Collection of worrying incidents

[Klystron]

Even more disturbing are the patterns of manufactured Republican/MAGA political attacks. The entire 'Benghazi' attack upon Hillary Clinton was a setup.

Libyan US Embassy security resources were deliberately stripped by Republican fiat after HRC's appointment as Secretary of State leading to the uncontrolled riot and subsequent loss of life. Citations abound.

Whether the violent demonstrations were orchestrated by intelligence operatives is immaterial. The subsequent screaming memes of "Benghazi Benghazi Benghazi" repeated only until Secretary Clinton's electoral defeat demonstrate the artificial contrived attacks on dedicated public servants.

Others have already compared the essentially benign use of a dedicated email server by the former Secretary to the egregious public dissemination of highly sensitive military plans by the inept bunglers currently in charge of national defense.

Similar arguments arise from the bitter criticism of President Biden's ultimate withdrawal from Afghanistan following Trump's disastrous schedule.

 

[fresh_42]

What do you expect with amateurs running the country?

 

[gleem]

The investigation of this "mistake" begins. John Radcliffe, the CIA director, does not remember that Vance initially disagreed with the Houthi air strike, as the Atlantic magazine reported. I don't think that a disagreement with a presidential plan would be something one would have forgotten by such a high-ranking official. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, refused to say whether or not she used her own phone for the chat, citing an investigation by the National Security Council. Could the NSC, which includes Trump, Vance, Rubio, Walz and Hegseth
be trying to come up with a work-around/ damage control explanation, including who to throw under the bus.

 

[Grinkle]

investigation

Perhaps this is the word that should have gotten the air quotes.

Congress will not impeach over this, the Dems will do their best to point out how outrageously dysfunctional this is and that will be that. No subpoena's will be issued by any congressional committee and the Republican committee chairmen will relentlessly try to turn the page and ride out the news cycle.

If Trump ever feels personal embarrassment, someone will be fired, otherwise imo its likely to be just this weeks outrage.

For the non-US residents reading this, don't hold your breath for the American right to be upset - many of them are watching Fox News and the like exclusively and won't ever see this discussed in an objective context. I believe the Fox narrative is "Atlantic Journal sensationalism" - and this is the ONLY narrative many Americans will EVER see.

 

[fresh_42]

If Trump ever feels personal embarrassment, someone will be fired, otherwise imo its likely to be just this weeks outrage.

I'm sure we'll have another one next week. He delivers daily.

For the non-US residents reading this, don't hold your breath for the American right to be upset - many of them are watching Fox News and the like exclusively and won't ever see this discussed in an objective context. I believe the Fox narrative is "Atlantic Journal sensationalism" - and this is the ONLY narrative many Americans will EVER see.

Sad, but true. "It won't be that bad" was a common view in the German Jewish population in the early 30s.

 

[EricDMMiller]

The investigation of this "mistake" begins. John Radcliffe, the CIA director, does not remember that Vance initially disagreed with the Houthi air strike, as the Atlantic magazine reported. I don't think that a disagreement with a presidential plan would be something one would have forgotten by such a high-ranking official. Tulsi Gabbard, the director of national intelligence, refused to say whether or not she used her own phone for the chat, citing an investigation by the National Security Council. Could the NSC, which includes Trump, Vance, Rubio, Walz and Hegseth
be trying to come up with a work-around/ damage control explanation, including who to throw under the bus.

Despite the NSC having already confirmed the story as true, Hegseth is engaging in straight up denial:

https://www.newsnationnow.com/politics/pete-hegseth-war-plans-text-atlantic-report/

I have already seen conservative commentators online suggesting that this is an elaborate gotcha intended to discredit Jeffrey Goldberg and the Atlantic. In the words of one:

Ok, so I was already thinking this was an op, but I didn’t think it was an op targeted at further discrediting the Atlantic… that’s a twist I didn’t expect.

 

[Grinkle]

an elaborate gotcha intended to discredit Jeffrey Goldberg and the Atlantic.

Occam is chuckling in his grave.

 

[EricDMMiller]

Witkoff was in Russia, meeting with Putin, while on the Signal group chat:

As top Trump aides sent texts on Signal, flight data show a member of the group chat was in Russia

As Trump Cabinet members sent texts on Signal, one of them, Steve Witkoff, was in Russia, but the White House says he didn't have his phone.

www.cbsnews.com

It isn't clear whether he was active in the chat, or whether his device with the Signal account was with him in Russia, but there is a lot that isn't clear about this story. And that lack of clarity is why there are laws about the communication methods that are authorized to be used for these purposes.

