Balloon Juice - Open Threads Archives

Hey, Night Shift, This is Your Chance (Open Thread)

by WaterGirl| June 3, 20257:21 pm| 21 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads, Political Action, Targeted Political Fundraising 2025-26

Hey you evening and nighttime BJ peeps.

I always seem to put up the fundraising posts with Angel matches in the daytime, so I want to give you guys a chance to get in the game. We don’t have an Angel Match, but we do have about $1,250 left on the double-matching by external groups that The Civics Center found for us.

Until the thermometer hits $19,000, all donations of any amount that land in the thermometer will be double matched. That means that donations of $5 or $50 or $500 in the thermometer will turn into $15 or $150 or $1,500!

For the external matches, you don’t even need to tell us about your donation in order to be matched – if the thermometer isn’t at $19k yet and you donate, you will be double matched – though you can tell us about your donation if you want to!

Why are these races so critical?

It’s a win-win, x2. Or a double-double-win.

Protecting the PA Supreme Court from right-wing decisions on bodily autonomy, voting rights, and more.
Getting young people engaged in the process as early as possible.
Turning out the BIPOC Youth vote with the big Pittsburgh push.
PA is a crucial swing state!

Never forget that we are not just raising funds; we are in a fight for justice.

For those of you who missed it, here’s a message to Balloon Juice from Laura Brill, founder and CEO of The Civics Center:

When you reach your $25,000 goal, you will have made up 1/5 of our minimum goal for the summer/fall. Plus the match, and it’s >2/5. That’s a huge impact for the race.

We’re hoping you can reach the goal before June 30, which is the end of the fiscal year for us.

I know the PA Supreme Court elections are not getting much attention now, but it’s going to be a huge race, and our ability to make an impact genuinely depends on us raising these funds. In other words, what you are doing really matters.

Let’s do this!

Donate

Totally unrelated, I just want to thank everyone for all the fun and clever ratings in last week’s Medium Cool. That made my night.

Open thread.

Hey, Night Shift, This is Your Chance (Open Thread)Post + Comments (21)

Open Thread: NOAA Storm Warnings

by Anne Laurie| June 3, 20255:29 pm| 63 Comments

This post is in: DOGESHIT, How about that weather?, Open Threads, Trumpery

Cuts have consequences, illustrated. As seen on TV ??

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— John Morales (@johnmoralestv.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 8:45 PM

Exclusive: Staff of FEMA were left baffled after the head of the US disaster agency said during a briefing that he had not been aware the country has a hurricane season, according to four sources familiar with the situation reut.rs/3HAP8qI

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— Reuters (@reuters.com) June 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM

In case you missed Cole’s post, the head of FEM says not knowing about the hurricane season was a joke, probably…

… The remark was made during a briefing by David Richardson, who has led FEMA since early May. It was not clear to staff whether he meant it literally, as a joke, or in some other context…

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA’s parent agency, said the comment was a joke and that FEMA is prepared for hurricane season.

The spokesperson said under Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Richardson “FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens.”…

Richardson said during the briefing that there would be no changes to the agency’s disaster response plans despite having told staff to expect a new plan in May, the sources told Reuters.

Richardson’s comments come amid widespread concern that the departures of a raft of top FEMA officials, staff cuts and reductions in hurricane preparations will leave the agency ill-prepared for a storm season forecast to be above normal…

Trump has said FEMA should be shrunk or even eliminated, arguing states can take on many of its functions, as part of a wider downsizing of the federal government. About 2,000 full-time FEMA staff, one-third of its total, have been terminated or voluntarily left the agency since the start of the Trump administration in January.

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Despite Noem’s prior comments that she plans to eliminate FEMA, in May she approved Richardson’s request to retain more than 2,600 short-term disaster response and recovery employees whose terms were set to expire this year, one of the sources said, confirming an earlier report by NBC News.

Those short-term staff make up the highest proportion of FEMA employees, about 40%, and are a pillar of the agency’s on-the-ground response efforts.

