The inevitable end result of our last 56 years

[Benjamin Cole]

6 hours ago, W. Niederhut said:

Get a clue, Ben.

First of all, the Democratic Party is hardly monolithic.  Bernie Sanders and our progressive wing came very close to winning a majority in both the 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries.  The progressive vote was, unfortunately, split in 2020 between Bernie and Elizabeth Warren, then Michael Bloomberg and the DNC establishment aggressively intervened to sabotage the progressive juggernaut on Super Tuesday.

Progressive Democrats, in contrast to the Koch-controlled GOP and Wall Street Democrats, absolutely represent the interests of working people in America-- e.g., affordable healthcare, living wages, affordable education, etc.

No one else really does.  Certainly not the Koch GOP and its current policy-free Trump cult.

There is no meaningful equivalence between progressive Democrats and the Koch GOP.  None.

For those who were paying attention in late 2017, liberal economists strongly opposed the proposed Trump GOP "trickle down" tax cut bill for several reasons.

1)  The Bush/Cheney "supply side" tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 had largely created our burgeoning national debt, without significantly stimulating U.S. GDP and private sector job growth.  Both GDP and private sector job growth in the U.S. were far more robust in the 1990s after Clinton and the Democrats increased the top tax rates in 1993 (by a 51-50 Senate vote, with Al Gore casting the tie breaker.)

2)  There have never been any provisions in the Republican/Reaganomic tax cut bills (since the 1980s) to incentivize job creation in the U.S. -- as opposed to rebated tax dollars flowing to cheaper labor markets in the Third World.  This was also true of the 2017 Trump/GOP tax cut bill.  In fact the Trump/GOP tax cut bill cut billions in taxes for foreign investors.  And, like George W. Bush, Trump had the worst private sector job growth record in modern Presidential history.

As for the problem of Rupert Murdoch, Breitbart, OANN, Newsmax, and destructive mass media disinformation in the modern U.S., something must be done. 

The disinformation is, literally, killing us-- not only in the case of COVID disinformation, but in the M$M denial of catastrophic climate change.

IMO, the public interest is never optimized by the de-regulation of unscrupulous, for-profit industries-- including media corporations.  Their central motive is to maximize profits, not to inform the public and/or promote the public welfare.

We used to have the Fairness Act, but Reagan abolished the Fairness Act, which required major news corporations to provide equal time to opposing viewpoints on issues of public policy.

Now we have Fox News and other partisan propaganda outlets creating polarized subcultures.

 

As for the problem of Rupert Murdoch, Breitbart, OANN, Newsmax, and destructive mass media disinformation in the modern U.S., something must be done. --W

What do you advise? Censorship?

Government control of mass media? 

Should Joe Rogan be "allowed" to have his podcasts on Spotify? 

Who decides what is a conspiracy theory and what is not? You? Me? The editorial board at WaPo? 

PS-- I disagree that any political group that favors open US borders for products and labor also favors the interests of the employee class.

And any party that continues to spend $1.4 trillion annually on DoD, VA, black budget, and pro-rated interest on the national debt ....well, just Deep State apparatchiks. 

Bernie Sanders was interesting...the Clintonites gutted him. 

 

[Paul Brancato]

22 hours ago, Benjamin Cole said:

Paul B.-

1. First, I would like for Trump, like any other citizen, to have the benefit of a trial, with sturdy defense counsel, before we convict him of a crime.  Trump, unlike most, will probably be able to spend enough money to field a defense against state prosecution.  If Trump is found guilty in a court of law, then I will consider him guilty.

In contrast, the 1/6 congressional investigation and some headlines...well, we have been down that road with HUAC, the Clinton Impeachment, the Mueller meltdown, etc. Congressional investigations are political theater.  Even the (mostly) well-intentioned HSCA was a flop in terms of getting to the real facts. 

