Wednesday Evening Open Thread: Heckuva Ball Player, That Robinson Fella

by Anne Laurie| March 19, 20257:40 pm| 82 Comments

This post is in: Justice, Open Threads, Sports, Riveted By The Sociological Significance Of It All

"I had a better understanding of how it must have felt to be a Jew in Hitler's Germany" – Rockefeller delegate Jackie Robinson watching the hard-right psychos take over the party at the 1964 RNC.

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— Zeddy (@zeddary.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 10:40 PM

Murphy the Trickster God is notoriously *not* a subtle scripter, but the thing is: Lauding Jackie Robinson, ‘one of the good ones’, has been a snark subject for as far back as I can remember, growing up in a less-than-genteel very white working class Bronx neighborhood back in the 1960s. Approving one of America’s greatest sports icons and civil rights leaders: Low Bar achieved, have a cookie, Truth Speaker! Archie Bunker gradually coming to appreciate Robinson’s talents was part of the ongoing evolution of one of the 1970’s most popular TV shows, back in the days when ‘popular television’ had an actual sociological impact. I honestly think this had to be a ‘dumb bot in the hands of idiots’ issue — even Elon’s script kiddies can’t have been this deliberately clueless…

Per ABC News, “DOD says it ‘mistakenly removed’ Jackie Robinson, other content from website amid DEI purge”:

The Pentagon said Wednesday that in “rare cases” it may have deliberately or mistakenly removed some webpages in efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion content after a tribute to Jackie Robinson’s Army service was suddenly scrubbed from a Department of Defense’s website.

A DOD official told ABC News that the Robinson webpage, among other content recently removed from Pentagon websites, was “mistakenly removed” due to the search terms used to scrub DEI terms from platforms.

The official said Robinson’s page and others that were unpublished, including content honoring the Tuskegee Airmen, the Enola Gay, the Navajo Code Talkers, history-making female fighter pilots and the Marines at Iwo Jima, would be republished.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the webpage for Robinson, which was headlined “Sports Heroes Who Served: Baseball Great Jackie Robinson Was WWII Soldier,” had been restored and seemed to be identical to its original version, which included language noting the “racial abuse” he faced and that he was “the first Black person to serve as a vice president of a major U.S. corporation.”…

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According to an online archive of the story, which was a part of a series on “Sports Heroes Who Served,” Robinson was “assigned to a segregated Army cavalry unit in Fort Riley, Kansas,” after being drafted in 1942.

It recounted Robinson’s arrest in 1944 after an Army bus driver ordered Robinson “to move to the back of the bus, but Robinson refused.”

The story, which the Pentagon said would be restored, noted that Robinson in his baseball career “did experience a lot of hatred from fans and other baseball players who felt that Black players should not be allowed in Major League Baseball.”

Still, in a statement given to ABC News, Ullyot defended the removal of DEI from the DOD, saying it is “a form of Woke cultural Marxism.”…

This is actually a very good clip:

I hope this statement is read on every MLB broadcast. Everyone needs to know how stupid & deranged & racist they are.

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— Dana Houle (@danahoule.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 2:56 PM

“Jackie Robinson incessantly raises questions to sear America's consciousness. There are those, black and white, who have challenged the right of Jackie Robinson to ask those questions. He has the right. He has the right because he is a citizen.”
Martin Luther King Jr

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— Dana Houle (@danahoule.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 3:06 PM

“…back in the days when integration wasn't as fashionable, he underwent the trauma and the humiliation and the loneliness which comes with being a pilgrim walking the lonesome byways toward the high road of freedom. He was a sit-inner before the sit-ins, a freedom rider before the freedom rides."

— Dana Houle (@danahoule.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 3:09 PM

To erase the fact that the Tuskegee Airmen and 442nd Regiment fought in segregated units IS to downplay their patriotism and dedication. They fought for a country that hated them in a more real and visceral way than every aggrieved white MAGA vetbro Vance/Hegseth type can ever claim for themselves.

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— Zeddy (@zeddary.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 4:10 PM

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: Heckuva Ball Player, That Robinson FellaPost + Comments (82)

Picking Up Where We Left Off, With a Twist

by WaterGirl| March 19, 20252:18 pm| 143 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

I’d like to pick this up where we left off in December – when we thought we knew what was coming – and finish what we started.

But with a twist. I’d like to pay special attention to resources that have really stepped up in these past couple of months.

So in this post, I’d like us to:

Have you guys supply URLs for items that don’t have a link (raw link helpful, simpler to copy)
Add resources that should be on here
Remove resources that maybe shouldn’t be on here
Call out, and add, any resources that have really stepped up

For blogs, can we focus on blogs that are really stepping up and are most relevant in this moment? We don’t need to create the superset of awesome blogs or awesome podcasts.

