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Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

If you’re gonna whine, it’s time to resign!

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Today’s gop: why go just far enough when too far is right there?

Petty moves from a petty man.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Jack be nimble, jack be quick, hurry up and indict this prick.

The gop is a fucking disgrace.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

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

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

Republicans cannot even be trusted with their own money.

Stay strong, because they are weak.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

“Just close your eyes and kiss the girl and go where the tilt-a-whirl takes you.” ~OzarkHillbilly

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Tick tock motherfuckers!

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Open Thread:  Hey Lurkers!  (Holiday Post)

Open Threads

You are here: Home / Archives for Open Threads

Tuesday Afternoon Open Thread

by WaterGirl|  October 28, 20255:43 pm| 86 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Busy couple of days with family, but it looks like we can use an open thread.

Who else stayed up late to watch the World Series?  18 innings, yikes, that’s two whole games!

Anyway off to a late lunch / early dinner.  Company leaves in the morning – I will be sad to see them go!

What are you guys up to?

Open thread.

Tuesday Afternoon Open ThreadPost + Comments (86)

Repubs in Disarray! Open Thread

by Anne Laurie|  October 28, 20252:26 pm| 137 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republicans in Disarray!, Show Us on the Doll Where the Invisible Hand Touched You

i am but a simple country farmer, but i do not think the speaker of the house should imply that his party’s president can turn the dial on a big wheel labeled PAIN and constantly look back at the audience for screams like a contestant on the price is right: hell edition

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 28, 2025 at 11:12 AM

It bears repeating: USDA has a $5 billion contingency reserve that it refuses to utilize to continue SNAP benefits. This was the USDA's *own plan* at the start of the shutdown—now quietly deleted from its website.
This is as blatant an example of "hunger is a policy choice" as you will ever see.

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— Brian Goldstone (@brian-goldstone.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 11:15 AM

Yes, the goal of the administration is to kill people and decimate rural areas, both of which are important if you're the psycopaths in charge who think that it's the only way to keep the government from "going broke"

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 10:30 AM

oh so they're getting kinda freaked out

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 10:32 AM

This sort of rhetoric about people not getting government benefits from the anti-government party is notable.

— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 10:33 AM

The reason why the GOP even in the immediate post Tea Party period wouldn't let this happen is because they understand that both groups of benefits are more used by their own voters than democrats.
The current crop has internalized their own propaganda.

— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 10:40 AM

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This is why I think, for instance, that Emmer getting up and acknowledging that people are going to be hurt is an important first step that demonstrates internal resistance is getting more desperate.
The GOP position of three weeks ago would be "Why so mad, dems? SNAP not going to illegals??"

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 10:43 AM

******

You love to see it…

this is *before* the holiday pain starts settling in next month

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 28, 2025 at 11:08 AM

Look, I'm just saying that every escalation and trespass and glib little threat they've made has been at the cost of hemorrhaging whatever 'make life 2019 again' capital he had a year ago. This is with low unemployment and a stratospherically-high stock market.
They have no one on deck.

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— Zeddy (@zeddary.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 11:47 AM

Wooooo doggy

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 11:01 AM

-7 with dudes? -2 with white people? -19 total?
Yeah, your problem ain't going to go away by monitoring a couple of poll places. Your own voters are turning against you.

— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 11:03 AM

"We are going to beat our own voters with sticks for 2 years straight and tell them they should like it, and then expect them to vote for us."
is a hell of a strategy

— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) October 28, 2025 at 11:10 AM

<em>Repubs in Disarray!</em> Open ThreadPost + Comments (137)

Tuesday Morning Open Thread: Pathetic Fallacies*

by Anne Laurie|  October 28, 20255:52 am| 322 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republican Venality, Show Us on the Doll Where the Invisible Hand Touched You, Trump Crime Cartel

(*Wikipedia page)

What we're witnessing with #Melissa is ultra rare in the history of known hurricanes in the Atlantic. This level of sustained intensity and feasting on every joule of ocean heat content without any real disruption is incredible.
Not hyperbole: Jamaica is facing a generational catastrophic event.

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— Steve Bowen (@stevebowen.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 10:23 PM

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As the government shutdown drags on, Democrats push to renew Obamacare subsidies while Republicans debate changes to the law.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) October 28, 2025 at 12:30 AM

… Fifteen years after the Affordable Care Act was enacted, the party remains united in criticizing the law but divided on how to move forward. That tension has come into sharp focus during the government shutdown as Democrats seize on rising premiums to pressure Republicans into extending expiring subsidies for the law, often referred to as Obamacare.

