Aaron Maté

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/24821975

Generated Summary Below:

Video Description:

Katie Halper and Aaron Maté go over the worst moments of the Sunday morning news shows that they watch so you don’t have to.

If it's Monday Morning, it's #mondaymourning

Generated Summary:

Introduction to the Show

• The hosts Katie Halper and [Aaron Maté] introduce the show "Useful Idiots," designed to analyze Sunday morning news for viewers.
• They express excitement about discussing the actions of politicians and corporate media figures who impact people's lives negatively.

President Trump's Early Actions

• In his first week, President Trump is described as aggressively testing the limits of presidential power while fulfilling campaign promises.
• One of his significant actions was granting blanket pardons to nearly all defendants from the January 6th Capitol attack, which included violent offenders.
• The hosts discuss the implications of pardoning individuals who committed violent acts, highlighting the hypocrisy of his administration's stance on law and order.

Public Reaction to Pardons

• The hosts note that Trump's pardons were opposed by 60% of Americans, including suggestions from his own vice president that violent offenders should not be pardoned.
• They highlight the contrast in treatment between January 6th protesters and those involved in Black Lives Matter protests, questioning the consistency of the administration's law enforcement approach.
• The discussion includes the broader implications of such pardons on societal views towards crime and punishment.

Border Security and Military Involvement

• The hosts transition to discussing Trump's immigration policies, including the deployment of troops to the southern border to enhance security.
• They question the rationale behind using military personnel for immigration enforcement, suggesting it may be more about political theater than effective policy.
• The hosts express skepticism about the effectiveness of such measures and highlight the scapegoating of immigrants in political discourse.

Constitutional Challenges to Trump's Policies

• Discussion shifts to the legal challenges facing Trump's efforts to end birthright citizenship, with a federal judge blocking the proposal.
• The hosts point out the contradiction in his political stance when interacting with opponents, exemplified by his cordial meeting with California Governor Gavin Newsom.
• They discuss the potential implications of Trump's proposed elimination of FEMA, suggesting it reflects a broader agenda to cut federal funding for various programs.

Criticism of FEMA and Disaster Response

• The hosts critique Trump's suggestion to eliminate FEMA, arguing that the agency needs more funding rather than being dismantled.
• They reference past disasters, like Hurricane Katrina, to illustrate the necessity of a robust federal disaster response system.
• Concerns are raised about the impact of removing FEMA on individuals currently relying on its support for disaster recovery.

JD Vance's Political Positioning

• The hosts analyze JD Vance's recent interviews, noting his evasiveness regarding specific policy questions and his reliance on general statements about job creation.
• They express skepticism over Vance's claims that capital investment will solve economic issues, emphasizing the need for worker protections and fair wages.
• Vance's comments are contextualized within broader economic trends that have seen stagnation in real wages for many Americans.

Censorship and Big Tech

• The hosts discuss the ongoing debate about censorship on platforms like TikTok, particularly in relation to political narratives surrounding Israel and Palestine.
• They highlight the hypocrisy in targeting TikTok while other major tech companies continue to operate without similar scrutiny.
• The conversation touches on how the U.S. government’s approach to TikTok reflects broader concerns about information control and propaganda.

John Brennan's Critique of Tulsi Gabbard

• The hosts address John Brennan's criticisms of Tulsi Gabbard, particularly regarding her skepticism toward the intelligence community.
• Brennan's past involvement in controversial intelligence operations is contrasted with Gabbard's calls for accountability and transparency.
• The hosts argue that Gabbard's appointment could challenge established narratives within the intelligence community, which Brennan seems to oppose.

Conclusion and Future Discussions

• The hosts conclude the episode by teasing future discussions about media narratives and political developments, encouraging listeners to stay engaged with the content.
• They invite viewers to participate in the conversation and share their thoughts on the issues discussed throughout the episode.

About Channel:

Useful Idiots is an informative and irreverent politics podcast with journalists @aaronjmate and @kthalps

Edit: fixed name in Generated Summary section, Matt->Aaron Maté

Archive Link: https://archive.is/DoDCm

As Donald Trump re-enters the White House on a pledge to end national security state overreach, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is still hiding critical details on the Russia conspiracy investigation that engulfed his first term.

In response to a Freedom of Information request filed by RealClearInvestigations in August 2022, the FBI on Dec. 31, more than two years later, released a heavily redacted copy of the document that opened an explosive and unprecedented counterintelligence probe of the sitting president as an agent of the Russian government.

