Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

(Interim) Thursday Morning Open Thread

by Anne Laurie| July 31, 20258:52 am| 101 Comments

This post is in: C.R.E.A.M., Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

60 years ago, President Johnson traveled to the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, to sign Medicare and Medicaid into law.

With President Truman—who began the fight—at his side, our nation took a historic step toward recognizing health care as a right, not a privilege. pic.twitter.com/lE8fqD8fX5

— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) July 30, 2025

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The Federal Reserve is leaving its key short-term interest rate unchanged for the fifth time this year, brushing off repeated calls from President Donald Trump for a cut.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) July 30, 2025 at 3:00 PM

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Call to Activism – Joe Gallina
🚨MAJOR BREAKING: Speaker Emerita Pelosi just SILENCED Republicans by announcing she SUPPORTS the ban on Congressional stock trading.
Hawley thought it was cute calling it the PELOSI Act – now it’s the HONEST Act. I love that she called his bluff!!

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— Paul Eric Scannell (@pauleric70.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 9:23 PM

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Correct stance by @warren.senate.gov
The Vought/Trump/Vance/DOGE-Musk [remember them, and him?] forces are acting in entire bad faith.
Do not engage with them.

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— James Fallows (@jfallows.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 2:12 PM

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If you're a pilot, you've already gotten this notice.
Trump is capping off his golfing trip to Scotland, with a golfing trip to New Jersey.
At work, for America.

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— James Fallows (@jfallows.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM

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Coming tomorrow at 9 PM ET with @senateinsession.bsky.social: a full breakdown of my follow the money investigation on Epstein so far. How we got a look at the Treasury’s Epstein files, how it all ties back to Donald Trump, and where we go from here.

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— Senator Ron Wyden (@wyden.senate.gov) July 30, 2025 at 8:58 PM

(Interim) Thursday Morning Open ThreadPost + Comments (101)

Open Thread: Texas GOP Releases Its Proposed Redistricting / Gerrymandering Map

by Anne Laurie| July 30, 202510:34 pm| 88 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Republican Venality, Trump Crime Cartel

🚨BREAKING: Republicans released their proposed Texas congressional map Wednesday, delivering on a request from President Donald Trump that could set off a nationwide redistricting battle between red states and blue states over control of the House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm election.

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— Marc Elias (@marcelias.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 10:28 AM

Any locals (or ex-locals) want to chime in here?

Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seats www.texastribune.org/2025/07/30/t… via @texastribune.org. #ProudBlue Texas GOP push ahead with a redistricting plan that 63% of Texans oppose. Greene Cuellar and Cesar are all at risk. Lawsuits incoming

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— Marty Taylor (@realmartyt7.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 1:24 PM

… This unusual mid-decade redistricting comes after a pressure campaign waged by President Donald Trump’s political team in the hopes of padding Republicans’ narrow majority in the U.S. House.

Currently, Republicans hold 25 of Texas’ 38 House seats. Trump carried 27 of those districts in 2024, including those won by Democratic U.S. Reps. Henry Cuellar of Laredo and Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen.

Under the proposed new lines, 30 districts would have gone to Trump last year, each by at least 10 percentage points.

The map was immediately panned as racist and illegal by Democrats, who have been raising the alarm about the prospect of voters of color being diluted. The proposed map splits voters of color in Tarrant County among multiple neighboring Republican districts and changes the shape of the 35th District in Central Texas, which was originally created as a result of a court order to protect the voting rights of people of color…

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The changes would create two more districts in which white residents make up a majority of eligible voters, or citizens who are old enough to vote, hiking the number of such districts from 22 under the current map to 24. It would also add one additional district where Hispanic residents, the state’s largest demographic group, form the majority, bringing the total to eight under the new plan. And it would create two majority Black districts, where previously there were none…