 

[morrobay]

Even more disturbing are the patterns of manufactured Republican/MAGA political attacks. The entire 'Benghazi' attack upon Hillary Clinton was a setup.

Libyan US Embassy security resources were deliberately stripped by Republican fiat after HRC's appointment as Secretary of State leading to the uncontrolled riot and subsequent loss of life. Citations abound.

Whether the violent demonstrations were orchestrated by intelligence operatives is immaterial. The subsequent screaming memes of "Benghazi Benghazi Benghazi" repeated only until Secretary Clinton's electoral defeat demonstrate the artificial contrived attacks on dedicated public servants.

Others have already compared the essentially benign use of a dedicated email server by the former Secretary to the egregious public dissemination of highly sensitive military plans by the inept bunglers currently in charge of national defense.

Similar arguments arise from the bitter criticism of President Biden's ultimate withdrawal from Afghanistan following Trump's disastrous schedule.

Security at Benghazi stripped by republicans??. Do you have a source? All get on Google are reports of denied extra security from the staff in the preceding 6 months. Where a series of attacks were logged. See link. And furthermore during the siege Obama and Clinton sat on their hands denying military intervention. There were assets in Italy and North Africa.. https://oversight.house.gov/denied-us-diplomats-in-libya-requested-more-security/

 

[morrobay]

And from the Washington Post. Regarding military intervention during the siege. Told to stand down.

 

[Grinkle]

@morrobay Please include links with your references. I know the WP article may be behind a paywall, so I understand why you used a screenshot.

 

[morrobay]

@morrobay Please include links with your references. I know the WP article may be behind a paywall, so I understand why you used a screenshot.

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2014/09/cia-guards-rescue-mission-delayed-in-benghazi.html

 

[Jonathan Scott]

Atlantic magazine publishes Yemen attack plans from Trump officials Signal chat:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cz9e875gd11t

Newly shared Signal messages show Trump advisers discussed Yemen attack plans:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/26/trump-signal-leak-new-messages

The administration had insisted that absolutely nothing classified was discussed and that Jeffrey Goldberg was essentially making it up, so he released most of the chat. Goldberg mentions that he did still hold back a little information (specifically the name of Ratcliffe's chief of staff) as requested.

 

[fresh_42]

Every day a new low!

Florida debates lifting some child labor laws to fill jobs vacated by undocumented immigrants​

https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/25/business/florida-child-labor-laws/index.html

The speed at which the US is degenerating is alarming. Why the heck does everybody see this except Republicans?

Quote: "I can't eat as much as I want to vomit."

Max Lieberman (1847-1935), German Impressionist

 

[dlu]

I was under the impression that AI was to take over all the jobs.
AI 24h hours on the job, with no vacation, a break only for re-charge, obedience, and cheap too, they said.

 

[EricDMMiller]

Open Kleptocratic bribery undermining restitution for victims of fraud.

$1.8M to Trump means no $680M for the fraud victims.

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/03/28/trump-pardons-nikola-trevor-milton-ceo-securities-fraud-electric-vehicle.html

That's a 0.26% buyout rate on justice. Less than a rounding error on Milton’s scam. It’s a calculated investment: defraud retail investors, launder your profits through campaign contributions, and secure impunity with a pardon.

Trevor Milton, who manufactured the illusion of a working hydrogen truck by literally letting it roll downhill, is now the poster child of a system doing the same: coasting on gravity, with no engine, no integrity, and no brakes.

This isn’t just corruption; it’s asset stripping at the national level, with the state itself functioning as the laundering mechanism. The retail investors, pension funds, small firms are left with nothing but the lesson that accountability is reserved for the poor and powerless.

The message is clear: in the modern American regime, crime pays, so long as it's scalable and you tithe to the emperor.

 

[fresh_42]

The message is clear: in the modern American regime, crime pays, so long as it's scalable and you tithe to the emperor.

Also called Putin's Principle.

 

[Klystron]

Received some blowback describing the current regime as corporate fascism attempting to replace representative democracy. While deliberately provocative in order to stimulate discussion and provide historic reference, in light of current events the description appears apt, if not naive.

