27 April 2022
Daily Newsletter
US Holds Off Sanctioning Putin's Rumored Girlfriend
The Facts
Alleged long-time girlfriend of Vladimir Putin and rumored mother of his three children, Alina Kabaeva, has reportedly been excluded from several rounds of sanctions placed on Russia since the start of the war in Ukraine.
Kabaeva is believed to be involved with the Kremlin and their effort to hide Putin's wealth and international assets. The US Treasury Dept. had reportedly prepared a sanctions package against her, but it was canceled by the National Security Council before being announced.
Officials reportedly nixed the plans out of fear that sanctioning Kabaeva would further inflame tensions between the US and Russia and interfere with peace talks.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Sanctioning Kabaeva would deal a heavy blow to Putin and the Kremlin. She may not be able to prevent Putin from waging war, but the move would impact the pair from both a personal and financial standpoint, and apply important pressure that might just bring him to the negotiating table.
Establishment-critical narrative
At best, the focus on sanctioning and seizing assets from Putin's inner circle is a distraction from formulating a more realistic strategy to defeat Russia and restore Ukraine. At worst, it's evidence of clear hypocrisy, given the US wasn't sanctioned for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands. Either way, it doesn't help Ukraine.
Canadian University Opens Tenure Position for 'Women, Transgender, Non-Binary or Two-Spirit'
The Facts
Canada's University of Waterloo has reportedly opened a tenure track research position exclusively for individuals who identify as women, transgender, non-binary, or two-spirit. The role was first posted on Mar. 21.
Two-spirit is a gender variant that stems from Native American culture and is used to describe diverse sexuality or gender in Indigenous people.
Although public institutions are prohibited from discriminating based on gender, the university can circumvent this under the Ontario Human Rights Code as their program aims to help minorities.
The Spin
Left narrative
Canada's population is increasingly diverse and post-secondary institutions must mirror this. Despite diversity and inclusion initiatives at Canadian universities, tenured professors are still overwhelmingly white and male. More proactive policies are needed to foster diversity and encourage a wider range of candidates to apply.
Right narrative
The irony is that, while the government's goal is to promote DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion), their method excludes an entire group of people. Good intentions have paved the way to mandated discrimination - the very thing Canadian leaders say they are trying to eliminate
Trump Loses Bid to Halt Contempt Order in New York AG Probe
The Facts
A NY judge has denied Donald Trump's motion to stay a contempt order in which he has to pay $10K a day for failing to turn over documents to New York AG Letitia James.
On Fri., Trump's legal team handed over affidavits testifying that the former Pres. had submitted all evidence relevant to the probe of his business to the AG's office.
They were rejected by NY Supreme Court Judge Engoron, who declared that they lacked evidence showing that Trump had properly searched for documents in response to the subpoena.
The Spin
Left narrative
Trump's failure to comply with a subpoena demonstrates his push toward lawlessness. Like prior investigations, Trump is attempting to delay, obfuscate, and attack the investigators in order to get out of the situation. He has no regard for the rule of law and will do anything to avoid taxes.
Pro-Trump narrative
Trump has already sent over every available document to the AG. As his lawyers noted, he doesn't text, email, or use a work computer. Why should he be held in contempt when he's done everything possible to cooperate?
Nerd narrative
There is an 82% chance that Donald Trump will run for President in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
SCOTUS Hears 'Remain in Mexico' Dispute
The Facts
SCOTUS began on Tues. to hear arguments from the Biden admin. in its latest bid to end the Trump-era "Remain in Mexico" policy.
Justices heard oral arguments in an appeal of a lower court ruling reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP) based on a provision of a 1996 US immigration law that says US officials "may return" certain immigrants to Mexican territory pending immigration proceedings.
This policy requires asylum-seekers, mainly from Central and South America, to either be detained in the US or stay in Mexico while awaiting hearings.
The Spin
Right narrative
"Remain in Mexico" is important for the safety of Americans; it prevents a massive inflow of migrants from entering the US, and limits the ability of drug cartels and human smugglers to operate.
Left narrative
MPP is inhumane and inflicts harm on vulnerable people; the Trump administration even admitted in court more than two years ago that those in the program risk cartel kidnappings. It's time to end this harmful program.
Democratic narrative
The lower-court ruling and the decision by a panel appeals court against the administration have no basis in precedent or law, but are politically partisan decisions by a Trump-appointed judge and Republican panel.
Day 63 Roundup: Blasts Reported in Russia; Gazprom Suspends Gas Supplies to Poland and Bulgaria
The Facts
A series of blasts were heard in the Russian border region of Belgorod early Wednesday. Regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said a fire broke out at an ammunition depot in the village of Staraya Nelidovka, adding that there were no reports of civilian casualties or destruction to residential properties.
Explosions were also reported in the inland Russian regions of Kursk and Voronezh. The source of the blasts cannot be confirmed at this stage.
Meanwhile, Russian energy giant Gazprom on Wed. said it suspended gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after the countries failed to pay for gas in rubles. European Commission Pres. Ursula von der Leyen said the move was "another attempt by Russia to use gas as an instrument of blackmail."
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The UK has been one of the most hawkish nations in its rhetoric and support of Ukraine since the war began. This latest move to encourage Ukraine to strike Russian targets only risks provoking further counter-attacks. Is this really a smart escalation?
Pro-establishment narrative
Ukraine was a sovereign country living peacefully within its borders before Russia decided to launch its invasion. In war, you have to strike the opposition's logistics lines, fuel supplies and ammunition depots – Ukrainian attacks on Russian targets are both necessary and justified.
Pro-Russia narrative
NATO and the US have ignored Russia's security concerns by breaking its promise not to expand eastward in return for German reunification. These concerns are legitimate and taking them seriously would have avoided the Ukraine tragedy.
