Ed Franks
@edfranks.bsky.social
PhD: Econolytics/RAND
MS: Biochemistry/MIT
BS: Chemistry/UCSD
MA: Theology/Fuller Seminary
⬆︎Reagan/Hayek/Hume/Locke/Z⬆︎
⬆︎TULIP/Calvin/Cromwell/Owen⬆︎
⬇︎Putin/Marx/China/Quds/Hamas⬇︎
____________________________________
MS: Biochemistry/MIT
BS: Chemistry/UCSD
MA: Theology/Fuller Seminary
⬆︎Reagan/Hayek/Hume/Locke/Z⬆︎
⬆︎TULIP/Calvin/Cromwell/Owen⬆︎
⬇︎Putin/Marx/China/Quds/Hamas⬇︎
____________________________________
Pinned
Ed Franks
@edfranks.bsky.social
· Sep 8
How the Ukraine-Russia War Is Transforming the Tank
They’ve been a mainstay in battle since the early 20th century. But in just three years of war in Ukraine, tanks have evolved.
www.nytimes.com
This an absolutely brilliant article (IMHO) by NYT on the evolution of tank warfare on both sides of the LOC in the Ukraine War - the epitome of asymmetrical warfare actions & reactions! "Tanks Were Just Tanks, Until Drones Made Them Change" www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
For yrs Putin's had some kind of Kompromat on Tramp!? Nothing else could explain Tramp's fealty to Putin? Helsinki was our lowest point ever! I assumed Putin had bribed Tramp, or promised to. But now it seems he simply told Tramp what he learned directly from Epstein! www.yahoo.com/news/article...
Jeffrey Epstein claimed he gave Russians insight into Trump
Newly released emails show the late convicted sex offender’s extensive network of foreign contacts, whom he corresponded with about Trump’s policy decisions.
www.yahoo.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
For yrs Putin's had some kind of Kompromat on Tramp!? Nothing else could explain Tramp's fealty to Putin? Helsinki was our lowest point ever! I assumed Putin had bribed Tramp, or promised to. But now it seems he simply told Tramp what he learned directly from Epstein! www.yahoo.com/news/article...
He didn't even use his back, he used an undocumented claim of a bone spur in one of his feet... he can't remember which foot it was! It's the dumbest "4f" status claim ever! For a man such as this to have the audacity to participate in Veterans' Day commemorations is appalling.
Dit celui qui a pris prétexte de ses vertèbres pour se faire réformer!
Some context: Trump is referring to those who fight and die for their country in military service. Those he told John Kelly were “suckers” and “losers.”
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
November 12, 2025 at 10:19 AM
He didn't even use his back, he used an undocumented claim of a bone spur in one of his feet... he can't remember which foot it was! It's the dumbest "4f" status claim ever! For a man such as this to have the audacity to participate in Veterans' Day commemorations is appalling.
Be patient, and perhaps pray a bit; Putin/Russia is faltering and only needs to be outlasted?! Please God, may the Russian Federation crumble soon just like the USSR did 35 yrs ago!? kyivindependent.com/russian-army...
Under heavy fog, Russia presses into Pokrovsk — Ukraine says 300 troops enter city
Russian forces are advancing into Pokrovsk from the southern outskirts, using light equipment, according to the 7th Corps of Ukraine's Air Assault Forces.
kyivindependent.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Be patient, and perhaps pray a bit; Putin/Russia is faltering and only needs to be outlasted?! Please God, may the Russian Federation crumble soon just like the USSR did 35 yrs ago!? kyivindependent.com/russian-army...
No lawyer with any sense would risk throwing all the yrs of hard work it took to achieve whatever status they now have to risk it all by going to work for TWO such devout criminals!? www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit — and few are replaced
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:27 AM
No lawyer with any sense would risk throwing all the yrs of hard work it took to achieve whatever status they now have to risk it all by going to work for TWO such devout criminals!? www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
God damn Sen Kaine & the other 7 traitors to the people. Just what we needed after a 41-day shutdown was to cave to the GOP & get NOTHING in return?! WTF were the 8 traitors, all of whom are retiring next yr, thinking?! Were they bought off w/post-Senate jobs? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Deal to end government shutdown passes Senate, heads to House
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said he is preparing to call his members back to Washington while the Senate finalizes the deal.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:21 AM
God damn Sen Kaine & the other 7 traitors to the people. Just what we needed after a 41-day shutdown was to cave to the GOP & get NOTHING in return?! WTF were the 8 traitors, all of whom are retiring next yr, thinking?! Were they bought off w/post-Senate jobs? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Recall when Sloviansk was liberated in the Spr of 2014 after Putin's premature attempt to grab Donetsk & Luhansk. & here we are, 11 yrs later, still holding Russia at bay, no thx to Tramp. "At Sloviansk direction clashes yesterday - General Staff of AFU reports" liveuamap.com/en/2025/9-no...
