Tuesday, August 6, 2024

The 2024 Election, Part XXIII. It's a new race.

The old order changeth yielding place to new

Tennyson


Donald Trump was still insulting Joe Biden yesterday after Biden announced he was dropping out, probably smarting over the fact that whomever he faces next will be a more formidable candidate, and a habit of childish insults doesn't work well if you don't know who to insult.

Kamala Harris indicated that she will run for and earn the nomination, which means she acknowledges that she doesn't yet have it.

Joe Manchin, age 77, who recently registered as an independent, is thinking of registering again as a Democrat to compete for the nomination.

The Democratic Convention starts on August 19.

cont:

Machin has decided not to run.

cont:

Based on twitter, an early Trumpist tactic in regard to Biden is to attack her on her relationship with California Speaker of the House, Willie Brown, back when she was 29 years old. Brown was 60 at the time and had been separated from his wife for a decade.

Mind you, I'm Catholic and don't approve of divorce at all, but how ironic, given Trump's serial polygamy and current questions regarding his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

July 23, 2024

Kamala Harris has lined up enough delegate support to secure the Democratic nomination.

A PAC supporting the Wyoming Freedom Caucus has sent out a mailer against certain politicians containing an absolute lie that the targets of the ad voted to keep Donald Trump off of the ballot.  They did no such thing, they voted to require lawsuits initiated by state political figures to be brought by the state if they used state funds.

July 24, 2024

Wyoming Early Primary Voting Starts Today, July 23, 2024.

Wyoming Democrats endorsed Harris.

Alaska Congressman Mary Sattler Peltola did not, saying that she wouldn't vote for Trump, would vote for somebody "pro choice", but couldn't ask Alaskans to vote for somebody who wasn't "pro energy", showing the difficulty of being a Democrat in a Republican state.

The Trump campaign, which is reeling from the Harris nomination, filed a FEC complaint over Biden campaign funds going to Harris.

Wyoming's Congressman Hageman stated:

Intellectually, just really kind of the bottom of the barrel...I think she was a DEI hire. And I think that that's what we're seeing, and I just don't think that they have anybody else.

This is already drawing attention as its a fairly shocking statement.

July 25, 2025

President Biden addressed the nation last night.

My fellow Americans, I’m speaking to you tonight from behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. In this sacred space, I’m surrounded by portraits of extraordinary American presidents. Thomas Jefferson wrote the immortal words that guide this nation. George Washington showed us presidents are not kings. Abraham Lincoln implored us to reject malice. Franklin Roosevelt inspired us to reject fear.

I revere this office, but I love my country more. It’s been the honor of my life to serve as your president. But in the defense of democracy, which is at stake, I think it’s more important than any title. I draw strength and find joy in working for the American people. But this sacred task of perfecting our union is not about me, it’s about you. Your families, your futures.

It’s about we the people. And we can never forget that. And I never have. I’ve made it clear that I believe America is at an inflection point. On those rare moments in history, when the decisions we make now determine our fate of our nation and the world for decades to come, America is going to have to choose between moving forward or backward, between hope and hate, between unity and division.

We have to decide: Do we still believe in honesty, decency, respect, freedom, justice and democracy. In this moment, we can see those we disagree with not as enemies but as, I mean, fellow Americans — can we do that? Does character in public life still matter? I believe you know the answer to these questions because I know you the American people, and I know this:

We are a great nation because we are a good people. When you elected me to this office, I promised to always level with you, to tell you the truth. And the truth, the sacred cause of this country, is larger than any one of us. Those of us who cherry that cause cherish it so much. The cause of American democracy itself. We must unite to protect it.

In recent weeks, it has become clear to me that I need to unite my party in this critical endeavor. I believe my record as president, my leadership in the world, my vision for America’s future, all merited a second term. But nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition.

So I’ve decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation. I know there was a time and a place for long years of experience in public life. There’s also a time and a place for new voices, fresh voices, yes, younger voices. And that time and place is now.

Over the next six months, I will be focused on doing my job as president. That means I will continue to lower costs for hard-working families, grow our economy. I will keep defending our personal freedoms and civil rights, from the right to vote to the right to choose. I will keep calling out hate and extremism, making it clear there is no place, no place in America for political violence or any violence ever, period. I’m going to keep speaking out to protect our kids from gun violence, our planet from climate crisis as an existential threat.

I will keep fighting for my Cancer Moonshot, so we can end cancer as we know it because we can do it. I’m going to call for Supreme Court reform because this is critical to our democracy — Supreme Court reform. You know, I will keep working to ensure American remains strong, secure and the leader of the free world.

I’m the first president of this century to report to the American people that the United States is not at war anywhere in the world. We will keep rallying a coalition of proud nations to stop Putin from taking over Ukraine and doing more damage. We’ll keep NATO stronger, and I will make it more powerful and more united than any time in all of our history. I will keep doing the same for our allies in the Pacific. You know, when I came to the office, the conventional wisdom was that China would inevitably pass, surpass the United States.