Alternate Media Sources

Alternate Media Sources was last updated in March of 2025.

Independent News

Democracy Docket
Democracy Now

MinnPost
Mother Jones
ProPublica
Rewire
Talking Points Memo
TechDirt
Texas Observer
The American Prospect
The Independent
Wired

Substacks & Newsletters

Harry Litman
Heather Cox Richardson
Paul Krugman
Wonkette
Timothy Snyder
Oliver Willis
Brian Buetler Off Message
Will Leitch
James Fallows
Aaron Rupar’s Public Notice
Jay Kuo
Joyce White Vance
Will Bunch
Robert Hubbell’s Today’s Edition
Candidly Tiff
The Downballot
Ian Dunt Striking 13 (UK focus)
The Counteroffensive with Tim Mak (in-country Ukraine focus)
The Contrarian (started by Jennifer Rubin and Norman Eisen)
Robert Hubbell’s Today’s Edition newsletter
Jeff Tiedrich
Steve Vladeck
Ruth Ben-Ghiat
Chris Geidner/Law Dork
Sarah Kendzior
Erin Reed
Judd L Popular Information
Simon Rosenberg (Hopium Chronicles)
The Handbasket
Brad DeLong (Grasping Reality)
Sherrilyn Ifill
Jim Acosta
Meidas Touch
Karen Attiah

Blogs

Bolts Media
Terry Kanefield
Dear Dean Publishing
Electoral-Vote.com
Daily Kos
Jamelle Bouie
Marcy Wheeler
Digby’s Hullabaloo
Charlie Pierce
Techdirt
404 Media
Informed Consent
Jess Piper
The Professional Left
Rewire
Steve Benen (MaddowBlog)
The Black Guy Who Tips
Just Security
Lawfare
Dean Baker (Beat the Press)

News

Plain Dealer aka Cleveland Plain Dealer (news)
Philadelphia Inquirer (news, non-profit)
Baltimore Banner (news, non-profit)
Middle East Eye (news, Middle East focus)
Recombobulation Area (news, Wisconsin focus)
High Country News (news, West focus)
The Cascadia Advocate (news, Pacific Northwest focus)
Deutsche Welle (International news)
AP News
Mississippi Free Press
Mississippi Today
Tennessee Holler
Christian Science Monitor
Tampa Bay Times
The New Yorker
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News Around the World

Canadian Broadcast Corporation (Canada)

El País (Spain)

Both sides? https://www.readtangle.com/

Bellingcat

Shopping

Goods Unite Us iOS app android app

Action

Democracy Forward

Just Security Litigation Tracker

Legal Challenges (Lawfare)

Picking Up Where We Left Off, With a TwistPost + Comments (143)

Down in the Mud (Open Thread)

by Betty Cracker| March 19, 202512:25 pm| 69 Comments

This post is in: Birdwatching, Open Threads

I witnessed an epic though ultimately pointless battle between two Common Gallinules (aka mud hens, moorhens or swamp chickens) yesterday afternoon. It went on for 15 – 20 minutes or so. I posted a shorter clip of it on Bluesky yesterday. Here’s a minute-long view of the fracas, which I filmed toward the end of the fight, when both birds were tired:

A few things to note: The fight looks pretty fierce, especially when the birds are exhaustedly smacking each other in the face with their weird feet, but no bird was seriously harmed (at least not physically).

I think the combatants pictured are males. There was a third, smaller bird present when it broke out. I figure she was the female they are fighting over, and she wandered off.

The handsome Tri-Colored Heron who appears in the frame toward the end intervened in the fight twice. In the clip on Bluesky, he ran the fighting gallinules off with a flap of his wings, probably because they were disturbing his fishing hole.

***

I thought of the bird fight when reading toward the end of the morning thread. It kind of reminded me of some of the long-running disputes around here — fierce and exhausting at times, but ultimately pointless, with no serious physical harm. (I guess the heron is Cole in this scenario.)

Also, are we really going to argue that “our side” isn’t scoldy? As a much better president than the one we have now once said, “Come on, man.”

I’ll admit it! I am scoldy sometimes! Not now, though.

Open thread!

Down in the Mud (Open Thread)Post + Comments (69)

Wednesday Morning Open Thread: Tim Walz, On the Road Again

by Anne Laurie| March 19, 20257:59 am| 235 Comments

This post is in: Democratic Response to Trump 2.0, Harris-Walz, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

If you need a little boost during the day, check out Tesla stock 📉 pic.twitter.com/KBEh6pOZLW

— Tim Walz (@Tim_Walz) March 19, 2025

Okay, it’s a rather limited, very Midwestern sort of road trip, and in defense of a cause we all support, so…

Governor @Tim_Walz has a message for Wisconsin voters, and for Elon Musk.

