Much ado about a list of people who don’t want to help Ukraine
![Much ado about a list of people who don’t want to help Ukraine](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/GettyImages-2156882031.jpg?w=900)
A little-known independent Ukrainian media outfit named Texty.org.ua, which does excellent investigative reporting, has recently come under attack by prominent American conservatives.
Just what Texty did to warrant their displeasure is clear: It published a useful infographic and list of American organizations and individuals who are either pro-Russian or anti-Ukrainian. Just why anyone on that list should take umbrage and accuse Texty of unprofessional or criminal behavior is less clear.
The report in question appeared on June 6, titled, “Roller Coaster: From Trumpists to Communists. The forces in the U.S. impeding aid to Ukraine and how they do it.” Using open sources and a transparent methodology, the authors identified 387 individuals and 76 organizations, including policymakers, political groups, media outlet, journalists, experts and think tanks.
Their key finding is especially useful: “A little more than half of the individuals in this sample are right-wing, about one in eight are left-wing, and the rest do not associate themselves with a specific ideological platform. The right-wing individuals are mostly politicians affiliated with the Trump wing of the Republican Party. Most of the left-wing individuals are anti-war activists and left-leaning parties that urge the government to stop funding Ukraine. Most of the media, journalists, experts, and think tanks in this list do not have a clear right or left bias.”
In addition, according to Texty, “50 individuals have collaborated with Russian media and government-funded initiatives during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine (after February 24, 2022). Some have moved to Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine. Around 30 journalists and influencers work as reporters and contributors for Russian media and also serve as observers at illegal referendums in Russian-occupied territories.”
You can draw your own conclusions about these findings. Suffice to say, these sorts of rankings and assessments are business as usual. Countries are rated according to their level of corruption, ease of doing business, democracy, livability, happiness and freedom; policymakers are rated according to their liberal or conservative behavior; restaurants, hotels and airlines are rated according to their service; and professors are even rated by their students.
What Texty did was thus lacking in originality. It did what we all do on a daily basis. And yet, amazingly, this innocuous document provoked a storm of outrage.
Daniel McAdams, the executive director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, accused Texty of drawing up an “enemies list” and “smear[ing] American politicians, journalists, and social media influencers as tools of Russia.” Worse still, Texty had been an “implementing partner” from 2016 to 2022 of the Transparency and Accountability in Public Administration and Services (TAPAS) project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and UK Aid.
McAdams implies that Texty is therefore politically suspect, and he might have a point, were it not for the inconvenient fact that the TAPAS project overlapped ran straight through President Donald Trump’s term in office. Moreover, other implementing partners included the East Europe Foundation, the Kyiv School of Economics, Transparency International Ukraine, Social Boost and the Open Data Institute.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) followed with the bizarre accusation that “Zelensky’s thug regime has deemed me an Enemy of the State, and for good reason. ... Not only am I a Ukrainian Enemy of the State, but I’m banned from Russia. Zelensky is a thug who doesn’t deserve a single American tax dollar. All they care about is taking our money and our weapons. Then they put elected members of Congress like me on their state KILL list.”
In terms of overkill, however, Elon Musk gets first prize. He suggested on X that Texty be “added to the list of sanctioned terrorist organizations.”
Fortunately, Texty responded calmly to these charges: “We do not label the subjects of this research as enemies of Ukraine, nor do we dispute or condemn their right to freedom of expression. We merely state the fact that they oppose support for Ukraine and that many of their arguments resonate with Russian propaganda narratives about Ukraine. We value and respect freedom of speech, a prerequisite for a democratic society. We reserve the right to present evidence, state facts, debunk false arguments, and compare them with those propagated by Russian propaganda worldwide.”
The mind boggles at these overreactions. After all, it’s not as if the people included in the Texty study fear being outed for secretly propounding pro-Russian views which, if made public, would cause them harm. Quite the contrary. As Greene openly states, they’re often proud of being anti-Ukrainian and they say so very publicly.
Being anti-Ukrainian or pro-Russian is a conscious choice. Texty disagrees with it, but McAdams, Greene and Musk are perfectly entitled to their views in a liberal society, which the U.S. still is. Texty is entitled to its views as well.