According to the declassified document, McCabe’s decision was approved by FBI Assistant Director Bill Priestap, who had also signed off on the opening of Crossfire Hurricane; and Jim Baker, the FBI general counsel. Baker was a longtime friend of Michael Sussmann, a lawyer for the presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton, and a key figure in the dissemination of Clinton-funded disinformation to the FBI that falsely tied Trump to Russia. In his FBI role, Baker personally circulated the conspiracy theory, manufactured by “researchers” working with the Clinton campaign, that the Trump campaign and Russia were communicating via a secret server. After leaving the FBI, Baker served as deputy general counsel at Twitter, where he backed the company’s censorship of reporting on the contents of Hunter Biden’s laptop, based on yet another conspiracy theory that the laptop files were Russian disinformation.

Along with Crossfire Hurricane, the May 2017 counterintelligence probe was folded into the Special Counsel investigation led by Robert Mueller, who was appointed just one day after the FBI began portraying Trump internally as a possible Russian agent or conspirator. Mueller’s final report “did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities.”

Asked about his reasoning for opening the probe and related matters, McCabe, who now works as an on-air commentator at CNN, did not respond to RCI’s emailed questions by the time of publication.

Just two days before McCabe opened the May 2017 probe, the FBI, via Justice Department official Bruce Ohr, renewed contact with dossier author Christopher Steele despite having terminated him as a source back in November 2016. As RCI’s Paul Sperry has previously reported, this sudden outreach to Steele right before the opening of a new Trump-Russia conspiracy investigation indicated that the FBI was seeking to re-engage the Clinton-funded British operative to help it build a case against the president for espionage and obstruction of justice. At the time, the FBI was still relying on Steele’s fabrications for its surveillance warrants against Trump campaign volunteer Carter Page. The following month, the FBI filed the last of its four FISA court warrants based on Steele’s material. The Justice Department has since invalidated two of those warrants on the grounds that they were based on “material misstatements.”

A previously disclosed document also shows that former CIA Director John Brennan – who insistently advanced the Trump/Russia conspiracy theory – informed then-president Barack Obama in July 2016 that the Clinton campaign was planning to tie Trump to Russia in order to distract attention from the controversy over Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while serving as secretary of state. By that point, the Clinton campaign was already paying for the fabricated reports produced by Steele, who made contact with the FBI as early as July 5.

McCabe therefore had no evidence that Trump had a “connection” to Russia, and in fact could only “wonder” if there was one. Yet because Trump had fired Comey, whose FBI was already investigating Trump’s campaign for Russia ties and relying on the Clinton-funded Steele dossier in the process, McCabe decided that he had grounds to order an espionage investigation of the commander in chief.

By contrast, when it comes to Crossfire Hurricane, Durham’s report concluded that the FBI did not have a legitimate basis to launch that investigation, repeatedly ignored exculpatory evidence, and buried warnings that Clinton’s campaign was trying to frame Trump as a Russian conspirator.

With Trump set to be inaugurated this month after vowing to clean up the nation’s premier law enforcement agency, the FBI will have a fresh opportunity to break its longstanding secrecy on the decision to investigate the sitting, and newly returning, president as an agent of Russia.

About Real Clear Investigations:

RealClearInvestigations falls underneath the umbrella of RealClear Media Group's(RCMG) brands, sites that span a spectrum of passions and interests.^[[1] https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/about/index.html]

Founded in 2000 by two news junkies from their Chicago apartment, RealClearPolitics grew out of a passion for combing the internet for the most interesting political stories of the day. Tom Bevan and John McIntyre wanted a site that contained the most pivotal information on the day’s need-to-know issues. It wasn’t long before they discovered they weren’t the only ones with this desire. Today, RealClearPolitics has grown from an intelligent aggregator into a comprehensive media company – RealClear Media Group (RCMG) – encompassing 14 specialty areas of coverage, original reporting from our staff of seasoned reporters, the well-known RCP Poll Average, and original video.

One of our most notable features, the RCP Poll Average, changed the way people talk about public opinion surveys during the election cycle. The most cited source for U.S. political polling information, the RCP Poll Average provides everyone from political experts and campaign consultants to amateur political junkies a more accurate read on the status of the election. The accuracy of the RCP Poll Average is unmatched and trusted for use in Bloomberg terminals and campaign communication documents, as well as being widely cited by hundreds of news organizations including The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Financial Times, FOX News, CNN, USA Today, and MSNBC.^[[2] https://www.realclearmediagroup.com/about/]

Edit: added quote from article, last paragraph, before about section

Generated Summary of Video Below:

Article Link: https://www.realclearinvestigations.com/articles/2025/01/06/fbi_is_still_hiding_details_of_russiagate_newly_released_document_shows_1082631.html

