Today's News: Updates

A batch of updates tonight - here we go

Juneteenth:

Drew Litton, The Colorado Sun #juneteenth2022 pic.twitter.com/EHo0SjG7v7

— Editorial & Political Cartoons (@EandPCartoons) June 19, 2022

Steve Sack, The Minneapolis Star Tribune @ThatSteveSack #juneteenth2022 #CRT pic.twitter.com/idsnMwgQ1F

— Editorial & Political Cartoons (@EandPCartoons) June 19, 2022

Pride:

This observation from Peggy Atwood:

Here comes Gilead. Wall hangings. Pride events targeted in surge of anti-LGBTQ threats, violence https://t.co/86ohwgNtjK

— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) June 20, 2022

Ukraine Russia War: 

Interesting summary from military analyst Mike Martin comparing the fighting in the Donbass with the Ukraine advances around Kherson, a much more significant battle. 

Here are some parts of this thread:

NB this is more territory than the Russians have taken in the East by the way.

— Dr Mike Martin ⛵️ (@ThreshedThought) June 18, 2022

These people paint themselves as realists, but the Ukrainians—ultimate realists—know that concessions now will embolden Putin, or the next leader, to come and have another go.

The only option for Ukraine is complete defeat of Russia within Ukrainian borders.

— Dr Mike Martin ⛵️ (@ThreshedThought) June 18, 2022

They know—like the Finns do after 1941—that the only way to ensure peace from Russia is to hand them their arses on a plate.

— Dr Mike Martin ⛵️ (@ThreshedThought) June 18, 2022

Also a great article in The Atlantic comparing Ukraine and Chechnya:

"Putin’s strategic patience is based on sound precedent."
"Should the West abandon a ravaged #Ukraine to a similar fate—a flawed cease-fire leading to a failing state that is prey to a refocused Russian assault—this will be the scenario."@NeilPHauer
2/2

— Nicolas Tenzer (@NTenzer) June 20, 2022

Update of the update - I just saw these tweets about Lithuania's partial blockade:

This Lithuania’s partial blockade of goods to Russia’s exclave Kaliningrad is something to watch. Lithuania is fully justified in taking this step blocking prohibited goods from transiting its territory. Russia will see this as a provocation & escalation & will seek to respond. https://t.co/xhJsiXPQyp

— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) June 20, 2022

You know what *would* have an effect on the outcome of the war? Russia leaving Ukraine.

Use that energy you have for LT to tell Russia to get out of Ukraine, stop raping women and children and stealing food.

Also, stop being a groupie for the Kremlin. https://t.co/Re25t7F2Gf

— Terrell Jermaine Starr 🇺🇦 (@terrelljstarr) June 21, 2022

Authoritarianism:

Just a short follow-up on yesterday's comments about creeping authoritarianism -- here's an observation I saw today from Princeton political science professor Elizabeth Cohen:

People think a lot of things that are lawful are unlawful.

But, more important, people think unlawfulness is the line between what the state can and cannot do.

That’s not how “can” works.

— Dr. Elizabeth Sacha Baroness Cohen (@alixabeth) June 20, 2022

Jan 6 Committee: 

The Jan 6 Committee hearings are on again tomorrow. Here's a significant observation:

Never seen a President in history who seemed so relaxed about the possible imminent murder of his Vice President. Never seen a Vice President who went through that ordeal and yet will scarcely emit a peep against the President who was culpable.

— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) June 20, 2022

Uvalde massacre:

all the years and money acquiring all the top military toys to just do … nothing with them the only time they have an application https://t.co/knNLyfBx1L

— kilgore trout, death to putiner (@KT_So_It_Goes) June 21, 2022

A major article from the Texas Tribune tonight describes what happened during the entire incident, as far as reporters can determine through interviews, and review of radio calls, and video. 

It is a damning indictment of ineptitude and cowardice: 

 ... current records and footage show a well-equipped group of local officers entered the school almost immediately that day and then pulled back once the shooter began firing from inside the classroom. Then they waited for more than an hour to reengage. 

“They had the tools,” said Terry Nichols, a former Seguin police chief and active-shooter expert. “Tactically, there’s lots of different ways you could tackle this. … But it takes someone in charge, in front, making and executing decisions, and that simply did not happen.”.... 

He didn’t stand there. He was wracked with agony and frustrated and wanted to charge in. He had to be escorted out of the building. One of the most heartbreaking details imaginable.

— Sewell Chan (@sewellchan) June 21, 2022

Major outlets have been covering this case as an exception

But there are communities who have relationships w/police that are rife w/what we're seeing in Uvalde:

i.e. failure to protect, threats, abuses of power, heinous negligence, horrifying disregard for life, corruption,etc

— NotATweeter16 (@NotATweeter16) June 21, 2022

FreeDumb Convoy: 

The #FluTruxKlan has apparently now become the #FreeDumbConvoy -- check this hashtag for more updates:

Fuck the #FreeDumbConvoy. pic.twitter.com/zXHOuWnttY

— James Fell (@BodyForWife) June 21, 2022