Early in-person voting is happening NOW. Go to https://t.co/8rmujCJmGK to find your polling place. pic.twitter.com/dcz1Zu9MQf

— Ben Wikler (@benwikler) March 18, 2025

Full house in Eau Claire tonight for @Tim_Walz to discuss rich dipshits buying Supreme Court seats and what we’re going to do about it pic.twitter.com/4ZLDo3O0mh

— Joe Oslund (@joe_oslund) March 19, 2025

Per Wisconsin Public Radio, “Tim Walz says pushing back against President Trump, Elon Musk starts with Wisconsin Supreme Court election”:

… The 2024 Democratic vice presidential nominee also criticized Republican U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Prairie du Chien for halting in-person town halls, suggesting he’s “scared” of hearing from constituents angry over federal cuts initiated by Trump and Musk.

Walz entered Eau Claire’s Pablo Center theater to a standing ovation by hundreds of Democrats from the Chippewa Valley region and beyond in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District. His visit served as a bit of a catchall for the state Democratic Party. It was a rally aimed at motivating liberals to help Crawford defeat conservative Waukesha County Judge Brad Schimel. And it served as an opportunity for liberals to vent their anger about Trump and Musk as they work to dismantle federal agencies and lay off tens of thousands of federal workers.

The Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s decision to hold its “People v. Musk” event in Eau Claire was meant to send a message to Van Orden, whose district is one of around a dozen the party is focused on flipping in 2026. Eau Claire is the largest city in the 3rd Congressional District, and throughout the evening, Walz and state Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler took turns criticizing Van Orden’s switch to virtual town halls due to what he has described as “George Soros-funded agitators” disrupting GOP events…

“We have to take this like you do cleaning the house or whatever, one chunk at a time,” Walz said. “And America’s first chunk of cleaning is the Wisconsin Supreme Court, April 1.” …

Tim Walz in Wisconsin: “I’m having the most unsatisfying I Told You So tour in the history of politics.” pic.twitter.com/4v88PQz2LX

— David Weigel (@daveweigel) March 18, 2025

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Dave Weigel has a longer interview, at Semafor — mostly, in Semafor style, sneakily questioning whether it wouldn’t be more sensible for us Democrats to just shut up, roll over, enable the GOP. Walz, IMO, is good at rebutting / redirecting these tired tropes:

David Weigel: You told [California Gov.] Gavin Newsom that Senate Democrats should have ‘made Trump justify what he’s doing.’ How could they have made that happen?

Tim Walz: I’ve said this on budgets and stuff. I voted, at times when the Republicans needed another vote on the debt ceiling, to get it done. And I voted with George Bush. But I also think that we have to recognize this is so different. I think, as a governor, seeing the disruptions that it’s causing, seeing the system shut down, we can’t get reimbursement — I understood that the argument was, if we did a shutdown, if we fought Trump that way, it would cause pain to people. The pain is already here.

I will try and cooperate with anybody, but I’m not going to compromise on core values, whether it’s human rights or other things. The first time, with Trump, I tried to cultivate a relationship to a certain degree. He even praised me a few times. My idea was to keep my head down, not draw a contrast to Minnesota, and do the best we could. That’s not going to work this time with this guy. It’s not going to work for anybody. It’s certainly not going to work for Minnesota. So I said, I’ll follow the law, but if he issues unlawful orders, we’re not going to do it.

What did Chuck Schumer not do that a different leader could have done?

All of us on this could have had a clearer vision. We knew this [continuing resolution] was coming. I think there could have been, like — what are states doing? We were prepping for a shutdown, right? My team prepares for a shutdown. How do we hold things down? How do we use rainy day funds? What can we do? I think there could have been those conversations amongst us.

And look, I don’t want to question Sen. Schumer. He’s an expert at this. He’s been there a long time. He also, I think, has great compassion for what would happen with the shutdown. What I would say, if there would have been more communication with all of us: That pain is already in the states, and it’s not going to get any better. And I think the issue is, it muddied the water on who’s to blame for this, and it’s clearly Donald Trump…

One of the premises of this Republican campaign for the [Wisconsin] Supreme Court is that the Trump vote can come out for someone who’s not Trump. Looking ahead: Could JD Vance do it? How much of this Trump coalition do you think he can hold on to?

I don’t know. I think there’s something unique about Trump. Look, the people bought what he was selling. He seems to have a way to do this. He’s entertaining, or whatever. I’m not sure that there’s someone else who does that. Does that somebody else hold his 77 million voters? Probably. Does that person then alienate people, or not do enough, when all those other voters come out to beat him? Because you could easily bury them. I keep telling people, I don’t think you should be hoping that we get a charismatic Barack Obama [to] roll into the scene and get us out of this. I think it’s these things, these town halls, that does it.

And a little affirmation for us jackals!

Walz proposes a "shadow government kind of thing" where "every day there's a press conference opposite of them."