That’s not the case anymore. And I’m going to keep working to end the war in Gaza, bring home all the hostages and bring peace and security to the Middle East and end this war. We are also working around the clock to bring home Americans being unjustly detained all around the world.

You know, we’ve come so far since my inauguration. On that day, I told you as I stood in that winter — we are stood in a winter of peril and winter of possibilities. Peril and possibilities. We are in the group of, we were in the group of the worse pandemic in the century. The worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. The worst attack on our democracy since the Civil War. We came together as Americans. We got through it. We emerged stronger, more prosperous and more secure.

Today we have the strongest economy in the world, creating nearly 16 million new jobs — a record. Wages are up, inflation continues to come down, the racial wealth gap is the lowest it’s been in 20 years. We are literally rebuilding our entire nation — urban, suburban and rural and tribal communities. Manufacturing has come back to America. We are leading the world again in chips and science and innovation. We finally beat Big Pharma after all these years to lower the cost of prescription drugs for seniors.

And I’m going to keep fighting to make sure we lower the cost for everyone, not just seniors. More people have health care today in America than ever before. I signed one of the most significant laws helping millions of veterans and their families who were exposed to toxic materials. You know, most significant climate law ever, ever in the history of the world. The first major gun safety law in 30 years.

And today, the violent crime rate is at a 50-year low. We are also securing our border. Border crossings are lower today than when the previous administration left office. I’ve kept my commitment to appoint the first Black woman to the Supreme Court of the United States of America. I also kept my commitment to have an administration that looks like America and be a president for all Americans. That’s what I’ve done.

I ran for president four years ago because I believed and still do that the soul of America was at stake. The very nature of who we are was at stake. That is still the case. America is an idea. An idea stronger than any army, bigger than any ocean, more powerful than any dictator or tyrant. It’s the most powerful idea in the history of the world. That idea is that we hold these truths to be self-evident.

We are all created equal, endowed by our creator with certain inalienable rights: life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness. We’ve never fully lived up to it — to this sacred idea — but we’ve never walked away from it either. And I do not believe the American people will walk away from it now.

In just a few months, the American people will choose the course of America’s future. I made my choice. I’ve made my views known. I would like to thank our great vice president, Kamala Harris. She is experienced, she is tough, she is capable. She’s been an incredible partner to me and a leader for our country.

Now the choice is up to you, the American people. When you make that choice, remember the words of Benjamin Franklin hanging on my wall here in the Oval Office, alongside the busts of Dr. King and Rosa Parks and Cesar Chavez.

When Ben Franklin was asked, as he emerged from the convention going on, whether the founders have given America a monarchy or a republic, Franklin’s response was: “A republic, if you can keep it.” A republic, if you can keep it. Whether we keep our republic is now in your hands. My fellow Americans, it’s been the privilege of my life to serve this nation for over 50 years.

Nowhere else on Earth could a kid with a stutter from modest beginnings in Scranton, Pa., and in Claymont, Del., one day sit behind the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office as the president of the United States, but here I am.

That’s what’s so special about America. We are a nation of promise and possibilities. Of dreamers and doers. Of ordinary Americans doing extraordinary things. I’ve given my heart and my soul to our nation, like so many others. And I’ve been blessed a million times in return with the love and support of the American people. I hope you have some idea how grateful I am to all of you.

The great thing about America is, here kings and dictators do not rule — the people do. History is in your hands. The power’s in your hands. The idea of America lies in your hands. You just have to keep faith — keep the faith — and remember who we are. We are the United States of America, and there are simply nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. So let’s act together, preserve our democracy. God bless you all and may God protect our troops. Thank you.

Trump complained that Harris is a prosecutor and he's a convicted felon, which the Harris campaign immediately issued an "approved" reaction to, turning his words on their head. 

The Wyoming Democratic Party reacted to Congressman Hageman's statement regarding VP Harris being a "DEI hire" two days ago with the following:


Hageman also drew the ire of  Democratic Congressman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who posted on Twitter: “What women who attack others like this don’t realize is whoever they think they’re appealing to calls them “DEI” too the moment they leave the room".  

Hageman was having none of it and demanded a "#" from Ocasio-Cortez next time she was referenced by her and went on to state:

If you don’t want people to say she was hired only because she’s a black woman, then maybe Biden shouldn’t have said he was only gonna hire a black woman.  She is objectively bad at her current job and is asking for a promotion, using a nomination that was simply handed to her.

This probably won't matter in current Wyoming, although it would have at one time.  At any rate, singling out Harris on the claim that she's in her position only due to her race revivies language that hasn't been on the surface in regional politics for decades, and is not a good development. 

In the local race, a flyer came here yesterday for a Populist who thinks he's a Republican and is running against an actual Republican.  It was a big shocking and edging up on reprehensible.  One of the things it stated is that the opponent is actually a Democrat, which is @#$#$3 absurd, and that the candidate supports Donald Trump, 100%, which I guess is absurd.  Anyone who supports any politician 100% isn't thinking.

