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CA Gov. Newsom Runs Ads in FL Attacking DeSantis
CA Gov. Gavin Newsom bought $105k worth of ads that began airing on Fox News in Florida this week attacking the Sunshine State and Gov. Ron DeSantis over recent legislation. Specifically, the 15-week abortion ban and the Parental Rights in Education law dubbed the"Don't Say Gay" law.
In one of the ads, Newsom declares, "freedom is under attack in your state." After running down the list of actions FL officials have taken to, in his opinion, restrict or revoke rights, he stated, "I urge all of you living in Florida to join the fight, or join us in California, where we still believe in freedom."
FL officials were quick to respond via social media. FL Dept. of Health spokesman tweeted pictures of homeless encampments in CA and wrote, "Shouldn't you be worried about California?"
Democratic narrative
It's about time that a Democrat proactively took the fight to the GOP, and it's refreshing. More Democrats should take a page from Newsom's book and go on the offensive against the Republicans and their atrocious policies.
Republican narrative
DeSantis and the Republican legislature have kept FL at the forefront of the fight for freedom in the face of mandates, restrictions, and woke indoctrination in schools. FL's policies are popular, so Newsom's attacks are simply landing on deaf ears.
Day 134 Roundup: Putin Warns War is Yet to Start "in Earnest"; Reports of Russian Operational Pause
On Thurs., at least one person was reportedly killed and six wounded in a Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk, the de facto administrative capital of Donetsk. Elsewhere, a strike in Kharkiv killed at least three and injured five, according to Ukrainian officials.
This comes as Ukraine on Thurs. claimed to have regained control of Snake Island. The army had raised its flag there earlier this week after Russian forces retreated. According to a senior Ukraine military official, Oleksiy Gromov, Ukraine has "physical control" of the island.
Meanwhile, Russian Pres. Putin warned that Moscow is yet to start its military campaign in Ukraine "in earnest." He further cautioned that a peace deal will be less likely the longer the war wears on. Ukrainian Pres. Zelenskyy again reaffirmed on Thurs. that territorial concessions will not be considered in diplomatic negotiations.
Pro-establishment narrative
As the war shifts to the strategically important Donbas region of Donetsk, the US and its allies need to continue to do everything in their power to arm Ukraine with all the weapons they need. Doing so is the only way to push Putin's forces back as was done in Kyiv.
Pro-Russia narrative
As stated by Putin, the whole purpose of the war was never to invade Kyiv, but to liberate the ethnically Russian people of Donetsk and Luhansk, who have been subjected to systematic killing by Ukrainian forces for not recognizing the 2014 coup in Kyiv.
Nerd narrative
There's a 50% chance that Putin and Zelenskyy will meet to discuss peace by Nov. 3, 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Biden Awards Medal of Honor to Four Vietnam War Veterans
On Tues., US Pres. Biden bestowed the Medal of Honor on four veterans of the Vietnam War for their heroism above and beyond the call of duty.
Whilst Staff Sergeant Edward N. Kaneshiro received the US's highest military honor posthumously, Specialist Fives Dwight W. Birdwell and Dennis M. Fujii, alongside retired Major John J. Duffy, were awarded the medal at an in-person ceremony.
"Not every service member has received the full recognition they deserve," said Biden, who claimed that awarding these medals is a way of "setting the record straight" more than 50 years after the Vietnam War.
Pro-establishment narrative
This ceremony finally marked a recognition of the courage and heroism that was demonstrated in abundance by Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Pacific Islanders during the Vietnam War. While all four men had previously been given other awards for their actions, recognition of their efforts has rightly been elevated to reflect the unbelievable feats they endured in order to protect not only their fellow soldiers but America and its values.
Establishment-critical narrative
While the men were undoubtedly brave, this doesn't alter the fact that these Vietnam veterans, abandoned by authorities for decades, are now receiving meaningless recognition for their role in a war of aggression carried out by lying politicians at the cost of the lives of thousands of young Americans and millions of Vietnamese. Instead of issuing medals of honor, the US should apologize to all those affected by this dishonorable war.
UK: Boris Johnson Announces Resignation as PM
Boris Johnson has announced his resignation as UK Prime Minister, stating that, in politics, "no one is remotely indispensable," and saying he will continue to serve in the post until a new leader is in place.
The PM has faced turmoil in recent days as over 50 Tory MPs have resigned in protest against his leadership in the past 48 hrs.