"How, in God's name, Wisconsin, did we let Sean Duffy off the hook for planes crashing?"

— David Weigel (@daveweigel) March 19, 2025

Wednesday Morning Open Thread: Tim Walz, On the Road AgainPost + Comments (235)

Late Night Open Thread: New Metric – Robert’s Rules of Rudeness

by Anne Laurie| March 19, 20252:04 am| 70 Comments

This post is in: Activist Judges!, Open Threads, Trump Crime Cartel, Trump-Musk, Schadenfreude

In a rare statement, Chief Justice John Roberts called judicial impeachment "not an appropriate response" to disagreeing with a judge's decision.
He made the comments after Trump called for the impeachment of a federal judge who blocked the administration's deportation flights. to.pbs.org/43RBatE

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— PBS News (@pbsnews.org) March 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM

Roberts goes to extraordinary lengths to shepherd his unruly fellow revanchists into producing the most exquisitely crafted artisan cut-glass excuses for Our Unitary Executive to do exactly as he wishes. And in return the Vulgar Talking Yam and his subliterate minions write LOL BCUZ WE CAN on the Constitution in… well, it’s yellow, let’s say they used a gold Sharpie. To the fainting couches!…

getting increasingly irate as these judges say i can’t do the illegal things i want to do
i don’t think they understand that i really, really want to do them tho

— not an art thief (@famousartthief.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:46 PM

The stock-photo pickers got to enjoy themselves, at least.

BREAKING: Chief Justice John Roberts rebukes President Trump's call for a judge to be impeached for ruling against the administration.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/sup…

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— MSNBC (@msnbc.com) March 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM

Gettin' so hyped on huffing my own farts that I'm going to alienate my pet justices to the point where even they rule against me.

— Schnorkles O'Bork (@schnorkles.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 12:05 PM

Maybe a bit of pushback from Roberts. Maybe he is worried about his legacy. Hint sir, too late there but we appreciate this effort.

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— Tony Negron (@tnite02.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:52 PM

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NEW VIDEO: Chief Justice John Roberts rebuked Turmp's call to impeach a federal judge who ruled against the administration. @marcelias.bsky.social explains how Trump's threat is the latest move to intimidate the judiciary into compliance.
Watch the full video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=71o2…

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— Democracy Docket (@democracydocket.com) March 18, 2025 at 8:39 PM

Friendly reminder that the monster criticized by Chief Justice Roberts was created by Chief Justice Roberts.

— Andrea Junker (@strandjunker.com) March 18, 2025 at 2:10 PM

And the "James Comey Wait What Have I Done I Am Not Responsible For This Oh Yes The Fuck You Are" award goes to John Roberts:
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/18/u…

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— Cake or Death (@johngcole.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 6:24 PM

Here’s a link to the original document, if that’s the sort of reading you enjoy:

NEW: DOJ asks Judge Boasberg to vacate his TROs against the gov't, calling them "an affront to the President’s broad constitutional and statutory authority to protect the United States from dangerous aliens who pose grave threats to the American people." storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us…

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— Joshua J. Friedman (@joshuajfriedman.com) March 18, 2025 at 12:12 AM

Don’t think they’re gonna be able to blame this one on Elon, not while the Project 2025 architects are fondling themselves in public over their ‘win’…

if you think about it from Roberts or Leo's perspective they had this extremely successful long game of rigging the judiciary to make it possible to pursue reactionary policy without electoral backlash and then Elon gloms onto their senile figurehead out of *nowhere* and starts wrecking shit loudly

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— the abbot of unreason (an archaeologist) (@merovingians.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM

I’m a true believer in the Roberts Rudeness Index
There’s something very Sandra Day O’Connor about it — jurisprudence guided by a generalized aversion to things that seem rude, distasteful, or uncouth

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— Anna Bower (@annabower.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 12:55 PM

Late Night Open Thread: New Metric – Robert’s Rules of RudenessPost + Comments (70)

War for Ukraine Day 1,118: Hanging on the Telephone

by Adam L Silverman| March 18, 202510:59 pm| 24 Comments

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

Trump had his phone call with Putin today. Putin, as he has repeatedly done with other heads of government in the past, left Trump waiting on him.

Putin is straight up clowning Trump right now. He’s telling the world Trump is his bitch.

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— Grogu_Speak_NYC🗽🇺🇦 (@groguspeak.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM

amazing putin and this host guy laugh about trump being a huge cuck live on camera here, as he reminds putin that trump is waiting by the phone

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— Josh Marshall (@joshtpm.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM

Obligatory:

There are also starkly different versions/understandings of the call between Putin, Trump, and Trump’s surrogates.

The Kremlin’s statement following Donald Trump’s call with Putin differs from the White House version. The Russian account includes a requirement for a 30-day truce: halting mobilization in Ukraine, suspending military aid to Ukrainian forces, and ceasing intelligence sharing.