2. The 1/6 scrum and occupation of the Capitol was a crime (although most occupiers cannot afford a true defense, and plead guilty on advice of lawyers, as in most criminal cases). But there has not been a shred of evidence connecting Trump to the occupiers of the Capitol. Although cellphones were monitored, and texts retrieved etc., and hundreds of convictions obtained...not one link between the occupiers and Trump. The 1/6 scrum was either spontaneous, or perhaps triggered by federal assets. Why Capital security was so light...well, you tell me. 

Yet, there seems to be a sloppy, conflated narrative afloat that Trump must be guilty due to the Capitol occupation. 

OK, back to the Trump "plotted to overturn the election" thesis.

Non-administration lawyers drafted dubious yet non-violent legal and constitutional arguments for Pence to not count certain electoral votes, on the grounds citizen voting had been fraudulent in certain states. Trump may even believe those half-baked legal-constitutional arguments.  But, in fact, nothing happened. Pence honored all state electors. 

Did Trump break the law?  Let's see what a jury decides. I still prefer the "innocent until proven guilty in a trial of peers" standard of justice. 

 

 

Sure he would be entitled to a defense, but the chances of us ever seeing a jury trial of Trump are practically nil. 

[Benjamin Cole]

The Biden Administration DHS says citizens need to prepare in the present  "heightened treat environment." 

You can--

How You Can Help:

Stay Informed and Prepared-DHS

• Be prepared for emergency situations and remain aware of circumstances that may place you at risk. Make note of your surroundings and the nearest security personnel.
• Keep yourself safe online and maintain digital and media literacy to recognize and build resilience to false or misleading narratives.
• Review DHS resources for how to better protect businesses, houses of worship, and schools, and ensure the safety of public gatherings.
• Prepare for potential active shooter incidents, as well as efforts to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate the use of explosives.
• Learn more about community-based resources to help prevent individuals from radicalizing to violence.

I am putting sandbags around my house. The bags are great against gunfire, and even pretty good against explosives. 

[Paul Brancato]

44 minutes ago, Benjamin Cole said:

Be afraid, very afraid, of foreign enemies and domestic subversives.

This is the Biden Administration DHS on Feb. 7:

“The United States remains in a heightened threat environment fueled by several factors, including an online environment filled with false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories, and other forms of mis- dis- and mal-information introduced and/or amplified by foreign and domestic threat actors,” --DHS bulletin 

The DHS added:

“Mass casualty attacks and other acts of targeted violence conducted by lone offenders and small groups acting in furtherance of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances pose an ongoing threat to the nation,” the DHS continued, adding that some individuals are seeking to “sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions.”

More....

The DHS said that “foreign terrorist organizations and domestic threat actors continue to amplify pre-existing false or misleading narratives online to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions. It said violent extremists, including the individual who recently launched an attack against the synagogue in Texas, highlight “the continuing threat of violence based upon racial or religious motivations, as well as threats against faith-based organizations.”

---30---

 

You have a problem with this? 
 

[Paul Brancato]

1 minute ago, Paul Brancato said:

You have a problem with this? 
 

You edited it. Please post in its entirety if you want to poke holes. Very clearly the threat is not disinformation, but rather incitement to violence. Treat us with a little more respect. 

[Benjamin Cole]

36 minutes ago, Paul Brancato said:

You edited it. Please post in its entirety if you want to poke holes. Very clearly the threat is not disinformation, but rather incitement to violence. Treat us with a little more respect. 

Well, the whole thing is little long, but as you wish:

Summary of Terrorism Threat to the U.S. Homeland

 

The United States remains in a heightened threat environment fueled by several factors, including an online environment filled with false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories, and other forms of mis- dis- and mal-information (MDM) introduced and/or amplified by foreign and domestic threat actors. These threat actors seek to exacerbate societal friction to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions to encourage unrest, which could potentially inspire acts of violence. Mass casualty attacks and other acts of targeted violence conducted by lone offenders and small groups acting in furtherance of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances pose an ongoing threat to the nation. While the conditions underlying the heightened threat landscape have not significantly changed over the last year, the convergence of the following factors has increased the volatility, unpredictability, and complexity of the threat environment: (1) the proliferation of false or misleading narratives, which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions; (2) continued calls for violence directed at U.S. critical infrastructure; soft targets and mass gatherings; faith-based institutions, such as churches, synagogues, and mosques; institutions of higher education; racial and religious minorities; government facilities and personnel, including law enforcement and the military; the media; and perceived ideological opponents; and (3) calls by foreign terrorist organizations for attacks on the United States based on recent events.

