Thanks, Heather for this important Letter. There’s so much to unpack here. Most importantly, regarding the issue in Russia...“No one knows for certain where this is heading as I’m writing Friday evening. But there is no doubt most people, whether they will admit it publicly or not, are relieved that Joe Biden, surrounded by competent advisers, is at our country’s helm at this moment.”-Joyce Vance, Civil Discourse Substack
Yes. I am relieved that Biden is in charge here, but terrified that this situation is so destabilizing to Russia, a nuclear power, that we don't know what will happen next. Apparently Putin has spoken, which one of the links someone posted below an expert was saying that Putin would not speak until the coup is averted. However, Putin did not seem to be saying that a coup is averted, and many are saying that Prigozhin is going after the head of defense Shogui and everything I am reading is that he has not been stopped yet. However, I also read that it seems Putin fled out of Moscow to his place elsewhere in Russia. I cannot find that article now. I have been going back and forth between English language and German press. Germany is not saying that much yet. Since all information from Russian leaders is suspect, I don't know who is telling the truth. Moscow has declared a state of emergency, and Putin has claimed that anyone who goes against the military is an enemy of the state. I wonder what the Russian people are thinking right now. It is morning. My daughter is about to arrive in Vienna on a night train from Paris. I already saw that this story heads the Vienna Morning paper, although they are not saying that much. In the German Tagesspiegel they are also saying that Prigozhin is saying he will march with his troops to Moscow unless Shoigui and Geressimov come to him. The Taggespiegel says that, "On Saturday morning, a video also became public showing Prigozhin in Rostov talking with Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Deputy Head of Russian Military Intelligence Vladimir Alekseev." You can see the twitter videos with English captions, even though the paper is in German. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/liveblog/russischer-geheimdienst-ermittelt-gegen-wagner-chef-wegen-militarputsch-4309180.html
Due to the chaos of the situation, it is hard to find out what is going on. I am hoping some enterprising citizens in Russia, if there are any who dare, will be filming what they can of the situation. I hope there is still some free press in Russia that can find out what is going on. Putin's speech does not sound like he is in full control of the situation. It might have been a sleepless night for him. It sounds like soldiers are jumping ship. If they turn on their leadership what enforcement does the FSB have? Are they 100% behind this military action? How is their wealth tied to this? Does everyone support Putin's glory at what seems to be a non winnable war. At least not with the objectives Putin has laid out. Biden backing Ukraine has proved to be more formidable than Putin realized.
The Guardian and Le Monde report that Putin addressed the nation this morning (Saturday), talked of treason, said the Russian people and the country have been stabbed in the back. Moscow is going into anti-terrorist mode, no large gatherings, restricted movement, identity checks, "temporary suspension of communication services", if necessary. Could include internet and telephone conversations.
Yes. I am reading that too in German papers. Right now the USA and the EU are in communication on this and treating it like an internal Russian problem. Putin is reaching out to other dictators for his support. China, Belarus, Turkey seem to be on his side. He has not reached out to India from what I know, and with Modi in the US with Biden that would be awkward. India is neck in neck with China for population size. China has the largest military in the world, but India and then the US are right behind. So, China would not want the USA and India militarily allied. Russia does not want that either. So far, Modi, like Erdogon negotiates with both sides. I am curious what the people of India are thinking about the relationship between the USA and India. Last year I read a lot of hostility towards the USA in comments in Indian papers. Clearly Prigozhin does not have the size of military that Russia does. The question is with the low morale of the military will all of them remain on Putin's side, or will some side with Prigozhin seeing their life as soldiers being better under him.
Putin has to find a way to destroy Prigozhin's Telegraph feed. Perhaps that is why he surrounded the Wagner headquarters in Moscow. However, I think that ship has sailed.
As of this morning, Colonel Vindman stated that Prigozhin's troops are halfway to Moscow, but that his biggest worry is that there are "strategic" bases on the way, which, if captured, raise the stakes dramatically. Putin may be on the way out, but if Prigozhin succeeds, the world will be less safe.
'less safe' than under Putin? Is that your point, Jerry? I did not read any positive comments about Prigozhin, did you? How can you tell one is worse than the other?
I am relaying Vindman's live analysis. He was asked by Smercornish on CNN what he would advise the president in this situation, and he said that loss of control of strategic weapons is a nightmare scenario that's been monitored for years. If nuclear weapons get into the hands of an oligarch that's angling for personal survival, then existing controls on their use by Russia, and our ability to monitor them, will be compromised. I have no idea who is worse and didn't intend to imply that I know the answer to that.
My pie-in-sky hope is that Putin is removed, and the experienced soldier, who saw just a fraction of what a capable foe can do to Russian military using just some of NATO's weapons, tactics and intelligence, simply tells his fellow Russians that Russia can't win, and sets up a 5 year plan to get back to democratic elections. Navalny could have the time to heal and then run in a fair election.) A boy can dream, too.
Thank you for your clarification, Jerry. This likely instability in Russia cannot be reassuring. I'm sure that our country's intelligence is doing everything it can.
Prigozhin is basically a ruthless thug and a criminal, AND don't forget (as HCR reminds above) he was at the center of the 2016 Russian disinformation campaigns that worked for T***p's candidacy. T***p would more than likely love nothing more than for Prigozhin to remove Putin from the picture so T***p would no longer be beholden to Putin for whatever "goods" he has on him. You have 3 pretty disgusting people, T***p, Putin, and Progozhin in the limelight right now.
Do I seem to have forgotten anything, Bruce? We may be heading to a most dangerous situation, perhaps, Russia becoming a rogue state. I need not tell you about the consequences of nuclear, cyber, chemical...weaponry out of control.
I was responding more to Jerry above. I totally agree with your comment. NEITHER Putin nor Prigozhin are good outcomes. I think we all agree on that. One isn't any better than the other, though Prigozhin is pretty disgusting lest anyone think him unseating Putin would be a "win". Plus, as HCR mentioned, I was reminding about Prigozhin's T***p connection. Amazing how all these disreputable people seem to stick together.
I think that you are correct - Putin has been blackmailing TFG for years with photographs of hotels trysts and other things. In front of Putin, TFG is an obsequious pile of dog dung (apology to my canine fellow travelers.)
Less safe because Russia will be destabilized and under the rule perhaps of a military dictator, which has never boded well for anyone. A military dictator that was both willing to give information to the Ukrainian Secret service about Russian troop positions if the Discord leak is to be believed, or to have a better funded, trained, and equipped military which hopefully will redirect their energies to something more useful, he is certainly doing a lot to keep African countries destabilized, or he might use full might against Ukraine and then who knows who else. Making new predictions on the nuclear threat with someone that we don't have a history on in that position. That is scary either way.
Linda, I think that Putin is rediscovering what happens when you hang around with poisonous snakes—it’s only a period of time before you are bitten (or you kill the snake after it’s outlived its usefulness).
Russia's defense minister and military leaders are under attack. Putin is facing challenges as never before.
'Mr. Prigozhin vowed that what he said was his 25,000-strong mercenary force would go on the offensive against the Russian defense ministry, though he said that the actions were not a “military coup.”
'The Russian authorities responded by charging Mr. Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary force, with “organizing an armed rebellion.” A Russian general urged Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters not to “play into the hands” of an enemy that he said was waiting for Russia’s internal political situation to worsen.'
'Video footage showed armored vehicles from the Russian military in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, near the war’s front line in Ukraine where Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters had been operating.'
'Additional videos circulating online and verified by The New York Times showed dozens of soldiers getting out of military vehicles and pointing their guns at the compound that forms the military command post in southern Russia.'
'Early Saturday, the governor of the Rostov region asked residents to stay in their homes, saying that the authorities were “doing everything necessary” to ensure their safety. The governor of the nearby Voronezh region, north of Rostov, also said that a convoy of military equipment was moving along a local highway. It was not clear which direction it was moving.'
'As the events played out in Russia, Ukraine’s armed forces posted three words on Twitter: “We are watching.”
Who is Prigozhin?
'The St. Petersburg tycoon has for years been part of a charmed circle of Russian oligarchs with close ties to President Putin. In 2018, he was one of 13 Russians indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States for interfering in the 2016 American election.'
'Mr. Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary force, a shadowy private military company, first emerged during Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. It has since exerted influence on behalf of Moscow in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mali and Mozambique.'
'Wagner is important to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine and led the recent assault on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. And Mr. Prigozhin, who has recruited fighters from prisons, has been widely seen as a symbol of wartime Russia: ruthless, shameless and lawless.'
Why is Prigozhin angry?
'Mr. Prigozhin has in recent months launched accusations at Russia’s military leadership. He blames Russian generals for failing to provide his forces with enough ammunition and for ignoring soldiers’ struggles.'
'The Kremlin tolerated his broadsides for months, even as some analysts said that Mr. Prigozhin was poised to turn his new prominence into broader political influence, possibly threatening Mr. Putin’s grip on power.'
'Later on Saturday morning, Mr. Putin addressed the situation in Rostov-on-Don during a brief speech on state television, saying that “decisive actions” would be taken to stabilize it. He said the functioning of military and civilian institutions in the southern Russian city of a million people had “essentially been blocked.”
“Actions that divide our unity are in essence defeatism before one’s own people,” Mr. Putin said.' (NYTimes)
'Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to have launched an armed rebellion on June 23 to force a leadership change within the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) which is unlikely to succeed. Prigozhin amplified a video from a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel on June 23 which reportedly shows the aftermath of a missile strike on a rear-area Wagner camp and accused the Russian MoD of conducting that strike.[1]'
'Prigozhin claimed that the Wagner Commanders’ Council made the decision to stop “the evil brought by the military leadership” who neglect and destroy the lives of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers.[2] Prigozhin urged the Russian people not to resist, to remain calm, remain in their homes, and warned that Wagner will “deal” with those who destroyed Russian soldiers before returning to the frontlines in Ukraine after restoring justice for all. Prigozhin also notably accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of personally planning an operation to destroy Wagner and claimed that 25,000 Wagner personnel are prepared to act.[3] Prigozhin later posted an audio message qualifying his previous statements and claiming that there is no “coup,” only a “march for justice.”[4]
'Kremlin newswire TASS reported that security measures have been strengthened in Moscow and that Rosgvardia (Russian National Guard) special police (OMON) and special rapid response (SOBR) units have been alerted of the situation.[5] Russian sources posted footage reportedly showing military equipment moving through the streets of Moscow.[6] TASS also reported that Russian military personnel and law enforcement have set up military posts and checkpoints near the Southern Military District (SMD) headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, and BBC’s Russia Service reported that Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) employees and SOBR units have set up roadblocks along the Moscow-Voronezh-Rostov highway.[7] A Russian milblogger also claimed that the “Grom” special forces detachment of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has additionally activated.[8]'
'The FSB and Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee have both opened cases against Prigozhin.[9] Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov notably stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed and is aware of the situation.[10] The emergency activation of the domestic security forces and the Kremlin’s direct response suggest that the Kremlin was very likely not aware of, and is explicitly opposed to, Prigozhin’s actions. (ISW, Institute for the Study of War Blog)
Is this the beginning of the great unwinding of the Russian Empire? Diane Francis has a recent letter that addresses the possibility that Russia may see areas like "Outer Mongolia" peel away from the Federation. Look at a map of Russia. It is huge. It is way beyond manageable. The enormous variety of Asian and various other ethnic and religious groups may see a Moscow completely obsessed with Wagner, the Ukrainian failure and all their internal political struggles. They may view this a chance to break away from their Slavic slave masters who have treated them as sub humans and cannon fodder for a war they don't understand or care about.
Thank you, Bill. I am aware of Diane Francis' background as a commentator (Canada) primarily about the financial sector. I suggest in addition to The New York Times and The Washington Post, the Institute for the Study of War, Agence France-Presse, AP News, Ukrainian Journal, Politico, VOX, BBC, Reuters and Twitter.
This is a big one that Putin was not prepared for.
It seems to me that, for the past several months, Putin has been using the Ukrainians to break the Wagner Group - and vice-versa. Clearly, it has not worked. The Ukrainians, if anything, are stronger, and Wagner, though weakened, is still a force to be reckoned with. I also believe that by this August, there will be no more Wagner Group in Russia. I will not mourn them.
