Joseph Britt
zathras5.bsky.social
Joseph Britt
@zathras5.bsky.social
Wisconsin and the world. Opinions my own. Once a Republican.
Pinned
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.
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
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
New from @ellenwapo.bsky.social @alexhorton.bsky.social & colleagues at @washingtonpost.com: Trumpers decided they wanted to be seen killing drug dealers (or people who looked like drug dealers); they then fired or reassigned agency lawyers who objected. [gift link] wapo.st/43FXQfO
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
wapo.st
November 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Thread summarizing developments over the last day or so. Nothing involving the American government is ever final until it’s final these days. But an epic betrayal of Ukraine and of Europe seems now in motion.
Important report on what may turn out to be a pivotal moment in the Russo-Ukrainian War from @kyivindependent.com.

Trump is attempting to impose a settlement on Russian terms, perhaps hoping to claim a news cycle from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal & a faltering economy. Zelensky is put in a corner.
⚡️ 'One of the most difficult moments' — Zelensky addresses Ukraine amid controversial US peace plan.

"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said
November 22, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Some thoughts on the Ukraine peace process.

My latest in @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/ukraine-ru...
The U.S. Must Not Push Ukraine Into an Unjust, Unstable Peace
It would be a moral betrayal and a strategic blunder.
www.thebulwark.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Important report on what may turn out to be a pivotal moment in the Russo-Ukrainian War from @kyivindependent.com.

Trump is attempting to impose a settlement on Russian terms, perhaps hoping to claim a news cycle from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal & a faltering economy. Zelensky is put in a corner.
⚡️ 'One of the most difficult moments' — Zelensky addresses Ukraine amid controversial US peace plan.

"Ukraine may soon face an extremely difficult choice. Either the loss of dignity or the risk of losing a key partner," he said
'One of the most difficult moments' — Zelensky addresses Ukraine amid controversial US peace plan
President Volodymyr Zelensky was responding to growing concerns over a new peace proposal that reportedly reflects Russia's longstanding demands.
kyivindependent.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
After unprecedented autism-vaccine messaging change, scientists, CDC no longer trustworthy www.cidrap.umn.edu/childhood-va...

@pauloffit.bsky.social: CDC has devolved into “a propaganda machine for RFK Jr.'s fixed, immutable, science-resistant theories."

"...a tragic day for public health."
After unprecedented autism-vaccine messaging change, scientists, advocates say CDC no longer trustworthy
www.cidrap.umn.edu
November 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Billionaires buy the American government: this @washingtonpost.com survey skips billionaires’ dominance of political media, for obvious reasons. But it’s still a striking illustration of how Americans are losing their democracy to the extremely wealthy. [gift link]. wapo.st/48nkqMN
How billionaires took over American politics
The current concentration of wealth is unlike anything in history. So is billionaires’ involvement in politics.
wapo.st
November 21, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Thread. Department of Homeland Security personnel deployed to hunt migrants in the Chicago area — up to & including the head of the Border Patrol — made so many false or misleading statements about their activities as to raise suspicion they acted under instruction. By @reichlinmelnick.bsky.social
THREAD: Judge Ellis is the first federal judge to review extensive body cam video of DHS's actions in Chicago. She finds that DHS *repeatedly* misled the public and made claims that were disproven by agents' own videos.

I'll go through some of the most egregious ones here.
November 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
The Trump administration has ordered the US military to kill 80 people in these strikes so far. It is also claiming no one within the military raised concerns that these might amount to extrajudicial killings — that is, murders — by the American government. Via @alexhorton.bsky.social
When the top JAG at Southern Command told the Pentagon that their plans to blow up fishing boats based on suspicions that they might have drugs in the cargo hold was certainly illegal, Hegseth simply ignored him, while others told him his career was over. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Top military lawyer concerned about Trump ‘drug boat’ strikes was ignored: report
The senior judge advocate general reportedly raised concerns that the airstrikes against the alleged ‘narco-terrorists’ could amount to extrajudicial killings
www.independent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Loved this very niche podcast about Wisconsin, the weather, and the Wisconsin Idea. With @uwmadison.bsky.social professors Steven Ackerman & Jonathan Martin — hosts of The Weather Guys radio show here — and @drshepherd2013.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
The Weather Guys at Wisconsin
Podcast Episode · Weather Geeks · 11/19/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
What is to be done about this?

