Author: John Todd Roberts

Biden’s Immigration Damage

Source: Wall Street Journal.

The editorial talks about nuances of immigration policy, but I’m sick of nuance. Surely we can all agree with the principle that a nation’s borders should be controlled to the point that no one immigrates without permission.

I’m willing to talk and debate about how permissive our immigration policy should be, but first I want to see that we can implement the policy we decide upon as a matter of will.

Sitrep: Operation Z (April 9)

Source: The Saker.

Note: If you are unwilling to be exposed to pro-Russia-sounding commentary, don’t read the source article or this post.

Over the last few days there has been a lot of speculation about military operations in Mariupol. The last remnants of Ukrainian forces in the city are holed up in industrial facilities along the waterfront. There have been numerous daring but unsuccessful attempts to evacuate someone or something from the Azov Steel factory, but the target of the rescue efforts has remained mysterious. Today, Russian sources claimed that NATO military instructors and foreign fighters are trapped in Mariupol.

If true, public perceptions of the war may change dramatically on both sides. NATO boots on the ground fighting for Ukraine could force an entirely new narrative about the nature of the conflict.

Continue reading “Sitrep: Operation Z (April 9)” →

In a break with the past, U.S. is using intel to fight an info war with Russia, even when the intel isn’t rock solid

Source: NBC News.

The gist of the story is that U.S. intelligence agencies admit to going public with unsubstantiated assertions when doing so might confer an advantage to U.S. interests.

It is not that officials lie to the public. Instead, they say things they can’t prove in order to strike a blow in information warfare.

I’m not entirely opposed to policies that allow for the declassification of intelligence guesswork — even weaponizing it — but I think the public needs to factor this revelation into its thinking. To the extent we might distrust something an enemy says, we should also distrust what our own leaders say. It is only prudent.

Pregnant lady from shelled Maternity Ward in Mariupol speaks about media manipulation

You may remember seeing bloody images of this Ukrainian woman, Marianna Vyshemirskaya, on TV a few weeks ago when the alleged atrocity of Russian bombing the maternity hospital in Mariupol was playing endlessly in the news. In this video she refutes the narrative that then was being pushed. She says:

Continue reading “Pregnant lady from shelled Maternity Ward in Mariupol speaks about media manipulation” →

Palm Springs to put $200,000 toward transgender income pilot but council reservations remain

Source: Palm Springs Desert Sun.

One of the risks of democracy is that sooner or later special interests figure out how to vote the public purse into their own pockets. This story is an example of that.

It is an example of something more, as well: It is an example of the kind of perversity that attends end-of-empire moments in history.

Consider the irony. In a world where sexual reality is subjective, does it not make sense for there to be a civil rights lobby that channels government funds (uniquely) to sexual non-conformists, to help them pay their rent?

Of such things is justice made.