Sam Greene
@samagreene
This deserves a longer discussion - and I'll probably open up a can of worms with this - but there's something about the way this story is being played out that bothers me.
https://twitter.com/nytimesworld/status/1149098491337224193
I've seen this story now in a number of venues, and all of them are playing it the same way: Putin/Russia/Kremlin sought to interfere in the European elections, buy influence in Italy, etc etc etc. /2
A few stories have also mentioned the criticism that Salvini and Lega are facing, akin to what Austria's Freedom Party faced back in May, for similar reasons. Maybe I'm missing something, but nobody is leading from that angle. And that's what bothers me. /3
I'm not here for the whatabout game. I don't like it any more than anyone else does. /4
Yes, the Kremlin is inserting itself in politics around the world in ways that are not calculated to increase democracy and good governance in those countries. /5
Yes, the Kremlin benefits from instability (to a degree, at least) in what we might broadly call the West, and a particularly from a breakdown in coordination in the EU. /6
And no, the Kremlin does not particularly care whether it (or its partners) break the letter or the spirit of our laws and constitutions in pursuit of its aims. /7
But none of this should be surprising. Right or wrong, this is the way the Kremlin believes the game is played. Why are we surprised that a government that won't play by its own rules won't play by ours? /8
What should be much more surprising and troubling is the increasing number of players in our own political establishments who are willing to sell out -- politicians and voters who no longer thing our own rules matter. That's the threat. /9
In other words, there are two ways to see this story. There's the NYTimes' way: "Putin has actively sought to destabilize the European Union by boosting nationalist, populist parties like the League." /10
Or there's this way: "Nationalist, populist parties like the League have actively sought the support of Putin in their effort to destabilize the European Union."
Frankly, that's the angle that scares me more. /11
I'm not trying to whitewash Putin's role in all of this. But we need to recognize that he's playing an opportunistic game. If Western centrist parties would do business with him (as they once would - witness Schroeder), he'd gladly jump into bed with them. But they won't. /12
Increasingly, however, our political establishments have come to be occupied by people who have so little sense of connection to their own countries that they feel both willing and compelled to seek support elsewhere. That's the threat. /13
This is an equilibrium of both supply _and_ demand. Ideology here is irrelevant. Both sides are opportunistic. If Moscow weren't playing ball, Salvini might be doing business in Beijing or Riyadh. Would that be any better? I don't think so. /14
Putin's role in this story -- while worth noting -- is incidental when compared to the role of people like Salvini or Strache or Le Pen or Trump. /15
If we didn't have politicians who were willing to sell out, Putin wouldn't have an opportunity to buy in. /END
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I don't know who Paul Whelan is, and that's a good thing. /1
To recap: Russian authorities have arrested an American citizen, evidently in the midst of an act of espionage. That's all we know at the moment. /2 cbsnews.com/news/paul-whel…
The name doesn't seem to mean much to Russia-focused journos, academics or think tank analysts, though we're only an hour or so into the story. /3
I mean, I get the whole "down with western hegemony" thing. I really do. But what comes next is going to be so much worse, folks. /1
https://twitter.com/peston/status/1068526118364270593
Look at these men. Do you think either of them has any illusion about the game they're playing? Not for a second. They just assume our leaders play it too. /2
My point is not that western leaders don't murder, don't start wars, don't do all kinds of nefarious things. They do. This isn't about our leaders being better than theirs, because often they're not. /3
Thread: I am aware that the Institute of Modern Russia has published a report on 'Hybrid Analytica', involving charges that Kremlin-linked interests are using Western universities and think tanks as cover to provide credibility for influence campaigns in the the US, UK and EU. /1
My institution, King's College London, is on their list. To be clear, the report does not name the department I run, the King's Russia Institute, nor does it accuse me or any of my colleagues of doing anything wrong. And I do not believe that the authors meant to do so. /2
The accusations regarding King's are, in fact, serious. They involve Friedbert Pfluger, a former German public official and consultant, who has an affiliation with another part of King's, a small energy center called EUCERS. He has no relationship with the KRI. /3
Erica Buddington
@ericabuddington
#THREAD:
I have a former student named Stan*. I've been sharing his commentary on Facebook for 3 years. Folks think he's funny. 🙄 In honor of his recent graduation, I'm going to start positing the stories here. Here's our very first interaction, 3 years ago. 👇🏾
Stan: Ms. Buddington, you like your hair like that?
