It seems pretty obvious that if Russia wins the war against Ukraine, Ukrainian children are 100% at risk. We all hate the choices that war thrusts upon us. If Zelensky says his people want that risk, how can people in safe surroundings say no? Winston Churchill saved his nation and the world with a similar attitude. If Biden can lawfully supply those munitions, I feel that I must support the Ukrainians' leader on this. Tough times require tough choices.
Janet, I am a beadweaving artist who makes and sells beadwoven jewelry. I was at an art fair over the weekend in St. Paul and one of the first people in my booth was a Ukrainian woman who emigrated here in 2022.
Olena taught art history in Kiev before being forced to emigrate. She finds solace in beadweaving since Ukrainians are among the best in the world at this art form. Within minutes, more than a dozen fellow Ukrainians/Ukrainian-Americans joined us. The only thing they talked about was the need to win the war- because their children are at risk. To a person, they were adamant.
Olena thanked me through a translator for allowing their group to enjoy a familiar art form and talk politics in my booth. I felt honored to offer a moment of respite and my full support. Just wished there was something more I could do.
Not providing such terrible armaments would be worse in their opinions. Gads, what a choice. Putin’s war crimes must be prosecuted!
What a wonderful and heartfelt experience you had with these lovely people, Sheila! My parents were Holocaust victims. My dad was from a small town in Poland which is now in the Ukraine. If my parents were alive, they would agree to go full steam ahead.
Last night I saw a CNN report about injured Ukrainian soldiers in rehab. Although having lost limbs or having other physical disabilities, they said they planned to rejoin the war effort, e.g., in tactical intelligence roles.
The dedication and determination of these wounded troops, frankly, astounded me.
We have a relatively large Ukranian- American community here in MN with many families willing to host wounded soldiers. And with three world class medical facilities in close proximity, lots of those soldiers come here to the Twin Cities. (University of MN, Mayo and the VA hospital which has one of the best spinal cord injuries treatment unit in the country.) The soldiers’ attitudes about returning to the front are astounding.
Like Bill Alstrom, I reluctantly agree, and you and Robert make good points about supporting Zelensky's choice for which he's responsible. However, I wonder if such munitions could be modified to make them less prone to the unintended long term consequences of their use.
I cannot make an intelligent contribution about Biden’s decision. For now, I will recall two works I read when in college (freshman year - a long time ago). First, is In Every War But One, by Eugene Kincaid, based on Korean prisoner indoctrination. The second was All Quiet on the Western Front, a novel based on Erich Remarque’s experience in the German Army during WW I.
Each book left me with one message: war is hell.” That certainly applies for Ukraine in the context of Zelensky or Biden’s decision making. Putin has demonstrated he has no limits to the destruction of the country and the wholesale killing of Ukrainian civilians of all ages and, of course, Ukrainian soldiers.
In this context I cannot second guess decisions make by those who are working every day to win the war and defend democracy. War is hell. What could we expect if we did not stand up to the evil of Vladimir Putin?
Very true, but I'd hope that such modifications would already have been considered and made if possible. Perhaps that's how they've achieved "a low failure rate."
I reluctantly agree. To Roberts point, if these weapons are to be used on Ukrainian soil to defend Ukraine from further genocide and to halt the march of a murdering dictator...it would seem appropriate. Maybe even required.
But I have not read enough about how this type of weapon could turn the tide. Are they the option because Ukraine is exhausting its supply of regular artillery shells? Will they truly be more effective? How are they employed? Are the Russians using such weaponry in Ukraine now?
Reluctance, of course! How could we be cavalier about a "Sophie's Choice"? But hard choices are required when a world bully, like Hitler or Putin, seeks to take the lands of others. We can't negotiate with terrorists, nor can we avoid pulling stops. Children's lives are at stake either way.
In an odd way, what white America did by taking the lands of Native Americans was far worse than an unexploded mine, as bad as it is. To me, it's not close. The Native American children, just as with the children of Greenwood in Tulsa, paid a price much higher than an unexploded mine sitting innocently in a field when people stole their legacy from them and left them to suffer for generations at the hands of people who took economic and ecologic advantage of them without conscience.
I too, feel your reluctance, Bill, about these weapons, however, Janet makes a very strong case about Zelensky and the Ukrainians want. We must help to protect the other surrounding countries from Putin, as well. Biden does not take this issue lightly. As a matter of fact, he was reluctant to send the tanks needed. We have to do something and quickly. I am hoping Biden will have success at convincing NATO of America’s plan.
(1). The media reports are that cluster munitions are necessary because Ukraine is exhausting its supply of conventional artillery shells.
