ema
I spent part of Easter Sunday among the bonneted people of the city. Here are some of them:
On The Road – ema – 5th Avenue Easter Bonnet ParadePost + Comments (16)
by WaterGirl| 16 Comments
This post is in: On The Road, Photo Blogging
I spent part of Easter Sunday among the bonneted people of the city. Here are some of them:
On The Road – ema – 5th Avenue Easter Bonnet ParadePost + Comments (16)
This post is in: Open Threads, Republican Venality, Supreme Court, Supreme Court Corruption
And you know ‘Just Us’ Thomas really means it, because the original AP story was printed by both Politico and NBC News. I personally see this as a small hopeful sign — sounds like Thomas would like to leave the bench and spend his golden years touring with his beloved Ginni, but his oligarch “friends” won’t let him retire if a reelected President Biden will be there to replace him with a Democrat.
(Also, frankly, can’t be much fun even for a professional Grievance Collector like Thomas to be reminded every day that he was indeed elevated as a token, an insult to Justice Thurgood Marshall, a Caligula’s horse in clown shoes.)
His wife is a fucking conseravtive activist who tried to end democracy and overturn Biden's election on January 6th, fucking spare me this bullshit
— Lord Businessman II (@lordbusinessman.bsky.social) May 12, 2024 at 4:40 PM
… Thomas spoke at a conference attended by judges, attorneys and other court personnel in the 11th Circuit Judicial Conference, which hears federal cases from Alabama, Florida and Georgia. He made the comments pushing back on his critics in response to a question about working in a world that seems meanspirited.
“I think there’s challenges to that. We’re in a world and we — certainly my wife and I the last two or three years it’s been — just the nastiness and the lies, it’s just incredible,” Thomas said.
“But you have some choices. You don’t get to prevent people from doing horrible things or saying horrible things. But one you have to understand and accept the fact that they can’t change you unless you permit that,” Thomas said…
No mention in the article of his hearers yelling The South shall rise again!…
A.) Your wife is one of those people.
B.) Retire and leave DC.
Clarence Thomas says critics are pushing 'nastiness' and calls Washington a 'hideous place' https://t.co/2Nr5wdEXD9
— John Cole (@Johngcole) May 11, 2024
Clarence Thomas is a grifter and his wife is an insurrectionist.
They both need to get away from anything related to the American government. #RemoveClarenceThomas pic.twitter.com/gFzJlMt9DX— ????? P???????????????????? (@LePapillonBlu2) May 12, 2024
Executive branch employee here. This would get me fired for ethics violations and/or my security clearance revoked. https://t.co/HDpTdxf0cL
— David Burbach (also @dburbach Bluesky) (@dburbach) May 11, 2024
Pretty cool that, at minimum, one of our conservative Supreme Court justices is wildly, unflinchingly, openly corrupt and we can’t do a single thing about it because he’s a Republican. Pretty, pretty cool. https://t.co/1m7U5t6p4i
— Jason Karsh (@jkarsh) May 12, 2024
The victimhood of someone whose lifestyle is propped up by billionaires while the taxpayers pay his salary in a job he's held for 33 years, his decisions are final and cannot be overturned all while his wife is an activist who was actively engaged in a coup attempt. Got it. pic.twitter.com/iDjNpxHqsK
— scary lawyerguy (@scarylawyerguy) May 11, 2024
Reid was of course right and all those pundits that said he was too harsh can go to hell
— jim manley (@jamespmanley) May 11, 2024
He picks one of the absolute worst flunkies you could find. Aileen Cannon must’ve been busy. https://t.co/eDbh90R8hl
— Clean Observer (@Hammbear2024) May 11, 2024
Remember, caring is sharing!
Justice Clarence Thomas is 75. Justice Alito is 74. They are getting older and will retire soon.
If Biden is re-elected and they retire, he gets to select their successors meaning a liberal Supreme Court.
