Badlands News Brief
The Walz Cycle Consumes Itself as Tensions Pause
The News Cycle is almost impossible to track these days. At least, to do so fully.
That’s where we come in.
In the Badlands News Brief, the Badlands Media team hand pick news items of interest from the previous days to give you an overview of the biggest goings-on relevant to the Truth Community with some Badlands flavoring to help wash it down.
Now, onto the news from Wednesday, August 7 …
Trump on ‘shocking’ Walz pick: ‘I could not be more thrilled’
Former President Trump welcomed Vice President Harris’s decision to add Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) to the Democratic ticket, calling it a “shocking pick.”
“I would say my reaction is, I can’t believe it. I never thought I was going to be the one who was picked,” Trump said Wednesday morning in an interview on Fox News’s “Fox and Friends.”
“He’s a very liberal man, and he’s a shocking pick,” the former president added. “I could not be more thrilled.”
Trump called Walz a “smarter version” of Harris and “about the same as Bernie Sanders,” referring to the independent senator from Vermont. Walz’s voting record has shown he’s much more moderate than Sanders.
The GOP nominee also attacked Walz as weak on immigration and “very heavy into transgender.” Walz has signed legislation as governor of the North Star State protecting access to gender-affirming care.
The former president additionally raised the riots in Minnesota after the 2020 murder of George Floyd by police, suggesting that was the only time the two interacted while Trump was in office. Walz has faced criticism from some Republicans for being slow to activate the National Guard to quell the demonstrations.
Trump told Fox News he felt Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) would have been a stronger choice than Walz, and he echoed claims from other Republicans who have suggested the governor was passed over for the role because of his Jewish heritage. — The Hill
Our Take: Walz is now under the microscope, and he’s more radical than leftists want voters to believe. President Trump is thrilled with the pick, and that has to have Harris rethinking the choice. Sorry, no take backs.
Harris picking someone that can be credibly compared to Bernie Sanders is problematic for the ticket. Harris was rated as the most radical Senator in the body during her tenure, which may give pause to middle of the road voters who are aware of and resistant to the Democrats’ obvious communism.
Walz looks like a white and privileged Cheech Marin, and gives off IC villain vibes. But looks aren’t everything in politics. Policy matters. On that, he gives boys tampons, and he allowed his state to burn down in the name of George Floyd.
Methinks Trump is right. This guy is perfect. —
Schiff, Newsom mock Trump for suggesting Biden may take back nomination
Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), alongside California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and others, mocked former President Trump on Tuesday for implying that President Biden may take back the Democratic nomination.
“What are the chances that Crooked Joe Biden, the WORST President in the history of the U.S., whose Presidency was Unconstitutionally STOLEN from him by Kamabla, Barrack HUSSEIN Obama, Crazy Nancy Pelosi, Shifty Adam Schiff, Cryin’ Chuck Schumer, and others on the Lunatic Left, CRASHES the Democrat National Convention and tries to take back the Nomination, beginning with challenging me to another DEBATE. He feels that he made a historically tragic mistake by handing over the U.S. Presidency, a COUP, to the people in the World he most hates, and he wants it back, NOW!!!” Trump said in a post Tuesday on Truth Social.
“It’s ok to be scared,” Schiff, who is also the Democratic nominee for a California U.S. Senate seat, said in a post on the social platform X in response to Trump.
Vice President Harris has risen to become the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee in the wake of President Biden stepping out of the 2024 race. Biden did so after weeks of increasing calls from Democrats, including Schiff, to leave the presidential race due to concerns over his age, mental fitness and ability to recapture the White House in the fall.
“Oh, he’s scared,” Newsom said in a post on X in response to Trump’s post about Biden.
Two Republican anti-Trump groups, Republican Voters Against Trump and The Lincoln Project, also went after Trump for the post. — The Hill
Our Take: I love this development. The fact that the narrative is being seeded by both General Flynn and Dan Scavino is not insignificant.
If this actually plays out, and Biden comes out swinging against old comrades, then that is perhaps the most definitive Devolution proof we will see, short of Trump providing explicit disclosure.
But even if Biden doesn't wake up from his nap, the narrative deployment by Flynn, Trump, and Scavino are enough to rattle the Deep State and make them think twice. That hesitation may be all we need to disrupt their plans, and allow something extraordinary to happen with the election.
Buckle up, because things are going to get very exciting in the weeks and months ahead. —
Another Take: When I first coined #OurBoyBlue … some called me a mad man.
But what if what I predicted comes to pass? What if the Real Fake President isn’t done yet?
What if he comes back to us, at the turn of the tide, when all the crawling, creeping things have been exposed on the moonlit beach for all to see?
Either way, the Orange Man putting out the threat that he COULD had some in the Old Guard and the “all in” Media Industrial Complex unable to sleep last night.
