoundly influenced him. Upon being free, Epictetus opened a Stoic school in Greece. Physically impaired with a lame leg, possibly from birth or in childhood. He was known for his Stoic endurance. Born in Abdera, Democritus (c. 460 BCE to 370 BCE) wrote on various topics such as farming, philosophy, and painting.    With Epictetus’s quote, how does it baffle the reader? Let’s break down the quote. By reading the first part, “first say to yourself what would be be” the individual is required to intentionally choose goals and values. Or in short, don’t drift through life. The second section of the quote, “then do what you have to,” urges one to follow that vision. Epictetus believed that people acted first and then rationalized later. Such a trait can be overcome with discipline and consistency.    “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle Aristotle statue.   As one of history’s most famous philosophers, Aristotle was a student of Plato and tutored Alexander the Great. Born in 384 BCE, this famous Greek died in 322 BCE. He believed greatness wasn’t momentary, but rather daily. This could be achieved through consistency and discipline. Why does Aristotle’s quote sound confusing millennia later? His quote is that excellence is not an event but a routine. The mind bender breaks down extraordinary and normal. These should become a habit; there are no shortcuts.

  The Great Sphinx of Giza represents a recumbent lion with the head of a human, most likely the Pharaoh Khafre, who ruled Egypt during the Old Kingdom from 2472-2448 BCE and constructed the second of the three Pyramids of Giza. Khafre was the son of Khufu, who ordered the construction of the oldest and largest of the three Pyramids of Giza. Khafre’s son, Menkaure, built the third and smallest pyramid. Overall, the Old Kingdom was famous for its massive and complex construction projects.   Location and Setting Broken face of King Kafre, ca. 2520-2494 BCE. Source: The MET, New York   Giza is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt and is located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite central Cairo. The Giza Plateau boasts a large ceremonial complex of pyramids, palaces, temples, solar boats, and other features, which were constructed to “endure an eternity and prepare pharaohs to become gods in the next life.”   The Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx were constructed between 2600 and 2500 BCE during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom and served as a symbol of early Egypt, reflecting the desire of rulers such as Khafre to establish physical manifestations of their rule and prepare for the afterlife.   Indeed, the monuments of the Giza Plateau were built by a skilled workforce who lived in a nearby temporary city sprawling over some 17 acres. Herodotus wrongly claimed the workforce was composed of slaves, an opinion some still believe in modern times. However, scholars suggest around 4,000 primary laborers including quarriers, hauliers, and masons would have constructed the Great Pyramid, supported by around 20,000 secondary laborers including ramp-builders, tool-makers, etc. One can imagine similar numbers for the construction of the Great Sphinx.   Archaeologists have discovered the remains of bakeries and large quantities of animal bone, suggesting the workforce laboring on the plateau was well fed with crops including wheat and barley, as well as various meat and fish. Additionally, tombs of the laborers have also been unearthed and, because many have remained undisturbed, scientists have been able to analyze the well-preserved skeletons and conclude that roughly half of them were female and 23% were children or babies, indicating the workers lived near the monuments with their families. These discoveries also highlight the political organization and control necessary to prompt a workforce to build such impressive monuments.   Pharaoh Khafre Auguste Mariette, 1821-1881, pioneering archaeologist of the 19th century. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Archaeological evidence has been used to associate Khafre with the colossal statue, which was carved from the bedrock of the Giza Plateau. In 1853, archaeologist Auguste Mariette, one of the early pioneers of Egyptology, discovered a life-size statue of Khafre in the ruins of a building adjacent to the Sphinx. Mariette also uncovered the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the Serapeum at Saqqara, along with the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.   In 1925, excavators found a building (now known as the Sphinx Temple) located in front of the recumbent lion which also dated to the Old Kingdom. Zahi Hawass believes the evidence is indisputable; the statue unearthed by Mariette is a depiction of Khafre and it “forms an integral part of his pyramid complex.”   In the Old Kingdom, the Great Sphinx became a symbol of divine power and pharaohs were unhesitant in their use of the mythical creature to convey the legitimate nature of their rule, as well as their dominance.   