Will/can the Ukrainians take advantage of this gap in the center of the Russian line? They have proven to be resilient, nimble fighters and even more nimble strategists. But they have suffered terribly. My real hope is that this major setback will force the Russians into real peace negotiations.
“...by August there will be no more Wagner Group in Russia”. That makes me nervous because Wagner is notoriously dangerous no matter where they reside. Putin found them useful (until, apparently, he didn’t). They puppet-master a swath of African Countries. Could they set up their strength there and influence the control of a resource rich continent more than they do now? Either way, Wagner spells trouble for the world, I feel.
THIS IS AN UPDATE ABOUT SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA
'Forces led by Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin advanced in the direction of Moscow on Saturday, moving north from the Voronezh region to the Lipetsk region, which is roughly 250 miles away from the Russian capital. President Vladimir Putin, citing a threat to his nation, said he had ordered the military to quash the ‘rebellion’ led by Prigozhin, who on Friday called for Russians to join a campaign against Russia’s military leadership.'
'Prigozhin claimed early Saturday to have taken control of the Russian military command base in Rostov-on-Don in the south. The governor of the Voronezh region further north said a “counterterrorist operation” by the military there was underway, hours before the governor of the Lipetsk region said Wagner forces were moving across the territory. The U.K. Defense Ministry said Wagner units were “almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow.”
Hi Fern, BBC has been tracking GPS points on the highway leading to Moscow. Major and steady movement toward Moscow. Cannot say for certain who is on the move.
( interesting use of technology, though Kruschev's great grandaughter, living in Moscow, on with Michael Smerconish this morning, said she was amazed she had a signal as the government was blocking internet, About 3 min. After she said that her signal went down!!!!!)
Joe Biden is the most accomplished political figure in our country since Bill Clinton. That's not intended as a knock on President Obama or Hillary Clinton. After all, Obama chose Biden to be his vice president and passed the American Healthcare Act, and Hillary was the victim of years of character assassination and lies that would likely have destroyed any politician. Biden is simply more experienced, more connected, and has gotten things done. We are very lucky to have Biden as our President right now.
David See. Dave Fake News reports that Trumpian highway users are boycotting the newly opened interstate claiming that Libs purposefully infected it with a dusty Socialism Powder that might possibly cause them to rethink their ideology
DFN reporter Dave heard one say, “I’m not taking any chances driving that road; my mind is right and that’s all there is to it” (use the Cool Hand Luke accent)
Hardly-- the republicans are destroying themselves with complete obedience to their sick orange maniac and his minions. Turning on one another with idiotic, immature behavior. Uroboros to all of them.
Thanks for introducing me to the term for this. I had to look up “ouroboros”. Wikipedia includes a lovely illustration from a medieval illuminated manuscript:
Yes—it is a great description of what the party of sedition is doing to itself. Loved the mention of “rat snake” in the ourobouros definition.. so appropriate. Thanks for the spelling it has been a few years since I have had to use this word!
In the media the Republicans appear to be winning. They sure are loud and proud.
Where it counts the Democrats continue to make huge progress.
Election victories in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Significant wins in the States as well during the 2022 Midterms. trump's MAGA candidates defeated in the Midterms 2022. A Democrat trifecta in Michigan and Wisconsin. Federal Judges overturning the draconian States' legislative anti-LGBTQ and abortion laws. Watch the Democratic House of Representatives members. The Democrats are stopping the MAGA crazy stunts cold. The Durham testimony was so brutal due to the Democrats relentless pounding on John Durham it was painful (almost) to watch.
I am just getting warmed up on my reality check of your "Owning the libs" sentence. I will, however, cede the floor to Simpon Rosenberg's Hopium Substack. Please read him carefully.
I could care less about the liberal media and its record.
We are involved in winning elections and preserving the Democratic function in this Republic. Anything else is culture wars. The Anti-Democracy forces in this Country want to deflect, distract and waste time on the culture war junk. And that includes the liberal or conservative media.
Just got up, coffee not doing it's job yet, eyes still a little blurry, so at first glance I read your comment as "And they're falling for that tool." (applies to your favorite
I'm sure they did. After consuming an adequate (two cups) of strong coffee, I think I need a Latin translation for "In caffeine there is clarity" (or in my case, consciousness).
I can just imagine, if The Doubly-Indicted One was POTUS, he'd be there in a red MAGA hard hat, posing with a shovel and blaming the whole incident on Hunter Biden's laptop.
I would love to see a Dem ad campaign showing “real Americans” getting the work done as compared with petty congressional squabbles over fake impeachments. The ad copy writes itself
Did you paraphrase Stephen Stills' "For What it's Worth" to start tonight's Letter on purpose, or is it such a part of our culture that it just automatically inserts itself at appropriate times?
Sorry to interrupt this apt musical interlude with a update about the revolt in Russia:
‘ROSTOV-ON-DON/VORONEZH, Russia, June 24 (Reuters) - Russian military helicopters opened fire on Saturday afternoon on a convoy of rebel mercenaries already more than half way towards Moscow in a lightning advance after seizing a southern city overnight.’
‘President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush an armed mutiny he compared to Russia's Civil War a century ago.’
‘Fighters from Yevgeny Prigozhin's private Wagner militia were in control of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine, and were rapidly advancing northwards through western Russia.’
‘A Reuters journalist saw army helicopters open fire at an armed Wagner column that was advancing past the city of Voronezh with troop carriers and at least one tank on a flatbed truck. The city is more than half way along the 1,100-km (680-mile) highway from Rostov to Moscow.’
‘Prigozhin, whose private army fought the bloodiest battles in Ukraine even as he feuded for months with the top brass, said he had captured the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov after leading his forces into Russia from Ukraine.
In Rostov, which serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia's entire invasion force, residents milled about, filming on mobile phones, as Wagner fighters in armoured vehicles and battle tanks took up positions.’
‘In Moscow, there was an increased security presence on the streets. Red Square was blocked off by metal barriers.’
"Excessive ambitions and vested interests have led to treason," Putin said in a televised address, comparing the insurrection at a time of war abroad to Russia's revolution and civil war unleashed during World War One.’
"All those who deliberately stepped on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed insurrection, who took the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, will answer both to the law and to our people."
‘A defiant Prigozhin swiftly replied that he and his men had no intention of turning themselves in.
"The president makes a deep mistake when he talks about treason. We are patriots of our motherland, we fought and are fighting for it," Prigozhin said in an audio message. "We don't want the country to continue to live in corruption and deceit."
‘In a series of hectic messages overnight, Prigozhin demanded Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov come to see him in Rostov.’
‘Western capitals said they were closely following the situation in nuclear-armed Russia. The White House said President Joe Biden was briefed.’
"This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times," Britain's defence ministry said.
"Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how this crisis plays out."
‘Putin's grip on power may depend on whether he can muster enough loyal troops to combat the mercenaries at a time when most of Russia's military is deployed at the front in southern and eastern Ukraine.’
‘The insurrection also risks leaving Russia's invasion force in Ukraine in disarray, just as Kyiv is launching its strongest counteroffensive since the war began in February last year.’
"Russia's weakness is obvious. Full-scale weakness," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote in a social media message. "And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain and problems it will have for itself later."
‘PRIGOZHIN'S REVOLT’
‘Prigozhin, a former convict and long-time ally of Putin, leads a private army that includes thousands of former prisoners recruited from Russian jails.’
‘His men took on the fiercest fighting of the 16-month Ukraine war, including the protracted battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut.’
‘He railed for months against the regular army's top brass, accusing generals of incompetence and of withholding ammunition from his fighters. This month, he defied orders to sign a contract placing his troops under Defence Ministry command.’
‘He launched the apparent mutiny on Friday after alleging that the military had killed many of his fighters in an air strike. The Defence Ministry denied it.’
"There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country," he said, promising to destroy any checkpoints or air forces that got in Wagner's way. He later said his men had been involved in clashes with regular soldiers and had shot down a helicopter.’
‘Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev issued a video appeal asking Prigozhin to reconsider his actions.’
"Only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and you are trying to encroach on his authority," he said.'
Reporting by Reuters journalists Writing by Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey, Peter Graff Editing by Frances Kerry’ (Reuters)
'Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.'
I always look for your assessments, comments, and links. I don't know how anyone cannot pay attention to it but then the implosion of the OceanGate Titantic Expedition has been front and center in the news for almost a week! How it is determined what news rises to "above the fold" never ceases to make my head spin! Need more coffee!!
Janet W., thank you for your kind words. I was also very disturbed at the amount of coverage of the OceanGate disaster compared to the paucity of stories and analysis of the tragedy that struck a boat full of migrants in Greek waters. Hundreds remain missing and dozens confirmed dead. Greek and European authorities have some explaining to do at the least.
Someone postulated that it shows how much more capable the US and Canadian Coast Guards are than that of Greece. Said that he’d heard that the boat capsized when being towed inexpertly.
Anything the right wing pushes, no matter how ridiculous, becomes big news. The media is still obsessed with Hunter Biden because of the right wing, even though there is nothing there. The media is terrified of them.
William, you're a bit too kind. Media focuses on the stories that will gain viewership. Like any modern American corporation, media companies seek Profit Über Alles. I depend on a mix of Substack reading (including Fern's), the NYT, WaPo, and the Economist to get a better holistic view of what's going on.
Since media are designed to appeal to their target audiences, one has to follow several.
Fern McBride's mention of the refugee deaths is important and prescient. It is a harbinger of a looming surge in migration due to political and economic crises, made increasingly worse by global warming.
Thank you Fern for this update. I, too, always look for your comments and assessments. I think Putin is now feeling what the Ukrainian and African people have been suffering through and he doesn't like anyone who makes him feel like his authority is being threatened or even questioned. Karma is coming for him, not that Prigozhin is any saint by any stretch of the imagination. He is just as ruthless and heartless as Putin, just more open about it.
Not to make too light of a terrible occurrence, but my hope in all of this is that Prigozhin and Putin suffer the fate of the Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat.
Hey Steve Lord! As Mary Wells would have said, "You beat me to the. punch!" I also was wondering if Heather was referencing the actual song or the meme it's become.
It runs through my mind pretty much 24/7. Buffalo Springfield played at a junior high neaby in '67, just after they released this song. I had just started 8th grade. Life altering experience.
Eddie Van Halen , technical genius, artistic sensibility is lacking. And the music that Spotify chooses , just for me. I got off the bus after U2 who are among the greats.
I'm not so sure about that. Someone who threw out the law and her principles to help Trump is somehow going to live up to her judicial oath now? Do you think she doesn't have the ability to continue her fealty to Trump and not the law or the US Constitution? If she's MAGA, she is not going to change and she certainly isn't going to be affected by what the law or any rules, stds, or principles apply.
You literally knocked the ball outta the park with tonights letter Dr. Richardson … IMNSHO!
Thank you so much, for using your hard-earned gifts, knowledge and wisdom the way you do. Your generosity is humbling and provides huge relief to so many of us WORRY WARTS! You’re the best!
Heather, a fantastic round-up of the news. Russia is mind boggling. Great news about I-95 and the incredible job done by all involved in the effort. Hooray UNIONS!!!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
7 am local time in Rostov - Prigozhin speaking in video: control secured in Rostov and the airfield. Operations against Ukraine continuing, but control taken to prevent air power used against us. Russian losses are significantly greater than reported. Troops are abandoned without ammunition or supplies.
Allowing a private army is simply an admission by a government that it can't control its own territory. Mercenary armies are related, in my mind with "semi-autonomous" regions, an unmistakable sign of weak federal control. I just hope we don't develop a few of our own.
We do have mercenary cells now. Why do you think reloading components have disappeared from store shelves when they were plentiful just a few years ago. Go try and find primers and powder. Suppliers tell me they don’t know why.
How about private prisons for profit?
How about private fire fighting companies for profit?
How about private border patrols?
Schools?
In the past government addressed the needs that individuals alone could not provide. Is the tail now wagging the dog?