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— Tatarigami (@tatarigami.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 2:48 PM

Here’s the machine translation:

Leaders continued a detailed and frank exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine. Vladimir Putin expressed gratitude to Donald Trump for his desire contribute to the noble goal of ending hostilities and human losses.

Confirming principled commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict, President of Russia declared readiness for joint with American partners thorough exploring possible ways to resolve, which should be comprehensive, sustainable and long-term nature. And of course, consider the unconditional the need to address the root causes of the crisis, Russia’s legitimate security interests.

In context initiatives of the US President on the introduction of a 30-day ceasefire – with Russian the parties identified a number of essential points regarding security effective control of a possible ceasefire across the entire line of combat contact, the need to stop forced mobilization in Ukraine and rearmament of the Armed Forces. Serious risks associated with the lack of compatibility of the Kiev regime, which has repeatedly sabotaged and violated the agreements reached, were also noted. Attention is drawn to the barbaric terrorist crimes committed by Ukrainian militants against the civilian population of the Kursk region.

Underlined that the key condition for preventing the escalation of the conflict and working towards resolving it politically and diplomatically – should be complete termination of foreign military assistance and intelligence information to Kiev.

In connection with the recent appeal of Donald Trump to save lives surrounded by Kursk regions by Ukrainian military personnel Vladimir Putin confirmed that Russian the party is ready to be guided by humanitarian considerations and, in case of surrender, guarantees the soldiers of the Armed Forces life and decent treatment according to Russian laws and international law.

During conversations Donald Trump put forward a proposal on the mutual refusal of the parties to the conflict to strike for 30 days at energy infrastructure facilities. Vladimir Putin responded positively to this initiative and immediately gave the Russian military corresponding team.

Also constructively Russian President reacted to the idea expressed by Donald Trump the implementation of a well-known initiative regarding the safety of navigation in the Black Sea. Conceived to start negotiations for additional elaboration of specific details of such an arrangement.

Vladimir Putin informed that on March 19 between the Russian and Ukrainian sides – 175 per 175 people will be exchanged. In addition, as goodwill gesture will be transferred to 23 seriously wounded Ukrainian military personnel, being treated in Russian medical institutions.

Leaders confirmed intention to continue efforts to achieve a Ukrainian settlement bilaterally, including taking into account the above-mentioned proposals of the President USA. To this end, Russian and American expert groups are being created.

Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump also touched upon other issues on the international agenda, including the situation in the Middle East and the Red Sea region. Will be joint efforts have been made to stabilize the crisis points, networking on nuclear non-proliferation and global security. This, in turn, will contribute to recovery. the general atmosphere of Russian-American relations. One of the positive examples – joint vote at the UN on a resolution regarding the Ukrainian conflict.

Expressed mutual interest in normalizing bilateral relations in the light special responsibility of Russia and the United States for ensuring security and stability in the world. In this context, a wide range of areas was considered, in which our countries could establish cooperation. A number of ideas were discussed that were moving towards the development of mutually beneficial cooperation in the economy and energy in the future.

Donald Trump supported the idea of Vladimir Putin to organize hockey matches in the USA and Russia between Russian and American players playing in the NHL and KHL.

Presidents agreed to remain in contact on all issues raised.

Apparently we’re getting the Soviet Super Series redux. I’ll have more on that tomorrow.

Here’s the US’s version:

IMPORTANT: White House says Donald Trump “agreed” an “energy and infrastructure ceasefire* ” with Putin of Russia – which, of course, counts as UNCONFIRMED – unless confirmed by Ukraine’s President Zelensky.

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— Alex Panchenko (@alexpanchenko2.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM

Putin made Trump wait on him and then played him like a fiddle.

Temporary halt to targeting energy sites would be much more positive for Russia militarily than Ukraine – UA’s effective and surgical strikes of Russian oil depots has wreaked havoc for Russian resupplies.

The Kremlin has almost solely targeted civilian energy infrastructure.

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— Thomas Ingleson-Grey (@inglesongrey.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 1:58 PM

Trump’s 30-day ceasefire proposal was rejected, but everyone just refuse to admit it.

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— Kate from Kharkiv (@kateinkharkiv.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 1:43 PM

We also learned today, from an interview that Trump did with Byron York, that Trump has actually been talking regularly with Putin over the last month or so.

Trump also revealed that the Tuesday call with Putin was not the first conversation the two leaders have had in recent weeks.

“It was a very good call,” Trump said. “I think it’s the beginning of something good. The beginning really took place three or four weeks ago. You know, I’ve spoken to Putin over — this isn’t just a call that began it. We’ve had other calls.”

“That’s not been made public before,” I said. “No, but this is a continuation of positive,” Trump replied. “If it was not positive, I’d tell you.”

