Actually some both-sidesism can be good.
Joined March 2018
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Tom retweeted
It's even more important that you vote in primaries than general elections.
Don't let the radicals determine our candidates.
Veep was a great show, however it was not a how-to guide.
The Trump administration does not deny this Signal group chat about the war planning for the Yemen strikes is real. Trump’s top national security advisers added reporter @JeffreyGoldberg @TheAtlantic to the war planning text chain on non-government social media app, perhaps breaking secrecy laws. Read this shocking story below.
Here is a great book from @BenMacintyre1 for further reading on Oleg Gordievsky’s work with MI6: goodreads.com/book/show/3754…
Tom retweeted
So I have seen two cases of foreign influence operations in the past two days. I have thoughts.
1. No matter which side or group you plan on voting for, interest group you support, or identity you carry, that collection of people is absolutely not immune to foreign influence operations. Political party. Interest group. Professional organization. Private company. All of them are being targeted and are targets. This is not a GOP or Democratic issue. Both sides (not just in the past few days) have been hit and individuals sucked in to foreign influence so do not think well at least my ______ isn't or didn't. Give it time. Give it time.
2. You people simply do not understand the threat. I have said this again and again but still even the people who should understand do not get it. In China, the United Front Work Department is the second largest central government department by budgetary line item value. It is significantly larger by value than the ministry of foreign affairs. What does the UFWD do? Their entire purpose is to basically run influence operations. Like that is their entire job. Mind you this is not security and intelligence though there is significant overlap. Other activities like intelligence and hacking are entirely different and have enormous resources lavished on them too. Let me provide a little perspective. A number of years ago, it was estimated that China employed formally and informally 2 million people just to monitor the internet in China. You know how many people work for the US federal government? About 3 million. You people simply do not understand the volume of threats thrown by China and places like Russia at influencing the US.
3. One thing I have learned about Americans is they simply do not know or care about influence operations. Here is what I mean. The DOJ said that the media personalities who received Russian money through the front company did not know or really ask where the money is coming from. I am NOT defending their views on Russia which I have been a strong opponent of very consistently, but I do not find it hard to believe at all that those media persons did not know where the money came from or care to ask. Maybe more evidence will come out that says other wise but what is currently being reported is not hard to believe at all. Most people simply have not adjusted to the new threats and yes even very much people and institutions with influence. They don't ask who is funding this and what is my value. They simply take the money and do not ask questions. I can say I was offered money from Guo via an intermediary and I turned it down cold with no hesitation.
4. Most people do not understand how influence operations work or what they want to achieve. Most people think an influence operation is that some one is engaged in espionage or sounding like state media. Actually that is absolutely NOT the purpose or directive generally. Adversaries are very smart and know that if it sounds like Russian or state media it will be written off an ignored. It has to be people with credibility and influence and it has to seem natural. Like what they would normally do. Also, it helps if their views diverge some what from what places like Russia or China would always want them to say. That is part of the "blending in" or "sounding natural". That's why they choose a governors aide or media influencers. They sound natural. That's their role. Their views diverge just from what the money would want them to say no one will think twice about them being the op. They are hiding in plain sight.
5. There is however an even more pernicious version of the two recent examples. That is the "respectable" influence money. Think tanks and universities have an explicit legal carve out that allows them to take Russian, Chinese money for these types of behaviors. So where as a media outlet gets busted, a university receiving a large Chinese donation for a China center that hires only very China friendly researchers is perfectly legal. The money does not even specify what needs to be said but the mandate is clear. I have personally had the head of a major university China center tell me "we cannot work with you or touch anything you do. We took a big donation from China and cannot come anywhere near you." Remember the examples from #4? They do just enough critique for plausible deniability but the influence is clear. So respectable money gets to launder the influence when journalists approach them for a quote or their pro-China engagement papers get covered. They are like the bankers that launder the money for the drug dealers. Lest you think this is left or right or something else, it's everywhere. The right has just as many problems as the left and places like universities. I can say point blank that none of these institutions want to know the details about China.
