Found this thanks to Balloon Juice.
Thought it was interesting commentary about Ukraine.
Angry Staffer 🌻 (@Angry_Staffer) posted at 11:47 AM on Fri, Apr 26, 2024:
Let’s talk Ukraine.There’s a lot of analysis out there that I believe is driven by a fundamental misunderstanding of the way Russia fights wars.
Bottom line up front: Russia’s current goals in Ukraine aren’t necessarily victory, at least not in the traditional military…
(https://x.com/Angry_Staffer/status/1783900824432697713?t=gqJzXIjC5cwmGfvkXf70-g&s=03)
Angry Staffer
11:47 AM · Apr 26, 2024Let’s talk Ukraine.
There’s a lot of analysis out there that I believe is driven by a fundamental misunderstanding of the way Russia fights wars.
Bottom line up front: Russia’s current goals in Ukraine aren’t necessarily victory, at least not in the traditional military sense.
We’ve seen evidence of this since even before Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014. More on that later.
Would Putin like to “get the gang back together” and continue rebuilding his sphere of influence in the former Soviet states? Absolutely. Is that his primary goal? Not even close.
Putin’s stated goal for decades has been preventing NATO expansion, which he views as an existential threat to the Russian Federation’s survival. His “special military operation” obviously failed spectacularly in this regard.
Putin was furious when Estonia and Latvia joined NATO; he’s clearly not happy about Finland and Sweden joining either, but Ukraine? Ukraine would be the ultimate insult.
So what’s the best way to keep Ukraine from joining NATO?
– You could corrupt their electoral process and install a puppet. They tried that and failed.
– You could conquer the whole country. They tried that and failed.
– You could keep them in a perpetual state of warfare—a stalemate and a war of attrition—knowing that NATO won’t allow them in while they’re tied up in a hot war. That’s where we’re at now.
Back to how we’ve seen these signs since at least Crimea:
To put these datapoints together, it’s important to understand how invested Russia is in their nonlinear war strategy.
In 2014, after Yanukovych was ousted, sentiment was that Ukraine would gravitate more towards NATO. Putin immediately moved to annex Crimea.
In April 2014, the Crimea occupation evolved into fighting in Donbas, and thus began the perpetual conflict strategy.
In 2015-2016, Russia was working on two additional fronts: devastating Ukrainian critical infrastructure with a barrage of cyber attacks, and interfering in our Presidential election.
For context here: remember some of Russia’s goals with their 2016 influence operation:
– hurt US support for Ukraine (they did that when Trump and Manafort forced a massive change in RNC Ukraine policy)
– denigrate Hillary Clinton with the goal of hurting her Presidency, or electing Donald Trump
– They had a clear preference for Trump, and after watching Trump get impeached for trying to extort Zelenskyy, it’s clear why:
Electing Trump furthered their goal of keeping Ukraine in conflict indefinitely.
To be clear, in February 2022, Russia seems to have shifted their goals temporarily; hey legitimately thought they could take Kyiv in a 3-Day operation, in what has to be one of the biggest intelligence failures in history.
Now they’re back to plan stalemate. Some of this is because they know if Trump gets elected in 2024, US support for Ukraine (and probably NATO) will end.
With this understanding of Russia’s goals, the way forward is pretty clear in my eyes:
We give Ukraine what they need to win. Immediately. Simply giving them enough to defend themselves only acts to further Russia’s goals of a tactical stalemate.
A tactical stalemate will never put enough pressure on Putin to force an end to this war. We have to stop being risk averse and let Ukraine go on offense.
This last aid package — combined with EU support — goes a long way towards advancing this capability, but we still have work to do.
Ukraine is England 1940 for me. We should support them because they want to do their own fighting, and because we have to stop Putin. Bottom line.
Democrats need to win in November, all three, so that we can help Ukraine, and get them everything they need. Since it’s obvious that a large part of the GOP is under Russian control, and the MSM should be pointing this out too.
And, we are not in a vacuum. Others are looking at what’s happening in the United States, and are making moves of their own.
