Badlands News Brief
Debates About Debates, RINO Country & Building BRICS
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.
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Now, onto the news from Monday, August 26 …
Kamala's campaign demands seated debate, with notes, for Sept. 10 ABC event
Kamala Harris wants to change the rules of the upcoming, Sept. 10 presidential debate to be held on ABC. Instead of a normal, standing debate, Harris wants the candidates to be seated, and instead of both candidates speaking contemporaneously, drawing on facts and figures they know, she wants to have notes, as though it's some kind of open-book test in a freshman lecture class.
The Trump campaign's Jason Miller spoke to Politico Playbook, saying "Enough with the games. We accepted the ABC debate under the exact same terms as the CNN debate. The Harris camp, after having already agreed to the CNN rules, asked for a seated debate, with notes, and opening statements. We said no changes to the agreed upon rules."
"If Kamala Harris isn’t smart enough to repeat the messaging points her handlers want her to memorize, that’s their problem," Miller said. "This seems to be a pattern for the Harris campaign. They won’t allow Harris to do interviews, they won’t allow her to do press conferences, and now they want to give her a cheat-sheet for the debate. My guess is that they’re looking for a way to get out of any debate with President Trump."Harris has not held a press conference, done or committed to a long-form interview, barely takes reporters' questions, and has only agreed to one debate against Trump—one she apparently wants entirely on her terms. — The Post Millennial
Our Take: Over the past few days, we’ve repeatedly heard ‘Trump is trying to chicken out of the ABC debate’ from the high brow political pundit class.
Turns out, Kamala wants to change the rules, sit down, and treat a presidential debate like an open book test. Next they’ll be asking for her advisors to join her on stage.
Watching the communists broadcast their positions by claiming Trump holds them has become an amusing and predictive pastime.
Debate is a make or break forum. It was DeSantis’ Achilles heel and Biden’s death rattle. And it’s never been a strength for Kamala Harris.
Side note: Tulsi Gabbard is reportedly working with 45 on his debate prep. Oh to be a fly on the wall.
Whether they’re sitting with open textbooks and moderator mute buttons or actually engaging in the robust, adult debate you’d expect in a US Presidential contest, Kamala Harris is going to have to think on her feet and speak coherently.
It’s going to be hilarious. And it will likely be followed by panic. Just like last time. MAGA. —
More than 200 former Bush, McCain and Romney staffers endorse Harris
More than 200 Republicans who worked for former President George H.W. Bush, former President George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Mitt Romney endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, saying democracy would be "irreparably jeopardized" by another Trump administration.
"We have plenty of honest, ideological disagreements with Vice President Harris and Gov. Walz. That's to be expected. The alternative, however, is simply untenable," said the letter, which was first reported by USA Today.
The group, which put out a similar letter in 2020, said another four years of former President Donald Trump's "chaotic leadership" would "hurt real, everyday people and weaken our sacred institutions."
They urged moderate Republicans and independents in battleground states who helped elect President Biden "to take a brave stand once more."
The announcement follows speeches from several Republicans at last week's Democratic National Convention, in which they excoriated Trump's leadership and personality. — CBS News
Our Take: The greatest thing the Uniparty ever did for the world was convince it they absolutely did exist. —
Another Take: On Sunday night, we discussed the Bicameral nature of the DNC, which could have been seen as a resounding success by both the Uniparty Establishment AND patriots.
For the former, their intention was to cast one final spell of illusion over the proceedings, papering over four years of sociopolitical strife by telling the entire world something it knows is not true: that Kamala Harris is a real candidate deposing a real president in a real election.
They did so by trotting out the entirety of the Old Guard, resuscitating legacy Deep State names that were ubiquitous in the Truth Community with the original Q drops and the advent of the Trump era, which both triggered and preceded the awakening.
And yet ... Donald Trump and patriots not only refused to circumvent this establishment framing, but stepped aside and allowed it to take place, as the Deep State has fallen into yet another trap.
Now, the WHOLE world agrees where the battle lines are drawn.
Let the chips fall ... —
Palestine Officially Announces It Will Apply to Join BRICS
Following a meeting between presidents earlier this month, Palestine has announced that it will officially apply to join BRICS. Indeed, Russia’s Vladimir Putin met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in early August. Subsequently, the latter has been invited to the 2024 BRICS Summit.
The decision follows an ongoing trend for the economic alliance this year. A plethora of countries have expressed an interest in joining an expanded BRICS. In 2023, the bloc welcomed four new members: the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
The past two years have been vital for the BRICS alliance. It expanded its membership for the first time since 2001 last year and has continued to discuss even more growth. That has led to several nations reaching out with an intention to become the next to be included in an expansion effort.
Among those is Palestine, which has officially announced it will apply to join BRICS. Specifically, the Palestinian Authority’s ambassador to Russia, Abdel Hafeez Nofal, stated that an application will arrive after the the country takes part in the upcoming annual summit.
