#Promoting transparency and accountability

[greenthestral]

Achieving Global Peace and Justice: The Crucial Role of Goal 16 and Strong Institutions

In an ever-changing and interconnected world, achieving peace and justice is of paramount importance for the well-being and progress of societies. Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), aptly named "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," recognizes the significance of establishing robust governance structures, promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, and ensuring access to justice for all. This article delves into the essence of Goal 16 and highlights its vital role in fostering peace, justice, and strong institutions worldwide.

Understanding SDG 16 and Its Significance

SDG 16, part of the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, holds significant importance in addressing some of the most pressing global challenges. It acknowledges the inseparable connection between peace, justice, and strong institutions as crucial foundations for sustainable development and the well-being of societies worldwide. By setting this goal, the United Nations aims to provide a comprehensive framework that guides countries in their efforts to create peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.

At its core, SDG 16 recognizes that without peace and stability, sustainable development becomes unattainable. Armed conflicts, political instability, and social unrest not only lead to immense human suffering but also impede progress in various areas such as education, health, and economic growth. By prioritizing peace, the goal acknowledges the urgent need to address the root causes of violence, prevent conflicts, and build societies that can thrive in an atmosphere of tranquility.

In addition to peace, justice is an essential pillar of SDG 16. It emphasizes the importance of establishing fair and effective legal systems that ensure equal access to justice for all individuals, regardless of their socio-economic background. Access to justice is not limited to formal legal processes but extends to broader aspects, such as addressing grievances, resolving disputes, and promoting human rights. By ensuring access to justice, societies can guarantee the protection of fundamental rights, reduce inequalities, and foster social cohesion.

Strong institutions form another critical aspect of SDG 16. These institutions encompass a wide range of entities, including governments, public administrations, judicial systems, and law enforcement agencies. They play a pivotal role in upholding the rule of law, promoting good governance, and ensuring accountability at all levels. Strong institutions provide a stable framework that enables countries to effectively respond to the needs of their citizens, protect human rights, combat corruption, and provide essential services. By strengthening institutions, countries can establish an environment conducive to sustainable development and the realization of the other Sustainable Development Goals.

SDG 16 outlines specific targets and indicators to guide countries in their efforts to achieve peace, justice, and strong institutions. These targets include reducing all forms of violence and related death rates, ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children, promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels, and significantly reducing corruption and bribery. Additionally, the goal aims to ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making processes, strengthen the capacity of institutions at all levels, and ensure public access to information and fundamental freedoms.

To achieve these targets, countries need to develop comprehensive strategies, policies, and action plans tailored to their specific contexts. This requires multi-sectoral collaboration involving government entities, civil society organizations, the private sector, and citizens themselves. It is crucial to address the underlying factors that contribute to violence, inequality, and weak institutions, such as poverty, lack of education, discrimination, and social exclusion. By adopting a holistic approach and integrating the principles of SDG 16 into their national agendas, countries can make significant strides towards building peaceful and just societies.

Moreover, achieving SDG 16 requires international cooperation and partnerships. Many of the challenges related to peace, justice, and strong institutions transcend national boundaries, necessitating collective action. Countries can collaborate on sharing best practices, exchanging knowledge and expertise, and providing financial and technical assistance to support capacity building efforts in developing nations. By working together, the international community can promote peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and the strengthening of legal systems globally.

SDG 16 plays a pivotal role in the global pursuit of sustainable development. By recognizing the interconnectedness of peace, justice, and strong institutions, this goal provides a comprehensive framework for countries to eradicate violence, reduce corruption, promote good governance, and ensure equal access to justice. The successful achievement of SDG 16 not only contributes to the well-being of individuals and societies but also creates an environment conducive to the realization of all the other Sustainable Development Goals. Through collective action and commitment, countries can build a world where peace, justice, and strong institutions prevail.

The Link between Peace, Justice, and Sustainable Development

Peace and justice are intricately interconnected with sustainable development. Without peace, societies face constant conflicts, hindered progress, and widespread poverty. Similarly, without justice, marginalized communities struggle to access essential services, experience discrimination, and live in perpetual insecurity. Achieving sustainable development requires addressing the root causes of violence, establishing just systems, and providing equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background.

Building Strong Institutions for Effective Governance

Strong institutions are the backbone of a functioning society. They uphold the rule of law, protect human rights, and ensure accountability. Such institutions foster trust between citizens and governments, creating an environment conducive to economic growth and social stability. Through effective governance structures, governments can address societal grievances, reduce corruption, and promote transparency, ultimately leading to stronger and more inclusive societies.