 

[EricDMMiller]

Thanks to the Signal scandal, we now know that Hegseth uses the same password across all of his email accounts.

One of which is linked to a Russian telephone number and a protonmail account for backup.

Does Pentagon Chief Hegseth Have a Russian Email Account?

After top advisers to US President Donald Trump leaked their Yemen war plan to a journalist by mistake, the Pentagon chief is now rumored to have a Russian email account.

www.kyivpost.com

There are some questions about the veracity of his link to that particular account, but some interesting possibilities.

Edit:

Frankly, I don't believe the Russian "expert" cited in the article. You can go to have i been pwned yourself and put in the address and it shows being linked in a data breach at least as early as 2016.

 

[fresh_42]

Thanks to the Signal scandal, we now know that Hegseth uses the same password across all of his email accounts.

One of which is linked to a Russian telephone number and a protonmail account for backup.

Does Pentagon Chief Hegseth Have a Russian Email Account?

After top advisers to US President Donald Trump leaked their Yemen war plan to a journalist by mistake, the Pentagon chief is now rumored to have a Russian email account.

www.kyivpost.com

There are some questions about the veracity of his link to that particular account, but some interesting possibilities.

Edit:

Frankly, I don't believe the Russian "expert" cited in the article. You can go to have i been pwned yourself and put in the address and it shows being linked in a data breach at least as early as 2016.

I suggest to host all .gov sites on http://www.da.ru/.

That would help to avoid misunderstandings.

 

[dlu]

Received some blowback describing the current regime as corporate fascism attempting to replace representative democracy. While deliberately provocative in order to stimulate discussion and provide historic reference, in light of current events the description appears apt, if not naive.

See last quote near the bottom.
You won't know til you are knee deep in it.

Look up neo liberalism, in contrast to social liberalism.
The report from Wiki is a bit convoluted, but worth the read.

Neoliberalism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Social liberalism - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Modern liberalism in the United States - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Some of the social products of the last century are being attempted to being dismantled in the US, such as the safety net, regulatory bodies, social justice, cival rights. The liberalism in the US, and Canada to some extent, is different than that in Europe and Asia, although Canada had moved along in favour and sync with world the rest of the EU in the last 10 years more than the US, all the while adherring to the current neo liberal that is witnessed.

The neo liberal movement gathered steam say with Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, globalization, free trade deals, and has continued through all presidents thereafter, with some caveats to social justice and equality, most recently seen as accelerated implementation of DEI and LBGTB rights as policy, to the present crude policies of D. Trump and gang, although present policy of restricted trade appears to be contrary.

Neo liberalism is not unfettered capitalism , but a carry over from that of pre world war era.
As in Wike, Domestically, neoliberalism meant the remaking of social relations "in favour of creditor and rentier interests, with the subordination of the productive sector to financial sectors, and a drive to shift wealth, power and security away from the bulk of the working population."

According to Wacquant, neoliberalism does not shrink government, but instead sets up a "centaur state" with little governmental oversight for those at the top and strict control of those at the bottom

A 2022 study published in Perspectives on Psychological Science found that in countries where neoliberal institutions have significant influence over policy the psychology of those populations are molded not only to be more willing to tolerate large levels of income inequality, but actually prefer it over more egalitarian outcomes
Is that Maga? Not what they voted for?

The last quote from Wiki would re-enforce the notion that we are all products of neoliberalism, and have enjoyed its pleasures of prosperity, as well as some of its inherent displeasures, albeit some more than others from both ends of the spectrum.

Right now with the current admin. the displeasures are predominant, and one can really see how a full blown neoliberal views the world. I imagine some adhere to an original definition, According to attendees Louis Rougier and Friedrich Hayek, the competition of neoliberalism would establish an elite structure of successful individuals that would assume power in society, with these elites replacing the existing representative democracy acting on the behalf of the majority
IS that close to fascim?

If one is in the either camp, then explaining your viewpoint, and hearing the other viewpoint, is worthy. It leads to discussion and understanding, even if there is the 'agree to dis-agree' aspect.

Thank you for listening.
Choice : Less egalitarian state <> More egalitarian state.

 

[fresh_42]

If one is in the either camp, then explaining your viewpoint, and hearing the other viewpoint, is worthy. It leads to discussion and understanding, even if there is the 'agree to dis-agree' aspect.