Also targeted are Democratic U.S. Reps. Julie Johnson of Farmers Branch — whose Dallas-anchored district would be reshaped to favor Republicans — and Marc Veasey of Fort Worth, whose nearby district would remain solidly blue but drop all of Fort Worth — Veasey’s hometown and political base. That seat — now solely in Dallas County — contains parts of Johnson’s, Veasey’s and Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s current district, raising the prospect of a primary between Veasey and Johnson…

Among the new majority-Black districts is the 18th Congressional District, centered in Houston, which has been represented by a decades-long run of renowned Black Democratic members, including Barbara Jordan, Mickey Leland, Sheila Jackson Lee and, most recently, Sylvester Turner, whose death in March left the seat vacant. The map proposes to pack even more Democratic voters into the solidly blue seat: Harris won the district with 69% in 2024 and would have carried it with 76% under the new boundaries.

Crockett’s Dallas seat would also become majority Black.

The 18th District was among Texas’ four majority-minority congressional seats flagged by the U.S. Department of Justice as unconstitutional racial gerrymanders, a charge Texas Republicans have interchangeably denied in court and cited as the basis for pursuing mid-decade redistricting.

Any new map will inevitably be challenged in court. Courts have found that at least one of Texas’ maps violated the Voting Rights Act every decade since it went into effect in the mid-60s. The current map is still being challenged in federal court in El Paso, with no verdict yet reached.

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Republicans in the Texas House have released a proposed new redistricting map that seeks to fulfill President Trump's desire to add up to five additional GOP congressional seats in the state.

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— NPR (@npr.org) July 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM

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This is insane. No other way to put it. The TX GOP is completely out of control, while at public hearings with overflow crowds, the public is begging for them to stop.
One Texas redistricting map puts Lubbock, San Antonio — 350 miles apart — in same dist www.statesman.com/story/news/s…

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— John Bisognano (@johnbisognano.com) July 29, 2025 at 10:45 AM

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Republicans in Texas just rolled out their proposed Congressional map that cut 5 Democratic seats out of thin air.
Let’s be clear: these maps are not about representation, it’s a power grab to silence voters and suppress votes.
(1/2)

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@repjasmine.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM

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They know their policies are unpopular, and they are afraid of losing. So what do they try to do? Cheat.
If your big idea is “cheat harder,” maybe it’s time to rethink your politics.
(2/2)

— Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@repjasmine.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 12:38 PM

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NEW: The Texas House redistricting committee has set a hearing on the new map for Friday, August 1, starting at 10 a.m. Notice says the hearing will last 10 hours. #txlege

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— Michael Li (李之樸) (@mcpli.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 11:34 AM

Open Thread: Texas GOP Releases Its Proposed Redistricting / Gerrymandering MapPost + Comments (88)

War for Ukraine Day 1,252: Kyiv in the Crosshairs

by Adam L Silverman| July 30, 20259:27 pm| 8 Comments

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

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

It has been another long, hot day. I’m fried and just going to run through the basics.

While there is currently not an air raid alert up for Kyiv, the Russians struck civilian targets in Ukraine’s capital over the past several hours.

With another night of bombings expected in Kyiv, citizens are gathering in metro stations to take cover.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM

Kyiv is under a massive drone attack now, with ballistic missiles expected to follow.

That unforgettably ugly buzzing of Shaheds and the thunder of air defense remind us once again: russia wants only war.

War.

And more war.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:01 PM

A horrifying moment as a Russian drone strikes Kyiv.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM

Kyiv is under russian drone attack‼️ terrorist bastards.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM

More on Kyiv after the jump.

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

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Everyone Who Chooses to Side With the Occupier Must Feel the Just Force of Ukrainian Law and Order – Address by the President

30 July 2025 – 20:16

I wish you good health, fellow Ukrainians!

