Musk on USAID: ‘Time for it to die’

[DaisyDay]

To be fair, that's like saying "Don't confuse ExxonMobile with The Heartland Institute"

Don't confuse ExxonMobile with The Heartland Institute.

One feeds money to the other.

Which does which - do you have the figures?

An apolitical entity can have subsidiaries or partner organizations (that are certainly political) and under those big corporate umbrellas, money becomes fungible.

Okay. Politico is German owned.

That's the issue with Politico. While "Politico Pro" may be a mostly apolitical entity offering enhanced toolsets to subscribers, if that money ends up getting used to fund/supplement "regular politico" (an organization that certainly has a bias), then that's where the issue arises.

However, Politico Plus actually provides a useful service.

POLITICO Pro is a customizable policy newsfeed and intelligence platform for professionals on the front lines of policy. The Pro platform gives you access to exclusive reporting, analysis and tools to arm you with the intel you need to make informed decisions, so you can stay one step ahead.​

WSJ is another useful, commonly subscribed by fiance department. It is not a scandal for people making policy decisions to have a subscription that helps.

 

[NxNW]

Soros and all the higher ups in USAID which I now call ISAID (ISIS) should all be tried for treason for directly funding the enemies of America.

Which enemies?

 

[Aryeh Jay]

Which enemies?

Apparently anyone who's eaten a bowl of American rice.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

Which does which - do you have the figures?

ExxonMobile used to feed them sums to the tune of around $600,000, which the heartland institute would then use to go out and create "climate change skepticism"

However, Politico Plus actually provides a useful service.

POLITICO Pro is a customizable policy newsfeed and intelligence platform for professionals on the front lines of policy. The Pro platform gives you access to exclusive reporting, analysis and tools to arm you with the intel you need to make informed decisions, so you can stay one step ahead.
WSJ is another useful, commonly subscribed by fiance department. It is not a scandal for people making policy decisions to have a subscription that helps.

That's why I used the Exxon example. Their division that provides a useful service (machine lubrications) was taking proceeds and handing it over to a side-entity that foments climate change denial.


Or perhaps a better example, remember when there was some controversy/outcry in the state of New York, about state contracts for restaurants on the Turnpike and food catering for state-funded events?

Some progressives expressed displeasure about the state enlisting Chick-fil-a's services for those.

It wasn't because Chick-fil-a wasn't providing a useful apolitical service (there's nothing political/controversial about a grilled chicken sandwich and some waffle fries), but because of the fact that they'd take the proceeds they'd make, and in turn, give money over to entities that did have overt biases on certain issues (specifically with regards to LGBT topics)

So, some in the state of New York saw that as "The state is taking the tax dollars I pay, and indirectly giving it to anti-Gay entities using Chick-fil-a as a proxy"

 

[Hans Blaster]

ExxonMobile used to feed them sums to the tune of around $600,000, which the heartland institute would then use to go out and create "climate change skepticism"

You are conflating a subsidiary (the various "politico" components, or in the other similar disingenuous DOdGEy claim, "Thomson Reuters" components) with a think tank (perhaps a captive one at that). Even if ExxonMobile is using HI as a laundrymat PR firm (which it very well might be), it still doesn't correspond to "Politico".

Politico is a *media* company formed to *make money* in the media business. It owns other media companies (or properties) like "E&E News" and is owned by *another* media company (Axel Springer) which was *also* formed to make money in the media business and bought several other media companies (like "Bild" and "Welt") that (you guessed it) are formed to make money in media. The whole "Axel Springer" company is made of media companies trying to make money in media and data.

Heartland institute is a political non-profit think tank and ExxonMobile is using it to transmit their political agenda. There is no similar funder of "Politico".

 

[ThatRobGuy]

You are conflating a subsidiary (the various "politico" components, or in the other similar disingenuous DOdGEy claim, "Thomson Reuters" components) with a think tank (perhaps a captive one at that). Even if ExxonMobile is using HI as a laundrymat PR firm (which it very well might be), it still doesn't correspond to "Politico".

Politico is a *media* company formed to *make money* in the media business. It owns other media companies (or properties) like "E&E News" and is owned by *another* media company (Axel Springer) which was *also* formed to make money in the media business and bought several other media companies (like "Bild" and "Welt") that (you guessed it) are formed to make money in media. The whole "Axel Springer" company is made of media companies trying to make money in media and data.

Heartland institute is a political non-profit think tank and ExxonMobile is using it to transmit their political agenda. There is no similar funder of "Politico".