Speaking of not thinking, Trump launched an anti Biden screed yesterday.  Biden isn't running.

July 26, 2024

Childless Cat Ladies, Debates, Brutus in the wings, fear and loathing. 

The Brat Summer.

Top front page headline on the CST:

Hageman calls Kamala Harris ‘DEI hire’

As shocking as that is, and it is shocking, a Twitter item regarding it is full of Wyomingites agreeing with it.

More on this will be addressed in a seperate post, maybe.

The Trump campaign appears to be on its heels, failing to really anticipate Harris and really not expecting Harris' "Brat Summer".  Harris is giving as good as she gets and then some, turning Trump slogans on their head.  Meanwhile, the vast number of things J. D. Vance has said on his rise to the top are now in widespread circulation outside of Christian Nationalist circles for the first time, including his statements about childless women being disgruntled and turning their unhappy lives into disgruntled politics. . . I wonder what Harriet Hageman thinks about those statements, given as she has no children?

That may seem like a petty thing to say, but Vance has really gone after political women and women without children in general, claiming that they're unhappy due to their childless status and visit their unhappiness of the rest of the country through politics.  Some of these women, such as AoC and Harris are extremely outspoken, and the suggestion is that they're miserably childless and that's why they are that way.  Well, Hageman is extremely outspoken to say the least, and she's childless.  Vance's statements would equally fully apply to her, if they are apply to Harris and AoC.

Two edged swords cut both ways.

There are a lot of rumors that Trump is unhappy with Vance, who was really designed to be a second fiddle in a race against Biden, and not a primary feature of his campaign which he is very rapidly becoming.  Newsweek reports that Trump is thinking of dumping Vance.

That would be extraordinary, but Trump  has always been unpredictable.  If Vance as seen as a liability, he may soon be saying, "Et tu, Donaldus?"

Meanwhile, Trump is bouncing around on the scheduled debate, at first insisting that it take place in friendly territory at Fox, and then cancelling in on this bizarre pretext

Barack Obama has since endorsed Harris.

The statement is an interesting glimpse into the state of things in the Trump/Vance ticket.  For one thing, it's still partially aimed at Joe Biden.  The old maxim that armies prepare for the last wear is really evident in this in that the Trump campaign continues to campaign against Joe Biden.  It was geared up only for that race and none other, and can't get off of it.

Additionally the statements reflects the odd attachment to improper grammar that the Trump campaign exhibits.  "[A] strong sense by many" would imply, in fact, "many", but the citation is to one, former President Obama (with the use of the middle name, of course, Hussein).  Like the campaign focus on Biden, Trump has had a fixation on Obama for many years, but the point here is that many isn't one.  It's grammatically incorrect.  Given Obama's endorsement of Harris, it's now factually incorrect as well.

Unlike the situation with Biden, Trump has real reason to fear a debate with Harris.  During the 2020 primary I didn't like Harris in part as she seemed to come across snarky.  Now, however, given that Trump lies without hesitation and sounds like a 7th grade asshole, Harris brash and quick speaking style has suddenly lost that appearance and instead Trump just sounds like a 7th grade asshole.

And the Wyoming Freedom Caucus PAC finds itself in court over lying:

Rock Springs Legislators Sue Over Mailers That Claim They Want Trump Off Ballot

July 28, 2024

In an example of Trump rhetorical oddness, he stated in a rally within the last couple of days:

Christians, get out and vote, just this time. You won't have to do it anymore. Four more years, you know what, it will be fixed, it will be fine, you won't have to vote anymore, my beautiful Christians.

I love you Christians. I'm a Christian. I love you, get out, you gotta get out and vote. In four years, you don't have to vote again, we'll have it fixed so good you're not going to have to vote,

The Harris campaign is citing this as promise to end democracy.  It isn't, but it is an example of the bizarre way that Trump speaks. 

July 30, 2024

Thank goodness:

Gordon’s PAC Hits High Gear With Endorsements, Money For Freedom Caucus Opponents

The flyers that have come here the last couple of days from far right PACs have been repulsive.

cont:


What the heck?

cont:

Things on the GOP right are becoming unraveled.

Trump said in an interview on radio station WABC that Harris “doesn’t like Jewish people”.

He then went on to appear to agree with he host who called her Jewish husband, Doug Emhoff, “a crappy Jew.”

Uff.

Paul Dans of the Heritage Foundation quit the organization to"direct all my efforts to winning, bigly!" for Trump.

While it'll have to wait to an upcoming post, the Heritage Foundation basically has all its chips in J. D. Vance and very well knows that if it loses this election, it's shot its bolt.  Trump is just a vehicle, I suspect, for Vance, in their view, and they see its now in the process of losing.