FEMA recently sharply reduced hurricane training and workshops for state and local emergency managers due to travel and speaking restrictions imposed on staff, according to prior Reuters reporting.

Hurricane season is here. But with FEMA and NOAA in turmoil, experts fear the real disaster could be in the response.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) June 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM

… “My nightmare is a major catastrophic storm hitting an area that is reeling from the impact of all of this nonsense from the Trump administration and people will die. And that could happen in Florida, that could happen in Texas, that could happen in South Carolina,” said Susan Cutter, the director of the Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute at the University of South Carolina.

Representatives of both NOAA and FEMA say the agencies are prepared.

About 2,000 full-time staff have left FEMA since Trump took office in January, a loss of roughly one-third of the agency’s full-time workforce, amid Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) mandated cuts. Scholars who study emergency management are concerned by both the reduction in capacity and the “brain drain” of experienced staff.

“There’s really been a brain drain within FEMA in addition to the loss of overall employees,” said Samantha Montano, who teaches emergency management at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. She noted that many who left were in critical management positions.

The agency is run by an acting chief, David Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer who served overseas and worked as the Department of Homeland Security’s assistant secretary for countering weapons of mass destruction. He does not appear to have any experience in managing disasters. Emergency management requires knowing where to get things, who to call, how things work and how to get it done quickly — which comes from experience and establishing relationships with state officials, Montano and Cutter said.

What’s happening reminds former Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Craig Fugate of 2005, the year Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and exposed inexperienced and poorly prepared governments at all levels, especially the then-FEMA chief who came from a horse-rearing association. Fugate said he’s especially worried about top experienced disaster people leaving FEMA…

FEMA has also cut disaster resilience programs. Making areas more survivable saves up to $13 for every dollar spent, said Lori Peek, director of the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado…

Ready or not, the 2025 hurricane season starts today.

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— Eric Holthaus (@ericholthaus.com) June 1, 2025 at 6:13 AM

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Open Thread: NOAA Storm WarningsPost + Comments (63)

Open Thread: Evanescent Art

by Anne Laurie| June 3, 20251:02 pm| 41 Comments

This post is in: KULCHA!, Open Threads

Today is National Biscuit Day, and it’s about time that I populated this account with biscuit (cookie) sets from the past few years. Here are some of my favourites. 🧵
First up, a set inspired by the delicious designs of William Morris and John Henry Dearle.

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— Dr Ella Hawkins (@ellamchawk.bsky.social) May 29, 2025 at 3:05 AM

I used to follow Dr. Hawkins’ amazing artwork on twitter, and I’m very glad she’s come over to the less fraught BlueSky!

From Arts & Crafts patterns to medieval archaeology.

These biscuits recreate stained glass fragments found a few years ago in the triforium of Westminster Abbey.

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— Dr Ella Hawkins (@ellamchawk.bsky.social) May 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM

Most of my biscuits get eaten, but I hung on to this one.

The flavour is orange, cardamom, and vanilla, and the design was painted by hand onto royal icing using food colouring gels and vodka.

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— Dr Ella Hawkins (@ellamchawk.bsky.social) May 29, 2025 at 3:09 AM

Open Thread: Evanescent ArtPost + Comments (41)

Promoted from the Comments: ‘Tell me, Senator, is this why you came to Washington?’

by WaterGirl| June 3, 202511:35 am| 80 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

With thanks to Stately Plump Buck for this inspirational letter to their senators.

My letter to Senators Budd and Tillis:

“Hey, asshole –

There’s a kind of rot that sets into a soul long before the body is cold. You can smell it in the air at certain town halls, rising like sulfur from the mouths of the self-righteous. And recently, it came reeking from the lips of Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, who, when faced with a citizen trembling for the lives of the poor under the knife of Medicaid cuts, declared with the serenity of a hangman: “Well, we all are going to die.”

Senator, I write to ask whether you kneel at the same altar of indifference.