President Donald Trump and GOP leaders say they’ll consider extending the enhanced tax credits that otherwise expire at year’s end — but only after Democrats vote to reopen the government. In the meantime, people enrolled in the plans are already being notified of hefty premium increases for 2026.

As town halls fill with frustrated voters and no clear Republican plan emerges, the issue appears to be gaining political strength heading into next year’s midterm elections…

‘Concepts of a plan’

… Republicans say they want a broader overhaul of the health care system, though such a plan would be difficult to advance before next year. Party leaders have not outlined how they’ll handle the expiring tax credits, insisting they won’t negotiate on the issue until Democrats agree to end the shutdown.

House Speaker Mike Johnson told a press conference Monday that the tax credits are “subsidizing bad policy.” Republicans “have a long list of ideas” to address health care costs, he said, and are “grabbing the best ideas that we’ve had for years to put it on paper and make it work.”…

A looming internal GOP fight
Even as GOP leaders pledge to discuss ending the subsidies when the government opens, it’s clear that many Republican lawmakers are adamantly opposed to an extension.

“At least among Republicans, there’s a growing sense that just maintaining the status quo is very destructive,” said Brian Blase, the president of Paragon Health Institute and a former health policy adviser to Trump during his first term…

Also pathetic, and fallacious:

House Speaker Mike Johnson said Monday that he's not "100% sure" if active duty service members will be paid at the end of the week, as the government shutdown continues.

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— PBS News (@pbsnews.org) October 27, 2025 at 3:57 PM

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you’re the fucking speaker of the house, you interminable dipshit, this is literally your job to know

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 27, 2025 at 4:07 PM

the asymmetry between what dems are expected to speak to and republicans are expected to speak to drives me insane, dems were expected to know the detailed results of biden’s last colonoscopy while republicans openly lie about what day it is, solely because they can

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— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 27, 2025 at 4:13 PM

It’s wild to me that the “traditional masculinity” people love being lied to and insulted by this little gremlin with the most irritating, shit-eating smirk I have ever seen

— We can BBs (@bf4u.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 10:23 AM

===

Let’s be clear: the administration is choosing not to tap emergency funds available to provide critical food assistance for families in need.
Their own shutdown plan — which they recently deleted — confirmed they could. Read it for yourself:

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— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar.com) October 27, 2025 at 3:13 PM

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For me argentina is the easiest one because there's 40 million people on SNAP and we're giving milei 40 billion. "The president could give every hungry family a thousand dollars right now but he's giving it to argentina instead for no reason at all. He hates america"

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— Hemry, Local Bartender (@bartenderhemry.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM

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SNAP is probably the most effective federal dollar we spend in terms of long term domestic economic outcomes.
that isn’t why you should support it; you should support it because it is a moral imperative to feed the hungry.
but it’s why even a growth-oriented ghoul shouldn’t oppose it.

— ghost malone ergo propter malone (@proptermalone.bsky.social) October 26, 2025 at 9:21 PM

===

this isn’t dooming, necessarily, but barring extraordinary means, these outcomes are already decided. this is the path the republicans have chosen for the nation.

— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 27, 2025 at 4:47 AM

there are so many terrible outcomes now that are baked in, no matter what the republican party does. this will be a very hard winter.

— GHOULLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) October 27, 2025 at 4:45 AM

Tuesday Morning Open Thread: Pathetic Fallacies*Post + Comments (322)

War for Ukraine Day 1,341: A Very Brief Monday Night Update

by Adam L Silverman|  October 27, 202511:53 pm| 7 Comments

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

A black and white cartoon with Popeye the Sailor Man facing forward and to the left. His word bubble says "I Yam Disgustipated"

It was a VERY long day and I’m just now at 11:20 PM EDT gotten a few minutes to do a very brief Monday night update. Then I’m going to get the grime off and rack out. So everyone is preemptively welcome.