Let’s recap: Putin makes Trump wait to demonstrate the former’s dominance, Trump and his team present a readout of the call that makes Trump look really good, Putin’s team puts out a readout that doesn’t align with Trump’s, and Trump tells Byron York that this is just the most recent of an untold number of calls between them over the past month. And then Steve Witkoff said this:

Witkoff: “I would commend President Putin for all he did today on that call. And I would give all the credit to President Trump … I can’t overstate how compelling he was on this call.”

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— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) March 18, 2025 at 9:17 PM

It’s like a hostage video.

Also, still no real ceasefire of any type:

As we try to digest the results of the Trump/Putin call, in Kyiv the air raid sirens are sounding – there’s the threat of Russian ballistic missile launches from Voronezh Oblast. Russian/Iranian attack drones are also flying over six of Ukraine’s oblasts.

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— Euan MacDonald (@euanmacdonald.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 2:32 PM

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

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There Is Good News Regarding Long-Range Drones: Our 3,000-Kilometer-Range Drone Has Successfully Passed Testing – Address by the President

17 March 2025 – 20:49

I wish you health, dear Ukrainians!

Today, I held a Staff Meeting. Several issues were discussed, but the key topic was drones – all types that we need. There is good news regarding long-range drones: our 3,000-kilometer-range drone has successfully passed testing. I am grateful to the developers and manufacturers. We are advancing a line of long-range capabilities that will help guarantee the security of our state. There was also a report on the use of Ukrainian missiles – the long Neptune, and we can say we are satisfied with the strike results. However, we need to produce more missiles, more drones, and this week, we will discuss this with our partners. Ukraine’s defense production capacity, combined with partner investments – primarily from Europe – forms a reliable foundation for a new security architecture that will inevitably be established on our continent. There is no alternative to this. Security is essential, and it is only a matter of time before everyone on the continent realizes that the old security architecture will no longer work. New solutions are needed. Sufficient modern technological weaponry. Sufficient defense spending. Sufficient investment in defense production. And most importantly – motivation. Motivation to defend one’s home. And this means contingents that have relevant combat experience, and that are trained by those who have already gained such experience.

Today, I held a meeting with the new Chief of the General Staff, Andriy Hnatov – together with Ukraine’s Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, we outlined the top priorities. In particular, this concerns the corps system, which must be implemented as quickly as possible. In the near future, there will also be meetings with partners in Europe – specifically to work out the practical details of the future security system in Europe and the partner contingents ready to help secure peace in Ukraine. I expect a report from the Defense Minister on our preparations for these meetings. I also spoke today with President Macron of France. We coordinated our positions – both ahead of the conversation between President Trump and Putin and the upcoming meetings in Europe. I want to thank Emmanuel and all of France for their support.

It is very important that tomorrow marks one week since the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire in the sky, at sea, and on the front lines has been on the table. The implementation of this proposal could have begun long ago. Every day in wartime is a matter of human lives. Now, almost a week later, it’s clear to everyone in the world – even to those who refused to acknowledge the truth for the past three years – that it is Putin who continues to drag out this war. For a week now, Putin has been unable to squeeze out ‘yes’ to the ceasefire proposal. He’s saying whatever he wants, but not what the whole world wants to hear. The unconditional ceasefire proposal is essentially about saving lives, allowing diplomats to work on ensuring security and a lasting peace – the proposal that Russia is ignoring. Pressure is needed to finally make Moscow accept that their war must be brought to an end.

Today, I also spoke with Argentine President Javier Milei. I informed him about the situation on the front line and in the negotiations. I told him that we are close to taking the first steps toward ending the war. And I called for Argentina’s voice to be heard confidently enough, as always, for the sake of peace.

And one more thing – about our life, our future, which will be secured despite everything Russia is trying to do to our country. Ukraine will preserve its independence. We will provide everything necessary for the development of our country and our people. I thank everyone who is already working toward this – for the sake of our resilience, Ukraine’s progress, Ukrainian education, and Ukrainian children. Today, together with the First Lady, I took part in the opening of the Mathematics Museum here in Kyiv – a modern, specialized educational space. And it is a task for the Ministry of Education, the Government as a whole, and regional authorities – to take this example of an educational space and expand it across the regions. Such opportunities and spaces should not be limited to Kyiv alone. Children across Ukraine need equal access to education and all educational opportunities. Right now, in wartime conditions, this is extremely difficult – but achievable. And after the war, it must be ensured even more so. I am grateful to everyone who advances science and education in Ukraine. To all who develop new educational initiatives and keep our entire educational infrastructure running. Teachers in schools, professors in universities, founders and staff of all Ukrainian educational projects – I am grateful to you! And we will certainly continue to support teachers, education, and new educational projects in Ukraine. Life must prevail. A just peace must be achieved.

Glory to Ukraine!