Moreover, McAdams and Greene are prominent political figures; Musk is a multibillionaire. Texty is just some obscure Ukrainian outfit. It’s like being outraged by an article in a student-run campus newspaper.
So, what’s the problem? Why the universal hypersensitivity?
The answer that comes to mind was hinted at by McAdams: In daring to characterize the people on the list as pro-Russian (and hence anti-American?), Texty must be a front for the Democrats and the Biden administration. And in today’s hyperpolarized America, even the slightest hint of politically motivated criticism warrants bringing out the artillery against the sparrows.
The Texty Affair is thus not about Texty. It’s about MAGA America and its dysfunctional and paranoid political culture.
Alexander J. Motyl is a professor of political science at Rutgers University-Newark. A specialist on Ukraine, Russia and the USSR, and on nationalism, revolutions, empires and theory, he is the author of 10 books of nonfiction, as well as “Imperial Ends: The Decay, Collapse, and Revival of Empires” and “Why Empires Reemerge: Imperial Collapse and Imperial Revival in Comparative Perspective.”
Date: | |
Tag: | Ukraine |
Filter
-
Politico - Politics
Hill Democrats don’t want Biden to debate again
Joe Biden -
The New York Times - Top stories
Don’t Doubt NATO. It Saved My People.
NATO’s intervention against Serbia’s campaign against Kosovo set the tiny country up for independence. -
ESPN - Sports
Nagelsmann fumes at handball rule, wants AI help
Germany manager Julian Nagelsmann has railed against the decision not to award his side a handball in Friday's Euro 2024 quarterfinal defeat to Spain that saw the hosts exit the competition.Artificial Intelligence -
CNBC - Business
'They want out': This company helps Americans experiment with expat living
Americans hoping to move abroad are getting some help from travel companies and local guides. -
The New York Times - Top stories
For Older People Who Are Lonely, Is the Solution a Robot Friend?
New York officials believe a robotic companion called ElliQ, which can discuss complicated subjects, is helping older residents feel less alone. Critics are concerned about data collection. -
Yahoo Sports - Sports
Who Is Jessica Berman and How Did She Help NWSL Valuations Soar?
Early in her career, Jessica Berman often found herself as the only woman in the room, first at the NHL and later as the deputy commissioner of the National Lacrosse League (NLL). But everything shifted two years ago when she became commissioner ... -
The New York Times - Top stories
Some Voters Who Supported Biden in 2020 Now Want a New Nominee
Dozens of voters in four swing states expressed fear, frustration and anger. And they want a new option — whatever (and whoever) that is.Joe Biden -
Inc. - Business
Thinking About Starting a Business Blog? These Time-Saving Ideas Will Help You Work More Productively
Take some tips from a productivity consultant and time management coach to streamline the blog creation process. -
Yahoo News - World
Belarus is building up its military on Ukraine's border and bragging about the 'high combat readiness' of its troops
Ukraine
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Here's how the process to replace Biden works if he withdraws
Amid rising pressure for President Biden to withdraw from the race, questions are looming over the mechanics of getting another Democrat on the ballot ahead of November. Democrats do have a path forward: The filing deadline for the party to get ...Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
Heritage faces blowback after 'bloodless' revolution comment
The Heritage Foundation and its president, Kevin Roberts, are facing blowback in the wake of his comment about an ongoing second American revolution that will “remain bloodless if the left allows it to be.” President Biden’s campaign jumped on the ... -
The Hill - Politics
Law schools left reeling after latest Supreme Court earthquakes
The Supreme Court isn't making it easy to be a law professor these days. After overturning the 40-year-old Chevron deference last week, the justices threw law curricula for another major loop on Monday with their earth-shaking ruling on ... -
The Hill - Politics
Democrats take aim at Supreme Court with eyes on November
Democrats are aiming their fire at the Supreme Court after this week’s monumental ruling that granted former President Trump broad immunity from criminal prosecution, hoping that a messaging blitz focused on the bench could turbocharge campaigns ... -
The Hill - Politics
Trans state legislators slam White House opposition to gender-affirming surgery for minors
A group of transgender and nonbinary state legislators sent a letter to the Biden administration criticizing its decision to oppose gender-affirming surgery for minors. In the letter, the lawmakers said transgender youth in America have been under ...