The New York Times reports today that Binance internal investigators found $1.7 billion flowed to Iranian entities linked to the Revolutionary Guards Corps — a designated terrorist organization. When investigators flagged it, Binance fired or suspended at least four of them. Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Trump’s family crypto venture does business with Binance. Zhao was at Mar-a-Lago this month. Binance reports to DOJ on February 25. Trump prepares military strikes against Iran while his business partner’s platform funded Iran’s terror army."
Trump is a serious destroyer not capable of even sailing on the success of a previous administration. His wounded ego always demands inflicting more cruelty on others because he gets small self-esteem boosts. He's like a drug addict always seeking another fix.
True Detective is a 4 season HBO series starring Matt McConaughey and Woody Harrelson brilliantly portraying 2 cops who become a crime solving pair exposing the dark side of Louisiana culture Written by Vic Pizzolatto the series becomes an exploration of the Southern Gothic(https://bit.ly/4aNjMIC) which was evolved as a literary genra beginning in the 1850’s and deals with the dark side of Christianity as practiced in the South It sheds light on the toxicity of a cult that spans environmental, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life
What makes this series so relevant to the current state of American politics is the correlation with the Republican push for Christian Nationalism as the reigning dogma and its parallels to the Southern Gothic As most know Christian Nationalism has nothing to do with governing and all to do with political populism and authoritarianism and comes from the dark or the toxic side of Christianity complete with the Satanic and Nazi symbology
As Hitler wrote in 1928, “We tolerate no one in our ranks who attacks the ideas of Christianity. Our movement is Christian.” The Southern Gothic(https://bit.ly/4ayIldj) has clear parallels with Nazism with themes of inequality, racial purity, and fear with scapegoating minorities The present day Christian Nationalist movement supported by the current Republican party depicts the diabolical evil of the Southern Gothic and fascism
The focus on Musk and Thiel ignores the current power in the Whitehouse, with Steven Miller driving the attacks on big blue cities with diverse populations.
Trump is putting Thiel's people in power, i.e. JD Vance as V.P. and Jim O'Neill as director of the National Science Foundation. I'm sure there are others. These are scary white nationalist people that follow Curtis Yarvin (who follows Carl Schmitt - nazism).
I agree that Vance, Thiel, et al are a huge threat, but for me, Miller's implementation of inhumane treatment of thousands of people and the blatant murder of those protesting or standing up for human rights is the more immediate threat of white nationalism.
Stephen Miller the Nazi lookalike is especially dangerous, in my view. And dont forget the quiet billionaires who fund the whole thing, like Leonard Leo (and the cast of characters exposed in DARK MONEY by Jane Mayer).
Prof prof Krugman and Snyder finding themselves engaged for the same cause...
An interesting case of how the supposedly very distinct/isolated, specialized/academic career paths, in widely different fields, using very different frameworks (deductive, analytical, quantitative for economics, synthetic, qualitative for history) converge together at their respective leading edges...
What about all the farms that are failing because of Trump's tariffs? Also everyone should know that JD Vance's group AcreTrader buys/sells bankrupt American farms.
It was an excellent conversation. Your ability to take a distanced view of the current badministrators is very helpful in remaining undeterred by their shenanigans.
MAGA is the result of choosing not to invest in our future generation. The German people chose to not repeat their children being turned into generationl damage
1. VolunteeringUkraine — Volunteer opportunities and project matching in Ukraine; connects international volunteers with humanitarian, community support, and reconstruction efforts. https://volunteeringukraine.org/
(May include long-term deployments depending on project needs.)
2. Alternative-V – Long-Term Volunteering Program — A Ukrainian NGO that hosts and coordinates long-term volunteer placements (3–12 months) through structured programs like the European Solidarity Corps. https://alternative-v.com.ua/en/volunteerProgram
(Best for structured in-Ukraine long-term volunteering.)
3. Volunteer4Ukraine (Support Ukraine Now) — A volunteer matching initiative for professionals to contribute skills (IT, design, communications, strategy, etc.) to Ukrainian nonprofit and social initiatives, often remote or hybrid. https://supportukrainenow.org/volunteer4ukraine
(Good for white-collar, technical, and advisory roles.)
🛠 Technical / Maker-Focused Volunteering
4. Makers for Ukraine – Defense Tech for Ukraine — Connects volunteers with tech and maker projects (3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, electronics, CAD design, documentation) supporting Ukrainian needs. https://defensetechforukraine.org/volunteer/makers-for-ukraine/
This is the best hour I’ve spent recently.
I have bought tabletop Picasso inspired wire sculpture from an artist in Ukraine, this woman is amazing. My heart is with her.
A conversation between giants.
💯 Two of my faves. Trying to contain my fangirl freakout.
Trump et al are hesitating at least in part b/c they have invested in their Iranian opponents!
Here's an excerpt from narativ.org today.
