Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Much Sorry with Delays
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Thursday, April 28. 2022

Thursday morning links


Elon Musk Responds to Russian Collusion Hoaxer Currently Working at Twitter, Points to Big Changes


 ‘A**hole’: Twitter Employees Melt Down, Quit Over Musk Takeover, New Internal Messages Reveal: Report


 Democrats: 'It's Not Us, It's You!'


 On Hunter Biden, White House can run but it cannot hide much longer. It’s high time for the Biden White House to finally start answering questions about Hunter


 Biden Says It Was “Hard” Being A Professor At UPenn…He didn’t teach a single class.


" . Who exactly is the White House trying to please by inviting the world to cross the border? The obvious answer, of course, is the far left, but how many of them are there?"


 China’s Impossible Dream of Order. Haunted by past humiliations, the nation’s leaders seek to restore what they see as its rightful place in the world.


Good perspective 




Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 11:48 | Comments (24) | Trackbacks (0)

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QUOTE:
Biden Says It Was “Hard” Being A Professor At UPenn…He didn’t teach a single class.

Biden participated in various public forums and gave a lecture at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
https://www.thedp.com/article/2019/02/joe-biden-upenn-philadelphia-2020-gutmann-photo-essay

Also, Biden was an adjunct professor of law at Widener University in Pennsylvania from 1991 to 2008.
https://www.widener.edu/news/news-archive/he-was-mr-president-he-was-professor-biden-his-widener-law-students
#1 Zachriel on 2022-04-28 12:44 (Reply)
A Society Convinced It Needs Seeing Eye Dogs

QUOTE:
Just as no town ever got rich by sealing off mines, no civilization can advance by censoring, twisting and faking the stream of information which is the age’s greatest resource. We shall starve on pat narratives, but we shall thrive on what we have yet to discover.

https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2022/04/28/a-society-convinced-it-needs-seeing-eye-dogs-n1592761
#2 feeblemind on 2022-04-28 13:33 (Reply)
Deep State Response, Dept of Homeland Security Will Establish Disinformation Board with Obvious Agenda

https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/04/27/deep-state-response-dept-of-homeland-security-will-establish-disinformation-board-with-obvious-agenda/
#3 feeblemind on 2022-04-28 13:48 (Reply)
feeblemind: Deep State Response, Dept of Homeland Security Will Establish Disinformation Board with Obvious Agenda

Are you saying the U.S. is helpless in the face of foreign disinformation or radicalization campaigns? That they can't broadcast accurate information as a counter? The Board will be under the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships and will have no enforcement powers.
#3.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-28 15:12 (Reply)
Z: Are you saying the U.S. is helpless in the face of foreign disinformation or radicalization campaigns?

Are you saying that before the establishment of a Disinformation Board, the US was helpless in the face of foreign disinformation or radicalization campaigns?
#3.1.1 mudbug on 2022-04-28 16:35 (Reply)
mudbug: Are you saying that before the establishment of a Disinformation Board, the US was helpless in the face of foreign disinformation or radicalization campaigns?

No more so than the U.S. was helpless before the creation of a unified department of national defense after World War Two. Granting the need to respond to foreign disinformation or radicalization campaigns may mean a better coordinated response.
#3.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-28 20:24 (Reply)
Perhaps with disinfo, like everything else, it's simple supply and demand. If people like Hilary Clinton would stop buying it, maybe Russia would stop selling it.

But seriously, folds, I for one am just happy that someone in the government is taking on the task of deciding what info us little folks really need to hear.

'Ol Nina Jankowicz sure had our backs on that laptop, didn't she.
#3.1.1.1.1 SK on 2022-04-28 21:19 (Reply)
SK: Perhaps with disinfo, like everything else, it's simple supply and demand.

Russian propaganda is much more frequently amplified by the political right.

Small investments can have oversized effects. By feeding division in open societies, adversaries can cause those societies to turn inward, rendering them unable to respond to events. Then they can claim, with some justification, that open societies are inherently weaker than authoritarian forms of government.

This is a similar dynamic to the early twentieth century. Fascists believed that liberal democracies would be unable to unite, even in the face of an existential threat, but would quibble all the way to the precipice.
#3.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-28 22:39 (Reply)
Hey, no need to change the subject! I'm trying to agree with you here, pal!

Clearly people--like you apparently--need a lefty like Nina to filter their information for them!

