#the EU

[super-sootica]

Britain shows up on the EU's doorstep in the rain, holding flowers they've clearly been clenching too tightly.

From their face it's clear they've been hurting, but it was all self inflicted, and they are so sorry, do you take Britain back?

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Bruce McKinnon

* * * *

Every effort matters—now more than ever!

March 3, 2025

Robert B. Hubbell

It is a tough time to be an ordinary American who believes in democracy, the rule of law, and the value of good government. From the cheap seats, it appears that all three are under a brutal assault from Trump and Musk designed to weaken America as a global force for good. In a bizarre twist worthy of The Twilight Zone, Trump and Musk’s campaign of destruction seems carefully crafted to benefit the world’s worst dictator and sworn enemy of American democracy, Vladimir Putin, a goal that is warmly embraced by a party that only a decade ago wrapped itself in patriotism and pro-democracy foreign policy.

But America’s political and media classes seem oddly unconcerned and detached from reality. True, Democrats in Congress express concern—but in the same way, they express concern about policy fights over revisions to the tax code. (To be fair, a handful of notable exceptions are out on a limb without the support of their party.) Our Democratic leaders use their minority status in Congress to justify their strange quiescence—an explanation that accepts defeat as the status quo.

The media is a husk of its former self. Firebrands and self-styled crusaders who took Biden to task for every inconsequential verbal slip now report on grotesque lies and unprecedented betrayals by Trump with the ennui of a weatherman predicting increasing darkness in the late afternoon and early evening.

What is wrong with these people?

I spent the better part of Sunday speaking with Americans living in London. They care deeply, passionately about the fate of their homeland’s democracy. They are stunned by the inexplicable ability of Democratic leaders to fashion a unified front to challenge the blitzkrieg of lies emanating from the Oval Office each day.

Is the failure of Democratic leaders a lack of ability? Of desire? Or the triumph of personal ambition regarding 2028 presidential politics over their willingness to serve as a leader of the loyal opposition in our nation’s hour of need?

The silence is deafening. There is a grand disconnect. I had no answer for Americans abroad wondering why the deep pool of talented politicians in the Democratic Party was missing in action at a moment of crisis for their beloved country. But I was able to assure them that the grassroots movement is responding to the call without waiting for politicians to lead the way.

Organic protests are spreading across the US, including protests targeting Tesla dealerships. See News24, 'We are taking action': 9 people arrested at Tesla dealership as anti-Musk protests break out in US. (“Throngs of protesters also descended on the electric vehicle maker's showrooms in Jacksonville, Florida; Tucson, Arizona, and other cities, blocking traffic, chanting and waving signs . . . .”)

Like the Civil Rights Era in the 20th Century and the anti-war movement of the 1960s, we are experiencing a moment in our history where the people drag their leaders kicking and screaming into the future—at which point those reluctant leaders will take credit for victory. So be it. We must stop asking, “Where are our leaders?” and start doing the work until they show up to join us on the front lines.

The pattern behind Trump's embrace of Putin in Friday’s Oval Office meeting

The events of the lastthree days have revealed a disturbing change in the US-Russia relationship.

On Friday, Trump ended 80 years of alliance between Western nations by attacking and dishonoring the leader of the European nation on the frontlines of the effort to halt Russian expansionism. As Trump berated President Zelensky, Trump characterized himself and Vladimir Putin as “co-victims�� of the US investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election.

The next day, Elon Musk agreed with a tweet asserting that the US should leave NATO and the UN.

When European leaders met on Sunday in a pre-planned security conference in London, Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev condemned the meeting as an “anti-Trump Russophobic coven [of witches].” Medvedev speaks for Putin.

On Sunday, the NYTimes reported that the US Department of Defense has unilaterally ceased cyber operations against Russia, hobbling the US’s ability to understand Russia’s true intentions at a critical juncture in world politics.