Do you whisper the same dark catechism?

Would you stand before a mother whose child clings to life by the threads of public care and offer her that same benediction? Would you lay a hand on her shoulder, look into her red-rimmed eyes, and say, “Well, we all are going to die”?

Would you utter that phrase to the parents of Laken Riley, whose tragic death your party holds up like a lantern in the dark, not to mourn, but to signal your arrival at the gates of another argument? Would you, too, speak of death so glibly when it serves the interests of the weak, not the strong?

Do not mistake Senator Ernst’s remark for gallows humor. It was not irony—it was revelation. It was a glimpse into a soul that has bartered compassion for ideology and now hides the trade behind a grin and a scripture verse. She speaks of Jesus but walks among the tombstones as if she planted the crosses herself. She speaks of the poor but signs their death warrants with a fountain pen engraved with donor names.

This is not just one woman’s callousness. It is a sickness of spirit that has crept like mold across your party. The House budget—which she so heartily praises—is not a piece of legislation. It is a bloodletting. It strips the frail and the fearful so that billionaires may keep polishing their yachts and building their fancy rocket ships.

Tell me, Senator, is this why you came to Washington?

To let the hungry starve, the sick suffer, and the poor die quietly, out of view, while you balance ledgers and flatter donors?

If Senator Ernst’s words made your conscience stir, even faintly, then you must speak. Because if you say nothing, we will know what you believe. That we are all, in your eyes, just waiting for death—and some of us deserve to arrive there a little sooner if it keeps the budget balanced.

You were not sent to D.C. to preside over despair with a smirk. You were sent to serve. And so I ask plainly:

Do you agree with Senator Ernst—that “we’re all going to die” is an acceptable answer to Americans pleading for their lives?

If not, then say so. Say it loud. Say it in the record, in your votes, in your actions. Because if you will not rebuke this cruelty, then you stand with it—like Pontius Pilate, who washed his hands and let the innocent be condemned.”

It seems like this amazing letter should be shared far and wide.

Promoted from the Comments: ‘Tell me, Senator, is this why you came to Washington?’Post + Comments (80)

War for Ukraine Day 1,194: The Day After

by Adam L Silverman| June 2, 20259:57 pm| 45 Comments

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

As could both be expected and was predicted, yesterday’s Ukrainian strikes on Russian strategic aviation did not positively affect the Russian negotiators in Istanbul.

😵😵😵

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— MAKS 25 👀🇺🇦 (@maks23.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM

Russia to Ukraine: “Shoot yourself in the head and turn the lights off as you go out.”

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:33 PM

As I’ve said many times, the only “peace” the Russian regime seeks is Ukraine’s lack of resistance to the destruction of the Ukrainian nation. As you can imagine, Ukraine has no interest in such “peace”. 2/2

— Anton Shekhovtsov (@shekhovtsov.substack.com) June 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM

Senior Ukraine official on peace talks to @financialtimes.com: No major breakthroughs, just “minor steps as we expected.”

Russians “just putting on a show of diplomacy for Trump.”

New POW exchange possible. Ukraine gave list of abducted Ukrainian children it wants ASAP.
www.ft.com/content/6fc8…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) June 2, 2025 at 10:12 AM

From The Financial Times:

Ukraine and Russia remain far apart on terms for a lasting ceasefire after a second round of peace talks in Istanbul on Monday where Moscow laid down stringent demands to end its three-year invasion.

After negotiations at the Çırağan Palace on the Bosphorus, Kyiv’s and Moscow’s delegations said they had agreed to swap all seriously wounded and sick prisoners, as well as prisoners of war under 25, in what Russia described as the largest such exchange during the conflict.

But the countries’ conditions for peace remained a chasm apart. Moscow insisted on terms that would all but hand it control of Kyiv, while dismissing Ukraine’s demands for an immediate ceasefire and greater US involvement in the talks.

