Politics Thread

[XU_Lou]

Ah, misread your quote. Guess I have a reading comprehension problem after all.

Honestly had no idea what Pravda was. Hopefully the government was not tracking my google searches lol.

Definitely agree on the news these days.

It's still not clear if that's true or not. However, USAID gave money to Politico and the BBC - which is an exponentially FAR WORSE scandal. The BBC ain't happy:

https://www.bbc.com/mediaaction/press-release/4-feb-25


It's unbelievable that the Dems are hanging themselves over this.

[paulxu]

USAID purchased subscriptions. Big deal.

What is tough to understand is why Musk wanted to target and shut down USAID.
There is hard power (military) in foreign policy, and soft power (aid). Everything that USAID does is earmarked by Congress.
They just pass out the food, clothing and medicine to needy areas around the world.
If there is "wasteful" spending, look to Congress.
They build good will with foreign nations to preserve our relations against China and Russia.

China and Russia are licking their chops to take our place with these countries and garner their good will and support; trade, raw materials, etc.
Well done Elon. Idiot.

[GoMuskies]

Yeah, Elon, you're so dumb.

[Xville]

USAID purchased subscriptions. Big deal.

What is tough to understand is why Musk wanted to target and shut down USAID.
There is hard power (military) in foreign policy, and soft power (aid). Everything that USAID does is earmarked by Congress.
They just pass out the food, clothing and medicine to needy areas around the world.
If there is "wasteful" spending, look to Congress.
They build good will with foreign nations to preserve our relations against China and Russia.

China and Russia are licking their chops to take our place with these countries and garner their good will and support; trade, raw materials, etc.
Well done Elon. Idiot.

The guy worth 400 billion is an idiot? Man, I wish I was that stupid. You can question his motives or sincerity on certain things, but saying he’s an idiot, is well, being an idiot

[Xville]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/polit...merican-farms/

Two sides to every story. Something to think about. I would like to know how the government is going to replace that funding for American farmers? There is some good and bad with most things, this seems to be one of them and why there should be a little impulse control by trump, which in itself is funny for me to type.

Of course I understand 2020 is probably an outlier so there is some hyperbole at play here, but I’m now thinking it’s a significant amount for the farm industry every year.

I’m also very well aware of the source. I fact checked it (some that might be wise for a few of you to do before posting) from multiple sources, and some I had not heard of but you can look for yourself

[XU_Lou]

USAID purchased subscriptions. Big deal.

What is tough to understand is why Musk wanted to target and shut down USAID.
There is hard power (military) in foreign policy, and soft power (aid). Everything that USAID does is earmarked by Congress.
They just pass out the food, clothing and medicine to needy areas around the world.
If there is "wasteful" spending, look to Congress.
They build good will with foreign nations to preserve our relations against China and Russia.

China and Russia are licking their chops to take our place with these countries and garner their good will and support; trade, raw materials, etc.
Well done Elon. Idiot.

Are you trying to tell us that the Irish will drift towards China and Russia if they're unable to watch a DEI musical?

The Ecuadorians will begin speaking Mandarin if they can't watch drag shows?

Will the Guatemalans begin rooting for the Russians in the Olympics if they don't get sex changes?



Can you think for yourself, just once?

[XU_Lou]

USAID purchased subscriptions. Big deal.

What is tough to understand is why Musk wanted to target and shut down USAID.
There is hard power (military) in foreign policy, and soft power (aid). Everything that USAID does is earmarked by Congress.
They just pass out the food, clothing and medicine to needy areas around the world.
If there is "wasteful" spending, look to Congress.
They build good will with foreign nations to preserve our relations against China and Russia.

China and Russia are licking their chops to take our place with these countries and garner their good will and support; trade, raw materials, etc.
Well done Elon. Idiot.

The truth of the matter:

“They have basically evolved into an agency that believes that they’re not even a U.S. government agency, that they are out — they’re a global charity, that they take the taxpayer money, and they spend it as a global charity irrespective of whether it is in the national interest or not in the national interest,” Rubio said Monday.

“One of the most common complaints you will get if you go to embassies around the world from State Department officials and ambassadors and the like is USAID is not only not cooperative — they undermine the work that we’re doing in that country, they are supporting programs that upset the host government for whom we’re trying to work with on a broader scale, and so forth,” he added.

https://thehill.com/policy/internati...subordination/


And:

“The Department of State and other pertinent entities will be consulting with Congress and the appropriate committees to reorganize and absorb certain bureaus, offices, and missions of USAID,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by CNN.

“USAID may move, reorganize, and integrate certain missions, bureaus, and offices into the Department of State, and the remainder of the Agency may be abolished consistent with applicable law,” he wrote.

When asked about the arguments that USAID’s work is vital to national security and promoting US interests, Rubio said, “There are things that USAID, that we do through USAID, that we should continue to do, and we will continue to do.”

“This is not about ending the programs that USAID does, per se,” he said.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/polit...ers/index.html


So, please, spare us the theatrical hand-wringing...

[Xville]

The truth of the matter:

“They have basically evolved into an agency that believes that they’re not even a U.S. government agency, that they are out — they’re a global charity, that they take the taxpayer money, and they spend it as a global charity irrespective of whether it is in the national interest or not in the national interest,” Rubio said Monday.

“One of the most common complaints you will get if you go to embassies around the world from State Department officials and ambassadors and the like is USAID is not only not cooperative — they undermine the work that we’re doing in that country, they are supporting programs that upset the host government for whom we’re trying to work with on a broader scale, and so forth,” he added.

https://thehill.com/policy/internati...subordination/


And:

“The Department of State and other pertinent entities will be consulting with Congress and the appropriate committees to reorganize and absorb certain bureaus, offices, and missions of USAID,” he wrote in the letter, a copy of which was obtained by CNN.

“USAID may move, reorganize, and integrate certain missions, bureaus, and offices into the Department of State, and the remainder of the Agency may be abolished consistent with applicable law,” he wrote.

When asked about the arguments that USAID’s work is vital to national security and promoting US interests, Rubio said, “There are things that USAID, that we do through USAID, that we should continue to do, and we will continue to do.”

“This is not about ending the programs that USAID does, per se,” he said.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/03/polit...ers/index.html


So, please, spare us the theatrical hand-wringing...

Saying and doing are two different things, and you have no clue what that really means in real life and neither does anyone else because nothing he said has happened yet . And regardless you’re right, politicians never lie.

[Muskie in dayton]

Just google the story. You can find a lot of stuff about Pravda being the first place it showed up.

Here's an example of how crazy the dissemination of false narrative is in today's media world.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/ben-still...231648290.html

Ben Stiller is your source. Nice.

At least it’s one step better than, “trust me, bro”.

Actually, no, it’s not.

[Muskie in dayton]

Democrats aren’t upset about DOGE finding waste and efficiencies. They’re upset because DOGE has started to ruin their money laundering schemes.

We’ve barely scratched the surface. My popcorn bowl is full, and I’m loving it.