Deborah Haynes (@haynesdeborah) posted at 8:55 AM on Tue, Apr 23, 2024:
BREAKING: UK is putting its defence industry on a “war-footing” – investing £10 billion to ramp up production- as part of a plan to increase defence spending by 2.5% by 2030, Prime Minister @RishiSunak has declared.This is a really big deal
(https://x.com/haynesdeborah/status/1782770319033315795?t=sHPV1yvLG9Ty0nMugDdKag&s=03)Magdi Jacobs (@magi_jay) posted at 10:33 AM on Tue, Apr 23, 2024:
UK putting itself on war-footing should be viewed in tandem w/ France, Germany, & Poland signing mutual defense agreements. In the post-WWII era, Europe could depend on the U.S., a much greater military power. A Trump win could set off a series of true global catastrophes. https://t.co/Wwj76pxivJ
(https://x.com/magi_jay/status/1782794843355259065?t=sBLkls5Ng0pWj6KOk8rhJg&s=03)Magdi Jacobs (@magi_jay) posted at 10:29 AM on Tue, Apr 23, 2024:
This decision, like all decisions, is multiply-determined. That said, I am begging Americans to recognize that one major factor is European fear that Trump wins. Trump win=NATO in doubt. Putin will not stop w/ Ukraine. Possibility of Germany, France, Poland, & UK going alone.
(https://x.com/magi_jay/status/1782793820691722731?t=N-BoDUeArp40PjfP-bbTAw&s=03)Magdi Jacobs (@magi_jay) posted at 10:35 AM on Tue, Apr 23, 2024:
Europe has taken note of the Republican position on Ukraine, as well as Trump’s position on NATO. Putin has taken note as well. Europe is gearing itself up to stand w/out the United States, not just to protect itself, but also any remaining threads of “international order.”
(https://x.com/magi_jay/status/1782795359321784517?t=NOEveG0qEVH4fAtjMNSKWg&s=03)Magdi Jacobs (@magi_jay) posted at 10:41 AM on Tue, Apr 23, 2024:
In November, Americans will be voting to protect their fellow Americans, as well as to:
-prevent climate catastrophe
-fight global authoritarianism
-protect against more war & bloodshed
This is a very serious election. Europe is taking it seriously. Americans should too.
(https://x.com/magi_jay/status/1782796886123978828?t=Tif8NjTKDIl2JGTpWbVqFQ&s=03)
Greg Sargent (@GregTSargent) posted at 7:11 AM on Thu, May 02, 2024:
Wow. This is a powerful new ad from the Biden campaign featuring a woman who had to flee Texas to get reproductive care after her fetus was diagnosed with a fatal condition.
“Donald Trump took away our freedom.”
https://t.co/aBQPm2krgd
(https://x.com/GregTSargent/status/1786005488611500129?t=lI_lq_PII1CkYp87jTQeSQ&s=03)
Stonetoss is Hans Kristian Graebner 🇺🇲🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@KerrAvon4) posted at 7:56 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
This wasn’t even the first “red line” they were talking about this cycle. Before Gaza they were bitching about student loans. Before THAT they were bitching about Neera Tanden getting an appointment.
Gaza is just a rationalization/excuse for a decision they already made.
(https://x.com/KerrAvon4/status/1785473269078077587?t=GL-P1BbMcjnAA93_t3rtNg&s=03)
Centrism Fan Acct 🔹 (@Wilson__Valdez) posted at 6:32 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
Every election cycle the same people have some new “red line” for why they can’t vote for Dems. Off the top of my head we’ve had: Medicare for All, Green New Deal Student loans, supported the Iraq war and of course who could forget the existential threat that was the TPP.
(https://x.com/Wilson__Valdez/status/1785452282277978473?t=59sLgVpwL-xskCydu0tHtg&s=03)
Walter M. Kimbrough (@HipHopPrez) posted at 7:18 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
Only 2 of the 14 arrested students. I know there has been criticism of institutions saying outside folks are involved, but in this case, outside folks were involved.
(https://x.com/HipHopPrez/status/1785644902082060369?t=jBTg3W2e4YocsVrmMC0l_w&s=03)
Kenny BooYah! 🖖🏾 (@KwikWarren) posted at 10:58 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
Is all this protest shit on college campuses about anti-semitism, support for Palestinians or Russian operations designed to help trump?!
(https://x.com/KwikWarren/status/1785700369600794646?t=lshqAVE6VuWt93SFf8-IFQ&s=03)
Just gonna be sundown towns.
Allison Wiltz Psy.M. (@queenie4rmnola) posted at 1:34 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
They want to bring whites-only communities back in Louisiana.
Portia McGonagal Same On (@PortiaMcGonagal) posted at 4:57 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
Then that whites-only needs to include services like landscaping, house cleaning, babysitting, nannies, deliveries, trash collection, etc.
No exceptions. G’head.
(https://x.com/PortiaMcGonagal/status/1785428170440880616?t=yg4xttzzAu6BobhiXsEETw&s=03)
Veronica McDonald🗣 (@Purify_toast17) posted at 8:18 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
Black people need to listen: If there’s a cause that suburban white folks are protesting about, YOU 🫵🏿🫵🏾🫵🏽 need to stay out of it. Because after it’s all over, Black people will end up being the ones to pick the litter off the ground and clean the feces off the wall.
