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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

Reality always gets a vote in the end.

“Loving your country does not mean lying about its history.”

Oppose, oppose, oppose. do not congratulate. this is not business as usual.

Shut up, hissy kitty!

Democracy cannot function without a free press.

Stop using mental illness to avoid talking about armed white supremacy.

If you can’t control your emotions, someone else will.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

The willow is too close to the house.

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

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

“They all knew.”

The only way through is to slog through the muck one step at at time.

Republicans do not trust women.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

You cannot shame the shameless.

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

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

Innocent people do not delay justice.

When we show up, we win.

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

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Thursday Morning Open Thread

by Anne Laurie|  March 5, 20266:16 am| 25 Comments

This post is in: Books, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republican Venality, War

Happy World Book Day! 📚

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— Matchbloc (@matchbloc.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 4:39 AM

There will be a point in the future where Trumps presidency is widely viewed as an unmitigated failure & much of what he's attempted to do during these four years will be easily swept away. When that happens Trump will have the biggest crash out of all time & blame everyone in his admin but himself.

— Daniel Gilmore (@gilmored85.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 4:00 PM

I am really looking forward to that day

— Daniel Gilmore (@gilmored85.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 4:01 PM

BREAKING on MS NOW:
The House Oversight Committee just voted to subpoena Pam Bondi as part of the panel's Epstein investigation.
The vote was 24-19. 5 Republicans voted in favor.

— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 3:55 PM

Fine by me. One party is the party of illegal war, the other isn't. Voters, make your choices.

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— Chatham Harrison dba TRUMP DELENDUS EST (@chathamharrison.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM

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I left the classified briefing on Iran even more concerned about what comes next as Trump drags us into what's so clearly a war. 
This Administration has no plan. American lives are on the line.

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— Senator Andy Kim (@kim.senate.gov) March 3, 2026 at 6:23 PM

Let's be clear: the U.S. had a deal that could have prevented Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.
Trump ripped up that deal.
Then he started a war instead of doing the hard work of diplomacy to stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

— Elizabeth Warren (@warren.senate.gov) March 4, 2026 at 9:40 AM

In the modern era, no American president has ordered more military strikes against as many different countries as Donald Trump. None.

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— Elizabeth Warren (@warren.senate.gov) March 4, 2026 at 2:06 PM

Trump started a war in the Middle East.
Six Americans dead. Thousands stranded.
His justification? He had “a feeling.”

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— Hakeem Jeffries (@hakeem-jeffries.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:53 PM

Trump is throwing away a billion taxpayer dollars a day on another war in the Middle East.
All while cutting funding for health care, SNAP, and children’s cancer research.

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— Ken Martin (@kenmartin.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:34 PM

Less than a week into Trump’s reckless war in the Middle East, gas prices are already rising.
He promised safety, affordability, and no new wars.
He lied.

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— Katherine Clark (@whipkclark.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 10:56 AM

If the economy is otherwise in good condition but Republicans get pasted on the economy in November because they drove gas prices through the roof all summer, they will have to invent new kinds of number to express the degree of schadenfreude I will feel

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— Chatham Harrison dba TRUMP DELENDUS EST (@chathamharrison.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 1:56 PM

The Republicans' farm bill is a BETRAYAL of MAHA. It would:
🛢️Prevent communities from regulating pesticides.
🤮Allow more toxins dumped into our water.
☠️Give CORPORATE IMMUNITY to companies that make cancer-causing chemicals.
Trump & RFK lied to win. I’m taking them on.

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— Rep. Jim McGovern (@repmcgovern.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 1:18 PM

this will have greater impacts than just on farmers, but it never stops being kind of satisfying that farmers, who voted overwhelmingly for trump, have been on the horns of basically every single terrible decision this admin has made

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— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) March 4, 2026 at 4:44 PM

Yeah man it’s absolutely crazy that when republicans control the chamber, and every republican votes for something, it passes even if all the democrats vote no.
It’s almost like it would be better if the democrats were in charge.

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— uosdɯᴉS ɐuɐꓷ 🦄 (@danacorn.bsky.social) March 5, 2026 at 12:18 AM

Thursday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (25)

War for Ukraine Day 1,469: Have I Got a Deal for You!

by Adam L Silverman|  March 4, 202610:03 pm| 50 Comments

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

Another long day filled with completely batshit bonkers events and news. I’m fried, I know everyone else is fried, so I’m just going to run through the basics again tonight so I can go offline.

A quick housekeeping note: If you show up in the comments and start demanding I do things you are going to get ignored the first time and banned the second time. I don’t get paid to do this, you are not my employer, and I do it despite the antisemitic commenters, the front pager that defends their right to post not just antisemitic, but also homophobic and transphobic comments because we “have to follow policy,” and the two other front pagers who defend the front pager defending the antisemites, homophobes, and transphobes. Had I not promised Cole I’d do one of these every day for the duration of the war, I wouldn’t post anything here at all. I trust we will not have to have this conversation again. I want to be very clear, I am not bothered by questions or by someone asking if I can do something. What bothers me are demands as if I somehow am obligated to do things for you.

President Zelenskyy has a deal for the Gulf States:

Ukraine is offering highly successful interceptor drones to Mideast countries in exchange for Patriot missiles.

With one PAC-3 costing $4m, and a Sting interceptor costing $2500, a partnership could solve 2 problems at once.

Mutual defence against a mutual threat helps us all.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 3:23 AM

4 years of war against the Russian aggressors including the invaluable experience as well as technology Ukraine has accumulated, and it is now the nations of the world in dire situation which ask Ukraine for help. The best part, Ukraine gives them the help.