(2) Both Russians *and* Ukrainians are reported to have been using cluster munitions within Ukraine. Supposedly, both Russian and Ukrainian cluster munitions have a high percentage that don’t explode when first fired off (duds), posing a danger to civilians in the long run. Supposedly, the US cluster munitions have a “small” percentage of duds (I heard 2 percent), posing a smallER long-term threat to civilians.
I am appalled at the false equivalence in the arguments here. By the reasoning presented, the next easy step is the use of "tactical" nuclear weapons, which readily would lead to the destruction of human life on this planet. Once we take that "little" step, the genie will not go back into the box. It is not Biden and Zelenskyy's choice. The bulk of the planet's nations have said, "Hell no! cluster weapons are a step too far!
Really, not Zelensky's choice? You get to veto the position of Ukrainians' chosen leader on matters of war and defending their freedom? Wow. That's very arrogant and narcissistic on the part of someone sitting in safety in their home away from bombed out civilian businesses.
We have family in Florida. We visit regularly. Oh, how things have changed. The canal behind the house was once clear and frequented by dolphins and manatees. Now it is just a murky dying waterway.
The stench from the fish kills in the Banana River is hard to put into words. A couple of years ago we had booked a vacation at Sanibel Island. The red tide caused us to cancel. The host we called said she understood. "You can't walk the beach - the toxic fumes are dangerous."
Florida is on a suicide mission. The state is owned by those large agricultural companies. They share ownership with developers. If there is a square foot available, it will be built on. Regardless of the environmental impact.
And read about the threat to drinking water here. Florida may self limit its development - just like Arizona.
I really can’t say “thank you” for this information since I live in Florida. My stress this morning is off the charts. I want move out of this state so badly but I can’t see it realistically happening soon so every day that passes with the situation getting worse gives me more anxiety. My first priority is getting my roof replaced after a recent hail storm before the hurricane season gets here in full force. UGH 😩
Can't really "like" your post. Having grown up in hurricane territory on the TX coast, I understand and empathize with your anxiety. (Maybe there should be an empathy button?) Seriously, though, the storms are markedly worse these days than 60 years ago, even with improved mitigation measures. Take care
So sorry to hear about the hail storm totaling your roof! I empathize having just redone mine after baseball - sized hail did mine in three years ago. Can’t imagine dealing with climate issues and Desantis too. Thank you for all that you do to protect our democracy.
Bill, thanks for link that points out there has been very little regulatory enforcement in Fl. We’ve lived on a canal ,Indian River Lagoon/Banana River ,for 30+ years. The decline has been heartbreaking although last several years…baby steps.Although largely attributed to many non-profits, yes, and some legislative funding. DeSantis touts his environmental record /funding while almost complete failure to regulate. ( Rick Scott, also guilty as charged) Yes, and now we literally “paved” the way( 2023 lFL legislation) for radioactive byproducts of the fertilizer industry to be used in our roadways….while banning local municipalities from passing fertilizer ordinances to save our lagoon You couldn’t make this stuff up ! DeSantis must never be our President ! 💙 Every action matters !
Thank you, particularly for the reminder about Ohio. I donated to the Ohio Democratic Party this morning and encouraged others in today's Len's Political Note -- https://lenspoliticalnotes.com. Let's ensure that Ohio's August referendum does not pass so that in November, it only requires a majority vote to protect women's reproductive rights in Ohio.
I have a friend in Ohio and she tells me that the Rs are passing out very misleading (lies) pamphlets at farmers markets and other events telling them a vote “yes” will protect women. No wonder people don’t know what to think.
Even better, let's do everything we can to get out the vote on Aug.8 and keep the law as it is then get a huge turnout in November so that the will of the people of Ohio to keep their freedoms becomes abundantly clear even to the Republican party.
Question: I wrote to some Ohio voters via Postcards to Voters. If I recall correctly, PtV avoids duplicate mailings by getting address lists from state Democratic parties. Anyone know for sure? I've never written for Blue Wave.
It should be noted that taxpayers actually are funding Thomas’ private events at the SC. SC staff clean the bathrooms and public spaces. SC facilities are used to prepare and store refreshments. There may be occasional damage to property (chairs, carpets, etc.) resulting from the public use. There also are heating, electricity, and water expenses. I wonder if the Horacio Alger Association reimburse the SC for any of these expenses. On what line item are they included in the SC’s annual budget?
On another matter, all of the SC justices were required to follow the ethics guidelines for Federal justices when they served on lower courts. That they deliberately stopped following these guidelines after they joined the SC is further proof of their corruption.
