Balloon Juice

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Busy, Busy, Busy

by Anne Laurie| September 29, 20227:13 am| 176 Comments

This post is in: 2022 Elections, Biden Administration in Action, How about that weather?, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat

Hope everyone is doing as well as can be expected…

Ian has weakened into a tropical storm but is still expected to produce strong winds, heavy rains, and storm surge across portions of Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said https://t.co/T4wkSmZKuc

— Reuters (@Reuters) September 29, 2022

nightmare fuel (video takes place over roughly 90 minutes) https://t.co/WWmcSS74vQ

— Gerry Doyle (@mgerrydoyle) September 29, 2022

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Thursday Morning Open Thread: Busy, Busy, BusyPost + Comments (176)

On The Road – JanieM – Mendocino 4 of 5

by WaterGirl| September 29, 20225:00 am| 20 Comments

This post is in: Mendocino, On The Road, Photo Blogging

JanieM

A Sense of Place

After OTR and WaterGirl introduced us, Steve from Mendocino and I emailed mostly about pictures for a while, then expanded to include music, food, and just shooting the breeze. One thing we found we had in common: we both spent our early years wandering and our later years planted as close to the end of the road as we could get.

Steve grew up mostly in southern California, but he also lived in Michigan, Switzerland, Puerto Rico, and New York City, not to mention long stretches in France. I grew up in Ohio, but I also lived in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Wisconsin, Oregon, and finally Maine. Later on I spent a lot of time in Ireland with my Irish girlfriend.

Steve thought of settling in a rural part of the French Basque country, but his life didn’t go that way. I thought of settling in Ireland, but my relationship ended and my life didn’t go that way.

So where, after all this wandering, did we end up?

I fell in love with Maine and moved to a rural community with a couple thousand people, nine lakes, and one blinker light.

Steve ended up in a tiny, laid back, unincorporated community in the hills above Mendocino. Paraphrasing Wikipedia, it’s a “census-designated place” in Mendocino County, seventeen miles southeast of Fort Bragg at an elevation of 187 feet. There’s a K–3 primary school, a small store with gas pump, a post office, and a church. The population was 167 at the 2020 census.

There’s no blinker light.

Our regions have logging and fishing in common, plus the long-term effects of hippie back-to-the-landers from the seventies. Mendocino has pot farming, Maine has organic farming. (And no doubt there’s some crossover. :-) )

The weather in Mendocino is mild and even-tempered, while Maine’s is dramatic and fickle. They have the threat of fire, we have the threat of blizzards. We have white pines and maple trees, they have redwoods and Douglas firs.

Each place has taught me something about photography, and vice versa. Taking pictures has reminded me that the landscape is one of the main reasons I moved to Maine. Visiting Mendocino surprised me photographically, because the colors, light, and subject matter are so different from home that they required me to think more instead of just falling into the shot.

I have to confess that it made me nervous to have Steve looking over my shoulder as I took pictures, but in the long run it has helped me become more conscious of what’s in front of me, whether it’s familiar or not, beloved or not, even beautiful or not.

*****

This set of pictures is a sampling of springtime in Mendocino County. Most of the pictures are from up in the hills, but a few are from one of the treks Steve took me on for picture-taking.

On The Road - JanieM - Mendocino 4 of 5 9

Old swing.

On The Road – JanieM – Mendocino 4 of 5Post + Comments (20)

Late Night Open Thread: Tucker Carlson, GOP Spitemeister

by Anne Laurie| September 29, 20221:47 am| 60 Comments

This post is in: domestic terrorists, GOP Death Cult, Open Threads

Reminder that the US taxpayer expends money to broadcast this to US servicemembers around the globe https://t.co/advoHlDGXT

— Mike Black (@MikeBlack114) September 28, 2022

Back in the earlier aughts, Mark Ames wrote a piece for (IIRC) the Village Voice about ‘The Politics of Spite‘: Right-wing voters less compelled by any positive arguments than by a desire to make everybody they hated as miserable as they were. The former AllahPundit, now writing for The Dispatch, has updated the argument for the heyday of Traitor Carlson, Fishstick Fascist:

… The cardinal virtue of modern conservative populism is spite. Whatever gambit a populist is pursuing, whatever agenda he or she might be advancing, the more it offends the enemy the more likely it is to be received by the right adoringly. Ron DeSantis’ Martha’s Vineyard stunt is an efficient example. It accomplished nothing meaningful yet observers on both sides agree that he helped his 2024 chances by pulling it off. He made the right people mad. That’s more important than thoughtful policy solutions.

