Free Republic

Mark Halprin Has a Pragmatic Warning for Kamala Harris Supporters

August 28, 2024 | Sundance

I do not know much about Mark Halprin other than what I have discerned from watching him sporadically discuss politics for years.  However, I have noticed in the last few years he is evolving toward a more sensible, pragmatic and non-pretending type of political analysis.

In this video below, Halprin speaks to something that everyone on the left is avoiding, the known problems with Kamala Harris as a candidate.

Brian Fallon is managing and hiding Kamala Harris, because Fallon and the rest of her handlers know there is very solid reasoning for why Kamala Harris was never considered a viable alternative to Biden before.  A few short weeks ago, the professional left were riddled with anxiety over Joe Biden’s mental and cognitive status, while simultaneously those same people did not want Harris as a candidate because they knew she had no skills.

You don’t have to argue with them, just ask any Democrat/Leftists to name the greatest accomplishment of Kamala Harris and you will see them melt in front of you.  Nothing about that has changed, and that’s why the DNC/Brian Fallon must hide Harris in order to maintain her ¹polling position.  If they let Kamala campaign and talk to the media, she will tank just like Ron DeSantis did (for the same reason).

Listen to Halprin first.  He’s right about this, and beyond his accuracy, what he says “might happen” – I would say is a virtual certainty.

Watch on X.

“I’m warning those of you who want Trump to lose that by the middle of next month, there’s a real possibility, based on what I’ve seen in terms of public and private data … that Kamala Harris could be where Joe Biden was,” says Mark Halperin.  “Only one electoral college path and not a particularly strong hold on it.”

*****

¹Polling Position – I cannot emphasize this enough. 

• The DNC (Obama/Clyburn) goal with Kamala Harris is polling position. 
• They need her to have the biggest appearance of support possible.  

It is polling they need – REMEMBER THAT!

The problem democrats had was not that Biden lost his marbles or was losing the election, the problem was that Biden was losing by a scale that was too big for them to cover. [CTH June 29, 2024]

Democrats didn’t need a switch-out candidate who could beat Donald Trump; they needed a candidate who can give plausibility to the Clyburn ballot counting results that will say Trump lost.

The issue they had with Biden was that he made the fraud too easy to see. The Democrats do not need a candidate who can win votes, the Democrats needed a candidate who can make fraudulent ballot results seem plausible.

The need to retain ballot plausibility is why the most important political narrative for the people who control Kamala Harris, is polling!

If her handlers think she will hurt her current polling by being visible, they will keep her hidden.  If her handlers think she will hurt her polling by speaking, they will keep her quiet.

Everything Obama/Clyburn and the team will do is to manage the illusion of Kamala Harris in order to preserve the media polling narrative and thereby facilitate the determining factor of Ballot Harvesting (Obama) and Ballot Scanning (Clyburn).

Check Picture of Dana Bash Interviewing Kamala Harris

August 29, 2024 | Sundance | 19 Comments

From what I am hearing, the interview did not go well.  Total tape time with takes and edits will be less than 18 minutes.  CNN will not provide a transcript of the raw interview.  CNN Host Dana Bash shared this picture during the taping.

[Source]

What is underneath the chair of Kamala Harris?

Watch on X.

---

#BREAKING: CNN releases the FIRST clip of their Kamala Harris and Tim Walz interview. What a joke.

Dana Bash: “Generally speaking, how should voters look at some of the changes that you've made that you've explained some of here in your policy? Is it because you have more experience now when you've learned more about the information? Is it because you were running for president in a Democratic primary? And should they feel comfortable and confident that what you're saying now is going to be your policy moving forward?”

Kamala Harris: “Dana, I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed. You've mentioned the Green New Deal. I have always believed — and I've worked on it — that the climate crisis is real, that it is an urgent matter to which we should apply metrics that include holding ourselves to deadlines around time. we did that with the Inflation Reduction Act. We have set goals for the United States of America And by extension, the globe around when we should meet certain standards for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, as an example. That value has not changed. My value around what we need to do to secure our border. That value has not changed. I spent two terms as the attorney general of California prosecuting transnational criminal organizations, violations of American laws regarding the passage — illegal passage of guns, drugs, and humans beings across our border. My values have not changed.”