It's not perfect parity, I understand, but isn't it a bit of a "distinction without a difference"? (in practical terms)

If the parent organization uses the proceeds of their pro-subscription model (which may be apolitical), to in turn, fund the regular politico reporting (which tilts pretty heavily to the left).

And the government is purchasing those Politico-Pro subscriptions. The end result still ends up being "tax dollars being used to sponsor left-leaning reporting".

It's not as much of a "direct shot", so to speak, as the way the BBC is funded across the pond, but it still ends up accomplishing roughly the same thing does it not?

The Hill Acquisition Supports Politico's Price Ambitions - A Media Operator

Before we jump into today’s newsletter, I wanted to let you know that I will be taking some time off. There will…

www.amediaoperator.com

Given that Politico Pro accounts for nearly 60% of the revenue under the "Politico Umbrella"...it'd be hard to believe that their apolitical "Pro" offering isn't providing a significant source of the funding to pay for their regular journalism that's not behind the paywall.

 

[Bradskii]

That's the 'ulterior motive' here - a stable Ukraine is a ally and trading partner and it keeps that part of the world stable.

An apparently keeps gay people happy. Although I'll have to check that with my gay friends.

 

[Bradskii]

Yeah, I remember my third grade class (60s) had a guest speaker who told us about the horrors of Soviet life. Specifically, I remember being told how awful it was that women had to work while children went to daycare. I also learned that "when" I got married, i would be expected to stay home and do all the housework. Ironic.

You'll see plenty of that 60's ideology right here in this forum.

 

[Hans Blaster]

It's not perfect parity, I understand, but isn't it a bit of a "distinction without a difference"? (in practical terms)

It's not even similar at all.

If the parent organization uses the proceeds of their pro-subscription model (which may be apolitical), to in turn, fund the regular politico reporting (which tilts pretty heavily to the left).

(To go back to your analogy, ExxonMobile is not the "parent organization" of Heartland Inst. Yet another reason your analogy is bad.)

Or maybe a subscription based data analysis service is more profitable than ad-supported reporting. Not to mention that the reporting feeds the needs of the "Pro" subscribers. (It is a service and a publication focused on government news.)

And the government is purchasing those Politico-Pro subscriptions. The end result still ends up being "tax dollars being used to sponsor left-leaning reporting".

Purchased because the subscription service is *USEFUL* to the offices that subscribe. There is no reason to think that the government is attemptin gto "subsidize" the newspaper/magazine.

It's not as much of a "direct shot", so to speak, as the way the BBC is funded across the pond, but it still ends up accomplishing roughly the same thing does it not?

The Hill Acquisition Supports Politico's Price Ambitions - A Media Operator

Before we jump into today’s newsletter, I wanted to let you know that I will be taking some time off. There will…

www.amediaoperator.com

Given that Politico Pro accounts for nearly 60% of the revenue under the "Politico Umbrella"...it'd be hard to believe that their apolitical "Pro" offering isn't providing a significant source of the funding to pay for their regular journalism that's not behind the paywall.

It's really like you didn't even read or understand your own linked article because it supports what I have been saying.

 

[ThatRobGuy]

It's not even similar at all.

(To go back to your analogy, ExxonMobile is not the "parent organization" of Heartland Inst. Yet another reason your analogy is bad.)

Or maybe a subscription based data analysis service is more profitable than ad-supported reporting. Not to mention that the reporting feeds the needs of the "Pro" subscribers. (It is a service and a publication focused on government news.)

Purchased because the subscription service is *USEFUL* to the offices that subscribe. There is no reason to think that the government is attemptin gto "subsidize" the newspaper/magazine.

It's really like you didn't even read or understand your own linked article because it supports what I have been saying.

Okay, maybe I'll just word it in a direct way...

Does any of their revenue from this:

Get used to facilitate articles or pay the salaries with regards to their stuff like this?:

 

[Hans Blaster]

Okay, maybe I'll just word it in a direct way...

Does any of their revenue from this:

View attachment 361265


Get used to facilitate articles or pay the salaries with regards to their stuff like this?:

View attachment 361267

Why don't you ask Politico and not me. I don't have their financial deets.

The more important question is "does the Pro service provide subscribers with something they need?".

Story time to help you work through the logic...

Long ago I worked for a major tobacco company. Not in the tobacco division, but at a company that part of food conglomerate that the tobacco company bought. Was the tobacco money subsidizing the insertion of vegetables into cans? or the other food products? No. Each of the divisions was expected make a profit on their own. If it didn't it would be sold or shut down. Why did big tobacco buy big food? They had money and wanted to diversify their portfolio particularly given the massive settlement that was coming their way after decades of deceptive marketing of death sticks.

