Earl

Microbiologist, molecular biologist, professor, amateur brewer. Music, ale, books, film/tv, food, sport. Moving: @beernbugs.bsky.social 🇺🇸🇸🇪🇱🇻🇺🇦🇬🇱🇵🇦

[Iowa Democrats @iowademocrats]

ICYMI: This weekend, Zach Lahn attended a rally calling for a complete abortion ban in Iowa. In fact, Lahn has said he wants to “do more” than Kim Reynolds’ ban.

[Bleeding Heartland @LauraRBelin]

Iowa Attorney General @BrennaBird and GOP nominee for governor @ZachLahn don't think Iowa's abortion ban goes far enough.
(from "KHOI's Capitol Week")

[Iowa Democrats @iowademocrats]

It’s been four years since the Dobbs decision, and in its wake, Iowa women continue to struggle to access reproductive care thanks to Republicans’ continued attacks on abortion rights.

We will never stop working to restore every Iowan's freedom to make their own health care decisions without fear of government interference.

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

Today is the Day of the Center of Special Operations “Alpha” of the SSU: professional, brave, and motivated warriors who carry out complex and important missions every day for Ukraine’s security.

Over the years of the full-scale war, Alpha fighters have destroyed thousands of pieces of enemy equipment and inflicted enormous losses on the occupiers. These warriors are behind up to 20% of all enemy infantry losses. This is a high level of effectiveness that speaks for itself. Thanks to Alpha’s long-range operations, the enemy is feeling the consequences of its own aggression far from the front lines, deep in Russia’s rear. And there are even more successful operations ahead.

Thank you to every Alpha warrior for your service and for the results you deliver for the country. Eternal honor and gratitude to all those who gave their lives defending Ukraine.

Glory to our defenders!
Glory to Ukraine!

[Bleeding Heartland @LauraRBelin]

Governor Kim Reynolds didn't keep her promise to hold weekly press conferences.

Hope Iowa's next governor does better on that front. (Terry Branstad held a regular Monday morning press conference for many years.)

[Earl @beernbugs]

So true!

[PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 @patriottakes]

These are the 15 soldiers who died during Trump’s unauthorized war in Iran:

Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, Winter Haven, Florida

Sgt. 1st Class Noah L. Tietjens, 42, Bellevue, Nebraska

Sgt. 1st Class Nicole M. Amor, 39, White Bear Lake, Minnesota

Sgt. Declan J. Coady, 20, West Des Moines, Iowa

Maj. Jeffrey R. O'Brien, 45, Waukee, Iowa

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert M. Marzan, 54, Sacramento, California

Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington, 26, Glendale, Kentucky

Maj. John A. Klinner, 33, Auburn, Alabama

Capt. Ariana G. Savino, 31, Covington, Washington

Tech. Sgt. Ashley B. Pruitt, 34, Bardstown, Kentucky

Capt. Seth R. Koval, 38, Mooresville, Indiana

Capt. Curtis J. Angst, 30, Wilmington, Ohio

Tech. Sgt. Tyler H. Simmons, 28, Columbus, Ohio

Lance Cpl. Kevin Melendez, 19, Grapevine, Texas

Maj. Sorffly Davius, 46, New York, New York

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

There is no army without funding. And when we talk about Europe’s security, we are talking about its foundation – the Ukrainian army.

Our army has real experience of modern warfare and has been able to hold back a force as large as Russian aggression.
We need to provide long-term security guarantees for Europe, and that means long-term financial guarantees for the Ukrainian army.

Maintaining the army, providing the equipment it needs, paying soldiers, and funding military contracts – all of this is necessary. The Coalition of the Willing, and the European Union as part of it, and your countries as members of it, can develop the financial instruments needed to make this possible.

From an address at the EU Council meeting. (3/3)

[Occupy Democrats @OccupyDemocrats]

BREAKING: HELL YES! The European Parliament formally demands that Albania END Jared Kushner's corrupt resort development in a massive blow to the President's son-in-law.