---

Mark Halprin Has a Pragmatic Warning for Kamala Harris Supporters

August 28, 2024 | Sundance

I do not know much about Mark Halprin other than what I have discerned from watching him sporadically discuss politics for years.  However, I have noticed in the last few years he is evolving toward a more sensible, pragmatic and non-pretending type of political analysis.

In this video below, Halprin speaks to something that everyone on the left is avoiding, the known problems with Kamala Harris as a candidate.

Brian Fallon is managing and hiding Kamala Harris, because Fallon and the rest of her handlers know there is very solid reasoning for why Kamala Harris was never considered a viable alternative to Biden before.  A few short weeks ago, the professional left were riddled with anxiety over Joe Biden’s mental and cognitive status, while simultaneously those same people did not want Harris as a candidate because they knew she had no skills.

You don’t have to argue with them, just ask any Democrat/Leftists to name the greatest accomplishment of Kamala Harris and you will see them melt in front of you.  Nothing about that has changed, and that’s why the DNC/Brian Fallon must hide Harris in order to maintain her ¹polling position.  If they let Kamala campaign and talk to the media, she will tank just like Ron DeSantis did (for the same reason).

Listen to Halprin first.  He’s right about this, and beyond his accuracy, what he says “might happen” – I would say is a virtual certainty.

Watch on X.

“I’m warning those of you who want Trump to lose that by the middle of next month, there’s a real possibility, based on what I’ve seen in terms of public and private data … that Kamala Harris could be where Joe Biden was,” says Mark Halperin.  “Only one electoral college path and not a particularly strong hold on it.”

*****

¹Polling Position – I cannot emphasize this enough. 

• The DNC (Obama/Clyburn) goal with Kamala Harris is polling position. 
• They need her to have the biggest appearance of support possible.  

It is polling they need – REMEMBER THAT!

The problem democrats had was not that Biden lost his marbles or was losing the election, the problem was that Biden was losing by a scale that was too big for them to cover. [CTH June 29, 2024]

Democrats didn’t need a switch-out candidate who could beat Donald Trump; they needed a candidate who can give plausibility to the Clyburn ballot counting results that will say Trump lost.

The issue they had with Biden was that he made the fraud too easy to see. The Democrats do not need a candidate who can win votes, the Democrats needed a candidate who can make fraudulent ballot results seem plausible.

The need to retain ballot plausibility is why the most important political narrative for the people who control Kamala Harris, is polling!

If her handlers think she will hurt her current polling by being visible, they will keep her hidden.  If her handlers think she will hurt her polling by speaking, they will keep her quiet.

Everything Obama/Clyburn and the team will do is to manage the illusion of Kamala Harris in order to preserve the media polling narrative and thereby facilitate the determining factor of Ballot Harvesting (Obama) and Ballot Scanning (Clyburn).

Mark Halprin Has a Pragmatic Warning for Kamala Harris Supporters

August 28, 2024 | Sundance

I do not know much about Mark Halprin other than what I have discerned from watching him sporadically discuss politics for years.  However, I have noticed in the last few years he is evolving toward a more sensible, pragmatic and non-pretending type of political analysis.

In this video below, Halprin speaks to something that everyone on the left is avoiding, the known problems with Kamala Harris as a candidate.

Brian Fallon is managing and hiding Kamala Harris, because Fallon and the rest of her handlers know there is very solid reasoning for why Kamala Harris was never considered a viable alternative to Biden before.  A few short weeks ago, the professional left were riddled with anxiety over Joe Biden’s mental and cognitive status, while simultaneously those same people did not want Harris as a candidate because they knew she had no skills.

You don’t have to argue with them, just ask any Democrat/Leftists to name the greatest accomplishment of Kamala Harris and you will see them melt in front of you.  Nothing about that has changed, and that’s why the DNC/Brian Fallon must hide Harris in order to maintain her ¹polling position.  If they let Kamala campaign and talk to the media, she will tank just like Ron DeSantis did (for the same reason).

