Balloon Juice

Monday Morning Open Thread: Another Suggestion

by Anne Laurie| May 12, 20256:33 am| 44 Comments

This post is in: Democratic Response to Trump 2.0, Open Threads

New from me: Everything feels overwhelming. But here is a tangible thing you can do: write a comment to oppose Trump's plan to convert 50,000 career civil servants into political appointees. Deadline is May 23. Please share!
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/here-is-a-…

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— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn.bsky.social) May 9, 2025 at 8:33 AM

I.ve seen this linked a few places. From Don Moynihan, “Here is a specific thing you can do to fight Trump’s politicization of public services”;

Trump’s maximalist strategy of firing off one executive action after another seeks to overwhelm us. Finding some tangible way to respond sometimes feels impossible. So, here is something that you can do:

Take the time you would have spent complaining about politics online, and use it to write a comment opposing the proposed Office of Personnel Management rule to politicize public services. You can do it in 5 minutes. Deadline is May 23rd!

Why should you do this?

– The proposed rule seeks to reinstate Schedule F, Trump’s never implemented plan to institutionalize political control and loyalty tests for the career bureaucracy by turning 50,000 or more career civil servants into political appointees.

– Federal comments really do matter. By law, they must be read by the administration, and substantive comments require a response. Failure to do so can see the rule tossed out by courts.

– It’s easy: Enter a comment here. No log in. Just click on the “submit a public comment” button. You can enter text, or upload a document…

If there is someone you know who you think would be great to write a comment, take a moment to share this post with them.

Monday Morning Open Thread: Another SuggestionPost + Comments (44)

On The Road – Albatrossity – Early spring in Flyover Country

by WaterGirl| May 12, 20255:00 am| 11 Comments

This post is in: On The Road, Photo Blogging

Fun week ahead, at least here at On the Road!

P.S. I would not want to meet that American Robin in a dark alley. He looks seriously pissed off!

Albatrossity

Spring here has been cool, slow and late, but the inexorable push north that many birds make every year continues regardless. Here are some images from late winter and early spring, documenting that urge to move, to create the next generation, and to continue the cycle of renewal.

Near Manhattan KSMarch 2, 2025

American Robins (Turdus migratorius) are commonly believed to be harbingers of spring; in reality, they are present year-round in much of North America. The robins you see in the winter may not be the same individuals that brighten your yard in March, but that is for them to know and for you to winder about. Click here for larger image.

On The Road – Albatrossity – Early spring in Flyover CountryPost + Comments (11)

War for Ukraine Day 1,172: This Deal Is Getting Worse All the Time

by Adam L Silverman| May 11, 202511:31 pm| 7 Comments

This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine

Another long day here, so going to keep tonight to just the basics. Things should begin to ease up tomorrow through WED and then get a bit busy again on THURS and FRI. By the weekend things should be back to something approaching normal.

Oy vey:

What is so “potentially great” about today? Putin was given an ultimatum and refused. Either apply real pressure now or look weak.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 4:13 AM

What happened to the ceasefire? So, it’s okay now to keep killing Ukrainians and while talking about peace? Seriously, what’s next, drinks for sobriety?

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 12:42 PM

Obligatory:

Zelensky’s office confirms to me that he will travel to Istanbul on Thursday. Here is his response to Trump’s post on Truth Social:

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) May 11, 2025 at 1:14 PM

Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.

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Here in Ukraine, We Have Absolutely No Problem Engaging in Negotiations – We Are Ready for Any Format – Address by the President

11 May 2025 – 21:27

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

There was a lot of diplomatic work today – both our own with partners, and communication between partners in support of us. Starting tomorrow, we await a ceasefire – this proposal is on the table. A full and unconditional ceasefire, one that lasts long enough to provide a necessary foundation for diplomacy, could significantly bring peace closer. Ukraine has long proposed this, our partners are proposing it, and the whole world is calling for it. We await a clear response from Russia. Russia will have to end this war anyway. The killings must stop. Ukrainian forces will be ready to respond symmetrically – to ensure fairness. We have repeatedly heard from our partners that they are prepared to strengthen sanctions against Russia if Putin rejects a ceasefire. Time will tell. Here in Ukraine, we have absolutely no problem engaging in negotiations – we are ready for any format. I will be in Türkiye this Thursday, May 15, and I expect Putin to come to Türkiye as well. Personally. And I hope that this time, Putin won’t be looking for excuses as to why he “can’t” make it. We are ready to talk, to end this war. Thursday. Türkiye. President Trump has expressed support. All the leaders support this. Today, I spoke with President of France Emmanuel Macron – Emmanuel, thank you for your support. I also spoke with President of Finland Stubb – Alexander, thank you! I also want to thank all the leaders – UK Prime Minister Starmer, German Chancellor Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Tusk – who were in Kyiv yesterday together with Emmanuel, as well as everyone who joined us online. We had a very productive meeting. I am also grateful to all the leaders and countries we’ve spoken with regarding security, diplomacy, and the ceasefire – 30 countries, the European Union, and NATO. We are preparing good decisions in support of Ukraine, in support of our people.

