I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.

Source: ISAIAH CHAPTER 43 KJV

It is depressing to observe how the United States of America has become the evil empire. Having served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and in the Central Intelligence Agency for the second half of the Cold War, I had an insider’s viewpoint of how an essentially pragmatic national security policy was being transformed bit by bit into a bipartisan doctrine that featured as a sine qua non global dominance for Washington. Unfortunately, when the Soviet Union collapsed the opportunity to end once and for all the bipolar nuclear confrontation that threatened global annihilation was squandered as President Bill Clinton chose instead to humiliate and use NATO to contain an already demoralized and effectively leaderless Russia.

Source: Rumors Of War: Washington Is Looking For A Fight | Zero Hedge

Six months after Canada became the first country in the developed world to legalize marijuana, legal sales of dried cannabis flower went up in smoke as consumers shifted to illicit markets.A marijuana shortage left the industry in shock earlier this year and caused concerns that Canadian cannabis producers were not properly structured to handle the massive demand from the Canadian marketplace.

Source: Legal Weed In Canada Struggles To Compete With Black Market  | Zero Hedge

More than 100 people have been killed in Afghanistan, Pakistan and India over the past 2 days after a slow-moving storm hit the region, dumping heavy rain and causing severe dust storms. The death toll is expected to rise.

Source: More than 100 killed as slow-moving storm hits Afghanistan, Pakistan and India

WASHINGTON — President Trump committed “multiple acts” aimed at obstructing the Russia investigation, but was ultimately saved from being charged with a crime in part because his top aides refused to carry out his orders.

Source: Trump aides ignored pleas to kill probe, Mueller report says – AOL News

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – The University of Kentucky and the Commonwealth of Kentucky were awarded an $87 million grant to help reduce opioid overdose deaths.The four-year study will is part of a partnership between the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services and the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet.The Kentucky and UK study is one of four in the U.S. selected by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, which is part of the National Institutes of Health. Researchers will work to find solutions to combat the opioid epidemic which helping those directly affected.

Source: University of Kentucky, state receive record $87M grant to combat opioid deaths

Source: NKorea says it tested new weapon, wants Pompeo out of talks