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— (((Tendar))) (@tendar.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:12 PM

This is important because Secretary Drunken Violent Zipper Malfunction had to make some admissions to Congress today:

The drones are posing a bigger problem than anticipated, – Pete Hegseth

NO SHIT

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 4:51 PM

„Trump administration officials told lawmakers during a closed-door briefing on Capitol Hill Tuesday that Iran’s Shahed attack drones represent a major challenge and US air defenses will not be able to intercept them all, according to a source in the briefing.“

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— (((Tendar))) (@tendar.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:24 PM

The best equipped and funded militaries in the world are unable to cope with conditions Ukraine is handling on a daily base.

Now, I have seen everything.

— (((Tendar))) (@tendar.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:24 PM

After another Iranian attack, drone debris marked “Geran-2” in Russian was found near Jebel Ali Port in Dubai. Notably, the footage circulating on social media is being posted by Russian relocants and tourists who are riding out Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in the UAE.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:11 AM

Putin is supplying cheap, numerous drones to Iran to deplete US air defenses and drag out the war – he reckons Trump has limited patience and attention, and in the end the U.S. president will withdraw while claiming victory.

Everyone else will see a clear US defeat, however.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 12:32 PM

On top of the long documented problems with the US defense industrial base (DIB), we now know that the obscenely expensive weapons systems and munitions the US produces don’t handle Iran’s drones very well. When you combine the production problems with the performance issues (apparently 2 of 3 superpowers…) this creates a huge opening for the one country whose defense industrial base is at the cutting edge of research, development, and actually delivering effective weapons systems and munitions that can deal with drone warfare. And that one country is Ukraine. The Ukrainians aren’t just doing this to generate good will with the deep pocketed Gulf states or to get more PAC-3 interceptors for their Patriot batteries, though those are themselves worthwhile objectives, it is to do a real time sales expo for their military technology.

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

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We Are Working to Bring All Our People Home From Russian Captivity; We Hope for Good News – Address by the President

4 March 2026 – 21:12

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

A brief update on today. I held a Staff meeting on matters related to the front, ensuring Ukraine’s active operations and our defense. I thank every Ukrainian warrior who is truly securing strong positions for Ukraine. Our positions at the front, our defense production, our ability to thwart Russian plans – these are our strengths in relations with key partners, and our diplomacy is what gives our partners more faith in Ukraine. At the Staff meeting, relevant instructions were issued to both the Minister of Defense and the military command. Today, I also spoke with Rustem Umerov regarding his communications with the American side. We continue to engage with the United States practically on a daily basis. For now, because of the situation with Iran, the necessary signals for a trilateral meeting haven’t come yet. But as soon as the security situation and the broader political context allow us to resume the trilateral diplomatic work, it will be done. Ukraine is ready for it.

I am grateful to the intelligence services, the Office, and all involved agencies for the steps taken to make further prisoner exchanges possible. We are working to bring all our people home from Russian captivity. We hope for good news. In recent days, we have been communicating very actively with representatives of countries in the Middle East and the Gulf region – and it is clear what their main request to Ukraine is. Everyone facing attacks from Iran confronts an extraordinary challenge: “shaheds,” which are difficult to shoot down without the proper expertise and adequate weaponry. In just a few days of active strikes, Iranians launched more than 800 missiles and over 1,400 drones against neighboring countries. Attacks from Iran continue constantly. Although the intensity of missile strikes from Iran has partially decreased now, a new threat has emerged – the Iranian regime’s intent to block the Strait of Hormuz. This is a globally significant route for transporting oil and gas. This very threat has destabilized energy prices across many markets. We recently discussed this with Ursula von der Leyen. It is crucial to protect people’s lives. It is crucial to restore stability and prevent the war from expanding. The Iranian regime must not benefit in any way, and even more importantly, must not destroy lives – neither there, in the region, nor globally – and this affects us as well. And this is our shared interest: to help people defend themselves and also to assist in rapidly restoring stability in critically important supply chains. Partners are turning to us, to Ukraine, for help with protection against “shaheds” – for expertise and for practical support. Requests on this matter have also come from the American side. In recent days, I have spoken with the leaders of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait. Further talks with other regional leaders are planned. We are coordinating with our European partners as well. Of course, any assistance we provide is only on the condition that it does not weaken our own defense in Ukraine and that it serves as an investment in our diplomatic capabilities: we help protect against war those who help us – Ukraine – bring the war to a dignified conclusion. We work for peace and for real security. I want to thank everyone who is helping us.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also presented awards and honors to Ukrainians for their contributions in fighting against Russian aggression.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy Presented State Honors and the Golden Heart Awards to Ukrainian Volunteers, Doctors, Educators, Scientists, Cultural Figures, Athletes, and Journalists for Their Contribution to the Fight Against Russian Aggression

4 March 2026 – 18:03

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with volunteers, doctors, educators, scientists, cultural figures, athletes, and journalists to present state awards on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for their work in strengthening the Ukrainian army and society, and for promoting Ukrainian culture.

“Ukraine has a long history of defending its identity and its right to be a nation that determines for itself how to live and with whom to share its life. There were times when Ukraine could not withstand this struggle and, sadly, lost its freedom. And now is the time when Ukraine has reached its greatest significance and the greatest potential it has ever had,” said the Head of State.

The President emphasized that issues of fundamental importance to our country cannot be resolved without Ukraine.

“But this does not mean that our work is done or that Ukrainians can simply take pride in what has already been achieved. Russia has still not accepted our existence. The defense of Ukraine and respect for Ukraine demand our daily strength, action, and the daily courage of all Ukrainians,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy added.

He stressed that Ukraine remembers all its people who have given their lives to ensure the country remains independent and free. Attendees ob

The Head of State handed over Orders of Merit, III class, to the relatives and friends of volunteer Veronika Sokol and athletes Oleksii Khabarov and Mykhailo Tsap, who were awarded posthumously.