Ukrainian drones heading for Moscow (and elsewhere) for second night in a row. Map by @DrnBmbr

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 4:50 PM

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

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All Deep-Strike Goals Must Be Fully Locked In by Year’s End, including Expansion of Our Long-Range Footprint – Address by the President

27 October 2025 – 19:47

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

I held a Staff meeting today – much of the discussion focused on our long-range sanctions against Russia and the results of our responses to Russian attacks. In particular, we spoke with manufacturers of weapons – weapons for deep strikes. This is the right format for a Staff meeting – bringing together manufacturers, those responsible for the effective employment of our drones and missiles, those in charge of funding, as well as diplomats. We are providing three-year contracts for the most effective manufacturers. We are expanding this long-contract approach so that both manufacturers and our army have greater certainty. At every Staff meeting, I will check the pace of contracting: this must be implemented. Under any scenario, Ukraine must always – and will always – have sufficient long-range capabilities. Both now, in wartime, and no less afterward – as part of the security guarantees for our future, for our children. Long-range capability is a component of independence and will be the greatest component for ensuring peace. Global sanctions and our pinpoint precision are practically syncing up to end this war on terms fair for Ukraine. All deep-strike goals must be fully locked in by year’s end, including expansion of our long-range footprint. I thank every unit and every element of Ukraine’s Defense and Security Forces for their accuracy. I thank our manufacturers – those who are fully delivering on the tasks set. The funding is secured.

We are working practically on a daily basis on air defense as well, engaging with every partner that can help with air defense systems and also with missiles.

Today, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine delivered a report. It is defense cooperation with partners that is the top priority of our foreign policy. And it is important that every week bring results. Last week was exactly that – significant. This week should also be a positive one for our defense.

I have already spoken today with the representative of Croatia – the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense – about the next defense package and European programs supporting defense production. I also spoke today with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Estonia – the Baltic states will continue to be among the most active in support.

Today, the Minister of Energy of Ukraine delivered a report. I want to thank all our people working on recovery across the regions. There are many difficult situations, particularly in the Chernihiv region, in border areas of other regions, and near the frontline. But it is important that recovery continues everywhere, and our people – repair crews, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, and energy companies – are working heroically. I thank all of you for this.

I spoke with our military – special attention is focused on Pokrovsk and the neighboring areas. That is where the occupier has concentrated its largest assault forces and where there is significant assault activity. Battles continue in the city as well: it is Pokrovsk that is their main objective. And every result achieved by our forces in this sector is a result for all of Ukraine, for the entire defense of our state. I thank everyone who understands this. I thank everyone who is fighting for Ukraine!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

The regime police confronted daily protesters once again.

Protesters carry the 🇺🇸 flag as a symbol of 🇬🇪-🇺🇸 friendship as well as deep hope that the MEGOBARI Act will be adopted.

#GeorgiaProtests #TerrorinGeorgia

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:30 PM

👇🏻

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 10:08 AM

Carlo Graziani:

Lukoil and Rosneft lost $11.5 billion in market capitalization following the imposition of U.S. sanctions.
👀

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 12:10 PM

Russian oil giant Lukoil will sell its overseas assets, the company said late Monday, after it was hit with U.S. sanctions over the war in Ukraine.

Russia is immune to sanctions, they said 😁

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 5:43 PM

Strikes by FP-2 long range drones with 100kg warhead on Russian oil depot.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 5:57 AM

That depot was in Russian occupied Luhansk.

The US:

Trump on Russia: “They knew we have a nuclear submarine — the greatest in the world — right off their shore.”

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 27, 2025 at 7:57 AM

We are CLEAN ON OPSEC!!!! CLEAN!!!

A meme of COL Hogan, COL Klink, and Sergeant Schultz from Hogan's Heroes triple face palming in Klink's office. The caption says" Triple facepalm: For when a double facepalm is just not enough to describe the epic fail..."

Back to Ukraine.

At the end of the video you can see the triangular trailer tongue at the front of the mock-up that was used to tow it into position.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 4:21 AM

HUR has published a video showing the elimination, by a precision air bomb, of the son of a lieutenant general — the commander of the 18th Combined Arms Army of the Southern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces — Guards Lieutenant Vasily Marzoev.
t.me/c/1606301574…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:49 PM

The HUR of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, in the “Weapon Components” section of the War&Sanctions portal, is releasing information about 68 new components discovered in missiles and UAVs employed by Russia against Ukraine.
war-sanctions.gur.gov.ua/en/components

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 6:34 AM

Pokrovsk:

Russians are complaining about the number of Ukrainian drones in the Pokrovsk area.
Good 😏

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 10:19 AM

Russians falsely claim to have captured Rodynske, which remains under Ukrainian control. The APC crew of the “Jaguar” battalion, 14th “Chervona Kalyna” Brigade, Azov unit, is eliminating Russian infantry entrenched in abandoned buildings.
t.me/c/1625079313…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 9:44 AM

Dobropillia, Donestk Oblast:

❗️/1. Today Russians launched another large-scale mechanized assault on the Ocheretyne axis.

