Today's News: Oops

I deleted one of my tweets today. 

It was, of course, about the situation in the Ukraine and in it, I supported the NATO decision not to implement a No Fly List, also criticizing Ukraine's negative reaction to NATO's decision. 

But as the hours went by, and I got some people criticizing me and some supporting me, I came to the conclusion that my opinion was likely wrong, or at the very least, too slapdash and not nuanced enough:

I just deleted a tweet from this afternoon about the NFZ issue - on the whole, people I follow did not support it, while others I don't follow seemed to think it was OK.
So now I think I need to re-think my thinking.
Sorry, everyone.

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) March 5, 2022

All in all, I was reminded of the pinned tweet from the great Charles Pierce:

"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane." - Marcus Aurelius

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) June 2, 2020

Yes, we definitely do need to escape that, don't we.

And now, on with the news for today:

In the good news category, aid is now reaching Ukraine.

Massive amounts of new weapons including anti aircraft missiles and Stingers poured into Ukraine on Friday. At least 14 cargo aircraft. https://t.co/AF3hjB6afe

— EMPR.MEDIA (@EuromaidanPR) March 5, 2022

The defeatism is astounding… and consistent. These same conclusions were forecasted 10 days ago. I judge Kyiv will stand. The Russian are running out of combat power and don’t have enough assets to take this great city. https://t.co/gL9ooCgvfN

— Alexander S. Vindman (@AVindman) March 5, 2022

“But Ukrainian officials this week said a reverse trend was also taking place, with about 80,000 people entering the country through its western borders during the same period, most of them men.” https://t.co/cYCWSqj6l9

— 🇨🇦🇺🇦🌻Carla Rae (@CarlaMeckelborg) March 5, 2022

Seems like this was the first relatively quiet night in Kyiv since Russian fascists invaded Ukraine. Mariupol is under RU siege. Kharkiv and Sumy fighting. Mykolaiv kicking ass. Kherson refusing to take RU “humanitarian aid”.
RU are looting.

Ukraine stands! #StandWithUkraine️

— olexander scherba🇺🇦 (@olex_scherba) March 5, 2022

Exhausted in terms of combat effectiveness. What follows next I don’t know. Maybe a ceasefire where both sides reorganize and resupply, maybe a settlement. It depends on the course of the war and the situation in Russia. End.

— Michael Kofman (@KofmanMichael) March 5, 2022

We heard President Zelenskyy's call. Remington is sending 1M rounds of ammo to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/VYhHbeJ8EA

— Remington (@RemingtonArms) March 4, 2022

The REAL freedom truck convoy… pic.twitter.com/haT7r3M6sF

— Barbara Elliott (@elliottBA) March 5, 2022

And file this under the category "There ain't nobody here but us chickens":

Today's News: Holding on

These past two years have been the longest decade ever.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 3, 2022

#BREAKING Map of the approximate situation in Ukraine as of 01:00 UTC 03/03/22. #Ukraine #Russia #UkraineCrisis #UkraineUnderAttack #UkraineWar #Kyiv #Kharkiv #Kherson pic.twitter.com/gx4ddNoWrD

— Ukraine War Map (@War_Mapper) March 3, 2022

another delivery of def ammunition for the @ArmedForcesUkr from our friends from #Canada.Thanks for the clear&consistent position of the Government of 🇨🇦 &personally thanks to @AnitaAnandMP for supporting.Strengthening 🇺🇦defence capabilities is strengthening the whole of EU🇺🇦🤝🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/blQZc3Q7wy

— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) February 23, 2022

That much-discussed convoy to Kyiv doesn't seem to be getting there very fast:

Even the simplest things in war can be difficult when you are fighting a motivated enemy. But, with that as context, the Russians have made some major errors in tactics, logistics & leadership. Tying up combat power & support forces in a long convoy like this is one of them. https://t.co/oQtAqJ7S5q

— Major General (just retired!) Mick Ryan (@WarintheFuture) March 2, 2022

"What our elected officials do deeply matters" ... Reason the Ukraine war is "happening now is because of perceived vulnerabilities, perceived weaknesses in the United States ... Perception of divided America. But how wrong [Putin] is."

- @AVindman at Principles First Summit pic.twitter.com/hHXelHmAXD

— Howard Mortman (@HowardMortman) March 1, 2022

Here's the latest Conspiracy Theory that Russia is using to try to explain this war to its own people:

Worth noting: Russia has laid the groundwork for this conspiracy theory for years. But its recent incarnation came from an American.

It underscores an undercurrent of paranoia in the West so severe that its followers are susceptible to this nonsense.

— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) March 2, 2022

And just in case you didn't already notice....

I mean...yeah!

There's an old saying in Tennessee—I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee—that says, 'Fool me once, shame on...shame on you. Fool me—you can't get fooled again' https://t.co/RTnEMIYmwK

— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) March 2, 2022

#INDIGENOUS #TAIRP pic.twitter.com/Vpf5g3csYn

— Indigenous (@AmericanIndian8) March 2, 2022

And in Canadian news, here's the zombie bite question:

this pandemic just proved y’all would hide your zombie bites if it came down to it

— 𝐤💫 (@khewyd) January 10, 2022

Pierre Poilievre strikes me as the kind of person who would hide a zombie bite from the group.

— Brandon Tozzo (@BrandonTozzo) March 2, 2022

Charest would seem to have no chance to beat Poilievre, except fo the secret zombie bite problem. Is he electable? What do CPC members think? https://t.co/A0P71lfSxu

— Stephen Maher (@stphnmaher) March 3, 2022

Today's News: Two remarkable politicians

Two remarkable politicians are earning the world's gratitude: Joe Biden and Chrystia Freeland. 

