Contrast: some progressive Democrats in Congress asked for direct negotiations between the US and Putin, over Ukraine's head. This could only make a difference if it becomes a pathway to handing part of Ukraine or some Ukrainians to Putin.

Some Republicans in Congress (or running for it) simply don't care what happens to Ukraine, and are ready to let Putin have all or part of Ukraine

just to be done with it.

I think those Democrats' proposal is misguided, but I understand their wish to end the suffering caused by the war. I doubt that the Republicans care about that.

*Musk probably bought Twitter for the same reason that sickeningly rich people throughout history have become press barons: to try to control the conversation.*

Here's a list of occasions when Musk tried to censor people whose statements caused inconvenience for him.

To prevent Twitter from being a sinkhole for billions of dollars per year, Musk needs to keep advertisers happy by discouraging messages they won't like.

Over 500 million children (or perhaps minors) face frequent heat waves, which tend to damage their health. By 2050, that could rise to over 2 billion.

Republican-dominated state legislatures are fabricating creative new excuses for making elections unfair, hoping that the Republican-dominated Supreme Court will rule them legitimate.

Europe must try not to cut off contacts with Russians in general. We need more understanding between Russians and Europeans/Americans.