Jul 3--Heidi Cuda- Radicalized & Catching-up with Ukraine
WTF- June 27- America's path to radicalization, the EU, and can they be saved & Catching up with Ukraine
The face of Authoritarianism in the US and in Europe
On Jun 27, Livia and I were joined by Heidi Cuda, investigative journalist and documentary producer, long-time Trump watcher, and activist keeping track of America’s path to authoritarianism.
This episode is dedicated to about how America has been radicalised and by whom. We do a deep-dive into the Trump White House, influential groups and Trump advisors and their part in the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. Roe v Wade has marked a dangerous milestone for the US. What is this really meant to do?
These events are well-known to many, but we need to find a way forward on how to deal with the information warfare in the States and in Europe. This is also part of our discussion.
CNBC, Supreme Court to weigh whether state legislatures instead of state courts get final say in election rules
The Supreme Court said it will hear a case that could effectively undo the power of state courts to rule whether elections for federal offices comply with the law.
If the Supreme Court rules for North Carolina Republican plaintiffs in the case, it would give state legislatures, not state courts, the final word on regulations set by the legislatures for elections of members of the Senate and House of Representatives.
That would be a dramatic change from the current situation, where state courts can check changes in election rules if they run afoul of state constitutions.
And it would be in line with what supporters of former President Donald Trump argued during the 2020 election when they opposed modifications in election rules imposed by state courts.
I’ve included some tweets and an article below about Russia’s totalitarian vision of the world. This is not to say that the US would turn into a rogue state and make war on other nations.
CTV, The Canadian flag in the context of 'Freedom Convoy' and residential schools
But months after the ‘Freedom Convoy’ forced downtown Ottawa to a standstill, with Canadian flags billowing from trucks and prominently displayed in protest crowds, some Canadians are reconsidering what the flag means to them. And ever since the discovery of unmarked graves at residential schools that brought to the forefront the devastating impact of colonialism in this country, the question of whether the Canadian flag is worth rallying around has been more complicated than ever.
How Totalitarian Russia views the world- its Imperialist ambition
Anna Melnychenko, “Third Rome” or The story about the Russian Orthodox Church as a weapon of “Russian world” and its love of nuclear bomb
The Russian Orthodox Church, or Moscow Patriarchate (MP), is rather infamous all over the world. Its history includes corruption, ties to special services (FSB, and formerly the KGB), denial of the existence of sovereign countries beyond the “Russian world,” chauvinistic statements, dehumanisation of the LGBTQ+ community, rejection of evidence-based health care, coronavirus denial, as well as animosity towards other religious communities and denominations. Let us try to figure out how all of this exists in an orthodox church, which should theoretically be geared towards Christian love.
Russia believes it’s sovereign, but doesn’t think other nations are
Taking territory that is not theirs- Kyiv is Ukrainian
The Atlantic, Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Changes What We Know About State Power
This all sounded eminently reasonable, but then Russia invaded Ukraine and the great power–small power dichotomy was revealed to be the opposite of realism. The fundamental problem was that Russia was exposed at the start as not a “great” power at all. Having sent in almost all of its frontline military units, the Russian army has seized only 20 percent of Ukraine—a far cry from its initial efforts to take Kyiv and subjugate the entire country—and is suffering horrific losses in casualties and equipment. It’s already desperately trying to regenerate its forces by finding soldiers wherever it can, even allowing citizens as old as 49 to enlist, while throwing more and more older, second-rate equipment into the fight.
The Guardian, 'I'm being watched': Anne-Marie Brady, the China critic living in fear of Beijing
But since the publication of her 2017 paper Magic Weapons, which details the extent of Chinese influence in New Zealand, Brady’s life has been turned upside down, becoming the target of a campaign of intimidation and “psy-ops” she believes is directed by Beijing towards her and her family. The Chinese government has not responded to requests for comment.
Day 129 of Russsia’s war of agression in Ukraine
There are so many more stories to post, but today is family day here in Toronto, so the Catching-Up with Ukraine is in a reduced form.
Institute for the Study of War: Kremlin likely preparing to mobilize Russian economy to sustain war effort. The Kremlin proposed an amendment to introduce “special measures” requiring Russian business to “supply Russian special military and counterterrorist operations.”
Ukrainian border guards find hard drive containing over 100 GB of Russian military's data. State Border Service reported that the drive found in Chernihiv Oblast contains a staff list and biographical data of Russian military from a specific air defense artillery division.
One of four Russian bases in Melitopol hit, another heavy blast in Belgorod, another large depot destroyed in Popasna. It’s a daily, organized campaign to wipe out Russian military infrastructure and undermine its immediate war effort in Ukraine.
Russian parliament's lower chamber, the State Duma, has approved a bill that would raise the upper age limit to 65 for military personnel serving in the Russian Army on a contractual basis.
Lukashenko says Belarus' role in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine ‘determined long ago.’ Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said Minsk and Russia's forces are “practically united” as countries of the Union State, a supranational organization consisting of the two countries.
Kudos to the author/creator.
Thanks for watching…
Mo