Volunteer and servicewoman, Veronika Sokol, chaired the working group for the Wall of Remembrance memorial, collecting photos and information on the fallen and building an archive. She initiated the Day of Remembrance of the Defenders of Ukraine on August 29 and contributed to the creation of the Museum of the Russo-Ukrainian War. She signed a military service contract in 2024 and passed away on November 12, 2025, due to illness.

A shooter on Ukraine’s national team, Oleksii Khabarov, was an International-Class Master of Sport in Ukraine, European champion, and World Cup medalist. He was killed on August 19, 2025, in an exchange of fire near Shakhove in the Pokrovsk direction.

Coach of Ukraine’s national beach handball and handball teams, Mykhailo Tsap, was a multiple-time Ukrainian champion. He was killed on February 24, 2024, during a combat mission near Luhanske village in the Donetsk region.

Awards presented by the President personally included:

Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, V class, to Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, President of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Anatoliy Zahorodniy. Despite the full-scale war, he ensures NASU functions effectively and aligns its work with Ukraine’s defense and security needs. Research institutes of the NASU are analyzing materials from fragments of enemy munitions.

Order of Merit, II class, to General Director and Artistic Director of the Kharkiv National Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre named after M. V. Lysenko, Igor Tuluzov. He adapted the theatre’s underground spaces for rehearsals and performances. Under his leadership, the theatre runs rehabilitation and patriotic projects supporting volunteers, veterans, and the local community.

Order of Merit, III class, has been awarded to:

Head of the Recovery and Returning projects, Svitlana Hrytsenko. Since the start of the war, her coordination with international organizations has resulted in the delivery of medicines, food, and heating supplies to over 3 million Ukrainians. She manages the development of Recovery and Returning centers for military rehabilitation.

Director of the Odessa Museum of Contemporary Art, Semen Kantor. Under his leadership, the museum has hosted numerous events, including international biennales of modern art, which established a platform for artistic cooperation among cultural institutions and artists from over 30 countries.

Senior Advisor at a Department Unit of the Come Back Alive Foundation, Andrii Moruha. A veteran of combat operations, he trained around 600 warriors in concealed-position shooting. He initiated the development of a sight for infantry and artillery fire from concealed positions and its provision to units. He is working on implementing the Armor ballistic calculator for firing from concealed firing positions.

Musician from the band Kurgan & Agregat and volunteer, Ramil Elman Ogly Nasirov. The band donates vehicles, drones, and other equipment to Ukrainian defenders. During their European tour, the musicians raised over UAH 14 million, which was directed to the needs of Defense Intelligence, and more than UAH 9 million raised at a single concert in Kyiv’s Palace of Sports went to Ukraine’s Defense Forces.

Theatre and film actress, Anastasiia Pustovit. After the full-scale Russian invasion began, she spent two weeks in the temporarily occupied Nemishaieve village of the Bucha district.  On February 26, 2022, together with like-minded colleagues, she organized a volunteer headquarters to assist the community. Since then, she has been actively engaged in volunteer work, supporting the Armed Forces of Ukraine and internally displaced persons.

Director of the Heart of Azovstal NGO, Kseniia Sukhova. Since the start of the full-scale war, she has organized aid for residents of Mariupol in Zaporizhzhia. Since 2023, she has headed Heart of Azovstal. The organization has provided assistance to over 8,000 defenders of Mariupol and their families.

Volunteer of the Ukrainian Vector charity fund, Oleksii Tykhonovych. He helped secure UAH 23 million in donor funds for military needs, enabling the purchase of cargo trucks, minibuses, 100 attack FPV drones and copters, counter-drone systems, Valkyrie UAVs, Starlink satellite systems, a specialized medical vehicle, and buggies for evacuating the wounded.

Journalist and editor of the Japanese-language news service at the Ukrinform agency, Takashi Hirano. A Japanese journalist, diplomat, writer, and photographer who has lived and worked in Ukraine since 2008. He is professionally fluent in Ukrainian and brings the truth about the war and Ukraine’s situation to the Japanese audience, countering Russian propaganda. He has published several books in Japanese about Ukraine and studies and promotes the Crimean Tatar language.

Recipients of the Order of Princess Olga, III class, are:

Literary scholar and writer, Vira Ageyeva. Co-founder of the Kyiv Institute of Gender Studies, Doctor of Philology, and Shevchenko Prize laureate. Author of numerous publications on Ukrainian modernist literature, biographical studies, and gender aspects of art. Created a series of scholarly portraits of Ukrainian writers, highlighting lesser-known aspects of their lives.

Document specialist at the Come Back Alive foundation, Anastasiia Shvedska. She effectively supports the foundation’s work by ensuring an uninterrupted supply of essential equipment to the military, and manages documents from over 2,500 military units, educational institutions, and medical facilities.

Recipients of the President of Ukraine’s Golden Heart award are:

Stand-up comedian and volunteer, Vasyl Baidak. One of the pioneers of creative fundraising for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, he developed the stand-up volunteering format, organizing numerous charity concerts and tours, with 100% of proceeds going to the army. He purchases and delivers critically needed equipment to Ukrainian defenders.

Volunteer and director of the Mercy and Health Rehabilitation Center, Kateryna Bohadelnikova. Her center provides physical and psychological rehabilitation for warriors, veterans, and civilians. She initiated the opening of five rehabilitation centers across Ukraine and delivered 95 fully equipped ICU ambulances to military and medical units. She also organizes support events for wives of fallen defenders and their children.

Volunteer and director of the IT for Victory charitable foundation, Viktor Ivankov. He has been active in volunteer work since 2014. He united employees of several IT companies in Vinnytsia. Since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion, his total support amounts to UAH 167 million. He assisted over 80 units, provided 200 pieces of equipment, and around 400 drones. He also funded the development of new medium- and long-range attack UAVs.