Seriously, we can’t have a President frantically calling for legislators to be imprisoned or killed. Especially not legislators who merely restated an ancient principle of American military conduct — soldiers may not follow illegal orders. Age & stress is no excuse.
Trump calls for Democratic lawmakers to face trial for ‘seditious behavior’
Trump calls for Democratic lawmakers to face trial for ‘seditious behavior’
President Donald Trump on Thursday called for six Democratic lawmakers to face arrest and trial after they made a video encouraging U.S. service members and members of the intelligence community to refrain from following orders if they broke the law. “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” Trump charged in a post on Truth Social. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.” The president then reposted 16 Truth Social posts, including one that advocated for hanging the Democrats, like “GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.” “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” he later wrote. Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), as well as Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Penn.) were featured in the Tuesday video. They are all either military veterans or worked in national security-focused roles before taking office. “We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now,” they said. “Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders.” As part of a stated push to crack down on street crime and bolster deportations, Trump has federalized National Guard troops in American cities, including Washington, Chicago and Portland. Democratic officials have argued the president’s deployments constitute an illegal overreach of federal power and have sued to stop them. None of the Democrats in the video immediately responded to a request for comment regarding Trump’s threats. But Trump continued to stew over the video Thursday. “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country,” he wrote later. “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
dlvr.it
November 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Halted NIH Clinical Trials List Reveals Slashed Treatments for Cancer, COVID and Minority Health

www.scientificamerican.com/article/halt...

Sickle cell disease, sleep disorders and lung cancer & much more

A dive into the list of NIH's 383 shelved clinical trials, obtained by Scientific American
Halted NIH Clinical Trials List Reveals Slashed Treatments for Cancer, COVID and Minority Health
The National Institutes of Health has canceled funding for at least 383 clinical trials in the last year, affecting some 74,000 participants
www.scientificamerican.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Thread. Major fire at the climate summit at Belem, Brazil. No word on casualties. This story much more prominent on non-English language media, as the Trump administration refused to have the United States represented at the conference. By @roycerk2.bsky.social
BREAKING: COP30 Blue Zone venue is being evacuated after a firealarm was triggered. Smoke visible.
November 20, 2025 at 6:46 PM
As I thought. Trump crony Steve Witkoff has been attempting to negotiate a Ukrainian surrender with the Kremlin — without the Ukrainians, without the Europeans, and (evidently) without much of the Trump administration. A betrayal of Ukraine by Washington, if it stands. [gift link]

wapo.st/4ob1mWS
Ukraine and Europeans rebuke U.S. plan as ‘capitulation’ to Russia
Kyiv’s European partners said they should be involved in proposals for the security of Ukraine and Europe, indicating they hadn’t even been briefed on the plan.
wapo.st
November 20, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The Trump administration has ordered the US military to kill 80 people in these strikes so far. It is also claiming no one within the military raised concerns that these might amount to extrajudicial killings — that is, murders — by the American government. Via @alexhorton.bsky.social
When the top JAG at Southern Command told the Pentagon that their plans to blow up fishing boats based on suspicions that they might have drugs in the cargo hold was certainly illegal, Hegseth simply ignored him, while others told him his career was over. www.independent.co.uk/news/world/a...
Top military lawyer concerned about Trump ‘drug boat’ strikes was ignored: report
The senior judge advocate general reportedly raised concerns that the airstrikes against the alleged ‘narco-terrorists’ could amount to extrajudicial killings
www.independent.co.uk
November 20, 2025 at 6:06 PM
What is to be done about this?