Listen to Halprin first.  He’s right about this, and beyond his accuracy, what he says “might happen” – I would say is a virtual certainty.

Watch on X.

“I’m warning those of you who want Trump to lose that by the middle of next month, there’s a real possibility, based on what I’ve seen in terms of public and private data … that Kamala Harris could be where Joe Biden was,” says Mark Halperin.  “Only one electoral college path and not a particularly strong hold on it.”

¹Polling Position – I cannot emphasize this enough. 

• The DNC (Obama/Clyburn) goal with Kamala Harris is polling position. 
• They need her to have the biggest appearance of support possible.  

It is polling they need – REMEMBER THAT!

The problem democrats had was not that Biden lost his marbles or was losing the election, the problem was that Biden was losing by a scale that was too big for them to cover. [CTH June 29, 2024]

Democrats didn’t need a switch-out candidate who could beat Donald Trump; they needed a candidate who can give plausibility to the Clyburn ballot counting results that will say Trump lost.

The issue they had with Biden was that he made the fraud too easy to see. The Democrats do not need a candidate who can win votes, the Democrats needed a candidate who can make fraudulent ballot results seem plausible.

The need to retain ballot plausibility is why the most important political narrative for the people who control Kamala Harris, is polling!

If her handlers think she will hurt her current polling by being visible, they will keep her hidden.  If her handlers think she will hurt her polling by speaking, they will keep her quiet.

Everything Obama/Clyburn and the team will do is to manage the illusion of Kamala Harris in order to preserve the media polling narrative and thereby facilitate the determining factor of Ballot Harvesting (Obama) and Ballot Scanning (Clyburn).

Why not?

It worked for Bernie...

...more than once.

A New, Larger, MAGA Coalition

August 27, 2024 | Sundance 

Several people have asked why the recent outlines about Tulsi Gabbard (Trump endorsement) and RFK Jr (Tucker Carlson interview), were presented without any opinion or analysis to accompany the articles.  Allow me to explain.

Friends, first, I am in action mode identifying who specifically is uploading state/county level registration data for key state ballot printing operations.  It sounds like boring footwork because it is, well, boring footwork.  This is not sexy, but hopefully this can have a big impact where needed.

Additionally, I am also just like you – trying to figure out how the intersections of the IC are playing out within this newly created coalition of MAGA and influential Democrats, the Unity Party as it is termed.

Essentially, on some aspects to these recent developments I’m trying to figure it out along with you; while my attention is operating at lower level toward what might be called the theatrics of political events.  Ballots matter right now more than all this other stuff.

That said, I am certainly not buying a lot of what is being put directly in front of me to purchase.  Someone recently said we have just accepted this intelligence operation of the 4th branch of government as if it is a hurdle to jump, or a gate with a lock to pick.

I’m not the guy that just accepts this stuff as our – “new normal.”  Eff these IC clowns.

Another aspect is how all of these anti-Trump anti-commonsense narratives (essentially lies) over the past several years are just accepted as the baseline for point making.  I just tune the conversation out because the premise is false, like RFK Jr saying yesterday that President Trump is “reprehensible” for what he did on January 6th, and Tucker Carlson just sitting there nodding in agreement like a goofy tool.

My mind sees that conversation and says, “what the heck is that all about?”  They both seem intelligent, Tucker has presented the FBI J6 stuff before, and yet they talk about J6 as if Trump was raging at people to attack Capitol Hill government.

This conversation as broadcast just doesn’t make logical sense; not just in the way they are talking about stuff, but in the content of their discussion – it’s like watching a performance that isn’t quite scripted but yet both of the participants have agreed on points to include (and those points are goofy).

Usually, when I see this type of activity, I put it in the ‘possible IC operation’ file.  Yet, I’m told by everyone in MAGA world that this is the best type of conversation for coalition building and don’t look at RFK Jr with my customary skepticism because unity or something.