That’s a good reason to vote for Biden in 2024. pic.twitter.com/Nncrm0FXcY
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) May 13, 2024
Late Night Schadenfreude Open Thread: Clarence Thomas Is Not HappyPost + Comments (87)
by Adam L Silverman| 24 Comments
This post is in: Foreign Affairs, Foreign Policy, Military, Open Threads, Russia, Silverman on Security, War, War in Ukraine
(Image by NEIVANMADE)
A quick Rosie update: Today’s chemo session has been pushed back to next week. Nothing major, just one of the two white blood cell counts was a little low – 1,900 instead of 2,000 – and the vet wants to err on the side of caution because Rosie had really strong reactions to the first two rounds of chemo. All the rest of her bloodwork and her EKG were good/normal. Also, the vet said that her lymph nodes have shrunk down 90% to normal. So she’s about 90% in remission after three chemotherapy sessions. She gets this week off and then she’ll have the fourth and final chemo treatment from the first round next Monday.
As I begin writing tonight’s update – at 7:50 PM EDT – the only air raid alerts up over Ukraine are the two over Luhansk and Crimea, which are always up.
Sumy Oblast:
⚡️Russia attacks 11 communities in Sumy Oblast.
Russian forces attacked Sumy Oblast, firing 36 times and causing at least 166 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported on May 13.https://t.co/83jFKs90dM
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 13, 2024
From The Kyiv Independent:
Russian forces attacked eleven border areas and settlements of Sumy Oblast on May 13, firing 36 times and causing at least 166 explosions, the Sumy Oblast Military Administration reported.
The communities of Khotin, Yunakivka, Bilopillia, Krasnopillia, Velyka Pysarivka, Putyvl, Esman, Shalyhyne, Seredyna-Buda, Druzhba and Znob-Novgorodske were targeted.
No casualties were reported.
The Russian military struck the communities using artillery fire, multiple launch rocket systems, FPV drones, and mortar shelling, while also dropping mines.
The town of Bilopillia experienced the most attacks, with 42 explosions recorded in the area. Bilopillia, which had a pre-war population of about 15,600 residents, lies just eight kilometers south of the Ukraine-Russia border.
Russian strikes against the Sumy region have become increasingly destructive in recent months. Amid intensified attacks, Ukrainian authorities ordered further evacuations from the region.
Почалась евакуація з іще двох міст на Сумщині https://t.co/cxeHTKoT4z через @ukrpravda_news pic.twitter.com/mo8mei2hR2
— Українська правда ✌️ (@ukrpravda_news) May 13, 2024
Evacuation has begun from two more cities in Sumy Oblast https://pravda.com.ua/news/2024/05/13/7455627/ through @ukrpravda_news
From Ukrainska Pravda:
Evacuation of people from the cities of Bilopillia and Vorozhba has begun in Sumy Oblast.
Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration
Details: The relevant order was signed by the head of the Sumy Oblast Military Administration (OMA), Volodymyr Artiukh.
Quote: “We have to protect our residents. This is our main task set by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. This is not a forced evacuation, but an early voluntary evacuation from those settlements where the number of attacks has significantly increased.”
The residents are currently being notified of the evacuation in the hromadas [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.].
Residents of Bilopillya and Vorozhba who wish to evacuate, especially families with children, should contact their authorities and heads of hromadas. The evacuated population will be accommodated in places of compact residence in the oblast.
In addition, the evacuation of the population from hromadas within a 5-km zone from the border with Russia, which began in July 2023, continues in the oblast. Residents of 115 border settlements in 15 hromadas in 4 districts of the oblast, which are under constant hostile fire, are eligible for evacuation.
The OMA recalled that from January to April, 40 residents were killed by Russian attacks and airstrikes in Sumy Oblast, and 110 were injured, including 13 children.
Background: Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, reported in his evening address on 13 May that the Russians sent sabotage and reconnaissance groups and launched attacks on Sumy and Chernihiv oblasts.
