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Dennis Donovan
Dennis Donovan's Journal
Dennis Donovan's Journal
November 13, 2024
RawStory: Trump's pick for Middle East envoy a 'prominent' fundraiser -- and staunch Netanyahu ally
RawStory - Trump's pick for Middle East envoy a 'prominent' fundraiser and staunch Netanyahu ally
Sarah K. Burris
November 12, 2024 6:36PM ET
A longtime Donald Trump friend, golf buddy and investor has been named as the new special envoy to the Middle East, Reuters reported Tuesday afternoon, and early reactions on social media noted he's pro-Israel, with one critic openly wondering if he'll facilitate a "water front housing development in Gaza."
Steve Witkoff is an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington Post diplomacy reporter John Hudson recalled. Witkoff "attended Netanyahu's speech to Congress in July and criticized Democrats for not supporting Bibi," said Hudson.
It felt spiritual, Witkoff said at the time, and yet, thats not the reaction you sense that you were getting from many of those Democrats," Witkoff told Fox Business.
Journalist Ragip Soylu, who reports on Turkey, posted on X, "Guess he will facilitate the water front housing development in Gaza which had been proposed by [Jared] Kushner."
Witkoff also raised money for Trump's 2024 campaign, Bloomberg TV's Annmarie Hordern pointed out.
/snip
Sarah K. Burris
November 12, 2024 6:36PM ET
A longtime Donald Trump friend, golf buddy and investor has been named as the new special envoy to the Middle East, Reuters reported Tuesday afternoon, and early reactions on social media noted he's pro-Israel, with one critic openly wondering if he'll facilitate a "water front housing development in Gaza."
Steve Witkoff is an ally of Benjamin Netanyahu, Washington Post diplomacy reporter John Hudson recalled. Witkoff "attended Netanyahu's speech to Congress in July and criticized Democrats for not supporting Bibi," said Hudson.
It felt spiritual, Witkoff said at the time, and yet, thats not the reaction you sense that you were getting from many of those Democrats," Witkoff told Fox Business.
Journalist Ragip Soylu, who reports on Turkey, posted on X, "Guess he will facilitate the water front housing development in Gaza which had been proposed by [Jared] Kushner."
Witkoff also raised money for Trump's 2024 campaign, Bloomberg TV's Annmarie Hordern pointed out.
/snip
November 13, 2024
https://bsky.app/profile/votevets.bsky.social/post/3larvxpc43k2r
NEW: VoteVets Responds To News of Likely Trump Purge of Generals
VoteVets
@votevets.bsky.social
NEW: VoteVets Responds To News of Likely Trump Purge of Generals
"Unless somehow stopped or talked out of this plan, it will be remembered as the first step in remaking the military from an apolitical force loyal to the Constitution into a MAGA Military, pledging fealty to Donald Trump."
November 12, 2024 at 5:46 PM
@votevets.bsky.social
NEW: VoteVets Responds To News of Likely Trump Purge of Generals
"Unless somehow stopped or talked out of this plan, it will be remembered as the first step in remaking the military from an apolitical force loyal to the Constitution into a MAGA Military, pledging fealty to Donald Trump."
November 12, 2024 at 5:46 PM
https://bsky.app/profile/votevets.bsky.social/post/3larvxpc43k2r
November 12, 2024
WSJ: Trump Draft Executive Order Would Create Board to Purge Generals (Archived)
WSJ - (archived: https://archive.ph/K925Q )Trump Draft Executive Order Would Create Board to Purge Generals
The panel could upend the military review process and raise concerns about the politicization of the military
By Vivian Salama, Nancy A. Youssef and Lara Seligman
Nov. 12, 2024 3:33 pm ET
WASHINGTONThe Trump transition team is considering a draft executive order that establishes a warrior board of retired senior military personnel with the power to review three- and four-star officers and to recommend removals of any deemed unfit for leadership.
If Donald Trump approves the order, it could fast-track the removal of generals and admirals found to be lacking in requisite leadership qualities, according to a draft of the order reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. But it could also create a chilling effect on top military officers, given the president-elects past vow to fire woke generals, referring to officers seen as promoting diversity in the ranks at the expense of military readiness.
As commander in chief, Trump can fire any officer at will, but an outside board whose members he appoints would bypass the Pentagons regular promotion system, signaling across the military that he intends to purge a number of generals and admirals.