Maybe they can get the NY Post shut down for good!
#3.1.1.1.1.1.1 SK on 2022-04-29 09:19 (Reply)
SK: filter their information for them!

Except the Board has no such power. You will still be able to read and post Russian disinformation.
 
#3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-29 11:15 (Reply)
Why does it need enforcement ability--they've got big tech to do it for them.

Horizontal Harris! Horizontal Harris!!!

Not that I believe it, I just wanted to say it while I still could!!!

I mean, I'm sure whatever relationship Kamala Harris and Willie Brown had at the beginning of her career in "public service" was perfectly vertical...or...on the up and up...dammit, what IS the acceptable language here!

Hunter's laptop is real!!!

Somebody stop me before I get in trouble!!!

I don't want Nina making up songs about me!!!
#3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 SK on 2022-04-29 12:29 (Reply)
SK: Why does it need enforcement ability--they've got big tech to do it for them.

Generally, forums have the right to control who and how people post. It can be argued that some social media companies have gotten so large as to exert inordinate control of their sector.

For decades, the political right has resisted efforts to enforce anti-trust laws. That has left the U.S. government unable to regulate monopolies. Meanwhile so-called populists stand up for billionaires.

The rest of your comment came across as gibberish. You might try adjusting your transmitter.
#3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-29 15:53 (Reply)
"You might try adjusting your transmitter."


Noted. Please don't report me to the Department of Homeland Security.
#3.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 SK on 2022-04-29 23:24 (Reply)
If this Disinformation Board is to counter foreign “disinformation”, then why is it in the DHS, a domestic agency?

And what sort of response should we expect from this board when it detects lies from Russia? Put out a press release that says Russia is lying?

What should we expect the response from the board be in the case of fake Russia disinformation such as the crap from the Steele Dossier or what about Hunter’s laptop that was called Russian disinformation but wasn’t?
#3.1.1.1.2 mudbug on 2022-04-28 22:06 (Reply)
mudbug: If this Disinformation Board is to counter foreign “disinformation”, then why is it in the DHS, a domestic agency?

If DHS is to counter terrorist threats, including those directed by foreign entities such as al-Qaeda, why is DHS a domestic agency?

Russia and other adversaries are working to undermine democratic countries, including the United States. Liberal societies will have to be much more nimble to effectively respond to the threat. Communication and education are important elements of that struggle.
#3.1.1.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-28 22:26 (Reply)
Disinformation, which isn't defined, is not terrorism.

You carefully didn't explain how it would work in practice in general or how it might work in two recent episodes of "disinformation."

This is just the adversary of freedom working to undermine a democratic country, the US. It's not going to have any effect against a foreign government, it will only be used to restrict what information is allowed to be consumed.
#3.1.1.1.2.1.1 mudbug on 2022-04-28 23:05 (Reply)
mudbug: Disinformation, which isn't defined . . .

disinformation: false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth.

In this case, the concern is disinformation propagated by foreign adversaries with malicious intent.

mudbug: . . . is not terrorism.

No, but disinformation can represent a threat. In particular, having foreign powers interfere in U.S. elections undermines democracy.

mudbug: You carefully didn't explain how it would work in practice in general or how it might work in two recent episodes of "disinformation."

Because they weren't good examples. The Steele dossier was unverified raw intelligence. The primary finding that the Russians were trying to interfere in the U.S. election for the benefit of Trump and to damage Clinton has been confirmed. Other rumors have not been corroborated, but the evidence doesn't show that it was foreign disinformation. On Hunter's laptop, there is no evidence that the laptop is foreign disinformation, but as a legal matter the provenance of the laptop is questionable. However, it has been in the hands of the FBI since 2019.

mudbug: it will only be used to restrict what information is allowed to be consumed.

As already noted, the Board has no enforcement powers.
#3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-29 07:40 (Reply)
Radio Liberty journalist killed in Kyiv Artem plant attack, according to city police
#3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-29 08:35 (Reply)
You have actually validated my examples. Your definition of "disinformation" fits in both instances.

The Steele Dossier was false information and rumors designed to influence public opinion. Even better, that information came from foreign sources.

You admit that the Laptop From Hell contained no foreign disinformation but it was called "Russian disinformation" by scores of ex-intelligence officials. So the ex-intelligence officials were the purveyors of disinformation and they did it to influence public opinion. They had not even seen it so they had no idea whether it was or not.

How should Biden's Ministry of Truth deal with those situations?

