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https://twitter.com/bluestein/status/1792224055300370553

"A fascinating new poll by Levada. Asked if they would support ending the war if Putin decided to do so, 71% of Russian respondents agree (21% are opposed). Asked if they would support ending the war while returning the annexed territories to Ukraine, 30% agree (60% are opposed).

Considering the challenges of conducting polling in Russia, I find it quite amazing that 30% are in favor of returning to the status quo ante (I imagine to Feb 2022, not to pre-2014). On the other hand, 60% want to fight on if peace meant losing the annexed territories.

None of this actually means much in terms of the Kremlin's policy. I imagine that if asked if they wanted  war in Feb. 2022, a healthy majority of Russians would have said "this is insane". And yet Putin chose war on their behalf.

But on the whole, this suggests a more nuanced picture of where we are with Russia than most people realize."

https://twitter.com/DrRadchenko/status/1791648791583449370

I feel like that if they raised more money than Donnie they would have stated already
So it seem like the Biden campaign is being silent on the money raised because they know it would humiliate them if they reveal they have less money than Trump

Yeah, its either one of these imo-
1) they didn't raise as much, so they're hoping to bury it in the news cycle
b) they did raise more, so they're waiting for a specific day to get a positive news cycle

Because I thought the same thing a few months ago for one of them where they waited, and then they actually raised more than I thought. But given it's nearly May 20th, it's pretty weird they haven't said anything.

Bizarre that the most obviously true part of his speech - “Being a mother and homemaker is important and rewarding, and you shouldn’t let your career get in the way of that if it’s what you really want” - is the most controversial.

Because that isn't the point he was making.

You mean that’s not the point that you read in?

From a Facebook friend:

Here's a theology lesson: For Christians,the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament presents (among other things) guidelines on how YOU should live... not on how you should control how OTHERS live. Any ‘church” that teaches otherwise is one you should run from.

If the New Testament gives guidelines on how you should live, those same guidelines can be applied to others. Your Facebook friend posted gibberish.

Talk more when you are ready to give up your career and dreams so that your- checks notes - life can start by being a homemaker, father, and husband. After all, according to Harrison butker you've been fed the greatest lies in the world by saying that you can achieve more satisfaction in life outside of those roles.

I mean, are we waiting for him to retire to take up those roles tomorrow? Or is he just selling some double standard BS dressed up as Christian piety?

Badger, if my partner made millions of dollars a year playing sports, I would gladly be a stay-at-home husband, wouldn’t you? Or are you under the delusion that your job is more important than raising your kids and having more time to devote to your hobbies (sh!tposting on Atlas Forum)? If so, it sounds like you’ve bought into a diabolical lie!

I don't necessarily have a problem with the premise that having a successful career and raising a family can (and should) be harmonious.  Maybe that's what he was going for here (though I sincerely doubt it). 

Rather, it's the disturbingly high amount of men who still believe that women pursuing careers is a detriment to society.  It's one of the few places where I'm a hardliner: if you truly believe that, you're wrong.  No exceptions.  And Butker's statements have apparently empowered these individuals. 

Social media is not necessarily representative of real-life, but on posts about this story, many of the top rated comments are along the lines of "he's right, society was better before women entered the work force". 

Obviously, you'll always get trolls and troublemakers, but these posts get hundreds of likes -- signifying that there are a lot more people out there who believe this nonsense than there should be. 

Just to clarify, most scientists still believe COVID has a zoonotic origin more likely than not. It's the intelligence agencies that have leaned towards lab leak in the last couple years.

I feel like that if they raised more money than Donnie they would have stated already
So it seem like the Biden campaign is being silent on the money raised because they know it would humiliate them if they reveal they have less money than Trump

One representative for every 30,000 constituents maximum or 50,000 constituents minimum per the Founders' Rule:

In my opinion, it should be 100,000. I don't care that the House would have 3,400 members. If it's truly the "people's house", the population per district should be small enough where Congressional staffs don't have to be sized in the dozens in order to serve constituents.

That is akin to there size of the state of reresentatives in New Hampshire some 400 members 0r some crazy thing.

Maryland is still not done counting, but here's what we have so far:

Dems (86% in)
Biden 87.2%
Uncommitted 9.7%

Reps (92% in)
Trump 78.3%
Haley 21.7%

By the end, I expect Biden to get to ~88% while Trump around ~77% (though they probably don't have as many VBMs left at this point)

Candidates clash over Middle East Crisis

Washington, 19 May -

In the hours following the Turkish incursion into northern Iraq and the response by Saudi Arabia, both Hurt and Short have responded. The two candidates offered different reactions to the row. Speaking to CNN, Sen. Joanne Hurt (MN-NNL) affirmed Turkey's right to defend itself against terrorism and warned Saudi Arabia against further attacks.

"Turkey is a NATO allly and has an inherent right to stop weapons smuggling from across the Iraqi border. I would caution the Saudis against making any more threats... [W]e don't want another war in the Middle East." Hurt said. "Saudi Arabia has been an ally to us in the past, but as President I will stand up to anyone, even our friends."

When pressed on the fact that Turkey launched these attacks preemptively, Hurt said "Turkey has a right to secure its own borders. That does not mean I condone everything their military does, but this was a sensible decision." She continued "What we should be talking about is the bloody Saudi intervention in Yemen that has killed hundreds of thousands."

Alternatively, Gov. Veronica Short (NY-ALP) has been more critical of Turkey. Speaking to reporters in Brooklyn, Short said "This decision by Turkey was reckless. There remains no convincing evidence that weapons smuggling across the border is occurring." She said. "What this appears to be is a prelude to Turkish expansion into Kurdish territory at the expense of Iraq. We should be standing by our Iraqi partners and sending a clear message to Turkey that further attacks will not be tolerated."