AE and Politics Today

Dejan Corovic

As above, so bellow


I'm by no means conservative, but its frustrating how these people are total whacos totally detached from everyday reality, trying to impose irrelevant cultural naratives, instead delivering on improvement of everybody's living standards. Primary task of politicians is to deliver economic growth, not to debate cultural issues which are anyway free-for-all personal choices in domocracy.
 

nivek

As Above So Below

Panama pledges to end key canal deal with China, work with US after Rubio visit

Panama's president vowed Sunday to end a key development deal with China after meeting with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and after complaints from President Donald Trump that the Latin American country had ceded control over its critical shipping canal to Beijing.

José Raúl Mulino, Panama's president, said his nation's sovereignty over the 51-mile waterway, which connects the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, will remain unchanged. But he said he would not renew a 2017 memorandum of understanding to join China’s Belt and Road global development initiative and that Panama would instead look to work more closely with the U.S.

"I think this visit opens the door to build new relations … and try to increase as much as possible U.S. investments in Panama," Mulino told reporters after meeting with Rubio on his first international trip since being confirmed.

Rubio, who was a senator representing Florida before Trump tapped him to be America's top diplomat, said his team is ready to push the U.S. agenda.


(More on the link)


View: https://twitter.com/SecRubio/status/1886156570356023424


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nivek

As Above So Below

Trudeau bends the knee to Trump in billion-dollar border deal as tariffs are paused after Mexico also buckled

Canada's Justin Trudeau caves to Trump's tariff threat and strikes billion-dollar border

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that he had agreed to string of Donald Trump's border demands and won a 30-day reprieve from a raft of hefty tariffs in exchange He announced he was appointing a fentanyl czar and security officers would keep a 24/7 watch on the border. 'I just had a good call with President Trump,' he posted on X. 'Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan—reinforcing the border with new choppers, technology and personnel, enhanced coordination with our American partners, and increased resources to stop the flow of fentanyl. 'Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are and will be working on protecting the border.'

(More on the link)

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nivek

As Above So Below

Trump to banish violent criminals and deportees of all nationalities to 'hell on earth' El Salvador prisons after striking 'unprecedented and extraordinary' migrant deal


US strikes 'extraordinary' migrant deal with El Salvador to accept deportees from any

Secretary of State Marco Rubio says El Salvador's president has offered to accept deportees from the U.S. of any nationality as well as violent American criminals now imprisoned in the United States. President Nayib Bukele 'has agreed to the most unprecedented, extraordinary, extraordinary migratory agreement anywhere in the world,' Rubio said. 'He's also offered to do the same for dangerous criminals currently in custody and serving their sentence in the United States even though they're U.S. citizens or legal residents.'

(More on the link)

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pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
Punxsutawney Phil Deported After Birth Certificate Reveals He's From Canada

Punxsutawney Phil Deported After Birth Certificate Reveals He's From Canada

U.S.·Feb 3, 2025 · BabylonBee.com
Article Image


PUNXSUTAWNEY, PA — Beloved groundhog Punxsatawny Phil has been deported back to Canada after the rodent failed to produce the needed paperwork at this year's Groundhog Day celebration.

"It was awkward, for sure," ICE Agent David Scranton said. "We had to apprehend him right before they were able to determine anything about the shadow thing so no one knows if there's going to be six more weeks of winter. Sorry America, but we've got to get this furry felon back to Canada."

Phil has resided in the U.S. for the past decade after apparently coming into the country on a now-expired work visa. He told the press he believed he had filled out the right paperwork and was shocked to learn he was being deported right in the middle of his biggest work day of the year.

"EEEEEEE. EEE. EEEEEE!!" Phil said. "EEEEEEEEEEEEE! EEE. EEEEEEEEE. EEEEEE?"

At publishing time, Phil was appealing the arrest but was seeking new counsel after his previous lawyer had been admitted to the hospital with rabies.
 
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Dejan Corovic

As above, so bellow
Here is a good video by an economist on good and bad sides of tariffs and weather tey can actually work


View: https://youtu.be/K0V8kZyl1T0

Yeah, thinking about this. Trump actually has degree in economics. And economics, as one can imagine, is heavily politicised. While some economists put accent on inflation that tarrifs will cause, which is short term effect, other minority of economists lauds long term benefits of tariffs that will enable domestic businesses to re-capitalise and become more competitive. So, that might be the Trump's plan, short term pain, long term gain and that's why he's doing it in the first month of his tenure, so he gives this policy full four years to grow.

But, have no illusions, tarrifs are not going to be paid for by neither China nor Canada or Mexico. They'll all just increase their prices and tarrifs will be paid by US consumers through inflation. Tarrifs are essentially tax on consumption. So, US consumers will, willy nilly, finance re-capitalisation of US business.

On the end of the day US was formed through something like tarrifs war. Admitedly i don't remember all the details, but Boston Tea Party was some kind of tussle about tax on British tea that nascent US nation back then didn't want to pay. Throughout 19th century tarrifs were used by US to protect domestic economy and give it room to grow.
 