Biden's State of the Union was tonight and he deserves the credit he is getting for rallying the world to defend Ukraine. I don't think there is any other American politician who could have done it, even Clinton or Obama.

I didn’t need to hear a speech to validate President Biden’s leadership. It’s been apparent from day 1.

— Jesse D.Lifson (@DoYouEvenLif) March 2, 2022

Joe Biden was made for this moment. https://t.co/qr49WUMMfM

— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport) March 2, 2022

"A roller coaster ride of rip roaring reasonableness."

- @StephenAtHome on President Biden's #StateOfTheUnion speech. #LateShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/axxKy2F1xq

— The Late Show (@colbertlateshow) March 2, 2022

Chrystia Freeland is getting credit for rallying the world to go to war against the Russian economy.

… Today, in 2022, it is Kyiv."https://t.co/WDzf6qUtkh

2/2

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) March 1, 2022

“There is a lady from Canada by the name Chrystia Freeland. I believe she is some kind of Deputy Prime Minister or some such.

She is in fact cutting Russia's economy down to the size of Zimbabwe.

She has an extensive background in Economics.”-Marty

2/

— Heidi Cuda (@Heidi_Cuda) March 1, 2022

“I don't know if the timing of its activation was intentional or serendipitous, but it turned out to be sublime.

“Putin was caught with his pants down. The Russian stock market has been closed for the week.”-Marty Sheil

4/

— Heidi Cuda (@Heidi_Cuda) March 1, 2022

“Chrystia Freeland saved Western Civilization as we know it.”—Marty

Thank you @cafreeland for fighting for what is good and right.-hsc

6/

— Heidi Cuda (@Heidi_Cuda) March 1, 2022

Even if leaders eventually come up with a deal to formally lift the sanctions against Russia, investors aren’t just going to plow their money back in like nothing happened. We’ve crossed an economic Rubicon.https://t.co/bwJkUfUVsW

— Zachary D. Carter (@zachdcarter) March 1, 2022

The Russian economic sanctions have had another positive effect - a vast reduction in those tiresome social media right-wing trolls and bots, because nobody is paying them anymore:

It is palpable. It’s ALL Russia - it’s been Russia this whole time - the anti-masking, anti-vaxx, “freedom”, anti-CRT… To be sure, they’ve been picking at wounds already open, but the transformation of it from fringe to mainstream has been all Russia, this whole time.

— Vanessa Cariddi (@VanessaCariddi) March 1, 2022

I have to say, my Twitter experience is radically different without the Russian trolls. Right-wingers are abandoned, Trudeau hatred has practically vanished. We can now see just how fringe those people are. #cdnpoli #SocialMediaConvo

— Matthew Forbes (@VaughanPappy) February 28, 2022

On a side note, here's the Saskatchewan edition of Things that Make You Go Hmmm.....all of a sudden, Premier Moe's tweets aren't getting thousands of "likes" anymore:

The 1st pic he gets 17,000 & 10,000 likes (on issues we know the majority have a different opinion); then second pic he gets only 600 (on an issue there is wide cross-party support). It’s very clear with the LikeFarm offline now Premier Drunk Driver has been paying for likes. pic.twitter.com/xffBOHPJ7N

— David Stewart 🇨🇦🏳️‍🌈 (@DavidRSt3wart) March 1, 2022

And here's another aspect of the #UkraineRussiaWar that is going to be increasingly important in the next few weeks -- spring:

Look at them all stuck in mud, sitting ducks for whatever hit them (drones, artillery, etc). That's why there was urgency to attack before first thaw, but the Olympics and Climate Change got in the way https://t.co/g2yCtvi3Kn

— Markos Moulitsas (@markos) March 2, 2022

Its worthwhile to point this out, too:

.@SteveSchmidtSES: "What we need to understand is this. All over the world, here's who stands with Vladimir Putin. Cuba. Maduro in Venezuela. Belarus. And the American right." #TheReidOut pic.twitter.com/3bFWVXXaEI

— The ReidOut (@thereidout) March 2, 2022

Here's today's cartoon (and on a side note, the so-called trucker convoys that were supposed to disrupt the State of the Union speech fizzled):

Please enjoy my #UkraineRussiaWar cartoon for Wednesday's @TorontoStar #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/F9Cq58fAVc

— Theo Moudakis (@TheoMoudakis) March 1, 2022

In other news, here's the Thought of the day:

God think how much better all of this would be if they had just let George W. Bush be Commissioner of Baseball back in the 90s

— Dan Kane (@dakaner) March 1, 2022

Today's News: the "Before Times" are gone

I tell you, I'm getting very very tired of the 2020s. 

If I could return them for a refund, I sure would.

I had been thinking of the days before March 2020 as the "Before Times" -- when we could enjoy going to stores and restaurants and visiting people and going to the office, without worrying about a dreadful disease that could kill us and our families.

Now I realize the days before February 2022 were actually the "Before Times" -- when we could keep ourselves safe by getting vaccinated and wearing masks and working from home, without worrying about a Russian madman threatening to start a nuclear World War Three.