The draft order says it aims to establish a review that focuses on leadership capability, strategic readiness, and commitment to military excellence. The draft doesnt specify what officers need to do or present to show if they meet those standards. The draft order originated with one of several outside policy groups collaborating with the transition team, and is one of numerous executive orders under review by Trumps team, a transition official said.
The warrior board would be made up of retired generals and noncommissioned officers, who would send their recommendations to the president. Those identified for removal would be retired at their current rank within 30 days.
/snip
The panel could upend the military review process and raise concerns about the politicization of the military
By Vivian Salama, Nancy A. Youssef and Lara Seligman
Nov. 12, 2024 3:33 pm ET
WASHINGTONThe Trump transition team is considering a draft executive order that establishes a warrior board of retired senior military personnel with the power to review three- and four-star officers and to recommend removals of any deemed unfit for leadership.
If Donald Trump approves the order, it could fast-track the removal of generals and admirals found to be lacking in requisite leadership qualities, according to a draft of the order reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. But it could also create a chilling effect on top military officers, given the president-elects past vow to fire woke generals, referring to officers seen as promoting diversity in the ranks at the expense of military readiness.
As commander in chief, Trump can fire any officer at will, but an outside board whose members he appoints would bypass the Pentagons regular promotion system, signaling across the military that he intends to purge a number of generals and admirals.
The draft order says it aims to establish a review that focuses on leadership capability, strategic readiness, and commitment to military excellence. The draft doesnt specify what officers need to do or present to show if they meet those standards. The draft order originated with one of several outside policy groups collaborating with the transition team, and is one of numerous executive orders under review by Trumps team, a transition official said.
The warrior board would be made up of retired generals and noncommissioned officers, who would send their recommendations to the president. Those identified for removal would be retired at their current rank within 30 days.
/snip
November 12, 2024
Anne Applebaum
@anneapplebaum.bsky.social
2. And until then - Biden should send all of the allocated weapons, let the Ukrainians hit targets in Russia with American and European missiles, and above all pressure the Europeans, finally, to release the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets. No time to lose.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/11/biden-trump-ukraine/680632/?gift=hVZeG3M9DnxL4CekrWGK3zffT0eLFQltr_IEJNr1tAo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share (gift article)
November 12, 2024 at 12:02 PM
https://bsky.app/profile/anneapplebaum.bsky.social/post/3larcqrt7i22z
"Land for peace" sounds nice, but the president of Russia isn't fighting for land - he's fighting to destroy Ukraine
The Atlantic - Putin Isnt Fighting for Land in Ukraine(Gift article)
And Biden has mere weeks to give the Ukrainians the resources they need to fight.
By Anne Applebaum
November 12, 2024, 8:45 AM ET
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian targets have increased in frequency in the week since the U.S. election, killing civilians and destroying another dam. Russian troops continued to make incremental gains toward the city of Pokrovsk. The Russian army is preparing a new offensive, this time using North Korean troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his election but implied that he would have discussions only if the U.S. initiates talks, drops its sanctions, and refuses to offer any further support for Ukraineaccepting, in other words, a Russian victory. Meanwhile, Russian state television welcomed news of the election by gleefully showing nude photographs of Melania Trump on the countrys most-watched channel.
How will the new U.S. administration respond? What should the outgoing administration do?
In one sense, nothing will change. For nearly three years, many, many people, from the right to the left, in Europe and in America, have called for negotiations to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration repeatedly probed the possibility of negotiations. The German government endlessly proposed negotiations. Now a new team will arrive in Washington, and it will be demanding negotiations too.
The new team will immediately run into the same dilemma that everyone else has encountered: Land for peace sounds nice, but the president of Russia isnt fighting for land. Putin is fighting not to conquer Pokrovsk but to destroy Ukraine as a nation. He wants to show his own people that Ukraines democratic aspirations are hopeless. He wants to prove that a whole host of international laws and norms, including the United Nations Charter and the Geneva conventions, no longer matter. His goal is not to have peace but to build concentration camps, torture civilians, kidnap 20,000 Ukrainian children, and get away with itwhich, so far, he has.
/snip
And Biden has mere weeks to give the Ukrainians the resources they need to fight.