The negotiations, which lasted for just over an hour, were the second round of talks brokered by Turkey and the US after the peace process resumed last month for the first time since early in the conflict.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the meeting was “great” and added he would move to organise a summit involving Russia’s leader Vladimir Putin and presidents Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine and the US’s Donald Trump. Zelenskyy later on Monday said he and Erdoğan had discussed holding the possible meeting in late June or early July in Turkey.

Even if the four leaders did meet, however, Zelenskyy said it would not result in a lengthy ceasefire because Putin was not ready to end the war.

The Russian memorandum “appears to contain ultimatums rather than serious proposals”, he said.

Russia offered a limited two to three-day ceasefire in a few select locations along the 1,000km front line to recover the bodies of fallen soldiers, Zelenskyy said. But he dismissed this as a ploy to show Trump that Putin was engaged in the peace process, calling it an attempt to ease sanctions rather than a genuine move towards peace.

More at the link.

This is a good lead into the question that Geminid asked in last night’s comments:

Adam, I’m wondering if you’d care to comment on Turkiye’s role in tomorrow’s talks. I saw a picture of the May 16 talks in Hurriyet News that showed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan presiding.* I expect he will again tomorrow.

Fidan was in Moscow last week, while his boss President Erdogan spoke with President Zelensky by phone. So the Turks has been active in preparations at least.

And some time if you’d care to give your appraisal of Turkiye’s strategic goals regarding this war, I’d appreciate that also as I appreciate all your posts and comments.

Erdogan has long been trying to position Turkiye, with himself as its leader, as the protector of the different ethnic Turk communities in Asia Minor and Central Asia, as well as a protector of (Sunni) Muslims in general. This was one of the follow on effects of the EU creating so many hurdles for Turkiye’s ascension that it amounted to a rejection. I think the interest is a result of Turkiye’s historic relationship with Ukraine’s Muslims. As for his strategic goals, I think he would like to offset his reputation as a soft authoritarian who has transformed Turkiye into an illiberal managed democracy with that of being a peacemaker. And one who has helped to end a major interstate war in Europe when the EU, which rejected Turkiye, couldn’t.

Here’s Russia’s actual demands:

No surprise here: The Kremlin has constantly intoned the mantra that the “root causes” of the conflict have to be resolved.

The “root causes” are Ukraine’s existence as a fully sovereign, independent state. Moscow wants to turn democratic Ukraine into a vassal state like Belarus.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:43 PM

President Zelenskyy had a very busy day. He attended the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Countries Summit. Video of his address below, transcript after the jump.

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Statement by the President of Ukraine Following the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Countries Summit

2 June 2025 – 17:50

Gitanas, Mr. President!

It’s important to be here in Vilnius today!

Dear friends, partners!

We all want the same thing – to stop the Russian war, to bring real peace, and to make security last. That’s what we’re all working for.

First, I informed our partners about the situation at the front. We also talked about our operation inside Russia, which has seriously weakened their military. Operation “Spiderweb” showed what modern war really looks like and why it’s so important to stay ahead with technology.

All our joint investments in drone production, all our shared battlefield experience, everything we’re doing together with our partners – it’s making Europe stronger. Today, we agreed with our partners on several joint decisions that will strengthen our defense even more. I thank everyone for your willingness to help. There will be new packages. There will be new investments in Ukraine’s weapons production – especially drones. Ukraine can produce much more, and we see partner investments as a way to give those partners priority access to restock their arsenals after this war.

Second, I thank you all for our shared view of what diplomacy needs in order to succeed.

Today, we see the situation clearly – if Russia turns the Istanbul meeting into an empty talk, there must be a new level of pressure – new sanctions, and not just from Europe. We need to work on joint sanctions at the G7 level – including with the United States – and with everyone in the world who wants peace. It’s very important that each of our partners supports this exact approach. Sanctions against Russia are necessary. It’s important to seriously limit Russia’s oil trade and its use of tankers. Sanctions, including secondary ones, tariffs, and price caps, can work and push Russia toward peace. Without pressure, Putin will just keep playing games with everyone who wants this war to end.