This is an outrage! I am grateful for the fact that this information has been brought to light, but Clarence Thomas needs to be brought up short. If Justice Roberts will not do it, we need a campaign to expose this corruption! Where is the media??
Jul 10, 2023·edited Jul 10, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Speaking of Florida and climate change🔥…DeSantis vetoed a Republican sponsored bill ( it passed with a SINGLE no vote) that would have saved the state millions.
“The Iowa caucus voters who are all about ethanol don’t see electric vehicles as something that is economically in their favor,” Eskamani said. “DeSantis is catering to his Iowa voters, not passing policy for Floridians.” Gifted article:⬇️
Jul 10, 2023·edited Jul 10, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
Thank-you once more for a most informative letter today. I live in a red county in the ruby red state of Ohio but am noticing a hope shift in Ohioans perception on Issue 1.I have seen yard signs advocating voting"No" and a lot of buzz on the news I hear from both Cleveland and Columbus.It does not matter what your party, the ability for citizens to make changes in their state Constitution and also other changes is being threatened by this Republican legislature which is being thrust upon us quickly and is slight-of-hand. Last Spring, Ohioans were told that there would be no more special elections held in August. They were too expensive and the state was not going to go there anymore. The super-majority then changed this rather abruptly and are trying to sneak this election by but the sneaking has been outed and citizens are becoming aware.Thanks for the links you provided to readers so they can help us to fight the good fight.
The citizens of Ohio are in a tough place. It's too bad that Gym Jordan has been elected and re-elected since he's no friend of the average Joe or Jane whose families may have lived there for generations. If women (especially) lose the ability to manage their own healthcare in a sop to the hard right, it'll take a strong activist orientation to choose to move there and hope to court and establish new families there.
Subject Line: Why Cluster Bombs vs other munitions?
Dear Senator Whitehouse:
From the luxury of my status as an American citizen I contacted you, yesterday, to exclaim my opinion that President Biden should not send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine.
My subjective moral high ground was just that. I have since been made aware of some sobering information. That President Zelensky made the request to receive these draconian weapons because Ukraine was running out of ammunitions. That the alternative was to be faced with generations of Ukrainians under the draconian (my words) rule of Russia. And that the promise of being invited to join NATO would thereby be denied in the foreseeable future.
My only critical question is why is Ukraine running out of ammunition from NATO with the only munitions available, from NATO, Cluster Bombs?
The courteous reply, from your office, is greatly appreciated.
Thank you for being willing to admit your change of mind. As to the reason why cluster munitions have become necessary, with some trepidation I refer to my comment below.
Thank you, Robert, for highlighting the Ohio August referendum. Many of us are already writing Postcards to Voters, reminding Ohio voters that, though the election is on August 8, they can begin early voting on this on July 11! Pass the word...
Yes,I am early-voting tomorrow in my county and am hoping to be the very first ballot cast. The polling place, the county Board of Elections, opens at 8 and I am hoping to be first in line.
Thank You for reminding Ohioans to VOTE NO on issue 1. Ohio's Republican dominated legislature is out of control, and is determined to prevent a majority of voters from amending the state constitution. VOTE NO on ISSUE 1 !!
One of the sources of Biden’s dilemma over cluster munitions goes back a couple of generations, and involves Democrats, Republicans and the non-political. After the Cold War and the two Gulf Wars, no one believed that the world would see another war in which old-fashioned artillery would play a vital role. As a result, the number of shells in our arsenal, and the capacity to produce them, were greatly reduced. So, as the President said Ukrainians are in danger of running out of ammunition. The question, then, is whether to let that happen. Perhaps the way to resolve the issue is to ask Ukrainians whether they’d prefer using such weapons—knowing the danger to their own land and people—or to have Russia win the war. Does anyone doubt what the result of such a poll would be?
Thank you for your insight on a most difficult situation, Jon. Senator Whitehouse’s office is gracious in getting back to me. I will try and remember to post his response.
Jul 10, 2023·edited Jul 10, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
In the nineteen eighties, in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, in the Flatbush area, there grew a population of immigrants from Jamaica. As other ethnic areas in New York, Flatbush became the center for Jamaican culture in particular. It also harbored bands of Jamaican gangs. Operating like organized crime families, many of them conducted raids, set up protection rackets and threatened local citizens who vocally objected to their presence. They were known at-large as the Jamaican Posse Comitatus. Acting within their expanded area as if so authorized, various teams of gangs (Shower Posse; Dog Posse; Spangler Posse; and branches in New York, Boston, and New Jersey) warred against one another for territorial dominance leaving untold numbers of innocent civilians dead in blood stained streets.