 

Duration

Issued:   February 07, 2022 02:00 pm
Expires:   June 07, 2022 02:00 pm

Additional Details

The primary terrorism-related threat to the United States continues to stem from lone offenders or small cells of individuals who are motivated by a range of foreign and/or domestic grievances often cultivated through the consumption of certain online content. The convergence of violent extremist ideologies, false or misleading narratives, and conspiracy theories have and will continue to contribute to a heightened threat of violence in the United States.

Key factors contributing to the current heightened threat environment include:

1. The proliferation of false or misleading narratives, which sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions:
   • For example, there is widespread online proliferation of false or misleading narratives regarding unsubstantiated widespread election fraud and COVID-19. Grievances associated with these themes inspired violent extremist attacks during 2021.
   • Malign foreign powers have and continue to amplify these false or misleading narratives in efforts to damage the United States.
2. Continued calls for violence directed at U.S. critical infrastructure; soft targets and mass gatherings; faith-based institutions, such as churches, synagogues, and mosques; institutions of higher education; racial and religious minorities; government facilities and personnel, including law enforcement and the military; the media; and perceived ideological opponents:
   • Foreign terrorist organizations and domestic threat actors continue to amplify pre-existing false or misleading narratives online to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions. Some of these actors do so to encourage unrest, which could lead to acts of violence against the facilities, individuals, institutions, and organizations cited above.
   • Violent extremists inspired by a range of grievances and ideologies continue to target crowded venues traditionally perceived to be soft targets, such as commercial and publicly accessible facilities, public gatherings, certain government and state facilities, and houses of worship.
   • The recent attack on a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas highlights the continuing threat of violence based upon racial or religious motivations, as well as threats against faith-based organizations.
   • Threats directed at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other colleges and universities, Jewish facilities, and churches cause concern and may inspire extremist threat actors to mobilize to violence.
   • As COVID-19 restrictions continue to decrease nationwide, increased access to commercial and government facilities and the rising number of mass gatherings could provide increased opportunities for individuals looking to commit acts of violence to do so, often with little or no warning. Meanwhile, COVID-19 mitigation measures—particularly COVID-19 vaccine and mask mandates—have been used by domestic violent extremists to justify violence since 2020 and could continue to inspire these extremists to target government, healthcare, and academic institutions that they associate with those measures.
   • Domestic violent extremists have also viewed attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure as a means to create chaos and advance ideological goals, and have recently aspired to disrupt U.S. electric and communications critical infrastructure, including by spreading false or misleading narratives about 5G cellular technology.
   • Some domestic violent extremists have continued to advocate for violence in response to false or misleading narratives about unsubstantiated election fraud. The months preceding the upcoming 2022 midterm elections could provide additional opportunities for these extremists and other individuals to call for violence directed at democratic institutions, political candidates, party offices, election events, and election workers.
   • A small number of threat actors are attempting to use the evacuation and resettlement of Afghan nationals following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan last year as a means to exacerbate long-standing grievances and justify attacks against immigrants.
3. Calls by foreign terrorist organizations for attacks on the United States based on recent events:
   • Foreign terrorist organizations will likely continue to maintain a highly visible online presence to attempt to inspire U.S.-based individuals to engage in violent activity.
   • Supporters of foreign terrorist organizations have encouraged copycat attacks following the January 15, 2022 attack on a synagogue in Colleyville, Texas.
   • Foreign terrorists remain intent on targeting the United States and U.S. persons, and may seek to capitalize on the evolving security environment overseas to plot attacks. The Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) or its affiliates may issue public calls for retaliation due to the strike that recently killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi.