Kharkiv Oblast:
“Dаmn them to hеll," says an elderly woman, crying, who survived World War II and is now leaving her home in Kharkiv Oblast due to the threat of a second occupation by russian troops and constant shelling.
📹place_kharkiv pic.twitter.com/JuLxIBeplV— Iryna Voichuk (@IrynaVoichuk) May 13, 2024
Russian forces attacked a farm in the town of Korotych, Kharkiv Oblast, with a missile, resulting in the death a 38-year-old man and injuries to four other workers. pic.twitter.com/gul7wOAfWm
— Iryna Voichuk (@IrynaVoichuk) May 13, 2024
unfortunately russians entered Buhruvatka in #Kharkiv – #Vovchansk axis and immediately started looting and pillaging local houses.
the biggest issue that I hear from the defenders is that we lack firepower, we don't have enough ammo, and SPGs.
Ofc readiness of the TDF forces… pic.twitter.com/vkHDtwgFbK
— ✙ Constantine ✙ (@Teoyaomiquu) May 13, 2024
unfortunately russians entered Buhruvatka in #Kharkiv – #Vovchansk axis and immediately started looting and pillaging local houses.
the biggest issue that I hear from the defenders is that we lack firepower, we don’t have enough ammo, and SPGs.
Ofc readiness of the TDF forces also played a big role here.
🗺️The geolocation: https://maps.app.goo.gl/cwkAx1S48zyBicSU6
📍50.258105, 36.824445
More on this after the jump.
Here is President Zelenskyy’s address from earlier today. Video below, English transcript after the jump.
Our Task is Crystal Clear – to Thwart Russia’s Attempt to Expand the War – Address by the President
13 May 2024 – 19:53
Dear Ukrainians!
Briefly about this day.
First, the reports from the Commander-in-Chief and the Minister of Defense regarding the situation in all the most intense directions. In the Kharkiv region, our counterattacks are ongoing, we’ve provided reinforcement in that area, in particular, in Vovchansk and the border areas in general. Brigadier General Mykhailo Drapatyi is in charge of this direction directly on the ground, and he is provided with the necessary munitions and forces. Now we are getting more and more results, destroying the occupier’s infantry and machinery. I am grateful to all our warriors who are strictly following orders, holding their ground and doing everything to stabilize the situation. At the same time, we understand the enemy’s actions and their plan to divert our forces.
Of course, we do not leave the Donetsk direction without the necessary support and supplies, namely the Kramatorsk and Pokrovsk sectors. Constant attention is paid to the Kupyansk sector. We also observe hostile activity against Sumy and Chernihiv regions – subversive groups and shelling. We are responding with fire, as we should. Our task is crystal clear – to thwart Russia’s attempt to expand the war. The fulfillment of this task depends literally on everyone who is on the ground – from Chernihiv to Vovchansk, from Kharkiv to Donetsk. There must be no safe place for the occupier on the Ukrainian land. As well as in our sky. Today we are thankful for the downing of the Russian Su-25 in the Donetsk region. Guys from the 110th separate mechanized brigade. Well done, guys!
I am also grateful to all the representatives of our regional authorities in the frontline and border regions, to the local communities, and to the employees of the National Police of Ukraine who help, providing evacuation and support under constant Russian attacks. Maximum efforts should be made to ensure that it is the occupier who loses, not us, not Ukrainians.
Second, our international activities. I had a conversation with the Prime Minister of Sweden. I informed him about the situation on the frontline today – about Russian attempts to put more pressure on Ukraine. We discussed the details of the new defense package from Sweden and the possibility of expanding our cooperation. In particular, the financing of weapons production. This includes both projects in Ukraine and joint projects. Sweden can help significantly by investing in this joint production effort. So can Luxembourg – in a conversation with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg today, we touched upon all these opportunities to produce more weapons. I am grateful to our partners for understanding our needs and our prospects – common prospects. Of course, I have invited both leaders – Sweden and Luxembourg – to take part in the Global Peace Summit that we are preparing for June. I am grateful for their consent.