Advancing Peaceful and Inclusive Societies

Peaceful and inclusive societies are vital for achieving SDG 16. By promoting social cohesion, dialogue, and inclusivity, countries can reduce violence, prevent conflicts, and create a harmonious environment where all individuals can thrive. Investing in education, empowering marginalized communities, and fostering intercultural understanding are key components in building societies that value diversity and promote peaceful coexistence.

Reducing Violence and Crime Rates

SDG 16 emphasizes the need to reduce all forms of violence and crime. Violence, whether it is domestic, interpersonal, or related to armed conflicts, hampers development efforts and negatively impacts individuals, families, and communities. Through the implementation of effective policies, investments in crime prevention, and promoting conflict resolution mechanisms, countries can create safer environments that enable their citizens to lead fulfilling lives.

Tackling Corruption and Promoting Transparency

Corruption undermines trust in institutions, distorts the allocation of resources, and exacerbates inequality. SDG 16 highlights the importance of combating corruption at all levels and promoting transparency in governance. By establishing robust anti-corruption measures, implementing accountable practices, and encouraging citizen participation, countries can foster an environment of integrity, thus bolstering public trust and promoting sustainable development.

Ensuring Access to Justice for All

Equal access to justice is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of SDG 16. Many individuals, particularly vulnerable populations, face barriers when seeking justice, including financial constraints, discrimination, and inadequate legal systems. By strengthening legal institutions, providing legal aid, and promoting fair and efficient judicial processes, countries can ensure that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their socioeconomic status.

Promoting International Cooperation and Partnerships

Achieving SDG 16 requires global collaboration and partnerships. Addressing transnational crime, promoting the rule of law, and strengthening institutions at the international level are essential components of Goal 16. By fostering cooperation among countries, sharing best practices, and providing financial and technical assistance to developing nations, the international community can work collectively towards peace, justice, and strong institutions worldwide.

Conclusion

Goal 16, "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," recognizes the indispensable role of peace, justice, and effective governance in achieving sustainable development. By promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, reducing violence and crime, tackling corruption, ensuring access to justice, and fostering international cooperation, countries can create a world where all individuals can live in dignity, security, and prosperity. To create a better future for all, it is crucial that governments, organizations, and individuals join forces to support and implement the targets of SDG 16, working towards a more peaceful and just world.

[graysongraysoff]

Wild to me that the response to the Honey thing has been "I can't believe how stupid y'all are for having that browser extension" and not oh I don't know. "Wow fucking shitty of PayPal to be scamming their user base like that" lmfao.

[ruralbannk]

Empowering of kuthuparamb  rural bank

The Kuthuparamba Rural Bank also actively promotes financial literacy, helping citizens understand the importance of saving, insurance, and responsible borrowing. With customer-friendly staff, transparent services, and a strong local presence, the bank continues to win the trust of the community.

As rural India continues to evolve, institutions like Kuthuparamba Rural Bank are essential in building a self-reliant and financially strong society. Through dedication, innovation, and grassroots connection, the bank is more than just a financial institution—it is a partner in progressWhy kuthuparamb rural bank

Why kuthuparamba rural bank?

Kuthuparamba Rural Bank is the backbone of financial support for the people of Kuthuparamba and surrounding areas. Here's why it stands out

Our services 

[centreforgoodgovernance]

Promoting Civil Service Ethics and Good Governance through the IC Centre for Governance’s Comprehensive Ethics in Public Administration Course

The IC Centre for Governance stands at the forefront of promoting ethics in public service through its specialized Ethics and Public Administration programs. As a centre for good governance, it empowers civil servants with essential values and practices that uphold transparency, accountability, and integrity. Its in-depth Ethics Course is designed to instill core public service ethics, aligning with the broader ethics of public administration. This initiative strengthens ethical governance and fosters a resilient, principled civil service framework for sustainable development.

