The PowerMentor Institute for Freedom and Justice explores leadership, freedom, and democracy issues with a commitment to those seeking freedom and self-determination, empowering those in regions with totalitarian control. We conduct thorough research using AI and other tools to provide the most accurate and insightful information available.

PowerMentor PowerMentor

The Deadly Truth About 90% THC Marijuana: Why This Drug Can Break Your Mind and Body

Marijuana today is not the same as what your parents or grandparents may have seen. We are in the era of “superweed”—concentrates hitting 70–95% THC, far stronger than the 3–5% levels of the 1990s. These new products—dabs, wax, shatter, oils, vapes—are so powerful they change the way the drug works in your brain and body.

What 90% THC Really Does

  • Psychosis and Schizophrenia: High THC use is strongly linked with paranoia, hallucinations, and even full-blown psychotic disorders. Studies show that daily or high-potency use multiplies your risk of schizophrenia.

  • Addiction: The more THC you use, the faster you build tolerance and dependency. Stopping becomes harder. Withdrawal symptoms—anxiety, cravings, mood swings, and insomnia—can last for weeks.

  • Cannabis Hyperemesis Syndrome (CHS): Many heavy users are ending up in ERs with severe vomiting that only stops when marijuana use stops. This is not rare anymore—it’s exploding across the country.

  • Emergency Room Visits: Young adults (15–24) are flooding ERs after dabbing or vaping concentrates. The dose hits too fast, and the brain simply cannot handle it.

  • Permanent Brain Impact: Adolescent and young adult brains are still developing—using high-THC products can rewire your memory, focus, and motivation permanently.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Cut Loose & Silenced: How Cal-Comp Betrayed 1,400 Migrant Workers from Burma — and the Global Brands That Profit

The Human Cost of Exploitation

In Phetchaburi Province, Thailand, Cal-Comp Electronics—a key supplier in the global electronics industry—abruptly terminated more than 1,400 Burma migrant workers without warning. Workers were confined inside the factory, threatened with arrest, and coerced into signing termination papers. Compensation was a meager 10,000 baht (USD 308), far below what Thai labor law prescribes.

The Factory & Its Global Footprint

Cal-Comp is not a small local factory. It manufactures printers, external hard drives, and electronic components for global corporations. Past investigations revealed it had to reimburse more than 10,000 Burmese migrant workers for illegal recruitment fees, one of the largest such settlements in global supply chain history.

Brands sourcing from Cal-Comp include HP Inc., Konica Minolta, and Hitachi. Their reputations are now on the line, as this latest scandal exposes systemic worker abuse under their supply chain contracts.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Refugees from Nine Camps to Receive Thai Work Permits

For ethnic Burmese (Burman) and non-Burman communities alike, this policy shift provides a possible opening — but only if advocacy ensures accountability, equity, and protection. Below are key advocacy imperatives:

1. Universal inclusion and non-discrimination

Permits must not be restricted only to majority Burmese or certain camps. Policies should explicitly safeguard inclusion of ethnic minorities (Karen, Kachin, Chin, Shan, Rohingya, etc.). The application process must be linguistically accessible and culturally sensitive.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Time to Unite: Why the KNU and KNLA Must Rejoin Forces with KTLA

The Burmese military thrives on corruption, division, and intimidation. For decades, it has twisted the future of Burma (Myanmar) to serve its generals, enriching itself while entire ethnic communities suffer under war, displacement, and exploitation.

The Karen National Union (KNU) and the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) once stood as pillars of Karen strength and identity. Yet today, divisions and political maneuvering threaten to erode that legacy. Meanwhile, the Kawthoolei Army (KTLA) has emerged with clear resolve: it refuses to bend to corruption and refuses to be used as pawns by the Burmese junta.

Why the Burmese Military Wins When Karen Forces Are Divided

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Russia–Myanmar Nuclear and Space Deals: Why Ethnic Minorities Should Be Concerned

In September 2025, Myanmar’s military leader Min Aung Hlaing went to Russia. He came back with two big agreements:

  1. A nuclear power roadmap with Rosatom.

  2. A space cooperation deal with Roscosmos.

The junta says these are for “peaceful use,” but history shows that projects like this often have hidden dangers, especially for ethnic communities.