Plus Canada – I have just spoken to the Prime Minister of Canada. Two topics. Defense support, especially with regard to armored vehicles and artillery. We are working on expansion in this area. And today Justin, Mr. Prime Minister, confirmed to me that he will participate in the Peace Summit. Thank you, Justin.
Tomorrow is an equally active day in terms of working with our partners, and this is a joint task for Ukrainian courage and for the promptness of our partners. The effective aid packages are the ones that have been implemented and delivered, they are the weapons in the hands of our warriors. And we ensure our results. Ukrainian results – the ones we all need. And they will definitely come. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine! Glory to all who fight and work for the Ukrainian results!
Glory to Ukraine!
Kharkiv:
Went live on BBC from the evacuation hub in Kharkiv, sharing the pulse of the city amidst the looming Russian threat. People here are resilient, united, and standing strong. pic.twitter.com/WhuRR8fVxF
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) May 13, 2024
Kharkiv update: Despite heightened attacks, the city keeps calm and managing the situation. Urgent evacuations are on for Vovchansk and Lyptsy residents, dodging relentless shelling to find safety in Kharkiv. Stay strong and support Ukraine 💪🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/Y4QSL3WWih
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) May 13, 2024
Tatarigami has posted a new assessment regarding Ukrainian fortifications in the northern part of Kharkiv Oblast. From the Thread Reader App:
There has been a controversy surrounding the situation in the northern area of Kharkiv Oblast, invaded on May 10th. One of the primary points of contention has been the alleged absence of fortifications. But is it so? 🧵Thread:2/ Given that many of these areas are now under Russian control, sharing some satellite images is appropriate. From these images, you can see fortified and communication trenches in areas near Krasne. Some of these are older Russian positions, while others were built in 20233/ While it’s true that the placement of some of these trenches might appear unconventional at first glance, I refrain from making comments without knowledge of the defense plan for the area. Trenches can serve various purposes – distraction, communication, defenses, etc.4/ As depicted in this image where my team mapped trenches and fortifications, the Krasne-Hlyboke area has entrenched and fortified positions. Conversely, the Vovchansk area appears to be much less fortified in comparison.5/ Some of these positions were abandoned, allowing Russian forces to occupy them. The issue here does not solely lie in fortifications, as the outcome in both the more fortified area near Hlyboke and the less fortified area near Vovchansk appears to be the same6/ The attack was not unexpected: HUR representative Andriy Yusov stated that the enemy’s actions began according to a known schedule that had been communicated to authorities, leadership, and command. My team has publicly reported about dispersed units along the border as well7/ Given the current lack of information, it’s too early to draw definitive conclusions. However, the abandonment of positions and advancement beyond the grey zone indicates brigade leadership’s and the strategic command’s inability to react to threats despite having intel8/ This is the result of systematic issues stemming from a lack of understanding of brigade capabilities and readiness, along with problems in personnel training, leading to an inability to effectively position and allocate resources when needed.9/ The delayed aid from the West, particularly in terms of artillery and artillery shells, is indeed contributing to the problem. However, this issue is not the core problem in this case, and blaming the West for it is counter-productive.10/ Thank you for reading. Please consider liking and sharing this to help increase visibility. If you would like to support us, you can find more information in this post:
DSF
Donetsk Oblast:
Another one!
Ukrainian warriors destroyed a russian Su-25 jet in the Donetsk region.
There is no place for russian scrap metal in Ukrainian skies. pic.twitter.com/V9U4ieyIAm— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 13, 2024
⚡️ Ukraine downs second Russian aircraft over past day.
Ukraine's 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down another Russian Su-25 fighter jet, the unit said on May 13.https://t.co/e8o3GGsn7j
— The Kyiv Independent (@KyivIndependent) May 13, 2024
The Kyiv Independent has the details:
Ukraine’s 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade shot down another Russian Su-25 fighter jet, the unit said on May 13.
The 47th Mechanized Brigade reported earlier in the day that it had downed a Russian Ka-52 Alligator attack helicopter.
