I remember David Graeber's insight into #voting being a big 'Aha' moment for me:

"Majoritarian democracy was, in its origins, essentially a military institution. . . .

"It is of obvious relevance that Ancient Greece was one of the most competitive societies known to history. It was a society that tended to make everything into a public contest . . . So it might not seem entirely surprising that they made political decision-making into a public contest as well. Even more crucial though was the fact that decisions were made by a populace in arms. . . . [I]f a man is armed, then one pretty much has to take his opinions into account. . . . [E]ven if the vote was 60/40, everyone could see the balance of forces and what would happen if things actually came to blows. Every vote was, in a real sense, a conquest." #history #politics #democracy

- Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology theanarchistlibrary.org/librar…

Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology

David Graeber Fragments of an Anarchist Anthropology 2004

^{The Anarchist Library}

Wednesday, November 6

Russia’s war against Ukraine

Military and police members inspect the remains of a Russian drone in the Shevchenkivskyi district after the Nov. 5 attack in Kharkiv. As a result of the strike, two women were injured. (Oleksandr Manchenko/Gwara Media/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Umerov confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast. The clashes were small-scale, according to Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov.

Russia launches record number of drones in October, General Staff reports. Russia launched at least 4,300 Shahed-type attack drones and similar UAVs imitating Shaheds against Ukraine between August and October 2024 — a sharp increase compared to earlier months — according to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Ukrainian Legion in Poland reportedly receives over 500 applications in a month. The recruitment center of the Ukrainian Legion in Poland has received over 500 applications in a month from Ukrainians living in 30 countries, Ukrinform reported on Nov. 5, citing the center's officials.

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Ukrainian GPS spoofing for repelling drone attacks could indirectly affect smartphone clocks, General Staff says. Users in Ukraine have begun to experience more frequent automatic time changes on their smartphones due to the activation of electronic warfare systems during air raid alarms.

Google responds to claims map images revealed locations of Ukrainian weapons. "These satellite images were taken more than a year ago and come from publicly available sources — we deliberately do not publish the latest images of war zones," Google said.

Putin appoints Ukraine war veteran as governor of Tambov region. Russian President Vladimir Putin has appointed a Ukraine war veteran to govern one of Russia’s regions, marking the highest position awarded to a participant in the full-scale invasion so far.

The Kyiv International Economic Forum (KIEF) — one of the largest international forums in Eastern Europe — will take place on Nov. 7, with the Kyiv Independent as a media partner.

KIEF brings together representatives of business, government, and society to promote Ukraine's integration into the global community.

Register here: **forumkyiv.org/en/**

Read our exclusives

Zelensky used talk with Trump about nuclear weapons as leverage before crucial US election, analysts say

With Ukraine's future hanging in the balance ahead of the Nov. 5 U.S. presidential election, Ukraine’s president turned up the heat, invoking the specter of nuclear weapons to nudge whoever lands in the Oval Office toward offering more conventional weaponry to Kyiv.

Photo: Uliana Boichuk/Novyny LIVE/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images

Ukraine war latest: Kyiv confirms first battles between Ukrainian and North Korean soldiers in Kursk Oblast

The first clashes between the Ukrainian Armed Forces and North Korean soldiers have already taken place in Russia's Kursk Oblast, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed on Nov. 5 in an interview with South Korean TV channel KBS.

Photo: Ed Jones / AFP via Getty Images

Ukraine struggles to contain Russian advance in Donetsk Oblast as US elections loom

As U.S. voters head to the polls on Nov. 5 for presidential elections likely to shape the course of Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine, the situation on the battlefield is beginning to unravel for Kyiv.

Photo: Gaelle Girbes/Getty Images

‘Trump wants to do everything he can to help Putin,’ McCain Institute head says

Evelyn Farkas, head of the McCain Institute—a U.S.-based think tank named after the late Republican Senator John McCain—fears that Donald Trump's return as president would be the worst-case scenario for Ukraine.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

Harris or Trump — Ukraine braces for best, worst-case scenarios as US elects new president

The two candidates' pre-election positions on continuing to support Ukraine with weaponry are in such stark contrast that some experts estimate whoever emerges victorious will impact whether Kyiv stays in the fight or is choked of supplies to the point of capitulation.

Photo: Rebecca Noble/Getty Images

Human cost of war

Russian military shoots 6 Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk Oblast, Prosecutor General's Office says. Russian troops shoot six captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers in the Pokrovsk sector of the front line in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office reported on Nov. 5.

Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia kills 6, injures 23. Russian forces reportedly targeted an infrastructure facility, starting a fire. The full extent of damage is being determined.

Russia strikes near residential area in Kharkiv**, injuring at least 2.** Moscow struck the Shevchenskyi district with a Shahed-type drone at nearly 5 p.m. local time, according to the preliminary data.

McFaul on Ukraine's future with Trump vs. Harris

International response

Sweden unveils new aid package for Ukraine worth over $9 million. Sweden will provide Ukraine with a new aid package valued at nine million euros ($9.8 million), which includes two vessels designed to enhance maritime security. The country will also supply 40,000 protective masks and respirators to Ukraine's Emergency Service personnel.

Estonia wants to bar Russian, Belarusian citizens from voting in local elections. Estonia aims to narrow voting eligibility in local elections to exclude Russian and Belarusian citizens in order to counter Russian influence, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal told state broadcaster ERR on Nov. 4.

North Korean military involvement in Russia's war to be met with 'coordinated response,' G7 foreign ministers say. Besides the G7 members, including the U.S., Japan, Italy, the U.K., Germany, France, Canada, and the High Representative of the European Union, the statement was also signed by South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.

