POKING AROUND ON MONDAY

There are 610 days to the mid terms and the Republicans will drive the government over the cliff a week from this coming Friday. The firehose of shit has been dialed up to 11.

Because the news since Friday has been so awful, showing us at our worst, here’s a story about how we’re going to become our best again - by individual acts that spur others to step up.

From the Department of This is How You Do It: Halfway through an Oscar ceremony largely void of politics until that point, Daryl Hannah stood out. The Kill Bill star was a presenter to mark the 20th anniversary of Quentin Tarantino film’s Part 2 release. As she walked on stage, Hannah went off script, starting her remarks with “Slava Ukraine!” while flashing a victory sign. Hannah received huge applause from the audience in response, before returning to the topic of editing, stating: “The real total badasses in movies are the editors.” (Trust me, she’s definitely right on both counts - I’ve lost count of just the movies I know of that were saved in the editing room.)

Back to the rest:

From the Department of The Bullshit Just Keeps Flowing: White House national security adviser Mike Waltz compared Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to an “ex-girlfriend” who wants to relitigate issues from nearly a decade prior. In an interview on Breitbart Radio on Saturday, Waltz was critical of Zelensky’s approach to the Oval Office meeting and his subsequent Fox News interview, saying the Ukrainian president is too focused on “fact-checking” the past and not focused enough on moving on in the future. Asked whether Zelensky has improved his standing since the contentious meeting with Krasnov, Waltz said, “No, look, he’s clearly solely focused on believing he needs to fact-check and correct every nuance. “It’s like a, you know, ex-girlfriend that wants to argue everything that you said nine years ago, rather than moving the relationship forward.”(FACT CHECK: When you people are lying through your teeth about what is going on, you need a fact check, you Florida Man gator bait.) You know what this sounds like? The abuser in a relationship who wants to forget the past - where they are the criminal - and “move forward.” Somehow, I think Mike knows all about being the abuser who wants to “move on.”

Krasnov announced Sunday that the U.S. would be creating a crypto reserve to boost the growing industry.“A U.S. Crypto Reserve will elevate this critical industry after years of corrupt attacks by the Biden Administration, which is why my Executive Order on Digital Assets directed the Presidential Working Group to move forward on a Crypto Strategic Reserve that includes XRP, SOL, and ADA,” Krasnov posted to Truth Social. He said he will make the United States the “Crypto Capital of the World.” His announcement comes just after the White House announced it would be welcoming cryptocurrency industry professionals on March 7 in a first-of-its-kind summit. Attendees will include founders, CEOs and investors from the industry.

One of Krasnov’s first executive orders said he plans to foster “responsible growth” and use of “digital assets” and technologies to bolster the economy. Trump’s digital assets working group has a deadline of six months to submit recommendations on regulatory and legislative proposals to the president surrounding the industry. It’s unclear what exactly Trump’s crypto reserve would look like, and while he previously dismissed crypto as a scam, he’s embraced the industry throughout his most recent campaign (That’s because he discovered he could cash in on conning the rubes). My question: how does something of no value, which is generally used as a way to cheat investors, or for illegal criminal activities, have any business being taken seriously? FACT CHECK: Bitcoin is a scam. It always has been. It ain’t real and it fluctuates in value way too much to be currency. Oh and it takes a shitload of energy to mine.The Silly Con Valley Crypto Bros belong in prison with their “industry” declared illegal.

From the Department of The Wrong RFK Got Assassinated: The measles outbreak in Texas continues to grow, with nearly 150 reported cases, and more could be exposed. As of Friday, 164 cases have been reported nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The outbreak in West Texas has killed one person, a child, making it the first U.S. measles death in a decade. State and local health officials say hundreds of thousands of people in San Antonio could have been exposed over Valentine’s Day weekend. A person visiting the area for the weekend later tested positive, KSAT12 reported. “It’s very possible that this person could have come in contact with, if not hundreds, thousands of our community residents, as well as visitors,” said Anita Kurian, San Antonio Metropolitan Health District deputy director of communicable disease, per NBC News. “We are a destination city. We have real great concern of potential large community wide exposures at these public sites.” Officials say most of the community is vaccinated against the virus, but the threat remains. Vaccination proves to be a controversial, yet effective, measure in combating the virus, as just five of the infected are vaccinated. (The only “controversy” is among the sub-Pithecanthropus “anti-vax” morons.) RFK Jr. backtracked two days after he dismissed the first American child’s death from measles in decades by saying that outbreaks were “not unusual.” “Ending the measles outbreak is a top priority for me and my extraordinary team at HHS,” he wrote in an X post Friday afternoon. He said that the HHS had sent 2,000 doses of the measles vaccine to Texas, which has become an outbreak epicenter. “My heart goes out to the families impacted by the current measles outbreak in TX. I recognize the serious impact of this outbreak on families, children, and healthcare workers.” No HHS secretary ever had to say something like this ever before this incompetent, unqualified piece of shit.