Because our dream is their nightmare. And because control comes in many forms. —
America's hiring boom is officially over
Pretty much everybody woke up last Friday feeling like America's labor market was in fine shape (to the extent the average person was thinking about it at all). Maybe things weren't perfect, and workers weren't living in the "world is your oyster" situation they were in 2021 and 2022, but in general, things seemed pretty strong.
And then, at 8:30 a.m. ET, everything changed. The jobs report said the US economy added 114,000 jobs in July, far fewer than the 176,000 jobs that economists expected. The unemployment rate jumped to 4.3% from 4.1% the previous month. For some context, back in April it was at 3.9% and had been under 4% for the longest stretch in decades. The weakness of the jobs report tipped the worry scale and sent markets into meltdown mode. Many investors decided it was time to panic after all.
While a single data point isn't a good reason to change one's entire narrative, the report served as a wake-up call that danger is closer than a lot of people thought. The cracks in the economic foundation are increasingly impossible to ignore. While it's not in disaster territory, the labor market has been weakening for a while, and it's not clear what's going to reverse that trend. The report's release just a few days after the Federal Reserve decided to hold interest rates steady rather than cut them in an attempt to restabilize the economy also fueled fears that the central bank is behind the curve and that a recession may be on the horizon.
"There was a lot of data that was sort of in the greenish area, and now there's a lot more data that's flashing yellow lights," said Guy Berger, the director of economic research at the Burning Glass Institute, a labor-analytics firm. — Business Insider
Our Take: The most shocking part of this article is the assertion that everyone thought the economy was good before 8:30AM last Friday.
Like, really?
They can’t actually believe this assertion, if for no other reason than the same article goes on to recount the downward trends in economic metrics going back months.
They’re also still saying that we aren’t in a recession yet. I believe we’re in a recession by late 2021; they just manipulated the metrics and changed the definition.
The responsibility to feed your family is an individual one, and resilience should be your primary goal at this juncture.
The economy is a house of cards, and the wind is blowing. —
Iran could rethink Israel attack amid strong diplomatic pressure from US
White House officials believe that intensive diplomatic efforts to temper Iran’s retaliation for the killing of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran last week may be having an effect, the Washington Post said on Tuesday, while also reporting that the Biden administration was enraged by the timing of the assassination.
The Middle East has been bracing for a possible new wave of attacks by Iran and its allies following Haniyeh’s death, along with the killing of top Hezbollah military commander Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut hours earlier. While Israel has not commented publicly on Haniyeh’s death, Tehran has blamed Jerusalem and vowed that it must be made to pay the price.
A blitz of diplomatic efforts in recent days has seen the US — along with its allies in the West and the Middle East — push both Iran and Israel to cool tensions and prevent the region from erupting into all-out war.
Commenting on the efforts, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Washington had communicated to both Israel and Iran that conflict must not escalate.
“It’s urgent that everyone in the region take stock of the situation, understand the risk of miscalculation, and make decisions that will calm tensions, not exacerbate them,” the top diplomat said at the end of a meeting with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Defense Minister Richard Marles. “We’ve been engaged in intense diplomacy with allies and partners, communicating that message directly to Iran. We’ve communicated that message directly to Israel.” — Times of Israel
And …
Putin said to ask Iran to avoid civilian casualties in expected strike on Israel
Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for a restrained response to Israel’s suspected killing of the leader of Hamas, advising against attacks on Israeli civilians, two senior Iranian sources told Reuters.
The message, according to the sources, was delivered on Monday by Sergei Shoigu, a senior ally of the Kremlin leader, in meetings with top Iranian officials as the Islamic Republic weighs its response to the assassination of Hamas terror group leader Ismail Haniyeh.
The assessment that Iran is likely to attack Israel in the coming days or weeks follows last week’s back-to-back assassinations of Hezbollah military chief Fuad Shukr in an Israeli strike in Beirut and Haniyeh in Tehran. Iran has blamed Israel for Haniyeh’s death and has vowed to retaliate.
Tehran also pressed Moscow for the delivery of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, the two Iranian sources, privy to the meeting in Tehran, told Reuters.
In Moscow, the Kremlin did not respond to a request for comment. State-run RIA news agency reported on Tuesday that Shoigu said he discussed Haniyeh’s killing on his Tehran visit. — Times of Israel
Our Take: Honestly, I don't think Iran will attack Israel. I think they are playing a psychological warfare game, where they use rhetoric and messaging to bait Israel into doing something really foolish.
Israel is doing the same thing to Iran; the difference is that Iran is the infinite player in this chess match. They are holding all of the cards. Not only do they have the sympathy of most of the international community, but Israel has become a pariah state, who is now expected to behave erratically. (Almost like the tables have turned... think mirror.)