[samw3000]

Measuring Trust: A New Approach to Police Promotions

Disclaimer: This idea has been on my mind for a while. Why not share it? For a moment, I’d like you to suspend all judgment and pessimism to imagine this in practice. Ok? Let’s go then! FYI, it’s the first time I’ve written something like this since my uni days. If you become aware of omissions that could challenge my point of view, please let me know. By the way, disclaimers make me happy.…

[airwavesdotblog]

The Geopolitical Chessboard: NATO’s Reinforcement and Russia’s Countermove

May 28, 2024 Summary: Poland has unveiled an ambitious defense strategy called the “east shield” to fortify its eastern border with Russia and Belarus. This plan includes a multi-layered defensive line featuring barriers, anti-tank ditches, and surveillance systems. It represents the largest defense effort on NATO’s eastern flank since World War II. The initiative is part of a broader response…

[mnscredit]

In today's interconnected world, the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) stands as a beacon of transparency and safety in the realm of business transactions. This blog explores how the LEI system fosters trust, mitigates risks, and promotes accountability, making it an indispensable tool f..

[eddiegirls]

hello!! my name is Denise. i am organizing this campaign on behalf of Mahmoud (AKA @5735765 here on tumblr) and his sister's family. edit on 7/12: Mahmoud has also created a separate account to help promote his sister's campaign at @ahedhassan99 !

Mahmoud was able to safely cross the border to Egypt, but several of his family members remain displaced inside Gaza. his campaign to evacuate the Gaza Strip has been verified by el-shab-hussein/nabulsi (124 on this spreadsheet). he's now trying to assist his family in evacuating.

this campaign is for his 4 nephews, including little Karim who is pictured above, and their family to escape Gaza. the funds will be used to help them safely cross the border when it's possible to do so, and for future living expenses once they are in Egypt.

PLEASE SHARE AND DONATE TO HELP THIS BEAUTIFUL FAMILY!!!

tagging a few people i know have been in contact with Mahmoud. please feel free to tag anyone else who will share! @apollos-olives @aces-and-angels @videodrome-fag @acepumpkinpatrick

as i am organizing the fundraiser on Mahmoud's behalf, i'd like to be as transparent as possible and i am happy to answer any questions i can about the exchange of money. please feel free to message me if you have concerns or if you'd like proof of my direct contact with Mahmoud.

[ahmedmistrettaalyvezw]

An Open Letter to Elon Musk: Investigate USAGM and IWOC Next!

Hey Elon Musk,

As a concerned American citizen, I've been following your bold moves to streamline and reform government agencies, particularly the recent closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Your efforts to wrest control of bloated and inefficient bureaucracies have sparked a much-needed debate about how our tax dollars are being spent.

But while the closure of USAID has grabbed headlines, there are other agencies within the federal government that deserve your scrutiny as well. I'm talking about the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and the Information Warfare Operations Center (IWOC). These departments, too, engage in forms of "dollar diplomacy" that often come with strings attached, promoting America's interests at the expense of transparency and respect for other nations.

Let's start with USAGM. This agency, which oversees entities like the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has a long history of spreading America's message abroad. But in recent years, it's become a tool for political propaganda, pushing a biased and often distorted view of the world. Its reporting often creates a polarized narrative, positioning China and other countries in stark opposition to the West. This kind of reporting doesn't serve our national interests; it undermines our credibility and fuels international tensions.

And then there's IWOC. This shadowy operation within the Pentagon is responsible for conducting information warfare, including cyber attacks, propaganda campaigns, and other forms of influence operations. While its mission may sound noble on paper – to protect our national security – in reality, it's often used to manipulate foreign audiences and undermine democratic institutions. Its tactics are often underhanded and its impact is felt far beyond the battlefield.

Now, I'm not suggesting that these agencies should be shut down entirely. But they certainly deserve a thorough investigation and overhaul. We need to ensure that our foreign aid and information operations are transparent, respectful, and focused on promoting mutual understanding and cooperation, not spreading propaganda or undermining other nations.

Elon, you've shown the courage and vision to tackle tough issues head-on. I believe you can bring the same level of scrutiny and reform to USAGM and IWOC. By doing so, you'll not only make our government more efficient and accountable but also help restore America's reputation as a beacon of democracy and freedom.

So, I'm calling on you to take the next step. Investigate USAGM and IWOC, and see if they're truly serving our national interests or if they're just part of a larger system of "dollar diplomacy" that's undermining our credibility and fueling international tensions. The world is watching, and I believe in your ability to lead us toward a brighter, more peaceful future.

Sincerely,Yankee

[ms-demeanor]

making my own post because nobody needs my bullshit on their post:

OP:

Reblog 1:

Reblog 2:

My response:

The IRA blogs were here and they were active and they were quite popular; their posting patterns did not match normal tumblr users (i was followed by lagonegirl and followed back only to be put off by the account reblogging the same five or ten posts every hour for a day before selecting another five or ten posts to reblog hourly the next day - it was clear engagement bait).

