Originally published at: https://peakprosperity.com/daily-digest/vw-closing-in-germany-election-software-free-speech-compromised/
Politics
In the summer of 2021, the Biden/Harris administration faced challenges during the withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan. The decision to withdraw by September 11, 2021, coincided with the Taliban’s offensive, leading to issues such as the removal of military forces before evacuating civilians and abandoning Bagram Airport. On August 26, 2021, a suicide bomber attacked the Kabul airport, resulting in numerous casualties. On the anniversary of this event in 2023, families of the fallen invited former President Donald Trump to lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetery, while President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris did not attend. Media coverage of this event has been criticized for bias, with positive coverage of Harris reportedly at 84% and negative coverage of Trump at 89%. Some veterans, who predominantly support the GOP, were portrayed as being against Trump.
A six-month investigation by POLITICO has revealed vulnerabilities in the U.S. election software supply chain. New Hampshire’s decision to replace its voter registration database before the 2024 election uncovered that the chosen IT firm, WSD Digital, had offshored part of the work, raising security concerns. A forensic probe found misconfigured software connecting to Russian servers and open-source code managed by a Russian engineer with a criminal record. Although no wrongdoing was found, the incident highlights broader issues in election security. Election technology vendors operate with thin profit margins, limiting investments in security, and states often lack rigorous systems to verify the security of election software. Despite improvements since the 2016 election, new threats have emerged from a broader array of foreign adversaries. New Hampshire has decided to require software ingredients lists from all IT vendors to build credibility with voters.
Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has been banned in Brazil following a prolonged dispute over free speech rights. Journalist Michael Shellenberger has warned that this represents a new form of totalitarianism, where control over information negates the need for physical repression. Shellenberger claimed that the U.S. government, under Biden and Harris, has funded censorship advocacy in Brazil, with the FBI sharing censorship strategies. The Brazilian government has demanded social media platforms ban certain politicians and journalists, and has frozen the bank accounts of Starlink, an Elon Musk investment. Shellenberger expressed concern that this trend could spread to the United States, especially if Kamala Harris wins the upcoming election.
Geopolitics
In Israel, tens of thousands have taken to the streets demanding a ceasefire deal after six more captives were found dead in Gaza. The protests, some of the largest since the Gaza war began nearly 11 months ago, saw demonstrators clashing with security forces and blocking roads in Tel Aviv and outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in West Jerusalem. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum blamed Netanyahu for failing to secure a deal to halt the fighting and bring the captives home. Israel’s largest trade union, the Histadrut, has called for a general strike to pressure the government into signing a ceasefire deal. Opposition leader Yair Lapid supported the strike, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sought legal action to block it. Truce negotiations between Israel and Hamas have stalled, with many blaming Netanyahu for the impasse.
Economy
Volkswagen is contemplating factory closures in Germany due to economic challenges, including declining sales in China and other major markets. This potential move comes as Germany’s economy faces a recession, with a slight contraction in second-quarter growth. VW’s Audi has already announced a significant investment in Mexico, indicating a possible shift in future manufacturing to the Americas. VW CEO Oliver Blume cited increased competition and Germany’s declining business competitiveness as reasons for the tough economic environment. VW’s sales in China dropped by 20% in the second quarter, reflecting a broader decline in petrol-powered vehicle sales. Germany’s political landscape is also becoming more unstable, with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) winning a state election for the first time since 1945. VW shares have recently fallen to levels not seen since 2011, indicating market concerns.
Health
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for accountability for individuals who engaged in what he described as “criminal” behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaking at the Limitless Expo, Kennedy referenced Anthony Fauci, accusing him and others of enforcing “totalitarian controls that were not science-based.” Kennedy claimed that effective treatments like Ivermectin were repressed, leading to unnecessary deaths. He also noted an increase in myocarditis cases among young people following the introduction of vaccines. Kennedy has endorsed Donald Trump and expressed readiness to help “make America healthy again.”
Sources
Media Bias and the Arlington Controversy: Honoring Heroes or Political Propaganda?
The hope is that the American people see through the ubiquitous propaganda. Then truly honor the Abbey Gate heroes and families.
Source | Submitted by Mysterymet
Election Software Security: A Ticking Time Bomb in the U.S. Supply Chain
There is little oversight of the supply chain that produces crucial election software, leaving financially strapped state and county offices to do the best they can with scant resources and expertise.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Mass Protests and General Strike Rock Israel After Six Hostages Killed in Gaza
Tens of thousands of Israelis have hit the streets demanding a ceasefire deal and Israel’s main labour union has called for a strike after six more captives were found dead in Gaza.
Source | Submitted by Shplad
Volkswagen Weighs Historic German Plant Closures Amid Economic Woes
VW is considering unprecedented factory closures in Germany in a bid for deeper cutbacks, delivering another blow to Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s government.
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
RFK Jr. Calls for Accountability Over “Immoral, Homicidal” COVID Actions
“There were cures for COVID from day one, very effective cures. But they didn’t want that. They wanted the vaccine only,” Kennedy posited, adding “if they admitted that any of [the treatments] were effective, the whole vaccine project would have fallen apart.”
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon
Elon Musk’s X Banned in Brazil Amid Global Censorship Crackdown
It appears we’re in the midst of a global totalitarian crackdown that we should all be very concerned could arrive here in the United States.”
Source | Submitted by AaronMcKeon