Head of the department at the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation, Anton Pyzhykov. He has been actively involved in volunteering since 2014. During the full-scale war, he initiated a project to acquire 1,000 night-vision devices for the Defense Forces. He obtained a U.S. export license to purchase third-generation PVS-14 night-vision devices. He organizes direct delivery of foreign-made military equipment and gear to Ukraine.

Volunteer and founder of the Sternenko Community Charitable Foundation, Serhii Sternenko. He raised around UAH 6 billion for the Armed Forces during the war. He organizes systematic fundraising through his media channels. He also provided over 244,000 drones to the military, including “shahed” interceptors.

Volunteer and tactical medicine manager at the Together for Ukraine Charitable Foundation, Matvii Suslov. Under his leadership, over 200,000 tactical medical supplies were delivered to Ukrainian units. He organized training for more than 1,000 Special Operations Forces and Defense Intelligence personnel and around 200 tactical medicine instructors. He also initiated and coordinated the first international Tourniquet Forum 2025.

Volunteer, singer, and director of the Iryna Fedyshyn Charitable Foundation, Iryna Chovnyk (Fedyshyn). She organized and held over 240 charity concerts in Ukraine and abroad, directing all proceeds to the Armed Forces and humanitarian causes. She also facilitated the acquisition and delivery of over 400 units of military equipment and hundreds of critical supplies to defenders.

Coordinator of the military community of the Victory Drones project of the NGO Aerial Reconnaissance Support Center, Hanna Shkarupa. Since 2022, she has been strengthening the technological capacity of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She organizes and moderates online lectures for defenders involved with UAVs and other modern warfare technologies.

The title Merited Doctor of Ukraine was conferred on neurosurgeon at Okhmatdyt, Andrii Harkusha; transfusiologist and head of the transfusiology department at the Heart Institute, Victoria Horobets; and head of the orthopaedic-traumatology department at the Kyiv Clinical Hospital of Railway Transport No. 1, Oleh Lehenkyi.

The title Merited Education Worker of Ukraine was awarded to the rector of the National University “Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic,” Viktor Hreshta; director of the Human Potential Development Center at Mariupol State University, Lidiia Korobchenko; and senior lecturer of the Department of Food Technology and Restaurant Business Organization at the Professional College of Technology, Business and Law of Lesia Ukrainka Volyn National University, Ihor Makaruk.

Georgia:

hundreds of scholars from around world expressed their solidarity with Ilia State University #Georgia. I have often been critical of a residual few who collaborate w perpetrators, but real story is how many colleagues are *entirely* clear in their values. More than open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb…

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— Hans Gutbrod (@hansgutbrod.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:58 AM

100 signatories from Germany, more than 80 from US and UK, and representation all across, to Bulgaria, Estonia, and many others more. This really means a lot.

Find more in our latest for Ganatleba, also with a link to join in.

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— Hans Gutbrod (@hansgutbrod.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:58 AM

Publicly questioning the Georgian Dream’s legitimacy is now 3 years jail.

Russian term of “extremism” has also appeared in law in Georgia: “extremism against constitutional order” is also 3 years jail.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:21 AM

Nothing screams lack of legitimacy to govern as criminalizing the public statements on your lack of legitimacy to govern.

Georgia, 2026.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:33 AM

France:

Ukraine expecting additional Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets – Defense Ministry #Ukraine

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— AmplifyUkraine 🔱🇺🇦 (@amplifyukraine.eu) March 4, 2026 at 8:47 AM

From the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine:

Ukraine expects an additional delivery of Mirage 2000-5 aircraft from France. This will significantly strengthen Ukraine’s air capabilities, as the aircraft can effectively destroy cruise missiles and drones used for attacks, including Shahed.

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine outlines what is known about these aircraft.

Mirage 2000 is a multirole fighter aircraft equipped with digital avionics. It features modern radar systems and electronic warfare equipment that significantly enhance its combat capabilities.

The Dassault Mirage aircraft Ukraine will receive are close to the 4++ class, exceeding the MiG-29 fighters currently in service with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Mirage aircraft are extensively modernised fourth-generation fighters whose combat capabilities, radar equipment, and manoeuvrability approach those of fifth-generation fighter aircraft. They have improved avionics and are lighter and more manoeuvrable than most similar aircraft. They can conduct combat missions at altitudes of up to 18 km.

Mirage 2000 aircraft are equipped with powerful radar systems and weapons, including high-precision Magic-2 missiles. This enables them to effectively detect and intercept low-observable cruise missiles and drones used for attacks, such as Shahed, Geran, and Gerbera. They can also neutralise enemy operational-tactical reconnaissance drones. Therefore, Mirage 2000 aircraft are important for countering russia’s aerial terror, one of the key priorities addressed in Ukraine’s War Plan.

In addition, the Mirage 2000’s weapon stations are compatible with a full range of NATO-standard air-launched weapons, allowing the aircraft to employ Storm Shadow/SCALP missiles, AASM Hammer aerial guided bombs, and other types of armament.

Having such aircraft in service significantly strengthens Ukraine’s air defence, which is particularly important during large-scale missile and drone attacks by the aggressor.

To recap, the transfer of Mirage 2000 aircraft was discussed during a February meeting between Ukraine’s Minister of Defence, Mykhailo Fedorov, and France’s Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs, Catherine Vautrin.

The first Mirage 2000 aircraft were delivered to Ukraine by France in early 2025. Ukrainian pilots underwent several months of training in France to ensure effective use of the aircraft.