Pat, it is similar to when Obama was elected, and you could not buy ammo (I am not a reloader, but I understand that those supplies were limited as well).
Yes Ally. Even before at the advent of Y2K rationing of components to reload came about. Rice disappeared from store shelves. Our phony “Mountain men” became secretive about the locations of their “Trapper” camps and “Militia” parties began burying shipping containers. Truly the walking mentally damaged found each other put on their camouflage and a wave of no trespassing took place. Most had not seen war. Most could not imagine how each square foot of airspace can contain flying molten metal. Most have never seen a mountain obliterated in seconds. They had possession of a few AK’s, a few M-16’s, a few M-60’s, a little c-4, night vision scopes, etc. The gov’ment was the enemy. That was 23 years ago and those disillusioned malcontents found their champion in Terp.
Did I forget the new space invader? I witnessed one of his reentry rockets explode in our atmosphere and rain debris in the night sky’s from my home in Idaho.
"Reaganomics" was and is all about letting the tail wag the dog. Can governments beneficially and responsibly make use of private contractors? Of course, so long as the public's interest comes first, and public inspection and control is not significantly compromised. It appears to me that a lot of "privatization" put's the public's interests last, protecting some private entities profits ahead of the public good. Some of it just seems like pawning public assets for an instant payoff, and then passing the ongoing and elevated costs to those yet unborn.
Even more alarming is the coercive powers of government that are necessary yet become the prime tools of despots when abused, such as prisons for profit. It is an insult to wisdom and justice to insert conflicts of interest that frankly incentivize injustice and corruption, and potentially worse, often result in barriers to public inspection and control. Blackwater compounded the atrocity which was our invasion of Iraq (yeah, Saddam was a despot, but that does not always stop us from letting them be, or selling them arms). Unchecked power tends to corrupt, as both Putin and Wagner illustrative.
You won't get any argument from me on that one, Pat. I think our national integrity took a real hit with the lack of federal response to that Bundy family a few years back over grazing rights. (And what's this "space invader" thing you mention below?)
Elon Musk thinks he is NASA. I think with strategic control of space he intends to widen both his influence with governments and his economic domination of that realm. One of his rockets exploded across our night sky in Idaho lighting up horizon to horizon in flaming brilliance.
Wagner has been the main fighting force of Russia in Africa. Biden's initiatives on that continent have not received the explanations and emphasis they deserve.
How will this effect Putin's war against Ukraine? How damaged might Putin become? Will he last?
'Russian mercenary leader derides invasion as a ‘racket’ to enrich the country’s elite.'
'Russian generals late on Friday accused Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the outspoken mercenary tycoon, of trying to mount a coup against President Vladimir V. Putin, as the Russian authorities opened an investigation into Mr. Prigozhin for “organizing an armed rebellion.”
'The long-running feud between Mr. Prigozhin and the Russian military over the war in Ukraine has now escalated into an open confrontation, setting up the biggest challenge to Mr. Putin’s authority since he launched his invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago.'
'Videos circulating widely on social media showed that military and national guard armored vehicles had been deployed in Moscow and the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, near the front line in Ukraine where Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters had been operating.'
'Mr. Prigozhin also asserted in his video that Ukraine’s counteroffensive to gain back territory was going much more poorly for Russia than the government was letting on. On Telegram, pro-war commentators quickly pushed back against that claim, including Igor Girkin, a former paramilitary commander who himself has often criticized Russia’s top brass.'
Smith (US) v. Trump FINALLY!
Jack Smith, Special Counsel, is prepared and Trump is scared.
Is the tide turning in favor of the American people and the Ukrainians?
'Putin Vows ‘Decisive Actions’ as Wagner Claims to Control a Key Military Complex'
'Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, entered the courtyard of the southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, as seen in video confirmed by The Times.'
'In a five-minute address to the nation, Mr. Putin called the situation in Rostov-on-Don “a stab in the back of our country and our people.” He said that the city’s military and civilian functions had “essentially been blocked,” appearing to acknowledge some success by Mr. Prigozhin, who on Saturday morning claimed control of parts of the southern military headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces.' (NYTimes)
'Videos surfaced on Saturday morning in Telegram channels associated with Mr. Prigozhin’s Wagner group showing Mr. Prigozhin in the company of dozens of armed men in the courtyard of the southern military headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces. Governors of regions along the major M-4 highway linking Rostov-on-Don to Moscow, about 600 miles to the north, said convoys of military equipment were being moved on the highway and urged local residents to stay away from the corridor.'
'Yevgeniy Prigozhin has claimed that his Wagner mercenary group controls military buildings and facilities in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city about 60 miles from the Ukraine border that serves as an important hub for the Russian armed forces. Video showed him meeting with senior Russian officials there and saying he wanted to meet with President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.'
'Prigozhin’s move came after Russia’s Federal Security Service announced a criminal case against Prigozhin, accusing him of “incitement to armed rebellion” after he said he would lead a “march of justice” against his enemies in Russia’s Ministry of Defense.'
'A Wagner military column led by Prigozhin entered Rostov district in southern Russia and entered the base apparently with little resistance from Russian armed forces.' (WAPO)
Thank you, Fern. This is an unbelievable turn of events. I can hardly believe what is unfolding in Russia. I hope Ukraine can win, but I have no idea what it means for Putin to be « overthrown ». SMH.
It is the US that has been giving it away to Real Estate moguls, while avoiding the construction of affordable housing, so badly needed. What has the transfer of wealth been if not The American Way?
Fern. And there you have it. “The American Way”. An honest appraisal of that dogma might suggest that as children, we were taught a myth of hubris regarding “our greatness, our humanity, our superiority in conscience that replaced the real pursuit by corporate greed and their mercenaries in government to hold on to power and wealth at the expense of those we could conquer
Ok ok, a little over the top, but our international reputation is somewhat deserved
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
Heather is correct. There are no "good guys" in the new upheaval in Russia. Prigozhin is utterly ruthless, and Wagner forces have proved time and again that they are willing to commit atrocities in their operations in Africa and the Middle East and now in Ukraine. If Prigozhin gains the upper hand over the military stores in Rostov-on-Don and access to tactical nukes he will show less restraint than Putin.
This is significantly upping the danger to expanding the scope of the the war into a wider European theater.
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
“We are proving that when we work together, there is nothing we cannot do.” - unless it's protecting the environment, dealing with climate change, reigning in the fossil fuel industry.. let's see what else could we add to the list?
Hugh, universal healthcare, universal housing in every state, voters rights, women’s rights. Why hasn’t Biden passed an executive order making abortion legal in the US? That went out of the news so fast....
Seemed to me that the purpose Muslim ban was 100% theater, and Trump got what he wanted from it. Obviously it played fast and loose with the lives of a lot of people, but malignant narcissists don't care. With corrupt "GOP" collusion, Trump managed to throw his weight around quite a bit.
We are not getting all that much cooperation on those goals, are we? For sure there are things we cannot do, but I suspect we could make some heads spin if enough of us were pulling hard, and in the same general direction.
Sorry, Hugh, my proof-reading habit sometimes gets the better of me.
"REINING IN".
The image comes from riding a horse, tightening the reins to bring the horse back under control... slow down... the opposite of lengthening the reins and "giving the horse his head".
We are not working together on climate change. If the democrats were in control, we might, but as long as the republicans have any power, it's hopeless.
Wondering if Prigozhin will call all of his troops together -- those in African countries, and elsewhere -- to assist on his attack on pukin/his generals. That would be more than the motley crew of 25,000 which he has now. Also wondering if enough Russians are sick of the war with Ukraine (some of whom may know that truth about what pukin, et.al. have done) that they will refuse to fight with the Russian army against Preigozhin's mercenaries.
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
I know, right? It's so unfair what Zelensky and Ukraine are doing to mighty Russia, who's just trying to mind its own business within its own borders, and can't in any way be considered (in your words), "a corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime." (Clearly this is satire, folks.)
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
You dirty satirist, you.🦴🐶. The wrest of us are relegated to leftists and (gasp) snowflakes, but you, you had to become satire man. Have you heard from Saturday Night Live yet?
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
I guess that one went right over your head. The Amazon source was a link to a book by Sergei Glazyev, the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations under Boris Yeltsin, entitled "Genocide: Russia and the New World Order."
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
It's tempting to cheer Prigozhin on if his activities impede Russia's war effort in Ukraine. It's also chilling to consider a scenario in which he mounts a full scale insurrection within Russia and succeeds in replacing Putin.
Right now it is sounding like a military coup to me. Isn't this how dictators go down, to be replaced by new dictators who are members of the military?
I'm not so sure about that, JL. While Putin is a bad hombre, he strikes me as intelligent, if in a malevolent and calculating way. Prigozhin on the other hand comes across as a Cossack throwback, a brutal warlord. Which would you rather see with his finger on their big red strategic nuclear arsenal's button? Maybe "better the devil we know".
It sounds right now like the Russian soldiers are not viewing Prigozhin and his mercenaries as the enemy. Putin is supposed to speak and I have been searching for that. I am going to search for some morning shows in Europe to see if they are on the situation. I read in the Wa Po that Prigozhin is speaking now with some military leaders. He has asked to speak to Putin too. I just wonder whether this is a sign of PTSD on the part of Prigozhin, or is it a calculated take over? Or is it righteous anger at the bumbling, fumbling, corrupt, poorly supplied, poorly paid, drunk, loser members of the military that is the Russian army, mostly the leadership, which is ALL CORRUPT?
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
Hello Elizabeth, yes of course, wise advice; however Dave Fake News provides, free of charge, a public service called “Distraction Inc” by temporarily engaging “neer-do-wells” while others carry on adult conversation
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
The bizarre, incomplete and/or inchoate news out of Russia should remind all of us interested in history of the many events that caused a previous would be Russian empire to pull out of a war. The Russian Revolution and the yearning of Russia's people for a better life caused Russia to pull out of WWI in its early days. The confusion, bitterness and infighting then, in the wake of the deposing of the Romanovs in favor of the Mensheviks and then the Bolsheviks, brought the Russian war effort to assist its fellow Slavs in Serbia to a grinding halt.
The chaos that resulted in a Leninist Russian Socialist Republic ultimately metastasized to a Stalinist Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with results most cataclysmic. I do not think we are looking at that type of cause and effect here and now, but it is important to note that feuds seemingly small, when fueled by force of arms striking opportunity just right, can lead to writ most large.
If nothing else, tonight's developments seem to demonstrate that the ironclad regime of the butcher known as Vladimir Putin is not nearly as ironclad as it seems. Blowback from the USSR's failed attempt at suppression in the Graveyard of Empires,( i.e., Afghanistan) forty years ago led to the fall of the USSR itself. Let us see what the blowback to Putin---assuming same actually materializes-- leads to here.
Prigozhin of course, is no Gorbachev. He's a well connected, fairly articulate thug, defined by his thuggishness and not any quotes from Pushkin that he might toss off to Western journalists to curry favor, so hope not only does not spring eternal here, it doesn't even spring. Yet, the crack in the Putin dam has materialized.
“Prigozhin of course, is no Gorbachev.” Correct he can’t even be put in the same sentence. Prigozhin is a murderous mercenary and probably 10 times worse than Putin! It’s Heather said there are no good guys in this.
History echoes into the present, sharing more in similarity of consequences than the current events themselves. I too suspect that regimes fall for enexpected or unclear reasons only revealed with time.
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
Dave, do you know how to report a post, which repeats itself many times taking up a great deal of space, and, in this case, a smear of two notable people with excellent reputations? It's easy to report by pressing the dots to the left of reply under the poster's script.
Brainwash the Troll isn't very smart. He can't distinguish a pro-Prigozhin post from a pro-Putin post. Brainwash the Troll worships at the altar of Senator Joe McCarthy.
By the way, here's an alternative, pro-Putin point of view:
Good "seeing" you today, Ally. Saw some folks wanting more climate action from Joe. So wanted to respond. I know there's plenty more, but figure others could chime in easily if they want to.
I'll take the Simon & Garfunkel reference any day of the week...morning!
