Trollwatch Update: As you may know, I am very, very interested in how people seeking to advance a particular philosophy or mindset or interest "gang up" on a person, or website, and seek to flood it. This is of course anathema to the honest pursuit of the truth with an open mind. This week, this site has seen a flood of signups and hostile comments all coming from a single website dedicated to a particular strand of so-called libertarianism that is extremely hostile to government of all forms in the US and that has shown itself happy to amplify talking points put out by pro-Putin elements in the US and worldwide. I'll keep you all posted as this unfolds. We'll also keep removing and blocking these people as their clear intent is to impede serious discussion and inquiry.
Note to readers: My substack articles sometimes get linked or reposted on websites of individuals and groups with whom I have very little in common. Readers of those sites then come here and try to politick for their rigid (and often loathesome) viewpoints, and typically repeat somewhat viral but oversimplified or fallacious talking points. I sometimes do verbal battle with them but I really don't have the time for it. To blunt this spammy effect and overall degradation of the "serious thought" environment here, regrettably, I may have to shut down individual commenters or even turn off the commenting option altogether. Apologies for this.
Harold, you obviously DID NOT READ what I wrote. That's the first rule of being a responsible adult: pay attention. Do not just go online and propagandize.
Because some people disrespect what is going on here and essentially vandalize the comments section, please note: you will be blocked out of consideration for others.
Russ...My comment was intended to point out the misdirection on the variety of "official stories". I regret you interpreted my comment as a criticism of your well-appointed post.
Um, Martin. I dont think you read very carefully. Why are you continuing to say who "helped to do it" when the entire point of my exercise was to say.... we dont know.
Like your compatriots, you clearly did not read my two articles on the topic and you're just interested in furthering confirmation bias. Try reading -- and with an open mind. And have the courtesy to deal with the substance of what I said.
As I look into people who have the sort of certitude you do, I find that every single one can be traced to a particular ideological disposition that is inconsistent with true open mindedness. The latter is the only defensible posture in a society divided into camps.
Actually, I find you very easy to categorize based on the dubious assertions you make here and your having no problem with the slaughter by Putin -- which I find.... disgusting.
You're definitely a predictable type. 90 percent of people I hear from disagree with you, but they only send private notes. Everyone who posts what you did say almost the exact same thing, in almost the exact same words. It rings problematic in a time of organized disinfo. Either that or you all drink from the same kool-aid can. You all cite several blogs from which you get the info you "trust"
You seem confused about NATO. What you are commenting about them is sheer propaganda put out by fascists. If you are not a fan of the far-right, then it would behoove you to research those tropes they've been putting out. The "coup mongering west" is Bush & the far-right going to war to enrich themselves. NATO is not responsible for war. NATO is set up to protect smaller/weaker countries from bigger countries trying to take advantage. Asserting such right-wing talking points while claiming to "not be a fan" is the height of ignorance.
He originally wrote me a private note. I asked him if I could use it and he said yes, but without his name. It's not unusual that journalists dont want to offer such a broad and informal assessment of their government -- especially regarding intel and if you're from a small country -- as an on the record statement. The consequences of his weighing in for himself are unknown, but in any case I've asked him to clarify further on your question.
As I suspected, he says that if he had studied the issue specifically for purposes of writing an article he'd be glad to go on the record, but as he was just offering an informal assessment to me, he'd like to leave it at that.
Trollwatch Update: As you may know, I am very, very interested in how people seeking to advance a particular philosophy or mindset or interest "gang up" on a person, or website, and seek to flood it. This is of course anathema to the honest pursuit of the truth with an open mind. This week, this site has seen a flood of signups and hostile comments all coming from a single website dedicated to a particular strand of so-called libertarianism that is extremely hostile to government of all forms in the US and that has shown itself happy to amplify talking points put out by pro-Putin elements in the US and worldwide. I'll keep you all posted as this unfolds. We'll also keep removing and blocking these people as their clear intent is to impede serious discussion and inquiry.
Note to readers: My substack articles sometimes get linked or reposted on websites of individuals and groups with whom I have very little in common. Readers of those sites then come here and try to politick for their rigid (and often loathesome) viewpoints, and typically repeat somewhat viral but oversimplified or fallacious talking points. I sometimes do verbal battle with them but I really don't have the time for it. To blunt this spammy effect and overall degradation of the "serious thought" environment here, regrettably, I may have to shut down individual commenters or even turn off the commenting option altogether. Apologies for this.
When all else fails it's usually a decent long shot that Mossad is involved.
Its too bad that the standard for comments is.... none.
ANOTHER LIE -- Nordstream demolished by US Navy Poseidon P8 aircraft deploying HAAWC Torpedo. This was an act of war by Biden with no confirmed participation by any other country - https://groups.google.com/g/town-square-news/c/DEk01l4xMRc/m/7E78dfjlBAAJ
Harold, you obviously DID NOT READ what I wrote. That's the first rule of being a responsible adult: pay attention. Do not just go online and propagandize.
Because some people disrespect what is going on here and essentially vandalize the comments section, please note: you will be blocked out of consideration for others.
Russ...My comment was intended to point out the misdirection on the variety of "official stories". I regret you interpreted my comment as a criticism of your well-appointed post.
Didn't the UK help to do it?They have the expertise and supposedlly were involved in the blowing up of the Russian bridge into Crimea.
Um, Martin. I dont think you read very carefully. Why are you continuing to say who "helped to do it" when the entire point of my exercise was to say.... we dont know.
sorry,i skimmed the article but nobody is saying the British may have been involved.
Like your compatriots, you clearly did not read my two articles on the topic and you're just interested in furthering confirmation bias. Try reading -- and with an open mind. And have the courtesy to deal with the substance of what I said.
As I look into people who have the sort of certitude you do, I find that every single one can be traced to a particular ideological disposition that is inconsistent with true open mindedness. The latter is the only defensible posture in a society divided into camps.
Actually, I find you very easy to categorize based on the dubious assertions you make here and your having no problem with the slaughter by Putin -- which I find.... disgusting.
You're definitely a predictable type. 90 percent of people I hear from disagree with you, but they only send private notes. Everyone who posts what you did say almost the exact same thing, in almost the exact same words. It rings problematic in a time of organized disinfo. Either that or you all drink from the same kool-aid can. You all cite several blogs from which you get the info you "trust"
You seem confused about NATO. What you are commenting about them is sheer propaganda put out by fascists. If you are not a fan of the far-right, then it would behoove you to research those tropes they've been putting out. The "coup mongering west" is Bush & the far-right going to war to enrich themselves. NATO is not responsible for war. NATO is set up to protect smaller/weaker countries from bigger countries trying to take advantage. Asserting such right-wing talking points while claiming to "not be a fan" is the height of ignorance.
He originally wrote me a private note. I asked him if I could use it and he said yes, but without his name. It's not unusual that journalists dont want to offer such a broad and informal assessment of their government -- especially regarding intel and if you're from a small country -- as an on the record statement. The consequences of his weighing in for himself are unknown, but in any case I've asked him to clarify further on your question.
As I suspected, he says that if he had studied the issue specifically for purposes of writing an article he'd be glad to go on the record, but as he was just offering an informal assessment to me, he'd like to leave it at that.