Johnson survived a no-confidence vote in June, but the process saw 40% of his MPs turn against him. He faced the prospect of a second vote as soon as next week, as pressure swelled over the perceived mishandling of a string of scandals, including misconduct allegations against the Conservative Party's former deputy chief whip Chris Pincher, and the loss of two by-elections.
Left narrative
Johnson's leadership has given way to scandal-after-scandal. He insulted the electorate by flaunting the lockdown rules he imposed on the rest of the country and even promoted Pincher to a position of authority over party members in the full knowledge that he faced allegations of misconduct. His continued leadership would inevitably come at the cost of the integrity of British politics - it's only right that he has been forced to resign.
Right narrative
Boris Johnson will likely be remembered as a hero by conservatives for his resounding defeat of Jeremy Corbyn as well as his success at progressing and achieving Brexit. However, he made countless flawed decisions and failed to provide a vision at key moments in his premiership, such as over COVID lockdowns and Partygate. He has provided better policy than the opposition, but the Conservative Party must get rid of its leader if they want to feel pride in their role in politics.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that Boris Johnson will no longer hold the office of Prime Minister of the United Kingdom by Aug. 18, 2022, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Russia Pockets $24B from Selling Energy to China, India
In the three months following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China and India have reportedly bought $24B of Russian oil, gas, and coal, mitigating punitive measures imposed by the US and Europe.
China spent $18.9B on Russian energy, nearly doubling last year's amount, while India purchased $5.1B in the same period - more than five times the value of a year ago.
Russia is expected to earn $285B from oil and gas sales this year as Asian countries are buying petroleum from Moscow at discounted prices.
Pro-Russia narrative
The West has failed miserably in its attempt to bring Russia to its knees through economic warfare, under the guise of supporting Ukraine. This is also because it refuses to acknowledge that a multipolar world beyond its control has long since emerged. Washington and its allies, with their hubris toward Russia, are causing massive damage not only to themselves but to the entire world.
Anti-Russia narrative
Yes, standing up to Putin's neo-imperial appetite requires sacrifices. But contrary to Kremlin propaganda, the sanctions are having a significant social impact in Russia. This makes it all the more important for the West to ensure the sustainability of its strategy of backing Ukraine against Russian aggression for as long as it takes. It's crucial to enshrine existing sanctions in legislation and to tighten up international solidarity for implementing them.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's hypocritical to impose sanctions on Russia for invading Ukraine, but not on the US for invading Iraq for equally unjustified reasons, or on Israel for invading and annexing Arab lands.
Nerd narrative
There is a 92% chance that Russia will be the world's most sanctioned country by Feb. 22, 2023, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Biden Admin Proposes Changes to Student Loan Programs
On Wed., the Biden admin. proposed new steps to alleviate the burden of student loans, including a rule that would curb interest rates for nearly all of the 40M borrowers in the US.
Reversing a Trump-era restriction, the proposal would make it easier for students defrauded or misled by their educational institution to have their debt forgiven.
The programs that would be improved include the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, the borrower defense to repayment, and total permanent and disability (TPD) discharges, which the department has tried to reform but borrowers continue to face issues in accessing relief through.
Republican narrative
Student loan forgiveness is simply a bribe for voters to vote for Democrats in upcoming elections. Besides the fact that it will hurt America's taxpayers more than anyone else, the move could easily backfire for Democrats by driving up inflation and further damaging the economy.
Democratic narrative
Student loan forgiveness could be a simple way of creating more equity in American society and even actually stimulate the economy by helping young people struggling under the burden of large debts. Student debt has disproportionately hurt Black Americans. Forgiveness would "even the playing field" for all Americans.
Cynical narrative
Though student loan forgiveness could be an effective and moral policy, SCOTUS could very likely make such a move a moot point anyway. The court has shown a clear recent pattern in limiting executive power.
EU Lawmakers: Nuclear and Natural Gas Are "Green" Investments
On Wed., EU lawmakers approved a proposal that qualifies some natural and nuclear gas as "green," adding them to the EU's taxonomy rulebook - an investment guide on projects that align with the bloc's goal of climate neutrality by 2050.
The proposal was made earlier this year by the European Commission. However, last month, legislators rejected the plan.
Wednesday's ruling passed 328 - 278, with 33 abstentions. If it goes unchallenged, the proposal will take effect Jan. 1, 2023.