Thanks for this news, Professor Richardson. On a number of accounts it is the best news I've heard in awhile. Of course, much remains to be understood about the Russian situation and history warns us not to think that Trump is finally cornered but your piece leaves me optimistic on both accounts. I-95 is a real accomplishment and any positive intervention that my thwart or slow down the production of this nasty drug is good news. I will sleep better tonight. :- )
Opening I-95 is great and does show what can be done when folks work together….but the notifications on my I pad just broke through that the Rostov area and city are now to some degree in the hands of the Wagner folks…or put. Another way our President and his Administration are in close contact with all our partners because the notion of the Putin-Wagner break up and whatever that means in the next 72 hours…it sure as hell does NOT indicate good guys working together….rather it suggests world level cataclysmic trouble….and the nuclear weapons that could be fought over by the Putin/Wagner folks are a matter of huge concern to the White House.
It is a time to both worry and stay in touch with the news…..
June 24, 2023, 2:22 a.m. ET5 minutes ago
5 minutes ago
Anton Troianovski
The Russian authorities appear to be scrambling to prevent Prigozhin’s forces from acting on their threat to march on Moscow. Russian state media reports that “transit traffic” has been limited in the Tula region, through which the main road from Rostov to Moscow runs — and where a trusted former bodyguard of Putin, Aleksei Dyumin, is the governor.
Before we descend completely into schadenfreude, perhaps we can consider offering political asylum to Putin and his loyalist generals. That would certainly neutralize the impact of Trump's informal info sharing, wouldn't it?
Thanks, Heather for this important Letter. There’s so much to unpack here. Most importantly, regarding the issue in Russia...“No one knows for certain where this is heading as I’m writing Friday evening. But there is no doubt most people, whether they will admit it publicly or not, are relieved that Joe Biden, surrounded by competent advisers, is at our country’s helm at this moment.”-Joyce Vance, Civil Discourse Substack
Yes. I am relieved that Biden is in charge here, but terrified that this situation is so destabilizing to Russia, a nuclear power, that we don't know what will happen next. Apparently Putin has spoken, which one of the links someone posted below an expert was saying that Putin would not speak until the coup is averted. However, Putin did not seem to be saying that a coup is averted, and many are saying that Prigozhin is going after the head of defense Shogui and everything I am reading is that he has not been stopped yet. However, I also read that it seems Putin fled out of Moscow to his place elsewhere in Russia. I cannot find that article now. I have been going back and forth between English language and German press. Germany is not saying that much yet. Since all information from Russian leaders is suspect, I don't know who is telling the truth. Moscow has declared a state of emergency, and Putin has claimed that anyone who goes against the military is an enemy of the state. I wonder what the Russian people are thinking right now. It is morning. My daughter is about to arrive in Vienna on a night train from Paris. I already saw that this story heads the Vienna Morning paper, although they are not saying that much. In the German Tagesspiegel they are also saying that Prigozhin is saying he will march with his troops to Moscow unless Shoigui and Geressimov come to him. The Taggespiegel says that, "On Saturday morning, a video also became public showing Prigozhin in Rostov talking with Deputy Defense Minister Yunus-bek Yevkurov and Deputy Head of Russian Military Intelligence Vladimir Alekseev." You can see the twitter videos with English captions, even though the paper is in German. https://www.tagesspiegel.de/internationales/liveblog/russischer-geheimdienst-ermittelt-gegen-wagner-chef-wegen-militarputsch-4309180.html
Here is what Politico has to say.
https://www.politico.eu/article/prigozhin-says-has-taken-control-of-rostov-on-don/?utm_source=email&utm_medium=alert&utm_campaign=Wagner%20boss%20Prigozhin%20claims%20control%20of%20Rostov-on-Don%2C%20menaces%20Moscow&utm_source=POLITICO.EU&utm_campaign=ddc3672c01-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_06_24_07_33&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_10959edeb5-ddc3672c01-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D
Due to the chaos of the situation, it is hard to find out what is going on. I am hoping some enterprising citizens in Russia, if there are any who dare, will be filming what they can of the situation. I hope there is still some free press in Russia that can find out what is going on. Putin's speech does not sound like he is in full control of the situation. It might have been a sleepless night for him. It sounds like soldiers are jumping ship. If they turn on their leadership what enforcement does the FSB have? Are they 100% behind this military action? How is their wealth tied to this? Does everyone support Putin's glory at what seems to be a non winnable war. At least not with the objectives Putin has laid out. Biden backing Ukraine has proved to be more formidable than Putin realized.
The Guardian and Le Monde report that Putin addressed the nation this morning (Saturday), talked of treason, said the Russian people and the country have been stabbed in the back. Moscow is going into anti-terrorist mode, no large gatherings, restricted movement, identity checks, "temporary suspension of communication services", if necessary. Could include internet and telephone conversations.
Not "liking" this but grateful for your reporting.
Resistance is futile!! I always wanted to say that.....
Hm, could be fun. It might depend on the circumstances.
That sounds like The Borg on Star Trek, Next Generation! Scary!
What do you mean? Resistance by whom, to what?
“Stabbed in the back”. By a mercenary army leader. Well, DUH!
What about "treason"? DUH!
Yes. I am reading that too in German papers. Right now the USA and the EU are in communication on this and treating it like an internal Russian problem. Putin is reaching out to other dictators for his support. China, Belarus, Turkey seem to be on his side. He has not reached out to India from what I know, and with Modi in the US with Biden that would be awkward. India is neck in neck with China for population size. China has the largest military in the world, but India and then the US are right behind. So, China would not want the USA and India militarily allied. Russia does not want that either. So far, Modi, like Erdogon negotiates with both sides. I am curious what the people of India are thinking about the relationship between the USA and India. Last year I read a lot of hostility towards the USA in comments in Indian papers. Clearly Prigozhin does not have the size of military that Russia does. The question is with the low morale of the military will all of them remain on Putin's side, or will some side with Prigozhin seeing their life as soldiers being better under him.
Good analysis.
Thanks, Linda, for your excellent analysis--
. . . and, like they did during the coup in '91, Russian television might start airing Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake on an endless loop.
Putin has to find a way to destroy Prigozhin's Telegraph feed. Perhaps that is why he surrounded the Wagner headquarters in Moscow. However, I think that ship has sailed.
Excellent update.
As of this morning, Colonel Vindman stated that Prigozhin's troops are halfway to Moscow, but that his biggest worry is that there are "strategic" bases on the way, which, if captured, raise the stakes dramatically. Putin may be on the way out, but if Prigozhin succeeds, the world will be less safe.
'less safe' than under Putin? Is that your point, Jerry? I did not read any positive comments about Prigozhin, did you? How can you tell one is worse than the other?
I am relaying Vindman's live analysis. He was asked by Smercornish on CNN what he would advise the president in this situation, and he said that loss of control of strategic weapons is a nightmare scenario that's been monitored for years. If nuclear weapons get into the hands of an oligarch that's angling for personal survival, then existing controls on their use by Russia, and our ability to monitor them, will be compromised. I have no idea who is worse and didn't intend to imply that I know the answer to that.
I hope they blow each other up and Alexei Navalny takes power! Hey, a girl can dream, right?
Gayle, so happy to have happened upon a brilliant solution. Thank you.
My pie-in-sky hope is that Putin is removed, and the experienced soldier, who saw just a fraction of what a capable foe can do to Russian military using just some of NATO's weapons, tactics and intelligence, simply tells his fellow Russians that Russia can't win, and sets up a 5 year plan to get back to democratic elections. Navalny could have the time to heal and then run in a fair election.) A boy can dream, too.
Thank you for your clarification, Jerry. This likely instability in Russia cannot be reassuring. I'm sure that our country's intelligence is doing everything it can.
Prigozhin is basically a ruthless thug and a criminal, AND don't forget (as HCR reminds above) he was at the center of the 2016 Russian disinformation campaigns that worked for T***p's candidacy. T***p would more than likely love nothing more than for Prigozhin to remove Putin from the picture so T***p would no longer be beholden to Putin for whatever "goods" he has on him. You have 3 pretty disgusting people, T***p, Putin, and Progozhin in the limelight right now.
Do I seem to have forgotten anything, Bruce? We may be heading to a most dangerous situation, perhaps, Russia becoming a rogue state. I need not tell you about the consequences of nuclear, cyber, chemical...weaponry out of control.
I was responding more to Jerry above. I totally agree with your comment. NEITHER Putin nor Prigozhin are good outcomes. I think we all agree on that. One isn't any better than the other, though Prigozhin is pretty disgusting lest anyone think him unseating Putin would be a "win". Plus, as HCR mentioned, I was reminding about Prigozhin's T***p connection. Amazing how all these disreputable people seem to stick together.
I think that you are correct - Putin has been blackmailing TFG for years with photographs of hotels trysts and other things. In front of Putin, TFG is an obsequious pile of dog dung (apology to my canine fellow travelers.)
Less safe because Russia will be destabilized and under the rule perhaps of a military dictator, which has never boded well for anyone. A military dictator that was both willing to give information to the Ukrainian Secret service about Russian troop positions if the Discord leak is to be believed, or to have a better funded, trained, and equipped military which hopefully will redirect their energies to something more useful, he is certainly doing a lot to keep African countries destabilized, or he might use full might against Ukraine and then who knows who else. Making new predictions on the nuclear threat with someone that we don't have a history on in that position. That is scary either way.
Linda, I think that Putin is rediscovering what happens when you hang around with poisonous snakes—it’s only a period of time before you are bitten (or you kill the snake after it’s outlived its usefulness).
That is two poisonous snakes together, which is two too many!
There's been a lot of knowledgable video on Twitter, Telegram and YouTube if you can cut through the noise to find it.
Russia's defense minister and military leaders are under attack. Putin is facing challenges as never before.
'Mr. Prigozhin vowed that what he said was his 25,000-strong mercenary force would go on the offensive against the Russian defense ministry, though he said that the actions were not a “military coup.”
'The Russian authorities responded by charging Mr. Prigozhin, head of the Wagner mercenary force, with “organizing an armed rebellion.” A Russian general urged Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters not to “play into the hands” of an enemy that he said was waiting for Russia’s internal political situation to worsen.'
'Video footage showed armored vehicles from the Russian military in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, near the war’s front line in Ukraine where Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters had been operating.'
'Additional videos circulating online and verified by The New York Times showed dozens of soldiers getting out of military vehicles and pointing their guns at the compound that forms the military command post in southern Russia.'
'Early Saturday, the governor of the Rostov region asked residents to stay in their homes, saying that the authorities were “doing everything necessary” to ensure their safety. The governor of the nearby Voronezh region, north of Rostov, also said that a convoy of military equipment was moving along a local highway. It was not clear which direction it was moving.'
'As the events played out in Russia, Ukraine’s armed forces posted three words on Twitter: “We are watching.”
Who is Prigozhin?
'The St. Petersburg tycoon has for years been part of a charmed circle of Russian oligarchs with close ties to President Putin. In 2018, he was one of 13 Russians indicted by a federal grand jury in the United States for interfering in the 2016 American election.'
'Mr. Prigozhin’s Wagner mercenary force, a shadowy private military company, first emerged during Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea in 2014. It has since exerted influence on behalf of Moscow in Syria, Libya, the Central African Republic, Sudan, Mali and Mozambique.'
'Wagner is important to the Kremlin’s war in Ukraine and led the recent assault on the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut. And Mr. Prigozhin, who has recruited fighters from prisons, has been widely seen as a symbol of wartime Russia: ruthless, shameless and lawless.'
Why is Prigozhin angry?
'Mr. Prigozhin has in recent months launched accusations at Russia’s military leadership. He blames Russian generals for failing to provide his forces with enough ammunition and for ignoring soldiers’ struggles.'
'The Kremlin tolerated his broadsides for months, even as some analysts said that Mr. Prigozhin was poised to turn his new prominence into broader political influence, possibly threatening Mr. Putin’s grip on power.'
'Later on Saturday morning, Mr. Putin addressed the situation in Rostov-on-Don during a brief speech on state television, saying that “decisive actions” would be taken to stabilize it. He said the functioning of military and civilian institutions in the southern Russian city of a million people had “essentially been blocked.”