Archive Link: https://archive.is/DoDCm

Independent journalist Aaron Maté discusses his reporting on the FBI's probe into Donald Trump. #Trump #russia

Generated Summary:

FBI's Investigation into Trump

• The FBI's investigation into then-President Donald Trump, initiated in May 2017, raised significant questions about the agency's justification for probing a sitting president as a potential Russian agent.
• Journalist Aaron Maté highlights that the FBI has not disclosed the specific reasons that led to this investigation, leaving the public in the dark regarding the grounds for suspicion against Trump.
• The investigation followed the initial Trump-Russia inquiry, known as Crossfire Hurricane, which began in July 2016 based on a vague tip about George Papadopoulos, a low-level Trump campaign volunteer.
• In May 2017, shortly after Trump assumed office, FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe decided to expand the investigation to include Trump personally, alleging he might be acting as an agent of Russia.
• The opening communication for this investigation claims there was a factual basis for it, but this basis is entirely redacted, preventing any understanding of the rationale behind the probe.
• McCabe publicly stated that Trump's firing of FBI Director Jim Comey raised suspicions about what Trump might be hiding, which he considered sufficient grounds for the investigation.

Role of the Steele Dossier

• Reports indicate that the Steele dossier, funded by the Hillary Clinton campaign, played a significant role in the FBI's concerns regarding Trump, as it contained various allegations against him.
• In January 2019, it was revealed that the FBI had reopened its investigation into Trump, with the Steele dossier being cited as a contributing factor to the agency's suspicions.
• Aaron Maté notes that before the counterintelligence probe was launched, the FBI re-engaged with Christopher Steele, the dossier's author, despite having previously terminated him as a source due to his media interactions.
• The reliance on the Steele dossier, which has been widely discredited, raises questions about the legitimacy of the investigation and whether it was based on solid evidence.

Criticism of the Investigation

• Maté criticizes the investigation as lacking factual basis, arguing that the reasons provided for probing a sitting president are insufficient and highlight the absurdity of the Russia investigation narrative.
• He believes that the investigation was politically motivated and detrimental to the integrity of the Democratic Party, which became focused on a conspiracy theory rather than addressing substantive policy issues.
• The investigation diverted attention from potential critiques of Trump's policies, instead allowing the Trump administration to frame the narrative around the allegations as a partisan attack.

Impact on Democratic Party Strategy

• The fixation on the Russia investigation, according to Maté, hindered the Democratic Party's ability to engage in meaningful self-reflection about its messaging and campaign strategies.
• He argues that the party's reliance on the investigation as a narrative undermined its potential to connect with voters who were disillusioned with traditional political approaches.
• Maté suggests that instead of embracing anti-establishment figures like Bernie Sanders, the Democrats doubled down on the Clinton wing, which ultimately alienated some voters.

Clinton Campaign's Involvement

• Maté discusses the role of the Clinton campaign in funding the Steele dossier and its implications for the investigation, asserting that this connection raises questions about the FBI's credibility.
• He highlights that the Clinton campaign also hired CrowdStrike, the firm that first accused Russia of hacking the Democratic National Committee, further entangling the investigation with partisan interests.
• Despite CrowdStrike's CEO admitting to Congress that there was no evidence of Russian hacking, the FBI has not released the documents that underpin its allegations, leaving many critical details undisclosed.
• Maté emphasizes the need for transparency regarding the FBI's reliance on information from contractors linked to the Clinton campaign to understand the foundation of the Russia investigation.

Conclusion and Future Implications

• The ongoing concealment of critical details by the FBI regarding the Trump investigation continues to fuel public demand for accountability and transparency from federal agencies.
• Maté suggests that with Republicans controlling Congress and a supportive president, there might be renewed interest in scrutinizing the decisions made during the investigation.
• The discussion surrounding the investigation underscores the importance of understanding the interplay between political narratives and the actions of intelligence agencies in shaping public perception.

About Rising: Rising is a weekday morning show with bipartisan hosts that breaks the mold of morning TV by taking viewers inside the halls of Washington power like never before. The show leans into the day's political cycle with cutting edge analysis from DC insiders who can predict what is going to happen. It also sets the day's political agenda by breaking exclusive news with a team of scoop-driven reporters and demanding answers during interviews with the country's most important political newsmakers.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/24191015

Dave Smith is Part of the Problem. He’s a Jewish, anti-Zionist, libertarian comedian who makes a lot of people mad – but today he’s on Useful Idiots to make us laugh. And you’ll see very quickly how his no-nonsense approach to foreign policy matches almost perfectly with the progressive anti-war mindset.