Talks in Istanbul just ended, and I’m waiting for Minister Umerov’s full report. They exchanged documents through the Turkish side, and we’re preparing a new release of prisoners of war.

Third – the upcoming NATO Summit can strengthen Europe’s security, or, if it sends the wrong signal, it will only encourage Putin.

The key to lasting peace is clear – the aggressor must not receive any reward for war. Putin must get nothing that would justify his aggression. Any reward would only show him that war pays off.

Geopolitical gains are just as important to Russia as money or territory. If Putin is allowed to decide who joins NATO, where NATO infrastructure can or can’t be, then Russia’s appetite for war will only grow. Our shared goal is the opposite – to completely end Russia’s hunger for aggression.

Ukraine is doing its part. I’m grateful to all partners who are doing theirs. And we must act as one united Euro-Atlantic community. The NATO Summit in June is the right place and the right time to send a clear message – Russia will not get anything from this war. Strong decisions are needed. Decisions for Europe, not for Putin. We all need to work together to make this really happen. And it’s doable.

Thank you to everyone who helps us. Thank you so much!

He also participated in a joint press conference with several other leaders who attended the summit.

But wait, there’s more!

He also did an online press conference regarding the day’s diplomatic efforts.

I’m worn out just copy and pasting all the YouTube links!

Georgia:

#GeorgiaProtests
Day 187

📷 Giorgi Burjanadze

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM

The Georgian Dream now files lawsuit against independent TV channels Formula and TV Pirveli. They are to be prohibited from using terms: “illegitimate authorities,” “Russification,” “regime,” “state capture” and so on.

These are virtually the only two major democratic media.

— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:27 PM

1/ Georgian Dream is suing the critical television stations Formula and TV Pirveli in the Communications Commission for using critical language.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM

2/ According to Formula, Georgian Dream is suing the channel over terms that highlight the alleged illegitimacy and political bias of the Georgian Dream-led parliament, various officials, and institutions.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM

3/ These include phrases such as: “illegitimate parliament,” “so-called chairman of the parliament,” “oligarch’s deputy,” and “regime’s city court.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM

4/ “Georgian Dream is suing Formula for referring to Bidzina Ivanishvili as an ‘oligarch’,” the channel reports.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM

5/ As for the complaint against TV Pirveli, lawyer Tornike Migineishvili says it claims that “TV Pirveli’s journalist should not have used terms like ‘regime’, ‘Russification’, ‘clan court’, etc.”

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM

6/ “What will happen next?
1. Warning
2. 3. Fine
Broadcasting license issue — that is, being taken off the air”, – says the head of the news service of TV Piveli, Nodar Meladze.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:38 PM

Russian-style dictatorship 101: it doesn’t care if you admit an offense and offer to make up for it, such as to pay for a material damage. It wants you in jail and will put you in jail regardless.

First final verdicts against protesters in Georgia.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 6:07 AM

Guram Khutashvili is 26 years old, and Daniel Mumladze is 23. This was their reaction to today’s verdict.

📷 Mindia Gabdze/Publika

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:07 PM

Judge Lali Mskhiladze had previously told protesters demonstrating against a banquet for corrupt judges that they “should all be arrested.”

📷 Mindia Gabdze/Publika

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:07 PM

The US:

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry on the absence of the U.S. in Istanbul: it was a Russian demand that the American side not be present.

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— WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 11:49 AM

Back to Ukraine.

This is getting somewhat lost. The night before Ukraine’s drone raid, Russia conducted what was the largest drone attack on Ukraine in the war to date—and, I guess, ever—with 472 Shahed-type attack drones. Broke last week’s record by 100 drones.
kyivindependent.com/russia-shatt…

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 12:11 AM

From The Kyiv Independent:

Russia launched a record number of drones at Ukraine in a mass overnight aerial attack, Ukraine’s Air Force reported the morning of June 1.