There were several good reports today. Just now, the Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine reported on some of our operations. The details are not public. As we agreed yesterday with the Government, the reboot of ARMA has begun. ARMA is an institution that holds assets worth tens of billions, and it’s Russian property, confiscated assets, and those belonging to sanctioned entities. All assets must work to the fullest extent for Ukraine’s defense and for the resilience of our state. Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuliia Svyrydenko and Minister of Defense of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal have fulfilled the assignment regarding the 18–24 contracts – we are significantly expanding the pool of people who can join the Defense Forces. These are motivated individuals, young people, and they are being recruited specifically for the technological frontline – for drone operations. It’s a two-year contract, with all the benefits of the 18–24 program, very competitive pay, and full training, exactly as needed. We will work through our brigades. The Government has also expanded opportunities for our arms manufacturers, our possibilities to attract loans, so that production can deliver more and more output, more and more results for our Defense Forces. And a third important point – we continue working with our partners on weapons supply. The Minister reported on communications within the Ramstein format. We have preserved this format, and I’m deeply grateful to all our partners for its effectiveness.

Today, I also approved the main principles of our agreements with America – between Ukraine and the United States – on weapons. These are large-scale agreements. I have discussed them with President Trump, and I am very much counting on us being able to implement them all. This will undoubtedly strengthen both of our countries, and therefore, our allies and our partners. We highly value America’s principled steps to pressure Russia for the sake of peace. It is precisely now that action is needed to force Russia toward peace. Yes, Moscow wants to keep fighting. But the whole issue comes down to potential, the whole issue comes down to resources for war, to money. That’s exactly why sanctions are useful. That’s exactly why pressure can work. We are also currently preparing our new talks and our new meetings with our partners at various levels. The goal is the same: to strengthen the positions of Ukraine and everyone striving for peace.

A few more important things.

A report was delivered by the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine, Vasyl Maliuk. I want to express my gratitude for the efforts to counter Russian agents and Russian saboteurs. There are strong results. Everyone who chooses to side with the occupier must feel the just force of Ukrainian law and order.

There was a report by Commander-in-Chief Syrskyi: the Pokrovsk direction, our other areas in the Donetsk region, as well as our Kharkiv and Sumy regions, and the southern directions. There are units that deserve special mention. The warriors of the 71st Separate Jaeger Brigade of the Airborne Assault Forces, operating exactly in the Sumy region. They are very effective in eliminating Russian forces. The 225th Separate Assault Regiment – this very unit liberated Kindrativka in the Sumy region. The Pokrovsk direction: I also want to thank the warriors of our 25th Separate Airborne Brigade and the 14th Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine for their steadfastness. I want to thank everyone who fights and works for Ukraine! Each day of our defense is an investment by our people, by many Ukrainians, into Ukraine’s independence. To endure now, to protect our state and to defend Ukrainian national interests, is to guarantee that Ukraine is and will remain independent.

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

Day 245 of #GeorgiaProtests

It got very hot and people drenched each other with water.

📷 MOSE

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 1:18 PM

Every day for over 8 months, Georgians have been gathering in 8+ cities to protest an illegitimate, pro-Russian government.

This is day 245 on Rustaveli Avenue, in our capital. 🇬🇪

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 2:16 PM

Dear friends, we at Droa party are very grateful for your assistance and kindly request for more donations, since we are at the very frontline of an emerging demcoratic forces political umbrella that aims to channel the protests to victory. 1/2.

📷 AP Photo/Zurab Tsertsvadze

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 7:48 AM

Any funds are welcome for us to diversify protests and make sure that August is an active month for the resistance.

Please text me in messages or comment if you’d like to donate and I’ll reach out.

Thank you! 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 7:48 AM

🗣️”We, the diaspora organizations and emigrant unions, call on the repressive regime and its representatives: immediately and unconditionally release Mzia Amaglobeli!” – 28 Georgian diaspora organizations and emigrant unions issue joint statement.