Remember, it was the regular Politico w/o the "Pro" revenue that *started* the "Pro" data and analysis service to *MAKE MORE MONEY*. If original Politico wasn't profitable doing reporting and opinions and selling ads it wouldn't have had the money to START A NEW VENTURE.

(As an aside, in looking into this over the last few days I noticed that another relatively new news service "Axios" was sold for a nice sum not that long ago. News is a business that can make money, even the "failing NY Times".)

 

[essentialsaltes]

Almost all of the agency's work has stalled, including critical parts of the mpox response effort.

"It's like watching a train wreck in real time – and not being able to do a thing about it," says a health worker formerly part of the U.S. response team. The worker spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the federal government.

The U.S. plays an outsized role in the public health of the DRC. Last year, the U.S. provided almost 70% of all humanitarian aid going to the country, sending $965,000,000 to the DRC according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. And when it came to mpox response, the U.S. funds have supported a wide range of efforts from training lab technicians to providing diagnostic tests to supplying gloves and gowns for health workers to working with veterinarians for disease surveillance in animal populations.

Public health experts say there are at least two areas where the impacts of the aid freeze are already being felt on the mpox response.

First, the vast majority of the mpox vaccines pledged by the U.S. are stuck in a warehouse.

Second, the U.S. had been funding the secure transportation of suspected mpox samples from clinics to labs for testing — but no longer.

Why the good news about the mpox outbreak of 2025 isn't really good after all​

If you stop testing, the numbers will go down!

 

[Pommer]

Almost all of the agency's work has stalled, including critical parts of the mpox response effort.

"It's like watching a train wreck in real time – and not being able to do a thing about it," says a health worker formerly part of the U.S. response team. The worker spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the federal government.

The U.S. plays an outsized role in the public health of the DRC. Last year, the U.S. provided almost 70% of all humanitarian aid going to the country, sending $965,000,000 to the DRC according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. And when it came to mpox response, the U.S. funds have supported a wide range of efforts from training lab technicians to providing diagnostic tests to supplying gloves and gowns for health workers to working with veterinarians for disease surveillance in animal populations.

Public health experts say there are at least two areas where the impacts of the aid freeze are already being felt on the mpox response.

First, the vast majority of the mpox vaccines pledged by the U.S. are stuck in a warehouse.

Second, the U.S. had been funding the secure transportation of suspected mpox samples from clinics to labs for testing — but no longer.

Why the good news about the mpox outbreak of 2025 isn't really good after all​

If you stop testing, the numbers will go down!

The USA has gone from “here ya go” to “what’s in it for us?”

The absolute richest country in the history of the world is worried about being taken advantage of.

It’s beyond pathetic.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Why the good news about the mpox outbreak of 2025 isn't really good after all​

If you stop testing, the numbers will go down!

Musk says DOGE ‘restored’ Ebola prevention effort. Officials say that’s not true.​

USAID’s initiatives to fight Ebola and other diseases have been gutted, current and former agency officials said

Elon Musk on Wednesday acknowledged that the U.S. DOGE Service “accidentally canceled” efforts by the U.S. Agency for International Development to prevent the spread of Ebola — but the billionaire entrepreneur insisted that the initiative was quickly restored.

Yet current and former USAID officials said that Musk was wrong: USAID’s Ebola prevention efforts have been largely halted since Musk and his DOGE allies moved last month to gut the global-assistance agency and freeze its outgoing payments, they said. The teams and contractors that would be deployed to fight an Ebola outbreak have been dismantled, they added.

“There have been no efforts to ‘turn on’ anything in prevention” of Ebola and other diseases, said Nidhi Bouri, who served as a senior USAID official during the Biden administration and oversaw the agency’s response to health-care outbreaks.

“There was a waiver for Ebola, but USAID funds have never been back online,” said a current official. “USAID has been frozen: staff and money.”

“If there was a need to respond to Ebola, it would be a disaster assistance response team, or DART,” said one former official. “There is no longer a capability to send a DART or support one from Washington. Many of those people are contractors who were let go at the very beginning.”

The White House declined to comment on whether USAID’s Ebola-response efforts had been fully restored.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Trump assault on USAID leaves plant that makes peanut butter for malnourished kids scrambling​

MANA Nutrition makes a special kind of peanut butter paste that many humanitarian aid workers are familiar with. It is fortified with milk and essential vitamins, packed with calories and sent to severely malnourished children around the world, including some countries in Africa.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mark Moore, the CEO and co-founder of the Fitzgerald, Georgia-based plant, got word from the US Agency for International Development: MANA’s contracts with the agency were being canceled.