Russia attacked Ukraine during the night with 472 Shahed-type attack drones, breaking its previous record — set just last week on May 26 — by over 100 drones.

In addition to nearly 500 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Moscow also targeted Ukraine with three Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and four Kh-101, Iskander-K air and ground-based cruise missiles, the Air Force said.

Ukrainian air defense units shot down 210 drones, while another 172 were suppressed by electronic warfare, according to the Air Force. Russian drones were intercepted in 18 different locations across the country.

The record-shattering drone attack came on the eve of Ukraine’s “Operation Spider Web” — a major strike on Russia’s military airfields coordinated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). The operation hit 41 Russian bombers at four airfields, according to the SBU.

The attack, planned for over a year, involved smuggling first-person-view (FPV) drones deep into Russia. The operation caused approximately $7 billion in damages and disabled 34% of cruise missile carriers in key Russian air bases, the SBU reported.

Ukraine’s strike on Russia’s military aircraft follows some of Moscow’s heaviest aerial bombardments since the beginning of the full-scale war.

For three nights in a row from May 24-26, Russia barraged Ukraine with drones and missiles, launching a record 298 drones on May 25 only to break the record with 355 the following night.

The escalating attacks form the backdrop against which Ukrainian and Russian delegations prepare for their second round of direct peace talks, scheduled for June 2 in Istanbul. The Kremlin has claimed it will submit a memorandum outlining its ceasefire conditions during the meeting — though previous promises to present terms have been followed by weeks of delays.

The first round of talks, held May 16, failed to produce any significant breakthroughs towards a peace settlement.

Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire.

Today, Ukrainian intelligence launched 117 attack drones from trucks that had been placed near Russian air bases. I tasked several collects this morning via Umbra and my first images have already started processing. What a remarkable success in a well-executed operation.

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— Chris Biggers (@csbiggers.bsky.social) June 1, 2025 at 7:56 PM

The revetted parking positions. (I know I’m terrible posting on here).

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— Chris Biggers (@csbiggers.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 8:34 PM

Dyagilevo from today showed some possible burn scarring but no damaged aircraft. (Imagery: planet)

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— Chris Biggers (@csbiggers.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 8:35 PM

🚀Ukrainian Su-27 of the 39th Tactical Aviation Brigade successfully engaged and destroyed a Russian surface-to-air missile system (SAM) using an HARM missile. The strike occurred while the aircraft was performing an escort role for a strike group. t.me/soniah_hub/1…

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 6:48 AM

Kharkiv:

Russian drones in Kharkiv skies right now ‼️ air defense is working

— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 7:47 PM

At dawn, russia launched a combined attack on Kharkiv, striking the city with drones and missiles. Homes were destroyed. One of the missiles struck a road, leaving a gaping crater and the phrase “thank God it wasn’t a house” hanging in the air. Six people were injured, including two children.

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 1:42 AM

Homes in ruins in Kharkiv after russian drone strikes early this morning💔

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— Iryna Voichuk (@irynavoichuk.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:07 AM

Two residents of Kivsharivka in Kharkiv region were killed in russian attack on the village around 4:30 PM.

A 64-year-old woman died at the scene, and a 62-year-old woman sustained severe injuries and could not be saved, according to the prosecutor’s office.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM

Kharkiv, following last night’s Russian drone attack on the city. Six people were injured, including a child. Homes and cars were damaged

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 7:15 AM

The Kursk cross border offensive:

Interception of the Russian Molniya kamikaze drone with Soviet flag.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:17 PM

Irkutsk Oblast, Russia:

Irkutsk Oblast in Russia suffers massive traffic jams because they are checking all the trucks😂😂😂

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 7:03 AM

Russian films the burning remains of Russian Tu-95s and Tu-22s at the Belaya military airfield in the Irkutsk region

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 2:48 AM

View along the Russian air base Belaya, Irkutsk region. Showing multiple fires throughout the area. It looks like the northern part of the airbase (where Tu-160 were located) was less affected than the rest.