We don't know how this is going to go, and it's going to take a while before anyone will find out:

In any case, my biggest worries for worst case scenarios ranked in descending order of likelihood:

- protracted insurgency
- mistargeted/overflying cruise missile hits NATO country
- US gets caught with a JSOC team
- tactical nuke is used but doesn’t rise to retaliation
- does

— Emilite Gorcenski (@EmilyGorcenski) March 1, 2022

putin took a piece of georgia in 2008
got away with it

two pieces of ukraine in 2014
got away with it

messed w us elections in 2016
got away with it

you can see why putin thought his 2022 gambit was a winner

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) February 28, 2022

Fiona Hill: "Putin has an idea of a “Russky Mir”or “Russian World”-Ukrainians and Russians are one and the same..re-gathering all the Russian-speakers that belonged at some point to the Russian tsardom."https://t.co/KvNRsKeJoS via @politico

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) March 1, 2022

Meanwhile, the tweets go on and I keep assembling them to post here -- I notice that apparently the people who "did their research" in Epidemiology in 2020 are now doing post-graduate work in Slavic Studies!

After months of frustration dealing with self-declared science experts, time to turn over the job to my history colleagues.

Good luck. pic.twitter.com/WCx9nKBzMG

— Glen Pyle | #GetVaccinated💉 (@glenpyle) February 28, 2022

Can’t believe it’s taking me 6 years to get a PhD when everyone on twitter managed to get one in Eastern European geopolitics in just 4 days

— Aarit Ahuja (@aarit_ahuja) February 27, 2022

Today, I noticed a little more realism on twitter, sharing the warning that this isn't going to be a quick or easy conflict.

It's not a Chuck Norris movie.

Those things all require significant material support, intel, communications, logistics, transport, etc, etc, and more etc.

Again, you send in troops, whatever their specialty and mission, you're in the war. https://t.co/xOukKK88G4

— Stonekettle (@Stonekettle) February 28, 2022

Hi, I'm John287494793. You might know me from my hits like "Masks don't work", "Covid is just the flu" and "Trudeau is a dictator". Here are my thoughts on the geopolitical implications of the current conflict and how it may impact intercontinental foreign policy going forward...

— Aaron Hoyland (@aaronhoyland) February 28, 2022

Exasperated Twitter user: "I mean, like what, are we supposed to just shape our WHOLE foreign policy about going to war with Russia or not around nuclear weapons?"

Yes, that is exactly what we do.

— Mike (@xiipre) March 1, 2022

Aliens recovering a twitter server from the rubbles... "whatever species lived here were sure witty"

— Farzam (@minimaani) March 1, 2022

“I just can’t doom scroll anymore. Let’s risk it.”

— 🤟🏻Jesse James Richard (Bro/Bra) 🤙🏻 (@jessejamesrich) March 1, 2022

I had no idea until this week how little was remembered about nuclear deterrence. I don't understand how the Cold War can be understood without a basic grasp of that concept generally and with regard to Russia specifically.

— Al 🇺🇸(🇫🇮🇬🇧🇸🇯)🏳️‍🌈 (@altacomadc) February 28, 2022

Every day, I am proud to be Canadian and to have leaders like Trudeau, Freeland, Rae, and Joly:

No Western politician understands Ukraine and Russia better than @cafreeland, Canada's deputy prime minister (a Ukrainian-Canadian whose mother helped write the Ukrainian constitution), and Freeland's push to sanction Russia's central bank was a great move. https://t.co/qv8m6bCT6F

— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 28, 2022

Take 10 minutes to watch Canada's @UN ambassador @BobRae48 give one of the great speeches the General Assembly has ever heard. https://t.co/LSePuxwBuL #Ukraine #Russia #RussiaUkraine #russianinvasion #UkraineWar #UkraineRussia #UkraineInvasion #WARINUKRAINE

— Steve Paikin (@spaikin) February 28, 2022

Individuals are figuring out how to do their part:

Clever. One Twitter account is tracking private jets of Russian oligarchs (@RUOligarchJets) & another is tracking their yachts. (@PutinIsAVirus)
(*Which, I believe, oligarchs are moving around to avoid sanction confiscation?)
Are ya seeing this, @USTreasury?#StandingWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/ZINfbLgmxL

— ͏Postcards4USA (@postcards4USA) February 28, 2022

A splendid note from the Ukrainian Library Association

— Dr Peter Caddick-Adams #StandwithUkraine (@militaryhistori) February 28, 2022

I don't usually post pictures of myself, but today is an exception. pic.twitter.com/IvuiH3QVZv

— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 28, 2022

Live from #toronto #ukraine rally pic.twitter.com/kflDGVnaqx

— Margaret E. Atwood (@MargaretAtwood) February 27, 2022

And there is one funny thing about all this -- Fox News and the Republicans are both looking pathetic:

And in the blink of an eye, "Russia, go fvck yourself!" is more popular than "Let's go Brandon!".
😂😂😂

— AntifaPuddin’Pop™️ (@Andie00471) February 27, 2022

every Republican pretending to stand with Ukraine this week is hoping you'll forget they were kissing Putin's ass last week. fuck that, I'm never forgetting

— Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) February 28, 2022

Tucker Carlson trying belatedly to distance himself from Vladimir Putin is the most unconvincing change of heart since Sammy the Bull flipped on John Gotti

— David Frum (@davidfrum) March 1, 2022

Today's News: Ukraine Strong

For Ukraine coverage, here's some great resources: 

The Kyiv Independent twitter 

Josh Marshall's twitter list 2022 Ukraine Crisis 

Canadian reporter Justin Ling's twitter 

Balloon Juice's War In Ukraine page

New York Times Russia-Ukraine War page 

Washington Post War in Ukraine page 

Globe and Mail Ukraine page

Day 5 of a full-scale Russian invasion. Putin still cannot capture #Kyiv. The capital of #Ukraine is standing and successfully fighting back. pic.twitter.com/HII9Cp4XQK

— Ostap Yarysh (@OstapYarysh) February 28, 2022

As evening fell the sounds of battle had receded to Kharkiv’s airport and elsewhere on the city’s outskirts. Once again, a big Russian assault had failed https://t.co/pTRgYjbfnw