“We received an invitation from President Putin to President Abbas, and he was invited to participate in the BRICS summit,” he told local media. “The most important thing is that [Palestinian representatives] will participate in this event,” he stated. — Watcher Guru
Our Take: So the customary international law upon which the international community operates is based on the Montevideo Convention of the Rights and Duties of states, which was a treaty signed in Uruguay, on December 26, 1933, during the Seventh International Conference of American States.
The treaty established that there are four criteria for statehood, which are recognized by nations and international organizations.
It reads:
The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.
Palestine has a permanent population, a functioning government, and the capacity to enter into relations with the other states—as evidenced by the invitation from Putin to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the upcoming BRICS summit in Kazan this October.
Palestine certainly has relations with the United States, demonstrated by Mahmoud Abbas's letter to President Trump after the failed assassination attempt against the latter. President Trump responded by posting a handwritten not on Truth Social, nine days after receiving the letter—the night before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was scheduled to address a joint session of Congress for the fifth time.
"Everything will be good."
At this point, I think everybody is getting FOMO about BRICS. It's basically going to be a huge party to celebrate the end of central banking, and none of the Satanists from the west are invited. Considering that it is scheduled in October, it would be such a power move for Trump and the homies to attend. Could you imagine Trump rolling into Kazan with a deep crew, like when he attends UFC events?
It seems like the strategy with Palestine is to basically just start treating it like a fully recognized nation, and incorporate it into the anti-central banking system, which will give it complete autonomy from the UN, US, and Israel.
Technically, Israel needs to sign a treaty with Palestine for its borders to meet the criteria above to have codified borders. But if every other country ends up recognizing them, and then President Trump returns and fulfills his promise to Abbas-- "I want you to be the Palestinian President who signs the final, and most important, peace deal..."—then what choice will Israel have but to capitulate? (Especially if Trump flexes and helps Benny Gantz run Bibi out of office.)
It really does feel like President Trump stepped away, so Putin and the lads could clean up the streets of the international world and make things right.
Big things ahead, I think. Exciting times. —
Vance: Trump Would Veto a National Abortion Ban
Senator JD Vance (R-OH) said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” that Donald Trump would veto a national abortion ban if it were passed in his second term.
Host Kristen Welker said, “It’s being talked about on the campaign trail, abortion. Democrats made the case this week and beyond this week that Donald Trump, if elected, will impose a federal ban on abortion. Donald Trump says he won’t, but can you commit, senator, sitting right here with me today, that if you and Donald Trump are elected that, you will not impose a federal ban on abortion?”
Vance said, “I can absolutely commit that, Kristen. Donald Trump has been as clear about that as possible. It’s important to step back and say what has Donald Trump said on the abortion question and how is it different from what Kamala Harris and the Democrats have said. Donald Trump wants to end this culture war on this particular topic. If California wants to have a different abortion policy than Ohio, then California has to respect Ohio, and Ohio has to respect California.”
Welker said, “Senator Graham said I will keep saying that there should be a federal ban. If such a piece of legislation landed on Donald Trump’s desk, would he veto it?”
Vance said, “I will. He would be very clear; he will not support it.”
Welker said, “Will he veto it?”
Vance said, “Yeah, if you’re not supporting it,” — Breitbart
Our Take: Over the weekend, President Trump posted that his administration would be great for women’s reproductive rights.
In response, X was flooded with (likely fake) outrage posts from so-called evangelicals claiming to withhold their votes unless 45 changes course and enacts a federal ban on abortion as 47.
Trump is masterful.
First, the outrage was immediate, coordinated, and used exactly the same messaging. Like ‘this is a threat to our democracy,’ but for baby murder.
Second, this allegedly evangelical position is irrational and untenable. President Trump is the most pro-life President America has ever had, he was the first President to speak at the March for Life, and he is rightly credited for overturning Roe via his SCOTUS appointments. His accomplishment of returning abortion to the states, allowing communities to determine what they will tolerate (and be judged for), was always the goal of the pro-life movement — that is, until it was accomplished. Then these so-called religious people moved the goal posts, and now they’re lying.
That’s weird. It’s almost as if they’re committed to always fighting, not actually winning. It’s almost like Trump’s accomplishment threatened the grift.
Third, reproductive rights include more than abortion access. While it’s become a synonym for abortion during this emotionally-heightened season, reproductive rights include IVF, elective hysterectomies and tubals, birth control access, intra-uterine surgeries, rights to try, and more. Trump’s administration will be great for these rights. If you oppose women having such choices, you might be a fascist.
