Politics

[TheEncogitationer]

Unseen,

All that is possible. And it’s why “Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty.”

[_Robert_]

Moron-in-charge slashed already tiny budgets of “Voice of America” programs, that transmitted pro-democracy information in many languages including Iran. They probably just get Iranian propaganda now. Who are we kidding, we are no democracy anyways.

VOA first began broadcasting in 1942 and reaches an audience of 361 million worldwide in 49 languages and some regions that are ” deeply underrepresented.”

[TheEncogitationer]

Robert,

The Iranian resistance already sends and receives information to and from the outside world via VPNs as Armin’s video shows when he reads chats.

And who needs an antique that’s probably still ran on vacuum tubes like Voice of America when there is StarLink? Ol’ “Leon” did a good thing despite himself here, probably to spite his spurned Donald:

Elon Musk’s Starlink Provides Internet to Iranians After Country Cuts Off Access Amid War
https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-israel-iran-conflict-elon-musks-starlink-provides-internet-to-iranians-after-country-cuts-off-access-amid-war-3879933/

[_Robert_]

TheEncogitationer wrote:

Robert, The Iranian resistance already sends and receives information to and from the outside world via VPNs as Armin’s video shows when he reads chats. And who needs an antique that’s probably still ran on vacuum tubes like Voice of America when there is StarLink? Ol’ “Leon” did a good thing despite himself here, probably to spite his spurned Donald: Elon Musk’s Starlink Provides Internet to Iranians After Country Cuts Off Access Amid War https://www.financialexpress.com/life/technology-israel-iran-conflict-elon-musks-starlink-provides-internet-to-iranians-after-country-cuts-off-access-amid-war-3879933/

 

VOA still reaches the poorest and remotest places. Radio Broadcasts: VOA transmits its programming using shortwave radio and satellite technology, which can effectively reach remote areas with limited or no internet access.
Affiliate Stations: VOA has established a vast network of affiliate stations in numerous countries. These partnerships help distribute VOA content to local communities, including those in remote regions.
Targeting Countries with Limited Free Press: VOA focuses on providing independent journalism to areas where a free press is restricted or non-existent.
Mobile Apps and Digital Platforms: While radio is crucial for remote areas, VOA also offers mobile apps and utilizes digital platforms to engage audiences where internet access is available.
Example:
VOA Indonesian, for example, reaches a weekly audience of 64.6 million people in Indonesia through TV, radio, and digital platforms. They have built an extensive network of over 500 TV and radio affiliates to reach a wide audience, including those in remote areas.
In summary, VOA’s commitment to delivering news and information, particularly in regions where other media sources are limited, ensures its continued relevance in reaching audiences in the poorest and most remote places.

Since we are essentially a banana republic, as long as the current regime is in power, what’s the point.

[TheEncogitationer]

Robert,

Ask your AI whether AM, FM, Shortwave, and Ham radio, especially underground radio, ever existed without Uncle Sugar’s USAID. You may also want to ask how 24-7 music-playing radio came to the British Isles. Hint: no tax dollars at work.

I won’t mind if the lights flicker a bit. AI does use 10 times more energy than a regular Web search on Google. That’s one helluva smoke-belching crutch to lean on.

[Unseen]

TheEncogitationer wrote:

Armin Navabi who hails from Iran is pretty stoked about everything and says he’s getting messages that Iranian citizens are cheering Israel for attacking the Islamic Republic!

I’m seeing no indication of anything other than Iranians rallying around their flag.

Where’s the evidence that the Iranian public is rebelling or even working up to it? So far, all you seem to have qualifies as hearsay.

[Reg the Fronkey Farmer]

I am a few Iranian friends here in Ireland. They are ex-Muslims and have not been back to Iran for 24 years. They are hoping that the regime topples soon and are thanking Israel already. I was speaking with my friend in Ukraine today.  He said they are so happy that Israel is actively attacking the Iranian drone manufacturing facilities. They have been supplying Shahed drones to Moscow since the start of the “special military operation” over 3 years ago.