What Happened

  • Nuclear Deal: Russia will help Myanmar build a small nuclear reactor (about 110 MW), with plans running through 2026.

  • Space Deal: Russia will train Myanmar officials in satellites, navigation, and Earth observation.

  • New Space Agency: In July 2025, the junta set up a Myanmar Space Agency under Min Aung Hlaing’s direct control.

  • No Safety Pause: Even after a March 2025 earthquake, Russia promised to push forward with the nuclear plan.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

U.S. Deploys MQ-9 Reaper Drones to South Korea: What It Means for Security in Asia

The United States has just confirmed the deployment of MQ-9 Reaper drones to Kunsan Air Base in South Korea. This marks a significant shift in the military balance on the Korean Peninsula and across the broader Indo-Pacific region.

Why this matters

The MQ-9 Reaper is more than just a drone. It is a high-end surveillance and strike platform, capable of monitoring vast areas for extended periods of time. Its deployment signals that the U.S. is taking North Korea’s missile program, China’s regional aggression, and shifting South Korean politics very seriously.

By basing a dedicated MQ-9 squadron in South Korea, Washington is making a clear statement:

  • America intends to maintain a strong footprint in East Asia.

  • The alliance with South Korea remains vital, despite political tensions.

  • The U.S. is prepared to watch adversaries closely and respond quickly if provoked.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Global Watch September 29, 2025

Thematic Patterns & Risk Drivers

  • Proxy Warfare: Many of these conflicts are fueled by external states or actors who seek influence (e.g. Sudan, Yemen, DRC).

  • Resource Competition: Natural resources—oil, minerals, waterways—are frequent triggers (DRC, Sudan, Middle East).

  • State Fragility & Governance Vacuums: Places with weak institutions (Yemen, Sudan, Myanmar) are more vulnerable to collapse.

  • Displacement, Hunger & Humanitarian Crisis: Conflict-driven famine/hunger is rising in multiple theatres (Gaza, Sudan, Yemen) Reuters

  • Technology & Warfare Evolution: Drones, missile systems, AI-enabled weapons and cyber warfare are shifting the nature of conflict.

  • Spillover & Regional Risk: Conflicts seldom stay contained—refugee flows, cross-border militia operations, arms proliferation ripple outward.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

PowerMentor Awards the 2025 Jelly Poe Leadership Award to Thnay Moo

PowerMentor is proud to announce Ywa Hay Hsa Thnay Moo as the recipient of the 2025 Jelly Poe MacBook Air Scholarship Award. This annual scholarship honors the memory of Jelly Poe, whose life embodied resilience, faith, humility, and leadership, and whose story continues to inspire the Karen people worldwide.

Thnay, a dedicated student in San Diego, distinguished himself among applicants with his vision of service, his commitment to the Karen community, and his determination to pursue a career in law enforcement. His goal is to become a police officer in San Diego County, where he hopes to serve with integrity, restore trust, and support families in need—especially within the Karen community.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

The War for American Minds: How Propaganda, Theology, and Tragedy Collide

On a cold night this spring, two of America’s most recognizable voices, Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens, stunned their audiences. After years of defending Israel, they reversed course—denouncing the very ally they once praised. It wasn’t a small pivot. It was a full-throated about-face.

Why? That’s the question now echoing in churches, think tanks, and newsrooms.

Some say these reversals reflect a change of conscience. Others point to something larger: a billion-dollar influence war, where foreign governments and extremist groups funnel money, messaging, and theology into the American bloodstream.

A Documented Money Trail

The U.S. Department of Justice’s FARA disclosures show Qatar pays a U.S. consulting firm $180,000 a month to manage “strategic communications.” Those filings confirm the firm even arranged high-profile interviews between Qatari officials and major American media personalities.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Emergency Rooms at a Crossroads: The Rising Tide of Non-Emergent Visits, Federal Shifts, and Future CHC’s as a Solution

Emergency departments (EDs) in the United States are often described as the “safety net of last resort.” Yet, mounting evidence shows that a significant portion of patients who walk through their doors are not facing true emergencies. This mismatch between patient needs and ED resources is straining hospitals, raising costs, and creating risks for patients who truly need urgent care. With new federal payment reforms accelerating, the future of the ED hinges on how well policymakers and health systems balance cost control, patient safety, and equity.