Characteristics of the Sphinx The Great Sphinx of Egypt, by Dilip Poddar. Source: Unsplash   The Great Sphinx of Giza is one of the earliest known examples of the mythological creature. Indeed, its use as a symbol of regency continued throughout the ages and was adopted as far afield as the Levant, Mesopotamia, Asia, and Greece. Oedipus Rex, one of the most famous Greek tragedies from the Classic Period, portrays the demise of King Oedipus and his powerlessness to escape fate after he solves the famous riddle of the Sphinx.   Khafre’s Sphinx is constructed from a single piece of limestone and measures 240 feet long and 66 feet high, the same height as the White House in Washington DC. In ancient Egypt, the creature was a spiritual guardian most often depicted as a male with a pharaoh’s headdress, and portrayals were often placed in tomb and temple complexes throughout Egypt.   Some scholars believe the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids held an astronomical importance “to resurrect the souls of the pharaoh by channeling the power of the sun and other gods.” The small temple between its paws contained dozens of inscribed stelae in honor of Ra, God of the Sun, and the face of the statue itself overlooks the rising sun in the east, signifying the importance of celestial considerations in its construction. Ra was one of the most revered and sacred deities in Egypt, who embodied the sheer power of the sun and gave life to the universe which explains why many pharaohs worshiped him and constructed monuments in his honor.   Amun-ra Statuette, 26th dynasty. Source: The British Museum   Researchers believe the limestone statue was originally painted in vibrant colors. In Egypt, Giza became a popular destination for tourists and travelers during the Roman Period and, reputedly, Pliny the Elder visited the Sphinx in the 1st century CE. He described how the face of the monster was painted a bright red color. Indeed, the bright color of the statue, as well as the gleaming white of the Great Pyramids would have inspired both awe and wonder, as well as contrasting starkly with the sandy and desolate desert surrounding the complex.   In Popular Culture Head of Thutmose IV wearing the blue crown, 18th Dynasty. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Indeed, the fame of the Great Sphinx has spread far and wide throughout the ages, with notable visitors including Cleopatra, Nero, and, more recently, Barack Obama, which highlights the never-ending allure of the statue, as well as its monumental surroundings. Cleopatra successfully maneuvered a predominantly male domain with striking aptitude, and politically motivated visitations to places of importance, such as Giza, would have strengthened her reputation, as well as her alliances with others.   In the 18th Dynasty, Thutmosis IV visited and fell asleep in the shade of the statue. While sleeping, he dreamt that “the great beast was choking from the sand engulfing it,” and if he were to remove the sand, he would be rewarded with the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. In 1818, archaeologists rediscovered a rectangular granite stela in between the front paws of the statue, now dubbed the Dream Stela, which is inscribed with the tale of Thutmose IV and represents his attempt to legitimize his rule through divine associations, which was commonplace among rulers of the New Kingdom.   Napoleon, another famed ruler, also reputedly visited the colossal statue, with some researchers claiming his troops accidentally shot off its nose with a cannon when they entered the country in 1798. However, alternate sources suggest the nose was removed long before that.   The Great Sphinx was forgotten and buried under sand up to its shoulders until the early 1800s when an adventurer named Giovanni Battista Caviglia carried out excavations with a large team of men. Caviglia unearthed many artifacts and inscriptions, but it wasn’t until the late 1930s that archaeologists managed to expose the creature once again.   Threats The Sphinx, by Omar Elsharawy. Source: Unsplash   Presently, the Great Sphinx is under threat from both natural and manmade causes. In 2007, it was revealed that the water table under the statue was rising due to sewage being pumped into a nearby canal, causing the limestone to crumble. Other threats include vibrations emanating from nearby quarries and vehicular traffic, erosion from elements such as wind and rain, and pollution due to industrialization and the construction of nearby factories.   The landmark has therefore become the subject of numerous successful and unsuccessful restoration attempts over the past few decades. In the 1980s, for example, the lower third of the statue was encased in limestone blocks that actually distorted the monument instead of protecting it. In February 1988, a large chunk of rock weighing approximately 700 lbs collapsed from the right shoulder of the monument, demonstrating the critical and delicate nature of the situation.   The Great Sphinx of Giza: In Conclusion Map of the Giza Plateau. Wikimedia Commons   The Great Sphinx is one of the most famous monuments in Egypt, and the renown and reputation of its builder, Khafre, has surely outlived even his own expectations. The colossal limestone statue, which attracts millions and millions of visitors each year, still provides the onlooker with the same wonder as it has done for thousands of years, and the recumbent lion may well reveal more secrets in the future.

