In autocracies, it’s not that the system is corrupt—there’s some corruption in every system—it’s that corruption *becomes* the system. Personal deals, no public oversight, privatize the profits and nationalize the expenses. Putinization.
I would argue that a fundamentally bad person who tried to overthrow our democratic system and is running the biggest corruption racket in the history of the presidency should be opposed on all counts not just “when appropriate.” So call me a Nicene Creed Never Trumper i guess.
Democrats: "If you redo the TX maps we're going to redo other states."
Republicans: "Suck it libtards. Cope."
Democrats: "Ok, so we're doing CA and VA."
Republicans: "Wait.. no. What? This is the end of America. Stop. You guys are mean."
I wrote about this in my newsletter. The Weather Service didn't launch balloons recently and got surprised by tornadoes in Kansas. DOGE cuts at NWS cut out weather balloon launches which gather data for storm prediction. You are less safe because of that choice.
I worry that the social penalty of announcing that you believe in nonsense is going down.
It’s not so much that people are more conspiratorial than ever. That’s clearly not true. Believers in make-believe are an ancient tribe.
It’s more like … a falling social cost to high-status folks saying insane shit and protecting themselves from accusations of insanity by saying all they’re doing is opposing “the mainstream media” or “corporate media.”
"They" being a single lone gunman who appears to have been rotting his brain on the internet and become a nihilist?
In moments like this, pay close attention to who is trying to stoke escalation and who is trying to preach calm.
Today, Romania scrambled combat aircraft because of a Russian drone in its airspace. According to current data, the drone penetrated about 10 kilometers into Romanian territory and operated in NATO airspace for around 50 minutes. Also today, Poland responded militarily to the threat of Russian attack drones.
In fact, Russian drones have been in different regions of Ukraine all day, including the northern regions, practically along the border with Belarus. According to preliminary information, Belarusian airspace was also used for entry into Ukraine’s airspace toward Volyn.
The Russian military knows exactly where their drones are headed and how long they can operate in the air. Their routes are always calculated. This cannot be a coincidence, a mistake, or the initiative of some lower-level commanders. It is an obvious expansion of the war by Russia – and this is exactly how they act. Small steps at first, and eventually big losses.
That is why action must always be preventive, based on the principle that there are no minor military threats from those who are accustomed to destroying the independence and lives of others. Russia is accustomed to this and must feel the consequences.
Sanctions against Russia are needed. Tariffs against Russian trade are needed. Collective defense is needed – and Ukraine has proposed to its partners the creation of just such a system of protection. Do not wait for dozens of “shaheds” and ballistic missiles before finally making decisions.
BREAKING: In a shocking moment, Trump declares that he is unable to be a President to ALL Americans, as he hates Democrats. "They hate Trump, but I hate them too. I really do, I hate them. I can’t stand them."
What a small, hateful man.