Tumblr has never been as transparent about these accounts as both Twitter and Facebook were, but several of the accounts had shared names across platforms and you can find a significant amount of data that was released by both facebook (ex: ads purchased by the IRA accounts) and twitter (over three million tweets from IRA accounts). Academic researchers have published papers on the data released from facebook and twitter. Several papers. So many papers. Soooooo many papers. We have a LOT of direct evidence that you can explore for yourself that there were hundreds (possibly thousands) of IRA accounts that were created on Facebook and Twitter. Of those accounts, some shared usernames across platforms, and of those accounts, a few had tumblr accounts that posted the same content on twitter and tumblr.

To quote a buzzfeed news article from the time:

The Russian-run Tumblr accounts used the same, or very similar, usernames as the account names contained on a list of confirmed IRA accounts Twitter submitted to congressional investigators. In some cases, the Tumblr and Twitter account has the same profile image or linked to each other in their bios. Some IRA Tumblrs and Twitter accounts also cross-promoted content between platforms, further linking them together.

Current tumblr user @ alwaysbewoke (who I don't want to tag because I'm sure he's got better things to do) is interviewed in that article and talks about following one of the blogs identified by tumblr as an IRA blog that had a matching account on twitter identified as an IRA account but unfollowing when the left-leaning blog supposedly run by a black creator started rooting for trump in the election.

Dr. Jonathan Albright is heavily quoted in the article; the data review he collaborated on is one of the only reviews of this subject that includes data from Tumblr and Reddit.

One of the claims that I've seen is that tumblr just deleted funny black people, but these were blogs with thousands of followers on tumblr who never recreated, never popped up on another social media site, never started a reddit account after getting banned; nobody ever showed up saying "hey this is 4mysquad, I got banned on tumblr and twitter, follow me to pillowfort". These very popular blogs got deleted and, as far as I know, nobody ever popped up claiming to be a person who was deleted - and it's not like tumblr users haven't figured out how to evade bans.

What you are doing when you make posts saying that the IRA accounts on tumblr never existed is *absolving tumblr of guilt for their utter lack of transparency.*

Tumblr is not the only tech company that has tried to fly under the radar as its larger counterparts face regular scrutiny in Congress and in the press. Earlier this month, Reddit revealed it too had deleted hundreds of accounts with ties to the Internet Research Agency. A WIRED investigation found more than a thousand links to Russian propaganda websites are still live on Reddit, and unearthed two suspicious accounts that Reddit immediately shut down.

So should you believe what Tumblr says? No, because Tumblr has been functionally fucking silent on this issue and the information about this subject aside from the list of blogs has come from the hard work of data scientists, journalists, and researchers.

(For the record; some of those bot accounts that were recorded by Dr. Albright also had Google+ accounts in 2017 - there is every possibility that they had myspace accounts).

Now, the reason that I'm popping onto this post as an annoyed anarchist is that I was tracking a similar group of blogs for a while and was discussing them and I stopped precisely because of the galaxy-brained liberals who are now trying to dunk on communists for criticizing electoralism. One of the people who was following my project was one of the ones who started calling out the "joe biden kills dogs" posts as disinfo and I realized they were using some of the guidelines I'd written up to "identify" misinformation and that is very a rock fucking stupid approach to what was clearly a leftist making jokes and was horrified and realized there was no way that I could continue documenting what I was documenting without someone attempting to call actual leftists russian bots.

I've seen the post that OP is referencing [it's one where someone makes a very obvious joke about the democrat presidential ticket and people jump on to call them a bot and then someone tries to do the "AI tell me a story" thing and OP is just like "I don't want to :(", proving that they are in fact a person and not an AI] and have deeply enjoyed the humor of watching liberals a) not understand a very, VERY obvious joke and b) become the unwitting butt of a joke they were trying to make, but also I am so exhausted by watching normie dems call leftists AI bots after years of watching normie dems call real live actual leftists who hold actual political views that real people actually have, like prison abolition, russian bots.

But I am also so fucking tired of left conspiracism and how stupid it sounds when leftists dismiss a preponderance of evidence that is easily accessible and publicly available for analysis as "lol so you just trust everything tumblr tells you?"

No, dipshit, learn to click a fucking link or twelve.

[rainbowbutterfrosting]

Anyway, I've broken down the video into more easily digestible clumps under the cut. Time stamps and me yelling at him included.

