Joseph Britt
@zathras5.bsky.social
Wisconsin and the world. Opinions my own. Once a Republican.
Pinned
Joseph Britt
@zathras5.bsky.social
· Mar 20
For the white, against the colored.
For the rich, against the rest.
For the dictator, against the democracy.
These are not the only principles of the Republican Party in the 2020s, but they are the main ones. They are the first fruits of decadence.
For the rich, against the rest.
For the dictator, against the democracy.
These are not the only principles of the Republican Party in the 2020s, but they are the main ones. They are the first fruits of decadence.
This reporting by @alexhorton.bsky.social & @ellenwapo.bsky.social puts that Democratic ad about military personnel not having to follow illegal orders in a different light. Why would they not, if senior officers will — with enthusiasm? [gift link] wapo.st/49KbUJ1
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
wapo.st
November 28, 2025 at 6:06 PM
This reporting by @alexhorton.bsky.social & @ellenwapo.bsky.social puts that Democratic ad about military personnel not having to follow illegal orders in a different light. Why would they not, if senior officers will — with enthusiasm? [gift link] wapo.st/49KbUJ1
Weekend listen: The Chinese economy as seen in Beijing, discussed by Elizabeth Economy and Bonny Lin on @csis.org’s regularly insightful China Power podcast. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
The Fourth Plenum and China’s Evolving Economic Strategy: A Conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Economy
Podcast Episode · ChinaPower · 11/20/2025 · 29m
podcasts.apple.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Weekend listen: The Chinese economy as seen in Beijing, discussed by Elizabeth Economy and Bonny Lin on @csis.org’s regularly insightful China Power podcast. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
Major news from Ukraine. Follows a search of Yermak’s residence by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency, noted here by @alexpanchenko2.bsky.social. Yermak has for years been a power in Zelensky’s government, serving as a kind of chief of staff/security advisor/surrogate. Via @tatarigami.bsky.social
BREAKING: Andriy Yermak has submitted his resignation as Head of the Presidential Office.
This was announced by Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address.
This was announced by Volodymyr Zelensky in his video address.
November 28, 2025 at 3:41 PM
Major news from Ukraine. Follows a search of Yermak’s residence by Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency, noted here by @alexpanchenko2.bsky.social. Yermak has for years been a power in Zelensky’s government, serving as a kind of chief of staff/security advisor/surrogate. Via @tatarigami.bsky.social
Packers coach Matt LaFleur answered a lot of critics today against the Lions. What a game.
November 27, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Packers coach Matt LaFleur answered a lot of critics today against the Lions. What a game.
Every time you think you’ve seen everything….
ICE DETAINED MARILYN. Fuck these people. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
‘Northern Exposure’ actor gave ICE agents in Redmond her tribal ID. They called it ‘fake,’ she says
Indigenous actor Elaine Miles of "Northern Exposure" was detained by ICE at a Redmond bus stop. When she showed them her Tribal ID, they told her it was fake.
www.seattletimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Every time you think you’ve seen everything….
Good @talkingfeds.bsky.social today on the state of the Justice Department. No disrespect at all to panelists @annabower.bsky.social @harrylitman.bsky.social or Amy Jeffress, DOJ veteran Paul Fishman sums up changes at the Department as well as I have ever heard. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Halligan, Bondi, and Other Turkeys
Podcast Episode · Talking Feds · 11/27/2025 · 51m
podcasts.apple.com
November 27, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Good @talkingfeds.bsky.social today on the state of the Justice Department. No disrespect at all to panelists @annabower.bsky.social @harrylitman.bsky.social or Amy Jeffress, DOJ veteran Paul Fishman sums up changes at the Department as well as I have ever heard. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Thread. As the Trump administration seems intent on betraying Ukraine, it is end also to be moving toward war with Venezuela. @joshtpm.bsky.social tries, with limited success, to work out what the Trumpers want to do and why.
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
I do wonder if this is it. WTF is Donald Trump doing w Venezuela? Like we've had US presidents do crazy things. I mean we invaded Iraq and toppled its government more or less for no reason. But as someone who covered that story very closely they DID have reasons. They were bad ...
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Thread. As the Trump administration seems intent on betraying Ukraine, it is end also to be moving toward war with Venezuela. @joshtpm.bsky.social tries, with limited success, to work out what the Trumpers want to do and why.
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
Reposted by Joseph Britt
An indispensable read from Reuters: Trump's 470 targets of retribution. www.reuters.com/investigates...
November 26, 2025 at 6:46 PM
An indispensable read from Reuters: Trump's 470 targets of retribution. www.reuters.com/investigates...
This is nauseating. Not the fee increases at US national parks; that is merely foolish. The redesign of the AtB passes to feature our aspiring dictator suggests there are people in NPS who aren’t on board with the whole democracy thing. Reporting by @scattercushion.bsky.social for @sfgate.com
Changes to the America the Beautiful passes prioritize U.S. citizens.