[TheEncogitationer]

Unseen,

I’m seeing no indication of anything other than Iranians rallying around their flag.

Where’s the evidence that the Iranian public is rebelling or even working up to it? So far, all you seem to have qualifies as hearsay.

Here is further corroboation for Iranians speaking out against the regime and praising Israel:

‘Thank you uncle Netanyahu’: some Iranians praise Israeli strikes
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202506135945

Look close at the flag, too. It may be the old one with the lion in the center.

You may want to go comisserate with John Meersheimer, Jeffrey Sachs, Scott Horton, Dave Smith, and Tucker Carlson. I’m sure they’re not as smirky and snarky as usual. The strong aren’t doing what they can and the weak aren’t suffering what they must! Dammit! This whole multipolar “Realist” thing’s not working! 😁

• This reply was modified 10 months ago by TheEncogitationer.

[_Robert_]

TheEncogitationer wrote:

Robert, Ask your AI whether AM, FM, Shortwave, and Ham radio, especially underground radio, ever existed without Uncle Sugar’s USAID. You may also want to ask how 24-7 music-playing radio came to the British Isles. Hint: no tax dollars at work. I won’t mind if the lights flicker a bit. AI does use 10 times more energy than a regular Web search on Google. That’s one helluva smoke-belching crutch to lean on.

No, it’s your libertarian bitcoin pricks burning all the coal for their idiotic power sucking, slow as molasses “blockchain technology”. And getting fleeced over and over again, LOL. It’s such a beautiful money laundering, crime funding system. Hey, but at least a Jew bank doesn’t touch your money. To the moon!

But, yeah, it’s much cheaper to have billions of zombies in lockstep, believing everything their dear leaders says, than planting a bit of doubt. What could go wrong? Just more of that deep forward-looking MAGA thinking.

I’d much rather spend my tax money on military parades. I do wonder how much DOGE actually cost us. We won’t know for years. Those cuts to the FAA staffing really worked out for our aircraft industry, wouldn’t you say? It was a grand idea to have Boeing employees representing the FAA’s concerns. That’s how you end up with one sensor failure bringing down 737s. Oh yeah, it took two of them. So smart.

[_Robert_]

Ladies and Gentlemen, the US Army, brought to you by the folks at Coinbase.

[TheEncogitationer]

Robert,

No, it’s your libertarian bitcoin pricks burning all the coal for their idiotic power sucking, slow as molasses “blockchain technology”.

It can be both AI and Bitcoin that suck massive amounts of power, but Eco-Wackos are the hypocrites for using either while virtue signalling over straws and EVs. Me, I say find a way for these to use less power and be Gold based. (Hey, Gold is both a better conductor and a historically better basis for currency.)

AND getting fleeced over and over again, LOL. It’s such a beautiful money laundering, crime funding system. Hey, but at least a Jew bank doesn’t touch your money. To the moon!

You can’t address my point that the medium of underground dissident radio existed without USAID, you can’t even address it with help of an AI crutch, so you have to Ad Hominem by associating me with Bitcoin Bros and Anti-Semitic bigots and (presumably)Jackie Gleason’s Ralph Cramden, none of which I am.

Well Autumn did that too by calling me a bigot, so like I did with her, I tell you to Fuck Off! Autumn at least had enough sense to do so.

But, yeah, it’s much cheaper to have billions of zombies in lockstep, believing everything their dear leaders says, than planting a bit of doubt. What could go wrong? Just more of that deep forward-looking MAGA thinking.

If USAID and Voice of America were really as effective as you say they are, The Wall never would have been build, Communism never would have held one fourth of a Planet, and for that matter, Iran would have been a free nation after overthrowing the Shah.

It take something different than “soft power” gravy trains to make people free and keep them free,.

I’d much rather spend my tax money on military parades. I do wonder how much DOGE actually cost us. We won’t know for years. Those cuts to the FAA staffing really worked out for our aircraft industry, wouldn’t you say? It was a grand idea to have Boeing employees representing the FAA’s concerns. That’s how you end up with one sensor failure bringing down 737s. Oh yeah, it took two of them. So smart.