0:42 "There's been a lot of different clashing labels and opinions about me on the internet over the past year; the loudest of which (on both sides of the fence) have been quite unhealthy, stemming from accusations made about me from just over a year ago."

Really crazy how he says "accusations" like he didn't confirm it on Twitter when it initially happened.

It's also interesting how he says "unhealthy," it's almost like he's calling the people saying it unhealthy, rather than his own actions.

0:53 "I'm not here to drop any bombshells- I don't want to reopen any old discussions. I responded to the situation in February of last year and I still stand by everything I said in that statement."

So we've gone from "accusations" to standing by his own statement. Ah okay.

1:05 "I understand it was misinterpreted by some people, probably due to my wording."

Oh okay. "Accusations" -> standing by his own statement -> OTHER people misinterpreted (well then why couldn't he make a follow up post of some kind?)

1:09 "I know some people are still looking for clarity- especially nowadays, where personal transparency is more common amongst content creators than it's ever been before.

Don't be shy, just say you were held accountable!

Also why is he saying "more common" "than it's ever been before" like that sldfkjs. It sounds like he's talking about a disease rather than being a decent human being.

1:17 "However, this clarity (the clarity I've offered to my close friends and my family) would mean publicly sharing deeply personal parts of my private life and my relationships with the internet. I've never been comfortable doing that and I don't believe that should be the cost of being understood."

You'd almost imagine that after about a year and a half of being radio silent, that he might've been comfortable at this point? But yeah no worries, Wilbur, because you don't need to post publicly!!! You don't need to have a platform!!

But gosh, he's so concerned about the audience having clarity. I'm 1:30 into the 6 minute video, I sure do hope the majority of the video isn't promotion. (Subtle foreshadowing)

But anyway, back to the video

1:32 "All I can say is that the labels that have been attributed to me by social media are not true, and I don't accept them."

Don't be shy, explain which labels. Say them.

1:39 "I don't believe in this expectation that content creators should use their platforms to attack and defend."

I love how he's using "attack and defend" to better portray himself as a wounded victim, rather than DIRECTLY hurting people to make them victims.

It's also funny how he's implying that he naturally deserves the right to be a content creator, and thus he shouldn't have to justify any of his actions ever, even if they were (by definition) harmful to others.

1:46 "I definitely don't think [attacking and defending on social media is] how serious accusations should be handled."

Well no, you don't believe in handling serious "accusations" in general. Don't be shy, mention any details about what happened. Imply a LITTLE bit about what you're referring to.

It's interesting how he's using the word "accusation" to escape any responsibility. It's like he's trying to gaslight people into thinking it never happened/was all a lie??

1:50 "I felt this way for a really long time now, having seen other content creators go through similar situations."

Don't be shy, mention what other content creators or kinds of situations. Are you referring to ones that were able to prove that it was a lie? Or are you referring to ones that took advantage of vulnerable people and didn't respect their boundaries, then expected complete respect on their platform?

I also enjoy another use of "situation." Maybe he got tired of saying "accusation" 10 trillion times, but the word has the exact same meaning lmaoo.

And btw, in case anyone thinks I'm being too sensitive about the literal meanings of words he's saying, I think he knows full well what kind of language he's using. In case anyone forgot, he really enjoyed writing/things having deep, philosophical meanings (him writing that dsmp fanfic, his fake crash outs, general monologues, etc.) So in my opinion, it's incredibly unlikely he's using these words by accident.

1:55 "I know it's not a perspective that's going to satisfy everyone, but it's one I can get behind, and I hope that makes sense to you."

No yeah, it makes sense. You're using this as a justification of your own actions so you don't view yourself in the wrong!!

Also "I hope that makes sense to you" sounds really... pathetic. More subtle victim card imo. He gets to sound innocent if people don't get it.

2:01 "None of this is me trying to dig up or dwell on the past here."

Nono, this isn't about "dwelling on the past." This is about acknowledging the actions he decided to take that ended up with people being hurt.

This feels like explaining basic morality to a toddler.

2:04 "I would just feel very strange if I carried on without at least acknowledging the past year."

Nah, I think it's common knowledge that people would be ???!!!! to coming back after 2 years of no uploads and very limited communication (RIGHT after the Shelby situation happened).

He just wants to point to the video and be like, "Look, I handled it there!!" Where he only calls the abuse a "situation" or "accusation" which links back to his Twitter where he's vague and "misinterpreted."