Late last week, The Guardian reported that the US no longer views Russian cyberattacks against the US as a priority. See The Guardian, Trump administration retreats in fight against Russian cyber threats. There is no indication that Russia has stopped cyberattacks against the US or that it has “de-prioritized” American cyberattacks on Russia.

In the span of 72-hours, Trump effectively surrendered to Russia in a cyberwar that has been waged continuously for decades. Trump's disgraceful actions in the Oval Office on Friday must be viewed in the broader context of Trump's embrace of Russia.

The media is failing to tell that broader story by trivializing a foreign relations debacle into a “Will he, or won’t he?” story about Trump's ludicrous demand for Zelensky to “apologize.” See BBC report, Laura Kuenssberg, asking Zelensky if he would “express[] some regret to President Trump after your heated confrontation at the White House on Friday.”

At least the BBC reporter didn’t ask Zelensky if he would resign, which has become the new talking point for MAGA politicians in the US: Following Trump's Lead, His Allies Lash Out At Zelenskyy And Suggest He May Need To Resign | HuffPost Latest News

DOGE hackers shut down key IT unit designed to coordinate US government public-facing computer networks

DOGE has summarily dismantled a key information technology group at the center of the federal government’s public-facing computer systems. See Josh Marshall in Talking Points Memo, In-House Gov Tech Unit for State of the Art Web Portals Disbanded by Doge.

The unit that was disbanded was known as “18F.” Its job was to make public-facing websites of the federal government more user-friendly and functional—things like making it easier to complete and file your tax returns for free on the IRS website.

The now-former employees of 18F published a letter on Sunday that explained what they did and why their dissolution will hurt the American people. See 18F: We are dedicated to the American public and we're not done yet. The letter reads, in part, as follows:

[The terminations were] a surprise to all 18F staff and our agency partners. Just yesterday we were working on important projects, including improving access to weather data with NOAA, making it easier and faster to get a passport with the Department of State, supporting free tax filing with the IRS, and other critical projects with organizations at the federal and state levels.

All 18F's support on that work has now abruptly come to a halt. Since the entire staff was also placed on administrative leave, we have been locked out of our computers, and have no chance to assist in an orderly transition in our work. . . .

Before today’s RIF, DOGE members and GSA political appointees demanded and took access to IT systems that hold sensitive information. They ignored security precautions. Some who pushed back on this questionable behavior resigned rather than grant access.

The chaos-termination of the 18F computer group is being repeated across the federal government. Doge has apparently targeted 50% of the Social Security Administration staff—a move that will hurt service levels for seniors who depend on SSA payments to meet basic living expenses.

These cuts are painful and will cause chaos. That chaos and pain will spur a backlash against Republicans that should allow Democrats to take back the House (and possibly the Senate) in 2026 if only the Democratic Party can get its act together—PRONTO! We need a daily news conference with effective messaging by dynamic, charismatic leaders who are not Chuck Schumer!

Litigation against Trump / Musk / Doge

In a significant ruling, US District Judge William Alsup ruled that the federal Office of Personnel Management does not have the authority to fire federal employees. The ruling reaches 16,000 probationary employees dismissed by a directive from the Office of Personnel Management. See Democracy Docket, Judge Says Trump Administration Ordering Mass Firings Was Unlawful.

Judge Alsup wrote, in part,

The Office of Personnel Management does not have any authority whatsoever under any statute in the history of the universe to hire and fire employees at another agency.

Alsup acknowledged that agencies—not the OPM—can fire probationary employees but that those agencies cannot be compelled to do so by OPM. Alsup also acknowledged that he cannot compel the rehiring of employees. The ruling may, however, provide a basis for the wrongfully terminated employees to seek damages from the US government based on their unlawful terminations.

In a separate matter, US. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson has again ruled that Trump unlawfully fired the head of the US office charged with oversight of whistleblower claims. See Bloomberg, Trump’s Firing of Whistleblower Agency Head Ruled Unlawful. Judge Jackson ruled that Trump failed to make a “for cause” finding to justify the firing of the special counsel.

