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Things USAID has funded [video]

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Re: Things USAID has funded [video]

#11

Post by hakunin »

vtashkov wrote: post #2

How is that not totalitarian propaganda? What is the difference between USSR official propaganda and Democrat "aid for other countries"? I am interested in HN Leftist crowd opinion. Or maybe they will downvote this to oblivion, because it's easier. But easier doesn't mean 'right'.

Wait, are you asking why what USSR did to its own citizens is different than what USA is doing to other countries? Of course we want our views and values to be propagandized to other countries, why is that bad? We want other countries to become more like USA.

Re: Things USAID has funded [video]

#12

Post by licebmi__at__ »

vtashkov wrote: post #2

How is that not totalitarian propaganda? What is the difference between USSR official propaganda and Democrat "aid for other countries"? I am interested in HN Leftist crowd opinion. Or maybe they will downvote this to oblivion, because it's easier. But easier doesn't mean 'right'.

Do you mean neoliberals? I mean, leftists have been skeptics of USAID as soft power arm of the CIA for ages. Also, you would be crazy to believe this is "Democrat" as this has been a bipartisan effort since it was funded.

Anyway, I'm reminded of this joke:

---

A KGB spy and a CIA agent meet up in a bar for a friendly drink

"I have to admit, I'm always so impressed by Soviet propaganda. You really know how to get people worked up," the CIA agent says.

"Thank you," the KGB says. "We do our best but truly, it's nothing compared to American propaganda. Your people believe everything your state media tells them."

The CIA agent drops his drink in shock and disgust. "Thank you friend, but you must be confused... There's no propaganda in America."

-----

I guess to some, since Musk and Trump dismantled USAID, there's no more propaganda in America.

Re: Things USAID has funded [video]

#13

Post by cadamsdotcom »

The speaker makes a common error in quoting absolute numbers without discussing how much of an overall pool they represent. The numbers quoted also aren’t given dates making it impossible to know if the spending happened under the outgoing administration or a previous one. They then go on to offer no alternative, just a bunch of undirected outrage. If you find yourself outraged at nothing specific, question if you are being manipulated.

There are claims of fraud made but not backed up by the evidence presented. On the contrary, audit results that detailed leave few places for fraud to hide.

There’s much to debate around the investment choices cherry-picked for the camera, but they’re cherry picked! You can be certain 6-7 different examples exist that would make USAID look like saints.

All that said, it’s good to see them on camera justifying the decision.

Re: Things USAID has funded [video]

#14

Post by palmfacehn »

James_K wrote: post #7
vtashkov wrote: post #2

How is that not totalitarian propaganda? What is the difference between USSR official propaganda and Democrat "aid for other countries"? I am interested in HN Leftist crowd opinion. Or maybe they will downvote this to oblivion, because it's easier. But easier doesn't mean 'right'.

My guess is that they've taken the 0.1% silliest sounding things out of some endowment for the arts program with many thousands of recipients. It would only actually be propaganda if such a program specifically excluded political opinions you disagree with and groups you dislike, such as trans people. For all you know, there could have been many right-wing recipients for this program that they decided not to tell you…

Bill Kristol, a right wing neo-conservative and ideological heir to Buckley, also had his funds publicly cut. Similarly, there are allegations against Liz Cheney. These are two examples that immediately spring to mind.

Attributing it to a purely right-left battle misses the larger picture. There are entrenched bureaucrats which have successfully moderated and turned away reforms. Some of these creatures of "the swamp" receive self-perpetuating funds from USAID.

The culture war stuff is largely a distraction. When USAID funds a trans musical, it isn't about the musical. There may be elements promoting the trans ideology, but this is tertiary. The real meat is building influence coalitions, protest groups and outright payment of graft. These favors can be called in later to advance the policy of the "swamp creatures". This could be trade deals or any agreement in which this opaque coalition has an interest.

Re: Things USAID has funded [video]

#15

Post by jfengel »

vtashkov wrote: post #2

How is that not totalitarian propaganda? What is the difference between USSR official propaganda and Democrat "aid for other countries"? I am interested in HN Leftist crowd opinion. Or maybe they will downvote this to oblivion, because it's easier. But easier doesn't mean 'right'.

Just as a matter of language: I have only ever seen the word "Leftist" in contexts meant to connote "traitor" or "moron" or something similar. I'm reluctant to explain anything in such a context.

The recommended left-wing, progressive approach to such things is to be kind, patient, informative, and reasonable. Personally, I believe this is the reason we regularly get destroyed in elections, and if there's ever a way to get back, it's to respond to hatred with hatred. Reasonableness bores people; hate is exciting.

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