Trump's face on new national park passes outrages conservationists
Changes to the America the Beautiful passes prioritize U.S. citizens.
bit.ly
November 27, 2025 at 4:09 AM
This is nauseating. Not the fee increases at US national parks; that is merely foolish. The redesign of the AtB passes to feature our aspiring dictator suggests there are people in NPS who aren’t on board with the whole democracy thing. Reporting by @scattercushion.bsky.social for @sfgate.com
Reposted by Joseph Britt
This is a really big story that should not be missed. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
DOJ Says Noem Made Final Decision on El Salvador Removals in Breach of Court Order
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:38 AM
This is a really big story that should not be missed. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
BREAKING: Judge Scott McAfee grants motion to dismiss Georgia case against Trump, others.
The Fulton County case -- which resulted in guilty pleas by Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Scott Hall, and Kenneth Chesebro -- is officially done.
The Fulton County case -- which resulted in guilty pleas by Sidney Powell, Jenna Ellis, Scott Hall, and Kenneth Chesebro -- is officially done.
November 26, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Shooting incident near the White House today, via @joshuajfriedman.com. Neither the President or the Vice President are in Washington today.
NEW: DC's Metropolitan Police Dept says it has one suspect in custody after a shooting at 17th and I, near the White House.
AP reports that two members of the National Guard were shot, which DHS sec Kristi Noem confirms in a tweet.
Jeff Mason of Reuters reports that the White House is on lockdown.
AP reports that two members of the National Guard were shot, which DHS sec Kristi Noem confirms in a tweet.
Jeff Mason of Reuters reports that the White House is on lockdown.
November 26, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Shooting incident near the White House today, via @joshuajfriedman.com. Neither the President or the Vice President are in Washington today.
Reposted by Joseph Britt
A profile of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — drug addict, sex addict, apparent rage addict and on a mission from God — by @michaelscherer.bsky.social inspired this tough interview by @sykescharlie.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Michael Scherer: Inside RFK Jr.’s Rise
Podcast Episode · To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes · 11/25/2025 · 46m
podcasts.apple.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A profile of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — drug addict, sex addict, apparent rage addict and on a mission from God — by @michaelscherer.bsky.social inspired this tough interview by @sykescharlie.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, keeps shooting out of the ground in Oklahoma.
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Toxic Wastewater From Oil Fields Keeps Pouring Out of the Ground. Oklahoma Regulators Failed to Stop It.
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, is spewing from old wells. Experts warn of a pollution crisis spreading underground and threatening Oklahoma’s drin...
www.propublica.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Salt water laced with cancer-causing chemicals, a byproduct of oil and gas drilling, keeps shooting out of the ground in Oklahoma.
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Experts say it means even more wastewater is spreading underground, poisoning the state’s water supply.
With @readfrontier.bsky.social
Thread. As the Trump administration seems intent on betraying Ukraine, it is end also to be moving toward war with Venezuela. @joshtpm.bsky.social tries, with limited success, to work out what the Trumpers want to do and why.
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
I do wonder if this is it. WTF is Donald Trump doing w Venezuela? Like we've had US presidents do crazy things. I mean we invaded Iraq and toppled its government more or less for no reason. But as someone who covered that story very closely they DID have reasons. They were bad ...
November 26, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Thread. As the Trump administration seems intent on betraying Ukraine, it is end also to be moving toward war with Venezuela. @joshtpm.bsky.social tries, with limited success, to work out what the Trumpers want to do and why.
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
I’ve not had much success with this myself. But here’s my guess….
FBI agents who must begin each day saying to themselves “Hail Trump! Hail Victory!” to interview legislators who made a video reminding military personnel they need not follow unlawful orders. Americans worried about corruption of law enforcement should keep worrying. [gift link] wapo.st/44xqv6V
FBI seeks interviews with Democrats whom Trump called ‘traitors’
The Trump administration has aggressively sought to punish lawmakers who encouraged service members to disobey unlawful orders.
wapo.st
November 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
FBI agents who must begin each day saying to themselves “Hail Trump! Hail Victory!” to interview legislators who made a video reminding military personnel they need not follow unlawful orders. Americans worried about corruption of law enforcement should keep worrying. [gift link] wapo.st/44xqv6V
This @bloomberg.com account makes Steve Witkoff looks like the Kremlin’s man in Trump’s administration. How do we get from the terms he got from Moscow to something Ukraine could accept? Or from what Kiev would accept to something Moscow would abide by? Link via @literallybismarck.bsky.social
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Witkoff Advised Russia on How to Pitch Ukraine Plan to Trump
US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff, fresh from the triumph of the Gaza peace deal, held a phone call last month with a senior Kremlin official to suggest they work together on a similar plan for Ukra...