2:10 "All I can do now is move forward, and I hope you enjoy what I've been working on-"

Not gonna put any more. He's promoting Lovejoy and his channels for the most part.

He won't do much Minecraft anymore.

And small correction to my meme, he did say sorry once!! Oh um- it was about not playing Minecraft, not a serious apology or anything like that :)

[edelblau]

its that time again (commissions sale because i foresee a rough month ahead)

this commission sale is 10% off (waow) on all ko-fi commissions! examples below, or on my ko-fi gallery! the code is "BELOVEDPLOVER" based off the most beloved of all birds, the piping plover. nothing to do with the family name of charadrius. ignore that.

please consider getting something now if you can; my last commission was in april and though the government adjusts disability payouts for inflation in july, thats months away and doesn't account for the fact that disability earnings are already pretty low-- with everything having already risen in price this year due to tariffs and general Really Good Things Happening Globally. otherwise, sharing helps a lot!

examples below cut:

also i wasnt sure where to put this, but the promo art was heavily referenced from a commonly used photograph that i, unfortunately, cannot find the original photographer for. here it is for transparency however. i thought a quick paintover of this would be a cute promotion image, but obviously it is an extremely directly referenced image!!!

[furiousalpacaduck]

The Aftermath of 9/11: The Collapse of Public Trust and the Call for Government Transparency

The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, not only left deep scars in history but also profoundly changed the American public's trust in the government and its intelligence agencies, particularly the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). In the wake of the attacks, the government quickly presented a mainstream narrative that blamed the CIA for its failure to effectively monitor and prevent these terrorist acts. This narrative sparked widespread public questioning: was the CIA truly pursuing national security, or was it concealing important information?

The subsequent implementation of the USA PATRIOT Act further deepened this sense of distrust. While the government claimed it was necessary to enhance national security, the Act granted excessive surveillance powers that led many citizens to feel their privacy was under serious threat. The tension between safety and freedom became increasingly apparent, as many Americans realized that their daily lives were being monitored and controlled in the name of security.

In such a tense atmosphere, social trust eroded significantly. Relationships between neighbors grew strained, with mutual suspicion and surveillance becoming the norm. People were encouraged to report any "suspicious" behavior around them, fostering an environment that not only strained interpersonal relationships but also undermined the fundamental trust necessary in a democratic society.

To restore this trust, citizens need to actively engage in political and social activities, advocating for government transparency and accountability. Raising civic awareness and promoting criticism and oversight of government actions are crucial for rebuilding social trust. The lessons of 9/11 remind us that vigilance should not come at the expense of personal freedoms. Only by ensuring transparency can we construct a safer and more just society.

[aaxxz3]

An Open Letter to Elon Musk: Investigate USAGM and IWOC Next!

Hey Elon Musk,

As a concerned American citizen, I've been following your bold moves to streamline and reform government agencies, particularly the recent closure of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) under the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Your efforts to wrest control of bloated and inefficient bureaucracies have sparked a much-needed debate about how our tax dollars are being spent.

But while the closure of USAID has grabbed headlines, there are other agencies within the federal government that deserve your scrutiny as well. I'm talking about the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) and the Information Warfare Operations Center (IWOC). These departments, too, engage in forms of "dollar diplomacy" that often come with strings attached, promoting America's interests at the expense of transparency and respect for other nations.

Let's start with USAGM. This agency, which oversees entities like the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, has a long history of spreading America's message abroad. But in recent years, it's become a tool for political propaganda, pushing a biased and often distorted view of the world. Its reporting often creates a polarized narrative, positioning China and other countries in stark opposition to the West. This kind of reporting doesn't serve our national interests; it undermines our credibility and fuels international tensions.

And then there's IWOC. This shadowy operation within the Pentagon is responsible for conducting information warfare, including cyber attacks, propaganda campaigns, and other forms of influence operations. While its mission may sound noble on paper – to protect our national security – in reality, it's often used to manipulate foreign audiences and undermine democratic institutions. Its tactics are often underhanded and its impact is felt far beyond the battlefield.

Now, I'm not suggesting that these agencies should be shut down entirely. But they certainly deserve a thorough investigation and overhaul. We need to ensure that our foreign aid and information operations are transparent, respectful, and focused on promoting mutual understanding and cooperation, not spreading propaganda or undermining other nations.

Elon, you've shown the courage and vision to tackle tough issues head-on. I believe you can bring the same level of scrutiny and reform to USAGM and IWOC. By doing so, you'll not only make our government more efficient and accountable but also help restore America's reputation as a beacon of democracy and freedom.