July 31, 2024
Secretary Gray Announces Investigation into ActBlue

CHEYENNE, WY – In the wake of nationwide money laundering and identity theft allegations against Democratic fundraising organization ActBlue, Secretary of State Chuck Gray announced an investigation into ActBlue Wyoming, a political action committee registered with the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office. ActBlue has been accused of stealing peoples’ identities to conceal illegal donations, such as donations from foreign actors. As the chief election officer for the State of Wyoming, Secretary Gray is tasked with ensuring the integrity of Wyoming elections. ActBlue Wyoming is required to file statements of contributions and expenditures with the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office under the penalty of perjury. Filing a false statement is a violation of the Wyoming Election Code. Secretary Gray is legally empowered to refer suspected violations of the Election Code to the appropriate prosecuting authority. 
“The widespread allegations against ActBlue are deeply troubling, and we must ensure that
political action committees are following the Wyoming Election Code,” Secretary Gray said in a statement. “Claiming that a person donated to a PAC if that person never donated to that PAC would be a felony under Wyoming law. I am very concerned, and remain committed to a thorough review of contributions to ensure compliance with Wyoming law.” 
Any Wyoming citizen who has reason to believe a political action committee stole their identity or falsely reported a donation using their name is encouraged to report this to the Wyoming Secretary of State’s Office at elections@wyo.gov or 307-777-5860.

August 2, 2024

By all measures, the Presidential election has gone from one that was an almost sure win for Donald Trump, both in the electoral and popular vote, and potentially a landslide, to an even heat, or one that's now somewhat in favor of Harris, nearly overnight.  States that weren't in play, as they'd gone Trump, are back in play.

Moreover, as set out in a NPR analysis, Harris has more than one path to the White House.  Trump has exactly one.

Trump has now retreated to his behavior of a decade ago in desperation, questioning whether or not Kamala Harris is black, and thereby no doubt alienating both African Americans and Indian Americans to some degree.  And, moreover, it emphasizes what the new catch phrase the Democrats have for the GOP ticket, that being that it is "weird".  Trump babble on whether Harris is black or not is frankly, weird.

August 3, 2024

Kamala Harris has secured enough delegates to be nominated.

Donald Trump endorsed Darin Smith, who is seeking to replace retiring Anthony Bouchard, for a Wyoming Senate seat.

Very odd to think of the embattled Trump reaching this far down to endorse anyone.

The CST Op Ed page was full of articles by politicians.

One by Chuck Gray:

Gray asserted this was necessary due to Gov. Gordon's torpedoing, properly, the Sec. of State's proposed rules on elections.  

Gray has been singularly unsuccessful in regard to his efforts on elections this cycle.

A good article by Khale Lenhart:

Lenhart is addressing the effort by PACs sending out really bogus bs flyers directed against legislators who are not part of the Wyoming Freedom Caucus.  His point here is excellent.

Tom Walters penned this article on a similar, but not identical, issue.


August 4, 2024

Vice President Harris interviewed potential running mates yesterday.

A reeling Trump accused Harris of not being very smart.

Harris is clearly highly intelligent. Trump brings up intelligence so often, often in regard to himself, that it is at the point where it's fair to question if he feels insecure about his own.

August 6, 2024

From the Cowboy State Daily:

And this interesting item in that article:

Driskill also is asking the complaint be immediately forwarded to Attorney General Bridget Hill because he believes Secretary of State Chuck Gray has “an inherent conflict” of interest on the issue.

Driskill also is asking the complaint be immediately forwarded to Attorney General Bridget Hill because he believes Secretary of State Chuck Gray has “an inherent conflict” of interest on the issue.

This is reference to Gray’s chief general counsel Joe Rubino. Rubino is married to Jessie Rubino, Wyoming state director of the Freedom Caucus. As chief general counsel, Joe Rubino is in charge of reviewing all complaints made to the Secretary of State’s Office.

In his complaint, Driskill said when he brought the issue up with Gray in-person, Gray “shrugged it off” and said there was little he could likely do about it, suggesting Driskill contact his own county attorney.

“I think it is imperative that all complaints be followed up on (in) an unbiased manner,” Driskill writes in his complaint. “I am yet to see a referral to the authorities under the current secretary of state.”

Driskill told Cowboy State he has little hope that Gray will hand off the complaint.

“I doubt it,” he said. “They haven’t shown any signs of acknowledging conflict on anything they’ve done. It’s a clear conflict.”

Gray, however, told Cowboy State Daily he considers all complaints “very seriously” and said Driskill’s allegations to the contrary are “false and defamatory,” as he invited Driskill to file a complaint last Thursday and sent him the form to do so.

He plans to accept Driskill’s request to hand off the complaint to the Attorney General’s Office.

August 6, 2024

Harris has picked Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, about whom I know nothing, as her running mate.  The Trump campaign has already responded with the buzzwords, claiming, in essence, that he's a far left liberal who sought to remake Minnesota in the image of California.

And with this, we will know close out this edition.

Related threads:

Wyoming Early Primary Voting Starts Today, July 23, 2024.

Last edition:

The 2024 Election, Part XXII. The Populist Party v. The Democrats and the Co-opting of American Populism. The sic transit gloria mundi et reductio ad absurdum edition. Hawk tuah.

Lex Anteinternet: An existential wakeup call.