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:24 PM
This @bloomberg.com account makes Steve Witkoff looks like the Kremlin’s man in Trump’s administration. How do we get from the terms he got from Moscow to something Ukraine could accept? Or from what Kiev would accept to something Moscow would abide by? Link via @literallybismarck.bsky.social
A profile of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — drug addict, sex addict, apparent rage addict and on a mission from God — by @michaelscherer.bsky.social inspired this tough interview by @sykescharlie.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Michael Scherer: Inside RFK Jr.’s Rise
Podcast Episode · To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes · 11/25/2025 · 46m
podcasts.apple.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:18 PM
A profile of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. — drug addict, sex addict, apparent rage addict and on a mission from God — by @michaelscherer.bsky.social inspired this tough interview by @sykescharlie.bsky.social. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
Department of Everything is Related to Everything Else: @wessiler.bsky.social has some interesting thoughts about how some dumb Trump policies (like tariffs and cheap oil) may mitigate the damage from other dumb Trump policies (trying to gut the Clean Water & Endangered Species Acts).
Or: How the invasion of Venezuela will save America's wetlands. wessiler.substack.com/p/what-moham...
What Mohammed Bin Salman’s White House Visit Means For The Endangered Species Act
Unintended consequences of completely predictable outcomes created by gross incompetence
wessiler.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Department of Everything is Related to Everything Else: @wessiler.bsky.social has some interesting thoughts about how some dumb Trump policies (like tariffs and cheap oil) may mitigate the damage from other dumb Trump policies (trying to gut the Clean Water & Endangered Species Acts).
Reposted by Joseph Britt
BREAKING: Trump is again separating kids from families
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
ICE Sent 600 Immigrant Kids to Detention in Federal Shelters This Year. It’s a New Record.
Under a zero tolerance policy, the first Trump administration separated immigrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. New data suggests separations are happening all over the count...
www.propublica.org
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
BREAKING: Trump is again separating kids from families
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
The govt isn't releasing info, but we found ICE has sent record # of kids to shelters.
One family went to govt office , only to have parents detained while the children—aged 5, 11 and 1--went to shelters
www.propublica.org/article/ice-...
Reposted by Joseph Britt
BREAKING: Comey case dismissed without prejudice. Halligan invalidly appointed, judge rules. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 PM
BREAKING: Comey case dismissed without prejudice. Halligan invalidly appointed, judge rules. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Ukraine is negotiating to retain some measure of American support. The United States is negotiating to make the Russo-Ukrainian war go away as an issue Trump has to bother with.
These are not compatible objectives. The negotiations @kyivindependent.com describes are unlikely to succeed.
These are not compatible objectives. The negotiations @kyivindependent.com describes are unlikely to succeed.
⚡️ Update: Ukraine says no plans for Trump-Zelensky meeting yet, despite media reports.
There are no plans for President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the U.S. so far, but no options are off the table, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 24.
There are no plans for President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to the U.S. so far, but no options are off the table, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 24.
Ukraine says no plans for Trump-Zelensky meeting yet, despite media reports
There are no plans for President Volodymyr Zelensky's next visit to the U.S. so far, but no options are off the table, the Ukrainian Embassy in Washington told the Kyiv Independent on Nov. 24.
kyivindependent.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Ukraine is negotiating to retain some measure of American support. The United States is negotiating to make the Russo-Ukrainian war go away as an issue Trump has to bother with.
These are not compatible objectives. The negotiations @kyivindependent.com describes are unlikely to succeed.
These are not compatible objectives. The negotiations @kyivindependent.com describes are unlikely to succeed.
The Trump administration prepares to gut the Endangered Species Act and provisions of the Clean Water Act applying to ephemeral streams. These are rule changes requiring public comment, and are subject to legal challenge (only Congress can change the text of laws). By @maxinejoselow.bsky.social
"This was the week from hell for environmental policy in the United States,” Vermont Law and Graduate School's Pat Parenteau told @maxinejoselow.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/22/c...
In One Week, Trump Moves to Reshape U.S. Environmental Policy
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:30 AM
The Trump administration prepares to gut the Endangered Species Act and provisions of the Clean Water Act applying to ephemeral streams. These are rule changes requiring public comment, and are subject to legal challenge (only Congress can change the text of laws). By @maxinejoselow.bsky.social
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Weekend listen: Shrewd, and apprehensive, assessment of the disintegrating international order from an Australian perspective by Michael Fullilove of @lowyinstitute.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
EVENT: Present at the Destruction
Podcast Episode · Lowy Institute · 11/20/2025 · 1h 1m
podcasts.apple.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Weekend listen: Shrewd, and apprehensive, assessment of the disintegrating international order from an Australian perspective by Michael Fullilove of @lowyinstitute.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Perceptive essay by @emptywheel.bsky.social on Trump’s meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani last week, and also about the administration’s multiple (and competing) approaches to the Russo-Ukrainian War.
November 23, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Perceptive essay by @emptywheel.bsky.social on Trump’s meeting with New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani last week, and also about the administration’s multiple (and competing) approaches to the Russo-Ukrainian War.