Ok, so in reality then, the meme doesn’t quite fit. Like I’ll bash a dictator at any chance, but this argument doesn’t hold in a discussion.

Memes and reactionary comments aside, can anyone explain how the shutdown came to be given that all levels of government are currently controlled by a single party? I can’t find a reliable explainer

I can already see the (state) sponsored Tik Toks.

since Trump is a Russian stooge who was put in office by Putin to deliver the victory

I am unsure. Logic tells me Trump has had enough opportunities to completely shit on Ukraine and has not taken them. His position is IMHO unclear.

strong demand for oil and gas benefits Russia proportionately far more than it does the US…

I disagree. Income for gas exports has not risen LINK whereas US exports continue to do so LINK

And “competitor” in what, exactly?

Geopolitical influence overall (e.g. in the Middle East, Asia, Central Europe)

“Left the US” could also have been written as “Returned to his country of birth”, but that doesn’t play to the fake arms race vibes.

I have said it before and I will say it again.

It is not in the interest of the US that this war finishes. A stalemate guarantees continued weapons sales much longer that peace.

Currently the US is getting

1. raised income via defence and energy contracts (incl. Oil & Gas) &
2. prolonged economic disadvantage to a competitor nation via sanctions.

I watched that part of the hearing live. It is clear Kennedy is losing internal support. I guess as long as he is useful he will stay where he is and then be sacrificed to pretend progress is being made

Here’s my low-stakes conspiracy take: If Intel felt it would be profitable to fight back against this, they would have. He forms an optimal scapegoat for their ongoing issues and this allows for the company to restructure without much impedance.

Firing their CEO “normally” may have otherwise meant a further tanking of Intel’s share price, at a time they can I’ll afford it.

I love scam posts. They just make me all warm and fuzzy inside!

And not because of the clearly scammy nature of it all, but mostly because it means that there are sufficient users of Lemmy to make it worthwhile to try and scam 🥰

So, thank you Matrecovery and RaymondBucks079, for letting us all know that the lemmy is infact well and truly alive.