You say, the Ministry of Truth has no enforcement. Correct, but the DHS does. They can harass the "spreaders of disinformation in all sorts of ways." But let's say that the MoT will be as benign as you imagine. Would it respond to "disinformation" with a press release? Is that worth even a dollar of tax money?

Why would we expect the Ministry of Truth to be accurate in its assessment of "disinformation." It could honestly label something as disinformation that later was found to be true and in that case it would be a party to the disinformation. Or it could decide to protect certain political actors or institutions and call something "disinformation" knowing it was true.

You know that if GW Bush or Trump had suggested this idea, you would be howling mad and calling them fascists. You would be right but you're supportive of this idea which shows you to be as disingenuous and dishonest as most of the left.
#3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.2 mudbug on 2022-04-29 12:16 (Reply)
mudbug: The Steele Dossier was false information and rumors designed to influence public opinion.

The Steele dossier was unverified raw intelligence. The primary finding that the Russians were trying to interfere in the U.S. election for the benefit of Trump and to damage Clinton has been confirmed. Other rumors have not been corroborated, but the evidence doesn't show that it was foreign disinformation. It was also found that contacts between the Trump campaign and Russian agents constituted a "grave" intelligence threat against the United States.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/senate-panel-finds-russia-interfered-in-the-2016-us-election

Nor was the Steele dossier even published before the election.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLQCwVkhFvM&t=270s

mudbug: You admit that the Laptop From Hell contained no foreign disinformation . . .

There's no public evidence that is does at this point.

mudbug: but it was called "Russian disinformation" by scores of ex-intelligence officials.

That is not correct. Rather, they said they suspected Russian involvement, but did not know whether the information was genuine or not. The source of the laptop is dodgy, and it may contain both accurate and fabricated information. The FBI has had the laptop since 2019, and there is an ongoing investigation of Hunter Biden.
https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000175-4393-d7aa-af77-579f9b330000

mudbug: So the ex-intelligence officials were the purveyors of disinformation and they did it to influence public opinion. . . How should Biden's Ministry of Truth deal with those situations?

They are Americans. Russian government involvement in U.S. election is illegal and a violation of national sovereignty, but it's not illegal for Americans to express their expert opinion even if they are wrong. And in this case, it's just not known with any certainty. (You are confusing misinformation with disinformation.)

mudbug: Would it respond to "disinformation" with a press release? Is that worth even a dollar of tax money?

A journalist for Radio Liberty was just killed in Ukraine. She thought it was worth the risk.
#3.1.1.1.2.1.1.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2022-04-29 15:44 (Reply)
Pixy Misa @ AoSHQ ...

The new Disinformation Governance Board - part of the DHS, which has absolutely no authority to do this - is intended to address the number one threat facing the world today: Reality.
#3.2 Christopher B on 2022-04-29 07:33 (Reply)
Thought white supremacists groups posed the greatest threat to our country...
#3.2.1 Zachinoff on 2022-04-29 09:14 (Reply)
Compton, Calif is the model for Illegal Alien migration, sriven by the obvious belief of the elite that the ghetto, population is expensive and useless. Compton was ~100 % Black with ~100 murders per year. The state encouraged the settlement of Compton by a Hispanic population (and their gangs). The Hispanics targeted Black gang-bangers, their friends and their families. After several years of "troubles", the city is ~70% Hispanic with virtually no violent crime. That means grift fornthe Pols and profit for the property owners. I am sure that is the plan for most American cities. The push on "gun control" is meant to disarm or demoralize those "normies" in the suburbs and rural areas who might try and defend themselves from the ghetto refugees. If the ghetto is too afraid to relocate, it would block the grift and profit and perpetuate the urban decline. That mass of Illegals is the new urban population and the anti-ghetto army. Enjoy your new neighbors.
#4 Mike-SMO on 2022-04-28 15:44 (Reply)
Compton, Calif is the model for Illegal Alien migration, sriven by the obvious belief of the elite that the ghetto, population is expensive and useless. Compton was ~100 % Black with ~100 murders per year. The state encouraged the settlement of Compton by a Hispanic population (and their gangs). The Hispanics targeted Black gang-bangers, their friends and their families. After several years of "troubles", the city is ~70% Hispanic with virtually no violent crime. That means grift for the Pols and profit for the property owners. I am sure that is the plan for most American cities.
#5 Mike-SMO on 2022-04-28 15:46 (Reply)

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