Rally for Citizens of Gaza 27Sep2024

 

The Fridays at Fettermans crowd assembles again, as they have for about the past year.

Next rally at Senator Fetterman's office (200 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia 12:15 PM to 1:30 PM) will feature speeches by Medea Benjamin of Code Pink, Aly Halpert, Singer-Songwriter; George Lakey, Quaker Activist & Author; Shane Claiborne, Red Letter Christians; Lisa Sharon Harper, Freedom Road; Lewis Webb, Jr., American Friends Service Committee; Rachel Betesh, Poet. This will mark the one-year anniversay of the war in Gaza. 

 

Terry Rumsey, organizer of the rallies that have continued non-stop for the past year.

It's been a bit tough to keep writing about Gaza as it's just been more and more bad news for its residents. It's been clear for quite a while that Israeli Prome Minister Netanyahu simply doesn't have a "day-after" plan to administer Gaza after Hamas is defeated.

In the absence of a post-war plan, [US Secretary of State Antony] Blinken added, “Hamas will be left in charge, which is unacceptable. Or if not, we’ll have chaos, lawlessness and a vacuum that eventually will be filled again by Hamas or maybe something — if it’s possible to imagine — even worse.”

"Total defeat" of Hamas is a great idea in theory, but unworkable in practice. Hamas must be replaced with an effective government that can govern to provide what people there need. The piece here was written in May and is still true.

Not that Hezbollah's any better. During Israel's invasion of Lebanon both sides are violating the laws of war. 

 

 

Ukraine/Russia? There have been a few changes, but Russia continues to utilize its greater resources, both in military goods produced by Russia and its allies North Korea, Iran and to some extent from China and in manpower, mostly from the provinces as opposed to the Moscow-St. Petersburg region. Ukraine's invasion of Russia in the Kursk area should count as one of Putin's "red lines" that requires a nuclear response from Russia. As President Biden has provided Ukraine with more long-range missiles, along with a continued hesitancy to allow Ukraine to actually use those weapons, we have an interesting situation there.

Early on, when not many people had arrived yet.

As I pointed out to a person in an online conversation, an innocent person would seek a speedy trial so that he could go to thhe public as a cleared person. As Trump is clearly not innocent, he and his allies in the Judicial Branch have sought to delay his trials. The Supreme Court tossed a monkey wrench into these trials by declaring that Trump can't be prosecuted for official acts or for official communications. Naturally, they didn't go into detail as to what these were, but they went much further in defining official acts than was previously understood. Judge Chutkan and Special Counsel Smith appear to be ready to to define just what Trump can be charged with. They're trying to still not cross any boundaries that the Supreme Court has appeared to suggest. Of course, as Trump and his allies desire, any conclusion to his trial must take place after November's election.

 

Robin Rumsey

In their weekend round-up of political news for the week, TPM covers a Russian online version of the Washington Post (Russia has generally ramped up election interference efforts), how routine maintenance of voter rolls gives rise to comspiracy theories and how Melania Trump's description of Donald as a "family man" provoked a number of rebuttals from online progressives.

Haitian migrants in Springfield OH have been the target of toxic rhetoric by Senator Vance, Donald Trump and assorted wannabe Nazis.

As I've said, Trump is a wannabe fascist dictator.

“One rough hour. And I mean real rough, the word will get out and it will end immediately. End immediately. You know, it will end immediately,” — Donald Trump on the phony epidemic of crime by immigrants in 2024

Ruth Ben-Ghiat is a historian and commentator on authoritarianism and propaganda.  She comments here on how authoritarians like Trump really, really hate it when people make fun of them! Authoritarians "don’t mind being called evil, but being ridiculed is a different matter."

Facing towards the speaker.

Unfortunately, living in a "pro-life" state means living in a maternity care desert. "in 1,104 US counties, there is not a single birthing facility or obstetric clinician." That's out of 3,143 counties total.

RLGardner.net

Day 943 Wr in Ukraine

 

Russian Mi-8 helicopter destroyed on the ground by guerrillas.

Israel attacks Lebanon and promptly kills about a quarter of the people that it killed in 2006 over a 34-day period. Biden Administration has been trying hard to deescalate, without success. And of course, it’s the regular people who will be hurt the most.

Still drones in Kherson hunting down individuals. Now Russia’s doing the same in Nikopol.

In addition to his usual daily briefing, Zelenskyy also spoke at the American Academy of Achievement Awards Ceremony. He also toured an ammunition plant in Scranton PA.

Ukraine has to oppose China’s “peace” plan.

Good news: “bipartisan majorities in Congress are actively urging the Biden administration to lift existing restrictions on Ukraine’s ability to strike into Russia.”