“Actions that divide our unity are in essence defeatism before one’s own people,” Mr. Putin said.' (NYTimes)
'Wagner Group financier Yevgeny Prigozhin appears to have launched an armed rebellion on June 23 to force a leadership change within the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) which is unlikely to succeed. Prigozhin amplified a video from a Wagner-affiliated Telegram channel on June 23 which reportedly shows the aftermath of a missile strike on a rear-area Wagner camp and accused the Russian MoD of conducting that strike.[1]'
'Prigozhin claimed that the Wagner Commanders’ Council made the decision to stop “the evil brought by the military leadership” who neglect and destroy the lives of tens of thousands of Russian soldiers.[2] Prigozhin urged the Russian people not to resist, to remain calm, remain in their homes, and warned that Wagner will “deal” with those who destroyed Russian soldiers before returning to the frontlines in Ukraine after restoring justice for all. Prigozhin also notably accused Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu of personally planning an operation to destroy Wagner and claimed that 25,000 Wagner personnel are prepared to act.[3] Prigozhin later posted an audio message qualifying his previous statements and claiming that there is no “coup,” only a “march for justice.”[4]
'Kremlin newswire TASS reported that security measures have been strengthened in Moscow and that Rosgvardia (Russian National Guard) special police (OMON) and special rapid response (SOBR) units have been alerted of the situation.[5] Russian sources posted footage reportedly showing military equipment moving through the streets of Moscow.[6] TASS also reported that Russian military personnel and law enforcement have set up military posts and checkpoints near the Southern Military District (SMD) headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, and BBC’s Russia Service reported that Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) employees and SOBR units have set up roadblocks along the Moscow-Voronezh-Rostov highway.[7] A Russian milblogger also claimed that the “Grom” special forces detachment of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has additionally activated.[8]'
'The FSB and Russian Anti-Terrorism Committee have both opened cases against Prigozhin.[9] Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov notably stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been informed and is aware of the situation.[10] The emergency activation of the domestic security forces and the Kremlin’s direct response suggest that the Kremlin was very likely not aware of, and is explicitly opposed to, Prigozhin’s actions. (ISW, Institute for the Study of War Blog)
Fern, Have you read Diane Francis?
Is this the beginning of the great unwinding of the Russian Empire? Diane Francis has a recent letter that addresses the possibility that Russia may see areas like "Outer Mongolia" peel away from the Federation. Look at a map of Russia. It is huge. It is way beyond manageable. The enormous variety of Asian and various other ethnic and religious groups may see a Moscow completely obsessed with Wagner, the Ukrainian failure and all their internal political struggles. They may view this a chance to break away from their Slavic slave masters who have treated them as sub humans and cannon fodder for a war they don't understand or care about.
Read this:
https://dianefrancis.substack.com/p/chinas-russia?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Thank you, Bill. I am aware of Diane Francis' background as a commentator (Canada) primarily about the financial sector. I suggest in addition to The New York Times and The Washington Post, the Institute for the Study of War, Agence France-Presse, AP News, Ukrainian Journal, Politico, VOX, BBC, Reuters and Twitter.
This is a big one that Putin was not prepared for.
Thank you, Fern! Impressive and hopeful!
Thank you, Laurie. Those sources are solid, journalistic and reliable.
Remarkable sources. Thanks.
This was cross posted from Lucid. Scary...very scary stuff.
https://malcolmnance.substack.com/p/reposted-how-putin-may-die?utm_source=cross-post&publication_id=1227278&post_id=130733984&isFreemail=true&utm_campaign=300941&utm_medium=email
Thx Bill. Useful links to 'Special Intelligence' & RB-G's panoramic context.
Shades of 1917? History does repeat itself from time to time.
Anyone else expecting purges in Russia ... as soon as control is attained?
It's a Russian national tradition.
Sadly, true.
Ohhhhhhh
It seems to me that, for the past several months, Putin has been using the Ukrainians to break the Wagner Group - and vice-versa. Clearly, it has not worked. The Ukrainians, if anything, are stronger, and Wagner, though weakened, is still a force to be reckoned with. I also believe that by this August, there will be no more Wagner Group in Russia. I will not mourn them.
Will/can the Ukrainians take advantage of this gap in the center of the Russian line? They have proven to be resilient, nimble fighters and even more nimble strategists. But they have suffered terribly. My real hope is that this major setback will force the Russians into real peace negotiations.
I think if there is to be a peace, it must be on Ukraine's terms.
“...by August there will be no more Wagner Group in Russia”. That makes me nervous because Wagner is notoriously dangerous no matter where they reside. Putin found them useful (until, apparently, he didn’t). They puppet-master a swath of African Countries. Could they set up their strength there and influence the control of a resource rich continent more than they do now? Either way, Wagner spells trouble for the world, I feel.
Wagner Group. Outsourcing you military power gets to be tricky. Has earmarks of an apocalyptic screenplay.
By Xmas no more Russian Federation. IMHO of course.
Thank you for your research and sharing!
Thank you, Liz, for reading and support.
Fern, I so appreciate your research and your writings.
Ally, we're teammates. I'm always happy when we visit. Thank you.
Fern, thank you so much for your work here. You’ve filled in some of my knowledge gaps.
Thank you, Camilla, for following this very important story -- glad I could help.
THIS IS AN UPDATE ABOUT SERIOUS DEVELOPMENT IN RUSSIA
'Forces led by Wagner mercenary boss Yevgeniy Prigozhin advanced in the direction of Moscow on Saturday, moving north from the Voronezh region to the Lipetsk region, which is roughly 250 miles away from the Russian capital. President Vladimir Putin, citing a threat to his nation, said he had ordered the military to quash the ‘rebellion’ led by Prigozhin, who on Friday called for Russians to join a campaign against Russia’s military leadership.'
'Prigozhin claimed early Saturday to have taken control of the Russian military command base in Rostov-on-Don in the south. The governor of the Voronezh region further north said a “counterterrorist operation” by the military there was underway, hours before the governor of the Lipetsk region said Wagner forces were moving across the territory. The U.K. Defense Ministry said Wagner units were “almost certainly aiming to get to Moscow.”
Thanks for staying on top of this and sharing, Fern - I truly value your input!
That goes both ways, Gayle. Thank you.
Hi Fern, BBC has been tracking GPS points on the highway leading to Moscow. Major and steady movement toward Moscow. Cannot say for certain who is on the move.
( interesting use of technology, though Kruschev's great grandaughter, living in Moscow, on with Michael Smerconish this morning, said she was amazed she had a signal as the government was blocking internet, About 3 min. After she said that her signal went down!!!!!)
We saw that!
Yes, Carol, the regime has been cutting access to Google as part of its suppression of information.
https://open.substack.com/pub/joycevance/p/candidates-and-court-calendars?r=9vmv5&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Joe Biden is the most accomplished political figure in our country since Bill Clinton. That's not intended as a knock on President Obama or Hillary Clinton. After all, Obama chose Biden to be his vice president and passed the American Healthcare Act, and Hillary was the victim of years of character assassination and lies that would likely have destroyed any politician. Biden is simply more experienced, more connected, and has gotten things done. We are very lucky to have Biden as our President right now.
Dems getting things done: "“I-95 is reopening. And it’s ahead of schedule.”"
Republicans, meanwhile, are Owning the Libs.
One half of me laughed out loud to that, David See, the other wants to cry. So exhausted with their crap.
David See. Dave Fake News reports that Trumpian highway users are boycotting the newly opened interstate claiming that Libs purposefully infected it with a dusty Socialism Powder that might possibly cause them to rethink their ideology
DFN reporter Dave heard one say, “I’m not taking any chances driving that road; my mind is right and that’s all there is to it” (use the Cool Hand Luke accent)
First smile of the am....thanks Dave. If this is so, MAGAs would have a hard time driving anywhere.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bravo, Dave!
Dave, it that is true, it is hilarious!!!! The MAGA puppets will believe ANY conspiracy theory!
Less traffic! 😎
Hardly-- the republicans are destroying themselves with complete obedience to their sick orange maniac and his minions. Turning on one another with idiotic, immature behavior. Uroboros to all of them.
Yes, even a girl fight between Gangrene and Gunslinger Barbie. it will be interesting when Jack Smith indicts for January 6th and we see who flipped.
Thanks for introducing me to the term for this. I had to look up “ouroboros”. Wikipedia includes a lovely illustration from a medieval illuminated manuscript:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouroboros
Yes—it is a great description of what the party of sedition is doing to itself. Loved the mention of “rat snake” in the ourobouros definition.. so appropriate. Thanks for the spelling it has been a few years since I have had to use this word!
In the media the Republicans appear to be winning. They sure are loud and proud.
Where it counts the Democrats continue to make huge progress.
Election victories in 2018, 2020 and 2022. Significant wins in the States as well during the 2022 Midterms. trump's MAGA candidates defeated in the Midterms 2022. A Democrat trifecta in Michigan and Wisconsin. Federal Judges overturning the draconian States' legislative anti-LGBTQ and abortion laws. Watch the Democratic House of Representatives members. The Democrats are stopping the MAGA crazy stunts cold. The Durham testimony was so brutal due to the Democrats relentless pounding on John Durham it was painful (almost) to watch.
I am just getting warmed up on my reality check of your "Owning the libs" sentence. I will, however, cede the floor to Simpon Rosenberg's Hopium Substack. Please read him carefully.
The mainstream (liberal) media has a losing streak of more than three years now:
* Consistent worries about violent attacks presaged the 2020 election
* Predicted close election of 2020 disintegrated w the 7,000,000 vote Biden win
* Experts prediction for 2022 hinged on inflation, forebode a Repubs sweep
* Kansas and Alaska in 2022 wins by liberals foretold a Dems win in 2022 (unseen by liberal mainstream media)
* Furthermore, Wisconsin liberal judge win presages rising liberal voting wave
I could care less about the liberal media and its record.
We are involved in winning elections and preserving the Democratic function in this Republic. Anything else is culture wars. The Anti-Democracy forces in this Country want to deflect, distract and waste time on the culture war junk. And that includes the liberal or conservative media.
And they’re failing at that too!! 😁
Just got up, coffee not doing it's job yet, eyes still a little blurry, so at first glance I read your comment as "And they're falling for that tool." (applies to your favorite
Repub tool in the very full tool box).
What is the lack of caffeine version of "In vino veritas" ("in wine there is truth")?
Did the ancient Romans have caffeine yet? Maybe tea from trade with the far east? Didn’t coffee originate in the “New” World, along with chocolate?
I'm sure they did. After consuming an adequate (two cups) of strong coffee, I think I need a Latin translation for "In caffeine there is clarity" (or in my case, consciousness).
LOL
And telling us to support Putin...
David, and aren't they good at it??? /s
I can just imagine, if The Doubly-Indicted One was POTUS, he'd be there in a red MAGA hard hat, posing with a shovel and blaming the whole incident on Hunter Biden's laptop.
He would probably throw out rolls of paper towels to the workers, offer to buy the lunch and then leave!
Make that toilet paper and you have me too.
Speaking of lunch, do you think he footed the bill at that Cuban restaurant for his adoring fans post-indictment?
I read he skipped out without paying--Surprise!!!
HAMBERDERS AND COFEVE FOR ALL!!
That is the truth! Or his taxes!
Miselle--And Hilary's emails. Which of course were one Hunter's laptop.
So proud of the real America!
I would love to see a Dem ad campaign showing “real Americans” getting the work done as compared with petty congressional squabbles over fake impeachments. The ad copy writes itself
Did you paraphrase Stephen Stills' "For What it's Worth" to start tonight's Letter on purpose, or is it such a part of our culture that it just automatically inserts itself at appropriate times?
"There's something happening here
But what it is ain't exactly clear
There's a man with a gun over there
Telling me I got to beware"
Stephen Stills/Buffalo Springfield 1967
Stop! Children, what's that sound, everybody look what's going down!
Battle lines bein' drawn, nobody's right when everybody's wrong...
Sorry to interrupt this apt musical interlude with a update about the revolt in Russia:
‘ROSTOV-ON-DON/VORONEZH, Russia, June 24 (Reuters) - Russian military helicopters opened fire on Saturday afternoon on a convoy of rebel mercenaries already more than half way towards Moscow in a lightning advance after seizing a southern city overnight.’
