by Aramis

We’re living in a nightmare of our own apathy’s making, and it’s time for everyone to take their heads out of their asses. Democracy is under attack, fascism is on the rise, and 45’s anti-democratic rhetoric has created a full-blown crisis right in front of our eyes. Yet, instead of standing up, too many are still acting like life’s just one big party—ignoring reality, rights, and all that “boring” stuff that actually matters.

I’ve been calling this out for decades. Thirty years of warning friends, family, professors—hell, even writing to Black media and celebs—only to be brushed off like I was the crazy one. Since 2018, I’ve been screaming it louder, watching it all play out exactly as I said it would. Even my professors looked at me like I was nuts. And now, here we are. Shocked? Really? I told y’all this was coming.

But it wasn’t just 45 or his cronies. Oh no, I saw it in every corner of society. No court, not even the Supreme Court, defended my father—a WWII war hero. Nobody. As he lay dying, bleeding out from neglect, a nurse had the audacity to question me at his deathbed because, in her twisted mind, we didn’t “match” enough for her liking. I saw this coming in crystal-clear 8K seven years ago. Lawyers with no ethics protected every move of those who failed him—even the one who was supposed to be on my side.

And the worst part? OUR apathy. Nobody gave a damn. It wasn’t their problem, it wasn’t their anointed one dying, and they had parties to go to. Meanwhile, I was the “drag” for daring to talk about reality, rights, and the law. I was ignored for dead—brushed off because my warnings poked at their precious egos.

So now, here we are. 45 broke laws, insulted you to your face, and openly plotted to dismantle democracy. And still, people act shocked. If the lies about a stolen election, the attacks on truth itself, and the threats to punish imagined enemies didn’t convince you, then what will?

This isn’t about “I told you so.” It’s about accountability. The truth was always in plain sight. We’ve let hatred weigh more than love, egos stand taller than action, and distractions blind us to what matters most. If this isn’t a divine lesson, I don’t know what is.

I pray we learn it fast, before it’s too late. The time to act is now. Take the blinders off. Stop clutching your pearls. Wake up, people. The party’s over.

This Citizen Investigator is watching them with both eyes open. Don’t quote me on any of this, but one would hope someone at the #CIA or #FBI can listen in on these calls between Putin Trump/Elon and let’s hope at some point justice prevails. Is anyone working to stop Russian or Oligarch influence in our elections? These patterns and connections may prove meaningful or may dissolve under scrutiny. What follows is simply one citizen’s attempt to document observations that seem potentially concerning. All claims require thorough verification before any conclusions can be drawn.

Pre-2020 Foundation

Historical Patterns

• Mussolini’s Corporate-State Fusion: Wikipedia’s article on Fascist Italy provides a comprehensive overview of Mussolini’s regime and its impact on corporate-state relations [3].

• Harlan Crow’s Collection: ProPublica reported on Harlan Crow’s collection of Nazi memorabilia and its implications [4].

2016 Russian Cyber Operations

• Russian Interference in the 2016 U.S. Elections: The Mueller Report, available on the Department of Justice’s website, provides a detailed account of Russian interference in the 2016 elections [5].

2020-2022 Infrastructure Building

Online Radicalization

• Platforms like 4chan, 8kun, and Reddit: The Southern Poverty Law Center has written extensively on the role of online platforms in spreading radical ideologies [6].

• January 6th Coordination: The January 6th Committee’s final report, available on the House of Representatives’ website, provides a detailed account of the Capitol riot and its online coordination [7].

2022 Developments

Saudi Investment in Kushner’s Firm

• Jared Kushner’s Firm Received $2 Billion Investment: The New York Times reported on the investment and its implications [8].

Musk’s Acquisition of Twitter

• Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover: Wikipedia’s article on the Twitter acquisition provides a comprehensive overview of the deal and its aftermath [9].

Starlink’s Role in Ukraine

• Elon Musk’s Involvement in the Ukraine Conflict: CNN reported on Musk’s role in the conflict and his communications with Kremlin officials [10].