(https://x.com/Purify_toast17/status/1785660158783234203?s=03)
DFW Sports 4Life (@Kennymack1971) posted at 9:22 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
This is where I’m at. People who can’t bring themselves to vote for Joe Biden because of what the fuck ever aren’t worth me taking seriously. Because they’re saying that Trump’s a better alternative. Period.
(https://x.com/Kennymack1971/status/1785676115656253802?t=WLg_1bGJ40RlEMoexLtP2A&s=03)
Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) posted at 10:46 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
It’s probably best not to engage with dead-enders who’d rather watch society burn than be adults & vote for Biden, or at least try to persuade rather than scold. But it’s so damn frustrating they haven’t already figured out at this late date that Trump is an existential threat.
(https://x.com/atrupar/status/1785516011065667792?t=55W8PQ-oEWtGxTMefcQIsA&s=03)
Candidly Tiff (@tify330) posted at 0:28 PM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
What civil rights are the encampment/protestors fighting for? and for which marginalized American group?
Stop comparing your college divestment protests to the civil rights movement y’all stay disrespecting the Black and LGBTQ+ elders movements by saying stupid shit.
(https://x.com/tify330/status/1785722942699045118?t=HGpkop6fVdmpuVzZiLou7w&s=03)
PragmaticObotsUnite (@PragObots) posted at 6:55 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
Leftists like this woman give their TRUE agenda away when they focus on Democrats. They’re using the Palestine for their own anti-Democratic Party agenda.
(https://x.com/PragObots/status/1785639145571844566?t=DcNKbwfco2-2WCu3AL41VA&s=03)
LOL
President Kamala’s Hand (Again) (@myronjclifton) posted at 5:37 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
“Follow me as I film my day as an Ivy League revolutionary. First I put on my outfit of the day, then get my spot on the front lines for the best sun for my iPhone photos. Next, I demand humanitarian aid from the university. We only want Fiji bottled water, & Trader Joe snacks.”
(https://x.com/myronjclifton/status/1785438326243439069?t=xSbncmAdDoEm1MDfZLKHCw&s=03)
This entire series of tweets was a nightmare to read:
Hannah Dreier (@hannahdreier) posted at 10:29 AM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
Use our migrant child labor data!
More children are crossing the border on their own than ever before, and thousands are ending up doing dangerous, illegal jobs.
We sued the government for a huge trove of data about these kids, and shared it all here: https://t.co/lpse7uYK4G https://t.co/rlGAQNVzyY
Hannah Dreier (@hannahdreier) posted at 10:36 AM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
Reporters have been digging into the data to find important stories.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution uncovered a spike in migrant children being released to live with non-family members in Georgia. Some were sexually assaulted. https://t.co/BXoYkHGZBD https://t.co/MTFVp1aawd
(https://x.com/hannahdreier/status/1785332286348538104?t=ljMWy5ifYycjLR0tPMSa4g&s=03)
Hannah Dreier (@hannahdreier) posted at 10:45 AM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
The Cincinnati Enquirer used the database to reveal an unusual number of migrant children being released to rural, manufacturing-heavy parts of Ohio. https://t.co/vDxKL9vjy6
(https://x.com/hannahdreier/status/1785334737743053149?t=G5B9gfTk0VkYaUoM6VSSOQ&s=03)
Hannah Dreier (@hannahdreier) posted at 0:13 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
A Times-Picayune reporter noticed a striking concentration of migrant children being sent to parts of Louisiana with construction booms.
https://t.co/MX8ex2dnTR
(https://x.com/hannahdreier/status/1785356853339111789?t=rYpbGUYA92jmvm24QRZ2lQ&s=03)
James Finn (@rjamesfinn) posted at 9:23 AM on Thu, Dec 28, 2023:
Four Louisiana parishes — Cameron, St. Martin, East Baton Rouge and Jefferson — are among the U.S. counties with the highest rates of migrant children who often end up working jobs meant for adults, @hannahdreier reports:
https://t.co/6ECh9UgcNF
(https://x.com/rjamesfinn/status/1740392917112643652?t=dAWYWOf-nDl437HWorOtrg&s=03)
Vote 2024 (@chicago21222) posted at 0:36 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
Red states using the brown children they hate to work building houses? You can’t make this stuff up. No wonder hillbilly sanders wants child labor legal.
(https://x.com/chicago21222/status/1785362595546862015?t=MoSc287ZHhdHdmprjPn5CQ&s=03)
Kenny BooYah! 🖖🏾 (@KwikWarren) posted at 0:00 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
trump isn’t falling asleep in court because he’s intentionally being disdainful or disrespectful. He’s falling asleep because he’s a decrepit, unhealthy old man who can’t stay awake for more than a couple of hours at a time who has the intellect & the attention span of a gnat.