Spite is there, too, in Carlson’s photo op with the Angels. Establishmentarians of either party wouldn’t be caught dead at a rally of outlaw bikers. “Suckers” like me were destined to scold him for his appearance once the photos appeared online, and he knew it. There’s an element of épater la bourgeoisie, unmistakably, to him showing up there. If you’re offended by him eulogizing the head of the Hells Angels, good. Then you’re exactly the type of weak-kneed chump he was hoping to offend by doing it, by definition.

Why spite has become so important to the right-wing populist ethic is hard to say, as it’s not symmetrical between the parties. The most prominent left-wing populist in Congress is probably Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a politician who, despite her many faults, doesn’t want for policy ideas. Ask AOC what her top priority as a legislator is and she might say the Green New Deal or Medicare For All. The most prominent right-wing populist in Congress is likely Marjorie Taylor Greene. Ask Greene what she wants to do with her power as a legislator and she’s apt to say, “Impeach Joe Biden.”…

Where left and right differ is that the leadership of the populist left has a policy agenda whereas the leadership of the populist right does not, apart perhaps from “seal the border.” Trump didn’t run for president because there was a suite of legislation he was keen to pass, he ran because he didn’t want to end up as just another rich guy whom nobody remembers…

A party that can’t decide what it wants on policy can at least converge on the belief that the libs are bad and that whatever irritates them must have value. So spite has become the glue that holds together an uneasy coalition of classical liberals, nationalists, country clubbers, hawks, and social cons. And it’s no wonder that Trump has become its indispensable figure, as he relishes combat with his political enemies for its own sake and rose to fame with policies aimed at excluding undesirables (“build the wall,” the Muslim ban). Shortly before the 2020 election, Rich Lowry described him as “the only middle finger available” to the right in repudiating the cultural left. It’s hard to do better than that in capturing the spite that animates Trump-era populism…

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For someone like Carlson, I suspect there’s a strategy to spitefulness. When Tucker shows up to backslap the Hells Angels, he’s not just trying to get a rise out of Democrats and normie conservatives. I think it’s part of his effort to condition right-wingers to a new type of politics by encouraging them to question their traditional assumptions of right and wrong. Sure, the establishment says crime syndicates are bad even if they happen to ride Harleys and mumble platitudes about freedom. But since when do you let the establishment do your thinking for you?

I’ve always believed conditioning the right was the barely hidden goal of Carlson’s Russia apologetics. In March, the economist Noah Smith astutely diagnosed the reason the socialist left and the authoritarian right each seemed so invested in seeing Putin prevail in Ukraine:

…If Putin defeats the Ukrainians, the conservatives that are standing against Putin will look ineffectual and weak. The Trumpists will then be able to solidify their control over the GOP. And it also means a victory for raw power and will (perhaps implying that efforts like the January 6th putsch are the preferred method for attaining power). But if Putin loses, then Trump and his allies who for years praised and defended Putin’s regime will be discredited. Success has a thousand fathers; failure is an orphan. Even more damningly, if Putin loses, it’ll be a success for the globalist order — sanctions and aid to Ukraine will represent a triumph of international cooperation. Exactly the kind of world order the Trumpists want so badly to smash…

… If Russia prevails in Ukraine over the West, it’ll create the sort of political space for insurgents that Smith describes—but only if the right is willing to claim that space. That’s what Carlson’s conditioning program is about, I think. He’s trying to cultivate in his audience an instinct to question—or spite—liberal pieties wherever they arise, from grand-scale geopolitics like “Russia is bad” to more pedestrian but no less correct beliefs like “Biker gangs are bad.” If nationalists intend to see their rebellion against liberalism succeed, they can’t let the enemy dictate to them what their morals should be. One small but vivid way to signal that is to show up as the guest speaker at Sonny Barger’s funeral.

If it bothers you, well, it figures that it would, lib…

Shortly after ridiculing John Fetterman for his tattoos, Tucker flew to CA this weekend to attend the funeral of Hells Angels founder Sonny Barger. Probably didn’t say anything to these guys about theirs. pic.twitter.com/PcXnboVqQ3

— Ron Filipkowski 🇺🇦 (@RonFilipkowski) September 26, 2022

Also, IMO, relevant:

Only paid ones.