Hungary:

Bunker midget meets outgoing Hungarian Foreign Minister.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 1:15 PM

The Mediterranean Sea:

Photos have emerged of the Russian shadow fleet gas tanker Arctic Metagaz, which exploded and caught fire yesterday in the Mediterranean Sea 🔥

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:16 AM

Rough calcs…

The vessel plus cargo was likely valued at as much as $300,000,000

China unlikely to have paids for the cargo, so total loss to Russia.

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— H I Sutton (@covertshores.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 4:24 PM

🚢Russia’s official version of events states that the LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea by Ukrainian unmanned surface vessels.

According to Russian Ministry of Transport, incident occurred on March 3 near Malta, while the tanker was sailing from the port of Murmansk.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 4:04 AM

/2. The ministry claims the attack was launched from the Libyan coast using Ukrainian unmanned boats.

All 30 crew members, who are Russian citizens, were reportedly rescued.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 4:04 AM

Chechnya:

Apti Alaudinov, commander of the special unit “Akhmat”, said he is ready to “go and help Iran even now”, but so far all Russia does with its allies is abandon them.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 12:04 PM

Ireland:

Chris, an Irishman, comes to the Russian Embassy in Dublin every day to perform the Ukrainian National Anthem.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 12:42 PM

The United States:

“For four years, the White House was led by an extremely inexperienced leader who generously transferred much of our advanced weaponry to another country – Ukraine.” – a spokesperson for the White House.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:36 PM

American aid has helped save countless Ukrainian lives from brutal and unprovoked invaders, who execute civilians in the streets if not stopped, as we saw in Bucha.

I can only thank those Americans who do not believe it was “stupid” and “for nothing.”

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:20 PM

Karoline Leavitt is both an unqualified ignoramus and an embarrassment.

The BBC reports that 200,000 Ukrainians in the United States are at risk of deportation. Even people with valid documents are reportedly being held by ICE for months.
www.bbc.com/ukrainian/ar…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:28 PM

From BBC Ukraine (machine translated):

On the evening of November 19, 2025, Andriy (name changed) was returning from work. He was driving a truck when police and ICE (US Federal Immigration Service) approached him. His documents were checked and, according to Andrii, handcuffed almost immediately. It happened in the city of Charles Town, in the east of the United States.

ICE representatives announced to Andrii that he was in the country illegally.

The man came to the USA under the U4U (Uniting for Ukraine) program in 2024. This migration humanitarian program for Ukrainians was launched by President Joe Biden’s administration in April 2022 in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion.

It gives Ukrainians the right to legally stay in the States for two years with the possibility of extension, as well as work, study, and have a driver’s license.

The program, despite a certain delay at the beginning of 2025, was continued under President Donald Trump. Although, new applications for it are no longer accepted.

The Trump administration has been trying to limit immigration to the US for over a year and says it is fighting illegal flows of migrants. ISEs organize raids in cities accompanied by clashes and violence.

ISE officials say they only detain illegal immigrants and criminals. For the year of ISE, for messages, made about 400,000 arrests.

Critics of Trump’s migration policy claim human rights violations when people who have not broken the law and have the right to be in the United States are detained, beaten and deported.

It seems that Ukrainians also came under the crosshairs of this migration struggle. Although, back in July 2025, Trump declaredthat Ukrainians can stay in the US until the end of the war.

According to experts’ estimates, about 200,000 Ukrainian refugees in the United States are currently in a vulnerable position, when they can be expelled from the country at any moment.

There is information about at least several dozen Ukrainian refugees detained by ISE and death one citizen of Ukraine in the ISE prison in Miami.

Ukrainians interviewed by BBC News Ukraine say that they are being detained and deported in America despite the fact that they have a humanitarian status.

There are also complaints about delays in the preparation of documents. People have been waiting months for a decision on their status without the right to work.

More at the link.

Back to Ukraine.

Ukrainian law enforcement identified russian war criminal, major general in the lead of the terrorist strike against Kyiv children’s hospital Okhmatdyt on July 8, 2024. That is Sergey Kuvaldin who now holds the post of the head of russia’s long-range aviation.

Never forgive.
Never forget.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 1:21 PM

OTD in 2014 i denied the masked, armed men in Crimea were Russian soldiers. I lied.

But you can believe me over a peace deal now

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:07 AM

It would’ve been cheaper to do something that mattered then. You didn’t. You are paying a higher price now.

Ukrainians are paying a much higher one.

— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:07 AM

OTD in 2014 we denied we were going to annex Ukraine.

Then we denied we wanted more of Ukraine

Then we denied we wanted all of Ukraine

And now we deny we want more of Ukraine we denied we wanted.

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— Darth Putin (@darthputinkgb.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 2:13 AM

The Birds of Magyar unit struck Russian Tor air defence system on the move while Russian servicemen were riding on top of it

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 8:23 AM

Mykolaiv:

In case anyone forgot: Russia is a terrorist state.

A Russian Shahed drone attacked a passenger train in Mykolaiv.

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— Maria Drutska (@mariadrutska.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 9:07 AM

Russia struck a passenger train in Mykolaiv this morning with a drone 🤬 By now, firefighters have already brought the blaze under control.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:11 AM

Druzhkivka, Donetsk Oblast:

Three people were killed and 16 injured in a russian airstrike on a residential building in Druzhkivka, Donetsk Oblast, on 2 March.

The last victim was recovered from the rubble on the third day of search efforts.