“My beef with Israel,” Dave explains, “has nothing to do with how I feel about Jewish people. I just think you can't occupy a group of people and then indiscriminately slaughter them. That's not cool.”

And here’s where the libertarian comes in: “And why on earth should I be forced to fund that, especially when it's so clearly at the expense of my country and my country's interests? Syria is the perfect example of this. On one side you have Al Qaeda, the enemy of the American people. And on the other side, you have Bashar al-Assad, the enemy of the Israeli government. And who are we picking? We're picking the enemy of my country's people. It's such an outrage.”

But as Useful Idiots knows all too well, speaking out brings a flood of outrage and name calling. But outrage and names, Dave explains, is about all they’ve got.

“If that's the counter argument then you really must be on weak ground. You know whatever I'm a Putin-apologist or I'm a terrorist-lover or a self-hating Jew or a Nazi or whatever you want to say. It's just so dumb, are we in the third grade?”

But his common-sense, anti-war argument is far from mainstream, especially in places where the government can dominate thinking in both the media and the culture itself. “It’s the dynamic under the U.S. dominant culture,” he says. “If joe Biden or Donald Trump or Barack Obama were to drone bomb a wedding in Yemen, which is something they tend to do, and they kill like six children and fourteen adults and a couple hundred others were wounded; and then that same day they gave a press conference and they said ‘I don't believe [x culture issue],’ what would be the big outrage of the day?”

Subscribe for the full interview with Dave Smith for his takes on Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, Jake Shields, how Israel has created more antisemitism, and a progressive vs libertarian debate on welfare.

Timestamps:

1. 00:00 Intro
2. 01:58 Ro Khanna admits Dems sold out workers
3. 07:37 LA mayor cut LAFD funds (and gave them to the LAPD)
4. 12:22 Trump thinks Canada should be honored to be annexed
5. 18:37 Biden makes the wildfires about himself
6. 20:56 ABC reporter's wardrobe trick busted during LA fire
7. 23:16 Dave Smith interview
8. 24:09 Trump and Obama BFFs
9. 27:45 Dems are changing their messaging
10. 31:04 Is MAGA a cult?
11. 35:31 Trump is untouchable
12. 41:21 Chomsky or Trump?
13. 43:45 Why Dave rejected Zionism
14. 50:25 Welfare: Progressive vs Libertarian Debate

Click here for the full interview with Dave Smith: https://www.usefulidiotspodcast.com/p/dave-smith-a-jewish-libertarian-comedian

About Channel:

Useful Idiots is an informative and irreverent politics podcast with journalists @aaronjmate and @kthalps

Edit: fixed format of timestamps

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23787647

When a Useful Idiot goes on Piers Morgan Uncensored, the world stops to watch. But, as was the case with Aaron’s first three appearances as well as Katie’s clash with Alan Dershowitz, the other guests on the panel don’t ever seem to stop talking. From ad-hominem smears to ridiculous Zionist talking points, the opposing debaters have talked, whined, and yelled over Aaron and Katie in an effort to block their message.

But this week, there was an unprecedented silence during Aaron’s fourth time on Uncensored. Jonathan Conricus, former IDF spokesperson and recurring offender of the shouting strategy, sat wordlessly while Aaron dropped facts on Palestine and Syria, marking a rare moment on establishment TV where Israeli and Western messaging is actually checked.

We break down some of Aaron’s top arguments in this week’s Thursday Throwdown.

Plus: News Nation tries to make the argument that it isn’t Luigi Mangione but Brian Thompson (United Healthcare CEO) who is actually the ‘everyman’ the working class should be celebrating, the State Department admits that the US’s $10 million terrorist bounty on Mohammad al-Julani (HTS leader who founded al-Qaeda in Syria) is still active even as Western leaders are meeting with him to celebrate his rise, and Jake Tapper airs a new interview in which he fawns over Mitt Romney.

It’s a wild episode of Thursday Throwdown – watch with Katie and Aaron so you can laugh instead of cry at it all. Thanks for supporting independent media, subscribe to watch the full episode here:

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/23027400

US Objectives in the Middle East

- The discussion begins by questioning the true objectives of the United States in the Middle East, particularly regarding the removal of dictators like Bashar al-Assad.
- It is highlighted that the US has historically supported various authoritarian regimes in the region, such as those in Egypt, the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia, despite their oppressive practices.
- The speaker posits that the US rhetoric about promoting democracy is misleading, as the actual motivations for US actions often relate to geopolitical interests rather than a genuine desire to liberate oppressed peoples.
- The historical context of US-Syrian relations is explored, noting that the animosity towards Syria dates back to the rule of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar's father, due to Syria's support for Palestinian resistance and its opposition to Israel.
- The speaker references leaked emails, including those from Hillary Clinton, which express the belief that overthrowing Assad would benefit Israel and enhance US control in the Middle East.
- The US and Israel's strategy is described as maintaining a monopoly on violence in the region, viewing Syria and its alliances as threats to their dominance.

