The purpose of the EU Democracy Shield is to Shield The EU Against Democracy so people can’t vote their way outADF International (@ADFIntl):Under the Democracy Shield, governments, NGOs, and EU-funded “fact-checkers” would be empowered to monitor, label, and silence speech deemed hostile.Right now, the Shield is in a pre-legislative phase. ...

Every American president in history has addressed the members of the military at vital moments in our country's history with care and intention and deep respect. It sounds something like this. The people of this country do not appreciate how secure we are because of the devotion of men and their wives and children who serve this country in far off places.the sea, in the air, and on the ground, thousands and thousands of miles away from this country, who make it possible for us all to live in peace each day. ...

Political Analysis - The report highlights the concept of "democratic backsliding," suggesting it's a euphemism for a power grab [1] - The report indicates that democracy is under siege in multiple countries, including the United States [1] - The report emphasizes the importance of calling "democratic backsliding" what it is: a power grab [1]

The very first amendment to the US Constitution right here was ratified on December 17th, 1791. It's been around for a while and subject to evolving interpretations. But there is once again today and particularly in the last in the last few weeks and misconception about this most fundamental right that Americans hold, free speech.You know, it's important because it's among the first amendments. It's the called the first one, but it was ratified with a number of other amendments. And we need to start by ridd ...

Joining me now is Matt Stler, director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project and author of the book Goliath: The Hundred-Year- War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy. Matt, welcome to the show. It's good to have you here.Hey, thanks for having me. Matt, I'm I'm trying really hard to to make sure people understand this this connection that monopolies and corporate control and consolidation are all bad, but they're not just bad for the sake of being bad because your prices go up. They're ba ...

Media Industry & Market Dynamics - Sinclair and NextStar ended their boycotts of Jimmy Kimmel Live, representing about 20% of all ABC stations [1] - The boycott was influenced by "thoughtful feedback from viewers, advertisers, and community leaders" [3] - The situation is viewed as a power grab, with potential authoritarian influence exerted through governmental pressure [4] - Boycotts can be effective, but relying solely on consumer action is unsustainable [5][6] Regulatory & Political Implications - Government agencies, like the FCC, may be used to exert pressure on media outlets [12] - The situation is compared to historical instances of government suppression of free speech, such as the Sedition Act of 1798 and McCarthyism [11][16] - The events are seen as a "test case" for potential future actions, where pressure can be applied without explicit legal violations [18] - Media consolidation gives government entities leverage over companies [19] Consumer & Corporate Responsibility - The public's ability to "unsubscribe" from services like Disney Plus demonstrates a form of consumer power [5][20] - There's a need for elected officials to actively counter corporate power and protect free speech [7][22] - Billionaires and large corporations are unlikely to prioritize free speech over their bottom line [9]

“The West needs a democratic, free Russia,” argues Yulia Navalnaya. “It is in Europe’s interest to support Russian civil society, independent media, human-rights defenders and all structures that unite opponents of Putin’s dictatorship” https://t.co/ZMXs9lbHLk ...

Geopolitical Analysis - Ukraine's militarized democracy has been beneficial during wartime [1] - This system may create vulnerabilities during peacetime [1] Reform and Development - Real reform efforts are still needed in Ukraine [1]

US Politics & Free Speech - The discussion highlights the importance of free speech in American society, noting that figures like Ted Cruz, Rand Paul, and Todd Young, despite their differences, uphold the First Amendment and the American spirit of freedom [2] - Concerns are raised about the erosion of the traditional separation between the West Wing and the Department of Justice, with accusations that the president is weaponizing democratic institutions to target political enemies, signaling authoritarianism [4] - The potential impact of the president's actions on international relations is discussed, with concerns that his speeches and behavior are alienating allies and impacting the perception of the United States abroad [4][5] Trump & International Relations - The report suggests a possible shift in President Trump's stance on the Ukraine-Russia conflict, with a more encouraging tone towards Ukraine and a stronger stance against Putin, though skepticism remains about the consistency and reliability of this shift [6] - European leaders may be starting to understand that some of President Trump's actions and rhetoric are primarily for domestic consumption, although concerns persist about his erratic behavior and deal-making approach on the world stage [6] - There is discussion about the disconnect between President Trump's public statements at the UN and his private interactions with world leaders, with some suggesting that his UN speeches are primarily aimed at his MAGA base [6] Analysis of Trump's Behavior - Chris Matthews suggests that Trump "smells weakness" and that his behavior may be influenced by intelligence suggesting Russia's economy is collapsing, potentially leading to a change in his approach to Ukraine [7] - The discussion touches on Trump's tendency to personalize issues and his potential for erratic behavior, with examples such as his treatment of Zilinsky and his evolving attitude towards Putin [6] - The report mentions Trump's history of attacking perceived enemies and the possibility that figures like Ted Cruz, who have criticized him, may become targets of his ire [7][8][9]

Europe has a vital, if paradoxical role to play in Ukraine. It must now sharply step up support, while also pressing Kyiv to prevent democratic backsliding https://t.co/9ouJlOs6a8 ...