The 110th Separate Mechanized Brigade has downed three Russian planes in the past two weeks. The brigade struck two other Su-25s on May 4 and May 11.
The unit did not specify where the aircraft was downed, but the brigade is known to be operating toward Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast.
The Su-25 is used to provide close air support for Russian troops on the ground, helping them carry out intense attacks in multiple sections of the eastern front, which covers much of Donetsk Oblast.
Russia’s total losses during the all-out war amount to about 677 aircraft, including 351 planes and 326 helicopters, according to Ukraine’s General Staff. The General Staff’s figure could not be independently verified.
Kreminna front:
Ukrainian artillery repelled another russian attack and destroyed 5 tanks and 5 IFVs in the Kreminna direction.
Cluster munitions do their job well.📹: 63rd Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/kWUHuRW8qg
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 13, 2024
/2. Additional footages of the aftermath of the Russian attack on Ukrainian positions near Torske. Kreminna front. pic.twitter.com/wTohAXBiDa
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 13, 2024
Yesterday there was a big Russian attack attempt on the Ukrainian positions near Torske, Kreminna front. Deepstate regarding the Russian attack:
“Fighters of the 63rd Brigade shared footage of repelling the Russian assault east of Torske
After a certain pause, Russians once again gathered forces for an assault, which is commonplace in that area. Russians made several attempts to break through during the day, using a total of 10 AFVs with infantry. The morning assault began with 3 BMP and two tanks, but the Defense Forces of Ukraine effectively met the enemy with fire and broke all plans of attack.
Interestingly, Russians equipped all the AFVs with EW systems and drone jammers, but our fighters arranged a surprise, where “American democracy” came to meet the bastards. It is worth noting the work of the gunners, who worked diligently, burning the IFVs with the infantry.”
/2. Additional footages of the Russian attack on the Kreminna front. Video also shows that T-90M were used during the attack. https://t.co/IQngjTgSEI
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 13, 2024
Avdiivka front:
New week—new destroyed russian aircraft.
The warriors from the 47th Mechanized Brigade shot down a russian Ka-52 "Alligator" attack helicopter in the Avdiivka direction. The Ka-52's unit cost is approximately $16 million.
Great work, warriors! pic.twitter.com/wspJ3aBMBM
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 13, 2024
Fireworks in the Avdiivka direction.
It was a russian tank, fully loaded with ammunition.📹: 47th Mechanized Brigade pic.twitter.com/sOkppwQON8
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) May 13, 2024
Klishiivka:
WARNING!! WARNING!! GRAPHIC IMAGERY/VIDEO!! WARNING!! WARNING!!
A hero that would probably receive a medal of honor if he was an American.
An absolute hero soldier defending against 4 russian invaders at point blank range, balls of steel.
My friend shared this absolutely amazing video today with me.
This is 5th National Guard Brigade… pic.twitter.com/D0HX3s4iIu
— ✙ Constantine ✙ (@Teoyaomiquu) May 13, 2024
A hero that would probably receive a medal of honor if he was an American.
An absolute hero soldier defending against 4 russian invaders at point blank range, balls of steel.
My friend shared this absolutely amazing video today with me.
This is 5th National Guard Brigade fighting around Klishiivka. I hope he is alive and was rotated safely.
I was told that today in this assault russians lost around 50 men in total.
ALL CLEAR!!!!
Sorokyne, Russian occupied Luhansk Oblast:
An ammunition and weapons depot in Russian-occupied Sorokyne, Luhansk Region, was struck. Secondary explosions can be heard.
Sorokyne is around 120 km (75 miles) from the current frontline.