How We Are Responding

• DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continue to share timely and actionable information and intelligence with the broadest audience possible. This includes sharing information and intelligence with our partners across every level of government and in the private sector. We conduct recurring threat briefings with private sector and state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus partners, including to inform security planning efforts. DHS remains committed to working with our partners to identify and prevent all forms of terrorism and targeted violence, and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe.
• DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis established a new, dedicated domestic terrorism branch to produce the sound, timely intelligence needed to counter related threats. The Department expanded its evaluation of online activity as part of its efforts to assess and prevent acts of violence, while ensuring the protection of privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
• DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) provides communities with resources and tools to help prevent individuals from radicalizing to violence. In 2021, CP3 awarded about $20 million in grants through its Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program. CP3 also partners with local communities to raise awareness about how to prevent violence.
• In 2021, DHS designated domestic violent extremism as a “National Priority Area” within its Homeland Security Grant Program HSGP), resulting in at least $77 million being spent on preventing, preparing for, protecting against, and responding to related threats.
• In 2021, DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provided $180 million in funding to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack.
• DHS is working with public and private sector partners, as well as foreign counterparts, to identify and evaluate MDM, including false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories spread on social media and other online platforms that endorse or could inspire violence.
• DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) works with public and private sector partners – including U.S. critical infrastructure owners and operators – to mitigate risk against our cyber and physical infrastructure and increase nationwide cybersecurity resilience.

How You Can Help

Stay Informed and Prepared

• Be prepared for emergency situations and remain aware of circumstances that may place you at risk. Make note of your surroundings and the nearest security personnel.
• Keep yourself safe online and maintain digital and media literacy to recognize and build resilience to false or misleading narratives.
• Review DHS resources for how to better protect businesses, houses of worship, and schools, and ensure the safety of public gatherings.
• Prepare for potential active shooter incidents, as well as efforts to prevent, protect against, respond to, and mitigate the use of explosives.
• Learn more about community-based resources to help prevent individuals from radicalizing to violence.

Report Potential Threats

• Listen to local authorities and public safety officials.
• If You See Something, Say Something^®. Report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online threats, to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or your local Fusion Center. Call 911 in case of emergency.
• If you know someone who is struggling with mental health issues or may pose a danger to themselves or others, seek help.

If You See Something, Say Something®. Report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or call 911.

The National Terrorism Advisory System provides Americans with alert information on homeland security threats. It is distributed by the Department of Homeland Security. More information is available at: www.dhs.gov/advisories. To receive mobile updates: twitter.com/dhsgov

If You See Something Say Something® used with permission of the NY Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

[Benjamin Cole]

8 hours ago, W. Niederhut said:

Get a clue, Ben.

First of all, the Democratic Party is hardly monolithic.  Bernie Sanders and our progressive wing came very close to winning a majority in both the 2016 and 2020 Democratic primaries.  The progressive vote was, unfortunately, split in 2020 between Bernie and Elizabeth Warren, then Michael Bloomberg and the DNC establishment aggressively intervened to sabotage the progressive juggernaut on Super Tuesday.

Progressive Democrats, in contrast to the Koch-controlled GOP and Wall Street Democrats, absolutely represent the interests of working people in America-- e.g., affordable healthcare, living wages, affordable education, etc.

No one else really does.  Certainly not the Koch GOP and its current policy-free Trump cult.

There is no meaningful equivalence between progressive Democrats and the Koch GOP.  None.

For those who were paying attention in late 2017, liberal economists strongly opposed the proposed Trump GOP "trickle down" tax cut bill for several reasons.

1)  The Bush/Cheney "supply side" tax cuts in 2001 and 2003 had largely created our burgeoning national debt, without significantly stimulating U.S. GDP and private sector job growth.  Both GDP and private sector job growth in the U.S. were far more robust in the 1990s after Clinton and the Democrats increased the top tax rates in 1993 (by a 51-50 Senate vote, with Al Gore casting the tie breaker.)

2)  There have never been any provisions in the Republican/Reaganomic tax cut bills (since the 1980s) to incentivize job creation in the U.S. -- as opposed to rebated tax dollars flowing to cheaper labor markets in the Third World.  This was also true of the 2017 Trump/GOP tax cut bill.  In fact the Trump/GOP tax cut bill cut billions in taxes for foreign investors.  And, like George W. Bush, Trump had the worst private sector job growth record in modern Presidential history.