Reactions to Assad's Regime

- The speaker discusses the mixed reactions among Syrians to the potential fall of Assad, highlighting that while some celebrate his ousting, others remain fearful for their lives amid escalating violence.
- The past actions of insurgent groups, particularly under leaders like Galani, are mentioned, noting that these groups have committed atrocities against minority communities in Syria.
- An investigation by Human Rights Watch is cited, revealing systematic violence against Alawites and other minority groups, contributing to a climate of fear among these populations.
- The speaker expresses skepticism about the possibility of a peaceful resolution, given the history of sectarian violence and the ongoing conflict in Syria and similar contexts in Iraq and Libya.

Israel's Strategic Interests

- The conversation shifts to Israel's perspective on the conflict in Syria, noting that Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, have expressed satisfaction with Assad's removal.
- Netanyahu's remarks suggest that the ousting of Assad is seen as beneficial for weakening Hezbollah and Iran's influence in the region, despite the potential risks posed by extremist groups taking power in Syria.
- The speaker highlights the paradox of Israel's position, as it benefits from the chaos in Syria while simultaneously facing the threat of extremist factions emerging near its borders.
- Israel's military actions in Syria are discussed, including airstrikes targeting Syrian military positions to prevent any resurgence of Syrian power that could threaten Israel's control of the Golan Heights.

Trump's Stance on Syria

- The discussion culminates with a review of Donald Trump's statements regarding Syria, where he indicates a lack of interest in the conflict and suggests that the US should not intervene.
- The speaker critiques Trump's approach, noting that while he attempted to withdraw US troops, he ultimately faced resistance from military leaders and did not follow through on his withdrawal plans.
- Trump's actions, including sanctions that have impacted ordinary Syrians and the ongoing military presence to secure oil resources, are scrutinized as contradictory to his stated intentions.
- The speaker reflects on Trump's previous criticisms of US involvement in the Syrian conflict and questions whether his administration would adopt a significantly different policy in light of current developments.
- The conversation concludes with skepticism about whether Trump's instincts regarding foreign policy will translate into effective action, given the entrenched interests within the US government.

Conclusion and Future Implications

- The speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexities of the Syrian conflict, cautioning against simplistic narratives about good and bad actors.
- The potential for a shift in US policy under a future Trump administration is acknowledged, but concerns remain about the influence of established political and military figures who may resist such changes.
- Overall, the dialogue highlights the intricate interplay of regional politics, US foreign policy, and the humanitarian crisis in Syria, underscoring the need for a nuanced understanding of these issues.

Independent, Unencumbered Analysis and Investigative Reporting, Captive to No Dogma or Faction.

Briahna Joy Gray is filling in for Katie Halper.

Katie Halper and Aaron Maté go over the worst moments of the Sunday morning news shows that they watch so you don’t have to.

If it's Monday Morning, it's #mondaymourning

Mike sits down with one of our favorite journalists, Aaron Maté, to talk about the United Healthcare CEO assassination, Gaza, stand-up comedy, and crypto scams.

About:

A podcast with life advice for when your dad leaves for smokes. Hosted by Mike Recine, Scott Chaplain, and Sean P. McCarthy. New episodes every Friday and a bonus episode for Patreon subscribers every Sunday.

Aaron Maté : Biden and Permanent War.

About:

Hard-hitting legal/political news from a man who knows and respects the Constitution and the importance of defending individual freedoms. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano.

A daily discussion of news from the perspective that government is the negation of liberty, and the individual is greater than the state. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is the youngest life-tenured Superior Court judge in the history of the State of New Jersey. He sat on the bench from 1987 to 1995, when he presided over more than 150 jury trials and thousands of motions, sentencings, and hearings.

JudgeNap is nationally known for watching and reporting on the government as it takes liberty and property.

The Judge is the author of nine books on the U.S. Constitution, two of which have been New York Times Best Sellers. Learn more at JudgeNap.com

GrayZone journalist and host of the Useful Idiots Podcast, Aaron Maté, comes in to argue about Ukraine, Israel, and all the rest.

Katie and Aaron make fun of Meet the Press's recap of the week.