At Sloviansk direction clashes yesterday near Yampil, Serebryanka, Dronivka, Vyyimka and Fedorivka, - General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine reports Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine - Ukraine Interactive map...
At Sloviansk direction clashes yesterday near Yampil, Serebryanka, Dronivka, Vyyimka and Fedorivka, - General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine reports. Live Universal Awareness Map Liveuamap is a lead...
liveuamap.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Recall when Sloviansk was liberated in the Spr of 2014 after Putin's premature attempt to grab Donetsk & Luhansk. & here we are, 11 yrs later, still holding Russia at bay, no thx to Tramp. "At Sloviansk direction clashes yesterday - General Staff of AFU reports" liveuamap.com/en/2025/9-no...
Recall when Sloviansk was liberated in the Spr of 2014 after Putin's premature attempt to grab Donetsk & Luhansk. & here we are, 11 yrs later, still holding Russia at bay, no thx to Tramp. "At Sloviansk direction clashes yesterday - General Staff of AFU reports" liveuamap.com/en/2025/9-no...
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Recall when Sloviansk was liberated in the Spr of 2014 after Putin's premature attempt to grab Donetsk & Luhansk. & here we are, 11 yrs later, still holding Russia at bay, no thx to Tramp. "At Sloviansk direction clashes yesterday - General Staff of AFU reports" liveuamap.com/en/2025/9-no...
Good Lord, he LIVES! Olbermann LIVES! Praise the Lord. May he lay into the GOP and their POTUS like he used to back when I WAS one of them & didn't appreciate how effective he was. Now that I'm a former GOP'er, I'd really enjoy an Olbermann comeback in any form. God works in ... : )
New Countdown Podcast drops at midnight with a warning to Democratic Senators willing to trade a reopening for just PROMISES of an ObamaCare vote: you are Quislings and we will end your career
Also: Trump's mind is GONE. It's SO gone even the WaPo noticed! Drops at midnight
Also: Trump's mind is GONE. It's SO gone even the WaPo noticed! Drops at midnight
November 9, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Good Lord, he LIVES! Olbermann LIVES! Praise the Lord. May he lay into the GOP and their POTUS like he used to back when I WAS one of them & didn't appreciate how effective he was. Now that I'm a former GOP'er, I'd really enjoy an Olbermann comeback in any form. God works in ... : )
It seems Tramp's aides have decided it's better to have him sleeping on the job than to give him Adderall (or equivalent), which turns him into a chatterbox who says just about anything to anyone about anything, which is, not surprisingly, a bigger problem?!
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
A closer look at Trump’s apparent struggles to fight off sleep in the Oval Office
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent nearly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open at a recent Oval Office event.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:51 PM
It seems Tramp's aides have decided it's better to have him sleeping on the job than to give him Adderall (or equivalent), which turns him into a chatterbox who says just about anything to anyone about anything, which is, not surprisingly, a bigger problem?!
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
How ironic that Sleepy Tramp's favorite nickname for Biden is Sleepy Joe?! It'd be too funny if it weren't so terrifying to have our POTUS sleeping thru a shutdown!? Seems Tramp's only awake when the Adderall kicks in, but then God knows what lies he'll spew! www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
A closer look at Trump’s apparent struggles to fight off sleep in the Oval Office
A Washington Post analysis of multiple video feeds found that Trump spent nearly 20 minutes battling to keep his eyes open at a recent Oval Office event.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:42 PM
How ironic that Sleepy Tramp's favorite nickname for Biden is Sleepy Joe?! It'd be too funny if it weren't so terrifying to have our POTUS sleeping thru a shutdown!? Seems Tramp's only awake when the Adderall kicks in, but then God knows what lies he'll spew! www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Nicely done. : )
Moon post - take two! Clouds have blown away and here's one more before my bedtime! Note the line of craters on the terminator edge, upper left side. #astronomy #astrophotography @stormhour.com @photohour.bsky.social
November 8, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Nicely done. : )
It should be clear to every1 why this shutdown has gone on so long -- b/c it makes it easier for Tramp to rule w/impunity w/o those monthly econ reports to keep him honest?! I can't wait for the resumption which will show jumps in joblessness & inflation & a GDP plunge! archive.ph/OgOWN#select...
archive.ph
November 8, 2025 at 3:38 AM
It should be clear to every1 why this shutdown has gone on so long -- b/c it makes it easier for Tramp to rule w/impunity w/o those monthly econ reports to keep him honest?! I can't wait for the resumption which will show jumps in joblessness & inflation & a GDP plunge! archive.ph/OgOWN#select...