Musk-Kremlin Communications

• Musk’s Secret Conversations with Putin: The Wall Street Journal reported on the alleged conversations and their implications [11].

2023 Power Framework Construction

Clarence Thomas and Harlan Crow

• Justice Clarence Thomas’ Undisclosed Gifts: ProPublica reported on the investigation and its findings [12].

Supreme Court Decisions

• The Supreme Court’s Rulings on Regulatory Agencies: The Atlantic reported on the Court’s decisions and their implications [13].

Project 2025 Manifesto

• The Project 2025 Policy Agenda: The Heritage Foundation’s website provides information on the manifesto and its goals [14].

Tesla’s Valuation Spike

• Tesla’s $13 Billion Valuation Increase: Bloomberg reported on the valuation spike and its implications [15].

Truth Social’s Valuation

• Truth Social’s Billion-Dollar Valuation: The New York Times reported on the valuation and its implications [16].

Handling of Classified Documents

• Judges Clarence Thomas and Aileen Cannon’s Involvement: The Guardian reported on the judges’ involvement in cases concerning classified documents [17].

Musk’s Social Media Activity

• Elon Musk’s Engagement with Nazi-Inspired Imagery: The Guardian reported on Musk’s social media activity and its implications [18].

Affirmative Action Ruling

• The Supreme Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling: PBS NewsHour reported on the ruling and its implications [19].

Chevron Doctrine Overturned

• The Supreme Court’s Decision on the Chevron Doctrine: The Atlantic reported on the decision and its implications [20].

• The Federal Election Commission (FEC): The FEC is responsible for enforcing federal campaign finance laws and has taken steps to address foreign influence in U.S. elections.

• The Department of Justice (DOJ): The DOJ has established a task force to investigate and prosecute foreign influence operations targeting U.S. elections.

• The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The FBI has a dedicated unit focused on investigating foreign influence operations and election interference.

• The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): CISA works to protect U.S. election infrastructure from cyber threats and foreign interference.

• Non-partisan organizations: Organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice, the Center for American Progress, and the Alliance for Securing Democracy are working to address foreign influence in U.S. elections and promote election security.

These sources provide a starting point for exploring the complex issues surrounding foreign influence in U.S. elections.

References:

[3] Wikipedia – Fascist Italy [4] ProPublica – Harlan Crow’s Collection [5] Department of Justice – Mueller Report [6] Southern Poverty Law Center – Online Radicalization [7] House of Representatives – January 6th Committee Report [8] The New York Times – Jared Kushner’s Firm [9] Wikipedia – Twitter Acquisition [10] CNN – Elon Musk’s Involvement in Ukraine [11] The Wall Street Journal – Musk’s Secret Conversations [12] ProPublica – Justice Clarence Thomas’ Undisclosed Gifts [13] The Atlantic – Supreme Court Decisions [14] The Heritage Foundation – Project 2025 [15] Bloomberg – Tesla’s Valuation Spike [16] The New York Times – Truth Social’s Valuation [17] The Guardian – Judges’ Involvement in Classified Documents [18] The Guardian – Elon Musk’s Social Media Activity [19] PBS NewsHour – Affirmative Action Ruling [20] The Atlantic – Chevron Doctrine Overturned

The Urgent Need to Safeguard AI for Democracy

Syndicated by Brego.com, Op Ed

by Edmund J. Janas, II

Let’s start with some good news: the recent indictment of fake Republican electors in Arizona dealt a significant blow to attempts by former President Trump and his allies to overturn a free and fair election. These state charges can’t simply be brushed aside with a presidential pardon, representing a major legal obstacle to Trump’s potential return to power.

But here’s the sobering reality – this indictment may never have happened if Arizona Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes hadn’t narrowly won by a mere 280 votes, under a different AG, one perhaps hostile to upholding the will of voters, the audacious scheme to send bogus pro-Trump electors to Congress could have been conveniently swept under the rug.