Useful Idiots is an informative and irreverent politics podcast with journalists @aaronjmate and @kthalps

Key Points:

1. Neoconservatism’s Resurgence: The potential for a neocon-dominated State Department under Trump raises concerns about continued aggressive foreign policy. This could lead to more military interventions and support for contentious allies like Israel.
2. Accountability in Gaza: The discussion about investigating Israeli leadership during the conflict highlights the need for accountability, yet raises questions about the likelihood of genuine investigations.
3. Stalemate in Ukraine: The acknowledgment that the U.S. is supporting a stalemate in Ukraine indicates a shift in strategy, but without a clear path to resolution, this prolongs suffering and instability.
4. Historical Context: Maté’s references to previous military strategies and failures underline the cyclical nature of foreign policy decisions that often prioritize short-term gains over long-term peace.
5. Political Dynamics: The split within the Republican party regarding support for Ukraine suggests a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy, which could lead to more isolationist approaches in the future.
6. Human Cost of War: The emphasis on manpower shortages in Ukraine reflects the tragic reality of war, where human lives are often sacrificed for political goals.
7. Future of U.S.-Russia Relations: The skepticism about Russia’s perspective on Trump’s presidency reveals the complexities of international relations, where past actions heavily influence current perceptions and potential negotiations.

Aaron Maté : Russia On the March.

About:

Hard-hitting legal/political news from a man who knows and respects the Constitution and the importance of defending individual freedoms. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano.

A daily discussion of news from the perspective that government is the negation of liberty, and the individual is greater than the state. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is the youngest life-tenured Superior Court judge in the history of the State of New Jersey. He sat on the bench from 1987 to 1995, when he presided over more than 150 jury trials and thousands of motions, sentencings, and hearings.

JudgeNap is nationally known for watching and reporting on the government as it takes liberty and property.

The Judge is the author of nine books on the U.S. Constitution, two of which have been New York Times Best Sellers.

Independent news and investigative journalism on politics and empire.

The Grayzone's Max Blumenthal and Aaron Mate on Secretary of State Tony Blinken lying about Israel blocking US humanitarian aid to Gaza, a clear violation of US law

#TheGrayzone

@aaronjmate

Hillary Clinton declared Trump to be an “illegitimate” president based largely on the Russia scam that her campaign concocted. Sounds like denying a result to me.

Trump’s election denial resulted in a three-hour riot. Compare that to the multi-year results of Hillary’s scam: a president and his aides got investigated by the FBI for being Russian assets; campaign members got wiretapped and imprisoned (for unrelated charges); Democrats became obsessed with moronic “collusion” conspiracy theories; diplomacy with Russia got effectively criminalized and relations worsened as a result, fueling Trump killing the INF treaty and deepening the US commitment to a proxy war in Ukraine.

So yes, there is no equivalency between Trump’s election denial scam and Hillary’s election denial scam. One of them has put the whole world in danger.

[Image of Clinton with caption: "Hillary Clinton: Trump is an 'illegitimate president'"

@jimsciutto

A four-year-old false equivalency given that only one president has denied the results of an election and attempted to use the powers of the office, including but not limited to allegedly pressuring state election officials and creating false slates of electors, to overturn it. You may also note the pattern: any vote he’s lost he claims is rigged. For instance: the Iowa GOP primary and popular vote in 2016. Other elections are apparently fraud-free, including those of GOP congressman elected on the very same 2020 ballots under the same state election laws as those that supposedly were tampered with.

@aaronjmate

I would argue that Democrats framing Trump as a Russian agent — abetted by the FBI, CIA, and the entire US media — is arguably a much more impactful disinformation campaign 🤷🏻‍♂️

@jimsciutto

Trump’s attack on the election is arguably the most impactful disinformation operation in recent memory - driven solely by his refusal to accept his loss, he has undermined virtually an entire party’s confidence in the electoral system.

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1836843268052521171

Edit: format

Hard-hitting legal/political news from a man who knows and respects the Constitution and the importance of defending individual freedoms. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano.

A daily discussion of news from the perspective that government is the negation of liberty, and the individual is greater than the state. Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is a graduate of Princeton University and the University of Notre Dame Law School. He is the youngest life-tenured Superior Court judge in the history of the State of New Jersey. He sat on the bench from 1987 to 1995, when he presided over more than 150 jury trials and thousands of motions, sentencings, and hearings.

JudgeNap is nationally known for watching and reporting on the government as it takes liberty and property.