Israel does not have time on its side. Public support for the conflict has collapsed, with the IDF, media, and security apparatus turning on Netanyahu. What Netanyahu desperately needs is for Iran to attack Israel, to give Netanyahu a boogeyman to whom the public can direct its ire and frustration.
Which is exactly why I believe Sergei Shoigu is advising Iran to stand down and wait.
The messaging will continue to be "any minute now..." but this is a giant game of chicken. The first one to blink loses. That doesn't mean we won't see things pop off. I just expect it to be Netanyahu to make the first move.
My opinion on this has been consistent: A pre-emptive strike to "thwart" an Iranian attack. —
Xi Jinping Turns China Into 'Fortress Economy' To Withstand External Shocks: Report
In a strategic pivot designed to safeguard China’s economic stability amid escalating global uncertainties, Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping is advancing an economic model aimed at bolstering national self-sufficiency and resilience. This shift, documented in a recent study, underscores Beijing's ambition to fortify its economy against external shocks, including geopolitical conflicts and global pandemics.
The report, released on July 30 by Jimmy Goodrich, a fellow at the University of California Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation, delves into official CCP speeches and policy documents. It provides an in-depth analysis of the Party’s progress in implementing its “fortress economy” policy across several critical sectors.
“[The strategy is] designed to bolster national self-sufficiency and resilience against external shocks, and ultimately allow the nation to withstand ‘extreme situations’ including protracted armed conflict,” the paper asserts.
The impetus for this strategic shift can be traced to a series of global upheavals. Rising tensions between the U.S. and China, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the far-reaching disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have collectively underscored the vulnerability of interconnected global supply chains. These events have prompted Beijing to recalibrate its economic priorities, focusing on reducing dependency on foreign markets and enhancing domestic economic capabilities.
Central to this recalibration is the concept of “dual-economic circulation,” a policy aimed at reorienting China’s economy from its historical reliance on exports towards a more balanced model that strengthens domestic industries while continuing to engage in international trade. By fostering robust internal economic activity, the CCP hopes to mitigate the impact of global disruptions on China's economy.
This dual approach not only seeks economic stability but also dovetails with Xi’s broader national security agenda. The report highlights that the CCP’s strategy encompasses several critical areas, including food and energy security, supply-chain robustness, civil defense mobilization, and the development of strategic reserve infrastructure. These measures are designed to prepare the nation for “extreme-case” scenarios, ensuring that China remains resilient in the face of potential crises. — ZeroHedge
Our Take: Perhaps one of my more controversial takes in the last few years has been the argument that the Covid lockdowns era helped push forward the acceleration argument that is leading us toward the development of the multi-polar, sovereign world envisioned by nationalist leaders around the world, from Donald Trump to Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin.
While the toilet paper famine and associated shortages of 2020 were memetic, I believe there was a method to the madness; it explained in cartoonish fashion just how reliant on foreign supply chains the US was, while this effect was also reproduced in China, as the Chinese economy has largely been dependent on US purchases.
The US wasn't reliant on China. Each was reliant on the other. That's Globalism, and is something both Trump and Xi oppose very publicly, which is why their "trade war," in my view, was actually a mutual agreement ... a Narrative Deployment or branding meant to paper over the short-term pain of the Actual transition under it. —
Knives for Netflix? The unusual proposal by a German police union chief to reduce crime
A German police union chief has urged the government to consider a proposal for criminals who hand in knives to receive substantial rewards, including a year’s subscription to the Netflix streaming service.
Jochen Kopelke, the chairman of the police union (GdP), expressed his concern about the rising knife crime epidemic enveloping German cities and called on the federal left-wing administration to think outside the box to tackle the issue effectively.
He proposed an amnesty for all those in possession of a knife willing to hand in their weapons but suggested that a material reward was necessary to incentivize youths in particular to do so.
“For this measure to be effective, the federal government must create serious incentives for those who donate,” said Jochen Kopelke.
“Specifically, that could mean a year of Netflix for the delivery of a banned butterfly knife,” he added.
German law prohibits possession of a knife with a blade length of 12 cm or greater. However, butterfly knives have become the go-to weapon for many, and knife crime has spiraled in recent years. — ReMix News
Our Take: Who had knife buy backs on their 2024 bingo card?
Considering that redcoats across the pond are disarmed and largely defenseless, we shouldn’t be surprised when knives become a national crisis for the monarchy.
This story is an important window into just how far disarmament will go once authoritarians gain a foothold. Hammers and garden tools are likely next.
It’s not about the people having arms. It’s about the people being capable of defense. This is the principle that underlies the Second Amendment — the right of the people to defend themselves against deranged authoritarians in government shall not be infringed.
Unfortunately, the Brits don’t have a second amendment. And, soon, they won’t have knives.