Look, I don’t want to sound alarmist, but this is just one example of a deeply concerning trend – the flagrant disregard for democratic norms, long-established institutions, and even the rule of law itself by certain bad actors hellbent on clinging to power at all costs. From Trump’s unprecedented refusal to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, to the Supreme Court’s rulings that increasingly seem to prioritize partisan interests over judicial independence, we’re witnessing the erosion of crucial guardrails protecting our democratic system.

And it gets worse. We’re seeing a systematic rollback of civil rights and liberties through a range of regressive policies. Whether it’s stripping reproductive freedoms, undermining the right to protest, or potentially criminalizing undocumented immigrants, an “us vs them” mentality has taken hold that seeks to privilege the narrow interests of a select few over the majority.

But in this polarized political climate, one deeply concerning question remains largely unasked: Why are people willing to risk professional ruin, bankruptcy, and incarceration to corrupt the system for personal gain or ideological reasons?

The development of advanced artificial intelligence capabilities creates a particularly insidious variable in this equation. If left unchecked and allowed to be steered by unethical actors, AI could become a powerful instrument of oppression and social control under authoritarian forces. Even seemingly innocuous critiques like Elon Musk calling ChatGPT “woke” reveal an underlying current of technologists anthropomorphizing AI systems and overlooking the existential peril of advanced AI perpetuating societal biases and reinforcing the power structures of the ruling class.

As AI develops further, the next few years will be pivotal in determining whether these technologies remain a force for good for all of humanity, or are contorted into tools of high-tech oppression by modern-day fascists and authoritarians. Ethical AI governance, protecting democratic institutions, and staunchly upholding civil liberties must be paramount priorities. An unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and human rights for all citizens – not just the select few – is crucial to ensuring these world-changing innovations benefit society equitably rather than entrenching the interests of a technologically-empowered minority.

AI alone isn’t what’s fueling fascism. But left unchecked, it could turbocharge many of the underlying issues that allow these dangerous movements to take root. Economic anxiety from job losses due to automation, social division reinforced by algorithm-driven echo chambers, and powerful mass surveillance enabled by AI – these could all exacerbate the very inequalities, polarization, and loss of faith in institutions that fascists exploit. History shows us that times of economic hardship, political gridlock, and eroding trust in democracy create the perfect conditions for authoritarian, “us vs. them” ideologies that scapegoat vulnerable groups to thrive.

At the end of the day, while AI’s role is hugely concerning, it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle of technological, economic, and social forces threatening democratic values if left unaddressed. By getting serious about ethical AI governance, tackling inequality, bridging divides, and restoring faith in democracy, we can cut off fascism at its roots while ensuring these world-changing AI capabilities benefit all of humanity instead of oppressing it. The path ahead demands vigilance, unity, and an unwavering commitment to justice – not just for a powerful few, but for all of us. Because the future belongs not to the forces of regression and hate, but to the boundless potential of human creativity and ingenuity guided by the enduring principles of freedom, equality, and truth for all.

  You can learn a lot about human behavior from observing cats.

I believe cats share many similarities with us humans, being creatures of habit who tend to repeat patterns that bring them rewards, even if those patterns are not in our best interest. Allow me to elaborate by introducing you to my youngest feline companion, Sol.

Sol is a stunningBombay cat with a remarkably human-like demeanor. Whenever I call hername, she promptly comes to me, responding with an inquisitive “Hmmm?”as if engaging in conversation.

I adopted her from NYDeathRowCats at the beginning of the pandemic, a decision that has profoundly impacted my life in ways I can’t fully express here. Essentially, I started rescuing cats abandoned due to the effects of Covid.