The Judge is the author of nine books on the U.S. Constitution, two of which have been New York Times Best Sellers. Learn more at JudgeNap.com

Rough Summary

1. Judge Andrew Napolitano discusses recent statements by Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu regarding a potential invasion of Lebanon.
2. He questions the genuineness of Netanyahu's threats, suggesting they may be driven more by political survival than strategic considerations.
3. Napolitano highlights the historical context of Israeli military actions coinciding with U.S. political events, speculating that Netanyahu might delay aggression until after U.S. elections.
4. The discussion touches on the balance of power, noting Israel's struggle to defeat Hezbollah without U.S. support due to Hezbollah's significant military capabilities.
5. He emphasizes that elements within the Israeli government recognize the risks of regional conflict but are influenced by a desire for dominance.
6. Reports of Iran supplying missiles to Russia are mentioned, with Napolitano suggesting these claims might be exaggerated to justify increased military support for Ukraine and Israel.
7. The conversation also critiques the Biden administration's response to the recent killing of an American citizen by the Israeli Defense Forces, noting a lack of outright condemnation.
8. Napolitano points out a pattern of Israel not being held accountable for similar incidents involving American citizens in the past.
9. The discussion shifts to Netanyahu facing increasing opposition due to his handling of the Gaza situation and the deaths of Israeli hostages.
10. Lastly, the speaker references comments by Victoria Nuland regarding U.S. blocking of a peace deal in Ukraine, arguing that this could have saved lives and ended the war.

@aaronjmate

Israeli media has confirmed that a widely circulated claim about a purported "witness" of Hamas sexual violence on Oct. 7th committing suicide was yet another hoax.

But it's worth stressing: even if these debunked Israeli propaganda claims about Oct. 7th were true, Israel still wouldn't have the right to fire a single bullet into Gaza.

https://youtu.be/wAC4UmCmbeM

Screenshot:

Direct video link: https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1829176867183595520/pu/vid/avc1/1282x720/t9C1kUTY0FTomaQT.mp4

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1829177548808356108

@aaronjmate

Israel and their media/political allies claim there was mass rape by Hamas on Oct 7. But nearly one year later, they have yet to provide a single identified victim, dead or alive; a single shred of physical or forensic evidence; or a single piece of visual evidence.

All they’ve provided are claims from purported “witnesses” — mostly anonymous — who have all been shown to be liars.

Now comes a new step in the propaganda campaign: an anonymous “witness” whose claims cannot be scrutinized because, we’re told, they’ve just anonymously committed suicide.

Do you know who is not anonymous? The tens of thousands of Palestinians murdered by the Israeli purveyors of the Hamas rape hoax. And the many Palestinians who have suffered actual, documented sexual violence by the same Israeli forces.

@HenMazzig

TW: suicide & rape

Here is a suicide letter of a Nova survivor, published by his family.

After miraculously surviving the October 7 massacre, the young Israeli man decided to end his life after witnessing too many horrors, including the rape of a girl. The overwhelming weight of everything he saw, heard, and experienced, along with his inability to save the girl being assaulted nearby, made him feel incapable of continuing his life.

Here is the letter translated from Hebrew.

May he rest in peace 💔

“Hey you, please forgive me!

It all started on Thursday, we were dancing and having fun, and come Friday - so much fun all around, seeing friends we haven't seen in years - we all met to dance and celebrate life. Come Saturday morning, the sun begins to rise, it's so beautiful as it starts to shine all over everyone.

We're dancing and happy, hugging, and some of my friends start to leave. Suddenly, rockets start flying over us, I know this, this is my life -I'm from the South.

But then there are paragliders- I hope nothing happens to them... Then starts the gunfire - what is going on?

We see the truck coming, paratroopers dressed in foreign uniforms - they are killing everyone.

They just killed Shay, they killed Adi.. They're kidnapping that girl, who is sitting there hugging her murdered boyfriend. Suddenly you run to the bushes where I sit and hide, not uttering a sound from my lips.

You're in the bush next to me, so close, the cries gush out from within you. A terrorist is right above the bush I'm hiding in and I pray he won't see me, I pray so hard, something I haven't done my entire life... God can hear my prayer.

But you won't stop crying out loud because with every second, someone gets shot and murdered.

They saw you, they're dragging you out of the bushes. They're four and you're one.

You scream for help.

One of them punches you to silence you, and you try to fight them while looking towards my direction, for me to save you.

But if I step out, we will both get murdered. I want to live!

I sit there silently, they start undressing you!

I'm crying, I feel like I need to scream but a hand silences me!

Maybe it's the hand of God, or I don't know who...

They turn you on your stomach and they start raping you, one by one.

They turn you around again and they yell at you in English, they want you to see for yourself how they have defeated you. You try to crawl in my direction and I pray for something to happen, for someone to kill them so you can get out alive, but as you crawl towards me and they're on top of you - the shot comes.

They murdered you, but before they murdered your body they murdered your soul.

I sat there, in the bushes, for hours, I did not come out.