— Wombat 🇦🇺 🐨🌊🇺🇦🌻 (@BrisbaneMum67) September 26, 2022

Because it pays well.

— Erin Leigh🌻 (@pukeuprainbows) September 28, 2022

Late Night Open Thread: Tucker Carlson, GOP SpitemeisterPost + Comments (60)

War for Ukraine Day 2016: What Air Defense Doing?

by Adam L Silverman| September 28, 20229:19 pm| 80 Comments

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

This is NOT what air defense (is supposed to be) doing!

What air defense doing?

Somewhere in Ukraine, a Russian Pantsir S-1 Air Defense system suffers a malfunction and launches an interceptor towards the cameraman. pic.twitter.com/Uf0r6POELV

— CJ (@CasualArtyFan) September 27, 2022

Since I’m sure someone will ask, we’re fine here sheltering in place. We’ve had steady light to moderate rain and light to moderate wind with occasional gusts no greater than 41 mph. If everything continues as forecast, we’ll be out of the wind field no later than midnight. We’re basically on the outer edge of it given the storm track.

Alas, the folks between Naples south to Ft. Myers and inland to Punta Gorda were not so lucky. They had a 16 to 18 foot storm surge. I’m sure a lot of you have seen the videos, but basically you’re dealing with a hurricane created and driven tsunami. We’re already beginning to see reporting on the local news stations mildly chastising the folks in southwest Florida for not evacuating. Especially those calling 911 for help. Here’s the thing: the evacuation orders for Port Charlotte, Naples, Ft. Myers, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, etc didn’t go up till yesterday morning when the 11 AM update went up. That 11 AM update was the first one using data after Ian cleared Cuba. Which means it was the first one with good data once the storm was in the Gulf. That 11 AM update was based on the models and forecasts that were finally starting to firm up. And the 2 PM and 5 PM updates just further solidified the track.

Those of us in the greater Tampa Bay area had and extra 24 to 36 hours to evacuate. Hillsborough County’s and Tampa’s evacuation orders for Zone A started on Monday. Same with Pinellas County. The Zone B and C orders went up at 8 AM yesterday. I’m not blaming the forecasters and hurricane scientists and modelers. They can only work with the data they have. But because the data was messy and unclear until Tuesday morning, everyone made an assumption on the early modeling from before Ian even hit Cuba. And that assumption was it was headed to Tampa Bay and the worst case scenario was finally going to happen. So Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and the municipalities in them reacted the way we’d want, but the southwestern Florida municipalities did not because they were told they were most likely in the clear.

There’s going to be victim blaming. There’s going to be attempts to play hot potato among the politicians. I would not be surprised if NOAA gets the same treatment from Governor DeSantis that NHS did because he was all over TV telling people in Hillsborough and Pinellas to leave immediately. I don’t like the guy, but he can only work with the data he’s given, just like everyone else. But this is Floriduh! and there’s an election coming up, and someone is going to have to be blamed to cover other’s butts. I expect it’ll be the victims of Ian, insult will be added to injury. And, of course, the Federal government as that always plays well here.

Just a quick check in on the women’s revolution in Iran and then back to Ukraine’s defense!

Another beautiful “Bella Ciao” in Farsi. The song is catching on as Iranian women lead a revolt, standing against a repressive theocratic dictatorship. pic.twitter.com/4pO7KSkNoR

— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) September 28, 2022

Iranian women committing the crime of eating in a restaurant without wearing a headcover. pic.twitter.com/MqYS3zojEk

— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) September 28, 2022

The chant now in Iran: “We will fight, we will die, we will take Iran back” pic.twitter.com/3ZAwzRnU6B

— Frida Ghitis (@FridaGhitis) September 28, 2022

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

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Good health to you, fellow Ukrainians!

Our key task now is to coordinate actions with partners in response to sham referenda organized by Russia and all related threats. This is not 2014. Everything is clear for everyone. And there will certainly be actions.

I’ve held a whole series of negotiations today. President of Türkiye Erdoğan, Chancellor of Germany Scholz, Prime Minister of Canada Trudeau, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Truss, Secretary-General of the UN Guterres, President of the European Council Charles Michel.

Thank you all for your clear and unequivocal support. Thank you all for understanding our position. Ukraine cannot and will not put up with any attempts by Russia to seize any part of our land.