Fourth, and most devastating to their position, withholding your vote from Trump for ideological purity increases the likelihood that more babies will die gruesome deaths, up to and after birth. And these ‘evangelicals’ are holding this position because they (irrationally) feel betrayed by Trump — A MAN — and his political platform. They’re effectively advocating for more babies to die to punish the man who would ensure less babies will die. How very Christian.
Finally, a federal abortion ban gives the government the power and precedent to enact federal healthcare mandates, and it places government smack in the middle of healthcare decisions. ‘But abortion isn’t healthcare!’ Sure, neither are vaccines, SSRIs, or trans-affirming care, but demanding a federal ban on one paves the way for federal action on all.
It’s hard for me to fathom that these ‘evangelicals’ are this stupid and detached. It’s much more likely that they aren’t real. Reality collapse is a wild ride.
Bottom line: Liberty or death. Liberty means stripping the federal government of its unconstitutional authorities. That’s how we make America great again. —
Macron Widely Mocked For Saying Telegram CEO's Arrest 'Not Politically Motivated'
It appears President Emmanuel Macron is feeling the pressure after French authorities arrested Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov over the weekend. The prosecutor's office has since said his detention may last until Aug.28.
Several prominent tech entrepreneurs and public figures - for example Elon Musk - have decried the move as selective persecution against a known advocate of free speech. In a rare move Macron weighed in directly on Monday, claiming it has nothing to do with his government and that Durov's arrest and ongoing detention is not politically motivated.
Macron said Monday, "The arrest of Telegram's president on French territory took place as part of an ongoing judicial investigation. This is in no way a political decision. It is up to the judges to decide." Macron further condemned what he called "false information" surrounding the case. — ZeroHedge
Our Take: You know we are getting close to the climax of this story, because the tyrants are now rounding up the purveyors of mass communication, clearly in an act of desperation, as they see the masses awakening and growing anxious.
They've already gone after the people standing up to them—Peter Navarro, Steve Bannon, President Trump, to name a few—but now they have to shut down the public square. Too much truth is getting out, and the free flow of information is dangerous to those who seek to control the masses. In fact, it's the single-greatest threat they face.
That little rodent, Alexander Vindman, decided to weigh in with a rather unsubtle threat against Elon Musk.
He followed it up by calling MAGA tech bros "free speech absolutionists weirdos," then goes on to say that Telegram had to be shut down because it was used to traffic child porn (I guess Vindman would know, huh?) and then said that we should be more worried about "Trump's connections to Jeffery Epstein."
Can you believe the nerve of this scum bag?
Alexander Vindman is obviously a dorito dink, and it goes without saying that he seems the type to have more than a few skeletons hidden away in that foot locker he sleeps in. (probably)
I can't help but laugh at these morons who think they have have the clout to disrespect a man like President Trump in this manner. I struggle to even classify these vermin as grown men. They behave like insolent children, without a shred of honor, decency, or ability. Yet, they strut around like a bunch of pompous turkeys with their chests puffed out. Who do these clowns think they are? Nobody respects them. Nobody even likes them. Without the technocratic oligarchs boosting their messaging, nobody would pay attention to them.
I'm somewhat disappointed in myself for even giving this little dandee the time of day, but I also think we need to be highlighting their degeneracy, so when the pendulum swings back, we understand the kind of people with whom we are dealing. Not good! —
The Supreme Court’s recent decisions could undo big Biden accomplishments
President Joe Biden executed one of the most sweeping progressive agendas on labor, climate change and “corporate greed” in recent decades — only to see the Supreme Court lay it so bare that a Kamala Harris victory may not protect large chunks of it.
A suite of Supreme Court rulings this summer freed up federal judges to freeze many regulations the president once campaigned on or enacted to get around a deeply divided Congress. In Texas, a federal judge blocked Biden’s ban on noncompete agreements for workers, and a judge in Mississippi stopped his discrimination protections in health care for transgender people. And an Ohio-based appeals court temporarily halted a policy preventing internet companies from throttling service.
Biden appointees have spent years writing rules to crack down on credit card late fees, require airlines to fork over cash refunds and make millions more people eligible for overtime pay while reining in polluting industries. But the future of those policies, along with the president’s unfinished business on student debt relief and artificial intelligence, are far less secure than they were just two months ago.
While having a successor from the same party long served as the simplest way for presidents to protect and continue their legacies, the high court has made it harder for Harris to defend Biden’s even if she bests former President Donald Trump. — Politico
Our Take: We've got some Bicameral signal coming out of Politico today:
For starters, the panic pattern continues unabated, as, even while acknowledging that their newest fake candidate for the fake presidency might win the fake election against the real president, the establishment is still reeling from the prospect that decades of administrative power projection capabilities have been rendered moot by recent Supreme Court (read: Trump) decisions.
"... even if Trump doesn’t win the presidency ... trade groups and corporations now have a greater chance of knocking rules down from the outside."
