Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

Tubas & Trombones for Peace (Open Thread)

by Betty Cracker| July 8, 202510:11 am| 106 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Politics, Assholes, Clown Shoes, General Stupidity

Not sure if we talked about this incident from the No Kings protests a few weeks back, but it sticks in my mind for some reason. This took place in Atlanta. A scrum of Proud Boy goobers was at the event arguing with protesters. A couple of cops were trying to keep the groups apart, but things were getting heated. Then came the tuba, trombone and assorted other instruments!

The brass band took the wind right out of the goobers’ sails! They fled the scene shortly thereafter.

It reminded me of a scene I witnessed at a Pride march years ago in St. Pete. One of the attendees stymied a nasty sidewalk preacher by sounding an airhorn every time he opened his stupid loud mouth to shout hateful things.

I wish I knew how to play a tuba because it seems like a brilliant way to defuse tense situations and humiliate bullies. The only instrument I know how to play (and badly at that) is a ukulele, which is ill-suited to drowning out creeps. But I suppose anyone can play an airhorn.

Open thread.

Tubas & Trombones for Peace (Open Thread)Post + Comments (106)

Late Night Open Thread: Elon’s Latest Public Tantrum

by Anne Laurie| July 7, 202511:29 pm| 142 Comments

This post is in: Grifters Gonna Grift, Open Threads, Opposition to Trump-Musk, Elon Musk

I guess “White Party” was just too on the nose?

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— Aubrey Hirsch (@aubreyhirsch.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 12:57 PM

===

Everybody be quiet and let Elon spend billions becoming the Republican version of Jill Stein.

— Kevin M. Kruse (@kevinmkruse.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 2:44 PM

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Elon Musk should just cut to the chase and call his third party the National Socialists.
It’s gonna be that no matter what name he gives it.

— Charles Johnson (@charles.littlegreenfootballs.com) July 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM

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May Elon do as much for the GOP as Jill Stein has done for the Democrats!

Trump is wrong. Ralph Nader, & Jill Stein/Gary Johnson, were wildly successful.

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— Dana Houle (@danahoule.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 1:20 AM

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Musk announces the arrival of the new "America Party" after his split with Trump.

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— Politico (@politico.com) July 5, 2025 at 5:35 PM

… As Trump on Thursday flaunted his successful push to muscle the Republican megabill through Congress this week, Musk sought to drum up support for his potential third party launch, positing that his new party would target a handful of vulnerable swing seats to leverage political power.

“Given the razor-thin legislative margins, that would be enough to serve as the deciding vote on contentious laws, ensuring that they serve the true will of the people,” he wrote.

While Musk may have the millions to pour into backing certain candidates — which he has already promised to do, pledging to support Rep. Thomas Massie’s (R-Ky.) reelection campaign amid targeting from Trump — establishing a third party involves a series of thorny obstacles including navigating complex state laws, ballot access regulations and other legal hoops.

So far, the billionaire would-be party founder has yet to outline a concrete plan forward. Just two months ago, Musk had vowed to cut back on political spending, saying he had “done enough.”

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Trump is melting down over Elon forming the “America Party,” which is polling at 15% already, mostly with male Republicans.

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— God (@thegodpodcast.com) July 7, 2025 at 3:19 PM

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Wonder if the America Party will be like Tesla, and drive randomly to the right and burn up.
#Satire

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— Lawprofblawg (@lawprofblawg.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 1:49 PM

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I’m very excited about the America Party and I encourage anyone else who wants to fund a third party on the right to take a shot also

— post malone ergo propter malone (@proptermalone.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 2:57 AM

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Musk is gonna recruit his favorite blue check reply guys as congressional candidates and the oppo uncovered on them is going to be the most cursed shit that the American discourse has ever encountered. Mark Robinson's NudeAfrica forum posts will feel like a simpler, more innocent time.

— Zeddy (@zeddary.bsky.social) July 5, 2025 at 5:05 PM

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lmao. not elon musk spending $500 million to spoil republican candidates in marginal districts and get Dems to 240 house seats

— G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris.com) July 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM

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The number of Democratic voters that (a) like Elon Musk, (b) think Dem leaders are too woke, & (c) want to cut entitlements is in the single digit millions. Likely even less.
Meanwhile, that's like 90% of Republicans. I don't think this is going to work out the way he thinks

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— G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris.com) July 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM

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Counter-argument (do we need to take this seriously?)

