pentagon

Wednesday April 12, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday April 12, 2023

GOP Caught in Pro-Putin Romance: Leaked Pentagon Docs Reveal Embarrassing Bedfellows

The recent leak of top-secret Pentagon information related to the Ukraine war has sent shockwaves through the U.S. government and its allies. As the Pentagon scrambles to assess the scope of the leak and assure allies, there are concerns that the information revealed could potentially be embarrassing to Democrats and President Joe Biden. However, it is not just U.S. adversaries who may find glee in this leak, but also pro-Putin Republicans who have been supportive of Russia’s aggression and have advocated for policies that align with Russian interests.

February 24, 2023

There has been little media coverage of the pro-Putin rally that took place on February 19, 2023, or the growing number of Republicans and influential politicians who have expressed support for Putin and anti-support for Ukraine. This is a concerning development as it marks a departure from the historical stance of the Republican Party, which has traditionally been known for its support of U.S. national security interests and democracy promotion globally. Former Republican Presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower and Ronald Reagan have championed American values and stood against Russian aggression, but many within the GOP have taken a different turn in recent years.

The pro-Putin sentiments among Republicans are evident in the statements and actions of influential figures such as Steve Bannon, Tucker Carlson of Fox News, Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida, and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, among others. These individuals have either held or sought political office and have openly expressed support for Russia’s aggressive actions. Social media platforms like Parler, Rumble, Gab, and Odysee have also been used to spread Russian disinformation, with some members of the GOP House Freedom Caucus and conservative media figures like Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon promoting baseless claims that bolster the Kremlin’s aggression, according to think tanks that track disinformation propaganda.

Meet the pro-Putin Republicans and conservatives 

March 1, 2022

The leak of Pentagon information on Ukraine’s air defense capabilities and assessments of international support for Ukraine, along with other sensitive topics, presents a serious risk to national security, as stated by the Pentagon itself. It is yet to be authenticated by U.S. officials, but the potential impact of the leak is a cause for concern. The leaked information includes assessments of when Putin might use nuclear weapons, which could be embarrassing for Democrats and Biden’s administration if it reveals any missteps or vulnerabilities in their approach to Russia.

It is worth noting that the leak of classified information comes at a time when the U.S. and its allies are dealing with increased Russian aggression, including Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. While all living former U.S. presidents, except for Donald Trump, have condemned Putin’s actions, there are pro-Putin Republicans who have taken a different stance. This highlights a concerning trend within the GOP, which has shifted away from its historical support for U.S. national security interests and democracy promotion globally.

The implications of the leaked Pentagon information and the pro-Putin sentiments among some Republicans are significant. It raises questions about the trustworthiness of the U.S. in sharing information with its allies and the impact on Ukraine’s plans to intensify its fight against Russia. It also highlights the need for all patriotic Americans to uphold Reagan’s peace through strength message against Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, as stated by the Wall Street Journal. Failure to do so could result in dire consequences for the country and the world at large.

Pentagon leak: Spring offensive downplayed and other key takeaways 

In conclusion, the leak of top-secret Pentagon information related to the Ukraine war has potential implications that go beyond national security concerns. Pro-Putin Republicans who have expressed support for Russia’s aggression may find glee in any embarrassing revelations for Democrats and Biden’s administration. This trend among some Republicans is concerning and marks a departure from the party’s historical stance on U.S. (AI)

 

Saturday February 3, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 3, 2023

Ottawa contracts comprise up to 10 per cent of McKinsey Canadian revenue

Global management consulting giant McKinsey and Company says its contracts with the federal government make up as much as 10 per cent of its gross revenue in Canada.

June 17, 2017

The Canadian revenue figures for McKinsey’s Canadian operations, contained in a U.S. court filing, show how integral federal government contracts are to the New York-based firm, which has offices in Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver.

McKinsey’s contracts with Ottawa are being investigated by the House of Commons committee on government operations and estimates, because of the company’s ties to the Liberal government and the many international controversies in which it has been involved.

The Globe and Mail has reported that the total value of federal contracts awarded to McKinsey since 2015 is at least $116.8-million, up from a previous estimate of $101.4-million provided by the government earlier this month.

The filing was made in May, as part of a court case in Puerto Rico. The document lists many of McKinsey’s significant clients in different countries.

January 15, 2013

The court documents also say that private-sector clients – such as Montreal-based Bombardier, Toronto Dominion Bank, Mastercard, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, Canadian Tire, Shell PLC and State Street Corporation – each accounted for 1.01 per cent to 5 per cent of McKinsey Canada’s revenue during the same period.

The filing mentions individual United States government departments. For instance, the U.S. Department of Defence is listed as accounting for 20.01 per cent to 25 per cent of the gross revenue for McKinsey’s Washington branch during the period from March 1, 2021 through Feb. 28, 2022.

Alley Adams, head of external relations at McKinsey Canada, said contracts awarded to the firm represent a small share of the Canadian government’s outsourcing compared to other consulting firms. Deloitte, Ernst and Young, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers were paid a combined total of about $338-million in 2020-21 and $354-million in 2021-22, according to a Carleton University analysis.

Jennifer Carr, president of the Professional Institute of the Public Service, told MPs the growth in outsourcing ends up costing taxpayers and is hurting morale among federal workers. (The Globe & Mail)