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 12:24 AM

The Borisoglebsk military airfield, Russia:

Russian sources associated with military aviation report that Ukrainian jet drones targeted the Borisoglebsk military airfield last night, located 350 km from the frontline.

“Today a large number of jet UAVs attacked the airfield in Borisoglebsk. No equipment losses. Eternal memory to the killed.”

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— 🦋Special Kherson Cat🐈🇺🇦 (@specialkhersoncat.bsky.social) June 2, 2025 at 7:20 AM

That’s enough for tonight.

Your daily Patron!

A new video from Patron’s official TikTok!

@patron__dsns

6 годин сну – звучить не так вже і погано!😀 #песпатрон

♬ оригінальний звук – Patron_official

Here’s the machine translation of the caption:

6 hours of sleep – doesn’t sound so bad!😀#песпатрон

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 1,194: The Day AfterPost + Comments (45)

Semi-Respite Open Thread

by Anne Laurie| June 2, 20257:51 pm| 29 Comments

This post is in: Excellent Links, Healthcare, Open Threads

Since it’s been One of Those Days… I am very grateful to Satby for introducing me to Josh Johnson.

RFK Jr: Head of Health and Human Sewage

(RFK Jr material starts at approximately the 18min mark)

Semi-Respite Open ThreadPost + Comments (29)

Monday Morning Open Thread: Unto the Fray(ed)

by Anne Laurie| June 2, 20258:54 am| 303 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

There is hope 🙏

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— Lev Parnas (@levparnas.bsky.social) June 1, 2025 at 9:14 PM

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"At the end of the day, taking money from the poor to give tax cuts to the rich, sadly, isn’t that heavy a lift for modern Republicans."

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— LOLGOP ??? (@thefarce.org) June 2, 2025 at 6:34 AM

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Hurricane season is here. But with FEMA and NOAA in turmoil, experts fear the real disaster could be in the response.

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— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) June 1, 2025 at 2:45 PM

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Guys, the election is over, you don't have to keep up that old charade.

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— Patrick Chovanec (@prchovanec.bsky.social) June 1, 2025 at 9:45 AM

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I should offer a more substantive critique than this but look at this guy’s face and listen to his voice when he talks; you are a mark if you trust him

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— Asawin Suebsaeng (@swin24.bsky.social) June 1, 2025 at 1:54 PM

Monday Morning Open Thread: Unto the Fray(ed)Post + Comments (303)

Gloria DryGarden on Something Up His Sleeve? (Nov 13, 2025 @ 12:03am)

YY_Sima Qian on War for Ukraine Day 1,357: Slow News Wednesday (Nov 13, 2025 @ 12:02am)

prostratedragon on Something Up His Sleeve? (Nov 13, 2025 @ 12:01am)

PJ on Something Up His Sleeve? (Nov 12, 2025 @ 11:57pm)

Ramona on Part 3: There Is No Artificial General Intelligence Down This Road (Nov 12, 2025 @ 11:57pm)

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

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

Dear legacy media: you are not here to influence outcomes and policies you find desirable.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

“In this country American means white. everybody else has to hyphenate.”

“A king is only a king if we bow down.” – Rev. William Barber

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

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

We are aware of all internet traditions.

This blog will pay for itself.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

American history and black history cannot be separated.

Too little, too late, ftfnyt. fuck all the way off.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

They fucked up the fucking up of the fuckup!

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

They don’t have outfits that big. nor codpieces that small.

Come on, man.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

Hey, Night Shift, This is Your Chance (Open Thread)

Why are these races so critical?

Open Thread: NOAA Storm Warnings

Open Thread: Evanescent Art

Promoted from the Comments: ‘Tell me, Senator, is this why you came to Washington?’

War for Ukraine Day 1,194: The Day After

Statement by the President of Ukraine Following the Bucharest Nine and Nordic Countries Summit

Semi-Respite Open Thread

Monday Morning Open Thread: Unto the Fray(ed)