Both Putin and Elon are dissatisfied with Trump, so the focus is going to change to Congress. And Musk is basically just a frontman for a larger group of interests.
We're under attack from so many different directions. Read this for more insight.

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— Khashoggi's Ghost (@urocklive1.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 5:25 PM

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Haha, “incumbent parties” (WTF does that mean?) don’t “control ballots.” Most states they get ballot access by exceeding some % of the overall vote, often 2%. Minor parties/ballot access hucksters find suckers like dead end candidates or fools like Cuban to pay for their lines
Cuban was a mark

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— Dana Houle (@danahoule.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 1:08 AM

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Creating a spoiler third party is actually a huge win for Elon even if he’s too dumb to realize it, he splits the Republican votes so Dems dominate the government, he then gets all the benefits of Dem policy while posting constantly about fighting the woke mind virus or whatever

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— Ed (@notdred.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 7:35 AM

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Manifesting this: Elon Musk, if he sticks to this third party thing, does it the way he's done everything else: something like, offering incumbent elected Republicans hundreds of thousands of dollars to run as candidates for his party instead

— Adam Gurri (@adamgurri.liberalcurrents.com) July 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM

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'Fat drunken slob': Elon Musk and Steve Bannon are now at war over proposed third party https://twp.ai/4inywY

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— #TuckFrump (@realtuckfrumper.bsky.social) July 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM

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They're gonna ratfuck elon and it's going to be hilarious

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— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) July 5, 2025 at 11:52 AM

Late Night Open Thread: Elon’s Latest Public TantrumPost + Comments (142)

War for Ukraine Day 1,229: Russia Strikes Kharkiv Twice Today

by Adam L Silverman| July 7, 20259:31 pm| 10 Comments

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

(Image by NEIVANMADE)

I’ll get into all the details after the jump, but Russia struck civilian targets twice today in Kharkiv.

The interiors of the Kharkiv apartments that Russia attacked and burnt today without a single military justification.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 11:04 AM

❗️A 34-year-old woman has died in the hospital from injuries sustained in russia’s drone attack on Kharkiv.

The number of injured has risen to 71, including seven children.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM

71 injured. 1 killed.
russia’s latest terrorist attack on Kharkiv.
I’m running out of words to keep describing this ruthless, despicable violence which goes on unchecked against a peaceful nation.
russia is a hazard to humanity.

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— Olena Halushka (@halushka.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 11:50 AM

Shot:

🇺🇸❗️🇺🇦 The White House said the decision to suspend arms sales to Ukraine was made by Pentagon with the approval of President Trump.

🤔 According to Leavitt, the suspension is not specific to Ukraine, but review of military aid to ensure that such supplies are in the national interest of the US.

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— Savchenko Volodymyr (@savchenkoua.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 2:19 PM

Chaser:

‼️‼️‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM

Big if true!

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

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Step by Step, We Are Closing the Funding Gap for the Production of Drones, Filling Ukrainian Production Lines with Specific Orders – Address by the President

7 July 2025 – 20:53

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

I held a Staff meeting today. Reports on the front – primarily the Pokrovsk and Novopavlivka directions, as well as the Orikhiv direction, the Sumy region, and separately – our actions on Russian territory near the border, in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. The occupiers will not feel safe there. We had a very detailed discussion about drones – we must significantly increase the use of all types of drones that help directly on the front lines. We will increasingly rely on drones and technological solutions to hold back Russian assaults and enable our active operations. I am grateful to everyone advancing this field and developing the necessary solutions. We are also continuing our work to counter air strikes. Everything related to air defense is today our top priority – air defense systems, missiles for them, and drone-based air defense. We are also preparing new agreements with partners and expect to formalize them in the coming weeks. Step by step, we are closing the funding gap for the production of drones and interceptor drones, and filling Ukrainian production lines with specific orders. At the same time, we are working with partners to ensure that production in their countries operates at full capacity as well – both for our shared defense today and for partners’ arsenals after the war. We are engaging with all leaders and countries that can help – through investment, components, or manufacturing. This week, we are preparing a meeting with members of the Coalition of the Willing. As part of the Recovery Conference to be held in Italy, Ukrainian representatives will have a concrete set of tasks focused on immediate defense – the defense of our cities and our communities. Everyone in the world can see how much Russia is relying on the use of “Shahed” drones. They have few options left to prolong the war, and Russian-Iranian drones are one of those few. I thank everyone who is helping us counter these attacks.

