Shooting war in Ukraine.
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[tweet https://twitter.com/USATODAY/status/456101228536033280 align = ‘center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/NewsBreaker/status/456090913425485824 align = ‘center’]
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[tweet https://twitter.com/grasswire/status/456084943274139648 align = ‘center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/ZandarVTS/status/456074265939288067 align = ‘center’]
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[tweet https://twitter.com/art2u2/status/456074014671515649 align = ‘center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/KyivPost/status/456072541686079488 align = ‘center’]
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[tweet https://twitter.com/peterbakernyt/status/456070044561465344 align = ‘center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/joshuafoust/status/456059037327831040 align = ‘center’]
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[tweet https://twitter.com/mortgageconsult/status/456051686436782080 align = ‘center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/joshuafoust/status/456024203545038848 align = ‘center’]
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[tweet https://twitter.com/MaximEristavi/status/455999112744148992 align = ‘center’]
[tweet https://twitter.com/MillerMENA/status/456103307866804224 align = ‘center’]
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And here’s the hit the Russian markets have taken.
[tweet https://twitter.com/russian_market/statuses/456080009023979520 align = ‘center’]
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Chat on.
The Obama Diary 
Thx LL
LL, thanks to you and Bob, I am able to keep up with the ever evolving events in Ukraine.
Really, I just search “Ukraine” on Twitter and get all the info I need.
Well, thanks just the same for bringing it here.
TOD is the only reliable news source for GGail. 🙂
“A year ago, tragedy struck at the 117th Boston Marathon. Four innocent people were killed that week, and hundreds more were wounded. Today, we remember Krystle Campbell, Lingzi Lu, Martin Richard, and Sean Collier. And we send our thoughts and prayers to those still struggling to recover”.
The observation of “silence” is at 2:49PM ET.
GA TODers.
Au for GGail.
Great R&S.
Haven’t read LL’s Post yet.
Before I depart, here’s a link to Jay’s Presser on April 15th, 2014
http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/press-briefing-press-secretary-jay-carney-190
Thanks a million LL – this is some scary shit.
The True Role of the FSB in the Ukrainian Crisis
clip
“The second distinguishing feature of Russia’s intelligence services is their lack of interest in mass movements and the activity on the street in favor of a total focus on the corrupt elites holding power. This is based on the old idea that “if we control the shah, we control the country.”
Oddly enough, this aspect of their work is remarkably similar to the style of British intelligence during the collapse of the British Empire. In the 1950s, British agents in Egypt tried to their very last to compromise the monarchy, whereas U.S. agents were already working with the “free officers” of Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser, ultimately leading to the Suez Crisis of 1956. At the same time, the corporate cultures of the British Secret Intelligence Service and the FSB are so different that this single unexpected similarity can have only one explanation: The intelligence services of imperial powers tend to have the same biases toward their former colonies.
This approach has at least two major drawbacks. First, all of the Ukrainians who cooperated with the FSB now have no political future in that country — depriving the FSB of access to the ruling circles. Second, if the FSB relied entirely on information provided by close associates of former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, how accurate was their picture of the overall situation in the country?
clip
In fact, KGB operatives were not taught to engage in politics. They were instilled with a narrow and limited view of events, one confined to a reliance on tactics while ignoring overall strategy. This is an outlook that disregards larger social processes in favor of a focus on agents of influence in different states.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/opinion/article/the-true-role-of-the-fsb-in-the-ukrainian-crisis/498072.html
==========
Worth reading the entire article by noted expert on Russian security services – Andrei Soldatov.
Thank you so much, Bobfr. The information you provide is priceless.
Hey Ladies and Gentlemen I got news for you….. Sigh!!!!!!!!!
This is a very bad case of ‘pelvic congestion’
Why would a woman want a man who had to feel superior to her by earning more? I guess only if she believed that women are inferior to begin with, which is obviously what Schafly believes.
Remember, she led the fight against the ERA in the 70s.
I love Volsky’s frame: “Prominent Republican”. That’s how to frame stuff, Dem’s.
She told Palin to stay home in 2008 and raise her children.
She denounced her son who in the 1980s/1990s came out as a Gay American.
The woman must be now in her 80s. She will go down as foolish as ever.
am I the only one to find this very funny? hahahahaha
Josh Foust’s tweet is illuminating. Ukraine is responding to an invasion, and yet many people on “the left” side with Russia.