I’m sorry, but I would rather hear about Trump administration staffing (who is on the transition team) from the official campaign, not random members shooting from the hip.  Beyond RFK Jr calling Trump “reprehensible,” a very odd way to talk about being supportive of a candidate you just endorsed, RFK Jr acts like MAGA is supposed to join with him, align with him, agree with him, benefit from him, not vice-versa.

Essentially, if you watch the messaging from RFK Jr and his key influencers like Tucker Carlson, they are replacing Donald Trump (at least JD Vance) with RFK Jr., that doesn’t seem cool.

Then someone reminded me that Steve Bannon, Charlie Kirk, Tucker Carlson, Roger Stone and Michael Flynn all wanted Robert F Kennedy Jr to be Trump’s vice president.  Not only did they want it, but they all talked about it constantly, perhaps that’s part of the dynamic we are watching.

When RFK Jr says President Trump’s people reached out to him to become Vice President before he offered the position to JD Vance; RFK Jr saying he rejected the offer; I’m left to wonder why Kennedy would make such a statement?

Now, in addition to accepting RFK Jr being unchallenged as he says, “President Trump is reprehensible,” I’m supposed to find “unity” in the ego of a very self-centered Kennedy saying he will be inside President Trump’s administration, on President Trump’s transition team making decisions, after publicly saying he rejected the offer of VP, which -if we are honest- is said only to make JD Vance smaller, and that speaks directly to the character of JFK Jr.

When I look at all of this, and granted I am not exclusively focused on it – so I might be missing stuff, the construct taking place here smells a lot like an influence operation.  Yes, I want to win… I want all of us to win… However, factually I’m already tired of people shouting “purity” at me as if it is some kind of disparagement.

If expecting Robert F Kennedy to refrain from calling President Donald Trump “reprehensible” is some kind of purity test, then consider me guilty of demanding a purity test.  I don’t mean to be argumentative / not a team player, but as we get into formation for the last 70 days before this election, I don’t want the guy standing next to me stabbing me in the neck with his pencil either (hey, appropriate Philly reference).

I’m also absorbing what it means for the RFK Jr endorsement to resurrect the “Q” tribe into 2024.

The CTH social media feed is suddenly swarmed again with Q supporters talking about the RFK Jr endorsement of President Trump being some long-ago-created master plan.  Another ‘plan to trust’ cycle of “drops” and “proofs” was not something I expected.   Seeing this also raises my suspicions of an intelligence community at work.

As long as all of this MAGA/Democrat coalition stuff ends up with a net voter benefit for President Trump, I guess it’s all good.  However, if any of these unity efforts are done with an intent to mitigate the financial effectiveness of a Trump second term, ie. the general origins of the DC oppositional system, then we need to intercept more than just fraudulent ballot printing operations.

Remember, a few important things.  This opposition group are relentless.

• DC tried to cancel him – that didn’t work.
• DC tried to block him – that didn’t work.
• Someone tried to kill him – that didn’t work.
• Lawfare tried to stop his ability to campaign – that didn’t work.

…. And there are still trillions at stake.

“That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made
And crowns for convoy put into his purse:
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.”

“This day is called the feast of Crispian:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian:’
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispin’s day.’

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names.
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember’d.

This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember’d;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day.”

[From Henry V, Act IV]

Cold anger is displaced with the sense of purposeful rage…

Delicate sensibilities dispatched like a feather in a hurricane…

This is a zero-sum conflict now!

His ballots have already been counted. 😜

From our generation's Mencken.

“Of course, we have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz.”

Yeah, right. 🙄

If "strongly worded letters" were paper cuts, by now the entire
Democrat Party would be a torn and bleeding husk. 🙄

Telegram Messaging App Founder and CEO Arrested in France

August 24, 2024 | Sundance

Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai are genuinely brilliant tech programmers, mathematicians and entrepreneurs.  The Durov brothers founded the Telegram communication app in 2013.  Telegram now has 950 million active users who can send messages, photos and videos, take part in chats for groups of up to 200,000 people and broadcast to unlimited audiences.

