This week I’m enjoying a late summer trip to Disneyland with my daughter and grandkids. So, a smorgasbord of thoughts, stories, and tweets is the theme for today.
Active Measures; A Conspiracy Hiding in Plain Sight
A new documentary by Jack Bryan, released on 8/31 whose goal is...
... giving context to Russia’s interference in the 2016 election by tracing a history of its government’s shrewd geopolitical machinations – hence the doc’s title, a kind of shorthand for Soviet political warfare.
www.theguardian.com/...
I haven’t seen it yet, but plan on watching it. I’m intrigued because the film interviewed Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Michael McFaul, Jeremy Bash and John Dean. I believe they give the film legitimacy since they agreed to participate.
“Their vetting process was incredibly appropriate and harsh,” Bryan says of Clinton and McCain, who were “making sure we weren’t going to be saying crazy things or trying to get them to say crazy things”.
Popular Information
I follow Judd on Twitter and enjoy his smart, calm analysis. Although I don’t normally sign up for newsletters, I decided I’d give his new one a try. I’ve been receiving it for a few weeks, and I have not been disappointed. He publishes it just 4 days a week — Monday through Thursday. It generally contains information on just 2-3 stories. Recent stories included the death toll in Puerto Rico, the alleged bias by Google in their search algorithms, and Andrew Gillium’s win in Florida.
Check it out.
A Closing Rant — political donations edition
I’ve been looking for an opportunity to rant a bit about what I see as unreasonable expectations around donations to the Democratic Party, and our candidates. I really wish that Citizen’s United had not been overturned, that PAC regulations were more stringent, but unfortunately that is not the case.
For the past few years I’ve read too many comments, tweets and memes about the fortunes of those donating, as if only those who can afford $20-$30 are “worthy” of making donations. I have already decided that the next time I see a comment referencing “large” donations, I’m going to sincerely ask the commenter, if they are suggesting income restrictions for people who donate to Democrats. The absurd purity about who’s donating, and what industry they work in, especially in our current environment, seems silly.
As to PAC money, I’ve seen more discussion about excluding “corporate PAC” money. That seems like a mostly reasonable compromise, although broad brush statements like that, make me a little uneasy.
Rant over and on to the good news for Democrats...
P.S., it is impossible to resist this pooch.
If you’re able, today’s a great day to help someone in need. If you need help, click on the link to the Helping Directories.