Ukrainian troops in control of Donetsk Oblast’s Kramatorsk airfield, surround Sloviansk; Ukrainian deputy prime minister says several hundred Russian troops in Ukraine (LIVE UPDATES)
“According to the AP, “The mayor of Kramatorsk said Ukrainian troops have now occupied the military airport and are blocking its entrance.”
The freeing of the airfield is part of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry’s “anti-terrorist operation,” which is being conducted throughout eastern Ukraine to quell Russian-backed separatist movements.
Rossiya 24 reports that four Russian-sponsored terrorists were killed as a result of the operation.
Further, according to Interfax Ukraine, Andriy Parubiy, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, says the Ukrainian special forces’ operation has led to the detainment of Russian officers.”
http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/turchynov-anti-terrorist-operation-has-begun-in-northern-donetsk-343563.html
I believe Putin thought that Ukraine would just roll over, and his involvement wouldn’t be exposed.
Yep. I was never surprised that Tzar Vlad and GWB were so comfortable together. They both live in a world shaped only by their delusional minds, untouched by reality of any form including the reality of all the horror and destruction they both caused (and, in Putin’s case, still causing).
Further, according to Interfax Ukraine, Andriy Parubiy, the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, says the Ukrainian special forces’ operation has led to the detainment of Russian officers.
“Russian officers” – so they aren’t just Russian speaking Ukrainians who were being oppressed ?
Color me unsurprised. The only question left is: How did they enter the country with their riot gear ?
Interrogating these people might deliver some “interesting” intelligence ….
“This is interesting. Russia’s stocks have been trending downwards since February, but they really crashed in the period right before the annexation of Crimea. Russian stocks have been slowly inching upwards (though slower than world markets) since, and only dropped a little yesterday in response to the actions of pro-Russian militants.
In other words, it’s possible that investors were prepared for Russian interference in eastern Ukraine, but were surprised when Ukraine actually reacted in any meaningful way.”
As noted before, Ukrainians are not going to roll over for Tzar Vlad (or anyone else) ….
““The battalion will be armed with weapons from warehouses of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine. Operations will be planned and carried out in collaboration with government agencies. The Governor of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Ihor Kolomoysky will have personal control over the actions of the Dnipro special forces battalion ” he said.
“First of all, I want to warn all these so-called ‘green men’ that, in contrast to others, we are not cowards, and any attempt to seize buildings of the Security Service or the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be met immediately with lethal force. Anyone who wants to arrange a war in this region needs to know that Dnipropetrovsk will become a second Stalingrad for them, but this battle will be won by the Ukrainian people,” he said.
As previously reported, Ihor Kolomoysky funded fuel and body armor for military units of the Southern Operational Command in March.”
http://euromaidanpr.com/2014/04/15/dnipropetrovsk-promises-putin-a-second-stalingrad/
https://twitter.com/YeaYouRite/status/456110295077752832
He’s been on that single topic all morning and now spilling over into the afternoon – yet he seems to dismiss the fact that she has won state-wide elections before and is now in the LEAD as a DEM in a deep red state. I’m thinking it’s time for him to give it a rest, for now. This is not the same situation as Newbie Allyson Grimes trying to run in KY by ignoring PBO while embracing Clinton as “The President.”
Hmmm, he deleted his tweet.
Today Landrieu, Pryor and Begich(sp) are all leading in there states. So this guy needs to see the glass half full and he needs to STOP.
Yup, eggsack ly as AMK woud say—more or less
Hahahahahaha
https://twitter.com/Shock_Monster/status/453898004769292288
LOL.
Oh wait……that’s what I’m suppose to be doing right now. I still haven’t gotten started, only 12 hours left in my day to get ‘er done!
OK, I’m leaving for real this time.
You can donate directly to her campaign right here:
https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/ej4ky?refcode=mainpage
😎
Facts have got to Matter even to those not always with open-minds.
Anyone wondering how massive the pro-Putin response to Ukraine’s anti-terror operation in Sloviansk ….
About the size of a Tea Party rally…
Wow, there are longer lines than that waiting for a single commuter bus in DC at rush hour.
Please follow JT and make a donation if you can to his campaign.
https://twitter.com/MarlboroStan/status/456120510225465344
I love Marlboro Stan but maybe I’m a bit slow today…can someone please explain to me what this means exactly? Thanks in advance!