These gangs acted with degrees of impunity and violence the likes of which the City of New York had never seen. The brutality and cruelty were also so disproportionate to (forgive the attribution) the usual crime scene that the New York Police Department found themselves on their heels without the resources and without a plan to deal with this problem. It took years to finally get these gangs under the control of law enforcement.
Greater details are not necessary to dramatize this as analogous to the war in Ukraine. Russia's invasion of and subsequent tactics applied to the war against Ukraine is like nothing seen before. The effective appeasement of Russia in the instance of its takeover of Crimea does not permit comparison. This attack, from the outset, was a World War, even if not so acknowledged for fear of too expansive an engagement. This denial also created a disproportion that put the U.S. back on its heels. And, the recent decision by Biden, however distasteful, may be seen as the radical actions taken by the New York City Police, too late for many, only after the determination to take on the problem directly and forcefully without apology.
I am not stating an opinion here, merely reflecting on what happens when in the initial stages of a dispute so many diverse elements make us blind to the necessity of sterner action. The decision matrix is very complex. In this instance, one can easily lose sight of a bright line.
I would refer people to one of the finest tomes on war. A literal classic and an "attempt to reestablish the authority of moral rules in warfare" - "Just and Unjust Wars" by Michael Walzer.
Ohio has a lake problem too. The town of Lake St. Mary’s has a contiguous lake with algae blooms. Having failed to control farming runoff, the lake is unusable for what was once thriving place of multiple activity. My sense is that the people that made their money off the unregulated farming here (and Florida and elsewhere) do not want government intervention controlling their ability to make profits. When the situation becomes too toxic, they take their money and move on to another site. And we are left with a mess. Please recall that the Cuyahoga River caught fire in the late 1960’s.
As for our Issue #1 anti-democratic effort by the GOP, many of us are working hard to defeat this disgusting power grab.
Jul 10, 2023·edited Jul 10, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
"Republican legislators - threatening the life, health, and property of..." all of us. VOTE!
Blue Wave postcards to Ohio are sooooo easy. For $12 + postage, they send preprinted cards, preprinted address labels, and all ya gotta do is write less than a dozen words, sign your name, stamp, and walk a few blocks to the post office. 🤗 Vote Forward even easier: free download, print, write a couple sentences, sign your name, seal the envelope, stamp, and take another walk to the post office. Yeah, the cost of postage is going up, but so is the cost of losing democracy.
And thank you sharing your reader's distinction between defense of country and attack of another regarding cluster munitions. Methinks perhaps President Zelenski has a tougher decision to make in asking for the munitions to use in his own country than does Pres Biden in fulfilling the request?
Jul 10, 2023·edited Jul 10, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
I know very little about cluster bombs except what you said--that they often leave UXBs behind. (Some of us remember that term from our parents describing them, not to mention the TV show). Is it totally impracticable to search out those and neutralize them? Would financial support for bomb sniffing dogs, for example, mitigate the problem? Is there other technology now or being developed that can locate them, at least in populated areas. (I can see it as being impracticable in rough scrub areas where folks don't usually tread). I'm looking at the "long term" problem after the fighting is over, if ever. Civilians in an active war zone seem to be at major risk no matter whether one uses these bombs or not.
At least the Ukrainian government can tell people with reasonable precision where they have been deployed and how to be careful. (It isn't clear to me whether these burrow into the earth or whether one just has to avoid walking through vegetation covered areas).
I understand that "mine detecting" technology has improved, but cannot eliminate all risk. One asymmetry is that Russians are using the same weapons in the same battlefields. So the Russians are leaving undetonated devices in the field of battle. If Ukraine uses the devices, they will cover the same battlefields with more unexploded devices.
It seems pretty obvious that if Russia wins the war against Ukraine, Ukrainian children are 100% at risk. We all hate the choices that war thrusts upon us. If Zelensky says his people want that risk, how can people in safe surroundings say no? Winston Churchill saved his nation and the world with a similar attitude. If Biden can lawfully supply those munitions, I feel that I must support the Ukrainians' leader on this. Tough times require tough choices.
Janet, I am a beadweaving artist who makes and sells beadwoven jewelry. I was at an art fair over the weekend in St. Paul and one of the first people in my booth was a Ukrainian woman who emigrated here in 2022.
Olena taught art history in Kiev before being forced to emigrate. She finds solace in beadweaving since Ukrainians are among the best in the world at this art form. Within minutes, more than a dozen fellow Ukrainians/Ukrainian-Americans joined us. The only thing they talked about was the need to win the war- because their children are at risk. To a person, they were adamant.