Me: Yes...why?
Stan: *walks around me, looking at my head*
Me: *confused*
(Exhibit A: 👇🏾 2016 Hair)
Stan: *goes into his notebook, scrawls something, rips a paper out and hands it to me, with a number on it*
Me: What is this?
*still confused*
Ayla Ferrone
@AylaFerrone
#THREAD: Details from yesterday's closing arguments in the federal trial against #NXIVM leader Keith Raniere. The day began around 9:30 with AUSA Moira Penza giving the prosecution's arguments. news10.com/news/local-new…
She began by describing many known NXIVM locations in Clifton Park. Penza says 127 Grenadier Court was Allison Mack's condo where the branding of women took place with their "arms above head like a sacrifice."
2 Flintlock where she says Raniere took sexually explicit photos including those of a 15 year old. 120 Victory Way, where she says DOS witness Nicole was tied to a table, blindfolded, not knowing she was being videotaped.
Aijay
@Hejeoma
#Thread 1. My people make una no vex about the gist I promised to drop, the damn thing is too long & too explicit. I have been working with my team of directors at 'HBO' to edit & re-shoot. lol I go do am like 'Game of thrones' & drop it in episodes cos all cant fit in 25 extra
2. tweets as given by twitter. Episode 1:
Disclaimer: The stories I tell here are factions, that is they are a mixture of facts & fiction. What is fact/fiction is only known to me, this is primarily a creative enterprise using humor & plain story-telling skills to entertain,
3. teach & learn as well from your feedback. Please, note that names & incidences do not represent actual persons or experiences. I'm only using my literary license, not motor license O! (Rated 18+) James & Joan have been married for 5 years & have two kids together.
Avon Healthcare
@AVONHMO
"Na xyz I do, I no kill person."
We hear this a lot and it's all well and good. On the other hand, there are some innocent-looking habits that can negatively impact our health.
Here's a #thread of 7 such habits to watch out for (and avoid).
We all have peculiar quirks that aren't necessarily 'bad' & definitely can't qualify as criminal acts. At most, they'll annoy people close to you and that would be all.
But what if we view these quirks with health lenses? Would you still want to indulge? Our bet is no.
1. Nail biting
Eww… Not only can this damage your teeth and the skin around your nail bed, it can also lead to infection. You also may get more colds and other illnesses when you put your fingers, which often carry germs, into your mouth.
diaryofanaijagirl.ng
@DANGposts
Yesterday at the Lagos General hospital where some of the casualties of the Ita-Faaji collapsed building are being treated, I met Maria Adeyemo. I'll tell you about her.
#Thread
Maria birthed 3 beautiful girls, two of whom are twins. Maria has struggled all her life but she's always wanted her babies to get an education even though she didn't have such privilege. Thankfully, she got married to a hardworking man who also has the same belief.
Maria sells cheap biscuits and candies on the road at Eko Idumota. These goods are placed in a small tray, while she alternates between sitting and standing to attract customers, at the end of the day, Maria may turn over N2,000
#THREAD: #mylifewithstan
There's a scholar that I used to teach. His name is Stan. He's wild. We're really close and he often reaches out to me to keep me updated. Trust me. You want to read everything this child has to say.
Got my weekly call from Stan today. School has begun. Stan seems to have issues with all of his teachers...
Me: So tell me about your day...
Stan: There's not much to tell. I was in and out of the dean's office all day.
Me: It's DAY TWO!
Stan: Actually, its day 233 of the actual year. I learn all year round.
Me: Okay Stan. Why were you in the dean's office?
Stan: Because I gave the teachers advice.
Me: What kind of advice?
Stan: Well, the art teacher didn't know what she was doing.
#Vets #UsMovie #TheNewYorkPops #Bees #TGIF #Bird #WILD #HappyMemorialDay2019 #Looking #Ocean #FlynnIsSafe #ImmigrantHeritageMonth #JustSaying #NigeriaPolitics #picture #Apart #My2019ElectionVerdict #respect #MarieColvin #Kenyaunbowed #LiveYourBestLife #Night #Be #Unique #LGBTQunite
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