Telegram is the preferred messaging and communication app for those concerned with privacy.  In my own travels, plans and purposeful interactions, I use Telegram frequently.  It is the best communication tool available, and the tech interface is brilliant. However, various government agencies hate Telegram because of the privacy it provides.

Pavel and Nikolai Durov are originally Russian; their app was created and tested deep inside the surveillance state.  The Russian government could not compromise it, and Pavel’s unwavering perspective on private communication has been thoroughly tested in subsequent years.  Telegram is a success because Pavel Durov has proven he is trustworthy.

Pavel Durov was just arrested by the French government for refusing to compromise on the user privacy of his app.

ReclaimTheNet – […] Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested this Saturday evening, according to French media.

The incident occurred at Le Bourget Airport just as Durov, accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman, disembarked from his private jet. Durov, who holds dual Franco-Russian citizenship and is 39 years old, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

The arrest was executed by members of the GTA (Gendarmerie of Air Transport), acting on a French search warrant. This warrant, issued by the OFMIN of the national directorate of the French judicial police, was based on allegations that Telegram’s operational policies — specifically its lack of censorship and lack of cooperation with law enforcement’s censorship demands, along with features such as disposable phone numbers and cryptocurrency transactions — indirectly support illicit activities.

Emphasis below, mine!

[…] The arrest of Durov marks a major escalation in the global debate over the balance between privacy and security, and could have profound implications across multiple dimensions:

Legal Precedent: This incident could set a legal precedent for how nations handle the regulation of encrypted communication platforms. If Durov is prosecuted for the actions of users on his platform, it might lead to increased pressure on other tech companies to monitor and control user behavior, potentially compromising the commitment to user privacy.

Government Surveillance and Privacy: The case highlights the tension between government surveillance and individual privacy rights. Governments may use this incident as a justification to demand greater access to encrypted communications, arguing that it’s necessary for national security and law enforcement. This could lead to broader legal and regulatory changes that erode privacy protections in digital spaces. (read more)

In the wake of the attempted assassination of President Trump, we have already seen the professionals in DC start the process to outlaw private communication apps like Telegram. {See Here} 

The Intelligence Community would like to remove the ability of Americans to communicate privately without the government intercepts.

The BASELINE – The Durov brothers are exceptionally gifted.  In reference to the principle of freedom and liberty that guides Pavel, he has my respect, and I understand his value system with great clarity.  Pavel Durov recognized very early, much earlier than most, that information would be fulcrum challenge, and without private communication the value of information is always eroded.  Privacy is critical in order for accurate information to flow.  That is the value of Telegram.

Durov controls Telegram. 

Durov is the owner and proprietor of Telegram.  Durov talks openly about the *touches* from U.S. intelligence and government officials toward him and his communication platform.  He is very open about the contacts by FBI and various intel officials, and notes those conversations were always unnerving.

Elon Musk controls Twitter.

Elon Musk was talking about the importance of user privacy and security at the exact same time he was secretly complying with the DOJ to give the metadata of all Donald Trump supporters from his platform.  These things do not reconcile, and I refuse to pretend the conflict between Musk’s words and his actions doesn’t exist.  When he first bought the platform, Elon Musk promised that Direct Messages (DM’s) on Twitter would be encrypted. After the first few stories about DHS controlling Twitter content, ie “the Twitter Files”, Musk never followed through.

“This situation [with Pavel Durov] is a litmus test for the future of digital privacy, encryption, and the role of tech companies in moderating content and cooperating with law enforcement. The global implications of how this case is handled are significant, potentially affecting not only the tech industry but also the privacy rights of individuals worldwide.”

Telegram Messaging App Founder and CEO Arrested in France

August 24, 2024 | Sundance

Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai are genuinely brilliant tech programmers, mathematicians and entrepreneurs.  The Durov brothers founded the Telegram communication app in 2013.  Telegram now has 950 million active users who can send messages, photos and videos, take part in chats for groups of up to 200,000 people and broadcast to unlimited audiences.