Judge Jackson noted that circumventing the “for cause” requirement would amount to “a constitutional license to bully officials in the executive branch into doing his will.”

Concluding Thoughts

Apologies that this newsletter is more like a rant and less like my usual call to action. But I am reflecting the frustration and anger that I am hearing from readers (both in person and in the Comment section). There seems to be a disconnect that is exacerbating an already mind-boggling situation.

The good news is that everyone seems to “get it”—other than politicians and the media. As I noted, they will be dragged along with the tide of history—a tide whose course we will determine by our actions.

It is up to us to save democracy—a situation that does not distinguish this moment from the thousands of perilous moments that have brought us to this point.

I acknowledge that we are living through an extraordinarily difficult moment. Our most important task is to not quit. If all we do is endure and keep hope alive, that will be enough. That is what Winston Churchill did during the darkest hours of WWII. If we can do the same, we will see victory in 2026 and 2028.

But we can do more—much more. The tide is turning. Republicans are retreating from their constituents. Spontaneous protests are spreading across America. It is happening. Be part of the movement in whatever way you can. No effort is wasted. No gesture is meaningless. No voice is unheard. Everything matters—now more than ever.

[Robert B. Hubbell Newsletter]

[vyorei]

Irish MEP Luke 'Ming' Flanagan calling for Ursula Von der Leyen to resign for her unwavering support of Genocidal Israel, he brought receipts.

IRELAND STANDS WITH PALESTINE ALWAYS 🇵🇸💜🇮🇪

Source: @lukeming on Twitter

Video below:

[fixationnationcreations]

‼️‼️‼️‼️IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE EU AND NORTHERN IRELAND!! PLEASE READ‼️‼️‼️‼️

[bioeditr]

Economic Wish Fulfillment

[godisarepublican]

Hey, you snot encrusted waste product, three times in the last week, THREE TIMES, the Ukrainians attempted a Weapon of Mass Destruction; a radiological bomb. THREE TIMES they attacked a Russian nuclear reactor with drones, trying to create a breach, render a huge swath of land uninhabitable, slowly murdering everyone exposed with cancer deaths from the radiation. THREE TIMES in the last week!

Here's an incredibly biased piece of anti Russian propaganda from a left wing "news" source. The Ukraine really is trying to spark a nuclear war, and Biden really is so incompetent and senile that he's letting them. <link>

Russia has long ago said that they will respond with nuclear weapons. Long ago. Long BEFORE the Ukraine just did this another THREE TIMES in the last week.

And we're paying for this? You think it's a good idea? You think it makes sense for the American people to spend money we don't even have so that election-cancelling fascists can spark a nuclear war with their terrorist attacks?

This is "Good" foreign policy to you?

You LIKE that Biden is doing this?

Trust me here, and I mean this with all my heart but, if the Ukraine isn't stopped, if they continue with the reckless even INSANE terrorism there will be a nuclear war and, after that, assuming you're alive, there will be nothing you wouldn't give up to roll back the clock and stop it from happening. Once the Ukraine gets the nuclear war started, there will be nothing you wouldn't do to get a second chance to stop them.

Once the Ukraine sparks the nuclear war, assuming you live, you're going to wish bigger than any wish you ever had in your life that you can go back in time and stop Biden's madness.

Our idiotic leaders made assurances, you can even call them "Guarantees" of the Ukraine's independence. But you know what they didn't do? As stupid as our so called "Leaders" are you know what they didn't get mixed up in?

We never made a suicide pact with the Ukraine.

We had an agreement, we made assurances but we didn't form a suicide pact, so any and all agreements were broken, rescinded starting with the very first terrorist attack by the Ukraine.

You have no right to risk nuclear war for another people's country, much less fascist who engage in terrorism.

AND WHAT'S WORSE:

You actually think you're superior for supporting this madness. You think this makes you better than me and everyone else who values the existence of civilization.

The Ukrainian war would be long over, if we had decent leaders who stopped paying for the war the moment the Ukrainians resorted to terrorism.