Lex Anteinternet: An existential wakeup call.: Just the other day, I ran this: Lex Anteinternet: Intellectual disconnect. With everything on fire, ... : The weather report for today from ...

Friday, August 6, 1824. Battle of Junin

Simón Bolívar and  his forces defeated the Royalist at the Battle of Junin, basically assuring independence for Peru.

Last edition:

Wars and Rumors of War, 2024. Part 7. Undermined.

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

Matthew, Chapter 24.


The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Sun Tzu, The Art of War

May 11, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Russian forces began an offensive operation along the Russian-Ukrainian border in northern Kharkiv Oblast on the morning of May 10 and made tactically significant gains. Russian forces are likely conducting the initial phase of an offensive operation north of Kharkiv City that has limited operational objectives but is meant to achieve the strategic effect of drawing Ukrainian manpower and materiel from other critical sectors of the front in eastern Ukraine. Russian forces have so far launched two limited efforts in the area, one north of Kharkiv City in the direction of Lyptsi and one northeast of Kharkiv City near Vovchansk. The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense (MoD) reported that Russian armored assault groups of an unspecified size attempted to break through Ukrainian defenses near Vovchansk early in the morning and that fighting continued in the area after Ukrainian forces repelled the Russian assaults.[1] Russian and Ukrainian sources stated that Russian forces also began infantry-heavy assaults between Strilecha (north of Lyptsi) and Zelene (northeast of Lyptsi) on the night of May 9 to 10.[2] Russian and Ukrainian sources reported that Russian forces significantly intensified airstrikes, shelling, and MLRS strikes against Ukrainian positions, logistics, and infrastructure ahead of and during Russian offensive operations in these areas.[3]

ISW

May 12, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Russian troops have seized Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha in north east Ukraine.   Russia claims to have taken Pletenivka as well, but Ukraine reports fighting in ongoing in Strilecha and Pletenivka, as well as Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove, Lukyantsi and Hatyshche. 

May 13, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Russia's defense minister Sergei Shoigu has been replaced with Andrei Belousov.

Ukraine warns northern front has ‘significantly worsened’

Middle Eastern War

Secretary of State Blinken made statements yesterday which were highly critical of Israel.

May 14, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Secretary Blinkin is in Ukraine

Russia gained ground in northeaster Ukraine again yesterday.

Ukraine is deploying reservists in the area, which gets to part of the extremely odd nature of the war.  Ukraine has conscription, and has used it, but up until recently it didn't dip down to the lower 20s age bracket, and moreover almost all, or maybe all, of the troops it has deployed to the front are volunteers.

This is not true, of course, of Russia.

The US has banned imports of Russian uranium.

Middle Eastern War

Hamas conducted increased attacks in northern Gaza yesterday, demonstrating that it has the ability to reconstitute.

Cont:

China v. The West

Governor Gordon Expresses Support for Decision Blocking Chinese Bitcoin Operation From Owning Land Near FE Warren Air Force Base

 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. –Governor Mark Gordon has issued a statement supporting an order that prevents a Chinese-backed cryptocurrency mining firm from owning land near FE Warren Air Force base. The Governor’s statement follows:

“I am acutely aware and have been monitoring the concerns of surrounding property owners, as well as the potential threats to national security that this operation posed. I am pleased that the Administration recognized the potential threat and took steps to ensure the security of our military installations and the safety of Wyoming residents. Protection of our infrastructure remains paramount to protecting our national security and must always be our highest priority.

I am also grateful to Senator Nethercott for sponsoring SF077 -Homeland defense-infrastructure reporting and investigating to help protect Wyoming's critical infrastructure from foreign threats. I signed this bill, effective July 1, because it provides clear guidance and support to counties, under the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security, to investigate land sales near critical infrastructure.” 

-END-

May 16, 2024

Middle Eastern War

The US humanitarian pier in Gaza has been completed.

Russo Ukrainian War

The Russian offensive northeast of Kharkiv has slowed.

May 17, 2024

Middle Eastern War

The U.S. House voted to force President Biden to send arms to Israel.

May 20, 2024

Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A coup attempt was put down over the weekend.

Iran

Iranian President and hardliner Ebrahim Raisi was killed in a helicopter crash with other members of the Iranian cabinet.

May 25, 2024

China v. Taiwan

Large-scale naval exercises by the PRC have ended.

Middle Eastern War

Egypt is allowing aid to Gaza to cross its border with the enclave.

Three US servicemen have been injured at the humanitarian pier.

Spain, Norway and Ireland said on Wednesday that they would recognize an independent Palestinian state.

May 26, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

President Zelenskyy stated that the Ukrainians have obtained "combat control" over the areas where the Russians were recently on the offensive.

May 27, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Hamas fired rockets at Tel Aviv, they hit but did not cause any casualties.  Israel responded with airstrikes.

June 2, 2024

Middle Eastern War

President Biden proposed an extended ceasefire in Gaza in exchange for a complete release of hostages.  The proposal is causing turmoil in Israel itself.