By Anne Applebaum
November 12, 2024, 8:45 AM ET
Russian drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian targets have increased in frequency in the week since the U.S. election, killing civilians and destroying another dam. Russian troops continued to make incremental gains toward the city of Pokrovsk. The Russian army is preparing a new offensive, this time using North Korean troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Donald Trump on his election but implied that he would have discussions only if the U.S. initiates talks, drops its sanctions, and refuses to offer any further support for Ukraineaccepting, in other words, a Russian victory. Meanwhile, Russian state television welcomed news of the election by gleefully showing nude photographs of Melania Trump on the countrys most-watched channel.
How will the new U.S. administration respond? What should the outgoing administration do?
In one sense, nothing will change. For nearly three years, many, many people, from the right to the left, in Europe and in America, have called for negotiations to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Biden administration repeatedly probed the possibility of negotiations. The German government endlessly proposed negotiations. Now a new team will arrive in Washington, and it will be demanding negotiations too.
The new team will immediately run into the same dilemma that everyone else has encountered: Land for peace sounds nice, but the president of Russia isnt fighting for land. Putin is fighting not to conquer Pokrovsk but to destroy Ukraine as a nation. He wants to show his own people that Ukraines democratic aspirations are hopeless. He wants to prove that a whole host of international laws and norms, including the United Nations Charter and the Geneva conventions, no longer matter. His goal is not to have peace but to build concentration camps, torture civilians, kidnap 20,000 Ukrainian children, and get away with itwhich, so far, he has.
/snip
Anne Applebaum
@anneapplebaum.bsky.social
6h
1. Land for peace sounds nice, but the president of Russia isnt fighting for land. Putin is fighting to destroy Ukraine as a nation. When the next U.S. president takes office he will therefore face the same choices : help Putin win, or help him lose.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/11/biden-trump-ukraine/680632/?gift=hVZeG3M9DnxL4CekrWGK3zffT0eLFQltr_IEJNr1tAo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share (gift article)
Anne Applebaum
@anneapplebaum.bsky.social
2. And until then - Biden should send all of the allocated weapons, let the Ukrainians hit targets in Russia with American and European missiles, and above all pressure the Europeans, finally, to release the $300 billion in frozen Russian assets. No time to lose.
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2024/11/biden-trump-ukraine/680632/?gift=hVZeG3M9DnxL4CekrWGK3zffT0eLFQltr_IEJNr1tAo&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share (gift article)
November 12, 2024 at 12:02 PM
https://bsky.app/profile/anneapplebaum.bsky.social/post/3larcqrt7i22z
November 12, 2024
Axios: Scoop: Sanders seeks to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel
Axios - Scoop: Sanders seeks to block $20 billion in arms sales to Israel
Stephen Neukam
15 mins ago -
Politics & Policy
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will force votes on resolutions to block more than $20 billion in offensive aid to Israel next week, multiple sources told Axios.
Why it matters: Sanders' resolutions will almost certainly be defeated on the Senate floor, but they will give a good snapshot of just how strong the sentiment against Israel's war effort in Gaza is amongst Senate Democrats.
The big picture: The Sanders resolution will give a good snapshot of just how strong the sentiment against the Israeli war in Gaza is amongst Senate Democrats.
/snip
Stephen Neukam
15 mins ago -
Politics & Policy
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will force votes on resolutions to block more than $20 billion in offensive aid to Israel next week, multiple sources told Axios.
Why it matters: Sanders' resolutions will almost certainly be defeated on the Senate floor, but they will give a good snapshot of just how strong the sentiment against Israel's war effort in Gaza is amongst Senate Democrats.
-Sanders has long been a leading critic of the Israeli government and U.S. support for its war in Gaza.
-The resolutions that Sanders will raise next week would block the Biden administration from sending billions of dollars in offensive aid to Israel.
-The Biden administration has been reluctant to withhold arms, and announced Tuesday that it would not enforce its ultimatum to cut aid if humanitarian conditions in Gaza did not improve.
The big picture: The Sanders resolution will give a good snapshot of just how strong the sentiment against the Israeli war in Gaza is amongst Senate Democrats.
-Sanders was joined by Sens. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) in introducing the resolutions to block the arms sales.