Ooh, not good. Congress passed a short-term funding bill that does NOT include Ukraine.

An examination as to what an unsatisfactory peace proposal would mean. Russia has many of the same problems, but as they’re larger, they can handle the problems better.

Anti-Ukraine parties are on the rise in Germany.

The Norwegian Refugee Council counts p Ukrainian civilian dead.

NATO would very much like to avoid a war with Russia. Russia seems pretty enthusiastic to start a war with NATO.

Financial Times claims that the attack in Donetsk has not slowed down since Ukraine launched its Kursk operation. Big problem is that Russians have earned from earlier mistakes. Vuhledar’s not looking too good, either.

Russia’s producing lots and lots of drones and missiles.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/23/war-for-ukraine-day-943-president-zelenskyy-travels-to-the-us-russia-continues-hunting-ukrainians-in-kherson-with-drones/

Day 941 War in Ukraine

 

Each red dot represents an airfield from which Russia laumches attacks, mostly upon civilian targets.

More bombardment of civilians in Kharkiv and other cities. Some civilians showing “experienced acute stress reactions.” A 49-year old was wounded earlier in the day and was then killed another bomb. Civilians killed by terrorist attacks where drones hunt people dow.

Zelenskyy wants to secure guarantees from the US before the election to safeguard Ukrainian interests during any negotiations.

THAT sounds good: “The second [point] was Ukraine’s Kursk operation, which [Zelenskyy] said was ‘fulfilling’ its task of diverting Russian offensive power.”

Understandable: “Zelenskyy again ruled out a Minsk-style peace agreement where the conflict would be frozen, stating that Russia would only invade again.”

Serhiy Pavlichenko, a master craftsman of traditional Ukrainian musical instruments, fell defending Ukraine on the Pokrovsk front.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg supports Ukraine’s request to be able to use long-range missiles against Russia.

Good! There was a story earlier about Australia junking its old weapons rather than giving them to Ukraine. Australia has reversed that.

Woo hoo More Russian ammo dumps hit by Ukrainian drones!

The Tikhoretsk ammo dump held North Korean missiles and was also destroyed.

Russians can adapt, but they use rail lines as opposed to roads, so adaptation is difficult.

Russia attacks from Donetsk with 27 vehicles and withdraw, having lost 16 of them.

Chasiv Yar, the buildings that constituted the city are all no more. The whole place is flattened.

What has been the effect of economic sanctions on Russia since early 2022? Ehh, pretty much invisible.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/21/war-for-ukraine-day-941-russia-hits-civilian-targets-in-kharkiv-kryvih-rih-nikopol-while-ukraine-hits-another-military-target-in-russia/

Day 934 War in Ukraine

Man sees his wife and son after two years in Russian captivity.

Woo hoo! Another 103 Ukrainian captives traded for Russian soldiers!

76 Russian drones, none of which made it to their targets!

Russian propaganda at a film festival called out for what it is.

Billboards promoting Italian-Russian friendship are paid for by same organizations that “were formed to protest the country’s Covid-19 lockdowns.” These anti-vaxxer groups “were always promoted and amplified as part of Russia’s ongoing political warfare and influence operations against the US, the EU, EU member states, and NATO.”

Germany’s chancellor is against sending long-range rockets to Ukraine. Canada advocates for no restrictions. Foreign Policy Magazine accuses Biden Administration of “micro-managing” Ukraine’s foreign policy and thereby helping Russia. “purely political hesitation” holds the White House back. Repeated long-range drone strikes by Ukraine have not resulted in Russian retaliation.

Europe will have to figure out what to do if/when the Ukraine war ends and Russia concentrates on “Georgia, the Baltic states, or even the Nordic countries.” NATO appears to be frightened of engaging Russian aggression. A Ukrainian points out that as long as Ukraine is fighting Russia, Europe doesn’t have to deal with it.

Very sad cartoon on Russian “red lines.”

“Dragon Drones” spew fire down on Russian positions.

Radio Khartia broadcasts in Kharkiv from a van.

Russians attack Ukrainian positions in the Kursk region (inside Russia) to little effect. Russian regular and pontoon bridges over the Seym River are destroyed.

Lots and LOTS of Russian officers have been killed since February 2022!

Metallurgical plant in Russia burning.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/14/war-for-ukraine-day-934-103-more-ukrainian-pows-and-detainees-returned-home-today/

Very interesting that my usual source on the war in Ukraine didn’t mention this, but Russian attacks on the Ukrainian offensive near Kursk have not only defeated counter-offensives, but Euromaidan Press reports that the Russian offensive against Pokrovsk has culminated (gone as far as it will go) and Russia is shifting forces up to tackle the Kursk salient!