June 3, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Strikes on infrastructure shut down most of the power grid in Ukraine.

June 5, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

In Crimea, Ukraine is beating Russia

The Russian military has been decimated. You don’t write about that. It’s been freaking decimated.

Joe Biden to Time magazine. 

June 6, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Message for U.S. Citizens: Elimination of “Residence Abroad” Exception to Dual Citizen Departure

Date: June 4, 2024

Location: Ukraine (countrywide)

Event: The U.S. Embassy in Kyiv understands that, effective June 1, Ukraine has eliminated a “residence abroad” exception that previously allowed certain Ukrainian males aged 18 to 60 to depart the country. After this change, U.S.-Ukrainian dual citizens, including those who live in the United States, may no longer be able to depart the country.

Ukrainian law does not recognize dual citizenship. U.S.-Ukrainian dual citizens are therefore treated solely as Ukrainian citizens while in Ukraine and are subject to the rights and obligations of Ukrainian citizens. Under Ukraine’s martial law, men between the ages of 18 and 60 are not permitted to leave the country. Previously, dual U.S.-Ukrainian citizens in this group could enter and then depart Ukraine if they had deregistered their Ukrainian residency and registered their U.S. residency. According to our information, this exception was revoked as of June 1.

The U.S. Embassy is limited in our ability to influence Ukrainian law, including the application of martial law and the mobilization law to Ukrainian citizens. If you are in Ukraine and cannot leave the country, shelter in place and obey all local orders. If you are not currently in Ukraine, we strongly recommend against all travel to Ukraine by U.S. citizen males aged 18 to 60 who also have Ukrainian citizenship or a claim to Ukrainian citizenship and who do not wish to stay in Ukraine indefinitely. There is an extremely high risk you will not be allowed to depart, even with a U.S. passport.

We remind all Americans of the State Department’s Level 4: Do Not Travel warning for Ukraine. For further information, see State Department websites for what you should know as a dual citizen traveler, and what we can and cannot do during a crisis.

Assistance:

U.S. Embassy Kyiv

+380 44 521 50 00

kyivacs@state.gov

https://ua.usembassy.gov/

State Department – Consular Affairs

+1-888-407-4747 or +1-202-501-4444

Ukraine Country Information

Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Mexican Border Crisis

President Biden signed an executive order which shuts the border down once there are 2,500 encounters on the same.

June 7, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will address Congress on July 24 which is probably a phenomenally bad idea.

The U.S. has imposed sanctions on the West Bank Palestinian organization the Lion's Den.

Russo Ukrainian War

The US is sending $225M in military aid to Ukraine through Presidential draw down authority.

June 10, 2024

Middle Eastern War

An Israeli raid freed 4 hostages, but resulted in the deaths of 274 Palestinians.

June 11, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

The Russian offensive in the north has failed and some ground has been retaken by the Ukrainians. 

A Ukrainian offensive in the south has retaken ground held by the Russians since the beginning of the war.

June 16, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

A peace summit has convened in Switzerland, but as the Russians are absent, there's little chance that anything will be accomplished.

June 17, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

The conferenced called for Ukrainian territorial integrity to be the basis for peace.

Italian Prime Minister Meloni stated: "Defending Ukraine means uniting all the efforts of the international community to protect Ukraine. If Russia does not agree to Ukraine's terms, we will force it to surrender. We need to set the minimum conditions for this discussion."

Middle Eastern War

The Israeli war cabinet has been dissolved.

Israel is pausing fighting along a humanitarian route during daytime hours.

June 18, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

Interesting set of Russian dismissals and replacements:

Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, June 17, 2024

June 22, 2024

Russo Ukrainian war


The Russians are making extensive use of retrofitted "dumb bombs" converted into glide bombs. The press is treating this as a new weapon, but it is not.  Readers here will recall reading about the deployment of the Fritz X German guided glide bomb at Anzio, which was also a devastating weapon.

June 26, 2024

Haiti

Kenyon police are arriving in Haiti as police keepers.

Russo Ukrainian War

North Korea is apparently going to send military engineers to the war in Ukraine.

June 28, 2024

Bolivia

The Bolivian government put down a coup attempt by the commander of its army, General Juan José Zúñiga.

July 4, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

President Zelenskiy challenged Donald Trump to release his peace plan that supposedly will end the war in a day if Trump is unfortunately reelected to the Oval Office.

Ukrainian forces have retreated from a neighborhood in the outskirts of Chasiv Yar.

Middle Eastern War

Israel annexed five square miles of the West Bank.

Such moves necessarily outrage Palestinians and others.

July 21, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Last Thursday Houthi's launched drones on Tel Aviv, which is an impressive feat.  Yesterday Israel retaliated with air strikes on port facilities in Yemen.

Russo Ukrainian War

Russia launched its 5th drone attack on Kyiv in two weeks.

July 22, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Israel intercepted and destroyed a missile fired from Yemen yesterday.

July 25, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

In another of a series of Russian arrests of defense officials, Andrei Belkov, the director of the Defense Ministry's Military Construction Company has been arrested.