-The aid that would be blocked includes tank munitions, F-15IA aircrafts and mortars, if all the resolutions were to be passed.
-Sanders is forcing the vote at the same time that Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is planning to pass a bill that would crack down on antisemitism on college campuses.
/snip
November 12, 2024
/snip
AlterNet: GOP senator suggests Trump's daughter-in-law take Marco Rubio's Senate seat
AlterNet - GOP senator suggests Trumps daughter-in-law take Marco Rubios Senate seat
Maya Boddie
November 12, 2024
If Donald Trump appoints Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to the role of secretary of state, one of his fellow Republican senators thinks the president-elect's daughter-in-law would be "a tremendous" replacement, Axios reported Tuesday.
Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) who offered the GOP State of the Union rebuttal in February told Axios the Republican National Committee co-chair "just got off a historic win."
The Alabama lawmaker added, "She understands the America First agenda. For me, I think she would be a tremendous pick, a voice for hard working families and another mom of school aged kids that understands what we're up against, and that's to fight to protect the American dream."
The Daily Beast noted, "Lara has not officially spoken about the public support. Yet as these things typically go, no one who wants it says that they want it."
TIME reported in July:
Maya Boddie
November 12, 2024
If Donald Trump appoints Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) to the role of secretary of state, one of his fellow Republican senators thinks the president-elect's daughter-in-law would be "a tremendous" replacement, Axios reported Tuesday.
Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) who offered the GOP State of the Union rebuttal in February told Axios the Republican National Committee co-chair "just got off a historic win."
The Alabama lawmaker added, "She understands the America First agenda. For me, I think she would be a tremendous pick, a voice for hard working families and another mom of school aged kids that understands what we're up against, and that's to fight to protect the American dream."
The Daily Beast noted, "Lara has not officially spoken about the public support. Yet as these things typically go, no one who wants it says that they want it."
TIME reported in July:
The upshot is that Lara Trump is potentially going places in MAGA World. As an articulate Trump defender and one of his most prominent surrogates, she would have a long list of options should her father-in-law reclaim the White House, ranging from a senior role in a second Trump term to elected office. 'If we win,' says Charlie Kirk, the right-wing firebrand, 'she'll definitely be one of the most sought after and respected people in the conservative movement.'
/snip
November 12, 2024
AP: At least 11 employees injured in explosion at Kentucky business
AP - At least 11 employees injured in explosion at Kentucky business
By DYLAN LOVAN and REBECCA REYNOLDS
Updated 5:50 PM EST, November 12, 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) At least 11 employees were taken to hospitals after an explosion on Tuesday at a Louisville, Kentucky, business that produces natural color for foods and drinks.
The cause of explosion, which happened at Givaudan Sense Colour, was unknown. News video footage showed an industrial building with the middle section burned and partially collapsed.
No one answered the phone at the companys Louisville office. A man who answered at the Port Washington, Wisconsin, office declined to comment.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said officials spoke to employees inside the plant. They have initially conveyed that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred, he said.
Greenburg said officials have accounted for everyone who was working at the plant at the time of the explosion. Officials would not comment on the severity of the injuries received by the people who were taken to hospitals.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian ONeill said air monitoring began immediately after the explosion and nothing at this point has ever shown any type of chemical problems in the air in this entire region. ONeill also said that fire officials dont precisely know yet exactly what types of leaks may happen or may be ongoing, but he urged residents to stay calm.
/snip
By DYLAN LOVAN and REBECCA REYNOLDS
Updated 5:50 PM EST, November 12, 2024
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) At least 11 employees were taken to hospitals after an explosion on Tuesday at a Louisville, Kentucky, business that produces natural color for foods and drinks.
The cause of explosion, which happened at Givaudan Sense Colour, was unknown. News video footage showed an industrial building with the middle section burned and partially collapsed.
No one answered the phone at the companys Louisville office. A man who answered at the Port Washington, Wisconsin, office declined to comment.
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg said officials spoke to employees inside the plant. They have initially conveyed that everything was normal activity when the explosion occurred, he said.
Greenburg said officials have accounted for everyone who was working at the plant at the time of the explosion. Officials would not comment on the severity of the injuries received by the people who were taken to hospitals.
