Author: Kame

Think continues working in the documentation for his next project, which will be related to the polarization of American society and the resurgence of anfar-right mentality. This new phenomenon is also spreading to other countries of the world. All the information is being achieved by talking with the protagonists of the news and experts who independently share their vision.

One of the most difficult and complex chapters to be portrayed objectively, was the incident of January 6, 2021, when the White House was stormed by far-right Trump supporters, such as the Proud Boys, which are being called to testify.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus helped plan Trump’s attempt to overturn the election.  They attended a meeting at the White House on Dec. 21, 2020 in which, at least, 11 lawmakers discussed efforts to spill the election resultsand helped spread false information, according to testimony and records obtained by the committee.

And one of the groups that drove this effort is the Falun Gong sect, related with The Epoch Times.Falun Gong, a religious movement embroiled in a decades-long conflict with the Chinese government, has become a political asset in the Trump era due to its long-standing propagation of communist conspiracy theories.

At the time, reputable media such as The New York Times has reported that The Epoch Times used fake accounts to campaign for Trump during the 2016 election through its company Beautiful Life. Moreover, after they spent about $11 million on Facebook ads in 2019, the platform banned them for violating rules on political advertising transparency.

In April, at the height of its ad spending, videos from Epoch Media Group counted about 3 billion views on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter, ranking 11th among all video creators across all platforms and outpacing all other traditional news publishers, according to data from social media analytics firm Tubular.

This engagement made The Epoch Times one of the favorites for the Trump family and a key component of the president’s re-election campaign. According to the Washington Post, reporters at The Epoch Times have received special access from the Trump administration: One America News and The Epoch Times were among the only media outlets with access to Georgia’s voting audience in the 2020 election.

Once thevote counts were published, the website questioned the legitimacy of the 2020 election (neither journalists nor Trump’s legal team have uncovered credible evidence of widespread voter fraud). They also peddle a number of conspiracy theories as the one they supported in 2018 with the“full rundown” of Spygatethat claims an Obama’s administration spy attempted to thwart Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.

There was great concern in The Epoch Times when Biden finally won the 2020 election. At the same time, to avoid trouble with Democrats over their earlier smear campaign against President Biden, Epoch Times executives decided at one point that they should keep a low profile internally and “drop the close relationship with Trump.”

The truth is, however, that January 6, 2021 gave the Epoch Times another chance.

Angelo Carusone, president and CEO of Media Matters for America, said that by exploiting the deep partisan polarization in U.S. politics and the long anti-Communist tradition of the American right, these media outlets, led by Epoch Times, have sought to link Biden and the Democratic Party to radical left-wing movements like Antifa.

Epoch Times pointed to a strong contender in the Democratic Party,an opportunistic rehash of existing conspiracy narratives – was characteristic of these outlets. “They’re not drivers, they’re not weaving new conspiracy theories, they’re amplifying what’s already out there,” Carusone said.

While the Proud Boys and QAnon have been punished by law, the Epoch Times remains at large. With the 2022 midterm elections in full swing, Carusone said, the intensification of conspiratorial messages in the Epoch Times’ output and its embrace of Trumpism could make them even more damaging to the United States.

Despite being banned from Facebook and unable to place many ads on the platform, The Epoch Times did not give up on other platforms and actively published hundreds of articles about the midterm elections on its website, including dozens of articles about Trump’s “high” approval rating (regardless of the actual situation).

In fact, in addition to obfuscating the midterm elections to attract Republicans for patronage, The Epoch Times and Falun Gong behind it appear to be undermining the American situation in even more egregious ways by opposing abortion and condemning homosexuality and feminism.

Media Contact:

Ángel Tapia

Hello Think

angel@hellothink.es

Seattle Prep Is Uniquely Able to Help Every Student Succeed, Daniel Pugel Says

Retired financial advisor and supporter of good causes Daniel Pugel contributes to several charities in western Washington, but he is especially impressed with the return on his giving to Seattle Prep. The difference Seattle Prep makes in educational outcomes for its students has a lot to do with The Learning Resource Center, Daniel Pugel says.

What Is Seattle Prep?