Good question. I guess he’s trying to say the First Lady is well proportioned?
Yes, that drawing of Leonardo’s shows what he considered the perfectly proportioned human being.
X 1000, carolyn. The elegance of the human form.
That she has 😉 It…….The Body looks perfect in his eyes.
Nate Silver’s blog named 538 is part of ESPN.
ESPN and Disney and ABC News are all part of one giant Media company.
ABC News–home of Jon Karl—just hired Laura Ingraham.
Connect the dots.
My belief is that anything Nate writes up until August or September when there is actual data available is spin and speculation that will please his masters. If it is appalling anti–Democratic bullpucky, just ignore it.
Late in the summer I think Nate Silver and his numbers and analysis may once again be trustworthy. Now, not so much.
Very true Vicki. Very, very true what you said. I hope folks regular TODers and lurkers alike read and heed your comment about 538.
Thank you hf. We need to keep our spirits and Winning! message up in the face of what promises to be epic amounts of “depress the vote” onslaughts.
Nate works for the enemy.
Sam Wang @ princetonedu.is a terrific site for people who like numbers and polling.
Thanks for that.
BREAKING NEWS: Pigs are flying y’all! Politico posts an Obamacare relatively positive article – with a positive headline to match.
HEADLINE: Insurers see brighter Obamacare skies
// Health insurers got their first taste of Obamacare this year. And they want seconds.
Insurers saw disaster in the fall when Obamacare’s rollout flopped and HealthCare.gov was a mess. But a strong March enrollment surge, along with indications that younger and healthier people had begun signing up, has changed their attitude. Around the country, insurers are considering expanding their stake in the Obamacare exchanges next year, bringing their business to more states and counties. Some health plans that skipped the new marketplaces altogether this year are ready to dive in next year. //
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2014/04/health-insurers-obamacare-105676.html#ixzz2yye0jl7b
Thanks, I was wondering what that was flying by my window. Just image how hard it must have been for ‘GOPolitico’ to write anything remotely positive about President Obama. They must be so depressed. I bet they are getting hammered by the right wing nut jobs.
Thanks for this interesting article, hf.
Yes it is a rare positive mention for Obamacare. So rare that I avoid Politico altogether.
Not that the tiger has changed its stripe, though. Politico re-iterated the GOP platform for 2014 continues to be anti-ACA. Good luck with that platform, dopes.
Elephants not Only have wings, but they are flying way up in the SKY? Hmm?
These MSM people are hideous.
They are self centered – so the President doesn’t want a media scrum involved but the media cannot see why – they love a good disaster, shooting, memorial etc and think not one whit about the people involved in same. They are close to the scum of society
Unfreakinbelievable.
Hey Meta and TOD. Guess who is responsible for this? PBO has done so much to improve lives.
Yes, if it weren’t for PBO and his commitment to and respect for Native Americans, this wouldn’t even be happening.
That’s great news, Bob. I do hope that Putin get such tremendous push back that he literally does not know what hit him.
Vice President Biden is speaking now: http://www.cbsnews.com/liveFeed/widget.shtml
Is it me, or does everyone only see half of some pictures that are posted? The one with FLOTUS and the one that Bobfr just posted is cut off about halfway down. I get full views of some pics, but only half view of others.
Maybe it’s happening because I should be doing something else very important before tonight’s deadline. Is WordPress trying to tell me something?
It’s a WP glitch that causes some tweets that contain images to partially load, cookemom. If you refresh the page, typically they then fully display.
tu Bobfr
I get the same half photo all the time now, Cookemom. Have to click on the photo to get full shot. This is a recent development.
“Concerning the referendum of 16 March, which the UN General Assembly declared invalid, the report sets out a number of concerns, pertaining to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and other civil and political rights. The presence of paramilitary and so-called self-defense groups as well as soldiers without insignia, was not conducive to an environment in which the will of voters could be exercised freely, and the UN Human Rights’ Office delegation received many reports of vote rigging.
“A number of measures taken in Crimea are deeply concerning from a human rights perspective,” the report says. These include the introduction of Russian citizenship, making it difficult for those who opt to maintain their Ukrainian citizenship to stay in Crimea. “The current situation also raises concerns with regard to land and property ownership, wages and pensions, health service, labour rights, education and access to justice,” the report explains.
