A top New York official was paid off by China with salted ducks, a job for her cousin, and millions to her husband’s business: DOJ

“Federal prosecutors have accused a former high-level aide to New York’s governor of secretly working for China in exchange for perks like orchestra tickets, millions in cash, and over a dozen Nanjing-style salted ducks.
Linda Sun, who worked for Gov. Kathy Hochul and her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo, was charged on Tuesday with over 10 criminal counts, including visa fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to violate the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

Sun, 40, is accused of blocking Taiwanese officials’ access to the New York governor’s office and changing public messages from both governors to boost China’s talking points, among other acts.

According to the Justice Department, she also sent messages informing the Chinese consulate about Taiwan’s requests to the governor’s office.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/top-york-official-paid-off-053609747.html

American Politics and the World Today: A Conversation with Fareed Zakaria

According to Fareed Zakaria: The wall wasn’t Trump’s idea. He was initially against it because he saw it as a gimmick. Then he tried out the line with crowds, and they liked it. Soon, Trump thought it was his own idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDJZVVoPuooAccording to Fareed Zakaria: The wall wasn’t Trump’s idea. He was initially against it because he saw it as a gimmick. Then he tried out the line with crowds, and they liked it. Soon, Trump thought it was his own idea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDJZVVoPuoo

In Venezuela, Digital Freedom Is a Threat to Dictators

“security forces have been systematically stopping citizens to inspect their phones, including photos, social media profiles, and WhatsApp conversations. Detainees are often held based on content uncovered during these searches, such as images or conversations related to protests or anti-government expressions.
This shows Maduro’s willingness to crack down on dissent. It also shows the crucial role of technology in this fight for freedom. We use privacy messaging apps like Signal to communicate sensitive information. We rely on X and Nostr to share public information with the Venezuelan people. And we use bitcoin to overcome Maduro’s financial surveillance.

Regimes know this, which is why the Maduro government has been updating its surveillance system. They are doing this in cooperation with other autocratic regimes. For example, the Chinese company ZTE has been supplying Maduro with advanced surveillance technology, according to nongovernmental organizations.

This is also why Maduro banned X and Signal for 10 days across Venezuela, claiming his opponents were using these platforms to incite political unrest. This unprecedented measure in the Western hemisphere sets a dangerous precedent in the region. It also shows how regimes can restrict essential technologies, including their privacy tools and communication platforms.”

https://reason.com/2024/08/21/in-venezuela-digital-freedom-is-a-threat-to-dictators/

How to Weaponize the Bible

People claim the Bible says stuff it does not for political purposes.

Example: The Bible is fairly pro-abortion. Different Bible authors clearly don’t consider the fetus as a human being with equivalent moral value we give a human.

People also cherry pick:

Example: The same passage that says a male shall not lay with a male says you should not wear a shirt made of two different kinds of fabric. Where are the condemnations for people wearing multi-fabric shirts!?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBAtrVQ5VZA