I saw a bottle of water next to you and I was so incredibly thirsty, but I couldn't bear the thought that I should have saved you, so how can I be so disrespectful and drink your water?

I have reached rock bottom, I can't live anymore. Your look follows me every single day - in the shower, in my sleep, in my room. I couldn't go back to work, I wasn't able to.

I've been to your house. I didn't tell your parents what you've been through, but they've been told that your body was abused, I was a witness.

I ask for your forgiveness.

I am coming to you, to the next great world, I promise to save you there and protect you. Please forgive me!

And don't worry, I left a note for my family telling them how much I love them, and thanking them for the life they gave me.

My sister is having a baby, I thought about sticking around to get to know my nephew, but I don't think he should know the uncle that couldn't save you.

It's okay, I'll watch him from above.”

[Image from Oct 7th 2023 showing cars and people leaving party near Palestinian concentration camp]

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1828062397141025149

Journalist Aaron Mate praises TRT World’s documentary ‘Holy Redemption’ for exposing the true nature of Israeli extremist settlers who claim a divine right to steal Palestinian land.

@aaronjmate

Arsonist heads to pyromaniac to try to clinch an extinguishment. 🤞🏻

[Image of The New York Times, Headline: Secretary of State Antony Blinken is heading to Israel today to try to clinch a cease-fire deal.]

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1825137996435165357

@aaronjmate

Like sending poison gas to Nazi Germany. Both used to murder defenseless people trapped in a concentration camp.

@Antiwarcom

US To Release $3.5 Billion in Military Assistance for Israel by Kyle Anzalone

@KyleAnzalone_ #Israel #Gaza #Palestinians #militaryindustrialcomplex

[https://news.antiwar.com/2024/08/09/us-to-release-3-5-billion-in-military-assistance-for-israel/]

[Image shows the White House funneling money to Israel so as to continue their genocide of the Palestinian people.]

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1822115774464405733

Edit: added screenshot

@aaronjmate

I have a hard time believing that Russia has set on fire the nuclear plant that it’s occupying, and that Ukraine has been trying to recapture for over two years.

@KyivPost

‼️Russians set a fire on the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, — Zelensky

"Radiation levels are currently normal, but the situation cannot be normal while Russian terrorists control the station. We await the world's and the IAEA's reaction."

[Video, link below]

Screenshot:

Direct video link: https://video.twimg.com/amplify_video/1822711611364093952/vid/avc1/640x364/aT1zG0nmsNrSbQRG.mp4

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1822713759925715366

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/18469633

Independent news and investigative journalism on politics and empire.

Max Blumenthal and Aaron Mate discuss the latest stage of the Kamala coup, including her brutal hippy punching of anti-genocide protesters, and cover the new wave of pro-rape protests in Israel, as well as the latest from Gaza and the looming retaliation by Iran and Hezbollah.

@aaronjmate

Biden guaranteed this Israeli escalation with his unconditional backing of its mass murder campaign in Gaza. Hezbollah’s goal all along has been a ceasefire.

@QudsNen

Breaking | Casualties have been reported due to Israeli occupation aircraft bombarding the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital, Beirut.

[Video, link below]

Direct video link: https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1818329114400452619/pu/vid/avc1/480x848/OJaYC4ywGCPK_FzK.mp4

Source: https://x.com/aaronjmate/status/1818332056759246966

@aaronjmate

Some questions for US leaders and pundits who support regime change in Venezuela:

1. How can you call Maduro "autocratic" when you've been trying to overthrow Venezuela's government for more than two decades? Did any Venezuelans vote for you to change their government? Deciding for a foreign population who should rule them and how they should govern sounds autocratic to me.

2. How can you rail against Venezuelan "socialism" when your government is massively intervening in Venezuela's economy -- with the aim of destroying it? You claim to worship the free market yet employ Treasury Dept. bureaucrats to design sanctions that cut off Venezuela from global markets and even seize its assets. By your definition of it, that sounds pretty "socialist."

3. How can Trump and others demonize undocumented immigrants when they knowingly create millions of them by destroying Venezuela's economy and forcing them to flee?

@SystemUpdate_

"Who elected Donald Trump or Joe Biden or Mike Pompeo or Fred Fleitz to make a decision on behalf of the Venezuelan people, in this case, who should rule their government and specifically trying to change their government by destroying their economy? I can't think of anything more autocratic."

@aaronjmate and @mtracey on U.S. meddling in Venezuela and abroad:

Direct video link: https://video.twimg.com/ext_tw_video/1818292710505078784/pu/vid/avc1/1280x720/jtrq03Gv_6mK67tX.mp4

Source: https://x.com/SystemUpdate_/status/1818294195431346551