Source: Telegram / Obstanovkalnr and Censor_net pic.twitter.com/UUAb5AvNbv
— (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) May 13, 2024
/1. Strike on Russian ammunition depot in Sorokyne, Luhansk region is reported. Locals can hear secondary explosions. 130km from the frontline. pic.twitter.com/RjFKg7AlGq
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 13, 2024
/3. Videos of explosions on Russian ammunition storage in Sorokyne pic.twitter.com/ZdnSYhM8EC
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 13, 2024
Russian occupied Crimea:
Claimed hits on the Russian radar site on the mountain Ai-Petri, Crimea. As a result of this mornings Storm Shadow/SCALP strikes. The fact of the attack is confirmed by Russian sources as well, however the targeted locations and damage is not mentioned. Some media claims:… pic.twitter.com/YZy8tbiOKO
— Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) May 13, 2024
Claimed hits on the Russian radar site on the mountain Ai-Petri, Crimea. As a result of this mornings Storm Shadow/SCALP strikes. The fact of the attack is confirmed by Russian sources as well, however the targeted locations and damage is not mentioned. Some media claims:
“Russian air defense military base on Mount Ai-Petri was damaged as a result of the morning missile attack on Crimea. The commander of the military unit died
Today, May 13, at around 6 am, several missiles (presumably Storm Shadow) attacked military unit 85683 on Ai-Petri in Crimea, On the mountain there is a military air defense base of the 3rd Radio Engineering Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces.
As a result of the missile hit, the territory of the military unit was damaged, the commander of military unit 85683, Alexander Kulakov, and another serviceman were killed. There are also wounded, their number is being determined.”
(44.4845306, 34.0297396)
Last night in comments, in response to what I wrote in the actual update (the quoted bit), Andrya asked:
They also need to develop policies and strategies to be able to overcome the United States entering the war on the side of Russia if Trump is reelected.
Adam- Yikes! I had expected TIFG, if he was (G-d forbid) reelected, would utterly abandon Ukraine, including lifting all sanctions- is that what you mean by entering the war on the russian side? I cannot bring myself to believe that he would send russia weapons- or even US troops? Please explain, my hair is on fire!
Trump blames Zelenskyy in specific and Ukraine in general because Zelenskyy refused to be shaken down by Trump and his surrogates like Rudy Giuliani to fabricate dirt against Biden. It is also well documented that Trump believes in getting even, no matter how small the slight. The people – they’re actually all men – whose names are being floated as the most likely to be nominated for Secretary of Defense, Secretary of State, Director of National Intelligence, and/or National Security Advisor are all pro-Putin and anti-Ukraine. We’re talking Mike Flynn, Rick Grennell, Douglas MacGregor, and Kash Patel among others. MacGregor, amazingly, makes Flynn look sane. Regardless, we already know that Flynn is beholden to Putin. Grennell is tightly tied to the neo-fascist movements and parties in Europe that Putin is funding overtly and covertly. I fully expect that if Trump is elected, and he’s got about the same 30% chance he had in 2016 and 2020, then not only will the US cut off Ukraine, but Trump will actively take Russia’s side in the conflict and use all the elements of the US’s national power to help Putin achieve a favorable outcome.
That’s enough for tonight.
Your daily Patron!
There are no new Patron tweets, but here is some adjacent material:
Amidst the chaos of evacuation, humanity is striking. Melania, a resident of Lyptsi, took hers and her neighbors' dogs to safety. Together they find refuge, receiving essential aid and care at the meet-up point pic.twitter.com/JvNHDKmPsH
— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) May 13, 2024
And a new video from Patron’s official TikTok!
@patron__dsns
Open thread!
This post is in: Open Threads, Science & Technology
Small, well-built Chinese EV called the Seagull poses a big threat to the US auto industry https://t.co/yjBpZNoVWB
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 13, 2024
Back in 1961/62, my dad bought one of the first Volkswagens in NYC. (It was a sedate shade of blue, but he called it Pfeffernusse, after the German sugar-dusted ginger cookie.) It did attract attention… some of it even admiring…
LIVONIA, Mich. (AP) — A tiny, low-priced electric car called the Seagull has American automakers and politicians trembling.
The car, launched last year by Chinese automaker BYD, sells for around $12,000 in China, but drives well and is put together with craftsmanship that rivals U.S.-made electric vehicles that cost three times as much. A shorter-range version costs under $10,000.