The FAA was using vacuum tubes up to the 2000s and up to last year, air traffic controllers were using slips of paper to track the positions of aircraft.

At that same time Canada’s air traffic control was private and used digital technology. DOGE should have fully privatized and digitized air traffic control and retrained staff who were amenable.

A Big Dig in the skies
The FAA often fails to keep up with technology. When it does succeed, modernization is halting at best.
https://readplaintext.com/a-big-dig-in-the-skies-bb9371726b1e

Electronic Flight Strips
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/technology/tfdm/efs

Addressing both past government problems and present problems with MAGA takes mature and informed minds. Come back when you’ve grown up.

[Reg the Fronkey Farmer]

Coinbase.

[Unseen]

@Enco

Your source doesn’t look like it’s reliable on an AP or Reuters level.

I did check an AI (Gemini) asking

During the ongoing war between Israel and Iran, are there any indications which way the general Iranian public is leaning regarding supporting their government?

And got this response:

Based on recent reports, there are strong indications that a significant portion of the Iranian public is not leaning towards supporting their government in the ongoing conflict with Israel, and in many cases, is openly hostile towards the regime.

Here’s a breakdown of the sentiment:

Anti-Regime Sentiment: Many Iranians view the conflict as an opportunity for political transformation and express strong anti-regime sentiments. There’s a widespread belief that the current government is the root of their problems, including economic hardship and international isolation. Some even express gratitude towards Israel for targeting the regime’s military and nuclear sites.

Desire for Regime Change: Calls for regime change are surging, with many Iranians and Iranian diaspora communities advocating for a more democratic government. Some hope that the airstrikes will weaken the regime and potentially lead to its downfall, and there are even suggestions that elements within the Iranian military might be open to a coup.

Criticism of Government’s Response: There is public anger and questioning of the government’s ability to protect its citizens and infrastructure, with some Iranians pointing out the lack of air raid sirens or shelters, and criticizing the regime for prioritizing ideological foreign policies over the needs of its own people.

Disillusionment with Regional Policies: Many Iranians are reportedly weary of the government’s support for proxy groups in the region (“Axis of Resistance”) and believe these policies drain resources that could be used for domestic issues. There’s a sentiment that the government’s actions lead to “national humiliation” and that the conflict is not in the best interest of the Iranian people.

Internet Restrictions and Crackdowns: The Iranian authorities have reportedly restricted internet usage and threatened legal action against those celebrating on social media, suggesting a preemptive crackdown on dissent. This further indicates that the regime is aware of and concerned about public opposition.

Historical Context: While historically there has been some sympathy for the Palestinian cause in Iran, it has eroded over time due to the Islamic Republic’s perceived misallocation of resources and its focus on external ideological goals rather than domestic well-being. This has led to slogans like “No to Lebanon, no to Palestine, my life only for Iran.”

In summary, rather than rallying behind their government, a significant part of the Iranian public appears to be increasingly critical of the regime and its involvement in the conflict with Israel, seeing it as a potential catalyst for internal change and expressing a desire for a different future.

So, it looks like regime change is a possibility whose prospects are increasing, which would be good depending upon what succeeds the current administration.

[TheEncogitationer]

Unseen,

So you just burned 10 times more dinosaur bones than me to get to the same thing I was saying earlier. Why???

If your AI is like DuckAI, it cites it’s sources and has the disclaimer acknowledging that it is subject to error. Just like my regular Web searches. Why not just do a regular Web search without the AI falderal?

Reuters as I recall several years back actually refused to use the word ‘terrorism’ in it’s press releases. I don’t if they’re still doing this silliness, but how credible is that to not use a term to express a reality in world events?

• This reply was modified 10 months ago by TheEncogitationer. Reason: Addendum
• This reply was modified 10 months ago by TheEncogitationer.

[Unseen]

@Enco

The horse is dead. No point in beating it.

• This reply was modified 10 months ago by Unseen.

[Author]

Posts