Law, Power, and Justice

Monday 17 March 2025

LIFE AND NEWS NOTES FROM AN ELDERLY CHILDLESS CAT LADY WORKING AWAY IN THE SUB-BASEMENT OF THE MIINISTRY OF SNARK

Quote of the Day: “Yes, it’s time to fight.  It’s past time to fight.” Sarah Longwell.

Ukraine

It appears that Ukraine has moved back from territory formerly taken in Russia.  There were fears earlier that Russian troops were moving to encircle Ukrainian forces which may have provoked the withdrawal.

It just amazes me that this collection of men have changed the world. David Ignatius is on Morning Joe asking whether various policies are in “America’s interests.”  Donald Trump doesn’t give a fuck what is and is not in America’s interests.  They just cannot get rid of the delusion that Trump is an independent actor.  He is a Putin puppet.  He destroyed Voice of America yesterday with the announcement coming from the Puppet Rubio announcing the end of the Cuban version.  What a soulless man.

Yemen

U.S. is bombing Yemen.

U.S.

Trump sent Venezuelans to El Salvador despite a judicial order.

New York Times: Detention Facilities:

(Note: Trump’s detention plans are going to leave private prison companies awash in money.  Cultural Note: If you haven’t watched “Orange is the new black” do so.  The later seasons depict some of the problems of private detention facilities.)

• “The two family detention centers in Texas are being run by private prison companies….The site in Killey, which is operated by CoreCivic, can hold up to 2,400 people.  The other, a 1300 bed facility in Karnes is managed by GEO group.”

New York Times: Ukraine

• Putin and Trump will talk on Tuesday.
• Trump (greedy sob that he is) has been talking about power plants and “dividing up” Ukrainian assets.
• Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day cease-fire.  The Russians (greedy Sobs that they are) have not.
• The remarks about the “power plants” is thought to refer to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant which Russia has controlled since its capture.  Ukraine has demanded that the Russians leave, but it is unlikely Putin will agree. The plant is in Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region which Rusia has officially annexed despite controlling only part of its territory.

Moscow Times: Feoktistov, Dmitry/Tass

• The Russian Central Bank has proposed restricting cryptocurrency transactions to the wealthiest individuals, preventing most citizens from trading digital assets unless they meet stringent financial criteria.
• The proposal suggests allowing companies already qualified to participate.  These include professional financial market participants such as banks, insurance companies, brokers, brust managers, no-state pension funds and asset management companies for mutual investment funds.
• Russia is introducing measures to regulate digital assets which have become more important since financial restrictions after the invasion of Ukraine.
• In 2024, the country legalized “cryptocurrency mining, while a new tax regime for digital assets took effect in 2025.

CNN: Over the weekend, Trump has

• Defied court orders on deportations
• Attacked the legitimacy of court orders
• Targeted third law firm tied to his self-perceived enemies
• Made demands on Columbia University
• Tightened grip on Kennedy Center
• Shut down Voice of America
• Accused news media of “illegal” activity.
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