In normal times, Moore’s plant produces 10 pouches of the lifesaving paste every second. Each small bag contains 500 calories’ worth of the special peanut butter — which does not require refrigeration or additional preparation — and is labeled “RUTF” for “Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.”

In their warehouse, Moore said, there are around 400,000 boxes of USAID-branded RUTF ready to be shipped out. He estimates that if USAID doesn’t pay MANA for those boxes, he will have at least $10 million in wasted peanut butter pouches on his hands. And that doesn’t include an additional $14 million in reimbursements from the federal government that he was already waiting for. He is unsure whether or when he will get paid.

Erin Boyd, a USAID nutrition adviser who was laid off from the agency in January, told CNN it is not an overstatement to say that children will die as a result of the decimation of USAID and funding for RUTF.

 

[Bradskii]

Hey, any Trump supporter want to attempt a reply to the above? This isn't about gay operas or condoms for terrorists or whatever complete junk it is that the administration is regurgitating for you to try to justify this complete and utter disaster. What Trump and Musk have done will result in people dying. Gosh, really? Who would have thought... But you'd have to have beena complete moron not to realise that was going to happen from the very start.

I have finally lost all the sympathy I've been struggling to generate for the US. I'm now at the point where I don't care how bad it gets for you. In fact I'm almost hoping it does get as bad as I feared because that's the only way that you some of you will realise how far you have fallen.

I've looked up to the US for so long. A shining light on that democratic hill. So I forgave you Vietnam. I forgave you your racism. I forgave you Iraq. I forgave you for your stupidity on guns. I kept thinking that each of our countries have our problems. None of us are perfect. They're good people, despite their faults.

But now? The rank stupidity of this administration, coupled with its selfishness, lack of compassion, rejection of federal law and the constitution, it's pettiness and it's sheer callousness means the well is now dry. I now don't really care what happens to you. Because you deserve it. You deserve Trump. You deserve Musk. You deserve Vance.

Those who reject Trump didn't do enough to stop him - and it's not like you weren't warned. And those who do support him? Well, on your head be it. You will now reap what you have sown.

 

[Vambram]

Trump assault on USAID leaves plant that makes peanut butter for malnourished kids scrambling​

MANA Nutrition makes a special kind of peanut butter paste that many humanitarian aid workers are familiar with. It is fortified with milk and essential vitamins, packed with calories and sent to severely malnourished children around the world, including some countries in Africa.

On Wednesday afternoon, Mark Moore, the CEO and co-founder of the Fitzgerald, Georgia-based plant, got word from the US Agency for International Development: MANA’s contracts with the agency were being canceled.

In normal times, Moore’s plant produces 10 pouches of the lifesaving paste every second. Each small bag contains 500 calories’ worth of the special peanut butter — which does not require refrigeration or additional preparation — and is labeled “RUTF” for “Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food.”

In their warehouse, Moore said, there are around 400,000 boxes of USAID-branded RUTF ready to be shipped out. He estimates that if USAID doesn’t pay MANA for those boxes, he will have at least $10 million in wasted peanut butter pouches on his hands. And that doesn’t include an additional $14 million in reimbursements from the federal government that he was already waiting for. He is unsure whether or when he will get paid.

Erin Boyd, a USAID nutrition adviser who was laid off from the agency in January, told CNN it is not an overstatement to say that children will die as a result of the decimation of USAID and funding for RUTF.

imo, THAT report from cnn.com is little more than exaggerated hyperbole.

 

[essentialsaltes]

imo, THAT report from cnn.com is little more than exaggerated hyperbole.

You could read the USAID Acting Inspector General's report, except that it's being withheld from Congress and the American people.

 

[Hans Blaster]

imo, THAT report from cnn.com is little more than exaggerated hyperbole.

Then your opinion is poorly formed or your analysis is poor. We will keep that in mind.

There was no actual hyperbole in the quoted article. None. A business owner who is owed money by the government expressed concerns that he will never get paid and his product will go to waste.

Now, CNN *could* have talked about how severely malnourished children will die because the product is not being shipped, and even that would not have been hyperbole because the company's product is *the* go-to food used for emergency feeding of children at the edge of death by starvation.

 

[Bradskii]

imo, THAT report from cnn.com is little more than exaggerated hyperbole.

Perhaps you can can quote the parts with which you have a problem? I assume because that you think they show the administration in a bad light. Let's check them out together.