Telegram is the preferred messaging and communication app for those concerned with privacy.  In my own travels, plans and purposeful interactions, I use Telegram frequently.  It is the best communication tool available, and the tech interface is brilliant. However, various government agencies hate Telegram because of the privacy it provides.

Pavel and Nikolai Durov are originally Russian; their app was created and tested deep inside the surveillance state.  The Russian government could not compromise it, and Pavel’s unwavering perspective on private communication has been thoroughly tested in subsequent years.  Telegram is a success because Pavel Durov has proven he is trustworthy.

Pavel Durov was just arrested by the French government for refusing to compromise on the user privacy of his app.

ReclaimTheNet – […] Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested this Saturday evening, according to French media.

The incident occurred at Le Bourget Airport just as Durov, accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman, disembarked from his private jet. Durov, who holds dual Franco-Russian citizenship and is 39 years old, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

The arrest was executed by members of the GTA (Gendarmerie of Air Transport), acting on a French search warrant. This warrant, issued by the OFMIN of the national directorate of the French judicial police, was based on allegations that Telegram’s operational policies — specifically its lack of censorship and lack of cooperation with law enforcement’s censorship demands, along with features such as disposable phone numbers and cryptocurrency transactions — indirectly support illicit activities.

Emphasis below, mine!

[…] The arrest of Durov marks a major escalation in the global debate over the balance between privacy and security, and could have profound implications across multiple dimensions:

Legal Precedent: This incident could set a legal precedent for how nations handle the regulation of encrypted communication platforms. If Durov is prosecuted for the actions of users on his platform, it might lead to increased pressure on other tech companies to monitor and control user behavior, potentially compromising the commitment to user privacy.

Government Surveillance and Privacy: The case highlights the tension between government surveillance and individual privacy rights. Governments may use this incident as a justification to demand greater access to encrypted communications, arguing that it’s necessary for national security and law enforcement. This could lead to broader legal and regulatory changes that erode privacy protections in digital spaces. (read more)

In the wake of the attempted assassination of President Trump, we have already seen the professionals in DC start the process to outlaw private communication apps like Telegram. {See Here} 

The Intelligence Community would like to remove the ability of Americans to communicate privately without the government intercepts.

The BASELINE – The Durov brothers are exceptionally gifted.  In reference to the principle of freedom and liberty that guides Pavel, he has my respect, and I understand his value system with great clarity.  Pavel Durov recognized very early, much earlier than most, that information would be fulcrum challenge, and without private communication the value of information is always eroded.  Privacy is critical in order for accurate information to flow.  That is the value of Telegram.

Durov controls Telegram. 

Durov is the owner and proprietor of Telegram.  Durov talks openly about the *touches* from U.S. intelligence and government officials toward him and his communication platform.  He is very open about the contacts by FBI and various intel officials, and notes those conversations were always unnerving.

Elon Musk controls Twitter.

Elon Musk was talking about the importance of user privacy and security at the exact same time he was secretly complying with the DOJ to give the metadata of all Donald Trump supporters from his platform.  These things do not reconcile, and I refuse to pretend the conflict between Musk’s words and his actions doesn’t exist.  When he first bought the platform, Elon Musk promised that Direct Messages (DM’s) on Twitter would be encrypted. After the first few stories about DHS controlling Twitter content, ie “the Twitter Files”, Musk never followed through.

“This situation [with Pavel Durov] is a litmus test for the future of digital privacy, encryption, and the role of tech companies in moderating content and cooperating with law enforcement. The global implications of how this case is handled are significant, potentially affecting not only the tech industry but also the privacy rights of individuals worldwide.”

Telegram Messaging App Founder and CEO Arrested in France

August 24, 2024 | Sundance

Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai are genuinely brilliant tech programmers, mathematicians and entrepreneurs.  The Durov brothers founded the Telegram communication app in 2013.  Telegram now has 950 million active users who can send messages, photos and videos, take part in chats for groups of up to 200,000 people and broadcast to unlimited audiences.

