Published by AFPSan Francisco (AFP) - Netflix shares lost a quarter of their value Tuesday after the company revealed its ranks of subscribers shrank in the first quarter of this year. It was the first time in a decade that the leading streaming television service had lost subscribers. The company blamed the quarter-over-quarter erosion to suspension of its service in Russia … [Read more...] about Netflix shares plunge as subscribers drop
TESTICULAR TUCKER
Once again, I’m not making this up. On last Friday’s Tucker Carlson Tonight, or whatever that show’s called, its host, Tucker Carlson, talked about testicles. Is it just me, or is Tucker kinda obsessed with men? I’m detecting a pattern here. He has a new documentary coming out titled, “The End of Men.” There is a trailer full of muscular topless men that looks more like an … [Read more...] about TESTICULAR TUCKER
How the image of a besieged and victimized Russia came to be so ingrained in the country’s psyche
Russia sees itself as a perennial target. Kirill Kudryavtsev/AFP via Getty Images Gregory Carleton, Tufts University The range of anti-Russian measures taken by countries around the world since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is virtually unprecedented and hearkens back to the darkest days of the Cold War. They’ve assumed many forms but … [Read more...] about How the image of a besieged and victimized Russia came to be so ingrained in the country’s psyche
America: Still ‘A Nation of Immigrants’
A little less than five years ago, The Moderate Voice (TMV) published a five-part series titled “Reflections of a ‘Nation of Immigrants." The series was a compilation of stories submitted by TMV contributors and regular readers who themselves or their ancestors immigrated to “The Land of Promise.” The stories share how they and their ancestors became part of our “melting … [Read more...] about America: Still ‘A Nation of Immigrants’
How Does the Russian- Ukrainian War End?
There are many different possible scenarios about how the Russian-Ukrainian war might end. The main factor standing in the way of a settlement is the fact that Putin cannot lose face, unless he dies or is deposed, both of which seem unlikely. Thus far, Russian troops have performed abominably, being unable to conquer Kviv or any major city aside from Kherson. They have … [Read more...] about How Does the Russian- Ukrainian War End?
What We Get Wrong About Putin’s Motivations. And Money.
Seven weeks into the Ukrainian invasion our collective media is still wasting time kvetching about Putin's personal wealth, yachts-yachts-yachts, and the oligarchs surrounding him: like any of these will move the needle on his decision making. Such speculation is pointless. We know how in autocracies the lackeys misinform the dictators. Even our own mini-autocrat, our last … [Read more...] about What We Get Wrong About Putin’s Motivations. And Money.
RUSSIAN BATTLESHIP AND PROPAGANDA
Russian teacher rejected Kremlin propaganda, then paid the price
Published by ReutersLONDON (Reuters) - Days after Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine, Andrei Shestakov opened a set of files in a WhatsApp group chat for history teachers like himself in his town in east Russia. The files - which Reuters reviewed and contain dozens of pages of documents and presentations as well as video links - are instructions on how to teach teenage school … [Read more...] about Russian teacher rejected Kremlin propaganda, then paid the price
Ukraine Sinks Putin’s Pride and Joy: Truth and Consequences (UPDATED)
UPDATE: Photos and video are emerging on social media purporting to show the stricken Moskva before it sank. Original Story: While the stories on how it happened vary widely, the end result remains the same. The 12,500-ton guided missile cruiser Moskva, the pride and the flagship of the Russian Black Sea Fleet, named after the Russian capital, now rests … [Read more...] about Ukraine Sinks Putin’s Pride and Joy: Truth and Consequences (UPDATED)
Elon Musk argues Twitter would be better off in private rather than public hands – corporate governance scholars would disagree
Musk argues Twitter is better off in private hands – his. Patrick Pleul/Pool via AP Bert Spector, Northeastern University Billionaire Elon Musk says he wants to take Twitter private by buying 100% of its publicly held shares in a deal worth US$43 billion. In a letter to the board, he said that Twitter can’t serve as a platform for free speech as a … [Read more...] about Elon Musk argues Twitter would be better off in private rather than public hands – corporate governance scholars would disagree
War Crimes
Young conservatives target ‘wokeism’ on US campuses
Published by AFPCharlottesville (United States) (AFP) - Back in high school, Jack used to be picked on for his politics. Now, as a college student, he is banding together with like-minded conservatives to fight back against what they see as the tyranny of "wokeism." "They called me names, called me bigoted, like backwards and whatnot," the first-year student, who asked not to … [Read more...] about Young conservatives target ‘wokeism’ on US campuses
EASTER BUNNY GENERAL
PUTIN HAS A CHANCE TO CONQUER FRANCE
I’m guessing that the French presidential election isn’t high on your current list of interests. If not, I suggest you take a long look at the photos that feature Vladimir Putin communing with one of his favorite goons, far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen. In the French election runoff on April 24, Le Pen has a decent shot at beating current President Emmanuel … [Read more...] about PUTIN HAS A CHANCE TO CONQUER FRANCE
Zelenskiy asked Biden to designate Russia a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ – Washington Post
Published by ReutersWASHINGTON (Reuters) - Ukrainian PresidentZelenskiy recently made a direct appeal to U.S. President Joe Biden for the United States to designate Russia a "state sponsor of terrorism," the Washington Post reported on Friday, citing people familiar with their conversation. Biden did not commit to specific actions during that call, the newspaper reported. The … [Read more...] about Zelenskiy asked Biden to designate Russia a ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ – Washington Post
REPUBLICAN GROOMERS
“Groomer” is not just the latest buzzword for Republicans. It’s a vile hateful attack engineered to spread propaganda and hate and to disarm anyone who disagrees with them. If you’re incapable of defending your position on an issue, then the easiest response is to hurl a ridiculous lying accusation at your political opponent, like accusing them of being pedophiles. When you … [Read more...] about REPUBLICAN GROOMERS
Russian Black Sea flagship Moskva sinks after damages amid stormy day
Published by DPAThe Moskva, a Russian missile cruiser damaged amid the country's invasion of Ukraine this week, has sunk during a storm, reported the TASS news agency on Thursday. Citing the Defence Ministry, the agency said the ship "sank in stormy weather" as it was being towed for repairs. The exact nature of what happened to the ship remains unclear. It caught fire on … [Read more...] about Russian Black Sea flagship Moskva sinks after damages amid stormy day
Biden Approval Nosedives Among Younger Generations
Is it time for Democrats to panic? It would seem so. For many years the Democratic Party and many of its leaders were the favored party for young people. Now two polls show Biden is viewed less favorably than older generations. Add these to show Biden losing support from indepedent voters and it adds to an increasingly grim forecast for Democrats heading into already … [Read more...] about Biden Approval Nosedives Among Younger Generations
Satire: Russian Un-Intelligence
By Laurie Baron Vladimir Putin miscalculated when he expected Russia to rapidly defeat and occupy Ukraine. His mistake stems from the misinformation he received from advisors and intelligence agencies who feared disputing his decisions. My mole in the Kremlin, a waiter named Pinkus Pinsky, has sent me copies of the briefing materials provided to Putin. Here’s some … [Read more...] about Satire: Russian Un-Intelligence
Elon Musk swoops on Twitter with $41 billion cash offer
Published by Reuters UKBy Uday Sampath Kumar and Chavi Mehta (Reuters) -Elon Musk took aim at Twitter with a $41 billion cash offer on Thursday, prompting a spike in shares of the social media giant, which the Tesla CEO said needs to be taken private to grow and become a platform for free speech. "Twitter has extraordinary potential. I will unlock it," Musk said in a letter to … [Read more...] about Elon Musk swoops on Twitter with $41 billion cash offer