The Current Landscape: How Many ED Visits Are True Emergencies?

National studies vary, but the consensus is clear: a large share of ED visits are non-emergent.

  • At least 10% of ED visits are strictly non-urgent.

  • Broader analyses suggest 30%–40% could be managed in primary care, urgent care, or telehealth.

  • In some systems, the figure climbs above 60% when including all low-acuity cases.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Navigating Challenging Times: Lessons in Change and Adaptation

Starbucks recently announced a significant restructuring, including the closure of hundreds of stores, the elimination of about 900 corporate and support roles, and a renewed focus on redesigning over 1,000 remaining cafés to better meet evolving customer needs (Reuters, 2025; Barron’s, 2025).

This wave of closures underscores the challenging environment many organizations face: balancing financial pressures, adapting to shifting consumer expectations, and overcoming cultural resistance to change.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

The Weaponization of Words: How the Left’s Rhetoric Is Fueling Stochastic Terrorism

Public rhetoric from the Left is powerful. Words do more than persuade; they shape atmospheres, create norms, and influence behavior. When language crosses into the territory of dehumanization and repeated incitement, it can make violence more likely—even if no one ever gives a direct order. Scholars and security professionals call this process stochastic terrorism.

What “Stochastic Terrorism” Means

The term combines two ideas:

  • Stochastic means random or unpredictable in individual cases, but statistically predictable across a population.

  • Terrorism refers to the use of fear or violence to advance political goals.

Put together, stochastic terrorism describes a process where inflammatory rhetoric increases the odds that someone—often an unstable or radicalized individual—will commit politically motivated violence. The original speaker or writer can claim plausible deniability because they never explicitly said “go kill.” Yet the probability of violence rises in measurable ways.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Ministries of Millions: When Faith Meets Tax Free Fortune, Scamming Their Followers

Across America and beyond, mega-church pastors and televangelists lead ministries worth millions of dollars. They speak of prosperity, blessings, and abundance—while living in mansions, flying in private jets, and raising funds for luxury assets. To supporters, this demonstrates God’s favor. To critics, it’s a betrayal of the Gospel, manipulation of their followers, and a tax free scam.

This exposé examines the facts: jets, homes, fundraising appeals, and the ethical issues. It also considers what Scripture itself says—and whether these lifestyles align with the teachings of Jesus.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Exposé: The Karen Leaders Who Signed Away Their People’s Future

Scam Cities on the Moei River

On the Myanmar–Thailand border, the towns of Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko have become infamous. Behind their gates, tens of thousands of trafficked workers are forced to commit cyber fraud on a global scale—romance scams, fake crypto investments, and online cons that have stolen billions.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimates that by early 2025, more than 7,100 people had been rescued from Myawaddy compounds, while tens of thousands more remain trappedInflection_Point_2025.

But how did these scam cities take root? The answer lies in land contracts signed by the very leaders who claimed to represent and protect the Karen people.

The 2020 Contract: KNU Leaders Sign Off

In February 2020, a contract was signed giving 100 acres of land in Myawaddy to the Chinese company Trans-Asia (Huanya) for what became KK Park.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Bought and Broken: The Black Market Rehab Empire Preying on Native Americans

Inside the shadow industry that lures people into white vans, exploits their suffering for billions, and leaves families desperately searching for their missing children.

A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight

“I’ve been covering the opioid crisis for a long time,” says journalist Mariana van Zeller. “And I kept hearing horror stories about rehab.”

Her Trafficked investigation uncovered more than neglect — she found an industrial-scale scheme that turns human pain into profit. In Arizona and California, fraudulent sober living homes and rehab centers target Native Americans as “prizes” because of their access to the American Indian Health Program (AIHP).

During COVID, enrollment rules were relaxed so Native people could be insured almost instantly. What began as an emergency public health lifeline became a loophole worth billions.

“Back in the day, Native Americans had a bounty on their head,” one former recruiter confessed.
“To this day, Native Americans still have money signs on their back. They’re worth something to these operators.”

White Vans and Broken Promises

On reservations across the Southwest, plain white vans circle like predators.

Recruiters promise “free housing, free meals, free treatment” — but the reality is abandonment and exploitation.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Gen Z This Is Your Moment: Rise Above the Noise and Become Who You Were Meant to Be

Have you ever felt like life just… stopped?