#FreeMzia
#RepressionInGeorgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 30, 2025 at 8:47 AM

Two days before the final hearing in Mzia Amaglobeli’s case, the British ambassador visited the office of Batumelebi – the outlet she founded 24yrs ago.
In the interview, he recalled several statements the UK has joined in support of Mzia’s release and emphasized: “the UK’s position has been clear”.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM

The EU:

The EU has warned Kyiv through diplomatic channels that if it doesn’t revoke the provisions of law No. 12414 and restore NABU and SAP’s independence, financial aid will be suspended, Ukrainska Pravda (Українська Правда) reports.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 5:19 AM

Geneva:

Ukrainian and allied delegates walked out during a speech by Russia’s Valentina Matviyenko at the World Speakers’ Conference in Geneva. Ukraine’s Deputy Speaker Olena Kondratiuk said she was proud of her colleagues. Matviyenko called the protest “mosquito bites” and “clownery.”

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 2:34 PM

Moscow:

Russian state media:

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM

Imagine that?

Back to Ukraine.

Even as Kyiv comes under massive Blitz attack by fascist Russian/Iranian Shahed drones, Ukrainian drones are heading into Russia in several directions. Map, based on reports of drone activity from Russian sources, by t.me/dronbomber.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:02 PM

Ukraine’s Security Service has detained Russian agent within the Air Force – a flight instructor and major. He was gathering intelligence to help Russians target airbases with F-16s and Mirage 2000s. He also passed personal data of Ukrainian pilots to Russian intelligence

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 9:55 AM

A new sound will haunt Ukrainian nights — the roar of russian jet-powered Shahed drones, says EW expert Serhii “Flash”.

They’ve already been spotted over Ukraine. It’s unclear how many will come — but one thing is clear: Ukraine needs more air defense ASAP.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 4:10 PM

The “BULAVA” unit of the Separate Presidential Brigade has showcased its first use of a drone armed with a grenade launcher against Russian assault troops.

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— NOELREPORTS (@noelreports.com) July 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM

The protests in Kyiv have great significance for the EU integration of Ukraine, but also it’s future direction as a democratic society, argues @halushka.bsky.social – Internal challenges of anti-corruption and judicial reforms affect the conduct of the war itself youtu.be/7sOHsr_NT_E

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— Silicon Curtain podcast (@siliconcurtain.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM

“The Russians tried to break through to our positions on motorcycles for six days in a row.” – Senior Lieutenant Andrii Kryvushchenko, S3 section officer of the “Svoboda” battalion, “Rubizh” brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine.
youtu.be/_yqD583e4-I?…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM

“The President of Ukraine has already announced that Ukraine will have its own ballistic missiles. We are very close to this. That’s basically all I can publicly say on the matter.” – Ukrainian Defense Minister Shmyhal.

— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Ukrainian intelligence obtained key evidence of Russia’s mass abduction of Ukrainian children. During a cyber operation, HUR accessed servers of the so-called “Crimean government,” revealing documents on the forced transfer of children from occupied regions.

newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/ukraini…

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 8:27 AM

Kyiv:

Looks line fascist Russia is directing tonight’s Blitz air raid against Kyiv – many drones over the city (drone sounds, explosions and anti-aircraft fire reported around the city), and 50-60 drones inbound. Some drones that flew past and went west have turned and headed back.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 4:34 PM

From Kyiv Info Telegram channel (autotranslated): “The first consequences of the enemy attack (are) in the Solomianskyi district.

At two locations, debris from downed drones has fallen. At one address, cars are on fire.

Preliminarily, no casualties.”

— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 4:52 PM

Drone impact in Kyiv’s Solomiansky district.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:08 PM

Residential building on fire in Kyiv after drone strike or debris fall. Hearing sound of drones and explosions regularly now here in western Kyiv. Center of city under attack now. Kyiv Polytechnic University building reported hit.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:22 PM

People rush in panic to take cover in a Kyiv metro station as a Russian/Iranian drone explodes nearby.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:32 PM

Russian drones now concentrating their attack on Kyiv Zhuliany airport.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM

Risking their lives during a heavy Blitz air attack by fascist Russia on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv firefighters tackle a blaze in a residential building started by a drone strike or drone shoot-down debris fall. Dozens of explosions heard in capital already.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 6:02 PM