— The Economist (@TheEconomist) February 28, 2022

War can be a race, a slow, grinding race. If the west can help Ukraine faster than Putin can wear them down, there is a chance. Godspeed to the "allies"

— DW Murray (@dwminsc) February 27, 2022

Ukraine needs to make it one more week without surrendering, until arms & airpower & fighters from many nations can arrive. #UkraineStrong

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) February 28, 2022

For the first time, the entire European Union is ready for a fight:

EU #fighterjets in #Ukraine & will be ready to #fly in 1 hour. #StandWithUkriane

— Aaron Bouma #Militaryspecialist #ActuallyAutistic (@CANADA566) February 27, 2022

As I write this, it is Monday morning in Russia -- the ruble is crashing and the Russian stock market opening has been postponed again:

Putin may be getting set for his most violent and bloody push into Ukraine yet, at the exact moment when his currency is hitting historic lows. Meanwhile, Ukraine and the West have never been more unified.

Zelensky is likely right when he says the next 24 hours will be crucial. https://t.co/ZJ4xIrNjGH

— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) February 28, 2022

The nations of the Europe and North America are speaking with one voice:

All free peoples are on the same side now. It’s not a conflict of ideologies. It’s democracy vs. dictatorship

— Paul Massaro (@apmassaro3) February 28, 2022

Thanks to Biden:

Condoleeza Rice just STUNNED Fox News by saying that President Biden has managed to unite NATO in ways she didn't think were possible after the Cold War.

Take THAT Fox News!

— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) February 27, 2022

And to Canada:

Canada is at the forefront of the economic sanctions against Russia and Putin.
Please read:https://t.co/A8ehlbTp6w

— Bill Rice🍎 (@2muchfun4me) February 28, 2022

It was a little bit terrifying to hear that Putin had put Russia on nuclear alert. But the world didn't seem to panic over this:

I will let you know. For now, this is meant for a domestic audience in Russia as much as for anyone else. https://t.co/gwaIo9u3gR

— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) February 27, 2022

And the world's admiration for Ukraine just keeps growing:

Ukrainians are the honey-badgers of Europe.

— John Aravosis 🇺🇸🇬🇷🏳️‍🌈 (@aravosis) February 27, 2022

Will Bunch: "[Ukraine] is making the same existential choice their grandparents made during World War II. Freedom is worth fighting for. And dying for ... The time for choosing has arrived. Which side are you on? " https://t.co/cH2Krib1Km via @phillyinquirer

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) February 27, 2022

Trump's Putin-worship is looking increasingly pathetic and treasonous:

The events of the past week makes it clear why Donald Trump worked tirelessly to undermine NATO. When supported by the United States, the organization is the greatest bulwark against Putin’s tyranny just as it was against Soviet tyranny.

— Joe Scarborough (@JoeNBC) February 27, 2022

Not to mention, really really stupid:

Donald Trump wants you to know the real problem is Canada. https://t.co/sDSr06NFqh

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) February 27, 2022

Canada has a message for Trump and all the MAGAs who follow him:

pic.twitter.com/SOzgZrMhw5

— Effin' Birds (@EffinBirds) February 28, 2022

Today's News: Fighting the good fight

Nobody knows if Ukraine will prevail over Russia - its hard to see what "winning" would look like in this context, maybe Russia will not just turn tail and go home, but instead maybe just that Ukraine keeps on fighting. 

But for today, at least, it seems like Ukraine is still hanging in there. As people see how courageous and steadfast the Ukrainians are, more and more countries are demanding their governments take action, sending arms to Ukraine and implementing significant sanctions against Russia.

I worried pre war the bravado we heard from Ukrainians would melt once the shooting started. The invasion — the scale & ferocity of it — seemed a terrible psychological blow. Morale could have collapsed in the first couple of days. Instead they give every sign of having rallied.

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) February 26, 2022

In a matter of hours or days, we have gone, psychologically, from September 1939 (invasion of Poland) to June 1940 (fall of France) to August-September 1940 (Battle of Britain).

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) February 26, 2022

We were told Zelensky was Ukraine’s Jon Stewart. It turns out he is Ukraine’s Winston Churchill.

— Tristan Snell (@TristanSnell) February 26, 2022

For decades, democracies have too often placed concerns like profit and national security above those principles. In Ukraine, people are showing what it means to risk literally everything for self-determination, sovereignty, and a refusal to be subjugated

— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) February 27, 2022

Americans should always stand on the side of freedom and democracy against terror, tyranny and lawless aggression. Freedom comes at great cost. We will see how high that cost is in the days and weeks ahead for a very brave people. We must support them in their fight.

— Steve Schmidt (@SteveSchmidtSES) February 26, 2022

Whatever happens in Ukraine now, I think the image of Putin as master chess player died on the road to Kyiv.

— Schooley (@Rschooley) February 26, 2022

Russia thanks its GOP comrades. pic.twitter.com/wxvYgE0txp

— The Lincoln Project (@ProjectLincoln) February 26, 2022

Starlink service is now active in Ukraine. More terminals en route.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 26, 2022

Russia is going to be feeling the pain of the world's condemnation:

The Russian economy is about to tank harder than a Trump casino.

— Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) February 27, 2022

Former Russian Central Bank deputy chairman Sergei Aleksashenko: “There is going to be a catastrophe on the Russian currency market on Monday”

— Market Rebellion (@MarketRebels) February 27, 2022

Even Germany is climbing on board now:

Chancellor Olaf Scholz: "The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It threatens our entire post-war order. In this situation, it is our duty to do our utmost to support Ukraine in defending itself against Vladimir Putin's invading army.GER stands closely by Ukraine."

