Podcast (sunday-thoughts): Play in new window | Download | Embed
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | Pandora | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | Deezer | RSS | Subscribe to Sunday Thoughts
There are always snakes lurking and it’s important to be on guard. Some Sunday thoughts.
Timestamps, Topics, and Links
0:00- Intro
2:30- Watching out for snakes
Identifying Venomous and Nonvenomous Snakes in Texas
https://texnat.tamu.edu/files/2019/02/2019-Frank-Snake-ID-WFSC-023.pdf
14:08- Watching out for manipulators
Playlist on Manipulation
18:09- Identifying manipulators on Twitter
September 8, 2023: My Brief Career as a Paid Pro-Paxton Propagandist
As the attorney general’s impeachment trial takes place, a shadowy group has mobilized an army of political influencers to support his acquittal. Our ethics laws aren’t keeping up.
https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/paid-paxton-influencers-impeachment/
March 30, 2023: A Betsy DeVos-backed group helps fuel a rapid expansion of public money for private schools
The American Federation for Children has found success amid a 20-year low in support for K-12 education and protests over lessons involving race and identity.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/betsy-devos-american-federation-children-private-school-rcna76307
August 24, 2023: ‘Crisis In The Classroom’ School Choice Debate Gets Heated
https://dailycaller.com/2023/08/24/crisis-in-the-classroom-school-choice-debate-heated-corey-deangelis-betsy-devos/
September 11, 2023: The conservative push for “school choice” has had its most successful year ever
Why did it break through after decades of effort — and what comes next?
https://www.vox.com/politics/23689496/school-choice-education-savings-accounts-american-federation-children
22:56- The importance of being on guard
Are You Willing to Be Wrong?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5IGLHsZvYg&feature=youtu.be
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you
26:11- Twitter propaganda about Afghanistan
June 23, 2011: Obama announces troop reductions, way forward in Afghanistan
https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/610547/obama-announces-troop-reductions-way-forward-in-afghanistan/
Withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan (2011–2016)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withdrawal_of_United_States_troops_from_Afghanistan_(2011%E2%80%932016)
Generation Jihad
Generation Jihad – Ep. 45 — President Biden’s Decision Points
November 6, 2023: Russia, China and Iran are backing Hamas online – report
Experts tell NY Times that propaganda and disinformation against Israel and US are stronger than ever; mass campaigns suggest ‘involvement of nations or large nonstate actors’
https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-china-and-iran-are-backing-hamas-online-report/
October 27, 2023: Senior Iranian envoy met Hamas representatives in Moscow as Russia seeks to expand its clout
https://apnews.com/article/russia-iran-hamas-israel-palestine-9b57f4322f57f3a6ff33e2908cb2a3ef
November 1, 2023: Unraveling a Complex Web: A primer on Hamas funding sources,
Iranian support, global connections and compliance concerns, considerations
https://www.acfcs.org/unraveling-a-complex-web-a-primer-on-hamas-funding-sources-iranian-support-global-connections-and-compliance-concerns-considerations
July 16, 2018: Trump sides with Russia against FBI at Helsinki summit
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44852812
June 16, 2021: Still a summit secret: What happened in Helsinki between Putin and Trump?
Democrats say they are no longer pursuing records of the private meeting.
https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/summit-secret-happened-helsinki-putin-trump/story?id=78273344
From 2017 to 2019, amid former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election, Democrats raised questions about Trump’s conversations with Putin, especially after Trump said in Helsinki, standing next to Putin, that he believed his 2017 denial of election interference, over the findings of U.S. intelligence.
Similar questions were raised after the disclosure of an unplanned conversation with Putin during a G-20 dinner in Osaka, Japan, in June 2019 during which Trump was not accompanied by an interpreter.
March 1, 2001: How to Revitalize a Dysfunctional State Department
November 19, 2019: The State Department is weak and getting weaker. That puts us all at risk.
We need a robust diplomatic engine at the heart of our foreign policy.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/09/19/state-department-is-weak-getting-weaker-that-puts-us-all-risk/
July 9, 1993: State Department:
Management Weaknesses at the U.S. Embassies in Panama, Barbados, and Grenada
https://www.gao.gov/products/nsiad-93-190
October 15, 2013: Watchdog Reports Security Weaknesses at State Department
https://www.pogo.org/analysis/watchdog-reports-security-weaknesses-at-state-department
32-30- Update on Afghan Christians in Pakistan
November 10, 2023: Pakistan: Halt mass detentions and deportations of Afghan refugees
Pakistan: Halt mass detentions and deportations of Afghan refugees
October 31, 2023: Pakistan: Afghans Detained, Face Deportation
End Coercion, Abuse, Forced Return of Refugees
https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/10/31/pakistan-afghans-detained-face-deportation
November 11, 2023: Pakistan Deports Afghan Refugees
https://www.forbes.com/sites/ewelinaochab/2023/11/11/pakistan-deports-afghan-refugees/?sh=702cca231c54
November 8, 2023: 1.7 million Afghans face deportation from Pakistan
https://www.rescue.org/article/17-million-afghans-face-deportation-pakistan
36:30- Helping SIV families in Afghanistan
The Afghanistan Project Podcast Episode 4: Leslie Merriman with Our Culture is Giving
To donate for winter fuel for SIV families in Afghanistan, visit the site for Our Culture is Giving. When donating, put a note in the comments that it is for wood for fuel. They are supporting 12 families and the total needed for the winter is $300 per family.
https://ourcultureisgiving.org