From the Department of This Is What Happens When You Put A Dumbass Southern Hillbilly In Charge: DC’s lunatic US Attorney Ed Martin - the Missour Right to Life Lawyer who defended J6 Seditionists - posted a fake conspiracy from a foreign right-wing account that produces more fake stories on X than almost any other, and vowed that he was going to investigate it. The claim was that Anthony Blinken, Victoria Nuland, Susan Rice, and Alex Vindman met with Zelensky right before his meeting with Trump and told him to reject his deal. The post alleged this violated the Logan Act. Martin: “Concerning. No one is above the law.” Martin later deleted it after thousands of people informed him that the story was completely made up.

From the Department of The Europeans Grew A Spine: EU countries met in London and rallied around Zelensky after the debacle with Trump. Telegraph reported that UK PM Kier Starmer said Europe knows they must now do all the “heavy lifting,” and Britain would set an example by “doubling down” on their military aid and announcing a new package for Ukraine to purchase 5,000 air-defense missiles. Russian state media says maybe Trump went a little too far, which is causing an alarmed Europe to become a serious problem for them: "These states have a strong military history and tradition. Quite recently, they were among the strongest armies in the world. So we should not be dismissive of them and underestimate the danger from them." French President Macron, who had long advocated for EU countries to increase defense spending: “We must not forget one point—if anyone is playing the Third World War, it is Vladimir Putin. He was the one who started the war three years ago, and he brought 10,000 North Korean soldiers to European soil.” Keir Starmer gave Zelensky a warm and friendly welcome when he arrived in London from DC: “You are very, very welcome here in Downing Street. As you heard from the cheers outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom.”

From the Department of Not All Politicians Completely Get It: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer dismissed calls to cancel Krasnov’s invitation for a state visit to the United Kingdom, following the explosive Oval Office meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday. In an interview on the BBC, Starmer was asked about calls from politicians including Scottish National Party (SNP) first minister John Swinney, who said the state visit invitation should be canceled after Trump accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of being insufficiently grateful for U.S. support against Russia’s invasion. Starmer said his focus was on finding a resolution between the two leaders to try and refocus on the main focus of finding peace. Starmer also convened a summit of European leaders on Sunday in an effort to shore up support for Ukraine after Friday’s chaotic meeting.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia was thrilled with how Trump treated Zelensky: "The new administration is rapidly changing all foreign policy configurations. This largely aligns with our vision. There is a long way to go because a lot of damage has been done to the whole complex of bilateral relations. But if the political will of the two leaders, Presidents Putin and Trump, is maintained, this path can be quite quick and successful." Yeah, for Russia. Elon Musk posted on X that the US should withdraw from NATO and the UN, which has kept the western world safe for 80 years. Sen. Mike Lee then responded that he agreed with Musk, as he does on everything.

From the Department of Fuck Bill Maher In His Face Repeatedly: I personally cannot stand alleged “comedian” Bill Maher. A friend who was going to be on his shitty show once asked if I’d like to come along; I told him he really didn’t want to make that offer, since I would take the first opportunity to kick Maher so hard in his vitals he never got out of the ball he would curl up in. If you think my reaction is too strong, this is what the motherfucking idiotic scumbag said last Friday: Comedian Bill Maher slammed the no-spend day protests calling the economic blackout protest "so f------ stupid," as his panel suggested Democrats figure out how to win elections. "This is something called the People’s Union USA. And they have something called — today I got emails about this from people — no spend day. And it’s against the malign influence of billionaires, big corporations and both major political parties on the lives of working Americans," Maher said during his "Overtime" section of his Friday show. "And what it is, is you refrain from making any purchases, either in stores or online, to shun fast food, getting gas — for a full day! I know! That look on your face says it all! You’re right, it’s so f------ stupid!" Rahm Fucking Emmanuel was also on, but I’m not going to quote his bullshit - go to Hollywood and fuck up movies with your brother, asshole, that’s mostly harmless.

From the Department of Make Republicans Rue The Day they Were Born: WKOW reported that former SEAL Fuckwit Who Demeans The Rank of Navy Chief Petty Officer Rep. Derrick Van Orden threatened retaliation against a former VA employee who complained to him about DOGE cuts. The man worked as a veterans service rep at the LA VA, until he was fired on Feb. 3. Van Orden responded to his plea: “I will be referring you to DOGE,” since the man sent the message during working hours. He had already been fired though. Van Orden issued a statement after the exchange was made public: “I have spoken directly with the VA here in Wisconsin and they were explicitly clear that their ability to deliver world class care to our veterans has not been diminished.” (FACT CHECK: Pat Dennis, President of America’s Bridge: “I track data on wait times and performance at these medical centers. At the Madison VA, a week ago a veteran with cancer, a new patient, would wait on average 23.6 days for an appointment. Too long. Today? 29 days.” As Dan Goldman puts it: “Right now, Republicans think their seats are at greater risk from Trump/Musk retaliation than from their constituents’ votes. Time for the people to rise up and make your voices heard. My GOP colleagues will only stand up to Trump if they believe their seat depends on it.”