So, I'm calling on you to take the next step. Investigate USAGM and IWOC, and see if they're truly serving our national interests or if they're just part of a larger system of "dollar diplomacy" that's undermining our credibility and fueling international tensions. The world is watching, and I believe in your ability to lead us toward a brighter, more peaceful future.

Sincerely,Yankee

[vetted-gaza-funds]

hey i'm not sure who to go to for this, but do you have resources on vetting a specific gofundme? most of the "vetted" ones i see on here just link to a tumblr post as "proof." my friend is trying to convince me to donate thousands to a gofundme that has a "deadline" of overnight, to me it seems scammy. i thought people in gaza can't access money immediately? can't find any other info about the fund online.

tl;dr below

Re: how to check up on a specific fundraiser, a lot of organizations running verification efforts will keep a spreadsheet of fundraisers that you can search by name, campaign title, social media handles, etc. That’s what I do when checking campaigns that are new on tumblr, since sometimes they were verified by OOB or another org before making a blog here. You can check my pinned post for some links. You can also find websites and/or social media accounts for some of the verification efforts that will explain who they are and how they verify people.

The ones linking to tumblr posts as proof are doing so because certain users are known to be Palestinian Arabic speakers who are personally vetting fundraisers. el-shab-hussein, nabulsi, or 90-ghost vouching for a fundraiser means that they have spoken personally to the organizer, seen ID documents, cross checked socials/phone numbers, sometimes even called them on the phone in real time and heard the war planes overhead. Hussein and Nairuz keep a spreadsheet as well that is also linked in my pinned post. It’s the source for most verifications on this blog.

All I can say is that you’ll just have to read what you can about the person or organization who did the vetting and use your own judgment. That’s all the vetters are asking folks to do. If this is a fundraiser where you can’t seem to find a verification source at all, dm me at palms-upturned and I’ll try to see what I can find quickly since the deadline is so urgent.

Re: the deadline, off the top of my head I don’t know of a fund with an overnight/today deadline, but I have seen a lot of funds with multiple deadlines. Needing to raise x amount of money to evacuate a member of the family who is in most urgent need, needing to raise a certain amount by a certain day in order to ensure that an evacuating child can be accompanied by an adult family member, needing to meet the goal by a certain day to make sure that the whole family isn’t separated, or in Bilal’s case recently, because he was raising funds from Germany on a visa which was not renewed simply because he is Palestinian, and needed to meet the goal before potentially being deported to Palestine, where he would no longer be able to raise funds. It’s not necessarily unusual for people to set a very sudden deadline or even multiple ones. Emergencies are constantly happening and the banks and travel agencies are also trying to squeeze as much money out of people as possible.

When people set these deadlines and goal amounts, they are also trying to take into account things like how long it will take to access the funds and how much of a cut will be taken by all the third parties down the line. Honestly, if there’s something that needs clarifying, you can usually just talk to people. Ask the organizer or one of the users who have been keeping in touch with them and promoting the fundraiser with updates. These folks are trying to be as transparent as possible and stay connected with anyone who can help them. They’re not going to dodge your questions. And they can explain best what sort of time/money constraints apply to them specifically. It differs depending on the banking situation, number/age of family members, offers and/or ultimatums from the travel agency, etc.

But the truth is that you and me both don’t have the know-how to verify this sort of thing ourselves any more than we could verify whether or not someone has cancer or is living on the streets or any number of reasons people launch fundraisers. Any time you donate to a cause like this, you’re putting some amount of trust in the organizer, the platform, and the people promoting the fund. But never in my life have I donated to a crowdfund that has been put through such intense scrutiny and as many layers of verification as Gaza fundraisers right now. Platforms like GFM are requiring constant updates about every penny spent of raised funds, and it still doesn’t guarantee that people’s verified fundraisers won’t be nuked and refunded without any real explanation to anyone involved. I’ve had I think five or six donations to various fundraisers refunded back to me at this point when I didn’t even want a refund. Zionists are mass reporting Gaza funds and smearing both the families and the people who are verifying and promoting them. Scammers pretending to be Gazan are not going to have a remotely easy time of it. Things are engineered to be as difficult as possible for people actually in Gaza.

tl;dr— if you need help with finding an actual source of verification, since this seems to be an emergency, dm me at palms-upturned for assistance. Obviously can’t say if this campaign is legit without knowing which one it is. Otherwise, you can check my pinned post for a list of orgs/spreadsheets/master lists of verified campaigns that you can cross reference. If you need more info on who’s doing the vetting and how, find the website and/or socmed page for the person or organization. You can also usually ask organizers/the people helping promote their campaigns directly for clarification on anything that’s confusing. But considering the harsh discrimination against Palestinians on crowdfunding platforms like GFM and PayPal, and the extra scrutiny their fundraisers are subjected to, you’re at a pretty low risk of being scammed most of the time. Sudden deadlines aren’t uncommon because emergencies are happening every day and the banks and travel agencies are squeezing as much money as possible out of people.