Tariffs on imported Chinese vehicles probably will keep the Seagull away from America’s shores for now, and it likely would sell for more than 12 grand if imported.
But the rapid emergence of low-priced EVs from China could shake up the global auto industry in ways not seen since Japanese makers exploded on the scene during the oil crises of the 1970s. BYD, which stands for “Build Your Dreams,” could be a nightmare for the U.S. auto industry…
U.S. politicians and manufacturers already see Chinese EVs as a serious threat. The Biden administration on Tuesday is expected to announce 100% tariffs on electric vehicles imported from China, saying they pose a threat to U.S. jobs and national security…
Outside of China, EVs are often pricey, aimed at a higher-income niche market. But Chinese brands that are not yet global household names are offering affordable options that will appeal to the masses — just as the U.S., European and many other governments are encouraging a shift away from gasoline-powered vehicles to fight climate change.
“The Western markets did not democratize EVs. They gentrified EVs,” said Bill Russo, the founder of the Automobility Ltd. consultancy in Shanghai. “And when you gentrify, you limit the size of the market. China is all about democratizing EVs, and that’s what will ultimately lead Chinese companies to be successful as they go global.” …
Ford CEO Jim Farley has seen Caresoft’s work on the Seagull and observed BYD’s rapid growth across the globe, especially in Europe, where he used to run Ford’s operations. He’s moving to change his company. A small “skunkworks” team is designing a new, small EV from the ground up to keep costs down and quality high, he told analysts earlier this year.
Chinese makers, Farley said, sold almost no EVs in Europe two years ago, but now they have 10% of the electric vehicle market. It’s likely they’ll export around the globe and possibly sell in the U.S.
Ford is preparing to counter that. “Don’t take anything for granted,” Farley said. “This CEO doesn’t.”
ETA: No price point mentioned, but…
2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz comes to America with a 91 kWh battery and up to 335 HP. https://t.co/Kgzy8onneJ via @InsideEVs
— InsideEVs (@InsideEVs) May 13, 2024
Monday Evening Open Thread: An EV for the PeoplePost + Comments (184)
This post is in: Activist Judges!, Open Threads, Politics
I was in college when Antonin Scalia joined the Supreme Court in 1986, so I was too busy partying to pay much attention as the seeds of our current doom were sown. But I do remember being repelled by his smarmy condescension during a TV interview.
As I recall it all these years later, Scalia complained that people reacted to his originalism philosophy as if he had confessed to a penchant for cannibalism. But I now know they were right to do so; Scalia may not have dined on human flesh, but he and his fellow travelers were chowing down on our rights and potential as a nation.
Dahlia Lithwick gets it — she wrote about the destructive power of the originalism scam in Slate in a piece titled “How Originalism Ate the Law.” An excerpt:
America is being led astray by a small handful of folks who are drunk-driving on originalism—and not in a funny Marx Brothers, spin-around-in-circles-and-all-fall-down sort of way. No, it’s in a children-murdered-in-their-classrooms, women-hemorrhaging-in-parking-lots, environmental-and-health-regulations-destroyed kind of way. And that’s because the whole nation is currently lashed to a small, stupid, perpetually changing theory of legal interpretation variously known as “originalism,” or “textualism,” or “original public meaning,” or “history and tradition.”…
Shackling one’s understanding of the law to the drunken methodology of “originalism” doesn’t simply ignore the technological realities of modern life, like serial numbers, and bump stocks, and the vagaries of online content moderation. It also turns every judge and lawyer into a part-time Revolutionary War reenactor and part-time recreational archivist (whose bare-bones understanding of history tends to become immediately obvious). As the Supreme Court burns down decades of doctrinal progress and a century of modern government, it leaves only skid marks in its wake…
This all happened in the course of a short very few decades. It happened because an entire Potemkin village of originalist academics, originalist law-review articles, originalist theories—chiefly funded by very contemporary oligarchs—was built up to present it as a reversion to the way things always were, as opposed to a revanchist attack on modernity itself… Originalism is a modern-day lie about history that presents itself as historical. And originalism, marketed in the 1980s and ’90s as, at bottom, a theory of judicial restraint, has now become an uncontrollable and unpredictable Tasmanian devil that has gobbled up decades of precedent, the regulatory state we had built to ensure that we have clean air and drinkable water, and the line between church and state. Perhaps most viciously, originalism has chewed up and spit out the 13th, 14th, and 15thAmendments—the very history that was committed to text in order to protect the idea of a pluralist, generous, and expansive vision of liberty as the country finally ended the atrocity that was slavery. As Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson has pointed out on more than one occasion, the use of history itself to erase history is now a central part of the originalist project.