The Russian Navy no longer has any vessels in the Sea of Azov.

A Russian drone strike accidentally hit territory in Romania.

July 26, 2024

Russo Ukrainian War

From ISW:

.Ukrainian forces blunted one of the largest Russian mechanized assaults in Ukraine since October 2023 in western Donetsk Oblast on July 24. Geolocated footage published on July 24 shows that Ukrainian forces stopped a reinforced battalion size Russian mechanized assault near Kostyantynivka (southwest of Donetsk City) after Russian forces advanced up to the southeastern outskirts of the settlement.[1] A Ukrainian brigade operating in the Kurakhove direction reported that Russian forces attacked simultaneously with 11 tanks, 45 armored combat vehicles, a rare "Terminator" armored fighting vehicle (of which Russia has reportedly manufactured only 23 as of December 2023), 12 motorcycles, and roughly 200 personnel from several tactical directions at dawn on July 24.[2] The brigade reported that Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance identified the mechanized columns from a distance and that Ukrainian forces used artillery, drones, and minefields to blunt the Russian assault. The brigade reported that Ukrainian forces damaged or destroyed six Russian tanks, seven armored combat vehicles, and all 12 motorcycles and that Russian forces retreated after Ukrainian forces destroyed the first wave of vehicles. ISW last observed Russian forces conduct a battalion-sized mechanized attack in Donetsk Oblast in March 2024. Russian forces have not conducted larger mechanized assaults in Ukraine since the first days of Russia's four-month long operation to seize Avdiivka in October 2023.[3] Russian forces likely intended to advance further into Kostyantynivka as part of their efforts to seize the settlement and cut the Vuhledar-Kostyantynivka T-0524 highway. Russian sources have long identified interdicting the T-0524 highway and disrupting Ukrainian ground lines of communication (GLOCs) into Vuhledar as a primary tactical objective in this direction. Russian milblogger recently suggested that Russian forces would intensify operations south of Kostyantynivka in support of this objective and force Ukrainian forces to retreat from positions in and around Vuhledar.[4] Russian forces likely will not make operationally significant advances in this area of the frontline in the near term even if they achieve tactically significant advances and prompt Ukrainian forces to retreat from nearby positions, as the surrounding area has no operationally significant objectives and is largely comprised of fields and isolated, small settlements and no significant nearby tactical heights.

Middle Eastern War

Also from ISW:

July 28, 2024

Middle Eastern War

A rocket launched from Lebanese soil killed 11 children in a Druze village in the Golan Heights.  The suspect, Hezbollah, denied responsibility.

July 29, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Israel retaliated with strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon.

July 30, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Israeli Air Force fighter jets eliminated the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s most senior military commander [Fu’ad Shukr]

Israeli announcement. 

July 31, 2024

Middle Eastern War

Ismail Haniyeh, was killed in a raif of some sort in Iran.  He and his body guards went down after attending the swearing in of Iran's new president, showing the extent to which (probably) Israel will go to eliminate its enemies, its military capabilities, and the lack of the same on the part of Iran.

In Iraq, "U.S. forces in Iraq conducted a defensive airstrike in the Musayib in Babil Province, targeting combatants attempting to launch one-way attack uncrewed aerial systems (OWAUAS)", according to US officials.

Mali

The Mali army and mercenary Wagner group have taken a pounding after a two day battle with Tuareg separatist rebels and al-Qaeda-linked militants.

August 3, 2024

Mexican Border Crisis

Governor Gordon Responds to Border Crisis by Providing Support to Texas

August 01, 2024

In response to a request for assistance from Texas, Governor Mark Gordon announced that Wyoming law-enforcement personnel will be deploying to the southern border with Mexico.


The deployment of 10 Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) troopers later this month is in response to an Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC) request from Texas Governor Greg Abbott and is being coordinated through the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security (WOHS). During the 14-day deployment, the WHP troopers will provide law enforcement and emergency assistance in support of the Texas Department of Safety. Two deputies from the Natrona County Sheriff’s Office are also planned to deploy at a later date. 


“Wyoming is committed to closing the open Biden-Harris border,” Governor Gordon said. “As part of our ongoing relationship with Texas, we will supply resources as they are requested while also making sure we are safe here at home. We are immensely grateful for the willingness of Wyoming law enforcement members and their families to assist in this important effort to help secure our southern border.”


In August 2023, Governor Gordon authorized the deployment of eight Department of Corrections and local law enforcement personnel to provide support along the southern border. Following that deployment, Texas Rangers traveled to Wyoming earlier this year to provide valuable training to Wyoming law enforcement officers. During the 2024 Legislative session, $750,000 was allocated to the Governor’s Office for expenses to assist border state law enforcement efforts.


Following a 2021 visit to the US-Mexico border, Governor Gordon signed a memorandum of understanding with 25 fellow governors in 2022 creating the American Governors’ Border Strike Force. This multi-state partnership was designed to address the negative impacts of increased illegal immigration, including a rise in the presence of illicit fentanyl in Wyoming.

