I often mention Plato's allegory, for good reason.

Always use critical thinking regarding the source of your knowledge.

I frequent numerous economic and political blogs online to gauge the heartbeat of stock markets and the economy.

(Usually as contrarian indicators, bloggers often have an interest in influencing for pay, talking up or down a certain sector, bitcoin, penny stock pumping...etc)

There are a handful of sites that have consistently provoked political divides within America for a decade, or use ridiculous conspiracy theories to invoke public outcry.

On one site, back in 2012 or so, I was lambasted for speaking against Russia's invasion of Georgia by posters claiming to be American, the opinions were overwhelmingly pro-Russian.

At the time, I concluded this site had to have ties to Russia - the "Americans" there were far too pro-Russian.

Finally, this year, this site was labelled a potential Russian propaganda site by the U.S. government.

I'm posting this today because that site and others are currently ablaze with "Americans" saying that the schools, churches and hospitals in Ukraine were bombed for "hiding weapons", or Zelenskyy was placed by the CIA, or that "the west has done far worse, therefore it's ok for Putin to bomb Ukraine".

Foreign governments have the ability to capitalize on our 1rst amendment, they can hire 3rd parties to swamp us in disinformation that eventually leads to turmoil and counterproductive actions.

These sites are using our legitimate gripes against our government, then using that anger to invoke outrage and public opinion to their benefit.

All I can tell you is "consider the source", if you don't personally know the source is a real American, be open to the possibility they have an agenda against the U.S.

That does not mean your opinions are wrong, only that these sites will try to align you by appealing to your opinion, and feed rage with disinformation.

Russia's intelligence is working overtime right now to disinform, what they lack in military strength, they're trying to make up for elsewhere.



So after all that, what sources do YOU find credible?

So after all that, what sources do YOU find credible?

I often mention Plato's allegory, for good reason.

Always use critical thinking regarding the source of your knowledge.

I frequent numerous economic and political blogs online to gauge the heartbeat of stock markets and the economy.

(Usually as contrarian indicators, bloggers often have an interest in influencing for pay, talking up or down a certain sector, bitcoin, penny stock pumping...etc)

There are a handful of sites that have consistently provoked political divides within America for a decade, or use ridiculous conspiracy theories to invoke public outcry.

On one site, back in 2012 or so, I was lambasted for speaking against Russia's invasion of Georgia by posters claiming to be American, the opinions were overwhelmingly pro-Russian.

At the time, I concluded this site had to have ties to Russia - the "Americans" there were far too pro-Russian.

Finally, this year, this site was labelled a potential Russian propaganda site by the U.S. government.

I'm posting this today because that site and others are currently ablaze with "Americans" saying that the schools, churches and hospitals in Ukraine were bombed for "hiding weapons", or Zelenskyy was placed by the CIA, or that "the west has done far worse, therefore it's ok for Putin to bomb Ukraine".

Foreign governments have the ability to capitalize on our 1rst amendment, they can hire 3rd parties to swamp us in disinformation that eventually leads to turmoil and counterproductive actions.

These sites are using our legitimate gripes against our government, then using that anger to invoke outrage and public opinion to their benefit.

All I can tell you is "consider the source", if you don't personally know the source is a real American, be open to the possibility they have an agenda against the U.S.

That does not mean your opinions are wrong, only that these sites will try to align you by appealing to your opinion, and feed rage with disinformation.

Russia's intelligence is working overtime right now to disinform, what they lack in military strength, they're trying to make up for elsewhere.

You are right that Russia tries to pry in our elections and politics with all sorts of fake info to confuse the media and private citizens. This is nothing new and certainly not contained to Russia only. The U.S is guilty of interfering in others elections for the same reasons. It seems that some automatically believe that it’s got to be Russian disinformation if something negative arises and diminishes their argument or goes against their beliefs. Remember the 2 plus years the dems the media and the FBI used the false narrative of Russian disinformation to spy on the President. So I put no faith in any entity that tries to persuade me into believing something I don’t find feasible…. And I challenge anybody to dispute my posts as Russian disinformation!
I may get some details wrong but I don’t post anything I no to be false or disinformation. The democrats did that for 4 years of Trump and they still do to this day.