I have resigned myself that things will only change when there is an incident. I hope things are not too far gone by that point for us to respond. China is much more fearsome than Russia.
Not sure I’m quite to the point of voting for Trump (voted for others in the 2016 and 2020 primaries/general elections), but this needs to be read and deeply understood by all if we hope to prevail against the various forces that are pushing us closer to the abyss.
Tom retweeted
US manufacturing has a massive fundamental problem—it hasn't seen productivity growth in 17 years
That makes it increasingly impossible for the US to compete in key areas, and the recent industrial policy push will fail unless it can end that stagnation🧵
apricitas.io/p/americas-manu…
Tom retweeted
If I would be Biden, I would read this powerful Open Letter from over 80 retired US military leaders ( flag officers), including a CENTCOM commander. And I would read it again, to never forget WHY America MUST stand with ISRAEL.
(Via @SpencerGuard )
“Given our experience as retired American military leaders, we are very concerned about the security impacts of increasingly strained U.S.-Israel ties as Israel becomes a growing source of domestic division. We therefore feel compelled to declare that a strong Israel is vital to the United States national security, and it is imperative that America unequivocally stand by this indispensable ally.
Amid surging antisemitism in America and the world, following the largest one-day loss of innocent Jewish life since the Holocaust, U.S. support for the only Jewish state should be clear, unwavering, and not conditioned. The benefits of this partnership for the American people and this important region are many, and too valuable, to forsake.
America must support Israel as it restores its security, shattered on October 7, against Iran and its terrorist proxies in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and Yemen that all seek to destroy the Jewish state. These forces are also enemies of the United States and everything we stand for. This Iranian-backed axis of terror, as well as other adversaries and allies around the world, are watching closely to see whether the United States will stand by one of its closest allies fighting in self-defense, even when the going gets tough.
Against these barbaric enemies, Israel stands on the front lines of the fight for civilization, the lone stable, democratic American ally in a critical, yet tumultuous, region. Israel is a visceral part of the West with its liberal democracy, ethnically diverse population, and support for individual rights. Even in facing adversaries who respect neither the laws of war nor human life, we believe Israel has fought in accordance with the laws of armed conflict.
Outside the United States, Israel arguably has the most innovative economy in the world. It is a leader in nearly all the key technologies that will determine whether the global balance of power in the 21st-century continues to favor U.S.-led forces of freedom and democracy.
Israel also has one of the most capable militaries and intelligence services in the world, to America’s benefit. Our militaries work hand in glove, sharing intelligence and military lessons, and co-developing cutting-edge defense technologies. More than any other American ally, Israel has always sought to defend itself by itself. Still, U.S. forces recently helped defend Israel against an Iranian onslaught. Israel’s military and intelligence services have also often protected U.S. soldiers and citizens and provided critical intelligence.
Israel has traditionally been the source of overwhelming bipartisan support. So it should remain. We can disagree, as all allies do, but signs of public division only embolden the forces of violence, instability, and extremism that threaten both America and Israel. When we stand together, however, peace and regional stability become possible.
In these challenging times, we reaffirm our friendship and bond with the State of Israel—and urge all Americans to stand by our close friend and partner.”
jinsa.org/open-letter-from-r…
Tom retweeted
Wharton statistician looks at Hamas’ casualty data and concludes they are likely falsifying to maintain a rolling mean & linear growth — and they don’t know how to avoid making anomalies obvious to Western analysts
Women:Children R2=0.017
Men:Women is *negative* with R2 = 0.835
Tom retweeted
If you need to change the rules of the Senate to pass your agenda (which both parties have done back and forth in an escalating manner), especially something as drastic as abolishing the filibuster, your agenda should not pass.
The rules are there to ensure whatever passes the Senate has a sufficient public mandate for the extent you wish to change the law, or so that whoever is being confirmed has sufficient public approval. Every time the rules are changed for partisan motivations, it polarizes the other side and provokes further polarizing actions. It needs to stop before it escalates further.