(https://x.com/KwikWarren/status/1785353562018533820?t=yUxmySpwQgSyw6_Kib5XNQ&s=03)
She’s always bringing up civics when challenging the clowns.
colorfullstory (@colorfullstory) posted at 7:20 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
How is Biden financing when the speaker of the house holds the power of the purse?
Who is the speaker of the house?
How did he get to be the speaker of the house?
How did the policy to fund Israel get to Biden’s desk?
Now think how this could’ve been prevented?
(https://x.com/colorfullstory/status/1785645511401218114?t=7DV4Es8Oz5YR-tKlaNoFcw&s=03)
Eric Schultz (@EricSchultz) posted at 2:20 PM on Tue, Apr 30, 2024:
The New York Times will now end every political story slamming Biden for not giving them an interview. https://t.co/DQlXqxgpo5
(https://x.com/EricSchultz/status/1785388707119243275?t=tUaxXsfXNN_td8-g5OisgQ&s=03)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Biden administration’s move to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous but still controlled drug was hailed as a monumental step in reshaping national policy. But it might do little to ease a longstanding problem in the cannabis industry — a lack of loans, checking accounts and banking services that other businesses take for granted.
“As far as financial institutions, I don’t necessarily think it’s going to have a demonstrable effect” on how they deal with cannabis operators, said Morgan Fox, political director for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML.
Similarly, a banking trade group expected no shift in the legal landscape with the proposed change.
President Biden for the win again!
…………………
Today, my Administration is approving $6.1 billion in student debt cancellation for 317,000 borrowers who attended the Art Institutes. This institution falsified data, knowingly misled students, and cheated borrowers into taking on mountains of debt without leading to promising career prospects at the end of their studies.
While my predecessor looked the other way when colleges defrauded students and borrowers, I promised to take this on directly to provide borrowers with the relief they need and deserve. Over the last three years, my Administration has approved nearly $29 billion in debt relief for 1.6 million borrowers whose colleges took advantage of them, closed abruptly, or were covered by related court settlements, compared to just 53,500 borrowers who had ever gotten their debt cancelled through these types of actions before I took office. And in total, we have approved debt cancellation for nearly 4.6 million Americans through various actions.
Today’s announcement builds on all we’ve done to fix broken student loan programs and bring higher education more in reach. That includes: providing the largest increases to the maximum Pell Grant in over a decade, fixing Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Income Driven Repayment so borrowers get the relief they are entitled to under the law, launching the SAVE Plan – the most affordable repayment plan ever, and pursuing new plans that would cancel student debt for more than 30 million Americans when combined with everything we’ve done so far.
We will never stop fighting to deliver relief to borrowers, hold bad actors accountable, and bring the promise of college to more Americans.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/05/01/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-6-1-billion-in-student-debt-cancellation-for-317000-borrowers-who-attended-the-art-institutes/
Marvin Sapp InTheSkreets/Marvin Gaye InTheSheets (@groove_sdc) posted at 7:45 AM on Wed, May 01, 2024:
If you want to know the gameplan for the Democratic National Convention in Chicago just look at these school protests.
They’re going to be aggressive and instigating police so they can film it and claim they were beaten unprovoked.
Better have a plan now to deal with it.
(https://x.com/groove_sdc/status/1785651666580021612?t=IwDjHbfmyGQL_5ihfYyGqA&s=03)
…………………………………………………….
So, when they said that the DNC was coming to Chicago, there were only a couple of places where I thought it would be held. Either Wintrust Arena, where the Chicago Sky Play or McCormick Place. I leaned towards Winstrust because of the security issues concerning the President and Vice President. McCormick Place, although totally capable, would be a security nightmare.
When my co-worker last week told me that the convention was going to be held at The United Center, my jaw dropped. I literally couldn’t believe it. The United Center is where the Bulls and Blackhawks play. It’s in a neighborhood. Not only that, but, it’s on the West Side. Now, there’s been enough gentrification to where it’s gone from being on THE WEST SIDE to being on The West Side. But..it’s still The West Side.
And, no, the city is not granting them permits for protesting in the middle of a neighborhood. They’ve gone to court to force the city to grant them permits. They’ve been allowed protesting permits for Grant Park – some 3-4 miles away. LOL
Outside of sending all those delegates to The West Side…strategically, it is a good choice.
The Chicago Police Department has been undergoing ‘ training’ to deal with protestors. We’ll see how that works out.
Good Morning Everyone 😊😊😊