Sound of Russian Doodlebug flying bomb drone over western Kyiv, likely on its way to attack Kyiv’s Zhuliany International Airport. Sound of explosion seems to be an impact. Five or six such drones have already passed overhead.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 6:09 PM

In Kyiv, participants in the rally for the restoration of NABU and SAP independence honored fallen Ukrainian soldiers with a moment of silence.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 3:54 PM

Kharkiv:

Russian drones are flying over Kharkiv right now ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 1:19 PM

1 person died, and 4 others were injured in a russian missile attack on the food warehouse in Kharkiv region.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 8:53 AM

Just talked to my mom.
Even though she lives a considerable distance from the site of today’s Russian strike on the grocery warehouse, her entire yard and garden are littered with small particles of burnt foam plastic and various packaging materials.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM

The wind keeps carrying the debris around, and she and dad have been worried all day that it might start a fire.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM

Last night, Russia bombed a brewery in Kharkiv.

Such a strategic military target. (Obviously, not at all.)

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 9:24 AM

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 9:24 AM

Kharkiv outskirts after today’s russian missile strike‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 8:34 AM

Odesa:

🫡🇺🇦 Mykola “Koks”, a veteran of the 4th Tank Brigade, walked on crutches from Kyiv to Odesa to raise funds to repair vehicles for the soldiers.
This is not his first charity march – he has previously covered distances to Dnipro, Kharkiv and Rivne.
Honor and glory to our heroes!

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 9:40 AM

The right bank of the Dnipro, Kherson Oblast:

Ukrainian troops disrupted a Russian propaganda stunt about a fake landing on the right bank of Kherson. Russians dropped a tricolor flag via drone onto a bridge and filmed a staged “victory” video. Ukrainian forces quickly destroyed the flag. No enemy sabotage groups were detected.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 9:30 AM

Berdyansk, Russian occupied Zaporizhzhia Oblast:

Ukrainian media report loud explosions in occupied Berdyansk, heard even in Prymorsk. Preliminary info says a strike hit the “Moryak” resort housing Russian troops. Occupiers have sealed off the site and blocked entry/exit to the Spit, according to local sources.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 5:42 AM

Kamchatsky, Russia:

Satellite image taken about two weeks before the earthquake shows 6 nuclear submarines at Russia’s base near Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, just over 100 km from the quake’s epicenter. The breakdown is: 3 Oscar-class, 1 Akula-class, 1 Borei-class, and 1 Delta-class submarine

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM

2/ The composition and number of submarines likely changed after the observation, but some were almost certainly still present before the earthquake. Given the shallow depth of Avacha Bay, it is likely that some submarines were relocated to deeper waters ahead of the tsunami.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM

3/ Overall, our team does not anticipate significant damage or destruction, however, imagery in the coming days will provide further clarity.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 7:31 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

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Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,252: Kyiv in the CrosshairsPost + Comments (8)

Open Thread: Kamala Harris Is Not Running for Governor

by Anne Laurie| July 30, 20253:56 pm| 159 Comments

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

My statement on the California governor's race and the fight ahead.

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— Kamala Harris (@kamalaharris.com) July 30, 2025 at 3:04 PM

BREAKING: Kamala Harris announces her decision NOT to run for Governor of California.

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— Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 3:09 PM

… A person close to Harris who spoke with her Wednesday said Harris looked forward to talking to Californians and people across the country about this moment, but as a private citizen. They insisted that Harris had a path to victory if she had run for governor.

“Stay tuned because she’s going to have other announcements and they’re not about 2028,” the person said.

“She still wants to be part of the national conversation and talk about Donald Trump and being in debates and forums in California is not going to allow her to do that,” the person added.

Harris’ decision keeps the race to be California’s next governor wide open. Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who came up through San Francisco politics alongside Harris, is unable run for re-election due to term limits.

A number of Democrats have jumped into the race to succeed Newsom, including Lt. Gov Eleni Kounalakis; former Health and Human Services Secretary and state Attorney General Xavier Becerra; former Rep. Katie Porter; former state Senate President Toni Atkins, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, among others.