And one more thing – something very important. Today, we all say thank you to our mothers – for their absolute love that truly knows no bounds, for everything a mother does for her child, and for the fact that each of us always, under any circumstances, remains a child as long as our mom is alive. Mom, thank you! Mom, don’t worry – I’ve eaten, everything’s fine. I’m proud of our people.

Glory to Ukraine!

First Lady Zelenska addressed the Venice Biennale today.

Georgia:

‘Thank You, Friend’: Georgian citizens march to the US Embassy to express gratitude for American support and the passage of the Megobari Act.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 165

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 9:16 AM

For Georgians, 🇺🇸 has always been a land and source of hope and inspiration. Georgians believe deeply in American idealism for freedom.

These aren’t just words. In fact, Georgians usually get criticisms for it from various groups.

MEGOBARI Act gratitude march.

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 10:36 AM

Citizens gathered at several metro stations in Tbilisi, then assembled at one of them and marched to the US Embassy to thank the US Congress for passing the Megobari Act and supporting Georgia.

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 165

📷 Mariam Qavshbaia/Publika

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 9:12 AM

Taia Tsekvava was sprayed with a pepper spray and thrown down by two men. They told her: “Be ready for worse if you show up at a protest again!”
#terrorinGeorgia #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) May 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM

Back to Ukraine.

Zelenskyy essentially tells Putin to put up or shut up.
www.ft.com/content/c995…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) May 11, 2025 at 2:08 PM

From The Financial Times: (emphasis mine)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he is ready to start peace talks with Vladimir Putin in Istanbul on Thursday, after Donald Trump told him to meet the Russian president there “immediately”.

“I will be waiting for Putin in Türkiye on Thursday. Personally,” Zelenskyy said in a statement late on Sunday. The president’s office confirmed to the Financial Times that travel plans were in the works.

Framing the offer as a test of the Russian leader’s willingness to negotiate in good faith, Zelenskyy added: “I hope that this time the Russians will not look for excuses.”

His comments came after a back-and-forth in which Ukraine called for Moscow to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday, to which Putin said the two sides should instead hold talks this week in Turkey.

Zelenskyy insisted the month-long armistice should take effect as proposed, saying Ukraine awaits “a full and lasting ceasefire, starting from tomorrow, to provide the necessary basis for diplomacy”.

But he said he would heed US President Trump’s advice that “Ukraine should agree to this, IMMEDIATELY”, referring to Putin’s offer.

The Kremlin earlier on Sunday said it would not halt the Russian president’s three-year invasion of Ukraine without first holding talks on the “initial reasons” for the conflict.

Putin resumed combat operations in Ukraine immediately after his comments.

Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy adviser, told state TV that Moscow wanted to hold talks in Istanbul based on the failed peace process held there in the war’s early months in 2022, as well as the “real situation [ . . .] on the ground”, where Russia holds the upper hand on the battlefield.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told Putin that Turkey was ready to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, Erdoğan’s office said.

Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, said Ukraine had “misread” Putin’s statement. “Putin said it very clearly: negotiations about the initial reasons [for the war] first, then a conversation about a ceasefire,” she told state newswire Tass.

Russia’s demands include a bar on Nato membership for Ukraine and recognition of Putin’s annexation of four south-eastern regions, as well as an end to western military support for Kyiv.

A return to the Istanbul talks would also involve Ukraine to pledge neutrality, accept caps on its military and accept Moscow’s demands to protect the Russian language in the country.

Ukraine has said those terms would all but end its existence as a modern state.

The Russian counter-offer is a rejection of the 30-day ceasefire proposal made earlier on Saturday after the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK visited Kyiv to meet Zelenskyy.

Air defences punctuated the early morning silence in Kyiv just hours after the leaders of France, Germany, Poland and the UK departed by train from the Ukrainian capital.

The European partners agreed that if Russia were to refuse a total and unconditional 30-day ceasefire, stricter sanctions would be adopted against the banking and energy sectors, the Elysée said late on Saturday evening.

French President Emmanuel Macron told reporters on Sunday that Putin’s response was “a first move, but it is not enough”, adding it was a means of “not responding” to the ceasefire proposals.

“We have to hold firm with the Americans to say that the ceasefire is unconditional and afterwards we can discuss the rest,” he said from an overnight train in Przemyśl, Poland, after departing Kyiv.

“It’s unacceptable for the Ukrainians because they can’t accept parallel discussions while they continue to be bombarded.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also urged Russia to agree to an immediate ceasefire.

In a post on social media platform X on Sunday he wrote: “In response to our appeal, the Russians have proposed peace talks starting May 15. The world, however, is waiting for univocal decision on an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Ukraine is ready. No more victims!”