U.S. presidential election

Republicans take back US Senate. The Republican party has won control of the U.S. Senate, according to projected election results on Nov. 5.

Trump wins key US state of North Carolina. With 90% of votes tallied, Trump led Democratic challenger Vice President Kamala Harris 50.8% to 48%. The projection marks the first call of a major swing state in the U.S. presidential election.

Chinese accounts linked to Russian election disinformation. Analysts at the Atlantic Council's Digital Forensic Research Lab found that accounts originating in China helped amplify Russian disinformation videos targeting U.S. voters.

Russia stepping up election interference as US citizens head to polls, intelligence agencies warn. Russia is expected to intensify attempts to undermine the U.S. vote on election day with a focus on swing states, U.S. intelligence agencies said in a statement on the eve of the election on Nov. 4.

Bomb threats across multiple states traced to Russian email domains**, FBI says.** As Americans head to the polls on Nov. 5, the FBI has announced that bomb threats targeting polling sites in multiple states appear to have originated from Russian email domains. The agency clarified that none of these threats have been deemed credible.

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Today’s Ukraine Daily was brought to you by Martin Fornusek, Boldizsár Győri, Francis Farrell, Kateryna Hodunova, Olena Goncharova, Abbey Fenbert and Dmytro Basmat.

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#Trump Claims “Illegal Alien” #Voting Is Rampant. His Own Party Disagrees.
==

In a private video training session, a top #Pennsylvania #Republican National Committee official reassured a new poll watcher that undocumented people could not possibly vote in the state.

#News #Election2024 #DonaldTrump #RNC #GOP #Video #Politics #Government #Immigration

propublica.org/article/trump-p…

RNC Video Contradicts Trump’s “Illegal Aliens” Voting Claims

In a private video training session, a top Pennsylvania Republican National Committee official reassured a new poll watcher that undocumented people could not possibly vote in the state.

^ProPublica

A #Georgia #Election Official’s Months-Long Push to Make It Easier to Challenge the 2024 Results
==
Julie Adams quickly ascended from a little-known #conservative activist to a surprise appointee on the Fulton County board of elections.

She has used her new perch to carry out the efforts of players seeking to tilt the election in Trump’s favor.

#News #Politics #Election2024 #Atlanta #Voting #Election #Government #Trump

propublica.org/article/julie-a…

Julie Adams’ Rise From Conservative Activist to Georgia Election Official

Julie Adams quickly ascended from a little-known conservative activist to a surprise appointee on the Fulton County board of elections. She has used her new perch to carry out the efforts of players seeking to tilt the 2024 election in Trump’s favor.

^ProPublica

I had no idea that North Carolina allows spouses to share a voting booth. Both must consent to that, but of course an abused (or otherwise scared or intimidated) spouse isn't going to complain.

ncnewsline.com/2024/10/25/alam…

h/t @MissGayle @Burnt_Veggies @cafechatnoir
#uspol #voting #NorthCarolina

Alamance County voters raise concerns about spouses sharing polling booths • NC Newsline

Some Alamance County voters at the polls were shocked to see spouses sharing voting booths — though the practice is legal in North Carolina.

^{Brandon Kingdollar (NC Newsline)}

Sensitive content Click to open/close

An initiative I like to promote every now and then is Pizza to the Polls.

"[Filing] a gap in the nonpartisan political landscape - delivering pizzas On Demand to people waiting to vote all over the country."

polls.pizza

#vote #gotv #voting #pizza #food #PizzaToThePolls

Pizza to the Polls 🍕🇺🇸

Pizza to the Polls is making democracy delicious by delivering free food for all to polling places with long lines. Send us reports of long lines and we'll send in the delicious reinforcements.

^polls.pizza

The Man Behind Project 2025’s Most Radical Plans
==
As #Trump tried to disavow the politically toxic project, its director, Paul Dans, stepped down.

But the plans and massive staffing database that he prepared — to replace thousands of members of the “deep state” with #MAGA loyalists — remain.

#News #Government #election2024 #Election #project2025 #HeritageFoundation #Politics #Voting #GOP #PaulDans

propublica.org/article/project…

Paul Dans, the Man Behind Project 2025’s Most Radical Plans

As Donald Trump tried to disavow the politically toxic project, its director, Paul Dans, stepped down. But the plans and massive staffing database that he prepared — to replace thousands of members of the “deep state” with MAGA loyalists — remain.

^ProPublica

#Nevada Republicans’ Caucus Adds Chaos and Confusion to the State’s Presidential Primary
==

While legal, the party’s decision to host a competing contest to the Feb. 6 primary election has angered #GOP voters and provided fertile ground for #misinformation to take hold, experts say, undermining voters’ trust in the process.

#Republicans #Elections #News #Politics #Voting #Voters

propublica.org/article/nevada-…

Nevada Republicans’ Caucus Adds Chaos and Confusion to the State’s Presidential Primary

While legal, the party’s decision to host a competing contest to the Feb. 6 primary election has angered GOP voters and provided fertile ground for misinformation to take hold, experts say, undermining voters’ trust in the process.

^ProPublica

Latest comic on a Delaware town's bill that would allow LLCs and other corporations to vote in local elections:

#democracy #voting #plutocracy

!Friendica Support

Erst dachte ich, es fehlen wieder Bilder:

Aber auf der #Mastodon - Seite sieht man, dass es eine #Abstimmung ist, welche bei #Friendica nicht angezeigt wird:

Muss das so oder haben wir eine Chance, solche Features ebenfalls angezeigt und vielleicht sogar daran teilnehmen zu können?
TNX

#Voting