Particularly consequential reforms and confirmations that impact the public as a whole require more than a bare majority to have a sufficient public mandate. Neither party should have the power to force a controversial and polarizing agenda on the entire country with only a bare majority of support.
Tom retweeted
Discussing “guilt laundering” of the Middle East - how some on the left have turned to supporting oppressive regimes as a vehicle to launder their guilt at the expense of the people whose murder they’re co-signing.
Tom retweeted
🇮🇱: Can you recognise Israel’s right to exist & make peace treaty?
🇵🇸: No
🇮🇱: Can you stop launching rockets?
🇵🇸: No
🇮🇱: Can you prevent terror attacks?
🇵🇸: No
🇮🇱: Can you release Israeli hostages?
🇵🇸: No
🇮🇱: Ok, we'll protect our citizens.
🇵🇸: Genocide.
Tom retweeted
Yeah AI is going to completely change the trust we have in literally anything in at most a few years
Tom retweeted
Serious question: is the Democratic Party of the United States going to rely so heavily on J6 that it never does any self-examination as to why so many Americans are *still* voting for Trump?
Tom retweeted
Last night at the 13th Congressional District Democratic Party Annual Holiday Party, pro-Palestinian protesters caused chaos and mayhem, and they badly injured black community activist Ms. Bobbie Avington-Johnson, who remains in the hospital.
Iran's Role in the October 7th Attack: A Labyrinth of Speculation and Uncertainty
Determining the extent of Iran's involvement in the October 7th attack on Israel is like navigating a labyrinth shrouded in speculation and uncertainty. While the historical ties between Iran and Hamas, coupled with the complexity of the operation, naturally raise suspicions, definitive proof remains elusive.
Supporting Iranian Involvement:
•A History of Support: The well-documented history of Iranian support for Hamas, spanning decades, fuels the notion of potential involvement. This includes financial aid, logistical assistance, military training, and weapon supplies, fostering Hamas's capabilities.
•Planning Allegations: Reports from various sources, including the Wall Street Journal, allege Iranian officials' participation in planning and coordinating the attack. However, the reliance on anonymous sources casts doubt upon their veracity and necessitates further verification.
•Israeli Accusations: Israeli officials, citing the long-standing ties between Iran and Hamas, have consistently accused Iran of direct involvement in the attack. They point to the sophisticated nature of the operation as further evidence.
Challenging the Narrative:
•US Intelligence Assessment: Despite Israeli accusations, the US government has not uncovered concrete evidence directly connecting Iran to the planning or orchestration of the attack. While acknowledging Iran's substantial support for Hamas, they maintain that their role in the specific attack remains unclear.
•Lack of Concrete Proof: Accusations, especially from Israel, are not enough to definitively implicate Iran. The absence of publicly presented, irrefutable evidence creates a gap in the narrative and leaves room for alternative explanations.
•Iranian Denials: Iran vehemently denies any involvement in the attack, dismissing accusations as "baseless" and "fabricated." This further complicates the investigation and underscores the need for thorough and independent verification.
Navigating the Path Forward:
•International Investigation: The international community, including the United Nations, is actively investigating the extent of Iran's involvement. This ongoing process is crucial in unraveling the truth and holding those responsible accountable.
•Global Pressure: The US and other countries are urging Iran to halt its support for Hamas and other militant groups in the region. This international pressure aims to deter future acts of violence and promote regional stability.
•Impact on Future Relations: The unresolved question of Iran's role in the attack continues to strain relations between Israel and Iran. It is likely to remain a central issue in future discussions concerning the conflict and potentially hinder diplomatic efforts.
Conclusion:
The ambiguity surrounding Iran's involvement in the October 7th attack demands ongoing investigation and careful analysis of all available evidence.
As the international community seeks to unravel the truth, it is crucial to avoid jumping to conclusions and remain objective in the face of conflicting narratives.
Only through a thorough and impartial investigation can the extent of Iran's role be definitively determined, paving the way for appropriate action and future conflict resolution.