‘President Vladimir Putin vowed to crush an armed mutiny he compared to Russia's Civil War a century ago.’
‘Fighters from Yevgeny Prigozhin's private Wagner militia were in control of Rostov-on-Don, a city of more than a million people close to the border with Ukraine, and were rapidly advancing northwards through western Russia.’
‘A Reuters journalist saw army helicopters open fire at an armed Wagner column that was advancing past the city of Voronezh with troop carriers and at least one tank on a flatbed truck. The city is more than half way along the 1,100-km (680-mile) highway from Rostov to Moscow.’
‘Prigozhin, whose private army fought the bloodiest battles in Ukraine even as he feuded for months with the top brass, said he had captured the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District in Rostov after leading his forces into Russia from Ukraine.
In Rostov, which serves as the main rear logistical hub for Russia's entire invasion force, residents milled about, filming on mobile phones, as Wagner fighters in armoured vehicles and battle tanks took up positions.’
‘In Moscow, there was an increased security presence on the streets. Red Square was blocked off by metal barriers.’
"Excessive ambitions and vested interests have led to treason," Putin said in a televised address, comparing the insurrection at a time of war abroad to Russia's revolution and civil war unleashed during World War One.’
"All those who deliberately stepped on the path of betrayal, who prepared an armed insurrection, who took the path of blackmail and terrorist methods, will suffer inevitable punishment, will answer both to the law and to our people."
‘A defiant Prigozhin swiftly replied that he and his men had no intention of turning themselves in.
"The president makes a deep mistake when he talks about treason. We are patriots of our motherland, we fought and are fighting for it," Prigozhin said in an audio message. "We don't want the country to continue to live in corruption and deceit."
‘In a series of hectic messages overnight, Prigozhin demanded Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov come to see him in Rostov.’
‘Western capitals said they were closely following the situation in nuclear-armed Russia. The White House said President Joe Biden was briefed.’
"This represents the most significant challenge to the Russian state in recent times," Britain's defence ministry said.
"Over the coming hours, the loyalty of Russia's security forces, and especially the Russian National Guard, will be key to how this crisis plays out."
‘Putin's grip on power may depend on whether he can muster enough loyal troops to combat the mercenaries at a time when most of Russia's military is deployed at the front in southern and eastern Ukraine.’
‘The insurrection also risks leaving Russia's invasion force in Ukraine in disarray, just as Kyiv is launching its strongest counteroffensive since the war began in February last year.’
"Russia's weakness is obvious. Full-scale weakness," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy wrote in a social media message. "And the longer Russia keeps its troops and mercenaries on our land, the more chaos, pain and problems it will have for itself later."
‘PRIGOZHIN'S REVOLT’
‘Prigozhin, a former convict and long-time ally of Putin, leads a private army that includes thousands of former prisoners recruited from Russian jails.’
‘His men took on the fiercest fighting of the 16-month Ukraine war, including the protracted battle for the eastern city of Bakhmut.’
‘He railed for months against the regular army's top brass, accusing generals of incompetence and of withholding ammunition from his fighters. This month, he defied orders to sign a contract placing his troops under Defence Ministry command.’
‘He launched the apparent mutiny on Friday after alleging that the military had killed many of his fighters in an air strike. The Defence Ministry denied it.’
"There are 25,000 of us and we are going to figure out why chaos is happening in the country," he said, promising to destroy any checkpoints or air forces that got in Wagner's way. He later said his men had been involved in clashes with regular soldiers and had shot down a helicopter.’
‘Army Lieutenant-General Vladimir Alekseyev issued a video appeal asking Prigozhin to reconsider his actions.’
"Only the president has the right to appoint the top leadership of the armed forces, and you are trying to encroach on his authority," he said.'
Reporting by Reuters journalists Writing by Andrew Osborn, Kevin Liffey, Peter Graff Editing by Frances Kerry’ (Reuters)
'Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.'
Wow, thank for this Fern. I was just getting ready to scan the news for updates!
Thank you, Janet W. This is a fast moving and big story,. Thank you for your attention to it.
I always look for your assessments, comments, and links. I don't know how anyone cannot pay attention to it but then the implosion of the OceanGate Titantic Expedition has been front and center in the news for almost a week! How it is determined what news rises to "above the fold" never ceases to make my head spin! Need more coffee!!
Janet W., thank you for your kind words. I was also very disturbed at the amount of coverage of the OceanGate disaster compared to the paucity of stories and analysis of the tragedy that struck a boat full of migrants in Greek waters. Hundreds remain missing and dozens confirmed dead. Greek and European authorities have some explaining to do at the least.
Now Comer is saying it's all because the owner was woke.
Someone postulated that it shows how much more capable the US and Canadian Coast Guards are than that of Greece. Said that he’d heard that the boat capsized when being towed inexpertly.
Anything the right wing pushes, no matter how ridiculous, becomes big news. The media is still obsessed with Hunter Biden because of the right wing, even though there is nothing there. The media is terrified of them.
William, you're a bit too kind. Media focuses on the stories that will gain viewership. Like any modern American corporation, media companies seek Profit Über Alles. I depend on a mix of Substack reading (including Fern's), the NYT, WaPo, and the Economist to get a better holistic view of what's going on.
Since media are designed to appeal to their target audiences, one has to follow several.
Fern McBride's mention of the refugee deaths is important and prescient. It is a harbinger of a looming surge in migration due to political and economic crises, made increasingly worse by global warming.
Thanks as always, Fern, for your research, insights, analysis--and your generosity in sharing it with us--
Thank you, Fern. You have a mad skill set for getting information that I wouldn't even know how to look for, much less find.
… and I have good sense not to play the tuba.
🤣
I confess to having piccolo envy at times... especially in parades.
🙃
Thank you Fern for this update. I, too, always look for your comments and assessments. I think Putin is now feeling what the Ukrainian and African people have been suffering through and he doesn't like anyone who makes him feel like his authority is being threatened or even questioned. Karma is coming for him, not that Prigozhin is any saint by any stretch of the imagination. He is just as ruthless and heartless as Putin, just more open about it.
Not to make too light of a terrible occurrence, but my hope in all of this is that Prigozhin and Putin suffer the fate of the Gingham Dog and the Calico Cat.
The Duel
Eugene Field
1850 –1895
The gingham dog and the calico cat
Side by side on the table sat;
'T was half-past twelve, and (what do you think!)
Nor one nor t' other had slept a wink!
The old Dutch clock and the Chinese plate
Appeared to know as sure as fate
There was going to be a terrible spat.
(I was n't there; I simply state
What was told to me by the Chinese plate!)
Link to the rest of the poem is below.
https://poets.org/poem/duel
Exactly!
Thanks, Fern.
Yep. That line came to mind, along with the one below. I have not been able to shake that song, especially in recent years.
Hey Steve Lord! As Mary Wells would have said, "You beat me to the. punch!" I also was wondering if Heather was referencing the actual song or the meme it's become.
Hadn't read this comment before I posted mine just now! It's a generational thing!
Like great literature, great music has no generation.
"You see just beneath the surface of the mud, there's more mud here. Surprise."
OMG! I was actually thinking of that song two days ago when I was reading another substack.
It runs through my mind pretty much 24/7. Buffalo Springfield played at a junior high neaby in '67, just after they released this song. I had just started 8th grade. Life altering experience.
Have been listening to this song for the past month on my Spotify list...troubled times
I saw them in Southern California in, I think, 1966. They were the opening act for the Doors.
LOVE that song!
Thought the same about it being the lyrics😉
Nice catch, Steve.
We could use artists like that today but I don’t see them right now. But then this boomer is out of touch with today’s “ music”.
I still have this 1967 print Buffalo Springfield album. Why discard the classics?
Um . . . exactly what "music" would that be?
Eddie Van Halen , technical genius, artistic sensibility is lacking. And the music that Spotify chooses , just for me. I got off the bus after U2 who are among the greats.
How I would love to witness a meeting between Jack Smith and Judge Cannon.....she is out of her league with him.
Zella. I think that ship has sailed
I'm not so sure about that. Someone who threw out the law and her principles to help Trump is somehow going to live up to her judicial oath now? Do you think she doesn't have the ability to continue her fealty to Trump and not the law or the US Constitution? If she's MAGA, she is not going to change and she certainly isn't going to be affected by what the law or any rules, stds, or principles apply.
Hard to know without knowing her. It COULD have been a "come to Jesus" moment for her when she was chastised before. No idea.
I doubt it. I'll believe it when she actually does something to show her commitment to the law.
I am leaning that way too
You literally knocked the ball outta the park with tonights letter Dr. Richardson … IMNSHO!
Thank you so much, for using your hard-earned gifts, knowledge and wisdom the way you do. Your generosity is humbling and provides huge relief to so many of us WORRY WARTS! You’re the best!
Heather, a fantastic round-up of the news. Russia is mind boggling. Great news about I-95 and the incredible job done by all involved in the effort. Hooray UNIONS!!!! I hope you have a wonderful weekend.
https://twitter.com/bbprivateer/status/1672476267034333185
summary by Sarah Salter:
7 am local time in Rostov - Prigozhin speaking in video: control secured in Rostov and the airfield. Operations against Ukraine continuing, but control taken to prevent air power used against us. Russian losses are significantly greater than reported. Troops are abandoned without ammunition or supplies.
One thing for sure is that it is nuts to create or allow private corporate armies. Just nuts.
Allowing a private army is simply an admission by a government that it can't control its own territory. Mercenary armies are related, in my mind with "semi-autonomous" regions, an unmistakable sign of weak federal control. I just hope we don't develop a few of our own.
We do have mercenary cells now. Why do you think reloading components have disappeared from store shelves when they were plentiful just a few years ago. Go try and find primers and powder. Suppliers tell me they don’t know why.
How about private prisons for profit?
How about private fire fighting companies for profit?
How about private border patrols?
Schools?
In the past government addressed the needs that individuals alone could not provide. Is the tail now wagging the dog?
Pat, it is similar to when Obama was elected, and you could not buy ammo (I am not a reloader, but I understand that those supplies were limited as well).
Yes Ally. Even before at the advent of Y2K rationing of components to reload came about. Rice disappeared from store shelves. Our phony “Mountain men” became secretive about the locations of their “Trapper” camps and “Militia” parties began burying shipping containers. Truly the walking mentally damaged found each other put on their camouflage and a wave of no trespassing took place. Most had not seen war. Most could not imagine how each square foot of airspace can contain flying molten metal. Most have never seen a mountain obliterated in seconds. They had possession of a few AK’s, a few M-16’s, a few M-60’s, a little c-4, night vision scopes, etc. The gov’ment was the enemy. That was 23 years ago and those disillusioned malcontents found their champion in Terp.
Did I forget the new space invader? I witnessed one of his reentry rockets explode in our atmosphere and rain debris in the night sky’s from my home in Idaho.
"Reaganomics" was and is all about letting the tail wag the dog. Can governments beneficially and responsibly make use of private contractors? Of course, so long as the public's interest comes first, and public inspection and control is not significantly compromised. It appears to me that a lot of "privatization" put's the public's interests last, protecting some private entities profits ahead of the public good. Some of it just seems like pawning public assets for an instant payoff, and then passing the ongoing and elevated costs to those yet unborn.
Even more alarming is the coercive powers of government that are necessary yet become the prime tools of despots when abused, such as prisons for profit. It is an insult to wisdom and justice to insert conflicts of interest that frankly incentivize injustice and corruption, and potentially worse, often result in barriers to public inspection and control. Blackwater compounded the atrocity which was our invasion of Iraq (yeah, Saddam was a despot, but that does not always stop us from letting them be, or selling them arms). Unchecked power tends to corrupt, as both Putin and Wagner illustrative.
You won't get any argument from me on that one, Pat. I think our national integrity took a real hit with the lack of federal response to that Bundy family a few years back over grazing rights. (And what's this "space invader" thing you mention below?)
