Considering the amount of discernment and knowledge you've shown, there's absolutely no reason to think that you have a clue or would understand one. When you're are trying to encourage other countries to see things in a more favorable light for the US, social activism is exactly what you're trying to achieve.
Nothing that we've been talking about what "brought to light" by Elon. There's not some big secret. This is all public record.
I'm gonna disagree with you on things like comic book and musicals. Again, you're refusing to acknowledge the impact that soft power can have - not just through diplomacy but through culture. Our country's biggest victory in the post-WWII world wasn't a military victory, it was a cultural one, where American culture became the dominant global one. The presence of McDonalds in dozens (hundreds?) of countries, and Disney World parks all over the world, and Hollywood films dubbed and shown in theaters worldwide, are as much signs of American power as aircraft carriers. It's really disappointing that having seen how effective American cultural power has been over the last few decades, Trump and the people around him are essentially willing to throw much of it away by trying to withdraw us from global culture and politics, rather than lead it.
I doubt most people spend time researching budget details for the many federal departments. This musical/comic book story is something right wing media would be all over if it was known.
IF there are any benefits to these projects, benefits that can be measured, let a private or non-profit fund them. If benefits are measurable, people will donate.
Why the insistence that benefits be measurable? There's part of your problem right there. Refusing to acknowledge any benefits that aren't measurable is foolish. How does one measure the benefit of winning wars, or maintaining peace, or exploring the moon, or discovering new elements, or protecting endangered species?
Right wing media was all over it. How do you think Musk found out about it? They didn't just start talking about this stuff a week ago.
freebeacon.com
And that is utter horseshit. Do you support tax dollars being spent on that project?Here's is a right-wing media article from 2023 that talks about a lot of these things, including the LGBTQ comic book in Peru
Biden Admin Spends $4.6 Million in Taxpayer Cash To Fund LGBT Activism Abroad
The Biden administration has given nearly $4.6 million to help foreign groups promote LGBT projects like drag shows and pride parades.
Here is the quote from a state department official explaining why these types of grants were made:
A State Department spokesman defended the funding in comments to the Free Beacon, saying these programs "advance the foreign policy priority of reducing discrimination and violence and promoting inclusion."
"Indigenous persons, religious and ethnic minorities, women, LGBTQI+ persons, and persons with disabilities, among others, live with disproportionate violence that requires targeted support," the spokesman said. "U.S. citizens benefit from a world that is safer and more prosperous for all."
I know you’re not asking me, but I absolutely support tax dollars being spent on anything designed to try to make the world a safer and more prosperous place for everyone, which tremendously benefits us as Americans. Granted, I acknowledge that different people can have different perspectives and viewpoints on what constitutes spending money on something worthy of furthering that aforementioned goal. But overall, I definitely believe that spending the equivalent of peanuts on things that advance American soft power and goodwill abroad, are well worth the investment.
I have no objection to taxpayer dollars being spent on trying to make the world a more welcoming and less discriminatory place. Eliminating prejudices and opening minds is critical to making the world a more peaceful and less hostile place. Peace and harmony are extremely valuable to every American citizen.
Do you understand how stabilization of other countries ultimately benefits us because it drastically reduces our defense budget? Look at the programs being highlighted. Think about which countries are getting the specific targeted aid and why. Consider how each benefits us in specific ways. You still won't agree with everything on that list. But you will begin to see, at least in regards to some of them, that those projects have the potential to mitigate defense and other types of spending in those areas.
If it helps make where they live more tolerable by reducing violence and discrimination, yes. Otherwise they may walk 1000 miles to our border, legally apply for asylum and then we’ll have to hear you bitch about that.
gizmodo.com