Still, the king and his lap-parliament are giving the plebes a year’s of free access to watch Netflix exploit children. Sounds like a fair exchange.
Not one inch, America. Shall not be infringed. —
Badlands Media Special Interview - Geopolitics with LT Gen (Ret.) Steven L. Kwast
Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of interviewing Lt. General Steven Kwast on the subject of Geopolitics—the very thing we have been covering day in and day out on the Brief for the past several months.
Our discussion focused more on the macro, addressing bigger questions of war, peace, diplomacy, and President Trump. The conversation caters to those who may consider themselves new to geopolitics, but I think this audience will find his insights very informative and encouraging. It left me with a sense of optimism that brighter days are ahead, and that the end of the world may not be coming as soon as the Deep State would like us to think.
The General was kind enough to agree to return for a follow up discussion in the near future, where perhaps we will go into the weeds of the current state of world affairs. I am grateful for his time and consideration, and look forward to speaking with him at GART in South Dakota next week. —
BONUS ITEMS
To Combat Veterans Like Me, Tim Walz's Abandonment of His Unit Is Unforgivable | Opinion
In the coming days and weeks, you will hear a lot about Tim Walz. You'll hear about his leadership, you'll hear about his time in office, and you'll hear about his military service.
But here's the truth you won't hear from the mainstream media: Tim Walz abandoned his men before a combat deployment and he abandoned his city when it was literally on fire.
That's the kind of leader Tim Walz truly is.
You're already no doubt hearing about how Walz spent 24 years in the Army National Guard and retired as a command sergeant major. He is fond of referring to himself as the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress.
Here's the truth: He indeed spent 24 years as an enlisted soldier in the Minnesota National Guard. As far as I can tell, he deployed once to Italy and once to Norway. But when it was finally his turn to deploy in the actual Global War on Terror, Walz instead chose his own aspirations over leadership. In a letter posted to Facebook in 2018, veterans from his unit said Walz retired from the National Guard after learning his battalion would be deployed to Iraq—though he assured his troops he would join them.
Walz would have been the Battalion Command Sergeant Major, the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer and arguably the most important leader in his unit. And in the moment they needed him most, when they were about to deploy to Iraq, Walz chose to abandon his men to run for Congress. According to sources within the unit, three of his soldiers died on that deployment.
This isn't a leader. This is a man who uses others to further his own ambitions, then discards them when they become inconvenient. He abandoned his men and left the military before completing the school necessary to become a Command Sergeant Major—though this hasn't stopped him from using the title on the Minnesota government site in his bio. — Newsweek
Harris and Walz say they’re ‘joyful warriors,’ narrowly avoid confrontation with Vance on tarmac
Vice President Kamala Harris declared herself and her new running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, “joyful warriors” against Donald Trump on Wednesday as they spent their first full day campaigning together across the Midwest. They got an unusual glimpse of how hotly contested the region would be when they overlapped on a Wisconsin tarmac with Republican vice presidential nominee JD Vance.
The Democrats visited Wisconsin and Michigan, hoping to shore up support among the younger, diverse, labor-friendly voters who were instrumental in helping President Joe Biden win the 2020 election.
Harris told the day’s first rally in Eau Claire, “As Tim Walz likes to point out, we are joyful warriors.” Contributing to that feeling, the Harris campaign said it had raised $36 million in the first 24 hours after she announced Walz as her running mate.
The vice president said the pair looks at the future with optimism, unlike Trump, the former president and Republican White House nominee, whom she accused of being stuck in the past and preferring a confrontational style of politics — even as she criticized her opponent herself. — AP News
We hope you enjoyed this brief look back at the major news items you might have missed in this ever-escalating and ever-accelerating news cycle as the Information War continues to rage on around us.
As always, if you have any thoughts on these news items or the MANY others swirling in the digital ether, drop into the comments below to share them with your fellow Badlanders.
Badlands Media will always put out our content for free, but you can support us by becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter. Help our collective of citizen journalists take back the narrative from the MSM. We are the news now.
Thanks for another day of great Takes. The more I read these the happier I am that I turned off ALL DS Rat Bastard MSM November 3, 2020 and have never looked back. The bullshit they write or put on their TV feeds are Total Inversions (h.t. Chris Paul). If you simply use basic critical thinking skills (or just trust your gut) not one thing they say is even close to being believable. It's actually comical.
So like I say We the People are the news now and we simply need to loudly & proudly share the Truth.
GBPH that interview with General Kwast was fantastic. The future really does look bright!
God Wins!
God Bless!!!
How in the h e double toothpicks does anyone believe that inflation is low and unemployment is low? The BS reports of inflation are so far off that it would be amusing if it wasn’t so debilitating to most household budgets. What I paid $45 for in 2021 I now pay $200+ now. So the “powers that be” can shove their data where the sun don’t shine.