It is widely assessed that while there were some attacks against the ethnic Russian community, these were neither systematic nor widespread, according to the Human Rights agency. There are also allegations that some participants in the protests and clashes in eastern Ukraine were not from the region, and that some had come from Russia.”
Full report here: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=47584&Cr=Ukraine&Cr1=#.U01zKseD0lb
Today at 2:49 pm ET, President Obama will observe a moment of silence to mark the one-year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. Read the statement here, and if you like, join the President for a moment of silence at 2:49 p.m. ET today. http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/04/15/moment-silence-mark-one-year-anniversary-boston-marathon-bombing?utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=email322-text&utm_campaign=boston
As meta posted above, the WHPC is having a cow because President Obama will be attending a meeting at 2:49 p.m. when he will observe a moment of silence for the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing. smdh
White House pressed on lack of press for Obama moment of silence
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/203585-wh-pressed-on-lack-of-press-for-moment-of-silence#ixzz2yyrZxBcr
After trying to gingerly explain to the WHPC that they have offered for a one camera person as the press would do when they have a pool-press………Jay said: With all due respect, the real News is in Boston today. I ❤ Jay. KaBoom.
A hundred cameras clicking is NOT a moment of silence!
Exactly!
Jay’s response was pitch perfect — the real news is in Boston today. It’s not about a bunch of whiny media stenographers who could give a rats arse about reporting anything positive about President Obama. Cry me a river.
They refuse to air what the President has to say to the American people but they want a pic of him not saying anything
Layla, they don’t know the meaning of hypocrisy. It’s just all whine all the time.
Barack Obama Promotes Empathy with Oprah Winfrey: “My mother taught me empathy”
LOVE THIS MAN.
I have a conservative patron who I, for the most part, like.
She came into the library the day of the ACA signup deadline, and saw one of our bookmarks for CoverdCA. She picked it up and said “So how much is this going to cost.” She’s a church-going Catholic, and she couldn’t see that having people with healthcare was a societal good, because she’d “have to pay for it.”
Jesus would be so proud.
Tell her, “Less than it costs to subsidize food, health care and other assistance for Walmart employees because Walmart takes your tax dollars in profit instead of paying its people.”
LL, I’m amazed at these so call Christians feeling that way. You would think a church going Catholic wouldn’t have any problem about helping people. She must be listening to her right wing Republicans more then her Pope.
Very good insight on Johnson’s part. The odd thing is even if the Republican is in the exact same circumstances as someone else, he/she doesn’t identify with the other. I’ve seen this countless times in my own family. In their minds their own circumstances are always unique, so nothing seems to link them to the other person.
C-SPAN.org has the WH presser with Jay already available.
I am currently listening to it.
http://www.c-span.org/video/?318900-1/white-house-briefing
“The foundation is certainly being set for a 2016 presidential run. And O’Malley isn’t completely coy about the fact that he has an eye on the White House. In an interview with The Huffington Post on Monday, the governor said that he is preparing for a possible run regardless of whether or not Hillary Clinton — the prohibitive favorite — jumps in”.
I would choose him over Hillary any day of the week. Not even a question.
I’d like to see some new blood myself.
So would I. I hope he runs.
not even close
This was in response to df choosing MO’M over Hillary
Donna, I hope he goes for it! Love my Gov.! But as you said a while back, he really needs to hone those skills. Find a comfortable spot where he’s himself, and let the words flow. I would not be bereft in 2017 if he in the WH. 🙂
Meant to say “hone those speaking skills.”
Donna, I’m thrilled he isn’t waiting for Hillary. He needs to go for it BIG and start building his grassroots campaign by next January. I’ll sign up.
I would vote for him in a heartbeat!
“Meeting of Foreign Ministers
Ukraine
The Council condemned actions undertaken by armed individuals in cities of Eastern Ukraine.
These attempts at destabilising Ukraine must come to an end. The Council also decided to expand
the list of those subject to asset freeze and visa ban.
The Council reiterated its strong support for Ukraine’s unity, sovereignty, independence and
territorial integrity, and called upon Russia to do likewise. It demanded Russia to call back its
troops from the Ukrainian border and immediately withdraw the mandate of the Federation
Council to use force on Ukrainian soil.