I once again thanked President Erdoğan today for his help in freeing our people from Russian captivity. Commanders from Azovstal, who are in Türkiye, will soon be able to see their relatives. We are working on it.

Also, by the way, the implementation of the plan to help each of those recently released from captivity has already begun. They receive priority elements of assistance. First of all, it is medical support – they all need recovery after what they had to go through in captivity. This work is under the control of the Ombudsman, representatives of the Office, intelligence, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the Ministry of Health, and the command of the Medical Forces. And we will extend the appropriate measures, which are being worked out in detail now, to all our people whom we free from the captivity of the occupiers.

I will emphasize once again: we remember all our people and try to free each and every one of them from captivity, not a single Ukrainian has been forgotten.

We discussed today with President Erdoğan our further defense cooperation, our response to all the aggressive steps that Russia has already taken and is still preparing to take.

We discussed a wide range of issues with the Chancellor of Germany – political, financial, defense, energy. In the defense topic, I emphasized that we are waiting for an anti-missile defense system from Germany – I’m grateful for the willingness to help with air defense. Other points of defense cooperation were also discussed in detail – there are quite a lot of them, they are clear. Of course, energy issues were touched upon, including the supply of gas to Europe and sabotage at the Nord Stream gas pipeline.

We discussed with Mr. Chancellor the preparation of the new sanctions package of the European Union – together we must make it really powerful, not symbolic. As of today, there is still something to add to the eighth sanctions package.

The conversation with the Prime Minister of Canada was, as always, very specific and concerned primarily how Canada can increase support for Ukraine. Among other things, demining was discussed. Canada has both the appropriate technology and the appropriate humanitarian ambitions.

I invited Prime Minister Trudeau to lead a global effort to clear our land of Russian mines and projectiles. Due to the Russian war, Ukrainian land is one of the most contaminated by mines in the world. And while there are similar examples of large-scale mine contamination around the world, we must do what others have not done: we must set a precedent for rapid and large-scale demining, not leave this problem for decades. I thank Canada for its willingness to help us.

With Mrs. Liz Truss, we discussed the possibilities of Britain in enhancing sanctions on Russia, as well as in increasing defense aid for our country. I am grateful for the principled condemnation of the Russian farce under the guise of a referendum, for the full support and willingness to move with us towards the return of freedom to all our people – in all parts of Ukraine, without any exceptions.

The conversation with the Secretary-General of the UN also concerned sham referenda and Russia’s apparent preparation of the ground for an attempt to annex our territory. These brutal violations of the UN Charter must be punished.

We discussed the implementation of our grain export initiative with Mr. Guterres. We agreed that the initiative should not only be preserved, not only protected from any attempts to disrupt it, but also expanded. Ukraine is ready to significantly increase the export of our agricultural products to the countries that need them and the corresponding interaction with the UN for humanitarian purposes and assistance to such countries as Somalia, Ethiopia, etc.

I have just finished a call with Charles Michel. As always, it was a conversation between real friends. Thank you for your full support in the issue of sham referenda and for your willingness to extend aid to Ukraine. Of course, we also discussed the preparation of new sanctions.

Tomorrow I will continue intensive communication with the leaders.

And today I want to once again thank the United States of America and personally President Biden for the new package of defense support for our country in the amount of more than 1 billion dollars. This is really important.

If someone in Russia thinks they can “get away” with everything they are doing in the occupied territory, if someone in Russia hopes the world will abandon its own values, frightened by another Russian announcement of annexation, they in Russia are wrong. Each subsequent escalating step by the occupier only confirms the fact that the world must act even tougher.

In the evening, I signed another decree awarding our defenders. State awards were awarded to: 71 warriors of the National Guard, 21 employees of the State Emergency Service, 52 border guards. 320 combatants were awarded for their brave and effective actions during the liberation of the districts of the Kharkiv region from the occupation.

As for the situation at the front, everything is clear to us. Therefore, I repeat again… For those who understand only Russian.

If you want to live, run. If you want to live, surrender. If you want to live, fight on your streets for your freedom. Everything was taken from you anyway. Or maybe any of you have oil rigs? Palaces? Vineyards? Maybe yachts? Or some bank? What are you fighting for? The only thing you have is loans, something to eat in the evening and now there’s mobilization. Fight for what’s yours! Stay away from our land, our soul and our culture.

Glory to Ukraine!