Why Does Fascism Have To Be So Fucking Tacky?

by John Cole| May 11, 20257:17 pm| 175 Comments

This post is in: John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House", Trump Crime Cartel

It’s just fucking embarrassing:

n what may be the most valuable gift ever extended to the United States from a foreign government, the Trump administration is preparing to accept a super luxury Boeing 747-8 jumbo jet from the royal family of Qatar — a gift that is to be available for use by President Donald Trump as the new Air Force One until shortly before he leaves office, at which time ownership of the plane will be transferred to the Trump presidential library foundation, sources familiar with the proposed arrangement told ABC News.

The gift is expected to be announced next week, when Trump visits Qatar on the first foreign trip of his second term, according to sources familiar with the plans.

Trump toured the plane, which is so opulently configured it is known as “a flying palace,” while it was parked at the West Palm Beach International Airport in February.

I don’t even want to go into it because there is so much to discuss, but why does everything he does make me ashamed to be American?

Why Does Fascism Have To Be So Fucking Tacky?Post + Comments (175)

Medium Cool – Mother’s Day Edition

by WaterGirl| May 11, 20257:00 pm| 53 Comments

This post is in: Medium Cool, Popular Culture, Culture as a Hedge Against This Soul-Sucking Political Miasma We're Living In

Medium Cool is a weekly series related to popular culture, mostly film, TV, and books, with some music and games thrown in. We hope it’s a welcome break from the anger, hate, and idiocy we see almost daily from the other side in the political sphere.

Arguments welcomed, opinions respected, fools un-suffered. We’re here every Sunday at 7 pm.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Tonight let’s talk about Moms and all the mom-adjacent people in our lives and the impact they had on you related to all things culture.

My mom took us to plays, took us to the Art Institute and all the other museums in Chicago, took us to the ballet, played music of all sorts all the time. She took us to nice restaurants in downtown Chicago after going to a museum or when we downtown to see the Christmas decorations in all the stores, and going out to dinner at a nice neighborhood restaurant was a frequent Sunday afternoon treat.

We had a back-to-school ritual of going to Oak Park to shop for school clothes; those memories are quite vivid. And Easter! We got special Easter dresses and spring coats and hats and anklet socks and patent leather shoes and my Dad always bought his 3 girls corsages for Easter Sunday.

My mom took us to musicals, and we had soundtracks to all the Disney movies. We lived right across the street from the movie theater, so we got to see loads of matinees. In those days, we could pay to get into the theater and then you could spend all day. We would walk across the street on Saturday afternoons and didn’t even worry about what time the movies started. We would watch from whatever point the movie was at when we arrived, watch til the end, and the rewatch the whole thing. Sometimes there was even a double feature.

The library was just around the corner, and oh how we loved to read. That surely did not happen by accident. We had the whole collection of Nancy Drew mysteries, and I was so mad at my mom when she donated the whole set to the library as we got older!

How about your Mom? Maybe you even had more than one Mom! Don’t forget grandmothers, and all the mom-adjacent women in your life. A friend of mine basically had 3 moms – her mom and her two aunts, who all raised her.

Oh, and the influence doesn’t have to be positive! Maybe they made you sit through an opera when you were 7 years old, and you have hated opera ever since!

Mom-related memories, let’s go!

In case you are new to Medium Cool, these are not open threads.

Medium Cool – Mother’s Day EditionPost + Comments (53)

Trump Fires the Librarian of Congress

by Anne Laurie| May 11, 20252:19 pm| 146 Comments

This post is in: Books, Trump Crime Cartel

A Black woman who believed in the power of learning. Which amounts to three strikes in Trumpworld.

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— Don Moynihan (@donmoyn.bsky.social) May 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM

A smart, articulate, accomplished Black woman? Anathema, to the Trumpists!

Just in case anyone's wondering how bad she's lying: the only people who can check books out of the LOC are congressional staff.
Library cards for use of the research centers are only available to people over the age of 16, and researchers under 18 need permission from a parent or guardian.

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— Annalee (@flowerhorne.com) May 9, 2025 at 7:09 PM

Googled her name and got the reason for her firing pretty quick smh pic.twitter.com/Rs680hcZME

— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) May 9, 2025

At the start of this year, three of the institutions most important to American cultural preservation—the National Archives, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History—were run by women for the first time.
As of today, Trump has fired two of those three.

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— Adam Keiper (@adamkeiper.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:31 PM

One reason this is so interesting is that in American families, it's so often the women who do the work of preservation—memories and stories, keepsakes and scrapbooks, genealogy and connections.
So I was fascinated that women were heading the archives, the library, and "America's attic."

— Adam Keiper (@adamkeiper.com) May 8, 2025 at 10:37 PM

Many life forms that would benefit from greater intelligence, sadly, do not have it.

After dobbs, women are no longer free.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

I swear, each month of 2025 will have its own history degree.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

Rupert, come get your orange boy, you petrified old dinosaur turd.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

Republicans do not pay their debts.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

DeSantis transforming Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

I like political parties that aren’t owned by foreign adversaries.

If rights aren’t universal, they are privilege, not rights.

We can’t confuse what’s necessary to win elections with the policies that we want to implement when we do.

This fight is for everything.

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

The real work of an opposition party is to hold the people in power accountable.

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires Republicans to act in good faith.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.