Louisville Fire Chief Brian ONeill said air monitoring began immediately after the explosion and nothing at this point has ever shown any type of chemical problems in the air in this entire region. ONeill also said that fire officials dont precisely know yet exactly what types of leaks may happen or may be ongoing, but he urged residents to stay calm.
/snip
November 12, 2024
https://bsky.app/profile/realtuckfrumper.bsky.social/post/3laruu3celg2h
Axios: What to know about TikTok's future under Trump
Axios - What to know about TikTok's future under Trump
April Rubin
25 mins ago -
Politics & Policy
President-elect Trump could be TikTok's saving grace years after threatening to ban the app during his first term.
Why it matters: The future of the popular short-form video app looked grim earlier this year because of elected officials' national security concerns about its ties to China. Not so much anymore.
State of play: Under a bipartisan law that passed in April, TikTok would be banned by January in the U.S. unless its China-based parent company ByteDance sold it. The deadline could be extended 100 days if a sale was underway.
Zoom in: Trump, who's been bullish on China, repeatedly said he opposed banning TikTok during his latest presidential campaign.
/snip
April Rubin
25 mins ago -
Politics & Policy
President-elect Trump could be TikTok's saving grace years after threatening to ban the app during his first term.
Why it matters: The future of the popular short-form video app looked grim earlier this year because of elected officials' national security concerns about its ties to China. Not so much anymore.
State of play: Under a bipartisan law that passed in April, TikTok would be banned by January in the U.S. unless its China-based parent company ByteDance sold it. The deadline could be extended 100 days if a sale was underway.
-The Justice Department and TikTok have asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit for a ruling by early December in order to seek a review from the Supreme Court before the law's mid-January deadline to sell.
-Trump as president could urge Congress to repeal the law, which was passed in April, or encourage his future attorney general not to enforce it, the Washington Post reported. The legislation also gives the attorney general the authority to conduct investigations related to violations.
Zoom in: Trump, who's been bullish on China, repeatedly said he opposed banning TikTok during his latest presidential campaign.
-Republicans concerned about Chinese influence, like Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Rep. Jeff Duncan (R-S.C.), backed the ban.
-TikTok has sued the U.S over the ban, challenging its constitutionality.
/snip
https://bsky.app/profile/realtuckfrumper.bsky.social/post/3laruu3celg2h
November 12, 2024
https://bsky.app/profile/americasvoice.bsky.social/post/3laruriq6l223
Speaker Johnson says warnings about non-citizen voting actually prevented it. 🙄
America's Voice
@americasvoice.bsky.social
Johnson said all the weeks & months of Republicans warning about supposed noncitizen voting had prevented it from actually happening.
In May Johnson had warned that voting by undoc immigrants presented an unprecedented and a clear & present danger to the integrity of our election system.
November 12, 2024 at 5:24 PM
@americasvoice.bsky.social
Johnson said all the weeks & months of Republicans warning about supposed noncitizen voting had prevented it from actually happening.
In May Johnson had warned that voting by undoc immigrants presented an unprecedented and a clear & present danger to the integrity of our election system.
Gabe Ortíz
@tusk81.bsky.social
10m
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Tuesday that the widespread voter fraud hed warned about all year turned out not to be a problem in last weeks elections that Republicans happened to win.
November 12, 2024 at 5:24 PM
https://bsky.app/profile/americasvoice.bsky.social/post/3laruriq6l223
November 12, 2024
https://bsky.app/profile/slayeragolf.bsky.social/post/3laquefq2js2e
Did Russian oligarchs help Elmo buy Twitter so he could use it to help elect Trump? US Intel is OK with this?
Agolf Twitler Slayer
@slayeragolf.bsky.social
So, Russian Oligarchs helped Elon Musk buy Twitter so he could use it to help trump get elected, and US intelligence is OK with this.
Did I get that right?
November 12, 2024 at 7:44 AM
@slayeragolf.bsky.social
So, Russian Oligarchs helped Elon Musk buy Twitter so he could use it to help trump get elected, and US intelligence is OK with this.
Did I get that right?
November 12, 2024 at 7:44 AM
https://bsky.app/profile/slayeragolf.bsky.social/post/3laquefq2js2e
Profile Information
Name: AlGender: Male
Hometown: Upstate NY
Home country: USA
Current location: Still Upstate NY
Member since: Wed Oct 15, 2008, 05:29 PM
Number of posts: 25,059