Olena thanked me through a translator for allowing their group to enjoy a familiar art form and talk politics in my booth. I felt honored to offer a moment of respite and my full support. Just wished there was something more I could do.
Not providing such terrible armaments would be worse in their opinions. Gads, what a choice. Putin’s war crimes must be prosecuted!
What a wonderful and heartfelt experience you had with these lovely people, Sheila! My parents were Holocaust victims. My dad was from a small town in Poland which is now in the Ukraine. If my parents were alive, they would agree to go full steam ahead.
Last night I saw a CNN report about injured Ukrainian soldiers in rehab. Although having lost limbs or having other physical disabilities, they said they planned to rejoin the war effort, e.g., in tactical intelligence roles.
The dedication and determination of these wounded troops, frankly, astounded me.
We have a relatively large Ukranian- American community here in MN with many families willing to host wounded soldiers. And with three world class medical facilities in close proximity, lots of those soldiers come here to the Twin Cities. (University of MN, Mayo and the VA hospital which has one of the best spinal cord injuries treatment unit in the country.) The soldiers’ attitudes about returning to the front are astounding.
Please post your website link. I would love to see your creations!
Like Bill Alstrom, I reluctantly agree, and you and Robert make good points about supporting Zelensky's choice for which he's responsible. However, I wonder if such munitions could be modified to make them less prone to the unintended long term consequences of their use.
I cannot make an intelligent contribution about Biden’s decision. For now, I will recall two works I read when in college (freshman year - a long time ago). First, is In Every War But One, by Eugene Kincaid, based on Korean prisoner indoctrination. The second was All Quiet on the Western Front, a novel based on Erich Remarque’s experience in the German Army during WW I.
Each book left me with one message: war is hell.” That certainly applies for Ukraine in the context of Zelensky or Biden’s decision making. Putin has demonstrated he has no limits to the destruction of the country and the wholesale killing of Ukrainian civilians of all ages and, of course, Ukrainian soldiers.
In this context I cannot second guess decisions make by those who are working every day to win the war and defend democracy. War is hell. What could we expect if we did not stand up to the evil of Vladimir Putin?
Time is an unaffordable luxury.
Very true, but I'd hope that such modifications would already have been considered and made if possible. Perhaps that's how they've achieved "a low failure rate."
I read somewhere that the technology has "improved" or "evolved" so there's more control? Not that it's particularly comforting...
I reluctantly agree. To Roberts point, if these weapons are to be used on Ukrainian soil to defend Ukraine from further genocide and to halt the march of a murdering dictator...it would seem appropriate. Maybe even required.
But I have not read enough about how this type of weapon could turn the tide. Are they the option because Ukraine is exhausting its supply of regular artillery shells? Will they truly be more effective? How are they employed? Are the Russians using such weaponry in Ukraine now?
Reluctance, of course! How could we be cavalier about a "Sophie's Choice"? But hard choices are required when a world bully, like Hitler or Putin, seeks to take the lands of others. We can't negotiate with terrorists, nor can we avoid pulling stops. Children's lives are at stake either way.
In an odd way, what white America did by taking the lands of Native Americans was far worse than an unexploded mine, as bad as it is. To me, it's not close. The Native American children, just as with the children of Greenwood in Tulsa, paid a price much higher than an unexploded mine sitting innocently in a field when people stole their legacy from them and left them to suffer for generations at the hands of people who took economic and ecologic advantage of them without conscience.
Brava Janet! I want you on my side ‘in a good ol’ brawl!
Really? I thought I was being pretty tame.
I too, feel your reluctance, Bill, about these weapons, however, Janet makes a very strong case about Zelensky and the Ukrainians want. We must help to protect the other surrounding countries from Putin, as well. Biden does not take this issue lightly. As a matter of fact, he was reluctant to send the tanks needed. We have to do something and quickly. I am hoping Biden will have success at convincing NATO of America’s plan.
Bill –
(1). The media reports are that cluster munitions are necessary because Ukraine is exhausting its supply of conventional artillery shells.
(2) Both Russians *and* Ukrainians are reported to have been using cluster munitions within Ukraine. Supposedly, both Russian and Ukrainian cluster munitions have a high percentage that don’t explode when first fired off (duds), posing a danger to civilians in the long run. Supposedly, the US cluster munitions have a “small” percentage of duds (I heard 2 percent), posing a smallER long-term threat to civilians.
I agrée — we can be pro and con but in the final analysis Biden and Zelenskyy are the ones who have to sleep with the choice.