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
For all the YouTube videos of self proclaimed experts making predictions how many subsequent videos do they make where they admit 'yeah, I really got that one wrong....' ?? The answer most likely is none.
 

Dejan Corovic

As above, so bellow
For all the YouTube videos of self proclaimed experts making predictions how many subsequent videos do they make where they admit 'yeah, I really got that one wrong....' ?? The answer most likely is none.
Warren Buffet and Cathy Woods are quite good at making predictions. It really de0pends who do you listen.

Or even better, it depends how heavily politicised YouTubber is. Real investors look deep into resources, hypers just spin emotions. If you don't make this selection then you might get wrong impression that YT is low on quality, while YT has both good and bad in the same mix.
 
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nivek

As Above So Below
This is why New Jersey is flipping red. This is a state governor saying this, a former ambassador, and he's using incredibly poor judgement because he got a little too fired up in a supportive arena.

I suppose that just tells us there are no prerequisites for those jobs.

New Jersey governor houses migrant at his house, tells feds 'good luck' trying to get her

Phil Murphy’s rep now claims NJ guv is not sheltering migrant at his home — despite daring feds to ‘try to get her’

Check...lol

Trump border czar Tom Homan threatens to arrest NJ governor for harboring illegal migrant at home


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pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable
Seems Politico suddenly couldn't make payroll. Hmmm.. ....awfully coincidental with shutting down that USAID slush fund.

That's genuine WTF ? One step further conspiracy theory says let's see who else all of a sudden can't make payroll, or whatever.
 

nivek

As Above So Below
These numbskulls are batshit crazy...DOGE has no power, it only makes recommendations to the President...This is nothing more than more fear-mongering and inciting violence with their constitutes...These idiots speaking out ARE part of the problem with our government...

...

'Losing their minds': Dem lawmakers face backlash for invoking 'unhinged' violent rhetoric against Musk

Several Democratic lawmakers drew the ire of conservatives on social media after showing up at a rally against Elon Musk’s DOGE efforts and riling up the crowd with disparaging comments about the Tesla CEO, including calling him a Nazi.

"Elon Musk is a Nazi nepo baby, a godless lawless billionaire, who no one elected," Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., said at a rally outside the Treasury Department where protesters were speaking out against DOGE. "Elon, this is the American people. This is not your trashy Cybertruck that you can just dismantle, pick apart, and sell the pieces of."

At one point during her remarks, Pressley said, "We will see you in the court, in Congress, in the streets."

"Elon Musk is seizing the power that belongs to the American people," Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said while shaking her fist alongside Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif. "We are here to fight back."

"We are gonna be in your face, we are gonna be on your a--es, and we are going to make sure you understand what democracy looks like, and this ain’t it," Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said at the rally.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., was also in attendance and told the crowd that Musk's DOGE efforts are "taking away everything we have."

"God d---it shut down the Senate!" Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., said. "WE ARE AT WAR!"

Conservatives on social media quickly pushed back on the comments, with some accusing Pressley of inciting violence. "These people are totally sane…," Greg Price, Trump '24 deputy rapid response director, sarcastically posted on X along with a supercut of clips from the rally. "THIS IS A CALL FOR VIOLENCE!" video journalist Nick Sortor posted on X in response to Pressley. "The DOJ MUST investigate this!"

"Rep Ayanna Pressley just called on her followers to agitate in the streets," LibsofTikTok posted on X. "Typical Democrat doing what they do best: Calling for violence and chaos."

"Democrat lawmakers are losing their minds now that their USAID scam is exposed," conservative influencer Paul Szypula posted on X. "Pressley needs to be censured for inciting violence."

"Making Jasmine Crockett the face of your party is certainly a choice and one I highly encourage," Red State writer Bonchie posted on X.

"Rep. Jasmine Crockett is totally unhinged," conservative commentator Ben Kew posted on X.

"A screeching Elizabeth ‘Pocahontas’ Warren says Elon Musk is ‘seizing power from the American people’ by not allowing congress members to waste taxpayer money," Collin Rugg, co-owner of Trending Politics, posted on X. "I knew Trump's 2nd presidency would be good but didn't realize it would be this good."

"This sounds like a call for insurrection to me," Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., posted on X in response to McIver. "CC: @TheJusticeDept @FBI."

Fox News Digital reached out to the office of Reps. Pressley, Crockett and McIver.

The Democrat lawmakers have come out against Musk after he was granted access to a Treasury department called the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which disburses trillions in payments each year, including Social Security checks and federal salaries, through DOGE, which is tasked with reducing federal spending.


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nivek

As Above So Below
Seems Politico suddenly couldn't make payroll. Hmmm.. ....awfully coincidental with shutting down that USAID slush fund.

That's genuine WTF ? One step further conspiracy theory says let's see who else all of a sudden can't make payroll, or whatever.

DOGE Cancels Politico's Government Funding After $8 Million in Subscription Contracts Revealed

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday that Politico will not receive another dime of taxpayer money after it was revealed that the politics-focused news outlet has taken in more than $8 million via subscriptions and other government contracts.

Leavitt said the Department of Government Efficiency, run by Elon Musk, will handle ending Politico's payments.