Elon Musk thinks he is NASA. I think with strategic control of space he intends to widen both his influence with governments and his economic domination of that realm. One of his rockets exploded across our night sky in Idaho lighting up horizon to horizon in flaming brilliance.
possible there is another agenda here?
Wagner has been the main fighting force of Russia in Africa. Biden's initiatives on that continent have not received the explanations and emphasis they deserve.
How will this effect Putin's war against Ukraine? How damaged might Putin become? Will he last?
'Russian mercenary leader derides invasion as a ‘racket’ to enrich the country’s elite.'
'Russian generals late on Friday accused Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, the outspoken mercenary tycoon, of trying to mount a coup against President Vladimir V. Putin, as the Russian authorities opened an investigation into Mr. Prigozhin for “organizing an armed rebellion.”
'The long-running feud between Mr. Prigozhin and the Russian military over the war in Ukraine has now escalated into an open confrontation, setting up the biggest challenge to Mr. Putin’s authority since he launched his invasion of Ukraine 16 months ago.'
'Videos circulating widely on social media showed that military and national guard armored vehicles had been deployed in Moscow and the southern city of Rostov-on-Don, near the front line in Ukraine where Mr. Prigozhin’s fighters had been operating.'
'Mr. Prigozhin also asserted in his video that Ukraine’s counteroffensive to gain back territory was going much more poorly for Russia than the government was letting on. On Telegram, pro-war commentators quickly pushed back against that claim, including Igor Girkin, a former paramilitary commander who himself has often criticized Russia’s top brass.'
Smith (US) v. Trump FINALLY!
Jack Smith, Special Counsel, is prepared and Trump is scared.
Is the tide turning in favor of the American people and the Ukrainians?
'Putin Vows ‘Decisive Actions’ as Wagner Claims to Control a Key Military Complex'
'Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Wagner chief, entered the courtyard of the southern military headquarters in Rostov-on-Don, as seen in video confirmed by The Times.'
'In a five-minute address to the nation, Mr. Putin called the situation in Rostov-on-Don “a stab in the back of our country and our people.” He said that the city’s military and civilian functions had “essentially been blocked,” appearing to acknowledge some success by Mr. Prigozhin, who on Saturday morning claimed control of parts of the southern military headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces.' (NYTimes)
'Videos surfaced on Saturday morning in Telegram channels associated with Mr. Prigozhin’s Wagner group showing Mr. Prigozhin in the company of dozens of armed men in the courtyard of the southern military headquarters of the Russian Armed Forces. Governors of regions along the major M-4 highway linking Rostov-on-Don to Moscow, about 600 miles to the north, said convoys of military equipment were being moved on the highway and urged local residents to stay away from the corridor.'
'Yevgeniy Prigozhin has claimed that his Wagner mercenary group controls military buildings and facilities in Rostov-on-Don, a Russian city about 60 miles from the Ukraine border that serves as an important hub for the Russian armed forces. Video showed him meeting with senior Russian officials there and saying he wanted to meet with President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.'
'Prigozhin’s move came after Russia’s Federal Security Service announced a criminal case against Prigozhin, accusing him of “incitement to armed rebellion” after he said he would lead a “march of justice” against his enemies in Russia’s Ministry of Defense.'
'A Wagner military column led by Prigozhin entered Rostov district in southern Russia and entered the base apparently with little resistance from Russian armed forces.' (WAPO)
Thank you, Fern. This is an unbelievable turn of events. I can hardly believe what is unfolding in Russia. I hope Ukraine can win, but I have no idea what it means for Putin to be « overthrown ». SMH.
Prigozhin is NOT someone you want leading a country with nuclear capabilities. He is a freaking mercenary.
Disorganized "death squads" fighting one another for power....Putin leaving Moscow....does not give me comfort regarding Ukraine.
It's been Trump v. the US for some years now, and he's been getting away with it. Perhaps the tables have turned.
It is the US that has been giving it away to Real Estate moguls, while avoiding the construction of affordable housing, so badly needed. What has the transfer of wealth been if not The American Way?
Fern. And there you have it. “The American Way”. An honest appraisal of that dogma might suggest that as children, we were taught a myth of hubris regarding “our greatness, our humanity, our superiority in conscience that replaced the real pursuit by corporate greed and their mercenaries in government to hold on to power and wealth at the expense of those we could conquer
Ok ok, a little over the top, but our international reputation is somewhat deserved
Agreed.
We can only hope!
Pure poetry, Fern.
Jack and Fern went up the hill to fetch a pale of water.
Trump fell down and broke his Crown and
Jack and Fern drank the Pale.🍻
'Pure' Pat that's what it was, and please take that old pail for your own. 🪣
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
https://www.amazon.com/Genocide-Russia-New-World-Order/dp/0943235162
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-window-opens-for-peace-in-the-donbas-after-volodymyr-zelenskiy-agrees-to-election-plan-124605
https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukraine-gains-from-trumps-impeachment-inquiry/
https://scheerpost.com/2022/04/18/siding-with-ukraines-far-right-us-sabotaged-zelenskys-peace-mandate/
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/just-all-others-end-zelensky-alternative
https://www.globalresearch.ca/manufactured-crisis-cia-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-chosen-ukraine-birthplace-new-global-white-supremacist-terror-threat/5777046
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
you keep reposting this and still falling flat
A broken record...
Disruption of Platform is actionable.
Thank you for the reminder, counsellor. I am following your advice on appropriate procedure.
I got this Back Row
A broken mind
Triple post. Too much coffee this morning?
Skidmark the Troll just ruined another pair...
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
Yawn. 4 year old article. Just stop.
😅 😂 😂
Heather is correct. There are no "good guys" in the new upheaval in Russia. Prigozhin is utterly ruthless, and Wagner forces have proved time and again that they are willing to commit atrocities in their operations in Africa and the Middle East and now in Ukraine. If Prigozhin gains the upper hand over the military stores in Rostov-on-Don and access to tactical nukes he will show less restraint than Putin.
This is significantly upping the danger to expanding the scope of the the war into a wider European theater.
Good warning. One tends to want to cheer the evil-one who strikes at the eviler-one in our mind. In the end, the victor is merely the more cunning.
And the one who receives the most outside funding . . .
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
https://www.amazon.com/Genocide-Russia-New-World-Order/dp/0943235162
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-window-opens-for-peace-in-the-donbas-after-volodymyr-zelenskiy-agrees-to-election-plan-124605
https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukraine-gains-from-trumps-impeachment-inquiry/
https://scheerpost.com/2022/04/18/siding-with-ukraines-far-right-us-sabotaged-zelenskys-peace-mandate/
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/just-all-others-end-zelensky-alternative
https://www.globalresearch.ca/manufactured-crisis-cia-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-chosen-ukraine-birthplace-new-global-white-supremacist-terror-threat/5777046
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
All I have to say is "buzz buzz little gnat.".
I hope you're not morally depraved. I posted a total of TEN links that make a chronological progression. Here are two of them:
"How Zelensky made peace with neo-Nazis":
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
How One Ukrainian Oligarch Funded Hunter Biden, President Zelensky, and Neo-Nazis":
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
“We are proving that when we work together, there is nothing we cannot do.” - unless it's protecting the environment, dealing with climate change, reigning in the fossil fuel industry.. let's see what else could we add to the list?
Hugh, universal healthcare, universal housing in every state, voters rights, women’s rights. Why hasn’t Biden passed an executive order making abortion legal in the US? That went out of the news so fast....
Probably because SCOTUS would overturn it in a NY minute.
Why do you think Obama compromised so much on the ACA?
The president is part of the Executive branch -- his powers are limited.
Laws are passed by Congress. Executive actions which work against the will of Congress very often will be blocked by the courts.
Think of Trump's Muslim ban.
Seemed to me that the purpose Muslim ban was 100% theater, and Trump got what he wanted from it. Obviously it played fast and loose with the lives of a lot of people, but malignant narcissists don't care. With corrupt "GOP" collusion, Trump managed to throw his weight around quite a bit.
I think it was theater but also revealed Trump's total ignorance of how our government is set up.
"I'm the president and my word is law."
Not so fast, Sparky.
What worried me most about the Muslim ban was the lack of competent advisors around him. Mike Pence should have been able to talk him out of that.
Heck the White House permanent staff should have been able to talk him out of that.
But no one would either stand up to him or they themselves thought he had the power.
Trump surrounded himself with "yes-men". He appeared to view competence as a threat to his would-be autocracy and and openly attacked integrity.
only congress can pass laws
We are not getting all that much cooperation on those goals, are we? For sure there are things we cannot do, but I suspect we could make some heads spin if enough of us were pulling hard, and in the same general direction.
Sorry, Hugh, my proof-reading habit sometimes gets the better of me.
"REINING IN".
The image comes from riding a horse, tightening the reins to bring the horse back under control... slow down... the opposite of lengthening the reins and "giving the horse his head".
Mea Culpa - no G for the gee-gee! Thanks for reining me in.
We are not working together on climate change. If the democrats were in control, we might, but as long as the republicans have any power, it's hopeless.
Someone forgot to tell the Pop war is bad for our environment.
Wondering if Prigozhin will call all of his troops together -- those in African countries, and elsewhere -- to assist on his attack on pukin/his generals. That would be more than the motley crew of 25,000 which he has now. Also wondering if enough Russians are sick of the war with Ukraine (some of whom may know that truth about what pukin, et.al. have done) that they will refuse to fight with the Russian army against Preigozhin's mercenaries.
Here's another US historian and one surprisingly well connected to what is going on in the Ukraine/Russia situation - https://nadinbrzezinski.medium.com/breaking-news-wagner-takes-over-southern-military-district-hq-bb8d6ab66d77 - she is worth supporting. But what worries me even more, is if Kadarov gets involved.
Hugh, great link! I don't have the expertise to know how accurate it is, but it had the ring of authority to it.
Hope you are not referring to Schmeeckle
Thugly the Troll isn't very smart.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
So maybe my hunch is not too far off from reality.
Thanks for the link.
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
https://www.amazon.com/Genocide-Russia-New-World-Order/dp/0943235162
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-window-opens-for-peace-in-the-donbas-after-volodymyr-zelenskiy-agrees-to-election-plan-124605
https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukraine-gains-from-trumps-impeachment-inquiry/
https://scheerpost.com/2022/04/18/siding-with-ukraines-far-right-us-sabotaged-zelenskys-peace-mandate/
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/just-all-others-end-zelensky-alternative
https://www.globalresearch.ca/manufactured-crisis-cia-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-chosen-ukraine-birthplace-new-global-white-supremacist-terror-threat/5777046
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
I know, right? It's so unfair what Zelensky and Ukraine are doing to mighty Russia, who's just trying to mind its own business within its own borders, and can't in any way be considered (in your words), "a corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime." (Clearly this is satire, folks.)
Hah-hah, good one, Doug!
Perhaps others will be more inclined to check my sources.
Here's just one from the earlier list:
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
HCR wrote, "There are no good guys here." Zelensky’s right-wing thug regime is just as bad as "Corporate Joe" Biden's neo-fascist Vampire Liberals.
How's that knitting project going Ivan?
LOL!
Miselle the Dog-Piler just showed up.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
??
No personsl attacks on a Reader period.
"How Zelensky made peace with neo-Nazis":
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
"How One Ukrainian Oligarch Funded Hunter Biden, President Zelensky, and Neo-Nazis":
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
John, do ya ever feel like I do when I write for Dave Fake News? Its fun, but its a spoof. Enjoy your chuckles
You dirty satirist, you.🦴🐶. The wrest of us are relegated to leftists and (gasp) snowflakes, but you, you had to become satire man. Have you heard from Saturday Night Live yet?
Ps. If you Schmeekle a little sand on your potatoes you’ll have true grit.
Thank you, Pat, for giving me a big, happy laugh. : - )
Apologists for Ukraine's neo-Nazi thug regime might chuckle, but this is serious:
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
Neo Nazi’s in Ukraine? You mean like in the Trump Whitehouse support og “good people” chanting Blood and Soil? You mean like that?
Dave, you’ve already got the higher ground. The troll wants oxygen. We can just ignore it.
