Media Wonders Who's A 'Right-Wing Influencer' Now
The Times story, a beacon of concern over influence, conveniently overlooks the pervasive, well-funded influence operations that shape national and foreign policy daily. For instance, in 2023, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) spent over $17.8 million in lobbying and campaign contributions, per OpenSecrets.org (OpenSecrets.org, 'American Israel Public Affairs Committee,' 2023
election cycle). This torrent of cash demonstrably sways votes on critical issues, from aid to military interventions, with scarcely a whisper about 'influencers' in the mainstream press. One might wonder: how many billions in foreign aid, often secured by these very lobbying groups, have been approved with barely a critical eyebrow raised by the same outlets now fretting over Portland's local
skirmishes? The definition of 'undue influence,' it seems, is a function of who's doing the influencing, and whose geopolitical interests are at stake. Is influence only nefarious when it’s not supporting the establishment's preferred narratives or policies?