A Big Hook in Gog and a Hoax Reminder

Russia did something this week, that I did not expect them to do. And, it represents a gigantic investment in both Syria and Iran. It might also be a battlefield test of the S-300V4 anti-aircraft system against America’s F-35 stealth fighter.

What the Russians gave Syria – and yes, it was a gift – is worth more than $4 billion. And, Russia doesn’t DO gifts like that, unless there’s a really big purpose behind it. And, that purpose is to shoot down Israeli jets and kill Israeli fighter pilots.

What Israel does in response, is uncertain.

Unfortunately, this story also brings a reminder that there are hoaxers out there, attempting to capitalize on this event, and events like it, by making up stories that just aren’t true.

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Ebola, Urbanization and the Spanish Flu

I’m struck by a thought that I haven’t seen anyone talk about – the effect of urbanization on the spread of pandemics. And, I’m surprised that so little is being said about this.

Yet, it would have been the growth in city population (i.e., urbanization) that had to have been one of the leading causes for why so many died of the Spanish Flu. Those living in cities would have had a dramatically higher chance of dying from the 1918 Flu Pandemic, than those who live outside the cities, on a farm.

Even more interesting is the fact that the Spanish Flu of 1918 was less lethal than Ebola – ‘only’ killing between 10% and 20% of its victims.

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