Thirteen more residential buildings were damaged.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 11:32 AM

Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast:

Kostiantynivka. Russians are erasing another Donbas city off the map and ‘liberating’ its residents from their homes, apartments, jobs, and lives.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 12:32 PM

Kupyansk, Kharkiv Oblast:

Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region, a city russia could not forgive for breaking free from its occupation, so they consequently razed it to ruins and dust.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 12:39 PM

Poltava:

Russian drone flies over the city of Poltava today❗️
Just some meters above apartment buildings rooftops.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 1:54 PM

Russia:

Putin has issued a decree setting the size of his army, including civilian personnel, at nearly two and a half million people, of whom one and a half million are military personnel.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 12:20 PM

Saratov Oblast, Russia:

Saratov in fascist Russia under heavy attack by Ukrainian drones. Air defenses active, at least 15 explosions, possible hit on oil refinery. Governor says three injured, power outages in some areas of city.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:31 PM

Kirov Oblast, Russia:

A chemical plant in Kirovo-Chepetsk, Kirov region, has been struck in a Ukrainian drone attack, 1,300 kilometers from Ukraine. #Ukraine

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) March 4, 2026 at 4:47 AM

Belgorod Oblast, Russia:

Lasar’s Group of the National Guard of Ukraine carried out an operation to locate and neutralize a S-400 “Triumph” air defense system in Belgorod region, in coordination with the 429th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade “Achilles” and the Joint Forces Grouping.
t.me/c/3533402781…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 9:13 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos today.

Here is some adjacent material.

The Ukrainian military helped us deliver to frontline towns in Kharkiv region too dangerous for the Hachiko team to visit. This woman sent us a video—the cats didn’t wait to eat, but look at how patient the dogs are! 🐕🇺🇦

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) March 1, 2026 at 10:36 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,469: Have I Got a Deal for You!Post + Comments (50)

Wednesday Night Open Thread

by John Cole|  March 4, 20268:10 pm| 116 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Just someone blast John Fetterman into the fucking moon:

The 53-to-47 vote against taking up the measure was almost completely along party lines, reflecting a deep partisan divide on the Iran war as the Senate delivered the first clear test of congressional resolve since the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes, Operation Epic Fury, began across Iran four days ago.

Senators Tim Kaine, Democrat of Virginia, and Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, tried to force action on the measure. They invoked a provision of the 1973 War Powers Act, which requires that resolutions to terminate offensive hostilities be considered under expedited procedures.

Mr. Paul was the only Republican leading the effort, and no other G.O.P. senators joined him in support of the measure.

Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania was the only Democrat to break with his party and vote against the resolution, in keeping with his vocal stance in support of Israel and reluctance to place limits on the president’s authority to act in its defense.

Is he being blackmailed over his wife’s legal status or something or did the stroke really just fuck him in the head like this? I am curious what kind of information environment he is in right now and who has his ear.

Speaking of dickhead Democrats, I have no idea what the fuck this guy Greg Landsman is smoking in regards to Iran, but he was foolish enough to be interviewed by Isaac Chotiner. He’s an absolute idiot.

***

These monkeys keep trying to fuck this football, with the expected results:

The Justice Department, after calls by President Trump to investigate former President Joseph R. Biden Jr., scrutinized whether Mr. Biden and his aides broke the law in using the autopen to sign presidential documents, but was ultimately unable to move forward with making a case, according to three people briefed on the matter.

The department’s failure to build a criminal case against Mr. Biden and his aides is the latest example of its increasing inability to follow through on Mr. Trump’s demands and bring indictments against those he wants to be criminally targeted. Some of those cases were rejected by grand juries, some were rejected by judges and some, like the autopen case, were abandoned by prosecutors.

But the fact that prosecutors even pursued the matter to begin with reflects the degree to which Mr. Trump has sought to use the levers of government to undermine Mr. Biden’s presidency by seizing on an unsubstantiated theory: that the pardons Mr. Biden issued in his final months in office were invalid because he did not have the mental capacity to consent to them.

Everything about these guys is the biggest, dumbest, waste of time and energy it’s just so irritating that more information about the world is available than at any time in history and we are the dumbest motherfuckers on the planet.

***

As to the disaster in the middle east, it appears that Hegseth is about to go full Bombs Away LeMay:

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and America’s top general on Wednesday morning previewed a major bombing campaign on Iran now that the U.S. and Israel have asserted greater control over the country’s airspace.

“More and larger waves are coming. We are just getting started. We are accelerating, not decelerating. Iran’s capabilities are evaporating by the hour, while American strength grows fiercer, smarter and utterly dominant,” Hegseth said during a press conference.

“More bombers, fighters are arriving just today. And now with complete control of the skies, we will be using 500-pound, 1000-pound and 2000-pound GPS-and-laser-guided precision gravity bombs, which we have a nearly unlimited stockpile,” he added.

Hegseth noted that the U.S. had largely been using standoff munitions — such as cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles fired from ships or ground positions — in the campaign so far.

They are going to be firebombing Tehran before this is over. In other news, Hegseth and FAS spokeswoman of the year Karoline Leavitt, have determined that the media naming the names of dead soldiers is being done to hurt Donald Trump:

At a briefing Wednesday, CNN’s chief White House correspondent asked Leavitt about a comment Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth made at an earlier Pentagon press conference, where he complained that the “fake news” was reporting on the deaths of the fallen service members to make President Donald Trump “look bad.”

Collins and Leavitt entered into a heated back-and-forth at the briefing after the reporter asked about Hegseth’s remarks and news that Trump intends to attend the dignified transfer of the remains of the six soldiers, who were killed Sunday in the attack on a command center in Kuwait.

“Is it the position of this administration that the press should not prominently cover the deaths of U.S. service members?” Collins asked Leavitt.

“No,” Leavitt answered. “It’s the position of this administration that the press in this room and the press across the country should accurately report on the success of Operation Epic Fury and the damage it is doing to the rogue Iranian regime that has threatened the lives of every single American in this room.”