Catherine Ashton, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said:
“Anyfurther action aimed at destabilising Ukraine must stop. It is crucial that Russia and Ukraine engage
in a meaningful dialogue to find a political solution. I will meet the Foreign Ministers of the United
States, Russia and Ukraine this Thursday in Geneva. The purpose of this meeting is to start a
dialogue on how to deescalate the situation in Ukraine and to ensure that peace and stability returns
to the whole of Ukraine.”
The Council also signalled that the EU is ready to assist Ukraine in the field of civilian security
sector reform. All options will be examined, including a possible mission under the Common
Security and Defence Policy, and a decision will be taken at the next Foreign Affairs Council.
In addition, the Council approved macro-financial assistance to Ukraine to support the country’s
economic stabilisation and reforms. € 1 billion can be made available to contribute to covering
Ukraine’s urgent balance-of-payments needs as identified in the government’s economic programme
supported by the IMF. This brings the total amount to € 1.6 billion.
The Council also adopted temporary tariff cuts on Ukrainian goods, ahead of the application of the
Association Agreement. The reduction of customs duties is expected to enter into force on 23 April.
The Council moreover strengthened EU sanctions against persons responsible for misappropriating
Ukrainian state funds. It targeted four additional persons in Ukraine with an asset freeze.”
Lady Ashton has been a powerhouse and a voice of reason.
Can someone put this up here later? Thank ahead of time!
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017186975
Thanks, LL. Striking. don’t you think?
Is this “traveled to Clark County, Nev. to support Cliven Bundy” a serious remark ? *This* Clark County, Nev.: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clark_County,_Nevada ?
Why would a mob of deranged ranchers from 80 miles north-east of Las Vegas “travel” to a city packed with a police force that’s used to much, much more than just a couple of dozen trouble-makers ?
What’s the purpose ?
Thanks for the link, df. I just wish they hadn’t gone full blown snowald.
A red state Dem can be positive about Obamacare without distancing themselves from the President.
It’s a good ad IMO!!!!!!!!
BRAVO!!!!
Okay, don’t see any new posts for an hour. What’s up?
WordPress is eating up comments again. One of my comments went “poof” and now testing this to see if it will show up.
I was wondering the same, Japa. Anyhoo, here’s a funny, just the line, not interested in the rest of what this R said:
“If you have a Boehner lasting more than 23 years, seek immediate medical attention.”
— A new ad from J.D. Winteregg (R), who is challenging Speaker John Boehner in next month’s Ohio congressional primary.
.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2014/04/15/bonus_quote_of_the_day.html#060788a
WordPress ate the TODers, except Japa & I! 🙂
It knows quality when it sees it.
LOL!
I *think* Danny ate Chipsticks homework, rather.
That’s her excuse & she’s sticking to it. By golly! 🙂
Isn’t that as disgusting as it gets. Just watching a report on this on Ed—-I guess some suggested women AND children up front—–with the hope that one would get shot and those creepy militia types, who were striding around with their guns and in camouflage and full beards, could get their war with the federal government.
I’m getting close to not recognizing my country anymore. These loons used to be considered fringe by absolutely everybody – now they constitute the GOP base. It’s terrifying.
Yeah….this is what the farmers and militias did when they fought the British for our free dumbs they put the women and children on the front lines to show American men were so tough we’d let our women and children die first……
This was really sweet! Pharelll sheds a tear on OWN:
.
WHOA, I just 150K tweets. Gawd, I talk a lot.
“Perception is perception and reality is reality and, if they don’t match up, then it is the job of journalism not to accept the perception as the reality, but to hammer home the reality until the perception conforms to this.”
Charlie Pierce at his best: http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/Perception_And_Reality
Great piece, but with one flaw. Chris Cillizza is not the ONLY culprit here. This infestation is wide, deep and has affected the 98% of the pundits in DC/NY corridor. That is the sad part.
Mr. Pierce is one of two handful exceptions.
No doubt, Nena. But the piece was written in response to Cilizza’s latest drivel.
Oh, this should go well. #triangulation
New post.
http://theobamadiary.com/2014/04/15/boston-strong/
Good evening all. One of those days… Decided yesterday that I’d file an extension rather than fry my brain, so tell me, why did I procrastinate all day today when I knew that I had to go to the bank for a counter check? Made it to the bank five minutes before they closed; then to the post office with plenty of time to spare. Decided to treat myself so I picked up some ground sirloin from the butcher, and am now enjoying a juicy burger.