If USAID really spread the “soft power” of the US around the world, I would be completely in favor of it. If it promoted the greatness and the power of the American nation-state, I’d say let’s totally spend more money on it.
But in the past 30 years, USAID has been doing the exact opposite. It spread ideas that undermined not only ours but any nation-state. It promoted the idea that cultures and people are interchangeable widgets with interchangeable parts.
The idea of soft power is amazing. It’s a great achievement of the nation-state model. Today, it’s as infected with neoliberalism as we all are, unfortunately. But if it could take a cure, that would be great.
Clarissa's Blog 
Was shocked to read:
// French scientist denied US entry after phone messages critical of Trump found
France’s research minister said the scientist was traveling to Houston for a conference when his phone was searched
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-musk-french-scientist-detained
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The amount of lies and propaganda getting published is staggering. I recommend news hygiene because this is a gigantic concerted campaign of lies.
The Guardian, especially.
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OT: This assumes the Feb 28 altercation was real and not fake, but…. I agree with every word.
And I’ll add: Instead of pictures of russian brutality against Ukrainians show Ukrainian prospertiy and russian living conditions way from moscow and peterburg stressing (this is what they want to turn Ukraine into).
https://x.com/JPLindsley/status/1903017520186978563
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Lindsley is so great. A truly conservative journalist. Mega intelligent and very brave. I’m a huge fan.
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Good for DemoCRAPS/theives.
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