In other news, gas is now a dollar more expensive than it was on election day, and this is kind of a big deal- Qatar has stopped LNG production and shipping, and they supply 20% of the worlds LNG. On top of that, the President today came up with some hare-brained idea to get people to keep shipping:

As concerns over the global oil supply intensify, President Trump has pledged that a little-known U.S. government agency will step in to insure ships sailing through the Persian Gulf, a move he said will maintain the “free flow of energy” as the Iran war continues.

The Trump administration has tapped the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, or DFC, for the job, with the president noting on Truth Social that the agency will provide political risk insurance to “all shipping lines.” Mr. Trump also said the U.S. Navy would escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a key artery for global oil shipments, if necessary.

The decision comes as other global insurers have backed away from underwriting maritime trade activity in the Gulf amid concerns that vessels could become collateral damage in the Iran war. Insurers such as NorthStandard, the London P&I Club, and the American Club have issued notices in recent days that they are suspending insurance for ships traveling through Iranian waters and the Gulf due to escalating risks from the war.

I fear unless this is nipped in the bud, this will become the biggest heist in human history- Trump will make us liable for trillions. Please tell me I am wrong. Don’t have a ship you want, insure it to the tits and send it to Hormuz.

All of this means that things could get very very inflationary and bleak very very soon.

***

Thinking about that really bummed me out. I am going to go sit outside.

Big congrats to all the new primary winners. Look forward to supporting you.

Wednesday Night Open ThreadPost + Comments (116)

Open Thread: Texas Politics

by Anne Laurie|  March 4, 20268:08 pm| 27 Comments

This post is in: Local Races, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

Props to Crockett for keeping her eye on the ball and locking in for what's coming. Anyone thinking of dwelling on the primary should take note.

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— Andy Vitek (@avitek.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 10:55 AM

I am back in D.C. to hear from cruel Kristi Noem on why she is complicit in the chaos happening at DHS, vote on a War Powers Resolution to rein Donald Trump in, and vote against a DHS funding bill that does nothing to address the reckless actions we’re seeing from ICE.
The work continues.

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@crockett.house.gov) March 4, 2026 at 11:25 AM

We are seeing the best possible outcome that Democrats could want: Talarico gets a clean win and gets a six-week head start while Paxton and Cornyn cut each other up for two weeks.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a…

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— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 10:29 PM

“A perfect storm is lining up for Texas Democrats,” @mmckinnon.bsky.social tells @adamwren.bsky.social. “They have a nominee who can appeal to moderates and soft Republicans. Talarico could be Moses who leads the Lone Star Democrats out of the desert they’ve been in for 35 years.”

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— Michael Kruse (@michaelkruse.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 6:42 AM

From a long, very relevant pre-election thread:

Long thread breaking down the arguments around electability, James Talarico, Jasmine Crockett and how we got to the point where we are tomorrow. So bear with me. I know a lot of people On Here™ think I am anti-Crockett. But I've actually always had an incredibly productive relationship with her. 1/

— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 11:17 PM

I profiled Crockett in 2024 as her star began to rise on the Oversight Committee. Two things stood out to me in this profile: One, she didn't want to initially be on the House Oversight Committee. She wanted Judiciary, but Jamie Raskin convinced her. 2/
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a…

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— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 11:19 PM

show full post on front page

That became the best thing for her brand, which became confronting Republicans. It's how she got "Bleach Blonde Bad-Built Butch Body" with Marjorie Taylor Greene and the whole back-and-forth with Nancy Mace where Mace asked to fight her outside.
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a…

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— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 11:20 PM

The other thing that stood out: "I've heard way too often that Democrats are weak and that kind of stuff, and that's just not true…I think that I'm also supposed to be the person that is really saying what everybody else is thinking that never gets said."
www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a…

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— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 11:22 PM

The other big thing I noticed is that she was a Biden ride-or-die. She joined Biden at his Black voter event launch in Philly, even if Biden didn't allow her (or Wes Moore) to speak. The day after the debate, she did the thankless job of defending Biden. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a…

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— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 11:26 PM

So essentially what you see here is that Crockett was told what a lot of younger Democrats are told: Wait your turn, get in line and stand behind the old guard, even when it sucks. Then something changed: Trump won and Democrats were done with decorum.

— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 11:29 PM


…

By contrast, Talarico is running on the premise he can win over people who voted for Trump (namely young men via his apperance on Joe Rogan, Christian conservatives because of his discussions on faith and Latinos). But while he's earned hype (Rogan praised him), he's never run statewide.

— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 12:04 AM

Talarico won, Crockett has pledged her support, now it’s up to him to take the fight to the Republicans.

Here's the thing: Talarico still has an uphill fight to actually win in Texas. It's still Texas.
SO, if he wins. That means Democrats aren't just winning North Carolina, Maine and Ohio. It means they probably flip Iowa or Alaska as well.

— Eric Michael Garcia (@ericmgarcia.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 1:14 AM

Kamala Harris endorses James Talarico for U.S. Senate after supporting his opponent in the primary…
After endorsing U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett in the Democratic primary, the former vice president called for the party to unite behind Talarico.
www.texastribune.org/2026/03/04/t…

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— The Fighting Liberal Texan🌈🌊💙🦋Congress Switchboard 202-224-3121 (@fightingliberal.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 11:50 AM

Jasmine Crockett is a star and I can guarantee she's not done fighting! Congratulations to James Talarico! Lets turn Texas blue!!!
Cornyn and Paxton both stink.

— Harry Dunn (@libradunn1.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:31 PM

Rep. Jasmine Crockett in Waco Texas today. Let's Go Texas

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— it's Candy Love (@candylovely.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 4:35 PM

You’re not racist if you voted for James Talarico, but I wish some folks would just admit that they voted for Talarico not because he’s better, just whiter. And in this country, our default is supporting candidates we think other white people will vote for. That is identity politics.