The Seattle Preparatory School is a Jesuit institution that has been offering coed education since 1891. Cofounders Father Victor Garrand, SJ, and Father Adrian Sweere, SJ, launched the new school with great hope for the future. 

“Our students are the children of adventurers from all over the world,” Father Victor said. “Not even ancient Rome served a greater diversity of students than this.”

From its earliest days, Seattle Prep expected students to master the traditional Jesuit curriculum following the Ratio Studiorum, a rigorous progression of studies established by the Society of Jesus in the late 1500s that included Latin, Greek, science, math, literature, and religion.

Even today, Seattle Prep nurtures the ability of its students to analyze, reflect, and grapple with ideas. Instruction at Seattle Prep isn’t all about learning facts. It teaches its students to see the interconnections between ideas so they will leave the school ready to provide leadership in their city, state, and country.

For Daniel Pugel, The Learning Resource Center Is Where Seattle Prep’s Mission Comes Alive

Hidden in the corner of the top floor of McDonnell Hall is The Learning Resource Center, where, Daniel Pugel says, the mission of Seattle Prep comes alive every day.

The Learning Resource Center provides a safe space for learning for students diagnosed with learning disabilities. “Sacred, loving, and supportive of growth describe what happens there,” Pugel says.

In the 1990s, school psychologist Regina Melonson started The Learning Resource Center as a place to help 12 students study for their high school entrance exams. Nowadays, The Learning Center exists as a place for students who need extra help to begin boosting their abilities to learn in eighth grade and continues to provide that extra help through their senior year.

Student Outcomes That Reward Daniel Pugel’s Gift Many Times Over

Regina Melonson is still with The Learning Resource Center, which now helps 145 students, not just 12. She leads a team of dedicated educators who treat their learners with respect and care while constantly raising the bar to keep them challenged.

The Learning Resource Center has many success stories.

Natalie Wong ’14, for example, went on to earn a degree in psychology at Loyola University in Chicago. She says, “The teachers at The Learning Resource Center inspired me. They do so much and ask nothing in return. They are a model for what I want to become in my professional life.”

Alex Smith ’15 credits The Learning Center with his success in college. “I was always afraid to speak up in class,” Alex says, “but the teachers at The Learning Resource Center taught me that it is OK to ask for help to succeed.”

Daniel Pugel supports many charities besides Seattle Prep. But the success stories coming from Seattle’s only Jesuit high school inspired him to give even more.

Financial planner Darcy Bergen recently discussed six easy ways to start saving money.

Saving money isn’t something that comes naturally to everyone. It involves immense amounts of self-discipline and can feel nearly impossible when the bills never stop rolling in. Financial planner Darcy Bergen recently discussed his top six easy ways to start saving money.

“Saving money is a major challenge for many people,” Darcy Bergen said. “Arguably, the hardest part is just getting started. From there, saving requires discipline at a bit of work to get your finances organized and keep them there.”

Darcy Bergen explained that recording your expenses is the first step to saving. This is so you know how much you spend each day, week, and month. Recording your expenses includes spending as small as a cup of coffee or a tip.

Bergen’s next tip is the next step in the saving process. He suggested creating a firm budget. This needs a budget to which you can adhere month after month. Understanding your spending and your budget will help you understand where you need to cut spending. 

“My third tip, and probably the one nobody wants to hear, is that it’s time to cut spending,” Darcy Bergen said. “You now understand where you’re spending and where your budget needs to be. Now, it’s time to cut out the areas of spending that are unnecessary. For many, this includes online subscriptions, entertainment, and non-essential purchases.”

Another essential tip in the money-saving process is to set clear savings goals. These may be long-term goals, like a down payment for a house or a child’s education. They may also be short-term goals, like saving for a new vehicle or simply building up your savings account. It’s important to set goals, no matter how large or small they may be. 

Darcy Bergen suggested creating an automatic saving system. This leaves you less room for error. He recommended automatically sending a portion of your paycheck into a savings account. This helps reduce the temptation you may have to spend a portion of your paycheck on something frivolous. 

“Setting up automatic transfers between bank accounts is easy with most banks,” Darcy Bergen explained. “However, a financial planner can also help with these details if you’re struggling.”

