News Notes:

Congress and Aid to Ukraine and Israel

• It appears that the Republicans are going to hold up not only a deal on a border enforcement bill with changes they have been asking for, but funding to Ukraine and Israel.
• Trump has issued orders as a candidate, a candidate not an office holder, that any deal on the border would make Biden look good and therefore him look bad. 
• The Republicans are dutifully killing the bill.
• People like David Ignatius are lamenting the lasting damage to American credibility (if there’s any of it left) involved in abandoning Ukraine.  He is also talking about Ukraine “defending what it has,” i.e. settling for giving away something like a fifth of the country to the Russians.
• Ignatius is suggesting (on MSNBC) that Ukraine could build fortifications like those built by the Russians in Southeastern Ukraine to hold “what it has.”  the slow, halting nature of the U.S. assistance was what allowed Russia to construct those formidable fortifications. 
• We must not turn our backs on Ukraine.  It would be like turning our backs on ourselves.
• Joe Scarborough is predicting a “Saigon-like collapse in Ukraine” if the Republicans scuttle this funding deal.

Israel

• Netanyahu is criticizing Qatar while Qatar tries to negotiate a hostage deal.  The Qataris are furious.  I am assuming that the hostage families are furious as well.
• The CIA Director trying to help arrange hostage release deal. 
• (Note: Many people are saying that these hostages have probably been treated so brutally that it is not in Hamas’ interest to release them now.)
• In Gaza, famine, disease lack of medical services.
• The US has paused funding for the UN agency UNRAW, The United Nations Relief and works Agency for Palestine Refugees.  There are allegations that 12 UNRWA employees were involved in the 10/7 attack on Israel.
• The ICJ made a provisional ruling on Friday about Israel and the war in Gaza.  While not telling Israel to implement a cease fire, it did instruct Israel to decrease the civilian casualties.
• By not telling Israel to implement a cease fire they indicated that they weren’t convinced at this point that the charge of genocide is founded.
• They did, however, issue a series of provisional orders requiring preventive actions by the Israelis.  This means that they are to take steps to prevent conditions that may lead to genocide even if the “intent” is either not being proven or being deliberated.
• (Note: See Haartez, 1/26/24)
• “Netanyahu offers only a dark, cold void.”  Scheindlin, D. (1/26/24) Haaretz.

• According to recent polling, 38% of Jews in Israel support Israel annexing all the territories with limited rights for Palestinians.
• “We don’t need polls.  We need leadership.”  Scheindlin, D. (1/26/24) Haaretz.

Iran

• Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. warned Iran about the potential of an Islamic State terrorist attack.  The attack then killed scores of people at the memorial for Soleimani. 

2024 Election

• A fake robocall was used by Republicans in New Hampshire to encourage people not to vote.  The call sounded as if it were Biden talking.
• (Note: Republicans will do anything, ANYTHING to win in 2024.  They cannot afford to lose.  They will lie, steal and cheat to take this election and most people in power are in denial that this is happening.)
• Trump says he wants a depression, the economy to tank in this next year.  (Note: Adult human beings are still voting for this man.)

On the Home Front

• Mike finally let the cats out.  Pooper was tearing around the house in anticipation. 
• Little Carmine (our newest outside feral) didn’t come for breakfast.  Mike was disappointed.  He’s been out in the middle of the night with a flashlight looking for the little guy.  We are hopeless.