Establishment-critical narrative
This vote is hypocritical and misleading. The proposal goes against the EU Taxonomy's crucial goal of preventing greenwashing in the financial system, and will funnel billions into Putin's pockets whose war in Ukraine is being funded by investments in fossil fuels. The EU has been swayed by wealthy lobbyists and has now set the bar low for other countries.
Pro-establishment narrative
The EU has taken a necessary step in reaching the member nations' climate-neutral goals. Not only is this decision crucial in attracting funding for renewable energy sources, but it also reveals that the EU rightly recognizes that both natural and nuclear gas is fundamental to the continent's energy stability - an example that others should heed.
US & UK Intelligence Leaders Warn of 'Game-Changing’ PRC Threats
In an unprecedented joint appearance on Wed., FBI director Christopher Wray and MI5 head Ken McCallum issued strong warnings about dangers posed to the West by China, describing it as the "biggest long-term threat" to Western economic and national security.
The leaders cited Beijing's alleged desire to interfere in local politics and claimed that China is carrying out economic espionage and hacking operations to steal industrial technology and dominate global markets.
A recent FBI report highlighted Chinese intelligence efforts targeting a US congressional candidate in New York who took part in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests as well as Chinese efforts to gain access to genetically modified seeds in the US.
Anti-China narrative
The Chinese Communist Party has been carrying out an expansive economic and political offensive against the West as the world is focused on Russia's war against Ukraine. Beijing intends to subvert democracies while stealing sensitive information, disrupting businesses, and gaining security advantages.
Pro-China narrative
UK and US intelligence agencies are trying to boost anti-China sentiment by defaming Beijing. This shouldn't come as a surprise as these actors are widely known for their operations to destabilize regimes around the world. They must realize that we aren't in the Cold War anymore.
Nerd narrative
There is a 16% chance that there will be a US-China war by 2035, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
Another July 4 Mass Shooting Was Foiled in VA
Another July 4 mass shooting was reportedly thwarted in Richmond, VA, according to local police officials, thanks to a tipster who allegedly overheard plans for an attack on holiday activities at the Dogwood Dell Amphitheater.
Two suspects were arrested on Fri. and Tues. Police visited a home after the tip and recovered two assault rifles, a handgun, and 223 rounds of ammunition. According to investigators, both men intended to commit a mass shooting at the celebration, but their motive is currently unclear.
The suspects, Julio Alvarado and Rolman Balcarcel, have been charged with being non-citizens in possession of a firearm. Both men are citizens of Guatemala and were in the US illegally, according to the Richmond Police Dept.
Republican narrative
The actions of a hero citizen, police, and the FBI stopped another July 4 tragedy. We must now explore why and how these men were in the US illegally. Biden admin. policies have stripped Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of powers to question, arrest, detain, and expel illegal aliens. Details are emerging, but it looks like irresponsible and ineffective immigration enforcement policies could have been to blame.
Democratic narrative
Republicans are once again distracting from the gun issue with an attack on immigrants. As has been proven through several studies, immigrants, both documented and undocumented, are actually less likely to commit violent crimes than native-born US citizens. The GOP should support laws that make it harder for criminals to obtain weapons instead of deflecting blame.
Democrats Attempt to Revive Economic Agenda with Manchin's Support
On Wed., senior Democratic Senators published an updated policy plan to reduce the cost of prescription drugs after leaders met with party moderate Joe Manchin III (D-WV).
The West Virginian senator has obstructed the passage of Biden's social safety net, climate, and tax bill, which has been dormant since December.
Democrats are depending on a unanimous vote to pass measures that will allow Medicare to negotiate prices for some drugs beginning in 2023, cap price increases at inflation for Medicare and private insurance patients, and set a $2K per year upper limit on out-of-pocket costs for those on Medicare.
Republican narrative
Democrats have been forced to scale back Biden's enormous package, but these costly measures would still be disastrous for America they fail to boost competitiveness against China, contain woke carveouts, and would enact regulations related to so-called "climate change." Manchin should use his sense and continue to oppose these terrible policies.
Democratic narrative
Drug price regulation measures will immeasurably improve the lives of Americans. Empowering Medicare to negotiate costs is massively popular with voters across party lines and, despite the colossal influence of pharmaceutical lobbyists who will continue trying to defend corporation profiteering. This legislation is indicative of progress.
Nerd narrative
There is a 50% chance that at least 15.4% of the federal budget will be used for Medicare in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.