And, of course, I thank everyone supporting our defense against Russian missiles. We are working, in particular, with the American side on the relevant decisions regarding Patriots and missiles for them. We are also preparing relevant meetings this week in Italy. I instructed Ukraine’s Minister of Defense to prepare the next Ramstein meetings in various formats, and today I’ve already discussed several options with UK Prime Minister Starmer. The UK, along with Germany and other partners, is currently keeping Ramstein operational, and in August–September we expect – very much expect – the format to deliver new steps for our Ukrainian resilience.

I spoke with Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs about a special meeting with Ukrainian ambassadors – this meeting will take place in just two weeks. I expect absolutely concrete results for each region – first and foremost regarding sanctions against Russia, support for Ukraine’s defense, and drawing our partners’ attention to recovery projects in Ukraine.

I spoke with the President of the National Council of the Federal Assembly of Switzerland – she was on a visit to Ukraine today. It is important that Switzerland supports sanctions pressure on Russia for the war – and we must continue to enhance everything that limits Russia’s ability to wage war. We discussed with the Swiss representative the return of Ukrainians from Russian captivity – in particular, our Ukrainian children who are currently being held by the Russian system. Ukraine counts on Switzerland joining the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and engaging in joint efforts with Ukraine and the coalition members.

I also want to recognize today Ukrainian law enforcement officers – the National Police of Ukraine, as well as the Prosecutor’s Office. They promptly investigated the circumstances of the explosion in the Zhytomyr region – in the Hlybochytsia community. Sadly, two people were killed. My condolences to their families. More than 80 people were injured, and many houses were destroyed or damaged. Procedural steps are already underway – formal suspicions have been issued. The perpetrators must be held accountable – severely, and rightly so.

And one more thing.

We do not forget our fallen warriors. We honor their memory and award them with state decorations. I’ve just spoken about three such men – Ukrainian warriors. Military pilot Colonel Dmytro Fisher, Azov fighter Nazarii Hryntsevych, and warrior of the 3rd Assault Brigade Vitalii Karvatskyi. The documents are being prepared to confer the title of Hero of Ukraine – sadly, posthumously. Glory to all our warriors!

Glory to Ukraine!

Georgia:

For the 222nd day, Rustaveli avenue is blocked in Tbilisi. ✊🇬🇪

Daily protests continue in 8+ cities.

60+ political prisoners. Six out of nine key opposition leaders in jail.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 1:52 PM

Day 222 of #GeorgiaProtests

Things are beginning to move at an accelerated pace. The regime is at each other’s throats, democratic forces are being filtered fast, and the consolidation of non-cooperation forces (8 parties, activists, civil society, regime prisoner families) also happens fast. 1/2

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM

More targeted sanctions now could put a nail in their coffin.

We have also announced a large rally on July 19.

Non-cooperation, protest intensification, and international pressure will be the winning combination.

We shall push through and watch them crush! ✊🏻 2/2.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 1:57 PM

This 26-year-old faces 7 years in a Georgian prison for throwing a tissue. Seriously.

This is the only piece of evidence against Rezo Kiknadze. They’re accusing him of group violence towards the police.

The cases of the other 60+ political prisoners are just as absurd.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 2:59 PM

1/2
🔴 Ex-Adjara Govt head Tornike Rizhvadze has been hospitalized with a gunshot wound. GD propaganda media claim he attempted suicide and left a letter, allegedly found by medics. However, the clinic treating him and a trusted source deny sharing any such letter with journalists.
#Georgia

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 7, 2025 at 4:47 AM

2/2
⭕️ The reported letter claims Rizhvadze and his father were falsely accused of protecting drug dealers, and that his staff acted on his orders. He allegedly asked Bidzina Ivanishvili and Irakli Kobakhidze to protect his family and apologized for leaving them (the family) without “millions.”

— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 7, 2025 at 4:47 AM

Reportedly, the regime demanded USD 300 million from Tornike Rizhvadze.

From some other people, there are rumours of up to a billion and more.

The regime is extracting money from their own – virtually everyone except Kobakhidze’s clan.

JUST IMAGINE THE SCALES OF CORRUPTION!

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 6:09 AM

1/ According to participants of the protest rally in Tbilisi, a man attacked them with a stun gun on July 6. They say the unidentified individual first blended into the crowd, began insulting people, and then used a stun gun to injure several demonstrators.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM

2/ Police removed the man from the scene, but it is currently unknown whether he has been detained. According to the MIA, the investigation was initiated under Article 126 of the Criminal Code, which refers to violence.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM

3/ “He pressed it against one guy — I was wearing a thicker shirt, so it didn’t penetrate as much, but that guy had a thin, sweaty shirt, and it conducted like through water. He was shocked,” Activist Mariam Mekantsishvli said.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 3:32 AM

Justice in Georgia: Yesterday, a police officer who beat up his 18-year-old wife was released on bail.

Mzia Amaghlobeli—a journalist who slapped a disgraced police officer who spat at her and verbally and physically abused her—was denied bail. She faces 7 years in prison.

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— Rusudan Djakeli (@rusudandjakeli.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 5:44 AM

🚨For 24 years, we have stood by those in need

Now we need you – to keep up the fight.

With Mzia Amaglobeli jailed, laws weaponized, and journalists attacked, Georgia’s free press is being strangled.
We’re risking everything to keep going – but we can’t do it alone.

🛑 Donate. Defend press freedom!

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) July 7, 2025 at 6:15 AM

The US:

Im going to end the war! >> pressures Ukraine to surrender >> fails >> “Biden’s war!”

Rinse and repeat.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 8:15 PM

Back to Ukraine.

It’s been an open secret for months that Zelensky was going to swap out Ukrainian ambassador in DC Oksana Markarova. But he vowed to Trump in their call last week that he’d replace her soon and work with Trump’s team to agree on a suitable replacement.
www.ft.com/content/d20e…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM

Zelensky is looking to appoint a “good dealmaker’’ as ambassador in Washington who is ‘‘understandable to the White House and at the same time to the Congress”, according to a senior Ukrainian official involved in the process.
www.ft.com/content/d20e…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) July 7, 2025 at 11:49 AM

“a renewed attempt was made to remove Ukraine’s fiercely independent spy chief, Kyrylo Budanov—though it ended in failure, at least for now. Multiple sources identify the shadowy hand of Andriy Yermak” www.economist.com/europe/2025/…

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 6:20 AM

“With his customary mix of coercion and guile, General Budanov secured another stay of execution. The Economist understands repeated White House warnings not to fire him may have helped, at least for now.” www.economist.com/europe/2025/…

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 6:21 AM

This is what the russian “Shahed” looks like compared to our warrior!
For those who thought that UAVs are small and pose no threat. Imagine when such an object flies into a house.

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 2:25 PM

Their size in 2023 and 2025, they used to be mainly air defense distractors but now they’re actual killer machines

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— Mira of Kyiv 🇺🇦 (@reshetz.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:12 PM

They also put cluster munitions with a several hour long delay in these things to kill first responders and clean up crews

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— Sam (ABeardedPanda) (@abeardedpanda.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:33 PM

Kharkiv:

❗️Six drones struck Kharkiv in the second russian attack on the city this morning. At least seven people are reported injured, two of them seriously.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 4:05 AM

Russian drone attack on Kharkiv this morning ‼️

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:46 AM

Russian drone strike on residential building in Kharkiv this morning ‼️🤬

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:43 AM

Kharkiv this morning.
Kholodnohirskyi district was hit with 6 drones, which injured at least 33 people and ignited several fires, including in a residential 9-story building.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:37 AM

Zaporizhzhia:

Russia targeted a university in Zaporizhzhia. Six drones hit the city, leaving at least ten people injured.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 4:14 AM

Kherson:

I… I don’t even know what to say. How the hell are we,humanity, just allowing this? Drones hunting down families working in fields. This isn’t just cruel. It’s monstrous. Irrational.