— Hans von der Burchard (@vonderburchard) February 26, 2022

Germany's extraordinary shift, plus weapons deliveries by other countries like the Netherlands, will be a huge moral boost to Ukraine's army.

It's of course too early to say but it could be a turning point in this war — Russia already caught a bloody nose as 🇺🇦 defends fiercely.

— Hans von der Burchard (@vonderburchard) February 26, 2022

Trudeau and Freeland have been key players in persuading Europe to increase sanctions:

The official says Freeland's call with her American counterpart was particularly key.

Both Freeland and Trudeau spoke to Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal today. Trudeau spoke directly to EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen shortly before her announcement last hour.

— Justin Ling (@Justin_Ling) February 26, 2022

as well as those of their families and enablers. We will take their yachts, their luxury apartments, their money, their ability to send their kids to college abroad, the US official said.
also cracking down on entities that sell citizenship to wealthy russians to bypass sanctions

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) February 26, 2022

and he said this is sad.
But he said they (the US, UK, Europe, etc) faced a choice. And they decided they had to make Putin’s war on Ukraine a strategic failure for Russia.

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) February 26, 2022

One of the most effective actions to protect Ukraine would be instituting a no-fly zone to prevent Russian jets from bombing cities. But as Dale Smith notes, this ain't gonna happen -- no other country will risk shooting down a Russian jet and starting world war three between all of Europe and a nuclear-armed Russia.

"Canada & NATO will not be enforcing a no-fly zone over Ukraine .. this would involve shooting down Russian aircraft - essentially declaring war. Nobody wants that...no matter how many times reporters ask about it, the answer is the same: no."https://t.co/j1cmXP8CWx

— Cathie from Canada 🇨🇦 😷🏳️‍🌈 (@CathieCanada) February 26, 2022

So the Ukrainians must keep on fighting for themselves, and they are doing it:

I learn to use #Kalashnikov and prepare to bear arms. It sounds surreal as just a few days ago it would never come to my mind. Our #women will protect our soil the same way as our #men. Go #Ukraine! 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/UbF4JRGlcy

— Kira Rudik (@kiraincongress) February 25, 2022

The driver rolls up on the Russians, Russians say they are out of gas. The driver offers to tow them back to Russia.

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 26, 2022

“We allowed them to call their parents” Compassion and understanding in a time war ❤️#IStandWithUkraine #PutinisTrash https://t.co/cuZUxLbHtL

— SassyMétisChick (@SassyMetisChick) February 27, 2022

Pravda Brewery, based in Lviv, Ukraine, has suspended its beer brewing operations and is now making Molotov cocktails for residents to use against invading Russian forces.

The labels on the bottles say “Putin is a dickhead.” pic.twitter.com/ZqrHEpaOK4

— Travis Akers (@travisakers) February 27, 2022

Main update after the night: Kyiv holds on, not captured and unbent #StandWithUkraine #StopRussia pic.twitter.com/9DfQFyYr6T

— UkraineWorld (@ukraine_world) February 27, 2022

Good morning world, this is Kyiv reporting in.

This city is still standing. This city is still resisting. This city is still strong.

We are still here.

We will remain here.#Kyiv.

— Oz Katerji (@OzKaterji) February 27, 2022

Today's News: Lighting up the world for Ukraine

World Unites in solidarity with Ukraine as the landmark lights up in blue and yellow 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/TIKIexzDSp

— JEY 🇺🇸 (@mmoaNkoaa) February 25, 2022

pic.twitter.com/bicWGLge3b

— Sedona 🕯 (@SedonajaneRocks) February 26, 2022

Standing tall. Standing for peace. pic.twitter.com/MArrG1OE5B

— City of New York (@nycgov) February 26, 2022

The world is supporting Ukraine, a development that apparently Putin did not expect. Even, apparently now, China.

Russia isn’t a huge exporting company. Mostly oil.

China is a YUGE exporter, largest in the world. They’re watching every one of their top 50 customers lining up, in unanimity, against Putin.

China will not go down with Putin. They will not incur ANY economic damage in support.

— Jeff Blackwell🇺🇸 (@JCBwellUS) February 25, 2022

Trudeau and Johnson are getting Europe and the world on board with tougher sanctions:

Diplomats tell us following sanctions are tricky:
- ITA, AUS, DE concerned abt broad banking-sector sanctions
- ITA resistant to sanctions that include railways
- ITA wants carve-out for luxury goods
- BEL wants carve-out for diamonds
+ broad reluctance to sanction energy sector

— Matina Stevis-Gridneff (@MatinaStevis) February 24, 2022

Hacking collective Anonymous declares 'cyber war' against Vladimir Putin's government https://t.co/eNuoUa4TKl

— Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) February 25, 2022

And if there's one person who should know the pitfalls of a nation starting a war of choice, its David Frum:

If Putin's plan to end his war is

1) Ukrainian army overthrows elected government

2) New military regime signs quisling peace

3) NATO and the West accept the new regime

4) Ukrainian public submit ....

That's not a very good plan, and he's going to need another one.

— David Frum (@davidfrum) February 25, 2022

Even Republicans are starting to parrot "Its really all Biden's fault somehow" as they desperately try to make everyone forget their knee-jerk pro-Putin reactions yesterday.

“It takes a special kind of a son of a bitch to see innocent people fleeing their homes and think, ‘How can I make this about me?’ but nobody does that better than Donald Trump." - @JimmyKimmel #WeStandWithUkrainehttps://t.co/VJUJ8zRy1e

— Democratic Coalition (@TheDemCoalition) February 25, 2022

And here's a timely reminder:

America owes Ukraine. Trump tried to blackmail their President into creating a fake investigation into Biden to disrupt the 2020 election.