What's MORE, they're accidentally acknowledging that the only stuff that's going to STICK out of the Biden/Devo era are the good things.
"Even with signature regulations in jeopardy, a large part of Biden’s record is locked in through the billions of dollars he secured for microchip manufacturing, renewable energy and vital infrastructure."
The Switch was successful. For us. —
Ukraine to Belarus: Pull back from the border or risk ‘tragic mistakes’
Belarus must pull its troops back from the Ukrainian border and "cease unfriendly actions" or risk becoming further embroiled in the war, Kyiv warned in a statement issued late Sunday.
"We warn Belarusian officials not to make tragic mistakes for their country under Moscow's pressure," the Ukrainian foreign ministry said.
The statement noted intelligence reports that Belarus was amassing "a significant number of personnel, including Special Operations Forces, weapons, and military equipment" as well as mercenaries of the former Wagner private military company in Belarus' Gomel region bordering Ukraine, "under the guise of exercises."
Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko said earlier this month that he had deployed nearly one-third of his country's armed forces to the border with Ukraine, telling state-run TV the move came in response to Kyiv amassing troops near its border with Belarus.
Kyiv's statement rejected that pretext, with the foreign ministry saying, "We emphasize that Ukraine has never taken and is not going to take any unfriendly actions against the Belarusian people." — Politico
Our Take: Boy, it really feels like something big is coming from Russia.
There was something different in Putin's tone after the missile attack against Kursk, and I think he is preparing to end this Ukraine thing, once and for all. (And just in time before President Trump returns to office—very, very respectful, Vlad.)
And then there's the little nugget about the Wagner Group no longer in Ukraine? Hah! Kind of like that plane crash that took out Prigozhin? Yeah, I'm sure that guy is totally dead. And I'm sure the Wagner Group operating in Belarus is totally not about to bring the house down on the Nazi high command in Kiev. (NATO, of course.)
And then this happened in Saratov, Russia:
Check the footage— reminds you of another Deep State attack...
Something about all of this feels very cyclical, like things from the past are repeating themselves.
And how about that remark about Wagner operating in Africa?
This audience is very familiar with those adventures. I think it's time we go back and check in on our boys … —
BONUS ITEMS
In Stunning Letter To Congress, Zuckerberg Admits Biden-Harris Pressured Facebook To Censor Content
Two years ago Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted to Joe Rogan that the FBI pressured Facebook into censoring the Hunter Biden laptop story.
Now he's participating in a Congressional investigation.
In a stunning Monday evening letter to House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan, Zuckerberg admitted that senior Biden administration officials "repeatedly pressured" Facebook teams to suppress information related to COVID-19 that the platform would not have otherwise censored - and the administration 'expressed a lot of frustration with our teams when we didn't agree.'
Zuck now says that Facebook should not have compromised its standards "due to pressure from any Administration in either direction."
"I believe the government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it," reads the letter. "I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn’t make today."
He's also committed and "ready to push back if something like this happens again." — ZeroHedge
Secret Service Rescinds Protection For RFK Jr. After Trump Endorsement
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will no longer receive Secret Service protection after he announced on Aug. 23 that he was suspending his campaign in 10 battleground states and urging voters in those states to support former President Donald Trump instead.
“Mr. Kennedy no longer has USSS protection,” Kennedy’s press secretary, Stefanie Spear, told The Epoch Times on Aug. 25.
Anthony Guglielmi, Secret Service chief of communications, confirmed that Kennedy “is no longer a protectee given he suspended his campaign,” in an Aug. 25 statement to The Epoch Times.
Kennedy was denied Secret Service protection five times before the Department of Homeland Security granted it shortly after the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump on July 13.
Thomas Michael Crooks was identified by authorities as the gunman. Trump’s ear was grazed by the gunfire, former fire chief Corey Comperatore was killed, and two others were injured.
Following the attack, Trump said that Kennedy should “immediately” get Secret Service protection.
“In light of what is going on in the world today, I believe it is imperative that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. receive Secret Service protection—immediately,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “Given the history of the Kennedy Family, this is the obvious right thing to do!” — The Epoch Times
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.
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I feel I should comment before anyone else decides to post yet another totally non-sequitur comment.
Regarding so-called evangelicals stating they’ll be withholding their votes: if those are real people (or bots sent out by real people) it does prove one thing; people love problems and get very angry when someone takes their problem away. It’s very upsetting after years of nurturing, striking, feed in and growing a problem only to have it snatched away just as it getting really good.
I dont know who these evangelicals are that will stay home on election day but I personally dont care If they do. Christians everywhere are voting in mass for TRUMP. Im voting for Trump. None of us is without sin including those Evangelicals. Its your choice and your right as a free citizen if you want to give Harris your vote by staying home. Just remember that if she wins, even living children will continue to be killed after birth and it will be the end of any free speech. Let that be on your conscience.