The fact that many now turn to Facebook and other social media for their news is part of the problem. The erosion of the Fourth Estate proves its importance in keeping a democracy running.
I'll rephrase and try again. If the problem on May 23, 2024 is a deluded electorate, how and why was the electorate apparently non-deluded in 2020-21, and what was the inflection point?
Racking my brain for inflection points in 2020. All I can come up with are a pandemic and the murder of a Black man by a white Minneapolis police officer.
It said Russia’s economy is growing faster. That’s not the same as doing better. Germany has a much larger economy, in absolute and per capita terms. The average German is healthier and wealthier than the average Russian. The gap between Germany and Russia is so large it would take a lot more than a few years of Russian growth and German stumbles to close it. If you disagree, take it up with math.
- If any former SSR shows signs of U.S. meddling, this represents and existential threat to Russia, and there are no limits on how Russia can respond. Anything -- invasion, occupation, annexation, threatening nuclear strikes -- is justified in response to an existential threat.
- Any former SSR that acts against Russian interests is acting on behalf of the U.S. No post-Soviet state would ever, of its own volition, act against Russian interests. Any state that does so,and any political leader in such a state that does so, is an agent of or being manipulated by the United States.
- No act by a former SSR to provide for its own defense against current or future Russian aggression is justified, because if Russia is threatening it this means Russia is responding to U.S. meddling. In fact, the very act of taking defensive measures is itself proof of ill intent against Russia, directed by the United States.
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dave
The fact that many now turn to Facebook and other social media for their news is part of the problem. The erosion of the Fourth Estate proves its importance in keeping a democracy running.
Like 4 Likesmarksierra
Came upon these just recently:
Songs of disappearance - Australian Bird Calls.
In this ARIA chart-topping recording of pure birdsong you can hear 53 of our most threatened species:
(ARIA is the Australian Recording Industry Association. Aussie version of the Grammy Awards.)
https://youtu.be/c2M0H9Z1HuQ
Aussie Birds and their calls
https://youtu.be/vhlE13EqjJk
Australia's most common birds
https://youtu.be/T5UEwzp2bWs
Like 3 Likesmrincredible
I’ll buy that for a dollar!
Like 3 LikesDaveSchmidt
Racking my brain for inflection points in 2020. All I can come up with are a pandemic and the murder of a Black man by a white Minneapolis police officer.
Like 3 Likesmax_weisenfeld
Less humid now and tomorrow and a nice breeze
Like 3 LikesDaveSchmidt
Not gone.
marksierra
I may as well add this recent arrival to the collection ...
Rainbow Lorikeets - Everything You Never Knew (and Less!)
Like 3 LikesPVW
It said Russia’s economy is growing faster. That’s not the same as doing better. Germany has a much larger economy, in absolute and per capita terms. The average German is healthier and wealthier than the average Russian. The gap between Germany and Russia is so large it would take a lot more than a few years of Russian growth and German stumbles to close it. If you disagree, take it up with math.
Like 3 LikesPVW
Let me see if I can sum up the Nan doctrine:
- If any former SSR shows signs of U.S. meddling, this represents and existential threat to Russia, and there are no limits on how Russia can respond. Anything -- invasion, occupation, annexation, threatening nuclear strikes -- is justified in response to an existential threat.
- Any former SSR that acts against Russian interests is acting on behalf of the U.S. No post-Soviet state would ever, of its own volition, act against Russian interests. Any state that does so,and any political leader in such a state that does so, is an agent of or being manipulated by the United States.
- No act by a former SSR to provide for its own defense against current or future Russian aggression is justified, because if Russia is threatening it this means Russia is responding to U.S. meddling. In fact, the very act of taking defensive measures is itself proof of ill intent against Russia, directed by the United States.
Like 2 Likesdave
oomph
Like 2 Likes