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill.bsky.social) March 4, 2026 at 5:10 PM

Assuming Talarico is sending several dozen roses to Brendan Carr.

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— Helen Kennedy (@helenkennedy.com) March 3, 2026 at 10:14 PM

Open Thread: Texas PoliticsPost + Comments (27)

“One day, he is not going to be president anymore…”

by Betty Cracker|  March 4, 20262:51 pm| 189 Comments

This post is in: Domestic Politics, Open Threads, Politics, Republican Stupidity

Becca Balint (D-VT) tells Noem accountability is coming.

Balint to Noem: "You're the secretary of DHS — for now. And you think you're immune from accountability. But I promise you this: one day he is not gonna be president anymore. And when that day comes, we will still be here. And in hearings like this, we are going to continue to prove your guilt."

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) March 4, 2026 at 2:13 PM

Noem and all the other sociopaths who are terrorizing people at home and abroad need to hear that message. (Please, Congress, do Hegseth next.)

They all need to hear that. WE all need to hear that.

Thank you, Representative Balint.

Open thread!

“One day, he is not going to be president anymore…”Post + Comments (189)

Important Reminder from the Secretary of State – Please Share Widely

by WaterGirl|  March 4, 202610:18 am| 132 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Politics

Another Scott posted this in the comments earlier this week, but I think it deserves its own post.  Thanks, Scott!

There’s a John Quincy Adams quote (1 page PDF) from when he was Secretary of State in July 1821 that’s been going around:

AND NOW, FRIENDS AND COUNTRYMEN, if the wise and learned philosophers of the elder world, the first observers of nutation and aberration, the discoverers of maddening ether and invisible planets, the inventors of Congreve rockets and Shrapnel shells, should find their hearts disposed to enquire what has America done for the benefit of mankind?

Let our answer be this: America, with the same voice which spoke herself into existence as a nation, proclaimed to mankind the inextinguishable rights of human nature, and the only lawful foundations of government. America, in the assembly of nations, since her admission among them, has invariably, though often fruitlessly, held forth to them the hand of honest friendship, of equal freedom, of generous reciprocity.

She has uniformly spoken among them, though often to heedless and often to disdainful ears, the language of equal liberty, of equal justice, and of equal rights.

She has, in the lapse of nearly half a century, without a single exception, respected the independence of other nations while asserting and maintaining her own.

She has abstained from interference in the concerns of others, even when conflict has been for principles to which she clings, as to the last vital drop that visits the heart.

She has seen that probably for centuries to come, all the contests of that Aceldama the European world, will be contests of inveterate power, and emerging right.

Wherever the standard of freedom and Independence has been or shall be unfurled, there will her heart, her benedictions and her prayers be.

But she goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy.

She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all.

She is the champion and vindicator only of her own.

She will commend the general cause by the countenance of her voice, and the benignant sympathy of her example.

She well knows that by once enlisting under other banners than her own, were they even the banners of foreign independence, she would involve herself beyond the power of extrication, in all the wars of interest and intrigue, of individual avarice, envy, and ambition, which assume the colors and usurp the standard of freedom.

The fundamental maxims of her policy would insensibly change from liberty to force….

She might become the dictatress of the world. She would be no longer the ruler of her own spirit….

[America?s] glory is not dominion, but liberty. Her march is the march of the mind. She has a spear and a shield: but the motto upon her shield is, Freedom, Independence, Peace. This has been her Declaration: this has been, as far as her necessary intercourse with the rest of mankind would permit, her practice.

Tears of pride for what we tried to be, and tears of sadness for the terrible acts that are being done in our name, without our consent.  This is what we’re fighting to get back.

Just 8 months until November.

Important Reminder from the Secretary of State – Please Share WidelyPost + Comments (132)

Wednesday Morning Open Thread

by Anne Laurie|  March 4, 20268:37 am| 202 Comments

This post is in: 2026 Elections, Cat Blogging, Open Threads, Religion

Thank you, Adam:

😻🌸 The sky is blue, the mood is cheerful, and only this red-haired beauty knows the secret to true happiness: find a warm brick, stretch out comfortably, put your face in the sun, and forget about all your problems! It's spring!

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) March 2, 2026 at 8:02 AM

Stand Up For Science, March 7th, 2025 and again next week. Spread the word, please. www.standupforscience.net/march7

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— Matt Beckman (@daphsci.bsky.social) February 27, 2026 at 9:59 AM


List of local rallies

Every Lunar New Year for the past 14 years, a Southern California Buddhist temple has displayed what it calls the "10,000 Buddha Relics."

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) March 1, 2026 at 1:00 PM


(Even though my parents were college educated, I grew up in a home with plaster saints, scapulars, holy cards, and an array of ‘special’ rosaries. People like aids to religious belief that they can see & touch.)

Hundreds of people gathered here at a temple believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered Hindu gods. They are here to celebrate Holi, the festival marking the arrival of spring.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) March 2, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Elon Musk is expected to take the stand in a shareholder trial Wednesday in San Francisco, where he’s accused of making false and misleading statements that drove down Twitter’s stock price before he bought the social media platform for $44 billion in 2022.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) March 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM

BREAKING: State Rep. James Talarico wins the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) March 4, 2026 at 2:50 AM

BREAKING: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Sen. John Cornyn advance to a May runoff in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate. bit.ly/4b0Ldyz

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) March 3, 2026 at 10:52 PM

What just happened in Dallas County is one of the most blatant voter suppression operations I've ever seen—and it happened in a *primary*.
In March. Imagine November.
I broke it down here:
open.substack.com/pub/objectio…

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— Eliza Orlins (@elizaorlins.bsky.social) March 3, 2026 at 11:29 PM

Wednesday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (202)

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