There was a fascist coup that overthrew the elected government of the Ukraine in 2013. Yes, your precious media will tell you that the fascists weren't fascist, or they all moved to Brazil starting the moment they won but, even the so called "Democratic" government in charge right now cancelled elections. And they're persecuting the Orthodox Church as thought criminals. And there was never a time when they weren't attacking the ethnic Russians of the western fringes and Crimea.

End this madness. And the only way to do that is to end the Biden administration. He simply can not and will not see his policies for the insanity that they are.

[pointless-letters]

NARRATOR: Doug was shocked when someone explained to him that we do, in fact, have new elections every few years just in case people have changed their minds about things.

[notsoftysof]

The EU elections happened last night, and I'm torn. In Finland (my country) the results were quite good! The far-right party lost seats, the left alliance gained them and the person with the most votes was the leader of the left alliance. She got about double the amount of votes compared to the far-right.

But the rest of the EU...... not good, really not good. Like what the fuck is going on there??? I really don't have the spoons to worry about this rn!

[harrison-abbott]

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

Dogs of War :: Dave

+

Trump and Vance tried to beat up a war hero on live TV and ended up looking like the shittiest little bullies on earth while also losing their coveted minerals deal with Zelensky. Even filtered through print, it was grotesque and degrading to witness. Shameful for this country. And it made Russia very happy.

I admire Zelensky immensely--he has stood strong, rallying his country, facing a powerful invading army that greatly outnumbers Ukraine's own, facing threats to his personals safety and calls to surrender, living amid bombs and carnage, building global support as best he can. And using his background as an actor to until now tolerate the crap that comes at him from Putin's #1 puppet.

Trump and Vance weren't even just trying to extort him; they were demanding personal submission, which is a reminder that everything they do is first of all about their sad sleazy insatiable egos; and they were both demanding answers and interrupting and talking over him when he answered. They are not building power but spending it as though it is inexhaustible, and they will spend it down to nothing.

[For the record, Zelensky has thanked the US and Biden many times, when the US was actually Ukraine's ally. Vance was demanding gratitude while taking away any reason for it.]

The absymal behavior has further rallied Europe behind Ukraine with powerful statements by Macron, Poland's Donald Tusk, and:

Guardian: European leaders rally behind Ukraine's Zelenskyy after Trump spat

The Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre is the latest European leader to offer his support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine as he says this:

We stand by Ukraine in their fair struggle for a just and lasting peace.

The Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said:

Sweden stands with Ukraine. You are not only fighting for your freedom but also for all of Europe’s. Slava Ukraini!

The Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda has also joined in:

Ukraine, you’ll never walk alone.

… and the Irish foreign minister Simon Harris:

Ukraine is not to blame for this war brought about by Russia’s illegal invasion. We stand with Ukraine.

Their comments come after earlier expression of support from Poland’s Tusk, Spain’s Sanchez, and France’s Macron.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sánchez has joined the list of European leaders offering their support and solidarity to Ukraine after the clash between Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy.

He has just posted a social media update saying:

Ucrania, España está contigo.

Ukraine, Spain stands with you.

Україно, Іспанія з тобою.

[Rebecca Solnit]

[vyorei]

Abdalrahim Alfarra on the EU's disgusting treatment of Palestine VS their support of Apartheid Israel.

Portion of the article:

Link to the full:

[kropotkindersurprise]

January 1, 2025 - A stray dog in Petea receives applause for being the first to cross the newly visa-free border between Hungary and Romania, as Romania joins the Schengen area.

[rapeculturerealities]

Link to original tweet

[catandravendesigns]

Orders to the EU

Hey there fans in the EU! If you've been thinking about placing an order with us, please do so before December 13th. Changes to the GPSR for the EU begin then. We are obviously happy to comply with product safety requirements but one of the new rules is having a representative IN the EU which we don't have and can't budget for right now. So after Dec 13th, we will not be able to ship to the EU. If this changes, we'll let you know!