Also, reports on both Ukrainian and Russian mismanagement of troops.

40-minute film on a Ukrainian from Kyiv visiting the Carpathian Mountain region of Ukraine (very Western and Southern area).

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/9/14/2270192/-Russian-stuff-blowing-up-Another-103-Ukrainian-prisoners-released?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

Day 932 War in Ukraine

 

“Russian missile against a wheat cargo bound for Egypt.“ The missile was supersonic and the crew was Turkish. It was attacked in the waters of Romania. Both countries are members of NATO.

Blogger examines why Biden’s NatSec (National Security) staff is incapable of rising to the challenge of dealing with present-day Russia.

First Lady Zelenska gives a speech at the Fourth Summit of First Ladies and Gentlemen. President Zelenskyy’s speech follows.

The son of the Chief Rabbi of Ukraine dies at the front.

Putin threatens war if Ukraine is permitted to use long-range missiles against Russia.

US might permit Ukraine to use British and French long-range missiles against Russia. "The source said: 'I think this war can’t be won or stopped by half measures.'" Escalation should be examined in context. Putin threatens direct war if Ukraine is permitted to use long-range missiles.

Kharkiv with glide bombs.

More terrible things happening in Pokrovsk as Russians approach.

...the ICRC has not covered itself in glory in Ukraine. Nor in Gaza. Nor Sudan. Nor anywhere else lately.

Russians launch counter-offensive against Ukraine’s Kursk operation. Ukraine expected and was prepared for it. No sign that the Russian counter-offensive will weaken the Russian advance on Pokrovsk.

The current Russian army “consists of cripples, alcoholics, criminals and old men with conscripts. But this army also causes colossal damage. It is precisely because of this composition that it has no morality and leaves behind a trail of war crimes and scorched earth.”

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/12/war-for-ukraine-day-932-russia-attacks-a-turkish-operated-transport-vessel-in-the-black-sea/

Day 931 War in Ukraine

 

THAT’S a disappointment! US Secretary of State Blinken and UK Foreign Minister Lammy did NOT go to Ukraine to authorize the use of long-range weapons! They’re “adjusting and adapting” somehow.

Ten and a half years after the invasion of Crimea and almost three years into the full-scale re-invasion of Ukraine and the US doesn’t have “an actual strategy for Ukraine”!

Zelenskyy observes 9/11 commemoration.

Lithuania helps finance the Palantsyia rocket drone.

Does Germany’s Scholzhave a peace plan for Ukraine? If he doesn’t bring Ukraine on board, Zelenskyy doesn’t care.

US and Britain sending a generous aid package over to Ukraine.

Blinken recognizes that Russia is attacking Ukrainian energy.

Congress asks Biden to allow Ukraine to strike targets in russia with long-range weapons.

Apparently, the Biden Administration has just NOW drafted a strategy for Ukraine! The US is still using “crisis management” tools. Many organizations have offered detailed plans. Are we trying to defeat Russia in Ukraine? We should say so. We also need to “win the peace” by having a plan to rebuild, enter NATO, etc. But knowing the desired endgame is VERY important!

North Korean ballistic missiles raining down on Ukraine.

Iran is ALSO sending ballistic missiles to Russia.

Another Russian Su-30 fighter jet shot down!

Russian reconnaissance drone knocked down!

Russians still advancing on Pokrovsk.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/11/war-for-ukraine-day-931-lessons-from-alice/

Day 927, War in Ukraine

 

A Ukrainian resident of Pokrovsk closes her gate for what may be the last time as Russian artillery moves closer.

Lots and lots of Shahed drones knocked down. None of them hit their target!

Good! Scottish newspaper headline supports Ukraine against Biden’s too-cautious policy.

Ukraine’s Kursk offensive has dented Vladimir Putin’s war narrative and triggered “questions” among the Russian elite about the point of the war…

Intelligence officials: “Both also said it would be wrong to take Putin’s threats of nuclear escalation lightly but that the west should not be unnecessarily intimidated.”

US says that Iran sending ballistic missiles to Russia would be a “dramatic escalation.” But there’s evidence that Iran HAS already shipped those missiles. Earlier, the US said there would be “consequences” if North Korea shipped missiles yo Moscow. But NK has ALREADY done that! So now what?

Ukrainian drones can now strike at a distance of 1.800 km.

Why did the Venice Film Festival accept a film glorifying Russia’s war in Ukraine? Toronto Film Festival also urged to not feature Russian propaganda.

Canada Media Fund gave $340,000 from Canadian taxpayers to an on staff russian propagandist.