Finally, Speaker Johnson has an opinion on something, i.e., there is something he has heard about & has decided that he has something to say about it! : )
Surprised he heard about it.
Mike Johnson: "What happened last night is blue states and blue cities voted blue. We all saw that coming. And no one should read too much into last night's election results."
November 6, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Finally, Speaker Johnson has an opinion on something, i.e., there is something he has heard about & has decided that he has something to say about it! : )
Well, that's a darn good sign, since there is zero legal basis for Tramp's tariff regime. None. Nada. It's totally illegal in every way. It's got ZERO legitimacy. It's simply a con by the world's greatest grifter, Tramp the Munificent. God help SCOTUS help us. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Supreme Court appears skeptical of legality of most of Trump’s tariffs
The Supreme Court held arguments on one of the most important cases of its term, testing whether the president has authority to impose wide-ranging tariffs.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:54 AM
Well, that's a darn good sign, since there is zero legal basis for Tramp's tariff regime. None. Nada. It's totally illegal in every way. It's got ZERO legitimacy. It's simply a con by the world's greatest grifter, Tramp the Munificent. God help SCOTUS help us. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
No matter how much damage results from a Ukraine drone attack, the Russians always counter that, if any damage did occur, it was due to debris created when drones were destroyed by Russia's air defenses! Seems Russian air defenses are doing good work for Ukraine?! kyivindependent.com/explosions-r...
'Please remain calm' — Explosions in Russia's Oryol Oblast, residents claim Ukrainian missile attack, governor says drones
The regional governor said Russian air defenses shot down Ukrainian drones in the area, while residents claimed the city was being attacked by missiles.
kyivindependent.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:23 PM
No matter how much damage results from a Ukraine drone attack, the Russians always counter that, if any damage did occur, it was due to debris created when drones were destroyed by Russia's air defenses! Seems Russian air defenses are doing good work for Ukraine?! kyivindependent.com/explosions-r...
Reposted by Ed Franks
Talk about a gallery of rogues: Maduro buddies include Comrade Putin, Chairman Xi, Ortega of Nicaragua, Cuba, the kleptomullahs of Iran, etc. The scum of the Earth?! www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
China backs Venezuela, Trump hints Maduro’s end is near as tensions escalate
China on Tuesday defended its growing cooperation with Venezuela, saying that its engagement with leader Nicolás Maduro’s government “constitutes normal cooperation between sovereign states” and is “n...
www.miamiherald.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Talk about a gallery of rogues: Maduro buddies include Comrade Putin, Chairman Xi, Ortega of Nicaragua, Cuba, the kleptomullahs of Iran, etc. The scum of the Earth?! www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-...
From about 50-55' Trump goes completely NUTS, ranting about this & that, lying repeatedly, one lie after another. Many other parts are appalling to boot. Not sure if the 50-55' part is the cut rant often cited, but it well could be! Last nite's cut "interview" was unbearable. x.com/RapidRespons...
Rapid Response 47 on X: "See President Donald J. Trump's FULL interview on @60Minutes — all 73+ minutes, without the network's edits and cuts. WATCH IN FULL: https://t.co/i95cQ3Gqei" / X
See President Donald J. Trump's FULL interview on @60Minutes — all 73+ minutes, without the network's edits and cuts. WATCH IN FULL: https://t.co/i95cQ3Gqei
x.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:26 AM
From about 50-55' Trump goes completely NUTS, ranting about this & that, lying repeatedly, one lie after another. Many other parts are appalling to boot. Not sure if the 50-55' part is the cut rant often cited, but it well could be! Last nite's cut "interview" was unbearable. x.com/RapidRespons...
If they were really deporting murderers & rapists they'd be parading such vicious villains in "perp walks" for us to see, to shut down all Lefty complainers, but they don't do this, which PROVES they don't have the evidence to back up these asinine claims by the king of magical thinking, Herr Tramp!