The party is expected to hold onto the governorship in the heavily Democratic state, which Harris carried by 20 points in the last presidential race.

Kamala Harris won’t run for California governor.

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— Politico (@politico.com) July 30, 2025 at 3:05 PM

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Politico, however, hopes for a national food fight…

… Her decision re-opens the possibility of another presidential campaign by one of the Democratic Party’s most prominent figures. In her statement, however, she expressed misgivings with what she cast as the limitations of government…

Harris’ announcement upends the contest to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, which has been largely static as the field braced for a possible Harris candidacy. With near-universal name identification, strong approval ratings among Democrats and a national fundraising network, Harris would have begun the race as an imposing frontrunner.

But there were warning signs that Harris, though formidable, would face some challenges in a quest for the governor’s mansion. Party activists and some donors were lukewarm to her potential bid, still nursing a hangover from 2024 and reluctant to be reminded of her losing presidential campaign. And pressure was mounting for Harris to articulate a vision for governing a massive and complicated state where she has not lived full-time in nearly a decade…

Her lengthy deliberations — met with increasing impatience from Democratic activists and donors, not to mention the other declared candidates — led to a sense her decision was long overdue. But the relentless speculation belied the fact that a Harris gubernatorial bid had hardly been on anyone’s bingo card more than a year ago.

Until recently, Harris dwelled squarely in the realm of national politics — a sitting vice president who represented her country on the global stage and mostly visited her home state for low-key retreats from Washington.

Then came the extraordinary events of summer and fall 2024: President Joe Biden’s disastrous debate performance leading to him abandoning his reelection bid; Harris’ swift consolidation of party support to become the Democratic presidential nominee; and a warp-speed presidential campaign against Donald Trump that ended with her narrowly losing the popular vote and coming up short in all seven swing states.

After leaving office, Harris has maintained a discreet public profile, limiting any overtly political appearances to a handful of speeches. Behind the scenes, she was consulting with supporters and donors as she weighed the governorship, another White House bid or finding an unelected way to remain civically engaged.

I personally think the woman has given enough of her one life in service already, but I look forward to seeing what she decides should be her next step.

Open Thread: Kamala Harris Is *Not* Running for GovernorPost + Comments (159)

Open Thread: Yet Another Epstein Update

by Anne Laurie| July 30, 20252:45 pm| 102 Comments

This post is in: Media, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Trump Crime Cartel

Former Prosecutor: It seems to raise questions about Mar-a-Lago being a place where Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell were able to find young women. Virginia Giuffre was one of the most prominent victims. The one thing that you didn't hear from Trump was acknowledgement that she was victimized by Epstein

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— FactPost (@factpostnews.bsky.social) July 30, 2025 at 12:59 PM

Thing is… I sympathize with those of you who are tired of the pixelated water torture, but yes, the victims of Epstein, Maxwell, and Trump deserve to see — at the very least — public acknowledgement of the crimes they suffered.

As for the fear that voters would grow bored, or resentful, of the media’s attention: journamalist John Heilemann, currently at Puck, felt impelled to interview ‘most storied and deeply sourced Trumpologist’ Maggie Haberman on what he clocks as a month of “Trump’s Epsteinitis”:

… Maggie also happens to be the rare journalist whose revelations have, on more than one occasion, cut to the core of who Trump is, causing him to lose his shit—which makes her analysis of his current verklempt-ness both unique and uniquely insightful. In our chat, we discussed why the Epstein story undermines Trump’s carefully cultivated image as an outsider, the potential limits of its long-term political costs, and how covering Trump 2.0 differs from covering Trump 1.0. As usual, the excerpts below have been condensed for space and edited for clarity; you can feast on the whole enchilada here.