Like the world around you was spinning out of control, but inside, everything went quiet?
You’re watching people celebrate something tragic. Others stay silent. And you’re stuck — not sure what to feel, say, or do.

Maybe this is the first time you’ve seen someone famous, someone everywhere online, be taken from the world in an instant with brutality.
It’s shocking. It’s confusing. And it’s personal.

And right now, deep down, you might be asking yourself questions you’ve never said out loud:

  • Where do I belong?

  • Do I follow the crowd, even if it feels wrong?

  • Who am I becoming?

  • Does my life even matter in all this chaos?

Let’s pause together… and breathe.
Because this moment — as painful as it is — might be the exact moment that shapes your future.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

Pathways to Regaining U.S. Access to Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

The prospect of regaining access to Bagram Air Base (BAB) offers the U.S. strategic reach into Central Asia, western China, Iran, and a critical counterterrorism (CT) posture against ISIS-K. However, a forcible return would reignite war with the Taliban and destabilize the region.
This paper outlines the current operating environment, strategic options, Taliban leverage points, and a phased negotiation framework focused on achieving limited, conditional access without reigniting full-scale conflict.

I. Strategic Significance of Bagram Air Base

  • Location: ~40 miles north of Kabul; long runways and hardened infrastructure capable of supporting heavy airlift, ISR, and bomber operations.

  • Geopolitical Reach: Enables persistent ISR and rapid strike capabilities into Central Asia, Xinjiang (China), Iran, and Pakistan.

  • CT Value: Offers fast-response basing to disrupt ISIS-K, which is actively rebuilding external attack networks.

Key point: Bagram’s value is unmatched by any over-the-horizon platform, but its reoccupation requires overcoming political, logistical, and diplomatic barriers.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

The Hidden Pipeline: How Dark-Web Extremists Exploit America’s Young Adults Into Becoming Future Killers

Across America, an invisible pipeline is quietly grooming vulnerable young people—often isolated, angry, or simply seeking belonging—and reshaping them into potential future attackers.

This recruitment doesn’t happen in traditional extremist compounds or physical spaces. It happens behind glowing screens, buried in the dark web, private Discord servers, fringe forums, and gaming-adjacent spaces where millions of teens and young adults spend their time.

While politicians argue over who is to blame for rising violence, radical recruiters are busy converting emotionally unstable youth into ticking time bombs.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

The Mirage of Friendship: Qatar, Hamas, 9/11, and America’s Dangerous Illusion of an Ally

I. Shadows in Doha: How KSM Slipped Through Qatar’s Hands

In the mid-1990s, the man who would become the mastermind of the September 11 attacks—Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM)—was living comfortably in Doha, Qatar. He had moved there around 1992 and worked as a project engineer in the Ministry of Electricity and Water, securing the position through Sheikh Abdullah bin Khalid Al-Thani, then a senior Qatari official known for Islamist sympathies.

In January 1996, the U.S. indicted KSM for his role in the “Bojinka” plot, a plan to bomb a dozen U.S. airliners over the Pacific. American officials quietly asked Qatar to arrest him. Instead, a senior Qatari official tipped KSM off, and he fled Doha just hours before the FBI arrived. This fateful moment, documented by the 9/11 Commission Report, allowed KSM to disappear, regroup, and later orchestrate the 9/11 attacks that killed 2,977 people.

This episode shows Qatar as a state that shielded a future mass murderer from justice—an early, stark indication that its loyalty to U.S. security interests was paper-thin when it conflicted with Islamist political sympathies.

Read More
PowerMentor PowerMentor

The Case for Equal Custody: What Kentucky’s Success Could Mean for California

In 2018, Kentucky enacted House Bill 528, the first statewide law in the nation to create a rebuttable presumption of equal shared parenting—50/50 custody—as the starting point in divorce and separation cases. Judges could depart from this standard only when clear evidence showed equal custody was not in the child’s best interest (for example, in cases of domestic violence or neglect).

The results have been striking. Between 2016 and 2023, Kentucky’s divorce rate fell by 25%, compared to an 18% national decline over the same period (Wall Street Journal, 2024). Advocates argue that when parents know fathers will remain equally involved, incentives to weaponize custody battles diminish, litigation decreases, and families are more likely to reconcile or find cooperative solutions.

Read More