President Zelenskyy also did a digital briefing about diplomatic efforts today.

Georgia:

Day 111. We will prevail, and you can help us avoid whatever costs can be avoided by imposing sanctions on the dictatorship clan and calling for new, free and fair Parliamentary elections. #GeorgiaProtests

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 2:09 PM

#GeorgiaProtests Day 111 continuous, Day 141 overall.

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 2:42 PM

It gets better – there’s the Georgian Legion flag behind too! 🇬🇪🇺🇦

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 2:46 PM

🟥 The substantive hearing of Mzia Amaglobeli’s case will begin today, March 18, at 2 PM (Tbilisi time) at #Batumi City Court.

🟥 The case will be heard on the merits by sanctioned Judge Nino Sakhelashvili who does not have a criminal law qualification.

#RepressionInGeorgia
#MediaUnderAttack

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) March 18, 2025 at 5:03 AM

Judge Salikh Shainidze found Mzia Amaglobeli guilty of violating the law in this part of the arrest, convicted her of disobeying a police officer, and fined her 2,000 GEL (≈$720). Mzia is also arrested under the Criminal Code.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 9:58 AM

1/3
🟥 “During the Soviet repressions, people were executed without even standing trial. At least my court hearing is happening – so what if it’s just a formality? I have nothing to complain about,” Mzia Amaglobeli told the judge during her criminal case hearing.
The hearing is postponed to March 31

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) March 18, 2025 at 11:50 AM

2/3
🔴 Later judge Salikh Shainidze found Mzia Amaglobeli an “offender” in an administrative case for putting up a poster on January 11. The judge ruled her guilty of “disobeying a lawful police order and insulting police officers” – without any evidence.
Mzia was fined GEL 2000.

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) March 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM

3/3
📣“Fight to the end” – reads the poster Mzia showed everyone after Salikh Shainidze fined her for the offense she has not committed.

#RepressionInGeorgia
#MediaUnderAttack
#GeorgianProtests

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— Batumelebi&Netgazeti (@netgazeti.org) March 18, 2025 at 11:51 AM

1/ The trial of Temur Katamadze is underway in Tblisi city court. Katamadze is in immigration detention for participating in protests and faces deportation. The Court is considering whether to grant him refugee or humanitarian status.

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— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

2/ Temur Katamadze was arrested on January 11 during a protest in Batumi under Article 173 of the Administrative Offenses Code, which pertains to disobeying a police officer. He was sentenced to five days in prison.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

3/ After his release, on January 16 Katamadze was arrested again—this time facing deportation from Georgia to Turkey.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

4/ On Jan 16, the MIA satted that Katamadze was detained in accordance with immigration laws. He is a descendant of Muhajirs. Katamadze said that he has lived in Georgia since 2012 and, despite numerous attempts, has not obtained Georgian citizenship.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

5/ According to GYLA, Katamadze is appealing the Migration Department’s decision, which unjustifiably denied him refugee or humanitarian status within three days of his application.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

6/ On February 28, Katamadze released a letter from prison, alleging continuous and deliberate pressure from the heads of the Migration Administration.

— Publika.ge (@publikage.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:31 AM

Much gratitude to the Clooney Foundation for taking up on monitoring @netgazeti.org director Mzia Amaghlobeli’s case!

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— Marika Mikiashvili 🇬🇪🇺🇦🇪🇺 (@marikamikiashvili.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 8:41 AM

The US:

New Gallup poll: 46% of Americans say US not doing enough to help Ukraine against Russia’s war, marking a 16% increase since December to new high that dates back to 2022. At same time, proportions thinking US is doing too much (30%) or the right amount (23%) for Ukraine shrunk.

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) March 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM

More from new Gallup poll, which shows Trump’s views on ending the Russia-Ukraine war don’t align with most Americans’: It also finds a 5% increase in percentage of Americans who think the US should continue to support Ukraine in reclaiming its territory, even if requires prolonged involvement (53%)

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) March 18, 2025 at 11:33 AM

See the Gallup poll findings here: news.gallup.com/poll/658193/…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) March 18, 2025 at 11:34 AM

The disturbing bit isn’t that he thinks or posts this—that’s unsurprising. He’s a regular RT columnist. It’s that this is what the director of national intelligence is consuming. This is the person she amplified just yesterday. This is the worldview what will be shaping the assessments she oversees

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— Shashank Joshi (@shashj.bsky.social) March 18, 2025 at 12:14 PM

Back to Ukraine.

A senior Ukrainian official tells me that Kyiv has asked the White House for “full information” about Trump’s call with Putin and is waiting for a response. www.ft.com/content/75b3…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) March 18, 2025 at 2:44 PM

Noting the energy and infrastructure ceasefire the Kremlin said Putin had agreed to, a senior Ukrainian official told me: “It was our proposal—the partial ceasefire was the first step. The Americans decided to push for more.”
www.ft.com/content/75b3…

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— Christopher Miller (@christopherjm.ft.com) March 18, 2025 at 2:43 PM

From The Financial Times:

Vladimir Putin has ordered Russia’s military to refrain from striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure for 30 days, but stopped short of agreeing an unconditional ceasefire.