Zelenskyy refused. Knowing he wouldn't get weapons he needed to defend his home.

He refused.

We. Owe. Ukraine.

— Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) February 26, 2022

Sean Penn is in Ukraine right now shooting a documentary about the war because of course he is:

Sean Penn is 100% a Democrat!

This, my friends, show us his pure dedication to his art!

I wish him well!

You know this will come out before the election, right! pic.twitter.com/M2IgEH5uir

— 🏴‍☠️ Bob Lawrence --Obama is #1 (@TrumpluvsObama) February 25, 2022

To his credit, Louis CK refused to cancel his show tonight in Kyiv -- though it also led to this tweet:

MANAGER: So what next?
LOUIS CK: Maybe send me overseas where I can earn quietly but stay out of the news?
MANAGER: Leave it with me.

— Gourmet Spud (@gourmetspud) February 25, 2022

Russian athletes are being put on the spot and, with some risk to their families in Russia, are speaking up:

Russian tennis player Andrey Rublev wrote “No war please” on the camera after his win in Dubai

(via @TSN_Sports)pic.twitter.com/yT1ta9L5ye

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 25, 2022

Ovi on instagram. That’ll leave a mark. 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/vYRDR6GMY5

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) February 25, 2022

I hope its not just wishful thinking, but the war doesn't seem to be going Putin's way:

As of Feb 26 morning, Russia’s suffered 3500+ fatalities, ≈200 POWs. They planned a blitzkrieg, but failed. This past night paves a way for talks and it’s Ukraine who’s going to set conditions here - Mykhailo Podolyak, advisor to president Zelensky

— Myroslava Petsa (@myroslavapetsa) February 26, 2022

Russia's plan clearly is to reach Kyiv as quickly as possible and force Zelensky to surrender, including Ukrainian forces across the country. If Russia can't take Kyiv quickly or if Zelensky refuses and resistance continues across Ukraine, Russia's costs and problems multiply. https://t.co/V2qz5YAIcw

— Rob Lee (@RALee85) February 26, 2022

Some good news for Ukraine, and an embarrassing admission for the Russian army that it even needs to ask for help from its poor neighbor, Kazakhstan. https://t.co/n9LUkI8Gmj

— Chris Woolf (@CCWoolf) February 26, 2022

“I believe the war must be immediately halted” - Communist Party State Duma deputy Mikhail Matveev becomes first Russian federal level lawmaker to oppose the Ukraine invasion. https://t.co/jLspZdwJEV

— Felix Light (@felix_light) February 26, 2022

Facebook just banned Russian state media from running ads or monetizing on Meta platforms anywhere in the world

— Stephanie Ruhle (@SRuhle) February 26, 2022

Can’t imagine why the Irish people would despise bullies who invade land which is not theirs. https://t.co/RwlFOG37ZZ

— Quinn Cummings (@quinncy) February 25, 2022

2. Good to see this.

UEFA (Union of European Football Associations) in extraordinary meeting pulls Champions League final from Russia.https://t.co/axl4W58jQy pic.twitter.com/HfsdAL1G3u

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) February 25, 2022

4. Good to see this.

International Olympic Committee urges all sports federations to move their events out of Russia AND Belarushttps://t.co/CcrXCk99oB pic.twitter.com/3LN6rgStRi

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) February 25, 2022

6. Good to see this.

International Ski Federation (FIS) cancels all remaining World Cup events with Russiahttps://t.co/doFHV1YXdL pic.twitter.com/5uoPXMmidn

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) February 25, 2022

8. Good to see this.

World Curling Federation removes European Curling Championships 2022 from Russiahttps://t.co/LByj0uYp3l pic.twitter.com/MQa7D3tPDq

— Ryan Goodman (@rgoodlaw) February 25, 2022

The courage of the Ukrainians is legendary now:

I just burst into tears. https://t.co/05GOKe4sLz

— A Page...in your life💉💉💉♥️⛵️🇨🇦♥️🇺🇦 (@sailorgirl2017) February 26, 2022

Ukrainian grannies fighting for their grandchildren. https://t.co/kzn3ErmZT6

— Zina Spezakis, CFA ✊🏼🌹🌎 (@ZSpezakis) February 26, 2022

When you are up against unbelievable odds, stories of heroes may be the only thing giving you the strength to keep fighting.

The sunflower seed lady, the Ghost of Kyiv, and Snake Island are stories that the Russians can never defeat.

This is what Putin is most afraid of, hope.

— Ted Corcoran (RedTRaccoon) (@RedTRaccoon) February 25, 2022

7/20 The phrase “Russian warship, go F*$# yourself” will join other great responses from military history like “Nuts!”. Last week, none of us had heard of Snake Island. Today, none of us will ever forgot what these servants of their nation did there. pic.twitter.com/AgHCTRceCr

— Major General Mick Ryan (@WarintheFuture) February 26, 2022

Ukraine will honor the border guards who heroically died on Snake Island. https://t.co/tUlabrUMUq

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) February 26, 2022

Pro Tip: when you invade another country and a lady walks up to you and says 'Take these seeds and put them in your pockets so at least sunflowers will grow when you die here' it’s time to go home, fast.