I am appalled at the false equivalence in the arguments here. By the reasoning presented, the next easy step is the use of "tactical" nuclear weapons, which readily would lead to the destruction of human life on this planet. Once we take that "little" step, the genie will not go back into the box. It is not Biden and Zelenskyy's choice. The bulk of the planet's nations have said, "Hell no! cluster weapons are a step too far!
Really, not Zelensky's choice? You get to veto the position of Ukrainians' chosen leader on matters of war and defending their freedom? Wow. That's very arrogant and narcissistic on the part of someone sitting in safety in their home away from bombed out civilian businesses.
Just sayin.
What a loaded letter. I am reeling.
We have family in Florida. We visit regularly. Oh, how things have changed. The canal behind the house was once clear and frequented by dolphins and manatees. Now it is just a murky dying waterway.
The stench from the fish kills in the Banana River is hard to put into words. A couple of years ago we had booked a vacation at Sanibel Island. The red tide caused us to cancel. The host we called said she understood. "You can't walk the beach - the toxic fumes are dangerous."
Florida is on a suicide mission. The state is owned by those large agricultural companies. They share ownership with developers. If there is a square foot available, it will be built on. Regardless of the environmental impact.
And read about the threat to drinking water here. Florida may self limit its development - just like Arizona.
https://earth.org/florida-water-shortage/#:~:text=In%20short%2C%20water%20levels%20at,demand%20and%20meet%20future%20needs.
I really can’t say “thank you” for this information since I live in Florida. My stress this morning is off the charts. I want move out of this state so badly but I can’t see it realistically happening soon so every day that passes with the situation getting worse gives me more anxiety. My first priority is getting my roof replaced after a recent hail storm before the hurricane season gets here in full force. UGH 😩
I wish you well. My brother in law is a hurricane prep expert. And he had to rebuild more than once.
I'll take the snow. Although there is less and less of that each year. The times they are a changin...
Can't really "like" your post. Having grown up in hurricane territory on the TX coast, I understand and empathize with your anxiety. (Maybe there should be an empathy button?) Seriously, though, the storms are markedly worse these days than 60 years ago, even with improved mitigation measures. Take care
So sorry to hear about the hail storm totaling your roof! I empathize having just redone mine after baseball - sized hail did mine in three years ago. Can’t imagine dealing with climate issues and Desantis too. Thank you for all that you do to protect our democracy.
My friends in FL also say getting home insurance is terrible and expensive with few choices. I feel for you.
Thanks for the informative link!
Bill, thanks for link that points out there has been very little regulatory enforcement in Fl. We’ve lived on a canal ,Indian River Lagoon/Banana River ,for 30+ years. The decline has been heartbreaking although last several years…baby steps.Although largely attributed to many non-profits, yes, and some legislative funding. DeSantis touts his environmental record /funding while almost complete failure to regulate. ( Rick Scott, also guilty as charged) Yes, and now we literally “paved” the way( 2023 lFL legislation) for radioactive byproducts of the fertilizer industry to be used in our roadways….while banning local municipalities from passing fertilizer ordinances to save our lagoon You couldn’t make this stuff up ! DeSantis must never be our President ! 💙 Every action matters !
Our family is on Merritt Island. They are a dot of blue in a sea of red. I fear for the state and wish you best of luck.
Please tell your family there are other blue dots circling here in MI. It’s an up-lagoon paddle although daily action helps ward off the despair…
Thank you, particularly for the reminder about Ohio. I donated to the Ohio Democratic Party this morning and encouraged others in today's Len's Political Note -- https://lenspoliticalnotes.com. Let's ensure that Ohio's August referendum does not pass so that in November, it only requires a majority vote to protect women's reproductive rights in Ohio.
I have a friend in Ohio and she tells me that the Rs are passing out very misleading (lies) pamphlets at farmers markets and other events telling them a vote “yes” will protect women. No wonder people don’t know what to think.
Sadly, what people probably should think is that Republicans lie about political issues.
Even better, let's do everything we can to get out the vote on Aug.8 and keep the law as it is then get a huge turnout in November so that the will of the people of Ohio to keep their freedoms becomes abundantly clear even to the Republican party.
Question: I wrote to some Ohio voters via Postcards to Voters. If I recall correctly, PtV avoids duplicate mailings by getting address lists from state Democratic parties. Anyone know for sure? I've never written for Blue Wave.
That's what Tony the Democrat says they do. I've never written for Blue Wave either, but Jessica Cravens recommends them highly.
I am writing to Ohio via Postcards to Voters and will continue to do that through July. It’s my favorite form of activism.