People tend to believe what they want to believe. And they look for "sources" that confirm their beliefs. They also tend to label "sources" that go against what they already believe as false.

America has a long history of shadow governance, like Pinochet in Chile, or The Shah in Iran.

Our "WMD" scandal under Bush in Iraq was devastating to our global credibility as well.

But, that doesn't mean we're required to sit back as Russia tries doing it to us.

Yes, politicians and political parties use "Oppo" research to dig up dirt.

This is why Biden's son may face charges, and that's a good thing.

This is why the DOJ should continue and finish it's investigation of Trump, for the same reason they were allowed to investigate Hunter Biden.

That said, I'm just happy you at least know Russia is currently working public opinion via social sites on . .

I may not like the Clintons, but geez, cannibalistic pedophiles?...Seriously?


[/quote
I never believed that pizzagate crap to begin with , although the plane flights by bill and that p.o.s. child molester seem to have some truth to it….And I hope they don’t stop short on the hunter Biden investigation , and follow it to the end no matter who is implicated. There seems to be plenty more than lying on a gun application and not reporting income on taxes…I don’t agree that the WMD situation was a scandal, Saddam had those weapons at one time , wether he hid them or moved them to Syria or somewhere else but no matter what he had , with the massive numbers of his own people he killed that in its self was a WMD and we were right to invade.

I never believed that pizzagate crap to begin with , although the plane flights by bill and that p.o.s. child molester seem to have some truth to it. And I hope they don’t stop short on the hunter Biden investigation , and follow it to the end no matter who is implicated. There seems to be plenty more than lying on a gun application and not reporting income on taxes. I don’t agree that the WMD situation was a scandal, Saddam had those weapons at one time , wether he hid them or moved them to Syria or somewhere else but no matter what he had with the massive numbers of his own people he killed that in its self was a WMD and we were right to invade.

On Saddam, he got what he deserved, no debate.

Though I don't think we should have invaded, we'll never agree on that, which is fine, end result is Saddam gone.

The problem now is that Russian influencers & trolls are trying to use our invasion of Iraq to sway consensus in America.

America has done wrong, no question, but there is no possible way a foreign dictator will convince me that rationalizes their doing the same to us.

Also, Eastern Ukraine is a major producer of grain, oil and economics in general, this is a play on control of the global economy for Putin, who's country's economy is diminishing.

Just take a glance at a ten+ year chart of the RSX to see what a kleptocratic oligarchy has done to their market.

He displayed this control back in 2020 when he flooded the oil market to suppress prices in an attempt to bankrupt American refiners.

Putin's smart, he's playing a good chess game despite not having all the pieces his opponents have.

Attempting to manipulate American voters' opinions is a brilliant move, and if it works he gains huge leverage over global energy and grain prices.

Trump in 2024 almost guarantees a Biden win, while he has the appearance of strength, he also ostracized too many moderates and women by catering to one sect of Conservatives.

He also expressed a lot of ambiguity towards Putin in his "President Putin says it's not Russia. I don't see any reason why it would be," statement, as well as a perceived attempt to coerce Zelensky in favor of Russia.

I have serious concerns for the "puppet" accusations, including what he's done with the Mar A Lago docs.

To moderates, Trump appeared inexperienced and over confident, while at the same time too stubborn to listen to experienced advisors, many whom were fired as a result.

That same approach has him a long history of bankrupt businesses and investors.

If you truly want a GOP president, Romney's the ace up the GOP sleeve, he was, afterall, the one to warn us about Russia in 2012.

I will not vote for Trump, there were too many mishaps under his discretion, too many instances of uncouth open speech in situations that required diplomacy.

He makes his own rules, which is fine for private business, not for leader of the free world.