Telegram is the preferred messaging and communication app for those concerned with privacy.  In my own travels, plans and purposeful interactions, I use Telegram frequently.  It is the best communication tool available, and the tech interface is brilliant. However, various government agencies hate Telegram because of the privacy it provides.

Pavel and Nikolai Durov are originally Russian; their app was created and tested deep inside the surveillance state.  The Russian government could not compromise it, and Pavel’s unwavering perspective on private communication has been thoroughly tested in subsequent years.  Telegram is a success because Pavel Durov has proven he is trustworthy.

Pavel Durov was just arrested by the French government for refusing to compromise on the user privacy of his app.

ReclaimTheNet – […] Pavel Durov, the founder and CEO of the encrypted messaging app Telegram, was arrested this Saturday evening, according to French media.

The incident occurred at Le Bourget Airport just as Durov, accompanied by a bodyguard and a woman, disembarked from his private jet. Durov, who holds dual Franco-Russian citizenship and is 39 years old, had just arrived from Azerbaijan.

The arrest was executed by members of the GTA (Gendarmerie of Air Transport), acting on a French search warrant. This warrant, issued by the OFMIN of the national directorate of the French judicial police, was based on allegations that Telegram’s operational policies — specifically its lack of censorship and lack of cooperation with law enforcement’s censorship demands, along with features such as disposable phone numbers and cryptocurrency transactions — indirectly support illicit activities.

Emphasis below, mine!

[…] The arrest of Durov marks a major escalation in the global debate over the balance between privacy and security, and could have profound implications across multiple dimensions:

Legal Precedent: This incident could set a legal precedent for how nations handle the regulation of encrypted communication platforms. If Durov is prosecuted for the actions of users on his platform, it might lead to increased pressure on other tech companies to monitor and control user behavior, potentially compromising the commitment to user privacy.

Government Surveillance and Privacy: The case highlights the tension between government surveillance and individual privacy rights. Governments may use this incident as a justification to demand greater access to encrypted communications, arguing that it’s necessary for national security and law enforcement. This could lead to broader legal and regulatory changes that erode privacy protections in digital spaces. (read more)

In the wake of the attempted assassination of President Trump, we have already seen the professionals in DC start the process to outlaw private communication apps like Telegram. {See Here}  The Intelligence Community would like to remove the ability of Americans to communicate privately without the government intercepts.

The BASELINE – The Durov brothers are exceptionally gifted.  In reference to the principle of freedom and liberty that guides Pavel, he has my respect, and I understand his value system with great clarity.  Pavel Durov recognized very early, much earlier than most, that information would be fulcrum challenge, and without private communication the value of information is always eroded.  Privacy is critical in order for accurate information to flow.  That is the value of Telegram.

Durov controls Telegram.  Durov is the owner and proprietor of Telegram.  Durov talks openly about the *touches* from U.S. intelligence and government officials toward him and his communication platform.  He is very open about the contacts by FBI and various intel officials, and notes those conversations were always unnerving.

Elon Musk controls Twitter. Elon Musk was talking about the importance of user privacy and security at the exact same time he was secretly complying with the DOJ to give the metadata of all Donald Trump supporters from his platform.  These things do not reconcile, and I refuse to pretend the conflict between Musk’s words and his actions doesn’t exist.  When he first bought the platform, Elon Musk promised that Direct Messages (DM’s) on Twitter would be encrypted. After the first few stories about DHS controlling Twitter content, ie “the Twitter Files”, Musk never followed through.

“This situation [with Pavel Durov] is a litmus test for the future of digital privacy, encryption, and the role of tech companies in moderating content and cooperating with law enforcement. The global implications of how this case is handled are significant, potentially affecting not only the tech industry but also the privacy rights of individuals worldwide.”

And yet....

The Atlantic Is Cooling at a Mysteriously Fast Rate After Record Warmth

• The sudden shift in water temperature is puzzling scientists.

"reproductive rights"

Substitute "race" with "abortion" and this statement is dead on.