Donated
It should be noted that taxpayers actually are funding Thomas’ private events at the SC. SC staff clean the bathrooms and public spaces. SC facilities are used to prepare and store refreshments. There may be occasional damage to property (chairs, carpets, etc.) resulting from the public use. There also are heating, electricity, and water expenses. I wonder if the Horacio Alger Association reimburse the SC for any of these expenses. On what line item are they included in the SC’s annual budget?
On another matter, all of the SC justices were required to follow the ethics guidelines for Federal justices when they served on lower courts. That they deliberately stopped following these guidelines after they joined the SC is further proof of their corruption.
Good point!
This is an outrage! I am grateful for the fact that this information has been brought to light, but Clarence Thomas needs to be brought up short. If Justice Roberts will not do it, we need a campaign to expose this corruption! Where is the media??
Speaking of Florida and climate change🔥…DeSantis vetoed a Republican sponsored bill ( it passed with a SINGLE no vote) that would have saved the state millions.
“The Iowa caucus voters who are all about ethanol don’t see electric vehicles as something that is economically in their favor,” Eskamani said. “DeSantis is catering to his Iowa voters, not passing policy for Floridians.” Gifted article:⬇️
https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2023/07/07/desantis-veto-of-electric-cars-bill-cost-taxpayers-277-million-critics-say/?share=atareslrnrdtioalhncr
He can.not.be.our.President…🔥🔥🔥🔥
Thank-you once more for a most informative letter today. I live in a red county in the ruby red state of Ohio but am noticing a hope shift in Ohioans perception on Issue 1.I have seen yard signs advocating voting"No" and a lot of buzz on the news I hear from both Cleveland and Columbus.It does not matter what your party, the ability for citizens to make changes in their state Constitution and also other changes is being threatened by this Republican legislature which is being thrust upon us quickly and is slight-of-hand. Last Spring, Ohioans were told that there would be no more special elections held in August. They were too expensive and the state was not going to go there anymore. The super-majority then changed this rather abruptly and are trying to sneak this election by but the sneaking has been outed and citizens are becoming aware.Thanks for the links you provided to readers so they can help us to fight the good fight.
"a hope shift" 🤗
The citizens of Ohio are in a tough place. It's too bad that Gym Jordan has been elected and re-elected since he's no friend of the average Joe or Jane whose families may have lived there for generations. If women (especially) lose the ability to manage their own healthcare in a sop to the hard right, it'll take a strong activist orientation to choose to move there and hope to court and establish new families there.
Sent to Senator Whitehouse this morning:
Subject Line: Why Cluster Bombs vs other munitions?
Dear Senator Whitehouse:
From the luxury of my status as an American citizen I contacted you, yesterday, to exclaim my opinion that President Biden should not send Cluster Munitions to Ukraine.
My subjective moral high ground was just that. I have since been made aware of some sobering information. That President Zelensky made the request to receive these draconian weapons because Ukraine was running out of ammunitions. That the alternative was to be faced with generations of Ukrainians under the draconian (my words) rule of Russia. And that the promise of being invited to join NATO would thereby be denied in the foreseeable future.
My only critical question is why is Ukraine running out of ammunition from NATO with the only munitions available, from NATO, Cluster Bombs?
The courteous reply, from your office, is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely puzzled, Susan
Thank you for being willing to admit your change of mind. As to the reason why cluster munitions have become necessary, with some trepidation I refer to my comment below.
Thank you, Robert, for highlighting the Ohio August referendum. Many of us are already writing Postcards to Voters, reminding Ohio voters that, though the election is on August 8, they can begin early voting on this on July 11! Pass the word...
Yes,I am early-voting tomorrow in my county and am hoping to be the very first ballot cast. The polling place, the county Board of Elections, opens at 8 and I am hoping to be first in line.
Go, girl! 🤗
Thank You for reminding Ohioans to VOTE NO on issue 1. Ohio's Republican dominated legislature is out of control, and is determined to prevent a majority of voters from amending the state constitution. VOTE NO on ISSUE 1 !!
One of the sources of Biden’s dilemma over cluster munitions goes back a couple of generations, and involves Democrats, Republicans and the non-political. After the Cold War and the two Gulf Wars, no one believed that the world would see another war in which old-fashioned artillery would play a vital role. As a result, the number of shells in our arsenal, and the capacity to produce them, were greatly reduced. So, as the President said Ukrainians are in danger of running out of ammunition. The question, then, is whether to let that happen. Perhaps the way to resolve the issue is to ask Ukrainians whether they’d prefer using such weapons—knowing the danger to their own land and people—or to have Russia win the war. Does anyone doubt what the result of such a poll would be?