"4. 💰 BINANCE FUNNELED $1.7B TO IRAN
The New York Times reports today that Binance internal investigators found $1.7 billion flowed to Iranian entities linked to the Revolutionary Guards Corps — a designated terrorist organization. When investigators flagged it, Binance fired or suspended at least four of them. Trump pardoned Binance founder Changpeng Zhao. Trump’s family crypto venture does business with Binance. Zhao was at Mar-a-Lago this month. Binance reports to DOJ on February 25. Trump prepares military strikes against Iran while his business partner’s platform funded Iran’s terror army."
Wow! I agree with Jim ... the best hour I've spent recently! Fantastic conversation. Thanks Timothy and Paul.
Looking forward to this conversation.
Two of my favorite scholars-just great!
Trump is a serious destroyer not capable of even sailing on the success of a previous administration. His wounded ego always demands inflicting more cruelty on others because he gets small self-esteem boosts. He's like a drug addict always seeking another fix.
Deep Dive Into Evils Of Christian Nationalism
True Detective is a 4 season HBO series starring Matt McConaughey and Woody Harrelson brilliantly portraying 2 cops who become a crime solving pair exposing the dark side of Louisiana culture Written by Vic Pizzolatto the series becomes an exploration of the Southern Gothic(https://bit.ly/4aNjMIC) which was evolved as a literary genra beginning in the 1850’s and deals with the dark side of Christianity as practiced in the South It sheds light on the toxicity of a cult that spans environmental, physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of life
What makes this series so relevant to the current state of American politics is the correlation with the Republican push for Christian Nationalism as the reigning dogma and its parallels to the Southern Gothic As most know Christian Nationalism has nothing to do with governing and all to do with political populism and authoritarianism and comes from the dark or the toxic side of Christianity complete with the Satanic and Nazi symbology
As Hitler wrote in 1928, “We tolerate no one in our ranks who attacks the ideas of Christianity. Our movement is Christian.” The Southern Gothic(https://bit.ly/4ayIldj) has clear parallels with Nazism with themes of inequality, racial purity, and fear with scapegoating minorities The present day Christian Nationalist movement supported by the current Republican party depicts the diabolical evil of the Southern Gothic and fascism
The focus on Musk and Thiel ignores the current power in the Whitehouse, with Steven Miller driving the attacks on big blue cities with diverse populations.
Trump is putting Thiel's people in power, i.e. JD Vance as V.P. and Jim O'Neill as director of the National Science Foundation. I'm sure there are others. These are scary white nationalist people that follow Curtis Yarvin (who follows Carl Schmitt - nazism).
I agree that Vance, Thiel, et al are a huge threat, but for me, Miller's implementation of inhumane treatment of thousands of people and the blatant murder of those protesting or standing up for human rights is the more immediate threat of white nationalism.
Miller's is short-term, Vance/Thiel, long-term.
Stephen Miller the Nazi lookalike is especially dangerous, in my view. And dont forget the quiet billionaires who fund the whole thing, like Leonard Leo (and the cast of characters exposed in DARK MONEY by Jane Mayer).
Prof prof Krugman and Snyder finding themselves engaged for the same cause...
An interesting case of how the supposedly very distinct/isolated, specialized/academic career paths, in widely different fields, using very different frameworks (deductive, analytical, quantitative for economics, synthetic, qualitative for history) converge together at their respective leading edges...
What about all the farms that are failing because of Trump's tariffs? Also everyone should know that JD Vance's group AcreTrader buys/sells bankrupt American farms.
Gentlemen, thank you both.
Your back and forth conversation is a valuable learning moment for me.
It was an excellent conversation. Your ability to take a distanced view of the current badministrators is very helpful in remaining undeterred by their shenanigans.
MAGA is the result of choosing not to invest in our future generation. The German people chose to not repeat their children being turned into generationl damage
I'm looking for a month-long volunteering opportunity in Ukraine. Any ideas? I have mostly white-collar skills, plus 3D printing and woodworking.
There are more, Don. See if anything here helps:
Volunteer Programs & Matching Platforms
1. VolunteeringUkraine — Volunteer opportunities and project matching in Ukraine; connects international volunteers with humanitarian, community support, and reconstruction efforts. https://volunteeringukraine.org/
(May include long-term deployments depending on project needs.)
2. Alternative-V – Long-Term Volunteering Program — A Ukrainian NGO that hosts and coordinates long-term volunteer placements (3–12 months) through structured programs like the European Solidarity Corps. https://alternative-v.com.ua/en/volunteerProgram
(Best for structured in-Ukraine long-term volunteering.)
3. Volunteer4Ukraine (Support Ukraine Now) — A volunteer matching initiative for professionals to contribute skills (IT, design, communications, strategy, etc.) to Ukrainian nonprofit and social initiatives, often remote or hybrid. https://supportukrainenow.org/volunteer4ukraine
(Good for white-collar, technical, and advisory roles.)
🛠 Technical / Maker-Focused Volunteering
4. Makers for Ukraine – Defense Tech for Ukraine — Connects volunteers with tech and maker projects (3D printing, CNC, laser cutting, electronics, CAD design, documentation) supporting Ukrainian needs. https://defensetechforukraine.org/volunteer/makers-for-ukraine/
(Great for hands-on builders and designers.)
Thank you so much! This is super-helpful!! 🙏
Checking in from Boston