And yet we’ve been watching it unfold for years, doing absolutely fucking nothing.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 10:51 AM

Not a whisper loud enough. Not a line drawn. Just passive, shameful silence from governments able to stop it.

Kherson. Today. Russian “human safari”.

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 10:51 AM

Kostiantynivka, Donetsk Oblast:

❗️Russia may break through Ukraine’s defenses in Donbas and come close to capturing Donetsk region, — NYT

AFU are in dangerous situation on the approaches to Kostiantynivka, and the city is southern gateway to the chain of cities that form Ukraine’s last major defensive belt in the Donetsk region.

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 2:24 PM

Kherson Oblast:

In Kherson region, Ukraine’s Southern Defense Forces destroyed a Russian boat equipped with a “Kapushon” EW system.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 12:07 PM

Kramatorsk, Donetsk Oblast:

Russian Z-channels claim that Russian forces launched a Tornado-S MLRS strike on Kramatorsk.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:29 AM

Novorossyisk, Krasnador Krai, Russia:

Latest satellite imagery analysis (2025-07-06)

Borisoglebsk Air Base – the area used for gear (drop tanks/armament parts) has burn marks, indicating a successful hit. Two scorch spots are visible on the airfield, though the targets are unclear

Novorossiysk Naval Base – no visible damage to ships

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 10:23 PM

2/ As of July 5, four Kilo-class diesel-electric submarines were present at the Novorossiysk naval base – which is nearly the entire remaining operational submarine force of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet. These submarines are equipped to launch Kalibr cruise missiles.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM

3/ Valuable naval assets, including an Admiral Grigorovich-class frigates, minesweepers, patrol boats, and corvettes, were anchored in the bay at the time of the attack. The strike occurred overnight, and by late morning, local authorities declared the situation to be safe

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM

4/ So far, there is no evidence indicating damage to any vessels. Videos verified and geolocated by our team show smoke rising from the water, suggesting that sea-surface drones were likely intercepted before reaching their targets. No large ships were spotted nearby.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM

5/ Striking vessels in Russian bays remains a difficult task, as Russians have improve their defensive measures – this is not the first unsuccessful attempt in Novorossiysk. The bay is one of the few relatively secure locations for the fleet, effectively limiting its mobility

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM

6/ If significant evidence or new imagery confirming damage emerges, we will share it. In the meantime, consider liking and sharing the initial message in the post, and follow us to stay informed on key updates from our team.

— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM

7/ Consider reading this as well:

bsky.app/profile/tata…

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 8:49 PM

Krasnodar Oblast, Russia:

Long-range drones operated by HUR struck the Ilsky oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region on July 7, sources told RBC-Ukraine. A production unit was hit. Local Russian media also confirm the incident.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:36 AM

Moscow:

⚡️Just now: Another Russian Transport Ministry Official Found Dead at Moscow Headquarters

42-year-old Korneichuk, deputy head of the Department for Regulatory Support and Land Relations at Russia’s Ministry of Transport, died during a working meeting today in the ministry’s headquarters in Moscow.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 10:40 AM

Moscow Oblast:

Ukrainian drones struck the Krasnozavodsk Chemical Plant in Russia’s Moscow region early this morning, the General Staff reports. The facility is involved in producing explosives and thermobaric warheads for Shahed drones.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 9:49 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

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

😼🦾 Under reliable protection and attentive guidance!

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— Vitalis Viva (@vitalisviva.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 9:03 AM

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,229: Russia Strikes Kharkiv Twice TodayPost + Comments (10)

Monday Evening Open Thread: A Win, If We Can Keep It

by Anne Laurie| July 7, 20257:59 pm| 17 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Republican Politics, Women's Rights

BREAKING: A federal judge just blocked the "big beautiful bill's" provision to defund Planned Parenthood. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us…

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— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 6:11 PM

Backstory:

Planned Parenthood sues Trump administration over planned defunding.
In a complaint filed in Boston federal court, Planned Parenthood said the provision is unconstitutional, and its clear purpose is to prevent its nearly 600 health centers from receiving Medicaid.
www.reuters.com/legal/litiga…

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— Liz (or Lizzie) Kim 김혜성 💫 (@liz.sheshed.rocks) July 7, 2025 at 12:05 PM

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Monday Evening Open Thread: A Win, If We Can Keep ItPost + Comments (17)

Open Thread: BRICS-A-Bracket

by Anne Laurie| July 7, 202512:37 pm| 213 Comments

This post is in: C.R.E.A.M., Foreign Affairs, Open Threads, Trumpery

Dude is disintegrating right before our eyes while the media continues to go along with it.