Nerd narrative
There's a 9% chance that Russia will annex the Moldovan breakaway region of Transnistria in 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Harvard Starts $100M Slavery Reparations Fund
The Facts
On Tues., Harvard pres. Lawrence Bacow announced that the university will set aside $100M for an endowment fund and other measures in recognition of the institution's historic ties to slavery.
Bacow referenced a 100-pg report by a 14-member committee titled "Harvard and the Legacy of Slavery" that details the university's affiliation with slavery and outlines recommendations for reconciliation.
The report describes how Harvard profited from the slave trade and excluded Black students. It also said that university presidents and professors promoted "race science" and carried out abusive research on enslaved people.
The Spin
Left narrative
This is an important step in remedying the long-lasting effects of slavery and systemic racism in the US. The university directly profited from the slave trade, and it's only fair to correct that wrong. Hopefully, other universities will follow suit.
Right narrative
Harvard's report unnecessarily slanders and distorts the university's true history. While certain members of Harvard profited off of the slave trade, the report purposefully downplays hundreds of Harvard students who heroically fought to end slavery in the civil war.
AG Garland Pledges Independence for Hunter Biden Probe
The Facts
US Attorney General Merrick Garland told a Senate subcommittee on Tues., "There will not be interference of any political or improper kind," on the Justice Dept.'s ongoing investigation of Pres. Biden's son Hunter.
Hunter Biden, 52, has been the subject of a federal probe since 2018. Investigators are examining whether he and his associates violated tax and money laundering laws in their business dealings in foreign countries.
The inquiry is being led by a Trump-appointed attorney, which was affirmed during Garland's testimony. Garland also asserted, "the President is committed not to interfere, not only in that investigation but any other kind of investigation."
The Spin
Democratic narrative
AG Garland has repeatedly stressed that under his watch, the Justice Dept. will conduct criminal investigations independently of the White House. This case will be no different – as can be seen in the fact that a Trump-appointed attorney was tasked with leading the investigation. There's nothing to hide here.
Republican narrative
Pres. Biden, in collusion with mainstream media and big tech, already did everything he could to kill off this story prior to the election. How can we be sure he won't do it again, especially when there are allegations of nearly 20 questionable visits to the White House by Hunter's business associate?
Germany Greenlights Anti-Aircraft Systems for Ukraine
The Facts
After weeks of mounting pressure, German Federal Minister of Defense Christine Lambrecht announced on Tues. that Germany has approved the delivery of heavy weapons to Ukraine. The announcement was made at the Ukraine Security Conference at the US Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
Although Germany already supplies military equipment to Ukraine, such as anti-tank weapons, anti-tank mines, and artillery ammunition, the governing coalition initially refused to supply heavy weapons, with Chan. Olaf Scholz warning of "an escalation that could lead to World War III."
US Def. Sec. Lloyd Austin welcomed Germany's "significant move," stating that "those systems will provide real capability for Ukraine."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
There's no return to the status quo. The German government must wake up to the fact that Putin only knows the language of power; Moscow must be countered before Russian imperialism and barbarism spreads further across Europe. Everything must be done to back Kyiv militarily against Russia's war of extermination.
Establishment-critical narrative
A contest for who supplies the most and heaviest weapons to Ukraine has broken out as Western powers continue to ignore the possibility of peace talks. The fact that Germany is now bowing down to the US and supplying tanks to Ukraine will only prolong the fighting. Obviously, a peace agreement is not the West's goal.
Djokovic Allowed to Play at Wimbledon Without Vaccine
The Facts
On Tues., Wimbledon announced that they will not require the COVID vaccine for this year's tournament, allowing Novak Djokovic to defend his title in London.
This comes after the unvaccinated world No. 1 wasn't allowed to play in the Australian Open in Jan. after being deported for not complying with the country's vaccination requirements.
Due to his vaccination status, Djokovic has missed out on several other tournaments this year, including the Indian Wells Masters and Miami Open.
The Spin
Left narrative
While Djokovic's history of stubborness has served him well on the court, that same trait may be what brings his career to an untimely end. He is the only unvaccinated player in the top 100 of men's tennis - finally standing alone among the best, but for all the wrong reasons.
Right narrative
Djokovic deserves credit for standing his ground despite huge pressure to conform to the rules of COVID morality as dictated by the coercive ruling class. Last year's COVID restrictions are now history and, hopefully, this will be the end of all discriminatory measures against the unvaccinated.
Nerd narrative
According to the Metaculus prediction community, there's a 93% chance that Djokovic will win 21 Tennis Grand Slams.
Biden Admin. to Phase Out Incandescent Bulbs
The Facts
The US Dept. of Energy (DOE) has adopted new rules to expand energy-efficiency requirements for most types of lightbulbs – effectively phasing out the use of most incandescent and halogen bulbs.
The new rules are intended to shift the country to compact fluorescent and LED bulbs – reversing Trump-era policies. Biden officials project that the changes will cut CO2 emissions by 222m metric tons over the next 30 years - about what 28m homes generate annually.
DOE states that LEDs use at least 75% less power than incandescent bulbs and last up to 25x longer.
The Spin
Right narrative
The American people, particularly those in lower income brackets, shouldn't be asked to pay more for lightbulbs in an already teetering economy. Fun Fact Thomas Edison's traditional lightbulbs work better too.
Left narrative
The Biden administration is fulfilling its promise to overturn Trump's disastrous environmental policies. Despite Trump, US households have largely shifted to LED bulbs anyway, so why not push this movement to the finish line? American consumers can start saving $3 billion per year and carbon emissions can be further reduced.
