Just One Thing: The Nazification of Twitter
Please read my Substack note today (and please subscribe): Grok goes MechaHitler-crazy - by Ross Kaminsky
A sample:
Just a couple of days after Elon Musk’s announcing his formation of a new political party designed ostensibly to better represent the majority of Americans, thus the “America Party”, his “Grok” AI system, integrated into the X (formerly Twitter) platform went crazy.
There were dozens (or maybe hundreds) of pro-Hitler and raging anti-Semitic posts by Grok which come just after Musk announced that the system had been updated and upgraded. The update included removing a filter that would block “claims which are politically incorrect.”
So Grok called itself “MechaHitler”, praised Hitler as the best historical figure to take on “anti-white hate” and said that nobody should be surprised that a left-wing activist has a Jewish last name and it became clear that xAI (the parent company of Grok within X) would have to make some changes in a hurry.
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Today's Guests
Rodger Mort is COO of Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT)
We'll discuss new technologies to bomb-proof, or at least make explosion-resistant, products that could allow much safer transportation of munitions (think bullets and bombs)::Two American Manufacturers to Ignite Excitement at National Bomb Convention
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Leland Vittert is host of "On Balance" on News Nation, weeknights at 7 PM MT (with a replay at 10 PM MT). It's my favorite show on cable news.
Leland also puts out his "War Notes" email (basically his show preparation) each afternoon at 5:05 PM MT and you can subscribe for free at the link below.
"On Balance with Leland Vittert" on NewsNation
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Other Stuff
multiple items today that I had planned to get to yesterday but didn't...
Who's the biggest baddest sports owner of 'em all? He's right here in Denver: Kroenke Sports Ent. named most valuable sports empire 2025 | Colorado Avalanche | denvergazette.com
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Obviously there was a lot of conversation out of Texas right after the flood about known deaths, especially of more than two dozen young girls at a summer camp. But until yesterday most folks were ignoring the fact that the number of unknown missing (many or most of whom are likely deceased) could be far greater. Now that reality is coming home: Search continues for more than 160 missing after deadly Texas flash floods | AP News
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Hallelujah: Americans may be seeing the first glimmers of a civic revival | Vince Bzdek | Politics | denvergazette.com
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No tax on tips...sort of: Trump Promised ‘No Tax on Tips.’ Then Came the Fine Print. - WSJ
Speaking of which, this will be one of the only times you see me on the other side of my good friends at Advance Colorado Action: Colorado group launches ballot measure to block state taxes on overtime, tips | News | denvergazette.com
Here's what I told them in an email:
This is going to be one of the only times I don’t support a ballot measure of yours.
The waiver of tax for those particular categories of income by the federal government is really stupid policy.
Why should two people (who might work in the same place) pay different amounts of tax because one is all salary and one is salary plus tips?
It makes the tax code more complex, less fair, and dumps more burden on other taxpayers.
I aggressively oppose what the feds did and I’ll oppose this…but it wouldn’t surprise me if it passes.
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And if you think it's hard to reform American "entitlements" and millions of people addicted to taking other people's money (and it is), check this one out: The Crisis of the Welfare State in Profile - WSJ
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Nederland to buy Eldora: Nederland inks deal to buy Eldora ski area, keep it a home-town hill
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At long last, Trump has truly come to understand just how much Putin was playing him. Interesting change from just a week ago: Trump says U.S. will send more weapons to Ukraine, after halting some shipments - CBS News
Trump not happy with Russian leader Putin over Ukraine war
Exclusive | White House Weighs Giving Ukraine Another Patriot Air-Defense System - WSJ
That said, it's far from clear that there are any sanctions on Russia that will work short of cutting them out of the international SWIFT banking system and I don't think Trump will do that...and even that could have long-term negative consequences for the US. And I sure don't like being on the same side as Lindsey Graham because he's never met a war he didn't want to get involved in.
Senate Republican hawks cheer Trump's slams on Putin
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This tells you everything you need to know about the impact of government-worker unions: Mayor Mike Johnston seeks to retain best talent | Government | denvergazette.com
Very pleased with Mayor Johnston for taking on that particular sacred cow.
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This: AI is changing the world faster than most realize
And some stuff I didn't get to yesterday:
The Impact of Generative AI on Work Productivity | St. Louis Fed
MyPillow CEO’s lawyers fined for AI-generated court filing
Mike Lindell's Attorneys Fined for Using AI During Recent Trial | Westword
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The left often talks about the “shrinking middle class” in ways designed to make as assume that it’s shrinking because people are getting poorer. The truth is the opposite:
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It’s about time: School Discipline Makes a Comeback - WSJ
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Hold the pickles: Skill of the Week: Stack Your Burger Toppings With Maximum Effectiveness | The Art of Manliness
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Seems like a bad idea: Owners of pet lion arrested after it jumped a wall and attacked a woman and two children in Pakistan | CNN
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Not quite as bad for me as I thought: Tim Walz and JD Vance both love Diet Mountain Dew. But is it healthy? | Fortune Well
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Dragon??? Ranked: The World's Most Common Passwords
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Today's Video
I'm hoping this is satire because if not it's insane...and admitting abetting statutory rape.