— NoelCaslerComedy (@caslernoel) February 25, 2022

In Ottawa, there was #BalconyMan. In Ukraine, there is #SunflowerLady 🇺🇦 💛 https://t.co/5hCDOQ2Lx7

— Dr Victoria Austen (@Vicky_Austen) February 25, 2022

Reports of this lone pilot having shot down 6 Russian Aircraft and possibly being the first 21st century Ace are circulating. They're being nicknamed the Ghost of Kyiv and I am in fucking awe. https://t.co/lakzodkEiU

— Hawkerhellfire (@hawkerhellfire) February 24, 2022

Awesome. https://t.co/z9JRenMkwS

— Isaac Britton (pen name) (@IsaacBrittonSr) February 26, 2022

For what it's worth, Masada is the founding myth of the Israel Defense Force. https://t.co/TcaDxhKjnw

— Fred of Fred Hall (@LesserFrederick) February 26, 2022

A baby has been born in the subway in Ukraine: pic.twitter.com/0PYOFOgRVs

— unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) February 25, 2022

War criminals go straight to hell.

HT @MeidasTouch #DefeatPutin #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

pic.twitter.com/IVZ71ypJUU

— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) February 26, 2022

Shchedryk by the great Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Q3NUNty8VA

— Patrick Dexter (@patrickdextervc) February 25, 2022

.@ZelenskyyUa's tv address to the Russian (!) people might be the most moving speech that I've ever seen in my entire life. The whole world needs to see, understand and share this crucial Ukrainian message.#StandWithUkraine #Ukraine #Україна #Russia #Россия pic.twitter.com/WoMOgqXTWX

— Patrick Moelleken 🇺🇦 (@PMoelleken) February 24, 2022

Canada proudly proclaims one of the largest Ukrainian diaspora in the world - the paintings of Manitoba artist William Kurelek tell their story here:

These paintings hang in Rideau Hall. They depict the oppression of Tsarist Russia, the promise of migration, its realisation on the Canadian prairies, and then, a distant mushroom cloud warns that oppression could return. We must restore that promise #StandWithUkraine https://t.co/qYsfPFEnua

— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) February 26, 2022

The Ukrainian Pioneer (No. 6)
William Kurelek
1971, 1976 pic.twitter.com/VV71vYUJkI

— Canadian Paintings (@CanadaPaintings) February 24, 2022

Ukrainian Families were some of the 1st families to settle in Treaty 6 territory, before Alberta was a Province. There are many instances of friendship between Indigenous & Ukrainian peoples that highlight the Spirit & Intent of Treaty 6. Our thoughts are with their kin back home

— Chief Billy Morin (@RealBillyMorin) February 24, 2022

Wearing my “khustka” or “Kohkum scarf” in solidarity with Ukraine. Indigenous helped Ukrainian settlers here & we’ve always had friendships & respect because we both know hardship. Ukrainian women gave these floral scarfs to native women & they’re now embedded into our culture💕 pic.twitter.com/llSJmlMTvx

— Brandi Morin (@Songstress28) February 25, 2022

Today's News: Ukraine fights back

Though most of my attention is on the Ukraine now, there is still actual Canadian news for yesterday and today-- Trudeau has revoked the Emergencies Act, for one thing -- and the insurrectionists who fucked around are finding out more of what Canadian justice has in store for them.

BREAKING: @ONtransport tells @CP24 & @CTVNews they've suspended 12 Ontario large (transport) truck licenses, and issued 27 seizure orders against out-of-province truck operators related to the Ottawa protest blockades. This effectively puts them out of business.

— Brandon Buechler (@B21Writes) February 24, 2022

Jan 28-Feb 14: Ottawa paralyzed. Police do nothing.

Feb 14: Federal emergency declaration.

Feb 18-20: Police move in. Blockades cleared.

Feb 23: Emergency declaration lifted.

In sum: Emergency declaration restores order, is lifted soon after.

Outrage!

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) February 23, 2022

They can travel, work etc. All they have to do is get vaccinated. This is not a serious imposition in reality, even if they imagine it to be so.
That they do so imagine is sad. They deserve our empathy and understanding. They do not, however, get to set policy. https://t.co/U7fcMQxQVj

— Andrew Coyne 🇺🇦 (@acoyne) February 23, 2022

That permanent power grab argument had a short shelf life. https://t.co/cuGa80G2B3

— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) February 23, 2022

I don't think the people of Ottawa will ever forget this attempted insurrection - I would love to see a book about it, and maybe this artist's work could illustrate it:

Heroes of the resistance. Ordinary people pushed to do extraordinary things during the occupation. #cdnpoli #politicalcartoon #ottawaprotest #resistance #balconyguy #potbangingguy #lawsuitlady #thepress #staysafe #getvaccinated #wearamask #pandemic #cartoon #illustration pic.twitter.com/gbsympIRdg

— Chris Chuckry 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 (@chrischuckry) February 23, 2022

As requested, more heroes of the resistance. The neighbourhood “grannies,” who gave a thumbs down and a “you shall not pass” to a dump truck-lead convoy on their street. Also, blue jacket guy, a bundle of pulsating furiosity who unloaded on some horn honking truckers. 1/ pic.twitter.com/KHv9V1zW4I

— Chris Chuckry 🇺🇦 🇨🇦 (@chrischuckry) February 24, 2022

And never forget the Battle of Billings Bridge:

"our tiny protest with a few people turned into a block party of thousands ...it is this sort of direct action, rather than policing emboldened by an authoritarian Emergency Act, that will undermine sympathy for the convoy’s politics"https://t.co/Ga4fDodCUX

— Alison Creekside (@CreeksideAlison) February 22, 2022

Never forget. pic.twitter.com/MTelgL2nA1

— T💀ri the Dumb Lefty Canadian Radical (@RodneyTori) February 22, 2022

Turning to the war in the Ukraine, I thought this post today was inspirational and beautiful:

Pretty Nose — Hero of the Battle of Little Bighorn, June 25, 1876. First female War Chief of the Arapaho Nation — I send her ferociously beautiful fighting spirit to the people of Ukraine. 🇺🇦🪶 pic.twitter.com/1rQboK2E1T

— Lakota Man (@LakotaMan1) February 25, 2022

And this is just so tragic:

Father saying goodbye to his daughter as he puts her on a bus to safety and he stays behind to fight for Ukraine #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/MBRc2fH59j

— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) February 24, 2022

One of the most famous Soviet World War II ballads begins: "On the 22nd of June at 4am, they bombed Kyiv / They told us war had begun."