Here is the British MOD’s assessment for today:

And here is their updated map for today:

Here’s former NAVDEVGRU Squadron Leader Chuck Pfarrer’s analysis of the successful Ukrainian air defense in Odesa:

ODESA /28 SEP/ UKR radars monitor the sortie of a Russian Su-35 naval strike fighter from Crimea. Detected, the Su-35 is forced to fire its Kh-59 missiles from long range. The missiles are interdicted by UKR air defense, and the Su-35 is forced to withdraw. pic.twitter.com/7ABiYMZSFS

— Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) September 28, 2022

That’s what Air Defense is supposed to be doing!

The Ukrainians are still pushing for Lyman!

The possibility of major Russian defeat in the Lyman-Yampil area is now very high pic.twitter.com/wvrXhc1K34

— Illia Ponomarenko🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) September 28, 2022

We have more on the attack on the Nord Stream pipelines:

#BREAKING A suspected Russian sabotage attack on Nord Stream gas pipelines was “probably premeditated and planned” with an explosive device dropped into the sea weeks before it was detonated: The Times pic.twitter.com/bSBGMZoccs

— Guy Elster (@guyelster) September 28, 2022

The BBC has details:

The EU has said leaks in two major gas pipelines from Russia to Europe were caused by sabotage – but stopped short of directly accusing Russia.

European Commission head Ursula von der Leyen said deliberate disruption would meet the “strongest possible response”.

The EU has previously accused Russia of using gas supplies as a weapon against the West over its support for Ukraine.

But Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed accusations of sabotage as “predictable, stupid and absurd”.

The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he thought the leaks would “not have a significant impact on Europe’s energy resilience”. Neither pipeline is transporting gas at the moment, although they both contain gas.

Mr Blinken did not directly accuse Russia – but said it would be in “no-one’s interest” if they were caused deliberately.

The Danish Energy Minister, Dan Jorgensen, said the leaks were likely to last for at least a week, until the gas escaping from the pipes runs out. An investigation has been launched.

Mike Fulwood, a senior research fellow at the independent Oxford Institute for Energy Studies told the BBC sabotage was, indeed, the most likely cause of the leaks.

“To rupture an offshore pipeline is a rare occurrence, so three in 18 hours would be a big coincidence,” he said.

If the sabotage was indeed committed by Russia, this was a “bizarre” move, he said, as it had already shut supplies off.

He estimated that repairs could take between three and six months, as the damaged sections would need to be replaced. Similar damage to a different pipeline in the past took nine months.

Seismologists reported underwater blasts before the leaks emerged. Denmark’s Defence Command has released footage of the leaks which shows bubbles – the largest is 1km (0.6 miles) in diameter – at the surface of the Baltic Sea.

“There is no doubt that these were explosions,” said Bjorn Lund of Sweden’s National Seismology Centre.

Here’s the details of the latest US aid package for Ukraine:

Sweeeeeet pic.twitter.com/OmwAF8RxEi

— Illia Ponomarenko🇺🇦 (@IAPonomarenko) September 28, 2022

HIMARS!

GREATEST HITS: @YAmzallagh reports that the US will transfer 18 additional HIMARS batteries with ammunition to UKR. These systems will join the 16 already in front line service. The HIMARS allows UKR to deliver long range precision strikes against high-value Russian targets. https://t.co/7O5Cqvfm8C pic.twitter.com/liWnHO5V93

— Chuck Pfarrer | Indications & Warnings | (@ChuckPfarrer) September 28, 2022

Obligatory:

I Can Give You HIMARS: THE REMIX!

A #NAFO club banger by @cyberfella2077. Ft. @Amb_Ulyanov as DJ Nonsense.

Full screen. Sound on. Bass up.#WeAreNAFO #Fellas https://t.co/9LdZhCz0dR pic.twitter.com/6rdWJx8O5C

— Francis Hunter (@Dr_F_Hunter) July 20, 2022

It is important to remember that the Russians are still holding a very large number of the Azovstal defenders. Including almost all of the female doctors and medics:

Most of the women medics from the #Mariupol military hospital #555 are still in the russian captivity. We can't stop pushing until russia lets all of them free @ICRC @un @UNHumanRights #prisonersvoice @SaveSentsov pic.twitter.com/Ijp6AhmPB5

— Olena Halushka (@OlenaHalushka) September 27, 2022

Medic Viktoriya Obidina, a mom of 4yo Alisa, who were at the #Azovstal, was also not released from the russian captivity during the last prisoners exchange. Bring back Viktoriya and all Ukrainians who are russia's hostages home! #prisonersvoice pic.twitter.com/nwdMJ4LOId

— Olena Halushka (@OlenaHalushka) September 28, 2022

That’s enough for tonight!