Her comment came after X user Adam Townsend posted that Politico had received $8.1 million in taxpayer support. This included several contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for website subscriptions, according to USASpending.gov.

"I can confirm that the more than $8 million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayers' dime will no longer be happening," Leavitt said Wednesday.

"The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now," she said.


(More on the link)

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nivek

As Above So Below
Absolute insanity, some of these could be slush funds...

...


USAID’s ‘long list of crap’: Karoline Leavitt cites millions in wasteful spending

The White House is defending its decision to gut the U.S. Agency for International Development, citing projects press secretary Karoline Leavitt has repeatedly described as "crap." President Donald Trump, through Tesla, SpaceX, and X CEO Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency, has recalled USAID workers from around the world before they are placed on administrative leave on Friday.

Democrats have criticized the reforms for creating an opportunity for China to develop diplomatic soft power through foreign aid, but Leavitt disagreed.

"I would just say a strong message to Democrats who are out there pretending to be outraged about the long list of crap that this administration is cutting," Leavitt told reporters during Wednesday's briefing, naming examples from her list of programs Trump has deemed wasteful. "Democrats are outraged that the American people ... want their taxpayers going to good uses, not stuff like this."


Here is the list Leavitt brought to the briefing:

$2 million

for sex changes and "LGBT activism" in Guatemala.

$6 million

to fund tourism in Egypt.

Spent

$20 million on “Ahlan Simsim” — a new Sesame Street show in Iraq.

Over $4.5 million

to “combat disinformation” in Kazakhstan.

Up to $10 million

worth of USAID-funded meals went to al Qaeda-linked terrorist group the Nusra Front.

$500,000

to group that “empowers women” in an attempt to solve sectarian violence in Israel just 10 days before Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks. Awarded

nearly $25 million

to Deloitte to promote green transportation in Georgia (the country).

$4.67 million

to EcoHealth Alliance, one of the key nongovernmental organizations funding bat virus research at Wuhan Institute of Virology, in late 2021. Later

refused

to answer key questions about the funding.

$20 million

for the Strengthening Transparency and Accountability through Investigative Reporting program which used the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project as its implementing partner. The OCCRP was cited four times in the

whistleblower letter

that led to the Russiagate impeachment. USAID’s

2022-2030 climate strategy

outlined a $150 billion “whole-of-Agency approach” to building an "equitable world with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions."

$7.9 million

to a project that would

teach

Sri Lankan journalists to avoid “binary-gendered language.”

$1.1 million

to an Armenian LGBT group.

$1.2 million

to the African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency in Washington, D.C., to build “a state-of-the-art 440-seat auditorium.”

$1.3 million

to Arab and Jewish photographers.

$1.5 million

to promote LGBT advocacy in Jamaica.

$1.5 million

to “rebuild” the Cuban media ecosystem.

$1.5 million

for “art for inclusion of people with disabilities.”

$2 million

to promote “LGBT equality through entrepreneurship … in developing Latin American countries.”

$2.1 million

so the BBC can strengthen the media ecosystem in Libya, “designed to value the diversity of Libyan society.”

$2.3 million

for “artisanal and small-scale gold mining” in the Amazon.

$2.5 million

to promote “inclusion” in Vietnam.

$3.9 million

to LGBT causes in the Western Balkans.

$5.5 million

to LGBT in Uganda.

$6 million

to advance LGBT in “priority countries around the world.”

$6 million

to “Transform Digital Spaces to Reflect Feminist Democratic Principles.”

$6.3 million

to men who have sex with men in South Africa.

$8.3 million

for “USAID Education: Equity and Inclusion.”

Another $16.8 million

to a separate group in Vietnam for “inclusion.”

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pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable

DOGE Cancels Politico's Government Funding After $8 Million in Subscription Contracts Revealed

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced Wednesday that Politico will not receive another dime of taxpayer money after it was revealed that the politics-focused news outlet has taken in more than $8 million via subscriptions and other government contracts.

Leavitt said the Department of Government Efficiency, run by Elon Musk, will handle ending Politico's payments.

Her comment came after X user Adam Townsend posted that Politico had received $8.1 million in taxpayer support. This included several contracts worth hundreds of thousands of dollars for website subscriptions, according to USASpending.gov.

"I can confirm that the more than $8 million taxpayer dollars that have gone to essentially subsidizing subscriptions to Politico on the American taxpayers' dime will no longer be happening," Leavitt said Wednesday.

"The DOGE team is working on canceling those payments now," she said.


(More on the link)

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Actually, I've heard figures close to 35 million and not all was from USAID. Right now it's not clear exactly what the true nature of all this is because all the feathers are still flying but it's blatantly obvious what it looks like.
 

pigfarmer

tall, thin, irritable

Take the transcript word for word and have a group of white men in the Midwest repeat it and imagine how that would be treated.

IMO if you could bring back MLK for one day he would look at Maxine Waters and Al Sharpton and probably choose to go back to being dead long before his day is over.

Fight what exactly and how?

The State Department will still be doling out money for humanitarian aid, just with oversight. It seems that's what they are fight against - fiscal responsibility.
 
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