This time the missiles are coming from Russia. https://t.co/B8rsM7DeNN

— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 25, 2022

There are some reports tonight that the Ukraine army, though outnumbered and outgunned, continues to fight for their country with courage and determination, and even may be winning some battles:

Though Ukraine's initial defense wasn't great today, it will improve. Whether called an "insurgency" or a "guerilla war," UKR will wear down an enemy that already has low morale & an even lower support from their population back in mother RU (see protests). 13/

— Mark Hertling (@MarkHertling) February 25, 2022

Meanwhile... (Maliar also claimed that Ukraine has destroyed 7 Russian warplanes, 6 attack helicopters, more than 30 tanks, and 130 armored vehicles.) https://t.co/3IwJhv1YEB

— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) February 25, 2022

It is obviously no longer possible for the world to interact with Putin like a normal political leader. China won't bail him out either. He stuck out his neck and thought he could crush Ukraine like he was Ivan the Terrible and leave the West divided. That's not happening.

— Aaron Astor (@AstorAaron) February 25, 2022

And once again, Republicans are on the wrong side of history:

Lord Haw-Haw rides again. https://t.co/q8AaheDVUh

— David Simon (@AoDespair) February 24, 2022

Half of them want Biden to do "more" but can't say what "more" means because they have no idea. The other half is rooting for the Russians. https://t.co/6OxgpumCZD

— Amy McGrath (@AmyMcGrathKY) February 25, 2022

Cowards.https://t.co/KKyqvhcPmD

— Julia Davis (@JuliaDavisNews) February 25, 2022

And one more bit of interesting info:

Very glad to know this now. https://t.co/DNFORZUkuj

— SoniaFesteryga 💉💉💉😷 (@SoniaFesteryga) February 25, 2022

Today's News: War in Ukraine

78 years of peace in Europe was ended today by Russia and Belarus attacking the Ukraine.

#Ukraine is attacked from the north, east, south, air, and ground. This is an all-out war, with Kyiv now under threat by Russian tanks moving in from Belarus. There are reports of amphibious landings in Mariupol and Odesa. pic.twitter.com/G19PsvIvPi

— Mattia Nelles (@mattia_n) February 24, 2022

Map of Russian missile strikes against Ukrainian targets. All military airports are apparently destroyed pic.twitter.com/Q0wY7diVst

— Dmitri Alperovitch (@DAlperovitch) February 24, 2022

Its worth noting that Ukraine and Belarus are both huge countries.

Real-size profiles of #Belarus and #Ukraine projected on the map of Western Europe. This is a potential scale of conflict-affected areas should #Russia expand its aggression against Ukraine (and involve Belarus into the war). pic.twitter.com/3Nl7jbUu7m

— SERGE KHARYTONAU ❌❌ (@kharytonau) January 31, 2022

Someone said it would take 50 divisions to invade a country the size of Ukraine, and Putin only has 15.

So Russia won't be pulling a blizkreig invasion over the whole country, probably more like pummelling airports and ports and infrastructure, and hoping Ukraine will just collapse militarily and economically, and sue for peace, letting the Russians march in without opposition, ending up with half the country occupied by Russia and the other half another version of Vichy France. 

Its difficult to see now what the rest of the world will do to stop this, and whether Europe and the world can get pulled into fighting too:

Eastern European members of NATO are invoking Article 4, which means urgent consultations on military plans for the alliance.

— Paul Sonne (@PaulSonne) February 24, 2022

In America, the Republicans should be ashamed of themselves for how they are following Trump's lead and supporting Putin, and many are calling them out:

The corruption of the American right should have been clear with its tolerance of an attempted coup at home. Now our supposed leader flatters a foreign aggressor as he starts an unprovoked and calamitous war. Shame on every Republican who continues to honor or excuse Trump.

— Gregg Nunziata (@greggnunziata) February 24, 2022

In Canada, considering all the pro-Putin Fox News blathering going on, I have been wondering which way our own CPC would go with this - particularly given how steadfast Trudeau has been in supporting Ukraine and how the CPC is always knee-jerk negative to everything Trudeau does. 

But tonight our old frenemy Harper issued a statement that was, I think, a clear message to the CPC to stop with the politics and get with the program:

No further compromises, no resets, no diplomatic niceties, says former Canadian Prime minister Stephen Harper, likening Putin to Hitler in 1938. Bullies must be dealt with by force. https://t.co/5e893W9LZ1

— Allan Woods (@WoodsAllan) February 24, 2022

And finally -- Trump is just such a clueless twit:

Trump thought US troops were fighting Russians in Ukraine. Try to wrap your mind around that for a second. https://t.co/OXg6qZ1yeJ

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 24, 2022

One thing we can count on is that Putin will put everything he can into turning the House and the Senate in 2022, and re-electing Trump to the presidency in 2024. 

It was a dreadful night to search for anything amusing to finish off this post, but this provoked a rueful chuckle:

Really impressed with everyone who got an emergency PhD in epidemiology in 2020 and who now has somehow earned a master’s in Russian Studies

— Olga Khazan (@olgakhazan) February 22, 2022