Continuing evacuation in Pokrovsk as Russian artillery moves closer.

Dunno why Russia even bothers to build pontoon bridges. Of course, Ukrainians would probably blow up ferries, too.

Ammunition depot burns.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/07/war-for-ukraine-day-927-a-67-drone-swarm/

Day 922 War in Ukraine

School in shelter, safe from Russian missiles.

Still more mass aerial attacks.

Zelenskyy talks about schools reopening. Presumably he means schools have ben relocated to underground.

North Korean KN-23 missiles were among those that struck Ukraine.

Why are Russian bombers better protected than Ukrainian civilians?

Poland says it will preemptively hit any Russian missile that appears as though it might enter Polish airspace.

Iran planning to provide ballistic missiles to Russia. Good time to release Ukrainian missiles from restrictions.

Defense Minister Umerov calls for restrictions on long-range weapons to be lifted.

UKRAINE’S FRUSTRATION is growing by the day over restrictions that the Biden administration has imposed on the use of American-supplied weapons against targets inside Russia.

The blogger quotes a “devil’s advocate” of permitting long-range strikes into Russia, at length.

Ukraine has some of their best battle-hardened units in the Kursk offensive. So far, not drawing too many Russian units.

Ukraine’s Kursk incursion has raised flagging morale among its troops and restored its initiative along a patch of the front. The attack has also deeply embarrassed Moscow

Moscow is frustrated that the West doesn’t appear to take their nuclear threats seriously anymore and are upping the ante. Russian nuclear threats have successfully frozen the Biden Administration’s response.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/02/war-for-ukraine-day-922-russia-continues-its-glide-bomb-bombardment-of-kharkiv/

 

Result of Ukrainian drone firing thermite at a tree line.

Russians tsk-tsk a Ukrainian mine disguised to look like an ordinary piece of wood, but which contains enough explosive to kill instantly. Yep, sure is terrible to have barbaric enemies.
 

Reuters: "A deputy commander of Russia's Leningrad military district has been detained on suspicion of accepting a 20 million rouble ($224,000) bribe...

When I was in the Navy, the armed service paid for EVERYTHING that we needed to do our job. I've often compared this to the poor state of teachers, who have to buy school supplies without reimbursement. Seems Russian soldiers are required to pay for repairing and refueling cars! 

Huh1 Cool! Serbia hips in to supply MiGs to Ukraine!

Ukrainian occupiers making very good impressions in Kursk district.

Ukrainian General Staff figures Russia has lost 8,600 tanks since February 2022! 

Russia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrov compares modern-day Europe to Napoleonic France and Nazi Germany, seeking to destroy Russia. 

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/9/2/2267373/-Russian-stuff-blowing-up-Ukraine-deploys-flame-throwing-drones-with-thermite?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

 

 

 

  

 

 

Day 921 war in Ukraine

 

Adding up all of the flying weapons used to strike Ukraine over the past week!

At the July NATO Summit, all sorts of air defense systems were promised. NONE have been delivered yet! A “double-tap” attack was therefore successful.

Denmark wanted to send F-16s right away after Ukraine was hit with the full-scale invasion, but “Frederiksen did not specify who exactly was holding up the delivery of the F-16s.”

Zelenskyy’s definition of peace is to remove all occupiers from the land. Zelenskyy: “to stop this terror, all necessary global forces must be mobilized.”

Russia strikes “a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage” Numerous other civilian centers hit. Strikes are made at noontime so as to maximize casualties.

It’s NICE that the US condemns Russian atrocities delivered by aerial means, but giving Ukraine permission to use long-range weapons on Russian airbases is what they REALLY need!

The town of Kurahove is just being pounded into dust.

People fleeing Pokrovsk are reasonably certain their homes will be obliterated in their absence.

A “fully loaded Russian BM-21 Grad MLRS” obliterated in massive explosion.

Ukrainian drone strikes made near Moscow raises the price of the war for regular Russians.

Moscow oil refinery hit. Truly amazing how weak Russian air defenses are once one gets away from the battle-front.

Moscow is surrounded by S-300, S-400 and Pantsir S1/S2 air defense systems. They should have been able to protect the Kaputnya oil refinery.

Kyiv has a small handful of air defense systems protecting it, Moscow has nearly 50. Funny, but Russian air defenses consistently underperform.

Why does AP blindly repeat Russian propaganda?

The value of attrition: “using a $500,000 drone to destroy an industrial facility that generates $50 million annually has a lasting impact.”

Ukraine hits power plant at Konokovo from a distance of 325 miles.

https://balloon-juice.com/2024/09/01/war-for-ukraine-day-921-kharkiv-and-sumy/