Your daily Patron!

And when is the referendum on the deaccession of a well-known terrorist country from false propaganda?

— Patron (@PatronDsns) September 28, 2022

P.S.there is no "referendum" in the occupied Ukrainian territories. Please – remember this! The only real "referendum" on our territory is held by the Armed Forces of Ukraine – and this is supported by the entire civilized world!

— Patron (@PatronDsns) September 28, 2022

And a new video from Patron’s official TikTok:

@patron__dsns

Уявив собі, що я співак! 🤭🎵 #песпатрон #патрондснс

♬ bounddddddd – 𝔰𝔭𝔢𝔢𝔡 𝔰𝔬𝔫𝔤𝔰😮‍💨

The caption translates as:

imagined that I was a singer! 🤭🎵 #PatronDog #PatronDSNS

Open thread!

War for Ukraine Day 2016: What Air Defense Doing?Post + Comments (80)

Ian Has Been Downgraded to Category 3, Florida Check-in

by WaterGirl| September 28, 20228:15 pm| 120 Comments

This post is in: Balloon Juice, Open Threads

I just read that Ian has made landfall, and also that it has just been downgraded to Category 3. Still dangerous, but compared to Cat 5, hat has to be great news.

Can the Florida peeps check in and let us know how it’s going? And anyone else with family and friends in Florida?

My godmother lives in The Villages. I am not looking at weather maps because weather maps and I do not get along very well.

Stay safe, everyone.

Ian Has Been Downgraded to Category 3, Florida Check-inPost + Comments (120)

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: History Progressing

by Anne Laurie| September 28, 20227:17 pm| 104 Comments

This post is in: KULCHA!, Music, Open Threads

Lizzo, a Black female superstar, collaborating with Carla Hayden, the first African American and first woman Librarian of Congress, to use a flute from James Madison, the Founding Father who originated the 3/5 Compromise and also the Library of Congress itself? The symbolism!!! https://t.co/n5AQsjJwKH

— Tiffany C. Li (@tiffanycli) September 28, 2022

Lizzo’s a classically trained flutist, stop panicking, haterz.

And, while I doubt this is a scenario Jemmy Madison could’ve imagined, I doubt that the man who married comely widow Dolley Payne Todd would’ve been horrified by Lizzo!

A fun detail in the LOC’s press release about Lizzo’s visit: The instruments kept in the library are MEANT to be played from time to time!

— Chelsea Cirruzzo (@ChelseaCirruzzo) September 28, 2022

For many reasons, this event would not have been what James Madison or many of his contemporaries would have wished for or expected from the future. But this is the future now. We can make the future what we want it to be—more vibrant, more just, more equitable, more free.

— Tiffany C. Li (@tiffanycli) September 28, 2022

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: History ProgressingPost + Comments (104)

Flash Fundraising for Catherine Cortez Masto

by WaterGirl| September 28, 20222:48 pm| 161 Comments

This post is in: Open Threads

Republicans are viewing this race as their best chance in 14 years to take the Nevada senate seat.

Harry Reid’s seat.

Can Balloon Juice raise $5,000 in 2.5 days? In honor of Harry Reid?

Update: We didn’t just do it in 2.5 days – we did it in less than 4 hours! I am blown away.

T H A N K Y O U !

Flash Fundraising for Catherine Cortez MastoPost + Comments (161)

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

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

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

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

It’s the corruption, stupid.

I did not have telepathic declassification on my 2022 bingo card.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

“More of this”, i said to the dog.

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

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

Battle won, war still ongoing.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

I’d try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

Let us savor the impending downfall of lawless scoundrels who richly deserve the trouble barreling their way.

This really is a full service blog.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

All your base are belong to Tunch.

We still have time to mess this up!

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

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

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Thursday Morning Open Thread: Busy, Busy, Busy

On The Road – JanieM – Mendocino 4 of 5

JanieM

Late Night Open Thread: Tucker Carlson, GOP Spitemeister

War for Ukraine Day 2016: What Air Defense Doing?

Ian Has Been Downgraded to Category 3, Florida Check-in

Wednesday Evening Open Thread: History Progressing

Flash Fundraising for Catherine Cortez Masto