Skidmark is paTROLLing, and the cave walls resonate with his flatulent bloviations supporting Ukraine's bigoted, oppressive right-wing thug regime.
"How Zelensky made peace with neo-Nazis":
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
How One Ukrainian Oligarch Funded Hunter Biden, President Zelensky, and Neo-Nazis":
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
Mighty piss-poor sources if you ask me, John Schmeekle. “Amazon”? Not exactly a venerated news source.
I guess that one went right over your head. The Amazon source was a link to a book by Sergei Glazyev, the Minister of Foreign Economic Relations under Boris Yeltsin, entitled "Genocide: Russia and the New World Order."
And then there's this one:
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
It's tempting to cheer Prigozhin on if his activities impede Russia's war effort in Ukraine. It's also chilling to consider a scenario in which he mounts a full scale insurrection within Russia and succeeds in replacing Putin.
Right now it is sounding like a military coup to me. Isn't this how dictators go down, to be replaced by new dictators who are members of the military?
https://www.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-24-23/index.html
Meet the new despot, same as the old despot.
I'm not so sure about that, JL. While Putin is a bad hombre, he strikes me as intelligent, if in a malevolent and calculating way. Prigozhin on the other hand comes across as a Cossack throwback, a brutal warlord. Which would you rather see with his finger on their big red strategic nuclear arsenal's button? Maybe "better the devil we know".
Yes, I was being flip. I am actually very worried about this turn of events.
Like Heather said, there are no good guys in this fight...
I'm hoping they destroy each other.
It sounds right now like the Russian soldiers are not viewing Prigozhin and his mercenaries as the enemy. Putin is supposed to speak and I have been searching for that. I am going to search for some morning shows in Europe to see if they are on the situation. I read in the Wa Po that Prigozhin is speaking now with some military leaders. He has asked to speak to Putin too. I just wonder whether this is a sign of PTSD on the part of Prigozhin, or is it a calculated take over? Or is it righteous anger at the bumbling, fumbling, corrupt, poorly supplied, poorly paid, drunk, loser members of the military that is the Russian army, mostly the leadership, which is ALL CORRUPT?
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
https://www.amazon.com/Genocide-Russia-New-World-Order/dp/0943235162
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-window-opens-for-peace-in-the-donbas-after-volodymyr-zelenskiy-agrees-to-election-plan-124605
https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukraine-gains-from-trumps-impeachment-inquiry/
https://scheerpost.com/2022/04/18/siding-with-ukraines-far-right-us-sabotaged-zelenskys-peace-mandate/
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/just-all-others-end-zelensky-alternative
https://www.globalresearch.ca/manufactured-crisis-cia-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-chosen-ukraine-birthplace-new-global-white-supremacist-terror-threat/5777046
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
John. Double posting doesn’t increase validity. But then again, bits and bytes cost so very little
Don’t feed the troll.
Hello Elizabeth, yes of course, wise advice; however Dave Fake News provides, free of charge, a public service called “Distraction Inc” by temporarily engaging “neer-do-wells” while others carry on adult conversation
That’s a useful service, Dave, I agree. Very generous of you. Carry on 🙂
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-23-2023-friday/comment/17697970
Skidmark the Troll cuts another wet one.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
Evening to All!
The bizarre, incomplete and/or inchoate news out of Russia should remind all of us interested in history of the many events that caused a previous would be Russian empire to pull out of a war. The Russian Revolution and the yearning of Russia's people for a better life caused Russia to pull out of WWI in its early days. The confusion, bitterness and infighting then, in the wake of the deposing of the Romanovs in favor of the Mensheviks and then the Bolsheviks, brought the Russian war effort to assist its fellow Slavs in Serbia to a grinding halt.
The chaos that resulted in a Leninist Russian Socialist Republic ultimately metastasized to a Stalinist Union of Soviet Socialist Republics with results most cataclysmic. I do not think we are looking at that type of cause and effect here and now, but it is important to note that feuds seemingly small, when fueled by force of arms striking opportunity just right, can lead to writ most large.
If nothing else, tonight's developments seem to demonstrate that the ironclad regime of the butcher known as Vladimir Putin is not nearly as ironclad as it seems. Blowback from the USSR's failed attempt at suppression in the Graveyard of Empires,( i.e., Afghanistan) forty years ago led to the fall of the USSR itself. Let us see what the blowback to Putin---assuming same actually materializes-- leads to here.
Prigozhin of course, is no Gorbachev. He's a well connected, fairly articulate thug, defined by his thuggishness and not any quotes from Pushkin that he might toss off to Western journalists to curry favor, so hope not only does not spring eternal here, it doesn't even spring. Yet, the crack in the Putin dam has materialized.
“Prigozhin of course, is no Gorbachev.” Correct he can’t even be put in the same sentence. Prigozhin is a murderous mercenary and probably 10 times worse than Putin! It’s Heather said there are no good guys in this.
History echoes into the present, sharing more in similarity of consequences than the current events themselves. I too suspect that regimes fall for enexpected or unclear reasons only revealed with time.
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
https://www.amazon.com/Genocide-Russia-New-World-Order/dp/0943235162
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-window-opens-for-peace-in-the-donbas-after-volodymyr-zelenskiy-agrees-to-election-plan-124605
https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukraine-gains-from-trumps-impeachment-inquiry/
https://scheerpost.com/2022/04/18/siding-with-ukraines-far-right-us-sabotaged-zelenskys-peace-mandate/
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/just-all-others-end-zelensky-alternative
https://www.globalresearch.ca/manufactured-crisis-cia-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-chosen-ukraine-birthplace-new-global-white-supremacist-terror-threat/5777046
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
Johnny one-note. Da da da da da.
yep, he is boring and pedantic..trying to be a someone by being provocative but not finding an audience
K.paschal. Peer pressure has been ineffective on our part, so far huh?
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-23-2023-friday/comment/17694899
You dismiss without engaging, as if you're trying to advise others regarding the "correct" way to think.
Engage with only one post, Schmeeckle.
Multiple repostings of the same information is the equivalent of a toddler screaming “Look at meeee! Look at meeee!”
Derek Smith, I replied to multiple people, each of whom got a notice that there was a reply. Quoting from one of the links I posted:
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
Yawn. Still posting 4 year old stale news. Just stop.
Boring as hell
Thugly the Troll tried to describe herself.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
"Today, increasing reports of far-right violence, ultranationalism, and erosion of basic freedoms are giving the lie to the West’s initial euphoria. There are neo-Nazi pogroms against the Roma, rampant attacks on feminists and LGBT groups, book bans, and state-sponsored glorification of Nazi collaborators.
"These stories of Ukraine’s dark nationalism aren’t coming out of Moscow; they’re being filed by Western media, including US-funded Radio Free Europe (RFE); Jewish organizations such as the World Jewish Congress and the Simon Wiesenthal Center; and watchdogs like Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and Freedom House, which issued a joint report warning that Kiev is losing the monopoly on the use of force in the country as far-right gangs operate with impunity."
Hopefully the Russian scum will drag each other into the pit.
They can take tfg and the GOP with them.
Like cats from Kilkenny.
Agreed!
I reality I worry about "collateral damage", and road-rage amid nuclear arms.
We can hope they do and that the pit is bottomless. 🤞
Brainwash the Troll is putting on a public display of hateful bigotry.
HCR's latest mentions Alexander Vindman and Timothy Snyder, two men who are routinely accused of spreading dishonest propaganda supporting Ukraine's corrupt, undemocratic one-party right-wing thug regime. (Two more in this camp are Michael McFaul and Anders Aslund, who shares personal responsibility for the "shock therapy" genocide against the Russians in the 1990s.)
https://www.amazon.com/Genocide-Russia-New-World-Order/dp/0943235162
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/20/ukra-d20.html
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/neo-nazis-far-right-ukraine/
https://theconversation.com/ukraine-window-opens-for-peace-in-the-donbas-after-volodymyr-zelenskiy-agrees-to-election-plan-124605
https://www.indianpunchline.com/ukraine-gains-from-trumps-impeachment-inquiry/
https://scheerpost.com/2022/04/18/siding-with-ukraines-far-right-us-sabotaged-zelenskys-peace-mandate/
https://consortiumnews.com/2022/03/04/how-zelensky-made-peace-with-neo-nazis/
https://www.wilsoncenter.org/blog-post/just-all-others-end-zelensky-alternative
https://www.globalresearch.ca/manufactured-crisis-cia-trained-neo-nazi-azov-battalion-chosen-ukraine-birthplace-new-global-white-supremacist-terror-threat/5777046
https://greatgameindia.com/hunter-biden-zelensky-neo-nazi/
He raves again…
“He raves He raves into the wind
And as I scroll, he raves again”
Burma Shave
Dave, do you know how to report a post, which repeats itself many times taking up a great deal of space, and, in this case, a smear of two notable people with excellent reputations? It's easy to report by pressing the dots to the left of reply under the poster's script.
Yes I do. Yes I did. I don’t mind his participation, it’s the infantile lack of consideration for the forum’s decorum. ( rhyme not Poe approved)
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-23-2023-friday/comment/17697894
Thank you. Done.
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-23-2023-friday/comment/17697894
I give up on replying to these people. I just report them to the administrators. Eventually they get banned.
Report don't Reply, but thank you!
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-23-2023-friday/comment/17697894
Its all about the “thrust and parry”. En garde’. Lol
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/june-23-2023-friday/comment/17697894
Kindly go drop dead, you worthless pro-Putin traitor.
Brainwash the Troll isn't very smart. He can't distinguish a pro-Prigozhin post from a pro-Putin post. Brainwash the Troll worships at the altar of Senator Joe McCarthy.
By the way, here's an alternative, pro-Putin point of view:
https://mail.yahoo.com/m/folders/1/messages/AAjl7rJ8L-ePZJcipAcoCPSfYjc?.src=ym&reason=mobile
What have you done for me lately, Joe Biden, about climate change?
Turns out, it's happening in Virginia a few acres at a time:
https://www.rapptimes.news/articles/featured-stories/senator-kaine-visits-fones-cliffs/
And, let's have s'more offshore windfarms, please, Joe Biden (this 4-minute video's a good 'un):
https://www.cbsnews.com/video/first-american-ship-for-offshore-windfarms-takes-shape/
What else is going on semi-unnoticed? Think more jobs.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/06/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-makes-historic-investments-to-build-community-climate-resilience/
A nation turns its lonely eyes to you! (I went to Simon and Garfunkel with your first sentence.)
Morning, Lynell!!
Good "seeing" you today, Ally. Saw some folks wanting more climate action from Joe. So wanted to respond. I know there's plenty more, but figure others could chime in easily if they want to.
I'll take the Simon & Garfunkel reference any day of the week...morning!
Thanks for this news, Professor Richardson. On a number of accounts it is the best news I've heard in awhile. Of course, much remains to be understood about the Russian situation and history warns us not to think that Trump is finally cornered but your piece leaves me optimistic on both accounts. I-95 is a real accomplishment and any positive intervention that my thwart or slow down the production of this nasty drug is good news. I will sleep better tonight. :- )
Opening I-95 is great and does show what can be done when folks work together….but the notifications on my I pad just broke through that the Rostov area and city are now to some degree in the hands of the Wagner folks…or put. Another way our President and his Administration are in close contact with all our partners because the notion of the Putin-Wagner break up and whatever that means in the next 72 hours…it sure as hell does NOT indicate good guys working together….rather it suggests world level cataclysmic trouble….and the nuclear weapons that could be fought over by the Putin/Wagner folks are a matter of huge concern to the White House.
It is a time to both worry and stay in touch with the news…..
June 24, 2023, 2:22 a.m. ET5 minutes ago
5 minutes ago
Anton Troianovski
The Russian authorities appear to be scrambling to prevent Prigozhin’s forces from acting on their threat to march on Moscow. Russian state media reports that “transit traffic” has been limited in the Tula region, through which the main road from Rostov to Moscow runs — and where a trusted former bodyguard of Putin, Aleksei Dyumin, is the governor.
Before we descend completely into schadenfreude, perhaps we can consider offering political asylum to Putin and his loyalist generals. That would certainly neutralize the impact of Trump's informal info sharing, wouldn't it?