O’Donnell: “Have some of these raids gone too far?”
Trump: “I think they haven’t gone far enough.”
He’s claiming “many” of them are murderers and rapists when the facts don’t bear that out. They’re deporting workers, tackling young mothers, and tear gassing neighborhoods.
He wants a police state.
Trump: “I think they haven’t gone far enough.”
He’s claiming “many” of them are murderers and rapists when the facts don’t bear that out. They’re deporting workers, tackling young mothers, and tear gassing neighborhoods.
He wants a police state.
November 3, 2025 at 1:30 AM
If they were really deporting murderers & rapists they'd be parading such vicious villains in "perp walks" for us to see, to shut down all Lefty complainers, but they don't do this, which PROVES they don't have the evidence to back up these asinine claims by the king of magical thinking, Herr Tramp!
God damn our Fascist-in-Chief, Tramp: bbc.com/news/videos/...
Tracking the ICE tactics used in Trump's mass deportation drive
BBC Verify has gathered more than 70 videos to track how President Trump's illegal immigration crackdown has unfolded so far.
bbc.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:25 AM
God damn our Fascist-in-Chief, Tramp: bbc.com/news/videos/...
This cause is worthy! sign.moveon.org/petitions/st...
Stop streaming ICE recruitment ads NOW!
The Trump administration has funneled billions of dollars into these dystopian ICE recruitment ads. Meanwhile, cities are being terrorized by ICE agents who are running rampant with abuses of power, s...
sign.moveon.org
November 2, 2025 at 4:51 AM
This cause is worthy! sign.moveon.org/petitions/st...
God damn Modi and his pro-fascist sensibilities. And I doubt very much that he's motivated by any concerns for the mass poverty the continues to overwhelm India, not to mention the de facto slavery of the Dalits, perhaps 10 to 15% of the population. kyivindependent.com/indias-large...
India's largest oil refiner reportedly buys Russian crude from non-sanctioned entities
The purchases demonstrate how Indian refiners are adapting to new U.S. sanctions while maintaining access to Russian crude, seeking alternative suppliers to avoid penalties.
kyivindependent.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:43 AM
God damn Modi and his pro-fascist sensibilities. And I doubt very much that he's motivated by any concerns for the mass poverty the continues to overwhelm India, not to mention the de facto slavery of the Dalits, perhaps 10 to 15% of the population. kyivindependent.com/indias-large...
Given the critical state of the war, coupled with the notorious reputation of the port of Odesa for corruption, one might suggest that this step is long overdue. Such measures may not be needed for most less strategic cities, even in war, but Odesa is different!? kyivindependent.com/zelensky-tak...
Zelensky takes full control of Odesa, sending message to local governments
When Odesa Mayor Hennadiy Trukhanov was stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship, a move that immediately ended his political career, some local residents erupted in celebration.
The questionable practi...
kyivindependent.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Given the critical state of the war, coupled with the notorious reputation of the port of Odesa for corruption, one might suggest that this step is long overdue. Such measures may not be needed for most less strategic cities, even in war, but Odesa is different!? kyivindependent.com/zelensky-tak...
Marvelous news from Pres Z about destroying the "nuclear" missile deep inside Russia last year! kyivindependent.com/ukraine-dest...
Ukraine's spy agencies destroyed Putin's vaunted 'Oreshnik' missile deep inside Russian territory, Zelensky says
SBU chief Vasyl Maliuk later specified that the missile was destroyed at the Kapustin Yar missile range in Russia’s Astrakhan Oblast.
kyivindependent.com
November 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Marvelous news from Pres Z about destroying the "nuclear" missile deep inside Russia last year! kyivindependent.com/ukraine-dest...
Help the Kyiv Independent keep going against all the odds. Their English language coverage is crucial to keeping the news of the war high on the list of worries in the much of the West, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, & many other places where English is a de facto 2nd language!? gofund.me/b5eea14d6
Donate to Keep the Kyiv Independent going, organized by Kyiv Independent
The Kyiv Independent is Ukraine’s fastest-growing English-language media outlet, crea… Kyiv Independent needs your support for Keep the Kyiv Independent going
gofund.me
October 30, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Help the Kyiv Independent keep going against all the odds. Their English language coverage is crucial to keeping the news of the war high on the list of worries in the much of the West, the US, UK, Canada, Australia, & many other places where English is a de facto 2nd language!? gofund.me/b5eea14d6