Maggie's Farm

feeblemind: Was there any specific instruction from Congress as to how the money allocated to USaid was spent?

Congress provides detailed funding requirements in their authorization. See Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs: FY2024 Budget and Appropriations. USAID's budget has been strained by the Ukraine war, which has resulted in 14 million refugees, and widespread food and economic insecurity. USAID has always been considered a bargain, building American prestige and mitigating instability overseas.

feeblemind: Where have the Republican Congressmen been in their role as overseers of the Administrative Branch's agencies?

Oversight is provided by Senate-confirmed independent Inspectors General. Republicans also helped craft the authorizing statute, as well as ongoing budgets.

feeblemind: One asks because one wonders if spending money on news organizations was even legal?

It's legal for federal agencies to subscribe to media sources. Duh.


The $8 million represents subscriptions to Politico Pro across all federal agencies. Federal agencies also subscribe to the New York Post.


The executive unilaterally shutting down the independent USAID would be contrary to federal law: 22 U.S. Code § 6501 et seq.

don: How much does US Aid pay for the ny post subscription?

Have no idea. Politico Pro provides detailed analysis of policy, so it provides an important value to agencies that the New York Post doesn't purport to do. Regardless, that doesn't change the misrepresentation by Trump and his right-wing operatives concerning USAID, or his shutting down the agency contrary to law.

Politico Pro is not a news media source like the New York Post or Fox News or even Politico, but a data and analysis source used by professionals.

don: So Politco Pro is unbiased and offers only straight forward, unfiltered information that allows its subscribers complete information on its topics?

It doesn't have to be perfectly unbiased to provide useful information. But data is data. Of course, none of this salvages the misrepresentation of the facts or illegally shutting down the agency.

James: Stop pretending the "subscriptions" were anything other than progressives using taxpayer money to subsidize LW media that reliably propagandized for democrats.

So, your argument is ‘you are right’. Powerful.

In fact, the vast majority of subscribers to Politico Pro are corporate subscribers who find substantial value in their data analysis. Even a cursory look shows that Politico Pro is a distinct service from Politico, even if owned by the same organization, and that it provides extensive data and analysis. Furthermore, the reporting that USAID spent $8 million misrepresents the value of subscriptions by 180 times their actual spending.

Jan Peter Blickenstaff: Where is the List of Good projects funded by USAID from its supporters?

Programs are primarily for low income countries and include: vaccination, HIV treatment for mothers and newborns, birth control, public health, refugee assistance such as for Ukraine, addressing communicable diseases, food assistance, and economic development.

Jan Peter Blickenstaff: What specific projects with specific outcomes?

You could start with PEPFAR, which, in participating countries, has cut HIV infection in half, saved 26 million lives, and enabled 7 million at-risk babies to be born HIV-free. That includes providing 2 million girls and young women with HIV prevention services in 2024.

James: Since you've mentioned that repeatedly, you obviously don't have anything else.

That’s silly. We provided an overview of a large number of endeavors, then Jan Peter Blickenstaff asked for a specific example—which we provided. We would have provided a link to the official government website, but that information was pulled down over the last few days.

Meanwhile, there have been drug trials going on in developing countries where people were given new treatments that have been stopped mid-trial, contrary to promises made to the test subjects.

Oh, gee whiz.


They claim this is the exchange:


First of all, Harris's answer is not nonsensical. But if you read the original transcript {pg 8}, Gateway actually truncates Whitaker's question. Then they claim, "60 Minutes cut Kamala’s nonsense answer on Israel and replaced it with a completely seperate sentence she said earlier in the interview". But actually, the answer is part of the very same answer and coming immediately after.


CBS may settle because Trump will likely exact retribution by blocking a merger, using government power to stifle free speech; and then, having brought CBS to heel, declaring victory. Lying about the edit and smearing CBS is par for how Trump and his operatives operate. Most people, including most people who comment on this blog, will believe it, regardless of the truth. Truthiness prevails!

B. Hammer: Wait. What?

What will those crazy scientists come up with next?!

B. Hammer: Next, you’ll tell me that CO2 levels were far higher in the Cretaceous period?

Atmospheric CO2 was over 1,000 ppm during the Cretaceous Thermal Maximum. However, methane was likely also a factor in global warming.

B. Hammer: Where was all the petroleum being burned?

CO2 and methane have both natural and artificial sources.

What will those crazy scientists come up with next?! /s