Ted Jonas

On Ukraine and Putin – it’s 'TACO' on speed. According to President Trump’s promises and threats, he should by now have punished Russia and helped Ukraine. Instead, ‘Trump Always Chickens Out’ (‘TACO’) - also on Ukraine and Putin.

open.substack.com/pub/twogrump...

Two Dictators Walk Into a Bar... On yesterday’s sickening Oval Office summit.

www.thebulwark.com/p/two-dictat...

The most clueless billionaire ever, when it comes to any social good. A concept he has no idea of.

Great essay. This was my grandparents’ world and experience, immigrant garment workers in NYC themselves, they lost friends in the Triangle fire.

Identity politics contained the seeds of its own destruction. As disadvantaged minorities gained more equal opportunities, individuals diversified in their political stands, as is their right. The upshot: economic empowerment should be the key message of progressives, as Bernie Sanders always said.

“Trump’s new Executive Order underscores how far removed this President, Attorney General and Administration are from our nation’s Constitution and bedrock values. Our liberties depend on lawyers’ willingness to represent unpopular people and causes, including in matters adverse to the Federal Government. An attack on lawyers who perform this work is inexcusable and despicable. Our profession owes every client zealous legal representation without fear of retribution, regardless of their political affiliation or ability to pay. We encourage law firm leaders to sign on to an amicus effort in support of Perkins Coie’s challenge to the Administration’s executive order targeting the firm, and to resist the Administration’s erosion of the rule of law.” – John Keker, Robert Van Nest, Elliot Peters, Laurie Carr Mims, and the Keker, Van Nest & Peters Partnership

Our first post is a big one...Statement from Keker, Van Nest & Peters on Trump’s Latest Executive Order “Preventing Abuses of the Legal System and the Federal Court.”

Indeed.

ADDRESSING REMEDIAL ACTION BY PAUL WEISS By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:Section 1.

2/2 Therefore the firm surrendered its independence and works under continuing WH and DoJ supervision. Many lawyers would find it humiliating to work in such a firm, and clients with disputes with the US Gov should question whether PW can be trusted as zealous, un-compromised advocate.

Karp’s e-mail doesn’t address 4 major points according to WH version of deal: political neutrality in client selection and attorney hiring; pro bono representing full political spectrum; merit-based [sic] hiring, promotion, retention, instead of “DEI.” So WH & DoJ can supervise all that. 1/2

Yeah, that seemed a bit extreme.

No joke. Spending half an hour in an airplane bathroom for no good reason, not obeying the instructions of the crew, is selfish behavior of the most oblivious kind.

If the pilot used anti-Semitic language that is not okay. But hauling someone out of the toilet who occupied it for half an hour? Definitely okay. An airplane toilet, you do your business and get out; not the place to resolve your constipation.

Careful legal work by Paul Weiss there….

I damn well hope so!

Right on, Senator. Please try to talk sense into Schumer’s head. Democrats should not incriminate themselves before the voters by supporting this budget. It is terrible and represents everything we oppose about the Musk-Trump regime.

Schumer is making a big mistake supporting the Republican budget. This is not our program. Budget or no budget Musk-Trump will continue wrecking the government. We have no reason to share the blame for this assault on the American people.

Totally agree. On social media, I have seen hundreds flock to his support, and also criticizing the 10 Dems who voted with all the Reps on the censure measure. What he did was justified and he looked good doing it - like a biblical prophet.

Trump’s emergent governing style is extremist bombast followed by sheepish retreat. Bullshitting and chaos. Query whether he’ll be able to succeed at anything?

Such a wanker.

What Fresh Hell Do We Have Today? Sure, we’ve abandoned Ukraine, launched a trade war with our neighbors, and insulted close allies. But at least we’re screwing over our veterans, too.

"Lech Wałęsa reminded Trump that 'Gratitude is due to the heroic Ukrainian soldiers,' and added, 'We do not understand how the leader of a country that is a symbol of the free world cannot see this.'

Donald Trump cannot see this. Do the American people?"

www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-puti...

This was a really superb piece, and what I value most about it is the call to action. People need to link in to like-minded friends and activists, be in the streets, and work on their local politicians and politics, including challenging Democrats to step up or step aside.

The weird change in your motto is supposed to reflect your cynical descent into oligarchic control I assume?

At Least Now We Know the Truth The truth is ugly, but it’s necessary to face it.

Sunk in shame for this un-American administration and its cowardly enablers. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...

Five former US defense secretaries assail Trump's military firings as reckless Five former U.S. defense secretaries on Thursday condemned President Donald Trump's "reckless" firing of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other senior officers and called on Congress to halt any confirmation of their successors.

Important to see Mattis finally step forward. Will this sway enough Republicans to block Trump’s new CJCS nominee, who does not have the qualifications for the job, while the former CJCS (African American) and Navy Chief (female) that they fired did? www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...

😆

She was wonderful.

This is a great article, Anne, and what is particularly important is that it calls for specific, concrete actions - seizure of $300 billion in Russian funds in Europe for Ukraine, and the urgent ramping up of a European military deterrent.

Trump Fires Joint Chiefs Chairman Amid Flurry of Dismissals at Pentagon (Gift Article) The decision to fire Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., a four-star fighter pilot, upends a tradition in which the Joint Chiefs chairman traditionally remains in place as administrations change.

Straight from “DEI favoritism” to Jim Crow and gender discrimination. This is clearing the decks of opposition and staffing the top ranks to ensure the U.S. Armed Forces are compliant in the MAGA coup. #resist. www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/u...

The top leadership of the United States that opposes Donald Trump - governors, congressional leaders, retired generals, former presidents and other public figures - need to join in a Committee to Defend America. The time is here, now. #resist