Oct 27 — Dobropillia (Ocheretyne axis):
Russians conducted one of the most massive attacks in recent weeks, deploying 29 AFV in an attempt to attack positions in the area of responsibility of Azov.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM

/2. Results of Ukraine’s defense:
• Destroyed: 15 armored vehicles (2 tanks, 12 IFVs/APCs, 1 light vehicle)
• Attack repelled after 6+ hours of fighting

The enemy sought to complicate the actions of Ukrainian Forces by advancing in small groups of 4–5 vehicles along different routes.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM

/3. They also relied on poor weather conditions to limit the effectiveness of Ukrainian UAVs.

Despite these efforts, the assault was completely repelled thanks to strong engineering preparation, well-placed minefields, and coordinated actions of Ukrainian artillery, National Guard units, and USF.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM

/4. Enemy infantry deploying from vehicles was destroyed by FPV drones. Clearance operations in the area of enemy dismounts are ongoing.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:02 PM

The 93rd Brigade was also deployed to repel today’s massive Russian attack with nearly 30 armored vehicles.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 3:32 PM

33rd Mechanized Brigade also played a key role in repelling the assault in the Volodymyrivka area.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:56 PM

Russian occupied Crimea:

The unfinished marine crane PK-700 capsized and is sinking in Sevastopol, Crimea.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM

Kharkiv Oblast:

The FPV drone crew “RATATA” from the 3rd Assault Brigade located and destroyed an occupiers’ buggy in the Kharkiv region.
t.me/c/1962550872…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Chernihiv:

Ukrainian channels report that Chernihiv is under attack by Russian drones.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 8:02 AM

Moscow:

Bad omen?

A bright bolide meteor is spotted over Moscow following an attack on the Russian capital and surrounding region. Mayor Sobyanin claimed 28 drones were downed in the Moscow area over a 5-hour period. An oil depot was reported hit and two of Moscow’s airports closed.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 2:42 AM

Somewhere in Russia:

❗️Russians lost a Ka-52 military helicopter along with its crew according to Russian sources

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 7:25 AM

/2. A Russian Ka-52 was lost last night while countering a long range kamikaze drone attack. Two crew members were killed. The cause of the accident is not specified.

— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) October 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

There are no new Patron skeets or videos tonight. Here is some adjacent material.

Pirate here lost his leg during Russian occupation, so he’s still skeptical of people. But he always comes to greet the Hachiko team when we deliver food to his village. Ukrainian dogs & cats have seen the worst, yet remain so kind.

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— Nate Mook (@natemook.bsky.social) October 25, 2025 at 1:32 PM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,341: A Very Brief Monday Night UpdatePost + Comments (7)

Whistle Brigades: Open Thread

by TaMara|  October 27, 202510:08 pm| 80 Comments

This post is in: 2025 Activism, Open Threads

This is a video worth watching in its entirety.

Whistle Brigade resources here, 3D printing instructions here

Portland resources here

I don’t  have a lot to add to the discourse these days. I’m afraid most days I’m just trying to stay busy enough to wade through the grief of losing my dad and two friends in less than two months without being overwhelmed.

Watergirl said there were requests for budget menus…which I could do, just need some additional guidance from y’all on what exactly that would mean. I think it’s also important to discuss how to save money while shopping – I’ve developed quite a few tricks over the years.

This is an open thread, if you need me, I’ll be curled up under a blanket on the couch with three Great Danes and at least two of the three cats, binging on mindless movies

Remember to unplug from the drama to recharge and take care of you…

Whistle Brigades: Open ThreadPost + Comments (80)

Open Thread: Desecrating the Peoples’ House

by Anne Laurie|  October 27, 20258:06 pm| 51 Comments

This post is in: Grifters Gonna Grift, Open Threads, Republican Stupidity, Trumpery

The White House reveals their new logo.