  In 1066, England’s future hung in the balance. There was a three-way war for possession of one of Europe’s most prosperous kingdoms. The first definitive stage of the conflict saw the last Anglo-Saxon king, Harold Godwinson, face the last true Viking leader, Harald Hardrada, at the Battle of Stamford Bridge in Yorkshire. What happened during that fateful battle, and how did it influence the subsequent face-off with William the Conqueror?   England: An Unsettled Kingdom Edward the Confessor on the Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1070. Source: Bayeux Museum   It is tempting to think of England as a settled land before the tumult of 1066. However, England had endured centuries of conflict against Viking invaders. In 1013, the Anglo-Saxon House of Wessex was forced to flee England, leaving the Viking Sweyn Forkbeard to establish himself and his successors as the new kings of England. The Wessex dynasty returned in 1042, not through conquest, but because political marriages meant that Edward the Confessor was the closest male relative of Sweyn’s grandson Harthacnut when he died.   Edward’s reign, too, was far from peaceful. He had spent much of his formative years in Normandy and brought with him Norman customs and advisors, which infuriated the Anglo-Scandinavian elite. There was an ongoing power struggle between Edward and his most powerful Anglo-Saxon nobleman, Earl Godwin, which the king effectively lost when he tried and failed to exile the Godwin clan. When Godwin died, his son Harold took over his earldom. His younger brother, Tostig, took the earldom of Northumbria, only to have his own thegns rebel against him in 1065. With an eye on the future, Harold Godwinson positioned himself as Edward’s possible heir, staying loyal to the king, while Tostig was banished.   An Empty Throne: Death of Edward the Confessor Harald Hardrada, from Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland. Source: Colin Smith via Geograph   In January 1066, Edward the Confessor died childless. The English nobles quickly proclaimed Harold Godwinson as king. William, Duke of Normandy, was hunting when he learned Harold had taken the throne. He erupted into a rage, believing both Edward and Harold had promised him the crown.   But another ruler also had his eyes on England. Harald Hardrada was the fearsome king of Norway, his name meaning “hard ruler.” An ambitious youth who embodied the Viking spirit, which is why he is often called the last true Viking. Hardrada traveled through Eastern Europe as a young man all the way to Constantinople, where he excelled in the Byzantine Emperor’s Varangian Guard. A skilled warlord, he had been trying to conquer Denmark since 1064, but with Edward’s death, he too turned his attention to England. He claimed that as part of Edward’s succession, the crown was promised to pass to Norway upon his death.   Drawing of a coin of Harald Hardrada. Source: University of Edinburgh   In 1066, Harald received a visitor at his court: an English exile claiming to represent Tostig. Tostig promised to support Harald if he chose to invade England. Harald needed little encouragement and began assembling a fleet. He left Norway in September on his flagship, the Serpent, with his banner known as the “Land Ravager,” and traveled around Shetland and Orkney to collect more troops. He also received 2,000 soldiers from the king of Scotland at Dunfermline.   Prelude: Battle of Fulford The Battle of Fulford, from The Life of Edward the Confessor, by Matthew Paris, c. 1236. Source: University of Cambridge   Harald and Tostig arrived on the River Tees and began raiding the coast. News of the raids reached the earls Morcar of Northumbria and Edwin of Mercia, who quickly raised the fyrd and met Hardrada and Tostig outside Fulford, a small village, to block their road to York. The smaller English army was defeated on September 20, and Hardrada marched victoriously onto the old Viking capital.   What happened in York is still somewhat perplexing. Somehow, the locals managed to persuade Hardrada that he was fine to leave the city unmolested and unguarded and that they would meet him later, at a location outside the city walls, to agree on who would rule the region in his name. They even managed to persuade him to exchange hostages—an equal number of Norse and English—as security. Hardrada duly took his hostages and supplies and left the city, returning in celebration to his fleet stationed at Riccall. There, they drank and feasted, mocking their English hostages, not realizing that they were being closely watched.   Stamford Bridge: The Site Memorial stone near the presumed site of the Battle of Stamford Bridge. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Harold Godwinson had been stationed watching the southern coast for William of Normandy, but having heard of Hardrada’s landing, had marched 200 miles in barely five days. He arrived in Tadcaster, near the moored Norwegian fleet, on the same day that Hardrada arrived in York.   The sources name Stamford Bridge as the battlefield, although the original bridge no longer exists. This was where Hardrada and Tostig agreed to meet the men of York. Instead, they found Harold Godwinson and a new English army on the other side of the bridge. Whether through spies or simply by showing up, Godwinson had discovered that York was empty of Hardrada’s troops and marched straight through it to meet his foe.   Start of the Battle: The Hollow Shield The battlefield at Stamford Bridge. Source: D.S. Pugh via Geograph   A single man rode up Hardrada and Tostig, giving no name. He offered Tostig his earldom back in the name of the king if he turned on Hardrada. Tostig snorted and asked what Godwinson would give the king of Norway for his trouble, to which the man replied, “Seven feet of English ground, as he is taller than other men.” After he left, Hardrada asked Tostig who the man was. It was, of course, Harold Godwinson himself.   According to the Heimskringla, the chronicle of the kings of Norway written around 1230 CE, Godwinson returned to his troops and rallied them:   “Advance! advance! No helmets glance, But blue swords play In our array. Advance! advance! No mail-coats glance, But hearts are here That ne’er knew fear.”   Hardrada, hearing this, composed his own verse for his soldiers:   “In battle storm, we seek no lee, With skulking head, and bending knee, Behind the hollow shield. With eye and hand we fend the head; Courage and skill stand in the stead Of panzer, helm, and shield, In hild’s bloody field.”   The Battle of Stamford Bridge, from The Life of Edward the Confessor by Matthew Paris, c. 1236. Source: University of Cambridge   The bridge was a natural trap. The Vikings charged across the river against the larger English force but were driven back across. Following them over the bridge, the English were met with a single Norseman swinging a giant axe. The 12th-century historian Henry of Huntingdon writes that he killed 40 Englishmen alone, delaying the English advance and giving the Norse time to regroup. He was finally brought down when someone floated beneath the bridge and thrust a spear between the planks.   The Battle of Stamford Bridge: Victory The Battle of Stamford Bridge, by Peter Nicolai Arbo, 1870. Source: Fine Art America   The English were now facing the Norse shield wall. They pressed hard against it but were unable to break through. On occasion, the Norse would break ranks and charge after their attackers, but “when they had broken their shield-rampart the Englishmen rode up from all sides and threw arrows and spears on them.” Hardrada was enraged with this and now threw himself into the thickest part of the fray, hewing down men with both hands and nearly driving the English into retreat.   Suddenly, an arrow struck Hardrada in the windpipe. He fell, as did many alongside him, perhaps also struck down with arrow fire. The Norse army retreated under its banner to Tostig. A great hush fell over the battlefield with the Vikings struggling to comprehend the death of their mightiest warrior. At this point, Godwinson again stepped forward and offered Tostig Northumbria and an escape to the other survivors. But, according to the Heimskringla, “the Northmen called out … that they would rather fall, one across the other,” resolving to die with their beloved king.   The Battle of Stamford Bridge, by Wilhelm Wetlese, 1899. Source: Wikimedia Commons   It was at this moment that Viking reinforcements arrived from the fleet. However, their hurried march had exhausted them. First, they dropped their shields, then threw off their mail altogether. The English downed the unguarded men. Others died of exhaustion. As day turned to evening, all the Viking chiefs and Tostig perished, and the army began to dissipate. Tostig’s body was found and given a funeral in York. Others were not treated so ceremoniously. Fifty years later, it was said that the field was still white due to the piles of bones of the dead.   Aftermath: Another Long March Harold Godwinson in the Bayeux Tapestry, c. 1070. Source: Bayeux Museum   This stunning victory was a product of Harold Godwinson’s speed, cunning, and strategic mind. He had overcome a man feared throughout Europe. However, William of Normandy had landed on the southern coast. Godwinson, exhausted from the battle, was forced to immediately pull his shattered forces back together and begin the 200-mile march southwards. But having proven himself again to be one of Europe’s greatest military leaders, he and his thegns must have ridden tired, but confident, to face the Normans at the Battle of Hastings.

