Reading the news, filtered by credible sources

If your political "side" is always right... you're wrong

Sources and recent reports.

Since I began TAT this fall, I have occasionally talked about favorite sources and daily reading. I’ve covered Spytalk, The Atlantic Council and others. Today, I’d like to look at a little news and offer sources that I use professionally that I would use to get to the bottom of issues. Mind you, these are all open source/ publicly available information to everyone, not classified or somehow restricted otherwise.

I do this because I believe it will help everyone understand that before our political identities or other human bias factors kick in, we must first understand truth. I personally will read anything that hovers between the moderate left to the moderate right, if it comes from a source determined to be honest and that doesn’t fail fact-checks. Coming to different conclusions over information is one thing. Coming to decisions based on pseudo-science, conspiracy theories, half-truths and outright dishonesty, is a whole different and dangerous issue. In fact, one of our nation’s most severe threats.

Let’s take a quick look at a couple of today’s big news items and I will suggest sources for you to use. I will also offer a very brief opinion but please, use the linked information to 1) give you a foundation of knowledge and 2) decide if more information is needed to help you understand better. If you are a paid subscription, please simply ask questions in the comment section of each article.

The numbered items below are a timely topic found in our regular news. I have linked a recent news article to each of the three topics. Below them are lettered sources that I use regularly to sort out the best available truth. At the end of each three topics and sources, will be a simple and basic bottom-line note about my views on the topics.

Please enjoy and discover sources that will not let you down regarding fairness, truth and understanding.

1.     The war in Ukraine:

a.     War in Ukraine - BBC News

b.     Center for Strategic and International Studies (csis.org)

c.     War in Ukraine - Atlantic Council

Putin’s war on his sovereign neighbors in Ukraine is beyond ghastly, illegal and dishonest. Putin’s intent is to not only conquer but to erase Ukraine’s identity from the planet. This is called cultural genocide. His methods constitute all manner of crimes against humanity. He’s losing badly, destroying Russia’s military and economy in the process. As the Atlantic Council (a premier source) wrote this week, Putin’s is the 2022 loser of the year.

2.     Climate change:

a.     Climate Change (brookings.edu)

b.     https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R47063

c.     54 Great Sources for Climate Change News | Online Public Health (gwu.edu)

Jeffery Jacoby (R) and Kristen Whitman participate in an anti-global warming protest, organized by ExxposeExxon.com, before the start of the Exxon Mobil annual shareholders meeting in Dallas, Texas. Reuters/Mike Stone

Now that we all have learned that global “big oil” has paid untold dollars to create a climate change denial campaign for the past 40 + years, it’s long overdue that we face the impact. Yes, climate change is real, a part of our National Security Strategy and is creating unmanageable threats and risks to economies, homes, businesses and national security. (This is the short list)

We cannot escape these impacts unless we take real, not pledged actions. There isn’t a single part of our daily lives that isn’t currently impacted. With the trump era over, it’s time to listen to real science and support those who don’t lie to selfishly increase their bottom lines or their political identity.

3.     Domestic extremism threats:

a.     Feds release guide for identifying U.S.-based violent extremists (axios.com)

b.     Assessing US Domestic Extremism in Light of Capitol Riot Investigations - ICCT

c.     Pushed to Extremes: Domestic Terrorism amid Polarization and Protest | Center for Strategic and International Studies (csis.org)

d.     https://extremism.gwu.edu/domestic-extremism

e.     National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin - November 30, 2022, | Homeland Security (dhs.gov)

Milt Priggee | Copyright 2019 Cagle Cartoons

This topic is one that I lived for at least two decades and was my specialty in uniform, deployed and at home. A generation ago we went to war against only one type of extremism and allowed through neglect and political obstructionism, domestic extremism to grow into the primary threat. Specifically, RWE/ right-wing-extremism. Still, with one side of the aisle protecting these extremists. Even excellent media still calls the party, “conservative.” These people and the politicians who protect them are NOT conservative but domestic extremists. Until actual principled conservatives regain control of the party, we all must remain potential victims of our most serious type of terrorism threat. If you doubt this, please look at the facts revolving around the violent extremist groups, organizations and movements present at January 6th.  Yes, it’s that simple.