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— Hoodlum 🇺🇸 (@nothoodlum.bsky.social) October 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM

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My wife’s (in some cases three-time) trump voting relatives have started mentioning the ballroom to me, negatively; anecdata but I’d like to see some high quality polling. I think it’s a mistake by certain elite elected Dems to think this story isn’t breaking thru

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— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24.bsky.social) October 25, 2025 at 2:04 PM

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A very offline cousin sent this to fam group chat. This story is breaking containment.

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— Jake Grumbach (@jakemgrumbach.bsky.social) October 24, 2025 at 7:36 PM

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Leavitt emphasized the president has unquestionable authority to alter the premises however he desires, repeatedly leaning on a legal precedent she failed to name. trib.al/a5edvxJ
Trump's team is flagrantly ignoring the fact that any significant project requires congressional approval.

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— The New Republic (@newrepublic.com) October 26, 2025 at 6:23 PM

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— George Conway ?????????? (@gtconway.bsky.social) October 25, 2025 at 11:49 AM

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That kind of money for just a ballroom is nonsensical. And if it's a new bunker or similar, it should be appropriated by Congress.
Bunker Boy’s Ballroom open.substack.com/pub/marygedd…

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— Jerry Graybosch (@jwgraybosch.bsky.social) October 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM

Remember, social media friends, sharing is caring… Mary Geddry, “Bunker Boy’s Ballroom”:

… Let’s do some arithmetic. The White House ballroom is supposed to be about 90,000 square feet. At $350 million, that’s $3,888 per square foot, a figure that belongs more to a hardened military installation than an architectural vanity project. For comparison, even the most decadent hotel ballroom in Washington runs about $1,000 per square foot. But nuclear-hardened command centers? They start at $3,000.

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And then there’s Mellon’s patriotic payday. Trump proudly announced that his “friend” had written a $130 million check “to the military” ostensibly to cover pay shortfalls during the shutdown. He didn’t say “to the ballroom,” or “to construction,” or “to the White House project.” He said to the military.

There are roughly 1.3 million active-duty service members. $130 million covers about six hours of payroll, not even enough to get through a single shift change. So, either Mellon wanted to buy everyone lunch, or the money was never really about paychecks.

That’s where the math and the paranoia intersect. The East Wing sat directly atop the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, the White House bunker. CBS quietly reported that the PEOC was being “upgraded” as part of the demolition work, with the White House Military Office overseeing the renovation. Combine those facts, and suddenly, the “ballroom” looks less like Versailles and more like camouflage for a subterranean rebuild…

Why the rush to rebuild the bunker now? It’s easy to say Trump’s terrified of protesters, Code Pink, “No Kings,” whatever haunts his sleepless nights. But the scale and secrecy of this project hint at something grander…

Architecturally, dictators love to dig. Hitler’s Reich Chancellery ballroom sat atop his bunker. Saddam Hussein’s palaces concealed tunnels. Putin’s dachas extend into the bedrock. It’s not just paranoia, it’s theology. The descent represents permanence, a belief that one can outlast history itself by going beneath it.

Trump’s “Golden Ballroom” may simply be another marble-and-gilt monument to ego. Or it could be the cover story for the most significant structural change to the White House since Truman, a subterranean expansion of executive power, both literal and symbolic.

If true, it’s the perfect metaphor for this era: America’s democracy being quietly hollowed out from below while the cameras linger on the chandelier above…

well, that's awkward

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) October 26, 2025 at 10:06 AM

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To check if a pundit is being honest, ask “would he have made this claim a year ago, before he knew it would be a defense of Trump” and folks, I’m 100% certain Douthat would not have argued “The president needs to demolish the East Wing and build a palace” last year

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— Will Stancil (@whstancil.bsky.social) October 26, 2025 at 10:55 AM

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It’s actually a strategy known as “boat burning.”

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— David Waldman (@kagrox.bsky.social) October 26, 2025 at 5:28 PM

Open Thread: Desecrating the Peoples’ HousePost + Comments (51)

Monday Evening Open Thread

by WaterGirl|  October 27, 20256:36 pm| 41 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Looks like we can use a new thread!

Monday Evening Open ThreadPost + Comments (41)

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On The Road - dmkingto - Pine Lake Park and Stern Grove Pt. 2 3
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