John Heilemann: The title of your book, Confidence Man, is, of course, a double entendre, alluding both to Trump’s massive confidence in himself and to the fact that he’s, well, a con man. And it strikes me as especially apt in the context of the Epstein story, which is a direct result of Trump having conned his base with a conspiracy theory and a misplaced sense of confidence on his part that it would never blow up in his face.

Maggie Haberman: One reason this story is problematic for him is that he had very successfully, for a long time, positioned himself as a political outsider, as a person operating outside the system. During his trial in New York last year, for example, he really embraced the outlaw image. But the Epstein story cuts against that.

Because Epstein was, in a way, the ultimate insider—the people who consorted with him were all members of the political, financial, business, and even academic elite.

Correct. The other problem for him is that he keeps calling this a hoax. It’s not just his own supporters, but many members of his own government, who pushed the conspiracy theories for years, ever since Epstein died [in 2019], about what was in the files. And it’s now sort of swallowed him, at least for the time being.

I’m not nearly the expert you are, but I can’t recall a prior instance in which Trump was so flagrantly at odds with his most ardent followers. We’re seeing MAGA influencers and key voices in MAGA media calling bullshit, saying they feel betrayed by him—and he’s not giving an inch and instead is just trying, over and over, to change the subject. That strikes me as unprecedented. Am I wrong?

There have been moments where his base has made it clear they’re upset with something he has done, and generally Trump has moved away [from doing what the base hasn’t liked]. We are now seeing a consistent period where he’s doing things that his base doesn’t favor. And we’re seeing it over and over again. But I don’t know what the cost is. If you look at his polling, some of his averages are clearly, steadily seeing some erosion, but not a massive dip. Putting aside President Trump, the Jeffrey Epstein story was a mainstream story about a sex trafficker for a long time. It’s unlike other stories that have generally operated at the fringe or been niche…

Much of what MAGA has been about is a sense of grievance among ordinary people, stoked endlessly by Trump, who think that the elite regard them with disdain. So it was striking a couple weeks ago when Trump went on Truth Social and basically said, If you still care about this story—a story he and his allies promulgated for years!—you’re stupid. Which makes him sound like just another two-faced politician trying to gaslight them, like just another member of the elite, that is. And by doing that, I think he’s really playing with fire…

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man, there actually is a real, no-shit conspiracy here. i don’t think it’s that trump had epstein killed, but barr clearly tried to sweep it under the rug as fast as possible and didn’t care much about the details.

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— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) July 30, 2025 at 2:25 AM

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i also mostly don’t care about the truth, i want all these people to burn and shoot and stab each other. live by the low trust, die by it.

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— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachine.com) July 30, 2025 at 3:57 AM

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But why won’t the Democrats…

Nah bro.
You will not impeach Trump on this current coverup. Demanding that you try is yet more affirmative impotence.
You CAN, however, use political leverage over right wingers to get them on the record NOW whether they WILL impeach when he gives her commutation.

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— emptywheel (@emptywheel.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 11:35 AM

You know who gets to be in charge of impeachment NOW?

Noted sex abuse cover-up artist Jim Jordan.

Apparently this needs to be said: You want to disrupt Trump’s fascist attack, you need to use power against REPUBLICANS, not Democrats.

Guess what Dems did last week (reportedly w/involvement from villain #2 Hakeem Jeffries)? Made the Speaker give up his power for a week.

I get that you all have a rabid desire to heighten polarization in Congress, which is Trump’s super power.

That helps him.

You gotta do the opposite, and ON THIS ISSUE you can do it easily w/o sacrificing policy.

@bone00afide.bsky.social

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— Physicians for a Healthy Democracy (@physiciandemocracy.medsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 8:40 AM

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New Republic journalist…

Epstein hired a teenaged Giuffre out from under Trump in 2000. Trump didn’t kick him out of Mar-a-Lago until 2007—a year after the FBI started investigating him for sex trafficking.