As for the problem of Rupert Murdoch, Breitbart, OANN, Newsmax, and destructive mass media disinformation in the modern U.S., something must be done. 

The disinformation is, literally, killing us-- not only in the case of COVID disinformation, but in the M$M denial of catastrophic climate change.

IMO, the public interest is never optimized by the de-regulation of unscrupulous, for-profit industries-- including media corporations.  Their central motive is to maximize profits, not to inform the public and/or promote the public welfare.

We used to have the Fairness Act, but Reagan abolished the Fairness Act, which required major news corporations to provide equal time to opposing viewpoints on issues of public policy.

Now we have Fox News and other partisan propaganda outlets creating polarized subcultures.

 

I am wary of the Koches and their influence. 

Although curiously, Trump told the Koches to get lost. 

Trump then placed tariffs on China exports. 

The Koches, as libertarians, are ardent open-borders guys (plus, they make a lot of money with open borders). 

[Benjamin Cole]

50 minutes ago, Paul Brancato said:

Sure he would be entitled to a defense, but the chances of us ever seeing a jury trial of Trump are practically nil. 

Why?

The Biden Justice Department won't prosecute?  

 

 

[Benjamin Cole]

45 minutes ago, Paul Brancato said:

You have a problem with this? 
 

Yes.

This DHS missive strikes me as divisive fear-mongering. 

It implies people who distrust the government, or dissent from government-media narratives, are subversives or foreign agents. 

As loathsome as certain acts are---such as an Islamic gunning down 45 gay men in Orlando---they do not constitute a threat the nation, and are a much smaller threat to any of us than run-of-the mill-murders, drug overdoses and auto accidents. 

Sad to say, the impulse to fear-mongering and censorship is a partisan trait, and not limited to either major party in the US. 

As I have said, there was a regime-change operation in 1963, and the globalist-national security state has only deepened its grip on US policy and media since. Both parties are on board and compliant. 

 

 

 

 

 

[W. Niederhut]

1 hour ago, Benjamin Cole said:

Why? 

Usually I call it "the Donks vs. the 'Phants."

But if you find "Democrat Party" offensive, I will refrain from using it. 

 

Never trust a Donk, Ben.  Here's the proof... 🤥

[Benjamin Cole]

25 minutes ago, W. Niederhut said:

Never trust a Donk, Ben.  Here's the proof... 🤥

I am shocked--shocked!--that a real estate developer from New York, who welched on any number of contracts and loans, would run a grift-y administration. 

As a contemptible amateur, Trump obviously did not know the right way to legally conduct graft. 

 

 

[Benjamin Cole]

Finally!

A government policy I can back.

The Biden administration is set to fund the distribution of "smoking kits and supplies" as part of a $30 million grant program aimed at reducing drug-related infections, according to the Washington Free Beacon. 

An HHS spokesman told the Free Beacon the kits contain pipes for users to smoke crack cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, and "any illicit substance" and that the grants will be targeted to underserved communities to advance racial equity.

 

[Ron Bulman]

25 minutes ago, W. Niederhut said:

Never trust a Donk, Ben.  Here's the proof... 🤥

Watched the best of Super Bowl commercials tonight hosted by former Bengal Boomer Esiason and a lady from NCIS LA.  This reminds me of this one.

 

[Benjamin Cole]

From Reuters:

NEW YORK, Feb 8 (Reuters) - The discovery of the Omicron variant in white-tailed deer in New York has raised concerns that the species, numbering 30 million in the United States, could become hosts of a new coronavirus strain, a lead researcher said on Tuesday.

 

---30---

So....

 

 

[W. Niederhut]

21 minutes ago, Ron Bulman said:

Watched the best of Super Bowl commercials tonight hosted by former Bengal Boomer Esiason and a lady from NCIS LA.  This reminds me of this one.

 

Here's another good one, Ron.