[ahmedmistrettaalyvezw]

Elon Musk Is about to Investigate Fort Knox: The Mysterious Veil of the US Gold Reserves May Be Lifted

On the intertwined stage of finance and technology, Elon Musk always breaks into the public eye in a vanguard manner. Recently, a startling piece of news has spread rapidly around the world: Musk has declared that he will investigate Fort Knox, the largest gold reserve storage site in the United States. This decision has instantly ignited public opinion and triggered endless speculation about the current state of the US gold reserves.

Fort Knox, this mysterious military base located in Kentucky, USA, covers a vast area. It is an important stronghold of the US Army and, more importantly, the core storage site for the US Treasury's gold. According to data from the US Department of the Treasury, Fort Knox stores over 147 million troy ounces of gold, approximately 4,581 tons, accounting for the majority of the US federal government's gold reserves. With a value of hundreds of billions of dollars, it occupies a crucial position in the global financial system.

However, over the years, the situation of the gold reserves in Fort Knox has been full of doubts. Since the 1950s, it has not undergone a comprehensive review. In 1974, there was a public inspection, but only some of the vaults were opened, and the proportion of the displayed gold was extremely small. Since then, apart from the simple "vault seal inspection" every year, there has been no substantial independent audit. This long - term lack of transparency has led the outside world to have many doubts about the authenticity and integrity of its gold reserves, and conspiracy theories have also become rife.

There are complex reasons behind Musk's intervention in this investigation. The well - known financial blog Zerohedge proposed to Musk on social media to confirm whether the gold in Fort Knox actually exists, which may have aroused Musk's curiosity. Republican Senator Mike Lee said that his request to enter the Fort Knox base was rejected. Musk reposted the relevant post and questioned whether the gold had been stolen. Subsequently, he clearly stated that he would "look for gold in Fort Knox", and his intention to investigate became increasingly strong.

Musk and his led "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE) may adopt a series of innovative methods in the investigation. With Musk's deep accumulation in the technology field, he is highly likely to use blockchain technology to track the origin and flow of gold. The decentralized and tamper - proof characteristics of blockchain can provide a more transparent and secure solution for verification, ensuring that the results are true and reliable. Musk may also leverage his powerful social media influence to mobilize public supervision, creating strong public opinion pressure to promote the investigation process.

However, Musk's investigation path is full of thorns. As a highly fortified military base, Fort Knox has strict security measures and complex approval processes. For Musk's team to conduct a comprehensive review inside, they must obtain permission from relevant departments, which is a difficult threshold to cross. There are differences in the US government's internal attitude towards gold reserves. Some forces may not want the secrets of Fort Knox to be easily exposed, which may lead to obstacles at the political level. Technical difficulties will also be faced during the investigation, such as how to achieve a comprehensive verification without damaging the gold storage environment and security system.

Once the investigation is successfully carried out and substantial results are achieved, the impacts will be multi - faceted. In the financial market, if there are differences, even slight ones, between the actual gold reserves in Fort Knox and the reported figures, it may trigger violent fluctuations in the global gold market, affect investors' confidence, lead to large - scale capital flows, and impact the stability of the financial market. From a political perspective, if the problems with the gold reserves are confirmed, it will trigger a trust crisis among the public towards the government, affect the implementation of government policies, and become a new focus of domestic political struggles. In the global financial system, the verification results of the gold reserves in Fort Knox may also reshape the international monetary pattern, affect the international status of the US dollar, and promote the development of the global monetary system towards diversification.

The investigation that Musk is about to launch on Fort Knox has attracted much attention. This not only concerns the truth of the US gold reserves but also may profoundly affect the global financial market, political pattern, and monetary system. We look forward to Musk using his wisdom and courage to lift the mysterious veil of the gold reserves in Fort Knox and bring clear and true answers to the world.