this post was submitted on 05 Feb 2025

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Politico swept up in USAID scandal as records show government paid $8.2 million to left-leaning news site (www.dailymail.co.uk)

submitted 11 months ago by UniversalMonk@lemm.ee to c/conservative@lemm.ee

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[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 14 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (2 children)

Funny how you posted a right leaning publication’s piece about a left leaning publication’s funding without seeing the irony.

Also, (unsurprisingly), the article is wrong:

https://thedispatch.com/article/fact-check-politico-usaid-funding/

The only payments received by Politico LLC from USAID were for two subscriptions to E&E—an energy and environment publication it produces—totaling $44,000 over two years.

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Your fact check article you cited has been updated with corrections.

The headline of this piece has been updated to more accurately describe the contents of the fact check. While Politico LLC did receive funds from USAID and other government agencies, the money was not for grants but payment for subscriptions to its publications. Also, the $8.2 million figure cited refers to payments in the 12 months leading up to February 2025, not dating back to 2016.

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Thanks for the update. So it seems to have been legit payments then, neato.

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee -2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Nothing in the article discusses the legitimacy of the subscriptions. It could simply be a way money was funneled.

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 5 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Money can be exchanged for goods and services.

If we cannot make a determination of the legitimacy of subscriptions, we equally cannot conclude if it was funneled either.

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee -2 points 11 months ago (1 children)

That's why I used the word could. In this context it's used to express possibility.

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Yep. It’s also possible this is a distraction from us remembering USAID was investigating Starlink in Ukraine for shutting off satellite access to help Russia.

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

It is, but it's far more likely you missed or didn't understand the word could.

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

So many possibilities!

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

There are but the most likely one is you not knowing what could means.

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 4 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Maybe! The one about the guy getting unrestricted access to the group investigating his company for wrongdoing makes a lot of sense though.

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Conspiracy theories must be quite common for people that don't know what could means.

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Getting the feeling you’re just wanting to argue or something. It’s not a theory. USAID was investigating Starlink for aiding Russia by restricting Ukraine access. That is at minimum a conflict of interest.

https://gizmodo.com/elon-musks-enemy-usaid-was-investigating-starlink-over-its-contracts-in-ukraine-2000559365

I’m not here to squabble. If you are I suggest goading someone else.

[–] jimbolauski@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago

Based on your actions I don't think you know what squabble means either.

Further USAID was not investigating starlink. They don't have authority to investigate starlink. They were investigating how the Government of Ukraine used the USAID-provided Starlink terminals & how USAID monitored the Government of Ukraine’s use of USAID-provided Starlink terminals.

Finally Starlink was never turned off for Ukraine they denied access up to Crimea because of US sanctions on Russia.

[–] UniversalMonk@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

But I don't care about the irony. I wasn't making a point. I posted cuz I found it interesting. That's it.

Thanks, friend!

[–] karl_chungus@lemm.ee 6 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Might want to make sure what you post is correct then, otherwise it looks like you’re pushing a narrative.

No problemo buddy!

[–] UniversalMonk@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

And what would that narrative be?

Because I can't control, nor do I care to control, the narrative that someone feels when they read a news article.

I didn't write the article. A MUCH bigger and more popular website than Lemmy published it.

Heck, I didn't even post the contents of the article. Just the title and the link.

What people think is on them, not up to me.

Thanks, friend!

[+] leftytighty@slrpnk.net 3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 4 months ago) (1 children)

[deleted]

[–] UniversalMonk@lemm.ee -3 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

I am socialist.

I don't write the articles, friend. You don't have to read them. Posting something I find interesting doesn't mean I subscribe to all the points of view in an article.

If you find there is something troubling in the article, please reach out to the people who write it.

I guess a block is overdue

Sounds like it is. You should definitely block me. Because I'm not gonna stop posting. I'll post whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

Thanks, friend! :)

[–] redut_nl@lemmy.libertarianfellowship.org -3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

You know being a socialist in the real world is not a good thing right? Read a book about economics and join the libertarian movement - we are the good guys 😀

[–] UniversalMonk@lemm.ee 0 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

Well actually...

I'm a Libertarian Socialist. So trust me, I'm all about a lot of Libertarian values. I even created a sub called Libertarian Socialism. !libertariansocialism@sh.itjust.works

But since most people don't know about Libertarian stuff, I just shorthand it and go with Socialist when describing myself.

I actually grew up in the town that started the Libertarian Party here in the US.

But friend, the last US Libertarian Party candidate SUCKED! He had zero charisma.

The US Libertarian Party has a lot of great goals, but they need to work on getting better candidates.

[–] redut_nl@lemmy.libertarianfellowship.org -1 points 11 months ago (1 children)

I am from the Netherlands, our libertarian movement is in an even worse shape. At least with DOGE you have some libertarian action.

Will check the sub!

[–] UniversalMonk@lemm.ee -2 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Thanks! The sub is pretty bare because I just can't find much on Libertarian Socialism. But I have it there so when I do occasionally run across something, I throw it in there. :)

But yeah, I am freakin' loving the DOGE stuff. It's hilarious how may Lemmy people are just hating on it because of Musk and Trump. If Bernie or AOC would have started this thing, Lemmy would have stars in their eyes. Because sooo much money is being wasted by the government.