  One of the most efficient ways to control and subjugate a populace is to prohibit them from owning or training in the use of weapons. When the Satsuma domain of Japan conquered the Ryukyu islands in 1609 (including Okinawa), they did exactly this.   But although the people of the Ryukyu kingdom (present-day Okinawa) may have been forbidden by the Japanese to have conventional weapons, they were not unarmed. The Ryukyu had had previous contact and trade with mainland China, Indonesia, and other countries, and many of the weapons we will discuss were derived from existing versions; therefore, the popular “weapons made from farming tools” myth isn’t accurate. It is more the other way around: Okinawan Kobudo weapons were once disguised as farming implements because many of the samurai would not have recognized them.   Sai Okinawan sai and Indonesian sai. Source: Wikimedia Commons   The sai is one of the most versatile Okinawan Kobudo weapons. The image above shows an Okinawan and an Indonesian variant of the sai. Although the sai is often depicted as a thrusting weapon, the tips are not sharpened to the same degree that a sword might be. Getting stabbed with one at full strength would still cause serious injury or death from blunt trauma. The prongs, known as yoku, can catch a longer weapon and redirect it.   The sai is used in pairs with gyakute-mochi (reverse grip) as the default grip. The ability to switch rapidly between this and honte-mochi (natural grip) gives the wielder freedom to effectively fight at both close and long-range: reverse grip with the sai braced against the forearm is useful for blocking and hooking, whereas natural grip lets the sai be used as a thrusting weapon or a baton.   As with many of the weapons in Okinawan Kobudo, the weapon is treated as an extension of the body, rather than as a separate implement. Blocks and strikes are performed almost identically to their unarmed counterparts.   Nunchaku Assortment of nunchaku. Source: Wikimedia Commons Nunchaku are some of the most dangerous weapons in Okinawan Kobudo, not only to others but also to the user if not carefully wielded. Consisting of two lengths of wood connected by horsehair or rope as shown in the above image, the nunchaku could be used as a flail or a grappling tool. The primary use of this weapon is to trap limbs or weapons, but the unpredictable nature of the nunchaku lends itself well to a variety of actions at multiple ranges.   Traditional nunchaku are made of the materials described above but sometimes a metal chain was used to connect the two sticks. Although older designs are round, some could be hexagonal or octagonal, the idea being that the edges would cause extra damage to a target. The sticks could be made of hardwood or rattan.   There is a stark difference between the Japanese and Okinawan styles: Japanese nunchaku techniques employ much more swinging and bludgeoning whereas Okinawan styles use it more defensively. The user grips each side of the nunchaku in a hand, rarely is the second one allowed to swing freely unless actively attacking, because it could otherwise get in the way or give the attacker a possible grip on the nunchaku.   Bo Assortment of bo. Source: Wikimedia Commons   A staff is one of the simplest hand weapons in existence, just a length of wood. It could be used by anyone from monks to peasants to travelers, or even wandering ronin who may for whatever reason not have their sword to hand. The bo, Okinawan kobudo’s variant on this concept, is short for rokushakubo, a staff approximately six feet long. A shaku is roughly 0.94 feet. Like the nunchaku, the bo could be made of hardwood—usually red or white oak—or rattan. It is thicker and more rigid than its Chinese predecessor, the waxwood gun.  The bo is the first weapon students learn when studying the art. A few other variants of the bo include the jo, which is a shorter staff often used to help children train, and the nunti-bo, a bo with sai prongs on one end.   In most Okinawan styles, the user grips the bo with both hands equidistant, so both ends as well as the center can be used equally. By contrast, in quarterstaff fighting, one hand grips the center of the staff while the other grips a quarter of the way up, attacking with the free half. Fighting with a bo involves various grip changes to adjust distance and switch between left and right sides, allowing it to be thrust like a spear from multiple angles at, for example, weak points in armor.   Tonfa No.10 from Seven Views of Fuji From the Eastern Capital, by Utagawa Kuniyoshi, 1852. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   The tonfa consists of a length of wood as long as a forearm, with a short handle perpendicular to it. The main length of the tonfa points backward along the forearm when held in the default ready position. This grip creates a reinforced defense when blocking incoming weapon strikes. The shorter part extending forward from the fist helps to act as an extension to a punch, or the wielder can loosen their grip during a strike to let the tonfa spin and have centripetal force power the attack. By gripping the main length of the tonfa, the user also has the handle available to hook behind a leg or over the neck, making it an excellent tool for grappling.   Various Southeast Asian cultures lay claim to the possible origin for the tonfa, but the main source is thought to be the Chinese guai (crutch). A similar weapon in Thai martial arts was also once used, but it was tied to the user’s forearm rather than being allowed to move freely. Modern police forces sometimes equip their officers with a metal or fiberglass version of the tonfa, often called a side baton or a nightstick.   Kama Spading in the New Year’s Pine, by Keisai Eisen, 1825. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   The kama is one of the few Okinawan kobudo weapons that has a sharp edge and point. It is a one-handed sickle, about a foot and a half with the blade curving downward and the inside curve sharpened. These were derived from farm implements, and the main difference between combat and utility kama is that the juncture of blade and hilt. In combat, kama had a nook that was possibly better suited to catch longer weapons like swords. This weapon’s most obvious use is puncturing with its point. The curvature of the blade makes it possible to hook weapons and limbs, delivering a slicing cut at the same time.   Samurai adopted the kama into their arsenal, mainly low-ranking samurai who could not necessarily afford a katana. The sickle could be useful for clearing grass from treacherous mountain paths or for cutting rope. Another variant of the kama was called the kusari-gama, or chain sickle commonly depicted as used by shinobi. Weaponsmiths in Japan also took the kama and combined it with the yari to make a hooked spear that worked the same way as the English billhook.   Tinbei Rochin Two Turtles and Kerria Roses, by Katsushika Hokusai, Edo Period. Source: Ukiyo-e.org   Although the Japanese phased out shields early in their military history, Okinawan Kobudo employs the shield and spear combination that is the tinbei rochin. Traditional tinbei shields are made from turtle shells; depending on the size of the turtle this could be almost the equivalent to a full-sized heater shield, but it was more like a medieval buckler. Nowadays, they can be made of metal or other synthetic materials. The natural roundness of the tortoise-shell shield lends itself well to defecting weapon blows to the sides without transferring too much force to the wielder’s hand.   The short spear has a wide diamond-shaped blade, able to make large wounds that would be difficult to treat, assuming the victim didn’t bleed out before getting medical help. Along with the shield, it could be used to block attacks. As with the sai, the rochin could be gripped in a forward or reverse grip to employ either the spear point or the pommel.   Training Methods Karate Training at Shuri Castle, 1938. Source: Wikimedia Commons   Three fundamental components exist in Japanese and Okinawan martial arts. The first is kihon, or the fundamentals of movement, striking and blocking. The second is kata or prearranged sequences of movements designed to teach concepts and provide a framework within which to practice. Finally, the third is kumite or kumitachi, which is freeform sparring. With weapons, it is difficult to properly spar safely.   Students would first learn kihon with any given weapon, then start to learn kata. These could be single or paired; only advanced practitioners would be allowed to practice partnered kata because, even though the movements are prearranged, they are done at full force and even a slight mistake could lead to serious injury or death. Forms consist of sequences of blocks, movements, and strikes that simulate a fight against one or multiple attackers.   Sparring-safe variants of Okinawan kobudo weapons exist, but even when using these, caution is warranted. In addition, students can wear protective gear like gloves and torso armor. Although rarer in Okinawan and Japanese martial arts, the growing prevalence of HEMA has made the use of protective gear more widespread, and some martial arts schools are adapting to its use.