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— Alex Shephard (@alexshephard.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM

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this is the basic timeline

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— Alex Shephard (@alexshephard.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM

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Contemporaneous reporting from 2007 claims Epstein was blackballed from Mar-a-Lago for going after a teenage masseuse but strongly suggests—if we take Epstein’s claim that he was there recently at face value—that reporters sniffing around is what actually got him banned pagesix.com/2007/10/15/s…

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— Alex Shephard (@alexshephard.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM

Open Thread: Yet Another Epstein UpdatePost + Comments (102)

Status Quo – the Time for Maintaining the Status Quo has Come and Gone

by WaterGirl| July 30, 20251:15 pm| 217 Comments

This post is in: Democratic Politics, Open Threads, Refusing To Let Those Fuckers Win, The Only Way Out Is Through, We're Not Dead Yet, Why We Fight

I will have to go searching for a more current photo of Pete Buttigieg, but this will have to do in the meantime.

I am so tired of the breathless wall-to-wall media coverage about Epstein. We’re not learning anything new. The only good thing about it is that maybe, just maybe, Trump and his Distraction Machine (™️ Pete Buttigieg) could free MAGA from the clutches of FFOTUS.

So I’m happy to see that Pete Buttigieg is keeping his eyes on the prize, and looking ahead to the future.

What’s your pleasure?

Video? Audio? Transcript?

11-minutes of Pete Buttigieg (audio)

Full 47-minute interview (video)

Transcript.

As an aside, let me just say fuck Rahm Emanual.

Status Quo – the Time for Maintaining the Status Quo has Come and GonePost + Comments (217)

Wednesday Morning Open Thread: Positive News

by Anne Laurie| July 30, 202510:29 am| 33 Comments

This post is in: How about that weather?, Open Threads, Science & Technology

According to a Navy spokesperson I spoke with, the 11th hour decision to keep data flowing from the three weather satellites was due to critical feedback it received. A testament that our voices and concerns do very much matter. My full afternoon update ??

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— Michael Lowry (@michaelrlowry.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM

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Today's earthquake east–southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia is now estimated to be magnitude 8.8.
The white dots in this pic are the historic quakes in the region, along the Pacific plate as it subducts under the North American plate.
This quake is the most powerful on Earth since 2011.

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— Paul Byrne (@theplanetaryguy.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 9:58 PM

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The energy released in a M8.7 quake is equivalent to that of a 169 megatonne nuclear weapon

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— Paul Byrne (@theplanetaryguy.bsky.social) July 29, 2025 at 8:36 PM

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Japan downgrades its last remaining tsunami alert but tsunami advisories remain in place for its Pacific coast. Follow AP's live updates.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) July 30, 2025 at 8:08 AM

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Honestly, this 8.8-mag quake and tsunami seems a fabulous demonstration of the capabilities that the US, Japan, and others have marshalled to protect their citizens.
This doesn't just exist. It has to be built and maintained.

— Paul Voosen (@voosen.me) July 30, 2025 at 7:01 AM

Wednesday Morning Open Thread: Positive NewsPost + Comments (33)

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

Come on, media. you have one job. start doing it.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

Do not shrug your shoulders and accept the normalization of untruths.

Petty moves from a petty man.

Books are my comfort food!

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

Do we throw up our hands or do we roll up our sleeves? (hint, door #2)

That meeting sounds like a shotgun wedding between a shitshow and a clusterfuck.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

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

American history and black history cannot be separated.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

“woke” is the new caravan.

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

Keep the Immigrants and deport the fascists!

If a good thing happens for a bad reason, it’s still a good thing.

(Interim) Thursday Morning Open Thread

Open Thread: Texas GOP Releases Its Proposed Redistricting / Gerrymandering Map

War for Ukraine Day 1,252: Kyiv in the Crosshairs

Everyone Who Chooses to Side With the Occupier Must Feel the Just Force of Ukrainian Law and Order – Address by the President

Open Thread: Kamala Harris Is Not Running for Governor

Open Thread: Yet Another Epstein Update

Status Quo – the Time for Maintaining the Status Quo has Come and Gone

Wednesday Morning Open Thread: Positive News