The whole thing is worth a read, and it’s part of a larger effort by Lithwick and others to define ways to fight our way out of the originalism trap. Like all our battles to hang onto a semi-modern democracy, it will be the work of generations. (Le sigh.)
Open thread!
This post is in: Open Threads, Politics, Trump Indictments, Trump’s NY Criminal Trial
It’s Day 16 of the trial.
Hard to believe it’s possible that the prosecution could rest as soon as Thursday. That would be trial days on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday this week. Trump has Friday off to go to Barron’s graduation. Odds on Trump skipping graduation to go to his own rally that night?
Best sources of live blogging that I have found. It looks like some of them are only live blogging for the “big” witnesses. Pretty sure that Michael Cohen counts as a big witness. This is gonna be lit, as the kids used to say. (What do the kids say these days?)
Josh Kovensky (TPM) live blogging
Mark Sumner (Daily Kos) live blogging
Tyler McBrien (Lawfare) on twitter
Good morning from 100 Centre St for Trump’s NY Criminal Trial. Today’s episode will very likely be: “The Michael Cohen Show.”
I’ll be reporting it all alongside @AnnaBower and Ben Wittes for @lawfare, join me, won’t you? 🧵⚖️ pic.twitter.com/vvFD2L6XlP
— Tyler McBrien (@TylerMcBrien) May 13, 2024
Anna Bower (Lawfare) on twitter
Good morning from Manhattan criminal court, where Trump’s trial is set to resume.
It’s a big day: Michael Cohen—the former “fixer” at the center of the events underlying Trump’s charges—is set to testify.
I’m here for @lawfare alongside @TylerMcBrien.
Follow along 🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/UpJTJxLljF
— Anna Bower (@AnnaBower) May 13, 2024
Adam Klasfeld on twitter (not up yet today)
Good morning from New York.
On Friday, the jury heard this Trump tweet recited into the record—about his "reimbursement" to Michael Cohen for "a non-disclosure agreement."
Trump's attorney denied the reimbursement when trial began.
Soon, Cohen is expected to testify.🧵 pic.twitter.com/pBjV8obEoA
— Adam Klasfeld (@KlasfeldReports) May 13, 2024
Still loving this awesome image. When you get tired of it, let me know.
So easy to find the image in the media library. I just search for bitch, and it comes right up.
Open thread.
Trump’s NY Criminal Trial, Day 16 (Michael Cohen)Post + Comments (318)
by Betty Cracker| 146 Comments
This post is in: Open Threads
The weekend just concluded seemed at least a week long to me, even though I had a pleasant view from my accommodations:
You can’t reserve that room on Booking.com, but it could be randomly assigned to you if you’re ever admitted to Tampa General Hospital. I’ll share a health update soonish but will note now that a TGH stay was not on the weekend agenda until suddenly it was.
Anyhoo, the above shot doesn’t capture just how great a view it is. If you move my vintage satchel out of the way, you would be able to see the fake tall ship used to stage the Gasparilla pirate invasion every year. From that vantage point, you can also see the mighty Hillsborough River flowing through the heart of the city, including commercial and private boat traffic as well as rowers from the University of Tampa’s team.
Open thread!