There is already a serious problem in modern discourse with the term “independent media,” a phrase commonly defined as any media outlet, no matter how big an empire it is, that is not owned or funded by the state (as if that is the only form of dependence or control to which media is subject). But even at this extremely low bar, all these outlets fail. Indeed, Weimers’ warning underlines the fact that none of them are independent in any meaningful way. They are, in fact, completely dependent on USAID for their very existence.
Not only that, but some USAID-backed journalists candidly admit that their funding dictates their output and what stories they do and do not cover. Leila Bicakcic, CEO of Center for Investigative Reporting (a USAID-supported Bosnian organization), admitted, on camera, that “If you are funded by the U.S. government, there are certain topics that you would simply not go after, because the U.S. government has its interests that are above all others.”
While USAID specifically targets foreign audiences, much of its messaging comes back to America, as those foreign outlets are used as credible, independent, and reliable sources for newspapers or cable news networks to cite. Thus, its bankrolling of foreign media ends up flooding domestic audiences with pro-U.S. messaging as well.
I wonder if they’re really that stupid to give up this super-efficient means of soft power over some progressive things they’ve done or intentionally handing influence in parts of the world to Russia for a bit of money for themselves while taking a calculated risk of maybe having to retake control militarily (which is more costly but could be a problem for the next admin).
Part of the problem is that sufficient wealth seems to destroy people’s understanding of consequence. They don’t experience them very often, and so reach a point where they can simply pursue whatever their feelings tell them to do and the world magically restructures itself to allow them to do so.
Combine this with how the incentives of the social system result in the people who are most likely to pursue a selfish course being the most financially successful- you get a recipe for short-sighted, ignorant and self-important nonsense.
Trump is a Russian agent. It immediately explains everything he does.
It’s never a good idea to confuse shared class interests with a wacky conspiracy theory.
Based if true! Death to Amerikkka!
If Trump is indeed a Russian agent, why not make him use the soft power to actually help shift the narrative in favor of Russia?
An American in America does something stupid in a deeply American way:
BlueAnon liberals: “this is clearly the fault of foreigners!”
It’s hard for me to believe that Occam’s Razor applies here. It’s hard for me to believe that someone this stupid can become president and think he’s doing something good for America.
So he became president to do something bad to America, and he does it in the way Putin says to.
LOL! Occam’s Razor is a universal principle, it applies everywhere. Ohhh but, “it’s hard for you to believe”, never mind then, clearly let’s just reject all reason.
Amazing how shitlibs have decided to create their own version of Qanon.
Ok buddy dude
“Never believe that anti-Semites are completely unaware of the absurdity of their replies. They know that their remarks are frivolous, open to challenge. But they are amusing themselves, for it is their adversary who is obliged to use words responsibly, since he believes in words. The anti-Semites have the right to play. They even like to play with discourse for, by giving ridiculous reasons, they discredit the seriousness of their interlocutors. They delight in acting in bad faith, since they seek not to persuade by sound argument but to intimidate and disconcert. If you press them too closely, they will abruptly fall silent, loftily indicating by some phrase that the time for argument is past.”
The Russians aren’t stupid enough to rely on and big-mouthed idiot like Trump.
It doesn’t explain his anti-China stance. China is an important economic and civic partner with Russia, it’s a very strong relationship.
It does when you realize that China isn’t Russia’s partner, it’s the dishonest business partner you do business with when you have no other options
What? China is the largest trading partner for the great majority of the world. It’s the partner of first resort.
Racism.
Removed by mod
BlueMAGA sure love their homophobia
Explain why you can’t help but make homophobic remarks that I have to remove then.
Removed by mod
So let’s assume a man sucking a cock as an insult isn’t homophobic, so is being active in sex bad?
You can criticize people without mocking the world’s oldest profession. You can criticize people without calling them a cocksucker.
It’s also framed in a misogynistic manner, even though both parties are men the whole reason it can be seen as insulting is by alluding to shame for subservient sexual actions traditionally used to reinforce gender roles.
Nothing wrong with oral, or with consensual subservience in bed, so therefore it must draw on historical shame to be insulting, just like using “gay” as an insult even though there’s nothing wrong with that either.
Russia isnt that big or powerful, and is much less so today than 2 years ago.
While it is true that the tail doesn’t wag the dog, it’s false to claim Russia isn’t big and is shrinking.
In terms of GDP PPP it’s the 4th biggest economy in the entire world, bigger than Japan. The war has put a dent in their European exports but domestic markets are booming.