Seriously, we can’t have a President frantically calling for legislators to be imprisoned or killed. Especially not legislators who merely restated an ancient principle of American military conduct — soldiers may not follow illegal orders. Age & stress is no excuse.
Trump calls for Democratic lawmakers to face trial for ‘seditious behavior’
Trump calls for Democratic lawmakers to face trial for ‘seditious behavior’
President Donald Trump on Thursday called for six Democratic lawmakers to face arrest and trial after they made a video encouraging U.S. service members and members of the intelligence community to refrain from following orders if they broke the law. “It’s called SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL,” Trump charged in a post on Truth Social. “Each one of these traitors to our Country should be ARRESTED AND PUT ON TRIAL. Their words cannot be allowed to stand - We won’t have a Country anymore!!! An example MUST BE SET.” The president then reposted 16 Truth Social posts, including one that advocated for hanging the Democrats, like “GEORGE WASHINGTON WOULD.” “SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR, punishable by DEATH!” he later wrote. Sens. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), as well as Reps. Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.), Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Chris Deluzio (D-Penn.) were featured in the Tuesday video. They are all either military veterans or worked in national security-focused roles before taking office. “We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now,” they said. “Americans trust their military. But that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens. Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear, you can refuse illegal orders.” As part of a stated push to crack down on street crime and bolster deportations, Trump has federalized National Guard troops in American cities, including Washington, Chicago and Portland. Democratic officials have argued the president’s deployments constitute an illegal overreach of federal power and have sued to stop them. None of the Democrats in the video immediately responded to a request for comment regarding Trump’s threats. But Trump continued to stew over the video Thursday. “This is really bad, and Dangerous to our Country,” he wrote later. “Their words cannot be allowed to stand. SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR FROM TRAITORS!!! LOCK THEM UP???”
dlvr.it
November 20, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
remember this "case" began with DHS press person claiming that multiple vehicles had ambushed and cornered CBP agents in a scene reminiscent of Baghdad 2007
November 20, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Loved this very niche podcast about Wisconsin, the weather, and the Wisconsin Idea. With @uwmadison.bsky.social professors Steven Ackerman & Jonathan Martin — hosts of The Weather Guys radio show here — and @drshepherd2013.bsky.social podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/w...
The Weather Guys at Wisconsin
Podcast Episode · Weather Geeks · 11/19/2025 · 31m
podcasts.apple.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
Thread. Illinois Congressman @seancasten.bsky.social refers here to a provision in the government funding bill that made Republican Senators found to have been in touch with January 6 conspirators to collect damages — to get public money for associating with people seeking to overturn an election.
Once again:

We had an amendment to strip the Seditioning Senate Stimulus provision in the House but GOP leadership blocked it, agreeing instead to pass a standalone bill that Thune had no obligation nor desire to take up. Faced with the opportunity to lead, Johnson cowered.
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thread. Illinois Congressman @seancasten.bsky.social refers here to a provision in the government funding bill that made Republican Senators found to have been in touch with January 6 conspirators to collect damages — to get public money for associating with people seeking to overturn an election.
Once again:

We had an amendment to strip the Seditioning Senate Stimulus provision in the House but GOP leadership blocked it, agreeing instead to pass a standalone bill that Thune had no obligation nor desire to take up. Faced with the opportunity to lead, Johnson cowered.
November 19, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Thread. @annabower.bsky.social is all over the disintegration of the revenge prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey.

The sequence of events will be discussed as a “mistake” by Trump prosecutors. It looks more like a slippery move they tried to get away with. The judge did not cooperate.
The facts are complicated, but here’s a summary of what appears to have happened based on the filings and today’s hearing:
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.

Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 8:11 PM
Thread. @ddayen.bsky.social on the AI bubble. We got lucky just over 15 years ago when the housing bubble burst, in that the prudent, responsible (if sometimes over-cautious) Barack Obama oversaw the response. A burst AI bubble with Trump in the White House would be COVID all over again.
From the people who brought you the financial crisis, Theranos, and Juicero: say hello to data center financial engineering!
I'm pretty nervous about this ending badly, but everyone's dug in because AI is the only pulse in the economy.
prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
The AI Bubble Is Bigger Than You Think - The American Prospect
It’s not just OpenAI that looks overhyped. There’s a whole mountain of sketchy financial engineering underneath.
prospect.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
From @starsandstripes.bsky.social, following an @axios.com story yesterday. Trump is happy enough to sell things to Ukraine — he thinks it makes him look like a savvy businessman — but Ukrainians must suspect he is conspiring with Russia to impose a settlement to the war on Russia’s terms.
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Joseph Britt
“‘Deathly silent’: two out of three corals in world heritage-listed Ningaloo reef have been killed, scientists confirm.”

www.theguardian.com/environment/...
‘Deathly silent’: two out of three corals in world heritage-listed Ningaloo reef have been killed, scientists confirm
One expert says she is ‘starting to visualise the point where all we have left of corals and reefs is memories’
www.theguardian.com
November 19, 2025 at 8:09 AM