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— Ragnarok Lobster (@eclecticbrotha1.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 11:11 AM

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Meanwhile…

Wondering if he knows that the R in BRICS is Russia, his constant favorite.

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— Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (@whitehouse.senate.gov) July 7, 2025 at 10:45 AM

===

It's gonna be weird when Trump inadvertently backs into being a Russia hard-liner because he's randomly decided that BRICS is now his Axis of Evil but he doesn't know what the letters stand for.

— Jacob T. Levy (@jacobtlevy.bsky.social) July 7, 2025 at 7:36 AM

===

Per the Associated Press:

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — The BRICS bloc of developing nations on Sunday condemned the increase of tariffs and attacks on Iran, but refrained from naming U.S. President Donald Trump. The group’s declaration, which also took aim at Israel’s military actions in the Middle East, also spared its member Russia from criticism and mentioned war-torn Ukraine just once.

The two-day summit was marked by the absences of two of its most powerful members. China’s President Xi Jinping did not attend a BRICS summit for the first time since he became his country’s leader in 2012. Russian President Vladimir Putin, who spoke via videoconference, continues to mostly avoid traveling abroad due to an international arrest warrant issued after Russia invaded Ukraine.

In an indirect swipe at the U.S., the group’s declaration raised “serious concerns” about the rise of tariffs which it said were “inconsistent with WTO (World Trade Organization) rules.” The BRICS added that those restrictions “threaten to reduce global trade, disrupt global supply chains, and introduce uncertainty.” …

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Open Thread: BRICS-A-BracketPost + Comments (213)

Monday Morning Open Thread: Back to the Thunderdome

by Anne Laurie| July 7, 20256:22 am| 174 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

In April, the Trump administration was saying "100 countries are knocking on the door" begging for trade deals…now it's "many of them never even contacted us" lmfao

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— Joey Politano?????? (@josephpolitano.bsky.social) July 6, 2025 at 10:08 AM

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So Scott Bessent keeps saying that the tariffs have been a resounding success and won’t contribute to any inflation, but also they keep getting delayed and anyone who doesn’t like them has “tariff derangement syndrome.”
Okay? All of those things can’t be true at once

— Jake Lahut (@jakelahut.writes.news) July 6, 2025 at 10:09 AM

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It's not only underwater. It's the second most unpopular bill in the last 30 years. (Number one is the 2017 Obamacare repeal bill.) In fact, the top three most unpopular are Trump legislation:
bsky.app/profile/gell…

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— digby (@digby56.bsky.social) July 4, 2025 at 5:54 PM

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Here's how polls on the new GOP budget law compare to polls for historical key legislative goals.
The polls are bad… very bad.
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/one-big-un…

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— G Elliott Morris (@gelliottmorris.com) July 4, 2025 at 12:06 PM

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Monday Morning Open Thread: Back to the ThunderdomePost + Comments (174)

Feeling Defeated? If We Give Up, It’s Game Over

by WaterGirl| July 6, 20259:36 pm| 111 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Political Action

Saddest Fourth of July weekend ever!

Time to pick ourselves up and get back in the game.

I love this older fellow wearing old guy pants.

Cole sounded sicker than a dog today, so I don’t know that we’ll see a nighttime post from him. Looks like he started one about 3 hours ago and either got distracted or went back to bed.

Totally open thread!

Feeling Defeated? If We Give Up, It’s Game OverPost + Comments (111)

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

Dear media: perhaps we ought to let Donald Trump speak for himself!

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

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

Marge, god is saying you’re stupid.

“What are Republicans afraid of?” Everything.

Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

When I was faster i was always behind.

They are not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

If you are still in the gop, you are either an extremist yourself, or in bed with those who are.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Come on, man.

The press swings at every pitch, we don’t have to.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Just because you believe it, that does not make it true.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

This blog will pay for itself.

Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.

Live so that if you miss a day of work people aren’t hoping you’re dead.

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Feeling Defeated? If We Give Up, It’s Game Over