From the Department of Fuck Elmo In His Face Again: Elmo called on Republicans in Congress to start impeaching federal judges who rule against DOGE, which has been pretty much all of them: “The only way to restore rule of the people in America is to impeach judges. We must impeach to save democracy.” Sen. Dick Durbin: “It’s clear they’re trying to create an environment of intimidation to the judiciary to try to make certain that they don’t rule against Trump and his policies.” Sen. Richard Blumenthal: “It is all about raw politics. It may seem absurd and hypothetical to us here, but to judges, it is extremely threatening. It is plainly a device to bully and intimidate judges to think twice about issuing orders.” Even Lindsey Graham agreed with Democrats on this one: “The Rolling Stones said it best: ‘You can’t always get what you want.’ I’m not a big fan of impeaching somebody because you don’t like their decision. They have to actually do something unethical.”

And here’s the good news for today:

From the Department of The Right Is Always Whining When They Get Treated Like The Assholes They Are: The hosts of Fox & Friends whined about protestors in Vermont who greeted Vice President JD Vance on his family ski trip. “JD Vance skiing and, boy, the Vermonters were not very friendly and welcoming,” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy said Sunday at the beginning of the segment. “I don’t think any conservatives would want to go to Vermont skiing anymore!” (Hey that sounds excellent! Stop going anywhere where you fucking morons bother real people.) Vance’s family arrived at the Sugarbush Resort in Warren, Vt., on Saturday, where hundreds of protesters gathered to demonstrate in support of Ukraine after a contentious Oval Office meeting on Friday. Co-host Charlie Hunt attempted to interject irony into the commentary:“Shocking to find out that the state that keeps sending us Bernie Sanders decided to turn out ... against J.D. Vance because of the showdown in the White House yesterday,” “I think family should be off limits,” Campos-Duffy said before rapidly contradicting herself. “Hunter Biden sold out the country—there was a reason to talk about it.” She then resumed criticizing the demonstrators. “Why are they bothering? This man on his ski vacation.” Peter Doocy also speculated that Vance may not even notice the protests as Secret Service security guards kept him well away. “Do you think he’s looking out of his window? He’s looking at these memes from the Oval Office meeting the other day?” The Right is nothing but Fucking Morons.

Ending on a good strong note, last Friday Elvira, Mistress of the Dark, plastered "ELON SUX" across her Tesla and then donated it to NPR. Bow down to the eternal Queen of Halloween.

And I want to end today with a reminder of what Krasnov’s good buddy Putin is doing daily in his “quest for peace”:

Among those killed in Ukraine in recent weeks was Olga Moroz, a baker born in 1968, who died when a Russian rocket hit the yard of her home in Kramatorsk. Local media quoted her friends as saying she was a hard worker who was always cheerful and was taking care of her elderly mother.

A Russian missile hit a building in Kryvyi Rih, crushing 21-year-old Vladimir Pimenov. Local media said the man, a talented dancer, died in hospital. Pimenov’s girlfriend was critically injured in the strike and remains in hospital, the report said.

In the town of Bilytske, in the Donetsk region, a Russian strike on a residential building killed Yevhen and Olga Buryane, young parents of two children. Local volunteers have organized a fundraiser in support of the orphans.

At the same time Krasnov and Justa Dimwit Vance were trying to browbeat President Zelenskyy into surrendering to the tender mercies of a murderous madman, these events occurred:

A civilian passenger was killed when a Russian drone hit a minibus in Kherson, according to the Ukrainian prosecutors, while two civilian men in their early 60s were killed by Russian drones cycling through the town on Lyman in eastern Ukraine.

When emergency workers arrived at the home of Tetyana Kulyk and her husband Pavlo Ivanchov shortly after it was hit by a Russian drone on Wednesday, all they could do was recover their charred bodies. Kulyk, a renowned Ukrainian journalist, and Ivanchov, a surgeon and university professor, were killed when the drone hit their home just north of Kyiv. Kulyk and Ivanchov were hailed by their friends and colleagues, with many highlighting their respective achievements.

Serhiy Cherevaty, the director general of Ukrinform, the Ukrainian National News Agency, where Kulyk worked, praised her work on programs focused on Ukraine’s soldiers.“She will forever remain in our hearts and in our memory,” he said in a statement. “Tetiana was not just a professional in her field; she was a voice that told the world about the resilience of the Ukrainian people,” said Serhiy Tomilenko, the president of the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine.

The Bogomolets National Medical University where Ivanchov worked said he “didn’t just operate, he organized the entire healing process – from admission to discharge from hospital, he passed his knowledge on to students and colleagues and was a role model to students who aspire to become qualified doctors and responsible citizens.” Ivanchov, it added, “was the person who made the university into what it is today.”

Remember these people the next time you hear shit spewing from that anus under Krasnov’s nose.

At the big WWE event in Toronto this weekend, Canadians loudly booed during the US National Anthem. Again.

I hope some of these stories make you angry, because anger can be goo energy when it is transformed into energy to opose that which made you angry. I’ll do my best here, and it would really help if you became a paid subscrier to support this. Only $7/month or $70/year, saving $14.

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