Thank you for your insight on a most difficult situation, Jon. Senator Whitehouse’s office is gracious in getting back to me. I will try and remember to post his response.
-Susan
In the nineteen eighties, in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, in the Flatbush area, there grew a population of immigrants from Jamaica. As other ethnic areas in New York, Flatbush became the center for Jamaican culture in particular. It also harbored bands of Jamaican gangs. Operating like organized crime families, many of them conducted raids, set up protection rackets and threatened local citizens who vocally objected to their presence. They were known at-large as the Jamaican Posse Comitatus. Acting within their expanded area as if so authorized, various teams of gangs (Shower Posse; Dog Posse; Spangler Posse; and branches in New York, Boston, and New Jersey) warred against one another for territorial dominance leaving untold numbers of innocent civilians dead in blood stained streets.
These gangs acted with degrees of impunity and violence the likes of which the City of New York had never seen. The brutality and cruelty were also so disproportionate to (forgive the attribution) the usual crime scene that the New York Police Department found themselves on their heels without the resources and without a plan to deal with this problem. It took years to finally get these gangs under the control of law enforcement.
Greater details are not necessary to dramatize this as analogous to the war in Ukraine. Russia's invasion of and subsequent tactics applied to the war against Ukraine is like nothing seen before. The effective appeasement of Russia in the instance of its takeover of Crimea does not permit comparison. This attack, from the outset, was a World War, even if not so acknowledged for fear of too expansive an engagement. This denial also created a disproportion that put the U.S. back on its heels. And, the recent decision by Biden, however distasteful, may be seen as the radical actions taken by the New York City Police, too late for many, only after the determination to take on the problem directly and forcefully without apology.
I am not stating an opinion here, merely reflecting on what happens when in the initial stages of a dispute so many diverse elements make us blind to the necessity of sterner action. The decision matrix is very complex. In this instance, one can easily lose sight of a bright line.
I would refer people to one of the finest tomes on war. A literal classic and an "attempt to reestablish the authority of moral rules in warfare" - "Just and Unjust Wars" by Michael Walzer.
Ordered post cards for Ohio!
Ohio has a lake problem too. The town of Lake St. Mary’s has a contiguous lake with algae blooms. Having failed to control farming runoff, the lake is unusable for what was once thriving place of multiple activity. My sense is that the people that made their money off the unregulated farming here (and Florida and elsewhere) do not want government intervention controlling their ability to make profits. When the situation becomes too toxic, they take their money and move on to another site. And we are left with a mess. Please recall that the Cuyahoga River caught fire in the late 1960’s.
As for our Issue #1 anti-democratic effort by the GOP, many of us are working hard to defeat this disgusting power grab.
"Republican legislators - threatening the life, health, and property of..." all of us. VOTE!
Blue Wave postcards to Ohio are sooooo easy. For $12 + postage, they send preprinted cards, preprinted address labels, and all ya gotta do is write less than a dozen words, sign your name, stamp, and walk a few blocks to the post office. 🤗 Vote Forward even easier: free download, print, write a couple sentences, sign your name, seal the envelope, stamp, and take another walk to the post office. Yeah, the cost of postage is going up, but so is the cost of losing democracy.
And thank you sharing your reader's distinction between defense of country and attack of another regarding cluster munitions. Methinks perhaps President Zelenski has a tougher decision to make in asking for the munitions to use in his own country than does Pres Biden in fulfilling the request?
I know very little about cluster bombs except what you said--that they often leave UXBs behind. (Some of us remember that term from our parents describing them, not to mention the TV show). Is it totally impracticable to search out those and neutralize them? Would financial support for bomb sniffing dogs, for example, mitigate the problem? Is there other technology now or being developed that can locate them, at least in populated areas. (I can see it as being impracticable in rough scrub areas where folks don't usually tread). I'm looking at the "long term" problem after the fighting is over, if ever. Civilians in an active war zone seem to be at major risk no matter whether one uses these bombs or not.
At least the Ukrainian government can tell people with reasonable precision where they have been deployed and how to be careful. (It isn't clear to me whether these burrow into the earth or whether one just has to avoid walking through vegetation covered areas).
I understand that "mine detecting" technology has improved, but cannot eliminate all risk. One asymmetry is that Russians are using the same weapons in the same battlefields. So the Russians are leaving undetonated devices in the field of battle. If Ukraine uses the devices, they will cover the same battlefields with more unexploded devices.
I guess eliminating SOME risk makes the use plausible, especially in areas where Russia is using them.