One of the “tricks” I taught Sol was to take treats from me while perched on a chair. She would jump on a stool/chair which is conveniently positioned near the back door of my kitchen. But before giving her a treat she would have to endure me lifting her up to eye level and she would get a word or two about the dangers of straying too far from home, I would kiss her forehead (hoping she wasn’t playing with a rodent outside) then give her her premium treat. Initially, I offered her these indulgent treats, but as I accumulated more cats, the cost of treats seemed to high so I had to switch to regular dry cat food as a substitute for “treats.”Surprisingly, Sol’s reward mechanism was already triggered by the memory of the expensive treats.

Sol’s fondness for this ritual and the her treats, that she didn’t even notice the difference in quality. Her desire for our little ritual remained so strong that she relished the average dry food with equal satisfaction. However, yesterday both of my cats unexpectedly ventured beyond the confines of my yard. While they typically spend an hour or three outside, occasionally they embark on mysterious “missions” that keep them away for a day or two.

Maybe they’re visiting my adoring neighbors who feed and pamper them, or perhaps they are out there being feline detectives, solving crimes. It remains a mystery. Maybe this is their way of seeking a break from my excessive attention. I compare this to how we humans become entangled in our busy lives. I give them space and a chance to lead lives of their own, shrouded in secrecy and foreverhidden from me.

Today, Sol returned from her overnight escapade, famished and yearning for the ritual. If you’re familiar with Bombay cats, you’ll know they communicate differently compared to, let’s say, Tuxedo cats. So, I served her some wet food on her chair. After taking a small bite, she came back chirping and seeking a belly rub, yet still not entirely satisfied by the food in her dish.

That’s when I directed her attention to the other dish of dry food on the floor. She nibbled at it and chirped again, expressing her frustration. It wasn’t until I placed a handful of dry food on her beloved chair, showered her with affectionate strokes, and professed my love for her did she stop complaining. Please refrain from laughing at me, as this ritual helped me maintain my sanity during the challenging days of the Covid lockdowns.

Well, something struck me in that moment. Can you perceive it? Can you observe what occurred and the striking resemblance to human behavior? People tend to exhibit similar tendencies when incentivized.

The danger lies in the potential switch that may transpire in the quality of what we receive, subtly manipulating our reward system. Yet, even if the quality diminishes, we could easily find ourselves yearning for our “reward,” even demanding it. This phenomenon holds true, whether it pertains to becoming creatures of habit or yielding to the influence of external systems of rewards.

Whether those sytems are political, the media, our employer, often follow a comparable pattern.

The media for example are rewarded for reporting news, leading them to embellish, conceal and even at times fabricate stories. Our employers may make little asks that chip away at our ethics, our beliefs even our soul. Asks that were not present at the beginning but which accrued with time. Then somehow in the course of things we fell into our habits, asked for our Friday treat, and complained if something was off. But we always complied.

Similarly, politicians, especially those craven and hooked on power rather than service. Their thirst for more power often causes them to deliver inferior quality, all in pursuit of maintaining or augmenting their authority. Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump are prime examples of this. Not one whiff of charactor or leadership. But they have their audience of habit hanging on every word.

The essence of my point is that we often become complicit in a system, hoping it will continue rewarding us. We never anticipate that the system will one day stop rewarding us. Or worse that the system will switch a thing of value for a thing of lesser value, or perhaps even subsitute a good thing for a bad thing that may actually harm us. Therefore, it is imperitive that we realize that we are all to a large degree creatures of habit, who must resist being lazy in thought.  We must do some self-reflection on the rewards we get, be it money, a sense of belonging, status, bragging rights. We need to look inwardly and ask: Wat habits am I feeding and why? Who is triggering this feeling within me?  What is the ask? 

We must realize that in the world of authoritarian leaders, none were ever honest about the costs, but they were always long on the promises and rewards. They knew not to simply arrest people, but to put them into “protective custody” (for their own safety of course).  You see, those who, like drug dealers get us hooked on habits will never tell us that until it’s too late. So watch those who promise the world to us, who can offer no plans, no original thoughts, but who only inspire fear, hatred, control and ignorance. Watch closely those who dangle treats, promise you safety, acceptance and who offer you rewards for your newly formed habits.

– Brego