The Stuttering Lede, Vol II
“I believe in the power of the imagination to remake the world, to release the truth within us, to hold back the night, to transcend death, to charm motorways, to ingratiate ourselves with birds, to enlist the confidences of madmen.” J.G. Ballard
This past week we witnessed “a little girl in California who was part of the second class to integrate her public schools [who] was bused to school every day” become the first black female candidate for the President of the United States. This moment, regardless of what will happen from now on, will live in history right next to Obama election in 08 and Biden victory in 20.
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This week in history
Sir Kier Starmer celebrated 50th day as the Prime Minister of the UK. This ensures that Liz Truss remains the rightful owner of the title of UK’s shortest serving Prime Minister.
Seventy five years ago, this week, the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany signed the Molotov–Ribbentrop pact which they called a non-aggression pact. It was a lie. It had a secret protocol to divide Eastern Europe between them and unleash horrors unseen.
Twenty five years ago, this week, around 2 million people formed a human chain through Estonia, Lithuania & Latvia to demand Moscow to remove its troops...
Today, Ukraine celebrates her 33rd Independence Day because of the Granite Revolution, an overlooked 1990 protest.
One year ago, this week, Evgeniy Prigozhin mysteriously died.
2024 Elections
Kamala Harris faced a high bar in convention speech. Many think that she clearly passed it.
DNC brought energy and hope, let’s not get overconfident.
At least one of the “undecided voters” on CNN panel after VP Harris' speech on Thursday has had pro-Trump social media posts, including Trump's mugshot and disappointment that Mike Pence didn't overturn the election.
Having backed Trump, some of Silicon Valley and Wall Street's biggest names—including Elon Musk, Bill Ackman & David Marcus—are now trying to rewrite history by claiming that Trump didn't calls Nazis "fine people."
This is the previously unpublished speech Georgia Rep. Ruwa Romman wanted to give at the DNC. The DNC has told uncommitted organizers that neither a Palestinian American or doctor who has volunteered in Gaza will get to speak. Congressm”
This is the previously unpublished speech Georgia Rep. Ruwa Romman wanted to give at the DNC. The DNC has told uncommitted organizers that neither a Palestinian American or doctor who has volunteered in Gaza will get to speak. Congressman Ro Khanna is among many criticizing DNC for lack of Palestinian representation.
Palestine is not alone with being ignored at DNC. Climate crisis says hello.
Bill Clinton’s claim that since 1989, 50 million jobs were created under Democrats while Republicans created 1 million is true. I strongly suggest checking out the same numbers since WWII.
General Politics
Ronen Bar, head of the Shin Bet sent the letter, warning against the emerging threat of settler terrorism. He believes it is supported by many in the system and is going to grow into a movement that will threaten the well-being of Israel. Here is a portion of the letter: "I am writing you this letter in pain. In deep fear. As a Jew, as an Israeli, and as a security official, I learned about the increasing phenomenon of Jewish terrorism by the hilltop youth. The hilltop youth phenomenon has long created a significant amount of terrorism towards Palestinians.” Full text in Hebrew.
Ronda Rousey offers a very authentic and deep apology… Nothing shows true remorse like apologizing for something that no one even realized you did. This is so clearly heartfelt that it’s hard to imagine anyone questioning it.
Russia
Our policy toward Ukraine is really a policy of incrementalism which is appeasement-light, and it’s failing.
From the Republics is the first-ever English-language newsletter spotlighting Russia’s ethnic republics and non-Slavic Indigenous and ethnic minority communities.
Rhodus Intelligence released first OSINT collection "Roscosmos.” As the only producer of intercontinental ballistic missiles in Russia, Roscosmos plays a central role in maintaining the Russian WMD delivery capabilities.
Parents of non-mobilized Russian conscripts who have disappeared in the Kursk region or been captured by Ukraine say the Russian authorities have not offered any help — and pro-Kremlin activists have pressured them to stay quiet, reports @istories_eng
Moving piece looking back at the Beslan siege 20 years ago: “Soon I would look on as a woman outside the town hospital was told her child had died in the gymnasium. She let out a cry of grief like a wounded animal and fell to the ground.”
Another Russian mercenary leader has turned against Putin. A few days ago, Georgy Zakrevsky, head of a private military company, effectively called on Russians to get rid of the “Great” Putin.
Tech
Telegram (and VK) founder and CEO Pavel Durov is arrested in Paris and likely headed to jail for facilitating "terrorism, narcotics, complicity, fraud, money laundering, receiving stolen goods, child porn, etc." and Telegram's refusal to work with European regulators. Durov will be tried as a French citizen, though Russian officials are reportedly trying to lobby diplomatically on his behalf. Telegram is widely used by Russian military in the war in Ukraine and recently made a lot of noise as an alternative to Signal, even though the latter is the only true open source and end to end encrypted form of communications. Elon was heavily involved. I really hope he has plans to travel to EU.
A major survey on the state of civic life in America was recently published. The most jaw-dropping finding was the rapid decline in social connections among Americans without degrees. Nearly 1/4 have no close friends. Full report.
Self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist” Elon Musk and his lawyers are issuing subpoenas to public interest groups like FAIR and the Union of Concerned Scientists, demanding their communications with Media Matters.
Humour
How countlessly they congregate
O'er our tumultuous snow,
Which flows in shapes as tall as trees
When wintry winds do blow!--
As if with keenness for our fate,
Our faltering few steps on
To white rest, and a place of rest
Invisible at dawn,
And yet with neither love nor hate,
Those stars like some snow-white
Minerva's snow-white marble eyes
Without the gift of sight.
Robert Frost