The Kremlin said the Russian president had “reacted positively” to a suggestion by US President Donald Trump to halt the attacks in a much-anticipated call between the two leaders on Tuesday.

It added that Putin “immediately gave the Russian military the corresponding order”.

In comments on Sunday, Trump had suggested that “land” and “power plants” would be divided between Kyiv and Moscow in any final peace settlement, a seeming reference to Ukrainian assets currently occupied by Russia.

But, rather than agreeing to the US president’s proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, Putin highlighted a “series of significant issues” about enforcing such an agreement and “serious risks” concerning Kyiv’s compliance.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump described the talks with Putin as “very good and productive”.

He added: “Many elements of a Contract for Peace were discussed . . . That process is now in full force and effect and we will, hopefully, for the sake of Humanity, get the job done.”

But readouts from the call offered no indication that Putin was willing to compromise on his maximalist goals to end the war, which amount in effect to ending Ukraine’s existence as an independent state while rolling back most of Nato’s expansion east of the former Iron Curtain.

The Kremlin said Putin stressed Russia’s “key condition to stop the conflict from escalating” and move towards a settlement would be a “total end to foreign military support and intelligence sharing with Kyiv”.

Last week, Kyiv signed up to Trump’s proposed 30-day truce after pressure from Washington, which had suspended military aid and intelligence sharing.

According to the Kremlin readout, Putin said on Tuesday he was ready to work with the US to end the war but insisted any agreement must “take into account the unconditional necessity to remove the initial reasons for the crisis and Russia’s legal security interests”.

The readout added Moscow and Washington would set up expert groups to work on paths to a ceasefire.

The White House said the two leaders had “agreed this conflict needs to end with a lasting peace” and “stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia”.

It added they had “agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire”, with “technical negotiations” to begin on implementing a “maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea” followed by talks on a “full ceasefire and permanent peace”.

The Kremlin said Putin had reacted “positively” to Trump’s proposal on Black Sea maritime security and agreed to hold further talks on the matter.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy initially floated the possibility of a truce on attacking energy targets in October, saying that it could pave the way to broader peace talks.

Zelenskyy said shortly after the White House and Kremlin statements that Kyiv would support the proposal to suspend strikes on energy infrastructure, but added the conditions Putin had attached to a full military truce showed his intention was to weaken Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader claimed Russia was preparing new offensives, pointing to what he said was a build-up of its forces on the border with Ukraine’s northern Sumy region.

Speaking at an online press conference, Zelenskyy said he “would really like President Trump to hear and see what Putin wants”.

He said later on X that Russia was undertaking fresh drone attacks on Tuesday evening on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, including a hospital in Sumy.

“And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy added.

Asked about the call between Trump and Putin, a senior Ukrainian official involved in the peace negotiations said an energy infrastructure ceasefire was “the only realistic proposal because, ultimately, Putin wants war”.

The official added Kyiv had asked the White House for “full information” about the call with Putin and was awaiting a response.

Looks Like We Could Use a Cat

by Rose Judson| March 18, 20256:41 pm| 123 Comments

This post is in: Cat Blogging, Open Threads, The Horrors

I was going to write about Labour cutting disability benefits over here, but glancing over the last few posts, I think this is more what we need for a bit:

Emergency Cat Post

He doesn’t care about Keir Starmer or federal judges. He just wants to know where the treats are.

Open thread.

Looks Like We Could Use a CatPost + Comments (123)

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

We know you aren’t a Democrat but since you seem confused let me help you.

When you’re a Republican, they let you do it.

Michigan is a great lesson for Dems everywhere: when you have power…use it!

Stay strong, because they are weak.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

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

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

The real work of an opposition party is to oppose.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

Wake up. Grow up. Get in the fight.

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

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Republicans do not trust women.

When I was faster i was always behind.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

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

Hey hey, RFK, how many kids did you kill today?

Roe is not about choice. It is about freedom.

When we show up, we win.

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: Heckuva Ball Player, That Robinson Fella

Picking Up Where We Left Off, With a Twist

Alternate Media Sources

Down in the Mud (Open Thread)

Wednesday Morning Open Thread: Tim Walz, On the Road Again

Late Night Open Thread: New Metric – Robert’s Rules of Rudeness

War for Ukraine Day 1,118: Hanging on the Telephone

There Is Good News Regarding Long-Range Drones: Our 3,000-Kilometer-Range Drone Has Successfully Passed Testing – Address by the President

Looks Like We Could Use a Cat