Middle Eastern War

The US is reinforcing its forces in the Middle East following the Israeli bomb (it turned out to be pre planted) that killed the leader of Hamas.  Iran will feel compelled to retaliate.

Russo Ukrainian War

Ukraine launched a largescale drone attack on Russian targets overnight.

Zelenskiy is seeking Western permission to strike Russian airfields with long range Western munitions.

August 5, 2024

Mali

In a really odd turn of events, Mali which hired Wagner Group mercenaries in its fight against Tuareg separatist, has cut diplomatic relations with Ukraine upon learning that Ukraine provided intelligence to the Tuaregs prior to the recent disastrous ambush on Wagner and Mali forces.

I doubt Ukraine cares, but if Mali has to rely upon Wagner, it should expect stuff like this.

Middle Eastern War

Israel has said the war has spread to include Iran. That's a comment, but a scary one.

August 6, 2024

Middle Eastern War

A rocket attack injured several U.S. troops at an American base in Iraq.

The 300th AFA is going to Kuwait.

Niger

The US has now completely withdrawn from Niger.

Last prior edition:

Wars and Rumors of War, 2024. Part 5. A Wider War.

Monday, August 5, 2024

An existential wakeup call.

Just the other day, I ran this:
Lex Anteinternet: Intellectual disconnect. With everything on fire, ...: The weather report for today from the Trib: A headline from Cowboy State Daily: ‘It Was Armageddon’: Eastern Wyoming Community Evacuated By ...

Now, from Cowboy State Daily, we learn this: 

Wildfire Burns Harriet Hageman’s Family Homestead, More Evacuations Ordered

By any measure, this is tragic.  And the story is well written, and sympathetic.  Indeed, it provides some details about Hageman that I was unaware of, including the size of her very large family  I didn't realize that she was one of six siblings.

That frankly explains why she's a lawyer.  The law was, and to some extent still remains, the occupation that agricultural parents often want to see a child go into, often due to the erroneous belief that lawyers don't really work.

That's not the point here, however.  At some point in her post high school life Hageman turned to the very hard right, or at least seemed to, and has been part of the Wyoming position that's all in on unaltered fossil fuel production.

The degree to which agriculturalist refuse to accept the science on this in Wyoming is itself really remarkable. Farmers and ranchers depend on the land being sustainable, worry about drought and heat, and then go on to dismiss what they're seeing with their own eyes.

The article notes that the Hageman's tragically lost their early home on the ranch, with this one currently belonging to a nephew.  I believe that nephew may have appeared in her campaign ads.  It also related:

About 8,000 acres of Hugh Hageman’s 25,000-to-30,000-acre spread burned, taking away some of the pasture needed for his 1,000 head of cattle.

“It’s devastating,” said Hugh Hageman when reached by Cowboy State Daily late Friday.

I'm sure it is.

Reality calls up on us to recognize it, not hide from it.

This ought to be the state's Pearl Harbor moment.

Monday, August 5, 1974. Inescapable conclusions.

The White House released transcripts of subpoenaed tape recordings.  The tapes demonstrated that President Nixon and his chief of staff H.R. Haldeman had discussed a plan in June 1972 to use the CIA to thwart the FBI’s Watergate investigation.   They also showed that Nixon had ordered the FBI to halt investigation of the Watergate matter.

Nixon then issued a statement acknowledging guilt, and that matters would go to the Senate for an impeachment trial.  Congressional supporters of Nixon began to rapidly change their view.

The first Tank McNamara comic strip was printed.

Last edition:

Friday, August 2, 1974. Dean to prison.

Friday, August 5, 1944. The Wola Massacre.

German SS, the Azerbaijani Legion and the Russian collaborationist Kaminski Brigade, commenced killing Poles in the Wola district of Warsaw.  The massacre was ordered by Himmler.

Major Ivan Denisovich Frolov with the officers of the Russian National Liberation Army (RONA) during the Warsaw Uprising.

Between 40,000 and 50,000 Poles would be murdered.

The weirdness of this is inescapable. The Russians in RONA were there partially in order to survive German captivity, and partial in an effort to free their homeland from Communist control. The Soviet Union had helped take away Poland's freedom by invading it along with Germany, and the Polish Home Army was attempting to free their homeland and was anti communist.  The Azerbaijanis were fighting for the liberation of their homeland as well.

The 3d Army took Vannes.

The Cowra breakout occured in New South Wales in which 1,100 Japanese POWs broke out.  They'd all be captured within ten days, although four Australians and 231 Japanese POWs would be killed.

The RAF destroyed the German U-boat pens at Brest.

The Soviet submarine Shch-215 sanke the Turkish motor schooner Mefküre resulting in the death of 300 Jewish refugees.

Last edition:

Thursday, August 4, 1944. The Frank's arrested.

Tuesday, August 5, 1924. Little Orphan Annie appears.

 


Last edition:

Monday, August 4, 1924. Around the world disruptions.