As the Wikipedia entry describes, we have a form of social liberalism in Germany. One may not forget that we have had the French Revolution with its slogan Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité (freedom, equality, brotherhood) that spread into neighboring countries. We also saw and experienced the negative consequences of an unregulated Adam Smith capitalism in the UK.

The heritage of the white US population is primarily based on religious freedom and extrapolated to other areas of social life from there. Unfortunately, it led to a lack of regulations à la Adam Smith. The remaining barriers are currently falling. Newest example in the news today: GOP eliminated Biden's $5 cap for overdraft fees.

Will be interesting to watch how long it will take until people realize that „S’ils n’ont pas de pain, qu’ils mangent de la brioche!“ (Marie Antoinette) won't work.

 

[gleem]

Canada's PM Mark Carney promises $2B to the Canadian auto manufacturing sector to deal with the Tariffs.

Trump tells US auto manufacturers that the White House would "look unfavorably on" any car company raising prices due to tariffs.

Stick Vs. Carrot: Trump Hits U.S. Automakers With Threats While Canada Provides $2 Billion In Reassurance - Jalopnik

The juxtaposition of statements made by Donald Trump and Canadian PM Mark Carney could not be more different when it comes to the automotive industries.

www.jalopnik.com

 

[dlu]

based on religious freedom and extrapolated to other areas of social life from ther

Look up 'spiritual advisor' on D.T, and you will find you are so on q.

Paula White - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

White is a proponent of prosperity theology

Prosperity theology
Wiki, as good as any other,

Prosperity theology - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

First 2 paragraphs sum it up.
Material and especially financial success is seen as an evidence of divine grace or favor and blessings.

 

[dlu]

Canada's PM Mark Carney promises $2B to the Canadian auto manufacturing sector to deal with the Tariffs.

Trump tells US auto manufacturers that the White House would "look unfavorably on" any car company raising prices due to tariffs.

Stick Vs. Carrot: Trump Hits U.S. Automakers With Threats While Canada Provides $2 Billion In Reassurance - Jalopnik

The juxtaposition of statements made by Donald Trump and Canadian PM Mark Carney could not be more different when it comes to the automotive industries.

www.jalopnik.com

I read somewhere that cars of 50% American content will not be subject to tariff. A clause similar to that in the USMCA free trade agreement. I forget where. If I stumble upon it again would be nice. By Apr 2, more will come out.

 

[fresh_42]

Canada's PM Mark Carney promises $2B to the Canadian auto manufacturing sector to deal with the Tariffs.

Trump tells US auto manufacturers that the White House would "look unfavorably on" any car company raising prices due to tariffs.

Stick Vs. Carrot: Trump Hits U.S. Automakers With Threats While Canada Provides $2 Billion In Reassurance - Jalopnik

The juxtaposition of statements made by Donald Trump and Canadian PM Mark Carney could not be more different when it comes to the automotive industries.

www.jalopnik.com

What do you expect from someone who has accomplished several bankruptcies and zero successful projects? Protectionism has never worked. I felt that everything in American stores was labeled "Made in Mexico" or "Made in China" when I was there. I have forgotten the example, I think it was motor oil, that basically came all from Canada. Will be funny!

Well, it's the choice of the American people who decided to prefer ruining their economy rather than having a female president. Since that was what it really was about. My compassion is currently very limited.

 

[fresh_42]

Trump tells US auto manufacturers that the White House would "look unfavorably on" any car company raising prices due to tariffs.

We need a head-shaking icon. Urgently!

 

[gleem]

We need a head-shaking icon. Urgently

Or a disgusted icon.

 

[fresh_42]

I must think a lot about that title of a news show here in Germany some weeks(!) ago:
"Trump's reconstruction of the USA."

I think that hit the nail. What surprises me is that everybody seems to be fine with it. The list of deconstructions is already a rather long one: constitution, economy, public sector, judiciary, human rights, bribery, breach of contracts, betrayal of state secrets, betrayal of the allies, setting criminals free and not the weed consumers, assault and battery!

 

[dlu]

CALGARY — Tyra the Tyrannosaurus, the lovable landmark that towers over the Drumheller skyline in the heart of the Canadian Badlands, is facing an extinction-level event.
she would shake things up, before her purported demise.
Send her down for one last chomp.

MSN