This is the nightmare scenario for Ivanka and her crooked husband...

“The Flamingo Protest shows that citizens care about protecting the environment and joining the EU. We will stand with them, supporting their protest against Trump allies who exploit their natural heritage and supporting their journey towards the EU,” said Dutch MEP Tineke Strik of the Greens–European Free Alliance.

Protests have swept Albania over the past month in opposition to the project, which includes a $1.4 billion development on an island and a $4.7 billion deal for a stretch of protected coastline. Because the development endangers wildlife including flamingos, the protests have been nicknamed "The Flamingo Revolution.

The EU previously warned Albania that the ecological disruption could endanger their bid to join the Union, because it runs afoul of their environmental rules. This new move from the European Parliament is an escalation of that campaign to abort the project.

The lawmakers adopted a resolution in their 2025 Commission Report on Albania which calls for an "immediate moratorium" on new permits as well as the termination of all construction in protected regions. While it doesn't specifically mention Kushner, the intent is clear. This is a response to his plutocratic endeavors.

"Europe should pay close attention to what is happening in Albania. There is no better guarantee for the path toward accession to the European Union than a living, conscious people capable of mobilizing against predatory capitalism, in defense of justice, the commons and freedom," said Italian MEP Ilaria Salis.

We stand with the proud, defiant people of Albania. They have every right to defend their beautiful country from the wicked tendrils of Donald Trump's family. Kushner wants to carve out yet another luxury playground for the war criminals, pedophiles, and sex traffickers of the Epstein Class.

He must be stopped.

Please ❤️ and share if you stand with Albania

[Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський @ZelenskyyUa]

There’s no doubt that Putin fears the return of his army home. That is why he is so afraid of the war ending without victory. And there will be no victory. He is physically afraid of his own army. That is why, if there is no ceasefire backed by specific security guarantees, he will return to war. And this time, others may be the ones under attack.

Today, Ukraine is de facto the second army of NATO – one that is not inferior to the second army in the world. And that is why NATO needs us – specifically us – de jure. This is already a fact recognized by all leaders. Putin will remain in the Kremlin until his death, and he has one goal: the restoration of the Soviet Union. Without Ukraine, this is impossible, and that is why things are so difficult for us.

From answers to journalists’ questions. (3/3)

[Bleeding Heartland @LauraRBelin]

Prominent social conservative who endorsed Adam Steen for governor before the primary.

[Marc E. Elias @marceelias]

We are suing to prevent Donald Trump from controlling mail-in voting by dictating to the Postal Service of whose ballot they will and won't deliver. All of this is laddering up to Trump trying to dictate who gets to vote and who doesn't.

[Earl @beernbugs]

@jhoburgh DCBA

[Iowa Democrats @iowademocrats]

As Kim Reynolds heads to Clear Lake to continue her failed legacy tour, Zach Lahn has already said he’s “grateful” for everything she’s done.

Watch IDP Chair Rita Hart set the record straight on all of Reynolds’ failed policies Lahn is “grateful” for:

[Iowa Democrats @iowademocrats]

Today is Juneteenth, a day to celebrate freedom while remembering that we must continue our work to ensure equality and opportunity are truly for all.

[Bleeding Heartland @LauraRBelin]

New post by Randy Evans: The Iowa Supreme Court rebuffed (for now) the University of Iowa’s attempt to modify the conditions of a scholarship for Black students.
https://t.co/zRPaIE7KF7

[Bleeding Heartland @LauraRBelin]

New post: Bruce Lear has lots of questions for the GOP nominee for governor, including: When was the last time Zach Lahn visited an Iowa public school? Can he give a single example of a Marxist teacher?
https://t.co/JShOMuRDR4

[Iowa Democrats @iowademocrats]

"Taxpayers paid roughly $258.7 million in FY26 to fund private school tuition that otherwise would have been paid privately."

It's no secret that the Iowa GOP's voucher program overwhelming benefits families that could already afford private schools.
https://t.co/xCPOGJHoLE