Bergen explained that his sixth and arguably most important tip is to work with a qualified financial planner. A financial planner works with you to create a budget that is possible to maintain while helping you build your savings account. Many times, a financial planner will help you discover areas for possible savings you wouldn’t have noticed yourself.

“The goal of a financial planner is to help you save as much as possible,” Darcy Bergen stated. “For many individuals, the financial planner can even help you build on your savings through investment opportunities. However, it doesn’t matter if you have zero savings at all or would like to build on the savings you already have — a financial planner can guide you in the right direction.”

Darcy Bergen currently runs Bergen Financial. He is an expert in helping individuals create savings, and specializes in planning for retirement. He highly suggests contacting a certified financial planner to help you turn your paychecks into savings. 

Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Simplicity Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Sub-advisory services are provided by Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Bergen Financial Group. Bergen Financial Group is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Simplicity Wealth and Advisory Alpha.

If you’re having trouble with taxes, you’ll want to consider hiring a tax accountant to assist you. Not all of us are equipped to handle accounting complexities, explains French Larry Taylor. You may not have the time to hire an expensive accountant, but modern technology and year-round support can make the process go smoothly. A tax accountant can help you determine whether you need to hire one and how much you’ll be paying. Fortunately, there are plenty of services that offer this service.

A tax accountant’s duties include assisting with primary liaison with external tax advisers. They also provide information to external accountants on partnership tax returns. They also work closely with the Tax Supervisor or Senior to ensure the department’s objectives are met. A tax accountant will also be responsible for ensuring firm procedures are consistent with the firm’s goals. For example, a tax accountant will be responsible for ensuring that backup files are submitted on time to the accounts payable team, confirming that partners are appropriately listed in the K-1 database. They may even research the nexus between partnerships and remote working arrangements.

A tax accountant’s role is varied, but it is generally associated with handling sales tax. These specialists must have a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or a related field, prior experience with sales or use tax, and experience in auditing. The job description includes providing guidance and training on applying sales and uses tax laws. In addition, they may have other duties as assigned. The salary range depends on experience but is usually between $50,000 and $70,000 per year.

A tax accountant’s job requires an extensive amount of paperwork. A good one, like French Larry Taylor, should be highly organized and create a transparent system for tracking financial information and preparing clear client documentation. A tax accountant should also have excellent math skills. A good accounting professional will predict tax costs and create accurate documents. In addition, a tax accountant must be well-versed in various forms of accounting. In addition to these qualifications, there are other requirements for a tax accountant.

A tax accountant’s duties vary from company to country, but they all share the same goal – to meet clients’ needs and help the organization run smoothly. The role of a tax accountant is vital to many organizations. However, the position is demanding and not suitable for everyone. A tax accountant must be able to work with large amounts of data and have excellent interpersonal skills. A tax accountant will also interact with local resources and perform various other tasks.

A tax accountant doesn’t need to be a CPA to work as a tax accountant. However, having this credential can increase your salary and job opportunities. To become a tax accountant, you must have a high school diploma and a CPA or CFA license. Once you have earned these credentials, you will be able to work on your taxes without any problems. The role of a tax accountant can be demanding, but the perks are worth it.

While there are many types of accountants, the main role of a tax accountant is to help individuals comply with the tax code. A tax accountant’s roles are to help people file their returns, appeal IRS rulings, and file petitions in the U.S. Tax Court. The profession of a qualified tax accountant is vital for every business owner and can be a lifeline for those in need. But it’s not just about filing your taxes.

The job of a tax accountant is rewarding, and there are plenty of opportunities available. A tax accountant can help businesses with their accounting needs, preparing their annual federal tax return and quarterly tax statements. In addition, he or she can also help individuals and small businesses with their personal taxes. The average salary of a tax accountant is $56,250 per year, making it one of the most lucrative jobs in the country. Those with a master’s degree may earn more than $60,000 a year.

The role of a tax accountant is essential to a business. These individuals are responsible for maximizing a business’s income tax refunds within the law. They can also help individuals and companies with their taxes. French Larry Taylor explains that some individuals may be able to save money by claiming tax benefits from work. This means that a tax accountant can be an essential resource for people who are struggling to make ends meet financially. This job requires a master’s degree, which is why it’s so important to find one that fits your educational background.